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Full text of "American archives: consisting of a collection of authentick records, state papers, debates, and letters and other notices of publick affairs, the whole forming a documentary history of the origin and progress of the North American colonies; of the causes and accomplishment of the American revolution; and of the Constitution of government for the United States, to the final ratification thereof. By Peter Force. Prepared and published under authority of an act of Congress"

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HANDBOUND 
AT  THE 


UNIVERSITY  OF 
TORONTO  PRESS 


YA 


American 


y  .5 


CONSISTING  OF 


A  COLLECTION  OF  AUTHENTICK  RECORDS,  STATE  PAPERS,  DEBATES,  AND  LETTERS  AND 

OTHER  NOTICES  OF  PUBLICK  AFFAIRS, 


THE  WHOLE  FORMING 


A  DOCUMENTARY  HISTORY 


OF 


THE  ORIGIN  AND  PROGRESS  OF  THE  NORTH  AMERICAN  COLONIES; 


OF  THE 


CAUSES  AND  ACCOMPLISHMENT  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION; 


AND  OF 


THE  CONSTITUTION  OP  GOVERNMENT  FOR  THE  UNITED  STATES, 


TO 


THE  FINAL  RATIFICATION  THEREOF. 


l\   SIX  SERIES. 


FIRST  SERIES. 

From  the  Discovery  and  Settlement  of  the  North  American 
Colonies,  to  the  Revolution  in  England,  in  1688. 

SECOND  SERIES. 

From  the  Revolution  in  England,  in  1688,  to  the  Cession  of 
Canada  to  Great  Britain,  by  the  Treaty  at  Paris,  in  1763. 

THIRD  SERIES. 

From  the  Cession  of  Canada,  in  1763,  to  the  King's  Message 
to  Parliament,  of  March  7th,  1774,  on  the  Proceedings  in 
North  America. 


FOURTH  SERIES. 

From  the  King's  Message  of  March  7th,  1774,  to  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence,  by  the  United  States,  in  1776. 

FIFTH  SERIES. 

From  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  in  1776,  to  the  De- 
finitive Treaty  of  Peace  with  Great  Britain,  in  1783. 

SIXTH  SERIES. 

From  the  Treaty  of  Peace,  in  1783,  to  the  final  ratification 
of  the  Constitution  of  Government  for  the  United  States, 
proposed  by  the  Convention,  held  at  Philadelphia,  1787. 


BY  PETER  FORCE. 


PREPARED  AND  PUBLISHED  UNDER  AUTHORITY  OF  AN  ACT  OF  CONGRESS. 


E 


57 


ENTERED  ACCORDING  TO  ACT  OF  CONGRESS,  IN  THE  YEAR  1843, 

BY  PETER  FORCE, 

IN  THE  CLERK'S  OFFICE  OF  THE  DISTRICT  COURT  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


AMERICAN  ARCHIVES 


tms. 


CONTAINING 


A  DOCUMENTARY  HISTORY 


OF 


THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


FROM   THE 


DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE,  JULY  4,  1776, 


TO   THE 


DEFINITIVE  TREATY  OF  PEACE  WITH  GREAT  BRITAIN,  SEPTEMBER  3, 1783. 


BY  PETER  FORCE. 


VOLUME  I. 


PUBLISHED  BY  M.  ST.  CLAIR  CLARKE  AND  PETER  FORCE, 

UNDER   AUTHORITY   OF    ACTS  OF    CONGRESS,    PASSED    ON   THE    SECOND   DAY    OF    MARCH,    1833, 
AND    ON  THE    THIRD   DAY   OF    MARCH,    1843. 


WASHINGTON,  APRIL,  1848. 


ENTERED  ACCORDING  TO  ACT  OF  CONGRESS,  IN  THE  YEAR  1848, 

BY  PETER  FORCE, 
IN  THE  CLERK'S  OFFICE  OF  THE  DISTRICT  COURT  OF  THE  DISTRICT  OF  COLUMBIA. 


CONTENTS 


OF  THE  FIRST  VOLUME  OF  THE  FIFTH  SERIES. 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  ETC. 
1776.  

May  3,  Letter  from  Dennis  De  Berdt  to  Joseph  Reed,     372 

6,  Letter  from  the  Bridgetown  Committee  to  the 

New-Jersey  Delegates  in  Congress,     -         -     469 

7,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  on 

his  objections  to  an  immediate  declaration 

of  independence,  ...  -  95 

14,  Letter  of  agency  to  Asa  Perley  and  Asa  Kim- 
ball, 704 

14,  Proceedings  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Sunbury,  No- 
va-Scotia, -  -  705 

17,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  Gover- 
nour  Tryon :  The  first  division  of  Hessians 
have  sailed  for  America,  the  remainder  will 
soon  follow  ;  this  reinforcement  will  enable 
General  Howe  to  open  the  campaign  with 
advantage ;  the  Province  of  New-York  will  be 
the  main  object  of  the  General's  attention,  -  122 

19,  Letter  from  Captain  George  Forster  to  Major 
Butterfield  :  Terms  of  capitulation  at  the  Ce- 
dars, ...  -  162 

21,  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  St.  John's,  Nova- 

Scotia,  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly,        -     703 

22,  Letter  from  S.  Kirkland  to  General  Schuyler,  -     867 

26,  Articles  of  Capitulation  between  Major  Sher- 

burne  and  Captain  Forster,  -     162 

27,  Articles  of  Capitulation  between  General  Ar- 

nold and  Captain  Forster,  -  -     163 

30,  Proceedings  of  a  Council  of  War  held  in  Cham- 

bly,  Canada,      ------     164 

June  2,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  the  Commis- 
sioners of  Congress,  -  -  165 

7,  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Colonel  Pellenger  to 

the  Albany  Committee,       -  -     817 

8,  Letter  from  the  Albany  Committee  to  General 

Schuyler,  -  -     817 

10,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 

ington,    /-----  -    816 

11,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  Cover- 

nour  Tryon :  He  trusts  that  General  Howe 
has  fixed  his  Head-Quarters  in  New-York, 
and  will  soon  drive  the  Rebels  out  of  the 
Province:  Officers  appointed  to  command 
Corps  raised  in  America  are  not  to  expect 
rank  in  the  Army  after  their  reduction,  or  to 
be  entitled  to  half-pay,  -  -  -  123 

11,  Letter  from  Thomas  Burke  to  General  Lee,  -  98 
17,  Letter  from  George  Johnson  to  General  Lee: 
It  is  a  greater  honour  to  contribute  in  the 
smallest  degree  to  a  reconciliation  of  Ameri- 
ca and  Great  Britain,  than  to  have  the  greatest 
share  in  bringing  about  a  victory,  .  99 

17,  Report  of  the  Committee  of  Congress  on  the 

Capitulation  between  General  Arnold  and 
Captain  Forster,  -  -  -  -  159 

18,  Letter  from  John  Adams  to  General  Gates : 

Congress  has  ordered  him  to  the  post  of 
honour,  and  made  him  dictator  in  Canada 
for  six  months,  or  at  least  until  the  first  of 
October,  -  -  21 

21,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  Colonel  Thompson : 
Has  learned  with  concern  that  the  men  have 
been  suffered  to  fire  at  a  preposterous  dis- 
tance; orders  that  not  a  man  is  to  fire  without 
almost  a  moral  certainty  of  hitting  their  ob- 
ject, -  -  -  99 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


1776. 

JuneZl,  Letter  from  Colonel  Fleming  to  the  New-York 

Provincial  Congress,  -  ....     204 

21,  Letter  from  the  Committee   for   Cumberland 

County  to  the  New- York  Convention,          -   1535 

22,  Letter  from  Stephen  Smith  to  the  Massachu- 

setts Council,    -  ...    703 

25,  Letter  fro'm  Elbridge  Gerry  to  General  Gates : 

The  affairs  of  Canada  having  been  evidently 
suffering  from  want  of  an  experienced  offi- 
cer, his  appointment  to  that  command  is 
considered  a  happy  circumstance,  notwith- 
standing the  Eastern  Colonies  needed  his 
assistance,  -  -  -  -  -  -  21 

26,  Protest  of  sundry  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 

Barnstable,  Massachusetts,  against  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  that  Town,  at  their  meeting  held 
on  the  25th  instant,  -  -  -  147 

28,  Memorial  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown,          -  1219 
July  1,  Proceedings   of  the   Committee   of  Leonard- 
Town,  Maryland,        -  -     520 

1,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington:  Major  Rodgers  has  been 
put  under  guard  at  the  Barracks,  1 

1,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull,  Commissary-Ge- 
neral, to  the  President  of  Congress,  -  -  19 

1,  Letter  from  John  Whittier  to  James  Warren : 

Declines,  at  present,  to  accept  his  appoint- 
ment to  the  command  of  a  Regiment  for  the 
Canada  expedition,  -----  1 

2,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  the  President  of 

Congress:  Account  of  the  defeat  of  the  Bri- 
tish at  Sullivan's  Island,  ....  435 

2,  Letter  from  John  Covenhoven  to  the  President 

of  Congress :  The  enemy's  fleet  has  passed 
the  Hook,  for  New-York,  where  the  Militia 
of  Monmouth  County,  New-Jersey,  cannot 
be  prevailed  upon  to  march,  as  they  would 
leave  their  wives  and  children  to  be  murdered 
by  the  Tories,  -  1 

3,  Letter  from  Samuel  Tucker  to  the  President  of 

Congress:  Recommending  Major  Anderson,         2 

2,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Assembly  to  the 

several  Town  Committees:  Urges  them  to 
raise  Troops  with  all  possible  expedition,  -  2 

3,  Letter   from   Massachusetts  Assembly  to   the 

President  of  Congress:  Request  Congress 
will  direct  General  Washington  to  order  two 
of  the  Regiments  stationed  at  Boston  to 
march  to  Canada,  -  -  3 

3,  Letter  from  General  Sullivan  to  Colonel  Hoi- 
sington :  The  Army  on  Lake  Champlain  is 
fully  sufficient  to  oppose  any  force  that  may 
be  sent  against  them  at  present,  3 

3,  Letter  from  the  Officers  on  Governour's  Island 
to  General  Heath :  Request  a  reinforcement ; 
they  are  not  strong  enough  to  defend  the  post,  3 

3,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Committee  for  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania:  The 
Troops  they  are  to  raise  for  the  Flying-Camp 
should  be  sent  to  Philadelphia  with  the  great- 
est expedition,  ------  3 

3,  Letter  from  Colonel  Burd  to  the  Committee  for 
Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania:  Has  ar- 
rested Daniel  Shelly,  who  is  charged  with 
attempting  to  raise  soldiers  for  the  Ministe- 
rial Army,  ......  4 


Ill 

1776. 

July  2,  Orders  of  Colonel  Burd  to  Captain  Crutch,  for 
the  arrest  of  Captain  Shelly,        ... 
Statements  of  William  Wall  and  Ann  Wall,     - 
4,  Letter  from  Matthew  Tilghman  to  the  President 
of  Congress;  enclosing  Resolutions  for  rais- 
ing the°number  required  of  Maryland  for  the 
Flying-Camp,    -        -        -         -        - 

4,  Letter   from  Governour  Trurnbull  to   General 

Washington,      - 

5,  Edict  of  the  King  of  Portugal  prohibiting  all 

intercourse  between  his  dominions  and  the 
American  Colonies,  - 

5,  Letter  from  Barbue  Dubourg  to  Dr.  Franklin : 
Is  privately  informed  that  France  is  raising 
funds  for  a  great  armament, 

5,  Georgia  Council  of  Safety:  Representation  to 
General  Lee  of  the  state  of  the  Province,  - 

5,  Reformation  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer, 
by  the  Virginia  Convention,  - 

5,  Court-Martial  on  Captain  Ball,        - 

5,  Letter  from  David  Hall  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress :  General  disaffection  among  the  peo- 
ple of  Sussex,  in  Delaware, 

5,  Letter  from  a  Committee  of  Sussex  County  to 

the  Council  of  Safety  of  Delaware:  Request 

assistance — a  large  majority  of  the  people  in 

the  lower  part  of  the  County  disaffected,     - 

Testimony  of  Enoch  Scudder,         - 

5,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Colo- 
nel Haslett,  commander  of  the  Continental 
Troops  in  Delaware, 

5,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Convention  of  New-Jersey :  The  Prisoners 
are  to  be  removed  from  New-Jersey  to  York, 
in  Pennsylvania,  - 

5,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Committee  of  Safety:  The 
American  States  are  now  forever  divided  from 
those  who  wished  to  destroy  them, 

5,  Letter  from  General  Wooster  to  a  Committee 
of  Congress :  Complains  of  the  treatment  he 
received  from  the  Commissioners  to  Canada, 

5,  Letter  from  General  Wooster  to  a  Committee 
of  Congress:  Justifies  his  seizure  of  the 
goods  of  one  Bernard,  an  Indian  trader, 

5,  Letter  from  Elbridge  Gerry  to  James  Warren  : 
All  the  Colonies  except  New- York  voted  for 
the  Declaration  of  Independency, 

5,  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Philadelphia :  Loss  of 
the  Brig  Nancy  in  Delaware  Bay, 

5,  Measures  proposed  for  the  defence  of  New- 
Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  - 

5,  Letter  from  a  French  officer  in  America  to  a 
French  nobleman  in  Paris:  The  Americans 
are  able  to  resist  all  their  enemies, 

5,  Letter  from  Samuel  Tucker  to  the  President  of 
Congress :  An  officer  who  may  be  confided 
in  has  been  sent  to  take  charge  of  Governour 
Franklin,  ------- 

Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Brunswick  (July 
4)  to  the  New-Jersey  Provincial  Congress : 
The  prisoners  of  war  should  be  removed  to 
some  other  place,  -  -  -  -  - 

5,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Livingston,  ------ 

5,  Letter  from  General  Livingston  to  General 
Washington :  Colonel  Drake,  with  the  Second 
Morris  Battalion  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  will  be  down  this  evening, 

5,  Letter  from  General  Livingston  to  General 
Washington,  enclosing  intelligence  from 
Staten-Island,  ------ 

5,  Letter  from  Major  Duyckinck  to  General  Liv- 
ingston :  Has  arrived  at  Amboy  with  four 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  leaving  about  one 
hundred  at  the  Old  and  New  Blazing-Star,  - 

5,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  on  removing  the  prisoners 
from  the  City  of  New- York,  - 

5,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  General  Gates, 

5,  Letter  from  Ebenezer  Hazard  to  General  Gates : 
The  British  have  taken  possession  of  Staten- 
Island,  cattle  and  Tories,  -  -  -  - 

5,  Letter  from  Major  Goforth  to  the  New-York 
Provincial  Congress,  - 

5,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  respecting  prisoners, 


CONTENTS. 


IV 


5 
190 


10 
11 


11 
11 

12 
12 
13 

14 
14 
14 

15 
16 

16 

17 

18 
18 

19 


19 

20 


20 

205 

1389 


1776. 

July  5,  Letter  from  Maltby  Gelston,  Chairman  of  the 
Committees  of  South  and  East  Hampton,  to 
the  New- York  Provincial  Congress :  They 
fear  the  stock  on  the  east  side  of  Long- 
Island  will  fall  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  - 

5,  Letter  from  General  Scott  to  the  New- York 
Congress;  with  a  number  of  prisoners  of 
war.  General  Washington  is  very  uneasy  at 
the  detention  of  prisoners  of  war  in  the  city, 
at  this  critical  juncture, 

5,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington, with  an  examination  of  four  persons 
taken  last  night,  - 

5,  Letter  from  General  Mifflin  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  From  the  Colonels'  reports,  the  men's 
arms  are  in  a  most  alarming  situation, 

5,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  -  -  - 

5,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Schuyler,  - 

5,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 
Walter  Spooner, 

5,  Proceedings  at  a  meeting  of  the  towns  of  Lyme, 

Hanover,  Lebanon,  Thredford,  Norwich,  and 
Hartford,  at  Hanover,  New-Hampshire, 

6,  Letter  from  Arthur  Lee  to  Charles  W.  F.  Dumas, 
6,  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Paris:  The  Court  of 

Great  Britain  has  presented  a  memorial  to 
the  Courts  of  France  and  Spain,  strongly 
complaining  of  the  trade  which  is  so  indus- 
triously carried  on  by  the  French  and  Span- 
ish merchants  with  the  rebellious  Colonies 
of  America, 

6,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Harrison,  Jun.,  to  the 
President  of  Congress, 

6,  Letter  from  Matthew  Tilghman  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  ... 

6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington  :  The  Congress  have  judged 
it  necessary  to  dissolve  the  connection  be- 
tween Great-Britain  and  the  American  Colo- 
nies, and  to  declare  them  free  and  indepen- 
dent States,  ------ 

6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  - 

6,  Letter  from  the  Board  of  War  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  -  -  .  . 

6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
States  of  New- York,  Massachusetts,  Con- 
necticut, Rhode-Island,  and  New-Hampshire, 
with  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 

6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Assembly  of  New-Hampshire :  The  Congress 
have  ordered  Major  Rogers  to  be  sent  to 
New-Hampshire,  -  - 

6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  James 
Mease,  ----.._ 

6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Ward,  ...  . 

6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  John 
Bradford,  - 

6,  Advertisement  by  the  Board  of  War,  for  infor- 
mation respecting  flint  stone,  and  persons 
skilled  in  the  manufacture  of  flints, 

6,  Letter  from  Jacob  Rush  to  General  Washington, 

6,  Letter  from  a  gentleman  in  Philadelphia  to  his 
friend  in  Annapolis:  General  Howe  has 
landed  ten  thousand  Troops;  the  whole  Militia 
of  Pennsylvania  are  ordered  to  the  Jerseys,  - 

6,  Letter  from  the  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  Com- 
mittee to  the  President  of  Congress,  - 

6,  Letter  from  George  Ross  to  Colonel  Galbraith, 

6,  Letter  from  the  Northampton,  Pennsylvania, 
Committee  to  the  President  of  Congress, 

6,  Letter  from  the  Reading,  Pennsylvania,  Com- 
mittee to  the  President  of  Congress,  - 

6,  Conference  with  Indians  at  Fort  Pitt, 

6,  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey  to 
the  President  of  Congress:  The  Militia  are 
wholly  destitute  of  ammunition ,  the  Mon- 
mouth  Tories  had  confederated  under  oath ; 
about  thirty  are  flying  on  board  the  enemy's 
fleet, 

6,  Letter  from  General  Livingston  to  General 
Washington:  He  cannot  send  out  the  neces- 
sary detachments  for  want  of  powder  and 
ball,  -  -  


1394 

22 
27 

27 
28 
29 
30 


30 
30 


31 
31 
31 


32 
33 

33 

33 

33 
33 
34 
34 


34 
34 


34 

35 
35 

35 

35 
36 


37 


38 


CONTENTS. 


1776. 

July  6,  Letter  from  Major  Duyckinck  to  General  Liv- 
ingston, with  the  Tory  prisoners  taken  by 
General  Heard,  -  - 

6,  Letter  from  Genera!  Washington  to  General 
Livingston:  The  disaffection  of  the  people 
of  Amboy  and  the  treachery  of  those  of 
Staten-Island,  induced  him  to  give  orders  to 
General  Heard  for  their  arrest,  38 

6,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonel 
Silliman :  There  is  occasion  for  all  the  men 
that  can  be  possibly  got ;  no  force  that  can  be 
collected  will  be  too  great  to  ward  off  the 
blow  our  enemies  mean  to  strike  in  a  little 
time,  -  39 

6,  Letter  from  Colonel  Henshaw  to  General  Wash- 
ington,     -  ....    950 
6,  Letter  from  John  Jay  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress, enclosing  a  memorial  from  Mr.  Bill, 

of  New- York, 40 

6,  Letter  from  John  Jay  to  Edward  Rutledge,      -       40 
6,  Letter  from  Colonel  Weissenfels  to  Lord  Stir- 
ling, -       41 
6,  Letter  from  Major  Goforth  to  the  New- York 
Convention:  He  views  the  appointment  of 
juniors  over  him,  as  no  more  than  taking  the 
most  genteel  way  of  discharging  him  from 
the  publick  service,    -  -  1390 
6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
New- York   Convention:    Congress  has  de- 
clared Independence,  -  1397 
6,  Petition  from  Cadwalader  Golden  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,       -                           -  1404 
6,  Examination   and    Parole   of  John    Simpson, 
Samuel  Cox,   William  Elder,   William  Mc- 
Dermot,    James   Auchmuty    Joseph  Wool- 
comb,  and  Richard  Bruere,                   -         -       23 
6,  Letter  from  H.  Glenn  to  Colonel  Dayton,        -       42 
6,  Letter  from  H.  Glenn  to  Major  Fonda,    -         -       42 
6,  Letter  from  General  Sullivan  to  General  Schuy- 
ler,  requesting   leave  of  absence  from  the 
Army,  as  he  cannot,  consistently  with  his 
honour,  serve  under  the  command  of  General 
Gates,       ....                          -    235 
6,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,       -                   ...       43 
6,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  Eighteen  hundred  pounds 
in  hard  money  has  been  sent  to  the  Paymas- 
ter-General for  the  Northern  Department,    -       43 
6,   Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,       -                                     -       45 
6,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  Governour  Franklin  has 
given  his  parole  in  writing;  he  is  to  reside 
in  Wallingford,  -  45 
6,  Letter  from   Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Washington:  The  Connecticut  Battalions  are 
raising  with  all  possible  diligence,  and  will 
soon  march,        -                             ...       45 
6,  Resolutions  of  the  Committee  on  Prisoners,  in 

Connecticut,      -  46 

6,  Letter  from  Nehemiah  Estabrook  to  the  Assem- 
bly of  New-Hampshire :  The  people  about 
New-Hampshire  have  agreed  to  raise  three 
hundred  men  for  the  defence  of  the  frontiers, 
but  they  are  destitute  of  arms,  ammunition, 
and  money,  •  ....  43 


VI 


LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL  OF  NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

1776.  — 

July  6,  Proceedings  of  the  Council  from  June  5  to 

July  6,        -  -        -        47-59 


HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 
1776.  

July  6,  Proceedings  from  June  5  to  July  6,  -         59-87 

Acts  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  New-Hamp- 
shire : — 

For  establishing  the  style  of  Commissions,  which 
shall  hereafter  be  issued,  and  for  altering  the 
style  of  Writs,  Processes,  and  all  Law  Pro- 
ceedings, within  the  Colony;  and  for  direct- 
ing how  Recognizances,  to  the  use  of  this 
Colony,  shall  in  future  be  taken  and  prose- 
cuted,   87 


1776. 


To  prevent  the  forging  and  altering  Bills  of 
Publick  Credit,  and  for  preventing  the  de- 
preciation thereof;  and  for  making  Bills  of 
Credit  of  the  United  Colonies,  and  of  this 
Colony,  a  tender  in  all  payments, 

To  abolish  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  this  Colony, 
and  to  empower  the  Superior  Court  of  Judi- 
cature to  sustain  and  determine  all  matters 
pending  in  said  Court  of  Appeals,  and  to 
prevent  the  absurd  practice  of  granting  ap- 
peals to  the  King  of  Great  Britain  in  Council, 
from  judgments  of  any  Courts  in  this  Colony, 
in  future,  -....-. 

For  encouraging  the  fixing  out  of  armed  ves- 
sels to  defend  the  sea-coast  of  America,  and 
to  cruize  on  the  enemies  of  the  United 
Colonies ;  as  also  for  erecting  a  court  to  try 
and  condemn  all  ships  and  other  vessels, 
their  tackle,  apparel,  and  furniture,  and  all 
goods,  wares,  and  merchandises,  belonging 
to  any  inhabitant  or  inhabitants  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, taken  on  the  high  seas,  ... 


1776. 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  ETC. 


July!,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  Edmund  Pendleton, 
7,  Letter  from  Jesse  Hollingsworth  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety, 

7,  Letter  from  E.Johnson  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety, 
7,  Letter  from  the  Baltimore  Committee  to  the 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  :  Colonel  Ware 
has  drawn  a  plan  of  a  Fortification  for  Whet- 
stone Point,  *  -         - 
7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  Baltimore  Committee:   The  Convention 
has  ordered  no  further  money  for  Fortifica- 
tions at  or  near  Baltimore-Town, 
7,  Letter  from  Colonel  Smallwood  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,       -  -        - 
7,  Letter  from  Richard  Tootell  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety  :  Petitions  for  the  office  of  Sur- 
geon Major,       -                  -        - 
7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

General  Buchanan,    - 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Colonel  Weems,        ... 
7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 
to  Captain  Veazey  and  Lieutenant  Harri- 
son, ...... 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Captain  Veazey, 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Richard  Buchanan,    ..... 

7,  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  John  Adams :  Hopes, 
for  the  honour  of  New-England,  the  people 
will  not  be  backward  in  marching  to  New- 
York  ;  that  important  post  must  be  maintain- 
ed and  defended  at  all  events,  - 
7,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Bucks  County, 
Pennsylvania,  to  the  President  of  Congress, 
7,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Lancaster,  Penn- 
sylvania, to  the  President  of  Congress:  Some 
measures  should  be  adopted  to  secure  the 
prisoners  at  Lancaster ;  they  are  at  large, 
and  it  is  believed  they  carry  intelligence  to 
the  enemy,  - 

7,  Letter  from  Dr.  Cochran  to  Thomas  McKean, 
7,  Letter   from   General    Livingston   to   General 

Washington,  -  -  - 
7,  Letter  from  General  Howe  to  Lord  George  Ger- 
maine:  Met  with  Governour  Tryon  at  the 
Hook,  and  many  fast  friends  to  the  Govern- 
ment attending  him;  who  gave  the  fullest 
information  of  the  state  of  the  Rebels.  There 
is  great  reason  to  expect  a  numerous  body 
to  join  the  Army  from  New- York,  the  Jer- 
seys, and  Connecticut ;  sixty  men  came  over 
a  few  days  ago  from  Shrewsbury, 
7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  The  situation  of  our  affairs  calls 
aloud  for  the  most  vigorous  exertions,  and 
nothing  else  will  be  sufficient  to  avert  the 
impending  blow  ;  the  situation  of  the  North- 
ern Army  is  certainly  distressing,  but  we  can 
afford  no  relief,  - 


90 


90 


95 
100 


-     100 


-     101 


-  101 

-  101 


101 
101 


101 


102 

-    102 
102 


-    102 
103 


103 
104 

104 


-     105 


-    106 


VII 

1776. 
July!,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 

Ward,       -  -     107 

7,  Letter   from  General   Washington   to  William 

Watson,    -  -     107 

7,  Letter  from   General  Washington  to  Colonel 
James  Clintnn:  Hopes  he  will  be  able  to  get 
anus  for  his  men  ;   if  not,  all  not  equipped 
must  lie  dismissed,     -----      108 

7,  Lettrr  from   General  Washington  to  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Assembly:  Thanks  them  for  their 
compliance   with  the   requisitions   of  Con- 
giess,         -  -         -  -     108 

Regulations  agreed  upon  betwixt  the  Director 
General  of  the  American  Hospitals  and  the 
Regimental   Surgeons   and  Mates   at  New- 
York,        -  -        -     108 
7,  Commitment  of  John  Lewis  by  General  Spen- 
cer, -                  -         -                  -         -         -     109 

7,  Letter  from  H.  Glenn  to  Colonel  Fonda,         -     110 
7,  Letter  from  H.  Glenn  to  Colonel  Dayton,        -     110 
7,-Letter  from  H.  Glenn  to  John  Petrie,      -         -     110 
7,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hurd  to  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Committee  of  Safety  :  The  inhabitants 
on   and    near  Connecticut  river  are  much 
alarmed,  several  families  have  moved  off,  and 
more  are  moving  ;  it  is  of  the   utmost  con- 
sequence that  reinforcements  should  be  sent 
into  that  quarter,         -         -  -         -     110 

7,  Memorial  from  the  inhabitants  of  Conway,  Fry- 
burgh,  and  Brownfield,  to  the  Assembly  of 
New-Hampshire  :  They  are  exposed  to  the 
incursions  of  the  Savages,  and  request  to  be 
supplied  with  arms  and  ammunition,  -  -  111 
7,  Minutes  of  a  Council  of  War  held  at  Crown- 
Point,  -  -  -  233 

7,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Sul- 

livan, granting  him  permission  to  report  him- 
self to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  -     235 

8,  Deposition   of  Jarret  Williams,    of  Fincastle 

County,  Virginia :  The   Overhill  Cherokees 
are  preparing  to  go  to  war  against  the  fron- 
tiers of  Virginia ;  a  number  from  the  Lower 
Towns  were  gone  to  fall  on  the  frontiers  of 
South-Carolina  and  Georgia,       -        -        -     111 
8,  Letter  from  Dr.  Wiesenthall  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  When  he  entered  the  ser- 
vice he  expected  the  appointment  of  Sur- 
geon-General, or  Director-in-Chief,     -         -     112 
8,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hollingsworth  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,       -        -        -        -     113 
8,  Letter   from    Colonel  Tyler  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety :  There  are  but  three  hun- 
dred and  fifty-one  guns  in  his  Battalion,       -     113 
8,  Letter  from  Jesse  Hollingsworth  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety  :  Has  sent  three  ves- 
sels to  take  the  three  Companies  from  An- 
napolis to  the  Head  of  Elk,  -        .     H3 
8,  Letter  from   the  Maryland   Council  of  Safety 
to  Matthias  Hammond,  Quartermaster:  Re- 
quires him  to  make  provision  for  the  Troops 
ordered  to  Annapolis  for  its  defence,  -         -     113 
8,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Stephen  Stewart,  respecting  armed  vessels 
for  the  Province,                   -         .         .         -     113 
8,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Colonel  Dorsey,  -        -         .         -     114 

8,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Thomas  Smith,  -         ....     jj^ 

8,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Charles  Ridgely:  The  Province  has  immed'iate 
occasion  tor  some  swivels  and  small  cannon,  114 
8,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Mary- 
land Delegates  in  Congress:  Ten  thousand 
pounds  have  been  appropriated  to  fortify  the 
city  of  Annapolis,  but  there  is  no  engineer 
to  carry  on  the  works ;  the  Delegates  are  re- 
quested to  inquire  for  and  recommend  a 
proper  person,  ---.._  -,-,, 
8,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Robert  Alexander,  -         .         .  jj,j 

8,  Baltimore  Committee :  Information  received  of 

landing  of  the  British  Army  on  Staten-lslaiid  Ho 
8,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington:  By  order  of  Congress  he 
has  written  to  Generals  Schuylnr  ami  Gates, 
and  recommended  mutual  confidence  and 
harmony  in  their  military  operations,  -  -  115 


CONTENTS. 


VIII 


1776. 

July  8,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Schuyler,    -  -         -     115 
8,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Gates,  -     116 
8,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Roberdeau:  Captain  Peters,  Secretary 
to  the  War  Office,  must  not  be  ordered  out 
of  Philadelphia,                                               -     116 
8,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Rev.  Jacob  Duche:  Informing  him  that  Con- 
gress has,  from  a  consideration  of  his  piety 
and    zealous    attachment   to    the    rights    of 
America,  appointed  him  their  Chaplain,      -     116 
8,  Letter  from  Joseph  Hewes  to  Samuel  Johnston, 

of  North-Carolina,      -  -     117 

8,  Letter  from  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Richard  Henry 
Lee,  enclosing  original  report  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence,     -  -         -     118 
8,  Letter  from  William  Whipple  to  John  Lang- 
don,  -     118 
8,  Declaration  of  Independency  read  at  the  State 

House  in  Philadelphia,       -  -     119 

8,  Declaration   of  Independency  proclaimed   in 

Easton,  Northampton  County,  Pennsylvania,     119 
8,  Declaration   of  Independence,   with  the   new 
Constitution  of  New-Jersey,  proclaimed  in 
Trenton,   -  -     119 

8,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington,     -  -     120 
8,  Examination  of  William  Ash,  from  Staten-Isl- 

and,  -  -     120 

8,  Letter  from  Colonel  Galbraith  to  the  Lancaster, 

Pennsylvaniaj  Committee,  -  -     121 

8,  Letter  from  Lewis  Ogden  to  John  Jay  and 

Gouverneur  Morris,    -  -     121 

8,  Letter  from  General  Howe  to  Lord  George 
Germaine:  Two  ships  of  war  are  to  proceed 
up  the  North  River  to  distress  the  Rebels,  by 
obstructing  supplies  coming  down  the  river,  121 
8,  Letter  from  Governour  Tryon  to  Lord  George 
Germaine :  Four  hundred  of  the  Militia  on 
Staten-Island  have  taken  the  oath  of  allegi- 
ance to  his  Majesty;  this  testimony  of  loyalty 
will  probably  be  general  throughout  the 
Province,  when  the  King's  Army  gets  the 
main  body  of  the  Rebels  between  them  and 
the  sea,  -  -  122 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  recommending  Lieutenant 
Wilpert  to  the  command  of  a  Company  in 
the  German  Battalion,  -,  -  124 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Penn- 
sylvania Committee  of  Safety,     ...     124 
8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to   Colonel 

Seymour,  -  .     124 

8,  Conference  of  General  Officers  and  others  at 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,         ...     135 
8,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  the  President  of 
Congress,  recommending  Dr.  Senior,  who 
went  last  year  from  Boston  to  Canada,  as 
Surgeon  in  General  Arnold's  Detachment,  -     125 
8,  Letter   from   the    Ulster   County,    New- York, 
Committee,  to  the  New-York  Provincial1  Con- 
gress, complaining  that  Kingston  is  left  des- 
titute of  Powder,  although  the  town  is,  and 
has  for  a  long  time  been,  crowded  with  a  set 
of  Ministerial   cut-throats,  regular  officers, 
and  soldiers,      -  -     125 

8,  Letter  from  Johannes  Hardenburgh  to  the  New- 
York   Provincial   Congress,   with   complaint 
against  the  Committee  for  Ulster  County,    -     126 
8,  Address  to  General  Sullivan  by  the  Field  Offi- 
cers lately  under  his  command,  -  127 
8,  General  Sullivan's  Answer  to  the  Address  of  the 

Field  Officers,    -  -         ...     127 

8,  Committee  of  Skeneshorough,  New- York,  de- 
clare Lieutenant  Daniel  Brundage  an  incor- 
rigible enemy  to  the  rights  of  American  lib- 
crt)',  -  128 

8,  Minutes  of  a  Council  of  General  Officers  held 

at  Crown-Point,          -         -         ...     236 
8,  Remonstrance  of  Field  Officers  at  Crown-Point 
against   the  determination    of  the    General 
Officers  to  remove  the  Army  to  Ticonderoga,     233 
8,  Letter   from    Charles   Gushing  to   his  brother, 
giving  a  true  state  of  facts  with  regard  to  the 
Army  in  Canada,        -  ...     J28 


IX 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 

1776. 


July  8,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Symsbury,  Con- 
necticut, to  Governour  Trumbull :  The  per- 
sons committed  to  Newgate  Prison,  as  ene- 
mies to  their  country,  are  not  in  safe  cus- 
tody, -  -  -  -  132 

8,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Payne  to  James  Warren  : 
John  Graves,  of  Pittsfield,  who  aided  Captain 
McKay,  a  prisoner,  in  making  his  escape,  in 
violation  of  his  parole,  is  in  prison  in  Hart- 
ford ;  it  is  recommended  that  he  be  removed 
to  Massachusetts  for  trial,  -  -  133 

8,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 
Jerathmeel  Bowers :  He  is  desired  to  equip 
the  Colony  vessels  for  sea  immediately,  -  134 

8,  Letter  from  Samuel  Elliot  to  Governour  Trum- 

bull, relating  to  Captain  Harding's  Prizes,   -     134 

9,  Letter  from  Amsterdam  to  a  gentleman  in  Lon- 

don :  Effects  of  the  American  Revolution  on 

the  trade  of  France  and  Spain,    -  -     134 

9,  Letter  from  Thomas  Oliver  to  David  Phips,      -     135 

9,  Letter  from  Colonel  Dorsey  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  Has  ordered  the  Elkridge 
Battalion  to  meet  immediately,  and  will  sent! 
the  number  of  men  required  to  Annapolis,  -  135 

9,  Letter  from  Stephen  Stewart  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -     136 

9,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Joseph 
Trumbull,  enclosing  Resolutions  of  Congress 
of  July  8,  -  -  -  136 

9,  Letter  from  Josiah  Bartlett  to  Meshech  Weare,     136 

9,  Letter  from  Lewis  Gordon  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  -  -     137 

9,  Letter  from  Commodore  Hopkins  to  Captain 

Hacker,     ...  -     137 

9,  Intelligence    from    the    Indians,    brought    by 

George  Morgan,         -----     137 

9,  Letter  from  Captain  Crawford,  a  prisoner,  to 

Jasper  Yeates,  -  -     138 

9,  Letter  from  Samuel  Tucker  to  the  President  of 
Congress,  on  the  defence  of  New-Jersey : 
We  contribute  to  the  general  defence  of  the 
Continent,  to  the  defence  of  New-York,  of 
Boston ,  of  Virginia,  of  the  Carolinas  :  When 
we  are  pressed  by  the  stroke  of  war,  in  our 
turn,  are  we  alone  to  sustain  the  burden?  -  138 

9,  Letter  from  Joseph  Barton  to  Henry  Wisner : 
Sussex  County,  in  New-Jersey,  abounds  in 
flint.  The  people  there  should  be  supplied 
with  powder;  if  attacked  now,  they  have 
nothing  but  sticks  or  axes  to  fight  with,  -  139 

9,  Letter  from  Ibbetson  Hamer,  a  prisoner,  to  the 

President  of  Congress,        -  -     140 

9,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  State  of  the  Army  in  New-Jersey,  -  140 

9,  Letter  from  Captain  Cregier  to  Thomas  Ran- 
dall:  Account  of  action  between  the  schoo- 
ner General  Putnam  and  a  British  vessel-of- war 
of  twenty  guns,  -  -  -  141 

9,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 

Cooke,      -  -     141 

9,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -  -     142 

9,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Ward,  requesting  him  to  detach  immediately 
three  of  his  fullest  Regiments  to  Ticonde- 
roga,  -  -  142 

9,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Assem- 
bly of  Massachusetts  :  Should  it  be  deemed 
expedient  by  the  Assembly,  they  are  autho- 
rized by  Congress  to  imbody  a  number  of 
Militia,  equal  to  the  Regiments  detached,  to 
strengthen  the  Northern  Army,  -  -  143 

9,  Colonel  Knox's  plan  for  increasing  the  Artil- 
lery, -  -  -  -  -  502 

9,  Resolutions  of  the  New-York  Convention,  ap- 
proving the  Declaration  of  Independence,  -  205 

9,  Declaration    of  Independence   proclaimed    at 

New-York,  -     144 

9,  Certificate  of  Dutchess  County,  New-York, 
Committee,  of  the  quantity  of  gunpowder 
made  by  John  R.  Livingston,  -  -  144 

9,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  Field-Offi- 
cers, in  reply  to  their  remonstrance,  -  -  234 

9,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  Captain 
Shaw,  for  an  account  of  the  cannon  left  at 
New-London  by  Commodore  Hopkins,  -  144 

9,  Letter  from  William  Hillhouse   to   Nathaniel 

Shaw,        -  145 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


July  9,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Schuyler:  Has  sent  Major  John  Ely,  a  gen- 
tleman skilled  in  the  treatment  of  the  small- 
pox, to  consult  and  assist  in  putting  a  stop 
to  its  progress,  -  ...  145 

9,  Letter  from  Moses  Morse  to  the  Commanding 
Officer  at  Crown-Point :  Has  been  directed^ 
by  the  General  Court  to  ascertain  the  true 
state  of  the  Army  in  that  department,  and  the 
danger  that  the  country  is  in  at  present  from 
that  quarter,  -  -  14,5 

9,  Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Truro  to  the 
Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Colony  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  -  -  14(5 

9,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 
General  Ward,  on  the  report  that  he  had 
given  liberty  to  a  number  of  the  Continental 
Troops  stationed  at  Winter-Hill,  to  receive 
the  small-pox  by  inoculation,  -  -  146 

9,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  the  Massachusetts 
Council :  There  are  no  Continental  Troops 
at  or  near  Winter-Hill,  except  a  guard,  and 
they  have  all  had  the  small-pox,  -  -  146 

9,  Letter  from  Sturgis  Gorham,  on  the  Protest 
against  the  Proceedings  of  the  Town  of  Barn- 
stable,  Massachusetts,  -     147 
Protest  of  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Barnsta- 

ble,  June  26,      -  -     147 

Letter  from  Joseph  Otis,  July  18,  on  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  Town  of  Barnstable,  -  -  147 
9,  Intelligence  from  Salem,  Massachusetts  :  Prizes 
to  the  Yankee  privateer  sloop,  (Captain 
Henry  Johnson,)  in  the  Continental  service, 
lately  fitted  out  at  Boston,  -  -  147 

9,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Foster,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  for  Machias,  to  the  Massachusetts 
Assembly,  ---...  148 

10,  Letter  from  Thomas  Oliver,  London,  to  Edward 
Winslow,  Halifax :  The  application  from  the 
sufferers  in  America  are  like  to  be  so  very 
numerous,  that  it  will  probably  prevent  the 
gratification  of  any ;  there  is  scarcely  a  Pro- 
vince in  America  which  does  not  afford  shoals 
of  petitioners  hanging  about  the  Treasury,  -  149 

10,  Letter  from  the  Camp  at  Gwinn's  Island  :  Lord 

'Dunmore  has  been  driven  from  the  Island; 

the  only  loss  we  sustained  was  Captain  Do- 

hickey  Arundel,  of  the  Artillery,  who  was 

killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  mortar,        -         -     149 

10,  Particular  account  of  the  attack  and  rout  of 
Lord  Dunmore,  with  his  piratical  crew,  from 
Gwinn's  Island,  -  150 

10,  List  of  Lord  Dunmore's  Fleet,  -     152 

10,  Letter  from  Edward  Tillard  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety :  The  men  for  his  Company 
are  nearly  raised,  but  they  have  no  firelocks 
fit  for  service  among  them,  -  153 

10,  Letter  from  the  ^aryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Jesse  Hollingsworth,  -         -  -     153 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Smyth,  Hands,  and  Nicholson,  -         -        -     153 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

General  Buchanan,     -----     153 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Edward  Parker :  The  service  requires  an  im- 
mediate supply  of  linen  cloth,  fit  for  making 
tents,  -  -  153 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Amos  Garrett,  for  a  supply  of  bayonets  ;  they 
are  much  wanted  for  the  Militia  of  the  Flying- 
Camp,  -  -  153 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Stephen  Stewart :  In  great  want  of  tents,  -     154 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
John  Archer  and  James  Harris  :  The  publick 
service  requires  linen  fit  for  tenting,  -  -  154 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Richard  Dallam,  to  send  all  the  arms  he  has 
already  made,  and  all  he  can  make,  to  Gerard 
Hopkins,  Commissary  of  Stores,  at  Baltimore,  154 

10,  Letter  from  the  iftaryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

William  Whetcroft,    -         -  -     154 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Colonel  Dorsey,  -     154 

10,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  Committee  of  Harford,  to  send  all  the 
arms  purchased  by  them,  or  manufactured 
under  their  direction,  to  Baltimore,  -  -  155 


XI 

1T76. 

July  10,  Intelligence  from  Annapolis:  Colonel  Small- 
wood's  liattalion  embarked  at  Annapolis  for 
the  Head  of  Elk,        -  -     155 

10,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral  Washington,   referring  to   him   Ephraim 
Anderson's   plan  for  destroying  the  British 
Fleet  at  New-York,    -  -     155 

Letter  from  Ephraim  Anderson,  July  9,  to  the 
President  of  ('micros,  submitting  a  plan  for 
d.  -Mructio n  of  (he  British  Fleet,  -  -      155 

10,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Wil- 
liam Palfrey,       ------     156 

10,  Petition  of  Ueutenut  Benjamin  Flower  to  the 

honourable  the  United  States  of  America,   -     156 
10,  Petition  of  Isaac  Melchior,  late  .Major  of  Brigade 

in  Canada,         -  ...         -     156 

10,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress 
to   Captain   Parker,   of  the  Brig  Despatch: 
Instructions  for  his  voyage  to  France,  -     156 

10,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  to  the  Mes- 
sieurs  Samuel    and  J.  H.  Delap:   The   Brig 
Despatch   is  consigned   to  them,  and,  with 
the   proceeds  of  the  cargo,  after  paying  all 
expenses,  they  arc  requested  to  procure  mili- 
tary stoi  ......     158 

10,  Resolutions  of  Congress  on  the  capitulation  at 

the  Cedars, 158 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  capitulation 
entered  into  between  General  Arnold  and 
Captain  Forster,  June  17,  -  -  -  -  159 
Letter  from  Captain  George  Forster  to  Major 
Butterfield,  May  19:  Terms  of  the  capitula- 
tion,   162 

Articles  of  Capitulation  between  Major  Sher- 

hurne  and  Captain  Forster,  May  26,    -         -     162 
Articles  of  Capitulation  between  General  Ar- 
nold and  Captain  Forster,  May  27,     -         -     163 
Proceedings  of  a  Council  of  War  held  in  Cham- 
bly,  Canada,  May  30,          ....     164 

Major    Butterfield's    testimony    respecting   a 

breach  of  the  Convention  at  the  Cedars,       -     165 
Captains  Estabrook  and  Wilkins's  testimony 
respecting  a  breach  of  the  convention  at  the 
Cedars,     -------     166 

List  of  the  Prisoners  belonging  to  the  Continen- 
tal Army  taken  at  the  Cedars,      -        -    •    -     167 
List  of  the  Prisoners  belonging  to  the  Conti- 
nental Army  taken  at  Fort  Cedars,  Canada,     168 
10,  Letter  from  Caesar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney,     169 
10,  Letter  from  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,        -     170 
10,  Address  of  Board  of  Officers  to  General  Rober- 

deau, 170 

10,  General  Roberdeau's  reply  to  the  Address,      -     171 
10,  Resolutions  of  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania, 
Committee,  for  collecting  the  arms  of  Non- 
Associators,       -  -     171 

10,  Letter  from  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New- 
Jersey  to  the  President  of  Congress :  The 
Colony  is  drained  of  men  for  the  defence  of 
New-York;  they  should  be  permitted  to  re- 
turn for  the  present,  that  they  may  save  and 
secure  their  grain;  already  suffering,  -  -  172 
10,  Declaration  of  Independence  proclaimed  at 

Princeton,  New-Jersey,      -  .     173 

10,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress:  The  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence has  been  proclaimed  before  the 
Army,  and  seemed  to  have  their  most  hearty 
absent.  The  Militia  from  Maryland,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Delaware,  to  form  the  Flying- 
Camp,  are  in  motion  ;  from  Connecticut  they 
begin  to  come  in ;  General  Howe  has  between 
nine  and  ten  thousand  men,  and  large  rein- 
forcements are  daily  expected  :  the  Staten- 
I. -landers  have  all  joined  him,  and  talk  of 
carrying  all  before  them  when  Admiral  Howe 
arrives,  -  .  173 

10,  Central  jait  delivery  of  debtors  in  New- York, 
in  pursuance  of  the  Declaration  for  Indepen- 
dency, .  174 
10,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Eg- 
bert Benson  :  They  send  him  gunpowder  for 
the  Northern  Counties,  -  ...  1394 
10,  Petition  of  Joseph  Blanchard  and  others  to  the 
Provincial  Congress  of  New-York:  Complain 
of  their  confinement  in  jail,  occasioned,  as 
they  apprehend,  by  some  mistaken  notion  of 
their  political  principles,  -  ...  175 


CONTENTS. 


XH 


July  10,  Letter  from  H.  Glen,  Commissary,  to  Walter 
Livingston :  He  is  forwarding  as  fast  as  pos- 
sible men  and  stores  to  Colonel  Dayton,  at 
the  German  Flats,  -  -  175 

10,  Letter  from  H.  Glen  to  General  Schuyler,        -     176 

10,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates : 
CMonel  Hartley  has  arrived  frojn  a  tour  down 
the  Lakes,  ...  -  -  207 

10,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Arnold : 

Report  of  his  scout  down  Lake  Champlain,      207 

10,  List  of  Artificers  sent  from  Crown-Point  to  Ti- 

conderoga  and  Skenesborough,  -  -     209 

10,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates : 
Suggests  the  arrangement  of  the  Eastern  and 
Southern  troops  in  different  Brigades,  and 
the  appointment  of  Colonel  St.  Clair  to  the 
command  of  the  latter ;  the  Eastern  troops 
will  act  much  better  alone  than  joined  with 
the  others,  ...  .  176 

10,  Letter  from  Ira  Allen  to  the  New-Hampshire 
Committee  of  Safety  :  Suggesting  measures 
for  the  protection  and  defence  of  the  frontiers,  177 

10,  Letter  from  Nathan  Miller  to  Governour  Trum- 

bull,  -    177 

10,  Letter  from  William  Pitkin  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull :  Fears  an  attempt  will  be  made  to  de- 
stroy his  Powder  Mill,  and  requests  protec- 
tion for  it,  -  178 

10,  Letter  from  Colonel  Herrick  to  the  Council  of 

Massachusetts,  -  -     178 

Resignation  of  Captain  Flint  and  his  subal- 
terns, July  8,     -  -     178 

10,  Conference  between  the  Council  of  Massachu- 
setts and  the  St.  Johns  and  Mickmack  tribe 
of  Indians,  -  -  -  -  -  -  838 

10,  Worcester  County,  Massachusetts,  Committee, 

authorize  the  employment  of  prisoners,        -     178 

10,  Thomas  Billings  and  others,  confined  to  the 

limits  of  their  farms  in  Worcester,       -         -     179 

10,  Subscriptions  in  Kittery,  Maine,  for  the  encour- 

agement of  inlistments,       ....     179 

1 1,  Letter  from  St.  Eustatia  to  a  gentleman  in  Phila- 

delphia,    -  -     180 

11,  Letter  from  Captain  Wickes  to  the  Secret  Com- 
mittee of  Congress:  Has  taken  a  prize  and 
ordered  her  to  Philadelphia,  -  -  180 

11,  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Savannah:  Alarming 

news  from  the  Indians,       -         -         -         -     181 

11,  Resolutions  adopted  by  the  Associators  of  An- 
napolis, -  -  -  -  181 

11,  Letter  from  Jesse  Hollingsworth  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,  -  -  -  182 

11,  Baltimore  Committee  order  the  arrest  of  Abra- 
ham Evening,  a  Non-Associator,  and  sus- 
pected of  being  unfriendly  to  the  liberties  of 
America,  -  -  -  182 

11,  Letter  from  the  Baltimore  Committee  to  the 
Council  of  Safety,  recommending  officers  for 
two  companies  of  Germans,  ...  183 

11,  Letter  from  Harford  Committee  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety :  Recommending  officers 
for  a  Rifle  Company,  -  -  183 

11,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Colonel  Hall,    -  -  -'       -     184 

11,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Balti- 
more Committee,  ...  184 

11,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 

Hollingsworth  for  four  hundred  bayonets,    -     184 

11,  Letter  from  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams  :  While 
the  Congress  were  employed  in  political  reg- 
ulations his  presence  was  necessary ;  but 
now  these  matters  will  soon  be  completed, 
and  he  will  ask  to  be  relieved,  -  -  184 

11,  Letter  from  Richard  Ellis  to  the  President  of 
Congress :  Offers  to  raise  a  Company  to  serve 
during  the  war,  -  -  185 

11,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Ge- 
neral Washington,  -  -  -  185 

11,  Letter  from  the  Pennsylvania  Committee  of 
Safety  to  General  Washington,  offering  the 
services  of  Captain  Hazlewood  to  assist  in 
.    preparing  fire-vessels  for  the  defence  of  New- 
York,  -     186 

11,  Petition  of  Francis  Mentges  to  the  Congress, 
for  the  appointment  of  Major  in  the  German 
Battalion,  -  -  -  186 

11,  Report  of  Marine  Committee  on  Captains  Sal- 

tonstall  and  Whipple,  -     187 


XIH  CONTENTS. 

1776. 

July  11,  Committee  for  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania: 
Resolutions  providing  for  their  proportion  of 
the  Flying-Camp,  -  188 

11,  Letter  from  George  Ross  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  -     188 

11,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress:  Has  ordered  the  two  Regi- 
ments in  Massachusetts  to  inarch  for  New- 
York  ;  and  forwarded  the  resolve  of  Con- 
gress for  employing  the  Eastern  Indians,  -  188 
Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull,  of  July  4,  to 
General  Washington :  The  retreat  of  the 
Northern  Army  and  the  ravages  of  the  small- 
pox have  so  weakened  the  defences  of  the 
northern  frontiers  of  New- York  and  New- 
Hampshire,  that  the  people  in  many  places 
are  abandoning  the  settlements,  -  190 

11,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -     192 

11,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Assembly,  enclosing  the  resolve 
of  Congress  for  the  employment  of  the  St. 
John's,  Nova-Scotia,  and  Penobstot  Indians,  192 

11,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Schuyler:  Reinforcements  have  been  ordered 
for  the  Northern  Army,  -  -  -  193 

11,  Letter  from  Gen.  Washington  to  Gen.  Ward,     194 

11,  Letter  from  Rev.  John  Rodgers  to  Gen.  Gates,     195 

11,  Letter  from  Ebenezer  Hazard  to  General  Gates,     195 

11,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington, suggesting  regulations  for  improving 
the  health  of  the  Army,  -  -  196 

11,  Examinations  of  Deserters  and  others  from  the 

enemy,     -  -      196-200 

11,  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New-York  to 
the  President  of  Congress :  They  were  much 
surprised  by  the  resolution  of  the  Congress 
of  June  26,  which  takes  from  them  the  nomi- 
nation of  the  officers  for  the  Regiment  they 
were  requested  to  raise  in  the  Colony ;  the 
good  of  the  service  will  not  be  promoted  by 
the  measures  the  Congress  have  taken,  -  201 
Letter  from  Major  Goforth,  of  July  5,  to  the 
New- York  Provincial  Congress,  resigning 
his  commission,  junior  officers  having  been 
placed  over  him,  -  -  203 

Letter  from  Colonel  Fleming,  of  June  21,  to  the 
New-York  Provincial  Congress,  resigning  his 
commission,  -  -  204 

Hi  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  the 

President  of  Congress,        ...»     205 

11,  Letter  from  Colonel  Seymour  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Arrived  at  New-York  on  the  8th, 
with  five  hundred  Light-Horse.  Independ- 
ency is  highly  approved  by  the  Army,  -  205 

11,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  Jeremiah  Pow- 
ell, ----  -  206 

11,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates,     206 

11,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Arnold,     206 

11,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Schuy- 
ler; enclosing  Colonel  Hartley's  report  of  the 
proceedings  of  his  detachment,  -  -  206 

Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates, 
of  July  10  :  Colonel  Hartley  has  arrived  from 
a  tour  down  the  Lake,  -  -  207 

Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Ar- 
nold, of  July  10:  Report  of  his  scout  down 
Lake  Champlain,  -  -  207 

List  of  Artificers  sent  from  Crown-Point  to  Ti- 
conderoga  and  Skenesborough,  July  10,  -  209 

11,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  General  Wash- 
ington ;  with  invoices  of  the  cargoes  taken 
on  board  the  Scotch  Transports,  -  209 

11,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  General  Wash- 
ington: Has  forwarded  the  arms  and  accou- 
trements taken  from  the  Scotch  prisoners,  -  210 

11,  Letter  to  Justices  in  Massachusetts  empowered 

by  the  Court  to  deal  with  the  Tories,  -        -     210 

11,  New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety:  Instruc- 
tions for  Benjamin  Giles,  -  -  211 

11,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety  to  Colonel  Wyman,  *     212 

11,  New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety:  Instruc- 
tions to  Captain  Woodward,  -  -  212 

11,  Petition  of  Selectmen  of  Portsmouth,  New- 
Hampshire,  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  :  For 
permission  to  the  inhabitants  to  inoculate 
for  the  small-pox,  .....  212 


XIV 

1776. 
July  12,  Proclamation  by  Governour  Bullock:  Offering 

land  bounties  to  those  who  inlist  for  the  war,     212 

12,  Letter  from  John  Page  to  General  Lee,    -        -    213 

12,  Letter  from  Matthew  Tilghrmin  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  -  -  215 

12,  Letter  from  N.  Ruxton  Moore  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -     215 

12,  Letter  from  John  Weems  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety :  With  information  from  Captain 
Chew  that  there  are  forty  sail  of  square-rigged 
vessels  up  the  Bay  as  far  as  Point  Lookout,  -  216 

12,  Letter  from  Thomas  Smyth  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,  -  -  216 

12,  Letter  from  Peter  Chaillee  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -         -     217 

12,  Letter  from  the  Dorchester  County  Committee 
to  the  Council  of  Safety:  Several   persons 
have  been  apprehended  as  unfriendly,          -     217 
Deposition   of  John   Rumley,   of  Dorchester 
County,  Maryland,  July  9,  as  to  Basil  Clark- 
son's  going  on  board  the  British  Tenders,   -     218 
Petition  of  Basil  Clarkson,     -        -  -     218 

12,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Elisha  Winters,          -  -     218 

12,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Jesse  Hol- 

lingsworth,         ....  .     219 

12,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Mary- 
land Delegates  in  Congress :  Recommending 
Mr.  Hughes,  who  desires  to  contract  for 
casting  cannon,  -  ...  219 

12,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Committee  for  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania:  Re- 
questing a  guard  to  be  kept  over  the  prison- 
ers in  that  Borough,  -  -  -  219 

12,  Letter  from  Thomas  Stone  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      -  -     219 

12,  Letter  from   the    Pennsylvania  Committee  of 

Safety  to  the  Maryland  Convention,    -        -     220 

12,  Association  of  inhabitants  of  Donegal,  Lan- 
caster County,  Pennsylvania,  -  -  221 

12,  York  County,  Pennsylvania,  Committee,  restore 
James  Rankin  to  his  liberty,  and  the  confi- 
dence of  his  countrymen,  -  -  222 

12,  Letter  from  British  Officers,  prisoners  of  war, 

to  the  President  of  Congress,  complaining 

of  ill  treatment,  -----     222 

13,  Letter  from  Ephraim  Elaine  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -  -  -     223 

12,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  Two  of  the  enemy's  ships 
of  war  have  passed  the  batteries  at  New- 
York,  and  run  up  the  North  River,  -  -  223 
Minutes  of  a  Conference  of  General  Officers, 
July  8:  Agreed  to  sink  hulks  in  the  North 
River,  at  Tappan  Bay,  to  stop  the  enemy's 
progress,  -  -  224 

12,  Proceedings  of  a  Council  of  General  Officers: 
Decide  against  a  general  attack  on  the  ene- 
my's quarters  at  Staten-Island,    - 
General  Orders,  July  5  to  July  12, 

12,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Clinton:  Recommending  measures  for  secu- 
ring the  passes  in  the  Highlands, 

12,  Letter  from  Ebenezer  Hazard  to  General  Gates, 

12,  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New- York  to  the 
Committees  of  East  and  South  Hampton : 
Measures  have  been  taken  to  secure  the 
stock  on  the  east  end  of  Long-Island, 

12,  Letter  from  a  Committee  to  the  New- York 
Convention:  They  have  conferred  with  Ge- 
neral Washington,  who  refused  his  consent 
to  keeping  the  stock  on  Long-Island ;  he  is 
of  opinion  it  should  be  removed  with  all  ex- 
pedition, -  - 

12,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  the 
President  of  Congress,  calling  attention  to 
complaints  against  the  arrangement  of  the 
Canada  Regiment,  - 

Resignation  of  Lieutenant  Aerson  and  others, 
July  8,       - 

12,  Letter  from  Samuel  Sacket  and  others,  to  the 
New-York  Convention  :  Complaining  of  the 
injustice  of  the  laie  arrangement, 
List  of  Company  Officers  in  the  New- York  Re- 
giments, who  served  the  late  campaign  in 
Canada,     -         -         -         - 
Colonel  Dubois's  arrangement, 
General  Montgomery's  arrangement, 


224 
225 


227 

227 


-  1398 

k 

t 

s 

-  1414 

228 
228 

-  228 


229 
229 
230 


XV 

me. 

Ju/y  12,  Letter  from  an  officerin  New-York  to  his  father 

in  Massachusetts,       ...  -     23( 

12,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Dutches*  County 
to  New- York  Convention:  informing  them  of 
a  dangerous  in.-urrortion  that  has  been  dis- 
covered in  the  County,       -         -  -   140£ 
12,  Deposition  relative  to  William  Button's  decla- 
ration,       .....                   -     62$ 
12,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Sickness,  disorder,  and  discord  reign 
triumphant  in  the  Northern  Army  ;  the  latter 
occasioned    by  an   illiberal   and   destructive 
jealousy,  which   unhappily  subsists  between 
the  troops  raised  in  different  Colonies,           -     232 
Minutes  of  a  Council  of  War  held  at  Crown- 
Point,  July  7,     -                                             -     233 
Remonstrance    of    Field-Officers    at    Crown- 
Point,  July  8,     -                                              -     233 
Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  Field-Offi- 
cers, July  9,       -                                              -     234 
Letter  from  General  Sullivan  to  General  Schuy- 
ler, July  6,                                                       -    235 
Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Sulli- 
van, July  7,                                                   -     235 
Minutes  of  Council  of  General  Officers  held  at 

Crown-Point,  July  8,  -     236 

List   of  articles   wanted   for  gondolas,   armed 

vessels,  and  batteries,  -     236 

12,  Letter  from   General    Schuyler  to    Governour 

Trumbull,  -     237 

12,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Moses  Morse: 
giving  him  a  general  description  of  the  state 
of  affairs  at  Ticonderoga,  -  -  237 

12,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates: 
requesting  him  to  examine  the  thirteen  In- 
dians taken  by  Colonel  Hartley,  -     238 
12,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates : 
referring  for  his  decision  the  case  of  William 
Hay  and  others,  suspected  of  being  inimical,     239 
12,  Letter  from  Colonel  Bedel  to  General  Gates : 

urging  the  action  of  the  Court  of  Inquiry,    -     239 
12,  Letter  from   Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Schuyler:  by  Captain  Lester,  who  has  raised 
a  company  of  Carpenters  for  the  Lakes,      -     239 
Proceedings  of  the   Connecticut   Council   of 

Safety,  from  the  5th  to  the  12th  of  July,       -     240 
12,  Proceedings  of  a  Convention  of  Committees  of 

Safety,  &c.,  at  Petersham,  Massachusetts,    -     245 
12,  Barnardston,  Massachusetts,  Committee:  Trial 
and  punishment  of  Jacob  Orcut,  for  passing 
a  counterfeit  bill,        -  "!   -247 

12,  Application  of  the  Boston  Committee  to  the 
Council  for  a  revocation  of  the  order  permit- 
ting the  departure  of  Captain  Holmes,  -  247 
12,  Letter  from  William  Sever  to  James  Bowdoin: 
respecting  the  equipment  of  the  armed  brig- 
antine  at  Plymouth,  -  248 

Letter  from  Colonel  Gilman  to  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Committee  of  Safety,  ...     248 
12,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety  to  the  Selectmen  of  New-Market,      -     248 

12,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Kittery  to  the 

Committee  for  Portsmouth,  .         .     249 

13,  Letter  from  Williamsburgh,  Virginia :  Defeat  of 

Lord  Dunmore,  .        .         .        -     151 

13,  Letter  from  Captain  Wickes  to  the  Secret  Com- 
mittee of  Congress  :  Has  made  two  prizes,  -  249 

13,  Letter  from  William  Falconer  to  the  Hon.  An- 
thony Falconer:  Account  of  the  attack  of 
the  British  on  Sullivan's  Island,  -  -  -  249 

13,  Letter  from  John  Page  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety :  The  enemy  driven  from  Gwinn's 
Nand  will  endeavour  to  possess  themselves  of 
some  place  on  the  Eastern-Shore  ofMary  land,  250 

13,  Letter  from  Caleb  C.  Gough  to  the  Council  of 

-     251 

13,  Letter  from  John  Hanson,  Jun.,  and  others,  to 
the  Council  of  Safety:  recommending  persons 
for  officers,  -  -  .  .  .  -251 

13,  Letter  from  James  Hindman  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  Sends  three  prisoners  delivered  to 
him  by  the  Committee  for  Somerset  County  251 

13,  Letter  from  Colonel  Barnes  to  the  Council  of 
Safety :  Fifty-eight  sail  of  the  enemy's  vessels 
opposite  Smith's  Creek,  in  the  Potomack,  -  252 

13,  Letter  from  John  Weston  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  Captain  Charles  Ridgely's  furnace 
is  in  blast, 050 


CONTENTS. 


XVI 


1776. 

July  13,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Com- 
mittees of  the  lower  Counties,     -  -     252 
13,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington:  with  the  Resolves  of  Con- 
gress relative  to  the  treatment  of  prisoners 
by  Captain  Forster  in  Canada,    -  -     253 
13,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Schuyler,      -                                           -    253 
13,  Officers  for  the  Flying-Camp  appointed  by  the 

Philadelphia  Committee,     -        -  -     253 

13,  Letter  from  John  Cox  to  Jasper  Yeates,  -         -     254 
13,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Berks  County, 
Pennsylvania,  to  the  President  of  Congress: 
They  have  nearly  raised  their  proportion  of 
the  Flying-Camp,        .....     254 
13,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Lancaster,  Penn- 
sylvania, to  the  President  of  Congress,         -     255 
13,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  New-York  Convention:  urging  the 
adoption  of  measures  to  remove  from  New- 
York  and  its  environs  persons  of  known  dis- 
affection and  enmity  to  the  cause  of  America,     255 
13,  Letter   frdnr  General   Washington   to   Egbert 
Benson:  respecting  the  ships  up  Hudson's 
River,        -  -     256 

13,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Captain 
Dennis,  requesting  him  to  secure  some  ves- 
sels in  the  Highlands,         -  -     256 
13,  Instructions  to  Captain  Johnson  :  Regulations 

for  the  North  River  Ferry,  -  -     256 

13,  Letter  from  John  McKesson  to  Robert  Benson,     257 
13,  Officers  chosen  in  Queen's  County,  New-York,     257 
13,  Deposition  relative  to  Joshua  Gedney,     -         -     623 
13,  Letter  from  John  Coe  to  the  Commanding  Offi- 
cer at  Paulus-Hook,  ...  .     258 
13,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Ge- 
neral Washington,      .....     258 
13,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Colo- 
nel Hammond  :  Serious  incursions  into  the 
country  by  parties  from  the  ships  in  the  river 
are  not  feared,   -                   ....     258 
13,  Letter  from  the   Convention  to  Colonel  Van 
Cortlandt:  To  furnish  guards  for  the  publick 
property  at  Peekskill,                             .         .     259 
13,  Letter  from  John  Jay  to  the  New-York  Con- 
vention:  enclosing  examinations  taken  by 
the  Committee  of  Westchester  County,         -   1412 
13,  Letter  from  Colonel  Clinton  to  General  Wash- 
ington,      -                                                       .     259 
13,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  John  Langdon,     259 
13,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Jeremiah  Pow- 
ell :  Measures  taken  to  prevent  the  small- 
pox, which  has  so  greatly  reduced  the  Army, 
from  infecting  the  Militia  intended  to  rein- 
force it,     -                                                    .    259 
13,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates,     260 
13,  Letter  from  P.  Van  Rensselaer  to  General  Gates,     261 
13,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Arnold : 
Making  efforts  to  secure  the  naval  superiority 
on  the  Lake,       -                   ....     261 
13,  Letter  from  Colonel  Bedel  to  General  Gates,    -     261 
13,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress:  with  an  account  of  the 
cannon  left  at  New-London  by  Commodore 
Hopkins,  -                                              .  262 
13,  Letter  from  John  Keighley  to  the  Council  of 
Massachusetts:  Has  been   three  months  in 
prison  ;  requests  he  may  be  heard  or  dis- 
charged,   -                                                       .     262 
13,  Letter  from  Joseph  Hawley  to  the  Council  of 
Massachusetts :  The  levies  for  reinforcements 
to  the  Northern  Army  are  going  on  expedi- 
tiously,      -                                              -         -     263 
13,  Letter  from  Colonel  Kurd  to  General  Sullivan,     263 
13,  Instructions  from  the  New-Hampshire  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  to  Captain  Eames,      -         -     264 
13,  Letter  from  Captain  Parker  to  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Committee  of  Safety,  -         -         -         .     265 

RESOLVES  OF  THE -ASSEMBLY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
1776.  

May31,  The  Commissary  directed  to  deliver  two  Can- 
non to  Peter  Coffin,   -  -         -     265 
31,  For  supplying  the  Town  of  Gloucester  with 

Cannon,  &c.,     ----..     265 
June  3,  For  filling  up  the  four  Companies  at  Dorchester,     265 
3,  For  paying  Colonels  Marshall  and  Whitney  one 

month's  advance  wages,      -         ...    265 


xvii  CONTENTS. 

1776. 
June  3,  Resolve  to  supply  Captain  Wigglesworth  with. 

seven  Fire-Arms,        -  -  266 

3,  Appointing  a  Committee  to  purchase  Cannon 

for  the  Armed  Vessels,        -  -    266 

3,  On  the  Account  of  Jacob  Boardman,       -        -    266 

4,  To  erect  a  Fortification  at  Plymouth,       -         -     266 
4,  For  adjourning  Worcester  Court,    -  -     267 
4,  Appointing  a  Committee  to  correspond  with 

Congress,  -  -     267 

4,  On  the  Petition  from  Mendon  relative  to  some 

uneasiness  subsisting  in   \e  Regiment  there,     267 

4,  Establishment  for  Gunners  on  board  Armed 

Vessels,    -  -  -     268 

5,  To  suspend  sinking  Hulks  in  the  Harbour  of 

Boston,      -         -  -  268 

5,  To  supply  the  Town  of  Beverly  with  Shot,       -  268 

6,  Appointing  a  Committee  of  Accounts,    -         -  269 
6,  For  transmitting  hard  Money  to  General  Schuy- 

ler,    -  -         -  -     269 

6,  For  further  fortifying  the  Harbour  of  Boston,  -     269 
6,  For  supplying  the   Committee  for  procuring 

Saltpetre  with  Money,         ....     270 
6,  To  explain  the  Resolve  of  Court  with  respect 

to  the  price  of  a  bounty  on  Saltpetre,  -         -    270 
8,  For  raising  a  Company  of  Matrosses,  to  be  sta- 
tioned at  Falmouth,   -  -     271 
8,  To  remove  the  Apparatus,  &c.,  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege, from  Concord  to  Cambridge,       -         -     272 
10,  For  supplying  Captain  Jordan,  bound  to  Fal- 
mouth, with  a  Guard,          -                  -         -     272 
10,  Relative  to  building  a  Powder-Mill  in  Sutton,  -     272 

10,  On  the  Petition  from  the  Committee  of  Kittery,     272 

11,  Appointing  a  Committee  of  Fortification,         -     272 
11,  For  supplying  the  Town  of  Gloucester  with 

Cannon,    -  273 

11,  On  the  Petition  of  Edward  Barber,  -         -         -  273 

12,  On  the  Petition  of  Benjamin  Smith,         -         -  273 
12,  On   the   Petition    of   Timothy   Edwards    and 

Samuel  Brown,  Jun.,  -         ....  273 

12,  To  supply  Richard  Derby  with  Cannon,  -         -  274 

12,  On  the  Petition  of  Reuben  Higgins,  -  274 

12,  On  the  Petition  of  William  Whitney,       -         -  274 

13,  Appointing  Officers  for  the ,  Company  at  Fal- 

mouth, -  -  274 

13,  On  the  Petition  of  Stephen  Hall  and  Peleg 

Crocker,  -  -  -  274 

13,  For  placing  Cannon  at  the  Gurnet,  and  for 

raising  one  hundred  men  to  be  stationed 

there,  274 

13,  Appointing  a  Committee  to  make  inquiry  rela- 

tive to  casting  Cannon,       -  -     274 

14,  To  pay  for  losses  at  Bunker-Hill,  &c.,     -         -     275 
14,  Establishing  a  Form  of  Beating  Orders  and  In- 

listment  for  raising  three  Companies  of  Ma- 
trosses,     -  -         -     276 
14,  For  supplying  the  Companie.s  of  Matrosses  at 

Gloucester  and  Falmouth,  -         -         - 
14,  Appointing  Muster-Masters,  -  -     277 

14,  On  the  Petition  of  Thomas  Cook,  -  -  -  277 
14,  For  transmitting  hard  Money  to  Gen.  Schuyler,  277 
14,  On  the  Petition  of  Lewis  Allen,  in  behalf  of  his 

brother,  Jolley  Allen,  -  -     277 

14,  For  adding  an  Ensign  to,  and  supplying  the 

men  stationed  on  the  Gurnet,  in  Plymouth,     278 

15,  Directing  the  Commissary-General  to  secure 

the  Colony's  stores,    -----     278 
15,  Appointing  persons  to  receive  and  pay  for  Salt- 
petre, -     278 
15,  For  bringing  forward  causes  which  were  pend- 
ing in  the  Superior  Court,  -                  -         -     278 
17,  On  the  Petition  of  William  Tupper,  respecting 

captures,    -  -     279 

17,  To  supply  the  Town  of  Hingham  with  Pow- 

der, &c.,    -  -     279 

18,  On  the  Petition  of  Isaac  Meloon,    -  -     279 

18,  For  procuring  two  decoy  Ships,  &c.,       -         -     280 

19,  Instructing  the  Committee  on  the  Abstracts,   -     280 
19,  Appointing  James  Warren  Second  Major-Ge- 

neral,  ....  -  280 

19,  Appointing  Jonathan  Parmenter  Second  Major 

of  the  Fourth  Regiment  in  Middlesex,          -  280 
19,  For  payment  of  Colonel  John  Robertson's  Ab- 
stract,       -                                    -                  -  280 
19,  To  prevent  the  exportation  of  Provisions  till  the 

10th  of  November  next,      -  -         -  280 

19,  On  the  Petition  of  Gilbert  Harrison,  -  281 

20,  On  the  Petition  of  Nathan  Smith,  -         -        -  281 
20,  On  the  Account  of  Jeremiah  Putnam,     -         -  281 


XVIH 

1776. 

June 20,  Resolve  for   supplying   Colonels  Marshall's, 
Whitney's,  and  Craft's  Regiments  with  Medi- 
cines,       -  .....     282 
21,  Directing  the  Commissary-General  to  receive 

all  the  Powder  due  from  the  Continent,       -     282 
21,  For  supplying  the  several  Towns  with  Powder,     282 
21,  Relative  to  delinquent  Collectors,  -        -        -     282 
21,  Relative  to  Dr.  Stockbridge  and  others,  and 
persons  who,  having  fled  to  Halifax,  &c., 
shall  return  to  this  Colony,          ...     283 
21,  On  the  Petition  of  John  Stedman,  -         -        -     283 

21,  Directing  Alexander  Sheppard  to  receive  Salt- 

petre, .     283 

22,  On  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Brunswick,     283 
22,  For  supplying  the  Brig  Rising  Empire  with 

Cannon,  &c.,     -  -     283 

22,  On   the  Return  made  to  the  Court  by  Major 

Barachiah  Basset,       -        -  -        -     283 

22,  Relative  to  supplying  the  three  Colonial  Regi- 
ments with  Medicines,       -  -     284 
22,  On  the  Abstract  of  Colonel  Isaac  Smith,          -     284 
24,  Directing  the  Treasurer  to  receive  two  boxes  of 

Money  of  George  Spriggs,  -        -     284 

24/ On  the  Petition  of  George  Langford,  -  -  285 
24,  On  the  Complaint  of  Samuel  Rice,  -  285 

24,  To  supply  David  Jeffries  with  fifteen  hundred 

Pounds,    -         ...  .     285 

24,  Directing  the  Selectmen  of  the  several  Towns 

to  lend  Military  Tools,        -         -  -     285 

24,  For  payment  of  Accounts  for  losses  in  battle,      286 

25,  Making  provision  for  the  Families  of  such  To- 

ries  as  have  left  the  Colony,  ...  286 
25,  For  raising  one  hundred  Men  to  be  stationed 

at  Martha's  Vineyard,  ...  286 

25,  For  raising  five  thousand  Men  to  cooperate 

with  the  Continental  Troops  at  Canada  and 

New-York,  -  -        -        -    287 

25,  Appointing  John  Cummings  and  John  Fellows 

Brigadier-Generals,   -----     291 

26,  On  the  Petition  of  Jacob  Barker  and  others,  of 

Nova-Scotia, 291 

26,  On  the  Petition  of  Alexander  McLellan,  -  292 
26,  Relative  to  erecting  Beacons,  ...  292 
26,  On  the  Account  of  the  Selectmen  of  Haverhill,  292 

26,  Field-Officers  for  six  Battalions  chosen,  -        -     292 

27,  For  supplying  part  of  the  Moneys  appropriated 

to  the  purchase  of  Flour  to  pay  for  Tents,  -  293 
27,  For  signing  Bills  of  publick  credit,  -  293 

27,  For  the  Commissary-General  to  purchase  Tents,     293 
27,  For  procuring  hard  Money,    -        -         -        -     294 
27,  For  paying  the  Delegates  of  the  Colony  in  Con- 
gress,       -  -        -    294 
27,  For  appointing  Staff-Officers  for  the  Regiments 

going  to  Canada,       -        -  -     294 

27,  For  providing  Canteens  and  Camp-Kettles,     -     294 

27,  For  paying  Captain  Scott  and  men,         -        -     295 

28,  Form  of  Inlistment  for  raising  one  hundred 

men,  to  be  stationed  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  295 
28,  On  the  Petition  of  the  Town  of  Charleton,  -  296 
28,  For  supplying  Marblehead  with  Cannon,  -  296 
28,  For  supplying  the  Towns  of  Salem,  Beverly, 

and  Newburyport  with  Cannon,  &.C.,  -  -  297 
28,  On  the  Petition  of  Edward  Perry,  -  -  297 

28,  For  a  grant  of  fifty  Pounds  for  the  Committee 

on  Camp-Kettles,  -  -  297 

28,  For  purchasing  Cannon-Ball  for  the  Committee 

ofTruro,  -  -  -  298 

28,  For  the  route  of  the  Troops  destined  to  Canada 

and  New- York,  -  298 

28,  For  supplying  the  Town  of  Cape-Elizabeth  with 

Cannon,   -        -        -  -         -     298 

28,  On   the   Petition   of  Jerathmeel  Bowers  and 

others,       -        -  -        -     299 

29,  For  supplying  the  Committee  for  raising  Men 

with  Money  for  that  purpose,      -  -    300 

29,  Relative  to  fortifying  the  Gurnet,    -  300 

29,  Appointing  a  Committee  to  confer  with  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Assembly  of  Rhode-Island,     -     300 
29,  On  the  Petition  of  Jonathan  Stickney,    -        -     301 
29,  To  supply  the  Committee  for  raising  Men  with 

more  Money,    -  -        -  -     301 

29,  For    supplying    the   Town  of  Arundel    with 

Powder,    -  302 

29,  For  paying  James  Minot  for  numbering  the 

People,     - 

29,  For  procuring  Stockings  for  the  Army,  -         -     302 
29,  For  supplying  the  Town  of  Harpswell  with  Fire- 
Arms  and  Powder, 302 


XIX 

1776. 
June 29,  Resolve  for  payment  of  losses  in  Battle  on 

the  19th  of  April,  and  17th  of  June,  1775,  - 
July  I,  For  procuring  a  company  of  Ship  Carpenters 

to  go  to  Albany, 
1,  Vesting  certain  powers  in  the  Council  during 

the  rrn>ss  of  the  Court, 
1,  Empowering  the  Commissary   to   deliver   out 

Powder,  &c.,  to  the  forces  bound  to  Canada, 
1,  For  appointing  an  Engineer  to  direct  in  the 

works  carrying  on  at  the  Gurnet, 
1,  Relative  to  the  Accounts  of  the  guardians  of  the 

Dudley  Indians, 
1,  For  taking  possession  of  the  Estates  of  Thomas 

Hutchison  and  Henry  Lloyd,    - 
1,  Relative  to  the  Commissary  receiving  Saltpetre, 

1,  On  the  Return  of  Estates  in  Woburn,      - 

2,  For    discharging   the    Schooner   Charlestown 

Cutter,  

2,  To  fit  out  a  Vessel  of  observation,  - 

2,  For  raising  a  Company  of  Matrosses,  to  be  sta- 
tioned at  Salem,  - 

2,  Directing  the  Committee  to  purchase  no  more 
Flour,  -  ... 

2,  For  an  establishment  for  the  Row-Galleys, 

2,  Relative  to  leaden  window  weights, 

2,  For  supplying  the  Town  of  Falmouth  with  Can- 
non, _.--•- 

2,  Relative  to  the  Test  Act,        - 

2,  To  encourage  the  manufacture  of  Fire-Arms 
and  Cannon,  ------ 

2,  For  procuring  Teams,    -        -        -        -        - 

2,  For  procuring  Coats,  Blankets,  Hats,  &c., 

3,  On  the  Petition  of  David  Cheever, 

3,  Lending  Cannon  to  the  Colony  of  New-Hamp- 
shire, ...  ... 

3,  For  sending  Prisoners  from  Truro  to  Boston,  - 

3,  Desiring  the  Council  to  appoint  a  day  of  solemn 
Humiliation  and  Prayer,  -  -  -  - 

3,  For  supplying  the  County  of  Lincoln  with  Gun- 
powder, ------- 

3,  Relative  to  men's  inlisting  out  of  other  than 

their  own  Towns,       - 

4,  For  advancing  one  month's  pay  to  the  Officers 

destined  to  Canada  and  New-York,    - 
4,  Appointing  a  Court  to  try  certain  persons  sus- 
pected of  being  inimical  to  the  American 
Colonies,  ------- 

4,  To  sell  the  Tories'  Chaises  and  Carriages, 
4,  For  supplying  the  Company  stationed  at  Salem, 
4,  Giving  additional  power  to  the  Court  appointed 
to  try  suspected  persons,    -        -        -         - 

4,  Appointing  a  Committee  on  Accounts,  - 

5,  Relative  to  Dr.  Gelston,          .... 
5,  Relative  to  procuring  hard  Money,          • 

5,  On  the  Petition  of  Jonathan  Capen,  guardian 
of  the  Puncapaug  Indians,  ... 

5,  Desiring  the  Council  to  write  a  letter  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  relative  to  raising  men,  &c., 

5,  Relative  to  a  number  of  Masts  at  Georgetown, 

6,  On  the  Petition  of  John  Collas  and  others, 

prisoners  in  Salem  Jail, 

6,  For  employing  two  persons  to  ride  post  to 
Crown  Point,  ------ 

6,  Relative  to  paying  the  Officers  of  the  several 
Regiments  destined  to  Canada  and  New- 
York  one  month's  advance  pay, 

8,  On  the  Petition  of  Hannah  Mather, 

8,  To  adjourn  the  Maritime  Court  for  the  Middle 
District,  ---... 

8,  For  furnishing  forces  stationed  on  Elizabeth 

Islands  with  Powder,  -         -  *       - 

9,  For  drafting  men  to  make  up  the  five  thousand 

to   reinforce  the  Army  in   New-York    and 

Canada,    -----, 
10,  For  furnishing  the  Colonial  Regiments  with 

necessary  articles  for  the  sick,    - 
10,  For  raising  every  twenty-fifth  man  to  reinforce 

the  Northern  Army,  -        -        ... 

10,  For  furnishing  the  Town  of  Marblehead  with 

apparatus  for  eight  Cannon, 

11,  Appointing  James  Bricket  a  Brigadier-General, 

to  command  the  forces  to  be  sent  to  Canada, 

12,  Establishing   the  form  of  Inlistrnent  for  the 

twenty-fifth  part  of  the  Militia,   - 

13,  On  the  Petition  from  Fryeburgh  and  Brown- 

field, 

13,  Directing  that  the  Maritime  Court  for  the  Mid- 
dle District  should  be  held  at  Salem,  -  -  321 


CONTENTS. 


XX 


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-  315 
o 

-  315 


315 
315 

-    316 
316 


-  316 
317 

-  317 
h 

-  319 

320 

-  320 

-  321 


321 

322 

322 


July  13,  Resolve  for  supplying  Westminster,  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  New-York,  with  Powder,  Lead,  &c., 
13,  On  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of 

Cavendish,  in  New-York,  - 
13,  For  forwarding  Tents,  See.,  to  the  Army, 
13,  For  supplying  Baker's  Town,  in  the  County  of 

Cumberland,  with  Powder,  -     322 

13,  For  appointing  Gunners  to  the  Companies  of 

Matrosses,  -     322 

13,  On  the  Petition  of  Israel  Davis,       -  -     323 

13,  Relativetothe  St.  John'saml  Mickmack  Indians,     323 
13,  On  the  Petition  of  William  Tupper, 
13,  For  procuring  Wool,     -  -     324 

13,  On  the  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to 
distribute  twelve  hundred  Pounds  among  the 
inhabitants  of  the  eastern  part  of  the  County 
of  Lincoln,  -  -  324 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  ETC. 
17TG. 

July  14,  Letter  from  Jesse  Hollingsworth  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,       -  -    325 

14,  Letter  from  John  Hanson,  Jun.,  to  the  Council 
of  Safety :  The  mode  pointed  out  by  the  Con- 
vention for  the  men  now  raising  for  the  Con- 
tinental service  will  prove  ineffectual,  -  -  325 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Somerville  to  the  Council 
of  Safety :  A  number  of  ships-of-war  and 
tenders  have  come  into  the  Potomack,  and  it 
is  said  they  intend  to  land  on  St.  George's 
Island,  in  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's  River,  -  325 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Dorsey  to  the  Council  of 

Safety,       -  -    326 

14,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Colo- 
nel Roberdeau :  requesting  him  to  exert  him- 
self in  forwarding  the  immediate  march  of 
the  whole  Militia  destined  for  the  Jerseys 
from  Pennsylvania,  -  326 

14,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Committee  of  Safety :  Con- 
gress earnestly  requests  them  to  supply  the 
Flying-Camp  and  Militia  with  musket-car- 
tridges ;  the  state  of  affairs  will  not  admit  of 
the  least  delay,  -  -  -  -  327 

14,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  General 
Mercer:  Directs  him  to  march  the  Militia  and 
Flying-Oamp  to  Brunswick,  or  other  places 
in  the  Jerseys,  as  he  may  judge  necessary,  -  327 

14,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Cumberland 
County,  Pennsylvania,  to  the  President  of 
Congress :  Will  be  able  to  send  five  compa- 
nies for  the  Flying-Camp,  provided  arms  can 
be  had,  -  -  -  -  327 

14,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Suggests  a  surprise  of  the  enemy's 
small  posts  on  Staten-Island,  -  -  328 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Bradley  toGovernourTrum- 

bull,     •     -  -     328 

14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,       -  -     329 
General  Return  of  the  Army  of  the  United  Colo- 
nies in  and  near  the  City  of  New-York,  July 
13th,         -                 -                                   -     331 
Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Artillery  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States  of  America,  com- 
manded by  Henry  Knox,  July  13th,     -        -    332 

14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention:  on  the  importance  of  secu- 
ring the  Passes  in  the  Highlands,  -  -  333 

14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  Pennsylvania  troops 
in  New-Jersey,  -  -  333 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ritzema  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  He  has  many  secret  enemies,  who 
are  endeavouring  to  blast  his  character;  to 
avoid  further  persecution,  requests  permis- 
sion to  resign  his  commission,  -  -  333 

14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonel 
Ritzema :  Is  surprised  to  find  an  officer  of 
his  rank  in  the  Army  soliciting  leave  to  re- 
sign his  commission,  when  the  enemy  is  in 
full  view,  and  a  battle  hourly  expected,  -  334 

14,  Letter  from  Gouverneur  Morris  to  General 
Washington:  asking  his  advice  as  to  what  is 
best  to  be  done  with  the  Tory  prisoners  from 
Queen's  County,  on  Long-Island.  It  is  in 
their  power  to  confine  them  close  prisoners, 
or  to  take  security  for  their  future  conduct,  334 


XXI 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 


XXII 


Memorial  of  sundry  inhabitants  of  the  City  of 
New-York^and  other  friends  to  the  peace  and 
safety  of  the  United  States  of  America,  on 
the  danger  of  suffering  the  Tories  to  remain 
in  the  city  or  near  it,  in  Long-Island,  Shrews- 
bury, &c.,  -  -  -  -  335 
July  14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Parke  to  the  New-York 

Convention:  respecting  Mr.  Tyler's  conduct,     335 

14,  Letter  from  General  Mifflin  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  -  -  336 

14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Com- 
mittee for  Orange  County,  in  New-York: 
Every  precaution  ought  to  be  taken  to  pre- 
vent enemy's  ships  from  getting  supplies,  or 
keeping  up  any  intercourse  with  the  disaf- 
fected inhabitants,  ...  336 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hay  to  General  George 

Clinton,     -  -     337 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  .....  1402 

14,  Letter  from.  Colonel  Weisenfels  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  -  1426 

14,  Letter  from  Egbert  Benson  to  General  Wash- 
ington: The  late  insurrection  of  the  Tories 
in  Dutchess  County  was  an  inconsiderable 
affair,  -  ...  337 

14,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Dutchess  Coun- 
ty, New- York,  to  Colonel  Clinton:  proposing 
fire-rafts  for  the  destruction  of  the  enemy's 
ships  in  the  North  River,  -  -  -  338 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Clinton  to  the  Committee 
for  Dutehess  County:  Approves  much  of 
their  plan  for  the  fire-rafts,  -  337 

14,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 

of  Congress,       -  -  -     338 

14,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington: Yesterday  discovery  was  made  of 
some  desperate  designs  of  the  Tories ;  he  is 
bound  by  oath  not  to  divulge  names  or  par- 
ticulars, -  -  -  338 

14,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  introducing  Captain  Marquisie,  a 
French  Engineer,  ...  .  338 

14,  Letter  from -Colonel  Schuyler  to  General  Gates,     339 

14,  Letter  from  Captain  Veeders  to  General  Gates : 
Is  stationed  at  Skenesborough  as  a  guard, 
but  has  no  ammunition  for  his  men,  -  -  339 

14,  Letter  from  an  Officer  at  Fort  George  to  an 
Officer  in  New-York :  The  important  services 
of  General  Sullivan  in  Canada,  -  -  339 

14,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Lieutenant  Ganse- 
voort:  Sends  thirteen  Indians  prisoners,  who 
are  to  be  escorted  safely  to  General  Schuyler, 
at  Albany,  -  -  -  339 

14,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Colonel  Schuyler,     340 

14,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates : 
with  the  sentence  of  a  General  Court-Mar- 
tial, who  have  dismissed  Colonel  Campbell 
from  the  service,  ....  -  840 

14,  Letter  from  Captain  Brownson  to  General  Gates,     340 

14,  Letter  from  Ebenezer  Bartram  to  General  Gates: 
Recommends  Captain  Harding  for  promo- 
tion, ....  -  340 

14,  Letter  from  Andrew  Hamilton  to  Jabez  Fisher,     341 

14,  Letter  from  William  Pyncheon  to  Jabez  Fisher,     341 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Child  to  the  New-Hamp- 

shire Committee  of  Safety,  -     341 

15,  Letter  from  a  Member  of  the  Council  of  Safety 

of  Maryland,       -         -  -     341 

15,  Letter  from  William  Lux  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,  -  -  -  -  342 

15,  Letter  frotn  Colonel  Jordan  to  the  Council  of 
Safety :  Between  seventy  and  eighty  vessels 
are  lying  off  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's  River;  this 
morning  ten  boats  full  of  men  landed  on  St. 
George's  Island,  -  342 

15,  Letter  from  John  Dorsey  to  the  Council  of 

Safety,  ....  -  342 

15,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Talbot  County, 

Maryland,  to  the  Council  of  Safety,  -  -  343 

15,  Letter  from  Samuel  Barret  to  the  Council  of 

Safety,  -  -  -  343 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 
Somerville:  They  have  been  informed  of  the 
landing  of  the  British  on  St.  George's  Island, 
and  have  given  the  necessary  directions,  -  343 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captain 

Beall,  -  -  -  343 


1776. 

July  15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  General 
Dent :  The  fleet  under  Lord  Dunmore  having 
entered  the  Potomack,  and  will  probably  at- 
tempt a  landing  there,  he  is  directed  to  take 
command  of  the  Militia,  and  give  the  neces- 
sary orders,  -  .  343 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 

Barnes,      -  -     344 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captain 

Thomas,    -  -    344 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captain 

Hindman,  -  ...     344 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  General 

Hooper,    -  -    344 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captain 

Smyth,       -        -  -  -     844 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 
Johnson:  A  number  of  cannon  is  wanted 
for  the  use  of  the  Province;  he  is  requested 
to  say  on  what  terms  he  can  furnish  them,  -  345 

15,  Proceedings  of  the  Baltimore  Committee,         -     345 

15,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  -  346 

15,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Convention  of  New-Jersey:  earnestly  request- 
ing them  to  furnish  the  Flying-Camp  and  the 
Militia  with  all  the  lead  they  can  procure ; 
the  amount  already  received  is  very  far  short 
of  what  is  wanted,  -  ...  346 

15,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Dr. 
Shippen :  Congress  have  appointed  him  Sur- 
geon-General and  Director  of  the  Hospital  of 
the  Flying-Camp  and  Militia  in  New-Jersey,  346 

15,  Letter  from  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henry 

Lee,  -  -     347 

15,  Letter  from  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon,    -     348 

15,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  John  Adams,      -         -     348 

15,  Letter   from   General    Roberdeau   to   Richard 

Peters, -        -    349 

15,  Resolutions  of  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of 
Safety,  making  provision  for  the  support  of 
the  families  of  indigent  Associators  who  have 
been  called  into  service,  -  -  -  349 

,  15,  Officers  for  the  Flying-Camp  appointed  by  the 

Philadelphia  Associators,    -        r        -         -    349 

15,  Letter  from  Carpenter  Wharton  to  the  President 
of  Congress:  Two  thousand  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Militia  have  arrived  at  Trenton,  New- 
Jersey,  and  Colonel  Dickinson's  Battalion 
have  just  marched  for  Woodbridge,  -  -  350 

15,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress:  The  inhuman  treatment 
of  our  people  by  Captain  Forster  deserves  the 
severest  reprobation ;  if,  hereafter,  the  claims 
of  humanity  are  disregarded,  justice  and 
policy  will  require  recourse  to  be  had  to  the 
laws  of  retaliation,  .....  350 

15,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  New- York  Convention:  It  is 
equally  dangerous  to  set  at  large  or  permit 
the  continuance  in  New-York,  of  the  prison- 
ers confined  in  the  Jail  of  that  City;  they 
should  be  sent  to  some  place  where  they  can 
be  safely  kept,  and  can  do  us  no  injury,  -  351 

15,  Letter  from   General  Washington  to  General 

Schuyler:  enclosing  Resolutions  of  Congress,     351 

15,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 
Trumbull:  With  the  gondolas,  row-galleys, 
&c.,  in  Connecticut,  the  ships  in  the  North 
River  would  be  attacked,  -  -  352 

15,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Schuyler :  enclosing  a  letter  for  General  Bur- 


goyne, 


-    352 


15,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Howe:  enclosing  resolutions  of  Congress, 
of  July  10,  on  the  breach  of  the  capitulation 
at  the  Cedars,  by  Captain  Forster,  -  352 

15,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed  to  Charles 
Petitt :  Describes  his  meeting  a  flag  from  the 
British  fleet,  with  a  letter  from  Lord  Howe 
to  Mr.  Washington,  -  -  352 

15,  Examination  of  Deserters  from  the  British 

fleet,  353 

15,  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New- York  to 
General  Washington  :  Measures  will  be  taken 
immediately  to  secure  the  passes  in  the  High- 
lands, and  the  utmost  vigilance  will  be  used 
in  watching  the  steps  of  the  Tories,  -  -  353 


CONTENTS. 


XXIII 

1*7*7  fi 

July  15,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Gen. 
Washington:  Vessels  have  been  seen  ""IN- 
to  and  from  the  ships-of-war  at  Tarrytown,  - 

15,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

15,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Colo 
nel  Hammond,  -        -         -         - 

15,  Letter  from  Joseph  Travis  to  the  New- York 
Convention, 

15,  Westchester  County,  New- York,  Committee 
prohibit  meetings  of  the  Tories,  - 

15,  Letter  from  General  Clinton  to  General  Wash- 
ington: communicating  the  measures  he  has 
taken  to  protect  the  country  on  the  North 
River  from  depredations  by  the  enemy, 

15,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hamman  to  General  Wash- 
ington, •"""""," 

15,  Letter  from  Egbert  Benson  to  the  New- York 
Convention  :  Objections  to  a  general  call  of 
Militia  at  this  time,  -  - 

15,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Albany:  Discovery  of 
the  Tory  plot, 

15,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates, 

15,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Arnold : 
He  will  not  decide  on  Colonel  Campbell's 
Court-Martial ;  that  must  be  left  to  General 
Schuyler;  Colonel  Hazen  complains  of  irregu- 
larities in  the  proceedings  against  him, 

15,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Water- 
bury,  

15,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates : 
To-morrow  Colonel  Bedel  and  Major  Butter- 
field  are  ordered  up,  and  go  off  immediately, 

15,  Letter  from  Colonel  Winds  to  General  Gates, 

15,  Letter  from  Thomas  Bull  to  General  Gates: 
soliciting  a  supply  of  ammunition  for  eighty 
men,  - 

15,  Letter  from  Daniel  Tillinghast  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Has  sent  three  cases  of  fire-arms 
from  Providence,  - 

15,  Letter  from  F.  Greene  to  General  Washington, 

15,  Notice  of  the  suppression  of  the  Tories  at  Nine- 
Partners,  in  New-York,  - 

15,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  Nathaniel 
Shaw, 

15,  Letter  from  John  Avery  to  Captain  Haskell : 
His  instructions  as  Captain  of  a  vessel  fitted 
out  for  gaining  intelligence  respecting  the 
British  fleets  and  armies,  - 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 
Joseph  Hawley, 

15,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 
Joseph  Trumbull,  Commissary,  - 

15,  Letter  from  Richard  Newton  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council,  -  -  -  - 

15,  Letter  from  Bradbury  Richardson  to  Jonathan 

Moulton,  ------- 

16,  Court-Martial  on  Lieutenant  Williams,  - 

16,  Letter  from  St.  Joseph  Dashiell  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety, 

16,  Letter  from  Captain  Bracco  to  the  Council  of 
Safety :  Has  exhausted  both  money  and  credit 
to  support  the  men  under  his  command, 

16,  Letter  from  Richard  Dallam  to  the  Council  of 
Safety, 

16,  Letter  from  Captains  Barnes  and  Elliott  to  the 
Council  of  Safety :  soliciting  a  .reinforcement 
for  the  defence  of  Kent-Island,  - 

16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Johnson  to  the  Council  of 
Safety, 

16,  Letter  from  General  Dent  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  Will  immediately  set  out  to  St.  Ma- 
ry's, and  take  every  precaution  to  guard 
against  and  repel  t^e  enemy, 

16,  Letter  from  Robert  Porteus  to  the  Council  of 
Safety, 

16,  Letter  from  John  Skinner  to  the  Council  of 
Safety, 

16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Tyler  to  the  Council  of 
Safety, 

16,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  several 
Committees  of  Observation  in  Maryland : 
with  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and 
requesting  it  may  be  proclaimed  in  each 
County,  -  .... 

16,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Com- 
mittee for  Worcester  County,  Maryland,  -  364 


XXIV 


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367 


1 77fi 

July  16,  Letter  from  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Commit- 
tees on  the  Eastern-Shore  of  Maryland, 
16,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Com- 
mittees on  the  Western-Shore  of  Maryland, 
16,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Virginia  Council  of  Safety:  requesting  them 
to  send  all  the  lead  that  can  be  spared ;  it  is 
wanted  for  the  Army  in  New-Jersey,  and  the 
state  of  affairs  will  not  admit  the  least  delay, 
16,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Colo- 
nel Lewis :  urging  him  to  collect  and  send 
all  the  lead  that  can  be  spared,   - 
16,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Colo- 
nel Kimiovan:  informing,  him  of  his  appoint- 
ment as  Engineer  in  the  Continental  service, 
16,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Massachusetts  Assembly:  beseeching  them, 
in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  Congress, 
as  they  regard  the  liberties  of  the  country 
and  the  happiness  of  posterity,  to  strain  every 
nerve  to  send  forward  the  Militia  for  strength- 
ening the  Army  at  New- York,    - 
16,  Letter  from  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon : 
The  Declaration  of  Independence  has  had  a 
glorious  effect,  - 

16,  Letter  from  John  Alsop  to  the  New- York  Con- 
vention :  As  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence is  against  his  judgment  and  inclination, 
he  begs  leave  to  resign  his  seat  as  a  Delegate 
in  Congress, 
16,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  the  President  of 

Congress, 

16,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  His  plan  of  a  proposed  attack  on  the 
British  posts  on  Staten-Island,    - 
16,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington,     -         -         -         -         - 

16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Seymour  to  General  Wash- 
ington: Remonstrance  of  the  Officers  of  the 
Connecticut  Light-Horse  against  d«ing  duty 
on  foot,  and  requesting  a  dismission  in  form, 
16,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonel 
Seymour:  Agrees  that  the  Troop  may  be 
dismissed,          -         -         -         - 

16,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington,     -  -         - 
16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Reed  to  Mrs.  Reed, 

Letter  from  Dennis  de  Berdt  to  Joseph  Reed, 
May  3:  Lord  Howe  goes  to  America  as  a 
mediator,  and  not  as  a  destroyer;  if  a  con- 
ference should  be  brought  about,  nothing 
unbecoming  a  gentleman  will  be  desired,  nor 
unreasonable  concessions  expected,    - 
16,  Letter  from  General  Spencer  to  a  Committee  of 
the  New- York  Provincial  Congress:  respect- 
ing the  discharge  of  two  prisoners, 
16,  Pass  for  Members  of  the  Convention  from  New- 
York  to  the  White-Plains,  - 

16,  Resolution  of  the  New-York  Committee  for  the 
publication  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence, on  the  18th,  at  the  City-Hall,     - 
16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammon  to  the  New- York 

Convention, 

16,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Colo- 
nel Hammon,    -  -  -  1404 
16,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  the 

Committee  for  Ulster  County,     - 
16,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Cad- 
walader  Golden,  Jun.:  His  petition  is  refer- 
red to  the  Committee  for  Ulster  County, 
16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

16,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Colo- 
nel Van  Cortlandt,     - 

16,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  the 
Commissioners  for  building  the  Continental 
ships  at  Poughkeepsie, 

16,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Gen- 
eral Washington :    As   their  troops   are  but 
ill  supplied  with  ammunition,  they  request 
he  will  order  them  an  immediate  supply, 
16,  Letter  from  John  McDonald  to  the  New-York 
Convention,       ------ 

16,  Letter  from  John  Broome  to  the  New-York 
Convention :  requesting  a  commission  for  a 
privateer,  - 

16,  Certificate  for  the  erection  of  a  Powder-Mill  in 
Ulster  County,  New-York, 


-    367 


-     368 


-    368 


-    369 


-    369 


-    371 


371 


-    371 


371 
372 


-    372 


-     373 


-     374 


-     374 


-  1404 


-  1405 


-  1405 


-  1405 


-  1407 


-  1407 


-    446 


1413 


-     374 


-     374 


xxv  CONTENTS. 

1776. 

July  16,  Letter  from  John  Coe  to  General  Washington : 
giving  information  of  the  movements  of  Brit- 
ish vessels  of  war  up  the  North  River,  -  374 

16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Porter  to  General  Fellows: 
enclosing  a  letter  from  Egbert  Benson,  re- 
questing some  troops  from  the  western  part 
of  Connecticut,  for  the  defence  of  the  High- 
lands, -  -  -  375 

16,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  President  of 

Congress  :  State  of  the  Northern  Army,       -     375 

16,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  376 

16,  Letter  from  Nathan  Clarke  to  General  Schuyler: 
with  a  list  of  the  Officers  nominated,  to  raise 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  to  be  stationed 
.on  the  eastern  side  of  Lake  Champlain,        -     377 

16,  Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -  -     377 

16,  Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  -  -  378 

16,  Letter  from  Gov.  Trumbull  to  Gen.  Washington,     378 

16,  Proceedings    of  the    Connecticut   Council    of 

Safety,       -  -         -     378 

16,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Gen- 
eral Washington :  requesting  his  attention  to 
the  exchange  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
privateer  Yankee  Hero,  now  prisoners  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  -  ...  350 

16,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 
Safety  to  the  President  of  Congress :  Has 
received  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
and  believes  it  will  give  great  satisfaction 
throughout  the  Colony,  -  -  381 

16,  Letter  from  Captain  Barrow  to  the  New-Hamp- 

shire Committee  of  Safety,  -         -     381 

17,  Letter  from  Captain  Dunnell  at  Martinico,      -     382 
17,  Letter  from  Colonel  Jordan  to  the   Maryland 

Council  of  Safety:  Attempt  of  the  British  to 
land  on  St.  George's  Island,        -  -     382 

17,  Letter  from  R.  Hooe  to  the  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -  -  -     383 

17,  Letter  from  Captain  Barnes  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  Is  much  in  want  of  ammunition;  has 
not  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  pow- 
der per  man,  -  -  -  -  333 

17,  Letter  from  Colonel  Somerville  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -     429 

17,  Letter  from  Jesse  Hollingsworth  to  the  Council 

of  Safety,  -  -     384 

17,  Letter  from  Daniel  Wolstenholm  to  the  Com-  * 

manding  Officer  at  St.  George's,  -     519 

17,  Letter  from  William  Waters  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  with  the  proceedings  of  the  Commit- 
tee for  Somerset  County  against  James  Lay- 
field,  -  384 

17,  Letter  from  Thomas  B.  Hands  to  the  Council 
of  Safety:  Declines  accepting  his  appoint- 
ment as  a  member  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  -  -  385 

17,  Letter  from  Stephen  Stewart  to  the  Committee 

of  Safety,  -  -     385 

17,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captain 
Crawford:  directing  him  to  convey  ammuni- 
tion to  St.  Mary's  County,  -  386 

17,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  General 
Dent:  Request  of  him  full  information  of  the 
numbers,  situation,  and  movements  of  the 
enemy;  powder,  lead,  and  flints  are  sent  off 
to  Leonardtown,  -  386 

17,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Thomas 
Ringgold :  Gunpowder  and  lead  has  been 
sent  for  the  use  of  Kent-Island,  -  -  386 

17,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Thomas 

Smyth,      -  -     386 

17,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captains 

Barnes  and  Elliott,     -         -  -     387 

17,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 

Ewing,      -  -     387 

17,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Washington,  -  -  387 

17,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Convention  of  Pennsylvania:  requesting  a 
Committee  of  the  Convention  may  be  ap- 
pointed under  an  injunction  of  secrecy,  to 
confer  with  a  Committee  of  the  Congress,  -  387 

17,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Colo- 
nel Smallwood :  To  march  the  Maryland 
Troops  to  New-York  immediately,  -  -  388 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


XXVI 

1776. 

July  17,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Mercer,       ......     335 

17,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress:  Colonel  Hand's  Battalion,  388' 

17,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  ...  3^9 

17,  Letter  from  General  Washington   to  General 

Schuyler,  -  -     390 

17,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonel 
Clinton:  Approves  the  steps  he  has  taken 
for  the  defence  of  the  Highlands,  -  391 

17,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  -  -  392 

17,  Letter  from  a  Secret  Committee  of  the  New- 
York  Convention  to  General  Washington: 
They  have  been  appointed  to  form  and  exe- 
cute any  plan  they  may  conceive  necessary 
for  the  defence  of  Hudson's  River,  -  -  392 

17,  Letter  from  Colonel  Malcom  to  the  New- York 

Convention,       ......  1410 

17,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  ...  1414 

17,  Letter  from  Colonel  Dubois  to  the  President 
of  Congress:  respecting  the  appointment  of 
Officers  in  his  Regiment,  ....  393 

17,  Arrangement  of  the  Third  New- York  Battalion, 

as  they  served  at  Canada  the  last  campaign,     393 

17,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  .  394 

17,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 
of  Congress :  Arrived  yesterday  at  the  Ger- 
man-Flats to  meet  the  Six  Nations,  -  -  394 

17,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Governour 
Trumbull:  This  day  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  Indians  came  in,  and  we  expect  a  numer- 
ous body  of  them  in  a  few  days,  -  -  395 

17,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates: 
Hopes  his  endeavours  to  establish  good  order 
and  to  eradicate  the  dangerous  jealousy  which 
has  unhappily  arisen  amongst  the  troops  will 
meet  with  the  desired  success,  -  -  396 

17,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Water- 
bury,  -  396 

17,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Arnold : 
He  sends  the  Commodore,  with  the  largest 
and  best  schooner,  for  his  instructions  in  re- 
gard to  the  cruise  he  ought  to  make  down 
the  Lake,  -  397 

17,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  Commanding 
Officer  at  Fort  George :  There  is  a  wanton 
waste  of  powder  at  that  fort,  in  firing  a 
morning  and  evening  gun,  and  in  unneces- 
sary salutes;  none  must  be  used  but  in  op- 
posing the  attacks  of  the  enemy,  -  397 

17,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Gansevoort,  .....  397 

17,  Letter   from    Captain   Brownson    to    General 

Gates,       -  -    398 

17,  Petition  of  the  Officers,  &c.,  of  Colonel  Bedel's 

Regiment,  to  General  Gates,       -        -        -     398 

17,  Letter  from  Daniel  Tillinghast  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  He  sends  more  guns  and  flints,  -  399 

17,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -----  1452 

17,  Letter   from   Governour  Trumbull  to  General 

Schuyler, 399 

17,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull   to  General 

Washington,      -        -        -  -     400 

17,  Affidavit  of  Nathan  Spicer:  Vessel  from  New- 
York  supplying  the  British  Fleet  with  pro- 
visions, ..----.  401 

17,  Affidavit  of  Samuel  Smedley :  The  people  of  the 
Block  Island  boats  not  so  friendly  as  they 
ought  to  be  to  the  American  cause,  -  -  402 

17,  Affidavit  of  Captain  Niles:  Has  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  the  Block-Island  boats  are  em- 
ployed in  furnishing  the  enemy's  ships  with 
intelligence,  supplies,  and  every  comfort  in 
their  power  to  afford,  -  -  -  402 

17,  Affidavit  of  Ebenezer  Colefox:  A  ship  loaded 
with  flour  came  from  New- York  to  the  British 
Fleet,  -  -  -  402 

17,  Affidavit  of  Matthew  Thompson:  British  ships 
were  supplied  with  hogs,  calves,  &c.,  from 
Block-Island,  -  -  -  403 

17,  Affidavit  of  Thomas  Kanady:  respecting  a  ship 
partly  loaded  with  provisions,  lying  at  an- 
chor at  Fisher's  Island,  ....  403 


XXVII 

1776. 
Julyll 


CONTENTS. 


XXVHI 


17, 
17, 

17, 
18, 

18, 

18, 

18, 
18, 
18, 
18, 
18, 
18, 
18, 
18, 
18, 
18, 

18, 
18, 

18, 
18, 

18, 
18, 

18, 
18, 

18, 

18, 

18, 

18, 

18, 

18, 
18, 


,  Letter  from  Joseph  Hawleyto  Elbridgc  Gerry  : 
The  Declaration  of  Independence  should  have 
been  accompanied  with  a  declaration  of  high 
treason.  Most  certainly  it  must  immediately 
and  without  the  least  delay,  follow  it,  - 

Letter  from  General  Lincoln  to  the  Council  of 
Massachusetts  :  Estimate  of  the  fortifications 
and  the  number  of  men  necessary  for  the  de 
fence  of  Boston, 

Letter  from  Captain  Fisk  to  the  Massachusetts 
Assembly:  Has  captured  the  British  armed 
schooner  Despatch ;  and  desires  to  know  how 
to  proceed  with  the  prisoners,  - 

Letter  from  Meshech  Weare  to  Colonel  Win- 
gate,  .... 

Letter  from  Francis  Salvador  to  William  H. 
Drayton,  ------- 

Recantation  of  Bennet  Armstrong, 

Letter  from  John  West  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety:  on  empowering  commanding 
officers  to  raise  the  Militia  in  cases  of  great 


-  403 


-  404 


-  405 

-  406 

406 

407 


emergency,         .-----     407 

Letter  from  Colonel  Dorsey  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety, -  408 

Letter  from  Captain  Nicholson  to  the  Council 
of  Safety,  -  -  -  408 

Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Com- 
manding Officer  at  St.  Mary's,  -  -  -  408 

Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 
Somerville,  -  -  -  -  409 

Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Charles 
Ridgely,  Sen.,  -  ....  409 

Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captain 
Smith,  ...  ...  409 

Proceedings  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  Balti- 
more Committee,  .  .  -  -  -  409 

Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  -  ...  409 

Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Convention,  -  409 

Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Schuyler, 410 

William  Allibone's  Report  on  Flint  Quarries,     410 

Letter  from  Samuel  Chase  to  General  Gates: 
He  cannot  conceive  the  propriety  of  erect- 
ing fortifications  at  Crown-Point,  -  -  410 

Letter  from  William  Atlee  to  the  Pennsylvania 
Committee  of  Safety :  respecting  the  baggage 
of  the  British  officers,  prisoners  on  parole, 
who  absconded  from  Lebanon,  -  411 

Letter  from  Colonel  Burd  to  the  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  Committee,  with  John  White, 
a  prisoner,  charged  with  assisting  the  British 
officers  to  escape  from  Lebanon,  -  -  412 

Ordinance  passed  by  the  Convention  of  New- 
Jersey,  for  punishing  Traitors  and  Counter- 
feiters, -  -  412 

Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  If  nothing  unlocked  for  intervenes, 
he  intends  to-night  to  attack  the  British 
posts  on  Staten-Island,  -  -  -  413 

Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  Major  Knowl- 
ton  :  Instructions  for  the  projected  surprise 
of  the  enemy  on  Staten  Island,  ...  413 

Letter  from  Samuel  B.  Webb  to  General  Ward,     413 

List  of  articles  taken  in  the  transports,  which 
General  Ward  is  requested  to  forward  from 
Boston  to  New- York  as  soon  as  possible,  -  414 

Letter  from  Samuel  B.  Webb  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  On  the  refusal  of  the  Connecticut 
Light-Horse  to  mount  guard,  the  General 
was  obliged  to  discharge  them  yesterday,  -  414 

Instructions  to  the  Superintendents  of  the  East 
River  and  North  River  Ferries,  New-York,  414 

Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed  to  Robert 
Morris :  with  the  Letter  to  him  from  Dennis 
de  Berdt,  ---....  415 

Letter  from  General  Wadsworth  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Account  of  the  difficulty  with 
Colonel  Seymour's  Troop  of  Horse  from 
Connecticut, 417 

Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Report  of  the  position  and  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  -  -  .  -  418 

Declaration  of  Independence  read  and  pub- 
lished at  the  City-Hall,  New- York,  -  -  418 

Narrative  of  the  case  of  Captain  Robert  Camp- 
bell, of  New- York,  419 


1 7*7fi 

July  18,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  the 

Committee  of  Rochester,  in  Ulster  County,   1415 

18,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Ge- 
neral Washington,  -  -  422 

18,  Letter  from  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and  Cap- 
tain Platt  to  the  New- York  Convention :  re- 
porting their  proceedings  for  the  defence  of 
the  Highlands,  -  -  422 

18,  Letter  from  a  Committee  of  the  New-York 
Convention  to  General  Washington  :  Have 
taken  a  survey  of  the  fortresses  in  the  High- 
lands, and  are  sorry  to  say  that  they  are  by 
no  means  in  a  proper  state  of  defence,  -  423 

18,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates: 
Encloses  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
to  be  proclaimed  throughout  the  Northern 
Army,  -  -  -  -  423 

18,  Letter   from   General    Waterbury   to    General 

Gates,       -  -    424 

18,  Resolves  of  the  Connecticut  Committee  of 
Safety  for  the  arrest  and  punishment  of  sus- 
pected persons,  -  424 

18,  Letter  from  Timothy  Parker  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Declines  the  appointment  of  First 
Lieutenant  of  the  Colony  ship  commanded 
by  Captain  Coit,  -  425 

18,  Letter  from  Captain  Tinker  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull, -  425 

18,  Declaration  of  Independence  proclaimed  from 

the  balcony  of  the  State-House  in  Boston,  -     425 

18,  Declaration  of  Independence  proclaimed  from 

the  Council  Chamber  in  Watertown,  -         -     426 

18,  Letter  from  Timothy  Pickering  to  Richard 
Derby  :  Urges  the  adoption  of  some  regula- 
tions to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  small-pox,  426 

18,  Letter  from  the  Selectmen  of  Northfield  to  the 

Council  of  Massachusetts,  -    427 

18,  Letter  from  Joseph  Otis:  on  the  proceedings  of 
the  Town  of  Barnstable,  Massachusetts,  on 
the  25th  of  June,  -  -  147 

18,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety  to  Colonel  Bayley,  -  427 

18,  Declaration  of  Independence    proclaimed   at 

Portsmouth,  New-Hampshire,     -  -     427 

19,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  a  Member  of  Con- 

gress :  giving  his  opinion  on  the  propriety 
of  waiving  his  rank  in  favour  of  some  impu- 
dent adventurer,  ...  -  428 

19,  Letter  from  George  Scott  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,  -  -  -  430 

19,  Letter  from  Thomas  Bourk  to  the  Council  of 

Safety,       -  430 

19,  Letter  from  General  Hooper  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  Has  called  out  the  Militia,  but  they 
cannot  be  kept  together,  without  money  for 
their  subsistence,  -  -  430 

19,  Letter  from  Colonel  Harrison  to  the  Council 

of  Safety,  -  -  -    431 

19,  Letter  from  General  Dent  to  the  Council  of 
Safety  :  Strength  and  movements  of  the  ene- 
my; the  Fleet  continues  at  the  mouth  of  St. 
Mary's  River ;  it  is  said  they  intend  only  to 
wood  and  water,  and  then  proceed  to  sea,  -  431 
Examination  of  Cunningham,  escaped  from  the 
British  Fleet,  -  -  431 

19,  Letter  from  Daniel  Wolstenholme  to  Colonel 

Barnes,      -         -  -        -     520 

19,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 
Dorsey:  Do  not  desire  him  to  send  in  any 
more  Militia,  -  ...  433 

19,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland 

to  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Virginia,      -         -  433 

19,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Dr.  Weis- 

enthall,      -  -     433 

19,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Com- 
mittee for  Alexandria,  in  Virginia:  Will 
cheerfully  afford  them  assistance  upon  every 
emergency  that  may  require  it,  -  -  433 

19,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Stephen 

Stewart,    •  -     433 

19,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Com- 
mittee for  Charles  County,  -  433 

19,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Mary- 
land Delegates  in  Congress,  -  -  434 

19,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,                                                  -     434 
Letter  from  General  Lee  to  the  President  of 
Congress,  July  2, 435 


XXIX 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 


XXX 


Circumstantial  account  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  British  Fleet  and  Army,  both  before  and 
after  their  defeat  at  Sullivan's  Island,  -  -  436 
July  19,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Convention  of  New-Jersey :  requesting  the 
live  stock  on  the  sea-coast  of  New-Jersey 
may  be  removed  to  the  interior,  - 

19,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Convention  of  New-Jersey:  The  Congress 
wish  to  know  by  what  means  the  letter  to 
Mr.  Kinsey  reached  his  hands,  - 

19,  Letter  from  William  Goddard  to  the  Board  of 
War:  applying  for  the  appointment  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, -         -         ... 
Memorial  of  William  Goddard  to  Congress:  re- 
questing a  military  appointment, 

19,  Letter  from  J.  Kinsey  to  Samuel  Tucker, 

19,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  weather  so  tempestuous  last 
night  that  the  troops  could  not  cross  to  Sta- 
ten-Island,  -  - 

Plan  for  attacking  Staten-Island,     ... 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  The  determination  of  the 
General  Officers  of  the  Northern  Army  to 
retreat  from  Crown-Point  surprised  him  much; 
the  more  it  is  considered,  the  more  striking 
does  the  impropriety  appear, 
Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  July  16,  - 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  City  of  New-York  :  recommend- 
ing the  removal  of  all  equivocal  and  suspicious 
persons  from  the  City,  ... 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Secret 
Committee  of  the  New- York  Convention,  - 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 
Trumbull,  - 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Gates,  -  -  - 

19,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  the 
Committee  of  Litchfield,  Connecticut:  re- 
questing them  to  take  charge  of  some  pri- 
soners, -  -  -  - 

19,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

19,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ludenton  to  the  New- York 
Convention,  -  -  - 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Gates :  Lord  Howe  has  arrived ;  he  and  the 
General,  his  brother,  are  appointed  Commis- 
sioners to  dispense  pardons  to  repentant 
sinners,  -  -  -  - 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Ward  :  Request  five  hundred  barrels  of  pow- 
der may  be  sent  to  Norwich, 

19,  Letter  from  Ephraim  Anderson  to  the  President 
of  Congress  :  Is  preparing  for  the  destruction 
of  the  British  Fleet  in  the  harbour  of  New- 
York,  

19,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  the  President 
of  Congress  :  The  Northern  Army  is  in  want 
of  provisions ;  the  Commissary  has  no  money, 
and  is  largely  in  debt, 

19,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington, ----- 

19,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hay  to  General  Washing- 
ton :  The  enemy  now  lie  in  Haverstraw-Bay, 
and  are  using  every  effort  to  land  and  destroy 
the  property  of  the  inhabitants ;  a  supply  of 
powder  and  ball  is  absolutely  necessary, 

19,  Examination  of  Richard  Turpin,  a  deserter  from 
Captain  Wallace,  of  the  ship  Rose :  Commu- 
nications of  the  Tories  with  the  British, 

19,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates: 
Fears  he  will  be  detained  at  the  German- 
Flats  much  longer  than  he  expected,  - 

19,  Resignations  and  promotions  in  Colonel  Day- 
ton's Regiment  at  the  German-Flats,  - 

19,  Letter  from  Walter  Livingston  to  General  Gates, 

19,  Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Shelburne,  on 
Lake  Champlain,  to  General  Gates:  request- 
ing a  party  of  men  may  be  stationed  there  for 
their  protection, 

19,  Letter  from  Samuel  Squier  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull, -  ...  -  455 


440 


440 


-    441 

442 
469 


443 
443 


-  444 

-  446 


-  448 
448 

-  449 

r 

-  450 
il 

-  650 


-  1419 

-  1420 
k 

-  1422 


-    450 


-    451 


-    451 


-  451 

.- 

-  452 


-    452 


-    452 


-    453 

453 
454 


-    455 


1776. 

July  19,  Proceedings  of  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Con- 
necticut,   -  .  45g 

19,  Resolve  of  Committee  for  Symsbury,  in  Con- 
necticut, respecting  Tories,  -  .  458 

19,  Court  of  Inquiry  at  Symsbury,  on  John  Moses 

and  Jesse  Cosset,       -  .  459 

19,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 
the  President  of  Congress :  The  calls  for 
Troops  have  so  greatly  thinned  us  of  men 
that  it  has  become  extremely  difficult,  if  not 
impracticable,  to  raise  any  more,  -  -  459 

19,  Treaty   between    Massachusetts    and   the    St. 

John's  and  Mickmac  tribe  of  Indians,  -     848 

19,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Austin  to  Thomas  Gush- 
ing: Respecting  presents  for  the  St.  John's 
and  Mickmac  Indians,  -  -  460 

19,  Letter  from  General  Lincoln  to  Thomas  Gush- 
ing :  Recommends  detaching  the  Militia  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Boston  harbour,  the 
erection  of  beacons,  and  establishing  signals, 
that  all  may  be  ready  in  case  of  an  alarm,  -  460 

19,  Letter  from  Tristram  Dalton  to  Elbridge  Gerry : 
The  important  results  from  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  -  ...  461 

19,  Letter  from  the  Portsmouth  Committee  to  the 
New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety:  Re- 
questing permission  for  Mrs.  Livius  to  pro- 
ceed to  Quebeck,  -  -  -  461 

19,  Letter  from  the  Portsmouth  Committee  to  the 

New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety :  On  the 
projected  voyage  of  Captain  Roach,     -         -     461 

20,  Letter  from  Captain  Richards  to  the  English 

Postmaster-General,  -  -        -     462 

20,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  London,     ...     462 
List  of  British  armed  vessels  on  the  North- 
American  station,       -----    463 

20,  Letter  from  Samuel  Curson  to  Comfort  Sands : 
Powder  continues  in  great  plenty  at  St.  Eu- 
statia,  -  -  463 

20,  Account  of  a  battle  between  the  Militia  of  Fin- 
castle  County,  Virginia,  and  the  Cherokee 
and  Creek  Indians,  near  the  great  Island  of 
Holstein,  -  -  464 

20,  Declaration  of  Independence  ordered  by  the 
Council  of  Virginia  to  be  published  in  the 
several  gazettes,  and  proclaimed  at  the  Court- 
House  door  of  each  County  by  the  several 
Sheriffs,  -  -  -  464 

20,  Letter  from  John  Page  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress :  The  people  of  Virginia  have  been 
anxiously  expecting  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, and  will  receive  it  with  joy,  -  465 

20,  Letter  from  Elisha  Winters  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety, 465 

20,  Letter  from  Captain  Martin  to  the  Council  of 
Safety  :  Proposes  to  raise  men  for  the  defence 
of  Oxford, 465 

20,  Letter  from  General  Dent  to  the  Council  of 

Safety :  The  fleet  has  gone  up  the  Potomack,     465 

20,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Major 
Shryock  :  Request  he  will  forward  the  Militia 
of  the  Flying-Camp, 466 

20,  Baltimore  Committee  authorize  the  discharge 

.    of  John  Amos,  ------    466 

20,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  -  466 

20,  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  John  Adams,     -        -     466 

20,  Letter  from  M.  Pelissier  to  the  President  of 
Congress :  He  was  among  the  foremost  in 
Canada  to  support  the  American  cause  ;  by 
the  retreat  of  the  Army  from  Canada  he  is 
ruined,  and  dare  not  return,  ...  466 

20,  Philadelphia  Committee  recommend  to  the  Cap- 
tains of  the  Militia  to  use  their  utmost  abili- 
ties to  complete  their  Companies,  -  -  467 

20,  Letter  from  Robert  Morris  to  Joseph  Reed :  If 
the  Commissioners  have  any  propositions  to 
make,  they  ought  to  be  heard ;  if  they  have 
no  power  beyond  granting  pardons,  it  will 
unite  all  America  in  support  of  independence ; 
but  if  they  can  offer  peace  on  admissible 
terms,  the  great  majority  of  the  American 
people  would  still  be  for  accepting  it,  -  -  467 

20,  Letter  from  Samuel  Tucker  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  -------     468 

Letter  from  J.  Kinsey  to  Samuel  Tucker,  July  19 : 
The  letter  came  to  Mrs.  Reed  in  a  packet  from 
her  brother,  Dennis  de  Berdt,  ...  469 


XXXI 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 


XXXII 


Letter  from  the  Bridgetown  Committee  to  the 
New-Jersey  Delegates  in  Congress,  May  li : 
They  are  nfbring  from  the  depredations  of 
the  enemy,  and  solicit  a  supply  of  powder 
and  hall,  - 

y  20,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  the  President  of 
Congress,  -  -  -  -  - 

20,  Letter  from  Philip  B.  Bradley  to  General  W  aoh- 
inirton  :  Is  of  opinion  that  Captain  Ephraim 
BurrV  conduct,  upon  the  strictest  scrutiny 
will  appear  unexceptionable, 

20,  Letter  from  General  Wadsworth  to  Governour 
Trumbull:  But  little  more  than  half  his  Bri- 
gade has  arrived,  an  event  very  disagreeable 
under  the  present  circumstances  of  the  Army, 

20,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Colo- 
nel Ludenton, 

20,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  their 
Delegates  in  Congress:  They  have  relin- 
quished the  thought  of  removing  the  stock 
from  Long-Island,  - 

20,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  - 

20,  Resolutions  of  the  New-York  Convention  for 
removing  the  stock  from  Long-Island, 

20,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Dutchess  County 
to  the  New- York  Convention  :  It  will  be  dif- 
ficult to  raise  the  two  Regiments  in  the 
County  without  money  to  pay  the  bounty  on 
inlisting,  ------- 

20,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 
of  Congress  :  Sees  no  prospect  of  erecting  a 
fort  at  Oswego,  or  building  galleys  on  Ontario, 
this  campaign,  ------ 

20,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington, ------ 

20,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates,  - 

20,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Nathan  Clarke: 
Sends  eighteen  commissions  for  the  officers 
of  the  six  Companies,  but  has  no  authority 
to  appoint  a  Field-Officer, 

20,  Instructions  from  General  Gates  to  Colonel 
Hartley,  ------ 

20,  Letter  from  Baron  de  Woedtke  to  General 
Gates, 

20,  Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  Captains  of  the  row-galleys  are 
ordered  to  proceed  immediately  to  New- 
York,  -  -  -  - 

20,  Assembly  of  Rhode-Island  prohibit  prayers  for 
the  King  of  Great  Britain,  or  for  the  success 
of  his  arms,  - 

20,  Declaration  of  Independence  proclaimed  at 
Newport,  Rhode-Island,  - 

20,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  ... 

20,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  Nathaniel 
Shaw,  .... 

20,  Letter  from  William  Loud  to  John  Taylor :  The 
eastern  settlements  are  without  ammunition ; 
not  one-tenth  part  of  the  inhabitants  have  any, 

20,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to  the 
Selectmen  of  Boston, 

20,  Letter  from  Jonathan  Glover  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  ----- 

20,  Letter  from  General  Bellows  to  Meshech  Weare, 

20,  Letter  from  Colonel  Wait  to  Colonel  Hurd: 
The  Northern  Army  has  been  treated  with 
cruel  neglect,  or  we  might  have  been  in  pos- 
session of  Quebeck ;  there  were  Generals 
without  men,  Artillery  without  supplies, 
Commissaries  without  provisions,  Paymas- 
ters without  money,  Quartermasters  without 
stores,  Physicians  without  medicines,  and 
the  small-pox  in  the  Army,  ...  479 
20,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Giles  to  Meshech  Weare,  480 

20,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hurd  to  the  New-Hamp- 

shire Committee  of  Safety:  Is  informed  that 
seventy-two  ships  have  arrived  at  Quebeck, 
and  the  Ministerial  Army  made  up  to  ten 
thousand  British  and  Canadians,  under  Ge- 
neral Carleton,  -  .  430 

21,  LettcrfromCharlestown, South-Carolina: Stew- 

art has  prevailed  upon  the  Cherokees  to  take 
up  the  hatchet  against  our  countrymen,         -     481 
21,  Account  of  the  attack  of  Watauga  Fort  by  the 

Cherokees,        -        -        -        .        .        -481 


-  469 
I 

-  469 


-     470 


470 
-  1422 


-  1425 

-  538 
r 

-  538 


-    472 


-    472 
473 


-    474 


-  474 
•1 

-  474 


-    475 


475 


-  475 
t 

-  475 

i- 

-  476 


-    476 


477 
-    477 

478 
479 


1776. 

July1\,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
General  Dent :  A  reinforcement  under  Major 
Price  has  been  sent  down,  -  481 

21,  Letter  from  James  Tilghman  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety:  For  arms,       -  -     482 

21,  Letter  from  B.  Johnson  to  the  Council  of  Safe- 
ty :  Captain  Good  cannot  procure  arms  with- 
out money;  with  money  he  can  get  both 
arms  and  blankets,  -  -  482 

21,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Col- 
onel Haslett :  Directing  him  to  inarch,  with 
the  troops  under  his  command,  to  Philadel- 
phia,  -  482 

21,  Letter  from  Dr.  Franklin  to  Lord  Howe  :  On  his 

mission  to  offer  pardon  to  the  Colonies,      -     482 

21,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  Has  just  been  informed 
that  ten  ships,  supposed  to  be  part  of  Lord 
Howe's  fleet,  were  seen  coming  in,  -  -  484 

21,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Samuel 
Tucker:  Urging  the  completion  of  the  levies 
as  soon  as  possible,  as  the  period  is  at  hand 
when  there  will  be  the  most  pressing  occasion 
for  troops  to  oppose  the  formidable  army 
expected  against  us,  -  -  484 

21,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Secret 
Committee  of  the  New-York  Convention :  It 
is  not  in  his  power  to  reinforce  the  garrisons 
in  the  Highlands  with  more  men,  as  but  about 
five  thousand  of  the  new  levies  have  arrived 
in  camp,  of  the  fifteen  thousand  ordered,  -  484 

21,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonel 
Clinton  :  Sends  him  Lieutenant  Machin,  who 
has  given  great  satisfaction  as  an  engineer 
at  Boston,  -  485 

21,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Lieutenant 
Machin  :  Directs  him  to  proceed  to  the  High- 
lands and  report  to  Colonel  James  Clinton,  -  485 

21,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  James  Bow- 
doin:  A  person  is  at  No.  4  to  receive  and 
forward  the  troops  from  New-England  going 
to  Crown-Point,  -  485 

21,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Is  informed  that  eight  hundred  ne- 
groes, collected  on  Staten-Island,  were  this 
day  to  be  formed  into  a  Regiment  by  Gene- 
ral Howe,  -  -  -  486 

21,  Letter  from  the  Secret  Committee  of  the  New- 
York  Convention  to  General  Gates :  Request- 
ing him  to  send  to  Poughkeepsie  the  chain 
intended  to  obstruct  the  navigation  of  the 
Sorel,  ---  -  -  486 

21,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Washing- 
ton, -  -  916 

21,  Letter  from  William  Gilliland  to  General  Gates,     486 

21,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates: 
Arrived  at  Crown-Point  yesterday ;  there  is 
no  news  yet  from  down  the  Lake,  -  -  486 

21,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Arnold,     487 

21,  Letter  from  S.  Metcalf  to  Colonel  Bayley:  with 
four  Canadian  officers,  late  of  Colonel  James 
Livingston's  Regiment,  -  -  488 

21,  Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  to  Lord  Howe,      606 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Williamson  to  William  H. 

Drayton:  Is  encamped  at  Baker's  Creek, 
with  about  seven  hundred  effective  men;  will 
do  his  utmost  to  check  the  Cherokees,  -  488 

22,  Letter  from  General  Henry  Clinton  to  General 

Lee,  -  -    489 

22,  Committee  for  Pittsylvania  County,  Virginia, 
publish  George  Herndon  and  others  as  ene- 
mies to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  America,  489 

22,  Account  of  the  progress  of  Lord  Dunmore's 

fleet  up  the  Potomack,        -  -     490 

22,  Letter  from  Dumfries,  Virginia :  Depredations 

of  the  British  fleet  up  the  Potomack,  -         -     490 

22,  Letter  from  General  Thomas  Johnson  to  the 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,        -  -     490 

22,  Letter  from    James  Murray  to   the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      -  -         -     491 

22,  Letter  from  Richard  Dallam  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  Has  made  and  delivered  some  guns  ; 
more  are  ready,  -  -  -  491 

22,  Letter  from  Matthew  Tilghman  to  the  Council 

of  Safety:  enclosing  a  Petition,  -         -         -     491 

22,  Letter  from  Thomas  Stone  and  William  Paca, 
Maryland  Delegates  in  Congress,  to  the 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  -  492 


1776. 


xxxiil  CONTENTS. 

1776. 

July  22,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captain 
Perkins :  They  have  no  muskets  to  supply 
any  company  belonging  to  the  Eastern- 
Shore  Battalion,  -  -  492 

22,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  General 
Hooper:  His  arrangement  of  the  Militia 
meets  with  entire  approbation,  -  -  492 

22,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Com- 
mittee for  Kent  County  :  They  have  received 
by  Captain  Berry  a  quantity  of  powder  and 
arms,  -  -  493 

22,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Thomas 
Ringgold,  with  powder  and  lead  for  the  de- 
fence of  Kent-Island,  -  -  -  493 

22,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Lee:  with  thanks  of  Congress  for  repulse 
of  British  fleet  and  army  in  South-Carolina,  -     493 
List  of  Officers  who  were  in  Fort  Moultrie  on 
the  28th  of  June,        -  -     493 

22,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Col- 
onel Moultrie  :  with  the  thanks  of  Congress 
for  his  patriotick  and  spirited  conduct  on  the 
28th  of  June,  -  -  494 

22,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Col- 
onel Thompson:  with  thanks  for  the  impor- 
tant part  he  acted  on  the  28th  of  June,  -  494 

22,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 

Governour  of  Virginia,        -  -         -     494 

22,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Lewis :  directing  him  to  order  two  Bat- 
talions of  Continental  Troops  in  Virginia  to 
join  the  Flying-Camp  in  New-Jersey,  -  494 

22,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Convention:  requesting  them 
to  augment  the  quota  for  the  Flying-Camp, 
with  four  Battalions  of  Militia,  -  495 

22,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Convention  of  New-Jersey :  to  augment  their 
quota  of  the  Flying-Camp  with  three  Bat- 
talions of  Militia,  -  ...  495 

22,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Col- 
onel Griffin :  Appointed  Deputy-Adjutant 
General  to  the  Flying-Camp,  -  -  495 

22,  Letter  from  Dr.  Franklin  to  General  Washing- 
ton: with  Joseph  Belton,  who  has  a  contri- 
vance for  destroying  the  enemy's  ships,  -  496 

22,  Letter  from  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon : 
The  Confederation  is  now  before  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  Whole  in  Congress ;  by  reason 
of  so  much  other  business  it  goes  on  but 
slowly,  -  -  496 

22,  Letter  from  William  Whipple  to  John  Lang- 
don :  Pennsylvania  and  New-Jersey  are  all 
alive ;  men  of  fortune  march  as  private  sol- 
diers ;  Colonel  Dickinson  and  all  the  others 
have  marched  with  their  Battalions ;  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  has  done  won- 
ders, -  497 

22,  Petition  of  Levi  Allen  to  the  Congress :  Re- 
quests application  may  be  made  for  the  ex- 
change of  his  brother.  Colonel  Ethan  Allen, 
and  the  prisoners  taken  with  him,  -  -  498 
General  Spencer  and  others  recommend  Levi 
Allen  as  a  fit  person  to  be  intrusted  with  a 
flag  to  the  British  fleet,  -  -  498 

22,  Colonel  Brown's  certificate  respecting  Colonel 

Ethan  Allen,      -  -     498 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Thompson  to  the  Commit- 
tee for  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania:  For  publick 
guns  to  arm  the  men  ready  to  turn  out,  -  498 

22,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -         -  ...     499 

22,  General  Return  of  the  Forces  in  New-Jersey,  -    575 

22,  Letter  from  an  officer  in  the  Second  Pennsyl-. 

vania  Battalion  at  Amboy,  -         -  -    499 

22,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  recommending  Captain 
Wilpen,  -  499 

22,  Notice  of  the   Flags  from   Lord  and  General 

Howe  to  General  Washington,    -  -     471 

22,  Letter  from  an  officer  in  the  Army  at  NeV- 

York,  -     472 

22,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  -  499 
Memorandum  of  what  passed  in  the  interview 
between  General  Washington  and  Colonel 
Patterson,  Adjutant-General  of  the  Army 
under  General  Howe,  July  20,  1776,  -  -  500 


XXXIV 


Colonel  Knox's  plan  for  increasing  the  Artil- 
lery, July  9,  .  502 
General  Orders,  from  July  13  to  July  21,         -     502 
General  Return  of  the  Army  in  and  near  New- 
York,  July  20,  -                                             -     507 
Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Artillery  commanded 

by  Colonel  Knox,  July  20,  -    507 

Return  of  Ordnance  Stores,  July  22,       -         -     586 
July  22,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  John  Au- 
gustine Washington,  -    509 

22,  Letter  from  Baron  de  Calbiac  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  509 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Huntington  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -     510 

22,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  ships  that  came  in  yesterday 
have  troops  on  board,  -  510 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  -  -  1428 

22,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  their 
Delegates  in  Congress :  On  Mr.  Alsop's  re- 
signation and  conduct,  -  -  1431 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Isaac  Nicoll  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  ...  1450 

22,  Letter  from  Abraham  Yates,  Chairman  of  the 
Secret  Committee,  to  the  New-York  Con- 
vention, --.....  1453 

22,  Letter  from  Robert  Yeates  to  William  Pawling : 
Two  armed  sloops  are  to  be  fitted  out  at 
Albany,  to  protect  the  North  River  from  the 
depredations  of  the  British,  -  -  -  511 

22,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Colonel  Day- 
ton :  There  is  reason  to  suspect  that  Lieu- 
tenant McDonald  is  concerned  in  the  em- 
bezzlement of  the  effects  at  Johnstown  ;  all 
concerned  in  this  affair  must  be  arrested  and 
tried,  -  511 

22,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Schuy- 
ler, -  -  -  511 

22,  Letter  from  John  Trumbull  to  Colonel  Read : 
He  is  required  to  collect  all  who  are  well,  at 
Fort  George,  and  return  with  them  to  the 
Army  at  Ticonderoga,  -  -  -  512 

22,  Letter  from  Captain  Wilson  to  General  Ar- 
nold :  Has  taken  some  suspicious  persons 
OB  the  Lake,  ------  512 

22,  Letter  from  Major  French  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  -  -  621 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Seymour  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Respecting  the  dismissal  of  the 
Troop  of  Light-Horse  under  his  command,  -  513 

22,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Sargent's  and  Hutchinson's  Regi- 
ments marched  on  the  18th  for  Norwich; 
Glover's  on  the  20th ;  the  two  remaining 
Regiments  will  follow  as  soon  as  they  have 
recovered  from  the  small-pox,  -  -  514 

22,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 

Colonel  Foster,  -    515 

22,  Declaration    of   Independence    celebrated   at 

Worcester,  Massachusetts,          -         -        -    515 

22,  Letter  from  Joseph  Palmer  to  James  Bowdoin,     516 

22,  Petition  of  the  Town  of  Warren  to  the  New- 
.  Hampshire   Committee  of  Safety :  for  fire- 
arms and  lead,  of  which  they  are  destitute,  -     517 

22,  Letter  from  David  Gilman  to  the  New-Hamp- 

shire Committee  of  Safety:  The  works  at 
New-Castle  go  on  very  well ;  it  will  be  one 
of  the  most  complete  ones  upon  the  conti- 
nent of  North-America  when  finished,  -  517 

23,  Letter  from  B.  Johnson  to  the  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety:    Captain   Hardman,   if  furnished 
with  money,  could  get  guns,  blankets,  &c.,  -     517 
23,  Letter  from    Major    Price   to   the    Council    of 
Safety:  Has  determined  to  detain  Mr.  Wol- 
stenholme  until  he  hears  from  the  Conven- 
tion, -         -     518 
23,  Letter  from  Colonel  Barnes  to  the  Council  of 
Safety :  Relating  to  Mr.  Wolstenholme's  de- 
tention by  Major  Price,       -         ...    518 

Letter  from  Mr.  Wolstenholme  to  the  Com- 
manding Officer  at  St.  George's :  Requesting 
when  a  flag  comes  for  him  from  the  fleet, 
due  respect  may  be  paid  to  it,  -  -  519 

Letter  from  Daniel  Wolstenholme  to  Colonel 
Barnes:  Complains  of  his  detention  by  the 
military  after  he  had  received  a  passport  from 
the  civil  authority,  -  -  -  -  520 


XXXV 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 


XXXVI 


ProceediWs  of  the  Committee  of  Loonardtown, 
on  the  application  of  Daniel  Wolstenholme 
for  permission  to  leave  the  Province  of  Ma- 
ryland and  return  to  Great  Britain,  his  native 
country,  - 

Ju/y23,  Letter  from  Majc>r  Williams  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety'.:  Declines  the  appointment 
of  Colonel  of  the  Frederick  County  Bat- 
talion, -  -  •>/  -  -  -  - 

23,  Letter   from   T.    Hanson    tV  Jhe    Council   of 
Safety,       -  .          - 

23,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Doreitcster 
County,  Maryland,  to  the  Council  of  Safety: 
There  are  not  a  fourth  part  of  the  Militia  of 
the  County  who  have  arms  that  can  be  de- 
pended on,  and  these  only  fowling-pieces 
and  squirrel-guns,  - 

23,  Letter  from  General  Dent  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  resigning  his  commission,  as  he  has 
been  superseded  by  the  appointment  of  Ma- 
jor Price  to  the  command, 

23,  Letter  from  General  Johnson  to  the  Council  of 
Safety,  -  -  - 

23,  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  for  Baltimore 
County,  ------- 

23,  Letter  from  the  Baltimore  Committee  to  the 
Council  of  Safety:  They  have  appointed  a 
committee  to  collect  blankets  and  arms, 

23,  Muster-Roll  of  Captain  Grabill's  Company, 

23,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safetj  to  John  Yost  : 
Are  very  desirous  of  knowing  what  arms  he 
has  ready  for  the  publick,  - 

23,  Affair  of  the  galleys  near  Sandy-Point,    - 

Captain  Conway's  statement,  Alexandria,  Au- 
gust 10,     -  .... 

Deposition  of  Edward  Coles  and  Cuthbert  El- 
lis, Midshipmen  on  board  the  Protector  row- 
galley,  August  10,     -         -  -        - 

S.  Hanson's  advertisement,  July  31, 

Certificates  of  George  F.  Hopkins,  July  29,    - 

Certificate  of  Captain  John  M.  Lowe  and  Mr. 

John  M.  Burgess,  July  29,  ... 

Colonel  Harrison's  statement,  Chester  County, 

October  21,        ...... 

Affidavit  of  John  Finley,  William  Hunter,  and 

James  Lawrason,  October  4, 
Affidavit  of  John  Matthews  and  William  Stod- 
dert,  October  18,        -         -  -         - 

Statement  of  Henry  Fendall  and  Warren  Dent, 
October  20,        -        -        -        - 

23,  Letter  from  Samuel  Chase  and  Thomas  Stone 
to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety, 

23,  Letter  from  a  Member  of  the  Congress  to  Ge- 
neral Lee  :  The  Tories  are  quiet  but  surly  ; 
Lord  Howe's  Proclamation  leaves  them  not 
a  single  filament  of  their  cobweb  doctrine  of 
reconciliation,  ------ 

23,  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  appointed 
by  the  Convention,  -  -  - 

23,  William  Maclay  to  Richard  Peters  :  Has  dis- 
covered flint  suitable  for  fire-arms,  -  - 

23,  Letter  from  G.  Noartts  to  Richard  Peters  :  In 
consequence  of  an  advertisement  from  the 
War  Department,  has  taken  pains  to  discover 
a  quantity  of  flint  stone,  -  - 

23,  Letter  from  William  Allen  to  the  President  of 
Congress:  Resigns  his  commission  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel in  the  Continental  Army,  - 

23,  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  for  Lancaster 
County,  Pennsylvania,  -  . 

23,  Letter  from  the  Lancaster  Committee  to  the 
Convention  of  Pennsylvania:  Will,  as  far  as 
in  their  power,  carry  the  recommendation  of 
Congress  into  effect;  but  their  means  are 
nearly  exhausted  ;  they  have  hardly  muskets 
enough  to  relieve  the  necessary  guards,  - 

23,  Letter  from  the  Lancaster  Committee  to  the 
Board  of  War  :  They  have  no  barracks  for  the 
prisoners  lately  sent  there,  -  ... 

23,  Petition  of  Jonathan  Roland  and  others  to  the 
Lancaster  Committee:  That  destitute  fami- 
lies of  the  Associators  who  are  about  to 
march  for  the  Flying-Camp  may  be  provided 
for,  -  ... 

23,  Letter  from  Captain  Cregier  to  Thomas  Ran- 
dall, --•---.. 

23,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 

dent of  Congress,       -  ...     537 


-    520 

521 
521 


-    521 

522 
522 
522 


524 
524 


524 
525 

-    525 


526 
526 
527 

527 
527 
528 
528 
530 
531 


533 
532 
533 

533 

533 
533 

534 
535 


1776. 


23, 


23, 


23, 


Letter  from  the  New-  York  Convention  to  Ge- 
neral Washington,  July  20:  There  are  on 
Long-Island  one  hundred  thousand  head  of 
horned  cattle,  besides  a  larger  number  of 
sheep  and  other  stock.  To  remove  these 
would  reduce  the  inhabitants  (twenty-five  or 
thirty  thousand)  to  the  greatest  distress;  the 
Convention,  therefore,  have  given  over  the 
thought  of  removing  the  stock  from  the  Island,  538 
,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 

dent of  Congress,       -  -         -     540 

Letter  from  Governour  Trurnbull  to  General 

Washington,  July  17,         -  -    540 

Return  of  ammunition  and  other  utensils  at  the 

different  forts  on  Long-Island,    -  541 

23,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Baron  de 
Calbiac  :  on  the  application  made  by  him  in 
bt-Jialf  of  some  of  his  countrymen,  applicants 
for  ofnV.es,  .._...  543 

23,  Letter  from  CVneral  Greene  to  General  Wash- 

ington,     -  -    542 

23,  Letter  from  Colonel  Varnum  to  General  Greene: 
recommending  a  compliance  with  Captain 
Read's  request  for  a  discharge,  -  -  543 

23,  Declaration    of  Independence^  proclaimed   at 

Huntington,  on  Long-Island,  X.   ...     543 

23,  Company  of  old  men,  to  the  age  ofSgeventy  and 
upwards,  formed  at  Southampton,  \on  Lona- 
Island,  for  defence,  in  case  of  an  invasion"-    543 
Letter  from  Captain  Denton  toNathanielVWood- 

hull  :  for  commissions,       -  .     543 

Report  on  commissions  for  Captain  Denton's 

Company,  -   ,      .     544 

Letter  from  Colonel  Cortlandt  and  Captain  t'latt 
to  the  New-  York  Convention:  The  New- 
England  forces  will  leave  the  Highlands  <on 
the  27th  ;  part  of  the  new  levies  should  k>e 
on  the  ground  by  that  time,  -  -.  544 

23,  Letter  from  the  New-  York  Convention  to  Ge- 
neral Gates  :  Requesting  him  to  communi- 
cate a  full  state  of  the  military  operations  he 
now  superintends,  -  -  !1432 

23,  Letter  from  New-  York  Convention  to  Leonard 
Gansevoort  and  Jacob  Cuyler,  a  Committee 
appointed  by  the  Convention  to  proceed  to 
Ticonderoga  and  obtain  exact  information  of 
the  state  of  the  Northern  Army,  -  14J}3 

23,  Letter  from  General  George  Clinton  to  General 

Washington,  -         -     544 

23,  Letter  from  Fort  Montgomery  :  Proceedings  of 

the  British  ships  near  the  Highlands,  -         -     54(S 

23,  Letter  from  Johannes  Sleght,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Kingston,  to  the  New-York 
Convention,  -  -  1459 

23,  Letterfrom  Captain  Wynkoop  to  General  Gates  : 
Sends  one  gondola  from  Skenesborough;  will 
send  another  this  week,  and  two  more  next 
week,  -  .  547 

23,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Colonel  Hartley  : 
Major  Bigelow  is  sent  with  a  letter  to  Gene- 
ral Burgoyne.  The  parties  down  the  Lake 
should  be  called  while  the  flag  of  truce  is 
there,  .  543 

23,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  Commanding 
Officer  at  Albany:  with  Mr.  Brown,  a  pri- 
soner, who  is  to  be  confined  in  prison,  -  548 

23,  Letter  from  the  Committees  of  Newbury  and 

Haverhill  to  General  Sullivan,     -  -     548 

23,  Letter  from  the  Governour  of  Rhode-Island  to 

the  President  of  Congress,  -     549 

23,  Declaration    of  Independence    proclaimed   at 

East  Greenwich,  Rhode-Island,  -         -         -     549 

23,  Proceedings  of  the    Connecticut    Council    of 

Safety,       -  .     549 

23,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 
the  President  of  Congress:  Men  will  be  raised 
and  forwarded  as  fast  as  possible,  -  -  550 

23,  Letter  from  Reuben  Swain  to  General  Wash- 
ington: To  make  a  request  of  Lord  Howe  to 
liberate  his  sons,  ...  559 

23,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Barnard  to  General  Wash- 

ington,     -  ,  .    550 

23,  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Brookfield  to  the 
Council  of  Massachusetts  :  For  the  promo- 
tion of  Captain  King,  -  -  551 

23,  Letter  from  Joseph  Gushing  to  John  Taylor: 
Have  raised  the  men  for  New-  York,  and  some 
for  Canada,  -  -  -  -  551 


24, 
24, 


24, 


24, 


XXXVll  CONTENTS. 

1776. 
July 23,  Notice  of  the  Tyrannicide,  privateer,  Captain 

Fisk,         ....  .    552 

23,  Letter  from  Major  Hawley  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council :  The  raising  and  marching  of 
troops,  ...  -  -  552 

23,  Order  of  New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety, 

for  the  conveyance  of  Mrs.  Livius  toQuebeck,     553 

24,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

L.  Barret:    They  have  sent  eight  hundred 
pounds  of  lead,  -         -    553 

24,  Letter  from  Thomas  Smyth  to  the  Council  of 

Safety, 553 

24,  Letter  from  Josias  Beall  to  the  Council  of 
Safety  :  Desires  a  quantity  of  Powder  may  be 
sent  to  Piscataway,  -  553 

24,  Letter  from  General  Dent  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  Wishes  to  know  if  they  have  any 
doubts  of  his  military  knowledge,  assiduity, 
or  personal  courage,  -  554 

24,  Letter  from  B.  Graves  to  the  Council  of  Safety,     554 

24,  Letter  from  Robert  L.  Nicols  to  the  Council 

of  Safety,  -  -    554 

24,  Letter  from  J.  Contee  to  the  Council  of  Safety: 
The  Committee  for  Prince  George's  County 
say  there  is  little  probability  of  borrowing  or 
purchasing  any  guns,  ...  554 

24,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Go- 
vernour  Rutledge :  enclosing  Resolution  of 
Congress  for  placing  the  Regiment  of  Ran- 
gers in  South-Carolina  on  the  Continental 
establishment,  ------  555 

24,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington :  Congress  has  left  the  dis- 
position of  the  Troops  at  New- York,  the 
Flying-Camp,  and  Ticonderoga,  wholly  with 
him,  ..--.-  555 

24,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Ge- 
neral Schuyler:  As  nothing  can  show  greater 
weakness  or  wickedness  than  to  throw  pro- 
vincial reflections  on  one  another,  he  is  re- 
quested to  suppress  such  ungenerous  and 
base  practices,  and  promote  discipline,  order, 
and  zeal,  in  the  Army,  -  -  555 

24,  Letter  from  Thomas  Stone  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  Sends  from  Philadelphia 
forty  barrels  of  powder  and  fifty-four  boxes 
of  arms,  -  -  ...  555 

24,  Letter  from  the  Pennsylvania  Committee   of 

Safety  to  the  Committee  for  Berks  County,   1300 

24,  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey  to 
General  Washington :  The  utmost  efforts  will 
be  used  to  complete  the  Brigade  ordered  from 
New-Jersey  for  the  reinforcement  of  the 
Army,  -  -  -  556 

24,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  harvest  will  be  secured  in  a  few 
days,  when  a  considerable  body  of  the  Mili- 
tia of  New-Jersey  can  be  called  out,  -  -  556 

24,  General  Return  of  the  Pennsylvania  Forces  in 
New-Jersey,  under  the  command  of  Briga- 
dier-General Mercer,  -----  557 

24,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  Recommends  the  adoption 
of  some  regulations  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  receiving  supplies  of  provisions,  -  -  557 

24,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  The  orders  he  has  given  to  the 
armed  cruisers  of  Connecticut  for  stopping 
provision  vessels  are  extremely  necessary,  -  558 

24,  Notice  of  the  men-of-war  up  the  North  River,  -     559 

24,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -------  559 

24,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Queen's  County 

to  the  New- York  Convention,     -  -  1464 

24,  Examination  of  the  evidence  against  Colonel 
Hamman  in  respect  to  his  behaviour  as  an 
officer  on  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which 
the  enemy's  ships  came  to  anchor  off  Tarry- 
town,  ...  -  1438 

24,  Commission  from  the  New-York  Convention  to 
Joab  Horsington,  as  Major  of  Rangers  in  the 
Counties  of  Gloucester  and  Cumberland,  -  1439 

24,  Letter  from  Dr.  Samuel  Cooke  to  Captain  Platt,   1450 

24,  Letter  from  Colonel  Henry  Remsen  to  General 
Woodhull:  Several  perishable  cargoes  waiting 
the  decision  of  a  Court  of  Admiralty,  -  -  1452 

24,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  to  General 

Morris,      .------  1461 


XXXVIII 

1776. 

Julyll,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Describes  the  positions  of  the  posts 
at  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point,  and  gives 
his  reasons  for  the  removal  of  the  Army  to 
Ticonderoga,  -  ...  559 

24,  Letter   from    General   Waterbury   to   General 

Gates,       -  -        -    563 

Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates,     563 
Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates : 
Captain  Wilson  has  taken  some  prisoners, 
from  whom  material  discoveries  may  be  made. 
Major  Bigelow  has  just  gone  down,     -         -     564 
Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates : 
Has  sent  down  the  Lake  to  intercept  some 
spies  on  their  return  to  St.  John's,      -         -     564 

24,  Letter  from  Dr.  Stringer  to  General  Gates,       -     651 

24,  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Cum- 
berland County,  in  New- York,  to  General 
Gates :  that  the  men  required  by  the  Provin- 
cial Congress  to  be  raised  in  the  County  for 
the  Northern  Army,  may  be  retained  there 
for  the  defence  of  the  frontier  towns,  -  -  564 
Extracts  of  the  Votes  and  Proceedings  of  a 
General  Convention  of  fifty-nine  Delegates 
on  the  west  side  of  the  range  of  Green  Moun- 
tains, on  the  New-Hampshire  Grants,  held  at 
Dorset,  -  -  565 

24,  Benjamin  Griffith  declared  inimical  to  the  United 

Colonies  by  Committee  for  Killingworth,      -     566 

24,  Address  to  the  Inhabitants  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  -  567 

24,  Court-Martial  at  Boston  on  Lieutenant  Moses 

Banks,       -  -    567 

24,  Letter  from  John  Bachellor  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council:  Was  mistaken  in  thelnforma- 
tion  he  gave  against  Captain  Obrian,  -  -  567 

24,  Letter  from  William  Sever  to  the  Massachusetts 
Council:  respecting  the  cruise  ofBrigantine 
Independence,  Captain  Samson,  -  567 

24,  Letter  from  the  Cumberland  County  Committee 

to  the  Massachusetts  Council,     -         -        -     568 

24,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety  to  Benjamin  Giles,   ...         -    568 

25,  Declaration   of  Independence   proclaimed    at 

Williamsburgh,  Virginia,     -  -        -    568 

25,  Letter  from  the  Baltimore  Committee  to  the 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,         ...    569 

25,  Letter  from  John  Hanson  to  the  Council  of 

Safety, 569 

25,  Letter  from  Colonel  Strieker  to  Samuel  Chase,     569 

25,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
General  Johnson:  The  Militia  from  Frederick 
County  will  not  be  wanted ;  for  although 
there  are  many  of  the  enemy's  ships  in  Poto- 
mack,  there  are  but  few  men  in  them,  -  570 

25,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Major 
Price :  He  should  be  particularly  careful  to 
secure  deserters,  -----  570 

25,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Com- 
mittees of  Dorchester  and  Somerset,  -  -  570 

25,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Matthew 

Tilghman,  -        -    571 

25,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 
Barnes :  Mr.  Wolstenholme's  case  may  be 
attended  with  peculiar  circumstances ;  he 
must,  however,  submit  to  the  times,  -  -  571 

25,  Letter  from  John  Adams  to  the  Massachusetts 

Assembly:  Asks  for  leave  to  return  home,  -     571 

25,  Letter  from  Robert  Morris  to  General  Gates : 
Some  people  attribute  the  mismanagement 
in  the  North  to  a  source  he  never  should 
have  suspected.  Is  it  possible  that  General 
Schuyler  is  sacrificing  the  interest  ofthat  coun- 
try to  his  ambition  or  avarice?  -  572 

25,  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  for  Lancaster 

County,  Pennsylvania,  -  572 

25,  Letter  from  the  Lancaster  Committee  to  the 

Associators  from  that  County,     -  -     573 

25,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  A  material  error  in  his  return  of  yes- 
terday, -  -  -  -  -  574 

25,  General  Return  of  the  Troops  in  New-Jersey 

under  the  command  of  General  Mercer,        -     574 

25,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Camp  at  Elizabeth- 
Town,       -                                                    -    575 
Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  Asking  for  an  increase  of 
his  Aids-de-Camp, 575 


25, 


XXXIX 


July<25,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Assembly:  Requesting  that  the 
Troops  for  the  Army  may  be  sent  as  they  are 
raised  to  Skenesborough,  - 
25,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  Recommends  an  increase 
of  punishment  for  desertion  and  other  mili- 


CONTENTS. 

1776. 


-    576 


tary  crimes, 

25,  Letter  from  Dr.  Morgan  to  General  Washing- 
ton •    nnnnmmpnHinfr  improvements  in  the 


-     576 


Recommending   improvements 
Hospital  Department, 

25,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington: Asks  how  he  shall  proceed  in  relation 
to  a  duel  that  is  to  take  place  the  next  day,  - 
25,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
incton  :  Requests  an  officer  may  be  appointed 
to°write  and  sign  passes,     - 

25,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Colo- 
nel Van  Cortlandt  and  Captain  Platt,  - 
25,  Sundry  Affidavits  with  respect  to  inimical  de- 
clarations and  threats  used  by  William  Sutton 
and  his  son  John  Sutton,    - 
25,  Examination  of  Balthazar  De  Hart, 
25,  Letter  from  Colonel  Jacobus  Swartwout  to  the 

New- York  Convention,       - 
25,  Memorial  of  Captain  Jacobus  Roos  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,       -  -  149S 
25,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Complaining  of  the  imprisonment  of 
Ensign  Bryant  by  order  of  Lord  Stirling,     - 
25,  Reports'  of  General  and  Field-Officers  of  the 

quantity  of  paper  required  for  a  month, 
25,  Letter  from  General  Mifflin  to  General  Wash- 
ington: The   enemy  have  received  informa- 
tion" of  the  preparations  for  obstructing  the 
river,          ------- 

25,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hay  to  General  Wash- 
ington:  Since  the  destruction  of  Halstead's 
house,  and  the  robbing  the  poor  man  of  his 
hogs  by  Captain  Wallace,  nothing  of  a  hos- 
tile nature  has  been  attempted  by  the  men- 
of-war  in  the  North  River,  - 

25,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Governour 
Trumbull:  The  conference  with  the  Indians 
is  not  yet  opened,  and  probably  will  not  be 

until  the  29th, 

25,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates, 
25,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates : 
Has  sent  an  express  to  General  Schuyler  to 
request  he  will  procure  two  or  three  hundred 
seamen  to  man  the  craft  that  will  soon  be 
completed, 

25,  Letterfrom  Colonel  Wynkoop  to  General  Gates : 
The  works  at  Skenesborough  proceed  very 
slowly,      ------ 

25,  Declaration    of  Independence    proclaimed   at 

Providence,  Rhode-Island,  - 

25,  Letter  from  Major  Meigs  to  General  Washing- 
ington  :  Has  just  returned  from  Quebeck  on 
parole ;   left  about  three  hundred  prisoners 
there  in  confinement, 

25,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Litchfield,  Con- 
necticut, to  the  New- York  Convention :  Their 
jail  is  so  crowded  that  it  is  not  safe  to  cpnfine 
more  prisoners  there, 

25,  Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council :  Between  thirty  and  forty  men 
were  inlisted  for  the  new  levies,  on  the  22d, 
on  a  promise  of  extravagant  bounties;  some 
demanded    one    hundred   dollars   over   and 
above  the  Government  bounty, 
25,  Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council :  Recommends  that  the  Eastern 
Indians  be  engaged  heartily  in  the  war, 
25,  Letter  from  J.  Palmer  to  Richard  Devens, 
25,  Letter  from  John  Avery  to  Deacon   Newell : 
Colonel  Reed's  Regiment  is  delayed  from 
marching  to  Canada  solely  for  the  want  of 
camp-kettles,     ------ 

25,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  As  soon  as  the  Regiments  are  able 
to   march  he  will  give  orders  therefor,  and 
immediately  retire,      ----- 

Return  of  Ordnance  Stores  at  Boston,  July  22, 
Return  of  Stock  and  Tools  belonging  to  the 

Continent,  at  Boston,  July  25,    - 
25,  Letter  from  Joseph  Nye  to  the  Massachusetts 
Council,    - 


-     416 


577 


-    577 


-  1440 


1443 
1444 


-  1450 


-    578 


-    578 


-    579 


-    580 


580 
581 


-    581 


-    582 


-    582 


-    583 


-  1441 


-    584 


585 
585 


585 


585 
586 


-    586 


-    587 


XL 

July'25,  Proceedings  of  a  Convention  of  Committees  of 

Hampshire  County,  Massachusetts,      -         -     588 
26,  Intelligence  from  England :  Prizes  taken  by  the 
Revenge  and  the  Montgomery,  two  Ameri- 
can privateers,    -  -         -     588 
26,  Letterfrom  Silas  Deane  to  C.  W.  F.  Dumas:  In- 
vites a  correspondence  on  thedispute  between 
the  United  Colonies  and  Great  Britain,         -     589 
26,  Letter  from  Captain  Meroney  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  Cannot  furnish  his  com- 
pany with  guns  and  blankets  without  money,     590 
26,  Letter  from  Major  Price  to  the  Council  of  Safety: 
Has  been   under  the   necessity  of  sending 
home  all  the  Militia,  except  fifty,  and  it  was 
with  much  difficulty  they  were  kept,    -         -     590 
26,  Letter  from  Major  Price  to  the  Council  of  Safety: 
The  enemy's  fleet  lies  about  a  mile  from  the 
northeast  side  of  St.  George's  Island,  -         -     590 
26,  Letter  from  B.  Hooe  to  the  Council  of  Safety,      591 
26,  Letter  from  John  Darnes  to   the   Council  of 
Safety:  His  men  are  very  anxious  to  be  pro- 
vided with  arms,                             ...     591 
26,  Letter  from  Colonel  Barnes  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  recommending  Capt.  George  Cooke 
for  the  command  of  the  Defence,        -         -     591 
26,  Letter  from  Captain  Bracco  to  the  Council  of 
Safety:  The  small-pox  has  broken  out  among 
the  men  under  his  command;   it  was  com- 
municated by  a  man  who  called  himself  a 
deserter  from  the  British  fleet,     -  -    592 
26,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hawkins  to  the  Council 

of  Safety :  The  fleet  have  gone  down  the  river,     592 
26,  Letter  from  Samuel  W.  Magruder  to  the  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,       -  -    592 
26,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Wor- 
cester County  Committee:    Inquiring  about 
a  number  of  cannon  from  a  Spanish  wreck,      593 
26,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Mary- 
land Delegates  in  Congress,        -  -     593 
26,  Letterfrom  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Josias  Beall : 
It  gives  sincere  pleasure  to  find  the  people  in 
different  parts  of  the  Colony  so  spirited,       -     594 
26,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  John  Han- 
son: By  first  opportunity  will  send  money  to 
pay  for  muskets  and  rifles,  -  -     594 
26,  Letter  from  the   Council  of  Safety  to  James 
Tilghman:   Requesting  his  attendance,  as  a 
member  of  the  Council  of  Safety,        -         -    594 
26,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Balti- 
more Committee,        -                  ...     594 
26,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington:  General  Sullivan  has  sent  in 
his  resignation,  -                                     -  594 
26,  Instructions  of  the  Convention  to  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Delegates  in  Congress,       -                  -     595 
26,  Letter  from  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety 

'  to  General  Roberdeau,  .  1301 

26,  Proceedings  of  the  Lancaster  Committee,        -     595 
26,  Examination  of  William  Poor  and  John  White, 
in  respect  to  the  British  officers  (prisoners 
of  war)  who  broke  their  parole,  and  escaped 
from  Lebanon,  in  Pennsylvania,  in  June  last,     596 
26,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  -         -         -  -  -     599 

26,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  He  is  collecting  all  the  craft,  of  which 
a  return  will  be  transmitted,  -  -  600 

26,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Six  ships  have  come  into  the  Hook,     600 
26,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  General  Mercer's  camp, 

at  Perth  Amboy,  -     600 

26,  Letter  from  Lord  Stirling  to  General  Washing- 
ton :  Captain  Butler  wishes  to  know  the  de- 
termination on  his  asking  leave  to  resign,    -     601 
26,  Letter   from   General   Washington  to  General 

George  Clinton,  -     601 

26,  Letter  from  Colonel  McDougall  to  General 
Washington:  Regiments  engaged  without 
time  are  more  to  be  depended  on  for  the 
defence  of  the  country  than  those  imbodied 
for  a  short  period,  -  -  -  602 

26,  Letter  from  General  Putnam  to  Miss  Moncrieffe,     471 
26,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington,     -  -     602 
26,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Go- 
vernour Trumbull :  Requesting  him  to  remove 
some  of  the  prisoners  from  Litchfield  Jail  to 
such  convenient  place  as  he  may  select,         -  1445 


CONTENTS. 


XLII 


1776. 
July  26,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  the 

Committee  for  Litchfield,  Connecticut,         -   1446 

26,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Gene- 

ral Washington,  -  1446 

26,  Letter  from  New-York  Convention  to  the  Com- 

mittee for  Monmouth  County,  New-Jersey,  -  1446 

26,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  the 

Convention  of  New-Jersey,  -  1446 

26,  Petition  from  William  Suttou  to  the  New-  York 

Convention,       -  -  1447 

26,  Letter  from  Dr.  Graham  to  General  Woodhull, 

on  the  health  of  William  Sutton,  -   1448 

26,  Petition  of  Alexander  Stewart  to  the  New-York 

Convention,       ......   1448 

26,  Letter  from  Henry  Wilmot  to  the  New-  York 

Convention,       -         -  -  1453 

26,  Letter  from  Henry  Wilmot  to  the  New-  York 

Convention,       ....  -  1454 

26,  Letter  from  several  Captains  of  Militia  in  King's 
County  to  the  New-  York  Convention  :  Re- 
quest their  Companies  may  be  excused  from 
a  draught,  as  the  whole  Militia  engage  to 
turn  out  whenever  necessary,  ...  1460 

26,  Letter  from  Cornelius  C.  Roosevelt  to  the  New- 

York  Convention,        -----   1461 

26,  Letter  from  Captain  Alexander  Hamilton  to  the 

New-  York  Convention,       -  -  1462 

26,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Queen's  County 

to  the  New-York  Convention,     -  -  1462 

26,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Gene- 
ral Washington  :  With  the  information  given 
by  Balthazar  De  Hart,  relative  to  the  conduct 
of  the  Tories  in  Monmouth  County,  New- 
Jersey,  -  -  -  -  602 

26,  Examination  of  Balthazar  De  Hart,  -     602 

26,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  (General  Schuyler's 

Secretary)  to  General  Gates,        -  -     603 

26,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ogden  to  Major  Aaron  Burr: 
Independence  is  well  relished  by  the  North- 
ern Army.  Generalship  is  now  dealt  out  to 
the  Army  by  our  worthy  and  well-esteemed 
General  Gates.  Arnold  will  command  the 
water-craft  on  the  Lake  in  person,  -  603 

26,  Court-Martial  on  Captain  Wentworth,  atTicon- 

deroga,      -  -         -  -     604 

26,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates  : 
There  are  many  men  at  Crown-Point  without 
arms,  -  604 

26,  Letter   from   Governour   Cooke  to  the   New- 

Hampshire  Convention,      -  -     605 

Letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  the  Governour  of 

Rhode-Island,  June  20,       -  -     605 

Lord  Howe's  Declaration,  June  20,  -     605 

Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  io  Lord  Howe, 
July  21  :  Will  transmit  copies  of  his  Letter 
and  Declaration  to  the  General  Congress  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  -  -  606 

26,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  William 
Williams  :  The  Army  in  Canada  last  spring 
amounted  to  upwards  often  thousand  men  ; 
of  these,  there  now  remain  about  six  thou- 
sand, three  thousand  of  them  sick.  Among 
those  who  remain  there  is  neither  order,  sub- 
ordination, nor  harmony  ;  the  officers,  as  well 
as  men,  of  one  Colony  insulting  and  quarrel- 
ing with  those  of  another,  -  -  606 

26,  Letter  from  Timothy  Newell  to  the  Massachu- 

setts Council,    -  -  -     608 

27,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  St.  Eustatia:  Account 

of  the  engagement  between  the  Reprisal, 
Captain  Wickes,  and  the  Shark,  a  British 
sloop-of-war,  off  the  harbour  of  St.  Pierre's,  609 
27,  Letter  from  James  Creswell  to  William  H. 
Drayton  :  Situation  of  affairs  on  the  western 
frontiers  of  South-Carolina,  -  610 

27,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Virginia  to  the  Pre- 

sident of  Congress,     -  -     611 

Letter  from  the  President  of  South-Carolina  to 
the  Virginia  Convention,  July  7,  -     611 

Letter  from  General  Lee  to  the  Virginia  Con- 
vention, July  7,  -  -  -  612 

Letter  from  the  Convention  of  North-Carolina 
to  the  Governour  of  Virginia,  July  21,  -  613 

Letter  from  General  Rutherford  to  the  Council     . 

of  Safety  of  North-Carolina,  -     613 

27,  Letter  from  Elisha  Winters  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  Makes  forty  muskets  per 
month,  agreeable  to  his  contract,  r  -  613 

FIFTH  SERIES.  —  VOL.  I.  i 


1776. 
July  27,  Letter  from  Charles  Carroll,  Barrister,  to  the 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -  614 

27,  Letter  from  Colonel  Somerville  to  the  Council 

of  Safety,  .....     614 

27,  Letter  from  Charles  Rumsey  to  the  Council  of 

Safety,       -  .     614 

Roll  of  Captain  Oglevie's  Company,        -         -     615 
27,  Letter  from    Major   Price   to   the  Council  of 

Safety,       -  -     615 

Letter  from  Governour  Eden  to  Daniel  Wol- 

stenholme,  July  20,    -  -     616 

Letter  from  Daniel  Wolstenholme  to  Governour 

Eden,        -  -     616 

27,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Richard  Dallam,  -     616 

27,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Gordon 

and  Patten,        -  -     617 

27,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Gerard 
Hopkins:   Officers  of  the  Flying-Camp  have 
no  command  over  the  stores  of  the  Province,     617 
27,  Delaware  Assembly  order  an  election  of  a  Con- 

vention to  form  a  State  Government,  -        -     617 
27,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Joseph 

Trumbull,  -     618 

27,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Delegates  in  Con- 
gress to  the  Council  of  Safety:   It  is  said 
there  is  a  large  quantity  of  flint  stones  on 
the  Wye  and  Choptank  ;  the  Congress  wishes 
to  know  whether  they  are  good  or  not,        -     618 
27,  Letter   from    the   Committee    for  Cumberland 
County,  Pennsylvania,  to  the  President  of 
Congress:  They  want  arms  for  the  Compa- 
nies they  have  raised  for  the  Army  in  New- 
Jersey,      .-..-.-     619 
27,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington  :  Is  preparing  for  an  attack  on  Staten- 
Island,       .......     619 

27,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  Colonel  Dickin- 
son :  Has  sent  ammunition  for  the  troops  at 
Elizabeth-Town,  -  -  -  620 

27,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  The  Militia  for  the  Flying- 
Camp  come  in  but  slowly,  by  General  Mer- 
cer's return  they  are  but  a  little  over  three 
thousand,  -  -  -  620 

Letter  from  Major  French  to  General  Washing- 

ton, July  22,      -  -     621 

27,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Has  taken  four  prisoners,  inhabit- 
ants of  Queen's  County,  that  were  attempting 
to  make  their  escape  to  the  enemy,  -  -  621 
27,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  He  has  examined  the  prisoners, 
and  finds  them  poor,  ignorant,  cowardly 
fellows,  -  -621 

27,  Letter  from  Colonel  Shee  to  General  Mifllin,  -     622 
27,  Letter  from   the  Convention  of  New-York  to 

General  Washington,  -     622 

Deposition  relative  to  William  Sutton's  Decla- 

ration, July  12,  -     622 

Deposition  relative  to  Joshua  Gedney,  July  13,     623 
27,*Letter  from  Richard  Bruere  to  the  New-  York 
Convention  :  He  has  no  money,  and  requests 
the  usual  allowance  for  prisoners,        -         -     623 
27,  Letter  from  the  New-  York  Convention  to  Gov- 

ernour Trumbull,        -  -  1452 

27,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Cap- 
tain Hazlewood  :  Requesting  him  to  repair 
to  Poughkeepsie  with  the  combustible  mate- 
rials for  charging  the  fire-ships,  -  -  1454 

27,  Letter  from  the  New-  York  Convention  to  the 
Philadelphia  Committee  :    Requesting  them 
to  take  charge  of  William  Sutton,        -         -  1455 
27,  Report  of  a  Committee  of  the  New-  York  Con- 

vention, on  the  case  of  Alexander  Stewart,  -  1455 
27,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  to  General  Gates,  -    623 
27,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  of  Rhode- 
Island  to  the  Council  of  Massachusetts:  Re- 
questing Captain  Grannis  may  be  dismissed 
the  service  of  Massachusetts,  that  he  may 
enter  the  service  of  Rhode-Island,       -         -     623 
27,  Proceedings  of  the  Connecticut   Council    of 
Safety,  on  the  application  from  the  Conven- 
tion of  New-York  for  a  loan  of  cannon,       -     624 
27,  Letter  from  Joseph  Ward  to  John  Bradford,     -     625 
List  of  articles  taken  in  the  transports  which 
General  Washington  requests  General  Ward 
to  forward  from  Boston  to  New-  York,          -     625 


CONTENTS. 


XLHl 

1776. 

July  27,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hurd  to  the  New-Hamp- 
shire- Committee  of  Safety,  -  625 
28,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  St.  Eustatia  :  Powder 
and  warlike  stores  are  plenty  at  Martinique, 
and  may  be  purchased  and  shipped  without 
difficulty,  .--  -  626 

28,  Letter  from  Dr.  Morrow  to  Colonel  Rumsey,   -     627 

•J\  Lettet  from  General  Chamberlain  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,  -  -  627 

28,  Letter  from  Captain  Dean  to  the  Council  of 
Safely  :  No  provision  has  been  made  for  the 
Troops  on  Kent-Island,  -  -  627 

28,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Mac-kail  to  the  Council 
of  Safety:  Sends  Mr.  Braithwait,  whodesnt- 
ecl  from"  the  British  fleet  on  the  night  of  the 
-.'.-..  h,  -  -  -  628 

28,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  General 
I), -lit:  Knclose  his  commission,  and  would 
In-  ulacl  to  see  him  as  soon  as  possible,  -  628 

28,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  enemy  were  alarmed  last  night; 
they  may  have  heard  of  the  fire-ships,  -  628 

28,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Mr.  Grant  applies  again  for  permis- 
sion to  go  on  board  the  fleet,  -  628 

28,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ritzema  to  Colonel  Sevey,     628 

28,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates : 
Is  surprised  to  find  so  little  has  been  done 
towards  building  the  gondolas,  -  -  -  629 

28,  Letter  from   General   Waterbury   to   General 

Gates, -     629 

28,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates : 
The  Lake  will  be  pretty  well  secured  by  our 
shipping  in  a  short  time,  and  he  has  taken 
measures  to  make  Crown-Point  pretty  safe 
on  the  land  side,  ....  -  630 

28,  Journal  of  Major  Jacob  Bigelow,    -  -    986 

28,  Declaration  of  Independence  proclaimed  at  Ti- 

conderoga,        ....--    630 

29,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  the  Governour  of 

Virginia,  -  -         -    630 

Return  of  the  forces  in  South-Carolina,  -         -     631 
29,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Charlestown,  South- 
Carolina  :  Remains  of  the  British  fleet  off  the 
harbour,    -------    632 

29,  William  Wall,  of  Brunswick,  Virginia,  publish- 
ed as  an  enemy  to  his  country,  -  -    633 
29,  Declaration  of  Independence  read  at  the  Court- 

House  in  Baltimore,  -----     633 

29,  Letter  from  George  Woolsey  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:   Has  examined  all  the 
wharves  about  Baltimore,  and  found  a  few 
flint  stones;  is  informed  that  there  is  a  flint 
quarry  about  two  miles  from  the  head  of  Elk,     633 
29,  Letter  from  Captain  Thomas  to  George  Plater,     634 
29,  Letter  from  Archibald  Buchanan  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety  :  Will  undertake  the 
building  of  two  or  three  gondolas,       -         -     634 
29,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Mary- 
land Delegates  in  Congress,        ...     634 
29,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 

Somerville,  -     634 

29,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 
Kent :   Wish  to  consult  him   upon   matters 
relative  to  the  arming,  marching,  and  equip- 
ping his  Battalion,     -  ...     635 
29,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 

Dashiell,  -  ....     635 

29,  Proceedings  of  the  Baltimore  Committee,        -     635 
29,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Washington,  636 
29,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen. 
Washington :   The  Congress  readily  agreed 
to  his  having  another  Aid-de-Camp,    -          -     636 
29,  Petition  of  George  Nicholson  to  the  Congress : 

To  be  continued  in  service,         -  -     636 

29,  Letter  from  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon  : 
General  Sullivan,  disgusted  at  the  appoint- 
ment of  General  Gates  to  be  a  Major-Gen- 
eral,  and  being  sent  to  the  Northern  Army, 
has  petitioned  Congress  for  leave  to  resign 
his  commission,  ....     63' 

29,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  John  Adams :  On  the 

Confederation,  -  -        -         -     63' 

29,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Dissatisfaction  among  the  troops,  -     63 
29,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  Colonel  Dick- 

63! 


inson, 


XLIV 


'uly  29,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  Fears  the  troops  have  not 
got  entirely  clear  of  the  small-pox  ;  will  use 
every  precaution  to  prevent  the  infection 
spreading,  -  -  -  63» 

Return  of  the  Army  in  and  near  New- York, 
July  27,    -  '    639 

Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Artillery,  July  27,  -     639 
29,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Board 
of  War :  On  appointments  and  promotions 
in  the  Army,      -  -     641 

Return  of  the  Officers  of  Colonel  Nixon's  Re- 
giment,    -  -     644 

Return  of  the  Officers  of  Colonel  McDougall's 
Regiment, 

Return  of  the  Officers  of  Colonel  Webb's  Re- 


giment, 


-     645 


Persons  recommended  to  fill  the  vacancies  in 

Lord  Stirling's  Brigade,      -  -     645 

29,  Letter  from  Gen.  Washington  to  Gen.  Ward,  -     642 
29,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -  -     643 

29,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  New- York :  Two  gal- 
leys have  gone  up  the  North  River  to  meet 
the  enemy's  vessels  when  they  come  down,     647 
29,  Advertisement  of  the  General  Hospital,  at  New- 
York,  for  nurses,  &c.,  -     647 
29,  Petition  from  Richard  Cantillon  and  John  Park- 
inson to  the  New-York  Convention,    -         -  1457 
29,  Letter  from  Abraham  C.  Cuyler  and  others  to 
the  New-York  Convention :  They  hope  in  the 
course  of  time  to  remove  the  suspicion  that 
they  are  inimical  to  the  country,  -  1472 
29,  Orange   County,    New-York,    Committee   de- 
clare Dennis  Snyder,  Jesse  Snyder,  William 
Snyder,  and  Samuel  Snyder,  inveterate  ene- 
mies to  the  common  States  of  America,       -     648 
29,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates : 
Will  be  greatly  distressed  for  a  supply  for  the 
Indians ;    more   than    eleven   hundred   have 
arrived,  and  four  or  five  hundred  more  are 
expected  to-day,         -         -                  -         -     648 
29,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  President  of 
Congress :  Affairs  begin  to  wear  a  less  gloomy 
aspect ;   General  Arnold  has  most  nobly  un- 
dertaken to  command    our   fleet  upon  the 
Lake;  the  whole  of  that  department  is  com- 
mitted to  his  care.     Encloses  a  letter  from 
General  Washington,  and  his  answer,          -     649 
Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Gates,  July  19:  His  objections  to  the  removal 
of  the  Army  from  Crown-Point  to  Ticonde- 
roga,                  ....  -     650 
29,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  Board  of  General  Officers  were 
unanimous  for  removing  the  Army  to  Ticon- 
deroga :  their  decision  was  founded  in  reason 
and  good  sense.     The  General  Officers  at 
Ticonderoga  are  in  nothing  inferior  to  their 
compeers  at  New- York,      -  -     650 
Letter  from  Dr.  Stringer  to  General  Gates,  July 
24:  The  hospital  at  Fort  George  is  without 
medicines,    surgeons,   and  attendants ;    the 
sick  are  dying  for  want  of  assistance,  -         -     651 
General  Orders,  at  Ticonderoga,  from  July  10 

to  July  29,  -  •  653 

29,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Richard  Varick : 
Sends  the  chain  wanted  for  obstructing  the 
North  River,  -  -  658 

29,  Letter  from  John   Dewitt  to  General  Gates : 
Complains  that  Captain  Romans  has  ordered 
his  name  to  be  left  off  the  return  of  his  Com- 
pany,        -  ...     658 
29,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Ticonderoga :   They 
are  hard  at  work  every  day  repairing  the  old 
French  lines,     -  -     659 
29,  Letter  from   the    Committee   of  Poultney   to 
General  Gates :   for  a  supply  of  powder  and 
lead,  -    658 
29,  Letter  from  Jacob  Bayley  and  James  Bayley  to 

General  Gates,  -  -     797 

29,  Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Captain  Bucldin,  in  a  privateer  from 
Providence,  has  returned  from  a  successful 
cruise,  in  which  he  has  taken  five  valuable 
prizes,  -  -  -  659 

29,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 

Gates,       -  -    660 


XLV 

1776. 

JulyZ9, Letter  From  Stephen  Buckland  to  Governour 
Trumbull, 

29,  Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  Governour 
Cooke:  His  answer  to  Lord  Howe  expresses 
the  mind  of  every  one  of  the  United  States, 

29,  Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  General  Wash- 
ington, 

Examination   of  James  Kennedy,   Captain   of 
the  sloop  Peggy, 

29,  Letter  frem  General  Ward  to  General  Wash- 
ington, 

29,  Notice  of  prizes  taken  by  American  Privateers, 

29,  Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  General  Wash- 
ington, ------- 

29,  Examination  of  Captain  James  Kennedy, 

29,  Letter  from  General  Warner  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council,  ------ 

29,  Letter  from  Richard  Derby  to  James  Bowdoin, 
Notices  of  the  Maritime  Court  for  captured 

vessels,      -         -         -         -         - 

30,  Letter  from  Turbutt  Wright  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety :  Captain  Barnes's  Com- 
pany is  full,  but  arms  cannot  be  got  for 
them,  ---.--. 

30,  Letter  from  General  Hooper  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety :  Stations  of  the  Militia  on 
the  Eastern-Shore,  -  -  - 

30,  Letter  from  Joseph  W.  Harrison  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety:  Captain  Conway 
has  arrived  with  a  fine  cargo  of  arms  and 
ammunition,  ------ 

30,  Letter  from  Gerard  Hopkins  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  -  ... 

30,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Colonel 
Hollingsworth,  -  - 

30,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Archibald 
Buchanan  :  Desires  to  know  if  he  can  build 
two  row-galleys,  - 

30,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Jacob 
Schley:  Require  him  to  send  to  Annapolis 
the  rifles  he  has  made  for  the  use  of  the 
Province,  -  -  -  -  - 

30,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Gun- 
lock  Commissioners :  The  Province  is  in 
great  distress  for  arms ;  few  of  the  troops 
raised  for  the  Flying-Camp  are  provided 
with  them, 

30,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Major 
Price  :  The  cannon  that  were  sent  down  will 
be  wanted  here,  -  -  - 

30,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  General 
Chamberlaine  :  For  an  account  of  the  pow- 
der in  the  magazine, 

30,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Captains 
Barnes  and  Elliot,  ----- 

30,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  Isaac 
Griest,  -  -  - 

30,  Proceedings  of  the  Baltimore  Committee, 

30,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Washington :  With  sundry  resolves  re- 
lating to  new  appointments  and  promotions 
in  the  Army,  -  -  -  - 

30,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Washington,  -  - 

30,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Cap- 
tain Morris, 

30,  Letter  from  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety, 

30,  Letter  from  Thomas  Stone  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  There  are  only  three 
thousand  men  in  New-Jersey,  where  there 
ought  to  be  at  least  ten  thousand, 

30,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress 
to  John  Bradford, 

30,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  to  Captain 
Cleaveland  :  His  instructions  as  commander 
of  the  brigantine  Despatch, 

30,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  to  Samuel 
and  J.  H.  Delap, 

30,  Letter  from  Samuel  Chase  to  Richard  Henry 
Lee :  The  Confederacy  has  engaged  our 
close  attention  for  a  week  ;  three  great  diffi- 
culties occur — representation,  the  mode  of 
voting,  and  the  claims  to  the  South  Sea, 

30,  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  for  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  ------ 

30,  Letter  from  Captains  Martin  and  Adams  to  the 
Lancaster  Committee, 


CONTENTS. 


XLVI 


1776. 

660 

July  30, 

30,  I 

661 

30,  ] 

661 

661 

30,  ] 

662 

662 

SO,  ] 

836 

836 

663 

663 

664 

1 

30, 

665 

30, 

665 

30, 

666 

30, 

666 

30, 

666 

30, 

667 

30, 

667 

30,, 

667 

30, 

667 

30, 

667 

30, 

668 

668 

30, 

668 

30, 

668 

30, 

669 

30, 

669 

30, 

669 

30, 

669 

31, 

670 

31, 

670 

672 

31, 

31, 

31, 

672 

672 

673 

,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -  -  673 

Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington: Recommends  the  calling  out  of  two 
thousand  of  the  New-Jersey  Militia,  -  -  673 

Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  Colonel  Dickin- 
son :  Respecting  the  proposed  attack  on  Sta- 
ten  Island,  -  674 

Letter  from  General  Roberdeau  to  the  Penn- 
sylvania Council  of  Safety :  Requests  some 
cannon  in  Philadelphia  may  be  sent  to  Am- 
boy,  -  674 

Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  There  are  but  three  or  four 
thousand  dollars  in  the  Paymaster's  hands, 
and  two  months'  pay  due  the  Army,  besides 
many  other  demands.  The  want  of  money 
may  occasion  consequences  of  an  alarming 
nature,  -  -  -  675 

General  Orders,  Head-Quarters,  New-York, 
July  22  to  July  31,  -  -  676 

Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Howe :  Proposing  a  general  exchange  of 
prisoners,  -  -  -  679 

Letter  from  Baron  de  Calbiac  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  679 

Letter  from  Captain  William  Dutcher  to  the 
New- York  Convention :  Offers  to  raise  a 
Company  out  of  Colonel  Drake's  Regiment 
to  serve  under  Colonel  Thomas,  .-  -  1463 

Letter  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New- 
York  to  the  New-York  Convention,  -  -  1469 

Petition  from  Daniel  Shaw  to  the  New- York 
Convention:  For  permission  to  purchase 
gunpowder  for  the  use  of  the  private  sloop  of 
war  the  Harlequin,  -  -  1471 

Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates  :  Every  man  at  Skenesborough  is  em- 
ployed to  the  best  advantage  for  the  publick 
good,  -  ...  -  679 

Letter  from  Colonel  Wynkoop  to  General  Gates : 
Sends  another  gondola  down,  -  -  680 

Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Schuy- 
ler :  Sorry  to  hear  his  treaty  with  the  Indians 
is  so  long  retarded,  as  his  presence  is  much 
wanted  at  Skenesborough  and  Ticonderoga,  680 

Return  of  Ordnance  and  Ordnance  Stores  at 

Ticonderoga,     -  -         -     681 

Orders  to  Colonel  Buell  to  join  his  Regiment 
at  Ticonderoga,  -  -  681 

Petition  of  Lieutenant  Fowler  and  others  to 
General  Gates :  Asking  leave  to  resign  their 
commissions,  -  -  -  681 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Ticonderoga :  Impa- 
tiently waiting  the  return  of  the  flag  sent  by 
General  Gates  to  General  Carleton,  -  -  682 

Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates  : 
Ensign  Hughes,  who  went  down  the  Lake 
on  the  24th,  returned  on  the  29th  without 
making  any  discoveries,  -  -  -  682 

Proceedings  of  the  Connecticut  Council  of 
Safety,  -  -  -  683 

Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  The- 
ophilus  Gushing,  -  -  684 

Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Jo- 
seph Nye,  -  684 

Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  -  836 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Dover,  in  England : 
Capture  of  the  Yankee,  privateer,  and  ill  treat- 
ment of  Captain  Johnson,  -  -  684 

Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  St. 
George  and  St.  Paul,  including  the  ceded  lands 
in  the  Province  of  Georgia,  to  General  Lee,  -  685 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Charlestown,  South- 
Carolina  :  We  are  just  setting  out  for  the 
burning  sands  of  Georgia,  on  an  expedition 
planned  against  part  of  East-Florida,  -  -  685 

Letter  from  General  Hooper  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  -  685 

Letter  from  Captain  Smith  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -         -         -         -         -     685 

Letter  from  the  Dorchester  County  Committee 
to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  with  pri- 
soners lately  taken  in  Hooper's  Straits,  in  the 
service  of  Lord  Dunmore,  -  686 

Deposition  of  Joseph  Mareman,      -         -         -     680 

Deposition  of  Moses  Yell,      -        -         -         -     688 


XLVH 


CONTENTS. 


XLV11I 


July  31,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
.Major  Price,      - 

31,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  Committee  lor  Northumberland  Conn- 
t -  689 

31,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Conway  :  Wish  to  see  him  imme- 
diately at  Annapolis,  to  consult  with  him 
about  another  voyage,  -  -  - 

31,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Joseph  Gilpin:  To  make  inquiry  about  the 
Flint  quarry,  -  -  -  - 

31,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Alexander  McFadon, 

31,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  :  Requesting 
MIMIC  cannon  may  be  immediately  forward- 
ed to  General  Mercer,  in  New-Jersey, 

31,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington  :  On  explaining  to  General 
Sullivan  the  reasons  of  Congress  for  promo- 
ting General  Gates  over  him,  he  has  with- 
drawn liis  resignation,  - 

31,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Ben- 
jamin Flower:  Appointed  Commissary  of 
Military  Stores  for  the  Flying-Camp,  - 

31,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Mercer,  - 

31,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Schuyler, 

31,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Joseph 
Trumbull,  

31,  Deposition  of  John  Walker  and  Martha  Ash, 

respecting  the  escape  of  Colonel  Kirkland,  -  1304 

31,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington,     ------ 

Examination  of  two  Negroes,  deserters  from 
Staten-Island,    ------ 

31,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  - 

31,  Letter  from  Ephraim  Anderson  to  the'President 
of  Congress  :  Has  completed  and  hauled  off 
in  the  stream  two  fire-ships,  at  New-York, 
and  will  complete  two  more  to-morrow 

31,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Schuyler,  ------- 

31,  Memorial  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons  in  the 

'  Army  commanded  by  General  Washington  to 

the  Congress,    ------ 

31,  Memorial  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  -  -  -  -  - 

31,  Letter  from  William  Palfrey  to  Francis  Lewis,  - 

31,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  -  - 

31,  Letter  from  Colonel  Henry  B.  Livingston  to 
General  Washington  :  There  are  a  prodigious 
number  of  cattle  on  Long-Island ;  two  can- 
non have  been  mounted  at  the  east  end  of 
the  Island,  but  there  is  no  ammunition  for 
them,  -  -  -  -  - 

31,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Queen's  County 
to  the  New- York  Convention :  Enclosing  a 
copy  of  Lord  Howe's  Proclamation,  which 
has  been  published  by  Governour  Tryon  and 
sent  up  by  Sheriff  Willett,  - 

31,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Our  misfortunes  in  Canada  have 
made  the  Indians  somewhat  assuming,  but 
hope  they  will  not  engage  against  us,  - 

31,  Letter  from  Colonel  Gansevoort  to  John  Mc- 
Kesson, ------- 

31,  Letter  from  Colonel  Greaton  to  General  Heath, 

31,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Water- 
bury  :  Glad  to  hear  that  the  Militia  begin  to 
arrive  at  Skenesborough,  -  -  -  - 

31,  Letter  from  John  Trumbull  to  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Gansevoort :  Sends  Major  Hubley  to  take 
an    inventory  and  appraisement  of  the  late 
Baron  Woedtke's  goods,     -         -         -         . 
Petition  of  Captain  Young  to  General  Gates,  - 
Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Schuyler,  ------- 

Proceedings   of  the   Connecticut   Council   of 

Safety, 

Letter  from  Major  Hawley  to  the  Massachusetts 
Council :  Urges  the  passing  of  an  act  like 
that  of  Connecticut,  to  stop  the  proceedings 
of  the  Tories,  ------ 


-     690 


-    690 


-    690 


-     690 


-    690 


-    691 


-     691 


-    691 


-     691 


-    691 


-    692 


-    692 


-    692 


-    693 


-    694 


695 
696 

696 


31, 
31, 

31, 
31, 


-    696 


-  1466 


-    696 


697 
697 


-     698 


698 
698 

699 
699 


700 


1776. 

July  31 


31, 


31, 


31, 


31, 


31, 


31, 


31, 


Jug.l 


I, 


I, 


,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  the 
Governour  of  Rhode-Island :  The  Committee 
of  the  Council  do  not  consider  themselves 
authorized  to  dismiss  Captain  Graniiis,  -  701 

Letter  from  General  Palmer  to  Benjamin  Lin- 
coln: The  Armourer  has  but  little  iron,  no 
steel,  no  files,  and  but  little  coal,  -  701 

Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to 
Richard  Derby:  Request  him  to  procure  a 
conveyance  for  the  four  Indians  to  General 
Washington  at  New-York,  -  -  701 

Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  the 
absent  Members:  Requesting  their  imme- 
diate attendance,  -  ...  702 

Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Gene- 
ral Washington :  With  William  Shaw,  who 
goes  with  the  four  Indians,  ...  702 

Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Gene- 
ral Washington :  With  Newell  Wallis,  one  of 
the  four  Indians,  -  702 

Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to 
James  Bowdoin:  With  talks  with  the  Indian 
Chiefs,  -  -  702 

Letter,  dated  June  22,  from  Stephen  Smith 
to  the  Massachusetts  Council:  Transactions 
with  the  Indians,  -  -  703 

Petition  of  Jacob  Barker  and  others,  a  Com- 
mittee on  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
river  St.  John's,  in  Nova-Scotia,  May  21,  to 
the  Provincial  Congress  or  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Massachusetts-Bay,  -  -  703 

Letter  of  Agency  to  Asa  Perly  and  Asa  Kim- 
ball,  May  14,  -  -  -  704 

Proceedings  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  County 
of  Sunbury,  in  the  Province  of  Nova-Scotia, 
May  14,  -  -  705 

Instructions  of  the  Freeholders  and  others,  in- 
habitants of  Portsmouth,  New-Hampshire, 
to  their  Delegates  in  the  General  Assem- 
bly,  -  -  -  706 

,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  St.  Pierre's,  Martinique: 
After  the  engagement  between  the  Reprisal 
and  the  Shark,  Captain  Wickes  triumphantly 
entered  the  port,  and  landed  amidst  the  ac- 
clamations and  caresses  of  a  multitude  of 
people,  -------  706 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Pensacola,  in  West 
Florida:  Governour  Tony n's  Proclamation,  -  706 

Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Woolsey,  '-  -  -  707 

Letter  from  General  Dent  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  Returns  his  commission, 
as  they  have  a  controlling  power  under  which 
he  is  resolved  never  more  to  act,  -  707 

Letter  from  Thomas  Smith  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  The  Companies  raised  at 
Chester-Town  will  be  much  delayed  for  want 
of  arms,  -  -  707 

Letter  from  John  Yost  to  the  Maryland  Council 
of  Safety,  -  -  -  707 

Petition  of  Mary  Giddins  to  the  Marine  Com- 
mittee of  Congress  :  Her  husband  was  killed 
on  board  the  Alfred,  in  her  iiction  with  the 
Glasgow,  and  she  prays  for  the  bounty  pro- 
mised to  the  widows  or  children  of  seamen 
killed  in  action  in  defence  of  America,  -  708 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Philadelphia :  Arrival 
of  prizes,  -  -  -  708 

Resolutions  of  the  Pennsylvania  Convention  on 
the  defenceless  condition  of  the  frontiers  of 
Northumberland  and  Northampton,  -  -  709 

Ordinance  of  Pennsylvania  for  securing  the 
arms  of  the  Non-Associators,  -  -  709 

Ordinance  of  Pennsylvania  to  prevent  the  coun- 
terfeiting the  Paper  Money  issued  by  the 
Continental  Congress,  or  by  any  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  of  America,  -  710 

Persons  appointed  by  the  Philadelphia  Com- 
mittee to  distribute  money  for  the  women 
and  children  whose  husbands  and  fathers  are 
now  in  actual  service,  -  -  -  711 

Letter  from  Gabriel  Davis  to  the  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  Committee,  -  -  -  711 

Letter  from  General  Howe  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  enlargement  of  Colonel  Allen 
must  depend  upon  General  Carleton's  deter- 
mination, but  will  consent  to  an  exchange  of 
prisoners  such  as  has  been  proposed,  -  -  711 


XLIX  CONTENTS. 

1776. 

Jlug.  1,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governoui 
Trumbull :  Requesting  Colonel  Ward's  Regi- 
ment may  be  marched  to  New-York  imme- 
diately, -  -  -  712 

1,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 

Trumbull :  For  Colonel  Ehnore's  Regiment,     712 

1,  Letter  from   General  Washington  to  Colonel 

Elmore,     -  -    712 

1,  Letter  from  General  Wads  worth  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -  -     712 

1,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Thirty  sail  of  ships  are  standing  in 
for  the  Hook,  -  -  713 

1,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  fleet  reported  coming  in  this 
morning  consists  of  forty  sail,  tenders  and 
all,  -  -  713 

1,  Letter  from  Sylvester  Salisbury  to  the  New- 
York  Convention  :  His  Company  of  Horse 
have  unanimously  refused  to  turn  out  as 
Footmen, -  -  -  -  -  -  - .  714 

1,  Letter  from  Colonel  Snyder  to  the  New- York 
Convention:  If  the  Horse  be  exempted  from 
doing  duty  equal  with  the  rest  of  the  Militia, 
it  will  create  a  mutiny,  -  -  -  714 

1,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ritzema  to  John  McKes- 
son, -  -  1467 

1,  Letter  from  the  Committee  at  the  White-Plains 

to  the  New- York  Convention,     -  -  1471 

1,  Letter  from  Richard  Spaight  to  the  New-York 
Convention :  He  is  in  prison  as  a  person 
disaffected  to  the  American  cause,  but  is 
willing  to  accept  the  appointment  of  Chemist 
or  Surgeon  to  a  Regiment  in  the  Army,  -  1482 

1,  Letter  from  Henry  Van  Schaack  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  -  1527 

1,  Commitment  of  David  Matthews,   -  -  1550 

1,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -         -         -         -         -         -714 

1,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates,     715 

1,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  ...  716 

1,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates :  Four  Companies  of  Connecticut 
troops  have  arrived  at  Skenesborough,  -  716 

1,  Letter  from    Harmanus   Schuyler   to  General 

Gates,        ....  .    717 

1,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  Committee 
for  Cumberland  County,  New- York :  The 
Congress  have  ordered  a  Regiment  to  be 
raised  under  the  command  of  Colonel  War- 
ner, for  the  defence  of  the  frontier,  -  -  717 

1,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  the  Court-Mar- 

tial  at  Ticonderoga,    ...  -  1273 

1,  Letter  from  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  to  General 

Washington,      -  -     717 

1,  Letter  from  Thomas  Mumford  to  Governour 
Trumbull:  Is  directed  to  return  to  Connec- 
ticut the  powder  formerly  lent  to  General 
Washington,  -  -  -  718 

1,  Letter  from  Enos  Stone  to  the  Massachusetts 

Assembly,  ...  -     718 

1,  Declaration   of  Independence    proclaimed    at 

Amherst,  New-Hampshire,          -  -     719 

2,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  Richard   Peters, 

Secretary  of  the  Board  of  War :  Is  busy  in 
arranging  matters  for  an  expedition  into  East 
Florida,  -  -  -  719 

2,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Queen  Acne's 

County  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  722 

2,  Letter  from  Captain  Graybill  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,  -  -  722 

2,  Letter  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

General  Hooper,  -  722 

2,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Committee  of  Safety 
to  the  Committee  for  Dorchester  County : 
They  send  some  powder  and  lead,  -  -  723 

2,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Mary- 
land Delegates  in  Congress,  -  7'23 

2,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
General  Dent:  Ask  a  personal  conference 
with  him ;  they  can  satisfy  him  that  no  affront 
or  indignity  was  intended  in  sending  Major 
Price  down  to  St.  George's,  -  724 

2,  Letter  from  Christopher  Pelissier  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  Appointed  Engineer;  re- 
questing two  months'  pay  in  advance  to  equip 
him  for  the  service,  -----  725 


1776. 

Jlug.  2,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington :  Reasons  of  Congress  for 
authorizing  General  Gates  to  fill  up  vacancies 
in  the  Army,  while  the  same  authority  was 
withheld  from  General  Washington,  -  -  725 

2,  Memorial  of  George  Measham,  late  of  Montreal, 

in  Canada,  to  the  Congress,        ...     725 
Letter   from   Dr.   Franklin    to   John   Adams : 
Recommending  the  case  of  Mr.  Measam  to 
the  attention  of  the  Board  of  War,       -         -     726 

2,  Warrant  for  apprehending  John  Thomas  and 

Arthur  Thomas,  -         -  1306 

2,  Warrant  for  apprehending  John  Hatton,  Sen., 

and  John  Hatton,  Jun.,       -        -  -  1307 

2,  Letter  from  the  Pennsylvania  Committee  of 
Safety  to  the  Committee  of  Salem  County, 
New-Jersey,  respecting  the  arrest  of  Colonel 
Kirkland,  -  -  1307 

2,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  the  President 

of  Congress,       ......     726 

2,  Resolution  of  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey 

for  taking  charge  of  the  estates  of  Refugees,  -     726 

2,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  The  enemy's  force  is  daily 
augmenting  and  becoming  stronger  by  new 
arrivals,  -  -  727 

2,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts Council :  Exchange  of  prisoners,  -  727 

2,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  727 

2,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New- 
York  to  the  New-York  Convention :  With  the 
names  of  sundry  persons  taken  up  in  Bergen 
Woods,  as  disaffected  to  these  States,  -  -  1484 

2,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  the 

Committee  of  Kingston,      -  -  1471 

2,  Letter  from  General  George  Clinton  to  General 
Washington :  The  three  hundred  New-Eng- 
land troops  left  on  Saturday  without  giving 
the  least  notice,  •  -  -  728 

2,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hay  to  General  Washing- 
ton :  The  enemy's  vessels  are  at  anchor  near 
Teller's  Point,  and  have,  since  they  changed 
their  ground,  received  supplies  from  the 
Westchester  shore,  ...  728 

2,  Letter  from  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and  Captain 
Platt  to  the  New- York  Convention :  Some 
rascal  must  have  informed  the  enemy  of  the 
departure  of  the  New-England  troops  on 
Saturday,  without  leaving  a  sufficient  number 
to  guard  the  shore  ;  they  landed  and  carried 
off  some  live  stock,  -  -  -  729 

2,  Letter  from  Isaac  Nicoll  to  the  New- York  Con- 
vention :  Three  Companies  are  at  Haverstraw, 
but  have  no  store  of  provisions,  powder,  or 
ball,-  -  -  729 

2,  Letter  from  William  Bedlow  to  the  New- York 
Convention :  For  a  settlement  of  his  accounts 
as  Commissioner  of  the  Highlands,  that  he 
may  pay  the  artificers  and  others,  who  are 
pressing  for  their  money,  -  -  -  -  730 

2,  Letter  from  the  Albany,  New-York,  Committee, 
to  Governour  Trumbull, 

2,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  .  .  . 

2,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates,     730 

2,  Letter   from    General   Waterbury   to   General 

Gates,        -  -     730 

2,  Letter  from  Samuel  Squierto  Governour  Trum- 
bull, -  -  730 

2,  Proceedings   of  the    Connecticut   Council  of 

Safety,       -   .     -  -     731 

2]  John  Birdsey  and  Gershom  Birdsey  published 
as  enemies  to  the  country  by  the  Committee 
for  Middletown,  Connecticut,  -  -  732 

2,  Committee  of  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  publish 

Charles  Goodrich  as  an  enemy  to  his  country,     733 

2,  Letter  from  Richard  Derby  to  General  Wash- 
ington, ...----  733 

2,  Letter  from  the  Council  to  the  Massachusetts 
Delegates  in  Congress :  Respecting  the  Pe- 
tition from  the  Town  of  Onslow,  in  Nova- 
Scotia,  -  ...  733 

2,  Letter  from  S.  McClintock  to  William  Whipple : 

On  the  state  of  publick  affairs,     ...     734 

3,  North-Carolina  Council  of  Safety  declare  the 

charge    against    William    Edwards    totally 
groundless,         ......    735 


LI 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 


LII 


-    736 


-  736 
,f 

-  736 


-  737 
o 

-  738 


738 
738 

-    738 


-    739 


-  1472 


-  1475 


1  "Iff* 


.3,  Letter  from  the  Virginia  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  President  of  CoBgiewi   ha\e   ordered   a 
number  of  the   Minute-men   and  Militia  on 
duty,  in  place  of  the  two  Regiments  ordered 
to  the  Jerseys,    -  " 

3,  Letter  from  General  Lewis  to  the  President  o 
Congress:    Will   send   the   two   Continental 
BattatioM  now  in  Virginia  to  .New-Jersey  as 
expeditious!}'  as  possible,    -         - 
3,  Conn-Martial  on  Lieutenant  Jones,  by  ordei 

General  Lewis,  - 

3   Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Thomas  Smyth  and  Thomas  Ringgold:  Sup- 
plies for  the  Flying  Camp, 
3,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  tt 

George  Scott,     - 

3,  Letter  from  Richard  Thompson  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  It  is  impossible  for  him, 
at  this  time,  to  accept  the  appointment  of 
Quartermaster  of  a  Regiment  raising  for  the 
Flying-Camp,    -  - 

3   Letter  from  Jo...  Earle  to  J.  Nicholson,   - 
3,  Memorial  of  William  Stone  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       - 

3,  Letter   from   John  Adams   to   General  Heath  : 
The   Army  must  be   well   officered,   armed, 
disciplined,  fed,  clothed,  covered,  and  paid  ; 
in    these    respects    we    do    as    well    as    we 
can, -         -         -  - 

3,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Messrs. 
Jay,  Livingston,  and  Yates  :  Requiring  their 
attendance  with  the  Committee  formed  for 
the  organization  of  a  new  Government, 
3,  Letter  from  William  Goforth  and  John  Houston 
to  the  New-York  Convention  :  Apply  for  en- 
couragement in  erecting  salt  works,     - 
3,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New- 
York  to  the  New-York  Convention  :  Praying 
the  House  to  erase  from  their  Journals,  and 
bury  in  eternal  oblivion,  a  motion  now  before 
them  respecting  the  rights  of  the  City  and 
County  to  say  who  shall  represent  them  in 
General  Convention,  -         -         -         - 

3,  Letter  from  Ca:sar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney 
On  the  proposed  Convention  in  Delaware, 
3,  Letter  from  Caesar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney 

Prizes  taken  by  Captain  Wickes, 
3,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Philadelphia:  Notices 
of  prizes,  ------- 

3,  Letter  from  the  New-Jersey  Convention  to  their 

Delegates  in  Congress :  On  the  preservation 

of  the  ferries  over  the  Passaick  and  Hacken- 

sack,  between  Newark  and  Powles  Hook,   - 

3,  Resolves   of  the    New-Jersey  Convention  for 

raising  the  whole  body  of  the  Militia,  - 
3,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  Colonel  Dick- 
inson:  The  account  given  of  the  disposition 
of  a  Battalion  of  Associators  appears,  the 
more  it  is  thought  of,  the  more  alarming, 
3,  Letter  from  Colonel  Tupper  to  General  Wash- 
ington,     -         -         -        -         - 

3,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Supplies  for  the  fleet  on  Lake  Chain- 
plain, 

Lists  of  articles  wanted  for  the  gondolas,  armed 
•  •Is,  and  batteaus,  on  Lake  Champlain,  - 
3,  Letter  from  General  Schuylcr  to  General  Gates  : 
The  opinion  of  General  Washington's  Coun- 
cil, that  the  General  Officers  at  Ticonderoga 
had   acted   reprehensibly,   without  knowing 
their  reasons,  is  so  insulting  that  he  cannot 
sit  patiently  under  it,  - 

3,  Letter  from  Colonel  Bedel  to  General  Gates : 
Mentions  his  former  services,  and  that  now, 
In  i-:iHse  he  did  not  understand  General  Ar- 
nold's orders,  or  because  other  gentlemen 
have  understood  them  differently,  he  has  been 
broke  and  ordered  home,  - 

3,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Ticonderoga:  Colonel 
Bedel  and  Major  Butterfield  arc  cashiered 
and  rendered  incapable  of  bearing  a  commis- 
sion in  the  Army  of  the  United  States, 
3,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hurd  to  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Committee  of  Safety:  Captain  Payne, 
of  Lebanon,  has  just  returned  from  a  scout; 
he  went  to  Ticonderoga,  Crown-Point,  down 
the  Lake  to  Onion  River,  to  the  La  Moelle, 
and  back  to  Cohos,  but  saw  no  enemy,  -  748 


-  1476 

-  740 

-  741 
s 

-  741 


742 
743 


744 
-    766 


-    744 
745 


-    747 


-    747 


748 


.4,  Letter  from  Colonel  A.  Williamson  to  Govern- 
our  Rutledge :  Account  of  an  attack  on  his 
detachment  by  the  Cherokees,  at  the  Seneca 
Ford  of  the  Keowee ;  Mr.  Salvador  killed  and 
scalped, 

4,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  the  President  of 
Congress:  Some  of  the  Militia  have  become 
much  dissatisfied  ;  the  officers  in  some  of  the 
battalions  with  difficulty  prevent  a  desertion, 
not  of  men  singly,  but  by  companies,  - 

4,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  - 

4,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Eight  sail  arrived  at  the  Hook  this 
morning,  and  thirteen  coming  in, 

4,  Account  of  an  engagement  of  the  row-galleys 
with  the  British  ships-of-war,  up  the  North 
River, 

4,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  New-York:  Prepara- 
tions of  General  Mifllin  to  prevent  the  British 
vessels-of-war  from  descending  the  North 
River, 

4,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  to  General  Gates,  - 

4,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates :  Has  sent  to  hasten  the  troops  from 
New-England,  -  - 

4,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  General  Wash- 
ington, 

4,  Resolutions  of  the  Committee  of  Williamstown, 

5,  Address  to  the  Lord  Mayor  of  London  on  the 

cruel  treatment  of  Captain  Johnson  and  his 
crew,  - 

Account  of  the  capture  of  the  Yankee,  priva- 
teer, Captain  Johnson, 

5,  Proclamation  by  Governour  Rutledge :  Requir- 
ing the  General  Assembly  to  meet  at  Charles- 
town,  on  the  17th  of  September, 

5,  Declaration  of  Independence  proclaimed  at 
Richmond,  Virginia,  - 

5,  Letter  from  General  Dent  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  - 

5,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Tootell,  - 

5,  Letter  from  Captain  Brooke  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  - 

5,  Letter  from  John  Hanson,  Jun.,  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety, 

5,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ewing  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  - 

5,  Letter  from  Dr.  Weisenthall  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  -  -  - 

5,  Meeting  of  the  Baltimore  Committee,     - 

5,  Letter  from  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon  : 
A  vessel  fitted  out  by  the  Secret  Committee 
has  brought  from  France  a  quantity  of  arms, 
powder,  and  lead.  Mr.  Alsop's  resignation, 

5,  Order  for  the  commitment  of  Alexander  Mau- 
rice, charged  as  being  inimical  to  the  Ameri- 
can States,  -  -  -  1308 

5,  Letter  from   the    Pennsylvania  Committee  of 

Safety  to  their  Delegates  in  Congress,          -  1308 

5,  Commitment  of  John  Hatton,  Sen.,  to  the  State 

Prison,      -  -  '         -      .  -  1308 

5,  Proceedings  of  the  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania, 

Committee,        -         -  -  759 

5,  Letter  from  Lieutenant  Barrington  (prisoner) 
to  the  Lancaster  Committee:  for  an  increase 
of  his  accommodations,  -  -  761 

5,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington: The  whole  force  of  the  Flying-Camp 
is  as  yet  only  two  hundred  and  seventy-four 
rank  and  file,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Militia 
have  become  very  clamorous  to  return  home,     761 
5,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,       -  -         -     762 
Return  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States  in  and 

near  the  City  of  New- York,  August  3,          -     763 
Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Artillery  commanded 

by  Henry  Knox,  ...     763 

Return  of  the  Regiment  under  the  command 

of  Colonel  Jonathan  Brewer,       -  765 

Arrangement  of  Colonel  Brewer's  Regiment,        765 
Letter  from  General  Washington  to   General 
Howe  :  Proposing  an  exchange  of  prisoners, 
July  30,     -         -  „,„../.     765 

Letter  from  General  Howe  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Agrees  to  exchange  of  prisoners, 
August  1,  -  -  765 


749 


-  750 
it 

-  750 


-    750 


-    751 


751 

75-2 


-    753 

753 
1004 


-  754 

,- 

-  755 


756 

-  756 

d 

-  757 
» 

-  757 
i 

-  757 

-  757 
i 

-  757 

758 
758 


758 


LlII 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 


LIV 


Letter  from  Colonel  Tupper  to  General  Wash- 
ington, August  3:  Action  of  the  galleys  with 
the  British  ships  up  the  North  River,  -         -     766 
Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  to  General  Wash- 
ington, July  29,     '     -  -     767 
General  Orders :    Head-Quarters,   New-York, 

August  1  to  August  5,  -     767 

Jlu,g.  5,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 

Cooke,      -  -     769 

5,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Nathaniel 
Shaw,  Jun.:  To  provide  for  the  return  of 
four  French  gentlemen  to  the  Island  of  Gua- 
daloupe,  -  ...  .  779 

5,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  John  Brad- 
ford :  All  warlike  stores  taken  by  publick 
armed  vessels  must  be  stored  until  orders 
are  received  from  the  proper  authority,  -  770 
5,  Letter  from  General  Sullivan  to  the  President 
of  Congress :  Owing  to  the  scattered  state 
of  the  American  Army  at  New-York,  Long- 
Island,  Governour's  Island,  and  King's 
Bridge,  we  can  at  no  point  the  enemy  may 
attack  meet  them  with  much  more  than  a 
third  of  their  numbers,  which  is  too  great  a 
disparity  of  numbers  to  risk  the  fate  of  Ame- 
•  rica  upon,  -  -  770 

5,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to- the  Board  of 

War,  -     771 

5,  Letter  from  Colonel  Dubois  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  For  permission  to  recruit  out  of  the 
Militia,  as  his  Regiment  is  to  be  inlisted  for 
the  war,    ...    772 
5,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Stores  wanted  for  the  Lake,  -         -     772 
5,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  to  General  Gates : 

Stores  forwarded  to  Skenesborough,    -         -     773 
5,  Letter  from   Colonel   Gansevoort  to    General 

Gates,        -         -  -  -     773 

5,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  New- York 

Convention:  State  of  the  Army,  -     773 

5,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Colonels  Bayley 

and  Kurd,         -  -    774 

5,  Letter  from  Colonel  Cortlandt  to  the  New-York 
Convention :    Complains  that  he  has  been 
superseded  by  inferior  officers,    ...     774 
5,  Letter  from  Colonel  Starke  to  General  Gates,  -     775 
5,  Letter  from  Ticonderoga :  American  naval  force 

on  Lake  Champlain,  -  -     776 

5,  Letter  from  General  Thompson,      -  -  1166 

5,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Washington :  Our  internal  malignants  may 
do  many  injurious  and  insidious  things;  they 
are,  therefore,  to  be  watched  with  care  and 
diligence,  to  prevent  such  hypocritical  and 
designing  men  carrying  on  and  perpetrating 
their  wicked  purposes,  -  -  776 

5,  Letter  from  William  Pitkin  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull :  The  proportion  of  men  required  from 
Hartford  is  nearly,  if  not  quite,  completed,  -  776 
5,  Application  of  the  Selectmen  of  Fairfield  to  the 
Connecticut  Council  of  Safety,  for  cannon 
and  ball  allotted  to  the  town,  for  the  battery 
at  Black-Rock,  ....  -  777 

5,  Letter  from  Major  French  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Proposing  an  exchange  for  Major 

Meigs, 777 

5,  Letter  from  John  Avery  to  Colonel  Willard : 
What  Counties  and  Towns  are  in  his  Regi- 
ment, -  -  777 
5,  Letter  from  John  Avery  to  Sheriff  Greenleaf: 
The  Council  expect  him  to  take  proper  care 
that  the  Declaration  of  Independence  may 
be  distributed  through  the  State,  and  read  in 
each  religious  assembly  in  every  town,  -  778 
5,  Letter  from  Captain  Clarke  to  James  Warren : 
Explaining  why  he  has  not  been  able  to  carry 
into  effect  the  orders  of  July  25,  -  778 
5,  Letter  from  Timothy  Pickering  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council :  Should  every  twenty-fifth  man 
in  Salem  be  drafted,  the  Captains  say  the 
men  would  not  go,  and  that  the  effect  will 
be  a  publick  open  contempt  of  authority :  even 
many  of  the  sea-coast  company  are  pressing 
to  be  discharged,  that  they  may  obtain  more 
lucrative  employments,  ....  778 
5,  Letter  from  Major  Hawley  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council :  Progress  in  raising  the  Regi- 
ment required  of  Hampshire  County,  -  -  779 


1776. 

Aug.  5,  Letter  from  Francis  Abbot  to  Richard  Devens: 
The  roads  are  so  bad  that  it  is  almost  impos- 
sible to  get  to  Ticonderoga,  ...  779 

5,  Notice  of  Prizes  taken  by  Captain  White,  of 

Falmouth,          -  -         -     780 

6,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Camp,  two  miles 

below  Keowee,  in  the  Cherokee  country,    -     780 

6,  Letter  from  Francis  Sanderson  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -     781 

6,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Cecil  County, 
Maryland,  to  the  Council  of  Safety :  For  sup- 
plies, quarters,  and  provisions,  for  the  troops 
in  the  County,  -  -  781 

6,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Jesse  Hollingsworth,  -     782 

6,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Vanbibber  and  Harrison,    -  -     782 

6,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Edward  Parker:  Want  linen  for  the  Flying- 
Camp,  -  -  782 

6,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Harris  and  Archer,     -  -     782 

6,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Colonel  Ewing :  As  the  Companies  march 
forward  they  will  be  supplied  with  everything 
that  can  be  spared,  -  -  -  783 

6,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Isaac  Griest,       -  -     783 

6,  Letter  from  R.  Potts  to  the  Lancaster,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Committee,  -  -  -  783 

6,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
officer  commanding  Colonel  Haslett's  Batta- 
lion ;  Orders  have  been  given  to  deliver  arms 
to  the  battlion  ;  which,  without  loss  of  time, 
must  be  marched  to  Amboy,  in  New-Jersey,  783 

6,  Letter  from  Richard  Peters  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  For  a  list  of  all  .prisoners 
of  war  now  in  the  State,  -  -  -  784 

6,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  to  Captain 
John  Paul  Jones,  of  the  Sloop  Providence: 
Being  now  ready  for  sea,  he  is  to  proceed 
immediately  on  a  cruise  against  our  enemies,  784 

6,  Letter  from  Abraham  Clarke  to  Colonel  Day- 
ton :  General  view  of  publick  affairs,  -  -  785 

6,  Committees  to  hear  the  complaints  of  the  fami- 
lies of  the  Associators  that  have  gone  to 
camp,  ....  -  787 

6,  General  Return  of  five  Artillery  Companies  now 
lying  at  the  Artillery  Park,  near  Amboy,  in 
East-Jersey,  -  -  787 

6,  Letter  from  General  Howe  to  Lord  George  Ger- 
maine  :  Finds,  as  he  expected,  the  principal 
force  of  the  Rebels  assembled  at  New- York, 
from  whence,  to  dislodge  them,  it  will  re- 
quire their  collected  strength,  before  any  other 
•  operation  can  take  place.  Major  Rogers, 
having  escaped  from  Philadelphia,  and  joined 
him,  is  empowered  to  raise  a  Battalion  of 
Rangers,  which  may  be  useful  in  the  course 
of  the  campaign,  788 

6,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Gene- 
ral Washington :  Expressing  their  approba- 
tion of  the  appointment  of  General  Clinton 
to  command  in  the  Highlands,  -  -  -  1477 

6,  Examination  of  Sheriff  Willett,  by  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  ...  1478 

6,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  the 

Committee  of  the  City  of  New- York,  -         -  1480 

6,  Declaration  of  Thomas   Gumersall,  from   the 

Mohock  country,        -  -     866 

6,  Letter  from  Colonel  Samuel  Drake  to  General 
Washington  :  For  a  suspension  of  the  order 
for  the  troops  to  march  into  the  City,  -  -  789 

6,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  to  the  New- 
York  Convention  :  Having  been  twice  super- 
seded, resigns  his  commission,  -  -  790 

6,  Letter  from  General  Mifflin  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Preparations  for  obstructing  the  river,  790 

6,  Letter  from  Colonel  Thomas  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Respecting  a  combined  attack  on 
British  ships-of-war  and  tenders  up  the  North 
River,  -  -  791 

6,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Ulster  County 
to  the  New-York  Convention :  Proceedings 
in  Mr.  Colden's  case,  -  -  791 

6,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  General  view  of  affairs  in  the  North- 
ern Department,  -  -  793 


LV 

1776. 
Jug.6, 
6, 


CONTENTS. 


LVI 


Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  Gen.  Gates, 
Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  -          -          -          -          - 
List  o(    Continental   armed   vessels   on   Lake 

Champlain,  August  6, 
Letter  from  Jacob  Bayley  and  James  Bayley  to 

General  Gates,  July  29, 

Letter  from  S.  Metcalf  to  Colonel  Jacob  Bay- 
ley,  July  21,  - 
Examination  of  two  Canadian  Captains  of  Colo- 
nel James  Livingston's  Regiment  of  Cana- 
dians, who  tied  from  St.  John's,  and  have 
arrived  at  Ticonderoga, 

General  Orders  of  General  Gates,  July  30  to 
August  5,  -        - 

6,  Letter  from  General  Poor,  President  of  a  Court- 
Martial,  to  General  Gates:  Exceptionable 
conduct  of  General  Arnold,  in  the  course  of 
his  prosecution  of  Colonel  Hazen,  before  the 
Court-Martial,  ------ 

6,  Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Shelburne,  on 
Lake  Champlain,  to  General  Gates:  Praying, 
in  case  of  an  alarm,  to  send  them  relief, 

6,  Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Onion  River,  on 
Lake  Champlain,  to  General  Gates:  Request- 
ing his  assistance  with  a  guard,  so  that  they 
can  get  in  their  crops,  that  are  now  ripe,  - 

6,  Letter  from  Gov.  Trumbull  to  Gen.  Wadsworth, 

6,  Committee  for  Norwalk,  Connecticut,  declare 
Cornelius  Dyckman  an  open  and  malicious 
enemy  to  the  United  States,  - 

6,  Letter  from  James  Warren  to  Thomas  Gushing : 
Requesting  more  powder  for  Captain  Sam- 
son, of  the  Brigantine  Independence,  - 

6,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Colo- 
nel Dike :  To  order  Companies,  as  they  are 
raised,  to  march  to  Dorchester  Heights, 

6,  Letter  from  Francis'Shaw,  Jun.,  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts Council, 

6,  Letter  from  William  Sever  to  James  Bowdoin, 

6,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety  to  Messrs.  Lovewell,  Patten,  and 
Blanchard:  Relating  to  counterfeiters  of  Bills 
of  Credit, 

7,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Charlestown,  South- 

Carolina  :  Generals  Lee  and  Howe  set  off 
this  morning  for  the  southward ;  it  is  said 
they  are  going  for  St.  Augustine, 

7,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Mary- 
land Delegates  in  Congress, 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Colonel  Hollingsworth,  ... 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Brooke :  Soon  as  his  company  is 
complete,  to  march  to  the  northward, 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  Delegates  in  Congress, 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Nich61son,  -  -  -  - 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Daniel  Hughes :  They  are  much  in  want  of 
the  cannon  he  contracted  to  supply,  - 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Tillard, 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
George  Scott,  ------ 

7,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Mr.  Nichols,  ----- 

7,  Letter  from  Committee  for  St.  Mary's  County, 
to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety, 

7,  Letter  from  Colonel  Sims  to  Maryland  Council 
ofSafety,  -----.. 

7,  Letter  from  Charles  Grahame  to  Thomas  Har- 
wood,  Jun.,  ----- 

7,  Letter  from  James  Kent  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,  -  -  -  - 

7,  Letter  from  John  Crockett  to  the  Maryland 
Council  ofSafety,  - 

7,  Letter  from  George  Woolsey  to  the  Maryland 
Council  ofSafety, 

7,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ewing  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  - 

7,  Notice  of  prizes  taken  by  the  Enterprise,  of  Bal- 
timore, -----.. 

7,  Letter  from  the  Secret  Committee  of  Congress 
to  Silas  Deane  :  The  Congress  have  consi- 
dered, but  have  not  yet  concluded  upon  the 
heads  of  a  treaty  to  be  proposed  to  France,  - 


795 

-  795 
e 

-  797 
o 

-  797 

-  798 


-  798 
o 

-  800 


802 


-     803 


803 
803 


-     804 


-     804 


-     804 

804 
805 


-     805 


805 

-  805 

o 

-  806 


-  806 
o 

-  806 
o 

-  806 


-  806 
o 

-  806 
o 

-  807 
o 

-  807 

-  807 
il 

-  807 

-  808 

-  808 
j 

-  808 
d 

-  809 
i 

-  809 

-  809 


809 


810 


1776. 

Jlug.1,  Letter  from  Samuel  Chase  to  General  Arnold: 
Requests  him  to  write,  from  time  to  time, 
with  his  usual  candour,  and  without  reserve, 
the  numbers  and  condition  of  our  Army,  and 
such  observations  as  m'ay  explain  the  subject, 
both  of  men  and  measures, 

7,  Letter  from  Abraham  Clark  to  Rev.  James  Cald- 
well :  This  morning  one  of  our  large  frigates 
was  launched ;  two  others,  of  twenty-four  and 
twenty-six  guns,  were  some  time  ago  launch- 
ed, and  are  rigging,  -  -  811 

7,  Declaration   of   Independence   proclaimed   at 
Bridgetown,  Cumberland  County,  New-Jer- 
sey, -  -  -     811 
Address  of  Dr.  Elmer,  -         -         -                  -     811 

7,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington,      -  -         -     812 
Examination  of  Richard  Shea,  a  deserter,        -     812 

7,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Elizabeth-Town  Point, 
New-Jersey:  The  current  opinion  of  the 
British  Generals  is,  that  they  will  take  New- 
York  without  difficulty;  but  are  much  afraid 
that  the  Rebels  will  destroy  it,  -  -  814 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  His  opinion  on  the  ne- 
cessity there  is  of  appointing  more  General 
Officers,  >•  -  815 

Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington, August  2,  -     815 
Intelligence  brought  from  Oswego  by  Lieute- 
nant McMichael,        -  -     816 
Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington, June  10,                                              -      816 
Extract  of  a  letter  from  Colonel  Frederick  Pel- 
,             lenger,  of  the  German-Flats,  to  the  Albany 

Committee,  June  7,    -  -  -     817 

Letter  from  the  Albany  Committee  to  General 
Schuyler,  June  8 :  Expected  attack  of  the 
Upper  Indians,  -  -  817 

Letter  from  Jonathan  Glover  to  General  Wash- 
ington, July  20,  -  817 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  -  818 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
Jersey  Convention  :  Requesting  they  will 
cause  a  number  of  suspicious  persons  col- 
lected in  Monmouth  County  to  be  secured; 
and  urges  them  to  complete  their  proportion 
of  the  levies,  -  -  -  819 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
George  Clinton  :  for  a  return  of  his  strength. 
There  is  reason  to  believe  a  general  attack 
will  be  made  in  the  course  of  a  few 
days,  -  819 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonel 
Elmore :  to  put  himself  under  the  command 
of  General  Schuyler,  -  -  820 

7,  Letter  from  General   Washington  to  General 

Schuyler,  -  -     820 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Learns  from  two  deserters  from 
the  British  fleet  that  they  are  to  attack  New- 
York,  Long-Island,  &.c.,  in  the  course  of  a 
week,  -  -  821 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonels 
Fitch,  Sears,  Mead,  Hindman,  and  Cooke : 
Requesting  them  to  call  forth  their  Regi- 
ments without  delay,  and  march  to  New- 
York,  where  the  army,  from  sickness,  the 
deficiency  of  regiments,  and  other  causes,  is 
far  short  of  its  intended  complement,  -  -  822 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Jesse  Root : 
An  attack  is  hourly  expected,  and  the  levies 
from  New-Jersey,  New-York,  and  Connecti- 
cut, are  not  completed  within  one-half  of 
their  establishment,  -  -  822 

Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Timothy 
Edwards :  To  engage  in  the  service  as  many 
of  the  Stockbridge  Indians  as  he  can,  as 
they  are  very  anxious  to  take  part  in  our 
favour,  -  -  822 

7,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Hartford,  Connecticut :  Respecting 
Major  French,  -  -  823 

7,  Letter   from    General    Washington   to    Major 

French,     -  -     823 

7,  Letter  from  John  Berrien   to  the  New- York 

Congress,  -         -         -     824 


LVII 


CONTENTS. 


1776. 

Jlug.*l,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  More  than  a  hundred  boats  full  of 
men  have  come  from  Staten-Island  to  the 
ships,  -  -  -  824 

7,  Memorial  of  Abel  Noble  and  Peter  Townscnd 

to  the  New- York  Convention,     -  -  1481 

7,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  their 

Delegates  in  Congress,       -  -  1483 

7,  Examination    of  Jacob    Halsted,    of    Orange 

County,     -  -   1490 

7,  Letter  from  Walter  Livingston  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Is  greatly  distressed  for  money  to 
purchase  provisions  for  the  Army  ;  the  mili- 
tary chest  of  the  Northern  Army  is  empty; 
cattle  cannot  be  procured  without  the  cash,  824 

7,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  to  General  Gates,      824 

7,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wa- 

terbury,     -  ...     835 

7,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Is  this  moment  going  to  open 
the  conference  with  the  Indians ;  seventeen 
hundred  are  present,  and  one  hundred  and 
sixty  more  are  expected  to-day,  -  -  825 

7,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates  : 
The  work  on  the  galleys  at  Skenesborough 
much  more  forward  than  he  expected ;  the 
last  gondola  will  be  launched  in  a  few  days, 
and  the  seamen  will  be  drafted  this  after- 
noon,    -  825 

7,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates : 

Accusing  the  Court-Martial  of  unfairness,    -  1274 

7,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Water- 
bury,  -  826 

7,  Instructions  by  General  Gates  to  General  Ar- 
nold, as  commander  of  the  fleet  on  Lake 
Champlain,  -  -  826 

7,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Wash- 
ington,   827 

Examination  of  Captain  Mesnard,  -  828 

Journal  of  a  scout  from  Crown-Point  to  St. 
John's,  Chambly,  &c.,  by  Lieutenant  Whit- 
comb  and  four  men,  -  828 

7,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  Nathaniel 

Shaw,  Jun.,       -  -     829 

7,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ward  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull, ....  .830 

7,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  -  -     830 

7,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Gen- 
eral Washington  :  Everything  necessary  re- 
specting the  marching  of  troops  for  Canada 
has  been  done,  -  ....  830 

7,  Letter  from  John  Avery  to  the  absent  members 

of  the  Massachusetts  Council :  Requiring 
their  attendance,  -  830 

8,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  William 

Hey  :  The  Province  of  Quebeck  being  cleared 
of  the  Rebels,  it  is  necessary  the  courts  of 
justice  should  be  forthwith  opened,  -  -  831 

8,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

John  Hanson,    -  -     831 

8,  Letter  from  Matthew  Tilghman  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety  :  With  the  resignation 
of  N.  Thomas  as  Quartermaster  of  the  Fourth 
Battalion,  -  -  831 

8,  Letter  from  Captain  Mantz  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,  -  831 

8,  Letter  from  Isaac  Griest  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,  -  .  832 

8,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Washington  :  The  treatment  of  Lieuten- 
ant Josiah,  -  -  ...  832 

8,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Lee  :  Directing  him  to  repair  to  Phila- 
delphia, to  receive  such  orders  as  the  Con- 
gress may  think  proper  to  give,  -  -  832 

8,  Letter  from  Cassar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney : 
The  Delaware  Battalion  is  under  marching 
orders  for  Amboy  ;  they  are  completely  arm- 
ed, -  -  -  -  833 

8,  Orders  from  the  War  Office  for  the  marching 

of  troops  to  Amboy,  -  -     833 

8,  Notice  to  the  Associators  from  the  command- 
ing officer  in  Philadelphia,          ...     833 
Address  of  a  private  Associator  to  the  com- 
manding officer,  -         -     833 

8,  Commitment  of  William  Sutton,  by  order  of  the 

Pennsylvania  Committee  of  Safety,      -         -  1312 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


LVIII 


1776. 

Jlug.  8,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington,     -  .    834 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,       -  ...     834 
Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  General  Wash- 
ington, July  29:  The  passengers  on  board 
the  ship  Peggy,  who  fled  from  Boston  last 
March,  came  to  Boston  this  morning,  and 
are  now  in  jail  there,  -     836 
Examination  of  Jarnes  Kennedy,  master  of  the 

ship  Peggy,        -  .     836 

Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  General  Wash- 
ington, July  30:  Disposition  of  the  Eastern 
Indians,  -  ...  .  836 

A  Conference  hald  at  Watertown,  in  the  Colony 
of  Massachusetts-Bay,  between  the  honour- 
able the  Council  of  the  said  Colony,  in  behalf 
of  the  said  Colony,  and  of  all  the  United 
Colonies,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Delegates 
of  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmack  Tribes  of 
Indians,  in  Nova-Scotia,  on  the  other  part, 
July  10,  -  -  .  .  838 

Treaty  of  Alliance  and  Friendship  entered  into 
and  concluded  by  and  between  the  Govern- 
ours  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay  and 
the  Delegates  of  the  St.  John's  and  Mick- 
mack  Tribes  of  Indians,  July  19,  -  848 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Penn- 
sylvania Associators:  Urging  them  to  remain 
at  the  present  crisis,  and  showing  the  ruin- 
ous consequences  to  the  Army,  and  the  dis- 
credit to  themselves,  of  their  now  leaving  the 
service,  -  -  ....  849 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Livingston :  The  unexpected  arrival  of  the 
Carolina  Army  on  Staten-Island,  added  to 
the  Hessians  and  foreign  troops  under  Lord 
Howe,  exhibits  a  force  justly  alarming,  when 
compared  with  that  which  we  have  to  oppose 
them,  -  -  851 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Mercer :  In  consequence  of  the  great  rein- 
forcements of  the  enemy,  and  considering 
how  much  deficient'  the  Army  is,  from  the 
not  filling  up  the  new  levies  and  sickness, 
desires  that  one  of  the  Rifle  regiments  may 
be  sent  over,  as  there  is  not  one  corps  of 
that  kind  on  the  Island,  ....  851 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  From  information,  in 
which  the  fullest  confidence  may  be  placed, 
it  is  not  to  be  doubted  but  the  number  of  the 
enemy's  Army  will  greatly  exceed  ours.  Re- 
inforcements are  indispensable,  -  -  -  852 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention:  Relating  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  General  George  Clinton,  and  the  de- 
fences of  the  Highlands,  -  -  852 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 

George  Clinton,  -    853 

8,  Letter    from   General   Washington   to   Major 

French,     -  -     853 

8,  Letter  from  Daniel  Goldsmith  to  the  New- York 
Convention  :  Joseph  Andrews  appears  to  be 
very  friendly  to  the  American  cause,  -  -  853 

8,  Examination  of  Edward  Willett,  Sen.,  Edward 
Willett,  Jun.,  and  Thomas  Hicks,  by  the 
New- York  Convention,  ....  1485 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention  :  For  reinforcements,  -  1487 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  On  the  appointment  of 
General  Clinton,  -  -  1487 

8,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Gen- 
eral Clinton:  Informing  him  of  his  appoint- 
ment, -  -  1489 

8,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Gen- 
eral Washington,  -  -  1489 

8,  Letter  from  Abraham  Le  Dieu  to  the  New-York 
Convention  :  Offering  to  raise  a  Company  of 
Volunteers,  -  -  1489 

8,  Petition  of  Joseph  Andrews,  of  Poughkeepsie, 

to  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New-York,     -     854 

8,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Ge- 
neral Washington :  The  Convention  have 
measures  in  contemplation  for  the  security  of 
the  State,  which  they  conceive  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  the  general  cause  of  America,  854 


LIX 


CONTENTS. 


LX 


.  8,  Resolutions  of  the  New- York  Convention  for 
the  defence  of  the  Highlands,  - 

8,  Extract  of  a  letter  dated  from  off  Fort  Wash- 
ington, New-York  :  Remarks  on  the  engage- 
ment between  the  galleys  and  the  men-of- 
war  up  the  North  River,  - 

8,  Letter  from  Colonel  Thomas  to  the  New-York 
Convention:    Sends  Joshua   Ferris,   an   old 
offender,    ------- 

Examination  of  Joshua  Ferris, 

8,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 
of  Congress:  The  Conference  with  the  Six 
Nations  was  yesterday  opened  in  form;  the 
Northern  Army  is  out  of  money  ;  the  service 
has  for  some  time  been  carried  on  upon  cre- 
dit, but  that,  too,  is  exhausted,  and  he  is  now 
driven  to  the  necessity  of  borrowing  money 
at  interest,  or  leaving  undone  what  is  indis- 
pensably necessary  to  be  done,  -  -  - 

8,  Paper  delivered  to  Major  Bigelow,  by  Captain 
Craig,  at  Isle-aux-Noix,  -  -  -  - 

8,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Schuy- 
ler, - 

8,  Letter  from  Colonel  Wynkoop  to  General  Gates, 
Return  of  the  Sick  in  the  General  Hospital  at 
Fort  George,  .  -  -  -  - 

8,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Gates :  The  Companies  ordered  to  be  raised 
are  not  filled ;  those  who  are  inlisted  are 
marched ;  the  small-pox  has  been  a  great 
discouragement,  ...... 

8,  Letter  from  Andrew  Ward,  Jun.,  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Difficulties  in  raising  men, 

8,  Letter  from  Thomas  Mumford  to  Governour 
Trumbull,  - 

8,  Letter  from  Charles  C.  Chandler  to  Governour 
Trumbull:  Half  of  the  Militia  of  Woodstock 
have  entered  the  publick  service  already,  but 
in  the  present  crisis  they  will  endeavour  to 
send  more,  ....... 

8,  Letter  from  William  Watson  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  - 

8,  Letter  from  Richard  Derby,  Jun.,  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  General  Ward  designs  in 
a  few  days  to  retire  from  his  military  depart- 
ment; the  appointment  of  a  General  Officer 
in  his  place  is  necessary,  - 

8,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 
Safety  to  the  Committee  of  War  in  Massachu- 
setts :  Request  the  loan  of  a  few  large  cannon 
for  the  defence  of  Portsmouth,  - 

8,  Letter  from  Ethan  Allen  to  the  Connecticut 

Assembly :  The  cruel  treatment  he  has  re- 
ceived from  the  British  officers  ;  was  landed 
at  Halifax  on  the  5th  instant,  and  is  now  in 
the  common  jail  there, 

9,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Hague :  State  of 

affairs  in  Europe,        .... 

9,  Letter  to  the  Printer  of  the  London  Publick 
Ledger :  Relations  of  France  and  England  ; 
Lord  Stormont,  Mr.  St.  Paul,  and  the  French 
Court,  ---... 

9,  Intelligence  from  Williamsburgh,  Virginia: 
Lord  Dunmore  took  leave  of  the  Capes  of 
Virginia  on  the  7th ;  has  with  him  near  four 
hundred  in  all — regulars,  negroes,  and  lories, 

9,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  Committee  for  St.  Mary's  County, 

9,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  their  Dele- 
gates in  Congress :  The  Flying-Camp  are 
beginning  to  move.  General  Dent  is  elected 
for  Charles  County.  Under  all  the  difficulties 
arising  from  the  want  of  arms  and  necessa- 
ries, and  also  from  resignations,  the  Council 
are  exerting  themselves  to  the  utmost, 

9,  Letter  from  Lieutenant  Pownall  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  - 

9,  Letter  from  Samuel  Chase  to  General  Gates : 
On  his  letter  to  Mr.  Adams  of  July  17, 

9,  Resolutions  of  Pennsylvania  Convention, 
Pay  and  Ralions  in  the  Continenlal  service,    - 

9,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Colonel  Miles  will  march  to  New- 
York  with  his  Riflemen.  A  cowardly,  infa- 
mous spirit  of  desertion,  prevails  in  his  Army 
too  much;  General  Washington's  letler  lo 
tin-  Associators  will  be  read  to  each  corps, 
and  must  have  good  effects,  I 


-    854 


-    855 


855 
855 


-  856 
11 

-  987 

1033 

857 

-  857 


-  858 
r 

-  858 
r 

-  858 


-  859 

i- 

-  859 


-    859 


-    860 


-  860 
f 

-  861 


-    861 


862 
-    862 


-     863 

d 

.     §63 

864 
864 
865 


Aug.  9,  Letter  from  Colonel  Guy  Johnson  to  Lord 
George  Gennaine  :  Arrived  at  Staten-Island 
on  the  29lh  of  July ;  sends  the  best  intelli- 
gence he  can  procure  respecting  the  back 
country  and  the  Indians,  - 
Declaration  of  Thomas  Gumersall,  who  left  the 
Mohock  country  about  the  beginning  of  June 
last ;  taken  at  Staten-Island  August  6, 
Copy  of  a  letter  intercepted  from  S.  Kirkland, 
a  New-England  Missionary  among  the  Oriei- 
das,  to  Mr.  Schuyler,  a  Rebel  General  and 
manager  of  their  affairs,  dated  Oneida,  May 
22,  -  -  .... 

9,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonel 
Dubois :  To  march  his  Regiment  to  New- 
York  as  fast  as  an  officer's  party  are  inlisted, 

9,  Letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hardenburgh 
to  the  New- York  Convention :  Is  at  New- 
York  with  five  Companies,  and  thinks  it  hard 
that  men  are  taken  from  their  homes  and 
brought  down  to  defend  their  country  with- 
out arms,  - 

9,  Letter  from  Hugh  Wallace  to  General  Wash- 
ington, 

9,  Letter  from  Colonel  McDougall  to  General 
Washington, 

9,  Letter  from  Ebenezer  Hazard  to  General  Gates, 

9,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  the  President 
of  Congress :  Suggests  the  necessity  of  a 
large  quantity  of  salt  being  secured  by  the 
Congress  for  salting  provisions  for  the  Army, 

9,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington, 

9,  Letter  from  Robert  R.  Livingston  to  General 
Washington:  A  considerable  body  of  troops 
will  be  on  the  march  for  King's  Bridge  to- 
morrow ;  in  five  or  six  days  their  number  will 
be  increased  to  seventeen  or  eighteen  hun- 
dred men ;  suggests  the  possibility  of  the 
enemy's  destroying  the  bridge  before  any 
assistance  could  come  in,  - 

9,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Ge- 
neral Washington :  From  disaffection,  the 
want  of  arms,  the  exposed  situation  of  Long- 
Island  and  the  frontiers,  the  possession  of 
one  County  by  the  enemy,  and  the  probability 
of  their  being  called  upon  for  reinforcements 
for  the  northern  frontier,  they  are  deprived  of 
the  assistance  of  nine  Counties  of  the  fourteen 
which  compose  the  State ;  it  is,  therefore, 
not  in  their  power  to  do  as  much  at  this  crisis 
as  the  cause  of  America  requires, 

9,  Examination  of  Nathaniel  Mills,  Caleb  Mills, 
Joshua  Mills,  and  Elizabeth  Hicks,  of  Queen's 
County,  New-York,  - 

9,  Letter  from  Jacob  Cuyler  and  Leonard  Ganse- 
voort  to  the  New- York  Convention,  - 

9,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Poughkeepsie  to 
the  New-York  Convention :  They  labour 
under  many  difficulties  for  the  want  of  cash 
for  the  publick  service, 

9,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  to  General  Gates : 
Will  send  supplies  as  fast  as  possible,  - 

9,  Letter  from  Colonel  Dayton  to  the  Indian 
Chiefs  :  Sends  two  barrels  of  powder,  - 

9,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates  :  None  of  the  troops  at  Skenesborough 
have  tents,  except  the  small  parties  of  the 
New-York  Regiments, 

9,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Captain  Richard 
Varick, 

9,  Letter  from  Obadiah  Johnson  to  Governour 
Trumbull,  - 

9,  Letter  from  Colonel  Cooke  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull :  Has  called  out  his  Regiment,  and  ex- 
pects to  march,  in  a  short  time,  to  New- 
York  ;  but  as  it  is  near  seed  time,  it  will  very 
much  damp  the  zeal  of  the  people,  if  they 
cannot  expect  to  be  soon  dismissed,  - 
9,  Letter  from  Colonel  Crafts  to  the  Massachusetts 

Council,    -         -  - 

Letter  from  Timothy  Langdon  to  John  Avery,  - 
Letter  from  Colonel  Mitchell  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council, 
9,  Notice  of  a  prize  taken  by  the  Hancock,  of 

Philadelphia, 

9,  Letter  from  Colonel  Gale  to  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Council  of  Safety, 


-    866 


-     866 


-     867 


868 


-    868 
869 

869 
869 


870 
-    870 


-    870 


9 

9, 


-  1491 


-  1507 

-  1513 


-  871 

-  872 
872 


-  872 
d 

-  872 
r 

-  873 


-  873 

874 
874 

-  874 
.f 

-  874 

— 

-  875 


LXI 

1776. 
Jlug.  10,  Letter  from  Charles  W.  F.  Dumas  to  the  Secret 

Committee  of  Congress,  (original,)      -         -     875 

10,  Letter  from  Charles  W.  F.  Durnas  to  the  Secret 

Committee  of  Congress,  (translation,)  -     878 

Letter  from  Arthur  Lee  to  C.  W.  F.  Dumas,  dated 
July  6 :  The  strange  timidity  of  the  French 
Court  requires  great  patience  and  management,    881 
Letter  from  Silas  Deane  to  C.  W.  F.  Dumas, 
dated  July  26,    -  -     881 

10,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Cape  Francois:  It  is 
said  an  armament  is  now  fitting  out  at  Brest 
of  twenty  sail  of  the  line,  twelve  frigates,  and 
fourteen  thousand  land  forces,  -.  -  882 

10,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Prince  George's 
County  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety : 
They  cannot  purchase  arms  and  blankets 
without  money,  ....  882 

10,  Letter  from  Archer  &  Harris  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -     882 

10,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Washington  :  enclosing  lists  of  promo- 
tions in  the  Army  of  the  American  States,  -  883 

10,  Letters  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Ma- 
jor-Generals Heath,  Spencer,  Sullivan,  and 
Greene,  with  their  commissions,  -  883 

10,  Letters  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Brig. 
adier-Generals  Read,  Nixon,  St.  Clair,  Mc- 
Dougall,  Parsons,  and  Clinton,  with  their 
commissions,  -  -  883 

10,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Wil- 
liam Tudor,  appointed  Judge-Advocate  Gen- 
eral to  the  Army,  with  the  rank  of  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel, -  -  883 

10,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  -  884 

10,  Letter  from  William  Floyd  to  John  McKesson,     884 

10,  Resolutions  of  the  Pennsylvania  Convention 

for  the  encouragement  of  the  Associators,  -     884 

10,  Resolutions  of  the  Lancaster  Committee  for 

marching  the  Associators,  -         -     885 

10,  Resolutions  of  the  New-Jersey  Convention  for 

preventing  desertion,  -  -     885 

10,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Washing- 
ton :  Will  push  forward  to  New- York  as  many 
ofthe  troops  as  can  be  prevailed  upon  to  march,  885 

10,  Letter  from  Robert  H.  Harrison  to  General 
Mifflin :  General  Washington  requests  his 
particular  attention  to  works  erecting  on  the 
other  side  of  King's  Bridge;  the  enemy  may 
attempt  to  destroy  the  Bridge,  -  -  886 

10,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Colonel  Hay,     886 

10,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Richard 

Varick,     -  -     886 

10,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Timothy 
Edwards :  With  two  Stockbridge  Indians, 
who  have  expressed  the  desire  of  their  peo- 
ple to  become  part  of  the  Army  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  -  886 

10,  Letter  from  Aaron  Burr  to  Timothy  Edwards : 
The  King's  land  army  is  at  present  fifteen  or 
sixteen  thousand  strong;  they  expect  very 
soon  to  exceed  twenty-five  thousand.  They 
are  to  invest  New- York  by  the  North  and 
East  rivers,  to  land  on  both  sides  the  Island, 
draw  a  line  across,  which  will  hem  us  in  and 
totally  cut  off  all  communication,  -  887 

10,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington: Has  sent  over  nine  suspected  Tories 
from  Long-Island  this  morning,  -  -  887 

10,  Commission  for  Lewis  Graham  as  Judge  ofthe 
High  Court  of  Admiralty  for  the  State  of 
New- York,  -  1494 

10,  Resolutions  of  the  New- York  Convention  for 

embodying  the  Militia  ofthe  State,      -         -  1495 

10,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Wil- 
liam Paulding,  -  -  1496 

10,  Letter  from  Colonel  Blauvelt  to  the  New-York 

Convention,       -  -        -  -  1503 

10,  Letter  from  Colonel  Johnson  to  the  New- York 

Convention,       -  -  1507 

10,  Letter  from  William  Furman  to  the  New- York 

Convention,       -  -   1507 

10,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Major  Hawley: 
requesting  him  to  write  to  the  Committee  at 
Number  Four,  to  put  a  stop  to  the  pernicious 
practice  of  inoculating  the  Militia,  and  to 
send  the  Doctor  who  inoculates  immedi- 
ately to  jail,  -  -  901 


CONTENTS. 


10, 


LXII 

1776. 

Aug.  10,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates  : 
Major  Bigelow  has  returned  safe,  though  his 
embassy  has  proved  abortive  in  some  re- 
spects, -  .  888 

10,  Letter  from  Colonel  Richmond  to  General 
Washington  :  Captain  Harris,  who  has  just 
arrived  at  Newport,  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of  one 
hundred  and  eight  sail  of  ships-of-war  and 
transports  about  the  latitude  of  Sandy-Hook,  888 

10,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  New- 
York  Convention:  Desires  the  Tory  prison- 
ers from  New- York  may  be  removed  from 
Connecticut,  -  -  888 

Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Albany,  New- 
York,  August  2,  to  GovernourTrumbull :  with 
a  number  of  Tory  prisoners,  ...  889 
Letter  from  the  Albany  Committee  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  respecting  the  Tory  pri- 
soners, -  -  889 

10,  Letter  from  Colonel  Fitch  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull :  Has  received  General  Washington's 
orders  to  call  out  his  Regiment  and  march 
forthwith  to  New-York;  but  is  sick,  and  de- 
sires a  field-officer  may  be  appointed  to  take 
command  and  call  the  men  out,  -  891 

10,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Ma- 

jor Hawley,        -  -  -     891 

11,  Letter  from   Colonel  Adam    Stephen   to   the 

Council  of  Virginia,  -  -     892 

11,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ewing  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  urging,  if  there  is  any 
way  possible,  to  let  him  have  arms ;  has  none 
for  his  battalion,  which  is  ready  to  march  for 
the  Jerseys,  -  -  -  892 

11,  Letter  from  Captain  Thomas  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      -        -  -     892 

11,  Letter  from  James  Gibson   to  the   Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      -  -     893 

11,  Letter  from  John  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon,    -     893 

11,  Letter  from  Stephen  Parker  to  Jonathan  B. 
Smith :  Is  about  to  return  to  Machias ;  his 
coming  to  Philadelphia  has  not  been  attend- 
ed with  such  success  as  the  deplorable  cir- 
cumstances of  that  people  constrained  him 
warmly  to  wish,  -----  893 
Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Has  sent  about  twelve  hundred 
spears,  and  will  push  on  as  many  of  the 
Flying-Camp  and  volunteers  as  possible. 
The  Pennsylvania  Associators  continue  to 
desert  by  bodies,  -  -  -  894 

Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  Colonel  Dick- 
inson :  Has  requested  New-Jersey  to  order 
out  the  Militia  to  prevent  the  desertion  of 
the  Pennsylvanians,  -  -  -  -  895 

11,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  Colonel  Dick- 
inson :  requesting  him  to  use  his  utmost 
address  to  induce  the  Militia  to  perform  their 
duty  at  this  critical  time,  -  -  895 

11,  Letter  from  Admiral  Howe  to  Lord  George 
Germaine :  He  had  little  expectation  that 
his  Letters  and  Declarations  would  reach  the 
hands  of  His  Majesty's  Governours.  His 
object  was,  that  they  should  be  circulated  as 
extensively  as  possible  throughout  the  Pro- 
vinces, -  -  -  -  - 

11,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Com- 
mittee for  Queen's  County,  New- York :  re- 
questing them  to  take  care  of  the  property 
of  the  suspected  persons  that  have  been  ap- 
prehended and  sent  to  Connecticut,  - 

11,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

11,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Is  compelled  to  trouble  him  with 
more  suspected  persons,  whose  characters 
are  such  as  to  make  it  unsafe  for  them  to 
remain  at  their  usual  places  of  abode  on 
Long-Island,  -  -  897 

11   Letter  from  Colonel  Huntington  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -     898 

Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  sick  in  the  Regimental  Hospital 
suffer  for  want  of  proper  accommodation,    -     898 
Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :    enclosing   a    list    of  the    principal 


11, 


11, 


-    895 


-  896 

-  896 


11, 


11, 


Tories 
Island, 


in    the    different   towns    on    Long- 


i-xiri 

1776. 
Aug.  11 


CONTENTS. 


LXIV 


Letter  fitMB  the  Rev.  Samuel  Provost  to  the 
New- York  Convention :  requesting  to  be 
excused  from  deliveriii!,'  a  sermon  before  the 
Convention  on  the  '27th  instant,  \vhi«-h  has 
been  set  apart  to  be  observed  us  a  day  of 
fastiiii.%  humiliation,  and  prayer,  -  1470 

11,  Letter  from  Colonel  Henry  Remsen  to  Jolin 

MeKesson,  -  -  -  1510 

11,  Letter   from   General   Gates   to  General  Schuy- 

ler,  enclosing  Major  Bigetow'a  Journal,       -    986 

1  1.  [.Her  from  General  Gates  to  Governour  Truni- 
hull:  i_'i\iii_'  liim  a  particular  state  of  the 
Army  in  tlie  Northern  Department,  - 

11,  Letter  i'roui  General  Gates  to  General  Putnam  : 

His  progress  in  fortifying  Ticonderoga,  -  900 

11.  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Water- 
linry:  To  send  the  whole  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Militia  to  Tyonderoga  as  soon  as  their 
tents  come  forward,  -----  900 

11,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ogdeu  to  Aaron  Burr: 
General  Arnold  is  faking  a  very  active  part 
in  the  command  of  the  fleet  on  the  Lake;  he 
will  sail  himself  in  a  few  days,  -  -  -  901 

11.  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates,     902 

11,  Letter  from  Major  French  to  General  Washing- 
ton :  with  a  letter  to  General  Howe,  request- 
in;' he  may  be  exchanged,  -  ...  902 

11,  Letter  from  Thomas  Gushing  to  the  President 

of  Congress  :  On  the  propriety  of  supporting 
the  Missionaries  among  the  Indians,   -         -     902 
Case  of  the  Stockbridge  Indians,    -  -     903 

12,  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Cape  Nichpla  Mole : 

It  is  said  four  French  ships  are  to  cruise 
about  the  Island  of  St.  Domingo  to  protect 
the  American  trade,  -----  904 

12,  Letter  from  General  Armstrong  to  the  President 
of  Congress :  On  the  operations  in  South- 
Carolina,  -------     904 

Opinions  of  the  General  and  Field-Officers  on 
the  construction  of  a  Resolve  of  Congress 
with  respect  to  certain  Regiments  in  South- 
Carolina  being  on  the  Continental  establish- 
ment, -  -  -  -  905 

12,  Address  of  the  Baptist  Churches  in  Virginia  to 

the  Governour,  ------     905 

Answer  of  Governour  Patrick  Henry  to  the  Min- 
isters and  Delegates  of  the  Baptist  Churches, 
and  the  members  of  that  communion,  -  906 

12,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Colonel  Ewing,  -     906 

12,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Gerard  Hopkins,        -  -     906 

12,  Letter  from  James  Cunningham  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety  :  Has  left  the  service 
under  Lord  Dunmore,  and  is  willing  to  enter 
that  of  America,  ....  907 

12,  Proceedings  of  the  Baltimore  Committee,        -     907 

12,  Letter  from  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams:  Thou- 
.  sands  of  schemes  for  privateering  are  afloat 
in  American  imaginations  ;  out  of  their  spec- 
ulations, many  fruitless  and  some  profitable 
projects  will  grow,     -  -     907 

12,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  the  President  of 
Congress :  Upwards  of  eighty  sail  of  ships 
have  been  seen  standing  in  from  sea  towards 
New- York  this  morning.  Notwithstanding 
the  desertion  of  many  of  the  Associators,  we 
will  have  a  respectable  force  here,  -  -  908 

12,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Intends  to  have  ready  at  New-York, 
'eedily  as  possible,  two  thousand  men 
to  reinforce  the  Army  there,  if  their  services 
are  thought  necessary,        -  -  909 

12,  Letter  from  General  Livingston  to  General 
Washington :  Two  thousand  men  for  the 
Flying-Gamp  under  General  Dickinson  are 
in  great  forwardness;  though  little  acquaint- 
ed with  their  duty,  may  be  of  service  in  New- 
York.  In  the  present  emergency  great  part 
of  the  Militia  must  be  kept  in  New-Jersey, 
to  supply  the  place  of  the  Pennsylvania  As- 
sociators, who  are  deserting  their  post  in 
considerable  numbers,  -  ...  909 

12,  Letter  from  Lord  Drummond  to  Lord  Howe,  -  1027 

12,  Propositions  communicated  to  Lord  Howe  by 

Lord  Drummond,       -  ...  jQ27 

12,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  -  ...  910 


1776. 


-  911 

•> 

-  911 


915 


-    916 


Resolutions  of  New-York  Convention  on  the 
information  that  the   inhabitant's   of  King's 
County  have  determined  not  to  oppose  the 
enemy, 
General   Orders,    Head-Quarters,    New- York, 

August  6  to  August  12, 

Jlug.  12,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  referring  to  Congress  for 
their  decision  the  case  of  Colonel  Campbell, 
of  the  Northern  Army,  who  has  been  tried 
by  a  General  Court-Martial  at  Ticondero«:a,  - 
Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Wash- 
ington, July  21:  with  the  proceedings  of  the 
Court-Martial  on  Colonel  Campbell,  - 

12,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Lee:  The  strength  of  the  enemy  when  the 
Hessians  arrive,  cannot  fall  short  of  twenty- 
five  thousand  men ;  ours  under  twenty,  very 
sickly,  and  posted  on  Governour's  Island, 
Long-Island,  at  Powles  Hook,  Horn's  Hook, 
and  at  the  pass  near  King's  Bridge, 

12,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  informing  them  of  his 
proceedings  with  the  Queen's  County  Tories, 

12,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Ward,  - 

12,  Letter  from  Colonel  McDougall  to  General 
Washington:  with  recommendation  of  John 
Lawrence  for  Paymaster,  - 

12,  List  of  officers  in  Col.  John  Lasher's  Regiment, 

12,  List  of  officers  in  Colonel  Goose  Van  Schaick's 
Regiment, 

12,  List  of  officers  in  Colonel  John  Nicolson's  Re- 
giment, 

12,  List  of  officers  in  Colonel  Cornelius  D.  Wyn- 
koop's  Regiment,  ... 

12,  Return  of  sundry  articles  sent  to  General 
Schuyler,  -  ... 

12,  Letter  from  Dr.  Morgan  to  the  President  of 
Congress  :  On  the  condition  of  the  General 
Hospital,  -  -  -  -  - 

12,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Four  ships  went  through  the  Nar- 
rows yesterday,  and  are  at  anchor  along  the 
New-Utrecht  shore,  - 

12,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  John 
Jay  and  R.  R.  Livingston  :  requiring  their 
attendance  on  business  of  importance, 

12,  Letter  from  Captain  Hamilton  to  the  New- York 
Convention,  -  -  - 

12,  Memorial  from  John  Holt,  Charles  Loosley, 
and  Thomas  Elms,  to  the  New- York  Con- 
vention :  requesting  that  the  Paper-makers 
may  be  exempted  from  military  service, 

12,  Letter  from  Abraham  C.  Cuyler  and  others, 
to  .the  New- York  Convention,  - 

12,  Letter  from  A.  C.  Cuyler  to  the  New- York 
Convention, 

12,  Letter  from  Henry  Van  Schaick  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

12,  Letter  from  David  Matthews  to  the  New- York 
Convention,  -  -  -  - 

12,  Letter  from  David  Matthews  to  Mrs.  Matthews, 

12,  Letter  from  Moses  Seymour  to  the  New- York 
Convention, 

12,  Last  order  issued  by  Brigadier-General  Heath 
to  his  Brigade,  - 

12,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  .to  General  Gates,    - 

12,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  Captain 
Eddy, 

12,  Letter  from  Gen.  Waterbury  to  Gen.  Gates, 

12,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Dr.  Potts  :  Wishes 
to  be  informed  of  the  substance  of  a  solemn 
declaration  of  a  matter  that  highly  concerns 
the  interest  of  the  United  States,  made  by 
the  Baron  de  Woedtke  some  time  before  his 
death,  -  -  924 

12,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 

Schuyler  -  -  -     924 

12,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Gates :  The  controversy  with  Great  Britain 
seems  now  approaching  to  a  crisis,  -  -  925 

12,  Letter  from  the  Rev.  William  Gordon  to  Gene- 
ral Gates :  The  Howes  have  been  juggling 
together  to  learn  General  Washington's  tem- 
per; and,  to  their  great  mortification,  have 
found  it  to  be>  resolutely  steady  and  immov- 
able, -  -  -  -  -  925 


-    916 


917 
917 


918 
918 

-  918 

-  919 
919 
919 


919 


-    921 


-  1498 
k 

-  1509 


-  1510 

>, 

-  1526 

k 

-  1527 

-  1527 


1549 
1550 

-  1551 

922 
922 

1004 
924 


LXV  CONTENTS. 

1776. 

Jlug.  12,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  General  Washing- 
ton: Has  sent  one  hundred  barrels  of  powder 
to  Norwich,  and  one  chest  of  arms  for  New- 
York,        -  -    926 
12,  Letter  from  John  Bradford  to  Gen.  Washington,     927 
12,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Major 
Hawley :  Intreat  him  to  use  his  utmost  to 
raise  his  proportion  of  the  fifteen  hundred 
men  and  march  them  to  Ticonderoga,          -     927 
12,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hurd  to  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Committee  of  Safety :  Sends  Colonel 
Porter,  who  has  tried  every  means  to  prevent 
being  sent  to  Exeter,           -                   -         -     927 

12,  Letter  from  Ethan  Allen  to  the  Connecticut 

Assembly,  -  -         -     928 

13,  Lettprfrom  Arthur  Lee  to  Charles  W.  F.  Dumas,     929 
13,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Colonel  Hyde,  -  -     929 

13,  Letter  from  Joseph  Richardson  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -     929 

13,  Letter  from   Francis  Baker  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety:  Returns  his  commission,     930 

13,  Letter  from  Robert  Christie,  Jun.,  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,  -  -  930 

13,  Letter  from  Thomas  Stone  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  Strength  of  the  American 
and  British  armies,  and  the  necessity  for  a 
reinforcement  for  General  Washington,  -  930 

13,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  -  930 

13,  Letter  from  Mease   and  Caldwell  to  Richard 

Peters,       -  -         -     931 

13,  Resolutions  of  the  Board  of  War,    -  -    931 

13,  Letter  from  John  Hubley  to  William  Atlee,      -     931 

13,  Persons  appointed  by  the  Committee  for  Ches- 
ter County,  Pennsylvania,  to  provide  for  the 
distressed  families  of  the  Associators,  when 
they  are  in  actual  service,  -  -  -  932 

13,  Letter  from  General  Howe  to  General  Wash- 
ington: For  permission  for  the  landing  of 
Robert  Temple,  -  932 

13,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  President 
of  Congress :  Sends  to  the  care  of  Congress 
all  the  publick  papers  in  his  hands,  lest  by  any 
event  they  may  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  932 

13,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 

Schuyler,  -  932 

13,  Letter  from  General  Hurd  to  General  Washing- 
ton :  requesting  payment  for  his  Brigade,  to 
the  1st  of  August,  -  -  -  933 

13,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  with  two  suspected  per- 
sons, arrested  by  order  of  General  Washing- 
ton, who  has  permitted  them  to  go  to  Phila- 
delphia, -  -  934 

13,  Letter  from  Stephen  Moylan  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -  -    934 

13,  Letter  from  the  Baron  de  Calbiac  to  Richard 

Peters,      -  -    934 

13,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Gene- 
ral Washington :  By  sparing  them  the  dis- 
agreeable task  of  apprehending  the  disaffect- 
ed, he  has  conferred  upon  them  a  consider- 
able obligation,  -  1502 

13,  Letter  from  Robert  Yates,  Chairman  of  the 
Secret  Committee  at  Poughkeepsie,  to  the 
New- York  Convention,  -  1515 

13,  Letter  from  General  Scott  to  the  New- York 
Convention :  In  favour  of  Willet  Taylor,  a 
prisoner,  -  -  934 

13,  Letter  from  Samuel  Loudon  to  the  New- York 
Convention :  It  is  necessary  to  remove  his 
press  from  New-York  to  some  place  of  safety,  935 

13,  Letter  from  Gen.  Wadsworth  to  Gov.  Trumbull,     935 

13,  Letter  from  Robert  Yates  to  General  Washing- 
ton :  The  fortifications  at  West-Point,  op- 
posite Fort  Montgomery,  are  going  on  with 
spirit;  it  is  a  most  important  post  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  river,  -----  935 

13,  Letter  from  Captain  Smith  (a  prisoner)  to  the 

New- York  Convention,       -         -  -     936 

13,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Washington  :  The  strength  of  the  enemy  and 
the  weakness  of  the  American  Army  were 
equally  unforeseen  and  surprising;  has  order- 
ed fourteen  Regiments  of  the  Connecticut 
Militia  to  inarch  without-  loss  of  time  as  a 
reinforcement,  -  ...  936 


1776. 

Jlug.  13,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Schuyler:  Captain  Seth  Warner  has  consent- 
ed to  raise  a_  company  of  seamen,  for  the 
Lake  service,  -  - 

13,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Gates,  ....... 

13,  Letter  from  Henry  Bromfield  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  - 

13,  Letter  from  Colonel  Fitch  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull :  His  Regiment  is  ordered  off  to  New- 
York,  but  the  complaints  of  the  men  are 
without  number ;  in  all  places  part  of  their 
work  is  done,  and  there  are  not  men  enough 
left  behind  to  finish  it, 

13,  Letter  from  Jacob  Bayley  to  General  Gates : 
The  road  is  so  well  marked  from  Number 
Four  to  St.  John's,  that  cattle  may  be  easily 
driven  there,  -  -  - 

13,  Intelligence  from  Halifax,  in  Nova-Scotia, 

13,  Authentick  list  of  the  naval  and  military  force 

in  the  Province  of  Halifax, 

14,  Letter  from  John  Hanson,  at  St.  Croix,  to  the 

President  of  Congress  :  Offers,  if  he  can  be 
of  service,  to  settle  his  affairs,  and  sail  for 
America,  - 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Thompson  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  -  -  -  -  - 

14,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  a  Field-Officer  of  South 
Carolina,  at  Camp  Keowee :  Engagements 
with  the  Indians,  ... 

14,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  Committee  for  Northumberland  County, 
Virginia,  ------- 

14,  Letter  from  John  Dalton  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,  -  -  -  -  -  - 

14,  Letter  from  Samuel  Nicholls  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  Two  tons  of  flint-stones 
may  be  readily  got  at  Emerson's  Landing,  - 

14,  Letter  from  Dr.  Weisenthall  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  - 

14,  Letter  from  Captain  Lowe  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  for  money,  - 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hollingsworth  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,  -  -  - 

14,  Letter  from  Robert  Morris  to  Gen.  Washington, 
Extract  of  a  letter  from  Clarke  &  Nightingale, 
of  Providence,  Rhode-Island, 

14,  Letter  from  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams :  De- 
vices for  a  medal  to  commemorate  the  sur- 
render of  Boston  to  the  American  arms. 
Notice  of  M.  du  Simitiere,  - 

14,  Letter  from  Cssar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney, 

14,  Letter  from  Francis  Lewis  to  Mr.  Gates, 

14,  Regulations  for  the  sale  of  Salt,  established  by 
the  Pennsylvania  Convention,  -  -  - 

14,  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  for  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  -  -  -  - 

14,  Letter  from  Clement  Biddle  to  Richard  Peters, 

14,  Return  of  the  Army  in  New-Jersey,  under  the 
command  of  General  Mercer, 

14,  Letter  from  Governour  Tryon  to  Lord  George 
Germaine :  The  confederated  Colonies  have 
declared  themselves  independent  States. 
The  whole  armament,  except  the  last  divi- 
sion of  Hessians,  being  now  assembled  at 
Staten-Island,  by  the  courage  and  strength 
of  this  noble  Army  tyranny  will  be  crushed 
and  legal  government  restored,  - 

14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  The  enemy  have  received 
an  augmentation  to  their  fleet,  of  ninety-six 
ships."  Colonel  Varnum,  of  Rhode-Island, 
has  tendered  his  resignation,  conceiving  him- 
self greatly  injured  in  not  having  been  noticed 
in  the  late  promotions  of  General  Officers,  - 
Letter  from  Colonel  Henshaw  to  General  Wash- 
ington, July  6,  - 

Examination  of  Thomas  Givens,  a  deserter  from 
Staten-Island,    -         -         -         - 

14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  Captain  Mocballe,  a  Dutch 
gentleman,  from  Surinam,  desires  to  enter 
the  service  of  the  States,    -         -        -        - 
14,  Letter   from   General  Washington  to  General 

James  Clinton,  -         - 

14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Gates:  He  is  mistaken  with  regard  to  the 
Council  of  War, 


LXVI 


937 
937 
938 


-    938 


938 
939 

-    939 


940 
940 

-  941 

941 
942 

942 
942 
942 

942 
943 

-  943 


943 
944 
945 

-  946 

946 
948 

-  963 


-    949 


949 
950 
950 

951 

951 

-    951 


LXVII 

1776. 
Jlug.  14,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  James 

Bowdoin,  -------     952 

14,  Letter  from  General  Scott  to  the  New-York 

Convention :  Case  of  Willet  Taylor,    -        -     953 

14,  Roll  of  the  Troop  of  Horse  of  King's  County, 
New-York,  who  were  on  duty  to  drive  off 
the  stock, 953 

14,  Roll  of  the  Troop  of  Horse  of  Queen's  County,     953 

14,  Application  of  John  Broome  and  others  to  the 
New-York  Convention  for  a  commission  for 
a  privateer,  -  -  - 

14,  Examination  of  Isaac  Bragan :  Captain  Hallet 
and  others,  of  Queen's  County,  New- York, 
have  gone  over  to  the  British  at  Staten-Island,  1506 

14,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull,  Commissary- 
General,  to  the  New-York  Convention,  -  1511 

14,  Letter  from  Henry  Wilmot  to  the  New-York 
Convention  :  with  the  examination  of  John 
Sloane  and  Thomas  Clarke,  -  -  -  1512 

14,  Letter  from  Robert  Yates,  Chairman,  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 1515 

14,  Letter  from  William  Doming  to  the  New- York 

Convention,       ------  1516 

14,  Letter  from  Thomas  Grant  to  the  New-York 

Convention,       ------  1516 

14,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  the 

Committee  for  Ulster  County,     -         -        -  1517 

14,  Letter  from  Robert  Yates  to  General  Washing- 
ton: requesting  a  supply  of  powder  for  two 
armed  vessels,  as  the  little  powder  belonging 
to  New- York  is  dispersed  through  the  Coun- 
ties for  the  use  of  the  Militia,  ---  954 

14,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  Gen.  Gates,     954 

14,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Water- 
bury :  requesting  him  to  send  to  Tyonderoga 
all  the  troops  from  Massachusetts  and  New- 
Hampshire,  now  at  Skenesborough,  -  -  955 

14,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Colonel  Ganse- 

voort,  -.-.-.    955 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates : 
The  three  men  sent  to  St.  John's  have  re- 
turned safe,  with  perfect  intelligence  from 
that  quarter,  ---...  955 

14,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Gates :  Is  happy  to  hear  that  the  Army  be- 
gins to  emerge  from  the  state  of  distress  and 
dejection  that  succeeded  their  retreat  from 
Canada,  ...  .  956 

14,  Thomas  Genet  declared  to  be  disaffected  to  the 
United  States,  by  the  Committee  for  Nor- 
walk,  Connecticut,  -  -  957 

14,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hinman  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Of  his  Regiment,  called  out  to 
reinforce  General  Washington,  several  Com- 
panies have  gone,  and  to-morrow  the  whole 
will  be  off,  ...  957 

14,  Letter  from  Captain  Barnes,  of  the  Eagle,  to 
his  owners  in  Whitehaven,  England:  with  an 
account  of  his  capture  by  the  Montgomery, 
Captain  Bucklin,  -  -  955 

14,  Letter  from  Major  Hawley  to  General  Gates  : 
Number-Four  is  ninety  miles  from  North- 
ampton. It  is  contrary  to  the  orders  of  the 
Council  of  the  State  that  a  man  should  tarry 
to  inoculate,  ----..  953 

14,  Letter  from  Major  Hawley  to  the  Massachusetts 

Council,    •  .    958 

14,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Greenleaf  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts Council,  -  -  -  .  958 

14,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  the 

Committee  of  Salem,  -         .     953 

14,  Letter  from  Jacob  Emerson  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council ;  Calling  their  attention  to 
Colonel  Campbell,  and  other  prisoners,  -  959 

14,  Lemuel  Hedge  disarmed,  and  confined  to  the 
limits  of  his  own  farm,  by  the  Committee  for 
Warwick,  Massachusetts,  -  ...  959 

14,  Proclamation  by  the  Lieutenant-Governour  of 

Halifax  :  Forbidding  the  master  of  any  ves- 
sel to  take  on  board  any  person  to  convey 
him  from  thence,  under  a  penalty  of  fifty 
pounds,  -  ...  959 

15,  Notice  from  the  Commissioners  for  the  sale  of 

Lord  Dunmore's  estate,  -  ...  ggrj 
15,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Colonel  Hollingsworth,  -  ...  QQQ 
15,  Letter  from  Major  Brooke  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,  resigning  his  commission,     960 


CONTENTS. 


LXVIII 


1776. 

Jlug.  15,  Letter  from  Jesse  Hollingsworth  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,        -  -     960 
•     15,  Letter  from  John  Veazy  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,      -                                              -     961 

15,  Letter  from  William  Cox  to  Richard  Peters : 
recommending  William  Strong,  who  is  so- 
liciting employ  in  some  publick  office,  as  a 
clerk,  -  961 

15,  Petition  of  Major  Meigs,  in  behalf  of  the  officers 
and  soldiers  taken  prisoners  on  the  31st  of 
December  last,  at  the  storming  of  Quebeck  ; 
requesting  a  cartel  may  be  settled  for  an  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  -  -  962 

15,  Pennsylvania  Convention  direct  the  command- 
ing officer  of  each  Battalion  or  Company  of 
Associators  to  return  a  list  of  all  who  have 
deserted  from  their  respective  corps,  -  -  962 

15,  Persons  appointed  to  relieve  the  distressed  fami- 
lies of  Associators  in  Reading,  Berks  County, 
Pennsylvania,  -  -  -  962 

15,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington, ...  .  964 

15,  Letter   from   General    Roberdeau  to   General 

Washington,      -  -     996 

15,  Letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  Lord  Drummond,   -  1027 

15,  Letter  from  General  Howe  to  Lord  George 
Germaine :  Informs  him  of  the  arrival  of  the 
two  fleets,  under  the  convoy  of  Commodore 
Hotham  and  the  Repulse ;  the  Guards  and 
Hessians  on  board  are  reported  to  be  very 
healthy,  -  -  963 

15,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,       -  -    963 
General    Orders,    Head-Quarters,   New-York, 
August  13  to  August  15,    -  -    964 

15,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  -  -  1511 

15,  Letter  from  Andrew  Bostwick  to  Robert  Ben- 
son, -  -  1530 

15,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -  -    966 

15,  Letter  from  General  Greene  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Colonel  Hand  reports  that  the  Hes- 
sians were  landing  on  Staten-Island  last 
evening,  -  -  967 

15,  Letter  from  Richard  Varick  to  General  Gates : 
The  return  of  General  Schuyler  from  the  Ger- 
man-Flats is  hourly  expected,  -  -  968 

15,  Letter  from  Colonel  Dayton  to  General  Schuyler,   1033 

15,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates  :  None  of  the  Continental  Regiments 
have  arrived  at  Skenesborough,  and  the  Mili- 
tia come  in  very  slowly,  -  -  968 

15,  Letter  from  Col.  Gansevoort  to  Gen.  Gates,     -     969 

15,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Colonel  Hartley : 
General  Arnold  will  immediately  make  a 
cruise  down  the  Lake,  -  969 

15,  List  of  the  Fleet  on  Lake  Champlain,      -         -     969 

15,  Letter  from  George  Pitkin  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull :  requesting  permission  to  retire  on  the 
arrival  of  his  Regiment  at  New- York,  -  -  970 

15,  Letter  from  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull, -  -  970 

15,  Letter  from  Colonel  Lewis  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull :  His  Regiment,  in  number  about  four 
hundred  and  twenty,  marched  from  Fairfield 
for  New- York  yesterday  ;  Captain  Cooley  has 
refused  to  take  up  arms  against  the  King, 
and  Captain  Sumner's  company  are  chiefly 
Tories,  and  refuse  to  obey  him,  -  -  970 

15,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  Colo- 
nel Herrick  :  to  direct  a  Company  to  choose 
officers,  -  -  971 

15,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  the 
Committee  of  Reading:  respecting  the  pri- 
soners with  Colonel  Campbell,  -  -  971 

15,  Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council,  -  971 

15,  Intelligence  from  Boston  :  Prizes,  &.C.,    -         -     972 

15,  Extractof  a  letter  from  Halifax:  An  expedition 

has  been  formed  there  for  landing  some  men 
at  St.  John's  Fort,  on  St.  John's  River,  in  the 
Bay  of  Fundy,  -  -  973 

16,  Letter   from    Colonel   Huger   to   John   Lewis 

Gervais,  -     973 

16,  Intelligence  from  Williamsburgh,  Virginia:  The 
First  Virginia  Continental  Regiment  has 
inarched  for  New- York.  Indian  affairs,  -  973 


LXIX  CONTENTS. 

1776. 

Jlug.  16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  tent-makers :  To  get  the  tents  ready 
with  the  greatest  despatch,  -  974 

16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Dean :  requiring  him  immediately 
to  march  to  Philadelphia,  -  -  974 

16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Bourke  :  Arms  for  his  Company  have 
been  procured,  and  he  is  required  to  proceed 
to  Philadelphia,  -  974 

16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

the  Committee  for  Dorchester  County,         -     975 

16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Edward  Parker,    '  -  -     975 

16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

the  Linen  Manufacturers,    ...         -     975 

16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Jesse  Hollingsworth,  -----     975 

16,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Mary- 
land Delegates  in  Congress :  Will  have  four 
thousand  men  with  the  Army  in  a  short  time  ; 
this  is  more  than  their  proportion  of  the 
Flying-Camp,  -  -  975 

List  of  the  Troops  furnished  by  Maryland,       -     976 

16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Captains  Smyth  and  Perkins,       -  -     976 

16,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

John  Gordon,     -  -         -     976 

16,  Letter  from  Captain  Smyth  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -         -  -     976 

16,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gene- 
ral Washington,  -  -  -  -  977 

16,  Letter  from  Philip  Livingston  to  the  New- York 

Convention,        -  7  -         -     977 

16,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress 

to  Captains  Jones  and  Hallock,  -        -         -     977 

16,  Resolutions  of  the  Pennsylvania  Convention  : 
Respecting  the  Associators  who  have  de- 
serted, -  -  -  -  978 

16,  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey  to 

the  Board  of  War,       -  -     978 

First  Battalion  of  New-Jersey  Troops,  Lord 

Stirling  Colonel,  -     978 

Second  Battalion  of  New-Jersey,  William  Max- 
well Colonel,     -        ---  -    979 
Third  Battalion  of  New-Jersey,  Elias  Dayton 
Colonel,    -  -     979 

16,  Letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  Dr.  Franklin :  He 
has  no  powers  to  negotiate  a  reunion  with 
America  under  any  other  description  than  as 
subject  to  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain,  -  979 

16,  Letter  from  General  Howe  to  Lord  George 
Germaine  :  Has  appointed  Captain  Macken- 
zie Paymaster  General  for  the  Provincial 
Corps  already  raised,  and  the  new  levies 
which  may  probably  be  made  in  the  progress 
of  this  American  war,  -  980 

16,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  With  great  regret  he  men- 
tions to  Congress  the  sickly  condition  of  the 
troops ;  none  of  the  Field-Officers  in  some 
of  the  Regiments  are  capable  of  doing 
duty,  -  -  -  980 

16,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
Jersey  Convention :  Requests  Isaac  Low, 
late  of  New-York,  may  be  released  from  re- 
straint, -  -  980 

16,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -  -     981 

16,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Frederick 
Jay :  with  several  disaffected  persons,  on 
their  way  to  Governour  Trumbull,  -  -  981 

16,  Letter   from   General    Scott   to   Robert   Ben- 


LXX 


son,    - 


-    981 


16,  Letter  from  Major  Nicholas  Fish  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -  -  982 

16,  William  S.  Livingston  to  General  Washington  : 
Is  desired  by  General  Greene  (who  is  sick) 
to  say  that  a  considerable  number  of  Hes- 
sians were  landing  yesterday  on  Staten- 
Island,  -  .....  982 

16,  Letter  from  William  Blodget  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  By  order  of  General  Greene,  he  in- 
forms that  fourteen  vessels  have  entered  the 
Narrows,  -----  -  982 

16,  Intelligence  from  New- York:  Attempt  to  destroy 
the  British  vessels  in  the  North  River  with 
fire-ships,  -------  983 


1776. 

Jlug.  16,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 
of  Congress :  His  character  has  been  barba- 
rously traduced  ;  urges  in  the  strongest  man- 
ner the  propriety  of  examining,  with  the 
strictest  scrutiny,  into  his  conduct ;  he  should 
be  convicted  or  acquitted  of  whatever  may  be 
laid  to  his  charge,  - 

16,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington,      ----... 
Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Schuyler, 

August  11, 

Journal  of  Major  John  Bigelow,  July  28, 
Paper  delivered  to  Captain  Bigelow  by  Captain 

Craig,  at  IsIe-aux-Noix,  August  8, 
16,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Skenesborough :  The 
Army  is  every  day  receiving  reinforcements, 
by  single  companies,  from  the  different  States 

of  New-England, 

16,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates,  - 
16,  Letter  from  Jacob  Bayley  to  General  Gates,     - 
16,  Letter  from  Richard  Law  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull:   Has  had  an  interview   with  General 
Washington,  and  is  in  hopes  there  is  not 
that  foundation  for  jealousy  that  was  appre- 
hended,    ---.... 
Parole  given  by  the  suspected  persons  sent  from 

New- York  to  Connecticut,          - 
Instructions  for  the  Officer  appointed  to  go  to 

Connecticut  with  the  prisoners,  - 
16,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  the 
Council  of  Safety  of  New-Hampshire :  It  is 
not  in  the  power  of  Massachusetts  to  supply 
New-Hampshire  with  any  cannon, 
16,  Intelligence  from  Newburyport :  Prizes,  - 
16,  Letter  from  Thomas  Fletcher  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council :  Conference  with  the  Penob- 
scot  Indians,      ---... 

16,  New-Hampshire  Inlisting  Orders,  -         -         - 

17,  Letter  from  William  Finnic  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  - 

17,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Deakins:  Should  send  to  Annapolis 
immediately  the  men  he  has  got, 

17,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Colonel  Hollingsworth,  - 

17,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Colonel  Richardson,  ----- 

17,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captains  George  and  Alexander, 

17,  Letter  from  Dr.  Tootell  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,  - 

17,  Resolution  of  the  Maryland  Convention  to 
maintain  the  freedom  and  independency  of 
the  United  States, 

17,  Baltimore  Committee  order  the  arrest  of  Chris- 
topher Limes,  -  - 

17,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Washington :  Has  received  the  box  of 
publick  papers,  and  is  directed  by  Congress 
to  take  care  of  it,  - 

17,  Letter  from  Commodore  Hopkins  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress, 

17,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Cumberland 
County,  Pennsylvania,  to  the  President  of 
Congress,  - 

Account  of  moneys  advanced  to  the  Captains 
of  the  marching  Militia  and  Flying-Camp 
Companies  of  Cumberland  County, 

17,  Resolutions  of  the  New-Jersey  Convention 
making  Continental  Bills  of  Credit  a  legal 
tender,  .... 

17,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Monmouth,  New- 
Jersey,  to  the  New- York  Convention, 

17,  Letter  from  Gen.  Washington  to  Lord  Howe,  - 

17,  Letter  from  Lord  Drummond  to  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  -  -  - 

17,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Lord  Drum- 
mond, -  -  .  -  -  - 

17,  Letter  from  Gen.  Washington  to  Lord  Howe,  - 

17,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress, 
Letter   from   General   Roberdeau   to   General 

Washington,  August  15,     - 
Examination    of  Captain  Alexander   Hunter, 
escaped   from   on   board   the   Rockingham 
transport,  - 

Examination  of  Isaac  Favier,  a  Pilot  of  Phila- 
delphia, escaped  from  the  British  fleet, 


-  983 

;- 

-  985 

986 

986 

-  987 


988 
988 
989 


989 

-  989 

9 

-  990 


990 
990 


990 
991 

-    991 


-  992 
992 

-  992 
o 

-  993 

-  993 


-  993 

-  993 


993 
-    994 


-    994 


-    995 


-  995 

1534 
1026 

-  1026 

1027 
1094 

995 

-  996 


-    996 
996 


996 
997 
997 


-    997 


-    998 

998 
998 


998 


UXI 

1776. 

Examination  of  a  deserter  from  btaten-lslaml, 

Examination  of  John  Hammond,    - 
Examination  of  William  Brooks,     - 
Jlug.  17,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York   Convention:   recommending  the  re- 
moval of  the  women  and  children  from  the 
City, 

17,  Proclamation  by  General  Washington  :  recom- 
mending to  all  women,  children,  and  infirm 
persons  to  remove  with  all  expedition  from 
the  City,  - 

17,  Letter  from  Colonel  Reed  to  General  Heath : 
with  M.  Martin,  an  Engineer,  - 

17,  Letter  from  Colonel  Gary  to  General  Heath,    - 

17,  Letter  from  William  S.  Livingston  to  General 
Washington :  General  Greene  had  a  very  bad 
night,  and  is  no  better  this  morning  than  he 
was  yesterday,  ------ 

17,  Report  of  Committee  of  New-York  Convention 
on  removing  the  prisoners  from  Kingston  to 
Morris-Town,  New-Jersey,  -  -  1517 

17,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  the 

Committee  for  Ulster  County,     -  -  1518 

17,  Letter  from  John  McDonald,   miner,   to   the 

New- York  Convention,       -  -  1519 

17,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  West- 
chester  County  to  the  New-York  Conven- 
tion :  Concerning  some  prisoners  brought 
from  Bedford  to  White-Plains,  and  Tories 
lately  confined  in  their  jail,  ...  1523 

17,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Gen- 
eral Washington :  They  agree  to  the  pro- 
posed obstructions  in  the  East  River,  -  -  998 

17,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Gen- 
eral Washington :  A  committee  has  been 
appointed  to  provide  for  the  removal  of  wo- 
men and  children  from  the  City,  -  -  999 

17,  Resolutions  of  the  New-York  Convention  for 
the  removal  of  the  women,  children,  and 
infirm  persons,  remaining  in  the  City,  -  999 

17,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates,   1000 

17,  Letter  from  H.  Glen  to  Walter  Livingston,       -  1001 

17,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  Officer  at  Fort  Stan- 
wix  :  Ensign  Younglove,  of  the  Third  Batta- 
lion of  New-Jersey,  killed  by  the  Indians,  -  1001 

17,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates:  Wishes  some  quarter-deck  plank  to 
be  sent  to  Skenesborough,  ...  1001 

17,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates:  Is  obliged  to  employ  twelve  boats 
constantly  in  Wood  Creek,  ...  1001 

17,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Water- 
bury  :  Sends  twenty  batteaus  to  bring  such 
of  the  Massachusetts  troops  as  have  arrived 
at  Skenesborough,  -  -  -  1002 

17,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Colonel  Ganse- 

voort,  -  1002 

17,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates : 
.  Commodore  J.  Wynkoop  has  refused  to  obey 

his  orders,  and  imagines  his  appointment  by 
General  Schuyler  cannot  be  superseded,      -  1002 

17,  Orders  from  General  Arnold  to  Captain  Sea- 
man, -  1002 

17,  Letter  from  Commodore  Wynkoop  to  General 
Arnold:  Knows  no  orders  but  what  are  given 
out  by  himself,  except  sailing  orders  from  the 
Commander-in-Chief,  -  1002 

17,  Letter  from  General  Arnold,  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  fleet  on  Lake  Champlain,  to 
Commodore  J.  Wynkoop :  If  he  does  not  obey 
orders,  will  be  under  the  disagreeable  neces- 
sity of  immediately  arresting  him,  -  -  1003 

17,  Letter  from  Commodore  Wynkoop  to  General 
Gates:  General  Arnold  says  he  is  to  have  the 
command  of  the  Navy.  Without  showing 
any  authority  for  it,  he  ordered  two  schoon- 
ers down  the  Lake,  on  some  information  he 
says  he  had  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  -  1003 

17,  Letter  from  William  Page  to  General  Gates: 
respecting  Captain  Eddy's  company  of  car- 
penters from  Rhode-Island,         -  1003 
Letter   from   General  Waterbury   to    Captain 
Eddy,  August  12:  By  General  Gates's  orders 
the  company  of  carpenters  under  his  com- 
mand, having  lately  had  the  small-pox,  cannot 
enter  the  service,        .....   JQ04 
Resolutions  of  the  Committee  of  Williamstown, 
August  4,                                                      '.  1004 


CONTENTS. 


LXXH 


1776. 


Jlug.  17,  Letter  from  GovernourTrumbull  to  Nathaniel 
Shaw,  Jun.:  The  Tory  prisoners  at  New- 
London  will  be  taken  care  of  till  further 
orders  are  given,  -  -  1004 

17,  Proceedings  of  the  Connecticut  Council  of 

Safety,  August  9  to  August  17,  -  -  1005 

17,  Intelligence  from  Providence,  Rhode-Island : 
Prizes,  -  -  ... 

17,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to 
the  President  of  the  State  of  New-Hampshire, 

17,  Letter  from  Eleazer  Russel  to  Meshech  Weare: 

His  reasons  for  not  signing  the  Association, 

18,  Letter  from  Silas  Deane  to  the  Committee  of 

Secret  Correspondence  of  Congress :    His 
proceedings  and  negotiations  in  France, 

18,  Letter  from  Silas  Deane  to  C.  W.  F.  Dumas,  - 

18,  Letter  from  Baron  deBeaumarchais  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Secret  Correspondence  of  Congress, 

18,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  camp  near  Seneca: 
Engagement  with  the  Indians,  - 

18,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ewing  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  - 

18,  Letter  from  Captain  Bourk  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  - 

18,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Convention  to  the 
President  of  Congress  for  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars, on  account  of  disbursements  for  the  Fly- 
ing-Camp, -  -  - 

18,  Letter  from  Josiah  Bartlett  to  Colonel  Whip- 
pie  :  The  ship  Morris  is  arrived  from  France 
with  sail-cloth,  lead,  powder,  &.c.  Commo- 
dore Hopkins  has  been  found  guilty  of  dis- 
obedience of  orders,  and  Congress  have 
ordered  him  to  be  censured, 

18,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  John  Adams, 

18,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress, 

Letter  from  General  Howe  to  General  Wash- 
ington, August  13, 
Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 

Howe,  August  17,      - 

Letter  from  Lord  Drummond  to  General  Wash- 
ington, August  17, 
Letter  from  Lord  Drummond  to  Lord  Howe, 

August  12,  ... 

Sketch  of  propositions  communicated  to  Lord 

Howe  by  Lord  Drummond,  August  12, 
Letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  Lord  Drummond, 

August  15,  ... 

Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Lord  Drum- 
mond, August  17,      -  -  1027 

18,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention  :  He  cannot  advance  any 
money  for  expenses  incurred  in  obstructing 
the  navigation  of  the  East  River, 

18,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 
Trumbull:  Captain  Thomas,  it  is  feared, 
perished  in  the  attempt  to  fire  the  Phoenix  ; 
the  whole  British  forces  in  America,  except 
those  employed  in  Canada,  are  now  at  New- 
York,  ... 

18,  Letter  from  William  Blodget  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  General  Greene  is  better,  and  is  in 
hopes  in  a  few  days  to  be  aole  to  go  abroad, 

18,  Letter  from  Lewis  Morris  to  Abraham  Yates,  - 

18,  Letter  from  Jonathan  G.  Tompkins  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  relating  to  Josiah  and 
Isaac  Brown,  imprisoned  at  the  White-Plains, 

18,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  The  Rose  and  Phosnix  have  passed 
down  the  river,  - 

18,  Letter  from  David  Matthews  to  John  McKesson: 
Begs  the  favour  of  being  heard  before  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress,  before  they  come  to  a  final 
determination  about  him,  - 

18,  Letter  from  Colonel  Gilbert  Drake  to  Captain 
Brown  :  Directs  him  to  proceed  to  Cortlamlt's 
Manor,  and  apprehend  all  persons  disaffected 
to  the  good  of  the  States  of  America,  - 

18,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 
of  Congress:  Transmits  to  General  Washing- 
ton the  transactions  of  the  late  treaty  with 
the  Indians.  The  commissioners  thought  it 
needless  to  make  entries  of  all  the  meetings 
with  Indians,  on  affairs  of  very  little  or  no 
mome'nt,  -  -  1030 

18,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington,   1031 


-  1010 


1010 
1010 


1011 

1021 

1021 


-  1023 


-  1023 


-  1024 


-  1024 


1024 
1025 


-  1025 


-  1026 
al 

-  1026 


-  1026 

e, 

-  1027 


-  1027 


-  1027 


-  1028 


-  1028 


1029 

1522 


1524 


-  1029 


-  1030 


-  1030 


LXXIII 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 


LXXIV 


Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Schuy- 

ler,  Augusts,     -        -  -  -  1033 

Letter  from  Colonel  Dayton  to  General  Schuy- 
ler,  August  15 :  Desertion  of  Lieutenant 
McMichael  and  others  to  the  enemy,  -  -  1033 
Information  given  by  Richard  Bell  and  Samuel 
Freeman  of  the  scout  from  Fort  Schuyler  to 
Oswego,  in  pursuit  of  McMichael,  under  the 
command  of  Sergeant  Youngton,  -  1034 

Conference  of  the  Commissioners  for  Indian 
Affairs  with  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians,  at 
German-Flats,  in  August,  1776,  -  -  1035 

Aug.  18,  Letter  from   General   Schuyler  to   General 

Gates,       -  -  1050 

18,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates :  Will  forward  the  Bay  troops  as  fast 
as  they  arrive,  according  to  orders,  -  -  1050 

18,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Schuyler: 
More  artillery  and  powder  will  be  wanted  for 
the  fleet,  -  -  1050 

18,  Letter  from 'General  Gates  to  General  Arnold  : 
Orders  him  instantly  to  put  Commodore  Wyn- 
koop  in  arrest,  and  send  him  prisoner  to 
Head-Quarters  at  Tyonderoga,  -  -  1051 

18,  Letter  from  Colonel  Stewart  to  General  Water- 
bury,  -  -  -  -  -  1051 

18,  Letter  from  George  Pitkin  to  Benjamin  Payne,   1051 

18,  Letterfrom  Meshech  Weare  to  James  Bowdoin  : 

Is  extremely  sorry  at  the  delay  the  troops  met 
with.  The  villanous  practices  of  the  Doctor 
at  Number  Four,  -  -  1051 

19,  Opinion  of  the  Georgia  Council  of  Safety  on 

General  Lee's  questions,  as  to  the  propriety 

of  invading  East-Florida,  -  -  1052 

19,  Letter  from  General  Lewis  to  the  President  of 
Congress :  Has  ordered  the  First  and  Third 
Battalions,  in  Virginia,  to  march  with  all 
speed  to  the  Flying-Camp,  in  New-Jersey,  -  1053 

19,  Instructions  to  the  Delegates  of  Anne  Aruudel 

County,  in  the  Maryland  Convention,  -  -  1054 

19,  Letter  from  the  Delegates  in  Convention  to  the 
Electors  of  Anne  Arundel  County :  They 
consider  several  of  the  instructions,  if  carried 
into  execution,  destructive  of  free  govern- 
ment ,  and  submit  to  them  the  propriety  of 
reconsidering  their  instructions,  -  -  1055 

19,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Colonel  Hollingsworth :  Approve  of  his  plan 
for  forwarding  the  troops,  -  -  1055 

19,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

the  Committee  for  Kent  County,  -  1055 

19,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Colonel  E wing :  The  order  of  Convention  is, 
that  all  companies  are  to  march  that  can  be 
armed  and  equipped  ;  his  companies  are  not 
to  march  unarmed,  -  -  1055 

19,  Letter  from  Isaac  Griest  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety :  He  don't  know  what  will  be 
done  for  blankets ;  all  the  guns  are  in  bad 
order,  and  very  few  have  bayonets,  -  -  1056 

19,  Proceedings  of  the  Baltimore  Committee,         -  1056 

19,  Address  delivered  at  the  opening  of  the  election 
in  Dover,  Delaware,  for  the  choice  of  Mem- 
bers of  the  Convention,  -  1057 

19,  Letter  from  John  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon: 
The  insolence  of  the  commanders  of  the 
British  vessels-of-war  in  the  West-Indies  is 
becoming  intolerable ;  they  have  attempted 
to  take  possession  of  some  American  vessels 
in  the  harbour  of  St.  Eustatia,  but  were  pre- 
vented by  the  Dutch,  -  -  1060 

19,  Letter  from  General  Wooster  to  the  Congress : 
Having  their  approbation  of  his  past  conduct 
in  the  Army,  is  still  willing  to  serve  in  his 
proper  rank,  -  -  -  1060 

19,  Letter  from  William  Cox  to  William  Atlee,      -  1061 

19,  Proceedings  of  the  Philadelphia  County  Com- 
mittee, -  -  1061 

19,  General  Orders,  by  General  Mercer,  at  Eliza- 
beth-Town, New-Jersey:  Thanks  the  Penn- 
sylvania Associators  for  their  attention  to 
duty  ;  he  relieves  part,  and  hopes  it  will  soon 
be  in  his  power  to  give  an  honourable  dis- 
mission to  the  remainder,  -  -  1061 

19,  Proceedings  of  the  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania, 

Committtee, 1062 

19,  General  Roberdeau's' Address  to  the  Pennsylva- 
nia Associators  at  Amboy,  -  ...  1062 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


1776. 

Aug.  19,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  General  Wash- 
ington ;  with  some  intelligence  that  may  be 
of  consequence,  ....  1064 

Information  given  by  Jonathan  Woodman, 
Isaac  Osborne,  and  Robert  Peas,  escaped 
from  a  British  transport,  -  -  -  1064 

Examination  of  Captain  Britton,     -  -  1064 

19,  Letter  from  General  Roberdeau  to  General 
Washington  :  Informing  him  of  a  report 
spread  by  the  post-rider,  -  -  1065 

19,  Letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  General  Washing- 
ton, -  -  .  1095 

19,  Letter  from  Lord  Drummond  to  General  Wash- 
ington,   1158 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,  -  -  1065 

19,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Roberdeau :  The  report  propagated  by  the 
Post-rider  is  totally  destitute  of  truth,  -  -  1066 

19,  Letter  from  Quartermaster  Hughes  to  General 

Gates,        -  ...  1066 

19,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  New- York  :  Escape  of 

the  Rose  and  Phoenix,  -  1066 

19,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hitchcock  to  General 
Washington  :  Thinks  himself  entitled  to  pro- 
motion with  Colonel  Varnum  ;  the  moment 
Colonel  Varnum  receives  preferment,  and  he 
remains  unnoticed,  he  will  resign  his  com- 
mand ;  and  at  the  end  of  the  campaign,  his 
whole  regiment,  officers  and  soldiers,  will 
follow,  -  -  -  1067 

19,  Letter  from  Colonel  McDougall  to  General 
Washington :  with  the  substance  of  the 
examination  of  Mary  Debeau,  -  -  -  1068 

19,  Report  of  Captain  Suydam  of  the  Light-Horse,  1068 

19,  Examination  of  William  Newton  and  others, 
taken  prisoners  at  Rockaway,  by  Captain 
Suydam,  -  -  -  -  1069 

19,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Committee  of  Safety 

to  General  Clinton,.    -         -  -  1522 

19,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Colonel  Seth 

Reed  :  Grants  him  leave  of  absence,    -         -  1070 

19,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Albany,      -  -  1070 

19,  Letter  from  H.  Glen  to  Walter  Livingston,      -  1070 

19,  Letter  from   General    Waterbury   to   General 

Gates,        -  -  -  1071 

19,  Letter  from  Colonel  Mott  to  General  Gates  :  In 
consequence  of  sudden  family  afflictions, 
asks  for  a  short  leave  of  absence,  -  -  1071 

19,  Letter  from  the  members  of  a  General  Court- 
Martial  at  Ticonderoga  to  the  President  of 
Congress :  On  the  conduct  of  General  Ar- 
nold, -  -  -  1072 

19,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Arnold : 
desires  that  Mr.  Wynkoop  be  sent,  as  already 
ordered,  immediately,  under  arrest,  to  him,  at 
Tyondefoga;  -  -  1073 

19,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull :  Soon  as  the  row-galleys  at  Skenes- 
borough  are  completed,  will  despatch  them, 
under  the  command  of  Brigadier  Waterbury, 
to  reinforce  the  squadron  now  with  General 
Arnold,  -  -  1073 

19,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Olcott :  Requesting  that  the  Committee  at 
Number-Four  will  call  before  them  a  certain 
Doctor  Stevens ;  and  that  the  Doctor,  with 
his  po'ison,  may  be  sent  to  close  confine- 
ment, -  1073 

19,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates: 
Has  ordered  Commodore  Wynkoop  to  Head- 
Quarters  ;  recommends  that  he  may  be  per- 
mitted to  return  home  withoutbeing  cashiered, 
if  it  can  be  done  with  propriety,  -  1073 

19,  Letter  from  Joseph  Gilbert  to  General  Gates : 
The  difficulties  he  has  had  to  contend  with 
in  forwarding  the  troops  with  provisions,  for 
their  march  to  Ticonderoga,  -  -  1074 

19  Letter  from  Colonel   Seymour   to   Governour 

Trumbull,  -  -  1074 

19,  Letter  from  the  Reverend  William  Gordon  to 

General  Gates,  -  -  1074 

19,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  General  Wash- 

ington :  Great  solicitude  is  felt  for  him  and 
the  Army  at  New-York,      -  -  1075 

19  Letter  from  Thomas  W.  Waldron  to  Meshech 
Weare,  - 

20,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  St.  Augustine,    -        -  1076 


LXXV 

1776. 

./Jug-.  20,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Jesse   Ilollingsworth  :  They  want  a  person 
that  iindcr.-tands  manufacturing  Hints,         -  1076 
20,  Letter  from  Captain  Darues  to  the  Maryland 
Council   of  Safety :  His  company   is   really 
armed,   and  vastly  anxious  to  receive   their 
marching  orders,          -  ...   1077 

20,  Letter  from  Isaac  Griest  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,      -  -  1077 
20,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Philadelphia,       -         -1077 
20,  Letter  from  Samuel  Griffin,  Deputy  Adjutant- 
General,  to  the  Board  of  War,     -                   -1079 
General   Return  of  the  Army  in  New-Jersey 

under  the  command  of  General  Mercer,        -   1079 
20,  Proccrdin.rs  of  the  Lancaster,   Pennsylvania, 

Committee,        -  -  -  1079 

20,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress:  Encloses  a  copy  of  Gen- 
eral Carleton's  orders.    Will  not  trouble  Con- 
gress with  any  strictures  upon  this  indecent, 
illiberal,   scurrilous   performance,    so   highly 
unbecoming  the  character  of  a  soldier  and  a 
gentleman,         ------  1081 

20,  Letter  from  Commissary  Trumbull  to  Colonel 
Chester :  His  beef  man  is  sick,  and  there  is 
none  but  Captain  Isham  who  can  supply  his 
place,  -        -  -        -  1082 

20,  Letter  from  Gen.  Heath  to  Gen.  Washington,  1082 
20,  Letter  from  Colonel  Dubois  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  His  officers  request  they  may  be 
ordered  into  immediate  service  at  New-York, 
or  wherever  it  may  be  thought  fit,  -  -  1082 
20,.  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates,  1083 
20,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Is  informed  that  the  Connecticut 
troops,  since  their  return,  are  striving  to  in- 
crease the  unjust  jealousies  against  him  in 
different  parts  of  the  country.  Conscious  of 
the  rectitude  of  his  conduct,  he  has  entreated 
Congress  for  a  minute  inquiry  into  it ;  if  the 
misfortunes  in  Canada  were  occasioned  by 
malconduct  in  him,  he  ought  to  be  held  up 
to  publick  detestation,  -  JQ83 

20,  Letter  from  the  Albany  Committee  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  On  the  information  they  have  re- 
ceived, that  the  Tory  prisoners  from  Albany, 
by  false  reports  and  artful  insinuations,  are 
endeavouring  to  injure  the  character  of  Gen- 
eral Schuyler,  -  ]Q84 
20,  Letter  from  H.  Glen  to  Walter  Livingston, 

Commissary-General,  -  1085 

20,  Letter  from  Colonels  Pettibone  and  Chapman  to 
Governour  Trumbull:  They  are  on  the  march 
to  New- York,  according  to  orders  received,   1085 
20,  Letter  from  David  Matthews  to  John  McKesson : 

Complaining  of  his  hard  treatment,  -  -  1085 
20,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Greenwich,  Con- 
necticut, to  General  Washington  :  Desire  to 
know  whether  the  service  requires  the  whole 
of  the  few  men  remaining  in  town  to  be  raised 
immediately  ;  and  if  so,  whether  they  can  be 
supplied  with  arms  on  their  arrival  at  New- 
York,  -  1086 
20,  Letter  from  Major  Hawley  to  General  Gates : 
Has  done  every  thing  in  his  power  to  sup- 
press the  pernicious  practice  of  delaying  the 
inarch  of  the  troops  for  the  sake  of  taking  the 
small-pox,  .  1086 

20,  Letter  from  the  Selectmen  of  the  town  of  Min- 

den  to  the  Massachusetts  Council :  Respect- 
ing the  conduct  of  the  Scotch  officers,  prison- 
ers at  that  place,  ...  1Q87 
^0,  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  for  the  County 

of  Middlesex,  Massachusetts,       -  1087 

21,  Orders  of  the  King  in  Council :  Prohibiting  the 

exporting  out  of  the  Kingdom,  or  carrying 
coastwise,  gunpowder,  saltpetre,  or  any  sort 
of  arms  or  ammunition,  for  three  months  from 
the  23d  day  of  the  present  month  of  August,  1088 

21,  Orders  of  the  King  in  Council:  Continuing 
until  the  31st  day  of  October  the  bounties  to 
M-amen  who  enter  themselves  to  serve  in  the 
Royal  Navy,  -  ......  1089 

21,  Letter  from  Thomas  Jones  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  Has  delivered  to  Thomas 
Walker,  at  the  request  of  Captain  Nicholson, 
four  hundred  and  thirty-two  half  barrels  of 
powder,  eighteen  chests  of  arms,  &c.,  -  -  1089 


CONTENTS. 


LXXV  I 


1776. 
Jlug-  21,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

the  Committee  for  Cecil  County,  -  1090 

21,  Letter  fiorn  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Isaac  Griest,       -  -  1090 

21,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  President  of  Congress  :  for  ten  thousand 
pounds,  for  money  advanced  by  the  Province 
on  account  of  the  Congress,  -  -  1091 

21,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Samuel  Dorsey,  -  -  1091 

21,  Letter  from   Captain  Darnes  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -         -         -  -1091 

21,  Letter  from  Dr.  Wiesenthall  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -         -         -1091 

21,  Letter  from  Amos  Garrett  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  with  his  account  for  mus- 
kets and  bayonets,  -  ...  1092 

21,  Letter  from  Cassar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney,  1092 

21,  Petition  of  the  Captains  and  Subalterns  of  the 

two  old  Virginia  Regiments  to  the  Congress,   1093 

21,  Memorial  of  Preudhome  la  Jeunesse,  of  Mon- 
treal, in  Canada,  to  the  Congress:  For  the 
commission  of  Captain  of  a  corps  of  Cana- 
dians, Acadians,  French,  and  others  who 
speak  French,  for  operations  in  Canada,  -  1093 

21,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,        -  -   1094 
Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Lord  Howe, 
dated  August  17 :  On  the  general  exchange 
of  prisoners  in  the  naval  line,  and  of  that  of 
Lieutenant  Josiah  in  particular,  -  -   1094 
Letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  General  Washington, 
dated  August  19  :rWill  propose  an  exchange 
of  an  officer  of  the  same  rank  with  Lieuten- 
ant Josiah,  when  he  arrives,         ...  1095 

21,  Letter  from   General  Washington  to  General 

Schuyler,  -  -  1095 

21,  Letter  from  Joseph  Reed,  Adjutant-General,  to 
the  New- York  Convention:  .  enclosing  a 
letter  from  Governour  Martin,  -  -  1528 

21,  Report  of  A.  W.  Depeyster  to  the  New- York 
Convention :  Relative  to  the  disposition  of 
the  prisoners  in  Connecticut,  -  -  1529 

21,  Letter  from  General  Livingston  to  General 
Washington :  Information  he  has  received 
from  a  spy  returned  from  Staten-Island,  -  1531 

21,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  Officer  on  board  the 
Royal  Savage,  in  Lake  Champlain  :  They  ex- 
pect to  sail  to-morrow  for  St.  John's,  -  -  1096 

21,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hand  to  General  Nixon  : 

Embarkation  and  movements  of  the  enemy,  -  1111 

21,  Letter  from  Richard  Bruere  and  others,  prison- 
ers, to  the  New- York  Convention,  -  -  1096 

21,  Resolutions  of  the  Committee  for  Dutchess 
County,  New- York :  respecting  a  supply  of 
salt,  -  -  1096 

21,  Petition  of  Cadwallader  Golden,  Jun.,  of  Ulster 

County,  to  the  New- York  Convention,         -  1097 

21,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Sulli- 
van :  The  works  at  Crown-Point  might  have 
been  repaired  before  this,  so  that  five  thousand 
men  would  have  stopped  the  enemy  had  they 
attempted  to  advance  ;  but  wisercouncils  have 
fixed  on  Ticonderoga  ;  the  fleet  goes  down 
the  Lake  to-morrow,  under  General  Arnold,  1098 

21,  Proceedings   of  the    Connecticut   Council   of 

Safety,  -  -  -  1099 

21,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts Council :  The  practice  of  inoculating 
the  troops  for  the  small-pox  exposes  the  other 
troops  anew  to  that  infection,  which  has  al- 
ready rendered  abortive  the  hopes  of  the 
Army,  -  -  1100 

21,  Orders  of  the  Massachusetts  Council,      -         -  1100 

21,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety  to  Major  Gains,  -  1101 

22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  General 

Howe:  on  filling  up  army  vacancies,  -  -  1101 
22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  General 
Howe :  Has  received  his  plan  on  which  the 
corps  of  Loyal  Nova-Scotia  Volunteers  was 
then  formed  ;  and  hopes  by  the  activity  of  the 
officers,  they  may  soon  be  able  to  complete 
the  corps,  -  1102 

22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  General 
Howe :  The  King  approves  of  his  prudence 
in  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  reinforcements  ; 
and  also  of  his  whole  conduct  and  plan,  -  1102 


LXXVII  CONTENTS. 

1776. 

Jlug.  22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  General 
Howe :  The  King  having  read  and  considered 
the   reasons  assigned   for   the   detention   at 
Halifax,  is  of  opinion  that  an  earlier  removal 
from  there  was  impracticable,      -  -   1102 

22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  Gover- 
nour  Tryon  :  The  steady  loyalty  of  the  people 
of  Staten-Island,  and  their  affectionate  recep- 
tion of  the  troops  under  General  Howe,  can- 
not   fail    to    recommend    them    to    Govern- 
ment, -  1103 
22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  ,to  Gover- 
nour  Carleton :  It  is  hoped  that,  with  the 
prisoners  he  has  taken,  he  can  procure  the 
release  of  his  Majesty's  officers  and  loyal  sub- 
jects who  are  in  the  disgraceful  situation  of 
being  prisoners  to  the  Rebels,  without  com- 
mitting the  honour  and  dignity  of  the  King 
or  using  his  name  in  any  negotiation  for  the 
purpose,    -                                                        -  1103 
22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  Gover- 

nour  Carleton:  on  rank  in  the  Army,          -  1104 
22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  Gover- 
nour  Carleton :    The   rapid  success  of  his 
Majesty's  arms  in  driving  the  Rebels  out  of 
Canada  does  great  honour  to  his  conduct. 
After  clearing  the  frontiers  of  Canada  of  all 
the  Rebel  forces,  and  taking  possession  of 
the  Lakes,  he  must  send  a  detachment  to 
communicate  with  and  act  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  Howe,     -  -  1104 
22,  Letter  from  Lord  George  Germaine  to  Gover- 
nour  Carleton :  The  proofs  the  Indians  have 
already  given  of  their  fidelity,  and  the  mani- 
fest utility  which  large  parties  of  them  must  be 
of  to  the  Army  leaves  no  room  to  doubt  that 
every  means  has  been  exerted  to  induce  them 
to  a  general  declaration  in  our  favour,          -  1105 
22,  Letter  from  Silas  Deane  to  the  Count  de  Ver- 
gennes :  Is  surprised  by  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
Arthur  Lee,  the  agent  of  the  United  Colo- 
nies in  Great  Britain,                    -  1105 
22,  Letter  from  Cornelius  Stevenson  to  Dr.  Frank- 
lin: Has  forwarded  to  him  from  St.  Eustatia 
a  packet  from  Amsterdam,                             -  1106 
22,  Petition  from  the  Committee  of  the  Settlements 
of  Watauga  and  Holstein,  to  the  North-Car- 
olina Council  of  Safety,      -                           -1376 
22,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress 
to  Commodore  Hopkins:  instructing  him  to 
send  to  sea  as  soon  as  practicable  the  Alfred, 
Columbus,  Cabot,  and  Hampden,  with  di- 
rections in  what  seas  to  cruise,  -                  -  1106 
22,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  to  Captain 
Hacker :  He  will  receive  orders  from  Com- 
modore Hopkins,       ...                  -  1107 
22,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  to  Nathaniel 
Shaw,  Jun. :  requesting  him  to  purchase  a 
prize  schooner,  and  equip  her  for  a  Conti- 
nental cruiser,  .......                           -  1107 

22,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  to  Nathaniel 

Shaw,  Jun. :  to  receive  certain  articles  the 

Secret  Committee  have  directed  Barnabas 

Deane  to  deliver  to  him,     -  -  1108 

22,  Intelligence  received  at  Philadelphia :  Strength 

of  the  British  forces  on  Staten-Island,          -  1109 
22,  Resolution  of  the  Committee  for  Berks  County, 
Pennsylvania:  on  the  application  ofM.Berie 
Hertel  de  Rouville,     -  -  1109 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Wilson  to  the  President 
of  Congress  :  on  the  rewards  offered  to  for- 
eign troops  who  will  desert  the  cause  of  Great 
Britain,  -  -  1110 

22,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  There  is  every  reason  to 
believe  that  an  attack  is  shortly  designed  ; 
we  are  making  every  preparation  to  receive 
them,  -  1110 

Letter  from  Lord  Stirling  to  Colonel  Nixon,   -  1111 
22,  Extractof  a  letter  from  New-York:  Preparations 

of  the  enemy  for  an  attack,         -  -  1111 

22,  Petition  of  Abel  Noble  and  Peter  Townsend, 
proprietors  of  the  Stirling  Iron  Works,  to  the 
New-York  Convention :  for  an  exemption 
from  military  duty  of  the  persons  engaged  at 
their  works,  -  -  -  1112 

•  Schedule  of  the  artificers  and  labourers  employ- 
ed at  the  Stirling  Iron  Works,    -  -  1112 


LXXVIII 

1776. 

Jlug.  22,  Letter  from  tho  New- York  Convention  to  Col- 
onel Joseph  Reed,     -  -  152S 

22,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Gon- 
eral  Washington :  relative  to  a  report  that  the 
city  of  New-York  was  to  be  burnt  if  the 
troops  left  it,  -  .  1531 

22,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  General  Mifflin  : 
Requests  him  to  attend  the  Court  for  inquir- 
ing into  the  conduct  of  the  Captains  of  the 
Row-Galleys,  -  -  1H3 

22,  Letter  from  Cadwallader  Golden,  Jun.,  to  the 

New-York  Convention,       -  -  1113 

22,  Letter   from   General    Waterbury   to   General 

Gates,  .  1H4 

22,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Egbert  Benson  : 
Dr.  Stringer  has  gone  a  preferment  hunting 
to  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  while  the 
troops  are  suffering  inexpressible  distress  for 
want  of  medicines ;  entreats  that  this  letter 
may  instantly  be  laid  before  General  Wash- 
ington, -  -  1114 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates  : 
A  reconnoitering  party  sent  down  the  Lake, 
towards  Gilliland's,  has  just  returned,  and  re- 
ports all  quiet  there,  -  -  1114 

22,  Intelligence    from    Newport,    Rhode-Island : 

Prizes,      -  -  1115 

22,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 

Schuyler,  -  -        -  1115 

22,  Intelligence  from  Boston.  Prizes,  -  -  1116 

22,  Letter  from  General  Ward  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Will  order  Captain  Burbeck,  with  his 
company  of  Artillery,  to  march  as  soon  as 
possible  to  New-York,  -  -  -  1116 

22,  Letter  from  Thomas  Rice  to  James  Warren,     -  1116 
Subscription  for  exchanging  hard  money  for 
Continental  bills,       -  -  1116 

22,  Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  the 

,     Committee  for  the  Town  of  Mendon,  -  1116 

22,  Letter  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety  to  the  Selectmen  of  Charlestown, 
(Number-Four :)  Are  of  opinion  that  there  is 
great  danger  that  the  small-pox  may  be  car- 
ried from  Number-Four  to  the  Army,  -  -  1117 

23,  Letter  from  Benjamin  Harrison,  Jun.,  to  the    • 

President  of  Congress  :  with  his  accounts,  -  1117 

23,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Captain  Darnes:  The  Convention  has  direct- 
ed them  to  despatch  all  the  companies  of  the 
Flying-Camp  that  could  be  armed,  with  the 
utmost  despatch,  -  -  -  1117 

23,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Edward  Parker,  -  1117 

23,  Letter  from  J.  Nicholson  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety  :  Captain  Darnes  has  been  ex- 
ceedingly active,  in  endeavouring  to  arm  his 
company  of  the  Flying-Camp,  to  march  to 
the  northward  ;  he  has  nearly  got  them  equip- 
ped for  that  purpose,  -  1117 

23,  Appointment  of  James  White  as  Deputy-Com- 
missary for  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania,  -  1118 

23,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress 
to  Lieutenant  Baldwin:  Instructions  for  his 
cruise  in  the  Continental  schooner  Wasp,  -  1118 

23,  Stephen  Shewell  and  Joseph  Shewell  declared 
enemies  to  their  country  by  the  Philadelphia 
Committee,  -  -  1119 

23,  Discharge  of  the  battalions  of  Associators  from 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  they  having  com- 
pleted six  weeks'  service,  -  -  1119 

23,  Extractof  a  letter  from  an  officer  returned  from 

the  German-Flats,      -  -  1119 

23,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  Eight  or  nine  thousand  of 
the  British  have  landed  at  Gravesend-Bay,  on 
Long-Island,  and  approached  within  three 
miles  of  our  lines.  Has  detached  six  bat- 
talions from  New-York,  which  is  all  that  can 
be  spared,  as  an  attack  is  anticipated  there. 
Owing  to  the  sickness  of  General  Greene, 
General  Sullivan  is  appointed  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Army  on  Long-Island,  -  -  1120 

23,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  General 
Heath :  The  enemy  halted  last  night  at  Flat- 
bush,  -  1120 

23,  Letter  from  Gen.  Sullivan  to  Gen.  Washington,  1136 

23  Letter  from  Colonel  Cooke  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull, -  -  -  -  1120 


LXXIX 

.•lug.  23,  Proclamation  by  General  Howe :  Informing  all 
persons  who  have  been  forced  into  rebellion, 
that  on  di'livi-riiiir  themselves  at  Head-Quar- 


CONTENTS. 


LXX.V 


ters  of  the  Army  on  Long-Island,  they  will 

be  received  as  faithful  subjects,  -  -  -  rial 

23,  Letter  from  Major  Verbryck  to  the  New- York 
Convention,  - 

23,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention:  Contradicting  the  report 
that  the  City  of  New-York  was  to  be  aban- 
doned and  burnt, 

23,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  General  Wash- 
iiiTton:  Is  more  afraid  of  the  arts  than  the 
force  of  the  enemy;  they  must  be  well 
watched,  - 

23,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  Colonel  Nicoll : 
directing  him  forthwith  to  march  to  Fort 
Washington,  and,  in  case  of  an  alarm,  to 
proceed  to  Bloomingdale,  and  join  General 
Mifflin, 


-  1537 


-  1538 


-  1121 


-  1122 
23,  Letter'  from  General  Heath  to  the  Commissary 

of  Provisions,     - 

23,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  General  Mifflin,  -  UM 
23,  Letter  from  General  Ten  Broeck  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  For  promotion  of  officers, 
23,  Letter  from  Colonel  Cortlandt  to  General  Gates, 
23,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  President  of 
Congress:    Saturday  se'nnight  expects  the 
whole  of  the  Militia  of  the  different  States, 
with  the   two   established   Regiments   from 
Boston,  will  be  at  Tyonderoga,   - 
List  of  armed  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain, 
Application  of  the  Field-Officers  of  the  Regi- 
ments from  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania  for  a 
post  between    Philadelphia    and    Ticonde- 


1122 
1122 


1123 
1123 


roga, 


-  1123 


-  1129 


General  Orders,  by  General  Gates,  Head-Quar- 
ters, Ticonderoga,  August  6  to  August  22,  -  1124 
23,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Arnold,  -  1129 
23,  Letter  from  Captain  Nelson  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  -  - 

23,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates,  -  1 
23,  Letter  from  Colonel  Brewer  to  General  Gates,  -  1130 
23,  Intelligence  from  New-London :  Prizes,-         -  1130 

23,  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  to  the 

Board  of  War:  Steps  have  been  taken  to 
procure  a  list  of  the  prisoners  now  in  Massa- 
chusetts, -  -  - 

24,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  the  President  of 

Congress :  The  present  state  of  Georgia,  its 
strength  and  weakness,  will  be  transmitted  to 
the  Board  of  War, 
24,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  the  Board  of  War 

and  Ordnance,  - 
24,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

General  Washington,          -        - 

24,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Captain  Darnes :  with  orders  for  furnishing 

him  with  arms  ;  Colonel  Richardson  will  give 

him  marching  orders,          .... 

24,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

the  Baltimore  Committee :    with  a  quantity 

of  powder  to  be  stored  and  secured  in  or  near 

Baltimore,          --.-.. 

24,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Stephen  Steward,       - 

24,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Gerard  Hopkins,  Commissary  of  Stores,  at 
Baltimore,  - 

Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Colonel  Richardson :  Captain  Bourke's  com- 
pany will  leave  Annapolis  for  the  Head  of 
Elk  this  afternoon ;  medicines  must  be  fur- 
nMied,  and  the  arms  repaired  at  Philadelphia ; 
tents  may  be  had  at  New-York  ;  they  cannot 
be  got  here,  .... 
Letter  from  John  Hanson,  Jun.,  to  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety  :  The  money  sent  to 
Frederick-Town,  for  the  support  of  the  pri- 
soners, is  all  expended,  .... 
Letter  from  Colonel  Hollingsworth  to  the  Ma- 
ryland Council  of  Safety:  Captain  Alexander, 
of  the  Flying-Camp,  has  his  company  com- 
pleted, and  only  waits  orders  to  march,  -  1134 
24,  Letter  from  Captain  Dean  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  Has  arrived  at  the  Head 
of  Elk,  but  finds  nothing  provided  for  him 
there,  and  no  Field-Officer  to  direct  him,  -  1134 


24 


-  1130 


-  1130 


-  1131 


-  1133 


-  1133 


-  1133 


-  1133 


-  1133 


24, 


24, 


-  1134 


-  1134 


1776. 


.tfug.24,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  Gen- 
eral Washington  :  Congress  .highly  approve 
of  the  manner  in  which  (lie  officious  and  in- 
temperate zeal  of  Lord  Drummond  has  been 
checked,  -  -  1135 

24,  Proceedings  of  the  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania, 

Committee,         -  -  1135 

24,  Letter  from  John  Fraser  to  Dr.  Franklin :  Re- 
quests permission  to  return  to  Canada  :  says 
he  has  been  justified  by  every  man,  whatever 
his  politicks,  in  refusing  to  deliver  up  the 
papers,  -  ...  -  1135 

24,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,       .  -  -  1136 
Letter  from  General  Sullivan  to  General  Wash- 
ington, August_23  :  The  enemy  attempted  to 
pass  the  road  by  Bedford  this  afternoon,  but 
were  driven  back  by  the  Riflemen,       -         -   1136 
General  Orders  of  General  Washington,  Head- 
Quarters,  New-York,  August  16  to  August 
24,    -  -  1137 

24,  Letter  from   General  Washington  to  General 

Schuyler,  -     '   -  -  1142 

24,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -  -  1143 

24,  Letter  from  Colonel  Knox  to  General  Heath,  -  1143 

24,  Letter  from  James  Livingston  to  John  Jay,       -  1143 

24,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  New-York :  Skirmish 

on  Long-Island,  -  -  1144 

24,  Letter  from  Captain  Zephaniah  Platt  to  the 
New- York  Convention  :  Many  of  the  troops 
have  no  money  to  purchase  the  necessaries 
of  life,  -  -  1536 

24,  Letter  from  General  George  Clinton  to  Major 

Verbryck,-  -  1537 

24,  Resolutions  of  the  New- York  Convention  for 
removing  the  stock  from  the  south  and  west 
parts  of  Long-Island,-  -  1537 

24,  Letter  from   Christopher  Tappen  and   Gilbert 

Livingston  to  the  New-York  Convention,     -  1541 

24,  Letter  from  Erastus  Wolcott  to  the  Committee 
at  Saybrook,  Connecticut :  Two  of  the  ene- 
my's frigates  have  passed  by  New-London  to 
the  westward,  -  -  1544 

24,  Letter  from  Gen.  Heath  to  Gen.  Washington,  1144 

24,  Letter  from  General  Mifflin  to  General  Heath : 
asking  a  court-martial  for  the  trial  of  Lieu- 
tenant Priestly,  of  Col.  Magaw's  Battalion,  1144 

24,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  General  Mifflin : 
Thinks  it  advisable  to  take  the  opinion  of 
General  Washington  on  Lieutenant  Priestly's 
case,  -  -  -  1145 

24,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Westchester 
County  to  the  New-York  Convention  :  They 
have  caused  a  number  of  disaffected  persons 
to  be  arrested  and  confined  in  jail,  -  -  1145 
List  of  Tories  arrested  by  the  Westchester 
Committee,  -  -  -  1145 

24,  Letter  from  Colonel  Samuel  Drake  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  .  -  -  1145 

24,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Kingston,  Ulster 
County,  to  the  New-York  Convention :  re- 
specting the  removal  of  the  prisoners  from 
Kingston  to  Morristown,  -  ...  1146 

24,  Letter  from  Dr.  Potts  to  General  Gates,  -         -  1146 

24,  Letter  from  Elbridge  Gerry  to  General  Gates : 
General  Carleton  is  angry  that  a  scout  has 
taken  off  one  of  his  General  Officers  ;  but  is 
it  not  justifiable  on  the  principle  of  retalia- 
tion ?  The  frontier  inhabitants  are  indiscri- 
minately murdered  by  Indians  in  the  service 
of  his  Britannick  Majesty,  -  -  -  1146 

24,  Letter  from  J.  Trumbull  to  the  Massachusetts 
Convention :  with  a  return  of  the  deserters 
from  the  Massachusetts  Regiments  now  ser- 
ving in  the  Northern  Army,  -  1147 

24,  Letter   from    Colonel   Moulton   to   the   New- 

Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety  :  Has  raised 
and  equipped  fifty-nine  men  out  of  his  regi- 
ment, and  ordered  their  march  for  New- York 
on  the  25th  instant,  -  -  1147 

25,  Letter  from  Claude  Crespigny  to  Ralph  Izard : 

The  Court  at  St.  James's  laugh  at  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence  ;  in  their  exultation 
they  will  not  choose  to  remember  that  inde- 
pendence was  not  premeditated  in  America, 
but  is  only  the  immediate  and  necessary  con- 
sequence of  their  own  acts,  -  -  1148 


1776. 


LXXXI  CONTENTS. 

1776. 
Jlug.  25,  Intelligence  from  Charlestown,  South-Carolina: 

Engagement  with  the  Cherokees,  -  1148 

25,  Letter  from   Captain  Mantz  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,       -  -  1149 

25,  General  Washington's  orders  to  General  Put- 
nam: to  restrain  the  loose,  disorderly,  and 
wasteful  firing,  which  he  witnessed  yester- 
day; a  kind  of  fire  that  tended  to  disgrace 
our  own  men  as  soldiers,  and  to  render  our 
defence  contemptible  in  the  eyes  of  the 
enemy,  -  -  1149 

25,  Resolutions  of  the  New-York  Convention  on 
the  distresses  of  the  inhabitants  who  are 
compelled  to  abandon  their  habitations  by 
the  cruel  and  unnatural  invasion  now  made 
upon  the  State,  -  -  -  1539 

25,  Letter  from  Colonel  Knox  to  General  Heath,  -  lt50 

25,  Letter  from  Colonel  Varnum  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  Is  convinced  that  promotions  in  the 
Army  are  not  designed  for  those  whose  prin- 
ciples are  disinterested  enough  to  serve  the 
Continent  without ;  as  his  continuance  in  the 
Army  can  be  of  no  possible  advantage,  he  asks 
permission  to  retire,  -  -  1150 

25,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  Major  Henley : 
Requires  him  to  attend  his  duty  at  King's 
Bridge,  or  another  Aid-de-Camp  will  be  ap- 
pointed in  his  place,  -  -  1151 

25,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 
of  Congress  :  On  the  defects  in  the  Commis- 
sary's Department,  -  ...  1151 

25,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates,  1153 

25,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  General 
Gates:  Captain  Titcomb's  company  of  car- 
penters are  all  sick  except  four,  and  have  ap- 
plied for  discharges,  -  -  -  -  1154 

25,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates : 
The  fleet  is  under  way  from  Crown-Point  this 
morning ;  intimates  his  disapprobation  of 
General  Arnold's  making  detachments  from 
his  Regiment  alone,  -----  1154 

25,  Letter  from   James    Bowdoin    to   Governour 

Cooke :  A  British  ship-of-war  is  cruising  in 
Boston  Bay,  and  has  taken  several  prizes; 
the  Continental  ships  lately  built  in  Massa- 
chusetts are  without  guns ;  requests  that  if 
.any  armed  vessels  are  at  Providence  they 
may  be  sent,  ------  1155 

26,  Petition  of  Charles  Shaw  to   the   New- York 

Convention,       -        -  -        -  1540 

26,  Report  of  Committee  of  New- York  Convention 
of  their  conference  with  General  Washing- 
ton, about  calling  out  the  western  Suffolk, 
and  Queen's  County  Regiment,  -  -  1541 

26,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,  -----  1542 

26,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Gen- 
eral Woodhull,  -  -  1543 

26,  Instructions  of  the  New- York  Convention  to 

General  Woodhull,    -  -  1543 

26,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

Captain  Nicholson,    -  -  1155 

26,  Letter  from  the  Baltimore  Committee  to  the 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety :  with  a  list  of 
officers  recommended  to  form  a  Battalion. 
Case  of  Jesse  Hollingsworth,  who  has  sold 
tea  above  the  limited  price,  ...  H56 

26,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to.  Ge- 
neral Ward:  requesting  him  to  continue  in 
the  command  of  the  Army  at  Boston,  until 
an  officer  to  relieve  him  can  be  fixe'd 
upon,  -  -  -  -  1156 

26,  Memorial  of  George  Measam,  late  of  Montreal, 

to  the  Congress,  -  1157 

26,  Letter  from  James  Work  to  William  Atlee,      -  1158 

26,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress:  From  the  movements  of 
the  enemy,  it  appears  that  they  mean  to  land 
the  main  body  of  their  Army  on  Long-Island, 
and  to  make  their  grand  push  there.  Con- 
siderable reinforcements  of  our  troops  have 
been  ordered  there,  -----  1158 
Letter  from  Lord  Drummond  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  On  the  violation  of  his  parole,  August 
19,  -  -  -  1158 
Proceedings  of  a  General  Court-Martial  of  the 
line  on  Lieutenant-Colonel  Zedtwitz*  August 
25, 1159 


LXXXII 


.  26,  Letter  from  Major  Henley  to  General  Heath  : 
Requests  he  will  appoint  some  person  to  take 
his  place,  as  he  cannot  leave  New-York  be- 
fore the  action,  -  -  .  H62 

26,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  New-  York  :  Notice  of 

Zedtwitz's  treason,   -  -  1162 

26,  Intelligence  from  New-York,  -  1163 

26,  Petition  of  George  Harris  to  the  New-  York 
Convention  :  For  relief  from  the  ill-treatment 
he  has  received  from  the  Tory  inhabitants  of 
Rye,  in  Westchester  County,  -  -  1163 

26,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 

ington,     -  -  1164 

26,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Schuyler: 
enclosing  letters  received  yesterday  by  three 
inhabitants  from  Mr.  Gilliland's.  The  letters 
are  wrote  in  so  extraordinary  a  style  and 
manner  that  the  authors  must  be  either  sub- 
orned by  the  enemy,  or  the  letters  themselves  •> 
a  forgery.  They  ought  to  be  sent  without 
delay  to  Congress,  ....  H65 

Letter  from  General  Thompson,  dated  Quebeck 

Harbour,  August  5,    -  -  1166 

[Letter  from  Ebenezer  Sullivan  to  General  John 

Sullivan,  Montreal,  August  14,]  -  -  1167 

[Letter  from  Theo.  Bliss  to  the  Rev.  William 

Emerson,  Montreal,  August  14,]         -        -  1167 
[Letter  from  Ebed  Greene  to  Colonel  Israel 

Morey,  Montreal,  August  14,]    -         -         -  1168 
Parole  of  American   Prisoners  in  Canada  to 

General  Carleton,  August  9,       -  -  1168 

List  of  American  Prisoners   sent  home  from 
Canada  on  parole,      -  -        -  1169 

26,  Letter  from  Rev.  Bulkley  Olcott  to  General 
Gates  :  On  examination  of  his  charge  against 
Dr.  Stevens,  his  conduct  appeared  to  the 
Committee  much  less  aggravated  than  was 
represented,  4  •  U70 

26,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Charles- 
town,  (Number-Four,)  to  General  Gates:  Re- 
port of  their  examination  of  the  charges 
against  Dr.  Stevens,  -----  1170 

26,  Letter  from  Doctor  Phineas  Stevens  to  General 

Gates,       -  -  1171 

26,  Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  to  James  Bow- 
doin :  The  two  Continental  ships  in  Rhode- 
Island  cannot  be  got  ready  ;  so  that  no  assist- 
ance can  be  given,  -  -  -  .  -  -  1172 

26,  Intelligence   from    Hartford,  in  Connecticut  : 

Arrival  of  Tories,        .....  1172 

26,  Intelligence  from  Watertown,  Massachusetts: 

Prizes,  &c.,        -         i        -         -         -         -  1172 

26,  Isaac  Chauncey,  convicted  of  being  notoriously 
inimical  to  the  American  States,  advertised 
by  the  Committee  for  Amherst,  Massachu- 
setts, -  1173 

26,  Letter  from  J.  Wentworth  to  General  Wash- 

ington: Condemnation  of  prizes,         -        -  1173 

27,  Letter  from   General  Beale  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      .....  1173 

27,  Letter  from  Captain  Perkins  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety:  for  as  much  money  as 
will  defray  the  .expenses  of  his  company  to 
New-York,  ......  1174 

27,  Letter  from  Moses  Chaille  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,  .....  1174 

27,  Letter  from  E.Johnson  to  the  Maryland  Coun- 

cil of  Safety,  -  -  1174 

27,  Constitution  of  Delaware  agreed  upon  in  Con- 

vention at  New-Castle,  •  -  -  1174 

27,  Letter  from  John  Bartlett  to  Colonel  Whipple  : 
The  articles  of  Confederation  were  last  week 
finished  by  the  Committee  of  the  Whole 
House,  -  -  1179 

27,  Letter  from  Francis  Lewis  to  Mrs.  Gates  :  Gen- 
eral Gates  commands  at  Ticonderoga;  Gen- 
eral Schuyler  is  treating  with  the  Indians  at 
German-Flats;  they  will  always  be  on  sepa- 
rate commands,  ...  1180 

27,  Resolution  of  Pennsylvania  Convention  :  re- 
quiring double  guards  of  the  Associators  this 
night,  as  a  number  of  the  Militia  in  the  bar- 
racks have  been  very  riotous  this  day,  -  1180 

27,  Memorial  of  the  Chevalier  Sauralle  to  the  Con- 
gress :  Is  a  young  officer  who  has  served  two 
years  as  a  volunteer  in  the  artillery  at  St. 
Domingo  ;  now  offers  his  services  to  the  Con- 
gress, -  -  ....  1180 


LXXXIII 


CONTENTS. 


jftig.  -27,  Letter  from  the  Marine  Committee  to  Captain 
Stone,       - 

27,  Letter  from  John  Harris  to  the  Lancaster,  Penn- 
sylvania Committee,  - 

27,  Letter  from  General  Woodhull  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  He  is  at  Jamaica  with 
less  than  one  hundred  men;  will  remain 
there  as  long  as  he  can,  in  hopes  of  a  rein- 
forcement, 

27,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  to  General 
Morris :  Two  men-of-war  are  now  anchored 
between  Hart  and  City  Islands;  one  more 
has  jrone  past  Frog's  Point,  -. 

27,  Letter  from  General  Woodhull  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 
Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Gen- 
eral Washington :  suggesting  a  reinforcement 
lor  General  Woodhull,        -  -         - 

27,  List,of  Prisoners  at  Lancaster, 

27,  Letter  from  Robert  G.  Livingston  to  the  New- 
York  Convention :  Mr.  Robert  Hyslop  has 
refused  to  receive  Continental  currency  in 
payment  for  a  bond  for  nine  hundred  pounds, 

27,  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  -  .  .  .  - 

27,  Letter  from  Robert  H.  Harrison  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  Has  just  returned  from 
our  lines  on  Long-Island,  where  he  left  Gen- 
eral Washington,  by  whose  order  he  writes, 
that  there  has  been  an  action  to-day  between 
the  enemy  and  our  detachments,  which  have 
sustained  a  considerable  loss;  General  Sulli- 
van and  Lord  Stirling  are  among  the  missing, 

27,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  in  Colonel 
Atlee's  Battalion,  on  Long-Island, 

27,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  New-York :  Our  people 
have  been  engaged  with  the  enemy  on  Long- 
Island  all  this  morninglhnd  are  at  it  yet;  we 
cannot  get  at  the  particulars, 

27,  Letter  from  General  Woodhull  to  the  New- 
York  Convention  :  Has  removed  the  cattle 
to  the  eastward  of  the  Cross  Road  between 
the  two  Counties;  unless  he  has  more  men 
the  stay  there  will  be  to  little  purpose, 

27,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  General  Mifflin  : 
Has  just  been  informed  that  three  ships  have 
come  to  anchor  just  above  Frog-Point ;  a  re- 
giment has  been  detached  to  prevent  their 
landing,  ------- 

27,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  Colonel  Graham, 

27,  Petition  of  Jacobus  Wynkoop  to  the  Congress: 
setting  forth  all  the.circumstances  connected 
with  his  arrest,  and  asking  for  such  relief  as 
he  is  entitled  to, 

27,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  Gen.  Gates, 

27,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Crown-Point:  The 
enemy's  fleet  is  said  to  be  on  the  way  up  the 
Lake, 

27,  Letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown  to  Gene- 
ral Schuyler,  -  -  - 

27,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Gates :  Glad  to  hear  affairs  at  the  North  are 
so  favourable,  -  -  .  - 

27,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  James  Bow- 
doin,  --..... 

27,  Proceedings  of  the  Connecticut  Council  of 
Safety, 

27,  Letter  from  Colonel  Bayley  to  the  New-Hamp- 

shire Committee  of  Safety,  -        - 

28,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

John  Hanson  :  Send  money  for  the  support 
of  the  prisoners  at  Frederick-Town,  - 

28,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
the  Committee  for  Charles  County  :  for  some 
cannon  powder  for  Captain  Conway,  who  is 
just  ready  to  sail,  -  .... 

28,  Letter  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 
Robert  Berry,  ------ 

28,  Letter  from  Captain  Dames  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety  :  His  company  is  now  on 
the  march,  ---... 

28,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 
officer  commanding  a  Virginia  battalion :  to 
proceed  by  the  nearest  route  to  New-Jersey, 
avoiding  Philadelphia,  - 

28,  Petition  of  Jean  Laugeay,  (artificial  fireworker,) 
to  the  Congress :  Offers  his  service  to  Con- 
gress,   


1181 
1181 

-  1544 

1544 
1546 


1547 
1182 


1182 


1183 
1183 

-  1184 

e 
a 

i 

-  1184 


1184 
1185 


1185 
1187 


1188 
1218 

1188 
1189 
1189 
1190 

-  1191 

1191 
1191 

-  1191 


LXXXIV 


;,  Petition  of  Paul  Fooks  to  the  Congress  :  Offers 
his  services  to  Congress  as  an  interpreter  of 
the  French  and  Spanish  languages,  -  -  1192 

28,  Notice  from  the  War  Office  :  requirin  '  '  the 
troops,  without  exception,  now  in  Philadel- 
phia, on  their  way  to  the  camp,  to  march  to 
Amboy  immediately,  - 

28,  Letter  from   Caisar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rod- 


-  1192 


ney,  - 


-  1192 


-  1193 


-  1193 


1194 


-  1194 


28,  Letter  from  Dr.  Franklin  to  General  Gates:  The 
Congress  continues  firmly  united  ;  arms  and 
ammunition  are  also  continually  arriving, 
the  French  having  resolved  to  permit  the  ex- 
portation to  us,  - 

28,  Letter  from  General  Mercer  to  the  President  of 
Congress:  His  whole  force,  including  the 
New-Jersey  Militia,  from  Powles  Hook  to 
Shrewsbury,  amounts  to  eight  thousand  three 
hundred  men.  Will  have  on  Bergen,  ready 
to  pass  over  to  New- York,  if  required,  from 
three  to  four  thousand  men, 

28,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  New- York :  The  small 
part  of  our  Army  engaged  yesterday  behaved 
most  manfully ;  they  fought  the  enemy,  treble 
in  number,  several  hours  in  the  open  field,  - 

28,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  New- York :  We  yester- 
day had  a  severe  engagement  with  the  enemy 
on  Long-Island, 

28,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Head-Quarters,  Long- 
Island  :  Brief  notice  of  the  engagement  of 
yesterday,  -  1195 

28,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  in  the  Mary- 
land Battalion,  on  Long-Island:  The  battalion 
has  suffered  very  much  ;  a  great  number  of 
officers  and  men  are  killed  and  missing, 

28,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Long-Island  :  Account 
of  yesterday's  occurrences, 

28,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Gene- 
ral Washington:  Enclosing  copy  of  a  letter 
from  General  Woodhull, 

28,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  Go- 
vernour Trumbull:  for  one  thousand  men, 
or  any  greater  force  that  can  speedily  be 
obtained,  - 

28,  Letter  from  the  New- York  Convention  to  sun- 
dry Committees  in  Connecticut :  requesting 
them  to  assist  in  removing  the  stock  from 
Long-Island,  where  there  are  between  eighty 
and  one  hundred  thousand  head  of  cattle,  and 
as  many  sheep,  - 

28,  Letter  from  General  Woodhull  to  the  New- York 
Convention  :  If  no  reinforcements  are  sent 
him  he  will  have  no  men  by  to-morrow  night ; 
hopes  the  Convention  does  not  expect  him 
to  make  bricks  without  straw,  •- 

28,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  David 
Matthews, 

28,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Go- 
vernour Trumbull,  -  -  1551 

28,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

28,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  several 
Towns  in  Connecticut:  requesting  their  as- 
sistance in  removing  the  inhabitants  and  the 
stock  from  Long-Island, 

28,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Go- 
vernour Trumbull,  -  -  1553 

28,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  Colo- 
nel Joseph  Drake, 

28,  Examination  of  Colonel  Covenhoven  by  the 
New- York  Convention, 

28,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

28,  Letter  from  Cornelius  Van  Wyck  to  the  New- 
York  Convention, 

28,  Letter  from  Peter  T.  Curtenius  to  the  New-York 
Convention, 

28,  New-York  Convention  adjourn  from  Harlem  to 
meet  at  Fishkill,  on  Monday  next,  Septem- 
ber 2, 

30,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Committee  of  Safety 
(at  King's  Bridge)  to  General  Washington,  - 

28,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Convention  to  their 
Delegates  in  Congress :  asking  for  assistance 
in  fortifying  Hudson's  River  and  obstructing 
the  passage  of  the  Highlands, 


-  1195 


-  1195 


-  1196 


-  1196 


-  1196 


-  1548 


-  1551 


-  1552 


-  1552 


-  1553 


-  1554 


-  1554 


-  1555 


-  1557 


-  1557 


1558 


-  1548 


28,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Washing- 


ton, - 


-  1197 


LXXXV 

1776. 


CONTENTS. 


LXXXVI 


Return  of  a  Regiment  of  Foot,  commanded  by 

Colonel  EIrnore,  -   1197 

Return  of  Colonel  John  Nicholson's  Regiment, 
Albany,  August  26,  -  -  1199 

General  Return  of  the  Army  under  General 
Gates,  Ticonderoga,  August  24,  -  -  1199 

Return  of  Provisions  at  Skenesborough,  Aug.  19,   1201 

Return  of  men  who  drew  provisions  on  the  12th 
and  13th  of  August,  -  -  1201 

Provisions  in  the  Magazine  at  Tyonderoga, 
August  13,  -  1201 

List  of  Continental  Armed  Vessels  on  Lake 
Champlain,  August  18,  -  -  1201 

Return  of  men  who  drew  provisions  on  the  24th 
of  AVigust,  ...  .  1202 

Provisions  on  hand  in  the  Magazine  at  Ticon- 
deroga, August  23,  -  -  1202 

General  Gates's  instructions  for  Lieutenant 
Whitcomb,  going  on  a  party  of  observation 
into  Canada.  Tyonderoga,  August  19,  -  1202 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  General  Schuyler  to 

General  Waterbury,  Albany,  August  17,       -  1203 
Jlug.  28,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Colonel  Hartley  : 
Did  not  suppose  General  Arnold  would  take 
any  of  his  men,  as  the  vessels  all  had  their 
full  complement  when  they  left  Tyonderoga,  1203 
28,  Letter  from  Colonel  Maxwell  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -  ....  1203 

Memorial  of  Colonel  William  Maxwell  to  the 
Continental  Congress:  Finds  himself  much 
aggrieved  by  the  appointment  of  a  younger 
officer,  (Colonel  St.  Glair,)  promoted  over 
him.  He  would  have  quitted  the  Army  imme- 
diately, but  that  the  present  alarming  state  of 
the  country  required  his  presence  in  the  field,  1204 
28,  Letter  from  Colonel  Phinney  to  General  Gates : 
Will  make  the  best  of  his  way  to  Ticonderoga, 
as  directed,  ...---  1204 
28,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Schuyler  :  No  misrepresentations  of  Tories 
will  have  credit  enough,  in  Connecticut, 
greatly  to  wound  his  character,  -  -  1204 

28,  Letter  from  Colonel  Stickney  to  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Committee  of  Safety,  -  1205 
28,  Letter  from  Major  Daniel  Ilsley  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  town  of  Falmouth :  His  com- 
plaint against  Colonel  Mitchell,  -  -  1205 
28,  Letter  from  Francis  Shaw,  Jun.,  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts Council,        -                           -         -  1208 
28,  Letter  from  James  Lyon  to  the  Massachusetts 
Assembly:    Thinks   Nova-Scotia  worth  an- 
nexing to  our  dominions,  and  proposes  an 
expedition  to  subdue  it, 

28,  Intelligence  from  Halifax,  in  Nova-Scotia,       -  1209 
American  prisoners  in  Halifax,    .    -  -  1283 

29,  Memorial  of  R.  Souralle  to  the  Congress,         -  1209 
Letter  from  M.  De  la  Valletiere,      -  -  1209 

29,  A  proposed  Ordinance  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, declaring  what  shall  be  treason,  and 
for  punishing  the  same,  and  other  crimes 
and  practices  against  the  State,  -  -  -  1210 

29,  Letter  from  General  William  Livingston  to  Wil- 
liam Hopper,  in  Congress,  ...  1210 

29,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress  :  Mr.  Harrison  has  informed 
the  Congress  of  the  engagement  between  a 
detachment  of  our  men  and  the  enemy,  on 
the  27th.  Neither  General  Sullivan  nor  Lord  • 
Stirling  have  yet  been  heard  of,  nor  has  our 
loss  been  ascertained,  -  1211 

29,  Letter  from  General  Mifflin  to  General  Heath : 
Many  battalions  are  coming  over  from  New- 
Jersey  this  evening  to  relieve  others  here,  -  1211 

29,  Letter  from  Colonel  Josiah  Smith  to  the  New- 
York  Convention  :  He  is  ready  to  march  to 
New- York,  and  desires  orders,  -  -  1211 

29,  Address  of  General  William  Erskine  to  the  in- 
habitants of  Suffolk  County,  Long-Island  : 
He  has  been  appointed  commanding  officer 
for  the  eastern  part  of  the  Island,  and  com-  . 
mands  all  Committee-men  and  others,  acting 
under  the  authority  of  the  Rebels,  to  cease, 
and  remain  at  their  respective  homes,  -  -  1211 

29,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  Officer  in  Colonel 
Atlee's  Battalion  :  Sullivan  and  Stirling  are 
prisoners  ;  Colonel  Atlee,  Captains  Howell, 
Herbert,  Murray,  and  Nice,  and  others,  with 
eighty  privates  of  the  regiment,  are  missing,  1212 


1776. 
Aug.  29,  Accountof  the  engagement  on  Long-Island  on 

the  27th,  -  .  1212 

29,  Another  account,  ...  1213 

29,  Letter  from  New-York  :  There  was  a  constant 

firing  on  Long-Island  all  yesterday  afternoon,  1214 

29,  Proceedings  of  a  Council  of  General  Officers 

held  at  Long-Island,  -  -        -  1246 

29,  Determination  of  a  Council  of  General  Officers 

on  Long-Island,  -        -  1246 

29,  Colonel  Fanning  informs  the  New-York  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  that  General  Washington 
has  or.dered  his  regiment  to  withdraw  from 
Long-Island,  -  .  1557 

29,  Letter  from  Ebenezer  Hazard  to  Robert  Liv- 
ingston, -  .  1214 

29,  Letter  from  Comfort  Sands  to  the  New-York 
Convention :  Sends  Daniel  Redfield,  who 
will  give  important  information,  -  -  1214 

29,  Letter  from  Joseph  Drake  to  the   New-York 

Committee  of  Safety,  .         -  1214 

Examination  of  Daniel  Redfield,  of  Killings- 
worth,  in  Connecticut,  ....  1215 

29,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  the  Committee 
of  Fairfield,  Connecticut:  Sends  a  number 
of  prisoners  taken  on  Long-Island  on  the 
27th,  .  1215 

29,  Orders  by  General  Heath  for  Lieutenant  Um- 

stead  to  convey  the  prisoners  to  Fairfield,  -  1215 

29,  Letter  fron^Colonel  Graham  to  General  Heath : 
His  regiment  has  full  employ,  and  some  other 
force  should  be  sent,  as  there  are  many  points 
to  guard,  -  -  1216 

29,  Council  of  War  at  King's  Bridge  decide  that  one 
hundred  men  should  be  sent  to  Long-Island 
this  night,  to  surprise  the  British  Light-Horse, 
who  are  pillaging  the  inhabitants  at  Flushing,  1216 

29,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  Colonel  Graham : 
directing  him  to  attempt  the  surprise  on 
Long-Island,  if  he  thinks  it  maybe  effected,  1216 

29,  Letter  from  Abraham  King  to  Peter  Livingston,   1216 

29,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  the  President 

of  Congress,      -         -  ...   1217 

Letter  from  General  Gates  to  General  Schuyler, 

August  18,  -  1218 

Letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown  to  Gen- 
eral Schuyler,  August  27:  Account  of  scout 
down  the  Lake,  -  -  1218 

Petition  and  Memorial  of  John  Brown,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of  Colonel  Elmore's  Regi- 
ment, to  the  Continental  Congress,  -  -  1219 

29,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  In  the  Army  the  home  sickness  be- 
gins to  prevail  about  the  middle  of  October, 
and  when  that  unconquerable  distemper 
takes  place  every  consideration  gives  way 
to  it,  -  1220 

29,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Gates: 
Encloses  a  copy  of  Captain  Wynkoop's  me- 
morial to  Congress,  -----  1221 

29,  Letter  from  Captain  Fasset  to  General  Gates,  -  1222 

29,  Letter  from  Governour  Cooke  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Council :  requesting  Captain  Grannis 
may  be  dismissed  from  the  service  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  that  he  may  be  permitted  to 
inlist  a  complement  of  Marines  there  for  the 
Continental  ship  Warren,  fitting  out  at  Pro- 
vidence, -  -  -  -  -  1222 

29,  Messages  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts 

to  the  House  of  Representatives,  -  1223 

Message  from  the  House  of  Representatives  of 
Massachusetts  to  the  Council,  -  -  1225 

29,  Intelligence  from  Boston :  Arrival  of  Mr.  S. 

Adams:  Prizes,  -  1226 

29,  Letter  from  Dr.  Brackett  to  the  New-Hampshire 

Council  of  Safety :  Condemnation  of  the  ship 
Prince  George  at  Portsmouth,  -  1226 

30,  Letter  from  General  Lee  to  the  Governour  of 

Cape  Fran9ois :  It  is  for  the  interest  as  well 
as  the  glory  of  France  to  furnish  us  with 
means  of  supporting  our  liberties.  We  do 
not  require  any  aid  of  men  ;  we  require  small 
arms,  powder,  field-pieces,  woollen  and  linen 
to  clothe  our  troops,  and  drugs,  particularly 
bark,  -  -  -  1227 

30,  Intelligence  from  Williamsburgh,  Virginia:  In- 
dian depredations,      -  -  1228 
30,  Letter  from  Thomas  Rodney  to  Cassar  Rodney,   1228 
30,  Admiralty  Court,  Philadelphia,        -        -        -  1229 


1229 
1230 

-  1230 
e 

-  1230 

1230 
1231 

1232 
1233 


1233 
1234 
1235 


LXXXVII 

1776. 

..tfttg.30,  Resolution  of  Councilof  Safety,  Pennsylvania: 
urginif  the  immediate  nere»iiy  for  the  Asso- 
ciators  to  hasten  thvir  march  to  the  camp  in 
New-Jersey,  ------ 

30,  Letter  from  the  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  Com- 
mittee, to  the  President  of  Cq^faA^Bj 

30,  Letter  from  Captain  Lowe  to  the  .Marylumi 
Councilof  Safety:  His  company  now  in  the 
Flying-Camp  are  desirous  of  serving  as  regu 
lar's  on  the  Continental  establishment, 

30,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York. Convention  :  By  the  unanimpus  advice 
of  a  council  of  General  Officers,  it  was  deter- 
mined to  abandon  Long-Island,  - 

30,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed  to  General 
Heath:  Long-Island  was  evacuated  last 
night ;  it  was  a  measure  founded  on  the  full- 
est necessity,  -  - 

30,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed  to  General 
Livingston :  The  engagement  and  losses  of 
the  27th,  -  .,,... 

30,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  of  the  Mary- 
land Battalion :  giving  a  short  account  of  the 
late  engagement  on  Long-Island, 

30,  Extract  of-  a  letter  from  Pennsylvania :  The 
retreat  from  Long-Island,  -  - 

30,  Letter   from   John   SIoss    Hobart   and  James 
Townsend  to   the  New-York   Convention : 
They    found,    on    their    arrival  yn    Queen's 
County,  that  the  Militia  had  dispersed,  and 
that  General  Woodhull  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.     The  County  as  far  as 
Jamaica  is  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  and 
the  disaffected  from  east  and  west  have  gone 
over  to  them,     ------ 

Ebenezer  Dayton's  narrative  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  First  Regiment  in  Suffolk  County, 

30,  Letter  from  Colonel  Livingston  to  General 
Washington,  -  -  '  - 

30,  Letter  from  Colonel  Livingston  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Has  the  command  of  a  detach- 
ment of  two  hundred  men  for  the  protection 
of  the  inhabitants,  stock,  &.C.,  on  Long- 
Island  ;  the  communications  are  cut  off,  and 
the  detachment  is  in  danger,  ...  1235 

30,  Letter  from  the  Rev.  S.  Buell  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  The  enemy,  sixteen  thousand 
strong,  have  a  line  across  Long-Island,  from 
the  Sound  to  the  south.  They  have  cut  off 
communication  with  our  Army,  and  have 
command  of  the  west  end  of  the  Island 
entirely,  -  -  1236 

30,  Letter  from  William  Duer  to  General  Wash- 
ington :  One  Lownsbery,  at  the  head  of  four-  , 
teen  Torips,  was  killed  yesterday;  in  his 
pocket-book  was  found  a  commission  from 
General  Howe  to  Major  Rogers,  empower- 
ing him  to  raise  a  battalion  of  Rangers,  and 
with  it  a  warrant  from  Rogers,  appointing 
Lownsbery  Captain,  -  -  -  1236 

30,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Committee  of  Safety, 
at  King's  Bridge,  to  General  Washington : 
Desire  to  know  if  the  Army  has  been  removed 
from  Long-Island  to  New- York,  -  1237 

30,  Petition  of  Jonathan  Purdy  to  the  New-York 
Convention :  to  be  considered  a  prisoner  of 
war,  -  1237 

30,  Letter  from    General  George  Clinton  to  the 

New- York  Committee  of  Safety,          -        -  1558 

30,  Examination  of  Captain  Brinton  Payne  by  the 

New-York  Committee  of  Safety,          -        .  1553 

30,  Letter  from  Philip  Livingston  to  the  New- York 

Committee  of  Safety,  -        .  1554 

30,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  the  Commissary 

of  Provisions,     -        -  ...  1337 

30,  Orders  from  General  Heath  to  the  Captain  of 

the  main  Guard,          -         -         ...  1237 

30,  Letter  from  James  W.  Payne  to  General  Heath: 
The  enemy's  Light-Horse  are  pillaging  the 
country  all  along  the  shore  opposite  Frog 
Point,  -  1  1238 

30,  Letter    from   General  Waterbury   to   General 

Gates,  .  1238 

30,  Letter  from  Colonel  Fraser  to1  General  Gates,  -  1238 

30,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hartley  to  General  Gates: 
Crown-Point  is  a  place  of  the  last  import- 
ance ;  the  enemy,  in  possession  of  it,  could 
effectually  destroy  our  navigation,  -  -  1239 


CONTENTS. 

1776. 


LXXXVIII 


Aug.  30,  Letter  from  Stephen  Badger  to  James  Bow- 
doin  :  on  the  propriety  of  reappointing  Colo- 
nel Jones,  of  Dedham,  -  -  -1239 

30,  Recommendation  of  the  Committee  of  Safety 
of  New-Hampshire,  on  the  charges  against 
Zaccheus  Clough,  -  -  1240 

30,  Proclamation  by  General  Carleton,  Governour 

ofQuebeck,  -  -  1240 

30,  Address  of  the  City  of  Montreal  to  Governour 

Carleton, -  1241 

General  Carleton's  Answer,    -         -  -  1241 

31,  Letter  from  Ralph  Izard,  in  England,  to  Claude 

Crespigny :  The  Ministry  are  fully  persuaded 

that  Mr.  Howe  will  winter  in  Philadelphia,  -  1242 

31,  Letter  from   the   Council  of  Virginia   to   the 

Board  of  War,  -  -         -  1243 

31,  Letter  from  General  Lewis  to  the  President  of 

Congress,  -  -  -  1243 

31,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Philadelphia:  Notice  of 

the  late  engagement  on  Long-Island,  -         -  1243 

31,  Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress :  The  retreat  from  Long- 
Island  was  made  without  any  loss  of  men  or 
ammunition.  Lord  Howe  is  extremely  de- 
sirous of  seeing  some  members  of  Congress, 
for  which  purpose  he  has  allowed  General 
Sullivan  to  come  out  on  parole,  to  communi- 
cate to  them  what  has  passed  between  him 
and  his  lordship,  -  1244 

31,  Letter  from  Lord  Stirling  to  General  Washing- 
ton :  His  account  of  the  engagement  on  the 
27th,  -  -  1245 

Proceedings  of  a  Council  of  General  Officers, 

held  at  Long-Island,  August  29,  -  -  1246 

Determination  of  a  Council  of  General  Officers, 

held  at  Long-Island,  August  29,                    -  1246 
General  Orders,  by  General  Washington,  Head- 
Quarters,  New- York,  August  25  to  August  31,  1247 
List  of  the  names  of  such  Officers  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania battalions  as  are  prisoners  and  miss- 
ing,   1250 


List  of  the  names  of  such  Officers  as  are  prison- 
with  the  enemy,  and  have,  by  a  flag  of 


ers 


1250 
1251 


truce,  sent  for  their  baggage  and  cash, 
Death  of  Philip  Johnston,  of  New-Jersey, 
Journal  of  transactions  on  Long-Island,  on  the 
27th  of  August,  by  Colonel  Samuel  Atlee,  -  1251 

31,  Extract  of  a  letter  from  Admiral  Lord  Howe,  to 

Mr.  Stephens,  Secretary  of  the  Admiralty,  -    1255 
Letter  from  General  Howe  to  Lord  George  Ger- 

maine,  Septembers,  -  -  -  1256 

Return  of  American  Prisoners  taken  on  Long- 
Island,  August  27, 

General  Howe's  return  of  brass  and  iron  Ord- 
nance taken  from  the  enemy  in  the  engage- 
ment on  the  27th  of  August,  and  found  in 
their  different  redoubts  on  Long-Island  and 
Governour's  Island,  - 

General  Howe's  return  of  the  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing,  of  the  British  Army,  August  27, 
Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  in  General 
Frazer's  battalion,  September  3, 

31,  Letter  from  John  Sloss  Hobart  t  and  James 
Townsend  to  the  New-York  Convention  :  A 
number  of  the  Militia  of  Huntington,  on 
Long-Island,  are  under  arms,  but  a  general 
complaint  among  them  is,  that  their  officers 

•          have  deserted  them,    - 

31,  Letter  from  Colonel  Livingston  to  General 
Washington :  Many  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Long-Island  have  been  prevailed  with  by  the 
disaffected  to  solicit  pardons  from  General 
Howe.  Our  communication  is  cut  off  from 
New-York  by  land,  and  the  ships  are  en- 
deavouring to  intercept  it  by  water.  General 
Woodhull  was  taken  prisoner  and  cruelly 
treated  by  the  enemy;  after  he  was  taken,  he 
received  a  wound  in  the  head,  and  was  com- 
mitted close  prisoner  to  Jamaica  Jail,  - 

31,  Letter  from  the  Suffolk  County,  Long-Island, 
Committee,  to  Governour  Trumbull :  asking 
for  assistance  :  most  of  their  men  capable  of 
bearing  arms  are  with  the  Army, 

31,  Letter  from  the  Rev.  S.  Buell  to  Governour 
Trumbull :  Without  some  assistance,  ten  thou- 
sand people  in  Suffolk  County,  with  all  the 
stock  in  the  County,  will  fall  into  the  enemy's 
hands,  -  -  1261 


-  1258 


-  1258 


1258 
-  1259 


-  1260 


-  1260 


-  1261 


Sept.  1 


I, 


LXXXIX  CONTENTS. 

1776.  1776. 

Aug.  31,  Letter  from  Cornelius  C.Roosevelt  to  the  New- 
York  Convention,       -  -  1262 

31,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Committee  of  Safety 
(at  the  house  of  Mr.  Odell,  in  Phillipse's  Ma- 
nor) to  General  Washington,  -  -  1560 

31,  Resolutions  of  the  New-York  Committee  of 
Safety,  for  forming  the  Militia  of  King's  and 
Queen's  Counties,  -  -  1561 

31,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hopkins  to  General  George 
Clinton  :  The  people  at  Frog's  Neck  pray  for 
a  reinforcement,  -  1262 

31,  Orders  from  General  Heath  to  Lieutenant  Lang- 
don  :  to  proceed  immediately  with  a  detach- 
ment and  take  post  near  the  landing-place 
at  Harlem,  ....  .  1262 

31,  Letter  from  General  Heath  to  the  officer  com- 
manding at  Mount  Washington,  -  1262 

31,  Pay-roll  of  the  officers  on  board  the  armed  gal- 
ley Lady  Washington,         -  -  1263 
Petition  of  Col.  Morris  Graham  and  the  officers 

under  his  command  to  Gen.  George  Clinton,   1263' 
Return  of  Elkanah  Day's  company,  -  1263 

Muster-Roll  of  Captain  Joseph  Hatch's  compa- 
ny of  Rangers,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Joab  Hoisington,  -  -  -  1264 

31,  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash-  1776. 

ington,       -  -  1264     July  5, 

31,  Letter  from  General  Waterbury  to  Gen.  Gates,   1265 

31,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  Colonel  Hartley,  1265  5, 

31,  Letter  from  Doctor  Kennedy  to  General  Gates  : 

Report  of  the  Surgeons  on  the  health  of  the  5, 

Army,       r  ...  1266 

31,  Letter   from    Colonel   Gansevoort   to   General 

Gates:  For  a  reinforcement,  agreeably  to  Ge-  5, 

neral  Schuyler's  orders,       -  -    .     -  1266 

31,  Letter  from  Colonel  John  Trumbull  to  James 

Bowdoin,  -  -  1266  5, 

31,  Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates: 
Is  with  the  fleet  at  Button-Mould  Bay.  De- 
spatched Lieutenant  Whitcomb  yesterday  5, 
morning.  Recommendsthesendingof  a  good 
officer,  if  one  can  be  procured,  to  act  as 
Captain  of  the  Royal  Savage,  -  -  1266 
Sept.  2,  Letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  President  of  6, 
Congress  :  In  the  removal  of  Captain  Wyn- 
koop  a  little  of  the  dictatorial  power  was 
exerted,  but  perhaps  it  was  never  more  ne-  6, 
cessary  than  on  that  occasion.  Sends  the 
proceedings  of  a  General  Court-Martial  on 
Colonel  Hazen,  on  a  complaint  exhibited  by 
General  Arnold  ;  here,  again,  he  was  obliged  6, 
to  act  dictatorially,  and  dissolve  the  court, 
the  instant  they  demanded  the  arrest  of  Ge- 
neral Arnold.  Wishes  this  affair  may  be 
represented  in  the  most  favourable  light  to 
Congress,  -  1267 
General  Orders,  by  General  Gates,  Head-Quar- 

-  ters,  Ticonderoga,  August  23  to  September  2,   1268 
General  Arnold's  protest  against  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Court-Martial  on  Colonel  Hazen, 
for  rejecting  the  evidence  of  Major  Scott,     -   1272 
Minute  of  the  Court  requiring  an  apology  from 

General  Arnold,  -   1273 

Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  the  Court,  Au- 
gust 1  :  reflecting  upon  their  vote,  and  inform- 
ing them  that  as,  in  their  apprehension,  their 
nice  honour  is  injured,  as  soon  as  the  dis- 
agreeable service  is  ended  he  will  withhold 
from  no  gentleman  of  the  court  the  satisfac- 
tion his  nice  honour  may  require,  -  -  1273 
Letter  from  the  Court-Martial  to  General  Gates, 
August  6 :  with  their  reasons  for  rejecting 
the°evidence  of  Major  Scott,  -  -  1273 

Letter  from  the  Court-Martial  to  General  Gates, 

August  6:  Review  of  the  conduct  of  General  9, 

Arnold,      -  -  1273 

Letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Gates,  9, 

August  7  :  The  letter  of  the  Court-Martial  is 

couched  in  the  most  artful  terms,  to  deceive  9, 

and  gloss  over  their  private  resentment,  under 

an   appearance  of  the   greatest  concern  to 

keep  up  discipline,  &c.,      -  -  1274  9, 

Letter  and   extracts  relating  to  the  arrest  of 

Commodore  Wynkoop,       -                           -   1275  9, 
Jlug.  31,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  General 
Washington:  The  measures  he  has  taken  to 
afford  assistance  to  Suffolk  County,  on  Long- 
Island,       -                   1277 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


xc 


.  31,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Southold,  in  Suf- 

folk County,  to  Governour  Trumbull,  -  -  1279 
31,  Committee  of  Guilford,  Connecticut,  agree  to  as- 

sist in  removing  the  stock  from  Lon;r-Island  1279 
31,  Letter  from  Maltby  Gelston  to  Gov.  Trumbull,  -  1279 
31,  Rev.  William  Gordon's  letter  to  the  inhabitants 

of  Massachusetts,        -  -  1284 

Resolution  of  the  New-York  Committee  of  Safe- 
ty, (Croton  River,  at  the  house  of  John 
Blagge,)  directing  the  Post  between  New- 
York  and  Albany  to  ride,  for  the  present,  on 
the  east  side  of  Hudson's  River,  -  1562 

Letter  from  General  Washington  to  the  New- 
York  Committee  of  Safety,  -  1563 

2,  Colonel    Rensselaer    informs    the    New-  York 

Committee  of  Safety  (at  Fishkill,  in  Dutchess 
County)  that  the  garrisons  at  forts  Constitu- 
tion and  Montgomery  arc  ill  armed,  and 
otherwise  in  a  condition  ill  calculated  to  an- 
noy the  enemy,  -  -  1562 

3,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Committee  of  Safety 

to  the  Committee  for  Westchester  County,  -  1564 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

James  Dunlap  appointed  Surgeon  of  the  Naval 

armament, 
Levi  Hollingsworth  and  Thomas  Richardson 

sent  to  New- York  for  cannon,    - 


-  1287 


-  1287 


Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  ordered  to  deliver 
thirty  thousand   flinfs  for  the   Army  under 


-  1287 


-  1287 


-  1287 


-  1288 


-  1288 


General  Washington,  at  New-York,    - 

Mr.  Palmer  and  Mr.  Nicholson  appointed  to 
examine  and  value  the  arms  of  the  Non- 
Associators, 

The  good  women  of  Philadelphia  requested  to 
furnish  as  much  old  linen  for  lint  and  band- 
ages as  can  be  spared, 

Philadelphia  Committee  requested  to  procure 
linen  for  tents  for  the  Associators, 

Pay  of  Officers  of  the  armed  boats,  Provincial 
ship,  and  floating  battery,  - 

Daniel  Burkhard,  George  Hubley,  Jacob  Bun- 
ner,  and  Benjamin  Weiser,  recommended 
for  Captains  of  the  four  German  Companies,  1289 

Committees  of  Bucks,  Chester,  Northumber- 
land, Lancaster,  and  Berks  Counties,  re- 
quested to  publish  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence on  Monday  next, 

Sheriff  of  Philadelphia  directed  to  read  and  pro- 
claim at  the  State  House,  on  Monday  next, 
at  twelve  o'clock,  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, 

Eight  rounds  of  powder  ordered  for  the  Asso- 
ciators, to  be  used  in  training  them,  - 

Army  Regulations  printed  for  the  Associators 
going  into  the  Continental  service, 

Ironmasters  employed  in  casting  cannon  or 
shot  authorized  to  employ  prisoners  of  war 
at  Lancaster  and  Reading, 


-  1289 


-  1289 


-  1289 


-  1289 


-  1289 


Adam  Kuhn  appointed  Physician  and  Surgeon- 
General  to  the  troops  under  orders  for  New- 
Jersey,  -  -  -  -  1290 

Persons  employed  in  making  guns,  gun-locks, 
chevaux-de-frise,  or  piers,  for  the  publick 
not  to  march  with  the  Militia  without  special 


permission, 

Two  hundred  weight  of  lead  to  be  delivered  to 
Colonel  Miles,  for  the  use  of  the  troops  un- 
der his  command, 

Committee  to  collect  all  the  leaden  window- 
weights,  and  other  lead  in  Germantown  and 
its  neighbourhood,  - 

Two  hundred  pounds  of  lead  ordered  for  an 
Artillery  company  of  New-Jersey, 

Order  for  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  re- 
ceived from  the  Congress,  - 

Committee  of  Bucks  County  directed  to  have 
repaired  all  the  fire-arms  collected  from  the 
Non- Associators, 

Prisoners  from  North-Carolina  permitted  to 
write  to  their  friends, 

Twelve  hundred  flints,  one  quarter  cask  of 
powder,  sixty  pikes,  and  powder  and  lead 
for  sixty  Riflemen,  ordered  to  be  delivered 
to  Colonel  Thomas  McKean,  of  the  Fourth 
Battalion, 


-  1290 


-  1290 


-  1290 
n 

-  1290 

-  1290 


-  1291 
o 

-  1291 


-  1291 


XCI 

1776. 

July  9,  Parole  of  Allan  McDonald  taken,   -         -         -1291 
10,  Fifty  pounds   offered    to  any  person  who  will 
apprehend   Major   Rodders,  and  deliver  him 
to  the  Council  of  Safety,     -  -1291 

10,  Prisoners   of  war   sent    from    Philadelphia   to 

Yorktown,          ------  1292 

11,  Committee   to  examine  and  value  awnings  to 

be  taken  and  made  up  into  tents,         -          -   1292 

12,  Committee  to  pay  for  the  brigantine  Nancy,    -   1292 
12,  Committee  to  draw  up  a  plan  for  the  support 

of  the  poor  Associators  upon  the  present 

i  \pedition  into  the.ler  ...  1293 

12,  Lieutenant  Webb,  of  the  armed  boat  Bull-Dog, 

restored  to  his  command,  -  -  -  -  1293 

12,  Lieutenants  anil  Knsigns  for  the  four  German 

Companies  recommended  to  Congress,  -  1293 

12,  Committees  of  Inspection  and  Observation  of 
the  several  Counties  requested  to  be  vigilant 

.•uring  the  arms  of  the  Non-Associators,  1293 

15,  One  hundred  thousand  cartridges  directed  to 

be  sent  to  Jersey,  -  -  1294 

15,  Persons  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  small 
arms  must  be  permitted  to  continue  that 
necessary  business,  -----  1294 

15,  Abraham  Marshall  permitted  to  resign  his  com- 
mission, -------  1294 

15,  British  Officers,  prisoners,  required  to  leave 
Philadelphia  within  twenty-four  hours,  and 
to  repair  straightway  to  the  places  where  they 
are  ordered  to  reside,  -  1295 

15,  Provision  made  for  the  support  of  the  families 

of  the  poor  Associators  while  in  actual  ser- 
vice, 1295 

16,  Alexander  McDonald  liberated  on  his  parole,   1296 

16,  An   allowance  fixed  for  the  maintenance  of 

Mrs.  Conolly,     -  ...   1296 

17,  Persons  who  have  leaden  weights  or  clock- 

weights  requested  to  give  them  up  immedi- 
ately to  the  persons  appointed  to  collect 
them,  ....  -  1296 

18,  Marines  on  board  the  ship  and  floating-battery 

allowed  fifty  shillings  per  month,  -  1297 

19,  James  Carter  appointed  on  the  Committee  for 

superintending  the  making  of  fire-locks  and 
the  gun-lock  manufactory,  for  the  use  of  the 
Province,  -  -  1297 

20,  Brigadier-General  McKinley  permitted  to  pur- 

chase fifty  rifles  in  Lancaster,      ...  1298 
22,  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety  directed  to 

be  laid  before  the  Convention,    -         -         -  1298 

JulyU,  New  Committee  of  Safety  appointed  by  the 

Convention, 1298 

24,  Oath  administered  to  the  Members,        -         -  1299 
24,  Resolution  on  a  letter  from  the  Committee  for 

Berks  County,  -  .....  1299 

24,  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Berks  County,      -  1300 

25,  Jacob  S.  Howell  appointed  Secretary,    -         -  1300 

26,  Court-Martial  on  John  Peale,  Boatswain  of  the 

Ranger,  ordered,        -----  1301 

27,  John  Maxwell  Nesbit  appointed  Treasurer,     -  1301 
27,  Two  tons  of  lead,  and  two  tons  of  powder, 

made  into  cartridges,  ordered  for  the  use  of 

the  Army  under  General  Mercer,  -  -  1301 

29,  Further  provision  made  for  the  support  of  dis- 
tressed families  of  Associators  now  in  actual 
service,  -  1302 

29,  Two  new  cables  and  such  small  rigging  as  he 
may  want  for  sinking  the  pier  for  fixing  a 
boom  at  Fort  Island,  ordered  to  be  delivered 
to  John  Colburn,  -  -  1302 

29,  Order  to  deliver  Thomas  Hazlewood  two  hun- 
dred pounds  of  brimstone  for  the  use  of  the 
fire-rafts,  -  .  .  J3Q2 

29,  Application  to  the  Convention  to  determine 
the  matter  respecting  the  command  of  the 
fleet  of  the  State,  -  ....  1303 

31,  Captain  Blewer  ordered  to  procure  and  forward 
to  General  Mercer  ten  six-pound  and  ten 
four-pound  cannon,  -  ....  1303 

31,  Captain  Hazlewood  directed  to  deliver  James 

Mease  fifty  barrels  of  combustibles,  -  -  1303 

31,  Warrants  for  the  arrest  of  persons  concerned  in 

the  escape  of  Colonel  Kirkland,  -  1303 

31,  Persons  employed  at  the  iron  works  in  casting 
cannon  or  shot  for  the  publick  ordered  not 
to  leave  their  respective  works,  nor  to  march 
with  the  Militia,  ... 


CONTENTS. 


xcn 


1776. 
July  31,  Depositions  of  John  Walker  and  Martha  Ash, 

respecting  the  escape  of  Colonel  Kirkland,  -   1304 
Jlvg.l,  Jacob  Barge  directed  to  attend  the  Board,        -   1305 
1,  Resolve  that  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  late 
House  of  Assembly  respecting  the  Associ- 
ators ought  to  be  complied  with,  -  1305 

1,  Captain  John  Hamilton,  of  the  Congress,  and 

Captain  James  Montgomery,  of  the  Chatham, 
armed  boats,  resign  their  commissions,         -  1306 
2;  Warrant  for  apprehending  John  Thomas  and 

Arthur  Thomas,  -  1306 

2,  Warrant  for  apprehending  John  Hatton,  Sen., 

and  John' Hatton,  Jun.,       -         -  -   1307 

2,  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Salem  County,  New- 
Jersey,  respecting  the  arrest  of  Col.  Kirkland,   1307 
5,  Order  for  the  commitment  of  Alexander  Mau- 
rice, charged  as  being  inimical  to  the  Ame- 
rican States,      -  ...  1308 
5,  Letters  to  the  Delegates  in  Congress  for  arms,   1308 

5,  Commitment   of  John   Hatton,    Sen.,   to    the 

State  prison,      -  -  1308 

6,  Committees  for  hearing  the  complaints  of  the 

families  of  the  Associators  who  have  gone 
to  camp,  -  -  1309 

6,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  chosen  President  and 
David  Rittenhouse  Vice-President  of  the 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  1309 

6,  Sixty  stand  of  arms  to  be  supplied  to  the  Town 

of  Lancaster,     -  -  1309 

7,  Deputy  Quartermaster-General's  assistants  au- 

thorized to  quarter  their  troops  in  the  several 
places  of  publick  worship  in  Philadelphia,  in 
turn,  provided  they  cannot  procure  suitable 
quarters  elsewhere,  -  -  1310 

7,  Colonel  Matlack  requested  to  lay  before  the 
Convention  the  necessity  of  raising  the  Fly- 
ing-Camp, -  1310 

7,  All  the  companies  of  Associators  that  are  suffi- 
ciently provided  ordered  to  proceed  forward 
to  the  camp  without  delay,  -  1310 

7,  Commitment  of  John  Conner,  -         -  1310 

8,  Commitment  of  William  Sutton,     ...  1312 
8,  Commitment  of  James  McConnaughy,    -         -   1312 

8,  Militia  on  their  march   towards  the   camp  in 

New-Jersey  to  quarter  in  such  private  houses 

as  are  empty,     -  -  1313 

9,  Committee    for    carrying   on   the    salt   works 

erected  by  the  late  Committee  of  Safety  in 
New-Jersey,  -  -  1313 

9,  Officers    commissioned    in    Colonel    Samuel 

Miles's  battalion,        -  -  1313 

9,  Francis  Mentges  appointed  a  Lieutenant,  in 
consequence   of  General  Mercer's   recom- 
mendation, and  of  Mentges's  merit,    -         -  1313 
9,  Committee  to  fix  upon  a  plan  of  the  fortifica- 
tion at  Billingsport,    -  -  1313 
9,  Two  pieces  of  heavy  cannon  to  be  sent  to  camp 

in  New-Jersey,  -  -  1314 

10,  Dispute  about  the  naval  command  on  the  Dela- 
ware referred  to  the  Convention,  -  -  1314 

12,  Letter  to  the  President  of  the  New- York  Con- 
vention, informing  him  that  William  Sutton 
is  confined  in  the  State  prison,  -  -  1315 

15,  Commanding  Officers  of  each  battalion  or 
company  of  Associators  requested  forthwith 
to  return  a  list  of  the  names  of  the  Associ- 
ators who  have  deserted  from  their  respective 
corps,  -  -  1318 

17,  Resolutions  respecting  the  Associators  on  duty 

as  guards  in  Philadelphia,  -  -  1321 

20,  Commodore  Davison  and  the  Captains  of  the 
galleys  summoned  to  attend  the  Council  on 
Thursday  next,  -  -  1322 

20,  Warrant  for  the  arrest  of  George  Craws,  charged 

with  forgery,       -  -   1322 

20,  John  Hatton,  of  New-Jersey,  and  John  Hales, 

enlarged  on  bail,  -  1322 

21,  Lieutenant   Brownback    and    Ensign    Cypher 

summoned  to  attend  the  Council  on  Saturday 
next,  the  24th  instant,  to  answer  for  leaving 
their  colours  without  leave  of  their  command- 
ing-officer, -  1322 

21,  Lieutenant  Green  way,'of  the  ship  Montgomery, 

resigns  his  commission,      -  -  1323 

22,  George  Craws  brought  before  the  Council  of 

Safety,       -  -•  1323 

22,  Commitment   of  George   Craws  to  the   State 


prison. 


-  1324 


XC1II 

1776. 

Aug.  22,  Commodore  Davison  and  the  Captains  of  the 
galleys  appear  before  the  Council,  and  are 
heard,  -  -  ,  - 

24,  Application  to  the  Board  of  War  for  sixty  stand 
of  arms,  to  supply  the  Militia  now  on  their 
way  to  camp, 

27,  Printers  in  the  State,  in  the  present  scarcity  of 
cartridge-paper,  requested  to  spare  a  quantity 
of  their  paper  for  the  purpose  of  making 
cartridges, 

27,  Samuel  Davison  dismissed  from  the  command 
of  the  naval  armament  of  Pennsylvania, 

27,  Henry  Dougherty  appointed  to  the  command  of 

the  Delaware  galley,  building  at  Kensington,   1327 

27,  John  Rice  appointed  Commander  of  Conven- 
tion galley,  ----- 

27,  Reward  for  the  apprehension  of  the  ringleaders 

in  the  riot  this  day,  at  the  barracks,  in  Phila- 
delphia, 

28,  Commanding  Officers  of  the  troops  in  Philadel- 

phia directed  to  proceed  with  all  their  men 
to  Amboy,  to-morrow  morning,  and  not  to 
wait  for  any  arms  or  ammunition, 

30,  Commission  granted  for  the  privateer  brig  Gen- 
eral Montgomery,  commanded  by  James 
Montgomery,  ------ 

30,  Resolution  of  the  Council  of  Safety  on  the  re- 
ports of  designing  men,  that  there  are  more 
troops  in  the  camp  in  Jersey  than  are  wanted,  1330 


CONTENTS. 


xciv 


1776. 
July  6, 
6, 

7, 


9, 
9, 

9, 
9, 

10, 
11, 

11, 
13, 


16, 

18, 
18, 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Council  of  Safety  meets  at  Annapolis, 

Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer  appointed  Presi- 
dent, and  Charles  Carroll  Vice  President, 

Contract  with  John  Yost  for  making  three  hun- 
dred muskets,  -  -  - 

Lieutenant  Moore  to  throw  up  intrenchments 
for  the  protection  of  Annapolis,  - 

Advertisement  for  supplies  for'the  troops, 

Field-Officers  for  the  Upper  Battalion  of  Militia 
of  Prince  George's  County  appointed, 

Colonel  Smallwood  directed  to  make  a  return 
of  his  Battalion, 

Company  officers  appointed  for  Colonel  Small- 
wood's  battalion  of  regular  forces-, 

Advertisement  for  a  number  of  labourers, 

Resolutions  of  the  Associators  of  the  City  of 
Annapolis  presented, 

Captain  Fulford  authorized  to  employ  as  many 
men  for  the  protection  of  Annapolis  as  can 
conveniently  work  at  the  intrenchments, 

The  proprietors  of  Poplar-Island,  Tilghman's, 
Sharp's,  Baron,  and  James's  Islands,  and  the 
Islands  from  Hooper's  to  Cagre's  Straits,  re- 
quired to  remove  from  them  immediately  all 
the  stock  except  such  as  are  used  for  tillage, 

Committee  to  superintend  the  fortifications  and 
breastworks  in  the  City  of  Annapolis,  under 
the  direction  of  the  commanding  officer, 

Three  four-pounders  sent  down  to  St.  Mary's 
County,  ------,- 

Commanding  Officer  in  St.  Mary's  County  di- 
rected to  take  under  his  charge  the  schooner 
lately  taken  from  the  enemy ;  likewiss  the" 
sloop  aground  there,  if  it  can  be  done  with 
safety,  -  -  - 


18,  Colonel  Kale's  battalion  to  march  immediately 

18, 


to  Annapolis,     - 

All  persons  between  Annapolis  and  St.  Mary's 
County  requested  to  give  their  aid  and  assist- 
ance in  getting  down  the  cannon,  ammuni- 
tion, &c.,  to  St.  George's  Island, 

19,  Captain  Thomas's  company  ordered  to  proceed 

immediately  to  St.  Mary's  County, 

20,  Militia  companies  on  duty  at  Annapolis  dis- 

charged,   -         -         -         -         - 
22,  Denwood  Turpin  and  Solomon  Ward,  brought 
under  guard  from  Somerset  County,  examined 
before  the  Council  of  Safety,        -         -         - 

22,  Slaughter-houses  in  Annapolis  prohibited, 

23,  Alexander  McGee,  of  Baltimore  County,  exam- 

ined before  the  Council  of  Safety, 
25,  No  person  whatever  hereafter  permitted  to  em- 
bark on   board    any  man-of-war,  tender,  or 
other  vessel,  in  order  to  remove  out  of  this 
Colony  to  Great  Britain,      ...         - 


1776. 
July  2( 

1324 

27, 

29, 

30, 

1325 

31, 

dug.l 

1326 

2, 

1327. 

3, 

1327 

1327 

3, 

1327 

3, 

5, 

1327 

6, 

7, 

1330 

20, 

27, 

1330 

1776. 

1331 

July  9, 

1331 

10, 

1331 

1331 

1332 

11, 

1332 

1332 

11, 

1333 

15, 

1333 

15, 

1334 

22, 

1334 

23, 

1335 

25, 

1337 

25, 

1338 

25, 

25, 

1338 

26, 

1339 

27, 

27, 

1339 

27, 

1339 

29, 

1340 

1341 

29, 

1341 

29, 

1341 

30, 

30, 

1342 

July  26,  Charges  against  the  Rev.  John  Scott,  examined 

by  the  Council,  -  1343 

27,  Commissions  to  Militia  officers  issued,    *        -  1344 

29,  Heavy  cannon  to  be  sent  to  Annapolis,  -         -  1344 

30,  Commanding  officer  at  Annapolis  requested  to 

arrest  William  Warren  Clayton,  and  bring 

him  immediately  before  the  Council,    -         -  1345 

31,  Order  for  the  arrest  of  William  Yeldel,    -         -  1345 
Jlug.  1,  Commissions  to  officers  in  Colonel  Kent's  bat- 
talion of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp,  -         -  1346 

2,  Commissions  for  officers  of  a  company  in  Kent 

County,  for  the  Flying-Camp,     -  -  1347 

3,  William  Bartlett  Townsend  brought  before  the 

Council,  examined,  and  committed  to  a 
^  guard,  -  -  1347 

3,  Colonel  Ewing  ordered  to  march  his  battalion, 
in  detachments,  as  fast  as  they  are  armed,  to 
Philadelphia,  -  -  1347 

3,  Basil  Clarkson,  Joseph  Wheland,  John  Evans, 
and  Robert  Howith,  brought  before  the  Coun- 
cil, examined,  and  committed  to  Jail,  -  -  ]347 

5,  Commissions  issued  to  officers  of  Colonel  Hall's 

battalion  of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp,      -  1348 

6,  Sundry  commissions  issued,    -  -  1348 

7,  Commissions  to  Colonel  Griffith's  battalion,  &c.,  1350 
20,  Caleb  Jones  examined  before  the  Council,  and 

placed  under  bonds,    -  -  1356 

27,  Colonel  Hall  requested  to  march  his  battalion, 

with  all  .convenient  speed,  to  Philadelphia,  -  1360 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Three  tons  of  powder  to  be  sent  from  the  Bri- 
gades of  Edenton,  Halifax,  and  Newbern,  for 
Charlestown,  -  -  1363 

Oath  to  be  taken  by  Judges  of  the  Courts  for 
hearing  and  determining  Maritime  matters,  at 
the  ports  of  Edenton,  Bath,  Newbern,  and 
Wilmington,  -  -  1363 

Proceedings  on  the  information  that  many  per- 
sons within  the  Province,  inimical  to  the  lib- 
erties of  America,  have  offered  Bills  of  Credit 
at  a  depreciation,  _  -  -  1363 

Money  advanced  to  Richard  Blackledge,  to  en- 
able him  to  erect  and  carry  on  salt  works,  -  1363 

Rev.  George  Micklejohn  to  be  removed  imme- 
diately from  the  County  of  Orange,  -  -  1364 

Commissioners  for  the  purchase  of  gunpowder, 
lead,  &c.,  appointed,  -  -  -  1364 

Committees  of  the  respective  Towns  and  Coun- 
ties in  the  Colony  required,  on  receiving  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  to  cause  it  to 
be  proclaimed  in  the  most  publick  manner,  -  1365 

Five  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  Colo- 
nel Taylor,  to  be  marched,  with  all  expedition, 
to  the  western  frontiers,  -  -  1365 

William  Miller,  Andrew  Wilson,  and  William 
Clarke,  sent  to  particular  places,  on  parole.  -  1365 

New  Test  subscribed  by  the  members  of  the 
Council  of  Safety,  -  -  -  1366 

John  Hunter  sent  to  the  town  of  Martinsbo- 
rough,  on  parole,  -----  1366 

Resolution  to  encourage  the  importation  of 
common  salt,  -  -  1366 

Resolution  to  prevent  the  forestalling  of  com- 
mon salt,  -  -  1367 

Resolution  to  enforce  the  directions  of  Congress 

respecting  exportation,        -         -  -   1367 

Agreement  with  Robert  Neilson  for  the  import- 
ation of  salt,  arms,  and  ammunition,  -  -  1367 

William  Turner  and  other,s  committed  to  Jail 
for  passing  counterfeit  money,  -  -  1367 

Thursday,  the  1st  of  August,  set  apart  for  pro- 
claiming the  Declaration  of  Independence,  in 
the  town  of  Halifax,  -  -  1368 

Resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress,  of  the 
24th  of  June  last,  with  respect  to  treason, 
sent  to  the  respective  Counties  and  Towns 
of  the  Colony,  to  be  made  publick,  -  -  1368 

Order  for  the  arrest  of  William  Harrell,  -         -  1369 

General  Rutherford  directed  to  order  three  hun- 
dred men  to  act  in  concert  with  the  Virginia 
forces  against  the  Overhill  Cherokees,  -  -  1369 

Examinations  respecting  sundry  persons  con- 
cerned in  passing  counterfeit  money,  -  -  1369 

Thomas  Harrison,  suspected  of  being  an  enemy 
to  the  Colony,  arrested,  -  -  -  1369 


xcv 

1776. 

Jlug.  1,  John  Gale,  or  William  Culvert,  appointed  to 
command  the  briirantine  Betsey,  now  lying 
in  F.denton  Hay.  rtden  with  a  cargo  on  Con- 
tinental account,  -  ...  1370 

1,  Arrangement  with   Robert   Smith,  of  Edenton, 

lor  the  importation  of  salt,  arms,  ammuni- 
tion. and  other  warlike  store.-,  -  -  -  1370 

2,  Order  for  tin-  arrest  of  John  Smith,  charged  with 

passing  counterfeit  money.  ...   1371 

3,  Order  for  tin  arrest  of  John'  Tilts,   -  -   1371 
3,  diaries  against  William   Edwards  declared  to 

be  totally  groundless.  ...   1371 

3,  Directions  for  appointing  proper  persons  to  ox- 
plain  to  the  people  of  the  western  parts  of  the 
Colonv  the  justice  ami  necessity  of  the  meas- 
ures pursued  by  the  I'nited  Stales  of  America 
for  su-taiuiiiir  our  civil  tights  and  liberties,  -  1371 

5,  Agreement  with  John  Webb,  for  importing  salt, 

arms,  ammunition,  and  other  warlike  stores,  -   1371 

6,  Colonel  Folesome  and  Colonel  Smith  appointed 

to  proclaim  the  Declaration  of  Independence 

in  Cumberland  County,       -  -         -   1372 

7,  Committee  of  Edrnton  authorized  to  appoint  a 

known  friend  of  American  independence  to 
command  the  brig  Betsey,  -  1372 

9,  Recommendation  to  the  people  to  pay  great 
attention  to  the  election  to  be  held  on  the 
15th  of  October  next.  -  1373 

9,  Lewis  Williamson  required  to  keep  possession 
of  the  books  and  papers  of  Anthony  War- 
wick &  Co.,  -  ....  1373 

9,  Richard  Dunnivan  and  William  Miller  discharged 
from  parole,  and  declared  to  be  members  and 
free  citizens  of  the  State,  -  -  -  -  1373 

12,  Lead  Mine  on  Great  Fishing  Creek,  in  the 

County  of  Halifax,  ordered  to  be  examined,   1374 

13,  James  Childs,  a  preacher  of  the  New-Light  Bap- 

tist  persuasion,  declared   to  be  an  enemy  to 

the  State,  -  -  1375 

13,  John  Campbell  to  be  henceforward  considered 

as  a  member  and  free  citizen  of  the  State,  -  1375 
13,  Adjourned  to  Wake  County,  at  the  house  of 

Joel  Lane,          -        -  ...  1375 

Jug.  21,  Council  met  in  Wake  County,     -  -1376 

Samuel  Ash  chosen  President,  in  place  of  Cor- 

nelius Harnet,  who  has  leave  of  absence,     -  1376 
22,  Petition  from  the  Committee  of  the  settlements 
of  Watauga  and  Holstein,  called  by  them  the 
Washington  District,  -  1376 

22,  Officers  and  soldiers  of  Virginia  and  this  State, 

who  have  marphed  against  the  Cherokees, 
requested  to  restore  to  the  owners  the  stock 
they  may  recapture  from  the  Indians,  -  -  1376 

23,  John  Cowper,  of  Beaufort  County,  merchant,  re- 

quired to  deliver,  on  oath,  an  exact  account  of 

the  quantity  ofsalt  he  has  now  in  his  possession,  1377 

23,  On  information  that  the  Cherokees,  of  the  Low- 
er, Middle,  and  Valley  settlements,  have  aban- 
doned their  towns,  the  order  for  reinforcing 
General  Rutherford  is  countermanded,  -  1377 

23,  Persons,  of  the  Militia  in  Hillsborough  District, 
who  have  refused  to  do  duty,  to  be  tried  by 
Courts-Martial,  -  -  1377 

23,  Conner  Doud  directed  to  sell  the  salt  in  his  pos- 

session to  the  Whigs  who  bore  arms  in  the 
late  expedition  against  the  Tories  at  Moore's 
Creek,  -  .  1377 

24,  Petition  of  a  number  of  inhabitants  of  Cumber- 

land County,  complaining  of  many  abuses 
committed  by  Colonel  Folesome,  -  1377 

26,  Proceedings  in  relation  to  William  Campbell, 

late  owner  of  the  ship  Alexander,         -         -   1378 

28,  Reneca  Julian,  James  Walker,  Jacob  Elliot, 
Abraham  Woodward,  James  Wilson,  William 
Diaper,  and  John  Underbill,  brought  from 
Guilford  County,  as  persons  inimical  to  the 
cause  of  America,  -  ...  1373 

28,  Commissioners  at  the  ports  of  Edenton,  Bath, 
Newbern,  and   Wilmington,  empowered  to 
give  permits  to  vessels  for  any  of  the  French, 
Spanish,  Dutch,  or  Danish  Islands,      -         -   1379 
Adjourned  to  Salisbury,  in  the  County  of  Rowan,   1379 


CONTENTS. 


XCVI 


Sept.  6,  Council  met  at  Salisbury,       -         ... 
6,  James  Hunter  and  Joseph  Dobson,  of  Guilford 
County,  admitted  as  free  citizens  and  mem- 


1379 


bers  of  the  State, 


.  1379 


1776. 


.  7,  The  troops  stationed  on  the  frontiers  of  Tryon 


County,  to  remain  there,     - 


9,  Petition  for  the  release  of  Michael  Holt,  late  of 
Orange  County,  at  present  confined  in  Phila- 


-  1379 


delphia,     - 


-  1380 


13,  Adjourned  to  the  Town  of  Halifax,  in  the-County 

of  Halifax,  -  -  1380 

Sept.  27,  Council  met  at  Halifax,  -  1381 

27,  Willie    Jones    chosen    President,    in   place   of 

Samuel  Ashe,  who  has  leave  of  absence,     -  1381 
27,  Order  for  the  arrest  of  Hance  Hamilton,  ofGran- 
villc  County,  a  person  inimical  to  the  liberties 
of  America,        -  -  1381 

27,  Soldiers,  except  such  as  have  a  right  to  vote, 
not  permitted  to  be  or  appear  at  the  ensuing 
election  of  Delegates,  ....  1382 

Oct.  1,  Orders  to  Sylvanus  Pendleton,  commander  of 

the  armed  brig  King  Taminy,       -  -   1382 

1,  Orders  to  Joshua  Hempstead,  commander  of  the 

armed  vessel  Pennsylvania  Farmer,      -         -  1382 
Adjourned  to  meet  at  this  Town  of  Halifax,  on 

the  17th,    -  -  1383 

17,  General  Moore  requested  to  lay  before  the  Coun- 
cil a  state  of  the  Continental  forces  in  the 
State,  -  1383 


21,  Commission  for  the  privateer   sloop  Polly  is- 


sued 


1383 
1383 


21,  Further  orders  to  Captain  Pendleton,      -         - 
Orders  to  Captain  John  Foster,  commander  of 
the  armed  brig  General  Washington,   -         -  1384 

23,  Further  orders  to  Captain  Hempstead,    - 

The  Continental  Battalions  in  North-Carolina, 
being  far  from  complete,  sickly,  and  ill  pro- 
vided with  clothing,  their  march  to  the  North 
is  suspended,  - 

25,  General  Howe  directed  to  reclaim  the  North- 
Carolina  soldiers  inlisted  in  the  service  of 
South-Carolina,  and  to  remand  the  whole  of 
the  North-Carolina  troops  now  in  Georgia  - 

25,  Nicholas  Long  'directed  to  take  into  his  posses- 
sion the  Tory  horses  and  wagons  condemned 
by  the  last  Congress,  - 


-  1384 


-  1384 


1385 


-  1386 


1776. 
JulyQ, 


NEW-YORK    CONVENTION. 

_  i 

Provincial  Congress  met  at  the  Court-House  in 
the  Town  of  White-Plains,  in  the  County  of 
Westchester,  -  -  1385 

General  Nathaniel  Woodhull  elected  President,   1385 

John  McKesson  and  Robert  Benson  chosen 
Secretaries,  -  -  1385 

Credentials  of  the  Delegates  presented,  -         -  1385 

Deputies  from  Charlotte  County  produced  no 
credentials,  -  -  -  1387 

Members  who  had  not  been  sworn  required  to 
take  the  general  oath  of  secrecy,  -  -  1387 

Benjamin  Smith,  refusing  to  take  the  oath  of 
secrecy,  required  to  withdraw,  - 


9, 

9,  Letter  from  the  Delegates  in  Congress,  dated 

9, 


-  1387 
d 

-  1387 


July  2,  received  and  read,  - 
Letter  from  the  Delegates  in  Congress,  enclosing 

the  Declaration  of  Independence,  -  -  1387 
9t  Committee  on  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  1389 
9,  Letter  from  Joseph  Reed,  Adjutant-General  of 

the  American  Army,  read  and  referred,  -  1389 
9,  Committee  to  consider  and  report  on  the  let- 

ters on  the  subject  of  the  new  regiment,  -  1390 
9,  Letter  from  William  Goforth,  dated  July  6,  re- 

signing his  commission  of  Major,  -  1390 

9,  Resolutions  approving  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 

pendence, -  1391 

9,  Committee  to  consider  and  report  the  proper 

places  for  the  reception  and  means  of  sup- 

port of  the  poor  inhabitants  of  the  City  and 

County  of  New-York,  -  1391 

9,  Additional  powers  granted  to  the  Committee 

on  the  conspiracy  lately  discovered,  -  -  1391 
10,  Credentials  of  the  Delegates  from  Tryon  County,  1392 
10,  Credentials  of  the  Delegates  from  the  City  and 

County  of  New-York,  -  1393 

10,  Depositions  and  Examinations  taken  by  the 

Secret  Committee,  delivered  by  Mr.  Morris,  1393 
10,  Style  and  title  of  the  House  changed  from  "  The 

Provincial  Congress  of  the  Colony  of  New- 

York,"  to  "The  Convention  of  the  Repre- 

sentatives of  the  State  of  New  York,"          -  1393 


XCVII 

1776. 

July  10,  Committee  to  confer  with  the  Commander-in- 
Chief,  concerning  the  preservation  of  the 
stock  on  Long-Island,  -  1393 

10,  Recommendation  of  Congress   to  form  a  Go- 
vernment to  be  considered  on  Tuesday  next,   1394 
10,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  East  and  South 
Hampton,  dated  July  5,  relative  to  the  stock 
of  cattle,    - 

10,  Letter  to  Egbert  Benson,        -  -  1394 

11,  Letter  to  the  Continental  Congress,  -  1395 
11,  Committee  of  Tryon  County  authorized  to  take 

the  leaden  weights  out  of  all  the  windows  in 

the  County,  -  -  1397 

11,  Lead  furnished  to  Charlotte,  Cumberland,  and 

Gloucester  Counties,  -----  1397 

11,  Committee  on  the  refusal  of  the  Troop  of  Horse 
of  Westchester  County  to  furnish  their  quota 
for  reinforcing  the  Army  at  New-York,  -  1397 

11,  Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress,  of  July  6, 

enclosing  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  -  1397 

11,  Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  -  1398 

12,  Letter  to  the  Committees  of  East  and  South- 

Hampton,  -  ...  1398 

12,  Memorial  from  Officers,  complaining  of  impro- 
per appointments  by  Congress,    -  -  1398 
12,  Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress  on  the  sub- 
ject of  these  complaints,      -  -  1399 
12,  Information   received  that   three    ships-of-war 
had  passed  New-York  and  sailed  up  Hudson's 
River,        -                                                     -  1399 

12,  Committee  to  take  such  measures  as  may  be 

necessary  on  the  occasion,  -  1399 

13,  Ammunition  ordered  for  the  Militia  of  Queen's 

County,     -  -  1399 

13,  Letter  to  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  -  -  1401 
13,  Letter  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammond,  -  1400 
13,  Letter  to  General  Washington,  -  -  1400 

15,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  of  July  14,  -  140 
15,  Letter  to  General  Washington,       -  -  1401 

15,  Committee  to  consider  General  Washington's 

letter  of  July  14,  -  1402 

15,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond,  of  July  14 : 
Has  taken  one  John  Fowler,  returning  from 
on  board  the  men-of-war,  -  -  1402 

15,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond,  dated  at  Tarry- 
town  this  day  :  The  men  are  very  desirous  of 
being  relieved,  -  -  1402 

15,  Colonel  Thomas  ordered  to  relieve  the  Militia 

stationed  at  Tarrytown, 
15,  Letter  to  Colonel  Hammond, 
15,  Resolution   of  the    Convention   to   cooperate 
cheerfully  with  General  Washington,  if  he 
should  think  it  expedient  to  abandon  the  city 
of  New- York,    and   retire  to  the  north  of 
King's  Bridge,  - 

15,  Letter  to  General  Washington, 

16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond,  with  a  return 

of  the  men  under  his  command,  - 

16,  Letter  to  Colonel  Hammond,  -  1404 

16  Letter  from  Joseph  Travis,  dated  at  Peekskill, 

July  15,     -  -  1404 

16,  Petition  of  Cadwallader  Golden,  Jun.,  dated  at 

Ulster  County  Jail,  July  6, 

16,  Letter  to  the  Committee  for  Ulster  County,      -  1405 
16,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond,      -  -  1405 

16,  Resolutions  for  the  defence  of  the  Highlands,  -  1406 
16,  Letter  to  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt,    -  -  1407 

16   Letter  to  the  Commissioners  for  building  the 

Continental  ships  at  Poughkcepsie,     -         -   1407 
16  Resolution  of  the  General  Committee  of  Dutchess 

County,  of  July  13,    -  -  1408 

16  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Dutchess  County, 

dated  July  12 :   read  and  referred,  -  1408 

16,  Secret  Committee  for  obstructing  the  channel 

of  Hudson's  River,  or  annoying  the  enemy's 

ships  in  their  navigating  up  that  river,  - 
16,  Letter  to  General  Washington,        -  -  1409 

16,  Consideration  of  the  necessity  and  propriety  of 

establishing  an  independent  civil  government 

postponed  to  the  1st  of  August  next,  -         -  1410 

16,  Resolutions  defining  treason  against  the  State,   1410 
17^  Letter  from  Colonel  Malcom  :  'Many  of  his  men 

are  without  arms,       -  -  1410 

17,  Secret  Committee  impowered  to  impress  boats, 

vessels,  teams,  wagons,  horses,  and  drivers,  -  1411 
17,  Order  for  the  arrest  and  confinement  of  James 
Horton,   Jun.,    William  Sutton,    and   John 
Sutton,      -         -  -  1412 


CONTENTS. 


XCV1II 


1776. 
July  17,  Letter  from  General  Scott,  dated  New- York, 

.Ju|y  is.   -  -      -  1412 

17,  Field-Officers  of  the  Regiments  of  Militia,  to  go 

into  immediate  service,  appointed,  -  -  1412 

17,  Letter  or  Report  from  John  McDonald,  dated 

Little  Nine  Partners'  Mine,  -  -  1413 

17,  Letter  from  Egbert  Benson,  dated  July  12, 

again  read,  .  -  1413 

17,  Report  on  the  letter  read  and  postponed,         -  1413 

17,  Letter  from  the  Committee  appointed  te  confer 
with  General  Washington,  dated  New- York, 
July  12,  -  .  1414 

17,  Report  on  the  Letter  read  and  postponed,        -  1414 

17,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond,      ...  1414 

18,  Committee  to  examine  two  prisoners  appre- 

hended by  Major  Graham,  -  -  1415 

18,  Letter  to  the  Committee  for  the  town  of  Roches- 
ter, in  Ulster  County,  -  -  1415 

18,  The  President  ordered  to  absolve  all  the  Mem- 
.  bers  and  the  Secretaries  from  the  oath  of 
secrecy  taken  under  the  resolution  of  the  5th 
of  June  last,  relative  to  dangerous  and  dis- 
affected persons,  -  -  -  .  -  1415 

18,  Members  added  to  the  Committee  on  the  horned 

cattle  and  live  stock  on  Nassau-Island,  -  1415 

18,  Letter  from  David  Matthews  and  application 
from  John  L.  C.  Rome,  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  to  deal  with  dangerous  and 
disaffected  persons,  -  -  1415 

18,  Report  on  the  Rangers  for  the  defence  of  the 

frontier  Counties  read  and  recommitted,  -  1415 

18,  Letter  from  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  and 
Captain  Zephaniah  Platt :  read  and  ordered 
to  be  sent  to  General  Washington,  -  -  1416 

18,  Letter  to  General  Washington,        -         -         -  1416 

18,  Report  on  the  cattle  on  Nassau-Island :  con- 
sidered and  postponed,  -  -  1417 

18,  Report  of  Committee  on  dangerous  and  disaf- 
fected persons,  -  ...  1417 

18,  Report  approved,  and  prisoners  directed  to  be 

sent  to  Litchfield,  Connecticut,  ...  1417 

19,  Bond  of  John  Carpenter  and  others,  for  money 

for  erecting  a  powder-mill,  -  -  1418 

19,  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  the  cattle 

on  Nassau-Island  further  considered,  -  -  1419 

19,  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Litchfield,  Con- 
necticut, -  -  1419 

19,  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond,  at  Cortlandt's 

Ferry,  -  -  -  -  1420 

19,  Committee  of  Westchester  County  requested  to 
meet  on  the  22d  instant,  for  the  trial  of  pri- 
soners now  in  jail,  -  -  1420 

19,  Consideration  of  the  report  on  the  horned  cattle 

and  live  stock  on  Nassau-Island  resumed,    -  1420 

20,  Letter  from  Colonel  Henry  Ludenton,  of  Dutch- 

ess  County,  of  July  19,  1422 

20,  Letter  to  Colonel  Ludenton,  -  -  1422 

20,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  dated  July  19, 

read  and  sent  to  the  Secret  Committee,        -  1422 
20,  Resolutions  formed  on  the  report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  General  Washington's  answer  re- 
lating to  horned  cattle  on  Nassau-Island,     -  1424 
20,  Letter  to  General  Washington,       ...  1425 
20,  Committee  to  transact  business  during  the  ad- 
journment of  the  House,     -         -        -         -  1426 

20,  Letter  from  Colonel  Weisenfels,  dated  New- 

York,  July  14,  -        -        -        -        -        -  1426 

21,  Permission  given  to  dismiss  a  portion  of  the          - 

men  from  neighbouring  States  now  doing  duty 

on  Hudson's  River,    -----   1427 

22,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake,  -  1428 
22,  Committee  on  his  complaint,  -  1428 
22,  Letter  from  John  Alsop,  Delegate  in  Congress, 

dated  July  16,    -  -  1428 

22,  Mr.  Alsop's  resignation  accepted,  ...  1428 
22,  Report  of  the  Committee  on  raising  Rangers  in 

the  northern  Counties  of  the  State,      -         -   1429 
22,  The  report  considered  and  agreed  to,      -        -  1430 
22,  Letter  to  the  Delegates  in  Congress  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  dismission  of  John  Alsop,  -        -  1431 

22,  Committee  to  wait  on  General  Gates,  and  ob- 

tain a  full  insight  into  the  state  of  the  northern 
Army,        -  -  1431 

23,  Committee  to  wait  on  Governour  Trumbull,     -  1432 
23,  Exportation  of  provisions  from  the  port  of  New- 
York  prohibited,  -         -         -  1432 

23,  Letter  to  General  Gates,  -  1432 

23,  Le'tter  to  Leonard  Gausevoort  and  Jacob  Cuyler,  1433 


XCIX 

me. 

July  '23,  Resolutions  for  the  raising  and  appointment  ol 
Rangers  in  the  northern  Counties, 

23,  Company  of  men  to  be  raised  for  a  guard  to  tin; 

stores  arid  vessels  with  provisions  and  ammu- 
nition in  and  about  Albany,  -   1435 

24,  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  manufacture 

of  saltpetre, 

24,  Gunpowder  sent  to  the  Indians, 

24,  Committri!  to  provide  modes  of  providing  for 
deserving  officers  who  stood  forth  in  defence 
of  the  liberties  of  America  in  the  dawn  of 
this  dispute,  -  i  -  1436 

24,  Two  hundred  thousand  Pounds,  in  Bills  of  Cre- 
dit, ordered  to  be  immediately  struck  and 
issnrd  for  the  publick  exigencies  of  the 


CONTENTS. 


Stair, 


-  1437 


24,  Joab  Hoisington  appointed  Major  of  the  Ran- 
gers raised  in  Gloucester  and  Cumberland 
Counties,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  1437 

24,  Examination  of  witnesses  on  the  complaints 
against  Colonel  Hammond, 

24,  Commission  to  Major  Hoisington,  -  -  1439 

25,  Letter  from  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and  Captain 

Platt,  dated  at  Peekskill,  July  23,  -  1440 

25,  Letter  to  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and  Captain 

Platt,          -        -  -  1440 

25,  Committee  to  examine  Balthazar  de  Hart,        -  1441 
25,  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Litchfield,  Con- 
necticut, dated  July  22,      -  -  1441 
25,  Committee  to  consider  the  state  of  the  prison- 
ers lately  sent  to  Litchfield,         -  -  1441 
25,  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  case  of  James 

Stewart,     -  "..."'""  1441 

25,  Affidavits  with  respect  to  the  inimical  declara- 

tions and  threats  used  by  William  Sutton  and 

his  son,  John  Sutton,  -        -  1443 

26,  Examination  of  Balthazar  de  Hart,           -         -  1444 
26,  Letter  to  Governour  Trumbull,        -  1445 
26,  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Litchfield,  Connec- 
ticut,                              1446 

26,  Letter  to  General  Washington,  -  -  -  1446 
26,  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Monmouth  County, 

New-Jersey,       ------  1446 

26,  Letter  to  the  President  of  the  Convention  of 

New-Jersey,      ------  1446 

26,  Report  on  the  Troop  of  Horse  in  Westchester 

County, 1447 

26,  Petition  of  William  Sutton,  -  1447 

26,  Letter  from  Dr.  Graham,  -  ...  1448 

26,  Memorial  of  Alexander  Stewart,  -  1448 

26,  Examination  of  William  Sutton,      ...  1449 

27,  Letter  from  Colonel  Nicoll,  July  22,        -         -  1450 
27,  Letter  from  Colonel  Swartwout,  Fishkill,  July 

25, 1450 

27,  Letter  from  Dr.  Cooke,  Poughkeepsie,  July  24,  1450 
27,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  New- York, 

July  24, 1450 

27,  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull,  Lebanon, 

July  17,  -  -  -  -  1452 

27,  Letter  to  Governour  Trumbull,  -  -  1452 
27,  Letter  from  Colonel  Henry  Remsen,  one  of  the 

Members  for  the  City  of  New-York,  July  24,  1452 

27,  Letter  from  the  New-York  Committee,  July  26,  1453 

27,  Thomas  Fleet's  bond,  -  -  -  1453 
27,  Letter  from  Robert  Yates,  Poughkeepsie,  July 

22,  -  -  1453 
27,  Letter  from  Henry  Wilmot,  July  26,  -  -1454 

27,  Letter  to  Captain  Hazlewood,  -  -  1454 
27,  William  Sutton  sent  under  a  safe  guard,  at  his 

own  expense,  to  the  jail  of  Philadelphia,  -  1454 
27,  Letter  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 

Philadelphia,  -  ...  1455 

27,  Report  on  the  Petition  of  Alexander  Stewart,  -  1455 

27,  John  Sutton  admonished  and  discharged,  -  1456 

27,  Adjourned  to  meet  at  Harlem  on  Monday  next,  1457 

29,  Convention  met  in  the  Church  at  Harlem  :  no 

quorum,  -          ...   1457 

30,  Petition  of  Richard  Cantillon,  of  Amenia  pre- 

cinct, and  John  Parkinson,  of  Charlotte  pre- 
cinct, in  Dutchess  County,  ...  1457 

30,  The  Doorkeeper,  who  necessarily  hears  many 
of  the  debates  of  the  Convention,  sworn  to 
secrecy,  -  .  .  1458 

30,  Report  on  supplying  the  good  people  of  the 

Stato  with  salt  agreed  to,  -  -  -  .  1458 

30,  Information  received  that  a  number  of  disaffect- 
ed persons  had  inlisted  in  the  Continental 
service,  -  -  -  -  -  -  1459 


1776. 
July  30,  Letter  from  the  Committee  at  Kingston,  July 

23,  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  prisoners,  -  1459 

30,  Letter  from  several  Captains  of  Militia  in  King's 

County,  July  26,  -  1460 

31,  Returns  required  of  the  state  of  the  Militia  in 

the  several  Brigades  of  the  State,  on  the  1st 

of  September  next,     -  -   1461 

31,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake,  at  New- 

Rochelle,  July  24,      -         -  -  1461 

31,  Richard  Morris  appointed  Judge  of  the  High 

Court  of  Admiralty  of  the  State,  -  -  1461 

31,  John  McKesson  appointed  Register,  and  Robert 
Benson  appointed  Marshal  and  Provost  Mar- 
shal of  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty,  -  -  1461 

31,  Letter  from  Cornelius  C.  Roosevelt,  -   1461 

31,  Letter  from  Captain  Alexander  Hamilton,        -  1462 

31,  Letter  from  Joseph  Robinson,  Deputy  Chairman 

of  the  Committee  of  Queen's  County,          -  1462 

31,  Memorial  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stockholm  and 

Major  Livingston,       -  -         -   1463 

31,  Committee  of  Dutchess  County  requested  to 
send  a  guard  to  John  R.  Livingston's  pow- 
der-mill, -  -  1463 

31,  Letter  from  William  Datcher,  offering  to  raise 

a  company,        -  -  -  1463 

31,  Objections  made  by  Mr.  Morris   to   General 

Scott's  right  to  a  seat  in  the  Convention,     -  1463 

31,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Queen's  County, 

July  24,     -        -  -        -  1464 

Jlug.  1,  Militia  of  Charlotte,  Cumberland,  and  Glouces- 
ter, formed  into  two  brigades,      -  -  1464 
1,  Jacob  Bayley,  of  Nevvbury,  appointed  Brigadier- 
General   of  the   Militia  of  Gloucester  and 
Cumberland  Counties,  -  1464 
1,  Report  on  issuing  a  second  emission  of  bills  of 

credit  in  the  Colony  read  and  recommitted,  -  1465 
1,  Committee  to  report  a  plan  for  instituting  and 
framing  a  form  of  Government  and  a  bill  of 
rights,  -  1466 

1,  Petition  of  Alexander  Robertson  and  others, 

who  propose  to  make  salt,  -  -   1466 

1,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Queen's  County : 

enclosing  Lord  Howe's  Proclamation,          -  1466 
1,  General  Scott  requested  to  take  into  custody 

Sheriff  Willet,  of  Queen's  County,       -         -1467 

1,  Letter  from  Colonel  Ritzema  to  John  McKes- 

son, -  -  1467 

2,  Committee  on  the  letter  from  John  Berrien,  on 

the  frequent  sales  of  Bohea  tea,  -  -  1469 

2,  Letter  from  John  Berrien  and   others,   dated 

New-York,  July  30,    -  -  1469 

2,  Quit  rents  formerly  due  and  payable  to  the 
King,  are  now  declared  to  be  due  to  the 
State,  -  1470 

2,  Day   of  fasting,   humiliation,   and  prayer,   ap- 
pointed for  the  27th  instant,        -  -  1470 
2,  Richard  Morris  declines  to  accept  the  office  of 

Judge  of  the  Court  of  Admiralty,  -  1471 

2,  Memorial  of  Daniel  Shaw,      -  -  1471 

2,  Letter  from  the  Committee  at  the  White- 
Plains,  -  -  1471 

2,  Letter  to  the  Committee  at  Kingston,  relative 

to  the  prisoners  there  on  parole,  -         -  1471 

3,  Letter  to  the  absent  Members  of  the  Secret 

Committee,         -         -  -         -   1472 

3,  Letter  from  Abraham  Cuyler  and  others,  for  per- 
mission to  return  to  their  respective  homes,  1472 

3,  Mr.  Morris's  motion  for  a  peremptory  order  to 
the  Committee  at  Albany  to  return  their  pro- 
ceedings against  Abraham  Cuyler  and  others 
rejected,  -  -  -  1473 

3,  Letter  from  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and  Captain 

Platt,  August  2,  -  1473 

5,  Lewis  Graham  appointed  Judge  of  the  Court 

of  Admiralty  of  the  State,  -  -  1474 

5,  Application  of  William  Goforth  and  John  Hous- 
ton for  encouragement  for  erecting  salt- 
works, -  -  1475 

5,  Telescope  belonging  to  the  College  in  New- 
York  taken  for  General  Washington,  -  -  1475 

5,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  the  City  of  New- 

York,  -         -  1476 

6,  Letter  to  General  Washington,        -  -   1477 
6,  Examination  of  Thomas  Willett,      -  -1478 
6,  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New- 
York,                                                                 -  1480 

6,  Consideration  of  the  question  on  Mr.  Scott's 

eligibility  postponed  till  to-morrow,     -         -  1481 


ci  CONTENTS. 

1776. 
Jlug.  7,  Committee  to  report  regulations  for  establishing 

a  fund  in  the  State,    -  -   1481 

7,  Memorial  of  Abel  Noble  and  Peter  Townsend,   1481 

7,  Letter  from  Richard  Speight,  of  August  1,       -  1482 

7,  Mr.  Roosevelt's  report  on  printing  and  signing 
the  bills  of  credit  under  the  resolutions  of 
5th  March  and  8th  May  last,  -  -  1482 

7,  Letter  to  the  Delegates  of  the  State  in  Con- 
gress, -  -  1483 

7,  Letter  from  the  General  Committee  of  the  City 

of  New-York,    -  -  1484 

7,  Committee  of  New-York  requested  to  detain  in 
jail  the  persons  taken  up  by  General  Wash- 
ington, -  ...  1484 

7,  Report  on  the  state  of  the  Troopers  in  the  Mili- 
tia, -  -  1485 

7,  Consideration  of  the  propriety  of  General 
Scott's  being  admitted  to  a  seat  in  the  Con- 
vention postponed  till  Friday  next,  -  -  1485 

7,  Edward  Willett,  Sen.,  Edward  Willett,  Jun., 

and  Thomas  Hicks  examined  and  discharged,  1485 

7,  Committee  to  examine  Nathaniel  Mills  of  Ja- 
maica, -----  -  I486 

7,  Committee  to  report  regulations  for  establishing 

a  fund  in  the  State  dissolved,      -  -  1487 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington :  Giving  in- 

telligence received  by  two  deserters  from  the 
Solebay  man-of-war,  -         -  1487 

8,  Letter  from  General  Washington  relative  to  the 
Militia  called  forth  from  the    Counties   of 
Dutchess,  Ulster,  Westchester,  and  Orange,  1487 
8,  Letter  to  Brigadier-General  Clinton,        -         -  1489 
8,  Letter  to  General  Washington,        -  -  1489 

8,  Letter  from  Abraham  Le  Dieu,  of  Westchester 

County:  Offering  to  raise  a  company  of  vol- 
unteers,    -  -  1489 

9,  Examination    of   Jacob    Halsted,  of   Orange 

County,     -  -  -  1490 

9,  Petition   of  James  Cargill,   Saltpetre  maker: 

Praying  to  be  exempted  from  military  duty,  -  1491 
9,  Letter  to  General  Washington,  -  -  1491 

10,  Certain  machines  in  the  City  of  New- York,  said 
to  be  the  property  of  Captain  Foy,  taken  for 
the  use  of  Samuel  Ogden,  -  -  -  1493 

10,  Commission  to  Lewis  Graham,       -  -  1494 

10,  All  persons  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and 
fifty  abiding  in  any  County  for  fourteen  days 
to  be  enrolled  in  the  Militia,  -  -  1494 

10,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  chosen  President,  in  the 

necessary  absence  of  General  Woodhull,  -  1494 
10,  Resolutions  respecting  the  Militia,  -  -  1494 
10,  Letter  to  William  Padding,  -  1496 

10,  Order  for  the  preservation  of  the  publick  stores 
in  New-York,  where  an  attack  is  daily  ex- 
pected, -  -  1497 
10,  Committee  to  repair  to  King's  County  and  as- 
certain the  truth  of  a  report  that  the  people 
there  will  not  oppose  the  enemy,  -  1497 

12,  Letter  to  John  Jay  and  R.  R.  Livingston:  Re- 

questing their  attendance  in  the  Convention,   1498 

13,  General  Washington  authorized  to  apply  cer- 

tain houses  to  the  use  of  the  General  Hospi- 
tal of  the  American  Army,  -  1499 
13,  Memorial  of  Captain  Jacobus  Roos,        -         -  1499 
13,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  of  August  11,   1500 
13,  Intelligence  brought  from  Oswego  by  Lieuten- 
ant McMichael,  -  1501 
13,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  of  August  12,  1501 
13,  General  Scott  empowered,  with  the  permission 
of  General  Washington,  to  dispose  of  Willett 
Taylor,      -                                                    -  1502 
13,  Letter  to  General  Washington,       -                  -  1502 
13,  Letter  from  Colonel  Blauvelt,  of  August  10,    -  1503 
13,  The  President  of  the  Convention  authorized,  in 
case  of  urgent  necessity,  to  remove  the  pub- 
lick  papers  to  a  place  of  safety,  -                  -  1504 
13,  Resolutions  providing  for  the  issue  of  five  hun- 
dred dollars  in  bills  of  credit,      -                   -   1504 

13,  Examination  of  Isaac  Burga,  -  -  1506 

14,  Mr.  Polhemus  admitted  to  a  seat  as  a  Deputy 

from  King's  County,  -  -  1506 

14,  Letter  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  take 

depositions  at  Jamaica,  -  -  1507 

14,  Examination  of  Nathaniel  Mills,  Caleb  Mills, 

Joshua  Mills,  and  Elizabeth  Hicks,  -  -  1507 
14,  Order  for  the  arrest  of  Elizabeth  Hicks,  -  -  1507 
14,  Encouragement  for  the  manufacture  of  Saltpetre 

and  Gunpowder,  -         -  1508 


1776. 

Jlug.  14,  Letter  from  Captain  Alexander  Hamilton,     - 
14,  Persons  employed  in  certain  manufactures  ex- 
empted from  military  duty, 
14,  Memorial  of  John  Holt  and  others, 
14,  Letter  from  Henry  Rcmsen  to  John  McKesson, 

August  11, 
14,  Letter    from    Joseph    Trumbull,    Commissary 

General,    - 1511 


CH 

1509 

1510 
1510 

-  1510 


15,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  of  August, 


14,    - 


1511 
1512 


15,  Letter  from  Henry  Wilmot,  of  August  14, 
15,  Examination   of   John    Sloane    and   Thomas 

Clarke,      -  -  1512 

15,  Letter  from  Jacob  Cuyler  and  Leonard  Ganse- 

voort,  Commissioners  sent  to  the  Northern 
Army,        -        -  -  1513 

16,  Plan  for  obstructing  the  navigation  of  the  East 

River  submitted  to  General  Washington,     -  1514 

16,  General  Clinton  requested  to  remove  all  the 

cannon  lying  beyond  King's  Bridge,  -  -  1514 

16,  Letter  from  the  Secret  Committee  at  Pough- 

keepsie,  August  13,  -  -  1515 

16,  Letter  from  Robert  Yates,  Chairman  of  the  Se- 
cret Committee,  August  14,  -  -  1515 

16,  Letter  from  Thomas  Grant,    -  -1516 

16,  Letter  to  the  Committee  for  Ulster  County,     -  1517 

17,  Order  for  the  removal  of  the  prisoners  from 

Kingston  to  Morristown,  in  New-Jersey,  -  1518 
17,  Letter  to  the  Committee  for  Ulster  County,  -  1518 
17,  Order  for  stopping  up  the  channel  between  the 

Grand  Battery  and  Governour's  Island,  -  1518 
17,  Letter  to  General  Washington,  ...  1518 
17,  Committee  of  %afety  appointed  to  sit  during 

the  adjournment  of  the  Convention,  -  -  1519 
17,  Report  of  John  McDonald,  miner,  -  -  -  1519 
17,  Letter  of  Ezra  Thomson,  -  -  -1519 

17,  Letter   from    General    Washington :    Recom- 
mending the  removal  of  the  women  and  chil- 
dren from  New- York,  -  1520 
17,  Committee  for  the  removal  of  such  persons,    -  1520 

17,  Letter  to  General  Washington,  -  1521 

18,  Letter  from  General  Washington  :  on  obstruct- 

ing the  navigation  of  the  East  River,  - 


-  1521 


COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 


19,  Letter  to  General  Clinton  on  discharging  the 

Orange  County  Troop, 
19,  John  McDonald  authorized  to  prosecute  the 

exploring  the  lead  mine  in  the  Great  Nine 

Partners  of  Ezra  Thomson, 

19,  Mr.  Duer  requested  to  consult  with  General 

Washington,  on  obstructing  the  navigation  of 
Hudson's  River, 

20,  Letter  from   General   Morris,    New-Rochelle, 

August  18, 

CONVENTION. 

20,  Letter  from  the  Committee  for  Westchester 
County,  concerning  some  prisoners  of  war 
and  Tories,  lately  confined  in  their  jail,  Au- 
gust 17,  - 

20,  Letter  from  the  prisoners  in  White  Plains  Jail, 

20,  Commissioners  appointed  to  dispose  of  and 
provide  for  prisoners, 

20,  Letter  from  Jonathan  G.  Tompkins,  August  18,   1524 

20,  William  Miller,  Deputy  Chairman  of  the  West- 

chester Committee,  examined  as  to  the  Tory 
prisoners,  -----  1524 

21,  Committee  of  King's  County  requested  to  hold 

an  election  for  a  Representative  in  the  Con- 
vention, -  -  -  1525 

21,  Committee  to  report  on  the  mode  of  confining, 
securing,  or  otherwise  disposing  of  the  pris- 
oners now  confined  by  order  of  the  Con- 
vention, - 

21,  Letter,  dated  August  12,  from  Abraham  C. 
Cuyler  and  others,  prisoners  sent  and  con- 
fined in  Hartford  jail,  praying  to  be  released, 

21,  Letter  dated  August  12,  from  A.  C.  Cuyler,  re- 
questing permission  to  return  home  to  visit 
his  sick  wife,  - 

21,  Letter,  dated  August  12,  from  Henry  Van 
Schaack,  declaring  his  innocence,  and  com- 
plaining of  injustice,  - 

21,  Letter  dated  Albany  Tory  Jail,  August  1,  from 

Henry  Van  Schaack  and  others,  to  the  Al- 
bany Committee, 

22,  Letter  from  Adjutant  General  Reed,  enclosing 

a  letter  from  Governour  Martin,  - 


-  1522 


-  1522 


-  1522 
e, 

-  1522 


1523 
1523 


-  1526 


1526 


-  1527 


-  1527 


-  1527 


-  1528 


1537 
1537 


-   1537 


-  1538 


cm 

1776. 

22,  Letter  to  Colonel  Reed,      ....   1328 

'-I',',  Report  of  Ab.  W.  De  Peyser,  relative  to  the  dis- 

position of  the  prisoners  in  Connecticut!     -  152£ 

22,  Letter  from  Andrew   Bostvviek,  Goshcn,   Au- 

gu.-t  15,  enclosing  a  petition,       ...   153C 

22,  Petition  of  Abel  Noble  and  Peter  Townsend, 
praying  that  one  hundred  and  filly  men  em- 
ployed at  their  iron  works  may  be  exempted 
from  Militia  duty,  .....  1531 

22,  Letter   to   General   Washington,    relative   to  a 

report  that  the  City  of  New-York  was  to  be 
burnt  if  the  Army  left  it,  -  -  -  1531 

'21,  Letter  from  General  Livingston  of  New-Jersey, 

to  General  Washington,  August  21,  -  -  1531 

2'2,  Committee  on  General  Livingston's  letter,       -    1532 

23,  Report  on   General    Livingston's  letter,   read, 

and  committed  to  the  Deputies  from  Suffolk 

and  Queen's  Counties,        -  -         -  1532 

24,  Resolutions  reported  by  the  Committee,   con- 

sisting of  members  from  Queen's,  and  Suf- 

folk, read  and  agreed  to,    -         -         -         -   1533 
2-1.  Letter  from   the   Committee  at  Monmouth,  in 

New-Jersey,  August  17,     -  -  1534 

24,  Letter  from   the  Committee  of  the  County  of 

Cumberland,      ------   1535 

24,  Letter  from  Captain  Platt,  on  the  complaints 

among  the  troops  concerning  money,  -   1536 

24,  Letter  from  Major  Verbryck.  requesting  a  dis- 

mission from  the  present  service,  - 

24,  Letter  from  General  Clinton  to  Major  Verbryck, 
24,  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  recon- 

sider a  former  report  on  General  Livingston's 

letter,  read  and  agreed  to,  « 

24,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  of  August  23, 

contradicting  the  report  that  New-  York  was 
to  be  abandoned  and  burnt,         - 

25,  Further  report  from  the  Committee  on  General 

Livingston's  letter,  read  and  agreed  to,         -   1539 

26,  Report  from  the  Committee  on  disposing  of  the 

prisoners  confined  by  the  Convention,          -   1540 
26,  Petition  of  Charles  Shaw,      -  -   1540 

26,  General-Morris  ordered  to  attend  at  Congress, 
at  Philadelphia,  and  return  with  all  conve- 
nient speed,  -  -  1541 

•  26,  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  wait  on 
General  Washington,  respecting  the  security 
of  the  stock  on  Long-Island,  -  -  1541 

26,  Letter  from  Gilbert  Livingston  and  Christopher 
Tappen,  Commissioners  for  building  vessels 
at  Poughkcepsie,  -  -  ]54l 

26,  Letter  from  John  Sleght,  Chairman  of  the  King- 

ston Committee,  -         -  1542 

26,  Order  for  searching  the  house  of  Colonel  Josinh 
Martin,  and  for  the  arrest  of  Dr.  Samuel  Mar- 
tin, of  Rockaway,  -  ...  1542 

26,  Letter  to  General  Woodhull,  -        ...  1543 

26,  Instructions  to  General  Woodhull,          -         -  1543 

COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

'27,  Mr.  Hobart  chosen  Chairman,        ...  1544 

27,  Committee  to  confer  with  General  Washington 

relative  to  the  state  of  Nassau-Island,  -   1544 

27,  Mr.  Dearing  Chairman  in  the  room  of  Mr. 

Hobart,  .  1544 

27,  Letter  from  Erastus  Wolcott  to  the  Commit- 
tee of  Saybrook,  brought  to  Harlem  by  ex- 
press, -  .  1544 

27,  Committee  to  report  ways  and  means  for  the 
sale  of  fat  cattle  on  Nassau  and  Shelter- 
Islands,  -  .  1545 

27,  Records  and  papers  of  the.  Convention  ordered 
to  be  removed  to  General  Clinton's  encamp- 
ment at  or  near  King's  Bridge,  -  -  -  1546 

27,  Captain  Benson  ordered  to  apprehend  Nicholas 
Covenhoven,  who  is  suspected  of  giving  in- 
telligence to  the  enemy,  -  -  '  .  .  1543 

27,  Letter  from  General  Woodhull,       -  1546 

CONVENTION. 

28,  Letter  to  General  Washington,        -          -          -    1547 
28,  Mr.  Van  Wyck  sent  to  Flushing  to  gain  intel- 

ligence of  the  situation  of  the  enemy,       •    -   1547 
28,  Letter  to  the  Delegates  of  New-  York  in  Con-' 

gress'        '  .....  1548 


CONTENTS.  CIV 

1776. 

Jjug.  28,  Committee  to  consider  what  means  can  be  de- 
vised  for  supplying  the  troops  with  clothing 
and  blankets,  -  -  ]54g 

28,  Letter  from  General  Woodhull,       -  -   1548 

28,  Committee  to  repair  to  General  Woodhull,  with 

power  to  impress  horses,  boats,  &c.,   -         -    1549 
28,  Letter  from  David  Matthews  to  General  Wood- 
hull,  dated  Litchfield,  August  12,  -   1549 
28,  Commitment  of  Mr.  Matthews,  August  1,        -  1550 
28,  Letter  from  David  Matthews,  Litchfield,  August 

12,  to  Mrs.  Matthews,  at  Flatbush,  -  -  1550 
28,  Letter  from  Moses  Seymour  to  General  Wood- 
hull,  August  12,  -  1551 
28,  Letter  to  David  Matthews,  -  -  1551 
28,  Letter  to  Governour  Trumbull,  ...  1551 
28,  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake,  -  -  1552 
28,  Governour  Trumbull  requested  to  send  one 

thousand  troops  into  Suffolk  County,  -         -   1552 
28,  Letter  to  several  Towns  in  Connecticut,  re- 
questing their   assistance  in  removing  the 
stock  from  Long-Island,      -  -  1552 

28,  Letter  to  Gov.  Trumbull  on  the  same  subject,    -   1553 
28,  Examination  of  Colonel  Covenhoven,     -         -   1554 

28,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  -  1554 

29,  Letter  from  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  dated  Flushing 

August  28,  .  1555 

29,  Samuel  Townsend  requested  to  go  to  Long- 
Island,  it  being  dangerous  to  send  a  letter,  -  1556 

29,  Reward  to  Mr.  Flood  for  apprehending  Wil- 
liam Lounsbury,  .  1555 

29,  Committee  to  consider  what  number  of  Militia 
can  be  called  out  for  the  defence  of  the 
State,  -  -  1557 

29,  Adjourned  to  meet  in  the  English  church  at 

Fishkill,  on  Monday  next,  -  1557 

COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 


29,  Committee  met  at  Harlem,     -  -  1557 

29,  Letter  from  Colonel  Josiah  Smith,  stating  that 
General  Washington  has  ordered  his  Regi- 
ment to  withdraw  from  Long-Island,  -         -   1557 
29,  Colonel  Smith  ordered  to  march  his  Regiment 

to  Horn's  Hook,  -         -   1557 

29,  The  Militia  in  the  Counties  of  Orange,  Ulster, 

Westchester,  and  Dutchess  to  be  held  ready 

to  march  at  a  moment's  warning,        -         -  1558 

30,  Committee  at  King's  Bridge,  -  -  1553 
30,  Letter  to  General  Washington,       -  1558 
30,  Letter  from  Brigadier-General  Clinton,   -         -   1558 
30,  Examination  of  Captain  Payne  relative  to  the 

taking  of  John  Woolly,       -  -  1559 

30,  General  Clinton  requested  to  take  further  ex- 
aminations,       -  -         ...   1559 

30,  Ebenezer  Hazard,  Postmaster  for  the  District 

of  New- York,  requested  to  remove- his  office 
from  the  city  to  some  convenient  place  near 
Dobbs's  Ferry,  -  .  1559 

31,  Committee  met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Odell,  in 

Philips's  Manor,  -         .   1560 

Letter  from  General  Washington,  dated  August 
30,  requesting  a  body  of  Militia  may  be  ready 
to  prevent  or  retard  the  landing  of  the  enemy 
east  of  Harlem  River,  -  1560 

31,  Letter  to  General  Washington,       ...  1560 
.31,  Resolutions  for  organizing  such  of  the  Militia 

as  may  turn  out,  ...  1561 

Sept. I, The    Committee   met   at   the   house  of  John 

Blagge,  at  Croton  River,     -  -  1562 

Mr.  Hazard  requested  to  direct  the  post  be- 
tween New-York  and  Albany  to  ride  on  the 
east  side  of  Hudson's  River  weekly,    -         -   1562 
2,  The  Committee  met  at  Fishkill,   in  Dutchess 

County,    -  .   1562 

2,  Committee     to    visit    Forts    Constitution    and  , 

Montgomery,     -         -  .      -  .  1562 

2,  Information  given  by  a  member  that  a  number 

.of  indigent  infirm  persons  are  on   board  a 
sloop  at  Fishkill  Landing,  -  1562 

3,  Letter  from  General  Washington,  September  1,   1563 
3,  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Westchester  Coun- 
ty,   '  -   1564 

3,  Letter  from  Philip  Livingston,  one  of  the  Dele- 
gates at  Continental  Congress,  dated  August 
30,  -  .  1564 


DOCUMENTARY  HISTORY,  &c. 


CORRESPONDENCE,  MISCELLANEOUS  PAPERS,  PROCEEDINGS  OF  COMMITTEES,  &c. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  1,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  wrote  you  by  the  express  on  Saturday  last,  since 
which  nothing  has  occurred  worthy  your  notice.  The  sole 
reason  of  troubling  you  with  this  is  to  acquaint  you,  that  in 
consequence  of  your  orders  to  Captain  Peters,  he  proceeded 
with  Major  Rogers  to  this  city,  and  called  on  me  on  Satur- 
day last,  and  in  the  evening  of  that  day  I  relieved  him  of  his 
charge,  and  put  Major  Rogers  under  guard  at  the  barracks, 
where  he  now  remains,  the  Congress  having,  by  a  particular 
appointment,  had  under  consideration  a  momentous  matter 
this  day,  which  prevented  their  attention  to  Major  Rogers. 
My  next  will  inform  you,  I  hope,  of  some  very  decisive 
measures. 

Being  much  engaged,  I  can  only  add  my  best  wishes  for 
your  health  and  success ;  with  respects  to  your  worthy  lady. 
I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  In  justice  to  Captain  Peters,  I  must  say  he  has  con- 
ducted exceedingly  well. 

JOHN  WHITTIER  TO  JAMES  WARREN. 

Haverhill,  July  1, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  have  very  lately  heard  that  I  am  appointed 
to  the  command  of  a  Regiment  for  the  Canada  expedition. 
I  most  sincerely  and  heartily  thank  the  General  Court  for 
their  repeated  honours  done  me,  and  should  gladly  have 
accepted  the  appointment,  were  it  not  that  my  health  of  late 
has  so  far  failed  me,  that,  at  present,  I  find  myself  unable  to 
perform  a  journey  of  twenty  miles  without  much  difficulty 
and  delay.  Notwithstanding  my  willingness  to  assist  in  this 
(as  I  apprehend)  just  and  righteous  cause,  yet  the  great 
and  constant  care  of  a  Regiment,  and  the  fatigues  of  such  a 
long  journey,  render  it  impossible  for  me  to  accept  the 
invitation  with  honour  to  myself  and  any  advantage  to  the 
Province.  Therefore  I  trust  that  the  honourable  Court 
will  justify  me  in  declining  to  accept,  at  present,  of  such  an 
appointment. 

Gentlemen,  that  you  may  have  all  that  wisdom  which  is 
profitable  to  direct,  and  that  the  American  arms  may  be 
crowned  with  victory  and  success,  is  the  ardent  prayer  of 
your  most  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  WHITTIER. 

To  the  Honourable  James  Warren,  Esq.,  Speaker;  to  be 
communicated  to  the  Honourable  House  of  Representa- 
tives at  Watertotm. 


JOHN  COVENHOVEN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  3,  1776.] 

In  Provincial  Congress  of  New-Jersey, ) 
Burlington,  July  2, 1776.     $ 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  have  this  moment  undoubted  inform- 
ation, by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Scudder,  from  Monmouth 
County,  that  about  four  o'clock  yesterday  afternoon,  he 
observed  nearly  the  whole  of  the  enemy's  fleet  in  motion, 
and  at  half  past  six  in  the  afternoon,  saw  about  one  hundred 
and  thirty  sail  in  the  channel  from  the  Hook  to  New-  York, 
within  nine  miles  from  the  Narrows,  (a  few  vessels  being 
left  at  the  Hook ;)  that  he  left  Middleton  at  eleven  o'clock 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


last  evening;  and  about  four  this  morning,  being  at  the 
highland,  between  Upper  and  Lower  Freehold,  (about  fifty 
miles  from  New-York,)  on  his  way  hither,  heard  a  very 
heavy  firing  of  cannon ;  whether  this  was  at  Neiv-York,  or 
to  cover  the  landing  of  their  troops,  he  could  not  judge. 

We  also  received,  by  Colonel  Scudder,  a  letter  from  Co- 
lonel Taylor,  of  Monmouth,  dated  yesterday,  informing  us 
of  that  County  being  so  exposed  to  the  enemy  without,  and 
the  Tories  among  themselves,  that  he  apprehends  the  Militia 
will  not  be  prevailed  on  to  march  to  New-  York,  and  leave 
their  wives  and  children  to  fall  either  a  prey  to  the  enemy, 
if  they  should  be  repulsed  at  New-York,  or  be  murdered  by 
the  Tories  in  their  absence,  who  are  imbodying  themselves, 
and  a  considerable  number  already  encamped  at  the  Cedar 
Swamps. 

We  thought  it  highly  necessary  to  inform  you  of  these 
matters,  not  doubting  that  you  will,  without  the  least  delay, 
send  forward  all  the  assistance  in  your  power,  and  take  all 
present  measures  possible  on  this  alarming  exigency. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servants. 

By  order  of  Congress : 

JOHN  COVENHOVEN,  Vice-President. 
To  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress. 

SAMUEL  TUCKER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Provincial  Congress  of  New-Jersey,  ) 
Burlington,  July  3,  1776.     $ 

SIR  :  The  bearer,  Major  Anderson,  having  been  rendered 
for  some  time  past  unfit  for  service,  is  on  his  way  from  Can- 
ada to  the  Continental  Congress,  and  requests  our  recom- 
mendation. He  is  at  present  an  officer  in  the  second  battalion 
of  Continental  troops  lately  raised  in  this  Colony,  and  now  on 
service  in  the  Northern  Army.  Of  our  own  knowledge  we 
can  certify,  that  from  the  beginning  of  the  present  controversy 
Mr.  Anderson  has  been  a  warm  and  active  friend  to  the 
American  cause,  and  a  very  useful  officer  of  Militia,  in  which 
he  was  a  Major.  His  behaviour  in  Canada  has  been  very 
highly  commended  to  us  in  various  letters  from  the  gentlemen 
of  the  Army  in  Canada,  of  which  he  will  produce  other  testi- 
monials. We  have  only  to  add,  that  besides  his  services  in 
the  Militia,  and  of  late  in  Canada,  he  has  formerly  served 
in  the  British  Army.  By  order  of  Congress : 

SAMUEL  TUCKER,  President. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Continental  Congress. 


GENERAL   COURT  OF   MASSACHUSETTS   TO  THE    COMMITTEES 
OF  SEVERAL  TOWNS. 

Watertown,  July  2,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  General  Court  have  received  from  his  Excel- 
lency General  Washington  a  pressing  letter  that  the  troops 
destined  to  New-York  may  be  sent  with  all  despatch,  as  he 
is  well  informed  that  General  Howe  is  arrived  from  Halifax 
at  the  Hook.  You  will  please  to  communicate  this  to  your 
brethren,  that  you  and  they,  with  all  possible  expedition, 
may  raise  and  march  the  troops  going  from  your  County. 
The  General  Court  expect  you  will  not  let  anything  prevent 
their  marching  as  fast  as  possible,  as  you  see  the  exigency  of 
the  case  requires. 

By  order  of  the  General  Court. 
To  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  for  raising  men  in  the 

County  of . 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Watertown,  July  3,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Court  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter 
of  the  28th  ultimo,  with  the  resolution  of  Congress ;  and 
having  taken  them  into  consideration,  find,  that  as  their  Com- 
mittees are  now  out  on  the  business  of  raising  and  marching 
the  three  thousand  men  required  of  them  by  the  Congress 
for  the  department  of  Canada,  as  also  the  three  thousand 
destined  for  New-York,  that  it  is  not  probable  that  the  two 
battalions  for  the  same  service  that  are  requested  by  Congress 
can  be  raised  with  that  despatch  that  the  exigency  of  the 
case  requires.  Therefore  they  beg  leave  to  propose  to  the  hon- 
ourable Continental  Congress  that  they  would  be  pleased  to 
give  out  directions  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington  to 
order  two  of  the  regiments  now  stationed  at  Boston  to  march 
immediately  to  Canada ;  and  if  they  shall  see  cause  so  to  do, 
this  Court  will  take  effectual  measures  that  their  numbers 
shall  be  immediately  supplied.  We  are,  &.c. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress. 

GENERAL  SULLIVAN  TO  COLONEL  HOISINGTON. 

Crown-Point,  July  3,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  this  moment  received  your  favour  of  the 
28th  ultimo.  Am  much  obliged  by  your  kind  offer  of  as- 
sistance, but  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  at  pre- 
sent our  Army,  weak  and  reduced  by  sickness  as  it  is,  will 
be  fully  sufficient  to  oppose  any  force  that  may  be  sent 
against  us  at  present.  I  am  well  convinced  that  the  enemy 
has  neither  boats  to  transport  any  army,  nor  armed  vessels 
upon  the  Lake,  to  defend  themselves  against  us ;  for  which 
reason  I  suppose  they  will  be  very  careful  about  making  any 
attempt  upon  us  at  present.  Perhaps  some  future  day  we 
may  find  ourselves  under  the  necessity  of  embracing  your 
generous  offer;  in  the  mean  time,  beg  you  and  those  friendly 
Americans  to  hold  yourselves  in  readiness  either  to  defend 
yourselves  or  repair  to  this  place,  as  occasion  may  require. 

Dear  sir,  I  am,  &c.,  JOHN  SULLIVAN. 

To  Colonel  Hoisington,  of  Woodstock,  New-  York  Govern- 
ment, west  of  Connecticut  River. 


OFFICERS  ON  GOVERNOUR  S  ISLAND,  NEW-YORK,  TO  GENERAL 
HEATH. 

Governour's  Island,  July  3,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR  :  We,  the  Officers  of  the 
Seventh  Regiment,  stationed  on  Governour's  Island,  are 
determined  to  fight  in  defence  of  our  country  to  the  last ;  yet 
we  think  it  too  much  for  America  to  risk  such  an  important 
post  as  this  with  seven  or  eight  hundred  men,  especially  con- 
sidering the  extensiveness  of  the  lines  we  have  to  defend, 
and  the  difficulty  which  will  attend  our  immediate  supplies, 
when  most  probably  in  case  of  an  attack  wind  and  tide  will 
be  against  them ;  whereas,  should  a  sufficient  number  be  on 
the  spot  to  withstand  any  force  that  could  be  sent  against 
them,  they  would  have  the  same  advantage  of  wind  and  tide 
with  the  enemy,  should  they  aim  at  any  other  part.  We  think 
it  likewise  very  necessary  to  have  some  field-pieces  and  a  re- 
inforcement of  the  train,  in  order  to  secure  the  retreat,  should 
it  be  thought  proper,  from  the  outworks  to  the  citadel. 

We  therefore  pray  your  Honour  to  represent  the  affair  to 
his  Excellency,  and  solicit  a  proper  reinforcement,  which  in 
our  opinion  cannot  be  less  than  two  thousand  men. 

We  are,  as  in  duty  bound,  your  Honour's  most  obedient, 
humble  servants, 

WILLIAM  PRESCOTT,  Colonel, 
JOHNSON  MOULTON,  Lieutenant- Colonel, 
HENRY  WOODS,  Major, 

In  behalf  of  ourselves  and  Officers. 
To  the  Honourable  Brigadier-General  Heath. 


liberty  in  the  United  Colonies  of  America.  I  am  therefore 
to  request,  by  order  of  Congress  that  the  troops  you  are 
raising  to  form  the  Flying-Camp  may  be  sent  to  the  City 
of  Philadelphia  with  the  utmost  expedition.  That  they 
may  arrive  the  sooner,  it  is  the  desire  of  Congress  that  you 
will  send  them  by  battalions,  or  detachments  of  battalions, 
or  companies,  as  soon  as  raised. 

I  am  persuaded  the  Committee  of  Lancaster  County  will 
strain  every  nerve  to  comply  with  this  requisition  of  Con- 
gress, with  all  the  despatch  which  the  infinite  importance  oi 
the  present  situation  of  affairs  requires. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  Committee  of  Lancaster  County,  at 
Lancaster. 


PRESIDENT    OF    CONGRESS    TO    LANCASTER    (PENNSYLVANIA) 
COMMITTEE. 

Philadelphia,  July  3,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  You  are  so  well  acquainted  with  the  criti- 
cal and  alarming  state  of  our  public  affairs,  that  it  is  unneces- 
sary to  use  arguments  to  press  you  to  a  compliance  with  any 
resolves  of  Congress  calculated  to  promote  the  cause  of 


COLONEL  BURD  TO  COMMITTEE  FOR  LANCASTER  COUNTY, 
PENNSYLVANIA. 

Tinian,  July  3,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Last  Monday  the  Board  of  Officers  of  my 
Battalion  being  met  at  Harris's  Ferry,  the  enclosed  allega- 
tions against  Daniel  Shelly  were  laid  before  them.  They 
unanimously  resolved  that  said  Shelly  should  be  appre- 
hended, and  if  found  upon  examination  there  was  any  reason 
for  the  charge,  that  said  Shelly  should  be  sent  down  with  a 
safeguard  to  you.  I  examined  Daniel  Shelly  and  William 
Wall  and  Ann  Wall,  in  the  presence  of  a  number  of  officers 
and  privates,  who  were  unanimously  of  opinion  that  he 
should  be  sent  down  to  you.  as  likewise  the  evidences.  I 
accordingly  send  him,  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Michael  Sheerer, 
Constable,  who  is  to  provide  a  guard  for  his  safe  conduct, 
and  have  ordered  down  to  you  William  Wall,  evidence.  His 
wife  being  unable  to  travel,  herewith  I  send  you  her  depo- 
sition. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

SAMUEL  BURD. 
To  the  Chairman  and  Standing  Committee  of  Lancaster 

County. 

SIR  :  Whereas  it  was  yesterday  represented  to  the  Board 
of  Officers  of  my  Battalion,  (met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  John 
Harris,  upon  publick  business,)  that  a  Captain  Daniel  Shelly 
has  been  attempting  to  raise  soldiers  for  the  Ministerial 
Army,  offering  a  reward  of  nine  pounds  per  man  by  way  ol 
bounty,  the  Board,  taking  the  same  into  consideration,  re- 
solved that  you  immediately  send  a  party  of  your  Company 
and  apprehend  the  said  Daniel  Shelly,  and  bring  him  before 
me,  with  you  and  your  officers,  that  we  may  examine  said 
Shelly,  and  do  further  what  shall  appear  to  us  to  be  right  in 
the  case. 

Given  under  my  hand,  this  2d  July,  1776. 

SAMUEL  BURD,  Colonel. 
To  Captain  James  Crutch. 

P.  S.  Bring  William  Wall  and  any  other  evidences  you 
can  find. 

Daniel  Shelly  told  William  Wall  that  people  that  were 
true  to  the  country  were  great  fools.  If  the  English  troops 
knew  as  well  or  as  much  as  I  do,  the  English  troops  would 
have  the  country  in  six  weeks'  time.  He  also  says  that  he 
knows  where  there  are  plenty  of  powder  and  ball  that  can 
be  got  within  twelve  miles  or  a  quarter  of  a  day's  ride  as 
would  keep  the  Americans  employed.  The  said  Shelly  also 
went  to  Lewis  Morris,  and  told  him  if  he  will  list  under  him 
that  he  will  give  him  nine  pounds  bounty.  He  also  says 
that  Colonel  James  Burd  will  not  swear  to  be  true  to  the 
country. 

Present :  William  Wall. 

LANCASTER  COUNTY,  ss : 

Before  me,  James  Burd,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Justices  for  the 
County  of  Lancaster,  personally  appeareth  Ann  Wall,  who, 
being  duly  sworn  according  to  law,  doth  depose  and  say, 
that  last  Sunday,  on  the  Hill  Island,  she  (deponent)  at  the 
house  of  Daniel  Rosse,  heard  a  certain  Daniel  Shelly  ex- 
press himself  in  the  manner  as  follows:  "Although  they 
take  their  arms  from  them,  a  creditable  man  informed  him 
they  have  powder  and  balls  enough  for  them,  and  that  the 
powder  and  ball  could  be  found  in  a  half  a  day's  travel,  and 


5 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


6 


that  the  King  was  only  playing  with  them  now,  and  correct- 
ing them  as  he  would  his  child,  and  that  the  ships  in  the 
harbour  were  as  thick  as  the  trees  in  an  old  field,  (pointing 
to  a  field  where  the  trees  stood  very  thick,)  and  that  the 
King  could  take  this  country  in  three  weeks  if  he  pleased." 
And  that  a  certain  Morris  Lewis  told  this  deponent  that  the 
said  Daniel  Shelly  wanted  much  to  inlist  him  under  him  for 
the  space  of  six  months,  offering  him  a  bounty  of  nine 
pounds,  and  that  the  said  Lewis  asked  Shelly  for  what.  He 
told  him  it  made  no  odds  for  what ;  that  this  deponent  asked 
him  would  he  make  up  a  company,  and  he  said  he  did  not 
know  what  he  wanted  him  for. 

ANN  x  WALL. 

mark. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  before  me,  2d  July,  1776. 

SAMUEL  BURD. 

MATTHEW  TILCHMAN  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  8th  July,  1776.] 

Annapolis,  July  4,  1776. 

SIR:  In  obedience  to  the  order  of  Convention,  I  enclose 
you  their  Resolutions  for  raising  the  number  of  Militia  re- 
quired of  this  Province  for  the  Flying-Camp.  The  alacrity 
and  unanimity  with  which  these  resolutions  were  formed 
and  passed,  are  a  proof  of  the  readiness  in  this  Convention 
to  do  everything  in  their  power  that  may  contribute  to  the 
common  safety.  I  make  no  doubt  the  same  disposition  will 
prevail  individually,  and  that  the  several  members  will  use 
their  influence  in  forwarding  this  service,  which  I  hope  will 
be  soon  completed. 

I  am  also  directed  to  request  you  will,  by  the  first  oppor- 
tunity, order  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Council  of  Safety  for 
this  Province  the  last  Resolution  of  Congress  respecting  the 
pay  of  the  Militia  when  called  into  actual  service. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be  your  most  obedient  servant, 

MATTHEW  TILGHMAN,  President. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock  Esq.,  Philadelphia. 

In  Convention  at  Annapolis,  June  25,  1776. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  Province  will  furnish 
three  thousand  four  hundred  and  five  of  its  Militia  to  form  a 
Flying-Camp,  and  to  act  with  the  Militia  of  Pennsylvania 
and  the  Delaware  Government  in  the  Middle  Department, 
that  is  to  say,  from  this  Province  to  New-York,  inclusive, 
according  to  the  request  of  the  Congress  in  their  Resolution 
of  the  3d  day  of  this  instant  June. 

That,  for  that  purpose,  four  Battalions  be  instantly  raised, 
each  of  them  to  consist  of  nine  Companies,  and  each  Com- 
pany to  consist  of  ninety  men,  to  wit :  one  Captain,  two 
Lieutenants,  one  Ensign,  four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  one 
Drummer,  one  Fifer,  and  seventy-six  Privates  ;  each  of  the 
said  Battalions  to  be  commanded  by  one  Colonel,  one  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel,  and  one  Major ;  and  that  to  each  Battalion 
there  be  allowed  a  Quartermaster,  an  Adjutant,  a  Surgeon, 
and  two  Assistants ;  and  that  over  and  above  the  said  Bat- 
talions, there  be  also  instantly  raised  one  other  Company,  to 
consist  of  one  Captain,  three  Lieutenants,  four  Sergeants, 
four  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  one  Fifer,  and  ninety-six 
Privates ;  and  that  the  whole  of  the  said  Militia  so  to  be 
raised  be  commanded  by  a  Brigadier  General,  who  shall 
have  the  appointment  of  a  Brigade  Major. 

That  warrants  immediately  issue  to  such  persons  as  shall 
be  appointed  by  this  Convention  to  take  the  enrolment  of 
the  said  non-commissioned  Officers  and  Privates,  which 
enrolment  shall  be  made  of  those  who  shall  voluntarily  offer 
themselves  for  the  said  service  and  subscribe  an  enrolment  in 
the  following  words,  to  wit :  "  We,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby 
enrol  ourselves  to  serve  as  Militia  of  Maryland  in  the  Middle 
Department,  that  is  to  say,  from  this  Province  to  New-  York, 
inclusive,  until  the  1st  day  of  December  next,  unless  sooner 
discharged  by  the  honourable  Congress,  according  to  the 
Resolution  of  the  Convention  of  Maryland,  held  at  Annapo- 
lis, the  21st  day  of  June,  1776." 

That  the  said  warrants  be  in  the  following  form,  to  wit : 
"By  the  Convention  of  Maryland,  June  1776: 

"  You  are  empowered  to  enrol effective  free- 
men, to  act  as  Militia  of  this  Province  in  the  Middle  Depart- 
ment, according  to  the  Resolutions  of  this  Convention  and 
the  form  of  enrolment  herewith  delivered  to  you  ;  and  on 
your  doing  which,  and  their  passing  as  effective,  you  are  to 


be  entitled  to,  and  shall  receive  a  commission  as  Captain, 
as  First  Lieutenant,  or  Second  Lieutenant,  or  Ensign,  as  the 
case  may  be,  of  a  Company  to  be  composed  partly  of  those 
you  enrol."  .„ 

MATTHEW  TILGHMAN,  President. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes :  G.  DUVALL. 


EDICT  OF  THE  KING  OF  PORTUGAL,  PROHIBITING  ALL  IN- 
TERCOURSE BETWEEN  HIS  DOMINIONS  AND  THE  AMERI- 
CAN COLONIES. 

Joseph,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  King  of  Portugal  and 
of  the  Algarves,  &tc.,  &tc.,  &c.:  I  make  known  to  all  who 
shall  see  this  present  Edict,  that  having  been  lately  informed 
that  the  English  Colonies  in  America  had  not  only  separa- 
ted themselves,  by  an  act  of  the  Congress  the  15th  of  May 
last,  from  the  subjection  to  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain,  but 
also  were  making  laws  of  their  own,  and  giving  particular 
power  to  resist  the  lawful  authority  of  his  Sritannick  Majes- 
ty? mv  g°°d  brother,  friend,  and  ally :  And  whereas  so 
pernicious  an  example  ought  to  interest  even  the  most  indif- 
ferent Princes  not  to  favour  or  assist,  directly  or  indirectly, 
subjects  thus  publickly  and  formally  rebelling  against  their 
lawful  Sovereign,  it  is  my  will  and  pleasure  to  order,  that  in 
all  the  ports  of  these  Kingdoms  and  his  dominions,  no  shelter 
shall  be  given  to  any  ships,  loaded  or  in  ballast,  coming  from 
any  of  the  ports  of  the  said  North  American  British  Colo- 
nies ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  they  are  to  be  repelled  from 
the  said  ports,  and  in  the  same  manner  they  entered,  without 
giving  them  the  least  succour  of  any  kind  whatsoever.  The 
Masters  of  ships  who  have  been  permitted  to  enter  hitherto, 
in  consideration  of  not  having  received  any  express  injunction 
to  the  contrary,  shall  be  notified  to  depart  with  their  ships 
out  of  the  abovementioned  ports  within  the  space  of  eight 
successive  days  without  fail ;  examination  being  had  before 
their  departure,  if  they  have  on  board  any  gunpowder,  or 
other  warlike  stores,  of  the  kinds  already  prohibited  by  my 
Royal  Orders,  given  the  21st  of  October  last,  to  the  Arsenal 
of  the  Army,  and  to  the  Office  of  Outward  Consulship ;  and 
confiscating,  for  the  benefit  of  the  publick  works,  any  of  the 
said  ships  on  board  of  which  shall  be  found  clandestinely 
concealed  any  of  the  abovementioned  warlike  stores,  as  goods 
rightly  seized  and  manifestly  known  to  be  the  property  of 
Rebels. 

Our  Lord  the  King  hath  ordered  this  by  his  Royal  Decree 
of  the  fourth  of  this  current  month  of  July,  and  directed  it  to 
his  Royal  Council,  commanding  it  to  be  printed  and  set  up 
in  all  publick  places  of  Lisbon  and  ports  of  this  Kingdom, 
and  of  the  Algarve,  in  order  that  every  one  should  have 
notice  thereof,  and  that  no  person  may  pretend  ignorance. 
(Signed)  COUNT  DE  AZAMBUJA,  President. 

Lisbon,  5th  of  July,  1776. 


BARBEU  DUBOURG  TO  DR.  FRANKLIN. 

Paris,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  privately  informed  that  at  the  General's  Office 
they  are  actually  raising  funds  for  a  great  armament,  now 
fitting  out  by  land  and  sea,  with  the  greatest  despatch. 

I  did  not  receive  this  advice  until  last  night,  and  that  with 
the  greatest  secrecy.  I  hasten  to  inform  you  of  it,  and  shall 
not  neglect  it  on  my  part. 

I  shall  be  very  happy  when  my  dear  country  will  have  a 
common  cause  with  yours ;  in  the  mean  time  recommend  me 
to  the  favour  of  our  future  allies. 

I  am,  with  all  my  heart,  my  dear  friend, 

BARBEU  DUBOURG. 


GEORGIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  Council,  July  5,  1776  :  Present :  His  Excellency 
Archibald  Bulloch,  Jonathan  Bryan,  John  Houston,  John 
Girardeau,  Daniel  Roberts,  Nathan  Branson,  John  JVere- 
at,  Benjamin  Andrews,  John  Adam  Treutlen,  William  Le 
Conte. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Bryan,  John  Houston,  and  Colonel  Mc- 
Intosh,  waited  on  the  Board,  and  reported  what  they  had 
represented  to  General  Lee  relative  to  the  state  of  this  Pro- 
vince, which  was  as  follows,  viz  : 

The  Deputies  sent  by  desire  of  General  Lee,  from  the 
Colony  of  Georgia,  to  confer  with  him  upon  the  state  of 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


8 


lhat  Colony  and  the  mode  of  putting  it  in  the  best  posture 
of  defence  against  all  enemies,  external  and  internal,  are  of 
opinion,  that  it  is  evident  that  Province  is  in  a  most  weak 
and  defenceless  situation;  and  besides  the  intrinsic  value  of 
the  lands  and  other  property  in  the  Province,  its  situation 
as  a  frontier,  its  fine  inlets,  harbours,  and  rivers,  and  plenty 
of  provisions,  make  it  of  the  utmost  consequence,  perhaps 
equal  to  any  other  on  the  Continent,  in  the  great  cause  of 
America.  That  as  it  is  not  only  liable  to  be  attacked  by  sea 
on  the  east,  in  common  with  the  other  Colonies,  but  from 
the  south  and  west,  by  the  garrisoned  Province  of  the  Flo- 
riilas,  and  the  most  numerous  tribes  of  Savages  in  North 
America,  and  far  less  able  than  any  of  them  to  bear  it :  the 
Deputies  sent  from  Georgia,  by  desire  of  his  Excellency 
General  Lee,  to  confer  with  him  upon  the  state  of  the  Co- 
lony, in  order  to  devise  the  best  method  of  putting  it  in  a 
proper  posture  of  defence,  beg  leave  to  represent,  that  from 
the  weak  and  defenceless  situation  of  the  Colony,  sur- 
rounded as  it  is  with  enemies,  it  stands  in  immediate  need 
of  assistance  from  the  General  Congress.  And  when  they 
consider,  that  however  small  the  Colony  may  be  of  itself,  in 
a  comparative  point  of  view,  yet  that  from  the  great  plenty 
of  provisions,  numerous  stocks  of  cattle,  excellent  inlets, 
harbours,  and  rivers,  perhaps  equal  to  any  upon  the  Conti- 
nent, with  which  the  Colony  abounds,  and  above  all,  the 
firm  attachments  of  its  inhabitants  to  the  American  cause, 
they  are  led  to  trust  that  the  protection  and  security  of  that 
Colony  will  be  held  an  object  of  considerable  importance. 
Not  one  of  the  thirteen  United  Colonies  is  so  weak  within 
or  so  much  exposed  from  without.  To  the  east,  the  inhabi- 
tants suffer  the  ravages  of  British  cruisers.  Their  negroes 
are  daily  inveigled  and  carried  away  from  their  plantations. 
British  fleets  may  be  supplied  with  beef  from  several  large 
islands,  well  stocked  with  cattle,  which  line  their  coasts,  and 
round  which  large  ships  may  sail.  To  the  south,  they  have 
the  Province  of  East  Florida,  the  inhabitants  and  soldiers  of 
which  must  of  necessity  make  inroads  upon  Georgia  for  the 
article  of  provision  with  which  they  have  been  heretofore 
chiefly  supplied.  Georgia  here  stands  as  a  barrier  to  South 
Carolina,  and  effectually  secures  that  Province  against  the 
like  depredations.  The  southern  parts  of  Georgia  contain 
vast.stocks  of  cattle,  and  our  most  valuable  rice  plantations 
lie  that  way.  By  some  late  computations,  there  are  said  to 
be  upwards  of  thirty  thousand  head  of  black  cattle  in  the 
Province,  and  hogs  without  number.  We  have  certain 
accounts  of  there  being  at  this  time  upwards  of  one  thousand 
British  troops  in  Saint  Augustine.  To  the  west,  and 
almost  down  upon  the  Georgia  line,  are  the  most  numerous 
tribes  of  Indians  now  in  North  America,  viz :  the  Creeks, 
Cherokees,  Choctaws,  and  a  number  of  small  tribes,  in  the 
whole  at  least  fifteen  thousand  gun-men.  All  these  nations 
have  been  much  tampered  with  by  the  emissaries  of  Govern- 
ment, and  without  the  utmost  exertions  of  prudence  on  our 
side  it  is  feared  may  be  brought  to  act  against  us.  They 
are  so  situated  as  to  make  it  extremely  convenient  for  our 
enemies  to  supply  them,  from  East  and  West  Florida,  with 
ammunition  and  everything  that  they  want.  Our  last  ac- 
counts from  the  Indians  are  rather  unfavourable,  and  when 
we  consider  their  natural  principle  of  infidelity,  and  how 
much  more  able  our  enemies  are  to  purchase  their  friendship 
by  presents,  fee.,  than  we  are,  there  seems  to  be  the  greatest 
reason  to  apprehend  a  rupture  with  them.  In  such  a  case 
the  fate  of  Georgia  may  be  easily  conceived.  Add  to  all 
these  considerations  the  vast  number  of  negroes  we  have, 
perhaps  of  themselves  sufficient  to  subdue  us.  In  point  of 
numbers,  the  blacks  exceed  the  whites,  and  the  ready  chan- 
nel and  secure  retreat  which  Saint  Augustine  affords,  render 
them  much  to  be  dreaded.  The  conquest  of  Georgia  would 
be  considered  a  great  acquisition  by  Great  Britain.  It  is  a 
most  excellent  provision  country,  abounds  with  ship  timber 
and  lumber  of  all  kinds,  and  is  conveniently  situated  for  a 
place  of  rendezvous  to  their  shipping.  Under  nil  these  cir- 
cumstances, it  must  certainly  appear  indispensably  necessary 
that  measures  be  immediately  taken  for  the  defence  and 
security  of  that  Province.  But  the  low  situation,  in  point 
of  means  or  ability,  of  its  inhabitants,  puts  it  out  of  their 
power  to  do  it  of  themselves,  more  especially  as  they  have 
been  already  put  to  a  very  great  expense  in  consequence  ol 
the  late  descent  upon  them.  The  great  objects  seem  to  be 
men,  fortifications,  and  a  good  understanding  wJth  the  In- 
dians. We  would  therefore  beg  leave  to  propose — 


1st.  That  his  Excellency  General  Lee  be  requested  to 
state  the  peculiar  situation  of  the  Province  of  Georgia  to  the 
General  Congress,  and  to  obtain  directions  from  them  to 
raise  and  take  into  Continental  pay  so  many  men  as  may  be 
conceived  to  be  sufficient  to  defend  that  Province.  In  our 
opinion,  less  than  six  battalions  will  not  answer  the  purpose. 
But  we  do  not  conceive  any  of  these  men  can  be  recruited 
in  Georgia.  We  would  apprehend  it  full  as  eligible,  if  that 
can  be  done,  to  order  some  of  the  regiments  already  raised, 
to  march  thither;  and  further,  that  the  four  troops  of  horse 
already  raised  be  augmented  to  a  regiment,  and  put  upon 
the  Continental  establishment.  Part  of  these  battalions  and 
troops  may  be  so  stationed  as  to  serve  equally  for  the  pro- 
tection of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina  against  the  Indians; 
and  above  all,  may  entirely  shut  up  the  communication 
between  them  and  our  enemies  to  the  southward,  which,  in 
our  opinion,  will  be  the  most  effectual  means  of  preventing 
an  Indian  war. 

2d.    That  the  sum  of sterling  be  granted  by 

the  General  Congress  for  building  fortifications  and  guard- 
boats  in  the  Province  of  Georgia.  The  reason  why  we 
conceive  this  ought  to  be  a  general  charge  is,  because  it  is 
evident  the  same  will  serve  against  attacks  from  the  south, 
and  for  cutting  off  the  communication  between  East  and 
West  Florida  and  the  Indians,  upon  which  the  peace  of  the 
back  inhabitants  of  Georgia,  South  Carolina,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  Virginia,  depends.  Besides,  it  seems  to  be  a  part 
of  the  plan  of  Administration  to  throw  forces  into  the  Indian 
country,  where  they  expect  to  be  joined  by  a  considerable 
number  of  the  savages ;  and  in  that  event,  there  is  no  Pro- 
vince or  place  through  which  they  could  so  conveniently 
pass  as  through  Georgia. 

3d.  It  is  a  fixed  principle  with  the  Indians  to  be  paid  for 
their  good  offices  ;  and  in  this  controversy  we  conceive  they 
will  expect  to  be  well  paid  even  for  neutrality.  The  arti- 
cles they  prefer  will  doubtless  be  ammunition  and  clothing, 
but  these  we  have  it  not  in  our  power  to  give  them.  We 
would,  then,  propose  cattle  as  a  substitute,  and  are  inclined 
to  think,  if  the  communication  between  them  and  our  en- 
emies was  cut  off  they  would  soon  be  brought  to  be  well 
satisfied  with  a  present  of  this  kind.  It  is  therefore  submit- 
ted to  the  General  Congress  whether  it  would  not  be  worth 
while  to  give  direction  that head  of  cattle  be  pur- 
chased and  distributed  among  the  Indians  by  Commissioners. 
We  are  of  opinion  this  step  would  answer  many  valuable 
purposes,  and  would  have  a  tendency  not  only  of  attaching 
them  to  our  interest  from  gratitude,  but  would  also  be  a 
means  of  civilizing  them,  and  by  fixing  the  idea  of  property, 
would  keep  them  honest  and  peaceable  with  us,  for  fear  of 
reprisals. 


REFORMATION  OF  THE  BOOK  OF  COMMON  PRAYER  BV  THE 
VIRGINIA  CONVENTION. 

In  Convention,  Williamsburgh,  July  5,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  sentences  in  the  Morning 
and  Evening  Service  shall  be  omitted  :  "O  Lord,  save  the 
King,  and  mercifully  hear  us  when  we  call  upon  Thee." 

That  the  15th,  16th,  17th,  and  18th  sentences  in  the  Li- 
tany, for  the  King's  Majesty,  and  the  Royal  Family,  &c., 
shall  be  omitted. 

That  the  Prayers  in  the  Communion  Service,  which  ac- 
knowledge the  authority  of  the  King,  and  so  much  of  the 
Prayer  for  the  Church  Militant  as  declares  the  same  autho- 
rity, shall  be  omitted,  and  this  alteration  made  in  one  of  the 
above  Prayers  in  the  Communion  Service:  "Almighty  and 
everlasting  God,  we  are  taught  by  thy  Holy  Word  that 
the  hearts  of  all  Rulers  are  in  thy  governance,  and  that 
Thou  dost  dispose  and  turn  them  as  it  seemeth  best  to  thy 
godly  wisdom ;  we  humbly  beseech  Thee  so  to  dispose 
and  govern  the  hearts  of  all  the  Magistrates  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, that  in  all  their  thoughts,  words,  and  works,  they 
may  evermore  seek  thy  honour  and  glory,  and  study  to 
preserve  thy  people  committed  to  their  charge,  in  wealth, 
peace,  and  godliness.  Grant  this,  O  merciful  Father,  for 
thy  dear  Son's  sake,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen." 

That  the  following  Prayer  shall  be  used,  instead  of  the 
Prayer  for  the  King's  Majesty,  in  the  Morning  and  Evening 
Service :  "  O  Lord,  our  heavenly  Father,  high  and  mighty 
King  of  Kings,  Lord  of  Lords,  the  only  Ruler  of  the  Uni- 
verse, who  dost,  from  thy  throne,  behold  all  the  dwel- 


9 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


10 


lers  upon  earth,  most  heartily  we  beseech  Thee,  with  thy 
favour,  to  behold  the  Magistrates  of  this  Commonwealth, 
and  so  replenish  them  with  the  grace  of  thy  Holy  Spirit, 
that  they  may  always  incline  to  thy  will,  and  walk  in  thy 
way;  endue  them  plenteously  with  heavenly  gifts;  strengthen 
them  that  they  may  vanquish  and  overcome  all  their  ene- 
mies ;  and  finally,  after  this  life,  they  may  obtain  everlasting 
joy  and  felicity,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen." 

In  the  twentieth  sentence  of  the  Litany,  use  these  words : 
"  That  it  may  please  Thee  to  endue  the  Magistrates  of  this 
Commonwealth  with  grace,  wisdom,  and  understanding." 
In  the  succeeding  one,  use  these  words:  "That  it  may 
please  Thee  to  bless  and  keep  them,  giving  them  grace  to 
execute  justice  and  maintain  truth." 

Let  every  other  sentence  of  the  Litany  be  retained  without 
any  alteration,  except  the  above  sentences  recited. 

EDMUND  PENDLETON,  President. 

J.  TAZEWELL,  Clerk  of  the  Convention. 


COURT  MARTIAL  ON  CAPTAIN  BALL. 

Williamsburgh,  Virginia,  July  5,  1776. 

At  a  General  Court-Martial,  held  in  the  City  of  fVU- 
liamsburgh,  the  5th  day  of  July,  1776,  by  order  of  Brigadier- 
General  Andrew  Lewis,  for  the  trial  of  Captain  Burgess 
Ball,  of  the  Fifth  Regiment,  (arrested  for  suffering  the  Brig 
which  was  run  aground  on  Willoughby 's  Point  to  be  retaken 
by  the  enemy,)  the  Court,  upon  hearing  the  evidence  of 
Captain  John  fViHoughby,  which  was  corroborated  by  the 
testimony  of  Captain  Nathaniel  Boush,  Ensign  Beale,  and 
Mr.  Cocke,  and  Mr.  Netherhnd,  Cadets,  were  unanimously 
of  opinion  that  the  loss  of  the  prize  could  in  nowise  be  impu- 
ted to  Captain  Ball,  and  therefore  honourably  acquitted  him. 
Which  sentence  of  the  Court-Martial  was  approved  of  by  the 
General. 


DAVID  HALL  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  8.     Referred  to  the  Delegates  of  Maryland.] 

Lewis,  Delaware,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  sundry  depositions,  con- 
taining, as  we  think,  a  true  state  of  the  general  disaffection 
that  prevails  among  the  people  in  the  County  of  Sussex. 
Sundry  gentlemen  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Broad  Creek, 
and  Wicomico,  have  been  qualified  to  the  truth  of  it,  on 
whose  attachment  to  the  cause  of  America  we  very  much 
depend.  The  Council  of  Safety  have  ordered  down  part  of 
an  Independent  Company  now  under  their  direction.  A 
company  of  the  Delaware  Battalion  is  also  preparing  to 
march.  The  most  alarming  circumstance  is,  the  danger  of 
Lord  Dunmore's  recruiting  with  success  among  the  dis- 
affected, who  repair  to  him  without  reserve,  and  supply  him 
with  the  produce  of  the  country.  We  earnestly  entreat 
that  Congress  may  take  the  matter  into  their  serious  con- 
sideration, and  order  what  may  be  thought  necessary  to  fix 
the  minds  of  the  wavering,  and  secure  the  common  safety. 

By  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect,  Sir,  your  most  humble 
servant,  DAVID  HALL,  Chairman. 

To  the  Hon.  President  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Sussex  County,  Broad  Creek,  Delaware,  July  5,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN  :  The  situation  of  the  part  of  the  country  in 
which  we  live  having  of  late  appeared  to  us  rather  critical, 
and  a  number  of  armed  vessels  lately  appearing  in  our 
rivers,  occasion  us  to  think  ourselves  bound  in  duty,  both 
to  our  country  and  our  families,  to  lay  our  case  before  you, 
both  for  advice  and  assistance.  We  need  not  inform  that  a 
large  majority  of  the  people  in  the  lower  part  of  this  country 
appear  disaffected,  which,  being  lately  fully  demonstrated 
by  these  hostile  appearances,  occasions  troops  to  be  sent 
from  above  to  quiet  them ;  and  we  are  sorry  to  say,  that  it 
is  our  opinion  that  they  (viz:  the  enemies  of  the  cause)  are 
not  better  affected  than  they  were  before  those  troops  came, 
(we  mean  in  the  parts  near  us,)  although  we  are  fully  of  the 
opinion  that  the  gentlemen  appointed  and  sent  down  as 
heads  of  that  business  thought  proper  to  have  a  few  hun- 
dred riflemen  sent  amongst  us  at  that  time,  who  took  up 
some  of  the  most  insolent,  and  put  them  in  confinement, 
disarmed  the  offenders  of  less  note,  and  left  a  few  troops  as 


a  protection  to  the  well  disposed.  Things  at  this  time 
should  have  worn  a  face  much  more  in  favour  of  the  country 
than  it  now  does. 

The  night  before  last,  we  sent  an  express  down  to  Vienna 
a  small  town  in  Maryland,  upon  Nanticoke  River,  to  give 
information  of  what  men-of-war  or  tenders  were  in  the 
rivers.  Yesterday  our  express  returned,  and  gave  an 
account,  that  in  the  mouth  of  the  River  Nanticoke,  there 
lay  the  Fowey  ship-of-war  and  four  tenders ;  in  the  River 
Wicomico  were  three  tenders.  Those  up  Wicomico  had 
run  far  up  the  river  into  the  heart  of  the  country;  but  we 
had  no  account  of  any  great  damage  they  had  then  done. 
They  had  landed,  and  attempted  to  rob  some  plantations ; 
but  were  driven  back  to  their  vessels.  Although  the  Militia 
were  about  ten  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  river,  they 
went  on  shore,  and  robbed  the  most  wealthy  man  in  the 
neighbourhood,  of  his  cash,  and  all  his  negroes  they  could 
lay  hands  on;  after  which,  they  tied  the  gentleman,  and 
took  him  off  on  board  their  vessel.  We  also  may  inform 
you,  that  parties  from  tenders  and  other  vessels  supposed  to 
belong  to  Dunmore's  Fleet,  have  taken  large  quantities  of 
cattle  and  other  stock  from  what  is  called  the  Islands,  which 
lie  just  below  the  mouth  of  Nanticoke  River ;  and  we  have 
reason  to  believe  that  they  have  taken  stock  out  of  the  river 
they  left,  which  they  might  easily  have  done,  as  great  part  of 
the  inhabitants  upon  the  river,  from  the  mouth  to  the  head, 
would  be  glad  to  have  an  opportunity  to  deal  with  them, 
and  would  take  great  pleasure  to  supply  them  with  anything 
in  their  power.  This  much,  gentlemen,  you  may  depend 
on,  that  vast  numbers  of  the  inhabitants  of  Somerset  and 
Dorchester  Counties,  in  Maryland,  and  of  Sussex  County, 
in  Delaware,  have  men  on  board  of  these  men-of-war 
and  tenders,  either  trading,  inlisting,  taking  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance, or  something  we  really  are  not  informed  of;  but  we 
have  it  from  such  authority,  that  we  do  really  believe  that 
they  purchase  some  sorts  of  goods  from  the  tenders,  very  low; 
and  also,  that  the  captain  of  the  tenders  registers  the  name 
of  every  person  who  goes  on  board  of  them.  We  are  also 
fully  convinced  that  numbers  of  the  inhabitants  have  actually 
voluntarily  entered  into  the  service  under  Dunmore;  some 
of  whom,  we  have  reason  to  believe,  now  bear  command 
on  board  these  tenders,  and  we  look  upon  them  as  a  more 
dangerous  enemy  than  the  Europeans.  They  know  our 
country,  and  are  able  to  carry  the  vessels  they  command  to 
the  heads  of  our  rivers ;  and  it  is  reported  (and  we  believe 
it  to  be  true)  that  these  traitors  have  sent  word  (by  their 
neighbours,  who  have  been  down  on  board  trading)  to  their 
relations,  who  live  in  the  heart  of  the  country,  that  in  a 
very  short  time  they,  with  their  armed  vessels,  will  pay 
them  a  visit.  It  would  be  impossible  for  us  to  relate  to  you, 
gentlemen,  on  paper,  every  threat  that  has  been  thrown  out 
by  the  disaffected  amongst  ourselves,  as  well  as  the  people 
on  board  the  tenders  and  ships-of-war,  and  therefore  shall 
only  add,  that,  from  the  disaffection  amongst  ourselves, 
which  we  conceive  to  be  so  great,  that  there  is,  at  least,  six 
disaffected  to  one  firm  man  for  America, — we  say,  from  that 
melancholy  appearance,  and  from  the  arrival  of  these  armed 
vessels,  we  think  it  our  duty  to  make  application  to  you  for 
assistance  of  men ;  and  make  no  doubt  but  that,  if  it  is  in 
your  power,  you  will  grant  it  to  us.  If  it  is  not  in  your  power, 
we  must  be  candid  enough  to  inform  you,  that  self-preserva- 
tion will  oblige  us  either  to  leave  our  hivings,  or  fall  in  and 
run  with  the  current,  either  of  which  will  be  hateful  to  us. 
But  we  believe  it  cannot  be  required  of  us  to  offer  ourselves 
sacrifices  for  our  country,  without  there  being  some  prospect 
of  benefit  arising  therefrom. 

If,  gentlemen,  upon  reflection,  you  judge  it  practicable 
and  expedient  to  grant  us  men,  we  beg  they  may  continue 
stationed  amongst  us,  until  we  shall  appear  able  to  protect 
ourselves;  and  for  that  purpose,  we  pray  you  will,  in  our 
behalf,  make  application  to  Congress  that  we  may  not  be 
liable  to  have  them  called  away,  and  again  be  left  destitute ; 
for  if  we  should  have  them  only  a  short  time,  and  then 
taken  from  us,  our  case  would  be  worse  than  now,  as  revenge 
might  prompt  our  enemies  to  more  desperate  actions.  Al- 
though we  represent  our  case  to  be  distressing,  we  do  not 
mean  to  represent  it  as  past  hope ;  for  we  are  of  opinion,  if  you 
favour  us  with  only  three  or  four  good  companies,  with  pru- 
dent officers,  we  shall  not  only  be  able  to  defend  ourselves, 
but  also  that  it  will  be  a  means  to  reclaim  a  considerable 
number  of  the  disaffected,  and  bring  them  to  their  duty,  as 


11 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


12 


it  will  enable  our  officers  to  pursue  such  steps  as  is  neces- 
sary to  accomplish  this  purpose  so  much  wished  for.  Not 
doubting  but  that  you  will  do  everything  for  us  that  may 
appear  to  you  necessary, 

We  rest,  and  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  humble 
servants,  JONATHAN  BELL,  JOHN  MITCHELL, 

JNO.  POLK,  ISAAC  HORSEY, 

JOHN  CREIOHTON,     LEVIN  CONN  AW  AT, 
JOSEPH  FORMAN,       ROBERT  HOUSTON. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  now  sitting  at  Sussex. 

I  do  hereby  certify,  that  the  several  subscribers  to  the 
within  letter  were  sworn  to  the  truth  of  the  facts  in  said 
letter  set  forth  before  the  Council  of  Safety  for  the  County 
of  Sussex,  in  Delaware,  5th  July,  1776. 
By  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

DAVID  HALL,  Chairman. 

Testimony  of  ENOCH  SCCDDER,  July  4,  1776. 

Enoch  Scudder,  being  duly  sworn  on  the  holy  Gospel, 
doth  depose  and  say :  That  on  the  third  of  this  instant  July, 
in  travelling  down  from  Philadelphia,  he  was  overtaken  by 
four  men  near  Cedar  Creek,  who  asked  him  if  he  had  heard 
that  Lord  Dunmore  had  landed  an  armament  of  men  in 
Maryland,  and  whether  he  (this  deponent)  was  going  to 
join  him :  upon  which,  this  deponent  asked  them  if  there 
were  any  men  there  that  would  join  Dunmore,  and  how 
many,  and  whereabouts  they  were  to  be  gathered :  upon 
which,  they  informed  him  that  fifteen  hundred  might  be  col- 
lected about  Cedar  Creek,  and  between  that  and  the  place 
where  Dunmore  had  landed ;  and  that  he,  (this  deponent,)  in 
several  harvest-fields,  heard  the  people  converse  to  this  pur- 
pose ;  and  that  they  were  determined  that  the  gentlemen 
who  had  been  busy  in  calling  the  Tories  to  account  should 
not  be  suffered  to  pass  without  a  guard ;  and  they  further 
told  him  that  Boymer  Lloyd  was  actually  with  Dunmore. 

July  4,  1776.  ENOCH  SCUDDER. 

Sworn  before  JNO.  DAG  WORTHY. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  COLONEL  HASLETT. 

Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  it  in  command  from  Congress  to  direct  you 
to  station  one  Company  of  the  Battalion  under  your  com- 
mand at  Lewistown,  and  to  march  the  remaining  seven 
companies  to  the  town  of  Wilmington,  and  there  remain 
until  the  further  order  of  this  Congress.  You  will  there- 
fore immediately  put  this  order  into  execution. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Colonel  Hasktt,  or  Officer  commanding  the  Battalion 
of  Continental  Troops  in  Delaware  Government. 
P.  S.  The  enclosed  Declaration  you  wilt  please  to  have 

read  at  the  head  of  your  battalion. 


PRESIDENT    OF    CONGRESS    TO    THE    CONVENTION    OF    NEW- 
JERSEY. 

Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  You  will  perceive,  by  the  enclosed  Re- 
solve, that  the  Congress  have  judged  it  necessary  to  remove 
the  prisoners  from  your  Colony  to  the  town  of  York,  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  have  directed  me  to  request  you  to  carry 
the  same  into  execution  immediately.  Their  vicinity  to  our 
enemies,  and  the  opportunity  of  deserting  to  them,  or  keep- 
ing up  a  communication  dangerous  to  the  interest  of  these 
United  Slates,  rendered  this  step  not  only  prudent,  but 
absolutely  necessary. 

I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose,  in  obedience  to  the 
commands  of  Congress,  a  copy  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, which  you  will  please  to  have  proclaimed  in  your 
Colony  in  such  way  and  manner  as  you  shall  judge  best. 

The  important  consequences  resulting  to  the  American 
States  from  this  Declaration  of  Independence,  considered 
as  the  ground  and  foundation  of  a  future  Government,  will 
naturally  suggest  the  propriety  of  proclaiming  it  in  such  a 
mode  as  that  the  people  may  be  universally  informed  of  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
Honourable  Convention  of  New  Jersey. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  THE  PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE 
OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 

G  ENTLEMEN  :  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose,  in  obe- 
dience to  the  commands  of  Congress,  a  copy  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence,  which  I  am  directed  to  request  you 
will  have  proclaimed  in  your  Colony  in  the  way  and  man- 
ner which  you  shall  judge  best. 

The  American  States  being  now  forever  divided  from 
those  who  wished  to  destroy  them,  it  has  become  absolutely 
necessary,  for  their  security  and  happiness,  to  adopt  some 
Government  of  their  own.  In  this  view  of  the  matter,  the 
important  consequences  flowing  from  a  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence,  considered  as  the  ground  and  foundation  thereof, 
will  naturally  suggest  the  propriety  of  proclaiming  it  in  such 
a  mode  that  the  people  may  be  universally  informed  of  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

Honourable  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania. 


GENERAL  WOOSTER  TO  COMMITTEE  OF  CONGRESS. 

.       Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 

As  I  understand  my  conduct  in  confining  Major  Gray, 
Colonel  Dufee,  and  St.  George  Dupree,  has  been  found 
fault  with,  I  must  beg  leave  to  give  the  reasons  that  induced 
me  to  it. 

Sundry  captains  of  militia  applied  to  me  to  issue  an  order, 
directing  them  to  deliver  up  the  commissions  they  had  re- 
ceived from  General  Carleton,  by  which  they  were  obliged 
to  take  up  arms  against  the  Continental  troops  whenever 
they  should  be  commanded  by  General  Carleton;  which 
they  did  not  choose  to  do,  but  would  rather  take  commis- 
sions under  the  Continental  Congress.  Being  fully  sensible 
of  the  propriety  of  their  request,  I  accordingly  gave  out  an 
order  for  that  purpose,  and  allowed  every  parish  the  privi- 
lege of  choosing  their  own  officers,  and  making  a  proper 
return  to  me ;  which  they  cheerfully  complied  with.  I  then 
granted  commissions  under  the  honourable  Continental  Con- 
gress to  almost  all  the  officers  of  militia  in  the  District  of 
Montreal,  as  far  as  the  Three  Rivers.  As  the  Field  Offi- 
cers belonging  to  Montreal  had  not  given  up  their  commis- 
sions, several  Captains  applied  to  me  to  oblige  them  to  do 
it,  as  they  should  yet  be  obliged  to  take  up  arms  against  us 
in  case  General  Carleton  should  call  upon  them  to  raise  the 
militia ;  upon  which  I  called  upon  these  officers  to  deliver 
their  commissions  pursuant  to  my  orders,  as  it  was  incon- 
sistent for  them  to  pretend  either  to  friendship  or  neutrality, 
while  they  held  commissions  for  the  very  purpose  of  taking 
arms  against  the  Colonies  whenever  they  were  commanded 
by  General  Carleton  or  his  successor.  And  here  I  must 
observe,  these  commissions  were  predicated  upon  a  procla- 
mation issued  by  General  Carleton,  in  May  or  June,  1775, 
denouncing  destruction  to  the  Traitors  and  Rebels  of  the 
New-England  Colonies.  The  French  officers  appeared 
willing  to  deliver  up  their  commissions,  but  Major  Gray 
swore  he  would  not  deliver  his,  let  the  consequence  be  what 
it  would,  and  the  whole  posse  of  Tories  in  Montreal  used 
their  utmost  endeavours  to  dissuade  the  French  officers  from 
complying  with  my  orders,  which  they  effected.  It  there- 
fore became  necessary  for  me  to  support  my  authority,  or 
both  1  and  my  orders  would  appear  contemptible  in  the 
eyes  of  Tories  and  Canadians.  I  told  these  officers  if  they 
persisted  in  their  disobedience  they  must  repair  to  the  fort 
of  Chambly,  as  a  place  of  security,  and  to  put  it  out  of  their 
power  to  do  us  that  injury  which  might  be  justly  appre- 
hended from  them. 

Major  Gray,  as  early  as  December,  swore  we  had  not 
taken  Quebeck  yet,  and  never  should  take  it ;  which  conver- 
sation had  a  very  bad  effect  upon  people  who  were  far  from 
being  our  friends ;  indeed,  the  whole  tenour  of  his  discourse 
in  the  coffee-house  last  winter  was  against  the  honourable 
Continental  Congress  and  their  measures.  Therefore,  I 
judged  him  a  dangerous  man,  and,  with  all  his  adherents, 
inimical  to  the  cause  of  the  United  Colonies ;  and,  as  such, 
pursuant  to  General  Schuyler's  orders  and  my  own  senti- 
ments, I  sent  Colonel  Dufee  and  him  and  St.  George  Du- 
pree to  Chambly. 

Here  I  must  observe,  that  the  honourable  Commissioners 


13 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


14 


from  Congress,  on  their  arrival  in  Canada,  did,  ex  officio, 
supersede  my  orders,  and  released  the  abovementioned  per- 
sons to  go  to  Montreal,  where  Major  Gray  put  on  his  sword 
and  cockade  and  strutted  about  like  a  victorious  conqueror. 
Two  prisoners  of  war  also  had  this  enlargement  at  that  time 
to  go  from  that  fort  into  the  adjacent  village,  and  in  a  few 
'days  they  went  off,  recruiting  for  the  King's  Army  among 
the  Canadians. 

I  must  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  by  the  above  transac- 
tion, the  greatest  insult  and  indignity  was  cast  on  my  cha- 
racter and  conduct,  being  then  commander-in-chief  in 
Canada ;  and  it  was  certainly  inconsistent  with  good  poli- 
cy, let  their  private  sentiments  of  me  and  my  measures  be 
what  they  would,  as  it  naturally  rendered  general  orders 
contemptible  in  the  eyes  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  our  own 
Army,  as  well  as  of  our  enemies.  And  yet,  what  is  more 
extraordinary,  all  this  was  done  before  I  could  possibly  have 
an  interview  (consistent  with  the  publick  safety)  with  these 
gentlemen  on  the  subject. 

DAVID  WOOSTER,  Brig.  General 

To  the  Honourable  Committee  of  Congress. 


ELBRIDGE  GERRY  TO  GENERAL  WARREN. 


Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  a 
determined  resolution  of  the  Delegates  from  some  of  the 
Colonies  to  push  the  question  of  Independency  has  had  a 
most  happy  effect,  and,  after  a  day's  debate,  all  the  Colo- 
nies, excepting  New-York,  whose  Delegates  are  not  em- 
powered to  give  either  an  affirmative  or  negative  voice, 
united  in  a  declaration  long  sought  for,  solicited,  and  neces- 
sary— the  Declaration  of  Independency. 

New-  York  will  most  probably,  on  Monday  next,  when 
its  Convention  meets  for  forming  a  constitution,  join  in  the 
measure,  and  then  it  will  be  entitled  THE  UNANIMOUS 
DECLARATION  OF  THE  THIRTEEN  UNITED  STATES  OF 
AMERICA. 

1  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  Declaration  for  yourself,  and 
another  for  Major  Hawky,  and  offer  you  my  sincere  con- 
gratulations on  the  occasion ;  and  I  pray  that  we  may  never 
want  the  Divine  aid,  or  the  spirit  and  the  means  to  defend 
it.  Yours,  &c.,  ELBRIDGE  GERRY. 


GENERAL  WOOSTER  TO  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  CONGRESS. 

Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 

As  I  understand  that  my  character  has  greatly  suffered 
by  an  injurious  representation  that  I  am  guilty  of  robbing 
one  Bernard,  an  Indian  trader  in  Montreal,  of  his  goods  last 
winter,  I  therefore  beg  leave  to  state  that  matter  in  its  pro- 

£r  light.     In  January  last  I  called  the  Indian  traders  of 
ontreal  together,  and  inquired  of  them  whether  they  ex- 
pected passports  in  the  spring  to  carry  their  goods,  &.C.,  into 
the  Indian  country  as  usual ;  they  told  me  they  expected 
that  indulgence ;  but  that,  at  any  rate,  they  should  be  per- 
mitted to  carry  provisions  to  their  people  in  the  upper  coun- 
try.    As  I  apprehended  the  granting  of  passports  for  the 
upper   country  might  be   attended   with  unhappy  conse- 
quences to  the  interests  of  the  United  Colonies — as  the 
goods  which  they  make  use  of  for  that  trade  were  much 
wanted  for  our  Army,  and  there  was  the  greatest  reason  to 
expect  that  by  this  way  our  enemies  would  be  supplied  with 
everything  they  wanted — I  did  not  incline  to  grant  passports 
without  the  direction  of  Congress.     I  therefore  advised  them 
to  choose  a  committee  to  wait  upon  Congress  for  their 
direction.     They  sent  Mr.  Forbisher,  who  did  not  return 
till  the  month  of  April.     Soon  after,  I  was  informed  the 
merchants  were  determined  to  send  off  their  goods  in  the 
spring,  with  or  without  passports ;  upon  which  I  gave  out 
a  general  order  prohibiting  the  carrying  any  coarse  goods 
out  of  the  city,  except  such  as  were  wanted  by  the  country 
people.     About  the  20th  of  March  I  was  informed  that  the 
abovementioned  Bernard  had  privately  conveyed  out  of  the 
city  into  the  suburbs  a  large  quantity  of  coarse  goods  for  the 
upper  country  trade ;  and  upon  further  inquiry,  found  that 
the  goods  were  loaded  in  the  night  and  carried  off  twenty- 
nine  sleigh  loads.     I  immediately  sent  a  party  after  them, 
who,  about  thirty  miles  from  Montreal,  overtook  and  brought 
back  seven  loads  of  blankets,  powder,  and  various  other 
goods,  calculated  for  the  Indian  trade.     These  goods  were 
all  brought  to  Head-Quarters ;  and  as  I  was  then  preparing 
to  go  to°Que&eeAr,  I  gave  them  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  George 
Measam,  with  orders  to  take  an  exact  account  of  them,  and 
to  keep  them  to  be  delivered  out  to  the  troops  when  wanted  ; 
that  if  it  should  afterwards  be  judged  that  Mr.  Bernard  had 
not  properly,  by  the  rules  of  war,  forfeited  them,  they  might 
be  paid  for.  You  will  please  to  observe  that  this  Bernard  had 
broken  through  and  violated  a  publick  agreement,  disobeyed 
general  orders,  and  was  carrying  warlike  stores,  provisions, 
fee.,  to  our  enemies;  and,  notwithstanding,  I  was  called  a 
robber  for  detaining  the  man's  goods.     I  am  far  from  being 
certain  that  many  are  and  will  be  of  opinion  that  the  goods 
were  as  legal  a  prize  as  any  vessel  or  goods  taken  coming 
from  Great  Britain  or  the  West  Indies  this  war.     In  addi- 
tion to  my  own  opinion  of  the  propriety  of  preventing  the 
Indian  trade,  I  had  General  Lee's  instructions  to  prevent 
the  carrying  off  of  coarse  goods,  which  you  will  see  by  his 
letter  of  the  28th  of  February. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  WOOSTER,  Brig.  General. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Committee  of  Congress. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  DATED  PHILADELPHIA,  JuLY  5, 
1776. 

By  a  person  this  day  from  the  lower  counties  in  Jersey, 
we  are  informed  that  the  brig  Nancy,  Captain  Montgomery, 
of  six  three-pounders  and  eleven  men,  from  St.  Croix  and 
St.  Thomas  for  this  port,  loaded  on  Congress  account  with 
three  hundred  and  eighty-six  barrels  of  gunpowder,  fifty 
firelocks,  one  hundred  and  one  hogsheads  of  rum,  and  sixty- 
two  hogsheads  of  sugar,  &c.,  on  board,  in  the  morning  of 
the  29th  ultimo,  when  standing  for  Cape-May,  discovered 
six  sail  of  men-of-war,  tenders,  Sic.,  making  towards  him, 
as  also  a  row  boat.     The  boat  and  tenders  he  soon  after 
engaged  and  beat  off,  stood  close  along  shore,  and  got  as- 
sistance from  Captains  Wickes  and  Barry,  when  it  was 
agreed  to  run  the  brig  ashore,  which  was  done,  and,  under 
favour  of  a  fog,  they  have  saved  two  hundred  and  sixty- 
eight  barrels  of  powder,  fifty  arms,  and  some  dry  goods, 
when,  the  fog  clearing  away,  Captain  Montgomery  dis- 
covered the  enemy's  ships  very  near  him,  and  five  boats 
coming  to  board  the  brig ;  on  which  he  started  a  quantity  of 
powder  in  the  cabin,  and  fifty  pounds  in  the  mainsail,  in  the 
folds  of  which  he  put  fire,  and  then  quitted  her.     The  men- 
of-war  boats  (some  say  two,  some  three)  boarded  the  brig, 
and  took  possession  of  her,  with  three  cheers ;  soon  after 
which  the  fire  took  the  desired  effect,  and  blew  the  pirates 
forty  or  fifty  yards  into  the  air,  and  much  shattered  one  of 
their  boats  under  her  stern.     Eleven  dead  bodies  have  since 
come  on  shore,  with  two  gold-laced  hats,  and  a  leg  with  a 
garter.     From  the  great  number  of  limbs  floating  and  driven 
ashore,  it  is  supposed  thirty  or  forty  of  them  were  destroyed 
by  the  explosion.     A  number  of  people  from  on  board  our 
ships-of-war,  and  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Cape-May, 
mounted  a  gun  on  shore,  with  which  they  kept  up  a  fire  at 
the  barges;  which  the  men-of-war,  &c., returned,  and  killed 
Mr.  Wickes,  (brother  of  Captain  Wickes,)  third  lieutenant  of 
the  Continental  ship  Reprisal,  and  wounded  a  boy  in  the 
thigh. 

MEASURES  FOR  DEFENCE  OF  NEW-JERSEY  AND  PENNSYLVANIA. 

At  a  Conference  of  the  Delegates  in  Congress  for  the  States 
of  New-York,  New- Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania,  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Committee  of 
Inspection  and  Observation  for  the  City  and  Liberties  of 
Philadelphia,  and  the  Field-Officers  of  the  five  Battalions 
of  the  said  city,  &c.,  at  the  State  House  in  Philadelphia, 
on  the  5th  day  of  July,  1776,  in  pursuance  of  the  follow- 
ing Resolution  of  Congress,  to  wit : 

"  In  Congress,  July  4,  1776. 

«  Resolved,  That  the  Delegates  of  New-  York,  New- Jersey, 
and  Pennsylvania,  be  a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Committee  of  Inspec- 
tion of  the  City  and  Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  Field 
Officers  of  the  Battalions  of  the  said  City  and  Liberties,  on 
the  best  means  of  defending  the  Colonies  of  New- Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania,  and  that  they  be  empowered  to  send  expresses 
where  necessary.  JoHN  HANCOCK,  President." 


15 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


16 


THOMAS  McKEAN  in  the  Chair. 


if  I  can  be  useful  to  the  United  States,  I  intend  to  end  my 
days  in  them.  I  shall  regard  my  original  country  and  its 
subjects  as  my  family;  and  if  I  can  be  useful  to  them,  and 
anything  advantageous  to  the  American  States,  and  equally 
agreeable  to  France,  could  be  proposed  here,  I  would  under- 
take to  offer  it  with  the  greatest  pleasure,  without  requiring 
from  the  King  of  France  either  honours,  pecuniary  rewards, 


Resolved,  That  it  appears  to  the  conferees  that  all  the 
associated  Militia  of  Pcmisykania,  (excepting  the  Counties 
of  Westmoreland,  Bedford,  and  Northampton,}  who  can  be 
furnished  with  arms  and  accoutrements,  should  be  forthwith 
requested  to  march  with  the  utmost  expedition  to  Trenton, 

^except  the  Militia  for  Northampton  County,  who  are  to  , 

.  7\  •    \T  or  any  other  mark  of  gratitude.     All  my  satisfaction  would 
jnarch  directly  to  New-Brunswick.)  in  J\ew- Jersey,  and  that  .*  :  ,  f 6  ,.         f  i  ir  i        u 

Fi,,;  ^  Pon     n(  consist  in  the  inward  feelings  of  my  soul  if  I  could  once,  by 
the  said  Militia  continue  in  service  until  the  *  lying-Camp  ol  .  '      .  ,  '    J 

ten  thousand  men  can  be  collected  to  relieve  them,  unless 
they  shall  be  sooner  discharged  by  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  Militia  march  by  Companies  to  the 
place  of  rendezvous. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Militia  be  taken  into  Continental 
pay,  and  receive  the  same  pay,  allowances,  and  rations,  with 
the  Continental  troops,  from  the  time  they  begin  their  march 
until  they  return  to  their  respective  homes. 

Resolved,  That  those  of  the  three  Battalions  of  the  Pcnn- 


tylvania  Troops,  now  remaining  in  the  Province,  be  ordered 
to  march  immediately  for  New- Brunswick,  in  New-Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony 
provide  as  many  Tents  as  they  can  for  the  said  Militia. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Inspection,  &c.,  in  the 
several  Counties  furnish  a  good  Kettle  to  every  six  men,  and 
give  all  the  assistance  in  their  power ;  that  the  said  Militia 
be  well  armed  and  equipped,  and  march  with  the  greatest 
expedition.  THOMAS  McKEAN,  Chairman. 

In  Congress,  July  5,  177fi. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committees  of  Inspection  for  the 
several  Counties  in  the  Colony  of  Pennsylvania  be  directed 
to  order  such  Troops  as  they  may  raise  for  the  Flying-Camp 
to  be  marched  to  Trenton,  the  resolve  of  yesterday  to  march 
them  to  Philadelphia  notwithstanding. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  highly  approve  of  the  fore- 
going resolutions,  and  recommend  it  to  the  good  people  of 
Pennsylvania  to  carry  the  same  into  execution  with  the 
same  laudable  readiness  which  they  have  hitherto  manifested 
in  supporting  the  injured  rights  of  their  country. 

By  order  of  Congress : 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 


TRANSLATION  OF  A  LETTER  WRITTEN  BY  A  FRENCH  OFFICER 
NOW  IN  THE  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  TO  A  FRENCH  NOBLEMAN 
IN  PARIS. 

Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 

MY  LORD:  After  the  permission  you  were  pleased  to 
grant  me  to  come  to  this  country,  I  am  at  last  arrived ;  not 
without  many  dangers  and  great  expense.  I  found  here  a 
happy  people,  averse  to  oppression,  without  any  spirit  of 
sedition,  active  and  laborious,  with  all  the  necessary  qualifi- 
cations required  to  the  foundation  of  a  powerful  Republick, 
able  to  support  itself  without  the  assistance  of  Europe. 
This  immense  country  possesses  all  advantages,  and  its  true 
riches  consist  in  the  produce  of  its  soil.  It  is,  as  yet,  in  its 
infancy ;  but  still  it  is  a  vigorous  child,  that,  in  reality,  has 
no  more  need  of  its  mother  nor  its  neighbours,  provided  it 
never  meddle  with  the  balance  of  Europe.  Perhaps,  my 
Lord,  you  will  not  consider  these  things  in  the  light  I  do ; 
but  this  country  might  be  the  greatest  market  for  our  manu- 
factures, could  we  once  give  those  people  a  taste  for  those 
which  we  have  in  great  abundance,  and  with  which  Great 
Britain  used  to  furnish  them,  to  the  amount  of  immense 
sums.  1  found  the  people  generally  inclined  for  absolute 
independency,  and  willing  to  support  it  with  their  lives  and 
fortunes.  I  was  surprised  to  see  their  troops  exercise  and 
manoeuvre  as  well  as  they  do ;  and  were  they  not  animated 
by  the  love  of  liberty,  they  would  be  an  unparalleled  prodigy; 
but  when  that  takes  place,  all  wonder  ceases.  I  visited  many 
of  their  fortifications,  which  have  been  raised  with  an  amazing 
celerity.  I  never  knew  so  many,  and  such  good  works,  per- 
formed in  so  short  a  time.  I  was  accompanied  in  this  tour 
by  several  General  Officers,  particularly  by  Majors  General 
Putnam  and  Gates,  and  a  Member  of  the  Congress.  I  told 
them  my  opinion  of  those  works,  and  I  have  been  desired  to 
raise  some  necessary  ones  here  where  they  are  required. 

This  Government,  its  form,  its  liberty,  are  so  similar  to  that 
of  the  ancient  and  once  happy  people  of  Bretagne,  (the 
country  of  my  nativity,)  that  I  am  delighted  with  it.  And, 


my  endeavours,  set  on  foot  a  commercial  correspondence — 
equally  beneficial  to  my  former  country  and  that  which  I 
now  adopt.  You  will  imagine,  my  Lord,  that  I  am  too  hasty; 
but  permit  me  to  assure  you,  that  after  mature  deliberation, 
and  positive  information  of  the  strength  of  America,  I  am 
convinced  they  are  able  to  resist  against  all  their  enemies. 
If  the  Americans  have  not  the  greatest  knowledge  in  the  art 
of  war,  they  have  great  advantages  from  the  situation  of  their 
country,  undaunted  courage,  determined  resolution,  and  the 
best  and  most  glorious  cause.  Nothing  will  be  able  to  divide 
them.  Every  precaution  is  taken  against  their  interior  ene- 
mies, whose  number  is  insignificant.  Such  a  solemn  and  well 
supported  resolution  gives  me  the  highest  opinion  of  these 
privileged  souls,  who  defend  their  rights  without  ostentation 
or  faction,  and  who  desire  only  liberty  and  independency. 
They  already  feel  that  such  a  state  is  not  a  chimera,  as  too 
generally  thought  in  Europe,  Switzerland  excepted. 

I  have  the  honour,  my  Lord,  to  enclose  you  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independency,  published  yesterday  by  the  honourable 
the  Congress  of  the  United  American  States,  and  to  prevent 
the  danger  of  my  letter  miscarrying,  shall  send  it  by  dupli- 
cate. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  respect,  my  Lord,  your  most 
humble  and  most  obedient  servant. 


SAMUEL  TUCKER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Provincial  Congress  of  New-Jersey, 
Trenton,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  Before  we  received  your  letter  of  yesterday,  relative 
to  the  late  Governour  Franklin,  this  Congress  had  taken  new 
order  in  that  business.  The  view  of  one  of  our  members  in 
applying  to  Mr.  P.  Livingston  was,  to  prevent  the  success 
of  an  application  we  heard  Mr.  Franklin's  friends  were  about 
making  to  the  Continental  Congress  for  leave  yet  to  stay  in 
this  Colony  upon  a  parole  of  his  own  framing. 

We  have  been  greatly  deceived  in  the  Captain  of  the 
Morristoum  Lighthorse,  to  whom  we  had  confided  the 
charge  of  this  business.  We  have  cited  him  to  answer  for 
his  conduct,  which  we  fear  will  be  found  highly  culpable,  as 
he  never  even  acquainted  us  with  his  delay  in  executing  his 
orders.  We  have  further  sent  an  officer,  in  whom  we  can 
confide,  to  take  charge  of  Mr.  Franklin  for  the  remainder 
of  the  journey.  We  are  heartily  chagrined  at  the  accident ; 
but  were  obliged  to  change  the  guards  from  time  to  time,  as 
Colonel  Heard,  to  whom  he  was  first  committed,  was  ad- 
vanced to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General,  and  all  the  Militia 
who  had  him  in  charge  were  engaged  for  the  service  at  New- 
York,  except  the  Lighthorse,  who  we  considered  would  be 
of  less  use  there. 

By  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Dennis,  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  of  New-Brunswick,  the  Congress  will 
see,  we  hope,  the  necessity  of  relieving  us  from  the  care  of 
the  prisoners  of  war  in  this  Colony.  The  story  of  the 
negroes  may  be  depended  upon,  so  far  at  least  as  to  their 
arming  and  attempting  to  form  themselves,  particularly  in 
Somerset  County.  Our  Militia  are  gone  off  in  such  numbers 
that  we  have  hardly  men  or  arms  left  in  those  parts  which 
are  best  affected  to  the  cause.  We  shall  be  highly  pleased 
to  receive  the  speediest  advice  from  Congress  upon  this  head, 
as  we  cannot  but  add  that  the  behaviour  of  these  gentlemen 
has  not  been  such  as  we  could  wish  since  the  arrival  of  the 
troops.  We  are,  sir,  your  most  humble  servants. 

By  order  of  Congress : 

SAMUEL  TUCKER,  President. 

Honourable  President  Hancock. 

Brunswick,  July  4, 1776. 

SIR  :  The  powder  directed  to  my  care  came  safe  to  hand 
this  morning.  1  provided  wagons,  and  sent  it  immediately 
to  the  several  eastern  Counties,  agreeable  to  the  proportions 
handed  me. 


17 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


18 


In  my  last  I  acquainted  the  honourable  Congress  of  the 
necessity  of  removing  the  officers  and  other  prisoners  of  war, 
from  this  and  other  publick  situations  in  the  Province  where 
they  are  at  present;  but  no  directions  coming,  am  induced 
to  trouble  you  once  more,  by  saying  that  our  apprehensions 
increase  daily.  From  incontestable  evidence  it  appears  the 
soldiers  have  been  continually  forming,  with  numbers  of  our 
negroes ;  that  they  have  discouraged  persons  listing  in  the 
present  service ;  they  have  impudently  ridiculed  the  Con- 
gress, and  despised  the  Ameiican  Army.  On  which  I  im- 
mediately committed  them  to  Somerset  jail,  as  a  place  more 
remote  and  secure  than  Brunswick.  Captain  Hescoat  re- 
moves from  this  to  Burlington  to-morrow,  with  his  family,  so 
that  we  have  but  one  officer  in  town  ;  but  he  is  a  very  bad 
one.  There  is  a  number  at  Princeton;  two  vile  ones  at 
Boundbrook,  and  some  at  Elizabethtown.  The  directions 
of  Congress,  how  they  shall  be  disposed  of,  shall  be  punctu- 
ally executed  by,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  DENNIS. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  LIVINGSTON. 

Head  Quarters,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  4th  came  safely  to  hand.  The 
situation  of  New-Jersey  is  such,  and  the  apprehensions  of 
the  inhabitants  so  justly  excited,  that  I  have  concluded  to 
discharge  the  Militia  from  this  place,  except  those  from  Mor- 
ris County,  whose  internal  situation  is  such  as  to  leave  them 
nothing  to  fear  from  the  enemy.  These  I  have  posted  in 
Bergen,  in  order  to  prevent  any  communication,  and  to  give 
the  enemy  obstruction,  in  case  they  should  attempt  to  land  in 
that  quarter,  which,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Continental 
troops  posted  there,  I  hope  they  will  be  able  effectually  to 
do.  The  remainder  of  the  Militia  I  have  dismissed,  as  I 
have  reason  to  believe  the  enemy  is  waiting  for  the  Euro- 
pean fleet,  and  will  not  make  a  general  attack  until  it 
arrives;  but  we  have  not  yet  one  man  from  Connecticut. 
You  will  observe  I  have  dismissed  the  Militia  from  hence,  but 
have  not  discharged  them,  as  I  am  of  opinion  a  part  of  them 
may  be  usefully  employed  in  the  immediate  defence  of  the 
Province.  In  this  view  they  fall  properly  under  your  com- 
mand ;  and  I  would  suggest  to  you  the  propriety  of  stationing 
them  in  proper  places  along  the  shore,  opposite  to  Staten 
Island,  so  as  to  relieve  the  inhabitants  from  the  apprehen- 
sions they  are  under  of  being  plundered,  as  well  as  preventing 
any  communication  with  the  enemy.  There  are  a  number 
of  people  in  Amboy  who  will  undoubtedly  open  a  corre- 
spondence with  them  immediately,  and  endeavour  to  excite 
disaffection  through  the  Province,  now  they  feel  themselves 
under  some  kind  of  protection.  If  it  is  practicable,  in  the 
present  situation  of  things,  I  am  of  opinion  those  officers  of 
Government,  and  the  notoriously  disaffected  there,  should  be 
removed  with  all  expedition  to  less  dangerous  places ;  that 
the  cattle  and  sheep  and  horses  on  the  shores  contiguous  to 
Staten-Island  should  be  immediately  driven  back ;  the  ferries 
carefully  attended  to,  and  all  boats  watched  that  pass,  or 
attempt  so  to  do.  The  number  of  men  necessary  for  these 
services  you  will  be  able  to  ascertain  better  than  I  can,  but 
in  such  emergency  it  is  better  to  exceed  than  fall  short.  As 
to  provision  for  the  men,  I  presume,  while  the  Militia  are 
employed  in  the  immediate  defence  of  the  Province,  the 
expense,  at  least  in  the  first  instance,  will  fall  upon  the 
Colony.  How  far  the  Continent  will  reimburse  the  Pro- 
vince I  cannot  determine.  But  the  necessity  of  some  sup- 
plies being  collected  is  so  evident,  that  I  make  no  doubt  the 
Convention  will  immediately  go  into  it.  In  the  mean  time, 
I  should  think  no  person  could  run  any  risk  in  doing  what  is 
immediately  necessary,  under  your  appointment. 

I  have  been  the  more  induced  to  dismiss  the  Militia,  that 
the  new  levies  (or  six  months'  men)  may  be  forwarded  as 
soon  as  possible ;  and  I  must  request  your  exertions  for  this 
purpose,  as  it  is  my  intention  to  have  them  here  without 
delay.  Since  this  letter  was  begun,  another  of  your  favours 
came  to  rny  hands,  informing  me  that  the  enemy  have  thrown 
up  two  small  breastworks  on  the  causeway  from  the  point. 

You  also  request  some  experienced  officers  to  be  sent  over; 
which  I  would  gladly  comply  with,  if  in  my  power ;  but  I  have 
few  of  that  character,  and  those  are  so  necessarily  engaged 
here,  that  for  the  present  I  must  refer  you  to  General  Mercer, 
whose  judgment  and  experience  may  be  depended  on.  I 
have  written  him  that  I  should  endeavour  to  send  over  an 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  I 


engineer  as  soon  as  possible.  From  all  accounts  we  re- 
ceive, I  cannot  think  they  have  any  serious  intentions  at 
present,  beyond  making  themselves  masters  of  Staten- Island, 
guarding  against  any  attack  from  us,  and  collecting  what 
stock  they  can ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  it  is  highly  prudent  for 
you  to  be  in  the  best  posture  of  defence  you  can. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON 
To  Brigadier-General  Livingston. 


GENERAL  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  5,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  I  forwarded  the 
enclosed  early  this  morning,  but,  through  a  mistake  of  the 
express,  it  was  this  moment  returned  to  me;  since  which  I 
am  honoured  with  your  Excellency's  letter  of  this  day,  part 
of  which  is  answered  by  the  enclosed  letter.  Everything  in 
my  power  shall  be  carefully  attended  to  for  the  publick  good. 
We  have  plenty  of  provision,  and  am  informed  it  will  con- 
tinue. I  forgot  to  mention  in  my  last,  that,  on  examining  a 
person  who  was  taken  by  one  of  the  tenders  in  the  Kills,  I 
found  that  Captain  Williams,  of  the  tender,  has  a  wife  and 
children  in  New-York:  he  married  Benjamin  Stout's  daugh- 
ter, in  the  Bowery.  I  mention  this  circumstance,  as  it  may 
lead  to  discover  a  correspondence  between  them.  The  ex- 
aminant  said  that  Captain  Williams  expressed  his  desire  of 
leaving  the  service,  and  getting  to  New-York.  General 
Mercer  having  returned  yesterday,  1  send  back  the  letter 
directed  to  him. 

Colonel  Drake,  of  the  second  Morris  battalion,  has  not 
been  able  to  come  down  with  his  men  till  this  day.  He 
has  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  who  will  be  here  this 
evening,  and  I  shall  forward  them  to  New-York  to-morrow 
morning,  without  delay,  unless  your  Excellency  shall  give 
other  orders. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  humble 
and  most  obedient  servant,  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 


GENERAL  W.  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  5,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  Since  my  last,  I  have 
received  so  many  applications  from  the  inhabitants  along  the 
Sound,  Woodbridge,  and  Amboy,  relating  to  the  defenceless 
state  of  their  borders,  the  whole  Militia  being  sent  to  New- 
York,  that,  to  allay  their  fears,  (with  the  approbation  of 
General  Mercer,  who  had  stopped  them  at  Newark  Ferry, 
where  they  were  ordered  to  assist  General  Heard,)  I  ordered 
Major  Duyckinck,  with  six  hundred  Middlesex  Militia,  to  Am- 
boy, leaving  one  hundred  men  at  the  Blazing-Star  Ferry. 

This  morning,  I  received  an  application  from  the  three 
companies  of  the  Woodbridge  Militia,  now  at  your  city,  re- 
questing my  interest  with  your  Excellency,  to  let  them  return 
to  defend  that  quarter ;  but  perhaps  when  they  are  informed 
of  the  above  disposition,  it  may  make  them  easy. 

I  have  this  moment  received  an  express,  with  a  piece  of 
information,  which  I  trouble  you  with,  only  from  the  advan- 
tage that  may  arise  from  your  having  intelligence  of  every 
kind,  that  the  whole  may  be  compared  together;  and,  to 
prevent  mistakes,  I  beg  leave  to  transcribe  the  letter. 

"Sin:  A  relation  of  Mr.  Dississoway  stole  away  from 
Staten-lsland  last  night  in  a  small  canoe,  with  James  Fitz 
Randolph,  (both  of  whom  are  returned  again ;)  they  are 
staunch  friends,  and  say,  that  if  Dississoway  does  not  return 
by  to-morrow,  his  estate  shall  be  forfeited.  Randolph  says 
he  is  much  insulted  for  being  a  Whig  by  the  lowest  sort,  but 
must  return  to  save  his  family  from  being  hostages.  He 
heard  the  Major  with  other  officers  declare,  at  about  four 
o'clock  yesterday,  there  should  be  three  thousand  men  landed 
at  Amboy  this  day,  before  that  time ;  and  from  what  he  could 
gather,  that  they  intended  to  push  matters  in  the  Jerseys.  We 
are  in  such  a  situation  at  this  time,  that  with  difficulty  we  raise 
a  small  guard,  and  many  begin  to  talk  of  being  afraid  we  are 
sold ;  and  if  the  clamour  is  not  soon  stopped,  GWonly  knows 
what  soon  will  be  the  consequence  in  this  place,  as  some  in- 
tend to  go  over,  themselves  and  families,  and  not  return." 

This  letter  was  written  this  morning,  and  is  signed  Daniel 
Moores,  who  is  a  principal  man  in  that  neighbourhood.  No- 
thing material  happened  here  last  night,  except  that  being 
informed  of  a  large  parcel  of  fat  cattle  being  pastured  on  the 
neck  along  the  Sound,  I  have  ordered  a  party  to  drive  off 


19 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


20 


all  cattle  and  sheep  to  a  place  of  safety.  The  enemy  are 
throwing  up  breastworks  at  every  avenue  to  the  Island,  but 
do  not  appear  otherwise  very  busy. 

I  have  just  been  informed  that  the  West-Jersey  Militia  are 
on  their  way  to  this  place,  and  I  shall  forward  them  to  New- 
York,  unless  I  receive  centre  orders  from  your  Excellency. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  humble 
servant,  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


MAJOR  DUYCKINCK  TO  GENERAL  LIVINGSTON. 

Head-Quarters,  Perth  Amboy,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR:  This  day  at  eleven  o'clock  I  arrived  here,  with  the 
battalion  under  my  command,  save  only  the  troops  left  at  the 
Old  and  New  Blazing-Star.  The  number  with  me  is  about 
four  hundred  and  fifty  men.  As  to  the  appearance  of  the 
enemy,  I  can  at  present  give  you  but  an  imperfect  account 
of  their  situation,  but  can  plainly  discover  a  number  of  men 
with  wagons;  also,  some  horsemen  driving  ofF cattle.  It  is 
here  reported  that  they  have  been  frequently  seen  parading 
under  arms,  and  that  they  have  intrenched  a  small  distance 
above  the  ferry  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  The  num- 
ber of  the  enemy  appears  to  be  about  one  thousand  men, 
who  have  struck  some  tents  in  viesv.  Shall  be  glad  of  your 
instructions  from  time  to  time. 

I  am,  sir,  in  much  haste,  your  humble  servant, 

JOHN  DUYCKINCK. 

P.  S.  Sundry  persons  of  the  enemy  appear  in  the  dress 
of  the  Train. 


COLONEL  REED  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Head-Gluarters,  New- York,  July  5,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  am  directed  by  the  General  to  solicit  the 
attention  of  your  honourable  body  to  the  resolve  of  the  Con- 
gress touching  prisoners  of  war.  By  that  resolve  they  are  put 
wholly  on  the  disposition  of  the  Legislatures  of  the  respective 
Colonies,  who  are  authorized  to  appoint  a  Commissary  to 
make  provision  for  them,  and  they  are  to  be  taken  to  such 
place  as  shall  be  deemed  the  most  secure. 

There  are  now  a  number  of  prisoners  in  the  jail,  some  of 
them  of  some  rank.  Their  expenses  run  much  higher  than 
if  in  the  country,  and  in  our  present  situation  extremely 
dangerous.  His  Excellency  requests  no  time  may  be  lost 
in  removing  not  only  those  who  have  been  taken  prisoners 
of  war,  but  those  committed  for  practices  against  the  State ; 
and  if  some  direction  was  taken  with  respect  to  the  prisoners 
for  debt,  it  would  be  proper,  as  there  is  too  much  reason  to 
fear  that  in  case  of  an  attack,  if  the  doors  were  not  opened 
by  the  jailor,  the  whole  would  rise  and  force  them  open. 
Any  assistance  that  may  be  wanted  for  this  purpose,  the 
General  begs  leave  to  tender.  I  have  also  in  charge  to  men- 
tion to  you  the  impropriety  of  suffering  Burrows  to  continue 
in  the  care  of  the  jail,  as,  from  his  connexions,  his  appoint- 
ment, and  other  circumstances,  there  is  the  utmost  reason  to 
suspect  him. 

The  distance  to  which  the  Congress  has  removed  will  make 
it  very  difficult  to  have  their  advice  and  assistance  on  occa- 
sions which  frequently  present.  The  General  would  suggest 
the  propriety  of  their  appointing  a  small  Committee  in°the 
city,  to  regulate  such  matters  of  intimate  concern  as  daily 
present  themselves. 

The  great  hurry  and  engagement  of  the  General  prevents 
his  writing  personally,  but  he  begs  his  respectful  compliments 
may  be  made  to  your  honourable  body. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  REED,  Adjutant  General. 

To  the  Convention  of  New-  York. 


JOSEPIl  TRUMBULL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  July  1,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  I  have  drawn  on  you  of  this  date  for 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  in  favour  of  Azariah  Dunham,  Esq., 
of  New-Brunswick,  for  the  use  of  the  gentlemen  I  have  em- 
ployed in  New-Jersey  to  furnish  the  troops  there  with  provi- 
sions, which  I  hope  will  be  honoured  with  payment. 

The  enemy  are  lying  very  quiet  at  the  Hook,  yet  sve 
don't  expect  this  calm  will  last  long;  a  warm  storm  may 


soon  be  expected — where  the  severest  part  of  it  will  fall,  is 
yet  uncertain.  We  are  pretty  well  prepared,  but  for  men. 
I  hope  Penn.il/Ifania  will  soon  furnish  us  some. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  honourable  sir,  your  most  humble" 

servant>  JOSEPH  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  at  Philadelphia. 


JOSEPH  TRUMBULL  (COMMISSARY-GENERAL)  TO  GEN.  GATES. 

New- York,  July  5,  1776. 

I  last  night  received  a  letter  from  Ml.  Avery  on  the  sub- 
ject of  his  department,  and  several  others  from  Albany;  by 
which  I  find  you  are  in  a  cursed  situation — your  authority 
at  an  end,  and  commanded  by  a  person  who  will  be  willing 
to  have  you  knocked  in  the  head,  as  General  Montgomery 
was,  if  he  can  have  the  money -chest,  &c.,  in  his  power.  I 
expect  soon  to  see  you  and  your  suite  back  here  again.  I 
have  shown  Mr.  Avery's  letter,  and  one  I  received  from  Mr. 
Livingston  at  the  same  time,  to  General  Washington.  He 
is  distressed  with  these  matters.  I  told  him  I  should  order 
Mr.  Avery  and  Mr.  Jaunccy  back  again  immediately,  as  a 
deputy  of  mine,  who  could  have  no  money  from  anybody 
but  General  Schuyler,  could  be  of  no  use  in  that  part  of  the 
world,  and  that  1  would  not  be  answerable  for  consequences 
where  my  authority  and  the  chief  command  were  both  dis- 
puted. He  said  1  was  right,  and  that  he  was  writing  to 
Congress  on  the  matter  of  your  command.  I  have  there- 
fore directed  Mr.  Avery  to  apply  to  you,  for  your  leave  of 
passport  to  return  immediately,  and  I  wish  your  favour 
therein. 

General  Howe  is  arrived  here,  with  about  the  force  he  left 
Boston  with — the  fleet  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  sail, 
at  anchor  under  Stalen-Island,  and  the  troops  on  that  Island. 
There  they  will  stay  till  reinforced,  I  expect.  General  Mijlin 
is  gone  to  command  at  King's  Bridge  ;  the  Militia  come  in 
very  fast. 

Wishing  you  health  and  happiness  more  than  I  think  you 
at  present  enjoy,  1  am,  my  dear  sir,  your  friend  and  humble 

servant)  JOSEPH  TRUMBULL. 

To  General  Gates. 

P.  S.  If  you  judge  it  best  to  stop  Mr.  Avery  till  you  hear 
from  Congress,  do  as  you  please. 


EBENEZER  HAZARD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

New-York,  July  5,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Being  in  the  midst  of  hurry,  I  can  write  but 
little  at  present. 

Since  my  last,  the  British  fleet  has  arrived.  About  seventy 
sail  are  within  the  Narrows,  at  the  watering-place,  under 
Staten-Island  shore.  They  have  landed  their  men,  and 
taken  possession  of  Staten-Island,  cattle,  and  Tories,  and  that 
I  hope  will  be  all  they  will  do.  Our  people  on  the  Jersey 
shore  have  severely  punished  a  tender  for  her  temerity  in 
going  up  the  Kills,  but  as  she  got  on  shore  on  Staten-Island, 
they  could  not  take  her.  A  captain  and  five  men  got  into  a 
boat,  and  went  in  quest  of  a  boat  which  had  drifted  away. 
They  came  too  near  our  shore ;  our  riflemen  ordered  them 
ashore.  They  obeyed  the  summons,  and  are  in  salva  cus- 
todia  in  this  city. 

It  was  last  night  reported  at  the  coffee-house,  (and  1  believe 
the  report  may  be  depended  on,)  that  the  Congress  had  de- 
termined on  a  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  that  the 
vote  was  unanimous,  except  New-York,  whose  Delegates, 
not  being  instructed,  could  not  vote. 

Our  new  Convention  meets  next  Monday,  and  I  think 
will  doubtless  concur  with  the  other  Colonies.  The  Phila- 
delphia post  is  not  yet  come  in ;  but  I  will  keep  my  letter 
unsealed,  that  if  he  brings  anything,  I  may  add  it.  En- 
closed is  a  letter  from  Gordon.  Please  to  tell  Major  Pierce 
I  received  the  letter  he  wrote  me  from  Albany,  and  have 
forwarded  the  enclosed,  per  post,  which  went  a  few  hours 
after  I  received  his. 

The  Philadelphia  post  is  come  in ;  am  so  hurried,  I 
can't  read  my  letters  or  the  papers,  but  send  you  a  news- 
paper. 

Adieu,  EBENEZER  HAZARD. 


21 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  JULY,  1776. 


22 


JOHN  ADAMS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  June  18,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL:  We  have  ordered  you  to  the  post 
of  honour,  and  made  you  Dictator  in  Canada  for  six  months, 
or  at  least  until  the  1st  of  October.  We  do  not  choose  to 
trust  you  Generals  with  too  much  power  for  too  long  time. 

1  took  my  pen  at  this  time  to  mention  to  you  the  name 
of  a  young  gentleman,  and  to  recommend  him  to  your  notice 
and  favour.  His  name  is  Rice.  This  gentleman  is  the  son 
of  a  worthy  clergyman.  He  was  educated  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege, where  he  was  an  officer  of  the  military  company,  and 
distinguished  himself  as  a  soldier  in  the  manual  exercises  and 
manoeuvres.  After  he  came  out  of  college  he  put  himself 
under  my  care  as  a  student  of  law.  While  he  was  in  my 
'office  he  was  very  useful  in  the  neighbourhood  in  training 
the  companies  and  Militia  there.  He  is  a  modest,  sensible, 
and  well-read  young  man,  and  a  very  virtuous  and  worthy 
one.  In  my  absence  from  home  after  the  battle  of  Lexing- 
ton, he  applied  for  a  commission  in  the  Army,  and  obtained 
a  place,  in  my  opinion,  vastly  below  his  real  merit — I  mean 
that  of  Adjutant  in  General  Heath's,  now  Colonel  Greaton's 
Regiment.  In  this  capacity  he  has  continued  from  his  first 
engagement,  which  was  immediately  after  the  battle  of  Lex- 
ington, until  this  time,  and  is  now  in  Canada  with  his  regi- 
ment, and  I  have  been  informed  by  a  variety  of  officers  that 
he  has  behaved  remarkably  well. 

As  you  are  going  to  Canada  with  full  powers,  I  must  beg 
the  favour  of  you  to  think  of  this  young  genlleman,  inquire 
into  his  character  and  conduct,  and  if  you  can,  consistently 
with  the  publick  service,  advance  him  to  some  place  more 
adequate  to  his  abilities  and  merits  and  services,  I  should 
take  it  as  a  favour. 

I  pray  God  to  prosper  you  in  Canada,  and  grant  you  a 
plentiful  crop  of  laurels ;  and  am  your  affectionate,  humble 

servant,  f          . 

JOHN  ADAMS. 

To  General  Gates. 

ELBR1DGE  GERRY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  June  25,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
in  this  place,  the  affairs  of  Canada  having  been  evidently 
suffering  from  want  of  an  experienced  officer  to  take  the 
command,  your  appointment  to  that  department  is  consider- 
ed as  a  happy  circumstance,  notwithstanding  the  Eastern 
Colonies  greatly  need  your  assistance.  I  hope  the  cam- 
paign will  terminate  with  honour  and  happiness  to  yourself 
and  country;  and  if  any  services  can  be  rendered  from  this 
quarter,  by  giving  you  information  of  the  measures  here 
adopted,  the  causes  and  moving  principles  thereof,  or  by 
promoting  in  Congress  such  other  measures  as  you  shall  find 
necessary  for  the  service,  it  will  give  me  pleasure  to  have 
a  share  therein. 

The  Conference  Committee,  among  other  things,  reported 
the  expediency  of  appointing  to  each  regiment  a  Paymaster, 
whose  duty,  they  said,  you  would  take  an  opportunity  of 
describing  and  communicating  to  Congress.  The  matter 
has  since  lain  on  the  table,  and  only  waits  your  sentiments 
thereon,  to  be  carried  into  execution.  I  am  very  fond  of 
the  measure,  and  it  will  save  an  infinitude  of  trouble,  by 
opening  a  channel  through  which  all  payments  to  the  soldiers 
will  regularly  pass,  whether  consisting  of  money  paid  out  of 
the  chest,  clothing,  arms,  accoutrements,  or  sutling  accounts ; 
and  when  anything  is  wanted  for  the  comfort  of  the  Army, 
an  order  from  the  General,  or  the  Paymaster-General,  for 
a  suitable  sum,  in  favour  of  the  Regimental  Paymaster,  will 
enable  the  latter  to  communicate  immediate  assistance  to 
each  soldier,  without  the  possibility  of  any  loss  to  the  Con- 
tinent. Further,  when  the  Paymaster-General  discharges 
himself,  it  will  appear  what  sums  the  Regimental  Paymas- 
ters have  received,  and  these,  together  with  the  amount  of 
clothing  beforementioned,  must  be  deducted  from  the  pay 
rolls,  whether  paid  immediately  to  the  men  or  other  per- 
sons in  their  behalf;  and  the  commanding  officer,  without 
any  further  trouble  than  an  occasional  warrant,  can  always 
be  sure  of  having  his  men  punctually  paid  and  well  supplied 
with  necessaries,  which  is  the  life  of  an  army. 

I  think  we  are  in  a  fair  way  to  a  speedy  Declaration 
of  Independency,  confederations,  and  other  measures  that 
depend  on  secrecy  for  success;  and  Congress  having  yester- 
day passed  resolves  for  capitally  punishing  spies  that  shall 


be  found  in  or  about  any  of  the  camps  or  fortifications  of 
the  United  Colonies,  and  recommended  to  the  Assemblies 
to  make  provision  for  punishing  all  inhabitants  and  other 
persons  receiving  protection  in  any  of  the  Colonies,  who  shall 
be  found  affording  aid  or  comfort  to  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  or  other  enemies  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
it  appears  to  me  that  little  will  remain  to  be  clone,  but  an 
attention  to  the  supplies,  appointments,  and  discipline  of  the 
Army, — all  of  which  are  of  the  utmost  importance.  With 
respect  to  the  first,  the  soldiers  must  be  well  paid,  clothed, 
armed,  and  fed,  or  they  can  never  be  made  to  do  their  duty. 
And  the  plans  on  foot  for  securing  the  currency  and  obtain- 
ing large  sums  by  loan,  also  for  manufacturing  and  otherwise 
obtaining  cannon,  arms,  ammunition,  and  clothing,  together 
with  the  great  ease  in  obtaining  provisions,  will,  I  hope,  be 
timely  and  effectually  carried  into  execution,  and  have  a 
happy  effect.  The  appointments  of  the  Army  are  matters 
of  interesting  consequences ;  and  notwithstanding  every  pre- 
caution of  Congress  and  the  Assemblies  to  choose  good 
officers,  yet  time  and  experience  will  alone  enable  them  to 
distinguish  those  that  are  qualified  with  conduct,  virtue,  and 
prowess,  suitable  for  their  respective  places. 

Discipline  is  the  last,  but  not  the  least,  important  object 
of  attention,  and  I  shall  be  glad  of  your  explicit  sentiments 
on  the  same.  I  cannot  conceive  why  we  may  not,  by  setting 
out  right,  soon  make  soldiers  equal  to  any  that  the  world 
affords.  For  surely  men  inspired  with  the  principles  of 
liberty,  and  enthusiastically  engaged  in  its  defence,  afford  as 
good  materials  as  can  anywhere  be  found  for  this  purpose. 
And  in  the  first  place,  I  put  it  down  as  a  settled,  fixed  prin- 
ciple, that  they  must  be  inlisted  for  the  war,  let  the  neces- 
sary encouragement  be  what  it  may,  which  I  am  happy  to 
find  the  Generals  agreed  in,  and  I  think  most  of  the  members 
of  Congress.  We  can  easily  look  over  the  statutes  of 
Britain  and  other  regulations  relative  to  the  Army,  and  find 
how  far  the  same  are  applicable  to  our  own  forces ;  and  to 
promote  the  measure,  the  sentiments  of  military  gentlemen 
must  be  collected,  and,  amongst  others,  I  know  of  none  that 
I  shall  more  depend  on  than  those  which  you  shall  have  an 
opportunity  to  express. 

I  intended  to  have  troubled  you  with  only  a  line  or  two, 
but  being  now  on  the  second  sheet,  find  it  high  time  to  in- 
form you  that  your  friends  here  are  well,  and  join  in  due 
regards  to  Generals  Mifflin,  Trumbull,  and  others ;  with,  sir, 
your  assured  friend  andhumble  servant, 

ELBRIDGE  GERRY. 
To  Major  General  Gates. 


GENERAL  SCOTT  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Continental  Congress  having,  by  their  resolve, 
committed  the  disposal  of  the  prisoners  of  war,  taken  and 
brought  into  this  Colony,  to  our  Congress,  I  send  you,  by  a 
Lieutenant  of  my  brigade  and  a  guard  of  twenty  men,  the 
following  prisoners  of  war,  to  wit : 

* James  Amhmuty,  store-keeper  in  the  engineer  depart- 
ment of  the  enemy,  and  brother  to  Doctor  Auchmuty,  with 
his  wife  and  child.  William  Patterson,  and  his  wife  and 
child,  servant  to  the  store-keeper ;  *Richard  Bruere,  son 
of  the  Governour  of  Burmuda,  Midshipman  in  the  British 
Navy ;  Samuel  Cox,  sloop-captain.  These  were  taken  in 
a  Bermuda  sloop  (one  of  the  enemy's  fleet  loaded  with  in- 
trenching tools)  by  Captain  Rogers,  in  our  privateer,  on  the 
back  of  Long-Island. 

*  William  Elder,  volunteer  in  the  Royal  Highland  Emi- 
grants; *  William  McDermott ;  *Thomas  Remington  Har- 
ris, master's  mate;  *  William  Metcalf,  Midshipman;  *  Jo- 
seph Woolcombe,  Midshipman;  *  John  Simpson,  Master; 
James  Wilson,  seaman ;  John  Murray,  seaman ;  Samuel 
Coppin,  seaman  ;  Jeremiah  Rierdon,  John  Gibbins,  Henry 
Killigrove,  Francis  Clemens,  Michael  Cowney,  Casar  Free- 
man. These1  have  been  taken,  as  I  understand,  in  the 
enemy's  boats. 

His  Excellency  General  Washington  is  very  uneasy  at 
the  detention  of  prisoners  of  war  in  this  city,  at  this  critical 
juncture.  The  jail  is  crowded  with  a  variety  of  prisoners, 
and  they  seek  every  opportunity  of  communicating  with  our 
internal  and  unconfined  enemies.  An  instance  of  this  was 
discovered  the  day  before  yesterday,  consisting  in  an  attempt 
*To  the  Township  of  BeJfird. 


23 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


24 


of  the  prisoner  Auchmiity  to  communicate  with  his  nephew, 
by  the  agency  of  J.  L.  C.  Roome,  whose  note  for  the  pur- 
pose was  found  upon  a  negro  before  it  reached  young  Auch- 
muty.  It  was  the  General's  opinion  that  the  abovementioned 
prisoners  should  be  immediately  sent  to  our  Congress,  to  be 
disposed  of  by  them,  in  some  place  of  security,  and  charged 
me  with  the  doing  of  it.  They  will  be  delivered  to  the 
Congress  by  Lieutenant  Gilbert  Dean  and  a  guard  of  twenty 
men  of  my  brigade.  However  inconvenient  it  may  be  to 
return  me  the  guard,  I  must  earnestly  insist  that  it  be  imme- 
diately done.  My  brigade  is  very  thin,  and  there  is  already 
a  large  guard  gone  out  of  it  to  New-England  with  the  Scotch 
prisoners  of  war. 

I  have  nothing  material  to  inform  Congress  of  now  than 
as  follows,  to  wit:  Independency  declared  last  Tuesday  in 
Congress  by  an  unanimous  voice.  Our  infamous  brethren 
of  Staten- Island,  instead  of  assisting  the  troops  in  removing 
the  stock,  drove  them  into  hiding  places.  Not  above  a  hun- 
dred were  got  off.  The  enemy,  or  a  part  of  them,  are  landed 
on  Staten- Island,  live  in  great  harmony  with  the  inhabitants, 
who  sell  them  their  stock  for  hard  money,  and  I  suppose 
were  never  so  happy  in  their  lives.  An  attempt  was  made 
on  the  Jersey  shore,  but  upon  the  appearance  of  the  Militia 
they  retired  to  the  Island  again,  and  broke  up  the  causeway  ; 
and  Richard  Lawrence  was  the  first  man  on  that  work. 
Brigadier  Heard,  of  the  Jersey  Militia,  with  a  party  and  two 
twelve-pounders,  have  destroyed  one  of  the  enemy's  tenders 
in  the  kills. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  MORIN  SCOTT. 

To  the  President  of  the  New-York  Provincial  Congress,  at 
the  White-Plains. 

Examination  of  JOHN  SIMPSON. 
White-Plains,  in  Westchester  County,  July  6,  1776. 
John  Simpson,  of  the  County  of  Northumberland,  in 
England,  aged  about  thirty-eight,  about  five  feet  ten  inches, 
light  eyes,  and  brown  hair,  being  examined,  says,  that  he 
sailed  from  London  in  the  ship  Saville,  himself  master,  bound 
for  Boston,  with  a  cargo  of  provisions  for  the  Ministerial 
Navy,  where  he  arrived  in  November  last,  and  was  detained 
at  Boston  until  the  Army  under  General  Howe  left  that  place 
for  Halifax.  That  he  sailed  from  Halifax  with  General 
Howe's  fleet,  and  on  their  arrival  at  the  Narrows  one  of  his 
boats  went  adrift,  on  which  he,  with  three  of  his  sailors,  took 
another  boat  and  went  in  quest  of  her,  and  on  their  coming 
near  Long-Island  shore  were  taken  prisoners,  and  brought 
up  to  New-  York,  from  whence  he  was  sent  to  this  place. 

Parole  of  JOHN  SIMPSON. 

I,  John  Simpson,  master  of  the  ship  Saville,  a  victualling 
transport,  being  made  a  prisoner  of  war  by  the  Army  of  the 
Thirteen  United  Colonies  in  North  America,  do  promise  and 
engage,  on  my  word  and  honour,  and  on  the  faith  of  a  gen- 
tleman, to  depart  from  hence  to  the  township  of  Bedford, 
in  Westchester  County,  in  the  Province  of  New-  York,  being 
the  place  of  my  destination  and  residence,  and  there,  or  six 
miles  thereof,  to  remain  during  the  present  war  between 
Great  Britain  and  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  until  the 
Congress  of  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  the  Assembly, 
Convention,  or  Committee  or  Council  of  Safety  of  the  said 
Colony,  shall  order  otherwise ;  and  that  I  will  not,  directly 
or  indirectly,  give  any  intelligence  whatsoever  to  the  enemies 
of  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  do  or  say  anything  in  oppo- 
sition to,  or  in  prejudice  of,  the  measures  and  proceedings  of 
any  Congress  for  the  said  Colonies  during  the  present  trou- 
bles, or  until  I  am  duly  exchanged  or  discharged. 

Given  under  my  hand,  this  sixth  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776. 

JOHN  SIMPSON, 
Master  of  the  Saville  Victualler. 

Examination  of  SAMUEL  Cox. 

Samuel  Cox,  a  native  of  the  Island  of  Bermuda,  master  of 
the  sloop  Charlotte,  about  five  feet  ten  inches  high,  brown 
complexion,  light  eyes,  brown  hair,  about  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  being  examined,  says  he  sailed  from  Halifax  as 
master  of  the  said  sloop  on  the  tenth  of  June  last,  with  a 
cargo  of  intrenching  tools,  &.C.,  for  the  use  of  the  Ministerial 
Army,  and  bound  to  Sandy-Hook;  that  he  was  taken  in  the 


said  sloop  on  the  28th  of  last  month,  by  Captain  Rogers,  in 
an  American  armed  sloop,  and  carried  into  Fire-Island  In- 
let, on  the  south  side  of  Long-Island,  from  whence  he  was 
brought  prisoner  to  this  place.  „  ~ 

Parole  of  SAMUEL  Cox. 

I,  Samuel  Cox,  being  made  a  prisoner  of  war  by  the  Army 
of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  in  North  America,  do  pro- 
mise and  engage,  on  my  word  and  honour,  and  on  the  faith 
of  a  gentleman,  to  depart  from  hence  to  the  township  of 
Bedford,  in  Westchester  County,  in  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  being  the  place  of  my  destination  and  residence;  and 
there,  or  within  six  miles  thereof,  to  remain  during  the  pre- 
sent war  between  Great  Britain  and  the  said  United  Colo- 
nies, or  until  the  Congress  of  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  the 
Assembly,  Convention,  or  Committee  or  Council  of  Safety 
of  the  said  Colony,  shall  order  otherwise;  and  that  I  will 
not,  directly  or  indirectly,  give  any  intelligence  whatsoever 
to  the  enemies  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  do  or  say  anything 
in  opposition  to,  or  in  prejudice  of,  the  measures  and  pro- 
ceedings of  any  Congress  for  the  said  Colonies  during  the 
present  troubles,  or  until  I  am  duly  exchanged  or  dis- 
charged. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  6th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776. 

SAMUEL  Cox, 
Master  of  the  Sloop  Charlotte  Transport. 

Examination  of  WILLIAM  ELDER. 
William  Elder,  a  North  Briton,  about  five  feet  eight 
inches  in  height,  aged  twenty-five,  light  eyes,  fair  complex- 
ion, and  dark  brown  hair,  being  examined,  says  he  came 
from  Scotland  via  Falmouth,  in  the  packet  last  spring  was 
a  year ;  that  he  came  out  as  a  volunteer  with  Colonel  Allan 
Maclean,  who,  on  his  arrival,  went  to  Boston;  that  the  ex- 
aminant  received  a  letter  from  Major  Small,  informing  this 
examinant  that  Colonel  Maclean  had  recommended  him  and 
requested  him  to  come  to  Boston;  that  the  examinant  took 
passage  in  the  ship  Sally,  bound  to  Boston;  that  on  the  6th 
of  March  last,  the  said  ship  was  cast  away  on  the  south  side 
of  Long- Is  land,  and  he  taken  prisoner  and  brought  to  New- 
York,  where  he  remained  a  prisoner  till  yesterday,  when  he 

was  sent  to  this  place.  -.„  „ 

WILLIAM  ELDER. 

Parole  of  WILLIAM  ELDER. 

I,  William  Elder,  being  made  a  prisoner  of  war  by  the 
Army  of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  in  North  America, 
do  promise  and  engage,  on  my  word  and  honour,  and  on  the 
faith  of  a  gentleman,  to  depart  from  hence  to  the  town  of 
Bedford,  in  Westchester  County,  in  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  being  the  place  of  my  destination  and  residence;  and 
there,  or  within  six  miles  thereof,  to  remain  during  the  pre- 
sent war  between  Great  Britain  and  the  said  United  Colo- 
nies, or  until  the  Congress  of  the  said  United  Colonies,  or 
the  Assembly,  Convention,  or  Committee  or  Council  of 
Safety  of  the  said  Colony,  shall  order  otherwise;  and  that  I 
will  not,  directly  or  indirectly,  give  any  intelligence  whatso- 
ever to  the  enemies  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  do  or  say  any- 
thing in  opposition  to,  or  in  prejudice  of,  any  Congress  for 
the  said  Colonies  during  the  present  troubles,  or  until  I  am 
duly  exchanged  or  discharged. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  6th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776. 
WILLIAM  ELDER,  Volunteer. 

Examination  of  WILLIAM  McDERMorr. 

William  McDermolt,  an  Hibernian,  aged  twenty-two, 
about  five  feet  six  inches  high,  fair  complexion,  light  eyes, 
and  light  brown  hair,  being  examined,  says,  that  on  his  pas- 
sage from  New-  York  (he  having  been  for  some  time  on  board 
the  Asia)  he  was  cast  away  on  board  the  ship  Sally,  on  the 
south  side  of  Long- Island,  taken  and  sent  prisoner  to  New- 
York,  where  he  remained  a  prisoner  till  yesterday,  when  he 
was  sent  to  this  place.  WKUA»  MCDERMOTT. 

Parole  of  WILLIAM  MCDERMOTT. 

I,  William  McDermott,  being  made  a  prisoner  of  war  by 
the  Army  of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  in  North  America, 
do  promise  and  engage,  on  my  word  and  honour,  and  on  the 


25 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.  JULY,  1776. 


26 


faith  of  a  gentleman,  to  depart  from  hence  to  the  township 
of  Bedford,  in  Westchester  County,  in  the  Province  of  Ncw- 
Ynrk,  being  the  place  of  my  destination  and  residence ;  and 
there,  or  within  six  miles  thereof,  to  remain  during  the  pre- 
sent war  with  Great  Britain  and  the  said  United  Colonies, 
or  until  the  Congress  of  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  the 
Assembly,  Convention,  or  Committee,  or  Council  of  Safety 
of  the  said  Colony,  shall  order  otherwise ;  and  that  I  will  not, 
directly  or  indirectly,  give  any  intelligence  whatsoever  to  the 
enemies  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  do  or  say  anything  in 
opposition  to,  or  in  prejudice  of,  the  measures  and  proceed- 
ings of  any  Congress  for  the  said  Colonies  during  the  present 
troubles,  or  until  I  am  duly  exchanged  or  discharged. 
Given  under  my  hand  this  6th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776. 

WILLIAM  MCDEKMOTT. 

Examination  of  JAMES  AUCHMUTY. 

White-Plains,  in  Westchester  County,  July  6,  1776. 
James  Auchmuty,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  being  examined,  saith: 
That  he,  together  with  his  wife  and  child,  sailed  from  Hali- 
fax on  the  10th  of  June  last,  in  a  transport  sloop  called  the 
Charlotte,  whereof  Samuel  Cox  was  master,  bound  for  New- 
York  ;  that,  on  Friday  last,  the  said  sloop  was  taken  by 
Captain  Rogers,  in  an  American  armed  sloop  called  the 
Montgomery,  and  carried  into  Fire-Island  Inlet,  on  the  south 
side  of  Long-Island,  and  from  thence,  with  his  said  wife  and 
child,  were  sent  prisoners  to  this  place;  that  this  examinant 
was  appointed  by  General  Howe  storekeeper  to  the  engi- 
neers, and  that  the  pay  allowed  him  was  four  shillings  ster- 
ling per  day,  with  the  promise  of  its  being  augmented  to  five ; 
that  the  fleet,  of  which  the  Charlotte  transport  was  one, 
amounted  to  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  sail ;  that  the  army 
on  board  the  said  fleet  consisted  of  near  ten  thousand  men, 
exclusive  of  marines,  as  he  (the  examinant)  understood ;  that 
it  was  reported  at  Halifax  that  Lord  Howe,  with  the  Ger- 
man troops,  were  intended  for  New-York ;  that  it  was  said 
eleven  thousand  regular  troops  went  with  General  Burgoyne 
to  Quebeck;  that  the  said  sloop  Charlotte  was  laden  with 
intrenching  tools,  some  spikes,  Chevaux-de-Frise,  and  some 
mantelets.  JAMES  AUCHMDTY. 

Parole  of  JAMES  AUCHMUTY. 

I,  James  Auchmuty,  being  made  a  prisoner  of  war  by  the 
Army  of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  in  North  America, 
do  promise  and  engage,  on  my  word  and  honour,  and  on  the 
faith  of  a  gentleman,  to  depart  from  hence  to  the  township 
of  Bedford,  in  the  Province  of  New-  York,  being  the  place 
of  my  destination  and  residence ;  and  there,  or  within  six 
miles  thereof,  to  remain  during  the  present  war  between 
Great  Britain  and  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  until  the 
Congress  of  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  the  Assembly, 
Convention,  or  Committee  or  Council  of  Safety  of  the  said 
Colony,  shall  order  otherwise;  and  that  I  will  not,  directly  or 
indirectly,  give  any  intelligence  whatsoever  to  the  enemies  of 
the  United  Colonies,  or  do  or  say  anything  in  opposition  to, 
or  in  prejudice  of,  the  measures  and  proceedings  of  any 
Congress  for  the  said  Colonies  during  the  present  troubles, 
or  until  I  am  duly  exchanged  or  discharged. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  6th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776. 

JAMES  AUCHMUTY, 
Storekeeper  of  the  Engineer's  Department. 

Examination  of  THOMAS  REMINGTON  HARRIS. 
Thomas  Remington  Harris,  an  inhabitant  of  the  city  of 
London,  master's  mate  on  board  the  Savage  sloop  of  war, 
being  examined,  saith:  That  he  was  taken  prisoner  on  Sta- 
ten-lsland  by  a  party  of  riflemen  on  the  7th  of  April  last, 
and  brought  to  the  city  of  New-  York,  where  he  was  con- 
fined in  Jail  till  yesterday,  when  he  was  sent  to  this  place  a 
prisoner.  THOMAS  REMINGTON  HARRIS. 

Parole  of  THOMAS  REMINGTON  HARRIS. 
I,  Thomas  Remington  Harris,  being  made  a  prisoner  of 
war  by  the  Army  6f  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  in  North 
America,  do  promise  and  engage,  on  my  word  of  honour, 
and  on  the  faith  of  a  gentleman,  to  depart  from  hence  to  the 
township  of  Bedford,  in  Weslctiestcr  County,  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  New-  York,  being  the  place  of  my  destination  and 
residence;  and  there,  or  within  six  miles  thereof,  to  remain 


during  the  present  war  with  Great  Britain  and  the  said 
United  Colonies,  or  until  the  Congress  of  the  said  United 
Colonies,  or  the  Assembly,  Convention  or  Committee,  or 
Council  of  Safety,  of  the  said  Colony,  shall  order  otherwise ; 
and  that  I  will  not,  directly  or  indirectly,  give  any  intelligence 
whatsoever  to  the  enemies  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  do  or 
say  anything  in  opposition  to,  or  in  prejudice  of,  the  measures 
and  proceedings  of  any  Congress  for  the  said  Colonies  during 
the  present  troubles,  or  until  I  am  duly  exchanged  or  dis- 
charged. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  6th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776. 
THOMAS  REMINGTON  HARRIS, 

Mate  of  the  Savage  Sloop. 

Examination  of  WILLIAM  METCALFE. 

William  Metcalfe,  born  near  Bristol,  in  Old  England,  of 
the  age  of  twenty,  about  five  feet  two  inches  high,  well  set, 
light  eyes,  fair  complexion  and  brown  hair,  and  a  cast  in  his 
right  eye,  somewhat  pitted  with  the  small-pox,  being  ex- 
amined, says,  that  he  was  a  Midshipman  on  board  the  Savage 
sloop  of  war ;  being  of  a  party  sent  on  shore  at  Staten-Mand, 
was  taken  prisoner  on  the  7th  of  April  last,  brought  to  New- 
York,  and  now  sent  to  this  place. 

WILLIAM  METCALFE. 

Examination  of  JOSEPH  WOOLCOMBE. 

Joseph  Woolcombe,  a  native  of  Topsham,  in  Devonshire, 
in  Old  England,  being  examined,  says  he  was  formerly  mate 
on  board  the  ship  Blue  Mountain  Valley,  a  transport  ship ; 
was  cast  away  in  the  ship  Sally  on  the  south  side  of  Long- 
Island,  (bound  to  Boston?)  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to  New- 
York,  and  from  thence  to  this  place ;  he  is  about  five  feet 
eight  inches  in  height,  light  eyes  and  complexion,  light 
brown  hair,  and  well  set.  JOSEPH  WOOLCOMBE. 

Parole  of  JOSEPH  WOOLCOMBE. 

I,  Joseph  Woolcombe,  being  made  a  prisoner  of  war  by  the 
Army  of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  in  North  America,  do 
promise  and  engage,  on  my  word  and  honour,  and  on  the 
faith  of  a  gentleman,  to  depart  from  hence  to  the  township 
of  Bedford,  in  Westchester  County,  in  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  being  the  place  of  my  destination  and  residence ;  and 
there,  or  within  six  miles  thereof,  to  remain  during  the  pre- 
sent war  between  Great  Bntain  and  the  said  United  Colo- 
nies, or  until  the  Congress  of  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  the 
Assembly,  Convention,  or  Committee  or  Council  of  Safety 
of  the  said  Colony,  shall  order  otherwise;  and  that  I  will  not, 
directly  or  indirectly,  give  any  intelligence  whatsoever  to  the 
enemies  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  do  or  say  anything  in 
opposition  to,  or  in  prejudice  of,  the  measures  and  proceed- 
ings of  any  Congress  for  the  said  Colonies  during  the  present 
troubles,  or  until  I  am  duly  exchanged  or  discharged. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  6th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776. 

JOSEPH  WOOLCOMBE, 
Chief  Mate  of  the  Ship  Blue  Mountain  Valley. 

Examination  of  RICHARD  BRUERE. 
Richard  Bruere,  second  son  of  Governour  Bruere  of  the 
Island  of  Bermuda,  being  examined,  saith:  That  he  is  at 
present  a  Midshipman  of  the  Navy  of  Great  Britain ;  that 
he  was  to  be  made  an  acting  lieutenant  on  board  the  Merlin 
sloop  of  war;  that  he  sailed  from  Halifax  about  the  10th  of 
June  last  in  one  of  the  engineer's  sloops,  of  which  he  was 
part  owner,  bound  to  Sandy-Hook;  that  the  said  sloop  was 
taken  on  Friday  or  Saturday  last  on  the  south  side  of  Long- 
Island,  by  Captain  Rogers  of  an  American  armed  sloop, 
and  carried  into  Fire-Island  Inlet,  and  from  thence  was  sent 
prisoner  to  this  place.  RICHARD  BRUERE. 

Parole  of  R.  BHUERE. 

I  Richard  Bruere,  being  made  a  prisoner  of  war  by  the 
Army  of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  in  North  America, 
do  promise  and  engage,  on  my  word  and  honour,  and  on  the 
faith  of  a  gentleman,  to  depart  from  hence  to  the  township 
of  Bedford,  in  Westchesfcr  County,  in  the  Province  of  JSew- 
York,  being  the  place  of  my  destination  and  residence;  and 
there,  or  within  six  miles  thereof,  to  remain  during  the  pre- 
sent war  between  Great  Britain  and  the  said  United  Colo- 
nies, or  until  the  Congress  of  the  said  United  Colonies,  or  the 


27 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


28 


Assembly,  Convention,  or  Committee  or  Council  of  Safety 
of  the  said  Colony,  shall  order  otherwise ;  and  that  I  will 
not,  directly  or  indirectly,  give  any  intelligence  whatsoever 
to  the  enemies  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  do  or  say  any- 
thing in  opposition  to,  or  in  prejudice  of,  the  measures  and 
proceedings  of  any  Congress  for  the  said  Colonies  during 
the  present  troubles,  or  until  I  am  duly  exchanged  or  dis- 
charged. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  6th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776. 
R.  BRUERE,  Midshipman,  fyc. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  5,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your  con- 
sideration the  establishing  a  certain  guard  at  Red  Hook.  It 
is  undoubtedly  a  post  of  vast  importance.  Detached  guards 
never  defend  a  place  equal  to  troops  stationed  at  a  particular 
post.  Both  officers  and  men  contract  an  affection  for  a  post 
after  being  there  some  time ;  they  will  be  more  industrious 
to  have  everything  in  readiness,  and  obstinate  in  defence. 
The  little  baggage  that  each  private  has  is  of  consequence 
to  him,  and  will  influence  his  conduct  in  time  of  action,  if  it 
is  at  stake.  The  officers  also  will  have  new  motives :  they, 
knowing  a  post  to  be  committed  to  their  trust,  and  that  the 
whole  disgrace  will  fall  upon  them  if  any  misconduct  happens, 
will  be  much  more  likely  to  take  every  necessary  precaution 
to  avoid  so  great  an  evil.  But  an  officer  that  commands  a 
detachment  thinks  little  more  than  how  to  pass  away  his 
time  during  his  tour  of  duty,  it  being  uncertain  whether  he 
shall  ever  command  there  again. 

I  sent  to  General  Scott  this  morning  four  persons  taken 
at  the  Narrows  last  night.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  their 
examination.  They  were  taken  separately,  and  agreed  in 
their  account  in  everything,  except  the  number  of  men. 
The  Captain's  account  was  the  least,  and,  I  believe,  the 
nearest  right,  and  I  apprehend  not  much  from  the  truth. 

The  fleet  sailed  from  Halifax  the  10th  of  June,  and  ar- 
rived the  29th.  The  fleet  consists  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  sail  of  topsail  vessels,  and  they  have  on  board  ten 
thousand  troops  received  at  Halifax,  besides  some  of  the 
Scotch  brigade  that  have  joined  the  fleet  on  the  passage. 
The  troops  from  the  West  Indies  joined  the  army  at  Hali- 
fax, and  were  there  received  by  them. 

List  of  the  Generals :  Howe,  Pigot,  Percy,  Grant,  Jones. 

A  list  of  the  ships  of  force :  Asia,  64 ;  Centurion,  50 ; 
Chatham,  50 ;  Phtenix,  40 ;  Greyhound,  30 ;  Rose,  20 ; 
Swan,  16;  Senegal,  16. 

Four  days  before  the  fleet  sailed  from  Halifax  a  packet 
arrived  from  England,  that  brought  an  account  of  Admiral 
Howe's  sailing  with  a  fleet  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  sail,  on 
board  of  which  were  twenty  thousand  troops.  The  fleet 
sailed  a  few  days  before  the  packet :  they  are  expected  in 
here  every  day. 

General  Carkton's  regiment  went  from  Halifax  to  Que- 
becJc.  The  Niger  ship,  that  went  from  Halifax  in  April  to 
Canada,  met  Burgoyne  going  up  the  river  with  thirty-six 
transports,  and  six  thousand  troops  on  board.  General 
Carleton's  son  went  into  Quebeck  painted  like  an  Indian. 

The  people  of  Staten-Island  went  on  board  the  fleet  as 
they  lay  at  the  Hook,  several  boat  loads  of  them. 

Our  people  are  firing  with  the  nine-pounders  at  the  Nar- 
rows, but  have  not  heard  where  they  have  done  any  execu- 
tion. There  was  a  smart  fire  heard  at  the  west  end  of 
Staten-Island  about  four  this  morning.  It  is  supposed  to 
be  an  attack  upon  Fort  Smith,  in  the  south  part  of  Staten- 
Island. 

Nothing  further  has  happened  since  yesterday. 

Believe  me  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  humble  servant, 

NATHANAEL  GREENE. 


GENERAL   MIFFLIN    TO    GENERAL    WASHINGTON. 

Camp  at  Mount  Washington,  July  5,  1776. 
MY  DEAR  GENERAL:  I  find  the  works  well  advanced, 
but  not  in  a  state  of  defence.  The  teams  allotted  to  them 
have  been  taken  off:  some  of  them  sent  to  town  for  mate- 
rials, and  there  detained ;  others  necessarily  employed  in 
hauling  up  the  powder  (which  is  now  stored  in  the  best 
place  I  could  find)  and  provisions  from  the  landing 


From  the  Colonels'  reports  the  men's  arms  are  in  a  most 
alarming  situation.  Colonel  Magaw  has  not  more  than  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  in  his  regiment  fit  for  service ; 
Colonel  Shec  about  three  hundred,  including  all  the  carbines 
which  they  received  lately  by  your  order.  If  the  enemy  pay 
us  a  visit  we  will  do  our  best,  and  endeavour  to  make  up  in 
zeal  what  we  want  in  appointment. 

Should  sufficient  reinforcements  arrive  at  New-York,  may 
we  not  expect  a  share  ?  You  are  best  acquainted  with  the 
importance  of  this  post,  my  dear  General,  and  I  flatter  myself 
will  put  it  into  our  power  to  do  something  more  than  mere 
defensive  work  within  our  lines.  I  think  the  enemy  may 
divert  our  attention  to  the  heights  above  King's  Bridge;  if 
so,  is  it  expected  that  we  can  detach  a  party  to  oppose  them  ? 
I  shall  be  happy  in  your  orders  how  to  act  if  a  landing 
should  be  attempted  above  or  below  us,  at  the  same  time 
that  we  may  have  reason  to  believe  our  present  post  to  be 
one  of  their  objects.  Were  the  works  in  good  order,  and 
the  men  well  equipped ;  I  could  easily  determine  these  points, 
but  circumstanced  as  we  are,  I  do  not  see  how  we  can  per- 
mit even  a  small  party  to  leave  the  environs  of  this  camp, 
without  exposing  it  to  imminent  danger,  and  yet  I  might  be 
tempted  to  try  it. 

I  propose  to  exercise  with  the  artillery,  if  the  works  will 
admit  of  it,  two  companies  who  are  not  armed.  Our  prin- 
cipal business  within  the  works  must  be  with  artillery. 

We  have  many  arms  which  might  soon  be  put  in  order 
if  Colonel  Moylan  will  favour  us  with  four  armourers  and 
some  tools.  Captain  Bacon  promised  it  several  days  past, 
but  still  neglects  us. 

I  am,  my  dear  General,  your  obedient  servant  and  friend, 

THOMAS  MIFFLIN,  B.  G. 

His  Excellency  Gen.  Washington,  Camp  at  New-York. 

GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  11,  1776.] 

Lebanon,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  In  my  last,  of  the  10th  of  June,  I  informed  you 
I  had  called  the  General  Assembly  to  meet  at  Hartford, 
on  the  14th  then  current,  to  take  into  consideration  the 
requisitions  of  Congress  of  the  1st  and  3d  of  June,  for  re- 
inforcements to  the  armies  at  New-York  and  in  Canada. 
They  accordingly  met,  and  cheerfully  granted  the  reinforce- 
ments required,  including  one  regiment  ordered  to  be  raised 
in  May  last,  and  not  particularly  destined.  They  consist  of 
nine  battalions — two  for  the  Northern  Department,  and  seven 
for  New-  York.  David  Waterbury,  Jun.,  Esq.,  is  appointed 
Brigadier-General  for  the  Northern  Department,  and  James 
Wadsworth,  Jun.,  Esq.,  for  Nciv-  York. 

As  at  this  season  of  the  year  the  pressure  of  country  busi- 
ness was  such  as  to  engage  the  attention  of  the  people  in 
general,  and  was  not  to  be  left  without  great  difficulty,  and 
the  small-pox  in  Canada  naturally  would  deter  those  from 
engaging  in  the  service  who  had  never  passed  through  that 
distemper,  it  was  thought  necessary  by  the  Assembly  to 
encourage  men  to  inlist,  by  offering  them  a  bounty;  and 
accordingly  six  pounds  as  a  bounty  to  each  able-bodied  man 
that  should  inlist  into  the  battalions  destined  for  Canada,  and 
three  pounds  for  those  destined  to  New-  York. 

In  the  rest  of  the  session,  after  officers  were  appointed, 
proper  measures  were  consulted  for  arming  and  -equipping 
the  troops  to  be  raised,  and  furnishing  them  with  other 
necessaries,  agreeably  to  the  resolves  of  Congress. 

The  Assembly,  apprehending  that  the  bounty  granted  to 
the  battalions  of  Militia  might  retard  the  raising  the  Conti- 
nental regiment  ordered  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony  in  May 
last,  thought  it  necessary  and  did  grant  a  bounty  of  forty 
shillings  to  each  able-bodied  man  that  should  inlist  into  that 
regiment. 

The  battalions  of  Militia  are  now  filling  up  as  fast  as 
may  be,  though  the  prevalence  of  the  small-pox  in  the 
Northern  Army  intimidates  our  men,  and  retards  the  inlist- 
ments.  Proper  orders  have  been  given  to  the  Brigadiers 
General,  and  by  them  to  the  Colonels,  to  hasten  the  raising, 
equipping,  and  marching  the  troops.  Many  have  marched 
for  New-  York,  and  the  rest  will  soon  follow ;  in  the  mean- 
time, lest  the  want  of  these  battalions  should  be  felt  at  New- 
York,  three  regiments  of  horse  of  our  Militia  are  ordered  to 
join  the  army  at  New-York,  and,  if  wanted,  to  continue 
there  till  the  battalions  of  foot  arrive. 


29 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


30 


During  the  session,  and  soon  after  the  rising  of  the  As- 
sembly, your  favours  of  the  llth,  14th,  and  19th  of  June 
came  to  hand.  The  exportation  of  salted  beef  and  pork 
was  prohibited  by  act  of  Assembly,  and  all  the  salted  pork 
in  the  stores  of  merchants  and  others,  except  provisions  for 
the  use  of  families,  ordered  to  be  purchased  on  the  Colony's 
account,  antecedent  to  the  receipt  of  the  resolve  of  Congress 
on  that  subject. 

As  an  extraordinary  bounty  is  given  to  the  two  battalions 
raising  for  the  Northern  Department,  it  would  be  attended 
with  difficulty  to  exchange  their  destination,  and  send  the 
battalion  ordered  to  be  raised  in  May  last  that  way  instead 
of  one  of  them.  Indeed,  I  suppose  the  largest  part  of  that 
battalion  are  now  on  their  way  to  Netv-York.  The  Con- 
tinental, or  Colonel  Ward's  regiment,  is  not  filled.  To  alter 
its  first  destination  may  create  uneasiness.  Will  it  not  be 
best  that  the  Militia  desired  to  be  sent  to  Boston  in  their 
room  be  forwarded  to  New-York,  and  a  battalion  ordered 
from  thence  of  such  as  have  passed  through  the  small- pox? 
Not  one  in  twenty  of  our  soldiers  have  had  it. 

This,  I  trust,  will  be  considered  as  complying  fully  with 
the  spirit  and  intention  of  the  resolves  of  Congress  of  the 
19th  and  25th  of  June  last. 

The  small-pox  is  a  more  terrible  enemy  than  the  British 
troops,  and  strikes  a  greater  dread  into  our  men  who  have 
never  had  it.  Might  not  some  of  our  troops  be  sent  to  New- 
York,  and  serve  there,  instead  of  the  York  or  Jersey  bat- 
talions, which  have  generally  passed  through  that  distemper? 
Such  an  exchange  would  be  very  agreeable,  and  greatly 
facilitate  the  filling  up  our  regiments.  Our  intelligence  from 
Crown-Point  shows  the  infection  to  be  very  great  in  our 
returning  army. 

I  have  received  information  by  several  persons  that  the 
inhabitants  on  the  New-Hampshire  Grants,  on  the  northern 
frontier  of  the  Province  of  New-  York,  are  in  the  highest  con- 
sternation on  the  retreat  of  the  Army  from  Canada,  from  an 
apprehended  attack  of  the  savages.  Some  of  their  settlements 
are  breaking  up,  and  all  are  in  danger  of  being  soon  deserted. 
Should  they  fall  back  on  the  older  plantations,  the  enemy 
would  derive  great  advantages  from  their  improvements  and 
buildings,  to  fall  on  and  distress  the  frontiers ;  and  the  incon- 
venience they  may  bring  with  them,  and  the  terror  they  will 
spread,  may  produce  the  most  unhappy  consequences.  May 
I  not  venture  to  suggest  the  expediency  of  raising  a  batta- 
lion of  troops,  in  the  pay  of  the  Continent,  upon  those  Grants? 
The  inhabitants,  inured  to  hardship,  and  acquainted  with 
the  country,  may  rival  the  Indians  in  their  own  mode  of 
making  war,  will  support  that  frontier,  and  leave  the  more 
interior  settlements  at  liberty  to  assist  in  the  general  defence 
of  the  Colonies.  If  they  are  not  put  under  pay,  their  poverty 
is  such  they  can  hire  no  labourers  to  carry  on  their  farming 
business  in  their  absence.  Should  they  go  out  as  Militia 
without  pay,  the  failure  of  one  crop  would  effectually  break 
up  their  settlements. 

As  to  your  requisition  respecting  a  regiment  of  Militia  for 
the  Northern  Department,  if  you  mean  it  in  addition  to  the 
two  battalions  now  raising  by  us  for  that  destination,  the 
one  for  Boston,  and  seven  for  New-  York,  I  am  constrained 
to  say,  although  we  wish  to  comply  with  every  requisition 
of  your  wise  and  honourable  body,  and  to  make  every  exer- 
tion for  the  salvation  of  the  United  Colonies  in  our  power, 
it  seems  impossible  to  comply,  as  we  have  now  more  than 
fourteen  thousand  men  from  this  Colony  in  Continental  and 
Colonial  service,  by  sea  and  land,  and  especially  in  this  ex- 
treme busy  season,  when  the  fields  languish  for  want  of 
labourers,  and  inevitable  famine  and  nakedness  will  be  the 
consequence  of  stripping  them  any  more. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  JONATHAN  THUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  President  Hancock. 


GOVERNOUR   TRUMBULL    TO    GENERAL    SCHUYLER. 

Lebanon,  July  5,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  The  bearer,  Captain  Winslow,  is  one  of  the 
head  carpenters  I  mentioned  in  my  last,  and  now  waits  on 
you  with  his  party  to  enter  into  your  service.  You  will  find 
him  a  man  of  integrity,  and  well  calculated  for  your  pur- 
pose. I  find  by  him  that  his  men  are  doubtful  whether,  in 
case  of  sickness,  they  are  to  receive  hospital  allowance,  as 
customary  for  sick  soldiers.  They  would  think  it  so  hard  to 


be  deprived  of  that  allowance,  that  he  would  be  obliged  to 
release  them  all  at  Albany  if  it  should  appear  to  be  your 
intention  not  to  make  it.  I  must  earnestly  recommend  it 
to  you  to  make  them  every  allowance  of  that  kind  which 
you  can  think  consistent  with  honour  and  justice.  Captain 
Lester's  company  are  in  the  same  circumstances,  and  will 
merit  to  be  treated  in  the  same  manner. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  your  most  obe- 
dient humble  servant,  JONATHAN  THUMBULL. 
To  the  Honourable  Philip  Schuyler,  Esq. 

/ 

COUNCIL    OF    MASSACHUSETTS    TO    WALTER    SPOONER. 

Watertown,  July  5,  1776. 

SIR:  Whereas  Captain  Welden,  commander  of  the  brig 
Rising  Empire,  has  received  orders  from  the  Board,  dated 
the  27th  ultimo,  directing  him,  when  properly  armed,  to 
proceed  to  Boston  to  take  his  complement  of  provisions,  &.C., 
the  Board  request  you  will  direct  Captain  Welden,  when 
he  is  ready  to  proceed  for  Boston,  to  take  under  his  convoy 
all  such  vessels  as  are  ready  for  sailing  by  the  20th  instant, 
and  them  convoy  into  latitude  38°  30'  north,  and  longitude 
67°  west  from  London;  after  which  he  is  to  proceed  as 
directed  by  his  instructions,  dated  the  27th  of  last  month. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Council. 

To  the  Honourable  Walter  Spooner,  Esq. 


PROCEEDINGS  AT  HANOVER,  NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

At  a  meeting  of  several  adjacent  Towns  at  the  College 
Hall,  on  Friday,  the  5th  day  of  July.  1776,  viz:  Lyme, 
Hanover,  Lebanon,  Thredford,  Norwich,  and  Hartford: 

Chosen,  Amos  Robinson,  Clerk. 

Chosen,  Deacon  Nehemiah  Estabrook,  Moderator. 

Voted,  To  have  fifty  men,  exclusive  of  officers,  to  repair 
to  Royalton,  to  fortify  in  that  town,  and  scout  from  thence 
to  Onion  River  and  Newbury. 

Voted,  To  appoint  one  Captain  and  two  Subalterns. 

Voted,  To  appoint  Mr.  David  Woodward  Captain. 

Voted,  To  appoint  Mr.  Joshua  Hazen  1st  Lieutenant. 

Voted,  To  appoint  Mr.  Abel  Lyman  2d  Lieutenant. 

Voted,  To  appoint  a  Committee  of  three  men  to  direct 
the  building  of  the  Fort  at  Royalton,  and  furnish  said  Fort 
with  all  necessary  supplies. 

Chosen,  Esquire  Joel  Marsh,  Mr.  Isaac  Morgan,  and 
Major  John  Slapp,  to  be  said  Committee. 

Voted,  To  raise  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  exclusive  of 
officers,  to  go  to  Newbury,  to  fortify,  scout,  and  guard  there 
for  three  months,  unless  sooner  discharged. 

Voted,  To  appoint  Captain  Abner  Seely  Major  of  the 
last  mentioned  department. 

Voted,  To  divide  said  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  into 
four  Companies. 

Voted,  To  appoint  Mr.  Levi  Willard,  Mr.  Oliver  Ashley, 
and  Mr.  Samuel  Paine,  to  be  Captains. 

Voted,  That  the  Captains  appoint  their  Subalterns. 

Voted,  To  appoint  a  Committee  of  three  men  to  direct 
and  order  the  affairs  of  the  Newbury  department. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Bailey,  Colonel  Johnson,  and  Col. 
Olcott  be  said  Committee. 

Voted,  That  this  Committee  engage  that  the  Officers  and 
Soldiers  in  both  the  aforementioned  departments  be  honour- 
ably paid  for  their  services. 

Voted,  To  dismiss  this  meeting. 

It  is  accordingly  dismissed. 

A  true  copy,  taken  from  the  Minutes. 
Attest  per  me :  AMOS  ROBINSON,  Clerk. 


ARTHUR  LEE  TO  CHARLES  W.  F.  DUMAS. 

London,  July  6,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Mr.  Ellis,  a 
friend  of  Dr.  Franklin,  of  liberty,  and  of  America.  He  is  a 
philosopher,  very  well  instructed  on  the  subject  of  America, 
and,  I  trust,  will  be  both  an  agreeable  and  useful  acquaint- 
ance while  he  remains  near  you. 

I  thank  you  for  your  favour  of  the  21st  of  last  month.  By 
the  last  advices  from  America,  General  Howe  was  prepared 
to  sail  for  Halifax,  and,  it  is  imagined,  to  land  at  New-York, 
where  he  will  certainly  be  strongly  opposed.  He  numbers 
ten  thousand  regulars,  and  it  will  be  fortunate  for  us  if  he 


31 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


32 


makes  his  attempt  before  he  is  joined  by  the  Germans,  who 
sailed  the  6th  of  May. 

The  Americana  have  taken  post  upon  the  river  Richelieu 
and  the  Lakes,  so  that  Montreal,  not  being  tenable,  is  evacu- 
ated. Genera!  Lee  is  in  Virginia,  with  ten  thousand  men, 
expecting  Lord  Cornwallis  and  General  Clinton.  General 
Washington  commands  at  New-  York,  and  General  Ward'm 
Boston. 

The  strange  timidity  de  la  Cour  Francaise  requires  great 
patience  and  management ;  but  1  think  it  will  at  last  be 
brought  to  act  an  avowed  and  decided  part.  When  that 
happens,  Angleterre  must  submit  to  whatever  terms  they 
please  to  impose,  for  she  is  totally  incapable  of  sustaining  a 
war  with  France.  Adieu,  ARTHUR  LEE. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  PARIS,  DATED  JULY  6,  1776. 

We  hear  that  the  Court  of  Great  Britain  have  lately  pre- 
sented a  memorial  to  our  Court,  and  also  to  that  of  Spain, 
strongly  complaining  of  the  trade  which  is  so,  industriously 
carried  on  by  the  French  and  Spanish  merchants  with  the 
rebellious  Colonies  of  North  America;  and  at  the  same  time 
inquiring  the  reason  of  the  great  armament  carrying  on  in 
both  these  Kingdoms,  supposed  to  be  against  the  States  of 
Africa,  whilst  the  latter  sit  quiet  and  inactive,  as  if  they 
had  nothing  to  fear.  The  answer  given  by  both  the  above 
Courts  is  publickly  spoken  to  be  this :  That  with  regard  to 
the  complaints  of  trading  with  the  Rebels,  it  is  a  mere  smug- 
gling and  illicit  trade,  which,  notwithstanding  the  risk  of 
being  confiscated,  according  to  law,  merchants  of  every  ma- 
ritime country  will  always  venture,  and  act  contrary  to  the 
positive  commands  of  the  Legislature.  But  with  regard  to  the 
armament,  both  France  and  Spain  find  themselves  highly 
necessitated  to  send  strong  forces  to  their  Colonies  of  South 
America  and  the  West-Indies,  in  order  to  prevent  a  rebellion 
there,  to  which  they  might  be  induced  by  the  seeming  suc- 
cess of  the  British  Colonies  in  North  America.  Feasible, 
however,  as  this  answer  may  appear,  yet  it  is  certain,  that 
our  squadron,  lately  sailed  from  Brest  and  Toulon,  met  and 
united  themselves  with  a  Spanish  squadron  near  the  Cape 
of  St.  Vincent;  and  there  are  authentick  advices  of  the  latest 
date,  mentioning  that  the  Spanish  fleet  destined  for  Cuba 
was  observed  steering  towards  Jamaica. 


BENJAMIN  HARRISON,  JR.,  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Williamsburgh,  July  6,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  By  direction  of  Brigadier  General  Lewis, 
I  do  myself  the  honour  to  transmit  you  an  account  of  the 
state  of  my  office,  from  22d  of  June  to  this  day;  and  I  have 
it  in  orders  from  the  General  to  say  that  an  immediate  sup- 
ply of  money  is  wanted. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  honourable  sir,  your  very  obedi- 
ent servant,  BENJ.  HARRISON,  Jun. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

MATTHEW  TILGUMAN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Annapolis,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  Very  fortunately,  your  letters,  with  the  several  reso- 
lutions of  Congress,  came  just  time  enough  to  be  offered  to 
the  Convention  before  their  rising.  They  were  immediately 
taken  into  consideration,  and  the  enclosed  resolves  were 
very  speedily  and  unanimously  passed,  and  directed  to  be 
transmitted  to  you,  to  be  laid  before  the  Congress ;  which, 
in  obedience  to  the  order  of  Convention,  I  have  now  the 
honour  to  do;  and  am,  sir,  respectfully,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  MAT.  TILGHMAN,  President. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq..  President  of  Congress, 

it  I    '  I        I     I      I    •  Of 

at  1  hiladelpma. 

In  Convention,  Annapolis,  July  6,  1776. 

The  President  laid  before  the  Convention  several  Letters 
from  the  Honourable  the  President  of  Congress,  of  the  25th 
and  29th  of  June,  and  the  4th  instant,  and  sundry  Resolu- 
tions of  that  respectable  body,  which  were  taken  into  con- 
sideration ;  and  thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Smallwood  immediately  proceed 
with  his  Battalion  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  put  him- 
self under  the  Continental  officer  commanding  there,  and  be 
subject  to  the  further  orders  of  the  Congress. 


Ordered,  That  the  Independent  Companies  stationed  in 
Talbot,  Kent,  Queen  Anne,  and  St.  Mary's  Counties,  imme- 
diately proceed  to  Philadelphia,  and  put  themselves  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Smallwood,  subject  to  the  further 
order  of  the  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Battalion  and  Independent  Com- 
panies be  deducted  from  the  number  of  the  Militia  required 
by  Congress  of  this  Colony,  to  compose  the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  That  this  Province  will  raise  two  Companies 
of  Riflemen,  and  four  Companies  of  Germans,  according  to 
the  requisition  of  Congress  in  their  Resolutions  of  the  27th 
day  of  June  last. 

That  one  of  the  said  Companies  of  Riflemen  be  raised  in 
Harford  County,  two  of  the  said  Companies  of  Germans 
be  raised  in  Baltimore  County,  and  one  of  the  Companies  of 
Riflemen  and  two  of  the  Companies  of  Germans  be  raised 
in  Frederick  County. 

That  each  of  the  Companies  of  Germans  consist  of  one 
Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  one  Ensign,  four  Sergeants,  four 
Corporals,  one  Drummer,  one  Fifer,  and  seventy-six  Pri- 
vates ;  and  each  of  the  Rifle  Companies  of  one  Captain, 
three  Lieutenants,  four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  one  Drum- 
mer, one  Fifer,  and  seventy-six  Privates  ;  and  that  the  Offi- 
cers be  approved  by  appointment  and  certified  to  the  Con- 
gress by  the  Council  of  Safety. 

Extract  from  the  minutes :  G.  DUVALL,  Clerk. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Commanding 
Officer  of  the  Flying-Camp  to  keep  the  corps  of  Regular 
Forces  and  Militia  distinct  and  separate,  if  possible,  to  pre- 
vent any  discontent  about  rank. 

Extract  from  the  minutes :  G.  DUVALL,  Clerk. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  6,  177S. 

SIR  :  The  Congress,  for  some  time  past,  have  had  their 
attention  occupied  by  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  im- 
portant subjects  that  could  possibly  come  before  them  or 
any  other  assembly  of  men. 

Although  it  is  not  possible  to  foresee  the  consequences  of 
human  actions,  yet  it  is  nevertheless  a  duty  we  owe  our- 
selves and  posterity}  in  all  our  publick  counsels,  to  decide  in 
the  best  manner  we  are  able,  and  to  leave  the  event  to  that 
Being  who  controls  both  causes  and  events  to  bring  about 
his  own  determinations. 

Impressed  with  this  sentiment,  and  at  the  same  time  fully 
convinced  that  our  affairs  may  take  a  more  favourable  turn, 
the  Congress  have  judged  it  necessary  to  dissolve  the  con- 
nexion between  Great  Britain  and  the  American  Colonies, 
and  to  declare  them  free  and  independent  States,  as  you 
will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  Declaration,  which  I  am  di- 
rected by  Congress  to  transmit  to  you,  and  to  request  you 
will  have  it  proclaimed  at  the  head  of  the  Army  in  the  way 
you  shall  think  most  proper. 

Agreeable  to  the  request  of  Congress,  the  Committee  of 
Safety  of  this  Colony  have  forwarded  to  you  ten  thousand 
flints,  and  the  flints  at  Rhode-Island  are  ordered  to  be  sent 
to  you  immediately. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  I  inform  you  that  the  Militia  of 
this  Colony,  of  Delaware  Government,  and  Maryland,  are, 
and  will  be  every  day,  in  motion  to  form  the  Flying-Camp, 
and  that  all  the  Militia  of  this  Colony  will  soon  be  in  the 
Jerseys,  ready  to  receive  such  orders  as  you  shall  please  to 
give  them. 

I  have  written  to  Governour  Cooke  to  engage  immediately, 
and  send  forward  as  fast  as  possible,  fifty  ship-carpenters  to 
General  Schuyler,  for  the  purpose  of  building  vessels  on  the 
Lakes.  Fifty  have  already  gone  from  hence  on  that  busi- 
ness. 

The  Congress  having  directed  the  arms  taken  on  board 
the  Scotch  transports  to  be  sent  to  you,  I  have  written  to 
the  agents  in  Rhode-Island  and  Massachusetts-Bay  to  for- 
ward them  immediately. 

The  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Greene  I  am 
directed  to  forward  by  Congress,  with  a  request  that  you 
will  order  such  parts  of  the  stores  therein  mentioned  to  New- 
York  as  you  shall  judge  proper. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  with  perfect  esteem,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


34 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  6, 1776. 

SIR:  Should  this  he  presented  to  you  by  Captain  Thomas 
Cardrop,  you  will  please  to  understand  that  he,  with  fifty 
ship-carpenters  under  his  command,  are  engaged  in  the  Con- 
tinental service,  with  orders  to  proceed,  with  the  utmost 
expedition,  for  Albany,  there  to  put  themselves  under  the 
direction  of  Major-General  Philip  Sckuylcr,  in  order  to  per- 
form the  very  essential  service  of  building  galleys,  floating- 
batteries,  &c.,  for  the  defence  of  the  Lakes.  And  the  pre- 
sent situation  of  the  Ministerial  Army  on  Staten-Island 
having  rendered  it  necessary  to  leave  the  route  of  this  corps 
to  the  judgment  and  discretion  of  Captain  Cardrop,  it  is 
uncertain  whether  your  Excellency  will  see  him  or  not ; 
therefore  these  lines  are  given  to  him  merely  to  procure  the 
necessary  assistance  and  despatch,  if  he  should  find  it  safe 
and  convenient  to  call  at  New- York  in  order  to  procure 
water  conveyance. 

I  have  the  honour  to  remain  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant,  JOHN  HANCOCK. 
To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq. 


BOARD  OF  WAR  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

War-Office,  Philadelphia,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance 
to  request  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  inform  them  whether 
any  and  what  provision  has  been  made  in  the  Continental 
Army  for  sergeant-majors,  drum  and  fife-majors,  and  quar- 
termaster-sergeants ;  and  if  none  has  heretofore  been  made, 
whether  any  and  what  pay  or  allowance  ought  to  be  made 
them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 

and  most  humble  servant,  n 

KICHARD  PETERS,  Jun. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


PRESIDENT  OF   CONGRESS  TO   NEW-YORK    CONVENTION,   ETC. 

Philadelphia,  July  6,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN  :  Although  it  is  not  possible  to 
foresee  the  consequences  of  human  actions,  yet  it  is  never- 
theless a  duty  we  owe  ourselves  and  posterity,  in  all  our 
publick  councils,  to  decide  in  the  best  manner  we  are  able, 
and  to  trust  the  event  to  that  Being  who  controls  both 
causes  and  events  so  as  to  bring  about  his  own  determina- 
tions. 

Impressed  with  this  sentiment,  and  at  the  same  time  fully 
convinced  that  our  affairs  may  take  a  more  favourable  turn, 
the  Congress  have  judged  it  necessary  to  dissolve  all  con- 
nexion between  Great  Britain  and  the  American  Colonies, 
and  to  declare  them  free  and  independent  States,  as  you  will 
perceive  by  the  enclosed  Declaration,  which  I  am  directed 
by  Congress  to  transmit  to  you,  and  to  request  you  will  have 
it  proclaimed  in  your  Colony,  in  the  way  you  shall  think 
most  proper. 

The  important  consequences  to  the  American  States  from 
this  Declaration  of  Independence,  considered  as  the  ground 
and  foundation  of  a  future  Government,  will  naturally  sug- 
gest the  propriety  of  proclaiming  it  in  such  a  manner  that 
the  people  may  be  universally  informed  of  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  New-  York. 

[Same  to  the  Honourable  Assembly  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  Governour  Trumbull,  Governour  Cooke,  and  Assembly 
of  New-Hampshire.] 

P.  S.  to  the  Letter  to  New-Hampshire : — Major  Rogers, 
of  your  Colony,  is  now  here.  The  Congress  have  ordered 
that  he  be  sent  to  New-Hampshire,  to  be  disposed  of  as  that 
Government  shall  judge  best. 


one  Ensign,  four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  fifty-one  Pri- 
vates— to  each  of  these  gentlemen  one  month's  advance  pay 
agreeable  to  the  established  pay. 
By  order  of  Congress : 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  Mr.  Commissary  and  Paymaster  Mease. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

Philadelphia,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  Declaration  of  Independence  I  am 
directed  to  transmit  to  you,  with  a  request  that  you  will  have 
it  proclaimed  at  the  head  of  the  troops  under  your  command, 
in  the  way  you  shall  think  most  proper. 

I  have  only  time  to  add,  that  the  importance  of  it  will 
naturally  suggest  the  propriety  of  proclaiming  it  in  such  a 
manner  as  that  the  whole  Army  may  be  fully  apprized  of  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 
humble  servant,  JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  General  Ward,  or  Officer  commanding  the  Continental 

Troops  at  Boston. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  JOHN  BRADFORD. 


Philadelphia,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  As  I  purpose  writing  you  fully  on  the  subject  of  ma- 
rine affairs  some  time  in  the  course  of  next  week,  1  shall  only 
enclose  at  present  a  resolve  of  Congress,  directing  you  to 
send  the  arms  taken  out  of  the  Scotch  transports  to  General 
Washington  at  New-  York ;  and  indeed  this  is  all  I  have  time 
to  do  now,  being  in  great  haste. 

Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  Mr.  John  Bradford,  Agent  in  Massachusetts-Bay. 

[Same  to  Mr.  Daniel  Tillinghast,  Agent  in  Rhode- 
Island.]  

War-Office,  Philadelphia,  July  6,  1776. 

All  persons  in  the  United  American  States  who  are  able 
to  inform  the  Congress  of  any  quantities  of  flint-stone,  or  of 
any  persons  who  are  skilled  in  the  manufacture  of  flints,  are 
requested  to  apply  in  person,  or  by  letter,  to  the  Board  of 
War  and  Ordnance,  at  the  War-Office  in  Market  Street, 
near  the  corner  of  Fourth  Street.  All  printers  of  news- 
papers in  the  several  States  are  desired  to  insert  this  adver- 
tisement. RICHARD  PETERS,  Jun.,  Secretary. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  COMMISSARY  MEASE. 

Philadelphia,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  You  are  hereby  required  to  pay  to  Captain  William 
Kilsay,  commanding  a  company  of  New-Jersey  Militia,  one 
month's  pay,  in  the  following  proportions,  the  said  Captain 
Kilsay  to  be  accountable,  agreeably  to  a  resolve  of  Con- 
gress of  this  day,  viz :  To  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants, 

FIFTH  SERIES.— •  VOL.  I.  3 


JACOB  RUSH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  I  beg  leave  to  acquaint  you,  at  the  desire  of  Mr. 
Hancock,  that  your  letter  of  the  4th  and  5th  instant  was 
this  day  received  and  read  in  Congress.  As  the  despatches 
which  are  at  this  time  preparing  for  you  cannot  be  got  ready 
for  the  post,  and  Mr.  Hancock  does  not  incline  to  detain 
him,  I  am  to  inform  you  that  he  will  send  them  by  express 
as  soon  as  possible  after  Congress  rises. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  you  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant,  JACOB  RUSH. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-York. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  A  GENTLEMAN  IN  PHILADEL- 
PHIA TO  HIS  FRIEND  AT  ANNAPOLIS,  DATED  JULY  6,  1776, 
SATURDAY  MORNING. 

General  Howe  has  landed  a  great  body  of  troops  on  Sta- 
ten-lsland.  His  force  cannot  be  ascertained.  General 
Washington  and  his  troops  are  in  high  spirits.  The  strength 
of  our  Army  at  New-York  cannot  be  ascertained,  the  Militia 
pour  in  so  fast  that  it  is  impracticable.  The  Jersey  Militia, 
amounting  to  three  thousand  five  hundred,  have  acquired  great 
honour  in  forming  and  marching  with  such  alacrity  and  ex- 
pedition. They  have  for  some  time  past  got  over  to  New- 
York.  The  battalions  of  this  city  (every  one  of  them)  are 
marching  to  Trenton  and  Brunswick,  in  the  Jerseys.  The 
rifle  battalion  in  the  pay  of  this  Province,  marched  yester- 
day for  the  same  places.  The  Militia  in  the  Counties  are 
also  ordered  to  march.  Out  of  these  bodies  they  mean  to 
form  their  quota  of  the  Flying-Camp,  to  be  posted  in  the  Jer- 
seys, and  to  be  at  the  command  of  General  Washington. 
It  is  expected  that  the  Lower  Counties  and  Maryland  will 


35 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


36 


immediately  march  their  quotas  of  Militia,  to  compose  the 
Flying-Camp,  to  this  city,  to  defend  it  in  the  absence  of  its 
own  battalions. 

Your  hour  of  trial  is  come;  your  plighted  faith,  your  pub- 
lick  honour,  the  love  of  your  country,  and  its  dearest  liber- 
ties, in  this  moment  of  imminent  danger,  demand  that  you 
instanlly  fly  to  the  assistance  of  a  sister  Colony. 

Saturday  noon. — An  express  is  just  arrived  from  General 
Washington.  Howe's  Army  consists  of  ten  thousand  men. 
Admiral  Hotcr.  is  not  yet  arrived,  but  hourly  expected,  with 
one  hundred  and  fifty  sail,  having  on  board  twenty  thousand 
troops.  The  enemy's  grand  army  will  consist  of  thirty  thou- 
sand. The  whole  Militia  of  this  Province  are  ordered  to 
the  Jerseys.  We  are  in  anxious  expectation  to  hear  from 
Maryland,  nor  can  we  for  a  moment  entertain  a  fear  that 
our  brethren  will  desert  us  in  the  day  of  our  distress.  The 
farmers  here  have  left  their  harvest,  and  cast  away  the  scythe 
for  the  musket.  I  should  rejoice  to  hear  you  have  imitated 
so  laudable,  so  glorious  an  example. 

GEORGE  BOSS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  of  the  receipt  of 
yours  of  the  3d  instant,  before  which,  the  Committee  received 
letters  of  the  4th  instant,  from  a  Committee  of  Congress, 
and  from  the  Committee  of  Inspection  of  the  City  and  Liber- 
ties of  Philadelphia.  The  Conference  here  had  broken  up 
before  either  came  to  hand,  and  the  members  had  returned 
to  their  respective  homes.  We  immediately  took  into  con- 
sideration the  very  important  matters  recommended;  and 
how  they  have  proceeded,  you  will  be  best  informed  by  the 
enclosed  resolves ;  and  we  have  despatched  orders  to  all  the 
Colonels  of  this  County,  and  shall  continue  to  exert  every 
nerve  to  carry  the  resolves  of  Congress  into  execution. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obliged  and  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  Ross,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

GEORGE  BOSS  TO  COLONEL  GALBRAITH. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  We  yesterday  enclosed  you  our  resolves  respect- 
ing the  companies  agreed  to  be  furnished  by  the  battalions 
in  this  County  towards  the  six  thousand  men  required  to 
form  the  Flying-Camp. 

We  this  day  received  the  enclosed  resolves  of  the  Con- 
gress as  to  the  Independency  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica, which  we  forward  to  you  for  the  regulation  of  your 
conduct  in  the  present  alarming  situation  of  our  affairs.  The 
battalions  in  this  town  were  this  day  drawn  out,  and  unani- 
mously agreed  to  march.  We  doubt  not  but  that  you  will 
exert  yourself  to  carry  the  resolves  of  Congress  and  the  con- 
ference of  Committees  into  execution ;  and  are,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee :         G.  Ross,  Chairman. 

ROBERT  FRAILL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  8,  1776.] 

Easton,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  favour  of  the  3d  instant,  by  express,  came  to 
hand  this  forenoon  about  half  after  nine  o'clock.  There 
being  but  one  of  the  members  of  our  Committee  at  present 
in  this  town,  orders  are  sent  off  for  a  meeting  of  the  Com- 
mittee to  attend  here  next  Monday,  as  also  the  several 
Colonels  of  this  County  to  attend  at  the  same  time,  in  order 
to  consider  on  the  contents  of  your  letter. 

In  the  mean  time,  I  am  desired  to  acquaint  you,  that  the 
utmost  despatcli  will  be  made  to  forward  the  request  of 
Congress  for  the  defence  of  the  liberties  of  the  United  Co- 
lonies. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

ROBERT  FRAILL, 

Ckrk  to  the  Committee  of  Northampton  County. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

HENRY  HAI.LER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  8,  1776.] 

Reading,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  Last  night  the  messenger  arrived  with  your  letter 
to  the  Committee  of  Berks  County,  requesting  us  to  use 


the  utmost  despatch  in  sending  off  the  troops  to  be  raised 
here  for  the  defence  of  the  middle  Colonies. 

It  will  be  unnecessary  at  this  time  to  acquaint  you  of  the 
measures  pursued  by  us  for  the  more  speedy  raising  of  the 
men,  as  the  Congress  are  already  informed  of  them  by  our 
letters.  We  have  only  to  add,  that  you  may  depend  upon 
our  utmost  diligence  in  completing  the  companies,  and 
marching  them  without  loss  of  time,  wherein  we  apprehend 
no  other  difficulty  than  what  may  arise  from  the  want  of 
muskets,  of  which  we  have  directed  the  Captains  to  purchase 
as  many  as  possible,  and  should  be  glad  to  be  informed  by 
what  means  the  men  are  to  be  supplied  with  the  remainder. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

I  am,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

HENRY  HALLER,  Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

CONFERENCE  WITH  INDIANS  AT  FORT  PITT. 

Fort  Pitt,  July  6,  1776. 

At  a  Meeting  held  this  day  at  this  place,  present :  Kiashuta, 
a  Mingo  Chief,  just  returned  from  the  treaty  at  Niagara  • 
Captain  Pipe,  a  Delaware  Chief;  the  Shade,  a  Shawnees 
Chief,  with  several  others,  Shawnees  and  Dtlaivares ; 
likewise  Major  Trent,  Major  Ward,  Captain  Nevill,  his 
officers,  and  a  number  of  the  inhabitants.     After  being 
seated,  Kiashuta  made  the  following  speech : 
"BROTHERS:    Three  months   ago,  I  left  this   place  to 
attend  a  treaty  at  Niagara,  to  be  held  between  the  com- 
manding officer  at  that  place,  and  Six  Nations,  Shawnees, 
Delawares,  &c.;  but  I  was  stopped  near  a  month  at  Caugh- 
nawaga,  as  the  commanding  officer  had  sent  word  to  the 
Indians  not  to  assemble  until  he  should  hear  from  Detroit. 
While  I  was  at  Caughnawaga,  eight  hundred  Indians  of  the 
Sit  Nations,  hearing  of  my  intention  of  going  to  the  treaty, 
came  to  meet  and  go  with  me.     Just  as  we  arrived  at  a 
small  village  beyond  Caughnawaga,  they  received  a  message 
from  the  commanding  officer,  acquainting  them  that  the 
treaty  was  over;    but  they,  notwithstanding,  persisted  in 
going.     I  received  a  message  at  the  same  time,  inviting  me 
to  come,  and  assuring  me  that  the  Council  fire  was  not  en- 
tirely extinguished.     Upon  my  arrival  with  the  rest  of  the 
Indians,  I  informed  the  commanding  officer  that  I  had  come 
a  great  distance  to  hear  what  he  had  to  say,  and  desired 
that  he  would  inform  me ;  but  he  told  me  that  he  was  not 
yet  prepared  to  speak  with  me,  which  ended   our  con- 
ference." 

Kiashuta  then  produced  a  belt  of  the  wampum  which 
was  to  be  sent  from  the  Six  Nations  to  the  Shawnees, 
Delawares,  Wyandots,  and  Western  Indians,  acquainting 
them  that  they  were  determined  to  take  no  part  in  the  pre- 
sent war  between  Great  Britain  and  America,  and  desiring 
them  to  do  the  same. 

N.  B. — Kiashuta  has  the  belt,  and  is  ordered  by  the  Six 
Nations  to  send  it  through  the  Indian  country. 

He  then  addressed  himself  to  the  Virginians  and  Penn- 
sylvanians  in  the  following  manner : 

"  BROTHERS  :  We  will  not  suffer  either  the  English  or 
the  Americans  to  march  an  army  through  our  country. 
Should  either  attempt  it,  we  shall  forewarn  them  three  times 
from  proceeding ;  but  should  they  then  persist,  they  must 
abide  by  the  consequences.  I  am  appointed  by  the  Six 
Nations  to  the  care  of  this  country,  that  is,  to  the  care  of 
the  Indians  on  the  west  side  of  the  River  Ohio;  and  I  desire 
you  will  not  think  of  an  expedition  against  Detroit,  for  (I 
repeat  it  to  you  again)  we  will  not  suffer  an  army  to  march 
through  our  country." — A  String. 

Kiashuta  again  rose,  and  spoke  as  follows : 
"  BROTHERS  :  Should  any  mischief  chance  to  be  com- 
mitted by  any  of  our  people,  you  must  not  blame  the  Na- 
tions, nor  think  it  was  done  by  the  approbation  of  the 
Chiefs ;  for  the  Six  Nations  have  strictly  forbidden  any  of 
their  young  men  or  tributaries  to  molest  any  people  on  their 
waters ;  but  if  they  are  determined  to  go  to  war,  let  them  go 
to  Canada,  and  fight  there." — A  String. 

Kiashuta  then  addressed  himself  to  Captain  Pipe,  a 
Delaware  Chief,  desiring  him  to  inform  his  Nation  of  what 
he  had  heard,  and  to  request  them  to  be  strong,  and  join 
with  the  other  Nations  in  keeping  peace  in  his  country. — 
A  String. 


37 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


He  also  recommended  to  the  Shade,  a  Shawnees  Chief, 
to  do  the  same.  He  then  desired  the  foregoing  speech 
might  be  distributed  through  the  country,  to  quiet  the  minds 
of  the  people,  and  convince  them  that  the  Six  Nations  and 
their  adherents  did  not  desire  to  live  at  variance  with  them. 

To  which  Captain  Nevill  returned  the  following  answer: 
"  BROTHER  KIASHUTA  :  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for 
your  good  speech  on  the  present  occasion.  You  may  de- 
pend we  shall  not  attempt  to  march  an  army  through  your 
country,  without  first  acquainting  you  with  it,  unless  we 
hear  of  a  British  army  corning  this  course ;  in  such  case, 
we  must  make  all  possible  speed  to  inarch  and  endeavour 
to  stop  them." 

To  which  Kiashuta  replied,  there  was  not  the  least  dan- 
ger of  that,  as  they  should  make  it  their  business  to  prevent 
either  an  English  or  an  American  army  from  passing  through 
their  country. 


SAMUEL  TUCKER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  8,  1776.] 

Trenton,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  5th  was  delivered  me  this  mo- 
ment, and  shall  lay  the  enclosed  before  our  Convention  this 
afternoon.  The  resolution  respecting  the  officers  and  sol- 
diers prisoners  in  this  Colony  has  relieved  me  from  any  more 
anxious  thoughts  on  account  of  these  gentry. 

The  enclosed  will  inform  you  of  particulars.  I  hope 
Congress  will  attend  particularly  to  the  Flying-Camp  and 
establishing  a  magazine  of  powder,  &.C.,  in  the  eastern  part 
of  this  Colony.  Our  Convention  removed  yesterday  morning 
from  Burlington  to  this  place,  in  order  to  be  more  in  the 
way  of  intelligence  and  out  of  the  way  of  the  officers  pri- 
soners, &c. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  most  obedient  humble  ser- 
vant, SAMUEL  TUCKER. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock. 

In  Provincial  Congress,  New  Jersey, ) 
Trenton,  July  6,  1776.         $ 

SIR  :  As  the  eastern  part  of  our  Colony  is  now  unhappily 
exposed  to  the  ravages  of  the  enemy,  a  large  army  being  in 
possession  of  Staten-Island,  which  is  divided  from  us  by  a 
narrow  river  only,  we  must  beg  the  attention  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  to  our  present  situation. 

Although  in  this  Congress  we  repose  the  utmost  confi- 
dence in  your  wisdom  and  care,  and  doubt  not  you  will 
provide  fully  for  the  defence  of  every  part  of  the  Continent, 
yet  we  are  sorry  to  find  that  the  people  are  alarmed  and 
uneasy.  Their  being  sent  to  New-York  in  such  numbers, 
and  the  Flying-Camp  being  so  slow  in  taking  their  place, 
is  one  cause  of  dissatisfaction ;  but,  above  all,  the  people 
wish  to  see  a  sufficient  supply  of  ammunition.  We  hope 
that  General  Mercer's  camp  will  be  fully  provided ;  but 
some  visible  source  from  whence  our  Militia  could  depend 
upon  being  furnished  on  occasion,  would  give  great  pleasure. 
The  two  tons  of  powder  lately  received  was  distributed  to 
the  counties  from  Burlington  eastward,  on  account  of  their 
vicinity  to  New-York,  and  some  of  them  were  wholly  des- 
titute. It  is  said  to  be  insufficient  under  the  present  circum- 
stances, of  which  we  hope  you  will  take  notice  and  take 
care  for  a  sufficient  quantity  there.  Of  the  western  Coun- 
ties, Salem  and  Cumberland  are  still  unprovided  with  am- 
munition ;  and  as,  in  the  present  season,  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  that  all  the  Militia  should  have  some  small  supply, 
we  request  that  Congress  would  grant  us  half  a  ton  of  pow- 
der, on  account  of  the  Colony,  for  the  use  of  those  two 
counties. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  humble  servants. 

By  order  of  Congress : 

SAMUEL  TUCKER,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  Colonel  Brearley  is  just  now  arrived  from  Allen- 
town,  which  is  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Monmouth  in- 
surgents. He  supposes  that  not  more  than  one  hundred 
have  been  over  together;  they  had  confederated  under  oath, 
at  least  part  of  them ;  about  thirty  are  flying  on  board  the 
enemy's  fleet,  our  Militia  in  pursuit,  and  numbers  of  the 
lesser  offenders  coming  back  to  their  duty,  upon  encourage- 
ment we  have  thought  proper  to  give  to  such  as  shall  appear 
to  have  been  deluded.  The  leaders,  if  they  can  be  appre- 


hended, will  be  punished ;  if  they  escape,  some  of  them 
have  left  estates.  The  Colonel  at  Shrewsbury  has  offered 
to  resign,  making  great  complaints  of  the  backwardness, 
"  to  say  no  worse,"  as  he  expresses  himself,  of  his  people ; 
"  so  few  of  whom,"  he  tells  us,  "  are  ready  to  turn  out 
(hiding  themselves  and  deserting  their  homes)  whenever  he 
marches  to  defend  the  shores,"  that  he  is  discouraged.  As 
we  hope  the  Rifle  battalion  will  have  little  remaining  to 
detain  them  in  the  upper  end  of  the  County,  we  have  ven- 
tured to  encourage  him  with  the  expectation  of  their  assist- 
ing him  at  the  lower  end.  The  Freehold  and  Middletown 
people,  who  form  one  large  battalion,  are,  we  believe,  very 
hearty,  and  will  assist  as  much  as  possible,  both  at  Shrews- 
bury and  the  neighbourhood  of  Sandy-Hook. 

GENERAL  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  6,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  This  moment  an 
express  arrived  from  Major  Duyckinck,  a  copy  of  whose 
letter  I  enclose,  to  save  time.  I  should  be  glad  of  some 
immediate  directions  what  to  do  with  the  prisoners,  as  in  the 
mean  time  I  am  obliged  to  keep  them  under  guard.  I  am 
acquainted  with  but  one  of  them,  John  Smyth,  Esq.,  who 
is  a  man  of  so  great  integrity  that  I  think  great  faith  may 
be  given  to  his  word.  If  they  are  to  remain  in  this  Pro- 
vince, I  know  of  nothing  that  can  be  done  with  them  so 
conveniently  as  to  forward  them  on  to  the  Convention,  who 
can  provide  for  their  safe-keeping.  The  internal  Counties 
are  now  so  destitute  of  men  that  I  should  think  it  dangerous 
to  trust  these  prisoners  there ;  nor  do  I  know  in  whom  in 
those  parts  to  put  sufficient  confidence  to  intrust  their  safe- 
keeping. 

I  am  under  the  greatest  difficulty  with  regard  to  ammu- 
nition. The  whole  back  militia  being  unpiovided  with 
ammunition,  I  am  prevented  from  sending  such  detachments 
to  particular  places  as  I  think  necessary,  for  want  of  powder 
and  ball. 

Since  writing  the  above,  Captain  Kennedy  and  Mr.  Cuy- 
ler  are  sent  in  prisoners  from  Newark. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  humble 
servant,  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  .  In  consequence  of  Major  Duyckinck's  letter,  I 
have  detached  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  him  from  the 
Hunterdon  and  Morris  Militia. 


MAJOR  DUYCKINCK  TO  GENERAL  LIVINGSTON. 

Head-Quarters,  Perth  Amboy,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  In  pursuance  of  an  order  received  last  night  from 
General  Heard,  have  taken  into  custody  the  following  per- 
sons :  John  Smyth,  Esq.,  Philip  Kearney,  Michael  Kear- 
ney, William  Hick,  Thomas  Skinner,  Dr.  John  Lawrence, 
Captain  Turnbull,  Johnstone  Fairholme,  and  Luac  Bunnel, 
whom  I  now  convey  to  you. 

We  last  night  received  intelligence  per  General  Heard, 
about  twelve  o'clock,  that  he  had,  by  two  different  persons 
who  made  their  escape  from  the  Island,  received  such  strong 
assurances  that  we  were  last  night  to  be  attacked  by  a  strong 
body,  that  he  ordered  us  immediately  to  leave  the  town,  and 
repair  to  some  proper  ground  out  of  town ;  which  we  ac- 
cordingly did,  and  am  sorry  to  say  with  much  precipitation, 
as  the  troops  were  greatly  alarmed  by  the  sudden  and  un- 
expected orders.  We  kept  a  good  look-out  for  the  remain- 
der of  the  night,  and  this  morning  early  returned  again  to 
town. 

The  enemy  appear  much  in  the  same  situation  as  men- 
tioned in  my  last,  only  the  plain  appearance  of  artillery, 
which  they  have  mounted  opposite  the  town. 

We  can't  help  thinking  our  situation  precarious  with  the 
few  troops  here,  and  could  wish  a  reinforcement  as  soon  as 
may  be  convenient. 

In  haste,  remain  your  humble  servant, 

JOHN  DUYCKINCK. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  LIVINGSTON. 

Head-Cluarters,  New-York,  July  6,  1776, ) 
Five  o'clock,  P.  M.         ) 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  this  date,  enclosing  Major  Duyck- 
inck's  letter,  was  this  moment  received.     The  known  dis- 


39 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


affection  of  the  people  of  Amboy,  and  the  treachery  of  those 
of  Statt:n-Llund,  who,  after  the  fairest  professions,  have 
shown  themselves  our  inveterate  enemies,  induced  me  to 
give  directions  that  all  persons  of  known  enmity  or  doubtful 
character  should  be  removed  from  places  where  they  might 
enter  into  a  correspondence  with  the  enemy  and  aid  them 
in  their  schemes.  To  this  end,  General  Heard  had  direc- 
tions to  apprehend  such  persons  as,  from  their  conduct,  had 
shown  themselves  inimical,  or  whose  situations,  connexions, 
or  offices,  give  just  cause  of  suspicion.  I  have  no  know- 
ledge of  the  persons  apprehended,  but  suppose  General 
Heard  had  good  reason  for  taking  hold  of  them ;  however, 
if  there  are  any  who,  from  your  personal  knowledge  and 
opinion,  you  think  may  lie  permitted  to  return,  I  have  no 
objection,  and  sending  the  others  to  Provincial  Congress  for 
their  disposal ;  but  as  to  the  former,  I  would  suggest  to  you 
that  my  tenderness  has  been  often  abused,  and  I  have  had 
reason  to  repent  die  indulgence  shown  them.  I  would  show 
them  all  possible  humanity  and  kindness  consistent  with  our 
own  safety  ;  but  matters  are  now  too  far  advanced  to  sacri- 
fice anything  to  punctilios. 

I  have  given  direction  to  fonvard  you  a  supply  of  ammu- 
nition, hut  must  beg  you  to  inculcate  the  utmost  frugality 
and  care  of  it,  as  we  have  no  superfluity.  This  supply 
consists  of  cartridges,  some  loose  powder,  and  lead.  If  you 
have  any  occasion  for  ammunition  for  field-pieces  which  the 
latter  will  not  supply,  I  will  endeavour  to  assist  you ;  but  I 
would  wish  you  to  make  no  more  draughts  than  are  abso- 
lutely necessary. 

General  Mercer  has  just  set  off  for  Jersey.  In  his  expe- 
rience and  judgment  you  may  repose  great  confidence.  He 
will  proceed  to  Amboy  after  conferring  with  you. 

You  will  please  to  keep  me  constantly  informed  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  enemy ;  and  be  assured  of  every  assist- 
ance and  attention  from,  sir,  your  most,  &c., 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
Brig.  General  Livingston,  Elizabethtown,  New-Jersey. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  SILLIMAN. 

New-York,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  Governour  Trumbutt  having  informed  me,  in  a  letter 
of  the  3d  instant,  that  he  had  ordered  three  regiments  of  the 
Militia  Lighthorse  to  march  to  the  defence  of  this  place, 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Seymour,  lest 
the  other  troops  from  your  Colony  should  not  arrive  in  time 
for  succour,  and  at  the  same  time  requesting,  if  their  service 
is  unnecessary,  or  can  be  dispensed  with,  that  I  would  sig- 
nify it  to  you,  I  must  take  this  opportunity  to  acquaint  you 
that  the  intelligence  we  have  received  from  three  or  four 
prisoners  that  have  fallen  into  our  hands  within  a  few  days 
past,  leads  me  to  conclude,  that  no  force  that  can  be  col- 
lected will  he  too  great  to  ward  off  the  blow  that  our  ene- 
mies mean  to  strike  in  a  little  time.  The  prisoners  say 
that  General  Howe  has  already  ten  thousand  men  here, 
being  joined  by  some  regiments  from  the  West-Indies,  and 
part  of  the  Highland  troops  in  his  passage,  and  that  he  is 
in  daily  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  Admiral  Howe  with 
a  large  fleet  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  sail,  with  troops  on 
board;  that  before  he  left  Halifax,  a  packet  had  arrived 
there,  giving  intelligence  that  he  would  be  met  here  by  this 
fleet  in  a  very  little  time,  and  that  the  expectation  of  them 
is  the  only  reason  why  the  enemy  have  not  begun  their 
operations. 

From  these  accounts,  you  will  readily  conceive  the  neces- 
sity of  our  most  vigorous  and  spirited  exertions,  and  that 
there  is  occasion  here  for  all  the  men  that  can  be  possibly 
got.  But  what  to  do  with  the  horses  of  this  regiment  I  am 
at  a  loss  to  determine :  it  will  be  impossible  to  support  them ; 
and  if  it  could  be  done,  the  expense  would  be  enormous. 
1  cannot  think  myself  at  liberty  to  consent  to  the  horses 
earning ;  at  the  same  time,  I  must  request  your  exertions  to 
prevail  on  the  men.  They  may  have  it  in  their  power  to 
dismiss  their  horses,  perhaps  after  bringing  them  almost  here. 
The  exigency  of  our  affairs  calls  aloud  for  their  assistance, 
and  more  especially  as  there  is  almost  a  moral  certainty  that 
the  battalions  which  are  intended  for  this  place  will  be  some 
time  before  they  all  arrive,  and  when  they  do,  will  not  be 
more  than  half  complete. 

Recommending  to  your  and  their  notice  what  I  have  said, 
and  the  alarming  consequences  that  may  result  from  not 


having  sufficient  and  timely  succours  to  repel  the  enemy, 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Colonel  Gold  Selleck  Silliman,  Fairfield. 

JOHN  JAY  TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  memorial  was  yesterday  given  me  by 
Mr.  Bill,  with  a  request  that  I  would  transmit  it  to  Con- 
gress. He  appears  much  hurt  in  being  omitted  in  the 
arrangements  of  officers  intended  for  the  regiment  lately 
ordered  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony ;  and  I  sincerely  wish 
he  had  less  reason  to  think  himself  neglected.  He  is  a  fine, 
spirited  young  gentleman,  of  one  or  two  and  twenty,  of  an 
ancient  and  once  opulent  family  in  this  Colony.  His  con- 
nexions are  extensive  in  the  County,  and  he  seems  to 
possess  that  generous  kind  of  ambition  so  essential  to  the 
character  of  a  good  officer.  What  renders  his  case  the 
more  unfortunate  is,  that  he  is  almost  the  only  one  of  his 
family  who  has  discovered  any  great  degree  of  ardour  in  the 
American  cause.  His  promotion  would  have  contributed 
as  much  to  increase  their  zeal  as  his  being  laid  aside  may 
tend  to  diminish  it.  Nor  is  this  the  only  instance  in  which 
that  arrangement  has  given  disgust:  among  others,  Mr. 
Cortlandt,  whose  family  is  not  only  very  numerous,  but  also 
respectable  and  wealthy,  entered  the  service  last  year  as 
Lieutenant-Colonel ;  he  has  done  the  like  this  year.  Mr. 
Dubois  entered  the  service  last  year  as  a  Captain,  and  this 
year  Captain  Dubois  is  made  to  command  Lieutenant-Co- 
lonel Cortlandt.  Appointments  like  these  pay  ill  compli- 
ments to  those  who  are  thus  (as  they  think  unjustly)  super- 
seded, and  therefore  have  an  unhappy  tendency  to  drive 
them  into  a  sullen  indifference  about  Congressional  mea- 
sures. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  the  Congress's  and  your 
most  obedient  servant,  JOHN  JAY 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

JOHN  JAY  TO  EDWARD  RUTLEDGE. 

New-York,  July  6,  1776. 

DEAR  RUTLEDGE  :  Your  friendly  letter  found  me  so  en- 
gaged by  plots,  conspiracies,  and  chimeras  dire,  that,  though 
I  thanked  you  for  it  in  my  heart,  I  had  not  time  to  tell  you 
so,  either  in  person  or  by  letter.  Your  ideas  of  men  and 
things  (to  speak  mathematically)  run,  for  the  most  part,  pa- 
rallel with  my  own  ;  and  I  wish  Governour  Tryon  and  the 
devil  had  not  prevented  my  joining  you  on  the  occasion  you 
mentioned.  How  long  I  may  be  detained  here  is  uncertain ; 
but  I  see  little  prospect  of  returning  to  you  for  a  month  or 
two  yet  to  come.  We  have  a  Government,  you  know,  to 
form ;  and  God  only  knows  what  it  will  resemble.  Our 
politicians,  like  some  guests  at  a  feast,  are  perplexed  and 
undetermined  which  dish  to  prefer.  Our  affairs  in  Canada 
have  lately  become  much  the  subject  of  animadversion  ;  and 
the  miscarriages  in  that  country  are,  with  little  reserve,  im- 
puted to  the  inattention  of  the  Congress.  Indeed,  there  is 
reason  to  believe  that  certain  military  gentlemen  who  reaped 
no  laurels  there,  are  among  the  patrons  of  that  doctrine.  It 
is  to  me  amazing  that  a  strict  inquiry  has  not  been  made 
into  the  behaviour  of  those  under  whose  direction  we  have 
met  with  nothing  but  repeated  losses  in  that  country.  Nor 
is  the  publick  silent  with  respect  to  the  inactivity  of  the  fleet ; 
and  reports  have  gone  abroad  that  the  Admiral  has  refused 
to  comply  with  the  orders  of  Congress  relative  to  the  can- 
non taken  at  Providence.  I'll  tell  you  a  pretty  story  of 
Wooster.  While  he  was  smoking  his  pipe  in  the  suburbs 
of  Quebeclc,  he  took  it  into  his  head  that  he  might  do  won- 
ders with  a  fire-ship  ;  and,  with  an  imagination  warmed  by 
the  blaze  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  sent  for  a  New-York  cap- 
tain, who,  it  seems,  understood  the  business  of  fire-ship  build- 
ing. Under  the  strongest  injunctions  of  secrecy,  he  com- 
municated to  him  the  important  plan,  and  ordered  him  to 
get  the  ship  in  readiness  with  all  the  despatch  and  privacy 
in  his  power,  wisely  observing,  that  if  the  enemy  should  get 
any  intelligence  of  his  design,  they  would  carry  their  vessels 
out  of  the  way  of  his  fire-ship.  The  captain  accordingly 
set  about  preparing  the  materials,  &.c.,  necessary  for  the  ex- 
ploit which  was  to  heroize  his  General.  Some  short  time 
after,  Wooster  was  informed  that  the  time  for  which  the 


41 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


"York  troops  were  inlisted  would  expire  in  a  day  or  two. 
He  issued  orders  for  them  to  parade  at  a  certain  time  and 
place,  and  informed  them  that  he  would  then  and  there  make 
a  speech  to  them,  and  a  Ciccronean  speech  it  was. 

"  My  lads,"  says  he,  "  I  lind  your  time  is  almost  out,  and 
may  be  some  of  you  think  on  going ;  but  surely  you  won't 
leave  me  now;  you  must  try  and  stay  a  little  longer  Don't 
think  that  I  am  laying  here  doing  nothing.  No,  no ;  you 
shall  see  a  fine  sight  soon.  I  am  busy  building  a  fire-ship ; 
and  as  soon  as  she  is  ready,  we'll  burn  all  their  vessels  up." 
Cetera  desunt. 

The  York  troops,  allured  by  the  promise  of  a.  feu  dejoie, 
staid,  and  were  disappointed.  Some  renegade  Frenchmen 
remembered  the  speech,  and  told  it  as  a  secret  to  Governour 
Carkton.  The  vessels  were  put  out  of  harm's  way,  and  the 
Connecticut  Alexander  lost  his  passage  in  a  fire-ship  to  the 
tern  pie  of  fame. 

My  compliments  to  Messrs.  Braxton,  Lynch,  and  such 
others  as  I  esteem,  of  which  number  rank  yourself,  my  dear 
Ned,  among  the  first. 

Believe  me  to  be  sincerely  yours,  JOHN  JAY. 


COLONEL  WEISSENFELS  TO  LORD   STIRLING. 

July  6,  1776. 

MY  LORD  :  Captain  Hutchins  has  refused  to  assist  me  in 
quelling  the  mutiny  in  his  company.  I  have  frequently  ad- 
vised him  not  to  put  himself  on  the  level  with  his  men  ;  but 
he  continues  to  do  so,  which  is  the  cause  of  his  not  exer- 
cising authority  in  a  becoming  manner.  He  is  guilty  of 
many  things  which  I  wish  to  waive,  and  hope  he  will  behave 
in  a  respectful  manner  to  your  Lordship,  so  as  to  entitle  him 
to  your  favour. 

With  great  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

FREDERICK  WEISSENFELS. 


New- York,  July  6,  1776. 

Captain  Maston,  late  of  the  snow  Dickinson,  belonging 
to  Philadelphia,  arrived  there  the  2d  instant,  from  Bristol, 
but  last  from  the  West-Indies.  He  sailed  from  that  place 
last  February,  bound  for  Nantz ;  but  the  mate,  assisted  by 
the  crew,  seized  and  confined  the  Captain  on  the  coast  of 
Portugal,  and  then  altered  their  course  for  London.  The 
southerly  winds  driving  them  into  Bristol  Channel,  they 
arrived  at  Bristol,  the  8th  of  April,  when  the  mate  pro- 
posed to  set  off  immediately  for  London,  with  all  the  letters 
and  papers  on  board,  for  the  inspection  of  Government. 
The  vessel  was  detained  at  Bristol,  till  the  determination  of 
Government  concerning  her  should  be  known. 

A  large  number  of  Tories  in  Monmouth  County,  New- 
Jersey,  having  taken  up  arms  on  purpose  to  assist  the 
Ministerial  Army  on  their  arrival  in  that  Province,  have  en- 
camped in  a  cedar  swamp  near  that  place.  A  detachment 
of  Colonel  Miles's  battalion  are  ordered  to  disperse  and 
disarm  them. 

Yesterday  afternoon  arrived  the  first  division  of  the  Con- 
necticut forces,  commanded  by  the  Honourable  Brigadier- 
Generals  Waterbury  and  Wadsworth,  and  this  day  the  re- 
mainder are  expected  to  arrive,  being  in  the  whole  five  thou- 
sand, well  equipped  and  disciplined. 

The  fleet  from  Halifax  arrived  at  Sandy-Hook  on  Satur- 
day, June  29,  to  the  amount  of  one  hundred  and  thirteen 
sail.  It  is  difficult,  from  their  situation,  to  ascertain  their 
number ;  but  we  suppose  it  does  not  exceed  one  hundred  and 
thirty  sail.  Monday  it  came  up  into  Tabes's  Bay,  below 
the  Narrows ;  Tuesday,  several  ships  came  to  at  the  Water- 
ing Place ;  Wednesday,  more  followed ;  and  by  Thursday 
noon,  the  whole  fleet  was  at  anchor  in  a  line  from  Kill  Van 
Kull  to  Simonson's  Ferry,  on  the  east  side  of  Staten-lsland. 
The  Asia  brought  up  the  rear  of  the  fleet,  and  in  the  Nar- 
rows was  fired  at  from  a  small  battery  on  Long-Island,  which 
compliment  was  returned  by  about  forty  24-pounders,  one  of 
which  lodged  in  the  wall  of  the  house  of  Mr.  Bennet,  but 
did  no  hurt  to  the  family;  and  three  shot  had  near  done  much 
mischief  to  the  house  and  family  of  Mr.  Denysc  Denyse,  one 
of  them  narrowly  missing  the  kitchen,  wherein  was  a  num- 
ber of  the  family;  a  second  struck  the  barn,  and  the  third 
destroyed  much  of  the  fence  of  the  garden  opposite  the  front 
door  of  the  mansion-house. 

Part  of  the  army  is  now  encamped  on  Staten-lsland,  and 
\vc  have  not  the  least  reason  to  doubt,  will  endeavour  to  secure 


the  north  side  thereof  by  intrenchments,  whilst  the  shipping 
protects  the  other  parts  of  it. 

As  soon  as  the  troops  landed,  they  paraded  the  north 
shore,  and  on  Wednesday  morning  made  their  appearance 
near  Elizabethtoun  Point;  but  the  country  being  soon 
alarmed,  they  retreated,  took  up  the  floor  of  the  drawbridge 
in  the  Salt  Meadows,  and  immediately  threw  up  some  works. 

Their  near  approach  to  Elizabethtown  Point  greatly 
alarmed  the  inhabitants  of  Essex  County,  and  particularly 
the  people  of  Elizabclhtoum  and  Newark ;  but  they  are  now 
in  a  condition  to  receive  them  whenever  they  may  think 
proper  to  approach. 

Two  young  men  from  Elizabethtown  crossed  the  river  in 
a  canoe  last  Thursday,  and  fired  upon  the  Regulars ;  but  a 
number  of  them  rushed  out  of  the  woods,  and  they  were 
obliged  to  retreat  and  cross  the  river  again. 

We  hear  two  men-of-war  now  lie  near  Amboy,  in  order, 
it  is  supposed,  to  stop  all  navigation  that  way. 

Yesterday,  seven  seamen,  belonging  to  the  Killingsworth 
transport,  of  seven  hundred  tons,  was  brought  to  town  from 
Long-Island,  having  deserted  the  ship  the  night  before. 
They  say  the  number  of  soldiers  with  the  fleet  is  about  eight 
thousand  five  hundred,  who  are  all  encamped  ;  and  that 
many  of  the  seamen  intended  to  desert  the  fleet  when  an 
opportunity  presented. 

Last  Wednesday  night,  the  Captain  of  a  transport,  and 
four  of  his  men,  were  taken  at  the  Narrows,  and  brought  to 
town.  They  were  looking  for  a  boat  that  had  gone  adrift ; 
and  going  too  near  the  shore,  were  taken  by  the  riflemen. 


H.  GLEN  TO  COLONEL  DAYTON. 

Schenectady,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  Captains  Lansing  and  Wolcott  you  will  receive 
a  quantity  of  stores  for  engineers,  directed  to  Mr.  Hubbell, 
and  the  ordnance,  under  the  care  of  a  party  of  the  train. 

I  have  yesterday  sent  off  sixty  barrels  of  pork  in  fifteen 
wagons,  as  I  am  apprehensive  you  will  want  it  sooner  than 
1  will  be  able  to  send  it  by  boats.  I  am  as  yet  scant  of 
them,  hoping  it  may  be  with  you  sooner  than  this  can.  I 
have  given  the  Captains  of  the  batteau-men  directions  to 
follow  your  further  orders,  and  to  be  punctual  in  obeying 
them  as  such.  You  will  please  send  them  back  here,  or  as 
many  as  you  can  spare,  as  here  is  a  quantity  of  provisions 
more  to  go  up.  I  have  written  to  Major  Fonda  to  send  six 
batteau  loads  of  flour  to  you,  as  I  had  no  more  boats  here 
to  forward.  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  pj  GLEN. 

To  Colonel  Dayton,  commanding  German  Flats. 

H.  GLEN  TO  MAJOR  FONDA. 

Schenectady,  July  6,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  As  I  have  no  more  batteaus  here  at  present 
than  are  wanted  to  forward  the  stores  I  was  to  send  first,  and 
am  confident  Colonel  Dayton  will  want  flour,  I  must  beg 
you  will  forward  to  him  six  batteau  loads,  or  as  many  bat- 
taus  as  you  can,  should  you  not  have  six.  Let  the  men  that 
go  up  be  engaged  to  go  as  far  as  Stanwix,  should  Colonel 
Dayton  want  them  that  far.  I  shall  pay  you  for  all  ex- 
penses for  boats,  hire,  and  men,  that  may  accrue.  General 
Schuyler  expected  that  I  would  have  been  able  to  have  empty 
boats  from  here  for  flour,  but  I  have  scarcely  enough  for 
what  was  intended  first  to  be  sent.  Let  me  hear  from  you 
if  you  can  send  the  boats,  as  by  your  silence  I  shall  expect 
you  sent  them.  I  am,  dear  sir,  yours,  &cc.,  jj  GLEN. 

To  Major  Fonda,  Caughnawaga. 

GOVERNOUR  TRUMB0LL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  11,  1776.] 

Lebanon,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  letters,  enclosing  the  resolves  of  Congress  of 
the  17th,  19th,  24th,  and  25th  of  June  last,  have  been  duly 
received  since  the  recess  of  the  General  Assembly. 

The  ancient  laws  of  this  Colony  enable  the  Colonels  of 
the  respective  regiments  of  Militia  to  call  out  their  regiments 
upon  any  alarm,  invasion,  or  appearance  of  an  enemy,  by 
sea  or  land,  giving  notice  to  the  Captain,  General,  or  Com- 
mander-in-Chief  for  the  time  being,  of  the  occasion  thereof. 
This  with  a  general  order  to  the  Colonels  of  the  Militia 


43 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


44 


regiments  to  call  out  their  regiments  upon  notice  of  any 
invasion  by  sea  or  land  from  General  Washington,  or  the 
Commander-in-Chief  for  the  time  being,  and  to  march  to 
his  assistance,  may  supersede  the  necessity  of  any  new  regu- 
lation in  respect  to  the  Militia :  at  least  until  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Assembly.  It  is  very  inconvenient  for  them  to  come 
together  at  this  busy  season. 

The  resolve  of  the  19th  of  June,  providing  for  clothing 
the  troops  in  future,  will  be  carefully  attended  to,  and  timely 
intelligence  given  of  the  quantities  that  may  be  obtained. 

There  has  been  nothing  done  towards  inlisting  the  Mohe- 
gan  Indians  into  Continental  service ;  and,  in  obedience  to 
the  resolve  of  Congress,  of  the  24th  of  June,  that  measure 
will  be  laid  aside  entirely. 

An  act  passed  the  General  Assembly  in  December  last,  for 
restraining  and  punishing  persons  inimical  to  the  liberties  of 
this  and  the  rest  of  the  United  Colonies,  in  which  the  trea- 
sons mentioned  in  the  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  24th  of 
June,  are  provided  against ;  the  real  estate  of  persons  that 
have  or  shall  fly  to,  and  put  themselves  under  the  protection 
of,  the  British  fleet  or  army,  are  made  liable  to  seizure ;  and 
by  another  act  of  the  Assembly  in  June  last,  the  personal 
estates  of  such  refugees  are  ordered  to  be  seized,  sold,  and 
the  avails  paid  into  the  publick  treasury ;  and  several  other 
regulations  are  established  to  prevent  mischief  and  danger 
from  persons  inimical. 

The  laws  of  this  Colony  subject  every  person  who  shall 
counterfeit  or  alter  any  bills  of  publick  credit  current  in  this 
Colony,  to  imprisonment  in  our  prison  in  the  copper  mines 
at  Symsbury,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Superior  Court,  not 
exceeding  the  term  of  ten  years.  The  Continental  bills  have 
been  current  in  this  Colony.  One  person  was  tried  upon  an 
indictment  for  altering  some  of  those  bills  before  the  Supe- 
rior Court  in  March  last,  and,  upon  conviction,  was  sentenced 
to  be  imprisoned  in  Newgate;  since  which,  the  General 
Assembly,  in  May  last,  enacted  that  the  Continental  bills 
should  be  current  in  all  payments  at  the  treasury  of  this 
Colony ;  so  that  they  are  now  placed,  in  every  respect,  on 
an  equal  footing  with  the  bills  of  publick  credit  of  this 
Colony. 

The  battalions  of  Militia  now  are  marching  to  join  the 
Army  at  New-York,  and  in  the  Northern  Department  will 
provide  themselves  with  suitable  clothes ;  camp  equipage  is 
ordered  to  be  provided  for  them  by  the  General  Assembly; 
tents  we  shall  endeavour  to  provide,  but  fear  they  will  be 
procured  with  great  difficulty,  if  at  all. 

I  am,  with  sincerity  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  President  Hancock. 

P.  S.  I  have  sent  orders  to  the  Colonels  of  Militia  to- 
wards New-  York,  to  attend  the  call  and  order  of  General 
Washington,  and  give  him  notice  of  it. 


GOVEENOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  11,  1776.] 

Lebanon,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  the  30th  of  April  ultimo, 
enclosing  the  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  29th  of  April,  re- 
questing that  a  sum  of  hard  money  might  be  collected  and 
sent  to  General  Schuyler ;  which  was  immediately  attended 
to,  and  the  sum  of  eighteen  hundred  pounds  procured  and 
sent  to  the  Paymaster-General  for  the  Northern  Department. 
The  expense  of  transporting  the  same  to  Albany  amounts  to 
the  sum  of  twenty-four  pounds  two  shillings  and  six  pence, 
as  you  will  see  by  an  account  thereof  which  will  be  laid 
before  you  by  the  Delegates  for  this  Colony. 

I  have  drawn  on  you  for  the  money  procured,  and  the 
charges  of  transporting  to  Albany,  in  favour  of  Roger  Sher- 
man and  Samuel  Huntington,  Esqs.,  two  of  our  Delegates  in 
Congress,  which,  I  make  no  doubt,  will  be  duly  honoured. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  President  Hancock. 

The  Thirteen  United  ENGLISH  Colonies  in  AMERICA  to  the 
Colony  of  CONNECTICUT,  Dr. 

1776 — June  19.  To  cash  for  eighteen  hundred  pounds  in 
hard  money  paid  to  the  Paymaster-General  of  the  North- 
ern Department  at  Albany,  ....  £1800  0  0 


To  Captain  John  Chenevard's  bill  for  trans- 
porting the  same  from  Hartford  to  Albany,     £24  2  6 

£1824  2  6 


1776 — July  6.  Errors  excepted. 

JONATHAN  TRUMBULL,  Governour. 

Lebanon,  July  G,  1776. 

SIR  :  Pay  to  Roger  Sherman  and  Samuel  Huntington, 
Esqs.,  the  sum  of  eighteen  hundred  and  twenty-four  pounds 
two  shillings  and  six  pence,  lawful  money,  for  eighteen  hun- 
dred pounds  hard  money  procured  by  the  Colony  of  Con- 
necticut, and  paid  to  the  Paymaster-General  for  the  Northern 
Department  at  Albany,  agreeably  to  a  resolve  of  Congress  of 
the  29th  of  April  ultimo,  and  charges  of  transporting  the 
same  to  Albany,  and  their  receipt  shall  discharge  the  United 
Colonies  from  any  demand  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut  on 
account  for  said  hard  money  supplied  as  aforesaid. 

In  behalf  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  I  am,  sir,  your 
obedient  humble  servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

Philadelphia,  July  12,  A.  D.  1776. 

Received  of  President  Hancock  his  order  of  this  date, 
drawn  on  the  Continental  Treasurers  for  six  thousand  and 
eighty  dollars  and  five-twelfths  of  a  dollar,  on  account  and 
in  full  of  the  within  order. 

SAMUEL  HUNTINGTON,  for  self  and 
ROGER  SHERMAN. 

The  Colony  of  CONNECTICUT,  for  transporting  £  1 800  in 

specie  from  Treasurer's  Office  to  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL, 
Jun.,  Esq.,  in  ALBANY,  to  JOHN  CHENEVARD,  Dr. 
1776. — June  17.  To  two  yards  of  bagging 

cloth,  at  2*.  3d. £046 

To  paid  making  ditto  into  bags,      -     -     -     -  040 

June  19,  paid  Dudley  Case  per  bill,   -     -     -  0     4  10 

To  John  Wright,  per  bill, 012 

June  18.  To  Captain  Titus  Watson,  -    -     -  070 

To  Captain  Whitney, -  054 

To  Mr.  Younglove,    --------  063 

To  Mr.  McKinstry, 023 

June  19.  To  Guy  Sharp, 0  12    3 

To  oats,  Sic.,  twenty  miles  this  side  Albany,  014 
To  dinners,  &tc.,  eight  miles  ditto,  -     -     -     -  065 
To  ferriages,  &tc.,  taking  care  of  wagon,  &.C.,  060 
June  21.  To  Mr.  Vernon's  bill  while  at  Al- 
bany,        381 

To  Mr.  Valken,  dinners,  &c., 086 

June  22.  To  Guy  Sharp's  bill, 099 

To  William  Jackson's  bill, 04  10 

To  Mr.  Younglove, 050 

To  Mr.  Dewey,  stop  in  the  rain,     -     -     -     -  0     0  10 

June  23.  To  Captain  Watson, 097 

To  Mr.  Rockwell, 039 

To  Dudley  Case, 036 

To  John  Chenevard's  time,  eight  days,  at  6*.,  280 

To  ditto  for  his  horse  one  hundred  miles,  at  4*.,  1   13     4 

To  Williajn  Nichols's  time,  seven  days,  at  6s.,  220 

To  ditto  for  his  horse  one  hundred  miles,  at  4s.,  1   13     4 

To  Joseph  Flagg's  time,  seven  days,  at  6s.,    -  220 

To  ditto  for  his  horse  one  hundred  miles,  at  4s.,  1134 

To  Daniel  Olcott's  time,  seven  days,  at  6s.,  -  220 

To  ditto  for  his  horse  one  hundred  miles,  at  4s.,  1   13     4 

£24     2     6 


Errors  Excepted. 


JOHN  CHENEVARD. 


Received,  Albany,  June  19,  A.  D.  1776,  from  the  Trea- 
surer of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  per  hands  of  Captain 
John  Chenevard,  eighteen  hundred  pounds  lawful  money  of 
Connecticut,  in  specie;  forwarded  from  said  Colony  agree- 
able to  desire  from  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  for 
the  use  of  the  Continental  Army  in  Canada;  which  sum  I 
promise  to  apply  to  said  purpose  and  account  accordingly, 
having  signed  duplicate  therefor. 

Received  per  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL,  Jun., 

Northern  Department. 


45 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


46 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  11, 1776.] 

Lebanon,  July  6,  1776.' 

SIR  :  Yesterday  I  received  your  favour  of  the  29th  June, 
ultimo,  with  the  enclosed  copy  of  the  resolve  of  Congress, 
to  which  I  shall  attend,  and  will  send  as  soon  as  can  be 
obtained  an  account  of  the  cannon  left  at  New-London  by 
Commodore  Hopkins,  their  number,  size,  bore,  and  weight ; 
and  also  an  account  of  the  other  cannon  there. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient  hum- 
ble servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 
To  the  Honourable  President  Hancock. 


GOVERNOUR  THUMBULL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  11,  1776.] 

Lebanon,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  letter  of  the  24th  June,  ultimo, 
enclosing  the  resolution  of  Congress  with  respect  toGovern- 
our  Franklin.  He  has  given  his  parole  in  writing.  I  have 
thought  proper  to  assign  Wallingford  to  be  the  place  for  his 
residence. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble 
servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  President  Hancock. 

GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Lebanon,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  this  day  wrote  to  the  Continental  Congress,  "  that 
the  ancient  lasvs  of  this  Colony  enable  the  Colonels  of 
the  Militia  to  call  out  their  respective  regiments  upon  any 
alarm,  invasion,  or  appearance  of  an  enemy,  by  sea  or  land, 
giving  notice  to  the  Captain-General  or  Commander-in- 
Chief  for  the  time  being,  of  the  occasion  thereof.  This,  with 
a  general  order  to  them  to  call  out  their  regiments  upon 
notice  from  General  Washington,  or  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  for  the  time  being,  to  march  to  his  assistance,  may 
supersede  the  necessity  of  any  new  regulation  in  respect  to 
the  Militia,  at  least  until  the  next  Assembly,  as  it  is  very 
inconvenient  for  them  to  come  together  at  this  busy  season." 
By  this  post  general  orders  are  accordingly  given  to  Colonel 
Jonathan  Fitch,  of  New-Haven,  commander  of  the  Second 
regiment  of  Militia ;  to  Ichabod  Lewis,  of  Stratford,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of  the  Fourth,  Colonel  Silliman  being  absent  in 
the  service  at  New-  York ;  to  John  Mead,  of  Greenwich  or 
Horseneck,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Ninth,  Colonel  Webb 
being  with  you  ;  to  Benjamin  Hinman,  of  Woodbury,  Col- 
onel of  the  Thirteenth ;  and  to  Joseph  Plat  CooJce,  of  Dan- 
bury,  Colonel  of  the  Sixteenth.  These  are  the  field  officers 
present  in  the  several  regiments  next  towards  New-  York, 
on  whom  you  may  call  when  needful. 

Our  battalions  are  raising  with  all  possible  diligence,  and 
will  soon  march  to  the  places  of  their  several  destinations. 
Many  have  marched  for  Neiv-York,  and  the  rest  will  soon 
follow.  And  the  three  regiments  of  Lighthorse  mentioned 
in  my  last,  I  hear  are  moving  on  fast. 

An  extraordinary  bounty  is  given  to  the  two  battalions 
raising  for  the  Northern  Department ;  it  will  be  attended  with 
difficulty  to  alter  their  destination.  The  Continental  bat- 
talion destined  to  Boston,  under  Colonel  Ward,  and  the 
other  battalion,  raised  in  May  last,  for  the  defence  of  this 
and  the  neighbouring  Colonies,  it  will  be  hard  to  send  to 
the  northward,  which  hath  lately  been  moved  to  me  from 
Congress ;  this  last  is  probably  now  at  your  camp  at  New- 
York.  Will  it  not  be  best  to  send  in  their  room  a  battalion 
who  have  had  the  small-pox,  and  to  order  Colonel  Ward  to 
Boston,  as  destined  at  first,  instead  of  sending  thither  any 
other  of  our  battalions,  who  have  already  begun  their  march 
for  New-  York  ?  Probably  not  one  in  twenty  of  our  men 
have  ever  had  that  distemper,  when  the  New-  York,  Jersey, 
and  Pennsylvania  men  have  generally  passed  through  it. 

Our  intelligence  from  Crown-Point  is,  that  the  infection 
is  very  great  in  our  retreating  army.  This  distemper  strikes 
a  greater  dread  in  our  men  who  have  not  had  it,  than  the 
British  troops.  Cannot  measures  be  taken  to  cleanse  the 
army,  and,  in  the  mean  time,  keep  the  infected  from  those 
who  are  not?  I  have  provided  two  companies  of  ship  car- 
penters, twenty-five  in  each  company,  who  will  march  next 
week,  and  carry  their  tools  with  them,  to  go  to  that  work  at 
Croim-Point ;  but  few  of  them  have  ever  passed  through 
that  distemper. 


I  hear  from  Captain  Niks,  that  there  are  four  thousand 
head  of  neat  cattle  on  Montauk-Point,  on  Long-Island 
great  part  of  them  good  beef  cattle,  fit  for  slaughter.  We 
have  ordered  the  stock  of  cattle,  sheep,  and  swine,  from 
Fisher's  Island.  Many  of  both  cattle  and  sheep  are  fit  for 
the  use  of  the  Army,  and  ordered  accordingly.  Is  it  not  best 
that  you  procure  those  at  Montauk  likewise,  and  prevent 
their  being  used  to  feed  the  enemy  ? 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

COMMITTEE    ON   PRISONERS. 

r  ,  -„  Hartford,  July  6,  1776. 

Lolony  oj  CONNECTICUT,  tt: 

In  Committee  for  ordering  Prisoners  stationed  in  this  Co- 
lony, it  is 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  no  Prisoner  under  the  care 
of  this  Committee,  not  enlarged  on  parole,  may  go  out  of 
the  Parish  wherein  such  Prisoner  is  stationed,  without  a  per- 
mit in  writing,  under  the  hand  of  one  or  more  of  this  Com- 
mittee, or  the  person  under  whose  care  he  is  or  shall  be 
placed,  and  not  exceed  the  limits  prescribed  in  such  permit, 
on  pain  of  imprisonment. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this 
Committee,  it  will  be  improper  and  unsafe  to  employ  said 
Prisoners  in  making  Firearms,  Gunpowder,  casting  Can- 
non, Cannonball,  or  in  erecting  Fortifications. 

And  it  is  recommended  to  all  the  Towns  in  this  Colony, 
in  which  Prisoners  are  stationed,  to  set  a  watch  to  guard  the 
avenues  into  and  out  of  their  respective  Towns,  said  watch 
to  be  set  at  or  before  nine  of  the  clock  in  the  evening,  and 
to  continue  through  the  night,  for  the  purpose  of  preserving 
peace  and  order  in  such  Towns,  and  for  preventing  the  con- 
veying intelligence  prejudicial  to  the  liberties  of  America. 

Per  order  of  the  Committee  : 

JESSE  ROOT,  Chairman. 

Boston,  July  6,  1776. 

We  learn  from  Halifax,  by  a  person  who  left  that  place 
this  day  three  weeks,  that  the  troops  General  Howe  left 
there  were  supposed  to  be  about  fifteen  hundred,  mostly  Ma- 
rines, and  the  Regiment  of  Lighthorse  (which  lately  were 
wantonly  tutored  in  a  house  of  God  in  this  town)  was  at 
Windsor,  waiting  for  General  Howe  to  get  foothold  at  New- 
York,  when  they  were  to  follow,  and  march  (or  gallop) 
through  this  Continent ;  that  they  were  busily  employed  in 
fortifying  Citadel-Hill  and  other  places,  being  under  appre- 
hension of  an  attack ;  that  Brigadier  Ruggles  and  son  from 
Hardtvick,  William  Tyng,  formerly  High-Sheriff,  John 
Hicks,  and  John  Howe,  Printers,  were  gone  volunteers  with 
General  Howe,  and  a  number  of  others,  which  our  informant 
could  not  recollect. 

We  also  learn  from  Halifax,  that  when  the  New-  York 
Tories  arrived  there,  they  applied  to  General  Howe  for  sub- 
sistence ;  but  were  informed  that,  unless  they  took  up  arms 
in  defence  of  Government,  they  could  have  no  relief;  when 
some  of  them  voluntarily  entered  the  service,  and  others, 
through  necessity,  were  obliged  to ;  and  that  the  fourth  day 
after  their  inlistment,  they,  together  with  the  Boston  Tories, 
were  ordered  to  dig  in  the  Coal  Mines  at  Nova-Scotia,  where 
we  hope  they  may  remain  during  life — a  proper  shelter 
for  all  the  Tories  in  America. 


NEHEMIAH  ESTABROOK  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  ASSEMBLY. 
Province  of  New-Hampshire,  Lebanon,  July  6,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  The  necessitous  and 
alarming  circumstances  the  inhabitants  are  under  in  these 
infant  and  frontier  towns,  since  the  Army  have  retreated 
to  Crown  Point,  out  of  the  Province  of  Canada,  leaving  a 
large  extent  of  our  frontiers  open  to  the  ravages  of  the 
savage  Indians,  being  almost  destitute  of  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion, and  many  of  our  inhabitants  leaving  their  houses  and 
fields  a  prey  to  our  enemies,  we  humbly  trust  your  Honours 
will  compassionate  and  afford  us  such  relief  as  you  in  your 
wisdom  shall  judge  necessary,  from  time  to  time,  especially 
at  this  present  time.  We  would  inform  your  Honours  that 
the  Committees  of  several  of  the  adjacent  towns  met  together 


47 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL,  JUNE,  1776. 


48 


and  agreed  to  raise  three  hundred  men,  to  build  garrisons, 
and  scout  for  our  defence,  as  you  will  see  by  a  copy  of  the 
proceedings  of  said  Committee,  which  I  send  you  here  en- 
closed. But  as  we  are  destitute  of  arms,  ammunition,  and 
money,  we  are  fearful  it  will  in  a  great  measure  prove  abor- 
tive, and  this  only  alternative  left  us:  either  to  make  our 
escape  into  the  lower  towns,  or  fall  a  sacrifice  to  our  enemies. 


We  therefore  pray  your  Honours  would  afford  us  immediate 
relief  in  the  premises,  as  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  us 
all.  And  we  shall,  as  in  duty  bound,  ever  pray. 

In  behalf  of  the  Committee: 

NEHEMIAH  ESTABROOK,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  Assembly  of  the  Province  of  New- 

Hampshire. 


LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL  OP  NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

Wednesday,  June  5,  1776. 

Present :  the  Honourable  Meshech  Weare,  Matthew  Thorn- 
ton, Nathaniel  Folsom,  Ebenezer  Thompson,  Jonathan 
Blanchard,  and  Benjamin  Giks,  Esquires. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  at  nine  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Thursday,  June  6,  1776. 

Present  as  yesterday,  with  the  addition  of  Wyseman  Cla- 
gett,  Esq.;  and  Samuel  Ashley,  Esq.,  who  this  day  first  took 
his  seat  at  the  Board. 

Mr.  Clough  brought  from  the  House  a  Vote  appointing  a 
Committee  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  Board  to  consult 
what  business  is  necessary  immediately  to  be  entered  on ; 
which  was  read  and  concurred ;  and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr. 
Folsom,  and  the  Secretary,  added  by  the  Board. 

Mr.  Cutts  brought  up  a  Vote  for  a  Committee  to  join  a 
Committee,  to  consider  the  Petition  of  Richard  Emms  and 
others,  which  was  concurred,  and  Mr.  Blanchard,  Mr.  Giles, 
and  Mr.  Ashley,  added  by  the  Board. 

Captain  Long  brought  up  a  Vote  for  allowing  Richard 
Emms,  a  prisoner  here,  £20  for  his  subsistence,  and  also  for 
his  liberty  to  take  passage  for  the  West-Indies ;  which  was 
read  and  concurred. 

Also  a  Vote  for  giving  John  Brazee  and  James  Taylor, 
two  prisoners,  leave  to  take  passage  for  the  West-Indies ; 
which  was  read  and  concurred. 

A  Vote  brought  up  for  paying  the  Roll  of  Captain  Eb- 
enezer Dearing,  amounting  to  £99  Is.  7£d.,  which  was 
read  and  concurred. 

Mr.  Clough  brought  up  a  Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of 
Captain  John  Calfe  for  countersigning  money,  amounting 
to  £2  lls.  lid.;  which  was  read  and  concurred. 

A  Vote  paying  two  Rolls  of  Captain  Titus  Suiter's 
Company,  from  the  17th  of  March  to  the  17th  of  May, 
amounting  to  £773  15*.  Id.,  brought  up,  read  and  concur- 
red. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Friday,  June  7,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Colonel  David  Oilman  brought  up  a  Vote  directing 
Quartermaster  Gaines  to  supply  him,  the  said  Colonel  Gil- 
man,  with  Powder  to  blow  the  rocks  out  of  the  fort  building 
at  New- Cattle,  which  was  read  and  concurred. 

Mr.  Clough  brought  up  a  Vote  for  one  John  Griffith,  a 
soldier,  to  receive  wages  out  of  the  Treasury  from  the  time 
he  was  rendered  incapable  of  doing  his  duty  until  the  time 
of  his  discharge,  which  was  read  and  concurred. 

Resolved,  That  Nicholas  Gilman,  Esq.,  Treasurer  and 
Receiver-General  of  this  Colony,  be,  and  hereby  is,  fully 
authorized  and  empowered  to  receive  and  take  in  all  those 
paper  Bills  of  Credit,  emitted  on  the  credit  of  said  Colony, 
bearing  interest,  and  so  pay  such  interest  to  the  time  of  such 
exchange,  and  charge  the  amount  of  said  interest  in  his  ac- 
count with  said  Colony  ;  and  that  said  Treasurer  give  notice 
of  this  order  as  soon  as  may  be.  Sent  down  for  concurrence ; 
which  was  brought  up  concurred. 

A  Vote  was  brought  up  appointing  George  Gains  and 
William  Treferrin  a  Committee  to  procure  and  transport 
Cannon,  Powder,  &c.,  from  Boston ;  which  was  read  and 
concurred. 

^  Vote  for  George.  Gains  to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£400,  to  be  by  him  accounted  for,  brought  up,  read  and 
concurred. 

Vote  for  Samuel  Roby  to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£1  105.  3d.,  for  wages  in  Captain  William  Prescott's  Com- 
pany, being  omitted  in  said  Prescott's  Roll  by  mistake, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 


Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  procure  Gold  and  Silver 
to  send  to  Canada  for  the  use  of  the  Troops,  then  brought 
up,  read  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Thornton  and  Mr.  Folsom 
added  by  the  Board. 

Vote  for  allowing  and  paying  to  John  Hunter  £4  13s., 
for  so  much  Paper  Money  belonging  to  him  casually  de- 
stroyed, brought  up,  read  and  concurred. 

A  Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  examine  into  the  cause 
or  ground  of  a  complaint  exhibited  to  the  Court  by  several 
soldiers  against  Captain  John  Parker,  brought  up,  read  and 
concurred.  Mr.  Folsom  and  Mr.  Blanchard  added. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Saturday,  June  8,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  Vote  to  build  a  Bridge  at  New-Castle,  and  appointing  a 
Committee  to  report  the  most  proper  place  for  erecting  the 
same,  brought  up,  read  and  concurred,  with  this  amend- 
ment, That  Mr.  Ashley  and  Mr.  Giles  be  joined  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  House,  to  repair  to  New- Castle  and  view  all 
the  proposed  places  for  erecting  a  bridge  there,  and  also  the 
old  bridge  there,  and  report  their  opinion  relative  to  the 
whole  matter  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Upon  reading  the  Petition  of  Hugh  Tollant, 
Voted,  That  the  Committee  of  the  Town  ofPelham  be 
directed  forthwith  to  use  their  utmost  endeavours  to  protect 
the  said  Hugh  Tollant  from  the  violence  of  any  or  every 
person,  on  his  body  or  estate,  until  there  can  be  an  oppor- 
tunity for  some  civil  Magistrate  to  take  cognizance  of  his 
complaint.  And  also  whenever  any  process  may  issue  from 
a  civil  authority,  that  they  use  their  endeavours  to  apprehend 
any  persons  accused,  that  there  may  be  an  impartial  inquiry 
and  justice  done ;  and  that  in  this  day  of  publick  calamity 
and  distress,  they  would  assist  their  brethren  in  the  Colony 
to  keep  peace  and  good  order  in  the  same. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  name  persons  to  be  ap- 
pointed Field-Officers  for  the  Continental  Battalion  to  be 
raised  here,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Thorn- 
ton, Mr.  Folsom,  and  the  Secretary,  joined. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  draw  a  plan  for  carrying 
into  execution  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  com- 
plaint against  Captain  John  Parker,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  and  Mr.  Thornton  and  Mr.  Giles  added. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  next,  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Monday,  June  10,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Several  of  the  Members  being  on  Committees,  adjourned 
till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Tuesday,  June  11,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  Vote  appointing  Mr.  Walker,  Mr.  Prescott,  and  Mr. 
Lovewell,  with  such  as  the  Board  should  join,  a  Committee 
to  examine  all  Accounts  laid  in  against  the  Colony,  and 
report  thereon ;  which  was  read,  and  Mr.  Hurd,  Mr.  Joseph 
Gilman,  and  Mr.  John  Taylor  Gilman,  added  by  the  Board 
after  concurrence. 

Vote  for  paying  Dr.  Isaac  Thorn  £3  5s.  \0d.,  for  Medi- 
cines, and  attendance  on  John  Simpson  and  John  Foster, 
soldiers  wounded  in  Bunker-Hill  battle,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred. 

Vote  appointing  Mr.  WalJcer,  Mr.  Patten,  and  Mr.  Smith, 
a  Committee  to  frame  and  present  to  the  House  sundry  Bills, 
brought  up,  read  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr. 
Clagett,  and  Mr.  Giles,  added. 

Vote  for  paying  James  Aiken  60s.  for  a  coat  lost  by  him 
in  the  Bunker-Hill  battle,  brought  up ;  which  was  read  and 
concurred. 


49 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL,  JUNE,  1776. 


Vote  for  paying  Joseph  Greeley  £6  2s.  for  nursing  his 
son  wounded  in  Bunker-Hill  battle,  brought  up,  read  and 
concurred. 

Form  of  a  Commission  for  the  Chief-Justice  of  this  Colo- 
ny, brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

A  Vote  appointing  Samuel  Cutts,  Timothy  Walker,  and 
John  Dudley,  a  Committee,  with  such  as  the  Board  should 
join,  to  make  a  draught  of  a  Declaration  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly for  Independence  of  the  United  Colonies  on  Great  Bri- 
tain, brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  with  this  amendment, 
that  the  Committee  prepare  a  draught,  setting  forth  the  sen- 
timents and  opinions  of  the  Council  and  Assembly  of  this 
Colony  relative  to  the  United  Colonies  forming  themselves 
into  independent  States,  in  order  that,  when  passed,  the  same 
may  be  transmitted  to  our  Delegates  at  the  Continental 
Congress  ;  and  that  Messrs.  Hurd,  Clagett,  and  the  Secre- 
tary, be  added  to  the  Committee. 

Voted,  That  John  Taylor  Oilman  be  joined  to  the  Com- 
mittee for  examining  and  adjusting  Accounts  for  and  against 
this  Colony,  in  the  room  of  Captain  John  Emery,  who  is 
gone  out  of  the  Colony. 

The  President  made  out  an  Order  for  Samuel  Ashley,  Esq., 
to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £3  5*.,  for  thirteen  days'  ser- 
vice in  Committee  of  Safety,  before  the  17th  of  November, 
1775. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Wednesday,  June  12,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  Vote  brought  up,  appointing  James  Hackett  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel and  David  Copp  Major,  of  the  Continenial 
Battalion  to  be  raised  here ;  which  was  read  and  concurred, 
with  this  amendment,  that  James  Hackett,  Esq.,  Thomas 
Task,  Esq.,  and  David  Copp,  Esq.,  be  nominated  to  the 
honourable  Continental  Congress  as  the  persons  recom- 
mended by  this  Colony  to  be  appointed  Colonel  and  Major 
of  the  Continental  Battalion  ordered  to  be  raised  here. 

The  President  made  out  an  Order  in  favour  of  Colonel 
Bartlett  for  £6  5s,,  for  twenty-five  days'  service  in  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  before  the  17th  of  Noventber,  1775. 

A  Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  confer  upon  the  mode 
of  raising  the  Battalion  lately  ordered  to  be  raised  in  this 
State,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred ;  and  Mr.  Folsom, 
Mr.  Blanchard,  Mr.  Ashley,  and  the  Secretary,  added. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Thursday,  June  13,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

A  Vote  for  raising  a  Battalion  in  pursuance  of  a  Resolu- 
tion of  the  Continental  Congress,  brought  up,  read,  and  con- 
curred. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  join  such  as  the  Board  should 
appoint  to  nominate  sixteen  persons,  eight  of  whom  to  have 
orders  to  raise  men  for  the  Continental  Battalion,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred ;  and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Folsom, 
Mr.  Blanchard,  Mr.  Clagett,  Mr.  Giles,  Mr.  Ashley,  and 
the  Secretary,  added  by  the  Board. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Friday,  June  14,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  Board 
to  nominate  Officers  for  a  Regiment  to  be  raised  to  march 
into  Canada,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred;  and  Mr. 
Thornton,  Mr.  Folsom,  Mr.  Blanchard,  and  the  Secretary 
added. 

The  remainder  of  this  day  spent  in  a  Committee  of  both 
Houses. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Saturday,  June  15,  1776. 

Voted,  That  a  Bounty  of  40*.,  lawful  money,  over  and 
above  the  £3  voted  the  12th  of  January  last,  as  a  price  for 
Guns,  be  now  given  for  all  good  new  Firearms  manufactured 
in  this  Colony  and  delivered  within  one  month  from  this 
date ;  30s.  Bounty  for  a  second  month,  commencing  at  the 
expiration  of  the  first  month ;  and  20s.  for  a  third  month, 
being  of  the  size,  dimensions,  and  delivered  agreeable  to  the 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  4 


50 

aforesaid  vote  of  the  12th  of  January  last;  the  said  Bounty 
)  be  paid  as  the  price  is  therein  directed  to  be  paid      Sent 
down  for  concurrence ;  and  was  sent  back  from  the  House 
non -concurred. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  next,  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

XT  »  .-  Monday,  June  17,  1776. 

Jiet  according  to  adjournment. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of  Daniel  Fowlc,  for  Print- 
ing for  the  Colony,  amounting  to  £5  14s.,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  consider  the  expediency  of  lettino- 
the  Town  of  Chesterfield  have  Powder  out  of  the  Publick 
Magazine,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Blanch- 
ard, Mr.  Ashley,  and  Mr.  Giles,  added. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

TM  .  ,.  Tuesday,  June  18,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Vote  for  the  Selectmen  of  Chesterfield  to  have  out  of  the 
publick  store  half  a  barrel  of  Gunpowder,  brought  up.  read, 
and  concurred. 

Vote  for  reconsidering  a  vote  for  raising  two  Battalions 
immediately  in  this  Colony,  passed  the  15th  instant,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  appointing  James  Hackett  Colonel,  Joseph  Senter 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Stephen  Peabody  Major,  of  the 
Regiment  to  be  raised  for  Canada,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  join  such  as  the  Board 
should  appoint,  to  consult  about  a  proper  method  of  sending 
to  General  Schuyler  the  hard  money  requested  by  Congress 
to  be  sent  to  him,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr. 
Thornton,  Mr.  Wentworth,  and  Mr.  Thompson,  added. 

Vote  appointing  John  Drew,  James  Hadlock,  William 
Harper,  Joseph  Dearborn,  James  Shepard,  Augustus 
Blanchard,  Samuel  Weatherbee,  and  Joseph  Parker,  Cap- 
tains to  command  the  eight  Companies  for  the  Canada 
Expedition,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  paying  Jonathan  Dearborn  12s.  for  going  express 
on  publick  business  from  Chester  to  Concord,  brought  up, 
read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  appointing  John  Dudley  and  Pierce  Long  and  John 
Smith  a  Committee  to  join  such  as  the  Board  should  join, 
to  give  out  Inlisting  Orders  to  the  several  persons  appointed 
to  raise  men  in  the  Canada  Regiment,  make  out  their  com- 
missions, and  equip  them  for  their  march,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred.  Mr.  Hurd,  Mr.  Folsom,  and  Mr.  Blanchard, 
added. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Wednesday,  June  19,  1776. 

Vote  appointing  the  following  persons  Muster  and  Pay- 
masters, viz :  Colonel  Walker  for  Captain  Shepard's  Com- 
pany, Colonel  Baker  for  Captain  Drew's  Company,  Cap- 
tain Worthen  for  Captain  Hadlock's  Company,  John  Dud- 
ley, Es(j.,  for  Captain  Dearborn's  Company,  Deacon  Nahum 
Baldwin  for  Captain  Blanchard's  Company,  Mr.  Elijah 
Grant  for  Captain  Weatherbee's  Company,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred. 

Vote  for  Benjamin  Giles,  Esq.,  and  James  Betton,  Esq., 
to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £30  to  pay  their  expenses 
to  Albany,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  the  Colonel  and  other  Officers  of  the  Militia  to 
be  aiding  and  assisting  the  Officers  appointed  to  raise  the 
Regiment  for  Canada,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  to  pay  the  Account,  as  balanced,  of  Major  John 
Bellows,  amounting  to  £19  7s.  Id.,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  appointing  Benjamin  Giles  and  James  Betton,  Esqs., 
a  Committee  to  carry  money  to  General  Schuyler,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Roll  of  Captain  Eliphalet  Daniel, 
amounting  to  £154  12s.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred, 
and  warrant  made  out. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 


51 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL,  JUNE,  1776. 


52 


Thursday,  June  20,  1776. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  consult  about  providing 
Provisions  for  the  Canada  Expedition,  and  several  other 
matters,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred  ;  and  Mr.  Thorn- 
ton, Mr.  Fohom,  and  Mr.  Thompson,  added  by  the  Board. 

Vote  on  the  Complaints  of  several  Committees  against 
Leonard  Whiting,  Benjamin  Whiting,  Samuel  Camming*, 
and  Thomas  CbMMMft  viz :  that  said  Complaints  were  not 
supported,  and  that  said  persons  should  be  acquitted ;  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  to  pay  Benjamin  Giks,  Esq.,  and  others,  a  Com- 
mittee to  view  New-Castk  Bridge,  their  expenses,  being 
£3  13*.  I0d.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  war- 
rant made  out. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  consult  upon  the  expe- 
diency of  sending  Money  to  Canada,  by  persons  employed 
by  Colonel  Langdon,  on  business  for  him,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Fohom,  and  Mr. 
Ashley,  added  by  the  Board. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of  Otis  Baker,  amounting 
to  205.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made 
out. 

Vote  of  the  House  brought  up,  setting  forth  that  Peti- 
tions had  been  preferred  against  Colonel  John  Hale,  and  the 
other  Field-Officers  of  his  Regiment,  praying  they  might 
be  dismissed,  and  that,  after  a  full  hearing,  it  appeared  to 
the  House  that  Colonel  John  Hale  had  exerted  himself  in 
the  cause  of  his  country;  and  no  evidence  appearing  against 
the  other  Field-Officers,  voted,  that  the  Petitions  be  dis- 
missed ;  which  was  read  and  concurred. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Friday,  June  21,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Vote  for  Otis  Baker,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Mustermas- 
ters  appointed  for  the  Canada  Regiment,  each  to  receive 
out  of  the  Treasury  £780,  to  enable  them  to  pay  the  offi- 
cers and  men,  according  to  their  direction,  for  which  they 
are  respectively  to  be  accountable,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred.  Warrants  made  out  for  each. 

Vote  for  Jacob  Willson,  to  be  paid  28s.,  for  boarding  and 
nursing  James  Winn,  a  sick  soldier,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  Benjamin  Giles  and  James  Betton,  Esquires, 
to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £20,  to  be  accounted  for  by 
them,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made 
out. 

Vote  for  the  Field-Officers  and  Staff-Officers  of  the  Canada 
Regiment  to  have  two  months'  wages  advanced  them, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  Samuel  Cutts,  Esq.,  to  receive  out  of  the  Trea- 
sury £600,  to  be  by  him  accounted  for,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  appointing  Daniel  Colburn  Second  Major  in 
Colonel  Thornton's  Regiment,  brought  up,  read,  and  con- 
curred. 

Vote  for  paying  Colonel  Thornton  £3  19s.,  for  sending 
Expresses  on  publick  business,  brought  up,  read,  and  con- 
curred, and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  Colonel  John  Hurd  to  receive  out  of  the  Trea- 
sury £350,  to  make  provision  at  Cohos  for  the  soldiers,  he 
to  be  accountable  therefor,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred, 
and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  Captain  Prentice  to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£116,  to  make  provision  for  the  Troops,  for  which  he  is  to 
be  accountable ;  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant 
made  out. 

Vote  for  Colonel  Hurd  to  receive  300  pounds  of  Gun- 
powder, 750  pounds  of  Bullets,  and  1200  Flints,  for  the 
use  of  the  Army  destined  for  Canada.  'Captain  Prentice 
100  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  250  pounds  of  Bullets,  and  400 
Flints.  Brought  up,  read,  and  concurred ;  with  this  amend- 
ment: that  they  each  receive  half  the  abovementioned 
quantities.  Sent  down  for  concurrence,  and  brought  back 
non-concurred ;  and  then  the  first  vote  concurred  by  the 
Board.  * 


Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of  Nicholas  Nicolle,  amount- 
ing to  £3  Os.  Id.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  war- 
rant made  out. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  consider  of  the  expedi- 
ency of  erecting  a  Bridge  at  New- Castle,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Fohom,  Mr.  Ashley,  and  Mr.  Hurd, 
joined  by  the  Board. 

Vote  appointing  Colonel  Hurd  and  Captain  Prentice  a 
Committee  to  fix  off  the  Canada  Regiment,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  consider  the  Petition  of  Peter 
Neveau,  and  report  thereon,  brought  up,  read,  and  concur 
red,  and  Mr.  Thornton  and  Mr.  Blanchard  added. 

Vote  for  paying  Noah  Emery,  Esq.,  Clerk  of  the  House, 
£4  16s.,  for  his  service  in  March  last,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Saturday,  June  22,  1776. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of  John  Moulton,  Esq., 
amounting  to  £33  Os.  6d.,  for  Blacksmith's  work  for  the 
Cavalry;  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  with  this  amend- 
ment :  that  £25  10s.  be  paid,  instead  of  the  above  sum  ;  and 
sent  back  for  concurrence. 

Vote  for  paying  Major  Thomas  Bartlett  £2  9s.,  for  haul- 
ing Cannon  from  Nottingham  to  Durham,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  to  pay  John  Shirky  £2  8s.,  for  loss  sustained  at 
Bunker-Hill  battle,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
order  made  out. 

Vote  for  paying  Alexander  Shirley  £  12  lls.,  brought  up, 
read,  and  concurred,  and  order  made  out. 

Vote  fixing  the  Rendezvous  of  the  Canada  Regiment  at 
Cohos,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Committee  of  Greenland  £13  6s,, 
for  Pine  Rafts,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  order 
made  out. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  next,  at  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Monday,  June  24,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment,  a  number  of  the  Members, 
but  not  enough  to  make  a  quorum. 

Tuesday,  June  25, 1776. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  examine  the  Account  of  Captain 
John  Moulton,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr. 
Fohom,  Mr.  Ashley,  and  Mr.  Thompson,  joined. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  consult  upon  the  expe- 
diency of  procuring  Boats  for  the  use  of  the  Troops  at  New- 
Castle,  to  be  used  in  case  of  an  alarm,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  and  Mr.  Ashley  and  Mr.  Hurd  added  by  the 
Board. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  consult  upon  the  most  proper 
method  of  procuring  Casks  to  head  up  the  Saltpetre  bought 
by  the  State,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr. 
Clagett  and  Mr.  Thornton  added. 

Vote  brought  up  for  paying  Jonathan  Blanchard,  Esq., 
£1  14s.  for  sending  an  Express  to  Walpole  on  publick 
business,  read  and  concurred,  and  an  order  made  out. 

Vote  for  paying  Ebenezer  Collins  14s.,  Daniel  Murray 
19s.,  William  Simpson  £l  8s.,  Aaron  Quimby  £l  5s.  9d., 
for  Stoppages  on  their  Wages,  unjustly  made  by  Captain 
John  Parker,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  war- 
rant made  out. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Roll  of  Captain  Ebenezer  Dearing, 
amounting  to  £100  14s.  4rf.,  from  the  22d  of  May  last  to 
the  22d  of  June  current,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred, 
and  order  made  out. 

Vote  for  John  Langdon,  Esq.,  to  raise  a  Company  of 
men,  to  consist  of  forty  rank  and  file,  to  be  styled  Light- 
Infantry,  he  to  command  them,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  Deacon  Baldwin  to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£60,  to  pay  for  Guns  for  the  Colony,  he  to  be  accountable 
therefor,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant 
made  out. 


53 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL,  JUNE,  1776. 


54 


Vote  for  paying  the  Roll  of  Captain  Titus  Salter, 
amounting  to  £199  14s.  Id.,  brought  up,  read,  and  con- 
curred, and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  Lydia  McCrellis  to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£6  13*.  6d.,  to  pay  the  Doctor's  Bill  in  the  last  sickness 
of  her  late  husband,  who  was  a  soldier,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  June  26,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment, 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Folsom,  Mr.  Hurd,  and 
Mr.  Thompson,  be  a  Committee  to  examine  the  Account  of 
Captain  Titus  Salter  against  the  Colony,  together  with  such 
as  the  House  shall  join.  Sent  down  for  concurrence. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  consider  and  report  their  opin- 
ion on  the  Petition  of  Joseph  Leigh,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Wentworlh,  and  Mr. 
Ashley,  added  by  the  Board. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  consider  of  the  request  of  Colo- 
nel Hurd  to  have  a  Company  of  Rangers  raised  for  a  guard 
on  Connecticut  River,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Wentworth,  and  Mr.  Folsom,  added. 

Vote  for  Captain  Titus  Salter  to  receive  out  of  the 
Treasury  £89  3s.  9%d.,  in  full  of  his  Account  against  the 
Colony,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made 
out. 

Whereas  one  Mr.  John  Odin,  just  arrived  from  the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  has  presented  to  the  Council  ten  thousand 
Dollars,  sent  by  the  Congress  for  the  use  of  this  Colony: 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Folsom,  and  Mr.  Hurd, 
with  such  as  the  House  shall  join,  be  a  Committee  to  re- 
ceive said  Money,  deliver  it  to  the  Treasurer,  and  take  his 
receipt  therefor.  Sent  down  for  concurrence. 

Vote  to  pay  Joseph  Leigh  £6  3s.,  for  three  months'  ser- 
vice as  a  soldier  in  Captain  Salter's  Company,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  paying  John  Odin  £4  12s.,  for  bringing  Money 
from  Boston  to  Exeter  for  the  Colony,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Thursday,  June  27,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Vote  brought  up  for  a  Committee  to  endeavour  to  ex- 
change a  ton  of  Saltpetre  for  Gunpowder,  read  and  con- 
curred, and  Mr.  Folsom,  Mr.  Ashley,  and  Mr.  Hurd,  added 
by  the  Board. 

Vote  for  paying  Robert  Light  £2  2s.,  for  Axes  for  the 
Colony,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made 
out. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of  Mr.  John  Pickering,  for 
drawing  Bills  for  the  General  Assembly,  amounting  to  £5, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  consider  the  expediency  of 
emitting  a  quantity  of  Bills  for  small  change,  brought  up, 
read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Wentworth  and  Mr.  Hurd 
joined  by  the  Board. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  consider  of  and  report 
what  business  they  think  is  necessary  to  be  done  by  the 
General  Assembly  this  session,  and  what  wages  shall  be 
paid  the  Members  of  both  Houses,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Folsom,  and  Mr.  Thomp- 
son, added. 

Vote  for  allowing  6s.  per  day  to  the  Members  of  the 
Council  and  of  the  House  of  Representatives  for  their  ser- 
vices in  the  General  Assembly ;  also  6s.  per  day  to  the 
Secretary,  and  6s.  per  day  to  the  Clerk  of  the  House,  and 
3s.  per  day  to  the  Assistant  Clerk,  over  and  above  their 
pay  as  Members,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  to  pay  Richard  Champney  £1  4s.,  for  time  and 
expenses  to  Newbiiry  on  publick  business,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  sending  to  Colonel  Samuel  Folsom  £300,  to 
enable  him  to  go  on  with  erecting  a  Powder-Mill,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred. 


Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  consult  the  propriety  of 
inlisting  men  out  of  the  standing  troops  at  New-Castle, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred.  Mr.  Folsom,  Mr.  Went- 
worth, and  Mr.  Hurd,  added. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Friday,  June  28,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

An  Act  entitled  "An  Act  to  remove  any  doubts  that  have 
or  may  arise  concerning  the  legality  of  any  Taxes  granted 
by  the  late  Congress  of  this  Colony,  and  to  enforce  payment 
of  Taxes  for  the  future,"  having  been  read  a  third  time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

An  Act  entitled  "An  Act  to  abolish  the  Court  of  Appeals 
in  this  Colony,  and  to  empower  the  Superior  Court  of  Judi- 
cature to  sustain  and  determine  all  matters  pending  in  said 
Court  of  Appeals,  and  to  prevent  the  absurd  practice  of 
granting  appeals  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain  in  Council 
from  the  judgment  of  any  Courts  in  this  Colony  in  future," 
having  been  read  a  third  time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

A  Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  consult  upon  the  best 
and  most  effectual  method  of  supplying  this  Colony  with 
Firearms,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Thorn- 
ton, Mr.  Folsom,  and  Mr.  Wentworth,  added. 

Vote  of  the  House  for  paying  the  Roll  of  Captain  EK- 
phalet  Daniel,  for  five  Privates  not  mustered,  £10  12*.  1  Irf., 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

A  Vote  of  the  House  appointing  a  large  number  of  Civil 
Officers  in  the  several  Counties,  brought  up,  read,  and  con- 
curred. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of  Nathaniel  Sartel  Prentice, 
amounting  to  £7  2s.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
warrant  made  out. 

Vote  allowing  the  Recruiting  Officers  for  Canada  to  inlist 
men  from  those  stationed  at  Portsmouth  and  J\ew-Castle, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  directing  the  several  Mustermasters  to  muster  all 
the  men  inlisted,  and  make  return  by  next  Wednesday  night, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Saturday,  June  29,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Folsom,  Mr.  Thornton,  and  Mr.  Thomp- 
son, be  a  Committee  to  join  with  such  as  the  House  shall 
appoint,  to  report  their  opinion  on  the  state  of  Colonel  Mo- 
rey's  Account  with  the  Colony,  and  particularly  concerning 
goods  and  stores  in  his  hands,  whether  the  Colony  had 
better  receive  them  or  not ;  and  thereby  determine  the  expe- 
diency of  his  having  an  order  on  the  Treasury  or  not.  Sent 
down  for  concurrence. 

Vote  empowering  the  Mustermasters  assigned  for  par- 
ticular Companies  to  muster  other  Companies,  brought  up, 
read,  and  concurred. 

An  Act  entitled  "  An  Act  for  the  better  regulating  High- 
ways," read  a  third  lime,  and  voted  to  be  enacted. 

Vote  for  Jonathan  Hale,  Esq.,  to  receive  out  of  the 
Treasury  £200,  to  buy  Firearms  for  the  Towns  of  Haver- 
hill  and  Bath,  he  to  give  security  to  replace  the  same, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  Jonathan  Hale,  Esq.,  to  receive  two  barrels  of 
Gunpowder  for  the  use  of  Haverhill  and  Bath ;  which  was 
read  and  concurred,  with  this  amendment,  that  said  Hale 
receive  said  Powder  for  the  use  of  Haverhill,  Bath,  and  the 
Towns  above,  in  this  Colony.  Sent  down  for  concurrence  ; 
brought  up,  concurred,  and  order  made  out. 

Vote  for  the  Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Private  Sol- 
diers who  will  engage  in  the  Canada  Expedition,  to  have 
38s.  bounty  given  them,  in  addition  to  what  has  been  already 
voted,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

The  Council,  taking  into  consideration  the  complaint  of 
Samuel  Penhallow,  Esq.,  that  he  had,  as  a  Civil  Magistrate 
of  this  Colony,  on  a  complaint  made  to  him  in  said  capacity, 
issued  a  warrant  against  a  soldier  in  Colonel  David  Gi/man'i 
Regiment,  for  a  flagrant  breach  of  the  peace,  and  applied  to. 
said  Gilman  for  assistance  to  bring  the  offender  to  justice,. 


55 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL,  JULY,  1776. 


56 


and  that  said  Colonel  Gilman  had  replied,  that  the  soldiers 
under  his  command  were  subject  to  martial  law,  and  were 
not  subject  to  the  Civil  Magistrate  for  any  offence,  or  to  any 
effect: 

Voted,  It  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board  that  said  Colonel 
David  Gilman  is  ignorant  of  the  laws  and  received  rules 
and  regulations  always  practised  in  the  English  Constitu- 
tion ;  and  that  the  military  power  setting  up  an  authority 
uncontrollable  by  the  civil  power,  is  subversive  of  the  laws, 
rights,  and  privileges  of  Englishmen ;  and  what  our  invete- 
rate enemies  never  attempted.  And  that  said  Colonel 
David  Gilman  be  summoned  to  appear  before  the  General 
Assembly  forthwith,  to  answer  for  his  conduct. 

Sent  down  for  concurrence,  and  was  brought  back  con- 
curred. 

A  Vote  for  Richard  Champncy  to  receive  £200,  to  buy 
Arms  for  the  Colony,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
warrant  made  out. 

Samuel  Penhalloiv,  Esq.,  applied  to  the  Board  for  the 
payment  of  a  Note  signed  by  Andrew  McClary  and  Henry 
Dearborn  for  £16  4s.  for  blanketing  for  the  Army,  as  he 
says ;  but  the  matter  being  uncertain,  by  reason  of  Mc- 
Clary's  death  and  Dearborn's  captivity,  it  is  now  left  for 
consideration. 

N.  B.  Mr.  PenhaUow  had  made  application  for  the  same 
last  February. 

Vote  appointing  Richard  Champney  to  go  express  to 
General  Ward,  and  the  General  Court  of  the  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  and  for  him  to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £200, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  next,  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Monday,  July  1,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Vote  appointing  Captain  Worthen,  with  such  other  as 
the  Board  should  appoint,  to  be  a  Committee  to  purchase 
materials  and  erect  a  Bridge  at  New-Castk,  brought  up, 
read,  and  concurred,  and  James  Hackett,  Esq.,  joined  by  the 
Board. 

Vote  for  Colonel  Henry  Gerrish  to  receive  one  hundred 
pounds  Gunpowder  out  of  the  Colony  store,  to  pay  part  of 
six  hundred  pounds  borrowed  of  the  Committee  of  Newbury, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  order  made  out. 

Tuesday,  July  2,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  the  whole  Council  resolve  themselves  into 
a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  House,  on  the  measures 
necessary  to  be  taken  on  the  present  alarming  state  of  our 
affairs  in  Canada,  &ic.  Sent  down  for  concurrence ;  brought 
back  concurred. 

Vote  for  the  Committees  of  Plymouth,  Compton,  and 
Thornton,  to  have  out  of  the  Treasury  £250,  for  procuring 
Firearms,  Powder,  Lead,  and  Flints,  they  giving  security 
to  the  Treasury  to  repay  said  sum ;  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  and  order  made  out. 

Vote  brought  up  for  delivering  Captain  Benjamin  Hitch- 
cock two  hundred  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  in  consequence  of 
an  order  from  the  Committee  of  Neivburyport,  for  so  much 
due  from  us  to  them ;  read  and  concurred,  and  order  made 
out. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  consider  of  supplying  the  Towns 
of  Piermont,  Orford,  Alexandria,  Wentworth,  Warren, 
Lyme,  New- Chester,  Rumney,  and  Salisbury,  \v\lh  Ammuni- 
tion, brought  up,  read,  and  concurred ;  and  Mr.  Wentworth, 
Mr.  Ashley,  and  the  Secretary,  added. 

Vote  for  raising  fifteen  hundred  men,  instead  of  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  voted  before,  to  reinforce  the  Northern 
Army,  and  for  a  Committee  to  proportion  them  among  the 
several  Regiments  of  Militia  to  be  raised  by  them,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred ;  and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Fohom, 
Mr.  Ashley,  Mr.  Blanchard,  and  Mr.  Thompson,  joined  by 
the  Board. 

Vote  for  Gunpowder,  to  be  delivered  as  follows,  viz  :  to 
the  Town  of  Wentworth,  9  pounds ;  Warren,  9  pounds ; 
Lyme,  30  pounds;  New-Chester,  30  pounds;  Rumney,  30 
pounds;  Piermont,  30  pounds;  Orford,  15  pounds;  Alex- 
andria, 22  pounds;  Salisbury,  25  pounds;  Colonel  Bel- 
lows, for  his  Regiment,  200  pounds ;  Colonel  Ashley,  for 


his  Regiment,  100  pounds:  amounting  in  the  whole  to  500 
pounds ;  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  the  following  sums,  to  be  delivered  out  of  the 
Treasury,  to  buy  Ammunition,  viz:  to  Israel  Morey,  for 
Orford,  £50 ;  Alexander  Craige  and  Michael  Dwyer,  for 
Rumney,  £75;  Jonathan  Chandler,  for  Piermont,  £50; 
they  to  give  security  for  repaying  the  same. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Wednesday,  July  3,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Vote  for  the  Officers  stationed  at  New- Castle,  to  receive 
reasonable  expenses  for  recruiting  men  to  fill  up  the  vacan- 
cies in  their  Companies,  made  by  the  inlistment  for  Canada, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  confer  on  what  sum  of  money 
is  necessary  to  supply  the  Treasury,  and  report  a  plan, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred ;  and  Mr.  Blanchard,  Mr. 
Thornton,  and  Mr.  Fohom,  joined  by  the  Board. 

Vote  brought  up  for  Abner  Fellows  and  Eliphalet  Gale 
to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury,  £4  6*.,  to  purchase  Ammu- 
nition, they  giving  security  for  paying  the  same,  brought  up, 
read,  and  concurred,  and  order  made  out. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of  Thomas  Hart,  amounting 
to  £8  10*.  6d.,  for  superintending  the  buildings  at  Piscata- 
quay  Harbour,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  General  Fohom  to  deliver  Samuel  Curry  twen- 
ty-five pounds  of  Gunpowder  for  the  Town  of  Holderness, 
to  be  accounted  for,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
order  made  out. 

Vote  for  Samuel  Curry  to  receive  £5  out  of  the  Treas- 
ury, to  buy  Ammunition  for  the  Town  of  Holderness,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  order  made  out. 

An  Act  to  invest  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  with  power 
more  effectually  to  employ  them,  and  to  provide  for  bring- 
ing up  their  children  more  usefully,  having  been  read  a  third 
time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

An  Act  to  establish  an  equitable  method  of  making  Rates 
and  Taxes,  and  determining  who  shall  be  Legal  Voters,  ID 
Town  and  Parish  affairs,  having  been  read  a  third  time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

An  Act  for  opening  Sluices  in  the  Dams  across  Piscata- 
quay  River,  Sac.,  having  been  read  a  third  time, 
Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

An  Act  for  empowering  Committees  to  cause  Sluices  to 
be  made  in  all  the  Dams  across  Beaver-Brook,  &c.,  having 
been  read  a  third  time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

An  Act  for  establishing  the  style  of  Commissions  which 
hereafter  shall  be  issued,  &c.,  having  been  read  a  third  time, 
Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

An  Act  to  prevent  the  forging  and  altering  Bills  of 
Credit,  &.C.,  having  been  read  a  third  time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

An  Act  for  encouraging  the  fixing  out  of  Armed  Vessels, 
to  defend  the  sea-coast,  &.C.,  having  been  read  a  third  time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

Vote  for  paying  the  abstract  of  Captain  Clement's  Roll,  for 
soldiers  inlisted  out  of  his  Company  for  Canada,  amounting 
to  £51  18*.  Id.,  and  ditto  for  Captain  Broum's,  amounting 
to  £16  7*.  5rf.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  order 
made  out. 

Vote  for  Major  Jonathan  Child  to  receive  out  of  the 
Treasury  £50,  to  buy  Ammunition,  he  to  give  security 
therefor,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made 
out. 

An  Act  for  regulating  Marriages,  &ic.,  having  been  read 
a  third  time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

Vote  for  Colonel  Nicholas  Gilman  to  keep  a  Guard  at  the 
Powder-House  in  Exeter,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  proportioning  the  1500  men  to  be  raised  for  Canada 
in  the  following  manner,  viz :  Colonel  Whipple's  Regiment 
115,  Colonel  Evans's  150,  Colonel  Moulton's  88,  Colonel 
Gilman's  163,  Colonel  Ashley's  100,  Colonel  Bellows'*  73, 


57 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  LEGISLATIVE  COUNCIL,  JULY,  1776. 


58 


late  Colonel  John  Hak's  157,  Colonel  Bariletfs  1 1 1,  Colo- 
nel Thornton's  66,  Colonel  Enoch  Hates  107,  Colonel 
Webster's  55,  Colonel  More'*  126,  Colonel  Stickncy's  116, 
Colonel  Badger's  73  ;  and  for  General  Folsom  to  give  out 
orders  accordingly;  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.  M. 

Thursday,  July  4,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  two  hundred  Handbills  be  immediately  print- 
ed and  distributed  in  this  Colony,  in  the  following  words : 
"  To  the  Selectmen  and  Committees  of  Safety,  and  all  Civil 
Officers  in  the  several  Towns  in  this  Colony: 

"  You,  and  each  of  you,  are  now  called  upon,  in  behalf  of 
yourselves  and  your  distressed  country,  to  exert  every  nerve 
in  forwarding  the  inlisting  and  making  up  the  quotas  of  men 
in  the  respective  places  you  belong  to,  that  they  may  march 
forward  and  join  their  brethren  under  General  Sullivan, 
and  enable  him  to  repel  the  Army  coming  against  us  from 
Canada." 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  consider  the  expediency  of  ad- 
journing, and  to  what  time,  and  of  the  propriety  of  choosing 
a  large  Committee  of  Safety,  brought  up,  read,  and  concur- 
red, and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Fohom,  Mr.  Wentworth,  and 
Mr.  Ashley,  added. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Staff  Roll  of  Colonel  David  Oilman, 
amounting  to  £83  Is.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
warrant  made  out. 

Vote  appointing  Moses  Kettey  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
Ninth  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the  room  of  David  Oilman, 
who  has  resigned,  Samuel  Page  First  Major,  and  James 
Hurd  Second  Major  of  said  Regiment,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred. 

Vote  for  Colonel  Weare  and  Dr.  Dearborn  to  receive 
£20  to  buy  Paper  to  print  Bills  of  Credit  on,  brought  up, 
read,  and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  to  pay  the  Roll  of  Captain  John  Calfe,  amounting 
to  £325  9s.  I0d.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
warrant  made  out. 

Vote  to  pay  the  Roll  of  Captain  Caleb  Hodgdon,  amount- 
ing to  £329  12s.  3d.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
warrant  made  out. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  get  two  hundred  and 
fifty  copies  of  each  of  the  Acts  passed  this  Session  printed, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  General  Folsom  added 
by  the  Board. 

Vote  for  emitting  £20,160  in  Bills  of  Credit,  for  the  use 
of  the  Colony,  and  for  Dr.  Levi  Dearborn,  with  such  as  the 
Board  should  join,  to  get  the  same  printed,  and  for  Philip 
White,  Esq.,  John  Smith,  and  Josiah  Moulton,  Jun.,  to  be 
a  Committee  to  sign  said  Bills,  brought  up,  read,  and  con- 
curred, and  Meshech  Weare,  Esq.,  joined  with  Dr.  Dearborn, 
to  superintend  the  press. 

Vote  appointing  Joshua  Wingate  Colonel,  James  Racket 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Samuel  Connor  Major,  of  one  of  the 
Regiments  to  be  raised  for  Canada,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred. 

Vote  appointing  Captain  Pierce  Long  to  provide  all 
necessaries  for  equipping  and  Gxing  off  the  Reinforcements 
for  Canada,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  appointing  eight  Mustermasters  and  Paymasters  for 
the  last  Regiment  voted  to  be  raised  for  Canada,  viz :  Major 
Bartlett,  Colonel  Sherburne,  John  Bell,  Major  Philbrick, 
Colonel  Kelley,  Deacon  Knowles,  Asa  Davis,  and  Colonel 
Ashley,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  the  Mustermasters  of  the  last  Regiment  voted  to 
be  raised  to  receive  each  out  of  the  Treasury  £940,  to  pay 
off  the  advance  pay,  &ic.,  and  the  Mustermasters  appointed 
for  the  First  Regiment  each  £171,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred.  Orders  made  out  for  all  those  who  were  to 
receive  the  £940,  and  to  Baldwin  Hale,  Ezekiel  Worthen, 
and  John  Dudley,  for  the  £171. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow,  eight  o'clock,  A.M. 

Friday,  July  5,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Vote  for  a  Committtee  to  examine  into  the  grounds  of  a 
complaint  against  Captain  George  March,  as  an  enemy  to  his 


country,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Thornton 
Mr.  Folsom,  and  Mr.  Wentworth,  added  by  the  Board. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  give  out  Inlisting  Orders, 
blank  Commissions  to  the  Officers,  and  Instructions  to  the 
Mustermasters  of  the  two  Regiments  destined  for  Canada, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Folsom,  Mr.  Cla- 
gett,  and  Mr.  Blanchard,  added  by  the  Board. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  nominate  persons  out  of  whom 
to  be  appointed  a  Maritime  Officer  and  a  Naval  Officer, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr! 
Clagett,  and  Mr.  Thompson,  joined. 

An  Act  for  establishing  Courts  of  Law,  &c.,  in  this  Colo- 
ny, having  been  read  a  third  time, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  enacted. 

Vote  for  appointing  Noah  Emery,  Jun.,  Paymaster  to  the 
first  Regiment  of  Recruits  for  the  Canada  Army,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred. 

The  Board  having  heard  Colonel  David  Oilman's  defence 
on  the  complaint  of  Samuel  Penhallow,  Esquire,  respecting 
Colonel  Oilman's  asserting  that  the  soldiers  under  his  com- 
mand were  subject  to  martial  law  only,  are  of  opinion  that 
the  sentiments  conveyed  in  Colonel  Oilman's  letter  plainly 
and  in  express  words  denied  the  right  of  the  civil  power  to 
control  the  military,  and  thereby  gave  just  reason  for  Mr. 
Penhallow  to  be  alarmed  at  such  a  doctrine,  especially  from 
the  commanding  military  officer  of  the  standing  troops  in 
this  Colony.  And  the  Board  do  return  Mr.  Penhallow  their 
sincere  thanks  for  his  attachment  to,  and  care  of,  so  essential 
and  fundamental  a  principle  of  the  Constitution  and  rights 
of  a  free  people.  Nevertheless  do  believe  that  the  senti- 
ments conveyed  .in  the  aforesaid  letter  escaped  from  Colonel 
Oilman  through  inattention  or  ruffle  of  his  mind,  and  con- 
veyed ideas  different  from  his  real  sentiments. 

Vote  for  a  Committee  to  name  a  person  for  a  Maritime 
Officer,  and  one  or  more  for  a  Notary  Publick  or  Notary 
Publicks,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Mr.  Clagett, 
Mr.  Thornton,  and  Mr.  Thompson,  added  by  the  Board. 

Vote  appointing  Ekazer  Russell,  Esq.,  Maritime  Officer 
for  the  Port  of  Piscataquog,  and  Wyseman  Clagett  and  John 
Pidtering,  Esqs.,  Notary  Publicks,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred. 

Vote  appointing  Samuel  Penhallow,  Esq.,  one  of  the 
Justices  of  the  Inferior  Court  for  the  County  of  Rocking- 
ham,  in  the  room  of  George  King,  Esq.,  who  declines  accept- 
ing thereof,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred.  Also  appoint- 
ing William  Knight,  Esq.,  a  special  Justice  of  said  Court ; 
which  was  also  concurred. 

Vote  appointing  a  Committee  to  nominate  proper  persons 
to  serve  as  a  Committee  of  Safety  in  recess  of  the  General 
Assembly,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and  Colonel 
Thornton  added. 

A  Vote  appointing  Captain  Joseph  Chandler  to  command 
one  of  the  Companies  in  the  First  Canada  Regiment,  in  the 
room  of  Mr.  Hadlock,  who  has  resigned,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred. 

Vote  for  Samuel  Jones,  of  Canaan,  and  Elisha  Bingham, 
of  Enfield,  to  have  twenty-five  pounds  of  Gunpowder  and 
£5  in  Money,  to  buy  Lead  for  said  Towns,  to  be  accounted 
for  by  them,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Roll  of  Captain  Timothy  Clements, 
amounting  to  £238  15s.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred, 
and  warrant  made  out. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Roll  of  Captain  Nathan  Brown, 
amounting  to  £267  4s.  Id.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred, 
and  warrant  made  out. 

Saturday,  July  6, 1776. 

Resolve  for  George  March,  of  Stratham,  to  confine  him- 
self to  his  farm  in  said  Stratham,  on  pain  of  imprisonment ; 
and  that  he  recognise  in  the  sum  of  £100,  with  two  suffi- 
cient sureties  in  £50  each,  to  the  Government  and  People 
of  this  Colony,  to  be  of  good  behaviour  until  further  order 
of  the  Court,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  appointing  fifteen  persons  to  act  as  a  Committee  of 
Safety  during  the  recess  of  the  General  Assembly,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  paying  Deacon  Isaac  Williams  20s.  for  the  use 
of  his  room  for  Committees  this  Session,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  and  warrant  made  out. 


59 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


60 


Vote  for  a  Committee  to  confer  upon  the  appointment  of 
Mr.  Connor  and  Mr.  Baker,  to  be  Lieutenant-Colonel  and 
Major  of  Colonel  Wingate's  Regiment,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred,  with  this  amendment,  That  the  Committee  name 
persons  for  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Major  of  said  Regiment ; 
and  Mr.  Thornton,  Mr.  Fokom,  Mr.  Wentworth,  Mr.BIanch- 
ard,  and  Mr.  Thompson,  added  by  the  Board.  Sent  down 
for  concurrence. 

Vote  for  Colonel  Jonathan  Chase  to  receive  out  of  the 
Colony  store  five  barrels  of  Gunpowder,  brought  up,  read, 
and  concurred,  with  this  amendment,  That  Colonel  Chase 
receive  three  barrels,  instead  of  five  barrels.  Sent  down  for 
concurrence,  and  brought  back  concurred. 

Vote  appointing  Samuel  Connor  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and 


Moses  Baker  Major,  of  Colonel  Wingate's  Regiment,  brought 
up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  the  Treasurer  to  hire  £5,000  for  the  use  of  the 
Colony,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  establishing  Fees  to  be  taken  in  the  Maritime  Court, 
brought  up,  read,  and  concurred. 

Vote  for  paying  the  Account  of  Richard  Champney, 
amounting  to  £22  6s.,  brought  up,  read,  and  concurred,  and 
warrant  made  out. 

Vote  promising  a  bounty  of  six  per  cent,  upon  all  bar 
Lead,  and  ten  Dollars  per  cent,  upon  all  Sulphur  manufac- 
tured in  this  Colony  for  a  certain  time,  brought  up,  read,  and 
concurred. 

Adjourned  till  the  first  Wednesday  in  September  next. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES. 

Wednesday,  June  5,  1776 

At  three  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  House  met  at  Exeter,  ac- 
cording to  adjournment. 

Read  sundry  Letters  for  Philadelphia. 

Voted,  That  John  Dudley  and  Samuel  Cutts,  Esquires, 
be  a  Committee  to  examine  how  much  Silver  and  Gold  coin 
there  is  in  the  Treasury,  and  make  report  as  soon  as  may 
be.  Which  Committee  made  report,  that  there  is  now  in  the 
Treasury,  in  silver  and  gold  coin,  £859  12*.,  lawful  money. 

Voted,  That  Dr.  Dearborn,  Captain  Prentice,  and  Mr. 
Jacob  Abbot,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  honourable  Board,  to  draught  a  Vote  concerning 
the  procuring  Firearms  for  the  use  of  this  Colony,  and  pre- 
sent the  same  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  at  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday,  June  6,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  a  Committee  be  chosen  in  this  House  to 
join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  what 
business  is  most  necessary  to  be  entered  upon  immediately, 
and  to  make  report  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and 
that  Captain  Prentice,  Colonel  Walker,  James  Betton,  Esq., 
Richard  Downing,  Esq.,  and  John  Dudley,  Esq.,  be  the 
Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Which  Committee,  being  joined  by  a  Committee  of  the 
honourable  Board,  made  the  following  Report,  viz : 

The  Committee  of  both  Houses  appointed  to  consider  what 
business  is  necessary  to  be  done  this  session,  recommend  the 
following  things,  viz :  A  Table  of  Fees  to  be  completed.  A 
determination  about  opening  the  Courts  of  Law.  The  Civil 
List  to  be  filled  up,  and  Commissions  for  the  several  Courts 
to  be  made  out.  An  Act  to  enforce  the  payment  of  the 
Colony  Taxes  and  others.  An  Act  to  prevent  the  alteration 
and  counterfeiting  the  Bills  of  Credit  of  this  and  the  neigh- 
bouring Colonies,  and  to  make  the  Bills  of  Credit  of  said 
Colonies  a  legal  tender.  An  Act  to  regulate  Taxation,  and 
the  sum  to  be  raised  for  this  year.  An  Act  to  regulate  the 
Militia.  An  Act  for  abolishing  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  this 
Colony,  and  for  determining  how  Appeal  shall  be  made, 
and  heard,  from  decrees  of  the  Judges  of  Probate,  for  the 
future.  That  the  persons  who  have  laid  out  the  Colony's 
money  may  be  compelled  to  render  accounts  thereof;  that 
the  sending  our  accounts  to  Philadelphia  be  no  longer  de- 
layed ;  and  that  attested  accounts  of  the  number  of  the 
People  be  procured  immediately.  Necessary  orders  to  be 
made  out  for  raising  the  Continental  Battalion.  Some  direc- 
tions about  Saltpetre  to  be  given.  Directions  in  what  name 
Writs,  &.C.,  shall  issue.  A  Resolve  that  all  persons  shall 
be  prosecuted,  who,  after  the  sitting  of  the  Courts  of  Sessions 
in  the  respective  Counties,  shall  sell  liquors  without  license; 
and  that  no  person  be  licensed  without  procuring  a  certifi- 
cate that  they  have  paid  their  Excise  for  the  year  1775. 
An  Act  for  the  better  observation  of  the  Lord's  Day.  An 
Act  imposing  a  Fine  on  all  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  Minis- 
ters, for  joining  persons  in  wedlock  without  a  Certificate 
from  the  Clerk  or  Clerks  of  the  Towns  where  the  persons 
married  live,  that  they  have  been  lawfully  published.  To 
revive  the  late  Highway  Act.  To  make  the  Courts  of  Pro- 
bate circular.  Some  further  directions  about  Firearms. 
An  Act  for  making  Captures  on  the  Sea,  &.c.,  and  for  con- 
demning them  ;  and  to  commission  the  Judge  and  Register 
of  the  Admiralty.  M.  THORNTON,  Chairman. 


Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consider  the  Peti- 
tions of  Richard  Emms,  John  Frazier,  and  James  Taylor, 
and  to  make  report  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and 
that  Samuel  Cutts,  Esq.,  Captain  Long,  and  Major  Tash, 
be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  examine  all  Accounts 
against  this  Colony,  and  report  thereon  to  this  House  as 
soon  as  may  be;  and  that  Colonel  Walker,  Henry  Prescott, 
Esq.,  and  Jonathan  Lovewell,  Esq.,  be  the  Committee  of 
this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  the  Pay-Roll  of  Captain  Ebenezer  Dearing, 
amounting  to  £99  17s.  l^d.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of 
the  Treasury ;  and  that  the  President  of  the  Council  give 
order  of  payment  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Deacon  Nahum  Baldwin  be  Mustermaster 
to  the  Forces  raised  and  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony  for  the 
current  year,  until  further  order  of  this  Colony. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Richard  Emms,  now  a  prisoner  in 
this  Colony,  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £20  for  and  towards 
his  subsistence ;  and  that  the  President  of  the  Council  give 
order  of  payment  accordingly ;  and  that  said  Emms  have 
leave  to  depart  this  Colony  for  any  Foreign  Port  in  the 
West-Indies,  as  passenger  only. 

Voted,  That  Captain  John  Frazier  and  Mr.  James  Tay- 
lor have  liberty  to  depart  from  this  Colony,  separately,  in 
any  vessel  bound  to  the  Foreign  West-India  Islands,  as 
passengers. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Captain  John  Calfe,  amount- 
ing to  £2  11*.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury ; 
and  that  the  President  of  the  Council  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Pay-Roll  of  Captain  Titus  Saltcr's  Com- 
pany, from  March  17th  to  April  16th,  1776,  amounting  to 
£246  0*.  Id.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  ;  and 
that  the  President  of  the  Council  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Pay-Roil  of  Titus  Salter's  Company, 
from  April  16th  to  May  17th,  1776,  amounting  to  £197 
15s.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the 
President  of  the  Council  give  order  of  payment. 

Upon  reading  the  Petition  of  John  Griffith, 

Voted,  That  he  be  paid  wages  as  a  soldier  in  Captain 
Ebenezer  Dearing 's  Company  from  the  time  of  his  inlistment 
until  the  time  of  his  discharge. 

Adjourned  to  half  past  two  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Upon  reading  the  Petition  of  a  number  of  persons,  pray- 
ing that  several  Petitions  against  Lieutenant-Colonel  Folsom 
may  be  dismissed, 

Voted,  That  the  Petition  now  presented  and  read,  be 
dismissed. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  June  7,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Quartermaster  Gains  furnish  Colonel  David 
Gilman  with  what  Powder  shall  be  necessary  to  clear  the 
rocks  out  of  the  Fort  now  building  at  Great-Island. 

Voted,  That  George  Gains,  Esq.,  and  Captain  William 
Trefethcn  be  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  repair  to  Boston, 
and  other  parts  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  to  search  for,  inquire 


61 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


62 


after,  and  receive  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  or  any  other 
person  or  persons,  who  may  have  in  their  care  or  possession 
any  Cannon  belonging  to  this  Colony,  according  to  the 
Resolve  of  Continental  Congress ;  and  also  to  receive  the 
Powder  lent  by  this  Colony  to  the  Continental  Army,  and 
to  transport  the  said  Cannon  to  Portsmouth  in  this  Colony, 
and  the  Powder  to  Exeter,  on  the  most  reasonable  terms,  as 
soon  as  may  be. 

Voted,  That  George  Gains,  Esq.,  have  and  receive  out 
of  the  Treasury  £400,  to  be  by  him  accounted  for ;  and  that 
the  President  of  the  Council  give  order  of  payment  accord- 
ingly. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Robey,  a  soldier  in  Captain  William 
Prescott's  Company,  (who  was  left  out  of  the  roll,)  be  allowed 
and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  £1  8*.  Sd.,  in  full  for  twenty- 
three  days'  service  in  said  Company;  and  that  the  President 
of  the  Council  give  order  of  payment. 

Upon  hearing  the  complaint  of  Aaron  Quimby,  Ebenezer 
Collins,  and  Daniel  Murray,  against  Captain  John  Parker, 
for  wronging  them  in  making  up  his  Muster  Roll,  &.C., 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Badger,  Captain  Prentice,  Captain 
Worthen,  Major  Task,  and  Major  Kelley,  be  a  Committee 
of  this  House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board, 
to  examine  into  the  Roll  of  said  Parker,  and  his  accounts 
and  vouchers,  and  make  report  to  this  House  as  soon  as 
may  be. 

Upon  reading  and  considering  the  Petition  of  John  Hun- 
ter, concerning  his  losing  Paper  Money,  to  the  value  of  fif- 
teen Dollars  and  a  half: 

Voted,  That  the  said  John  Hunter  have  and  receive  out 
of  the  Treasury  £4  13s.  for  his  said  loss,  and  that  the  Pre- 
sident give  order  of  payment. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Samuel  Sherburne,  Richard  Doivn- 
in<r,  Esq.,  Colonel  Stephen  Evans,  Captain  Josiah  Moulton, 
Samuel  Dudley,  Esq.,  Captain  Pierce  Long,  and  Major 
Task,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  who,  with  a  Commit- 
tee of  the  honourable  Board,  are  desired  and  empowered  to 
exchange  Paper  Currency  for  Gold  and  Silver,  for  the  use 
of  this  Colony,  and  report  what  sums  they  do  or  can  ex- 
change as  soon  as  may  be. 

The  following  Vote  of  Council  was  brought  from  the 

Board,  viz: 

"  Colony  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Council,  ) 
June  7,  1776.     J 

"  Resolved,  That  Nicholas  Gilman,  Esq.,  Treasurer  and 
Receiver-General  of  this  Colony,  be,  and  is  hereby,  fully 
authorized  and  empowered  to  receive  and  take  in  all  those 


Saturday,  June  8,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Upon  information  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  or  Cor- 
respondence of  the  Towns  of  Ipswich  and  Rindge,  against 
Jonathan  Parker,  for  altering  and  uttering  Paper  Bills  of 
Credit  of  this  Colony  contrary  to  law, 

Voted,  That  Jonathan  Lovewell,  Esq.,  Ichabod  Rollins, 
Esq.,  John  Dudley,  Esq.,  James  Betton,  Esq.,  Matthew 
Patten,  Esq.,  Samuel  Sherburne,  Esq.,  and  Colonels  Stephen 
Evans,  Hale,  and  Baker,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House  to 
examine  into  the  matter  informed  of,  and  make  report  to 
this  House  as  soon  as  may  be. 

The  Committee  of  both  Houses  to  examine  Captain 
Parker's  Roll,  &.C.,  made  report,  as  on  file ;  which  being 
read  and  considered, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  received,  accepted,  and  filed. 
And  further  Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House, 
to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  in 
what  manner  and  how  the  said  John  Parker  shall  be  pro- 
ceeded against,  concerning  the  premises ;  and  that  Major 
Bellows,  Ichabod  Rollins,  Esq.,  Matthew  Patten,  Esq., 
Colonel  Sherburne,  and  Colonel  Hale,  be  the  Committee  of 
this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Cutts,  Esq.,  Commissary,  have,  and 
receive  out  of  the  Treasury,  to  be  by  him  accounted  for, 
£600,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Theophilus  Dame  be  appointed  First  Colo- 
nel of  the  Battalion  now  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony,  to  be 
on  the  Continental  establishment,  and  that  Colonel  David 
Gilman  be  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Major  James  Hackett 
be  Major  of  said  Battalion. 

Voted,  That  James  Aikin  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury  £3  for  his  boat,  lost  at  Bunker  Hill  fight,  and 
that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Adjourned  till  Monday,  the  10th  instant,  at  three  of  the 
clock,  afternoon. 


Monday,  June  10,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  the  price  of  good  merchantable  Saltpetre, 
that  shall  be  manufactured  in  this  Colony,  and  brought  in 
to  Doctor  Josiah  Gilman,  or  the  Receiver  thereof  for  this 
Colony  for  the  time  being,  for  the  space  of  one  year  from 
and  after  the  8th  day  of  June  instant,  shall  be  four  shillings 
per  pound,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  upon  the  said  Re- 
ceiver's certificate,  the  manufacturer  or  producers  of  the 
said  Saltpetre  to  be  under  oath  that  the  same  was  manufac- 
tured in  this  Colony. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Samuel  Greeley,  amounting 
to  £6  Os.  2d.,  for  doctoring,  billeting,  and  nursing  his  son 

i  i  V I L  L  1<  >l  lfJ\^\J     u  1  i>  i     \_  i  i  i  I  M  /  »T  >    i  >    '  <      *w     i  vjx^ui  •  \*     unu       t.u»w       •  "     «••       i ......  •«-»  "TT'TI   /»       I          \      1  11  J 

Paper  Bills  of  Credit  emitted  on  the  credit  of  said  Colony,     Joseph,  (being  wounded  at  Bunker-Hill  fight,)  be  allowed 
bearing  interest,  and  to  pay  such  interest  to  the  time  of  such    and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give 
•     •  '  -     -.  •  .•      order  of  payment. 


exchange,  and  charge  the  amount  of  said  interest  in  his 
account  with  said  Colony;  and  that  the  Treasurer  give 
notice  of  this  Order  as  soon  as  may  be." 

The  above  Vote  or  Resolve  of  Congress  being  read, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  concurred. 

Read  sundry  Petitions,  fcc. 

Voted,  To  build  a  Bridge  from  the  westerly  end  of  New- 
Castle  to  Ward's  Island,  and  from  thence  to  Adams's  Island, 
so  called,  or  somewhere  across  the  water,  so  as  to  secure  a 
retreat  for  our  forces  to  be  stationed  at  New -Castle  in  case 
of  a  defeat ;  and  that  Mr.  Baldwin,  Major  Downing,  and 
Colonel  Walker,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  look  out  and  dis- 
cover the  best  place  where,  and  the  manner  how,  the  said 
Bridge  shall  be  built,  and  to  make  report  thereon  to  this 
Court  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Walker,  Major  Downing,  Major 
Kelley,  Mr.  John  Smith,  third,  Captain  Long,  Major  Bel- 
lows, Captain  Wilson,  Mr.  Emerson,  and  Mr.  Knowles,  be  a 
Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  hon- 
ourable Board,  to  nominate  to  this  House  three  persons  for 
Colonel,  three  for  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  three  for  Major, 
of  the  Regiment  now  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony  on  the  Con- 
tinental establishment ;  for  this  House  to  nominate  one  of 
each  three  for  the  said  Offices. 

Adjourned  (o  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 


Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  frame,  draw  up,  and 
present  to  this  House,  the  following  Acts  for  Laws  for  this 
Colony,  viz : 

1st.  An  Act  for  establishing  the  Table  of  Fees  for  the 
several  Officers  in  this  Colony. 

2d.  An  Order  or  Resolve  for  opening  the  Courts  of  Justice. 
3d.  An  Act  to  enforce  the  payment  of  Taxes  in  this  Colony. 

4th.  An  Act  to  prevent  the  alteration  and  counterfeiting 
the  Bills  of  Credit  for  this  and  the  neighbouring  Colonies, 
and  to  make  the  said  Bills  of  Credit  a  legal  tender. 

5th.  An  Act  to  regulate  Taxation,  and  to  ascertain  the 
sum  to  be  raised  as  a  Colony  Tax,  for  the  current  year. 

6th.  An  Act  for  regulating  the  Militia. 

7th.  An  Act  for  abolishing  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  this 
Colony,  and  for  determining  how  and  by  whom  appeals 
shall  be  made  and  heard  from  decrees  of  the  Judges  of 
Probate  in  this  Colony,  in  future. 

8th.  An  Act  or  Resolve  in  what  name,  and  in  what/ora, 
Writs  and  Processes  shall  be  issued  in  future. 

9th.  An  Act  for  the  better  observation  of  the  Lord's  Day. 

10th.  An  Act  to  impose  a  Fine  on  all  Justices  of  the 
Peace  and  Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  who  shall  presume  to 
join  persons  in  Matrimony  without  a  Certificate  from  the 
Clerk  or  Clerks  of  Towns  or  places  where  the  persons  so 
married  live  that  they  have  been  lawfully  published. 


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NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


64 


llth.  An  Act  to  revive  the  late  Highway  Act. 

12.  An  Act  to  make  the  Courts  of  Probate  circular. 

13th.  An  Act  for  making  Captures  on  the  Seas,  and  for 
condemning  them,  and  to  regulate  the  Trials  of  said  Captures. 

14th.  An  Act  to  prevent  the  stopping  or  obstructing  the 
course  or  passage  of  Fish  into  the  several  rivers,  brooks, 
and  ponds  in  this  Colony,  where  Fish  usually  passed. 

And  that  Timothy  Walker,  Matthew  Patten,  Esq.,  and 
Mr.  John  Smith,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that 
purpose. 

Adjourned  till  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday,  June  11,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Read  the  form  of  the  Commission  for  the  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Superior  Court,  and  voted  that  the  same  be  trans- 
cribed, sealed  with  the  Colony  seal,  and  delivered  to  the 
Honourable  Meshech  Weare,  Esq. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Cutts,  Timothy  Walker,  and  Jo  An 
Dudley,  Esquires,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  make  a  draught  of  a 
Declaration  of  this  General  Assembly  for  Independence  of 
the  United  Colonies  on  Great  Britain. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of 
Greenland,  amounting  to  £13  8*.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out 
of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  pay- 
ment. 

Voted,  That  the  Vote  of  the  8th  June  instant,  for  choosing 
Field-Officers  of  the  Battalion  now  to  be  raised  in  this  Colo- 
ny, to  be  on  the  Continental  establishment,  according  to  the 
Resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress,  exclusive;  of  the 
Regiment  now  on  duty  at  New -Castle  and  at  or  near  Pis- 
cataqua  Harbour,  be  reconsidered. 

Voted,  That  John  Taylor  Oilman  be  joined  to  the  Com- 
mittee for  examining  and  adjusting  Accounts  for  and  against 
this  Colony,  in  the  room  of  Captain  John  Emery,  who  has 
gone  out  of  the  country. 

This  Vote  having  passed  in  Council  this  day  and  sent 
down,  is  concurred  by  the  House. 

Voted,  That  Major  James  Hackett  be  the  first  officer 
of  the  Battalion  now  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony  on  the 
Continental  establishment,  that  Major  Thomas  Tash  be  the 
second  officer,  and  Major  David  Copp  the  third  officer  of 
said  Battalion. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  June  12,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Matthew  Patten,  Henry  Prescott,  and  Jona- 
than Lovewett,  Esquires,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to 
join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  examine  into 
the  matter  of  the  Petition  of  the  Honourable  William  Parker, 
Esquire,  for  his  last  year's  salary,  and  to  see  if  there  is  any 
moneys  due  him  from  the  Colony,  and  make  report  thereon 
as  soon  as  may  be. 

Voted,  That  a  Committee  of  five  Members  of  this  House 
be  chosen,  to  confer  with  a  Committee  of  the  honourable 
Board,  upon  the  mode  of  raising  the  Battalion  now  to  be 
raised  in  this  Colony  on  the  Continental  establishment,  and 
to  make  report  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and  that 
Colonel  Badger,  Colonel  Morey,  Colonel  Sherburne,  Jona- 
than Ijovewell,  Esquire,  and  Colonel  Hale,  be  the  Committee 
of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  the  Amendment  of  the  honourable  Council 
on  the  Vote  for  appointing  Officers  for  the  new  Battalion, 
&tc.,  be  concurred. 

Voted,  That  John  Dudley,  Esquire,  Captain  Harriman, 
and  Major  Bartlett,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  Board,  to  consult  upon  the  expediency  of 
delivering  out  Powder  from  the  Colony  stores  to  the  several 
Colonels  or  Captains  or  Selectmen  of  the  several  Towns, 
and  if  expedient,  then  how,  and  in  what  manner,  and  on 
what  conditions  the  same  shall  be  delivered  out,  and  to  make 
report  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Upon  reading  the  Petition  of  Maurice  Lynch,  John  Dun- 
can, and  Samuel  Moore,  a  Committee  of  part  of  the  Society 
Lands,  praying  to  be  incorporated  by  the  following  bounds, 
viz:  "  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  said  Township, 
which  is  the  northwest  corner  of  Deering,  and  running 
southerly  according  to  the  course  of  Contoocook  River, 
which  river  is  the  west  line  of  Deering,  so  as  to  make  five 
miles  in  a  straight  line ;  thence  westerly,  on  the  north  line  of 
No.  3  in  the  original  plan  of  said  Society,  to  the  east  line  of 
Parkersfield ;  thence  northerly,  on  said  Parkersjield  and 
Stoddard,  to  CammelFs  Gore  and  HiUsborough,  to  the 
bounds  first  mentioned :" 

And  considering  the  same, 

Voted,  That  the  same  lie  for  consideration. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  June  13,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Committee  of  both  Houses  appointed  to  confer  upon 
a  mode  of  raising  the  Battalion  ordered  by  the  Continental 
Congress,  made  report :  That  they  would  recommend  the 
appointment  of  eight  persons  most  likely  to  inlist  the  men 
and  perform  the  services,  and  give  out  orders  for  each  to 
inlist  a  Company,  with  liberty  for  them  to  name  Subalterns 
to  serve  under  them,  to  be  commissioned  if  they  raise  the 
Companies.  M.  THORNTON,  Chairman. 

Which  Report  being  read  and  considered, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  received  and  accepted. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  sixteen  persons  of  this 
House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to 
nominate  to  this  House  sixteen  persons,  eight  of  whom  to 
inlist  the  men  for  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  by  order  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  and  to  make  the  said  nomination  as 
soon  as  may  be ;  and  that  Colonel  Sherburne,  Colonel  Evens, 
Captain  Worthen,  Samuel  Dudley,  Esq.,  Samuel  Kimboll, 
Esq.,  Doctor  Nichols,  Mr.  John  Bell,  John  Dudley,  Esq., 
Matthew  Patten,  Esq.,  Colonel  Badger,  Colonel  Walker, 
Major  Ellis,  Mr.  Shattuck,  Mr.  Grout,  Mr.  Emerson,  and 
Colonel  Morey,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that 
purpose. 

Upon  considering  the  motion  of  Captain  Benjamin  Connor, 
that  he  may  receive  the  bounty  of  £50,  heretofore  voted 
for  the  greatest  quantity  of  Saltpetre  to  be  manufactured  in 
this  Colony,  and  brought  in  by  the  8th  day  of  June  instant ; 
the  question  was  put,  whether  the  partnership  between  said 
Conner  and  Mr.  Call  was  in  fact  dissolved,  in  the  opinion 
of  this  House ;  and  a  vote  thereon  being  put, 

It  passed  in  the  negative. 

Voted,  That  Doctor  Leai  Dearborn,  Colonel  Baiter, 
Ebenezer  Smith,  Esq.,  Doctor  Nichols,  and  Mr.  Grout,  be 
a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the 
honourable  Board,  to  confer  together,  and  make  report  to 
this  House  what  person  is  entitled  to  the  £50  bounty  voted 
by  the  late  Congress  to  be  given  to  such  inhabitants  of  this 
Colony  as  should  manufacture  in  this  Colony,  and  bring  in, 
the  greatest  quantity  of  Saltpetre  by  the  8th  day  of  June 
instant. 

Voted,  That  all  Bonds,  Recognisances,  and  Securities, 
for  Moneys,  or  any  other  Forfeitures  heretofore  usually  given 
to  the  King,  shall  henceforward  be  given  and  taken  to  the 
present  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  or  the 
Speaker  for  the  time  being,  for  the  use  of  this  Colony ;  and 
where  the  matter  relates  to  any  particular  County,  upon 
non-performance  of  the  condition,  that  the  penalty  shall  and 
may  be  sued  for  and  recovered  in  the  name  of  the  said 
Speaker,  for  the  use  of  said  County. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  Not  to  recommend  any  other  persons  than  those 
already  recommended  by  this  Court  to  the  Continental 
Congress,  for  Field-Officers  to  command  the  Battalion  or- 
dered to  be  raised  on  the  Continental  establishment. 

Voted,  That  Mark  Wiggin,  of  Stratham,  John  Brews- 
ter,  of  Rochester,  Moses  Leavitt.  of  Northampton,  James 
Hill,  of  New-Market,  Joseph  Dearborn,  of  Chester,  Stephen 
Peabody,  of  Amherst,  John  Calfe,  of  Kingston,  and  Ebe- 
nezer  Webster,  of  Salisbury,  be  appointed  Captains  in  the 


65 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


66 


Battalion  now  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony,  on  the  Continen- 
tal establishment. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  June  14,  1776. 
The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  To  raise  £5,000  for  the  Colony  Tax  for  the  cur- 
rent year,  to  be  assessed  on  the  polls  and  estates  within  this 
Colony,  and  to  be  collected  and  paid  into  the  Treasury  on 
or  before  the  1st  day  of  March  next. 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Honourable  John  Hancock, 
Esq.,  enclosing  the  Resolves  and  Requisitions  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  about  raising  the  Militia,  &c.,  to  send  to 
Canada,  and  sent  the  same  up  to  the  Board  by  Mr.  Cults. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  this  House  resolve  themselves  into  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole  House  to  join  the  Council,  or  such  of 
their  Members  as  they  shall  appoint,  to  converse  together 
concerning  the  requisition  of  the  Continental  Congress  for  a 
Battalion  to  be  raised  and  sent  from  this  Colony  to  Canada, 
and  other  matters  concerning  raising  and  equipping  the  said 
Battalion. 

Which  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  being  joined  by 
a  Committee  of  the  Whole  Board,  the  Honourable  Meshech 
Weare,  Esq.,  in  the  chair,  and  conferring  on  the  premises, 
came  to  the  following  Resolution,  viz: 

That  there  be  forthwith  raised  and  equipped  in  this  Co- 
lony a  Regiment  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men,  including 
Officers ;  and  that  each  Non-Commissioned  Officer  and  Sol- 
dier receive  a  bounty  of  £6. 

And  the  question  being  put,  whether  the  Troops  now  on 
duty  at  or  near  New-  Castle.  &c.,  shall  have  leave  to  inlist  into 
the  said  Regiment,  or  into  the  Continental  Battalion,  and  a 
vote  being  put  thereon,  it  passed  in  the  negative. 

Also,  Resolved,  That  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  have  the 
same  Wages  as  the  Continental  Troops  have. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  sixteen  Members  of 
this  House  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to 
confer  together  and  nominate  to  this  House  proper  persons 
for  Field-Officers,  and  for  Captains  of  Regiments  now  to  be 
raised  for  Canada,  and  how  and  in  what  manner  the  said 
Regiment  shall  be  inlisted  and  equipped,  and  to  make  re- 
port thereon  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and  that 
Major  Barker,  Colonel  Baker,  Captain  Moulton,  Mr.  Wheel- 
er, Robert  Willson,  Esq.,  James  Betton,  Esq.,  Major  Phil- 
brick,  Mr.  Abbott,  Major  Kelley,  Colonel  Hale,  Mr.  Robin- 
son, Colonel  Gerrish,  Colonel  Smith,  Major  Bellows,  Colonel 
Moreij,  and  Mr.  Brainard,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House 
for  that  purpose. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  June  15,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

An  Act  for  establishing  the  style  of  Commissions,  and 
altering  the  style  of  Writs  and  Law  Processes,  &c.,  read  a 
first  time. 

An  Act  to  prevent  the  forging  and  altering  Bills  of  Pub- 
lick  Credit,  &tc.,  read  a  first  time. 

The  Committee  of  both  Houses  appointed  to  prepare  a 
Draught  setting  forth  the  sentiments  and  opinion  of  the  Coun- 
cil and  Assembly  of  this  Colony,  relative  to  the  United  Colo- 
nies setting  up  an  independent  State,  made  Report  as  on  file. 
Which  Report  being  read  and  considered, 

Voted  unanimously,  That  the  Report  of  said  Committee 
be  received  and  accepted,  and  that  the  Draught  by  them 
brought  in  be  sent  to  our  Delegates  at  the  Continental  Con- 
gress forthwith,  as  the  sense  of  this  House. 

Voted,  To  raise  and  equip  forthwith  in  this  Colony  a 
Regiment  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men,  including  Offi- 
cers, to  be  sent  immediately  to  Canada,  to  reinforce  our 
Army  there;  and  that  each  Non-Commissioned  Officer  and 
Soldier  receive  a  bounty  of  £6  on  their  being  mustered  and 
enrolled,  and  to  receive  the  same  Wages  as  the  Continental 
Troops  have,  and  that  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  receive  one 
month's  advance  wages  upon  their  being  ready  to  march; 
and  to  continue  in  the  service  until  the  first  day  of  December 
next,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  the  Continental  Congress. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  5 


And  that  Isaac  Wyman,  Esq.,  be  Colonel  of  the  said  Regi- 
ment, and  Joseph  Senter,  Esq.,  be  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and 
Edioard  Sherburne,  Esq.,  be  Major  of  said  Regiment;  that 
John  Drew,  of  Barrington,  Henry  Elkins,  of  Hampton, 
William  Harper,  of  Brintwood,  Daniel  Reynolds,  of  Lon- 
donderry, James  Shepard,  of  Canterbury,  Augustus  Blanch- 
ard,  of  Merrimack,  Samuel  Wetherbee,  of  Charkstoum,  and 
Joseph  Parker,  of  New-Ipswich,  be  Captains  in  the  said 
Regiment. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Daniel  Fowle,  Esq.,  amount- 
ing to  £5  14*.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury, 
and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

The  Draught  made  by  the  Committee  of  both  Houses, 
relating  to  Independency,  and  voted  as  the  sense  of  this 
House  as  in  the  preceding  page,  is  as  follows,  viz: 

Whereas  it  now  appears  an  undoubted  fact,  that  notwith- 
standing all  the  dutiful  Petitions  and  decent  Remonstrances 
from  the  American  Colonies,  and  the  utmost  exertions  of 
their  best  friends  in  England  on  their  behalf,  the  British, 
Ministry,  arbitrary  and  vindictive,  are  yet  determined  to 
reduce,  by  fire  and  sword,  our  bleeding  country  to  their 
absolute  obedience;  and  for  this  purpose,  in  addition  to  their 
own  forces,  have  engaged  great  numbers  of  foreign  merce- 
naries, who  may  now  be  on  their  passage  here,  accompanied 
by  a  formidable  Fleet,  to  ravage  and  plunder  the  sea-coast ; 
from  all  which  we  may  expect  the  most  dismal  scenes  of 
distress  the  ensuing  year,  unless  we  exert  ourselves  by  every 
means  and  precaution  possible:  And  whereas  we,  of  this 
Colony  of  New-Hampshire,  have  the  example  of  the  most 
respectable  of  our  sister  Colonies  before  us  for  entering  upon 
that  most  important  step  of  a  disunion  from  Great  Britain, 
and  declaring  ourselves  free  and  independent  of  the  Crown 
thereof,  being  impelled  thereto  by  the  most  violent  and  inju- 
rious treatment,  and  it  appearing  most  necessary  in  this  most 
critical  juncture  of  our  publick  affairs,  that  the  honourable 
the  Continental  Congress,  who  have  this  most  important 
object  under  their  immediate  consideration,  should  be  also 
informed  of  our  Resolution  thereon  without  loss  of  time: 
We  do  hereby  declare,  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  our  Assembly 
that  our  Delegates  at  the  Continental  Congress  should  be 
instructed,  and  they  are  hereby  instructed,  to  join  with  the 
other  Colonies  in  declaring  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  a 
free  and  independent  State,  solemnly  pledging  our  faith  and 
honour  that  we  will,  on  our  parts,  support  the  measure  with 
our  lives  and  fortunes ;  and  that  in  consequence  thereof,  they, 
the  Continental  Congress,  on  whose  wisdom,  fidelity,  and 
integrity,  we  rely,  may  enter  into  and  form  such  alliances  as 
they  may  judge  most  conducive  to  the  present  safety  and 
future  advantage  of  these  American  Colonies,  provided  the 
regulation  of  our  internal  police  be  under  the  direction  of 
our  own  Assembly. 

Entered  according  to  the  original. 

Attest:  NOAH  EMERY,  Clerk. 

Voted,  That  Deacon  Nahum  Baldwin,  Captain  Pren- 
tice, Matthew  Patten,  Esq.,  Colonel  Hah,  and  Mr.  Groutt 
be  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a  Committee  of  the 
honourable  Board,  to  give  out  Inlistmg  Orders  to  the  several 
Officers  of  the  Regiment  now  to  be  raised  for  Canada;  and 
to  commissionate  the  Officers,  and  make  all  necessary  prepa- 
rations for,  and  equip  the  said  Regiment  as  soon  as  possible. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next,  at  ten  o'clock,  forenoon. 

Monday,  June  17,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment:  and  there  being  but  a 
thin  House,  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Then  met  according  to  adjournment. 

An  Act  concerning  Taxes,  and  for  ascertaining  who  are 
Legal  Voters  in  Town  and  Parish  Meetings ;  read  a  first  time. 

An  Act  preventing  the  Altering,  Forging,  &.c.,  of  the 
Bills  of  Credit,  &c. ;  read  a  second  time. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  confer 
with  a  Committee  fif  m  the  honourable  Board,  on  the  expe- 
diency of  furnishing  the  Town  of  Chesterfield  with  Powder 
to  defend  themselves  against  the  attempts  and  assaults  of 
all  persons  who  appear  by  their  conduct  inimical  to  this 
country,  and  to  make  report  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may 
be ;  and  that  Captain  Prentice,  Major  Bellows,  and  Dr. 
Dearborn,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-rnorrow  morning. 


67 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


68 


Tuesday,  June  18,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  a  half-barrel  of  Gunpowder  be  delivered 
out  of  the  Powder-House  in  Exeter  to  the  Selectmen  of 
Chesterfield,  or  their  order,  for  the  use  of  said  Town  of 
Chesterfield,  and  that  the  said  Selectmen  of  Chesterfield,  or 
some  person,  give  a  receipt  therefor,  and  promise  to  account 
with  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  for  the  same. 

Voted,  That  Major  James  Hackett  be  First  Colonel  of 
the  Regiment  now  to  be  raised  for  Canada,  and  that  Joseph 
Senter  be  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Colonel  Stephen  Pea- 
body  be  Major  of  said  Regiment. 

Adjourned  to  half-past  two,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  confer  together,  and 
nominate  to  this  House  certain  persons  to  take  the  hard 
Money  now  collected  in  this  Colony,  and  carry  the  same  to 
General  Schuyler  at  Ticonderoga,  or  wherever  he  may  be 
found,  for  the  support  and  supply  of  our  Troops  in  Canada, 
and  to  make  report  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and  that  Major 
Bartlett,  Captain  Long,  and  Deacon  Baldwin,  be  the  Com- 
mittee of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  John  Drew  of  Barrington,  James  Hadlock 
of  Southampton,  William  Harper  of  Brintwood,  Joseph 
Dearborn  of  Chester,  James  Shephard  of  Canterbury,  Au- 
gustus Blanchard  of  Mcrrimack,  Samuel  Wetherbee  of 
Charlestown,  and  Joseph  Parker  of  New-Ipswich,  be  Cap- 
tains in  the  Regiment  now  to  be  raised  and  sent  to  Canada. 

Voted,  That  Benjamin  Giles,  Esq.,  of  the  Council,  and 
Matthew  Patten,  Esq.,  and  Nahum  Baldwin,  Esq.,  of  this 
House,  be  a  Committee  to  receive  what  Gold  and  Silver 
Coin  is  now  in  the  Treasury,  and  to  carry  the  same  to  the 
Hon.  General  Schuyler  at  Ticonderoga,  or  Albany,  or  where- 
ever  he  may  be,  for  the  necessary  supply  of  our  Troops  at 
Canada,  and  take  his  receipt  for  the  same  on  account  of 
this  Colony. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Jonathan  Dearborn,  amount- 
ing to  12».,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and 
that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  give  out  Inlisting 
Orders  to  the  several  Officers  of  the  Regiment  now  to  be 
raised  and  sent  into  Canada,  and  to  commissionate  the  Offi- 
cers, and  make  all  necessary  preparations  for,  and  equip  the 
said  Regiment  as  soon  as  possible ;  and  that  John  Dudley, 
Esq.,  Captain  Pierce  Long,  and  Mr.  John  Smith,  be  the 
Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  June  19,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment,  and  the  Speaker 
being  absent,  the  House  made  choice  of  Samuel  Cutts.  Esq., 
for  their  Speaker,  pro  tempore.  who  took  the  Chair  accord- 
ingly ;  soon  after  which,  the  Speaker  came  in,  and  resumed 
the  Chair. 

Voted,  That  it  be,  and  hereby  is,  recommended  to  all 
Colonels,  and  other  Officers  of  the  Militia  in  this  Colony,  to 
be  aiding  and  assisting  to  the  several  Officers  appointed  to 
inlist  Soldiers  for  the  Regiment  to  be  sent  into  Canada,  by 
all  good  means  in  their  power,  that  the  said  Regiment  may 
be  raised  with  all  convenient  speed. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Baldwin  and  Matthew  Patten,  Esq., 
be  excused  from  going  to  Canada,  to  carry  the  hard  Money 
now  in  the  Treasury  to  General  Schuyler. 

Voted,  That  James  Betton,  Esq.,  be  joined  lo  the  Hon. 
Benjamin  Giles,  Esq.,  as  a  Committee  to  receive  out  of  the 
Colony  Treasury,  and  convey  to  General  Schuyler,  or  to  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  Continental  Forces  in  Canada, 
all  the  hard  Money  in  the  Treasury,  for  the  support  of  our 
said  Forces,  and  to  take  his  receipt  for  the  same  on  account 
of  this  Colony. 

Voted,  That  Benjamin  Giles,  Esq.,  and  James  Betton, 
Esq.,  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £30,  lawful  money,  to  be 
by  them  accounted  for,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of 
payment  accordingly. 


Voted,  That  the  balance  of  the  Account  of  Major  John 
Bellows,  amounting  to  £19  7s.  "id.,  be  allowed  and  paid 
out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of 
payment. 

Voted,  That  the  several  Mustennasters,  hereafter  named, 
receive  out  of  the  Treasury  sufficient  Moneys  to  pay  off  the 
Troops  going  to  Canada,  for  their  bounty  and  their  month's 
advance  wages;  and  that  they  pay  them  in  their  several 
departments,  upon  their  being  mustered  and  enrolled ;  and 
that  Colonel  Timothy  Walker  be  Mustermaster  of  Captain 
Shepard's  Company,  Colonel  Otis  Baker  of  Captain  Drew's 
Company,  Captain  Ezekiel  Worthen  of  Captain  Hadlock' i 
Company,  Samuel  Dudley,  Esq.,  of  Captain  Harper's  Com- 
pany, John  Dudley,  Esq.,  of  Captain  Dearborn's  Company, 
Deacon  Nahum  Baldwin  of  Captain  Blanchard' s  Company, 
Mr.  Elijah  Grout  of  Captain  Welherbce's  Company,  and 
Colonel  Enoch  Hale  of  Captain  Parker's  Company. 

"  The  Committee  of  both  Houses  beg  leave  to  recommend 
the  reconsidering  of  two  Votes  lately  passed,  viz :  one  for 
raising  a  Battalion  agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  probably  to  be  stationed  at  Portsmouth,  and  nomi- 
nating Field  and  other  Officers  for  the  same,  and  a  Vote 
appointing  Officers  for  a  Battalion  to  be  sent  into  Canada. 
And  they  further  recommend  the  six  gentlemen  voted  for 
Field-Officers  for  the  two  above  mentioned  Battalions,  with 
others  who  may  be  named,  in  lieu  of  those  who  decline  the 
service,  stand  nominated  to  appoint  eight  of  them  for  the 
second  Canada  service.  u  M  THORNTON)  Chairman." 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  the  Vote  of  this  House  of  the 
llth  instant,  appointing  Major  Hackett,  Major  Tash,  and 
Major  Copp,  to  the  command  of  the  Battalion  to  be  raised 
agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  the  Continental  Congress,  to  be 
stationed  at  Portsmouth;  and  the  Vote  of  this  House  of  the 
same  day,  for  raising  and  equipping  the  said  Battalion  ;  and 
also  a  Vote  of  this  House,  of  the  15th  instant,  appointing 
Officers  for  a  Regiment  to  be  sent  into  Canada,  fcc. ; — that 
each  and  every  of  said  Votes  be,  and  hereby  are,  reconsidered 
and  made  null  and  void. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Thomas  Clough  go  to  Moultonborough 
and  Canterbury,  and  carry  a  Letter  to  Colonel  Senter  and 
a  Letter  to  Captain  Shcpard,  and  to  return  and  report  his 
doings  as  soon  as  may  be. 

The  following  Letter  was  presented  to  the  House,  viz : 
"To  the  Honourable  House  of  Representatives  for  the  Co- 
lony of  NEW-HAMPSHIRE: 

"  Agreeable  to  the  request  of  the  late  Congress  of  the 
Colony  aforesaid  to  the  Committees  of  Safety  of  the  several 
Towns  of  the  Colony,  the  Committees  of  the  Towns  of 
Dunstable,  Hollis,  Merrimack,  and  Litchfield,  in  said  Co- 
lony, herewith  return  the  names  of  Captain  Leonard  Whi- 
ting, Benjamin  Whiting,  and  Samuel  Cummings,  Esqs.,  and 
Thomas  Cummings,  of  Hollis,  suspected  persons  of  being 
unfriendly  or  inimical  to  the  liberties  and  rights  of  the  Uni- 
ted Colonies,  together  with  the  evidences  of  such  suspicion; 
which  is  humbly  submitted  to  the  examination  and  decision 
of  the  said  honourable  House  of  Assembly,  agreeable  to  the 
handbills. 

"Dated  at  Dunstable,  15th  of  June,  1776. 

"  REUBEN  Dow,  Chairman  of  Committee. 

Whereas  the  Committees  of  Safety  for  the  Towns  of  Dun- 
stalk,  Hollis,  Merrimack,  and  Litchfield,  have  returned  the 
names  of  Leonard  Whiting,  Benjamin  Whiting,  Samuel 
Cummings,  Esqrs.,  and  Thomas  Cummings,  as  persons  sus- 
pected of  being  unfriendly  or  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  the 
United  Colonies,  together  with  the  evidences  of  such  suspi- 
cion ;  which  having  been  heard  and  fully  considered,  and 
also  the  said  Leonard  Whiting,  Benjamin  Whiting,  Samuel 
Cummings,  and  Thomas  Cummings,  being  heard  by  counsel 
upon  their  petition  before  both  Houses,  it  appears  to  this 
House  that  the  said  suspicion  is  not  sufficiently  supported, 
and  that  the  said  Leonard  Whiting,  Benjamin  Whiting, 
Samuel  Cummings,  and  Thomas  Cummings,  be  acquitted, 
and  fully  discharged. 

Voted,  That  the  Pay-Roll  of  Captain  Eliphalet  Daniel, 
for  his  Company  of  Matrosses,  from  the  17th  of  May,  1776, 
to  the  17th  of  June  instant,  amounting  to  £154  12*.,  be 
allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  Presi- 
dent give  order  of  payment. 


69 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


70 


Voted,  That  Noah  Emery,  Esq.,  Clerk  of  this  House, 
receive  out  of  the  Treasury  6s.  per  day  for  his  services  as 
Clerk  of  this  House,  over  and  above  his  wages  as  Member 
of  the  House  during  the  last  session  of  this  House  in  March 
last,  amounting  to  £4  16*.,  and  that  the  President  give 
order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Isaac  Wijman  be  appointed  First 
Colonel  of  the  Regiment  now  to  be  raised  and  sent  into  Ca- 
nada, in  the  room  and  stead  of  Major  James  Hackett,  who 
was  appointed,  and  has  resigned. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday,  June  20,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  three  Members  of  this 
House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  con- 
fer and  consult  upon  the  best  method  of  procuring  Provisions 
and  other  necessaries  for  the  Regiment  going  into  Canada, 
and  to  make  report  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and 
that  Captain  Prentice,  Colonel  Walker,  and  Captain  Long, 
be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose ;  and  also 
to  consult  upon  the  best  method  of  getting  Shots  and  Balls 
belonging  to  this  Colony?  now  in  store  at  Mystick,  and  to 
write  to  General  Washington  for  an  order  to  receive  the 
Powder  loaned  by  this  Colony  for  the  supply  of  the  Conti- 
nental Army  ;  and  also  to  try  and  borrow  some  Cannon  from 
the  Colony  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Moore  be  a  Monitor  to  this 
House. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Samuel  Ashley,  Benjamin 
Giles,  Timothy  Walker,  Junior,  Nahum  Baldwin,  and  Rich- 
ard Downing,  Esqrs.,  (for  their  expenses  as  a  Committee 
to  Portsmouth  to  look  out  a  proper  place  for  a  Bridge  to 
New-Castk,)  amounting  to  £3  13*.  lOirf.,  be  allowed  and 
paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order 
of  payment. 

Adjourned  to  half-past  two  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Upon  reading  sundry  Petitions  of  the  Officers  and  Soldiers 
of  the  Sixth  Regiment  of  the  Militia,  praying  that  Colonel 
John  Hale  and  the  other  Field-Officers  appointed  for  said 
Regiment  may  be  discharged  and  dismissed  from  their  said 
appointment,  and  some  others  appointed  in  their  room,  the 
Petitioners  and  the  said  Field-Officers  being  heard  upon  their 
evidence  before  both  Houses,  it  appears  to  this  House  that 
the  said  John  Hale,  Esq.,  has  carried  and  behaved  himself 
as  a  good  friend  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  has  in  many 
cases  exerted  himself  for  the  good  of  the  American  cause, 
now  contending  for ;  and  no  evidence  appearing  against  the 
other  Field-Officers  of  said  Regiment,  it  is  therefore  voted  and 
resolved  by  this  House  that  the  said  Petitions  be,  and  hereby 
are,  dismissed. 

Voted,  To  have  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  upon  the 
matter  of  sending  what  hard  Money  we  have  to  Canada, 
by  the  same  guard  Captain  Langdon  proposes  to  send  what 
he  has  collected  by,  or  in  what  manner  the  same  shall  be 
sent,  and  to  make  report  thereon  to  this  House  as  soon  as 
rnay  be ;  and  that  John  Dudley,  Esq.,  Captain  Josiah  Moul- 
ton,  and  Colonel  Samuel  Sherburne,  be  the  Committee  of  this 
House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  the  balance  of  the  Account  of  Colonel  Otis 
Baker,  amounting  to  20s.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury,  and  that  the  President  of  the  Council  give  order 
of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Jacob  Wilson  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
28*.,  in  full  for  boarding  and  nursing  James  Winn,  a  sick 
soldier,  and  for  his  watchers,  and  that  the  President  give 
order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Field-Officers  and  the  Staff-Officers  of 
the  Regiment  destined  for  Canada  be  paid  out  of  the  Trea- 
sury, each  two  months'  advance  pay,  instead  of  the  one 
month's  advance  pay  heretofore  voted  them,  and  that  the 
President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Otis  Baker,  Mr.  Elijah  Grout, 
Colonel  Timothy  Walker,  Samuel  Dudley,  Esq.,  John  Dud- 


ley, Esq.,  Deacon  Nahum  Baldwin,  Colonel  Enoch  Hale, 
and  Captain  Ezekicl  Worthen,  the  several  Mustermasters 
appointed  to  pay  off  the  Troops  destined  for  Canada,  re- 
ceive, each  of  them,  out  of  the  Treasury  £780,  to  pay  off 
the  Soldiers  (by  them  severally  to  be  mustered)  their  bounty 
of  $20  each,  and  their  one  month's  advance  pay,  and  to 
pay  off  the  Captains  and  Subaltern  Officers  of  said  Troops 
two  months'  advance  pay,  instead  of  the  one  month's  pay 
heretofore  voted  them  ;  and  that  the  said  Mustermasters  be 
severally  accountable  for  said  sum,  and  that  the  President 
give  order  of  payment  accordingly. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  report  their  opinion  of  the 
necessaries  to  fix  off  the  Canada  Regiment,  agree  to  report, 
that  Colonel  Hurd  be  appointed  to  fix  off  all  the  Companies 
from  Cohos,  with  ten  days'  provisions — except  Captain  Par- 
ker's and  Captain  Wetherbee's  Companies,  who  we  would 
recommend  to  be  fixed  off  by  Captain  Prentice,  at  Chnrles- 
town,  with  ten  days'  provisions — to  proceed  by  way  of  Crown 
Point;  and  that  the  persons  appointed  Mustermasters  deliver 
each  Company  a  day's  provision  for  every  twenty  miles' 
travel,  from  the  place  they  march  from,  until  they  come  to 
Cohos  or  Charlestown — otherwise  pay  to  each  man  Id.  per 
mile  for  said  distance ;  and  that  said  Hurd  and  Prentice 
deliver  each  man  a  quart  of  rum,  and  that  six  dozen  of  axes 
be  immediately  provided  at  Exeter,  and  sent  forward. 

M.  THORNTON,  Chairman. 

Which  Report  being  read, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  received  and  accepted,  and 
that  orders  issue  from  the  honourable  the  President  accord- 
ingly. 

John  Hale,  Esq.,  Colonel  of  the  Sixth  Regiment  of 
Militia  in  this  Colony,  together  with  Robert  Reid,  Esq.,  his 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  William  McQuieston,  Esq.,  his 
Major,  came  into  the  House  and  desired  leave  to  resign  their 
respective  commissions  appointing  them  to  the  command  of 
said  Regiment. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  June  21,  1776. 
The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  form  of  Orders  for  the  Mustermasters  was  presented, 
read,  and  accepted. 

Voted,  That  Benjamin  Giles,  Esq.,  and  James  Betton, 
Esq.,  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £20,  to  be  by  them  ac- 
counted for,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Baker,  Mustermaster  for  Captain 
Drew's  Company,  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £20 ;  and 
that  Captain  Worthen,  Mustermaster  of  Captain  Hadlock's 
Company,  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £30 ;  and  that  John 
Dudley,  Esq.,  Mustermaster  of  Captain  Dearborn's  Com- 
pany, receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £30 ;  and  that  Samuel 
Dudley.  Esq.,  Mustermaster  of  Captain  Harper's  Company, 
receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £30 ;  and  that  Colonel  Walker, 
Mustermaster  of  Captain  Shepard's  Company,  receive  out 
of  the  Treasury  £20 ;  and  that  Deacon  Nahum  Baldwin, 
Mustermaster  of  Captain  Parkers  Company,  receive  out  of 
the  Treasury  £20:  in  addition  to  the  sums  before  voted 
for  them,  to  pay  off  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  destined  for 
Canada;  and  that  the  honourable  President  give  orders  of 
payment  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Daniel  Colburn,  of  Pelham,  be  Sec- 
ond Major  of  Colonel  Thornton's  Regiment,  in  the  room 
and  stead  of  James  McGregore,  who  refuses  to  accept  that 
office. 

Upon  a  motion  made  in  the  House  for  appointing  a  Sec- 
ond Major  to  the  First  Regiment  in  this  Colony,  in  the  room 
of  Ephraim  Pickering,  who  was  lately  appointed  to  that 
office, 

Voted,  That  Lieutenant-Colonel  Joshua  Wenlworth  and 
the  said  Ephraim  Pickering  be  desired  to  appear  before 
this  House  on  Wednesday  next,  to  show  cause  why  the  said 
Regiment  is  not  yet  settled,  and  why  the  said  motion  may 
not  be  granted. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consider  of  a  method 
to  carry  into  execution  the  vote  of  this  House  for  building  a 
Bridge  at  New- Castle;  and  that  Major  Downing,  Deacon 
Nahum  Baldwin,  and  Colonel  Samuel  Sherburne,  be  the. 
Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 


71 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


72 


Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Nicholas  Nicoflc,  amount- 
ing to  £3  5*.  Id.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury, 
and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Prentice  receive  out  of  the  Trea- 
sury £116,  to.  provide  and  fix  off  the  Troops  destined  for 
Canada,  and  that  he  be  accountable  for  the  same,  and  that 
the  President  give  order  of  payment  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Hurd  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£350,  to  provide  for  and  fix  off  the  Troops  destined  for 
Canada,  to  be  by  him  accounted  for,  and  that  the  President 
give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Colonel  Matthew  Thornton, 
Esq.,  amounting  to  £3  19*.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Prentice  receive  of  the  Quarter- 
master 100  pounds  of  Powder,  and  250  pounds  of  Bullets, 
and  400  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the  Troops  destined  for 
Canada,  and  that  the  President  give  order  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Hurd  receive  of  the  Quartermaster 
300  pounds  Powder,  750  pounds  Bullets,  and  1200  Flints, 
for  the  use  of  the  Troops  destined  for  Canada,  and  that  the 
President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  three  persons  of  this 
House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  con- 
sult about  constituting  a  Court  to  sustain  Appeals  from  the 
sentences  or  decrees  of  the  Judges  of  Probate  in  this  Colony, 
or  to  point  out  what  Court  shall  sustain  such  Appeals,  and 
whether  the  parties  shall  be  sustained  by  a  Jury;  and  to 
make  report  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and  that  Jonathan  Love- 
well,  Esq.,  John  Dudley,  Esq.,  and  Colonel  Walker,  be  the 
Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Walker,  Colonel  Sherburne,  and 
Major  Downing,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  examine  into  the 
complaints  and  grievances  of  Peter  Neveau,  a  poor  French- 
man, now  inhabiting  within  this  Colony,  and  to  make  report 
to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Captain  John  Moulton, 
amounting  to  £33  0*.  6d.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Adjourned  till  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  June  22,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment,  and  made  a 
collection  in  the  House  for  Peter  Neveau,  a  poor  Frertchman, 
and  delivered  the  same,  being  £2  14s.  9d.,  into  the  hands  of 
Deacon  James  Knowles,  for  the  use  of  said  Peter  Neveau. 

The  House  having  taken  into  their  serious  consideration 
the  distressed  and  unhappy  situation  of  Peter  Neveau  and 
his  family,  do  hereby  recommend  to  the  Committee  of  Safety 
of  Wakefield,  that  they,  together  with  Deacon  Knowles  and 
Mr.  Bakh,  inquire  into  the  circumstances  of  the  said  Ne- 
veau and  family,  and  see  that  he  is  not  injured  by  his  neigh- 
bours, or  any  person  whatsoever. 

Voted,  That  there  be  but  one  place  of  Rendezvous  in 
this  Colony  for  the  Troops  destined  for  Canada,  and  that  it 
be  at  Haverhill,  on  Connecticut  River. 

Voted,  That  Alexander  Shirley  receive  out  of  the  Trea- 
sury £2  11s.,  in  full  for  his  coat  and  knapsack,  lost  at 
Bunker-Hill  fight,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of 
payment. 

Voted,  That  John  Shirley  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£2  8s.,  in  full  for  his  coat  and  jacket,  lost  at  Bunker-Hill 
fight,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Morey  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£150,  to  be  by  him  accounted  for,  and  that  the  President 
give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  the  Committee  of  Safety 
of  Greenland,  amounting  to  £13  8s.,  (for  Fire  Raft,)  be 
allowed,  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury;  and  that  the  Presi- 
dent give  order  of  payment. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next,  at  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 


Monday,  June  24,  1776.    " 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

An  Act  for  altering  the  style  of  Commissions  and  Law 
Processes,  was  read  a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

An  Act  to  prevent  the  counterfeiting  or  altering  the  Bills 
of  Credit  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  either  of  them,  and  for 
preventing  the  depreciation  thereof,  was  read  a  third  time, 
and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

An  Act  for  assessing  Taxes,  &.C.,  and  for  ascertaining  who 
are  Legal  Voters  in  Town  and  Parish  Meetings,  was  read  a 
third  time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

Voted,  That  Aaron  Quimby  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£1  5s.  9d.,  being  a  stoppage  against  his  wages  on  the  roll 
of  Captain  John  Parker,- and  that  the  President  give  order 
of  payment. 

Voted,  That  FJ>enezer  Collins  receive  out  of  the  Trea- 
sury 14s.,  being  a  stoppage  out  of  his  wages  on  the  roll  of 
Captain  John  Parker,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of 
payment. 

Voted,  That  Daniel  Murray  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
19s.,  being  a  stoppage  out  of  his  wages  on  the  roll  of  Cap- 
tain John  Parker,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of 
payment. 

Voted,  That  William  Simpson  receive  out  of  the  Trea- 
sury £1  8s.  Id.,  being  a  stoppage  out  of  his  wages  on  the 
roll  of  Captain  John  Parker,  and  that  the  President  give 
order  of  payment. 

The  Petition  of  John  Colby  being  read, 

Voted,  That  he  be  heard  thereon  on  the  first  Tuesday 
of  the  next  session  of  this  Assembly. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday,  June  25,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  three  of  this  House, 
to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult 
upon  the  expediency  of  procuring  and  securing  a  number  of 
Boats  for  the  transporting  reinforcements  to  our  Troops  at 
New-Castle,  in  case  of  necessity,  and  to  make  report  to  this 
House  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and  that  Deacon  Baldwin,  Cap- 
tain Worthen,  and  Major  Downing,  be  the  Committee  of 
this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Bakh,  Captain  Prentice,  and  Captain 
Simonds,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a  Committee 
of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  upon  the  matter  and 
manner  of  procuring  Casks  for  the  Saltpetre  now  procured, 
and  that  hereafter  may  be  procured,  in  this  Colony,  and  also 
for  Powder,  and  make  report  thereon  as  soon  as  may  be. 

"  The  Committee  of  the  Council  and  Assembly  appointed 
to  consult  upon  the  matter  and  manner  of  procuring  Casks 
for  the  Saltpetre  now  procured,  &c.,  have  maturely  con- 
sidered the  same,  and  do  humbly  report,  that  one  hundred 
and  twenty  new  Barrels  be  provided  for  the  purposes  in  the 
Resolve  set  forth,  each  Barrel  to  contain  sixteen  gallons, 
which,  they  think,  will  be  sufficient  at  present. 

"  M.  THORNTON,  Chairman." 

Voted,  That  Major  Tash,  Colonel  Morey,  and  Captain 
Prentice,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a  Committee 
of  the  honourable  Board,  to  confer  together  upon  the  Account 
of  Captain  John  Moulton  against  this  Colony,  and  make 
report  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  confer  upon  the 
expediency  of  seizing  and  securing  Major  Robert  Rogers, 
in  consequence  of  sundry  informations  against  him,  as  inimi- 
cal to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  this  country,  and  to  make 
report  thereon  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be;  and  that 
Captain  Harriman,  Major  Philbrick,  and  Mr.  Bell,  be 
the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  'That  the  Pay-Roll  of  Captain  Ebenezer  Dear- 
ing,  from  May  22  to  June.  22,  1776,  amounting  to  £100 
14s.  4%d.,  be  allowed,  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and 
that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

The  Maritime  Act  was  read  a  second  time.  An  Act  to 
enforce  the  payment  of  Taxes,  Sic.,  read  a  first  time.  An 
Act  to  abolish  the  Court  of  Appeals,  &ic.,  read  a  first  time. 

Adjourned  to  half-past  two  o'clock,  P.  M. 


73 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


74 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Deacon  Nahum  Baldwin  receive  out  of  the 
Treasury  £60,  lawful  money,  towards  procuring  Firearms, 
to  be  by  him  accounted  for,  and  that  the  President  give 
order  of  payment. 

An  Act  for  abolishing  the  Court  of  Appeals,  Sic.,  was 
read  a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

Voted,  That  the  Muster-Roll  of  Captain  Titus  Salter, 
from  the  17lh  of  May  to  the  16th  of  June,  1776,  amount- 
ing to  £199  14*.  Id.,  be  allowed,  and  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment 
accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Captain  John  Langdon,  of  Portsmouth,  be 
Captain  of  a  Company  of  Light-Infantry  in  Portsmouth, 
and  that  he  be  commissioned  therefor,  with  the  rank  of 
Colonel ;  that  his  Lieutenant  (by  him  to  be  nominated)  be 
commissioned,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  and 
that  his  Ensign  be  commissioned,  with  the  rank  of  Major; 
and  that  the  said  Company  consist  of  forty  men,  rank  and 
file,  and  that  the  President  give  out  Commissions  accord- 
ingly. The  said  Company  to  be  under  the  command  of 
the  General  Officer  of  the  Militia  for  this  Colony. 

"  The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  of  a  method  to 
carry  into  execution  the  Vote  of  this  House  for  building  a 
Bridge  at  New-Castle,  recommend  that  a  Committee  be 
chosen  to  purchase  materials  suitable  to  build  said  Bridge  or 
Bridges  in  the  places  recommended  by  the  Committee,  of 
fourteen  feet  width  in  the  clear,  in  a  substantial  manner, 
according  to  their  best  skill  and  judgment,  and  with  all  the 
expedition  that  may  be ;  and  also  that  it  be  recommended 
to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Troops  in  the  District  of 
Portsmouth  to  furnish  forty  able  and  suitable  men  to  assist 
in  this  business,  the  men  to  be  allowed  one  pistareen  per 
day  more  than  common  wages,  and  excusable  from  other 
duties.  J.  KURD,  for  the  Committee. 

"  Exeter,  June  25,  1776." 

The  above  Report  being  read  and  considered, 
Voted,  That  Captain  Worthen,  together  with  one  to  be 
appointed  from  the  honourable  Council,  be  a  Committee  to 
purchase  materials  suitable  to  build  a  Bridge  of  fourteen  feet 
width  in  the  clear,  in  the  place  mentioned  in  the  report  of  a 
Committee  sent  to  view  the  best  place  for  building  a  Bridge 
from  the  main  land  to  New-Castle,  in  a  substantial  manner, 
according  to  their  best  skill  and  judgment,  and  with  all  the 
expedition  that  may  be,  and  also  to  oversee  the  said  work 
while  building  said  Bridge  ;  and  that  they  employ  four  good 
Carpenters  on  the  said  work,  and  as  many  of  the  Troops  at 
New -Castle  as  occasion  may  require,  which  Troops  shall 
receive  one  gill  of  rum  each  per  day  whilst  on  the  said 
work,  beside  their  rations  and  wages  as  soldiers. 

Voted,  That  there  be  procured,  at  the  charge  of  this  Colony, 
one  hundred  and  twenty  new,  good,  tight  oak  Casks,  to  con- 
tain sixteen  gallons  each,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  in  them 
the  Saltpetre  already  procured  and  hereafter  to  be  procured 
for  the  use  of  this  Colony,  and  also  to  secure  Powder  in,  as 
this  Colony  may  have  occasion  ;  and  that  Doctor  Josiah  Gil- 
man  and  Mr.  Nathaniel be  a  Committee  to  procure 

the  said  Casks. 

Voted,  That  John  McClary,  Esquire,  and  Mr.  Bell  be  a 
Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honour- 
able Board,  to  consider  the  Petition  of  Joseph  Leigh,  this  day 
presented  to  this  House,  and  to  make  report  thereon  as  soon 
as  may  be. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  June  26,  1776. 
The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Titus  Salter  be  allowed  and  paid 
out  of  the  Treasury  £89  3s.  9%d.,  in  full  for  his  Account, 
and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  the  Vote  of  the  honourable  Council,  sent  to 
this  H^ouse  this  day,  appointing  Colonel  Thornton,  General 
Folsom,  Colonel  Hurd,  and  Ebenezer  Thompson,  Esquire, 
a  Committee  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board, 
to  examine  the  Account  of  Captain  Titus  Salter,  and  confer 
together  on  an  allowance  thereof,  and  make  report  thereon, 
be  concurred,  and  Captain  Prentice,  Ichabod  Rollins,  Esq., 
Richard  Downing,  Esq.,  Colonel  Walker,  and  Colonel 
March,  be  joined  on  the  part  of  this  House. 


An  Act  for  establishing  a  Court  Maritime,  &c.,  was  read 
a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  three  of  this  House,  to 
join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consider  a 
Petition  of  Colonel  Ashley,  Colonel  Hurd,  Major  Bellows, 
Benjamin  Giles,  Esq.,  and  Colonel  Morey,  for  a  Company 
of  Rangers,  fee.,  and  make  report  to  this  House  as  soon  as 
may  be;  and  that  Captain  Prentice,  John  McClary,  Esq., 
and  Jonathan  LoveweU,  Esq.,  be  the  Committee  of  this 
House  for  that  purpose. 

The  following  Vote  of  Council  was  brought  down  from 
the  honourable  Board,  viz : 

"  Colony  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Council,  ) 
June  26,  1776.     \ 

"  Whereas,  one  Mr.  John  Odlin  has  just  arrived  and  pre- 
sented to  the  Council  $10,000  from  the  honourable  Conti- 
nental Congress  for  the  use  of  this  Colony: 

"Voted,  That  Colonel  Thornton,  General  Folsom,  and 
Colonel  Hurd,  be  a  Committee,  to  join  with  such  as  the 
honourable  Board  shall  appoint,  to  receive  and  tell  over 
said  Money  and  deliver  it  to  the  Treasurer,  and  take  his 
receipt  therefor. 

"  Sent  down  for  concurrence. 

"  E.  THOMPSON,  Secretary." 

The  above  Vote  of  Council  read  and  concurred,  and 
Captain  Simonds,  John  Dudley,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Pren- 
tice, are  added  on  the  part  of  the  House. 

Adjourned  to  half-past  two  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

An  Act  concerning  Marriages,  &c.,  was  read  a  third 
time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

.  Voted,  That  a  Committee  of  five  persons  of  this  House 
join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  confer  to- 
gether upon  the  expediency  of  purchasing  or  borrowing  a 
quantity  of  Powder,  or  of  exchanging  of  Saltpetre  in  the 
Massachusetts  Colony  for  Powder,  and  in  what  manner  the 
exchange  shall  be  made,  and  make  report  thereon  as  soon 
as  may  be ;  and  that  Colonel  Morey,  Ichabod  Rotting,  Esq., 
Doctor  Dearborn,  Captain  Prentice,  and  Captain  Moulton, 
be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose ;  and  also 
to  consider  the  expediency  of  supplying  the  frontier  Towns 
in  this  Colony  with  Powder,  and  also  what  Towns  shall  be 
supplied,  and  with  how  much. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  three  Members  of  this 
House,  to  join  'a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to 
inquire  into  the  cause  why  the  First  Regiment  in  this  Colo- 
ny is  not  settled,  according  to  the  order  of  this  House ;  and 
why  Major  Eiphraim  Pickering  is  objected  to  by  some  part 
of  said  Regiment  as  Second  Major  thereof,  and  to  make  report 
thereof  to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and  that  Jonathan 
LoveweU,  Esq.,  Daniel  Brainard,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Har- 
riman,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  Joseph  Leigh  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£6  3*.,  in  full  for  his  service  to  this  Colony  as  a  soldier 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Salter,  and  that  the  Presi- 
dent give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Mr.  John  Odin,  amounting 
to  £4  12s.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and 
that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Ensign  of  Colonel  Sherburne's  Company 
of  Cadets  have  the  same  rank  as  the  Ensign  of  Colonel 
Langdon's  Company  of  Light-Infantry. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  June  27,  1776. 
The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  upon  the 
expediency  of  emitting  a  quantity  of  Small  Bills  for  the 
benefit  of  change,  and  to  make  report  how  much,  and  in 
what  manner,  the  same  shall  be  emitted,  and  that  Doctor 
Dearborn,  Captain  Long,  and  John  McClary,  Esq.,  be  the 
Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Which  Committee  being  joined  by  a  Committee  of  the 
honourable  Board,  made  report,  as  on  file.  Whereupon  it 
is  voted,  that  there  be  forthwith  emitted,  on  the  credit  of 


75 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JUNE,  1776. 


76 


this  Colony,  the   sum  of  £3,400,  in  manner  following, 

viz: 

6,000  bills,  at  3d.  each,  is £75 

6,000  bills,  at  4d.  each,  is 100 

6,000  bills,  at  5d.  each,  is 1 25 

6,000  bills,  at  Id.  each,  is 175 

6,000  bills,  at  3d.  each,  is 200 

6,000  bills,  at  lOd.  each,  is    -    -    -    -  250 

6,000  bills,  at  1*.  each,  is 300 

6,000  bills,  at  1*.  3d.  each,  is       -     -     -  375 

6,000  bills,  at  2s.  each,  is 600 

6,000  bills,  at  4s.  each,  is 1,200 

3,400 


Whereof  £1,700  to  be  received  by  a  tax  on  the  Polls 
and  Estates  of  the  rateable  inhabitants  of  this  Colony  by  the 
26th  day  of  January,  1787,  and  the  remaining  £1,700  by 
the  26th  day  of  January,  1788,  and  that  the  said  bills  be 
emitted  in  the  following  form : 

"  Colony  of  NEW-HAMPSHIRE,  June  28,  1776. 
No. 


—  pence. 


-  pence. 


"  The  possessor  of  this  bill  shall  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer 

of  this  Colony ,  by  the  26thday  of  JANUARY,  1778. 

And  this  bill  shall  be  received  for  the  aforesaid  sum  in  all 
payments.     By  order  of  the  Council  and  Assembly. 

Committee. 

pence." 


•  pence. 


And  that  Doctor  Dearborn,  together  with  such  of  the 
Council  as  shall  be  appointed  by  the  honourable  Board,  be 
a  Committee  to  procure  the  materials  and  inspect  the  print- 
ing of  said  Bills;  and  when  so  done,  to  deliver  the  same  to 
the  Treasurer,  and  take  his  receipt  therefor ;  and  that  six 
persons  of  this  House,  with  such  as  the  honourable  Board 
shall  appoint,  be  a  Committee  to  sign  the  said  Bills ;  and 
that  one  signer  to  each  of  said  Bills  shall  be  sufficient ;  and 
that  Noah  Emery,  Esq.,  Captain  Pierce  Long,  Mr.  John 
Smith,  Philips  rrhite,  Esq.,  Major  Samuel  Philbrick,  and 
Major  Benjamin  Barker,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House 
for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  together 
and  to  make  report  what  business  is  most  necessary  to  be 
done  at  this  session  ;  and  at  what  time  and  to  what  time  the 
General  Assembly  shall  be  adjourned  ;  and  also  to  consult 
in  what  manner  and  how  the  Members  of  both  Houses  shall 
receive  their  pay;  and  that  Jonathan  Lovewell,  Esq.,  John 
Dudley,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Prentice,  be  the  Committee  of 
the  House  for  the  purposes  aforesaid. 

Which  Committee  being  joined  by  a  Committee  of  the 
Council,  made  report  as  follows,  viz : 

"  The  Committee  of  both  Houses  agree  to  report  that  they 
think  it  necessary  a  vote  should  pass,  directing  the  Secre- 
tary that  he  should  make  out  commissions  of  the  peace  for 
each  County,  agreeable  to  the  Acts,  Votes,  and  Resolves  of 
the  General  Assembly;  and  for  the  President  to  sign  them. 
That  the  several  Acts  under  consideration  be  finished  and 
passed.  And  considering  the  necessity  of  raising  the  Ca- 
nada Regiment,  and  uncertainty  of  recruiting  officers  raising 
the  men,  think  it  absolutely  necessary  for  the  Court  to  set 
next  week.  That  the  Judge  of  Maritime  Affairs  be  com- 
missioned without  delay.  M.  THORNTON,  Chairman." 

Voted,  That  the  wages  of  the  several  Members  of  the 
honourable  Council  and  of  this  House  be  6s.  per  day  for  their 
attendance  during  the  current  year ;  and  that  the  Secretary 
and  the  Clerk  of  this  House  receive  for  their  services,  as 
Secretary  and  Clerk,  6».  per  day  each,  over  and  above  their 
wages  as  Members  ;  and  that  Mr.  John  Smith  receive,  for 
his  services  in  this  House  as  Assistant  Clerk,  3s.  per  day 
over  and  above  his  wages  as  a  Member  of  this  House. 

An  Act  for  the  better  regulating  Highways,  was  read  a 
third  time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Robert  Leight,  for  Axes, 
amounting  to  £2  2s.  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Trea- 
sury, and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  John  Pickering,  Esq.,  for 
drawing  Acts,  fee.,  amounting  to  £5,  be  allowed  and  paid 
out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of 
payment. 


Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Richard  Champney,  amount- 
ing to  24s.  6d.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury, 
and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Folsom,  Esq.,  have  the  loan  of  £300 
out  of  the  Treasury,  for  the  term  of  one  year,  to  enable  him 
to  prosecute  the  building  a  Powder-Mil]  in  Exeter,  he  giving 
bond,  with  sufficient  sureties,  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony 
for  the  repayment  of  said  sum  at  the  end  of  said  term,  and 
that  the  President  give  order  accordingly. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  June  28,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  matter  of  Colonel  Bayley's  Letter  received  this  day, 
and  make  report  thereon  as  soon  as  may  be;  and  that  Cap- 
tain Long,  John  Dudley,  Esq.,  Colonel  Morey,  and  Captain 
Moulton,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

An  Act  to  empower  sundry  Committees  to  open  Sluices 
on  Beaver-Brook,  was  read  a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be 
enacted. 

An  Act  for  opening  Sluices  in  each  Dam  across  Piscata- 
qua  River,  &c.,  was  read  a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be 
enacted. 

A  Petition  of  Samuel  Gutterson,  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  One-Mile  Slip  and  Duxbury  Farm,  lying  in  the 
County  of  Hillsborough,  praying  to  be  empowered  to  manage 
the  prudential  affairs  of  their  District  in  a  legal  way,  with 
good  order  and  safety,  being  read  and  considered, 

Voted,  That  the  prayer  thereof  be  granted,  and  that  the 
Petitioner  thereof  have  leave  to  bring  in  a  Bill  accordingly. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  upon  the 
best  and  most  effectual  method  of  supplying  this  Colony 
with  Firearms,  and  to  make  report  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and 
that  Colonel  Sherburne,  Colonel  Baker,  Dr.  Nichols,  Cap- 
tain Prentice,  and  Colonel  Morey,  be  the  Committee  of  this 
House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Captain  Nathaniel  Sartel 
Prentice,  amounting  to  £7  2s.  4d.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out 
of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  pay- 
ment. 

An  Act  for  the  more  strict  observation  of  the  Lord's  Day 
in  this  Colony  was  read  a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be  en- 
acted. 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  receive  into  the 
Treasury,  in  exchange  for  the  Paper  Bills  of  this  Colony, 
any  quantity  of  Copper  Coin,  made  in  this  Colony,  of  the 
weight  of  five  penny  weight  and  ten  grains  each,  to  the  amount 
of  any  sum  not  exceeding  £1,000,  lawful  money;  three  of 
which  Coppers  shall  be  received  and  paid  for  two  pence, 
lawful  money,  in  all  payments;  which  Coppers  shall  have 
the  following  device,  viz :  A  pine  tree,  with  the  word  Ame- 
rican liberty  on  one  side,  and  a  harp  and  the  figures  1776 
on  the  other  side. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

An  Act  against  counterfeiting  Bills  of  Credit,  fcc.,  was 
read  a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

An  Act  to  regulate  Taxation,  fkc.,  was  read  a  third  time, 
and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

"  The  Committee  of  both  Houses  agree  to  report  that  they 
advise  the  raising  two  hundred  men  to  guard  the  Western 
frontiers,  and  that  inlisting  orders  be  delivered  to  persons  to 
raise  four  Companies,  of  fifty  men  each  ;  which  Companies, 
when  raised,  to  choose  a  Captain,  Lieutenant,  and  Ensign, 
to  each  Company.  And  that  they  would  advise  that  the 
raising  the  men  be  attempted  on  Pemigewasset  River  and 
across  the  middle  of  the  Colony,  to  be  inlisted  for  five 
months;  Officers  and  Soldiers  to  have  the  same  wages  as 
the  other  Colonial  Troops,  and  40s.  bounty — one  month's 
wages  to  be  advanced ;  that  Colonel  Ashley,  Colonel  Con- 


77 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JULY,  1776. 


78 


nor,  Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.,  and  Colonel  Hurd,  be  recom- 
mended to  inlist  the  Companies,  muster,  pay  them,  and 
deliver  Commissions  to  the  persons  chosen  Officers  by  the 
Soldiers.  And  it  is  further  recommended  that  Colonel  Hurd 
be  appointed  to  give  orders  to  the  several  Companies,  from 
time  to  time,  about  their  scouting  route,  &,c. 

"M.  WEARE,  Chairman." 

The  following  Vote  of  Council  was  brought  down  from 

the  honourable  Board,  viz: 

"  In  Council,  June  28,  1776. 

"  Voted,  That  General  Nathaniel  Folsom,  Colonel  Mat- 
thew Thornton,  and  Ebeneztr  Thompson,  Esq.,  be  a  Com- 
mittee, to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  House,  to  report 
their  opinion  on  the  state  of  Colonel  Morey's  Account,  and 
in  particular  concerning  goods  and  stores  in  his  hands — 
whether  the  Colony  had  best  receive  them  or  not,  and 
thereby  determine  the  expediency  of  his  having  an  order  on 
the  Treasury  for  money." 

The  above  Vote  of  Council  read  and  concurred,  and 
Captain  Prentice,  Captain  Harriman,  Captain  Moulton, 
Captain  Simonds,  and  Colonel  Evans,  are  added  on  the 
part  of  the  House. 

Voted,  That  the  Officers  appointed  to  inlist  the  Regi- 
ment now'  destined  for  Canada,  have  liberty  to  inlist  such 
men,  now  in  the  service  of  this  Colony  at  New-Castle,  as 
see  fit  to  inlist  in  said  Regiment  destined  for  Canada ;  and 
that  Colonel  David  Gilman,  commander  of  said  Regiment 
at  New-Castle,  be  forthwith  informed  of  this  Vote,  and  that 
he,  and  his  Officers  under  him,  have  leave  to  recruit  such 
number  of  Soldiers  as  shall  so  inlist  out  of  said  Regiment. 

Adjourned  for  ten  minutes. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  the  several  Mustermasters  appointed  to 
muster  the  several  Companies  destined  for  Canada,  imme- 
diately repair  to  their  several  places  of  destination,  and  muster 
whatever  Troops  are  inlisted  by  the  several  Recruiting  Offi- 
cers, and  return  to  this  House  a  Roll  of  such  Soldiers  so  in- 
listed,  and  to  what  Regiment  they  respectively  belong,  on  or 
before  Wednesday  night  next  week. 

Voted,  That  if  any  or  either  of  the  several  Recruiting 
Officers  appointed  to  inlist  the  Soldiers  destined  for  Canada, 
shall  represent  to  any  or  either  of  the  Mustermasters  appointed 
to  muster  their  respective  Companies,  and  resign  their  re- 
spective claim  to  the  command  of  such  Company  respec- 
tively ;  and  any  other  respectable  man  shall  raise  such  Com- 
pany, and  cause  them  to  be  mustered  by  such  Mustermaster, 
that  then  the  said  Mustermaster  may  proceed  to  pay  off  such 
Soldiers,  in  the  same  manner  as  if  inlisted  by  such  Inlisting 
Officer. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  June  29,  1776. 
The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Richard  Champney  be  sent  express  to 
General  Ward,  in  Boston,  and  make  application  to  him  to 
replace  to  this  Colony  the  quantity  of  Powder  furnished  and 
lent  to  General  Washington  last  year,  for  the  use  of  the 
Continental  Army ;  and  in  failure  of  that,  that  he  be  em- 
powered to  borrow,  for  this  Colony,  thirty  or  forty  barrels  of 
Powder,  for  the  present  urgent  necessity;  and  if  that  cannot 
be  obtained,  either  from  General  Ward  or  the  Massachusetts 
Assembly,  that  he  propose  an  exchange  of  Saltpetre,  as 
much  as  can  be  spared  from  our  present  stock,  for  Powder, 
on  the  best  terms  he  can ;  and  also  to  purchase  Powder 
from  any  private  hands,  if  to  be  procured  ;  and  that  he  be 
directed  to  inquire  for,  and  purchase  a  number  of  Firearms 
in  Massachusetts,  if  any  can  be  had,  and  immediately  to 
forward  the  same  to  Exeter,  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Voted,  That  Jonathan  Hale,  Esq.,  of  Haverhitt,  in  this 
Colony,  have  and  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £200,  for  the 
purchasing  Firearms  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Towns  of  Haverhill  and  Bath,  at  Cohos,  he  giving  security 
to  the  Treasurer  to  replace  the  said  sum  in  the  Treasury 
when  called  for;  and  that  the  President  give  order  accord- 
ingly. 

Voted,  That  Jonathan  Hale,  Esq.,  of  Haverhill,  in  this 
Colony,  have  and  receive  out  of  the  Colony  stores,  two 
barrels  of  Powder  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  Haverhill 


and  Bath,  to  be  by  him  accounted  for;  and  that  the  Presi- 
dent give  order  accordingly. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  take  under  consider- 
ation the  several  Petitions  of  the  Towns  of  Plymouth,  Camp- 
ton,  Thornton,  Haverhill  and  Bath,  concerning  Arms  and 
Ammunition,  and  to  make  report  thereon  as  soon  as  may  be ; 
and  that  Captain  Caleb  Page,  Daniel  Brainard,  Esq.,  and 
Captain  Harriman,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that 
purpose. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  confer  upon  the 
expediency  of  raising  or  adding  to  the  Bounty  of  the  Non- 
Commissioned  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  this  Colony  for  Can- 
ada, and  to  report  thereon  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and  that 
Doctor  Dearborn,  Captain  Moulton,  and  Colonel  Evans,  be 
the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Which  Committee,  being  joined  by  a  Committee  of  the 
Council,  reported  as  their  opinion,  that  an  addition  of  38». 
is  necessary  on  this  occasion. 

Voted,  That  there  be  added  to  the  Bounty  already  given 
to  the  Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  this  Co- 
lony destined  for  Canada,  the  sum  of  38s.  each. 

Vote  to  give  £3  for  all  good  new  Firearms,  agreeable  to 
a  former  Vote,  for  one  year  from  this  time. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Stephen  Seavey  have  and  receive  out 
of  the  Treasury  £10,  to  be  by  him  accounted  for;  and  that 
the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Speaker  being  absent, 

Voted,  That  Nathaniel  Sartel  Prentice  be  Speaker  pro 
tempore. 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Richard  Champney  receive  out  of  the 
Treasury  £200,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Firearms  and 
Powder,  and  to  be  by  him  accounted  for;  and  that  the  Pre- 
sident give  order  for  payment  accordingly. 

An  Act  concerning  Marriages,  &cc.,  was  read  a  third  time, 
and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

An  Act  to  regulate  Taxation  was  read  a  third  time,  and 
passed  to  be  enacted. 

An  Act  empowering  Selectmen,  &c.,  to  bind  out  poor 
persons,  &c.,  was  read  a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

The  following  Vote  was  sent  down  from  the  honourable 

Board,  viz: 

"  Colony  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Council,  ) 
June  29,  1776.      $ 

"  The  Council  having  taken  into  consideration  the  com- 
plaint of  Samuel  Penhattow,  Esq.,  that  he  had,  as  a  Civil 
Magistrate  of  this  Colony,  on  a  complaint  made  to  him  in 
said  capacity,  issued  a  warrant  against  a  soldier  in  Colonel 
David  GUmon's  Regiment,  for  a  flagrant  breach  of  the 
peace,  applied  to  said  Colonel  Gilman  for  assistance,  to 
bring  the  offender  to  justice ;  and  that  said  Colonel  Gilman 
had  replied  that  the  soldiers  under  his  command  were  sub- 
ject to  martial  law,  and  were  not  subject  to  the  Civil 
Magistrate  for  any  offence,  or  to  that  effect : 

"  Voted,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Board  that  the  said 
Colonel  David  Gilman  is  ignorant  of  the  laws  and  received 
rules  and  regulations  always  practised  in  the  English  Consti- 
tution ;  and  the  military  power  setting  up  an  authority  uncon- 
trollable by  the  Civil  Magistrate,  is  subversive  of  the  laws, 
rights,  and  privileges  of  Englishmen,  and  what  our  present 
inveterate  enemies  never  attempted ;  and  that  Colonel  David 
Gilman  be  summoned  to  appear  before  the  General  Assem- 
bly forthwith,  to  answer  for  his  conduct." 

The  above  Vote  of  Council  being  read  and  considered, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  concurred. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next,  at  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Monday,  July  1,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

An  Act  for  establishing  the  style  of  Commissions,  and  for 
altering  the  style  of  Writs,  &c.,  was  read  a  second  time. 

Voted,  That  General  Nathaniel  Folsom  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  Colonel  Henry  Gerrish  one  hundred  pounds 
weight  of  Powder  out  of  the  Colony  stores,  and  take  his 


79 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JULY,  1776. 


80 


receipt  for  the  same,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  George 
Gaines,  Esq.,  by  order  from  the  Committee  of  Newburyport; 
and  that  the  President  give  directions  accordingly. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  and  examine 
into  the  expediency  of  delivering  Powder  to  the  inhabitants 
ofPiermont,  Orford,  and  Alexandria,  and  in  what  quantity, 
and  on  what  condition  the  same  shall  be  delivered  to  each 
of  said  Towns,  and  to  make  report  thereon  as  soon  as  may 
be ;  and  that  Captain  Moulton,  Deacon  Knowles,  and  Mr. 
JVheeler,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

An  Act  for  establishing  the  style  of  Commissions,  and  for 
altering  the  style  of  Writs,  &c.,  was  read  a  third  time,  and 
passed  to  be  enacted. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Prentice,  Doctor  Dearborn,  and 
Major  Philbrick,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  try  and  see  how 
cheap  they  can  get  two  hundred  and  fifty  copies  of  each  of 
the  Acts  and  Laws  passed  in  this  present  session,  printed, 
and  to  get  them  printed  in  the  cheapest  manner  they  can, 
as  soon  as  may  be,  at  the  charge  of  this  Colony. 

Adjourned  to  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  2,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  the  Committees  of  Plymouth,  Campton,  and 
Thornton,  have  and  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £250,  for 
the  purpose  of  purchasing  Fisearms,  Powder,  Lead,  and 
Flints,  for  the  use  of  said  Towns ;  they  giving  security  to 
the  Treasurer  to  repay  said  sum  when  required ;  and  that 
the  President  give  order  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  General  Folsom  deliver  to  Captain  Benja- 
min Hickocks  two  hundred  pounds  weight  of  Powder  out  of 
the  Colony  stores,  according  to  the  desire  of  the  Committee 
of  Portsmouth,  in  consequence  of  an  order  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  Newburyport,  and  that  the  President  give  order 
accordingly. 

The  whole  Council  and  House  being  resolved  into  a  Com- 
mittee of  both  Houses,  to  confer  on  the  necessary  measures 
to  be  immediately  pursued  in  the  present  alarming  circum- 
stances of  our  Canada  affairs,  &tc. : 

Having  met  in  the  Town-House,  at  Exeter,  the  Honour- 
able Meshech  Weare,  Esq.,  in  the  chair,  after  conferring  upon 
the  said  measures ; 

Voted,  That  the  General  Court  proportion  to  each  Co- 
lonel or  Commanding-Officer  of  each  Regiment  in  this 
Colony,  how  many  men  shall  be  raised  in  each  Regiment 
forthwith,  to  reinforce  our  Army  in  Canada ;  and  that  the 
said  Colonels  and  Commanding  Officers  shall  be  directed  to 
proportion  the  said  men  among  the  several  Companies  in 
their  respective  Regiments,  including  the  Alarm  List ;  and 
that  the  number  of  men  to  be  raised  shall  be  fifteen  hundred, 
including  the  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  already  voted  to 
be  raised  for  that  service ;  and  that  they  remain  in  the  ser- 
vice till  the  1st  day  of  December  next,  and  have  the  same 
allowance,  pay,  and  bounty,  as  those  heretofore  appointed 
to  be  raised  for  Canada. 

The  above  Vote  being  read, 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  made  a  Resolve  of  this  House. 

Also,  Voted,  That  Captain  Long,  Mr.  Abbot,  and  Cap- 
tain Moore,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  honourable  Board,  to  make  a  proportion  of 
what  number  of  men  shall  be  raised  in  each  Regiment  in 
this  Colony  for  a  reinforcement  of  our  Army  in  Canada. 

Voted,  That  there  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer,  for  all  such 
good  Firearms  as  shall  be  manufactured  in  this  Colony,  and 
brought  to  the  Treasurer,  agreeable  to  a  former  vote  of  this 
House,  within  one  year  from  this  time,  10s.  each,  in  addition 
to  the  £3  heretofore  voted. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  three  of  this  House, 
to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  and 
examine  into  the  expediency  of  delivering  Powder  to  the 
inhabitants  of  Walpole,  Westmoreland,  New-Chester,  Rum- 
ney,  Wentworth,  Warren,  Lyme,  and  Salisbury,  and  what 
quantity  and  on  what  condition  the  same  shall  be  delivered 
to  each  of  said  Towns,  and  make  report  thereon  as  soon  as 
may  be ;  and  that  Captain  Moulton,  Deacon  Knoivks,  and 
Mr.  Wheeler,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 


Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  there  be  delivered  to  the  Towns  hereafter 
named,  and  to  the  several  Colonels  hereafter  named,  the 
several  quantities  of  Powder  hereafter  mentioned,  (they  being 
accountable  for  the  same,)  viz :  To  the  Town  of  Wentworth, 
9  pounds  weight ;  to  the  Town  of  Warren,  9  pounds  weight ; 
to  the  Town  of  Lyme,  30  pounds  weight ;  to  the  Town  of 
New-Chester,  30  pounds  weight;  to  the  Town  ofRumncy, 
30  pounds  weight ;  to  the  Town  of  Piermont,  thirty  pounds 
weight;  to  the  Town  of  Orford,  15  pounds  weight ;  to  the 
Town  of  Alexandria,  20  pounds  weight ;  to  the  Town  of 
Salisbury,  25  pounds  weight :  to  Colonel  Benjamin  Bellows, 
for  his  Regiment,  to  be  divided  between  them  in  due  pro- 
portion, 200  pounds  weight ;  and  to  Colonel  Samuel  Ashley, 
for  his  Regiment,  to  be  divided  between  them  in  due  pro- 
portion, 100  pounds  weight ;  amounting  in  the  whole  to  500 
pounds  weight,  to  be  accounted  for  as  aforesaid  ;  and  that  the 
President  give  orders  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Major  Alexander  Craige  and  Michael Dwyer 
have  and  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £45,  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  Firearms,  Lead,  and  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the 
Town  of  Rumney,  in  this  Colony  ;  they  giving  good  security 
to  the  Treasurer  for  the  repayment  of  said  sum  into  the 
Treasury  when  required ;  and  that  the  President  'give  order 
accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Jonathan  Chandler  have  and  re- 
ceive out  of  the  Treasury  £50,  for  the  purpose  of  purcha- 
sing Firearms,  Lead,  and  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the  Town  of 
Piermont,  in  this  Colony,  he  giving  good  security  to  the 
Treasurer  for  the  repayment  of  said  sum  when  required,  and 
that  the  President  give  order  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Israel  Morey  have  and  receive  out 
of  the  Treasury  £50,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Fire- 
arms, Lead,  and  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the  Town  of  Orford, 
in  this  Colony,  he  giving  good  security  to  the  Treasurer  for 
the  repayment  of  said  sum  into  the  Treasury  when  required, 
and  that  the  President  give  order  accordingly. 

Whereas  it  is  strongly  suspected  that  Major  Robert  Rogers, 
and  one  Samuel  Dyer  are  inimical  to  the  rights  and  liberties 
of  Americans :  Therefore, 

Voted,  That  it  be,  and  hereby  is,  strongly  recommended 
to  the  several  Committees  of  Safety  and  of  Correspondence 
in  this  Colony,  or  either  or  any  of  them,  that  they  take 
effectual  care  to  seize  the  bodies  of  the  said  Samuel  Dyer 
and  Robert  Rogers,  whenever  or  wherever  found  in  this 
Colony,  and  to  secure  them,  or  either  of  them,  under  a 

Goper  guard ;  and  convey  them  or  either  of  them   to  this 
ouse,  or  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony,  as  soon  as 
may  be,  for  examination. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 


Wednesday,  July  3,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  the  following  numbers  of  men  be  raised  in 
the  several  Regiments  hereunder  mentioned,  for  the  rein- 
forcement of  our  Army  in  Canada,  viz :  Colonel  Whipple's 
Regiment,  115;  Colonel  Evans's  Regiment,  150;  Colonel 
Moulton' s  Regiment,  88 ;  Colonel  Oilman's  Regiment,  163  ; 
Colonel  Ashley's  Regiment,  100;  Colonel  Belloivs's  Regi- 
ment, 73;  late  Colonel  John  Hale' s  Regiment,  157  ;  Colonel 
Bartletfs  Regiment,  111;  Colonel  Thornton's  Regiment, 
66;  Colonel  Enoch,  Hole's  Regiment,  107;  Colonel  Web- 
ster's Regiment,  55;  Colonel  Moore's  Regiment,  126; 
Colonel  SticJcney's  Regiment,  1 16 ;  Colonel  Badger's  Regi- 
ment, 73 — 1,500. 

And  that  General  Folsom  give  orders  to  the  several  Co- 
lonels or  Commanding  Officers  of  said  Regiments  accord- 
ingly. 

"  The  Committee  on  Colonel  Morey' s  Account  agree  to 
report  that  the  goods  Colonel  Morey  has  on  hand,  for  which 
he  charges  £100,  ought  to  remain  as  his  own  property,  and 
the  charge  against  the  Colony  taken  off.  And  the  state  of 
the  Account  being  such  that  they  cannot  at  present  enter 
into  an  examination  thereof,  they  would  recommend  that  no 
money  be  paid  thereon  until  a  proper  settlement  can  be 
made.  M.  THORNTON,  Chairman." 

Which  Report  being  read  : 

Voted,  That  the  same  be  received  and  entered  as  a  resolve 
of  this  House. 


81 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JULY,  1776. 


82 


Voted,  That  Captain  Nathaniel  Sartel  Prentice  have  and 
receive  out  of  the  Treasury  the  sum  of  £200,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  purchasing  Firearms,  Lead,  and  Flints,  for  the  use 
of  Colonel  Bellows 's  Regiment,  he  giving  good  security  for 
the  repayment  of  said  sum  when  required  ;  and  that  the  Pre- 
sident give  order  accordingly. 

Whereas  sundry  Soldiers  have  inlisted  out  of  the  Regiment 
under  command  of  Colonel  David  Oilman,  at  New-Castle, 
into  the  Regiment  now  going  to  Canada:  It  is  hereby 

Voted  and  Ordered,  That  the  reasonable  expenses  of  such 
of  the  Officers  in  said  Gilman's  Regiment  as  shall  recruit 
Soldiers  to  fill  up  said  Regiment, shall  be  paid  by  the  Colony. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  three  Members  of  this 
House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  con- 
fer together  and  nominate  to  this  House  a  number  of  persons 
for  Field -Officers  for  the  new  Regiment  now  to  be  raised  to 
reinforce  our  Army  in  Canada;  and  to  make  report  thereon  ; 
and  that  John  McClarey,  Esq.,  Major  Barker,  Colonel 
Evans,  Deacon  Baldwin,  Captain  Moore,  Mr.  Rounsival, 
and  Deacon  Knowles,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for 
that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Worthen  be  appointed  Mustermas- 
ter  of  the  Soldiers  inlisted  for  the  Canada  reinforcement,  now 
at  New-  Castle,  and  that  he  pay  them  off  their  Bounty  and 
one  month's  advance  wages,  and  that  he  return  a  Roll  thereof 
to  this  House  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Voted,  That  Abner  Fellows  and  Eliphalet  Gale  have  and 
receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £4  6*.,  for  the  purpose  of  pur- 
chasing Firearms,  Lead,  and  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the  Towns 
of  New-  Chester  and  Alexandria,  they  giving  good  security 
to  the  Treasurer  for  the  repayment  of  said  sum  into  the 
Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Curry  have  and  receive  out  of  the 
Treasury  £5,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Firearms,  Lead, 
and  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  ofNew-Holderness, 
he  giving  good  security  for  repayment  of  said  sum  into  the 
Treasury  when  required,  and  that  the  President  give  order 
accordingly. 

Voted,  That  General  Nathaniel  Folsom  deliver  to  Sam- 
uel Curry,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  New-Holder- 
ness,  25  pounds  of  Powder,  out  of  the  Colony  stores,  to  be 
by  them  accounted  for,  and  that  the  President  give  order 
accordingly. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Nicholas  Gilman  be  desired  and 
uirected  to  keep  a  Guard  of  two  men  every  night,  and  one 
man  every  day,  about  the  Powder-House  in  Exeter,  in  order 
to  secure  it  from  being  destroyed,  and  that  he  give  orders  to 
said  Guard  daily  for  their  conduct  in  that  affair,  until  further 
order  of  the  Court  or  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and  that 
the  charge  of  said  Guards  be  paid  by  the  Colony. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  receive  the  Returns 
of  the  Mustermasters  appointed  to  muster  Troops  destined 
to  Canada,  and  to  make  report  to  this  House  thereon,  and 
from  time  to  time  to  report  when  any  sufficient  number  of 
said  Troops  are  ready  to  march  ;  and  that  Captain  Harri- 
man,  Captain  Moulton,  and  Captain  Prentice,  be  the  Com- 
mittee of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Colonel  David  Gilman  appearing  before  both  Houses  to 
answer  the  complaint  of  Samuel  Penhallow,  Esq.,  as  on  file, 
&ic.,  and  being  fully  heard,  and  the  matter  duly  considered, 
it  is 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  the  said  complaint  be  dis- 
missed. 

Voted,  That  the  extract  from  Captain  Timothy  Clements' s 
Roll,  amounting  to  £51  18*.  Id.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out 
of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  pay- 
ment. 

Voted,  That  the  extract  from  Captain  Nathan  Brown's 
Roll,  amounting  to  £16  Is.  5rf.,be  allowed  and  paid  out  of 
the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  balance  of  the  Account  of  Daniel  War- 
ner, Esq.,  amounting  to  £26  19*.  5%d.,  be  allowed  and  paid 
out  of  tne  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of 
payment. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  6 


Voted,  That  Major  Jonathan  Chiltls  have  and  receive 
out  of  the  Treasury  £50,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Fire- 
arms, Lead,  and  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the  Town  of  Lyme, 
he  giving  good  security  to  the  Treasurer  for  the  repayment 
of  the  said  sum  into  the  Treasury  when  required,  and  that 
the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  there  be  emitted  £20,160, 
lawful  money,  upon  the  credit  of  this  Colony,  for  the  use 
and  service  thereof,  in  Bills  of  the  following  denominations, 
viz: 

3,200  bills  of  six  dollars,  is £5,760 

3,200  bills  of  five  dollars,  is 4,800 

3,200  bills  of  four  dollars,  is 3,840 

3,200  bills  of  three  dollars,  is       ....       2,880 

3, 200  bills  of  two  dollars,  is 1,920 

3,200  bills  of  one  dollar,  is 960 

In  the  whole, £20,160 

And  that  the  same  be  redeemed  by  a  tax  on  the  Polls 
and  Estates  of  the  rateable  inhabitants  of  this  Colony,  in  the 
following  manner,  viz :  £5,000  by  the  26th  of  January, 
1789 ;  £5,000  by  the  26th  of  January,  1790 ;  £5,000  by 
the  26th  of  January,  1791 ;  £5,160  by  the  26th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1792.  And  that  the  said  bills  be  of  the  same  form  as 
those  emitted  by  vote  of  this  Assembly  of  the  26th  of  Janu- 
ary last  past;  and  that  Dr.  Levi  Dearborn,  together  with 
such  Member  of  the  honourable  Board  as  they  shall  appoint, 
be  a  Committee  to  procure  the  materials  and  superintend  the 
press  while  the  said  Bills  are  printing,  and  to  deliver  the 
same  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony,  (for  the  time  being,) 
and  take  his  receipt  therefor;  all  which  Bills,  after  their 
redemption,  shall  be  burnt  to  ashes  in  the  presence  of  the 
Council  and  Assembly;  and  that  Philips  White,  Esq.,  Mr. 
John  Smith,  and  Mr.  Josiah  Moulton,  the  third,  or  any  two 
of  them,  be  a  Committee  to  sign  the  said  Bills. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday,  July  4,  1776. 
The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  That  the  Staff-Roll  of  Colonel  David  Gilman,  up 
to  the  30th  of  June,  inclusive,  amounting  to  £83  Is.,  be 
allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  Presi- 
dent give  order  of  payment. 

A  Message  came  down  from  the  honourable  Board,  by 
Colonel  Thornton  and  General  Folsom,  advising  that  the 
General  be  directed  to  send  out  orders  to  the  several  Colonels 
and  Commanding  Officers  of  each  Regiment,  to  raise,  at  pre- 
sent, their  several  quotas  of  only  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men 
for  the  Canada  expedition,  instead  of  the  fifteen  hundred  men 
voted  to  be  raised  for  that  expedition ;  which  Message  being 
considered, 

Voted,  That  this  House  adhere  to  the  same. 

And,  in  about  half  an  hour  afterwards,  a  new  requisition 
for  more  men  being  laid  before  the  House, 

Voted,  That  the  last  mentioned  vote  of  adherence  to  the 
said  advice  of  Council  be,  and  hereby  is,  reconsidered  and 
made  null  and  void. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  to  join  a  Committee  of 
the  honourable  Board,  to  confer  upon  the  expediency  of 
choosing  a  large  Committee  of  this  House,  to  be  joined  to  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  as  a  Committee  of 
Safety,  to  transact  the  business  of  both  Houses  in  the  recess 
of  the  Court,  and  to  consult  what  time  the  General  Assem- 
bly shall  be  adjourned  from,  and  also  to  what  time,  and 
make  report  as  soon  as  may  be;  and  that  Ichabod  Rollins, 
Esq.,  Colonel  Walker,  John  McClary,  Esq.,  Mr.  Abbot, 
and  Deacon  Baldwin,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for 
the  purpose  aforesaid. 

The  Committee  of  both  Houses  appointed  to  confer  about 
choosing  a  Committee  and  an  adjournment,  beg  leave  to 
report  their  opinion,  as  follows,  viz :  That  the  Committee 
of  Safety  consist  of  twelve  persons ;  and  that  the  General 
Assembly  be  adjourned  this  week,  as  soon  as  the  publick  busi- 
ness will  permit,  to  the  first  Wednesday  in  September  next. 

M.  THORNTON,  Chairman. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Pierce  Long  be  appointed  to  pro- 
vide all  necessaries  for  equipping  and  fixing  off  the  reinforce- 
ments for  the  Canada  expedition. 

Voted,  That  the   Pay-Roll  of  Captain   John    Calfe, 


83 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JULY,  1776. 


84 


amounting  to  £325  9*.  lOrf.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  the  Pay-Roil  of  Captain  Caleb  Hodgdon, 
amounting  to  £329  12s.  3d.,  be  allowed. 

Voted,  That  Major  Moses  Kelley,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of 
the  Ninth  Regiment  of  Militia  in  this  Colony,  be  Colonel, 
in  the  room  of  Colonel  David  Gilman,  (who  is  advanced,) 
and  that  Major  Samuel  Page  be  First  Major,  and  Captain 
James  Head  be  the  Second  Major,  of  said  Regiment. 

Voted,  That  three  hundred  Handbills  be  immediately  print- 
ed and  distributed  in  this  Colony,  in  the  following  words,  viz : 
"Colony  O/NEW-HAMPSHIRE  to  the  Selectmen  and  Commit- 
tees of  Safety  and  of  Correspondence,  and  to  all  Officers, 
civil  'and  military,  in  the  several  Towns  in  this  Colony: 
"You,  and  each  of  you,  are  now  called  upon,  in  behalf 
of  yourselves  and  your  distressed  country,  to  exert  every 
nerve  in  forwarding  the  inlisting  and  making  up  the  quotas 
of  men  in  the  respective  places  you  belong  to,  that  they 
may  march  forward  and  join  their  brethren  under  General 
Sullivan,  and  enable  him  to  repel  the  Army  coming  against 
us  from  Canada." 

Voted,  That  eight  Mustermasters  be  appointed  for  the 
eight  Companies  of  Militia  last  voted  to  be  raised  for  the 
reinforcement  of  our  Army  in  Canada,  viz:  one  for  each  of 
said  Companies,  who  shall  be  empowered  to  muster  the  said 
respective  Companies,  pay  them  off,  and  see  them  fixed  for 
marching,  and  give  them  marching  orders ;  and  also,  that 
they  receive  blank  commissions  for  the  Captains  and  sub- 
altern officers  of  their  respective  Companies ;  and  when  said 
officers  shall  be  chosen  by  the  soldiers,  then  to  fill  up  said 
commissions  and  deliver  them  to  the  said  respective  officers, 
that  they  may  march  immediately;  and  that  the  said  Mus- 
termasters have  power  to  preside  at  the  meeting  of  the  sol- 
diers, to  see  a  fair  choice  of  the  respective  officers ;  and  that 
Major  Bartlett,  Colonel  Samuel  Sherburne,  Mr.  John  Bell, 
Major  Samuel  Philbrick,  Colonel  Moses  Kelley,  Deacon 
James  Knowles,  Mr.  Asa  Davis,  and  Colonel  Samuel  Ashley, 
be  the  Mustermasters  of  the  said  Companies. 

Voted,  That  the  Honourable  Colonel  Weare  and  Doctor 
Dearborn  have  and  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £20,  for 
the  purpose  of  purchasing  Paper,  &.C.,  for  printing  the  Bills 
of  Credit,  and  the  Laws  of  this  Colony,  to  be  by  them  ac- 
counted for;  and  that  the  President  give  order  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Joshua  Wingate  be  appointed  First 
Colonel  of  the  Second  Regiment  now  raising  in  this  Colony 
for  a  reinforcement  to  our  Army  in  Canada,  and  that  Major 
James  Hackett  be  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  that  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Samuel  Connor  be  Major  of  said  Regiment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee,  to  join  a  Committee  of 
the  honourable  Board,  to  confer  upon  the  expediency  of 
appointing  a  Paymaster  or  Paymasters  to  the  two  Regi- 
ments now  destined  for  Canada,  and  to  make  report  as  soon 
as  may  be ;  and  that  Captain  Long,  John  Dudley,  Esq., 
and  Colonel  Walker,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for 
that  purpose. 

Which  Committee,  being  joined  by  a  Committee  of  the 
Council,  made  the  following  Report,  viz : 

"  The  Committee  of  both  Houses,  appointed  to  consult 
on  the  expediency  of  appointing  Paymasters  for  the  two 
Battalions  to  be  raised  to  join  the  Northern  Army,  are  of 
opinion  that  they  ought  to  be  immediately  appointed. 
"July  4,  1776."  "M.  THORNTON,  Chairman. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Joseph  Chandler  have  inlisting 
orders  to  inlist  a  Company  of  Soldiers  for  the  Canada  expe- 
dition, in  the  room  of  Captain  Hadloclc,  who  resigns. 

Voted,  That  the  several  Mustermasters  and  Paymasters 
of  the  several  Companies  of  the  last  Regiment  destined  for 
Canada  have  and  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £940  each, 
for  the  purpose  of  paying  off  the  several  Companies  their 
bounty  and  advance  wages,  and  to  be  by  them  severally 
accounted  for ;  and  that  the  Mustermasters  and  Paymasters 
of  the  First  Regiment  destined  for  Canada,  and  now  raising 
for  that  purpose,  have  and  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  £171 
each,  for  the  purpose  of  paying  off  the  additional  bounty 
voted  to  the  Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the 
said  First  Regiment;  and  that  the  President  give  orders 
accordingly. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Friday,  July  5,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Upon  the  information  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of 
Stratham  against  Captain  George  March,  as  a  person  being 
inimical  to  the  liberties  of  this  country,  Stc., 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  examine  into  the 
matter  of  their  complaint  and  information,  and  to  report 
thereon  as  soon  as  may  be;  and  that  Captain  Prentite, 
Captain  ffarriman,  and  Matthew  Patten,  Esq.,  Mr.  Samuel 
Moore,  and  Doctor  Nichols,  be  the  Committee  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

Which  Committee,  being  joined  by  a  Committee  of  the 
honourable  Council,  made  report,  that  upon  questioning 
said  George  March,  and  after  reading  sundry  testimonies, 
they  are  of  opinion  that  said  March  is  inimical  to  his  coun- 
try, and  that  he  ought  to  be  taken  care  of  in  such  manner 
as  the  said  Houses  shall  judge  proper. 

M.  THORNTON,  Chairman. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  give  out  inlisting 
orders,  blank  commissions,  and  instructions,  to  the  Muster- 
masters  and  Paymasters  of  the  two  Regiments  now  destined 
for  Canada;  and  that  Colonel  Evans,  Captain  Long,  and  Mr. 
Gibson,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  Major  Joseph  Bass,  of  Portsmouth,  be  ap- 
pointed Paymaster  to  the  Second  Regiment,  now  to  be 
raised  in  this  Colony,  and  destined  for  Canada,  he  giving 
bond  in  a  respectable  sum,  with  sufficient  sureties,  for  the 
faithful  discharge  of  his  said  trust. 

Voted,  That  Noah  Emery,  Jun.,  of  Exeter,  be  appoint- 
ed Paymaster  to  the  First  Regiment,  now  to  be  raised  in 
this  Colony,  destined  for  Canada,  he  to  give  bond,  with  two 
sufficient  sureties,  in  a  respectable  sum,  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  his  said  trust. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  nominate  a  proper 
person  for  a  Maritime  Officer,  and  also  a  proper  person  or 
persons  for  a  Notary  Publick  or  Notaries  Publick,  for  this 
Colony ;  and  that  Mr.  Cutts,  Colonel  Walker,  and  John 
Dudley,  Esq.,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that  pur- 
pose. 

An  Act  for  establishing  Courts  of  Law  for  the  adminis- 
tration of  justice  within  this  Colony,  was  read  a  third  time, 
and  passed  to  be  enacted. 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  the  several  Courts  of  Law 
within  this  Colony  be,  and  hereby  are,  prohibited  from  trying 
any  civil  actions  until  the  next  Session  of  this  Assembly ; 
and  that  they  proceed  as  usual  to  hear  and  try  all  capital 
crimes,  misdemeanors,  trovers,  trespasses,  assaults,  batteries, 
robberies,  thefts,  and  other  breaches  of  the  peace,  committed 
within  their  respective  jurisdictions ;  and  that  the  fees  to  be 
taken  or  taxed  in  the  several  Courts  shall  be  taken  accord- 
ing to  the  last  Table  of  Fees  established  in  this  Colony,  until 
the  last  of  the  next  session  of  this  Assembly,  or  until  other- 
wise ordered  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  no  longer. 

Voted,  That  the  Constable  of  Exeter  be  directed  to  seize 
the  body  of  George  March,  and  safely  keep  him  till  called 
for  by  this  House,  to  be  examined  and  tried  on  suspicion  of 
his  being  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  this  Colony;  and  that 
the  Clerk  make  out  a  warrant  accordingly,  and  send  out 
summons  for  witnesses  by  Major  Barker. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee,  to  join  a  Committee  of 
the  honourable  Board,  to  consult  and  nominate  a  proper 
person,  or  proper  persons,  out  of  whom  this  House  shall 
appoint  one,  to  be  a  Justice  of  the  Inferior  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  in  the  County  of  Rockingham,  in  the  room  and  stead 
of  George  King,  Esq.,  who  refused  to  accept  that  office ; 
and  also  to  nominate  some  proper  person  to  be  a  Special 
Justice  of  said  Court,  in  case  of  the  death  or  incapacity  of 
either  of  the  standing  Justices,  and  to  make  report  as  soon 
as  may  be ;  and  that  Major  Downing,  Captain  Long,  and 
Captain  Worthen,  be  the  Committee  of  this  House  for  that 
purpose. 

Voted,  That  Eleazer  Russell,  Esq.,  of  Portsmouth,  be 
appointed  Maritime  Officer  of  the  Port  of  Piscataqua ;  and 
that  the  Honourable  Wyscman  Clagett,  Esq.,  and  John 
Pickering,  Esq.,  be  appointed  Notaries  Publick  and  Tabel- 
lions  for  this  Colony. 


85 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JULY,  1776. 


86 


Voted,  That  Samuel  Penhallow,  Esq.,  of  Portsmouth, 
be  appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Inferior  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  for  the  County  of  Rockingham,  in  the  room  and 
stead  of  George  King,  Esq.,  who  refuses  to  accept  that 
office. 

Voted,  That  William  Knight,  Esq.,  be  appointed  a 
Special  Justice  of  the  Inferior  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for 
the  County  of  Rockingham,  in  case  of  the  death  or  inca- 
pacity of  either  of  the  standing  Justices. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  afternoon. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to  join  a 
Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  nominate  fifteen 
persons  of  the  Council  and  of  this  House,  to  be  a  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  for  this  Colony,  to  transact  the  business  of 
both  Houses  in  the  recess  of  the  General  Court ;  and  that 
Colonel  Walker,  Colonel  Baker,  Captain  Prentice,  Mr. 
Brainard,  Mr.  Bell,  and  John  Me  Clary,  Esq.,  be  the  Com- 
mittee of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  Simeon  Dearborn,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Batch,  have  and  receive  out  of  the  Colony  stock,  thirty 
pounds  of  Powder,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Wakefield,  to  be  by  them  accounted  for,  and  that 
the  President  give  order  accordingly. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Jones,  of  Canaan,  and  Elisha 
Bingham,  of  Enfield,  receive  out  of  the  Colony  stock  seventy- 
five  pounds  of  Powder,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
said  Towns  of  Canaan  and  Enfield,  and  to  be  by  them 
accounted  for ;  and  that  the  President  give  order  accord- 
ingly. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Jones,  of  Canaan,  and  Elisha 
Bingham,  of  Enfield,  have  and  receive  out  of  the  Treasury 
£5,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  Lead  and  Flints  for  the 
use  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Towns,  they  giving  good 
security  to  the  Treasurer  for  the  repayment  of  said  sum 
when  requested  ;  and  that  the  President  give  order  accord- 
ingly. 

The  Council  and  House,  taking  into  consideration  the 
accusations  laid  against  Captain  George  March,  of  Strat- 
ham,  as  being  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  this  country,  and 
a  full  hearing  being  had  thereon  before  both  Houses,  and 
sundry  witnesses  being  sworn  and  examined,  it  appears  to 
this  Court  that  the  said  George  March  has  uttered  many 
things  against  the  liberties  and  privileges  of  this  country: 

It  is  therefore  Voted  and  Resolved,  That  the  said  George 


Saturday,  July  6,  1776. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

An  Act  for  forming  and  regulating  the  Militia  was  read 
a  third  time,  and  passed  to  be  enacted  ;  also,  the  Articles  of 
War,  &,c. 

The  Bill  of  Fees  for  the  Court  Maritime*  was  read  a 
third  time  and  passed. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety  have  and  receive 
put  of  the  Treasury  6*.  per  day  each,  for  the  time  they  sit 
in  Committee,  and  also  pay  for  their  travel  as  the  Members 
of  the  General  Assembly  are  paid. 

Voted,  That  Nicholas  Gilman,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  this 
Colony,  be  desired  to  borrow,  on  the  credit  of  this  Colony, 
£5,000,  lawful  money,  for  the  supply  of  the  Treasury. 

Voted,  That  Deacon  Isaac  Williams  have  and  receive 
out  of  the  Treasury  20*.,  for  the  use  of  his  room  this  ses- 
sion for  Committees,  &.C.,  and  that  the  President  give  order 
of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Colonel  Jonathan  Chase  receive  out  of  the 
Colony  stock  three  barrels  of  Powder,  for  the  use  of  his  Regi- 
ment and  the  Frontiers  adjacent,  and  that  the  President 
give  orders  accordingly. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  of  five  Members  of  this 
House,  to  join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to 
confer  together  upon  the  choice  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Con- 
nor and  Captain  Baker,  as  Field-Officers  of  Colonel  Win- 
gate's  Regiment,  and  to  make  report  as  soon  as  may  be ; 
and  that  Major  Tash,  Colonel  Evans,  Major  Kelley,  Icha- 
bod  Rollins,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Harriman,  be  the  Commit- 
tee of  this  House  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Joshua  Wiggin,  Doorkeeper 
and  Bellringer  for  the  House,  amounting  to  £4  18*.,  be 
allowed,  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  Presi- 
dent give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  To  raise  four  Companies  of  Rangers,  of  fifty 
men  in  a  Company,  three  commissioned  officers  included, 
to  range  on  the  frontiers  of  this  Colony,  to  guard  the  said 
frontiers  against  the  incursions  of  the  enemy,  and  to  be  paid 
the  same  wages  the  Colony  Troops  had  last  year,  and  also 

•COLONY  OF  NEW-HAMPSHIRE,  ) 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  July  6,  1776.  \ 

Resolved,  That  the  within  Bill  of  Fees  for  the  Court  Maritime  in  this 
Colony,  and  for  the  several  officers  of  said  Court,  be  a  rule  for  the  said 
officers  as  to  taking  their  fees  in  all  cases  maritime  in  said  Court,  until 
further  order  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Sent  up  for  concurrence.  P.  WHITE,  Speaker. 

In  Council,  eodem  die,  read  and  concurred. 

E.  THOMPSON,  Secretary. 


March  confine  himself  to  the  limits  of  the  farm  which  he 

now  improves  in  Stratham,  on  pain  of  imprisonment,  and  Court  -Maritime  Fees.                           s   d_ 

that    he   recognise    to    the    Government    and   People  of  the     To  the  Attorney  or  Adyocale-General  for  drawing  a  libel 6    0 

-  A7&      TT          ,.  <• /«.yw«~    -i  To  the  Judge  for  allowing  the  same 3    0 

Colony  of  New-Hampshire,  in  the  sum  of  £100,  with  two    To  the  Register  for  filing" 2    0 

Sureties  in  £50   each,  for  his   good    behaviour,  until  further  For  a  citation  for  appearance,  seal  and  service,  viz:  2s.  to  the 

nrrW   of  tl)i«  Pnurf    and  that    in    thp  mpan  timp    ho  H»  Hie  Judge,  2s.  to  the  Register,  and  to  the  Marshal,  3s 7    0 

order  ot  tins  Court,  ana  tnat  in  the  mean  t  me,  he  be  dis-  For  a  summons  for  witnesses,  and  seal,  viz.-  to  the  Judge,  i,., 

armed  by  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Stratham.  and  to  the  Register,  is 2   0 

Voted,  That  the  Pay-Roll  of  Captain  Nathan  Brown,  JF^^^^^^^.^'^^:^*   2   0 

up    to    July    1st,    1776,    amounting    to    £267    4*.    Id.,    be  For  an  interlocutory  decree,  and  recording,  viz:  to  the  judge,  4»., 

allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  Presi-       to  the  Register,  i, ,  and  to  the  Marshal,  3s 8   0 

j         f  *'  To  the  Crier,  Is.,  and  to  the  Register  for  enactment,  Is 2    0 

dent  give  order  Ot  payment.  For  a  decree  definitive,  and  recording,  viz:  to  the  Judge,  10s., 

Voted    That  the  Pay-Roll  of  Captain  Timothy  Clement  T^^^'K'^^''^^'^^^'^^   ° 

up  to  July  1st,  1776,  amounting  to  £238  15*.,  be  allowed        above,  3d.  permile 0    6 

and   paid   OUt   of  the  Treasury,  and  that  the  President  give     To  the  Marshal  for  bail-bond  paid  by  the  person  bailed 0     9 

order  of  payment.  Fosh1eeri?'sgfeees?CUtion>  the  SSme "" Sheriffi  a"d  f°r  traVe'' "" " 

Voted,    That    the    Honourable    Meshech    Weare,    Esq.,  For  executing  a  warrant  for  debtors  deserted, &c., 

Matthew  Thornton,  Nathaniel  Fohom,  Ebenezer  Thompson,  A"  N°e "-Castle?  or  up  "he  riVer'ab^ve  Portsmouth .'."."".'    8    0 

and    Wyseman  Clagett,    Esquires,   of  the   Council,  and    the     For  taking  a  vessel  into  custody,  upon  an  arrest  for  wages 6    0 

Honourable    Philips    White,  Esq.,   John  Dudley,  Timothy  For  taking  every  evidence  in  Court,  and  summoning  viz:  to  the 

117  ii          TI/I  ,„  r>    t  r\."     -D   -i  T     •   t     m     i      y         Judge,  6rf.,  to  the  Register,  6d.,  and  to  the  Marshal,  6d 1     6 

Walker,  Matthew  ratten,  Utts  Baker,  Josiah  Moulton,    For  the  Advocate's  fees 6    0 

Benjamin  Parker,  Nathaniel  Sartel  Prentice,  and  Pierce    To  the  Register  for  copy  of  a  libel 1    o 

Long,  Esquires,  of  this  House,  be  a  Committee  of  Safety  ^^^^^^::\\::\\\\::::::::::\\:::\::::--.::  \  s 

for  this  Colony,  to  transact  all  the   business  of  both  Houses  Fora  retraxit,  viz:  to  the  Judge,  4s.,  to  the  Register,  Ic.  6d., 

in  the  recess  of  the  General  Court ;  with  all  the  power  and       Marshal,  l».,  Doorkeeper,  6d 7   o 

•      •        .,     .              /-i           ...           f  c>  r           r    i  •      t~>   i  For  a   warrant  of  appraisement  or   inventory  for  debtors   or 

authority  that  any  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony,       deserters,  viz:  to  the  Judge, 2s.,  to  the  Register,  4s 6    0 

before  chosen  or  appointed,  have  had  and  exercised,  and  to  For  sailors'  wages,  Is.  to  each  man  to  the  Register  for  adjusting 

appoint  and  commission  officers   in  case  of  the  death  or  To^SS^UUri^7i^rf^^"r///j:"::::    \    o 

refusal  of  those  that  are  already  appointed  ;  and  on  any    To  the  Judge  for  allowing  or  disallowing  the  same 8    0 

emergency,    to    call    the    Council   and  House    together,    as  For  copies  of  every  case,  as  the  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

occasion  may  require ;  and  that  any  eight  of  said  Committee  %  ^  £ffir.  for  S3S££LZ'2k  ^"."i:  ! ! !    ?   0® 

be  a  quorum  to  do  business.  To  the  Doorkeeper  and  bell 0    9- 

»  j.             i  ,       •   i  .     '  i     i                                    •  To  jurors,  and  officers  who  summon  them,  same  as  Supreme 

Adjourned  to  eight  o  clock,  to-morrow  morning.  Court. 

* 


87 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JULY,  1776. 


88 


a  blanket  to  each  non-commissioned  officer  and  soldier,  and 
to  remain  in  the  said  service  till  the  first  day  of  December 
next,  unless  sooner  discharged;  and  that  the  several  Com- 
panies be  raised  in  the  several  Regiments  of  Colonel  Morey, 
Colonel  Hobart,  and  Colonel  Chace,  and  that  they  receive 
their  orders,  directions,  and  commissions,  from  the  Commit- 
tee of  Safety,  in  the  recess  of  this  Court. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Prentice,  Colonel  Evans,  John 
Dudley,  Esq.,  Matthew  Patten,  Esq.,  Ichabod  Rollins,  Esq., 
Captain  Moulton,  Major  Task,  Colonel  Sherburne,  and 
Daniel  Brainard,  Esq.,  be  a  Committee  of  this  House,  to 
join  a  Committee  of  the  honourable  Board,  to  nominate  to 
this  Mouse  sundry  proper  persons  for  Lieutenant-Colonel 
and  Major  of  Colonel  Mitigate1  s  Regiment,  destined  for 
Canada,  and  to  make  report  as  soon  as  may  be ;  and  also 
to  nominate  to  this  House  proper  persons  for  Field-Officers 
for  Continental  Battalions  to  be  destined  to  New-Castle  and 
Piscatagua  Harbour. 

Voted,  That  the  Account  of  Richard  Champney,  amount- 
ing to  £22  6s.  2</.,  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury, 
and  that  the  President  give  order  of  payment. 

Voted,  That  Lieutenant-Colonel  Samuel  Connor  be  ap- 
pointed the  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Regiment  destined 
for  Canada  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wingate,  and 
that  Captain  Moses  Baker  be  appointed  the  Major  of  the 
said  Regiment. 

Adjourned  for  one  hour,  and  then  met. 

Voted,  That  any  person  who  shall  manufacture  in  this 
Colony  good  Sulphur,  and  bring  in  the  same  to  Dr.  Josiah 
Oilman,  at  Exeter,  within  six  months  next  ensuing,  shall 
receive  out  of  the  Treasury  at  and  after  the  rate  of  $  10  for 
every  hundred  weight,  upon  certificate  of  the  said  Dr.  Josiah 
Gilman  that  he  has  received  the  same  of  such  person  for  the 
use  of  this  Colony,  such  person  being  under  oath  that  the 
same  was  manufactured  in  this  Colony ;  and  that  any  per- 
son who  shall  manufacture  in  this  Colony  good  Bar-Lead 
within  six  months  next  ensuing,  and  deliver  the  same  to 
Nicholas  Gilman,  Esq.,  Receiver-General,  (who  is  to  put 
such  person  on  oath  that  the  same  was  manufactured  in  this 
Colony,)  shall  be  entitled  to  £6  per  hundred  weight  therefor 
out  of  the  Treasury. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety  be  directed  to 
remonstrate  to  the  Continental  Congress  against  allowing 
any  person  or  persons  extravagant  commissions  for  transact- 
ing the  publick  business  in  this  distressing  day. 

Voted,  That  the  Members  of  the  honourable  Council  and 
of  this  House  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  6s.  per  day  each 
for  each  day's  attendance  in  this  Session,  and  2rf.  per  mile 
travel  to  and  from  their  respective  homes,  and  that  the  con- 
sideration of  the  method  how  the  same  shall  be  replaced  in 
the  Treasury  be  postponed  to  a  future  day,  and  that  the 
Secretary  and  the  Clerk  of  the  House  make  out  the  Pay- 
Roils  accordingly. 

The  House  adjourned  to  the  first  Wednesday  in  September 
next,  at  three  of  the  clock,  afternoon,  then  to  meet  at  the 
Court-House  in  Exeter. 


ACTS  PASSED  BY  THE  ASSEMBLY  OF  NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

An  Act  for  establishing  the  style  of  Commissions,  which 
shall  hereafter  be  issued,  and  for  altering  the  style  of 
Writs,  Processes,  and  all  Law  Proceedings  within  this 
Colony ;  and  for  directing  how  Recognisances  to  the  use 
of  this  Colony  shall  in  future  be  taken  and  prosecuted. 

Whereas  the  hostile  and  vindictive  proceedings  of  the 
British  Administration  against  the  United  Colonies  have 
obtained  the  sanction  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  not- 
withstanding the  frequent  and  dutiful  Remonstrances  of  these 
Colonies  against  such  cruel  measures;  and  by  his  command  a 
powerful  Navy  and  Army  are  come  and  coming,  with  avowed 
purposes  of  spreading  slaughter  and  desolation  through  this 
Continent,  by  which  the  good  people  of  this  Colony  have 
been  necessitated  to  have  recourse  to  arms  to  repel  such 
force,  and  to  protect  their  lives  and  fortunes:  And  whereas, 
under  such  circumstances,  the  absurdity  of  issuin°-  Commis- 
sions, Writs,  Processes,  or  other  proceedings  in  law  and  in 
Courts  of  Justice  within  this  Colony,  in  the  name  and  style 
of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  is  very  apparent,  and  tends 
to  keep  up  ideas  inconsistent  with  the  form  and  safety  of 


this  Government,  and  to  give  the  people  of  this  Colony 
great  uneasiness: 

Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  Council  and  House  of  Re- 
presentatives in  General  Court  assembled,  and  by  the  autho- 
rity of  the  same,  That  all  Civil  Commissions,  Writs,  and 
Precepts,  for  convening  the  General  Court  or  Assembly, 
which  hereafter  shall  be  made  out  in  this  Colony,  shall  be 
in  the  style  and  name  of  the  Government  and  People  of  the 
Colony  of  New-Hampshire ;  and  all  Commissions,  both  civil 
and  military,  shall  be  dated  in  the  year  of  the  Christian  era, 
and  shall  not  bear  the  date  of  the  year  of  the  reign  of  any 
King  or  Queen  of  Great  Britain. 

And  that  all  Writs,  Processes,  and  Proceedings  in  Law, 
and  in  any  of  the  Courts  of  Justice  in  this  Colony,  which 
have  been  used  or  accustomed,  or  by  any  laws  of  this  Co- 
lony, are  required  to  be  issued,  used,  or  practised  in  law, 
and  in  any  of  the  Courts  of  Justice  in  this  Colony,  in  the 
name  and  style  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  France,  and 
Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &.C.,  or  in  any  other  words 
implying  or  intending  the  same,  shall,  from  and  after  the 
passing  this  Act,  be  made,  issued,  used,  and  practised  in  the 
name  and  style  of  the  Government  and  People  of  the  Colony 
of  New-Hampshire,  and  no  other,  and  shall  bear  the  date  of 
the  year  of  the  Christian  era,  and  shall  not  bear  the  date  of 
the  year  of  the  reign  of  any  King  or  Queen  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, until  some  accommodation  of  the  American  Congress, 
or  Act,  Order,  or  Resolve,  of  a  General  American  Legisla- 
ture, or  of  the  Legislature  of  this  Colony,  shall  be  made  and 
passed,  otherwise  directing  and  prescribing. 

And  be  it  enacted,  That  all  Commissions,  civil  and  mili- 
tary, which  have  been  issued  by  the  Congress  or  General 
Assembly  of  this  Colony  'before  the  passing  of  this  act, 
shall  have  the  same  force  and  effect  as  if  this  act  had  never 
been  made,  the  style  and  date  therein  notwithstanding. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  Recognisances  that 
heretofore  have  been  used  and  accustomed  to  be  taken  to 
the  King  of  Great  Britain,  by  the  style  and  title  of  our 
sovereign  Lord  the  King,  shall,  from  and  after  the  date 
hereof,  be  taken  to  the  Government  and  people  of  the  Co- 
lony of  New-Hampshire ;  and  when  scire  facias,  or  other 
legal  process,  shall  be  issued  thereon  against  the  recognisor 
or  recognisors,  they  shall  be  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the 
said  Government  and  people;  and  when  judgment  shall  be 
rendered  thereon,  the  money  recovered  and  levied,  shall  be 
paid  into  the  Treasury  of  this  Colony  for  the  use  of  the 
same. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  suits  upon  Recogni- 
sances which  have  been  taken  heretofore,  within  this  Colony, 
to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  or  otherwise,  under  any  name, 
character,  or  form  of  words  whatsoever,  that  have  been,  or 
that  may  be  hereafter  forfeited,  (if  any  suits  should  be  brought 
thereon,)  shall,  from  and  after  the  passing  of  this  Act,  be 
commenced  and  prosecuted  in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the 
Government  and  people  of  the  Colony  of  New-Hampshire, 
and  not  in  the  name  of  the  said  King ;  and  the  money  re- 
covered and  levied  on  such  suits,  shall  be  likewise  paid  into 
the  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the 
said  people. 

An  Act  to  prevent  the  forging  and  altering  Bills  of  Pub- 
lick  Credit,  and  for  preventing  the  depredation  thereof; 
and  for  making  the  Bills  of  Credit  of  the  United  Colo- 
nies, and  the  Bills  of  this  Colony,  a  tender  in  all  pay- 
ments. 

Whereas,  by  reason  of  the  unjustifiable  attacks  committed 
against  the  United  Colonies  of  America  by  the  Troops  of 
Great  Britain,  and  the  difficulty  of  collecting  Money,  Plate, 
and  Bullion,  to  support  the  charges  of  their  necessary  de- 
fence, the  Congress  of  said  Colonies  have  thought  fit,  for  the 
carrying  on  the  publick  aftaiis,  and  answering  the  present 
demands  of  soldiers  and  seamen  employed  by  them,  to  order 
the  imprinting  and  signing  a  certain  number  of  Bills  of  Pub- 
lick  Credit  of  several  sums,  by  Commissioners  thereunto  duly- 
appointed  and  authorized :  And  whereas  the  Congress  and 
General  Assembly  of  this  Colony  have  also,  for  the  payment 
of  seamen  and  soldiers  employed  in  defence  of  the  same, 
ordered  that  a  certain  number  of  Notes  and  Bills  of  Credit 
of  several  sums  should  be  imprinted,  and  signed  by  Com- 
missioners thereunto  duly  authorized  and  appointed:  And 
whereas  several  of  the  United  Colonies  have,  by  their  Gov- 


89 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  JULY,  1776. 


90 


ernments,  severally  ordered  the  imprinting  and  signing  a 
certain  number  of  Bills  of  Publick  Credit,  for  answering  the 
demands  of  soldiers  and  seamen  by  them  severally  employed 
for  their  necessary  defence ;  all  which  Bills  have  obtained  a 
good  currency,  and  have  very  much  facilitated  the  carrying 
on  the  present  war:  nevertheless,  some  wicked  persons, 
intending  to  defraud  the  inhabitants  of  the  Colonies  afore- 
said, and  for  the  sake  of  base  and  unlawful  gain,  have  forged, 
altered,  and  uttered  several  Counterfeit  Notes  and  Bills  of  the 
same,  in  imitation  of  the  true  Notes  and  Bills  of  this  Colony, 
thereby  imposing  a  vile  cheat  on  unwary  and  less  discerning 
persons:  For  the  prevention  of  which  evils  in  future, 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Council  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives in  General  Court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority  of 
the  same,  That  whosoever  shall  presume  to  forge  or  coun- 
terfeit any  Note  or  Notes,  Bill  or  Bills,  of  the  tenor,  or  in 
imitation  of  the  Bills  of  Credit  of  the  United  Colonies,  estab- 
lished by  any  resolve  of  the  American  Congress,  or  the 
Convention,  Congress,  or  Government  of  this,  or  any  of  the 
United  Colonies  of  America,  heretofore  emitted,  or  that  may 
hereafter  be  emitted,  or  that  shall  utter  any  such  counterfeit 
and  forged  Notes  or  Bills,  knowing  them  to  be  such,  or  that 
shall  counsel,  advise,  assist  in,  or  procure  the  forging,  coun- 
terfeiting, imprinting,  or  signing  of  any  such  false  Notes  or 
Bills,  or  engrave  any  plate,  or  make  any  instrument  to  be 
used  in  forging  and  counterfeiting  such  Notes  or  Bills,  every 
person  so  offending,  and  being  thereof  convicted  before  the 
Superior  Court  of  Judicature,  Court  of  Assize,  and  General 
Jail  Delivery  for  said  -Colony,  shall  be  punished  by  being 
set  on  the  gallows  for  the  space  of  one  hour,  with  a  rope 
round  the  neck,  and  pay  a  fine  for  the  use  of  this  Colony 
not  exceeding  fifty  pounds,  and'  suffer  six  months  imprison- 
ment, and  be  publickly  whipped,  not  exceeding  thirty-nine 
stripes,  and  be  incapable  of  holding  any  office  under  the 
Government  of  this  Colony,  or  shall  suffer  all  or  any  of  the 
foregoing  punishments  in  the  discretion  of  the  Court  before 
whom  the  trial  shall  be,  according  to  the  nature  and  circum- 
stances of  the  offence,  and  shall  pay  to  the  person  or  persons 
that  shall  be  defrauded  by  such  forgery,  treble  damages. 
And  if  such  offender  or  offenders  shall  not  be  able  to  pay 
the  charges  of  his  or  their  imprisonment,  the  Court  before 
whom  the  conviction  is,  shall  order  that,  at  the  expiration  of 
said  term  of  imprisonment,  such  person  or  persons  shall  be 
sold  in  service  a  time  sufficient  to  pay  the  same. 

And  it  is  also  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
whosoever  shall  make  discovery  and  give  information  of  such 
vile  and  wicked  practice  of  making  or  knowingly  putting  off 
any  false  and  counterfeit  Note  or  Bill,  as  aforesaid,  so  that 
the  person  or  persons  guilty  thereof  may  be  rendered  to  justice 
and  convicted,  every  such  informer  shall  have  and  receive, 
as  a  reward  for  his  good  services,  on  every  such  conviction, 
the  sum  of  ten  pounds,  to  be  ordered  out  of  the  publick 
Treasury  of  this  Colony  by  the  President  of  the  Council 
for  the  time  being,  on  a  certificate  from  the  Court  before 
whom  the  conviction  shall  be,  that  such  person  did  inform 
of  such  offence  according  to  this  act. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
every  person  convicted  of  altering  or  increasing  the  sum  or 
figures  set  and  expressed  in  the  Notes  or  Bills  of  Credit  of 
the  said  United  Colonies,  or  either  of  them,  or  of  forging  or 
counterfeiting  any  hand,  name,  or  stamps,  or  other  private 
mark,  that  shall  be  or  has  been  made,  or  set  thereon,  shall 
be,  for  either  of  said  offences,  punished  in  the  same  manner 
as  is  provided  by  this  act  against  those  who  shall  forge  or 
counterfeit  such  Notes  or  Bills. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
if  any  person  or  persons  shall,  directly  or  indirectly,  receive 
or  pay  any  of  the  Bills  aforesaid  for  a  less  sum  than  is  in 
them  expressed,  such  person  shall  be  incapable  ever  after  of 
holding  any  civil  or  military  office  in  this  Colony:  and  for 
every  such  offence  pay  a  fine  of  fifty  pounds,  to  be  recovered 
before  any  court  of  record  in  the  County  where  the  same 
offence  may  be  committed,  by  bill,  plaint,  or  indictment ; 
one  moiety  whereof  shall  be  to  the  use  of  the  person  who 
shall  sue  or  inform  for  the  same,  and  the  other  moiety  to  the 
use  of  this  Colony. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
if  any  person  or  persons  shall  set,  or  offer  his,  her,  or  their 
goods,  wares,  or  merchandise,  at  a  smaller  or  less  price  in 
gold  or  silver  than  what  they  are  by  him,  her,  or  them,  set 
at  in  the  paper  currency  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  either 


of  them,  he,  she,  or  they,  shall  pay  a  fine  of  fifty  pounds ; 
one  moiety  thereof  to  the  use  of  the  person  who  shall  sue  for 
and  recover  the  same,  and  the  other  moiety  to  the  use  of  the 
town  where  the  offence  is  committed. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
the  Bills  of  Credit  of  the  United  Colonies  that  are  or  shall 
be  established  by  the  American  Congress,  and  the  Bills  of 
this  Government,  that  are  or  shall  be  emitted,  shall  be 
received  in  all  payments  within  this  Colony,  and  a  tender 
of  the  same  may  be  pleaded  in  bar  to  any  action  brought 
for  the  recovery  of  any  money,  or  species  of  money,  due  by 
deed  or  simple  contract,  or  in  any  way  and  manner  whatever. 
And  all  Justices,  Sheriffs,  Grand  Jurors,  and  Tithingmen, 
are  hereby  strictly  commanded  to  bring  to  justice  all  persons 
offending  against  this  act,  or  any  part  of  it. 

An  Act  to  abolish  the  Court  of  Appeals  in  this  Colony,  and 
to  empower  the  Superior  Court  of  Judicature  to  sustain 
and  determine  all  matters  pending  in  said  Court  of  Ap- 
peals, and  to  prevent  the  absurd  practice  of  granting 
appeals  to  the  King  of  GREAT  BRITAIN  in  Council  from 
judgments  of  any  Courts  in  this  Colony  in  future. 

Whereas  the  granting  such  a  multiplicity  of  appeals  from 
Court  to  Court  and  trials  consequent  thereupon  as  hath  been 
heretofore  practised  within  this  Colony  hath  been  found  to 
promote  litigation,  protract  suits,  and  increase  the  charges 
thereof,  rather  than  to  serve  the  ends  of  justice  in  this  Colo- 
ny :  And  whereas  the  allowance  of  appeals  in  any  cases  to 
said  Court  of  Appeals  or  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain  is 
depriving  the  people  of  this  Colony  of  their  great,  inestima- 
ble, and  inherent  right  of  trial  by  jury,  and  opening  a  door 
for  arbitrary  decisions  of  their  property,  even  in  the  causes 
of  the  greatest  moment :  Therefore, 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Council  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives for  said  Colony,  in  General  Court  assembled,  That 
the  said  Court  of  Appeals  heretofore  held  in  this  Colony 
shall  be,  and  hereby  is,  totally  abolished,  and  that  no  appeal 
heretofore  granted  by  the  laws  of  this  Colony  to  the  said 
Court  of  Appeals  or  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain  in  Coun- 
cil from  the  judgment  or  sentence  of  any  Court  whatever  in 
this  Colony  shall  be  granted ;  and  that  all  appeals  from  any 
sentence  of  any  Judge  of  Probate  for  any  County  in  this 
Colony,  which  heretofore  might  by  the  laws  thereof  be 
granted  to  said  Court  of  Appeals,  shall  for  the  future  be 
granted  only  to  the  Superior  Court  of  Judicature  next  to 
be  holden  for  the  same  County  wherein  the  same  appeal 
may  be  granted,  which  said  Superior  Court  shall  hear  and 
finally  determine  all  causes  and  matters  as  may  be  brought 
before  them  by  appeals  from  any  Court  of  Probate  within 
this  Colony. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
That  all  appeals  heretofore  granted  to,  and  matters  now 
pending  in,  said  Court  of  Appeals,  may  and  shall  be  sus- 
tained, heard,  and  determined  by  the  said  Superior  Court 
in  the  County  where  the  action  or  appeal  originated.  All 
causes  and  matters  now  pending  before  said  Court  of  Ap- 
peals by  appeals  from  the  Superior  Court  heretofore  held 
in  this  Colony,  may  be  brought  before  the  Superior  Court 
of  Judicature  established  in  this  Colony,  by  writ  of  review, 
any  time  within  three  years  from  the  passing  of  this  act ; 
and  all  causes  or  matters  now  pending  in  said  Court  of  Ap- 
peals by  appeal  from  any  Court  of  Probate  in  this  Colony 
may,  and  shall  be,  brought  before  the  last-mentioned  Supe- 
rior Court,  by  entering  the  appeal  there  any  time  within 
two  years,  in  the  same  manner  as  if  it  had  been  first  granted 
to  that  Court. 

An  Act  for  encouraging  the  facing  out  of  Armed  Vessels 
to  defend  the  sea-coast  of  AMERICA,  and  to  cruise  on  the 
enemies  of  the  United  Colonies,  as  also  for  erecting  a 
Court  to  try  and  condemn  all  Ships  and  other  Vessels, 
their  tackle,  apparel,  and  furniture,  and  all  goods,  wares, 
and  merchandises  belonging  to  any  inhabitant  or  inhabi- 
tants of  GREAT  BRITAIN  taken  on  the  high  seas. 
Whereas  it  has  been  expressly  resolved  by  the  Grand 
Congress  of ' America,  "  That  each  Colony,  at  their  own 
expense,  make  such  provision  by  armed  vessels,  or  other- 
wise, as  their  respective  Assemblies,  Conventions,  or  Com- 
mittees of  Safety  shall  judge  expedient  and  suitable  to  their 
circumstances  a'nd  situations,  for  the  protection  of  their  har- 


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92 


hours  and  navigation  on  the  sea-coast  against  all  unlawful 
invasions,  attacks,  and  depredations,  from  cutters  and  ships 
of  war ;"  and  also  that  it  should  be  lawful  for  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  United  Colonies  to  fit  out  armed  vessels  to  cruise 
on  the  enemies  thereof,  and  that  all  ships  and  other  vessels, 
their  tackle,  apparel,  and  furniture,  and  all  goods,  wares,  and 
merchandise,  belonging  to  any  inhabitant  or  inhabitants  of 
Great  Britain,  taken  on  the  high  seas,  or  between  high- 
water  and  low-water  mark,  should  be  deemed  and  adjudged 
a  lawful  prize,  (excepting  such  vessels  as  may  be  taken  in 
bringing  any  settlers,  arms,  ammunition,  or  warlike  stores,  to 
and  for  the  use  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  any  of  the  inhabi- 
tants thereof  who  are  friends  to  the  American  cause,  and 
warlike  stores  and  effects  of  such  settlers :)  Therefore,  for 
the  more  effectually  carrying  into  execution  the  purposes 
aforesaid, 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Council  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives, in  General  Court  assembled,  That  all  armed  and  other 
vessels  that  have  at  any  time  since  the  nineteenth  day  of 
April,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-five,  been 
engaged  in  making  unlawful  invasions,  attacks,  or  depreda- 
tions, on  the  sea-coasts  of  America  or  the  navigation  thereof, 
or  used  in  supplying  the  fleet  or  army  which  have  been, 
or  shall  at  any  time  be,  employed  against  the  United  Colo- 
nies, or  employed  by  the  enemy  in  any  respect  whatsoever ; 
and  those  vessels  which  have  been  carrying  supplies  of  any 
kind  lo  the  enemy,  or  whose  masters  or  supercargoes  shall 
have  designs  of  carrying  supplies  of  any  kind  to  the  enemy, 
or  that  shall  be  returning  from  the  enemy  after  having  car- 
ried such  supplies,  and  shall  be  found  hereafter  on  the  high 
seas,  and  shall  be  brought  into  the  harbour  of  Piscataqua, 
or  any  other  place  within  this  Colony,  or  found  within  the 
same,  and  be  convicted  of  any  of  the  offences  aforesaid,  such 
vessel  or  vessels,  with  their  appurtenances  and  cargoes,  shall 
be  deemed  forfeited,  and  shall  be  condemned  and  disposed 
of  as  by  this  act  is  hereafter  ordered  and  directed.  And  in 
pursuance  of  a  resolve  of  the  American  Congress: 

Be  it  further  enacted,  That  all  ships  and  other  vessels, 
their  tackle,  apparel,  and  furniture,  and  all  goods,  wares, 
and  merchandises,  belonging  to  any  inhabitant  or  inhabi- 
tants of  Great  Britain,  taken  on  the  high  seas,  or  between 
high-water  and  low-water  mark,  and  being  brought  into,  or 
lying  within,  the  Colony  aforesaid,  since  the  date  aforesaid, 
shall  be  deemed  and  adjudged  lawful  prize ;  and  the  Judge 
of  the  Court  Maritime,  hereafter  mentioned,  shall  be,  and  is 
hereby,  empowered  to  proceed  upon,  try,  adjudge,  and  con- 
demn, all  such  vessels,  with  their  cargoes  and  appurtenances, 
and  all  such  British  merchandises  and  property  as  shall  be 
taken  as  aforesaid. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
That  the  Council  of  this  Colony,  or  the  major  part  of  them, 
shall  be  fully  empowered  to  commission  with  letters  of 
marque  and  reprisal  any  person  or  persons  within  this  Co- 
lony, who  shall,  at  his,  or  their  own,  or  at  the  Colony's 
expense,  fit  out  and  equip  for  the  defence  of  America,  any 
vessel,  as  also  any  person  who  shall,  by  the  owner  of  such 
vessel,  be  recommended  therefor ;  and  that  all  such  persons, 
so  commissioned  as  aforesaid,  shall  have  full  power,  with  such 
other  persons  as  they  shall  engage  to  their  assistance,  to  sail 
on  the  seas,  attack,  take,  and  bring  into  port  in  this  Colony, 
all  vessels  offending  or  employed  by,  or  being  the  property 
of,  the  enemy,  as  aforesaid ;  and  also  to  retake  and  bring  in 
as  aforesaid  any  vessel  or  vessels  that  may  be  taken  from  any 
person  or  persons  by  said  enemy. 

Provided  always,  and  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the 
master  or  owner  of  such  vessel  shall,  at  the  time  he  receives 
such  commission,  enter  into  bond,  with  one  sufficient  surety 
at  least,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  office,  and  observing 
the  law  of  this  Colony  relating  to  armed  vessels ;  which  bond 
shall  be  in  the  form  following,  viz : 

"  Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  A  B  and  C 
D,  are  holden,  and  stand  firmly  bound  and  obliged,  unto  E 
F,  Treasurer  and  Receiver-General  of  the  Colony  aforesaid, 
in  the  full  and  just  sum  of  £5,000,  to  be  paid  unto  the  said 
Treasurer  and  Receiver-General,  or  to  his  successor  in  said 
office.  To  the  true  payment  whereof,  we  bind  ourselves, 
our  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators,  jointly  and  severally, 
firmly  by  these  presents. 

"  Sealed  with  our  seals  the     day  of       ,  A.  D.,  17     ." 
The  condition  of  the  aforewritten  obligation  is  such,  that 
whereas  the  said  A  B  hath,  on  the  day  of  the  date  hereof, 


received  a  commission  to  command  an  armed  vessel  called 

,  burden  about tons,  to  make  reprisal  of  all 

armed  and  other  vessels,  which  shall  be  found  infesting  the 
sea-coast,  or  upon  the  high  seas,  or  between  high  and  low- 
water  mark ;  such  vessels  being  the  property  of,  or  belong- 
ing to,  any  inhabitant  or  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain, 
(excepting  such  vessels  as  may  be  taken  in  bringing  any 
settlers,  arms,  ammunition,  or  warlike  stores,  to  and  for  the 
use  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  any  of  the  inhabitants  thereof, 
who  are  friends  to  the  American  cause,  and  warlike  stores 
and  effect  of  such  settlers:)  If,  therefore,  the  said  A.  B. 
shall  in  and  by  all  things  well  and  truly  observe  and  fulfil 
such  instructions  as  he  shall  receive  from  the  Council  of  this 
Colony,  and  shall,  in  all  things  and  respects,  conform  him- 
self to  the  directions  given  in  and  by  an  act  entitled  "An 
Act  for  encouraging  the  fixing  out  of  armed  vessels  to  de- 
fend the  sea-coast  of  America,  and  to  cruise  on  the  enemies 
of  the  United  Colonies ;  as  also  for  erecting  a  court  to  try  and 
condemn  all  ships  or  other  vessels,  their  tackle,  apparel,  and 
furniture,  and  all  goods,  wares,  and  merchandises,  belonging 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain,  taken  on  the  high 
seas," — then  the  above-written  obligation  to  be  void;  other- 
wise to  remain  in  full  force. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  there  shall  be  erected 
and  constantly  held  in  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  or  some 
town  or  place  adjacent,  in  the  County  of  Rockingham,  a 
Court  of  Justice,  by  the  name  of  the  Court  Maritime,  by 
such  able  and  discreet  person  as  shall  be  appointed  and 
commissioned  by  the  Council  and  Assembly  for  that  pur- 
pose, whose  business  it  shall  be  to  take  cognizance  and  try 
the  justice  of  any  capture  or  captures  of  any  vessel  or 
vessels  that  have  been,  may,  or  shall  be,  taken  by  any  per- 
son or  persons  whomsoever,  and  brought  into  this  Colony, 
or  any  the  captures  that  have  or  shall  be  taken  and  brought 
thereinto. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  any  person  or  persons 
who  have  been  or  shall  be  concerned  in  the  taking  and 
bringing  into  this  Colony  any  vessel  or  vessels  employed  or 
offending,  or  being  the  property  as  aforesaid,  shall  jointly, 
or  either  of  them,  by  themselves,  or  by  their  attorneys 
or  agents,  within  twenty  days  after  being  possessed  of  the 
same  in  this  Colony,  file  before  the  said  Judge  a  libel  in 
writing,  therein  giving  a  full  and  ample  account  of  the  time, 
manner,  and  cause  of  the  taking  such  vessel  or  vessels. 
But  in  case  of  any  such  vessel  or  vessels  already  brought  in 
as  aforesaid,  then  such  libel  shall  be  filed  within  twenty 
days  next  after  the  passing  this  act,  and  at  the  time  of  filing 
such  libel,  shall  also  be  filed  all  papers  on  board  such  vessel 
or  vessels,  to  the  intent  that  the  jury  may  have  the  benefit 
of  the  evidence  therefrom  arising.  And  the  Judge  shall,  as 
soon  as  may  be,  appoint  a  day  to  try  by  a  jury  the  justice 
of  the  capture  of  such  vessel  or  vessels,  with  their  appur- 
tenances and  cargoes;  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  and 
empowered  to  try  the  same.  And  the  same  Judge  shall 
cause  a  notification  thereof,  and  the  name,  if  known,  and 
description  of  the  vessel  so  brought  in,  with  the  day  set  for 
the  trial  thereon,  to  be  advertised  in  some  newspaper  printed 
in  the  said  Colony,  if  any  such  paper  there  be,  twenty 
days  before  the  time  of  the  trial ;  and  for  want  of  such  paper, 
then  to  cause  the  same  notification  to  be  affixed  on  the  doors 
of  the  Town-House,  in  said  Portsmouth,  to  the  intent  that 
the  owner  of  such  vessel,  or  any  persons  concerned,  may 
appear,  and  show  cause,  if  any  they  have,  why  such  vessel, 
with  her  cargo  and  appurtenances,  should  not  be  condemned 
as  aforesaid.  And  the  said  Judge  shall,  seven  days  before 
the  day  set  and  appointed  for  the  trial  of  such  vessel  or 
vessels,  issue  his  warrant  to  any  Constable  or  Constables 
within  the  County  aforesaid,  commanding  them,  or  either  of 
them,  to  assemble  the  inhabitants  of  their  towns  respectively, 
and  to  draw  out  of  the  box,  in  manner  provided  for  drawing 
jurors  to  serve  at  the  Superior  Court  of  Judicature,  so  many 
good  and  lawful  men  as  the  said  Judge  shall  order — not  less 
than  twelve,  nor  exceeding  twenty-four ;  and  the  Constable 
or  Constables  shall,  as  soon  as  may  be,  give  any  person  or 
persons  so  drawn  to  serve  on  the  jury  in  said  Court  due 
notice  thereof,  and  shall  make  due  return  of  his  doings 
therein  to  the  said  Judge  at  or  before  the  day  set  and  ap- 
pointed for  the  trial.  And  the  said  jurors  shall  be  held  to 
serve  on  the  trial  of  all  such  vessels  as  shall  have  been  libelled 
before  the  said  Judge,  and  the  time  of  their  trial  published  at 
the  time  said  jurors  are  drawn,  unless  the  Judge  shall  see 


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94 


cause  to  discharge  them,  or  either  of  them,  before;  and  if 
seven  of  the  jurors  shall  appear,  and  there  shall  not  be 
enough  to  complete  the  number  of  twelve,  (which  shall  be 
a  panel,)  or  if  there  shall  be  a  legal  challenge  to  any  of 
them,  so  that  there  shall  be  seven,  and  not  a  panel,  it  shall 
and  may  be  lawful  for  the  Judge  to  order  his  Clerk,  the 
Sheriff,  or  other  proper  officer  attending  on  said  Court,  to 
fill  up  the  jury  with  good  and  lawful  men  present;  and  the 
said  jury,  when  so  filled  up  and  empannelled,  shall  be  sworn 
to  return  a  true  verdict  on  any  bill,  claim,  or  memorial,  which 
shall  be  committed  to  them,  according  to  law  and  evidence. 
And  if  the  jury  shall  find  that  any  vessel  or  vessels,  against 
which  a  bill  or  libel  is  committed  to  them,  have  been  offend- 
ing, used,  employed,  or  improved  as  aforesaid,  or  are  the 
property  of  any  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain  as  aforesaid, 
they  shall  return  their  verdict  thereof  to  the  said  Judge,  and 
be  shall  thereupon  condemn  such  vessel  or  vessels,  with  their 
cargoes  and  appurtenances,  and  shall  order  them  to  be  dis- 
posed of,  as  by  law  is  provided.  And  if  the  jury  shall  return 
a  special  verdict,  therein  setting  forth  certain  facts  relative 
to  such  vessel  or  vessels,  (a  bill  against  which  is  committed 
to  them,)  and  it  shall  appear  to  the  said  Judge  by  said  ver- 
dict that  such  vessel  or  vessels  have  been  infesting  the 
sea-coast  of  America,  or  navigation  thereof,  or  that  such 
vessels  have  been  employed,  used,  improved,  or  offending, 
or  are  the  property  of  any  inhabitant  or  inhabitants  of  Great 
Britain,  as  aforesaid,  he,  the  said  Judge,  shall  condemn 
such  vessel  or  vessels,  and  decree  them  to  be  sold,  with 
their  cargoes  and  appurtenances,  at  publick  vendue,  and 
shall  also  order  the  charges  of  said  trial  and  condemnation 
to  be  paid  out  of  the  money  such  vessel  and  cargo,  with 
her  appurtenances,  shall  sell  for,  to  the  officers  of  the  Court, 
according  to  the  table  of  fees  last  established  by  law  of  this 
Colony,  and  shall  order  the  residue  thereof  to  be  delivered 
to  the  captors,  their  agents  or  attorneys,  for  the  use  and 
benefit  of  such  captors,  and  others  concerned  therein.  And 
if  two  or  more  vessels  (the  commanders  whereof  shall  be 
properly  commissioned)  shall  jointly  take  such  vessel,  the 
money  which  she  and  her  cargo  shall  sell  for,  after  payment 
of  charges  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  divided  between  the  captors, 
in  proportion  to  their  men.  And  the  said  Judge  is  hereby 
authorized  to  make  out  his  precept,  under  his  hand  and  seal, 
directed  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  aforesaid,  or,  if  thereto 
requested  by  the  captors  or  agents,  to  any  other  person  to  be 
appointed  by  the  said  Judge,  to  sell  such  vessel  and  appur- 
tenances and  cargo,  at  publick  vendue,  and  such  Sheriff,  or 
other  person,  after  deducting  his  own  charges  for  the  same, 
to  pay  and  deliver  the  residue,  according  to  the  decree  of 
said  Judge. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
if  any  Constable  within  the  said  County  shall  neglect  or 
refuse  to  obey  the  warrant  of  the  Judge  for  returning  said 
jurors  as  aforesaid,  he  shall  pay  a  fine,  as  the  said  Judge 
shall  order,  not  exceeding  the  sum  of  forty  shillings ;  and 
if  any  juror  so  drawn,  and  having  notice  as  aforesaid,  shall 
not  appear  at  the  time  and  place  directed  in  such  warrant, 
or  shall  refuse,  without  reasonable  excuse,  to  serve  on  such 
Jury,  he  shall  pay  such  fine  as  the  Judge  shall  order,  not 
exceeding  the  sum  of  forty  shillings.  But  before  such  fine 
shall  be  awarded,  the  Judge  shall  summon  such  juror  to 
appear  before  him  to  show  forth  the  reason  of  his  neglect ; 
and  if  such  reason  shall  not  be  satisfactory  to  the  said  Judge, 
then  he  shall  issue  his  warrant  of  distress  for  such  fine,  if  the 
said  juror  shall  neglect  to  pay  the  same,  and  (excepting  the 
style  and  test)  in  such  manner  as  is  directed  for  the  recovery 
of  fine  of  jurors  who  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  serve  in  the  Infe- 
rior Court  of  Common  Pleas.  Which  fines  so  recovered  shall 
be  paid  into  the  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  for  the  use  thereof. 

And  be  it  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  any 
person  or  persons  claiming  the  whole  or  any  part  or  share, 
either  as  owner  or  captor  of  any  such  vessel  or  vessels, 
against  which  a  libel  is  so  filed,  may  jointly,  or  by  themselves, 
or  by  their  attorneys  or  agents,  five  days  before  the  day  set 
and  appointed  for  the  trial  of  such  vessel  or  vessels,  file  their 
claim  before  the  said  Judge;  which  claim  shall  be  committed 
to  the  Jury  with  the  libel  which  is  first  filed,  and  the  Jury 
shall  thereupon  determine  and  return  their  verdict  of  what 
part  or  share  such  claimant  or  claimants  shall  have  of  the 
capture  or  captures;  and  every  person  or  persons  who  shall 
neglect  to  file  his  or  their  claim  in  manner  as  aforesaid,  shall 
be  forever  barred  therefrom. 


And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  no  person  who  shall  lake 
and  bring  in  any  vessel  as  aforesaid,  shall  use  or  improve 
such  capture  before  condemnation;  and  every  person  who 
shall  file  the  first  libel  against  such  vessel  or  vessels,  shall  be 
held  to  pay  all  fees  established  by  law,  in  the  same  manner 
as  hath  been  used  and  accustomed  in  the  courts  of  common 
law  within  the  Colony. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That 
every  vessel  which  shall  be  taken  and  brought  into  this 
Colony  by  the  armed  vessels  of  any  of  the  United  Colonies 
of  America,  and  shall  be  condemned  as  aforesaid,  the  pro- 
ceeds of  such  vessels  and  cargoes  shall  go  and  be,  one-third 
part  to  the  use  of  the  captors,  and  the  other  two-thirds  to 
the  use  of  the  Colony,  at  whose  charge  such  armed  vessel 
was  fitted  out.  And  where  any  vessel  or  vessels  shall  be 
taken  by  the  Fleet  and  Army  of  the  United  Colonies,  and 
brought  into  this  Colony,  and  condemned  as  aforesaid,  the 
said  Judge  shall  distribute  and  dispose  of  the  said  vessels  and 
cargoes  according  to  the  resolves  and  orders  of  the  American 
Congress. 

And  be  it  enacted,  That  the  process  and  proceedings  upon 
any  vessel  which  has  been  or  shall  be  retaken  from  the  enemy 
by  any  person  or  persons,  shall  be  in  the  same  manner  as 
herein  provided  for  other  vessels.  And  any  vessels  of  any  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  United  Colonies  which  have  been  or  shall 
be  hereafter  retaken  from  the  enemy,  before  condemnation 
thereof  had,  the  moneys  which  they  and  their  appurtenances 
and  cargoes  shall  sell  for,  shall  be  disposed  of  as  follows,  viz : 
If  they  have  been  in  the  possession  of  the  enemy  less  than 
twenty-four  hours,  then  one-eighth  part  shall  go  to  the  use 
of  the  recaptors;  if  more  than  twenty-four  and  less  than 
forty-eight  hours,  then  one-fifth  part  shall  go  to  the  recap- 
tors  ;  and  if  more,  than  forty-eight  and  less  than  ninety -six 
hours,  then  one-third  part;  and  if  more  than  ninety-six 
hours,  one-half  shall  go  to  the  recaptors ;  and  in  every  case 
the  residue  to  the  owner  or  owners,  unless  such  vessel  or 
vessels  shall,  after  being  so  brought  in,  be  legally  condemn- 
ed as  a  prize;  in  which  case  the  recaptors  shall  have  the 
whole. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  any  person,  owner, 
captor,  or  claimant,  may  take  affidavits  in  any  cause  to  be 
tried  in  the  Court  Maritime  aforesaid,  before  any  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  under  the  regulation  provided  by  the  laws  of  this 
Colony  for  taking  affidavits  to  be  used  in  civil  actions  in 
any  of  the  courts  of  common  law.  And  any  person  on 
board  such  captures,  when  they  surrender,  may  be  admitted 
as  a  witness  to  testify  to  any  fact  in  dispute  between  any  of 
the  captors.  And  the  Clerk  appointed  by  the  said  Judge  is 
empowered  to  make  out  a  summons  to  any  person  named  as 
a  witness  by  either  party.  And  if  any  person  served  with 
such  summons,  and  having  the  legal  fees  for  his  travel  ren- 
dered him,  shall  unnecessarily  refuse  to  appear  and  give 
evidence  in  such  cause,  he  shall  suffer  such  penalty  as  is 
provided  by  the  laws  of  this  Colony  against  witnesses  who 
shall  neglect  to  appear  when  legally  summoned  to  give 
evidence  in  the  Superior  Court  of  Judicature. 

And  whereas  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  have 
recommended  that,  in  certain  cases,  an  appeal  should  be 
granted  from  the  Court  aforesaid : 

Be  it  therefore  enacted,  That  from  all  judgments  or 
decrees  hereafter  to  be  given  in  the  said  Court  Maritime, 
on  the  capture  of  any  vessel,  appurtenances,  or  cargoes, 
where  such  vessel  is  taken,  or  shall  be  taken,  by  any  armed 
vessel  fitted  out  at  the  charge  of  the  United  Colonies,  an 
appeal  shall  be  allowed  to  the  Continental  Congress,  or  to 
such  person  or  persons  as  they  already  have,  or  shall  here- 
after appoint,  for  the  trials  of  appeals:  Provided,  The  ap- 
peal be  demanded  within  five  days  after  definitive  sentence 
given,  and  such  appeal  shall  be  lodged  with  the  Secretary 
of  the  Congress  within  forty  days  afterwards :  And  provided, 
The  party  appealing  shall  give  security  to  prosecute  said 
appeal  with  effect.  And  in  case  of  the  death  of  the  Secre- 
tary during  the  recess  of  the  Congress,  the  said  appeal 
shall  be  lodged  in  Congress  within  twenty  days  after  the 
next  meeting  thereof;  and  that  from  the  judgment,  decrees, 
or  sentence  of  said  Court,  on  the  capture  of  any  vessel  or 
cargo  which  have  been,  or  shall  hereafter  be,  brought  into 
this  Colony,  by  any  person  or  persons,  (excepting  those  who 
are  in  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies,)  an  appeal  shall 
be  allowed  to  the  Superior  Court  of  Judicature,  which  shall 
next  be  held  in  the.  County  aforesaid. 


95 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  be.,  JULY,  1776. 


96 


And  whereas,  no  provision  has  been  made  by  any  of  the 
said  resolves  for  an  appeal  from  the  sentence  or  decree  of 
the  said  Judge,  where  the  capture  of  any  such  vessel  or 
vessels  may  be  made  by  a  vessel  in  the  service  of  the  United 
Colonies,  and  of  any  particular  Colony  or  person,  together: 
Therefore, 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That,  in  such 
cases,  the  appeal  shall  be  allowed  to  the  next  Superior  Court, 
as  aforesaid :  Provided,  The  appellant  shall  enter  into  bonds, 
with  sufficient  sureties,  to  prosecute  his  appeal  with  effect. 
And  such  Superior  Court,  to  which  the  appeal  shall  be, 
shall  take  cognizance  thereof,  in  the  same  manner,  as  if  the 
appeal  was  from  the  Inferior  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and 
shall  condemn  or  acquit  such  vessel  or  vessels,  their  cargoes 
and  appurtenances,  and  in  the  sale  and  disposition  of  them, 
proceed  according  to  this  act.  And  the  appellant  shall  pay 
the  Court  and  Jury  such  fees  as  are  allowed  by  law  in 
civil  actions. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  when  there  shall  be  on 


board  such  capture  any  goods  perishable  by  nature,  the 
Judge  aforesaid  shall  be,  and  hereby  is  empowered,  to  give 
license  for  the  sale  of  such  goods  before  the  trial,  and  after  a 
libel  is  filed  as  aforesaid :  Provided,  The  person  or  persons 
filing  said  libel  shall  give  security  to  the  Judge  for  the  pay- 
ment of  such  moneys,  as  such  goods  are  reasonably  worth, 
to  the  captor  or  captors  thereof,  if  the  same  shall  be  con- 
demned, and  if  otherwise,  to  the  owners  thereof. 

And  be  it  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  That  when 
any  merchant  ship  or  vessel  shall  be  taken  by  virtue  of  any 
resolve  aforesaid,  the  wages  of  seamen  and  mariners  who 
shall  be  taken  on  board  the  same,  shall  be  paid  out  of  the 
proceeds  of  the  prize,  up  to  the  time  of  condemnation. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  said  Judge  shall 
appoint  an  able  Clerk,  who  shall  keep  a  true  and  fair  record 
of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  said  Court,  and  shall  be  duly 
sworn  to  act  in  said  office  with  truth  and  fidelity:  And  his 
attestations  shall  be  received  as  evidence  in  all  courts  of 
law. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  EDMUND  PENDLETON. 

Charlestown,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  Mr.  Rutledge  will  inform  you  by  this  express  of  the 
outrages  committed  by  the  Cherokees,  which  must  be  con- 
strued as  the  commencement  of  a  war.  As  it  is  now  certain 
that  a  capital  and  favourite  part  of  the  plan  laid  down  by  our 
enemies  is  to  lay  waste  the  Provinces,  burn  the  dwellings  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  mix  men,  women,  and  children,  in  one 
common  carnage  by  the  hands  of  the  Indians ;  and  as  this 
part  of  the  plan,  though  a  piece  of  inhumanity,  is  certainly 
more  big  with  mischievous  consequences  than  the  rest,  it 
appears  to  me  absolutely  necessary  to  crush  the  evil  before 
it  arises  to  any  dangerous  height.  Indeed,  if  we  avail  our- 
selves of  the  event,  it  may  prove  a  fortunate  one.  Perhaps 
we  ought  in  policy  to  have  wished  for  it.  We  can  now, 
with  the  greatest  justice,  strike  a  blow  which  is  necessary  to 
intimidate  the  numerous  tribes  of  Indians  from  falling  into  the 
measures  of  our  enemies;  and  as  these  Cherokees  are  not 
esteemed  the  most  formidable  warriors,  we  can,  probably,  do 
it  without  much  risk  or  loss.  I  think,  then,  sir,  that  without 
a  moment's  delay,  a  body  of  your  frontier  riflemen  should  be 
immediately  furnished,  and  march  into  the  country  of  the 
Overkill  Cherokees,  and  make  a  severe,  lasting,  and  salutary 
example  of  them.  The  Carolinians  propose  at  the  same 
time  attacking  their  lower  towns,  and,  with  the  cooperation 
of  Virginia,  entertain  no  doubt  of  success. 

Clinton's  army  and  Parker's  squadron  are  pretty  much  in 
the  same  situation  as  when  I  wrote  last.  They  daily,  indeed, 
make  some  alterations  in  the  position  of  their  land  troops, 
from  one  island  to  another ;  perhaps  for  new  air  or  water,  of 
which,  the  deserters  say,  they  are  in  great  want.  They  tell 
us,  likewise,  that  considerable  sickness  prevails  in  the  army, 
and  greater  discontents  from  hard  duty  and  bad  diet.  The 
spirit  of  desertion  begins  to  show  itself.  Five  soldiers  came 
over  these  two  last  nights,  who  assure  us  that,  were  they  not 
on  an  Island  from  which  it  is  difficult  to  escape,  two-thirds  of 
their  army  would  soon  be  with  us.  I  am  myself  inclined  to 
believe  them.  Upon  the  whole,  when  I  consider  the  diffi- 
culties which  the  enemy's  Generals  have  to  encounter,  the 
temper  and  disposition  of  their  troops,  and  the  improving  spirit 
of  ours,  I  assure  myself  that  the  game  is  in  our  hands:  God 
give  us  more  grace  than  to  shuffle  it  away. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 

To  the  Hon.  Edmund  Pendleton,  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  Virginia. 

GENERAL  LEE  TO  PATRICK  HENHT. 

Williamsburgh,  May  7,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  If  I  had  not  the  highest  opinion  of  your 
character  and  liberal  way  of  thinking,  I  should  not  venture 
to  address  myself  to  you.  And  if  1  were  not  equally  per- 
suaded of  the  great  weight  and  influence  which  the  transcen- 
dent abilities  you  possess  must  naturally  confer,  I  should  not 
give  myself  the  trouble  of  writing,  nor  you  the  trouble  of 
reading  this  long  letter.  Since  our  conversation  yesterday, 
my  thoughts  have  been  solely  employed  on  the  great  ques- 
tion, whether  Independence  ought  or  ought  not  to  be  imme- 


diately declared.  Having  weighed  the  argument  on  both 
sides,  I  am  clearly  of  the  opinion  that  we  must,  as  we  value 
the  liberties  of  America,  or  even  her  existence,  without  a 
moment's  delay  declare  for  Independence.  If  my  reasons 
appear  weak,  you  will  excuse  them  for  the  disinterestedness 
of  the  author,  as  I  may  venture  to  affirm,  that  no  man  on 
this  Continent  will  sacrifice  more  than  myself  by  the  sepa- 
ration. But  if  I  have  the  good  fortune  to  offer  any  argu- 
ments which  have  escaped  your  understanding,  and  they 
should  make  the  desired  impression,  I  think  I  shall  have 
rendered  the  greatest  service  to  the  community. 

The  objection  you  made  yesterday,  if  I  understood  you 
rightly,  to  an  immediate  Declaration,  was,  by  many  degrees, 
the  most  specious ;  indeed  it  is  the  only  tolerable  one  that  I 
have  yet  heard.  You  say,  and  with  great  justice,  that  we 
ought  previously  to  have  felt  the  pulse  of  France  and  Spain. 
I  more  than  believe,  I  am  almost  confident,  that  it  has  been 
done ;  at  least  I  can  assert,  upon  recollection,  that  some  of 
the  Committee  of  Secrecy  have  assured  me  that  the  senti- 
ments of  both  these  Courts,  or  their  agents,  had  been  sounded, 
and  were  found  to  be  as  favourable  as  could  be  wished. 
But,  admitting  that  we  are  utter  strangers  to  their  senti- 
ments on  the  subject,  and  that  we  run  some  risk  of  this  De- 
claration being  coldly  received  by  these  Powers,  such  is  our 
situation  that  the  risk  must  be  ventured. 

On  one  side  there  are  the  most  probable  chances  of  our 
success,  founded  on  the  certain  advantages  which  must  mani- 
fest themselves  to  French  understandings  by  a  treaty  of 
alliance  with  America.  The  strength  and  weakness,  the 
opulence  and  poverty  of  every  State  are  estimated  in  the 
scale  of  comparison  with  her  immediate  rival.  The  superior 
commerce  and  marine  force  of  England  were  evidently 
established  on  the  monopoly  of  her  American  trade.  The 
inferiority  of  France,  in  these  two  capital  points,  consequently 
had  its  source  in  the  same  origin.  Any  deduction  from  this 
monopoly  must  bring  down  her  rival  in  proportion  to  this 
deduction. 

The  French  are,  and  always  have  been,  sensible  of  these 
great  truths.  Your  idea,  that  they  may  be  diverted  from  a 
line  of  policy  which  assures  them  such  immense  and  perma- 
nent advantages  by  an  offer  of  partition  from  Great  Britain, 
appears  to  me,  if  you  will  excuse  the  phrase,  an  absolute 
chimera.  They  must  be  wretched  politicians,  indeed,  if 
they  would  prefer  the  uncertain  acquisition,  and  the  preca- 
rious, expensive  possession  of  one  or  two  Provinces,  to  the 
greater  part  of  the  commerce  of  the  whole.  Besides,  were 
not  the  advantages  from  the  latter  so  manifestly  greater  than 
those  that  would  accrue  from  the  imagined  partition  scheme, 
it  is  notorious  that  acquisition  of  territory,  or  even  Colonial 
possessions,  which  require  either  men  or  money  to  retain 
them,  are  entirely  repugnant  to  the  spirit  and  principles  of 
the  present  French  Court.  It  is  so  repugnant,  indeed,  that 
it  is  most  certain  they  have  lately  entertained  thoughts  of 
abandoning  their  West-India  Islands.  Le  commerce  et 
Veconomie  are  the  cry,  down  from  the  King  to  the  lowest 
Minister.  From  these  considerations,  I  am  convinced  that 
they  will  immediately  and  essentially  assist  us  if  Indepen- 
dence is  declared. 

But  allowing  that  there  can  be  no  certainty,  but  mere 


97 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


98 


chances,  in  our  favour ;  I  do  insist  upon  it,  that  these  chances 
render  it  our  duty  to  adopt  the  measure,  as,  by  procrastina- 
tion, our  ruin  is  inevitable.  Should  it  now  be  determined 
to  wait  the  result  of  a  previous  formal  negotiation  with 
France,  a  whole  year  must  pass  over  our  heads  before  we 
can  be  acquainted  with  the  result.  In  the  mean  time  we 
are  to  struggle  through  a  campaign,  without  arms,  ammuni- 
tion, or  any  one  necessary  of  war.  Disgrace  and  defeat  will 
infallibly  ensue ;  the  soldiers  and  officers  will  become  so  dis- 
appointed that  they  will  abandon  their  colours,  and  probably 
never  be  persuaded  to  make  another  effort. 

But  there  is  another  consideration  still  more  cogent.  I 
can  assure  you  that  the  spirit  of  the  people  cries  out  for  this 
Declaration ;  the  military,  in  particular,  men  and  officers, 
are  outrageous  on  the  subject ;  and  a  man  of  your  excellent 
discernment  need  not  be  told  how  dangerous  it  would  be  in 
our  present  circumstances,  to  dally  with  the  spirit,  or  dis- 
appoint the  expectations  of  the  bulk  of  the  people.  May 
not  despair,  anarchy,  and  finally  submission,  be  the  bitter 
fruits  ?  I  am  firmly  persuaded  that  they  will ;  and,  in  this 
persuasion,  I  most  devoutly  pray  that  you  may  not  merely 
recommend,  but  positively  lay  injunctions,  on  your  servants 
in  Congress  to  embrace  a  measure  so  necessary  to  our  sal- 
vation. 

Yours,  most  sincerely,  CHARLES  LEE. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

New- York,  May,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  LEE:  Your  favour  of  the  5th  ultimo,  from 
Williamsburgh,  the  first  I  have  received  from  you  since  you 
left  this  city,  came  to  my  hands  by  the  last  post.  I  thank 
you  for  your  kind  congratulations  on  our  possession  of  Bos- 
ton. I  thank  you  for  your  good  wishes  in  our  future  opera- 
tions, and  hope  that  every  diabolical  attempt  to  deprive 
mankind  of  their,  inherent  rights  and  privileges,  whether 
made  in  the  east,  west,  north,  or  south,  will  be  attended 
with  disappointment  and  disgrace,  and  that  the  authors  in 
the  end  will  be  brought  to  such  punisliment  as  an  injured 
people  have  a  right  to  inflict. 

General  Howe's  retreat  from  Boston  was  precipitate  be- 
yond anything  I  could  have  conceived.  The  destruction 
of  the  stores  at  Dunbar's  camp,  after  Braddock's  defeat, 
was  but  a  faint  image  of  what  was  seen  at  Boston:  artillery 
carts  cut  to  pieces  in  one  place,  gun-carriages  in  another ; 
shells  broke  here,  shot  buried  there ;  and  everything  carry- 
ing with  it  the  face  of  disorder  and  confusion,  as  also  of 
distress. 

Immediately  upon  their  embarkation,  I  detached  a  brigade 
of  five  regiments  to  this  city,  and  upon  their  sailing,  removed 
with  the  whole  Army  hither,  except  four  regiments  at  Bos- 
ton and  one  at  Beverly,  &c.,  for  the  protection  of  those 
places,  the  stores  and  barracks  there,  and  for  erecting  works 
for  defending  the  harbour  of  the  former.  Immediately  upon 
ray  arrival  here,  I  detached  four  regiments,  by  order  of  Con- 
gress, to  Canada,  (to  wit :  Poor's,  Patterson's,  Greaton's, 
and  Bond's,')  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  Thompson; 
and  since  that,  by  the  same  authority,  and  in  consequence 
of  some  unfavourable  accounts  from  that  quarter,  General 
Sullivan  and  six  other  regiments  (namely,  Stork's,  Read's, 
Wayne's,  Irvine's,  Winds's,  and  Dayton's)  have  moved  off 
for  that  department ;  the  last  four  regiments  are  from  Penn- 
sylvania and  New-Jersey.  The  first  brigade  arrived  at 
Albany  on  the  24th  ultimo,  and  were  moving  on  when 
accounts  came  from  thence  on  the  27th.  The  other  brigade 
must  all  be  at  Albany  before  this,  as  some  of  the  regiments 
sailed  ten  days  ago,  and  the  last  four  and  the  winds  very 
favourable.  This  has  left  us  very  weak  at  this  place ;  whilst 
1  have  my  fears  that  the  reinforcement  will  scarce  get  to 
Canada  in  time,  for  want  of  teams  to  transport  the  troops, 
&c.,  to  Fort  George,  and  vessels  to  convey  them  on  after- 
wards. 

We  have  done  a  great  deal  of  work  at  this  place.  In  a 
fortnight  more,  I  think  the  city  will  be  in  a  very  respectable 
posture  of  defence.  Governour's  Island  has  a  large  and 
strong  work  erected,  and  a  regiment  encamped  there.  The 
point  below,  called  Red  Hook,  has  a  small,  but  exceedingly 
strong  barbette  battery;  and  several  new  works  are  con- 
structed, and  many  of  them  almost  executed  at  other  places. 

General  Ward,  upon  the  evacuation  of  Boston,  and  find- 
ing that  there  was  a  probability  of  his  being  removed  from 

FIFTH  SEBIES. — VOL.  I.  7 


the  smoke  of  his  own  chimney,  applied  to  me,  and  wrote  to 
Congress,  for  leave  to  resign.  A, few  days  afterwards,  some 
of  the  officers,  as  he  says,  getting  uneasy  at  the  prospect  of 
his  leaving  them,  he  applied  for  his  letter  of  resignation, 
which  had  been  committed  to  my  care ;  but,  behold !  it  had 
been  carefully  forwarded  to  Congress,  and,  as  I  have  since 
learned,  judged  so  reasonable,  (want  of  health  being  the 
plea,)  that  it  was  instantly  complied  with.  Brigadier  Frye, 
previous  to  this,  also  conceiving  that  there  was  nothing  enter- 
taining or  profitable  to  an  old  man,  to  be  marching  and 
countermarching,  desired,  immediately  on  the  evacuation  of 
Boston,  (which  happened  on  the  17th  of  March.)  that  he 
might  resign  his  commission  on  the  llth  of  April.  The 
choice  of  the  day  became  a  matter  of  great  speculation,  and 
remained  profoundly  mysterious  till  he  exhibited  his  account, 
when  there  appeared  neither  more  nor  less  in  it  than  the 
completion  of  three  calendar  months,  the  pay  of  which  he 
received  without  any  kind  of  compunction,  although  he  had 
never  done  one  tour  of  duty,  or,  I  believe,  had  ever  been 
out  of  his  house  from  the.  time  he  entered  till  he  quitted 
Cambridge. 

So  much  for  two  Generals.  I  have  next  to  inform  you, 
that  the  Paymaster-General,  Colonel  Warren,  not  finding  it 
convenient  to  attend  the  Army,  from  the  various  employ- 
ments and  avocations  in  which  he  was  engaged,  also  resigned 
his  commission,  and  is  succeeded  by  your  old  aid,  Palfrey. 

When  I  was  speaking  of  the  distressed  situation  of  the 
King's  troops,  and  the  Tories,  at  their  evacuation  of  Boston,  I 
might  have  gone  on  and  added,  that  their  misfortunes  did  not 
end  here.  It  seems,  upon  their  arrival  at  Halifax,  that  many 
of  the  former  were  obliged  to  encamp,  although  the  ground 
was  covered  deep  with  snow ;  and  the  latter  to  pay  six  dollars 
a  week  for  sorry  upper  rooms,  and  stow  in  them  men,  women, 
and  children,  as  thick,  comparatively,  as  the  hair  upon  their 
heads.  This  induced  many  of  these  gentry  to  return  and 
throw  themselves  upon  the  mercy  and  clemency  of  their 
countrymen,  who  were  for  sending  them  immediately  back, 
as  the  most  proper  and  severest  punishment  they  could 
inflict ;  but  death  being  preferred  to  this,  they  now  wait  in 
confinement  any  other  that  may  be  thought  due  to  such 
parricides. 

All  the  ships-of-war  have  left  this  place,  and  gone  down 
to  the  Hook,  except  the  Asia,  which  lies  five  miles  below 
the  Narrows,  and  about  twelve  or  fourteen  from  hence.  I 
could  have  added' more;  but  my  paper  will  not  admit  of 
it.  With  compliments,  therefore,  to  the  gentlemen  of  my 
acquaintance  with  you,  and  with  the  most  fervent  wishes 
for  your  health  and  sucess, 

I  remain,  your  most  affectionate, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Major-General  Lee. 


THOMAS  BURKE  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

Tyaquin,  North-Carolina,  June  11,  1776. 

SIR:  This  moment  yours  of  the  1st  instant  came  to  my 
hand.  The  note  enclosed,  directed  to  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  corps  of  Virginia  forces  intended  for  the  station 
of  Hillsborough,  I  will  use  my  best  endeavour  to  transmit, 
as  soon  as  I  can  learn  who  he  is,  or  for  what  part  of  Vir- 
ginia they  are  ordered ;  of  both  I  am  now  entirely  unin- 
formed, having  heard  nothing  of  such  destination  until  I 
received  your  letter.  If  I  can  get  no  information  in  my 
neighbourhood,  I  will  send  your  note  to  the  commanding 
officer  of  Halifax,  or  of  Mecklenburgh  County,  who,  being 
stationed  contiguous  to  this,  are  most  likely  to  have  received 
orders  to  march  hither. 

I  cannot  say,  sir,  that  I  rejoice  that  the  enemy  have  aban- 
doned their  design  on  this  Colony.  Their  force  could  not 
have  effected  much  against  us ;  but  they  may  prove  trouble- 
some to  some  of  our  southern  neighbours,  who  are  probably 
not  so  well  provided  for  defence  as  we  are. 

I  beg  leave,  sir,  to  wish  you  all  possible  success  in  your 
generous  efforts  for  the  defence  of  the  undoubted  rights  of 
mankind.  Had  the  scene  of  action  been  where  we  first 
expected  it,  I  intended  to  have  put  myself,  as  a  volunteer, 
under  your  command,  and  to  have  contributed  my  little 
assistance  towards  that  success  which,  I  am  assured,  would 
have  attended  your  command.  Remote  as  the  scene  may 
be,  I  shall  not  bear  absence  from  it  with  much  patience, 
and,  were  it  not  almost  ruin  to  my  private  affairs,  no  cam- 


99 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


100 


paign  should  pass  without  receiving  the  little  assistance  I 
could  personally  give;  for  though  I  am  no  military  character, 
nor  ambitious  of  such  distinction,  the  cause  in  which  we  are 
now  engaged,  and  in  which  1  have  unremittingly  struggled 
since  the  stamp  act,  makes  me  anxious  to  be  a  witness  and 
an  actor,  however  inconsiderable,  in  every  scene  of  impor- 
tance, whether  military  or  civil,  which  may  relate  to  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  singular  respect,  sir,  your 
obedient  servant,  THOMAS  BURKE. 

To  Major  General  Lee. 

GEORGE  JOHNSON  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

Philadelphia,  June  17,  1776. 

DKAR  SIR  :  I  heartily  thank  you  for  your  letter,  and  regret 
that  I  cannot  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  you.  The  great 
wish  of  my  life  is  to  see  peace  between  two  countries  I 
almost  equally  love ;  while  it  is  a  question  whether  this  or 
an  exterminating  war  is  to  take  place.  I  meant,  in  words 
I  had  learned  from  you,  to  set  •before  you  the  many  and 
mutual  advantages  both  would  derive  from  an  agreement ; 
and  as  the  terms  now  offered  are  more  for  the  interest  of 
your  favourite  America  than  you  ever  hoped  to  obtain,  I 
should  have  made  no  scruple  to  ask  your  good  offices,  and 
to  engage  my  own,  to  remove  any  obstacles  that  might 
obstruct  the  peace.  I  should  think  it  a  greater  honour  to 
contribute  in  the  smallest  degree  to  this,  than  to  have  the 
greatest  share  in  bringing  about  victory ;  these,  to  a  think- 
ing man  like  you,  who  has  many  friends  on  both  sides,  sub- 
ject him  to  a  double  regret. 

I  may  not  find  another  occasion  of  meeting  you  easily ; 
but  I  would  travel  far  to  have  the  pleasure  of  embracing 
you  as  a  fellow-subject  of  the  same  empire,  and  a  friend. 
You  will  see,  by  some  speeches  in  the  House  of  Commons, 
that  others  whom  you  value  have  the  same  wish.  A  cele- 
brated poem,  just  published,  says : 

"  By  virtue,  captive  Lee  is  doubly  blest." 

A  pamphlet,  written  by  Governour  Johnstone's  brother, 
is  much  applauded  by  the  nation,  where  a  spirit  prevails 
like  that  between  tender  relations,  who  are  more  disposed  to 
love  and  respect,  after  a  quarrel  has  convinced  both  of  the  ad- 
vantage and  value  of  friendship.  I  send  you  the  pamphlet. 

You  do  Sir  H.  Clinton  great  justice  in  believing  him 
to  be  incapable  of  an  inhuman  or  illiberal  measure ;  you 
may,  with  great  confidence,  assert,  that  he  had  no  share  in 
the  havock  that  you  say  has  imbittered  people's  minds  to  a 
degree  of  madness.  Your  letter  to  me  is  the  only  notice 
he  has  of  the  burnings  you  mention.  If  any  other  houses 
besides  magazines  were  destroyed,  it  must  have  been  by  the 
wantonness  of  soldiers,  as  the  officer  who  formed  the  plan 
for  destroying  the  preparations  for  the  invasion  of  the  island 
confined  it  to  ihis  object.  The  destruction  of  houses  was 
no  part  of  his  project ;  otherwise  he  would  have. mentioned 
the  success  of  it,  which-  he  has  not  done.  I  will  deliver 
the  messages  you  give  me,  and  will  ever  seek  every  occa- 
sion to  show  that  I  am,  with  regard,  dear  sir,  your  most 
affectionate  friend  and  humble  servant, 

GEORGE  JOHNSON. 
To  Major-General  Lee. 

P.  S.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  bids  me  thank  you  for  your 
letter,  and  charges  me  to  enclose  one  he  has  received  for 
you  from  England. 


making  them  cowards.  Once  more,  I  must  request  that  a 
stop  be  put  to  this  childish,  vicious,  and  scandalous  practice. 
I  extend  the  rule  to  those  who  have  the  care  of  the  field- 
pieces;  four  hundred  yards  is  the  greatest  distance  they 
should  be  allowed  to  fire  at.  A  transgression  of  this  rule 
will  be  considered  as  the  effect  of  flurry  and  want  of  courage. 
Those  who  are  accused  of  transgressing  will  be  proceeded 
against,  as  acting  from  these  principles. 

I  have,  sir,  the  greatest  opinion  of  your  good  sense  and 
spirit,  and  flatter  myself  that  you  will  not  only  issue  orders 
of  restriction  on  this  head,  but  that  you  will  be  attentive 
that  they  are  rigorously  put  in  execution. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To  Colonel  Tliompson. 

P.  S.  I  am  likewise  informed  that  your  men  pass  with- 
out order  or  orders  to  Long-Island.  Is  this  wise?  Is  it 
soldierlike?  Is  it  to  show  the  enemy  where  our  weak- 

"5? 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  COLONEL  THOMPSON. 

Charlestown,  June  21,  1776. 

SIR:  It  is  a  certain  truth  that  the  enemy  entertain  a  most 
fortunate  apprehension  of  American  riflemen.  It  is  equally 
certain  that  nothing  can  diminish  this  apprehension  so  infal- 
libly as  a  frequent  ineffectual  fire.  It  is  with  some  concern, 
therefore,  that  I  have  been  informed  that  your  men  have 
'been  suffered  to  fire  at  a  most  preposterous  distance.  Upon 
this  principle,  I  must  entreat  and  insist,  that  you  consider  it 
as  a  standing  order,  that  not  a  man  under  your  command 
is  to  fire  at  a  greater  distance  than  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards,  at  the  utmost ;  in  short,  they  must  never  fire  without 
almost  a  moral  certainty  of  hitting  their  object.  Distant 
firing  has  a  doubly  bad  effect ;  it  encourages  the  enemy,  and 
adds  to  the  pernicious  persuasion  of  the  American  soldiers, 
viz:  that  they  are  no  match  for  their  antagonists  at  close 
fighting.  To  speak  plainly,  it  is  almost  a  sure  method  of 


ness  18! 


JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  sent  you  three  vessels  at  the  request  of  Mr. 
Purviance,  which  I  hope  is  right.  He  tells  me  that  Mr. 
Tilghman  spoke  to  him  about  the  one  that  is  to  carry  troops 
to  Elk.  I  give  you  a  line  by  each  vessel,  for  fear  that  one 
may  be  before  the  others  in  getting  down.  They  are  to  have 
17s.  6d.  per  day  while  in  the  service.  Each  vessel  will 
carry  a  company.  They  ought  to  be  well  ballasted,  as  the 
soldiers  will  be  a  top-heavy  load.  The  skipper  will  hand 
you  this  from  your  humble  servant, 

JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH. 

To  the  Chairman  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 

P.  S.  The  vessels  will  find  all  they  want  for  their  own 
use. 


E.  JOHNSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Lower  Marlborough ,  July  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  day  I  fixed  on,  in  the  week  before 
last,  to  search  into  the  clifts  on  this  river  for  salt,  proved 
rainy,  and  thereby  I  was  disappointed  in  many  hands  en- 
gaged ;  but,  however,  with  what  I  had,  I  sunk  a  shaft,  ten 
feet  square  and  five  feet  deep,  in  the  inside  of  the  clifts, 
free  from  any  tide  that  ever  flowed  since  the  Deluge,  and 
have  found  since,  that  a  few  days  sun  thereon  has  brought 
out  some  appearances  of  saline  particles ;  so  that  I  conclude 
that  this  earth  will  yield  salt,  and  have  ordered  it  to  be  tried, 
the  success  of  which  you  shall  know  by  next  post.  If  this 
earth  yields  salt,  the  whole  clift  must  also  yield  it,  and  of 
course  the  quantity  is  inexhaustible.  Report  says  that  the 
clifts  both  north  and  south  of  this,  on  the  same  side  of  the 
river,  are  impregnated  with  salt.  I  have  not  seen  any  of 
them,  except  a  small  bank  at  my  own  plantation,  at  the 
mouth  of  Hunting  Creek,  south  of  the  first-discovered  clift, 
which  is  very  salt ;  and  shall,  as  soon  as  my  harvest  is 
secured,  make  some  large  experiments  on,  and,  if  success- 
ful, set  to  work  to  make  what  I  can. 

The  owner  of  the  land  of  the  first-discovered  clift  will 
come  upon  no  settled,  fixed  plan  of  proceeding  to  erect  either 
a  publick  or  private  saltern  ;  but  says  that,  after  harvest,  he 
will  join  me  in  trying  further  experiments.  The  expense 
attending  my  sinking  the  shaft,  in  hire  of  negroes,  provisions, 
and  cooking  for  them,  cost  me  twenty-five  shillings  currency, 
which  I  have  paid ;  and  if  agreeable  to  you  to  charge  to  my 
saltpetre  account,  please  to  give  me  your  order,  or  other- 
wise, as  you  may  think  proper.  The  time  of  my  engage- 
ment, with  my  labour  at  my  saltpetre  manufactory,  expired  a 
few  days  ago,  and  we  have  not  done  anything  since.  My 
manager  has  brought  in  his  account,  and  thirty-four  pounds 
of  good  crude  nitre,  for  which  he  demands  a  quarter  of  a 
dollar.  Being  informed  that  the  May  Convention  gave  him 
that  sum,  I  have  only  paid  a  shilling,  with  promise  to  make 
it  agreeable  to  the  orders  I  am  empowered  to  act  by.  I 
shall  hire  another  labourer  soon,  to  go  on  with  the  business, 
and  shall  continue  it  as  long  as  I  can  find  materials  impreg- 
nated sufficiently.  In  a  few  months,  the  quantity  of  earth, 
&.C.,  I  have  in  my  shed,  will,  I  expect,  yield  two  hundred 
pounds.  The  thirty-four  pounds  made  at  the  manufac- 
tory, five-and-a-half  pounds  I  bought,  returned  to  the  Con- 


101 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


102 


vention  in  my  account,  makes  thirty-nine-and-a-half  pounds  in 
my  hands.     Please  to  give  me  orders  what  I  am  to  do  with  it. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  with  all  due  respect,  your  humble  ser- 
vant, E.  JOHNSON. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

BALTIMORE    COMMITTEE   TO   MARYLAND   COUNCIL   OF  SAFETY. 

In  Committee,  Baltimore,  July  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Colonel  Ware  having  informed  us  that  he 
had  drawn  a  plan  of  a  fortification  to  be  added  to  the  works 
at  Whetstone  Point,  we  shall  be  glad  to  know  whether  you 
mean  it  should  be  finished,  and  if  so,  what  further  sum  of 
money  you  will  apply  to  that  purpose ;  and  we  should  be 
much  obliged  if  you  would  favour  us  with  the  plan  left  with 
you. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  on  behalf  of  the  Committee,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  WILLIAM  Lux,  Vice -Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


to  march  from  hence  to  Philadelphia  should  be  supplied  by 
three  companies  of  the  neighbouring  Militia  till  the  Militia  for 
the  Flying-Camp  can  be  ready.  We  shall  be  glad  to  see 
you  as  soon  as  you  possibly  can,  that  we  may  determine 
what  companies  of  your  battalion  may  with  the  greatest 
convenience  be  stationed  at  this  place.  We  are,  &,c. 
To  Colonels  Weems  and  Hammond,  respectively. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

Annapolis,  July  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  Convention  have  given  no  order  for 
laying  out  any  further  sum  of  money  on  the  fortifications  at 
or  near  Baltimore  Town.  If  more  money  had  been  neces- 
sary, application  should  have  been  made  to  that  respectable 
body.  We  consider  ourselves  not  at  large  to  comply  with 
your  request  in  advancing  a  further  sum,  and  so  we  have 
repeatedly  intimated  when  the  plan  was  first  offered  to  us. 
We  send  it  you  enclosed  ;  and  are  your  most  obedient  ser- 
vants. 

P.  S.  If  the  money  you  have  for  erecting  fortifications  be 
not  expended,  you  will  apply  it  to  erecting  the  fortification 
desired. 


COLONEL  SMALLWOOD  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Sunday,  July  7,  1776. 

The  bearers,  Michael  Hart  and  Lawrence  Keenan,  of  the 
Artillery  Company,  having  been  released  from  jail,  prosecu- 
tion against  them  being  withdrawn,  have  applied  for  a  dis- 
charge, the  date  of  which  will  properly  commence  the  7th 
day  of  May,  when  they  were  imprisoned,  as  I  ordered 
them  to  be  given  up  at  that  time  to  the  civil  power;  and 
having  no  authority  to  discharge  them,  must  refer  them  to 
the  honourable  Council  of  Safety  for  their  discharges. 

W.  SMALLWOOD. 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF     SAFETY   TO    CAPTAIN    VEAZEY    AND 

LIEUTENANT  HARRISON. 
[No.  4.]  Annapolis,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  resolves  that  your 
company  is  to  march  immediately  to  Philadelphia.  The 
service  requires  the  utmost  despatch.  We  think  it  will  be 
the  most  expeditious  as  well  as  convenient  way  to  go  to  the 
head  of  Elk  by  water,  and  therefore  recommend  it  to  you 
to  endeavour  to  procure  a  vessel  for  the  purpose  of  transport- 
ing your  troops  thither.  If,  however,  you  cannot  get  one 
immediately,  you  will  march  up  as  speedily  as  possible. 
Wagons  will  be  ready  for  you  at  the  head  of  Elk  to  carry 
your  baggage  and  a  proper  supply  of  provisions  to  Phila- 
delphia. If  a  vessel  is  not  to  be  had,  you  will  please  to  get 
the  necessary  carriages  in  Talbot  for  your  baggage,  and  lay 
in  a  sufficient  quantity  of  provision  for  your  men  until  you 
can  reach  the  head  of  Elk.  Colonel  Smallwood's  battalion 
will  set  off  by  water  to-morrow  or  Tuesday.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Captain   Edward  Veazey  and   Lieutenant   Harrison, 
respectively. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  VEAZEY. 
[No.  5.]  Annapolis,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  resolves  that  your 
company  is  to  march  immediately  to  Philadelphia.  The 
service  requires  the  utmost  despatch.  Wagons  will  be  ready 
for  you  at  the  head  of  Elk,  to  carry  your  baggage  and  a  pro- 
per supply  of  provisions  from  thence  to  Philadelphia.  You 
will  please  to  get  the  necessary  carriages  in  Kent  for  your 
baggages,  and  lay  in  a  sufficient  quantity  of  provisions  for 
your  men  until  you  can  reach  the  head  of  Elk.  Colonel 
Smallwood's  battalion  will  set  off  to-morrow  or  on  Tuesday 
by  water,  and  so  we  expect  will  Lieutenant  Harrison's 
division  of  your  company,  as  we  have  given  him  his  orders. 
We  are,  &c. 

To  Captain  Edward  Veazey. 


RICHARD  TOOTELL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Annapolis,  July  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  As  the  Surgeon-Major  and  his  assistant 
must  inarch  with  the  battalion  which  was  stationed  in  this 
city,  to  which  corps  they  belong,  I  presume  the  deficiency 
of  that  battalion  will  be  immediately  supplied  with  Militia. 

The  troops  stationed  here  for  the  safety  of  the  city  will 
stand  in  need  of  a  Surgeon-Major  and  an  assistant.  I  pe- 
tition your  Honours  for  the  office  of  Surgeon-Major  to  the 
abovementioned  troops. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  Honours'  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  RICHARD  TOOTELL. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  BUCHANAN. 
[No.  2.]  Annapolis,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR:  You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  resolve  that  the 
Convention  have  directed  the  place  of  the  regulars  that  are 
to  march  from  Baltimore  Town  to  Philadelphia  should  be 
supplied  by  the  companies  of  the  neighbouring  Militia  till  the 
Flying-Camp  can  be  ready.  We  must  request,  therefore, 
that  you  will  consider  what  companies  of  your  County  may 
with  the  greatest  convenience  be  stationed  at  Baltimore 
Town,  and  give  orders  for  their  march  to  that  station  as  soon 
as  the  regulars  leave  it.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Brigadier-General  Buchanan. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  WEEMS. 
[No.  3.]  Annapolis,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR:  You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  resolves  that  the 
Convention  have  directed  the  place  of  the  regulars  that  are 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  RICHARD  BUCHANAN. 
[No.  6.]  Annapolis,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  are  despatching  the  troops  from  hence  to  Phila- 
delphia. Including  those  for  Baltimore,  they  will  amount 
to  one  thousand  men,  and  they  are  to  go  by  water  to  the 
head  of  Elk;  when  they  arrive  there,  perhaps  they  may  be 
at  a  loss  for  a  supply  of  provision  for  their  march,  which 
may  take  them  up  four  days  from  thence.  We  therefore 
think  it  necessary  that  you,  or  Mr.  Cummings,  or  some  per- 
son for  you,  should  be  there,  to  be  ready  to  supply  them,  in 
case  they  should  be  in  want.  We  are,  fcc. 

To  Mr.  Richard  Buchanan. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  JOHN  ADAMS,  DATED  PHILA- 
DELPHIA, JULY  7,  1776. 

The  design  of  our  enemy  now  seems  to  be  a  powerful  in- 
vasion of  New-York  and  New- Jersey.  The  Halifax  fleet 
and  army  is  arrived,  and  another  fleet  and  army  under  Lord 
Howe  is  expected  to  join  them.  We  are  making  great  pre- 
parations to  meet  them,  by  marching  the  Militia  of  Maryland, 
Pennsylvania,  and  New-Jersey,  down  to  the  scene  of  actiony 
and  have  made  large  requisitions  upon  New-England.  I 
hope,  for  the  honour  of  New-England  and  the  salvation  of 
America,  our  people  will  not  be  backward  in  marching  to 
New-York.  We  must  maintain  and  defend  that  important 
post  at  all  events.  If  the  enemy  get  possession  there,  it 
will  cost  New-England  very  dear.  There  is  no  danger  of 
the  small-pox  at  New-York;  it  is  carefully  kept  out  of  the 
city  and  the  Army.  I  hope  that  your  brother,  and  mine 
too,  will  go  into  the  service  of  their  country  at  this  critical 
period  of  its  distress. 


103 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


104 


Our  Army  at  Crown-Point  is  an  object  of  wretchedness 
enough  to  fill  a  humane  mind  with  horrour;  disgraced,  defeat- 
ed, discontented,  dispirited,  diseased,  naked,  undisciplined, 
eaten  up  with  vermin;  no  clothes,  beds,  blankets;  no  medi- 
cines ;  no  victuals,  but  salt  pork  and  flour.  A  chaplain 
from  that  Army  preached  a  sermon  here  the  other  day,  from 
"Cursed  is  he  that  doeth  the  work  of  the  Lord  deceitfully." 
I  knew  better  than  he  did  who  the  persons  were  who  de- 
served these  curses  ;  but  I  could  not  help  myself,  nor  my 
poor  country,  any  more  than  he.  I  hope  that  measures  will 
be  taken  to  cleanse  the  Army  at  Crown-Point  from  the  small- 
pox, and  that  other  measures  will  be  taken  in  New-England, 
by  tolerating  and  encouraging  inoculation,  to  render  that  dis- 
temper less  terrible. 

I  am  solicitous  to  hear  what  figure  our  new  Superior 
Court  made  in  their  eastern  circuit:  what  business  they  did  ; 
whether  the  grand  juries  and  petit  juries  were  sworn ;  whe- 
ther they  had  tried  any  criminal,  or  any  civil  actions ;  how 
the  people  were  affected  at  the  appearance  of  courts  again; 
how  the  Judges  were  treated — whether  with  respect,  or  cold 
neglect,  &c.  Every  Colony  upon  the  Continent  will  soon 
be  in  the  same  situation.  They  are  erecting  Governments 
as  fast  as  children  build  cob-houses;  but,  I  conjecture,  they 
will  hardly  throw  them  down  again  so  soon. 

The  practice  we  have  hitherto  been  in,  of  ditching  round 
about  our  enemies,  will  not  always  do.  We  must  learn  to 
use  other  weapons  than  the  pick  and  the  spade.  Our  armies 
must  be  disciplined,  and  learn  to  fight.  I  have  the  satis- 
faction to  reflect  that  our  Massachusetts  people,  when  they 
have  been  left  to  themselves,  have  been  constantly  fighting 
and  skirmishing,  and  always  with  success.  I  wish  the  same 
valour,  prudence,  and  spirit,  had  been  discovered  every- 
where. 


JOSEPH  HART  TO  THK  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  8,  1776.] 

Warminster,  Bucks  County,  July  7,  1776. 
HONOURABLE  SIR:  This  day,  Mr.  Wynkoop  delivered 
me  your  letter  of  the  3d  instant,  directed  to  the  Committee 
of  our  County,  requesting  that  the  troops  we  are  raising  to 
form  the  Flying-Camp  might  be  immediately  sent  to  New- 
Brunswick.  This  I  dare  say  our  Committee  will  readily 
comply  with ;  but  they  are  not  yet  formed,  and  to-morrow 
the  election  must  be  attended.  On  Wednesday,  however, 
our  Committee  are  to  meet  to  appoint  officers ;  and  when 
that  is  done,  I  am  of  opinion  the  men  will  turn  out  imme- 
diately, and  which  I  believe  our  Committee  will  encourage, 
to  the  utmost  of  their  abilities. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant, 

JOSEPH  HAKT 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  President. 


GEORGE  ROSS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Lancaster,  July  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  present  situation  of  publick  affairs 
having  made  it  necessary  that  the  Militia  of  Pennsylvania 
should  be  immediately  marched  to  the  Jerseys,  to  act  until 
the  Flying-Camp  shall  be  formed,  and  the  resolves  of  the 
Congress  and  Committee  lately  convened  at  Philadelphia, 
directing  and  approving  of  this  measure,  having  been  made 
known  to  the  Associators  here,  they  have  almost  to  a  man 
determined  to  march  on  this  service.  The  Committee,  con- 
sidering the  dangerous  situation  of  the  town,  exposed  to  the 
fury  and  ravages  of  near  four  hundred  of  the  prisoners  taken 
at  Chambly  and  St.  John's,  who  are  stationed  here,  and  can- 
not be  confined  day  or  night,  in  the  present  open  state  of 
our  barracks,  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  checking  the 
ardour  of  the  Associators  in  the  town,  and  permit  but  a  part 
to  leave  the  place ;  but  as  these  will  have  our  best  arms 
with  them,  and  those  who  remain  are  not  in  numbers  equal 
to  those  prisoners,  the  remainder  of  the  inhabitants  and  their 
property  are,  we  think,  rather  too  much  exposed.  Upon 
these  prisoners  first  coming  to  Lancaster,  the  Committee 
asked  the  sentiments  of  Congress  as  to  enclosing  the  barracks 
ground,  and  keeping  a  guard  over  them  there.  The  Con- 
gress then  thought  this  measure  unnecessary,  doubtless  from 
a  persuasion  that  by  the  prisoners  mixing  and  workin"  with 
.the  inhabitants,  they  would  learn  and  be  convinced  of  the 


justness  of  our  cause,  and  become  rather  the  friends  than 
enemies  of  the  rights  of  America.  But  experience  evinces 
the  contrary.  By  their  mixing  with  the  people,  they  have 
done  much  mischief.  They  adhere,  with  an  extraordinary 
degree  of  firmness,  to  their  tyrannical  master  and  his  cause, 
and  every  action  and  expression  convinces  us  that  they  would 
seize  every  opportunity  to  promote  it  and  distress  us. 

We  have  lately  found  several  of  them  in  the  dress  of  our 
riflemen,  and  as  that  dress  is  now  become  a  kind  of  passport 
for  those  who  wear  it,  we  cannot  help  hinting  to  Congress 
the  danger  of  these  people  carrying  intelligence  between 
our  enemies  in  that  garb,  and  that,  as  they  are  now  placed, 
we  cannot  prevent  it.  Indeed,  it  is  probable  that  the  offi- 
cers from  Lebanon  have  gone  off  in  that  disguise.  We  have 
had  it  hinted  that  some  of  them  are  travelling  through  the 
country,  procuring  signers  to  some  paper,  which,  it  is  more 
than  probable,  is  of  bad  tendency,  and  shall  therefore  en- 
deavour to  detect  them.  That  they  have  had  the  most  early 
intelligence  of  events  which  have  happened  in  Canada,  we 
have  had  experience.  We  therefore  cannot  help  mention- 
ing to  Congress  our  opinion  as  to  the  necessity  of  having 
them  in  some  manner  secured,  so  as  to  prevent  their  strag- 
gling, carrying  intelligence,  or  insulting  or  injuring  the  in- 
habitants; and  that,  while  at  liberty,  they  are  a  dangerous 
set  of  people,  and  beg  leave  to  request  the  direction  of  Con- 
gress in  the  premises. 

As  it  is  proposed  to  march  part  of  the  town  Militia  on 
Thursday  next,  we  shall  be  happy  in  having  the  sentiments 
and  directions  of  Congress  before  that  time. 

And  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedi- 
ent, humble  servant. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

GEORGE  Ross,  Chairman. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Honourable 
Continental  Congress. 


DOCTOR  COCHRAN  TO  THOMAS  McKEAN. 

New-Brunswick,  July  7,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  bearer,  Lieutenant  Woodman,  of  the 
Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  taken  prisoner  at  Ticonderoga  last 
summer,  has  resided  in  this  town  ever  since,  on  his  parole. 
As  far  as  I  know,  he  has  behaved  himself  with  decency  re- 
specting publick  matters;  nor  do  I  find  that  he  has  ever  been 
charged  with  taking  part  either  with  one  side  or  the  other. 
He  has  made  a  in  this  town,  and  is  at 

present  employed  in  repairing  it.  He  is  married  to  a  daugh- 
ter of  Mr.  Legrange,  of  this  place,  and  has  a  family  of  six 
children,  which  renders  his  removal  from  hence  rather  dis- 
tressing ;  therefore,  if  any  indulgences,  consistent  with  the 
publick  safety,  can  be  allowed  him,  I  hope  they  will  not  be 
improperly  bestowed.  I  know  your  readiness  to  do  acts  of 
humanity ;  therefore  leave  the  matter  of  it  particularly  to 
your  own  judgment  and  the  publick  security. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  very  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JOHN  COCHRAN. 
To  Thomas  McKean,  Esq.,  Philadelphia. 


GENERAL    LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL   WASHINGTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  7,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  By  Captain  Swan,  of 
the  new  levies,  just  going  off  for  the  city,  I  take  the  liberty  of 
enclosing  a  rough  draught  of  the  Sound  and  Jersey  shore,  from 
Elizabeth  Point  to  Amboy,  with  an  abstract  of  the  different 
posts  I  have  directed  along  the  same.  Although  this  may 
not  be  of  any  essential  service,  yet  I  thought  it  not  amiss,  as  it 
might  give  you  an  idea  of  what  I  had  done,  that  your  Excel- 
lency might  rectify  anything  that  was  amiss  in  the  arrange- 
ment. 

Since  writing  the  above,  a  deserter  is  brought  in  to  me, 
whose  examination  I  have  taken,  and  enclose  it;  and  forward 
this  by  express,  lest  it  should  be  delayed.  I  have  also  this 
moment  received  intelligence  from  Philadelphia,  that  the 
Pennsylvania  forces  marched  the  5th  instant  to  our  assistance, 
and  that  the  principal  part  of  the  strength  of  Pennsylvania 
will  soon  be  on  their  march,  for  the  same  benevolent  pur- 
pose. 

I  received  your  Excellency's  letter  respecting  the  persons 
apprehended  at  Amboy,  and  I  shall  send  them  all  (except 


105 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


106 


Smyth,  whom  I  think  I  can  trust  on  his  parole)  to  the  Con- 
vention to-morrow  morning. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  humble 
servant,  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 

To  General  Washington. 

GENERAL  HOWE  TO  LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

Staten-Island,  July  7,  1776. 

MY  LORD:  The  Mercury  packet  is  despatched  to  inform 
your  Lordship  of  the  arrival  of  the  Halifax  fleet,  on  the  29th 
of  June,  at  Sandy-Hook,  where  I  arrived  four  days  sooner 
in  the  Grayhound  frigate.  I  met  with  Governour  Tryon,  on 
board  of  ship  at  the  Hook,  and  many  gentlemen,  fast  friends 
to  Government,  attending  him,  from  whom  I  have  had  the 
fullest  information  of  the  state  of  the  Rebels,  who  are  nume- 
rous, and  very  advantageously  posted,  with  strong  intrench- 
ments  both  upon  Long-Island  and  that  of  New-  York,  with 
more  than  one  hundred  pieces  of  cannon  for  the  defence  of 
the  town  towards  the  sea,  and  to  obstruct  the  passage  of  the 
fleet  up  the  North  River,  besides  a  considerable  field-train 
of  artillery.  Having  made  inquiries  of  these  gentlemen 
respecting  the  face  of  the  country  between  Gravesend  Bay 
in  Long-Island,  and  the  enemy's  works  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Brooklyn,  their  accounts  were  so  satisfactory  that 
I  had  determined  to  disembark  the  Army  at  Gravesend;  and 
with  this  intention  the  fleet  moved  up  to  the  bay,  on  the  1st 
instant,  in  the  evening,  in  order  to  land  the  troops  at  the 
break  of  day  next  morning;  but  being  more  particularly 
informed  during  the  night  of  a  strong  pass  upon  a  ridge  of 
craggy  heights  covered  with  wood,  that  lay  in  the  route  the 
Army  must  have  taken,  only  two  miles  distant  from  the  front 
of  the  enemy's  encampment  and  seven  from  Gravesend, 
which  the  Rebels  would  undoubtedly  have  occupied  before 
the  King's  troops  could  get  up  to  it ;  and  from  the  minutest 
description,  judging  an  attack  upon  this  post,  so  strong  by 
nature,  and  so  near  the  front  of  the  enemy's  works,  to  be  too 
hazardous  an  attempt,  before  the  arrival  of  the  troops  with 
Commodore  Hotham,  daily  expected,  I  declined  the  under- 
taking, and  passing  the  Narrows  with  three  ships  of  war 
and  the  first  division  of  transports,  landed  the  Grenadiers  and 
Light-Infantry  as  the  ships  came  up,  to  the  great  joy  of  a  most 
loyal  people,  long  suffering  on  that  account  under  the  oppres- 
sion of  the  Rebels  stationed  among  them,  who  precipitately 
fled  on  the  approach  of  the  shipping.  The  remainder  of 
the  troops  landed  during  the  next  day  and  night,  and  are 
now  distributed  in  cantonments,  where  they  have  the  best 
refreshments. 

In  justice  to  Captain  Reynar,  of  his  Majesty's  ship  Chat- 
ham, who  was  directed  by  the  Admiral  to  make  the  dispo- 
sition of  boats  for  landing  the  troops,  and  to  Captain  Curtis, 
commanding  the  Senegal  sloop-of-war,  who  was  to  super- 
intend the  execution,  I  must  express  my  entire  satisfaction 
in  the  conduct  of  those  gentlemen,  and  the  dependence  to  be 
placed  upon  their  future  services  in  this  line. 

I  propose  waiting  here  for  the  English  fleet,  or  the  arrival 
of  Lieutenant-General  Clinton,  in  readiness  to  proceed,  unless 
by  some  unexpected  change  of  circumstances  in  the  mean- 
time, it  should  be  found  expedient  to  act  with  the  present 
force.  In  case  Lieutenant-General  Clinton's  southern  ope- 
rations should  prevent  his  joining  the  Army  here,  I  am 
apprehensive  the  possession  of  Rhode-Island,  though  of  the 
most  important  nature,  must  be  deferred  until  the  arrival  of 
the  second  embarcation  from  Europe,  unless  General  Carle- 
ton  should  penetrate  early  into  this  Province,  which  may 
enable  me  to  spare  a  corps  adequate  to  that  service.  But 
as  I  must  esteem  a  previous  impression  .upon  the  enemy's 
principal  force,  collected  in  this  quarter,  to  be  the  first  object 
of  my  attention,  I  shall  hold  it  steadily  in  view,  without 
losing  sight  of  those  which,  comparatively,  may  be  esteemed 
collateral. 

Vice- Admiral  Sfiuldkam  was  joined  on  his  voyage  by  six 
transports  belonging  to  the  Highland  corps,  having  three 
companies  of  the  Forty-Second  and  three  of  the  Seventy-First 
on  board.  There  is  no  other  intelligence  of  this  embarca- 
tion, excepting  an  account  published  in  the  New-York 
papers,  that  two  transports  of  the  fleet  were  taken  by  the 
enemy's  privateers,  and  carried  into  Boston;  that  Major 
Menzies  was  killed  in  the  engagement,  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Campbell,  of  the  Seventy- First,  made  prisoner,  with 
sixteen  other  officers,  and  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  men. 
Sir  W.  Erskine  is  among  those  that  are  absent. 


Governour  Franklin,  who  for  a  long  time  maintained  his 
ground  in  Jersey,  has  been  lately  takeVi  into  custody  at  Am- 
boy,  and  is  at  this  time  detained  a  prisoner  in  Connecticut ; 
and  the  Mayor  of  New-  York  was  confined  a  few  days  ago, 
upon  a  frivolous  complaint  of  his  sending  intelligence  to 
Governour  Tryon,  brought  to  trial,  and  condemned  to  suffer 
death  ;  but,  by  the  last  intelligence,  the  sentence  was  not 
carried  into  execution. 

Notwithstanding  these  violent  proceedings,  I  have  the 
satisfaction  to  inform  your  Lordship,  that  there  is  great  rea- 
son to  expect  a  numerous  body  of  the  inhabitants  to  join  the 
Army  from  the  Provinces  of  York,  the  Jerseys,  and  Connec- 
ticut, who,  in  this  time  of  universal  oppression,  only  wait  for 
opportunities  to  give  proofs  of  their  loyalty  and  zeal  for  Go- 
vernment. Sixty  men  came  over  two  days  ago,  with  a  few 
arms,  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Shrewsbury,  in  Jersey,  who 
are  all  desirous  to  serve;  and  I  understand  there  are  five 
hundred  more  in  that  quarter  ready  to  follow  their  example. 
This  disposition  among  the  people  makes  me  impatient  for 
the  arrival  of  Lord  Howe,  concluding  the  powers  with  which 
he  is  furnished  will  have  the  best  effect  at  this  critical  time ; 
but  I  am  still  of  opinion  that  peace  will  not  be  restored  in 
America  until  the  Rebel  Army  is  defeated. 

I  beg  leave  to  represent  to  your  Lordship  the  inconveni- 
ency  arising  from  the  want  of  camp-equipage  at  this  time, 
which  may  continue  during  the  course  of  this  rebellion,  un- 
less sent  out  the  year  before  it  is  to  be  used  ;  also  the  neces- 
sity of  an  early  supply  of  woollens,  linen,  and  shoes,  for  the 
Provincial  troops  that  I  may  retain  in  pay  during  the  winter, 
as  these  things  are  not  to  be  had  here  on  any  terms,  and 
the  distress  of  the  inhabitants  in  general  is  so  great,  from  the 
want  of  those  articles,  that  the  friends  of  Government  will 
suffer  much,  without  assistance  from  Europe. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Blunt,  of  the  Fourth  Regiment,  who 
has  my  leave  to  return  to  Britain  from  the  particular  situa- 
tion of  his  affairs,  will  deliver  this  despatch;  and  I  have  the 
honour  to  be,  fee.,  W.  HOWE. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL.  . 

New-York,  July  7, 1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  favours  of  the  3d 
and  4th  instant,  and  return  you  my  sincere  thanks  for  your 
kind  intention  to  afford  me  every  assistance  in  your  power 
at  this  truly  critical  and  alarming  period.  The  situation  of 
our  affairs  calls  aloud  for  the  most  vigorous  exertions,  and 
nothing  less  will  be  sufficient  to  avert  the  impending  blow. 
From  four  prisoners,  taken  the  other  day,  we  are  informed 
that  General  Howe  has  already  about  ten  thousand  men, 
being  joined  by  the  regiment  from  the  West-Indies  and 
some  of  the  Highland  troops  in  his  passage  hither ;  that  he 
is  in  daily  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  Admiral  Howe ;  and 
that  nothing  would  be  attempted  till  he  came,  having  come 
from  Halifax  in  consequence  of  advices  received  a  few  days 
before  from  England,  that  the  Admiral  was  ready  to  sail 
with  a  fleet  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  ships,  with  a  large  rein- 
forcement to  join  him  here.  These  armies,  when  united, 
you  will  readily  conceive,  will  be  extremely  formidable,  and 
such  as  will  require  a  large  and  numerous  one,  on  our  part, 
to  oppose  them.  But  yet  I  have  been  under  the  necessity 
of  informing  Colonel  Silliman  that  it  will  be  impossible  to 
subsist  the  horses  of  the  three  regiments  ordered ;  and  if  it 
could  be  done,  the  expense  would  be  enormous,  and  what  I 
do  not  apprehend  I  have  authority  to  assent  to.  At  the 
same  time,  knowing  the  important  advantages  that  may  result 
from  their  aid,  I  have  entreated  his  exertions  to  prevail  on 
the  men  to  come  themselves.  I  hope,  on  the  one  hand,  they 
will  see  the  propriety  of  my  objecting  to  their  horses,  and  on 
the  other,  the  necessity  there  is  of  coming  themselves.  My 
anxiety  leads  me  to  request  a  continuance  of  your  good 
offices  in  forwarding  the  battalions  ordered  with  all  possible 
despatch.  The  interest  of  America  is  now  in  the  balance, 
and  it  behooves  all  attached  to  her  sacred  cause,  and  the 
rights  of  humanity,  to  hold  forth  their  utmost  and  most  speedy 
aid.  I  am  convinced  nothing  will  be  wanting  in  your  power 
to  effect. 

The  situation  of  the  Northern  Army  is  certainly  distressing, 
but  no  relief  can  be  afforded  by  rne."  This,  I  am  persuaded, 
you  will  readily  agree  to.  I  should  suppose,  if  proper  pre- 
cautions are  taken,  the  small-pox  may  be  prevented  from 
spreading.  This  was  done  at  Cambridge,  and  I  trust  will 


107 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  he.,  JULY,  1776. 


108 


be  continued  by  Generals  Schuyler  and  Gates,  who  are  well 
apprized  of  the  fatal  consequences  that  may  attend  its  infect- 
ing the  whole  Army.  But  a  small  part  of  the  forces  here 
have  had  it ;  were  it  not  the  case,  neither  policy  nor  prudence 
would  allow  me  to  send  any  more  from  hence  that  have  seen 
the  least  of  service.  Too  many  have  been  already  detached ; 
to  part  with  more  would  be  to  put  all  to  the  hazard. 

The  retreat  of  the  Army  from  Canada,  I  doubt  not,  will 
occasion  a  general  alarm  to  the  frontier  inhabitants,  and  our 
enemies,  without  question,  will  use  every  means  they  have 
to  excite  the  savages  against  them ;  but  I  would  fain  hope 
their  incursions  will  be  prevented  and  repelled  without  much 
difficulty.  The  first  opportunity  I  have,  I  will  transmit  a 
copy  of  your  letter  to  Congress  upon  this  subject,  and  request 
their  attention  to  it. 

I  am,  sir,  with  sentiments  of  great  esteem,  your  most  obe- 
dient humble  servant,  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 
To  Governour  Trumbull. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

New-York,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  received  your  favour  of  the  30th  ultimo,  and  I 
doubt  not  but  the  powder  claimed  by  the  Assembly  of  New- 
Hampshire  was  lent  the  Continent.  The  exposed  situation 
of  their  frontiers  renders  every  precaution  necessary  for  their 
defence. 

I  think  it  would  be  proper  to  send  a  quantity  of  it  to  some 
safe  place  on  the  communication  betwixt  this  and  Boston, 
there  to  be  ready  in  case  of  accident,  or  if  it  should  be 
wanted.  I  therefore  wish  you  to  lodge  at  Norwich  (which 
I  suppose  will  be  as  secure  as  any  other  place)  from  three  to 
four  hundred  barrels.  In  my  letter  of  the  1st,  I  desired  you 
to  send  a  quantity  of  the  Highlanders'  muskets  that  were 
taken.  I  pray  your  attention  to  my  request,  and  that  they 
may  come  with  all  possible  expedition ;  the  deficiency  here 
in  this  essential  article  is  greatly  alarming.  I  am  extremely 
sorry  that  your  indisposition  has  increased,  and  I  hope  in  a 
little  time  you  will  be  relieved.  It  is  now  before  Congress 
to  determine  whether  the  Continental  Regiments  at  Boston 
should  not  be  ordered  from  thence,  as  there  is  almost  a  moral 
certainty  that  the  enemy  mean  not  to  make  an  attack  there, 
but  to  bend  their  whole  force  against  this  Province.  Four 
prisoners  that  fell  into  our  hands  last  week,  on  a  separate 
examination,  agree,  that  General  Howe,  being  joined  by  some 
regiments  from  the  West-Indies,  and  part  of  the  Scotch 
Highlanders,  on  his  passage  hither,  has  now  about  ten  thou- 
sand men ;  that  a  few  days  before  they  left  Halifax,  an 
express  packet  arrived,  ordering  him  to  come  to  this  place, 
where  he  would  be  joined  by  Admiral  Howe,  with  a  fleet  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  sail,  with  troops  on  board,  which  was 
about  to  sail  when  the  packet  did ;  that  they  are  daily  ex- 
pected, which  has  been  the  reason  nothing  has  been  yet 
attempted.  If  Congress  withdraw  the  regiments,  you  will 
be  instantly  relieved ;  and  if  they  do  not,  I  must  send  a  Gen- 
eral Officer  (inconvenient  as  it  is  to  spare  one  at  this  critical 
time)  to  take  the  command.  I  expect  to  know  the  result 
of  their  deliberations  in  a  day  or  two.  It  will  be  right  to 
comply  with  the  order  of  the  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance, 
and  a  list  may  be  transmitted  of  the  persons  you  have  judged 
most  proper  to  fill  the  vacancies. 

1  am,  sir,  with  my  best  wishes  for  your  recovery,  your 

most  obedient  servant,  „  ,,, 

(JEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

To  Major-General  Ward. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO   WILLIAM  WATSON. 

New-York,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  19th  ultimo,  and  directed 
the  papers  you  wrote  for  to  be  transmitted  you,  but  find,  upon 
inquiry,  they  are  not  among  any  in  my  possession  now. 
Colonel  Moylan,  who  used  generally  to  receive  and  examine 
the  papers  appertaining  to  the  prizes,  being  called  upon,  says 
that  previous  to  his  departure  from  Cambridge,  he  made  up 
all  the  prize  papers,  and  put  them  in  such  a  channel  as  he 
thought  most  likely  to  convey  them  to  the  different  agents. 
He  supposes  these  were  with  the  rest ;  he  cannot  recollect  to 
whom  they  were  delivered.  If  they  cannot  be  got,  you  must 
try  the  legality  of  the  captures  upon  such  evidence  as  you 
can  collect  from  the  men  who  were  in  the  vessels  when  they 
were  taken,  and  from  other  circumstances.  If  they  were 


going  to  Nova-Scotia  for  the  purpose  mentioned  by  the 
claimants,  I  presume  it  will  not  be  difficult  for  them  to  prove 
it  by  witnesses.  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 
To  William  Watson,  Esq.,  Plymouth. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  JAMES  CLINTON. 
Head-Cluarters,  New-York,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  received  yours  by  Major  Rensselaer,  and  am  pleased 
to  find  you  are  making  the  necessary  preparations  to  r#pel 
the  enemy  in  case  of  an  attack.  I  hope  you  will  be  able  to 
get  arms  sufficient  for  the  men  under  your  command  who 
are  destitute ;  but  if  not,  you  are  to  dismiss  all  those  whom 
you  cannot  equip,  (I  mean  to  confine  myself  to  the  Militia 
wholly,)  as  it  is  equally  absurd  and  unjust  to  keep  men  in 
Continental  pay,  who  will  be  of  no  service  in  time  of  action 
for  want  of  arms ;  it  is,  in  fact,  amusing  ourselves  with  the 
appearance  of  strength,  when  at  the  same  time  we  want  the 
reality.  Colonel  Knox  informs  me  he  has  no  carriages  to 
spare,  but  you  can  have  the  carriage  wheels,  which,  with 
the  iron,  will  be  delivered  to  the  care  of  Major  Rensselaer. 
As  to  the  balls  for  the  small-arms,  they  should  be  sent  if  the 
sizes  could  be  ascertained,  so  as  to  fit  the  muskets  exactly; 
but  as  that  cannot  be  done,  I  shall  order  a  sufficient  quantity 
of  lead  to  be  sent  up,  which  you  will  direct  to  be  cast  into 
balls  suitable  for  your  purpose.  You  must  furnish  the  bullet 
moulds  in  the  best  manner  you  can,  as  there  are  none  here. 
With  regard  to  the  appointment  of  Doctor  Tappan,  I  would 
just  mention,  that  as  it  is  a  matter  transacted  between  you 
and  the  Provincial  Congress,  in  which  I  am  quite  uncon- 
nected, I  would  choose  it  should  continue  so;  however,  by 
renewing  your  application  to  the  Congress,  you  will  doubt- 
less receive  a  satisfactory  answer. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 
To  Colonel  James  Clinton. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

New-York,  July  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  was  yesterday  honoured  with  your  favour 
of  the  2d  instant,  with  the  proceedings  you  have  adopted  in 
compliance  with  the  requisition  of  Congress  and  my  appli- 
cation since ;  for  which,  and  your  kind  wishes  for  my  success, 
1  beg  your  acceptance  of  my  most  hearty  thanks ;  and  am, 
gentlemen,  with  sentiments  of  the  greatest  respect,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  GEOR(JE  WASHINOTON. 

To  the  Hon.  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  at 
Watertoim. 

HOSPITAL  REGULATIONS. 

Regulations  agreed  upon  betwixt  the  Director-General  of 
the  American  Hospital  and  the  Regimental  Surgeons  and 
Mates  at  New-York,  the       day  of  July.  1776. 
Rule  1.  That  every  full  Regiment  or  Battalion,  provided 
with  a  Surgeon  and  Mate,  or  each  Brigade,  as  the  occasion 
may  point  out,  ought  to  have  some  convenient  quarters,  to 
be  appropriated  by  the  proper  Quartermaster,  for  the  recep- 
tion of  such  of  the  sick  of  that  corps,  and  entitled  a  Regi- 
mental Hospital ;  which  sick  are  to  be  attended  by  their 
own  regimental  Surgeons  and  Mates. 

2.  That  it  shall  be  the  business  of  the  Surgeons  and 
Mates  in  all  Regiments,  to  examine  the  soldiers  in  the  same 
who  are  reported  to  be  unfit  for  duty,  and  to  separate  from 
the  well  those  who  are  sick,  and  to  receive  them  into  the 
Regimental  Hospital. 

3.  That  they  keep  a  Register  of  those  who  are  admitted 
into  the  Regimental  Hospital,  containing  the  patient's  name, 
the  company  he  belongs  to,  the  days  of  his  admission  into  and 
discharge  from  the  Hospital,  (agreeable  to  a  form  annexed.) 

4.  That  he  shall  make  daily  returns  of  the  sick  in  his 
Regiment  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  same,  that  it  may- 
be known  who  are  fit  for  duty  and  who  are  not ;  and  that 
such  as  are  on  the  doctor's  list  may  not  be  included  in  the 
provision  return  of  the  Regiment. 

5.  That  the  Surgeon  shall  every  day  prescribe  the  diet 
of  each  sick  person  under  his  care,  according  to  the  diet 
tables  established  in  the  General  Hospital,  or  other  suitable 
tables  to  be  agreed  on,  under  the  titles  of  full  diet,  half  diet, 
spare  diet,  dry  diet,  milk  diet,  Sec. 


109 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


110 


6.  That  he  make  out  and  sign  the  provision  return  every 
day  for  the  sick,  and  draw  upon  the  Director-General  of  the 
Hospital,  agreeable  to  the  tables  of  diet  before  mentioned ; 
for  the  regulation  of  which,  weekly  returns  of  the  number 
sick  (in  that  week)  shall  be  made  out  on  a  stated  day,  so 
that  whatever  the  price  of  diet  drawn  for  said  sick  shall  fall 
short  of  the  rations  stopped  from  the  sick  during  the  week, 
so  much  may  be  drawn  for  their  use  in  other  stores,  as  wine, 
rum,  sugar,  coffee,  tea,  molasses,  candles,  soap,  &.c. 

[Jf  that  surplus  of  money  is  not  sufficient,  there  are  no 
other  ways  to  supply  than  either  to  do  it  by  stoppages  of 
the  soldier's  pay,  as  in  the  British  Army,  or  by  its  being 
advanced  by  himself,  or  by  the  Colonel  or  the  Captain  of 
the  regiment  to  which  he  belongs,  and  allowed  in  his  ab- 
stract; the  General  Hospital  having  nothing  to  do  with  the 
expenses  of  Regimental  Hospitals,  and  no  provision  for  the 
purpose  being  yet  made  by  the  Congress.] 

7.  That  no  Regimental  Surgeon  shall  send  any  sick  from 
his  Regiment  or  Regimental  Hospital  to  the  General  Hospital, 
without  a  ticket  expressing  the  name  of  the  sick,  his  Com- 

Eany,  and  the  Regiment  to  which  he  belongs,  signed  by 
imself  or  mate,  and  mentioning  likewise  the  disorder  he 
labours  under,  and  the  time  he  has  been  ill. 

8.  That  he  send  none  to  the  General  Hospital  labouring 
under  infectious,  putrid,  or  malignant  diseases ;  for  the  intro- 
duction of  such  fevers  into  a  general  hospital  will  only  injure 
the  person  sent,  and  may  endanger  the  Surgeons'  Mates  and 
other  officers,  as  well  as  all  that  are  sick  of  other  diseases  in 
the  General  Hospital,  engender  the  jail  or  hospital  fever, 
and  ruin  the  Army.     Such  sick  are  to  be  kept  separate  if 
possible,  and  betaken  care  of  by  the  Regimental  Surgeon. 

9.  That  whatever  stores  or  utensils  may  be  wanted  for 
the  use  of  a  Regimental  Hospital,  whether  kettles  to  cook 
victuals,  blankets,  &c.,  they  ought  to  be  got  from  the  Quar- 
termaster-General's store,  or  procured  from  the  same  place 
and  in  the  same  manner  as  the  like  articles  are  procured  for 
the  well  soldiers  of  the  regiment:  to  be  provided  by  an  order 
from  the  Colonel,  the  Surgeon  to  give  his  receipt  for  and 
take  care  of  the  same;  for  the  preservation  of  which,  he 
may  establish  such  regulations  as  he  sees  fit. 

10.  That  as  the  medicine  chest,  and  a  number  of  articles, 
as  old  linen,  bandages,  &.C.,  have  been  supplied  to  regiments 
at  the  voluntary  motion  of  the  Director-General  of  the  Ge- 
neral Hospital,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  whenever  the  regiments  are  disbanded,  all  such 
particulars  are  to  be  returned  into  the  General  Hospital ; 
otherwise,  when  new  troops  are  levied,  under  the  present 
scarcity  and  difficulty  to  procure  them,  it  may  not  be  practi- 
cable or  easy  to  supply  the  Army  again  with  those  articles 
for  another  year. 

11.  That  for  every  Regimental  Hospital  a  cook  ought  to 
be  allowed,  to  prepare  the  diet  of  the  sick  agreeable  to  the 
tables,  or  nurses  who  may  serve  for  cooks,  one  to  every  ten 
men :  the  pay  the  same  as  in  the  General  Hospital,  viz :  half 
a  dollar  per  week,  and  rations  allowed,  (by  the  regiment.) 

12.  That  each  Regimental  Hospital  ought  to  have  a  cor- 
poral's guard,  or  at  least  three  men,  one  of  which  to  stand 
sentinel  at  the  Hospital  door,  to  prevent  the  sick  from  leav- 
ing the  Hospital  without  permission  from  the  Surgeon,  and 
to  keep  persons  from  going  in,  without  orders,  to  disturb  the 
sick,  or  carry  liquor  to  them.     The  other  persons,  whilst 
relieved  from  standing  sentinel,  to  serve  for  the  time  as 
waiters,  and  obey  the  Surgeon  and  his  Mate,  in  respect  to 
any  assistance  which  may  be  reasonably  required  in  behalf 
of  the  sick. 

Lastly.  That  in  all  cases  not  provided  for  by  the  fore- 
going or  any  future  regulations  that  may  be  agreed  upon, 
the  Surgeons  and  Mates  shall  observe  the  customs  and 
usages  of  the  British  Army,  and  shall  at  all  times  obey 
such  orders  as  they  shall  (in  the  way  of  duty)  receive  from 
the  Director-General  for  the  treatment  of  the  sick,  or  for 
the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  their  station. 


COMMITMENT  OF  JOHN  LEWIS. 

New-York,  July  7,  1776. 

John  Lewis,  a  resident  in  the  city  of  New-York,  confined 
in  the  City-Hall  for  his  drinking  healths  to  King  George  and 
success  to  his  fleet,  and  manifesting  his  intention  to  join  the 
said  fleet  or  the  army  of  the  enemy,  against  the  Continental 
Army,  by  Jos.  SPENCER,  Brig.  General. 


H.  GLEN  TO  COLONEL  FONDA. 

Schenectady,  July  7,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  As  I  am  at  present  not  able  to  complete  as 
many  boats  as  the  service  requires,  I  have  sent  off  Ernst 
Van  Epps  with  three,  which  are  all  I  can  as  yet  complete, 
having  recommended  him  to  you  to  procure  four  batteaus 
for  here  for  two  trips  to  the  Falls,  as  he  is  then  to  return 
here,  after  having  done  that  work,  he  having  tolls  complete 
for  seven  boats.  You  will  please  load  him  with  flour,  for 
which  article  I  am  directed  by  Walter  Livingston,  Esq.,  to 
apply  to  you.  I  believe  twelve  barrels  will  be  a  good  load. 
Excuse  my  intruding  on  you  for  batteaus,  which  I  should  not 
do  could  I  get  them  any  other  way ;  but  the  urgency  is  such 
that  I  cannot  avoid  it.  I  am  yours,  &c.,  H.  GLEN. 

To  Colonel  Fonda. 


H.  GLEN  TO  COLONEL  DAYTON. 

Schenectady,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  I  wrote  to  you  yesterday  by  Lieutenant  Tur- 
navel,  of  the  Artillery,  1  have  succeeded  in  getting  some  more 
batteau-men,  whom  I  have  ordered  to  take  flour  from  Co- 
lonel Fonda's,  to  bring  to  the  carrying-place ;  so  that  I  hope 
to  be  able,  by  the  time  the  batteaus  that  take  up  the  artil- 
lery, &,c.,  can  return  to  the  Falls,  to  have  a  load  of  provi- 
sions ready  for  them  there  to  take  to  Fort  Stamvix,  to  which 
place  Major  Barber  has  informed  me  that,  on  the  arrival  of 
the  artillery,  you  were  to  go ;  so  that  you  will  please  give  them 
directions  for  that  purpose,  not  to  come  across  the  carrying- 
place  till  that  business  is  done,  but  then  to  come  down  here 
to  this  place.  I  am,  sir,  yours,  &c.,  H.  GLEN. 

To  Colonel  Dayton.  ' 

H.  GLEN  TO  JOHN  PETRIE. 

Schenectady,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  As  a  quantity  of  flour  will  be  brought  to  the  Falls 
for  the  troops  above  you,  I  am  to  request  of  you,  after  the 
same  is  brought  over  the  carrying-place,  to  have  the  same 
put  in  your  barn,  and  that  you  will  be  so  good  and  have  a 
lock  over  it,  so  that  it  is  not  destroyed.  The  stay  will  be 
but  short,  as  the  batteaus  that  go  over  are  to  take  it  away 
as  soon  as  they  can  return ;  the  riding  and  your  little  trouble 
shall  be  paid  for  by,  sir,  yours,  &.c.  H.  GLEN. 

To  Mr.  John  Petrie. 


COLONEL  HURD  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Concord,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  several  persons  I  have  met  with  on  the  road 
coming  from  Coos,  and  by  the  last  intelligence  I  can  collect, 
I  find  the  inhabitants  there,  especially  those  on  and  near 
Connecticut  River,  from  the  Upper  to  the  Lower  Coos,  are 
much  more  alarmed  and  apprehensive  of  danger  from  the 
enemy  than  we  imagined ;  several  families  are  already  re- 
moved and  removing  from  thence ;  among  the  rest,  I  have 
found  Mrs.  Hurd,  with  part  of  my  family,  here  at  Concord, 
who  was  advised  by  the  most  discreet  of  the  people  to  leave 
the  place,  unless  she  could  submit  to  live,  as  they,  must  do, 
crowded  into  a  garrison,  and  which  they  were  all  preparing 
for.  The  particulars  of  this,  the  bearer,  Colonel  Bayley, 
who  ffoes  express  on  the  occasion,  can  acquaint  you  of,  and 
of  the  very  critical  situation  of  all  that  part  of  the  country; 
that  it  is  of  the  utmost  consequence  the  first  of  the  reinforce- 
ments which  can  be  raised  should  be  sent  into  that  quarter, 
and  that  immediately. 

It  is  yet  uncertain  whether  General  Sullivan  has  retreated 
to  Crown-Point.  There  is  a  person  in  town  (one  Kins- 
man) who  informs  that  Messrs.  Gyles  and  Betton  (whom  he 
heard  of  on  the  road)  had  altered  their  course,  and  were 
gone  for  Albany,  and  who  were  at  Otter  Creek  this  day 
week,  within  twenty  miles  of  Crown-Point.  He  tells  us 
there  was  then  no  account  of  Sullivan's  having  crossed  the 
lake ;  that  he  was  thought  still  to  be  at  Isle-aux-Noix,  or 
not  far  distant ;  and  if  so,  it  may  be  best  that  great  part  of 
the  new  levies  should  rendezvous  at  Coo*,  as  at  first  de- 
signed ;  they  might  then,  by  ranging  the  woods,  give  some 
check  to  the  enemy,  and  draw  off  part  of  their  forces  from 
pursuing  General  Sullivan's  Army,  as  well  as  to  be  a  pro- 
tection to  our  settlers,  who  must  otherwise  desert  many  of 
their  plantations  and  lose  the  benefit  of  the  approaching 


Ill 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


112 


harvest,  that  is  now  very  promising ;  this  may  be  a  double 
loss  to  us.  I  shall  proceed  on  my  journey  to-morrow  for 
Haverhill,  leaving  my  wife  here;  and  if  anything  important 
occurs,  I  will  immediately  advise  you,  but  must  beg  leave 
to  repeat  my  request,  that  we  may  have  some  very  speedy 
assistance.  Why  may  not  Captain  Harper's  company,  if 
mustered,  or  any  other  first  in  readiness,  march  off  for  this 
purpose  ?  It  can  be  no  detriment,  and  little  out  of  the  way, 
should  they  afterwards  be  ordered  to  Crown-Point.  Shall 
be  glad  to  hear  something  of  this  sort  by  return  of  Colonel 
Bayley,  for  the  quiet  of  our  people. 

In  the  mean  time  remain,  with  great  esteem  and  respect 
to  you  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  servant,  J.  HURD. 

To  the  Honourable  Meshech  Weare,  Esq. 


MEMORIAL  FROM  CONWAY,  FRYBURGH,  AND  BROWNFIELD. 

To  the  Honourable  General  Court  of  the  Colony  of  NEW- 
HAMPSHIRE  : 

The  memorial  of  the  Committee  of  Conway,  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Grafton,  and  Fryburgh  and  Brownfield,  in  the  County 
of  York,  and  Colony  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  united,  humbly 
showeth :  That  the  abovesaid  new  Plantations,  consisting 
of  about  thirty  families,  are  situated  at  a  place  called  P ig- 
wacket,  upon  Saco  River,  which  nearly  unites  with  a  branch 
of  the  Androscoggin  River,  about  thirty  miles  northerly 
from  other  settlements,  and  lie  greatly  exposed  to  incur- 
sions from  the  savages,  by  the  following  natural  communi- 
cations, as  frequented  by  the  Indians  that  come  to  those 
places:  one  from   Chaudkre  River  into   Umbagog  Lake, 
which  empties  itself  into  Androscoggin  River;  another  from 
St.  Francois  River,  into  a  branch  of  Connecticut  River, 
and  by  that  into  Androscoggin  River;  another  from  Ken- 
nebeck  River,  by  the  way  ofMuschamucontocock,  into  An- 
droscoggin River;  that  these  several  ways  are  by  water, 
except  a  few  short  carrying  places,  which  bring  them  within 
twenty  miles  of  these  settlements;  that  the  greatest  part  of 
these  twenty  miles  is  water  carriage;  that  Androscoggin 
River  runs  farther  to  the  northward  than  the  head  of  Con- 
necticut River ;  that  a  party  the  last  year  was  sent  out  from 
Coos  to  reconnoitre  the  woods  over  to  Umbramagog  Lake, 
which  empties  into  the  St.  Francois  River,  from  thence 
they  set  out  eastwardly,  in  order  to  strike  Connecticut  River, 
but  headed  it,  and  struck  Androscoggin  River,  came  down 
that  river,  and  came  into  these  settlements;  that  last  fall 
three  men  from  Colonel  Arnold's  party  came  into  these 
settlements  by  the  way  of  Androscoggin  River;  four  or 
five  persons  from  Quebeck,  last  May,  came  in  here  the  same 
•way.     It  appears  that  whenever  the  frontiers  are  exposed, 
these  settlements  are  in   danger;  that  from  the  alarming 
accounts  we  have  lately  received  from  Canada,  we  think  it 
necessary  to  make  preparation  for  defence;  and  as  it  is  not 
likely  we  can  provide  ourselves  with  arms  and  ammunition 
without  the  aid  of  the  honourable  Court,  therefore  the  me- 
morialists entreat  the  favour  of  the  honourable  Court  to  the 
application  that  may  be  made  for  the  above  purpose  and 
for  protection,  if  the  time  should  come  that  the  frontiers  are 
in  danger.     And  we,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray,  &.c. 

RICHARD  KIMBALL,  Chairman  of  Committee. 
Dated  at  Fryburgh,  this  7th  day  of  July,  1776. 
N.  B.     Last  night  came  in  here  one  family  from  the 
Upper  Coos,  and  all  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  are  removing 
as  fast  as  possible. 


DEPOSITION  OF  JARRET  WILLIAMS. 

Fincastle,  Virginia,  Monday,  July  8,  1776. 
The  Deposition  of  Jarret  Williams,  taken  before  me.  An- 
thony Bledsoe,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  the  County  afore- 
said, being  first  sworn  on  the  holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty 
God,  deposeth  and  saith:  That  he  left  the  Cherokee  Nation 
on  Monday  night,  the  8th  instant,  (July;)  that  the  part  of  the 
nation  called  the  Overkills,  were  then  preparing  to  go  to  war 
against  the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  having  purchased  to  the 
amount  of  one  thousand  skins,  or  thereabouts,  for  mockasins. 
They  were  also  beating  flour  for  a  march,  and  making  other 
warlike  preparations.  Their  number,  from  a  calculation  made 
by  the  Raven  warriors,  amounts  to  about  six  hundred  warriors ; 
and,  according  to  the  deponent's  ideas,  he  thinks  we  may 


expect  a  general  attack  every  hour.     They  propose  to  take 
away  negroes,  horses,  &.C.,  and  to  kill  all  kinds  of  cattle, 
sheep,  &.C.,  for  which  purpose  they  are  well  stocked  with 
bows  and  arrows,  fee.;  also  to  destroy  all  corn,  burn  houses, 
&tc.     And  he  also  heard,  that  the  valley  towns  were,  a  part 
of  them,  set  off;  but  that  they  had  sent  a  runner  to  stop  them, 
till  all  were  ready  to  start.     He  further  relates,  that  Alex- 
ander Cameron  informed  them  that  he  had  concluded  to  send 
Captain  Nathaniel  Guest,  William  Faulin,  Isaac  H  illiams, 
and  the  deponent,  with  the  Indians,  till  they  came  near  ta 
Nanachukey ;  then  the  Indians  were  to  stop,  and  Guest  and 
the  other  whites  abovementioned  were  to  go  to  see  if  there 
were  any  King's  men  among  the  inhabitants;  and  if  they 
found  any,  they  were  to  take  them  off  to  the  Indians,  or 
have  a  white  signal  in  their  hands,  or  otherwise,  to  distinguish 
them.     When  this  was  done,  they  were  to  fall  on  the  inhabi- 
tants, and  kill  and  drive  all  they  possibly  could.     That  on 
Saturday,  the  6th  instant,  in  the  night,  he  heard  two  pri- 
soners were  brought  in  about  midnight ;  but  the  deponent  saw 
only  one.    That  the  within  Williams  saw  one  scalp  brought 
by  a  party  of  the  Indians,  with  a  prisoner;  but  from  ac- 
counts, they  had  five  scalps.     He  also  says,  that  he  heard  the 
prisoner  examined  by  Cameron,  though  he  gave  a  very  im- 
perfect account,  being  very  much  cast  down.     He  further 
says,  that  the  Cherokees  had  received  the  war-belt  from 
the  Shawanese,  Mingo,  Taawah,  and  Delaware  Nations,  to 
strike  the  white  people;  that  fifteen  of  the  said  nation  were 
lately  in  the  Cherokee  towns,  and  that  few  of  the  Cherokees 
went  in  company  with  the  Shawanese,  &c.     That  they  all 
intended  to  strike  the  settlers  on  Kentucky ;  and  that  the 
Cherokees  gave  the  said  Shawanese,  &c.,  fourscalpsof  white 
men,  which  they  carried  away  with  them.     The  said  Sha^v- 
anese  and  Mingoes  informed  the  Cherokees,  that  they  then 
were  at  peace  with  every  other  nation ;  that  the  French 
were  to  supply  them  with  ammunition,  and  that  they  wanted 
the  Cherokees  to  join  them  to  strike  the  white  people  on  the 
frontiers,  which  the   Cherokees  have  agreed  to.     And  the 
deponent  further  saith,  that  before  he  left  the  nation  a  num- 
ber of  the  Cherokees  of  the  lower  towns  were  gone,  to  fall  on 
the  frontiers  of  South- Carolina  and  Georgia;  and  further 

saith  noU  JARRET  WILLIAMS. 

Signed  before         ANTHONY  BLEDSOE. 


DR.  C.  WIESENTHALL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  In  all  the  troops  which  designed,  or  are 
taking  the  field,  there  is  a  necessity  for  a  medical  department 
abstract  from  that  of  the  battalion,  and  which  is  committed 
to  the  superintendency  of  a  physician  or  surgeon -general, 
or  director-in-chief,  who  has  the  care  of  the  hospitals,  and 
gives  the  proper  directions  thereof,  as  well  as  to  the  troops 
in  general. 

This  was  that  station  I  meant  when  I  accepted  the  service ; 
very  well  knowing,  as  surgeon  in  common,  several  might  be 
had  to  fill  that  station,  because  during  engagements,  they 
chiefly  act  in  dressing  wounds,  &c.,  where  very  little  art  is 
necessary ;  but  after  the  removal  of  the  wounded  to  the  hos- 
pital, the  proper  applications  are  made. 

The  first  surgeon  of  a  battalion  or  regiment  is  called 
Surgeon-Major,  and  his  province  goes  no  farther  than  his 
battalion,  only  except  he  is  contiguous  to  the  hospital,  and 
has  time,  then  he  assists  his  men  belonging  to  the  battalion. 

You  were  pleased,  gentlemen,  to  give  me  a  commission  of 
first  surgeon  of  Colonel  Smallwood"s  battalion  only,  which  I 
accepted,  with  the  promise  of  having  it  laid  before  the  Con- 
vention in  order  to  increase  the  salary  adequate  to  the  above- 
mentioned  station.  I  have  acted  all  along  in  that  station 
according  to  the  extent  of  the  circumstances.  I  have  taken 
and  caused  to  be  taken  care  of  the  sick  of  the  ship  Defence 
as  often  as  they  left  the  harbour.  I  have  advised  and  visited 
them  when  in  harbour.  I  have  even  twice  furnished  them 
with  a  surgeon  in  absence  of  their  own.  The  Militia  when 
called  to  town  made  likewise  application  during  their  stay. 
Several  instances  more  might  be  mentioned,  but  the  above 
will  be  sufficiently  convincing,  and  leave  the  method  to  your 
consideration,  being,  with  the  greatest  respect,  gentlemen, 
your  most  humble  and  most  obedient  servant, 

C.  WIESENTHALL. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


113 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


114 


COL.    HOLLINGSWORTH    TO    MARYLAND    COUNCIL  OF    SAFETY. 

Elk,  7  o'clock,  July  8,  at  Evening. 

SIR:  Yours  of  the  7th  per  express  is  now  before  me. 
Every  requisite  necessary  shall  be  provided  for  expediting 
the  troops  with  despatch.  Could  wish  something  had  been 
said  regarding  provisions,  as  I  am  now  at  a  loss  whether  to 
provide  or  not ;  and  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  ser- 
vant, H.  HOLLINGSWORTH. 

To  Daniel  of  St.  Tfiomas  Jenifer,  President  of  the  Council 
of  Safety. 

COLONEL  TYLER  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFF/TY. 

July  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  You  have,  enclosed,  a  list  of  the  arms  in 
my  battalion.  I  am  informed  by  Major  Williams,  who  ex- 
amined the  guns,  that  all  those  said  to  be  in  good  order  are 
such  as  the  owners  would  choose  to  make  use  of  in  case  of  an 
emergency.  By  this  return,  the  guns  in  the  battalion  amount 
to  no  more  than  three  hundred  and  fifty-one,  which  I  am 
sorry  to  hear  are  so  few ;  however,  the  many  good  ones 
make  amends. 

1  have  further  to  inform  you,  that  for  the  sake  of  satisfy- 
ing the  people,  I  allowed  them  to  choose  a  second  Major, 
who  is  wanting,  from  the  resignation  of  Colonel  Joshua  Beall, 
and  that  Captain  John  McGill  had  the  voice  of  a  very  great 
majority.  I  therefore  recommend  him  as  very  worthy  your 
notice,  and  hope  you  will  appoint  him  to  that  command.  1 
beg  you  will  send  commissions  of  Mr.  Williams 's,  Mr.  Snow- 
den's,  and  my  promotions,  by  Mr.  Millikin,  who  has  the  care 
of  this  letter.  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

ROBERT  TYLER. 


JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY, 

Baltimore,  Sunday  afternoon,  July  8,  1776. 
SIRS  :  At  the  request  of  Mr.  Purviance,  I  have  sent  down 
three  vessels  that  will  carry  three  companies  of  the  soldiers 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  DORSEY. 
[No  9.]  Annapolis,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  You  will  see  by  the  enclosed  resolve  that  the  Con- 
vention have  directed  the  place  of  the  regulars  that  are  to 
march  from  hence  to  Philadelphia  should  be  supplied  by 
three  companies  of  the  neighbouring  Militia  till  the  Militia 
for  the  Flying-Camp  can  be  got  ready.  The  Council  of 
Safety  have  thought  proper  to  order  a  company  of  your  bat- 
talion to  march  down  here  immediately,  and  we  desire  you 
will  despatch  them  with  the  utmost  expedition.  We  expect 
a  sufficient  number  of  the  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp  will 
be  raised  in  a  very  short  time  to  supply  the  place  of  yours, 
with  the  other  companies  which  shall  be  discharged,  as  soon 
as  possible.  Colonels  Weems  and  Hammond  are  now  with 
us,  and  intend  that  the  company  they  are  respectively  to 
furnish  shall  be  composed  out  of  the  whole  battalion  com- 
panies if  wholly  ordered  out,  may  be  much  distressed  and 
very  indifferently  armed.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  Colonel  Thomas  Dorsey. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  THOMAS  SMYTH. 
[No.  10.]  Annapolis,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Council  of  Safety  request  you  will  agree  with 
Blake  for  the  cartridge-boxes,  &ic.  The  price  of  the  whole 
is  twelve  shillings,  but  we  cannot  ascertain  individually,  not 
having  yet  been  furnished  with  the  contracts  by  Mr.  Alex- 
ander, who  made  them.  We  are,  &ic. 

To  Thomas  Smyth,  Esq. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CHARLES  RIDGELY. 
[No.  11.]  Annapolis,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  have  immediate  occasion,  on  account  of  the  Pro- 
vince, for  some  swivels  and  small  cannon,  from  four-pounders 
downwards,  and  shall  (as  we  are  informed  your  furnace  is  in 
blast)  be  very  glad  to  know  whether  you  can  cast  them.  If 


to  Elk,  or  where  they  may  be  wanted.     I  do  this  at  his    you  can>  be  pleased  to  let  us  know  the  terms,  and  by  what 
request,  not  doubting  but  it  may  be  right,  as  he  says  you    time  you  can  furnish  us  with  them.     We  are,  fcc. 


desire  it.  But  please  when  you  svant  anything  done  by  me, 
write  a  line,  as  I  could  tell  better  how  to  proceed,  and  with 
greater  certainty.  I  shall  finish  unloading  the  brigs  to-mor- 
row; but  the  delay  was  owing  to  the  owners  not  beginning 
at  your  first  request.  From  your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH. 

P.  S.    I  am  to  pay  for  each  of  these  vessels  1  "is.  6d.  per 
day,  and  they  find  them  in  hands  and  provisions. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  MATTHIAS  HAMMOND. 
[No.  7.]  Annapolis,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR  :  Two  companies  of  Colonel  HaWs  battalion  will  be 
immediately  ordered  to  the  city  of  Annapolis,  for  its  defence, 
agreeable  to  a  resolution  of  Convention.  And  as  it  will  be 
proper  that  you,  as  Quartermaster,  should  provide  quarters 
and  provision  for  them,  we  have  thought  fit  to  give  you  this 
early  information  of  it,  that  you  may  adjust  matters  accord- 


To  Messrs.  Charles  Ridgely  and  John  Weston,  respectively. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 
[No.  12.]  Annapolis,  July  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  Convention  have  ordered  that  the  sum 
often  thousand  pounds  be  appropriated  to  fortify  the  city  of 
Annapolis,  and  to  place  obstructions  in  the  river  Severn;  hut 
as  we  have  not,  nor  know  of  an  Engineer  properly  qualified  to 
carry  on  the  works,  and  your  station  may  perhaps  afford  you 
an  opportunity  of  assisting  us  with  one,  we  beg  you  will  make 
inquiry  for  and  recommend  to  us  some  person  of  knowledge 
and  experience  in  that  science.  We  are  anxious  to  comply 
with  the  resolve  of  Convention,  as  Annapolis  is  very  unde- 
fensible ;  and  we  presume,  from  its  advantageous  situation, 
will  be  an  object  with  the  enemy.  We  are  so  thronged  with 
business  that  we  cannot  now  write  you  fully,  but  will  as  soon 
as  we  have  a  little  leisure.  As  the  conveniences  may  not 


ment  should  be  lost  in  taking  the  necessary  measures. 

We  are,  &tc. 
To  Mat.  Hammond,  Quartermaster. 


ingly ;  the  service  requires  expedition,  and  that  not  a  mo-    be  provided  for  Colonel  Smallwood  and  the  troops  by  the 

time  they  reach  Philadelphia,  we  request  you  will  give  him 
all  the  assistance  you  can.  We  send  you,  enclosed,  a  re- 
solve of  our  Convention,  relating  to  our  regular  forces,  which 
we  desire  you  will  communicate  to  the  Brigadier-General  of 
the  Flying-Camp.  We  are,  &c. 

To  the  Deputies  for  Maryland  in  Congress. 

We  take  the  liberty  of  recommending  Captaitt 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  STEPHEN  STEWART. 
[No.  8.]  Annapolis,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Council  of  Safety  will  take  Mr.  Sprigg's  ves- 


P.  S. 


sel  if  you  are  of  opinion  that  she  will  make  a  fast  sailer,  draw  Strieker  to  you,  as  a  person  for  a  field  officer  in  the  German 

little  water,  and  suit  this  Province  as  an  armed  vessel,  of  battalion,  and  think  the  service  will  be  benefited  by  his  ap- 

which  please  to  advise  us  in  writing ;  and  request  she  may  pointment.     If  he  should  be  commissioned,  the  sooner  it  is 

be  got  ready  with  the  utmost  despatch.     We  hope  and  ex-  done  the  better,  as  it  will  probably  be  a  great  inducement  to 

pect  a  fortnight  will  complete  her.    When  can  you  set  off  for  |,is  countrymen  to  inlist. 

the  Eastern-Shore  to  examine  the  vessels  which  are  offered  

as  suitable  for  the  purpose?     We  want  them.     You  pro- 
mised to  be  with  us  on  Friday,  but  we  did  not  understand  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  to  ROBERT  ALEXANDER. 
whether  you  could  immediately  go  over  the  bay.    This  mat-  [No.  13.]                                               Annapolis,  July  8, 1776. 
ter  requires  despatch,  and  we  beg  your  immediate  answer.  SIR  :  The  Council  of  Safety  are  much  at  a  loss  in  respect 
If  you  can  go,  we  shall  be  much  pleased;  if  you  cannot  go,  to  the  contracts  made  by  you  in  Baltimore;  they  have  written 
do  you  know  any  one  who  would  be  proper  to  send  on  that  to  you  several  times  to  transmit  them,  but  have  never  had 
business?     We  are,  &.c.  the  pleasure  to  receive  them  or  a  line  from  you  on  the  sub- 
To  Mr.  Stephen  Stewart.  ject.     There  is  a  real  necessity  for  their  being  lodged  here> 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  8 


115 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


116 


as  some  of  ihe  artificers  do  not  comply  with  their  contracts  ; 
and  we  are  subject  to  two  inconveniences — the  ignorance  of 
the  real  contract,  and  the  want  of  power  to  enforce  it. 

We  aie,  &tc. 
To  Robert  Alexander,  Esq. 


BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  8,  1776: 
Present:   S.  Purviance,  Chairman,   William  Lux,  Vice 
Chairman,  J.  Calhoun,  W.  Aisquith,  A.  Brittain,  Andrew 
Buchanan,  B.  Nicholson,  Charles  Ridgcly  of  William,  Z. 
McCubbin,  T.  Sailers,  and  J.  Griest. 

Messrs.  Selah  Barbon  and  James  Seddon  applied  to  this 
Committee  to  be  released  from  the  fines  assessed  on  them  as 
Non-Enrollers,  as  they  had  now  enrolled  with  Captain 
Cromwell;  which  was  granted. 

On  representation  of  Richard  Taylor  that  he  was  fined 
£10,  which  he  is  utterly  unable  to  pay,  without  greatly 
distressing  his  family  of  a  wife  and  seven  children,  the  Com- 
mittee, taking  the  same  into  consideration,  agreed  to  remit 
£5  of  said  fine. 

An  express  arrived  from  the  Council  of  Safety  with  copies 
of  a  Letter  from  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Congress,  to  the  Convention  of  Maryland,  dated 
the  4th  July,  advising  of  the  arrival  of  General  Howe,  with 
a  considerable  Army,  at  Staten-Island,  and  requesting,  in  the 
most  earnest  manner,  the  march  of  the  Militia  voted  by  this 
Colony  for  the  Flying-Camp.  Also,  several  Resolves  of  the 
Convention  of  this  Province,  dated  6th  July,  among  which 
is  a  resolve  that  two  Companies  of  Germans  be  raised  in 
this  County,  to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  one 
Ensign,  four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  and 
seventy-six  Privates,  and  that  the  Committee  recommend 
the  Officers  of  said  Companies,  and  certify  the  same  to  the 
Council  of  Safety. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will  meet  on  Thursday, 
the  llth  instant,  and  that  publick  notice  be  given  thereof, 
in  order  that  all  those  who  are  desirous  of  commissions  may 
apply. 

Attested  :  GEORGE  Lux,  Secretary. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL,  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  I  do  myself  the  honour  of  enclosing  sundry  resolves 
of  Congress,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  your  attention, 
and  which  are  so  explicit  that  I  need  not  enlarge. 

In  obedience  to  the  commands  of  Congress,  I  have  written 
to  Generals  Schuyler  and  Gates,  and  have  recommended  a 
mutual  confidence  and  harmony  in  their  military  operations. 
Their  joint  labour  and  exertions  are  requisite  in  that  quarter ; 
nor  have  I  the  least  doubt  but  they  will  act  on  all  occasions 
with  the  most  perfect  unanimity. 

You  will  please  to  appoint  suitable  places  of  rendezvous 
for  the  battalions  raising  for  Canada,  and  communicate  the 
same  to  the  Assemblies  of  New-Hampshire,  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  Connecticut,  and  New-York,  and  also  to  issue  orders 
for  supplying  the  men  with  rations,  tents,  month's  advance 
pay,  and  other  necessaries. 

I  am  so  pressed  for  time,  that  I  can  only  add  that  1  am, 
most  truly,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  The  enclosed  please  forward  to  General  Schuyler 
and  General  Gates. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR  :  In  consequence  of  your  letter  to  General  Washing- 
ton, stating  that  a  difference  of  opinion  had  arisen  between 
General  Gates  and  yourself  with  regard  to  the  command  of 
the  troops  in  the  Northern  Department,  I  am  to  inform  you 
that  Congress  have  this  day  taken  the  matter  into  considera- 
tion, and  directed  me  to  transmit  the  enclosed  resolution. 

You  will  there  perceive  that  it  was  the  intention  of  Con- 
gress to  give  General  Gates  the  command  while  the  troops 
were  in  Canada,  but  no  longer.  As  they  think  it  expedient 
he  should  still  continue  to  act  with  you,  I  am  most  earnestly 


to  recommend  to  you  to  cultivate  a  harmony  in  your  military 
operations.  The  Congress  highly  approve  of  your  patriotism 
and  magnanimity  in  not  suffering  any  difference  of  opinion 
to  hurt  the  publick  service. 

A  mutual  confidence  and  good  understanding  are  at  this 
time  so  essentially  necessary,  that  I  am  persuaded  they  will 
take  place  on  all  occasions  between  yourself  and  General 
Gates,  and  that  by  your  joint  exertions  in  the  cause  of  free- 
dom, your  country  will  receive  the  most  essential  benefits. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  General  Schuyler,  Albany  or  elsewhere. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Congress  being  informed  by  letter  from  Gene- 
ral Schuyler  to  General  Washington,  which  was  laid  before 
them  at  the  request  of  the  former,  and  by  your  own  consent, 
that  a  difference  of  opinion  had  arisen  between  General 
Schuyler  and  yourself,  with  regard  to  the  command  of  the 
Army  in  the  Northern  Department,  they  immediately  took 
the  matter  into  consideration,  and  have  this  day  come  to  the 
enclosed  resolution,  which  1  do  myself  the  honour  of  trans- 
mitting in  obedience  to  their  commands. 

You  will  there  perceive  that  Congress  are  of  opinion  your 
command  was  totally  independent  of  General  Sejtitykr  while 
the  Army  was  in  Canada,  but  no  longer;  and,  indeed,  the 
terms  in  which  the  resolve  relative  to  your  appointment  is 
conceived,  seem  to  show  that  this  was  their  intention.  You 
were  expressly,  by  that  resolve,  to  take  the  command  of  the 
troops  in  Canada;  words  which  strongly  imply  that  they  had 
no  design  to  divest  General  Schuyler  of  the  command  while 
the  troops  were  on  this  side  Canada. 

I  am,  however,  to  inform  you  that  Congress  highly  ap- 
prove your  resolution  and  magnanimity  that  the  publick 
service  should  receive  no  detriment  from  any  difference  of 
opinion  on  the  occasion.  It  is  their  most  earnest  desire  that 
you  will  go  on  to  act  in  the  same  manner,  and  cultivate  har- 
mony in  all  your  military  operations.  A  good  understand- 
ing and  mutual  confidence  are  so  essentially  necessary  in 
order  to  give  success  to  our  measures,  that  I  am  convinced 
they  will  take  place  on  all  occasions  between  you.  He  de- 
serves most  of  his  country,  and  will  undoubtedly  meet  with 
the  greatest  applause,  in  whatever  rank  or  station  he  may 
be,  who  renders  her  the  most  useful  and  signal  services. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Gates. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  ROBERDEAU. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  it  in  charge  from  Congress  to  direct  that  you 
do  not  order  Captain  Peters  out  of  this  city,  his  service  being 
necessary  as  Secretary  to  the  War  Office. 

I  am  also  to  inform  you  that  the  Postmasters,  while  in  office, 
are  excused,  by  order  of  Congress,  from  all  military  duty. 

I  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  most  obedient  and  very  hum- 
ble servant,  JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  Gen.  Roberdeau,  commanding  officer  in  Philadelphia. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  JAMES  MEASE. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  it  in  charge  from  the  Congress,  to  direct 
that  you  pay  one  month's  advance  to  such  of  the  Militia  as 
will  engage  to  serve  in  the  Flying-Camp  ;  which  you  will 
please  to  notice  accordingly. 

I  am,  with  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  James  Mease,  Esq.,  Commissary  and  Paymaster,  Phila- 
delphia. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  REV.  JACOB  DUCHE. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  It  is  with  the  greatest  pleasure  I  inform  you  that  the 
Congress  have  been  induced,  from  a  consideration  of  your 


117 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


118 


piety,  as  well  as  your  uniform  and  zealous  attachment  to  the 
rights  of  America,  to  appoint  you  their  Chaplain. 

It  is  their  request,  which  I  am  commanded  to  signify  to  you, 
that  you  will  attend  on  them  every  morning  at  nine  o'clock. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  with  respect,  your  most  obe- 
dient and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jacob  Duche. 


JOSEPH  HEVVES  TO  SAMUEL  JOHNSTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  received  your  favours  of  the  23d  May, 
and  6th  and  llth  of  June.  The  first  of  these  came  last  to 
hand.  I  have  not  had  an  opportunity  to  forward  your  letter 
to  Elmsly.  Tryon  is  not  to  be  trusted  with  it.  I  send  it 
by  some  vessel  bound  to  France  or  Spain.  I  cannot  find  out 
any  other  way  of  conveyance,  and  that  is  very  precarious. 

I  shall  endeavour  to  get  for  you  a  proper  account  of  the 
linen  manufactory  here.  I  have  been  several  times  at  it, 
but  have  not  been  hitherto  fortunate  enough  to  meet  with 
any  of  the  directors.  I  expect,  in  the  course  of  our  political 
convulsions  with  Great  Britain,  I  shall  be  rendered  incapa- 
ble of  holding  any  share  in  any  publick  manufactory  for  want 
of  stock.  I  will  think  of  it  when  I  get  home,  which  I  hope 
will  be  towards  the  end  of  August. 

I  received  a  letter  from  your  Committee  of  Secrecy,  War 
and  Intelligence,  respecting  the  expediency  of  fortifying  the 
harbour  of  Cape-Lookout.  I  laid  the  matter  before  a  com- 
mittee of  Congress  appointed  to  consider  what  places  were 
proper  to  be  fortified ;  but  before  they  consider  and  make 
report  thereon,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  they  should 
have  a  plan  or  map  of  the  harbour,  with  proper  explanations 
and  descriptions.  These  should  be  taken  by  an  engineer  on 
the  spot,  who  should  form  a  plan  of  the  fortifications  neces- 
sary to  be  made,  and  the  expense  that  would  attend  the 
•  erection  of  them.  I  have  written  to  Mr.  Harnett  twice  on 
this  subject;  but  as  I  have  reason  to  believe  many  letters 
miscarry,  I  now  mention  the  matter  to  you.  in  hopes  you  will 
endeavour  to  prevail  on  the  Council  of  Safety  to  get  the 
matter  done  as  early  as  possible.  I  find  a  disposition  in 
most  of  the  Members  of  Congress  to  grant  to  our  Province 
all  that  can  be  reasonably  expected.  It  is  not  in  their  power 
to  assist  us  at  present  with  cannon;  but  as  several  forges 
afe  beginning  to  cast  twelve  and  eighteen-pounders,  I  hope 
towards  winter  they  will  not  only  have  it  in  their  power,  but 
be  heartily  disposed  to  assist  us  with  some  heavy  pieces  to 
put  into  such  places  as  may  be  thought  most  advisable. 
This  is  all  you  can  expect — it  is  all  that  is  done  in  the  like 
cases.  The  work  must  be  done  at  your  own  expense,  or 
by  such  Continental  troops  as  may  be  in  the  Province  for 
the  time  being.  I  give  you  this  as  my  opinion.  Perhaps 
they  may  do  more  for  our  Province:  it  stands  high  in  rank 
and  high  in  estimation.  I  wish  it  may  be  able  to  support  its 
good  character  in  future. 

A  hellish  plot  has  been  lately  discovered  at  New-  York  to 
murder  General  Washington  and  some  other  officers  of  the 
first  rank,  blow  up  the  magazine,  and  spike  up  the  can- 
non. The  persons  employed  had  it  in  charge,  and  have 
actually  inlisted  a  number  of  men  (or  the  King's  Army.  It 
was  to  have  been  put  in  execution  on  the  first  arrival  of  the 
Army  from  Halifax.  One  of  General  Washington's  guards 
has  been  put  to  death  for  being  concerned  in  it.  The  Mayor 
of  the  city,  and  some  others,  are  confined.  I  believe  many 
of  them  are  guilty.  It  is  said  the  matter  has  been  traced  up 
to  Governour  Tryon. 

What  has  become  of  my  friend  Hooper?  I  expected  to 
have  seen  him  here  ere  now ;  otherwise  I  should  have  written 
to  him  respecting  some  of  his  connexions  at  Boston,  who  are 
like  to  suffer  by  having  property  in  the  hands  of  Tories  who 
have  fled  from  that  country. 

My  friend  P enn  came  time  enough  to  give  his  vote  for 
Independence.  I  send  you  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
enclosed.  All  the  Colonies  voted  for  it,  except  New-  York. 
That  Colony  was  prevented  from  joining  in  it  by  an  old 
instruction.  Their  Convention  meets  this  day,  and  it  is 
expected  they  will  follow  the  example  of  the  other  Colonies. 

I  had  the  weight  of  North-  Carolina  on  my  shoulders  within 
a  day  or  two  of  three  months.  The  service  was  too  severe. 
I  have  set  some  days  from  six  in  the  morning  till  five  and 
sometimes  six  in  the  afternoon,  without  eating  or  drinking. 


My  health  was  bad ;  such  close  attention  made  it  worse.  I 
nevertheless  obstinately  persisted  in  doing  my  duty  to  the 
best  of  my  judgment  and  abilities,  and  attended  Congress 
the  whole  time,  one  day  only  excepted.  This  I  did  con- 
trary to  the  repeated  solicitations  of  my  friends,  some  of  whom 
I  believe  thought  I  should  not  be  able  to  keep  soul  and  body 
together  to  this  time.  Duty,  inclination,  and  self-preserva- 
tion call  on  me  now  to  make  a  little  excursion  into  the  coun- 
try to  see  my  mother.  This  is  a  duty  which  1  have  not 
allowed  myself  time  to  perform  during  almost  nine  months 
that  I  have  been  here. 

General  Howe  and  his  Army  are  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Neiv-York,  sometimes  on  shore  on  Staten-Island,  and  some- 
times on  board  the  fleet.  It  is  thought  that  he  has  not  more 
than  seven  or  eight  thousand  men  with  him.  He  is  waiting 
for  Lord  Howe's  fleet  to  arrive,  when  he  expects  to  be  joined 
by  twenty  thousand  men.  All  the  regiments  in  Continen- 
tal pay,  that  were  raised  in  this  Province,  are  now  at  New- 
York  and  on  the  lakes.  Six  thousand  Militia  from  this  Pro- 
vince, and  three  thousand  four  hundred  from  Maryland,  will 
march  in  a  few  days  towards  New-  York.  The  Jersey  Mi- 
litia are  all  in  motion.  I  fear  these  Colonies  will  suffer 
greatly  for  want  of  labourers  to  get  in  the  harvest.  Some 
people  are  of  opinion  that  many  fields  of  wheat  will  remain 
unreaped,  and  be  totally  lost.  Our  northern  Army  has  left 
Canada  and  retreated  to  Ticonderoga  and  Crown-Point. 
The  small-pox  has  made  great  havock  among  them.  Seve- 
ral regiments  had  not  well  men  enougli  to  row  the  sick  over 
the  lakes.  Men  were  drafted  from  other  regiments  to  do 
that  service.  In  short,  that  army  has  melted  away  in  as 
little  time  as  if  the  destroying  angel  had  been  sent  on  pur- 
pose to  demolish  them,  as  he  did  the  children  of  Israel. 

We  are  endeavouring  to  get  the  lakes  fortified  in  the  best 
manner  we  can,  to  prevent  Burgoyne  from  passing  them  and 
entering  the  Colonies  on  that  side. 

A  paper  has  been  privately  laid  on  the  Congress  table, 
importing  that  some  dark  designs  were  forming  for  our  de- 
struction, and  advising  us  to  take  care  of  ourselves.  Some 
were  for  examining  the  cellars  under  the  room  where  we 
sit.  I  was  against  it,  and  urged  that  we  ought  to  treat  such 
information  with  contempt,  and  not  show  any  mark  of  fear 
or  jealousy.  I  told  some  of  them  1  had  almost  as  soon  be 
blown  up,  as  to  discover  to  the  world  that  I  thought  myself 
in  danger.  No  notice  has  been  taken  of  this  piece  of  inform- 
ation, which  I  think  is  right. 

I  enclose  you  a  resolve  of  Congress,  which  please  to  for- 
ward to  your  Council  of  Safety.  I  also  enclose  a  letter  to 
Mr.  Burke.  If  you  can  do  anything  for  the  gentlemen  who 
subscribe  it,  I  hope  you  will  do  it.  They  are  my  friends, 
and  friends  to  America.  I  sent  you  a  commission  of  this 
kind  some  time  ago ;  you  have  not  mentioned  it  in  any  of 
your  letters. 

I  will  trespass  no  longer  on  your  patience.     Remember 
me  to  your  family  and  connexions;  and  be  assured  I  am, 
with  affection  and  regard,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  ser- 
vant, JOSEPH  HEWES. 
To  Samuel  Johnston,  Esq. 

P.  S.  I  copy  no  letters — take  them  with  all  their  imper- 
fections. 

THOMAS  JEFFERSON  TO  RICHARD  HENRY  LEE. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

DEAR  Sm:  For  news  I  refer  you  to  your  brother,  who 
writes  on  that  head.  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  as  agreed  to  by  the  House,  and  also 
as  originally  framed.  You  will  judge  whether  it  is  the 
better  or  worse  for  the  criticks.  I  shall  return  to  Virginia 
after  the  llth  of  August.  I  wish  my  successor  may  be 
certain  to  come  before  that  time ;  in  that  case  I  shall  hope 
to  see  you,  and  not  Wythe,  in  Convention,  that  the  business 
of  Government,  which  is  of  everlasting  concern,  may  receive 
your  aid. 

Adieu,  and  believe  me  to  be  your  friend  and  servant, 

THOMAS  JEFFERSON.. 
To  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Esq. 

WILLIAM  WHIPPLE  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776'. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  24th  ultimo  I  have  received- 
It  grieved  me  that  the  frigates  cannot  be  got  to  sea,  which  1! 


119 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


120 


am  sensible  they  might  before  this,  had  proper  attention  been 
paid  to  cannon  in  season.  I  have  been  a  long  time  endea- 
vouring to  draw  the  attention  of  the  Committee  to  the  regu- 
lation of  the  Navy,  but  hitherto  without  success.  The 
present  establishment  certainly  needs  amendment,  but  busi- 
ness is  so  exceedingly  pressing  that  it  is  impossible  to  form 
a  judgment  when  it  will  be  done.  In  my  opinion  a  purser 
is  a  necessary  officer;  but  as  no  provision  is  made  for  a 
purser,  I  think  it  necessary  you  should  appoint  a  steward. 
I  submit  it  to  you  whether  it  would  not  be  best  to  appoint  a 
man  that  would  do  for  a  purser,  as  the  wages  at  present  are 
much  higher  than  will  be  allowed  for  stewards  if  pursers  are 
established. 

I  must  refer  you  to  the  papers  for  news,  as  time  just  now 
is  very  precious.  The  Declaration  will  no  doubt  give  you 
pleasure.  It  will  be  published  next  Thursday  at  the  head 
of  the  Army  at  New-York.  I  am  told  it  is  to  be  published 
this  day  in  form  in  this  city. 

As  I  am  obliged  to  catch  leisure  minutes  to  write,  perhaps 
something  may  turn  up  between  this  and  to-morrow  morn- 
ing ;  if  so,  shall  give  it  you.  Governour  Hopkins,  who  has 
the  direction  of  mallei's  respecting  the  cannon  at  Providence, 
promises  me  that  he  will  order  the  cannon  for  the  Raleigh 
to  be  sent  from  thence  immediately,  provided  the  Commit- 
tee there  think  thai  the  furnaces  will  be  able  to  cast  more 
for  those  ships  by  the  time  they  will  be  ready  to  receive 
them.  So  you  may  expect  to  hear  from  thence  on  this  sub- 
ject. 

General  Howe  has  landed  part  of  his  Army  on  Staten- 
Island,  which  you  know  was  not  in  General  Washington's 
power  to  prevent ;  however,  the  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania 
Militia,  with  three  thousand  from  Maryland,  are  now  on 
their  march,  and  will  soon  form  a  very  formidable  army  on 
this  side  Hudson's  River,  and  General  Washington  has,  by 
this  time,  got  twenty  thousand  men  at  York,  including  the 
Militia  of  York  and  Connecticut.  I  cannot  help  flattering 
myself  that  all  this,  with  the  smiles  of  Providence,  will  en- 
able us  to  give  a  good  account  of  these  fellows  before  the 
campaign  is  over.  I  assure  you  the  people  here  begin  to 
feel  themselves.  Governour.Franfc/t'n  is  sent  to  Connecticut 
for  his  good  behaviour. 

I  am,  with  great  truth,  sincerely  yours, 

WILLIAM  WHIPPLE. 

1  hope  you  will  take  care  that  the  Declaration  is  properly 
treated.  Colonel  Bartlett  desires  his  compliments,  and  that 
you  will  excuse  his  writing,  as  he  is  much  engaged. 


under  arms,  and  a  large  concourse  of  the  inhabitants  attend- 
ed on  this  great  and  solemn  occasion.  The  Declaration  and 
other  proceedings  were  received  with  loud  acclamations. 

The  people  are  now  convinced,  of  what  we  ought  long 
since  to  have  known,  that  our  enemies  have  left  us  no  mid- 
dle way  between  perfect  freedom  and  abject  slavery.  In 
the  field,  we  trust,  as  well  as  in  council,  the  inhabitants  of 
New-Jersey  will  be  found  ever  ready  to  support  the  freedom 
and  independence  of  America. 


Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 

This  day  the  Committee  of  Safety  and  the  Committee 
of  Inspection  went  in  procession  to  the  State-House,  where 
the  Declaration  of  the  Independency  of  the  United  States 
of  America  was  read  to  a  very  large  number  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  City  and  County,  which  was  received  with  gene- 
ral applause  and  heartfelt  satisfaction  ;  and  in  the  evening 
our  late  King's  Coat-of-Arms  was  brought  from  the  Hall,  in 
the  State-House,  where  the  said  King's  Courts  were  formerly 
held,  and  burnt,  amidst  the  acclamations  of  a  crowd  of 
spectators. 

Easton,  Northampton  County,  July  8,  177G. 
This  day,  the  Declaration  of  Independency  was  received 
here,  and  proclaimed  in  the  following  order:  The  Colonel, 
and  all  other  Field-Officers  of  the  First  Battalion,  repaired 
to  the  Court-House,  the  Light-Infantry  company  marching 
there  with  drums  beating,  fifes  playing,  and  the  Standard, 
(the  device  for  which  is  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies,) 
which  was  ordered  to  be  displayed ;  and  after  that  the  De- 
claration was  read  aloud  to  a  great  number  of  spectators, 
who  gave  their  hearty  assent  with  three  loud  huzzas,  and 
cried  out,  "  May  God  long  preserve  and  unite  the  Free  and 
Independent  States  of  America." 

Trenton,  July  8,  1776. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  this  day  proclaimed 
here,  together  with  the  new  Constitution  of  the  Colony,  of 
late  established,  and  the  resolve  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
for  continuing  the  administration  of  justice  during  the  inte- 
rim. The  members  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  the  gentle- 
men of  the  Committee,  the  officers  and  privates  of  the  Militia, 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Eliznbethtown,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR  :  On  examining  Bergcn-Neck  I  found  some  stock  of 
black  cattle  and  horses  still  remained  there ;  and  that  some 
families  on  the  point  held  an  intercourse  with  the  enemy. 
Colonel  Ford  assured  me  he  would  have  all  those  removed 
to-day.  His  force  amounts  to  no  more  than  three  hundred 
and  fifty,  and  those  begin  to  be  dissatisfied  at  remaining  on 
duty,  while  the  Militia  of  the  neighbourhood  are  dismissed. 
After  leaving  proper  guards  at  the  ferries  of  HackensacTc 
and  Passaick,  there  is  not  a  number  sufficient  in  this  quarter 
to  reinforce  the  party  on  Bergen-Neck  to  five  hundred. 
We  are  informed  of  a  body  of  Militia  being  on  the  march 
from  Pennsylvania.  On  their  arrival  I  shall  order  part  of 
them  to  Bergcn-Neck.  I  hope  for  instructions  as  to  the 
destination  of  them  generally.  Colonel  Putnam  has  directed 
some  works  for  the  defence  of  Elizabethtown-Ferry,  and 
adjacent  approaches  to  this  place.  No  ground  from  thence 
to  Newark-Bay  will  serve  for  erecting  a  battery.  On  the 
Bergen  shore  the  land  is  proper,  but  the  channel  is  so  wide 
that  little  advantage  will  accrue  as  to  guarding  that  bay. 

The  boats  and  canoes  along  this  shore  to  Amboy  are  re- 
moved up  the  creeks,  and  secured  under  guards. 

One  William  Ash,  with  his  wife  and  family,  taken  last 
Tuesday,  on  their  way  from  York  to  Newark,  came  in  to- 
day from  Staten-Island,  by  a  pass  from  General  Howe. 
Their  intelligence  coincides  with  what  we  had  formerly, 
that  the  number  of  the  enemy  amounts  to  nine  or  ten  thou- 
sand ;  they  lie  cantoned  in  the  farmers'  houses  along  the 
shores  of  the  Island,  slack  on  their  guards  and  no  intrench- 
ments.  The  frigate  that  lay  some  days'  ago  in  Princess- 
Bay  was  this  morning  under  sail,  making  towards  the  town 
of  Amboy.  I  intend  for  that  place  to-day. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


EXAMINATION  OF  WILLIAM  ASH,  FROM  STATEN-ISLAND. 

July  8,  1776. 

He  left  New-York  last  Tuesday  morning,  in  a  boat 
bound  to  Paulus-Hook,  commanded  by  Joseph  Harcomb, 
belonging  to  New-  York.  Instead  of  landing  him  at  Paulut 
Hook,  he  would  go  over  the  Bay  to  the  Kills.  When 
examinant  saw  the  tender,  he  told  the  boatman  it  was  a 
tender ;  the  boatman  said  it  was  the  Amboy  privateer,  and 
immediately  a  gun  fired,  when  the  boatman  dropped  sail 
and  came  to.  Captain  Dickinson,  of  the  Greyhound,  came 
aboard,  and  told  them  that  all  the  passengers  should  go 
ashore,  but  the  boatman  was  to  stay. 

They  went  on  shore  next  morning,  where  they  were 
kindly  treated.  General  Howe  lives  in  Mr.  Bancker's  house, 
but  Mr.  Bancker  is  sent  on  board  a  man-of-war.  Their 
numbers  were  reported  to  be  between  eight  and  nine  thou- 
sand men.  The  men  appeared  to  be  hearty.  They  could 
get  no  provision  but  a  little  pickled  pork,  which  cost  them 
seven  pence  per  pound.  That  the  Jersey  people  had  taken 
off  all  the  cattle,  and  there  was  nothing  to  be  had.  He 
thinks  if  they  cannot  get  provisions  from  somewhere  else 
they  must  starve.  No  vegetables  to  be  had  ;  even  the  Gen- 
eral could  get  none.  He  saw  Doctor  Mallet,  Oliver  De 
Lancey,  Stephen  De  Lancey,  one  Prior,  a  carpenter,  Bar- 
row, Cortlandt  Skinner,  Major  Bayard,  one  Perry, 
(Yates's  clerk,)  and  one  Troup,  with  red  hair;  and  others 
whom  he  knew.  George  Barnes  and  Richard  Lawrence 
appeared  violent  against  him. 

Governour  Tryon  was  at  Cuckold's  Town  on  Saturday 
last,  inlisting  men.  He  was  to  inlist  thirteen  hundred  men 
from  Long-Island  and  Stat en- Island,  who  were  to  be  joined 
by  thirteen  hundred  regulars,  who  were  to  be  left  for  the 


121 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


122 


defence  of  the  Island.  They  looked  for  the  reinforcement 
every  day.  Some  say  they  are  to  land  on  Long-Island, 
and  others  that  they  are  to  run  up  by  New-York.  His 
pass  is  signed  by  C.  Cuyler,  aid-de-carnp.  General  Howe 
suffered  him,  with  his  wife  and  children,  to  come  off  this 
morning.  They  have  four  field-pieces  At  Decker's,  and  two 
more,  with  two  howitzers,  opposite  Bergen-Point. 

A  boy  and  a  Nantasket  Indian  were  killed,  and  some 
wounded  from  Bergen  shore ;  but  the  Captain  was  not 
killed,  he  having  seen  him  since.  He  heard  that  both  the 
boy  and  Indian  were  prisoners.  The  Indian  had  both  his 
feet  shot  off.  A  person  told  him  that  a  number  of  them  on 
the  Island  had  got  together  and  burned  forty  pounds  in  Con- 
tinental money,  damning  the  Congress,  and  saying  that  they 
had  nothing  more  to  do  with  the  Congress. 

A  man  told  him  he  was  present  when  Governour  Tryon 
offered  one  hundred  dollars  for  Justice  Mercereau,  dead  or 
alive.  Richard  Laurence  is  made  a  collector,  as  he  was 
told.  The  Governour  told  them,  at  a  meeting  in  Cuck- 
old's Town,  that  if  they  could  not  subdue  New-  York  they 
would  burn  it,  and  never  give  them  the  liberty  of  building 
there  again,  but  would  build  a  city  on  Staten- Island ;  that 
he  had  liberty  to  go  where  he  pleased,  and  found  the  men 
very  thick  along  shore  in  every  house,  but  no  lines  or  breast- 
works anywhere,  not  even  round  the  General's  quarters. 


COLONEL  GALBRA1TH  TO  LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

Elizabethtown,  July  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  In  pursuance  of  your  resolve  of  the  5th 
instant,  we  do  certify  that  William  Hay  was  unanimously 
chosen  (by  the  volunteers)  Captain ;  Robert  Clerk,  First 
Lieutenant ;  Patrick  Hays,  Second  Lieutenant ;  William 
Patterson,  Third  Lieutenant; — officers  for  the  company 
draughted  from  our  battalion  to  form,  in  part,  the  six  thousand 
Militia  Flying-Camp,  whom  we  do  recommend  to  you  for 
their  further  appointment ;  and  are,  gentlemen,  your  humble 
servants, 

BARTREM  GALBRAITH,  Colonel. 
ALEXANDER  LOWREY,  Lieutenant-  Colonel. 
JAMES  CUNNINGHAM,  Major. 

To  the  Standing  Committee  of  Observation  and  Inspection, 
Lancaster. 


LEWIS  OGDEN  TO  JOHN  JAY. 

Newark,  July  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  just  now  received  the  order  from 
our  Congress,  of  which  the  enclosed  is  a  copy;  and  inform 
you  thereof,  that  we  may  correspond  and  cooperate,  as  the 
execution  of  the  trust  reposed  in  us  may  require. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

LEWIS  OGDEN. 

To  John  Jay  and  Gouverneur  Morris,  Esquires,  at  New- 
York. 


GENERAL  HOWE  TO  LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

Staten-Island,  July  8,  1776. 

MY  LORD  :  Having  yesterday  submitted  to  the  Admiral'5 
consideration  the  propriety  of  sending  a  naval  force  up  the 
North  River,  above  the  town  of  New-  York,  with  a  view  to 
distress  the  Rebels  on  that  Island,  by  obstructing  supplies 
coming  down  the  river,  and  other  good  consequences  de- 
pendent upon  that  measure,  which  meeting  with  his  appro- 
bation, orders  are  given  for  two  ships,  (one  of  forty,  and 
another  of  twenty  guns,)  to  proceed  upon  that  service  the 
first  favourable  opportunity;  and  I  flatter  myself  that  these 
ships,  more  than  which  cannot  be  spared  at  present  from 
the  protection  of  the  transports,  will  prove  of  sufficient  force 
to  support  themselves  against  all  attempts  of  the  enemy  from 
the  upper  river,  and  to  answer  the  purposes  for  which  they 
are  intended. 

Several  men  have  come  over  to  this  Island,  and  to  the 
ships,  since  my  letter  of  yesterday;  and,  by  a  newspaper  of 
the  6th,  I  learn  that  the  Continental  Congress,  on  the  Tues- 
day preceding,  had  declared  the  United  Colonies  free  and 
independent  States.  The  same  paper  mentions,  that  thirty 
sail  of  transports,  a  fifty-gun  ship,  and  several  small  ships- 
of-war,  had  got  over  Charlcstown  Bar,  in  South- Carolina, 
without  specifying  the  time,  or  any  circumstance  in  conse- 


quence, besides  a  summons  for  the  town  to  surrender,  which 
was  rejected.  Having  no  better  authority  for  this'intelli- 
gence  than  the  newspaper,  I  decline  making  any  observa- 
tions upon  it ;  and  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c., 

W.  HOWE. 

Admiralty-Office,  August  10,  1776. 

By  a  letter  received  this  day  from  Vice-Admiral  Lord 
Shuldham,  dated  Staten-Island,  near  New-  York,  the  8th  of 
July  last,  it  appeal's  that  his  Lordship  arrived  there  on  the 
3d  of  that  month,  with  his  Majesty's  ships  under  his  com- 
mand, and  the  whole  fleet  of  transports,  victuallers,  and 
store-ships,  under  his  convoy,  without  any  loss  or  separation : 
that  his  Majesty's  troops,  under  the  command  of  General 
Howe,  were  landed,  on  that  day  and  the  next,  upon  Staten- 
Island,  without  any  opposition  or  interruption,  the  inhabitants 
having,  immediately  on  the  troops  landing,  surrendered,  and 
put  themselves  under  the  protection  of  his  Majesty's  arms; 
that  two  hundred  of  the  inhabitants  were  imbodied ;  that  the 
whole  Island  had  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  fidelity  to 
the  King ;  and  that  a  party  of  sixty  men,  with  their  arms,  had 
made  their  escape  from  the  Province  of  New- Jersey,  and 
joined  the  King's  troops. 

The  arrival  of  Lord  Howe,  and  the  reinforcement  under 
Commodore  Hotham,  were  daily  expected  at  Staten-Island, 
Lord  Shuldham  having  stationed  his  cruisers  in  the  most 
proper  manner  to  fall  in  with  and  direct  them  thither. 


GOVERNOUR  TRYON  TO  LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

Dutchesa  of  Gordon,  off  Staten-Island,  July  8,  1776. 

MY  LORD  :  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  acquaint  your  Lord- 
ship of  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  under  the  command  of  Ad- 
miral Shuldham  in  this  port,  on  the  29th  ultimo,  and  that 
General  Howe  disembarked  the  troops  under  his  command 
on  Staten-Island,  the  2d  instant,  without  opposition,  on  which 
occasion  the  inhabitants  of  the  Island  came  down  to  welcome 
the  arrival  of  their  deliverers,  and  have  since  afforded  the 
Army  every  supply  and  accommodation  in  their  power. 

On  Saturday  last  I  received  the  Militia  of  the  Island  at 
Richmond  town,  where  near  four  hundred  appeared,  who 
cheerfully,  on  my  recommendation,  took  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance and  fidelity  to  his  Majesty.  To-morrow,  I  am  to 
have  another  muster,  for  the  inlistment  of  volunteers  to  form 
a  Provincial  Corps  for  the  defence  of  the  Island,  as  the  Ge- 
neral finds  it  an  important  quarter  to  hold  against  the  Rebels. 
This  testimony,  given  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Island,  of 
loyalty  to  his  Majesty,  and  attachment  to  his  Government, 
I  flatter  myself  will  be  general  through  the  Province,  as 
soon  as  the  King's  Army  gets  the  main  body  of  the  Rebels 
between  them  and  the  sea,  which  will  leave  all  the  back 
country  open  to  the  command  of  the  King's  friends,  and 
yield  a  plentiful  resource  of  provisions  for  the  Army,  and 
place  them  in  a  better  situation  to  cut  off  the  Rebels'  retreat, 
when  forced  from  their  stronghold. 

In  the  promotion  of  general  officers  in  America,  I  do  not 
find  it  has  been  his  Majesty's  pleasure  to  employ  me  in  this 
country  in  my  military  character.  I  shall,  however,  do 
everything  in  my  power,  in  my  civil  capacity,  to  promote 
his  Majesty's  service. 

The  fortifications  in  and  about  New-York  have,  I  am  told, 
undergone  little  change  since  the  enclosed  observations  were 
delivered.  Every  matter  of  further  information  I  have  laid 
before  General  Howe  since  his  arrival,  as  they  came  to  my 
knowledge. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  my  Lord,  your  Lordship's  most 
obedient  servant,  WILLIAM  TRYON. 

To  Lord  George  Germaine. 


LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRYON. 

Whitehall,  May  17,  1776. 

SIR  :  Since  my  letter  to  you  of  the  28th  March,  1  have 
not  received  any  of  your  despatches,  nor  have  I  any  com- 
mands' of  his  Majesty  to  signify  to  you ;  but  I  have  the  satis- 
faction to  acquaint  you  that  the  embarkation  of  the  troops 
destined  for  the  reinforcement  of  General  Howe's  Army  have 
succeeded  so  happily,  that  the  corps  of  Highlanders  sailed 
from  the  Clyde  the  29th  of  last  month,  and  the  first  division 
of  the  Hessians  were  clear  of  the  Channel  on  the  10th 
instant,  and  we  are  in  hourly  expectation  of  the  arrival  at 


123 


CORRESPOINDEJN'CE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


124 


Spithcad  of  the  remainder  of  tliat  body,  wliicli  has  been 
some  time  on  board  the  transports  in  the  Wesel.  So  large  a 
reinforcement  will,  I  trust,  enable  General  I/owe  to  open  the 
campaign  with  advantage,  and  to  strike  some  blow  which 
will  give  spirit  and  vigour  to  the  friends  of  Government,  and 
incite  them  to  take  an  active  and  resolute  part  in  freeing 
themselves  from  thai  cruel  oppression  under  which  they  have 
so  long  groaned. 

The  Province  of  New-York  will  certainly  be  a  main 
object  of  the  General's  attention ;  and  as  1  am  not  without 
hopes  that  before  this  letter  comes  to  your  hands  you  will 
have  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  him,  it  is  unnecessary  for  me 
to  acquaint  you  further  with  the  operations  which  are  in- 
tended to  be  carried  on  in  that  Province.  I  shall  therefore 
only  add  my  most  hearty  wishes  for  their  success,  and  that 
they  may,  in  their  issue,  restore  the  blessings  of  peace  and 
legal  Government  to  his  Majesty's  faithful  subjects. 

1  am>  &tc>>  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

To  Governour  Tryon. 


LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRYON. 

Whitehall,  June  11,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  several  despatches  by  the  Swalloiv  packet, 
numbered  from  one  to  nine  inclusive,  and  two  private  letters 
dated  the  17th  April,  were  received  at  my  office  the  3d 
instant,  and  I  immediately  laid  them  before  the  King. 

The  intelligence  contained  in  the  papers  you  transmit  with 
these  despatches  is  of  the  greatest  importance ;  and  although 
you  do  not  say  what  degree  of  credit  ought  to  be  given  to 
it,  yet,  as  the  accounts  stated  to  have  been  received  at  New- 
York  of  the  Rebels'  having  met  with  a  second  repulse  at 
Quebeck  are  corroborated  by  many  circumstances,  and  par- 
ticularly by  the  measures  they  have  taken  for  strengthening 
their  posts  on  the  frontiers,  we  flatter  ourselves  that  the  first 
vessel  which  arrives  from  Queleck  will  bring  a  confirm- 
ation of  this  good  news.  I  will  not,  however,  anticipate 
the  consequences  of  an  event  which  is  not  yet  confirmed ; 
but  if  it  proves  to  be  only  in  part  as  favourable  as  your  in- 
telligence represents,  I  shall  have  little  doubt  that  our  opera- 
tions on  that  side  will  have  all  the  success  we  could  wish, 
and  that  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoga  will  be  restored  to 
his  Majesty's  possession  before  the  campaign  is  ended. 

It  was  to  have  been  expected  that  the  departure  of  the 
troops  from  Boston  would  turn  the  attention  of  the  Rebels 
to  New-  York;  but  1  trust  General  Howe  has  ere  this  fixed 
his  Head-Quarters  in  that  city,  and  that  he  will  soon  find 
himself  in  sufficient  force  to  drive  the  Rebels  out  of  the  Pro- 
vince, and  give  effectual  protection  to  his  Majesty's  loyal  sub- 
jects ;  and  1  will  hope  that  not  only  those  who  have  adhered  to 
their  duty,  but  even  many  who  have  been  misled  into  a  con- 
currence with  the  Rebels  in  some  of  their  measures,  will  be 
induced  to  take  up  arms  and  join  the  King's  standard,  from 
a  just  sense  of  the  dreadful  consequences  which  they  have 
experienced,  and  which  must  ever  follow  a  departure  from 
the  mode  of  government  established  by  the  Constitution,  and 
an  opposition  to  lawful  authority. 

Your  influence  and  advice  at  such  a  time  must  be  attended 
with  the  happiest  effects,  and  I  am  commanded  by  the  King 
to  repeat  to  you  his  Majesty's  great  satisfaction  in  your  con- 
tinuance in  your  Government ;  and  that  the  firm  and  pru- 
dent conduct  you  have  persevered  in,  notwithstanding  all  the 
difficulties  you  have  encountered  and  the  hazards  to  which 
you  have  been  exposed,  is  very  much  approved  by  the 
King. 

The  facility  with  which  Lieutenants  Campbell  and  Grant 
have  inlisted  men  at  New-  York  is  a  very  pleasing  proof  of 
the  good  disposition  of  the  people  to  return  to  their  duty, 
if  they  were  assured  they  might  do  it  with  safety;  and  I  doubt 
not  General  Howe  will  reward  the  diligence  of  those  officers, 
by  continuing  them  in  the  command  of  the  companies  they 
have  raised.  But  I  must  acquaint  you,  that  in  this  instance, 
as  well  as  in  all  others  which  may  occur,  the  officers  who 
are  appointed  to  command  corps  raised  in  America,  are  to 
be  on  the  same  footing  in  respect  to  rank  as  the  Provincial 
troops  employed  in  the  last  war ;  and  that  they  are  neither 
to  expect  rank  in  the  army  after  their  reduction,  in  conse- 
quence of  such  commissions,  or  to  be  entitled  to  half-pay.  I 
should  be  very  glad  to  show  every  attention  to  your  recom- 
mendation, but,  from  what  I  have  told  you  in  respect  to  the 


Lieutenants  Campbell  and  Grant,  you  will  readily  perceive 
the  difficulties  which  oppose  themselves  in  the  way  of  Cap- 
tain Stevenson's  request. 

Two  hundred  copies  of  the  pamphlet  you  mentioned  in 
your  letter  of  the  6th  April,  will  be  sent  to  you  with  this 
despatch  by  the  packet ;  and  I  shall  order  five  thousand 
more  to  be  put  on  board  the  first  ships  that  sail  from  hence 
for  New-  York.  I  am,  &c.,  GEO.  GEHMAINE. 

To  Governour  Tryon. 

P.  S.  When  I  was  closing  my  letter  Major  CaldweU 
arrived  express  from  Quebeck,  with  the  account  of  the  raising 
the  siege,  which  you  will  see  in  the  enclosed  Gazette  Extra- 
ordinary; and  although  it  shows  our  former  intelligence  to 
have  had  no  foundation,  it  happily  agrees  with  it  in  the  event, 
on  which  I  most  heartily  congratulate  you. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  Congress  having  resolved  to  raise  a  regiment  of 
Germans,  to  counteract  the  designs  of  our  enemies,  I  must 
beg  leave  to  recommend  to  their  notice  John  David  Wilpert, 
now  a  First  Lieutenant  in  Colonel  Shea's  battalion,  to  the 
office  of  Captain  in  said  regiment.  I  am  personally  acquaint- 
ed with  him,  and  know  that  he  joined  the  Virginia  forces 
under  my  command,  in  the  year  1754,  and  continued  in  ser- 
vice the  whole  war,  during  which  he  conducted  himself  as 
an  active,  vigilant,  and  brave  officer.  He  is  a  German,  and 
his  merit  as  a  soldier  entitles  him  much  to  the  office  he 
wishes  for. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  esteem,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF 
SAFETY. 

New-York,  July  8,  177fi. 

GENTLEMEN:  At  the  request  of  an  old  officer  of  mine,  and 
who  at  present  is  a  First  Lieutenant  in  Colonel  Shea's  bat- 
talion, 1  am  induced  to  recommend  him  to  your  honourable 
Committee  as  a  fit  person  to  command  a  company  in  the 
German  battalion  directed  by  a  resolution  of  Congress  to  be 
raised  in  your  Province.  John  David  Wilpert,  late  of  your 
city,  is  the  person  I  mean.  He  is  a  German  by  birth  ;  was 
a  soldier  in  his  own  country;  served  many  years  as  an  officer 
in  the  regiment  I  had  the  honour  to  command  in  the  Vir- 
ginia service  ;  always  supported  the  character  of  a  diligent 
and  brave  officer ;  and,  as  far  as  I  know  and  believe,  is  a 
man  of  good  character.  If,  therefore,  he  could  be  appoint- 
ed to  the  command  of  a  company  in  the  above  regiment,  I 
would,  from  my  knowledge  of  the  man,  pledge  myself  for 
his  good  behaviour  and  meriting  of  it. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  SEYMOUR. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  8,  1776. 
SIR  :  By  a  letter  from  his  Honour  Governour  Trumbull, 
received  on  the  5th  instant,  I  was  informed  he  had  ordered 
three  regiments  of  Horse  on  to  this  place,  (under  your  com- 
mand,) with  all  possible  despatch,  and  was  desired,  in  case 
they  were  not  wanted,  to  inform  Colonel  Silliman  thereof. 
Accordingly,  1  wrote  Colonel  Silliman,  acquainting  him  it 
was  my  desire  the  men  might  come  on,  provided  they  could 
leave  or  send  back  their  horses,  which  letter  did  not  go  for- 
ward as  soon  as  I  intended.  Major  Starr  this  morning  waited 
on  me,  informing  of  his  arrival  with  fifty  of  the  troop,  and 
that  the  rest  were  on  their  march.  I  have  ordered  him  to 
find  some  pasture  for  his  horses  this  day,  and  immediately  ride 
forward  and  acquaint  you  that  there  is  not  more  forage  on 
hand,  or  to  be  had,  than  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  use 
of  our  working  and  artillery  horses ;  and  that  it  is  my  desire 
your  men  may  be  halted  some  way  in  the  rear  of  this  place, 
and  their  horses  sent  back :  otherwise  the  men  can  only  be  a 
moth  and  a  check  to  the  service,  as  they  cannot  act  as  horse- 
men in  case  of  action,  or  if  they  could,  forage  could  not  be 
found  to  support  them.  I  think  it  absolutely  necessary  the 


125 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  In6. 


126 


men  should  be  here  till  the  new  levies  all  arrive  ;  but  for  the 
above  reasons  shall  he  necessitated  to  order  their  return,  un- 
less they  can  be  persuaded  to  come  on  without  their  bones. 
I  would  not  be  supposed,  by  this,  to  discourage  the  troops  of 
horse  from  being  in  constant  readiness  in  the  different  States, 
as  I  am  liilly  persuaded  they  will  be  much  more  useful  than 
the  militia  to  throw  in  succours  to  a  place  in  an  emergency. 
I  am  pleased  to  see  with  what  cheerfulness  and  alacrity  the 
troops  from  your  Province  step  forward  to  the  assistance  of 
their  countrymen,  whenever  called,  and  doubt  not  it  will 
continue. 

Major  Starr  will  be  able  to  inform  you  fully,  from  what  I 
have  mentioned  to  him,  the  absolute  necessity  for  the  men, 
and  the  utter  impossibility  of  keeping  the  horses.  Baggage- 
wagons  may  be  hired  to  bring  on  baggage  for  your  men,  from 
anv  place  they  leave  their  horses. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Colonel  Seymour. 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  A  CONFERENCE  OF  GENERAL  OFFICERS. 

At  a  conference  of  General  Officers  and  others,  at  Head- 
Quarters,  July  8th,  1776: 

Present,  His  Excellency  General  Washington;  Major- 
General  Putnam;  Brigadiers-General  Heath,  Spencer, 
Greene,  Scott,  and  Wadsworth;  Colonel  McDougall;  and 
Messrs.  Randolph,  Green,  Dennis,  and  Duer. 

A  proposition  having  been  made  to  the  General  to  sink 
hulks  in  the  North  River,  at  Tappan  Bay,  in  order  to  stop 
the  enemy's  progress,  it  was  fully  discussed,  and  agreed  that 
the  same  be  carried  into  execution:  Captain  Grenell  to 
sound  the  channel,  and  fix  the  buoys;  Captain  Dennis  to 
take  up  the  vessels ;  Captains  Lawrence  and  Tudor  to  have 
them  sunk  in  a  proper  manner ;  Captain  Grenell  to  take 
notice  of  the  commanding  ground,  so  that,  if  works  should 
be  hereafter  erected,  they  may  be  made  in  the  most  proper 
manner. 

The  General  proposed  to  the  General  Officers,  what  should 
be  done  with  the  troop  of  Horse  from  Connecticut  1 

Agreed,  That  the  men  be  detained  until  the  new  levies 
arrive,  but  the  horses  be  sent  home  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Congress  having  referred  to  the  General's  determi- 
nation the  propriety  of  marching  three  Regiments  of  the 
Continental  troops  from  Boston  to  the  Northern  Army,  and, 
in  case  of  need,  substituting  the  Militia  in  their  place, 

Unanimously  agreed,  That  the  said  three  Regiments  be 
immediately  despatched  to  join  the  Northern  Army. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer,  Doctor  Senior,  by  whom  this  wijj  be 
handed  you,  is  a  gentleman  from  Quebeck.  He  was  sur- 
geon of  Colonel  Church's  regiment  last  year,  and  went  from 
Boston  to  Canada  in  General  Arnold's  detachment.  His 
merit  and  services  render  him  worthy  your  notice ;  as  such, 
I  beg  leave  to  recommend  him  to  your  acquaintance. 

Believe  me  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant,  NATHANAEL  GREENE. 


ULSTER    COUNTF    (NEW-YORK)    COMMITTEE    TO    PROVINCIAL 
CONGRESS. 

Committee  Chamber,  Kingston,  July  8,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN  :  We  beg  leave  once  more  to  trouble  you 
with  a  complaint  which  has  now  become  general,  which  is, 
that  notwithstanding  our  frequent  applications,  we  are  yet 
left  destitute  of  powder.  And,  gentlemen,  we  have  reason 
to  believe  that  this  is  not  owing  to  a  scarcity  of  that  neces- 
sary article,  neither  do  we  believe  it  to  be  a  neglect  of  your 
honourable  Board,  as  we  have  been  informed  that  an  order 
has  been  issued  from  thence  for  that  purpose.  But,  gentle- 
men, whatever  may  be  the  reason,  it  is  unknown  to  us.  It 
is,  however,  a  matter  of  fact,  that  we  have  received  none  as 
yet.  It  is  also  well  known  that  our  town  has,  for  a  long 
time,  been  crowded,  and  is  yet,  with  a  set  of  ministerial 
cut-throats,  regular  officers  and  soldiers,  sent  here  as  pri- 
soners. A  detachment  of  our  Militia  has  been  lately  sent 
down  to  New-York;  and  although  strictly  charged  to  come 
with  arms  and  ammunition,  they  were  obliged  to  go  without 


powder,  for  we  had  none.  The  southern  and  northern 
Ministerial  armies  are  drawing  near.  Above  all,  the 
savages  threaten  slavery,  death,  and  destruction,  for  us  ;  and 
for  aught  we  can  see,  it  is  likely  that  the  whole  Militia  will 
be  called  upon  to  defend  the  dearest  rights  and  liberties  of 
our  country.  Considering  these  circumstances,  how  unac- 
countable is  it  that  we,  who  stand  foremost  in  defence  of 
our  invaded  liberties,  should  be  left  destitute  of  the  only 
means  by  which  we  can  defend  ourselves.  This  being  the 
case,  we  most  earnestly  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  take  this 
matter  into  your  most  serious  consideration,  and  grant  us 
such  timely  relief  as  you,  in  your  wisdom,  may  think  proper. 
We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

JOHANNES  SLF.GHT,  Chairman. 
To  the  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New-  York. 

P.  S.  We  just  now  received  a  letter  from  a  member  of 
the  Committee  of  Rochester,  an  extract  whereof  is  in  the 
words  following : 

"  I  yesterday  spoke  with  Silas  Bowker,  from  Papaconk. 
He  informs  me  that  an  old  savage  (a  friend  of  his)  has  ad- 
vised him  to  abandon  the  place,  without  delay,  with  his 
family,  to  prevent  their  destruction.  Alas  !  if  they  attempt, 
we  are  undone.  We  must  fall  piecemeal,  without  revenge, 
as  the  tenth  man  among  us  cannot  produce  a  charge  of 
powder.  If  the  Congress  can  pass  this  unnoticed,  then 
adieu  America !" 

JOHANNES  HARDENBURGH  TO  NEW-YORK  CONGRESS.       . 

Rosendall,  Ulster  County,  July  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  think  it  my  duty  to  lay  the  following  before 
your  honourable  Board,  by  way  of  complaint  against  the 
proceedings  of  the  County  Committee,  held  at  the  house  of 
Mrs.  Ann  Dubois,  on  or  about  the  13th  day  of  June  last, 
when  there  was  laid  before  the  Committee  the  order  from 
your  honourable  Board  for  me  to  give  my  resisons  why  I 
had  signed  and  delivered  two  credentials  to  our  Delegates, 
dated  on  one  and  the  same  day :  I  happening  to  be  there 
that  day,  to  deliver  some  papers  to  that  Committee,  which 
were  in  my  hands  as  chairman  of  the  former  County  Com 
mittee,  which  I  conceived  necessary  to  be  delivered  to  them — 
when  I  was  there,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  day,  I  was  in- 
formed by  the  chairman  of  said  Committee  that  there  was 
an  order  from  your  honourable  Board  for  me  to  give  my 
reason  why  I  had  signed  two  credentials,  on  one  and  the 
same  day  ;  on  which  notice  to  me,  I  desired  of  the  said  Com- 
mittee some  days'  time,  to  draw  up  and  give  in  my  reasons  at 
their  next  meeting,  which  I  was  denied  ;  but  ordered  to  give 
my  reasons  on  the  next  day,  at  eleven  or  twelve  o'clock  ; 
which  I  thought  impossible  for  me  to  do,  being  then  twelve 
miles  from  home  ;  and  having  none  of  my  papers  with  me, 
was  obliged  to  ride  home  that  night,  where  I  came  at  one 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  I  examined  the  proceedings 
of  the  County  Committee  of  the  16th  and  25th  of  April, 
as  also  of  the  13th  of  May,  and  then  drew  my  reasons,  which 
I  conceived  would  be  satisfactory  to  your  honourable  Board, 
in  the  best  manner  the  time  1  was  allowed  would  admit  of. 

What  follows  the  extraordinary  proceeding  of  that  admi- 
rable County  Committee  ?  On  the  29th  of  June,  I  received 
a  letter  from  the  chairman,  dated  the  28th  of  June,  to  attend 
the  said  Committee  on  the  4th  of  July  next,  to  account  for 
the  money  in  my  hands,  which  I  had  received  by  an  order 
of  the  former  County  Committee  from  your  Treasurer,  Mr. 
Van  B.  Livingston,  in  the  presence  of  two  of  your  mem- 
bers, (whereof,  I  think,  Mr.  Van  Zandt  was  one,)  and  then 
to  deliver  the  remainder  to  such  a  person  as  they  appointed 
to  receive  it ;  on  which  notice  I  attended  on  the  Committee, 
and  accounted  for  the  money  then  in  my  hands.  The 
balance  then  in  my  hands  was  two  hundred  and  sixty-seven 
pounds,  which  balance  I  conceived  I  could  not  give  out  of 
my  hands,  as  I  stand  accountable  for  the  said  sum  of  three 
hundred  and  sixty  pounds  at  any  time  to  the  honourable 
Congress,  when  they,  or  any  of  them,  shall  be  pleased  to 
call  me  to  account,  or  to  answer  such  contingencies  of  the 
County  as  they  shall  think  a  proper  County  charge,  or  such 
allowances  as  have  been  made  a  contingent  County  charge. 
Gentlemen,  whereas  I  was,  on  the  13th  day  of  May  last, 
empowered  by  the  then  County  Committee  to  receive  the 
before-mentioned  sum  of  money,  to  pay  the  contingencies 


127 


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128 


of  the  County  to  such  persons  as  had  a  just  right  thereto ; 
and  on  the  28th  of  June,  by  a  new  County  Committee, 
ordered  to  deliver  the  sum  then  in  my  hands,  on  the  4th  of 
July,  to  such  person  as  they  directed  me, — I  conceive  those 
proceedings  to  be  such  a  reflection  on  my  character,  that  I 
must  either  be  guilty  of  some  malpractice,  or  of  not  perform- 
ing my  duty  in  the  payment  of  the  money  intrusted  to  my 
hands :  with  neither  of  which  I  can  charge  myself,  and  defy 
any  person  to  charge  me  with  any  misconduct  in  the  pay- 
ment of  that  money.  I  therefore  thought  it  my  duty  to  lay 
the  same  before  your  honourable  Board,  and  shall  be  ready, 
at  any  time,  to  obey  your  orders  in  the  payment  thereof,  or 
such  others  as  have  a  right  to  dispose  thereof,  pursuant  to 
the  directions  of  your  honourable  Board. 

Gentlemen,  as  I  have  had  the  trouble  to  get  the  money 
brought  from  New-York  here,  I  expect  to  have  the  paying 
thereof  to  such  persons  as  have  a  just  right  to  the  same ;  but 
in  case  your  honourable  Board  should  be  of  opinion  to  order 
me  to  pay  it  to  any  one  person,  I  shall  think  myself  entitled 
to  the  same  fees  as  if  I  had  paid  it  to  many. 

Gentlemen,  the  confidence  I  put  in  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress, from  which  1  expect  the  clearest  streams  of  justice 
will  flow  to  every  person  that  may  come  before  your  honour- 
able Board,  has  induced  me  to  lay  this  before  the  honour- 
able Congress;  and  remain,  gentlemen,  with  esteem,  your 
most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JOHANNES  HARDENBURGH. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress  for  the  Province 

of  New-  York. 


ADDRESS  TO  GENERAL  SULLIVAN. 

To  the  Hon.  JOHN  SULLIVAN,  Esquire,  Brigadier-General, 
lately  commanding  the  Army  of  the  United  Colonies  in 
CANADA : 

The  humble  Address  of  the  Field- Officers,  lately  under  hit 
command : 

We,  the  Field-Officers  of  the  several  Regiments  now  com- 
posing the  Army  of  the  United  Colonies,  in  the  Northern 
Department,  having  been  informed  of  your  Honour's  intended 
departure  from  hence,  esteem  it  would  be  unpardonable  in 
us,  should  we  forego  this  opportunity  of  tendering  the  hom- 
age due  to  him  who,  upon  the  late  most  trying  occasion,  has 
comforted,  supported,  and  protected  the  shattered  remains  of 
a  debilitated  army,  and,  with  unwearied  care,  watchfulness, 
and  attention,  has  landed  the  publick  stores,  of  every  kind, 
without  almost  the  least  diminution,  safe  at  this  place.  It 
is  to  you,  sir,  the  publick  are  indebted  for  the  preservation 
of  their  property  in  Canada.  It  is  to  you  we  owe  our  safety 
thus  far.  Your  humanity  will  call  forth  the  silent  tear  and 
grateful  ejaculation  of  the  sick ;  your  universal  impartiality 
will  force  the  applause  of  the  wearied  soldier.  Permit  us, 
then,  worthy  sir,  to  take  our  leave,  wishing  you  every  hap- 
piness and  success  your  most  sanguine  inclinations  can  sug- 
gest, or  our  most  fervent  prayers  procure. 

John  Moore,  Matthew  Ogden,  William  De  Haas, 

Moses  Hazen,  Seth  Reed,  John  Greaton, 

Edward  Antil,  Joseph  Vose,  Israel  Shreve, 

Joseph  Celty,  Nathan  Fuller,  William  Maxwell, 

John  McDuOee,  John  Stark,  David  Rhea, 

Thomas  Poor,  John  Patterson,  Jotham  Loring, 

Enoch  Poor,  William  Bond,  Elisha  Porter, 

J.  Alden,  James  Read,  Abner  Morgan, 

Charles  Burrel,  Ar.  St.  Glair,  Anthony  Wayne. 
Crown-Point,  8th  July,  1776. 

To  the  Field- Officers  of  the  several  Regiments  composing 
the  Northern  Army. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Your  polite  and  friendly  Address,  presented 
at  this  hour  of  my  departure  from  the  Army,  demands  my 
most  cordial  thanks.  The  favourable  opinion  you  are  pleased 
to  entertain  of  my  exertions,  in  protecting  and  supporting 
our  distressed  Army  in  Canada,  gives  me  the  highest  satis- 
faction. 

If  the  publick  are  in  any  measure  indebted  to  me  for  the 
preservation  of  their  property  in  Canada,  or  the  Army  for 
its  safety  thus  far.  your  generosity  in  voluntarily  giving  your 
testimony  thereto,  at  this  time,  evinces  that  generous"  spirit 
which  I  have  ever  found  you  to  possess.  The  debilitated 
state  of  our  Army  rendered  the  task  of  saving  it  extremely 
arduous;  and  had  not  your  zeal  and  activity  so  strongly 


seconded  my  endeavours,  it  must  have  been  impossible. 
Duty  to  my  country  demanded  that  humanity  to  the  sick, 
and  impartiality  to  the  soldiers,  which  you  are  pleased  so 
politely  to  mention  ;  it  gives  me  the  most  sensible  pleasure 
to  find  my  conduct  in  this  respect  meets  with  the  approbation 
of  officers  so  truly  deserving. 

Gentlemen,  I  deeply  deplore  the  necessity  I  am  under  of 
quitting  this  department;  and  most  sincerely  wish  that  I  could, 
with  honour,  have  remained  to  share  with  you  the  fortune 
of  the  campaign ;  yet,  give  me  leave  to  assure  you,  that 
wherever  fortune  may  place  me  in  future — whether  the 
alarm  of  war  may  summon  me  again  to  the  field,  or  domestick 
affairs  call  me  to  private  life — your  safety  and  success  I  shall 
deem  inseparable  from  my  own.  That  an  indulgent  Heaven 
may  grant  you  success  equal  to  your  merits,  reward  your  toil 
with  the  conquest  of  your  unnatural  enemies,  and  in  due  time 
return  you,  crowned  with  laurels,  to  your  respective  families, 
shall  be  my  most  earnest  prayer. 

JOHN  SULLIVAN. 
Crown-Point,  8th  July,  1776. 


COMMITTEE  Or  OBSERVATION,  SKENESBOROUGH,  CHARLOTTE 
COUNTY,  NEW-YORK. 

The  Committee  for  this  town  having  had  due  process 
against  Lieutenant  Daniel  Brundage  of  this  town,  according 
to  the  Association  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  finding 
him  obstinately  unfriendly,  in  full  opposition  to  the  spirit  of 
said  Association,  hereby  give  notice  to  the  publick,  that  he 
may  be  treated  with  all  that  neglect  and  contempt  which  is 
so  justly  his  due,  for  his  incorrigible  enmity  to  the  rights  of 
American  Liberty. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

GARRET  KEATING,  Chairman. 
Attest,  JAMES  BURROUGHS,  Clerk. 

July  8,  1776. 


CHARLES  GUSHING  TO  HIS  BROTHER.  , 

Camp  at  Crown-Point,  July  8,  1776. 

DEAR  FRIEND  AND  BROTHER  :  After  my  love  to  you  and 
my  sister,  I  will  endeavour  to  relate  to  you  a  true  state  of 
facts  with  regard  to  the  Army  in  Canada,  (as  well  as  my 
own  private  concerns,)  which  I  believe  you  have  never  yet 
had,  being  very  much  imposed  upon  by  publick  prints  and 
letters  from  some  gentlemen  in  high  office,  inserted  in  the 
papers.  After  our  arrival  at  Albany,  our  regiment  was  the 
first  that  marched  for  Canada.  Three  regiments  more  of 
the  same  brigade  followed  as  fast  as  they  could,  one  after 
another.  We  were  forced  on  in  the  greatest  hurry,  passing 
through  great  difficulty  and  fatigue,  being  told  by  all  who 
came  from  that  country  that  there  was  no  doubt  but  Qucbeck 
would  be  surrendered  by  the  time  we  could  get  there,  or 
soon* after,  as  there  were  several  batteries  opened  and  play- 
ing upon  the  city.  And  we  went  on  with  good  spirits  and 
in  good  health  till  we  came  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  Sorel, 
where,  to  our  great  surprise,  we  heard  of  the  retreat  of  the 
army  from  Quebeck.  Here  we  first  made  a  stand,  and  being 
soon  joined  by  something  of  an  army,  erected  considerable 
fortifications.  We  had  here  a  considerable  number  of  can- 
non and  several  row  galleys;  but  we  were  in  a  most  pitiful 
situation.  We  had  never  drawn  any  provision  from  the  time 
we  left  Albany  but  pork  and  flour,  and  the  inhabitants  would 
not  take  paper  money,  and  we  had  no  other.  We  were  now 
at  a  great  distance  from  our  own  country,  and  the  pork  and 
flour  came  in  so  slowly  that  the  store  was  almost  exhausted, 
especially  the  flour.  In  some  days  we  could  get  none,  or 
not  more  than  half  the  allowance.  Although  there  was 
flour  in  the  country,  yet,  such  was  the  disposition  of  the  peo- 
ple, that  we  were  obliged  to  take  it  with  fixed  bayonets  ;  and 
the  most  of  the  flour  expended  in  Canada  since  our  arrival 
was  taken  in  that  manner.  The  inhabitants  about  Sorel 
seemed  more  friendly,  but  they  had  no  provisions  to  spare. 
The  retreating  army  from  Quebeck  began  to  scatter  into 
Sorel  soon  after  our  arrival,  having  the  srnall-pox  among 
them,  and  boat  loads  sick  with  it  were  landed  among  us,  so 
that  there  seemed  no  possibility  of  escaping  it,  and  it  was 
contrary  to  general  orders  to  inoculate.  Although  our  situ- 
ation was  unhappy,  that  of  the  army  at  Qucbeck  was  much 
more  so.  They  had  but  three  pieces  of  small  cannon  mount- 
ed, and  no  shot  suitable  for  them.  They  had  one  small 


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CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  177G. 


130 


mortar,  which  they  kept  in  play  to  no  purpose.  Tire  enemy 
kept  up  a  heavy  cannonade  from  the  city,  and  once  in  a 
while  would  throw  out  a  shell  filled  with  molasses,  or  open  a 
port  and  fire  a  pistol,  by  way  of  contempt. 

Our  army  had  no  breastwork  or  fortification  but  what  was 
built  with  snow.  Their  lines  extended  near  thirty  miles 
distant,  and  a  great  part  of  them  sick  with  the  srnall-pox, 
having  lost  a  great  number.  As  I  was  credibly  informed,  no 
less  than  thirty  captnins  died  with  it,  and  not  more  than  one 
in  three  lived  through  it  that  took  it  the  natural  way.  They 
had  gone  through  every  hardship  and  fatigue  that  men  could 
possibly  live  through,  the  winter  past.  The  weather  was 
most  inclement,  and  the  men  almost  starved,  for  sometimes 
they  had  no  bread,  and  sometimes  no  meat. 

On  the  arrival  of  General  Thomas,  he  found  the  army  in 
such  a  situation  that  a  speedy  retreat  was  necessary,  which, 
by  a  council  of  war,  was  agreed  to.  Their  lines  being  so 
extensive  and  their  army  so  scattered,  it  could  not  suddenly 
be  effected ;  and  the  enemy  getting  intelligence  of  it  from 
an  officer  who  deserted,  immediately  pursued  them.  In  that 
situation,  one  may  easily  imagine  the  confusion  they  were 
in,  every  one  making  his  escape  as  well  as  he  could,  leaving 
the  sick  to  the  mercy  of  the  enemy.  Yet  many  of  them 
who  had  the  small-pox  out  thick  on  them  came  off,  and 
went  through  the  greatest  fatigue,  and  were  exposed  to  wet 
and  cold,  without  blankets  or  anything  to  cover  them,  and 
I  afterwards  saw  them  at  Sorel.  What  ordnance  stores  they 
had  were  taken,  and  much  of  their  baggage.  The  first 
stop  they  made  was  at  Point  de  Chambly,  forty-five  miles 
from  Quebeck.  The  General  then  sent  an  express  to  Sorel 
for  provisions,  boats,  and  assistance,  to  bring  off  what  sick 
they  had  there,  for  they  were  continually  taken  down  with 
the  small-pox.  Captain  Bent  and  my  first  lieutenant,  with 
two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  were  sent  off  with  boats  to  their 
assistance.  They  then  retreated  to  the  Three  Rivers,  forty- 
five  miles  from  that  place,  and  from  thence  to  Sorcl. 

The  New-England  forces  now  began  to  be  very  uneasy 
about  the  small-pox  spreading  among  them,  as  but  few  of  them 
had  had  it.  It  was  death  for  any  doctor  who  attempted  inocu- 
lation. However,  it  was  practised  secretly,  as  they  were 
willing  to  run  any  hazard  rather  than  take  it  the  natural  way. 
Some  inoculated  themselves,  and  several  officers  and  myself 
began  it  in  our  regiment  at  Sorel.  We  had  been  at  Sorel 
but  ten  days,  when  our  regiment  was  ordered  up  to  Mon- 
treal, forty-five  miles  above,  on  the  river  St.  Lawrence. 
Colonel  Palerson's  regiment,  which  arrived  at  St.  John's  in 
two  days  after  ours,  was  directly  ordered  from  thence  to 
Montreal,  by  land,  about  twenty-seven  miles  across;  and 
soon  after  Major  Sherburne,  with  one  hundred  and  twenty 
men,  was  detached  to  The  Cedars,  to  the  assistance  of  Colo- 
nel Bedel's  party,  and  another  party  was  left  as  a  guard  to 
La  Prairie.  Colonel  Paterson's  regiment  was  now  so  re- 
duced by  detachments,  that  it  was  expected  the  inhabitants 
of  Montreal  would  rise,  as  it  was  easily  perceived  they  were 
making  preparations.  Our  regiment  was  now  under  the 
necessity  of  getting  there  as  fast  as  possible.  We  rowed  till 
after  dark,  when,  it  coming  on  to  rain  very  hard,  we  went 
on  shore.  Some  pitched  their  tents,  and  some  got  into  a 
small  house  and  barn  where  we  landed.  I  got  into  the  barn, 
which  was  shattered  almost  to  pieces,  and  being  much 
fatigued,  I  slept  very  well.  I  was  now  under  a  mercurial 
preparation  for  the  small-pox.  In  the  morning  we  set  off 
for  Montreal,  the  current  running  very  strong.  We  were 
not  like  to  get  there  that  day,  and  about  four  o'clock  P.  M., 
we  landed  on  the  point  of  the  Island.  At  five  P.  M.,  the 
regiment  marched  for  the  city,  leaving  myself  and  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  men  to  carry  up  the  boats  and  baggage. 
About  eleven  at  night  they  arrived  there,  having  marched 
fifteen  miles.  During  this  fatigue  we  had  nothing  to  eat  but 
flour  and  water,  and  lake  water  to  drink,  as  we  had  no  other 
since  we  came  into  Canada.  As  soon  as  they  came  into  the 
city  they  were  so  fatigued  as  to  lie  immediately  down  under 
the  walls  to  sleep,  and  some  lay  there  until  morning,  it  being 
impossible  to  move  them.  But  happily  they  arrived  as  they 
did,  for  that  night  was  appointed  for  the  Tories  to  take  pos- 
session of  the  place.  Here  we  tarried  about  ten  days,  and 
soon  after  our  arrival  the  regiment  in  general  were  inoculated 
for  the  small-pox.  General  Sullivan's  brigade  beginning  to 
come  in,  and  a  detachment  sent  up  from  Sorel,  our  regiment 
was  ordered  over  to  St.  John's,  to  have  the  small-pox.  Ac- 
cordingly, we  set  off  for  La  Prairie  about  four  P.  M.,  May 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  9 


31,  the  current  very  strong,  and  in  some  places  the  falls 
being  so  great  that  we  were  obliged  to  unload  the  batteaus  and 
haul  ihem  over  by  land.  About  dark  we  got  up  to  Aun*» 
Island,  where  we  tarried  all  night.  The  next  morning  went 
over  to  La  Prairie,  the  weather  being  very  rainy  all  day,  the 
men  much  exposed  to  it,  most  of  them  beginning  to  feel  the 
effects  of  the  disorder.  The  next  day  we  inarched  to  St. 
John's,  eighteen  miles.  The  small-pox  was  then  turning  on 
those  who  were  first  inoculated.  When  we  came  to  St. 
John's,  the  most  of  us  went  into  tents,  except  some  of  the 
worst,  who  went  into  a  large  house  and  a  barn.  Here  we 
could  get  nothing  to  nourish  us  without  hard  money,  except 
the  allowance  of  flour  and  pork  and  a  little  molasses,  which 
we  drew  for  the  use  of  the  sick.  The  inhabitants  would 
exchange  milk  for  pork,  but  at  the  rate  of  two  or  three 
pounds  for  one  quart. 

I  must  now  return  to  the  Army  below.  General  Thomas 
took  the  small-pox  the  natural  way,  came  up  to  Chambly, 
and  there  died  on  Sunday,  the  2d  of  June.  His  death  was 
much  lamented  by  the  New-England  troops.  General 
Sullivan,  with  his  brigade,  is  now  at  Sorel,  and  he  takes 
command  at  that  place.  Immediately  after  his  arrival 
there,  he  sent  General  Thompson,  with  two  thousand  men, 
towards  the  Three-Rivers;  but  before  they  got  there,  they 
were  attacked  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy,  who  defeated 
them,  and  took  the  General,  Colonel  Irvine,  and  a  large 
number  of  officers  and  men,  prisoners;  and  it  is  supposed 
that  two  hundred  more  perished  in  the  woods,  as  they 
retreated  in  the  greatest  confusion,  the  officers  without  men, 
and  the  men  without  officers.  But  it  gives  me  pleasure  to 
acquaint  you,  that  none  of  the  "  damn'd  Yankees"  were 
there,  as  the 'southern  troops  are  pleased  to  term  us.  We 
had  been  at  St.  John's  but  ten  days,  when  we  had  orders 
for  as  many  of  the  regiment  as  were  able  to  go  to  Sorel. 
Accordingly,  there  was  a  petty  surgeon's  mate  sent  to 
examine  the  men,  (not  trusting  to  our  own  doctor,  who 
was  a  good  physician,)  who  reported  two  hundred,  who  had 
been  off  duty  but  ten  days  for  the  small-pox,  fit  for  the  ser- 
vice. Although  they  had  the  disorder  light,  no  one  could 
think  them  fit  to  go  through  so  much  fatigue.  We  were 
reduced  very  low  by  dieting,  and  had  nothing  to  recruit 
with  afterwards. 

June  13.  We  set  off  for  Sorel  with  heavy  hearts,  none 
of  us  expecting  to  come  back  again,  for  General  Burgoyne 
and  all  his  troops  were  come  in,  our  Army  but  small  in  com- 
parison to  his,  and  if  we  were  defeated,  there  would  be  no 
retreat.  We  got  to  Chambly  the  first  day,  and  the  next 
morning  set  off  for  Sorcl,  and  before  night  met  Colonel 
Greaton  about  twenty-three  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  who  came  directly  from  there.  He  informed  us  the 
Army  were  retreating  as  fast  as  possible,  that  the  enemy's 
fleet  was  just  below  them,  and  he  ordered  us  to  go  on  shore 
and  cook  some  victuals,  and  then  return  back  to  Chambly 
as  fast  as  possible.  After  refreshing  ourselves  a  little,  we 
set  off  about  dark,  and  rowed  all  night  very  hard,  the  cur- 
rent running  rapidly.  In  the  morning,  about  seven  o'clock, 
we  got  up  to  Chambly,  when,  after  refreshing  ourselves  with 
a  little  breakfast,  we  were  obliged  to  assist  in  getting  the 
batteaus,  cannon,  and  other  stores,  above  the  lower  Rapids ; 
and  then  it  is  as  much  as  twenty  men  can  do  to  tow  a 
loaded  batteau  up  the  river  in  many  places.  After  our 
party  had  drawn  over  two  batteaus,  two  pieces  of  cannon, 
and  all  their  tents  and  baggage,  and  put  them  on  board,  we 
set  off  with  three  or  four  boats  up  the  river.  In  some  places, 
the  men  were  obliged  to  wade  up  to  their  middle.  At  dark, 
having  got  about  half-way  up  to  St.  John's,  we  pitched  our 
tents,  and  lay  down  to  rest.  In  the  morning,  we  proceeded 
to  St.  John's.  During  this  fatigue,  the  men  had  but  little  to 
eat  but  pork  and  flour,  and  lake  water  to  drink.  The  Army 
at  Sorel  brought  off  all  their  artillery  and  other  stores,  and 
arrived  safe  at  Chambly;  and  in  eight  hours  after  their 
departure,  the  enemy  had  come  up  with  their  fleet,  and 
taken  possession  of  Sorcl.  At  Chambly,  General  Sullivan 
made  all  the  despatch  possible  in  getting  over  the  artillery, 
stores,  and  boats,  there  being  a  large  quantity  of  them,  and 
not  less  than  a  hundred  batteaus.  We  lost  one  or  two 
pieces  of  cannon  by  staving  the  boats,  and  one  or  two  more 
were  lefi.  The  row  galleys  were  burnt,  and  I  think  we 
left  but  little  else,  except  four  schooners  that  we  burnt  in 
the  river. 

Our  Army,  consisting  of  about  six  thousand  men,  were 


131 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


132 


now  all  retreated  safely  to  St.  John's,  and  the  enemy  at 
Montreal  and  Chambly.  We  then  sent  the  sick  and  some 
of  the  stores  to  the  Isle-aux-Noix,  the  Isle-au-Motte,  and 
Point-au-Fer,  not  having  boats  to  carry  the  whole  Army 
and  stores  at  once ;  and  as  soon  as  the  boats  came  back, 
the  whole  Army  embarked  and  went  to  the  Islc-aux-Noix. 
Here,  what  boats  could  be  spared  were  sent  to  Crown- 
Point  with  sick  and  stores,  as  a  great  part  of  the  Army  were 
sick,  many  with  the  small-pox,  and  many  of  those  who  had 
had  it  were  sick  with  the  flux.  Here  we  were  obliged  to 
wait  for  boats  eight  days,  where  we  could  get  nothing  but 
pork  and  flour.  The  island  being  small,  not  more  than  one 
mile  in  length,  and  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  width,  the  land 
low,  the  days  hot,  and  at  night  great  dews,  and  such  a  num- 
ber of  men  on  so  small  a  spot,  and  many  of  them  sick — 
the  place  stunk  enough  to  breed  an  infection. 

At  length  the  boats  returned  from  Crown-Point.  We 
were  ordered  to  strike  our  tents,  and  put  all  our  baggage  on 
board,  and  the  invalids  who  were  not  able  to  march  by 
land.  Those  of  our  regiment  who  were  well,  and  about  a 
thousand  more,  were  set  over  to  the  west  side,  to  go  by 
land  to  Point-au-Fer,  about  twenty-six  miles.  During  our 
stay  at  the  Isle-aux-Noix,  there  went  a  number  of  officers 
about  a  mile  below  to  a  house  to  drink  spruce  beer;  but 
unfortunately  were  beset  by  a  party  of  Indians,  who  killed 
and  scalped  one  ensign,  one  captain,  and  two  privates,  and 
took  several  prisoners.  We  heard  the  guns,  and  saw  the 
fire.  A  party  was  immediately  sent  to  their  assistance ;  but 
the  enemy  were  gone,  and  had  left  the  dead  stripped  all  to 
their  shirts.  They  were  brought  to  the  Isle-aux-Noix,  and 
decently  buried.  They  all  belonged  to  the  rifle  regiment. 
The  Indians  attacked  several  boats  on  the  lake,  that  went 
above  after  some  flour,  killed  two  or  three  men,  and 
wounded  six  more;  the  others  escaped.  About  noon,  we 
inarched  for  Point-au-Fer,  and  soon  came  where  there  was 
only  an  Indian  path,  and  a  wet  swamp,  which  was  for 
a  great  distance  almost  up  to  our  knees  in  mud  and  water. 
Besides  this,  it  rained  very  hard  all  the  afternoon.  At  dark, 
we  came  out  against  a  bay  in  the  lake,  within  about  six 
miles  of  Point-au-Fer.  We  had  now  nothing  but  the  ground 
to  lie  on,  and  the  heavens  to  cover  us;  and  what  with 
the  rain,  sweat,  and  mud,  we  had  but  little  about  us  that 
was  dry.  We  soon  built  fires,  and  dried  ourselves  as  well 
as  we  could,  and  then  lay  down  to  rest  with  our  feet  to  the 
fire.  I  slept  very  well,  and  got  up  in  the  morning  refreshed. 
The  weather  cleared  off"  pleasant ;  we  got  some  breakfast ; 
and  about  nine  o'clock,  there  came  boats  enough  to  take  us 
all  off.  The  remainder  of  the  Army  came  in  batteaus  from 
the  Isle-aux-Noix,  and  all  arrived  at  the  Isle-au-Motte  that 
night.  We  soon  had  boats  enough  to  carry  the  whole  Army 
to  Crown-Point,  and,  I  think,  nothing  remarkable  hap- 
pened till  we  arrived  there. 

I  am  afraid  that  the  retreat  from  Canada  will  make  a  great 
noise  in  the  country,  and  many  reflections  be  thrown  out  by 
inconsiderate  and  ill-minded  persons ;  but  I  am  sure  that  any 
person  of  sense,  when  he  comes  to  know  the  truth,  must  be 
satisfied.  Some  scandalous  reflections  have  been  thrown  out 
upon  General  Thomas  for  his  proceedings ;  but  I  am  sorry  the 
character  of  so  worthy  a  gentleman  as  he  was  should  suffer 
by  men  who  are  striving  for  places  they  are  not  worthy  of. 
There  is  one  thing  I  have  omitted,  which  is  this :  that  a  great 
part  of  the  Army  at  Quebeck  inlisted  for  no  longer  than  the 
1st  of  April,  and,  as  soon  as  their  time  was  out,  would  stay 
no  longer.  I  am  very  sure  that  the  state  of  the  Army  in 
Canada  has  never  been  rightly  represented.  They  have  been 
shamefully  neglected  and  imposed  upon  through  the  means 
of  some  persons  who  were  appointed  to  provide  for  them. 
You  will  find,  in  the  New-England  Chronicle  of  the  27th 

of  June,  a  passage  in  a  letter  from  General  5 r,  where 

he  says  that  the  Army  in  Canada  has  been  well  provided 
for,  that  the  inhabitants  were  very  kind  to  them,  and  sup- 
plied them  with  everything  necessary,  Sic. ;  the  whole  of 
which  is  false  ;  for  we  had  never  yet  drawn  any  allowance 
but  pork  and  flour  or  bread,  except  once  a  few  peas  at  Sorel, 
and  what  I  have  before  mentioned ;  and  had  we  the  money 
for  what  the  vegetables  and  other  things  allowed  us  by  the 
resolve  of  Congress  have  fallen  short,  it  would  now  amount 
to  more  than  two  thousand  dollars  in  our  regiment.  It  is  not 
the  money  I  mind,  but  it  is  what  we  have  suffered  for  want 
,  of  those  necessaries. 

I  will  now  endeavour  to  give  you  some  description  of  the 


country.  It  is  full  of  navigable  rivers.  The  land  is  very 
good  on  them,  but  the  buildings  are  but  mean.  The  land 
a  little  back  of  the  rivers  is  unsettled,  and  appears  to  be 
very  poor.  The  river  St.  Lawrence  is  sufficient  for  a  large 
fleet  of  ships  to  come  up  to  Montreal,  one  hundred  and 
eighty  miles  from  Quebeck.  The  river  Sorel  is  navigable 
up  to  Chambly;  besides  many  others  which  empty  into  the 
St.  Lawrence.  Till  we  have  a  fleet  sufficient  to  come  into 
the  mouth  of  the  river,  it  will  be  impossible  for  us  to  do  any- 
thing in  Canada.  Had  we  taken  Quebeck,  we  could  not 
have  kept  it,  as  the  enemy  could  come  in  with  their  fleet, 
and  cut  off  all  communication ;  and  nothing  has  hurt  our 
cause  so  much  as  coming  to  Canada,  where,  in  my  opinion, 
we  had  nothing  to  promise  ourselves.  Our  Army  have  very 
much  imposed  upon  the  inhabitants,  and  promised  them 
what  they  could  never  perform,  which  will  set  them  against 
us ;  whereas,  if  we  had  never  concerned  ourselves  with  them, 
they  would  at  least  have  remained  neuter;  and  if,  instead  of 
spending  our  time,  lives,  and  health,  in  Canada,  we  had  been 
fortifying  our  own  frontiers,  we  should  now  have  been  able 
to  repel  any  force  they  could  send. 

We  have  lost  a  vast  number  of  men  with  the  small-pox, 
it'being  very  mortal  to  those  who  took  it  the  natural  way;  but 
our  regiment  has  been  remarkably  preserved,  and  my  com- 
pany in  particular.  We  have  lost  ten  or  eleven  in  the  regi- 
ment, and  those  took  the  disease  in  the  natural  way.  1  led 
a  company  of  seventy-six  men  into  Canada,  and  brought 
them  all  out,  seventy-four  of  whom  had  the  small-pox  while 
we  remained  there.  One  lad,  belonging  to  the  Cape,  who 
thought  he  had  had  it  before,  took  it  the  natural  way,  and 
died  here  at  Crown-Point. 

July  10.  We  have  now  been  at  Croivn-Point  eight  days, 
and  the  sick  considerably  longer;  and  since  their  arrival,  we 
have  buried  great  numbers — some  days  not  less  than  fifteen 
or  twenty;  but  few  have  died,  except  with  the  small-pox. 
Some  regiments  which  did  not  inoculate  have  lost  many; 
and  Colonel  Read,  in  particular,  says  that,  by  the  time  it 
has  gone  through  his  regiment,  he  shall  lose  one-third  of 
them.  When  we  first  came  to  this  place,  our  men  were  very 
feeble.  Besides  all  their  fatigue,  they  were  followed  with 
severe  fluxes.  But  they  recruit  very  fast,  having  good 
ground  to  encamp  upon,  and  good  water  to  drink,  and  some 
fresh  provisions ;  but  have  not  yet  had  any  vegetables  of  any 
kind.  Here  are  likewise  sutlers  who  have  spirits  of  all  kinds — 
wines,  sugar,  chocolate,  Sic.,  to  sell,  though  at  a  very  dear 
rate — sugar  three  shillings,  lawful  money,  per  pound,  &ic. 

These  are  only  the  outlines ;  to  relate  every  particular, 
would  fill  a  volume ;  but  I  fear  I  have  tired  your  patience 
already. 

Your  sincere  friend  and  brother, 

CHAS.  GUSHING. 

P.  S.  Please  to  give  my  regards  to  Colonel  Lincoln,  Mr. 
Andrews,  Mr.  Norton,  and  all  friends,  and  let  as  many  of 
them  see  this  letter  as  have  a  mind  to ;  for  I  have  nothing 
against  any  one  seeing  it  but  the  irregularity  with  which  it 
is  put  together. 

Hartford,  July  8,  1776. 

Last  Wednesday  passed  through  this  place  Governour 
Franklin,  of  New- Jersey,  on  his  way  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull,  at  Lebanon;  and  last  Saturday  he  returned  from  Leba- 
non to  Wallingford,  where  he  is  stationed. 

Friday  last,  a  pack  of  Tory  prisoners,  forty-nine  in  num- 
ber, taken  some  time  since  at  Johnstown,  were  brought  to 
this  town,  under  a  guard,  from  Albany,  and  delivered  to  the 
Committee  for  the  disposition  of  prisoners  in  this  Colony. 
We  hear  a  number  more  of  the  same  clan  are  on  their  way 
to  this  place. 

Several  regiments  of  Foot,  ordered  to  be  raised  in  this 
Colony,  together  with  three  regiments  of  the  troop  of  Light- 
horse,  have  marched  for  New-  York,  to  assist  in  the  defence 
of  the  capital  of  that  invaded  Province. 

Last  week,  twenty -two  prisoners,  taken  from  on  board  a 
barge  belonging  to  the  British  fleet,  as  they  were  sounding 
the  channel  below  New-  York,  arrived  safe  at  Farmington. 


ELISHA  CORNISH  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Symsbury,  July  8,  1776. 

MAT  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR  :  The  Committee  of  In- 
spection of  this  town,  in  conjunction  with  sundry  of  the 


133 


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134 


members  of  the  Committees  of  the  towns  of  Farmington  and 
New-Hartford,  convened  at  said  Symsbury,  to  consult  upon 
matters  of  importance,  that  fall  under  their  cognizance, 
taking  into  consideration  the  present  situation  of  Newgate 
prison,  beg  leave  to  represent  to  youc  Honour,  that,  since 
sundry  persons  have  been  sentenced  by  the  Superior  Court 
of  this  Colony  to  said  prison,  as  enemies  to  their  country, 
who,  it  is  generally  apprehended,  are  not  in  safe  custody; 
and  since  said  present  keeper  has  repeatedly  manifested  to 
said  Committee  and  to  others  an  uneasiness  under  the  burden 
of  his  office,  which  uneasiness  is  not  peculiar  to  him,  but 
pervades  the  body  of  the  people  in  these  towns;  in  our 
opinion,  some  effectual  measures  should  be  taken  to  prevent 
the  consequences  which  we  apprehend  may  soon  take  place, 
to  the  detriment  of  the  cause  we  are  endeavouring  to  defend. 
Permit  us  to  suggest  to  your  Honour,  whether  it  is  not 
necessary,  under  the  present  situation,  to  secure  said  prison 
with  a  sufficient  guard,  under  the  conduct  of  such  person  or 
persons  as  your  Honour  shall  think  fit  to  appoint.  Further, 
we  entertain  the  most  sanguine  hopes,  that  in  some  future 
time,  as  speedily  as  may  be,  your  Honour,  in  conjunction 
with  the  General  Assembly,  will  cause  an  addition  to  be 
made  to  said  prison-house,  wherein  a  prison-keeper,  to  be 
appointed,  may  dwell.  Such  a  step,  we  imagine,  will  be  a 
mean  of  retrenching  much  unnecessary  expense.  The  ap- 
prehensions of  imminent  danger  have  compelled  us  to  take 
this  measure.  Any  impropriety  in  it,  your  Honour  will 
benevolently  impute  not  to  our  arrogance,  but  to  the  love 
we  bear  our  country. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Honour's  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servants. 

Per  order  of  the  Committee : 

ELISHA  COHNISH,  Chairman. 


BENJAMIN  PAYNE  TO  JAMES  WARREN. 

Hartford,  July  8,  1776. 

By  direction  of  the  Committee  for  superintending  prisoners 
of  war  in  this  Colony,  I  have  to  inform  you  that  a  certain 
John  Graves,  of  Pittsfield,  in  your  Province,  was  sent  here 
by  order  of  the  Committee  of  said  Pittsfield,  some  time  in 
May  last,  he  being  accused  of  aiding  and  assisting  Captain 
McKay,  a  prisoner  stationed  here,  in  making  his  escape, 
in  direct  violation  of  his  parole.  And  said  Graves  being 
examined  touching  the  matter,  it  evidently  appeared,  by  his 
confession  and  other  evidence,  that  he  had  made  two  jour- 
neys to  Hartford  in  the  course  of  the  last  Spring,  the  last 
of  which  was  about  the  17th  o(May,  the  time  when  said 
McKay  escaped ;  that  he  (said  Graves)  was  not  only  con- 
cerned in  concerting  measures  for  effecting  said  McKay's 
escape,  but  actually  undertook  and  acted  as  his  pilot,  and 
when  they  had  got  as  far  as  Pitlsfield,  furnished  him  (this 
man)  with  fresh  horses.  On  which  he  was  committed  to  the 
jail  in  this  town,  where  he  hath  remained  ever  since  in  close 
confinement.  He  appears  to  be  a  low-spirited,  insidious 
fellow,  and  to  have  entertained  strong  prejudices  against  the 
liberties  of  America,  and  no  doubt  ought  to  be  brought  to 
trial  for  his  aforesaid  offence  ;  but  as  he  is  a  subject  of  your 
Government,  it  is  doubtless  most  proper  that  he  should  be 
brought  to  trial  there,  notwithstanding  he  so  far  perpetra- 
ted his  crime  here  as  to  bring  him  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  our  Court ;  yet  his  estate,  if  he  hath  any,  lieth  in  your 
Province,  and  the  evidence  (in  case  he  should  not  on  trial 
confess  the  matter)  would  most  likely  be  more  full  and 
clear  against  him,  not  only  to  this  particular  crime,  but  with 
respect  to  his  general  character.  Besides,  to  take  up  the 
subjects  of  one  Government  and  carry  them  into  another  for 
trial,  which  might,  with  as  great  propriety,  be  had  in  the 
Colony  where  such  offender  belonged,  may  prove,  on  occa- 
sion of  a  misunderstanding  between  Colonies,  of  dangerous 
consequence  at  all  times,  but  more  especially  at  the  present 
day;  which  on  all  occasions  ought  to  be  carefully  avoided. 
It  is  therefore  expected  that  your  Assembly  will  take  the 
affair  into  consideration,  and  give  orders  for  his  removal  from 
hence  to  such  place  as  they  shall  think  proper,  in  your 
Province,  in  order  to  take  his  trial  for  his  aforementioned 
offence. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

BENJAMIN  PAYNE. 
To  the  Honourable  James  Warren,  Esq. 


COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  TO  JERATHMEEL  BOWERS. 

Watertown,  July  8, 1776. 

SIR:  As  it  is  of  importance  that  the  Colony  vessels  should 
be  immediately  equipped  and  fixed  for  sea,  the  Board  have 
ordered  me  to  desire  you  to  use  your  utmost  endeavours  to 
hftTjMhe  two  vessels  (built  under  your  directions  for  the  use 
of  the  Colony)  completely  equipped  and  fixed  as  soon  as 
may  be.  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

JOHN  AVEHY,  Deputy  Secretary. 
To  Jerathmeel  Bowers,  Esq. 

SAMllEL  ELLIOT  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Boston,  July  8,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Some  days  past  I  did  myself  the  honour 
of  informing  you  (very  briefly)  of  Captain  Harding's  en- 
gagement. I  purpose  forwarding  the  particulars  as  they 
appear  upon  trial,  which  is  appointed  to  be  on  the  23d  of 
this  month.  I  am  now  just  setting  out  for  Reading,  to  ob- 
tain Colonel  CampbelTs  deposition,  which,  with  the  other 
evidences;  shall  be  duly  handed  you.  I  shall  esteem  it  a 
favour  in  your  Honour  to  inform  Captain  Harding  (who  will 
doubtless  be  with  you  by  the  time  this  reaches  you)  the  trial 
is  to  be  on  the  23d,  not  26th,  as  he  was  informed;  as  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  that  two  intelligent  persons  who  were 
on  board  the  brig  should  attend  the  trial.  Three  days  will 
make  an  amazing  difference.  There  are  many  claimants  ; 
but  my  counsel  affirms  that  half  the  ship  George  and  brig 
Annabella  will  be  adjudged  to  the  Colony  brigantine.  Cap° 
tain  Harding  will  assign  the  particular  reasons  for  leaving 
this  port.  It  was  the  opinion  of  all  his  friends  that  he  could 
not  justify  himself  in  staying  while  the  small-pox  was  so 
prevalent  in  this  place,  and  so  many  on  board  the  brig  liable 
to  take  the  infection.  We  parted  with  regret.  His  polite 
and  genteel  carriage  and  easy  deportment  has  gained  the 
esteem  of  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaintance. 

I  must  request  the  favour  of  particular  directions  respect- 
ing those  who  had  the  misfortune  to  be  wounded  in  the 
engagement.  They  have  had  the  best  attendance.  I  have 
discharged  their  bills,  with  the  Captain's  consent.  If  any 
allowance  is  made  to  them,  it  ought  (I  think)  to  be  deducted. 
Captain  Harding  mentioned  that  an  allowance  of  about 
thirty  or  forty  pounds  was  to  be  made  for  the  loss  of  a  limb, 
but  could  not  tell  with  respect  to  the  others.  I  should  be 
glad  for  it  to  be  ascertained,  as  it  should  be  taken  out  before 
there  is  any  division. 

I  must  beg  your  Honour's  pardon  for  thus  troubling  you  : 
but  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  mention  every  (although  some 
may  be  trivial)  circumstance  that  I  am  in  doubt  of.  With 
pleasure  I  would  acquaint  your  Honour  the  prize  brig^4n?in- 
oella  is  brought  up,  and  laid  along  side  Hancock's  wharf. 
She  is  damaged,  but  not  so  much  as  I  expected.  There 
may  be  some  directions  necessary  for  regulating  my  conduct  : 
your  Honour  may  depend  upon  my  strict  observance  and 
punctual  fulfilment  of  any  you  shall  at  any  time  think  ne- 
cessary to  favour  me  with. 

I  remain  your  Honour's  most  obedient  and  dutiful  servant, 

SAMUEL  ELLIOT,  Jun., 
Agent  to  Captain  Harding. 

P.  S.  Yesterday  Captain  Johnson,  in  a  sloop  of  ten  car- 
riage guns,  carried  into  Cape-Ann  a  large  three-deck  Jamai- 
caman,  with  near  six  hundred  hogsheads  best  sugar,  some 
rum,  &c. ;  also,  a  brig  loaded  with  rum  from  Antigua,  both 
bound  for  London.  She  had  been  cruising  about  six  weeks. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AMSTERDAM  TO  A  GENTLEMAN 
IN  LONDON,  DATED  JULY  9,  1776. 

There  is  not  a  maritime  nation  in  Europe  but  which  pri- 
vately carries  on  a  trade  with  the  British  Colonies  of  North 
America :  France  and  Spain  in  particular,  who  have  the 
best  opportunity  for  it.  Witness,  that  commerce  never 
flourished  so  much  throughout  all  Europe  as  it  has  actually 
done  since  the  beginning  of  the  present  American  war. 
Thus  Great  Britain,  formerly  the  provider  of  the  whole 
globe,  now  suffers  foreign  nations  to  enrich  themselves  by 
trafficking  with  her  own  Colonies,  while  she  is  contending 
with  them  for  power  and  vain  superiority.  The  armament 
of  France  and  Spain,  which  of  late  has  so  much  taken  up 
the  notice  of  Europe,  we  now  find  to  be  for  the  following 


135 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


136 


purpose :  It  is  far  from  the  intention  of  either  of  those  two 
Powers  to  interrupt  Great  Britain  whilst  she  is  engaged  in 
the  present  contest,  but  their  views  merely  are,  to  carry  on 
an  open  trade  (warlike  stores  excepted)  will)  the  Colonies 
of  North  America.  They  argue  thus :  As  the  Colonies 
were  kept  in  subjection  by  the  mother  country,  the  latter 
prevented  other  nations  from  dealing  with  them,  and  the 
former,  through  filial  affection  and  mutual  interest,  submitted 
their  trade  to  be  monopolized  by  the  mother  country;  but 
now,  the  ties  being  dissolved,  the  Colonies  being  declared  as 
enemies,  the  monopoly  ceases  from  itself,  and  every  nation 
may  go  to  market  according  to  their  interest.  It  was  in  the 
power  of  Great  Britain  to  prohibit  her  Colonies  to  trade 
with  foreigners,  but  it  is  not  in  her  power  to  prescribe  laws 
to  other  nations  prohibiting  them  from  trading  with  America; 
nor  does  it  consist  with  the  laws  of  nations ;  just  as  if  Russia, 
as  long  as  she  was  at  war  with  the  Ottoman  Porte,  would 
have  prohibited  all  Europe  from  trading  to  Turkey.  But  if 
Great  Britain  should  insist  upon  it  that  she  has  a  right  to 
prevent  other  nations  from  trafficking  with  North  America, 
both  France  and  Spain  are  determined  to  oppose  her  by 
force  of  arms ;  to  which  purpose  a  strong,  united  force  of 
these  two  nations  is  cruising  in  the  sea,  merely  to  act  in 
their  own  defence ;  and  as  it  is  impossible  for  Great  Britain 
to  submit  to  this,  nothing  is  more  sure  than  open  hostilities, 
to  be  soon  commenced  at  sea,  which  cannot  fail  of  involving 
all  Europe  in  a  most  horrid  war. 


THOMAS  OLIVER  TO  DAVID  FHIPS. 

London,  July  9,  1776. 

DKAR  SIR:  This  day  I  received  your  kind  letter  of  the 
9th  of  June.  It  gives  me  great  pleasure,  as  it  seems  to  carry 
with  it  a  degree  of  satisfaction  and  contentment  with  your 
present  situation.  Happy  I  am  that  you  did  not  leave  Hali- 
fax, to  encounter  the  expenses  of  this  extravagant  place. 
Every  article  of  expense  is  increased  fourfold  since  you  knew 
it.  What  the  many  poor  people  will  do  who  have  steered 
their  course  this  way,  I  cannot  tell.  Government,  however 
disposed  to  relieve  their  necessities,  will  not  be  able  to  answer 
their  numerous  claims.  Every  Province  of  America  affords 
its  petitioners,  and  I  apprehend  the  number  of  them  will  pre- 
vent the  gratification  of  any. 

I  think  it  my  duty,  in  point  of  friendship,  to  give  you  this 
hint ;  but  keep  it  to  yourself,  lest  it  may  be  construed  to  a 
kind  of  reflection  which  1  do  not  mean.  Upon  the  score  of 
secrecy,  let  me  hint  to  you,  that  your  friend  General  Gage 
is  entirely  in  the  private  walk  of  life ;  he  could  not  serve  you ; 
therefore,  my  good  friend,  you  must  be  content  to  wait  with 
patience  the  event  of  things.  If  any  opening  occurs,  I  will 
not  fail  to  advise  you  of  it. 

I  found  Mrs.  Oliver  well,  and  settled  in  a  little  snug  house 
at  Bromton,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London.  But  I  shall 
continue  here  no  longer  than  1  am  able  to  find  an  economical 
retreat.  I  have  not  had  time  to  look  about  me  yet ;  some 
cheaper  part  of  England  must  be  the  object  of  my  inquiry. 
Colonel  Vassall  is  at  present  in  our  neighbourhood,  but  he 
means  to  take  a  house  in  London,  at  the  court  end  of  the 
town,  and  enjoy  the  comforts  of  a  plentiful  fortune,  at  least 
for  one  winter. 

We  received  the  account  of  our  successes  in  Canada 
about  ten  days  before  the  arrival  of  your  letters.  It  would 
have  given  me  great  pleasure  to  have  received  first  from 
you.  You  know  it  would  have  given  me  an  opportunity  to 
have  shown  them  to  your  advantage — "  a  word  to  the  wise." 
If  anything  occurs  which  you  think  important,  let  me  have 
it  by  the  first  opportunity.  Direct  to  Lieutenant-Governour 
Oliver,  London ;  it  will  be  sufficient. 

I  hope  this  will  find  you,  Mrs.  P.,  and  family,  well,  and 
as  happy  as  your  circumstances  will  admit;  in  which  I  shall 
ever  take  the  part  of  a  sincere  friend  and  well-wisher. 

THO.  OLIVER. 
To  David  Phipt,  Esq.,  Halifax. 


COLONEL  DORSEY  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Elk-Ridge,  July  9,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  yours  of  yesterday,  in  conse- 
quence of  which,  have  ordered  the  Elk-Ridge  battalion  to 
meet  immediately,  and  will  send  the  number  of  men  required 
io  Annapolis.  Colonel  John  Dorsey  tells  me  that  you  desire 


a  company  of  the  Flying-Camp  might  be  sent,  if  they  were 
made  up.  On  inquiry,  I  find  that  there  is  no  company  near 
full,  though  perhaps  on  the  day  the  battalion  meets  they  may 
make  up  their  number;  if  so,  they  will  immediately  march 
do\v.n  ;  otherwise  will  find  a  company  of  Militia,  which  I 
imagine  will  be  with  you  on  Saturday.  By  a  letter  I  have 
just  received  from  Mr.  Paca,  I  find  the  Congress  have  passed 
a  resolve  that  the  Militia  of  Maryland  march  to  Philadelphia. 
I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  your  Honours  on  that  head  as 
soon  as  possible. 

I  arn,  with  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  DORSEY. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


STEPHEN  STEWART  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  9,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  yours  of  yesterday,  with  a  list  of  ves- 
sels. There  are  many  people  that  have  vessels  who  would  be 
glad  to  get  your  money  for  them,  whether  they  were  suitable 
for  your  use  or  not.  Will  have  as  fine  a  vessel  of  our  own 
as  almost  any  in  this  bay,  and  goes  pretty  fast ;  I  want  to  sell 
her  very  much,  but  am  afraid  she  would  not  answer  the  end 
you  want  her  for.  Mr.  Sprigg's  snow  goes  fast,  and  is  well 
calculated  to  be  lengthened,  by  putting  ten  feet  in  her.  She 
will  draw  but  little  water,  and  I  think  will  go  very  fast;  but 
I  may  be  mistaken  in  her  sailing,  though  she  certainly  sails 
fast  now.  I  will  be  off  on  Friday,  and  go  to  Baltimore  for 
you,  or  the  Eastern- Shore ;  though  your  business  requires 
my  being  in  the  yard,  I  will  do  what  you  think  most  advan- 
tageous for  the  Province.  I  think  to  get  Captain  Kilty  to 
go  to  the  Eastern-Shore,  and  will  get  him  to  come  up  with 
me  for  that  purpose.  I  think  the  most  of  those  vessels  you 
send  a  list  of,  must  be  in  Nanticoke  and  Wicnmico.  As  these 
two  rivers  are  blocked  up,  how  are  you  to  get  them  out,  if 
they  should  suit  your  purpose?  John  Ball  has  applied  to 
me  to  get  the  building  of  one  of  the  row-galleys;  which  I 
have  no  objection  to,  if  you  think  well  of  it.  The  more  of 
them  that  are  building  in  our  yard,  the  more  hands  will  be 
employed  ;  therefore  we  shall  be  better  able  to  protect  them 
from  the  enemy;  though  I  should  be  glad  Mr.  Ball  and  every 
honest  man  should  have  part  of  the  Province  business. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

STEPHEN  STEWART. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  JOSEPH  TRUMBULL. 

Philadelphia,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  so  engaged  in  the  execution  of  the  resolves 
of  Congress,  that  I  have  only  time  to  transmit  you  the  en- 
closed resolutions  respecting  your  department ;  and,  indeed, 
they  are  so  explicit  as  not  to  require  any  addition. 

I  wish  you  happy,  and  am,  with  sentiments  of  esteem,  sir, 

your  very  humble  servant,        T 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Joseph  TrumbuU,  Esq.,  Commissary-General. 


JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  MESHECH  WEARE. 

Philadelphia,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  highly  esteemed  favour  of  the  I8th  ultimo, 
enclosing  the  instructions  to  join  with  the  other  Colonies  in 
declaring  these  United  Colonies  free  and  independent  States, 
came  very  seasonably  to  hand.  As  we  were  so  happy  as 
to  agree  in  sentiment  with  our  constituents,  it  gave  us  the 
greater  pleasure  to  concur  with  the  Delegates  of  the  other 
Colonies  in  the  enclosed  Declaration,  which  was  yesterday 
published  in  form  in  this  city,  and  is  to  be  published  at  the 
head  of  the  Army  at  New-York  next  Thursday.  A  plan 
of  Confederation  is  now  forming,  which,  when  finished,  will 
be  transmitted  to  each  Colony  for  their  approbation. 

Major  Rogers  (whose  conduct,  it  seems,  was  suspicious) 
was  taken  up  some  time  since  by  order  of  General  Wash- 
ington, and  sent  under  guard  to  this  city.  He  requested 
leave  to  go  to  England,  by  way  of  the  West-Indies;  but 
Congress,  not  thinking  it  proper,  have  directed  him  to  be 
sent  to  New-Hampshire,  to  be  disposed  of  as  the  authority 
there  shall  think  best. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  most 
obedient  servants,  JOSIAH  BARTLETT, 

WILLIAM  WHIPPLE. 
Tb  Colonel  Weare. 


137 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


138 


LEWIS  GORDON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Committee,  Easton,  July  9,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  This  Committee  acknowledges  the 
receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  3d  instant,  by  express ;  and  being 
truly  sensible  of  the  critical  and  alarming  state  of  our  publick 
affairs,  will  most  cordially  comply  with  every  resolve  of  the 
Continental  Congress  to  sustain  and  promote  the  cause  of 
liberty  in  America.  This  Committee,  however,  are  entirely 
at  a  loss  how  to  send  any  troops  immediately  out  of  this 
country,  as  no  measures  have  hitherto  been  taken  to  raise 
men  for  forming  a  Flying-Camp ;  neither  had  we  had  the 
least  intimation  of  such  a  requisition  before  we  received  your 
letter. 

To  remedy  this  defect  as  well  as  possible,  we  propose 
instantly  to  take  out  of  our  four  battalions  a  proportional 
number,  so  as  in  the  whole  to  compose  a  body  of  three 
hundred  and  forty-six  men,  which  appears  by  General 
Roberdeau's  letter  of  the  6th  instant  to  be  our  quota  of 
Associators  allotted  by  the  late  conference  of  Committees  for 
this  County ;  but  we  are  at  the  same  time  utterly  unpro- 
vided with  money,  nor  have  we  so  much  gunpowder  nor 
lead  as  to  carry  the  men  to  New-Brunswick.  As  to  the 
article  of  tin  for  kettles,  we  are  told  there  is  none  in  the 
country;  and  we  pray  that  some  proper  steps  may  be  taken 
to  furnish  us  immediately  with  those  articles,  to  avoid  delay 
as  much  as  possible. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

LEWIS  GORDON,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  We  could  not  avoid  detaining  the  express  till  this 
moment,  being  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 


COMMODORE  HOPKINS  TO  CAPTAIN  HACKER. 

Philadelphia,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  5th  instant,  and  think  you 
are  pretty  well  hemmed  in.  I  think  it  best  you  should  keep 
your  vessel  in  the  best  posture  of  defence  you  can,  and  assist 
the  common  cause  all  in  your  power  with  your  sloop;  but 
should  it  so  happen  that  you  can't  help  falling  into  the 
enemy's  hands,  you  are  to  destroy  the  sloop,  rather  than  let 
them  get  her.  You  will  continue  thereabouts,  and  do  what 
service  you  can  until  further  orders.  You  may  draw  for 
any  supplies  you  may  want. 

I  am,  sir,  your  friend,  &tc.,  E.  HOPKINS. 

To  Hoysted  Hacker,  Esq.,  Commander  of  the  Fly,  at 
Brunswick  or  Amboy. 


Indians;  the  others  escaped.  This  breach  is  also  likely  to 
be  settled  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties,  as  the  headmen 
had  expressed  great  concern  at  the  conduct  of  their  foolish 
young  people,  and  promise  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  pre- 
serve our  friendship.  A  treaty  is  to  be  held  at  Pittsburgh 
with  the  western  Indians  the  beginning  of  October,  when  it 
is  hoped  they  will  listen  to  and  follow  their  true  interest,  as 
they  have  promised  to  do. 

The  chiefs  of  the  Six-Nations  met  in  council  at  Onon- 
daga,  on  the  18th,  19th,  and  20th  days  of  last  June,  pro- 
mised Mr.  Morgan  to  call  all  their  warriors  from  Canada, 
and  to  listen  to  the  Thirteen  United  States  of  America, 
being  convinced  that  their  advice  was  for  their  true  interest, 
as  they  have  no  business  to  join  either  side  in  the  present 
war  between  Great  Britain  and  America.  They  accord- 
ingly sent  off  a  party  for  the  above  purpose  the  22d  of  June, 
and  another  party  to  Niagara,  to  insist  on  Colonel  Butler't 
bringing  all  their  people  safe  back  immediately.  They  like- 
wise sent  off  two  large  belts  to  the  Lake  and  other  western 
Indians,  to  inform  them  of  their  determination,  and  to  desire 
they  will  also  sit  still. 

CAPTAIN  CRAWFORD   (PRISONER)  TO  JASPER  YEATES. 

Reading,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR  :  Mr.  Nesbilt,  of  Philadelphia,  was  so  kind  as  to  give 
me  the  enclosed  letter,  which,  if  I  could  have  got  a  passport 
from  the  Congress,  should  have  delivered  myself  when  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  Lancaster.  You  will  see  by 
the  contents  it  is  to  assist  me  in  procuring  money  for  the 
soldiers  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment  who  are  prisoners 
at  your  town.  I  beg,  therefore,  if  Captain  Strong,  of  said 
regiment,  should  be  in  want  some  time  hence,  on  account  of 
my  not  being  able  to  get  over,  that  you  will  be  so  obliging 
as  to  assist  him,  whose  orders  on  me  shall  be  punctually 
repaid  at  Messrs.  Conynham  fy  Nesbitt's,  as  I  shall  advise 
them.  Being  unknown  to  you,  sir,  I  must  beg  your  pardon 
most  particularly  for  this  intrusion  ;  and  remain,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  CRAWFORD, 
Captain  and  Paymaster  to  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment. 

To  Jasper  Yeates,  Esq.,  Lancaster. 


ADVICES  FROM  THE  INDIANS  BY  GEORGE  MORGAN. 

Philadelphia,  August  15,  1776. 

George  Morgan,  Esq.,  arrived  in  Philadelphia  from  the 
westward  on  Saturday,  the  10th  of  August.  On  the  9th 
of  July,  whilst  at  one  of  the  Shawanese  towns  on  the  Scioto, 
he  received  intelligence  of  three  Six-Nation  warriors  having 
passed  by  there  with  two  prisoners  they  had  taken,  sixteen 
days  before,  from  Virginia.  Mr.  Morgan  followed,  and  got 
to  their  own  town  before  them,  prevented  the  usual  punish- 
ment of  the  prisoners  on  their  entry,  and  insisted  on  their 
being  immediately  delivered  up  to  them,  unless  they  intended 
this  breach  of  the  peace  as  an  open  declaration  of  war.  All 
the  headmen  of  the  Six-Nations,  Shawanese,  and  Dela- 
wares,  who  were  called  together  on  this  occasion,  behaved 
in  a  very  friendly  manner,  and  joined  with  Mr.  Morgan  in 
his  demand  made  to  the  warriors,  who  soon  complied  there- 
with, and  were  promised  forgiveness,  on  condition  of  future 
good  behaviour.  These  warriors  told  Mr.  Morgan  they  had 
done  no  other  damage,  except  they  killed  a  young  man  they 
shot  at  when  they  took  these  prisoners ;  but  he  made  his 
escape,  though  they  believed  the  ball  entered  his  breast. 
The  prisoners  are  twin  sons  of  Andrew  McConnel,  late  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  removed  last  winter  to  Leestown,  on 
Kentucky  River,  and  were  taken  within  a  few  hundred  yards 
of  the  town.  Mr.  Morgan  brought  them  to  Pittsburgh,  and 
delivered  them  to  their  uncle  in  Westmoreland  County,  in 
this  Province. 

Since  then,  a  small  party  of  Shawanese,  in  returning 
from  the  Cherokee  country,  killed  and  scalped  two  per- 
sons near  the  Big  Bone  Lick.  They  were  pursued  by  a 
few  of  the  neighbours,  who  killed  and  scalped  two  of  the 


SAMUEL  TUCKER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  11,  1776.] 
In  Provincial  Congress,  Trenton,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  a  letter  this  day  received  from  General  Living- 
ston, enclosing  a  copy  of  one  from  General  Washington,  we 
seem  to  be  called  upon  to  make  provision  for  the  entire  de- 
fence of  our  own  shores  against  the  British  forces  at  Staten- 
Island. 

As  our  funds  are  very  inadequate  to  this  purpose,  it  be- 
comes absolutely  necessary  that  we  know  immediately  what 
we  are  to  depend  upon  in  this  very  important  article,  that 
we  may  set  about  providing  money,  provisions,  and  ammu- 
nition. 

We  had  thought  that  Congress  would  provide  for  the 
defence  of  every  part  of  the  continent ;  that  for  this  end  our 
brigade  was  to  be  formed  for  the  defence  of  New -York  in 
part ;  that  the  Flying-Camp  was  to  protect  such  parts  of 
the  Middle  Department  as  was  on  this  side  of  the  North 
River.  And  when  we  heard  that  General  Mercer  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  in  New-Jersey,  we  hoped  provision 
would  be  made  by  the  Continental  Congress  for  the  neces- 
sary supplies  of  the  Army  in  this  Colony,  as  well  as  for  their 
pay. 

Our  Militia  from  the  eastern  Counties  have  turned  out  in 
great  numbers,  but  they  are  very  destitute,  General  Living- 
ston informs  us,  of  everything  except  provisions.  When 
their  place  shall  be  filled,  as  we  hope  it  will  be,  by  the  Mili- 
tia of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Flying-Camp,  and  our  people 
discharged  to  attend  their  business  at  home,  which  is  very 
pressing  at  this  season,  they  will  expect  pay.  Must  we  pay 
them  ourselves  ?  Must  we  supply  them  with  ammunition, 
&c.?  We  have  no  other  resources  but  an  application  to 
the  Continental  Congress  for  the  latter  and  as  to  money. 
They  are  in  the  place  of  the  Flying-Camp — we  contribute 
to  the  general  defence  of  the  continent,  to  the  defence  of 
New -York,  of  Boston,  of  Virginia,  of  the  Carolinas,  When 
we  are  pressed  by  the  stroke  of  war  in  our  turn,  are  we  alone 


139 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


140 


to  sustain  the  burden  ?  The  continent  we  apprehend  should 
defend  the  continent.  We  are  loath  to  sirike  more  money. 
Taxes  to  any  very  great  amount  would  be  highly  imprudent 
at  this  time. 

What  are  we  to  do? — what  to  expect?  You  will  forgive 
us  if  we  beg  you  to  be  explicit  and  speedy  in  your  answer, 
as  the  exigency  admits  of  no  delay. 

Colonel  Broadhead,  by  our  advice,  has  marched  forward 
to  Amboy,  the  Tories  in  Monmouth  having  been  already 
crushed  by  our  Militia.    His  presence  at  Amboy  will  not  be 
unseasonable.     We  are,  sir,  your  most  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  Congress : 

SAMUEL  TUCKER,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  We  omitted  to  mention  that  General  Washington 
has  dismissed  a  great  part  of  our  Militia  from  New  -  York, 
with  orders  to  put  themselves  under  General  Livingston's 
direction  in  New-Jersey. 

JOSEPH  BARTON  TO  HENRY  WISNER.  ' 

Newton,  Sussex  County,  Jersey,  July  9,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  the  5th  instant, 
.relating  to  flint-stones.  I  have  sent  a  sample  of  the  flint  our 
country  abounds  in.  If  there  can  be  any  way  of  manufac- 
turing that  sort  of  flint  to  any  advantage,  there  is  enough  of 
it ;  besides,  there  are  two  other  sorts — a  red  flint  (which  is 
found  about  Menesint,  which  far  exceeds  any  flint  imported 
from  Europe)  and  a  green.  The  green  flint  which  I  have  sent 
you  is  better  than  the  common  sort  of  flint  used.  It  is  harder, 
and  will  fire  oftener  without  sharpening.  Besides  these  men- 
tioned, there  is  a  black  flint,  commonly  found  incorporated 
with  limestone.  Our  country  abounds  in  great  plenty  of 
this  sort.  I  have  often  made  use  of  it  for  gun-flints,  but 
don't  think  they  are  equal  to  the  other  sorts.  Another  sort 
we  sometimes  use,  which  we  call  the  crystal  flint,  resem- 
bling the  diamond  amongst  us.  They  are  commonly  small, 
but  at  Membacas,  near  Esopus,  they  are  very  large.  Could 
they  be  manufactured,  would  far  exceed  any  imported.  But, 
sir,  we  want  none  of  the  flint  here :  you  may  have  them 
all,  for  we  have  no  powder,  which  gives  great  uneasiness  to 
the  people  in  general,  as  we  expect  an  Indian  war,  should 
our  forces  fail  to  the  northward.  For  my  own  part,  could  I 
procure  powder  at  forty  shillings,  should  embrace  the  oppor- 
tunity. As  to  lead,  there  is  a  good  lead-mine  at  Nepenoh.  1 
have  used  the  lead  oftentimes:  we  could  help  ourselves  to 
that  article. 

I  pray,  if  in  your  power,  you  would  order  powder, 
if  it  were  but  a  quarter  of  a  pound,  each  man.  I  should 
rest  much  easier  for  my  part,  and  think  we  could  defend 
ourselves,  if  attacked  by  our  enemies,  in  some  measure ; 
but  now  we  have  nothing  but  our  axes  or  sticks  to  fight 
with,  should  we  be  attacked.  As  to  the  lead  mine.  I 
could  wish  it  might  be  worked  in ;  I  should  be  glad  to  un- 
dertake that  matter,  and  would  give  considerable  towards  it 
myself.  I  have  sent  three  different  sorts  of  flint  stone — the 
black  is  the  limestone  flint. 

Sir,  it  gives  a  great  turn  to  the  minds  of  our  people  de- 
claring our  independence.  Now  we  know  what  to  depend 
on.  For  my  part,  I  have  been  at  a  great  stand :  I  could 
hardly  own  the  King,  and  fight  against  him  at  the  same  time  ; 
but  now  these  matters  are  cleared  up.  Heart  and  hand  shall 
move  together.  I  don't  think  there  will  be  five  Tories  in 
our  part  of  the  country  in  ten  days  after  matters  are  well 
known.  We  have  had  great  numbers  who  would  do  nothing 
until  we  were  declared  a  free  State,  who  now  are  ready  to 
spend  their  lives  and  fortunes  in  defence  of  our  country. 

I  must,  my  dear  friend,  bid  you  farewell.  May  the 
Supreme  Judge  of  all  things  sit  at  the  head  of  our  affairs, 
and  give  that  great  and  august  body,  the  Congress,  wisdom  to 
govern  us,  and  by  their  wisdom  make  this  continent  a  great 
and  happy  empire.  I  expect  a  great  turn  one  way  or  the 
other  before  I  see  you  again. 

I  am,  sir,  your  loving  and  affectionate  cousin, 

JOSEPH  BARTON. 
To  Henry  Wisner,  Esq. 

N.  B.  I  believe,  sir,  could  the  gentlemen  see  one  Island 
in  the  drowned  land  near  Jacobus  Docker's,  called  Flint- 
Island,  they  would  think  we  could  supply  all  Europe  with 
gun-flints,  besides  our  own  country.  J.  B. 


IBBETSON    HAMER  (PRISONER    OF    WAR)   TO    PRESIDENT    OF 
CONGRESS. 
Kingsberry,  near  Trenton,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  some  reason  to  believe  that  you  have  done 
me  the  favour  to  answer  a  former  letter  written  you,  which 
I  have  not  been  so  fortunate  as  to  receive.  The  reason  of 
this  my  second  application,  is  on  account  of  a  late  order  of 
the  Continental  Congress  for  removing  the  officers  to  the 
interior  part  of  Pennsylvania;  and  as  I  suppose  the  order 
supersedes  the  leave  you  was  so  kind  as  to  give  me  to  reside 
near  Princeton,  I  now  take  the  liberty  to  acquaint  you, 
that  on  my  application  to  Mr.  Tucker,  he  recommended  it 
to  me  to  make  this  application  to  you  for  leave  to  remain  in 
the  same  quarter  for  some  time  longer,  with  permission  to 
come  as  far  as  Trenton. 

I  should  not  have  made  this  application,  but  for  some 
circumstances  which  have  happened,  and  which  make  it  of 
the  utmost  consequence  to  my  future  happiness.  Doctor 
Bryant,  with  whom  l.am  now,  is  the  bearer  of  this,  and 
returns  in  a  day  or  two,  by  whom  I  hope  to  be  favoured 
with  your  answer, 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
humble  servant, 

IBBETSON  HAMER. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  at  Philadelphia. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Amboy,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  Nothing  extraordinary  has  happened  here.  The 
frigate  that  appeared  yesterday  under  sail,  standing  towards 
the  town,  is  now  out  of  view — supposed  to  be  in  Prince's 
Bay.  At  this  post  and  the  Blazing-Star,  are  posted  about 
one  thousand  of  the  New-Jersey  Militia.  They  begin  to  be 
so  anxious  to  return  to  their  harvest,  under  the  apprehension 
of  their  families'  being  without  support,  if  they  continue 
longer,  that  I  have  permitted  a  draught  from  each  com- 
pany to  be  discharged — about  two  hundred  in  all,  and  have 
assured  the  others  they  shall  be  relieved  when  the  Penn- 
sylvania Militia  arrive. 

Ten  or  twelve  days  hence  the  harvest,  I  am  told,  will  be 
secured ;  when  it  is  so,  the  Militia  will  return  on  duty  with 
pleasure,  and  in  the  mean  time  will  assemble  at  the  first 
summons.  Some  troops  from  Pennsylvania  are  now  at 
Brunswick;  but  whether  they  are  composed  of  the  Militia, 
or  those  intended  to  form  the  Flying-Camp,  I  have  not  yet 
been  informed. 

The  enemy  on  the  point,  in  view  of  town,  appear  to  be 
but  few — works  of  defence  thrown  up — two  pieces  of  field 
artillery  only. 

We  have  found  a  convenient  and  strong  situation  for  fixing 
an  encampment  within  a  mile  of  Amboy ;  but  if  the  body 
of  men  intended  to  encamp  here  are  to  cover  not  only  this 
Province,  but  Philadelphia,  or  occasionally  march  to  New- 
York,  I  should  think  Brunswick,  as  being  most  centrical  to 
all  those,  would  be  the  most  proper  place  to  rendezvous. 
It  seems  to  me  most  eligible  to  .relieve  the  Jersey  Militia 
with  whatever  troops  come  immediately  from  Pennsylvania ; 
and  about  twelve  days  after,  when  their  harvest  is  secured, 
to  call  them  in  to  guard  their  own  coast,  or  go  upon  any 
other  necessary  service.  This,  I  am  persuaded,  they  will 
do  with  the  utmost  celerity. 

The  present  situation  of  the  enemy  discovers  no  intention 
of  their  attacking  us;  it  rather  points  out  an  attempt  on  their 
quarters,  which  being  made  at  once  at  different  places,  would 
probably  succeed. 

The  contractors  for  the  Army  here  (Colonels  Denham 
and  Loivrey)  tell  me  they  have  a  good  stock  of  pickled 
pork — upwards  of  eighty  thousand  pounds.  Any  quantity 
of  live-stock  and  flour  necessary  for  our  supplies,  may  be 
at  once  procured.  Colonel  Putnam  will  give  his  senti- 
ments as  to  the  practicability  of  defending  this  town.  I 
fear  it  will  require  more  cannon  and  ammunition  than  can 
be  spared  at  present.  As  soon  as  I  can  procure  returns  of 
the  ammunition  and  artillery  in  this  Province,  I  shall  com- 
municate them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  servant, 

H.  MERCER. 
To  General  Washington. 


141 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


142 


CAPTAIN  CREGIER  TO  THOMAS  RANDALL.  dispensed  with.     The  best  expedient  that  can  be  fallen 

Shrewsburytown,  July  9, 1776.        upon,  I  presume,  would  be  to  give  the  command  to  the 

WORTHY  SIR:  After  my  due  respects  to  you  and  your    senior  officer  of  the  troops  till  a  Brigadier  is  appointed, 
honourable  House,  I  am  to  inform  you  what  has  brought  me         I  have  only  to  add,  that  I  am,  with  much  respect,  sir, 
to  this  place.     You  must,  in  the  first  place,  know  my  busi-    your  most  obedient  servant,  „      w 

ness  here  is  to  draw  on  you  for  some  cash,  which  Mr.  John    nr-    ,1     r.  „        , ,     Ar  ,   ,     „    ,      „  INGTON. 

B..  i-  j  •  u  1-1       io  t»e  Honourable  Nicholas  Cooke.  Esq. 

Murray  has  supplied  me  with — sixteen  pounds  sixteen  shil- 
lings— on  account  of  your  schooner  General  Putnam,  for 
which  I  have  given  a  bill  payable  at  three  days'  sight,  which 
I  hope  will  meet  with  honour.  I  should  not  have  come 
this  far,  but  I  understood  at  Squam  Inlet,  where  I  left  my 
vessel  this  morning,  that  there 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  9,  1776. 
instant  is  safely  come  to  hand. 


SIR:  Yours  of  the 


lere  was  a  letter  here  for  me;  but  Colonel  Seymour  arrived  yesterday  with  a  few  of  his  men, 

it  has  been  intercepted.     Sir,  on  the  5th  of  this  instant,  being  when  I  sent  for  and  acquainted  him  it  would  be  impossible 

about  nine  miles  distant  to  the  southeast  of  Egg-Harbour,  f°r  me  to  have  his  horses  remain  here.     Forage  is  not  to  be 

I  saw  two  sail  standing  to  the  northward ;  I  then  gave  them  procured ;  and  if  it  could,  it  would  only  be  a  great  expense, 

chase,  the  wind  being  light;  I  got  out  my  oars,  and  rowed  Avithout  a  single  advantage  arising  from  it. 

until  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  wind  cairfe  to  The  men  are  absolutely  necessary,  till  the  arrival  of  the 

the  southwest.     After  eleven  hours'  chase,  I  drew  near  them.  new  levies.    Colonel  Seymour  is  to  propose  the  matter  to 

I  then  shortened  sail,  and  got  all  clear  for  action.     At  four  them  this  morning,  and  return  me  an  answer.     We  have 

in  the  afternoon,  I  got  within  one  hundred  and  seventy  intelligence  that  may  be  relied  on,  of  Lord  Howe  being  on 

yards  of  the  sternmost  ship,  in  order  to  board  her;  but  she,  his  passage  Tor  this  place,  with  a  large  fleet  and  about  fifteen 

putting  her  helm  hard  a  starboard,  hauled  up  her  ports,  and  thousand  men,  and  is  hourly  expected.    By  several  deserters 

gave  me  her  whole  broadside  of  ten  guns.     She  proved  to  be  from  Staten-Island  and  the  ships  of  war,  whose  accounts  all 

a  Ministerial  pirate  of  twenty  guns.    I  hauled  my  wind  in  for  agree,  we  learn  that  General  Howe  proposes  no  attempt  on 

the  shore ;  she  did  the  same,  and  continued  firing  without  us  till  the  arrival  of  this  reinforcement,  when,  it  is  said,  with 
intermission.     When  I  was  within  four  hundred  yards  of  the^  a  Part  °f  his  army  he  will  make  a  descent  on  the  Jersey  side, 

shore,  I  made  a  small  tack,  but  being  very  near  her,  I  re-  while  the  fleet  and  the  other  part  of  the  army  in  conjunction, 

ceived  her  whole  broadside,  at  which  I  hove  about,  and  ran  attack  this  city.    To  oppose  this  force,  in  which  the  Ministry 

ashore  about  forty  yards  from  Squam  Inlet.     1  then  got  all  Put  so  much  confidence,  I  think  it  necessary  to  exert  our 

my  arms  and  ammunition  on  the  beach,  and  the  ship  came  every  nerve,  and,  by  defeating  their  views  this  campaign, 

to  anchor  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  us,  and  began  be  enabled  to  meet  them  with  double  advantage  the  next, 

a  heavy  firing  upon  us,  and  continued  their  fire  for  near  Should  they  think  proper  to  pursue   their  unwarrantable 

half  an  hour,  when  at  last  she  hoisted  out  two  barges  and  measures,  I  hope  the  good  people  of  your  Colony  or  State 


manned  them  with  about  fifty  men ;  but  as  they  approached 
the  shore,  we  handled  them  so  roughly  that  they  were 
obliged  to  make  a  scandalous  retreat.  She  continued  her 
fire  until  dark,  when  she  weighed,  expending  upward  of 


will  be  ready  on  all  occasions  to  fly  to  our  assistance,  if 
needed ;  I  have  a  confidence  in  them,  and  doubt  not  they 
will  be  ready  and  willing. 

To  prevent  the  enemy  from  obtaining  fresh  provisions,  is 


four  hundred  pounds  of  powder.  I  had  seventeen  large  a  matter  highly  necessary  to  be  attended  to.  I  am  informed 
holes  in  my  mainsail,  and  some  shot  in  my  hull.  When  the  tnat  there  are  great  quantities  on  the  Islands  in  the  neigh- 
tide  made,  I  got  my  vessel  into  this  inlet,  where  I  will  repair  as  bourhood  of  New-London,  viz:  Fisher's,  Block,  Plumb, 

!l_  1  _         ._  J   1 ..!_  ",  f         .  i   •  ir»d      SVi rvrtl>/fth      /..  //<•*>  //,.      n  n  /I      ]\Jifti*4J*  «*«      T/]i"*. ,..,.,,.../  .     »l» 


soon  as  possible,  and  hope  to  pay  the  pirates  for  this  usage. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,       THOMAS  CREGIER. 
To  Thomas  Randall,  Esquire,  Member  of  the  Provincial 

Congress,  or  in  his  absence,  Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  Esquire, 

Member  as  aforesaid. 

P.  S.  They  were  both  ships.  The  money  I  have  taken 
up  of  Mr.  Murray  is  to  defray  some  expenses  I  am  at  for  the 
vessel,  and  to  purchase  a  little  spirits  for  my  people,  who 
(some  of  them)  are  sick  drinking  the  bad  water  that  is  on  this 


and  Elizabeth  Islands,  and  Martha's  Vineyard;  these  are 
accessible  to  ships  of  force,  and  no  doubt  they  will  soon  be 
on  a  plundering  voyage.  I  could  wish  your  attention  to  this 
matter,  that  the  stock  might  all  be  removed  quite  out  of 
reach  of  the  enemy.  The  east  end  of  Long-Island,  I  am 
told,  is  not  less  exposed  than  the  others.  I  think  effectual 
steps  will  be  taken  in  regard  to  that,  as  I  have  had  a  confer- 
ence with  the  Convention  of  this  Province,  and  an  order 
has  gone  out  for  driving  all  the  stock  from  the  sea-coasts. 
In  the  conference  of  a  full  board  of  General  Officers  yester- 


coast.  If  you  have  any  further  orders  for  me,  direct  for  me  day,  it  was  recommended  that  I  should  apply  to  your  Honour 
at  James  RandaWs,  at  Cranberry.  There  has  not  been  any  for  the  three  row-galleys,  being  now  at  New-London,  or  in 
vessel  arrived  in  any  of  the  inlets  these  six  weeks  past,  which  the  river,  together  with  as  many  heavy  cannon  as  you  can 

possibly  spare;  they  are  what  will  be  much  wanted  here; 

and  if  you  find  it  consistent,  would  beg  you  to  forward  them 

on  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  would  not  have  it  understood,  from  what  I  have  said 

above  in  regard  to  the  Horse,  that  I  think  their  coming  for- 


much  surprises  me.    Please  to  deliver  the  enclosed  letter. 


I  think  it  a  step  which  was  highly 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  COOKE. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  a  letter  received  by  Congress  from  Mr.  Thomas  ward  a  wrong  step. 

Green,  copy  of  which  they  did  me  the  honour  to  enclose,  I  advisable,  and  am  much  pleased  to  see  with  what  cheerful- 
have  the  pleasure  to  hear  of  the  arrival  of  Captain  Chase,  ness  and  despatch  your  orders  were  executed.     This  body 
with  a  valuable  cargo,  at  Providence.     And  as  that  honour-  of  Horse,  provided  they  are  well  armed  with  good  muskets, 
able  body  have  been  pleased  to  order  the  flints  at  Rhode-  must  always  be  of  greater  service,  on  sudden  emergencies  to 
Island  belonging  to  the  Continent,  to  be  sent  to  me  here,  throw  in  succours  when  called  for,  than  the  Militia, 
(as  per  their  resolution  enclosed,)  I  would  therefore  request         I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obe- 
you  would  cause  it  to  be  done  without  the  smallest  delay,  dient  humble  servant,  ^     ,y 
together  with  the  small-arms  which  came  in  the  vessel.     As 

to  the  duck,  if  it  is  of  the  kind  suitable  for  tents,  either  the  To  Governour  Trumbull,  of  the  State  of  Connecticut. 
whole  or  part,  I  should  be  greatly  obliged  to  you  if  you 

would  order  them  made  up  as  fast  as  possible,  and  for-  GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 
warded  to  Norwich;  but  if  it  is  coarse  and  stubborn,  and  of  New-York,  July  9, 1776. 
a  quality  unfit  for  the  above  purpose,  it  will  be  unnecessary        SIR:  The  enclosed  Declaration  will  show  you  that  Con- 
to  give  yourself  any  trouble  about  the  matter.  gress,  at  length  impelled  by  necessity,  have  dissolved  the 

I  am  very  sorry  I  cannot  spare  you  a  General  Officer,  connexion  between  the  American  Colonies  and  Great  Un- 
agreeable to  your  desire,  to  take  command  of  the  forces  tain,  and  declared  them  free  and  independent  States ;  and 
belonging  to  Rhode-Island,  but  in  the  present  critical  June-  in  compliance  with  their  order,  I  am  to  request  you  will  cause 
ture  it  is  utterly  out  of  my  power  to  comply  with  your  this  Declaration  to  be  immediately  proclaimed  at  the  head  of 
request.  General  Mercer  is  the  only  officer  who  has  no  the  Continental  Regiments  in  the  Massachusetts-Bay. 
brigade  assigned  him;  and  at  a  time  when  we  are  in  con-  It  being  evident  from  a  variety  of  concurring  circumstances, 
slant  expectation  of  some  important  movement  of  the  enemy,  that  the  British  armies  mean  to  direct  their  most  vigorous 
his  presence  is  so  necessary  here  that  it  cannot  possibly  be  operations  this  campaign  against  the  State  of  New-  York,  to 


143 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


144 


penetrate  into  it  by  way  of  the  Lakes  and  the  North  River, 
and  to  unite  their  attacks,  the  importance  of  it  has  induced 
Congress  to  take  further  measures  for  baffling  their  designs 
and  rendering  it  more  secure.  You  will  see  by  the  resolves 
now  transmitted,  that  the  Northern  Army  is  to  be  augmented 
by  part  of  the  troops  under  your  command ;  and  I  do  desire 
that  you  will  immediately  detach  for  that  purpose  three  of 
the  fullest  regiments  forthwith  to  march  to  Ticonderoga,  or 
such  other  place  as  the  said  Army  may  be  at,  and  put  them- 
selves under  the  order  and  directions  of  the  General  Officer 
commanding  the  same. 

You  will  also  perceive  that  Congress  have  resolved  that 
the  arms  taken  in  the  Scotch  transports  should  be  sent  here. 
The  President  informs  me  that  he  has  written  to  the  agents 
respecting  them ;  but  as  I  presume  they  are  in  your  posses- 
sion, or  in  some  of  the  stores  by  your  order,  you  will  have  the 
whole  of  them  forwarded  with  all  possible  despatch,  in  the 
usual  route,  and  with  necessary  directions. 

Congress  have  made  some  alteration  in  the  establishment 
of  Chaplains,  and  advanced  their  pay,  as  they  have  that 
of  the  Regimental  Surgeons,  as  you  will  see  by  their  pro- 
ceedings, copies  of  which  in  these  instances  are  also  trans- 
milted. 

You  will  be  particularly  attentive  to  hastening  the  march 
of  the  three  regiments,  and  give  proper  orders  for  their  route, 
and  to  the  Commissary  and  Quartermaster,  that  everything 
necessary  for  the  same  may  be  immediately  provided.  Their 
aid  is  much  wanted,  and  may  be  of  the  utmost  importance. 
When  they  have  marched,  you  will  be  pleased  to  put  the 
remaining  regiments  under  the  command  of  the  oldest 
Colonel,  with  such  instructions  as  you  may  judge  necessary, 
and  then  retire,  if  it  shall  be  agreeable  to  you,  for  the  reco- 
very of  your  health,  as  I  cannot  possibly  request  you  longer 
to  continue ;  and  wishing  you  a  speedy  restoration  of  it,  I 
am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Major-General  Ward.    , 

P.  S.  I  would  have  you  consult  with  proper  persons, 
and  some  of  the  members  of  the  General  Court,  respecting 
the  route  of  the  three  regiments  to  be  detached  to  the  North- 
ern Army.  And  if  they  shall  be  of  opinion,  that  they  may 
probably  arrive  there  as  soon  if  they  come  to  Norwich  and 
embark  from  thence  for  Albany,  I  should  think  that  would 
be  most  preferable,  for  two  reasons :  First,  it  will  ease  the 
troops  of  much  fatigue ;  and,  secondly,  they  might,  if  there 
was  a  necessity  for  it,  afford  succour  here  as  they  passed. 
I  do  not  mean  to  give  any  direction  in  the  matter;  nor  do  I 
wish  this  mode  to  be  adopted,  unless  there  appears  to  be  a 
probability  of  their  arriving  where  they  are  intended  to  be 
sent  by  Congress,  as  early  as  if  they  pursued  their  march  by 
land  and  across  the  country. 


rized  you  to  embody  and  take  into  pay  a  number  of  Militia 
equal  to  the  regiments  to  be  detached. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Hon.  General  Court  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 

Resolve  fur  tending  three  Regiments  from  MASSACHUSETTS-BAT,  lo  rein- 
force the  Northern  Jlrmy. 

In  Congress,  July  4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  empowered,  if 
he  shall  judge  it  advisable,  to  order  three  of  the  fullest  Regi- 
ments stationed  in  Massachusetts-Bay  to  be  immediately 
marched  to  Ticonderoga,  and  that  an  equal  number  of  the 
Militia  of  that  State  be  taken  into  pay,  and  imbodied  for  its 
defence,  if  the  Government  of  Massachusetts-Bay  judge  it 
necessary.  ROBERT  H.  HARRISON. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

New-York,  July  9,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  Decla- 
ration, which  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit  to  you,  that 
Congress  of  late  have  been  employed  in  deliberating  on 
matters  of  the  utmost  importance.  Impelled  by  necessity 
and  a  repetition  of  injuries  insufferable,  without  the  most 
distant  prospect  of  relief,  they  have  asserted  the  claims  of 
the  American  Colonies  to  the  rights  of  humanity,  and  de- 
clared them  free  and  independent  States. 

Judging,  from  a  variety  of  circumstances,  that  the  British 
arms  are  meant  to  be  directed  this  campaign  against  the 
State  of  New-York  to  effect  its  reduction,  Congress  have 
empowered  me  to  order  the  three  fullest  regiments  of  their 
troops  in  the  Massachusetts-Bay  to  reinforce  our  Northern 
Army,  as  you  will  see  by  a  copy  of  their  resolve,  which  I 
have  enclosed.  I  have  accordingly,  by  the  advice  of  my 
General  Officers,  requested  General  Ward  to  detach  them 
with  all  possible  expedition  to  join  that  Army,  and  prevent 
the  fatal  and  alarming  consequences  that  would  result  from 
the  enemy's  passing  the  Lakes  and  making  an  impression  on 
our  frontiers.  I  am  almost  morally  certain  that  no  attempts 
will  be  made  on  the  Massachusetts-Bay;  and  if  there  should 
they  must  prove  abortive  and  ineffectual — the  Militia,  inde- 
pendent of  other  troops,  being  more  than  competent  to  all 
the  purposes  of  defensive  war.  However,  should  it  be  deemed 
expedient  by  your  honourable  body,  Congress  have  autho 


New-York,  July  11,  1776. 

The  fourth  instant  was  rendered  remarkable  by  the  most 
important  event  that  ever  happened  to  the  American  Colo- 
nies ;  an  event  which  will  doubtless  be  celebrated  through 
a  long  succession  of  future  ages,  by  anniversary  commemora- 
tions, and  be  considered  as  a  grand  era  in  the  history  of  the 
American  States.  On  this  auspicious  day,  the  Representa- 
tives of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies,  by  the  providence  of 
t/Gfod,  unanimously  agreed  to,  and  voted  a  Proclamation, 
declaring  the  said  Colonies  free  and  independent  States, 
which  was  proclaimed  at  the  State-House,  in  Philadelphia, 
on  Monday  last,  and  received  with  joyful  acclamations. 
Copies  were  also  distributed  to  all  the  United  Colonies.  On 
Tuesday  last,  it  was  read  at  the  head  of  each  Brigade  of  the 
Continental  Army  posted  at  and  near  New-  York,  and  every- 
where received  with  loud  huzzas,  and  the  utmost  demon- 
strations of joy. 

The  same  evening,  the  equestrian  statue  of  George  III., 
which  Tory  pride  and  folly  raised  in  the  year  1770,  was,  by 
the  sons  of  freedom,  laid  prostrate  in  the  dirt,  the  just  desert 
of  an  ungrateful  tyrant!  The  lead  wherewith  this  monu- 
ment was  made  is  to  be  run  into  bullets,  to  assimilate  with 
the  brain  of  our  infatuated  adversaries,  who,  to  gain  a  pep- 
percorn, have  lost  an  empire.* 

DUTCHESS  COUNTY  (NEW-YORK)  COMMITTEE. 

In  General  Committee,         ) 
Dutchess  County,  July  9,  1776.  } 

This  is  to  certify,  that  John  R.  Livingston  proved  to  the 
satisfaction  of  this  Committee,  by  his  own  affidavit  and  the 
affidavits  of  the  principal  millwright  and  principal  manufac- 
turer, that  his  Powder-Mill  in  this  County  was  completed 
before  the  20th  day  of  May  last,  and  that  the  -quantity  of 
one  thousand  pounds  of  good  merchantable  gunpowder  was 
manufactured  at  the  said  mill  in  one  week,  or  seven  days 
successively.  By  order  of  the  Committee : 

EGBERT  BENSON,  Chairman. 

GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  CAPTAIN  SHAW. 

Lebanon,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR  :  On  receipt  of  this,  you  are  desired  to  prepare  and 
forthwith  transmit  to  me  a  particular  account  of  the  cannon 
left  at  New-London  by  Commodore  Hopkins,  their  num- 
ber, size,  bore,  and  weight,  how  they  are  disposed  of,  and 
where  to  be  found  at  this  time ;  also,  an  account  of  the  other 
cannon  at  New-London  belonging  to  the  Colony,  their  num- 
ber, size,  bore,  and  weight ;  particularly  distinguished  from 
those  brought  in  by  Commodore  Hopkins.  There  is  high 
probability  that  the  fortifications  building  at  the  harbour  of 
New-London  will  be  at  Continental  expense.  I  thank  you 
for  yours  of  yesterday.  The  law  has  made  provision  for  the 
supply  of  Captain  Richard  Deshon.  The  arms  you  im- 
ported may  be  purchased  by  the  Selectmen,  and  paid  by 
order  to  the  Pay-Table  for  that  end. 

From  your  humble  servant,       JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 
To  Captain  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  New-London. 

P.  S.  Please  send  me  also,  by  itself,  an  account  of  the 
stores  left  by  the  Commodore,  and  how  we  are  provided  for 
necessaries  for  the  cannon,  shot,  &c. 

*  Lord  Clare,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  declared  that  a  pepper- 
corn, in  acknowledgment  of  Britain's  right  lo  tax  ,'lmtrica,  was  of  more 
importance  than  millions  without  it. 


145 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


146 


WILLIAM  HILLHOUSE  TO  NATHANIEL  SHAW. 

Lebanon,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Colony  arms  to  be  divided  among  the  towns 
that  I  spoke  to  you  about.  New-London's  share  is  seven- 
teen, which  may  be  had  at  Captain  Brainard's,  at  Hadam. 
Mr.  Hosmer,  I  suppose,  has  given  orders  accordingly. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  Wsi.  HILLHOUSE. 

To  Mr.  Nathaniel  Shaw. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Lebanon,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  The  small-pox  in  our  northern  Army  carries  with 
it  a  much  greater  dread  than  our  enemies.  Our  men  dare 
to  face  them,  but  are  not  willing  to  go  into  a  Hospital.  I 
wish  to  have  every  precaution  taken  to  prevent  the  spread 
of  that  infection.  Surely,  by  care  and  good  discipline,  the 
infected  may  be  cleansed,  and  a  stop  put  to  its  progress. 
To  promote  this  design,  and  afford  every  assistance  in  my 
power,  I  have  sent  up  Major  John  Ely,  a  gentleman  skilled 
in  that  distemper,  whose  fidelity  may  be  relied  on,  to  con- 
sult and  assist  in  the  matter.  I  shall  cooperate  in  every 
measure  tending  to  the  security  of  the  rights  of  the  Colonies. 
The  two  battalions  from  this  Colony  will  come  on  soon  ; 
beg  they  may  be  preserved  from  the  infection.  The  two 
companies  of  ship  carpenters  will  begin  their  march  the 
beginning  of  this  week.  One  meets  at  Middletown  this  day. 
I  have  written  you  by  Captain  Winslow.  Captain  Lester 
will  follow  soon.  Do  not  doubt  you  will  find  both,  with 
their  companies,  skilful  workmen,  and  answerable  to  your 
expectations.  They  bring  their  tools.  Neither  of  the 
head  workmen,  and  but  few  of  the  others,  have  had  the 
small-pox. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient  hum- 
ble servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 
To  Major-General  Schuyler. 


MOSES  MORSE  TO  COMMANDING  OFFICER  AT  CROWN-POINT. 

Worthington,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachu- 
tetts-Bay  forthwith  to  send  an  express  to  Head-Quarters  at 
Crown-Point,  requesting  the  true  state  of  the  Army  in  that 
department,  and  the  danger  that  the  country  is  in  at  present 
from  that  quarter.  Would  inform  that  three  thousand  men 
are  preparing  with  all  expedition  to  come  to  the  relief  of 
that  part  of  the  country.  Also,  fifteen  hundred  more  are 
ordered  by  the  Continental  Congress  to  be  raised  for  that 
department.  Boston  is  become  a  hospital  with  the  small- 
pox. Also,  have  enclosed  a  copy  of  a  resolve  for  a  post- 
rider.  Have  appointed  Joshua  Morse,  of  Worthington,  for 
the  present. 

Am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

MOSES  MORSE. 
To  the  chief  Commanding  Officer  at  Crown-Point. 

"  In  the  House  of  Representatives,  July  6,  1776. 

"Resolved,  That  Jonathan  Brown,  Esq.,  Doctor  Moses 
Morse,  Mr.  Benjamin  Guild,  Oliver  Wendell,  Esq.,  and 
Major  Jacob  Davis,  be  a  Committee  to  agree  with  two  suit- 
able persons  to  ride  post  to  Crown-Point  once  a  week  until 
the  last  day  of  November  next ;  and  that  the  said  Post  take 
such  route  as  the  Committee  aforesaid  shall  think  best — the 
said  Post  to  start  from  and  return  to  Watertown  until  the 
further  orders  of  this  Court. 

"And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  some  person  be  ap- 
pointed at  Watertown  by  the  Committee  aforesaid  to  receive 
and  deliver  such  Letters  as  shall  not  be  delivered  before  said 
Post's  arrival  at  Watertown ;  and  that  all  Letters  to  or  from 
any  persons  in  the  Army  be  carried  free  of  charge. 

"  Sent  up  for  concurrence. 

"  WILLIAM  COOPER,  Speaker  pro  tern. 

"!N  COUNCIL,  July  6,  1776:  Read  and  concurred. 
"  JOHN  AVERY,  Deputy  Secretary. 

"  Consented  to  by  the  major  part  of  the  Council. 

"  A  true  copy :  Attest :  JOHN  AVERY,  Dep.  Sec. 

"N.  B.  Letters  to  be  received  and  delivered  at  Mr. 
Stephen  Harris's,  near  Watertown  Bridge,  and  at  Captain 
Nathaniel  Daniels' 's,  in  Worthington." 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  10 


PETITION  OF  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  TRURO,  MASSACHUSETTS. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  Colony  of  the  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY  in  Ge- 
neral Court  assembled  at  WATERTOWN,  July  9, 1776,  the 
Petition  and  Memorial  of  the  subscribers  humbly  show: 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Truro, 
legally  warned,  and  held  on  the  9th  of  July,  1776,  moved 
and  voted,  that  Israel  Gross,  liiubcn  Higgins,  and  Sylvanus 
Snow,  be  a  Committee  to  draft  a  petition  to  the  honourable 
Council  and  House  of  Representatives  for  an  easement  of 
our  Colony  taxes ;  which  is  as  followeth : 

We,  your  petitioners,  do  humbly  address  your  Honours  to 
take  into  your  wise  consideration  the  many  difficulties  your 
petitioners  at  this  time  feel  and  labour  under. 

Firstly.  The  sandy  and  lightness  of  our  soil,  which  is 
much  blown  over  to  sand,  does  not  afford  more  than 
half  a  sufficient  supply  to  support  our  inhabitants;  and  as 
Cape-Cod  harbour  is  open  to  the  enemy,  and  no  convenient 
harbour  in  this  town,  we  are  at  a  great  expense  in  trans- 
porting the  most  of  our  necessaries  from  other  places. 

Secondly.  The  enormous  loss  we  sustain  by  being  re- 
strained from  our  whale  and  cod  fishery,  which  was  our 
greatest  support,  besides  a  dormant  and  wasting  substance 
of  our  vessels. 

Thirdly.  The  exposed  situation  we  are  in  to  our  unnatural 
enemies ;  as  this  town  is  a  narrow  neck  of  land,  not  short 
of  twelve  miles  in  length,  and  from  a  mile  and  a  half  to  a  half 
mile  in  breadth,  and  makes  one  side  of  Cape-Cod  harbour, 
where  the  enemy  may  anchor  in  safety,  and  land  and  rob 
us  of  our  stock,  burn  our  buildings,  and  retreat  off,  before  we 
can  be  reinforced  from  our  neighbouring  towns. 

Fourthly.  And  that  by  reason  of  our  distressed  situation, 
from  four  years  taxes  our  constables  cannot  gather  enough 
to  support  our  reverend  pastor ;  as  we  were  ever  willing  to 
pay  the  first  money  collected  into  the  Province  treasury, 
and  left  the  town  treasury  empty;  for  which  reason  our 
schools,  for  six  months  past,  have  entirely  ceased,  and  many 
of  our  necessary  town  charges  remain  unpaid ;  besides  a 
great  number  of  poor  families,  widows,  and  fatherless  chil- 
dren, depend  on  the  charity  of  the  town  ;  and  although  the 
greatest  part  of  our  men  have  gone  into  the  war,  yet  we 
expect  they  will  bring  but  little  to  support  their  families,  by 
reason  of  extraordinary  expenses.  All  of  which  your  peti- 
tioners think  it  our  indispensable  duty  not  to  conceal,  but 
humbly  to  present  it  to  this  honourable  Court,  praying  that 
your  Honours,  by  taking  our  hard  lot  into  your  most  serious 
consideration,  would  be  pleased,  so  far  to  consider  us  as  to 
cause  an  easement  in  our  Colony  taxes :  and  your  petitioners, 
as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

ISRAEL  GROSS,  Chairman. 


COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

Watertown,  July  9,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Board  was  this  day  informed  that  you  had 
given  liberty  to  a  number  of  Continental  troops  now  sta- 
tioned at  Winter-Hill,  to  receive  the  small-pox  by  inocu- 
lation. The  Board  are  unwilling  to  credit  such  a  report,  as 
there  is  an  act  of  this  Colony  prohibiting  inoculation  except 
in  the  town  of  Boston.  They  therefore  request,  if  you 
have  given  out  any  such  orders,  that  you  would  immediately 
recall  them,  that  the  good  people  of  Medford,  &.C.,  may  be 
relieved  of  their  apprehensions ;  and  desire  your  Honour 
would  not  permit  any  of  the  troops  under  your  command 
to  receive  the  small-pox  by  inoculation,  in  any  other  town 
except  the  town  of  Boston. 
To  the  Honourable  Artemas  Ward,  Esq. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

Boston,  July  9, 1776. 

SIR:  I  am  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favour 
of  this  day ;  and  in  answer  thereto,  say,  there  is  no  Conti- 
nental troops  at  or  near  Winter-Hill,  except  a  guard  at  the 
powder  magazine,  and  they  have  all  had  the  small-pox. 

Yesterday  the  Selectmen  of  Medford  applied  to  me  for 
leave  to  make  use  of  one  of  the  barracks  at  or  near  Wmter- 
Hill  for  a  small-pox  hospital,  the  small-pox  having  broken 
out  in  said  town.  I  gave  them  leave  to  take  some  of  them 


147 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


148 


for  that  purpose.     I  thought  then,  and  I  think  now,  I  had 
a  right  so  to  do. 

I  am,  sirs,  yours,  and  the  honourable  Board's  most  obe- 
dient  and  very  humble  servant,  ARTEMAS  WARD. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Avery. 


BARNSTABLE    (MASSACHUSETTS)  COMMITTEE. 

MESSIEURS  PRINTFUS:  I'lease  to  give  the  following  a 
place  in  your  next,  and  you  will  oblige  a  friend,  and  help  to 
vindicate  the  injured : 

In  the  Watertown  paper  of  last  Monday,  I  then  being  in 
Boston,  had  the  mortification  to  see  a  piece  most  artfully 
dressed  up  in  the  form  of  a  Protest,*  against  the  proceedings 
of  the  town  of  Barnstabk,  in  a  late  meeting  of  theirs,  which 
was  held  to  choose  a  Representative  in  the  room  of  that 
truly  honourable  gentleman,  lately  admitted  to  the  Board. 

These  respectable  gentlemen  (as  the  protestors  are  pleased 
to  call  themselves)  have  endeavoured  to  make  it  appear,  by 
their  representation  of  ihe  matter,  that  the  town  of  Barn- 
stable,  in  voting  not  to  instruct  their  Representative,  did  posi- 
tively give  their  sentiments  as  a  town  against  the  measure 
of  Independency,  even  if  the  Congress  should  see  fit  to  adopt 
it ;  and  that  they  did  thereby  absolutely  refuse  to  support 
such  a  determination,  however  necessary  it  may  appear  to 
the  wisdom  of  the  Continent.  The  subscriber  to  this,  being 
an  inhabitant  of  the  town  of  Barnstabk,  and  present  at  the 
said  meeting,  humbly  requests  the  candid  publick  that  they 
would  for  the  present  suspend  their  judgment  of  this  matter 
(which,  as  it  has  been  represented,  must  appear  in  the  most 
unfavourable  light)  until  such  time  as  an  attested  copy  of 
the'  above  mentioned  proceedings  can  be  procured  and  made 
publick,  when  he  hopes  it  will  appear,  not  that  the  late  Pro- 
test was  designed  as  a  malevolent  aspersion  of  the  town,  but 
that  the  representation  therein  exhibited  has  not  the  truth 
for  its  foundation ;  in  the  mean  time,  I  am  the  respectable 
protestors'  humble  servant,  STURGIS  GORHAM. 

Boston,  July  9,  1776. 

JOSEPH  OTIS  ON  THE  PROCEEDINGS  AT  BARNSTABLE. 

Barnstable,  July  18,  1776. 

Mr.  EDES:  By  Power*  fy  Willis's  paper  of  the  llth 
July  I  find  an  inhabitant  of  the  town  of  Barnstable  greatly 
mortified  at  a  piece  in  your  paper,  dressed  up  in  form  of  a 
Protest,  and  with  a  sneer  at  the  persons  whose  names  were 
annexed  to  the  account,  "  begging  the  candid  publick  to  sus- 
pend their  judgment."  Who  dressed  up  the  piece  that  gave 
him  so  much  mortification  I  pretend  not  to  say.  But  surely 
he  showed  but  little  address  in  taxing  the  protestors  against 

*  We,  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Barnstable,  protest 
against  the  proceedings  of  said  town,  at  their  meeting  held  on  Tuesday, 
25th  of  June  instant,  respecting  their  giving  the  Representatives  instruc- 
tions with  regard  to  the  independency  of  the  Colonies,  as  it  was  recom- 
mended to  the  several  towns  in  this  Colony,  by  way  of  resolve  from 
the  honourable  House  of  Representatives :  and  as  a  vote  was  put  in 
said  meeting,  to  know  whether  the  town  would  proceed  to  give  any 
instructions  to  their  Representatives  agreeable  to  the  aforesaid  recom- 
mendation, which  was  carried  in  the  negative.  And  judging  it  to  be  our 
duty  to  protest  against  said  vote,  we  do  it  for  the  following  reason:  we 
think  such  a  measure  as  proposed  in  said  resolve  to  be  the  most  salu- 
tary that  can  be  gone  into  for  the  safety  and  well-being  of  the  Colonies 
under  our  present  oppressed  situation.  And  as  it  is  the  duty  of  every 
individual  to  give  his  voice  in  favour  of  the  aforesaid  recommendation, 
in  case  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  see  cause  to  declare  these 
Colonies  entirely  independent,  we  are  ready  and  willing  to  stand  by 
such  a  declaration  (if  it  should  take  place)  to  the  uttermost  of  our  power, 
with  our  lives  and  estates.  And  being  very  unwilling  that  the  aforesaid 
yote  should  be  passed  over  in  silence,  for  fear  of  offending  our  own 
consciences  in  being  thought  to  acquiesce  in  so  strange  a  vote  of  the 
town,  and  of  offending  our  countrymen  and  brethren  in  other  towns  who 
may  go  into  contrary  measures,  entirely  abhorring  any  principles  but 
what  are  for  the  good  of  the  United  Colonies  of  America,  and  detesting 
those  arguments  brought  by  some  men  in  said  meeting  to  dissuade  the 
people  from  complying  with  said  recommendation,  we  take  this  method 
of  letting  the  publick  know  our  dissent  from  the  aforesaid  proceedings 
of  the  town,  having  no  other  way  to  make  our  sentiments  known. 

We  request  that  this  Protest  may  be  entered  in  the  Town-book,  to  let 
posterity  know  that  there  were  a  few  in  this  town  who  dared  to  stand 
forth  in  favour  of  an  injured  and  oppressed  country,  treated  with  every 
species  of  wickedness  used  by  tyranny  to  enslave  mankind;  and  it  is  a 
matter  of  great  grief  to  us  that  the  cause  of  liberty  is  treated  with  such 
indignity  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Barnstable. 

Joseph  Otis,  Nathan  Bassett,          Cornelius  Lovell, 

Thomas  Annable,       David  Smith,  Seth  Lathrop, 

Benjamin  Smith,        Job  Howland,  Benoni  Crocker, 

Zaccheus  Howland,  James  Davis,  John  Bliss, 

Joseph  Jenkins,          Nathaniel  Howland,  Edmund  Hawes, 
Benjamin  Smith,        Ebenezer  Lathrop,    John  Russel, 
Freeman  Parker,        Binney  Baker,  Charles  Conant. 

John  Crocker,  Jun.,  Jonathan  Hallet, 

BARNSTABLE,  Junt  26,  1776. 


a  proceeding  of  a  town  meeting  with  "  artfully  misrepresent- 
ing" in  an  article  of  intelligence,  and  which  he  insinuates 
was  a  "malevolent  aspersion  of  their  town,"  when  the  pro- 
testors were  to  a  man  unacquainted  with  the  piece  until  it 
appeared  in  your  paper.  Nor  has  he  the  truth  for  his  foun- 
dation when  he  says  the  "  protestors  call  themselves  respect- 
able gentlemen,"  for,  in  truth,  the  protestors  have  hitherto 
been  silent,  and  the  paragraph  in  your  paper  only  styles 
them  "  respectable  inhabitants."  An  unfortunate  advocate 
for  truth  and  candour  this,  to  appear  in  the  first  part  of  his 
performance  destitute  of  both.  I  pronounce  the  account  of 
our  town  meeting  neither  true  nor  false,  nor  do  I  determine 
whether,  all  circumstances  considered,  a  negative  upon  the 
question  of  instructing  relative  to  Independence  was  a  nega- 
tive upon  the  question  of  Independence  ;  though  if  the  infer- 
ence was  natural,  it  was  unavoidable.  The  account  of  our 
town  meeting  in  your  paper  "  had  the  truth  for  its  founda- 
tion ;"  but  if  the  question  was  mistaken,  or  even  "artfully" 
stated,  I  see  not  how  the  protestors  are  responsible.  As  a 
protestor,  an  inhabitant  of  Barnstable,  and  one  at  the  meet- 
ing, I  join  issue  with  this  "  mortified"  young  man,  state  facts, 
and  leave  the  publick  to  draw  their  inferences. 

After  it  was  debated  largely  whether  the  town  would 
give  any  instructions  to  their  Representatives,  the  question 
was  put  by  yeas  and  nays.  Thirty  appeared  for  instructing, 
thirty-five  against  it.  There  was  a  long  debate  about  de- 
•  claring  independency.  One  said  "  it  was  downright  rebel- 
lion ;"  another,  a  staunch  friend  of  Governour  Hutchinson, 
said  "  our  trade  was  as  free  as  if  we  were  independent ;"  and 
these  were  violently  against  the  motion.  And  such-like 
weighty  arguments,  I  suppose,  obtained  a  majority  against 
instructing,  of  which  number  our  quandam  Captain  under 
Governour  Hutchinson  was  one.  The  protestors,  1  am  sure, 
for  one,  were  far  from  rejoicing  that  the  vote  was  carried  as 
it  was,  and  am  as  certain  they  have  no  desire  of  aspersing 
the  town  ;  though  if  exculpating  themselves  and  stating  facts 
"  mortifies  a  part  of  the  town,  and  our  candid  sneerer  at  the 
protestors  amongst  the  rest,  I  am  little  solicitous  about  that 
consequence.  I  have  no  wish  to  set  the  town  in  a  less  repu- 
table light.  It  is  my  opinion,  if  a  certain  party  had  not,  by 
their  boisterous,  illiberal  behaviour,  intimidated  the  major  part 
not  to  act,  (for  of  one  hundred  and  forty  voters  at  the  meeting 
sixty-five  only  voted  upon  the  question,)  the  question  would 
have  been  carried  in  favour  of  instructing,  and  the  town 
would  have  saved  its  credit,  at  least  in  this  affair. 

The  unprovoked  attack  upon  me  and  the  protestors  has 
drawn  me  into  the  view  of  the  publick  upon  this  occasion, 
supposing  my  silence  would  be  deemed  a  tacit  acknowledg- 
ment of  wrong,  which  is  all  my  inducement  to  answer ;  for 
the  sneers  of  a  little  emissary  of  a  desperate  cabal  are  as  con- 
temptible as  their  unremitting  malice  and  abuse  ;  happy  in 
conscious  integrity,  though  the  love  of  my  country  and  my 
efforts  in  her  service  have  opened  upon  me  the  throats  of 
deep-mouthed  mastiffs,  as  well  as  occasioned  the  barking  of 
lesser  curs.  This  unprovoked  attack  will,  I  hope,  apologize 
for  publishing  the  Protest  as  it  was  hastily  drawn  up ;  and 
submitting  to  the  judgment  of  an  impartial  publick,  I  am 
their  humble  servant,  JOSEPH  OTIS. 


Salem,  July  9,  1776. 

On  Wednesday  last,  was  taken  and  sent  into  Cape-Ann, 
by  the  Yankey  privateer  sloop,  in  the  Continental  service, 
(lately  fitted  out  at  Boston,  to  cruise  against  the  unnatural 
enemies  of  America,')  commanded  by  Captain  Henry  John- 
son, the  ship  Creighlon,  Ross,  master,  about  three 

hundred  and  fifty  tons  burden.  She  was  bound  from  Antigua 
to  Boston,  and  has  on  board  a  cargo  of  four  hundred  pun- 
cheons of  rum. 

Same  day,  was  also  sent  in  by  Captain  Johnson,  the  ship 

Zechariah  Baily,  ,  master,  four  hundred  and 

fifty  tons  burden,  with  a  cargo  of  rum,  sugar,  spices,  pepper, 
cotton,  &.c.  She  was  taken  about  a  fortnight  ago,  on  her 
passage  from  Jamaica  to  London.  This  ship  was  a  letter- 
of-marque  of  twenty-four  guns  last  war. 

When  the  above  ships  parted  with  the  Yankey,  she  was 
in  chase  of  several  other  vessels. 


COMMITTEE  OF  MACHIAS  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

Machias,  July  9,  1776. 

We,  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Machias,  beg  leave  to 
acquaint  your  Honours,  that  on  Saturday  last  came  into 


149 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


150 


our  harbour  the  Viper  sloop-of-war,  and  she  has  taken  five 
fishing  vessels,  two  of  which  had  about  one  hundred  quin- 
tals of  fish  each ;  all  of  which  vessels  were  taken  as  they 
were  passing  by  our  harbour,  bound  home ;  and  said  man- 
of-war,  after  tarrying  here  two  days,  sailed  for  Annapolis 
Royal,  with  her  prizes,  where  the  ship  Merlin,  of  eighteen 
guns,  lies,  there  to  fix  out  one  or  two  of  the  schooners  for 
tenders,  to  cruise  upon  this  shore  for  three  months,  to 
pick  up  every  vessel  that  passes.  Her  station,  as  we 
are  informed  by  Mr.  Ralph  Hacock,  is  from  Mount  Desert 
to  Granmenan.  Mr.  Hacock  was  master  of  one  of  the 
vessels  taken,  owned  in  this  place,  and  the  Captain  of  the 
Viper  gave  him  leave  to  come  on  shore,  by  his  pleading 
the  great  necessity  of  his  family;  and  Mr.  Hacock  gives 
further  information  that  the  Viper  mounts  ten  guns,  six- 
pounders,  and  twenty  swivels,  and  has  one  hundred  and 
thirty  men ;  but  have  been  on  two-thirds  allowance  all  their 
cruise.  We  would  inform  your  Honours,  that  had  the 
Machias  privateers  been  here,  we  should  have  tried  to  have 
taken  the  Viper;  but  being  destitute  of  any  such  assistance, 
we  lie  almost  at  the  mercy  of  our  enemies.  If  we  cannot 
pass  with  our  vessels,  we  can  maintain  our  families  but  a 
short  time  in  this  place.  Therefore,  we  beg  that  your 
Honours  would  take  our  difficult  circumstances  into  your 
consideration,  and  grant  us  such  relief  as  you  in  your  wis- 
dom shall  think  proper ;  and  we,  the  Committee,  as  in  duty 
bound,  will  ever  pray. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

BENJAMIN  FOSTER,  Chairman. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  and  the  Hon.  House  of  Representa- 
tives for  the  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay. 


THOMAS  OLIVER  TO  EDWARD  WINSLOW. 

London,  July  10,  1776. 

DEAR  NED:  I  received  your  very  obliging  letter  of  the 
23d  of  May,  by  Mr.  Simpson,  with  a  number  of  other  letters 
returned,  which  went  out  from  England,  directed  to  me  at 
Halifax,  or  Boston ;  and  I  am  much  obliged,  not  only  for 
your  kind  attention  to  my  concerns,  but  for  your  early  cor- 
respondence, containing  a  fund  of  intelligence  and  entertain- 
ment, 

I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  make  you  a  suitable  return, 
by  giving  you  such  information  as  would  be  new  and  enter- 
taining ;  but  long,  I  hope,  before  this  reaches  your  hands, 
you  will  have  known  the  great  preparations  which  are 
already  made  for  prosecuting  with  vigour  the  American  war. 
We  hope  that  these  appearances  of  determination  may  have 
great  effect  upon  the  southern  Governments,  in  bringing 
them  to  a  proper  temper  of  mind  for  a  speedy  reconcilia- 
tion ;  but  have  not  the  least  expectation  of  the  New-England 
people  giving  up  without  real  correction. 

At  this  season  of  the  year,  London  is  more  barren  of 
interesting  events,  or  any  great  movements,  than  Nova- 
Scotia. 

I  am  glad  you  did  not  come  over,  as  I  am  confident  you 
would  have  been  disappointed,  entre  nous.  The  application 
from  the  sufferers  in  America  are  like  to  be  so  very  numerous, 
that  I  apprehend  it  will  prevent  the  gratification  of  any. 
There  is  scarcely  a  Province  in  America  which  does  not 
afford  shoals  of  petitioners  hanging  about  the  Treasury; 
and  Administration,  however  well  inclined,  are  unable  to 
answer  all  the  numerous  demands.  Therefore,  my  friend, 
I  advise  you  to  trust  your  fortune  in  the  channel  you  are  in. 
If  times  alter  in  America,  it  may  alter  appearances  here. 
I  am  still  in  the  neighbourhood  of  London,  but  mean  to  get 
into  some  cheaper  part  of  the  country.  Colonel  Vassal  and 
family  are  well ;  they  will  continue  in  London.  I  am  not 
able  to  form  any  conjecture  whether  I  shall  succeed  in  my 
West-India  plan,  for  reasons  before  mentioned. 

I  remain,  your  affectionate  friend,  T.  OLIVER. 

To  Edward  Winskw,  Esq.,  Halifax. 

LETTER  FROM  THE  CAMP  BEFORE  GWlN's  ISLAND,  DATED 
JULY  10,  1776. 

Yesterday  morning  Brigadier-General  Lewis,  accompa- 
nied by  the  Colonels  Stephens,  Woodford,  Weedon,  and 
Bucknor,  arrived  here;  when  a  vigorous  attack  was  made 
on  the  fleet  and  camp  of  the  enemy.  The  ships  were  so 
roughly  handled  that  the  Dunmore  and  several  others  were 


in  a  short  time  towed  off,  and  the  enemy  abandoned  their 
works,  after  carrying  away  all  their  cannon  except  a  six- 
pounder.  We  have  taken  the  Lady  Charlotte  tender,  with 
three  guns,  a  very  fine  schooner,  and  a  pilot-boat,  which  they 
made  use  of  as  tenders.  The  want  of  boats  prevented  our 
seizing  many  Tories,  all  their  cannon,  the  greatest  part  of 
their  baggage,  and  the  negroes ;  the  enemy  have  burnt  sev- 
eral of  their  vessels,  among  them  a  very  fine  ship,  supposed 
to  be  the  Dunmore,  which  was  rendered  unfit  for  sea.  His 
Lordship  lost  his  china,  by  a  double-headed  shot,  and  it  is 
said  he  himself  was  wounded  in  the  leg  by  a  splinter.  The 
fleet  is  driven  off  without  water ;  and  although  they  have 
plenty  of  prize  flour,  there  is  not  a  biscuit  on' board.  The 
houses,  ovens,  and  fortifications,  which  they  have  begun  on 
the  Island,  plainly  prove  that  they  had  no  intention  to  leave 
it  in  so  precipitate  a  manner.  All  the  loss  that  we  sustained 
was  in  poor  Captain  Arundel,  of  the  Artillery,  who  was 
killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  mortar.  The  officers  and  sol- 
diers of  Colonel  Dangerfield's  regiment  behaved  with  great 
bravery. 


PARTICULAR  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  ATTACK  AND  ROUT  OF  LORD 
DUNMORE,  WITH  HIS  PIRATICAL  CKEW,  FROM  GWIN's  ISL- 
AND. 

We  got  to  the  Island  on  Monday,  the  8th  of  July,  and 
next  morning,  at  eight  o'clock,  began  a  furious  attack  upon 
the  enemy's  shipping,  camp,  and  fortifications,  from  two 
batteries — one  of  five  six  and  nine-pounders,  the  other 
mounting  two  18-pounders.  What  forces  the  enemy  had 
were  encamped  on  a  point  of  the  Island,  nearly  opposite 
to  our  five-gun  battery,  covered  by  a  battery  of  four  em- 
brasures, and  a  breastwork  of  considerable  extent.  Besides 
this,  they  had  two  other  batteries,  and  a  stockade  fort  higher 
up  the  haven,  where  troops  were  stationed  to  prevent  our 
landing.  In  the  haven,  were  three  tenders — one  a  sloop, 
(the  Lady  Charlotte,)  mounting  six  carriage-guns,  a  schooner 
of  two  carriage-guns,  six  swivels,  and  a  cohorn,  and  a  pilot- 
boat,  badly  armed — who  had  orders  from  Captain  Ham- 
mond, of  the  Roebuck,  to  prevent  our  boats  passing  over  to 
the  Island,  and  to  annoy  the  Rebels  by  every  means  in  their 
power. 

General  Lewis  announced  his  orders  for  attacking  the 
enemy,  by  putting  a  match  to  the  first  gun,  an  18-pounder, 
himself;  and  the  Dunmore,  being  the  nearest  to  us,  at  the 
distance  of  only  four  or  five  hundred  yards,  the  shll  passed 
through  her  hull,  and  did  considerable  damage.  Our  five- 
gun  battery  likewise  began  playing  on  the  fleet,  the  enemy's 
camp,  and  works ;  and  the  fire  soon  became  so  hot,  that  the 
Dunmore  was  obliged  to  cut  her  cables  and  haul  off,  after 
receiving  ten  shot,  some  of  which  raked  her  fore  and  aft. 
The  Otter  lay  next  to  her,  and  it  was  expected  would  have 
taken  her  birth  ;  but  the  first  shot  we  gave  her  took  effect, 
supposed  between  wind  and  water,  as  she  immediately 
slipped  her  cable  likewise,  and  hauled  out  on  a  careen, 
without  firing  a  gun.  By  this  time,  all  the  fleet  any  way 
near  shore  began  to  slip  their  cables,  in  the  utmost  confu- 
sion ;  and  had  the  wind  set  in  with  a  flood  tide,  we  must 
have  taken  great  numbers  of  them.  Our  18-pounders  did 
great  execution  from  the  upper  battery,  which  raked  the 
whole  fleet ;  and  Captain  Denny,  who  commanded  the  other 
battery,  soon  silenced  the  enemy  at  the  point,  knocking  down- 
several  tents,  which  put  their  camp  into  great  confusion.  At 
half  after  nine,  the  firing  ceased,  which  was  renewed  again 
at  twelve,  with  double  vigour,  from  both  batteries ;  and 
nothing  prevented  our  pushing  to  the  Island,  during  the  can- 
nonade, but  the  want  of  vessels. 

The  General  being  determined  to  cross  next  day,  gave 
orders  for  all  the  small  craft  to  be  collected  together  from 
the  neighbouring  creek  that  night,  and  two  brass  field-pieces, 
six;pounders,  to  be  carried  to  a  place  called  Lower  Windmill 
Point,  to  attack  the  tender  that  lay  there,  and  facilitate  our 
crossing.  Accordingly,  in  the  morning  Captain  Harrison, 
who  had  the  direction  of  those  field-pieces,  began  playing 
upon  the  tenders,  which  he  galled  so  much  that  the  schooner 
ran  up  a  small  creek  which  made  into  the  Island,  where 
the  crew  abandoned  her,  and  the  sloop  got  aground  in  reach 
of  our  cannon ;  upon  which,  the  General  ordered  Captain 
Smith,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  with  his  company,  to  man 
the  canoes  and  board  her,  which  was  done  with  alacrity. 
However,  before  our  men  came  up  with  her,  the  crew  got  into 


151 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


152 


their  boats,  and  pushed  for  the  Island  ;  but  Captain  Smith, 
very  prudently  passing  the  tender,  pursued  them  so  close, 
that  before  they  could  reach  the  shore,  he  exchanged  a  few 
shot  with  them,  and  took  part  of  them  prisoners.  The 
enemy's  lookouts,  perceiving  our  men  close  upon  the  lower 
part  of  the  Island,  cried  out,  "  The  Shirtmen  are  coming,"  and 
scampered  off.  The  pilot-boat  made  no  resistance. 

General  Lewis  then  ordered  two  hundred  men,  under 
Colonel  McClanahan,  to  land  in  the  Island;  which  was  per- 
formed as  expeditiously  as  our  small  vessels  would  admit  of. 
On  our  arrival,  we  found  the  enemy  had  evacuated  the  place 
with  the  greatest  precipitation,  and  were  struck  with  horrour 
at  the  number  of  dead  bodies,  in  a  state  of  putrefaction, 
strewed  all  the  way  from  their  battery  to  Cherry-Point, 
about  two  miles  in  length,  without  a  shovelful  of  eanh  upon 
them ;  others  gasping  for  life ;  and  some  had  crawled  to  the 
water's  edge,  who  could  only  make  known  their  distress  by 
beckoning  to  us.  By  the  small-pox,  and  other  malignant 
disorders  which  have  raged  on  board  the  fleet  for  many  months 
past,  it  is  clear  they  have  lost,  since  their  arrival  at  Givin's 
Island,  near  five  hundred  souls.  I  myself  counted  one 
hundred  and  thirty  graves,  or  rather  holes,  loosely  covered 
over  with  earth,  close  together,  many  of  them  large  enough 
to  hold  a  corporal's  guard.  One,  in  the  middle,  was  neatly 
done  up  with  turf,  and  is  supposed  to  contain  the  remains  of 
the  late  Lord  of  Gosport.  Many  were  burnt  alive  in  brush 
huts,  which,  in  their  confusion,  had  got  on  fire.  In  short, 
such  a  scene  of  misery,  distress,  and  cruelty,  my  eyes  never 
beheld ;  for  which  the  authors,  one  may  reasonably  conclude, 
never  can  make  atonement  in  this  world. 

The  enemy  left  behind  them,  in  their  battery,  a  double 
fortified  nine-pounder,  a  great  part  of  their  baggage,  with 
several  tents  and  markees,  besides  the  three  tenders,  with 
their  cannon,  small  arms,  8tc.;  also,  the  anchors  and  cables 
of  the  Dunmore,  Otter,  and  many  others,  to  the  amount,  it 
is  supposed,  of  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  pounds.  On  their 
leaving  the  Island,  they  burnt  some  valuable  vessels  which 
had  got  aground.  Mr.  John  Grymes's  effects  on  the  Island 
have  fallen  into  our  hands,  consisting  of  thirty-five  negroes, 
horses,  cattle,  and  furniture.  Major  Byrd,  on  the  approach 
of  our  canoes  to  the  Island,  was  huddled  into  a  cart;  in  a 
very  sick  and  low  condition,  it  is  said,  and  carried  down  to 
Cherry-Point,  where  he  embarked.  The  second  shot  the 
Dunmore  received  cut  her  boatswain  in  two,  and  wounded 
two  or  three  others ;  and  she  had  scarcely  recovered  from 
the  shook,  when  a  nine-pounder  from  the  lower  battery 
entered  her  quarter,  and  beat  in  a  large  timber,  from  the 
splinters  of  which  Lord  Dunmore  got  wounded  in  the  legs, 
and  had  all  his  valuable  china  smashed  about  his  ears.  It 
is  said  his  Lordship  was  exceedingly  alarmed,  and  roared 
out,  "  Good  God,  that  ever  I  should  come  to  this !"  We 
had  our  information  from  one  of  his  people  that  came  ashore 
after  the  engagement,  who  was  taken  by  our  scouts;  he 
likewise  said  that  many  were  killed  in  the  fleet,  which  Rad 
sustained  some  thousand  pounds  worth  of  damage.  The 
Fowey  and  Roebuck  were  the  lowermost  ships;  besides 
which,  there  were  one  hundred  and  large  odd  sail  of  vessels, 
which  took  their  departure  on  Thursday  afternoon,  and  are 
supposed  to  have  gone  into  Potomack.  In  this  affair  we 
lost  not  a  man  but  poor  Captain  Arundel,  who  was  killed 
by  the  bursting  of  a  mortar  of  his  own  invention,  although 
the  General  and  all  the  officers  were  against  his  firing  it. 
His  zeal  for  the  service  lost  him  his  life. 


EXTRACT    OF  A  LETTER    DATED  WILLIAMSBURGH,  VIRGINIA, 
JULY  13,    1776. 

A  battery  of  two  eighteen-pounders  was  opened  on  the 
enemy's  fleet  on  Tuesday  morning,  whilst  another  of  four 
nine-pounders  played  on  their  works  and  camp  on  Gwin's 
Island.  In  a  short  time,  the  whole  fleet  was  forced  to  tow 
out  of  reach  of  the  battery ;  their  fire  ceased  after  a  few 
rounds ;  their  camp  was  thrown  into  confusion ;  and  in  the 
night,  before  we  could  procure  boats  to  carry  over  our  men, 
they  removed  all  their  tents  except  one,  their  cannon  except 
one,  and  all  their  stores,  &.c.  There  were  three  tenders  in 
the  haven,  which  attempted  to  prevent  our  passage.  Their 
works  were  still  manned,  as  if  they  meant  to  dispute  their 
ground ;  but  as  soon  as  our  soldiers  put  off  in  a  few  canoes, 
they  retreated  precipitately  to  their  ships.  The  tenders  fell 
into  our  hands;  one  they  set  on  fire,  but  our  people  boarded 


it  and  extinguished  the  flames.  The  enemy  burnt  two  small 
vessels,  and  the  night  following,  a  very  large  ship,  supposed 
to  be  the  Dunmore,  for  she  was  very  much  damaged,  having 
received  four  eighteen-pound  shot  through  her  sides,  and  a 
double-headed  one  through  her  stern,  which  raked  her.  Her 
mate  was  killed,  a  sailor  had  his  arm  taken  off,  and  Lord 
Dunmore  had  his  leg  wounded  by  this  shot.  The  fleet  has 
sailed  from  the  Island,  which  we  are  in  quiet  possession  of. 
From  their  works,  and  preparations  for  others,  and  stock 
of  cattle  left  on  the  Island,  it  is  evident  they  left  it  much 
against  their  inclination,  and  long  before  they  expected  it. 
We  found  one  hundred  and  fifty  graves  and  twelve  dead 
negroes  lying  in  the  open  air.  They  have  had  a  dreadful 
fever  amongst  them,  and  the  small-pox.  I  wish  our  Army 
may  not  catch  the  infection.  The  Roebuck  was  at  the 
mouth  of  Rappahannock.  The  Fowey  and  Otter  did  not 
choose  to  come  to  the  assistance  of  the  Dunmore,  which, 
unfortunately  for  her,  had  changed  stations  with  the  Otter, 
and  by  this  means  came  into  the  jaws  of  our  battery,  which 
was  concealed.  We  did  not  lose  a  man. 


LIST  OF  SHIPS  IN  LORD  DUNMORE's   FLEET,  JULY  10,  1776. 

Roebuck,  a  forty -four-gun  ship,  Commodore  Hammond  com- 
mander. 

Fowey,  a  twenty-gun  ship,  Captain  Montagu  commander. 
Otter,  a  ten-gun  sloop  of  war,  Captan  Squires  commander. 
Dunmore,  a  frigate-built  ship,  mounting  four  six-pounders  on 

one  side. 
William,  a  ship  with  two  four-pounders  of  a  side,  a  part  of 

the  14th  Regiment  on  board. 
Anna,  a  ship,  barricadoed,  with  a  part  of  the  14th  Regiment 

on  board. 

Dun  Luce,  a  ship,  occupied  by  the  Queen's  Loyals,  a  regi- 
ment of  ditto  raising. 
Grace,  a  ship  belonging  to  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Fleming  and 

family. 
Levant,  a  store-ship,  in  which  Governour  Eden  has  taken  a 

passage. 
Brigantine  Fincastle,  belonging  to  and  occupied  by  Niel 

Jamieson. 
Brigantine  Dolphin,  belonging  to  and  occupied  by  Hector 

McAlister. 

Brigantine  Maria,  occupied  by  JohnAUason  and  family. 
Brigantine  Fanny,  occupied  by  Dr.  McCaa  and  family. 
Brigantine  Betsey,  occupied  by  Captain  Boynoe  and  family. 
Ditto,        occupied  by  Doctor  Coakley  and  family, 

sometimes  with  negroes. 
Ditto,        occupied  by  Mr.  Feener  and  family. 
A  Spanish  snow,  prizemaster,  supercargo,  captain,  and  crew, 

on  board. 
Brigantine  Helena,  belonging  to  Roger  Steuart,  occupied  as 

a  prison  for  prisoners. 
Brigantine  William  and  Charles,  from  Barbadoes,  on  board 

three  hundred  hogsheads  rum  and  one  hundred  hogsheads 

sugar,  sent  in  by  the  Governour  of  Barbadoes  to  Sir  PeteT 

Parker, 

Snow  Unicorn,  on  board  of  which  is  blacksmith's  shop. 
Brigantine  Hammond,  occupied  by  Mr.  John  Hunter  and  Mr. 

Sprowles's  family. 
Schooner  Thomas,  occupied  by  William  Calderhead  and 

family. 
Schooner  Charlotte,  occupied  by  William  Hargisdes  and 

family. 

Sloop  Campbell,  occupied  by  Mr.  Farmer  and  family. 
Sloop  Peace  and  Plenty,  belonging  to  and  occupied  by  Mr. 

Eilbeck. 
Sloop  Lady  Augusta,  belonging  to  and  occupied  by  Captain 

Lowes. 

Sloop  Lady  Gower,  a  tender,  John  Wilkie  commander. 
Sloop  Lady  Stanly,  a  tender,  William  Younghusband  com- 
mander. 

Sloop  Lady  Susan,  a  tender,  Briger  Goodrich  commander. 
Schooner  Gage,  a  tender,  belonging  to  the  Roebuck. 
Sloop  Fincastle,  of  twelve  guns,  belonging  to  the  Otter. 
Sloop  Lady  Gage,  a  tender,  belonging  to  the  Fowey. 
Seven  sloops,  occupied  by  Messrs.  Spedden  and  Goodrich's 

families. 

Two  schooners,  occupied  by  John  Brown  and  family. 
Ship  Logan,  belonging  to  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Logan  and 

family. 


153 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


154 


Sloop  John  Grimes,  occupied  by  said  Grimes  and  some 

dragoons. 

Most  of  the  other  vessels  are  small  craft,  and  occupied  by 
tradespeople  and  negroes — vessels  that  are  not  fit  to  go  to 
sea.     The  Lively  frigate  cruising  off  the  Capes. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 


EDWARD    TILLARD  TO  MARYLAND   COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  nearly  raised  my  thirty  men,  as 
directed  by  my  warrant,  and  1  believe  the  Lieutenants  and 
Ensigns  are  in  a  fair  way  of  raising  theirs ;  but  they  have 
but  few  or  no  firelocks  fit  for  service  among  them.  If  you 
have  none  ready,  I  am  told  Mr.  Stephen  West  hath  some 
very  good  ones,  which  I  do  not  doubt  may  be  procured  for 
the  service.  I  would  willingly  have  firelocks  put  into  the 
hands  of  these  men  that  could  be  depended  on,  and  if  you 
think  proper  to  give  me  an  order  I  will  go  and  secure  them, 
and  fit  out  my  company  as  soon  as  completed.  I  am  told 
his  price  is  six  pounds  currency  apiece. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

EDWARD  TILLARD. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH. 
[No.  14.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  four  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  country 
linen  .cloth  fit  for  making  tents,  and  want  a  man  from  Balti- 
more immediately  to  make  it  up.  We  shall  be  much  obliged 
to  you  if  you  will  send  us  such  a  person  down  without  delay, 
as  the  service  will  be  greatly  forwarded  by  it.  If  a  person 
can  be  got  to  make  it  up  in  Baltimore  it  shall  be  sent  to 
you  on  notice  immediately.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Mr.  Jesse  HoUingsworth. 

MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY    TO    SMYTH,    HANDS,    AND 

NICHOLSON. 
[No.  15.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Do  you  know  of  any  one  who  will  engage 
in  the  tent-making  business  for  the  Province  ?  Pray  inform 
us  immediately,  and  as  soon  as  the  wagons  arrive  from 
below,  advise  us  of  it.  We  are,  &.c. 

To  Messrs.  Smyth,  Hands,  and  Nicholson. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  BUCHANAN. 
[No.  16.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR  :  There  is  an  indispensable  necessity  that  the  Militia 
for  the  Flying-Camp  should  be  provided  as  soon  as  they  are 
raised  with  cartouch-boxes ;  but  as  this  cannot  be  accom- 
plished in  proper  time,  without  a  return  of  those  which  were 
delivered  the  Militia  in  your  district  when  the  Otter  sloop- 
of-war  was  up  the  bay,  there  not  being  a  sufficient  quantity 
without  them,  we  desire  you  will  immediately  collect  and 
return  them  to  the  magazine  in  this  city,  or  Baltimore  town. 
The  service  requires  the  utmost  expedition  in  this  matter, 
and  will  not  admit  of  a  moment's  delay.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Brigadier-General  Buchanan. 

[Copies  of  the  above  letter  sent  to  Colonels  A.  Hall, 
Bond,  Dorsey,  and  Rumsey.] 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  EDWARD  PARKER. 
[No.  17.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  The  service  requires  an  immediate  supply  of  linen 
cloth  fit  for  making  tents.  The  encouragement  you  have 
met  with,  and  still  may  expect  to  meet,  together  with  the 
punctuality  hitherto  shown  by  you,  induces  us  to  think  you 
will  exert  your  utmost  endeavours  to  bring  in  as  .great  a 
quantity  of  that  sort,  and  in  as  small  a  space  of  time,  as  lies 
in  your  power.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Mr.  Edward  Parker. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  AMOS  GARRETT. 
[No.  18.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  We  request  you  will  exert  yourselves  in  supplying 
us  with  bayonets ;  they  are  much  wanted  for  our  Militia  of 
the  Flying-Camp.     We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Amos  Garrett. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  STEPHEN  STEWART. 
[No.  19.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  in  great  want  of  tents.    Can  your  sailmaker 
engage  in  that  business  for  us  ?     We  are,  Sic. 
To  Mr.  Stephen  Stewart. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JOHN  ARCHER  AND  JAMES 

HARRIS. 
[No.  20.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  You  are  by  obligation  bound  to  pay  three 
hundred  pounds  borrowed  of  the  Province,  in  linen ;  one-third 
thereof  by  the  1st  of  June,  one-third  by  the  1st  of  Septem- 
ber, and  the  residue  by  the  1st  of  December,  in  such  sizes  as 
should  be  wanted  by  this  Colony.  The  publick  service  re- 
quires linen  of  about  a  six  hundred,  or  coarser,  fit  for  tenting, 
or  tow  linen  wove  thick,  as  our  troops  must  very  shortly 
take  the  field. 

We  have  that  confidence  in  your  publick  spirit,  and  ardour 
to  serve  your  country,  that  you  will,  as  soon  as  possible, 
furnish  us  with  what  quantity  you  can,  as  some  of  our  coun- 
trymen may  be  too  fatally  exposed  to  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather  without  it.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Messrs.  John  Archer  and  James  Harris. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  RICHARD  DALLAM. 
[No.  21.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  regular  forces  were  ordered  by  Convention  to 
march  from  Annapolis  and  Baltimore,  and  an  equal  numBer 
of  the  Militia  to  be  raised  for  the  Flying-Camp,  were  directed, 
when  raised,  to  supply  their  places. 

You  must  be  sensible  that  all  the  arms  we  can  procure 
in  the  publick  way  will  be  immediately  wanted;  therefore 
send  what  you  have  already  made,  and  all  you  can  make, 
down  to  Gerrard  Hopkins,  the  Commissary  of  Stores  at 
Baltimore. 

It  will  be  necessary  that  the  barrels  should  be  proved ; 
the  common  proof  is  the  weight  of  the  ball  in  powder,  and 
one  ball ;  this  may  be  done  before  Mr.  John  Rumsey  and 
Doctor  Thomas  Andrews,  or  either  of  them,  and  a  certificate 
taken  thereof,  as  also  of  their  delivery  to  the  Commissary, 
unless  you  incline  to  have  them  proved  before  Captain 
Smith,  in  Baltimore.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Richard  Dallam. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  WILLIAM  WHETCROFT. 
[No.  22.]  Annapolis,  July  10, 1776. 

SIR:  The  Council  of  Safety  have  been  informed  that  you 
have  a  servant  who  understands  the  business  of  tent-making ; 
if  so,  and  you  are  desirous  of  having  him  employed  in  that 
business,  we  will  immediately  set  him  to  work,  and  find  em- 
ployment for  him  for  some  time.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Mr.  William  Whetcroft. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  DORSEY. 
[No.  23.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  regular  forces  in  the  pay  of  this  Province  leave 
this  city  this  evening ;  the  sooner,  therefore,  the  company 
you  are  to  send  get  here,  the  better.  It  will  be  proper, 
under  the  resolves  of  the  Convention,  that  three  companies 
of  our  neighbouring  Militia  should  be  stationed  in  Annapolis, 
until  the  places  of  the  regular  troops  ordered  from  hence 
can  be  supplied  by  the  Militia  to  be  raised  for  the  Flying- 
Camp.  When  Colonel  John  Dorsey  was  with  us,  we  con- 
ceived that  your  company  of  Militia  might  be  discharged 
when  the  company  of  Militia  raised  on  Elk-Ridge  for  the 
Flying-Camp  marched  here ;  but  upon  further  considering 
the  resolve,  apprehend  there  may  be  three  companies  of 
the  neighbouring  Militia  in  this  city,  until  the  places  of  the 
regular  troops  can  be  supplied  by  the  Flying-Camp  Militia. 
You  may  rely  on  it,  however,  that  the  company  of  your 
battalion  which  comes  down  shall  be  relieved  as  soon  as 
possible. 

You  must  be  mistaken  in  what  you  wrote  about  the  vote 
of  Congress ;  those  only  of  the  Militia  that  compose  the 
Flying-Camp,  are  to  march  to  Philadelphia,  or  anywhere 
out  of  the  Province.     We  are,  &c. 
To  Colonel  Thomas  Dorsey. 


155 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


156 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF*  SAFETY  TO  COMMITTEE  OF  HAKFORD. 
[No.  24.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  publick  service  requires  that  all  the 
arms  purchased  by  you,  or  manufactured  in  Harford  under 
your  direction,  be  transmitted  to  Baltimore  town,  to  Gcr- 
rard  Hopkins,  the  Commissary,  of  whom  you  will  be  pleased 
to  take  a  receipt,  and  transmit  to  us  the  number,  quality, 
and  value  of  the  same. 

We  desire  you  will  also  furnish  us  with  an  account  of  the 
disposition  of  the  four  hundred  pounds  we  heretofore  sent 
you.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  the  Committee  of  Harford. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  TILLARD. 
[No.  26.]  Annapolis,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  are  glad  to  hear  you  and  your  officers  are  so 
forward  in  raising  your  company,  as  our  forces  are  at  present 
much  wanted.  Though  it  will  be  difficult  to  procure  fire- 
locks for  all  the  men,  yet  we  cannot  agree  to  give  so  great 
a  price  as  six  pounds  currency  apiece.  We  have  got  very 
good  at  four  pounds  and  a  crown,  but  would  on  this  occa- 
sion willingly  advance  as  far  as  four  pounds  ten  for  such  as 
are  good  and  serviceable,  fixed  with  bayonets. 

We  are,  &.c. 

To  Captain  Edward  Tillard. 


Annapolis,  Maryland,  July  11,  1776. 

Yesterday  evening  six  companies  of  the  First  Battalion  of 
Maryland  Troops,  stationed  in  this  city,  and  commanded  by 
Colonel  William  Smallivood,  embarked  for  the  head  of  Elk, 
in  high  spirits,  and  three  companies  of  the  same  battalion, 
stationed  in  Baltimore  town,  embarked  yesterday  morning 
for  the  same  place ;  from  thence  they  are  to  proceed  to 
Philadelphia. 

PRF.SIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  letter  from  Mr.  Ephraim  Anderson, 
I  am  directed  to  transmit  by  order  of  Congress.  As  Mr. 
Anderson  appears  to  be  an  ingenious  man,  and  proposes  to 
destroy  the  British  fleet  at  New-York,  the  Congress  are 
willing  to  give  him  an  opportunity  of  trying  the  experiment, 
and  have  therefore  thought  proper  to  refer  him  to  you.  The 
event  only  can  show  whether  his  scheme  is  visionary  or 
practicable. 

Should  it  be  attended  with  success,  (and  the  very  chance 
of  it  is  sufficient  to  justify  the  attempt,)  the  infinite  service 
to  the  American  States  arising  therefrom  cannot  be  described  ; 
or  should  it  fail,  our  situation  will  be  in  every  respect  the 
same  as  before. 

Many  things  seem  highly  probable  in  speculation  which, 
however,  cannot  be  reduced  to  practice.  And  on  the  other 
hand,  experiment  has  shown  that  many  things  are  extremely 
practicable  which  our  most  accurate  reasonings  had  taught 
us  to  believe  were  impossible. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  at  New-  York. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Being  anxiously  desirous  of  being  service- 
able to  my  country  (in  an  eminent  degree)  at  this  time  of 
publick  calamity,  I  am  ready  immediately  to  undertake  the 
destruction  of  the  British  fleet  now  at  New-York.  If  I 
may  be  honoured  with  such  directions  from  this  Congress, 
my  plan  of  operation  I  will  communicate  to  any  of  the 
Members  of  the  House  for  their  approbation,  convinced  of 
the  probability  of  success,  and  the  infinite  service  such  an 
enterprise  would  be  to  these  States,  particularly  at  this  time. 
Shall  be  glad  to  execute  it  at  the  hazard  of  my  life.  An 
enterprise  of  the  same  kind  I  undertook  at  Quebeck,  and 
should  undoubtedly  have  succeeded,  had  not  the  enemy  had 
intelligence,  and  stretched  a  cable  across  the  mouth  of  their 
harbour,  and  myself  by  accident  much  burnt ;  but,  thank 
God,  am  recovered  perfectly  again,  and  ready  to  make  the 
like  attempt.  This,  or  any  other  appointment  I  may  be 
honoured  with,  shall  be  thankfully  received.  As  men  well 


acquainted  with  military  discipline  are  much  wanting  in  our 
armies,  I  would  offer  myself  to  the  Congress  for  an  appoint- 
ment in  that  department.  Having  served  in  the  British  Army 
last  war,  have  had  greater  opportunities  of  being  acquainted 
with  the  military  art  than  most  of  our  officers  are.  I  shall 
wait  the  order  of  the  Congress  at  the  Concstoga  Wagon,  in 
Market  Street. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant,  EPHRAIM  ANDERSON, 

Adjutant  to  2d  Jersey  Battalion. 
July  9,  1776. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  WILLIAM  PALFREY. 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  to  inform  you  that  Congress,  in  consideration 
of  your  zeal  and  attachment  to  the  liberties  of  America,  have 
thought  proper  to  give  you  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
in  the  Continental  Army. 

You  will  please  to'  acquaint  me  whether  General  Wash- 
ington has  delivered  a  commission  to  Mr.  Harrison  or  to 
Mr.  Baylor,  in  consequence  of  their  appointments.  If  he 
has,  I  will  forward  one  to  you  ;  but  if  they  have  not  received 
commissions,  you  will  in  that  case,  like  them,  take  your  rank 
without  a  commission. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 

humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  William  Palfrey,  Esq.,  Paymaster-General,  New-  York. 


PETITION  OF  BENJAMIN  FLOWER. 
[July  11,  1776,  read,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 
To  the  Honourable  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA: 
The  Petition  O/BENJAMIN  FLOWER,  Lieutenant  in  the  First 
Battalion  of 'the  Associators  of  the  City  O/PHILADELPHIA, 
showeth : 

That  your  petitioner,  animated  with  a  just  sense  of  the 
importance  of  the  present  contest,  was  among  the  first  of  the 
Associators  in  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania ;  that  he  un- 
derstands that  the  office  of  Conductor  or  Commissary  of 
Stores  for  the  Flying-Camp,  is  vacant ;  he  therefore  prays 
your  Honours  to  appoint  him  to  that  office,  and,  as  in  duty 

bound,  he  will  ever  pray,  &.c.,  TJ  „ 

BENJAMIN  I1  LOWER. 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 


PETITION  OF  MAJOR  MELCHIOR. 

[July  11,  1776,  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA: 

The  Petition  of  ISAAC  MELCHIOR,  late  Major  of  Brigade 
in  CANADA,  showeth  : 

That  your  petitioner  is  desirous  of  serving  his  country  in 
the  present  alarming  state  of  publick  affairs,  in  any  station  to 
which  your  Honours  may  think  fit  to  appoint  him.  That  he 
understands  that  the  offices  of  Paymaster  and  Adjutant  to 
the  Flying-Camp  and  Militia  are  both  yet  vacant ;  to  either 
of  which,  if  your  Honours  think  proper  to  appoint  him,  he 
hopes  to  act  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give  the  fullest  satisfac- 
tion. For  his  conduct  in  the  campaign  in  Canada,  he  begs 
leave  to  refer  to  the  letters  of  the  late  General  Montgomery 
and  of  General  Schuyler. 

And  your  petitioner  will  both  fight  and  pray,  &ic. 

ISAAC  MELCHIOR. 
Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  CAPTAIN  PARKER. 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  The  brig  Despatch,  of  which  you  are  hereby  ap- 
pointed the  commander,  in  the  service  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  being  now  ready  for  sea,  you  are  to  proceed 
immediately  on  board  said  brigantine  for  the  port  of  Bor- 
deaux, in  France;  and,  on  your  arrival  there,  deliver  the 
despatches  given  you  herewith  to  Messrs.  Samuel  and  J.  H. 
Delap,  merchants  at  that  place.  You  are  to  consider  these 
letters  directed  to  those  gentlemen  as  very  important,  and 
must  deliver  them  yourself  as  soon  as  possible.  You  must 
have  them  hung  at  sea  with  a  heavy  weight,  ready  to  throw 
overboard  and  sink  them,  in  case  you  should  be  unfortu- 
nately taken  by  the  enemy;  but,  to  avoid  that  danger,  you 


157 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


158 


must  make  a  standing  rule  to  run  from  every  vessel  you  see 
at  sea.  The  Despatch  is  well  found  with  plenty  of  sails, 
rigging,  stores,  and  materials.  You  will  therefore  make 
good  use  of  them,  and  endeavour  to  make  a  short  passage 
by  a  diligent  attention  to  winds  and  weather,  carrying  at  all 
times  as  much  sail  as  is  proper. 

The  goods  we  have  caused  to  be  shipped  on  board  this 
brig  are  consigned  to  Messrs.  Delap,  to  whom  you  are  to 
deliver  the  same;  and  when  this  is  done,  you  must  imme- 
diately set  about  arming  the  brig  with  eight  or  ten  four- 
pounder  cannon,  as  many  swivels,  blunderbusses,  cohorns, 
howitzers,  and  muskets,  as  you  think  proper ;  but  take  care 
that  the  cannon,  &.C.,  are  of  the  best  and  handsomest  fit  for 
ship's  use.     You  may,  if  you  think  proper,  fit  her  with  close 
quarters,  and  mount  some  guns  in  the  cabin,  steerage,  and 
forecastle,  or  you  may  mount  the  whole  on  deck ;  and  if  she 
will  bear  more  than  ten  cannon,  you  may  buy  them.     You 
must  procure  a  suitable  quantity  of  powder  and  ball  for  the 
cannon,  arms,  &tc.,  with  cartridges,  cartridge-paper,  and  all 
necessary  apparatus  thereto.     You  will  complete  this  busi- 
ness with  expedition,  and   procure   the   best   advice  and 
assistance  in  doing  it.     Messrs.  Delap  will  recommend  you 
to  proper  people  for  this  purpose,  and  they  will  supply  you 
with  money  to  pay  the  cost.     You  must  ship  as  many  sea- 
men as  you  can  possibly  get,  especially  American  seamen, 
or  those  that  have  been  much  connected  in  this  country; 
but  you  are  not  to  confine  yourself  to  these  alone.     We  are 
in  want  of,  seamen,  and  you  may  bring  people  of  all  coun- 
tries or  nations  that  are  willing  to  enter  into  the  American 
service.     You  must  make  it  known,  in  the  best  manner  you 
can,  that  great  wages  and  encouragement  is  now  given  to 
seamen  in  every  part  of  America,  both  for  the  publick  and 
for  merchant  service.     You  are  therefore  to  bring  over  not 
only  sufficient  for  your  own  complement,  which,  as  an  armed 
vessel,  might  be  thirty  to  forty,  but  as  many  as  you  can 
conveniently  give  ship-room  to,  and  you  may  contract  with 
them  for  such  reasonable  wages  as  may  be  satisfactory  to 
them.     If  any  masters  or  mates  want  passages  home,  you 
are  to  accommodate  them,  free  of  any  charge  to  them.    You 
must  lay  in  sufficient  of  provisions,  and  allow  each  man 
plenty,  but  suffer  no  waste.    You  are  to  receive  from  Messrs. 
Delap  any  goods  they  may  desire  to  ship,  or  from  any  other 
persons  goods  that  Messrs.  Delap  approve  of  being  shipped 
on  board ;  and  when  you  are  ready  for  departure,  you  are 
to  wait  on  those  gentlemen  for  their  despatches ;  and  when' 
you  receive  the  same,  with  their  approbation  for  your  de- 
parture, you  are  then  to  make  the  best  of  your  way  back  for 
this  coast.     You  know  how  it  is  lined  with  British  men-of- 
war  at  present,  and  it  is  not  possible  for  us  to  say  what  port 
may  be  safest  by  the  time  you  return ;  but  as  we  expect 
you  will  be  well  armed  and  manned,  you  need  not  fear  small 
vessels ;  and  by  keeping  constantly  a  hand  at  each  mast- 
head to  look  out,  we  think  you  may  avoid  all  large  ones, 
especially  as  we  expect  the  Despatch  will  be  a  flyer,  and  in 
France  you  may  get  another  complete  suit  of  sails  for  her ; 
you  must  therefore  put  into  the  first  safe  port  you  can,  any- 
where in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  by  the  time 
you  return  you  may  expect  to  meet  with  some  of  our  own 
frigates,  galleys,  and  cruisers.    Little  Egg-Harbour  or  Cape 
May  will  probably  be  as  secure  as  any  other  places. 

We  deliver  you  herewith  a  commission,  a  list  of  agents 
for  prizes,  and  the  resolves  of  Congress  respecting  captures, 
by  which  you  will  learn  how  to  conduct  yourself  in  this 
respect;  your  business,  however,  is  not  to  cruise,  but  to 
make  quick  passages;  but  if  you  meet  any  prizes  on  your 
return,  so  much  the  better,  provided  you  do  not  lose  time  in 
seeking  them ;  and  in  case  of  capture,  you  must  send  them 
in  to  some  of  the  agents,  who  will  do  the  needful  for  all 
concerned.  We  expect  you  will  be  careful  of  the  brig,  her 
stores,  and  materials,  diligent  in  making  despatch,  both  at 
sea  and  in  port,  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  your  duty,  and 
the  moment  you  reach  any  port  in  America,  come,  or  send 
the  despatches  express  to  the  Committee  of  Secret  Corre- 
spondence. 

We  are,  sir,  your  humble  servants. 

To  Captain  Peter  Parker. 

P.  S.  Should  you  meet  Silas  Deanc,  Esq.,  who  lately 
went  from  this  place  for  Bordeaux,  you  may  consult  with 
and  be  advised  and  directed  by  him  in  all  things  relative  to 
your  business  with  the  brig  Despatch. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  MESSRS.  DELAP. 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  You  will  receive  this  by  the  brigantine 
Despatch,  Captain  Peter  Parker,  and  with  it  some  letters 
for  Silas  Deane,  Esq.,  which,  being  of  considerable  conse- 
quence, we  beg  you  will  cause  them  to  be  sent  or  delivered 
to  him  with  the  utmost  expedition ;  and  we  make  no  doubt 
he  has  left  his  address  with  you,  should  he  have  left  Bor- 
deaux. 

You  will  find  herein  an  invoice  and  bill  of  lading  for  some 
goods  we  have  shipped  on  board  this  brig,  consigned  to  you 
for  sale.  These  goods  you  will  please  to  receive,  and  make 
the  most  advantageous  sale  of  them  that  your  market  will 
admit. 

Captain  Parker  has  orders  to  arm  and  fit  out  the  Despatch 
in  a  warlike  manner,  and  we  hope  you  will  advise  and  assist 
him  in  doing  it.  You  will  please  to  procure  him  the  assist- 
ance of  the  most  skilful  persons,  tradesmen,  &c.,  for  doing 
that  business,  and  supply  him  with  money  to  purchase  can- 
non, swivels,  howitzers,  muskets,  powder,  ball,  &ic.  He 
must  fit  her  in  a  very  complete  manner,  and  must  have  plenty 
of  those  kinds  of  stores.  He  is  also  to  procure  as  many 
seamen  as  he  possibly  can,  to  come  with  him  in  this  brigan- 
tine,  in  which  we  also  pray  for  your  assistance,  and  that  you 
will  furnish  him  with  money  to  pay  advance  wages  for  provi- 
sions and  a  new  suit  of  sails ;  all  which  we  hope  he  will 
soon  get  completed  with  your  assistance.  When  you  have 
paid  all  charges  and  expenses  relative  to  this  vessel,  what- 
ever balance  remains  from  the  sale  of  her  cargo,  you  will 
please  to  invest  in  the  purchase  of  some  brass  field-pieces,  six 
and  four-pounders,  if  you  can  procure  them  ;  good  soldiers' 
muskets,  gunlocks,  powder,  or  saltpetre ;  or,  if  you  cannot 
ship  such  articles,  you  may  then  invest  the  said  balance  in 
blankets,  and  other  woollen  goods,  suitable  for  wear  in  a  cold 
climate ;  and  whatever  you  buy,  ship  on  board  the  said 
brigantine  Despatch,  for  address  of  the  Committee  of  Secret 
Correspondence,  on  account  and  risk  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  and  enclose  to  them  an  invoice  and  bill  of  lading 
for  the  same. 

It  is  necessary  that  Captain  Parker  make  despatch  in 
fitting  the  brigantine  and  getting  her  ready  for  sea,  and  that 
you  also  complete  your  business  for  her  as  soon  as  you  can  ; 
but  she  is  not  to  sail  until  Mr.  Deane  sends  his  despatches ; 
for  those  are  the  most  immediate  object  of  the  present  voyage. 
Therefore,  if  Mr.  Deane  is  not  at  Bordeaux,  you  will  please 
to  keep  him  well  informed  when  the  brigantine  will  be  ready 
to  return,  and  the  moment  his  despatches  come  to  your  hands, 
deliver  them  to  Captain  Parker,  with  an  injunction  to  sail 
immediately  for  this  coast,  agreeable  to  his  orders.  Should 
Mr.  Deane  be  in  Bordeaux,  Captain  Parker  must  be  di- 
rected by  him  entirely  in  all  his  proceedings;  and  if  Mr. 
Deane  desires  any  goods  to  be  shipped  on  board  the  Despatch, 
they  must  be  received  on  board.  In  short,  the  Captain  is 
ordered  to  receive  on  board  all  goods  you  recommend. 
Therefore,  you  will  please  to  ship  any  you  may  have,  or  that 
Mr.  Deane  may  order  Mr.  John  Daniel  Schweighauser, 
of  Nantz,  that  he  may  ship  any  he  has  for  account  of  this 
Continent. 

We  hope  you  will  assist  in  making  it  known  that  great 
wages  and  encouragement  are  given  to  seamen  in  America, 
and  the  seamen  of  every  country  will  be  alike  welcome. 
We  shall  have  frequent  opportunities  of  addressing  you  ;  and 
remain,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servants. 
To  Messrs.  Samuel  and  J.  H.  Delap. 


CAPITULATION  AT  THE  CEDARS. 

In  Congress,  July  10,  1776. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  cartel  between  Brigadier- 
General  Arnold  and  Captain  Forster,  and  the  several  papers 
thereto  relating,  were  committed,  having  had  the  same  under 
their  consideration,  and  made  diligent  inquiry  into  the  facts, 
have  agreed  to  the  following  Report : 

They  find  that  a  party  of  three  hundred  and  ninety  Con- 
tinental troops,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Bedel,  was 
posted  at  the  Cedars,  about  forty-three  miles  above  Montreal; 
that  they  had  there  formed  some  works  of  defence,  the 
greater  part  of  them  picketed  lines,  the  rest  a  breastwork, 
with  two  field-pieces  mounted. 

That  on  Wednesday,  the  1 5th  of  May,  Colonel  Bedel 
received  intelligence  that  a  party  of  the  enemy,  consisting 


159 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


160 


of  about  six  hundred  regulars,  Canadians,  and  Indians,  were 
on  the  way  to  attack  his  post,  and  were  within  nine  miles  of 
it ;  that  Colonel  Bedel  thereon  set  out  himself  for  Montreal,' 
to  procure  a  reinforcement,  whereupon  the  command  at  the 
Cedars  devolved  on  Major  Butterfield. 

That  on  Thursday,  a  reinforcement,  under  the  command 
of  Major  Sherburne,  marched  from  Montreal  for  the  Cedars, 
while  a  larger  detachment  should  be  getting  ready  to  pro- 
ceed thither  with  Brigadier-General  Arnold. 

That  on  Friday,  the  19th,  the  enemy,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Forstcr,  invested  the  post  at  the  Cedars, 
and  for  two  days  kept  up  a  loose,  scattering  fire ;  that  Major 
Butterfield,  from  the  very  first,  proposed  to  surrender  the 
post,  and  refused  repeated  solicitations  from  his  officers  and 
men  to  permit  them  to  sally  out  on  the  enemy. 

That  on  Sunday  afternoon,  a  flag  being  sent  in  by  the 
enemy,  Major  Butterfield  agreed  to  surrender  the  fort  and 
garrison  to  Captain  t  orster,  capitulating  with  him  (whether 
verbally  or  in  writing,  does  not  appear)  that  the  garrison 
should  not  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the  savages,  and  that 
their  baggage  should  not  be  plundered. 

That,  at  tjie  time  of  the  surrender,  the  enemy  consisted 
of  about  forty  regulars,  one  hundred  Canadians,  and  five 
hundred  Indians,  and  had  no  cannon.  The  garrison  had 
sustained  no  injury  from  the  fire,  but  the  having  one  man 
wounded;  they  had  twenty  rounds  of  cartridges  a  man, 
thirty  rounds  for  one  field-piece,  and  five  for  another,  half  a 
barrel  of  gunpowder,  fifteen  pounds  of  musket  ball,  and  pro- 
visions sufficient  to  have  lasted  them  twenty  or  thirty  days. 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Capitulation  entered  into  between  General 
ARNOLD  and  Captain  FORSTER. 

[Brought  in  June  17,  1776.    Read,  and  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table.    Recommitted  June 
24, 1776.  Pawed  July  10.] 

The  Committee  to  *hom  were  recommitted  the  cartel  between  Briga- 
dier-General Arnold  and  Captain  Forster,  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners, 
and  the  several  papers  relating  thereto,  have  had  the  same  under  their 
consideration,  and  agreed  to  the  following  Report: 

Your  Committee  having  proceeded  to  make  inquiry  into  the  facta 
relating  to  the  agreement  entered  into  at  St.  Jinn's,  between  Brigadier- 
General  Arnold  and  Captain  Forster,  find  a  part  of  them  well  authenti- 
cated and  others  not;  yet  being  apprehensive  that  silence  on  the  part  of 
Congress  may  be  construed  oy  some  into  a  ratification  of  the  said 
agreement,  they  have  thought  it  best  to  state  the  same  as  they  appear 
at  present,  with  such  resolutions  as  they  will  justify  if  found  true, 
reserving  final  decision  till  the  whole  truth  shall  be  accurately  inquired 
into  and  transmitted  to  Congress. 

Your  Committee,  on  the  best  information  they  have  been  able  to 
obtain,  find — 

That  on  the  24th  day  of  May  last  a  party  of  the  enemy,  consisting,  as 
is  said,  of  about  six  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Fors- 
ter, attacked  a  post  at  the  Cedars,  held  by  a  garrison  of  three  hundred 
and  fifty  Continental  forces,  then  under  the  command  of  Major  Butter- 
field. 

That  the  said  post  was  secured  by  a  stockade  sufficient  to  cover  the 
garrison  from  the  enemy's  musketry;  that  there  were  mounted  therein 
two  field-pieces,  and  that  the  enemy  had  no  cannon. 

That  the  said  garrison  had  ammunition  and  provisions  sufficient  to 
have  lasted  them  ten  days  ;  that  they  had  reason'to  expect  a  reinforce- 
ment in  a  few  days,  which,  on  a  requisition  from  themselves,  was 
actually  on  its  way  from  Montreal;  and,  moreover,  were  so  near  the 
main  body  of  the  Army,  that  they  could  not  doubt  being  joined  by 
detachments  from  them  sufficient  to  oblige  the  enemy  to  retire. 

That  the  enemy,  for  two  days,  kept  up  only  a  scattering  fire,  by  which 
not  a  single  man  of  the  garrison  was  killed  or  wounded,  and  that  on  the 
third  day  the  garrison  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war,  having 
capitulated  for  the  preservation  of  their  own  baggage  from  plunder,  ana 
that  their  persons  should  not  be  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the  savages. 

That  the  enemy  broke  the  capitulation,  utterly  and  immediately,  on 
their  part,  plundering  the  garrison  of  their  baggage,  and  stripping  their 
clothes  from  their  backs,  and  delivering  the  prisoners  into  the  hands  of 
the  savages. 

That  they  then  proceeded  against  the  reinforcement  which  was  on  its 
way,  consisting  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men, under  the  command 
of  Major  Sherburne;  that  Major  Sherburne  and  his  party  engaged  and 
fought  them  with  bravery;  but  being  at  length  surrounded  by  numbers 
greatly  superior,  and  informed  that  the  fort  and  garrison  were  already 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  they  were  obliged  to  surrender  themselves 
prisoners  of  war  also,  but  whether  on  capitulation  or  not,  your  Com- 
mittee are  not  informed. 

That  after  they  had  put  themselves  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  the 
said  enemy  murdered  two  of  them,  butchering  the  one  with  tomahawks 
and  drowning  the  other,  and  left  divers  others  exposed  on  an  island, 
naked  and  perishing  with  cold  and  famine. 

That  by  this  time  Brigadier-General  Arnold,  who  had  been  detached 
by  Major-General  Thomas  to  relieve  the  fort  at  the  Cedars,  approached, 
and  was  making  dispositions  to  attack  the  enemy. 

That  Captain  Forater  thereupon  notified  General  Arnold,  that  if  he 
attacked  him,  the  prisoners  (then  five  hundred  in  number)  would,  every 
man  of  them,  be  put  to  death  ;  and  proposing,  at  the  same  time,  an 
exchange  of  prisoners. 

It  appears  that  General  Arnold  was  extremely  averse  to  entering  on 
any  agreement  of  that  kind,  and  was  at  length  induced  to  do  it  by  no 
other  motive  than  that  of  saving  the  prisoners  from  cruel  and  inhuman 
death,  threatened  in  such  terms  as  left  no  doubt  it  was  to  be  perpetrated. 

That  an  agreement  was  thereupon  entered  into  between  Brigadier- 
General  Arnold  and  Captain  Forster,  bearing  date  at  St.  Ann's,  on  the 
27th  day  of  May,  whereby  the  said  Forster  stipulated  that  he  would 
deliver  up  all  the  said  prisoners,  except  such  as  were  Canadians,  to 
GeneraMrnoM,  who  agreed,  on  the  other  part,  that  so  many  of  equal 


Major  Butterfield  knew  that  a  reinforcement  was  on  its  way, 
and,  moreover,  was  so  near  the  main  body  of  the  Army  that 
he  could  not  doubt  of  being  supported  by  that. 

That  immediately  on  the  surrender,  the  garrison  was  put 
into  the  custody  of  the  savages,  who  plundered  them  of  their 
baggage,  and  even  stripped  them  of  their  clothes. 

That  Major  Sherburne  having  landed  on  Monday,  the 
20th,  at  Quinze  Chiens,  about  nine  miles  from  the  Cedars, 
and  marched  on  with  his  party,  consisting  then  of  one  hun- 
dred men,  to  within  four  miles  thereof,  was  there  attacked  by 
about  five  hundred  of  the  enemy ;  that  he  maintained  his 
ground  about  one  hour,  and  then,  being  constrained  to  retreat, 
performed  the  same  in  good  order,  receiving  and  returning 
a  constant  fire  for  about  forty  minutes ;  when  the  enemy 
finding  means  to  post  advanced  parties  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  intercept  their  further  retreat,  they  also  were  made  pri- 
soners of  war. 

That  they  were  immediately  put  into  the  custody  of  the 
savages,  carried  to  where  Major  Butterfield  and  his  party 
were,  and  stripped  of  their  baggage  and  wearing  apparel. 
That  two  of  them  were  put  to  death  that  evening ;  four  or 
five  others  at  different  times  afterwards — one  of  whom  was 
of  those  who  surrendered  on  capitulation  at  the  Cedars,  and 
was  killed  on  the  eighth  day  after  that  surrender.  That 
one  was  first  shot,  and  while  retaining  life  and  sensation,  was 
roasted,  as  was  related  by  one  of  his  companions  now  in  pos- 
session of  the  savages,  who  himself  saw  the  fact ;  and  that  seve- 
ral others,  being  worn  down  by  famine  and  cruelty,  were  ex- 
posed in  an  island,  naked  and  perishing  with  cold  and  hunger. 

rank  and  condition  should  be  returned  to  the  enemy  of  those  taken  by 
our  arms  on  former  occasions;  that  the  prisoners  so  stipulated  to  be 
given  up  to  the  enemy  were  not  in  the  possession  of  General  Arnold, 
nor  under  his  direction,  but  were  at  that  time  distributed  through  various 
parts  of  the  Continent,  under  the  orders  of  this  House. 

That  Captain  Forster,  in  violation  of  this  agreement,  also  detained  a 
considerable  number  of  the  prisoners  he  had  thus  stipulated  to  deliver, 
and  sent  them  into  the  Indian  countries,  for  purposes  unknown. 

Whereupon,  your  Committee  have  come  to  the  following  Resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  plundering 
the  baggage  of  the  garrison  at  the  Cedars,  stripping  them  of  their  clothes, 
and  delivering  the  prisoners  into  the  hands  of  the  savages,  was  a  breach 
of  the  capitulation  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  for  which  satisfaction  ought 
to  be  demanded. 

Resolved,  That  the  murder  of  two  of  theprisoners  of  war  was  a  gross  and 
barbarous  violation  of  the  laws  of  nature  and  of  nations,  for  which  satis- 
faction should  be  made  by  the  enemy,  by  delivering  into  our  hands  either 
Captain  Forster,  or  the  individuals  concerned  in  committing  the  murder. 

Resolved,  That  the  agreement  entered  into  at  St.  Ann's  was  a  mere 
sponsion  on  the  part  of  Brigadier-General  Arnold,  he  not  being  invested 
with  powers  for  the  absolute  disposal  of  the  Continental  prisoners  in 
general,  and  that  therefore  it  is  subject  to  be  ratified  or  annulled  at  the 
discretion  of  this  House,  the  sole  Representative  of  the  United  Colonies. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  Major  Sher- 
burne  and  his  party  having  fought  as  men  should  do,  so  much  of  the 
said  sponsion  as  relates  to  their  exchange  should  be  ratified  and  con- 
firmed by  this  House,  and  that  an  equal  number  of  captives  from  the 
enemy,  of  the  same  rank  and  condition,  should  be  restored  to  them,  as 
stipulated  by  the  said  sponsion. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  so  much  of  the 
said  sponsion  as  relates  to  Major  Butterfield,  and  the  garrison  surrender- 
ing with  him,  ought  not  to  be  ratified,  because  we  should  redeem  none 
but  those  who  will  fight,  and  because,  too,  the  said  sponsion  excepted 
the  Canadian  prisoners,  and  we  will  in  no  case  admit  a  distinction  of 
countries  among  men  fighting  in  the  same  cause. 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  said  Major  Butterfield  and  garrison  should 
still  be  considered  as  prisoners  of  war  appertaining  to  the  enemy;  but 
as,  by  the  actual  murder  of  two  of  the  prisoners,  and  the  threats  at  St. 
Ann's  to  put  the  others  to  death,  the  enemy  are  found  capable  of  destroy- 
ing their  captives,  the  said  prisoners  ought  not  to  be  put  into  their 
hands,  but  should  be  permitted  to  remain  in  their  own  country;  that,  in 
the  mean  time,  they  shall  not  bear  arms,  nor  otherwise  act  against  the 
enemy;  but  are  bound  to  demean  themselves  in  all  things  in  the  manner 
of  prisoners  of  war  enlarged  on  their  parole,  and  to  hold  themselves 
subject  to  be  recalled  by  the  enemy  whenever  proper  security  shall  have 
been  given  that  their  lives  shall  be  safe. 

Resolved,  That  previous  to  the  delivery  of  the  prisoners  to  be  returned 
in  lieu  of  Major  Sherburne  and  those  captivated  with  him,  satisfaction  be 
required  from  the  enemy  for  the  murder  of  the  two  prisoners,  by  deliver- 
ing into  our  hands  Captain  Forster,  or  the  individuals  concerned  in  per- 
petrating that  horrid  act;  and  likewise  restitution  for  the  plunder  at  the 
Cedars,  taken  contrary  to  the  faith  of  the  capitulation;  and  that  till 
such  satisfaction  and  restitution  be  made,  the  said  prisoners  be  not 
delivered. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  if  the  enemy 
shall  put  to  death,  torture,  or  otherwise  ill  treat  any  of  the  hostages  in 
their  hands,  or  of  the  Canadians  or  other  prisoners  captivated  by  them 
in  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies,  recourse  must  be  had  to  retalia- 
tion, as  the  sole  means  of  stopping  the  progress  of  human  butchery;  and 
that  for  that  purpose,  punishments  of  the  same  kind  and  degree  be  in- 
flicted on  an  equal  number  of  their  subjects  taken  by  us,  till  they  shall 
be  taught  due  respect  to  the  violated  rights  of  nations. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  a  copy  of  this 
report  be  transmitted  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Continental 
Forces  in  Canada,  to  be  by  him  sent  to  the  British  Commander  there; 
and  that  he  moreover  make  further  and  diligent  inquiry  into  the  facts 
therein  stated,  and  such  others  as  may  relate  to  the  same  subject,  and 
return  the  same,  duly  authenticated,  and  with  all  possible  despatch,  to- 
Congress,  for  their  final  decision;  and  that,  in  the  mean  time,  the  pri- 
soners delivered  up  by  the  enemy  abstain  from  bearing  arms,  or  other- 
wise acting  against  them. 


161 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


162 


That  while  Major  Sherburne  was  in  custody  of  the  en- 
emy, Captain  Forster  required  of  him  and  the  other  officers 
to  sign  a  cartel,  stipulating  the  exchange  of  themselves  and 
their  men,  for  as  many  of  equal  condition  of  the  British 
troops  in  our  possession  ;  and  further,  that,  notwithstanding 
the  exchange,  neither  themselves  nor  men  should  ever  again 
bear  arms  against  the  British  Government ;  and  for  the 
performance  of  this,  four  hostages  were  to  be  delivered: 
which  they,  being  under  the  absolute  power  of  the  enemy, 
did  sign. 

That,  on  Sunday,  the  26th,  the  prisoners  were  carried  to 
Quinze  Chiens,  when  it  was  discovered  that  General  Arnold 
was  approaching,  and  making  dispositions  to  attack  them. 

That  Captain  Forster,  having  desired  Major  Sherburne  to 
attend  a  flag  which  he  was  about  to  send  to  General  Arnold 
for  confirmation  of  the  cartel,  carried  him  into  the  council  of 
the  Indians,  then  sitting,  who  told  him  that  it  was  a  mercy 
never  before  shown  in  their  wars,  that  they  had  put  to  death 
so  few  of  the  prisoners;  but  that  he  must  expect,  and  so 
inform  General  Arnold,  that  they  should  certainly  kill  every 
man  who  should  thereafter  fall  into  their  hands.  That 
Captain  Forster  joined  in  desiring  that  this  bloody  message 
should  be  delivered  to  General  Arnold,  and,  moreover,  that 
he  should  be  notified,  that  if  he  rejected  the  cartel  and 
attacked  him,  every  man  of  the  prisoners  should  be  put  to 
instant  death. 

That  General  Arnold  was  extremely  averse  from  entering 
into  any  agreement,  and  was  at  length  induced  to  do  it  by 
no  other  motive  than  that  of  saving  the  prisoners  from  cruel 
and  inhuman  death,  threatened  in  such  terms  as  left  no  doubt 
it  was  to  be  perpetrated,  and  that  he  did  in  the  end  conclude 
it,  after  several  flags  received  from  Captain  Forster,  and  a 
relinquishment  by  him  of  the  unequal  article,  restraining  our 
soldiers  from  again  bearing  arms. 

That  the  prisoners  so  stipulated  to  be  given  up  to  the 
enemy,  were  not  in  possession  of  General  Arnold,  nor  under 
his  direction,  but  were  at  that  time  distributed  through  various 
parts  of  the  Continent,  under  the  orders  of  this  House. 

That  four  hostages  were  accordingly  delivered  to  Captain 
Forster,  who  were  immediately  plundered  and  stripped  by 
the  savages ;  and  on  his  part  were  delivered  one  Major, 
four  Captains,  sixteen  subalterns,  and  three  hundred  and 
fifty-five  privates,  as  specified  in  a  certificate  of  Captain 
James  Osgood  and  others,  of  whom  no  specification  by  their 
names  or  numbers  has  yet  been  transmitted ;  that  he  retained 
twelve  Canadians,  alleging,  in  his  justification,  express  orders 
so  to  do.;  and  that  being  in  a  military  Government,  they 
were  to  be  considered  even  in  a  worse  light  than  deserters 
from  his  Majesty's  armies.  These  he  carried  away  in  irons, 
but  afterwards  released.  That  he  permitted  the  Indians  to 
carry  into  their  countries  several  others,  natives  of  the  United 
States,  for  purposes  unknown. 

That  during  the  time  of  their  captivity,  not  half  food  was 
allowed  the  prisoners.  They  were  continually  insulted, 
buffeted,  and  ill-treated  by  the  savages  ;  and  when  the  first 
parties  of  them  were  carried  off  from  the  shore,  to  be  deliv- 
ered to  General  Arnold,  balls  of  mud  were  fired,  and  at  the 
last  parties,  musket-balls. 

Whereupon,  the  Congress  came  to  the  following  Resolu- 
tions : 

Resolved,  That  all  acts  contrary  to  good  faith,  the  laws 
of  nature,  or  the  customs  of  civilized  nations,  done  by  the 
officers  and  soldiers  of  his  Britannick  Majesty,  or  by  foreigners 
or  savages  taken  into  his  service,  are  to  be  considered  as 
done  by  his  orders,  unless  indemnification  be  made  in  cases 
which  admit  of  indemnification;  and  in  all  other  cases,  unless 
immediate  and  effective  measures  be  taken  by  him  or  his 
officers,  for  bringing  to  condign  punishment  the  authors, 
abetters,  and  perpetrators  of  the  acts. 

Resolved,  That  the  plundering  the  baggage  of  the  garrison 
at  the  Cedars,  stripping  them  of  their  clothes,  and  delivering 
them  into  the  hands  of  the  savages,  was  a  breach  of  the 
capitulation  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  for  which  indemnifi- 
cation ought  to  be  demanded. 

Resolved,  That  the  murder  of  the  prisoners  of  war  was 
a  gross  and  inhuman  violation  of  the  laws  of  nature  and 
nations;  that  condign  punishment  should  be  inflicted  on  the 
authors,  abetters,  and  perpetrators  of  the  same ;  and  that, 
for  this  purpose,  it  be  required  that  they  be  delivered  into 
our  hands. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  11 


Resolved,  That  the  agreement  entered  into  by  General 
Arnold  was  a  mere  sponsion  on  his  part,  he  not  being 
invested  with  powers  for  the  disposal  of  prisoners  not  in  his 
possession,  nor  under  his  direction  ;  and  that  therefore  it  is 
subject  to  be  ratified  or  annulled,  at  the  direction  of  this  House. 

Resolved,  That  the  shameful  surrender  of  the  post  at  the 
Cedars  is  chargeable  on  the  commanding  officer;  that  such 
other  of  the  prisoners  as  were  taken  there  showed  a  willing- 
ness and  desire  to  fight  the  enemy;  and  that  Major  Sher- 
burne, and  the  prisoners  taken  with  him,  though  their  disparity 
of  numbers  was  great,  fought  the  enemy  bravely  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  and  surrendered  but  on  absolute  necessity. 
On  which  considerations,  and  on  which  alone,  it  is 

Resolved,  That  the  said  sponsion  be  ratified,  and  that  an 
equal  number  of  captives  from  the  enemy,  of  the  same  rank 
and  condition,  be  restored  to  them,  as  stipulated  by  the  said 
sponsion. 

Resolved,  That  previous  to  the  delivery  of  the  prisoners 
to  be  returned  on  our  part,  the  British  Commander  jn 
Canada  be  required  to  deliver  into  our  hands  the  authors, 
abetters,  and  perpetrators  of  the  horrid  murder  committed 
on  the  prisoners,  to  suffer  such  punishment  as  their  crime 
deserves;  and  also  to  make  indemnification  for  the  plunder 
at  the  Cedars,  taken  contrary  to  the  faith  of  the  capitulation  ; 
and  that  until  such  delivery  and  indemnification  be  made, 
the  said  prisoners  be  not  delivered. 

Resolved,  That  if  the  enemy  shall  commit  any  further 
violences,  by  putting  to  death,  torturing,  or  otherwise  ill- 
treating  the  prisoners  retained  by  them,  or  any  of  the  hos- 
tages put  into  their  hands,  recourse  be  had  to  retaliation,  as 
the  sole  means  of  stopping  the  progress  of  human  butchery ; 
and  that  for  that  purpose,  punishments  of  the  same  kind  and 
degree  be  inflicted  on  an  equal  number  of.  the  captives  from 
them,  in  our  possession,  till  they  shall  be  taughtodue  respect 
to  the  violated  rights  of  nations. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  Report  and  Reso- 
lutions be  transmitted  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Continental  Forces,  to  be  by  him  sent  to  Generals  Howe 
and  Burgoyne. 

By  order  of  the  Congress : 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 


Capitulation  of  Major  BUTTERFIELD. 

Camp  at  the  Cedars,  May  19,  1776. 

SIR:  From  the  message  I  received  from  your  flag  of 
truce,  I  am  glad  to  find  that  my  motives  for  sending  to  you 
yesterday  has  had  the  desired  effect. 

I  have  again  assembled  the  many  chiefs  of  my  Indians, 
and  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  overcome  their  resolution 
of  yesterday  after  your  refusal. 

The  disposition  of  the  savages  not  being  long  certain,  or 
governable  to  any  particular  will,  to  be  the  better  able  to 
keep  my  promises  with  you,  it  will  be  absolutely  necessary 
that  the  fort  be  delivered  up  in  half  an  hour  after  the  receiv- 
ing this. 

Your  persons  and  apparel  you  have  on  will  be  secured, 
as  proposed  yesterday,  and  the  garrison  will  surrender  at 
discretion. 

The  artillery,  ammunition,  batteaus,  and  stores  of  every 
kind,  to  be  delivered  on  good  faith  to  persons  appointed  for 
that  purpose. 

A  part  of  the  King's  troops  to  take  possession  of  the  fort 
at  the  expiration  of  the  appointed  time. 

The  prisoners  will  be  marched  some  distance  from  the 
fort,  for  their  greater  security,  before  the  savages  will  be 
allowed  to  enter,  exclusive  of  a  few  chiefs  who  may  insist 
on  going  with  the  troops. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient, 

GEORGE  FORSTER, 
Captain,  commanding  the  King's  Troops. 

To  Major  Butterfield. 

Articles  between  Major  SHERBURNE  and  Captain  FORSTER. 
After  the  matures!  deliberation  on  the  customs  and  man- 
ners of  the  savages  in  war,  which  I  find  so  opposite  and 
contrary  to  the  humane  disposition  of  the  British  Govern- 
ment, and  to  all  civilized  nations,  and  to  avoid  the  inevitable 
consequences  of  the  savages'  customs  in  former  wars,  (which, 


163 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


164 


by  their  threats  and  menaces,  I  find  is  not  changed,)  that  of 
putting  their  prisoners  to  death,  to  disencumber  themselves 
in  case  of  tiieir  being  attacked  by  their  enemy, — I  have, 
therefore,  in  compliance  with  the  above  disposition  in  Gov- 
ernment, and  the  dictates  of  humanity,  thought  fit  to  enter 
into  the  following  Articles  of  Agreement  with  Major  Henry 
Sherburne,  and  the  under-subscribing  officers  in  the  name  of 
the  Power  they  were  employed  by,  and  of  the  officers  and 
soldiers  who  shall  be  released  by  this  agreement,  whose  rank 
and  number  shall  be  endorsed  on  this  cartel : 

1st.  That  there  shall  be  an  exchange  of  prisoners  faith- 
fully made,  returning  an  equal  number  of  his  Majesty's 
troops  of  the  same  rank  with  those  released  by  this  agree- 
ment, as  soon  as  possible,  within  the  space  of  two  months, 
allowing  a  moderate  time  for  casualties  that  may  render  the 
performance  of  this  article  impracticable. 
•  2d.  That  those  prisoners  taken  in  opposing  Government 
shall  not,  on  any  pretext  whatsoever,  hereafter  take  up  arms 
against  the  Government  of  Great  Britain. 

3d.  That  the  prisoners  shall  be  conducted  with  safety, 
and  all  possible  convenience  and  despatch  that  circumstances 
will  permit,  to  the  south  shore  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence, 
from  which  they  are  to  repair  to  St.  John's,  and  return  to 
their  own  countries  immediately,  without  committing  any 
waste  or  spoil  on  their  march  thither,  allowing  ten  or  twelve 
to  go  to  Montreal  to  transact  their  private  affairs. 

4th.  That  the  prisoners  so  returned  shall  not,  under  any 
pretext  whatsoever,  either  in  words,  writings,  or  signs,  give 
the  least  information  to  Government's  enemies,  or  their  ad- 
herents now  in  arms,  in  the  least  prejudicial  to  his  Majesty's 
service. 

5th.  That  the  batteaus  or  other  conveniences  made  use 
of  to  transport  the  prisoners  to  the  south  shore  of  said  river, 
or  the  necessary  people  to  conduct  them,  shall  return  unmo- 
lested. 

6th.  That  hostages  be  delivered  for  the  performance  of 
these  articles  to  the  full,  according  to  the  sense  and  spirit  of 
agreement,  without  any  equivocation  whatsoever. 

7th.  That  the  security  of  the  subscribers  be  given  to  the 
inhabitants  for  all  the  waste  and  spoil  committed  by  the 
detachment  under  Colonel  Bedel,  on  fair  accounts,  attested 
and  signed,  being  delivered  in,  for  which  the  hostages  are  not 
to  be  answerable. 

It  being  our  full  intention  to  fulfil  the  above  articles,  we 
mutually  sign  and  interchange  them,  as  assurances  of  per- 
formance. 

Signed  at  Vaudreuil,  this  26th  day  of  May,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy -six. 

By  order  of  Captain  George  Forster,  commanding  his 
Majesty's  forces  at  Vaudreuil. 

ANDREW  PARKE, 
Lieutenant  in  the  King's  or  8th  Reg.  of  Foot. 

HENRY  SHERBURNE. 

ISAAC  BUTTERFIELD. 

THEODORE  BLISS. 

DANIEL  WILKINS. 

JOHN  STEVENS. 

EBENEZER  SULLIVAN. 

CHEO.  LORIMIER. 

LESAHDE  DE  MONTIGNY. 

Articles  between  General  ARNOLD  and  Captain  FORSTER. 
'  After  the  maturest  deliberation  on  the  customs  and  man- 
ners of  the  savages  in  war,  which  I  find  so  opposite  and 
contrary  to  the  humane  disposition  of  the  British  Govern- 
ment, and  to  all  civilized  nations,  and  to  avoid  the  inevitable 
consequences  of  the  savage  customs  in  former  wars,  (which, 
by  their  threats  and  menaces,  I  find  is  not  changed,)  that  of 
putting  their  prisoners  to  death,  to  disencumber  themselves 
in  case  of  being  attacked  by  their  enemy, — I  have,  therefore, 
in  compliance  with  the  above  disposition  in  Government, 
and  the  dictates  of  humanity,  thought  fit  to  enter  into  the 
following  Articles  of  Agreement  with  General  Arnold,  in  the 
name  of  the  Power  he  is  employed  by,  and  of  the  officers 
and  soldiers  who  shall  be  released  by  this  agreement,  whose 
rank  and  number  shall  be  endorsed  on  this  cartel  :* 

1st.  That  there  shall  be  an  exchange  of  prisoners  faithfully 
made,  returning  an  equal  number  of  his  Majesty  troops  of 
the  same  rank  with  those  released  by  this  agreement,  as 

*  Endorsement— 2  Majors,  9  Captains,  SO  Subalterns,  443  Privatea. 


soon  as  possible,  within  the  space  of  two  months,  allowing 
a  moderate  time  for  casualties  that  may  render  the  perform- 
ance of  this  article  impracticable. 

2d.  That  the  prisoners  shall  be  conducted  in  safety,  with 
all  possible  convenience  and  despatch  which  circumstances 
will  admit,  to  the  south  shore  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  from 
which  they  are  to  repair  to  St.  John's,  and  return  to  their 
own  country  immediately,  without  committing  any  waste  or 
spoil  on  their  march  thither,  allowing  ten  or  twelve  to  go  to 
Montreal  to  transact  their  private  affairs. 

3d.  That  the  prisoners  so  returned  shall  not,  under  any 
pretext  whatever,  either  in  words,  writing,  or  signs,  give  the 
least  information  to  Government  enemies,  or  their  adherents 
now  in  arms,  in  the  least  prejudicial  to  his  Majesty's  ser- 
vice. 

4th.  That  hostages  be  delivered  for  the  performance  of 
articles  to  the  full,  according  to  the  sense  and  spirit  of  the 
agreement,  without  any  equivocation  whatever. 

6th.  That  the  security  of  the  subscribers  be  given  to  the 
inhabitants  for  all  the  waste  and  spoil  committed  by  the 
detachment  under  Colonel  Bedel,  on  fair  accounts,  attested 
and  signed,  being  delivered,  for  which  the  hostages  are  not 
to  be  answerable. 

It  being  our  full  intention  to  fulfil  the  above  articles,  we 
mutually  sign  and  interchange  them  as  assurances  of  per- 
formance. 

Given  under  our  hands,  this  27th  day  of  May,  1776,  at 
Vaudreuil.  GEORGE  FORSTER, 

Captain,  commanding  King's  Troops. 

St.  Ann's,  27th  May. 

ART.  2d.  The  prisoners  shall  be  sent  to  the  south  shore  of 
the  river  St.  Lawrence,  within  one  league  of  Caughnawaga, 
and  from  thence  to  St.  John's,  and  their  own  country,  except 
twelve,  who  have  liberty  to  go  to  Montreal,  for  which  pur- 
pose six  days  shall  be  allowed,  and  hostilities  to  cease  on 
both  sides. 

4th.  Four  Captains  shall  be  sent  to  Quebeck  as  hostages, 
and  remain  there  until  prisoners  are  exchanged. 

6th.  The  Continental  troops,  from  principle,  have  ever 
avoided  plundering.  Upon  proof  being  made  of  any  waste 
committed  by  Colonel  Bedel's  detachment,  reparation  shall 
be  made.  B.  ARNOLD. 

To  George  Forster,  Captain. 

May  27.. 

But  if  the  prisoners  can  be  conducted  in  less  time,  this 
truce  to  cease  on  the  return  of  the  last  boats  employed  on 
this  service,  on  notice  given.  GEORGE  FORSTER. 

May  27. 

Answer:  If  Captain  Forster  will  choose  to  have  hos- 
tilities commence  in  less  time  than  six  days,  it  will  be  per- 
fectly agreeable  to  me,  provided  the  time  is  fixed  on,  and 
notice  given  this  evening.  B.  ARNOLD. 

Copy  of  Proceedings  of  Council  of  War  held  in  CHAMBLY, 
CANADA,  May  30,  1776. 

At  a  Council  of  War,  held  at  Chambly,  May  30,  1776: 
Hon.  Brigadier-General  WOOSTER,  President. 

Brigadier-Generals:  Arnold,  Thompson,  De  Woedfke; 
Colonels :  Greaton,  Maxwell,  Poor,  Stark,  Campbell,  St. 
Clair,  Livingston,  Porter,  Brown,  Hazen,  Allen,  McAufie, 
Gilman. 

1st.  Resolved,  That  orders  be  immediately  transmitted  to 
the  Commanding  Officer  at  St.  Ann's  to  attack  the  enemy 
at  Qm'nze  Chiens,  as  soon  as  the  time  fixed  for  the  cessation 
of  hostilities  is  expired. 

2d.  Resolved,  That  it  is  necessary  that  a  General  Officer 
should  take  the  command  of  the  forces  sent  to  Quinze 
Chiens. 

3d.  Resolved,  That  five  hundred  men,  including  those 
ordered  this  morning,  be  immediately  sent  from  Montreal  to 
St.  Ann's,  and  that  their  place  be  supplied  by  the  troops 
from  St.  John's. 

4th.  Resolved,  That,  if  practicable,  it  will  bo  for  the  in- 
terest of  the  Colonies  to  keep  Canada. 

5th.  Resolved,  That  it  is  not  practicable  or  prudent,  under 
our  present  circumstances,  to  keep  possession  of  Descham- 
baidt. 

Resolved,  That  the  present  post  now  occupied  be  kept 
for  the  present  by  the  main  body  of  the  Army. 


165 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


Montreal,  June  2,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:    On  my  return  to  this  place,  I  received 
intelligence  from  Colonel  De  Haas  that  the  enemy  had 
abandoned  their  post  at  Quinze  Chicns,  the  30th  ultimo,  and 
were  seen  next  morning  three  miles  above  the  Cedars.    On 
their  way  up  they  made  a  precipitate  retreat,  and  left  behind 
them  a  quantity  of  flour.     I  repeated  my  order  to  Colonel 
De  Haas  to  burn  and  destroy  the  town  and  inhabitants  of 
Canassadaga,  and  afterwards  to  destroy   the  fort  at  St. 
Ami's,  and  retire  to  La  Chine.     Last  evening  an  express 
arrived  from  him,  who  advises  that  on  the  31st  they  received 
intelligence  by  some  Frenchmen  that  seven  hundred  Indians 
were  arrived  at  Canassadaga  from  the  upper  countries,  and 
were  on  the  point  of  attacking  St.  Ann's,  on  which  Colonel 
De  Haas  called  a  council  of  war,  which  concluded  it  best 
to  retire  from  the  fort.     The  express  came  away  at  three 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  the  troops  were  to  leave  it  immediately 
after.     The  advice  Colonel  De  Haas  received  from   the 
Frenchmen  appears  to  me  very  vague  and  uncertain,  neither 
do  I  believe  a  single  Indian  has  arrived  from  above.     The 
orders  I  sent  Colonel  De  Haas  were  very  positive ;  and  how 
he  should  think  of  calling  a  council  to  determine  if  he  should 
obey  them,  appears  to  me  very  extraordinary.     A  fatality 
seems  to  attend  every  of  our  enterprises.    Enclosed  are  sun- 
dry depositions  respecting  the.  affair  at  the  Cedars.     Our 
prisoners  are  most  of  them  delivered  up.    I  have  sent  all  the 
sick  from  this  to  Isle-aux-Noix.     Nothing  new  from  below 
since  you  left  us.    Our  future  conduct  must  be  governed  by 
advice  from  that  quarter.     I  am  making  every  possible  pre- 
paration to  secure  our  retreat.     I  have  secured  six  tons  of 
lead,  ball,  and  shot.    Merchandise  or  the  inhabitants  I  have 
not  as  yet  taken  hold  of;  I  intend  it  to-morrow.     It  is  im- 
possible to  know  one  hour  beforehand  the  necessary  steps  to 
be  taken.     Everything  is  in  the  greatest  confusion  ;  not  one 
contractor,  Commissary,  or  Quartermaster :  I  am  obliged  to 
do  the  duty  of  all.     I  wish  with  all  my  heart  we  were  out 
of  the  country.     We  had  much  better  begin  anew,  and  set 
out  right  and  methodically. 

Enclosed  is  the  list  of  the  prisoners  who  came  into  Caugh- 
nawaga,  attested  by  Captain  Osgood,  who  was  appointed  on 
my  part  to  receive  them.  They  were  fired  at  on  their  leaving 
Quinze  Chiens,  and  narrowly  escaped.  Major  Sherburne 
will  deliver  you  this,  to  whom  I  beg  leate  to  refer  you  for 
particulars. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  affection,  gentlemen,  your 
obedient,  humble  servant, 

B.  ARNOLD. 


166 

were,  according  to  my  best  knowledge,  three  hundred  and 
ninety. 

lest:  ISAAC  BUTTERFIELD. 

Montreal,  June,  1776. 


To  the  Honourable  Commissioners  of  Congress. 


Major  BUTTERFIELD'S  Testimony  respecting  a  breach  of 
the  Convention  at  the  CEDARS. 

The  savages  did  plunder  the  prisoners  of  almost  all  their 
clothes,  beginning  their  pillage  and  plunder  the  evening  we 
surrendered,  but  plundered  us  chiefly  after  Major  Sherburne 
was  taken.  Captain  Forster  being  acquainted  with  it,  said 
it  was  not  in  his  power  to  prevent  it. 

I  believe  Captain  Forster  and  the  other  officers  did  not 
induce  the  savages  to  take  any  of  the  prisoners,  but  exerted 
themselves  to  redeem  and  rescue  the  prisoners  out  of  their 
hands.  I  did  not  hear  the  Indians  say  that  Captain  Forster 
promised  them  all  the  plunder.  Some  of  the  prisoners  said 
that  they  heard  some  of  the  Indians  say  that  Captain  Forster 
promised  them  all  the  plunder. 

As  to  what  number  of  prisoners  the  savages  have  taken 
or  murdered,  I  am  under  a  disadvantage  of  not  knowing,  by 
not  seeing  the  last  party  that  came  in.  They  murdered  one 
of  my  party  the  eighth  day  after  we  were  taken.  Have 
taken  with  them  several  young  lads,  and  all  the  blacks, 
also  one  young  child  from  one  of  the  women.  Of  the  whole 
number  I  cannot  assert  as  yet  what  are  killed  and  carried 
away  by  them. 

There  were  nine  Canadian  soldiers,  and  one  Lieutenant,  a 
Canadian.  Captain  Forster  did  refuse  to  exchange  them  with 
the  rest  of  the  prisoners.  He  said  it  was  not  in  his  power 
to  release  them,  signifying  that  they  were  liable  to  be  treated 
as  deserters  from  the  King's  troops  by  their  taking  up  arms 
against  their  own  military  laws  and  Government.  Did 
likewise  carry  the  soldiers  away  in  irons,  and  the  Lieutenant 
with  a  guard.  The  number  of  prisoners  taken  with  me 


Captains  EASTABROOK'S  and  WILKINS'S  Testimony  respect- 
ing a  breach  of  Convention  at  the  CEDARS. 
Question  1.  How  long  were  you  apprised  of  the  approach 
of  the  enemy  before  you  were  attacked  ? 
Answer.  Three  days. 
Q.  2.  Did  you  hear  their  numbers  ? 
A.  We  heard  that  there  were  fifty  regulars,  and  between 
three  and  four  hundred  savages;  but  when  the  fort  was 
given  up,  we  suppose  that  the  enemy  consisted  of  six  hun- 
dred in  all,  including  one  hundred  Canadians. 

Q.  3.  Did  the  Commanding  Officer  exert  himself  in  get- 
ting provisions  into  the  fort? 

A.  He  did  in  procuring  flour,  but  nothing  else. 
O.  4.  How  much  provision  had  you  when  attacked  ? 
A.  Three  barrels  of  pork,  one  barrel  and  a  half  of  beef 
twenty  bushels  of  meal,  besides  five  or  six  horses. 
Q.  5.  Was  any  to  be  got  in  the  neighbourhood  ? 
A.  None,  unless  by  force. 

Q.  6.  How  much  ammunition  had  you  for  small-arms  and 
how  much  for  field-pieces  when  you  capitulated  ? 

A.  Twenty  rounds  per  man  for  small-arms,  thirty  for  the 
smallest  cannon,  five  cartridges  for  the  largest,  half  a  barrel 
of  powder,  and  about  fifteen  pounds  of  musket-ball. 

Q.  7.  Did  not  the  private  soldiers  and  many  of  the  offi- 
cers beg  of  Major  Butterfield  to  let  them  go  out  and  attack 
the  enemy  ? 

A.  They  did ;  which  he  refused. 
Q.  8.  How  much  longer  do  you  think  you  could  have 
held  out  against  the  enemy  ? 

A.  We  expected  the  enemy  to  make  a  general  attack  on 
Sunday  night,  the  same  night  we  gave  up ;  which  if  they 
had,  it  is  our  opinion  that  we  could  have  defended  the  fort 
from  being  taken,  and  even  beat  them  if  we  had  sallied  out 
from  the  fort  upon  them. 

Q.  9.  Did  Major  Butterfield  seem  terrified  or  not? 
A.  He  seemed  much  terrified. 

Q.  10.  How  were  you  treated  by  the  enemy  after  capitu- 
lation ? 

A.  Cruelly  insulted,  and  repeatedly  stripped  of  almost 
everything,  and  several  murdered. 

Q.  11.  How  many  were  murdered,  their  names  and  com- 
panies, and  for  what  reason  ? 

A.  Three  or  four ;  of  their  companies,  and  for  what,  we 
cannot  tell. 

Q.  12.  Were  you  fired  upon  or  any  one  killed  after  the 
articles  were  signed  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners  ? 
A.  We  were  fired  at,  but  none  killed. 
Q.  13.  How  were  the  prisoners  sent  off,  and  where  de- 
livered ? 

A.  They  began  to  send  off  the  prisoners  the  27th  of  May, 
and  continued  till  the  31st.  Five  boat-loads  were  landed  at 
Chateauguai,  and  the  rest  at  St.  Ann's. 

Q.  14.  Did  Captain  Forster  promise  plunder  to  the 
savages  ? 

A.  He  was  told  by  Lyanee,  the  Interpreter,  in  Captain 
Eastabrook's  presence,  that  he  had  promised  all  the  plunder 
to  the  savages,  and  that  they  should  strip  the  prisoners  to 
the  skin,  which  Captain  Forster  did  not  deny. 

DANIEL  WILKINS, 
JOSEPH  EASTABROOK. 

Personally  appeared  before  rne  Captain  Joseph  Eastabrook 
and  Captain  Daniel  Wilkins,  and  made  solemn  oath  that  the 
foregoing  answers  to  the  questions  proposed  to  them,  are  just 
and  true,  to  the  best  of  their  knowledge. 

B.  ARNOLD,  Brigadier-General. 

Montreal,  June  2,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  On  the  strictest  inquiry,  I  find  that  Major 
Sherburne  has  acted  with  great  prudence,  spirit,  and  resolu  • 
tion.  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  him  as  an  officer  worthy 
of  your  particular  notice ;  and  am,  with  great  esteem  and 
respect,  gentlemen,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

B.  ARNOLD. 

To  the  Hon.  Samuel  Chase  and  Charles  Carroll,  Esq.,  on 
their  way  to  Philadelphia. 


167 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


168 


A  list  of  the  Prisoners  belonging  to  the  Continental  Army, 

Captain  NOBLE'S  Company. 

taken  at  the  CEDARS. 

Elice  Kinsley,           Private.             Tristram  Storey,       Private. 

Colonel  BEDEL'S  Regiment. 

Captain  ASHLEY'S  Company. 

Captain  OSGOOD'S  Company. 

Ebenezer  Williams,  Private. 

Samuel  Fowler,       1st  Lieutenant.     Ezekiel  Eastman,     Private. 

— 

John  Webster,         2d  Lieutenant.    Wells  Burbank,            do. 
Charles  Hill,             Ensign.                Joseph  Fellows,             do. 
Stephen  Webster,    Sergeant.            Edward  Danford,          do. 

A  list  of  the  Prisoners  belonging  to  the  Continental  Army 
taken  at  FOHT  CEDARS,  CANADA. 

Hubbard  Carter,            do.                  William  Hopkins,         do. 
Benjamin  Webster,  Corporal.             Noah  Payne,                  do. 

Colonel  BEDEL'S  Regiment. 

Joseph  Hardaway,  Private.                Barnabas  Hagatee,        do. 
John  Hardaway,            do.                  James  Murphy,             do. 
Nathan  Kinsman,          do.                  Joseph  Basford,              do. 

Captain  DANIEL  WILKINS'S  Company. 
Daniel  Wilkins,       Captain.              Robert  Livingston,  Private. 

Robinson,               do.                  James  Bnsford,               do. 

Roby,              1st  Lieutenant.     Roger  Dutton,               do. 

Christopher  Hinkley,    do.                  Matthew  Peck,               do. 
Chandler  Abbot,            do.                  Jeremiah  Smith,             do. 

John  Mills,              2d  Lieutenant.    James  Hartshorn,         do. 
William  Bradford,   Ensign.               Abbot  Roby,                 do. 

Elias  Abbott,                 do.                 Aaron  Smith,                do. 

Jabez  Holt,               Fifer.                  Shirtherick  Wesson,     do. 

Philip  Abbot,                do.                 William  Teahey,           do. 
Ti.-nothy  Foss,              do.                 William  Simons,           do. 

Samuel  Wood,          Private.               Thomas  Mallady,          do; 
George  Pearmain,          do.                  Sylvester  Wilkins,         do. 

Vandervort,           do.                  Elisha  Speed,                  do. 

Alexander  Brown,         do.                  Robert  Coffrnn,              do. 

John  Carney,                 do.                  Ezra  Abbott,                  do. 

James  Harwood,            do.                  Aaron  Nichols,               do. 

Benjamin  Fifield,           do.                  William  Cutler,              do. 

Thomas  McLeary,        do.                  James  Colwell,          Sergeant. 

Nathaniel  Walker,        do.                  William  Fahey,             do. 

John  Robbins,     '           do.                  Robert  Campbell,           do. 

John  Brown,                 do.                 Edward  Carleton,          do. 

William  Hamlet,           do.                 J.  Colwell  McNeil,        do. 

Scott,                     do.                 John  Beatam,                do. 

William  Aids,                do.                  Samuel  Boyd,             Private. 

Cotton,                   do.                  Israel  Spalding,              do. 

Thomas  Stevens,           do.                 Benjamin  McAllister,    do. 

Nason  Cass,                  do.                 Richard  Pangbourn,      do. 

Joseph  Dickey,               do.                  Timothy  Martin,            do. 

Joseph  Cass,                   do.                  Elisha  Spera,                  do. 

Lareford  Gilbert,           do.                 Hugh  McKeene,           do. 

John  Smith,                    do.                  Ezra  Abbot,                    do. 

Isaac  Curtis,                   do.                  Jonathan  Fifield,       Corporal. 

Daniel  Young,               do.                 William  Cutler,             do. 

Reuben  Camp,                do.                  Daniel  Wilkins,         Private. 

Joseph  Farrer,                do.                  John  Wyley,                  do. 

Captain  CARLISLE'S  Company. 

John  Allen,                    do.                 Lemuel  Curtis,              do. 

Joehua  White,         Private.               Isaac  Gibbs,             Private. 

William  Brown,            do.                 Stephen  Curtis,              do. 

John  Butler,                   do.                  James  Wheelock,          do. 

Jacob  Blodget,                do.                  Isaac  Stearnes,                do. 

David  Gibbs,                 do.                 Henry  Willard,             do. 

John  Phelps,                 do.                 John  McCHntock,          do. 

Thomas  Gibbs,             do.                 John  Willard,               do. 

James  Jewell,                 do.                  Obadiah  Holt,                 do. 

Joshua  Gibbs,               do.                 Zephaniah  Richardson,  do. 

Ephraim  Clarke,           do.                 Andrew  Wilkins,     Corporal. 
James  Cochran,              do.                  Joseph  Lovejoy,        Private. 

Captain  WAITS'S  Company. 

Samuel  Sternes,        Corporal.            Jonathan  Farnham,        do. 

Aaron  Johnson,       Private.               Amos  Puffer,            Private. 

Joshua  Abbott,               do.                  James  Clark,                  do. 

Oliver  Mordock,             do.                  Joseph  Gray,                  do. 

Henry  Glover,          Private.              Jeremiah  Lamson,         do. 

Benjamin  Hall,              do.                  Amos  Flood,                  do. 

Josiah  Warren,             do.                 Amos  Boutal,                do. 

Elisha  Willis,           Corporal.            Simeon  Puffer,               do. 

Colonel  BURRELL'S  Regiment. 

Captain  GREEN  's  Company. 

Captain  DOWNES'S  Company. 

Benj.  Chamberlin,     Ensign.               John  Roe,                 Private. 

David  Downes,        Captain.              Elijah  Jackson,          Private. 

David  Chamberlin,   Private.               Pearley  Rogers,             do. 
Joseph  Skinner,            do.                 Josiah  Hopkins,            do. 

Samuel  Johnson,      Ensign.                William  Williams,        do. 
David  Ruscoe,          Sergeant.             James  Laughlin,            do. 

Abner  Chamberlin,        do.                  Daniel  Eustis,                 do. 

David  Strong,                do.                 Samuel  Gray,                do. 

Nathaniel  Rogers,  jr.,  do.                 Joseph  Dimmer,            do. 

David  Randall,          Private.                Elijah  Bennett,               do. 

John  Morris,                 do.                 Aaron  Smith,                 do. 

David  Manning             do.                 Joseph  Calkins,             do. 

John  Evans,                  do.                 John  Powell,                  do. 

James  Clary,                 do.                 Josiah  Hambleton,        do. 

Elias  Chamberlin,          do. 

Joseph  Doty,                 do.                 Abner  Goodrick,           do. 

Colonel  BURRELL'S  Regiment. 

Simon  Whitcomb,         do.                 Oliver  Crocker,              do. 
Benjamin  Mclntire,       do.                 Charles  Gillett,              do. 

Captain  STEPHENS'S  Company. 
Phineas  Stephens,    Private.              Joseph  A.  Tanner,    Private. 
Benjamin  Stevens,         do.                  Jacoo  Wheeler,              do. 
Samuel  Simons,             do.                 William  Wheeler,         do. 
Ephraim  Simons,           do.                  Walter  Whalen,            do. 
Jabez  Spencer,               do.                  John  Waterhouse,         do. 
Amos  Shephard,           do.                 Abraham  Webster,       do. 

Michael  McGee,           do.                 Amasa  Warner,             do. 
Rozil  Roberts,               do.                 Jehiel  Smith,                 do. 
Caleb  Jewett,                  do.                  Isaac  Parsons,                do. 
W.  Guttridge  Willar,    do.                 John  Hall,  jr.,               do. 
John  Wren,                  do.                 Ephraim  Toby,             do. 
Jonas  Knight,                do.                  Simeon  Reno,                 do. 
Redr.  Bell,                     do.                 Stephen  Wilcock,          do. 
Jacob  Marsden,             do.                 Jeremiah  Ringsbery,    do. 

Colonel  PATTERSON'S  Regiment. 

Judah  Bills,                   do.                 Asa  Rice,                       do. 
James  Clay,                   do.                 Benjamin  Young,          do. 

Captain  SULLIVAN'S  Company. 
Nathan  Lord,           2d  Lieutenant.    Jonathan  Nook,       Private. 

Captain  JOHN  STEVENS  's  Company. 

Enoch  Whitehouse,  Corporal.            Moses  Eggleston,          do. 

Matthew  Patterson,  2d  Lieutenant.    Obil  Fellows,             Private. 

John  Jenkins,           Private.               Mark  Tuke,                  do. 

David  Fellows,         Sergeant.              Samuel  Fellows,            do. 

Ephraim  Goodwin,        do.                  Richard  Shean,               do. 

Benjamin  Hewitt,         do.                 Ebenezer  A.  Foot,         do. 

Rook  Stillians,              do.                 Jeremiah  Ceathe,           do. 

Jedediah  Smith,       Corporal.            John  Green,                   do. 

Jonathan  Paskey,          do.                 Stephen  Hardison,        do. 

Zebulon  Stevens,           do.                 Isaiah  Gridley,               do. 
Samuel  Green,         Drummer.           Zadock  Hawley,           do. 

Captain  SAWYER'S  Company. 

Zechariah  Porter,    Fifer.                    Ephraim  Hewett,           do. 

William  Joloson,      Private.                Joseph  Wilkins,       Private. 

Edward  Bowe,         Private.               Joseph  Henderson,        do. 

Paul  Goodwin,              do.                 Hezekiah  Kember,        do. 

Elisha  Bradford,            do.                  John  Herrington,           do. 

Joseph  Stewart,             do. 

Hezekiah  Barce,            do.                  Daniel  Jackways,           do. 

Captain  SULLIVAN'S  Company. 

David  Baldwin,             do.                 Eldad  Kellogg,              do. 
Josiah  Cleveland,           do.                 Jabez  Lears,                  do. 

Samuel  Spray,          Private.                Nathaniel  Tyler,      Private. 

Jonas  Cleveland,            do.                  jEneas  Lyne,                  do. 

James  Hambleton,         do.                  Josiah  Strong,                do. 

James  Clary,                  do.                  John  Ledgar,                  do. 

Samuel  Jones,               do.                 Thomas  Durban,           do. 

John  Cole,                     do.                 Paul  Moon,                   do. 

Samuel  Spray,                do.                  Joseph  Adams,               do. 

Simeon  Dupee,              do.                 Titus  Merrill,                do. 

Samuel  Southard.          do. 

Reuben  Deane,              do.                 John  Magoon,               do. 

Captain  McKiNSTRy's  Company. 

John  Evans,                   do.                  David  Preston,               do. 
Eleazer  Fisher,               do.                  Amaziah  Palmeter,        do. 

Phelps,              Private.              William  Fann,          Private. 
Roberts,                  do.                  William  Bennett,           do. 

Samuel  Fitch,                 do.                  Seth  Raymond,              do. 
Thomas  Fleming,          do. 

Joel  Phelps,                    do.                  Geo.  Vanvolcamburgh,  do. 

Joseph  Hallaster,           do.                  F.  Vanvolcamburgh,      do. 
Isaac  Welch,                  do.                  Obed  Hatch,                   do. 

Colonel  BEDEL'S  Regiment. 

Michael  Murray,          do.              *  John  Leming,                do! 

Captain  EVERETT'S  Company. 

Edward  Everett,      Captain.              William  Pitts,           Private. 

Captain  ASHLEY'S  Company. 

Chamberlin,     Lieutenant.           Ephraim  Blodget,           do. 

Caleb  Walker,          Sergeant.            Isaac  Winston,          Private. 
Abner  Bruce,              Private.              David  Read,                    do 

John  Tyler,              Sergeant.              Ephraim  Chamberlin,    do. 
Benjamin  Mordock,       do.                  Daniel  Chamberlin,        do. 

Joseph  Chaplain,           do.                  Timothy  Cole,                do 

Benjamin  Rawlins,  Corporal.            Lemuel  Medes,              do. 

Jesse  Perin,                     do.                  William  Raymont,        do. 

Nahum  Powers,        Private.               Joseph  Wheat,               do. 

Oliver  Clary,                  do.                  Willis  Taylor,                do. 

Michael  Clarke,              do.                  Ezra  Gates,                     do. 

Abel  Maltoon,                do.                  Elisha  Whitehead,         do. 

Joseph  Judkins,            do.                 Ezra  Gates,  jr.,             do. 

William  Long,               do.                  Nathan  Curtis,               do. 

Job  Leverett,                 do.                 Jacob  Gates,                  do. 

Hezekiah  Davis,            do.                  Joel  Curtis,                     do 

John  Brown,                   do.         s        Stephen  Gates,               do. 

Sylvanus  Maltoon,        do.                  Daniel  Perin,                  do. 

Nathaniel  Bardean,       do.                 John  Cooley,                 do. 

John  Deverin,                do.                  James  Taylor,                do! 

James  Barnes,               do. 

Jeremiah  Miller,       2d  Lieutenant.     Benjamin  Ingram,          do! 
Ezra  Read,                 Private.               Elisha  Norton 

Captain  YOUNG'S  Company. 

Solomon  Cleveland,  Private.             Joseph  Hadley,         Private. 

Captain  WYMAN'S  Company. 

Captain  GREEN'S  Company. 

James  Wentworth,    Private.             Isaac  Fisk,               Private. 

Alexander,  Private. 

169 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


170 


Captain  CARLISLE'S  Company. 

Eleazer  Jordan, 

Private. 

Joshua  Pierce, 

Private. 

Luke  Aldridge, 

do. 

Joseph  Beaman, 

do. 

Nathaniel  Bacon, 

do. 

Stephen  Chapman, 

do. 

Thomas  Whitcomb 

,     do. 

Nathaniel  Colborn, 

do. 

Thomas  Armsdin, 

do. 

Captain  WAIT'S  Company. 

Isaac  Johnson, 

Private. 

Aaron  Rice, 

Private. 

Josiah  Johnson, 

do. 

f'n//(«i)i  EASTABROOKS'S  Company. 

Jos.  Eastabrooks, 

Captain. 

Martin  Montgomery 

,  Private. 

Sergeants, 
Griggs, 

1st  Lieutenant. 
2d  Lieutenant. 

Benjamin  Coate, 
William  Hardwich, 

do. 
do. 

Holbrook, 

Ensign. 

Elisha  Bowes, 

do. 

Fuller, 

Sergeant. 

Joseph  Church, 

do. 

Skinner, 

do. 

Moses  Wright, 

do. 

James  Miller, 

Drummer. 

Elphias  Hill, 

do. 

John  Udal, 

Private. 

Asa  White, 

do. 

Andrew  Binton, 

do. 

Cornelius  Dunfer, 

do. 

John  Wright, 

do. 

Robert  Little, 

do. 

Peter  Wilson, 

do. 

Timothy  Harvey, 

do. 

Charles  Richards, 

do. 

Amos  Holbrook, 

do. 

William  Murphy, 

do. 

Train  of  Artillery. 

John  McKallough, 
Abiah  Buck, 

Sergeant. 
Private. 

James  Edy, 
Michael  Fitzgerald, 

Private, 
do. 

Matthew  McCluar, 

do. 

Isaac  Butterfield, 

Major. 

Thomas  Hibbard, 

,'liljutant. 

The  first  party  (five  boats)  were  landed  at  Chateauguai, 
and  the  remainder  at  Fort  Ann. 

The  prisoners  mentioned  in  these  papers  are  all  I  received 
at  Caughnawaga. 

Montreal,  June  2,  1776. 


ample.  I  have  sent  you  a  pamphlet,  called  Observations  on 
the  nature  of  Civil  Liberty,  &ic.,  written  by  Doctor  Price,  in 
England.  It  is  an  excellent  piece,  and  I  do  not  doubt 
(properly  used)  will  tend  to  strengthen  your  patriotick,  or,  in 
other  words,  independent  party.  I  have  also  directed  one 
to  Doctor  Me  Call  as  a  present. 

The  Militia  of  Pennsylvania  are  beginning  their  march 
this  day  towards  New-York;  and  I  do  suppose  that  by  the 
last  of  this  week  General  Washington  will  be  thirty  thousand 
strong  at  least.  Colonel  Haslett's  battalion  (except  one 
company,  which  is  to  stay  at  Lewis)  is  ordered  up  to  Wil- 
mington, as  a  security  to  Philadelphia  in  the  absence  of  their 
Militia,  as  well  as  to  the  lower  Counties,  and  hopes,  for  this 
reason,  the  Committee  of  Safety  will  permit  them  to  retain 
(while  thus  employed)  the  Militia  arms  belonging  to  the 
publick. 

Neither  Betsey's  nor  Sally's  shoes  are  yet  done,  though 
the  measures  were  sent  as  soon  as  I  got  to  town.  I  am  glad 
to  find  that  you  are  of  opinion  my  harvest  will  be  down  by 
the  last  of  this  week.  Pray  do  attend  to  it.  Perhaps 
wheat  will  bring  something  next  year. 

I  am  yours,  &ic.,  CJESAR  RODNEY. 

To  Captain  Thomas  Rodney,  Esq.,  at  Dover, 


JAMES  OSGOOD,  Captain. 


Montreal,  June  2,  1776. 

The  annexed  schedule  contains  a  true  and  just  account 
of  the  prisoners  which  were  taken  at  the  Cedars,  and  some 
at  Caughnawaga,  amounting  to  one  Major,  four  Captains, 
sixteen  Subalterns,  and  three  hundred  and  fifty-five  Privates ; 
most  of  them  were  set  at  liberty  at  Quinze  Chiens. 

JAMES  OSGOOD,  Captain. 

Captain  Osgood,  who  was  appointed  and  sent  to  Caugh- 
nawaga to  receive  the  prisoners  according  to  articles  entered 
into  with  Captain  Forster,  personally  appeared  be(pre  me, 
and  made  solemn  oath  to  the  truth  of  the  above  account. 
B.  ARNOLD,  Brigadier-General. 


CJESAR  RODNEY  TO  THOMAS  RODNEY. 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  You  mention  in  your  last  that  Mr.  Wells  is  dis- 
charged the  service.  Calonel  Haslett  has  not  as  yet  reported 
that  matter  to  Congress.  When  he  does,  I  shall  attend  to 
what  you  have  said  on  that  head. 

With  respect  to  the  other  matters  you  sent  me,  I  am  of 
opinion  that  any  good  effect  that  might  flow  from  them  must 
be  local — I  mean,  that  it  would  be  confined  principally  to 
the  inhabitants  of  that  County;  and,  on  the  other  hand — 
at  a  time  of  such  imminent  danger,  when  powerful  armies 
are  actually  knocking  at  our  gates,  and  the  serious  attention 
of  every  friend  to  American  liberty  is  employed  in  giving 
that  manly  opposition  to  those  vile  invaders  of  their  just 
rights,  privileges,  and  property — whether  it  would  be  pru- 
dent to  hold  out  to  the  world  such  numbers  of  internal  ene- 
mies, especially  as,  by  the  manly  and  determined  spirit  pre- 
vailing in  the  Congress,  their  wings  must  and  will  be  clipped. 
The  Declaration  has  laid  the  foundation,  and  will  be  followed 
by  laws  fixing  the  degree  of  offence  and  punishment  suit- 
able. Some  people  have  done  things  which,  if  done  in 
future,  nothing  less  than  life  will  be  sufficient  to  atone  for. 
These  enemies  to  our  righteous  cause  will  (I  apprehend) 
be  less  on  their  guard,  if  they  are  not  held  up  in  that 
publick  way,  than  if  they  are,  and  will  undoubtedly  meet 
their  due  reward,  provided  you  pursue  steadily  your  line  of 
patriotism,  and  at  the  same  time  keep  a  watchful  eye  toward 
their  conduct  in  the  politicks  of  your  country.  These  things 
must  and  will  be  inquired  into.  But,  sir,  now  is  the  time 
and  season  that  our  open  and  avowed  enemies  are  pressing 
hard.  They  call  forth  the  attention  and  utmost  vigilance 
of  the  Congress  to  that  point.  They  well  know  they  have 
internal  enemies  in  disguise ;  and  whenever,  by  the  blessing 
of  God,  their  virtuous  efforts  shall  be  crowned  with  success, 
they  will  immediately  turn  their  thoughts  toward  those  sap- 
pers of  the  rights  of  mankind.  It  is  also  the  business  of 
every  Government,  so  soon  as  formed,  to  take  in  hand  that 
business.  South-  Carolina  has  already  set  them  a  good  ex- 


JOHN  ADAMS  TO  MRS.  ADAMS. 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 

You  will  see  by  the  newspapers  which  I  from  time  to 
time  enclose,  with  what  rapidity  the  Colonies  proceed  in 
their  political  manoeuvres.  How  many  calamities  might 
have  been  avoided,  if  these  measures  had  been  taken  twelve 
months  ago,  or  even  no  longer  ago  than  last  December. 

The  Colonies  to  the  South  are  pursuing  the  same  maxims 
which  have  heretofore  governed  those  to  the  North.  In 
constituting  their  new  Governments,  their  plans  are  remark- 
ably popular,  more  so  than  I  could  ever  have  imagined ;  even 
more  popular  than  the  "  Thoughts  on  Government ;"  and 
in  the  choice  of  their  rulers,  capacity,  spirit,  and  zeal  in  the 
cause,  supply  the  place  of  fortune,  family,  and  every  other 
consideration  which  used  to  have  weight  with  mankind. 
My  friend  Archibald  Bulloch,  Esq.,  is  Governour  of  Geor- 
gia; John  Rutledge,  Esq.,  is  Governour  of  South-Caro- 
lina ;  Patrick  Henry,  Esq.,  is  Governour  of  Virginia,  &c. ; 
Dr.  Franklin  will  be  Governour  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
new  Members  of  this  city  are  all  in  this  taste,  chosen  be- 
cause of  their  inflexible  zeal  for  Independence.  All  the  old 
Members  left  out  because  they  opposed  Independence,  or 
at  least  were  lukewarm  about  it.  Dickinson,  Morris,  Allen, 
all  fallen,  like  grass  before  the  scythe,  notwithstanding 
all  their  vast  advantages  in  point  of  fortune,  family,  and 
abilities.  I  am  inclined  to  think,  however,  and  to  wish  that 
these  gentlemen  may  be  restored  at  a  fresh  election,  be- 
cause, although  mistaken  in  some  points,  they  are  good 
characters,  and  their  great  wealth  and  numerous  connexions 
will  contribute  to  strengthen  America,  and  cement  her 
Union. 

I  wish  I  were  at  perfect  liberty  to  portray  before  you  all 
these  characters  in  their  genuine  lights,  and  to  explain  to 
you  the  course  of  political  changes  in  this  Province.  It 
would  give  you  a  great  idea  of  the  spirit  and  resolution  of 
the  people,  and  show  you,  in  a  striking  point  of  view,  the 
deep  roots  of  American  Independence  in  all  the  Colonies. 
But  it  is  not  prudent  to  commit  to  writing  such  free  specu- 
lations in  the  present  state  of  things.  Time,  which  takes 
away  the  veil,  may  lay  open  the  secret  springs  of  this  sur- 
prising Revolution.  But  I  find,  although  the  Colonies  have 
differed  in  religion,  laws,  customs,  and  manners,  yet  in 
the  great  essentials  of  society  and  government,  they  are  all 
alike. 


ADDRESS  TO  GENERAL  ROBERDEAU. 

To  the  Hon.  DANIEL  ROBERDEAU,  Esq.,  First  Brigadier- 
General  for  the  Province  of  PENNSYLVANIA  : 
SIR  :  We  are  desired  by  the  Board  of  Officers  of  the 
Second  Battalion  to  inform  you  that  they  are  fully  sensible 
of  the  great  attention  and  zeal  with  which  you  have  con- 
ducted yourself  while  in  the  station  of  their  Colonel,  not 
only  for  the  general  and  important  interest  of  our  bleeding 
country,  but  for  those  of  the  battalion  in  particular.     Nothing 
but  the  consideration  of  your  being  advanced  to  a  situation 


171 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


172 


in  which  you  can  be  more  extensively  useful,  could  alleviate 
the  regret  they  feel  on  the  removal  of  their  Colonel. 

We  are  instructed  unfeignedly  to  congratulate  you  on  your 
election  to  the  distinguished  department  you  now  fill,  which 
we  have  no  doubt  you  will  conduct  with  honour  to  yourself 
and  advantage  to  the  cause  in  which  our  lives  and  fortunes 
are  so  deeply  engaged;  and  permit  us  to  assure  you  that  the 
officers  and  privates  of  the  Second  Battalion  will  always 
esteem  it  a  peculiar  privilege  to  be  under  your  command, 
and  you  may  depend  upon  their  zeal  and  readiness  on  all 
occasions  to  support  your  authority  and  execute  your  orders. 
Signed  by  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  Battalion  : 

JOHN  BAYARD,  Colonel. 

JONATHAN  SMITH,  Captain. 

SAMUEL  MASSEY,  Lieutenant. 
Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 

GENERAL  ROBERDEAU'S  REPLY. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  sense  which  the  Officers  of  the  Second 
Battalion  express,  in  this  obliging  Address,  of  my  attention 
to,  and  zeal  in,  the  service  of  my  bleeding  country,  in  that 
particular  line  of  duty  marked  out  by  their  free  unanimous 
voice,  is  not  only  very  honourable,  but  also  highly  pleasing, 
as  it  is  a  fresh  proof  of  the  regard  of  a  corps  with  whom  I 
have  had  uninterrupted  happiness  ever  since  our  first  con- 
nection, and  whose  esteem  I  would  ever  studiously  culti- 
vate. At  the  same  time  that  I  accept  with  thanks,  as  a 
further  mark  of  regard,  your  congratulations  on  my  late 
honourable  appointment  at  Lancaster,  permit  me  to  say 
that  neither  that  appointment  nor  your  congratulations  can 
prevent  the  pain  of  an  ingenuous  mind  under  the  conscious 
sense  of  a  want  of  talents  for  so  important  a  station.  How- 
ever, the  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged  is  the  cause  of 
God,  who  loveth  justice  and  hateth  oppression.  He  can 
give  efficacy  to  the  feeblest  efforts.  The  concurrence  of 
officers  and  privates,  in  a  general  assurance  of  their  zeal  and 
readiness  in  the  service  of  their  country  under  my  command, 
presages  a  happy,  and,  I  trust,  a  successful  campaign,  for 
which  they  have  my  hearty  thanks.  I  expect  no  less  from 
every  friend  to  America,  engaged  in  the  service,  as  I  can 
have  no  private  or  sinister  view,  and  it  is  evident  union 
alone  can  serve  our  suffering  country,  whereas  divisions 
would  destroy  it.  DANIEL  ROBERDEAU. 

Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 

LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  10,  1776. 
The  necessity  for  Arms  at  present  is  such,  that  it  is  re- 
commended to  Thomas  McClenaghan,  a  journeyman  of 
Michael  Rhinehart,  (gun-barrel  maker,)  to  go  to  work  with 
the  said  Michael  Rhinehart,  as  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Com- 
mittee that  gun-barrel  makers,  and  persons  of  such  trades 
as  are  immediately  necessary  for  the  publick  service,  ought 
to  continue  at  their  particular  employments. 


BUCKS  COUNTY  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE 

In  Committee,  Bucks  County,  July  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will  use  their  utmost  en- 
deavours that  the  Resolve  of  the  late  Provincial  Conference 
for  imbodying  four  hundred  of  the  Associators  of  this  County, 
be  immediately  put  into  execution ;  and  that  the  following 
gentlemen  be  appointed  Officers,  being  the  proportion  allot- 
ted to  this  County,  viz:  Colonel,  Joseph  Hart;  Captains: 
John  Followell,  William  Roberts,  William  Hart,  Valentine 
Up,  John  Jamison;  First  Lieutenants :  John  Knesen,  Henry 
Durroch,  Hugh  Long,  Philip  Trumbower,  Dennis  Middle- 
swart;  Second  Lieutenants :  Abraham  Dubois,  James  Shaw, 

Jacob  Drake,  Samuel  Deane,  John  Irvine ;  Ensigns : 

McKissack,  William  Hines,  Joseph  Hart,  Sto/el  Keller, 
John  Me  Common;  Adjutant:  JohnJohnson;  Surgeon :  Joseph 
Fenton,  Jun.;  Quartermaster:  Alexander  Benstead. 

Resolved,  That  where  any  person  or  persons  within  any 
Township  of  this  County,  shall  refuse  to  deliver  his  or  their 
Firearms  to  the  Collectors  of  Arms,  either  chosen  or  ap- 
pointed, agreeable  to  a  late  resolve  of  the  Assembly  of  this 
Province,  the  said  Collectors,  or  any  one  of  them,  shall  apply 
to  the  Colonel,  or,  in  his  absence,  the  next  in  command  of 
the  Battalion  to  which  the  Associators  of  that  Township 
belong,  who  shall  thereupon  give  orders  to  such  officer  and 


such  number  of  men  as  he  shall  apprehend  proper  and  suffi- 
cient to  enforce  the  said  resolve  of  Assembly. 

Resolved,  That  where  it  shall  appear  to  the  Collector  of 
Arms,  that  any  person  or  persons  have  been  possessed  of 
good  Firearms,  and  do  not  deliver  them,  or  satisfy  the  Col- 
lectors where  they  are,  the  said  Collectors,  or  any  of  them, 
cite  such  person  or  persons  to  appear  before  this  Committee 
at  their  next  meeting,  and  satisfy  this  Board  how  the  said 
Arms  have  been  disposed  of. 

Agreeable  to  two  Resolves  of  the  Committee  of  Safety 
of  this  Province,  this  Committee  have  appointed  Gerret 
Dungan  to  cause  the  Firearms  collected  from  Non-Associa- 
tors  in  this  County,  to  be  immediately  rendered  fit  for  use. 

Matthew  Bennct  is  appointed  for  the  First  Battalion,  and 
Jared  Irvine  for  the  Second,  Third,  and  Fourth  Battalions 
of  Associators  in  this  County,  to  seize  the  guns  and  mark 
the  size  on  the  breechpin,  or  lower  end  of  the  barrel. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  : 

JOSEPH  HART,  Chairman. 


SAMUEL  TUCKER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  12,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

In  Provincial  Congress  of  New-Jersey,  ) 
Trenton,  July  10, 1776.      $ 

SIR:  By  order  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  I  am  to  inform 
you  that,  on  the  sudden  call  of  the  Commander-in-Chief  at 
New-York,  the  Militia  of  several  of  the  eastern  Counties 
have  marched  to  the  General's  assistance  ;  and  also  a  number 
from  the  western  part  of  the  Colony  there,  together  with  the 
new  levies  for  the  requested  brigade,  have  greatly  drained 
us  of  men,  at  a  time  when  the  grain  (the  support  of  the 
Colony)  is  in  imminent  danger  of  being  neglected  and  lost. 
The  condition  of  this  Colony,  from  the  present  situation  of 
the  enemy,  has  been  such  that  the  Militia  have  been  neces- 
sarily detained  hitherto.  In  such  circumstances,  we  have 
with  pleasure  received  information  that  the  Militia  of  Penn- 
sylvania is  about  to  march  to  our  assistance.  While  we 
thus  enjoy  the  pleasing  prospect  of  more  effectually  oppo- 
sing our.common  enemy,  we  hope  the  Congress  will  give 
such  directions  as  may  afford  an  opportunity  for  immediately 
dismissing  our  Militia  for  the  present,  in  order  that  they  may 
save  and  secure  their  grain,  already  suffering. 

At  Trenton,  where  we  understand  the  camp  is  to  be 
formed,  the  Pennsylvania  Militia  cannot  effect  the  purpose, 
which  we  have  greatly  at  heart,  of  relieving  our  people  from 
their  attendance,  that  their  harvests  may  not  perish.  We 
submit  to  Congress,  therefore,  the  propriety  of  sending  for- 
ward our  friends  from  Pennsylvania  to  the  eastern  part  of 
this  Colony;  if  not  all,  at  least  such  part  of  them  as  may  be 
thought  more  immediately  necessary. 

Besides  the  danger  of  our  harvest  suffering,  a  more  press- 
ing one,  if  possible,  urges  us  to  this  application,  which  is 
that  of  our  people  from  the  interior  Counties  deserting  the 
service  in  order  to  preserve  their  crops ;  the  rather  as  some 
of  our  Counties  have  in  a  great  measure  withheld  their  force, 
whilst  others  have  turned  out  almost  to  a  man. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  humble  servants. 

By  order  of  Congress :      e  m 

OAMUEL  I  UCKER,  President. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

DR.  WITHERSPOON  TO  COLONEL  HARRISON. 

Dr.  WITHEHSPOON'S  compliments  to  Colonel  Harrison. 
The  bearer  of  this  is  Mr.  Rowland  Chambers,  recommended 
by  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New-Jersey  as  Paymaster  to 
the  three  thousand  three  hundred  men  raised  in  Jersey  for 
the  Army  at  New-  York.  He  will  he  obliged  to  Colonel 
Harrison,  if  he  is  appointed,  to  let  him  know  as  soon  as 
possible  the  condition  of  the  bond  to  be  taken  of  him,  and 
the  nature  of  the  security,  that  no  time  may  be  lost  in  pro- 
viding it. 

Philadelphia,  Friday,  July  12,  1776. 

In  Provincial  Congress  of  New-Jersey, 
Burlington,  June  27,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Rowland  Chambers  be  recommended 
by  this  Congress  to  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  as 
a  proper  person  to  be  Paymaster  of  the  new  levies  raising  in 
this  Colony  to  reinforce  the  Army  at  New-York. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  : 

WILLIAM  PATERSON,  Secretary. 


173 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  JULY,  1776. 


174 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  DATED  PRINCETON,  NEW-JERSEY, 

JULY  10,  1776. 

Last  night  Nassau-Hall  was  grandly  illuminated,  and  In- 
dependency proclaimed  under  a  triple  volley  of  musketry, 
and  universal  acclamation  for  the  prosperity  of  the  United 
States.  The  ceremony  was  conducted  with  the  greatest 
decorum. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  11,  1776.] 

New-York,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  two 
favours  of  the  4th  and  6th  instant,  which  came  duly  to  hand, 
with  their  important  enclosures. 

I  perceive  that  Congress  have  been  employed  in  delibe- 
rating on  measures  of  the  most  interesting  nature.  It  is 
certain  it  is  not  with  us  to  determine,  in  many  instances, 
what  consequences  will  flow  from  our  counsels;  but  yet 
•  it  behooves  us  to  adopt  such  as,  under  the  smiles  of  a 
gracious  and  all-kind  Providence,  will  be  most  likely  to  pro- 
mote our  happiness.  I  trust  the  late  decisive  part  they  have 
taken  is  calculated  for  that  end,  and  will  secure  us  that  free- 
dom and  those  privileges  which  have  been  and  are  refused 
us,  contrary  to  the  views  of  nature  and  the  British  Consti- 
tution. Agreeable  to  the  request  of  Congress,  I  caused  the 
Declaration  to  be  proclaimed  before  all  the  Army  under  my 
command,  and  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  them  that  the 
measure  seemed  to  have  their  most  hearty  assent — the 
expressions  and  behaviour,  both  of  officers  and  men,  testify- 
ing their  warmest  approbation  of  it.  I  have  transmitted  a 
copy  to  Genaral  Ward,  at  Boston,  requesting  him  to  have  it 
proclaimed  to  the  Continental  troops  in  that  department. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  I  hear  the  Militia  from  Ma- 
ryland, the  Delaware  Government,  and  Pennsylvania,  will 
be  in  motion  every  day  to  form  the  Flying-Camp.  It  is  of 
great  importance,  and  should  be  accomplished  with  all  pos- 
sible despatch.  The  readiness  and  alacrity  with  which  the 
Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  other  conferees 
have  acted,  in  order  to  forward  the  associated  Militia  of  that 
State  to  the  Jerseys  for  service,  till  the  men  to  compose  the 
Flying-Camp  arrive,  strongly  evidence  their  regard  to  the 
common  cause,  and  that  nothing  on  their  part  will  be  want- 
ing to  support  it.  I  hope,  and  I  doubt  not,  that  the  asso- 
ciated Militia,  impressed  with  the  expediency  of  the  measure, 
will  immediately  carry  it  into  execution,  and  furnish  in  this 
instance  a  proof  of  the  continuance  of  that  zeal  which  has 
so  eminently  marked  their  conduct.  I  have  directed  the 
Commissary  to  make  necessary  provision  for  their  reception, 
who  will  also  supply  the  Army  for  the  Flying-Camp  with 
rations.  A  proper  officer  will  be  appointed  to  command  it. 

In  pursuance  of  the  power  given  me  by  Congress,  and 
the  advice  of  my  General  Officers,  I  have  written  to  General 
Ward,  and  desired  him  forthwith  to  detach  three  of  the 
fullest  regiments  from  the  Massachusetts-Bay  to  join  the 
northern  Army,  esteeming  it  a  matter  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance to  have  a  sufficient  force,  there  to  prevent  the  enemy's 
passing  the  lake,  and  making  an  impression  in  that  quarter. 
The  gondolas  and  galleys  will  be  of  great  service,  and  I 
am  hopeful  the  carpenters  you  have  sent  from  Philadelphia, 
and  that  will  go  from  the  eastward  on  your  application,  will 
be  able  to  build  a  sufficient  number  in  time  to  answer  every 
exigency. 

I  have  requested  Governour  Cooke,  if  the  duck  mentioned 
in  Mr.  Greene's  letter  is  proper  for  tents,  to  have  it  made 
up  as  early  as  possible,  and  forwarded  here.  I  have  also 
desired  him  to  send  the  flints  and  small-arms;  as  I  leave 
General  Ward  those  of  the  latter  that  were  taken  out  of  the 
Scotch  transports,  our  deficiency  in  those  necessary  articles 
being  still  greater. 

Observing  that  Congress  have  particularly  mentioned  a 
bounty  of  ten  dollars  to  be  paid  to  men  of  some  corps  directed 
to  be  raised  in  two  or  three  instances,  since  their  resolve  of 
the  26th  of  June  allows  such  bounty,  I  have  been  led  to 
doubt  how  that  resolve  is  to  be  construed ;  whether  it  is  a 
general  regulation,  and  extends  to  all  men  that  will  engage 
for  three  years:  for  instance,  the  soldiers  of  the  present 
Army,  if  they  will  inlist  for  that  time.  If  it  is,  and  extends 
to  them,  it  will  be  .necessary  to  forward  a  large  sum  of 
money;  many,  perhaps,  would  engage.  I  also  observe,  by 
the  resolve  of  the  25th  June,  for  raising  four  regiments  of 


Militia  in  the  eastern  Governments,  to  augment  the  troops 
in  the  Northern  Department,  that  the  Assemblies  of  those 
Governments  are  empowered  to  appoint  Paymasters  to  the 
said  regiments.  This  appears  to  me  a  regulation  of  great 
use,  and  I  could  wish  that  it  was  made  general,  and  one 
allowed  to  every  regiment  in  the  service:  many  advantages 
would  result  from  it. 

The  Connecticut  Militia  begin  to  come  in  ;  but  from  every 
account,  the  battalions  will  be  very  incomplete,  owing,  they 
say,  to  the  busy  season  of  the  year.  That  Government, 
lest  any  inconveniences  might  result  from  their  Militia  not 
being  here  in  time,  ordered  three  regiments  of  their  Light- 
horse  to  my  assistance,  part  of  which  have  arrived  ;  but  not 
having  the  means  to  support  them,  (and  if  it  could  be  done, 
the  expense  would  be  enormous,)  I  have  thanked  the  gen- 
tlemen for  their  zeal  and  the  attachment  they  have  mani- 
fested upon  this  occasion,  and  informed  them  that  I  cannot 
consent  to  their  keeping  their  horses,  at  the  same  time  wish- 
ing them  to  stay  themselves.  I  am  told  that  they,  or  part 
of  them,  mean  to  do  so. 

General  Mercer  is  now  in  the  Jerseys,  for  the  purpose  of 
receiving  and  ordering  the  Militia  coming  from  the  Flying- 
Camp,  and  have  sent  over  our  Chief  Engineer  to  view  the 
grounds  within  the  neighbourhood  of  Amboy,  and  to  lay  out 
some  necessary  works  for  the  encampment,  and  such  as 
may  be  proper  at  the  different  passes  in  Bergen-Neck  and 
other  places  on  the  Jersey  shore,  opposite  Statcn-lsland,  to 
prevent  the  enemy  making  impressions  and  committing 
depredations  on  the  property  of  the  inhabitants. 

The  intelligence  we  have  from  a  few  deserters  that  have 
come  over  to  us,  and  from  others,  is,  that  General  Howe  has 
between  nine  and  ten  thousand  men,  who  are  chiefly  landed 
on  the  Island,  posted  in  different  parts,  and  securing  the 
several  communications  from  the  Jerseys  with  small  works 
and  intrenchments,  to  prevent  our  people  from  paying  them 
a  visit ;  that  the  Islanders  have  all  joined  them,  seem  well 
disposed  to  favour  their  cause,  and  have  agreed  to  take  up 
arms  in  their  behalf.  They  look  for  Admiral  Howe's  arrival 
every  day,  with  his  fleet  and  a  large  reinforcement,  and  are  in 
high  spirits,  and  talk  confidently  of  success  and  carrying  all 
before  them  when  he  comes.  I  trust,  through  divine  favour 
and  our  own  exertions,  they  will  be  disappointed  in  their 
views ;  and,  at  all  events,  any  advantages  they  may  gain 
will  cost  them  very  dear.  If  our  troops  will  behave  well, 
which  I  hope  will  be  the  case,  leaving  everything  to  contend 
for  that  freedom  they  hold  dear,  they  will  have  to  wade 
through  much  blood  and  slaughter  before  they  can  carry  any 
part  of  our  works,  if  they  carry  them  at  all ;  and  at  best  be 
in  possession  of  a  melancholy  and  mournful  victory.  May 
the  sacredness  of  our  cause  inspire  our  soldiery  with  senti- 
ments of  heroism,  and  lead  them  to  the  performance  of  the 
noblest  exploits.  With  this  wish,  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
with  the  greatest  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


New- York,  July  10, 1776. 

In  pursuance  of  the  Declaration  for  Independency,  a 
general  jail  delivery,  with  respect  to  Debtors,  took  place  here 
this  day. 

On  Monday  last,  a  small  party  of  our  men  were  sent  to 
drive  off  cattle  from  Bergen  woods;  their  curiosity  led  them 
to  march  along  Bergen  shore,  to  view  ihe  regulars  on  Staten- 
Island.  On  seeing  two  of  their  officers  riding  along  the 
road  towards  Elizabethtown-Point,  some  of  our  men  thought 
to  scare  them,  and  fired  their  pieces  at  them,  over  the  river, 
nearly  opposite  Decker's  Ferry.  About  two  minutes  after, 
they  thundered  away  incessantly  for  some  time  at  our  people 
with  their  cannon,  but  did  them  no  hurt,  as  they  betook 
themselves  to  the  woods ;  however,  they  continued  their  fire 
with  great  fury  for  a  considerable  time,  thinking,  no  doubt, 
that  we  had  been  intrenching  there  with  a  great  force.  It 
was  no  small  diversion  to  our  men  to  see  them  throwing 
away  their  powder  and  shot  among  the  trees.  They  picked 
up  some  of  the  balls  and  brought  them  away  with  them. 

Durin"  the  past  week  several  of  the  newly  raised  regiments 
of  Connecticut  troops  have  arrived  in  town,  and  appear  to 
be  as  fine  a  body  of  men  as  any  engaged  in  the  present 
grand  struggle  for  liberty  and  independence.  Among  them, 
the  Light-Dragoons,  between  five  and  six  hundred,  who 
came  to  town  yesterday,  and  paraded  on  horseback  through 


175 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


176 


the  city,  made  a  noble  and  martial  appearance ;  and  as  this 
corps  is  composed  of  the  substantial  yeomanry  of  a  virtuous 
sister  State,  nothing  could  be  more  agreeable  or  animating 
to  all  true  friends  of  their  country.  Some  of  these  worthy 
soldiers  assisted,  in  their  present  uniforms,  at  the  reduction 
of  Louisburgh,  and  their  "  lank,  lean  cheeks,  and  war-worn 
coats,"  are  viewed  with  more  veneration  by  their  honest 
countrymen  than  if  they  were  glittering  nabobs  from  India, 
or  bashaws  with  nine  tails. 


PETITION  OF  JOSEPH  BLANCHARD  AND  OTHERS. 

To  the  Honourable  Provincial  Congress  of  the  Province  of 

NEW-YOHK  : 

The  Petition  of  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  upon  LONG- 
ISLAND,  in  said  Province,  humbly  shoiveth  : 
That  your  petitioners  were  taken  prisoners  by  a  military 
power,  and  confined  in  jail  in  the  City  of  New-York,  which 
confinement  your  petitioners  apprehend  to  be  occasioned  by 
some  mistaken  opinion  of  their  political  principles.  They 
hereby  beg  leave  to  assure  the  honourable  Congress  that 
they  nor  either  of  them  have,  by  any  ways  or  means  what- 
soever, directly  or  indirectly  given  or  offered  any  aid,  assist- 
ance, or  information,  to  the  Army  or  Navy  of  the  King  of 
Great  Britain,  relative  to  the  dispute  now  subsisting  between 
Great  Britain  and  these  Colonies.  That  your  petitioners 
are  all  tradesmen  and  farmers,  and  at  this  season  of  the  year 
in  particular  their  business  must  greatly  suffer  by  reason  of 
their  absence.  Therefore  your  petitioners  most  humbly  pray 
that,  in  tender  compassion  to  their  health,  their  families,  and 
circumstances,  your  Honours  will  take  their  case  under  con- 
sideration, and  cause  them  to  be  discharged,  or  otherwise 
suffer  them  to  be  brought  before  your  Honours,  that  they 
may  know  of  what  they  are  accused,  and  what  is  expected 
of  them  to  do.  And  your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound, 
shall  ever  pray,  &c. 

Joseph  Blanchard,  residing  in  the  City  of  New- York. 

Townsend  Weeks,  Henry  Dorland,  William  McCoun, 

John  Hutchecms,  Andrew  Allen,  John  Fleet, 

Daniel  Smith,  Ezekiel  Rayner,  Elijah  Rainer, 

John  Carman,  Jacob  Lamberson,  Benjamin  Pettit, 

Samuel  Townsend,  Richard  Smith,  Joseph  Dorlon, 

Peter  Wheeler,  Thomas  Fleet,  Nathaniel  Smith. 
Joseph  Bedell, 

NEW-YORK,  July  10,  1776. 


H.  CLEN  TO  WALTER  LIVINGSTON. 

Schenectady,  July  10,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  2d  instant,  accompanied  with 
a  deputation  as  an  Assistant  Deputy  Commissary,  is  duly 
come  to  hand,  and  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  appointing 
me  to  that  post.  I  would  have  written  you  sooner,  but  have 
been  so  busy  in  getting  forward  a  party  of  men  with  some 
cannon,  artillery,  &c.  They  are  now  on  their  way  to  the 
German-Flats,  to  Colonel  Dayton.  I  had  no  batteau-men 
to  spare  but  what  were  wanted  to  take  up  the  artillery  stores 
and  engineers'  ditto,  which  I  had  orders  to  send  first,  but  at 
the  same  time  sent  off  fifteen  wagons,  loaded  with  sixty  bar- 
rels of  pork,  to  the  German-Flats,  directed  to  the  Deputy- 
Commissary,  which  I  find  is  as  cheap  as  in  boats,  as  the 
water  in  this  river  is  very  low.  I  have  some  reason  to 
believe  that  Colonel  Dayton,  with  his  regiment  (when  the 
officer  of  the  Train  with  the  artillery  comes  to  the  German- 
Flats)  will  proceed  to  Fort  Stanwix ;  and  as  the  two  com- 
panies of  batteau-men,  with  twenty  boats,  are  entirely  loaded 
with  artillery  and  engineers'  stores,  I  have  ordered  the  cap- 
tains, whenever  they  have  delivered  their  loading  to  Colonel 
Dayton,  wherever  he  will  please  to  order  them;  which 
will  be  at  Fort  Stanwix.  The  batteau-men,  with  three 
batteaus,  are  to  proceed  to  the  Little-Falls.  Since  the 
batteau-men  went  from  here  with  the  artillery,  &c.,  came 
down  one  Captain  Van  Epps,  who  had  undertaken  to  raise  a 
company  of  batteau-men  to  take  in  flour  at  Major  Fonda's, 
or  wherever  the  Major  may  have  it  ready.  I  have  ordered 
Van  Epps  with  his  men  to  make  two  trips,  with  flour,  from 
Major  Fonda's  to  the  Little-Falls,  which  they  are  to  carry 
up  to  Fort  Stanwix:  before  they  come  back.  I  shall  by  that 
time  know  if  these  companies  of  batteau-men  are  to  remain 
in  this  river ;  if  so,  shall  fix  one  of  the  companies  between 
the  Little-Falls  and  Fort  Stanwix,  before  they  come  down, 
and  the  other  company  between  this  and  the  said  falls ;  so 
there  will  be  no  occasion  for  transporting  any  of  the  batteaus 


across  the  Little-Falls'  carrying-place.  Your  instructions  I 
shall  follow,  you  may  depend  on.  The  copies  Mr.  Beecher 
sent  for  entries  I  have  received.  The  returns  will  be  sent  you 
at  the  day  required.  I  can  get  no  scales  and  weights,  but  I 
have  taken  my  storehouse  to  store  the  pork  and  beef,  and 
as  I  have  scales,  weights,  &c.,  of  my  own,  shall  make  use 
of  them  for  the  present. 

I  am  informed  that  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs 
are  going  up  to  have  a  treaty  with  the  Indians.  I  would 
be  glad  to  know  whether  they  are  to  have  pork,  and  from 
where.  The  pork  I  sent  to  the  Flats  is  intended  for  Co- 
lonel Dayton's  regiment,  and  is  to  make  up  the  loading  I  am 
to  send  to  Fort  Stamvix  with  flour  from  Major  Fonda's. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  humble  servant,  H.  GLEN. 

To  Walter  Livingston,  Esq.,  Deputy  Commissary-General, 

at  Albany. 


H.  GLEN  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

.       Schenectady,  July  10,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  30th  ultimo  I  received,  and 
immediately,  in  conformity  to  your  order  to  me  of  the  26th, 
began  to  put  them  in  execution.  I  can  now  inform  you  that 
I  have  sent  off  all  the  artillery  and  engineers'  stores  to  the 
German-Flats,  to  Colonel  Dayton,  with  the  Captains  Lan- 
sing and  Wolcott,  loaded  in  nineteen  batteaus,  together  with 
sixty  barrels  of  pork  in  wagons,  as  the  boats  could  not  load 
anything  more  than  the  artillery,  &c.,  and  the  river  very  low 
withal.  I  was  considerably  put  to  it  in  getting  the  cannon 
loaded,  for  want  of  proper  implements,  as  the  officer  of  the 
artillery  had  neglected  to  bring  a  gin  with  him.  1  have  like- 
wise been  under  the  necessity  to  purchase  three  oilcloths  for 
the  preservation  of  the  ammunition.  1  have  also  got  them 
a  gin  made  here,  and  procured  a  tackle,  as  I  found  it  im- 
possible for  them  to  load  the  cannon  on  carriages  and  the 
like,  so  that  \  got  them  fixed  after  a  good  deal  of  trouble. 
The  batteaus  were  but  indifferent  in  general;  neither  was 
the  complement  here  fit  for  service,  as  was  expected. 
Since  the  first  batteaus,  under  Lansing  and  Wolcott,  went 
off,  came  down  Ernst  Van  Epps,  with  twenty  men.  I  did 
immediately  on  his  arrival  despatch  him  to  Fonda's  for  flour, 
with  seven  boats  to  carry  the  same  to  the  Falls,  and  ordered 
him  to  make  two  trips  and  then  return  here.  The  flour  Van 
Epps  will  bring  to  the  Falls,  and  the  pork  sent  in  wagons 
will,  by  computation,  make  a  loading  for  Lansing  and  Wol- 
cott when  they  return,  after  delivering  the  artillery  anywhere 
Colonel  Dayton  will  have  it  brought.  So  that  there  will  be 
no  occasion  of  having  the  boats  carried  over  the  carrying- 
place  until  they  may  have  gone  a  trip  more  with  provisions, 
which,  by  computation,  will  make  out  thirty-five  days'  pro- 
visions for  seven  hundred  men,  if  they  are  supplied  with  a 
little  fresh  with  the  pork.  By  the  time  the  batteaus  may 
have  done  this  work,  I  expect  to  be  honoured  with  your 
further  commands  (as  I  have  ordered  them  down  here)  what 
they  are  next  to  do.  And  should  then  anything  be  ordered 
to  Colonel  Dayton,  at  -F ort  Stanwix,  where  I  have  reason 
to  expect  he  will  be,  I  then  intend  to  station  one  company 
above  the  Falls,  to  prevent  the  carrying  of  the  batteaus  over 
so  often.  You  may  rely  on  my  exerting  everything  in  my 
power  to  promote  the  service  you  have  been  pleased  to 
honor  me  with. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  dear  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

H.  GLEN. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Schuykr. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  10,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  I  yesterday  evening  returned  from  a 
command  which  I  hope  I  have  executed  to  the  satisfaction 
of  your  Honour  and  the  other  Generals.  This  absence  has 
deprived  me  of  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here ;  but,  as  a 
matter  of  the  last  consequence  to  the  Army  is  likely  soon 
to  be  determined,  I  hope  you  will  excuse  my  freedom. 
I  have  understood  that  the  regiments  are  to  be  brigaded. 
If  so,  I  should  apprehend  that  it  will  tend  to  the  furtherance 
of  the  service  much,  that  the  Pennsylvamans  should  be 
brigaded  together.  If  there  is  no  General  proper  to  be 
appointed  over  them,  Colonel  St.  Clair,  an  old  and  expe- 
rienced officer,  would  be  exceedingly  acceptable,  and  every 
one  would  act  with  confidence  under  him. 


177 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


178 


I  have  a  great  regard  for  the  eastern  troops ;  but  I  am 
confident  they  will  act  much  better  alone  than  joined  with 
us.  Our  policy  and  manners  are  so  exceedingly  different, 
that  it  would  require  a  much  greater  time  than  can  now  be 
spent  to  blend  them  properly  together.  Much  business  is 
to  be  done  this  campaign ;  and  I  am  certain,  from  what  I 
have  observed,  that  we  shall  be  happier,  and  act  better,  if  the 
eastern  and  southern  troops  are  in  distant  brigades. 

We  shall  preserve  a  polite  and  friendly  intercourse,  and 
will  endeavour  to  wipe  off  all  Colonial  distinctions  and  pre- 
judices; but  it  will,  in  rny  weak  opinion,  tend  to  increase 
them,  if  brigaded  together  at  present.  I  write  this  with  a 
real  intention  of  advancing  the  service;  and  am,  with  the 
greatest  respect,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOS.  HARTLEY. 
To  General  Gates. 


and  from  the  distraction  of  the  empire,  am  now  deprived  of 
the  profits  of  a  very  good  branch  of  business,  viz:  ship- 
building, in  which  I  have  hitherto  maintained  a  reputable 
character,  till  those  distractions  came  on,  which  changed  the 
face  of  matters  in  such  a  way,  that  business  of  that  kind 
was  at  an  end;  and  it  pleased  the  Colony  to  appoint  me  to 
the  place  of  Commissary  to  the  Rhode-Island  troops,  where 
I  was  in  a  way  still  to  support  my  character;  and  after  tho 
greatest  encouragement,  even  to  a  promise,  without  a  fault, 
and  without  any  previous  notice,  gave  Peter  Phillips  a  com- 
mission to  take  rny  place ;  the,  justice  of  which  I  submit  to 
your  abundant  goodness ;  while  I  subscribe  myself,  your 

Honour's  most  obedient,  &tc.  m 

NATHAN  MILLER. 

To  the  Honourable  Jonathan  TrumbuU,  Esq. 


IRA  ALLEN  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Onion  River,  July  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  learn  you  are  alarmed  at  the  retreat  of 
our  Army  out  of  Canada.  Can  assure  you  the  savages  have 
killed  and  scalped  a  number  of  men  by  the  river  La  Cole, 
on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Champlain.  When  they  will  visit 
us  or  you,  is  uncertain.  Advise  you  to  look  sharp,  and 
keep  scouts  uut,  but  not  to  move,  except  some  families 
much  remote  from  the  main  inhabitants.  Last  Saturday, 
was  at  Crown-Point  with  General  Sullivan.  He  assured 
me  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  protect  the  frontier  set- 
tlements. 

I  proposed  a  line  of  forts  by  this  river  to  Cohos.  He 
said  he  believed  that  to  be  the  best  place,  and  made  no 
doubt  but  it  would  be  done.  He  immediately  ordered 
Colonel  Waite  and  two  hundred  men  to  this  place,  here  to 
remain,  and  grant  all  protection  in  his  power  to  the  inhabi- 
tants. Before  I  left  there,  Generals  Schuyler,  Gates,  and 
Arnold,  arrived.  I  conclude  there  is  a  determination  before 
this  time  in  regard  to  all  the  frontiers.  I  make  no  doubt 
but  a  line  of  block  forts  is  agreed  on  by  all,  from  this  river 
to  yours,  and  so  round  your  frontiers.  Had  intelligence 
from  St.  John's  about  twelve  days  ago.  Our  enemy  had 
but  one  hundred  tents,  which,  at  most,  could  not  be  for 
more  than  six  hundred  men  They  did  not  appear  to  be 
in  much  preparation  for  war.  At  Chambly,  there  were  but 
few  men.  It  is  thought  by  some  that  the  enemy  are  busy 
in  sending  provisions  and  clothing  to  all  the  garrisons  near 
the  head  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  and  in  supplying  the 
Indians  with  all  necessaries.  The  small-pox  has  almost 
gone  through  our  Army;  they  are  in  much  better  health  than 
they  were.  Gondolas  are  building ;  the  vessels  are  preparing 
for  war.  I  hope,  in  a  short  time,  they  will  be  able  to  beat 
all  the  powers  of  Britain  on  this  Lake.  Crown-Point  is 
proposed  for  headquarters.  In  haste,  IRA  ALLEN. 


NATHAN  MILLER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Camp  at  Newport,  July  10,  1776. 

SIR:  When  I  take  pen  in  hand  to  address  a  gentleman 
with  whom  I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  an  acquaintance,  I 
feel  myself  abashed;  but  when  I  call  to  mind  the  injury 
received  from  your  son,  I  feel  myself  bold. 

I  am  Commissary  to  the  troops  in  the  Colony  of  Rhode- 
Island,  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  said 
Colony;  and  when  I  heard  the  troops  were  like  to  be  put 
under  the  Continental  establishment,  I  wrote  a  letter  to  your 
son,  of  30th  May.  A  copy  of  the  answer  I  herewith  enclose 
you,  dated  the  9th  June,  to  which  requisition  I  complied, 
as  you  may  see  by  a  copy  of  another  letter,  of  the  28th 
June,  received  by  Peter  Phillips,  Esq.,  by  which  you  will 
see  the  ungenteel  treatment  of  which  I  have  abundant  reason 
to  complain.  He,  in  his  first  letter,  tells  me  how  to  proceed 
to  make  matters  to  his  satisfaction,  and,  in  his  next,  acknow- 
ledges them  to  be  so;  but  informs  me  that  Peter  Phillips 
has  a  Colony  appointment  antecedent  to  mine.  I  acknow- 
ledge it;  but  it  was  to  General  Greene's  brigade,  which 
went  immediately  out  of  the  Colony  when  raised,  and  Mr. 
Phillips  with  them,  who  might  have  remained,  and  no  one 
have  superseded  him  to  this  day.  I  am  sure  I  should  never 
have  harboured  such  a  thought,  although  I  have  the  vanity 
to  think  1  have  been  as  good  a  friend  to  my  country  on 
every  occasion  as  any  one  in  it,  according  to  rny  capacity; 


WILLIAM  PITKIN  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Hartford,  July  10,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  have,  since  the  first  of  this  month,  kept 
a  guard  at  my  powder-mill,  at  the  expense  of  seven  shillings 
per  night.  I  was  urged  into  the  measure  bv  a  great  number 
of  gentlemen  that  live  forty  or  fifty  miles  distant.  Threats 
have  leaked  out  from  Skene,  and  other  inimical  monsters, 
that  it  should  be  destroyed,  if  art  or  money  could  effect  it. 
I  intended  to  procure,  in  writing,  the  opinion  of  all  the  prin- 
cipal gentlemen  in  this  town,  that  it  is  absolutely  necessarj 
some  effectual  measures  should  be  taken  at  the  expense  of 
Government,  to  prevent  the  intended  destruction,  which  thej 
were  fond  of  signifying  to  your  Honour  and  Committee,  but 
have  not  time.  Mr.  Bennet  is  now  with  me,  pleading  for 
powder.  I  have  repeated  applications  from  people  at  the 
northward  in  great  distress,  some  of  whom  I  have  supplied, 
upon  advice  of  gentlemen  in  authority  in  this  town;  but  shall 
supply  no  further  without  your  Honour's  direction.  Only  add 
that  I  am,  with  the  highest  esteem,  your  Honour's  obedient 
humble  servant,  WM.  PITKIN. 

To  Governour  Trumbull. 

P.  S.  Mr.  Bennet,  of  Hartford,  went  from  Ashford;  has 
the  character  of  an  honest,  good  man,  on  whom  your  Honour 
may  rely  for  intelligence,  &tc. 


COLONEL  HERRICK  TO  COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS:  A  few  days  since,  I 
received  the  within  resignation  from  Captain  Flint  and  his 
subalterns.  They  were  commissionated  by  your  Honours 
to  command  the  second  company  in  my  regiment;  so  that 
said  company  is  now  destitute  of  officers;  and  I  submit  it 
to  your  Honours  to  judge  what  is  proper  to  be  done,  and 
wait  your  orders. 

I  am,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

HENRY  HERRICK, 

Colonel  of  8th  Regiment,  in  the  County  of  Essex. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Massachusetts- Bay. 

Danvcre,  July  8,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  We,  the  subscribers,  with  profound 
respect  to  you,  take  leave  to  send  you  a  few  lines,  to  inform 
you  that  we  have  a  real  zeal  for  the  good  of  our  countrjf 
and  nothing  can  be  more  agreeable  to  us  than  to  see  univer- 
sal harmony  and  benevolence  prevail  in  every  regiment 
and  company  of  Militia  upon  the  Continent,  being  sensible 
that  the  exigency  of  the  times  requires  it  more  immediately 
now  than  ever;  but,  sir,  as  we  cannot  think  our  accepting 
the  commissions  offered  to  us  by  the  honourable  Council  of 
this  Colony  will  be  attended  with  peace  in  this  company, 
and  for  some  other  reasons  which  one  of  us  has  heretofore 
given  you,  we  take  leave,  in  this  manner,  to  acquaint  you, 
that  we  utterly  refuse  to  accept  the  commissions.  Hoping 
that  you  will  be  directed  to  some  better  method  of  setting 
the  company  in  peace,  we  are,  sir,  your  humble  servants, 

SAMUEL  FLINT, 
DANIEL  PUTNAM, 
JOSEPH  PUTNAM,  JR. 

WORCESTER  COUNTY  (MASSACHUSETTS)  COMMITTEE. 
The  good  people  of  this  County  are  hereby  informed, 
that  there  are  a  considerable  number  of  Prisoners  in  this 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


12 


179 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


180 


town,  who  are  willing  to  go  out  to  service,  if  proper  persons 
should  appear  to  hire  them.  The  method  of  obtaining  them 
is  as  follows: 

^  The  persons  applying  must  have  a  certificate  from  the 
Committee  of  Safety,  &c.,  of  the  town  where  each  applicant 
belongs,  recommending  them  to  be  friendly  to  the  American 
cause,  and  must  have  a  receipt  from  said  Committee  to  be 
given  to  the  Sheriff,  and  give  a  receipt  to  them,  at  the  same 
time  engaging  to  return  the  Prisoners  whenever  thereto 
required. 

Worcester,  July  10,  1776. 

NORTHBOROUGH,  (WORCESTER  COUNTY,  MASSACHUSETTS,) 
COMMITTEE. 

Northborough,  July  10,  1776. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  In- 
spection, and  Safety,  it  was  voted  unanimously,  that  Thomas 
Billings,  and  his  son  Sylvanus  Billings,  John  Taylor,  and 
James  and  John  Eager,  be  all  confined  to  the  limits  of  their 
respective  farms  in  said  town ;  and  that  they  should  not  pass 
said  bounds  on  any  occasion  whatever,  without  leave  it  wri- 
ting from  the  major  part  of  said  Committee,  unless  it  be  to 
attend  publick  worship  or  funerals  in  their  own  town. 

As  we  consider  these  persons  unfriendly  to  the  cause  for 
which  the  United  Independent  States  of  North  America  are 
contending,  and  as  there  have  lately  been  many  private 
meetings  of  them  with  others  in  other  towns,  (with  ill  design, 
as  we  have  too  much  reason  to  think,)  they  are  now  held 
up  to  publick  view;  and  all  persons  in  town  and  out,  who 
are  friends  to  their  country,  are  desired  to  concur  with  this 
Committee  in  their  endeavours  to  prevent  all  such  meetings 
for  the  future ;  and  if  the  above-named  persons  are  found 
beyond  the  limits  aforesaid  without  a  pass,  to  apprehend  and 
return  them  to  the  Committee,  or  detain  them  in  custody 
until  they  inform  said  Committee  thereof.  And  all  persons 
are  warned  not  to  have  any  commercial  intercourse  with 
them,  agreeable  to  the  Association  of  the  Congress,  as  they 
would  avoid  being  treated  in  the  same  manner. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspec- 
tion, and  Safety,  of  Northborough : 

JOHN  BALL,  Chairman. 
Attest :  JETHRO  PETERS,  Clerk. 

SUBSCRIPTION  TO   ENCOURAGE   INLISTMENTS. 

Kittery,  Maine,  July  10,  1776. 

Whereas  some  difficulty  attends  the  raising  the  proportion 
of  men  assigned  this  town  by  the  General  Assembly,  for  the 
purpose  of  opposing  our  cruel  and  most  implacable  enemies, 
we,  the  subscribers,  being  duly  affected  with  a  sense  of  the 
justice  of  our  present  contest,  and  also  of  the  absolute  neces- 
sity that  the  said  men  be  forthwith  inlisted  and  sent  to  the 
place  of  destination,  for  encouragement  and  in  order  to  expe- 
dite this  measure,  do  severally  promise  to  pay  unto  Charles 
.Chauncey,  Esquire,  the  sums  respectively  set  against  our 
names. 

Charles  Chauncey,     -     -     ten  dollars. 
Edward  Cutts,     -     -     -     seven  dollars. 
N.  Sparhawk,  two  joes,  or  sixteen  dollars. 
William  Moore,    -     -     -     one  dollar. 
Roger  Bearing,  -     -     -     one  dollar. 
James  Hearswell,      -     .     one  dollar. 
William  Bearing,     -     -     one  dollar. 
Thomas  Harnat,  -     -     -     half-dollar. 
Joseph  Gerrish,   -     -     -     two  dollars. 
Richard  Cutts,     -     -     .     seven  dollars. 
Samuel  Mitchell,  -     -     -     four  shillings. 
Jeremiah  Mitchell,     -     -     three  shillings 
William  Mitchell,      -     -     four  shillings 
Joseph  Bitmer,          .     .     one  dollar. 
Benjamin  Mogdridge,    -     one  dollar. 


vessels  loading  and  unloading  at  the  quays.  A  large  Spanish 
fleet  of  men-of-war  have  sailed  from  this  place,  but  to  what 
part  I  cannot  learn,  all  manner  of  business  being  conducted 
here  with  the  greatest  mystery." 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  ST.   EUSTATIA  TO  A  GENTLEMAN 
IN  PHILADELPHIA,  DATED  JULY   11,   1776. 

You  have  herewith  a  few  West-India  papers,  and  an 
extract  of  a  letter  received  from  Dominica,  dated  July  8. 

We  have  a  vessel  here  from  Dublin,  that  sailed  May  28. 
The  captain  brings  accounts  of  A.  Thompson,  Newry,  A. 
Bryan,  and  James  Lecky,  Dublin,  being  all  taken  up  by 
order  of  the  Privy  Council  of  Ireland,  for  carrying  on  cor- 
respondence with  the  people  of  America.  Mr.  Bryan  was 
discharged,  but  Mr.  Thompson  and  Mr.  Lecky  were  held  to 
great  bail;  and  when  the  Captain  sailed, an  officer  was  kept 
on  Mr.  Lccky's  house,  and  his  papers  sealed  up.  It  was 
the  affair  of  the  gunpowder  he  purchased  last  year  for  Mr. 
B.  McClenachan,  to  be  shipped  by  the  Hancock  and  Adams, 
that  Mr.  Lecky  was  taken  up  for;  and  the  appearance  of 
Captain  Forrest  in  Dublin  from  Nantz  revived  the  story, 
and  caused  these  disagreeable  things  to  happen.  Large 
subscriptions  were  made  or  offered  for  Mr.  Lecky,  to  support 
him  against  this  attack  of  the  Council. 

About  ten  days  ago  the  Pomona  frigate,  Captain  East- 
wood, came  down  from  Antigua,  and  came  to  in  this  road, 
where  she  stayed  for  several  days,  with  intention,  as  we 
since  find,  to  wait  the  sailing  of  a  brig,  Captain  Booker, 
(owned  formerly  by  Mr.  Goodrich,  of  Virginia,  but  at  pre- 
sent Dutch  property,)  bound  to  Amsterdam.  As  soon  as 
the  brig  got  under  way,  the  Pomona  followed  and  took  her. 
She  was  sent  into  St.  Kitts,  and  an  express  sent  up  to  the 
Admiral  at  Antigua  to  know  what  to  do  with  her.  It  appears 
that  information  was  lodged  against  said  vessel  that  she  was 
bound  to  America  with  warlike  stores,  &c.,  and  it  is  expected 
as  soon  as  she  is  examined  will  be  discharged. 

While  Captain  Eastwood  lay  in  this  road,  he  sent  a  let- 
ter to  our  Governour,  requesting  leave  to  take  possession  of 
several  American  vessels  then  in  the  road,  two  or  three  of 
which  were  loaded  with  powder,  dry  goods,  &c.,  and  ready 
to  sail.  The  Governour  informed  him  he  could  grant  him 
no  such  permission,  and  desired  he  might  not  attempt  to 
commit  any  hostilities  by  offering  a  thing  of  this  nature.  The 
Governour  and  Council  met  on  this  occasion,  and  determined 
that,  in  future,  if  any  English  frigates  or  cruisers  came  within 
reach  of  the  guns  of  any  fort  of  this  Island,  with  intention  to 
obstruct  the  trade,  the  commanders  of  the  different  forts  have 
orders  to  fire  on  them.  The  Pomona  has  kept  within  sight 
of  this  Island  ever  since,  but  has  not  attempted  to  come 
within  reach  of  the  forts. 

Mr.  De  Graff  (our  late  Secretary)  is  appointed  Gover- 
nour of  this  Island.  His  commission  is  expected  out  by  the 
first  vessel  from  Holland,  and  it  is  thought  he  will  do  every- 
thing in  his  power  for  the  protection  of  trade. 

P.  S.  Two  of  the  passengers  that  came  in  the  before- 
mentioned  vessel  from  Dublin  are  just  arrived  here.  They 
say  that  Captain  Forrest  arrived  in  Ireland  from  Nantz  in 
a  vessel  under  French  colours,  and  on  his  appearance  in 
Dublin  was  immediately  suspected  of  coming  for  the  pow- 
der he  was  disappointed  in  taking  away  before ;  on  which 
his  vessel  was  searched,  and  several  letters  and  papers  found 
on  board,  two  of  which  letters  were  for  Mr.  Lecky  and  Mr. 
Thompson,  in  consequence  of  which  they  were  taken  up. 
Mr.  Lecky  is  held  to  twenty  thousand  pounds  bail,  and  Mr. 
Thompson  to  thirty  thousand  pounds,  but  Captain  Forrest 
would  not  be  admitted  to  bail,  and  was  committed  to  prison 
in  irons,  where  he  lay  when  those  gentlemen  came  away.  It 
was  the  general  opinion  in  Dublin  that  they  would  all  three 
be  removed  to  England  for  trial,  and  the  consequence  very 
uncertain. 


London,  July  11,  1776. 

rhe  following  letter  was  received  yesterday  from  Mr. 
Lharles  Barns,  commander  of  the  snow  Blake,  in  the  ser- 
vice of  Government,  dated  Cadiz  Bay,  June  20- 

"  Yesterday  morning  I  chased  an  American  sliip  of  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  tons  into  this  bay,  but  cannot  take 
her  it  being  a  foreign  port.  I  never  was  more  surprised  in 
my  life  when  I  found  there  were  three  American  privateers 
riding  here  at  single  anchor,  and  a  number  of  their  merchant 


CAPTAIN  VVICKES  TO  SECRET  COMMITTEE  IN  CONGRESS. 

On  board  the  Ship  Reprisal,  July  11,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  This  will  inform  you  of  my  proceedings 
since  I  left  Cape-May,  the  3d  instant.  We  left  that  place 
in  company  with  thirteen  merchantmen,  who  I  think  all  got 
safe  off,  as  we  did  not  lose  sight  of  them  till  they  got  a  good 
distance  from  the  land.  We  saw  no  ships-of-war  at  allon 
the  coast. 


181 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


182 


We  this  day  fell  in  with  Captain  Mackay,  in  the  ship 
Friendship,  from  Granada,  bound  to  London,  loaded  with 
rum,  sugar,  cocoa,  and  coffee,  which  ship  I  have  taken,  and 
sent  John  Parks  in  her  prize-master,  and  have  given  him 
orders  to  get  into  Philadelphia,  if  possible ;  and  if  this 
should  not  be  practicable,  he  is  to  run  her  into  the  first  port 
in  his  power,  and  send  an  express  to  inform  you  immediately. 
Mr.  Bingham  is  well,  and  desires  his  compliments  to  you. 
From,  gentlemen,  your  most  obliged,  humble  servant, 

LAMBERT  WICKES. 
To  the  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence,  Philadelphia. 

P.  S.  Our  people  are  all  well  to  three  or  four.  We  are 
in  longitude  57°  west,  and  latitude  31°. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  RECEIVED    IN    PHILADELPHIA  FROM 
SAVANNAH,  GEORGIA,  DATED  JULY  11,   1776. 

We  have  received,  by  several  expresses,  very  alarming 
news  from  the  Indians.     Colonel  writes  that  the 

savages  have  murdered  four  families  on  our  frontiers;  that 
two  women  were  taken  prisoners,  one  of  whom  afterwards 
made  her  escape,  and  the  other  had  her  hands  tied  behind 
her,  and  was  naked,  all  her  clothes  being  taken  from  her. 
Some  men  have  likewise  been  taken,  and  since  found  means 
to  get  away,  who  say  there  is  a  report  that  these  Indians 
are  to  be  joined  by  six  hundred  Creeks,  and  a  number  of 
the  King's  men,  who  are  to  march  down  and  cut  the  settle- 
ments all  off.  We  are  also  informed  that  a  great  number  of 
people  are  fled  from  the  ceded  lands,  and  that  the  Chero- 
kees  and  Creeks  were  to  join  and  come  down  on  the 
frontiers  of  South-Carolina  and  Georgia.  These  things 
confirm  the  truth  of  the  Ministerial  plan,  discovered  by  the 
intercepted  letters  of  Stuart  and  others.  I  am  in  hopes  the 
action  on  Sullivan's  Island  will  defeat  the  prosecution  of  their 
horrid  projects,  and  give  a  different  aspect  to  our  affairs. 


ASSOCIATORS  OF  THE  CITY  OF  ANNAPOLIS. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Associators  of  the  City  of  Annapolis, 
on  Thursday,  the  llth  of  July,  1776,  William  Roberts, 
Esq.,  Chairman,  John  Duckett,  Clerk: 

1st.  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  inhabitant  of 
the  City  of  Annapolis,  and  of  all  persons  having  property 
therein,  to  contribute  every  assistance  in  their  power  for  the 
protection  and  defence  of  the  City  and  the  inhabitants 
thereof,  and  that  Mr.  James  Brice,  Mr.  John  Bullen,  Mr. 
Charles  Wallace,  Mr.  William  Wilkins,  Mr.  Beriah  May- 
bury,  Mr.  John  Brice,  and  Mr.  John  Campbell,  or  a 
majority  of  them,  or  any  three  or  more  of  them,  be  a 
Committee  to  act  on  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  City; 
and  that  they  wait  on  the  Council  of  Safety,  and  inform 
them  that  the  inhabitants  will  afford  every  assistance  in  their 
power  for  the  putting  the  City  into  the  best  posture  of  de- 
fence; and  that  the  inhabitants  will,  in  person,  or  by  others 
employed  at  their  expense,  labour  on  any  intrenchments  or 
works  which  the  Council  shall  think  necessary. 

2d.  Resolved,  That  the  said  Committee  be  empowered 
to  call  on  every  inhabitant  of  the  City,  and  every  person 
having  property  therein,  to  labour  in  person,  or  to  furnish 
some  person  to  labour  in  his  stead,  at  such  time  and  place 
as  the  Committee  shall  think  proper,  on  the  works  that  may 
be  ordered  by  the  Council  of  Safety  to  be  erected  for  the 
defence  of  the  City. 

3d.  Resolved,  That  the  said  Committee  be  authorized  to 
execute  all  matters  which  may  be  recommended  by  the 
Council  of  Safety  for  the  defence  of  the  City,  or  for  the 
keeping  peace  and  good  order  therein. 

4th.  Resolved,  That  no  member  of  this  meeting  will, 
and  that  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  meeting  that  no  inhabitant 
of  the  City  of  Annapolis  ought,  to  buy  from,  or  employ, 
any  merchant,  tradesman,  or  any  other  person,  who  has 
not  subscribed  the  Association. 

5th.  Resolved,  That  application  be  made  by  the  Com- 
mittee to  the  Council  of  Safety  not  to  employ  in  the  publick 
service  any  Non-Associator,  and  that  they  be  requested  to 
give  a  preference  to  such  tradesmen  and  others  as  have 
manifested  their  attachment  and  zeal  to  the  liberties  of 
America. 

Ordered,  That  copies  of  the  above  Resolutions  be  trans- 
mitted by  the  Chairman  to  the  Associators  of  Baltimore 
town,  for  their  opinion  and  concurrence. 


Ordered,  That  the  names  of  the  Non- Associators  in  this 
City  be  published,  and  distributed  among  the  inhabitants. 

Resolved,  That  this  meeting  be  adjourned  to  the  10th 
day  of  August  next,  and  that  the  Committee  have  power 
to  call  a  meeting  at  any  time  before,  if  they  shall  think 
proper. 

True  copy  of  the  proceedings. 

Test :  JOHN  DUCKETT,  Clerk. 

JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH  TO   MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETT. 

Baltimore,  July  11,  1776. 

SIRS  :  The  brigs  are  both  discharged.  On  hoisting  out 
the  lower  tier  of  the  flour  on  board  Mr.  Lux  and  Mr.  Botc- 
ly's  brig,  I  find  it  is  damaged.  I  have  had  two  gentlemen 
to  view  the  flour.  The  report  they  make,  I  send  you.  The 
flour  appears  to  have  been  wet  some  time  ago,  as  it  is  rotten 
all  round  the  outsides  and  head  of  the  barrel,  and  has  since 
dried,  so  that  it  is  hard  and  black,  which  answers  with  what 
Captain  Sands  reports  concerning  it,  as  he  says  that  it  has 
not  been  wet  this  some  time,  but  was  under  water  more  than 
two  months  ago,  and  not  since.  His  report  I  have  taken 
down  in  writing,  as  I  think  there  has  been  a  fault.  I  would 
be  glad  that  the  blame  should  be  fixed  right.  Mr.  Spear 
has  all  the  damaged  flour  in  his  custody,  and  says  that  he 
will  bake  all  that  can  be  baked,  and  the  remainder  must  be 
returned.  I  suppose  Mr.  Lux  ought  to  take  it.  If  so,  Mr. 
Spear  says  he  will  assist  Mr.  Lux  in  dividing  it,  and  such 
as  can  be  baked,  he  will  bake.  The  bake-houses  are  going 
on ;  and  I  suppose  there  might  be  a  parcel  of  bread,  and  part 
of  Captain  Woolsey's  flour,  sent  to  the  brig  that  lately  arrived 
with  your  powder.  If  it  is  practicable,  and  must  be  done, 
the  sooner  the  better.  I  received  yours  this  day,  and  shall 
speak  to  Mr.  Jacobs  this  evening,  about  making  the  tents. 
I  think  the  linen  must  come  here,  as  the  sailmakers  would 
choose  to  work  at  home  with  their  hands. 

From  yours,  JESSE  HOLLINGSWOHTH. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety,  at  Annapolis. 

Baltimore,  July  12,  1776. 

We,  the  subscribers,  being  requested  by  Mr.  Jesse  Hol- 
lingsworth  to  inspect  some  flour,  (suppose  near  one  hundred 
barrels,)  said  to  be  landed  from  the  brig  Fortune,  belonging 
to  Messrs  Lux  and  Bowly,  and  which  flour  was  purchased 
by  them  for  the  honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  for  this 
Province,  do,  to  the  best  of  our  knowledge,  believe  that 
such  of  the  aforesaid  flour  as  we  have  examined  has  been 
damaged  by  bilge  water,  admitted  into  the  hold  of  the  said 
vessel,  through  insufficiency  of  said  vessel,  or  neglect  of  the 
hands  then  on  board,  in  not  pumping  her  as  often  as  neces- 
sary, and  the  said  flour  is  now  hard,  rotten,  and  musty,  and 
unfit  for  baking,  or  any  other  merchantable  use. 

MARK  ALEXANDER, 
BENJAMIN  GRIFFITH. 


BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  11,  1776: 

Present:  Samuel  Purviance,  Jun.,  Chairman,  W.  Lux, 
Vice  Chairman,  W.  Buchanan,  W.  Aisquith,  J.  Calhoun, 
B.  Griffith,  J.  Sterrett,  and  J.  Griest. 

The  following  appointment  of  Officers  for  the  two  German 
Companies  to  be  raised  in  this  County  was  agreed  upon, 
and  a  copy  thereof  transmitted  by  letter  to  the  Council  of 
Safety: 

Philip  Greybill,  Captain ;  John  Shora,  First  Lieutenant ; 
Christian  Myers,  Second  Lieutenant ;  and  Martin  Shugart, 
Ensign. 

George  Peter  Keyports,  Captain  ;  Samuel  Garroch,  First 
Lieutenant;  William  Ritter,  Second  Lieutenant;  and  John 
Lindenberger,  Ensign. 

Ordered,  That  the  Chairman  grant  Dr.  James  Houston 
a  permission  to  depart  with  his  vessel,  and  that  he  advise  the 
Committee  of  Somerset  of  our  having  taken  security  of  the 
said  James  Houston  in  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  sterling  for  his  good  behaviour,  and  that  the  same 
was  done  from  several  suspicious  circumstances  which  gave 
reason  to  believe  him  inimical  to  the  interest  of  America, 
and  requesting  that  they  will  give  directions  whether  the 
said  security  shall  be  delivered  up ;  which,  it  is  presumed, 


183 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


184 


they  ought  to  do,  provided  the  Committee  of  Somerset  either 
choose  to  take  security  of  the  said  Houston  themselves,  or 
have  sufficient  reason  to  believe  him  a  friend  to  the  country. 

Whereas  Abraham  Evening,  a  person  suspected  of  being 
inimical  to  the  interest  of  America,  was  adjudged  by  this 
Committee  to  give  security  in  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds  sterling  for  his  good  behaviour,  and  hath  neg- 
lected to  do  so,  the  Committee  agreed  to  issue  a  warrant 
for  the  apprehending  and  commitment  to  prison  of  the  said 
Abraham  Evening,  which  was  done,  as  follows: 

Whereas  a  certain  Abraham  Evening  was  brought  before 
this  Committee  on  the  9th  instant  as  a  Non-Associator,  and 
a  person  suspected  of  being  unfriendly  to  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  America,  and  the  Committee  adjudged  him,  the 
said  Abraham  Evening,  to  find  security  in  the  sum  of  two 
hundred  and  filly  pounds  sterling,  agreeable  to  a  resolve  of 
the  honourable  Convention  of  this  Province  in  that  case 
made  and  provided,  which  security  he,  the  said  Abraham 
Evening,  hath  neglected : 

These  are  therefore  to  require  you  to  arrest  the  body  of 
him,  the  said  Abraham  Evening,  and  deliver  him,  with  this 
commitment,  to  the  Sheriff  of  Baltimore  County,  who  is 
commanded  to  receive  into  his  custody  the  said  Abraham 
Evening,  and  him  in  his  Jail  safely  keep,  until  lie  finds  the 
above  mentioned  security,  or  be  delivered  therefrom  by  the 
honourable  the  Convention  of  this  Province,  the  honourable 
the  Council  of  Safety,  or  this  Committee;  and  for  your  so 
doing,  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  authority. 

Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  this  llth  July,  1776. 

Signed  by  all  present. 

Attested:  GEORGE  Lex,  Secretary. 

BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE   TO    MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY, 
In  Committee,  Baltimore,  July  11,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Agreeable  to  your  instructions  we  have 
nominated  the  gentlemen,  whose  names  are  undermentioned, 
as  officers  for  the  two  companies  of  Germans  to  be  raised 
in  this  County. 

We  advertised  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  to  be  held 
this  day  for  the  very  purpose,  and  have  taken  care  to  be  as 
•well  informed  as  possible  of  the  characters  and  qualifications 
of  the  persons  who  applied  to  us ;  and  we  have  the  satisfac- 
tion to  assure  you  they  are  all  persons  whose  merits  and 
reputations  appear  to  us  in  the  most  favourable  light. 

We  are,  with  much  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble 
servants.  SAMUEL  PURVIANCE,  Jun.,  Ch'n. 

WILLIAM  BUCHANAN, 

WILLIAM  AISQUITH, 

BENJAMIN  GRIFFITH, 

J.  GRIEST, 

JAMES  CALHODN, 

JOHN  STERRETT. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety,  at  Annapolis. 

Officers  recommended  for  the  two  Companies  of  Germans 
to  be  raised  in  Baltimore  County : 

Philip  Greybill,  Captain  ;  John  Shorn,  First  Lieutenant ; 
Christian  Myers,  Second  Lieutenant ;  and  Martin  Shugart, 
Ensign. 

George  Peter  Keyporti,  Captain ;  Samuel  Garroch,  First 
Lieutenant ;  IVilliam  Ritter,  Second  Lieutenant ;  and  John 
Lindenberger,  Ensign. 


HARFORD  COMMITTEE  TO  MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF  SAFF.TY. 

July  11,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  the  late  Conven- 
tion, empowering  the  Committee  of  this  County  to  appoint 
the  officers  of  a  Rifle  Company  to  be  raised  within  this 
County,  we  have  chosen  and  do  recommend  the  following 
gentlemen  as  worthy  of  commissions,  to  wit:  Alexander 
Lawson  Smith,  Captain  ;  James  White  Hall,  First  Lieute- 
nant; William  Bradford,  Second  Lieutenant;  and  Josias 
Hall,  Third  Lieutenant;  whose  conduct,  we  flatter  our- 
selves, will  do  honour  to  them  and  justice  to  the  choice  of 
this  Committee. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servants. 

Signed  per  order  of  Committee  of  Harford  County: 

AMOS  GARRETT,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  HALL. 
[No.  25.]  Annapolis,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Council  of  Safety  think  it  proper  that  you  and 
the  battalion  under  your  command  should  be  stationed  at 
this  city  and  at  Baltimore  town,  to  supply  the  place  of  the 
regular  troops  that  have  marched  from  this  Province  to  Penn- 
sylvania. As  we  desire  to  see  you  as  soon  as  possible,  to  con- 
cert the  proper  measures  for  the  defence  of  this  place,  we 
request  you  will  come  to  Annapolis  as  soon  as  you  can. 
We  send  you  enclosed  your  commission.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Colonel  Josias  Carvil  Hall. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  BALTIMORE  COUNTY  COM- 
MITTEE. 
[No.  27.]  Annapolis,  July  11,  1776. 

GKNTLEMEN:  The  Council  of  Safety  think  it  expedient 
to  have  a  Magazine  built  at  some  place  in  your  County,  be- 
tween five  and  ten  miles  back  from  Baltimore  town.  They 
would  have  it  large  enough  to  contain  about  four  hundred 
barrels  of  powder,  and  a  proportionable  quantity  of  lead, 
arched  and  substantially  built ;  and  will  be  obliged  if  you 
will  fix  on  any  place  you  may  judge  safe  and  convenient, 
and  contract  for  materials  and  attend  to  the  construction  of 
the  same.  They  will  supply  the  cash  necessary  to  defray 
the  expense  whenever  you  will  be  pleased  to  call  for  it. 

We  are,  &c. 

To  the  Committee  of  Baltimore  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COL.  HOLLINOSWORTH. 

[No.  28.]  Annapolis,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  in  immediate  want  of  about  four  hundred 
bayonets,  of  different  sized  sockets,  for  the  arms  of  the 
Eastern-Shore  Militia,  who  are  to  compose  part  of  the 
Flying-Camp,  and  have  sent  an  order  on  you  to  Mr.  Win- 
ters for  them ;  and  we  request  you  will  supply  him  with 
that  number  as  soon  as  possible.  The  greatest  exertions 
are  necessary  upon  this  occasion,  and  we  doubt  not  your 
warmest  efforts  to  enable  us  to  carry  into  execution  the 
resolves  of  our  Convention  with  that  despatch  the  exigency 
of  the  times  require.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Colonel  Henry  Hollingsworth. 


JOHN  ADAMS  TO  MRS.  ADAMS. 

Philadelphia,  July  11,  1776. 

You  seem  to  be  situated  in  the  place  of  greatest  tranquil- 
lity and  security  of  any  upon  the  Continent.  I  may  be 
mistaken  in  this  particular,  and  an  armament  may  have  in- 
vaded your  neighbourhood  before  now.  But  we  have  no 
intelligence  of  any  such  design ;  and  all  that  we  now  know 
of  the  motions,  plans,  operations,  and  designs  of  the  enemy, 
indicate  the  contrary.  It  is  but  just  that  you  should  have  a 
little  rest,  and  take  a  little  breath. 

I  wish  I  knew  whether  your  brother  and  mine  have 
inlisted  in  the  Army,  and  what  spirit  is  manifested  by  our 
Militia  for  marching  to  New-York  and  Crown-Point.  The 
Militia  of  Maryland,  New-Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  and  the 
lower  Counties,  are  marching  with  much  alacrity,  and  a 
laudable  zeal,  to  take  care  of  Howe  and  his  Army  at  Staten- 
Island.  The  Army  in  New-  York  is  in  high  spirits,  and 
seems  determined  to  give  the  enemy  a  serious  reception. 
The  unprincipled  and  unfeeling  and  unnatural  inhabitants 
of  Staten-Island  are  cordially  receiving  the  enemy,  and, 
deserters  say,  have  engaged  to  take  arms.  They  are  an 
ignorant,  cowardly  pack  of  scoundrels.  Their  numbers 
are  small,  and  their  spirit  less. 

It  is  some  time  since  I  received  any  letter  from  you.  The 
Plymouth  one  was  the  last.  You  must  write  me  every 
week,  by  the  post,  if  it  is  but  a  few  lines.  It  gives  me 
many  spirits.  I  design  to  write  to  the  General  Court, 
requesting  a  dismission,  or  at  least  a  furlough.  I  think  to 
propose  that  they  choose  four  more  members,  or  at  least 
three  more,  that  so  we  may  attend  here  in  rotation.  Two 
or  three  or  four  may  be  at  home  at  a  time,  and  the  Colony 
properly  represented  notwithstanding.  Indeed,  while  the 
Congress  were  employed  in  political  regulations,  forming  the 
sentiments  of  the  people  of  the  Colonies  into  some  consistent 
system,  extinguishing  the  remainders  of  authority  under  the 


185 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


186 


Crown,  and  gradually  erecting  and  strengthening  Govern- 
ments under  the  authority  of  the  people,  turning  their 
thoughts  upon  the  principles  of  polity  and  the  forms  of  Gov- 
ernment, framing  Constitutions  for  the  Colonies  separately, 
and  a  limited  and  a  defined  Confederacy  for  the  United 
Colonies,  and  in  some  other  measures,  which  I  do  not  choose 
to  mention  particularly,  but  which  are  now  determined,  or 
near  the  point  of  determination,  I  flattered  myself  that  I 
might  have  been  of  some  little  use  here.  But  now,  these 
matters  will  be  soon  completed,  and  very  little  business  will 
be  to  be  done  here,  but  what  will  be  either  military  or  com- 
mercial— branches  of  knowledge  and  business  for  which 
hundreds  of  others  in  our  Province  are  much  better  qualified 
than  I  am.  I  shall  therefore  request  my  masters  to  relieve  me. 
I  am  not  a  little  concerned  about  my  health,  which  seems 
to  have  been  providentially  preserved  to  rne  much  beyond 
my  expectations ;  but  1  begin  to  feel  the  disagreeable 
effects  of  unremitting  attention  to  business  for  so  long  a  time, 
and  a  want  of  exercise,  and  the  bracing  quality  of  my  native 
air ;  so  that  I  have  the  utmost  reason  to  fear  an  irreparable 
injury  to  my  constitution,  if  I  do  not  obtain  a  little  relaxa- 
tion. The  fatigues  of  war  are  much  less  destructive  to  health, 
than  the  painful,  laborious,  attention  10  debates,  and  to  wri- 
ting, which  drinks  up  the  spirits  and  consumes  the  strength. 
I  am,  &.c. 

RICHARD  ELLIS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[July  17,  1776,  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

Bohemia,  Md.,  July  11,  1776. 

HONOURED  GENTLEMEN:  The  present  critical  and  alarm- 
ing season,  the  vengeful  hand  of  tyranny,  now  ready  to 
snatch  from  the  subjects  of  our  free  and  independent  States 
all  that  is  dear  and  sacred  to  them,  to  wit :  their  lives  and 
liberties,  make  it  necessary  that  each  subject  on  the  Conti- 
nent should  now,  with  a  manly  fortitude,  assert  their  rights 
to  the  free  donations  of  God  and  Nature.  I  presume  that 
prudence  will  dictate  to  every  American  the  necessity  they 
are  under  of  defending  those  inalienable  rights,  at  the  ex- 
pense of  their  blood  and  treasure.  It  cannot  be  bought  or 
purchased  too  dear,  since  life,  liberty,  and  happiness,  are 
thereby  secured  to  the  combatants  and  their  posterity,  on  a 
happy  conquest. 

All  that  I  can  say  for  myself,  as  an  individual,  is,  that  a 
sense  of  the  insult  offered  to  my  threatened,  bleeding  coun- 
try, has  begat  in  me  an  ardent  desire  to  risk  my  life  in  its 
defence,  and  afford  every  aid  in  my  power  to  its  service  and 
interest. 

1  hereby  beg  leave  to  inform  the  honourable  Congress, 
that  there  are  a  number  of  likely  men  inlisted  under  my 
command  already.  They  are  to  serve  during  the  war 
between  the  American  States  and  their  enemies,  or  to  the 
dismission  of  Congress.  To  this  number  of  men  already 
engaged,  can  be  added  as  many  more  as  will  make  it  a 
full  company  in  three  days.  My  officers  are,  Hezekiah 
Foard,  Nicholas  Vanhorn,  and  Thomas  Bouldoin.  If  your 
Honours  should  think  it  meet  and  necessary  to  grant  us 
commissions,  we  shall  be  ready  to  march  in  a  few  days  from 
the  date  of  our  commissions,  with  a  full  company  of  healthy, 
stout,  brave  men,  whose  affection  for  each  other  are  so  inter- 
woven, that  it  would  be  cruel  to  part  them,  as  they  are  nearly 
all  from  our  neighbourhood.  Being  fully  assured  your 
Honours  will  do  every  matter  that  may  be  productive  of 
good  to  the  States,  with  humble  submission  I  wait  the  event 
of  your  answer. 

In  the  interim,  I  am,  gentlemen,  with  much  respect,  your 
Honours'  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

RICHARD  ELLIS. 

To  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress,  Philadelphia. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL.  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  inform  you  that  your 
several  letters  to  this  time  have  been  duly  received,  in  tha 
order  of  their  dates. 

I  now  enclose  sundry  resolves,  to  which  I  must  beg  leave 
to  request  your  attention. 

Agreeable  to  the  resolve  herewith  transmitted,  I  have 
enclosed  Mr.  Anderson's  letter  to  you,  and  wrote  you  on 
the  subject.  He  will  present  you  with  the  letter  himself. 


The  Postmaster  having  established  a  double  post,  in  obe- 
dience to  the  resolve  of  Congress,  a  post  will,  after  Monday 
next,  leave  New-York  every  morning,  subject,  however,  to 
be  detained  or  hastened  whenever  you  think  the  publick 
service  requires  it. 

It  is  with  the  greatest  pleasure  I  inform  you  that  the 
Militia  of  this  Colony  are  in  motion  from  one  end  to  the 
other.  Several  companies  marched  yesterday,  and  a  much 
greater  number,  I  expect,  will  now  march  every  day,  until 
the  whole  are  gone.  A  most  laudable  spirit  seems  to  have 
taken  place,  and  I  am  persuaded  our  exertions  will  exceed 
what  1  originally  apprehended. 

To  that  great  and  good  Being  who  "  poureth  contempt 
on  princes,  and  weakeneth  the  strength  of  the  mighty,"  I 
beg  leave  most  ardently  to  recommend  you,  and  the  cause 
you  are  intrusted  to  defend. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  much  esteem,  sir.  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


PENNSYLVANIA    COMMITTEE    OF    SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  WASH- 
INGTON. 
In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  8th  instant  is  re- 
ceived, but  the  Committee,  having  previously  determined  on 
the  appointment  of  the  four  Captains  of  the  German  bat- 
talion, think  themselves  very  unfortunate  in  not  having  it 
in  their  power  to  show  the  proper  respect  to  the  recom- 
mendation of  Lieutenant  Wilpert;  the  letter  is,  however, 
sent  forward  to  the  Convention  of  Maryland,  who  probably 
have  not  yet  filled  up  the  appointments  committed  to  them 
by  Congress. 

The  Committee,  understanding  that  fire-vessels  and  rafts 
are  preparing  at  New-  York,  and  being  told  that  the  com- 
bustibles are  managed  there  in  a  method  different  from  ours, 
they  are  induced  to  send  Captain  Hazelwood  to  your  Ex- 
cellency, to  offer  his  services  in  this  business.  They  have 
the  highest  confidence  in  his  skill  and  abilities,  having  given 
him  the  command  of  all  their  vessels  and  rafts.  He  has 
sent  forward  a  quantity  of  useful  materials,  which  he  is  told 
do  not  make  any  part  of  the  composition  at  New-York. 

The  Committee  do  not  mean  he  shall  obtrude  his  opinion 
or  advice  upon  those  to  whom  your  Excellency  may  have 
committed  the  direction  of  this  species  of  defence  ;  but  they 
thought,  on  the  comparison  of  different  modes,  some  real 
improvements  might  be  struck  out.  He  takes  with  him 
Mr.  Bedford,  who  has  assisted  in  the  construction  of  some 
of  our  fire-rafts. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant. 

By  order  of  the  Board : 

GEORGE  CLYMER,  Chairman. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-York. 


PETITION  OF  FRANCIS  MENTGES  TO  BE  APPOINTED  MAJOR  Ot 
THE  GERMAN  BATTALION. 

[Read  July  12.    Ordered  to  lie.    Referred  to  the  Delegates  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Maryland.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Delegates  of  the  Thirteen  UNITED 

STATES  OF  AMERICA,  in  Congress  met: 
The  Petition  of  FRANCIS  MENTGES,  humbly  showeth: 
That  your  petitioner  was  lately  appointed  by  the  honour- 
able Assembly  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  post 
of  Adjutant  of  the  battalion  of  Musketeers  lately  raised  for 
the  defence  of  said  Province,  and  has  continued  since  his 
said  appointment  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duty  of  said 
office.     That  being  a  native  of  Germany,  and  hearing  your 
Honours  were  about  to  raise  a  battalion  composed  of  Ger- 
mans only,  in  the  Continental  service,  and  humbly  appre- 
hending that  he  hath  knowledge,  ability,  and  experience 
equal  to  the  duties  of  the  post  of  Major,  he  humbly  solicits 
from  your  Honours  the  appointment  of  your  petitioner  to 
the  post  of  Major  in  the  said  battalion. 
And,  as  in  duty  bound,  &.c. 

FRANCIS  MENTGES, 

Adjutant  in  Pennsylvania  Battalion  of  Musketeers . 
July  11,  1776. 


187 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


188 


I  do  hereby  certify,  that  the  above  gentleman,  Mr.  Francis 
Mentges,  has  acted  as  Adjutant  in  the  battalion  of  Musket- 
eers in  the  pay  and  service  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania, 
under  my  command,  with  reputation.  I  therefore  recom- 
mend him  to  the  particular  notice  of  the  honourable  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  in  the  appointment  of  the  officers  for  the 
German  battalion  to  be  raised  for  the  service  of  the  United 
Colonies.  SAMUEL.  T.  ATLEE, 

Colonel  of  Pennsylvania  Musketeerg. 
July  11,  1776. 

I  approve  of  the  above  recommendation. 

CALEB  PARRY,  Lieut.  Col. 

The  petitioner  is  very  capable  of  performing  the  duty  of 
Major.  SAMUEL  MILES, 

Colonel  of  Pennsylvania  Rifle  Regiment. 
WILLIAM  WILL, 

Captain  First  Battalion. 
FRANCIS  C.  HASENILIOUS, 

Captain  First  Battalion. 
FREDERICK  KUHL, 
ISAAC  MELCHIOR, 
JACOB  BARGE, 
CHHISTOFFAL  LUDWICK, 
JOHN  KEPPELE. 


The  Committee  to  whom  it  was  referred  to  consider  of 
proper  Field-Officers  for  the  German  battalion  to  be  raised  in 
Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  beg  leave  to  recommend  Nicho- 
las Hauseigger  for  Colonel,  George  Strieker  for  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  Lodowick  Welper  for  Major,  of  the  said  bat- 
talion. 

The  bearer,  Captain  George  Strieker,  of  the  Light-Infantry, 
in  the  First  Battalion  of  Maryland  Regulars,  under  my  com- 
mand, has  served  some  time  in  the  said  corps,  during  which 
his  conduct  as  a  vigilant,  good  officer  has  gained  my  good 
opinion,  and  merited  my  approbation,  which  induces  me  to 
recommend  him  as  a  person  qualified  and  disposed  to  form 
a  good  officer. 

Given  under  my  hand,  this  9th  day  of  July,  1776. 

W.  SMALLWOOD. 

Annapolis,  July  8,  1776. 

SIR:  If  it  should  be  the  pleasure  of  Congress  to  appoint  a 
Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Major  of  the  German  battalion  from 
this  Colony,  I  would  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  their  notice 
Captain  George  Strieker  and  Mr.  Lodowick  Welper.  Both 
these  gentlemen  are  Germans,  have  been  in  actual  service, 
and  are  much  esteemed  by  all  who  know  them.  They  have 
a  considerable  influence  with  their  countrymen,  speaking 
good  English,  and  would  greatly  facilitate  the  raising  of  the 
men. 

Captain  Strieker  commands  a  company  of  our  regulars, 
and  is  capable,  of  discharging  the  duty  of  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel. Mr.  Welper  will  make  an  active  and  intelligent 
Major. 

I  remain,  sir,  with  every  sentiment  of  regard  and  respect 
to  yourself  and  the  Congress,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  CHASE. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 


ACO.UITTAL  OF  CAPTAINS  SALTONSTALL  AND  WHIPPLE. 

In  Congress,  July  11,  1776. 

The  Marine  Committee,  in  pursuance  of  the  order  of  Con- 
gress, reported  that  they  have  called  before  them  divers  of 
the  inferior  officers  belonging  to  the  ships  Alfred  and  Colum- 
bus ;  and  having  heard  their  complaints  against  the  Captains 
Saltonstall  and  Whipple,  in  their  presence,  are  of  opinion 
that  the  charges  against  Captain  Saltonstall  do  not  appear 
to  be  well  founded,  and  that  the  charges  against  Captain 
Whipple  amount  to  nothing  more  than  a  rough,  indelicate 
mode  of  behaviour  to  his  marine  officers.  Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  Marine  Committee  be  directed  to 
order  the  Captains  Saltonstall  and  Whipple  to  repair  to  their 
respective  commands,  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  Cap- 
tain Whipple  to  cultivate  harmony  with  the  officers. 

By  order  of  Congress : 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 


LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection,  Observa- 
tion, and  Correspondence,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart, 
July  11,  1776: 

Present :  George  Ross,  Matthias  Slough,  William  Atlee, 
Lodwick  Loivman,  Christopher  Crawford,  Jacob  Krug, 
William  Bowsman,  George  Moore,  Andrew  Graff. 

GEORGE  Ross,  Esq.,  in  the  Chair. 

Resolved,  That  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  the  Asso- 
ciators  be  left  as  a  guard  in  the  Borough  of  Lancaster. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  be 
taken  from  among  the  Associators  in  the  Borough  of  Lan- 
caster. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  Christopher  Heyne,  John 
Fcltman,  Michael  Diffenderfer,  and  Nicholas  Job,  be  re- 
quested to  collect  and  purchase  from  the  inhabitants  of  this 
town  .all  the  tin  Camp-kettles  they  can  procure,  and  for 
such  prices  as  they  think  reasonable,  for  the  use  of  the  Mili- 
tia now  preparing  to  march  by  order  of  Congress. 

Colonel  Bartram  Galbraith,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Alex- 
ander Lowrey,  and  Major  James  Cunningham,  of  the  Sixth 
Battalion  of  Associators  in  Lancaster  County,  do  certify, 
that  the  company  of  volunteers  from  their  battalion  to  form 
a  part  of  the  six  thousand  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp,  have 
chosen  William  Hay  for  their  Captain,  Robert  Clark  their 
First  Lieutenant,  Patrick  Hays  their  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  William  Patterson  their  Third  Lieutenant ;  and  the  said 
Field-Officers  recommending  the  said  persons  to  the  Commit- 
tee for  their  appointment,  the  said  certi6cate  and  recom- 
mendation is  approved  of,  and  the  said  William  Hay,  Ro- 
bert Clark,  Patrick  Hays,  and  William  Patterson,  are, 
agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  the  conference  of  Committees 
of  Pennsylvania,  appointed  the  Captain  and  First,  Second, 
and  Third  Lieutenants,  of  the  said  company,  according  to 
the  choice  and  recommendation  aforesaid. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  County  Committee 
in  the  different  Townships  be  requested  to  give  every  assist- 
ance in  their  power  to  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Battalions 
and  Corps  in  their  District  in  procuring  wagons  and  other 
necessary  conveyances  for  their  march  to  join  the  Militia  of 
the  Province  in  the  Jerseys,  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of  Com- 
mittees and  recommendations  of  Congress. 


GEORGE  ROSS  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  11,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  Committee,  to  enable  the  Militia  to 
march  immediately,  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  draw- 
ing moneys  for  the  several  Captains  of  the  troops  to  march 
from  this  town  ;  and  have  prevailed  on  Messrs.  Lowman  fy 
Hubley,  of  this  place,  to  advance  to  Captain  John  Henry 
the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds ;  to  advance  to  Captain 
George  Musser  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds;  and  to 
Captain  Paul  Zantzinger  the  like  sum  of  one  hundred 
pounds ;  amounting  to  three  hundred  pounds.  And  have 
prevailed  on  Mr.  Christian  Wirtz  to  advance  to  Captain 
Samuel  Boyd  the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds,  and  to  Captain 
Peter  Hoofnagle  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  pounds: 
amounting  to  two  hundred  and  twenty  pounds.  The  whole 
sum  advanced  by  these  gentlemen  being  five  hundred  and 
twenty  pounds.  For  which  sums  the  receipts  will  be  sent 
down  to  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congress. 

These  Captains  and  the  troops  commanded  by  them  are 
of  the  First  Battalion  of  Associators,  in  Lancaster  County, 
commanded  by  Colonel  George  Ross. 

The  Committee  hope  their  conduct  will  meet  the  appro- 
bation of  the  honourable  the  Congress,  and  that  those  gen- 
tlemen who  have  advanced  these  moneys  will  have  it  re- 
placed on  application. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  with  much  respect,  your  most  obe- 
dient humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

GEORGE  Ross,  Chairman. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  14,  1776.] 

New- York,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the  8th  instant 
by  yesterday  morning's  post,  with  the  several  resolves  to 


189 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


190 


which  you  referred  my  attention.     I  shall  duly  regard  them, 
and  attempt  their  execution  as  far  as  I  am  able. 

By  virtue  of  the  discretionary  power  that  Congress  were 
pleased  to  invest  me  with,  and  by  advice  of  such  of  my  Gene- 
ral Officers  as  I  have  had  an  opportunity  of  consulting,  I  have 
ordered  the  two  remaining  regiments  in  the  Massachusetts- 
Bay  to  march  immediately  for  the  defence  of  this  place,  in 
full  confidence  that  nothing  hostile  will  be  attempted  against 
that  State  in  the  present  campaign.  I  have  written  to  the 
General  Court  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  and  transmitted  a  copy 
of  the  resolve  for  employing  the  Eastern  Indians;  entreating 
their  good  offices  in  this  instance,  and  their  exertions  to  have 
them  forthwith  engaged  and  marched  to  join  this  Army.  I 
have  desired  five  or  six  hundred  of  them  to  be  inlisted  for 
two  or  three  years,  if  they  will  consent  to  it;  subject  to  an 
earlier  discharge,  if  it  shall  be  thought  necessary,  and  upon 
the  same  terms  of  the  Continental  troops,  if  better  cannot 
be  had,  though  I  am  hopeful  they  may. 

In  my  letter  of  yesterday,  I  mentioned  the  arrival  of  part 
of  the  Connecticut  Lighthorse,  to  assist  in  the  defence  of  this 
place,  and  my  objection  to  their  horses  being  kept.  Four 
or  five  hundred  of  them  are  now  come  in;  and,  in  justice  to 
their  zeal  and  laudable  attachment  to  the  cause  of  their 
country,  I  am  to  inform  you  they  have  consented  to  stay  as 
long  as  occasion  may  require ;  though  they  should  be  at  the 
expense  of  maintaining  their  horses  themselves.  They  have 
pastured  them  out  about  the  neighbourhood  of  King's  Bridge, 
(being  unwilling  to  send  them  away,)  at  the  rate  of  half  a 
dollar  per  week  each,  meaning  to  leave  it  entirely  with  Con- 
gress either  to  allow  or  refuse  it,  as  they  shall  judge  proper. 
I  promised  to  make  this  representation,  and  thought  it  my 
duty;  and  will  only  observe,  the  motives  which  induced 
them  at  first  to  set  out  were  good  and  praiseworthy,  and 
were  to  afford  the  most  speedy  and  early  succour,  which  they 
apprehended  would  be  wanted  before  the  Militia  arrived; 
their  services  may  be  extremely  important,  being  most  of 
them,  if  not  all,  men  of  reputation  and  property. 

The  subject  of  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from  Gover- 
nour  Trumbull,  I  beg  leave  to  submit  to  the  consideration 
of  Congress;  they  will  perceive  from  his  representations,  the 
disquieting  apprehensions  that  have  seized  ori  the  minds  of 
the  people  since  the  retreat  of  the  northern  Army,  and  how 
exposed  the  northern  frontiers  of  New- York  and  New- 
Hampshire  are  to  the  ravages  and  incursions  of  the  Indians. 
How  far  it  may  be  expedient  to  raise  the  battalion  he  con- 
ceives necessary  to  prevent  the  calamities  and  distresses  he 
points  out,  they  will  determine  upon  what  he  has  said,  and 
the  necessity  that  may  appear  to  them  for  the  measure; 
what  I  have  done  being  only  meant  to  lay  the  matter  before 
them,  in  compliance  with  his  wishes.  1  have  also  enclosed 
a  memorial  from  the  Surgeon's  Mates,  setting  forth  the  inad- 
equacy of  their  pay  to  their  services  and  maintenance,  and 
praying  that  it  may  be  increased.  I  shall  observe  that  they 
have  a  long  time  complained  in  this  instance,  and  that  some 
additional  allowance  may  not  be  unnecessary. 

As  I  am  truly  sensible  the  time  of  Congress  is  much  taken 
up  with  a  variety  of  important  matters,  it  is  with  unwilling- 
ness and  pain  I  ever  repeat  a  request  after  having  once  made 
it,  or  take  the  liberty  of  enforcing  any  opinion  of  mine  after 
it  is  once  given ;  but  as  the  establishing  of  some  office  for 
auditing  accounts  is  a  matter  of  exceeding  importance  to  the 
publick  interest,  I  would  beg  leave  once  more  to  call  the 
attention  of  Congress  to  an  appointment  competent  to  the 
purpose.  Two  motives  induce  me  to  urge  the  matter :  first, 
a  conviction  of  the  utility  of  the  measure ;  secondly,  that  I 
may  stand  exculpated  if  hereafter  it  should  appear  that 
money  has  been  improperly  expended,  and  necessaries  for 
the  Army  obtained  upon  unreasonable  terms.  For  me, 
whose  time  is  employed  from  the  hour  of  my  rising  till  I 
retire  to  bed  again,  to  go  into  an  examination  of  the  accounts 
of  such  an  Army  as  this,  with  any  degree  of  precision  and 
exactness,  without  neglecting  other  matters  of  equal  impor- 
tance, is  utterly  impracticable.  All  that  I  have  been  able 
to  do — and  that,  in  fact,  was  doing  nothing — was,  when  the 
Commissary,  and  Quartermaster,  and  Director-General  of  the 
Hospital  (for  it  is  to  these  the  great  advances  are  made) 
applied  for  warrants,  to  make  them  at  times  produce  a  gene- 
ral account  of  their  expenditures.  But  this  answers  no  valu- 
able purpose.  It  is  the  minutia  that  must  be  gone  into;  the 
propriety  of  each  charge  examined,  the  vouchers  looked 
into;  and  with  respect  to  the  Commissary -General;  his  vic- 


tualling returns  and  expenditures  of  provisions  should  be 
compared  with  his  purchases,  or  otherwise  a  person  in  this 
department,  if  he  was  inclined  to  be  knavish,  might  purchase 
large  quantities  with  publick  money,  and  sell  one-half  of  it 
again  for  private  emolument,  and  yet  his  accounts  on  paper 
will  appear  fair,  and  be  supported  with  vouchers  for  every 
charge. 

1  do  not  urge  this  matter  from  a  suspicion  of  any  unfair 
practices  in  either  of  the  departments  before  mentioned ;  and 
sorry  should  I  be  if  this  construction  was  put  upon  it,  having 
a  high  opinion  of  the  honour  and  integrity  of  these  gentle- 
men. But  there  should  nevertheless  be  some  control,  as 
well  upon  their  discretion  as  honesty;  to  which  may  be 
added,  that  accounts  become  perplexed  and  confused  by 
long  standing,  and  the  errors  therein  not  so  discoverable  as 
if  they  underwent  an  early  revision  and  examination.  I  am 
well  apprized  that  a  Treasury  Office  of  Accounts  has  been 
resolved  upon,  and  an  Auditor-General  for  settling  all 
publick  accounts;  but,  with  all  deference  and  submission  to 
the  opinion  of  Congress,  these  institutions  are  not  calculated 
to  prevent  the  inconveniences  I  have  mentioned,  nor  can 
they  be  competent  to  the  purposes,  circumstanced  as  they 
are. 

We  have  intelligence  from  a  deserter  that  came  to  us, 
that  on  Wednesday  morning  the  Asia,  Chatham,  and  Grey- 
hound, men-of-war,  weighed  anchor,  and,  it  was  said,  intended 
to  pass  up  the  North  River  above  the  city,  to  prevent  the 
communication  with  the  Jerseys.  They  did  not  attempt  it, 
nor  does  he  know  what  prevented  them.  A  prisoner  be- 
longing to  the  Tenth  Regiment,  taken  yesterday,  informed 
that  they  hourly  expected  Admiral  Howe  and  his  fleet.  He 
adds  that  a  vessel  has  arrived  from  them,  and  the  prevail- 
ing opinion  is,  that  an  attack  will  be  made  immediately  on 
their  arrival. 

By  a  letter  from  General  Ward,  I  am  informed  that  the 
small-pox  has  broken  out  at  Boston,  and  infected  some  of 
the  troops.  I  have  written  him  to  place  the  invalids  under 
an  officer,  to  remain  till  they  are  well,#md  to  use  every 
possible  precaution  to  prevent  the  troops  coming  from  thence 
bringing  the  infection.  The  distresses  and  calamities  we 
have  already  suffered  by  this  disorder  in  one  part  of  our 
Army,  I  hope  will  excite  the  utmost  care  that  they  may  not 
be  increased. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  greatest 
esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress. 

Lebanon,  July  4,  1776. 

SIR:  The  retreat  of  the  northern  Army,  and  its  present 
situation,  have  spread  a  general  alarm.  By  intelligence 
from  Major  General  Schuyler,  received  last  evening,  I  have 
reason  to  conclude  that  they  are  now  at  Crown-Point  and 
Ticonderoga,  in  a  weak  state,  and  under  the  necessity  of 
an  immediate  reinforcement  to  enable  them  to  make  a  stand, 
and  preventing  the  enemy  from  passing  the  lake  and  pene- 
trating into  the  country.  The  prevalence  of  the  small-pox 
among  them  is  every  way  unhappy;  our  people  in  general 
have  not  had  that  distemper.  Fear  of  the  infection  operates 
strongly  to  prevent  soldiers  from  engaging  in  the  service ; 
and  the  battalions  ordered  to  be  raised  in  this  Colony  fill  up 
slowly.  Are  there  no  measures  may  be  taken  to  remove 
the  impediment?  May  not  the  Army  soon  be  freed  from 
that  infection?  Can  the  reinforcements  be  kept  separate 
from  the  infected  ?  Or  may  not  a  detachment  be  made  from 
the  troops  under  your  command,  and  the  Militia  raising  in 
the  several  Colonies  and  ordered  to  New-  York  of  such  men 
as  have  had  the  small-pox,  to  be  replaced  by  the  troops 
raising  for  the  Northern  Department?  Could  any  expedient 
be  faflen  upon  that  would  afford  probable  hopes  that  this 
infection  may  be  avoided,  I  believe  our  battalions  would 
soon  join  the  northern  Army.  I  shall  omit  nothing  in  my 
power  to  expedite  them. 

The  retreat  of  the  Army  from  Canada  exposes  the  north- 
ern frontiers  of  New-York  and  New-Hampshire  to  the 
ravages  of  the  Indians,  who  will  doubtless  be  spirited  up  to 
fall  upon  them.  Some  of  the  settlements  on  Onion  River, 
I  am  informed,  are  breaking  up  and  removing,  and  the  whole 
filled  with  the  most  disquieting  apprehensions.  Some  pow- 
der and  lead,  upon  application,  has  been  supplied  them  from 
this  Colony;  but  the  settlers  there,  from  their  infant  state, 


191 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


192 


and  consequent  poverty,  are  unable  to  devote  themselves  to 
the  defence  of  their  frontiers,  unless  they  should  be  enabled 
to  hire  labourers  to  carry  on  the  business  of  their  farms  in 
their  absence.  I  could  therefore  wish  that  your  Excellency 
might  think  proper  to  recommend  it  to  the  Continental  Con- 
gress to  order  a  battalion  to  be  raised  and  stationed  there  for 
the  defence  of  those  settlements.  It  would,  I  trust,  be 
immediately  filled  up  with  a  hardy  race  of  men  in  that  quar- 
ter, to  repel  ihe  attacks  of  the  savages,  and  be  ready  to  join 
and  support  the  northern  Army  upon  occasion,  and  who  at 
all  times  may  scour  the  woods,  and  furnish  intelligence  of  the 
enemy's  motions. 

If  these  settlers  are  driven  back,  besides  the  loss  of  their 
property,  a  much  heavier  expense  will  fall  upon  some  of  the 
Colonies  for  the  support  of  their  families  than  the  charge 
arising  from  the  raising  and  maintaining  a  battalion  of  Con- 
tinental troops,  and  we  shall  slill  have  a  frontier  to  defend. 
The  anxiety  of  the  friends  and  relations  of  many,  if  not  most 
of  those  settlers  who  emigrated  from  this  Colony,  and  the 
importance  of  the  matter,  will,  I  trust,  be  my  sufficient 
apology  for  wishing  to  engage  your  influence  with  Congress 
to  support  the  motion  I  judge  advisable,  and  shall  make,  to 
have  a  battalion  raised  out  of  and  stationed  on  these  fron- 
tiers. 

By  a  letter  from  General  Schuyler  of  the  1st  instant,  re- 
ceived last  evening,  I  am  advised  that  Generals  Schuyler, 
Gates,  and  Arnold,  were  to  set  out  on  Tuesday  morning. 
I  trust  they  are  by  this  time  at  the  end  of  their  journey,  and 
hope  their  presence  may  have  a  happy  effect  towards  affairs 
in  that  quarter. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

To  the  Honourable  Brigadier-General  Lord  STIRLING  : 
The  Memorial  of  the  Surgeons'  Mates  of  the  several  Regi- 
ments under  your  Honour's  command,  humbly  showeth  : 
That  your  Memorialists  meant  to  be  included  in  a  late 
Petition  presented  to  your  Honour  by  the  gentlemen  Sur- 
geons of  the  several  regiments  in  the  brigade  under  your 
Honour's  command,  for  an  augmentation  of  their  wages,  but 
through  mistake  of  the  Mates'  signature,  or  by  some  other 
means,  no  notice  has  been  taken  of  said  Petition  in  their 
behalf;  and  your  Memorialists  find  that,  whilst  employed  in 
the  common  service  of  their  country — which  service  they 
have  and  ever  want  to  discharge  with  the  greatest  care  and 
fidelity — their  present  pay  will  not  support  them  in  the 
character  of  gentlemen,  even  if  used  with  the  utmost  frugality 
and  economy.  Your  Memorialists,  therefore,  most  earnestly 
request  your  Honour  to  represent  their  aggrieved  state  to  his 
Excellency  the  Commander-in-Chief,  and  pray  him,  in  their 
behalf,  to  lay  the  same  before  the  honourable  Continental 
Congress,  or  take  such  other  measures  as  in  your  Honour's 
wisdom  shall  be  found  most  expedient.  And  your  Memo- 
rialists, as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

DANIEL  MENEMA, 
ISAAC  LEDYARD, 

ASA  KlNGSBERY, 

PRESERVE  WARD. 

To  the  Honourable  Brigadier-General  SPENCER: 
The  Memorial  of  the  Surgeons'  Mates  of  the  several  Regi- 
ments under  your  Honour's  command,  humbly  showeth : 

That  your  Memorialists  meant  to  be  included  in  a  late 
Petition,  presented  to  your  Honour  by  the  gentlemen  Sur- 
geons in  the  brigade  under  your  Honour's  command,  for  an 
augmentation  of  their  wages;  but,  through  mistake  of  the 
Mates'  signature,  or  by  some  other  means,  no  notice  has 
been  taken  of  the  said  Petition  in  their  behalf.  And  your 
Memorialists  find  that,  whilst  they  are  employed  in  the 
common  service  of  their  country — which  service  they  have 
and  always  mean  to  discharge  with  the  greatest  care  and 
fidelity — their  present  pay  will  not  support  them  in  the 
character  of  gentlemen,  even  if  used  with  the  utmost  frugality 
and  economy.  Your  Memorialists,  therefore,  earnestly  request 
your  Honour  to  represent  their  aggrieved  state  to  his  Excel- 
lency the  Commander-in-Chief,  and  pray  him,  in  their  behalf, 
to  lay  the  same  before  the  honourable  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, or  take  such  other  measures  as  shall,  in  your  Honour's 


wisdom,  seem  most  expedient.     And  your  Memorialists,  as 
in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

Dated  at  New- York,  June  26,  1776. 

GERSHOM  BEARDSLET, 
SILAS  HOLMES, 
JOHN  R.  WARTROUS, 
ZECHARIAH  KEYS, 
WILLIAM  PRENTICE. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New- York,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  duly  received  your  favour  of  the  6th  instant,  and 
return  you  my  best  thanks  for  the  attention  you  have  shown 
at  this  crisis,  in  preparing  the  several  regiments  of  Militia 
which  are  nearest  this  place  to  be  ready  for  marching  when 
ordered.  Some  of  the  troops  have  arrived,  and  I  hope  the 
rest  will  follow  without  loss  of  time. 

In  my  letter  of  the  9th  instant  I  wrote  you  fully  relative 
to  the  Lighthorse,  which  have  arrived  to  the  number  of 
between  four  and  five  hundred  ;  and  have  the  happiness  to 
acquaint  you  the  officers  and  men  of  that  corps  have  mani- 
fested so  firm  an  attachment  to  the  cause  we  are  engaged 
in,  that  they  have  consented  to  remain  here  till  such  a  body 
of  troops  are  marched  from  your  Colony  as  will  be  a  suffi- 
cient reinforcement,  so  as  to  admit  of  their  leaving  this  city 
with  safety.  I  mention  this  matter  with  greater  pleasure, 
as  they  have  the  additional  merit  of  determining  to  stay, 
even  if  they  are  obliged  to  maintain  their  horses  at  their  own 
expense.  1  have  also  written  you  with  regard  to  sending 
any  troops  from  hence  to  the  northward,  to  be  replaced  by 
the  Militia  from  your  Province,  and  have  stated  the  injudi- 
ciousness  of  adopting  such  a  measure.  It  is  indeed  a  great 
misfortune  that  the  small-pox  is  so  prevalent  in  our  northern 
Army:  but  I  conceive  it  would  be  highly  impolitick,  at  this 
important  period,  to  send  away  troops  who  have  been  a 
considerable  time  in  the  service,  and  to  have  their  places 
supplied  by  men  of  much  less  experience,  who  belong  to  the 
Militia. 

I  have  only  to  add,  that  I  am,  with  much  esteem,  sir, 
your  very  humble  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Governour  Trumbull,  Connecticut. 

P.  S.  I  must  refer  you  to  my  letter  above  mentioned  for 
my  sentiments  with  respect  to  removing  the  cattle  from  the 
different  places  specified.  As  to  the  cattle  on  Montauk- 
Point,  I  can  only  say,  some  method  must  be  devised  to 
answer  the  purpose  of  preventing  the  inhabitants  of  East- 
hampton  from  suffering  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  supply  of 
the  enemy  with  any  stock  on  the  other. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO    MASSACHUSETTS   ASSEMBLY. 

New-York,  July  11,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  At  a  crisis  like  the  present,  when  our  ene- 
mies are  prosecuting  a  war  with  unexampled  severity,  when 
they  have  called  upon  foreign  mercenaries,  and  have  excited 
slaves  and  savages  to  arms  against  us,  a  regard  to  our  own 
security  and  happiness  calls  upon  us  to  adopt  every  possible 
expedient  to  avert  the  blow,  and  prevent  the  meditated  ruin. 
Impressed  with  this  sentiment,  and  impelled  by  necessity, 
the  Congress  have  been  pleased  to  empower  me,  as  you 
will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  copy  of  their  resolve,  which  I 
have  the  honour  ol  transmitting  you,  to  call  to  our  aid  so 
many  of  the  St.  John's,  Nova  Scotia,  and  Penobscot  Indians, 
as  I  might  judge  necessary.  At  the  same  time  they  have 
desired  that  I  should  request  the  assistance  of  your  honour- 
able body  in  carrying  their  views  into  execution,  and  to 
assure  you,  that  whatever  expenses  you  may  necessarily 
incur  in  doing  it,  and  as  incident  to  it,  they  will  reimburse. 
Esteeming  their  service  of  much  importance,  particularly 
if  the  enemy  should  attempt  an  impression  into  the  interior 
parts  of  the  country,  I  must  entreat  your  kind  offices  upon 
this  occasion,  and  your  friendly  exertions  immediately  to 
engage,  on  the  best  terms  you  can,  five  or  six  hundred  men 
of  these  tribes,  and  have  them  accoutred  with  all  possible 
expedition,  to  join  the  Army  here.  Having  professed  a 
strong  inclination  to  take  part  with  us  in  the  present  con- 
test, it  is  probable  they  may  be  engaged  for  less  pay  and  on 
better  terms  than  the  Continental  troops;  but  if  they  can- 
not, they  must  be  allowed  it.  The  term  of  their  inlistment 


193 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


194 


should  be  for  two  or  three  years,  unless  sooner  discharged, 
(the  right  of  which  should  be  reserved  to  us,)  if  they  will 
engage  for  so  long  a  time ;  if  not,  for  such  time  as  they  will 
agree  to,  provided  it  is  not  too  short.  And  it  must  be  part 
of  the  treaty,  and  enjoined  upon  them,  to  bring,  every  man, 
his  firelock,  if  it  can  be  possibly  effected.  As  the  services 
they  may  render  will  probably  depend  on  their  early  and 
timely  arrival,  it  is  unnecessary  to  suggest  to  you  the  neces- 
sity of  the  utmost  despatch  in  the  matter. 

I  well  know  the  execution  of  the  work  will  be  attended 
with  some  trouble  and  inconvenience;  but  a  consideration  of 
the  benefits  that  may  arise  from  employing  them,  and  your 
zeal  for  the  common  cause,  I  am  persuaded  will  surmount 
every  obstacle  and  apologize  for  my  requisition  ;  especially  as 
it  comes  recommended  and  supported  by  authority  of  Con- 
gress. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  great  respect, 
gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  General  Court,  (or  Committee  of  Safety  in  their 
recess,)  Massachusetts-Bay. 

P.  S.  Since  I  had  the  honour  of  addressing  you  on  the 
9th  instant,  I  have  received  a  resolve  from  Congress  for 
calling  the  other  two  Continental  regiments  from  the  Mas- 
sachusetts-Bay to  join  the  Army  here,  (a  copy  of  which  I 
have  enclosed  ;)  and  by  the  advice  of  my  General  Officers 
have  written  General  Ward  to  detach  them  immediately — the 
accounts  we  have  all  agreeing  that  Lord  Howe  is  every  day 
expected  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  transports,  with  at  least 
fifteen  thousand  troops,  in  addition  to  those  already  here.  • 

In  Congress,  July  8,  177fi. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  have  permission  to 
call  forth  and  engage  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  so 
many  Indians  of  the  St.  John's,  Nova  Scotia,  and  Penobscot 
tribes,  as  he  shall  judge  necessary,  and  that  he  be  advised 
to  write  to  the  General  Court  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay, 
requesting  their  aid  in  this  business,  and  informing  them  that 
Congress  will  reimburse  such  expenses  as  may  be  necessa- 
rily incurred  in  consequence  of  the  foregoing  resolutions. 

Per  ROBERT  H.  HARRISON,  Secretary, 

In  Congress,  July  8,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  vested  with  dis- 
cretionary power  to  call  to  his  assistance  at  New-  York  such 
of  the  Continental  Regiments  in  the  Massachusetts-Bay  as 
have  not  already  received  orders  to  march  to  Ticonderoga, 
and  that  the  General  Court  of  that  Province  be  requested  to 
supply  their  places  with  Militia,  if  they  think  it  expedient. 

ROBERT  H.  HARRISON. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

New- York,  July  11,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  received  your  favours  of  the  1st  and  2d 
instant,  and  agreeable  to  your  request  transmitted  Congress 
a  copy  of  the  former  and  of  its  several  enclosures.  The  im- 
portant subject  referred  to  them  has  met  with  their  attention, 
and  the  letter  accompanying  this  will  inform  you  and  Ge- 
neral Gates  of  the  result  of  their  deliberations.  I  hope  that 
harmony  and  a  good  agreement  will  subsist  between  you,  as 
the  most  likely  means  to  advance  the  interest  of  the  cause  you 
both  wish  to  promote.  They  have  determined  the  matter 
between  Mr.  TrumbuU  and  Mr.  Livingston,  and  decided  the 
right  of  supplying  the  northern  Army,  and  appointing  per- 
sons for  that  purpose,  to  be  in  the  former. 

I  gave  orders  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  your  favour, 
for  the  several  articles  you  wrote  for,  to  be  sent  you,  if  they 
could  be  had.  Ball  and  buckshot  could  not  be  spared  from 
hence,  and  I  directed  a  quantity  of  lead  to  be  sent  you,  out 
of  which  you  must  attempt  to  have  them  made. 

I  have  not  heard  anything  of  the  money  mentioned  by 
Mr.  Duane.  I  imagine  it  has  not  been  sent.  If  any  acci- 
dent has  befallen  it,  the  matter  would  have  been  known  ere 
now. 

Since  my  last,  General  Howe's  fleet  from  Halifax  has 
arrived,  in  number  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  sail. 
His  army  is  between  nine  and  ten  thousand,  being  joined  by 
some  of  the  regiments  from  the  West-Indies,  and  having 
fallen  in  with  part  of  the  Highland  troops  in  his  passage. 


He  has  landed  his  men  on  Staten-Island,  which  they  mean 
to  secure,  and  is  in  daily  expectation  of  the  arrival  of  Lord 
Hoiee,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  ships  and  a  large  and 
powerful  reinforcement.  This  we  have  from  four  prisoners 
who  fell  into  our  hands,  and  some  deserters,  who  state  lhat 
an  advice  packet  arrived  at  Halifax  before  they  left  it, 
informing  that  he  was  ready  to  sail  when  they  came  from 
England,  to  join  General  Howe  here;  in  consequence  of 
which  he  came  with  the  present  armament.  They  add  that 
nothing  will  be  attempted  till  his  arrival.  Their  intelligence, 
I  have  no  doubt,  is  well  founded.  Indeed,  the  enemy  having 
done  nothing  yet,  affords  proof  beyond  question  that  they  are 
waiting  for  more  troops.  We  are  strengthening  ourselves 
as  much  as  possible,  and  deem  their  staying  out  so  long  a 
fortunate  circumstance,  as  it  not  only  gives  us  an  opportunity 
of  advancing  our  works,  but  getting  some  relief  from  the 
neighbouring  Provinces.  'From  every  appearance,  they 
mean  to  make  a  most  vigorous  push  to  subdue  us  this  cam- 
paign, and,  for  this  purpose,  to  possess  themselves  of  this 
Colony,  if  possible,  as  a  step  leading  to  it.  Our  utmost 
exertions  must  be  used,  and  I  trust,  through  the  favour  of 
divine  Providence,  they  will  be  disappointed  in  their  views. 
As  having  a  large  number  of  gondolas  and  galleys  on  the 
lakes  will  be  of  great  importance,  Mr.  Hancock  informs  me, 
in  his  letter  of  the  6th  instant,  that  fifty  carpenters  were 
gone  from  Philadelphia,  in  order  to  build  them,  and  that  he 
had  written  to  Governour  Cooke  to  engage  and  forward  the 
same  complement.  I  am  advised  by  Governour  TrumbuU, 
in  a  letter  just  received,  that  he  has  procured  two  companies, 
of  twenty-five  men  each,  who  were  about  to  set  out.  When 
they  arrive  they  will  be  able,  I  am  in  hopes,  to  turn  several 
off  the  stocks  in  a  little  time. 

It  being  evident  that  an  attempt  will  be  made  by  General 
Burgoyne  to  penetrate  and  make  an  impression  into  the 
Colonies  by  way  of  the  lakes,  unless  there  is  a  sufficient 
force  to  oppose  him,  I  have  exercised  a  discretionary  power, 
with  which  I  was  honoured  by  Congress,  and  ordered  three 
of  the  fullest  Continental  regiments  that  were  stationed  in 
the  Massachusetts  Government,  to  march  immediately  on 
receiving  my  orders  to  join  the  northern  Arrny.  I  have 
directed  them  to  come  to  Norwich,  and  there  embark  for 
Albany,  hoping  they  will  arrive  as  expeditiously  this  way, 
and  with  much  less  fatigue,  than  if  they  had  pursued  their 
route  by  land  altogether,  at  this  hot  uncomfortable  season. 
These,  with  such  Militia  as  may  be  furnished  from  the 
several  Colonies  required  to  provide  them,  and  the  troops 
that  were  under  General  Sullivan  in  Canada,  I  flatter  my- 
self will  be  able  and  more  than  equal  to  repel  any  invasion 
that  may  be  attempted  from  that  quarter.  It  will  be  some 
time  before  their  aid  can  be  had,  having  never  had  die 
authority  of  Congress  to  order  them  till  within  this  week. 

You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  Declaration,  that  Con- 
gress of  late  have  been  deliberating  on  matters  of  the  utmost 
importance.  Impelled  by  necessity,  and  a  repetition  of  inju- 
ries no  longer  sufferable,  without  the  most  distant  prospect  of 
relief,  they  have  asserted  the  claims  of  the  Colonies  to  the 
rights  of  humanity,  absolved  them  from  all  allegiance  to  the 
British  Crown,  and  declared  them  free  and  independent 
States.  In  obedience  to  their  order,  the  same  must  be  pro- 
claimed throughout  the  northern  Army. 

A  prisoner  taken  yesterday,  belonging  to  the  Tenth  Re- 
giment, informs  that  Admiral  Howe  is  hourly  expected. 
He  adds  that  a  vessel  is  arrived  from  his  fleet. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Schuyler. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

New- York,  July  11, 1776. 

SIR:  Since  writing  to  you  on  the  9th  instant,  I  have  been 
honoured  with  a  letter  from  Congress,  enclosing  a  resolve, 
a  copy  of  which  you  have  transmitted  herewith,  empow- 
ering me  to  call  to  the  assistance  of  the  Army  here  the  other 
two  regiments  of  Continental  troops,  now  in  the  Massa- 
chusetts Government,  and  not  ordered  in  my  last  to  be 
detached  to  join  the  northern  Army. 

I  am  now  to  request,  by  advice  of  my  General  Officers, 
that  you  will  give  immediate  orders,  not  only  to  them,  but 
to  the  three  destined  for  the  northward,  to  repair,  with  all 
possible  despatch,  to  Norwich,  where  they  will  embark ;  it 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


13 


195 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


196 


being  the  opinion  of  all  the  officers,  that  it  will  be  better 
for  the  whole,  as  well  the  three  intended  for  the  northward 
as  those  to  reinforce  the  troops  here,  to  take  this  route  in 
preference  to  any  other.  It  may  turn  out  the  most  expe- 
ditious, and  it  is  certain  the  men  will  be  eased  from  the 
fatigues  of  a  long  and  disagreeable  march  at  this  hot  and 
uncomfortable  season.  It  will  be  necessary  that  you  should 
write  Mr.  Hunting/on,  at  Norwich,  to  prepare  as  many 
vessels  as  will  bring  the  whole  of  them.  To  the  Quarter- 
master and  Commissary  you  will  give  proper  orders,  that 
they  may  provide,  in  each  of  their  departments,  such  sup- 
plies of  necessaries  for  the  route  as  may  be  wanted. 

I  have  just  now  received  your  favour  of  the  4th  instant, 
with  its  several  enclosures.  It  is  extremely  unlucky  that  the 
small-pox  should  prevail  in  the  Army  at  this  time;  but  such 
is  the  necessity  that  every  possible  succour  should  be  given  to 
the  troops  here,  and  to  those  at  (lie  northward,  at  this  critical 
period,  that  it  is  the  sentiment  of  myself  and  other  General 
Officers,  that  the  whole  of  the  regiments  that  are  not  in- 
fected with  the  disorder,  should  be  instantly  forwarded.  The 
calamities  that  would  flow  from  its  being  communicated  to 
the  whole  Army  are  too  obvious  to  need  mention.  You 
will  therefore  direct  the  utmost  care  and  attention  to  be 
used  to  prevent  those  that  are  well  from  taking  the  infection, 
and  for  this  end,  that  they  may  be  kept  separate  and  apart 
from  those  that  have  the  disorder.  Every  precaution  will 
not  be  more  than  necessary  to  prevent  the  fatal  consequences 
that  will  attend  their  bringing  and  spreading  it  at  this  time. 
And  I  trust  that  nothing  in  your  power  to  prevent  it  will  be 
wanting.  Such  of  the  men  who  are  down  with  it,  and  those 
you  may  suspect  have  received  the  infection,  you  will  put 
under  a  proper  officer  or  officers,  to  whom  you  will  give  orders 
to  proceed  with  them  to  this  place,  as  early  as  possible 
after  they  are  well  and  clean  of  the  infection.  The  com- 
pany, or  such  part  of  the  train  of  Artillery  as  are  there, 
must  remain,  in  case  they  should  be  wanted. 

I  request  that  you  will  have  an  accurate  and  exact  return 
made  of  all  the  military  and  other  stores  belonging  to  the 
Continent,  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  transmit  it  to  the  Board 
of  War  and  Ordnance,  agreeable  to  their  order.  You  will 
charge  the  Commissary  or  Conductor  with  the  care  of  them, 
and  that  he  will  remain  and  guard  them  in  a  safe  and  secure 
manner.  He  must  be  active  and  vigilant  in  his  duty,  that 
nothing  may  be  lost  or  injured. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Major-General  Ward,  Boston. 


REV.  JOHN  HODGERS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

New-York,  July  11,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Give  me  leave  to  introduce  to  your  acquaint- 
ance the  bearer,  Mr.  Tennent,  who  is  my  son-in  law.  He 
is  one  of  the  Chaplains  appointed  by  the  Colony  of  Connec- 
ticut (or  General  Waterbury's  brigade.  I  doubt  not  he  will 
do  his  duty  with  fidelity  and  diligence,  and  your  politeness 
and  benevolence  supersede  the  necessity  of  my  asking  your 
countenance  and  friendship  to  him,  while  he  supports  die 
dignity  of  his  character. 

For  news,  I  must  refer  to  our  good  friend  Mr.  Hazard 
and  the  bearer;  for  I  take  it  for  granted  Mr.  Hazard  writes 
to  you  by  this  conveyance. 

With  every  tender  wish  for  your  prosperity  in  your  present 
important  department,  I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JOHN  RODGERS. 

To  General  Gales. 


EBENEZER  HAZARD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

New-York,  July  11,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  intend  writing  to  you  the  news  by  the  post 
who  sets  out  for  Albany  to-morrow,  and  will  very  probably 
reach  you  sooner  than  this.  My  only  design  at  present  is, 
to  introduce  to  you  my  very  particular  friend,  the  Reverend 
Mr.  mUum  Tennent,  of  Greenfield,  in  Connecticut.  He  was 
solicited  by  General  Waterbury  to  accept  the  Chaplaincy  of 
a  regiment,  and  is  now  on  his  way  to  Crown-Point  for  that 
purpose.  Since  the  commencement  of  the  present  dispute 
he  has  uniformly  supported  the  American  side  of  it,  and  his 
zeal  has  been  commendable.  For  further  particulars,  I  must 
refer  you  to  a  future  acquaintance  with  him,  which  will  give 


you  a  more  just  idea  of  him  than  anything  dictated  by  the 
partiality  of  friendship. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours  affectionately, 

EBENEZER  HAZARD. 


MEMORANDUM. 


As  much  depends  upon  the  expedition  with  which  the 
expresses  travel,  that  matter  ought  to  be  particularly  attend- 
ed to;  more  especially  as  the  expresses  in  general  have  not 
outrode  the  stated  posts. 

Private  letters  (i.  e.  not  on  publick  business)  ought  not  to 
be  sent  by  express,  as  it  will  lessen  the  revenue  of°the  Con- 
tinental Post  Office,  unless  they  are  delivered  to  the  Post- 
master, that  postage  may  be  charged  on  them.  As  letters 
from  the  commanding  officer  in  Canada  are  carried  by  the 
stated  posts,  free  of  postage,  General  Gates  will  be  pleased 
either  to  enclose  his  for  his  friends  in  Virginia,  &c.,  to  IVIr. 
Hazard,  or  write  his  own  name  at  the  bottom  of  the  direc- 
tion, that  Mr.  Hazard  may  be  able  to  distinguish  them. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  11,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  A  report  was  sent  in  last  evening  from  the 
outguards  at  the  Narrows,  that  there  were  two  ships,  one 
brigantine,  and  one  schooner,  standing  in  for  the  Hook  last 
night. 

I  was  mentioning,  some  few  days  past,  that  a  putrid  fever 
prevailed  in  my  brigade,  and  that  I  thought  it  partly  owino- 
to  their  feeding  too  freely  on  animal  food.  Vegetables 
would  be  much  more  wholesome ;  and  by  your  Excellency's 
permission,  they  may  be  provided  for  the  troops  without  any 
additional  expense  to  the  Continent,  if  the  Colonels  of  the 
Regiments  were  allowed  to  retrench  in  the  article  of  meat, 
and  that  they  should  draw  its  value  in  money,  to  be  applied 
by  the  Quartermaster  of  the  regiment  to  the  procuring  ne- 
cessary sauce,  the  Quartermaster  to  draw  the  money  weekly 
and  account  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  regiment 
how  it  is  expended,  and  for  what.  This  method  may  be  a 
little  more  troublesome  to  the  Commissary-General  and  the 
Quartermasters  of  the  regiment ;  but  if  it  will  remedy  so  great 
an  evil  as  now  prevails,  I  think  it  worthy  your  Excellency's 
attention.  The  troops  cannot  complain  that  they  are  scanted 
in  their  allowance :  leaving  them  at  liberty  to  draw  either 
meat  or  money,  as  the  inclination  of  the  troops  or  command- 
ing officer  may  lead  them,  puts  it  out  of  their  power  to 
complain.  People  often  would  adopt  measures  when  left 
to  their  choice,  that  they  would  think  a  hardship  to  have 
imposed  upon  them. 

Cleanliness  contributes  much  to  the  health  of  the  troops. 
They  now  do,  and  have  done,  so  much  fatigue,  that  the 
allowance  of  soap  will  not  keep  them  clean.  Their  clothing 
gets  exceedingly  dirty,  and  they  wear  out  twice  as  many 
clothes  on  fatigue  as  doing  other  duty.  I  should  think  it  a 
piece  of  justice  due  to  the  troops  for  the  extraordinary  fa- 
tigue, to  be  allowed  a  double  quantity  of  soap  when  they  are 
employed  so  much  on  fatigue.  This  is  a  grievance  I  have 
often  heard  the  officers  complain  of,  that  the  fatigue  wore  out 
the  troops'  clothing  faster  than  they  could  get  them,  and  that 
they  made  themselves  so  dirty  at  work,  that  the  allowance  of 
soap  would  not  clean  them. 

I  have  never  mentioned  anything  of  a  further  allowance  of 
soap  to  any  person  except  the  other  evening  at  Head-Quar- 
ters. I  only  beg  leave  to  propose  it  to  your  Excellency's 
consideration,  and  leave  it  for  your  better  judgment  to  deter- 
mine the  propriety  and  utility  of  such  an  establishment. 

Believe  me  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  humble  servant, 

NATHANAEL  GREENE. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


EXAMINATION  OF  DESERTERS. 

The  Examination  of  seven  Deserters  from  on  board  the 
Enemy's  Fleet,  JULY  7,  1776. 

John  Hogan,  James  Jarras,  John  Joseph,  William  Down- 
ing, John  Bragg,  Robert  Caswell,  deserters  from  a  victual- 
ling ship  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  all  taken  in  different  vessels 
and  put  on  board  the  fleet,  except  John  Hogan,  who  was 
impressed  at  Halifax,  say:  That  the  ship  they  deserted  from 


197 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


198 


is  called  the  Killingivorth,  Thomas  Poundage  master ;  that 
they  took  her  boat  about  twelve  o'clock  last  night,  and  came 
to  Long-Island,  and  went  up  to  General  Greene's  encamp- 
ment; that  the  fleet  consists  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  one 
hundred  and  sixty  sail  of  all  kinds — it  contains  one  sixty- 
four,  two  fifty,  one  forty,  one  thirty-six,  the  rest  sloops  of 
war  (about  four)  and  some  tenders — no  bombships,  but  two 
expected  from  England  with  the  fleet ;  the  fleet  expected 
every  day  with  about  fifteen  thousand  troops ;  all  the  troops 
now  here  between  eight  and  nine  thousand — healthy;  no 
Horse.  They  intend  no  attempt  till  Lord  Howe  arrives. 
Sixty-six  men  from  New-Jersey  and  Staten-Island  joined 
them.  The  troops  and  inhabitants  appear  friendly.  One 
boy  killed  and  six  men  wounded  in  the  tender  the  other  day. 
The  Chatham,  Admiral  Shuldham's  ship,  well  manned,  but 
very  sickly  on  board  ;  several  died  since  they  left  Halifax. 
The  rest  of  the  ships  of  war  not  so  well  manned ;  the  trans- 
ports badly  manned ;  no  troops  but  the  Lighthorse  left  at 
Halifax;  Artillery  ashore, and  encamped ;  the  troops  quar- 
tered. Lord  Piercy  commands  ashore ;  General  Howe  on 
shipboard.  About  five  hundred  Highlanders  and  four  compa- 
nies from  Antigua. 

Matthew  Kelly,  who  deserted  from  on  board  the  transport 
brig  the  Admiral  Gayton,  which  took  him  on  the  Banks, 
outward  bound,  from  Newbury  to  Surinam,  agrees  in  general 
with  the  foregoing.  Three  riflemen  went  on  board  the 
Greyhound  last  night  was  a  week,  and  a  brother-in-law 
of  Captain  James  Ayscough.  One  Highlander,  and  another 
person,  came  on  board  the  same  night.  Only  three  ships  of 
war  left  at  Halifax — the  largest  a  frigate,  the  others  sloops ; 
one  of  them  to  convey  some  victualling  ships  to  Quebeck. 

Taken  ten  o'clock,  July  7,  1776. 

JNO.  MORIN  SCOTT,  Brigadier-General. 

Examination  O/"EBENEZERCOLEFOX,  Sailor,  deserter  from 

the  Enemy's  Fleet. 

On  Monday  evening,  July  8th,  1776,  deserted  from  on 
board  the  Amity's  Admonition,  commanded  by  Captain  John 
Noks,  (it  being  one  of  the  fleet  now  lying  in  our  harbour,) 
a  certain  Ebenezer  Colefox,  who  says :  That  on  the  22d  of 
May  last  he  was  taken  a  prisoner  in  the  sloop  Macaroni, 
commanded  by  Captain  John  Arthur,  belonging  to  Mr. 
Nathaniel  Shaw,  of  New-London,  of  which  sloop  he  was 
mate.  That  he  was  carried  into  Halifax  by  the  vessel  that 
took  him.  That  the  vessel  in  which  he  was  a  prisoner 
arrived  in  Halifax  on  or  about  the  10th  of  June  last.  That 
the  number  of  the  enemy  is  about  eight  thousand,  who  are 
all  landed  and  billeted  out  in  different  parts  of  the  Island, 
but  that  he  knows  not  with  certainty  whether  any  of  the 
General  Officers  are  landed  or  not,  but  is  certain  that  General 
Howe  is  yet  on  shipboard.  That  it  is  currently  reported 
among  the  enemy  that  a  reinforcement  of  twenty  thousand 
men  is  daily  expected  ;  that  they  have  landed  their  heavy 
artillery,  though  not  their  field-pieces,  and  that  they  have 
not  yet  erected  any  fortifications.  That  it  is  also  currently 
reported  on  board  the  fleet  that  no  descent  would  be  made 
by  the  enemy  until  the  arrival  of  the  reinforcement,  and 
that  then  an  attack  would  be  made  on  this  city.  That 
two  sailors,  who  arrived  at  Halifax  in  a  transport-ship  from 
England,  had  got  on  board  the  vessel  to  which  the  exatni- 
nant  belonged,  and  declared  that  Lord  Howe's  fleet  had 
actually  embarked  and  sailed  from  England  before  their 
departure  therefrom.  That  four  hundred  of  the  Fifth  Regi- 
ment came  from  Halifax  in  the  ship  to  which  he  belonged  ; 
that  they  were  in  the  battle  of  Hunker's  Hill;  that  most  of 
them  were  very  averse  to  the  service,  and  wished  to  come 
to  a  field  action,  for  that  they  did  not  care  whether  they 
died  or  lived.  No  bombships  with  this  fleet,  but  some  ex- 
pected with  Lord  Howe.  The  Army  healthy.  Never  was 
ashore  himself  on  Staten-Island.  No  troops  Isft  at  Halifax 
but  the  sick.  Does  not  know  that  any  ship  of  war  was  left 
at  Halifax,  except  the  frigate  which  took  him,  called  the 
Cerberus.  In  the  fleet  in  our  harbour  now  are  the  Asia;  two 
ships  of  fifty  and  one  of  forty  guns ;  the  Greyhound  frigate ; 
two  sloops,  commanded  by  Wallace  and  Ayscough ;  one  small 
sloop  cruising  on  the  back  of  Long-Island,  and  a  few  small 
armed  vessels.  The  tender  on  which  we  fired  some  days 
ago  much  damaged,  and  had  one  man  killed  and  eight  or 
nine  wounded.  The  Army  not  suffered  to  take  anything 
from  the  inhabitants  of  the  Island  without  pay.  The  in- 
habitants sell  them  fresh  provisions.  There  are  to  be  two 


market-days  in  a  week.     He  got  ashore  by  swimming  on  a 
piece  of  plank  to  Long-Island;  when  near  the  shore  bewailed 
out,  and  the  guards  came  down  and  received  him,  almost 
spent  with  being  in  the  water  two  hours. 
Taken  this  9th  July,  1776. 

JNO.  MORIN  SCOTT,  Brigadier-General. 

Examination  of  EM ANUEL  JOSEPHS'ON,  o/NEw-YoRK,  who 

made  his  escape  from  the  Enemy,  JULY  10,  1776. 
Emanuel  Josephson,  of  the  City  of  New-  York,  was  taken 
in  a  boat  belonging  to  Newark,  on  Tuesday,  the  2d  of  July 
instant.  He  was  well  treated,  and  all  his  baggage  returned. 
General  Howe  lives  at  Banker's.  He  heard  a  sergeant  say 
that  the  British  forces  were  seven  thousand  only,  consisting 
of  the  troops  that  left  Boston,  except  three  regiments  that 
are  left  at  Halifax,  and  four  companies  of  Highlanders  that 
have  joined  them  since.  No  intrenchments,  nor  cannon, 
except  two  twelve-pounders,  near  Decker's.  The  men  look 
very  hearty,  and  have  plenty  of  salt  provisions  and  flour. 
He  understood  from  them  that  they  intended  to  remain  on 
Staten-Island  till  the  arrival  of  the  fleet.  They  appeared 
rather  afraid.  Some  of  the  subalterns  and  soldiers  told  him 
there  was  something  preparing  that  the  New-  Yorkers  little 
thought  of.  They  were  much  afraid  that  our  people  would 
set  the  town  on  fire;  that  in  general  they  thought  they 
would  go  up  the  North  River,  and  land  there,  and  another 
party  would  land  on  Long-Island,  and  so  take  the  city. 
It  was  reported  in  the  camp  that  we  treated  our  prisoners 
very  ill;  and  especially,  that  some  of  the  Highland  officers 
were  drummed  through  the  town  with  the  rogue's  march. 
That  a  great  number  of  different  people  from  the  Continent 
had  joined  them  lately.  He  saw  Messrs.  Apthorp,DeLancey, 
Bayard,  Barbaric,  and  Lawrence.  He  heard  that  Paxton, 
the  barber,  was  there.  Was  treated  with  great  politeness 
by  Captain  Williams,  of  the  tender,  and  Captain  Dickson, 
of  the  Greyhound.  Richard  Lawrence  is  building  flat- 
bottomed  boats  on  the  Island.  The  people  are  afraid,  if  a 
reinforcement  comes,  they  will  be  starved  for  want  of  pro- 
visions on  the  Island.  Yesterday  two  men  came  from  Bergen- 
Point,  with  all  their  baggage. 

Examination  of  WILLIAM  GARDENER,  a  Prisoner,  July 
11,  1776. 

William  Gardener,  of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  commanded 
by  Major  Vattes,  was  going  to  get  some  milk,  and  being  in 
liquor,  lost  his  way  and  was  taken  by  our  men.  Men  in 
gobd  spirits.  Plenty  of  salt  provisions,  and  an  order  issued 
for  fresh  provisions  twice  a  week,  but  he  had  not  seen  any 
yet.  No  works  yet  thrown  up.  They  are  only  waiting  for 
the  fleet.  After  they  left  Halifax  they  were  joined  by  the 
fleet  from  Glasgow,  said  to  contain  three  thousand  men  when 
sailed.  They  have  an  account  that  General  Burgoyne  is  at 
Fort  Edward.  There  are  on  the  Island  General  Howe, 
General  Grant,  Lord  Piercy,  Brigadiers  Jones  and  Smith. 
There  is  a  brigade  opposite  to  the  Point,  consisting  of  three 
regiments,  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Jones.  They 
have  two  field-pieces  with  each  regiment.  Each  regiment 
consists  of  ten  companies,  and  forty  men  to  a  company.  He 
was  told  by  a  person  who  wrote  for  some  of  the  officers,  that 
the  reason  of  leaving  Boston  was  the  want  of  provisions,  but 
he  thought  it  was  time,  as  it  was  becoming  very  hot  about 
their  ears.  He  heard  the  Adjutant  tell  the  Major  that  they 
had  received  intelligence  from  General  Burgoyne,  by  land, 
that  he  had  an  army  of  thirty -five  thousand  men,  regulars 
and  Canadians.  They  expect  the  fleet  in  every  hour.  A 
vessel  has  arrived  from  them.  The  general  idea  among  the  • 
men  is,  that  they  are  to  attack  New-York,  and  can  easily 
pass  up  the  river.  A  Sergeant  Deane,  of  the  Fifty-Second 
Regiment,  taken  at  Bunker's  Hill  or  Lexington,  came  over 
to  the  Island  within  a  few  days,  and  was  with  General  Howe, 
and  supposes  gave  a  particular  account  of  what  was  doing. 

Examination  of  ELIJAH  STEPHENS  and  CHAUNCEY  SMITH, 
deserters  from  the  Enemy's  Fleet,  NEW- YORK,  July  11, 
1776. 

On  Wednesday  night  deserted  from  on  board  the  Generous 
Friend,  a  transport,  one  of  the  fleet  now  lying  in  our  harbour, 
Elijah  Stephens  and  Chaunccy  Smith,  who  say :  That  on 
the  17th  day  of  May  they  were  taken  prisoners  in  the»schoo- 


109 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


200 


ner  called  the  Leviathan,  belonging  to  New-Haven,  by  the 
Cerberus  man-of-war,  and  carried  into  Halifax,  where  they 
arrived  on  or  about  the  3d  of  June,  and  were  turned  over  to 
the  aforesaid  transport.  That  they  left  Halifax  on  or  about 
the  10th  of  June,  whete  they  left  no  troops  but  invalids. 
They  say  that  the  number  of  the  enemy  arrived  in  the  fleet 
is  (as  nearly  as  they  have  been  able  to  inform  themselves) 
about  seven  thousand.  .That  the  troops  were  all  landed  on 
Statcn-Island,  and  that  they  were  on  different  parts  of  the 
Island.  That  there  were  a  few  tents,  but  that  the  troops 
were  chiefly  billeted  out  in  houses.  That  besides  those  who 
have  the  small-pox,  (of  which  there  are  fifty  or  sixty,)  there 
are  many  sick  among  them.  That  many  of  the  soldiers 
seem  much  averse  to  the  service,  and  curse  their  fate  for 
being  engaged  therein.  They  further  say,  that  yesterday 
morning  the  Asia,  Chatham,  and  the  Greyhound,  weighed 
anchor,  and,  as  the  examinants  were  informed,  intended  to 
sail  past  the  city,  up  Hudson's  River,  and  lie  at  some  con- 
venient distance  above  it,  to  prevent  communication  between 
it  and  the  country.  They  also  say  that  it  was  reported 
among  them  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  Island  were  about 
forming  themselves  into  companies,  who,  together  with  such 
of  the  enemy  as  were  unfit  for  actual  service,  were  to  remain 
upon  the  Island,  to  defend  it  when  an  attack  should  be  made 
by  the  troops ;  but  that  no  attack  was  to  be  made  until  the 
arrival  of  the  reinforcement  from  Europe,  which  reinforce- 
ment, they  were  informed,  would  consist  of  about  fifteen  or 
sixteen  thousand  men. 

JNO.  MORIN  SCOTT,  Brigadier-General. 

Examination  of  JAMES  McFARLAN,  a  soldier  belonging  to 
the  Fifty-Fifth  Regiment,  (Colonel  MEDIC,)  deserted 
from  STATEN-!SLAND  on  the  4th  or  5th  JULY,  1776. 
The  Colonel  absent.  The  regiment  now  commanded  by 
the  Major,  who  is  General  Howe's  Aid-de-Camp.  He  left 
Staten-Island  about  one  or  two  o'clock  yesterday  aftenioon. 
He  came  away  in  a  skiff  opposite  the  Blazing-Star  Ferry. 
He  left  Halifax  (where  they  went  from  Boston)  about  four 
weeks  ago.  Some  of  the  Grenadiers  and  Light-Infantry 
landed  on  the  Island  on  Tuesday  night,  and  the  battalions 
on  Wednesday.  They  consist  of  nine  thousand — about  one 
thousand  sick  and  lame.  General  Grant,  of  the  brigade  to 
which  the  examinant  belongs,  is  about  one  mile  and  a  half 
from  Blazing-Star,  inland,  with  three  battalions  (of  eight 
companies  each)  of  Foot.  No  breastworks  or  other  remark- 
able works  raised  since  Grant  came  on  the  Island ;  the  men 
so  weak  and  feeble,  and  the  weather  so  hot,  that  they  cannot 
work,  and  therefore  don't  intend  raising  any  yet  awhile. 
About  four  hundred  of  the  inhabitants  to  be  sworn  yesterday 
to  be  true  to  carry  arms,  but  not  to  go  out  of  the  country. 
He  has  not  tasted  a  bit  of  fresh  provision  since  he  has  been 
on  the  Island,  but  yesterday  they  began  to  buy.  Their 
sentries  are  all  along  the  shore — two  together  in  the  night- 
time. The  report  in  the  Army  is,  that  they  are  waiting  for 
the  fleet  from  England.  He  thinks  one-half  of  the  Army 
are  very  easy  about  the  dispute,  and  had  rather  let  it  alone; 
these  are  chiefly  Scotch  and  Irish ;  but  the  English  are  very 
violent.  They  expect  a  reinforcement  of  ten  or  twelve 
thousand  men.  He  thinks  Admiral  Shuldham  commands 
the  fleet.  If  they  are  to  be  attacked,  now  is  the  time.  The 
Captain  of  the  tender  was  killed  on  Thursday  morning,  as 
reported  through  the  Army.  A  schooner  was  taken  the 
other  night  loaded  with  flour,  about  two  miles  from  Blazing- 
Star,  supposed  to  be  from  Amboy.  A  great  many  flat- 
bottomed  boats,  with  sixteen  oars,  will  carry  two  companies ; 
but  are  all  yet  with  the  fleet.  In  general,  about  thirty-six 
HI  a  company,  and  many  not  that.  There  was  a  talk  at 
Halifax  about  a  regiment  of  Indians,  but  it  all  went  over, 
and  none  came.  The  inhabitants  of  Staten-Island  are  well 
used  ;  no  soldier  dare  do  anything  against  them.  The  other 
night  the  soldiers  broke  into  a  cellar  belonging  to  a  man 
who  had  deserted  to  Jersey,  (supposed  to  be  Mr.  Mesereaux,) 
and  knocked  m  the  heads  of  some  wine-casks  and  drank  it 
for  which  they  were  tried  next  day  by  a  general  court-mar- 
t,al.  A  large  man,  a  ship-carpenter,  (Richard  Lawrence,) 
came  aboard  them  w.th  a  likely  young  man  the  first  nieht 
after  they  came  from  Sandy-Hook,  and  told  them  there  was 
nobody  on  the  other  side  of  the  Island  but  a  parcel  of  jawin" 
rascals,  and  five  hundred  of  such  as  he  would  drive  them 
all.  TJie  Army  have  the  bloody-flux  and  scurvy.  There 


are  no  Lighthorse  among  the  Regulars ;  these  were  left  at 
Halifax  till  they  see  whether  they  can  make  their  landing 
good ;  but  have  riding  and  draught-horses.  The  Grenadiers 
and  Light-Infantry  are  in  a  brigade  by  themselves,  in  the 
middle  of  the  Island.  The  reinforcement  is  expected  every 
day.  The  men  are  so  weak  that  they  cannot  march  twelve 
miles  a  day  to  save  their  lives.  A  great  many  (nearly 
twenty)  boats  from  Long-Island  came  on  board  and  helped 
them  to  land  their  men  on  Staten-Island ;  the  boats  are  used 
to  carry  grass ;  they  had  been  at  the  light-house  a  fortnight. 

Examination  of  ABRAM  VAN  DUZAR,  of  NEW-YORK,  from 
STATEN-ISLAND,  July  9,  1776. 

The  examination  of  Abram  Van  Duzar,  of  New-York, 
who  saith :  That  on  Tuesday,  the  2d  day  of  July,  he  went 
over  to  Staten-Island,  to  bring  over  a  horse  he  had  some 
time  before  purchased  ;  that  he  could  not  get  a  passage  back 
again  that  night;  and  that  the  next  morning  he  was  forbid 
returning,  guards  having  been  set  all  round  the  Island.  The 
examinant  further  saith,  that  he  attempted  to  come  away 
three  times,  and  was  hindered  the  two  first  times,  but  that 
the  last  (being  this  morning)  he  effected  his  escape  in  a 
skiff  from  Decker's  Ferry;  that  guards  are  set  all  over  the 
Island,  but  that  no  fortifications  are  made  or  intrenchments 
flung  up  anywhere.  That  on  Saturday  last,  Governour 
Tryon  called  all  the  Militia  of  the  Island  together,  and 
agreed  with  them  that,  on  their  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  the  King,  he  would  give  to  them  new  commissions,  and 
that  then  they  were  to  be  inlisted  to  serve  during  the  war, 
and  not  to  go  off  the  Island ;  that  they  were  to  receive  the 
same  pay  as  the  King's  troops;  and  that  he  heard  one 
Decker  (an  inhabitant  of  the  Island)  say  the  number  of  men 
belonging  to  the  Island,  and  fit  to  bear  arms,  consisted  of 
between  four  and  five  hundred.  That  they  had  raised  a 
company  of  Horse,  whose  pay  is  one  dollar  per  day  when 
called  to  duty.  That  he  saw  Cortlandt  Skinner  on  the 
Island,  in  high  spirits,  save  that  he  laments  a  little  the  loss 
of  his  son.  That  he  had  heard  it  talked  among  both  officers 
and  soldiers,  that  when  the  fleet  and  army  (expected  to 
arrive  every  hour  under  Lord  Howe)  should  arrive  to  their 
assistance,  they  were  to  land  at  Amboy  and  on  Long-Island, 
and  so  force  their  way  to  New-York;  and  that  Carleton 
was  to  come  from  Canada;  and  by  their  talk  one  among 
another,  were  of  opinion  that  Carleton  must  needs  be  now 
in  Albany;  and  that  they  seemed  well  assured  of  success ; 
nor  could  they  think  their  attempt  could  possibly  fail.  That 
the  troops  are  very  healthy,  and  look  exceedingly  well,  and 
are  impatient  to  attack  us.  That  with  the  present  fleet 
came  only  six  men-of-war,  sloops,  tenders,  and  several  bomb- 
ships.  That  he  thinks,  from  the  best  judgment  he  can  form, 
that  the  number  of  troops,  exclusive  of  the  marines,  consists 
of  twelve  thousand;  but  that  they,  among  themselves,  give 
such  different  accounts  of  their  number,  that  there  is  no  kind 
of  dependance  on  the  accounts  they  give  about  it.  That 
the  troops  are  chiefly  landed  and  scattered  over  the  Island ; 
that  he  thinks  they  are  likely  to  want  fresh  provisions  pretty 
soon.  That  he  had  been  well  informed  that  forty-eight  men 
came  and  joined  them  from  Amboy;  that  on  Sunday  evening 
last  three  Riflemen  came  over  to  them  from  Long-Island, 
and  brought  with  them  five  rifles,  and  told  the  General  that 
twenty-five  more  wanted  to  come  over,  but  had  no  craft  to 
bring  them  ;  that  those  three  Riflemen  joined  the  Army,  and 
drew  provisions  and  pay  immediately.  That  when  the  fleet 
came  in  through  the  Narrou-s,  our  guns  from  the  battery 
killed  four  men  and  a  boy.  That  they  had  asked  him  how 
many  in  number  our  troops  consisted  of  in  New-York ;  that 
he  had  told  them  not  less  than  fifty  thousand,  and  more 
likely  one  hundred  thousand.  That  they  had  talks  of  at- 
tempting thejittle  privateer  in  the  bay;  and  that  he  heard 
it  talked  among  the  officers,  yesterday,  that  five  men-of-war 
were  to  be  sent  up  to  town  to-day,  but  that  no  general 
attack  is  to  be  made  until  they  are  reinforced  by  the  fleet 
from  England,  with  whom,  they  say,  fifteen  or  twenty  thou- 
sand troops  will  come.  That  they  were  going  through  with 
the  people  on  the  Island  yesterday,  tendering  them  the  oath 
of  allegiance ;  and  that  people  in  general  took  it  cheerfully, 
without  hesitation,  as  he  was  informed. 

ABRAM  VAN  DUZAR. 

Taken  on  this  9th  of  July,  1 776,  at  Bergen  town,  by  me, 
JACOB  FORD,  Jun.,  Colonel. 


201 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


202 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

White-Plains,  Westchester  County,  ) 
July  11,  1776.      J 

SIR:  In  pursuance  of  the  resolution  of  your  honourable 
House  of  the  17th  of  June  last,  we  have  passed  a  resolve  to 
authorize  the  Commander-in-Chief  to  call  out  all  or  any 
part  of  our  Militia  whenever  he  might  think  it  necessary,  of 
which  we  now  enclose  you  a  copy,  marked  No.  1. 

We  have  also  taken  into  consideration  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  Congress  relative  to  the  providing  of  clothing  for 
the  troops,  and  passed  the  resolution  of  which  we  enclose 
you  a  copy,  marked  No.  2. 

As  soon  as  we  had  received  the  resolution  of  Congress  for 
raising  a  regiment  in  the  Colony,  in  order  to  provide  for 
those  officers  who  had  served  in  Canada,  we  referred  it  to 
a  Committee,  expecting  from  them  an  arrangement  which 
would  preserve  the  rank  of  those  officers,  and  thereby  pre- 
vent all  disgusts  and  just  grounds  of  resignation,  it  being  our 
opinion  that  inferior  officers  should  not  be  raised  over  their 
superiors,  unless  in  cases  of  extraordinary  and  distinguished 
merit.  And  although  we  could  not  forbear  observing  that 
the  recommendation  of  Mr.  Dubois  tended  in  some  measure 
to  impair  that  liberty  of  nomination,  without  which  the  privi- 
lege would  be  ineffectual,  yet,  as  we  conceived  that  such 
instances  were  not  frequent,  we  had  determined  to  comply 
with  the  request. 

But,  sir,  we  were  much  surprised  and  most  deeply  affected 
by  the  resolution  of  Congress  of  the  26th  of  June,  by  which 
it  appears  that  your  honourable  House  had  taken  from  us 
the  right  of  nominating,  not  only  the  Field-Officers,  but  also 
the  Captains  and  Lieutenants  of  that  regiment,  a  measure 
so  contrary  to  the  common  usage  hitherto  observed  and 
practised  upon  in  all  similar  cases,  as  to  raise  a  discrimination 
highly  invidious  to  this  State ;  and  it  is  our  great  misfortune 
not  to  perceive  the  force  of  those  three  reasons  which  your 
honourable  House  have  thought  fit  to  assign  to  us. 

The  first,  sir,  is,  that  the  Congress  were  furnished  with 
a  list  of  the  officers  who  had  served  in  Canada,  and  were 
therefore  enabled  to  appoint  without  our  interposition. 

We  shall  readily  admit  that  the  Congress  may  in  this  and 
in  other  cases  have  sufficient  information  to  enable  them  to 
make  such  appointments ;  yet  we  submit  it  to  their  superior 
wisdom,  whether  the  ability  they  may  thence  derive  to  per- 
form an  act  can  constitute  a  right  of  doing  it ;  and  if,  as 
we  suppose,  those  appointments  did  (by  the  common  usage) 
appertain  to  us,  then  how  far  the  mere  capacity  of  making 
them  could  vest  the  right  in  any  other  body  whatsoever. 

The  second  reason,  sir,  is,  "  that  the  Congress  have  ap- 
pointed only  such  officers  as  were  originally  appointed  and 
recommended  by  us;  and  that  we  should  probably  have 
fixed  our  choice  on  the  same  persons." 

We  shall  acknowledge  it  to  be  merely  possible,  that  in 
the  course  of  human  affairs  we  might,  by  some  chance,  have 
fixed  upon  those  persons  which  are  most  agreeable  to  your 
honourable  House.  And  it  is  strictly  true,  that  the  greatest 
part  of  the  officers  were  appointed  and  recommended  by  us 
the  last  year,  although  not  to  the  same  rank  and  commissions 
which  your  honourable  body  have  thought  fit  to  confer  upon 
them ;  but  it  is  equally  true,  that  several  of  them  have  never 
been  recommended  or  appointed  by  us,  and  one  of  them,  if 
not  more,  has  never  been  in  the  service  at  all ;  and  we  are 
really  at  a  loss  to  conceive  that  our  nomination  of  officers  in 
a  regiment  disbanded  after  the  term  of  inlistment  was  expired, 
can,  upon  the  raising  of  a  new  regiment,  deprive  us  of  that 
right  of  nomination,  and  vest  it  in  the  Congress.  Nor  can 
we  be  of  opinion  that  another  body  ought  to  claim  the  right 
of  choosing  for  us,  from  the  mere  conjecture  that  their  choice 
would  be  similar  to  ours,  even  if  that  conjecture  should  be 
well  founded;  but  we  are  sorry  to  observe,  sir,  that  the 
arrangement  made  by  your  honourable  Housg  is  materially 
different  from  that  which  we  had  prepared. 

The  third  reason  for  depriving  us,  in  this  instance,  of  the 
right  of  nomination,  is,  "the  good  of  the  service,  and  the 
danger  of  delay." 

We  are  deeply  impressed  with  the  idea  that  your  respect- 
able body  are  actuated  by  the  purest  intentions  of  serving 
this  country;  ,and  we  entertain  so  well  founded  an  opinion 
of  their  wisdom  and  integrity,  that  we  shall  not  presume  to 
apologize  for  that  plainness  of  speech  which  distinguishes 
freemen,  and  which  can  never  give  offence  to  those  who, 
from  the  dignity  of  their  private  characters,  impart  lustre  to 


the  offices  they  hold.  We  shall  observe,  therefore,  that 
although  the  necessity  of  the  case  has,  in  all  ages  and 
nations,  been  the  fruitful  source  of  extraordinary  power,  yet 
it  has  but  too  frequently  sown  with  tares  the  fertile  fields  of 
liberty,  and  blasted  the  fairest  fruits  of  patriotism  and  publick 
spirit.  The  whole  history  of  mankind  bears  testimony  against 
the  propriety  of  considering  the  principle  as  the  parent  of 
civil  rights,  and  therefore  a  people  jealous  of  their  liberties 
must  forever  reprobate  it.  At  the  same  time,  we  take  leave 
to  assure  you,  sir,  that  however  we  may  be  calumniated  by 
individuals  whose  censure  we  consider  as  praise,  we  shall 
ever  continue  ready  and  willing,  with  our  lives  and  fortunes, 
to  support  the  cause  and  rights  of  America. 

We  are  extremely  sorry  to  inform  the  Congress  that  the 
good  of  the  service  svill  not  be  promoted,  nor  the  dangers  of 
delay  prevented,  by  the  measures  which  they  have  taken, 
as  many  spirited  and  good  officers  have  been  so  disgusted 
that  some  have  resigned,  and  we  have  but  too  much  reason 
to  apprehend  that  others  will  refuse  to  accept  of  their  com- 
missions. We  beg,  therefore,  that  your  honourable  House 
will  excuse  us  from  interfering  in  the  further  arrangement  of 
this  regiment,  and  make  out  the  few  appointments  which 
remain. 

We  have  received  from  William  Goforth,  a  brave  and 
good  officer,  who  served  the  last  campaign  in  Canada,  a 
letter  containing  his  reasons  for  quitting  the  service,  of 
which  we  enclose  you  a  copy,  marked  No.  3,  and  also  the 
copy  of  a  letter  from  Colonel  Fleming,  on  the  same  subject, 
marked  No.  4. 

We  daily  expect  other  resignations,  and  pray  leave  to 
observe,  that  we  think  the  case  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cort- 
landt  is  attended  with  singular  hardship.  He  is  a  young 
gentleman  of  affluent  circumstances,  good  family,  and  exten- 
sive connexions.  He  entered  the  service  last  year  as  a 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  served  with  spirit  and  fidelity,  and 
has  done  the  like  this  year.  He  is  now  inferior  in  rank  to 
Mr.  Dubois,  who  entered  the  service  last  year  as  a  Captain. 
If  by  such  neglect  many  respectable  inhabitants  among  us, 
with  their  numerous  and  extensive  connexions,  be  disgusted 
and  remain  inactive,  we  flatter  ourselves  that  this  Colony 
will  not  be  censured  for  the  ill  consequences  which  may 
result  from  it. 

The  day  before  yesterday  we  took  into  consideration  the 
Declaration  of  your  honourable  House,  proclaiming  the  United 
Colonies  free  and  independent  States,  and  thereupon  came  to 
a  resolution,  of  which  we  enclose  you  a  copy,  marked  No.  5. 

Governour  Try  on  has  inlisted  into  the  service  of  the  King 
of  Great  Britain  certain  disaffected  persons  belonging  to 
this  Colony,  New-Jersey,  Sic.,  some  of  whom  are  now  in 
custody.  We  are  really  at  a  loss  what  to  do  with  them, 
there  being  no  laws  according  to  which  they  can  be  tried 
and  punished,  and  ex  post  facto  laws  are  liable  to  many  ob- 
jections. We  unanimously  join  in  requesting  the  favour  of 
your  honourable  House  to  advise  us  what  would  be  proper 
to  do  in  this  case. 

We  take  the  liberty  of  suggesting  to  your  consideration 
also,  the  propriety  of  taking  some  measures  for  expunging 
from  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  such  parts,  and  discon- 
tinuing in  the  congregations  of  all  the  denominations  all 
such  prayers  as  interfere  with  the  interest  of  the  American 
cause.  It  is  a  subject  we  are  afraid  to  meddle  with,  the 
enemies  of  America  having  taken  great  pains  to  insinuate 
into  the  minds  of  the  Episcopalians  that  the  Church  was  in 
danger.  We  could  wish  the  Congress  would  pass  some 
resolve  to  quiet  their  fears,  and  we  are  confident  it  would 
do  essential  service  in  the  cause  of  America,  at  least  in  this 
State. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servants. 

By  order:  NATHANIEL  WOODHULL,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

[No.  1.]  In  Provincial  Congress,  New-York,  June  21,  1776. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  Army  of  the  United  Colonies  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
authorized  and  empowered  to  impress  Carriages  and  Water 
Craft  within  this  Colony,  when  necessary  for  the  publick  ser- 
vice ;  and  also  to  remove  Ships  and  other  Vessels  in  Hudson's 
and  the  East  Rivers,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  them  from 
the  enemy. 


203 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


204 


JUNE  30. — Resolved,  That  the  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  Continental  forces  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorized  and 
empowered,  whenever  he  shall  judge  it  necessary  for  the 
defence  of  this  Colony,  to  apply  to  the  Brigadier-Generals 
thereof,  and  in  case  of  their  or  either  of  their  absence,  to  the 
next  Commanding-Officer,  for  any  proportion  of  the  Militia 
under  their  respective  commands;  and  that  on  receipt  of 
such  application,  they  be,  and  hereby  are,  directed  to  call 
out  such  part  of  their  Militia,  and  inarch  to  any  place  or 
places  within  this  Colony,  as  the  said  Commander-in-Chief 
shall  order  for  its  defence;  and  that  this  order  shall  continue 
until  revoked  by  this  or  some  future  Congress  or  Legisla- 
ture of  this  Colony. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary. 


if  so,  I  would  just  beg  leave  to  inform  you,  that  when  in 
Canada  last  winter  I  viewed  this  argument  to  be  of  great 
force ;  but  at  present  conceive  myself  to  be  in  the  state  in 
which  I  was  when  I  left  home,  and  beg  leave  to  decline  the 
service;  and  with  the  utmost  deference  to  subscribe  myself, 
as  in  reality  I  am,  a  true  friend  to  the  free  and  rising  States 
of  America,  and  at  the  same  time,  your  most  obedient  and 
most  humble  servant,  WILLIAM  GOFORTH. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress  of  the  Colony 
of  New-York. 


True  copy,  examined  by 


ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary. 


[No.  1.]  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 

New-York,  White-Plains,  July  15,  1776.      ) 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  if  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  should  think  it  expedient,  for  the  preservation 
of  this  State,  and  the  general  interest  of  America,  to  aban- 
don the  City  of  New-  York,  and  withdraw  the  troops  to  the 
north  side  of  King's  Bridge,  that  this  Convention  will  cheer- 
fully cooperate  with  him  in  every  measure  that  may  be 
necessary  for  that  purpose. 
Extract  from  the  Minutes  : 

ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary. 

[No.  2.]  In  Provincial  Congress,  New- York,  June  24,  1776. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenius  be  re- 
quested to  procure,  without  delay,  on  account  of  this  Con- 
gress, and  on  the  most  reasonable  terms,  all  the  coarse  wool- 
len Cloth  that  is  for  sale  in  and  about  this  city,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  Coats  for  the  Troops  raised  and  to  be 
raised  in  the  Colony  for  the  present  campaign ;  and  if  a 
sufficient  quantity  for  that  purpose  cannot  be  procured  in 
this  city,  that  he  send  to  the  city  of  Albany,  and  the  town 
of  Schenectady,  and  elsewhere,  and  cause  to  be  purchased 
as  much  more,  in  addition  to  the  quantity  purchased  in  this 
city,  as  will  be  sufficient  to  make  one  Coat  for  each  soldier 
so  raised  and  to  be  raised,  as  aforesaid. 

That  Colonel  Curtenius  procure,  without  delay,  at  the 
place  aforesaid,  and  elsewhere,  brain  dressed  Deer's  Leather, 
sufficient  to  make  each  soldier  as  aforesaid  one  Waistcoat 
and  one  pair  of  Breeches,  and  that  he  employ  a  sufficient 
number  of  hands  to  make  the  said  Coats,  Waistcoats,  and 
Breeches,  with  all  expedition. 

That  Colonel  Curtenius  procure  one  Blanket,  one  felt 
Hat,  two  Shirts,  two  pair  of  woollen  Hose,  and  two  pair  of 
Shoes,  for  each  soldier  raised  and  to  be  raised  as  aforesaid ; 
and  that  he  cause  all  the  articles  hereby  ordered  to  be  pro- 
cured, to  be  baled,  invoiced,  and  stored  in  proper  places, 
there  to  remain  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, or  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  American  Army. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary. 

[No-  3-]  New-York,  July  5, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Having,  in  the  course  of  the  last  year,  been 
called  by  you  from  private  life,  without  any  solicitation,  to 
the  most  honourable  of  all  services,  that  of  my  country,  I 
obeyed  the  call,  and  have,  to  the  utmost  of  rny  poor  abili- 
ties, exerted  myself  for  the  general  good;  and  having,  on 
my  return  home,  found  my  toils  amply  rewarded,  inasmuch 
as  I  had  so  far  fallen  under  your  notice  as  to  be  appointed 
to  a  Majority,  which  promotion  I  view  as  great  as  I  could 
reasonably  expect,  or  even  have  desired— nevertheless, 
when  I  look  over  the  arrangement  which  you  were  pleased 
to  make  the  last  year,  and  call  to  mind  that  you  then  deter- 
mined that  the  First  Regiment  should  take  rank  of  the 
Second,  and  find  that  I  had  the  rank  of  fourth  Captain  in 
the  First,  and  that  Lewis  Dubois,  Esquire,  had  the  rank  of 
fourth  Captain,  and  Jacobus  Bruyn,  Esquire,  that  of  seventh 
in  the  Third  Regiment,  I  view  my  appointment  as  speaking 
two  things:  first,  that  you  have  found  men  of  greater  merit 
than  myself,  and  men  who  are  better  qualified  for  the  pub- 
lick  service,  of  which  I  am  extremely  glad;  and,  secondly, 
that  your  now  appointing  me  to  serve  under  two  junior 
officers,  is  no  more  than  taking  the  most  genteel  way  of 
discharging  me  from  the  publick  service  as  an  officer.  Per- 
haps it  may  be  said  that  this  is  no  time  to  dispute  about  rank; 


[No.  4.]  New-York,  June  21,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  take  occasion  to  express  the  high  sense 
I  entertain  of  that  honourable  testimony  of  your  approbation 
which  you  were  pleased  to  give  by  unanimously  appointing 
me  Deputy  Adjutant-General  in  the  Continental  Army,  and 
extremely  regret  the  necessity  I  am  now  laid  under  of  making 
a  resignation  of  the  trust  committed  to  me.  I  flatter  myself 
that,  considering  my  uniform  conduct,  and  my  circumstances 
in  life,  you  will  do  me  the  justice  to  believe,  that  in  accepting 
the  office  I  was  influenced  by  my  zeal  for  and  attachment 
to  the  cause  of  America;  not  by  any  avidity  for  the  emolu- 
ments which  might  thence  arise.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say  I 
left  ease  and  competency,  my  wife,  my  children,  and  every 
thing  dear  to  me,  to  encounter,  at  the  expense  of  my  health, 
as  well  as  at  the  risk  of  my  life,  all  the  rigours,  difficulties, 
and  dangers  of  a  long  campaign  in  Canada.  Neither  is  it  my 
part  to  determine  whether  my  behaviour  in  the  station  I 
filled  has  been  reprehensible  or  meritorious;  but  this  much  I 
will  venture  to  assert,  that  however  moderate  my  abilities, 
my  assiduity  and  attention  to  the  discharge  of  my  duty  were 
unremitted.  What  share  of  zeal  and  perseverance  I  may 
pretend  to  can  easily  be  ascertained  by  the  term  of  my  con- 
tinuance in  Canada,  under  all  the  discouragement  of  an 
excruciating  disorder.  At  any  rate,  I  am  not  conscious  of 
any  such  neglect  or  desertion  of  my  duty  as  may  justly 
expose  me  to  a  manifest  indignity;  and  when  it  is  offered  me 
I  cannot  forbear  feeling  it  with  the  sensibility  of  a  man. 

As  first  Deputy  I  naturally  expected  to  succeed  to  the  Ad- 
jutant Generalship  when  it  became  vacant;  but,  to  my  great 
surprise,  I  find  the  Continental  Congress  have  thought  proper 
to  give  the  preference  to  another.  True  it  is,  the  Congress 
have  adopted  a  resolution  to  reserve  to  themselves  a  right  of 
dispensing  preferments  according  to  the  merit  of  officers,  and 
not  the  seniority  of  commissions ;  but  even  on  that  ground 
the  preference  they  have  given  to  another  contains  an  im- 
plied censure  on  my  conduct.  It  is  a  tacit  declaration  that 
I  am  not  competent  to  the  place  of  Adjutant-General,  and 
of  course  that  I  have  not  acted  with  propriety  in  my  former 
character ;  for  no  man  capable  of  acquitting  himself  well 
in  the  post  of  Deputy  Adjutant-General  can  be  unqualified 
for  that  of  Adjutant-General.  I  am,  therefore,  compelled  to 
suppose  the  Continental  Congress  disapprove  of  my  past 
conduct,  and  think  me  unfit  for  the  place  to  which  I  was 
appointed ;  otherwise  it  cannot  be  imagined  they  would  step 
aside  from  the  plain  path  of  succession  by  seniority,  and  take 
the  pains  to  place  a  gentleman  not  at  all  within  the  line  of 
the  department  over  my  head.  This  would  be  charging  them 
with  a  degree  of  partiality  of  which  I  hope  they  are  incapable. 
I  am  now  reduced  to  this  dilemma,  either  to  suppose  that 
I  have  been  much  injured,  and  my  honour  as  a  soldier 
wounded  in  the  tenderest  part,  by  being  excluded  from  a 
station  without  sufficient  cause,  to  which  I  had  a  good  right 
to  aspire ;  or  to  close  with  the  opinion  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  consider  myself  as  inadequate  to  the  office 
you  were  pleased  to  honour  me  with.  In  either  case  it  is 
evidently  my  duty  to  resign.  In  the  first,  justice  to  myself 
requires  it;  in  the  last,  justice  to  my  country. 

On  whatever  ground  I  act,  be  assured,  gentlemen,  my 
affections  to  this  country  and  my  zeal  for  the  preservation 
of  its  rights,  will  always  remain  unimpaired.  As  a  private 
citizen,  my  property,  my  life,  shall  be  cheerfully  hazarded 
in  defence  of  America. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 
humble  servant,  EDWARD  FLEMING. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress. 
A  true  copy,  examined  by 

ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary. 


205 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


206 


In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of ) 

6.     J 


New-York,  White-Plains,  July  9,  1776. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  reasons  assigned  by  the 
Continental  Congress  for  declaring  the  United  Colonies  free 
and  independent  States,  are  cogent  and  conclusive;  and  that 
while  we  lament  the  cruel  necessity  which  has  rendered  that 
measure  unavoidable,  we  approve  the  same,  and  will,  at  the 
risk  of  our  lives  and  fortunes,  join  with  the  other  Colonies 
in  supporting  it. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Declaration,  and  the 
aforegoing  Resolution,  be  sent  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  of  Westchester,  with  orders  to  publish 
the  same  with  beat  of  drum  at  this  place  on  Thursday  next, 
and  to  give  directions  that  it  be  published  with  all  con- 
venient speed  in  the  several  Districts  within  the  said  County, 
and  that  copies  thereof  be  forthwith  transmitted  to  the  other 
County  Committees  within  the  State  of  New-  York,  with 
orders  to  cause  the  same  to  be  published  in  the  several  Dis- 
tricts of  their  respective  Counties. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  Delegates  of  this  State 
in  the  Continental  Congress  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  author- 
ized to  concert  and  adopt  all  such  measures  as  they  may 
deem  conducive  to  the  happiness  and  welfare  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 
Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary. 


COMMISSARY  TRUMBULL  TO  JEREMIAH  POWELL. 

New-York,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  the  1st  instant,  notifying 
me  oi  the  route  of  the  troops  from  the  Colony  of  Massachu- 
setts-Hay to  Ticonderoga.  I  find  it  coincides  fully  with 
my  wishes.  Captain  Farnsworth  will  be  at  No.  4,  and 
every  precaution  is  and  will  be  taken  to  render  the  march 
of  the  troops  as  easy  to  them  as  possible,  and  the  mileage 
paid  them.  As  to  the  troops  coming  to  this  place,  I  wtll 
also  take  care  to  meet  them  with  proper  supplies  at  New- 
Haven. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  THUMBULL. 
1  o  Jeremiah  Powell,  Esq. 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  ) 
New-York,  White-Plains,  July  11,  1776.      \ 

SIR  :  Your  letter  of  the  6th  instant,  enclosing  a  copy  of 
the  Declaration  of  Congress  proclaiming  the  United  Colonies 
free  and  independent  States,  and  requesting  us  to  proclaim 
and  publish  the  same  in  this  Colony,  has  been  received. 

It  gives  us  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  having  been  in- 
formed of  that  Declaration  by  our  Delegates,  we  have  antici- 
pated the  request  of  the  Congress  by  our  resolutions  of  the 
9th  day  of  July  instant,  a  copy  of  which  was  enclosed  in  a 
letter  we  did  ourselves  the  honour  of  writing  to  you  this 
morning. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servants. 

By  order:  NATHANIEL  WOOD  HULL,  President. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 


COLONEL  SEYMOUR  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  July  11,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Notwithstanding  the  singular  circum- 
stances of  my  family,  I  could  not  possibly  avoid  coming 
with  the  Lighthorse  to  this  place,  in  the  cause  of  our  coun- 
try. We  got  in  on  Monday,  and  make  a  body  of  about  five 
hundred  as  fine  men,  and  as  well  spirited,  as  any  on  the 
ground.  The  General  was  much  rejoiced  at  the  measure, 
and  appears  disposed  to  show  us  every  mark  of  respect. 
He  is  something  perplexed  about  the  expense  of  foraging 
the  horses.  He  fears  he  cannot  be  justified  in  it  without  the 
consent  of  Congress.  He  will  write  Congress  upon  the  sub- 
ject, and  use  his  endeavour  (he  assured  me)  to  have  their 
approbation  ;  if  not,  the  men  must  rely  upon  the  Colony  for 
it.  How  long  we  shall  stay,  is  uncertain — this  depends 
much  upon  the  arrival  of  our  new  levies;  and  as  the  men 
are  principally  farmers,  have  left  their  grass,  their  grain,  and 
other  affairs  much  unprovided  for,  they  hope  every  method 
will  be  taken  for  their  speedy  relief;  and  in  this  respect  they 
rely  much  upon  your  Honour's  influence.  The  enemy  are 
constantly  in  view,  upon  and  at  Staten- Island.  Some  mea- 
sures, it  is  thought,  are  in  contemplation  to  dislodge  them, 
before  they  are  reinforced.  Tories  grow  scarce  in  the  city, 
and  I  wish  it  may  fall  to  the  Lighthorse  to  purge  the 
Colony  of  such  vermin.  I  cannot  omit  mentioning  to  your 
Honour  that  the  Captain  of  the  troop  at  Norwalk  (Belding 
by  name)  designedly  neglected  his  duty,  and  so  we  have 
none  of  his  men. 

I  am,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem,  your  Honour's 
most  humble  servant. 

1.  SEYMOUR. 

To  the  Honourable  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 

P.  S.  Independency  is  highly  approved  by  the  Army. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Fort  George,  July  11,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Captain  Varick,  my  Secretary,  in  a  letter  of 
the  8th  instant,  from  Albany,  advises  me  that  the  enemy  had 
landed  on  Staten- Island,  and  that  their  fleet  anchored  about 
three  miles  above  the  watering-place  on  Wednesday  last. 

Immediately  on  my  arrival  here,  I  caused  inquiry  to  be 
made  for  axes  and  intrenching  tools:  none  of  either  to  be 
had,  except  a  few  pickaxes,  which  I  have  ordered  to  be 
sent  to  you  to-day.  I  will  hasten  up  all  I  can  procure  at 
Albany. 

Captain  Feeder's  company  of  Militia  I  have  sent  to 
Skenesborough  to  assist  the  carpenters  there.  Permit  me 
to  remind  you  of  employing  some  of  the  Militia  in  bringing 
boards  from  the  mill  at  Cheshire's. 

The  sick  will  be  very  comfortably  accommodated  at  this 
place,  and  I  hope  so  disposed  of  when  they  recover,  as  soon 
to  join  the  Army  without  the  danger  of  communicating  any 
infection  to  it.  Enclose  you  Colonel  Alden's  complaint 
against  Colonel  Wayne,  which  I  forgot  to  leave  you. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 
To  General  Gates. 


GENERAL   GATES  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Tyonderoga,  July  11,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  This  morning  I  received  your  favour 
of  yesterday,  and  have  this  moment  sent  General  Schuykr 
a  copy  of  Colonel  Hartky's  Journal,  as  you  desired.  The 
distribution  of  the  smiths,  armourers,  ship  and  house  carpen- 
ters, is  made  according  to  your  recommendation. 

You  give  no  opinion  in  regard  to  the  Indians  taken  by 
Colonel  Hartky.     The  neutrality  of  the  Indians  at  this 
critical  juncture  is  much  to  be  wished,  for  many  reasons, 
and  especially  for  the  sake  of  the  poor  frontier  inhabitants; 
it  therefore  requires  that  we  should  be  circumspect  in  our 
conduct,  on  the  one  hand  neither  rashly  entering  into  hosti- 
lity, nor  on  the  other  suffer  ourselves  to  be  the  dupes  of  our 
credulity.     Does  it  appear  that  the  Indians  taken  were  in 
arms  and  intending  to  take  part  against  the  United  Colo- 
nies?    If  that  is  confirmed,  they  must  be  kept  in  confine- 
ment ;  if,  on  the  contrary,  they  were  inoffensive  and  peace- 
able, I  think  they  ought  to  be  released.     After  weighing 
this  matter  well  in  your  mind,  you  will  decide  upon  it.     I 
suppose  you  will  send  the  rest  of  the  Pennsylvania  troops 
here  as  soon  as  it  is  proper  and  convenient.     One  of  the 
Captains  of  Artillery  should  come  with  the  next  cargo  of 
ordnance  stores ;  and  if  you  have  two  ordnance  guns  at  the 
Point,  one  should  be  sent  here  as  soon  as  possible.     General 
Sullivan  and  the  gentlemen  here  are  captivated  with  the 
ground  intended  for  our  new  post,  where  the  water  is  ex- 
cellent.    We  have  begun  to  clear  the  ground  and  make 
roads.    No  news  yet  from  New-  York.    You  may  be  assured 
of  my  sending  you  an  express  when  any  arrives. 
I  am,  dear  General,  Sic. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Tyonderoga,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  is  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hartley's  report  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  detachment  under  his  command. 
How  far  he  was  right  or  wrong  in  taking  the  Indians  prison- 
ers, I  cannot  pretend  to  determine,  until  I  see  Colonel 
Hartley.  The  neutrality  of  these  people  is  to  be  wished 


207 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


208 


for;  and  if  the  inhabitants  are  not  apprehensive  of  their 
enmity,  I  think  it  would,  upon  many  accounts,  be  best  to  let 
them  alone.  General  Arnold  will,  I  suppose,  resolve  what 
measure  to  take  with  them;  if  not,  I  shall.  By  the  informa- 
tion respecting  the  enemy  contained  in  this  Journal,  you  see 
how  necessary  it  is,  by  every  means,  to  expedite  our  naval 
armament.  To  that  end,  I  have  made  the  distribution  of 
the  carpenters  and  smiths  between  this  and  Skenesborough 
that  you  directed.  You  will  not  fail  to  send  your  orders  to 
the  commanding  officer  there  to  employ  them  to  the  best 
purpose.  Musket-ball,  of  all  sorts,  buckshot,  lead,  and  car- 
tridge paper,  are  much  wanted  in  this  department,  as  are 
carpenters',  smiths',  and  armourers'  tools.  The  rest  of  our 
wants  your  own  observation  will  inform  you,  and  your  zeal 


for  the  service  will,  I  am  confident,  supply.     No  news  yet 

My  compliments  to  Mrs. 
the  young  ladies. 


from  New-  York.     My  compliments  to  Mrs.  Schuyler  and 


I  am,  dear  General,  your  affectionate,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Major-General  Schuyler. 

P.  S.  Axes  and  intrenching  tools,  I  have  great  hopes  you 
will  speedly  supply. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  10,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :*  Colonel  Hartley  arrived  from  a  tour  down 
the  lake  last  night.  Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  his  Journal.  I 
make  no  doubt  the  enemy  have  a  number  of  vessels  in  for- 
wardness, and  will  exert  themselves  in  building,  to  command 
the  lake. 

I  have  made  a  draught  of  the  artificers,  and  have  sent  you 
a  number  of  each,  as  per  the  enclosed  memorandum.  I  have 
ordered  the  oar-makers  to  go  between  this  and  Skenes- 
borough. If  timber  cannot  be  procured  there,  they  must 
return  here,  where  it  is  plenty.  I  believe  the  armourers  will 
be  wanted  at  Ticondcroga,  and  some  few  of  the  black- 
smiths. The  others  will  have  employ  at  Skenesborough. 
All  the  house-carpenters  you  will  doubtless  want.  The 
ship-carpenters  are  divided  into  gangs  of  fifteen  each,  and 
will  most  or  all  of  them  be  wanted  at  Skenesborough.  1 
have  employed  officers  to  command  the  artificers,  which  I 
believe  will  expedite  the  works.  I  have  ordered  to  Ticon- 
deroga  some  boards,  plank,  Sic.  All  that  can  be  procured 
will  be  forwarded  to  you  immediately. 

I  am  anxious  to  hear  from  New-York.  You  will  be  kind 
enough  to  transmit  to  General  Schuyler  a  copy  of  Colonel 
Hartley's  Journal. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  affection,  dear  General,  yours, 

B.  ARNOLD. 

N.  B.  I  sent  you  about  four  tons  lead  yesterday,  in  sheets 
and  ball.  I  have  three  tons  remaining  on  hand.  None  can 
be  found  in  the  fort. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Crown-Point,  July  10,  1776. 

In  pursuance  of  General  Sullivan's  orders,  I  set  off  from 
hence  on  the  5th  instant,  in  the  afternoon.  We  had  a  very 
great  storm  that  evening,  which  had  near  destroyed  several 
of  our  boats,  and  much  injured  our  arms  and  ammunition. 
Against  a  very  strong  north  wind,  we  arrived  the  second 
evening  at  Cumberland  Head.  Proper  dispositions  were 
made  to  provide  against  a  surprise,  or  oppose  an  enemy,  if 
any  should  appear. 

We,  on  the  7th,  found  a  small  quantity  of  ship-timber 
there,  which  we  destroyed.  I  ordered  out  several  parties, 
who  scoured  the  woods  for  many  miles  around  Cumberland- 
Head.  I  sent  also  a  boat  down  the  lake  as  far  as  the  Isk 
Motte,  early  in  the  morning;  but  neither  of  the  parties  nor 
boat  discovered  an  enemy. 

My  whole  detachment,  consisting  of  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  came  to  one  William  Hays's,  in  Cumberland- 
Bay,  on  the  7th,  in  the  evening.  Hays  had,  within  a  few 
days,  sent  a  child  to  St.  John's;  and  one  Cross,  his  neigh- 
bour, had  sent  his  wife  there,  as  a  place  of  security.  Neither 
Hays  nor  Cross  did  incline  to  remove  themselves  or  their 
cattle  to  Croim-Point.  They  alleged  they  were  in  no 
danger  of  the  enemy,  and  that  they  were  sure  the  Indians 
would  not  hurt  them.  They  objected  much  against  my 


removing  their  cattle.  '  I  gave  positive  orders.  They  com- 
plied; but  seemed  very  uneasy.  Though  General  Sullivan 
had  recommended  that  Hays  should  be  removed,  yet,  as 
his  wife  was  very  ill  with  the  small-pox,  I  did  not  inform 
Hays  that  I  had  any  order  relating  to  his  person,  but  pro- 
posed that  he  should  remain  with  his  wife,  and  retain  a 
milch  cow  and  calf,  and  all  his  household  goods.  He  chose 
to  come  up  himself  to  advocate  his  cause,  and  has  left  two 
men  to  take  care  of  his  wife.  I  have  brought  him  and  Cross 
along  with  me.  They  are  here,  and  are  very  pressing  to 
return. 

I  found  several  saws,  intrenching  tools,  &.C.,  very  neces- 
sary for  the  publick  service,  at  Hays's.  I  caused  an  inven- 
tory of  them  to  be  taken,  and  brought  them  here. 

1  brought  away  the  chief  of  Hays's  and  Cross's  cattle. 
They  are  now  here.  There  is  an  inventory  of  them. 

I  found  a  quantity  of  good  plank  and  crooked  timber  for 
ship-building  at  Hays's,  which  is  the  property  of  Mr.  Udney 
Hay.  I  ordered  the  same  to  be  brought  here  in  several 
batteaus,  which  are  now  at  the  landing. 

There  was  about  one  thousand  feet  of  plank  some  miles 
from  the  shore,  which,  at  this  time  of  year,  could  not  be 
conveyed  to  the  boats  on  account  of  some  large  swamps. 
As  it  could  not  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  till  winter, 
(when,  perhaps,  we  might  procure  it  ourselves,  if  wanted,) 
I  thought  it  improper  to  burn  it. 

At  Hays's,  we  found  Hays,  Cross,  and  two  other  men, 
and  by  some  address  we  collected  the  following  intelligence: 
That  Cross's  father-in-law  had  been  there  within  a  few 
days;  that  he  had  informed  that  Generals  Carleton  and 
Frazier  were  at  St.  John's  with  a  considerable  body  of 
Hanoverian  and  other  troops ;  that  they  were  repairing  the 
works  at  St.  John's,  and  that  one  hundred  men  were  daily 
employed  in  cutting  wood  between  that  place  and  the  Isle- 
aux-Noix;  that  they  were  building  three  sloops  and  two 
schooners  at  St.  John's,  which  they  expected  would  be  soon 
finished,  and  that  they  intended  immediately  to  proceed  to 
Crown-Point;  and  that  the  enemy  did  not  mean  to  injure 
any  of  the  common  people  in  their  settlements.  We  also 
understood  that  there  were  several  Indians  at  the  Isle-aux- 
Noix. 

Before  we  came  to  Hays's,  we  were  informed  that  he 
kept  an  Indian  about  his  house,  and  was  determined  to  do . 
it  during  the  summer.  At  Hays's,  by  gathering  something 
from  each  of  the  four,  (though  they  seemed  all  averse  to 
communicate  anything  to  us,)  we  learnt  that  this  Indian 
had  some  time  before  gone  to  hunt  about  twelve  miles  dis- 
tant, and  that  two  Iiidians  had  come  up  the  lake  within 
a  few  days,  and  he  had  gone  to  join  them ;  since  which, 
nothing  of  them  had  been  seen. 

From  the  conduct  of  Hays  and  Cross,  as  well  as  of  the 
Indians  in  general  on  these  waters  lately,  I  considered  these 
Indians  unfriendly,  and  was  persuaded  they  would  act  against 
us  if  an  opportunity  should  offer.  We  fixed  a  plan  against 
these  savages  with  the  greatest  secrecy.  We  were  very 
lucky  in  having  one  (Sergeant  Cross)  who  was  acquainted 
with  the  country.  I  detached  Lieutenant  Grier,  Ensign 
flakier,  Sergeant  Cross,  and  twenty-three  riflemen.  They 
left  Hays's  about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  8th,  in 
a  boat  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  Sable.  The  party  divided. 
Lieutenant  Grier  (an  excellent  woodsman)  with  his  division 
some  miles  up  the  river  took  the  Indian  tracks  which  had 
been  made  the  day  before.  The  enemy  had  ten  dogs  with 
them ;  but  the  division  managed  with  such  secrecy  and  judg- 
ment, that  Lieutenant  Grier  surprised  three  Indian  men  and 
seven  women  and  children,  in  a  wigwam,  just  at  daylight ; 
they  seemed  much  agitated  and  hallooed  out ;  the  party 
seized  four  guns  and  other  arms.  The  officer  prevented 
any  of  them  from  being  put  to  death,  though  the  late  cruel 
murder  and  scalping  of  several  worthy  men  of  the  Sixth  Bat- 
talion might  have  justified  it.  These  Indians  had  a  watch- 
house  on  the  lake  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Sable,  to  watch 
what  passed  on  the  lake — they  were  not  employed  by  us ; 
the  house  or  wigwam  had  been  very  lately  made  use  of. 
They  had  their  females  in  such  a  remote  place  that  they 
thought  no  white  people  could  discover  them,  and  the  men 
might  act  occasionally. 

However  these  Indians  may  have  conducted  themselves 
in  former  times,  they  now  appear  as  unfriendly  persons.  Two 
of  them,  as  has  been  observed,  came  up  the  lake  within 
these  ten  days,  and  since  the  murders  committed  below. 


209 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


210 


The  detachment  who  took  them,  ought  to  be  rewarded  for  GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

their  good  behaviour ;  they  have  had  assurances  of  this  sort  Boston,  July  n  1775 

from  the  late  General.    Should  these  Indians  be  discharged,         SIR:  Agreeable  to  your  directions,  I  have  forwarded  all 

it  will  damp  the  ardour  of  our  troops  and  injure  the  service.  the  arms  and  accoutrements  fit  for  use  that  were  in  the 

Be  pleased  to  take  some  steps  that  their  persons  may  be  |lands  of  lhe  AgentS)  late]    taken  from  the  &ofcA     isoners 

properly  secured  ;  and  should  you  consider  the  property  of  The  Agents,  without  my  knowledge,  parted  with  part  of  the 

the  prisoners  to  belong  to  the  captors,  I  would  be,  exceed-  arrns;  part  of  them  were  laken  by  the  commander  of  a 

jngly  glad  you  would  order  the  same  to  be  delivered  to  Connecticut  privateer,  who  assisted  in  takin<r  the  transports  • 

Lieutenant  Gner,  and  disposed  of  for  the  use  of  his  detach-  and  somej  j  am  told>  were  thrown  overboard  by  th'c  pri. 

me"t-  soners,  and  others  were  broken  ;  but  I  have  not  been  able 

Be  pleased  to  direct  what  is  to  be  done  with  the  plank,  to  obtajn  an  exact  return  of  the  arms  taken_ 


timber,  cattle,  &tc. 

We  also  brought  some  cattle  belonging  to  one  Gay,  which 
are  now  at  the  Point. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  HARTLEY, 
Lieutenant- Colonel  6th  Battalion  of  Pennsylvanians. 

To  the  Honourable  Brigadier-General  Arnold,  Commander 
at  Crown-Point. 


I  am,  your  Excellency's  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 
To  General  Washington. 


List  of  Artificers  sent  from  CKOWN-POINT  to  TICONDEROGA 
and  SKENESBOROUGH,  July  10,  1776. 

Captain  Edward  Williams,  Lieutenant  Solomon  Bowman, 
with  sixty-five  blacksmiths  and  armourers.  The  former, 
with  Captain  Williams,  to  go  to  Skenesborough,  the  latter, 
with  Lieutenant  Bowman,  to  remain  at  Ticonderoga. 


Boston,  July  11,  1776.' 

Sent  to  Norwich,  to  the  care  of  Joshua  Huntington,  Esq.  : 
73  arms,  60  bayonets,  73  bayonet  belts,  73  slings,  73  shot- 
pouches,  50  cartridge-boxes,  73  knapsacks. 

NATHANIEL  BARBER,  Jun., 
Deputy  Commissary  of  Artillery. 


TO  THE  JUSTICES    IN  MASSACHUSETTS   EMPOWERED  BV  THE 
COURT  TO  DEAL  WITH  THE  TORIES. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Lenity  is  a  most  excellent  virtue ;  but  there 

Lieutenant  Benjamin  Bed  with  thirty-four  house  carpen-  are  certain  seasons  when  it  may  betray  us  into  a  fatal  neglect, 
ters,  Lieutenant  Thayer  with  thirty-four  house  carpenters,  by  encouraging  the  determined  enemies  of  the  country  to 
Mr.  Noah  Nichols  with  eight  wheelwrights  and  gun-carriage  cabal  and  prosecute  the  basest  measures  for  the  destruction 
makers.  Of  our  liberties.  We  may  say  of  Toryism  as  of  Popery,  that 

Richard  Fittock  with  thirteen  ship  carpenters,  to  Skews-    jt  js  always  the  same.     There  are  worthy  individuals  among 


borough.  Lieutenant  William  Curtis  with  thirteen  ship 
carpenters,  to  Ticonderoga,  if  wanted,  otherwise  to  Skenes- 
borough. 

B.  ARNOLD,  Brigadier-General. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  July  11,  1776. 
SIR  :  Enclosed  are  the  Invoices*  of  the  cargoes  taken  on 


the  professors  of  both;  and  a  few  rare  instances  of  real  con- 
verts from  each,  through  an  increase  of  knowledge;  but  the 
prevailing  spirit  of  the  parties  is  uniform  and  abiding.  I  do 
not  mean  that  either  of  them  should  therefore  be  knocked 
on  the  head  for  their  noxious  sentiments,  or  be  deprived  of 
any  privileges  which  can  be  enjoyed  by  them  without  hazard 
to  ourselves,  unless  by  their  behaviour  they  have  made  or 
do  make  a  forfeiture  thereof.  However,  we  are  led  by  the 
first  law  of  nature,  the  innate  principle  of  self-preservation, 


board  the   Scotch  transports,  which  I  received  from  the    to  prevent  their  having  it  in  their  power  to  do  us  a  mischiefj 

when  we  know  how  ready  they  are  to  give  in  to  the  basest 
methods,  that  they  may  carry  their  point,  and  to  think  that 
the  end  will  sanctify  the  means.  Are  any  so  weak  as  to 
imagine  that  their  words  are  to  be  taken,  and  that  they  will  be 
peaceable  and  inoffensive,  and  will  not  intermeddle  more  in 


Agents. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  obedient  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 
To  General  Washington. 

P.  S.    I  have  just  received  an  account  from  Cape  Ann, 

that  two  ships  were,  on  the  6th  instant,  sent  into  that  harbour  the  present  dispute,  seeing  that  they  have  been  so  tenderly 
by  a  privateer  lately  fitted  out  from  this  town.  The  prizes  dealt  with  by  the  publick  in  general,  and  so  cordially  re- 
were  from  the  West-Indies — one  had  four  hundred  hogs-  ceived  again  into  favour  by  particular  individuals :  let  them 
heads  of  rum  for  General  Howe,  the  other  was  bound  for  hurry  to  New-  York,  and  view  that  horrid,  infernal  plot,  that 
England,  with  four  hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar,  two  hun-  their  brethren  had  laid  for  the  destruction  of  Generals,  Army, 

and  the  whole  American  cause,  at  a  single  blow.  Let  them 
inquire  whether — though  they  may  now  hang  down  their 
heads  through  chagrin  that  the  plot  has  not  succeeded,  not 
through  shame  that  it  was  ever  laid — they  have  not  lately 
behaved  rudely  towards  the  country ;  showed  all  possible 
publick  friendship  for  the  Highland  officers,  and  concern  at 
their  captive  situation,  and  allowed  our  brave  countrymen 
to  be  styled  Rebels  at  table,  without  animadverting  upon  the 
indecency  of  it.  I  am  not  for  censuring  a  polite  treatment 
to  those  gentlemen  who,  by  the  fortune  of  war,  are  thrown 
into  our  hands.  No ;  let  them  see  that  we  are  not  cowards, 
by  our  declining  everything  that  looks  like  insolence  and 

cask  hams,  7  hogsheads  and  part  of  a  hogshead  rum,  361  black  shoulder- 
belts,  74  bundles  gun-straps,  1  field-bed  and  2  bundles  bedding,  4  markees, 


dred  hogsheads  of  rum,  cotton  wool,  &,c.,  &c. 

*  Inventory  of  Sundries  taken  in  the  Ship  LORD  HOWE. 

95  small-arms,  88  bayonets,  80  cartouch-boxes,  65  bags  bread,  9  bags 
bread,  2  hogsheads  and  1  barrel  bread,  2i  barrels  powder,  12  barrels 
pease,  part  of  a  barrel  currants,  1  tierce  and  an  ullage  vinegar,  2  hogs- 
heads rum,  1  ullage  rum,  6  barrels  pork,  25  barrels  beef,  13  barrels  oat- 
meal, 1  barrel  barley,  1  keg  barley,  5  barrels  flour,  1  barrel  herrings, 
1  cask  canteens  and  kettles,  54  soldiers'  blankets,  1  barrel  meal,  1  box 
candles,  4  bundles  iron  hoops,  1  cask  tent  pins  and  mallets,  10  remnants 
of  cordage,  6  hammocks,  6  iron  spades,  3  boxes  and  1  ullage  bullets,  3 
pair  handscrews,  2  remnants  of  duffils,  93  cutlasses,  110  canvass  knap- 
sacks, 1  markee,  36  hatchets,  8  bags  horsebcans  and  oats,  1  keg  butter, 
1  halbert,  1  tent  spear,  2  drums. 

Errors  excepted.  J.  BRADFORD,  Jlgent. 

BOSTON,  July  11, 1776. 

Inventory  of  Sundries  taken  in  the  Brig  ANNABELLA. 


61  small-arms,  10  loaves  sugar,  240  pair  shoes,  23  soldiers'  tents,  8      Colonel  Campbell's  camp  equipage,  the  Quartermaster's  camp  eouipage, 

iks  nork        1  bundle,  a  bundle  not  directed,  3  field  tents  and  materials,  6  bundles 


barrels  and  3  ullages  oatmeal  (damaged),  3  casks  pease,  7  casks  pork, 
23  casks  beef,  1  ullage  vinegar,  4  hogsheads  and  1  tierce  rum,  6  iron 
spades,  2  shod  shovels,  1  piece  sheet  lead,  1  firkin  butter,  40  tent  poles, 
5  pack-saddles,  3  barrels  flour,  90  cartouch-boxes,  17  leather  bullet- 
pouches,  42  leather  bullet-pouches,  16  leather  shoulder-straps,  25  gun- 
straps,  30  cutlasses,  l;drum,  1  halbert,  1  bag  oatmeal,  1  keg  musket 
bullets,  3  pack-saddles,  18  pieces  checked  and  striped  linen,  5  pieces 
white  linen,  57  bayonets,  16  belts. 

Errors  excepted.  J.  BRADFORD. 

BOSTON,  July  11,  1776. 

Inventory  of  sundry  Materials  received    out  of  the  prize-ship   GEORGE, 

BOSTON,  June  22, 1776. 
20  fusees,  35  small-arms,  6  kegs  bullets  and  shot,  6  bundles  cartridge 


tent  poles  for  markees,  12  bundles  common  tent  poles,  7  bundles  leather 
bullet  pouches,  13  hair  pouches,  3  cartouch-boxes,  62  camp  tents,  a 
remnant  ticklenburg,  1  cask  and  2  bundles  tent  pins,  a  cask  tin  canteens 
and  69  loose  canteens,  10  tin  pans,  23  camp  kettles,  1  package  tent  stools, 
3  bayonets,  4  halberts,  1  riding  saddle,  1  travelling  pack-saddle,  82  can- 
vass knapsacks,  199  hair  knapsacks,  a  bale  containing  80  blankets,  a  bale 
containing  50  watch-coats,  1  box  black  plurnes,  4  bundles  soldiers' 
clothing,  1  bundle  stockings,  3  pairs  shoes,  2  bags  with  belts  and  knap- 
sacks, 2  pieces  plaid,  7  bonnets,  2  pieces  and  part  of  a  piece  dufSls,  144 
soldiers'  blankets,  33  beds,  85  pillows,  a  bale  brown  paper,  44  hatchets, 
1  bundle  twine,  1  cask  sheathing  nails,  2  casks  fivepenny  nails,  1  set 
small  weights,  2  iron  spades,  part  of  a  cask  currants,  13  barrels  pease, 
6  barrels  flour,  2  barrels  barley,  9  barrels  pork,  27  barrels  beef,  19  kegs 
butter,  15  barrels  oatmeal,  2  tierces  and  part  of  a  tierce  vinegar,  2  barrels 


XU  luseus,  OJ  siniui-ariiiB,   o  Kegs  uuucm  arm  eiiui,  u  uuimies  unnnuge       Duller,  &u  uai  row  uanucai,  m  ncii^a 
paper,  part  of  a  keg  flints,  2  kegs  part  filled  with  cartridges,  a  cask  con-      herring,  1  bag  oats,  74  bags  bread,  14  casks  bread  (damaged),  104  water 

••: '       t* I i._      11 ii_T_J.i: n  . i_- i  n  _  _  _      i          _._i-_     r*4.1.~.-,*«U*it*1nn 


taining  a  few  books,  1  bundle  beading,  2  trunks  and  2  portmanteaus,  1 
black  trunk,  1  bundle  containing  a  tent,  1  black  canteen,  1  bed  bundle, 
1  chest,  1  portmanteau,  3  casks  bottled  porter,  3  casks  bottled  wine,  1 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  14 


casks,  74  dozen  bottles. 

Errors  excepted. 
BOSTON,  July  11,  1776. 


J.  BRADFORD,  Agent. 


211 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


212 


brutality;  that  we  are  brave,  by  being  humane  and  generous : 
but  it  is  not  for  Ministerial  Addressers  and  Associators,  and 
such  as  have  always  avowed  an  enmity  to  the  cause  in  which 
we  are  engaged,  to  push  themselves  forward  and  caress 
them.  'Tis  an  insult  to  the  publick,  that  can  be  sur- 
passed only  by  their  repairing  to  and  visiting  them,  when 
they  will  haye  the  opportunity  of  consulting  what  can  be 
done  more  effectually  to  embarrass  us  and  serve  the  friends 
of  Government — that  is,  the  tools  of  tyrants. 

Gentlemen,  it  has  been  wisely  resolved  by  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  "  that  no  man  in  these  Colonies,  charged 
with  bein°- a  Tory,  or  unfriendly  to  the  cause  of  American 
liberty,  be  injured  in  his  person  or  property,  or  in  any  man- 
ner whatever  disturbed,  unless  the  proceeding  against  him 
be  founded  on  an  order  of  this  Congress,  or  the  Assembly, 
Convention,  Council  or  Committee  of  Safety  of  the  Colo- 
ny, or  Committee  of  Inspection  of  the  district  wherein  he 
resides."  Are  you  desirous  that  this  wise  resolve  should  be 
strictly  adhered  to,  step  forth  with  undaunted  boldness,  and 
execute  the  trust  reposed  in  you,  without  fear,  favour,  or 
partiality.  Should  you  sit  but  seldom,  suffering  this,  that, 
and  the  other,  to  keep  you  from  the  Bench ;  should  you  do 
little  business,  protracting  examinations,  and  declining  to 
give  judgment;  should  you  spare  this  man,  because  he  is  a 
relation  to  yourself  or  friends ;  that,  because  he  is  eminent 
in  his  profession,  and  a  family  doctor;  a  third,  because  that, 
should  there  be  a  change  in  affairs,  his  influenceiand  connex- 
ions may  be  the  means  of  saving  you ;  should  you  keep  up 
the  appearance  of  designing  to  do  something  effectual,  and 
after  all  do  little  or  nothing, — the  publick  may  expect  that 
they  are  amused,  cheated,  and  betrayed ;  resent  it,  and  de- 
termine that  they  will  have  justice  done  them,  though  they 
take  the  execution  of  it  into  their  own  hands. 

Gentlemen,  would  you  prevent  confusion  and  disorder, 
then,  that  you  do  your  duty.  The  servants  of  the 


see 


people  are  amenable  to  the  people,  from  the  Council  to  the 
Justice ;  and  if  the  people  find,  upon  trial,  that  no  Govern- 
ment sufficient  to  the  exigencies  of  their  affairs  has  been 
hitherto  established,  they  have  a  right  to  instruct  their  pre- 
sent or  any  future  Representatives  to  adopt  such  a  mode  of 
government  as  they  themselves  shall  be  of  opinion  will  best 
conduce  to  their  own  happiness  in  particular,  and  of  Ame- 
rica in  general.  While  I  intend,  gentlemen,  in  this  way,  to 
lay  before  you  the  sentiments  of  numbers,  I  would  treat  you 
with  all  that  respect  that  can  be  reasonably  desired  from 

PLAIN  TRUTH. 
July  11, 1776. 


INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  BENJAMIN  GILES. 

Colony  of  New-Hampshire,         ) 
In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  11,  1776.  $ 

To  Benjamin  Giles,  Esquire : 

Whereas  the  General  Court  of  this  Colony  have  been 
notified  that  Captain  Farnsworth,  of  Connecticut,  is  appoint- 
ed by  the  Commissary-General  of  the  Continental  forces  to 
provide  for  the  New-Hampshire  troops  at  Connecticut  River, 
on  their  route  to  Crown-Point :  but  as  our  troops  are  nearly 
ready  to  march,  and  that  they  may  not  be  delayed  at  No. 
4,  if  anything  should  hinder  Captain  Fctrnsworth  from 
having  provision  ready,  you  are  desired  to  proceed  with  all 
possible  despatch  to  said  No.  4,  and  find  whether  any  pro- 
vision is  there  made  for  the  aforesaid  men,  or  likely  to  be 
seasonably  made ;  and  if  not,  to  purchase  and  transport  to 
said  No.  4,  with  all  speed,  nine  thousand  pQunds  weight  of 
pork,  and  the  like  quantity  of  bread,  and  deliver  the  several 
companies  of  New-Hampshire  men,  as  they  arrive  there,  to 
each  man  six  days'  provisions,  allowing  a  pound  of  pork  and 
a  pound  of  bread  per  day.  You  will,  if  no  further  provision 
is  made,  provide  and  have  ready  to  deliver  to  the  first  com- 
pany that  arrives,  what  provisions  you  can  collect  in  that 
neighbourhood1,  while  you  are  in  the  mean  time  collecting 
more.  And  for  what  provisions  you  may  buy,  you  may 
engage  the  money  to  be  paid  as  soon  as  you  can  send  to 
Exeter  therefor,  which  will  be  ready  there  in  ten  days  from 
this  time.  Be  expeditious,  by  all  means ;  and  when  you 
have  performed  the  said  business,  make  return  to  this  Com- 
mittee, unless  you  should  have  an  opportunity  to  settle  the 
same  with  said  Captain  Farnsworth. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

MATTHEW  THORNTON,  Chairman  pro  tern. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  WYMAN. 
In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  send  you,  by  the  bearer,  your  commission  as 
Colonel  of  a  regiment  of  our  Militia  in  the  service;  also, 
thirty  pounds,  as  two  months'  advance  wages.  As  the  troops 
will  be  along  in  a'few  days,  it  is  expected  you  will  go  forward 
with  them  to  Crown-Point,  and  join  the  Army  there.  The 
Captains  Drew,  Chandler,  Shepard,  Dearborn,  Blanchard, 
Harper,  Parker,  and  Weatheroee,  with  their  companies,  are 
to  make  your  regiment.  As  it  is  of  great  consequence  that 
the  men  are  forwarded  with  speed,  therefore  expect  you  will 
do  what  is  in  your  power  that  they  make  no  delay  at  No.  4. 
You  will-also  receive  thirty-two  pounds,  advance  wages,  for 
your  Surgeon,  Adjutant,  and  Quartermaster,  with  this,  and 
blank  commissions  for  those  officers  to  be  appointed  by  you. 
Imploring  the  divine  assistance  on  your  endeavours  to  serve 
your  country,  and  that  you  may  return  in  safety,  with  laurels 
of  victory,  is  the  sincere  desire  of  him  who,  in  behalf  of  the 
Committee,  subscribes  himself  your  very  humble  servant. 

To  Colonel  Wyman. 

NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  WOOD- 
WARD. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  11,  1776. 
To  Captain  DAVID  WOODWARD,  of  Hanover : 

You  are  hereby  authorized  to  inlist  thirty  men,  to  serve 
under  you  as  soldiers  for  three  months,  unless  sooner  dis- 
charged, to  serve  as  scouting  parties,  to  explore  .the  woods 
and  watch  or  oppose  the  motions  of  enemies  coming  against 
our  frontier  settlements ;  taking  orders  from  time  to  time 
directing  your  route,  from  Colonel  Jacob  Bayley,  Colonel 
John  Hurd,  and  Colonel  Charks  Johnson,  or  any  two  of 
them,  a  Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose.  You  are 
to  take  special  care  to  inlist  none  but  good  able-bodied, 
effective  men,  fit  for  such  service,  and  they  shall  be  paid  the 
same  wages  (viz :  forty  shillings  per  month)  as  the  Provin- 
cial troops  raised  and  stationed  for  the  particular  defence  of 
this  Colony ;  and  you  shall  be  paid  four  pounds  per  month 
for  your  service,  and  one  subaltern  under  you  three  pounds 
ten  shillings  per  month.  You  are  also  to  provide  provisions 
for  your  company,  giving  them  such  allowance  as  is  de- 
livered other  troops  in  the  Army,  for  which  you  shall  be 
paid  on  exhibiting  an  account.  You  are  to  appoint  out  of 
the  number  of  men  as  above,  two  Sergeants,  whose  pay  is 
forty-eight  shillings  each. 

Petition  of  the  Selectmen  of  PORTSMOUTH,  Colony  of  NEW- 
HAMPSHIRE  : 
To  the  Honourable  Committee  of  Safety  of  said  Colony, 

humbly  shows : 

That  the  subscribers,  Selectmen  for  said  town  of  Ports- 
mouth, your  petitioners,  have  been  requested  by  a  number  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town  forthwith  to  call  a  town-meeting, 
to  know  whether  the  said  inhabitants  will  vote  to  have  a 
Hospital  opened  for  inoculation  for  the  small-pox  under 
necessary  regulations.  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  your  peti- 
tioners that  there  will  be  a  very  great  majority  of  the  people 
for  having  the  said  Hospital ;  and  we  beg  leave  to  give  your 
Honours  this  early  notice  thereof  by  express,  and  to  request 
that  this  measure  may  have  your  countenance  and  sanction, 
as  we  suppose  it  will,  (from  the  accounts  we  hear)  be  utterly 
impossible  to  prevent  the  distemper's  spreading  in  the  natu- 
ral way — a  calamity  we  ought  to  take  every  method  to 
guard  against.  We  further  humbly  entreat  that  you  will 
be  pleased  to  order  such  rules  and  regulations  for  the  good 
government  of  said  Hospital  as  in  your  wisdom  you  shall 
think  meet ;  and  your  petitioners  shall  ever  pray. 
JOSEPH  SIMES, 
GEORGE  KING, 
GEORGE  GAINES, 
Portsmouth,  July  11,  1776. 


of 

Portsmouth. 


PROCLAMATION  BY  GOVERNOUR  BULLOCH. 

Georgia,  July  12,  1776. 

By  his  Excellency  ARCHIBALD  BULLOCH,  Esq.,  President 
and  Commander-in- Chief  of  the  said  Province: 

A  PROCLAMATION: 

Whereas  the  present  struggle  for  our  invaluable  rights 
and  liberties  in  this  Province  makes  it  requisite  to  give  every 


213 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


214 


encouragement  to  all  such  persons  who  are  willing  to  enter 
into  the  service  of  their  country;  and  our  Provincial  Con- 
gress at  their  last  meeting  having  taken  the  same  under  con- 
sideration, and  being  willing  and  ready  to  promote  the  wel- 
fare of  every  friend  to  the  American  cause,  have  thought  fit 
to  resolve,  "That  all  persons  inlisting  in  the  service  of  this 
Province,  who  do  faithfully  serve  in  the  present  contest 
until  a  peace  shall  be  concluded  with  Great  Britain,  or 
shall  serve  three  years  in  the  present  war,  shall  be  entitled 
to  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  this  Province;  and  should 
any  of  the  aforesaid  men  be  killed  in  defence  of  this  Pro- 
vince, his  wife  or  family  shall  be  entitled  to  the. same:" 

I  do  therefore  issue  this  my  Proclamation,  declaring  that 
every  man  who  shall  inlist  in  any  of  the  Troops  of  Horse,  or 
Companies  of  Foot,  raised  for  the  defence  of  this  Province, 
and  shall  serve  agreeable  to  the  terms  above  mentioned, 
shall  be  entitled  to  a  grant  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  as 
aforesaid ;  and  in  case  of  accident,  his  wife  and  family  shall 
receive  and  enjoy  the  same  emolument. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  at  Savannah,  the  12th 
day  of  July,  1776.  ARCHIBALD  BULLOCH. 

By  his  Excellency's  command: 

EDWARD  LANGWORTHY,  Secretary. 


JOHN  PAGE,  PRESIDENT  OF  VIRGINIA  COUNCIL,  TO  GENERAL 

LEE. 

Williamsburgh,  July  12,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL:  Your  kind  concern  for  my  health 
made  me  happy,  and  the  high  approbation  you  express  of 
my  publick  conduct  highly  gratified  my  pride.  I  had  the 
pleasure  of  receiving  your  letter,  which  did  me  so  much 
honour,  about  the  9th  of  last  month.  I  was  then  at  Mr. 
Harrison's,  near  Petersburgh,  where  I  had  gone  with  Mrs. 
Page  for  the  recovery  of  her  health.  Our  trip  happily  has 
answered  our  wishes,  and  we  are  once  more  fixed  at  Wil- 
liamsbwgh.  It  is  now  four  weeks  since  we  have  received 
any  certain  account  of  the  situation  of  affairs  in  either  of  the 
Carolinas.  Even  your  letter  to  Brigadier  Lewis,  counter- 
manding the  march  of  the  troops,  did  not  arrive  here  till 
four  weeks  after  it  was  written.  The  regiments  had  just 
begun  their  march ;  but  had  they  not  been  scattered  abroad 
on  distant  stations,  and  badly  provided  with  necessaries  for 
such  an  expedition,  they  would  have  reached  the  place  of 
their  destination  before  your  express  could  have  stopped 
them.  It  will  be  worth  your  while  to  examine  into  the 
occasion  of  this.  I  thought  it  a  matter  of  so  much  impor- 
tance to  have  such  orders  communicated  with  despatch,  that 
I  advised  the  Brigadier  to  send  an  express  to  you  imme- 
diately, to  inform  you  of  the  unaccountable  delay  that  yours 
had  met  with,  and  to  recommend  it  to  you  to  establish  a 
post  throughout  your  district;  but  he  was  preparing  for  an 
expedition  against  Gwin's  Island.  The  Brigadier  set  out 
last  Monday  on  his  way  to  our  camp,  attended  by  the 
Colonels  Woodford,  Stephens,  Bucknor,  Weedon,  and  some 
others,  intending  to  examine  into  the  strength  of  the  enemy, 
and  submit  the  propriety  of  an  attack  to  a  council  of  war. 
They  reached  the  camp  that  night,  and  the  next  day,  find- 
ing that  the  Dnnmore  had  changed  stations  with  the  other, 
and  had  exposed  herself  very  prettily  to  the  very  place  where 
we  had  been  preparing  a  battery  for  the  Otter,  they  deter- 
mined not  to  lose  this  good  opportunity  of  beginning  their 
cannonade,  in  which  they  might  severely  and  principally 
chastise  the  noble  Earl.  At  eight  o'clock,  A.  M.,  Captain 
Arundel  and  Lieutenant  Denny  saluted  the  Dunmore  and 
Otter  with  two  eighteen-pounders ;  the  very  first  shot  at  the 
Otter,  though  a  full  mile  from  our  battery,  struck  her,  as  it 
is  supposed,  between  wind  and  water,  for  she  did  not  return 
the  fire,  but  was  towed  off  on  the  careen.  The  Dunmore 
fired  a  broadside,  and  then  was  towed  off,  having  received 
four  shot  through  her  sides.  Whilst  she  was  in  tow  she 
received  a  fifth  through  her  stern,  which  raked  her.  Scarcely 
a  shot  was  fired  which  did  not  do  execution  in  some  part  of 
the  fleet.  A  schooner  lost  one  of  her  masts.  Whilst  Lieu- 
tenant Denny  was  firing  on  the  fleet,  their  battery  on  the 
Island  began  to  play  on  him,  and  a  ball  passed  through  the 
embrasure ;  on  which  he  immediately  turned  his  cannon  on 
their  battery,  (for  he  had  taken  the  precaution  to  have  scope 
enough  to  take  in  the  fleet,  and  that  part  of  their  battery,) 
and  fired  three  times  successively  into  their  embrasure,  which 
three  rounds  completely  silenced  that  part  of  the  battery ; 


the  other  part,  facing  our  lines  on  the  haven,  was  almost  as 
soon  silenced  by  our  battery  erected  against  it  with  four 
nines  and  three  six-pounders.  Part  of  their  camp  was  a 
little  exposed  to  both  of  our  batteries,  which  fired  a  few 
rounds  into  it.  This  fire  was  as  well  directed  as  that  against 
their  ships,  for  it  beat  down  many  of  their  tents,  and  threw 
their  camp  into  the  utmost  confusion.  When  this  was  dis- 
covered, the  Brigadier  ordered  canoes  to  be  brought  down 
to  enable  the  men  to  pass  over  into  the  Island  ;  for,  unhap- 
pily, we  had  not  a  boat  on  the  shore :  these  could  not  be 
procured  till  the  next  day,  when  a  smart  cannonade  began 
between  the  batteries ;  but  as  soon  as  our  men  had  manned 
their  boats,  their  fire  ceased,  and  they  retired  with  precipi- 
tation to  their  boats,  and  escaped  safely  to  their  ships,  having 
first  broken  off  the  trunnions,  &tc.,  of  their  cannon.  There 
were  three  tenders  up  the  haven,  which  could  not  pass  our 
batteries;  these  they  abandoned;  they  endeavoured  to  burn 
one,  but  our  men  boarded  it,  and  extinguished  the  flames. 
I  understand  that  all  these  tenders  have  their  swivels  in 
them ;  but  it  is  reported  that  they  had  thrown  the  guns 
overboard.  We  are  now  in  possession  of  the  Island.  The 
fleet  has  retired,  but  is  in  sight.  This  might  have  been  a 
complete  affair,  if  proper  measures  had  been  preconcerted, 
and  the  whole  well  conducted.  Our  men,  however,  be- 
haved well ;  our  artillery  was  admirably  served,  and  we 
have  disgraced  and  mortified  our  enemies.  In  this  affair  we 
lost  not  a  man;  but,  most  unhappily,  poor  Captain  Arundel 
was  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  wooden  mortar,  with  which 
he  was  endeavouring  to  throw  shells  into  the  fleet.  His  loss 
is  irreparable.  He  behaved  with  great  spirit  and  activity, 
and  was  so  hearty  in  our  cause,  that  he  is  universally 
lamented. 

Colonel  Stephens  is  just  returned  from  Gwin's  Island; 
he  says  the  enemy  carried  off  all  their  cannon  from  their 
batteries,  except  one  six-pounder,  which  they  spiked.  They 
left  six  carriage  guns  in  one  of  the  tenders;  several  negroes 
and  a  few  whites  were  taken ;  two  negroes  and  one  soldier 
of  the  Fourteenth  Regiment  deserted  to  us.  The  prisoners 
inform  that  Lord  Dunmore's  mate  was  cut  in  two  by  a 
double-headed  eighteen-pounder,  which  also  took  off  one 
man's  arm  and  another's  leg,  and  drove  a  splinter  into  his 
lordship's  leg.  Tom  Byrd  was  ill  of  a  fever,  and  was  carted 
off  to  a  boat  just  before  our  people  landed.  They  were 
obliged  to  burn  two  fine  small  vessels  that  day,  and  at  night, 
in  the  mouth  of  the  river,  they  burnt  also  a  large  ship,  sup- 
posed to  be  the  Dunmore,  as  she  was  not  with  the  fleet  next 
morning.  The  Fowey,  it  is  said,  was  with  the  fleet,  but  did 
not  choose  to  come  within  reach  of  our  guns.  The  Hoe- 
buck  was  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rappahannock.  The  Colonel 
says  when  he  came  away  the  whole  fleet  had  sailed,  and 
were  out  of  sight,  and  it  was  uncertain  where  they  are  gone — 
supposes  to  Maryland.  They  went  off  in  a  bad  plight, 
without  biscuit  or  water.  Their  works  were  found  of  ex- 
cellent construction  and  considerable  extent ;  they  were  pre- 
paring to  build  houses  and  a  wind-mill;  they  had  made  a 
vast  collection  of  materials  for  different  works;  their  tents, 
which  they  moved  off,  except  one  markee,  which  was  left 
in  their  hurry,  and  through  which  a  cannon-ball  had  passed, 
were  capable  of  containing  about  seven  or  eight  hundred 
men.  From  many  circumstances  it  is  evident  they  meant 
to  stay  there  a  considerable  time. 

I  have  been  interrupted  in  writing,  and  before  I  could 
return  to  my  scrawl,  I  had  the  happiness  to  receive  your 
letter  of  the  3d  of  July.  I  most  heartily  congratulate  you 
on  your  success:  it  was  a  most  glorious  affair — a  noble  de- 
fence !  The  British  Navy  has  been  happily  checked  in 
her  proud  career,  and  has  received  a  most  just  and  com- 
plete chastisement.  What  must  the  King  think  now  ?  The 
whole  Continent  in  arms  against  him,  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  of  his  favourite  Highlanders  in  our  possession,  and  his 
fleets  repulsed  and  disgraced  along  our  coasts  for  two  thou- 
sand miles!  I  hope  he  will  repent,  and  be  contented  to  put 
up  with  the  loss  of  America,  or,  if  he  does  not,  that  he  may 
meet  with  repeated  disappointment. 

The  Man/landers  were  roused  by  the  resolve  of  our  Con- 
vention, and  have  lectured  their  Representatives  so  well, 
that  they  have  unanimously  voted  for  Independence — they 
have  no  occasion  for  our  Riflemen  on  that  account.  How- 
ever, I  can  assure  you,  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland 
there  has  been  a  considerable  insurrection  of  Tories,  inso- 
much that  Colonel  Fleming  has  been  obliged  to  march  with 


215 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  §ic.,  JULY,  1776. 


216 


a  hundred  and  twenty  men  to  quell  them.     We  have  not 
yet  heard  the  event  of  that  affair. 

I  have  just  now  received  another  letter  from  you,  and  am 
delighted  with  your  description  of  the  bravery  of  Colonel 
Moullrie  and  the  garrison  of  Fort  Sullivan.  It  is  not  flat- 
tery, my  dear  General,  when  I  tell  you  that  most  of  us  here 
attribute  the  glorious  display  of  bravery  on  that  day  to  the 
animating  presence  of  a  commander,  who,  independent  of 
his  great  military  abilities  and  experience,  appeared  to  be 
the  evil  genius  of  Clinton,  who  had  followed  him,  and  from 
whose  presence  he  had  seemed  to  retire  and  retreat  along 
the  coast,  from  Boston  to  Charleston.  All  that  I  could 
do,  as  there  were  not  gentlemen  enough  in  town  to  make  a 
Council,  was  to  desire  Brigadier  Lewis  to  send  immediately 
to  North- Carolina  all  the  powder  that  could  be  spnred  out 
of  the  magazine.  About  four  thousand  pounds  will  be  sent. 

I  am,  most  sincerely,  yours,  JOHN  PAGE. 

To  Major-General  Lee. 

GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Camp  near  Gwin's  Island,  July  12,  1776. 
General  Lewis  cannot  leave  camp  without  expressing  his 
approbation  of  the  conduct  of  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  at 
this  station.  The  fatigues  through  which  they  have  gone 
with  cheerfulness,  and  the  great  services  they  have  rendered 
their  country,  justly  entitle  them  to  his  hearty  thanks,  which 
he  would  have  expressed  at  the  head  of  each  Company  by 
the  Captains. 

MATTHEW  TILGHMAN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
Talbot  County,  Maryland,  July  12,  1776. 
SIR:  The  resolution  of  our  Convention  to  send  up  our 
regular  troops  as  part  of  our  quota  for  the  Flying-Camp,  has 
given  some  uneasiness  to  our  commanding  officer,  Colonel 
Smallwood,  who  seems  to  apprehend  that  the  Brigadier- 
General,  (Mr.  Dent,)  who  is  to  command  the  Militia  sent 
from  hence,  may  also  take  the  command  of  his  battalion. 
This,  he  justly  observes,  would  be  an  indignity  to  him  to 
which  he  could  not  in  honour  submit.  To  prevent  any 
evil  from  hence,  our  Militia  should  be  considered  as  different 
corps. 

And  what  I  have  to  request  of  you,  sir,  is,  that  you  will 
be  pleased  to  remind  Congress  of  this  circumstance.  So, 
unless  Colonel  Smallwood  can  retain  the  command  of  his 
own  battalion,  (being  under  the  control  of  a  Continental 
superior  officer  only,)  he  will  most  certainly  resign.  He  is 
a  worthy  man  and  good  officer,  a  firm  American,  and  much 
devoted  to  the  cause ;  for  which  reasons,  I  cannot  but  hope 
that  care  will  be  taken  to  prevent  the  loss  of  such  an  offi- 
cer, by  exempting  him  from  the  command  of  a  person  under 
whom  he  thinks  it  improper  for  him  to  act,  because,  in  his 
own  Province,  he  takes  rank  of  him, 

The  service  requires  that  some  attention  be  paid  to  this 
matter,  and  I  trust  you  will  readily  excuse  the  trouble  I  have 
given  you  in  it. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  and  very  hum- 
ble servant,  MAT.  TILGHMAN. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Con- 
gress, Philadelphia. 


N.  RUXTON  MOORE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Annapolis,  July  12,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIRS:  As  there  is  a  vacancy  in  Captain 
Nathaniel  Smith's  company  of  Artillery  for  a  Second 
Lieutenant,  I  should  esteem  it  a  very  particular  favour,  if 
your  honourable  Board  would  grant  me  liberty  to  fill  that 
place.  My  reason  for  being  so  pressing  to  leave  Annapolis 
is,  I  have  never  enjoyed  my  health  since  I  have  been 
here,  and  am  afraid,  should  I  not  be  benefited  by  the 
Baltimore  air,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  resign  my  commission, 
though  very  much  against  my  inclination,  as  I  do  not  ima- 
gine I  shall  have  my  health  while  I  remain  here,  and,  as 
you  well  know,  life  is  of  little  worth  without  health.  I  hope 
you  will  consider  my  case,  and  indulge  me  in  my  above 
request;  and  the  obligation  shall  be  ever  gratefully  acknow- 
ledged by,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 
servant,  N.  RUXTON  MOORE. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 


JOHN  WEEMS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  12,  (eleven  o'clock,)  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  is  a  letter  I  just  received  from 
Captain  Chew.  If  it  should  prove  true,  please  to  let  me 
know  in  what  manner  I  am  to  act;  and  am,  your  most 
humble  servant,  JOHN  WEEMS. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety,  in  Annapolis. 

Saturday  morning,  seven  o'clock. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  this  moment  received,  by  express,  a  line 
from  Colonel  Somerville,  acquainting  me  that  there  are  forty 
sail  of  square-rigged  vessels  as  far  up  the  bay  as  Point- 
Lookout.  We  have  ordered  the  Captains  of  our  battalion  to 
call  their  companies  together  immediately,  and  to  have  their 
guns  put  in  the  best  order  they  will  admit  of.  Like  for  them 
to  be  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning.  Captain 
Parrans  company  is  under  arms.  Have  heard  that  the 
whole  of  the  Militia  of  St.  Mary's  is  in  arms.  If  the  ves- 
sels come  up  farther,  which  I  make  no  doubt  they  will, 
Barbara  begs  that  Mrs.  Chew  will  come  down  here.  I  am 
in  great  haste ;  then  conclude,  by  subscribing  myself  your 
most  obedient  humble  servant,  JOSEPH  WILKINSON. 

To  Captain  Richard  Chew. 

THOMAS  SMYTH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Ship- Yard,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  This  will  be  handed  you  by  my  son  Thomas, 
who  waits  on  the  Council  for  his  commission,  in  pursuance 
of  the  honourable  the  Convention's  order  to  him  for  inlisting 
a  company  of  Militia.  He  has  inlisted  a  company  of  stout, 
able  young  fellows,  and  almost  all  of  them  country-born. 
He  informs  me  that  they  have  very  few  muskets  among 
them  which  are  fit  for  service,  and  I  believe  it  will  be  very 
difficult  to  borrow  any  from  the  inhabitants,  as  they  do  not 
know  how  soon  they  may  be  called  on  to  use  them.  What 
guns  belong  to  the  Militia  are  generally  very  indifferent. 
Permit  me,  therefore,  to  solicit  your  honourable  Board,  that 
his  company  and  Captain  Perkins's  may  be  armed  out  of 
the  arms  that  will  be  made  by  Winters,  and  those  which  are 
sent  for  to  Chingoteague.  I  hope  they  will  be  indulged 
with  having  their  companies  well  armed,  as  they  have  been 
industrious  enough  to  enrol  them  so  soon  at  this  busy  season 
of  the  year. 

As  I  apprehended,  the  Council  have  not  been  able  to  pro- 
vide tents  for  the  Militia  that  this  Province  has  resolved  to 
send  to  the  Flying-Camp.  I  make  them  a  tender  of  my 
best  endeavours  to  get  as  many  made  as  will  be  sufficient  for 
my  son's  company,  and,  perhaps,  Captain  Perkins's,  if  they 
will  order  over  one  of  those  made  at  Baltimore,  with  the 
poles,  the  linen,  and  twine  or  thread  to  make  them;  the 
cruger  would  do  much  better  than  none;  perhaps  some 
of  the  sail-duck  which  is  ordered  up  from  Chingoteague 
might  do  better.  It  will  certainly  kill  all  our  men,  to  be 
exposed  to  the  open  air  in  the  months  of  August  and  Sep- 
tember, when  such  heavy  dews  fall.  I  have  two  or  three 
men  in  my  service  that  have  been  used  to  making  sails,  and 
a  tailor,  who,  I  think,  would  make,  in  a  few  days,  as  many 
as  will  be  sufficient  for  those  two  companies.  If  the  Council 
should  determine  to  accept  of  my  offer,  the  sooner  they 
send  everything  over  the  better,  and  I  dare  say  I  can  soon 
get  the  tents  made,  especially  if  they  are  to  be  made  of 
cruger,as  many  women  can  be  employed  in  sowing  such  linen. 
If  the  Council  have  not  provided  baggage-wagons  enough, 
I  can  furnish  them  with  one  very  suitable  for  the  purpose 
that  is  almost  new,  and  in  very  good  order.  I  wrote  you 
some  time  last  week,  that  a  Robert  Blake,  a  saddler  in 
Chestertown,  would  undertake  to  furnish  the  Province  with  a 
quantity  of  cartridge-boxes,  gun-slings,  and  bayonet-belts,  at 
the  same  price  which  the  saddlers  of  Baltimore  had  done, 
and  requested  an  answer;  but  have  not  heard  from  the 
Council  on  that  subject.  Blake  waits  your  determination. 
A  report  prevails  here  that  some  of  the  companies  of  Militia 
which  are  ordered  to  be  raised  for  the  Flying-Camp  are  to 
be  stationed  in  this  Province.  My  son  earnestly  requests 
that  he  may  not  be  one  of  those  companies,  and  that  he  may 
be  permitted  to  march  to  the  camp  as  first  intended,  and  I 
hope  the  Council  will  indulge  him  in  his  request. 

You  will  please  to  remember  that  the  hire  of  the  wagons 
sent  to  Chingoteague  will  amount  to  a  pretty  large  sum.  It 
will  be  some  time  before  I  can  attend  the  Council,  as  I  am 


217 


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218 


much  engaged  in  forwarding  the  building  of  the  row-galley 
which  I  have  undertaken,  and  am  anxious  to  have  her  done 
very  complete.  Anything  which  the  Council'may  have  to 
do  in  the  mean  time  in  this  quarter,  they  will  command  me. 
What  has  been  done  towards  sending  for  the  goods  from 
Chingoteague,  Mr.  Nicholson  has  no  doubt  informed  you. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  much  respect,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  THOS.  SMYTH. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 


PETER  CHAILLE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  bearer,  Mr.  Samuel  Smyly,  is  one  of  the 
owners  of  the  schooner  I  informed  you  of  when  at  Annapolis. 
She  is  well  fitted  as  a  merchantman,  and  think  she  will  an- 
swer your  purpose.  What  information  Mr.  Smyly  gives  you 
of  her  may  be  relied  on,  as  he  is  a  gentleman  of  integrity. 
I  am  your  most  humble  servant,  PETER  CHAILLE. 


DORCHESTER  COUNTY  COMMITTEE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF 
SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Observation  for  Dorchester  County,  ) 

July  12,  1776.     $ 

GENTLEMEN  :  Basil  Clarkson,  of  this  County,  was  brought 
before  us  a  few  days  ago,  being  charged  with  going  on  board 
the  enemy's  tenders,  and  carrying  some  men  to  join  Lord 
Dunmore's  party.  And  upon  examining  into  the  affair,  we 
thought  it  our  duty  to  send  him  over  under  the  care  of  Cap- 
tain Hindman,  to  take  his  trial  before  your  Board.  John 
Rumley  was  the  only  witness  produced  to  us  against  him, 
whose  deposition  we  have  taken,  and  now  send  you  en- 
closed. It  is  said  Clarkson  bears  a  very  ill  character,  as  to 
holding  a  communication  with  and  carrying  men  in  his  boat 
to  the  tenders;  and  we  have  just  now  been  informed  that 
one  Job  Slocitm,  Jun.,  of  this  County,  will  prove  that  he 
endeavoured  to  persuade  him  and  some  others  to  go  with 
him  on  board  the  tenders  and  join  Lord  Dwnmore;  but  as 
the  guard  was  just  setting  off  with  the  prisoner,  we  could  not 
delay  them  until  we  sent  a  summons  for  Slocum.  There 
were  several  other  persons  apprehended  in  this  County  on 
suspicion  of  being  unfriendly,  and  having  a  communication 
with  the  enemy ;  but  upon  our  inquiring  into  their  conduct, 
we  could  fix  nothing  criminal  on  them,  and  therefore  dis- 
charged them,  though  some  of  them  were  under  rather  sus- 
picious circumstances.  And  indeed  we  are  sorry  to  inform 
you  that  we  have  lately  discovered  such  an  unfriendly  dis- 
position in  many  of  the  inhabitants  about  the  islands  in  this 
County,  that  we  are  convinced  that  it  will  be  productive  of 
very  ill  consequences,  unless  some  steps  are  taken  imme- 
diately to  keep  them  in  proper  order;  and  we  beg  leave  to 
submit  it  to  your  consideration,  whether  it  may  not  be  ab- 
solutely necessary  for  the  publick  service  that  part  of  one  of 
the  Independent  Companies  be  immediately  stationed  in 
that  part  of  this  County.  The  inhabitants  there  are  so 
much  exposed  to  the  depredations  of  the  enemy  that  we 
cannot  help  thinking  many  of  them  have  been  induced  from 
that  circumstance  rather  than  from  inclination  to  appear 
friendly  towards  them;  and  that  many  may  be  prevented 
from  attempting  to  join  the  enemy  could  they  see  any  forces 
stationed  among  them  to  afford  them  proper  protection. 
Our  Militia  have  been  so  long  on  duty,  guarding  our  bay 
and  river  shores,  to  prevent  the  depredations  of  the  enemy 
and  the  escape  of  Tories,  that  they  have  many  of  them  lost 
considerably  in  their  harvests,  and  suffered  much  in  other 
parts  of  their  property;  and,  we  fear,  if  they  are  not  assisted 
very  soon  they  will  be  almost  in  a  state  of  despair.  Cap- 
tain Woolford's  company,  which  was  originally  intended  for 
this  County,  is  now  taken  from  us,  and  part  of  it  is  ordered 
by  Major  Price  to  be  stationed  in  Somerset,  and  the  other 
part  on  the  mouth  of  Nanticoke,  whereby  it  is  rendered 
almost  useless  to  this  County;  and  we  are  left  in  a  manner 
defenceless,  though  as  much  exposed  as  any  County  in  the 
Province.  This  being  the  situation  of  our  County,  we 
thought  it  necessary  to  inform  you  thereof,  and  we  doubt 
not  but  your  Honours  will  pay  proper  attention  thereto. 
We  are,  with  great  respect,  your  most  humble  servants, 
Signed  per  order :  JAMES  MURRAY,  Chairman. 

P.  S.  We  are  greatly  in  want  of  Powder,  and  should  be, 
glad  to  receive  a  supply  as  soon  as  possible. 


DEPOSITION  OF  JOHN  RUMLEY. 

John  Rumley  deposeth  and  saith :  That  he  was  taken  by 
a  tender's  boat  on  the  shore  of  Spring's  Island;  that  while 
he  was  on  board  the  tender  he  saw  a  boat  standing  out  of 
Hooper's  Straits,  directly  for  the  tenders  in  company  with 
that  which  this  deponent  was  on  board  of;  that  the  said 
boat  continued  her  course  directly  on  board  one  of  those 
tenders ;  and  that  it  appeared  to  this  deponent  to  be  the 
voluntary  act  of  those  on  board  said  boat  to  go  to  the  ten- 
ders, as  there  was  not  a  gun  fired  at  them,  or  any  measures 
taken  by  the  tenders  to  send  a  boat,  or  use  any  other  means 
to  bring  said  boat  to  them ;  that  said  boat  getting  alongside 
one  of  the  tenders,  he  knew  it  to  be  Basil  Clarkson's  boat, 
and  that  said  Clarkson  and  three  others  were  in  her,  all  of 
whom  got  on  board  the  tender ;  that  soon  after  Clarkson 
and  his  company  boarded  the  tender,  this  deponent  heard 
men  on  board  the  several  tenders  hail  each  other,  and  say 
that  the  Defence  was  lying  off  Hooper's  Island,  and  that 
Basil  Clarkson  and  a  certain  John  Baptist  told  them  so ; 
which  said  Baptist  and  two  others  went  on  board  the  tender 
when  Clarksoncame  off  from  them  in  his  boat,  about  one  hour 
and  a  half  after  his  going  on  board  ;  and  further  saith  not. 

Taken  before  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Dorches- 
ter County,  this  9th  day  of  July,  anno  Domini,  1776. 

Signed  per  order:  JOHN  C.  HARRISON,  Clerk. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  MARYLAND  : 
The  Petition  of  Basil  Clarkson  most  humbly  showeth : 
That  your  Petitioner  now  is,  and  hath  been  for  a  consider- 
able tirne  past,  confined  in  the  jail  of  the  City  of  Annapolis 
for  a  supposed  crime  of  which  your  Petitioner  is  in  no  wise 
guilty.  Your  Petitioner  also  begs  leave  to  represent  to  your 
Honours  that  he  is  now  in  almost  a  starving  condition,  oc- 
casioned by  the  want  of,  not  only  the  common  necessaries 
of  life,  with  respect  to  bodily  clothing,  but  also  for  the  fur- 
ther want  of  bedding.  That  he  is  now  craving  your  Honours 
to  release  your  Petitioner  from  his  confinement ;  and  should 
your  Honours  deign  to  hear  your  Petitioner  at  the  bar  of  your 
honourable  House,  your  Petitioner  is  satisfied  within  his  own 
mind  that  he  shall  be  well  acquitted.  Should  this  Petition  be 
adverted,  your  Petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  pray,  &ic. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  ELISHA  WINTERS. 
[No.  29.]  Annapolis,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Convention  having  resolved  that  the  firelocks 
of  such  of  the  Militia  who  are  to  compose  part  of  the  Flying- 
Camp  as  are  not  effective,  but  might  be  made  so  by  repairs, 
should  be  repaired  at  the  expense  of  this  Province,  and  that 
we  should  cause  muskets  found  by  the  Militia,  borrowed  or 
purchased,  for  the  Flying-Camp,  to  be  fitted  with  bayonets, 
iron  ramrods,  worms,  priming-wires,  brushes,  belts  or  scab- 
bards; and  as  we  are  apprehensive  such  repairs  cannot  be 
made  or  bayonets  fitted  on  the  Eastern- Shore,  with  that 
despatch  and  expedition  the  service  may  require,  but  at  your 
shop,  we  desire  you  will  immediately  inform  us  whether  you 
can  engage  in  that  business,  and  will  undertake  to  repair 
and  fit  with  bayonets  such  guns  as  shall  be  sent  to  you  from 
the  several  Counties  over  the  Bay  for  that  purpose.  If  they 
can  be  done  elsewhere,  we  shall  not  desire  you  to  do  them, 
as  we  would  wish  you  should  confine  yourself  as  much  as 
possible  to  the  work  you  have  in  hand ;  but  if  they  cannot, 
as  there  is  an  absolute  necessity  that  the  Militia  should  be 
immediately  provided  with  good  and  substantial  arms,  we 
must  request  you  will  engage  in  that  business  for  us.  It 
cannot  be  expected  that  during  the  time  you  may  be  at  work 
on  the  arms  for  the  Flying-Camp,  that  you  should  comply 
strictly  with  your  contract  with  the  Province ;  yet  it  is  hoped 
that  you  will  be  able  to  furnish  some  guns,  as  we  stand  in 
very  great  need  of  them.  We  have  already  belts  and  scab- 
bards sufficient,  and  have  advertised  for  persons  to  make 
priming-wires  and  brushes,  and  expect  to  get  the  ramrods 
in  Annapolis,  so  that  you  will  not  have  anything  to  do  but 
repair  the  guns  and  fit  the  bayonets,  unless  to  make  swivils 
to  sling  the  guns,  which  must  likewise  be  done. 

We  enclose  you  a  letter  and  order  to  Henry  Hollings- 
worth  for  four  hundred  bayonets,  of  different  sized  sockets, 
for  the  Militia  arms;  if  you  engage  for  us  in  that  business, 
you  will  send  them  by  express ;  but  if  you  cannot,  you  will 
be  pleased  to  return  them.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Elisha  Winters. 


219 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


220 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH. 
[No.  30.]  Annapolis,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  received  both  yours  of  the  llth  and  14th, 
and  have  despatched  the  last  vessel  you  sent  down  with  the 
flour  to  Pocomoke.  We  are  sorry  to  hear  the  flour  on  board 
Messrs.  Lux  and  Bowlys  vessel  has  been  so  much  dam- 
aged by  their  negligence,  but  no  doubt  they  will  think  it  but 
reasonable  to  make  us  a  compensation. 

You  will  receive  by  Captain  Nicholson,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds,  out  of  which  you  will  be  pleased  to  pay  for  the 
vessels  that  carried  the  soldiers  from  Baltimore,  as  also  for 
those  you  sent  down  to  Annapolis  for  that  purpose.  We 
are  pleased  with  your  conduct,  and  are  obliged  to  you  for 
the  assistance  you  have  given  us. 

We  request  you  will  purchase  the  timber  Mr.  Wells  may 
want  for  building  the  two  gondolas,  and  apply  the  remainder 
of  the  money  in  payment  for  the  same ;  what  more  you  may 
have  occasion  for,  shall  be  sent  you  as  you  want  it.  While 
you  are  employed  in  the  publick  business,  we  really  think  it 
unreasonable  you  should  be  obliged  to  attend  at  musters ;  it 
is  our  desire,  therefore,  that  you  should  be  exempt  from  that 
attendance,  and  desire  you  will  signify  this  to  your  officers ; 
and  we  are,  &tc. 

To  Mr.  Jesse  Hollingsworth. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CHARLES    RIDGELY,  SEN. 
[No.  31.]  Annapolis,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Council  of  Safety  would  be  glad  to  see  you 
immediately,  on  the  subject  of  your  Letter.     We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Charks  Ridgely,  Sen. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS 
[No.  32.]  Annapolis,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Mr.  Hughes,  the  bearer  of  this,  has  been 
under  contract  with  the  Convention  to  supply  them  with 
cannon  ;  he  has  nearly  complied  with  his  contract  with  us 
and  has  run  himself  and  his  partners  to  a  pretty  considerable 
expense  to  get  his  works  into  such  order  as  may  enable  them 
to  cast  many  more  than  we  shall  probably  want  for  the  use 
of  this  Province.  The  cannon  of  his  first  casting  did  not 
stand  proof,  but  he  has  his  furnace  now  in  such  order  that 
the  cannon  they  cast  are  very  good.  He  has  been  informed 
that  the  Congress  are  in  want,  and  would  willingly  contract 
with  them,  and  would  yet  considerably  enlarge  his  works, 
provided  the  Congress  would  take  all  the  cannon  he  and  his 
partners  should  cast  before  the  first  day  of  next  January 
twelvemonth.  We  introduce  him  to  you  as  a  man  of  credit 
and  who  will,  in  our  opinion,  comply  with  any  contract  he' 
may  enter  into  with  the  Congress.  We  are,  &c. 
To  the  Deputies  in  Congress. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

Philadelphia,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  enclosed  resolve,  which  I  have  it  in 
charge  from  Congress  to  transmit,  is  so  extremely  explicit, 
that  I  have  only  to  request  you  will  have  it  carried  into 
immediate  execution  with  all  the  despatch  in  your  power. 

I  shall  write  to  the  Committee  of  Reading  to  remove  the 
prisoners  in  that  place'to  your  town. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant. 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
Committee  of  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania. 

In  Congress,  July  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Lancaster  be  empow- 
ered and  requested  to  keep  a  guard  over  the  Prisoners  in 
the  Barracks  of  that  Borough,  and  to  surround  the  said  Bar- 
racks with  a  stockade  fort. 

That  the  Privates  who  are  prisoners  in  the  Town  of 
Reading,  be  removed  to  the  Borough  of  Lancaster 

By  order  of  Congress :       JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

THOMAS  STONE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Yours,  by  Captain  Strieker,  was  this  morn- 
ing delivered  to  me,  and  I  shall  pay  particular  attention  to 


its  contents,  though  I  much  fear  our  endeavours  to  procure 
an  Engineer  to  suit  your  purpose  will  not  be  successful. 
Every  man  Vho  ever  fired  a  cannon,  or  was  present  at 
erecting  any  kind  of  fortifications,  has  been  taken  up  for  the 
Continental  service. 

There  is  no  provision  made  here  for  quartering  any  troops 
which  may  pass  through.  Upon  the  first  notice  of  Colonel 
Smalhvood's  approach  I  made  inquiry  of  the  state  of  the 
city  barracks,  and  find  that  there  are  some  soldiers  in  them 
who  have  the  small-pox,  of  which  I  shall  acquaint  Colonel 
Smallwood  before  he  gets  into  town.  Indeed,  there  is  danger 
in  almost  every  part  of  the  city,  and  I  shall  advise  him  to 
halt  his  men  in  the  common  for  a  while,  until  some  safe 
place  can  be  provided  for  their  reception.  They  will  feel 
severely  the  want  of  tents,  of  which  there  are  none  in  the 
Continental  stores.  I  submit  to  your  consideration  if  it 
would  not  be  proper  to  have  tents  immediately  made,  and 
sent  after  the  troops.  They  will  probably  be  stationed  at  a 
place  where  no  quarters  can  be  had.  I  expect  to  see  them 
to-morrow.  Captain  Strieker  will,  I  think,  be  appointed  a 
field-officer  in  the  German  battalion,  for  which  I  have  no 
doubt  but  he  is  well  qualified,  from  what  I  have  heard  of 
him. 

The  Militia  of  this  Province  are  daily  marching  to  Trenton 
in  the  Jerseys,  from  whence  they  are  to  proceed  to  Amboy. 
This  will  be  the  route  of  our  troops  I  presume.  If  Brigadier 
Dent  should  join  the  Regulars  with  the  Militia  to  be  raised  in 
your  Province,  I  don't  know  how  it  will  be  possible  to  settle 
the  rank  of  the  officers.  As  to  keeping  them  distinct  when 
they  are  to  compose  one  army,  it  seems  to  me  to  be  imprac- 
ticable. The  rank  of  each  officer  in  the  Army  must  be  set- 
tled before  service  is  entered  on,  or  the  greatest  confusion 
will  probably  take  place. 

I  ordered,  by  Mr.  Stephen  Stewart,  a  case  of  instruments, 
some  paper,  and  a  gun-carriage.  Be  pleased  to  inform  me 
if  you  received  them.  Mr.  Alexander  writes  me  that  Dr. 
Weisenthal  wants  the  instruments  very  much. 

Our  affairs  on  the  Lake  are  far  from  being  so  prosperous 
as  I  wish  them,  though  we  have  heard  nothing  certain  from 
that  quarter  since  our  Army  retreated  to  Crown-Point. 
Considerable  reinforcements  are  ordered,  and  if  they  arrive 
in  time,  I  hope  our  enemies  will  receive  a  check.' 

General  Howe  remains  on  Staten- Island,  exercising  his 
men,  and  viewing  the  situation  of  the  adjacent  grounds. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  Island  are  generally  Tories,  who  I 
suppose  will  assist  him  all  they  can  without  taking  up  arms, 
which  I  think  few  of  them  will  do. 

General  Washington  and  the  Army  under  him  are  in  good 
spirits,  and  our  strength  daily  increasing.  We  regret  to  hear 
of  the  arrival  of  a  considerable  reinforcement  from  Britain. 
We  are  daily  in  expectation  of  a  more  intimate  acquaintance 
between  the  two  adverse  armies.  May  God  send  victory  to 
the  arm  lifted  in  support  of  righteousness,  virtue,  and  free- 
dom, and  crush  even  to  destruction  the  power  which  wantonly 
would  trample  on  the  rights  of  mankind.  Our  Province  is 
now  unrepresented,  though  matters  of  the  last  consequence 
are  coming  on.  I  pray  one  of  the  Delegates  may  be  desired 
to  attend.  Mr.  Paca  is  out,  which  occasions  me  alone  to 
address  you. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  most  sincere  esteem,  your  faithful 
and  most  humble  servant, 

1.  STONE. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  Annapolis. 

ALEXANDER  WILCOCKS  TO  MARYLAND  CONVENTION. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Committee  of  Safety  take  the  liberty 
to  enclose  a  letter  from  General  Washington,  (of  July  8,) 
recommending  Lieutenant  Wilpert  to  a  company  in  the 
German  Battalion.  They  would  have  been  happy  in  an 
occasion  of  showing  proper  respect  to  such  a  recommenda- 
tion, but  unfortunately  it  did  not  arrive  till  the  appointment 
had  been  made.  Should  there  be  an  opening  left  in  the 
Maryland  division  of  the  battalion,  they  make  no  doubt  but 
you  will  be  pleased  with  an  opportunity  of  providing  for  Mr. 
Wilpert,  agreeable  to  the  General's  desire. 

I  am  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant. 
By  order  of  the  Board : 

ALEXANDER  WILCOCKS,  Chairman. 
To  the  Convention  of  Maryland. 


221 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


222 


LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation,  Inspec- 
tion, and  Correspondence,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigarl, 
the  12th  July,  1776  : 

Present:  Matthias  Slough,  William  Atlee,  William  Bows- 
man,  Lodwick  Lawman.  Jacob  Klutz,  Michael Musser,  John 
Miller. 

WILLIAM  ATLEE  in  the  Chair. 

Colonel  Ross  laid  before  the  Committee  a  Letter  from 
Colonel  Porter,  directed  to  him,  complaining  of  the  ill 
behaviour  of  some  of  the  Associators  in  his  neighbourhood, 
who  had  seized  the  Arms  which  had  been  collected  by  his 
directions  from  Non-Associators  and  others,  together  with  an 
answer  written  by  him  (Colonel  Ross)  to  Colonel  Porter; 
which  answer,  being  read,  is  approved  of,  and  ordered  to  be 
forwarded  to  Colonel  Porter  by  his  express. 

And  it  is  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Mem- 
bers of  Committees  in  the  several  Townships  from  which 
Colonel  Porter's  Battalion  is  drawn,  to  give  their  best  assist- 
ance to  Colonel  Porter  in  procuring  Arms  and  necessaries 
for  the  Militia,  to  enable  them  to  march. 

The  Committee  think  it  will  be  best  and  most  for  the 
general  good  for  Colonel  Porter  to  march  his  Militia  by 
Companies,  as  he  can  arm  them,  immediately  to  Philadel- 
phia, or  across  the  country  to  Trenton,  where  they  stand  the 
best  chance  of  being  supplied  with  camp-kettles  and  other 
necessaries,  which  are  not  to  be  procured  in  the  country. 

It  being  represented  by  Jacob  Erb  that  the  persons  who 
were  chosen  Collectors  of  Arms  in  the  Township  of  War- 
wick have  neglected  their  duty,  this  Committee  do  therefore 
appoint  Christian  Hollinger,  Matthias  Hagey,  and  John 
Huber,  Collectors  of  Arms  in  the  said  Township  of  War- 
wick, who  are  to  do  the  duty  required  of  Collectors  of  Arms 
by  the  resolves  of  Assembly. 

Captain  Zantzinger's  Account  of  Rifles  purchased  from 
Jacob  Dickert,  for  the  use  of  his  Company,  to  enable  them 
to  march  to  the  Camp  in  the  Jerseys,  to  the  amount  of  £31 
Is.  6d.,  was  produced  to  the  Committee,  approved  of,  and 
Mr.  Dickert  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  or  Congress 
for  payment. 

Peter  Bollinger,  the  Committee's  Messenger,  being  now 
about  to  march  with  Colonel  Slough's  Battalion,  produces 
his  Account  for  services  and  expenses  to  this  time,  amounting 
to  £8  16s.  4<Z.,  which  being  examined,  is  approved  of  and 
allowed ;  and  it  is  recommended  to  the  Commissioners  of 
the  County  to  pay  the  said  Bollinger  moneys  of  the  County, 
as  he  may  have  immediate  occasion  for  it  to  provide  himself 
with  necessaries  for  his  march. 


ASSOCIATION    OF     INHABITANTS     OF     DONEGAL,     LANCASTER 
COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

We,  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Township  of  Donegal, 
having  associated  into  a  Company,  and  signed  an  agreement 
for  the  Regulation  of  the  said  Company,  as  well  Officers  as 
Soldiers,  understanding  that  the  Committee  for  this  County 
is  to  meet  in  Lancaster,  in  order  to  adjust  and  settle  griev- 
ances, we  conceive  the  greatest  grievance  is,  that  numbers 
of  people,  of  different  persuasions,  will  not  join  in  the  said 
Association ;  some  for  scruple  of  conscience,  some  for  the 
loss  of  time  and  expenses,  and  others  being  disaffected  at 
the  cause  which  we  associate  for.  Some  of  the  said  people 
are  the  wealthiest  and  best  seated  in  the  County.  We 
imagine  that  there  should  be  none  of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
County  exempted  from  joining  the  said  Association,  or  pay- 
ing in  proportion  for  the  finding  of  arms  and  other  necessaries 
to  those  who  are  willing  to  do  it,  who  are  not  of  ability  to 
provide  themselves  with  such.  We  request  of  you  that 
it  be  allowed  that  all  the  landholders  and  farmers  in  the 
County  of  Lancaster  be  obliged  to  find  at  least  one  good 
gun  each,  and  that  every  other  person,  who  is  judged  by  the 
Committee  to  be  of  ability,  likewise  find  a  good  gun,  whether 
they  be  joined  in  Association  or  not.  This  will  put  the 
County  in  a  state  of  defence.  We  request  of  you  that  such 
a  sum  as  is  thought  reasonable  by  you  belaid  upon  each  and 
every  person  who  will  not  join  the  said  Association,  exclu- 
sive of  finding  the  arms  aforesaid,  in  restitution  of  the  time 
which  the  people  that  have  joined  the  said  Association  have 
and  will  expend,  learning  exercise  and  other  duties  neces- 
sary; and  that  such  sums  of  money  and  arms  be  paid  and 


received  into  the  hands  of  the  Committee  of  the  different 
Townships  in  the  said  County,  or  into  the  hands  of  any  other 
persons  which  you  shall  appoint,  to  be  laid  for  the  use  and 
support  of  the  Associators  of  the  Townships  such  sums  and 
arms  will  be  received  in.  If  the  said  proposals  be  not  put 
in  execution  by  you,  we,  for  our  part,  do  intend  to  continue 
no  longer  in  the  said  Association,  as  it  will  be  entirely  useless 
for  the  greatest  number  of  our  Company  to  continue  in  the 
same,  who  are  not  of  ability  to  find  themselves  in  arms  or 
other  necessaries.  But,  on  the  contrary,  if  no  partiality  is 
or  will  be  shown  by  you,  or  indulgence  to  the  enemies  of  the 
cause,  but  to  have  all  persons  in  the  said  County  equally 
concerned  therein,  according  to  their  several  abilities,  we 
will,  as  we  always  have  done,  defend  and  protect  the  cause 
of  our  country,  to  the  extremity  of  our  power  and  ability. 
Signed  by  part,  and  by  order  of  said  Company,  by 


J.Anderson,Jr.,lsM,J 
Philip  Clu£h,2rfL«. 
Joseph  Worth,  Ens. 
John  Bayly, 
Matthew  Swan, 
Alexander  Mitchel, 
Williams  Bauer, 
James  Scott, 
James  Thompson, 
Cornelius  Boyle, 
John  Crookshanks, 
Walter  Bell, 
James  Willspn, 
William  Allison, 
John  Mays, 
Samuel  McChin, 
John  Tate, 
William  Alexander, 
Robert  Borland, 
David  Cook, 
James  Anderson, 
James  Kerr, 
William  Wilson, 
Hendrey  Tann, 
Adam  Neas, 
Daniel  Deady, 
Enoch  Hastings, 
James  Cook, 
Lewis  Miller, 
Patrick  Hackett, 
Conrode  Albrite, 
Michael  Clous, 
Daniel  Killman, 


Jacob  Peseler, 
Frederick  Hufman, 
Jacob  Seller, 
Christian  Pesler, 
David  Scot, 
Ulery  Tannar, 
Frederick  Sibale, 
Nath'l  Stepheson, 
John  Carliel, 
Robert  Ponton, 
Frederick  Yeigh, 
George  Bready, 
Hugh  Hagerty, 
John  Booth, 
Ulery  Seller, 
Conrode  Hufman, 
Jacob  Vion, 
Philip  Brannar, 
Jacob  Hufman, 
Philip  Amant, 
Christian  Seller, 
Peter  Seller, 
Matthias  Steer, 
Robert  Caven, 
Christian  Vinegar, 
John  Nicholas, 
Abram  Long, 
Valentine  Shirelen, 
Samuel  Park, 
Nicholas  Peck, 
Jacob  Shireman, 
Samuel  Cook, 


Frederick  Gilbugh, 
Abraham  Eatter, 
David  Cook,  Jun. 
Thomas  Anderson, 
Thomas  Clingan, 
Francis  Stewart, 
James  Mitchel, 
Nicholas  Blazser, 
Philip  Winand, 
John  Winand, 
Hendry  Vinegar, 
Robert  Cams, 
Duncan  Levingston, 
James  Mitchel,  Jun. 
John  Donily, 
George  Crookshanks, 
John  Emmack, 
Adam  Ross, 
James  Alexander, 
James  Levingston, 
John  Brown, 
James  Bayly, 
Jacob  Musselman, 
Zechel  Norres, 
Jacob  Winan,  Jun. 
Wm.  W.  Gomery, 
James  Young, 
Jacob  Minnigo, 
John  Hamilton, 
Peter  Dillo, 
James  Carsey, 
John  Barber. 


YORK  COUNTY  (PENNSYLVANIA)   COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  ) 
for  the  County  of  York,  July  12,  1776.     $ 

Resolved,  That  in  case  Mr.  James  Rankin  make  suitable 
concessions,  (as  he  proposes,)  and  give  sufficient  surety  for 
his  good  behaviour  in  future,  he  shall  be  restored  to  his  liber- 
ty and  the  confidence  of  his  countrymen. 

"  As  I  have,  in  several  instances,  injured  the  Committee 
of  York  County,  by  sundry  publick  misrepresentations,  as 
well  as  by  personal  insults,  thereby  obstructing  the  publick 
measures  now  so  necessary  for  the  safety  of  our  country,  but 
being  convinced  of  the  bad  tendency  of  my  past  conduct, 
and  desirous  of  being  restored  to  a  good  understanding  and 
friendship  with  my  countrymen,  I  do  thus  publickly  ask  for- 
giveness of  them,  and  do  promise,  on  the  faith  and  honour  of 
an  honest  man,  that  I  will  in  future  pay  due  regard  to  the 
rules  and  regulations  of  the  honourable  Continental  Con- 
gress, and  behave,  in  all  respects,  as  becomes  a  good  citizen 
of  the  United  States  of  America. 

"JAMES  RANKIN. 

"July  13,  1776." 

BRITISH  OFFICERS  (PRISONERS)  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Yorktown,  Pennsylvania,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  long  suffered,  without  complaint,  a  series 
of  ill  treatment  which  our  characters  as  British  officers,  and 
our  conduct  since  the  fate  of  war  threw  us  in  your  power, 
has  not  merited.  Should  we  continue  silent  under  this 
usage,  we  might  be  esteemed  by  the  world  either  deserving 
of  it  or  afraid  to  complain,  in  neither  of  which  predicaments 
would  we  choose  to  appear. 

When  an  order  of  Congress,  about  four  months  ago,  sepa- 
rated us  from  our  men,  we  complained  of  the  hardships  that 
would  accrue  from  it  in  as  decent  terms  as  circumstances 
would  admit  of,  but  without  redress.  We  were  brought  to 
this  town  and  a  parole  tendered  us  to  sign,  with  the  alterna- 
tive of  going  to  jail  if  we  refused.  Conscious  that  a  compli- 
ance could  not 'in  the  smallest  degree  be  prejudicial  to  His 


223 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


224 


Majesty's  service,  we  acquiesced  ;  for  be  assured,  sir,  had  we 
entertained  the  least  doubt  of  the  contrary,  we  should  have 
blushed  to  have  hesitated  a  moment  in  our  choice. 

To  enumerate  the  particulars  of  the  many  gross  insults 
we  have  endured  would  far  exceed  the  bounds  of  this  letter. 
Let  it  suffice  to  declare,  that  outrage  hath  succeeded  insult, 
and  a  violation  of  every  law  of  humanity  been  dignified  by 
the  name  of  authority.  Not  content  with  depriving  us  of 
the  liberty  of  leaving  our  rooms  after  nightfall,  (contrary  to 
the  faith  of  the  parole  we  signed,)  they  have  now.  as  a  fur- 
ther instance  of  their  wishes  to  distress  us  and  to  render  our 
situation  as  disagreeable  as  possible,  taken  from  us  our  ser- 
vants, which  they  tell  us  is  by  order  of  Congress. 

We  have,  sir,  too  much  generosity  to  conceive  that  that 
body  would  purposely  issue  an  order  to  distress  a  few  already 
too  much  injured  individuals.  Prejudice,  wilfully  mistaken, 
ever  uses  a  language  opposite  to  trutli ;  and  that  the  Commit- 
tee of  tliis  place  are  prejudiced  against  us  must  strike  the 
candour  of  every  dispassionate  heart ;  for  we  dare  confi- 
dently ask  the  loudest  advocate  of  their  party  to  say  that  in 
any  one  instance  we  have  infringed  the  least  on  the  parole 
we  signed,  or  that  our  conduct  has  been  in  any  way  repre- 
hensible. 

Through  you,  therefore,  sir,  as  President  of  the  Congress, 
we  apply  for  redress,  and  desire  that  we  may  be  treated  as 
gentlemen  and  prisoners  of  war,  who  yielded  only  to  an  ho- 
nourable capitulation ;  at  the  same  time  beg  leave  to  remark, 
that  if  we  must  continue  liable  to  such  treatment,  a  jail  would 
have  a  preference  over  our  present  situation ;  and  remain, 
sir,  your  humble  servants, 

A.  GORDON, 

Captain  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment. 
DANIEL,  ROBERTSON, 
JOHN  STRONGE, 
JOHN  LIVINGSTON, 
EDWARD  THOMPSON, 

E.  P.  WlLLINGTON, 
D.  McDoNELL, 

ROBERT  THOMAS, 
JAMES  GORDON, 
ROBERT  CHASE, 
LAU.  DULHUNTY. 
To  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


EPHRAIM  ELAINE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  18, 1776.]  , 

Carlisle,  Cumberland  County,  July  12,  1776. 
HONOURED  SIR  :  I  take  the  opportunity  by  Mr.  Boyd  of 
drawing  upon  you  for  two  thousand  dollars,  on  account  of 
blankets  and  hose  purchased  by  order  of  Congress  for  our 
Army  at  Virginia.  I  sent  seven  hundred  and  fifty  blan- 
kets and  eleven  hundred  pair  of  hose  three  weeks  ago ; 
the  residue  shall  send  in  three  weeks  from  this  date.  Will 
not  be  able  to  procure  above  fourteen  or  fifteen  hundred 
blankets :  they  have  risen  to  a  very  great  price.  The  peo- 
ple ask  for  old  ones  from  15s.  to  22s.  6d.,  and  for  new  from 
45s.  to  52s.  6d.  per  pair.  You  need  not  expect  more  than 
the  above  number.  The  Militia  and  our  quota  of  troops  to 
form  the  Flying-Camp,  I  fear,  will  not  be  supplied  without 
applying  to  me,  though  as  yet  have  refused  giving  any.  As 
soon  as  I  send  off  the  residue,  shall  render  you  my  account ; 
and  am,  honoured  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 


servant, 


EPHRAIM  BLAINE. 


To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  in  Congress,  Sunday,  July  14,  1776.] 

New-York,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR:  The  design  of  this  is  to  inform  Congress,  that  at  about 
half  after  three  o'clock  this  evening,  two  of  the  enemy's  ships- 
of-war — one  of  forty  and  theother  of  twenty  guns — with  their 
tenders,  weighed  anchor  in  the  Bay  opposite  Staten-lsland, 
and,  availing  themselves  of  a  brisk  and  favourable  breeze, 
with  a  flowing  tide,  ran  a  part  of  our  batteries  up  the  North 
River,  without  receiving  any  damage  that  I  could  perceive, 
notwithstanding  a  heavy  and  incessant  cannonade  was  kept 
up  from  our  several  batteries  here,  as  well  as  from  that  at 
Paulus  Hook.  They,  on  their  part,  returned  and  continued 


the  fire  as  they  ran  by.  I  despatched  an  express  to  Briga- 
dier-General Mifflin,  at  our  encampment  towards  the  upper 
end  of  the  Island,  but  have  not  heard  whether  they  got  by 
or  received  any  damage.  The  account  transmitted  by  this 
morning's  post,  respecting  the  arrival  of  one  of  the  fleet, 
seems  to  be  confirmed.  Several  ships  have  come  in  to-day: 
among  them,  one  this  evening,  with  a  St.  George's  flag  at 
her  foretopmast-head,  which  we  conclude  to  be  Admiral 
Howe,  from  the  circumstance  of  the  flag,  and  the  several 
and  general  salutes  that  were  paid.  It  is  probable  they  will 
all  arrive  in  a  day  or  two,  and  immediately  begin  their 
operations. 

As  it  will  be  extremely  necessary  that  the  Flying-Camp 
should  be  well  provided  with  powder  and  ball,  and  it  may 
be  impracticable  to  send  supplies  from  hence,  on  account  of 
our  hurry  and  engagements,  besides,  the  communication  may 
be  uncertain,  I  must  beg  the  attention  of  Congress  to  this 
matter,  and  request  that  they  will  forward,  with  all  possible 
expedition,  such  a  quantity  of  musket  powder  and  lead,  if 
balls  of  different  sizes  cannot  be  had,  as  will  be  sufficient 
for  the  Militia  to  compose  that  carnp. 

By  an  express  this  minute  arrived  (quarter  past  eight, 
P.  M.)  from  General  Mifflin,  the  ships  have  passed  his 
works. 

I  am,  in  heart,  with  sentiments  of  great  regard,  sir,  your 

most  obedient  servant.  /-i  -,ir 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


Minutes  of  a  Conference  of  General  Officers,  JULY  8,  1776_ 
At  a  Conference  of  General  Officers  and  others  at  Head- 
Quarters,  July  8,  1776: 

Present,  His  Excellency  the  General ;  General  Putnam, 
General  Heath,  General  Spencer,  General  Greene,  General 
Scott,  General  Wadsworth,  Colonel  McDougatt,  and  Messrs. 
Randolph,  Green,  Dennis,  and  Duer. 

A  proposition  having  been  made  to  the  General  to  sink 
Hulks  in  the  North-River,  at  Tappan-Bay,  in  order  to  stop 
the  enemy's  progress,  it  was  fully  discussed,  and  agreed  that 
the  same  be  carried  into  execution :  Captain  Grenell  to  sound 
the  Channel,  and  fix  the  Buoy;  Captain  Dennis  to  take  up 
the  Vessels  and  Raft ;  Captain  Lawrence  and  Captain 
Tudor  to  have  them  sunk  in  a  proper  manner;  Captain 
Grenell  to  take  notice  of  the  commanding  ground,  so  that, 
if  works  should  be  hereafter  erected,  they  may  be  made  in 
the  most  proper  manner. 

The  General  proposed  to  the  General  Officers,  what  should 
be  done  with  the  Troop  of  Horse  from  Connecticut? 

Agreed,  That  the  Men  be  detained  until  the  new  Levies 
arrive,  but  the  Horses  be  sent  home  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Congress  having  referred  to  the  Generals'  determi- 
nation the  propriety  of  marching  three  Regiments  of  the 
Continental  Troops  from  Boston  to  the  Northern  Army,  and, 
in  case  of  need,  substituting  the  Militia  in  their  place, 

Unanimously  Agreed,  That  the  said  three  Regiments  be 
immediately  despatched  to  join  the  Northern  Army. 

Proceedings  of  a  Council  of  General  Officers. 

At  a  Council  of  War,  held  at  Head-Quarters,  July  12, 
1776: 

Present,  His  Excellency  General  Washington;  Major- 
General  Putnam;  Brig.  Generals  Heath,  Spencer,  Greene, 
Lord  Stirling,  Scott,  Wadsworth,  and  Heard. 

The  General  proposed  to  the  consideration  of  the  Board 
a  plan  of  a  descent  upon  Staten-lsland  in  different  places, 
so  as  to  form  a  general  attack  upon  the  enemy's  quarters, 
and  a  question  was  made : 

Whether,  in  our  present  situation,  such  a  measure  was 
advisable? 

Agreed,  unanimously,  That  it  was  not. 

The  General  then  proposed  a  Partisan  Party,  with  a  view 
to  alarm  the  enemy  and  encourage  our  own  Troops,  who 
seem  generally  desirous  that  something  should  be  done. 

Agreed,  That  Major  Knowlton,  who  is  stationed  at  Ber- 
gen, and  has  reconnoitred  the  Island,  do  confer  with  General 
Mercer  thereon  ;  and  if  they,  upon  consideration,  shall  deem 
such  a  surprise  practicable,  and  that  the  retreat  of  the  men 
can  be  secured,  the  General  be  advised  to  prosecute  it. 
That  this  enterprise  be  accompanied  with  a  cannonade  upon 
the  fleet  from  Bergen-Point,  if  the  distance  will  admit. 


225 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


226 


GENERAL,  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  5,  1776. 
(Parole,  Cambridge.)  (Countersign,  Durham.) 

Those  Regiments  which  have  not  made  a  Return  of  their 
Officers,  the  ranks,  and  dates  of  their  commissions,  agreeable 
to  a  former  Order,  are  now  called  on  to  do  it  without  delay, 
and  to  mention  in  such  Returns  the  Colony  in  which  such 
Regiment  was  raised,  the  time  when  and  period  in  which 
they  inlisted,  together  with  the  vacancies  in  their  respective 
Regiments. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  6,  1776. 
(Parole,  Enex.)  (Countersign,  France.) 

The  Quartermaster-General  to  have  all  the  empty  casks 
which  have  been  collected  filled  with  fresh  water,  to  be 
changed  occasionally. 

The  General  hopes  the  officers  and  soldiers  will  improve 
this  opportunity  to  get  their  arms  in  the  best  order  for  ser- 
vice, as  they  cannot  tell  how  soon,  or  how  suddenly,  they 
may  be  called  forth. 

Two  hundred  men,  properly  officered,  (exclusive  of  the 
number  ordered  the  3d  instant,)  to  parade  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, five  o'clock,  at  the  Laboratory,  with  four  days'  provi- 
sions. They  will  receive  tools  and  directions  from  the  Chief 
Engineer. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  7,  1776. 
(Parole,  Goshen.)  (Countersign,  Hartford.) 

A  working  party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  properly 
officered,  to  go  to  King's  Bridge  to-morrow,  to  march  at 
six  o'clock  from  the  parade;  they  are  to  take  two  days' 
provisions  with  them ;  after  which  they  will  draw  out  of  the 
stores  there ;  to  take  their  arms  and  tents  with  them ;  and 
when  they  get  there,  General  Mifflin  will  give  them  orders. 

As  the  enemy  may  make  an  attack  early  in  the  morning, 
when  there  may  not  be  time  for  the  soldiers  to  fill  their 
canteens,  the  General  directs  that  they  be  filled  every  even- 
ing ;  the  officers  to  take  care  that  it  is  not  neglected,  as  it 
is  a  matter  of  much  consequence  at  this  season. 

James  Johnson,  a  soldier  in  Captain  Hide's  Company, 
and  Colonel  WyUy's  Regiment,  tried  at  a  General  Court- 
Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Reed  is  President,  for  "  desertion," 
is  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  be  whipped  thirty-nine 
lashes  on  his  naked  back.  Sergeant  George  Douglas,  John 
Davis,  John  Cooper,  Robert  Samjer,  and  George  Clarkson, 
all  of  Captain  Van  Wyck's  Company,  Colonel  McDougall's 
Regiment,  tried  at  the  same  court-martial  for  "  mutiny  and 
sedition."  Sergeant  George  Douglass  is  acquitted;  the 
others  severally  found  guilty,  and  sentenced,  Davis  to  be 
whipped  thirty-nine  lashes;  Cooper  thirty  lashes ;  Satvyer 
and  Clarkson  to  be  whipped  each  twenty  lashes,  on  their 
bare  backs  for  said  offence.  The  General  approves  of  the 
foregoing  sentences,  and  orders  them  put  in  execution  at  the 
usual  time  and  place. 

Some  persons  having  barbarously  wounded  and  maimed 
some  cattle  belonging  to  Leonard  Lispenard,  Esq.,  on  Fri- 
day last,  the  General  hopes  no  soldier  in  the  Army  is  con- 
cerned in  so  base  and  scandalous  an  action ;  but  if  it  should 
appear  otherwise,  such  person  may  depend  on  the  severest 
punishment.  Any  person  who  can  give  any  information  in 
the  matter  will  be  well  rewarded. 


(Parole,  Johnston.) 


Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  8, 1776. 

(Countersign,  Lebanon.) 


The  new  levies  from  Connecticut  and  New-Jersey  daily 
arriving,  a  report  is  to  be  made  every  day  to  the  General 
of  the  number  arriving,  by  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each 
corps,  in  order  that  proper  arrangements  may  be  made. 

All  officers  are  required  to  be  careful  that  their  men  are 
acquainted  with  orders,  that  they  may  not  plead  ignorance. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  9,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Norfolk.) 


(Parole,  Manchester.) 

John  Evans,  of  Captain  Ledyard's  Company,  Colonel 
McDougaWs  Regiment.  Hopkins  Rice,  of  Captain  Pierce'* 
Company,  Colonel  Ritzema's  Regiment,  having  been  tried 
by  a  General  Court-Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Reed  was  Pre- 
sident, and  found  guilty  of  "  desertion,"  were  sentenced  to 
receive  each  thirty-nine  lashes.  The  General  approves  the 
sentence,  and  orders  them  to  be  executed  at  the  usual  time 
and  place. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  15 


Passes  to  go  from  the  city  are  hereafter  to  be  granted  by 
John  Berrien,  Henry  Wilmot,  and  John  Ray,  Jun.,  a  com- 
mittee of  the  city  appointed  for  that  purpose.  Officers  of 
the  guards  at  the  ferries  and  wharves  to  be  careful  in  making 
this  regulation  known  to  the  sentries,  who  are  to  see  that 
the  passes  are  signed  by  one  of  the  above  persons,  and  to 
be  careful  no  soldier  goes  over  the  ferry  without  a  pass  from 
a  General  Officer.  The  North  River  guard  to  be  removed 
to  the  market-house,  near  the  ferry  stairs,  as  soon  as  it  is 
fitted  up. 

The  honourable  Continental  Congress  having  been  pleased 
to  allow  a  Chaplain  to  each  Regiment,  with  the  pay  of  thirty- 
three  dollars  and  one-third  per  month,  the  Colonels  or  Com- 
manding Officers  of  each  Regiment  are  directed  to  procure 
Chaplains  accordingly;  persons  of  good  character  and  ex- 
emplary lives ;  to  see  that  all  inferior  officers  and  soldiers 
pay  them  a  suitable  respect,  and  attend  carefully  upon  reli- 
gious exercises.  The  blessing  and  protection  of  Heaven 
are  at  all  times  necessary,  but  especially  so  in  times  of  publick 
distress  and  danger.  The  General  hopes  and  trusts  that 
every  officer  and  man  will  endeavour  so  to  live  and  act  as 
becomes  a  Christian  soldier  defending  the  dearest  rights  and 
liberties  of  his  country. 

The  honourable  the  Continental  Congress,  impelled  by  the 
dictates  of  duty,  policy,  and  necessity,  having  been  pleased 
to  dissolve  the  Connexion  which  subsisted  between  this  coun- 
try and  Great  Britain,  and  to  declare  the  United  Colonies 
of  North-America  free  and  independent  States,  the  several 
Brigades  are  to  be  drawn  up  this  evening  on  their  respective 
parades,  at  six  o'clock,  when  the  Declaration  of  Congress, 
showing  the  grounds  and  reasons  of  this  measure,  is  to  be 
read  with  an  audible  voice.  The  General  hopes  this  im- 
portant event  will  serve  as  a  fresh  incentive  to  every  officer 
and  soldier  to  act  with  fidelity  and  courage,  as  knowing  that 
now  the  peace  and  safety  of  his  country  depends  (under 
God)  solely  on  the  success  of  our  arms,  and  that  he  is  now 
in  the  service  of  a  State  possessed  of  sufficient  power  to 
reward  his  merit,  and  advance  him  to  the  highest  honours 
of  a  free  country. 

The  Brigade  Majors  are  to  receive,  at  the  Adjutant- 
General's  office,  several  of  the  Declarations,  to  be  delivered 
to  the  Brigadier-Generals  and  the  Colonels  of  Regiments. 

The  Brigade  Majors  are  to  be  excused  from  further 
attendance  at  Head-Quarters,  except  to  receive  the  orders 
of  the  day,  that  their  time  and  attention  may  be  withdrawn 
as  little  as  possible  from  the  duties  of  their  respective  Bri- 
gades. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  10,  1776. 
(Parole,  O»iien.)  (Countersign,  Philadelphia.) 

A  working  party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  properly 
officered,  to  parade  to-morrow  morning,  with  their  arms, 
near  the  Laboratory,  at  six  o'clock.  To  take  three  days' 
provisions.  The  Commanding  Officer  to  come  to  Head- 
Quarters  for  his  orders.  The  Quartermaster-General  to 
provide  tents. 

General  Heath's  Brigade,  instead  of  repairing  to  their 
alarm  posts  to-morrow  morning,  to  hold  themselves  in  readi- 
ness to  march.  They  will  receive  their  orders  from  the 
Brigadier-General  on  the  parade,  at  four  o'clock.  The 
Brigadier  will  attend  at  Head-Quarters,  this  afternoon,  for 
the  orders. 

John  Butler,  of  Captain  Bridgham's  Company,  Colonel 
Bailey's  Regiment,  having  been  tried  by  a  General  Court- 
Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Reed  was  President,  is  found  guilty 
of  "desertion,"  and  sentenced  to  receive  thirty  lashes.  The 
General  confirms  the  sentence,  and  orders  it  to  be  executed 
at  the  usual  time  and  place. 

Though  the  General  doubts  not  the  persons  who  pulled 
down  and  mutilated  the  Statue  in  the  Broadway  last  night, 
were  actuated  by  zeal  in  the  publick  cause,  yet  it  has  so 
much  the  appearance  of  riot  and  want  of  order  in  the  Army, 
that  he  disapproves  the  manner,  and  directs  that  in  future 
these  things  shall  be  avoided  by  the  soldiery,  and  left  to  be 
executed  by  proper  authority. 

After  orders. — Colonel  Drake,  who  was  ordered  in  the 
orders  of  yesterday  for  picket  this  day,  being  unable  to 
mount,  Colonel  Bailey  is  to  mount  picket  this  day  in  his 
stead.  Likewise,  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stoutenburgh  is 
sick,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sheppard  is  to  succeed  in  his  place 
to-morrow. 


227 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  JULY,  1776. 


228 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  11,  1776. 
(Parole,  Qi«6«-*.)  (Countersign,  Roxkorougli.) 

General  Spencer's  Brigade,  instead  of  repairing  to  their 
alarm  post,  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  to- 
morrow morning,  at  four  o'clock.  The  Brigadier-General 
will  attend  at  Head-Quarters  this  evening  for  orders,  which 
he  will  deliver  on  the  parade  to-morrow  morning  to  the 
Brigade. 

As  the  weather  is  very  warm,  there  will  be  the  greatest 
danger  of  the  Troops  growing  unhealthy,  unless  both  Officers 
and  men  are  attentive  to  cleanliness  in  their  persons  and 
quarters.  The  Officers  are  required  to  visit  the  men  fre- 
quently in  their  quarters,  to  impress  on  them  the  necessity 
of  frequently  changing  their  linen,  cleaning  their  persons, 
and,  wherever  it  can  be  avoided,  not  to  cook  their  victuals 
in  the  same  room  where  they  sleep.  If  any  of  the  Officers 
apprehend  themselves  crowded  in  their  quarters,  they  are 
to  represent  it  to  the  Barrack-Master,  who  is  ordered  to 
accommodate  them  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  most  con- 
ducive to  health  and  convenience.  The  good  of  the  service, 
the  comfort  of  the  men,  and  the  merit  of  the  Officers,  will 
be  so  much  advanced,  by  keeping  the  Troops  as  neat  and 
clean  as  possible,  that  the  General  hopes  that  there  will  be 
an  emulation  upon  this  head;  and  as  a  scrutiny  will  soon 
be  made,  those  who  shall  be  found  negligent  will  be  pun- 
ished, and  the  deserving  rewarded. 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  12, 1776. 
(Parole,  Somerset.)  (Countersign,  Tuntridge.) 

Thomas  Blunfidd,  of  Captain  Barrow's  Company, 
Colonel  Parsons's  Regiment,  tried  by  a  General  Court- 
Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Reed  was  President,  was  found 
guilty  of  "desertion,"  and  sentenced  to  receive  thirty-nine 
lashes.  The  General  approves  the  sentence,  and  orders  it 
to  be  executed  at  the  usual  time  and  place. 

Lord  Stirling's  Brigade  to  be  on  the  parade  at  four 
o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  with  their  arms  and  accoutre- 
ments, ready  to  march.  They  will  receive  their  orders  from 
their  Brigadier  at  the  parade. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON. 
Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  12, 1776. 

SIR  :  Two  ships  of  force,  with  their  tenders,  have  sailed 
up  Hudson's  River.  I  am  apprehensive  that  they  design  to 
seize  the  passes  in  the  Highlands  by  land,  which,  I  am 
informed,  may  be  done  by  a  small  body  of  men.  I  must 
therefore  request  you  instantly  to  desire  General  Ten  Broeck 
to  march  down  as  great  a  force  as  he  can  collect  to  secure 
them,  particularly  the  post  where  the  road  runs  over  An- 
thony's Nose. 

Send  off  an  express  directly,  if  you  please,  to  the  west 
parts  of  Connecticut,  desiring  them  to  collect  all  their  force 
at  the  same  point,  since  I  have  the  highest  reason  to  believe 
it  will  be  absolutely  necessary,  if  it  was  only  to  prevent  an 
insurrection  of  your  own  Tories. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Brigadier-General  George  Clinton,  New-Windsor. 

P.  S.  A  return  must  be  immediately  made  to  me  of  the 
number  of  men  you  collect. 


EBENEZER-HAZARD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

New-York,  July  12,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  In  my  last  I  told  you  of  the  arrival  of  the 
fleet  from  Halifax,  under  General  Howe.  The  troops 
under  his  command  are  about  eight  thousand  in  number, 
and  have  taken  possession  of  Statcn-Island,  which  has  been 
peaceable  hitherto,  but  very  probably  will  not  be  so  long, 
for  I  believe  it  is  in  contemplation  to  attack  them  before  an 
expected  reinforcement  under  Lord  Howe  arrives.  No  at- 
tempt has  been  made  on  this  city  or  the  adjacent  country 
yet.  Imagine  General  Howe  will  do  nothing  before  he  is 
reinforced.  Desertions  are  frequent  among  them:  almost 
every  night  some  men  make  their  escape.  I  do  not  learn 
that  they  bring  any  material  intelligence. 

Enclosed  is  the  Congress's  Declaration  of  Independence. 
It  has  been  proclaimed  in  the  State-House  at  Philadelphia, 
and  in  the  Army  here,  and  received,  as  might  naturally  be 


expected,  with  great  joy.  The  King  of  England's  Arms 
have  been  burned  in  Philadelphia,  and  his  statue  here  has 
been  pulled  down  to  make  musket  ball  of,  so  that  his  troops 
will  probably  have  melted  Majesty  fired  at  "them. 

Our  Convention  now  sitting  at  White-Plains  have  entered 
fully  into  the  spirit  of  Independency,  and  have  ordered  it  to 
be  proclaimed  by  the  Chairman  of  every  Committee  in  the 
Colony  within  their  respective  districts. 

No  news  from  Boston  lately ;  only  Gordon  writes  that 
the  Assembly  are  going  to  make  thorough  work  among  the 
Tories ;  and  that  a  servant  maid  of  Colonel  Irwin's  has  re- 
turned from  Halifax  with  a  number  of  letters  for  Tories  in 
and  about  Boston,  which,  instead  of  delivering  them  as 
directed,  she  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Committee.  The 
contents  of  them  have  not  yet  transpired,  but  it  is  expected 
they  contain  useful  information.  I  have  not  had  the  plea- 
sure of  a  letter  from  you  yet.  Have  only  time  to  add,  that 

1  am  y°urs'  EBENEZER  HAZARD. 

To  General  Gates. 

NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  18,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  White-Plains,  July  12, 1776.      \ 

SIR:  Nothing  but  regard  to  their  duty  could  induce  the 
Convention  of  New-  York  again  to  call  your  attention  to  a 
subject  so  disagreeable  as  complaints  against  the  arrangement 
of  the  Canada  Regiment  formed  by  your  honourable'House. 
They  this  day  received  certain  papers  relative  to  that  busi- 
ness from  a  number  of  officers,  who  think  themselves  deeply 
affected  by  it,  of  which  papers  the  enclosed  are  copies. 
From  thence  it  appears  that,  besides  other  appointments  out 
of  the  line  of  rank,  three  Sergeants,  a  Corporal,  and  a  Lieu- 
tenant Fireworker  have  been  raised  over  the  heads  of  com- 
missioned officers. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  the  Congress  and  your  most 
obedient  servant. 

By  order:  NATHANIEL  WOODHULL,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Continental  Congress. 

New-York,  July  8,  1776. 

We,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  resign  the  appointments  we 
held  in  the  regiment  lately  ordered  to  be  raised  and  com- 
manded by  Lewis Dulois,  Esq.,  for  the  following  reasons : 

First:  We  have  been  ungenerously  superseded,  which  the 
old  arrangement  of  officers  made  by  the  Provincial  Congress 
will  fully  evince ;  for  we  assert  that  the  youngest  Lieutenant 
in  the  Third  Regiment,  to  which  Mr.  Dubois  belonged,  is 
appointed  a  Captain  over  the  heads  of  the  First  Lieutenants 
of  the  First  and  other  regiments ;  likewise  that  Sergeants 
and  Corporals,  who  went  out  in  said  Third  Regiment,  have 
superseded  officers  who  bore  commissions  in  the  last  cam- 

AARON  AERSON,  Lieutenant. 
JONATHAN  PEASE,  Lieutenant. 
RICHARD  PLATT,  Lieutenant. 
DANIEL  GANO,  Lieutenant. 
GARRET  H.  VAN  WAGENER. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress. 

White-Plains,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Whereas  we  have  had  the  honour  to  serve 
in  the  Continental  Army  by  your  appointment  last  year,  we 
beg  leave  to  mention  to  you  a  state  of  facts  which  we  esteem 
as  real  grievances,  and  look  up  to  you  for  direction  or  re- 
dress. 

When  first  the  dire  alarm  of  war  was  sounded  in  our  land, 
we  willingly  stepped  forth  and  offered  our  services  to  our 
bleeding  country,  and  were  much  pleased  with  the  appoint- 
ments which  you  honoured  us  with.  Urged  on  by  the  same 
motives  which  first  induced  us  to  engage,  we  endured  all  the 
hardships  of  a  most  severe  campaign,  with  a  pleasing  forti- 
tude, not  doubting  but  whilst  we  were  doing  our  duty  we 
should  meet  with  the  applause  of  our  country;  that  an  equal 
distribution  of  honour  would  have  been  conferred  on  those 
who  had  not  merited  the  reverse.  But  this  has  not  been  the 
case;  a  few  have  been  promoted  to  high  rank,  while  others, 
of  equal  standing  and  merit,  are  superseded  or  entirely 
neglected.  Among  the  many  instances  of  this  procedure 


229 


CORRESPONDENCE^  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


230 


that  might  be  given,  the  most  recent  is  the  late  arrangement 
of  the  officers  of  a  regiment  to  be  commanded  by  Lewis 
Dubois,  Esquire,  the  injustice  of  which  we  hope  will  fully 
appear  to  your  honourable  House,  if  you  will  please  to 
look  over  the  copy  of  the  arrangement  itself,  which  we  take 
the  liberty  of  enclosing  to  you. 

We  humbly  desire  you.  gentlemen,  to  take  this  matter 
into  consideration ;  and  are,  with  due  respect,  (in  behalf  of 
the  disbanded  officers  that  served  in  Canada,)  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  humble  servants, 

SAMUEL  SACKET, 
AARON  AERSON, 
RICHARD  PLATT. 

To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 


A.  list  of  the  Officers  who  served  the  late  campaign  in 
CANADA,  with  their  proper  rank  according  to  the  first 
arrangement. 

Captains. 


Marinus  Willet, 
William  Goforth, 
Lewis  Dubois,  - 
Jacobus  Bruyn, 
David  Palmer, 


second,  in  First  Regiment, 
fourth,   in  First  Regiment, 
fourth,    in  Third  Regiment, 
seventh,  in  Third  Regiment, 
tenth,     in  Tenth  Regiment. 


First  Lieutenants. 

William  Gilleylen,  -     -  -  second,  in 

David  Dubois,  -     -     -  -  second,  in 

Samuel  Sachet,  -     -     -  .  second,  in 

Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  -  fourth,   in 

Aaron  Aerson,  -     -     -  -  fifth,       in 

Samuel  Pell,     -     -     -  -  fifth,       in 

Thomas  De  Witt,   -     -  -  seventh, in 

Jonathan  Pearse,   -     -  -  eighth,  in 

Cornelius  T.  Jansen,  -  -  ninth,     in 

Matthias  Clarke,   -     -  -  tenth,    in 

Second  Lieutenants. 
in 


First  Regiment. 
Third  Regiment. 
Fourth  Regiment. 
Third  Regiment. 
First  Regiment. 
Fourth  Regiment. 
Third  Regiment. 
First  Regiment. 
Third  Regiment. 
First  Regiment. 


Richard  Platt,  -     -     .     -     first, 

James  Grey,  -  -  -  -  second,  in 
John  Houston,  «.-»'»  fifth,  in 
Isaac  Van  fVert,  -  .  -  fifth,  in 
Daniel  Gano,  -  -  -  -  sixth,  in 
Albert  Paulding,  -  -  -  seventh,  in 
Garret  Van  Wagener,  -  eighth,  in 
Philip  D.  Bevier,  -  -  -  tenth,  in 
William  Mathewman,  -  -  tenth,  in 
James  Dow,  appointed  at  St.  John's. 

Isaiah  Wool,  Lieutenant,  fire-worker 
company  of  Artillery. 

LEWIS  DUBOIS,  Esquire's,  Arrangement. 

Field-Officers. 
Lewis  Dubois,     ------     Colonel. 

Jacobus  Bruyn, Lieutenant-Colonel. 

William  Goforth,      -----     Major,  (resigned.) 

Captains. 


First  Regiment. 
Third  Regiment. 
First  Regiment. 

O 

Fourth  Regiment. 
First  Regiment. 
Third  Regiment. 
First  Regiment. 
Third  Regiment. 
Fourth  Regiment. 

in  Captain  Lamb's 


David  Dubois,  -     -  - 
Elias  Van  Benschoten, 

Thomas  De  Witt,    -  - 

Isaiah  Wool,      -     -  - 

Philip  D.  Bevier,  -  ~ 

Richard  Platt,  -     -  - 

Albert  Paulding,    -  - 

Cornelius  T.  Jansen,  - 


-  First  Captain. 

-  Second  Captain. 

-  Third  Captain. 

-  Fourth  Captain. 

-  Fifth  Captain. 

-  Sixth  Captain. 

-  Seventh  Captain. 

-  Eighth  Captain. 


First  Lieutenants. 


James  Gregg,    -     -  - 

Aaron  Aerson,  -     -  - 

Jonathan  Pearse,    -  - 

Evans  Wherry,  -     -  - 

Garret  Van  Wagener,  - 

Henry  Vandenburgh,  - 
Nathaniel  Conklin, 

Henry  Dodge,  -     -  - 


-  first. 

second,  resigned. 

-  third,  resigned. 

-  fourth,  Sergeant  in  3d  Regt. 

-  fifth,  resigned. 

-  sixth,  Corporal  in  3d  Regt. 
seventh.  Sergeant  in  3d  Regt. 

-  eighth,  Sergeant  in  3d  Regt. 


General  MONTGOMERY'S  arrangement. 
Lewis  Dubois*  appointed  Major,  November  25,  1775 
Jacobus  Bruyn*  appointed  First  Captain,  Nov.  25,  1775. 
David  Dubois*  appointed  Captain,  November  25,  1775. 
Elias  Van  Bunschoten* appointed  Captain,  Nov.  25,  1775. 
Thomas  De  Witt*  appointedCaptain,  November  25,'  1115. 
Samuel'  Sackett,  appointed  Captain,  November  25J  1775* 

Fourth  Regiment. 
Isaiah  Wool,  of  Captain  Lamb's  Company  of  Artillery-, 

appointed  Captain-Lieutenant  therein,  Nov.  25,  1775. 

A  list  of  the  Officers  of  Colonel  DUBOIS'S  Regiment,  who 

served  last  campaign  in  CANADA. 
Captain  Elias  Van  Bunschoten,  Lieut.  Henry  Dodge, 
Captain  Thomas  De  Witt,         Lieut.  Henry  Vandenburgh, 
Captain  Cornelius  T.  Jansen,  Lieut.  Nathaniel  Conklin, 
Captain  James  Gregg,^  Lieut.  Evans  Wherry, 

Captain  Albert  Paulding,         Ensign  Samuel  English, 
Captain  Charles  Graham.         Henry  Dubois,  Adjutant. 

John  Coats,  Surgeon. 

List  of  Colonel  DUBOIS'S  Officers  who  did  not  serve  in  CAN- 
ADA, but  served  in  his  Regiment  during  this  Campaign. 

Lieutenant  Thomas  Brinkley, 

Lieutenant  John  Farman, 

Lieutenant  John  Bennet. 


Second  Lieutenants. 
Daniel  Gano,    -     -    -     -     first,  resigned. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  AT  NEW-YORK  TO 
HIS  FATHER  IN  SALEM,  MASSACHCSF.TTS,  DATED  NEW- 
YORK,  JULY  12,  1776. 

The  enemy  are  now  in  the  harbour,  although  they  have 
not  yet  ventured  themselves  within  gunshot  of  the  city; 
but  we  hourly  expect  to  be  called  to  action.  The  whole 
Army  is  out  between  two  and  three  every  morning  at  their 
respective  alarm-posts,  and  remain  there  until  sunrise.  This 
was  something  irksome  to  me  at  first,  but  is  now  very  fami- 
liar and  agreeable.  I  am  morally  certain  that  it  will  not  be 
long  before  we  have  an  engagement.  God  Almighty,  of 
His  grace,  grant  us  courage  and  wisdom,  and  smile  on  our 
arms,  that  we  may  play  the  men  valiantly  for  our  God  and 
the  cities  of  our  God.  This  campaign,  if  in  our  favour,  I 
expect  will  prove  decisive;  hope  there  will  be  no  effort 
wanting  on  our  side  to  effect  it.  May  we  all  be  fired  with 
a  noble  ardour  and  Godlike  resolution,  rather  to  die  than 
submit;  take  for  our  motto,  Liberty  or  Death,  remembering 
that  it  is  truly  honourable  to  die  for  our  country,  and  far 
better  to  die  freemen  than  to  live  slaves.  I  make  no  doubt, 
considering  the  great,  good  cause  we  are  fighting  for,  and  the 
necessary  preparations  that  are  made,  that,  with  the  smiles  of 
Heaven,  we  shall  behave  with  becoming  fortitude  and  con- 
duct, and  be  enabled  to  vanquish  those  instruments  of  British 
tyranny  and  oppression,  the  enemies  of  God  and  mankind. 

I  most  heartily  congratulate  you  on  the  Declaration  of 
Independence — a  Declaration  which  happily  dissolves  our 
connexions  with  a  Kingdom  where  the  name  of  a  King  is 
synonymous  to  that  of  tyrant,  and  the  name  of  subject  to 
that  of  slavery.  Our  trade  is  courted  by  all  nations,  who 
would  gladly  enter  into  alliance  with  us  for  the  sake  of  it ; 
but  in  that  respect  we  may  do  as  we  please,  for  our  internal 
resources  are  great,  and  will,  in  a  short  time,  be  sufficient  to 
supply  our  necessity;  and  what  success  may  we  not  hope  for 
and  expect,  under  God,  from  the  united  efforts  of  this  vast 
extended  Continent. 

July  14. — Just  as  I  had  finished  the  foregoing,  we  were 
alarmed  by  some  of  the  men-of-war  getting  under  sail  and 
making  for  the  city.  We  immediately  repaired  to  our  alarm- 
posts,  which  are  at  such  a  distance  from  the  river  that  we 
had  not  a  chance  to  fire  a  gun,  but  had  a  beautiful  pros- 
pect of  the  whole  engagement.  We  saw  them  pass  by 
ten  of  our  batteries.  They  all  kept  an  incessant  fire  upon 
them  until  out  of  reach,  but  had  not  so  much  success  as  I 
could  wish,  though  they  were  all  hulled  several  times,  and 
much  damaged  in  their  rigging;  but  wind  and  tide  being  in 
their  favour,  and  a  very  brisk  breeze,  they  soon  got  by. 
They  poured  their  broadsides  upon  our  batteries  and  the 
town  as  fast  as  possible,  but  without  doing  any  damage. 
They  kept  their  way  up  the  river  until  they  came  near 
King's  Bridge;  and  not  knowing  there  was  any  battery  there, 
they  dropped  anchor  near  the  shore,  when  our  people  opened 
*  Officers  of  Third  Regiment  of  New-  Yorkers  that  were  first  promoted. 


231 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


232 


a  battery  of  four  twelve-pounders,  six  six-pounders,  and  two 
three-pounders,  which  did  great  execution.  They  weighed 
anchor  with  all  possible  expedition,  and  proceeded  farther 
up  the  river,  where  they  lie  peaceably  at  present.  Their 
rigging  and  hulls  were  very  much  damaged,  so  that  they  are 
obliged  to  keep  continually  pumping.  One  of  the  tenders 
was  so  much  damaged,  that  the  people  all  went  on  board 
of  the  large  ships,  and  took  her  in  tow;  and  by  deserters 
from  the  Pfuenix,  of  forty-four  guns,  the  largest  ship  that 
went  by,  it  appears  that  they  lost,  from  that  ship  alone, 
twenty-four  men  killed  and  thirteen  wounded,  and  that  she 
had  sprung  a  leak  which  they  could  not  discover,  that  kept 
them  continually  pumping.  We  lost  six  men  killed,  and 
three  or  four  wounded,  by  notspunging  a  gun.  Mr.  Conant, 
the  bearer  of  this,  is  one  of  the  wounded,  who  behaved  with 
courage  and  activity.  I  expect  we  shall,  in  a  few  days, 
prevent  those  ships  from  returning,  and  any  more  getting  to 
them.  Which  concludes  me,  after  proper  respect  to  all 
friends,  your  dutiful  son. 

New-York,  Monday,  July  15,  1776. 

Last  Friday  morning,  it  was  reported  in  town  that  Lord 
Howe  was  arrived  at  Sandy-Hook,  with  a  large  fleet  from 
England.  Between  one  and  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  two  ships 
hove  in  sight,  and  joined  the  fleet  at  the  Watering-Place. 
About  an  hour  after,  a  ship,  supposed  to  be  the  Phoenix,  of 
forty-four  guns,  a  frigate  of  twenty-eight,  and  three  tenders, 
got  under  way  at  Staten-Jsland,  and  stood  up  for  this  city. 
The  Army  soon  took  the  alarm,  and  in  a  few  minutes  every 
man  was  at  his  station,  well  provided  with  all  necessaries  for 
a  vigorous  defence ;  but  as  soon  as  the  ships  came  near 
Bedloio's  Island,  they  inclined  towards  the  Jersey  shore,  to 
avoid  our  batteries,  that  then  began  to  play  upon  them  from 
every  quarter,  on  both  sides  of  the  river;  and,  notwithstand- 
ing they  must  have  received  considerable  damage,  they  stood 
their  course  up  Hudson's  River,  firing  several  broadsides  as 
they  went  along,  without  either  killing  or  wounding  any  of 
our  people,  who,  on  the  occasion,  behaved  with  uncommon 
bravery.  A  strong  southerly  wind,  and  the  tide  of  flood, 
facilitated  the  ships  getting  above  the  batteries  near  the 
town ;  but  we  hear  they  were  roughly  handled  about  twelve 
miles  up  the  river,  from  whence  they  have  not  yet  attempted 
to  return,  but  we  hear  laid  at  Tarrytoivn,  about  thirty 
miles  up  the  river,  on  Saturday  evening. 

Several  shot  went  through  different  houses  in  the  town  ; 
two  into  the  house  of  Mr.  Verdice  Elsworth,  at  Paulus- 
Hook;  three  into  Captain  Clarke's  house,  at  Greenwich — 
one  of  them  went  through  the  front,  and  lodged  in  a  brick 
wall,  at  the  head  of  Miss  Clarke's  bed,  in  her  chamber;  a 
second  went  through  the  house,  and  the  third  destroyed 
several  trees  before  the  door,  and  took  its  course  into  the 
woods.  A  ball  also  struck  the  house  of  Mr.  Daniel  Phoe- 
nix, and  from  that  took  its  course  to  the  new  dwelling  of  Mr. 
Christopher  Smith,  in  the  opposite  side  of  the  street.  Soon 
after  these  ships  passed  the  town,  a  great  number  of  salutation 
guns  were  heard  in  the  fleet  below,  which,  we  are  since  told, 
was  on  the  arrival  of  Lord  Howe,  with  a  few  more  ships. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  a  barge,  from  the  fleet  appeared  in 
our  bay,  with  a  white  flag,  which  was  there  met  by  the 
General's  barge,  with  several  gentlemen  of  the  Army  on 
board.  The  flag  was  sent  by  Lord  Howe,  with  a  letter  to 
his  Excellency  General  Washington;  but  as  the  letter  was 
improperly  directed,  it  was  not  received. 

Lord  Howe  came  over  possessed  of  unlimited  power,  and 
was  much  concerned  he  had  not  arrived  a  few  days  sooner, 
which  would  have  effected  a  reconciliation,  &c.  However, 
it  seems  his  unlimited  power  did  not  extend  to  the  neces- 
sary preliminaries  of  a  negotiation — an  acknowledgment  of 
the  right  of  the  persons,  to  whom  he  came,  to  treat  with 
him.  Indeed,  the  idea  of  coming  over  to  propose  a  plan  of 
reconciliation  is,  in  every  view,  absurd  and  ridiculous.  For, 
as  the  Colonies  never  invaded  the  rights  of  Britain,  and 
only  defended  their  own,  there  was  no  occasion  at  all  for 
negotiation.  The  moment  Great  Britain  receded  from  her 
unjust  claims,  the  war  was  at  an  end.  The  very  proposi- 
tion, therefore,  of  a  negotiation  was  a  proof  that  Great 
Britain  persisted  in  her  encroachments  on  the  rights  of  the 
Colonies,  and  was  in  itself  an  act  of  a  hostile  nature. 

On  Tuesday,  another  flag  from  the  fleet  appeared,  and 
was  met  as  before,  when  a  letter  was  again  offered,  but,  for 
the  same  reason  as  the  former,  rejected. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  July  12,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  just  returned  from  Crown-Point,  to 
which  place  I  accompanied  General  Gates.  On  our  way 
to  that  place  we  stopped  at  Ticondcroga,  and  left  Colonel 
Trumbull  to  take  a  view  of  the  grounds  opposite  to  it,  and 
on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Champlain.  In  the  evening  of  the 
5th  we  arrived  at  Croivn-Point,  and  on  the  6th  Colonel 
TrumlruH  arrived,  who  made  so  favourable  a  report  of  the 
ground  he  had  been  to  view,  that,  in  a  Council  of  all  the 
General  Officers,  held  on  the  7th,  it  was  unanimously  re- 
solved to  take  post  there,  as  your  Excellency  will  see  by 
the  enclosed  paper,  (No.  1.)  On  the  8th  we  returned  to 
Ticonderoga,  and  on  the  9th  we  went  over  the  ground  for 
the  intended  post  on  the  east  side,  which  we  found  so 
remarkably  strong  as  to  require  little  labour  to  make  it  ten- 
able against  a  vast  superiority  of  force,  and  fully  to  answer 
the  purpose  of  preventing  the  enemy  from  penetrating  into 
the  country  to  the  south  of  it.  On  the  evening  of  the  same 
day,  I  received  a  remonstrance  by  the  hands  of  General 
Sullivan,  copy  whereof,  (No.  2,)  with  copy  of  my  answer, 
(No.  3,)  I  also  enclose. 

The  most  descriptive  pen  cannot  describe  the  condition 
of  our  Army:  sickness,  disorder,  and  discord,  reign  triumph- 
ant— the  latter  occasioned  by  an  illiberal  and  destructive 
jealousy,  which  unhappily  subsists  between  the  troops  raised 
in  different  Colonies. 

General  Sullivan  is  on  his  way  down,  the  occasion  of  it 
your  Excellency  will  see  in  his  letter  to  me,  copy  of  which 
(No.  4)  is  enclosed,  together  with  copy  of  my  answer,  (No. 
5 ;)  the  former  General  Gates  saw  soon  after  I  received  it, 
and  the  latter  (of  which  he  approved)  before  it  was  sent. 

By  the  advice  of  the  General  Officers,  I  have  ordered  all 
the  sick  to  Fort  George.  Two  houses,  capable  of  contain- 
ing about  three  hundred  and  fifty,  are  ready  for  their  recep- 
tion, and  a  sufficient  quantity  of  boards  is  collected,  under 
which  to  shelter  the  remainder  comfortably  until  hospitals 
can  be  erected.  . 

The  waste  that  has  been  made  of  provision  is  incredible. 
Flour  we  have  in  plenty ;  but  of  pork  not  more  than  six 
hundred  barrels,  and  fresh  beef  extremely  difficult  to  be  pro- 
cured. I  hope  the  Commissary-General  will  send  up  pork. 

Intrenching  tools  of  every  kind  are  wanted  ;  no  one  can 
tell  what  is  become  of  them,  nor  can  we  find  above  fifty  of 
the  vast  number  of  axes  that  have  been  sent  up.  I  expect- 
ed to  find  a  scarcity  of  both,  and  before  I  left  this  gave 
orders  for  collecting  all  that  could  be  got.  In  procuring  the 
former,  we  have  had  no  success ;  of  the  latter,  something 
better  than  three  hundred  are  to  be  forwarded  to-morrow. 
Perhaps  the  scarcity  of  intrenching  tools  at  New-  York  no 
longer  subsists ;  if  so,  be  pleased  to  order  all  that  can  be 
spared.  Axes  I  am  in  hopes  to  procure. 

Your  Excellency  will  please  to  press  Congress  for  their 
pleasure  on  the  resolution  (No.  6)  for  raising  six  companies 
to  guard  the  frontiers,  which  we  conceived  could  be  much 
better  done  by  the  inhabitants  themselves  than  by  others. 
None  of  the  Militia  from  the  eastern  Colonies  are  yet  arrived  ; 
they  are  extremely  apprehensive  of  being  infected  with  the 
small-pox,  and  not  without  reason,  as  it  proves  fatal  to  many 
of  them. 

The  excessive  high  price  which  the  troops  are  to  pay  for 
the  clothing  bought  for  them  will  give  great  disgust,  and  be 
attended  with  the  most  disagreeable  consequences.  I  wish 
Congress  could  see  fit  to  order  an  abatement  on  the  first  cost 
so  considerable  as  that  the  soldiers  might  see  the  attention 
paid  them. 

I  am  informed  that  there  is  a  resolution  of  Congress  that  no 
officer  should  hold  double  commissions.  There  are  several 
such  appointed  in  Canada  by  the  Generals  that  commanded 
there.  I  have  made  one  here,  by  giving  my  Aid-de-Camp, 
Captain  Van  Rensselaer,  a  company  in  Van  Schaick's,  that 
became  vacant  by  the  death  of  Captain  Mills.  _  If  such  a 
resolution  exists,  I  wish  to  know  it,  with  your  orders  for  my 
conduct  in  regard  to  those  already  appointed. 

We  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  Indians  will  be  very 
numerous  at  the  ensuing  treaty.  I  set  out  to-morrow  to 
meet  them.  We  have  had  no  intelligence  from  Canada 
since  that  contained  in  General  Sullivan's  letters,  which 
passed  me  on  my  way  to  Crown-Point. 

No  carpenters  are  yet  arrived  from  New-England.  Those 
from  Connecticut  were  to  leave  Hartford  some  day  this  week. 


233 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


234 


Please  to  order  up  the  sundry  articles  mentioned  in  the 
enclosed  list  of  naval  stores,  (No.  7.) 

Lead  is  an  article  we  stand  in  great  need  of;  if  any  can 
be  spared,  your  Excellency  will  be  so  good  as  to  order  it  to 
be  sent  up. 

July  13th.  The  lead  is  just  arrived,  but  the  anchors  and 
cables  I  fear  are  by  some  mistake  landed  at  Pougkkeeprie. 
Be  so  good  as  to  order  Mr.  Hughes  to  make  inquiry  into 

the  matter. 

*********** 

unanimously  agreed  that  I  should  write  to  the  different  Gov- 
ernments from  whence  troops  had  been  sent,  entreating  the 
Governours  and  Commanders-in-Chief  to  issue  their  procla- 
mations promising  pardon  to  all  such  as  should  return  by  a 
limited  time,  to  be  fixed  by  such  Governours,  Sic.;  and  to 
require  all  officers,  civil  and  military,  in  their  respective 
Governments,  to  apprehend  all  such  deserters  as  should  not 
comply  with  the  terms  offered,  which  I  hope  will  meet  with 
your  approbation. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  the  most  unfeigned  esteem  and  respect, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

[No.  1.] 
MINUTES  OF  A  COUNCIL  OF  WAR. 

At  a  Council  of  War  held  at  Crown-Point,  July  7th, 
1776,  the  Honourable  Major-General  Schuyler,  President; 
Honourable  Major-General  Gates,  Brigadier-General  Sulli- 
van, Brigadier-General  Arnold,  and  Brigadier-General  De 
Woedtke,  Members: 

Resolved,  That  under  our  present  circumstances  the  Post 
of  Crown-Point  is  not  tenable ;  and  that,  with  our  present 
force,  or  one  greatly  superior  to  what  we  may  reasonably 
expect,  it  is  not  capable  of  being  made  so  this  summer. 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  it  is  prudent  to  retire  immedi- 
ately to  the  strong  ground  on  the  east  side  of  the  Lake, 
opposite  to  Ticonderoga,  with  all  the  healthy  and  uninfected 
troops ;  and  that  the  sick  and  infected  with  the  small-pox 
be  removed  to  Fort  George  •  it  appearing  clearly  to  the 
Council  that  the  post  opposite  to  Ticonderoga  will  the  most 
effectually  secure  the  country,  and  removing  the  infected 
with  the  small-pox  obviate  every  objection  that  may  at 
present  retard  the  Militia  (ordered  by  Congress)  from  joining 
the  Army. 

-  Resolved,  That  the  most  effectual  measures  be  taken  to 
secure  our  superiority  on  Lake  Champlain,  by  a  naval  arma- 
ment of  gondolas,  row-galleys,  armed  batteaus,  &,c. 

Resolved,  That  one  or  more  Surveyors  be  immediately 
employed  to  trace  out  a  road  between  the  high  ground 
opposite  to  Ticonderoga  and  the  road  leading  from  Skenes- 
borough  to  the  Northern  settlements. 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER,      B.  ARNOLD, 
HORATIO  GATES,          B.  DE  WOEDTKE. 
JOHN  SULLIVAN, 

[No.  2.] 

REMONSTRANCE  OF    COLONEL  STARK   AND  OTHER  FIELD  OF- 
FICERS TO  MAJOR-GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Crown-Point,  July  8,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  We,  whose  names 
are  hereto  subscribed,  Field-Officers  of  the  several  regiments 
in  the  Continental  service  now  at  this  place,  beg  leave,  with 
the  utmost  respect,  to  acquaint  your  Excellency,  that  when 
we  have  been  heretofore  called  upon  in  a  council  of  war 
to  give  our  opinion  respecting  the  propriety  of  a  retreat  from 
Canada,  we  were  informed  by  the  then  commanding  officer 
in  chief,  that  the  positive  orders  of  the  Continental  Congress 
were,  "  to  dispute  every  inch  of  the  ground  in  Canada." 

That  order  we  have  complied  with,  so  long  as  we  or  our 
General  (in  council)  thought  would  be  most  conducive  to 
the  publick  weal.  And  at  the  last  council  of  war  to  which 
we  were  called,  it  was  almost  (if  not  quite)  unanimously 
resolved  to  retreat  to  this  place,  and  here  make  a  stand 
against  the  Ministerial  Army. 

Since  our  arrival  at  this  place  we  have  been  informed  by 
your  Excellency  that  the  honourable  Continental  Congress 
have  ordered  and  directed  the  superiority  of  the  lakes  to  be 
maintained.  Also,  that  the  Army  are  to  be  removed  to 
Ticonderoga. 


We  would  not  pretend  to  dictate  to  you,  sir,  or  to  the 
other  Generals,  what  orders  you  should  issue ;  neither  will 
we  ever  decline  obeying  them ;  but  at  the  same  time  beg 
leave  to  remonstrate  to  your  Excellency  that  the  order  for 
our  removal  to  Ticonderoga  appears  to  us  to  militate  with 
both  the  foregoing  orders  of  Congress,  in  the  spirit  (if  not  in 
the  letter;  of  them,  for  the  reasons  following,  viz : 

1st.  We  cannot  but  judge  from  our  own  observation  of 
the  ground  here,  that  we  can  maintain  it  against  any  forces 
our  enemy  can  send  against  us. 

2d.  That  this  post  appears  to  us  to  be  the  only  one 
where  we  can  maintain  a  naval  superiority  upon  the  lakes. 

3d.  That  whenever  we  quit  this  post,  we  give  our  enemy 
an  opportunity  of  taking  possession  of  it,  with  all  the  advan- 
tages already  made  by  former  works,  which  it  will  be  im- 
possible for  us  ever  to  retake  from  them  without  an  amazing 
expense  of  blood  and  treasure. 

4th.  By  admitting  the  enemy  to  get  the  possession  of 
this  place,  it  not  only  entirely  destroys  the  communication 
with  the  lower  parts  of  the  lakes,  but  opens  a  plain  and  easy 
passage  for  them  into  the  heart  of  the  four  New-England 
Governments  and  frontiers  of  New-York. 

5th.  Our  retreat  from  this  place  to  Ticonderoga  must 
occasion  the  retiring  of  hundreds  of  families  from  their  farms, 
and  quitting  their  crops  of  grain,  which  would  be  much  more 
than  sufficient  to  maintain  themselves,  and  drive  them  upon 
other  towns,  which  must  occasion  a  consumption  of  whatever 
could  4ie  spared  for  the  publick  service,  if  not  a  famine 
amongst  them. 

6th.  That  this  place  will  afford  an  asylum  for  the  savages, 
from  which  they  may  much  easier  make  excursions  upon  the 
frontier  settlements  and  secure  their  retreat. 

7th.  That  the  place  to  which  we  are  ordered  to  remove, 
has  ever  proved  extremely  unhealthy,  and  will  tend  to 
increase  the  distresses  our  Army  have  laboured  under  by 
reason  of  sickness. 

These,  sir,  are  some  of  the  many  reasons  which  we  beg 
leave  to  offer  to  your  Excellency's  consideration  why  we 
are  not  entirely  easy  with  the  determination  of  the  General 
Officers  respecting  our  removal,  and  hope  our  zeal  for  the 
publick  good,  which  induces  us  to  make  these  observations, 
will  be  a  sufficient  apology  for  this  interruption  upon  your 
publick  business,  and  that  your  Excellency  will  pay  such 
regard  hereto  as  the  importance  of  the  affair  demands. 

We  are,  with  great  esteem,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient humble  servants, 

JOHN  STARK,  Colonel,       JOTHAM  LORING, 
ENOCH  POOR,  THOMAS  POOR, 

WILLIAM  MAXWELL,         JOHN  MOOR, 
ELISHA  PORTER,  DAVID  RHEA, 

JAMES  READ,  NATHAN  FULLER, 

WILLIAM  BOND,  ABNER  MORGAN,  . 

JOSEPH  CILLEY,  CHARLES  BUHRELL, 

JOHN  McDuFFEE,  NATHAN  HALL, 

ISRAEL  SHREVE,  ISRAEL  GILMAN, 

SETH  REED,  JOHN  GREATON. 

JOSEPH  VOSE, 
To  His  Excellency  General  Schuyler. 

[No.  3.] 
Ticonderoga,  July  9,  1776,  nine  P.  M. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Your  remonstrance  of  yesterday's  date  was 
delivered  me  at  eight  o'clock  this  evening  by  General  Sulli- 
van. Previous  to  any  observations  on  it,  give  me  leave  to 
remind  you  of  a  mistake  you  have  made  in  supposing  that  I 
informed  you  that  Congress  had  directed  me  "  that  the  Army 
was  to  be  removed  to  Ticonderoga."  My  expression  was 
exactly  in  these  words:  "  That  it  be  recommended  to  Gene- 
ral Schuyler  to  form  a  strong  camp  in  the  vicinity  of  Ticon- 
deroga or  Crown-Point."  I  observed,  that  as  I  quoted  from 
memory,  and  had  not  the  resolution  with  me,  I  could  not 
repeat  the  very  words  of  it.  I  rather  wish  to  impute  your 
mistake  to  misapprehension,  than  to  any  intentional  false 
repetition  of  what  I  said,  which  I  cannot  suppose  any  gen- 
tleman can  be  guilty  of. 

The  reasons  which  induced  the  council  of  General  Offi- 
cers unanimously  to  give  their  opinion  to  remove  the  main 
body  of  the  Army  from  Crown-Point,  I  cannot  conceive 
myself  at  liberty  to  give  without  their  consent.  For  myself, 
I  declare  with  that  frankness  which  I  wish  always  to  cha- 


235 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


236 


racterize  me,  that  the  measure  seemed  not  only  prudent,  but 
indispensably  necessary,  for  a  variety  of  reasons,  against 
which  those  you  have  given  do  not,  in  my  opinion,  bear  a 
sufficient  weight  to  alter  it — some  of  which  are  evidently 
nugatory,  and  all  of  which  might  be  contrasted  with  much 
more  cogent  ones  in  support  of  the  resolution.  I  assure  you 
at  the  same  time,  that  if  I  were  convinced  of  the  impro- 
priety of  the  measure,  I  should  not  be  in  the  least  tenacious 
of  supporting  my  opinion,  but  immediately  give  way  to  con- 
viction, and  rescind  the  resolution  so  far  as  it  depended  on 
me  to  do  it. 

I  am  happy,  gentlemen,  that  you  declare  your  readiness 
to  obey  the  resolution  of  the  General  Officers,  although  it 
does  not  meet  your  approbation — a  sentiment  which  every 
good  officer  ought  not  only  to  entertain,  but  to  inculcate  on 
others,  as  a  principle  on  which  the  preservation  of  every 
army,  in  a  very  great  measure,  depends.  Such  a  sentiment 
will  always  induce  me,  and,  1  dare  say,  every  other  General 
Officer,  to  receive  with  patience  and  pleasure  the  advice  of 
his  officers,  and  act  accordingly,  where  I  or  they  are  con- 
vinced. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  pmup  ScHuyLER- 

To  Colonel  Stark  and  the  other  gentlemen  who  signed  the 
remonstrance  to  General  Schuyhr,  dated  the  9th  July. 

[No.  4.] 

Crown-Point,  July  6,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  The  command  of  the  Army  in  Canada 
having  unexpectedly  devolved  on  me,  I  with  reluctance 
accepted  the  arduous  task;  and  however  unsuccessful  I  may 
have  been  in  my  attempts,  yet  I  may  venture  to  say  that 
the  ill  success  never  happened  by  my  rashness,  imprudence, 
or  cowardice.  I  must  beg  leave  further  to  add,  that  I  am 
not  conscious,  in  any  one  instance  since  I  was  honoured  with 
a  commission  from  Congress,  that  I  have  neglected  or  re- 
fused to  do  my  duty ;  for  the  truth  of  which  I  appeal  to  the 
candour  of  those  officers  with  whom  I  have  had  the  pleasure 
to  serve.  I  readily  confess  that  I  ever  was  desirous  of  some 
officer  of  superior  rank  to  relieve  me  from  the  disagreeable 
command,  and  should  with  pleasure  have  remained  in  the 
Army  and  served  under  him ;  but  Congress  having  thought 
proper  to  supersede  me  by  appointing  General  Gates,  (who 
had  not,  by  the  rank  they  were  pleased  formerly  to  confer 
on  us,  the  same  pretensions  as  myself,)  I  can  construe  this 
in  no  other  light  but  by  supposing  Congress  was  apprehen- 
sive that  I  was  not  equal  to  the  trust  they  were  pleased  to 
repose  in  me.  If  this  be  the  case,  I  am  bound  in  justice  to 
my  country  to  relinquish  a  command  to  which  I  am  not 
equal.  If  this  was  not  the  foundation,  and  they  had  not 
such  an  opinion  of  me,  surely  my  honour  calls  upon  me  to 
leave  the  service  after  a  person  is  put  over  me  without  any 
impeachment  of  my  conduct.  I  should  not  have  the  least 
objection  to  being  commanded  by  General  Gates,  as  I  have 
no  personal  objections  to  him,  and  would  willingly  have 
served  under  him,  had  he  in  the  first  instance  held  a  com- 
mission superior  to  the  one  Congress  was  pleased  to  honour 
me  with.  But  this  not  being  the  case,  and  the  procedure 
so  strong  an  implication  against  my  conduct  or  abilities,  I 
must  beg  leave  to  quit  this  department,  with  my  family  and 
baggage,  as  I  cannot  with  honour  act  in  future,  and  shall,  as 
soon  as  possible,  repair  to  Congress,  and  petition  for  leave  to 
resign  my  commission. 

This  indulgence,  dear  General,  shall  ever  be  acknow- 
ledged by  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  SULLIVAN. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Schuyler. 

[No.  5.] 

Crown-Point,  July  7,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  of  yesterday's  date  was  delivered 
me  this  morning. 

The  merits  of  the  reasons  which  induce  you  to  ask  leave 
of  absence  from  the  Army,  I  would  not  by  any  means  wish 
to  enter  into.  It  is,  however,  a  justice  I  owe  you  to  declare, 
that  your  conduct  since  the  command  of  the  Army  in  Canada 
devolved  on  you,  has  been  perfectly  agreeable  to  me,  and 
that  every  manoauvre  of  yours,  as  far  as  they  have  come  to 
my  knowledge,  and  I  am  capable  of  judging,  has  been  con- 


ducted with  a  prudence  and  discernment  that  leave  your 
character  as  an  officer  unimpeached. 

Although  I  most  sincerely  wish  you  to  remain  with  the 
Army,  yet  as  I  wish  to  evince  the  utmost  tenderness  to  the 
feelings  of  every  gentleman  who  conceives  himself  injured, 
I  cannot  withhold  my  consent  to  your  waiting  on  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief,  with  such  gentlemen  of  your  suite  as  you 
choose  should  follow  you.  I  am,  &tc., 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 
To  General  Sullivan. 

[No.  6.] 
frRnutes  of  a  Council  of  General  Officers. 

At  a  Council  of  General  Officers,  held  at  Crown-Point, 
July  8,  1776 : 

Present :  Major-General  Schuyler,  Major-General  Gates, 
Brigadier-General  Sullivan,  Brigadier-General  Arnold. 

The  inhabitants  residing  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain  having,  by  Colonel  Warner,  and  several  other  gentle- 
men, represented  the  distressed  situation  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  that  they  will  be  under  the  necessity  of  quitting  their 
habitations,  unless  a  body  of  men  is  stationed  on  the  east 
side  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  to  the  northward  of  the  settle- 
ments, to  prevent  the  incursions  of  the  savages,  and  that 
they  were  willing  to  raise  a  body  of  men  for  the  purpose  on 
the  Continental  pay,  Major-General  Schuyler  informed  the 
Court  that  he  was  not  empowered  by  Congress  to  raise  any 
men  for  that  or  any  other  purpose,  and  therefore  requested 
the  opinion  of  the  Court  on  the  following  questions : 

Whether,  the  weak  state  of  the  Army  considered,  and  the 
fatal  consequences  that  may  result  from  the  inhabitants' 
above  alluded  to  quitting  their  habitations,  and  thereby  alarm- 
ing and  creating  terror  in  the  more  southern  inhabitants,  it 
would  not  be  advisable  to  raise  a  body  of  men  for  the  pur- 
poses above  mentioned  from  among  said  inhabitants? 

Resolved,  That  it  is  advisable  to  raise  out  of  the  said 
inhabitants  six  Companies,  to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two 
Lieutenants,  three  Sergeants,  three  Corporals,  and  fifty 
Privates;  and  that  General  Schuyler,  or  officer  command- 
ing, issue  warrants  for  the  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  General  Schuyler  immediately  transmit  a 
copy  of  this  Resolution  to  Congress,  praying  to  be  imme- 
diately informed  if  they  should  disapprove  of  this  measure. 
PHILIP  SCHUYLER,     HORATIO  GATES, 
JOHN  SULLIVAN,         B.  ARNOLD. 

[No.  7.] 

List  of  Articles  wanted  for  Gondolas,  armed  Vessels,  and 
Batteries,  viz  : 

30  Anchors  for  Gondolas,  200  Ibs.  to  250  Ibs. 
40      do.  do.        100  Ibs.  to  150  Ibs. 

30  Hawsers,  4^  to  5i  inches,  50  or  60  fathoms. 
40       do.       4    to  4|     do.      50  to  100  fathoms. 

1  coil  6-inch  Rope,    60  fathoms. 

1   do.  5-inch     do.      60     do. 

1  do.  4-inch     do.      60     do. 

2  do.  3i-inch  do.      60     do. 

2  do.  3-inch     do.  60  do. 

3  do.  2|-inch  do.  120  do. 

4  do.  2-inch     do.  120  do. 
4  do.  Ig-inch  do.  120  do. 
4  do.  1  |-inch  do.  120  do. 

4  do.  Ratline  stuff.     4  sets  Tackle  Blocks. 
200  double  Blocks,  5J  to  8  inches. 
300  Single  Blocks,  4 £  to  9  inches. 

4  coils  Spun  Yarn,  2  and  3  threads.  10  dozen  Ham- 
line  to  be  sent.  10  dozen  Marline  to  be  sent.  50  half-hour 
Glasses.  10  Spy  Glasses.  200  Buckets. 

40  small  Colours,  (Continental,)  some  red  and  blue,  for 

signals. 

60  iron  Pots,  4  to  6  gallons  each.    \  dozen  Lead  Lines. 
1  dozen  Lines  for  Pendants  and  Ensign  Halyards. 
6  dozen  deep  wooden  Bowls. 

Pistols  and  Cutlasses.     Small  Tacks  and  Pump  Nails. 
Linseed  Oil,  Blacking,  and  White  Lead. 
1  dozen  hand  Speaking  Trumpets. 
6  dozen  Sail  Needles. 

J  dozen  Bolt-rope  Needles ;  \  dozen  Marline  Needles. 
1  side  Pump  Leather.     6  Fishing  Nets  with  Ropes. 
60  coils  Slow  Match  for  the  Artillery. 


237 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fac.,  JULY,  1776. 


238 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Albany,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR  :  On  my  way  to  Crown-Point,  I  was  honoured  with 
your  letter  of  the  2d  instant,  an  answer  to  which  I  could  not 
conveniently  send  from  thence.  This  day  at  two  I  returned 
here,  and  about  four  received  your  favour  of  the  9th,  by  Mr. 
Brown.  I  am  extremely  happy  to  learn  that  I  rnay  soon 
expect  the  carpenters.  The  allowance  your  Honour  recom- 
mends shall  be  complied  with;  and  if  any  account  of 
disbursements,  paid  or  ordered  by  you,  be  transmitted  to 
the  Deputy  Paymaster-General  here,  he  will  immediately 
discharge  it.  On  our  way  to  Crown-Point,  we  left  your 
amiable  son,  Colonel  Trumbull,  to  reconnoitre  the  grounds 
opposite  to  Ticonderoga.  His  report  was  favourable,  and 
accompanied  with  such  judicious  remarks  that  they  confirmed 
me  in  my  opinion  that  it  was  the  properest  place  effectually 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  penetrating  into  the  Colonies ; 
and  I  had  the  pleasure  to  find  that  it  was  unanimously 
embraced  by  the  other  General  Officers.  Copy  of  their 
resolutions  I  enclose.  On  our  return  from  Crown-Point, 
General  Gates,  the  Chief  Engineer,  your  son,  and  several 
other  officers,  again  minutely  surveyed  the  ground,  and  found 
it  capable,  with  little  labour,  to  be  made  tenable  against  a 
vastly  superior  force.  On  this  spot  we  propose  to  encamp, 
and  employ  the  Militia ;  and  here  they  will  be  separated 
from  the  others  by  the  lake,  which  is  at  this  place  about  half 
a  mile  wide.  The  sick  and  infected  with  the  small-pox  are 
all  ordered  to  Fort  George,  where  hospitals  are  built  and  build- 
ing for  their  reception.  I  believe  the  last  of  these  unhappy 
people  will  be  there  this  evening  or  to-morrow  at  farthest. 

It  gave  me  great  pleasure  to  meet  my  much  esteemed 
friend  General  Waterbury  this  morning  at  Saratoga.  His 
vigilance  will  second  my  wishes,  and  I  dare  say  we  shall 
prevent  the  unhappy  malady,  which  has  so  greatly  distressed 
us,  from  reaching  the  troops  now  marching  up  to  our  support. 
•  The  enemy,  from  the  last  accounts,  were  fortifying  at 
St.  John's.  From  the  number  of  tents  there,  they  do  not 
exceed  one  thousand,  at  St.  Therese  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  and  as  many  at  Chambly.  What  further  numbers  they 
may  have  we  know  not. 

We  are  greatly  distressed  for  felling  axes.  All  I  shall 
be  able  to  procure  here  will  be  vastly  short  of  what  we 
shall  want.  Your  Honour's  goodness,  and  the  despatch 
with  which  everything  comes  from  you,  will  expose  you 
to  much  trouble  and  many  applications ;  but  as  I  know 
where  your  consolation  lies,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  beg  your 
assistance  on  this  occasion.  I  flatter  myself  that  a  great 
many  axes  may  be  procured  from  what  the  inhabitants  of 
your  Colony  may  have  for  their  own  use,  and  wish  your 
Honour  to  appoint  some  person  to  do  it,  and  to  deliver  them 
at  Albany,  for  which  he  will  be  paid  whatever  consideration 
you  shall  be  pleased  to  promise,  together  with  every  attend- 
ant expense.  I  do  not  know  how  conveniently  to  transmit 
the  money  to  pay  for  the  axes ;  perhaps  it  may  be  furnished 
out  of  your  Treasury,  to  be  replaced  immediately  by  the  first 
safe  conveyance.  I  wish  to  have  as  many  (under  one  thou- 
sand) as  can  be  procured. 

When  1  was  at  Crown-Point,  I  proposed  to  a  council  of 
officers  an  expedient  to  procure  the  return  of  the  deserters 
from  the  northern  Army;  and  it  was  unanimously  agreed 
that  I  should  write  to  the  different  Governments  from  whence 
troops  had  been  sent,  entreating  the  Governours  and  Com- 
manders-in-Chief  to  issue  their  Proclamations,  promising 
pardon  to  all  such  as  should  return  by  a  limited  time,  to  be 
fixed  by  such  Governours,  &c.,  and  to  require  all  officers, 
civil  and  military,  in  their  respective  Governments  to  appre- 
hend all  such  deserters  as  should  not  comply  with  the  terms 
offered.  May  I  be  permitted  to  entreat  your  Honour  to 
issue  such  Proclamation  in  your  Colony. 

We  expect  a  very  numerous  meeting  of  the  Indians  at  the 
German  Flats.  My  colleague  Commissioners  set  out  with 
me  to-morrow  for  that  place. 

I  am,  with  perfect  esteem  and  respect,  sir,  your  most  obe- 
dient humble  servant.  „  c, 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 

To  the  Honourable  J.  Trumbull,  Esq. 


Watertown  and  the  northern  Army.  I  am  sorry  for  the 
unhappy  account  you  give  of  the  sickness  in  Boston,  and 
wish  the  same  pestilential  disease  had  not  for  some  months 
sorely  afflicted  our  troops  in  this  department.  Three  thou- 
sand of  the  Army  are  now  in  hospitals,  and  others  daily 
falling  sick ;  so  that,  what  with  the  losses  sustained  at  Qw- 
bcck,  the  Three-Rivers,  and  the  Cedars,  and  the  consequent 
retreat  from  Canada,  together  with  the  death  and  desertion 
that  has  happened  since  the  1st  of  April,  our  Army  is  dimi- 
nished upwards  of  five  thousand  men,  exclusive  of  the  sick 
above  mentioned.  This  miserable  situation  of  our  affairs, 
and  other  circumstances  considered,  induced  the  council  of 
war,  which  General  Schuyler  held  a  few  days  ago,  unani- 
mously to  resolve,  that  the  Army  should  immediately  retire 
from  Crown-Point  to  Ticonderoga,  where,  upon  the  strong 
ground  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  lake,  directly  opposite  to 
the  east  point  of  Ticonderoga,  an  encampment  is  marked 
out  for  the  Army.  The  sick  and  infected  are  removing  to 
the  fort  at  the  south  end  of  Lake  George,  where  the  general 
hospital  is  fixed.  Our  naval  force  upon  the  lake  is,  in  the 
mean  time,  refitting  with  the  utmost  diligence;  but  the  loss 
of  all  the  field-cannon  in  Canada,  with  many  carriages  and 
artillery  stores,  very  much  retards  this  business,  as  carriages 
are  to  be  made  here,  where  our  conveniences  for  doing  it 
are  very  scanty.  Brigadier-General  Arnold  is  at  Crown- 
Point,  forwarding  the  troops,  artillery,  stores,  and  provisions, 
to  Ticonderoga ;  as  fast  as  these  arrive,  I  shall  endeavour 
to  place  them  in  a  situation  to  maintain  their  post;  but 
should  the  enemy  gain  a  naval  superiority  upon  the  lake 
before  this  Army  is  augmented  by  at  least  six  thousand 
men,  I  think  our  possession  of  any  ground  upon  the  naviga- 
ble part  of  these  lakes  exceedingly  doubtful. 

By  intelligence  received  yesterday  from  St.  John's,  the 
enemy  are  very  busy  constructing  three  sloops  and  two 
schooners.  General  Carleton  and  General  Frazer  are  said 
to  be  at  that  post,  with  a  large  body  of  troops.  General 
Schuyler  has  ordered  a  number  of  gondolas  to  be  built  at 
Skenesborough ;  three  are  already  finished,  but  the  providing 
them  with  artillery  and  rigging  will  be  a  work  I  am  appre- 
hensive will  take  more  time  than  we  have  to  spare. 

As  I  would  not  detain  the  express,  I  have  only  given  you 
a  general  description  of  the  state  of  affairs  here.  General 
Schuyler,  who  commands  in  this  department,  assured,  me  he 
would  write  particularly  to  the  Eastern  Governments ;  he 
left  Ticonderoga  the  day  before  yesterday,  to  go  to  an  Indian 
treaty  that  is  to  be  held  the  15th  instant  at  the  German- 
Flats,  upon  the  Mohawk  River. 

I  am  exceedingly  anxious  to  know  the  true  state  of  affairs 
at  New-  York,  from  whence  I  have  not  heard  a  syllable  that 
can  be  depended  upon  since  the  1st  instant. 

The  Almighty  may  chastise  us  for  a  time,  but  he  surely 
will  not  suffer  our  righteous  cause  to  perish.  That  the 
peace  and  freedom  of  America  may,  in  his  good  time,  be 
established,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of,  sir,  your  most  obedient 

humble  servant,  „ 

HORATIO  GATES. 

P.  S.  I  desire  the  Militia  sent  to  our  assistance  may  come 
complete  in  arms  and  'ammunition. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  MOSES  MORSE. 

Ticonderoga,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR:  I  this  moment  received  your  letter  of  the  9th  instant, 
and  entirely  approve  of  the  establishment  of  a  post  between 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  12,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Enclosed  is  a  list  of  officers  and  seamen, 
which  I  have  sent  you  under  the  care  of  Captain  Mayhew. 
I  have  engaged  them  the  same  wages  as  the  seamen  now 
on  board  the  fleet.  They  will  all  be  wanted  to  fix  the  ves- 
sels and  gondolas ;  after  which,  I  think  it  will  be  best  to 
divide  them  into  gangs  of  twelve  or  fifteen  men  for  the  gon- 
dolas now  building.  Captain  Mayhew  has  in  charge  thirteen 
Indians,  taken  by  Colonel  Hartley  and  Major  De  Hart, 
who  it  will,  perhaps,  be  best  to  send  to  Albany,  and  retain 
as  hostages  for  the  good  conduct  of  their  tribe.  Enclosed 
is  a  letter  I  have  written  General  Schuyler  on  the  subject, 
which  I  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  forward. 

All  the  artillery  and  stores  will  go  off  this  day:  one 
company  of  the  Train  are  ordered  to  Ticonderoga,  to  receive 
and  take  charge  of  the  same,  and  the  others  will  go  off  to- 
morrow. The  whole  Army  may  leave  this  place  on  Sunday, 
unless  you  think  proper  for  part  of  them  to  remain  here  until 
barracks  can  be  built  at  the  new  camp,  as  many  of  them 
are  destitute  of  tents.  I  should  be  glad  of  your  instructions 


239 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


240 


by  return  of  the  first  boats.     I  have  not  had  the  pleasure  of    be  worthy  of  trust  and  favourable  notice.     His  men  are  on 
hearing  from  you  since  you  left  us.     I  am  very  anxious  to    their  march,  and  will  probably  arrive  to  receive  your  parti- 
cular orders  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  sir,  your  obedient,  humble  ser- 


know  how  matters  go  at  New-York,  and  surprised  we  have 
no  intelligence. 

I  am,  with  respect  and  affection,  dear  sir,  your  obedient 

humble  servant,  „    A 

13.  ARNOLD. 

To  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  Dear  General:  Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I  have 
received  yours  of  yesterday.  The  gin  I  have  ordered  down. 
I  am  greatly  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  judge  of  the  Indians. 
It  is  a  matter  of  so  much  importance,  I  would  not  choose  to 
decide  on  it  myself.  They  have  an  interpreter  with  them. 
I  could  wish  you  would  be  at  the  trouble  of  examining  them 
yourself. 

I  am,  with  great  respect  and  esteem,  dear  General,  most 
sincerely  yours,  B.  ARNOLD. 

GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  12, 1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  The  bearer  (Mr.  William  Hay)  and 
Henry  Cross  were  taken  from  their  farms  at  Salmon  River, 
about  fifty  miles  down  the  lake,  on  the  west  side ;  the  former 
has  left  his  wife  behind,  in  the  small-pox,  and  three  children ; 
the  latter  has  sent  his  wife  to  St.  John's.  Part  of  the  cattle 
of  both  are  brought  up  here.  They  are  suspected  of  being 
inimical  to  us ;  and  having  it  in  their  power  to  give  intelli- 
gence to  the  enemy,  were  ordered  here  by  General  Sullivan. 
There  is  a  number  of  families  under  the  same  predicament. 
These  people  appear  inoffensive.  It  will  answer  no  purpose 
to  remove  a  part,  except  the  whole  are  removed ;  in  which 
case  provision  must  be  made  for  them.  I  have  referred 
them  to  you  for  decision ;  and  am,  dear  General,  your  most 

humble  servant,  D    . 

rJ.  ARNOLD. 

To  Major  General  Gates. 


JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Schuyler. 


COLONEL  BEDEL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  12, 1776. 

SIR:  I  am  now  under  confinement  these  forty  days  or 
more,  for  a  crime  I  am  sensible  I  am  innocent  of,  and  which 
I  hope  your  Honour  will  find.  I  am  under  a  court  of  in- 
quiry— only  wait  the  decision  of  the  affair.  Shall  be  glad 
your  Honour  will  let  me  have  the  liberty  to  repair  to  Ticon- 
deroga,  and  have  it  determined.  The  President  and  part 
of  the  members  are  there ;  shall  be  glad  the  rest  might  be 
ordered  to  attend.  The  present  situation  of  my  regiment — 
I  not  being  in  a  capacity  to  look  after  them — renders  it  very 
disagreeable ;  also  my  private  affairs  at  home,  in  regard  to 
my  family  and  interest,  which  lies  upon  one  of  the  frontier 
towns  which  is  most  liable  to  be  exposed  to  the  rage  of  the 
savages ;  and  the  news  I  might  receive  from  that  part,  that 
they  are  all  destroyed,  would  be  no  more  than  might  be 
expected,  when  their  situation  is  considered,  as  we  may 
suppose  the  savages  have  penetrated  that  way.  Colonel 
St.  Clair,  who  is  President  of  the  court  of  inquiry,  will  be 
able  to  inform  your  Honour  into  the  affair.  I  cannot  help 
repeating  a  desire  to  have  the  affair  settled  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble, so  that  I  may  have  a  final  determination,  according  to 
my  deserts. 

I  am  your  Honour's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

TIMOTHY  BEDEL. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Lebanon,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer  hereof,  Captain  Jonathan  Lester,  of 
Norwich,  in  this  Colony,  an  approved  builder,  has  under- 
taken and  raised  a  company  of  carpenters,  in  consequence 
of  your  requisitions,  and  entered  into  the  articles  of  contract 
by  you  proposed,  but  in  haste  has  inadvertently  omitted 
taking  a  duplicate  of  the  contract  properly  executed  by  his 
whole  company,  which  may  yet  be  done,  as  his  men  will  be 
with  him  on  the  spot.  From  this  hint  you  will  perceive 
what  will  be  needful  to  be  done  in  that  respect.  You  will 
find  Captain  Lester  to  be  a  gentleman  of  honour  and  probity, 
industrious  and  skilful  in  his  profession,  and  one  that  governs 
his  men  with  prudence  and  good  example.  From  the 
knowledge  I  have  of  him,  I  can  heartily  recommend  him  to 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety  of 
Connecticut,  at  Hartford,  Friday,  July  5th,  1776: 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eliphalct  Dyar, 
Jabcz  Huntington,  William  Williams,  Titus  Hosmer,  Jede- 
diah  Elderkin,  and  Nathaniel  Wales,  Esquires. 

Governour  Franklin,  of  New-Jersey,  was  brought  hither 
last  evening,  having  been  taken  up  by  the  Convention  of 
his  Province  as  a  virulent  enemy  to  the  United  Colonies, 
and  to  be  confined  in  such  place  and  manner  as  die  Conti- 
nental Congress  shall  direct ;  and  they  have  directed  him  to 
be  sent  to  Governour  Trumbull,  with  the  following  Re- 
solve, viz: 

"  In  Congress,  June  24,  1776. 

"  Whereas  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey  has  declared 
William  Franklin,  Esq.,  to  be  a  virulent  enemy  to  this 
country,  and  a  person  that  may  prove  dangerous,  and  that 
the  said  William  Franklin  be  confined  in  such  place  and 
manner  as  the  Continental  Congress  shall  direct : 

"Resolved,  That  William  Franklin,  Esq.,  be  sent  under 
guard  to  Governour  Trumbull,  who  is  desired  to  take  his 
parole ;  and  if  Mr.  William  Franklin  refuse  to  give  his  parole, 
that  Governour  Trumbull  be  desired  to  treat  him  agreeable 
to  the  resolutions  of  Congress  respecting  prisoners." 

Letter  and  Resolve  brought  in  last  evening  by  Thomas 
Kenny,  Esq.,  officer  of  the  guard  of  escort,  and  this  morn- 
ing he  applied  for  direction;  and  a  parole  was  prepared;  and 
said  Franklin,  moved  by  letter,  for  alteration',  and  liberty  to 
return  on  his  parole,  &c.,  and  answer  made,  &c.,  in  writing, 
&ic.,  took  up  most  of  the  forenoon. 

The  subject  of  answering,  and  manner  how,  of  many 
Letters  from  Congress,  Sic.,  considered,  and  good  deal  dis- 
coursed, Sic. 

Finding  he  could  not  be  returned  to  Jersey,  &.C.,  moved 
by  the  officer  to  have  leave  to  go  to  Stratford,  and  was  told 
by  officer  he  might  go  to  Wallingford. 

Message  was  returned  in  writing,  Sic.,  that  Governour 
Trumbull  might  do  as  he  pleased  with  him,  fcc. 

Colonels  Dyar  and  Williams  waited  on  him,  by  desire, 
&c.,  and  finally  he  consented  to  go  there,  and  signed  his 
parole  accordingly. 

Mr.  Job  Winslow,  builder  of  the  Galley  Crane,  laid  in 
his  Bill  and  Accounts,  and  the  same  were  examined,  adjusted, 
and  allowed,  being  in  the  whole  £1013  6s.  lOd. ;  he  having 
received,  by  two  drafts,  £700,  the  balance,  being  £313 
6s.  IQd.,  is  ordered  to  be  drawn  for;  and  orders  given 
accordingly.  (Delivered  to  said  Winslow.') 

Letters  partly  prepared  for  Congress,  and  many  weighty 
matters,  &.c. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning. 

Saturday,  July  6, 1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present,  as  yesterday:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eli- 
phalet  Dyar,  Jabez  Huntington,  William  Williams,  Titus 
Hosmer,  Jedediah  Elderkin,  and  Nathaniel  Wales,  Esqrs. 

Congress  Letters  received,  and  considerations  about  an 
answer,  &c. 

Colonel  Mott  came  in,  moving  about  his  affairs,  &c. 

Captain  Niks  moving  for  Instructions,  Sec. ;  on  consider- 
ation, voted  the  following  Instructions : 

"  To  Captain  Robert  Niles,  of  the  Colony  armed  Schooner 

Spy,  greeting : 

"  You  are  hereby  instructed  carefully  and  diligently  to 
attend  the  duty  of  your  station  and  department;  to  keep  a 
careful  watch  and  lookout  for  any  and  every  hostile  ship  or 
vessel  which  may  be  hovering  about  our  coasts,  take  any 
that  you  can,  give  every  signal  and  intelligence  of  and  con- 
cerning them  in  your  power ;  and  for  the  advantage  of  the 
trade  and  friends  of  the  country,  you  are  also  to  take  care 


241 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


242 


and  prevent,  as  far  as  lies  in  your  power,  any  smuggling 
trade  and  clandestine  management,  contrary  to  the  laws  and 
embargo  of  this  Colony,  and  any  prohibitions  of  the  honour- 
able Continental  Congress ;  for  which,  and  every  faithful 
exertion  for  the  good  of  the  Colonies  and  the  support  of 
the  laws,  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant. 

"Given,  &tc." 

Signed  by  the  Governour,  and  copy  delivered  Captain 
Niks. 

Instructions  to  Doctor  John  Ely,  to  visit  the  Army  at  the 
Northward,  infected  with  the  small-pox,  &c.,  viz : 

"By  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety  for  the  Colony 
of  CONNECTICUT  : 

"  Whereas  two  Battalions  are  raising  in  this  Colony  to  re- 
inforce the  Northern  Army,  in  pursuance  of  the  recommenda- 
tion of  the  Continental  Congress;  and  as  very  few  of  the 
people  of  this  Colony  have  passed  through  the  small-pox, 
now  prevalent  in  that  Army,  recruiting  for  that  service  is 
likely  to  be  greatly  retarded,  as  there  is  a  high  probability 
of  that  infectious  distemper  spreading  among  the  new  troops 
as  fast  as  they  arrive,  which  more  effectually  retards  enter- 
ing into  the  service  than  any  other  prospect  of  danger,  or 
fear  of  the  enemy : 

"  This  Board  are  of  the  opinion,  therefore,  that  it  is  highly 
proper  to  remove  that  impediment  as  far  and  as  soon  as 
possible,  and  do,  therefore,  as  an  expedient  for  that  purpose, 
appoint,  empower,  and  direct  Major  John  Ely,  Physician 
and  Surgeon,  and  as  a  gentleman  who  has  had  great  expe- 
rience in  that  disease,  to  repair  forthwith  to  the  Army  in  the 
Northern  Department,  wait  on  the  General  and  proper 
officers,  and  find  and  learn  the  true  state  of  said  Army  with 
respect  to  that  infectious  disease;  advise  and  consult  with  the 
General,  &tc.,  concerning  the  most  proper  methods  to  cleanse 
and  remove  said  infection  from  the  Army,  and  prevent  the 
further  spreading  thereof,  if  it  should  be  found  practicable 
and  expedient ;  and  afford  his  best  advice  and  assistance  for 
those  purposes,  and  in  general  of  whatever  may  contribute 
to  the  health  of  said  Army,  as  far  as  may  be  proper  and 
suitable  in  his  character,  with  the  allowance  and  approba- 
tion of  the  General.  And  he,  the  said  Doctor  Ely,  is  hereby 
recommended  to  the  said  General,  in  the  character  and  for 
the  purposes  aforesaid ;  and  the  said  Doctor  is  to  transmit  an 
account  and  report  of  his  proceedings  to  his  Honour  the 
Governour,  and  of  the  circumstances  of  said  Army,  relating 
to  the  premises,  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  from  time  to  time, 
until  he  shall  return." 

On  application  of  Colonel  Dyar,  &tc., 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  of  Westmoreland  may  receive 
at  Messrs.  Elderkin  and  Wales' s  Mill  not  exceeding  two 
hundred  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  they  to  account  to  the 
Colony  therefor,  at  the  price  of  5*.  4d.  per  pound,  or  in 
such  manner  as  shall  be  ordered  by  this  Board,  or  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  giving  their  receipt  accordingly. 

(Copy  given,  delivered  to  Colonel  Dyar.) 

About  ten  o'clock,  adjourned  to  Tuesday  next. 

Tuesday,  July  9,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present^  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eliphalet  Dyar, 
Jabez  Huntington,  William  Williams,  Richard  Law,  Jede- 
diah  Elderkin,  Benjamin  Huntington,  William  Hillhouse, 
and  Nathaniel  Wales,  Esquires. 

The  Governour  laid  before  us  many  things  done  since  last 
meeting. 

Colonel  Molt,  present,  laid  in  a  paper,  &c.,  amounting 
to  a  declining  or  resigning  of  his  Colonelcy  of  a  northern 
Regiment,  in  the  room  of  Colonel  Douglass,  &c. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  of  Pay-Table  be  desired  to 
settle  and  adjust  and  pay  Captain  Edward  Motfs  Account 
and  Pay-Roll  of  his  Company,  raised  by  resolve  of  this 
Board,  according  to  the  regulations  thereof,  which  may 
appear  by  the  orders  he  has  for  that  purpose,  and  according 
to  any  rule  of  the  General  Assembly,  he  having  received 
£250,  to  be  accounted  for  in  said  settlement. 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table,  for 
Jesse  Brown,  the  Governour's  Postrider  to  the  Northward, 
for  the  sum  of  £  10,  towards  his  expenses  for  riding,  Sic.,  to 
be  accounted  for  on  settlement  of  his  account  for  said  service. 

(Order  drawn,  and  delivered  to  said  Brown.) 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  16 


Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Committee  of 
Pay-Table,  for  Major  John  Ely,  for  the  sum  of  £60,  to  be 
improved  towards  payment  of  his  Company,  wages  and 
billeting,  and  to  be  accounted  for  on  settlement  of  his  account. 

(Order  drawn,  and  delivered  to  said  Ely.) 

On  motion  of  Doctor  Ely,  allowed  that  he  may  carry 
with  him  to  the  northern  Army,  where  he  is  going,  &c.,  by 
order,  &c.,  to  take  care  about  the  small-pox,  &.c.  viz :  one 
Peter  Granger,  a  French  neutral,  much  used  with  him  to 
nurse  the  small-pox,  &c.;  to  be  improved  for  such  purposes 
as  he  shall  find  necessary  and  Convenient. 

Captain  Nathaniel  Saltonstall,  of  a  Company  of  Matrasses, 
is  here,  and  much  to  be  done  about  regulating  the  Com- 
pany, &c. ;  and  it  is  considered  and 

Voted,  That  said  Companies  consist  of  forty  Men  each, 
exclusive  of  Officers;  that  there  be  one  Captain  and  three 
Lieutenants  for  each ;  that  there  be  eight  Gunners  to  each 
Company;  that  their  Pay  be  £2  4*.  per  month. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Niles  be  allowed  one-and-a-half 
per  cent,  on  his  purchases  and  payments  of  his  Crew,  &c., 
on  board  the  Schooner  Spy. 

Colonel  Wolcntt  was  present  this  day,  and  many  persons 
on  various  applications,  which  took  up  a  good  deal  of  time. 
Colonel  Mott  also,  and  much  to  do  about  settling  the  affair 
of  his  going  in  his  command  to  the  northward,  he  having 
almost  resigned,  &tc.,  &c.;  but  finally  accepted. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning. 

Wednesday,  July  10, 1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present :  the  same  as  yesterday,  and  also  Titus  Hosmer, 
Esq. 

Colonel  Ward  was  present ;  a  good  deal  to  say  about  his 
affairs,  and  orders  to  receive,  given,  and  many  to  converse 
about,  with  him,  Sic.,  &tc. ;  stayed  till  noon. 

Jonathan  Chester,  of  Groton,  owner  of  the  land  where 
the  Fort  is  built  at  Groton,  is  here,  pressing  about  an  allow- 
ance for  land  taken  up  by  said  Fort,  and  damages  done  him, 
&c.,  and  finally  came  to  the  following  agreement,  viz: 

"  Whereas  Governour  Trumbulland  Committee  of  Safety, 
agreeable  to  directions  from  the  General  Assembly,  have 
ordered  a  Fort  to  be  erected  in  the  Town  of  Groton,  on 
land  belonging  to  Captain  Jonathan  Chester;  and  said  Ches- 
ter having  applied  to  this  Board  to  pay  for  the  land  so  used, 
and  as  the  value  of  said  land  is  not  known  to  this  Board, 
and  said  Chester  offering  to  submit  the  appraisal  of  the  same 
to  indifferent  men,  mutually  chosen,  to  say  what  sum  the 
Colony  shall  give  for  what  land  they  have  already  taken, 
or  shall  have  occasion  to  take,  for  the  use  of  said  Fort,  with 
the  damages  done  his  lands  not  so  taken : 

"  It  is  now  agreed  between  Governour  Trumlull  and  the 
Committee  of  Safety,  on  one  part,  and  the  said  Jonathan 
Chester,  of  Groton,  on  the  other  part,  that  Luke  Perkins, 
of  Groton,  William  Witter,  of  Preston,  and  William  Man- 
warring,  of  New-London,  Esquires,  shall  appraise  the  land 
that  is  already  taken  up,  or  shall  necessarily  be  wanted  for 
the  use  of  said  Fort,  and  the  said  damages;  and  thereupon 
said  Chester  doth  hereby  agree  and  oblige  himself  to  give  a 
proper  deed  of  conveyance  of  the  land  so  appraised  to  the 
Colony,  and  a  discharge  of  the  damages  done;  upon  which 
the  said  Chester  shall  receive  an  order  on  the  Treasury  for 
his  money,  according  to  appraisal ;  and  said  Chester  doth 
hereby  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  £10,  lawful  money,  in 
part  payment  thereof.  Dated  this  10th  day  of  July,  A.  D. 
1776.  JONATHAN  CHESTER. 

"  Signed  in  behalf  of  said  Governour  and  Committee  of 
Safety:  WM.  WILLIAMS,  Clerk." 

Original  delivered  to  Mr.  Law  and  Mr.  Hillhouse. 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table,  for 
said  Chester,  for  the  sum  of  £10,  to  be  accounted  for  on 
settlement  of  his  account.  (Order  drawn  accordingly.) 

This  Board  do  appoint  Mr.  Royal  Flint,  of  Windham,  to 
be  Paymaster  of  Colonel  Ward's  Regiment. 

Voted,  That  Richard  Law  and  William  Hillhouse, 
Esquires,  either,  or  both  of  them,  be  a  Committee  to  apply 
to  and  procure  the  gentlemen  agreed  on  by  the  Governour 
and  Committee  of  Safety,  and  by  Captain  Jonathan  Chester, 
of  Groton,  to  appraise  the  value  of  the  lands  taken  up,  used, 


243 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


244 


and  wanted  for  the  Forts  and  works  of  defence  built  on  his 
land  at  said  Grolon,  and  to  move  them  to  proceed  to  the 
place,  and  attend  on  said  business,  according  to  the  agree- 
ment made  this  day  between  said  parties,  and  to  lay  the 
matters  before  said  appraisers,  and  appear  in  behalf  of,  and 
represent  the  Colony  in  said  appraisement;  that  they  apply 
to  the  Colonel  of  the  Regiment  at  Neiv-London,  and  the 
Engineers,  for  their  advice  and  directions  as  to  the  quantity 
of  land  wanted  for  the  use  of  said  Fort  and  its  necessary 
accommodations,  which  is  to  be  the  quantity  appraised  and 
purchased  ;  and  said  Committee  are  to  take  a  good  authentick 
deed,  well  executed,  of  the  same,  to  the  Governour  and 
Company;  giving  their  receipts  therefor,  and  engaging  said 
Chester  an  order  of  said  Governour  and  Committee  of 
Safety  for  the  sum  of  which  the  same  shall  be  appraised, 
deducting  £10  which  he  has  already  received;  and  make 
report  of  their  doings  to  this  Board. 

Captain  Tinker,  of  the  Row-Galley  Crane,  present, 
applies  for  directions  about  many  things;  and  thereupon 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  Captain  Tinker,  of  the  Galley 
Crane,  take  two  three-pounders  at  the  old  Fort  at  New- 
London  for  said  Galley,  to  be  delivered  him  by  the  keeper 
thereof:  that  he  receive  eight  Swivel  Guns  as  soon  as  they 
can  be  obtained :  that  he  receive  ten  Muskets,  to  be  deliver- 
ed him  by  Colonel  Williams,  which  he  procured  of  Jonathan 
Goodwin:  that  he  receive  of  Mr.  N.  Shaw,  Junior,  such 
Powder,  Ball,  and  Military  Stores  as  he,  said  Shaw,  shall 
judge  necessary  :  that  he  receive,  from  time  to  time,  a  sup- 
ply of  salted  Beef,  Pork,  Bread,  Flour,  sufficient  for  the 
support  of  the  Officers,  Sailors,  and  Marines,  on  board  said 
Galley,  of  Captain  John  Deshon,  who  is  directed  to  deliver 
the  same;  and  that  the  said  Tinker  provide  all  other  neces- 
sary provision  for  them,  and  take  order  that  the  same  be 
dealt  out  prudently,  without  spoil  or  waste,  with  such  fresh 
Fish  as  they  may  take ;  and  that  he  keep  a  just  and  true 
account  of  the  purchase  and  expenditure  of  such  Provision?, 
and  the  same  render  to  his  Honour  the  Governour,  at  the  end 
of  two  months,  for  his  consideration  and  further  orders  in 
the  premises;  and  that  the  place  of  his  general  rendezvous 
be  for  the  present  at  New-London,  and  to  cruise  from 
Stonington  to  the  mouth  of  Connecticut  River,  and  south- 
ward as  far  as  Montauk-Point,  with  proper  precaution  and 
prudence;  that  he,  his  Officers  and  Men,  and  all  others  in 
the  sea  service,  be  under  the  rules  and  laws  of  the  Con- 
tinental Fleet,  as  far  as  they  are  applicable,  and  until  more 
particular  or  further  rules  can  be  made. 

Captain  McCleave,  of  the  Galley  Whiting,  also  applies 
for  directions,  &tc. ;  and 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  Captain  McCleave  may  receive 
of  Captain  John  Deshon  such  supplies  of  salted  Beef,  Pork, 
Bread,  and  Flour,  sufficient  for  the  support  of  the  Officers, 
Sailors,  and  Men,  on  board  his  Galley,  who  is  directed  to 
deliver  the  same;  and  that  said  McCleave  provide  all  other 
necessary  Provisions  for  them,  and  take  care  that  the  same 
be  dealt  out  prudently,  without  spoil  or  waste,  with  such 
fresh  Fish  as  they  may  take ;  and  that  he  keep  a  just  and 
true  account  of  the  purchases  and  expenditures  of  such 
Provisions,  and  the  same  render  to  his  Honour  the  Gover- 
nour, at  the  end  of  two  months,  for  his  consideration  and 
further  orders  in  the  premises:  that  he  receive  necessary 
Powder,  Ball,  and  Military  stores,  of  Mr.  JV.  Shaw,  Junior, 
at  his  (said  Shaw's)  discretion ;  and  that  he  shall  receive 
eight  Swivels,  as  soon  as  they  can  be  obtained :  that  he 
may  receive  five  Muskets  of  Captain  Mott,  or  the  proper 
officer  of  his  late  Company;  he  having  reported  that  he  had 
a  surplus  in  his  hands,  having  received  fifteen  before:  that 
he  rendezvous  for  the  present  at  New-London;  and  to  cruise 
from  Stonington  to  New-Haven,  and  southward  as  far  as 
Montauk-Point,  with  proper  prudence  and  caution :  that 
he,  his  Officers  and  Men,  and  all  others  in  the  sea  service, 
be  under  the  rules  and  laws  of  the  Continental  Fleet,  as  far 
as  they  are  applicable,  and  until  more  particular  or  further 
rules  can  be  made. 

Voted.  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Committee  of 
Pay -Table,  in  favour  of  Capt.  Robert  Niks,  of  the  Schooner 
Spy,  for  the  sum  of  £477  6s.  9d.,  the  balance  of  said 
Schooner's  accounts  to  the  8th  June,  (he  having  received 
£400,)  and  also  for  £200  more  for  the  use  of  said  Schooner 
from  that  time  forward;  and  to  render  his  account. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Junior,  of  New-London,    is   ap- 


pointed Agent  for  the  Colony,  for  the  purpose  of  Naval 
Supplies,  and  for  taking  of  such  sick  seamen  as  may  be 
sent  on  shore  to  his  care.  (Copy  given,  sent  by  Captain 
Harding.) 

Voted,  That  Letters  be  sent  to  the  Purchasers  of  Pork, 
by  order  of  Assembly,  as  soon  as  possible;  inform  the 
Governour  of  what  they  have  obtained,  at  what  price,  and 
where  stored;  and  wrote  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Jabez  Huntington  send  what 
Cannon-Powder  he  has  received,  per  Colonels  Elderkin 
and  Wales,  to  Mr.  Shaw,  taking  his  receipt. 

Voted,  That  Orders  be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour 
of  Captains  McCleave  and  Tinker,  for  the  sum  of  £100 
each,  to  be  improved  to  purchase  necessaries  for  the  use 
of  their  Crews,  and  to  render  their  accounts  thereof;  and 
order  given  on  paper,  delivered  them,  present. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning. 

Thursday  July  11,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eliphalet  Dyar, 
Jabez  Huntington,  William  Williams,  Richard  Law,  Titus 
Hosmcr,  Jedediah  Elderkin,  Benjamin  Huntington,  Na- 
thaniel Wales,  and  William  Hillhouse,  Esquires. 

Voted,  That  twenty-five  Arms,  Bayonets,  &.C.,  which 
had  been  fixed  up  by  Mr.  David  Trumbull,  of  Lebanon, 
of  barrels  brought  from  Crown-Point,  &tc.,  now  in  the  hands 
of  John  Leffingwell,  he  delivered  to  Captain  Joshua  Hun- 
tington, for  the  use  of  his  Company,  to  be  returned  for  the 
use  of  the  Colony.  (Order  given,  and  delivered  Colonel 
Huntington.) 

On  recommendation  of  the  Captains,  appointed  William 
Latham,  Junior,  Captain-Lieutenant  of  Captain  Ledyard's 
Company  of  Artillery  or  Matrosses;  Jonathan  Leeds  to  be 
Lieutenant  of  ditto;  Archas  SheJ/ield  to  be  Second  Lieuten- 
ant of  ditto :  commissioned.  And  for  Captain  Saltonstall's 
Company,  Nathaniel  Coit,  Jun.,  to  be  Captain-Lieutenant; 
Daniel  Starr,  Lieutenant;  Samuel  Champlain.Jun.,  Second 
Lieutenant :  commissions  given. 

Captain  Coit  came  in  moving  for  an  appointment. 

Congress  Declaration  of  Independency  received  in  a  letter 
from  Colonel  Trumbull  to  me. 

Colonel  Oliver  Wolcott  having  lately  returned  home  from 
the  Continental  Congress,  by  reason  of  ill  health ;  and  it 
being  the  opinion  of  this  Board,  that  it  is  of  importance  that 
the  Colony  should  have  a  full  representation  at  Congress, 
and  that  it  is  also  the  opinion  of  the  Assembly,  that  their 
full  number  of  Delegates  should  be  present,  &ic. ;  and  by  a 
letter  from  Colonel  Wolcott,  expressing  also  his  desire  that 
another  member  should  attend,  &c.;  this  Board,  having  at 
turns  discoursed  on  the  subject,  at  several  days  and  times, 
do  conclude,  that  William  Williams,  Esq.,  do,  as  soon  as 
may  be,  repair  to  and  attend  said  Congress,  as  one  of  the 
Delegates  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly — Mr.  Hos- 
mer  and  he  having  discoursed,  and  partly  agreed,  on  which 
should  attend,  Sic. 

The  matter  of  appointing  Officers  for  the  Colony  Ship, 
building  at  Saybrook,  taken  up  and  discoursed  of  largely, 
and  of  persons  for  the  Officers.  Question  was  pat,  whether 
we  will  at  this  time  proceed  to  appoint  a  Captain  and  two 
Lieutenants  for  said  Ship?  And  resolved  in  the  affirmative. 
And  on  further  consideration,  and  the  question  being  put, 
William  Coit  is  appointed  Captain  of  said  Ship,  Timothy 
Parker  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  ditto,  and  David 
Hawley  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  of  ditto. 

Voted,  That  the  date  of  the  above  Officers'  Commissions 
be  referred  to  the  further  consideration  of  this  Board,  and 
their  Pay  to  commence  from  the  date  of  the  same.  That 
Letters  be  written,  informing  said  Hawley  of  his  appoint- 
ment; the  others  being  near,  &tc.  Captain  Coit  (in  town) 
was  called  in,  and  the  Governour  gave  him  orders,  iastrttc- 
tions,  and  admonitions  as  to  his  conduct,  &c. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  July  12,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eliphalet  Dyar, 
Jabez  Huntington,  William  Williams,  Richard  Law,  Titus 


245 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


246 


Hosmer,  Jedcdiah  Eldcrkin,  Benjamin  Huntington,  Wit- 
Ham  Hillhouse,  and  Nathaniel  Wales,  Esquires. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  W.  Pilkin,  expressing  his  great 
apprehensions  of  danger  of  his  Powder-Mills  being  destroyed 
by  enemies,  there  having  been  much  threatening  about  them, 
fee.,  from  Prisoners,  &z.c.,  which  occasioned  much  consulta- 
tion about  guarding  or  securing  them,  and  how,  &tc.  After 
much  discourse, 

Voted,  That  Guards  be  allowed  at  Colonel  P Man's  and 
also  at  Colonel  Eldcrkin  and  Wales' s  Powder-Mills,  and 
that  the  respective  owners  be  allowed  4*.  per  night  for  each 
night  they  shall  keep  such  Guard  until  this  Board  shall  take 
other  or  further  order  concerning  them. 

Letters  from  the  Congress  of  the  6th  instant  came  in,  by 
express,  containing  information  of  their  late  Declaration  of 
Independence,  and  a  copy  of  it,  requesting  the  same  to  be 
duly  published,  &ic. 

Two  Letters  also  from  General  Washington,  of  the  7th 
and  9th  instant,  about  the  situation  of  affairs,  and  advice  that 
Lord  Howe  with  fifteen  thousand  men  are  on  their  passage, 
&.C.,  and  about  our  Regiments  of  Horse,  much  approving 
the  measure,  but  expressing  the  difficulties  of  keeping  horses, 
&e. 

The  matter  and  manner  of  publishing  the  Independency 
as  recommended  by  Congress  largely  discoursed,  and  many 
things  given  out  relative  to  the  matter,  &c..  and  concluded 
to  lay  by  for  the  present. 

On  representation  of  Dr.  Usher,  of  the  New-London  Regi- 
ment, and  Letter  Irom  Colonel  Wolcott  for  that  purpose : 

Voted,  That  he  have  liberty  to  purchase  and  take  up 
Medicines  for  the  use  of  said  Regiment,  of  Doctor  Lothrop 
or  Doctor  Dyar,  to  the  amount  of  £10,  for  which  the 
Colony  will  be  accountable,  and  substance  of  the  vote  given 
said  Dr.  Usher. 

Sundry  Accounts  of  William  Williams,  Esq,,  and  Na- 
thaniel Wales,  Esq.,  examined  and  settled,  &c.,  viz:  Mr. 
Wales' s  account  for  services,  My,  1775;  journey  and 
expenses  to  New-Haven,  &c.,  by  order,  with  William  Wil- 
liams, to  look  out  an  armed  vessel,  and  journey  and  expenses 
to  Philadelphia  in  September,  1775,  after  money,  &c.;  jour- 
ney and  expenses  to  New-London  with  Colonel  Dyar,  to 
see  about  Forts,  &tc.;  journey  and  expenses  to  Cambridge 
in  October,  to  meet  Committee  of  Congress,  &,c. ;  in  whole 
£51  17s.  3d.  Allowed,  and  order  to  be  drawn  for. 

An  Account  of  William  Williams,  June,  1775,  for  sending 
Powder,  with  Grain,  Barrels,  &c.,  to  the  Army  near  Boston; 
July,  journey  and  expenses  on  the  sea-coast  about  armed 
vessels,  &c.,  with  Esquire  Wales;  cash  for  many  Companies  ; 
cash  for  supporting  the  Cognowaga  Indians  in  January,  1776, 

&ic.;  total,  £18  19  3 

September,  1775.    Journey  and  expenses  to 
Philadelphia  with  Esquire  Wales,  by  or- 
der of  the  Governour  and  Committee  of 
Safety,  for  money,   -------       29159 

May,  1776.  Journey  to  New-Haven,  New- 
York,  and  Philadelphia,  on  various  servi- 
ces, with  Colonel  Dyar,  brought  £50,000, 
&c.,  cash  paid  more  than  £20,  -  -  -  41  6  5 


£90     1     5 


Adjourned  to  Monday  next,  15(h  instant. 


CONVENTION  OF  COMMITTEES  IN  PETERSHAM. 

At  a  Convention  of  Committees  of  Safety,  &ic.,  of  the 
Towns  of  Hutchinson,  Templeton,  Athol,  and  Petersham,  at 
the  house  of  Kenelm  Winslow,  in  Petersham,  on  the  12th  day 
of  July,  1776,  the  following  Votes  and  Resolves  were  passed  : 

The  question  being  put,  Whether  those  persons  called 
Tories,  in  said  Petersham,  were  liberated  from  the  restric- 
tions they  were  laid  under  by  a  former  Convention  of  Com-  . 
mittees,  and  the  people  assembled  at  the  same  place  ?     And 
it  passed  in  the  negative. 

The  question  being  put,  Whether  it  is  the  sense  of  this 
body  that  the  House  erected  in  the  Town  of  Petersham  for 
Publick  Worship,  was  the  place  intended  and  meant  in  the 
restrictions  the  abovesaid  persons  were  laid  under  by  the 
former  Convention  ?  And  it  passed  in  the  affirmative. 

The  question  being  put,  Whether  the  aforesaid  persons 
should  be  indulged  to  meet  for  Publick  Worship  at  any 


other  place  than  at  the  House  erected  by  said  Town  for 
Publick  Worship  ?  And  it  passed  in  the  negative. 

Resolved,  That  if  such  persons,  or  any  of  them,  should 
presume  to  violate  any  of  such  restrictions  in  future,  and 
more  especially  at  such  a  critical  day  as  the  present,  that 
this  body  will  use  their  utmost  influence  that  they  or  any  of 
them  so  offending,  after  previous  notice  being  given  to  them 
of  these  Resolves,  shall  be  committed  to  close  confinement, 
and  there  be  continued  until  our  political  troubles  are  at  an 
end. 

And  whereas  Mr.  Aaron  Whitney  hath  publickly  declared 
that  he  will  keep  open  doors  for  the  assembling  such  persons, 
in  violation  of  such  restrictions,  which  were  read  to  him ; 
therefore, 

Resolved,  As  the  opinion  of  this  body,  that  such  declara- 
tion and  practice  is  an  insult  on  the  Committee,  and  against 
the  peace,  good  order,  and  safety  of  the  United  Colonies, 
and  ought  not  by  any  means  to  be  suffered  or  continued,  but 
that  he  be  deemed  as  inveterate  and  as  incorrigible  as  any 
who  have  been  so  restricted,  and  ought  to  be  brought  im- 
mediately to  condign  punishment. 

The  aforesaid  restrictions  are  as  follow,  viz: 
"  That  they  should  deliver  all  their  Arms  and  Implements 
of  war,  immediately,  into  the  hands  of  the  Selectmen  of 
Petersham,  and  that  they  should  not  go  out  of  the  Town  of 
Petersham  without  a  pass,  signed  by  the  major  part  of  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence  of  said  Town. 

"That  no  more  than  two  should  assemble  together  at 
any  place,  except  publick  worship,  legal  town  meetings,  or 
funerals." 

The  reasons  given  by  the  Committees  for  laying  on  the 
restrictions  aforesaid  are  as  follow: 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committees  of  Correspondence  of 
the  several  Towns  of  Hardwick,  Templeton,  Rutland  Dis- 
trict, Hubbardston,  Westminster,  Petersham,  New-Salem, 
Athol,  Greenwich,  Winchendon,  and  Royalston,  at  said 
Petersham,  February  25th,  1775,  at  the  request  of  the 
Committee  of  Petersham,  on  account  of  the  riotous  assem- 
bling of  Joshua  Willard,  William  Barron,  Esqs.,,  Ebenezer 
Bragg,  and  others,  did,  on  examination,  find  that  the  said 
persons,  with  their  associates,  had  entered  into  a  covenant  or 
combination  utterly  subversive  of  our  natural  and  chartered 
rights,  and  tending  to  strengthen  and  assist  the  enemies  of 
our  Constitution  in  their  arbitrary  attempts  to  introduce  the 
late  unconstitutional1  acts  of  the  British  Parliament,  and  like- 
wise to  assist  each  other,  in  opposition  to  all  such  persons 
who  are  friends  to  our  liberties  and  rights.  In  consequence 
of  which  combination,  they  did  actually  assemble  at  the 
house  of  David  Stone,  with  firearms,  and  did  actually  insult 
and  threaten  the  lives  of  Several  persons  who  went  to  inquire 
into  the  occasion  of  their  so  assembling.  By  all  which,  it 
appears  to  us,  the  Committees  of  the  above  mentioned 
Towns,  and  the  people  assembled,"  &c. 

The  names  of  the  persons  thus  restricted  are  as  follow  : 
Joshua  Willard,  William  Barron,  Ebenezer  Bragg,  Thomas 
Beeman,  Joseph  S/evens,  Benjamin  Furness,  David  Stone, 
Ephraim  Whitney,  James  Jackson,  Luke  Lincoln,  William 
Martindale,  Seth  Hapgood,  Benjamin  Chandler.  Joseph 
Smith,  Nathaniel  Munroc,  David  Allin,  Samuel  Frizzel. 
Isaac  Hastings,  David  Stone,  Jun.,  Nathaniel  Lincoln,  and 
Ebenezer  Ayrcs;  with  some  others,  whose  names  are  not 
here  mentioned,  as  they  have  made  their  peace  with  the 
Town  of  Petersham  and  the  Committee  of  Correspondence, 
and  manifested  a  friendly  disposition  towards  American  liber- 
ty; which  persons,  the  present  body  are  of  opinion,  ought 
not  to  suffer  any  inconvenience  by  the  effect  of  the  present 
Resolves. 

And  further  Voted,  That  if  any  of  such  persons  who  have 
not  been  restored  as  aforesaid,  should  in  future,  or  until  our 
political  troubles  are  ended,  be  found  with  Firearms,  Ammu- 
nition, or  other  implements  of  war,  that  in  such  case  they 
ought  immediately  to  be  taken  from  them. 

Per  order:  EPHRAIM  DOOLITTI.E. 

July  12,  1776. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  &.C.,  for  the 
Town  of  Petersham,  July  16th,  1776: 

Whereas  the  Town  of  Petersham,  since  the  above  restric- 
tions were  laid  on  said  persons,  have,  in  a  full  town  meeting 
assembled,  voted  that  Robert  Goddard,  Ensign  Man,  and 


247 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


248 


John  Chandler,  Esq.,  have  been  so  far  guilty  and  inimical 
with  those  whose  names  are  inserted  above,  and  accordingly 
restricted  them,  the  said  Robert,  Ensign,  and  John,  in  like 
manner;  and  whereas  some  of  the  above  persons,  thus  re- 
stricted, have  by  some  means  or  other  obtained  general  passes 
from  the  Committee  of  Petersham  for  passing  out  of  said 
Town,  and  as  they  have  not  manifested  such  a  friendly  dis- 
position in  the  present  struggle  as  to  be  entitled  to  confidence : 
The  Committee  adjudge  that  no  notice  ought  to  be  taken 
of  such  passes,  but  such  persons  ought  to  be  held  to  their 
resirictions. 

Per  order :  SAMUEL  GATES. 


BARNARDSTON  (.MASSACHUSETTS)  COMMITTEE. 

Barnardston ,  Massachusetts  Bay,  July  12, 1776. 

Whereas  complaint  hath  this  day  been  made  to  us,  the 
Committee  of  Safety,  &c.,  of  the  abovesaid  Barnardston, 
by  Nahum  Ward,  of  Leveret,  against  Jacob  Orcut,  of  this 
Town,  for  atrociously  paying  him  a  Sixpenny  bill  or  note, 
New-Hampshire  money,  which  had  been  counterfeited  or 
altered  from  six  Pence  to  six  Pounds,  paying  of  it  to  him 
for  six  Pounds:  The  matter  of  the  complaint  having  been 
sufficiently  proved,  and  he,  the  said  Orcut,  having  confessed 
his.  paying  the  abovesaid  counterfeited  or  altered  bill  for  good 
money,  and  also  confessed  his  being  privy  to  and  knowing 
of  its  being  altered,  after  the  most  serious  deliberation,  we 
determined, 

That  he,  the  said  Jacob  Orcut,  shall  pay  Nahum  Ward 
all  his  damages.  Which  he  accordingly  did. 

That  he  should  be  whipped  thirty-and-six  stripes  on  the 
naked  body.  Which  was  accordingly  executed  upon  him. 

That  he  shall  be  confined  in  the  Town  of  Barnardston, 
with  liberty  to  go  north  from  his  house  one  mile  in  Guilford, 
and  a  mile  east  and  a  mile  west  in  Guilford,  from  a  north 
line  from  his  house ;  to  be  confined  in  Barnardston  from 
this  time  for  the  space  of  one  year  and  a  half,  except  he 
obtains  liberty  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Town,  in 
writing,  to  go  out. 

That  if  he  knowingly  puts  off  counterfeit  money  for  the 
future,  or  goeth  beyond  his  limits  without  liberty  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  he  shall  be  sent  to  the  Court,  notwithstanding 
this  punishment,  for  his  trial,  for  putting  off  the  abovesaid 
counterfeit  money. 

That  he  shall  pay  the  Committee,  Constable,  and  attend- 
ants, for  their  trouble. 

That  the  putting  off  said  counterfeit  money,  with  the 
doings  of  the  Committee,  and  the  said  Orcut's  punishment, 
be  published  in  the  Hartford  paper,  upon  his  cost. 

Signed  per  order:  ELISHA  BURNHAM, 

Chairman  of  said  Committee. 


disposed  to  entertain  the  most  favourable  opinion  of  Captain 
Holmes's  integrity,  and  do  most  sincerely  compassionate  his 
very  unhappy  situation,  yet  as  they  know  of  no  satisfactory 
security  he  can  give  that  he  will  not  go  and  do  likewise,  we 
do  earnestly  request  of  your  Honours  a  revocation  of  your 
order  in  Council  for  his  departure,  or  at  least  that  it  may  be 
suspended  till  a  happier  situation  of  this  town  shall  make 
it  less  dangerous  to  the  publick  safety  for  him  to  leave  it. 
By  order  of  the  Committee : 

JOHN  BROWNE,  Chairman. 


WILLIAM  SEVER  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Kingston,  July  12,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  at  length  obtained  cannon  for  the  brigantine 
at  Plymouth.  I  purchased  them  in  Connecticut.  They  are 
now  at  Taunton,  and  I  expect  they  will  be  at  Plymouth  by 
Sunday  next — ten  four-pounders  and  four  six-pounders,  all 
double  fortified.  Captain  Samson  has  given  me  a  memo- 
randum of  sundry  articles  which  are  wanting  for  his  complete 
equipments.  As  I  don't  know  whether  the  Commissary- 
General  is  authorized  to  deliver  from  the  Colonial  store  any 
articles  necessary  for  the  armed  Colonial  vessels,  I  take  the 
liberty  of  addressing  your  Honour  on  the  subject,  desiring 
that  such  measures  may  be  taken  as  may  be  thought  proper 
for  the  supply  of  said  stores,  or  such  of  them  as  may  be 
thought  necessary,  as  I  suppose  the  brigantine  will  be  ready 
to  go  to  sea  immediately.  I  had  designed  to  be  at  Water- 
town,  but  am  informed  that  the  small-pox  has  such  a  spread 
in  Boston  and  the  towns  around,  as  to  make  it  very  unsafe 
for  a  person  who  has  not  had  the  distemper.  This  con- 
sideration has  prevented  my  attendance. 

I  am,  with  respect,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

W.  SEVER. 
To  the  Hon.  James  Bowdoin,  Esq. 

Memorandum  of  sundries  wanting  for  the  equipment  of  the 
armed  Brigantine  at  PLYMOUTH,  SIMEON  SAMSON,  Cap- 
tain, viz : 

Forty  fire-arms;  40  cartouch-boxes ;  40  cutlass-belts; 
half  a  ton  of  powder ;  6  reams  of  cartridge  paper ;  10  reams 
double-headed  cartridge  paper ;  3  cwt.  grapeshot ;  350 
four-pound  shot ;  200  six-pound  shot ;  100  hand  grenades  ; 
400  pounds  of  musket  balls,  14,  16,  18,  22  to  a  pound ;  50 
pounds  of  buckshot ;  400  flints ;  1  cwt.  match-rope. 


COMMITTEE  OF  BOSTON  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Colony  of  the  MASSACHUSETTS  BAY: 

To  the  Honourable  the   Council  of  said  Colony,  met  at 

WATERTOWN,  July  12,  1776: 

The  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspection,  and  Safety, 
for  the  Town  of  Boston,  being  truly  alarmed  at  the  danger 
this  country  is  exposed  to  from  such  information  as  might  be 
carried  to  the  British  Fleet  and  Army,  beg  leave  to  repre- 
sent to  your  honourable  Board,  that  at  a  time  when  a  fleet 
of  the  enemy's  ships  appeared  for  several  days  on  our  coast, 
a  complaint  was  lodged  with  the  Committee  that  a  certain 
Captain  Holmes,  and  a  number  of  persons  with  him,  all  of 
them  taken  in  the  actual  service  of  our  foes,  were  about 
departing  for  the  British  West-Indies,  in  a  schooner  pur- 
chased of  said  Holmes  for  that  purpose.  In  consequence  of 
which,  this  Committee  did  order  her  sails  into  custody,  and 
have  ever  since  detained  them.  And  although  the  said 
fleet  hath  since  disappeared,  yet  the  probability  that  the 
foreign  troops  are  now  near,  and  the  very  evident  danger 
that  might  arise  from  the  enemy's  being  acquainted  with  the 
present  melancholy  situation  of  this  town,  when  so  many 
of  its  inhabitants,  our  friends  from  the  country,  and  of  our 
Army,  are  under  inoculation  for  the  small-pox ;  knowing 
that  one  person  in  the  same  predicament  with  Captain 
Holmes,  did  depart,  and  in  violation  of  the  fairest  profes- 
sions and  most  solemn  engagements,  went  directly  to  our 
enemy's  Head-Quarters,  and  there  delivered  them  all  possi- 
ble information,  and  even  the  private  letiers  that  had  been 
intrusted  to  his  honour;  and  though  this  Committee  is 


COLONEL   GILMAN   TO   THE    NEW-HAMPSHIRE    COMMITTEE    OF 
SAFETY. 

GENTLEMEN:  That  part  of  my  regiment  at  New -Castle 
being  reduced  to  a  small  number  by  reason  of  recruits  being 
taken  out  for  Canada  and  elsewhere,  obliged  me  to  order  a 
detachment  of  one  commissioned  officer  and  thiity  privates 
from  Captain  Daniel's  company  to  assist  in  building  a  fort 
at  New-Castle.  The  soldiers  in  a  few  days  mutinied,  and 
refused  to  obey  my  orders.  After  repeated  insults  of  that 
nature,  I  ordered  a  general  court-martial,  and  upon  trial  they 
plead  they  only  inlisted  to  do  duty  in  Fort  Sullivan.  The 
inlistments  being  produced,  it  appeared  to  be  a  fact,  a  copy 
of  which  I  here  enclose.  How  men  came  to  be  so  inlisted  I 
cannot  tell.  You  may  easily  see  by  their  inlistments  that 
they  are  not  subject  to  inferior  or  superior  officers,  neither  to 
the  regulations  in  the  Army.  You  may  easily  see  what  may 
be  the  cruel  consequences  of  keeping  men  in  pay  under  such 
inlistments.  But  how  the  matter  will  be  remedied,  or  what 
is  best  to  be  done,  you,  gentlemen,  are  the  best  judges. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  esteem,  your  most  obedient,  hum- 

bleservant>  P.GU.MAN. 

To  the  Honourable  Comrniitee  of  Safety  for  the  Colony  of 
New-Hampshire. 

P.  S.  The  men  have  promised  to  obey  orders ;  but  how 
long  before  their  minds  will  alter  I  can't  tell,  as  they  are 
sensible  they  are  under  no  obligation  by  their  inlistment. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  TO  THE   SELECTMEN 
OF  NEW-MARKET. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Committee  feel  the  greatest  anxiety, 
and  are  strongly  depressed  with  the  accounts  from  New- 


249 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


250 


Market,  that  any  internal  broil  should  in  the  least  obstruct 
the  forwarding  those  things  so  absolutely  necessary  for  the 
preservation  of  all  that  is  dear  to  us.  Probably  a  neglect 
of  speedily  reinforcing  our  northern  Army  may  occasion  the 
slaughter  of  our  bosom  friends  and  innocent  offspring,  while 
we  are  mingled  in  the  common  carnage.  The  truly  forward 
and  patriotick  disposition  often  shown  by  the  inhabitants  of 
New-Market  in  the  common  cause  convince  the  Committee 
that  they  will  not  now  attend  to  any  particular  difficulty,  and 
neglect  the  main  object,  while  their  neighbours  are  nobly 
exerting  themselves  at  this  important  time.  Therefore,  they 
desire  you  will,  with  all  possible  speed,  call  a  meeting  of  all 
the  inhabitants  of  your  town,  and  pVoceed  to  raise  the  men 
proportioned  to  you,  in  Colonel  Oilman's  regiment,  at  which 
time  Colonel  Oilman  will  attend,  and  lend  you  all  the  assist- 
ance in  his  power  to  accomplish  so  noble  and  so  necessary 
a  purpose. 

To  the  Selectmen  of  New-Market. 


COMMITTEE  OF   KITTERY  TO  COMMITTEE    OF   PORTSMOUTH, 
NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

Kittery,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  this 
town  have  received  a  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Corre- 
spondence for  Boston  of  the  following  import,  viz :  that  they 
have  information  and  reason  sufficient  to  induce  them  to 
believe  that  a  communication  has  been  kept  up  between  the 
enemy's  ships  and  some  of  our  small  boats,  and  that  they 
have  thought  it  necessary  for  the  common  safety  to  order 
that  no  vessel  or  boats  be  suffered  in  future  to  leave  the  town 
without  special  permission,  and  that  they  have  confined  the 
fishing-boats  within  the  limits  of  one  league  from  the  shore. 
We  therefore  think  it  expedient  to  advice  you  of  this  mea- 
sure recommended  to  us,  as  without  your  corning  into  a  simi- 
lar one  it  will  be  of  no  effect ;  wherefore  we  shall  be  much 
obliged  to  you  for  your  opinion  hereupon,  and  what  method 
you  propose  to  take  respecting  this  matter ;  and  are,  with 
respect,  your  most  humble  servants. 

In  the  name  and  in  behalf  of  the  Committee: 

JOHN  J.  P.  BARTLETT,  Chairman. 


CAPTAIN  WICKES  TO  THE  SECRET  COMMITTEE  OF  CONGRESS. 
On  board  the  Reprisal,  July  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  This  will  inform  of  a  small  addition  to  our 
good  fortune  in  the  prize  way.  We  this  day  took  Captain 
Muckelno  in  the  schooner  Peter,  of  Liverpool,  from  St.  Vin- 
cent, bound  to  Liverpool,  in  Britain,  loaded  with  rum,  sugar, 
coffee,  cocoa,  and  cotton.  We  also  took  Captain  Mackey, 
in  the  ship  Friendship,  from  Granada,  bound  to  London, 
which  I  have  written  you  of  before,  and  send  a  copy  of  that 
letter.  This  schooner  is  ordered  into  one  or  either  of  the 
Egg  Harbours,  if  she  can  get  in  there ;  if  not,  into  any 
other  port  on  the  coast.  I  have  given  orders  to  Mr.  Jere- 
miah Holden  to  send  this  letter  and  the  proper  papers  and 
letters  to  you  by  express  on  his  arrival  in  America.  We 
had  very  little  wind  this  two  or  three  days  past,  and  are  but 
little  farther  on  our  way  than  when  I  wrote  you  last. 

From,  gentlemen,  your  most  obliged  and  humble  servant, 

LAMBERT  WICKES. 

To  the  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence,  Philadelphia. 


WILLIAM  FALCONER  TO  THE  HON.  ANTHONY  FALCONER. 

Camp  Long-Island,  July  13,  1776. 

DEAR  BROTHER:  With  the  greatest  difficulty  I  have 
procured  this  small  piece  of  paper  to  inform  you  of  my  being 
very  well,  notwithstanding  the  miserable  situation  we  are 
in.  We  have  been  encamped  on  this  Island  for  this  month 
past,  and  have  lived  upon  nothing  else  but  salt  pork  and 
pease.  We  sleep  upon  the  sea-shore,  nothing  to  shelter  us 
from  the  violent  rains  but  our  coats  and  miserable  paltry 
blankets.  There  is  nothing  that  grows  upon  this  Island,  it 
being  a  mere  sand-bank,  and  a  few  bushes  which  harbour 
millions  of  moschitoes — a  greater  plague  than  there  can  be 
in  Hell  itself. 

By  this  sloop-of-war  you  will  have  an  account  of  an 
action  which  happened  on  the  28th  of  June,  between  the 
ships  and  the  fort  on  Sullivan's  Island.  The  cannonade 
continued  for  about  nine  hours,  and  was  perhaps  one  of  the 


briskest  known  in  the  annals  of  war.  We  had  two  fifty- 
gun  ships  and  five  frigates,  from  twenty-four  to  thirty  o-uns, 
playing  on  the  fort,  I  may  say  without  success,  for  they  did 
the  battery  no  manner  of  damage,  and  killed  fifteen  and 
wounded  betwixt  forty  and  fifty.  Our  ships  are  in  the  most 
mangled  situation  you  can  conceive.  The  Acteon,  a  thirty- 
gun  frigate,  run  aground  during  the  action,  and  as  it  was 
impossible  to  get  her  off.  we  were  obliged  to  burn  and  blow 
her  up.  Our  killed  and  wounded  amounts  to  betwixt  two 
and  three  hundred.  Numbers  die  daily  of  their  wounds. 
The  Commodore  is  wounded  in  two  different  places.  His 
Captain  lost  bis  left  arm  and  right  hand,  and  was  wounded 
in  different  parts  of  his  body — he  lived  but  two  days  after 
the  action.  Captain  Scott,  of  the  Experiment,  of  fifty  guns, 
died  of  his  wounds,  and  numbers  of  the  other  officers. 

If  the  ships  could  have  silenced  the  battery,  the  Army 
was  to  have  made  an  attack  on  the  back  of  the  Island, 
where  they  had  about  one  thousand  men  intrenched  up  to 
their  eyes,  besides  a  small  battery  of  four  guns,  one  eighteen- 
pounder  and  three  four-pounders,  all  loaded  with  grape-shot, 
so  that  they  would  have  killed  half  of  us  before  we  could 
have  made  our  landing  good. 

We  are  now  expecting  to  embark  for  New- York,  to  join 
General  Howe  with  the  grand  Army.  My  anxiety  to  in- 
form you  of  bad  news  had  wellnigh  made  me  forget  to 
mention  our  passage  to  Cape-Fear,  where  we  arrived  safely 
the  first  of  May,  after  a  voyage  of  three  months.  Though 
it  was  long,  yet  it  was  not  disagreeable  after  we  got  out  of 
the  bay  of  Biscay,  where  we  met  with  the  worst  weather 
ever  known  at  sea,  and  continued  in  that  situation  for  six- 
teen days;  after  that  time  we  had  very  fine  weather  all 
along ;  sometimes  we  were  becalmed  for  four  or  five  days 
together,  not  going  above  ten  knots  a  day.  Upon  our  arri- 
val in  Cape-Fear  we  disembarked,  and  were  encamped  in 
the  woods  until  the  27th  of  May,  when  we  went  on  board 
again,  and  sailed  for  this  infernal  place.  The  oldest  of  the 
officers  do  not  remember  of  ever  undergoing  such  hardships 
as  we  have  done  since  our  arrival  here. 

I  hope  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  watch  every  opportunity 
to  let  me  hear  from  you  and  Mrs.  Fakoner,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  inform  me  how  I  shall  do  in  case  I  shall  be  obliged 
to  purchase  my  Lieutenancy.  I  beg  you  will  make  my 
excuse  to  my  dear  sister  for  not  writing  to  her  at  this  time  ; 
it  is  not  owing  to  want  of  affection,  but  to  the  want  of  proper 
materials.  I  am  obliged  to  write  on  the  ground.  You  will 
be  so  good  as  to  let  Captain  Fakoner  know  the  same  thing. 
I  shall  write  again  from  New-  York. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  affectionate  brother, 

WILLIAM  FALCONER. 

To  the  Hon.  Anthony  Fakoner,  at  Montrose,  Scotland. 

The  foregoing  Letter  was  found  on  Long-Island,  South-Carolina,  and 
forwarded  to  Congress,  and  is  now  made  publick  by  order  of  Congress. 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
August  29,  1776. 

JOHN  PAGE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Williamsburgh,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR:  As  the  enemy's  fleet  has  been  driven  from  their 
station,  and  their  forces  obliged  to  abandon  Gwin's  Island, 
and  we  are  informed  they  will  endeavour  to  possess  them- 
selves of  some  place  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  we 
have  thought  it  prudent  to  give  you  the  earliest  intima- 
tion thereof.  A  battery  of  two  eighteen-pounders  played 
on  their  ships,  and  a  few  rounds  forced  them  to  retire.  Four 
nine-pounders  silenced  their  batteries,  raked  their  camp,  and 
threw  them  into  the  greatest  confusion ;  on  which  our  men, 
as  soon  as  boats  could  be  procured,  passed  over  to  the  Island, 
which  the  enemy  abandoned  with  precipitation,  carrying  with 
them  all  their  cannon,  except  one;  two  of  their  tenders  fell 
into  our  hands.  The  ship  Dunmore  was  so  much  damaged, 
that  it  is  said  she  was  burnt  the  night  after  the  cannonade. 
They  were  obliged  to  destroy  two  other  vessels.  We  con- 
gratulate you  on  the  success  of  the  American  arms  in  South- 
Carolina.  By  this  express  you  will  be  fully  informed  of 
Sir  Peter  Parker's  repulse. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  PAGE,  Pt.  Council. 
To  the  Honourable  President  of  the  Council  of  Safety  of 

Maryland,  Annapolis. 


251 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


252 


CALEB  C.  COUGH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Agreeable  to  my  last,  Mr.  Jacobs  waits  on 
you  respecting  the  tents.  Mr.  Jesse  Hollingsu-orth  received 
your  favour  per  Captain  Nicholson,  and  thanks  you  for  the 
draft  therein  enclosed,  which  he  will  apply  to  the  pur- 
poses you  direct,  and  render  you  an  account  of  the  charges 
of  unloading  the  brigs  and  removing  the  soldiery,  as  soon  as 
the  amount  can  be  ascertained. 

He  desires  me  to  assure  you  that  he  will  give  all  the 
assistance  he  can  to  George  Wclh,  in  procuring  the  timber 
for  the  gondolas,  and  will  always  be  glad  of  such  commis- 
sions from  you  as  it  may  be  in  his  power  to  execute. 

I  arn,  gentlemen,  for  Mr.  /.  Hollingsivorth,  your  obedient 

servant,  •  ,-, 

CALEB  C.  GOUGH. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  An- 
napolis. 


stopping  us  some  time  by  calling,  I  have  hired  the  boat  to 
carry  the  prisoners  over,  whom  you  will  please  to  pay,  and 
take  charge  of  the  prisoners.  I  shall  set  off  to-morrow 
morning  early  for  the  head  of  Elk,  and  shall  make  the  best 
of  my  way  to  Philadelphia  as  fast  as  possible. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant, 

JAMKS  HINDMAN. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 


JOHN    HANSON,   JUN.,    AND    OTHERS,  TO  MARYLAND    COUNCIL 
OF   SAFETY. 

Fredericktown,  July  13,  1776.' 

GENTLEMEN  :  In  consequence  of  a  resolve  of  the  Conven- 
tion, we,  the  Deputies  from  the  several  Committees  of  the 
Districts  of  this  County,  met  and  proceeded  to  the  recom- 
mending of  Officers  for  the  two  German  Companies,  and 
Lieutenants  for  the  Rifle  Company,  whose  names,  together 
with  a  transcript  of  our  proceedings,  we  here  enclose  you. 
As  we  have  not  heard  from  Captain  Barrett,  and  have 
some  reason  to  believe  that  he  will  not  accept  of  his  ap- 
pointment, from  the  emergency  of  the  occasion,  we  beg 
leave,  in  case  of  his  refusal,  to  recommend  to  your  notice 
Mr.  Thomas  Beall,  son  of  Colonel  Samuel  Beall,  as  a  gen- 
tleman well  qualified  to  fill  that  station,  and  one  who,  we 
are  informed,  would  be  able,  in  a  very  short  time,  to  raise 
his  company. 

We  are,  with  respect,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servants, 

JOHN  HANSON,  Jun., 
H.  GRIFFITH, 
ADAM  FISCHER, 
MICHAEL  FALKNER. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

Fredericktown,  July  12,  1776, 

At  a  meeting  of  Deputies  from  the  several  Districts  of 
this  County,  for  the  purpose  of  recommending  Officers  to 
the  Council  of  Safety,  for  the  command  of  two  German 
Companies,  and  Lieutenants  to  one  Rifle  Company,  to  be 
raised  in  this  County : 

Were  present,  Messrs.  John  Hanson,  Jr.,  Samuel  Beall, 
Michael  Falkner,  and  Adam  Fischer. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be  recommended 
as  Officers  to  the  two  German  Companies : 

William  Heiser,  Captain  ;  Jacob  Cotz,  First  Lieutenant ; 
Adam  Smith,  Second  Lieutenant;  and  Paul  Christian, 
Ensign. 

Henry  Fisher,  Captain ;  Charles  Balsall,  First  Lieuten- 
ant; Michael  Bar ger,  Second  Lieutenant;  and  Jacob  Crum- 
mitt,  Ensign. 

Adjourned  till  six  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

July  l'3th,  1776.  Same  gentlemen  present  as  yesterday. 

Resolved,  That  the  Lieutenants  to  the  Rifle  Company 
be  recommended  as  follows : 

Peter  Hanson,  First  Lieutenant;  James  Lingan,  Second 
Lieutenant ;  and  Richard  Dorsey,  Third  Lieutenant. 

RICHARD  POTTS,  Clerk. 


COLONEL  BARNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

St.  Inigoes,  July  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  information  on  Friday,  the  12th 
of  July,  that  there  was  a  considerable  number  of  ships  and 
small  vessels  between  Smith's  Point  and  Point  Lookout,  on 
which  I  ordered  five  companies  of  Militia  to  repair  there  as 
fast  as  possible,  and  immediately  set  out  to  the  Point  myself, 
in  order  to  get  further  information.  On  my  arrival  there,  I 
found  about  forty  sail  of  vessels;  they  were  then  about 
twenty-five  miles  off  the  Point,  in  the  Bay,  where  they  con- 
tinued till  in  the  night.  In  the  morning  about  fifty-eight 
sail  were  discovered  opposite  Smith's  Creek  in  Potomaclc, 
and  eight  in  the  Bay,  on  which  1  gave  orders  to  call  the 
companies  of  my  battalion  immediately  to  march  to  Poto- 
maclc, in  order  to  prevent  their  landing  in  the  district  of  the 
Twenty-first  Battalion.  We  have  had  two  small  vessels 
driven  on  shore  from  the  fleet ;  on  board  of  one  of  them  were 
three  whites  and  two  negroes,  three  of  whom  now  have  the 
small-pox  on  them.  One  of  the  white  men  informed  us  the 
fleet  was  Dunmore's,  and  that  Governour  Eden  was  on  board 
the  Fowcy,  and  that  he  heard  it  surmised  that  they  intended 
to  take  possession  of  St.  George's  Island;  since  which  the 
Fowey  and  her  tender  have  come  to  in  St.  Mary's  River: 
and  I  don't  doubt  but  the  greatest  part,  if  not  all  of  the  fleet, 
will  be  there  in  the  morning.  We  have  between  two  and 
three  hundred  of  our  Militia  stationed  in  different  places,  and 
I  have  just  sent  off  an  express  to  Colonel  Jordan  to  supply 
me  with  one  or  two  hundred  men  of  his  battalion,  if  pos- 
sible. 

From  the  above  affair,  I  think  it  would  be  proper  Captain 
BeaWs  company  from  Drum  Point  should  be  ordered  here, 
and  their  place  there  supplied  with  the  Militia  of  the  County. 
1  should  be  glad  of  your  advice  and  assistance.  I  should 
have  written  you  more  particularly,  but  have  been  marching 
from  place  to  place,  from  the  morning  till  now,  which  is 
twelve  o'clock  in  the  night,  and  am  much  tired. 

Mr.  Hugh  Hopewell  has  promised  me  to  hire  an  express 
in  Calvert  to  carry  this  to  you,  should  therefore  be  glad  you 
would  pay  him. 

I  remain,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant, 

RICHARD  BARNES. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


JOHN  WESTON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Kingsbury  Furnace,  July  13,  3776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  received  your  favour  8th  current,  and 
sorry  it  is  out  of  my  power  to  serve  the  Province  with  guns, 
as  both  our  furnaces  are  out  of  blast,  nor  can  we  blow  till 
late  this  fall  for  want  of  water.  Captain  Charles  Ridgely's 
furnace  is  in  blast,  and  likely  to  continue  for  some  time. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant,    y        «,, 

To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 


JAMES  HINDMAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Oxford,  July  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  When  I  was  in  Somerset  the  Committee 
of  Safety  delivered  me  three  prisoners  to  bring  up  as  far  as 
Talbot,  there  to  be  delivered  to  the  Militia  to  send  over  to 
Annapolis.  When  I  came  to  Cambridge  I  delivered  them 
to  a  guard  of  Militia  there,  who  had  some  men  to  send  over. 
The  Committee  there,  thinking  I  had  no  right  to  leave  them 
there,  have  sent  them  over  here  to  me,  with  a  prisoner  they 
had  in  custody,  in  expectation  of  my  calling  at  Annapolis 
on  my  way  to  the  head  of  Elk.  As  it  may  be  a  means  of 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY    TO     COMMITTEES     OF    THE 
LOWER    COUNTIES. 

[No.  33.]  Annapolis,  July  13, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  bearer  hereof  (Colonel  Ewing)  will 
have  occasion  to  spend  some  little  time  in  your  County,  in 
forwarding  the  raising  the  men  for  the  Flying-Camp,  pur- 
chasing arms  and  blankets  for  them,  and  promoting  in  other 
respects  the  publick  service.  As  he  is  pretty  much  a  stranger 
in  your  part  of  the  Province,  he  may  be  at  a  loss,  perhaps, 
unless  he  receives  some  assistance  from  you ;  we  therefore 
take  the  liberty  of  introducing  him  to  you,  and  shall  be 
obliged  for  any  assistance  you  may  give  him,  or  any  favours 
you  may  show  him.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  the  Committees  of  die  four  lower  Counties. 


253 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


254 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favour  of 
the  10th  instant,  and  to  acquaint  you  that  it  is  now  under 
the  consideration  of  Congress. 

The  enclosed  resolves  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  transmit, 
as  necessary  for  your  information.  I  have  written  to  Gene- 
ral Schuyler  and  the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs  re- 
specting the  same. 

In  obedience  to  the  commands  of  Congress,  I  have  en- 
closed you  two  copies  of  sundry  resolves  they  have  passed 
relative  to  the  treatment  of  our  prisoners  by  Captain  Forster 
in  Canada.  I  am  to  request  you  will  take  the  proper  steps 
to  send  one  of  them  to  General  Howe  and  the  other  to 
General  Burgoyne.  I  transmit,  also,  a  third  copy  for  your 
own  use. 

Should  the  United  States  of  America  give  their  sanction 
to  the  Jesuitical  and  villanous  distinction  which  Captain 
Forster  adopts  to  justify  his  conduct,  there  would  be  no  end 
to  butchering  our  prisoners.  They  have  therefore  very 
properly  reprobated  it;  and.  in  the  genuine  spirit  of  freedom, 
resolved,  that  such  cruelty  as  shall  be  inflicted  on  prisoners 
in  their  possession,  by  savages  or  foreigners  taken  into  pay 
by  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  shall  be  considered  as  done 
by  his  orders,  and  recourse  be  immediately  had  to  retalia- 
tion. It  is  to  be  hoped  their  determination  will  have  the 
desired  effect,  and  that  for  the  future  such  barbarous  scenes 
will  never  be  acted  under  the  eye  and  approbation  of  a 
British  officer;  for  there  is  the  greatest  reason  to  believe 
that  Captain  Forster  engaged  the  Indians  to  join  him,  on 
the  express  condition  of  giving  up  to  them  all  such  prisoners 
as  might  fall  into  his  hands.  His  subsequent  conduct, 
indeed,  renders  this  conjecture  more  than  probable. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  perfect  esteem,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Washington. 

One  o'clock,  P.  M.  This  moment  your  favour  per  post 
of  the  llth  instant  came  to  hand.  I  shall  lay  it  before 
Congress  on  Monday  morning. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENF.RAL  SCHUYLER. 

Philadelphia,  July  13, 1776. 

SIR:  I  am  so  extremely  hurried  at  present  that  I  must 
beg  leave  to  refer  your  attention  to  the  enclosed  resolves ; 
and,  indeed,  this  is  all  I  have  time  to  do. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Schuykr. 

PHILADELPHIA  COMMITTEE. 

Philadelphia  County  Committee,  July  13,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee,  in  consequence  of  a  Letter 
from  the  honourable  Continental  Congress,  as  well  as  from 
a  recommendation  of  the  Provincial  Conference,  do  proceed 
to  raise  our  part  of  the  Flying-Camp,  and  that  the  following 
gentlemen  be  appointed  as  Officers :  Colonel,  Robert  Lewis ; 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  Isaac  Hughes;  Major,  John  Moore. 
Esq.;  Surgeon,  Enoch  Edwards;  Quartermaster,  Marshall 
Edwards;  Adjutant,  Solomon  Bush.  Captains:  Archibald 
Thompson,  George  Smith,  Henry  Derringer,  Jacob  Laugh- 
lin,  Rudolph  Neff,  Aaron  Levering,  Christian  Shnyder, 
Henry  Pawling,  Joseph  Jones.  First  Lieutenants :  Marshall 
Edwards,  Solomon  Bush,  Samuel  Swift,  William  Wilson, 
Casper  Doll,  Samuel  Hainds,  Graudus  Schlatter,  Mordecai 
Morgan,  David  Schrach,  Stephen  Porter,  Thomas  Ros- 
setter.  Second  Lieutenants :  William  Armstrong,  Leonard 
Dall,  James  Hazlet,  George  Bringhurst,  Matthew  Holgate, 
Jesse  Roberts,  Alexander  Hall,  Peacock  Major.  Ensigns : 
Andrew  Barge,  William  North,  William  Nox,  Abraham 
Dufficld,  Nathaniel  Childs,  Alexander  Wright,  James  Potts, 
Rees  Nanna. 

Extract  from  the  minutes:  ENOCH  EDWARDS. 

The  Officers  appointed  by  the  Committee  of  this  County 
to  compose  the  Flying-Camp  are  requested  to  meet  at  the 
Conestoga  Wagon,  in  Philadelphia,  on  Saturday,  the  20th 
instant,  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

ROBERT  LEWIS. 


JOHN  COX  TO  JASPER  YEATES. 

Philadelphia,  July  13,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND:  The  enclosed  letter  came  to  hand  a 
day  or  two  after  you  left  Philadelphia.  My  young  man, 
not  knowing  but  that  you  intended  returning  home  thfs  way] 
kept  it  till  I  came  home. 

Our  Militia  are  all  in  motion,  except  three  companies  that 
are  ordered  to  stay  to  guard  the  frigates,  &ic.  The  last  of 
the  Second  Battalion  will  march  off  this  afternoon,  and  I 
shall  follow  them  this  evening  or  to-morrow  morning  as  their 
Lieutenant-Colonel.  Where  we  shall  go,  or  how  long  we 
shall  continue  in  the  service,  God  only  knows.  Our  first 
encampment  will  be  at  Trenton,  where  I  suppose  we  shall 
continue  a  few  days,  and  advance  towards  the  enemy.  I 
am  told  the  Militia  of  your  County  turn  out  with  great 
cheerfulness.  I  make  no  doubt  of  our  being  able  to  muster 
twenty  thousand  men  by  the  last  of  next  week;  if  so,  I  take 
it  there  will  be  two  to  one  in  favour  of  our  being  ordered  to 
dislodge  the.  enemy,  now  at  Staten-Island ;  if  so,  I  hope  and 
pray  we  may  distinguish  ourselves  as  men  fighting  for  every- 
thing that  is  valuable  and  dear. 

We  have  got  one  of  the  most  gentlemanly  fighting  fellows 
you  ever  knew  to  command  our  privateer;  and  hope  it  will 
not  be  long  before  we  shall  be  in  possession  of  hall  a  dozen 
rich  sugar  and  dry-goods  ships. 

Whenever  you  find  it  convenient,  you  will  remit  to  my 
brother  William  two  hundred  pounds,  which  will  be,  some- 
where about  the  amount  of  your  share  of  the  vessel.  Should 
anything  extraordinary  turn  up  on  the  present  campaign, 
you  may  expect  to  hear  from  me.  I  hope  you  reached 
home  without  any  accident,  and  that  you  are  all  the  better 
for  your  jaunt. 

I  shall  be  much  obliged  by  your  settling  the  matter  with 
Captain  Patterson  as  soon  as  possible,  as  God  only  knows 
whether  I  ever  shall  return ;  and  I  should  like  matters  so 
settled  as  to  give  those  who  come  after  me  as  little  trouble  as 
possible. 

God  bless  and  protect  you  and  yours,  and  believe  me  to 
be,  with  unfeigned  sincerity,  your  affectionate  and  humble 

servant,  T         ,-, 

JOHN  Cox. 

To  Jasper  Yeates,  Esq. 

P.  S.  The  packet  mentioned  above  has  been  delivered  to 
Colonel  Ross,  by  his  particular  request. 


HENRY  HALLER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Reading,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  received  your  letter,  containing  a  resolve 
of  Congress  for  the  removal  of  the  privates  who  are  prisoners 
in  this  town,  to  Lancaster,  which  we  shall  carry  into  exe- 
cution with  all  the  despatch  in  our  power. 

We  received  a  letter  from  the  honourable  the  Delegates 
of  this  Province,  mentioning  that  we  should  be  informed  by 
express,  or  by  the  gentlemen  from  our  County  then  at  Lan- 
caster, that  all  the  Militia  that  could  possibly  be  equipped 
and  armed  should  be  called  forth.  We  also  received  a  letter 
from  the  Committee  of  Lancaster,  enclosing  copies  of  letters 
from  a  Committee  of  Congress,  and  from  the  Committee  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia;  in  the  former  of  which  it  is  men- 
tioned that  the  forces  from  the  several  Counties  should  be 
collected  and  marched  to  Brunswick;  in  the  latter  it  is  men- 
tioned that  only  the  four  thousand  five  hundred  men  ordered 
to  be  raised  in  the  Province,  as  part  of  the  Flying-Camp, 
were  meant  by  the  letter  of  the  Committee  of  Congress. 
We,  therefore,  continued  our  plan  of  raising  our  quota  for 
the  Flying-Camp,  and,  indeed,  added  a  company  more,  to 
complete  the  battalion,  hoping  for  the  approbation  of  Con- 
gress in  so  doing;  since  which  we  have  seen  in  the  publick 
prints  the  proceedings  of  the  Conference  of  the  Delegates  of 
the  several  Counties,  and  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  the 
City  and  Liberties.  But  as  we  had  nearly  raised  several 
companies  to  compose  the  Flying-Camp,  (the  place  of  which 
this  Militia  is  intended  to  supply,)  and  the  others  were  pro- 
ceeding with  great  success,  considering  the  great  scarcity  of 
every  kind  of  tolerable  arms  among  the  people  to  arm  such 
a  multitude,  we  hope  our  completing  the  original  plan 
will  be  approved  of,  as  the  men  will  be  more  quickly  raised 
and  better  equipped  than  if  we  were  to  take  down  the  whole 
Militia. 

Our  conduct  is  dictated  by  the  warmest  attachment  to  the 


255 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


256 


cause  of  our  country,  and  we  trust  it  will  be  considered  in 
that  light  by  the  honourable  Congress. 

We  are,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
very  humble  servants, 

HENRY  HALLER, 

EDWARD  BURD.  1       „        ...       /. 

•.,,                T  Lommittee  or 
JOHN  WHITMAN,  Jun.,  I  ^ 

D        v  '  >  Correspondence 

PAUL  KERBF.R,  \  f     D 

r,                 T>  for  BERKS. 

COLLINSON  KEAD,  )  J 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


WILLIAM  H.  ATLEE  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  16,  1776.] 

In  Cemmittce,  Lancaster,  July  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Committee  were  this  afternoon  hon- 
oured with  your  instructions  of  the  12th  instant,  with  the 
resolve  of  Congress  empowering  and  requesting  the  Com- 
mittee to  keep  a  guard  over  the  prisoners  in  the  Barracks  in 
this  place,  and  to  surround  the  Barracks  with  a  stockade  fort. 
The  Committee  will  give  the  strictest  attention  to  the 
matters  recommended  to  their  notice  by  Congress,  and  will 
have  these  resolves  carried  into  execution  with  all  the  des- 
patch in  their  power.  They  have  sent  off  an  express  to 
General  Irving,  requesting  his  presence  to  direct  the  form 
and  manner  of  the  stockade,  and  hope  on  Monday  morning 
to  begin  this  necessary  work,  and  flatter  themselves  they  will 
then  have  the  opportunity  of  consulting  with  him  as  to  the 
proper  guard  and  necessary  workmen,  and  materials  to  be 
employed  and  used  in  this  business. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee: 

WILLIAM  H.  ATLEE,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COMMITTEE  OF  NEW-YORK  CON- 
VENTION. 

Head-Quarters,  July  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  A  multiplicity  of  engagements,  and  a  con- 
tinual pressure  of  other  concerns,  have  prevented  our  pro- 
ceeding in  the  case  of  the  soldiers  confined  for  treasonable 
practices ;  but  as  soon  as  time  will  admit,  a  proper  attention 
will  be  paid  to  it.  In  the  mean  time,  I  beg  leave  to  sug- 
gest the  propriety  of  the  authority  of  the  Province  taking 
some  steps  with  regard  to  those  persons  confined  by  them  for 
the  same  offences.  They  certainly  are  to  be  deemed  the 
principals;  and  justice  to  the  inferior  agents,  while  the  others 
pass  unnoticed,  I  observe,  only  excites  compassion  and  cen- 
sure. I  am  very  sensible  it  is  a  case  full  of  difficulty  and 
perplexity,  and  well  deserving  your  most  serious  deliberation ; 
nor  do  1  entertain  a  doubt  but  the  result  will  be  such  as  will 
conduce  to  the  publick  good. 

I  have,  some  time  ago,  mentioned  to  the  body  of  which 
you  are  a  Committee,  the  necessity  of  falling  upon  some 
measure  to  remove  from  the  city  and  its  environs  persons 
of  known  disaffection  and  enmity  to  the  cause  of  America. 
The  safety  of  the  Army,  the  success  of  every  enterprise,  and 
the  security  of  all,  depend  so  much  on  adopting  the  most 
speedy  and  effectual  steps  for  the  purpose,  that  I  beg  leave 
again  to  repeat  it.  and  do  most  earnestly  entreat  you  to  fall 
upon  some  plan  for  this  purpose,  or  to  give  me  your  assistance 
doing  it,  so  as  to  remove  those  disquieting  and  discouraging 
apprehensions  which  pervade  the  whole  Army  on  this  sub- 
ject. A  suspicion  that  there  are  many  Ministerial  agents 
among  us  would  justly  alarm  soldiers  of  more  experience  and 
discipline  than  ours;  and  I  foresee  very  dangerous  conse- 
quences in  many  respects,  if  a  remedy  to  the  evil  is  not  soon 
and  efficaciously  applied. 

The  removal  of  the  Tory  prisoners,  confined-  in  the  jail 
of  this  city,  is  a  matter  to  which  I  would  solicit  your  atten- 
tion. In  every  view,  it  appears  dangerous  and  important. 
In  case  of  an  attack  and  alarm,  there  can  be  no  doubt  what 
part  they  would  take,  and  none  can  tell  what  influence  they 
might  have. 

You  will,  gentlemen,  do  me  the  justice  to  believe,  that 
nothing  but  the  importance  and  necessity  of  the  case  could 
induce  me  thus  to  urge  these  matters,  in  which  you  have 
also  an  immediate  and  common  interest. 


The  gentlemen  appointed  to  give  passes  to  persons  leaving 
the  city,  I  am  informed,  decline  acting.  Great  inconvenience 
will  ensue  to  the  citizens,  if  this  business  should  be  commit- 
ted to  officers  of  the  Army,  who,  from  their  ignorance  of  the 
inhabitants,  as  well  as  other  reasons,  are  wholly  improper 
for  the  management  of  it.  I  should  be  glad  if  your  Com- 
mittee will  take  this  matter  also  into  their  consideration. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect  and  regard,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Committee  of  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the 

State  of  New-  York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  EGBERT  BENSON. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR:  Two  ships  of  force  with  their  tenders  have  sailed 
up  Hudson's  River.  I  am  apprehensive  that  they  design 
to  seize  the  passes  in  the  Highlands  by  land,  which  I  am 
informed  may  be  done  by  a  small  body  of  men.  I  must 
therefore  request  you  instantly  to  desire  General  Ten  Broeck 
to  march  down  as  great  a  force  as  he  can  collect  to  secure 
them,  particularly  the  post  where  the  road  runs  over  An- 
thony's Nose.  Send  off  an  express  directly  (if  you  please) 
to  the  west  parts  of  Connecticut,  desiring  them  to  collect  all 
their  force  at  the  same  point,  since  I  have  the  highest  reason 
to  believe  it  will  be  absolutely  necessary,  if  it  were  only  to 
prevent  an  insurrection  of  your  own  Tories. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &tc,,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Egbert  Benson,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Dutchess  County. 

P.  S.  A  return  must  be  immediately  made  to  me  of  the 
number  of  men  you  collect. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  CAPTAIN  DENNIS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  13, 1776. 

SIR  :  Mr.  Duer  informs  me  that  there  are  two  or  three 
vessels  lying  at  the  dock  of  Mr.  Beverly  Robinson,  in  the 
Highlands.  As  it  is  probable  the  men-of-war  which  sailed 
up  the  river  yesterday  may  have  anchored  to  the  northward 
of  these  ships,  I  think  it  absolutely  necessary  that  an  at- 
tempt should  be  made  to  secure  these  vessels  for  future 
service.  I  have  therefore  to  desire  the  favour  of  you  to 
procure  proper  persons  to  bring  these  vessels  down  the 
river,  and  to  anchor  them  under  the  fort  where  General 
Mijjlin  commands.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  this 
matter  should  be  conducted  with  the  utmost  secrecy  and 
despatch ;  and  as  I  am  of  opinion  that  you  possess  these 
requisites,  I  have  thought  proper  to  apply  to  you  for  your 
services  in  this  matter. 

I  am,  sir,  &tc.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Captain  Dennis. 

TO  CAPTAIN  JOHN  JOHNSON.     INSTRUCTIONS  TO  SUPERINTEND 
THE  NORTH  RIVER  FERRY.        1  ST  NEW-YORK. 

It  is  General  Washington's  orders  that  Captain  Johnson, 
of  Colonel  McDougall's  Regiment,  do  daily  attend  from 
sunrise  to  dark  in  the  evening  at  the  North-River  Ferry 
wharves,  leading  both  to  Powles-Hook  and  Hoghbook,  at 
which,  or  between  which  places,  all  boats  coming  to  the 
west  side  of  the  town,  are  to  land,  where  he  in  the  first 
place  is  to  examine  all  passengers  going  from  the  town,  and 
to  see  that  they  have  genuine  passes  from  the  Committee 
or  one  of  the  General  Officers.  In  the  next  place,  he  is 
particularly  to  be 'attentive  to  the  passengers  who  arrive  in 
town.  If  they  are  travellers,  such  as  he  can  have  no  sus- 
picion of,  he  is  only  to  require  their  names  and  the  places 
where  they  intend  to  lodge,  and  report  them  to  the  General 
at  noon  and  in  the  evening.  If  they  are  in  any  manner  of 
suspicious  characters,  he  is  to  detain  them  at  some  conve- 
nient house,  to  be  appointed  for  that  purpose  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood, till  he  can  send  his  report  (which  is  to  be  done 
immediately)  to  Head-Quarters,  and  the  General's  determi- 
nation be  had  thereon.  He  is  also  to  examine  the  passen- 
gers of  all  other  boats  (besides  the  ferry  boats)  which  may 
arrive,  and  report  in  like  manner. 

And  in  order  the  better  to  enable  Captain  Johnson  to 
carry  these  instructions  into  execution,  the  commanding 


257 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


258 


officer  of  the  North-River  guard  is  to  give  him  every 
necessary  aid  in  his  power.  Captain  Johnson  is  to  commu- 
nicate  these  instructions  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  give 
passes. 

By  the  General's  order  at  Head-Quarters,  this  13th  of 


177G- 


STIRLING. 


NEW-YORK  COMMITTEE. 


Committee  Chamber,  New-York,  July  13,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  the 
Members  of  the  different  Fire-Engine  Companies  that  re- 
main in  this  City  ought  not  to  be  called  out  on  any  military 
duty  which  the  common  Militia  of  this  City  and  County 
are  subject  to ;  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  different 
Captains  of  the  said  Firemen,  to  engage  as  many  able 
citizens  as  are  sufficient  to  fill  up  the  vacancies  of  such  Fire- 
men as  are  entered  in  the  Continental  service,  or  have 
removed  out  of  town ;  and  that  they  pay  strict  attention  to 
the  state  of  the  Engine  and  publick  buckets ;  and  that  the 
Captains  aforesaid  return  a  list  of  all  such  Firemen  as  soon 
as  possible  to  this  Committee. 
Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

Published  by  order  of  the  Committee: 

JOSEPH  WINTER,  Secretary. 


mittee  to  regulate  the  districts  of  Captain  Peter  Nostrant, 
on  the  south  side  of  Hempstead,  that  four  Companies  had 
been  thrown  into  one.  Accordingly,  we  have  made  the 
district  of  the  late  Captain  John  BirdsaWs  Company  for 
one  Company,  and  accordingly  notified  the  people  on  this 
day  to  meet  and  choose  their  military  officers.  There  met 
a  number  of  men,  and  made  choice  of  Richard  Jackson  for 
their  Captain,  Zebulon  Seaman  for  First-Lieutenant,  John 
Lewis  for  Second-Lieutenant,  and  Smith  Brush  Ensign ;  to 
which  we  beg  the  favour  of  the  honourable  Provincial  Con- 
'ss  to  grant  them  their  commissions. 
Gentlemen,  we  are  your  very  humble  servants, 

JOHN  WILLIAMS, 
JOHN  BIHDSALL, 
BENJAMIN  BIRDSALL, 
Three  of  the  County  Committee. 


JOHN  MCKESSON  TO  ROBERT  BENSON. 

Saturday,  A.  M.,  10  o'clock. 

DEAR  BROTHER  BOB:  I  received  yours  of  Tliursday. 
The  city  has  been  a  scene  of  confusion,  but  begins  to  be 
more  settled.  Many  of  the  Jersey  Militia  are  gone  to  the 
Kills  and  Bcrgen-Point.  They  are  the  best  Militia,  and 
with  better  arms  and  accoutrements,  than  any  other  Militia 
I  have  ever  seen.  There  are  some  exchanges  of  cannon 
about  the  Narrows  and  Kills  every  day.  Yesterday  after- 
noon, either  two  or  three  tenders  went  up  the  Kills  succes- 
sively, and  fired  at  our  troops,  who  returned  the  fire  so  briskly 
that  the  tenders  soon  returned.  The  first  tender  soon  re- 
turned to  the  fleet,  when  a  second  was  sent.  She  was,  or 
appeared  to  be,  larger,  but  did  not  tarry  long  after  the  firing 
between  them  began. 

I  send  you  a  parcel  of  papers  to  put  in  the  chest,  and  a 
few  letters  for  the  President  and  Members. 

Pray  let  me  know  whether  the  order  for  issuing  commis- 
sions extended  to  Colonels  Ritzema's  and  Clinton's  regi- 
ments, or  either.  If  so,  please  to  send  me  a  bundle  or  two 
of  commissions.  I  had  only  forty-two  left  here.  All  the 
officers  are  vastly  impatient,  and  some  of  them  seem  unwil- 
ling to  think  of  coming  to  any  action  without  commissions. 
I  have  ventured  to  issue  the  commissions  for  Captain  Beau- 
man's  company,  as  he,  though  the  youngest  Captain  in  the 
Artillery  corps,  is  assigned  to  the  first  place  of  danger.  I  hope 
the  gentlemen  will  approve  my  conduct  in  this  instance. 

I  find  I  am  of  some  use  here,  which,  together  with  my 
expectation,  as  well  from  publick  report  as  your  letter,  of 
your  change  of  plan,  has  prevented  my  joining  you.  If 
you  are  likely  to  tarry  at  the  Plains,  or  if  you  do  not  send 
me  some  blank  commissions,  I  shall  attend  you  without 
delay. 

My  best  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  of  Congress,  and 
Mr.  Bancker. 

It  is  said  that  Wcstchester  men  are  much  alarmed  at  the 
great  consumption  of  their  sunfish,  and  that  a  considerable 
share  of  that  waste  is  charged  to  Mr.  Alderman  Brasher 
and  a  few  other  gentlemen. 

1  have  got  cartridges  for  your  fusee,  and  will  bring  both 
whenever  I  can  be  certain  where  to  join  you. 

I  am,  sincerely  yours,  JQHN  McKESSON. 

To  Robert  Benson,  Esq. 

P.  S.  The  Mayor's  Court  stands  adjourned  to  next  Tues- 
day. The  Mayor  refuses  to  appoint  a  Deputy.  Some  of 
the  Magistrates  fear  the  loss  of  the  City  charter;  and  Mr. 
Alderman  Bayard  writes  by  this  conveyance  to  the  Record- 
er to  come  to  town,  and  open  and  adjourn  the  Court. 


JOHN  COE  TO  THE  COMMANDING    OFFICF.R    AT  PAULUS-HOOK. 

Haverstraw,  July  13,  177C. 

SIR:  The  regiment  of  this  County  is  now,  and  has  been, 
under  arms  all  night,  occasioned  by  the  appearance  of  several 
ships-of-war  of  the  Ministerial  fleet,  now  lying  in  Tappan 
Bay.  We  have  heard  that  another  part  of  the  same  fleet 
attacked  the  city  of  New-  York  last  evening;  but  what  has 
been  the  event,  or  whether  they  have  been  able  to  pass  the 
forts  on  the  river,  we  are  not  able  to  learn.  As  we  would 
endeavour  to  ease  the  County  as  much  as  is  consistent  with 
the  publick  service,  at  this  busy  season  of  the  year,  we  have 
despatched  the  bearer,  Mr.  Resolvert  Van  Houter,  express 
to  you,  and  beg  vou  would  give  him  the  necessary  informa- 
tion relative  to  the  action  of  yesterday,  and  your  advice  on 
the  necessary  steps  to  be  taken  by  us  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  making  inroads  and  depredations  on  the  west  side  of 
Hudson's  River. 

We  are,  sir,  your  humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  County  Committee  for  Orange  County: 
JOHN  COE,  Dep.  Chairman. 

To  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Continental  Forces  at 
Paulus-Hook,  or  on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  River. 


ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS  IN  QUEEN'S  COUNTY,  NEW-YORK. 
By  orders  of  the  Queen's  County  Committee,  July  13, 
1776,   we,   the   subscBbere,   were  appointed   a  sub-Corn- 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  1 


NATHANIEL  WOODHULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of ) 
New-York,  White-Plains,  July  13,  1776.      $ 

SIR:  On  being  informed  yesterday  afternoon  that  two 
ships-of-war  had  gone  into  the  North  River,  and  passed  by 
all  the  fortifications  on  York-Island,  the  Convention  imme- 
diately sent  an  express  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  fort 
at  the  Highlands,  advising  him  thereof. 

Last  evening,  advice  arrived  that  two  frigates  and  two  or 
three  tenders  were  at  anchor  at  Tarrytoivn;  whereupon, 
the  Convention  sent  the  inhabitants  a  supply  of  powder  and 
ball,  and  took  immediate  measures  for  reinforcing  the  inhabi- 
tants along  that  shore.  This  morning,  the  Convention  were 
informed  that  the  frigates  and  tenders  still  lay  there  at 
anchor,  and  that  several  barges  were  busy  in  sounding  the 
river.  Another  detachment  of  the  Militia  has  been  directed 
to  guard  the  stores  in  that  neighbourhood,  in  which  are  sundry 
effects  belonging  to  the  publick. 

The  Convention  will  endeavour  to  prevent  their  making 
incursions  into  the  country;  and  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  your 
Excellency  the  propriety  of  keeping  a  strong  guard  at  King't 
Bridge,  the  destruction  of  which  they  apprehend  to  be  an 
object  with  the  enemy. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 
humble  servant, 

By  order:  NATHANIEL  WOODHULL.  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  at  Head-Quarters, 
New-  York. 

NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  COLONEL  HAMMOND. 

White-Plains,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  last  evening  ordered  Colonel  Thomas  to  send 
you  a  reinforcement  of  forty  or  fifty  men,  together  with  one 
hundred  pounds  of  lead,  and  two  quarter-casks  of  powder, 
all  of  which  we  hope  you  have  received. 

There  is  no  great  reason  to  apprehend  that  any  considera- 
ble incursions  into  the  country  will  be  made  by  parties  fro  in 
the  ships  in  the  river;  and  we  are  therefore  of  opinion  that  it 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


260 


would  not  be  expedient  for  great  numbers  of  the  Militia  to 
leave  their  farms  at  this  busy  season  of  the  year. 

Great  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  conduct  of  the  dis- 
affected among  us,  and  care  taken  to  prevent  any  unusual 
gatherings  of  them ;  and  let  all  such  of  them  be  appre- 
hended and  secured  as  may  give  any  aid  to  the  enemy,  or 
threaten  to  give  us  any  molestation. 

Colonel  Drake  will  give  the  necessary  orders  for  provi- 
sions, and  we  hope  the  Whigs  of  this  County  will  distinguish 
themselves  by  their  zeal  and  alacrity  on  this  occasion. 

We  are,  sir,  your  very  humble  servants. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammond. 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  COLONEL  VAN  CORTLANDT. 

White-Plains,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  Be  pleased  to  order  such  a  number  of  your  regi- 
ment to  guard  the  stores  in  which  provisions  and  other  effects 
belonging  to  the  publick  are  lodged,  at  and  near  Peekskill, 
as  you  may  think  necessary.  Colonel  Drake  will  afford 
them  the  necessary  supplies  of  bread  and  pork. 

As  it  would  not  be  prudent,  on  every  little  alarm,  to  call 
great  numbers  of  the  inhabitants  from  their  farms,  we  hope 
the  detachments  you  may  order  on  service  will  not  be  greater 
than  the  exigency  of  affairs  may  require. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servants. 
To  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt. 


COLONEL  JAMES  CLINTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Fort  Constitution,  July  13, 1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  Your  express  of  the 
12th  I  just  now  received,  and  will  endeavour  to  comply  with 
the  contents. 

We  had  a  most  unfortunate  accident  happen  here  yes- 
terday. As  Lieutenant  Bryant  and  one  Nicoll,  both  of 
the  Artillery,  were  scaling  out  a  couple  of  cannon  which  we 
had  just  mounted,  before  having  flashed  a  little  powder  out 
of  one  of  them,  and  not  spunging  her  properly,  when  the 
Lieutenant  was  putting  in  the  wad,  the  cannon  went  off", 
shot  off  his  hand,  and  blew  Nicoll  several  yards,  as  he  was 
standing  by  to  ram  down  the  charge.  Nicoll  was  mortally 
wounded ;  the  Lieutenant  had  his  right  arm  cut  off. 

We  want  more  officers  of  the  Artillery  here  very  much, 
as  Lieutenant  Bryant  is  a  great  loss  to  us.  We  are  scarce 
of  gun-flints  and  good  arms. 

1  am,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JAMES  CLINTON,  Colonel. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Albany,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR:  By  Captain  Wentworth  I  was  favoured  with  yours 
of  the  2d  instant,  who  also  delivered  me  £806  9s.  6d., 
lawful  money,  for  which  I  have  given  him  duplicate  receipts. 

Captain  WmtwortKs  immediate  return  puts  it  out  of  my 
power  to  pay  him  that  attention  which  your  recommendation, 
and,  I  dare  say  his  merit,  would  entitle  him  to.  I  have 
pressed  him,  but  in  vain,  to  accompany  me  to  a  treaty,  to 
be  held  with  the  Six  Nations,  at  the  German-Flats. 

General  Sullivan  is  on  his  way  down.  He  thinks  a  slight 
has  been  put  on  him,  by  appointing  General  Gates  to  the 
command  of  the  troops  that  were  then  supposed  to  be  in 
Canada,  and  talks  of  quitting  the  Army.  1  should  be  sorry 
if  he  did,  because  I  have  reason  to  believe  him  a  good  officer. 
His  retreat  from  Canada,  where  he  could  not  possibly  have 
remained  with  an  Army  so  miserably  broken  as  that  he  com- 
manded, has  been  judiciously  made,  and  reflects  honour  on 
him. 

Adieu,  and  believe  me,  with  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedi- 
ent, humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  JEREMIAH  POWELL. 

Albany,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letters  of  the  29th  ultimo,  and  1st  instant,  I 
had  the  honour  to  receive  at  Ticonderoga  a  few  days  ago. 
I  deferred  answering  them  until  I  should  be  able  to  give  you 
some  account  of  the  measures  taken  to  prevent  that  dreadful 
malady,  which  has  so  greatly  reduced  our  Army,  from  infpct- 
ing  the  Militia  intended  to  reinforce  it. 


The  main  body  of  the  Army  is  removing  to  Ticonderoga, 
when  they  will  be  immediately  employed  in  constructing 
such  fortifications  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Champlain  as 
may  be  necessary  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  drawing  over 
their  boats  into  Lake  George,  should  they  obtain  a  naval 
superiority;  which,  however,  I  have  not  the  least  apprehen- 
sion that  they  will  be  able  to  effect  this  campaign.  On 
the  east  side  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  opposite  to  Ticon- 
deroga, the  grounds  are  remarkably  strong ;  and  it  is  con- 
cluded to  be  the  place  for  a  fortified  camp,  to  be  occupied 
by  the  Militia  to  prevent  the  enemy  penetrating  the  Colonies 
in  that  quarter;  and  by  means  of  our  batteaus,  both  bodies 
may  reciprocally  support  each  other,  as  the  distance  from 
shore  to  shore  is  only  half  a  mile.  This  disposition  will 
effectually  prevent  the  small-pox  from  being  conveyed  to 
the  Militia  by  the  now  infected  Army;  and  we  hope  that  in 
a  few  weeks  both  bodies  may  join  without  danger,  should 
there  be  occasion,  as  all  the  sick  and  infected  are  removing 
to  Fort  George,  to  which  place  every  one  hereafter  seized 
with  the  small-pox  will  be  sent,  and  there  kept  until  they 
are  perfectly  cleansed. 

Our  Army  is  much  recovered  since  their  return  to  Crown- 
Point,  and  I  hope  in  a  little  time  to  find  it  healthy  and  fit 
to  give  the  enemy  a  warm  reception,  should  they  be  able  to 
cross  the  Lake  and  attempt  an  attack. 

I  arn,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 

To  the  Hon.  Jeremiah  Powell,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Colony 
of  Massachusetts-Bay,  &tc. 

P.  S.  When  I  was  at  Crown-Point,  I  proposed  to  a 
council  of  officers  an  expedient  to  procure  the  return  of 
the  deserters  from  the  northern  Army;  and  it  was  unani- 
mously agreed  that  I  should  write  to  the  different  Govern- 
ments from  whence  troops  had  been  sent,  entreating  the 
Governours  and  Commanders-in-Chief  to  issue  their  Procla- 
mations promising  pardon  to  all  such  as  should  return  by  a 
limited  time,  to  be  fixed  by  such  Governours,  &.c.;  and  to 
require  all  officers,  civil  and  military,  in  their  respective 
Governments,  to  apprehend  all  such  deserters  as  should 
not  comply  with  the  terms  offered.  May  I  be  permitted 
to  entreat  your  Honour  to  issue  such  Proclamation  in  your 
Colony. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  July  13,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  arrived  here  at  two  yesterday  after- 
noon. The  latest  accounts  from  New-York  are  of  Tuesday 
last.  The  enemy  were  landed  on  Staten-Island  to  the  num- 
ber of  about  seven  thousand,  and,  it  is  thought,  were  waiting 
for  reinforcements.  A  body  of  them  also  debarked  on  Long- 
Island,  but  did  not  remain  long,  being  apprehensive  of  an 
attack  from  some  of  our  troops  who  were  on  their  march  to- 
ward them.  A  small  tender  of  theirs,  in  going  up  the  Kills 
between  Bergen-Point  and  Staten-Island,  has  been  sunk, 
either  by  our  batteries  or  some  craft  we  had  there. 

The  Mayor  of  New-  York,  Forbes,  and  the  other  conspir- 
ators, are  still  confined.  I  cannot  learn  what  is  to  be  their 
fate. 

I  have  this  morning  sent  you  three  hundred  and  forty-eight 
felling  axes  and  fifty  spades,  and  have  written  to  Connecticut 
and  the  western  towns  of  the  Massachusetts,  to  collect  and 
immediately  forward  whatever  they  can.  All  the  blacksmiths 
are  at  work  in  this  place  and  in  Schenectady,  and  I  hope  to 
collect  some  in  the  country,  having  given  orders  for  that 
purpose. 

On  the  2d  instant,  Congress  declared  the  American  Colo- 
nies free  and  independent  States;  and  it  is  said  that  there 
was  not  one  dissenting  Colony. 

No  lead  is  yet  arrived  here.  I  have  again  requested 
General  Washington  to  send  whatever  he  can  spare.  I  have 
repeated  my  orders  for  a  full  supply  of  fresh  provisions  to  be 
immediately  sent ;  pray  let  the  pork  be  husbanded  as  much 
as  possible,  as  I  fear  we  shall  not  be  able  to  procure  much 
more.  Permit  me  to  remind  you  to  order  all  the  brick  from 
Crown-Point,  as  well  those  wrought  up  into  chimnies  as 
the  others. 

The  bearer,  Major  Ely,  is  sent  by  the  Colony  of  Connec- 
ticut to  give  his  assistance  as  a  physician  who  has  had  much 
experience  in  the  fatal  malady  which  so  greatly  distresses 
us.  Permit  me  to  recommend  him  to  your  attention. 


261 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  H76. 


2G2 


I  have  written  Govcrnour  Trumbulland  President  Powell, 
and  pointed  out  the  disposition  we  have  made  of  the  Army, 
and  observed  on  the  good  prospect  we  have  of  eradicating 
the  small-pox  and  preventing  its  seizing  the  Militia. 

A  quantity  of  lead  is  just  arrived  and  shall  be  forwarded 
to  you  without  delay. 

We  are  this  moment  informed  by  Mr.  /Fray,  who  left 
New-York  on  Tuesday,  that  a  fleet  of  seventeen  French 
men-of-war  was  arrived  at  Rhode-Island,  with  Mr.  Deane 
on  board.  The  account  has  been  repeated  to  him  on  his 
way  up.  I  hope  for  the  pleasure  of  a  confirmation  of  this 
account. 

I  shall  desire  the  Postmaster  here  to  send  you  all  the 
letters  for  the  Army,  with  a  blank  commission  for  a  Post- 
master, to  be  filled  up  by  you. 

Pay  my  respects  to  General  Arnold. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  great  truth  and  sincerity,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 


P.  VAN  RENSSELAER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  General  Schuyler  desired  me  to  acquaint  you  that  I 
have  sent  two  sets  of  carpenter's  tools  and  two  of  black- 
smith's tools  to  Fort  George,  and  to  be  forwarded  to  Ticon- 
deroga.  I  also  sent  this  day  three  hundred  and  fifty-one 
axes,  fifty-one  spades,  eight  boxes  of  musket  ball,  containing 
eleven  hundred  and  thirty-five  pounds,  and  two  tuns  of  bar 
lead.  Eight  tuns  remain  in  store. 

1  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  most  humble  servant, 

P.  V.  RENSSELAER. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates,  Ticonderoga. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Head-Quarters,  Ticonderoga,  July  13,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  anxious  to  have  you  here  as  soon  as 
possible,  as  maintaining  our  naval  superiority  is  of  the  last 
importance.  I  labour  continually  to  get  the  Commodore  to 
Crown-Point  with  the  vessels,  but  am  baffled  by  the  lazi- 
ness of  the  artificers,  or  the  neglect  of  those  whose  duty  it 
is  to  see  them  diligent  at  their  work.  I  hourly  expect  one 
or  two  more  gondolas  from  Slcenesborough,  and  shall  labour 
all  in  my  power  to  get  them  rigged  and  armed.  I  am  certain 
you  will  not  lose  a  moment  in  forwarding  the  troops  and  stores 
from  the  Point.  We  shall  be  happy  or  miserable,  as  we 
are  or  are  not  prepared  to  receive  the  enemy. 

I  am  your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Brigadier-General  Arnold. 


COLONEL  BEDEL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  just  received  intelligence  by  letter  from  the 
frontier  towns  on  Connecticut  River,  viz:  Cohos,  that  the 
inhabitants  there  are,  in  general,  in  great  terrour  on  account 
of  the  savages,  and  a  great  number  of  them  have  left  their 
farms  with  their  families ;  some  remain,  making  stockade  forts 
round  their  houses  to  defend  themselves.  And  as  the  savages 
from  St.  Francois,  &tc.,  are  the  only  ones  near  them  at 
present,  I  am,  in  a  great  measure,  inclined  to  think  that  I 
could  in  a  short  time  raise  such  a  number  of  them  as  would 
be  able  to  defend  that  part,  as  the  savages  from  other  parts 
would  never  venture  that  way  when  they  found  friendly 
savages  protecting  us.  The  savage  who  comes  with  this 
will  be  able  to  inform  your  Honour  more  particularly  relating 
to  the  disposition  and  nature  of  savages  in  such  cases. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

TIMOTHY  BEDEL. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 


Providence,  Rhode-Island,  July  13,  1776. 

Since  the  6th  instant  some  Officers  of  the  British  Fleet, 
who  had  broken  their  parole  of  honour  by  going  beyond  the 
limits  prescribed  by  the  General  Congress,  were  brought  to 
town  and  secured  in  Jail. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Lebanon,  July  13,  1776. 

SIR:  In  conformity  to  a  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  27th 
ultimo,  I  sent  to  Mr.  Shaw  for  an  account  of  the  cannon 
left  at  New-London  by  Commodore  Hopkins — their  num- 
ber, size,  bore,  and  weight;  and  also  an  account  of  the 
other  cannon  there.  Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  his  return  made 
me,  by  which  it  appears,  that  if  the  fourteen  heaviest  cannon 
had  been  sent  to  Philadelphia,  there  would  not  have  been 
one  twenty-four-pounder  in  our  fort,  and  only  one  eighteen 
of  those  left  by  the  Commodore.  The  ten  of  nine  are  old. 
We  have  been  necessitated  to  make  use  of  them  for  the 
present:  one  of  them  unfit  for  use. 

The  plan  sent,  and  other  representations,  show  the  situ- 
ation and  advantages  of  the  harbour  of  New-London. 
Hitherto  the  Sound  has  not  been  invested  by  the  enemy. 

Yesterday  I  received  your  letter  of  the  6th  instant,  en- 
closing the  Declaration  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
I  shall  have  it  proclaimed  in  the  Colony  in  such  a  manner 
that  the  people  may  be  universally  informed  of  it. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient 

humble  servant, 

JONATHAN  IRUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  President  Hancock. 

Cannon  received  from  Commodore  HOPKINS,  and  to  whom 
delivered. 


1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

10—1 
6 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
7—1 
1 
2-1 

25 
4 
4 
9—1 

Cannon, 
do... 
do... 

Cut. 

...35 
...35 
...34 

qrs. 
2 
1 

0 

0 
.-) 
8 
1 
1 
1 
3 

•-Co 
» 

0 
1 

0 

9 
3 
1 

2 
3 

0 

0 

a 

Un. 
18 

4 
2 
11 
25 
12 
4 
4 
If. 
5 

Twelve, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
Eighteen, 
do. 
Twenty-four. 
do. 
do. 
Nine. 

('./•«.  ,,r.v.    lla. 

392    2    n,Grolon  Fort. 
308    0     6,  Philadelphia 

do... 
do... 
do... 
do... 
do... 

...34 

...38 
...42 
...50 
...50 

do... 
do... 
Cannon, 
do... 
do... 
do... 
do... 
do... 
do... 

...52 
...18 
twenti 
.  .  .51  ' 
...52 
...51 
...40 
...39 
...34 

3 
5 

19 
5 
20 
25 
8 
14 
27 

20 
20 
5 

Twenty-four, 
do. 
do. 
Eighteen, 
do. 
Twelve, 
do. 
do.» 
do.* 

Nine. 
do. 
do. 

373    2  U,JUamecockFt. 

[Shark. 
^Row  Galley 
169    0     17      do.  Crane. 
MyWhaif. 

.  do.  .  . 
do... 

...34 
...35 

do... 

do... 
do... 

...33 

...75 
...75 

do... 

...18 

34  Cannon. 

Weight,    1,243    1    26 

*  Mounted  on  travelling  carriages. 
Account  of  Colony  Cannon  at  NEW-LONDON. 


1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

Cannon, 
do... 
do... 
do... 
do 

Cwl. 

...34 
...39 
...40 

2 

a 

0 

M,v. 

0 
14 
0 

Twelve. 
Eighteen, 
do. 
Six. 
Four. 

7—2 

do... 

_ 

_ 

Three. 

Mounted  on   ship   car- 
riages. 


ounted  on  field  carriages. 
Account  of  Colony  Cannon  at  GROTON. 

I'u/.  qn.  Hi. 

10    Eighteen. 

11 

1(1 


do. 
Twelve. 

do. 
Six. 


Mounted. 


1  Cannon 40    1 

1       do 39    3 

1       do 34    3 

1  do 34    1      0 

2  do.,  .old,  no  mark. 

LEBANON,  July  13,  1776. 

True  copy  from  Mr.  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun. 

Account  per  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 


JOHN  KEIGHLEY  TO  THE  COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

Boston  Jail,  July  13,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  I  am  extremely  sorry 
I  have  occasion  to  be  so  troublesome,  but  this  distressed 
situation  obliges  me — health  of  body  and  peace  of  mind 
being  so  much  impaired ;  and  with  humble  submission,  I 
cannot  conceive  any  crime  I  have  committed  that  could 
deserve  three  months'  close  confinement  in  the  room  of  a 
prison  designed  for  felons.  I  have  acted  in  no  way  preju- 
dicial to  (his  country.  If  any  accuse  me  of  it,  I  beg  to  face 
them,  that  I  may  acquit  myself  to  the  satisfaction  of  all.  I 
know  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  man  to  prove  me,  directly  or 
indirectly,  concerned  in  taking  away  the  property  of  any 
person  whatever,  and  desire  to  acquit  myself  of  any  charge 
of  that  kind  also. 


263 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


264 


Honourable  gentlemen,  my  case  is  truly  hard,  in  being 
obliged  to  suffer  so  long  in  the  miseries  of  a  common  jail, 
without  having  it  in  my  power  to  prove  (by  being  brought 
to  examination  and  duly  heard)  that  I  do  not  merit  it,  unless 
in  attempting  to  take  my  property  to  another  part  of  the 
world  is  a  crime  that  deserves  such  rigorous  treatment. 
Therefore,  I  humbly  beg  your  Honours  that  if  any  accusa- 
tion has  been  laid  against  me  I  may  have  an  opportunity  to 
clear  myself,  and  induce  your  Honours  to  release  me  out  of 
this  unhappy,  miserable  situation. 

And  am,   with   respect,  your   Honours'   most   obedient 

humble  servant.  T,  -,r 

EDWARD  KEIGHLEY. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  at  JVatcrtoum. 


JOSEPH   HAWLEY  TO  THE  COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

Northampton,  July  13,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  The  levies  for  rein- 
forcing the  northern  Army  are  making  in  the  County  of 
Hampshire  as  expeditiously,  and  more  so,  than  could  be 
expected.  But  in  the  town  of  Northampton,  where  its  full 
quota  is  complete,  (and  I  am  informed  in  some  other  towns,) 
there  is  a  vehement  desire  to  take  small-pox  by  inoculation 
before  they  march.  The  delay  which  will  unavoidably  be 
occasioned  by  such  a  step  will  be  so  great  that  I  dare  not 
give  the  least  countenance  to  the  proposal ;  besides,  the 
Army  is  retreated  to  Crown-Point,  and  thereby  the  practi- 
cability or  possibility  of  suppressing  that  distemper  in  the 
Army  appears  to  me  very  probable;  and  it  is  also  very 
probable,  in  my  humble  opinion,  that  the  service  of  that 
Army,  through  the  season,  will  be  much  more  by  detached 
bodies  than  it  would  have  been  if  they  had  continued  in 
Canada,  and  perhaps  in  parts  where  there  will  be  but  very 
little  danger  of  the  small-pox.  From  these  considerations, 
1  have  great  doubt  whether  your  Honours  will  give  leave 
for  such  a  delay.  If  it  be  granted  to  any,  the  indulgence 
must  be  general ;  and  what  destruction  may  befall  that  Army, 
in  the  mean  time,  for  want  of  recruits,  none  can  foresee ;  per- 
haps a  total  defeat  and  dispersion  of  them.  But  it  is  insisted 
that  I  should  write  to  your  Honours  on  this  head,  and  I  must 
beg  an  answer  as  soon  as  possible.  I  beg  your  Honours  to 
pardon  me  if  I  suggest  the  absolute  necessity  of  some  person 
or  persons  being  at  No.  4,  prepared  to  pay  the  men  their 
mileage,  and  to  deliver  them  their  rations  for  their  further 
march,  as  soon  as  any  troops  may  arrive  there ;  otherwise, 
it  is  easy  to  foresee  that  the  greatest  confusion  will  take 
place  there.  Sufficient  care  had  not  been  taken  in  this 
most  important  particular  when  I  left  Court,  and  I  can  hear 
nothing  of  the  matter  since.  There  is  no  advice  here  that  any 
person  has  arrived  at  No.  4  as  yet  for  that  purpose.  The 
Committee  for  Hampshire  have  not  so  much  as  received  the 
resolve  directing  what  route  the  troops  shall  take.  I  pray 
that  it  may  be  sent  by  the  bearer,  (Mr.  Clark,)  as  also,  if 
your  Honours  so  please,  your  directions  respecting  inocu- 
lation. 

I  am,  with  most  humble  respects,  your  Honours'  most 
obedient  humble  servant,  JOSEPH  HAWLEY. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  in 
New-England. 


COLONEL  J.  KURD  TO  GENERAL  SULLIVAN. 

Haverliill,  (Cohos,)  July  13, 1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer  of  this  (Captain  Samuel  Paine)  having 
made  a  voluntary  offer  of  his  services  to  go  on  a  scout 
towards  Canada,  for  the  good  of  the  common  cause,  I  em- 
brace the  opportunity  of  paying  my  respects  to  you  from 
this  part  of  the  country,  and  to  acquaint  you  something  of 
our  present  critical  situation. 

I  was  at  Exeter  about  ten  days  ago,  attending  the  publick 
business,  where  we  were  alarmed  with  repeated  accounts  of 
the  ill  success  of  our  forces  in  Canada;  that  the  Army  under 
your  command,  having  dismantled  the  fortress  St.  John,  had 
retreated  to  Isle-aux-Noix,  and  from  thence  were  going  over 
the  lake  with  all  expedition  to  Crown-Point,  which  of  course 
left  the  northwest  parts  of  the  New-Hampshire  Colony  open 
to  the  incursions  of  the  enemy,  and  defenceless.  This  news, 
with  the  exaggerated  accounts  of  the  numerous  Ministerial 
Army  lately  arrived  at  Quebeck,  struck  such  a  consternation 
and  panick  into  our  people  settled  along  upon  Connecticut 


River,  that  they  immediately  began  to  pluck  up  stakes  and 
remove  with  their  effects  and  live  stock  from  the  Upper  and 
Lower  Cohos  to  the  interior  country.  Those  who  determined 
to  remain  here  set  about  building  fortifications  of  some  sort 
for  the  defence  of  their  women  and  children,  and  a  consider- 
able number  of  families  live  now  in  garrison,  having  quitted 
their  plantations  and  risked  the  loss  of  the  near  harvest, 
though  the  finest  appearance  of  crops,  to  their  great  damage. 
My  own  family  (the  better  part)  I  met  halfway  on  the  road 
as  I  was  returning  here,  where  I  left  them,  and  came  on  to 
encourage  the  people  in  this  quarter  what  1  could. 

Our  Assembly  have,  in  consequence  of  very  pressing  letters 
from  the  Continental  Congress,  resolved  upon  raising  two 
battalions,  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  each,  to  march 
into  Canada  for  your  reinforcement;  and  have,  for  greater 
expedition,  determined  to  draught  the  men  proportionally 
from  the  several  regiments  of  Militia,  giving,  at  the  same  time, 
a  bounty  of  £7  18s.,  besides  a  month's  advance  wages,  for 
encouragement.  They  have  also  determined  upon  raising 
two  hundred  men,  particularly  for  the  defence  of  this  part 
of  the  Colony,  to  be  kept  on  ranging  duty  between  Connec- 
ticut River  and  Lake  Champlain,  and  towards  the  head  of 
Connecticut  River,  in  which  quarter  we  are  most  exposed 
while  your  Army  is  stationed  at  Crown-Point.  This,  sir, 
you  must  be  so  sensible  of,  that  I  need  but  hint  it.  You  are 
also  acquainted  of  the  new  road  which  was  opening  under 
care  of  Colonel  Bat/ley,  from  Cohos,  on  a  northwest  course, 
to  Missisque  Bay,  and  thence  to  St.  John's,  by  particular 
direction  from  General  Washington;  on  which  road  there 
were  upwards  of  fifty  persons  employed,  and  had  got  nearly 
thirty  miles  through  when  this  news  reached  here;  upon 
which  Colonel  Btiyley  desisted,  and  called  off  his  workmen. 
I  take  the  liberty  to  enclose  you  a  sketch  of  this  road,  from 
a  plan  first  draughted  by  Mr.  Mctcalf,  which,  if  you  have  not 
seen,  I  thought  might  be  of  some  service;  and,  if  otherwise, 
your  politeness,  I  trust,  will  excuse  the  trouble.  You  will 
please  to  give  Captain  Paine  such  advice  and  directions 
respecting  his  scout  as  you  may  think  best.  We  shall  be 
anxiously  expecting  his  return,  that  we  may  know  better 
what  we  have  to  depend  upon ;  and  if  the  multiplicity  of 
your  affairs  will  admit  of  a  few  minutes'  time,  I  shall  think 
myself  much  honoured  by  a  line  from  you. 

Wishing  the  hand  of  a  kind  Providence  may  cover  you 
in  every  danger,  preserve  your  valuable  life  and  health.  I 
am,  with  great  esteem  and  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  JOHN  HURD. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Sullivan. 

P.  S.  I  have  had  the  pleasure  to  see  a  copy  of  your 
letter  from  Crown-Point,  of  3d  instant,  to  Colonel  Hoising- 
ton,  and  to  observe,  though  your  Army  was  much  weakened 
with  sickness,  you  were  not  apprehensive  of  any  immediate 
danger  from  the  enemy,  they  having  no  vessels  of  force  on 
the  lake,  nor  boats  in  readiness  for  transporting.  Our  greatest 
danger,  we  fear,  at  present,  is  from  small  skulking  parties 
of  Canadians  or  Indians,  should  they  take  up  the  hatchet 
against  us.  Yet  we  have  this  good  circumstance  in  our 
favour:  the  St.  Francois  tribe  and  Caughnawaga  have  still 
some  of  their  children  at  Dartmouth  College,  under  Doctor 
Wheelock1  s  tuition,  which  one  would  think  they  would  cer- 
tainly remove  before  they  begin  hostilities. 

July  14. — Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  seen  a  letter 
from  Captain  Ira  Allen,  on  Onion  River,  by  one  of  our 
scouts,  in  which  he  writes  that  Colonel  Waite,  by  your 
orders,  was  stationed  there  with  two  hundred  men,  and  that 
he  expected  there  would  be  a  line  of  block  forts  from  that 
river  to  Connecticut  River.  This  may  answer  a  good  pur- 
pose, but  will  not  be  sufficient.  The  noithern  parts  of  our 
Colony  will  still  be  exposed,  our  settlements  extending 
seventy  miles  on  this  river  above  the  Lower  Cohos ;  and  it 
appears  to  us  here  that  nothing  but  the  enemy's  ignorance 
of  the  country  and  our  weak  situation,  or  their  want  of  men, 
prevents  them  from  forcing  their  way  into  these  parts ;  the 
consequence  of  which,  (should  such  a  plan  take  place  as 
recommended  by  the  notorious  Mr.  Brush)  you  can  easily 
conjecture. 

NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  EAMES. 
In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  13,  1776. 

You  are  hereby  authorized  to  inlist  fifty  good,  able-bodied, 
and  effective  men,  officers  included,  to  serve  as  soldiers  under 


265 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


266 


you  for  three  months,  (unless  sooner  discharged,)  as  scouting 
parties,  to  make  their  Head-Quarters  at  Great  Cohos;  not 
taking  more  than  ten  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Great  Cohos 
in  the  number.  And  you  are  to  make  return,  as  often  as 
you  can  conveniently,  of  your  routes,  discoveries,  &ic.,  &c., 
to  Colonels  Bayley,  Hard,  and  Charles  Johnson,  at  Lower 
Cohos,  and  take  their  instructions  from  time  to  time  for  your 
future  conduct. 

The  men  you  inlist  are  to  be  paid  thirty  shillings  as  a 
bounty,  and  assure  them  they  shall  receive  forty  shillings 
per  month  when  your  roll  is  made  up.  And  the  Company 
are  to  choose  a  Lieutenant,  Ensign,  and  two  Sergeants. 
You,  as  Captain,  shall  receive  £6,  your  Lieutenant  £4,  and 
Ensign  £3,  each  Sergeant  48s.  per  month.  The  Captain, 
Lieutenant,  and  Ensign,  to  receive  no  bounty. 
To  Captain  Jeremiah  Eames. 

CAPTAIN    ROBERT    PARKER  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE 
OF  SAFETY. 

Lee,  July  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  to  inform  you  that  I  have  just  received 
a  letter  from  Peter  Bigerat,  Esq.,  merchant  in  Martinico, 
who  informs  me  that  there  has  been  a  great  scarcity  of  pro- 
visions there,  owing  to  a  number  of  vessels  being  detained 
in  France  on  account  of  contrary  winds.  On  the  6th  of  May 


was  the  first  arrival  for  a  long  time ;  and  since,  unto  the  14th 
of  the  above  month,  fourteen  sail  have  arrived,  and  brought 
one  hundred  thousand  weight  of  gunpowder,  a  great  niany 
chests  of  firearms,  and  great  quantities  of  coarse  woollen 
cloths.  There  are  likewise  twelve  sail  expected  hourly,  with 
ten  thousand  or  twelve  thousand  weight  of  powder  in  each 
vessel.  He  further  adds,  there  is  not  a  board  or  codfish  in 
the  Island,  and  you  may  have  immediate  despatch  and  a 
great  price  for  the  above  articles  ;  therefore,  if  your  Honours 
think  fit  to  send  a  vessel  with  fish  and  lumber,  I  think  there 
is  a  great  prospect  of  making  a  good  voyage,  and  little  or  no 
danger  of  being  taken,  as  there  are  no  cruisers  on  this  coast, 
they  being  chiefly  traced  up  in  the  West-Indies  on  account 
of  the  hurricane  months.  If  your  Honours  see  fit  to  hire  a 
vessel  and  send  it  for  the  above  purpose,  I  know  of  one  that 
is  a  good  sailer  and  will  answer,  and  shall  be  glad  to  serve 
you  in  so  good  a  cause  if  you  think  me  worthy  of  being 
trusted  as  master. 

And  am,  with  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ROBERT  PARKER. 

N.  B.  My  letter  was  dated  the  14th  of  May.  He  says 
powder  was  5s.  I0d.,  on  account  of  our  vessels  waiting  there 
so  long,  but  it  has  since  fallen  a  great  deal,  and  he  thinks  it 
will  be  low.  The  woollen  goods  are  cheap,  and  1  fear  they 
will  be  much  wanted  in  our  Army  next  winter.  R.  P. 


RESOLVES  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

Resolves  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of  MASSA- 
CHUSETTS-BAY, begun  and  held  at  WATERTOWN,  in  the 
County  q/'MiDDLESEX,  on  WEDNESDAY,  the  twenty-ninth 
day  O/MAY,  being  the  last  WEDNESDAY  in  said  month, 
Anno  Domini,  1776. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  of  GLOUCESTER  with  Can- 
non, If  c.,  passed  MAY  31,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Committee  for  fortifying  the  Harbour  of 
Boston  are  doubtful  whether  the  safety  of  the  Colony  will 
admit  of  Peter  Coffin,  Esq.,  being  supplied  by  the  Commis- 
sary-General with  two  pieces  of  Cannon,  eighteen-pounders, 
agreeable  toa  Resolve  of  Court  of  the  8th  instant:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  said  Commissary  be  directed  to  deliver 
to  the  said  Peter-  Coffin,  Esq.,  either  two  pieces  of  Cannon, 
eighteen-pounders,  or  two  other  Cannon,  such  as  said  Com- 
mittee may  judge  may  be  best  spared,  consistent  with  the 
safety  of  the  Colony,  agreeable  to  the  spirit  and  intention  of 
said  Resolve  of  the  8th  instant;  together  with  the  Carriages, 
Spunges,  and  all  other  appurtenances,  and  one  hundred 
Balls  for  each  Cannon,  suitable  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  filling  up  the  four  Companies  at  DORCHESTER, 
passed  JUNE  3,  1776. 

Whereas  an  Order  passed  the  late  General  Court,  direct- 
ing that  the  four  Companies  which  had  done  duty  at  Dor- 
chester, Braintree,  Weymouth,  and  Hingham,  should  be 
immediately  filled  up,  and  commissionated  by  the  Council, 
and  should  be  upon  the  sea-coast  establishment;  but  no 
Inlisting  Orders  were  delivered  out;  for  want  of  which,  and 
from  the  apprehension  of  their  services  being  required  with- 
out the  limits  of  said  Towns,  the  Order  of  Court  has  not 
been  complied  with:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Inlisting  Orders,  agreeable  hereto,  be  im- 
mediately delivered  out,  and  signed  by  the  Honourable  Joseph 
Palmer,  Esq.,  and  that  said  Companies,  when  full,  or  nearly 
full,  shall  have  their  Officers  commissionated  by  the  Coun- 
cil; and  if  they  should  be  required  to  do  duty  out  of  said 
Towns,  in  other  parts  of  this  Colony,  they  shall,  during  the 
time  of  their  so  doing  duty,  be  entitled  to  the  same  pay  that 
other  Troops  employed  in  said  service  may  be  entitled  to. 

Resolve  for  paying  Colonels  MARSHALL  and  WHITNEY  one 

month's  advance  Wages,  SfC.;  passed  JUNE  3,  i  776. 
Resolved,  That  David  Jeffries,  Esq.,  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  ordered  and  directed  to  pay  to  each  Non-Commissioned 
Officer  and  Private  Soldier  (or  his  order)  in  the  Regiments 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Marshall  and  Colonel  Whit- 
ney, and  in  the  seven  Companies  of  Matrosses  commanded 
by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Crafts,  on  their  passing  muster,  one 


month's  (advance  wages,  and  13s.  4d.  in  lieu  of  a  blanket, 
together  with  one^penny  per  mile  from  his  usual  place  of 
abode  to  Boston:  Provided,  That  the  Captains  of  the 
several  Companies  shall  exhibit  to  said  Paymaster  a  roll,  on 
oath,  expressing  each  man's  name,  the  town  wherein  he  has 
been  last  a  resident,  and  the  number  of  miles  from  thence  to 
Boston;  and  that  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury 
of  this  Colony  to  the  said  David  Jeffries,  the  sum  of  £2000, 
for  the  purposes  aforesaid — he  to  be  accountable  to  this 
Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  to  supply  Captain  WIGGLESWORTH  with  seven  Fire- 
Arms;  passed  JUNE  3, 1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  unto  Captain  John  Wiggles- 
worth,  commander  of  a  Vessel  fixed  out  by  this  Colony,  to 
cruise  to  observe  the  motions  of  the  enemy's  ships,  the  num- 
ber of  seven  Smallarms  and  appurtenances,  for  those  men 
that  are  not  able  to  procure  them  themselves — the  said 

Wigglesworth  giving  his  receipt  to  be  accountable  to  this 
Court  for  the  same. 

And  it  is  further  resolved,  That  the  Honourable  the 
Council  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  desired  to  give  the  said 

Wigglesworth  a  commission  as  Captain  of  said  vessel,  to 
cruise  against  the  enemy's  ships. 

Resolve  appointing  a  Committee  to  purchase  Cannon  for  tlie 

armed  Vessels;  passed  JUNE  3, 1776. 
Resolved,  That  Captain  Batchelor,  Mr.  Durfee,  and 
Brigadier  Palmer,  be  a  Committee,  with  the  Commissary- 
General  of  this  Colony,  to  purchase  and  provide,  what  Can- 
non are  necessary  for  the  armed  Vessels  of  this  Colony,  with 
all  expedition. 

Resolve  on  the  Account  of  JACOB  BOARDMAN;  passed  JUNE 

3,  1776. 

On  the  Account  of  Jacob  Boardman,  for  fitting  out  the 
Schooner  Britannia: 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  to  him,  out  of  the  publick 
Treasury,  the  sum  of  £1 1,  in  full  of  his  Account. 

Resolve  to  erect  a  Fortification  at  PLYMOUTH;  passed  JUNE 

4,  1776. 

.  Resolved,  That  a  Fortification  be  erected  on  the  Gurnet, 
at  the  entrance  of  the  Harbour  of  Plymouth,  and  a  number 
of  men  posted  there,  to  secure  that  Harbour  against  the 
enemy's  ships  going  in  to  land  men  there,  or  securing  them- 
selves against  the  danger  of  the  sea,  and  for  securing  a  place 
of  rendezvous  for  the  Continental  and  Colonial  vessels,  and 
a  retreat  for  their  prizes  when  they  cannot  get  into  the 
northern  Harbours. 


267 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


268 


Resolve  for  adjourning  WORCESTER  Court;  passed  JUNE  4, 

1776. 

Whereas  the  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  and 
Inferior  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  in  and  for  the  County  of 
Worcester,  is  by  law  to  be  holden  at  Worcester,  in  said 
County,  on  Tuesday,  the  eleventh  of  June,  instant;  and 
whereas  many  people  are  called  away  by  the  unhappy  war 
that  this  Continent  is  engaged  in,  whose  business  cannot 
be  acted  on  at  that  time;  and  by  reason  that  many  persons 
who  are  members  of  the  General  Court  must  give  their 
attendance,  if  the  Court  should  sit  as  by  law  appointed: 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Courts  be.  and  hereby  are, 
adjourned  to  the  first  Tuesday  of  September  next,  being  the 
time  at  which  the  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace 
and  Inferior  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  are  by  law  to  be 
holden  at  Worcester,  within  and  for  said  County  of  Worces- 
ter; and  that  all  Pleas,  Processes,  Writs,  Actions,  Suits, 
issued  or  to  be  issued,  Complaints,  Precepts,  Recognisances, 
and  all  other  matters  and  things,  returnable  and  having  day, 
and  that  should  have  had  day  in  the  said  Courts,  if  the  same 
were  holden  on  Tuesday  the  eleventh  of  June,  instant,  shall 
be  returnable  and  have  day  in  the  said  Courts  on  the  first 
Tuesday  of  September  next,  and  shall  abide  and  continue 
unto  that  time,  and  shall  then  be  proceeded  on,  heard,  and 
determined,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  effectually  as  if 
said  Courts  were  held  on  the  day  by  law  appointed  as 
aforesaid. 

Committee  to  correspond  with  Congress,  appointed  JUNE  4, 
1776. 

Resolved,  That  Brigadier  Palmer,  Mr.  Appleton,  and 
Mr.  Pitts,  with  such  as  the  honourable  Board  shall  join,  be 
a  standing  Committee  of  Correspondence,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  transmit  to  our  Delegates  at  the  honourable  Con- 
gress, the  Journals  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  the 
Acts  and  Laws  that  may  from  time  to  time  be  enacted  by 
the  General  Assembly,  together  with  such  other  interesting 
intelligence  as  may  any  way  affect  this  or  any  of  the  United 
Colonies. 

Report  of  the  Committee  of  both  Houses,  appointed  to  repair 
to  the  Town  O/MENDON,  to  hear  a  number  of  Petitioners 
relative  to  some  uneasiness  subsisting  in  the  Regiment 
th-ere;  accepted  by  both  Houses,  JUNE  4,  1776. 

Notice  being  given  to  the  Petitioners,  and  all  others  con- 
cerned in  said  Regiment,  of  our  appointment,  and  the  Order 
of  Court  respecting  the  same,  two  Committees  from  the 
Company  in  the  Town  of  Uxbridge,  and  a  Committee  from 
each  of  the  other  seven  Companies  in  said  Regiment,  were 
present  before  your  Committee,  and  were  severally  fully 
heard;  after  which,  it  appeared  to  your  Committee  that  six 
of  said  Companies,  and  at  least  one-half  of  the  Company  in 
Uxbridge,  appeared  much  dissatisfied  with  the  appointment 
of  Mr.  Joseph  Chapin  for  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Mr.  Caleb 
Whiting  for  Second  Major,  in  said  Regiment,  who  were 
recommended  without  the  knowledge,  and  contrary  to  the 
inclination  of  said  Regiment,  the  Officers  of  which  had  met 
and  agreed  to  recommend  Captain  Nathan  Tyler  for  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, and  Ezra  Whiting,  Esq.,  for  Second  Major, 
which  they  appeared  to  be  highly  in  favour  of.  The  other 
part  of  the  Company  in  Uxbridge  appeared  well  pleased 
with  the  appointment  of  Messrs.  Chapin  and  Whiting,  and 
doubtless  will  be  uneasy  should  their  appointment  be  super- 
seded. The  remaining  eighth  Company,  being  the  south 
Company  in  Douglass,  it  appeared  to  your  Committee  that 
they  were  somewhat  divided,  but  not  strenuous.  This  being 
the  state  of  facts,  as  near  as  your  Committee  has  been  able 
to  collect,  and  there  being  more  than  seven  to  one  dissatis- 
fied with  the  present  appointment  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  and 
Second  Major,  your  Committee  are  humbly  of  opinion,  that 
the  most  likely  method  to  restore  harmony  to  said  Regi- 
ment, will  be  to  indulge  the  Petitioners  with  a  new  appoint- 
ment of  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Second  Major,  agreeable 
to  their  request;  and  in  case  that  part  of  the  Company  in 
Uxbridge,  who  are  against  a  new  appointment,  should  renew 
their  request  to  be  joined  to  the  Regiment  to  which  Sutton 
belongs,  that  they  also  be  indulged  in  their  request,  and  be 
joined  accordingly.  All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

JABEZ  FISHER,  per  order. 


Establishment  for  Gunners  on  board  armed  Vessels,  Sfc.; 
passed  JUNE  4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Gunners  in  the  service  of  this  Colony, 
on  board  the  armed  Vessels  thereof,  be  allowed  and  paid 
£3  per  month  ;  and  in  the  distribution  of  the  Prize  Money 
have  the  same  number  of  shares  as  are,  by  the  establishment 
of  this  Colony,  allowed  to  the  Carpenter;  the  former  estab- 
lishment of  tliis  Colony  notwithstanding. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanders  of  sard  Vessels  be  al- 
lowed to  inlist  men  to  the  last  of  December  next,  who  may 
not  incline  to  inlist  for  the  time  proposed  by  the  last  estab- 
lishment. 

Adjutant  for  Third  Regiment  in  SUFFOLK,  chosen,  JUNE  4, 

1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Enoch  Leonard,  as 
Adjutant  to  the  Third  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the  County 
of  Suffolk. 

Concurred  in  Council  same  day. 

JOHN  CLOUSTON  appointed  to  command  the  Sloop  FREE- 
DOM, JUNE  4,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Captain  John 
Clouston  to  command  the  armed  Sloop  building  at  Swanzy, 
called  the  Freedom. 

Concurred  in  Council  same  day. 

JACOB  MILLER  appointed  Major,  JUNE  5,  1776. 
The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Jacob  Miller  as 
Major  of  Colonel  Josiah  Whitney's  Regiment. 
Concurred  by  Council  same  day. 

Adjutant  for  Fourth  Regiment  WORCESTER,  appointed, 
JUNE  5,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Ebenezer  Foster, 
of  Oakham,  as  Adjutant  to  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Militia, 
in  the  County  of  Worcester. 

Concurred  by  Council  same  day. 

Adjutant  for  Second  Regiment  HAMPSHIRE,  appointed, 
JUNE  5,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  James  Sheppard, 
of  Northampton,  as  Adjutant  to  the  Second  Regiment  of 
Militia,  in  the  County  of  Hampshire. 

Concurred  by  Council  same  day. 

Adjutant  for  Seventh  Regiment  in  WORCESTER  appointed. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  William  Clark  as 
Adjutant  of  the  Seventh  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the  County 
of  Worcester. 

Concurred  in  Council,  June  5,  1776. 

Resolve  to  suspend  sinking  Hulks  in  the  Harbmtr  of  BOS- 
TON; passed  JUNE  5,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Hulks  which  have  been  prepared  by 
order  of  the  General  Court  to  be  sunk  in  the  Harbour  of 
Boston,  be  in  every  respect  fitted  for  that  purpose,  and  an- 
chored as  near  as  may  be,  with  convenience  and  safety,  to 
the  places  where  it  is  proposed  they  should  be  sunk ;  and 
that  the  sinking  said  Hulks  as  aforesaid  be  suspended  until 
the  further  order  of  this  Court;  any  order  or  resolve  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding:  Provided,  nevertheless,  That  if 
the  Committee  for  fortifying  the  Harbour  of  Boston  shall, 
upon  any  sudden  alarm  or  appearance  of  danger,  judge  it 
necessary  that  the  said  Hulks  should  be  then  sunk  imme- 
diately, before  any  order  of  this  Court  can  be  taken  there- 
upon, the  said  Committee  be,  and  hereby  are,  fully  empow- 
ered to  cause  the  said  Hulks  to  be  sunk  accordingly. 

Resolve  to  supply  the  Town  O/BEVERLY  with  Shot:  passed 

JUNE  5,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  directed  to  deliver  to  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of 
Beverly,  or  order,  sixty  eighteen-pound  Shot,  and  one  hundred 
and  twenty  nine-pound  Shot,  to  be  by  them  applied  for  the 
use  of  said  Town ;  they  to  be  accountable  to  the  General 
Court  for  the  same. 


269 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


270 


Resolve  appointing  a  Committee  on  Accounts;  passed  JUNE 
6,  1776. 

Whereas  a  necessary  attention  to  the  more  important 
affairs  of  the  Government,  in  the  present  extraordinary  times 
of  difficulty  and  distress,  renders  it  impracticable  to  receive, 
examine,  and  pass  upon  the  numerous  Accounts  now  daily 
exhibited  against  the  Government,  agreeable  to  the  mode 
heretofore  usually  practised,  and  the  payment  thereof  has 
been  greatly  delayed,  to  the  detriment  of  individuals,  as  well 
as  to  the  injury  of  the  credit  of  the  Government:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Abraham  Watson,  Thomas  Plympton, 
Jonathan  Webster,  Tlwmas  Durfee,  Aaron  Wood,  John 
Bliss,  and  Isaac  Lothrop,  Esqs.,  with  such  as  the  honour- 
able Board  shall  join,  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  appointed  a 
Committee,  until  the  further  order  of  the  Great  and  General 
Court  or  Assembly  of  this  Colony,  to  receive,  examine,  and 
finally  to  pass  upon  all  Accounts,  not  otherwise  committed, 
which  shall  be  presented  to  them  for  payment  of  services 
done  and  articles  supplied  by  order  of  the  late  Provincial 
Congress,  or  of  the  General  Court,  and  properly  vouched ; 
and  the  doings  of  said  Committee  shall  be  considered  as 
valid  as  any  vote  or  resolve  of  the  General  Court,  touching 
said  Accounts,  as  well  in  the  recess  of  the  Court  as  during 
any  session  of  the  same ;  and  said  Committee,  or  any  six  of 
them,  who  are  hereby  appointed  a  quorum,  are  hereby 
directed  to  assign  an  office,  and  advertise  the  publick  there- 
of, and  of  this  resolve,  that  the  business  may  be  constantly 
attended  and  effectually  performed ;  and  that  a  true  copy  of 
all  such  Accounts  which  shall  be  passed  upon  and  allowed 
by  them,  shall,  after  payment  thereof,  be  kept  in  a  book, 
with  an  alphabet  thereto,  which  shall  be  laid  before  either 
House  for  perusal  and  inspection,  once  or  oftener  in  each 
session,  as  they  shall  severally  order;  and  that  the  said 
Committee  be,  and  are  hereby,  authorized  to  appoint  some 
suitable  person  or  persons  for  that  purpose. 

Also,  Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
directed  to  keep  such  Accounts  as  shall  be  passed  by  said 
Committee;  and  in  consequence  thereof,  ordered  to  be  paid 
by  the  honourable  Board,  in  separate  files.  And,  in  order 
to  prevent  any  delay  in  the  payment  of  such  of  said  Ac- 
counts as  shall  be  passed  upon  and  allowed  by  said  Com- 
mittee, 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Board  be,  and  they 
are  hereby  authorized,  from  time  to  time,  to  issue  their  War- 
rants, requiring  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  to  pay  into  the 
hands  of  said  Committee  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  as  the 
honourable  Board  shall  judge  proper,  for  the  purpose  of  dis- 
charging and  paying  such  Accounts,  the  said  Committee 
to  be  accountable  therefor:  Provided  always,  That  the  fore- 
going method  of  passing  upon  and  allowing  said  Accounts 
shall  be  taken  to  be  adopted,  merely  from  the  necessity  of 
the  present  times,  and  not  considered  as  a  precedent  for  the 
future. 

Resolve  empowering  TIBIOTHY  EDWARDS,  Esq.,  to  receive 
Seventeen  Hundred  Pounds  of  MARK.  HOPKINS,  Esquire, 
and  to  pay  the  same  to  General  SCHUYLER;  passed  JUNE 
6,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Timothy  Edwards,  of  Stockbridge,  be, 
and  hereby  is  empowered,  to  receive  the  sum  of  £1,700, 
lawful  money,  in  Silver  and  Gold,  of  Mark  Hopkins,  Esq., 
being  so  much  left  in  said  Hopkins's  care  by  Eldad  Taylor, 
Esq.,  to  whom  it  was  committed  by  the  Council,  in  order  to 
be  transmitted  to  General  Schuyler  for  the  use  of  the  Army 
in  Canada.  And  the  said  Mark  Hopkins,  Esq.,  is  hereby 
directed  to  pay  the  said  sum  of  £1,700  into  the  hands  of 
Timothy  Edwards,  Esquire,  accordingly,  who,  as  soon  as  he 
shall  have  received  the  same,  is  hereby  empowered  and 
directed  to  convey  and  pay  the  sum  before  mentioned  into 
the  hands  of  General  Schuykr,  as  soon  as  may  be,  for  the 
purpose  aforesaid;  for  which  he  is  directed  to  take  duplicate 
receipts  of  General  Schuyler,  and  return  one  of  them  into 
the  Secretary's  Office.  And  he  is  further  directed  to  take 
such  a  guard  with  him  as  he  shall  deem  necessary. 

Resolve  for  further  fortifying  the  Harbour  of  BOSTON  ; 
passed  JUNE  6,  1776. 

As  the  fortifying  the  upper  part  of  the  Harbour  of  Boston 
is  now  nearly  completed,  and  it  is  necessary  that  other 
places  in  the  lower  parts  thereof  should  also  be  fortified  for 


the  security  of  the  Town  of  Boston,  and  other  Towns  in 
the  vicinity  thereof:  It  is  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  a  Redoubt  be  immediately  raised  upon  a 
place  called  Moon-Island,  in  the  said  Harbour,  near  the 
main,  in  order  to  keep  open  our  communication  with  Lon<r- 
Island,  and  that  four  pieces  of  Cannon,  nine-pounders,  or  such 
others  as  can  be  obtained,  be  placed  therein ;  and  that  such 
Ammunition,  Ordnance  Stores,  and  Spears,  be  provided  as 
shall  be  necessary.  And  that  a  Redoubt  be  also  immediate- 
ly raised  upon  Hoff's  Neck,  in  said  Harbour,  to  keep  open 
our  communication  with  Pettick's  Island ;  and  that  the  like 
number  of  Cannon,  Ammunition,  &.C.,  be  provided  for  the 
same.  And  that  the  four  Independent  Companies  stationed 
at  Dorchester,  Braintree,  Weymoulh,  and  Hingham,  be  em- 
ployed in  this  service,  under  the  direction  of  the  Committee 
for  fortifying  the  Harbour  of  Boston. 

It  is  also  Resolved,  That  a  Redoubt  on  the  east  head  of 
Long-Island,  another  on  the  east  head  of  Pettick's  Island, 
and  one  on  Nantasket  Hill,  with  such  outworks  as  the  safety 
of  those  posts  may  require,  be  erected  as  soon  as  the  Com- 
mittee for  fortifying  the  Harbour  of  Boston  shall  judge 
expedient;  and  that  three  pieces  of  Cannon,  of  eighteen  or 
twenty-four-pounders,  be  placed  in  each  of  the  three  Fortifi- 
cations last  mentioned,  and  that  such  Apparatus,  Ammuni- 
tion, Spears,  and  Intrenching  Tools,  be  provided  as  shall  be 
necessary. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  aforesaid  be 
directed  to  apply  to  General  Ward,  or  his  successor  in  com- 
mand of  the  Continental  Troops  left  in  this  Colony,  lor 
Cannon,  and  the  apparatus  necessary,  with  Ammunition, 
Spears,  and  a  sufficient  number  of  Intrenching  Tools ;  and 
that  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  directed  to  supply  the  said  Committee  with  such 
articles  aforesaid  as  cannot  be  obtained  from  the  said  Com- 
mander. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Committee  for  procuring  Salt- 
petre with  Money  to  pay  for  the  same ;  passed  JUNE  6, 
1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury 
of  the  Colony  the  sum  of  £5,000  to  Tristram  Dalton,  Esq., 
to  be  by  him  delivered  to  Messrs.  Sayer  and  Tufts,  to  en- 
able them  to  pay  for  such  Saltpetre  as  has  been  tendered  to 
them  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  the  General  Assembly ; 
and  also  that  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury  the 
sum  of  £2,800  to  Mr.  Samuel  Phillips,  Jun.,  to  be  by  him 
delivered  to  Mr.  Zebediah  Abbot,  ofAndover,  to  enable  him 
to  pay  for  such  Saltpetre  as  has  been  tendered,  agreeable  to 
the  Resolves  of  the  General  Assembly ;  he,  the  said  Abbot, 
together  with  the  aforementioned  Saycr  and  Tufts,  to  be 
severally  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  expenditure  of 
those  sums  they  shall  receive. 

Also  Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  said  Trea- 
sury to  Tfiomas  Crane,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  £4,000,  to  enable 
him  to  pay  for  such  Saltpetre  as  has  been  or  may  be  tendered 
to  him,  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  the  General  Assembly, 
he,  the  said  Crane,  to  be  accountable  to  the  General  Court 
for  the  same. 

Resolve  to  explain  the  Resolve  of  Court  with  respect  to  the 
price  of  a  bounty  on  Saltpetre;  passed  JUNE  6,  1776. 
Whereas  it  is  represented  that  divers  persons  have  manu- 
factured Saltpetre  within  this  Colony  before  the  1st  day  of 
June  instant,  and  have  the  same  ready  to  be  delivered  to 
the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony,  or  to  such  other 
person  or  persons  as  were  appointed  by  the  Great  and  Ge- 
neral Court  to  receive  the  same:  And  whereas  doubts  have 
arisen  in  the  minds  of  many  persons  whether  the  bounty  of 
4s.  a  pound  for  Saltpetre  manufactured  but  not  delivered 
before  the  1st  day  of  June  instant,  ought  to  be  now  paid : 
It  is 

Resolved,  That  for  all  Saltpetre  manufactured  within  this 
Colony  before  the  1st  day  of  June  instant,  and  which  shall 
be  delivered  on  or  before  the  30th  day  of  June  instant  to  the 
Commissary-General,  or  such  other  person  or  persons  as 
are  or  may  be  appointed  to  receive  the  same,  there  shall  be 
paid  the  sum  of  4*.  a  pound  as  a  bounty:  Provided,  That 
the,  person  or  persons  bringing  and  presenting  the  same,  to  be 
delivered  as  aforesaid,  before  he  entitles  himself  by  this  Re- 
solve to  receive  the  said  bounty,  shall,  before  the  said  Com- 


271 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


272 


missary-General,  or  sucli  other  person  or  persons  as  are  or 
may  be  appointed  to  receive  the  same,  take  an  oath  in  the 
words  following,  viz : 

"  You, ,  do  solemnly  swear,  that  the  whole 

process  of  the  manufacture  of  the  Saltpetre  now  presented  by 
you  was  begun,  carried  on,  and  finished  within  the  limits  of 
this  Colony  before  the  1st  day  of  June  instant,  and  that  no 
foreign  Saltpetre,  or  Saltpetre  manufactured  since  the  said 
1st  day  of  June  instant,  is  intermixed  therewith." 

Or  otherwise  shall  produce  a  certificate  from  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  in  the  County  where  the  manufacturer  is  an  inha- 
bitant or  resident,  that  he  hath  taken  a  like  oath  before  the 
said  Justice ;  in  which  case  the  person  presenting  the  Salt- 
petre to  be  delivered  as  aforesaid  shall,  before  he  receives 
the  said  bounty  of  4s.  per  pound  on  the  same,  make  oath 
before  the  receiver  thereof  that  he  took  the  same  Saltpetre 
into  his  possession  in  presence  of  said  Justice,  and  that  the 
whole  thereof  is  the  same  Saltpetre  referred  to  in  such  cer- 
tificate ;  which  certificate  shall  be  lodged  with  the  person 
or  persons  who  are  or  may  be  appointed  to  receive  the  same, 
who  are  hereby  severally  authorized  and  directed  to  adminis- 
ter the  said  oaths. 

And  whereas  doubts  and  difficulties  may  arise  upon  a 
Resolve  of  the  Great  and  General  Court,  made  and  passed 
the  3d  day  of  May  last  past,  in  the  words  following,  viz : 
"  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of 
this  Colony  the  sum  of  5s.  (inclusive  of  the  3s.  before  en- 
gaged) a  pound  for  every  pound  of  good  and  merchantable 
Saltpetre  that  shall  be  manufactured  in  this  Colony  from 
and  after  the  1st  day  of  June  next  until  the  1st  day  of  Oc- 
tober next,  and  delivered  to  such  persons  as  the  General 
Court  shall  appoint  to  receive  the  same :"  To  prevent 
which,  it  is  further 

Resolved,  That  said  sum  of  5*.  per  pound  shall  not  be 
paid  for  any  Saltpetre  manufactured  in  this  Colony  between 
the  said  1st  day  of  June  instant  and  the  said  1st  day  of 
October  next,  unless  the  same  Saltpetre  shall  be  actually 
delivered  before  the  said  1st  day  of  October  next,  to  such 
person  or  persons  as  are  or  may  be  appointed  to  receive 
the  same. 

Commissary  directed  to  deliver  sixteen  bolts  of  Duck  to  RICH- 
ARD DERBY,  Esq.;  passed  JUNE  7,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  directed  to  deliver  sixteen  bolts  of  Russia  Duck  to 
the  Hon.  Richard  Derby,  Esq.,  or  order,  to  be  by  him  ap- 
plied for  the  use  of  the  armed  Brigantine  now  building  at 
Salisbury  for  the  service  of  this  Colony. 

Officers  for  the  Company  at  GLOUCESTER,  appointed,  JUNE 

7,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  William  Ellcry 
Captain,  and  Benjamin  Somes  First  Lieutenant,  of  the  Com- 
pany of  Matrosses  to  be  raised  and  stationed  at  Gloucester. 

Resolve  for  raising  a  Company  of  Matrosses,  to  be  stationed 
at  FALMOUTH  ;  passed  JUNE  8,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  a  Company  of  Matrosses,  to  consist  of 
fifty  men,  including  Officers,  be  raised  and  placed  at  Fal- 
mouth,  to  be  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Jonathan  Mitch- 
ell, and  to  be  upon  the  same  pay  and  regulations  as  the 
Company  of  Matrosses  stationed  at  Marblchead,  said  Com- 
pany to  be  inlisted  to  serve  till  the  last  of  December  next, 
unless  sooner  disbanded  by  this  Court. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-Gene- 
ral be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  Brigadier 
Prcble,  for  the  use  of  the  men  stationed  at  Falmouth,  nine 
hundred  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  three  hundred  weight  of 
leaden  Balls,  and  one  thousand  Flints,  he,  the  said  Preble, 
to  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  Dr.  Russell  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  the  said  Preble,  for  the  use  of  the  men  aforesaid, 
fifty  Fire-Arms  that  were  delivered  to  him  by  order  of  the  last 
General  Court,  he,  the  said  Preble,  to  be  accountable  to  this 
Court  for  the  same,  and  that  such  of  the  men  stationed  there 
as  shall  receive  and  use  these  Arms  have  deducted  from  their 
wages,  for  the  use  of  this  Colony,  at  the  making  up  of  the 
Muster-Roil,  6s.  for  each  Fire-Arm  ;  and  the  several  Cap- 
tains are  hereby  directed  to  observe  this  order. 


Resolve  to  remove  the  Apparatus,  SfC.,  of  HARVARD  College, 
from  CONCORD  to  CAMBRIDGE  ;  passed  JUNE  8,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  by  this  Court 
April  24,  1776,  to  estimate  the  damages  sustained  by  Har- 
vard College  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Continental 
Army,  and  by  means  of  the  British  forces,  and  to  make 
such  repairs  immediately  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  com- 
fortable accommodation  of  the  members  of  said  College,  be 
further  empowered  to  estimate  the  damage  sustained  by  the 
loss  of  the  kitchen  utensils  belonging  to  the  said  College, 
which  were  taken  for  the  use  of  the  Army,  and  replace  the 
same  immediately,  and  do  such  other  things  as  are  neces- 
sary for  reestablishing  the  College  in  its  former  situation  ; 
and  that  the  governours  of  the  College  have  power  to 
remove  the  Apparatus,  and  such  part  of  the  Library  as  they 
think  necessary,  to  Cambridge  as  soon  as  they  shall  judge  the 
College  buildings  prepared  for  a  removal  from  Concord,  and 
lay  the  accounts  before  this  Court. 

Resolve  for  supplying  Captain  JORDAN,  bound  to  FAL- 
MOUTH, with  a  Guard ;  passed  JUNE  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Whitney  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
directed  forthwith  to  order  a  Sergeant  and  ten  men  of  his 
Regiment,  properly  equipped,  to  embark  on  board  the  sloop 
Betsey,  Israel  Jordan,  Master,  bound  to  Falmouth,  in  Casco 
Bay,  as  a  Guard,  he  having  on  board  six  Cannon  and  other 
warlike  stores  for  the  defence  of  that  Harbour,  and  todiiectthe 
said  Sergeant  and  men  to  return  to  Boston,  after  their  arrival 
at  Falmouth,  without  delay;  and  the  said  Colonel  Whitney 
is  hereby  directed  to  furnish  the  said  men  with  sufficient 
Provisions  for  their  passage  to  Falmouth  and  their  return  to 
Boston  as  aforesaid. 

Resolve  relative  to  building  a  Powder-Mill  in  SUTTON  ; 
passed  JUNE  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  one  person  be  joined  to  the  Committee 
appointed  for  erecting  a  Powder-Mill  in  Sutton,  and  that 
Colonel  Jonathan  Holman  be  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

Also  Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  £200  be  paid  out  of 
the  Colony  Treasury  to  said  Committee  for  forwarding  said 
Mill,  they  being  accountable  to  this  Court  for  said  sum. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  from  the  Committee  of  KITTERY  ; 
passed  JUNE  10,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  and 
Inspection  of  the  Town  of  Kittery: 

Resolved,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury  of  this  Colony  to  Edward  Cult,  Esq.,  the  sum  of 
£43  11s.  5d.,  for  the  use  of  the  Committee  ot  Correspond- 
ence and  Inspection  for  the  Town  of  Kittery,  by  whom  said 
Petition  was  presented,  in  full  discharge  of  their  account  in 
building  Carriages  for  two  Cannon  (twelve-pounders)  be- 
longing to  this  Colony,  which  are  placed  in  the  Battery  at 
Kittery  Point. 

Also  Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and 
he  is  hereby,  directed  to  deliver  to  the  Committee  of  Corre- 
spondence, Safety  and  Inspection,  of  Kittery  aforesaid,  five 
hundred  pounds  weight  of  Gunpowder,  and  eighty  Shot, 
suitable  for  twelve-pounders,  and  eighty  ditto,  suitable  for 
nine-pounders,  to  supply  the  Cannon  in  the  Battery  afore- 
said, for  which  the  said  Committee  or  Town  of  Kittery  shall 
be  accountable  to  the  General  Court. 

Resolve  appointing  a  Committee  of  Fortijication ;  passed 

JUNE  11,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Honourable  Benjamin  Lincoln,  Esq., 
the  Honourable  Joseph  Palmer,  Esq.,  the  Honourable  Moses 
Gill,  Esq.,  the  Honourable  Ebenczer  Thayer,  Jun.,  Esq., 
Solomon  Lovell.  Esq.,  John  Broun,  Esq.,  and  Major  Jo/m 
Batchckr,  be  a  Committee  of  Fortification,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  layout  and  constantly  superintend  and  direct  the 
-  erecting  and  perfecting  all  the  Fortifications  necessary  for 
the  defence  of  the  Town  and  Port  of  Boston,  at  such  places 
as  have  been,  or  shall  be,  ordered  by  the  General  Court. 
To  inspect  and  direct  all  such  Colonial  Troops  as  are  or 
may  be  ordered  by  the  General  Court,  as  well  as  such  Con- 
tinental Troops  as  are  or  may  be  ordered  by  the  Comman- 
der of  the  Continental  Troops  resident  at  Boston,  upon  this 


273 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


274 


service,  while  so  employed.  And  to  employ  all  such  Arti- 
ficers, for  effecting  said  works,  as  they  may  judge  necessary. 
And  to  erect,  repair,  and  perfect  all  such  other  Works  and 
Buildings  as  have  been  or  may  be  ordered  by  the  Court. 
And  to  give  orders  to  the  Commissary-General  for  the  de- 
livery of  all  such  Cannon,  with  their  Apparatus  and  Am- 
munition, and  all  such  Intrenching  Tools  and  implements  as 
said  Committee  may  judge  necessary  for  the  erecting  and 
finishing  the  Works  aforesaid,  and  for  the  effectual  defence 
of  the  same. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  of  GLOUCESTER  with  Can- 
non; passed  JUNE  11,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Town  of  Gloucester  be  supplied  with 
the  following  pieces  of  Cannon,  viz:  four  twenty-four-poun- 
ders, four  nine-pounders;  and  out  of  those  thatjiave  one  or 
both  trunnions  off,  four  six-pounders,  properly  stocked,  with 
the  necessary  apparatus  for  each  Cannon  ;  also  with  forty 
rounds  of  Shot,  ten  of  which  to  be  double-headed,  for  each 
Cannon,  and  likewise  with  ten  barrels  of  Gunpowder;  and 
that  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed 
to  deliver  the  same  to  Peter  Coffin  and  John  Low,  Esqs., 
they  giving  a  receipt  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the 
same. 

And  it  is  further  resolved,  That  a  Company  of  Ma- 
trosses,  to  consist  of  fifty  men,  including  Officers,  be  raised 
to  manage  the  Cannon  stationed  there,  to  be  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Foster,  and  on  the  same  pay  and  regula- 
tions as  the  Company  of  Matrosses  stationed  at  Marble- 
head;  said  Company  to  be  inlisted  to  serve  till  the  last  day 
of  December  next,  if  not  sooner  disbanded  by  this  Court. 

Resolve  to  pay  the  Committee  for  procuring  Wood,  two 
hundred  Pounds ;  passed  JUNE  1 1 ,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to  assist  the 
Quartermaster-General  to  procure  Wood  for  the  Continental 
Army,  be  allowed  to  receive  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this 
Colony  the  sum  of  £200,  to  enable  them  to  discharge  the 
debt  of  said  Committee,  they  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court 
for  the  same. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  EDWARD  BARBER  ;  passed  JUNE 

11,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Edward  Barber, 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Cook,  Esq.,  be  appointed  by 
this  Court  to  appraise  the  four  Cannon  and  Carriages 
ordered  to  be  removed  from  Truro  to  the  Elizabeth  Islands, 
and  to  make  returns  to  this  Court  as  soon  as  may  be;  and 
that  the  Petitioner  have  liberty  to  appoint  one  person  on  his 
part  (if  he  thinks  proper)  to  join  with  the  above  Thomas 
Cook,  Esq.,  in  appraising  said  Cannon  and  Carriages,  and 
in  case  of  disagreement  in  judgment,  they  to  choose  a  third 
person. 

Resolve  on  the.  Petition  of  BENJAMIN  SMITH  ;  passed  JUNE 

12,  1776. 

Whereas  it  appears  that  certain  persons  were  concerned 
in  taking  and  bringing  into  this  Colony  the  Ship  mentioned 
in  said  Petition,  a  number  of  whom  were  of  a  Sea-Coast 
Company,  in  the  pay  of  the  Colony;  and  it  further  appear- 
ing that  the  Vessel  which  attacked  and  took  the  said  Ship  was 
procured  by,  and  was  at  the  risk  of,  the  said  Petitioner: 

It  is  Resolved,  That  after  the  charges  of  trial  and  con- 
demnation are  deducted  from  the  gross  produce  of  the  said 
Ship,  her  cargo  and  appurtenances,  and  the  shares  of  the 
other  captors  have  been  assigned  them,  the  Colony  shall 
receive  one-third  part,  and  the  said  Sea-Coast  Men,  two- 
third  parts  of  the  residue. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  TIMOTHY  EDWARDS  and  SAMUEL 
BROWN,  Jun. ;  passed  JUNE  1 1 ,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Timothy  Edwards  and  Samuel  Brown, 
Jun., 

Resolved,  That  each  Non-Commissioned  Officer  and  Sol- 
dier that  were  regularly  inlisted  into  the  service,  in  Colonel 
James  Easton's  Regiment,  and  were  regularly  discharged 
before  the  25th  of  October  last,  be  paid  the  sum  of  25s.,  in 
lieu  of  a  Coat;  and  that  said  Edwards  at  Brown  be  hereby 
directed  to  pay  the  same,  and  make  return  to  this  Court,  and 
settle  their  Accounts  as  soon  as  may  be. 


Resolve  to  supply  RICHARD  DERBY,  Jun.,  Esq.,  with  Can- 
non; passed  JUNE  12,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  directed  to  deliver  to  the  Honourable  Richard  Derby, 
Jun.,  Esquire,  one  of  the  Committee  for  fixing  out  armed 
Vessels  fitted  out  by  this  Colony,  two  pieces  of  Cannon,  six- 
pounders,  made  use  of  by  Colonel  Crafts  in  Boston ;  and 
that  the  said  Richard  Derby,  Esq.,  be  also  furnished  by  the 
said  Commissary  with  eight  more  six  or  four-pounders,  out  of 
the  Cannon  now  at  Boston,  with  one  or  both  trunnions  on, 
for  the  use  of  the  Sloop  Tyrannicide. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  REUBEN  HIGGINS  ;  passed  JUNE 

12,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Reuben  Higgins, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
publick  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  to  the  said  Reuben  Hig- 
gins, the  sum  of  £25,  to  enable  him  to  procure  and  pay 
for  the  Powder  and  Ball  therein  mentioned,  for  the  use  of 
the  said  Town  of  Truro — he,  the  said  Higgins,  to  be 
accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  O/WILLIAM  WHITNEY,  of  WESTON  ; 

passed  JUNE  12,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  William  Whitney,  of  Wcston, 
Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Colony  Treasury 
unto  Braddyl  Smith,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  £2,  for  the  use  of 
William  Whitney,  in  full  for  his  boarding  and  nursing  Caleb 
Chadwick,  a  wounded  Soldier  in  Colonel  Patterson's  Regi- 
ment. 

Officers  for  the  Company  at  FALMOUTH  ;  appointed  JUNE 

13,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen, Officers  for  the  Company  of  Matrosses,  to  be  raised 
and  stationed  at  Falmouth,  viz :  John  Preble  Captain,  Levi 
Loring  First-Lieutenant,  Isaac  Battle  Second-Lieutenant. 

Concurred  by  Council. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  STEPHEN  HALL  and  PELEG 

CROCKER  ;  passed  JUNE  13,  1776. 
On  the  Petition  of  Stephen  Hall  and  Peleg  Crocker, 
Resolved,  That  the  Prayer  of  the  Petition  be  granted,  and 
that  the  Sloop  Nancy  be  accordingly  released  to  the  Owners, 
on  their  paying  the  charges  that  have  arisen  thereon. 

Resolve  for  placing  Cannon  on  the  GURNET,  and  for  raising 
one  hundred  Men,  to  be  stationed  there;  passed  JUNE 
13, 1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  placed  upon  the  Gurnet,  at  the 
entrance  of  the  Harbour  of  Plymouth,  which  was,  by  this 
Court,  ordered  to  be  fortified,  six  pieces  of  Cannon,  two  of 
twelve,  and  four  of  six-pounders,  properly  fixed,  with  the 
necessary  apparatus;  and  that  a  Company  of  a  hundred 
men  be  raised,  and  that  a  Captain  and  two  Lieutenants  be 
appointed  by  this  Court,  one  half  of  which  number  to  be 
Matrosses,  to  be  under  the  same  pay,  and  on  the  same 
establishment,  in  all  respects,  with  other  forces  stationed  on 
the  sea-coast,  and  continued  in  the  service  till  the  last  day 
of  December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  order  of  this 
Court;  said  Company  to  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Correspondence.  &tc.,  for  the  Town  of  Plymouth, 
and  to  serve  and  do  duty  on  the  said  Gurnet.  And  that 
the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to 
deliver  to  the  Honourable  James  Warren,  Esq.,  the  Guns 
aforesaid,  four  barrels  of  Powder,  and  forty  rounds  of  Shot 
for  each  Gun,  he  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Committee  appointed  to  make  inquiry  relative  to  casting 
Cannon ;  passed  JUNE  13,  1 776. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Durfee,  Colonel  Mitchell,  and  Mr. 
Orr,  be  a  Committee,  whose  business  it  shall  be  imme- 
diately to  repair  to  those  places  where  they  imagine  the  best 
information  may  be  obtained  relative  to  the  business  of  cast- 
ing Cannon,  and  the  materials  necessary  for  that  purpose, 
together  with  a  place  most  convenient  for  carrying  on  that 
business ;  and  that  they  prepare  an  estimate  of  the  expenses 
of  erecting,  or  otherwise  procuring,  a  Furnace  convenient  for 
casting  said  Cannon,  and  make  a  report  to  this  Court  as  soon 
as  may  be. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


18 


275 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


276 


Resolves  to  pay  for  Losses  at  BUNKER-HILL,  Sfc.;  passed 
JUNE  14,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  Sums  be  paid  to  the  per- 
sons whose  names  follow,  in  discharge  of  the  Accounts 
exhibited  to  this.Court,  for  losses  sustained  in  Battle,  on  and 
since  the  nineteenth  of  April,  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
and  seventy-five,  viz :  to — 


£  ».  d. 

Joseph. Bread,  -  2  16  7 
Daniel  Hardy,  -  1  10  0 
Jonathan  Stickney, 

for  Mary  Easty,  420 
Lieut.  John  Mosher,  2120 
Samuel  Cory,  -  5  1  0 
Josiah  Haynes,  1  0  0 
Eliphalet  Hardy,  -  220 
Joshua  Haynes,  -  3  2  0 
Paul  Hardy^  -  -  0150 
John  Hoyt,  -  -  0  5  6 
Executors  of  John 

Bacon,  -  -  -  3  0  0 
Aaron  Haynes,  -  1  10  0 
Lieutenant  Brewer,  1  10  0. 
John  Maynard,  -  4  2  0 
Isaac  Moor,  -  -  1  4  0 
Peter  Cuddy,  -  0  18  0 
Levi  Hosman,  -  0  16  0 
Samuel  Hill,  -  -  5  6  6 
Josiah  Danforth,  -  2  7  0 
William  Whittier,  1  17  0 
Elizabeth  Moor,  for 

Willard    Moor's 

loss,  -  -  -  8  14  0 
Joseph  Adams,  -  0  6  0 
Moses  Pike,  -  -  2  14  0 
John  Smith,  -  -  0  1  6 
Benjamin  Merrill,  220 
Samuel  Carr,  -  -  0  1  6 
John  Stevens,  Jr.,  0  16 
William  Hackett,  0  1  6 
Aaron  Chandler,-  016 
Robert  Merrill,  •  -  0  6  0 
Richard  Osgood,  -  060 
Jonathan  Wingate,  0  60 
Jacob  Bayly  Curner,  1  10  6 
Benjamin  Stevens,  0  90 
Jonathan  Greely,  016 
Jacob  Currier,  -  0  6  0 
John  Barker,  3d,  -  0  16  0 
Jonathan  Stevens,  1  60 
Spafford  Ames,  -  0  ]  9  0 
Stephen  Farrington,  0190 
Samuel  Phillips,  for 

Stephen  Chandler,  0  10  0 
Nathaniel  Wade,       1     0  0 
Aaron  Perkins,    -     0  12  0 
Nathaniel  Baker,       270 
Philip  Lord,  -     -     2     7  0 
Joseph  Wise,  -     -     1      1  0 
Isaac  Giddings,    -     1     6  0 
Benjamin  Ross,  -     1110 
John  Fowler,-     -     0  16  0 
Thomas  Farmer,  -     0  19  0 
Nathaniel  Choat,      060 
Abraham  Knowlton,0     6  0 
Samuel  Hay  ward,     2  14  0 
Zaccheus  Wright,  for 
the  use  of  the  heirs 
of  Caesar   Baron, 
deceased,    -     -     4     6  4 
Captain  Oliver  Par- 
ker, for  the  use  of 
Samuel  Taylor,     190 
Heirs  of  Wm.  War- 
ren, -  -     4  10  0 
Benjamin  Perkins,    210 
Joseph  Whittemore,  260 
Samuel  Foster,    -060 
Thomas  Weskom,     0  14  0 
John  Braizer,  -     -     1     0  0 


£  i.  d. 

Jabez  Carter,  -  -  0  13  6 
Jonathan  Frost,  -  0  7  6 
Jonathan  Beard,  -  0  8  0 
Heirs  of  Jacob  Frost,  2  14  0 
Daniel  Wood,  -  0  10  0 
Ezekiel  Nutting,  -  2  0  0 
Samuel  Lovejoy,  -  0  3  0 
Ezekiel  Spflulding,  030 
Simeon  Williams,  030 
David  Wetherbee,  030 
Simeon  Green,  -  1150 
Joel  Porter,  -  -  0  3  0 
John  Hasen,  -  -  0  8  0 
Solomon  Gilson,  -  0  3  0 
Jonathan  Lewis,  -  0  3  0 
John  Ribburn,  -  0  3  0 
Heirs  of  John  Meeds,  5  0  8 
Jonathan  Evans,  -  3  4  0 
Stephen  Temple,  1170 
Heirs  of  Corneny 

Fairbank,  -  -  1  17  0 
Eliphalet  Wharf,  -  240 
Alexander  Panan,  040 
Daniel  Collins,  -  1  4  0 
AndrevV  Bray,  -  1  13  0 
Jonathan  Woodman,  060 
Lary  Tregay,  -  0  4  0 
Nathan  Glover,  -  0120 
Capt.  Nath'l  Gage,  2  12  0 
Annis  Merrill,  -  0  5  0 
Oliver  Goodridge,  060 
Heirs  of  Amos  Mills, 

deceased,  -  -  1  10  0 
John  Beeten,  -  -  0180 
Peter  Page,  -  -  2  0  0 
Aaron  Wood,-  -340 
Deborah  Mills,  -  4  2  0 
Barnabas  Richard- 
son, -  -  -  -  1  11  0 
Nathaniel  Warner,  300 
Heirs  of  Ebenezer 

Laughton,  -  -  5  8  0 
James  Davis,  -  -  2190 
Nathaniel  Monroe,  300 
Rachel  Mclntosh,  3  16  0 
Samuel  Farrar,  -  2  16  10 
Samuel  Bailey,  -  7  16  8 
William  Davis,  -  0  12  0 
William  Foster,  -  2  5  0 
Thomas  Thompson,  0  12  0 
Ebenezer  Wytham,  0  12  0 
Joshua  Row,  -  -  0  12  0 
Obadiah  Atkins,  -  0  12  0 
Francis  Lane,  -  0  12  0 
Samuel  Sprake,  -  0  66 
Benjamin  Ames,  -  3  16 
Capt.  John  Nutting,  280 
Nathaniel  Lakin,  -  0  13  4 
John  McFulsom,  040 
Aaron  Davis,-  -  1  17  0 
Philip  Johnson,  -060 
Patrick  Harrington,  240 
Samuel  Wyatt,  -200 
William  Eliot,  -  1170 
William  Page,  -320 
Jonathan  Norton's 

heirs,  .--200 
Benjamin  Read,  -540 
Waldron  Stone,  -  0  12  8 
Wells  Chace,-  -660 
William  Whiting,  100 
Capt.  Joseph  Moore,  5  18  0 


Timothy  Dutton,-  0 
John  Welsh,  -  -  0 
Eliphalet  Manning,  0 
David  Bailey,  -  0 
John  Adams,  -  -  2 
Joseph  Baker,  -  3 
Samuel  Bailey,  -  1 
Malachi  Allen,  -  1 
Joseph  Phelps,  -  0 
John  Hall,  -  -  0 
Eliakirn  Walker,  -  0 
John  Flint,  -  -  0 
Heirs  of  Ph.  Fowler,  4 
Obadiah  Wetherell,  2 
Oliver  Patch,-  -  1 
Levi  Parker,  -  -  0 
Benjamin  Peirce,  0 
Jonathan  Stevens,  0 
Lemuel  Blood,  -  2 
Nchemiah  Parker,  1 
Joseph  Tarbell,  -  0 
Jacob  Williams,  -  0 
David  Prescott,  -  0 
Daniel  Shed,  -  -  1 
Joseph  Shed,  -  -  1 
Benjamin  Farnum,  3 
John  Eaton,  -  -  3 
Heirs  of  Simeon 

Pike,  -  -  -  5 
Thomas  Townsend, 

adm.    of    Daniel 

Townsend,  -  -  2 
Moses  Harrington,  2 
Heirs  of  Benj.  Smith,  4 
Daniel  Coolghan's 

heirs,  -  -  -  5 
Nymphas  Stacey,  2 
Nathaniel  Bennet,  1 
John  Dunken,  -  2 
Sarah  Hill,  fpr  her 

late  husband's  loss,  4 
Simeon  Senter,  -  2 
Joseph  Osgood,  -  0 
Josiah  Blood,  -  0 
Jacob  Ames,  -  -  0 
John  Bayly,  -  -  0 
James  Bayly,  -  0 
David  Putnam,  -  1 
Thomas  Treadwell,  0 
David  Walker,  -  1 
HezekiahThorndike,  2 
Josiah  Kidder,  -  0 
Heirs  of  Josiah 

Breed,  -     -     -     4 


*.  d.  £ 

13  6  JohnHadley,-     -     5 

1811  Heirs  of  Philip  Fow- 

12  0  ler,  -          -     -     4 

13  6  Cyrus  Marble,     -     2 

2  0  Elisha  Marsh,      -    3 

3  0  Ezekiel  Biggelow,     1 

0  6  Jotham  Blanchard,    1 

6  0  Josiah  Wright,     -     1 

1  6  Isaac  Pierce,  -     -     1 

7  6  Daniel  Davis,      -     1 
18  6  Spafford  Ames,    -     2 
12  0  Thomas  Kenny  and 
10  6  others,  -     -     -     1 

0  0  Josiah  Burk,  -     -     0 

14  6  Joseph  Howard,  -     1 
6  0  John  Burnham,   -     0 

12  0  Amos  Poor,    -     -     0 

6  0  Benjamin  Carr,   -     0 

8  0  James  Mosely,     -     0 

7  0  William  Linnihan,     1 
5  0  Eleazer  Johnson,  for 

3  0  use  of  Sarah  Flint,  2 
10  0  Francis  Mitchell,-     5 
150  Bartholomew  Rich- 
150  ardson,  -     -     -     0 

13  0  Peter  Sergeant,    -     4 

9  0  Joshua  Haynes,  -     3 

Col.  James  Bricket,  4 

9  2  William  Hudson  Bal- 

lard,      ---     3 
Eleazer  Butterfield,  1 

14  0  David  Parks,-     -     2 

2  0  Daniel  Sharwin,  -     2 

4  0  Daniel  Barker,     -     2 

William  Hastings,     0 

4  0  Jonathan  Row,    -     0 

0  0  Henry  Parsons,    -     0 

4  0  Joseph  Parsons,  -     0 

12  0  Joseph  Dresser,  -     2 

Thomas  Dresser,  -     0 

0  0  Heirs  of   Francis 

8  4  Pool,  Jr.,    -     -     5 

1  6  Heirs  of  Wm.  Par- 

1   6  sons,  deceased,      4 

13  6  Jonathan  Minot,  -     5 
13  6  Timothy  Johnson,     1 
13  6  Isaac  Abbott,  -     -     2 
110  John  Hemmenway,  2 
18  0  Daniel  Kidder,    -     1 

8  6  William  Danforth,     1 

5  0  John  Jacques,     -     1 
13  6  Moses  Gray,  -    -     1 

Timothy  Carl  ton,      2 

8  0  Jonathan  Stephens,  2 


s.  d. 

9  6 

7  4 
5  4 
4  0 

12  0 

14  0 

8  0 
8  0 

10  0 
4  0 

18  0 

3  0 

4  0 
3  0 

16  0 

5  0 
12  0 

5  0 

6  0 
2  6 

12  0 

15  0 

0  0 

18  0 

13  0 
10  0 

16  9 

14  0 

2  0 
6  0 

12  0 
12  0 
12  0 

3  0 

15  0 

5  0 

3  0 

10  8 
14  8 

8  0 

1  0 
14  0 

16  0 
16  0 
14  0 
16  0 
10  0 


Resolve  establishing  a  form  of  Beating  Orders  and  Inlist- 
ment  for  raising  three  Companies  of  Matrasses ;  passed 
JUNE  14,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  form  of  the  Beating  Orders  and  Inlist- 
ment  of  three  Companies  of  Matrosses,  to  be  stationed  at 
Gloucester,  Falmouth,  and  the  Gurnet  in  Plymouth,  be  as 
follows,  viz: 

Beating  Orders. 

"  To ,  Gentleman,  greeting : 

"Sin:  You  are  hereby  empowered  immediately  to  inlist 
a  Company  of  Matrosses,  to  consist  of  able-bodied  and 
effective  men,  including  Non-Commissioned  Officers  and 
Privates,  and  cause  them  to  pass  muster  before  as  soon 
as  possible ;  which  Company  of  Matrosses,  when  inlisted 
and  mustered,  are  to  obey  you  as  their  Captain,  and  agree- 
able to  a  Resolve  of  this  Court,  the  of  June  instant,  are 
to  be  stationed  at  for  the  defence  and  security  of 

the  same." 

Inlistment. 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  engage  to  inlist  ourselves 
as  Matrosses  in  the  service  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony, 
from  the  day  of  our  inlistment  to  the  last  of  December  next, 
on  the  Sea-Coast  establishment,  unless  the  said  service  shall 


277 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


278 


admit  of  a  discharge  of  a  part  or  the  whole  sooner,  which  is 
to  be  determined  by  the  General  Court  of  said  Colony.  And 
we  do  hereby  oblige  ourselves  to  submit  to  all  orders  and 
regulations  of  the  Army,  and  faithfully  to  observe  and  obey 
all  such  orders  as  we  shall  from  time  to  time  receive  from 
our  superior  Officers." 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Companies  of  Matrasses  at  GLOU- 
CESTER and  FALMOUTH;  passed  JUNE  14,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Commissaries  appointed  to  supply 
the  men  stationed  at  Gloucester  and  Falmouth.  are  hereby 
severally  empowered  and  directed  to  supply  the  Companies 
of  Artillery  lately  ordered  to  be  raised  for  the  defence  of 
those  towns,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  sea-coast  men,  station- 
ed in  those  places ;  and  that  the  honourable  Board  grant  their 
Warrant  on  the  Treasurer  for  money  to  enable  them  so  to  do. 

Mustermasters  appointed,  JUNE  14,  1776. 
Ordered,  That  Colonel  Peter  Coffin  muster  the  Com- 
pany of  Matrosses  to  be  stationed  at  Gloucester ;  that  Cap- 
tain Joseph  Noyes  muster  those  to  be  stationed  at  Falmouth ; 
and  that  Isaac  Lothrop,  Esq.,  muster  those  to  be  stationed 
on  the  Gurnet  at  Plymouth:  also,  that  Major  Whittemore  sign 
die  Beating  Orders  for  raising  the  three  Companies  aforesaid. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  THOMAS  COOK,  Esq.;  passed 
JUNE  14,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Thomas  Cook, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
publick  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  the  sum  of  £31  6*.  to  the 
Town  of  Edgartoim,  on  the  Island  of  Martha's  Vineyard, 
for  their  expenses  in  victualling  large  numbers  of  men,  who 
at  sundry  times,  between  the  19th  of  April  and  the  1st  of 
October,  1775,  appeared  on  alarms  to  defend  said  Town  and 
Island  against  the  hostilities  wherewith  they  were  threatened 
by  British  men-of-war. 

Resolve  empowering  WILLIAM  WHITING,  Esq.,  to  receive  a 

sum  of  Money  of  MARK  HOPKINS,  Esq.,  and  to  pay  the 

same  to  General  SCHUVLER;  passed  JUNE  14,  1776. 

Whereas  Timothy  Edwards,  Esq.,  of  Stockbridge,  was, 

on  the  6th  instant,  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court,  empowered 

to  receive  the  sum  of  £1700,  in  Silver  and  Gold,  of  Mark 

Hopkins,  Esq.,  in  whose  hands  it  was  lodged  by  Eldad 

Taylor,  Esq.;  and  was  further  empowered  to  convey  and 

deliver  the  same  to  General  Schuyler,  for  the  use  of  the 

Army  in  Canada:  And  it  having  been  represented  to  this 

Court,  that  the  said  Timothy  Edivards.  is  now  out  of  the 

Colony,  on  a  journey  to  Philadelphia ;  and  it  being  of  great 

importance  that  the  money  aforesaid  should  be  forwarded  to 

Canada  as  soon  as  possible :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  William  Whiting,  Esquire,  of  Great 
Harrington,  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  empowered  to  receive 
the  money  above  referred  to,  of  Mark  Hopkins,  Esquire, 
who  is  hereby  empowered  and  directed  to  deliver  him  the 
same ;  and  the  said  William  Whiting,  Esq.,  is  further  em- 
powered and  directed  to  convey  and  pay  into  the  hands  of 
General  Schuyler  the  sum  before  mentioned  as  soon  as  may 
be,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid ;  and  the  said  William  Whiting 
is  also  empowered  to  receive  of  Henry  Gardner,  Esq.,  the 
Receiver-General  of  this  Colony,  the  sum  of  £75,  in  Silver 
and  Gold,  and  to  convey  and  pay  the  same  also  into  the 
hands  of  General  tSchuyler,  for  the  purpose  before  mentioned ; 
for  which,  together  with  the  sum  first  mentioned,  (which, 
added  together,  amount  to  the  sum  of  £  1775  lawful  money,) 
he  is  directed  to  take  duplicate  receipts  of  General  Schuyler, 
and  return  one  of  them  into  the  Secretary's  Office;  and  he 
is  further  directed  to  take  such  a  Guard  with  him  as  he  shall 
deem  necessary. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  q/1  LEWIS  ALLEN,  in  behalf  of  his 
brother  JOLLEY  A.LL.EN ;  passed  JUNE  14,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petitioner  be  so  far 
granted  that  he  have  liberty  to  take  the  seven  children  of 
the  said  Jollcy  Allen,  for  which  he  shall  be  paid  out  of  the 
proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  goods  and  effects  of  the  said 
Jollcy  Allen  £36  8s.,  lawful  money,  for  the  maintenance 
and  support  of  the  same:  the  Petitioner  to  give  bonds  in 
the  sum  of  £100,  that  they  shall  not  become  chargeable  to 


the  community  for  any  further  support  or  maintenance  ;  and 
that  he  shall  receive  and  support  the  said  J alley  Allen;  and 
that  he  shall  not  depart  the  County  of  Worcester,  or  hold 
correspondence  with  any  persons,  knowing  them  to  be  ene- 
mies to  the  liberties  of  America,  till  the  further  order  of  this 
Court. 

That  Mr.  Nye,  Mr.  Kendell,  and  Mr.  Thomas,  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  receive  all  the  goods  and  effects  of  the  said  Jollcy 
Allen  that  can  be  found,  and  deliver  the  Petitioner,  at  Bos- 
ton, the  children's  four  feather-beds  and  bedding,  and  the 
wearing  apparel  of  the  children  and  late  wife  of  the  said 
Jolley  Allen,  also  his  own  wearing  apparel ;  and  the  remain- 
der of  said  goods  and  effects  to  be  disposed  of  by  said  Com- 
mittee, at  publick  auction ;  who  are  to  pay  the  above  sum 
of  £36  8*.  to  the  said  Lewis  Allen;  also  all  necessary 
charges  that  have  arisen  or  may  arise  in  collecting  and  trans- 
porting said  goods  and  effects ;  also  the  charges  for  support- 
ing the  said  Jolley  Allen  and  family  at  Provincetown,  and 
to  be  accountable  to  the  General  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  adding  an  Ensign  to,  and  supplying  the  Men 
stationed  on  the  Gurnet  in  PLYMOUTH;  passed  JUNE  15 

f  ~  —  i  • 

17/6.        , 

Whereas  the  Company  ordered  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court 
to  be  raised  and  stationed  on  the  Gurnet  consists  of  one 
hundred  men,  and  one-half  of  them  are  to  be  Matrosses, 
and  but  three  commissioned  Officers  are  appointed  to  said 
Company,  which  are  not  sufficient ;  and  whereas  no  provision 
is  made  for  the  support  of  said  Company: 

It  is  Resolved,  That  there  be  one  Ensign  added  to  the 
other  Officers,  whose  pay  shall  be  the  same  as  that  of  the 
Second  Lieutenant  on  the  sea-coast  establishment.  And 
that  the  Commissary  appointed  to  supply  the  sea-coast 
Company,  now  at  Plymouth,  be  empowered  and  directed, 
in  the  same  manner,  to  supply  the  Company  to  be  stationed 
on  the  Gurnet.  And  that  the  Council  be  desired  to  issue 
blank  commissions  to  the  Hon.  James  Warren,  Esq.,  Isaac 
Lothrop,  Esq.,  and  George  Partridge,  Esq.,  to  be  given  to 
such  persons,  for  Officers,  as  in  their  discretion  they,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  shall  judge  most  suitable. 

Commissary-General  directed  to  secure  the  Colony's  Storet; 
passed  JUNE  15,  1776.  ' 

Whereas  sundry  Stores  and  Implements  belonging  to  the 
late  Light-House,  having  been  left  by  the  British  Troops  on 
the  Island  upon  which  the  said  Light-House  was  erected  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  here- 
by is,  directed  immediately  to  take  some  effectual  measures 
to  secure  the  Stores  and  Implements  before  mentioned,  as 
also  any  other  St&res  belonging  to  the  Colony  that  may- 
have  been  left  by  the  enemy  on  any  other  Island  in  the  Har- 
bour of  Boston. 

Commissary-General  and  others  appointed  to  receive  and 

pay  for  Saltpetre;  passed  JUNE  15,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General,  at  his  Store, 
and  Zebediah  Abbot,  at  the  Powder-Mill  at  Andover,  and 
Thomas  Crane,  Esq.,  at  the  Powder-Mill  at  Stoughton,  be, 
and  they  hereby  are,  appointed  and  empowered,  in  behalf  of 
this  Colony,  to  receive,  examine,  and  pay  for  all  good  and 
merchantable  Saltpetre  that  shall  be  brought  and  actually 
delivered  to  them,  respectively,  before  the  1st  day  of  Octo- 
ber next,  with  such  evidence  as  is  required  by  a  Resolve  of 
the  General  Court,  of  the  6th  instant,  that  the  same  was 
manufactured  within  this  Colony.  And  that  there  be  paid 
to  each  of  the  above  mentioned  persons,  out  of  the  Treasury 
of  this  Colony,  the  sum  of  £1000,  and  the  Treasurer  is 
directed  to  pay  the  same  accordingly,  to  enable  them  to  pay 
for  the  same ;  they  to  be  respectively  accountable  to  this 
Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  bringing  forward  all  Causes  which  were  pending 

at  the  Superior  Court,  fyc.;  passed  JUNE  15,  1776. 
Whereas,  by  reason  of  the  difficulties  raised  in  this  Colony 
through  the  wicked  designs  of  the  enemies  of  our  liberties, 
an  interruption  took  place  in  the  administration  of  civil  dis- 
tributive justice  in  this  Colony,  and,  by  a  necessary  act  of 
the  General  Court  for  the  removal  of  all  officers  from  their 
offices,  many  civil  suits,  which  have  been  before  commenced 


279 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


280 


in  the  several  Counties  of  this  Colony,  and  were  pending 
at  the  Superior  Court,  and  other  actions  which  had  been 
appealed  from  the  respective  Inferior  Courts  in  the  several 
Counties,  have  not  been  prosecuted  to  final  judgment,  and 
much  injury  will  happen  if  an  adequate  remedy  is  not 
provided : 

It  is  Resolved,  That  all  causes  which  were  pending  at 
the  Superior  Court  in  any  of  said  Counties,  and  on  which 
judgment  has  not  been  given,  shall  be  brought  forward  at 
the°next  term  of  the  said  Court  for  each  respective  County, 
and  the  same  proceedings  had  thereon  as  though  such  causes 
had  been  regularly  continued  to  such  term,  from  the  term 
where  the  same  were  pending  when  such  interruption  took 
place.  And  in  any  causes  appealed  from  any  Inferior  Court, 
and  not  entered  at  the  Superior  Court,  by  reason  of  said 
interruption,  the  Appellants  may  have  liberty,  if  they  see 
cause,  to  enter  their  said  appeal  at  the  next  term  of  the 
Superior  Court,  to  be  holden  in  each  respective  County, 
as  though  the  appeal  had  been  originally  to  the  same  term. 
And  if  any  Appellants  shall  neglect  to  enter  their  appeals, 
as  aforesaid,  the  Appellees  in  such  case  may,  if  they  see 
cause,  enter  their  complaints,  and  the  judgments  of  the  Infe- 
rior Court  shall  be  affirmed  thereon,  as  though  said  com- 
plaints had  been  entered  in  due  time :  Provided,  always, 
That  no  Execution  or  Writ  of  Possession  shall  issue  on  any 
judgment  given  in  any  of  the  cases  aforesaid,  until  three 
months  after  such  judgment ;  and  where  any  causes  were 
tried  by  a  Jury,  the  Justices  of  said  Superior  Court,  in^such 
causes,  shall,  and  in  all  others  where  it  shall  appear  to  them 
to  be  expedient,  may  continue  the  same,  and  cause  the  absent 
parties  to  be  notified  of  the  suits  against  them ;  and  where 
any  of  the  party  shall  be  out  of  the  County,  and  in  the  Con- 
tinental or  Colonial  service,  they  shall  have  liberty  to  bring 
forward  their  suits  at  the  next  Superior  Court  held  in  said 
County  after  their  return,  and  no  action  or  complaint  shall 
be  entered  against  them  while  such  person  continues  in  said 
service,  any  law,  usage,  or  custom,  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
standing. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  WILLIAM  TUPPER,  respecting 
Captures;  passed  JUNE  17,  1776. 

Whereas  it  is  provided,  by  a  certain  Act  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  this  Colony,  that  every  person  who  shall  make 
capture  of  any  Vessel,  shall,  within  twenty  days  from  the 
15th  of  April  last,  or  within  twenty  days  after  the  capture 
and  bringing  in  of  said  Vessel,  either  by  himself,  his  agent, 
or  attorney,  file  a  bill  before  the  Judge  appointed  to  try  the 
justice  of  such  capture,  giving  a  full  and  ample  account  of 
the  time,  manner,  and  cause  of  the  taking  of  such  Vessel : 
And  whereas  captures  of  several  Vessels  have  been  made 
within  the  Eastern  District  of  this  Colony,  or  may  have  been 
made  at  sea  and  brought  to  any  port  within  the  Eastern 
District  of  this  Colony,  which  could  not  be  proceeded  with 
agreeable  to  the  requisition  in  said  Act:  Wherefore, 

Resolved,  That  bills  of  the  captures  of  all  Vessels,  their 
apparatus  and  cargoes,  which  captures  have  been  already 
made  within  the  Eastern  District  of  this  Colony,  or  made 
at  sea  and  brought  to  any  port  within  the  Eastern  District 
of  this  Colony,  hitherto  not  filed  before  the  Judge  appointed 
to  try  the  justice  of  such  captures,  may  and  shall  be  filed 
before  said  Judge,  on  any  clay  preceding  the  first  day  of 
August  next,  anything  in  the  aforesaid  Act,  made  for  the 
trial  of  the  justice  of  such  captures,  notwithstanding. 

Resolve  to  supply  the  Town  of  HINGHAM  with  Powder,  fyc.; 
passed  JUNE  17,  1776. 

Whereas  there  is  a  Cannon  provided  at  Hingham,  at  the 
charge  of  the  Town,  for  the  defence  of  the  Harbour: 

Resolved,  That  two  half-barrels  of  Powder  and  twenty 
Shot — viz:  six-pounders — be  delivered  to  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  of  the  Town  of  Hingham  by  the  Commis- 
sary-General, said  Committee  to  give  a  receipt  to  the  Com- 
missary, to  be  accountable  for  the  same. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  ISAAC  MELOON  :  passed  JUNE  18, 

1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Isaac  Meloon, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  to  him,  out  of  the  publick 
Treasury,  the  sum  of  £2  8s.,  in  full  for  the  loss  of  his  Gun 
in  the  Bunker-Hill  fight,  as  mentioned  in  his  Petition. 


Resolve  for  procuring  two  Decoy  Ships,  Sfc.;  passed  JUNE 
18,  1776. 

On  the  Report  of  the  Committee  for  fortifying  the  Har- 
bour of  Boston, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Committee  be,  and  they  hereby 
are,  empowered  to  procure,  on  the  best  terms,  two  Ships  at 
the  expense  of  this  Colony,  and  man  and  fix  them  in  such 
way  and  place  them  at  such  station,  as  may  appear  to  the 
said  Committee  best  calculated  to  serve  as  a  decoy  to  the 
enemy's  Ships  and  Vessels  that  may  at  any  time  be  coming 
into  the  Harbour  of  Boston.  And  the  aforesaid  Committee 
are  further  empowered  and  directed  to  erect  such  Lights, 
where  the  Light-  House  stood,  without  erecting  a  Light-House, 
as  may  serve  further  to  decoy  and  bring  into  the  Harbour  of 
Boston  Ships  and  Vessels  of  the  enemy  aforesaid.  And  the 
Commissary-General  of  this  Colony  is  hereby  directed  to 
supply  the  said  Committee  with  those  articles  that  may  be 
necessary  for  the  above  purposes.  And  the  Committee  on 
the  Report  of  the  Committee  for  fortifying  the  Harbour  of 
Boston  have  leave  to  sit  again. 

Instructions  to  the  Committee  on  the  Abstracts;  passed  JUNE 

19,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  the  Abstracts  are 
hereby  directed  not  to  allow  to  any  Commissioned  or  Staff 
Officer,  of  whatever  rank,  more  than  three  days'  pay  as  an 
Officer,  from  the  time  of  their  engaging  to  the  time  of  their 
marching;  and  that  there  be  allowed  to  each  Non-commis- 
sioned Officer  and  Private  Soldier  pay  from  the  time  of  inlist- 
ment  till  they  marched  for  the  Camp. 

Honourable  JAMES  WARREN,  Esq.,  appointed  Second  Major- 
General;  JUNE  19,  1776. 

The  House,  according  to  the  Order  of  the  Day,  made 
choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  Honourable  James  Warren,  Esq.,  as 
Second  Major-General  of  the  Militia  of  this  Colony. 

Concurred  by  Council,  June  19,  1776. 

JONATHAN  PARMENTER  appointed,  Second  Major  of  the 
Fourth  Regiment  in  MIDDLESEX;  JUNE  19,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Jonathan  Par- 
menter  as  Second  Major  of  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Militia, 
in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  in-  the  room  of  Major  Joseph 
Smith,  who  declines  serving. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

Resolve  for  payment  of  Colonel  JOHN  ROBERTSON'S  Ab- 

stract; passed  JUNE  19,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  puhlick  Treasury 
of  this  Colony,  unto  Colonel  John  Robertson,  for  himself  and 
Staff  and  Field  Officers  mentioned  in  his  Abstract,  the  sum 
of  £11  6s.;  also,  for  Captain  JohnFord  the  sum  of  £47  1*.; 
and  for  Captain  John  Lemont  the  sum  of  £26  3*.  Id.;  and 
for  Captain  Asahel  Wheeler  the  sum  of  £51  5s.;  and  Cap- 
tain Benjamin  Edgell  the  sum  of  £15  13s. 


Resolve  to  prevent  the  exportation  of  Provisions  till  the  10th 
November  next  ;  passed  JUNE  19,  1776. 

Whereas  many  inconveniences  and  dangerous  conse- 
quences may,  and  in  all  probability  will,  accrue  to  this 
Colony  in  the  course  of  its  defence  against  its  unnatural 
enemies,  if  a  speedy  and  effectual  prohibition  of  the  exporta- 
tion of  Provisions  from  each  and  every  Port,  Harbour,  and 
place  within  the  same,  to  any  other  Harbour  or  place  without 
the  limits  of  the  said  Colony,  is  not  immediately  effected  : 
Wherefore,  it  is 

Resolved,  That  from  and  after  the  21st  day  of  this  instant 
June,  no  person  or  persons  whatsoever  presume  to  lade  on 
board  any  ship  or  vessel  within  this  Colony  any  kinds  or 
articles  of  Provisions,  except  Jamaica  and  Pickled  Fish, 
with  intent  to  convey  fhe  same  out  of  this  Colony  by  water, 
until  the  10th  day  of  November  next,  unless  the  same  b'e 
laden  on  board  such  ship  or  vessel  with  intent  to  supply  the 
fleets  and  armies  of  the  United  Colonies,  or  the  inhabitants 
of  some  other  part  or  parts  of  this  Colony:  Provided,  always, 
That  any  person  or  persons  who  have,  agreeably  to,  and 
in  consequence  of,  a  resolve  of  the  American  Congress  for 
encouraging  the  importation  of  warlike  stores  into  the  United 
Colonies',  imported  any  such  stores,  and  have  not  already 


281 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


282 


exported  Provisions  or  other  Merchandise  to  the  amount 
thereof,  or  may  hereafter  import  such  stores,  such  person  or 
persons  may  lade  on  board  any  ship  or  vessel,  and  convey 
and  send  out  of  this  Colony  to  any  other  place,  except  to 
the  dominions  of  Great  Britain,  any  kind  of  Provisions  to 
the  amount  or  value  of  such  warlike  stores,  imported  as 
aforesaid :  Provided,  also,  That  nothing  in  this  resolve  shall 
be  construed  to  extend  to  the  preventing  so  much  Provisions 
as  in  the  judgment  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  &.C.,  may  be 
sufficient  for  the  persons  on  board  for  the  intended  voyage, 
being  put  on  board  any  ship  or  other  vessel  arriving  at, 
trading  with,  or  sailing  from,  any  port,  harbour,  or  other 
place  in  this  Colony,  such  voyage  not  being  prohibited  by 
any  resolve  of  Congress,  or  law  or  resolve  of  this  Colony. 
And  the  Committees  of  Safety,  Sic.,  in  the  several  Towns 
and  other  places  within  this  Colony  are  hereby  ordered  and 
directed  to  see  that  this  resolve  be  effectually  carried  into 
execution. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  GILBERT  HARRISON  ;  passed  JUNE 
19,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Gilbert  Harrison,  showing  his  right  to 
claim  the  property  of  certain  goods  on  board  the  Schooner 
VoJante,  lately  condemned  in  the  Maritime  Court  held  at 
Plymouth,  and  the  impossibility  of  making  that  claim  in  the 
time  by  law  prescribed: 

Resolved,  That  the  Judge  in  said  Court  and  the  captors 
stay  all  further  proceedings  on  said  condemnation,  and  that 
the  said  Gilbert  Harrison  be  allowed  to  file  his  claim  on  the 
goods  aforesaid,  before  the  said  Judge,  within  five  days  after 
the  passing  this  resolve ;  and  that  thereupon  the  said  Judge 
notify  the  trial  of  said  claim  in  like  manner  as  original  trials 
of  captures  are  by  law  to  be  notified,  and  that  the  said  Judge 
be  served  with  a  copy  of  this  resolve. 

Adjutant  for  the  First  Regiment  in  HAMPSHIRE,  chosen; 
JUNE  19,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Solomon  Brewer, 
as  an  Adjutant  to  the  First  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the 
County  of  Hampshire. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

Adjutant  for  the  First  Regiment  in  PLYMOUTH,  chosen; 
JUNE  19,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  o{John  Torrey,  Jun., 
as  an  Adjutant  to  the  First  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the 
County  of  Plymouth. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  NATHAN  SMITH  ;  passed  JUNE  20, 

1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Nathan  Smith: 

Whereas  it  appears  to  this  Court  that  certain  persons 
were  concerned  in  taking  and  bringing  into  this  Colony  a 
certain  Schooner,  mentioned  in  said  Petition,  a  number  of 
whom  were  of  a  sea-coast  company  in  the  pay  of  this  Colony; 
and  it  further  appearing  that  the  Vessels  or  Boats  which 
attacked  and  took  the  said  Schooner  were  procured  by  and 
at  the  risk  of  the  captors :  Therefore,  it  is 

Resolved,  That  after  the  charges  of  trial  and  condemna- 
tion are  deducted  from  the  gross  produce  of  the  said  Vessel, 
cargo,  and  appurtenances,  and  the  shares  of  the  other  captors 
have  been  assigned,  the  Colony  shall  receive  one-third  part, 
and  the  sea-coast  men  two-thirds  part  of  the  residue. 

Resolve  on  the  Account  of  JEREMIAH  PUTNAM  ;  passed  JUNE 
20,  1776. 

On  an  Account  of  Jeremiah  Putnam,  for  losses  of  his 
brother  Perly  Putnam,  in  battle  on  the  19th  April,  1775, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this 
Colony  to  Samuel  Epes,  the  sum  of  £5  10*.,  for  the  use 
of  the  heirs  of  Perly  Putnam,  in  full  of  said  Account. 

Adjutant  for  the  Eighth  Regiment  in  WORCESTER  chosen; 
JUNE  20,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Mr.  Ebenezcr  Co- 
nant,  Jun.,  as  an  Adjutant  to  the  Eighth  Regiment  of 
Militia  in  the  County  of  Worcester. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 


Resolve  for  supplying  Colonels  MARSHALL'S,  WHITNEY'S, 
and  CRAFT'S  Regiments  with  Medicines ;  passed  JUNE 
20,  1776. 

Whereas  application  has  been  made  to  this  Court  request- 
ing that  the  three  Regiments  now  in  the  service  of  this 
Colony,  viz:  Marshall's,  Whitney's,  and  Graffs,  be  sup- 
plied from  time  to  time  with  such  Medicines  as  may  be 
necessary  for  the  sick  and  wounded  :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  John  Greenleaf,  of  Boston,  be  re- 
quested to  supply  the  chief  Surgeon  of  such  Regiments 
respectively,  with  such  Medicines  as  may  be  necessary  for 
the  sick  and  wounded  aforesaid,  during  the  continuance  of 
said  Regiments  in  or  near  Boston;  that  he  be  directed  to 
take  the  Surgeons'  receipts  for  all  such  Medicines  as  he  may 
deliver,  and  that  he  exhibit  his  Accounts  to  this  Court  for 
payment.  And  the  said  Surgeons,  before  they  shall  be 
empowered  to  receive  of  the  said  Greenlea/ 'any  such  Medi- 
cines as  aforesaid,  shall  take  an  oath  before  some  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  that  all  the  Medicines  that  he,  shall  receive  of  the 
said  Greenleaf,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  shall  be  used  for 
the  sick  and  wounded  persons  in  the  Regiment  to  which  he 
is  Surgeon,  and  that  he  will  account  with  the  General  Court 
of  this  Colony  for  all  such  Medicines  as  shall  remain  in  his 
hands,  after  his  being  discharged  as  Surgeon  of  said  Regi- 
ment ;  and  the  said  Surgeons  afe  required  to  produce  a  cer- 
tificate from  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  their  being  sworn  to 
the  faithful  discharge  of  the  aforesaid  trust,  before  the  said 
Greenleaf  shall  be  empowered  to  deliver  them  any  such 
Medicines  as  aforesaid. 

Commissary-General  directed  to  receive  all  the  Powder  due 
from  the  Continent;  JUNE  21,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  receive  all  such  Powder 
as  is  due  to  this  Colony  from  the  Continent,  and  to  give  his 
discharge  therefor  in  behalf  of  this  Colony. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  several  Towns  with  Powder; 
passed  JUNE  21,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  hereby 
is,  directed  to  deliver  out  of  the  Colony  Store  to  each  of 
those  Towns  that  have  lent  Powder  to  the  Colony,  such 
quantity  as  may  to  them  respectively  remain  due,  and  to 
pay  reasonable  charges  for  transportation  of  the  same ;  and 
that  there  be  paid  to  said  Commissary,  out  of  the  publick 
Treasury  of  this  Colony,  the  sum  of  £20  for  that  purpose, 
he  to  account  therefor  with  this  Court ;  the  Selectmen  of 
such  Towns  leaving  with  the  said  Commissary  those  receipts 
whereby  they  support  their  claim  to  such  Powder,  and 
also  certifying  that  they  have  not  received  recompense 
therefor. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  each  Town  and  unincorpo- 
rated Plantation  in  this  Colony,  not  having  such  a  quantity 
of  Powder  in  their  publick  stock  as  will  furnish  the  men  borne 
on  the  Training-Band  and  Alarm-Lists  with  half  a  pound  to 
each  man,  be  allowed  to  purchase,  at  either  of  the  Powder- 
Mills  in  this  Colony,  so  much  Powder  as  will  make  up  the 
quantity  aforesaid,  which  shall  be  sold  to  the  Selectmen  of 
said  Towns,  or  Committees  of  unincorporated  Plantations, 
(as  fast  as  it  can  be  spared,)  at  5*.  per  pound;  said  Select- 
men and  Committees  respectively  certifying  to  the  keeper 
of  such  Powder-Mill  the  number  of  men  borne  on  the  Lists 
aforesaid,  together  with  the  whole  Powder  they  have  in 
stock — preference  being  given  to  Sea-Coast  Towns  and 
unincorporated  Plantations  adjoining  the  Sea,  when  more 
apply  than  can  be  supplied. 

Resolve  relative  to  delinquent  Collectors ;  passed  JUNE  21, 
1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  directed  immediately  to  give  notice  in  the  publick 
Prints,  that  all  Collectors  of  Taxes  or  Constables  that  are 
delinquent  in  paying  the  several  sums  committed  to  them  to 
collect  from  the  year  1769  to  the  year  1774,  inclusively, 
pay  him  the  several  sums  due  from  them  immediately;  and 
that  he  issue  out  his  Execution  against  all  such  Collectors 
or  Constables  as  shall  neglect  to  pay  the  same  after  the  last 
day  of  August  next. 


283 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


284 


Resolve  relative  to  Dr.  STOCKBRIDGE  and  others,  and  Per- 
sons who,  having  fled  to  HALIFAX,  &fc.,  shall  return  to 
this  Colony;  passed  JUNE  21,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Benjamin  Stockbridge,  John  Tildem 
Ephraim  Little,  John  Baker,  Elisha  Ford,  Sylvanus  White, 
and  Cornelius  White,  remain  under  confinement  in  Plymouth 
Jail,  at  their  own  cost  and  charge,  until  the  further  order  of 
this  Court ;  and  that  Nathaniel  Garnet,  Warren  White,  Ste- 
phen Tilden,  and  Joseph  Tilden,  be  put  under  the  care  of 
the  Committees  of  Correspondence  for  the  Towns  of  Scit- 
uate,  Pembroke,  and  Marblehead,  to  be  by  them  put  out  to 
labour  to  some  proper  person  or  persons,  who  live  remote 
from  the  sea-coast,  and  there  to  remain  within  the  limits  of 
such  Towns  where  they  shall  be  placed,  until  they  shall  be 
discharged  by  order  of  this  Court,  or  to  inlist  on  board  some 
armed  Vessel  fitted  out  by  this  Colony  or  Continent,  for  the 
defence  of  the  same ;  and  that  Joseph  Younk,  a  minor,  be 
ordered  by  the  aforesaid  Committee  to  return  to  his  father 
in  the  Town  of  Scituate,  his  said  father  giving  them  bonds 
for  his  said  son's  future  good  behaviour. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  those  persons  who  have 
been  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  this  Colony  and  the  Conti- 
nent of  America,  and  have  fled  to  Halifax,  or  elsewhere,  in 
order  to  join  the  British  Army,  that  on  their  arrival  into 
any  Port  or  Town  within  this  Colony,  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  in  the  Town  or  Towns  where  they  shall 
so  come,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  directed  and  empowered 
to  take  them  up  and  confine  them  immediately  in  any  Jail 
within  the  same  County;  and  the  keeper  or  under-keepers 
of  any  of  the  Jails  within  this  Colony  are  directed  to 
receive  them  by  orders  from  ihe  Committees  of  Correspon- 
dence where  they  are  taken  up,  and  them  safely  keep  till 
further  orders  of  this  Court;  and  the  said  Committee  or 
Committees  are  directed  to  inform  this  Court  of  their  pro- 
ceedings. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  JOHN  STEDMAN  ;  passed  JUNE 
21,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  John  Stedman, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  to  John  Stedman,  out  of 
the  Colony  Treasury,  the  sum  of  £4,  in  full  of  the  extraor- 
dinary expenses  he  was  at  in  his  sickness  while  belonging 
to  the  Army  in  Roxbury,  and  after  his  return,  for  doctoring 
and  other  extra  charges  home. 

Mr.  ALEXANDER  SHEPPARD  directed  to  receive  Saltpetre ; 
JUNE  21,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Alexander  Sheppard,  Jun.,  be,  and 
he  hereby  is,  directed  to  receive  Saltpetre  into  the  Commis- 
sary-General's Store,  he  observing  the  Resolves  of  this 
Court  relative  to  receiving  in  that  article. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  BRUNSWICK  ; 
passed  JUNE  22,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  the  Town  of  Bruns- 
wick, 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Stanwood  one  barrel  of  Gunpowder,  for  the  use  of  the  inha- 
bitants of  the  Town  of  Brunswick,  he  paying  him  after  the 
rate  of  5*.  per  pound  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Brig  RISING  EMPIRE  with  Can- 
non, SfC.;  passed  JUNE  22,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
hereby  is.  directed  to  deliver  to  Thomas  Durfee,  Esq.,  out 
of  the  Colony  Stores  now  at  Dartmouth,  in  the  care  of  Mr. 
Lemuel  Williams,  4  Cannon,  (four-pounders,)  14  Swivel- 
Guns,  12  Blunderbusses,  80  Cutlasses,  2,000  pounds  of 
Gunpowder,  one  ton  and  a  half  of  four-pound  Shot,  600 
Swivel-Gun  Shot,  70  Hand-Grenades,  60  Small-Arms,  and 
700  pounds  of  Sheet-Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  Brig  called  the 
Rising  Empire. 

Resolve  on  the  Return  made  to  the  Court  by  Major  BARA- 

CHIAH  BASSET;  passed  JUNE  22,  1776. 
Whereas  the  four  Cannon  mentioned  in  said  Return  are 
proper  for  the  sea  service,  and  the  armed  Brig  belonging  to 


this  Colony  at  Dartmouth  is  in  want  of  the  same,  and  with 
them  can  proceed  on  a  cruise :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Durfee,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  fitting  out  the  said  Brig,  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
empowered  and  directed  to  cause  the  said  Cannon  forthwith 
to  be  removed  and  put  on  board  said  Brig,  and  the  said 
Committee  arc  also  directed  to  get  the  said  Brig  in  readi- 
ness for  a  cruise  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Also  Resolved,  That  in  lieu  of  the  said  four  Cannon,  there 
be  placed  at  Tarpaulin- Cove  Harbour  two  pieces  of  Can- 
non, (nine-pounders;)  and  the  Commissary-General  is  hereby 
directed  to  deliver  the  same  to  Mr.  Durfee,  or  his  order,  to 
be  conveyed  to  Major  Basset;  and  also  to  deliver  one  hun- 
dred and  nine  pounds  weight  of  Shot,  together  with  Ladles 
and  the  necessary  apparatus  for  the  said  two  Cannon,  and 
that  the  said  Basset  cause  the  same  to  be  fitted  and  mounted 
as  soon  as  may  be  for  the  defence  of  said  Harbour. 

And  it  is  also  Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  Walter  Spooner, 
Esq.,  be,  and  hereby  is,  directed  and  empowered  to  provide 
ten  old  W hale-Boats,  that  are  fit  to  be  used  for  the  protec- 
tion of  the  neighbouring  Islands  and  the  shipping  coming  in 
and  going  out,  and  also  purchase  twelve  Shovels,  six  Spades, 
and  lour  Pick-Axes,  the  same  to  be  for  the  use  of  said  Basset 
and  men  under  his  command  in  the  services  aforesaid  ;  and 
the  said  Walter  Spooner,  Esq.,  is  directed  to  lay  his  account 
before  this  Court  for  payment  thereof. 

Additional  Resolve  relative  to  supplying  the  three  Colonial 
Regiments  with  Medicines;  passed  JUNE  22,  1776. 

Whereas,  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court  of  the  19th  current, 
directing  how  several  Regiments  raised  bv  this  Colony  shall 
be  supplied  with  Medicines,  among  other  things  it  is  resolved 
that  all  the  Medicines  that  shall  be  received  by  the  Surgeons 
of  said  Regiments  shall  be  used  for  the  sick  and  wounded 
persons  in  the  Regiment  to  which  he  is  Surgeon,  which 
may  be  attended  with  some  inconvenience  in  cases  of  neces- 
sity, and  put  said  Surgeons  to  unnecessary  trouble :  There- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  when  it  shall  so  happen  that  any  of  the 
aforesaid  Surgeons  shall  be  called  to  give  his  assistance  or 
advice  for  any  sick  or  wounded  person  or  persons  in  either 
of  said  Regiments,  and  he  should  find  it  necessary  to  make 
use  of  some  of  the  Medicines  delivered  for  the  Regiment  to 
which  he  is  Surgeon,  in  such  case  he  is  directed  to  make 
use  of  such  Medicines  as  are  necessary,  in  the  same  manner 
he  could  if  the  sick  or  wounded  person  or  persons  belonged  to 
the  Regiment  to  which  he  is  Surgeon;  and  in  case  it  should 
at  any  time  appear  necessary  to  either  of  said  Surgeons  to 
make  use  of  any  Medicines  for  immediate  relief  of  any  per- 
son belonging  to  the  Continental  Army,  he  is  directed  to 
make  use  of  the  same,  he  keeping  an  account  of  all  such 
Medicines  as  he  shall  make  use  of  for  the  sick  and  wounded 
in  said  Army. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  instead  of  the  oath 
required  to  be  taken  by  the  Resolve  afore  recited,  the  Sur- 
geon of  each  Regiment  shall  make  oath  before  some  Justice 
of  the  Peace  that  the  Medicines  he  shall  receive  of  Doctor 
Greenleaf  shall  be  applied  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  this 
Court. 

Resolve  on  the  Abstract  of  Colonel  ISAAC  SMITH  ;  passed 

JUNE  22,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury 
of  this  Colony  unto  Colonel  Isaac  Smith  the  sum  of  £9 
12s.  8d.,  for  himself  and  Field  and  Staff  Officers  borne  on 
his  Abstract ;  also  for  Captain  Robert  Dodge  and  Company 
the  sum  of  £42  17s.  lie/.;  also  for  Captain  Daniel  Little- 
field  and  Company  the  sum  of  £67  Os.  4rf. ;  and  for  Captain 
William  Rogers  and  Company  £81  6s.  lid.;  and  for  Cap- 
tain Henry  Merrill  and  Company  the  sum  of  £38  1 9s.  4 %d. ; 
and  for  Captain  Benjamin  Farnum  and  Company  the  sum 
of  £42  6s.  8$d. ;  and  for  Captain  Timothy  Johnson  and 
Company  £16  15s.  5d. ;  and  for  Captain  Benjamin  Epca 
and  Company  £40  16s.  6d. 

Treasurer  directed  to  receive  two  boxes  of  Money  of  Mr. 
GEORGE  SPHIGGS  ;  passed  JUNE  24,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  and  Receiver-General  of 
this  Colony  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  receive  ol  Mr. 
George  Spriggs  two  boxes  of  Money,  marked  "Massachu-- 


285 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


286 


setts"  brought  by  said  Spriggs  from  Philadelphia,  with 
directions  to  deliver  the  same  to  the  order  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  this  Colony,  and  that  the  Treasurer  and  Re- 
ceiver-General give  the  said  Spriggs  a  receipt  therefor. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  GEORGE  LANGFORD  ;  passed 
JUNE  24,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  George  Langford, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  to  him  out  of  the  publick 
Treasury  of  this  Colony  the  sum  of  15s.,  in  full  for  the 
damage  done  to  his  Gun  by  a  cannon  ball  fired  from  the 
enemy  at  Boston  Neck  on  the  17th  of  June,  1775. 

Order  on  the  Complaint  of  SAMUEL,  RICE  ;  passed  JUNE 
24,  1776. 

On  the  Complaint  of  Samuel  Rice,  of  Lancaster,  setting 
forth  fraud  in  the  Muster-Roil  of  Lieutenant  Seth  Heywood, 
of  said  Lancaster,  Sic.: 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
directed  to  serve  the  said  Lieutenant  Seth  Heywood  with  a 
copy  of  said  Complaint  and  this  Order,  that  he  show  cause, 
if  any  he  has,  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  the  next  session 
of  the  General  Court  why  he  should  not  be  prosecuted  for 
fraud  and  perjury  respecting  said  Roll ;  and  that  the  Secre- 
tary be  directed  in  like  manner  to  serve  the  said  Samuel 
Rice  with  a  copy  of  his  Complaint  and  this  Order,  .that  he 
have  opportunity  on  the  said  second  Wednesday  of  the  next 
session  of  the  General  Court  to  support  his  complaint  against 
said  Heywood. 

Commissary  for  the  Forces  at  TRURO  chosen;  JUNE  24, 
1776. 

The  House  made  choice  of  Mr.  John  Sellew  as  a  Com- 
missary for  the  Company  stationed  at  Truro,  in  the  room  of 
Mr.  Harding,  excused. 

Concurred  by  Council  same  day. 

Adjutant  for  the  Third  Regiment  in  YORK  ;  chosen  JUNE 
22,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Mr.  Theodore  Ly- 
man  as  an  Adjutant  to  the  Third  Regiment  of  Militia  in  the 
County  of  York. 

Concurred  by  Council  June  24,  1776. 

Adjutant  to  the  Second  Regiment  in  CUMBERLAND  chosen ; 
JUNE  22,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Joseph  Ludden  as 
an  Adjutant  to  the  Second  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Cumberland. 

Concurred  by  Council,  June  24,  1776. 

Adjutant  to  the  Third  Regiment  in  CUMBERLAND  chosen; 
JUNE  22,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Gideon  Meserve 
as  an  Adjutant  to  the  Third  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the 
County  of  Cumberland. 

Concurred  by  Council,  June  24,  1776. 

Resolve  to  supply  DAVID  JEFPERIES,  Esquire,  with  fifteen 

hundred  Pounds;  passed  JUNE  24,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury 
of  this  Colony  to  David  Jefferies,  Esquire,  Paymaster  to  the 
Regiments  of  Colonels  Marshall,  Whitney,  and  Crafts,  the 
sum  of  £1,500,  towards  paying  those  Regiments,  according 
to  their  establishment,  so  far  as  it  respects  Non-Commissioned 
Officers  and  Privates;  said  Paymaster  to  be  accountable  to 
this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  directing  the  Selectmen  of  the  several  Towns  to  lend 
Military  Tools;  passed  JUNE  24,  1776. 

Whereas,  by  a  late  Act  of  the  General  Court,  intituled 
"  An  Act  for  forming  and  regulating  the  Militia  within  the 
Colony,  fee.,"  the  Selectmen  of  each  and  every  Town  are 
directed  to  provide,  at  the  expense  of  the  Colony,  a  number 
of  Spades  or  Iron  Shovels,  Narrow  Axes,  and  Pick  Axes ; 
and  the  same  to  deposite  and  keep  in  some  safe  place,  for 
the  use  of  the  Militia  upon  an  alarm :  And  whereas  it  may 


be  found  expedient  to  make  use  of  such  Tools  in  erecting 
Fortifications,  or  for  other  necessary  purposes  :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Selectmen  of  each  and  every  Town 
within  this  Colony  be,  and  they  hen.-by  are,  severally  em- 
powered and  directed,  upon  application  being  made,  to 
deliver  the  whole,  or  any  part  of  the  Tools  provided  agree- 
ably to  the  Act  aforesaid,  to  any  Commissioned  Officer,  com- 
manding any  number  of  Soldiers,  employed  in  fortifying 
against  the  enemy,  in  any  Town  in  this  Colony,  taking  their 
receipts  for  the  same,  particularly  mentioning  the  number  of 
each  Tool  so  delivered  ;  and  said  officers  are  hereby  directed 
to  return'  said  Tools  to  the  said  Selectmen  as  soon  as  con- 
veniently may  be,  after  they  have  done  using  them  in  forti- 
fying as  aforesaid,  the  aforesaid  Act  notwithstanding. 

Resolve  for  payment  of  Accounts  for  losses  in  battle,  passed 

JUNE  24,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  Sums  be  paid  to  the  persons 
whose  names  follow,  in  full,  for  their  accounts  for  losses  iu 
battle,  on  and  since  the  19th  of  April,  1775,  viz:  to 

•£   s.    d.  £   ,.    d. 

Capt.  Peter  Coburn,  5  10  0  Jonah  Emmerson,-  1  00 
Thomas  Cummings,0  9  0  Reuben  Carlton,  -  2  80 
Francis  Darison,  -  3  18  0  Daniel  Keyes,  -  1  18  0 
William  Chambers,  1  IS  0  William  Campfield,  1  13  0 
James  Spaulding,  -  1  00  Isaac  Green,  -  -  2  8  0 
Jedediah  Thayer,  -  2  14  0  Lieut.  Isaac  Brown,  2  10  8 
Samuel  Walker,  -  3  3  2  Jeremiah  Macho,  -  1  16  0 
Eli  Lewis,  -  -  -  0  16  0  David  Adam?,  -  0  4  0 
Joseph  Thatcher,  -  2  60  P.  Dudley  Sergeant,  0120 
Samuel  Basset,  -  0  14  0  Asahel  Nim's  heirs,  4  14  0 
Maj.  Stephen  Cross,  260  Nathan  Newell,  -  0  6  0 
David  Livestone,  -  3  11  3  Lt.  Benjamin  West,  3  16  0 
Thomas  Baker,  -  2  14  3  Heirs  of  W.  Fish,  -  5  17  0 
Thomas  Pike,  -  1  70  Edward  Elsworth,  1  16  0 
Ephraim  Hidden,  -  0  80  Moses  Morss,  -  -  1  10  0 
Stephen  Palmer,  -  1  16  0  Jacob  Lane,  -  -  2  8  0 

Resolve  making  provision  for  the  Families  of  such  Tories  as 
have  left  the  Colony ;  passed  JUNE  25,  1776. 

Whereas  a  Resolve  passed  this  Court,  dated  the  19th  of 
April,  1776,  directing  the  Committee  of  Correspondence, 
&.C.,  in  this  Colony,  to  lease  out  the  Real  Estates  of  Tories 
who  have  fled  to  the  British  Fleet  or  Army  for  protection, 
and  to  take  an  Inventory  of  their  Personal  Estates,  &.C., 
wherein  no  provision  is  made  for  their  families  which  are  left 
on  those  Estates,  whereby  great  expenses  may  accrue  to  the 
Towns  to  which  they  respectively  belong  : 

It  is  therefore  Resolved,  That  the  Committees  of  Corre- 
spondence, Inspection,  and  Safety,  in  those  Towns  in  this 
Colony  wherein  there  are  Estates  which,  in  pursuance  of 
said  Resolve,  come  under  their  cognisance,  be,  and  they 
hereby  are,  directed  to  allow  to  the  families  of  those  enemies 
to  their  country,  described  in  said  resolve,  so  much  of  the 
improvement  of  said  Estates  as,  in  their  opinion,  is  necessary, 
together  with  the  industry  of  said  families,  for  their  comfort- 
able support,  and  account  with  this  Court,  as  by  said  resolve 
is  provided ;  and  the  Selectmen  (or  Overseers  of  the  Poor, 
where  such  are  appointed)  are  hereby  empowered  to  bind, 
out  the  children  of  such  Tories,  in  like  manner  as  they  are 
by  law  empowered  to  bind  out  the  Poor  of  their  Towns. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  Committees  afore- 
said be,  and  they  are  hereby,  empowered  to  dispose  of  any 
perishable  goods  belonging  10  said  Estates,  and  which  are 
otherwise  in  danger  of  being  lost,  for  the  most  they  will  sell  for. 

Resolve  for  raising  one  hundred  Men,  to  be  stationed  at 
MARTHA'S  VINEYARD;  passed  JUNE  25,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  he  raised  on  the  Sea-Coast  Estab- 
lishment, in  addition  to  the  Com  panics  stationed  at  Martha's 
Vineyard,  one  Company  of  one  hundred  Men,  to  be  inlisted 
from  the  main,  and  to  serve  till  the  last  day  of  December  next, 
unless  sooner  discharged  by  order  of  this  Court ;  and  that  one 
piece  of  Cannon  (a  six-pounder  now  at  Elizabeth  Islands)  be 
removed  from  thence,  and  placed  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  and 
that  they  be  supplied  with  two  nine-pounders  now  at  Boston; 
and  that  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
directed  to  deliver  the  same  to  Joseph  Mayhcw,  Esquire,  or 
order,  and  also  for  the  use  of  the  Cannon  and  Men,  station- 
ed at  the  Vineyard,  four  barrels  of  Powder,  forty  rounds  of 


287 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


288 


Shot  for  each  of  said  Cannon,  and  three  hundred  weight  of 
Leaden  Balls;  he,  the  said  Mayhew,  to  be  accountable  to 
this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  raising  five  thousand  Men,  to  cooperate  with 
the  Continental  Troops  at  CANADA  and  NEW-YORK; 
passed  JUNE  25,  1776. 

As  the  unrelenting  spirit  which  possesses  the  King  and 
Parliament  of  Britain  has  pushed  them  to  leave  no  measures 
unessayed  to  accomplish  our  destruction,  and,  with  infinite 
disgrace  to  themselves,  are  about  to  pour  in  upon  us  a  num- 
ber of  foreign  Troops,  with  intent,  this  year,  to  decide  the 
contest,  and  to  enslave  us  forever;  and  as  such  a  manly  and 
brave  resistance,  as,  with  the  smiles  of  Heaven,  we  are  able 
to  make,  will,  in  all  human  probability,  utterly  defeat  their 
haughty  and  unrighteous  designs,  and  establish  our  liberty ; 
the  Honourable  American  Congress  have  called  upon  this 
Colony  for  five  thousand  of  its  Militia,  to  cooperate  with  the 
Continental  Troops  at  Canada  and  New-York;  and  as  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  that  a  proper  number  of  men  should 
be  reserved  for  the  defence  of  the  sea-coasts  against  the 
attacks  which  may  be  made  upon  them,  it  renders  it  un- 
avoidable that  the  levies  should  be  made  on  the  Towns 
least  exposed  to  invasion  from  the  sea;  and  although  the 
numbers  are  large,  yet  the  exertions  now  called  for  are  to 
be  disregarded  when  compared  to  the  great  and  noble  ob- 
jects for  which  we  are  contending:  this  Court,  therefore, 
have  the  fullest  assurance  that  their  brethren,  upon  this 
occasion,  will  not  confer  with  flesh  and  blood;  but  being 
convinced  of  the  necessity  of  the  measure,  will,  without 
hesitancy,  and  with  the  utmost  alacrity  and  despatch,  fill  up 
the  numbers  proportioned  on  the  respective  Towns,  and  in 
that  case  we  shall  have  the  highest  prospect  of  defeating  the 
bloody  designs  of  our  unjust  and  cruel  adversaries.  We 
derive  the  greatest  confidence  from  the  spirited  and  distin- 
guished part  our  constituents  have  taken  upon  all  important 
occasions.  We  flatter  ourselves  that  a  noble  defence  this 
campaign  will  put  an  end  to  the  war.  Everything,  therefore, 
calls  for  their  exertions  on  this  occasion ;  not  only  the  safety 
of  their  wives,  children,  and  properties,  but  the  security  of  the 
rights  of  the  present  and  future  generations:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  five  thousand  men  from  the  Militia 
of  this  Colony,  requested  by  Congress  to  be  immediately 
raised  and  marched  for  reinforcing  the  Army  in  Canada 
and  in  New-York,  be  raised  from  the  Militia  on  the  Alarm 
and  Training-Band  Lists  of  the  several  Towns,  and  in  the 
several  proportions  expressed  in  the  schedule  hereto  an- 
nexed; and  that  those  that  are  proportioned  on  the  several 
Towns  in  the  Counties  of  Suffolk,  Essex,  Middksex, 
Hampshire,  York,  and  Cumberland,  be  destined  and  march 
for  Canada;  and  that  those  which  are  proportioned  .on  the 
several  Towns  in  the  Counties  of  Plymouth,  Bristol,  Wor- 
cester, and  Berkshire,  be  destined  and  march  for  New-York. 
And  that  each  man  furnish  himself  with  a  good  Firearm,  and 
Bayonet  fitted  to  the  same,  or,  instead  of  a  Bayonet,  a 
Hatchet  or  Tomahawk,  a  Cartouch-Box,  Knapsack,  and 
Blanket;  and  for  their  encouragement  readily  to  enter  into 
the  service  of  their  country  on  this  pressing  exigency  of 
•  affairs,  there  shall  be  paid  to  each  non-commissioned  Officer 
and  private  Soldier  destined  for  Canada,  at  the  time  of  his 
passing  muster,  £7;  and  to  each  non-commissioned  Officer 
and  private  Soldier  destined  for  New-York,  at  the  time  of  his 
passing  muster,  £3 — the  better  to  enable  him  to  furnish  and 
prepare  himself  for  the  service  on  so  sudden  a  call ;  and  6*.  for 
the  use  of  the  Arms  of  each  non-commissioned  Officer  and 
private  Soldier  destined  to  either  of  the  places  aforesaid,  and 
12*.  to  purchase  a  Blanket,  and  one  month's  advance  pay  on 
his  passing  muster,  equipped  as  aforementioned. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  Jonathan  Metcalf,  Esq., 
Benjamin  Guild,  Esq.,  Colonel  Aaron  Davis,  Nathaniel 
Bailey,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Daniel  Perry,  be  a  Committee  to  go 
into  the  County  of  Suffolk;  and  that  Aaron  Wood,  Esq., 
Major  Samuel  Epes,  Mr.  Nehemiah  Abbot,  Colonel  Daniel 
Spafford,  and  Dudley  Carlton,  Esq.,  he  a  Committee  to  go 
into  the  Cpunty  of  Essex;  and  that  Jonas  Dix,  Esq.,  Major 
Timothy  Walker,  Colonel  Josinh  Sartcl,  Colonel  Simeon 
Spaulding,  Mr.  George  13 righam,  Captain  Joseph  Hosmer, 
Colonel  Jonathan  Reed,  Colonel  William  Tliompson,  and 
Josiah  Stone,  Esq.,  be  a  Committee  to  go  into  the  County 
of  Middlesex;  and  that  Joseph  Hawley,  Esq.,  Noah  Good- 


man, Esq.,  Major  William  Pincheon,  Jun.,  Mr.  David  Sax- 
ton,  Mr.  Luke  Hitchcock,  and  Captain  Israel  Hubbard,  be 
a  Committee  to  go  into  the  County  of  Hampshire;  and  that 
William  Drew,  Esq..  Hugh  Orr,  Esq.,  Colonel  Mitchell, 
Colonel  Ebenezer  White,  and  Captain  Robert  Lent hal  Eels, 
be  a  Committee  to  go  into  the  County  of  Plymouth;  and 
that  Captain  John  Stevens,  Colonel  Shubael  Peck,  and 
Colonel  Nathaniel  Leonard,  be  a  Committee  to  go  into  the 
County  of  Bristol;  and  that  Captain  Seth  Washburn,Cap- 
tain  Nathaniel  Wilson,  Mr.  Abner  Rawson,  Captain  Wil- 
liam Page,  Amos  Singktary,  Esq.,  Mr.  John  Ball,  Captain 
John  Haven,  Captain  Nicholas  Dyke,  and  Major  William 
Learned,  be  a  Committee  to  go  into  the  County  of  Worces- 
ter; and  that  Mr.  Azariah  Root,  Major  Caleb  Hyde,  and 
Captain  Isaac  Stratton,  be  a  Committee  to  go  into  the 
County  of  Berkshire;  and  that  Joseph  Storer,  Esq.,  and 
Colonel  Ichabod  Goodwin,  be  a  Committee  to  go  into  the 
County  of  York;  and  that  Captain  Joseph  Noyes  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  go  into  the  County  of  Cumberland;  whose  business 
it  shall  be  to  endeavour  to  have  the  inlistments  of  the  men 
apportioned  by  this  Resolve  on  the  several  Counties  made 
without  delay,  to  form  the  men  into  Companies,  to  muster 
and  pay  them  their  bounty,  and  for  the  use  of  their  arms, 
and  blanket  money,  and  for  one  month's  advance  pay,  and 
to  appoint  meet  persons  for  Captains  and  Subalterns  of  the 
Companies  to  be  raised  in  their  respective  Counties;  the 
non-commissioned  Officers  to  be  appointed  by  the  respective 
Captains  and  Subalterns;  no  man  to  pass  muster  without 
being  equipped  as  aforesaid. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  this  Court,  as  soon  as 
may  be,  proceed  to  the  choice  of  two  Brigadiers  as  recom- 
mended by  Congress,  and  of  the  Field-Officers  for  the 
several  Battalions. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury  of  this  Colony  to  the  said  Committees,  to  enable 
them  to  pay  the  Bounty  aforesaid,  and  for  the  Blankets, 
and  for  the  use  of  the  Arms,  and  for  a  month's  advance 
pay,  to  non-commissioned  Officers  and  private  Soldiers,  the 
several  sums  following,  viz: 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Su/olk,  the  sum  of  £4,190. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Essex,  the  sum  of  £4,280. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  the  sum  of  £10,070. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Hampshire,  the  sum  of  £7,100. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
York,  the  sum  £965. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Cumberland,  the  sum  of  £365. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to"  go  into  the  County  of 
Plymouth,  the  sum  of  £2,120. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Bristol,  the  sum  of  £2,020. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Worcester,  the  sum  of  £6,380. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Berkshire,  the  sum  of  £1,400. 

Each  of  said  Committees  to  be  accountable  for  the  sum 
they  shall  severally  receive. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  pay  and  establishment 
of  these  Forces  shall  be  the  same  as  for  those  in  the  Con- 
tinental service;  that  they  be  engaged  to  the  first  day  of 
December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  Congress;  that 
their  pay  commence  three  days  next  preceding  the  day  of 
their  marching  from  home;  and  that  they  be  allowed  one 
penny,  lawful  money,  a  mile,  in  lieu  of  rations,  for  travelling 
expenses,  and  one  day's  pay  for  every  twenty  miles  between 
home  and  the  general  rendezvous,  going  and  returning. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  Edward  Mitchell,  Esq., 
Thcophilus  Gushing,  Esq.,  and  William  Drew,  Esq.,  be  a 
Committee  to  provide  suitable  Camp-Kettles  or  Pots,  and 
Canteens  or  Wooden  Bottles,  and  transport  them  to  suitable 
places,  for  the  accommodation  of  the.  Troops. 

And  be  it  further  Resolved,  That  the  Committees  to  go 
into  the  several  Counties  receive  Blank  Commissions,  to  fill 
up  and  deliver  to  such  Captains  and  Subalterns  as  they  shall 
appoint. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  men  to  be  raised 
and  destined  for  Canada,  be  formed  into  four  Battalions,  of 


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MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


290 


nearly  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  each,  including  Officers, 
and  each  Battalion  to  consist  of  eight  Companies;  each 
Company  of  one  Captain,  one  First  Lieutenant,  one  Second 
Lieutenant,  one  Ensign,  four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  one 
Drum,  and  one  Fife,  and  as  near  as  may  be  of  seventy-nine 
Privates.  And  that  the  men  to  he  raised  and  destined  for 
New-York  be  formed  into  three  Battalions,  each  to  consist, 
as  near  as  may  be,  of  six  hundred  and  sixty-six  men,  including 
Officers  ;  and  also  each  Battalion  to  consist  of  eight  Compa- 
nies, and  each  Company  of  one  Captain,  one  First  Lieute- 
nant, one  Second  Lieutenant,  one  Ensign,  four  Sergeants, 
four  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  one  Fifer,  and  as  near  as  may 
be  of  sixty-nine  Privates.  And  the  several  Militia  Officers 
in  the  several  Counties  are  hereby  required  to  afford  their 
utmost  aid  to  the  said  Committees  in  raising  the  men  afore- 
said, by  calling  together  the  men  under  their  command,  and 
in  any  other  way  the  said  Committees  shall  request. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  four  Battalions 
destined  to  Canada  shall  be  constituted  in  the  manner  fol- 
lowing, that  is  to  say :  The  first  of  said  Battalions  of  all  the 
men  to  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Suffolk,  and  of  all  the 
men  to  be  raised  in  the  following  Towns  in  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  viz  :  Cambridge,  Watcrtown,  Charlestown,  Med- 
ford,  Maiden,  Waltham,  Sherburne,  Hopkington,  Holliston, 
and  JSatick;  and  the  second  of  said  Battalions  shall  be  con- 
stituted of  all  the  men  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Essex, 
York,  and  Cumberland;  and  the  third  of  said  Battalions 
shall  be  constituted  of  all  the  men  to  be  raised  in  the  County 
of  Middlesex,  except  the  Towns  in  the  same  County  joined 
with  the  County  of  Suffolk,  as  above  expressed ;  and  that 
the  fourth  of  the  said  Battalions  shall  be  constituted  of  all 
the  men  to  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Hampshire. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  three  Battalions 
destined  to  New-York  shall  be  constituted  in  the  manner 
following,  that  is  to  say:  The  first  of  the  said  Battalions  of 
all  the  men  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Plymouth  and 
Bristol;  and  the  second  of  the  said  Battalions  shall  be  con- 
stituted of  all  the  men  to  be  raised  in  the  several  Towns  in 
the  County  of  Worcester,  excepting  the  Towns  hereinafter 
named  ;  and  the  third  of  the  said  Battalions  shall  be  consti- 
tuted of  all  the  men  to  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Berkshire, 
and  the  following  Towns  in  the  County  of  Worcester,  viz : 
Lancaster,  Bolton,  Harvard,  Mendon,  Upton,  Southborough, 
Grafton,  Northborough,  Wesiborough,  Shrewsbury,  Lunen- 
burgh,  and  Leominster. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  several  Battalions 
which  shall  be  raised  agreeably  to,  or  in  consequence  of  the 
foregoing  Resolves,  shall  march  to  their  respective  places  of 
destination  by  such  routes  as  may  be  ordered  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  this  Colony;  and  in  case  no  order  is  made  for 
that  purpose  by  the  General  Assembly,  then  by  such  routes 
as  the  Council  of  this  Colony,  or  the  major  part  of  them, 
shall  order  and  direct. 

Also  Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick 
Treasury  of  this  Colony,  to  the  Committee  appointed  to 
procure  Camp-Kettles,  &tc.,  the  sum  of  £400,  to  enable 
them  to  purchase  those  articles,  to  pay  for  their  transporta- 
tion, and  any  other  charges  that  may  attend  their  doing  said 
business ;  and  that  said  Committee  duly  account  with  this 
Court  for  the  expenditure  of  the  sum  or  sums  which  they 
may  receive  for  the  purpose  before  mentioned. 


Suffolk. 

Essex. 

Roxbury,    -     -     - 

-     42 

Danvers,      -    -     - 

- 

Dorchester,  -     -     - 

-      8 

Ipswich,       -     -     - 

- 

23 

Newburv     -     -     - 

T> 

on 

T    trnn 

Jjraintree, 

—      &\j 

Weymouth,  -     -     - 

-     10 

Andover,     -     -     - 

- 

Hingham,    -     -     - 

-     15 

Rowley,       -     -     - 

- 

Dedham,      -     -     - 

-    65 

Salisbury,    -     -     - 

- 

Medfield,     -     -     - 

-    26 

Haverhill,    -     -     - 

- 

Wrentham,  -     -     - 

-     65 

Topsfield,    -     -     - 

- 

Brookline,    -     -     - 

-     17 

Amesbury,  -     -     - 

- 

Needham,    - 

-    26 

Bradford,     -     -     - 

- 

Stoughton,  -     -     - 

-     40 

Wenham,     -     -     - 

- 

Stoughtonham,  -     - 

-     24 

Methuen,     -     -     - 

- 

Medway,      -     -     - 

-     26 

Boxford,      -     -     - 

- 

Bellingham,       -     - 

-     17 

Middleton,   -     -     - 

- 

Wai  pole,      -     -     - 

-     22 

2 

J|  «•«    |   77 

luiaatesex. 

448 

Cambridge,  -    -     - 

- 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


ers,    Watertown,-     -     -     - 
ach     Concord,      -     -     -     - 
ond     Newton,       -     -     -     - 
one     Reading,      -     -     -     - 
line     Marlborou"h,     -     - 
for    Billerica,      -     -     -     - 
sist,     Framingharn,    -     -     - 
ling    Lexington,  -     -     -     - 
ipa-     Chelmsford,      -     -     - 
ute-    Sherburne,  -     -     -     - 
nts,    Sudbury,      -     -     -     - 

30     Norwich,      -     -     -     - 
44     Murrayfield,      ... 
41     Ervingshire,      ... 
47     Plantation  No.  7,  -     - 
55     Plantation  No.  5,  -     - 
35 
45                  Plymouth. 
29     Plymouth,   -    --- 
34     Kingston,     -     -     -     - 

CI1 

Duxbury,     -     -     -     - 
Middleborough,      -     - 
•*"     Bridgewater,     - 
30     Pembroke,  -     -     -     - 
23     Halifax,  
29     Marshfield,  -     -     -     - 
27     Scituate,      -     -     -     - 
26     Hanover,     -     -     -     - 
24     Wareham,    -     -     -     - 
Rochester,  -     -     -     - 
1J     Abington,    - 
25     Plympton,  -     -     -     - 
22 

?2                     Bristol 

Taunton,     -     -     -     - 
g.     Rehoboth,   -     -     -     - 

6 
4 
4 
6 
6 

754 

12 
9 
8 
66 
95 
34 
12 
9 
17 
16 
12 
25 
39 
26 

380 

76 
55 
32 
31 
53 
25 
30 
20 
22 
18 
362 

32 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
4 
5 
4 
10 
105 

56 
72 
22 
18 
15 
25 
36 
33 
17 
40 
20 
21 
23 
12 
69 
38 
24 
24 
10 
23 
67 
32 
22 
27 
25 
25 
17 
28 
50 
32 
24 
23 
15 

cers    Medford,      -     -     -     - 
heir    Littleton,     -     -     -     - 
ore-    Hopkinton,  -     -     -     - 
and     Westford,     -     -     -     - 
Waltham,     -     -     -     - 
ions    Stow,     -     -     -     -     - 

the    Pepperell,    -     -     -     - 
y  of    Townsend   -     -    -    - 
led-    Ashby    - 

•ton,    Stoneham,   -     -     -     - 

tsex,    Dracut,  -     -     -     -     - 
ions    Bedford,       -     -     -     - 
mty     Holliston,     -     -     -     - 
ined    Tewksbury,       -     -     - 
that    Acton,    - 

„„     Mansfield,    -     -     -     - 
„„     Attleborough,   -     -    - 
22     D'ghttHi,      -     -     -     - 

f  all    Lincoln,-     -     -     -     - 
Wilmington,      -     -     - 
ions    Maiden,  -     -     -     -     - 
riner    Charlestown,     -     -     - 
is  of    Dunstable,  -     -     -     - 
and    Woburn,      -     -     -     - 

19     ^ast0"'  
._     Swanzey,    -     -     -     - 

Raynham,  .     -     -     - 
JJ     Berkley,      

22 
47                      York. 

con-                                         i 

15  in                 Hampshire. 
jfte.r    Springfield,  -     -     -     - 
nst1'    Brimfield,     -     -     -     - 
Wfe.    Wilbraham,-     -     -     - 
Vlz:     Northampton,    -     -     - 
18*>     Southampton,    -     -     - 

Hen-      HarlW    - 

York 

44     Wells     - 

o-     Lebanon,     -     -     -     - 
T^     Sand  ford  &t  Smith's  Co. 
._     Arundell,     -     -     -     - 
|'     Biddeford,  -    -     -     - 
Pepperellborough,  -     - 

Rnvtnn    - 

South-Hadley,  -     -     - 
lions    Amherst,      -     -     -     - 

fthe      firanlw    - 

2-7     rsuxion,  - 

9 

jg                    Worcester. 

13     Worcester,  -    -    -    - 
9    Lancaster,    -    -     -     - 
13     Spencer,       -     -     -     - 

esof    Hatfield,      -     -     -     - 
leral     Conway,      -     -     -     - 
8  for    Sunderland,      -     -     - 
>utes    Montague,  -     -     -     - 
lem>     Northfield,    -     -     -     - 
South-Brimfield,     -     - 
)hck     Monson,       -     -     -     - 
id  to     Pel  ham,       -     -     -     - 
table    Greenwich,  -     -     -    - 
orta-    Blanford,      -     -     -     - 
said    Leverett,      -     -     -     - 
this    Warwick,    -     -     -    - 
they    Bernardstown,  -     -     - 
Murrayfield,      -     -     - 
Charlemont,      -     -     - 
Worthington,    -     -     - 
50    Shutesbury,       -     -     - 
!0    Chesterfield,      -     -     - 
30    Southwick,  -     -     -     - 
10    West-Springfield,    -     - 
64    Whateley,    -     -     -     - 
20    Williamsburgh,  -   '-     - 
18    Westfield,    -     -     -     - 
Deerfield,     -     -     -     - 
30    Greenfield,  -     -     -     - 
37    Shelburne,   -     -     -     - 

14     Leicester,     -     -     -     - 
20     Howard,      -     -    -     - 

'21     Princetown,       -     -     - 
6     Mendon,      -     -     -     - 
10     Uxbridge,    -     -     -     - 

10     Douglass,     -     -     -     - 
9     Northbridge,      -     -     - 
10     Brookfield,  -     -     -     - 
11     Hardwick,  -    -     -     - 
10     New-Braintree,      -     - 

48     Oakham,      -     -     -     - 

DOvfnrr! 

31     Sturbridge,  -     -     -     - 

17     Charlton,     -     -     -     - 
11     Southborough,  -     -     - 

43     Palmer,  -     -     -     -     - 
6    Granville,    -     -     -     - 
40    New-Salem,      -     -     - 
38    Belchertown,    -     -     - 
18    Colerain,      -     -     -     - 

27     Northborough,  -     -     - 
15     Westborough,   -     -     - 
22     Shrewsbury,      -     -     - 
14     Lunenburg,  -     -     -     - 
13     Leominster,  -     -     -     - 
7     Westminster,     -     -     - 
7     Fitchburg,   -     -    -    - 

4t>j     ware, 
Ludlow,       .     -     -     - 
57     Ashfield,-      -     -     -     - 
19 

291 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


292 


Ashburnharn,  -  -  -  11 

Rutland,      -  -  -  -  33 

Hutcliinson,  -  -  -  29 

Petersham,  -  -  -  -  26 

Atliol,     -----  14 

Templeton,  -  -  -  -  19 

Royalston,  -  6 

Winchendon,  -  -  -  7 

Hubbardston,  -  -  -  6 


1136 

-  4 

-  5 

-  10 

-  4 

-  2 

-  6 

-  4 

-  _4 

39 


Cumberland. 

Scarborough,     -  - 

Windham,    -     -  - 

Gorham,      -     -  - 

Pearsontown,    -  - 

New-Boston,     -  - 

New-Gloucester,  - 

North-Yarmouth,  - 

Brunswick,  -     -  - 

Berkshire. 
Sheffield,     -     ...     27 
Great-Barrington,  -     -     16 

TOTAL— Suffolk,  -  - 
Essex,  -  - 
Middlesex,  - 
Hampshire,  - 
Plymouth,  - 
Bristol,  -  - 
York,  -  - 
Worcester,  - 
Cumberland, 
Berkshire,  - 


West-Stockbridge,  -     -  6 

Pittsfield,     ---     -  17 

New-Marlborough,      -  15 

Egremont,    -----  9 

Richmond,  -     -     -     -  14 
Glass- Works,  Grant,  &t 

part  of  Hart  wood,    -  5 

Stockbridge,      -     -     -  14 

Lenox,    -----  9 

Tyringham,       -     -     -  11 

Loudoun,     -     -     -     -  4 

Alford, 6 

Lanesborough,  -     -     -  19 

New-Ashford,  ->    -     -  3 

Sandisfield,  -     -     -     -  14 

Plantation  Hartwood,  -  5 

Williamstown,  -     -     -  13 

Becket, 6 

Gageborough,   -  7 

Partridgefield,   -     -     -  5 

East-Hoosuck,  -     -     -  9 

Jericho,  -----  9 

New-Providence,    -     -  6 


249 


-  448 

-  457 

-  1070 

-  754 

-  380 

-  362 

-  105 

-  1136 
.  39 
.  249 

5000 


The  following  is  the  form  of  the  Inlistment  to  be  sifned 
by  those  who  shall  engage  in  the  service,  agreeable  to  the 
foregoing  Resolve: 

"  We,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  do  hereby  severally 
inlist  ourselves  into  the  service  of  the  United  American 
Colonies,  and  severally  promise  and  engage  to  continue  in 
such  service  until  the  first  day  of  December,  1776,  unless 
sooner  discharged ;  and  to  furnish  ourselves,  each,  with  a 
good  effective  fire-arm,  and,  if  possible,  a  bayonet  fitted 
thereto,  or,  in  lieu  thereof,  a  hatchet  or  tomahawk,  a  car- 
tridge-box, and  blanket.  We  also,  in  like  manner,  promise 
and  engage  to  obey  all  the  lawful  commands  of  the  officers 
appointed,  or  to  be  appointed,  over  us,  pursuant  to  the 
resolves  of  the  General  Court  of  the  Colony  of  the  Massa 
chusctts-Bay;  and  under  the  direction  of  such  officers,  to 
march  with  the  utmost  despatch  to  ,  and  to  be  sub- 

ject to  all  such  rules  and  regulations,  in  every  respect,  as  are 
provided  for  the  Continental  Army.  June,  1776." 

JOHN  CUMMINGS,  Esq.,  chosen  Brigadier-General;  JUNE 
25,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  John  Cummings, 
Esq.,  as  a  Brigadier-General,  to  command  the  forces  to  be 
sent  to  Canada. 

Concurred  by  Council,  June  26,  1776. 

JOHN  FELLOWS,  Esq.,  chosen  Brigadier-General;  JUNE 
25,  1776. 

^  The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  John  Fellows, 
Esq.,  as  a  Brigadier-General,  to  command  the  forces  to  be 
sent  to  New-York. 

Concurred  by  Council,  'June  26,  1776. 


Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  JACOB  BARKER,  and  others,  of 

NOVA  SCOTIA;  passed  JUNE  26,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  one  barrel  of  Gunpowder, 
three  hundred  and  fifty  Flints,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty 
weight  of  Lead,  from  the  Colony  stores,  to  Asa  Pcrly  and 
Asa  Kimball,  or  their  order,  Agents  of  the  Committee 
appointed  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Sunbury,  for 


the  use  of  their  constituents ;  and  that  they,  the  said  Perly 
and  Kimball,  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same ;  and 
that  the  said  Agents  have  liberty  to  purchase  from  such  of 
the  inhabitants  of  this  Colony  as  shall  be  willing  to  part  with 
the  same,  forty  stand  of  Small-Arms,  for  the  use  of  their 
constituents ;  and  that  the  Committees  of  Correspondence, 
Sic.,  in  any  of  the  sea-ports  within  this  Colony,  are  directed 
to  grant  permits  to  the  said  Agents,  to  transport  the  same,  or 
any  other  goods  or  merchandise  that  may  legally  be  trans- 
ported from  port  to  port  within  this  Colony. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  ALEXANDER  MCLELLAN;  passed 
JUNE  26,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Alexander  McLellan, 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be  directed  to 
deliver  him  seventy  pounds'  weight  of  Gunpowder,  and 
twenty  dozen  Flints,  the  said  Alexander  paying  current 
price  for  the  same. 

Resolve  relative  to  erecting  Beacons;  passed  JUNE  26, 

1776. 

Whereas,  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court,  passed  the  sixteenth 
of^4pn71ast,  it  was  ordered,  that  a  Beacon  should  be  erected 
at  Cape-Ann,  on  the  height  of  Governour's  Hill,  so  called, 
another  at  Marblehead,  on  the  height  of  the  land  there,  one 
at  Boston,  on  the  usual  place,  and  another  on  the  height  of 
the  Blue-Hills,  in  Stoughton,  or  Milton,  and  no  person  or 
persons  were  appointed  to  carry  this  Resolve  into  execution  : 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Selectmen  of  the  several  Towns 
where  the  Beacons  are  respectively  to  be  erected,  be,  and 
hereby  are,  directed  and  empowered  forthwith  to  erect  the 
same  on  the  places  specified  in  the  Resolve  above  men- 
tioned, at  the  expense  of  this  Colony,  and  make  report  to 
this  Court  as  soon  as  they  have  completed  the  business 
respectively  assigned  them. 

And  also  Resolved,  That  Thomas  Gushing,  Esq.,  Mr. 
Whittemore,  and  Mr.  Otis,  be  a  Committee  to  form  such 
regulations  as  may  be  necessary  relating  to  said  Beacons. 

Resolve  on  the  Account,  of  the  Selectmen  of  HAVERHILL 

passed  JUNE  26,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
publick  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  to  the  Selectmen  of  Haver- 
hill,  the  sum  of  £57  4*.  6d.,  in  full  of  their  Account  of 
Provisions  supplied  the  Army  at  the  time  of  Lexington 
Fight,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1775. 

Lieutenant- Colonel  oj  the  Fourth  Regiment  in  MIDDLESEX 
chosen;  JUNE  26,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Cyprian  Howe, 
as  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Militia  in 
the  County  of  Middlesex,  in  the  room  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Barnes,  who  declines  serving. 

Concurred  by  Council  same  day. 

Field-Officers  of  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  ESSEX,  YORK, 

and  CUMBERLAND  chosen;  JUNE  25,  1776. 
The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Field-Officers  for  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  the 
Counties  of  Essex,  York,  and  Cumberland,  for  the  Conti- 
nental service,  agreeable  to  a  Resolve  which  passed  the 
House  this  day,  viz:  John  Whittier,  Esq.,  Colonel ;  Archc- 
laus  Fuller,  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  James  Roberts,  Estiuire. 

\  i      •  ^ 

Major. 

Concurred  by  Council  June  26,  1776. 

Field- Officers  of  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  PLYMOUTH 
and  BRISTOL  chosen ;  JUNE  26,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Field-Officers  for  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  for 
the  service  of  the  Continent,  in  the  Counties  of  Plymouth 
and  Bristol,  agreeable  to  a  Resolve  which  passed  the  House 
yesterday,  viz :  Simeon  Gary,  Colonel ;  Stephen  Richard- 
son, Lieutenant-Colonel ;  John  Paine,  Major. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 


293 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


294 


Field- Officers  for  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  HAMPSHIRE 
chosen;  JUNE  25,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Field-Officers  for  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  the 
County  of  Hampshire  for  the  Continental  service,  agreeable 
to  a  Resolve  which  passed  the  House  this  day,  viz :  Rug- 
gles  Woodbridge,  Esq.,  Colonel;  David  Leonard,  Esq., 
Lieutenant-Colonel ;  William  Stacy,  Esq.,  Major. 

Concurred  by  Council  June  26,  1776. 

Field- Officers  for  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  WORCESTER 
chosen;  JUNE  26,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Field-Officers  for  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  the 
County  of  Worcester  for  the  Continental  service,  agreeable 
to  a  Resolve  which  passed  the  House  yesterday,  viz :  Jona- 
than Holman  Colonel,  Paul  Raymond  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Barnabas  Sears  Major. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

Field-  Officers  for  the  Third  Battalion  destined  to  CANADA 
chosen;  JUNE  26,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Field-Officers  for  the  Third  Battalion  destined  to 
Canada,  to  be  raised  agreeable  to  a  Resolve  which  passed 
the  House  yesterday,  viz :  Jonathan  Reed  Colonel,  Benja- 
min Brown  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Daniel  Fletcher  Major. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

F ield-  Officers  for  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  BERKSHIRE, 
SfC.,  chosen;  JUNE  26,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Field-Officers  of  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  for  the 
service  of  the  Continent  in  the  County  of  Berkshire  and 
part  of  the  County  of  Worcester,  agreeable  to  a  Resolve 
'which  passed  the  House  yesterday,  viz:  Jonathan  Smith 
Colonel,  Robert  Longley  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Moses  Whce- 
lock  Major. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

Resolve  for  applying  part  of  the  Moneys  appropriated  to 

the  purchase  of  Flour  to  pay  for  Tents;  passed  JUNE 

27,  1776. 

Whereas  the  risk  of  importing  Flour  from  the  Southern 
Colonies  is  greatly  increased :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  late 
General  Court  to  import  ten  thousand  barrels  of  Flour,  Sic., 
be,  and  they  are  hereby,  directed  so  far  to  countermand 
their  orders  to  Messrs.  Mifflin  8f  Barrett,  for  purchasing 
said  ten  thousand  barrels  of  Flour,  as  to  direct  them  not  to 
purchase  any  more  of  that  article,  except  the  six  thousand 
and  sixty-one  barrels  already  purchased. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  said  Committee  be,  and 
they  are  hereby,  directed  to  order  that  so  much  of  the  Money 
that  was  appropriated  to  pay  for  said  Flour,  Sic.,  as  will  be 
sufficient  to  pay  for  one  thousand  Tents,  (which  are  purchased 
at  Philadelphia,  on  account  of  this  Colony,  by  order  of  the 
Commissary-General,)  be  applied  for  that  purpose. 

Resolve  for  signing  Bills  of  publick  Credit ;  passed  JUNE 
27,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  Abraham  Fuller,  Esq.,  Captain  Samuel 
Carlton,  Stephen  Hall,  tertius,  Esq.,  Mr.  George  Partridge, 
Jonathan  Brown,  Esq.,  John  Pitts,  Esq.,  Mr.  Samuel  Allyne 
Otis,  Dr.  Moses  Gunn,  Tristram  Dalton,  Esq.,  Mr.  Abncr 
Ellis,  Joseph  Nye,  Esquire,  of  Harwich,  Edward  Wiggles- 
worth,  Esq.,  Benjamin  Mills,  Esq.,  Israel Hobart,  Esquire, 
George  Williams,  Esq.,  and  Caleb  Davis,  Esq.,  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  sign  and  number  the  Bills  of  Credit  of  the  present 


emission. 


Resolve  for  the  Commissary-General  to  purchase    Tents ; 

2>assed  JUNE  27,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  directed  to  purchase  the  materials  for  five  hun- 
dred Tents,  and  have  them  made  at  the  expense  and  for  the 
use  of  this  Colony;  and  the  honourable  Council  are  hereby 
empowered  to  grant  their  Warrant  on  the  Treasury  for  a 
sum  of  money  sufficient  to  pay  for  the  same. 


Resolve  for  procuring  Hard  Money;  passed.  JUNE  27, 1776. 

Whereas  repeated  applications  have  been  made  by  the 
honourable  Congress  to  this  Court  to  procure  a  sum  of  Hard 
Money  to  be  forthwith  sent  into  Canada  for  the  support  of 
our  Army  in  that  quarter,  and  have  sent  us  Continental 
Bills  to  be  exchanged  for  said  Hard  Money,  but  this  Court 
have  not  been  able  as  yet  to  procure  more  than  £2,000  of 
the  £30,000  required  by  Congress;  and  whereas  it  appears 
to  this  Court  necessary  to  the  carrying  on  the  Canadian 
expedition  with  success,  that  our  Army  in  that  quarter  bo 
supplied  with  Hard  Money  without  delay:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  it  be,  and  hereby  is,  recommended  to 
the  friends  of  America  in  the  several  Towns  in  this  Colony, 
(as  they  regard  the  success  of  our  arms,  and  would  prevent 
the  Canadian- French  and  Savages  from  joining  onr  more 
savage  British  enemy,  to  harass  and  distress  our  frontiers, 
and  to  make  inroads  into  this  and  the  neighbouring  Colo- 
nies,) that  they  sign  subscription  papers,  purporting  what 
sum  in  Hard  Money  each  man  is  willing  to  exchange  for 
Continental  Bills.  And  the  Committees  of  Correspondence, 
fee.,  in  the  several  Towns  aforesaid,  to  whose  patriotism  and 
unwearied  exertions  in  their  country's  cause  these  Colonies 
are  so  much  indebted,  are  hereby  fur.ther  called  upon  to 
procure  subscriptions  as  aforesaid  in  their  respective  Towns, 
without  delay,  and  transmit  such  subscriptions  to  this  Court, 
in  order  that  the  amount  of  said  subscriptions  may  be  sent 
to  said  Committees  in  Bills  to  be  exchanged ;  and  that  the 
names  of  those  worthy  members  of  society  who  are  disposed 
to  assist  their  distressed  country  in  this  critical  day,  may  be 
publickly  known. 

Resolve  for  paying  the  Delegates  of  this  Colony  at  Congresi 
four  hundred  Dollars  each;  passed  JUNE  27,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  General 
Court  to  purchase  and  import  Flour  and  Rice,  for  the  use 
of  this  Colony,  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  directed  to  order 
$400  to  be  paid  to  each  of  the  honourable  Delegates  of  this 
Colony  at  Congress,  out  of  the  money  appropriated  for  the 
purchasing  of  said  Flour;  they  to  account  with  this  Court 
for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  appointing  Staff  Officers  for  the  Regiment* 
destined  to  CANADA,  fyc.;  passed  JUNE  27,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  one  Chaplain,  Surgeon,  Surgeon's  Mate, 
Adjutant  and  Quartermaster,  be  appointed  for  each  of  the 
four  Regiments  raising  for  Canada,  and  the  three  Regiments 
destined  for  New-  York ;  and  that  the  pay  and  allowance  to 
the  officers  aforesaid  be  agreeable  to  the  Continental  estab- 
lishment. 

Also  Resolved,  That  the  Committees  of  the  General  Court, 
appointed  to  give  out  Commissions  to  the  Captains  and  Sub- 
alterns of  the  foregoing  Regiments,  be  severally  empowered 
and  directed  to  deliver  Commissions  or  Warrants  to  such 
persons  for  Staff  Officers  as  the  Field  Officers  of  their  re- 
spective Regiments  shall  recommend  to  be  most  suitable  for 
the  services  aforesaid. 

Resolve  for  providing  Canteens  and  Camp  Kettles ;  passed 
JUNE  27,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  by  this  House 
to  provide  Canteens  and  Kamp-Kettles  for  the  Troops  to  be 
raised,  destined  for  Canada  and  New-York,  be  and  hereby 
are  directed  to  provide  one  Canteen  for  each  Soldier,  and 
five  hundred  Tin  Kettles,  if  to  be  obtained,  for  the  use  of 
the  Troops  destined  for  Canada ;  and  also  three  hundred 
and  thirty-three  Kettles  of  Tin  for  the  Troops  destined  for 
New-York,  if  to  be  had ;  otherwise  that  they  procure  Iron 
ones ;  to  be  delivered  at  the  following  places,  and  in  the  sub- 
sequent proportions,  viz :  At  Medfield,  75  Kettles  and  448 
Canteens,  for  the  County  of  Su/olk.  At  Haverhill,  101 
Kettles,  and  601  Canteens,  for  Essex,  York,  and  Cumber- 
land. At  Westford,  178  Kettles,  and  1070  Canteens,  for 
Middlesex.  At  Rehoboth,  123  Kettles,  and  742  Canteens, 
for  Plymouth  and  Bristol.  At  Brookficld,  1 89  Kettles,  and 
1136  Canteens,  for  Worcester.  At  Pittsficld,  44  Kettles, 
and  261  Canteens,  for  Berkshire.  At  Northampton,  67 
Kettles  and  374  Canteens,  and  at  Hadlcy,  67  Kettles  and 
374  Canteens,  for  Hampshire. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  above-mentioned 


295 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


296 


Camp  Kettles  and  Canteens  be  deposited  with  the  under- 
named  persons,  to  be  by  them  delivered  to  the  Troops, 
taking  their  receipts  therefor,  viz :  Those  for  Medficld,  to 
Eleazcr  Whcelock;  those  for  Haverhill,  to  Isaac  Reddington; 
those  for  Watford,  to  Captain  Joseph  Reed;  those  for  Rc- 
hoboth,  to  Mr.  Ephraim  Starkweather;  those  for  Pittsfield, 

to  Captain Bush;   those  for  Northampton,  to  Mr. 

Robert  Brick;  those  for  Hadley,  to  Major  John  Chester 
Williams;  those  for  Brookfield,  to  David  Hitchcock ;  and 
that  those  persons  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the 
same. 

Resolve  for  paying  Captain  WILLIAM  SCOTT  and  Men; 
passed  JUNE  27,  1776. 

Whereas  a  Resolve  passed  this  Court  in  March  and  April 
last,  ordering  the  sum  of  £14  15s.  to  be  paid  out  of  the 
publick  Treasury  to  Captain  William  Scott,  and  the  Officers 
and  Soldiers  in  his  Company,  for  the  losses  sustained  by  said 
Company  at  Chelsea  and  Bunker  Hill,  to  each  of  said  Offi- 
cers and  men,  the  several  s§ms  set  to  their  names ;  and  it 
appearing  to  this  Court  that  the  sums  amount  to  £19  15s.: 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  pub- 
lick  Treasury  of  this  Colony  to  Captain  William  Scott,  for 
the  use  of  the  officers  and  men  mentioned  in  the  Return  on 
which  the  said  Resolve  passed,  the  several  sums  set  to  their 
names  respectively ;  said  sums  amounting  in  the  whole  to 
£  19  15s.:  Provided,  That  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to  receive 
anything  in  consequence  of  this  Resolve  for  any  person  who 
has  received  the  sum  intended  to  have  been  allowed  him  by 
the  Resolve  aforesaid. 


Form  of  an  Inlistment. 

"  We.  whose  names  are  hereto  subscribed,  do  severally 
inlist  ourselves  into  the  service  of  the  Colony  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts-Bay, on  the  sea-coast  establishment,  to  continue 
in  the  said  service  until  the  last  day  of  December  next,  unless 
sooner  discharged ;  and  we  severally  promise  to  furnish  our- 
selves with  a  good  firearm  and  bayonet  fitted  thereto,  if 
possible,  and  also  a  cartouch-box  and  blanket ;  and,  when 
inlisted,  we  promise  to  march  to  Martha's  Vineyard,  for  the 
defence  of  that  Island,  and  be  subject  to  the  command  of  the 
officers  which  are  or  may  be  appointed  over  us  by  the 
General  Court. 

"Da ted  the  day  of          ,1776." 

Form  of  Beating  Orders. 

'•  To ,  Gentleman,  greeting : 

"  You  are  hereby  empowered  and  directed  to  inlist  a 
Company,  to  consist  of  ninety-seven  Men,  including  Non- 
Commissioned  Officers  and  Privates,  to  serve  on  the  Island 
of  Martha's  Vineyard;  and  when  so  inlisted  to  cause  them 
to  pass  muster  before  Major  Joseph  Dimmock,  who  is  hereby 
ordered  to  muster  them  accordingly ;  and  when  mustered, 
you  are  to  march  said  men  immediately  to  said  Martha's 
Vineyard,  for  the  defence  of  that  Island,  to  be  under  the 
field  command  of  Major  Barachiah  Basset." 

Resolve  for  the  delivery  of  Gunpowder  to  WILLIAM  BEN- 
NET;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be  directed, 
and  he  hereby  is  ordered,  to  deliver  to  William  Bennet,  one 
hundred  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  he  paying  for  the  same. 


Officers  for  the  Company  at  MARTHA'S  VINEYARD  chosen; 
JUNE  27,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Officers  for  the  Company  of  one  hundred  men, 
to  be  stationed  at  Martha's  Vineyard :  John  Russell,  Cap- 
tain; Stephen  Fisk,  JUB.,  First  Lieutenant;  Silas  Hatch, 
Jun.,  Second  Lieutenant. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  SALEM  ;  passed 
JUNE  28,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Salem,  relative  to 
the  Company  stationed  there, 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  be  so  far  grant- 
ed, as  that  the  Commissioned  Officers  of  said  Company  con- 
sist, in  future,  of  one  Captain,  one  First  Lieutenant,  one 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  one  Ensign ;  and  that  suitable  per- 
sons, to  be  appointed  by  this  Court,  be  commissioned  to 
complete  the  corps  of  Commissioned  Officers  in  said  Com- 
pany, agreeable  to  this  Resolve;  and  that  the  pay  of  said 
Ensign  be  £3  3a. 

Officers  for  the  Company  at  SALEM  appointed ;  JUNE  28, 

1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Officers  for  the  Company  stationed  at  Salem,  viz  : 
William  Marston,  First  Lieutenant,  in  the  room  of  Jonathan 
Haradon,  who  is  engaged  on  board  the  Sloop  Tyrannicide ; 
Benjamin  Ropes,  Jun.,  Second  Lieutenant,  in  the  room  of 
William  Marston,  elected  First  Lieutenant ;  and  Christopher 
Babbage,  Ensign. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

• 
Resolve  for  paying  Captain  WARNER  and  Men;  passed 

JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury, 
to  Captain  Daniel  Warner,  £30  2s.  4d.,  in  full  for  himself 
and  men  borne  on  his  Roll. 

Form  of  Inlistment.  fyc.,  for  raising  one  hundred  Men,  to 
be  stationed  at  MARTHA'S  VINEYARD  ;  passed  JUNE  28, 
1776. 

.  Resolved,  That  the  following  be  the  form  of  an  Inlistment 
and  Beating  Orders  for  raising  one  hundred  Men,  to  be  sta- 
tioned on  Martha's  Vineyard,  viz : 


Resolve  for  paying  the  Selectmen  of  SANDWICH  ;  passed 
JUNE  28,  1776. 

On  the  Account  of  the  Selectmen  of  Sandwich,  for  Bar-. 
racks,  Wood,  Cartridges,  Powder,  and  Flints,  amounting  to 
£4  18s.  2of., 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this 
Colony  £2  3s.  6<f.,in  full  for  the  above-mentioned  Account, 
to  the  Selectmen  of  Sandwich. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  from  the  Town  of  CHARLTON  ; 
passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  the  Town  of  Charlton, 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  said  Petition  be  so  far 
granted,  that  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspection, 
and  Safety,  for  said  Town,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  em- 
powered and  directed  to  make  division,  with  the  Honourable 
Samuel  Danforth,  Esq.,  and  others,  of  any  Lands  lying  in 
common,  or  undivided,  in  the  Town  of  Charlton,  where 
the  said  William  Brown,  of  Salem,  a  Mandamus  Counsellor, 
is  interested,  in  any  lawful  way  that  they  shall  be  able;  and 
when  said  Brown's  interest  is  ascertained,  they,  the  said 
Committee,  to  take  care  of  the  same,  and  see  that  no  strip 
or  waste  is  made  on  said  land,  until  the  further  order  of  this 
Court. 

Resolve  appointing  Signers  to  Bills  of  Publick  Credit ;  passed 

JUNE  28,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Warwick  Palfrey,  Mr.  Henry  Hill, 
and  Colonel  Samuel  Thatcher,  be  of  the  Committee  to  sign 
the  Bills  of  Credit  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Nye,  Mr.  Pitts,  and 
Mr.  Mills,  excused. 

Resolve  for  supplying  MARBLEHEAD  with  Cannon,  &fC.: 

passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  four  forty-two-pounders  and  two  twelve- 
pounders  be  supplied  for  the  Town  and  Harbour  of  Marble- 
head;  and  that  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  directed  to  deliver  the  same  to  Mr.  Joshua  Orne,  or  his 
order,  (provided  they  are  not  under  improvement  in  any 
fortification  in  Boston  or  Nantasket  Harbour,)  and  that 
the  said  Orne  fix  and  prepare  the  same  for  use;  and  the 
Commissary-General  is  also  directed  to  deliver  to  the  said 
Orne  forty  rounds  of  Shot  for  each  of  said  Cannon,  and 
also  for  two  twenty-four-pounders  now  at  Marblehcad,  and 
one  thousand  pounds  of  Gunpowder — he  to  be  accountable 
to  this  Court  for  the  same. 


297 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


298 


Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  of  SALEM  with  Cannon, 

IfC.;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  two  twenty-four  or  eighteen-pounders, 
and  two  nine-pounders,  be  supplied  for  the  Town  and  Har- 
bour of  Salem;  and  that  the  Commissary-General  be,  and 
he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  the  same  to  Captain  George 
Williams,  or  order,  (provided  they  are  not  under  improve- 
ment in  any  fortification  in  Boston  or  Nantasket  Harbour,) 
and  that  he,  the  said  Williams,  fix  and  prepare  the  same  for 
use;  and  the  Commissary-General  is  also  directed  to  deliver 
to  the  said  Williams,  or  his  order,  forty  rounds  of  Shot  for 
each  of  said  Cannon,  and  also  for  one  eighteen-pounder  now 
at  Salem,  and  eight  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder — he  to 
be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  of  BEVERLY  with  Cannon, 

SfC.;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  Captain  Josiah  Batcheldor, 
or  his  order,  for  the  use  of  the  Town  of  Beverly,  four  pieces 
of  Cannon,  nine-pounders,  (provided  they  are  not  under 
improvement  in  any  fortification  in  Boston  or  Nantasket 
Harbour,)  and  that  he,  the  said  Batcheldor,  fix  and  prepare 
the  same  for  use ;  and  the  Commissary  is  also  directed  to 
deliver  to  the  said  Batcheldor,  or  his  order,  forty  rounds  of 
Shot  for  each  of  said  Cannon,  and  five  hundred  weight  of  Gun- 
powder— he  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  of  NEWBURYPORT  with 
Cannon,  and  for  raising  two  Companies  to  be  stationed 
there;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Town  of  Newburyport  be  supplied 
with  three  pieces  of  Cannon  out  of  those  in  and  about  Bos- 
ton, one  forty-two-pounder,  and  two  twenty-four  or  eighteen- 
pounders,  one  found,  (provided  they  are  not  under  improve- 
ment in  any  of  the  fortifications  in  Boston  or  Nantasket 
Harbour,)  the  other  with  one  or  both  trunnions  off,  with 
necessary  apparatus,  in  lieu  of  six  nine-pounders  before 
granted  by  this  Court,  for  the  use  of  that  Town ;  and  that  the 
Commissary-General  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver 
the  same  to  Captain  Edward  Wiggksworth,  or  order,  as  also 
twenty  rounds  of  Shot  for  each  of  said  Cannon,  and  forty 
rounds  of  Shot  for  ten  nine-pounders  now  at  Newburyport, 
and  three  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder  for  the  use  of  New- 
buryport— he  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  one  Company  of  fifty 
men,  including  Officers,  be  raised  on  the  sea-coast  establish- 
ment, for  the  defence  of  said  Town ;  and  also  one  Company 
of  Matrosses,  on  the  same  establishment,  to  consist  of  fifty 
men,  including  Officers,  to  manage  the  Cannon  there. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  EDWARD  PERRY;  passed  JUNE 
28,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Edward  Ferry, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Edward  Perry  be  released  from 
his  present  confinement  to  the  Town  of  Sturbridge,  and  that 
he  be  permitted  to  return  to  Portsmouth,  in  New-Hampshire, 
at  his  own  expense,  to  settle  and  adjust  his  private  affairs 
there^he  giving  his  parole  of  honour  to  the  Selectmen  of 
Sturbridge,  that  he  will  abide  by  this  Resolve,  and  not  hold 
any  correspondence  with  any  of  the  Officers  of  either  the 
Fleet  or  Army  of  Great  Britain,  or  aid,  assist,  or  abet  said 
Fleet  or  Army  in  any  way  or  manner  whatever.  And  we 
would  recommend  to  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  and 
Safety  of  the  Town  of  Portsmouth,  to  take  him  under  their 
inspection  and  direction  for  the  future ;  and  that  the  said 
Committee  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  this  Resolve. 

Resolve  for  a  grant  of  fifty  Pounds,  for  the  Committee  to 
purchase  Camp-Kettles ;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Whereas  the  £400  ordered  by  this  Court  to  be  put  into 
the  hands  of  Colonel  Mitchell  and  others,  a  Committee 
appointed  to  procure  Camp-Kettles,  &.C.,  for  the  Army, 
appears  to  be  not  sufficient  for  that  purpose: 

It  is  Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick 
Treasury  of  this  Colony  to  the  Committee  aforesaid,  the 
further  sum  of  £50,  to  enable  them  to  complete  the  busi- 
ness of  their  commission — the  said  Committee  to  be  account- 
able to  this  Court  for  the  same. 


Resolve  for  paying  Captain  MITCHELL'S  Men;  passed  JUNE 

28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury 
to  Captain  Elisha  Mitchell,  for  the  use  of  the  Men  borne 
on  his  Roll,  the  sum  of  £36  11s.  Id.,  in  full. 

Resolve  for  purchasing  Cannon  Ball  for  the  Committee  of 

TRURO;  passed  JUNE  23,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
publick  Treasury  of  this  Colony  to  Reuben  Higgins,  the  sum 
of  £4,  for  the  use  of  the  Committee  of  Truro,  to  purchase 
six  hundred  weight  of  Cannon  Ball,  and  that  the  said 
Reuben  Higgins  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the 


same. 


Route  of  the  Troops  destined  to  CANADA  and  NEW- YORK; 

passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

^  Resolved,  That  all  the  Troops  that  are  destined  by  this 
Colony  for  Canada  march  to  Crown-Point,  by  the  way  of 
Number-Four,  and  from  thence  in  the  most  direct  way  to 
Lake  Champlain,  opposite  to  Ticonderoga,  and  that  they 
receive  their  rations  at  Number-Four;  that  the  Companies 
destined  to  New-York  (except  in  the  County  of  Berkshire) 
march  through  the  Town  of  New-Haven,  and  there  receive 
their  rations,  and  then  proceed  in  the  most  direct  road  to 
New-York;  and  that  all  the  Troops  raised  in  the  County 
of  Berkshire  march  in  the  most  direct  way,  by  land,  to  New- 
York,  and  there  receive  their  allowance  for  travel ;  and  that 
all  said  Troops  march  in  Companies,  as  soon  as  they  are 
ready,  under  the  direction  of  their  Officers;  and  that  a  letter 
be  sent  to  General  Schuyler,  and  also  one  to  Commissary 
Trumbull,  informing  them  of  this  Resolution. 

Resolve  for  supplying  THOMAS  CUSHING,  Esq.,  with  Lead; 

passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver^to  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Gushing,  Esq.,  or  order,  the  amount  of  fifteen  hundred 
weight  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  Continental  Vessels  by 
him  building,  he  paying  for  the  same  the  amount  of  what 
Lead  now  sells  for. 

Resolve  on  the  Account  O/JOHN  BRADBURY,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer of  YORK  ;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  John  Bradbury,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the 
County  of  York,  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  discharged  of  the 
sum  of  £50  19s.  lid.,  for  sundry  payments  made,  as  by 
his  account,  and  that  he  be  accountable  to  the  said  County 
for  the  further  sum  of  £67  5s.  Id.,  which  appears  to  be  the 
balance  due  from  him  to  said  County  as  Treasurer. 

Resolve  for  paying  the  Selectmen  of  GLOUCESTER;  passed 
JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this 
Colony  unto  the  Selectmen  of  Gloucester  £7  15s.,  in  full 
of  their  Account. 


Resolve  for  paying  the  Selectmen  of  GLOUCESTER  _/br  billet- 
ing Men;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this 
Colony  to  the  Selectmen  of  Gloucester  the  sum  of  £15  2s. 
6d.,  in  full  for  the  Account  of  billeting  forty-seven  men  nine 
days,  at  5s.  per  week. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  of  CAPE-ELIZABETH  with 
Cannon,  fyc.;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Town  of  Cape-Elizabeth  be  allowed 
four  pieces  of  Cannon,  now  in  and  about  Boston,  with  one 
or  both  trunnions  off,  viz :  two  of  twelve-pounders  and  two 
of  nine-pounders ;  and  the  Commissary -General  of  this  Colo- 
ny is  hereby  required  to  deliver  the  same,  with  apparatus,  to 
Mr.  James  Leach,  or  order,  for  the  use  of  the  said  Town,  and 
also  forty  rounds  of  Shot  for  each  of  said  Cannon,  and  four 
barrels  of  Gunpowder,  he,  the  said  James  Leach,  to  be  ac- 
countable to  this  Court  for  the  same.  And  he  is  desired  to 
get  the  Cannon  properly  fixed. 


299 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


300 


Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  JERATIIMEEL  BOVVERS,  Esq.,  and 
others;  passed  JUNE  28,  1776. 

Whereas,  by  reason  of  the  unhappy  disputes  which  sub- 
sisted in  the  Town  of  Swansey,  the  inhabitants  of  that  Town 
in  the  month  o( March  last  formed  themselves  into  two  par- 
ties, each  of  which  assembled  and  chose  such  Town  Officers 
as  are  by  law  directed  to  be  chosen  in  the  month  of  March 
annually ;  and  as  each  party  supposed  they  were  acting 
agreeable  to  the  rules  of  law,  they  did  not  respectively  attend 
the  meeting  of  the  other  party,  so  that  such  Officers  must 
have  been  in  each  case  partially  chosen  ;  and  as  it  appeal's 
to  be  conducive  to  the  peace  and  welfare  of  said  Town  that 
the  Officers  so  chosen  at  such  partial  meeting  should  be  all 
of  them  disqualified  from  acting  any  further  under  such 
choice  : 

It  is  Resolved,  That  the  several  meetings  aforesaid  shall 
be  considered  as  illegal  and  void,  except  for  the  purposes 
hereafter  mentioned;  that  all  Officers  chosen  at  said  meet- 
ing shall  cease  to  exercise  any  powers  or  authorities  by  virtue 
of  said  choice,  only  any  publication  of  purposes  of  mar- 
riage and  certificate  respecting  the  same  by  either  of  the 
Clerks  then  chosen,  and  the  doings  of  the  several  Selectmen 
respecting  the  poor  of  said  Town,  be,  and  they  are  hereby, 
confirmed. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  John  Turner,  Esq.,  be, 
and  he  is  hereby,  authorized  and  empowered  forthwith  to 
issue  his  Warrant  to  either  of  the  persons  who  served  as 
Constables  for  the  said  Town  of  Swansey  for  the  last  year, 
directing  him  to  notify  the  Freeholders,  and  other  inhabitants 
of  said  Town  by  law  qualified  to  vote  in  Town  affairs,  to 
meet  at  the  Meeting- House  in  said  Town,  near  Elder  Rus- 
sel's  Mansion-House,  at  the  time  mentioned  in  said  Warrant, 
for  the  purpose  of  choosing  Town-Clerk,  Selectmen,  and 
such  other  Town  Officers  as  are  by  law  directed  to  be 
chosen  in  the  month  of  March  annually;  which  Officers  so 
chosen  shall  have  the  same  powers  and  authorities  as  if 
they  had  been  regularly  chosen  in  the  month  of  March  last; 
and  the  said  Turner  shall  preside  as  Moderator  of  the  same 
meeting  until  such  Officers  are  chosen  as  aforesaid ;  and 
the  said  Turner  is  directed  in  his  said  Warrant  to  order  the 
said  Constable  to  warn  the  Freeholders,  and  other  inhabi- 
tants by  law  qualified  to  elect  Representatives  for  the  Ge- 
neral Assembly,  to  meet  at  the  same  time  and  place  for  the 
purpose  of  choosing  one  or  more  Representative  or  Repre- 
sentatives to  serve  in  the  General  Assembly  for  the  present 
year,  agreeable  to  the  precept  which  shall  be  issued  for 
that  purpose,  at  the  choice  of  which  Representative  or  Re- 
presentatives, the  Selectmen  which  shall  be  chosen  at  the 
same  meeting  preside  as  Moderators. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  assessment  of  Taxes 
by  the  Assessors  of  said  Town  for  the  year  1775  be,  and 
it  hereby  is,  confirmed  and  made  good,  notwithstanding  the 
said  Assessors  may  not  have  been  sworn  in  the  manner 
directed  by  law;  and  the  valuation  of  Real  Estates  by 
such  Assessors  is  also  hereby  established  and  made  good, 
as  a  rule  to  determine  the  right  of  Voters  for  the  present 
year. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  Agents  who  ap- 
peared to  support  the  Memorial  against  the  election  of  a 
Representative  for  said  Town  the  present  year,  be  paid  their 
own  charges  and  the  charges  of  their  Witnesses  out  of  the 
Treasury  of  said  Town,  after  their  Accounts  have  been  ex- 
amined and  adjusted  by  the  Selectmen  which  shall  be  chosen 
for  said  Town  for  the  present  year;  and  that  the  charges  of 
the  Agents  and  Witnesses  who  opposed  the  said  Memorial, 
be  paid  in  like  manner. 


Resolve  for  annexing  the  Militia  to  be  raised  in  NEWTON, 
for  the  service  in  CANADA,  to  the  First  Battalion;  passed 
JUNE  28,  1776. 

Whereas  it  appears  that  the  men  to  be  raised  for  the 
Canada  service  in  the  Town  of  Newton,  in  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  were  by  mistake  omitted  in  the  Resolve  for 
forming  the  First  Battalion  for  said  Canada  service:  There- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  men  to  be  raised  in  said  Town 
of  Newton  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  annexed  to  the  said 
First  Battalion,  said  former  Resolve  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
standing. 


Resolve  for  paying  Captain  BRIDGE'S  Roll;  passed  JUNE 
28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Colony  Trea- 
sury to  Captain  John  Bridge,  for  the  use  of  the  Officers  and 
Soldiers  borne  on  his  Roll,  the  sum  of  £13  13s.  3d.,  in  full. 

Resolve  for  paying  Captain  MUNRO'S  Company;  passed 
JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Colony  Trea- 
sury to  Captain  Edmund  Munro,  for  the  use  of  the  Officers 
and  Soldiers  borne  on  his  Roll,  the  sum  of  £9  lls.  1  l$d. 
in  full. 

Resolve  for  paying  Captain  JOHN  PACKER'S  Roll;  passed 
JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Colony  Trea- 
sury to  Lieutenant  Joseph  Symonds,  for  the  use  of  the  Offi- 
cers and  Soldiers  borne  on  Captain  John  Packer's  Roll,  the 
sum  of  £16  19s.  lOrf.,  in  full. 

Resolve  for  paying  Captain  JOHN  PARKER'S  Roll;  passed 

JUNE  28,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Colony  Trea- 
sury to  Captain  John  Parker,  for  the  use  of  the  Officers  and 
Soldiers  borne  on  his  Roll,  £13  lls.  6d.,  in  full. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Committee  for  raising  Men  with 

Money  for  that  purpose;  passed  JUNE  29,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  $21,000  lately  received  from  the 
honourable  Congress  for  the  use  of  two  Regiments  ordered 
to  be  raised  and  stationed  in  this  Colony,  and  also  that  the 
$30,000  lately  received  from  the  said  honourable  Congress 
to  be  exchanged  by  this  Colony  (or  hard  money,  amounting 
in  the  whole  to  the  sum  of  £15,300,  be  paid  into  the  hands 
of  the  Committee  lately  appointed  to  raise  men  for  the  publick 
service  in  Canada  and  New-York,  in  the  manner  following, 
viz:  That  £1,400,  part  of  the  aforesaid  sum,  be  paid  to 
the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of  Berk- 
shire; and  that  £7,100,  part  of  the  sum  aforesaid  received 
from  Congress,  be  paid  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  go 
into  the  County  of  Hampshire  to  raise  men ;  and  that  £3b'5 
be  paid  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County 
of  Cumberland;  and  that  £965  be  paid  to  the  Committee 
appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of  York  for  the  purpose 
aforesaid ;  and  that  the  remaining  sum  of  £5,470  be  paid 
to  the  Committee  appointed  to  raise  men  in  the  County  of 
Middlesex. 

Resolve  relative  to  fortifying  the  GURNET  ;  passed  JUNE 
29,  1776. 

Whereas  this  Court  some  days  ago  passed  a  Resolve  that 
two  pieces  of  Cannon,  of  twelve-pounders,  and  four  of  six- 
pounders,  should  be  placed  at  the  Gurnet,  at  the  entrance 
of  Plymouth  Harbour;  and  it  hath  been  represented  to  this 
Court  that  it  is  necessary  to  have  some  Cannon  of  a  larger 
size  than  six-pounders  to  defend  Plymouth  and  other  places 
adjacent:  It  is,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  three  pieces  of  Cannon,  of  nine-pounders, 
be  delivered  by  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony,  in 
lieu  of  three  of  the  six-pounders  before  granted,  with  Powder, 
Shot,  and  the  necessary  apparatus  therefor,  in  the  same  pro- 
portion as  heretofore  granted  for  the  six-pounders;  and  that 
Major  Thomas  Dawes,  of  Boston,  be  employed  as  an  Engi- 
neer, to  repair  to  the  Gurnet  and  direct  in  raising  a  Fortifi- 
cation there,  and  placing  the  Guns;  and  that  the  Commander 
of  the  men  stationed  there  be  authorized  to  make  use  of  seven 
of  the  Whale-boats  belonging  to  the  Colony. 

Resolve  appointing  a  Committee  to  confer  with  a  Committee 
of  the  Assembly  of  RHODE-ISLAND;  passed  JUNE  29, 
1776. 

Whereas  the  honourable  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Colony  of  Rhode-Island,  &c.,  at  their  last  March  Session, 
did  appoint  the  Hon.  William  Bradford,  Esq.,  and  Simeon 
Potter,  Esq.,  a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  General  Court 
of  this  Colony,  upon  the  subject  of  erecting  suitable  Fortifi- 
cations at  Bristol  Ferry,  and  also  respecting  fortifying  How- 
land's  Ferry,  and  to  agree  with  the  General  Assembly  of 


301 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JUNE,  1776. 


302 


this  Colony  respecting  the  erecting  Fortifications  at  both  the 
said  places,  as  it  is  apprehended  that  proper  Fortifications 
at  the  said  places  would  be  very  advantageous  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  Colony,  as  well  as  of  that  Colony :  There- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  Walter  Spooner,  Esq.,  Mr. 
Durfcc,  and  Captain  Stearns,  be  a  Committee  in  behalf  of 
this  Court,  to  confer  with  the  honourable  Committee  of  the 
said  Assembly  of  Rhode-Island  above  named,  on  the  subjects 
abovesaid,  and  (if  they  shall  judge  necessary)  to  view  the 
places,  and  in  any  other  way  fully  satisfy  themselves  of  the 
advantages  likely  to  result  to  this  Colony  from  Fortifications 
at  the  said  places,  or  either  of  them ;  and  in  case  they  shall 
find  that  such  Fortifications  will  be  for  the  benefit  and  advan- 
tage of  this  Colony,  then  further  to  consider  what  share  or 
proportion  of  the  expense  of  such  Fortresses  it  would  be 
reasonable  for  this  Colony  to  bear;  and  to  report  to  this 
Court  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Resolve  for  the  delivery  of  the  Schooner  CATHARINE  ;  passed 
JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Cobb  be  directed  to  deliver  the 
Schooner  Catharine,  Thomas  Parks  late  master,  to  John 
Webb  or  order,  owner  of  said  Schooner,  said  Webb  paying 
charges. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  JONATHAN  STICKNEY;  passed 
JUNE  29,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Jonathan  Stickney, 

Resolved,  That  notwithstanding  the  imprudent  and  crimi- 
nal discourse  and  behaviour  of  the  Petitioner,  in  times  past, 
whereby  he  has  incurred  the  publick  resentment;  yet  if  he 
shall  now  freely  and  fully  promise  and  engage  before  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspection,  and  Safety,  for 
the  Town  of  Ipswich,  that  for  the  future  he  will  observe  a 
strict  decorum  in  his  words  and  actions,  and  in  nowise 
attempt  anything  inconsistent  with  the  publick  peace  and 
safety,  the  keeper  of  the  Jail  in  the  Town  of  Ipswich  be, 
and  hereby  is,  directed  to  discharge  him  from  his  present 
confinement,  he  first  paying  the  charges  that  have  accrued 
by  means  of  his  being  apprehended  and  confined. 

Resolve  to  supply  the  Committee  for  raising  Men  with  more 
Money;  passed  JUNE  29,  1776. 

Whereas,  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court  of  the  25th  instant, 
several  sums  of  Money  were  ordered  to  be  paid  to  the  several 
Committees  appointed  to  go  into  the  several  Counties  in  this 
Colony,  to  enable  them  to  pay  the  Non-Commissioned  Offi- 
cers and  Soldiers  the  several  sums  mentioned  in  said  Resolve ; 
and  whereas,  through  some  mistake,  the  several  sums  ordered 
to  be  paid  said  Committees  fall  short  of  the  sum  intended 
to  be  put  into  their  hands  for  the  purpose  aforesaid :  There- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this 
Colony,  to  the  said  Committees,  for  the  purposes  mentioned 
in  said  Resolve,  the  further  sums  following,  viz : 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Suffolk,  the  sum  of  £59  8s. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Essex,  the  sum  of  £61  6*. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  the  sum  of  £112. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Hampshire,  the  sum  of  £37  14*. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
York,  the  sum  of  £27  8*. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Cumberland,  the  sum  of  £12  8s. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Plymouth,  the  sum  of  £123  4s. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Bristol,  the  sum  of  £101  16s. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Worcester,  the  sum  of  £86  1 2s. 

To  the  Committee  appointed  to  go  into  the  County  of 
Berkshire,  the  sum  of  £41  12s. 

Each  of  snid  Committees  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court 
for  the  sum  they  shall  severally  receive. 


Resolve  on  the  Account  of  ALEXANDER  GRAY  ;  passed  JUNE 

29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  be,  and  he 
is  hereby,  directed  to  pay  out  of  the  publick  Treasury  the 
sum  of  £5  5s.,  to  Alexander  Gray,  in  full  discharge  of  his 
Account. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  O/ARUNDEL  with  Powder, 

fyc.;  passed  JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  here- 
by is,  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Durril,  or  order, 
one  barrel  of  Gunpowder,  and  one  hundred  weight  of  Leaden 
Ball,  for  the  use  of  the  said  Town  of  Arundel,  he  to  be 
accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  paying  JAMES  MINOT  for  numbering  the  People; 

passed  JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Receiver-General  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  directed  to  pay  out  of  the  publick  Treasury  to  Mr.  James 
Minot,  or  order,  £6  19s.  4rf.,  in  full  for  his  services  in  taking 
the  number  of  the  People  on  the  eastern  side  of  George's 
River. 

Resolve  for  procuring  Stockings  for  the  Army;  passed  JUNE 
29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Abraham  Watson,  Esq.,  of  Cambridge, 
Jonathan  Brown  and  Samuel  Fisk,  Esqs.,  of  Watertown, 
Mr.  John  Nazro,  of  Worcester,  Joseph  Nye,  Esq.,  of  Sand- 
wich, and  Mr.  James  Sheppard,  of  Northampton,  be,  and 
they  hereby  are,  appointed  a  Committee  to  collect  a  quantity 
of  Yarn  Stockings,  not  exceeding  four  thousand  pair;  and 
that  the  Committee  apply  to  the  Selectmen  of  the  several 
Towns  in  this  Colony  most  likely  to  procure  them,  request- 
ing their  immediate  assistance  in  effecting  the  above  business ; 
and  the  said  Committee  are  hereby  directed  not  to  allow 
more  than  5s.  a  pair  for  good  Stockings. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the 
publick  Treasury  of  this  Colony  the  sum  of  £1000,  to  en- 
able them  to  purchase  said  Stockings;  and  that  the  said  Com- 
mittee be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  O/HARPSWELL  with  Fire- 
Arms  and  Powder;  passed  JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  twenty-five  of  the  Firearms  delivered  by 
order  of  this  Court  to  Doctor  Edward  Russell,  be  now  de- 
livered to  Isaac  Snow,  or  order,  for  the  use  of  the  said  Town 
of  Harpswell,  he  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the 
same.  And  that  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  directed  to  deliver  to  the  said  Isaac  Snow,  or  order,  one 
hundred  pounds  of  Gunpowder  and  one  hundred  weight  of 
Leaden  Ball;  for  the  use  of  the  said  Town ;  he,  the  said 
Snow,  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  paying  BENJAMIN  EPES,  Post-Rider;  passed 

JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Trea- 
sury of  this  Colony  to  Major  Samuel  Epes,  for  the  use  of 
Benjamin  Epes,  the  further  sum  of  £4,  for  his  service  as 
Post-Rider  from  Falmouth  to  George-Town  six  months,  in 
the  year  1775. 

Resolve  for  paying  JOSEPH  BERNARD,  Post-Rider;  passed 

JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Trea- 
sury to  Joseph  Bernard,  or  order,  the  further  sum  of  £13  4s. 
4d.,  for  his  service  as  Post-Rider  from  Portsmouth  to  Fal- 
mouth,  four  months  and  five  days,  in  the  year  1775. 

Resolve  for  payment  of  losses  in  Battle  on  the  19th  APRIL 
and  llth  O/JUNE,  1775;  passed  JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  sums  be  paid  out  of  the 
publick  Treasury  to  the  persons  hereafter  mentioned,  in  full 
for  their  accounts  for  losses  in  Battle  on  the  19th  of  April, 
and  17th  of  June,  1775,  viz:  To  the  heirs  of  Jeremiah 
Shattuck,  Jan.,  £4  19s.;  to  the  heirs  of  Jonathan  Jenkins, 
£5  6s.  9d. ;  to  Lieutenant  Joseph  Gilbert.  £2  6s. ;  to  Cap- 
tain Ebenczer  Battle,  for  the  use  of  Jemima  Haven,  £3  7s. 
6d.;  to  Isaac  Green,  £2  2s. 


303 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


304 


Officers  for  the  Company  of  Matrasses  at  NEWBURYPORT 
chosen;  JUNE  29,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen, as  Officers  for  the  Company  of  Matrosses  to  be 
stationed  at  Newburyport,  viz :  Edward  Wigglesworth, 
Captain;  Michael  Hodge,  First  Lieutenant;  Joseph  Whit- 
temore,  Second  Lieutenant. 

Concurred  by  Council  same  day. 

Officers  for  Sea-Coast  Men  at  NEWBURYPORT  chosen;  JUNE 
29,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Officers  for  the  Company  of  Sea-Coast  Men,  to 
be  stationed  at  Newburyport,  viz:  Moses  Nowell,  Captain; 
Elias  Davis,  First  Lieutenant ;  Moses  Greenleaf,  Second 
Lieutenant. 

Concurred  by  Council  same  day. 

JOSEPH  MAYHEW,  Esq.,  appointed  to  sign  Beating  Orders, 

Sfc.;  JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Joseph  Mayheiv,  Esquire,  be,  and  hereby 
is,  empowered  and  directed  to  sign  Beating-Orders,  directed 
to  John  Russell,  Gentleman,  appointed  Captain  of  a  Com- 
pany now  to  be  raised,  and  to  be  stationed  on  Martha's 
Vineyard,  for  the  defence  of  that  Island,  empowering  and 
directing  said  Captain  Russell  to  inlist  a  Company  for  the 
purpose  before  mentioned. 

— 

Resolve  for  payment  of  the  Overseers  of  READING  ;  passed 
JUNE  29,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the 
publick  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  to  the  Overseers  of  the 
Poor  of  the  Town  of  Reading,  the  sum  of  £3  6s.,  in  full 
of  their  Account. 

Resolve  for  procuring  a  Company  of  Ship-  Carpenters,  to 
go  to  ALBANY;  passed  JULY  1,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  a  Company  of  fifty  Ship-Car- 
penters immediately  agreed  with  to  enter  into  the  Conti- 
nental service,  and  ordered  to  Albany,  there  to  be  under 
the  direction  of  General  Schuyler,  or  other  Commanding 
Officer;  that  they  provide  themselves  with  suitable  tools,  at 
their  own  expense,  and  that  necessary  wagons  be  provided 
to  transport  their  tools  and  baggage  to  Albany;  and  that 
£3  per  man  be  advanced  in  part  of  his  wages,  to  enable 
him  to  equip  himself  and  march  to  Albany;  and  that  those 
Carpenters  who  have  no  tools  be  provided  therewith,  deduct- 
ing the  cost  thereof  from  the  wages  of  such  deficient  Car- 
penters ;  and  that  a  master  workman  be  appointed  to 
command  this  Company,  whose  wages  and  allowance,  to- 
gether with  the  Company,  be  conformable  to  a  memorandum 
of  an  Agreement  transmitted  by  General  Schuyler  the  25th 
instant. 


Resolve  relative  to  procuring  a  Company  of  Ship- Carpen- 
ters to  go  to  ALBANY  ;  passed  JULY  1,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  following  form  of  an  Inlistment  or 
Agreement  be  the  form  of  the  Agreement  with  the  Company 
of  Ship-Carpenters  this  day  resolved  to  be  raised  for  the 
Continental  service,  viz: 

"An  agreement  made  the  day  of  ,  1776,  between 
the  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay  of  the  first  part,  and 
of  ,  and  the  several  persons  whose  names  are  here- 
unto subscribed,  of  the  second  part.  The  several  persons 
of  the  said  second  part,  each  for  himself,  do  hereby  agree 
that  they  severally  will  immediately  repair  to  Albany,  or  to 
such  other  place  as  General  Schuyler,  or  the  Commander- 
in-Chief  in  that  department  for  the  time  being,  shall  direct, 
and  there  employ  themselves  in  constructing  and  building 
such  and  so  many  batteaus,  other  vessels,  and  buildings,  as 
the  said  Commander-in-Chief,  or  his  appointed  Superintend- 
ent, shall  direct,  from  the  day  of  their  engagement  till  the 
first  day  of  December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged ;  that 
they  will,  during  the  time  they  shall  be  employed,  continue 
each  day  at  their  said  work  and  employment  between  the 
times  following,  viz:  to  begin  their  work  at  sunrise,  and 
continue  at  it  till  sunset,  excepting  one  hour  at  breakfast, 
and  one  and  an  half  hour  at  dinner;  that  each  and  every  of 


them  shall  and  will  find  and  provide  themselves  proper  tools 
and  implements  for  the  carrying  on  the  said  work ;  and  that 
if  any  of  the  said  persons  of  the  second  part  shall  leave  the 
said  work,  and  go  from  the  post  where  he  shall  be  employed, 
without  the  leave  of  the  Commanding  Officer  of  sue!)  post 
first  had  and  obtained,  the  person  so  going  off"  shall  forfeit 
all  the  wages  which  otherwise  would  be  due  to  him. 

"  In  consideration  whereof,  the  said  Colony  promises  and 
agrees,  with  each  and  every  person  of  the  said  second  part, 
that  they  shall  severally  have  and  receive  the  wages  follow- 
ing, viz :  the  said  ,  at  and  after  the  rate  of  one  dollar 
and  a  quarter;  and  each  and  every  other  person  of  the  said 
second  part,  at  and  after  the  rate  of  one  dollar,  for  each  and 
every  day  they  shall  be  in  actual  service  as  aforesaid  ;  and 
that,  over  and  above  said  sums,  they  shall  severally  receive 
one  and  a  quarter  pounds  of  pork  or  beef  and  one  pound  and  a 
half  of  flour  per  day,  four  pints  of  peas  per  week,  one  pint 
of  molasses  per  week,  and  half  a  pint  of  rum  per  day;  that 
said  wages  shall  commence  on  the  day  they  shall  leave  their 
homes  to  proceed  on  their  journey;  that  they  shall,  each  of 
them,  receive  ten  dollars  advance  pay,  in  part  for  their  wages, 
before  they  march  ;  and  shall  also  be  allowed  one  day's  wages 
for  each  and  every  twenty  miles  travel,  on  their  return  to 
their  homes ;  and  upon  their  travel,  boll)  out  and  home, 
they  shall  severally  be  allowed,  instead  of  their  rations  afore- 
said, one-third  of  a  dollar  for  every  twenty  miles  travel,  to  bear 
their  expenses  on  the  road  ;  and  if  any  person  of  said  second 
part  should  be  taken  sick  during  the  time  in  which  they  shall 
be  in  employ  as  aforesaid,  they  shall  not  be  entitled  to  any 
wages  for  the  time  they  abstain  from  working,  unless  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  post  where  they  shall  be  station- 
ed shall,  on  application  to  him  made,  refuse  to  discharge  the 
persons  so  taken  sick ;  in  which  case,  they  shall  be  entitled 
to  wages,  in  the  same  manner  as  though  no  such  application 
and  refusal  had  taken  place,  or  they  had  not  been  taken  sick." 

Also,  Resolved,  That  Colonel  Bagky,  Mr.  Webster,  and 
Mr.  Little,  of  Newbury,  be  a  Committee  to  agree  with  the 
Carpenters  as  aforesaid,  and  to  hire  Wagons  to  carry  their 
Tools  and  Baggage,  and  to  pay  their  advance  wages  as  afore- 
said ;  and  said  Committee  are  hereby  empowered  to  draw 
upon  the  Colony  Treasurer  for  the  sum  of  £170,  for  the 
purposes  aforesaid;  and  the  Treasurer  is  hereby  directed  to 
pay  said  sum  to  said  Committee,  they  being  accountable  for 
the  expenditure  of  the  same. 

Resolve  vesting  certain  Powers  in  the  Council  during  the 
recess  of  the  Court;  passed  JULY  1,  1776. 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  that  in  the  recess  of  the  Court 
certain  Powers  should  be  vested  in  the  Council,  or  Com- 
mittee of  Council,  for  the  publick  good:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Council,  or  such  part  of 
them  as  they  shall  appoint,  be  a  Committee  of  Safety,  whose 
business  it  shall  be,  during  the  recess  of  the  General  Court, 
to  direct  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony  respecting 
the  taking  in  and  delivering  out  the  Warlike  Stores  of  this 
Colony  to  and  from  the  publick  Magazines  as  they  may 
think  necessary;  and  that  said  Council,  or  Committee  of 
Council,  have  power  to  appoint  Agents  for,  and  in  all 
respects  provide  for  and  give  out  such  Instructions  to  the 
Commanders  of  the  armed  Vessels  that  are  or  may  be  fitted 
out  on  the  account  of  this  Colony  as  shall  be  necessary  for 
the  defence  and  interest  of  this  Colony,  or  of  the  United 
Colonies,  such  Instructions  not  being  contrary  to  any  law  or 
resolve  of  the  General  Court,  or  the  resolves  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress;  and  that  the  Council,  or  said  Committee 
of  Council,  have  power  to  direct  the  Commissary-General 
of  this  Colony  to  procure  such  Warlike  Stores  and  Provi- 
sions as  they  may  find  necessary;  and  that  they  be  empow- 
ered to  grant  Warrants  on  the  Treasury  for  such  sum  or 
sums  of  Money  as  there  may  be  occasion  for,  for  the  purposes 
aforesaid,  such  Moneys  to  be  accounted  for  by  the  persons 
who  shall  receive  the  same;  and  that  the  three  Regiments 
of  Colonel  Marshall,  Colonel  Whitney,  Colonel  Crafts,  and 
the  four  Companies  that  have  been  doing  duty  in  Dorchester, 
Braintree,  Weymouth,  and  Hingham,  and  the  other  Com- 
panies of  sea-coast  men,  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Coun- 
cil, or  said  Committee  of  Council,  who  may,  if  occasion 
should  require,  put  them  under  the  command  of  such  person 
or  persons  as  they  shall  think  proper ;  these  powers  to  con- 
tinue until  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly. 


305 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


306 


And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  Council,  during  the 
recess  of  the  Court,  he  empowered  and  authorized  to  treat 
with  any  Indians  that  may  arrive,  and  make  such  provision  for 
them  as  the  Council  may  think  best;  and  that  the  Council  be 
further  authorized  to  appoint  and  commissionate  such  Field 
Officers  as  may  he  necessary  to  fill  up  any  vacancies  which 
.  may  happen  in  any  of  the  Regiments  which  are  now  raising ; 
and  if  the  Council  shall  not  be  sitting,  that  the  said  Committee 
of  Council  have  the  same  power  in  these  respects. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  REBECCA  BRIDGE  and  LEMUEL 
CHILD;  passed  JULY  1,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Rebecca  Bridge  and  Lemuel  Child, 
Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  .be  granted; 
and  that  the  Petitioners  be,  and  hereby  are,  empowered  to 
make  sale  of  all  the  Real  Estate  therein  mentioned,  for  the 
most  it  will  fetch,  and  make  and  execute  a  good  deed  or 
deeds  thereof,  observing  the  rules  of  the  law  respecting 
the  sales  of  Real  Estates  by  Executors  and  Administrators, 
and  giving  security  to  the  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  County 
of  Suffolk  that  the  proceeds  be  applied  as  follows,  viz :  The 
said  Widow  of  Edward  Bridge  to  have  the  income  of  one- 
third  part  annually  during  her  natural  life;  the  other  two- 
thirds  to  be  appropriated  to  the  payment  of  the  said  deceased's 
just  debts ;  and  the  remainder  (if  any  there  shall  be)  to  be 
put  to  interest,  for  the  benefit  of  said  deceased's  heirs,  to  be 
paid  to  them,  respectively,  in  legal  proportion,  when  they 
shall  be  of  age;  also,  that  said  heirs  shall  have  and  enjoy 
said  Widow's  thirds,  after  her  decease,  in  case  the  debts  of 
the  said  Edward  Bridge  be  all  first  discharged. 

Resolve  empowering  the  Commissary  to  deliver  out  Powder, 

SfC.,  to  the  Forces  bound  to  CANADA;  passed  JULY  1, 

1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  fifteen  hundred 
weight  of  Gunpowder  and  three  thousand  five  hundred  weight 
of  leaden  Musket-Balls,  and  nine  thousand  Flints,  to  Mr. 
Ezra  Sargeant,  for  the  use  of  the  Forces  of  this  Colony 
bound  to  Canada,  and  that  said  Sargeant  procure  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  Teams  and  Drivers  ibr  the  same,  to  carry 
said  Powder,  Ball,  and  Flints,  to  Charlestown,  in  New- 
Hampshire  Colony,  to  be  there  delivered  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Hunt,  for  the  use  of  the  said  Forces. 

And  be  it  further  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  be, 
and  is  hereby,  directed  to  deliver,  out  of  the  said  Powder, 
Balls,  and  Flints,  to  each  officer  and  private  soldier  of  the 
said  Forces,  half  a  pound  of  Powder  and  twenty  Balls  and 
three  Flints. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Ezra  Sargeant  be, 
and  hereby  is,  appointed  and  directed  to  guard  said  Teams, 
with  sixteen  men,  to  Charlestown  aforesaid. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of 
the  publick  Treasury  of  this  Colony  £40,  to  enable  him  to 
procure  and  pay  for  said  Teams  and  Drivers ;  and  that  he 
be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  sum  or  sums  he  may 
receive  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

Resolve  for  appointing  an  Engineer  to  direct  in  the  IVorks 
carryiug  on  at  the  GURNET,  &fc.;  passed  JULY  1 ,  1776. 

Whereas  a  few  days  since  a  Resolve  passed  this  Court 
appointing  Major  Thomas  Dawes,  for  the  purpose  of  repair- 
ing to  the  Gurnet,  at  the  entrance  of  Plymouth  Harbour, 
and  to  direct  in  the  Fortifications  to  be  there  erected :  and 
it  was  at  the  same  time  resolved,  that  seven  of  the  Colonial 
Boats  should  be  furnished  for  said  service ;  but  as  Major 
Dawes  cannot  attend  said  service,  and  no  Colonial  Boats 
are  to  be  had :  It  is,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Major-General  Lincoln  be  desired  to 
procure  and  send  forward,  without  loss  of  time,  a  suitable 
person  to  direct  in  the  Works  aforesaid ;  and  that  Major- 
General  Ward  be  also  desired  to  furnish  seven  of  the  Con- 
tinental Whale-Boats  for  said  service ;  which  Boats  shall  be 
returned  in  good  order,  as  soon  as  the  service  will  admit  of  it. 

Resolve  relative  to  the  Accounts  of  the  Guardians  of  the 
DUDLEY  INDIANS;  passed  JULY  1,  1776. 

On  the  Accounts  of  the  Dudley  Indians, 
Resolved,  That  it  appears  the  said  Accounts  are  rightly 
cast  and  well  vouched  ;  and  that  the  said  Guardians,  at  their 


last  settlement,  on  the  24th  February,  1774,  were  in  advance 
the  sum  of  £6  7s.  3|d.,  and  since  have  paid  for  said  Indians' 
benefit  the  sum  of  £13  14s.  9d.,  and  that  they  have  received 
two  years'  income,  at  £9  per  year,  and  that  the  said  Guar- 
dians are  in  advance  the  sum  of  £'2  2s. 


Resolve  directing  the  Committee  of  MILTON  to  take  into  pos- 
session the  Estates  o/  THOMAS  HUTCHINSON  and  HENRY 
LLOYD  ;  passed  JULY  1,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Correspondence, 
Safety,  and  Inspection,  of  the  Town  of  Milton,  be,  and  they 
are  hereby,  empowered  to  take  into  their  possession  all  the 
Personal  Estate  of  Thomas  Hutchinson,  late  of  said  Milton, 
which  is  in  the  possession  of  Colonel  Taylor,  in  said  Milton, 
or  wherever  it  may  be  found,  excepting  such  as  may  have 
been  otherwise  disposed  of  by  order  of  the  General  Court, 
and  to  follow  the  directions  of  this  Court  respecting  the 
same,  as  in  similar  cases  provided. 

And  further  Resolved,  That  said  Committees  take  into 
their  care  the  Estate  let  to  Captain  Daniel  Vose  by  Henry 
Lloyd,  late  of  Boston,  who  fled  with  the  Ministerial  Fleet, 
observing  the  directions  of  Court  with  respect  to  the  Estates 
of  Refugees. 

Resolve  relative  to  the  Commissary's  receiving  Saltpetre  ; 
passed  JULY  1,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Orders  of  the  late  General  Assembly  of  this 
Colony,  directing  the  Commissary-General  to  receive  and 
pay  for  Saltpetre  at  Watertown,  manufactured  in  the  said 
Colony,  is  found  to  be  very  defective  in  this  respect,  that  he 
is  empowered  to  receive  the  said  article  on  two  days  in  each 
month  only,  which  restriction  is  found  greatly  inconvenient 
for  manufacturers  of  that  commodity,  and  tends  much  to  the 
discouragement  of  the  manufacturing  of  that  article: 

It  is  therefore  Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General 
of  this  Colony,  by  himself  or  his  Deputy,  immediately 
examine  such  Saltpetre  as  has  been  manufactured  in  this 
Colony  before  the  first  of  June  last,  and  brought  to  Water- 
town  aforesaid  within  ihe  time  limited  by  this  Court  for  the 
delivery  of  the  same,  in  all  instances  when  the  manufacturer 
or  any  one  in  his  behalf  is  attending  to  deliver  the  same,  and 
to  accept  and  pay  for  such  Saltpetre,  if  in  his  power,  in 
case  he  shall  find  that  the  manufacturer  or  manufacturers 
are  entitled  to  be  paid  for  the  same  by  any  Resolve  or  Re- 
solves of  the  General  Assembly  now  in  force  ;  and  that  for 
the  future,  until  the  first  of  October  next,  he,  the  said  Com- 
missary-General, by  himself  or  some  sufficient  Deputy  in 
his  stead,  give  his  attendance  at  some  proper  place  in  Water- 
town  aforesaid,  at  least  two  days  in  a  week,  for  the  examin- 
ing, receiving,  and  paying  for  such  Saltpetre  as  shall  be 
brought  and  offered  to  the  said  Commissary  by  such  persons 
as  may  be  entitled  to  be  paid  therefor  by  any  Resolve  or 
Resolves  of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Colony,  which 
are  now  or  shall  be  in  force  before  the  said  first  day  of  Octo- 
ber next;  and  that  the  said  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
is  hereby,  directed  to  notify  the  publick  of  the  particular  days 
of  the  week  on  which  he  will  give  such  attendance. 

Resolve  on  the  Return  of  Estates  in  WOBURN;  passed  JULY 

1,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence,  Safety,  and  Inspection,  for  the  -Town  of 
Woburn,  in  taking  into  possession  and  leasing  out  the  Estate 
of  Mr.  Coffin,  is  conformable  to  a  late  Act  or  Resolve  of  the 
Great  and  General  Court  in  that  case  made  and  provided, 
&c.;  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Woburn  are  hereby 
required  to  aid  and  support  their  Committee  in  their  doings 
with  regard  to  said  Estate,  said  Committee  conforming  their 
proceedings  to  the  Acts  and  Resolves  of  this  Court  in  such 
case  made  and  provided. 

Resolve  for  discharging  the  Schooner  CHARLESTOWN  CUT- 
TER ;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Batcheldor  be  directed  to  dis- 
charge the  Schooner  called  the  Charlestown  Cutter,  and  her 
crew,  from  the  service  of  this  Colony,  and  deliver  the  said 
Schooner  to  her  lawful  owner,  and  pay  him  the  hire  that 
may  be  due  to  him  for  her  service.  Also  to  settle  the  Port- 
lidge  Bill,  and  pay  the  master  and  people  that  belong  to 
said  Schooner  the  wages  that  are  due  to  them,  and  to 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


20 


307 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


308 


receive  and  take  care  of  all  the  (niblick  stores  now  on  board 
said  Schooner  that  belong  to  this  Colony,  and  lay  his 
accounts  before  this  Court  for  allowance  and  payment  of 
the  same. 

Resolve  to  Jit  out  a  Vessel  of  Observation;  passed  JULY  2, 

1776. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Batcheldor  be  directed  to  hire 
and  fit  out  a  small  Vessel,  and  employ  a  master  and  a  suit- 
able number  of  men  to  man  her,  for  the  purpose  of  cruising, 
obtaining  and  giving  intelligence  of  the  enemy's  fleets,  &.C.; 
and  when  said  Vessel  is  fit  for  the  sea,  the  said  Batcheldor 
is  directed  to  send  the  master  to  the  Council  or  Committee 
of  Council,  to  receive  such  orders  and  instructions  as  will  be 
necessary. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  Receiver-General  be, 
and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  pay  out  of  the  publick  Treasury 
the  sum  of  £50  to  said  Batchtldor,  to  enable  him  to  carry 
this  Resolve  into  execution,  he  to  be  accountable  to  this 
Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  raising  a  Company  of  Matrasses  to  be  stationed 

at  SALEM  ;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  a  Company  of  Matrosses,  to  consist  of 
fifty  men,  including  Officers,  be  raised  and  placed  at  Salem, 
to  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  of  Correspon- 
dence, Safety,  and  Inspection,  at  Salem,  and  to  be  upon  the 
same  pay  and  regulations  as  the  Company  of  Matrosses 
stationed  at  Marblehcad — said  Company  to  be  inlisted  to 
serve  till  the  last  of  December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged 
by  this  Court. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Selectmen  of  BOSTON  with  eighty 

Pounds,  &fc.;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury 
of  this  Colony  the  sum  of  £80,  towards  defraying  the  ex- 
penses incurred  by  removing  persons  to  the  Province  Hos- 
pital at  Boston,  and  supporting  them  while  sick  with  the 
small-pox ;  and  that  Mr.  Oliver  Wendell  be  appointed  to 
receive  and  pay  said  Moneys  to  the  Selectmen  of  Boston, 
and  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Committee  for  procuring  Flour,  directed  not  to  purchase  any 
more;  JULY  2,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Deacon  Elnathan  Curtis,  Gideon  Whee- 
ler, Esquire,  and  Mr.  Benedict  Dewcy,  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed February  20,  1776,  to  purchase  a  quantity  of  Flour 
in  the  western  parts  of  this  Colony,  not  exceeding  two  thou- 
sand barrels,  (and  who  have  given  information  that  they 
have  purchased  about  fifteen  hundred  barrels,)  be,  and  they 
are  hereby,  directed  not  to  purchase  any  more  on  account  of 
this  Colony,  until  the  further  order  of  this  Court ;  and  that 
Captain  Noah  Goodman  and  Major  William  Pynchcon  be, 
and  they  are  hereby,  directed  to  pay  the  moneys  they  have 
received  from  this  Court  to  the  several  persons  that  have 
supplied  them  with  Flour,  and  apply  to  this  Court  for  any 
further  sum  that  may  be  wanting  to  complete  said  payments, 
and  account  with  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Establishment  for  the  Row-Galleys;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 

Whereas  there  are  two  Row-Galleys  now  building  in  this 
Colony,  which  are  nearly  ready  for  the  Sea,  but  no  estab- 
lishment having  been  made  for  them,  and  a  recess  of  this 
Court  is  likely  soon  to  take  place :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  establishment  for  the-  Row-Galleys 
shall  be  the  same  with  that  for  other  vessels  of  war  belonging 
to  this  Colony,  and  that  the  Committee  for  fortifying  the 
Harbour  of  Boston  be  a  Committee,  during  the  next  recess 
of  this  Court,  to  recommend  to  the  honourable  Council  suit- 
able persons  to  command  said  Galleys,  which  persons  shall 
be  commissionated  by  the  honourable  Council. 

Resolve  relative  to  Leaden  Window  Weights;  passed  JULY 

2,  1776. 

Whereas  it  is  of  great  importance  for  the  defence  of  this 
Colony,  in  the  present  struggle  with  Great  Britain,  that  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  Leaden  Balls  be  immediately  procured : 
Therefore, 


Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  several  Towns  in  the  Colony,  that  they  spare  their 
Leaden  Window  Weights  for  that  purpose,  and  the  Com- 
missary-General is  directed  to  receive  and  pay  for  all  such 
Lead,  and  have  it  cast  into  Balls. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  of  FALMOUTH  with  four 
Cannon,  fyc.;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 

Whereas  a  grant  of  ten  Cannon  was  made  by  the  last 
General  Court  to  the  Town  of  Falmouth,  for  the  defence 
thereof,  and  only  six  have  already  been  provided :  There 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  Samuel  Freeman,  Esq.,  or 
his  order,  four  pieces  of  Cannon,  either  twelve,  eighteen,  or 
twenty-four-pounders,  or  any  other  sizes  that  he  thinks  can 
be  best  spared  from  the  Cannon  now  in  or  near  Boston, 
having  one  or  two  trunnions  off;  the  said  Freeman  to  get 
them  properly  fixed  at  the  expense  of  the  Colony  as  soon 
as  possible.  And  the  said  Commissary  is  hereby  directed 
to  deliver  the  said  Freeman,  or  his  order,  forty  rounds  of 
Shot  for  each  Cannon,  suitable  for  the  same. 

Resolve  appointing  Mr.  DANIEL  HOPKINS  a  Signer  of  Bills; 

passed  JULY  2,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Daniel  Hopkins  be  of  the  Commit- 
tee to  sign  the  Bills  of  Credit,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Dallon, 
absent. 

Captain  and  Lieutenants  appointed  for  the  Company  of 
Matrosses  at  SALEM;  JULY  2,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  the  following  gen- 
tlemen as  Officers  for  the  Company  of  Matrosses  to  be 
stationed  at  Salem,  viz:  John  Symonds,  Captain;  Richard 
Masury,  First  Lieutenant ;  Daniel  Felt,  Second  Lieutenant. 

Concurred  by  Council  the  same  day. 

Resolve  relative  to  the  Test  Act;  passed  JULY  2, 1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committees  of  Inspection  and  Safety 
of  each  and  every  Town  and  place  in  this  Colony  be,  and 
they  hereby  are,  directed  to  omit  tendering  the  Declaration 
prescribed  by  an  Act  passed  in  the  last  session  of  the  Gen- 
eral Court  of  this  Colony,  commonly  called  the  Test  Act ; 
and  also  to  refrain  from  requiring  the  inhabitants  of  this 
Colony,  severally,  to  subscribe  said  Declaration ;  and  all 
proceedings  against  such  persons  as  have  already  refused  or 
neglected  to  sign  the  same  Declaration,  be  stayed  till  the 
further  order  of  this  Court. 

Resolve  relative  to  the  Form  of  an  Inlistmentfor  a  Company 
to  be  stationed  at  SALEM;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Form  of  the  Beating  Orders  and 
Inlistment  of  the  Company  of  Matrosses  to  be  stationed  at 
Salem,  be  the  same  with  that  ordered  for  the  like  Compa- 
nies to  be  stationed  at  Gloucester,  Falmouth,  and  the  Gurnet; 
and  that  the  person  to  whom  said  Beating  Orders  are  or 
may  be  directed,  cause  said  Company  to  pass  muster  before 
Timothy  Pickering,  Jun.,  Esq.,  as  soon  as  possible  after 
their  inlistment. 

Resolve  to  encourage  the  manufacture  of  Firearms  and 
Cannon;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 

Whereas,  notwithstanding  the  encouragement  hitherto 
given  by  this  Government  for  the  manufacturing  of  Fire- 
arms, a  sufficient  number  has  not  yet  been  obtained :  There- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  for  every  effective  and  substantial  Fire- 
arm which  shall  be  manufactured  in  this  Colony,  with  a 
barrel  of  three  feet  and  nine  inches  in  length  that  will  carry 
an  ounce  ball,  a  good  bayonet  with  a  blade  not  less  than 
eighteen  inches  in  length,  a  steel  ramrod,  with  a  spring  to 
retain  the  same,  two  loops  for  gun-strings,  and  the  maker's 
name  stamped  or  engraved  on  the  lock,  and  which  shall  be 
delivered  at  Boston  or  Watertown,  to  Richard  Dcvens,  Esq., 
Commissary,  on  or  before  the  1st  day  of  January  next,  there 
shall  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury  to 
the  owner  thereof,  the  sum  of  £3  12s.:  Provided  always, 
That  the  owner  of  euch  Firearm  which  shall  be  received  for 


309 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


310 


the  Colony,  shall  prove  the  same  at  his  own  risk,  by  four 
inches  and  a  half  of  powder,  a  ball,  and  wads  on  each,  in 
presence  of  the  said  Commissary  or  some  other  person  or 
persons  appointed  by  him  for  that  purpose. 

And  whereas  the  casting  and  manufacturing  of  Cannon, 
for  the  service  of  this  Colony,  has  become  absolutely  neces- 
sary: 

Be  it  therefore,  further  Resolved,  That  Dr.  Lewis  Sweet- 
ing be  a  Committee  to  repair  to  the  Furnaces  in  Abington 
and  Providence,  in  order  to  obtain  all  possible  insight  and 
knowledge  in  this  very  necessary  branch  of  business,  and 
make  report  to  this  Court  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Resolve  for  procuring  Teams,  fyc.;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committees  appointed  logo  into  the 
several  Counties  to  raise  men  to  go  to  Canada,  be  directed 
to  provide  suitable  carriages  for  the  conveyance  of  the  bag- 
gage of  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  from  their  several  Towns 
to  Charlestown,  in  New-Hampshire;  said  Committee  to  brino- 
in  their  Accounts  to  this  Court  for  payment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committees  appointed  to  go  into  the 
several  Counties  to  raise  the  men  destined  for  New-York,  be 
directed  to  provide  suitable  carriages  for  the  conveyance  of 
the  baggage  of  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  from  their  several 
Towns  to  New-Haven,  in  Connecticut,  excepting  the  troops 
to  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Berkshire,  the  Committee  of 
which  County  is  hereby  directed  to  convey  the  baggage  of 
the  troops  to  be  raised  in  that  County  to  New-  York;  the 
said  Committees  to  bring  in  their  Accounts  to  this  Court  for 
payment. 

A  Mustermaster   appointed  for   the   two    Companies   of 

Matrosses  in  Newburyport;  passed  JULY  2,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  Jonathan  Titcomb,  Esq.,  be,  and  hereby 
is,  appointed  Mustermaster  in  the  Town  of  Newburyport, 
to  muster  the  two  Companies  of  men  lately  ordered  to  be 
raised  by  this  Court  for  the  defence  of  said  Town. 

Resolve  for  procuring  Coats,  Blankets,  Hats,  fyc.;  passed 
JULV  2,  1776. 

Whereas  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance  that  the  Army 
of  the  United  Colonies  should  be  well  supplied  with  ne- 
cessary Clothing  agreeable  to  the  requisition  of  Congress : 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Allyn  Otis,  of  Boston,  Major 
Richard  Godfrey,  of  Taunton,  Joseph  Nye,  Esq.,  of  Harwich, 
Samuel  Osgood,  Esq.,  of  Andover,  William  Stickney,  Esq., 
ofBillerica,  Mr.  Ephraim  Wright,  of  Northampton,  William 
Drew.  Esq.,  of  Kingston,  Captain  Benjamin  Rice,  of  Brook- 
field,  iMr.  Elnathan  Curtis, of  Stockbridge,and  ThomasCook, 
Esq.,  ofEdgartown,  be  a  Committee  to  procure,  as  soon  as 
may  be,  as  many  Coats,  Waistcoats,  and  Breeches,  Blankets, 
Felt  Hats,  Shirts,  Hose,  and  Shoes,  as  they  may  be  able  to 
procure  before  the  1st  of  December  next,  and  cause  them 
to  be  baled,  invoiced,  and  stored  in  suitable  places,  to  be 
delivered  to  the  order  of  Congress,  or  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  American  Army. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  DAVID  CHEEVER,  Esq.;  passed 
JULY  3,  1776. 

Whereas  the  late  Committee  of  Supplies  did,  on  the  29th 
day  of  March,  1775,  give  to  David  Cheever,  Esq.,  an  order 
on  the  Colony  Treasurer  for  the  sum  of  £350,  and  charged 
said  Cheever  for  the  same,  which  order  said  Cheever  endorsed 
and  delivered  to  said  Treasurer,  in  confidence  that  the  Town 
of  Charlestown  would  immediately  pay  him  the  said  sum, 
it  being  due  to  the  said  Treasurer  from  the  Town  of  Charles- 
town,  as  Province  Tax,  on  which  the  Treasurer  gave  credit 
to  said  Town  for  that  sum ;  but  the  Town  of  Charlestown 
aforesaid  has  paid  only  £.31  16*.  6d.  of  the  same:  There- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Colony  Treasurer  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  directed  to  charge  the  Town  of  Charlestown  with  the  sum 
of  £318  6s.  6d.,  and  call  on  the  Collectors  of  said  Town  for 
that  sum ;  and  the  Committee  appointed  to  settle  the  Ac- 
counts remaining  unsettled  on  the  books  of  the  late  Com- 
mittee of  Supplies,  &c.,  is  hereby  directed  to  credit  David 
Cheever,  Esq.,  for  that  sum,  on  the  books  of  the  late  Com- 
mittee of  Supplies. 


Resolve   lending   Cannon   to  the   Colony  of  NEW-HAMP- 
SHIRE ;  passed  JULY  3,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Council,  or  Committee  of  Safety  who 
may  be  appointed  by  Council  to  sit  in  the  recess  of  Court, 
be,  and  hereby  are,  empowered  to  deliver  to  the  order  of  the 
President  of  the  Council  of  the  Colony  of  New-Hampshire, 
for  the  use  of  said  Colony,  such  Cannon  as  he  may  desire^ 
if  they,  in  the  opinion  of  said  Council  or  Committee,  can 
be  spared  without  endangering  the  safety  of  this  Colony. 

Resolve  for  sending  Prisoners  from  THURO  to  BOSTON  ; 
passed  JULY  3,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Joseph  Smith,  who  commands 
the  forces  stationed  at  Truro,  be,  and  hereby  is,  directed  to 
send  a  master  of  a  vessel  cast  on  shore  in  March  last  at 
Cape  Cod,  with  all  the  men  cast  away  as  aforesaid,  who  are 
now  there  with  him,  in  different  vessels,  to  Boston,  as  soon 
as  may  be,  to  be  delivered  to  those  Justices  residing  in  or 
about  Boston,  who  are  appointed  and  empowered  by  this 
Court  to  hear  and  examine  all  persons  in  said  Town  who 
are  suspected  of  being  inimical  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of 
America;  and  the  said  Justices  are  hereby  directed  and 
empowered  to  hear,  determine,  and  dispose  o"f  them,  as  they 
shall  think  proper. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  said  Captain  Smith 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  permit  the  women  and 
children  to  repair  to  their  respective  places  of  abode. 

Resolve  desiring  the  Council  to  appoint  a  Day  of  solemn 
Humiliation  and  Prayer;  passed  JULY  3,  1776. 

It  having  been  the  laudable  practice  of  this  Government 
to  recommend  and  appoint  days  for  Fasting  and  Prayer 
upon  solemn  and  special  occasions;  and  as  this  Court  ap- 
prehend that  the  present  time  is  big  with  the  most  important 
events  to  this  and  the  other  Colonies,  and  that  these  events  are 
at  the  disposal  of  the  Supreme  Governour  of  the  Universe : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Council  be, 
and  hereby  are,  desired  to  set  apart  Thursday,  the  last  day 
of  July  instant,  to  be  observed  as  a  day  of  solemn  Humilia- 
tion and  Prayer,  devoutly  to  implore  of  Almighty  God,  that 
the  monitory  dispensation  of  Providence,  in  the  drought 
wherewith  some  parts  of  the  land  has  been  visited,  and  the 
humbling  events  which  have  lately  taken  place  in  Canada, 
may,  accompanied  with  a  Divine  influence,  produce  a  sin- 
cere repentance  and  thorough  reformation  of  manners  among 
all  orders  and  degrees  of  persons;  that  He  will  command  his 
blessing  on  our  councils  and  arms  at  this  important  crisis 
of  our  publick  affairs,  and  that  this  People,  placing  their  hope 
and  confidence  in  that  God  in  whom  their  fathers  trusted  and 
were  not  made  ashamed,  may  be  moved  and  encouraged 
manfully  and  freely  to  offer  themselves  for  the  defence  of 
those  rights,  civil  and  religious,  upon  the  enjoyment  of  which 
the  peace  and  happiness  of  the  present  and  future  generations 
absolutely  depend;  that  He  will,  at  a  time  of  increased 
demand  of  provisions  for  the  support  of  our  brethren  in  the 
field,  and  when  the  usual  foreign  supplies  are  not  to  be 
obtained,  be  graciously  pleased  so  to  order  the  seasons  as 
that  we  may  have,  in  the  course  of  this  year,  a  sufficiency 
of  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  both  for  man  and  beast.  And  that 
they  cause  a  Proclamation  to  be  immediately  issued  and  sent 
to  the  Ministers  and  Pastors  of  the  several  denominations  of 
Christians  in  this  Colony,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  County  of  LINCOLN  with  Gun- 
powder, &fc.;  passed  JULY  3,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  hereby  is,  empowered  to  deliver  to  Captain  Samuel 
Nichols,  of  New-Castle,  in  the  County  of  Lincoln,  or  his 
order,  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  County,  ten  hun- 
dred weight  of  Gun  powder,  twenty  hundred  weight  of  Balls, 
and  thirty  hundred  Flints;  he,  the  said  Samuel,  giving  secu- 
rity to  the  said  Commissary,  for  the  use  of  said  Colony,  for 
the  payment  of  the  same,  in  twelve  months  from  the  delivery 
thereof. 

Resolve  relative  to  Men's  inlisting  out  of  other  than  their 

own  Towns ;  passed  JULY  3,  1776. 
Whereas,  by  a  late  Resolve  of  this  Court,  the  number  of 
five  thousand  men  are  apportioned  on,  and  to  be  raised  in, 


311 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


312 


the  several  Towns  in  this  Colony,  agreeable  to  a  schedule 
thereto  annexed,  and  as  some  persons  may  be  induced  to 
inlist  from  other  Towns  than  those  in  which  they  have  their 
usual  place  of  abode:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  all  persons  who  shall  inlist  into  any  of  the 
Battalions  destined  for  Canada  or  New-York,  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  a  part  of  the  levy  on  their  respective  Towns,  until 
such  time  as  those  Towns  to  which  they  respectively  belong 
have  inlisted  their  full  complement  of  men,  and  not  to  those 
Towns  in  which  they  shall  so  inlist. 

r 

Resolve  for  advancing  one  month's  Pay  to  the  Officers  des- 
tined to  CANADA  and  NEW-YORK  ;  passed  JULY  4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  one  month's  advance  pay  be  paid  unto 
all  the  Commissionated  and  Staff  Officers  of  the  sr\rml 
Regiments  designed  for  the  service  of  Canada  and  New- 
York.  And  the  Council  are  hereby  empowered  to  draw 
warrants  on  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  for  such  sums  as 
they  shall  think  necessary,  to  be  paid,  for  the  purpose  afore- 
said, into  the  hands  of  the  Committees  appointed  to  forward 
the  raising  of  said  Regiments. 

Resolve  appointing  a  Court  to  try  certain  persons  suspected 

of  being  inimical  to  the,  AMERICAN  Colonies;  passed  JULY 

4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Samuel  Niles,  Samuel  Pemberton,  Joseph 
Greenleaf,  Joseph  Gardner,  and  Theophilus  Gushing,  Esqs., 
Justices  of  the  Peace  within  and  for  the  County  of  Suffolk, 
residing  at  or  near  Boston,  be,  and  hereby  are,  authorized 
and  empowered  to  cause  to  come  before  them,  or  any  three 
of  them,  at  such  time  and  place  in  the  Town  of  Boston,  and 
by  such  methods  as  the  Justices  in  the  former  Resolve  were 
authorized  to  do,  such  of  the  said  persons  in  the  former  Re- 
solve named  as  to  them  may  appear  expedient ;  and  that 
they  have  power  likewise  of  convening  witnesses  before 
them,  or  any  three  of  them,  in  the  same  manner  the  former 
Court  of  Inquiry  had,  and  such  of  the  said  persons  as,  from 
their  past  conduct,  the  said  Justices  conceive  would  probably 
take  and  act  an  inimical  part  against  this  or  any  of  the 
United  Colonies  if  they  had  a  convenient  opportunity  for 
so  doing,  they  the  said  Justices,  or  any  three  of  them,  may 
restrain,  by  causing  them  to  find  good  and  sufficient  sureties 
for  their  good  behaviour;  and  in  that  behalf  more  especially 
for  any  term  of  time  not  exceeding  twelve  months ;  and  to 
commit  such  persons  until  they  find  such  surety.  And  such 
others  of  the  said  obnoxious  persons,  whose  continuance 
under  bonds  in  the  Town  of  Boston,  shall  to  them  or  any 
three  of  them,  appear  incompatible  with  the  safety  of  this 
or  the  other  United  Colonies,  they  may  commit  to  prison,  or 
may  order  in  some  inland  Town  in  this  Colony,  for  a  term 
not  exceeding  four  months,  there  to  remain  within  the  limits 
of  such  Town,  he  or  they  finding  sureties  for  their  duly 
observing  such  order,  as  well  as  for  their  good  behaviour  for 
a  further  term  not  exceeding  twelve  months  in  the  whole; 
such  removal  and  continuance  to  be  at  the  expense  of  the 
person  removed,  if  of  ability,  and  in  want  thereof,  at  the 
charge  of  this  Colony;  and,  in  default  of  their  recognising 
with  sufficient  sureties  as  aforesaid,  in  reasonable  sums,  him 
or  them  to  commit  to  prison  until  he  or  they  shall  find  such 
sureties.  And  the  Committee  of  Safety,  &.C.,  in  the  Towns 
where  such  persons  may  be  sent  in  consequence  of  this 
Resolve,  are  directed  to  receive  them,  to  inspect  their  con- 
duct, and  to  prevent  their  consorting  or  associating  with  any 
prisoners  of  war  that  are  or  may  be  placed  in  such  Town. 

And  the  said  Justices  are  hereby  authorized,  if  they  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  upon  deliberation,  think  it  may  be  done 
consistently  with  the  puhlick  safety,  to  send  into  some  inland 
Town  in  this  Colony  such  of  the  said  five  persons  now  con- 
fined in  Boston  Jail  by  the  Justices  of  the  former  Court, 
under  the  restrictions  aforesaid;  and  also  to  continue  under 
bonds  any  or  all  the  said  other  five  persons  now  bound  for 
their  appearance  before  the  Superior  Court,  for  a  term  not 
exceeding  twelve  months,  and  them  to  release  and  discharge 
from  the  present  recognisances. 

And  the  said  Justices,  or  any  three  of  them,  are  also 
directed  to  disarm  all  and  every  person  they  shall  jud^e  ex- 
pedient to  restrain  as  aforesaid;  and  that  all  bonds  talen  in 
pursuance  of  this  Resolve  be  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony. 
And  the  said  Justices  are  directed  to  sit  from  day  to  day,  or 
as  often  as  they  conveniently  can,  till  they  have  discharged 


the  trust  reposed  in  them  by  this  Resolve;  and  on  or  before 
the  last  day  of  August  next,  make  a  particular  report  of 
their  proceedings  herein  to  this  Court,  and  that  a  proper 
compensation  be  made  to  them,  as  well  as  to  the  Justices 
that  constituted  the  former  Court. 

Resolve  for  supplying  BARTHOLOMEW  PUTNAM  with  Powder; 
passed  JULY  4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  sell  and  deliver  to  Captain 
Bartholomew  Putnam  three  hundred  pounds  weight  of  Gun- 
powder out  of  the  Colony  stores,  and  that  he  receive  of  said 
Putnam  5s.  a  pound  for  the  same. 

Resolve  to  scff  the  Tories'  Chaises  and  other  Carriages; 
passed  JULY  4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  John  Brown,  William  Cooper,  John  Pitts, 
Josiah  Sartel,  and  Edward  Rawson,  Esqs.,  being  a  Com- 
mittee for  taking  Inventories,  &c.,  of  the  Estates  within  the 
Town  of  Boston  which  have  been  left  or  deserted  by  sundry 
persons  supposed  to  be  inimical  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of 
America,  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  directed  to  make  sale  of  all 
Chaises  and  other  Carriages  belonging  to  such  Estates,  they 
first  having  the  same  appraised  by  the  most  suitable  persons, 
and  then  advertising  the  same  for  sale  at  such  appraisements; 
and  all  that  may  remain  unsold  at  a  day  that  said  Commit- 
tee may  appoint,  shall  then  be  advertised  to  be  sold  at  pub- 
lick  vendue.  All  which  shall  be  carried  into  effect  by  said 
Committee  as  soon  as  conveniently  may  be,  they  to  be  ac- 
countable to  the  General  Court  for  the  proceeds  of  such 
sales. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Company  stationed  at  SALEM; 
passed  JULY  4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary  appointed  to  furnish  the 
sea-coast  men  stationed  at  Salem  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
directed  to  furnish  the  Company  of  Matrosses,  to  be  raised 
and  stationed  at  Salem,  with  all  necessaries,  agreeable  to  the 
sea-coast  establishment. 

Also,  Resolved,  That  the  said  Company,  when  raised,  be 
under  the  direction  of  Timothy  Pickering,  Jun.,  Esq. 

Additional  power  given  to  the  Court  appointed  to  try  sus- 
pected persons,  JULY  4,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  stead  and  place  of  Samuel  Nilef 
and  Theophilus  Gushing,  Esquires,  who  have  not  had  the 
small-pox,  that  John  Hill,  Esq.,  and  Edmund  Quincy,  Esq., 
be  appointed  Justices  of  the  Court  of  Inquiry,  w  ith  the  same 
power  the  said  Niles  and  Gushing  were  vested  with. 

And  it  is  also  Resolved.  That  the  Committee  of  Corre- 
spondence, &,c.,  in  the  Town  of  Boston,  or  the  major  part 
thereof,  be  and  hereby  are,  directed  to  file  information  or 
informations  against  any  person  or  persons  suspected  of  being 
unfriendly  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  America,  before  the 
major  part  of  the  Justices  of  the  Court  of  Inquiry,  which 
Justices,  or  any  one  of  them,  are  hereby  directed  forthwith 
to  issue  his  or  their  warrant  against  such  person  or  persons 
against  whom  information  shall  be  filed  as  aforesaid,  directed 
to  some  lawful  officer,  commanding  him  forthwith  to  appre- 
hend the  body  or  bodies  of  any  such  person  or  persons,  and 
secure  him  or  them  by  imprisonment  or  good  and  sufficient 
bail,  against  the  time  of  trial ;  and  the  said  Committee,  or 
the  major  part  thereof,  are  hereby  further  directed  to  pro- 
duce the  witnesses,  and  bring  forward  and  prosecute  the  trial 
of  every  such  person  or  persons  to  effect. 

Resolve  appointing  a  Committee  on  Accounts;  passed  JULT 
4,  1776. 

Whereas,  a  necessary  attention  to  the  more  important 
affairs  of  the  Government  in  the  present  extraordinary  times 
of  difficulty  and  distress  renders  it  impracticable  for  this 
House  to  receive  and  examine  the  numerous  Accounts  now 
daily  exhibited  against  the  Government,  agreeable  to  the 
mode  heretofore  usually  practised,  and  the  payment  thereof 
has  been  greatly  delayed,  to  the  detriment  of  individuals,  as 
well  as  to  the  injury  of  the  credit  of  the  Government: 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Abraham  Watson,  Jonathan  Webster, 
Thomas  Durfec,  Aaron  Wood,  John  Bliss,  and  Isaac  Lo- 


313 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


314 


throp,  Esqs.,  and  Captain  Woodbridge  Brown,  be,  and  they 
hereby  are,  appointed  a  Committee,  until  further  order  of 
this  House,  to  receive,  examine,  and,  in  behalf  of  this  House, 
finally  to  pass  upon  all  Accounts  not  otherwise  committed 
which  shall  be  presented  to  them  for  payment  of  services 
done  and  articles  supplied  by  order  of  Congress  or  the 
General  Court,  and  properly  vouched ;  and  the  doings  of 
said  Committee  shall  be  considered  as  valid  as  any  Vote  or 
Resolve  of  the  House  touching  said  Accounts,  as  well  in  the 
recess  of  the  Court  as  during  the  sitting  of  the  same.  And 
said  Committee,  or  any  four  of  them,  who  are  hereby  ap- 
pointed a  quorum,  are  directed  to  open  an  office,  and  adver- 
tise the  publick  thereof  and  of  this  Resolve,  that  the  business 
may  be  constantly  attended  and  effectually  performed.  And 
a  true  copy  of  all  Accounts  which  shall  be  passed  by  them 
and  sent  to  a  Committee  of  the  Board  for  concurrence  shall, 
after  concurrence  and  payment,  be  kept  in  a  book,  with  an 
alphabet  thereto,  which  shall  be  laid  before  the  House  for 
perusal  and  inspection  once  or  oftener  in  each  session,  as 
the  House  shall  order ;  and  the  Committee  of  the  honourable 
Board  are  desired  to  employ  some  suitable  person  for  that 
purpose. 

Also,  Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
directed  to  keep  such  Accounts  as  shall  be  passed  by  said 
Committee,  and  in  consequence  thereof  concurred  and  or- 
dered to  be  paid  by  the  honourable  Board,  in  separate  files. 

Also,  Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Council,  or  such 
Committee  of  Council  as  they  shall  appoint,  be,  and  they 
hereby  are,  empowered,  both  in  the  sitting  and  recess  of  the 
Court,  to  concur  all  such  Accounts  as  shall  have  been  passed 
by  the  Committee  aforesaid  ;  and  the  payment  of  said  Ac- 
counts, thus  passed  and  concurred,  shall  be  ordered  in  the 
manner  which  the  Charter  directs:  Provided,  always,  That 
the  foregoing  method  of  allowing  Accounts  shall  be  taken  to 
be  adopted  merely  from  the  necessity  of  the  present  times, 
and  not  considered  as  a  precedent  for  the  future,  anything 
in  the  Resolve  of  this  Court  of  the  7th  June  last  appointing 
a  Committee  to  receive,  examine,  and  finally  pass  upon  all 
Accounts  not  otherwise  committed,  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
standing. 

Resolve  relative  to  Dr.  GELSTON;  passed  JULY  5,  1776. 

Whereas  it  appears  that  Dr.  Samuel  Gelston  is  now  in 
the  custody  of  Berachiah  Basset,  Esquire,  at  the  Elizabeth 
Islands,  and  as  he  appears  to  have  in  divers  instances  acted 
a  part  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  this  Colony : 

Be  it  therefore  Resolved,  That  the  said  Berachiah  Basset, 
Esq.,  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  send  the  said  Dr. 
Samuel  Gelston,  under  a  proper  Guard,  to  the  five  Justices 
in  the  County  of  Suffolk,  appointed  a  Court  to  inquire  into 
the  conduct  of  persons  suspected  to  be  enemies  to  the  liber- 
ties of  this  Colony,  who  are  hereby  directed  and  empowered 
to  examine  into  the  conduct  of  the  said  Dr.  Samuel  Gelston, 
and  to  proceed  with  him  according  to  the  directions  of  the 
Resolve  appointing  them  a  Court  of  Inquiry  as  aforesaid. 

Resolve  relative  to  procuring  Hard  Money;  passed  JULY 
5,  1776. 

For  the  more  effectual  carrying  into  execution  a  Resolve 
of  this  House  of  the  27th  o(June  last,  relative  to  exchanging 
of  Continental  Bills  for  Hard  Money  for  the  use  of  the  Con- 
tinent: 

It  is  Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  pay 
out  to  the  several  Committees  of  Correspondence,  &tc.,  for 
the  several  Towns,  upon  their  producing  a  subscription  for 
Hard  Money,  such  a  sum  in  Continental  Bills  as  the  same 
shall  amount  to,  taking  a  note  of  two  or  more  of  the  said 
Committee,  including  a  promise  that  they  shall  return  that 
sum  or  the  amount  in  Hard  Money  on  demand ;  and  the 
Treasurer,  on  their  fulfilling  the  said  promise,  is  directed  to 
deliver  up  their  said  security. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  JONATHAN  CAPEN;  passed  JVL.? 
5,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Jonathan  Capcn, 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  be  so  far  granted 
as  that  Jonathan  Capen,  Guardian  to  the  Puncapaug  In- 
dians, be,  and  he  is  hereby,  empowered  to  sell  so  much  of 
said  Indians'  unimproved  Lands,  where  it  will  be  the  least 
prejudicial  to  the  whole,  as  to  satisfy  their  just  debts  and 


the  necessary  charges  arising  by  such  sale,  he  observing  the 
rules  and  directions  of  an  Act  of  this  Colony  respecting  the 
sale  of  Lands  taken  by  execution,  and  to  execute  good  and 
lawful  deed  or  deeds  therefor,  he,  the  said  Guardian,  to  be 
accountable  to  the  General  Court  for  his  doings  upon  the 
matter. 

Resolve  for  supplying  DAVID  JEFFERIES,  Esq.,  with  fifteen 

hundred  Pounds;  passed  JULY  5,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  there  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  Treasury 
to  David  Jejferies,  Esq.,  or  order,  the  sum  of  £1,500,  for 
the  purpose  of  discharging  the  advance  pay  of  tile  Non- 
Commissioned  Officers  and  Soldiers  in  Colonel  Whitney's, 
Colonel  Marshall's,  and  Colonel  Craft's  Regiments,  he  to 
be  accountable  to  the  General  Court  for  the  same. 

JAMES  BRICKET,  Esq.,  appointed  Colonel  of  a  Battalion  to 
be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  ESSEX,  &-c.:  passed  JULY  5, 
1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  James  Bricket, 
Esq.,  as  Colonel  of  the  Battalion  to  be  raised  in  the  Coun- 
ties of  Essex,  York,  and  Cumberland,  for  the  Continental 
service,  agreeable  to  a  Resolve  which  passed  the  House 
the  25th  of  June  last,  in  the  room  of  Colonel  Whittier,  who 
declines  serving. 

Concurred  by  Council. 

Resolve  desiring  the  Council  to  write  a  Letter  to  General 
WASHINGTON,  relative  to  raising  Men,  SfC.;  passed  JULY 
5,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  a  Letter  be  immediately  sent,  by  express, 
to  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  setting  forth  the 
real  state  of  this  Colony  respecting  raising  men,  and  recom- 
mending that  he  instantly  order  two  of  the  fullest  Regiments 
upon  the  Boston  station  to  march  immediately  to  Canada, 
and  to  give  His  Excellency  the  strongest  assurance  that  this 
Colony  will  take  effectual  measures  that  there  be  a  sufficient 
number  from  the  Militia  upon  the  Continental  account 
brought  in  upon  the  Boston  station  to  do  duty  in  the  stead 
and  place  of  said  Regiments. 

Also  Resolved,  That  two  other  Regiments,  upon  the 
Continental  establishment,  be  raised  as  soon  as  possible,  to 
relieve  the  Militia  that  may  be  brought  in  upon  the  Boston 
station  as  aforesaid. 

And  also  Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Council  be 
desired  to  order  such  and  so  many  of  the  Militia  as  they 
may  judge  proper,  to  be  and  hold  themselves  in  readiness 
to  march  upon  the  Boston  station  at  an  hour's  notice,  to  do 
duty  in  the  stead  and  place  of  such  Continental  Troops  as 
may  be  ordered  from  thence  upon  the  Canada  service;  and 
that  said  Council  have  full  power  in  the  recess  of  this  Court 
to  do  everything  relative  to  the  raising  and  officering  the 
said  Militia,  and  the  said  two  Regiments  to  be  raised,  in  as 
full  and  ample  manner  as  might  or  could  have  been  done 
had  the  whole  Court  been  sitting. 

Resolved,  That  the  Council  be  desired  to  write  the  Letter 
before  mentioned  to  General  Washington,  and  also  to  inform 
the  honourable  Congress  of  this  Resolve. 

Resolve  desiring  the  Council  to  defer  ordering  any  Moneys 
to  Captains  O'BRIAN  and  LAMBERT;  passed  JULY  5, 
1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Board  be  desired  to  defer 
ordering  any  Moneys  to  Captains  O' Brian  and  Lambert,  and 
their  Companies,  that  may  be  due  to  them  from  the  Colony, 
,  till  determination,  shall  be  had  on  the  Petition  of  William 
Hazen,  praying  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  obtain  satisfaction 
for  waste  of  Goods  committed  on  board  a  certain  Schooner 
belonging  to  said  Hazen  and  others,  and  for  the  illegal  cap- 
ture and  detention  of  the  same. 

Resolve  to  supply  Dr.  JOHN  GREENLEAF  with  fifty  Pounds, 
for  purchasing  Medicines;  passed  JULY  5,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  a  sum  not  exceeding  £50  be  paid  out  of 
the  Colony  Treasury  to  Dr.  John  Greenleaf,  for  the  pur- 
chasing such  Medicines  for  Colonels  Whitney's,  MarshalFs, 
and  Craft's  Regiments  as  he  cannot  supply  from  his  own 
stores,  he  being  accountable  for  the  expenditure  of  the 
same. 


315 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


316 


Resolve  relative  to  a  number  of  Masts  at  GEORGETOWN; 
passed  JULY  5,  1776. 

Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  this  Court  that  a  large 
number  of  Masts,  procured  for  the  use  of  the  British  Navy, 
or  some  British  Merchants,  are  novf  lying  in  Georgetown, 
in  the  County  of  Lincoln,  and  are  in  danger  of  being  taken 
away  or  destroyed : 

It  is  therefore  Resolved.  That  Mr.  Freeman,  Colonel 
Lithgow,  and  Colonel  Cashing,  be  a  Committee  to  inquire 
into  the  circumstances  relative  to  said  Masts,  of  their  num- 
ber, value,  for  what  purposes  fit,  and  by  whom  they  were 
procured ;  that  they  take  effectual  care  to  preserve  the  same, 
and  in  case  of  danger  from  our  enemies,  that  they  cause  the 
same  to  be  removed  to  some  place  of  safety,  if  it  can  be  done 
without  great  difficulty,  otherwise  to  render  them  unfit  for 
the  use  of  our  said  enemies,  and  make  report  of  their  doings 
to  this  Court  at  its  next  session. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  O/JOHN  COLLAS,  and  others,  Pri- 
soners in  SALEM  Jail;  passed  JULY  6,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  John  Collas,  Joseph  Temple,  and  Peter 
Larchee, 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  said  Petitioners  be  so  far 
granted  as  that  the  said  John  Collas,  Joseph  Temple,  and 
Peter  Larchee,  be  set  at  liberty  from  their  present  confine- 
ment in  Salem  Jail,  upon  any  person  or  persons  appearing 
to  contract  with,  and  shall  actually  hire  said  Prisoners,  and 
engage  to  employ  them  in  some  inland  Town  in  this  Colony; 
and  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  the  Town  in  which 
they  may  be  employed  are  hereby  ordered  to  inspect  the 
conduct  of  the  said  John  Collas,  Joseph  Temple,  and  Peter 
Larchee,  and  to  take  care  they  do  not  depart  the  limits  of 
the  Town  they  may  be  employed  in;  and  the  Keeper  of 
the  Jail  in  Salem  is  hereby  ordered  and  directed  to  discharge 
said  Prisoners  from  his  custody  accordingly. 

Resolve  for  employing  two  persons  to  ride  Post  to  CROWN- 
POINT;  passed  JULY  6,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Jonathan  Bro.wn,  Esq.,  Dr.  Moses  Morse, 
Mr.  Benjamin  Guild,  Oliver  Wendell,  Esquire,  and  Major 
Jacob  Davis,  be  a  Committee  to  agree  with  two  suitable 
persons  to  ride  Post  to  Crown-Point  once  a  week,  until  the 
last  day  of  November  next ;  and  that  the  said  Posts  take 
such  routes  as  the  Committee  aforesaid  shall  think  best :  the 
said  Post  to  set  out  from  and  return  to  Watertown,  until  the 
further  order  of  this  Court. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  some  person  be  ap- 
pointed at  Watertown,  by  the  Committee  aforesaid,  to  receive 
and  deliver  all  such  Letters  as  shall  not  be  delivered  before 
said  Post's  arrival  at  Watertown;  and  that  all  Letters  to  or 
from  any  persons  in  the  Army  be  carried  free  of  charge. 

Additional  Resolve  relative  to  paying  the  Officers  of  the 
several  Regiments  destined  to  CANADA  and  NEW-YORK. 
one  month's  advance  Wages ;  passed  JULY  6,  1776. 
Whereas  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court  of  the  4th  instant  it 
is  resolved  that  one  month's  advance  Pay  be  paid  unto  all 
the  Commissionated  and  Staff  Officers  of  the  several  Regi- 
ments designed  for  the  service  of  Canada  and  New-York, 
and  the  Council  are  empowered  to  draw  Warrants  on  the 
Treasurer  of  this  Colony  for  such  sums  as  they  shall  think 
necessary  to  be  paid  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  into  the  hands 
of  the  Committees  appointed  to  forward  the  raising  of  said 
Regiments ;  but  no  directions  are  given  how  the  said  Council 
are  to  proceed  in  giving  Warrants  to  said  Committees  where 
Officers  are  appointed  for  a  Regiment  raised  partly  in  one 
County  and  partly  in  another,  and  said  Officers  living  some 
in  one  County  and  some  in  another:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Council  be,  and  they  hereby  are, 
empowered  and  directed  to  give  Warrants  to  either  of  said 
Committees  to  pay  any  of  said  Officers  living  in  either  of 
the  Counties,  but  belonging  to  the  Regiment  to  which  they 
were  appointed,  said  Committees  to  be  severally  accountable 
to  this  Court  for  all  such  sums  of  money  as  they  shall  receive 
in  consequence  of  this  Resolve. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  HANNAH  MATHER;  passed  JULY 

8,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  JIannah  Mather, 
Resolved,  That  whereas  it  appears  that  the  facts  set  forth 


in  the  Memorial  of  Mrs.  Hannah  Mather,  of  Boston,  with 
respect  to  the  loss  which  she  and  her  family  have  sustained 
by  the  cruel  burning  of  Charlcstown,  are  true,  and  she 
apprehends  that  some  balance  is  justly  due  to  her  from  her 
brother  Hutchinson's  Estate:  that  therefore,  agreeable  to  the 
request  of  said  Mrs.  Mather,  leave  and  liberty  be,  and  hereby 
is,  granted  to  her  to  take  into  her  possession  such  of  the 
Household  goods  of  her  brother  Hutchinson  as  she  may 
stand  in  need  of,  now  in  the  possession  of  Colonel  Taylor, 
or  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  Milton,  or  wherever 
they  may  be,  not  disposed  of  by  this  Court,  she  delivering 
an  inventory  of  the  same,  and  the  Reverend  Doctor  Mather 
giving  sufficient  security  for  the  return  of  said  Goods  to  the 
order  of  this  Court. 

Resolve  for  supplying  WILLIAM  UPHAM  with  Powder,  fyc.; 
passed  JULY  8,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  William  Upham, 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be  directed  to 
deliver  the  Petitioner,  William  Upham,  or  order,  fifty  pounds 
of  Powder,  thirty-five  rounds  of  Ball,  and  seven  dozen  of 
Flints,  he  paying  for  the  same. 

Resolve  to  adjourn  the  Maritime  Court  for  the  Middle  Dis- 
trict; passed  JULY  8,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Maritime  Court  for  the  Middle  District  of 
this  Colony  is  advertised  to  be  held  at  Boston,  on  the  23d 
day  of  July  instant,  for  the  trial  of  the  justice  of  the  captures 
of  the  Ships  named  the  Lord  Howe,  George,  Anne,  and 
Lady  Juliana,  and  the  Brigantine  named  the  Annabella, 
and  the  Judge  of  said  Court  has,  in  his  Petition  to  this  Court, 
shown  that,  since  the  advertisement  aforesaid,  he  finds  it 
will  be  inconvenient,  if  not  impracticable,  to  hold  his  Court 
at  Boston  as  aforesaid,  and  prayed  this  Court  to  enable  him 
to  hold  the  same  Court  at  Salem,  in  the  County  of  Essex, 
on  the  said  23d  day  of  July: 

Resolved,  That  the  Maritime  Court  aforesaid,  for  the 
trial  of  the  captures  aforesaid,  be  held  at  Salem,  in  the 
County  of  Essex,  on  Tuesday,  the.  23d  day  of  July  instant, 
at  the  Meeting-House  of  the  Reverend  Messrs.  Barnard  and 
Dunbar.  at  the  hour  of  ten  in  the  forenoon ;  and  that  all 
proceedings  at  the  same  Court  shall  be  valid  and  effectual 
in  law,  in  like  manner  as  if  it  had  been  held  at  Boston  on 
the  same  day,  according  to  the  original  advertisement  thereof, 
of  which  all  persons  concerned  will  take  notice,  and  govern 
themselves  accordingly. 

Resolve  for  furnishing  Forces  stationed  on  ELIZABETH 
ISLANDS  with  Powder,  fyc.;  passed  JULY  8,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  ordered  to  deliver  to  Mr.  John  Reed, 
for  Major  Basset,  for  the  use  of  the  men  stationed  on  the 
Elizabeth  Islands,  and  the  Cannon  there  placed,  the  quan- 
tity of  one  hundred  and  fifty  weight  of  Powder,  one  hundred 
and  fifty  weight  of  leaden  Balls,  and  three  hundred  Flints, 
he,  the  said  Basset,  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court  for  the 


same. 

Resolve  for  draughting  Men  to  make  up  the  Jive  thousand 
to  reinforce  the  Army  in  NEW-YORK  and  CANADA  ;  passed 
JULY  9,  1776. 

Whereas  this  Court  have  been  informed  that  some  of  the 
Towns  and  Plantations  in  this  Colony  have  not  as  yet  raised 
the  proportion  assigned  them  of  the  five  thousand  Men  for 
the  reinforcement  of  the  Continental  Army  in  New-York 
and  Canada,  and  it  is  of  great  importance  that  those  rein- 
forcements should  be  immediately  raised  and  sent  forward : 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  where  any  Town  or  Plantation  shall  be 
delinquent  as  aforesaid,  the  Commanding  Officers,  where 
there  is  a  Field  Officer,  or  where  there  is  no  Field  Officer, 
the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Company,  and  where  the 
Militia  is  not  settled,  the  Committees  of  Correspondence, 
&tc.,  of  such  Town  or  Plantation,  and  where  no  such  Com- 
mittees are,  the  Selectmen,  shall  forthwith  call  together  all 
the  men  borne  on  the  Training  List  and  Alarm  List  in  such 
Town  or  Plantation  ;  and  if  a  sufficient  number  to  complete 
their  complement  do  not  then  inlist  for  the  service  aforesaid, 
the  said  Officers,  Committees,  or  Selectmen,  shall  proceed 
to  draught  out  so  many  men  as  shall  be  necessary  to  com- 


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MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


318 


plete  the  proportion  assigned  to  such  Town  or  Plantation, 
in  order  that  the  men  so  inlisted  or  draughted  out  may 
march  without  delay  to  the  places  of  their  destination.  And 
•  in  case  any  person,  either  on  the  Training  or  the  Alarm 
List,  shall  neglect  to  attend  at  such  time  as  he  shall  be 
notified,  not  having  sufficient  reason  therefor,  in  the  judgment 
of  the  Officer,  Committee,  or  Selectmen,  he  shall  forfeit  and 
pay  the  sum  of  £10.  And  in  case  any  person  draughted 
as  aforesaid  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  go  upon  the  service 
required,  either  in  person  or  by  procuring  some  able-bodied 
effective  man  in  his  stead,  he  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum 
of  £10;  said  forfeiture  to  be  paid  within  twenty-four  hours 
to  the  Officers,  Committees,  or  Selectmen,  aforesaid  ;  and 
on  failure  hereof,  he  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  further  sum 
of  £3,  both  of  said  forfeitures  to  be  recovered  in  the  same 
manner  as  is  prescribed  in  an  act  lately  passed  for  regulating 
the  Militia  of  this  Colony,  for  the  recovery  of  fines  and 
forfeitures  that  may  be  incurred  by  a  failure  of  attendance 
on  regimental  musters  therein  required.  And  the  Officers, 
Committees,  or  Selectmen,  shall  proceed  in  draughting,  in 
manner  as  is  before  directed,  till  the  moneys  collected  shall 
be  sufficient  to  hire  men  to  complete  the  number  required 
of  such  Town  or  Plantation  ;  which  money  the  said  Officers, 
Committees,  or  Selectmen,  are  hereby  required  to  expend 
for  this  purpose ;  and  if  there  shall  be  any  overplus  remain- 
ing, it  shall  be  employed  for  the  benefit  of  the  Company  to 
which  such  delinquent  or  delinquents  belong,  in  such  manner 
as  said  Company  shall  agree. 

Resolve  for  lending  the  Selectmen  of  SALEM  two  Field-  Car- 
riages; passed  JULY  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  deliver,  or  cause  to  be 
delivered,  to  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Salem,  two  of 
the  Field-Carriages  belonging  to  the  Colony,  now  at  that 
Town,  viz:  one  for  an  eighteen-pounder,  one  for  a  twelve- 
pounder,  or  one  for  a  nine-pounder,  to  be  used  in  said  Town 
for  their  defence  till  the  further  order  of  this  Court,  or  of  the 
Council,  or  such  Committee  of  this  Court  as  they  may 
appoint  to  direct  in  the  military  concerns  of  this  Colony  in 
the  recess  or  recesses  of  this  Court. 

Resolve  for  furnishing  the  Colonial  Regiments  with  neces- 
sary articks  for  the  Sick ;  passed  JULY  10,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony  is 
directed,  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court,  to  serve  out  the  Rations 
to  the  Regiments  of  Colonels  Whitney,  Marshall,  and  Crafts, 
conformable  to  the  proportions  stated  in  the  establishment 
for  said  Regiments ;  and  whereas  numbers  of  the  men  are 
now  sick  and  daily  falling  sick :  Therefore3 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  authorized  and  permitted  to  furnish  said  Regi- 
ments with  such  articles  as  may  be  more  suitable  for  the 
sick  than  Fresh  or  Salt  Provisions,  provided  that  said  Sup- 
plies do  not  exceed  the  value  of  the  Salt  Provisions  allowed 
in  said  establishment.  And  the  Commissaries  of  the  several 
Companies  upon  the  sea-coast  are  hereby  directed  to  furnish 
the  sick  of  the  said  Companies  in  like  manner,  provided  that 
the  said  Supplies  do  not  exceed  the  value  of  the  Salt  Provi- 
sions allowed  in  said  establishment. 

Resolve  for  raising  every  twenty-fifth  Man  to  reinforce  the 
Northern  Army;  passed  JULY  10,  1776. 

Whereas  the  honourable  the  American  Congress  have 
lately  made  upon  the  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay  a 
most  urgent  requisition  for  a  further  reinforcement  by  two 
Regiments  of  its  Militia,  to  support  our  Army  in  the  North- 
ern or  Canada  department :  And  whereas  the  reinforcements 
lately  received  by  the  enemy  in  that  quarter  render  it  of  the 
last  consequence  to  the  safety  of  the  United  Colonies,  and 
of  this  in  particular,  that  the  readiest  compliance  be  made 
herewith : 

Resolved,  That  there  be  immediately  raised  two  Regi- 
ments, in  the  following  manner,  viz:  That  the  Commanding 
Officer  in  every  Town  and  Plantation  where  there  is  a  Field- 
Officer,  or  where  there  is  no  Field-Officer,  that  the  Com- 
manding Officers  of  the  Companies,  or  where  the  Militia  is 
not  settled,  that  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspec- 
tion and  Safety,  or  where  there  is  no  such  Committee,  the 
Selectmen,  cause  the  whole  Militia  of  such  Town  or  Plan- 


tation, consisting  of  the  Training  Band  and  Alarm  Lists,  to 
be  immediately  mustered,  and  one  man  out  of  every  twenty- 
five,  exclusive  of  those  already  raised  or  ordered  to  be  raised, 
of  all  the  persons  borne  on  both  the  aforesaid  Lists,  to  be 
inlisted  into  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies,  to  serve 
until  the  first  day  of  December  next,  unless  sooner  duly 
discharged.  And  in  case  of  a  fraction  in  the  number  on 
the  said  Lists,  if  it  amounts  to  more  than  half  of  twenty-five, 
an  additional  man  shall  in  that  case  be  inlisted ;  but  if  less, 
no  such  additional  inlistment  shall  be  made.  Each  man  to 
be  furnished  with  a  good  Firearm  and  Bayonet  fitted  thereto, 
a  Cartouch-box,  Knapsack,  and  Blanket ;  or  instead  of  a 
Bayone.t,  a  Hatchet  or  Tomahawk.  And  for  their  encou- 
ragement readily  to  enter  into  this  important  service,  there 
shall  be  paid  to  each  Non-Commissioned  Officer  and  Pri- 
vate Soldier,  equipped  as  aforesaid,  on  his  passing  muster, 
12*.  to  purchase  a  blanket,  6*.  for  the  use  of  his  arms,  and 
one  month's  advance  pay.  Their  further  pay  and  estab- 
lishment shall  be  the  same  as  is  for  JNon-Commissioned  Offi- 
cers and  Soldiers  in  the  Continental  Army.  Their  monthly 
pay  to  commence  three  days  next  preceding  the  day  of  their 
marching  from  home.  They  shall  be  allowed  one  penny, 
lawful  money,  per  mile,  in  lieu  of  rations,  to  support  them  on 
their  march  going  and  returning,  and  one  day's  pay  for  every 
twenty  miles  between  their  home  and  the  general  rendez- 
vous, and  also  from  the  place  of  their  discharge  back  again 
to  their  homes. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  there  be  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee for  each  County  in  the  Colony,  whose  business  it  shall 
be  to  see  the  aforementioned  inlistments  completed  without 
delay,  to  form  the  men  into  Companies,  to  muster  and  pay 
them  for  their  blankets,  and  for  the  use  of  their  arms ;  also 
to  pay  all  the  Commissioned,  Non-Commissioned,  and  Staff 
Officers,  and  Privates,  one  month's  advance  pay;  and  to' 
appoint  meet  persons  for  Captains  and  Subalterns  of  the 
Companies  to  be  raised  in  their  respective  Counties ;  to  fill 
up  and  deliver  to  said  Captains  and  Subalterns  their  Com- 
missions accordingly,  for  which  purpose  they  shall  receive 
blanks  from  the  honourable  Council. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  to  each  Regiment  there 
shall  be  appointed  and  commissioned  by  the  honourable 
Council,  one  Colonel,  one  Lieutenant-Colonel,  one  Major, 
and  such  Staff  and  other  Officers,  as  are  ordered  for  the 
other  Regiments  destined  for  Canada;  that  each  of  said 
Regiments  consist  of  eight  Companies  ;  each  of  said  Com- 
panies, of  one  Captain,  one  First  Lieutenant,  one  Second 
Lieutenant,  one  Ensign,  four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  one 
Drum,  one  Fife,  and  as  near  as  may  be,  of  seventy-seven 
Privates — the  Non-Commissioned  Officers  in  each  Company 
to  be  appointed  by  the  Commission  Officers  of  the  same. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  Regiments  be  formed  in 
the  following  manner,  viz :  Beginning  at  the  westerly  part 
of  the  County  of  Berkshire,  and  proceeding  from  west  to 
east,  the  eight  first  Companies  shall  make  one  Regiment ; 
then  proceeding  in  the  same  course,  the  eight  next  Compa- 
nies shall  make  another  Regiment;  each  of  said  Regiments 
to  march  for  the  Northern  or  Canada  Department  at  such 
time,  in  such  manner,  and  by  such  routes,  as  the  Council 
shall  order ;  and  each  Non-Commissioned  Officer  and  Private 
belonging  to  the  said  Regiments  to  be  paid  a  bounty  of  £7 
on  receiving  said  orders,  by  the  Committees  aforesaid.  And 
in  case  there  shall  be  any  supernumerary  men,  they  shall 
be  forthwith  marched  into  the  Works  or  Forts  in  or  near 
Boston,  and  shall  be  subject  to  the  regulation  and  orders  of 
Council.  And  notwithstanding  this  Court  entertain  a  high 
confidence  in  the  readiness  of  the  good  people  of  this  Colony 
to  comply  with  a  request  so  important,  yet  in  case  there  should 
be  any  individual  who  should  be  so  far  divested  of  regard 
for  his  own  and  country's  salvation,  as  to  refuse  to  bear  his 
part  in  its  defence,  this  Court  consider  themselves  under 
the  hard  necessity,  in  duty  to  the  whole,  to  Resolve,  and 
it  is  accordingly 

Resolved,  That  in  case  the  number  required  by  the  afore- 
mentioned Rule  of  any  Town  or  Plantation  is  not  inlisted 
without  delay,  and  every  other  attempt  for  this  purpose 
prove  ineffectual,  the  Commanding  Officer  in  such  Town  or 
Plantation,  if  there  is  a  Field  Officer,  or  if  there  is  no  Field 
Officer,  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Company,  or  where 
the  Regiment  is  not  settled,  the  Committee  of  Correspond- 
ence, Inspection,  and  Safety,  or  where  there  is  no  such  Com- 
mittee, the  Selectmen,  shall;  within  forty-eight  hours  after 


319 


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320 


receiving  these  orders,  proceed  to  complete  the  number 
required  of  such  Town  or  Plantation  by  the  Rule  before 
mentioned,  by  a  draught  on  the  whole  Militia  of  said  Town 
or  Plantation,  consisting  of  the  Alarm  List,  as  well  of  the 
Training  Band.  And  in  order  hereto,  the  aforesaid  Officers, 
Committees,  or  Selectmen,  respectively,  shall  seasonably 
cause  to  be  warned  a  muster  of  the  whole  Militia  of  said 
Town  or  Plantation  ;  and  in  case  any  person,  either  on  the 
Training  Band  or  Alarm  Lists,  shall  neglect  to  attend  agree- 
able to  such  warning,  not  having  any  sufficient  reason  there- 
for, in  the  judgment  of  the  Officers,  Committee,  or  Selectmen, 
aforesaid,  he  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  £10;  and  in 
case  any  person  draughted  as  aforesaid  shall  neglect  or  refuse 
to  go  upon  the  service  herein  required,  either  in  person  or 
•by  procuring  some  able-bodied  effective  man  in  his  stead,  he 
shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  sum  of  £10;  said  forfeitures  to  be 
paid  within  twenty-four  hours  to  the  Officers,  Committees, 
or  Selectmen,  aforesaid ;  and  on  failure  hereof,  he  shall  forfeit 
and  pay  the  further  sum  of  £3;  both  of  said  Forfeitures  to 
be  recovered  in  the  same  manner  as  is  prescribed  in  an  Act 
•lately  passed  for  regulating  the  Militia  of  this  Colony  for 
the  recovery  of  Fines  and  Forfeitures  that  may  be  incurred 
by  a  failure  of  attendance  on  Regimental  musters  therein 
required.  And  the  Officers,  Committee,  or  Selectmen,  shall 
proceed  in  draughting  in  manner  as  is  before  directed,  until 
the  moneys  forfeited  shall  be  sufficient  to  complete  the  num- 
ber of  men  required  of  such  Town;  which  money  the  said 
Officers,  Committee,  or  Selectmen,  are  hereby  required  to 
expend  for  this  purpose;  and  if  there  shall  be  any  overplus 
remaining,  it  shall  be  employed  for  the  benefit  of  the  Com- 
pany to  which  such  delinquent  or  delinquents  belonged,  in 
such  manner  as  said  Company  shall  agree. 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be  a 
'  Committee  for  the  purposes  before  mentioned,  for  the  several 
Counties  hereafter  named,  who  shall  receive  out  of  the 
Treasury  of  this  Colony  such  sums  as  the  Council  shall 
order,  to  enable  them  to  discharge  the  duty  herein  required 
of  them,  who  shall  be  severally  accountable  to  this  Court, 
viz:  Jonathan  Metcalf,  Esq.,  Benjamin  Guild,  Esq.,  Colonel 
Aaron  Davis,  Nathaniel  Bayley,  Esq.,  Mr.  Daniel  Perry, 
and  Oliver  Wendell,  Esq.,  for  the  County  of  Suffolk; 
Aaron  Wood,  Esq.,  Major  Samuel  Epes,  Mr.  Nehemiah 
Abbot,  Colonel  Daniel  Spafford,  Dudley  Carlton,  Esq., 
Thomas  Gerry,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Daniel  Chute,  for  the 
County  of  Essex ;  Jonas  Di-x,  Esq.,  Major  Timothy  Walker, 
Colonel  Josiah  Sartell,  Colonel  Simeon  Spaulding.  Mr. 
George  Brigham,  Captain  Joseph  Hosmer,  Colonel  William 
Thompson,  Josiah  Stone,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Joseph  Reed, 
for  the  County  of  Middlesex ;  Joseph  Haieley,  Esq.,  Noah 
Goodman,  Esq.,  Major  William  Pyncheon,  Jun.,  Mr.  David 
Saxton,  Mr.  Luke  Hitchcock,  Captain  Israel  Hubbard,  and 
Captain  Elisha  Cranston,  for  the  County  of  Hampshire : 
WUliam  Drew,  Esq.,  Hugh  Orr,  Esq.,  Colonel  Edward 
Mitchell,  Colonel  Ebenczer  White,  and  Captain  Robert 
Lenthal  Eels,  for  the  County  of  Plymouth;  Mr.  Amos 
Knowlcs,  Jun.,  and  Joseph  Nye,  Esq.,  of  Sandwich,  for  the 
County  of  Barnstable ;  Captain  John  Stearns,  Colonel 
Shubael  Peck,  Colonel  Nathaniel  Leonard,  Edward  Pope, 
Esq.,  and  Colonel  Seth  Pope,  for  the  County  of  Bristol ; 
Joseph  Slorer,  Esq.,  and  Colonel  Ichabod  Goodwin,  for  the 
County  of  York ;  Thomas  Cook,  Esq.,  for  the  County  of 
Dukes- County;  Captain  Seth  Washburn,  Captain  Nathaniel 
Wilson,  Mr.  Abner  Rawson,  Captain  William  Page,  Amos 
fiingletary,  Esq.,  Mr.  John  Ball,  Captain  John  Haven, 
Captain  Nicholas  Dyke,  and  Major  William  Learned,  for 
the  County  of  Worcester;  Captain  Joseph  Noyes,  Joshua 
Fabyer,  Esq.,  and  John  Lewis,  Esq.,  for  the  County  of 
Cumberland;  William  Lithgoiv,  Esq.,  for  the  County  of 
Lincoln;  Mr.  Azariah  Root,  Major  Caleb  Hyde,  and  Cap- 
tain Isaac  Stratton,  for  the  County  of  Berkshire;  Mr.  Stephen 
Hussey,  for  the  County  of  Nantucket. 

Resolve  for  furnishing  the  Town  of  MARBLEHEAD  with 
apparatus  for  eight  Cannon,  fy-c.;  passed  JULY  10, 1776. 
Whereas  this  Court  have  granted  to  be  supplied  for  the 
Town  and  Harbour  of  Marblchead  eight  pieces  of  Cannon, 
and  the  Commissary-General  was  directed  to  deliver  the 
same  to  Mr.  Jonathan  Orne,or  order, and  the  Commissary- 
General  declines  to  deliver  with  said  Cannon  the  apparatus, 
as  Ladles,  Spunges,  Match-Rope,  Port-Fires,  and   other 
articles  necessary  and  fit  for  said  Cannon : 


It  is  therefore  Resolved,  That  the  Commissary  be,  and 
hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Samuel  Giles,  or  order, 
such  articles  of  the  apparatus  necessary  for  said  eight  pieces 
of  Cannon,  as  the  said  Commissary  has  in  his  possession- 
belonging  to  this  Colony  and  not  otherwise  appropriated, 
he,  the  said  Samuel  Giles,  to  be  accountable  to  this  Court 
for  the  same. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  Colonel  Thomas  Crafts 
be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  deliver  to  the  said  Samuel 
Giles,  or  order,  a  Fieldpiece  belonging  to  and  mounted  by 
the  Town  of  Marblehead,  and  now  in  possession  of  said 
Colonel  Crafts. 

JAMES  BIUCKET,  Esq.,  appointed  a  Brigadier-General,  to 
command  the  Forces  to  be  sent  to  CANADA  ;  passed  JULY 
11,1776. 
The   House   made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  James  Bricket, 

Esq.,  as  a  Brigadier-General,  to  command  the  Forces  to  be 

sent  to  Canada,  in  the  room  of  John  Cummings,  Esq.,  who 

declines  serving.     Concurred  by  Council. 

A  Second  Lieutenant  chosen  for  the  Company  of  Matrosses 
at  SALEM;  JULY  11,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  John  Berry,  as 
Second  Lieutenant  of  the  Company  of  Matrosses,  in  the 
Town  of  Salem,  in  the  room  of  David  Felt,  who  declines 
serving. 

Concurred  by  Council. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  NATHAN  PHILLIPS  ;  passed  JULY 
11,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Nathan  Phillips, 

Ordered,  That  the  Petitioner  serve  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence,  &c.,  of  Boothbay,  for  1775,  with  a  copy 
of  this  Petition,  that  they  show  cause,  if  any  they  have,  on 
the  third  Wednesday  of  the  next  sitting  of  this  Court,  why 
the  prayer  thereof  should  not  be  granted. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  JOSIAH  KING  ;  passed  JULY  11, 

1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Josiah  King, 

Ordered,  That  the  Petitioner  serve  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence,  &tc.,  of  Boothbay,  for  1775;  with  a  copy 
of  this  Petition,  that  they  show  cause,  if  any  they  have,  on 
the  third  Wednesday  of  the  next  sitting  of  this  Court,  why 
the  prayer  thereof  should  not  be  granted. 

Resolve  for  paying  JAMES  OTIS,  Esq.,  Interest  on  his  Notes; 
passed  JULY  11,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Receiver-General  of  this  Colony  be, 
and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  pay  the  said  James  Otis,  Jun., 
Esq.,  or  order,  the  Interest  of  any  Notes  or  Obligations  payable 
to  him,  which  he  may  exhibit  to  said  Treasurer,  signed  by 
Harrison  Gray,  in  behalf  of  this  Colony,  as  Receiver-Gene- 
ral of  the  same,  according  to  the  tenor  thereof:  Provided, 
said  Notes  appear  to  be  signed  before  the  19th  of  April, 
1775.  _ 

Resolve  establishing  the  form  of  Inlistment  for  the  twenty- 
Jifth  part  of  the  Militia,  &fc.;  passed  JULY  12,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  form  of  the  Inlistment  for  the  twenty- 
fifth  part  of  the  Militia,  ordered  by  this  Court  in  their  present 
session  to  be  draughted  from  the  Alarm  and  Training-Band 
Lists  in  this  Colony,  for  the  service  of  the  United  American 
Colonies,  be  as  follows: 

"  We,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  do  hereby  severally 
inlist  into  the  service  of  the  United  American  Colonies,  and 
severaly  promise  and  engage  to  continue  in  such  service 
until  the  first  day  of  December,  1776,  unless  sooner  dis- 
charged ;  and  to  furnish  ourselves  each  with  a  good  effective 
fire-arm,  and,  if  possible,  a  bayonet  fitted  thereto,  a  cartridge- 
box,  and  blanket,  or,  in  lieu  of  a  bayonet,  a  hatchet  or 
tomahawk.  We  also,  in  like  manner,  promise  and  engage 
to  obey  all  the  lawful  commands  of  the  officers  appointed, 
or  to  be  appointed,  over  us,  pursuant  to  the  Resolves  of  the 
General  Court  of  the  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay; 
and,  under  the  direction  of  such  Officers,  to  march,  when 
ordered,  with  the  utmost  despatch,  to  the  Northern  Depart- 


321 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


322 


ment,  or  Canada,  and  to  be  subject  to  all  such  rules  and 
regulations,  in  every  respect,  as  are  provided  by  the  Conti- 
nental Army.  July,  1776." 

Adjutant  appointed  for  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Militia,  in 
the  County  of  LINCOLN;  JULY  12,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Abijah  Waterman, 
as  an  Adjutant  to  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the 
County  of  Lincoln. 

Concurred  by  Council. 

Resolve  for  supplying  the  Town  O/FALMOUTH  with  Spunges, 
Sfc.,  for  Cannon;  passed  JULY  12,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  supply  Samuel  Freeman, 
Esq.,  or  his  order,  with  suitable  Spunges,  Ladles,  and  other 
apparatus  necessary  for  the  four  Cannon  which  he  was  lately 
ordered,  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court,  to  deliver  to  said  Free- 
man, for  the  defence  of  the  Town  of  Falmouth. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  from  FRYBURGH  and  BROWNFIELD  ; 
passed  JULY  18,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Phillips,  Jim.,  of  Andover, 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Richard 
Kimball,  of  Fry  burgh,  or  his  order,  ninety  pounds  of  Gun- 
powder, and  twenty-five  pounds  of  Gunpowder  to  Benjamin 
Epes,  of  Brownfield ;  and  that  the  Commissary -General  be, 
and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  the  abovesaid  Rich- 
ard Kimball,  or  order,  two  hundred  and  seventy  pounds  of 
Lead,  three  hundred  Flints,  and  twelve  good  Fire-Anns ; 
and  to  the  abovesaid  Benjamin  Epes,  seventy-five  pounds  of 
Lead,  one  hundred  Flints,  and  eight  good  Fire-Arms;  they, 
the  said  Kimball  and  Epes,  to  bfe  accountable  to  this  Court 
therefor. 

Resolve  directing  that  the  Maritime  Court  for  the  Middle 
District  should  be  held  at  SALEM,  JULY  30 ;  passed  JULY 
13,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Maritime  Court  for  the  Middle  District  of 
this  Colony  is  advertised  to  be  held  at  Boston,  on  the  23d 
day  of  July  instant,  for  the  trial  of  the  justice  of  the  cap- 
tures of  the  Ships  named  the  Lord  Howe,  George,  Anne, 
and  Lady  Juliana,  and  the  Brigantine  named  the  Annabella; 
and  the  Judge  of  said  Court  presented  a  Petition  to  this 
Court,  showing  that  since  the  advertisement  aforesaid,  he 
finds  it  will  be  inconvenient,  if  not  impracticable,  to  hold  Ijis 
Court  at  Boston,  as  aforesaid,  and  praying  this  Court  to 
enable  him  to  hold  the  same  Court  at  Salem,  in  the  County 
of  Essex,  on  the  said  23d  day  of  July;  and  this  Court  there- 
upon, by  a  Resolve  passed  the  9th  day  of  July,  instant, 
ordered  the  said  Maritime  Court  to  be  held  at  Salem  accord- 
ingly, but  it  now  appearing  to  this  Court  that  it  will  be  most 
convenient  that  the  said  Maritime  Court,  for  the  trials  afore- 
said, be  held  at  Salem  aforesaid,  on  the  30th  day  of  July 
instant : 

Resolved,  That  the  Resolve  aforesaid  of  this  Court, 
passed  on  the  said  9th  day  of  July,  be,  and  hereby  is,  re- 
voked ;  and  that  the  said  Maritime  Court,  for  the  trial  of 
the  justice  of  the  captures  aforesaid,  be  held  at  the  Court- 
House  in  Salem  aforesaid,  on  Tuesday,  the  30th  day  of  July 
instant,  at  the  hour  of  ten,  in  the  forenoon ;  and  that  all 
proceedings  at  the  same  Court  shall  be  valid  and  effectual  in 
law,  in  like  manner  as  if  it  had  been  held  in  Boston,  accord- 
ing to  the  original  advertisement  thereof:  of  which  all  per- 
sons concerned  will  take  notice',  and  govern  themselves 
accordingly. 

Resolve  for  supplying  WESTMINSTER,  in  the  Province  of 
NEW-YORK,  ivith  Powder,  Lead,  fyc.;  passed  JULY  13, 
1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  of  Westmin- 
ster, in  the  County  of  Cumberland,  and  Province  of  New- 
York,  representing  that  said  Town  is  in  an  exposed  situation, 
and  destitute  of  Ammunition,  &.C.,  and  praying  for  a  supply, 

&.C.,  SiC., 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  directed  to  deliver  to  Major  Abijah  Lovtjoy  sixty 
pounds  of  Powder,  one  hundred  and  twenty  pounds  of  Lead, 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  21 


and  one  hundred  Flints,  he  paying  for  the  same  at  the  stated 
price. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  O/CAV- 
ENDISH,  in  NEW-YORK  ;  passed  JULY  13,  1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Phinehas  Kimball,  and  others,  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  of  Cavendish,  in  the  County  of  Cumber- 
land, in  the  Colony  of  Neiv-  York,  praying  for  Powder  and 
Lead, 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  directed  to  deliver  to  Captain  John  Coffin  fifteen 
pounds  of  Powder,  thirty  pounds  of  Lead,  and  thirty  Flints. 

Resolve  for  forwarding  Tents,  SfC.,  to  the  Army;  passed 
JULY  13,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed,  as  soon  as  possible,  to  trans- 
port such  Tents  as  he  has  received  from  Philadelphia,  and 
such  others  as  he  can  provide,  to  the  amount,  in  the  whole, 
of  nine  hundred,  to  Crown-Point,  for  the  use  of  the  Forces 
raised  by  this  Colony,  and  destined  for  the  Northern  Depart- 
ment, or  Canada,  to  be  delivered  to  the  Commissary  of  the 
United  Colonies  there,  or  his  order. 

Further  Resolved,  That  Edward  Mitchell,  Esq.,  Theo- 
philus  Gushing,  Esq.,  and  William  Drew,  Esq.,  be  a  Com- 
mittee, to  provide  fifteen  hundred  Canteens,  and  two  hundred 
and  fifty  Camp  Kettles,  and  Camp  Equipage,  for  the  use 
of  the  last  fifteen  hundred  men  to  be  raised  agreeaftle  to  the 
last  Resolve  of  the  honourable  Continental  Congress,  and 
that  they  send  them  forward  to  the  several  places,  and  in 
like  proportions  with  those  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Court 
ordered  for  the'other  Forces  destined  to  the  same  place. 

Resolve  for  supplying  Mr.  TIMOTHY  NEWELL  with  three 
boxes  of  Tin;  passed  JULY  13,  1776. 

Whereas  this  Court  is  informed  that  some  boxes  of  Tin 
are  in  the  hands  of  the  Committee  of  this  Court  for  securing 
the  effects  belonging  to  the  enemies  of  this  Colony  who 
have  left  the  Town  of  Boston  since  April  19,  1775;  and 
as  Camp  Kettles  are  absolutely  necessary  for  the  men  now 
going  on  the  Northern  Department:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  aforesaid  be,  and  they 
hereby  are,  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Timothy  Newell,  three 
boxes  of  said  Tin,  or  such  part  thereof  as  may  be  sufficient 
for  completing  the  number  of  Tin  Kettles  ordered  to  be 
made — he  giving  his  receipt  to  them  to  be  accountable  to 
this  Court  lor  the  same. 

Resolve  for  supplying  BAKER'S  TOWN,  in  the  County  of 
CUMBERLAND,  with  Poioder,  &/-C. ;  passed  JULY  13, 1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  thi^  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Nathaniel 
Bailey,  for  the  use  and  defence  of  the  inhabitants  of  a  plan- 
tation called  Baker's  Town,  in  the  County  of  Cumberland, 
twenty-seven  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  eighty  pounds  of  Balls, 
and  one  hundred  Flints — the  said  inhabitants  to  be  account- 
able to  this  Court  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  appointing  Gunners  to  the  Companies  of  Ma- 
trosses;  passed  JULY  13,  1776. 

Whereas  in  the  Resolve  of  the  tenth  of  February  last, 
establishing  a  Company  of  Matrosses  at  Marblehead,  it  is 
ordered,  that  the  establishment  for  said  Company  be  the 
same  as  the  other  sea-coast  Companies;  and  as  Gunners, 
Quarter-Gunners,  &,c.,  for  Companies  of  Matrosses  appear 
more  proper  than  Sergeants  and  Corporals:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  there  be  appointed  by  the  commissioned 
Officers  of  every  Company  of  Matrosses,  consisting  of  fifty 
men,  including  Officers,  one  Gunner,  whose  pay  shall  be 
46s.  per  calendar  month ;  one  Gunner's  Mate,  at  44*. ;  and 
eight  Quarter-Gunners,  at  42s.  each. 

And  whereas  the  above-mentioned  Resolve  of  the  tenth 
of  February,  for  the  establishment  of  the  Company  of  Ma- 
trosses now  stationed  at  Marblehead,  directed  that  said  Com- 
pany should  be  augmented  to  the  number  of  one  hundred, 
(by  draughting  troops  to  join  it  from  the  Companies  of  sea- 
coast  men,)  which  makes  it  necessary  that  said  Company 
should  have  a  greater  number  of  Officers :  Therefore, 

It  is  further  Resolved,  That  so  long  as  it  consists  of  a 


323 


MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  JULY,  1776. 


324 


hundred  men,  including  Officers,  there  be  allowed  to  said 
Company,  one  Gunner,  one  Gunner's  Mate,  and  sixteen 
Quarter-Gunners,  whose  pay  shall  be  as  above;  and  that  the 
Pay-Roil  exhibited  by  Captain  Fitteplace  be  paid  accord- 
ingly. 

Adjutant  appointed  for  the  Sixth  Regiment  of  Militia,  in 
the  County  of  LINCOLN,  JULY  13,  1776. 

The  House  made  choice,  by  ballot,  of  Jonas  Farnsworth, 
as  an  Adjutant  to  the  Sixth  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the 
County  of  Lincoln. 

Concurred  by  Council. 

Resolve  on  the  Petition  O/"ISRAEL  DAVIS;  passed  JULY  13, 

1776. 

On  the  Petition  of  Captain  Israel  Davis, 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  ordered  to  deliver  to  David  Reed,  Commissary 
for  the  Company  under  said  Davis,  or  his  order,  fifty  weight 
of  Powder,  one  hundred  and  fifty  weight  of  Leaden  Ball, 
one  hundred  Flints,  and  two  Whale-Boats,  all  for  the  use 
of  said  Company — the  said  Reed  to  be  accountable  for  said 
articles. 

It  is  likewise  Ordered,  That  said  Davis  extend  his 
guards  to  the  east  side  of  Boothbay  Harbour;  and  that  the 
said  Reed  apply  to  James  Cargill  for  the  Boat  formerly 
belonging  to  Fort  Pownall,  who  is  hereby  ordered  to  deliver 
the  same  to  him,  or  his  order;  and  if  the  Commissary- 
General  cannot  supply  said  Whale-Boats,  the  said  Reed  is 
hereby  ordered  to  furnish  the  same,  and  lay  his  accounts 
before  this  Court  for  allowance. 

Resolve  relative  to  the  ST.  JOHN'S  and,  MICKMACK  INDIANS; 
passed  JULY  13,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Stephen  Smith,  the  Truckmaster  at  Ma- 
chias,  be,  and  hereby  is,  directed  to  trade  with  the  St.  John's 
and  the  Mickmack  Indians,  and,  in  exchange  for  their  Furs, 
to  supply  them,  from  time  to  time,  with  such  goods  as  they 
may  want;  and  the  Council  are  desired  and  empowered  to 
draw  warrants  upon  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  for  a  sum 
not  exceeding  £1,000,  in  favour  of  said  Stephen  Smith,  to 
enable  him  to  purchase  a  sufficient  quantity  of  goods  for  the 
purpose  above  mentioned. 

Resolved,  That  the  Council  be  desired,  and  are  hereby 
empowered  to  provide  some  suitable  person,  of  our  own 
profession,  to  officiate  as  a  Minister  among  them,  and  the 
Government  will  allow  him  a  suitable  compensation  for  his 
service. 

Resolved,  That  there  be  employed  in  the  Continental 
service  five  hundred  Indians  out  of  the  two  Tribes  above 
mentioned,  which,  together  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  of 
such  of  the  English  as  may  inlist,  shall  form  one  Regiment; 
the  three  Field-Officers  to  be  English,  the  other  commis- 
sioned Officers  to  be  one-half  English  and  one-half  Indian, 
to  be  put  upon  such  an  establishment  as  the  Court  may 
order;  each  Indian  to  be  allowed  a  Rifle  Shirt,  a  Blanket, 
a  pair  of  Shoes  and  Buckles,  or  Moccasins. 

Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Council  be,  and  hereby 
are,  desired  to  order  that  a  Silver  Gorget,  with  proper  devices, 
be  provided;  as'  also  a  Silver  Heart,  with  proper  devices 
on  each  side ;  and  be  presented  to  the  Indians  above  men- 
tioned. 

Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Council  be  desired,  and 
are  hereby  empowered,  to  make  the  same  presents  to  the 
St.  John's  and  Mickmack  Indians,  as  were  the  last  year 
made  to  those  Indians  that  represented  the  Penobscot  Tribe; 
and  that  their  expenses  in  coming  up  from  or  returning  to 
their  own  country  be  also  defrayed  by  the  Council. 

Resolve  to  put  the  Companies  at  SALEM  under  the  direction 

of  Colonel  PICKERING;  passed  JULY  13,  1776. 
Resolved,  That  the  Company  of  Sea-Coast  men,  and  the 
Company  of  Matrosses  stationed  at  Salem,  be,  and  they 
hereby  are,  in  future,  till  the  further  order  of  this  Court,  put 
under  the  order  and  direction  of  Colonel  Timothy  Pickering, 
Jun. ;  and  in  case  of  his  absence  from  Salem,  said  Com- 
panies to  be,  during;  such  absence,  under  the  order  and 
direction  of  Major  Joseph  Spraguc ;  any  former  Order  or 
Resolve  of  this  Court  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding 


Resolve  on  the  Petition  of  WILLIAM  TUPPER;  passed  JULY 
13,  1776. 

Whereas  it  appears  that  five  separate  Accounts  have  been 
exhibited  to  this  Court  by  Mr.  William  Tapper,  for  sundry 
necessaries  supplied  the  Schooner  Diligent  and  the  Sloop 
Machias  Liberty,  in  the  Colony  service,  and  that  the  several 
Committees  that  have  examined  the  same  have  reported  that 
the  whole  thereof  should  be  paid,  and  that  any  longer  delay 
of  payment  would  be  greatly  to  the  damage  of  the  parties 
by  whom  said  articles  were  furnished :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  £286  18*.  Id.  be  allowed 
and  paid  out  of  the  Colony  Treasury  to  the  said  William 
Tapper,  or  his  order,  in  full  of  said  five  Accounts — he  giving 
proper  receipts  to  the  Treasurer  for  the  same. 

Resolve  for  procuring  Wool;  passed  JULY  13,  1776. 

Whereas  it  may  be  very  difficult  to  obtain  such  quantities 
of  Clothing  as  will  be  necessary  for  the  supply  of  our  Army, 
unless  a  quantity  of  Wool  is  procured :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Durfee,  Esq.,  of  Freetown; 
Joseph  Mayhew,  Esq.,  of  Chilmark;  Captain  John  Richard- 
son, of  Templeton;  Mr.  Lemuel  Williams,  of  Dartmouth; 
Thomas  Cook,  Esq.,  of  Edgartown ;  Mr.  James  Robinson, 
of  Dorchester;  Jonathan  Bass,  Esq.,  of  Braintree ;  and 
Stephen  Huss,  Esq.,  of  Nantucket,  be  a  Committee,  imme- 
diately to  purchase,  on  the  best  terms  they  can,  and  secure 
in  some  safe  place  or  places,  all  the  Sheep's  Wool  they  can 
obtain ;  and  that  the  Committee  report  to  this  Court  the 
names  of  all  persons  whom  they  shall  find  purchasing  that 
article  with  an  intent  to  monopolize,  or  obtain  an  advanced 
price  on  the  same. 

Also,  Resolved,  That  the  honourable  Council  be,  and 
hereby  are,  authorized  and  empowered  to  draw  Warrants 
on  the  Treasurer  of  this  Colony  for  such  sums  as  they  may 
judge  necessary  to  answer  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

Resolve  on  the  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  dis- 
tribute twelve  hundred  Pounds  among  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Eastern  parts  of  the  County  of  LINCOLN  ;  passed 
JULY  13, 1776. 

Whereas  this  Court,  on  the  llth  of  April  last,  did  lend 
to  the  inhabitants  of  the  easterly  part  of  the  County  of  Lin- 
colen,  from  Cumden  to  Machias,  inclusively,  the  sum  of 
£1200,  and  committed  the  same  to  the  Honourable  John 
Taylor,  Esq.,  Colonel  William  Jones,  and  Mr.  James  Noble 
Shannon,  to  be  distributed  by  them  equally  among  said  set- 
tlements ;  and  it  appears  to  this  Court  that  the  said  Commit- 
tee have  distributed  the  sum  of  £1006  13*.  8d.  thereof,  for 
which  they  have  Notes  from  the  Committees  of  the  several 
Plantations:  Therefore, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Shannon  deliver  the  said  Notes  to  the 
Treasurer  of  this  Colony. 

And  whereas  it  appears  that  the  Settlements  or  Plantations 
of  Camden,  Majorbeggaduce,  Fox-Islands,  and  the  Town  of 
Belfast,  have  not  received  their  proportion  of  the  said  loan  ; 
and  it  being  represented  by  Colonel  Jones  and  Mr.  Shannon, 
that  they  can  no  longer  attend  to  the  duties  of  that  appoint- 
ment: Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  they  deliver  the  sum  of  £  1 93  6s.  4d.,  now 
in  their  hands,  unto  Major  James  Minot,  of  Camden,  who 
shall  give  his  Note  therefor  to  the  Treasurer,  and  shall  be 
accountable  to  this  Court  for  the  distribution  thereof,  and 
shall  deliver  the  same  to  the  order  of  the  four  places  above 
mentioned,  or  any  of  them,  in  the  proportions  above  refer- 
red to.  taking  their  Notes,  payable  to  the  Treasurer,  as  for- 
merly ordered ;  and  his  receipt,  together  with  that  of  the 
Treasurer,  if  amounting  to  the  sum  of  £1200,  shall  be 
deemed  sufficient  to  acquit  the  said  Jones  and  Shannon  from 
any  obligation  heretofore  given  by  them  to  the  Treasurer  of 
this  Colony. 

And  whereas  the  inhabitants  of  Camden,  Majorbeggaduce, 
Fox-Islands,  and  Belfast,  stand  in  need  of  a  quantity  of 
Ammunition  for  their  defence :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary-General  of  this  Colony 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  directed  to  deliver  to  the  said  James 
Minot  so  much  Powder,  Balls,  and  Flints,  as  will  amount  to 
one  half  the  sum  of  £193  6*.  4<Z.,  aforesaid,  at  the  rates 
following,  viz :  Powder  at  5*.  per  pound,  Balls  at  6d.  per 


325 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


326 


pound,  and  Flints  at  5s.  per  hundred :  said  Minot  paying     the  East  side  of  St.  George  security  to  pay  them,  for  the 


the  Commissary  aforesaid  for  the  same. 

And  the  said  Minot  is  hereby  directed  to  distribute  the 
same  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  Towns  of  Camden, 
Majorbeggaduce,  Fox-Islands,  and  Belfast,  in  the  same 
proportion  as  the  money,  and  on  the  same  terms. 


use 


fi  •    /~*  i  * 

this  Colony,  such  a  sum,  as  rent  for  the  same,  as  they 

shall  judge  it  to  be  reasonably  worth. 

Grant  for  the  Travel  and  Attendance  of  the  Members  of  the 

House; passed  JULY  13,  1776. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives :  The  Pay-Roll  of  the 
Members  of  the  House,  with  their  Travel  and  Attendance 


Resolve  permitting  Mr.  MASON  WHEATON  to  improve  an 

Estate  O/THOMAS  FLUCKER,  Esquire;  passed  JULY  13,  in  the  House,  from  the  29th  of  May  last  to  the"  13tho'f "july 

1776.  current.     Read  and  approved  by  the  House. 

Resolved,  That  Mason  Wheaton  have  leave  to  improve  In  Council:  Read  and  allowed. 

the  Estate  of  Thomas  Flucker,  who  has  quitted  this  country,  Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  be  drawn  on  the  Treasury  for 

till  the  15th  day  of  April  next,  he  giving  the  Committee  on  £1819  15s.,  in  full  of  said  Roll. 


JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH   TO    MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  14,  1776. 

SIRS  :  I  received  your  letter,  and  arn  well  satisfied  that  I 
have  so  far  pleased  you.  You  mention  sending  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  pounds  by  Captain  Nicholson.  He  brought 
me  an  order  for  that  sum,  but  no  cash.  I  have  sent  the 
order  by  Mr.  Wells  to  receive  the  money.  After  paying 
the  flour  expense  to  the  Potomack,  the  expense  of  dischar- 
ging the  brigs,  and  the  hire  for  the  vessels  for  the  troops  to 
Elk,  I  shall  lay  out  the  remainder  in  any  way  you  please 
to  order.  As  I  have  opened  an  account  for  you,  1  shall 
credit  you  with  the  money,  and  charge  you  for  what  I  do 
and  pay  for  you,  and  render  you  a  statement  of  the  account 
monthly,  or  at  the  end  of  certain  jobs  done. 

Mr.  Wells  has  sundry  proposals  to  make,  but  thinks  it 
hard  that  he  can't  be  paid  his  old  account,  which  I  know  is 
hard  on  him,  as  a  man  can  have  no  trust  here  for  anything, 
and  his  circumstances  won't  admit  of  his  laying  out  of  his 
money  so  long. 

There  are  twenty  barrels  of  superfine  flour  left  with  me, 
and  I  was  at  the  baker's  last  night ;  there  is  a  good  deal  of 
bread  baked  and  very  good.  If  there  is  any  wanted  for  the 
brig,  please  let  me  know  in  time ;  or  if  flour  is  wanted,  I 
have  a  few  barrels  of  flour  I  would  sell  at  nine  shillings  per 
hundred,  which  1  would  send  down  for  the  brig. 

From  your  humble  servant, 

JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety,  at  Annapolis. 

P.  S.  My  flour  is  fresh  and  good,  if  you  should  want  to 
send  any  to  Chingoteague  for  the  brig. 

JOHN  HANSON,  JUN.,  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Fredericktown,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  mode  pointed  out  by  the  Convention  for  arming 
the  men  now  raising  for  the  Continental  service,  I  am  afraid 
will  prove  ineffectual.  The  people  are  much  averse  to 
parting  with  their  arms,  unless  they  are  immediately  paid 
for  them;  and  we  know  of  no  resolve  authorizing  such  pur- 
chase. Should  there  be  any  such,  be  pleased  to  order  a 
copy  to  be  sent ;  or  if  your  honourable  Board  should  think 
proper  to  order  such  guns  as  may  be  necessary,  to  be  bought 
up,  I  think  the  men  would  soon  be  sufficiently  armed;  and 
humbly  offer  it  as  my  opinion,  that  unless  some  such  step 
be  taken,  the  providing  of  arms  here,  for  the  men  that  may 
be  raised  in  this  part  of  the  County,  will  be  altogether 
impracticable. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANSON,  Jun. 
To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of 

the  Council  of  Safety. 

COLONEL  SOMERVILLE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Calvert  County,  July  14,  1776, ) 
Sunday,  five  o'clock.      $ 

GENTLEMEN:  About  one  o'clock  yesterday  morning,  by 
express  from  Captain  Beall,  I  received  information  that 
there  were  forty  sail  of  vessels  off  Point  Lookout,  (eight  of 
which  were  squate-rigged,)  and  requesting  some  assistance 
from  our  Militia,  and  to  get  the  other  part  in  readiness  in 
case  they  should  proceed  up  the  bay.  Colonel  Mackall  not 
being  in  the  country,  I  gave  such  orders  as  I  thought  might 
put  us  in  the  best  posture  of  defence.  The  six  upper  com- 
panies were  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  on  the 


shortest  notice,  and  with  part  of  the  rest  I  went  to  Drum- 
Point.  About  four  o'clock  a  firing  of  cannon,  &c.,  was 
heard,  (supposed  to  be  in  the  Potomack,)  which  is  con- 
firmed this  morning  by  Mr.  Hugh  Hopewell,  Jun.,  who  was 
down  near  where  the  firing  was,  and  brought  the  enclosed 
letter  from  Colonel  Barnes,  who  also  requested  the  assist- 
ance of  Captain  Beall  and  his  men.  Mr.  Hopewell  came 
to  Drum-Point  this  morning  about  nine  o'clock,  and  Cap- 
tain Beall,  with  all  the  men  he  had  there,  set  out  about 
half-past  ten,  leaving  that  post  in  charge  of  our  Militia,  who 
are  now  but  few  in  number;  but  I  propose  to  get  (and 
keep)  there  about  sixty  or  seventy  men,  exclusive  of  officers, 
until  I  receive  your  orders,  or  until  Captain  BealCs  return. 
The  ships-«f-war,  tenders,  &c.,  were  this  morning  lying 
off  between  the  St.  Mary's  River  and  Point-Lookout;  and 
it  is  reported  by  some  deserters  from  them,  that  they  intend 
to  land  on  St.  George's  Island,  in  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's 
River.  Captain  Beall  desired  me  to  inform  you  of  his 
marching,  and  desires  your  orders  how  he  shall  proceed. 
Colonel  Barnes  could  not  get  an  express  to  carry  his  letter 
to  you  in  St.  Mary's,  and  therefore  sent  it  this  way,  and 
expects  to  receive  your  answer  the  same  way,  which  I  will 
send  him  as  soon  as  it  comes.  I  shall  go  to  Drum-Point 
in  the  morning,  and  you  may  depend  I  will  do  all  in  my 
power  to  prevent  their  landing  in  this  County,  if  they  should 
alter  their  course  so  as  to  come  up  the  bay  or  into  the  Pa- 
tuxent. 

This  express  is  to  be  paid  from  Drum-Point  to  Annajtolis, 
which  is  about  fifty-five  miles,  and  by  which  I  expect  your 
orders,  which  shall  be  punctually  obeyed. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ALEXANDER  SOMERVILLE. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

P.  S.  A  messenger  will  be  waiting  at  the  late  Captain 
CarroWs  dwelling-house  to-morrow  evening  to  receive  your 
answer  to  Colonel  Barnes's  letter.  You  will  be  pleased  to 
direct  what  number  of  Militia  can  be  kept  on  duty  in  this 
County,  and  what  number  of  officers. 

COLONEL  DORSEY  TO   MARYLAND   COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Captain  Riggs  waits  on  you  with  a  com- 
pany of  Militia  out  of  my  battalion.  This  extremely  busy 
time  has  prevented  my  sending  them  sooner.  I  hope  they 
will  be  relieved  by  the  Flying-Camp  in  a  few  days.  If 
they  are  not,  I  purpose  to  relieve  them  by  another  company 
out  of  my  battalion. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  DORSEY. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  ROBERDEAU. 

Philadelphia,  Sunday,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  it  this  day  in  command  from  Congress  to 
desire  you  will  issue  fresh  orders  and  exert  yourself  to  for- 
ward the  immediate  march  of  the  whole  Militia  destined  for 
the  Jerseys  from  this  Colony,  the  service  requiring  their 
being  as  soon  as  possible  imbodied  in  the  Jerseys,  in  conse- 
quence of  fresh  advices  from  General  Washington  by  express. 
I  beg  to  request  your  particular  attention  to  this  matter. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 
JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  the  Honourable  Brigadier-General  Roberdeau. 


327 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


328 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS    TO   PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF 

SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  directed  by  Congress  most  earnestly 
to  request  you  will  supply  the  Flying-Camp  and  Militia 
in  the  Jerseys  with  as  many  musket-cartridges,  with  balls 
therein,  as  you  can  possibly  spare,  and  send  them  forward 
with  the  greatest  despatch.  The  state  of  our  affairs  will  not 
admit  the  least  delay,  nor  need  I  use  arguments  to  induce 
you  to  an  immediate  compliance  with  this  requisition.  I 
am  likewise  to  request  you  will  immediately  order  to  the 
respective  places  of  their  destination  all  the  British  officers 
prisoners  in  this  city.  The  ladies  are  not  to  go  till  the 
weather  is  fair. 

The  Committee  of  Congress  are  instructed  to  replace  an 
equal  quantity  of  powder  to  that  delivered  in  cartridges. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant,  JOHN  HANCOCK;  PresidenL 

To  the  Hon.  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  MERCER. 

Philadelphia,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Congress  having  been  informed  by  General 
Washington,  that  he  had  given  the  command  of  the  Flying 
Camp  and  Militia  in  New-Jersey,  to  you,  and  for  that  pur- 
pose you  were  stationed  in  the  Jerseys,  I  have  it  in  charge 
from  Congress  to  empower  and  direct  you  to  march  such  of 
the  Militia  and  Flying-Camp  to  Brunswick,  or  *ther  places 
in  the  Jerseys,  as  you  may  on  all  occasions  judge  necessary 
and  mos^  conducive  to  the  publick  service,  provided  it  does 
not  interfere  with  any  prior  direction  from  General  Wash- 
ington. 

Four  tons  of  powder  were  sent  off  to  you  a  few  days 
ago ;  and  a  large  parcel  of  cartridges,  well  balled,  will  be 
this  day  forwarded  to  you,  for  the  use  of  the  troops  under 
your  command.  Colonel Biddle,  the  Quartermaster-General, 
has  orders  to  furnish  all  necessaries.  He  will  wait  on  you', 
and  follow  such  directions  as  you  may  judge  necessary  to 
give  him. 

You  will  please  to  give  me  the  earliest  intelligence  of 
every  occurrence  by  express,  that  it  may  be  laid  before 
Congress. 

I  most  heartily  wish  success  to  your  arms,  and  have  the 
honour  to  be,  with  much  esteem,  sir,  your  very  humble  ser- 

n  '  JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  New- Jersey. 


we  have  already  received,  we  think  ourselves  warranted  to 
say,  that  we  shall  be  able  to  send  five  companies,  viz:  one 
from  each  battalion,  to  compose  part  of  the  Flying-Camp, 
provided  so  many  good  arms  can  be  had,  and  three  compa- 
nies of  Militia,  for  the  present  exigency — some  of  whom 
will  march  this  week. 

With  pleasure  we  assure  you  that  a  noble  spirit  appears 
amongst  the  inhabitants  here.  We  find  great  scarcity  of 
cash,  even  amongst  men  of  considerable  property.  We  are, 
therefore,  under  the  necessity  of  sending  the  bearer  hereof, 
Mr.  John  Boyd,  express  to  you,  with  our  draft,  bearing  date 
herewith,  for  £1,000,  without  which,  we  find  the  men  can- 
not be  suitably  fitted  out ;  and,  therefore,  we  make  no  doubt 
you  will  honour  our  order,  more  especially  when  we  inform 
you  that  we  have  taken  up  money  already  upon  our  own 
credit. 

The  spirit  of  marching  to  the  defence  of  our  country  is 
so  prevalent  in  this  town,  that  we  shall  not  have  men  left 
sufficient  to  mount  guard,  which  we  think  absolutely  neces- 
sary for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants  and  ammunition,  and 
as  a  watch  over  the  ten  English  officers,  with  their  ten  ser- 
vants, to  keep  their  parole  of  honour;  especially  as  their 
brethren  lately  at  Lebanon,  in  Lancaster  County,  lost  it. 
And  as  there  will  not  be  more  left  in  town  here  for  the  above 
purpose,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  hire  a  guard  of  twelve  men 
from  the  County,  which  we  think  ought  to  be  at  the  publick 
expense. 

Although  we  do  not  charge  those  gentlemen  with  such 
behaviour  as  would  warrant  us  to  confine  them,  yet  we 
have  reason  to  believe  their  conversation  has  influenced 
many  weak  and  ignorant  persons,  as  well  in  town  as  within 
the  six  miles  around  it  which  is  the  line  of  their  confine- 
ment ;  and  their  servants  are  dressed  with  hunting-shirts  and 
trowsers,  the  uniform  of  our  people,  which  might  facilitate 
their  escape. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servants. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee : 

JOHN  MONTGOMERY,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


LETTER  FROM  THE  COMMITTEE  FOR  LANCASTER,  PENNSYL- 
VANIA. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  Committee  have  received  orders  from 
the  Congress,  to  keep  a  guard  over  the  prisoners  at  the  bar- 
racks, and  to  have  the  barracks  surrounded  by  a  stockaded 
fort.  One  principal  design  in  this  order  is,  doubtless,  to 
•prevent  the  prisoners  from  straggling  abroad,  and  making 
their  escape.  The  Committee,  therefore,  request  of  you  to 
have  strict  inquiry  made  throughout  your  township  imme- 
diately, for  such  prisoners  as  may  be  there,  and  have  them 
immediately  sent  in  to  the  barracks  in  this  place,  under  a 
proper  guard  ;  and  the  officers  of  the  MHitia  in  the  District 
are  requested  to  give  you  every  necessary  assistance  in  carry- 
ing this  matter  into  execution. 
By  order  of  the  Committee  : 

WILLIAM  S.  ATLEE,  Chairman. 

To  the  Members  of  the  Committee  in  Township, 

and  the  Officers  of  the  Militia  there. 


CUMBERLAND    COUNTY  (PENNSYLVANIA)   COMMITTEE  TO  THE 
PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Carlisle,  July  14,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR  :  In  obedience  to  your  letter,  by  order 
of  Congress,  bearing  date  Philadelphia,  the  3d  instant,  now 
before  us,  and  of  the  resolve  of  the  Conference  of  Dele- 
gates, &.C.,  at  the  State-House,  the  5th  instant,  approved  in 
Congress,  we  sent  circular  letters  to  each  battalion  in  this 
County,  requesting  their  compliance.  By  the  intelligence 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth  Amboy,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR:  This  morning  Lord  Howe  sent  Lieutenant  Reeve, 
of  the  Eagle  man-of-war,  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  this  post. 
He  delivered  me  the  letters  which  accompany  this. 

Nothing  worthy  your  attention  has  happened  here  since  I 
had  the  honour  to  receive  your  instructions  of  the  llth  inst., 
by  Mr.  Boss.  The  enemy's  guards  in  our  view  continue  with- 
out any  new  movement.  From  their  number,  it  is  probable 
that  two  regiments  encamp  near  this  end  of  Staten  Island. 
We  have  been  able,  however,  to  procure  no  certain  intelli- 
gence of  their  situation.  No  person  has  yet  come  over  to 
us,  nor  is  it  easy  to  find  one  of  our  friends  duly  qualified 
or  ready  to  undertake  the  business  of  a  Spy  on  the  Island. 
About  four  hundred  of  the  Pennsylvania  rifle  battalion  have 
joined  us,  and  another  party  of  the  same  regiment  is  on  the 
way.  From  this  last,  I  have  ordered  one  hundred  men  to 
take  post  at  the  ferries  of  Passaick  and  Hackensack,  and 
shall  relieve  all  the  Jersey  Militia  as  soon  as  reinforcements 
arrive.  When  the  two  battalions  of  riflemen  and  one  of 
musketry  from  Pennsylvania,  are  posted  from  hence  to  the 
ferries  towards  New-York,  a  favourable  opportunity  may 
probably  offer  to  surprise  the  enemy's  small  posts.  Boats 
may,  I  think,  be  procured  ;  and  the  riflemen  would  be  happy 
to  be  so  employed.  Such  an  enterprise  is  not  suspected  by 
the  enemy,  nor  believed  to  be  under  consideration  here. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant,  H.  MERCER. 


PHILIP  B.  BRADLEY  TO  GOVEHNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Bergen,  July  14,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  flatter  myself  that  the  continual  hurry 
and  multiplicity  of  business  which  I  have  had  will  apologize 
for  not  writing  you  sooner.  The  next  day  after  my  arrival 
at  New-York,  I  was  ordered,  with  General  Wadsworth's 
brigade,  to  Bergen,  in  the  Jerseys,  nearly  opposite  to  the 
enemy,  besides  which  I  have  one  battalion  of  the  Jersey 
forces  under  my  command. 

The  fleet,  by  small  parties,  are  daily  falling  in.     Vice- 


329 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


330 


Admiral  Hoicc  arrived  Friday  night  last,  so  that  we  may 
expect  a  visit  from  them  soon,  but  we  hope  to  give  them  a 
warm  reception. 

I  would  acquaint  your  Honour  that  I  have  appointed  the 
Rev.  Isaac  Lewis  as  Chaplain,  and  Doctor  Salua  Pell  as 
Surgeon,  with  Amos  Baker  as  his  mate.  I  wish  they  may 
meet  your  approbation.  Their  abilities  in  their  different 
departments,  I  make  no  doubt,  are  equal  to  the  task. 

And  I  am,  honoured  sir,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  B.  BRADLEY. 

The  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  16,  1776.    Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New-York,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR  :  My  last,  of  Friday  evening,  which  I  had  the  honour 
of  addressing  you,  advised  that  two  of  the  enemy's  ships 
of  war  and  three  tenders  had  run  above  our  batteries  here 
and  the  works  at. the  upper  end  of  the  Island.  I  am  now 
to  inform  you,  that  yesterday  forenoon,  receiving  intelligence 
from  General  Mifflin  that  they  had  passed  the  Tappan  Sea, 
and  were  trying  to  proceed  higher  up,  by  advice  of  R.  R. 
Livingston,  Esq.,  and  other  gentlemen,  I  despatched  an 
express  to  General  Clinton,  of  Ulster,  and  the  Committee  of 
Safety  for  Dutchess  County,  to  take  measures  for  securing 
the  passes  in  the  Highlands,  lest  they  might  have  designs  of 
seizing  them,  and  have  a  force  concealed  for  the  purpose. 
I  wrote  the  evening  before  to  the  commanding  officers  of 
the  two  garrisons  there,  to  be  vigilant,  and  prepared  against 
any  attempts  they  or  any  disaffected  persons  might  make 
against  them,  and  to  forward  expresses  all  the  way  to  Albany, 
that  provision  and  other  vessels  might  be  secured  and  pre- 
vented falling  into  their  hands.  The  information  given  Gen- 
eral Mifflin  was  rather  premature,  as  to  their  having  gone 
past  the  sea.  A  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Orange 
County,  which  ca4me  to  hand  this  morning,  says  they  were 
there  yesteyday,  and  that  a  regiment  of  their  Militia  was  un- 
der arms  to  prevent  their  landing  and  making  an  incursion. 
The  messenger  who  brought  it,  and  to  whom  it  refors  for 
particulars,  adds,  that  a  party  of  them  in  two  or  three  boats 
had  approached  the  shore,  but  were  forced  back  by  our 
people  firing  at  them.  Since  the  manoeuvre  of  Friday  there 
have  been  no  other  movements  in  the  fleet. 

General  Sullivan,  in  a  letter  of  the  2d  instant,  informs  me 
of  his  arrival  with  the  Army  at  Crown-Point,  where  he  is 
fortifying  and  throwing  up  works.  He  adds,  that  he  has 
secured  all  the  stores,  except  three  cannon  left  at  Chambly, 
which  in  part  is  made  up  by  taking  a  fine  twelve-pounder  out 
of  the  Lake.  The  Army  is  sickly,  many  with  the  small-pox, 
and  he  is  apprehensive  the  Militia  ordered  to  join  them  will 
not  escape  the  infection.  An  officer  he  had  sent  to  recon- 
noitre had  reported  that  he  saw  at  St.  John's  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  tents,  twenty  at  St.  Roy's,  and  fifteen  at 
Chambly,  and  works  at  the  first  were  busily  carrying  on. 

I  have  enclosed  a  Geperal  Return  of  the  Army  here,  which 
will  show  the  whole  of  our  strength  ;  all  the  detached  posts 
are  included. 

A  letter  from  the  eastward,  by  last  night's  post,  to  Mr. 
Hazard,  Postmaster  in  this  city,  advises,  that  two  ships  have 
been  taken  and  carried  into  Cape  Ann — one  from  Antigua, 
consigned  to  General  Howe,  with  four  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine  puncheons  of  rum  ;  the  other  a  Jamaicaman,  with  four 
hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar,  two  hundred  puncheons  of  rum, 
thirty-nine  bales  of  cotton,  pimento,  fustic,  &ic.,  &c.;  each 
mounted*two  guns,  six-pounders. 

About  three  o'clock  this  afternoon  I  was  informed  that  a 
flag  from  Lord  Howe  was  coming  up,  and  waited  with  two  of 
our  whale-boats  until  directions  should  be  given.  I  imme- 
diately convened  such  of  the  General  Officers  as  were  not 
upon  other  duty,  who  agreed  in  opinion  that  I  ought  not  to 
receive  any  letter  directed  to  me  as  a  private  gentleman ;  bat 
if  otherwise,  smd  the  officer  desired  to  come  up  to  deliver  the 
letter  himself,  as  was  suggested,  he  should  come  under  a  safe 
conduct.  Upon  this,  I  directed  Colonel  Reed  to  go  down 
and  manage  the  affair  under  the  above  general  instruction. 
On  his  return  he  informed  me,  that  after  the  common  civilities, 
the  officer  acquainted  him  that  he  had  a  letter  from  Lord  Howe 
to  Mr.  Washington,  which  he  showed,  under  a  superscrip- 
tion "  To  George  Washington,  Esq."  Colonel  Reed  replied, 
there  was  no  such  person  in  the  Army,  and  that  a  letter  in- 


tended for  the  General  could  not  be  received  under  such  a 
direction.  The  officer  expressed  great  concern ;  said  it  was 
a  letter  of  rather  a  civil  than  military  nature;  that  Lord 
Howe  regretted  he  had  not  arrived  sooner ;  that  he  (Lord 
Howe)  had  great  powers.  The  anxiety  to  have  the  letter 
received  was  very  evident,  though  the  officer  disclaimed  all 
knowledge  of  its  contents.  Hosvever,  Colonel  Reed's  in- 
structions being  positive,  they  parted.  After  they  had  got 
some  distance,  the  officer  with  the  flag  again  put  about,  and 
asked  under  what  direction  Mr.  Washington  chose  to  be 
addressed  ;  to  which  Colonel  Reed  answered,  his  station  was 
well  known,  and  that  certainly  they  could  be  at  no  loss  how 
to  direct  to  him.  The  officer  said  they  knew  and  lamented 
it ;  and  again  repeated  his  wish  that  the  letter  could  be 
received.  Colonel  Reed  told  him  a  proper  direction  would 
obviate  all  difficulties,  and  that  this  was  no  new  matter,  the 
subject  having  been  fully  discussed  in  the  course  of  the  last 
year,  of  which  Lord  Howe  could  not  be  ignorant :  upon 
which  they  parted. 

I  would  not,  upon  any  occasion,  sacrifice  essentials  to 
punctilio;  but  in  this  instance,  the  opinion  of  others  concur- 
ring with  my  own,  I  deemed  it  a  duty  to  my  country  and  my 
appointment  to  insist  upon  that  respect  which  in  any  other 
than  a  publick  view  I  would  willingly  have  waived.  Nor 
do  I  doubt  but,  from  the  supposed  nature  of  the  message 
and  the  anxiety  expressed,  they  will  either  repeat  their  flag, 
or  fall  upon  some  mode  to  communicate  the  import  and  con- 
sequence of  it. 

I  have  been  duly  honoured  with  your  two  letters,  that  of 
the  10th  by  Mr.  Anderson,  and  the  llth  with  its  enclosures, 
and  have  directed  the  Quartermaster  to  provide  him  with 
everything  he  wants  to  carry  his  scheme  into  execution.  It 
is  an  'important  one,  and  I  wish  it  success,  but  I  am  doubtful 
that  it  will  be  better  in  theory  than  practice. 

The  passage  of  the  ships  of  war  and  tenders  up  the  river 
is  a  matter  of  great  importance,  and  has  excited  much  con- 
jecture and  speculation.  To  me,  two  things  have  occurred, 
as  leading  them  to  this  proceeding :  first,  a  design  to  seize 
on  the  narrow  passes  on  both  sides  the  river,  giving  almost 
the  only  land  communication  with  Albany,  and,  of  conse- 
quence, with  our  northern  Army,  and  for  which  purpose  they 
might  have  troops  concealed  on  board,  which  they  deemed 
competent  of  themselves,  as  the  defiles  are  narrow,  or  that 
they  would  be  joined  by  many  disaffected  persons  in  that 
quarter ;  others  have  added  a  probability  of  their  having  a 
large  quantity  of  arms  on  board,  to  be  in  readiness  to  put 
into  the  hands  of  the  Tories  immediately  on  the  arrival  of 
the  fleet,  or  rather,  at  the  time  they  intend  to  make  their 
attack.  The  second  is,  to  cut  off  entirely  all  intercourse 
between  this  place  and  Albany  by  water,  and  the  upper  coun- 
try, and  to  prevent  supplies  of  every  kind  going  and  coming. 
These  matters  are  truly  alarming,  and  of  such  importance 
that  I  have  written  to  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Neiv-  York, 
and  recommended  to  their  serious  consideration  the  adoption 
of  every  possible  expedient  to  guard  against  the  two  first,  and 
have  suggested  the  propriety  of  their  employing  the  Militia, 
or  some  part  of  them,  in  the  Counties  in  which  their  defiles 
are,  to  keep  the  enemy  from  possessing  them,  until  further 
provision  can  be  made;  and  to  write  to  the  several  leading 
persons  on  our  side,  in  that  quarter,  to  be  attentive  to  all  the 
movements  of  the  ships  and  the  disaffected,  in  order  to  dis- 
cover and  frustrate  whatever  pernicious  schemes  they  have 
in  view. 

In  respect  to  the  second  conjecture  of  my  own,  and  which 
seems  to  be  generally  adopted,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform 
Congress,  that,  if  their  design  is  to  keep  the  Armies  from 
provisions,,  the  Commissary  has  told  me,  upon  inquiry,  that 
he  has  forwarded  supplies  to  Albany,  now  there  and  above 
it,  sufficient  for  ten  thousand  men  for  four  months ;  that  he 
has  a  sufficiency  here  for  twenty  thousand  men  for  three 
months,  and  an  abundant  quantity  secured  in  different  parts 
of  the  Jerseys  for  the  Flying-Camp,  besides  having  about  four 
thousand  barrels  of  flour  in  some  neighbouring  part  of  Con- 
necticut. Upon  this  head  there  is  but  little  occasion  for  any 
apprehensions,  at  least  for  a  considerable  time. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  great  esteem, 
your  most  obedient  servant,  GQ  WASHINGTON> 

P.  S.  I  have  sent  orders  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Militia  to  march  to  Amboy,  as  their  remaining 
at  Trenton  can  be  of  no  service. 


331 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


332 


General  Return  of  the  Army  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED  COLONIES,  in  and  near  the  City  of  NEW-YORK,  commanded  by 
His  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esquire,  General  and  Commander-in-  Chief. 


REGIMENTS. 

OFFICERS  PRESENT. 

RANK  AND  FILE. 

Wanting  to 
complete. 

Since  ln-,1 
Return. 

Commissioned. 

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275 
307 
320 
280 
362 
296 
336 
302 
327 
327 
370 
233 
357 
317 
228 
285 
306 
403 
437 

1 

43 
31 

26 
58 
138 
3b 
42 
80 
107 
83 
66 
117 
66 
87 
62 
75 
74 
53 
34 

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10 
21 

13 
11 
7 
10 
10 
14 
4 
11 
4 
2 
7 
12 
6 
b 
1 
23 
22 

1 
221 
79 
55 
50 
87 
45 
75 
132 
100 
134 
101 
159 
119 
122 
191 
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67 
4 
2 

22 

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: 
. 

4 
2 

1 

1 

8 
5 

282 
549 
438 
414 
399 
595 
389 
463 
528 
542 
557 
541 
511 
549 
538 
488 
472 
449 
491 
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9 
1 

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226 
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Colonel  Webb's  

}  Comp's  of  Col.  McDougalPs.... 

Colonel  Shea's  

Total  

17 

18 

16 

138 

130 

133 

14 

20 

19 

18 

16 

565  1292 

6,320 

1281 

202 

1,848 

44 

9,695 

13 

30 

3,185 

SB 

14 

27 

Return  of  General  SCOTT'S  Brigade,  sixty-seven  the  establishment,  rank  and  file,  in  a  Company,  and  ten  Companies 
to  a  Regiment. 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

10 
9 
1(1 
5 

10 

9 
4 

9 

10 
8 
5 

- 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
'  I 
1 
1 

1 

- 

30 
27 
28 
15 

16 
15 
16 

7 

439 
245 
420 
212 

26 
11 

29 

18 

43 
3 

56 
21 
30 
24 

1 

1 
4 
2 

565 
278 
486 
256 

3 

2 

4 
5 
4 
3 

105 
392 
184 
79 

61 
2 

2 

- 

3 

12 
2 

5  Com.  of  Lt.  Col.  Hardenburgh's. 
Total  

3 

4 

3 

34 

32  32 

- 

1 

4l  1  -     100 

54    1,316 

84 

46 

13l|    8 

1,585 

5 

16 

760 

65 

_ 

3 

14 

Return  of  General  HEARD'S  Brigade,  seventy-two  the  establishment,  rank  and  file,  in  a  Company,  and  eight  Com- 
panies in  a  Regiment. 

1 
1 

i 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

7 
7 
7 
1 
1 

7 
6 
7 
2 
1 

8 
2 
5 
1 
1 

5 

5 

7 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

28 
20 
27 
6 
4 

15 
14 
7 
3 
2 

459 
256 
268 
79 
30 

19 
11 
14 

1 
~ 

3 

56 
15 

2 

2 

482 
269 
340 
79 
45 

1 
8 
1 
2 

4 
1 

94 
235 
164 
65 

27 

87 
252 

339 

- 

- 

- 

Companies  of  Col.  Martin's...  . 
2  Companies  of  Col.  Newcomb's. 
1  Comp.  of  Col.  Van  Cortlandt's. 

Total  *  

3l  2|  23 

23 

17 

19 

ll  3 

4 

3 

2 

85 

31  1  1,092 

44 

74 

4 

1,215   19 

5 

585 

- 

„ 

_ 

Return  of  General  WADSWORTH'S  Brigade,  eighty-three  rank  and  fie  the  establishment  for  one  Company,  and  eight 
Companies  in  a  Regiment. 

Companies  of  Col.  Silliman's... 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
3 

6 
7 
6 
3 
1 
6 
4 

13 

4 

5 
6 
2 

6 
4 

13 

b 

5 
5 
1 
2 
6 

13 

4 
5 
4 
3 
1 
7 
1 

13 

; 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

28 
23 
22 
12 
7 
22 
11 

52 

13 
16 
11 
6 
3 
10 
5 

1 

170 
351 
161 
125 
76 
262 
157 

289 

2 
5 

5 
1 

25 

•2 
5 
1 

144 

218 
11 

106 
15 

43 

- 

318 
356 
379 
141 
76 
373 
174 

357 

5 

6 
1 

1 

4 

1 

263 
225 
119 

108 
7 
208 
75 

- 

- 

- 

- 

J  Companies  of  Col.  Bradley's..  . 

Companies  of  Col.  Douglass's  .. 
Companies  of  Col.  Chester's.... 
3  Companies  of  Light  Horse  of) 
Col.  Seymour's  ) 

1 
| 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 
4 

Total  

6  4 

6 

46 

40 

38 

3s 

7 

7 

a 

177 

75 

1,591 

38 

b 

537 

- 

2,174 

12 

6 

1,005 

- 

- 

- 

- 

!"he  total   of  General   Heard  's) 
brought  down  J 

P 

2!  23 

23 

17 

19 

1 

3 

4 

3)2 

85 

31 

1,092 

44 

ll      74 

4 

1,215 

19 

5 

585 

339 

- 

- 

- 

?he  total  of  Gen.  Scott's  brought  ) 
down  J 

3 

4 

3J  34 

32 
137 

32 

- 

1 

4 

4 

i 

- 

100 

54 

1,316 

84 

46 

131 

8 

1,585 

5 

16 

760 

65 

- 

3 

14 

^he  total  of  thewhole  established  ) 
Regiments  brought  down.  .  .  .  J 

Total  of  the  whole  

17 

18 

ie'i38 

130  133 

142019 

18 

16 

565 

292 

6,320 

1281  202 

1,848 

44 

9,695  13 

30 

3,185 

28 

14 

10 

27 

2829127  2411232 

217  190 

1734342522 

927 

452  Il0,319  '1447257  2,590 

56 

14,669  49  '57  1  5,535 

432 

14 

23 

41 

Head-auarters,  July  13,  1776. 


Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Artillery  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  commanded  by  HENRY  KNOX,  Esq. 


e 
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Corporals 

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10 

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21 

18 

33 

36 

16 

i 

i?r 

Sick,  present  

2 

2 

ifi 

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12 

15 

26 

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7 

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Total  

1 

1 

1 

10 

10 

11 

20 

i 

1 

1 

1 

1 

33 

33 

62 

64 

23 

1 

300 

New-York,  July  13,  1776. 


333 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


334 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Head-Quarters,  July  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  passage  of  the  enemy  up  North  River 
is  a  point  big  witli  many  consequences  to  the  pubiick  interest; 
one  particularly  occurs  to  me  well  deserving  your  attention, 
and  to  prevent  which  I  shall  gladly  give  every  assistance  in 
my  power,  consistent  with  the  safety  of  the  Army.  I  am 
informed  there  are  several  passes  on  each  side  of  the  river, 
upon  which  the  communication  with  Albany  depends,  of  so 
commanding  a  nature  that  an  inconsiderable  body  of  men 
may  defend  them  against  the  largest  numbers.  It  may  be 
that  on  board  these  ships  there  may  be  troops  for  this  pur- 
pose, who,  expecting  to  be  joined  by  the  disaffected  in  that 
quarter,  or  confiding  in  their  own  strength,  may  endeavour 
to  seize  those  defiles,  in  which  case  the  intercourse  between 
the  two  Armies,  both  by  land  and  water,  will  be  wholly  cut 
off,  than  which  a  greater  misfortune  could  hardly  befall  the 
service  and  Army.  I  must  entreat  you  to  take  the  measure 
into  consideration,  and,  if  possible,  provide  against  an  evil  so 
much  to  be  apprehended.  I  should  hope  the  Militia  of  those 
Counties  might  be  used  on  such  an  emergency,  until  further 
provision  was  made. 

I  have  also  thought  it  very  probable  those  ships  may  have 
carried  up  arms  and  ammunition,  to  be  dealt  out  to  those 
who  may  favour  their  cause,  and  cooperate  with  them  at  a 
prefixed  time.  I  would,  to  guard  against  this,  submit  to 
your  consideration  the  propriety  of  writing  to  the  leading 
men  on  our  side  in  those  Counties,  to  be  very  vigilant  in  ob- 
serving any  movements  of  this  kind,  in  order  that  so  danger- 
ous a  scheme  may  be  nipped  in  the  bud ;  and  for  that  purpose, 
to  keep  the  utmost  attention  to  the  conduct  of  the  principal 
Tories  in  those  parts — any  attempts  of  intercourse  with  the 
ships,  and  all  other  circumstances  which  may  lead  to  a  dis- 
covery of  their  schemes  and  the  destruction  of  their  measures. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  &c., 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York. 


GENERAL    WASHINGTON   TO    COMMANDING    OFFICER  OF   THE 
PENNSYLVANIA  TROOPS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  14, 1776. 

SIR  :  From  sundry  accounts  received  of  the  troops  you 
command,  I  have  reason  to  believe  they  will  halt  at  Trenton, 
and  there  wait  further  orders.  As  I  do  not  see  any  advantage 
which  can  arise  from  your  continuance  there,  and  the  hon- 
ourable Continental  Congress  has  committed  the  disposition 
of  them  to  me  until  the  Flying-Camp  is  formed,  you  will, 
on  receipt  of  this,  proceed  to  Amboy,  in  New-Jersey,  where 
General  Mercer  is  appointed  to  command,  and  there,  putting 
yourself  under  his  direction,  receive  and  obey  such  orders  as 
he  may  give. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Pennsylvania  Troops, 
at  Trenton,  (or  elsewhere,)  New-Jersey. 


COLONEL  RITZEMA  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-York,  July  14,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  Conscious  in  my 
own  mind  that  I  never  have  said  or  done  anything  wittingly 
which  had  a  tendency  to  disparage  the  Continental  troops 
or  service,  much  less  to  speak  contumeliously  of  any  of  the 
General  Officers,  and,  above  all,  of  the  American  cause — a 
cause  which  I  have  as  much  at  heart  as  any  man  in  America, 
and  in  which  I  have  frequently  ventured  my  life  the  last 
campaign,  and  was  the  first  man  in  the  Province  of  New-. 
York  who  ever  took  up  arms  in  defence  of  it,  a  cause  for 
which  I  am  still  willing  to  lay  down  my  life, — it  therefore 
grieves  me  sorely  that  my  integrity  should  he  called  in  ques- 
tion, and  that  secret  enemies  should  endeavour  to  blast  my 
character  in  your  Excellency's  estimation.  Finding  that  I 
have  many  of  these,  and  that  words  which  I  may  have 
unguardedly  uttered  have  been  construed  to  the  worst  of 
purposes,  I  humbly  crave,  to  avoid  further  persecution,  your 
Excellency's  leave  to  resign  my  commission,  and  to  retire  to 
my  good  and  aged  father  in  the  country,  not  doubting  but  in 


a  little  time  your  Excellency  and  the  world  will  be  convinced 
that  I  am  not  the  man  I  am  by  some  represented  to  be. 

I  am,  may  it  please  your  Excellency,  your  Excellency's 
very  humble  servant,  RUDOLPHUS  RITZEMA. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  RITZEMA. 

Head-Quarters,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR:  At  a  period  so  critical  as  the  present,  when  our 
unnatural  enemies  are  in  full  view,  and  hourly  expected  to 
strike  a  blow  which  may  be  supposed  in  a  great  measure  to 
decide  the  fate  of  America,  I  must  confess  I  am  not  a  little 
surprised  to  find  an  officer  of  your  rank  in  the  Army  solicit- 
ing leave  to  resign  his  commission,  more  especially  consider- 
ing the  predicament  you  are  now  in.  I  should  rather  hope 
that,  as  you  are  so  conscious  of  your  innocence,  you  would 
urge  an  inquiry  into  your  conduct,  to  convince  the  world 
that  the  complaints  exhibited  against  you  are  totally  ground- 
less; and  that  the  malice  of  your  worst  enemies  cannot  do 
the  least  injury  to  your  reputation,  which,  to  a  soldier,  ought 
ever  to  be  dearer  than  life. 

I  don't  know  how  far  I  can,  with  propriety,  countermand 
the  order  for  the  Court  of  Inquiry,  as  it  is  already  given  out 
in  General  Orders ;  however,  I  will  think  of  it,  and  give  you 
my  answer  to-morrow. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Colonel  Rudoljphus  Ritzema. 


GOUVERNEUR  MORRIS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Committee  of  the  Convention  of  Representatives  of  the  ) 

State  of  New-York,  at  the  City-Hall  of  the  City  of  V 

New-York,  July  14,  1776.     ) 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Committee  to  inform  your 
Excellency  that  a  great  number  of  the  persons  now  confined 
in  our  jail  are  from  Queen's  County,  on  Long-Island,  and, 
from  all  appearances,  we  are  confident  that  they  are  in  sen- 
timent inimical  to  that  glorious  cause  in  which,  with  your 
Excellency,  we  have  the  honour  to  be  engaged.  We  have 
it  in  our  power  to  confine  them  close  prisoners,  or  take 
security  for  their  future  conduct.  The  inconvenience  of 
crowding  the  jails  throughout  the  County  with  people  of  this 
character,  if  they  can  safely  be  permitted  to  continue  at  their 
usual  places  of  residence,  is  striking,  as  it  must  fill  their 
minds  with  the  sourness  of  opposition,  and  at  the  same  time, 
by  rousing  and  enraging  all  theii  connexions,  and  giving 
a  just  alarm  to  every  person  suspected  of  holding  similar 
principles,  raise  up  numerous  enemies  actuated  by  revenge 
and  despair.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  security  is  taken  for 
their  peaceable  demeanour,  at  the  same  time  binding  them 
to  continue  at  their  usual  places  of  abode,  the  dangers  I  have 
just  suggested  to  your  Excellency  will  indeed  be  removed ; 
but  another  cause  of  serious  apprehension  will  still  remain, 
and  we  shall  risk  much  from  their  correspondence  with  the 
enemy,  while  perhaps  it  may  be  difficult  to  prevent  them 
from  knowing  the  measures  which  may  be  taken  by  your 
Excellency  for  the  pubiick  service.  In  this  disagreeable 
dilemma,  we  find  ourselves  under  the  necessity  of  asking 
advice,  sir,  from  you,  and  such  persons  in  youf  council  as' 
you  may  think  proper  to  consult,  it  being  our  wish  that  our 
conduct  should  conform  to  the  sentiments  of  those  who  are 
intrusted  with  the  important  concerns  of  the  United  States. 

We  have  seriously  pondered  on  the  business  your  Excel- 
lency recommended  to  our  attentioh,  by  the  letter  we  were 
yesterday  honoured  with ;  and  while  we  are  alarmed  at  the 
dangers  impending  upon  a  neglect  of  what  your  Excellency 
hath  pointed  out  to  us,  we  feel  ourselves  much  at  a  loss  for 
measures  which  will  be  effectual.  We  shall  suggest  to  your 
Excellency  the  propriety  of  removing  from  this  Island  every 
person,  except  the  soldiery,  who  shall  not  have  a  permission 
from  the  Committee  of  this  County  to  continue  thereon;  and 
after  that  period,  a  small  degree  of  caution  may  prevent 
vagrants  or  spies  from  obtaining  intelligence.  But  upon  this 
and  every  other  plan  which  may  be  proposed,  we  should  be 
glad  to  have  an  opportunity  of  consulting  with  your  Excel- 
lency, being  extremely  anxious  for  the  adoption  of  the  most 
speedy  and  efficacious  measures  to  promote  the  pubiick  service. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 
Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

Gouv.  MORRIS. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


335 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  177C. 


336 


To  His  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHJNSTON,  Esquire,  Com- 
mander-in-  Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  Tliirteen  UNITED 
STATES  of  NORTH  AMERICA. 

The  Memorial  of  sundry  Inhabitants  of  the  City  of  NEW- 
YORK,  and  other  friends  to  the  peace  and  safety  of  the 
UNITED  STATES  of  AMERICA,  showeth  : 

That  your  Memorialists  have  been  vigilant  in  finding  out 
the  enemies  to  the  American  States,  in  order  to  their  being 
removed  from  all  such  places  where  they  have  opportunity 
of  doing  mischief  to  our  common  cause  at  this  critical  time  ; 
when  the  greatest  precaution  is  necessary  for  the  publick 
safely. 

Your  Memorialists  are  of  opinion,  that  suffering  Tories  to 
remain  in  this  city,  or  near  it,  in  Long-Island,  and  Shrews- 
bury, &.C.,  will  be  attended  with  much  danger. 

Zeal  for  the  prosperity  of  the  glorious  cause  in  which  we 
are  engaged,  and  for  the  safety  of  your  Excellency's  person, 
prompt  us  now  to  address  your  Excellency  on  this  inter- 
esting affair.  Give  us  leave  at  the  same  time  to  express  our 
readiness  to  assist,  as  far  as  in  our  power,  in  every  laudable 
measure  that  may  be  recommended  for  the  publick  safety. 

Your  Memorialists  therefore  pray  your  Excellency,  that 
orders  may  be  given  for  the  removal  of  dangerous  persons 
from  this  city,  and  other  places,  to  some  distant  parts  in  the 
country,  that  the  minds  of  your  Memorialists  and  other 
friends  to  our  cause  may  be  relieved  from  their  uneasiness. 

And  your  Memorialists  shall  pray,  Sic. 


Richard  Leaycraft, 
John  Burger, 
Thomas  Pratt, 
John  Anderson, 
Lemuel  Bunce, 
John  Keating, 
George  Traile, 
John  Gilbert, 
Ephraim  Brasher, 
Richard  Livingston, 
George  Graham, 
John  Buchanan, 
Nathan  Fish, 
Alexander  Fortune, 
Thomas  Lawrence, 
John  Keily, 
Ethan  Sickels, 
Theodoras  Deforeest, 
Aaron  Stockholm, 
James  Byers, 
Daniel  Green, 
Engelbart  Kemmenay 
Benjamin  Hoghland, 
Thomas  Ark, 
Ger.  Hardenbrook, 
Abra.  Van  Gelden, 
Adolph  De  Grove, 
Anthony  Glean, 
Edward  Collord, 
John  Rutter, 
Christopher  Codwise, 
Henry  Beekman, 
Peter  Sim, 
James  Smith, 
David  Currie, 
Isaac  Sebring, 
Cornelius  Sebring, 
John  Ellis, 
Robert  Wool, 
Daniel  Cryble, 
Marinus  Willett, 
John  Stout, 
Henry  Sheafe, 
Robert  Campbell, 
John  Hamilton, 
Garret  Kip, 
Joseph  Carr, 
Isaac  Sears, 
Joseph  Smilh, 
Thomas  Henderson, 
Benj.  Lightbourn, 
James  Smith, 


Isaac  Pinto, 
John  Holt, 
Jonathan  Durell, 
Gershom  Motl, 
William  Mercicr, 
Isaac  Van  Vleck, 
Richard  Norwood, 
Viner  Van  Zandt, 
Malcom  McEuen, 
Jeremiah  Platt, 
Garret  Roorback, 
Ward  Hunt, 
Frederick  Bassett, 
James  Colvin, 
F.  Lewis, 

Abraham  De  Lanoy, 
John  Abeel, 
Richard  Sanda, 
Benjamin  duereau, 
Joshua  Sands, 
Peter  Vandervoort, 
,  David  Dickson, 
Andrew  Stockholm, 
Wm.  S.  Livingston, 
James  Abeel, 
William  Adams, 
Henry  Brashers, 
W*lter  Moft'att, 
Nicholas  Fish, 
Johs.  Hardenbergh, 
Jeremiah  Wool, 
Jonathan  Blake, 
Edward  Meeks, 
John  Hunter, 
Aaron  Gilbert, 
John  Thomas, 
John  Hyatt, 
Robert  Manley, 
Gilbert  Dean, 
Ephraim  Lockwood, 
Abram  S.  Haddery, 
Samuel  Fleming, 
Joshua  Rogers, 
Sybert  Acker, 
John  Jackson, 
James  Rumsey, 
Jacob  Lawrance, 
Joseph  Cheesman, 
William  Faulkner, 
Ebenczer  Phillips, 
Capt.  Jas.  Robison, 
John  Gillespy, 


John  McArthur, 
W.  Cur, 
John  Fish, 
Stephen  Howell, 
Cornelius  J.  Duboys, 
Abraham  Smedes, 
Henry  Sloson, 
Stephen  Oakley, 
George  Knox, 
Nathaniel  Ketchum, 
James  Black, 
Wm.  Dewitt,  Capt., 
Prentice  Bo  wen, 
Daniel  Shaw, 
Abrm.  A.VanWyck, 
Sebastian  Bauman, 
David  Dickson, Capt., 
Lewis  Norris, 
John  Campbell, 
Henry  Wilmot, 
Wm.Willierks.Capt., 
William  Goforth, 
Wynd  Ketlletas, 
James  Bate, 
John  Wiley, 
Jacob  K.  Duryee, 
Henry  Riker, 
Gary  Dunn, 
Oliver  Glean, 
James  Riker, 
John  Riker,  Jr., 
Elias  Pelletreau, 
Robert  Troup, 
William  Tapp, 
Henry  Tiebout, 
Peter  Vergereau, 
Thomas  Delessy, 
Wm.  W.  Depeysler, 
Henry  D.  Tripp, 
Theodosius  Fowler, 
Cornelius  Bicker, 
Daniel  Winter, 
Caleb  Hobby, 
Benjamin  Jones, 
William  Whetten, 
John  Anthony, 
Hugh  Hughes, 
Abraham  P.  Lott, 
Henry  H.  Kip, 
Ebenezer  Hazard, 
Samuel  Johnson, 
Malachy  Treat. 


ready  to  give  evidence  against  him  are:  Paul  Green  and 
wife,  Pclatiah  Haws,  Nathaniel  Peck.  Mrs.  Susan  Hallo- 
way,  Captain  John  Warner,  Sergeant  Isaac  Piper  and 
wife,  Mrs.  Sarah  Wood,  and  Captain  Lies;  besides  other 
witnesses,  which  may  be  procured  on  occasion.  These 
persons  live  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  may  be  had  by  a 
summons  for  that  purpose. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  PABKE. 
To  the  Committee  of  Safety,  New-York. 

P.  S.  Mr.  Tyler  belongs  to  Captain  Warner's  company. 
John  Lowe  and  his  brother  are  further  evidences. 


GENERAL  MIFFLIN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Mount  Washington,  July  14,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL  :  The  party  opposite  to  us  on  the 
Jersey  side  are  at  work  on  the  mountain,  and  will  soon  have 
the  ground  prepared  for  cannon.  I  was  obliged  to  call  the 
party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  from  our  point  and  set 
them  at  work  on  two  traverses,  which  the  enemy's  fire  on 
Friday  convinced  me  were  necessary  in  the  fort. 

I  have  removed  the  small  building,  which  was  placed 
near  the  bastion  on  the  right  entering  the  sally-port,  behind 


COLONEL  PARKE  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York  Camp,  July  14, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  did  not  receive  your  notification  till  this 
morning  after  the  time  appointed.  I  send  you  herewith  the 
names  of  the  neighbours  who  are  acquainted  with  Mr.Tyler's 
character,  and  can  best  inform  you  of  his  past  conduct;  nor 
would  he  have  been  noticed  now,  had  not  he  come  into 
Colonel  Wyllyis  encampment  and  began  to  display  the  in- 
veteracy of  his  heart  among  the  soldiers,  at  the  same  time 
treating  the  officers  with  the  greatest  insolence.  1  hope  he 
will  be  able  to  wipe  this  infamous  stigma  from  his  character ; 
but  if  not,  I  know  your  attachment  to  your  country  will 
suggest  a  proper  mode  of  treatment  for  him.  The  persons 


one  of  the  traverses  : 


and  have,  through  necessity, 


made 


use  of  it  as  a  Magazine. 

When  the  carpenters  have  finished  the  proper  Magazine, 
I  will  take  care  to  settle  it  as  low  as  possible,  and  render  it 
as  secure  as  the  ground  will  permit.  At  present,  we  have 
no  security  for  our  powder. 

A  battery  on  the  height,  above  our  point,  of  eighteen 
pounders,  would  render  the  passage  of  the  river  very  diffi- 
cult, although  our  late  experiments  may  have  taught  us  that 
it  is  not  easy  to  prevent  it.  The  ships  were  obliged  to  pass 
very  near  to  it:  our  rifles  reached  them.  The  men  having 
worked  all  Friday  night,  and  being  much  fatigued,  I  have 
relieved  them  from  fatigue  this  day.  I  want  much  your 
Excellency's  orders  respecting  the  places  next  to  be  secured. 
Bulwarks  connected  with  our  fort  are  certainly  necessary; 
we  are  weak  without  them.  I  shall,  therefore,  unless  other- 
wise directed,  order  the  party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  from 
Nyack,  to  finish  the  battery  on  the  point,  and  then  erect 
another  on  the  rock  above  it ;  our  own  men  to  finish  the 
traverses,  and  proceed  with  some  outworks  and  a  strong 
abattis.  As  to  a  ditch,  it  is  very  difficult,  and  will  require 
much  time  to  complete  one :  that  I  must  leave  until  more 
essential  works  are  completed. 

Last  night  I  sent  an  alert  and  prudent  officer  to  watch 
the  motions  of  the  ships  and  Tories.  He  is  properly  equipped 
and  well  qualified  for  the  business.  The  ships  lay  in  sight  of 
us  all  yesterday,  about  four  or  five  miles  above  Dobbs's  Ferry. 
1  have  sent  out.  to  know  where  they  are  this  morning;  the  wea- 
ther prevented  our  seeing  them  at  their  station  yesterday. 

I  beg  leave  to  mention  the  necessity  of  securing  the  com- 
munications, opposite  to  us,  with  New-Jersey;  a  small  part 
of  the  Flying-Camp,  as  the  ground  is  strong,  would  answer 
the  purpose. 

The  heights  over  the  bridge,  and  south  of  King's  Bridge, 
near  the  Three  Trees,  well  known  by  your  Excellency,  are, 
in  my  opinion,  of  immense  importance  to  us,  especially  if  the 
enemy  attempt  an  impression,  or  determine  to  throw  up  a 
line  of  contra  vallation  against  our  posts  on  this  Island,  and 
try  to  shut  us  in. 

Mr.  John  Delany  frequently  passes  King's  Bridge,  with 
a  pass  from  General  Putnam.  I  have  seen  him  twice,  and 
heard  of  his  being  on  the  road  to  and  from  New-  York,  four 
times  since  Wednesday. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 
»  '  

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO   COMMITTEE    OF   ORANGE   COUNTY, 
N£\V-YORK. 

'   Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Nothing  can  be  more  pleasing  than,  on  all 
occasions,  to  see  the  people  ready  to  fly  to  the  protection  of 
any  part  of  the  country  where  there  is  any  clanger  from  the 
enemy;  but  at  this  extremely  busy  season,  I  cannot  recom- 
mend your  keeping  the  regiment  imbodied.  It  would  be 
well  to  notify  them  all  to  be  ready  at  a  moment's  warning 
to  assemble  at  any  place  they  may"  be  called  to.  Every 
precaution  ought  to  be  taken  to  prevent  the  men-of-war 


337 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


338 


from  getting  any  supplies  of  fresh  provisions,  or  keeping  up 
any  intercourse  or  correspondence  with  the  disaffected  inha- 
bitants. I  'shall  be  much  obliged  for  timely  information  of 
every  manoeuvre  of  the  ships  and  tenders  up  the  river,  and 
hope  that  every  necessary  step  will  he  taken  to  prevent  any 
of  our  vessels  falling  into  their  hands. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  esteem,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Committee  of  Orange  County,  New-York. 


COLONEL,  HAY  TO  GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON. 

Sunday  Evening,  July  14,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  On  Friday  afternoon  three  ships  of  war  and 
four  cutters  of  the  Ministerial  fleet  passed  the  city  of  New- 
York  ;  one  forty  and  one  twenty-gun  ship,  with  the  four 
cutters,  anchored  in  the  bay,  opposite  Nyack.  On  Friday 
night  I  called  out  my  regiment,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  landing  and  committing  depredations  on  the 
west  shore,  which  we  have  hitherto  done.  At  twelve  o'clock 
yesterday  a  barge  and  cutter  attempted  to  land;  the  latter 
grounded  at  some  distance  from  the  shore,  and  the  barge, 
being  fired  upon  by  our  guard,  returned  to  the  ships.  In 
the  night  another  barge  came  so  near  the  shore  that  she  was 
spoken  to  by  the  guard ;  and  we  are  in  hourly  expectation 
of  another  attempt.  My  regiment,  which  consists  of  but 
four  hundred  men,  has  now  been  upon  duty,  night  and  day, 
since  Friday  evening,  and  are  greatly  fatigued  with  the  ser- 
vice. The  men  express  great  uneasiness,  under  apprehen- 
sion that  they  shall  lose  their  harvest,  as  the  grain  is  now  fit 
to  gather,  and  no  persons  to  take  it  in,  if  they  are  obliged  to 
guard  the  shore.  In  this  situation,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to 
apply  to  you  for  support.  As  we  have  considerable  extent  of 
shore  to  guard,  it  is  necessary  to  employ  the  whole  regiment 
on  constant  duty;  which,  if  continued,  will  be  ruinous  to 
the  country,  unless  supported  by  a  detachment  of  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  or  two  hundred  men  from  your  brigade ;  for 
this  purpose  1  have  despatched  the  bearer  express.  Your 
known  attachment  to  the  cause,  and  the  zeal  your  people 
have  shown,  leaves  us  every  reason  to  hope  for  an  immediate 
support.  The  Militia  of  Bergen  are  drawn  off  towards 
Staten-Island ;  and  the  city  of  New-  York  is  in  hourly  ex- 
pectation of  being  attacked ;  so  that  we  can  expect  no  assist- 
ance from  that  quarter.  If  two  or  three  armed  boats  could 
be  sent  down  with  the  detachment,  it  would  be  most  con- 
venient for  the  transportation  of  the  men  and  their  provision, 
and  will  be  an  essential  service  in  keeping  off  the  barges, 
and  following  them  from  place  to  place.  Despatch  the 
bearer  as  soon  as  possible.  As  I  have  been  up  two  days 
and  nights  and  am  much  fatigued,  I  hope  you  will  excuse 
the  inaccuracy  of  this  scrawl. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours,  in  haste,  A.  HAWKES  HAY. 

P.  S.  Should  be  happy  to  have  your  advice  and  assistance 
in  this  matter. 


EGBERT  BENSON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Red-Hook,  Dutchess  County,  July  14,  1776. 
SIR:  This  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  your  Excellency's 
letter  of  yesterday,  which    I  immediately   transmitted  to 
General  Ten  Broeck,  and  shall  without  delay  transmit  the 
necessary  expresses  to  Connecticut. 

As  the  matter  may  be  exaggerated,  I  take  the  liberty  of 
informing  your  Excellency  that  the  late  insurrection  of  the 
Tories  in  this  County  was  rather  an  inconsiderable  affair — 
no  person  of  the  least  repute  or  importance  concerned,  and 
is  entirely  suppressed. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

EGBERT  BENSON. 
To  General  Washington. 


COLONEL  JAMES  CLINTON  TO  THE   COMMITTEE  OF  DUTCHESS 
COUNTY,  NEW- YORK. 

Fort  Constitution,  July  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  yours  of  this  day,  and  approve 
much  of  your  plan  for  making  fire-rafts,  and  doubt  not  but 
that  you  will  carry  the  same  into  execution  with  the  utmost 
expedition.  I  think  it  advisable  to  purchase  two  other  old 
sloops  (or  more  if  necessary)  for  the  purpose;  but  let  it  be 


done  at  the  cheapest  rate — the  oldest  and  worst  sloops  will 
do.  Let  men  value  them;  but  they  must  be  had  at  any 
rate.  When  your  rafts  are  completed,  they  must  be  sent 
here  without  delay — the  sooner  the  better.  I  could  wish, 
if  the  General's  letter  (a  copy  of  which  you  have)  will  war- 
rant it,  a  galley  or  two,  to  carry  a  nine-pounder  in  their 
bows,  as  they  might  answer  a  valuable  purpose ;  but  this  I 
must  submit  to  you.  I  want  a  whale-boat  exceedingly,  to 
reconnoitre  the  enemy;  if  one  can  be  had,  or  built, -and  sent 
here,  without  retarding  the  other  business,  it  would  be  of 
great  service. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  much  respect,  your  most  obedient 
servant, 

JAMES  CLINTON,  Colonel. 


COMMITTEE   OF  POUGHKEEPSIE  TO  COLONEL  JAMES  CLINTON. 

Poughkeepsie,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  sent  off  to  Esopus  for  the  Tory  sloop 
there,  and  the  ship-carpenters  are  busied  in  making  fire-rafts. 
We  would  ask  your  opinion  if  it  would  not  be  best  to  pur- 
chase two  other  old  sloops,  which  lash  together  with  chains, 
two  fire-rafts  between  each  two  sloops,  and,  if  a  northerly 
wind,  sail  them  directly  down  on  the  enemy.  When  the 
rafts  are  completed,  and  if  the  ships  have  not  passed  your 
forts,  we  would  ask  you  if  we  must  not  send  down  the  sloops 
and  rafts  near  the  forts. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

JOHN  BAILEY,  Chairman. 
To  Colonel  James  Clinton. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLEH  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Albany,  July  14,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  had  the  honour  to  write  his  Excellency 
General  Washington  on  the  12th,  by  express,  which  I  then 
communicated  ;  I  hope  you  will  have  received  it  before  this 
comes  to  hand.  Captain  Marquisie  has  begged  me  for  a 
letter  to  you,  and  to  mention  that  he  has  lost  all  his  baggage 
in  the  retreat  from  Canada :  he  is  the  bearer  of  this. 

I  wish  you  much  health  and  happiness.  I  am,  dear  sir, 
with  perfect  esteem,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  Mr.  Marquisie  has  received  from  me  eighty  dollars 
on  account. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  July  14,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Soon  after  Bennet  had  left  me,  I  received  a 
line  from  General  Gates,  covering  a  paper,  copy  of  which  I 
have  the  honour  to  enclose. 

Yesterday  a  discovery  was  made  of  some  desperate  designs 
of  the  Tories  in  this  quarter.  I  am  bound  by  oath  not  to 
divulge  names  or  particulars.  Such  measures  are  taken  that 
the  danger  is,  I  hope,  over;  and  about  one  o'clock  this" 
morning  four  of  the  conspirators  (amongst  whom  is  a  ring- 
leader) were  apprehended  about  three  miles  from  town.  I 
have  ordered  two  companies  of  Van  Schaick's  immediately 
to  march  from  Fort  George  to  this  place. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  most  truly,  your  Excellency's  obedient 

humble  servant, 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  July  14,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  bearer,  Captain  Marquisie,  a  French 
gentleman,  sent  by  Congress  as  an  Engineer  to  the  Northern 
Department,  is  on  his  return  to  Philadelphia,  and  has 
entreated  me  to  introduce  him  to  your  Excellency.  I  do 
not  know  what  his  abilities  are  as  an  engineer;  he  appears 
to  be  a  modest  and  discreet  man. 

I  am,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


22 


339 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


340 


H.  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  14,  177G. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Pursuant  to  general  orders  which  came  to 
hand  this  day,  I  have  sent  a  lad,  who  is  a  filer  in  Captain 
Coughran's  company  in  one  of  the  new  regiments  that  is 
now  raising,  which  lad  has  been  lately  to  Crown-Point  with 
his  father,  and  has  taken  the  small-pox.  The  father  of  the 
lad  is  named  Seth-Stow,  and  the  lad's  name  is  Abijah.  In 
my  opinion,  the  father  of  this  lad,  as  being  a  recruiting  ser- 
geant, should  be  made  to  suffer  for  his  contempt  of  general 
orders.  Your  Honour  will  best  know  how  to  act  when  he 
arrives  at  Ticonderoga. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

HAR.  SCHUYLER, 
Assistant  Deputy  Quartermaster-General. 

To  the  Honourable  General  Gates. 


CAPTAIN  VEEDERS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  14,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  but  lately  arrived  herewith  part  of  my 
company;  expect  the  remainder  very  soon.  Came  by  the 
way  of  Ticonderoga,  but  by  General  Schuykr  ordered  to 
this  station.  And  having  no  ammunition  for  my  men,  and 
appointed  here  as  a  guard,  I  thought  it  my  duty,  as  soon  as 
I  conveniently  could,  to  acquaint  your  Honour,  or  any  other 
commanding  in  your  room,  of  our  want  of  such  necessaries. 
I  therefore  beg  your  Honour  will,  as  soon  as  may  be,  send 
what  quantity  you  think  will  best  suit  our  present  situation. 
A  quantity  of  flints,  with  powder  and  ball,  will  be  very 
necessary. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

ABM.  VEEDERS,  Captain. 

To  the  Hon.  General  Gates,  Ticonderoga. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  AT  FORT  GEORGE 
TO  HIS  FRIEND,  AN  OFFICER  IN  NEW-YORK,  DATED  JULY 

14,  1776. 

I  never  knew  the  fatigues  of  a  campaign  until  I  arrived  at 
Canada.  The  most  shocking  scenes  that  ever  appeared  in 
a  camp  were  constantly  exhibited  to  view.  When  Gene- 
ral Sullivan  arrived  in  Canada  the  Army  was  torn  in  pieces 
by  sickness  and  other  unaccountable  occurrences.  A  whole 
regiment  was  not  to  be  found  together.  General  Sullivan, 
with  his  usual  activity  and  alertness,  collected  together  a 
debilitated,  dispirited  army,  tried  the  strength  of  the  enemy, 
who  were  at  least  four  to  our  one,  and  performed  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  retreats  that  was  ever  known.  No  person 
who  was  not  present  can  conceive  a  tenth  part  of  the  diffi- 
culties attending  it:  the  enemy  at  our  heels;  three  thousand 
of  our  men  sick  of  the  small-pox,  and  those  who  were  most 
healthy  like  so  many  walking  apparitions;  all  our  baggage, 
stores,  and  artillery,  to  be  removed,  officers  as  well  as  men 
all  employed  in  hauling  cannon,  &tc.  Our  batteaus  loaded, 
were  all  moved  up  the  rapids  six  miles;  one  hundred  of 
them  were  towed  by  our  poor  wearied  men  up  to  their  arm- 
pits in  water.  This  was  performed  in  one  day  and  a  half, 
our  sick  and  baggage  all  safely  landed  at  St.  John's,  and 
from  thence  at  Crown-Point,  with  the  loss  of  only  three 
cannon,  which  were  but  poor  ones.  All  this  was  accom- 
plished through  the  amazing  exertions  of  General  Sullivan, 
who  performed  what  appeared  to  be  almost  impossible  to 
have  been  done  by  mortal  man.  He  is  now  on  his  way  to 
New-  York. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  LIEUTENANT  GANSEVOORT. 

Tyonderoga,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer,  Lieutenant  Tcnbrook,  has  the  care  of 
thirteen  Indians,  sent  hither  from  Crown-Point  with  a  letter 
to  Major-General  Schuyler.  The  small-pox  is  broke  out 
upon  one  of  the  young  Indian  lads.  You  will  order  the 
surgeons  at  your  post  to  give  all  the  assistance  in  their  power 
to  recover  him.  When  the  Indians  incline  to  go  on  to 
Albany,  you  will  send  an  escort  with  them  to  see  them  safe 
to  General  Schuyler.  Though  they  are  considered  in  the 
light  of  prisoners,  I  would  recommend  that  their  imprison- 
ment be  made  as  easy  as  possible.  You  will  order  them  to 


be  supplied  with  such  refreshments  and  accommodations  as 
your  post  affords. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Lieutenant  C.  Ganscvoort,  or  Commanding  Officer  at 

Fort  George. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  HERMANUS  SCHUYLEH. 

Tyonderoga,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR:  The  iron,  axes,  &tc.,  which  you  wrote  for  yesterday, 
are.  sent  you  by  the  conveyance.  General  Watcrbury,  who 
presents  you  this  letter,  goes  to  Skenesborough  to  wait  for 
the  Militia  who  are  upon  their  march  from  Connecticut,  and 
will  soon  be  with  you.  He  has  General  Schuyler  s  direc- 
tions for  several  things  to  be  immediately  done  at  your  post, 
which  he  will  acquaint  you  with  upon  his  arrival.  You 
will  act  in  conjunction  with  General  Waterbury,  and  do  your 
utmost,  with  his  command  and  assistance,  to  forward  the 
publick  service. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Mr.  Hermanns  Schuyler. 

GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  14, 1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  this  morning  sent  off  Colonels 
Maxwelfs  and  Winds' s  regiments,  with  most  of  the  artillery 
and  stores.  Want  of  boats  prevented  my  sending  off  all  the 
sick  and  companies  of  artillery.  1  have  just  sent  off  the  last 
boats  we  had  to  Onion  River,  and  other  places,  for  boards; 
believe  I  can  procure  twenty  or  thirty  thousand  feet,  and  send 
you,  in  a  few  days.  We  shall  have  occasion  for  at  least  one 
hundred  boats,  to  take  up  all  the  Army,  unless  part  of  them 
should  march  by  land.  If  you  think  proper  to  order  the 
Army  to  Ticonderoga,  will  it  not  be  necessary  to  keep  one 
regiment  here? 

Enclosed  is  the  sentence  of  a  general  court-martial,  who 
have  thought  proper  to  dismiss  Colonel  Campbell  the  service. 
He  is  under  confinement,  and  will  be  glad  to  know  if  his 
sentence  is  confirmed  or  not.  I  am  surprised  we  hear  no- 
thing from  New-York. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  affectionate  and  obedient  hum- 
ble servant,  T>  « 

Jo.  ARNOLD. 

To  Major-General  Gates. 

CAPTAIN  BROWNSON  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Pittsford,  July  14,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR  :  At  seven  o'clock  last 
evening  one  Brica  Dunlap,  of  Captain  Jones's  company,  of 
the  First  Battalion,  under  Colonel  De  Haas,  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania forces,  who  I  confined  on  the  7th  of  last  May  near 
Point  de  Trembles  for  the  murder  of  Corporal  Kelly,  belong- 
ing to  said  company  and  battalion,  came  to  this  post,  when 
I  immediately  confined  him.  Having  sent  off  all  my  men 
scouting  except  a  few,  (and  they  have  not  had  the  small- 
pox,) which  disenables  me  to  send  said  prisoner  back,  I  have 
sent  an  express,  waiting  your  Honour's  direction  respecting 
the  prisoner. 

As  your  Honour  gave  Colonel  Warner  orders  to  send  a 
parly  of  men  to  Sisco  Bay  to  burn  Medcalf  Mills,  before 
he  arrived  at  this  post  I  had  sent  off  the  men  in  scouting 
parties,  so  that  there  were  not  men  sufficient  to  perform  it. 
Till  some  come  in,  which  I  expect  soon,  whether  it  would 
not  forward  the  business  to  send  to  Colonel  Wait  orders  to 
do  it,  your  Honour's  wisdom  can  determine.  Your  com- 
mand by  the  express  will  be  punctually  obeyed  by  your 
Honour's  very  humble  servant  at  command, 

GIDEON  BHOWNSON,  Captain. 

His  Honour  Major-Gen.  Gates,  Commander  at  Crown-Point. 
N.  B.    The  express  was  present  when  the  murder  was 
committed. 

EBENEZER  BARTRAM  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-London,  July  14,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  take  the  liberty  to  inform  your  Honour 
that  this  day  the  brig  Defence  came  from  Newport,  and  arrived 
here;  and  in  our  cruise,  of  which  your  Honour  has  had  in  for- 


341 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


342 


mation,  in  the  engagement  with  the  ship  and  brig,  (by  the 
side  of  the  ship,  and  the  brig  lying  right  astern,)  and  not 
being  in  our  power  to  fire  on  the  brig,  we  had  to  suffer  their 
fire  near  two  hours,  until  both  were  compelled  to  strike,  by 
the  brave  activity  of  our  worthy  Captain,  who  behaved  like 
the  seaman,  like  the  gentleman,  and  like  a  man  of  honour. 
Therefore,  honoured  sir,  if  you  have  any  promotions  to  make, 
it  is  my  opinion  that  Captain  Harding  is  as  deserving  a  gen- 
tleman as  any  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  without  excep- 
tion; and  1  must  applaud  the  gallant  behaviour  of  Lieutenant 
Smedley,  and  likewise  the  otherofficers  and  men,  who  behaved 
in  the  most  brave  manner.  If  any  promotion  to  Captain 
Harding,  may  it  please  your  Honour  to  let  me  know  the 
gentleman  whom  your  Honour  appoints  to  succeed  Captain 
Harding. 

With  due  respect,  I  am,  your  Honour's  humble  servant, 

EBENEZER  BARTKAM. 
To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq.,  Lebanon. 


small-pox  on  them.  I  think  the  former  is  most  likely,  be- 
cause the  villain  would  be  glad  to  spread  that  horrid  disease 
as  much  as  possible.  Those  people  informed  Colonel  Barnes 
that  our  good  friend  Governour  Eden  is  in  the  fleet.  This 
Island  is  a  poor  miserable  place,  it  is  said  ;  if  so,  Dunmore's 
stay  there  will  not  be  long;  and  where  he  will  next  push  to 
is  altogether  uncertain — perhaps  up  the  bay. 


ANDREW  HAMILTON  TO  JABEZ  FISHER. 

Springfield,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR:  Major  Pyncheon  informed  me  that  the  honourable 
Board  of  Council  intended  taking  my  case  into  consideration. 
Should  it  be  agreeable  to  them  to  release  me  from  my  present 
disagreeable  situation,  I  will  be  ready  to  wait  on  them,  and 
give  them  any  reasonable  assurances  for  my  future  beha- 
viour that  they  may  think  requisite. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

ANDREW  HAMILTON. 
To  the  Honourable  Jabez  Fisher,  Esq. 

SIR  :  You  may  remember,  when  I  saw  you  at  Watertown, 
I  told  you  I  knew  of  nothing  that  could  be  alleged  against 
Mr.  Hamilton,  since  his  stay  amongst  us,  that  would  prevent 
his  discharge.  I  am,  sir,  still  of  the  same  opinion.  He  is 
still  very  desirous  of  the  same ;  and  should  the  honourable 
Board  see  fit  to  do  it,  he  is  ready  to  give  any  assurances  to 
them  that  they  will  require  for  his  future  conduct. 

1  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  PYNCHEON,  Jun. 
To  the  Honourable  Jabez  Fisher,  Esq. 


COLONEL  CHILD  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Chester,  July  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Pursuant  to  my  direction,  I  proceeded  to 
Ipswich,  Salem,  and  Marbkhead,  in  quest  of  guns;  purchased 
twenty-three,  the  price  about  ten  dollars  each  ;  also,  by 
Colonel  Bayley's  advice,  bought  two  hundred  weight  of 
lead.  The  amount  of  the  whole  is  £77.  Am  forwarding 
the  same  as  fast  as  possible.  Have  received  the  guns  you 
lodged  at  Mr.  Webster's.  The  expense  of  buying,  freight, 
&c.,  I  cannot  now  ascertain.  Will  forward  an  account  as 
soon  as  possible.  Any  commands  you  may  have  further  for 
me  shall  be  punctually  complied  with. 

In  haste,  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JONATHAN  CHILD. 
To  the  Committee  of  Safety  at  Exeter. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  ONE  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  SAFE- 
TY AT  ANNAPOLIS  TO  HIS  FRIEND  IN  BALTIMORE,  DATED 
MONDAY,  JULY  15,  1776. 

The  Council  of  Safety  have  this  moment  received  infor- 
mation, by  express,  from  Colonel  Barnes,  of  St.  Mary's 
County,  that  Lord  Dunmore  had  been  compelled  by  the 
Virginians  to  remove  from  G win's  Island;  that  on  Satur- 
day morning  he  made  his  appearance  off  Point  Lookout, 
in  the  mouth  of  Potomack,  with  a  fleet  of  fifty-five  sail, 
including  eight  square-rigged  vessels  ;  that  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing he  had  got  as  high  up  the  river  as  St.  George's  Island, 
in  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Mary's  River,  and  that  he  (Colonel 
Barnes)  conjectured  that  his  intention  was  to  take  posses- 
sion of  that  Island ;  that  the  Militia  in  St.  Mary's  were  all 
in  motion,  and  that  many  of  them  had  taken  stations  on  the 
river  side,  to  give  him  a  proper  reception,  if  he  attempted 
lifnding  on  the  main,  fcc.  Two  boats  from  the  fleet,  with 
five  persons  on  board,  (three  whites  and  two  blacks,)  were 
either  driven  on  shore  by  my  Lord,  or  deserted,  with  the 


WILLIAM  LUX  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Captain  Robert  Sounders  has  been  on  board 
the  Alfred,  Admiral  Hopkins,  ever  since  he  first  fitted  out. 
He  went  on  board  at  first  as  a  pilot,  when  the  fleet  was 
intended  for  Virginia;  but  after  their  destination  was  altered, 
he  remained  on  board,  and  was  in  the  action  with  the  Glas- 
gow. He  has  testimonials  of  his  good  behaviour,  and  I 
believe  will  meet  preferment  in  the  Continental  service;  but, 
as  you  are  intended  to  fit  out  tenders  and  gondolas,  if  it  be 
agreeable  to  give  him  the  command  of  one,  I  presume  it 
would  be  more  satisfactory  to  him ;  and  when  you  direct,  I 
will  write  for  him  to  return. 

Commodore  Bouchier  has  sent  up  for  Captain  Moore,  to 
go  into  the  Virginia  service ;  but  as  I  made  application  to 
you  in  his  behalf,  I  have  prevailed  on  him  to  wait  a  day  or 
two  for  your  answer.  I  must  say  that  I  think  him  very 
clever  in  his  deportment,  and  has,  perhaps,  seen  more  service 
than  any  other  that  will  be  in  that  employ,  and  should  be 
sorry  were  he  to  quit  the  service  of  our  Province.  If,  there- 
fore, you  choose  to  keep  him  as  Captain  to  one  of  your 
vessels,  you  will  please  to  write  by  Mr.  Yoks,  who  returns 
early  to-morrow. 

You  will  want  rigging  for  your  vessels,  which  we  shall 
hope  to  furnish ;  and,  with  much  respect,  I  am,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  servant,  WILLIAM  Lux. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety,  at  Annapolis. 

COLONEL  JORDAN  TO    MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
St.  Mary's  County,  July  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  This  serves  to  inform  you  that  there  is  now 
lying  off  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's  River  between  seventy 
and  eighty  vessels.  I  am  now  at  Leonardtown,  on  my  way 
down,  with  part  of  the  Sixth  Battalion  under  my  command, 
where  I  received  an  express  from  Colonel  Barnes,  (who  is 
now  at  St.  Inigoes  Neck  with  the  lower  battalion,)  informing 
me  that  this  morning  ten  boats  full  of  men  landed  on  St. 
George's  Island,  and  had  returned  for  more.  I  expect  to 
be  opposite  the  Island  some  time  this  night,  and  shall  en- 
deavour to  get  the  best  intelligence  I  can  of  their  numbers, 
and  give  the  earliest  notice.  We  shall  want  more  powder 
and  lead,  and  also  flints,  if  they  are  to  be  had.  Major  Eden, 
by  whom  this  goes,  will  inform  you  more  fully.  The  Com- 
mittee for  this  County  sat  this  day,  and  have  detained  Captain 
Forrest's  company  until  they  hear  from  you. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JEREMIAH  JORDAN. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

P.  S.  Enclosed  are  Captain  Forrest's  and  Lieutenant 
Bond's  enrollments ;  the  other  two  officers  have  completed 
theirs,  but  have  not  returned  them  to  Captain  Forrest. 
Captain  Forrest  desires  me  to  inform  you  that  his  enroll- 
ment was  completed  the  day  before  they  were  received  by 
the  Field-Officer. 


JOHN  DORSEY  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

SIR:  My  son  tells  me  that  Captain  Nathaniel  Smith 
informed  him  that  there  is  a  vacancy  in  his  company  of  a 
Third  Lieutenancy,  and  as  he  had  not  an  opportunity  of 
being  pressed  into  Colonel  Smallwood's  battalion,  I  should 
be  very  happy  in  getting  him  with  Captain  Smith  or  Cap- 
tain Fulford.  Major  Price,  if  in  town,  can  inform  your 
Honours  of  his  behaviour  while  under  him.  If  these  vacan- 
cies should  be  filled  up,  he  will  continue  with  Captain  Smith 
till  he  may  meet  with  an  opportunity  of  preferment.  I  hope 
you  will  excuse  the  freedom  I  have  taken  in  writing  to  you 
on  this  occasion. 

I  am,  with  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  DORSEY. 

To  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Esq.,  Annapolis. 


343 


CORRESPONDEIN7CE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


344 


WILLIAM  HINDMAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
In  Committee,  Talbot  County,  July  15,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN:  We  herewith  send  you,  under  the  guard 
of  Messrs.  Charles  Troup,   John  Hindman,  and   Nathan 
Walker,  three  of  our  Militia,  William  Barclay  Townsend, 
who  was  this  day  presented  to  us  under  an  authority  from 
the  Committee  of  Worcester  County,  to  appear  before  your 
Board. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Committee: 

WILLIAM  HINDMAN,  Chairman. 

To  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


SAMUEL  BARRETT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Skipton,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  a  resolve  of  our  Committee  I  am  to  apply  to 
you  for  eight  hundred  weight  oflead  to  answer  the  powder 
received,  we  having  no  lead  in  this  district,  and  therefore 
the  powder  is  useless  without  the  lead. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

LEMUEL  BARRETT,  Chairman. 

To  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the 
Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  SOMERVILLE. 
[No.  34.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  We  received  yours  of  the  14th,  and  by  the  same 
opportunity  one  from  Colonel  Richard  Barnes,  informing 
us  that  Lord  Dunmore  and  the  fleet  were  within  the  mouth 
of  the  Potomack,  and,  as  he  heard,  intended  to  take  posses- 
sion of  an  Island  called  St.  George's  Island;  but  as  their 
designs  are  uncertain,  we  think  you  had  better  give  notice 
to  your  battalion  to  keep  themselves  in  readiness  to  march 
to  oppose  any  attempt  they  may  make  to  land  in  your 
County,  and  likewise  to  assist  in  any  neighbouring  County. 

Captain  Beall  will  have  orders  from  us  to  remain  in  St. 
Mary's  County  with  Colonel  Barnes,  to  watch  the  motion 
of  the  enemy,  and  to  regulate  his  motions  accordingly.  He 
will  move  to  you  if  there  should  be  a  necessity.  We  have 
written  to  Brigadier  Dent,  who  will  take  the  command  of 
the  Militia  and  regular  forces  in  his  district.  You  will  com- 
municate this  to  Colonel  Mackall,  if  he  should  have  returned 
to  your  County.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Alexander  Somerville. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL   OF    SAFETY  TO   CAPTAIN  REZIN  BEALL. 
[No.  35.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  We  expect  this  will  find  you  in  St.  Mary's  County, 
as  we  hear  from  Colonel  Somerville  that  you  marched  from 
Drum-Point  on  the  14th.  It  is  impossible  for  us  to  give 
absolute  and  particular  directions  to  you,  as  the  designs  of 
the  enemy  are' not  known  to  us.  We  can  only  instruct 
you  to  watch  their  motions,  and  regulate  your  own  accord- 
ingly. You  will  stay  in  St.  Mary's  County  so  long  as  you 
apprehend  the  enemy  may  have  any  design  of  landing  there, 
or  making  any  attempt  to  distress  or  plunder  the  inhabi- 
tants. If  they  should  move  from  thence  to  any  other  part 
of  the  Potomack,  or  up  the  bay,  to  land  on  this  shore,  you 
will  follow  them  with  all  the  despatch  you  can.  We  have 
sent  instructions  to  Brigadier  Dent,  to  take  the  command  of 
the  Militia  and  regular  forces  in  this  district;  whose  orders, 
when  they  reach  you,  you  will  obey. 

We  are,  &,c. 

To  Captain  Rezin  Beall. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  DENT. 
[No.  36.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  different  letters  we  have  received  from  St.  Ma- 
ry's and  Calvert,  we  are  informed  that  the  fleet  under  Lord 
Dunmore  have  appeared  in  the  mouth  of  the  Potomack, 
and  it  is  apprehended  they  may  attempt  a  landing  on  some 
part  of  that  river  in  the  lower  Counties  on  this  shore.  We 
therefore  think  it  expedient  that  you  should  give  directions 
to  the  Militia  of  your  district  to  have  themselves  in  readi- 
ness to  oppose  the  enemy  in  case  they  should  attempt  any 
hostilities.  We  think  it  expedient  that,  on  this  emergency, 


you  should  yourself  take  the  command,  and  remain  with 
them  till  you  hear  further  from  us.  As  the  Militia  for  the 
Flying-Camp  are  not  in  readiness,  we  conceive  it  will  not 
interfere  with  your  duty  as  Brigadier  of  those  corps,  and 
your  presence  will  be  much  wanted  at  this  time  in  your 
district.  Captain  Bcall,  with  his  Independent  Company, 
is  now  at  St.  Mary's  County,  ready  to  oppose  the  enemy. 
He  and  his  company  will  likewise  be  subject  to  your  com- 
mand. We  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you.  We  are,  &,c. 

To  Brigadier-General  Dent. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  RICHARD  BAKNES. 
[No.  37.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  yours  of  the  13th,  and  are  glad  you  sent 
for  Captain  Beall's  company,  who,  we  have  the  pleasure 
to  hear,  marched  immediately  to  you.  We  would  have 
that  company  remain  with  you  to  watch  the  motions  of  the 
enemy,  and  assist  you  in  case  they  should  attempt  a  land- 
ing. We  have  written  to  Brigadier  Dent  to  have  all  the 
Militia  in  his  district  kept  in  readiness  to  march  to  your 
assistance,  if  there  should  be  a  necessity.  He  will  also  take 
on  him  the  command  of  the  Independent  Company.  You 
will,  on  all  occasions,  send  us  up  notice  of  the  motions  of 
the  enemy,  and  we  shall  order  you  every  assistance  in  our 
power.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  Colonel  Richard  Barnes. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  THOMAS. 
[No.  38.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  just  received  intelligence  that  makes  it 
necessary  for  us  to  stop  your  proceeding  up  the  bay  with 
your  company.     We  therefore  desire  that  you  will  imme- 
diately return  with  it  to  Annapolis.     We  are,  &.c. 
To  Captain  John  Allen  Thomas. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  HINDMAN. 
[No.  39.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  just  now  received  intelligence  that  Lord 
Dunmore,  with  the  fleet  under  his  command,  is  in  motion 
about  the  bay;  and  as  his  designs  are  uncertain,  we  think 
it  neeessary,  for  the  service  of  the  Province,  that  you,  and 
the  company  under  your  command,  instead  of  proceeding 
up  the  bay  to  march  to  Philadelphia,  should  directly,  with 
your  company,  come  to  Annapolis,  where  you  may  receive 
further  orders.  We  are,  &ic. 
To  Captain  James  Hindman. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  HOOPER. 

[No.  40.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  just  received  information,  by  express,  from 
St.  Mary's  and  Calvert  Counties,  of  Lord  Dunmore,  and 
the  fleet  under  his  command,  being  removed  from  Gwin's 
Island  a  small  distance  up  Potomack  River,  with  intention, 
as  we  suppose,  of  landing  at  some  place  within  that  river; 
and  if  he  should  be  unsuccessful  in  that  attempt,  we  think  it  ' 
not  improbable  but  he  may  endeavour  to  make  a  landing 
somewhere  or  other  upon  the  Eastern  Shore;  and  should  that 
be  the  case,  we  have  no  doubt  but  that,  upon  the  receipt  of 
this,  you  will  be  in  readiness,  as  soon  as  may  be,  with  the 
Militia  under  your  command,  to  repel  every  attempt  that  he 
may  make  to  land  within  your  district. 

Should  the  Militia  in  your  district  be  in  want  of  powder, 
you  will  be  pleased  to  apply  to  Brigadier  Chamberlain  for  as 
much  as  may  be  necessary  for  your  immediate  purpose. 

We  are,  &c. 
To  Brigadier-General  Henry  Hooper. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  SMYTH. 
[No.  41.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  Be  pleased  to  send  down  immediately,  by  the  tender 
Resolution,  two  eighteen-pounders,  with  carriages,  rammers, 
spunges,  ladles,  and  worms,  and  a  sufficient  number  of  wads 
of  all  sizes,  with  five  hundred  five-pound  shot. 

We  are,  &c. 
To  Captain  Nathaniel  Smyth. 


345 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


346 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  JOHNSON. 
[No.  42.]  Annapolis,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  in  want  of  about  twenty  four-pound  can- 
non, twenty  three-pound,  and  twenty  two-pound,  and  forty 
swivels,  for  the  use  of  the  Province,  and  desire  to  know 
whether  you  will  engage  to  furnish  us  with  these  quantities 
immediately.  If  you  can,  be  pleased  to  favour  us,  as  soon 
as  possible,  with  your  terms,  and  the  time  by  which  you 
will  have  them  made,  though  it  will  be  much  more  agree- 
able to  us  to  see  you  upon  the  occasion.  We  shall  likewise 
want  two  hundred  iron  pots,  some  to  contain  four,  and  others 
two  gallons,  with  bales  or  handles,  to  supply  the  place  of 
camp  kettles;  and  should  be  glad  you  would  advise  us 
whether  you  could  also  cast  them  for  us,  and  by  what  time; 
likewise  the  price.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  Colonel  James  Johnson. 


BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  15,  1776: 

Present:  Samuel  Purviance,  Chairman;  William  Lux,  Vice  Chairman; 
Robert  Alexander,  William  Aisquitli,  Benjamin  Griffith,  Andrew 
Buchanan,  John  Cradock,  Abraham  Britton,  John  Merryman,  Jun., 
James  Calhoun,  E.  Talbot,  Zachariah  McCubbin,  John  Eager  How- 
ard, John  Cockey,  Isaac  Griest. 

Mr.  Abraham  Evening  was  imprisoned  last  Thursday  for 
not  giving  security  for  his  good  behaviour  as  a  Non-Asso- 
ciate ;  applied  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  to  be  dis- 
charged, in  consequence  of  the  Resolve  of  the  Convention 
of  the  5th  instant;  and  the  Chairman  reports  that  he  has 
accordingly  discharged  him,  and  delivered  his  portmanteau, 
which  was  seized.  • 

Habalcuk  Holton  having  enrolled  with  Captain  Gal- 
braith's  Company,  the  Fine  imposed  on  him  is  hereby 
remitted,  and  a  certificate  given  accordingly. 

A  Letter  from  the  honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  the 
llth  instant,  respecting  the  building  of  a  Magazine  not  less 
than  five  or  more  than  ten  miles  from  town,  was  received 
and  read;  on  which  the  Committee  appoint  Messrs.  Darby 
Lux,  John  Cockey,  Edward  Talbot,  and  Jam.es  Calhoun, 
to  view  the  ground  at  or  near  Armstrong's  Town,  to  inquire 
the  terms  on  which  one  acre  may  be  purchased,  and  report 
the  same  on  Monday  next. 

The  Committee  also  appoint  Messrs.  Benjamin  Griffith 
and  Isaac  Griest  to  draw  a  draught,  and  estimate  the  ex- 
pense, of  a  house  for  the  said  Magazine,  sufficient  to  contain 
at  least  four  hundred  barrels  of  Powder,  and  a  proportionable 
quantity  of  Lead. 

Application  was  made  by  Captain  Henry  Shaafe  for  a 
Warrant  to  recover  Fines  from  Andrew  Hooke  for  £2  10s., 
for  non-attendance  in  his  Militia  Company;  which  was 
granted. 

A  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety,  dated  June  28, 
enclosing  a  requisition  of  Congress  for  numbering  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Colonies,  was  received;  on  which  the  Committee 
appointed  the  following  persons  in  each  Hundred  of  his 
County  to  collect  the  same,  viz: 
Patapsco,  Lower  Hundred,  Job  Smith. 


Patapsco,  Upper,  - 
Bade  River,  Upper,  - 
Back  River,  Lower,  - 
Middle  River,  Upper,  - 
Middle  River,  Lower,  - 
Soldier's  Delight,  -  - 
Middlesex,  -  -  -  - 
Delaware,  -  -  -  - 


James  Croxall. 

Benjamin  Talbot. 

Job  Gqrritson. 

Benjamin  Talbot. 

William  Galloway. 

William  Cromwell,  (of  Wm.) 

Henry  Rutter. 

Robert  Tivis,  Jun. 


North, Nich.  Merryman,  (of  Mich' I.) 


Barney  Hooker. 
Captain  James  Boslcy. 
Edmund  Stansbury. 

William  Aisquith. 
George  Welsh. 


Pipe  Creek, 
Gunpowder,  Upper, 
Mine  Run,  -    -    -     -    - 
Deptford,  Baltimore,  East, 
and  Baltimore,  West,     - 
Westminster,       - 

And  that  each  of  the  said  persons  be  allowed  one  Dollar  per 
day,  whilst  employed  in  said  service,  and  render  the  accounts 
upon  oath;  and  that  printed  papers,  reciting  the  Resolve  of 
Congress,  per  order  of  Committee,  be  delivered  to  each  and 
every  person  employed  as  above. 

Attested:  GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  15,  177G. 

SIR:  In  perusing  the  enclosed  resolves,  which  I  do  my- 
self the  honour  of  transmitting,  you  will  perceive  your  letters 
of  the  llth  and  12th  instant  have  been  received,  and  laid 
before  Congress,  and  that  in  consequence  thereof,  they  have 
taken  such  measures  as  are  calculated  to  expedite  the  rais- 
ing the  Flying-Camp,  and  to  furnish  them  with  articles  of 
the  greatest  use  and  necessity. 

I  have  written  to  General  Mercer  to  march  the  Militia 
and  Flying-Camp  to  Brunswick,  or  any  other  place  in  the 
Jerseys  which  he  may  judge  best,  provided  it  does  not  inter- 
fere with  any  prior  direction  from  you.  All  the  other  en- 
closed resolves,  I  have  likewise  given  orders  to  the  proper 
persons  to  have  executed. 

I  expect  your  several  letters,  which  are  now  before  Con- 
gress, will  receive  a  speedy  determination,  and  that  I  shall 
have  the  pleasure  of  forwarding  the  result  on  Tuesday  or 
Wednesday,  at  farthest. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  CONVENTION  OF  NEW-JERSEY. 

Philadelphia,  July  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  article  of  lead  being  so  essentially 
necessary  for  our  Army,  and  the  propriety  of  every  Colony 
being  furnished  with  it  so  evident,  that  the  Council  of  Safety 
of  this  Colony  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  to  spare  the 
lead  weights  from  their  windows,  by  which  means  they  have 
been  furnished  with  a  considerable  quantity,  which  has  been 
run  into  ball ;  and  part  of  which  the  Council  of  Safety  here 
have  willingly  spared,  and  is  now  on  the  way  to  the  Jerseys. 
But  as,  under  the  present  exigency,  that  quantity  is  far  short 
of  what  is  wanted  for  the  Army  in  New- Jersey,  and  every 
method  should  be  used  to  furnish  it,  I  have  it  therefore  in 
charge  from  Congress  most  earnestly  to  request  you  to  sup- 
ply the  Flying-Camp  and  Militia  with  all  the  lead  in  your 
possession,  or  that  you  can  possibly  procure.  The  exi- 
gency of  our  affairs  will  not  admit  the  least  delay;  and 
1  am  convinced  there  is  no  necessity  to  use  arguments  to 
induce  you  to  an  instant  compliance  with  this  requisi- 
tion. 

1  am  to  inform  you,  that  as  you  have  not  enclosed  to  Con- 
gress copies  of  General  Washington's  and  Brigadier-General 
Livingston's  letters,  no  judgment  can  be  formed  by  Congress 
concerning  the  contents  of  them,  and  to  request  copies  of 
them  to  be  sent  hither. 

Measures  are  taking  in  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  for 
forming  the  Flying-Camp;  and,  in  the  mean  time,  the  asso- 
ciated Militia  are  marching  in  great  numbers  from  Pennsyl- 
vania for  the  defence  of  New-  Jersey.  Ammunition  has  been 
and  will  be  supplied  by  this  Congress  for  the  defence  of 
New-Jersey.  With  tregard  to  the  pay  of  the  Militia,  I  am 
to  acquaint  you  that  'Congress  will  observe  the  same  rule  of 
conduct  towards  New-Jersey  as  towards  other  Colonies. 

Four  tons  of  powder  are  on  the  way  to  New-Jersey;  and 
a  large  number  of  musket  cartridges,  well  balled,  will  this 
day  be  sent  forward. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  New- Jersey. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  DOCTOR  WILLIAM  SHIPPEN. 

Philadelphia,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  it  in  charge  from  Congress  to  acquaint  you 
that  they  have  this  day  appointed  you  Surgeon-General  and 
Director  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Flying-Camp  and  Militia  in 
New-Jersey,  with  the  pay  of  four  dollars  a  day.  Should 
you  accept  this  appointment,  on  a  signification  of  such 
acceptance  to  me,  I  will  immediately  send  you  your  com- 
mission. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  esteem,  sir, 
your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  William  Shippen,  Jun.,  Esq.,  at  Philadelphia. 


347 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


348 


SAMUEL  ADAMS  TO  RICHARD  HENRY  LEE. 

Philadelphia,  July  15,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  I  must  acknowledge  that,  when  you  left 
Congress,  I  gave  you  reason  to  expect  a  letter  from  me  before 
this  time.  You  will  not,  I  am  very  certain,  attribute  my 
omission  to  the  want  of  a  most  cordial  esteem  for  you.  The 
truth  is,  I  hardly  know  how  to  write  without  saying  some- 
thing about  our  Canadian  affairs;  and  this  is  a  subject  so 
thoroughly  mortifying  to  me  that  I  could  wish  totally  to  for- 
get all  that  has  passed  in  that  country.  Let  me,  however, 
just  mention  to  you  that  Schuyler  and  Gates  are  to  command 
the  troops — the  former  while  they  are  without,  the  latter 
while  they  are  within,  the  bounds  of  Canada.  Admitting 
these  Generals  to  have  the  accomplishments  of  a  Marl- 
borough  or  an  Eugene,  I  cannot  conceive  that  such  a  dispo- 
sition of  them  will  be  attended  witli  any  good  effects,  unless 
harmony  subsists  between  them.  Alas,  1  fear  this  is  not  the 
case.  Already  disputes  have  arisen,  which  they  have  re- 
ferred to  Congress;  and,  although  they  affect  to  treat  each 
other  with  a  politeness  becoming  their  rank,  in  my  mind, 
altercations  between  commanders,  who-have  pretensions  so 
nearly  equal,  (I  mean  in  point  of  command,)  forebode  a  repe- 
tition of  misfortune.  I  sincerely  wish  my  apprehensions 
may  prove  groundless. 

General  Howe,  as  you  have  heard,  is  arrived  at  Neio-  York. 
He  has  brought  with  him  from  eight  to  ten  thousand  troops. 
Lord  Howe  arrived  last  week,  and  the  whole  fleet  is  hourly 
expected.  The  enemy  landed  on  Statcn-Island.  Nothing 
has  been  done  saving  that  last  Friday,  about  three  in  the 
afternoon,  a  forty  and  a  twenty-gun  ship,  with  several  tenders, 
taking  the  advantage  of  a  fair  and  fresh  gale  and  flowing 
tide,  passed  by  our  forts  as  far  as  King's  Bridge.  General 
Mifflin,  who  commanded  there,  in  a  letter  of  the  5th  instant, 
informed  us  that  he  had  twenty-one  cannon  planted,  and 
hoped,  in  a  week,  to  be  formidable.  Reinforcements  have 
arrived  from  New-England,  and  our  Army  are  in  high  spirits. 
I  am  exceedingly  pleased  with  the  calm  and  determined 
spirit  which  our  Commander-in-Chief  has  discovered  in  all 
his  letters  to  Congress.  May  Heaven  guide  and  prosper 
him.  The  Militia  of  the  Jerseys,  Pennsylvania,  and  Mary- 
land, are  all  in  motion.  General  Mercer  commands  the 
Flying-Camp  in  the  Jerseys.  We  have  just  now  appointed 
a  Committee  to  bring  in  a  plan  for  the  reinforcement,  to 
complete  the  number  of  twenty  thousand  men,  to  be  posted 
in  that  Colony. 

Our  Declaration  of  Independence  has  given  vigour  to  the 
spirits  of  the  people.  Had  this  decisive  measure  been  taken 
nine  months  ago,  it  is  my  opinion  that  Canada  would  by 
this  time  have  been  in  our  hands.  But  what  does  it  avail 
to  find  fault  with  what  is  past?  Let  us  do  better  for  the 
future.  We  were  more  fortunate  than  we  expected,  in 
having  twelve  of  the  thirteen  Colonies  in  favour  of  the  all- 
important  question.  The  Delegates  from  New-York  were 
not  empowered  to  give  their  voice  on  either  side.  Their 
Convention  bas  since  acceded  to  the  Declaration,  and  pub- 
lished it  even  before  they  received  k  from  Congress.  So 
mighty  a  change  in  so  short  a  time !  New-Jersey  has  finish- 
ed her  form  of  Government,  a  copy  of  which  I  enclose. 
They  have  sent  five  new  Delegates,  among  whom  are  Dr. 
Witherspoon  and  Judge  Stockton.  All  of  them  appear  zeal- 
ously attached  to  the  American  cause.  A  Convention  is  now 
meeting  in  this  city  to  form  a  Constitution  for  this  Colony. 
They  are  empowered  by  their  constituents  to  appoint  a  new 
Committee  of  Safety  to  act  for  the  present,  and  to  choose 
new  Delegates  for  Congress.  I  am  told  there  will  be  a 
change  of  men,  and,  if  so,  I  hope  for  the  better. 

A  plan  of  Confederation  has  been  brought  into  Congress, 
which  I  hope  will  be  speedily  digested,  and  be  made  ready 
to  be  laid  before  the  several  States  for  their  approbation.  A 
Committee  has  now  under  consideration  a  plan  of  foreign 
alliance.  It  is  high  time  for  us  to  have  Ambassadors  at 
foreign  Courts.  I  fear  we  have  already  suffered  too  much 
by  delay.  You  know  on  whom  our  thoughts  were  turned 
when  you  were  with  us. 

I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  favouring  me  with  the 
form  of  Government  agreed  upon  by  your  countrymen.  I 
have  not  yet  had  time  to  peruse  it,  but  I  dare  say  it  will  be 
a  feast  to  our  little  circle.  The  device  on  your  great  seal 
pleases  me  much. 

Pray  hasten  your  journey  hither.     Your  country  most 


pressingly  solicits,  or,  will  you  allow  me  to  say,  demands 
your  assistance  here.     I  have  written  in  great  haste. 

Adieu,  my  dear  sir,  and  be  assured  that  I  am,  very  affec- 
tionately, your  friend,  S.  ADAMS. 

JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  July  15,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  1st  instant  is  now  before 
me,  and  I  am  obliged  to  you  for  your  intelligence.  The 
affair  of  the  agency  you  have  heard  is  settled,  and  in  your 
favour,  and  I  hope  another  Delegate  will  be  appointed  to 
attend  Congress,  as  you  have  resigned. 

The  marine  affairs  I  shall  leave  to  brother  Whipple,  who 
will  inform  you  from  time  to  time  what  is  to  be  done. 

The  Congress  and  people  here  are  engaged  in  making 
preparation  for  the  reception  of  the  British  fleet  and  army 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  New-York.  Lord  Howe,  with  the 
Germans,  &tc.,  is  hourly  expected.  I  pray  God  we  may  be 
able  to  give  a  good  account  of  them.  The  Confederation 
is  agreed  to  by  the  Committee,  and  is  before  Congress ;  when 
they  will  finish  it  is  uncertain.  Two  of  the  frigates  here 
are  launched.  There  is  a  report  in  town  that  General  Clin- 
ton endeavoured  to  land  his  men  at  South- Carolina,  and 
was  repulsed  with  loss;  I  know  not  the  particulars,  and 
mention  it  only  as  a  report.  I  hope  you  will  excuse  my 
not  writing  every  week,  as  brother  Whipple  has  written 
you  everything  of  importance. 

Major  Rogers  was  taken  up  by  order  of  General  Wash- 
ington, and  having  your  letters  of  recommendation  to  us, 
the  General  ordered  him  to  Congress  to  be  examined ;  and 
though  no  absolute  proof  was  made  of  his  ill  designs,  his 
conduct  appeared  so  very  suspicious  that  he  was  ordered  to 
be  sent  to  New-Hampshire,  to  be  disposed  of  by  our  Legis- 
lature ;  but  before  he  was  sent  off,  he  found  means  to  make 
his  escape,  and  has  not  been  retaken  yet. 

The  Colony  of  New-York  have  fully  acceded  to  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  so  that  it  now  has  the  sanction 
of  the  Thirteen  United  States.  The  unparalleled  conduct 
of  our  enemies  have  united  the  Colonies  more  firmly  than 
ever. 

The  Convention  of  this  Colony  are  to  meet  here  this  day, 
who  will  form  a  Constitution  for  the  Colony,  and  take  upon 
them  its  Government ;  in  the  mean  time  the  Constitutions  of 
Virginia  and  New-York  are  in  this  city.  I  shall  send  them 
forward,  and  the  Constitutions  of  the  other  Colonies  as  they 
are  formed,  as  possibly  something  may  be  taken  from  them 
to  amend  our  own. 

Please  to  give  my  best  regards  to  all  friends,  and  believe 

me  to  be  your  sincere  friend,  Sic., 

JOSIAH  BARTLETT. 

P.  S.  Colonel  Roberdeau  is  appointed  a  Provincial  Briga- 
dier-General ;  Colonel  Dickinson,  Colonel  McKean,  and 
Colonel  Cadwaladcr,  are  gone  with  their  regiments  to  the 
Jerseys;  twelve  hundred  Maryland  Militia  are  hourly  ex- 
pected in  this  city  to  join  the  Army  in  the  Jerseys;  Colonel 
Miles,  with  one  thousand  Provincial  riflemen,  and  with  him 
our  friend  Major  Patton,  have  joined  the  Army  in  New- 
Jersey;  in  short,  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  are  all  in 
motion.  This  day  an  Artillery  company  of  Militia,  con- 
sisting of  fifty-seven  men,  with  two  brass  field-pieces,  and 
every  necessary  accoutrement,  marched  for  the  same  place. 
Mr.  William  Livingston,  of  New-Jersey,  is  appointed  a 
Provincial  Brigadier-General.  Our  friend,  Mr.  Dcanc,  is 
appointed  Captain  of  Marines  to  one  of  the  frigates  here. 
He  desires  to  be  remembered  to  you.  J.  B. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  JOHN  ADAMS,  DATED  PHILA- 
DELPHIA, JULY  15,  1776. 

My  very  deserving  friend,  Mr.  Gerry,  sets  off  to-morrow 
for  Boston,  worn  out  of  health  by  the  fatigues  of  this  station. 
He  is  an  excellent  man,  and  an  active,  able  statesman.  I 
hope  he  will  soon  return  hither.  I  am  sure  I  should  be  glad 
to  return  with  him,  but  I  cannot;  I  must  wait  to  have  the 
guard  relieved. 

There  is  a  most  amiable,  laudable,  and  gallant  spirit  pre- 
vailing in  these  middle  Colonies.  The  Militia  turn  out  in 
great  numbers,  and  in  high  spirits,  in  New-Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland,  and  Delaware,  so  that  we  hope  to  resist 
Howe  and  his  myrmidons. 

Independence  is  at  last   unanimously  agreed  to  in  the 


349 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


350 


New-York  Convention.  You  will  see,  by  the  newspapers 
enclosed,  what  is  going  forward  in  Virginia  and  Maryland 
and  New-Jersey.  Farewell,  farewell,  infatuated,  besotted, 
Step-dame ! 

GENERAL  KOBERDEAU  TO  RICHARD  PETERS. 

Philadelphia,  July  15,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  enclose  you  the  order  of  last  evening,  and 
my  Major  will  parade  the  guards  at  the  State-House  yard ; 
which  is  attended  with  so  much  trouble  and  reluctance  in 
the  Associators,  who  are  more  desirous  of  a  campaign,  that  I 
intend  to  address  the  Convention  on  the  subject,  and  to  get 
distinct  corps  created  for  city  guards,  that  the  four  compa- 
nies may  join  their  corps.  If  Captain  Peters  should  be  one 
of  the  officers  it  would  make  me  happy. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

DANIEL  KOBERDEAU. 
To  Captain  Richard  Peters,  Secretary  at  War. 

PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  15,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Assembly  of  this  Province  did,  in  a  former 
session,  resolve  that  "If  any  Associator,  called  into  actual 
service,  shall  leave  a  family,  not  of  ability  to  maintain 
themselves  in  his  absence,  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  with 
the  concurrence  of  one  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  City 
or  County  where  such  Associator  did  reside,  shall  immedi- 
ately make  provision,  by  way  of  out  pension,  for  the  main- 
tenance of  such  family;  and  a  true  and  proper  account  beipg 
kept  thereof,  shall  be  returned  to  the  Assembly,  in  order 
that  the  same  may  be  made  a  Provincial  expense,  and  paid 
accordingly :"  And  as  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Commit- 
tee, that  the  funds  of  the  said  Overseers  will  prove  greatly 
insufficient  whenever  any  considerable  number  of  Associa- 
tors shall  be  drawn  into  actual  service,  and  that  the  admin- 
istering to  the  wants  of  such  families,  by  the  hands  of  the 
Overseers,  will  not  be  satisfactory  to  the  Associators,  or  be 
likely  to  answer  the  good  ends  proposed : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will,  out  of 
the  funds  of  which  they  have  the  disposition,  make  such 
provision  as  shall  be  thought  necessary  to  answer  the  said 
purposes ;  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Committee  of 
Inspection  and  Observation  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
and  the  several  Counties  in  the  Province,  to  nominate  and 
appoint  a  proper  number  of  judicious  persons,  residing  in 
the  said  City  and  Counties  respectively,  to  distribute  to  such 
distressed  families  the  allowance  they  shall  judge  reason- 
able ;  and  that  the  said  Committee  be  empowered  to  draw, 
as  they  shall  see  occasion,  on  this  Board  for  the  necessary 
sums  of  money,  to  be  by  them  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the 
persons  so  nominated  and  appointed,  to  be  applied  as  above 
directed.  The  said  Committees  to  return  accounts  to  this 
Board  of  the  expenditure  of  the  same. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

WILLIAM  GOVETT,  Secretary. 

PHILADELPHIA  COMMITTEE. 

Philadelphia  County  Committee,  July  15,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee,  in  consequence  of  a  Let- 
ter from  the  honourable  Continental  Congress,  as  well  as 
from  a  recommendation  of  the  Provincial  Conference,  do 
proceed  to  raise  our  part  of  the  Flying-Camp  ;  and  that  the 
following  gentlemen  be  appointed  Officers :  Colonel,  Robert 
Lewis;  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Isaac  Hughes;  Major,  John 
Moore,  Esq. ;  Surgeon,  Enoch  Edwards ;  Quartermaster, 
Marshall  Edwards ;  Adjutant,  Solomon  Bush.  Captains  : 
Archibald  Thompson,  George  Smith,  Henry  Deringer, 
Jacob  Lauchlin,  Rudolph  Neff,  Aaron  Levering,  Christian 
Schnyder,  Henry  Pawling,  Joseph  Jones.  First  Lieutenants : 
Marshall  Edwards,  Solomon  Bush,  Samuel  Swift,  William 
Wilson,  Casper  Doll,  Samuel  Hainds,  Graudus  Schlattcr, 
Mordecai  Morgan, David  Schrack,  Stephen  Porter, Thomas 
Rosscttcr.  Second  Lieutenants :  William  Armstrong,  Leo- 
nard Doll,  James  Hazlct,  George  Bringhurst,  Matthew 
Holgate,  Jesse  Roberts,  Alexander  Hall,  Peacock  Major. 
Ensigns :  Andrew  Barge,  William  North,  William  Noa, 
Abraham  Duffield,  Nathaniel  Childs,  Alexander  Wright, 
James  Potts,  Rees  Nanna. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes:  ENOCH  EDWARDS. 


Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

Yesterday  Lieutenant-Colonel  Allen  arrived  in  town  from 
Crown-Point. 

The  Rev.  Jacob  Duchc  is  appointed  Chaplain  to  the 
honourable  Continental  Congress. 

This  afternoon  the  First  Battalion  of  Maryland  Regulars, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Smallwood,  arrived  in  this  city,  on 
their  way  to  the  Jerseys,  where  they  are  to  compose  a  part 
of  the  Flying-Camp. 


CARPENTER  WHARTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  17,  1776.] 

Trenton,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  pleasure  of  acquainting  you  that  two 
thousand  of  the  Pennsylvania  Militia  have  arrived  here,  and 
that  Colonel  Dickinson's  battalion  have  just  marched  for 
Woodbridge,  agreeable  to  orders  from  General  Mercer ;  and 
the  whole  body  of  the  Pennsylvania  Militia,  as  by  his  in- 
structions, are  immediately  to  proceed  to  Woodbridge.  I 
have  supplied  them  with  one  day's  provision  at  this  place, 
and  at  their  arrival  at  Princeton  they  will  receive  two 
days'  allowance,  to  last  them  until  they  arrive  at  Wood- 
bridge. 

Agreeable  to  your  orders,  I  wrote  to  the  Commissary- 
General  respecting  my  supplying  the  Flying-Camp,  for 
which  he  had  appointed  two  persons ;  therefore  shall  not 
continue  supplying  them  farther  than  Princeton.  Colonel 
Cadwalader  has  written  to  Mr.Trumbull,  desiring  of  him  to 
admit  of  my  supplying  the  Pennsylvania  Militia,  which,  if 
it  is  agreeable  to  him,  I  will  cheerfully  continue.  I  have  just 
received  one  hundred  and  fifty  head  of  oxen,  and  five  hun- 
dred head  of  sheep,  and  fifteen  hundred  barrels  of  flour, 
which  will  last  but  a  short  time  in  supplying  the  troops  in 
only  passing  through. 

The  money  I  have  received  from  Congress,  I  have  ex- 
pended in  service,  which  the  returns  will  specify.  I  am 
now  in  want  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  which  I  flatter 
myself  you  will  please  to  order,  as  it  will  require  that  sum 
to  provide  for  the  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  troops  as 
they  pass  through  to  Head-Quarters.  The  bearer,  Lieu- 
tenant Joseph  Bullock,  will  receive  and  deliver  me  the 
money. 

Should  the  honourable  Congress  not  have  appointed  a 
Commissary  of  Stores  for  the  Flying-Camp,  I  shall  be  happy 
in  entering  in  that  service,  if  I  should  not  be  continued  for 
the  supplying  of  the  Militia,  which  I  do  not  expect. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  obedient  humble  servant, 

CARPENTER  WHARTON. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Mr.  Griffin,  who  has 
also  taken  upon  him  the  charge  and  delivery  of  packets  con- 
taining sundry  letters,  which  were  sent  to  Amboy  yesterday 
by  a  flag,  and  forwarded  to  me  to-day  by  General  Mercer. 
The  letter  addressed  to  Governour  Franklin  came  open  to 
my  hands. 

I  was  this  morning  honoured  with  yours  of  the  13th  inst., 
with  its  important  and  necessary  enclosures ;  and,  in  obe- 
dience to  the  commands  of  Congress,  have  transmitted  Gen- 
eral Howe  the  resolves  intended  for  him ;  those  for  General 
Burgoyne,  I  enclosed  and  sent  to  General  Schuyler,  with 
directions  immediately  to  forward  them  to  him.  The  inhuman 
treatment  to  the  whole,  and  murder  of  part  of  our  people, 
after  their  surrender  and  capitulation,  was  certainly  a  flagrant 
violation  of  that  faith  which  ought  to  be  held  sacred  by  all 
civilized  nations,  and  was  founded  in  the  most  savage  bar- 
barity. It  highly  deserved  the  severest  reprobation ;  and  I 
trust  the  spirited  measures  Congress  have  adopted  upon  the 
occasion  will  prevent  the  like  in  future ;  but  if  they  should 
not,  and  the  claims  of  humanity  are  disregarded,  justice  and 
policy  will  require  recourse  to  be  had  to  the  laws  of  retalia- 
tion, however  abhorrent  and  disagreeable  to  our  natures  in 
cases  of  torture  and  capital  punishments. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 


351 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


352 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  ROBERT  YATES  AND  OTHERS. 

Head-Quarters,  July  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  In  answer  to  your  favour  of  yesterday,  I 
beg  leave  to  acquaint  you,  that  I  have  consulted  with  such 
of  the  General  Officers  as  could  be  easily  convened,  with 
respect  to  the  prisoners  conGned  in  the  Jail  of  this  city.  We 
are  all  of  opinion,  that  to  enlarge  them,  or  permit  their  con- 
tinuance here,  is  equally  dangerous.  No  other  course, 
therefore,  remains  than  to  send  them  to  some  place  where 
they  can  be  safely  kept,  can  have  no  influence,  and,  conse- 
quently, do  us  no  injury.  If  such  a  place  could  be  con- 
veniently found  in  the  Province,  it  would  be  most  proper ; 
but  if  not,  we  are  of  opinion  they  should  be  sent  to  some 
other,  and  that  without  any  delay.  To  obviate  any  difficulty 
which  may  arise  from  the  authority  of  one  Province  sending 
its  prisoners  to  another,  I  will  most  cheerfully  cooperate  with 
you,  so  as  to  give  the  measure  the  weight  it  may  derive  from 
my  general  command.  The  place  which,  in  this  case,  has 
been  proposed,  is  Farmington,  in  Connecticut. 

The  multiplicity  of  other  engagements  obliges  me  to  soli- 
cit your  attention  and  care  to  these  matters,  which  are  rather 
of  civil  than  military  concern;  and  I  would  particularly  re- 
quest you  to  consult  and  determine  upon  some  method  to 
remove  persons  out  of  town,  whose  conduct,  connexions,  and 
office,  afford  the  strongest  presumption  of  their  remaining 
here  with  dangerous  and  unfriendly  views  to  the  American 
cause.  An  indiscriminate  order  to  remove  all  who  do  not  be- 
long to  the  Army,  or  are  connected  with  it,  or  have  not  taken 
up  arms  to  defend  the  city,  would  probably  involve  many 
innocent  and  inoffensive  persons  in  difficulty.  On  the  other 
hand,  to  leave  the  city  open  to  spies  and  emissaries  from 
the  enemy,  and  facilitate  their  intelligence,  is  totally  incon- 
sistent with  common  prudence.  I  must,  therefore,  beg  your 
advice  and  assistance  in  this  delicate  and  difficult  circum- 
stance, that  while  time  and  opportunity  will  admit  some 
effectual  measure  may  be  taken  to  provide  against  so  alarm- 
ing a  danger. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  your  most 
obedient  and  humble  ^ervant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  Robert  Yates  and  others,  the  Committee  of 
the  Convention  of  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New- 
York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  15,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  enclosed  resolve  and  extract  of  a  letter, 
you  will  see,  are  of  some  standing.  Upon  considering  the 
matter,  I  do  not  see  how  it  is  possible  for  me  to  carry  the 
resolve  into  execution,  with  tolerable  precision  or  certainty. 
The  persons,  the  witnesses,  and  all  other  circumstances,  are 
so  totally  unknown,  that  any  inquiry  made  by  me  must 
prove  delusive  and  unsatisfactory.  I  am  therefore  under 
the  necessity  of  passing  it  wholly  by,  or  putting  it  under 
your  direction,  that  as  time  and  circumstances  will  admit, 
you  will  have  it  executed  in  the  best  manner  you  can,  to 
answer  the  wishes  and  expectations  of  Congress. 

Colonel  Nicohon,  of  a  regiment  raised  in  this  Province, 
requests  that  his  conduct  may  be  inquired  into.  I  suppose 
he  would  be  included  in  the  above  general  inquiry,  but  as 
that  may  be  long  delayed,  and  perhaps  never  fully  had,  I 
could  wish  his  case  might  be  distinguished  from  the  general 
mass.  I  expected  to  receive  from  the  Commissioners  of 
Congress  who  went  to  Canada  some  vouchers  and  proofs 
respecting  him,  as  his  conduct  did  not  appear  to  them  in  the 
most  favourable  view;  but  none  have  yet  come  to  hand. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Vister  is,  I  understand,  a  material  wit- 
ness against  Colonel  Nicolson,  and  will  direct  to  such  others 
as  are  expected  to  support  the  charge  against  him. 

I  am  very  sensible  the  general  inquiry  requested  by  Con- 
gress must  be  a  work  of  difficulty  and  delicacy;  but  as  they 
seem  to  desire  it  very  earnestly,  I  hope  it  is  not  impracti- 
cable. I  should  hope,  upon  a  conference  with  Generals 
Gates  and  Arnold,  some  plan  may  be  devised  to  comply 
with  it.  1  am  persuaded  you  will  leave  nothing  unattempt- 
ed  on  your  part  for  this  purpose. 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  General  Sckuyler. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  15,  1776. 
DEAR  SIR:  Since  my  last,  two  of  the  enemy's  ships — one 
of  forty,  the  other  of  twenty  guns — taking  advantage  of  a 
strong  wind  and  tide,  passed  us,  notwithstanding  a  warm 
fire  from  all  the  batteries.  They  now  lie  in  Taupan  Sea, 
between  twenty  and  thirty  miles  up  Hiulson's  River,  where 
no  batteries  from  the  shore  can  molest  them.  Their  views, 
no  doubt,  are  to  cut  off  a  communication  between  this  and 
Albany  by  water,  which  they  effectually  will  do.  If  the 
gondolas,  row-galleys,  Sic.,  from  Connecticut  and  Providence 
were  here,  I  should  think  of  making  the  enemy's  station 
uncomfortable,  if  possible.  I  must  request  they  may  be  sent 
on  as  soon  as  they  conveniently  can  be.  I  have  written 
Governour  Cooke,  requesting  the  same  of  him.  It  is  but 
reasonable  to  suppose  these  ships  have  a  number  of  small- 
arms  on  board,  which  are  intended  to  be  put  into  the  hands 
of  the  disaffected  on  the  North  River  and  in  the  back  parts 
of  this  Province,  when  a  favourable  opportunity  may  offer 
for  their  making  use  of  them  against  us.  I  am  sorry  to  say 
their  numbers,  by  the  best  information  I  can  get,  are  great. 
Enclosed  is  a  letter  I  wrote  the  1 1th  instant,  which,  through 
mistake,  was  neglected  by  the  Thursday's  post.  We  have 
one  large  row-galley  nearly  completed,  and  another  which 
may  be  ready  by  the  time  those  arrive  from  your  Honour  and 
Governour  Cooke.  The  whole,  when  collected,  will  be 
sufficient  to  attack  the  two  ships  up  the  river,  as  the  chan- 
nel they  now  occupy  is  narrow,  which  will  prevent  them 
from  working  their  guns  to  advantage. 
.1  am,  with  esteem,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Hon.  Governour  Trumbull. 

[A  similar  letter  written  Governour  Cooke,  of  the  same  date.] 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

New-York,  July  15,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Enclosed  you  will  receive  a  letter  from  Con- 
gress, which  came  to  hand  this  morning,  with  a  copy  of 
some  resolves,  to  which  you  will  pay  your  attention,  as  their 
execution  will  be  under  your  direction. 

I  have  also  enclosed  a  letter  for  General  Burgoyne,  which 
I  request  you  to  seal  and  forward  to  him  as  soon  as  you 
have  perused  the  important  and  necessary  resolves  (of  July 
10)  it  contains.  The  spirited  measures  Congress  have  en- 
tered into,  I  am  hopeful,  will  make  the  British  troops  more 
regardful  of  that  faith  which  ought  to  be  preserved  inviolate 
between  nations,  and  that  the  rights  of  humanity  may  not 
be  infracted  in  future. 

Admiral  Howe  arrived  on  Friday  last,  and  we  hourly 
expect  his  fleet.  The  same  day,  just  before  he  came  in, 
two  ships-of-war,  one  of  forty  and  the  other  of  twenty  guns, 
and  three  tenders,  passed  our  batteries  without  any  certain 
damage  that  I  could  perceive,  though  an  incessant  fire  was 
kept  up.  They  availed  themselves  of  a  brisk  and  favour- 
able wind  and  tide.  Our  last  intelligence  is,  that  they  are 
at  Taupan  Bay.  You  may  readily  conjecture  a  variety  of 
bad  purposes  intended  by  this  manoeuvre. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours,  &c.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  General  Schuyler. 

P.  S.  I  wrote  to  Fort  Constitution,  and  directed  that 
intelligence  should  be  forwarded  respecting  the  ships  passing 
by  us  to  Albany,  that  precautions  might  be  used  to  prevent 
vessels  falling  into  their  hands.  You  will  give  further  di- 
rections in  this  matter. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  HOWE. 

New- York,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  it  in  charge  from  Congress  to  transmit  the 
enclosed  resolution  to  you.  And  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Lieutenant-General  Howe. 

[To  General  Burgoyne  the  same,  enclosed  in  a  Letter  to  General 
Schwjler  this  day.] 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  COLONEL  JOSEPH  REED  TO 
CHARLES  PETTIT,  DATED  NEW-YORK,  JULY  15,  1776. 

After  writing  the  above,  a  flag  came  in  from  Lord  Howe. 
The  General  Officers  advised  the  General  not  to  rective  any 


353 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


354 


letter  directed  to  liim  as  a  private  gentleman.  I  was  sent 
down  to  meet  the  flag.  A  gentleman  (an  officer  of  the 
Navy)  met  us,  and  said  he  had  a  letter  from  Lord  Howe  to 
Mr.  Washington.  I  told  him  we  knew  no  such  person  in 
the  Army.  He  then  took  out  a  letter  directed  "  To  George 
Washington,  Esq.,"  and  offered  it  to  me.  1  told  him  I  could 
not  receive  a  letter  to  the  General  under  such  a  direction. 
Upon  which  he  expressed  much  concern,  and  said  the  letter 
was  rather  of  a  civil  than  military  nature;  that  Lord  Howe 
regretted  he  had  not  come  sooner,  that  he  had  great  powers, 
and  it  was  much  to  be  wished  the  letter  could  be  received. 
1  told  him  t  could  not  receive  it  consistently  with  my  duty. 
Here  we  parted.  After-he  had  got  some  distance  he  put 
about,  and  we  again  met  him.  He  then  asked  me  under 
what  title  General —  but  catching  himself,  Mr.  Washington 
chose  to  be  addressed.  I  told  him  the  General's  station  in 
the  Army  was  well  known;  that  they  could  be  at  no  loss; 
that  this  matter  had  been  discussed  last  summer,  of  which  I 
supposed  the  Admiral  could  not  be  ignorant.  He  then 
expressed  his  sorrow  at  the  disappointment,  and  here  we 
parted.  1  cannot  help  thinking  but  that  we  shall  have  a 
renewal  of  it  to-day,  or  a  communication  of  the  business  in 
some  other  way.  For  though  I  have  no  hopes  that  the 
letter  contains  any  terms  to  which  we  can  accede,  or,  in 
short,  is  anything  more  than  a  summons  of  submission,  yet 
the  curiosity  of  the  people  is  so  great,  and  if  it  is,  as  may  be 
supposed,  couched  in  strong  and  debasing  terms,  it  would 
animate  the  Army  exceedingly  to  do  their  duty. 


EXAMINATION  OF  DESERTERS  FROM  THE  FLEET. 

New- York,  July  15,  1776. 

The  examination  of  Nathan  Spiccr  and  Mathias  Iselton: 
Spicer,  a  Connecticut  man,  taken  by  the  Cerberus  frigate, 
in  the  Macaroni,  on  the  9th  of  last  May,  left  the  Prince 
Rupert,  a  transport  ship,  Sunday  evening,  the  14th  July, 
says:  The  troops  have  all  landed,  and  have  consumed  all 
the  fresh  provisions — the  sailors  got  none.  The  ships  that 
passed  us  up  the  North-River  were  the  Phcenix  and  Rose. 
Said  they  had  gone  to  land  men  to  come  down  on  our 
backs.  The  fleet  which  left  Spithead  five  days  before  Lord 
Howe  sailed,  is  hourly  expected.  The  Eagle  and  Asia, 
it  is  said,  are  to  come  up  and  fire  on  the  town  the  first  wind. 
The  Jersey  people  killed  one  officer  and  four  privates  on 
Saturday  night  firing  on  the  Island;  this  account  they  had 
from  Lieutenant  Wheeler  of  the  Thirty-Fifth  Regiment.  No 
baggage  yet  landed  from  the  ships.  About  nine  thousand 
men  in  the  Army.  The  ships  weakly  manned.  The  old 
troops  seem  disinclined  to  the  service;  the  new,  fond  of  it. 
Lord  Howe  had  nine  weeks'  passage  from  Spithead.  Lord 
Howe's  fleet  consisted  of  eighty  sail  of  transports,  two  or 
three  frigates,  one  sixty-four,  and  one  fire-ship. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  JULY  15) 

1776. 

Yesterday  Lord  Howe  sent  up  a  flag  with  the  Captain 
and  Lieutenant  of  the  Eagle  man-of-war.  The  Adjutant- 
General  met  them  after  some  little  ceremony,  but  as  their  let- 
ter was  directed  "  For  George  Washington,  Esq.,"  he  would 
not  receive  it.  The  officers  insisted  much  on  his  receiving  it, 
saying  it  was  of  a  civil  nature,  his  Lordship  being  invested 
with  unlimited  powers,  and  was  sorry  that  he  had  not  arrived 
a  few  days  sooner.  This  morning  we  have  accounts  that 
the  ships,  &tc.,  which  passed  the  town,  are  thirty  miles  up, 
opposite  Tarn/town,  where  the  river  is  four  miles  wide,  and 
where  they  may  lie  safely.  It  is  reported  that  they  attempted 
to  land,  and  were  beat  off.  We  expect  another  flag  up. 


the  ships  of  the  enemy,  and  to  repel  any  attempts  they 
might  make  to  land.  They  see  the  necessity  of  watchinc 
with  the  utmost  vigilance  the  steps  of  the  Tories  in  this  and 
the  neighbouring  Counties,  and  shall  give  your  Excellency 
the  earliest  notice  of  any  resolution  that  they  may  form  for 
this  purpose. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedi- 
ent, humble  servant, 

NATHANIEL,  WOODHULL,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 
New-York. 


NATHANIEL  WOODHULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New- York, ) 
White-Plains,  July  15,  1776.      ) 

SIR  :  One  or  two  pettiaugers  have  been  observed  going 
to  and  from  the  ships  of  war  at  Tarrytown.  Had  the  de- 
tachment of  Militia  stationed  there  been  supplied  with  boats, 
they  would  certainly  have  taken  them.  The  Convention, 
therefore,  take  the  liberty  of  requesting  your  Excellency  to 
send  them  four  whale-boats,  which  they  will  take  care  to 
man. 

I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  transmit  the  enclosed 
resolution  to  your  Excellency;  and  have  the  honour  to  be, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant. 

By  order :  NATHANIEL  WOODHULL,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


WESTCHESTER    (NEW-YORK)    COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  County  of  Westchester, ) 
White-Plains,  July  15,  1776.     $ 

Whereas  this  Committee  has  received  the  fullest  informa- 
tion that  many  persons,  unfriendly  to  the  liberties  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  have  frequent  meetings  in  divers 
parts  of  this  County,  with  intent  to  frustrate  the  measures 
now  pursuing  for  its  safety;  and  as  this  Committee  conceives 
such  meetings  are  dangerous,  and  ought  to  be  prevented: 
Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  if  any  person  or  persons  shall,  after  the 
publication  hereof,  presume  to  allow  or  permit  any  persons 
(knowing  or  suspecting  them  to  be  unfriendly  to  American 
liberty)  to  hold  any  meeting  or  meetings  at  or  in  their  re- 
spective houses,  they  shall  be  treated  as  enemies  to  their 
country.  And  all  persons  are  hereby  required  to  take  up 
and  commit  to  close  confinement  all  such  persons  as  shall 
act  in  opposition  to  this  Resolve,  and  give  in  their  names  to 
the  Chairman  of  this  Committee. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  D.  Chairman. 


NATHANIEL  WOODHULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York,  ) 

White-Plains,  July  15, 1776.      \ 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  1 4th  was  read  in  Convention. 
They  see  the  importance  of  securing  the  passes  your  Ex- 
cellency mentions,  and  will  immediately  take  the  measures 
you  are  pleased  to  recommend,  and  every  other  which  they 
conceive  will  tend  most  to  the  security  of  this  State. 

Your  Excellency  was  informed,  by  our  letter  of  the  13th, 
of  the  precautions  we  had  used  in  order  to  prevent  any 
intercourse  between  the  disaffected  people  of  our  State  and 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  23 


GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 
Fort  Montgomery,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  the  13th  instant  yester- 
day, at  this  place ;  previous  to  which,  about  nine  o'clock  on 
Saturday  morning,  the  signal  at  Fort  Constitution  being 
given,  and  the  masters  of  two  sloops,  which  about  the  same 
time  came  to  opposite  my  house,  having  informed  me  that 
the  enemy  had  attacked  New-York  the  evening  before,  and 
that  they  judged  by  the  reports  of  the  cannon  that  their 
shipping  had  passed  by  and  were  up  the  river  as  far  as 
King's  Bridge,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  put  the  neighbouring 
Militia  in  motion,  and  accordingly  issued  orders  to  three 
regiments:  one  immediately  to  march  into  these  works, 
another  into  Fort  Constitution,  and  the  third  to  rendezvous 
at  Newburgh,  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  about  nine  miles 
above  Fort  Constitution,  with  orders  to  march  and  reinforce 
that  garrison  upon  the  next  signal  given.  At  the  same  time 
I  issued  orders  to  all  the  regiments  in  my  brigade  to  stand 
ready  to  march  on  a  moment's  warning,  and  despatched 
expresses  to  all  owners  of  sloops  and  boats,  twenty  miles  up 
the  west  side  of  the  river,  to  haul  them  off  so  as  to  prevent 
their  grounding,  that  as  many  of  them  as  were  necessary 
might  be  ready  to  carry  down  the  Militia  to  the  Forts.  The 
residue  I  ordered  down  to  Fort  Constitution,  as  I  believe, 
by  drawing  a  chain  of  them  across  the  narrowest  part  of  the 
river  and  fixing  them  properly  to  be  set  on  fire,  should  the 
enemy's  shipping  attempt  passing  by,  they  would  answer  a 
most  valuable  purpose.  Early  iu  the  afternoon  of  that  day 
I  marched  into  Fort  Constitution,  with  about  forty  of  my 


355 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


35G 


neighbours,  and  in  the  evening  came  to  this  Fort,  being 
nearer  the  enemy  and  better  situated  to  discover  their 
motions. 

Yesterday  evening  I  was  joined  by  Colonel  Woodhidl, 
with  between  two  and  three  hundred  of  his  regiment ;  this 
morning,  early,  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  McClaghry,  with 
upwards  of  five  hundred  of  his;  and  1  hourly  expect  parts  of 
two  other  regiments ;  when  these  join  me,  I  will  draught 
out  of  the  four,  six  hundred  men,  and  employ  them  as  your 
Excellency  has  directed. 

I  have  ordered  the  Colonels  I  have  called  in  to  leave  the 
frontier  companies  at  home,  to  protect  the  country  against 
the  Indians,  should  they  be  troublesome;  and  as  many  men 
out  of  each  company  as  will  be  sufficient  to  guard  against 
any  attempts  that  might  be  made  by  internal  enemies. 

The  men  turn  out  of  their  harvest-fields  to  defend  their 
country,  with  surprising  alacrity.  The  absence  of  so  many 
of  them,  however,  at  this  time,  when  their  harvests  are  perish- 
ing for  want  of  the  sickle,  will  greatly  distress  the  country.  I 
could  wish,  therefore,  a  less  number  might  answer  the  pur- 
pose. I  would  fain  hope  the  enemy  mean,  by  their  shipping 
in  our  bays,  at  present,  only  to  cut  off  the  communication 
between  the  country  and  city,  and  prevent  our  obstructing 
the  channel.  Many  of  the  Militia  may  be  called  in  in  eight 
hours,  some  in  a  much  less  time,  should  there  be  occasion 
for  them. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  received  a  letter  from  Colonel 
Hay,  of  Haverstraiv,  a  copy  of  which  is  enclosed.  I  will 
send  a  small  party  down  there  this  evening,  or  in  the  morn- 
ing, but  don't  believe  I  shall  be  able  to  continue  them  long, 
as  the  Militia  here  will  think  it  hard  to  be  carried  there. 

The  bearer,  Mr.  Boyd,  who  is  well  acquainted  with  this 
country,  the  fortifications  here,  and  may  be  confided  in,  will 
be  able  to  give  your  Excellency  any  further  information. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 

servant,  ^        „ 

(JEO.  CLINTON. 

P.  S.  I  should  be  glad  to  know  whether  it  is  best  to  keep 
the  sloops,  &.C.,  ordered  down  to  Fort  Constitution,  there, 
as  it  may  be  attended  with  considerable  expense ;  which, 
however,  if  they  can  be  made  to  answer  good  purpose, 
ought  not,  in  my  opinion,  to  be  regarded. 


COLONEL  HAMMAN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Tarrytown,  July  15,  1776. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency  to  take  into  consideration 
our  humble  petition.  Whereas  two  of  the  enemy's  ships  of 
war,  with  their  barges  and  their  tenders,  are  arrived  up  the 
ft/orth  Riveras  far  as  Tarrytown,  we  suppose  with  a  hostile 
design  to  distress  us;  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Congress 
and  assistance  of  the  Committee,  and  by  the  forwardness  ot 
a  number  of  volunteers,  a  considerable  number  of  people  are 
collected  to  our  assistance,  most  of  whom  are  very  anxious 
about  their  harvests,  which  are  now  fit  for  collection,  and  in 
a  suffering  condition  for  want  of  labourers.  We  therefore 
humbly  petition  your  Excellency  to  send  us  such  a  number 
of  troops  as  your  Excellency  shall  judge  proper,  to  rescue 
the  inhabitants  up  and  down  the  river  from  the  cruel  designs 
of  the  enemy.  As  to  further  particulars,  must  beg  leave  to 
refer  your  Excellency  to  the  bearer,  Captain  Dutcher. 

In  the  name  of  the  officers  here  present,  I  have  the  honour 
to  subscribe  myself  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 

JAMES  HAMMAN, 

Lieutenant- Colonel  of  the  First  Battalion  of  Militia 
in  Westchester  County. 

To  the  Hon.  George  Washington,  Esq.,  &ic. 


EGBERT  BENSON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Red-Hook,  July  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  a  letter  yesterday  from  General 
Washington,  informing  that  two  ships  of  war  had  sailed  up 
Hudson's  River,  with  design,  as  supposed,  to  seize  the 
passes  in  the  Highlands,  and  requesting  that  the  Militia  of 
this  County  and  from  the  western  towns  in  Connecticut 
might  instantly  march  to  secure  those  posts.  The  letter  I 
immediately  transmitted  to  Brigadier  Ten  Broeck,  and  de- 
spatched the  necessary  expresses  to  Connecticut. 

This  general  call  of  our  Militia  will  be  attended  with 
many  difficulties,  which  has  induced  me  to  write  you  on  the 


subject,  in  order  that  we  may  have  the  advice  of  the  Con- 
vention, and  that  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  our  County 
may  be  taken  into  consideration.  I  conceived  it  a  matter 
of  such  importance  that  I  have  hired  an  express  to  convey 
this  letter. 

In  no  part  of  the  Colony  have  the  resolutions  of  Congress 
respecting  dangerous  and  disaffected  persons  been  so  strictly 
executed  as  in  this  County.  Agreeably  to  those  resolutions 
we  have  disarmed  a  great  number  of  people,  and  the  arms 
have  been  applied  either  to  arm  the  companies  from  time  to 
time  raised  in  the  County,  or  sent  to  the  forts  in  the  High- 
lands, for  the  use  of  the  troops  in  garrison  there,  and  conse- 
quently the  County  is  entirely  deprived  of  them,  without  a 
possibility  (as  there  are  none  either  manufactured  or  to  be 
purchased)  of  procuring  others  in  their  stead.  Not  only  so, 
but  many  of  our  friends  have  parted  with  their  arms  to  the 
Continental  forces,  out  of  zeal  for  the  cause;  and  very  lately, 
upon  a  very  pressing  letter  from  Colonel  Clinton,  the  Whigs 
in  this  neighbourhood  spared  him  seventy-five  muskets,  con- 
ceiving that  we  had  much  better  be  without  arms  ourselves 
than  that  the  troops,  whom  we  were  obliged  daily  to  pay 
and  subsist,  and  stationed  in  places  subject  to  an  immediate 
attack,  should  remain  unarmed. 

The  number  of  persons  in  the  County  who,  by  these 
means,  are  destitute  of  arms,  must  he  considerable.  In  the 
precinct  where  I  live,  (than  which  I  doubt  whether  there 
are  two  in  the  County  where  there  is  less  disaffection,)  the 
Militia  of  which  consists  of  about  four  hundred  men,  upwards 
of  one  hundred  have  been  disarmed  for  that  cause,  besides 
many  who  have  sold  their  arms  from  the  motives  I  men- 
tioned; and  I  am  informed  by  a  gentleman  who  attended 
the  late  reviews,  that  of  some  regiments  the  entire  rear  and 
great  part  of  the  centre  ranks  were  without  arms. 

To  disarm  people  because  they  were  supposed  too  dan- 
gerous to  he  entrusted  with  arms — which,  indeed,  was  the 
case — and  it  being  out  of  their  power  either  to  procure  them 
again,  or  others  in  their  stead,  and  then  to  call  these  people 
out  to  action,  appears  rather  inconsistent.  But  even  admit- 
ting we  could  equip  them  properly,  it  is  a  matter  well  worth 
considering,  the  danger  of  bringing  a  number  of  persons, 
(and  the  number  will  be  great  if  our  whole  Militia  marches,) 
actually  our  enemies,  into  the  field  to  oppose  an  army  which 
they  are  daily  seeking  opportunities  to  join.  On  the  other 
hand,  to  permit  them  to  remain  at  ease,  without  compelling 
them  to  bear  their  part  of  the  burden,  is  unreasonable,  and 
will  be  productive  of  clamour  and  dissatisfaction,  if  not  en- 
tirely prevent  others  from  turning  out  in  defence  of  their 
country.  It  is  true,  we  have  always  obliged  the  Tories  to 
appear  in  the  ranks  and  be  subject  to  be  draughted,  because 
we  knew  that  in  most  cases  they  would  hire  others  to  serve 
in  their  stead,  (I  mean  when  the  draughts  were  intended  to 
form  a  part  of  the  Army;)  and  such  as  were  not  of  sufficient 
ability  for  that  purpose  have  deserted,  and  lurked  in  the 
woods,  and  were  the  occasion  of  the  late  insurrection.  We 
have  always  thought  we  should  be  happy  if  we  were  capable 
of  combating  our  internal  foes,  and  leave  those  from  without 
to  be  resisted  in  some  other  way. 

Our  Militia,  merely  as  a  Militia,  seems  to  be  not  properly 
the  subject  of  a  general  call ;  or,  in  other  words,  considering 
how  many  are  unarmed,  and  how  many,  from  their  enmity 
to  our  cause,  should  be  confined  at  home,  were  they  even 
disposed  to  march,  the  inhabitants  of  this  County,  collectively, 
cannot  be  formed  into  a  Militia  for  every  purpose.  What 
is  the  proper  remedy,  I  will  not  pretend  to  determine. 

1  take  the  liberty  of  mentioning  the  expedient  I  proposed 
when  last  before  Congress,  namely,  that,  without  depending 
upon  the  Militia,  a  certain  military  force  or  corps  should  be 
raised  to  act  in  its  stead.  If  it  should  be  deemed  unreason- 
able that  it  should  be  at  the  expense  of  the  Colony,  let  it 
be  a  County  charge;  the  expense  will  be  great,  it  is  true, 
but  it  will  then  be  an  equal,  whereas  it  is  now  a  partial  tax. 
I  have  no  digested  plan  for  raising  this  corps  or  body  of  men 
to  serve  in  lieu  of  the  Militia.  Suppose  they  were  to  have 
a  trifling  pay  when  at  home,  (for  they  need  not  always  be 
imbodied,)  and  when  in  actual  service  the  Continental  allow- 
ance. I  would  propose  that  certain  superintending  officers 
should  always  be  in  pay,  who  should  constantly  go  through 
the  County  and  see  that  the  men  were  trained,  equipped, 
and  furnished  with  ammunition.  I  fear  that,  estimating  the 
strength  of  the  Militia  by  the  number  of  men  in  the  County, 
we  may  rely  too  much  on  them,  and  be  fatally  deceived. 


357 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


358 


But  there  is  another  matter,  which  I  would  not  choose  to 
make  publick,  and  that  is,  you  cannot  command  the  Militia 
throughout  the  County.  Your  Government  is  not  firmly 
enough  established  for  the  people  to  yield  a  willing  obedi- 
ence; and  I  think  it  dangerous  at  this  critical  time  to  put  it 
to  the  test.  A  successful  resistance  in  one  instance  might 
be  attended  with  very  serious  consequences.  I  can  appeal 
to  some  of  you  that  I  have  made  the  Militia  of  the  Counly 
the  object  of  my  attention  for  some  time,  and  the  result  of 
my  observations  and  reflections  has  been,  that,  as  they  are 
now  circumstanced,  we  shall  derive  very  little,  if  any,  ad- 
vantage from  them  in  the  present  conflict. 

Upon  the  whole,  considering  how  critical  affairs  are 
become  with  respect  to  us,  and  that  by  these  ships  sailing 
up  the  river  the  seat  of  war  is  in  some  measure  transferred 
to  our  own  borders,  it  is  high  time,  nay,  it  will  not  admit  of 
the  least  delay,  to  provide  for  the  safety  of  the  County  in 
some  way  independent  of  the  Militia.  Do  not  let  the  fear 
of  expense  deter  you.  Our  all  is  at  stake,  and  I  am  not 
convinced  that  the  least  expensive  mode  of  warfare  is  by 
suffering  the  whole  body  of  farmers  to  be  called  out  and 
harassed  upon  every  occasion. 

I  remain  your  very  humble  servant, 

EGBERT  BENSON. 

To  the  Representatives  of  the  County  of  Dutchess,  in  the 
Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 

N.  B.  The  Militia  from  the  extreme  part  of  the  County 
have  rrlarched  to  the  southward.  Should  they  not  have 
been  kept  as  a  reserve,  in  case  of  a  disaster  to  to  the  north- 
ward ? 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  ALBANY,  DATED  JULY  15,  1776. 

Last  Saturday  evening  a  plot  was  discovered  here,  (by 
confession  of  two  Tories,)  that  this  week  the  town  was  to 
be  set  on  fire  in  different  places,  and  the  Magazine  blown 
up.  Yesterday  between  two  and  three  hundred  men  went 
out  with  their  arms  to  take  up  those  scoundrels,  who,  by 
information,  were  skulking  in  the  woods,  &,c.,  and  they  have 
taken  several  of  them.  As  there  are  no  soldiers  in  town, 
the  inhabitants  watch  twenty-four  hours  round,  to  guard  the 
Tory  Jail,  Magazine,  fcc. 


as  soon  as  possible.  I  hope  the  Commodore  will  sail  to- 
morrow; and  if  our  naval  force  cannot  protect  that  part  of 
the  lake  from  invasion,  I  do  not  think  one  regiment  will  be 
able  to  do  it. 

I  shall  not  approve  or  disapprove  of  Colonel  CampbcWs 
court-martial ;  that  must  be  left  to  General  Schuyler,  to 
whom  it  is  referred.  Colonel  Hazen  complains  of  several 
irregularities  in  the  proceedings  againt  him,  and  in  par- 
ticular of  his  not  being  tried  by  a  court  composed  entirely 
of  Field-Officers.  Where  this  can  be  done,  a  Colonel  has 
an  undoubted  right  to  demand  it.  Colonel  Hazcn  further 
alleges,  that  the  members  of  the  court  ordered  for  his  trial  are 
not  taken  from  the  roll  of  duty,  but  named  by  his  accuser. 
This  (if  a  fact)  is  also  very  irregular.  Colonel  Campbell 
may  be  sent  here,  his  arrest  continued. 

I  am,  sir,  &ic., 


HORATIO  GATES. 


To  General  Arnold. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Slcenesborough,  July  15,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  After  suitable  regards  to  your  Excellency,  I 
here  send  a  return  of  the  number  of  men,  and  their  occupa- 
tion, now  at  this  place,  and  likewise  the  quantity  of  provision 
of  all  sorts  as  given  in  to  me.  I  must  likewise  acquaint  your 
Excellency  that  I  think  the  business  is  going  on  very  lively, 
according  to  the  number  of  men.  Colonel  Schuyler  and 
myself  have  viewed  the  ground  east  of  the  Mill,  and  we 
think  it  proper  to  have  a  small  guard  placed  there,  with  a 
breastwork,  to  keep  the  Indians  from  burning  the  Mills,  and 
I  shall  do  it  as  soon  as  possible.  1  hope  the  men  from  Con- 
necticut will  be  in  soon,  as  we  may  go  on  with  more  speed  ; 
and  am,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient,  humble  servant, 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates,  Ticonderoga. 

P.  S.  Colonel  Schuyler  desired  I  would  mention  it  to 
your  Excellency  that  he  was  out  of  rum,  and  that  he  feared 
the  men  would  get  sick  by  drinking  this  bad  water  without 
a  little  rum ;  therefore  he  would  take  it  as  a  favour  if  some 
might  be  sent  down  for  the  labouring  men.  There  is  like- 
wise great  want  of  some  peas. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Tyonderoga,  July  15,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Last  night  I  received  your  favour  of  the  14th. 
I  sent  you  yesterday  fifty-four  batteaus,  under  the  care  of  a 
Captain  of  Colonel  Wayne's  regiment.  This  afternoon  forty 
more  batteaus  will  go  from  hence  to  Crown-Point.  I  do 
not  think  it  necessary  for  any  of  the  regiments  to  march  by 
land  to  Tyonderoga,  as  I  will  take  care  to  supply  batteaus 
sufficient  for  the  conveyance  of  the  whole.  As  we  have  so 
much  work  to  do  here,  1  cannot  see  how  a  regiment  can  be 
spared  to  remain  at  Crown-Point.  The  vessels  will  be  there 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

Tyonderoga,  July  15,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  As  the  communication  to  S  kenesborough  from 
this  place  becomes  an  object  of  such  importance,  and  the 
conveyance  of  provisions  and  stores  by  that  communication 
will  be  so  very  necessary  if  we  make  our  stand  at  the  place 
proposed,  it  is  essential  that  the  road  from  Cheshire's  to  Fort 
Edward  be  immediately  repaired  and  rendered  easy  for  car- 
riages. The  obstructions  in  Wood  Creek,  by  the  trees  which 
may  have  fallen  across,  must  likewise  be  immediately  removed. 
You  will  be  pleased  to  stop  a  part  of  the  Militia  sufficient  for 
this  purpose,  and  urge  the  matter  with  all  possible  despatch. 
I  should  think  it  proper  that  the  York  Militia,  and  such  part 
of  the  Connecticut  as  are  necessary,  should  be  stopped  for 
this  purpose.  You  will  likewise  post  three  companies  of  a 
regiment  with  a  field-officer  at  Cheshire's  Mill,  and  the  other 
field-officers  and  remainder  pf  the  regiment  at  Skenesborough 
Mills,  and  let  them  erect  some  little  works  at  each  place  for 
their  defence.  The  tools  necessary  I  will,  as  soon  as  it  is  in 
my  power,  supply  you  with;  in  the  mean  time  you  will  endea- 
vour to  collect  all  that  you  possibly  can.  General  Schuyler 
has  engaged  to  send  me  a  number  of  axes  from  Albany  as 
soon  as  possible,  but  they  cannot  arrive  yet. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Brigadier-General  JVaterbury. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  15,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  received  your  favours  of  the  13th  and 
14th  instant  last  evening,  also  a  letter  this  minute  respecting 
the  cattle.  I  am  heartily  rejoiced  at  the  good  news  from 
New-York  by  General  Watcrbury.  I  make  no  doubt  the 
enemy  will  be  baffled  in  all  their  efforts.  The  Paymaster 
is  gone  this  minute  for  Ticonderoga.  Two  companies  of 
the  train  went  off  early  this  morning.  Six  regiments  were 
ordered  off;  so  many  artillery  stores,  &tc.,  were  remaining, 
that  only  four  could  be  supplied  with  batteaus.  If  batteaus 
arrive  this  evening,  the  whole  will  go  off"  to-morrow  morn- 
ing. To-morrow  I  expect  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
you. 

We  want  oars  for  near  thirty  batteaus  lying  here,  which 
are  at  present  useless,  as  none  can  be  procured.  We  have 
few  cattle  on  hand ;  eight  or  ten  yoke  may  be  procured, 
which  the  Commissary  will  send  to  Ticonderoga.  To- 
morrow Colonel  Bedel  and  Major  Butterfield  are  ordered 
up,  and  go  off  immediately.  You  may  depend  on  my  utmost 
exertion  in  forwarding  our  naval  armament,  on  which  I  think 
much  depends. 

I  shall  detain  the  inhabitants  brought  up  from  below  for 
the  present,  and  shall  be  obliged  to  leave  a  small  party  here. 
I  am  at  a  loss  whether  1  shall  remove  the  families  on  the 
Point  or  not ;  most  of  them  are  inimical.  I  will  forward  on 
the  troops  as  fast  as  possible.  All  that  are  able  will  be  sent 
off  by  land. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  affection,  dear  General,  your 
obedient  humble  servant, 

B.  ARNOLD. 

P.  S.  If  oars  can  be  spared,  pray  send  us  one  hundred 
and  fifty. 


359 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


360 


COLONEL  WINDS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Shelburne,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  here,  by  leave  of  General  Sullivan,  with 
twenty-six  men,  and  have  built  a  stockaded  fort  here  for  the 
safety  of  my  men  and  the  inhabitants.  I  this  day  heard  that 
my  regiment  is  ordered  down  to  Ticonderoga;  if  so,  would 
be  glad  to  receive  some  orders  whether  to  stay  here  or  to  go 
after  them.  I  have  sent  a  batteau  for  provisions,  as  we  are 
just  out.  Beg  the  favour  that  the  Commissary  may  be 
ordered  to  send  some  by  the  bearer,  Sergeant  Edwards. 
From,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  WINDS,  Colonel. 

To  the  Commander  at  Crown-Point. 


THOMAS  BULL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Manchester,  July  15,  1776.. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR:  The   present  alarming 
state  of  our  country  seems  to  call  for  every  soldier  to  be  well 
equipped  with  arms  and  ammunition.     Therefore  the  town- 
ship of  Manchester,  lying  under  difficulty  about  ammunition, 
would  make  a  return  to  your  Excellency  for  ammunition  for 
eighty  men,  as  we  cannot  draw  from  the  County  stores. 
From  your  humble  servant. 
By  order  of  the  Committee: 

THOMAS  BULL,  Chairman. 


Providence,  July  15,  1776. 

Invoice  of  1 17  Small-Arms,  89  Bayonets,  20  Broad 
Swords,  and  3  Fusees,  sent  by  William  Brown's  team  from 
Daniel  Tillinghast,  of  Providence,  to  Nathaniel  Shaiv,  Esq., 
at  New-London,  who  is  immediately  to  forward  them  to  his 
Excellency  General  Washington,  at  New-York,  viz: 

S.  A.  3  cases  containing  Scotch  Arms,  taken  by  the  An- 
drew Doria  at  sea,  viz : 

No.  1 ,  a  case  containing  36  Small-Arms,  36  Bayonets, 
2  Broad  Swords. 

No.  2,  a  case  containing  42  Small- Arms,  42  Bayonets. 

No.  3,  a  case  containing  39  Small-Arms,  3  Fusees  in  cases, 
1 1  Bayonets,  1 8  Broad-Swords. 

Errors  excepted :         DANJEL  TlLLINGHAST?  AgenL 

N.  B.  Nos.  6  and  7,  a  barrel  and  keg,  containing  17.000 
Gun-flints,  sent  in  the  above  team  to  Mr.  Shaw's  care,  by 
Clark  &f  Nightingale,  and  are  to  be  forwarded  to  his 
Excellency  General  Washington,  with  the  above  Arms,  the 
first  opportunity. 

NEW-YORK,  July  25,  1776. — I  have  received  the  within 
mentioned  Arms,  &.C.,  into  Ordnance  Store. 

EZEKIEL  CHEEVER,  Com.  Artillery. 


DANIEL    TILLINGHAST  TO  GENERAL   WASHINGTON. 

Providence,  July  15,  1776. 

Agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  Congress  of  the  6th  instant,  I 
yesterday  forwarded  your  Excellency  three  cases  of  fire-arms, 
(as  per  invoice  enclosed,)  to  the  care  of  Nathaniel  Shaw, 
Esq.,  of  New-London,  who,  I  requested,  immediately  on 
recept  of  the  same,  to  send  you  without  delay,  and  which  I 
wish  safe  to  your  hands.  1  expect  in  a  few  days  to  be  able 
to  forward  you  a  parcel  more  of  the  above  arms,  which  I  am 
to  have  from  Newport,  and  you  may  depend  I  shall  make 
no  delay  in  doing  the  same. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  very  humble 
servant, 

DANIEL  TILLINGHAST,  Continental  Agent. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

F.  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Providence,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  Agreeable  to  the  request  of  his  Honour  Governour 
Cooke,  I  have  sent  forward  to  the  care  of  Nathaniel  Shaw, 
Jan.,  the  small-arms,  flints,  and  cutlasses,  imported  by 
Samuel  Chase  for  the  Continent.  Wish  them  a  safe  arrival 
at  New-York,  and  your  Excellency  health,  and  the  Army 
of  the  United  States  success  against  our  common  enemies. 
Yours,  with  respect,  p  GREENE 

P.  S.  There  are  fourteen  thousand  five  hundred  flints, 
thirty  cutlasses,  and  twenty  small-arms. 

NATHANIEL  SHAW,  JUN.,  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-London,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  you  have  Captain  Jehiel  Tinker's  receipt 
for  three  chests  of  arms,  and  one  barrel  and  one  keg  of  flints, 
as  per  invoice  enclosed.  The  arms  were  sent  to  me  by 
Daniel  Tillinghast,  Esq.,  the  flints  by  Messrs.  Clark  and 
Nightingale,  merchants  in  Providence,  desiring  I  would  for- 
ward them  to  you  by  the  first  opportunity.  Hope  they  will 
come  safe  to  hand  ;  and  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

NATHANIEL  SHAW,  Jun. 

To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq.,  General  and 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Forces  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  in  New-  York. 

Providence,  July  15,  1776. 

Invoice  of  seventeen  thousand  Gun-flints,  sent  by  Wil- 
liam Brown  from  Clark  $f  Nightingale,  of  Providence,  to 
Nathaniel  Shaiv,  "Esq.,  at  New-London,  and  by  him  to  be 
forwarded  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington  at  New- 
York,  viz:  No.  6,  a  barrel,  No.  7,  a  keg,  containing  seven- 
teen thousand  Gun-flints. 


TORIES  AT  NINE-PARTNERS. 

Hartford,  Connecticut,  July  15,  1776. 

Last  week,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  Tories,  in  the 
Nine- Partners,  and  places  adjacent,  rose  in  a  body,  fell  upon 
the  Sons  of  Liberty  there,  disarmed  them,  and  took  posses- 
sion of  the  Committee-Chamber,  but  were  quelled  by  a 
party  of  near  three  thousand  men  from  the  western  parts  of 
this  Colony,  and  about  twenty  of  their  number  were  taken 
and  confined  in  prison.  May  their  ringleaders  soon  receive 
the  punishment  due  to  such  .traitors  to  the  American 
States. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  NATHANIEL  SHAW. 

Lebanon,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  sent  you  by  Captain  Harding  your  appoint- 
ment as  Agent  for  the  Colony,  for  the  purpose  therein  men- 
tioned. We  are  informed  by  him  that  he  expects  a  number 
on  board  his  brig  may  soon  be  taken  with  the  small-pox,  as 
they  were  much  exposed  before  he  left  Boston.  If  any 
should  be  taken  with  that  infectious  disease,  you  will  take 
timely  and  prudent  care  for  their  being  provided  for,  either 
at  your  pest-house,  or  at  Duck-Island,  whichever  you  may 
think  most  proper,  or  any  other  convenient  place,  where  the 
utmost  precaution  may  be  taken  against  spreading  the  infec- 
tion, and  by  all  means  to  prevent  it  getting  in,  or  spreading 
among,  our  soldiery.  We  doubt  not  of  your  attention  to 
this,  as  well  as  every  other  matter  committed  to  your  charge. 
And  am  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JONATHAN  TRUMBULL; 

To  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  Esq.,  New-London. 


Errors  excepted : 


Per  CLARK  &  NIGHTINGALE. 


COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS    TO   CAPTAIN  HASKELL. 

In  Council,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  You  being  appointed  Captain  of  the  small  vessel 
called  the  Dove,  fitted  out  by  this  Colony  for  gaining  intelli- 
gence respecting  the  British  fleets  and  armies,  you  are,  as 
soon  as  your  vessel  is  ready,  to  sail  for  some  part  of  the  coast 
of  Nova-Scotia,  or  you  may  cruise  on  the  seas  between  Cape 
Ann  and  Nova-Scotia,  and  use  your  utmost  endeavours  for 
gaining  intelligence  as  aforesaid ;  and  when  you  shall  gain 
any  certain  accounts  of  the  movements  of  any  considerable 
fleet  of  the  enemy,  and  the  course  for  which  they  have  for 
some  time  steered,  you  are  then,  with  all  possible  despatch, 
to  give  information  to  the  Council  of  this  Colony,  and  the 
Committee  of  Safety,  &.C.,  of  the  town  where  you  may 
arrive,  that  such  measures  may  be  taken  as  the  defence  and 
security  of  this  Colony  may  require ;  and  you  are  to  use 
all  necessary  precaution  to  prevent  your  vessel  from  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  whereby  the  good  design  of 
fixing  out  your  vessel  may  be  frustrated. 

JOHN  AVERY,  Dep.  Secretary. 

To  Captain  Robert  Haskell,  Commander  of  the  Dove. 


361 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


362 


COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  TO  JOSEPH  HAWLEY. 

Watertown,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Board  have  attended  to  your  letter  of  the  13th 
instant,  and,  upon  the  fullest  consideration,  are  unanimously 
of  opinion,  that  it  may  be  of  the  most  dangerous  conse- 
quence to  allow  of  such  a  delay  in  the  marching  of  the 
troops  destined  for  the  Northern  Department  as  must  neces- 
sarily be  occasioned  by  their  being  inoculated  before  they 
march.  By  the  best  information  the  Board  can  get,  they 
apprehend  there  is  a  probability  of  suppressing  that  distem- 
per in  the  Army  at  Crown-Point;  and  Brigadier-General 
Briclcet,  who  is  to  command  the  reinforcement,  and  has  not 
had  the  small-pox,  is  so  persuaded  of  this  that  he  has  de- 
clared he  would  not  choose  to  be  inoculated  before  the 
march.  The  Board  therefore  insist  that  the  levies  should 
be  marched  with  all  possible  expedition,  as  any  delay  may 
perhaps  occasion  a  total  defeat  and  dispersion  of  the  North- 
ern Army,  the  consequences  of  which  must  be  fatal  to 
every  one. 

The  Board  rely  on  it  that  Commissary  Trumbull  has 
taken  effectual  measures  to  provide  for  paying  the  mileage 
to  the  troops  till  they  arrive  at  the  stores,  agreeable  to  his 
letter  of  the  llth  June,  as  the  Court,  in  answer  thereunto, 
in  theirs  of  July  1st,  informed  him  that  they  depended  upon 
his  doing ;  and  they  understand  that  Captain  Farnsworth 
proceeded  to  make  provision  accordingly;  but  as  you  do  not 
hear  of  his  arrival  there,  shall  write  to  Commissary  Trumbull 
on  that  head. 

Enclosed  you  have  a  copy  of  the  resolve  directing  what 
route  the  troops  shall  take. 


COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  TO  JOSEPH  THUMBULL. 

Watertown,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  foregoing  is  copy  of  what  the  Court  wrote  in  an- 
swer to  yours  of  the  llth  July,  to  which  they  have  received 
no  answer ;  nor  do  we  hear  of  the  arrival  of  any  person  at 
Number  Four,  for  the  services  mentioned  in  the  Court's 
letter;  for  which  reasons,  the  Board  have  directed  that  you 
be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  their  last  letter,  as  any  failure  in 
that  service  may  be  of  the  most  fatal  consequences,  the 
troops  being  now  under  marching  orders. 

If  you   have  not  already  sent  a  person   to  make  pro- 
vision for  this  service,  the  Board  earnestly  desire  that  you 
would  do  it  without  delay. 
To  Mr.  Commissary  Trumbull. 


COMM1TTF.E  OF  MOULTONBOROUGH  TO  JONATHAN  MOULTON. 

Moultonborough,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  Daniel  Bce.de,  Esq.,  we  understand  there  was 
a  prospect  of  obtaining,  on  proper  security,  from  the  Trea- 
sury, a  sum  of  money  to  purchase  fire-arms  for  this  almost 
defenceless  town.  Esquire  Bcede  informed  us  you  were 
so  good  as  to  tell  him  you  would  join  him  in  security  for  the 
money  on  a  day  appointed,  which  day  he  was  obliged  to 
leave  Court  on  express ;  and  he  agreed  with  Captain  Josiah 
Moulton  to  join  with  you  for  security  for  the  money  in  his 
stead,  by  which  we  flatter  ourselves  you  may  have  obtained 
the  money.  We,  together  with  Lieutenant  James  Brown, 
(who  waits  on  you  with  this,)  were  chosen  a  Committee  for 
this  town,  to  purchase  the  guns.  Lieutenant  Brown  goes 
on  purpose  to  consult  you  on  the  matter,  receive  the  money, 
if  it  can  be  had,  and  purchase  the  guns,  if  they  are  to  be 
bought.  If  any  difficulty  should  arise  in  your  mind  in  taking 
his  security  singly,  we  hereby  engage  to  indemnify  you  in 
letting  him  have  the  money,  and  will,  with  him,  be  answer- 
able for  the  payment  of  the  same,  agreeable  to  the  tenor  of 
the  obligation  he  may  give  for  the  money. 

We  beg,  sir,  your  forwarding  the  matter,  and  you  will  much 
oblige  the  inhabitants  here,  as  well  as  your  most  humble 
servants,  BRADBURY  RICHARDSON, 

NATHANIEL  AMBROSE. 
To  Jonathan  Moulton,  Esq. 

COURT-MARTIAL  ON  LIEUTENANT  WILLIAMS. 

Williamsburgh,  July  16,  1776. 

In  consequence  of  an  order  from  the  Honourable  Brigadier- 
General  Lewis,  for  the  trial  of  Lieutenant  Henry  Williams, 
of  the  Virginia  forces,  by  a  General  Court-Martial,  at  Wil- 
liamsburgh, July  16,  1776,  he,  the  said  Lieutenant  Williams, 
was  found  guilty  of  behaving  in  a  scandalous  and  infamous 
manner,  unbecoming  the  character  of  an  officer  or  soldier, 
was  cashiered,  drummed  along  the  line  at  Springfield  camp, 
through  Williamsburgh  and  College  camp,  and,  as  a  part 
of  his  sentence,  is  now  held  up  with  infamy  to  the  publick, 
as  a  person  not  worthy  of  enjoying  the  common  blessings  of 
society.  JAMES  HENDRICKS,  President. 


RICHARD  NEWTON  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Boston  Jail,  July  15,  177C. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  I  am  very  sorry  to 
trouble  your  Honours  so  often,  but  necessity  now  obliges  me 
to  do  it.  Having  been  closely  confined  for  upwards  of  three 
months,  and  no  allowance  of  any  kind  made  me,  I  am  reduced 
very  low,  having  been  obliged  to  dispose  of  my  watch,  clothes, 
&sc.  I  am  also  destitute  of  friends  that  will  support  me  without 
payment.  I  beg  your  Honours  will  be  pleased  to  order  me 
some  subsistence,  or  liberty  to  earn  it,  or  otherwise  I  shall 
certainly  starve.  I  defy  the  world  to  prove  I  ever  wronged 
or  defrauded  any  person  living,  or  ever  was  concerned  in 
plundering  the  town  of  Boston,  or  in  any  way  assisting 
against  America.  I  do  not  know  yet  what  1  am  committed 
for.  It  can't  be  for  being  in  the  King's  service,  as  I  never 
was  in  it.  All  I  have  to  add  is,  I  humbly  beg  your  Honours 
will  order  me  some  relief,  or  inflict  upon  me  the  punishment 
I  deserve,  if  any  can  be  found;  which  is  all  that  is  wished 
for  by  your  Honours'  most  obedient  and  distressed  servant, 

RICHAHD  NEWTON. 

[Acted  upon,  and  released ,  August  15,  1776.] 


COL.  BELLOWS  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE   COMMITTEE   OF  SAFETY. 

Walpole,  July  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  In  obedience  to  the  orders  I  received  from 
General  Folsom,  of  the  4th  instant,  I  have  raised  seventy- 
three  men  out  of  the  regiment  under  my  command,  agree- 
able to  said  orders. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

BENJAMIN  BELLOWS,  Jun.,  Colonel. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Colony 
of  New-Hampshire. 


ST.  JOSEPH  DASHIELL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL   OF  SAFETY. 

Worcester  County,  July  16,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  When  Captain  Kelly  was  down,  my  sloop 
lay  at  such  a  distance,  that  we  could  not  go  to  her,  as  they 
were  in  such  a  hurry;  but  I  promised  to  send  up  her  dimen- 
sions. He  heard  her  character  of  being  the  fastest  sailer  in 
this  place.  Her  standing  rigging  in  good  order;  sails  and  run- 
ning rigging  very  indifferent;  forty-six  feet  long  on  deck, 
fourteen-and-a-half  feet  beam,  and  six  feet  hold.  I  consider 
her  sails  and  rigging  as  worth  nothing  to  the  Province, 
except  her  standing  rigging,  and  should  not  have  mentioned 
her  only  for  her  fast  sailing.  I  gave  £  150  for  her  last  year, 
and  if  better  to  answer  the  purpose  cannot  be  got,  I  am 
willing  to  take  the  same  for  her  now. 

This  comes  by  a  French  gentleman,  whom  I  have  had  at 
my  house,  and  sent  part  of  the  way  to  Annapolis.  He  has 
papers  which  will  show  that  he  is  desirous  to  enter  into  our 
service  in  defence  of  liberty,  and  from  his  experience,  hope 
he  will  be  serviceable.  If  you  please,  lay  this  before  your 
brethren,  and  oblige,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

ST.  JOSEPH  DASHIELL. 

To  James  Tilghman,  Esq.,  Annapolis. 

BENNETT  BRACCO  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  extremely  sorry  that  I  am  obliged 
once  more  to  trouble  you ;  but  hope  you  will  excuse  it,  as  it 
is  done  through  necessity.  I  have  exhausted  both  money 
and  credit  to  support  the  men  under  my  command  here,  and 
assure  you  that,  unless  you  furnish  me  very  shortly  with  a 
sum  of  money  for  their  subsistence,  I  shall  be  obliged  to 
suffer  the  men  to  disperse,  and  let  each  man  look  out  for 
himself.  I  expect  that,  in  ten  days  from  this,  we  shall  be 
able  to  do  duty,  as  the  small-pox  is  very  favourable. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

BENNETT  BRACCO. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryhnd. 


363 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


364 


RICHARD  DALLAM  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Harford  County,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  In  answer  to  yours  of  the  10th  instant,  which  I 
received  yesterday,  I  inform  you  I  have  twenty-two  muskets, 
finished  complete,  and  fifteen  more  ready  for  stocking,  six 
of  which  will  be  finished  this  week.  Harvest,  and  sickness 
of  two  of  my  best  hands,  and  the  bursting  of  twelve  or  thir- 
teen of  my  barrels  in  my  absence,  have  disappointed  my 
expectations.  Twelve  of  the  guns  finished  have  been  proved 
with  two  ounces  of  powder  and  one  ball,  the  remainder 
with  one  ounce  of  powder  and  ball;  but  if  this  proof 
will  not  satisfy,  I  will  apply  to  the  gentlemen  you  mention 
to  prove  them,  though  it  will  he  attended  with  expense  and 
trouble  in  taking  them  out  of  the  stocks,  and  fitting  them  in 
again.  What  other  barrels  I  make,  I  shall  apply  to  Mr. 
James  Harris  to  see  them  proved  before  stocked,  as  he  lives 
handy  to  us,  and  take  his  certificate.  I  will  deliver  at  my 
factory,  or  at  Harford  town,  to  your  order,  what  arms  I 
have  or  can  have  made  in  time,  according  to  agreement; 
but  will  not  deliver  them  at  Baltimore  town  at  my  own 
risk  and  expense.  As  Colonel  Hall  is  in  this  neighbour- 
hood, will  not  a  delivery  of  the  arms  to  him  answer?  I 
believe  I  could  get  slings  for  the  muskets,  and  scabbards  for 
the  bayonets,  made  here,  if  you  would  let  me  know  the  price 
given  for  them. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

RICHARD  DALLAM. 

To  the  Honourable  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

P.  S.  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  but  that  my  arms  will 
please,  and  be  found  as  good  as  any  made  in  Maryland. 

R.  D. 


CAPTAINS    BARNES  AND  ELLIOTT  TO  MARYLAND    COUNCIL  OF 
SAFETY. 

July  16,  1776. 

We,  the  subscribers,  having  the  command  of  the  two 
companies  of  Militia  on  Kent  Island,  beg  leave  to  inform 
you,  that  the  people  of  the  Island  are  much  dispirited  by 
reason  of  the  removal  of  the  Independent  Company  off  the 
Island,  and  also  of  a  number  of  young  men  who  are  gone  to 
the  Flying-Camp,  which  has  weakened  our  Militia  com- 
panies very  much.  And  as  the  people  are  apprehensive  of 
being  plundered  and  driven  off  the  Island  very  soon,  unless 
reinforced,  we  therefore  humbly  desire  that  your  Honours 
will  immediately  take  the  same  under  your  consideration, 
and  order  a  reinforcement  to  come  to  our  assistance  as  soon 
as  possible,  or  many  of  the  people  will  go  off;  and,  indeed, 
we  are  in  some  doubt  that  some  of  them  will  not  take  up 
arms,  unless  we  have  some  other  force  to  assist  us;  and  then 
there  is  no  doubt  but  that  they  will  be  very  spirited,  and 
will  endeavour  to  defend  the  Island  as  long  as  possible. 

This  request  we  hope  your  Honours  will  grant  us,  or  we 
shall  be  in  a  most  deplorable  situation,  expecting  to  be 
plundered,  and  perhaps  driven  off  the  Island,  if  the  enemy 
appears,  which  we  hourly  expect,  as  it  is  said  the  Island  is 
intended  as  a  place  of  rendezvous  for  ihem. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  humble  servants, 

THOMAS  BARNES,  Jun. 
THOMAS  ELLIOTT. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

B.  JOHNSON  TO  MARYLAND   COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Frederick  Town,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Captain  Mcrony  has  been  employed  by  me, 
and  acted  as  Adjutant  to  my  battalion  for  two  months.  You 
will  be  pleased  to  give  him  an  order  for  £12.  I  presume 
that  it  will  be  very  serviceable  at  present. 

Mr.  Williams,  I  understand,  declines  accepting  his  com- 
mission in  the  Flying-Camp.  I  have  not  altered  my  opinion, 
but  am  ready  to  obey  the  command  of  my  country. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  JOHNSON. 
To  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  Annapolis. 

GENERAL  DENT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Charles  County,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  letter  contains  the  first  information  I 
have  had  on  the  subject.  I  shall  immediately  set  out  to  St. 


Mary's,  and  take  every  precaution  in  my  power  to  guard 
against  and  repel  the  enemy.  From  the  instructions  hereto- 
fore given  the  Field-Officers,  I  expected  to  have  had  notice 
given  me  upon  the  appearance  of  an  enemy  as  soon  as 
possible;  but  no  such  thing  have  I  had. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  in  haste,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  DENT. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


ROBERT  PORTEUS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  16,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIRS:  I  have  been  told  that  your  honourable 
House  has  done  me  the  honour  of  promoting  me  to  a  Third 
Lieutenancy  in  Captain  Nathaniel  Smith's  Company  of 
Artillery  now  stationed  here.  If  what  I  have  been  told  be 
true,  I  hope  I  shall  merit  the  appointment,  as  my  study  shall 
be  in  every  respect  to  discharge  the  trust  you  are  so  kind  as 
to  put  in  me  with  every  mark  of  honour.  I  would  most 
readily  do  myself  the  honour  of  waiting  on  you  in  person, 
but  I  am  this  day  ordered  to  mount  guard  to-morrow  as  one 
of  the  Militia.  I  coming  in  turn  in  our  company,  (Balti- 
more Independents,)  and  being  one  of  the  first  subscribers  to 
that  company,  and  having  been  a  member  ever  since  its 
commencement,  I  make  no  doubt,  if  you  have  not  yet  ap- 
pointed a  Lieutenant  to  Captain  Smith's  Company,  that  you 
will  think  of  me,  which  will  be  acknowledged  as  a  particular 
honour  conferred;  and  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen, 
your  very  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  PORTEUS. 


JOHN  SKINNER  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  Nottingham  Iron-Works,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  favoured  with  yours  of  the  8th  instant,  con- 
cerning the  casting  some  small  cannon  for  the  use  of  the 
Province;  in  answer  to  which  I  have  to  acquaint  you  that 
the  Nottingham  Company's  furnace  under  my  care  blowed 
out  about  five  weeks  ago.  The  remainder  of  this  year  will 
be  employed  in  providing  stock  for  another  blast,  so  that 
we  shall  not  be  able  to  get  to  work  again  sooner  than  some- 
time next  January. 

I  am,  with  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

JOHN  SKINNER. 


COLONEL  TYLER  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Agreeable  to  your  orders,  a  company  out 
of  my  battalion  will  be  at  Annapolis  to-day;  they  are  not 
quite  complete,  but  will  be  made  so  to-morrow.  The  notice 
1  had  was  so  short  there  was  not  time  to  collect  the  whole 
battalion,  which  is  the  reason  that  some  of  them  are  badly 
armed.  It  was  past  seven  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning 
before  I  received  the  orders.  Colonel  Williams  waits  on 
you  with  this,  and,  if  necessary,  will  attend  the  company  till 
relieved.  I  should  have  waited  on  you  myself,  but  have 
just  recovered  from  a  spell  of  sickness,  and  being  a  good  deal 
fatigued  by  attending  the  battalion  yesterday,  it  would  have 
gone  hard  with  me. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

ROBERT  TYLER. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY    TO    THE    COMMITTEES    OF 

OBSERVATION. 
[No.  43.]  Annapolis,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  we  send  you  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  and  the  Letter  that  accompanied  it  from  Con- 
gress to  the  Convention,  requesting  that  it  should  be  pro- 
claimed in  our  Colony.  We  transmit  the  Declaration  to 
you,  that  you  may  proclaim  it  in  your  County  in  the  manner 
you  judge  most  proper  for  the  information  of  the  people. 

We  are,  Sic. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  BENTON  HARRIS. 
[No.  44.]  Annapolis,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  We  received  your  letter  by  Mr.  Smyly,  and  send 
you  by  him  the  sum  of  £150,  currency,  to  defray  expenses, 
for  which  you  will  hereafter  render  us  an  account. 


365 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


366 


We  send  you  enclosed  exact  copies  of  the  invoice  that 
have  been  transmitted  to  us  from  Messrs.  Vanbibber  Sf  Har- 
rison. There  is  some  variation  in  the  article  of  powder,  a 
deficiency  of  two  chests  or  packages  of  arms,  and  a  very 
large  deficiency  in  the  bolts  or  pieces  of  duck.  You  say 
twenty-eight  only  are  received;  there  ought  to  have  been 
twenty-three  bales,  containing  each  four  pieces  or  bolts — in 
all  ninety-two  bolts. 

We  request  you  would  exert  yourself  in  getting  our  cargo 
according  to  invoice  and  bill  of  lading.  Colonel  Hooe  is 
down  loading  his  vessel.  He,  on  application,  will  assist  you ; 
and  Captain  Martin  himself  ought  to  be  applied  to.  We 
depend  on  your  diligence  and  activity;  and  are,  with  re- 
spect and  esteem,  yours,  &tc. 
To  Benton  Harris,  Esquire,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 

Observation  for  Worcester  County. 

MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF     SAFETY    TO    COMMITTEES    ON    THE 
EASTERN  SHORE. 

[No.  45.]  Annapolis,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  It  is  impossible  for  us  to  attend  so  particu- 
larly as  we  could  wish  to  the  execution  of  every  part  of  the 
enclosed  resolves,  and  therefore  must  request  the  favour  of 
you  (though  we  are  conscious  it  will  give  you  a  good  deal 
of  trouble)  to  assist  us,  as  far  as  the  nature  of  the  subject 
and  your  situation  will  admit  of,  to  comply  with  them ;  par- 
ticularly in  borrowing  firelocks  from  such  of  the  Militia  as 
will  lend,  on  the  publick  faith  that  the  same  shall  be  re- 
turned in  the  like  good  order  as  received,  or,  in  case  of  loss, 
the  value  thereof,  in  having  them  valued ;  and  also  in  col- 
lecting a  sufficient  quantity  of  blankets  for  the  troops  directed 
to  be  raised  in  Queen  Anne's,  and,  if  practicable,  more,  to 
make  up  the  deficiency  which  we  are  apprehensive  there 
will  be  in  some  other  Counties. 

We  think  it  best  that  the  defective  arms  for  the  com- 
panies to  be  raised  with  you  for  the  Flying-Camp,  should 
be  repaired  and  fitted  up  in  your  County  if  possible;- and 
as  Mr.  Winters,  of  Chestertown,  (who  is  the  only  person  we 
know  of  on  the  Eastern-Shore  capable  of  undertaking  it  for 
the  whole  battalion  to  be  raised  there,)  is  already  engaged 
in  making  arms  for  the  Province,  we  should  be  sorry  to  take 
him  from  that  business,  unless  through  absolute  necessity, 
and  therefore  request  that  you  will  exert  yourselves  in  your 
endeavours  to  have  them  done  without  applying  to  him;  if, 
however,  you  cannot  accomplish  it,  you  will  be  pleased  to 
send  them  up  to  .him  for  that  purpose  as  fast  as  you  collect 
them,  taking  his  receipt  for  such  as  you  may  deliver.  We 
desire  to  know  how  many  arms  you  have  in  your  possession 
belonging  to  the  Province,  and  the  number  delivered  in  by, 
or  takenYrom,  those  who  have  not  subscribed  the  Association 
or  enrolled  in  the  Militia;  and  that  those  belonging  to  the 
Province  may  not  be  given  out  without  the  orders  of  this 
Board.  We  have  already  a  sufficient  quantity  of  cartouch 
boxes,  bayonet  belts,  and  slings,  and  have  advertised  for  per- 
sons to  contract  with  us  for  making  knapsacks,  with  haver- 
sacks, priming-wires  and  brushes,  camp-kettles,  and  canteens 
or  wooden  bottles;  but  if  you  can  recommend  to  us  any  who 
can  and  will  engage  to  supply  the  Militia  with  either  of  these 
articles,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  you.  Steel  ramrods  we  pre- 
sume you  can  get  made,  but  not  bayonets,  and  therefore  we 
have  written  Mr.  Hollingsworth,  of  Cecil  County,  immediate- 
ly to  procure  a  number,  a  sufficient  quantity  of  which  we  will 
endeavour  to  supply  you  with  as  soon  as  possible,  upon  being 
informed  you  can  have  the  arms  repaired  and  fitted.  No 
period  can  furnish  a  greater  necessity  for  your  warmest  efforts, 
and  we  trust  you  will  not  leave  anything  unessayed  upon  the 
present  occasion. 

We  will  send  you,  by  the  first  opportunity,  some  cash  to 
buy  guns  and  blankets  with,  which  we  request  you  will  lay 
out  accordingly.  We  have  not  exceeded  £4  5s.  for  a  mus- 
ket, with  a  steel  ramrod  and  bayonet,  but  upon  this  occasion 
would  have  you  go  as  high  as  £4  10*.  Guns  which  you 
may  purchase  without  either,  ought  not  to  cost  so  much  that 
the  necessary  repairs  and  providing  ramrods  and  bayonets 
will  carry  them  above  £4  5s.,  unless  they  are  very  good,  in 
which  case  we  will  also  allow  £4  10s. 
We  are,  &tc. 

N.  B.  There  is  a  person  on  Kent  Island  who  has  repaired 
many  guns  for  the  Militia  there,  particularly  in  the  locks, 
and  we  are  informed  is  well  qualified  for  the  business. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFF.TY  TO  THE  COMMITTEES  ON  THE 

WESTERN  SHORE. 
[No.  46.]  Annapolis,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  It  will  be  impossible  for  us  to  attend  so 
particularly  as  we  could  wish,  to  the  execution  of  every  part 
of  the  enclosed  resolves,  and  therefore  must  request  the 
favour  of  you  (though  we  are  conscious  it  will  give  you  a 
good  deal  of  trouble)  to  assist  us,  as  far  as  the  nature  of  the 
subject  and  your  situation  will  admit  of,  to  comply  with 
them,  particularly  in  borrowing  firelocks  from  such  of  the 
Militia  as  will  lend,  on  the  publick  faith  that  the  same  shall 
be  returned  in  like  good  order  as  received,  or,  in  case  of  loss, 
the  value  thereof  on  having  them  valued ;  and  also  in  collect- 
ing a  sufficient  quantity  of  blankets  for  the  troops  directed 
to  be  recruited  in  your  County  for  the  Flying-Camp,  and,  if 
practicable,  more,  to  make  up  the  deficiency  which  we  are 
apprehensive  there  will  be  in  some  other  Counties.  We 
wish  the  defective  arms  which  may  be  collected  in  your 
County  for  the  Flying-Camp  should  be  repaired  and  fitted 
there  if  possible,  and  therefore  request  you  will  exert  your- 
selves in  your  endeavours  to  have  them  done  as  expeditiously 
as  you  can.  We  desire  to  know  how  many  arms  you  have 
which  have  been  delivered  in  by,  or  taken  from,  those  who 
have  not  subscribed  the  Association  or  enrolled  in  the  Militia. 
We  have  already  a  sufficient  quantity  of  cartouch-boxes, 
bayonet  belts,  and  slings,  and  have  advertised  for  persons 
to  contract  with  us  for  making  knapsacks  with  haversacks, 
priming-wires  and  brushes.  But  if  you  can  recommend  to 
us  any  who  will  engage  to  supply  the  publick  with  either  of 
those  articles  we  shall  be  obliged  to  you.  Steel  ramrods, 
we  presume,  you  will  be  able  to  get  made,  but  are  doubtful 
as  to  bayonets ;  however,  if  you  can  provide  them  also,  we 
would  have  you  do  it. 

Mr.  Hanson  will  deliver  you  this  and  we  request  you 

will  lay  it  out  in  the  purchase  of  arms  and  blankets.  We  have 
not  hitherto  exceeded  £4  5s.  for  a  musket  with  a  steel  ram- 
rod and  bayonet,  but  upon  this  occasion  would  have  you  go 
as  high  as  £4  10s.  Guns  which  you  may  purchase  with- 
out either  ought  not  to  cost  so  much  that  the  necessary  re- 
pairs and  providing  ramrods  and  bayonets  will  carry  them 
above  £4  5s.,  unless  they  are  very  good,  in  which  case  we 
will  allow  £4  10s.  We  are,  fcc. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS   TO  VIRGINIA   COUNCIL   OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Although  the  Council  of  Safety  of  this 
Colony,  by  a  recommendation  to  the  inhabitants  to  spare  the 
lead  weights  from  their  windows,  and  the  lead  from  their 
houses,  have  collected  a  considerable  quantity,  which  has 
been  run  into  ball,  and  a  part  of  which  is  now  on  the  way 
to  the  Jerseys;  yet  it  is  by  no  means  sufficient  in  our  present 
exigency.  A  much  greater  quantity  is  still  wanted  for  the 
Army  in  New-Jersey,  and  every  method  should  be  taken  to 
procure  it;  1  have  it  therefore  in  charge  from  Congress  to 
request  you  will  send  by  the  return  wagons,  which  are  now 
on  their  way  to  your  Colony  with  powder,  as  much  lead  as 
you  can  spare,  and  that  you  will  order  fifteen  or  twenty  tons 
more  of  lead  from  the  mines  to  this  city  as  soon  as  possible. 
The  state  of  our  affairs  will  not  admit  the  least  delay;  and  I 
am  persuaded  arguments  are  not  necessary  to  induce  you  to 
a  compliance  with  this  requisition  with  the  greatest  despatch. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

JONN  HANCOCK,  President. 

Honourable  Council  of  Safety,  Virginia. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  COLONEL  FIELDING  LEWIS. 

Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  The  article  of  lead  is  so  essentially  necessary  for  our 
Army  at  this  juncture,  that  the  Council  of  Safety  of  this 
Colony  have  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  to  spare  the 
load  weights  from  their  windows,  and  the  lead  from  their 
houses,  by  which  means  they  have  been  furnished  with  a 
considerable  quantity,  which  has  been  run  into  ball,  and  part 
of  which  is  now  on  the  way  to  the  Jerseys.  But  as,  under 
the  present  exigency,  that  quantity  is  far  short  of  what  is 
wanted  for  the  Army  in  the  Jerseys,  and  every  method 
should  be  taken  to  collect  it,  I  am  therefore  directed  to  re- 
quest you  will  send  by  the  wagons,  which  are  now  on  their 


367 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


368 


way  to  your  Colony  with  powder,  all  the  lead  you  can  possi- 
bly procure  at  Frcdcricksburgh.  The  state  of  our  affairs 
will  not  admit  of  the  least  delay,  and  I  am  convinced  there 
is  no  necessity  for  arguments  to  induce  you  to  an  immediate 
compliance  with  this  requisition. 

1  have  the  honour  to  he,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 
humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
Colonel  Fielding  Lewis. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Congress  Chamber,  July  1C,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  only  time  to  forward  the  foregoing  resolves. 
By  to-morrow's  post  I  hope  to  write  you  on  the  subject  of 
all  your  letters  which  remain  unanswered. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK.  President. 
To  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  Your  favour  of  the  14th  just  received. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  SI.  KIRMOVAN. 

Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  the  recommendation  the  Con- 
gress have  received  of  you,  I  am  to  inform  you  they  have 
this  day  been  pleased  to  appoint  you  an  Engineer  in  the 
Continental  service,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and  the  pay  of  sixty  dollars  per  month. 

It  is  the  order  of  Congress  that  you  immediately  repair  to 
New-Jersey,  and  put  yourself  under  the  command  of  the 
officer  commanding  the  Flying-Camp. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 


humble  servant, 


JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 


To  Monsieur  Kirmovan,  Philadelphia. 
P.  S.  Enclosed  I  send  your  commission. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Since  I  had  the  honour  of  addressing  you 
on  the  4th  of  June,  at  which  time  I  transmitted  sundry 
resolves  of  Congress  requesting  you  to  call  forth  your  Mi- 
litia, our  affairs  have  assumed  a  much  more  serious  com- 
plexion. If  we  turn  our  attention  towards  the  Northern 
Department,  we  behold  our  Army  reduced  by  sickness  and 
obliged  to  flee  before  an  enemy  of  vastly  superior  force.  If 
we  cast  our  eyes  to  Head-Quarters,  we  see  the  British 
Army  reinforced  under  Lord  Howe,  and  ready  to  strike  a 
blow  which  may  be  attended  with  the  most  fatal  conse- 
quences, if  not  timely  resisted.  The  situation  of  our  coun- 
try at  this  season  calls,  therefore,  for  all  the  vigour  and  wisdom 
among  us;  and  if  we  do  not  mean  to  desert  her  at  this 
alarming  crisis,  it  is  high  time  to  rouse  every  spark  of  virtue, 
and,  forgetting  all  inferior  considerations,  to  exert  ourselves 
in  a  manner  becoming  freemen. 

The  intelligence  received  this  day  from  General  Wash- 
ington points  out  the  absolute,  the  indispensable  necessity  of 
sending  forward  all  the  troops  that  can  possibly  be  collected, 
to  strengthen  both  the  Army  in  New-  York  and  that  on  this 
side  of  Canada.  I  do  therefore  once  more,  in  the  name  and 
by  the  authority  of  Congress,  request  and  beseech  you,  as 
you  regard  the  liberties  of  your  country  and  the  happiness 
of  posterity,  and  as  you  stand  engaged  by  the  most  solemn 
ties  of  honour  to  support  the  common  cause,  to  strain  every 
nerve  to  send  forward  your  Militia,  agreeably  to  the  former 
requisitions  of  Congress.  This  is  a  step  of  such  infinite 
moment,  that,  in  all  human  probability,  it  will  be  the  salva- 
tion of  America.  And  as  it  is  the  only  effectual  step  that 
can  possibly  be  taken  at  this  juncture,  you  will  suffer  me 
again  most  ardently  to  entreat  your  speedy  compliance  with 
it.  In  short,  the  critical  period  is  arrived  that  will  seal  the 
fate  not  only  of  ourselves,  but  of  posterity.  Whether  they 
shall  arise  the  generous  heirs  of  freedom,  or  the  dastardly 
slaves  ofcimperious  task-masters,  it  is  in  your  power  now  to 
determine;  and,  as  freemen,  I  am  sure  you  will  not  hesitate 
a  moment  about  the  choice. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  &c., 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

[The  same  to  Massachusetts  Assembly,  Connecticut  Assembly,  and 
Convention  of  JVeic- Jersey.] 


In  Congress,  July  16,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Letters  be  written  to  the  States  of  Mas- 
sachusetts-Bay, Connecticut,  and  New-Jersey,  setting  forth 
the  situation  of  our  affairs  in  the  New-York  department, 
and  pressing  them  immediately  to  comply  with  the  requisi- 
tion of  Congress  of  the  3d  June.  That  the  situation  of  our 
Army  at  New-York  be  stated  to  the  State  of  Connecticut, 
and  that  it  be  earnestly  desired  of  that  State  immediately  to 
send  all  the  Militia  thereof  which  can  be  spared  into  Ntw- 
York,  to  reinforce  the  Army  there,  and  continue  in  service 
until  the  proportions  requested  of  the  several  States  arrive. 
Copy:  ROBERT  H.  HARRISON. 


WILLIAM  WIIIPPLE  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  1st  instant  came  duly 
to  hand.  There  can  be  no  objection  to  your  contracting 
for  guns  wherever  they  are  to  be  had.  I  find  by  the  back- 
wardness of  the  furnaces  here,  that  they  must  be  got  some- 
where else.  Governour  Hopkins  has  written  agreeable  to 
what  I  wrote  last  post.  However,  I  think  it  would  not  be 
amiss  for  you  to  contract,  if  they  won't  spare  you  those 
already  made,  which  they  will,  if  they  consider  the  good  of 
the  service,  as  they  may  make  more  by  the  time  their  ships 
are  ready  for  them.  You  may  depend  the  officers  will  he 
appointed  agreeable  to  your  recommendation ;  their  com- 
missions not  being  sent,  need  be  no  hinderance  to  you  in 
engaging  petty  officers  and  men.'  Provisions  I  wrote  you 
about  last  post.  I  agree  with  you  that  these  matters  have 
not  been  properly  attended  to,  but  I  by  no  means  take  any 
part  of  the  charge  of  neglect  to  myself;  for  no  poor  devil 
ever  begged  for  alms  with  more  earnestness  than  I  have  to 
get  these  matters  settled,  and  am  still  determined,  if  possible, 
to  have  everything  complete  before  I  leave  this.  Two  of 
the  ships  were  launched  here  last  week,  viz :  the  Randolph 
and  Delaware;  but  when  they  will  get  to  sea  is  uncertain, 
as  tfiey  have  no  anchors  yet. 

Independence  was  proclaimed  in  the  Army  at  New-  York 
last  Wednesday,  when  the  leaden  King  in  the  Bowling- 
Green  was  dismounted,  and  is  by  this  time  cast  into  bullets 
for  the  destruction  of  his  tools  of  tyranny.  May  every  one 
of  them  be  properly  commissioned. 

We  are  daily  in  expectation  of  some  grand  military  ope- 
rations at  New-York.  The  Militia  are  all  marching  from 
this  Colony.  The  Associators  are  mostly  gone  from  this 
city — Colonels  Dickinson,  Cadivalader,  &,c.,  at  the  head 
of  their  regiments.  No  doubt  in  a  very  few  days  twenty 
thousand  men,  if  not  more,  will  be  imbodied  slNew-Jersiy, 
besides  the  Army  at  York.  This  Declaration  has  had  a 
glorious  effect — has  made  these  Colonies  all  alive:  all  the 
Colonies  forming  Governments,  as  you  will  see  by  the 
papers.  I  expect  there  will  be  some  interruption  in  the 
communication,  but  hope  it  won't  last  long. 

In  very  great  haste,  yours,  WJLLIAM  WHIppLE. 

P.  S.  Please  to  send  the  enclosed  paper  to  the  North 
End.  I  have  sent  the  play  you  mention  to  Mr.  Brackctt. 


JOHN  ALSOP  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Yesterday  our  President  read  in  Congress 
,  a  resolve  of  your  honourable  body,  dated  the  9th  instant,  in 
which  you  declare  New-York  a  free  and  independent  State. 
I  cannot  help  saying  that  I  was  much  surprised  to  find  it 
come  through  that  channel.  The  usual  method  hitherto 
practised  has  been,  for  the  Convention  of  each  Colony  to 
give  their  Delegates  instructions  to  act  and  vote  upon  all 
and  any  important  questions.  And  in  the  last  letter  we 
were  favoured  with  from  your  body,  you  told  us  that  you 
were  not  competent  or  authorized  to  give  us  instructions  on 
that  grand  question ;  nor  have  you  been  pleased  to  answer 
our  letter  of  the  2d  instant,  any  otherwise  than  by  your  said 
resolve,  transmitted  to  the  President.  I  think  we  were 
entitled  to  an  answer. 

I  am  compelled,  therefore,  to  declare,  that  it  is  against  my 
judgment  and  inclination.  As  long  as  a  door  was  left  open 
for  a  reconciliation  with  Great  Britain,  upon  honourable 
and  just  terms,  I  was  willing  and  ready  to  render  my  coun- 
try all  the  service  in  my  power,  and  for  which  purpose  I  was 


369 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


370 


appointed  and  sent  to  this  Congress ;  but  as  you  have,  I 
presume,  by  that  Declaration,  closed  the  door  of  reconcili- 
ation, I  must  beg  leave  to  resign  my  seat  as  a  Delegate  from 
New-York,  and  that  I  may  be  favoured  with  an  answer  and 
my  dismission. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &tc.  JOHN  ALSOP. 


In  Provincial  Congress  of  New-Jersey, 
Trenton,  July  16,  177G. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  Township  Committees  through- 
out this  Colony  do  immediately  exert  themselves  in  procuring 
Lead  for  the  use  of  the  Army  now  engaged  in  our  defence,  as 
the  demand  for  that  article  is  very  great  and  pressing;  that, 
to  this  end,  they  do  forthwith  collect  all  the  Leaden  Weights 
from  Windows  and  Clocks,  and  all  the  Leaden  Weights  of 
Shops,  Stores,  and  Mills,  of  one  pound  weight  and  upwards; 
also  all  other  Lead  in  and  about  Houses  and  other  places;  and 
that  they  forward  all  the  Lead  which  shall  by  them  be  so 
collected  to  the  hands  of  Alexander  Chambers,  Abraham 
Hunt,  David  Pinkerton,  and  William  Tucker,  of  Trenton; 
Hendrick  Fisher,  of  Somerset  County;  Azariah  Dunham,  of 
New-Brunswick;  John  Ross,  of  Woodbridge;  Isaac  Wood- 
ruff, of  Elizabethtown ;  and  Dr.  William  Burnet,  of  New- 
ark, or  any  of  them,  Commissioners  appointed  for  purcha- 
sing arms,  &c.  And  the  said  Commissioners  are  directed 
to  pay  for  all  such  Lead  at  the  rate  of  six  pence,  Proclama- 
tion money,  the  pound  weight,  together  with  the  reasonable 
expenses  in  forwarding  the  same. 

July  11th. — Whereas  the  honourable  the  Continental 
Congress  have  declared  the  United  Colonies  free  and  inde- 
pendent States:  We,  the  Deputies  of  New-Jersey,  in  Pro- 
vincial Congress  assembled, 

Do  Resolve  and  Declare,  That  we  will  support  the  free- 
dom and  independence  of  the  said  States  with  our  lives  and 
fortunes,  and  with  the  whole  force  of  New-Jersey. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

WILLIAM  PATERSON,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
Elizabethtown,  New-Jersey,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  I  just  now  received  the  honour  of  your  letter  of  the 
14th  instant,  containing  the  instructions  of  Congress  relative 
to  the  troops  which  are  intended  to  compose  the  Flying- 
Camp. 

Two  battalions  of  Pennsylvania  Riflemen  have  arrived  at 
Amboy,  where  it  is  proposed  to  form  the  encampment,  as 
most  convenient  for  the  protection  of  this  part  of  the  New- 
Jerseys,  or  for  marching  towards  Philadelphia  or  New-York, 
should  the  operations  of  the  enemy  point  either  way. 

The  British  troops  remain  cantoned  along  the  shores  of 
Staten-Island,  by  all  our  intelligence,  to  the  number  of  eight 
or  nine  thousand.  Three  days  ago,  Lord  Howe  sent  Lieu- 
tenant Reeve,  of  the  Eagle  man-of-war,  in  a  flag,  to  Amboy, 
with  letters  to  the  late  Governours  from  hence  to  Georgia, 
which  were  immediately  conveyed  to  Head-Quarters  in  New- 
York.  His  Lordship  left  England  before  the  fleet ;  had  nine 
weeks'  passage  to  Sandy-Hook;  he  touched  at  Halifax.  I 
shall  not  fail  to  communicate  every  remarkable  occurrence. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  16, 1776. 

SIR  :  In  consequence  of  Colonel  Reed's  letter,  and  the  plan 
shown  me  by  Major  Knowlton,  I  have  reconnoitred  the  ene- 
my's posts,  and  last  night  had  the  assistance  of  Captain  John 
Mercereau  to  bring  some  intelligence  from  Staten-Island. 
He  undertook  the  service  very  cheerfully;  told  me  he  could 
go  very  secretly  to  his  brother-in-law's  house,  who,  it  seems, 
resides  back  in  the  woods,  remote  from  the  parties  along 
shore.  The  Captain  informs  that  he  got  to  the  house,  where 
his  brother  and  wife  were  alone;  that  he  told  him  there  were 
soldiers  in  every  house  near  the  shore — the  numbers  rather 
uncertain  ;  but  on  the  Neck,  where  we  propose  an  attack,  I 
cannot  collect,  from  lib  account  and  all  observation,  that  there 
are  more  than  six  or  seven  hundred.  Two  creeks  enclose  this 
Neck  all  to  a  point  of  woods  three  or  four  hundred  yards 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  24 


wide.  The  principal  posts  of  the  enemy  are  three ;  the  Bla- 
zing-Star is  the  lowest,  where  there  appear  to  be  from  one 
hundred  to  two  hundred  men.  The  two  other  houses,  about 
a  mile  or  more  asunder,  do  not  appear  to  contain  so  many 
men.  Some  scattering  nouses  on  the  Neck  also  have  soldiers 
quartered,  but,  being  more  inconvenient  and  small  buildings, 
cannot  be  supposed  to  contain  many  men.  Every  morning 
and  evening  a  patrol  of  one  hundred  men  passes  into  the 
Neck,  from  house  to  house,  where  guards  are  kept,  and  re- 
turns to  some  other  post.  This  is  the  state  of  the  enemy. 

The  plan  of  the  attack  which  I  propose,  is  as  follows :  To 
ferry  over,  between  the  hours  of  eleven  and  two  o'clock  to- 
morrow night,  from  Thompson's  Creek  to  the  woods,  where 
the  marsh  is  most  practicable,  fourteen  hundred  men — Colo- 
nel Brodhead,w\th  four  hundred  Pennsylvania  Riflemen,  to 
pass  over  first  and  take  possession  of  the  ground,  where  the 
creeks  form  the  Neck  of  smallest  width,  and  there  to  lie  in 
ambush  from  creek  to  creek;  Major  Knowlton  to  march  next, 
with  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  his  regiment,  fifty  Pennsylva- 
nia Riflemen,  and  fifty  Militia,  towards  the  Blazing-Star; 
Colonel  Piper,  with  one  hundred  Riflemen  and  one  hundred 
and  fifty  Militia,  to  take  the  road  to  the  middle  house  in  our 
view  from  this  shore;  and  another  Field-Officer,  with  alike 
number,  to  make  towards  the  upper  house.  One  hundred 
Riflemen  and  fifty  Militia  will  remain  for  a  reserve,  to  scour 
the  Neck,  and  attack  any  scattering  houses  we  may  discover 
there.  The  orders  to  these  parties  will  be3  to  proceed,  if 
possible,  under  cover,  and  to  remain  near  the  enemy  till 
daybreak,  and  then  to  make  a  vigorous  attack;  those  at 
the  upper  houses  to  wait  till  firing  is  heard  at  the  Blazing- 
Star,  the  most  distant  point.  If  the  enemy  attempts  to 
pass  into  the  Neck  to  the  relief  of  their  guards,  Colonel 
Brodhead  will  have  orders  to  place  his  men  so  as  to  form  an 
ambuscade  that  may  give  him  a  great  advantage;  his  men 
are,  I  think,  to  be  depended  on  for  such  service.  We  pro- 
pose, if  successful,  to  retire  by  the  Blazing-Star.  For  this 
purpose,  not  only  the  craft  we  cross  over  in  from  Thomp- 
son's Creek,  but  all  others  that  can  be  collected  along  the 
shores,  will  be  collected  there  by  the  parties  stationed  at  our 
different  posts  near  that  place. 

The  clamour  of  the  Militia  to  get  to  their  harvest,  has 
obliged  me  to  discharge  many.  However,  we  have  at 
Amboy  seven  hundred  and  fifty  Riflemen;  we  expect  two 
hundred  and  fifty  from  Paulus-Hook;  and  depend  on  four 
hundred  of  the  Pennsylvania  Light-Infantry,  or  Militia,  to 
be  at  Woodbridge  to-morrow;  but  should  their  march  be  so 
slow  as  to  disappoint  us,  I  shall  have  that  number  of  Militia 
prepared  in  this  quarter,  without  weakening  too  much  the 
several  posts  we  occupy  on  the  Jersey  shore.  I  shall  en- 
deavour to  procure  guides  for  the  several  parties.  Your 
instructions  for  the  improvement  of  the  above  plan  will  give 
great  pleasure,  and  may  ensure  its  success. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant,  TT  •.. 

HUGH  MERCER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  The  parties  sent  to  attack  the  posts  will  have  orders 
to  send  on  a  few  men,  if  possible,  to  seize  the  sentinels  and 
guards  before  they  can  give  an  alarm,  which,  if  executed 
properly,  may  save  our  men.  There  are  two  field-pieces  at 
our  post,  opposite  the  Blazing-Star,  which  may  be  employed 
to  favour  our  retreat,  if  necessary. 

All  the  troops  for  this  service  will  assemble  by  to-morrow 
evening  at  Woodbridge,  excepting  those  from  Paulus-Hoolc, 
which  I  shall  look  for  here  by  that  time  if  your  Excellency 
approves  of  going  on  with  the  enterprise. 

The  common  talk  on  the  Island  is,  that  they  will  wait  for 
the  fleet  from  England,  and  then  attack  New-York.  No 
encampment,  but  the  men  scattered  all  over  the  Island — no 
considerable  encampment. 

From  some  difficulties  that  occur  with  regard  to  the  craft 
necessary  for  the  enterprise,  I  begin  to  think  it  will  be  Thurs- 
day night  before  it  can  be  entered  upon. 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  am  informed  that  a  guard  of 
one  hundred  men  takes  post  every  night  on  a  point  of  woods 
nearly  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  Thompson's  Creek,  but  not 
so  near  but  we  may  possibly  pass  from  hence  along  the 
Sound,  and  land  lower  down  than  was  first  intended ;  only 
we  shall  have  a  greater  body  of  marsh  to  cross  (said  to  be  a 
mile)  before  we  reach  the  woods;  our  craft  is  also  to  be  taken 
round  from  Elizabethtown  Creek:  into  Thompson's  Creek. 


371 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


372 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  just  now  received  a  letter  from  the  honour- 
able Mr.  Hancock,  containing  the  orders  of  Congress  that  I 
should  march  the  troops  which  are  to  compose  the  Flying- 
Camp  and  Militia  wherever  the  service  requires,  in  subordi- 
nation to  your  instructions. 

When  I  formerly  mentioned  Brunswick  as  a  proper  place 
for  that  camp,  my  idea  of  the  intention  of  raising  and  col- 
lecting an  army  here,  was  for  the  security  of  Philadelphia 
only;  but  as  I  find  the  design  is  equally  to  secure  this  Colony 
and  Pennsylvania,  or  assist  in  the  operations  on  the  New- 
York  side,  I  am  well  satisfied  that  Amboy  will  in  every  view 
best  fulfil  that  intention. 

I  have  to-day  from  Dr.  William  Brown,  late  of  Alexan- 
dria, a  request  to  interest  your  Excellency  in  his  appoint- 
ment to  the  charge  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Flying-Camp. 
Dr.  Brown  has  served  with  reputation  as  a  Regimental  Sur- 
geon, with  Colonel  Woodford,  ever  since  regular  troops  were 
raised  in  Virginia.  He  is,  I  am  well  satisfied,  worthy  of 
any  countenance  from  those  in  authority,  and  every  way 
equal  to  the  execution  of  the  trust  he  desires.  He  wish'es 
for  a  line  to  Congress  from  your  Excellency,  in  which 
recommendation,  if  my  being  of  the  same  profession  could 
have  any  weight,  I  would  most  readily  join. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  As  the  command  I  am  honoured  with  necessarily 
engages  me  in  writing  more  than  may  be  consistent  with 
other  parts  of  the  service,  I  beg  to  know  whether  the  assist- 
ance of  a  Clerk  or  Secretary  will  not  be  allowed.  I  hope 
there  will  be  no  impropriety  in  appointing  Mr.  Ross  to  the 
post  of  Brigade-Major. 

COLONEL  SEYMOUR  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

City  of  New- York,  July  16,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  By  the  positive  laws 
of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  establishing  the  Troops  of 
Light-Horse,  they  are  expressly  exempted  from  staying  in 
garrison,  or  doing  duty  on  foot,  apart  from  their  horses. 
This  being  the  case,  of  which  the  regiments  under  our  com- 
mand in  this  place  are  fully  sensible,  we  find  it  impossible  for 
us  to  detain  them  any  longer  under  that  idea;  they,  more- 
over, remonstrate  against  it,  alleging  that  they  came  out 
without  the  least  expectation  or  preparation  for  such  service. 
As  your  Excellency  thought  it  inconsistent  to  distinguish 
these  from  the  other  troops  on  the  ground,  and  as  it  will  be 
impossible  for  them  much  longer  to  sustain  their  horses  here, 
they  humbly  ask  your  Excellency's  dismission  in  form. 
Major  Starr  waits  upon  your  Excellency  for  this  purpose, 
and  any  commands  for  his  Honour  Governour  Trumbull. 

We  are,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect,  your  Excellen- 
cy's most  obedient,  humble  servants, 

THOMAS  SEYMOUR, 
WILLIAM  HART, 
ELISHA  SHELDON, 
DANIEL  STARR. 
To  General  Washington. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  SEYMOUR. 

New-York,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  In  answer  to  yours  of  this  date,  I  can  only 
repeat  to  you  what  I  said  last  night,  and  that  is,  that  if  your 
men  think  themselves  exempt  from  the  common  duties  of 
a  soldier — will  not  mount  guard,  do  garrison  duty,  or  ser- 
vice separate  from  their  horses — they  can  be  no  longer  of 
use  here,  where  Horse  cannot  be  brought  to  action,  and  I  do 
not  care  how  soon  they  are  dismissed. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Colonel  Seymour,  and  other  Field-Officers  of  the  Con- 
necticut Light-Horse. 


cruising  in  the  Bay.  No  deserters  last  night.  Nothing 
material  has  happened  since  yesterday.  I  am  in  hopes  to 
get  the  works  on  Cobble-Hill  completed  in  a  few  days:  it  has 
taken  much  more  time  than  I  expected.  I  have  such  a 
number  of  guards  that  the  fatigue  party  is  much  smaller  than 
I  could  wish,  but  I  cannot  safely  enlarge  it  without  injuring 
the  health  of  the  people,  for  they  are  one  day  on  and  one 
day  off  duty  now.  One  ship  and  a  sloop  have  been  under 
sail  to-day,  but  are  now  come  to. 

I  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient humble  servant,  ,,    „ 

IN.  GREENE. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  16, 1776. 

SIR  :  Colonel  Hands  reports  the  fleet  lies  much  in  the  same 
situation  as  yesterday,  three  ships  at  the  Hook,  two  tenders 


COLONEL  JOSEPH  REED  TO  MRS.  HEED. 

New-York,  July  16,  1776. 

I  make  no  doubt  you  will  be  agreeably  surprised,  as  I  was 
yesterday,  on  receiving  a  letter  from  our  brother  Dennis.  It 
was  endorsed  "  Per  favour  of  Lord  Howe,"  and  sent  with 
the  seal  untouched.  He  mentions  that  he  had  seen  Lord 
Howe,  and  is  well  assured  that  he  comes  as  a  mediator, 
rather  than  as  an  enemy,  and  most  earnestly  presses  me  to 
promote  a  conference  in  order  to  an  accommodation.  I  have 
not  time  to  copy  it  now,  but  will  send  it  to  you  by  the  first 
opportunity.  No  one  can  wish  more  for  peace,  or  would 
promote  it  more  heartily,  if  the  terms  were  such  as  to  give 
us  any  security  for  those  articles  which  all  agree,  both  Whig 
and  Tory,  are  essential  to  our  liberty  and  safety.  These 
are,  exemption  from  Parliamentary  taxation  and  regulation 
of  our  internal  government.  If  security  was  held  of  these 
and  other  articles  still  insisted  on,  I  should,  with  a  safe  con- 
science, retire,  and  would  do  it.  The  annihilation  of  our 
trade,  the  difficulty  of  procuring  men  and  supplies  for  another 
campaign,  the  misery  and  desolation  which  must  ensue  even 
if  we  should  in  the  end  be  victorious,  are  important  conside- 
rations. Besides,  from  some  late  instances,  I  very  much 
fear  many  of  our  troops  will  fail  in  spirit,  especially  if  taken 
by  surprise. 

I  do  not  know  what  prospect  there  is  of  foreign  alliances. 
That  would  certainly  turn  the  scale  decisively  in  our  favour, 
but  at  present  we  are  playing  a  very  unequal  game.  Lord 
Howe  seems  so  anxious  to  negotiate,  that  I  think  we  may 
lengthen  out  the  time  without  intermitting  our  preparations. 
Nor,  for  my  own  part,  do  I  see  any  inconvenience  or  danger 
in  a  conference  of  proper  persons,  to  know  his  powers  and 
propositions  of  peace.  We  can  easily  judge  of  them,  per- 
haps, from  his  declarations,  for  among  the  papers  sent  on 
shore  are  letters  to  every  Governour,  enclosing  declarations. 
In  them  you  have  the  whole;  and  if  negotiation  would  not 
tend  to  slacken  our  preparations,  I  would  wish  to  know  the 
extent  of  those  powers  which  he  says  are  so  great.  I  think 
if  only  granting  pardons  is  meant,  and  no  concession  on  the 
point  of  taxation,  it  would  unite  all  to  perseverance  and  reso- 
lution, trusting  the  event  to  Providence. 


DENNIS  DE  BERDT  TO  MR.  REED. 

London,  May  3,  1776. 

DEAR  REED:  I  am  now  set  down  to  write  you  a  letter  on 
the  most  important  subject  and  of  the  most  difficult  nature  I 
ever  yet  attempted,  and  I  scarcely  know  how  to  advance, 
nor  will  my  mind  suffer  me  to  retreat,  as  my  judgment  is 
fully  convinced  the  design  is  good,  and  my  heart  is  warm  in 
the  cause. 

You  must  know,  since  my  Lord  Howe's  important  ap- 
pointment as  Commander-in-Chief  of  his  Majesty's  forces  in 
America,  I  have  made  it  my  business  to  learn  his  character 
as  a  nobleman,  a  statesman,  and  an  officer.  As  a  man,  he 
has  urbanity  and  great  goodness  of  heart  to  recommend  him; 
as  a  politician,  solid  sense  and  sound  principles,  with  mode- 
ration ;  and  as  a  commander,  ability  and  valor.  Such  quali- 
fications command  esteem  and  respect,  and  it  is  a  satisfaction 
to  a  feeling  mind  that  so  momentous  an  embassy  as  his 
Lordship's  is  so  happily  placed.  But  as  I  had  reason  to 
believe  he  had  expressed  the  most  anxious  solicitude  to  bring 
about  an  accommodation  without  bloodshed,  and  to  draw  the 
sword  with  the  greatest  reluctance,  and  that  these  expres- 
sions were  not  only  the  language  of  his  lips,  but  the  dictate 
of  his  heart,  I  had  a  great  desire  to  be  introduced  to  him, 
and  this  day  I  had  the  honour  of  a  conference;  when  his 
Lordship's  conversation  not  only  confirmed  the  report,  but 
his  friendly  disposition  towards  America,  and  assurances  of 


373 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c>,  JULY,  1776. 


374 


his  inclination  to  effect  a  reconciliation  without  force,  far  ex- 
ceeded my  expectation;  and  though  the  assurances  of  great 
men  are  frequently  without  meaning  or  intention,  I  have  the 
strongest  belief  in  what  he  said,  and  the  greatest  faith  in  his 
peaceful  intentions. 

Do,  my  dear  friend,  let  me  persuade  you  that  Lord  Howe 
goes  to  America  as  a  mediator,  and  not  as  a  destroyer.  I 
firmly  believe  it,  upon  my  honour.  Were  it  prudent  in  me 
to  reveal  all  he  said,  I  would  most  cheerfully  and  readily 
do  it.  I  quote  not  his  Lordship's  authority  for  what  I  say, 
but  give  you  my  opinion,  on  a  well-grounded  belief  of  what 
I  advance.  This  he  has  declared :  he  had  rather  meet  you, 
and  that  immediately  on  his  arrival,  in  the  wide  field  of  amj- 
ment,  than  in  the  chosen  ground  for  battle;  and  I  am  confi- 
dent a  parley  on  the  footing  of  gentlemen  and  friends  is  his 
wish  and  desire ;  and  it  is  generally  believed,  with  his  dispo- 
sition to  treat,  he  has  power  to  compromise  and  adjust.  Nor 
do  I  think,  if  a  conference  should  be  brought  about,  anything 
unbecoming  a  gentleman  will  be  desired,  or  unreasonable 
concessions  expected.  These  things  believed,  I  would  not 
be  happy  in  my  own  mind  without  communicating  them  to 
you,  and  Lord  Howe  has  promised  to  take  charge  of  the  let- 
ter. I  beg,  therefore,  to  recommend  them  to  your  most 
serious  consideration. 

The  very  thought,  my  dear  friend,  of  being  instrumental 
in  bringing  about  a  peaceful  accommodation  is  better  felt 
than  expressed,  when  I  consider  the  honour  lately  conferred 
on  me  by  the  Province  of  New- Jersey.  It  is  my  duty,  my 
regard  for  the  country  and  people  makes  it  my  inclination, 
and  my  affection  for  you  and  your  family  draws  me  into  it 
with  the  cords  of  love. 

My  Lord  Howe  is  not  unacquainted  with  your  name.  I 
have  so  high  an  opinion  of  your  abilities  and  honour,  and 
have  had  such  repeated  instances  of  your  friendship  and 
affection,  that  everything  has  been  said  by  me  that  you  can 
desire  or  expect ;  and  I  have  not  a  doubt,  if  a  treaty  or 
parley  is  brought  about  in  which  you  may  be  engaged,  every 
degree  of  respect  you  can  desire,  or  attention  you  can  wish, 
will  be  shown  you.  If  this  letter,  from  the  exigency  of  the 
times,  should  be  inspected,  I  hope  it  will  not  be  suppressed, 
but  receive  an  immediate  despatch  to  you.  Rest  assured, 
my  dear  friend,  my  motives  are  good,  whatever  may  be  sus- 
pected to  the  contrary. 

My  dutiful  regards  attend  my  dear  mother,  and  my  affec- 
tion and  love  are  ever  with  you  and  my  sister. 
I  am  yours,  sincerely  and  affectionately, 

DENNIS  DE  BERDT. 


PASS  FOR  MEMBERS  OF  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  July  16,  1776. 

Permit  the  following  gentlemen :  John  Slots  Hobart 
Leonard  Gansevoort,  Lewis  Graham,  Esq.,  and  Colonel 
Henry  Renum,  Members  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of 
Mew-  York,  and  John  McKesson,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  said 
Convention,  to  pass  from  New-York  to  the  said  Convention 
at  the  White-Plains,  with  a  box  of  stamps  and  plates  of  the 
late  emission  of  the  paper  currency  of  this  State,  and  some 
few  records,  and  the  fusees,  &c.,  of  such  of  those  gentlemen 
who  may  choose  to  carry  them. 

JOHN  RAY,  Jun., 

Deputy  Chairman  of  the  General  Committee. 
To  all  whom  it  may  concern. 


NEW-YORK   COMMITTEE. 
Committee  Chamber,  New-York,  July  16,  1776. 
To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  City  and  Colony  of  NEW-YORK  : 
Whereas  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York  did, 
on  the  9th  instant,  unanimously  resolve,  that  a  Declaration 
of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America  should 
be  transmitted  to  the  several  Committees  in  the  said  State 
of  New-York,  with  orders  that  it  should  be  by  them  pub- 
lished with  all  convenient  speed  in  their  several  districts: 
Therefore, 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  at  twelve  o'clock,  on  Thurs- 
day, at  the  City-Hall,  in  this  city,  the  aforesaid  Declaration 
be  published  ;  when  and  where  it  is  hoped  every  true  friend 
to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  this  country  will  not  fail  to 
attend. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

JOSEPH  WINTER,  Secretary. 


JOHN  BROOME  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

White-Plains,  July  16,  1776. 

Sloop  Independence,  seventy  tons  burden,  ten  carriage- 
guns,  four-pounders:  owners,  Philip  Bell,  of  Philadelphia, 
Isaac  Sears,  Samuel  Broome,  fy  Co.,  and  John  Broome,  of 
New-York,  and  Adam  Babcock,  of  New-Haven;  Thomas 
Truxton,  Commander;  Smith  Richards,  Captain  of  Marines ; 
number  of  the  crew,  sixty;  quantity  of  provisions,  fifteen 
barrels  of  pork,  thirty  barrels  of  beef,  five  hundred  weight 
of  powder,  with  a  proportion  of  ball,  thirty  muskets,  twenty 
pistols,  cartridges  in  proportion. 

I  do  hereby  request  that  a  commission  be  made  out  for 
the  above  privateer  sloop.  JOHN  BROOME. 


GENERAL  SPENCER  TO  JOHN  SLOSS  HOBART. 

New-York,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Henry  Little  and  John  Lewis  were  both 
confined  by  my  order  in  the  City-Hall,  and  each  of  them 
charged  with  the  crime  of  drinking  a  health  to  King  George 
and  success  to  his  fleet,  and  declaring  or  manifesting  their 
intention  of  joining  the  said  fleet  or  army  of  the  enemy 
against  the  Continental  Army;  which  charge  was  delivered 
to  the  officer  of  the  guard  at  that  place. 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th  instant  I  received  a  line  from 
you,  desiring  me  to  direct  my  evidences  in  the  case  of  Lewis 
to  attend  upon  you  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  at  the 
same  morning.  This  did  not  come  to  my  hand  until  some- 
thing after  the  time  you  set  for  the  attendance  of  the  evi- 
dences. On  receiving  your  notice,  I  immediately  sent  to 
Lieutenant  Dunham,  of  Colonel  Ward's  regiment,  (who  was 
my  informer  relative  to  said  prisoner,)  to  appear  as  soon  as 
possible  before  you,  to  give  what  intelligence  in  the  premises 
he  was  able  to  do.  He  since  says  he  appeared  before  you 
as  soon  as  he  could,  he  thinks  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  same 
day,  and  that  you  then  informed  him  the  above-mentioned 
prisoners  were  both  released  the  day  before.  This  in- 
telligence of  Dunham  appeared  to  me  so  extraordinary,  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  acquaint  you  with  it,  that  you 
may  have  an  opportunity  to  show  the  mistake,  if  there  be 
any. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  SPENCER. 
To  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Esq.,  and  the  rest  of  the  Committee 

of  Provincial  Congress,  in  New-  York. 


CERTIFICATE  FOR  A  POWDER-MILL. 


Walkill,  Ulster  County,  July  16,  1776. 

These  are  to  certify,  that  Major  Moses  Phillips  and  Henry 
Wisner,  Jun.,  Esq.,  has  erected  a  Powder-Mill  upon  the 
Walkill,  in  said  County,  which  we  look  upon  to  be  very 
well  executed,  and  did,  with  a  large  number  of  other  spec- 
tators, see  it  work  on  the  twentieth  day  of  last  May;  since 
which  time,  by  information  of  the  workmen,  (whom  we  look 
upon  to  be  men  of  veracity,)  it  has  manufactured  two  hun- 
dred weight  or  more  of  good  merchantable  gunpowder  in 
one  day,  and  so  successively. 

DAVID  CORWIN,     )      Members  of  the 
JONATHAN  SMITH,  $  County  Committee. 
WILLIAM  DERM, 
JAMES  BUTLER,  one  of  the  Builders. 


JOHN  COE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Haverstraw,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  your  Excellency's  desire  to 
receive  timely  information  of  every  manoeuvre  which  the 
enemy  on  Hudson's  River  may  make  to  distress  the  inhabi- 
tants at  this  extremely  busy  season,  we  can  inform  your 
Excellency  that  this  morning,  between  the  hours  of  ten  and 
eleven,  the  whole  fleet,  consisting  of  two  men-of-war  and 
three  tenders,  made  sail  from  Nyack,  and  about  twelve  came 
into  Haverstraw  Bay,  forty  miles  up  the  river  from  New- 
York,  where,  after  the  shipping  came  to  anchor,  the  tenders 
continued  parading  the  bay  for  half  an  hour.  They  all  came 
to  anchor  opposite  to  the  house  of  Captain  Thiers,  when 
four  barges,  fully  manned,  attempted  to  land,  with  a  view, 


375 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


376 


as  we  conjecture,  to  take  off  some  sheep  and  cattle  which 
we  had  previously  driven  off.  Notwithstanding,  they  brought 
their  tenders  so  nigh  the  shore  as  to  cover  the  landing 
of  the  men  in  the  barges,  yet  (having  but  a  few  men)  we 
carried  a  firm  countenance  to  them,  and,  with  a  few  shot, 
(being  well  levelled,)  they  thought  proper  to  retreat,  without 
doing  any  damage  with  their  cannon.  If  your  Excellency 
can  possibly  spare  a  small  detachment  from  the  Continental 
forces  for  a  few  days,  until  the  farmers  can  take  in  their 
crops,  as  it  is  now  in  the  height  of  their  harvest,  you  will 
render  us  an  essential  service;  and  a  few  days  now  is  of  the 
utmost  consequence  to  them.  When  the  harvest  is  in,  we 
shall,  with  the  utmost  cheerfulness,  lend  every  assistance  in 
our  power  to  promote  the  common  weal  of  the  community. 
We  shall  not  press  this  matter  upon  your  Excellency,  but 
doubt  not  you  will  see  the  necessity  which  urges  this  request ; 
and  with  due  respect,  remain  your  Excellency's  very  humble 
servant. 

Per  order  of  Committee  : 

JOHN  COE,  Deputy  Chairman. 

To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  at  Head-Quarters< 

P.  S.  We  can  further  inform  your  Excellency  that  the 
enemy  have  sounded  the  channel  as  far  up  as  the  mouth  of 
the  Highlands. 

COLONEL  PORTER  TO  GENERAL  FELLOWS. 

Salisbury,  Connecticut,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  This  instant  have  received  a  letter  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  Dutchess  County,  (the  copy  of  which  you  will  see 
within,)  desiring  to  have  the  Militia  raised  at  the  western 
part  of  Connecticut.  Hope  you  will  be  good  enough  to  join 
us  as  soon  as  possible  with  what  men  you  can  raise. 

I  am  your  humble  servant,  JOSHUA  PORTER. 

To  Brigadier-General  Fellows,  at  Sheffield. 

Dutchess  County,  New-York,  July  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  have  this  instant  received  an  express  from 
General  Washington,  informing  that  some  ships  of  war  and 
tenders  had  passed  the  city  of  New-York  and  sailed  up 
Hudson's  River,  with  design,  as  is  supposed,  to  take  posses- 
sion of  the  posts  in  the  Highlands,  and  directing  me  to  write 
to  you,  requesting  you  to  march  immediately  with  what  force 
you  can  collect  to  these  posts,  particularly  to  where  the  post- 
road  between  Albany  and  New-York  crosses  the  mountain, 
called  Anthony's  Nose.  You  will  please  to  keep  an  exact 
return  of  the  number  of  men  you  take  with  you. 

I  arn  your  humble  servant,  EGBERT  BENSON, 

Chairman  of  the  General  Committee. 

To  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Militia  in  the  Western 
Towns  of  Connecticut. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  29,  1776,  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

Ticonderoga,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  Upon  my  arrival  at  Albany  the  27th  ultimo,  Gene- 
ral Schuyler  assumed  the  command  of  the  Army  in  this 
department,  alleging  that  the  resolves  of  Congress,  and 
General  Washington's  instructions  to  me,  were  confined  to 
Canada.  As  this  was  not  to  be  denied,  I  submitted,  and 
went  with  General  Schuyler  and  General  Arnold  to  Crown- 
Point,  where  we  found  the  wretched  remains  of  what  was 
once  a  very  respectable  body  of  troops.  That  pestilential 
disease,  the  small-pox,  had  taken  so  deep  a  root,  that  the 
camp  had  more  the  appearance  of  a  general  hospital  than 
an  army  formed  to  oppose  the  invasion  of  a  successful  and 
enterprising  enemy.  A  Council  of  General  Officers  was 
immediately  held,  wherein  it  was  determined  unanimously  to 
retire,  and  take  post  on  the  strong  ground  opposite  to  the 
east  point  of  Ticonderoga;  to  endeavour,  by  evey  means  in 
our  power,  to  maintain  the  naval  superiority  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  without  which  it  is  not  possible,  in  our  present  circum- 
stances, to  hold  any  ground  upon  this  side  the  carrying  places 
leading  into  that  lake.  In  consequence  of  these  resolves, 
I  came  immediately,  with  General  Schuyler,  to  Ticonderoga. 
We  had  the  ground  for  the  new  encampment  thoroughly 
examined,  and  commanded  the  troops,  as  they  arrived  from 
Crown-Point,  to  prepare  to  clear  the  ground  for  their  taking 
post  according  to  the  resolution  of  the  council  of  war.  The 
next  thing  was,  to  examine  our  naval  force  upon  the  lake. 


The  vessels,  which  should  have  been  constantly  armed  as 
vessels  of  war,  have  hitherto  been  solely  employed  as  float- 
ing wagons.  Of  course  there  was  a  necessity  of  immedi- 
ately sending  them  from  Crown-Point  hither,  to  be  armed. 
Carriages  for  their  cannon  were  even  to  be  made  here,  out 
of  wood  taken  from  the  stump.  This  is  so  far  effected,  that 
a  schooner  mounting  ten  four  and  six-pounders,  will  be 
ready  to  sail  to-morrow;  the  rest  must  wait  to  be  fitted ;  and 
as  the  possession  of  everything  here  depends  upon  keeping 
the  command  of  the  water,  I  shall  do  everything  our  scanty 
means  will  afford  to  forward  the  work.  As  all  the  Field- 
cannon,  with  their  atraile,  were  lost  in  Canada,  it  takes  a 
great  deal  of  time  to  fix  our  artillery,  carriages  being  to  be 
made  from  wood  cut  here;  and  so  must  our  platforms  for  the 
works  we  have  to  erect. 

The  gondolas  General  Schuyler  has  ordered  to  be  built, 
as  he  had  no  model  to  direct  him,  are  in  nothing  but  in  name 
like  those  at  Philadelphia.  The  rigging  and  artillery  are  all 
to  be  fixed  here,  and  when  done,  they  seem  to  be  vessels 
very  unwieldy  to  move,  and  very  indifferent  for  the  purpose 
intended.  Two  are  finished,  and  two  more  will  be  finished 
this  week.  If  the  enemy  gives  us  time  to  do  all  this,  it  will  be 
well;  if  not,  this  wretched  army  will  probably  be  yet  more  unfor- 
tunate. I  am  exerting  all  my  powers  to  prevent  the  pestilence 
getting  to  Skenesborough,  for  should  the  Militia  ordered  there 
be  infected,  we  shall  be  distressed  beyond  example. 

General  Waterbury,  who  arrived  the  day  before  yesterday, 
is  gone  to  Skenesborough,  to  regulate  the  Militia  when  they 
arrive,  and  to  stop  them  there.  He  has  this  moment  sent  me 
an  officer  infected  with  the  small-pox,  to  be  removed  to  the 
General  Hospital  at  the  south  end  of  Lake  George.  Colonel 
Read's  Neiv- Hampshire  regiment  is  now  at  the  carrying 
place,  going  to  the  General  Hospital.  They  have  upwards 
of  three  hundred  sick,  and  only  just  well  men  enough  to 
row  those  over  the  lake.  Thus,  sir,  you  see  the  melancholy 
situation  to  which  this  Army  is  reduced. 

I  desire  the  bearer  may  not  be  detained  a  minute  longer 
than  to  receive  your  despatches;  and  I  must  request,  when 
any  express  is  forwarded  to  me  from  Congress,  that  he  be 
ordered  to  come  the  whole  way,  and  not  deliver  his  despatches 
to  any  other  person  to  bring  forward. 

Mr.  Morgan  Lewis,  who  presents  you  this  letter,  I  brought 
with  me  from  New-York,  and  intended,  conformable  to  the 
resolves  of  Congress  and  General  Washington's  instructions, 
to  have  appointed  him  my  Deputy  Quartermaster-General ; 
but  General  Schuyler  ^ys  those  resolves  and  instructions 
relate  only  to  Canada.  A  son  of  Governour  Trumbull,  who 
remains  with  me,  and  who  I  intended  for  Deputy  Adjutant- 
General,  is  in  the  same  predicament. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  greatest  esteem  and  regard,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant,  HORATIO  GATES. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Ticonderoga,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  with  which  I  have 
charged  Mr.  Lewis  to  the  President  of  the  honourable  the 
Continental  Congress.  It  is  too  disagreeable  a  tale  to  dwell 
on ;  I  shall  not  therefore  enlarge  upon  it.  I  beg  the  favour 
that  Mr.  Lewis  may  have  your  orders  not  to  delay  in  New- 
York,  but  proceed  immediately  to  Philadelphia.  General 
Sullivan  has  probably,  by  this  time,  seen  your  Excellency; 
he  will,  no  doubt,  make  a  faithful  representation  of  the  wretch- 
ed state  of  this  Army.  General  Schuyler  assures  me  he 
has  already  done  it.  Since  the  beginning  of  May,  the  losses 
sustained  by  the  enemy,  and  by  death  and  desertion,  amount 
to  more  than  five  thousand  men ;  and  to  this  must  be  added 
three  thousand  that  are  now  sick.  Our  accounts  from  the 
enemy  are  lame  and  imperfect.  It  seems  not  to  be  doubted 
that  they  have  a  large  camp  at  St.  John's,  and  are  labouring 
to  get  a  naval  force  upon  the  lake.  I  shall  do  all  in  my  power 
to  procure  the  best  intelligence  of  their  motions.  Heaven 
grant  your  Excellency  a  prosperous  campaign,  such  a  one 
as  will  make  ample  amends  for  the  losses  of  the  Northern 
Army.  My  affectionate  compliments  wait  upon  the  gentle- 
men of  your  family,  and  particularly  to  my  old  friend  and 
acquaintance,  Brigadier-General  Mercer. 

I  am,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


377 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


378 


NATHAN  CLARK  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Manchester,  July  16,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR:  We  enclose  to  you  the 
proceedings  of  the  Committees  of  the  several  towns  in  the 
Counties  of  Albany  and  Charlotte,  on  the  New-Hampshire 
Grants,  answerable  to  the  demands  of  the  Council  of  Gene- 
ral Officers,  held  at  Crown-Point  the  8th  of  July  instant,  in 
which  you  will  find  commission  officers  nominated,  to  raise 
the  Green-Mountain  Boys,  to  be  stationed  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Lake  Champlain,  and  to  the  north  of  the  inhabitants. 

Likewise,  we  would  recommend  to  your  Honour  that 
Major  Samuel  Safford  should  be  called  upon  to  take  the 
command  of  the  companies  when  raised,  except  Colonel 
Warner  should  be  appointed  to  command  said  companies, 
as  the  men  would  not  choose  to  be  joined  to  any  other 
corps. 

From  your  very  humble  servants. 

By  order:  NATHAN  CLARK,  Ch.  Committee. 

To  Major-General  Schuyler,  or  the  Commanding  Officer  in 
the  Northern  Department. 

N.  B.  A  sum  of  money  for  advance  pay  would  much 
forward  the  raising  of  men. 

A  list  of  gentlemen  elected  as  Commission  Officers,  to  raise 

the  men  appointed  to  be  raised  by  the  Council  of  General 

Officers  held  at  Crown-Point,  July  8,  viz : 

1st  Captain,  Wait  Hopkins;  1st  Lieutenant,  John  Fas- 
sett  ;  2d  Lieutenant,  Joseph  Safford. 

2d  Captain,  Samuel  Herrick;  1st  Lieutenant,  John  Spaf- 
ford ;  2d  Lieutenant,  James  Brooking. 

3d  Captain,  Jonathan  Fasset;  1st  Lieutenant,  John 
Smith ;  2d  Lieutenant,  Abraham  Salisbury. 

4th  Captain,  Ira  Allen;  1st  Lieutenant,  Jonathan 
Wright;  2d  Lieutenant,  Enoch  Eastman. 

5th  Captain,  Lemuel  Clerk;  1st  Lieutenant,  Jesse  Bel- 
Jcnap ;  2d  Lieutenant,  Matthew  Lyon. 

6th  Captain,  Thomas  Ransom;  1st  Lieutenant,  Rufus 
Perry;  2d  Lieutenant,  Moses  Veal. 

By  order  of  Committee : 

NATHAN  CLARK,  Chairman. 
July  16,  1776. 

GOVERNOUR  COOKE  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  23,  1776.] 

Providence,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  now  do  myself  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  letters  of  June  14th,  21st,  and  25th,  and  of 
the  6th  instant,  with  their  several  enclosures. 

The  resolve  of  Congress  prohibiting  the  exportation  of 
salted  beef  and  pork,  hath  been  published  and  strictly  at- 
tended to  in  the  Colony.  The  resolutions  for  providing 
sufficient  clothing  for  the  soldiers  of  the  United  Colonies, 
those  declaring  that  all  persons  abiding  within  the  United 
Colonies  owe  allegiance  to  the  laws,  &tc.,  and  recommend- 
ing to  the  Legislatures  to  pass  laws  for  punishing  Traitors,  and 
the  Declaration  of  Independency,  will  all  be  laid  before  the 
General  Assembly  which  I  have  called  to  meet  on  Thurs- 
day next,  and  which  will  do  everything  proper  in  those  mat- 
ters. The  General  Assembly  has  already  passed  an  act 
declaring  it  felony  to  counterfeit  the  Continental  Bills  of 
Credit,  or  to  pass  them  knowing  the  same  to  be  counter- 
feited. 

I  have  appointed  Captain  Barnard  Eddy,  a  very  suitable 
person,  the  chief  carpenter.  He  hath  already  inlisted  twenty 
men,  who  are  to  be  well  provided  with  tools  and  arms  at 
the  same  rate  at  which  the  Marine  Committee  have  inlisted 
those  in  Philadelphia.  He  informs  me  he  shall  be  able  to 
procure  the  whole  number  required  of  us,  and  to  march 
with  them  on  Monday  or  Tuesday  next,  at  the  farthest.  He 
proposes  to  send  off  the  baggage  on  Saturday. 

I  daily  expect  the  Treaty  of  Confederation  and  Union, 
and  have  no  doubt  but  the  General  Assembly  will  give  their 
hearty  assent  to  that,  and  to  every  measure  of  the  General 
Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  esteem  and  respect, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

NICHOLAS  COOKE. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esquire. 


GOVERNOUR  COOKE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Providence,  July  16, 1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  favoured  with  your  Excellency's  letter  of  the 
9th  instant,  in  consequence  of  which,  Mr.  Greene  hath  deli- 
vered to  Colonel  Tillinghast,  to  be  immediately  forwarded 
to  New-York,  fourteen  thousand  five  hundred  flints,  twenty 
muskets,  and  thirty  back-swords,  being  the  whole  of  those 
articles  that  were  imported  by  Captain  Chace.  All  the  duck 
is  heavy,  coarse,  and  stubborn,  being  what  is  called  Holland 
and  Russia  duck.  Captain  Chace  hath  also  brought  in  the 
brigantine  four  four-pounders,  six  three-pounders,  and  eight 
swivels,  which  are  very  much  wanted  here  for  privateers, 
several  of  which  could  be  immediately  fitted  out,  if  cannon 
could  be  procured.  If  they  can  be  spared  from  the  service, 
I  should  be  glad  to  have  your  Excellency's  permission,  as 
soon  as  possible,  that  they  may  be  made  use  of  for  that  pur- 
pose, at  the  full  value. 

On  Saturday  last  I  was  honoured  with  the  commands  of 
the  General  Congress,  to  procure  fifty  ship-carpenters  to 
build  vessels  for  the  defence  of  the  lakes.  I  appointed  a 
suitable  person  as  Captain,  who  hath  already  inlisted  twenty 
men  ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  they  will  set  off  for  Albany  the 
last  of  this,  or  the  very  beginning  of  next  week. 

I  have  also  received  from  Congress  the  Declaration  of 
Independency,  and  daily  expect  the  Treaty  of  Confedera- 
tion and  Union,  which  hath  induced  me  to  call  the  General 
Assembly  to  meet  on  Thursday  next,  when,  1  can  safely 
assure  you,  they  will  give  to  both  a  hearty  assent  and  con- 
currence. 

I  entreat  your  Excellency's  attention  to  the  great  proba- 
bility there  is  of  the  enemy's  paying  a  visit  to  Rhode-Island, 
in  case  they  do  not  succeed  to  their  wishes  at  New-  York ; 
and  that  we  are  by  no  means  in  a  condition  to  give  them  a 
suitable  reception. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  esteem  and 
respect,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  hum- 
ble servant,  NICHOLAS  COOKE. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Lebanon,  July  16,  Anno  Dom.  1776. 

SIR  :  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  the  Captain  of  one 
of  our  galleys,  two  of  which,  the  Whiting  and  the  Crane, 
are  ordered  to  proceed  to  New-York  forthwith,  and  put 
themselves  under  your  command.  The  third  is  stationed  at 
Stonington,  which  may  be  exposed  to  suffer  from  the  attack 
of  a  single  ship,  (several  of  which  are  now  cruising  near  it,) 
if  the  galley  is  removed  from  thence. 

The  great  desire  I  have  to  comply  with  every  requisition 
which  concerns  the  defence  of  the  American  States,  at  this 
critical  juncture,  has  induced  me  to  send  you  these  galleys, 
although  I  am  sensible  they  are  not  furnished  with  such 
guns  as  may  be  necessary  to  render  them  so  useful  as  they 
might  be  with  heavier  metal ;  the  guns  intended  for  them  by 
the  Colony  are  not  yet  completed  at  Salisbury,  from  whence 
we  hope  for  them  soon.  I  have  directed  the  Captains  to 
move  your  Excellency  for  some  heavier  guns,  while  in  your 
service,  or  until  we  can  get  such  as  are  more  suitable  from 
Salisbury  down  the  North  River,  if  possible. 

I  am  sorry  we  cannot  possibly  spare  you  any  heavy  can- 
non, it  being  wholly  out  of  our  power;  we  have  no  more 
than  are  necessary,  and  are  mounted  upon  our  forts  at  New- 
London  and  Groton.  Should  any  of  them  be  taken  away, 
those  fortresses  will  become  in  a  great  measure  useless,  and 
the  town  and  fort,  upon  an  attack,  might  fall  into  the  pos- 
session of  the  enemy,  which  could  not  happen  but  with  the 
greatest  detriment  to  the  United  States  in  general,  as  well  as 
to  this  in  particular. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient 
humble  servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council,  Monday, 
July  15,  1776,  according  to  adjournment: 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eliphalet  Dyar, 
Jz.  Huntington,  Wm.  Williams,  Jed.  Elderkin,  Benj. 
Huntington,  Nath.  Wales,  and  Titus  Hosmer,  Esquires. 

In  the  forenoon,  Captain  Harding  came  in,  having  just 
arrived  with  his  Brig  from  Boston.  Gave  an  account  of  his 


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CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


380 


cruise,  taking  the  Ships  and  Brigs,  &.C.,  and  his  reasons  for 
leaving  the  port  without  orders,  &.C.;  and  is  excused  and 
justified  for  so  leaving,  &.C.;  and  wants  directions  aboutclean- 
ing,  graving,  and  refitting,  and  about  the  men  who  are 
probably  infected  with  the  small-pox;  and  is  directed  to  do 
the  necessaries,  with  the  advice,  &tc.,  of  Mr.  Shcnv,  who  is 
Colony  Agent  for  naval  supplies,  as  per  15th.  Many 
things  to  say  to  them;  and  about  prizes  brought  into  Bos- 
ton, &c. 

Post  from  Hartford,  and  Brown  the  Albany  post  arrived 
with  many  Letters  from  General  Schuyler,  Mr.  Trumlull, 
&.C.;  read  and  attended  to,  &c. 

On  representation  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection  for 
Symsbury  and  others,  of  the  dangerous  situation  of  Newgate 
Prison,  and  especially  since  a  number  of  Tory  prisoners  are 
committed  there,  and  the  great  uneasiness  of  the  people 
concerning  them,  and  that  the  keeper  is  uneasy  with  his 
situation,  &c.,  and  requesting  liberty  of  a  guard,  &.C.,  con- 
sidered; and 

Voted,  That  the  Overseers  of  JVeu^afe  Prison  be  advised 
and  directed,  and  they  are  hereby  advised  and  directed,  to 
procure  and  place  a  guard  of  two  faithful  men  every  night, 
or  more  if  they  shall  judge  necessary,  carefully  to  watch  and 
guard  said  Prison,  and  all  the  avenues  thereof,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  escape  of  any  of  said  prisoners,  and  any  access 
to  them  by  unknown  or  suspicious  persons;  and  that  said 
Committee  be  advised  to  examine  into  the  true  situation  and 
circumstances  of  said  affair,  and  inform  his  Honour  the 
Governouras  soon  as  may  be,  and  of  the  necessity  of  the  case, 
in  order  to  receive  further  instructions  in  the  premises. 

Many  other  matters  of  a  publick  nature  considered,  &.C.; 
and  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning. 

Tuesday,  July  16, 1776. 
At  a  meeting,  Sic.,  adjourned  from  yesterday. 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Honourable  Deputy- 
Governour  Griswold,  Eliph.  Dyar.  Jz.  Huntington,  Wm. 
Williams,  Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Elderkin,  Nath.  Wales, 
Benj.  Huntington,  and  Win.  Hillhouse,  Esquires. 

Messrs.  Brown  and  Gardner,  (sons,  &.C.,  of  Mr.  Brown, 
of  Fisher's  Island,')  present,  applying  for  pay  for  the  stock 
lately  taken  from  Usher's  Island,  &LC.  It  seems  the  affair 
is  not  ripe,  &,c. ;  but  the  matter  to  be  previously  settled 
between  him  and  Mr.  Winthrop,  as  to  who  has  a  right  to 
receive,  &c. ;  and  a  Letter  written  to  the  Committee  at 
New-London. 

Captain  Mygatt,  of  a  provision  vessel,  stopped  by  Cap- 
tain Niles,  agreeable  to  order,  moving  for  leave  to  proceed, 
fee.;  but  it  seems  not  safe,  the  enemy  so  many  about,  and 
could  not  consent  to  it,  &ic. 

Engineer  Waters  came  in.  Moves  to  have  some  extra 
allowance  for  the  Carpenters  and  Masons,  at  the  works  at 
New-London,  above  the  amount  of  their  wages. 

Voted,  That  the  tradesmen,  as  Carpenters  and  Masons, 
who  have  been  employed  about  the  works  at  New-London, 
be  allowed  nine  Pence  per  day,  over  and  above  their  wages, 
for  the  time  they  have  laboured,  or  shall  labour' there,  under 
the  direction  of  the.  Engineer,  &.c. — a  particular  account  to 
be  kept  of  the  days;  and  that  one  Shilling  and  six  Pence 
per  day,  above  their  wages,  be  allowed  to  the  Master  Mason, 
Master  Carpenter,  and  Master  Blower,  who  have  laboured, 
or  shall  labour,  as  aforesaid.  Account  to  be  kept  as  afore- 
said. 

Said  Mr,  Waters  laid  in  his  account  for  his  services  as 

Engineer,  from  November  23  to  July  15: 

Amount,  deducting  for  absent  days,  leaves  four  months  thir- 
teen days,  at  £12,     £53     4     0 

Eighteen  weeks'  board,  at  12*.,     -     -     -     -       10  16     0 

Allowance  for  sundry  small  expenses,      -     -         1193 

£65  19     3 


Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Committee  of 
ead  Mine  at  Middletown,  in  favour  of  Joseph.  Webb,  of 
Wcthersjicld ,  for  one  thousand  weight  of  Lead,  to  replace 
the  same  quantity  sent  by  the  Selectmen  of  Wethersfield,  by 
request,  and  delivered  to  Captain  Wadsworth,  of  the  Army, 
at  Cambridge.  Order  delivered  to  Mr.  Hosmer. 

On  application  of  William  Law,  for  cash  towards  his  bill 


for  building  Carnages  for  the  armed  Vessels  and  Galleys, 

&.C., 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table,  in 
favour  of  William  Law,  for  the  sum  of  £80,  to  be  accounted 
for,  on  his  bill  for  building  Ship-carriages  for  cannon  on 
board  the  Galleys,  &ic.,  and  the  cannon  brought  by  Com- 
modore Hopkins. 

His  Excellency  General  Washington  having  requested  the 
loan  of  the  Row-Galleys  belonging  to  this  Colony,  to  assist 
in  the  defence  of  New -York,  now  attacked  by  the  enemy, 

Resolved  and  Voted,  Row-Galleys  Whiting  and  Crane 
proceed  immediately  to  New-York,  and  there  be  under  the 
command  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  until 
further  orders.  (Orders  sent.) 

On  application  and  request  of  Governour  Franklin,  now 
residing,  on  his  parole,  at  Wallingford,  for  liberty  to  remove 
to  Middletown;  on  consideration, 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  said  Governour  Franklin  be 
permitted  to  remove  to,  and  reside  at,  Middletown,  until 
further  orders,  under  the  obligation  of  the  same  parole  he 
has  signed  on  his  being  ordered  to  Wallingford. 

Voted  and  Ordered,  That  none  of  the  Prisoners  residing 
at  Hartford  or  Wethersjield  be  permitted  any  longer  to  go 
into  the  Town  of  Middletown,  without  a  special  license  frotn 
his  Honour  the  Governour;  and  the  Committee  of  Prisoners 
are  to  take  notice  hereof,  and  see  that  they  be  restrained 
accordingly. 

Copy  delivered  to  Mr.  Root. 

The  honourable  Congress  having  requested  this  Colony 
to  furnish  our  Troops  with  Tents,  Clothing,  &tc.;  on  con- 
sideration, 

Voted,  A  Committee  be  appointed  to  purchase  and  pro- 
cure all  the  Tow  Cloth  and  other  suitable  Cloth  or  materials 
for  making  of  Tents,  that  can  be  had  in  the  Colony. 

Captain  John  Deshon  came  in.  Moves  for  a  supply  of 
Money  to  enable  him  to  procure  further  quantities  of  Pro- 
visions, &c.,  for  the  Regiment  at  New-London,  and  moves 
for  £2,000.  On  consideration, 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer  for  the 
sum  of  £  1 ,500,  to  be  improved  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
Provisions  for  the  support  of  the  soldiers  stationed  at  New-. 
London,  and  a  quantity  of  Molasses  to  be  distilled  and 
otherwise  used  for  said  soldiers,  and  said  sum  be  accounted 
for  on  settlement  of  his  accounts  in  said  service. 

Whereas  General  Schuyler  has  earnestly  requested  his 
Honour  the  Governour  to  furnish  his  Army  with  a  number 
of  felling  Axes,  not  exceeding  one  thousand,  &c.: 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table,  in 
favour  of  his  Honour  the  Governour,  for  the  sum  of  £150, 
to  be  by  him  put  into  the  hands  of  proper  persons,  to  pur- 
chase felling  Axes  for  General  Schuyler,  according  to  his 
request,  to  be  repaid  by  said  General ;  and  that  an  Order  be 
also  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table,  in  favour  of  Titus  Hosmer, 
Esq.,  for  the  same  sum  of  £150,  for  the  same  purpose. 
(The  two  above  sums  sent  for  by  Captain  Deshon.) 

On  application  of  the  Selectmen  of  Lebanon,  that  they 
cannot  obtain  Firearms  sufficient  for  the  Company  under 
Captain  Clark  of  said  Town, 

Voted,  That  they  may  receive  a  number,  not  exceeding 
fifteen,  of  the  Guns  and  Bayonets  now  in  the  hands  of  his 
Honour  the  Governour,  which  were  fitted  up  from  old  bar- 
rels received  from  Crown-Point.  And  they  were  delivered, 
and  receipt  taken  to  the  Governour. 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 
Council  Chamber,  Walertown,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  Messrs.  Jackson,  Tracy  8f  Tracy,  merchants  of 
Newbunjport,  are  very  solicitous  to  procure  a  release  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  their  late  Privateer  Yankee  Hero,  which 
was  taken,  after  a  brave  and  manly  resistance,  by  the  Mil- 
ford  frigate;  they  are  now  in  the  hands  of  our  enemies. 
They  take  leave  to  recommend  their  case  to  your  Excel- 
lency's consideration,  not  doubting  but  you  will  attend  to 
any  application  made  to  you  on  their  behalf,  by  the  gentle- 
men above  named,  and  afford  every  reasonable  assistance  to 
accomplish  their  benevolent  purpose;  and  if  they  should  be 
happy  enough  to  effect  it,  it  will  give  us  a  particular  pleasure, 
as  those  men,  by  their  past  conduct,  merit  our  regard,  and 


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382 


should  they  be  obtained,  may  be  greatly  serviceable  in  the 
American  Army. 

We  cannot  neglect  this  opportunity  of  recommending  to 
your  Excellency's  particular  consideration  the  case  of  Mr. 
James  Lovell,  who  suffered  a  long  and  severe  imprisonment 
in  Boston,  and  was  carried  off  in  the  fleet  to  Halifax,  where 
he  has  remained  a  close  prisoner  ever  since.  His  enemies 
have  not  been  able  to  fix  any  crime  upon  him,  and  when  he 
has  repeatedly  desired  to  be  brought  to  a  trial,  they  have 
always  declined  it.  We  are  very  desirous  to  procure  his 
liberation;  and  if  there  is  a  possibility  of  effecting  it,  should 
esteem  it  a  favour  if  your  Excellency  would  give  in  exchange 
for  him  any  prisoner  you  may  think  proper. 

In  behalf,  and  by  order  of  the  Council,  I  am  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

B.  GHEENLEAF. 

To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  General  and  Corn- 
mander-in-Chief  of  the  Forces  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  New-York. 


MESHECH  WEARE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  25, 1776.] 

New-Hampshire,  in  Committee  of  Safety,  at  Exeter, 

July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  This  moment  the  Committee  were  honoured  with 
the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  6th  instant,  enclosing  a 
"  Declaration  separating  the  United  States  of  America  from 
any  connexion  with  Great  Britain,  and  for  their  being 
Independent  States."  It  is  with  pleasure,  I  can  assure  you, 
that,  notwithstanding  a  very  few  months  since  many  persons 
in  this  Colony  were  greatly  averse  to  anything  that  looked 
like  independence  of  Great  Britain,  the  late  measures 
planned  and  executing  against  us  have  so  altered  their  opin- 
ions that  such  a  Declaration  was  what  they  most  ardently 
wished  for;  and  I  verily  believe  it  will  be  received  with 
great  satisfaction  throughout  the  Colony,  a  very  few  indi- 
viduals excepted. 

The  fifteen  hundred  men  of  our  Militia  requested  to 
recruit  the  Army  in  Canada  are  mostly  raised.  One  com- 
pany marched  from  Portsmouth  yesterday;  more  are  coming 
forward,  and  I  believe  most  of  them  will  march  this  week. 
No  cloth  fit  for  tents  could  be  procured  in  this  Colony,  and 
the  men  must  remain  destitute,  unless  they  can  be  supplied 
from  the  southward. 

That  He  who  putteth  down  potentates  and  setteth  up 
States  may  guard  and  protect  the  United  States  of  America, 
is  the  most  fervent  and  sincere  desire  of  your  obedient,  humble 
servant, 

MESHECH  WEARE. 

P.  S.  The  General  Court  and  Committee  of  Safety  sit  at 
Exeter,  where  you  will  please  to  direct  in  future.  This 
express  went  thirty  miles  out  of  his  way,  by  being  directed 
to  Portsmouth. 


CAPTAIN    BARROW  TO   THE    NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF 
SAFETY. 

Merrimack,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  In  consequence  of  the  orders  I  received 
from  Major-General  Folsom,  for  raising  sixteen  men  out  of 
the  company  under  my  command,  in  this  town,  for  the 
service  in  Canada,  I  have  raised  thirteen  good,  effective 
men,  who  are  all  well  equipped.  I  am  myself  chosen  to 
the  command,  which  makes  fourteen  in  the  whole.  Caleb 
Stevens,  an  inhabitant  of  this  town,  inlisted  into  said  service 
and  passed  muster  before  the  date  of  my  orders. 

I  have  called  upon  Captain  John  Chamberlain  and  sons, 
who  treated  my  Lieutenant  (the  messenger)  and  myself,  with 
great  abuse  and  ill-language,  and  refused  to  assist  by  man 
or  money.  Messrs.  Charity  Lund,  Robert  Nesmith,  Samuel 
Gibson,  Jun.,  Michael  Dalton,  and  James  Taylor,  have  all 
utterly  refused  to  send  any  assistance. 

I  have  received  orders  from  the  Mustermaster  to  march 
my  men  forthwith;  I  shall  pay  strict  obedience  thereto.  I 
wish  it  may  be  in  my  power  to  give  a  good  account  of  the 
enemy  on  my  return  from  Canada. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  most  humble 

servant'  WILLIAM  BARROW. 

To  the  Honourable  Committee  of  Safety. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  RECEIVED  IN  BOSTON  FROM  CAPTAIN 
JACOB  DUNNELL,  DATED  ST.  PIERRE,  MARTIN1CO,  JULY 
17,  1776. 

I  sailed  from  Dartmouth,  in  the  sloop  Nancy,  on  the  9th 
day  of  September,  1775,  bound  to  the  coast  of  Africa.  On 
the  4th  of  November,  arrived  at  Goree,  at  which  place  I 
began  to  make  my  trade.  From  thence  proceeded  down  to 
Montscrado.  On  the  10th  of  January,  1776,  while  lying 
at  anchor  at  the  above-mentioned  place,  I  was  taken  by  the 
sloop-of-war  called  the  Atalanta,  Thomas  Underwood  com- 
mander; at  which  time  they  had  taken  a  schooner  called 
the  Juno,  belonging  to  the  same  owners,  one  Shockley  mas- 
ter, on  a  whaling  voyage.  I  had  the  liberty  of  remaining 
on  board  my  own  vessel  with  the  prize-master,  so  long  as  I 
behaved  well ;  but  if  any  complaint  should  be  found  against 
me,  the  Captain  told  me  he  would  put  me  in  irons.  My 
mate  and  one  of  the  people  were  taken  on  board  the  ship, 
and  the  three  others  remained  on  board  the  sloop.  They 
then  proceeded  with  the  prizes  down  to  Cape  Coast,  where 
they  disposed  of  upwards  of  six  thousand  gallons  of  rum, 
some  rice,  and  other  articles,  on  their  own  account,  and 
purchased  slaves.  These  goods  were  part  of  said  sloop 
Nancy's  cargo.  From  thence  they  proceeded  with  the 
prizes  down  the  coast,  in  search  of  the  Americans,  but  luck- 
ily found  none.  Then  sailed  over  to  St.  Thomas,  where 
we  found  the  Pallas  frigate,  and  the  Weasel  sloop-of-war. 
They  had  cruised  the  coast  down,  and  the  Pallas  had  taken 
one  prize,  a  schooner,  registered  at  New-York,  one  Seanett 
master.  The  Weasel  had  taken  two  prizes,  a  sloop  belong- 
ing to  New-  York,  one  Darbey  master,  and  a  small  schooner 
belonging  to  South- Carolina,  which  had  been  a  long  time 
on  the  coast;  and  when  at  St.  Thomas,  there  was  an  infor- 
mation given  of  a  brig  lying  up  Gibboon  River,  one  Marshall 
master,  from  London,  with  American  papers,  and  belonging 
to  New-York,  mounting  fourteen  guns.  The  Dartmouth 
schooner,  one  of  the  prizes  mentioned  above,  was  imme- 
diately armed,  and  the  Weasel  sloop-of-war  went  in  search 
of  said  brig;  but  1  think  she  may  have  got  clear,  as  I  be- 
lieve Captain  Marshall  had  information  of  their  coming.  On 
the  1st  day  of  May,  1776,  the  Pallas,  Captain  Cornwall, 
and  the  Atalanta,  with  their  prizes,  sailed  in  company  from 
St.  Thomas,  bound  to  Jamaica ;  and  on  the  1 5th  of  May, 
in  the  latitude  of  2°  south,  and  longitude  of  5°  west,  we 
parted  with  the  said  vessels.  The  8th  of  June,  we  arrived 
at  St.  Vincent's.  The  prize-master  being  on  shore,  we  all 
agreed  (eleven  in  number,  four  men-of-war  men  and  seven 
prisoners,  with  myself)  to  run  away  with  the  sloop  Nancy; 
and  at  the  time  of  our  making  the  attempt,  two  of  the  prison- 
ers, who  belonged  to  Captain  Shockley's  schooner,  which 
were  his  mate,  by  the  name  of  Beatle,  his  brother,  and  one 
of  the  men-of-war's  men,  failed  in  said  attempt.  We  then 
put  them  all  three  on  shore,  with  their  chests  and  clothes, 
and  got  said  vessel  under  sail,  about  three  miles  from  the 
land,  when  it  became  quite  calm.  We  tarried  on  board 
said  sloop  until  daybreak.  We  then  thought  the  prize- 
master  might  be  apprised  of  our  attempt,  and  therefore  left 
said  sloop,  took  to  our  boat,  and  proceeded  for  Marti- 
nico,  where,  thank  Almighty  God,  we  are  all  safe  arrived, 
but  with  loss  of  said  sloop  Nancy,  and  all  my  papers  of 
every  kind.  Captain  Shockley  and  his  people  were  all  put 
on  board  the  Atalanta. 

COLONEL  JORDAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

St.  Mary's  County,  St.  George's  River,  July  17, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  arrived  down  here  on  the  15th  instant, 
with  about  one  hundred  of  the  Militia,  where  I  found  Cap- 
tain Beall,  with  part  of  his  company,  and  one  company  of 
Colonel  Barnes's  battalion.  About  daybreak  yesterday, 
we  were  visited  by  a  row-galley,  or  row-gondola,  carrying 
five  swivels  on  each  side,  a  six-pounder  in  her  head,  and 
another  in  her  stern.  They  rowed  alongside  of  our  sentinel, 
and  not  a  man  to  be  seen,  and  instantly  began  a  very  heavy 
firing,  which  lasted  about  one  hour,  but  without  doing  any 
execution,  although  their  shot  reached  the  ground  on  every 
spot  where  the  men  were  stationed.  In  the  evening,  she 
returned  again,  and  engaged  us  again  for  upwards  of  two 
hours ;  and  at  the  same  time  the  troops  landed  from  the 
ships  on  St.  George's  Island,  to  the  amount  of  about  three 
hundred,  pushed  down  to  the  point  opposite  to  us,  with 
swivels  and  musketry,  and  kept  up  a  heavy  fire,  from  which 


383 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


384 


Captain  Beall  was  dangerously  wounded  in  the  shoulder 
with  a  ball  (as  he  says)  from  a  rifle,  which  has  rendered  him 
incapable  of  duty. 

I  shall  endeavour  to  keep  the  post  we  are  at  present  at,  if 
possible ;  if  not,  I  shall  retreat  to  the  woods,  about  half  a 
mile.  From  a  report  we  had  given  us  yesterday,  they  are 
constructing  another  vessel  like  the  above,  and  that  they 
intend  attacking  us  on  the  Potomack  side.  I  think,  from 
'all  appearances,  the  fleet  will  continue  some  time;  if  so, 
some  cannon  and  swivels  will  be  absolutely  necessary,  to 
dislodge  the  men  they  have  landed  on  the  Island. 

With  what  assistance  we  can  give  in  this  quarter,  I  think 
five  hundred  of  the  Militia  of  the  upper  battalion  will  be  full 
enough  to  oppose  the  enemy.  We  have  now,  at  different 
posts,  about  six  hundred  men. 

For  further  particulars,  I  refer  you  to  Mr.  Hopewell,  by 
whom  this  goes  express.  He  will  also  inform  you  of  the 
difficulties  we  labour  under  in  getting  provisions  for  the  men, 
without  money  to  pay  for  it  immediately.  Three  hundred 
pounds,  I  think,  would  be  sufficient. 

Colonel  Barnes,  with  his  battalion,  is  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river,  watching  the  motions  of  the  enemy  there. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JEREMIAH  JORDAN. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


R.   HOOE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Chingoteague,  July  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  On  my  way  to  this  place.  I  heard  that  two 
of  our  flour  vessels  were  at  Annemessick.  I  called  to  know 
their  situation,  and  found  there  was  no  chance  of  escaping 
the  enemy,  if  they  attempted  to  get  into  the  Potomack. 
Under  these  circumstances  there  appeared  no  better  method 
of  getting  the  flour  here,  than  by  carting  it  from  Annemes- 
sick to  Pocomoke,  bringing  it  in  a  craft  some  distance  up 
the  river,  landing  it  again,  and  carting  it  over  to  the  inlet. 
For  this  purpose,  I  directly  engaged  carts  on  both  sides  of 
the  river,  and  a  craft  in  Pocomoke ;  but  to  this  moment  I 
have  received  no  more  than  seventy-eight  barrels.  The 
Baltimore,  I  am  told,  will  be  here  on  Monday,  but  from 
what  I  have  experienced,  I  do  not  expect  it  so  soon. 

Mr.  Crocket  informs  me  that  three  vessels  more  have  come 
off  with  flour.  I  have  inquired,  but  can  get  no  tidings  of 
them ;  however,  I  still  hope  they  are  safe  in  some  harbour ; 
but  shall  not  count  upon  them  for  part  of  this  cargo.  When 
I  shall  be  able  to  despatch  the  brigantine  I  cannot  say,  this 
being  the  most  uncertain  and  difficult  place  to  do  business 
in  that  ever  I  experienced.  There  is  no  corn,  but  such  as 
lies  much  scattered,  at  great  distances,  in  small  quantities, 
and  at  extravagant  prices.  Tobacco  I  find  very  scarce, 
and  lying  in  much  the  same  manner;  indeed,  any  that  I  have 
yet  seen  is  ordinary,  and  they  ask  twenty  and  twenty-five 
shillings,  Virginia  money,  for  it.  But  this  article  must  be 
our  dependance,  and  I  shall,  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  ship 
as  much  of  the  best  as  I  can  find,  as  will,  witli  the  flour,  put 
the  brig  in  a  light  load,  and  send  her  off. 

As  to  the  schooner  John,  I  decline  loading  her  for  account 
of  the  Province ;  and  as  soon  as  I  can  have  the  pleasure  of 
waiting  on  the  Council  of  Safety,  I  will  give  them  satisfactory 
reasons  why  it  ought  not  to  be  done. 

The  muskets,  powder,  sulphur,  and  swivels,  still  lie  in  a 
very  dangerous  situation,  in  an  old  shattered  house.  I  there- 
fore thought  it  prudent  to  send  an  express  to  the  Worcester 
Committee,  to  hire  carts  to  get  it  away,  and  they  have 
accordingly  got  all  the  articles  to  Snow-Hill,  except  a  few 
barrels  of  sulphur,  that  will  be  removed  to-morrow. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 
Honours'  most  humble  servant,  n  u 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


CAPTAIN  BARNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  17,  1776. 

In  a  letter  written  to  your  Honours  by  Captain  Elliot 
and  myself,  praying  a  reinforcement  to  be  sent  to  our  assist- 
ance, we  omitted  to  mention  the  want  of  powder  and  ball, 
which  we  stand  in  great  need  of,  not  having  above  one 
quarter  of  a  pound  of  powder  and  one  pound  of  lead  per 
man,  for  tbe  Militia  on  the  Island.  And  if  your  Honours 


think  fit  to  order  any  companies  to  our  assistance,  I  hope  you 
will  order  ammunition  for  them,  as  well  as  for  the  company 
on  the  Island. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  BARNES,  Jun. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 


JESSE   HOLLINGSWORTH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  17, 1776. 

SIRS  :  I  have  not  received  the  money  for  the  order  sent  me 
by  Captain  Nicholson,  for  £250.  I  have  sent  Mr.  George 
Wells,  Sen .,  with  it.  If  he  should  meet  with  any  difficulty, 
please  let  Mr.  Cromwell,  your  clerk,  assist  him ;  and  if  you 
have  any  order  for  me  concerning  bread  or  flour,  please 
write.  I  have  been  these  two  days  getting  timber  for  the 
galleys.  Please  not  to  let  him  come  without  the  cash. 
From  your  humble  servant,  J£SSE  HoLLINGSWORTH. 


GORDON  AND  PATTON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  17,  1776. 

We,  the  subscribers,  do  propose  to  make  knapsacks,  with 
oil  covers,  at  seven  shillings  each;  country  linen  knapsacks, 
at  six  shillings  each;  and  Rusisa  duck  knapsacks,  at  six 
shillings  and  six  pence  each,  provided  we  get  a  quantity. 

JOHN  GORDON, 
MATTHEW  PATTON. 


WILLIAM  WATERS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Somerset  County,  July  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Militia  is  called  into  action,  and  have 
been  for  some  time.     The  field  officers  say  they  cannot 
supply  them,  without  being  supplied  with  a  small  sum  of 
money.     We  have  dealt  on  credit  for  some  time,  but  find  it 
necessary  to  have  a  small  sum.     If  you  can  supply  us  with 
about  £300,  this  Committee  will  be  answerable  for  it.     The 
bearer,  Mr.  Denwood,  will  bring  the  money  safely. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 
WILLIAM  WATERS,  Chairman  Committee. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 


WILLIAM  WATERS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Somerset  County,  July  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  enclosed  is  an  extract  of  the  Proceed- 
ings of  our  Committee  against  James  Layjield.  Have  sent 
him  up  under  guard  to  you. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 
WILLIAM  WATERS,  Chairman. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Somerset  County,  July 
10,  1776: 

David  McDonald,  Jun.,  informed  the  Committee,  on  oath, 
that  he  was  told  by  his  father  and  wife,  that  they  heard 
James  Layjield  say  that  he  wanted  this  deponent  to  join 
and  take  the  ammunition  from  Lazarus  Maddox,  which  he 
was  carrying  to  the  Guard;  and  that  his  father  and  wife 
told  him  that  said  Layjield  told  them  that  he  would  tie  said 
Maddox,  and  carry  him  aboard  of  Dumnore. 

Ordered,  That  James  Layjield  appear  on  Tuesday  next, 
before  the  Committee;  also  that  David  McDonald,  Sen., 
and  Sarah  McDonald,  (wife  of  David  McDonald,)  appear 
before  said  Committee,  to  testify  against  said  Layjield. 

Tuesday,  July  16,  1776. 

The  Committee  met.     Present:   Thomas  Bruff,  Thomas 
Haywootl,   William   Waters,  George  Waters,  John  Jones, 
Daniel  Dashiell,  James  Bounds,  and  Peter  Waters. 
THOMAS  BRUFF,  in  the  Chair. 

James  Layjield  appeared  before  the  Committee.  David 
McDonald  and  Sarah  McDonald  also  appeared. 

The  Committee  proceeded  to  examine  the  witnesses. 
They  depose  as  follows:  David  McDonald,  Sen.,  of  lawful 
age,  being  duly  sworn,  deposethand  saith:  That,  some  time 
in  June  last,  James  Layfield  came  to  this  deponent's  house, 
and  said,  if  he  had  had  help,  he  would  have  taken  the  am- 
munition that  Lazarus  Maddox  had  currying  down  to  the 


385 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


386 


guard,  and  that  if  he  (said  Layfield)  had  been  going  down 
to  Dunmore,  he  would  have  tied  the  said  Maddox,  and 
have  put  him  in  his  canoe,  and  carried  him  to  Dunmore. 
This  deponent  saith,  that  he  had  several  times  before  this 
heard  Layfield  say  that  he  would  not  muster,  and  that  if  he 
could  get  persons  to  join  him,  he  would  stand  in  opposition 
to  mustering,  and  would  not  muster  for  any  person.  And 
further  saith  not. 

Sworn  before  PETER  WATERS. 

Sarah  McDonald,  of  lawful  age,  being  sworn,  deposeth 
and  saith :  That,  some  time  in  June  last.  James  Layfield 
came  to  her  father's,  (David  McDonald's,)  in  company 
with  John  Redden  and  Lazarus  Maddox.  Layfield  and 
Redden  came  into  the  house;  Maddox  went  to  tie  his  horse. 
Layfield  asked  this  deponent  where  her  husband  was,  and 
desired  this  deponent  to  tell  her  husband  to  come  out  to  him. 
She  answered  that  he  was  not  at  home.  This  deponent  saith 
that  some  little  time  afterwards,  Maddox  went  off  to  the 
guard,  which  was  at  Jericho,  and  Layfield  and  Redden 
came  up  to  the  door,  and  Layfield  told  this  deponent  what 
he  wanted  with  her  husband;  which  was,  that  if  he  had  been 
at  home,  and  was  as  willing  as  he  was,  he  would  have  tied 
Maddox,  put  him  in  a  canoe,  and  cariied  him  and  his 
ammunition  on  board  of  Dunmore,  for  it  was  a  bargain  they 
had  made,  as  they  came  along,  to  do  so.  And  further 
saith  not. 

True  copy  from  the  Minutes: 

JOHN  DASHIELL,  Cleric. 


THOMAS  B.   HANDS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Langsford  Bay,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  My  most  sincere  and  grateful  acknowledgments  are 
justly  due  to  the  honourable  the  late  Convention  for  their  con- 
tinuance of  me  as  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety;  and 
although  it  gives  me  great  pain,  yet  I  should  consider  myself 
highly  unworthy  of  the  good  opinion  they  had  entertained  of 
me,  did  I  not  signify  to  you  that  I  find  my  situation  such  that 
I  think  myself  bound  to  decline  that  honour.  You  there- 
fore, sir,  will  be  pleased  to  accept  of  my  resignation  of 
the  appointment  of  me  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety; 
and  believe  me,  with  due  respect  to  yourself  and  the 
other  gentlemen  of  your  Board,  your  most  humble  ser- 
vant, 

THOMAS  B.  HANDS. 
To  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of  the  Council 

of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

STEPHEN  STEWART  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  bearer,  Captain  Ewing,  has  a  ship  to 
dispose  of.  She  is  a  new  vessel,  and  as  well  built  a  one  as 
ever  I  saw.  She  is  really  a  complete  piece  of  work,  and  stout 
enough  to  carry  eight  or  ten  six-pounders  with  fifty  men. 
She  draws  less  water  than  any  vessel  of  her  size.  She  has 
new  anchors,  cables,  and  rigging ;  her  main-sails  are  new,  but 
not  large  enough  for  the  revenue  service.  I  would  a^ree 
with  him  for  her,  but  am  in  some  doubts  of  her  sailing°fast 
by  the  wind.  There  is  no  doubt  of  her  sailing  exceedingly 
fast  from  the  wind.  Captain  Ewing  has  agreed  to  carry  her 
to  Annapolis  to  you.  I  have  told  him  you  would  get  Gil- 
bert Middleton  to  try  how  she  sails  by  the  wind.  Gilbert 
Middleton  will  make  proper  allowance  for  her  being  badly 
sailed.  If  she  will  answer  the  end  of  sailing  by  the  wind, 
she  may  be  made  so  able  that  nothing  but  sloops  can  hurt 
her;  and  then  she  can  run  into  such  shoal  water  that  they 
could  not  get  at  her.  I  think  when  she  has  fifty  men,  with 
water  and  provisions  and  ten  six-pounders,  she  will  not  draw 
more  than  six-and-a-half  feet  of  water.  Jf  Mr.  Middleton 
finds  she  will  answer  the  end  of  sailing  by  the  wind,  she  may 
be  bought  from  Captain  Ewing  for  £450  to  £475,  and  he 
must  find  you  a  new  mast,  boom,  and  all  other  spars,  for 
they  are  all  too  short. 

1  am  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

STEPHEN  STEWART. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 

P.  S.   I  have  had  a  good  deal  of  business  with  Captain 
Ewing,  and  have  always  found  him  very  punctual.    S.  S. 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  25 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  CRAWFORD. 

[No.  47.]^  Annapolis,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  This  is  to  advise  you  that  we  are  orderin*  some  am- 
munition to  St.  Mary's  County.  You  are  therefore  desired 
to  prepare  a  wagon,  with  all  expedition,  to  be  ready  to 
receive  it  as  soon  as  the  cart  sent  from  hence  may  arrive 
with  you,  which  we  think  will  be  this  evening  or  to-morrow 
morning,  and  to  forward  it  under  a  guard  of  eight  men  and 
an  officer  to  Leonardtown,  in  said  County.  We  trust  you 
will  use  all  diligence,  and  give  the  greatest  despatch  to  this 
necessary  business.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Captain  David  Crawford. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  DENT. 
[No-  48-]  Annapolis,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  We  received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Jordan  last  night, 
advising  that  some  of  Dunmore 's  party  had  landed  on  St. 
George's,  and  that  the  boats  were  going  off  to  the  vessels^ 
it  was  imagined,  for  more.  As  the  further  orders  which  we 
may  give  must  depend  in  a  great  measure  on  the  numbers, 
situation,  and  movements  of  the  enemy,  we  request  you  will 
communicate  to  us  by  the  return  of  the  express  all  the  in- 
formation you  can  collect  relative  to  them,  and  be  very 
particular  therein.  We  have  countermanded  the  orders 
given  Captains  Thomas  and  Hindman  to  march  to  Phila- 
delphia, and  expect  them  here  to-day  or  to-morrow.  Upon 
receiving  intelligence  from  you,  we  shall  be  able  to  form  an 
opinion  whether  it  will  be  necessary  they  should  be  ordered 
to  your  assistance.  Powder,  lead,  and  flints,  are  sent  off  this 
morning  to  Leonardtown,  and  we  hope  will  arrive  there 
to-morrow  night  or  on  Friday  morning.  We  approve  of  the 
Committee  detaining  Captain  Forrest's  company,  and  think 
it  would  be  best,  if  the  Militia  will  part  with  their  guns,  that 
that  company  should  be  armed  with  them,  and  immediately 
be  subject  to  your  orders.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Brigadier-General  Dent. 


MARYLAND   COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  THOMAS   RINGGOLD   AND 

OTHERS. 
[No.  49.]  Annapolis,  July  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  have  sent  a  barrel  of  gunpowder  and 
four  hundred  pounds  of  lead,  addressed  to  you,  for  the  use 
of  Kent  Island,  and  doubt  not  your  care  of  it.  We  think 
ourselves  obliged,  however,  to  tell  you  we  have  seen  the 
ill  effect  of  distributing  ammunition  among  the  Militia,  and 
to  desire  you  will  lodge  such  a  proportion  of  it  with  the  Cap- 
tains of  the  companies  only  as  you  may  think  proper,  and 
they  upon  emergencies  will  deliver  it  out  to  their  men. 

We  are,  Sic. 

To  Messrs.  Thomas  Ringgold,  Aquila  Brown,  and  Dr. 
Ringgold. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  THOMAS    SMYTH. 
[No.  50.]  Annapolis,  July  17,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  We  send  you  by  the  bearer  £400  currency, 
for  paying  off  the  wagons,  and  to  answer  other  contingent 
expenses.  We  are  sorry  we  cannot  comply  with  other  re- 
quests you  have  made  of  us  relative  to  the  two  companies 
raised  in  Kent.  Our  Province  is  actually  invaded  by  Lord 
Dunmore  with  his  whole  fleet,  who  are  now  come  into 
Potomack,  and  are  landing  on  St.  George's  Island.  Our 
own  battalion  and  Independent  companies  are  marched  off 
to  the  eastward  by  order  of  Convention.  In  this  distressed 
situation,  every  gun  we  can  muster  from  Mr.  Winters,  and 
all  other  parts,  must  be  first  applied  to  arm  the  battalion  and 
Independent  companies  that  are  to  stay  in  the  Province  to 
supply  the  place  of  those  who  are  gone  to  New-  York.  As  to 
tents,  we  will  write  you  more  fully  hereafter,  when  we  know 
certainly  what  canvass  we  have  at  Chingoteague.  Were  we 
to  make  the  ample  provision  you  wish  for  two  companies  in 
the  Eastern-Shore  battalion,  and  leave  the  others  bare  of 
everything,  we  should  justly  subject  ourselves  to  the  charge 
of  partiality.  You  may  depend  we  will  do  as  much  for 
those  two  companies  as  we  possibly  can,  at  least  equal  to 
others  in  the  same  battalion.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  Thomas  Smyth,  Esq. 


387 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


388 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY  TO    CAPTAINS    BARNES    AND 

ELLICOTT. 
[No.  51.]  Annapolis,  July  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  received  your  favour  of  the  16th  instant 
about  an  hour  ago,  and  are  sorry  to  find  the  people  of  Kent 
Island  so  very  uneasy  from  an  opinion  Dunmore  will  attack 
tliL-in.  We  do  not  apprehend,  unless  he  should  receive  a 
considerable  reinforcement,  that  he  will  attempt  anything  of 
that  sort,  as,  from  the  best  information  we  have  of  them,  his 
party  is  unequal  to  such  a  measure.  However,  hearing  of 
the  apprehensions  which  prevailed  among  you,  and  that  you 
were  not  sufficiently  provided  with  ammunition  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  Observation  for  Queen  Anne's,  who  we  expected 
would  supply  you,  and  being  desirous  of  guarding  against 
every  possibility  of  danger,  we  had  ordered,  before  the  receipt 
of  your  letter,  a  barrel  of  powder  and  four  hundred  pounds 
of  lead  to  be  lodged  with  Messrs.  Thomas  Ringgold, 
Aquila  Brown,  and  Dr.  ttinggold,  for  the  use  of  the  Island, 
and  that  Captain  Dean's  company  of  the  Flying-Camp 
Militia  should,  as  soon  as  they  could  be  armed,  march  down 
for  your  protection.  But  as  your  recommendation  of  such 
as  would  answer  the  purpose  would  probably  expedite  the 
business,  we  think  you  had  better  make  the  proper  inquiry, 
and  write  us.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  Captains  Barnes  and  Ellicott. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  EWING. 
[No.  52.]  Annapolis,  July  17, 1776. 

SIR:  The  Militia  of  the  Flying-Camp  are  not  to  draw 
pay  or  rations  until  they  receive  orders  to  inarch. 

We  are,  &tc. 

To  Colonel  Tliomas  Ewing. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  14th  instant  was  duly  received, 
and  immediately  laid  before  Congress.  In  obedience  to  their 
commands,  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  forward  sundry  resolves. 

The  Congress  being  of  opinion  that  a  quantity  of  powder 
should  be  distributed  through  the  several  Counties  of  New- 
York  and  New-Jersey,  I  am  to  request  you  will  give  direc- 
tions to  have  it  lodged  in  the  hands  of  such  persons  as  may 
be  depended  upon. 

I  have  delivered  Monsieur  ffirmovan  his  commission,  and 
directed  him  to  repair  immediately  to  the  Jerseys,  and  put 
himself  under  the  officer  who  commands  the  Flying-Camp. 
You  will  please  to  give  orders  respecting  the  appointment 
of  a  Sergeant-Major,  a  Quartermaster-General,  and  Pay- 
master-General in  each  regiment;  and  likewise  necessary 
directions  to  General  Schuyler  with  regard  to  cleansing  the 
Army  of  the  small-pox. 

Mr.  Humpton  and  Mr.  Dawson  have  been  officers  in  the 
British  Army,  and  I  hope  will  be  of  service  in  ours.  They 
will  be  ordered  to  Head-Quarters  as  soon  as  possible. 

Upwards  of  a  thousand  troops  from  Maryland  are  now  in 
this  city,  on  their  way  to  join  the  Flying-Camp  in  New-Jer- 
sey. They  are  an  exceeding  fine  body  of  men,  and  will 
begin  their  inarch  this  day. 

Agreeably  to  the  enclosed  resolves  of  Congress,  I  have  writ- 
ten in  the  most  vehement  and  pressing  manner  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts-Bay, Connecticut,  and  New- Jersey,  to  forward  their 
Militia,  anpl  have  no  doubt  of  their  compliance  immediately. 

With  the  most  fervent  and  incessant  wishes  that  your 
head  may  be  covered  in  the  day  of  battle,  and  that  success 
may  crown  your  arms,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  PENNSYLVANIA  CONVENTION. 

Philadelphia,  July  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Congress,  previous  to  the  meeting  of 
the  Convention  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  have  received 
information  of  such  a  nature  as  induced  them  to  appoint  a 
Committee,  who  are  under  an  injunction  of  secrecy,  to  make 
the  necessary  inquiry;  but  as  this  State  is  mostly  interested 
in  the  subject  of  the  inquiry,  Congress  have  thought  proper 


that  the  matter  should  be  made  known  to  a  Committee  of 
your  body.  I  have  it,  therefore,  in  charge  to  request  that 
you  will  be  pleased  to  appoint  a  Committee  from  your  Con- 
vention, to  be  under  an  injunction  of  secrecy,  to  confer  with 
the  Committee  of  Congress  on  this  important  matter.  Having 
the  honour  to  be  of  the  Committee  of  Congress,  I  should  be 
glad  to  be  informed  of  the  names  of  such  persons  as  you 
shall  appoint  on  the  Committee,  that  a  time  and  place  may 
be  fixed  on  for  the  conference. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  respect,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania,  now  sitting. 

PRESIDENT  OF   CONGRESS  TO  COLONEL  SMALLWOOD. 

Philadelphia,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  it  in  charge  from  Congress  to  direct  that  you, 
as  soon  as  possible,  march  the  troops  from  Maryland,  now 
in  this  city,  to  New-York,  and  there  put  yourself  under  the 
command  of  General  Washington.  The  exigency  of  the 
service  requiring  as  speedy  a  junction  as  possible  of  your 
troops  with  those  at  New-York,  I  recommend  you  to  use  all 
despatch  in  your  power. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Colonel  William  Smallwood,  Philadelphia. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  MERCER. 

Philadelphia,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  reduced  to  the  last  minute,  and  have  only  time 
to  enclose  you  sundry  resolves  of  Congress  for  your  direc- 
tion, to  which  I  beg  leave  to  request  your  attention. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 
humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  New-Jersey. 


In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  17,  1776. 

It  being  recommended  to  this  Committee  by  the  Conven- 
tion to  take  the  necessary  steps  respecting  the  Guard  directed 
by  Congress  to  be  kept  in  this  City> 

Resolved,  That  the  four  companies  of  Militia  of  this  City 
and  Liberties,  detained  by  General  Roberdeau  as  guards  for 
this  City,  namely,  Captain  Smythers,  of  the  First  Battalion, 
Captain  Peters,  of  the  Second,  Captain  Wharton,  of  the 
Third,  and  the  company  lately  commanded  by  Captain 
Burkhard,  of  the  Fourth,  be  required  to  attend  their  duty 
regularly  and  punctually,  under  the  orders  and  command  of 
Captain  Peters.  And  the  commanding  officers  of  the  said 
companies  are  required  to  enrol  into  the  same  all  such  Asso- 
ciators  as,  from  particular  circumstances,  cannot  march  with 
the  Militia  now  called  into  service  for  the  Flying-Camp; 
and  all  such  Associators  are  earnestly  exhorted  to  enrol  them- 
selves in  some  one  of  the  said  companies,  for  this  necessary 
and  important  service,  in  which  they  are  to  continue  during 
the  absence  of  the  companies  to  which  they  respectively 
belong. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

WILLIAM  GOVETT,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New- York,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  Colonel  Hand  having  informed  me  that  he  means 
to  purchase  regimentals  for  his  battalion  in  Philadelphia,  I 
must  take  the  liberty  to  request  you  will  have  the  nine  thou- 
sand dollars,  resolved  by  Congress  of  the  12th  ultimo  to  be 
paid  him  here  for  that  purpose,  to  be  advanced  to  him  or 
his  order  there.  The  state  of  our  chest  is  extremely  low, 
and  many  pressing  demands  against  it;  besides,  as  the  clothes 
are  to  be  paid  for  there,  it  seems  unnecessary  to  send  money 
from  hence.  An  account  of  the  advance  may  be  transmit- 
ted, in  order  to  a  stoppage  from  the  men's  pay. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


389 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PREStDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 


390 


[Read  July  18,  1776,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New-York,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  this  morning  honoured  with  yours  of  the  15th  in- 
stant, with  sundry  resolves.    I  perceive  the  measures  Congress 
have  taken  to  expedite  the  raising  of  the  Flying-Camp  and 
providing  it  with  articles  of  the  greatest  use.     You  will  see 
by  a  postscript  to  my  letter  of  the  14th,  that  I  had  written 
to  the  commanding  officer  of  {he  Pennsylvania  Militia,  order- 
ing them  to  be  inarched  from  Trenton  to  Amboy,  as  their 
remaining  there  could  not  answer  the  least  publick  "ood ;  for 
having  consulted  with  many  gentlemen,  I  am  informed  if 
the  enemy  mean  to  direct  their  views  towards  Pennsylvania, 
or  penetrate  the  Jerseys,  their  route  will  be  from  near  Amboy 
and  either  by  the  way  of  Brunswick  or  Boundbrook,  the 
lower  road  from  South- Amboy  being  through  a  woody,  sandy 
country;  besides,  they  will  be  then  able  to  throw  in  succour 
here,  and  to  receive  it  from  hence  in  cases  of  emergency. 

The  Connecticut  Lighthorse,  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the 
llth,  notwithstanding  their  then  promise  to  continue  here 
ior  the  defence  of  this  place,  are  now  discharged,  and  about 
to  return  home,  having  peremptorily  refused  all  kind  of 
fatigue  duty,  or  even  to  mount  guard,  claiming  an  exemption 
as  Troopers.  Though  their  assistance  is  much  needed,  and 
might  be  of  essential  service  in  case  of  an  attack,  yet  I  judged 
it  advisable,  on  their  application  and  claim  of  such  ind°ul- 
gences,  to  discharge  them ;  as  granting  them  would  set  an 
example  to  others,  and  might  produce  many  ill  conse- 
quences. The  number  of  men  included  in  the  last  return 
by  this,  is  lessened  about  five  hundred. 

I  last  night  received  a  letter  of  the  12th  instant  from 
General  Schuyler,  with  several  enclosures,  copies  of  which 
I  have  herewith  transmitted.  They  will  give  Congress  every 
information  I  have  respecting  the  northern  Army,  and  the 
situation  of  our  affairs  in  that  quarter,  to  which  1  beg  leave 
to  refer  their  attention.  I  cannot  but  express  my  surprise 
at  the  scarcity  of  provision  which  General  Schuyler  men- 
tions, after  what  the  Commissary  assured  me,  and  which 
formed  a  part  of  my  letter  of  the  14th ;  he  still  assures  me 
of  the  same.  This  is  a  distressing  circumstance,  as  every 
article  of  provision  and  everything  necessary  for  that  de- 
partment can  have  no  other  now  than  a  land  conveyance 
the  water  communication  from  hence  to  Albany  beim*  en- 
tirely cut  off.  Congress  will  please  to  consider  the  enclo- 
sure No.  6,  about  raising  six  companies  out  of  the  inhabitants 
about  the  lakes,  to  prevent  the  incursions  of  the  Indians. 
The  General  Officers,  in  their  Minutes  of  Council,  have 
determined  it  to  be  a  mailer  of  much  importance,  and  their 
attention  to  the  price  of  goods  furnished  the  soldiery  may  be 
extremely  necessary.  They  have  complained  much  upon  this 
head. 

The  retreat  from  Crown-Point  seems  to  be  considered 
in  opposite  views  by  the  General  and  Field  Officers:  the 
former,  I  am  satisfied,  have  weighed  the  matter  well,  and 
yet  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  latter  against  it  appear  stronn- 
and  forcible.  I  hope  whatever  is  done  will  be  for  the  best.  * 
I  was  apprehensive  the  appointment  of  General  Gates  over 
General  Sullivan  would  give  the  latter  disgust.  His  letter 
which  I  transmitted  to  Congress,  seemed  to  warrant  the  sus- 
picion. He  is  not  arrived  yet;  when  he  does,  I  shall  try  to 
settle  the  affair  with  him,  and  prevail  on  him  to  continue,  as  I 
think  his  resignation  will  take  from  the  service  a  useful  and 
good  officer. 

By  a  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Orange  County,  re- 
ceived this  morning,  the  men-of-war  and  tenders  were  yes- 
terday at  Haverslraw  Bay,  about  forty  miles  above  this. 
A  number  of  men,  in  four  barges  from  the  tenders,  attempted 
to  land,  with  a  view,  they  suppose,  of  taking  some  sheep 
and  cattle  that  had  been  previously  removed.  A  small  num- 
ber of  Militia  who  were  collected  obliged  them  to  retreat, 
without  their  doing  any  damage  with  their  cannon.  They 
were  sounding  the  water  up  towards  the  Highlands,  by  which 
it  is  probable  they  will  attempt  to  pass  with  part  of  the  fleet 
if  possible. 

Yesterday  evening  a  flag  came  from  General  Howe,  with 
a  letter  addressed  "To  George  Washington,  Esq.,  &c.,  &c., 
&c."  It  was  not  received,  on  the  same  principle  that  the 
one  from  Lord  Howe  was  refused. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  esteem,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLEH. 
r>  C          v  New-York,  July  17,  1776 

nf  !i    To  i  R:  Yesterd^. eveninS  !  w»s  favoured  with  yours 
of  the  12th  instant,  with  its  several  enclosures 

As  to  the  propriety  or  impropriety  of  giving  up  Crown- 
font,  and  vacating  that  post,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  deter- 
mme.  My  ignorance  of  the  country,  my  unacquaintance  with 
s  situation,  and  a  variety  of  circumstances,  will  not  permit 
ie  to  pronounce  any  certain  opinion  upon  the  subject  or  to 
declare  whether  it  might  or  could  not  be  maintained  against 
the  enemy.     I  doubt  not  the  measure  was  duly  weighed  by 
the  General  Officers  in  council,  and  seemed  to  them  best 
calculated  to  secure  the  Colonies  and  prevent  the  enemy 
irom  penetrating  into  them.    However,  I  cannot  but  observe 
(though  1  do  not  mean  to  encourage  in  the  smallest  degree' 
or  to  give  the  least  sanction  to  inferior  officers  to  set  up  their 
opinions  against  the  proceedings  and  councils  of  their  supe- 
riors, knowing  the  dangerous  tendency  of  such  a  practice  ) 
that  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  officers  in  their  remonstrance 
appear  to  me  forcible  and  of  great  weight :  they  coincide  with 
my  own  ideas.     I  have  ever  understood  Crown-Point  to  be 
an  important  post,  and,  from  its  situation,  of  the  utmost 
consequence  to  us,  especially  if  we  want  to  keep  the  superi- 
ority and  mastery  of  the  Lake.     If  it  is  abandoned  by  us  it 
is  natural  to  suppose  the  enemy  will  possess  it.     If  they  do 
and  my  judgment  does  not  mislead  me,  any  vessels  or  galleys 
we  employ  upon  the  Lake  will  certainly  be  in  their  rear,  and 
it  will  not  be  in  our  power  to  bring  them  down  to  Ticon- 
deroga,  or  the  post  opposite  to  it,  or  from  thence  to  have  the 
least  communication  with  them,  or  the  means  of  "rantino- 
them  succours  or  supplies  of  any  kind.    Perhaps  it  is  intended 
to  employ  the  galleys  only  on  the  communication  between 
the  two  posts,  that  of  Crown-Point  and  the  one  now  to  be 
established.     How  far  they  would  there  answer  our  views,  I 
cannot  tell.     As  I  said  before,  I  have  not  a  sufficient  know- 
ledge of  the  several  posts,  or  the  neighbouring  country,  to 
form  an  accurate  judgment  upon  the  matter,  and  of  conse- 
quence do  not  design  anything  I  have  said  by  way  of  direc- 
tion, trusting  that  whatever  is  best  to  advance  the  interest  of 
the  important  struggle  we  are  engaged  in  will  be  done. 

I  am  extremely  sorry  to  hear  such  unfavourable  accounts 
of  the  condition  of  the  Army.  Sickness  of  itself  is  sufficiently 
bad;  but  when  discord  and  disorder  are  added,  greater  mis- 
fortunes cannot  befall  it,  except  that  of  a  defeat.  While 
they  prevail,  there  is  but  little  hope  of  things  succeeding  well. 
I  must  entreat  your  attention  to  these  matters,  and  your 
exertions  to  introduce  more  discipline,  and  to  do  away  the 
unhappy  pernicious  distinctions  and  jealousies  between  the 
troops" of  different  Governments.  Enjoin  this  upon  the 
officers,  and  let  them  inculcate,  and  press  home  to  the  sol- 
diers, the  necessity  of  order  and  harmony  among  those  who 
are  embarked  in  one  common  cause,  and  mutually  contend- 
ing for  all  that  freemen  hold  dear.  I  am  persuaded,  if  the 
officers  will  but  exert  themselves,  that  these  animosities  and 
disorders  will  in  a  great  measure  subside;  and  nothing  being 
more  essential  to  the  service  than  that  they  should3,  I  am 
hopeful  nothing  on  their  part  will  be  wanting  to  effect  it. 

The  scarcity  of  provisions  which  you  mention  surprises 
me  much.     I  had  hoped  that  an  ample  and  competent  sup- 
ply for  a  considerable  time  was  now  in  store;  nor  can  I  but 
believe  the  most  lavish  and  extravagant  waste  has  been  made 
of  it.     Not  longer  than  three  or  four  days  ago,  and  just  after 
the  two  men-ol-war  and  tenders  passed  by,  as  mentioned  in 
my  last,  the  situation  of  the  northern  Army,  in  respect  to  this 
article,  occurred  to  my  mind,  and  induced  an  inquiry  of  the 
Commissary  about  it,  being  certain  the  water  communication 
with  Albany  would  be  entirely  cut  off;  and  I  was  happy 
to  find  from  him,  that  the  supplies  he  had  forwarded  would 
be  fully  sufficient  for  ten  thousand  men  for  four  months. 
This  1  informed  Congress  of  as  a  most  fortunate  event.     To 
be  told  now  that  there  is  none,  or  next  to  none,  is  so  con- 
trary to  what  I  expected,  that  I  am  filled  with  wonder  and 
astonishment.     I  have  informed  the  Commissary  of  it,  who 
is  equally  surprised;  and  must  request,  as  our  navigation  is 
so  circumstanced,  that  you  will  direct  those  whose  business 
it  is,  to  use  every  possible  means  to  provide  such  supplies  as 
may  be  necessary;  and  that  proper  attention  be  paid  to  the 
expenditure,  or  it  will  be  impossible  ever  to  subsist  that 
Army. 

As  to  intrenching  tools,  I  have  from  time  to  time  forwarded 
all  that  can  possibly  be  spared.     I  have  directed  the  Quar- 


391 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


392 


termaster  to  send  such  things  contained  in  your  list  as  can 
be  had  and  may  be  transported  by  land.  The  greatest  part 
it  would  be  difficult  to  procure,  and  if  they  could  be  had, 
would  be  attended  with  immense  trouble  and  expense  to 
forward  them;  I  must  therefore  entreat  your  utmost  diligence 
and  inquiry  to  get  them;  and  not  only  them,  but  every  ne- 
cessary you  want,  wherever  they  may  be  had.  The  water- 
course being  now  at  an  end,  but  few  supplies  can  be  ex- 
pected from  hence;  and  I  make  not  the  least  doubt,  if  active 
proper  persons  are  employed,  in  many  instances  you  will 
be  able  to  obtain  such  articles  as  you  stand  in  need  of.  1 
am  under  the  necessity  of  doing  so  here,  and  by  much  pains 
and  industry  have  procured  many  necessaries.  As  for  the 
articles  wanted  for  the  gondolas,  1  should  suppose  many  of 
them  may  be  purchased  of  the  proprietors  of  craft  about 
Albany,  and  of  persons  who  have  vessels  there,  by  allowing 
them  a  good  price.  The  communication  by  water  being 
now  stopped,  they  cannot  employ  them,  and  I  presume  may 
be  prevailed  on  to  part  with  most  of  their  tackle  for  a  good 
consideration. 

I  transmitted  Congress  a  copy  of  your  letter  and  of  its 
several  enclosures,  and  recommended  to  their  particular 
attention  the  resolution  No.  6,  for  raising  six  companies  to 
guard  the  frontiers,  and  the  high  price  of  goods  furnished 
the  soldier,  and  that  some  measures  might  be  taken  thereon. 

There  is  a  resolve  of  Congress  against  officers  holding 
double  commissions,  and  of  long  standing.  None  are  allow- 
ed it  except  Adjutants  and  Quartermasters;  and  they  gene- 
rally are  also  First  or  Second  Lieutenants.  In  this  Army 
there  is  no  instance  of  double  officers  but  in  the  cases  I 
mention. 

The  carpenters  from  Philadelphia  unfortunately  had  not 
time  to  get  their  tools,  &tc.,  on  board  a  craft  here  before  the 
men-of-war  got  up.  They  set  out  by  land  next  day,  and 
I  suppose  will  be  at  Albany  in  the  course  of  this  week,  as 
also  two  companies  from  Connecticut. 

I  have  inquired  of  Mr.  Hughes,  and  find  that  the  six 
anchors  and  cables  were  on  board  Captain  Peter  Post's 
vessel  belonging  to  Esopus,  who,  upon  the  first  appearance  of 
the  fleet  coming  above  the  Narrows,  went  off  without  taking 
the  necessaries  brought  by  Captain  Donn.  Mr.  Hughes  says 
Captain  Donn,  who  bought  you  the  lead,  had  orders  to  get 
them. 

I  have  enclosed  you  a  list  of  the  naval  articles  the  Quar- 
termaster expects  to  obtain  and  send  from  hence,  which  will 
evince  the  necessity  of  your  exertions  to  get  the  rest  else- 
where. Many  of  the  articles,  I  should  suppose,  may  be  made 
at  Albany  and  within  the  neighbourhood  of  it. 

I  am  in  hopes  that,  in  consequence  of  your  application,  the 
different  Governments  will  take  some  steps  for  apprehending 
deserters.  It  is  a  growing  evil,  and  1  wish  it  may  be  remedied. 
From  the  Northern  Army  they  have  been  extremely  numer- 
ous, from  report,  and  should  most  certainly  be  returned  if 
they  can  be  found.  How  far  the  mode  suggested  by  you 
may  answer,  the  event  will  show;  but  I  am  doubtful  whether 
many  will  return  of  themselves. 

I  fancy  a  part  of  your  letter  was  omitted  to  be  sent.  When 
you  come  to  speak  of  deserters,  what  I  learn  on  the  subject 
begins  a  new  sheet,  and  seems  to  suppose  something  pre- 
ceding about  them.  After  requesting  Mr.  Hughes  to  be 
spoken  to  about  the  anchors,  &tc.,  the  next  page  begins, 
"  unanimously  agreed  that  I  should  write,"  &,c. 

You  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  resolve,  that  Congress 
mean  to  raise  the  garrison  for  Presque-Isle,  &c.,  in  the  Coun- 
ties of  Westmoreland  and  Bedford,  in  Pennsylvania. 

I  am,  &tc.,  „      ,,,. 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  General  Schuyler. 

P.  S.  July  18,  10  o'clock  A.  M. — I  this  minute  spoke 
to  Mr.  Trumbull  again  about  provisions,  and  pressed  his  most 
vigorous  exertions.  I  believe  he  is  determined  to  leave 
nothing  undone  on  his  part,  and  has  already  sent  off  some 
persons  upon  the  business,  of  which  I  suppose  he  will  inform 
you  or  Mr.  Livingston.  G.  W. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  JAMES  CLINTON. 

Head-auarters,  New-York,  July  17,  1776. 
SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  13th  instant  was  duly  received. 
The  steps  you  have  taken  appear  to  me  extremely  proper, 
and  that  there  may  be  no  discouragement  in  the  purchase 


of  arms,  of  which  we  stand  in  great  need,  I  have,  by  the 
bearer,  sent  you  the  £300  you  request.  You  will  please  to 
keep  a  particular  account  of  the  disbursement,  in  order  that 
it  may  be  brought  into  its  proper  place  of  statement  at  a 
future  day. 

Before  this  reaches  you,  two  officers  of  the  Artillery,  whom 
I  despatched  last  Sunday,  will  have  arrived,  to  supply  the 
place  of  those  so  unhappily  disabled.  I  trust  these  accidents 
will  form  a  lesson  of  prudence  and  calmness  at  such  times, 
and  particularly  excite  care  and  caution.  It  is  a  melancholy 
consideration,  that  in  these  cases  we  suffer  more  from  our 
own  artillery  than  the  enemy. 

As  the  enemy  weighed  anchor  yesterday,  with  a  seeming 
intention  to  pass  up  the  river,  I  trust  everything  is  in  the 
best  readiness  and  preparation  to  receive  them. 

The  rafts,  if  properly  constructed,  and  executed  with 
spirit  and  intrepidity,  are  most  dangerous  and  alarming  ene- 
mies to  shipping.  Unacquainted  with  the  river,  the  situation 
of  the  ships,  and  many  other  circumstances  necessary  to 
form  a  judgment  of  the  probability  of  success,  I  can  only  say, 
that  I  agree  in  opinion  with  your  brother,  that  expenses  ought 
not  to  be  regarded,  if  the  prospect  of  success  is  any  way  en- 
couraging. You  must,  with  those  upon  whose  opinion  you 
can  depend,  form  the  best  judgment  you  can,  and  act  ac- 
cordingly. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Col.  James  Clinton,  Fort  Constitution,  3d  New- York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 
Head-auarters,  New-York,  July  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  letter  of  the  15th  instant,  covering  the 
resolution  of  the  same  date,  was  duly  received,  which  I  beg 
leave  to  say  was  noble,  and  does  honour  to  your  respectable 
body.  It  likewise  adds  a  further  proof  of  your  determination 
to  afford  me  all  possible  assistance  in  discharging  the  im- 
portant duties  of  my  office.  It  is  impossible  to  say  what 
may  be  necessary,  but  I  shall  conduct  as  the  exigencies  of 
the  case  may  require,  and  I  doubt  not  your  cheerful  aid  and 
assistance  will  be  rendered  whenever  called  for. 

It  has  been  out  of  my  power  to  procure  more  whale  boats 
than  are  absolutely  necessary  for  the  night-guards.  Doubt 
not  you  will  be  able  to  procure  the  number  you  want  from 
the  western  shore  of  the  Sound,  which  may  be  easily  trans- 
ported by  land,  or  by  the  way  of  King's  Bridge,  to  the 
North  River. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  with  respect  and 
esteem,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Convention  of  the  State 

of  New-  York. 


COMMITTEE  OF  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  GENERAL  WASH- 
INGTON. 

White-Plains,  July  17, 1776. 

SIR:  The  Convention  have  thought  it  proper  to  appoint 
us  a  Secret  Committee,  among  other  things  to  form  and  ex- 
ecute any  plan  which  we  may  conceive  necessary  for  the 
defence  of  Hudson's  River,  which  unfortunately  lias  been 
too  long  neglected.  We  wish  to  have  your  Excellency's 
advice  on  this  important  subject,  and  shall  think  ourselves 
happy  to  cooperate  in  any  design  you  may  have  formed. 

The  obstructing  the  navigation  at  Mount  Washington  we 
suppose  to  be  an  object  which  your  Excellency  has  particu- 
larly in  view;  we  shall  therefore  direct  our  attention  to  such 
others  as  we  may  conceive  necessary.  Mr.  Duer  is  in  some 
measure  apprized  of  our  designs,  and  will  give  your  Excel- 
lency every  information  that  you  may  require. 

Your  Excellency's  commands  will  reach  us  if  directed  to 
Poughkeepsie. 

We  remain,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excellency's 

most  humble  servants.  T>  r>    f 

ROBERT  R.  LIVINGSTON, 

ROBERT  YATES, 
GILBERT  LIVINGSTON, 
CHRISTOPHER  TAPPEN, 
WILLIAM  PAULDING. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


393 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


394 


COLONEL  DUBOIS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  1,  1776.] 

New- York,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  On  my  arrival  at  New-York,  I  applied  to  General 
Washington  for  recruiting  orders  for  the  officers  of  my  regi- 
ment, according  to  appointment  of  the  honourable  Congress, 
which  he  granted  me.  I  thereupon  notified  the  several  offi- 
cers of  their  appointments;  but,  to  my  great  surprise,  I  found 
many  of  them  offended,  and  soon  after  they  sent  me  their 
resignations,  with  their  reasons,  which  I  now  enclose  you. 

I  could  hardly  have  believed  that  gentlemen  would  have 
disputed  for  rank  they  all  the  winter  acquiesced  in,  and 
performed  duty  accordingly  in  the  Army  before  Qucbeck ; 
especially  as  the  arrangement  of  the  officers  of  the  regiments 
to  be  recruited  out  of  the  four  New-  York  regiments  in  Canada 
was  made  on  the  same  principle,  to  wit :  agreeable  to  the 
appointment  by  the  late  worthy  General  Montgomery. 

I  also  enclose  you  a  certificate  of  the  rank  of  the  officers  of 
the  Third  Regiment,  in  which  I  served  in  Canada,  certified  by 
Colonel  Weissenfels,  who  then  acted  as  Brigade-Major,  by 
which  it  will  evidently  appear  that  the  gentlemen  who  have 
resigned  assigned  false  reasons,  and  that  the  arrangement  of 
my  regiment,  as  far  as  it  respects  the  late  officers  of  the 
Third  Regiment,  is  perfectly  agreeable  to  the  rank  they  bore 
therein.  And  should  there  be  any  mistakes  in  respect  to 
any  of  the  officers  of  the  other  regiments,  it  was  without  any 
design  in  me  to  injure  them;  nor  do  I  believe  there  is  any, 
except  in  the  case  of  Lieutenant  Gano,  which  I  offered  to 
have  corrected,  as  it  might  have  been  done,  as  the  men  in 
whose  favour  it  was  unintentionally  made,  resigned.  It  is 
true,  there  was  one  Mr.  Gilliland  left  out  of  my  regiment, 
•  who  served  last  winter  in  Canada;  but  I  hope  I  shall  stand 
justified  in  not  returning  his  name  in  my  list  of  officers  made 
by  the  Convention  of  this  Colony  to  Congress  last  spring, 
because  he  is  noted  as  unfit  to  serve,  as  is  mentioned  by 
that  return.  If  I  am  rightly  informed,  the  Congress  of  this 
Colony  decline  appointing  the  remainder  of  my  officers. 
This  will  tend  so  much  to  delay  the  filling  my  regiment,  that 
I  would  beg  to  be  informed  by  your  honourable  House,  how 
they  are  to  be  appointed,  that  I  may  take  the  proper  steps 
for  that  purpose.  A  number  of  good  men  have  offered  their 
services,  and  say  they  can  raise  their  proportion  of  men  in  a 
few  days. 

I  am,  with  the  profoundest  respect,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  LEWIS  DUBOIS,  Colonel 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 

To  LEWIS  DUBOIS,  Esq.: 

We,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  resign  the  appointments 
we  held  in  the  regiment  lately  ordered  to  be  raised  and  com- 
manded by  Lewis  Dubois,  Esq.,  for  the  following  reasons : 

First:  We  have  been  ungenerously  superseded,  which  the 
old  arrangement  of  officers,  made  by  the  Provincial  Congress 
will  fully  evince;  for  we  assert  that  the  youngest  Lieutenant 
in  the  Third  Regiment,  to  which  Mr.  Dubois  belonged,  is 
appointed  a  Captain  over  the  heads  of  the  First  Lieutenant 
of  the  First,  and  other  regiments;  likewise,  that  Sergeants 
and  Corporals,  who  went  out  in  said  Third  Regiment"  have 
superseded  officers  who  bore  commissions  in  the  last  cam- 

AARON  AERSON,  Lieutenant. 
JONATHAN  PEASE,  Lieutenant. 
RICHARD  PLATT,  Lieutenant. 
DANIEL  GANO,  Lieutenant. 
GARRET  VAN  WAGENEN,  Lieutenant. 
New-York,  July,  1776. 

Arrangement  of  the  Third  Battalion  of  YORKERS. 
Returns  of  the  Officers  belonging  to  the  Third  Battalion  of 
YORKERS,  commanded  by  Colonel  CLINTON,  in  rank,  as 
they  served  at  CANADA,  the  last  campaign,  agreeable  to 
General  MONTGOMERY'S  appointment. 

Lewis  Dubois,  Major. 
CAPTAINS. — 1st,   Jacobus  S.  Bruyn. 

2d,   Robert  Johnson,  provided  for  at  Canada. 

3d,   David  Dubois. 

4th,  Elias  Van  Bunschotcn. 

5th,  E.  Cooper,  provided  for  at  Canada. 

6th,  Thomas  De  Witt. 


1st  LIEUTS. — 1st,  Philip  Dubois. 

2d,  Albert  Paulding. 

3d,  Cornelius  T.  Jansen. 

4th,  James  Gregg. 

5th,  William  Martain,  provided  for  at  Canada. 
2d  LIEUTS. — 1st,  Evens  Wherry. 

2d,   Henry  Vandenburgh. 

3d,  Nathaniel  ConkUn. 

4th,  Henry  Docty. 

I  can  certify  that  the  above  gentlemen  were  appointed  by 
General  Montgomery,  and  did  duty  as  such  the  time  I  was 
Brigade-Major  to  the  Army  before  Quebeck. 

FRED.  WEISSENFELS,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 

July  17,  1776. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

German-Flats,  July  17,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  Excellency's  favour  of  the  1 1th  instant 
was  delivered  me  this  morning,  with  the  sundry  papers 
mentioned  in  it.  It  gives  me  a  very  sincere  and  heartfelt 
pleasure  that  I  can  declare  that  the  difference  in  opinion 
between  General  Gates  and  me  has  been  simply  such,  un- 
attended with  that  little  jealousy  which  would  have  reflected 
disgrace  on  both  of  us.  Be  assured,  sir,  that  the  most  per- 
fect harmony  subsists  between  us,  and  that  I  shall,  by  every 
attention  to  General  Gates,  strictly  cultivate  it,  as  well  to 
increase  my  own  felicity  as  to  promote  the  publick  service. 

You  have  a  formidable  and  well-appointed  Army  to  con- 
tend with ;  but  I  still  hope  that  when  Americans  see  the 
danger,  nay,  the  ruin  with  which  they  are  threatened,  they 
will  with  alacrity  support  you,  and  put  it  in  your  power  to 
give  a  good  account  of  the  foe.  May  Heaven  aid  and  direct 
you,  and  make  you  the  happy  instrument  of  ensuring  freedom 
to  the  Western  World. 

Colonel  Dayton  arrived  at  Fort  Stanwix  on  the  13th.  I 
cannot  learn  that  taking  post  there  gives  any  umbrage  to 
the  Indians,  of  whom  we  have  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
here,  and  momently  expect  very  large  numbers.  We  have 
hopes,  from  what  information  we  have  received,  that  we 
shall  be  able  to  keep  them  neuter  at  least. 

I  am  extremely  happy  to  hear  that  your  Excellency  has 
ordered  three  regiments  from  Boston  to  the  Northern  Army. 
I  believe  General  Burgoyne  will  attempt  to  penetrate  into 
the  Colonies,  but  I  think  it  will  be  impossible  for  him  to 
effect  it,  even  if  he  should  cross  the  lakes,  which  I  cannot 
conceive  he  will  be  able  to  do,  as  our  naval  strength  greatly 
exceeds  his,  and  as  we  shall  certainly  build  as  fast  as  he  can. 

I  am  very  much  afraid  that  Mr.  Livingston  will  resign 
his  office,  if  Mr.  Trumbull  appoints  any  person  to  act  to  the 
northward  independently  of  him.  If  so,  I  shall  be  under 
great  apprehensions  that  the  service  will  not  at  this  critical 
time  be  carried  on  so  well  as  I  wish.  Will  you  be  so  good 
as  to  communicate  this  to  Mr.  Trumbull. 

I  shall  immediately  transmit  the  Declaration  of  Congress 
to  General  Gates,  and  desire  him  to  proclaim  it  throughout 
the  Army. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  every  affectionate  wish  for  your  health 
and  happiness,  and  with  perfect  esteem,  your  Excellency's 
most  obedient,  humble  servant,  PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &tc.,  Sic. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OP  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  29,  1776.    Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

German-Flats,  Wednesday,  July  17,  1776. 
SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  your  letter  of  the  Sth  instant, 
covering  the  resolutions  of  Congress  of  the  same  day. 

When  gentlemen  act  with  candour  to  each  other,  a  differ- 
ence in  opinion  will  seldom  be  attended  with  any  disagree- 
able consequences.  I  am  happy,  sir,  that  I  can  assure  you 
that  the  most  perfect  good  understanding  subsists  between 
General  Gates  and  me,  insomuch  that  it  gave  him  pain  that 
I  was  under  the  necessity  of  quitting  the  Army  to  repair 
here  at  this  critical  juncture.  You  will  please  to  assure 
Congress  that  I  am  deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of 
mutual  confidence  amongst  all  its  officers,  and  that  I  shall 
never  neglect  any  measure  that  may  have  a  tendency  to  so 
desirable  an  end. 

I  have  seen  with  the  deepest  affliction  the  unhappy 
jealousy  which  reigned  in  the  Northern  Army,  occasioned 
by  Colonial  distinctions — distinctions  both  injurious  to  the 


39a 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


396 


cause  of  America,  and  disgraceful  to  the  authors  of  them.  I 
have  pointed  out  to  the  several  Colonels  and  commanding 
officers  of  corps,  in  language  as  pointedly  as  I  could,  the 
pernicious  consequences  of  such  a  fatal  dissension,  and  I 
hope  it  will  soon  be  eradicated. 

I  arrived  here  about  ten  yesterday  morning,  in  hopes  to 
have  found  the  Six  Nations  here  before  me ;  but  I  fear  the 
whole  will  not  be  here  until  the  last  of  the  week.  Mr.  Peter 
Ryckman,  a  trader  of  Albany,  who  has  been  detained  at 
Niagara  since  last  year,  on  a  well-grounded  suspicion  of 
his  affection  to  the  American  cause,  and  from  apprehensions 
that  his  influence  among  the  Indians  would  be  exerted  in 
our  favour,  has  found  means  to  make  his  escape,  and  arrived 
here  last  night,  attended  by  twenty-one  Seneca  warriors. 
He  left  Niagara  on  the  27th  ultimo,  and  tarried  ten  days 
in  some  of  the  Seneca  villages.  He  advises  that  the  garri- 
son consists  of  about  two  hundred  men ;  that  the  fort  is  well 
repaired ;  that  they  were  not  under  any  apprehensions  of  a 
visit  from  us;  but  that  in  the  beginning  of  May  they  were 
in  great  want  of  provision,  and  the  soldiers  wished  for  our 
coming;  that  Colonel  Butltr  had  frequently  attempted  to 
engage  the  Indians  against  us;  that  they  constantly  refused 
to  comply,  greatly  commending  us  for  recommending  neu- 
trality to  them,  and  severely  reprimanding  him  for  some 
scurrility  thrown  out  against  us ;  that  a  Seneca  sachem, 
named  Cajaghsoda,  from  some  town  towards  the  Ohio,  (a 
man  of  great  influence  and  much  respected  by  all  the 
nations,)  in  a  long  speech  inveighed  bitterly  against  Butler 
for  attempting  to  make  the  Indians  parties  in  the  war,  and 
concluded  with  declaring  that  he  would  not  interfere,  but  let 
the  father  and  son  (as  he  expressed  himself)  settle  their 
difference  between  them ;  that  this  man  opened  the  eyes  of 
the  Indians  to  their  true  interest;  that  the  few  Indians  that 
went  down  to  Canada  had  been  kept  drunk  for  some  time 
before,  and  went  contrary  to  the  inclinations  of  the  sachems 
of  all  the  Six  Nations;  that  the  Council  at  Onondaga  had 
sent  a  sachem  of  note  express  to  Niagara  to  bring  away 
two  sachems,  whom  Butler,  by  dint  of  money  and  liquor, 
has  kept  about  him  all  this  spring.  Ryckman  understands 
and  speaks  the  Indian  language  very  well,  and  he  assures 
us  that  he  does  not  believe  that  the  upper  nations  of  the 
Six  can  be  brought  to  act  against  us.  If  so,  the  more 
western  nations  will  not  be  suffered  to  harass  our  frontiers. 
He  advises  that  we  should  be  liberal  at  this  treaty. 

The  goods  we  have  brought  up  are  neither  such  nor  so 
many  as  we  could  wish;  for  although  we  have  about  seven 
hundred  pounds'  worth,  yet  as  the  price  of  goods  is  so  extra- 
vagantly high,  they  will  not  be  considered  by  the  Indians  as 
of  more  value  than  half  that  sum.  I  have  therefore  des- 
patched an  express  this  morning  to  General  Gates  for  some 
Indian  goods  that  were  brought  from  Canada,  and  have 
ordered  up  fifteen  hundred  dollars  in  specie.  If  our  treaty 
turns  out  favourable,  I  shall  propose  to  my  colleagues  to 
publish  such  parts  of  it  as  will  dispel  the  fears  of  the  fron- 
tier inhabitants,  without  waiting  for  the  determination  of 
Congress,  as  the  apprehensions  of  those  people  are  very 
high.  If,  however,  Congress  should  not  approve  of  this 
measure,  I  believe  there  will  be  time  sufficient  to  advise  us 
of  it  before  it  can  take  place. 

Mr.  Ryckman  observes,  that  Cajaghsada,  the  Seneca  sa- 
chem above  mentioned,  has  been  at  Congress,  and  believes 
he  will  pay  another  visit,  and  wishes  that  particular  atten- 
tion should  be  paid  him.  He  lives  near  Pittsborough.  Per- 
haps it  might  be  well  to  send  a  message  to  him,  thanking 
him  for  his  conduct  at  Niagara,  and  that  it  was  communi- 
cated by  Ryckman,  whose  Indian  name  is  Queder. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  every  wish  for  your  health  and  hap- 
piness, and  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

German-Flats,  July  17,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favours  of  the  5th  and  12th  instant,  by 
Captains  Winslow  and  Lester,  were  sent  me  from  Albany, 
and  received  this  day.  I  have  written  to  my  Secretary  to 
give  those  gentlemen  the  fullest  assurances  that  your  wishes 
with  regard  to  them  will  be  fully  complied  with,  and  that  they 
will  certainly  receive  every  assistance  the  Hospital  can  afford, 
in  case  of  sickness,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  soldiers  have ; 


so  that  I  hope  they  have  already  inarched,  without  any 
difficulty. 

1  arrived  here  yesterday,  and  found  very  few  Indians. 
This  day,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indians  have  come 
in,  and  we  expect  a  numerous  body  of  them  in  a  few  days. 
Mr.  Ryckman,  a  trader  from  All/any,  who  has  been  detained 
at  Niagara  by  the  British  officer  commanding  there,  since 
last  year,  because  he  was  a  friend  to  our  cause,  and  had 
influence  among  the  savages,  has  found  means  to  make  his 
escape,  and  arrived  here  last  night,  accompanied  by  twenty- 
one  warriors,  of  the  Seneca  nation.  The  account  he  brings 
of  the  temper  of  the  Senecas  (the  nation  who  could  distress 
us  most)  is  very  favourable;  and  he  assures  me  that  he  has 
reason  to  believe  the  Indians  will  not  attack  our  frontiers. 

Numerous  and  formidable  as  our  enemies  are,  I  cannot 
despair  of  success  against  them,  provided  we  are  unanimous. 
I  mention  this,  because  of  the  unhappy  dissensions  in  the 
Northern  Army,  where  some  unfriendly  or  unthinking  people 
have  set  up  Colonial  distinctions.  I  have  always  deprecated 
every  attempt  to  divide  us,  by  that  or  any  other  means ;  and 
when  I  was  last  at  Crown-Point,  I  convened  the  command- 
ing officer  of  every  corps,  and  pointed  out,  in  the  most  forcible 
manner  I  was  capable  of,  the  danger  of  such  distinctions, 
and  how  much  and  how  justly  the  enemy  would  exult  to 
learn  it.  The  goodness  of  your  heart,  my  dear  sir,  and 
your  zeal  for  our  cause,  will  induce  you  to  give  me  all  the 
assistance  in  your  power  to  eradicate  this  evil.  But  whilst 
I  entreat  you  to  recommend  to  the  troops  from  your  Colony 
to  cultivate  harmony,  I  would  not  wish  to  be  understood 
that  they  have  been  the  promoters  or  principal  supporters 
of  the  unhappy  dissensions;  on  the  contrary,  I  have  reason 
to  believe  them  as  little  culpable  as  any. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  every  friendly  wish,  and  with  great 
esteem  and  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLEH. 

To  the  Honourable  Governour  Trumbull. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German-Flats,  July  17,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  was  in  hopes  to  have  found  the  greater  part 
of  the  Six  Nations  here,  as  I  did  not  arrive  until  yesterday; 
but  a  few  only,  as  yet,  have  repaired  to  this  place.  The 
meeting  will,  however,  from  all  the  information  I  have 
received,  be  a  numerous  one. 

Last  evening,  Mr.  Peter  Ryckman  arrived  here.  He  is 
a  trader  of  Albany,  and  has  been  detained  at  Niagara  by 
the  commanding  officer  there,  on  a  well-grounded  suspicion 
that  he  was  a  friend  to  our  cause.  He  left  Niagara  on  the 
27th  ultimo,  and  remained  ten  days  with  the  Senecas  on  his 
way  down,  and  was  accompanied  to  this  place  by  twenty- 
one  warriors  of  that  nation.  He  advises  that  the  Senecas 
are  extremely  well  pleased  with  the  measure  we  have  adopt- 
ed, in  asking  nothing  more  than  a  neutrality;  and  he  does 
not  believe  that  they  can  be  induced  to  act  against  us,  as 
the  Crown  agent,  Colonel  Butler,  has  several  times  in  vain 
attempted  to  make  them  take  the  hatchet,  and  has  been  as 
often  disappointed  and  even  rebuked  by  them. 

The  few  goods  we  have  been  able  to  collect  at  Albany 
are  greatly  inadequate  to  our  wants.  I  must  therefore,  en- 
treat you  to  send  all  the  Indian  goods  which  General  Arnold 
brought  from  Montreal,  to  this  place,  with  all  the  despatch 
possible ;  and  that  they  may  not  be  delayed  on  the  way, 
permit  me  to  beg  you  to  send  an  active  and  early-rising 
officer  with  them,  to  accompany  them  all  the  way  here. 

I  hope  your  endeavours  to  establish  good  order,  and  to 
eradicate  the  dangerous  jealousy  which  has  unhappily  arisen 
amongst  the  troops,  will  meet  with  the  desired  success. 

The  five  officers,  who  went  off  from  Lebanon,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, were  met  by  Mr.  Ryckman,  on  his  way  from 
Niagara. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  most  sincerely,  your  obedient,  humble 
servant,  PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  the  Honourable  General  Gates. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

Tyonderoga,  July  17,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Dr.  Ely, 
sent  here  by  Governour  Trumbull,  and  the  authority  of 
Connecticut,  to  concert  with  me  the  best  means  to  prevent 


397 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


398 


the  infection  of  the  small-pox  from  spreading  amongst  the 
Militia  daily  expected  from  that  Colony,  and  the  other  East- 
ern Governments.  The  Doctor  highly  approves  of  the 
method  taken  here  to  stop  the  progress  of  that  pestilential 
disease,  and  goes  to  your  post,  by  my  direction,  to  give  you 
his  advice  and  assistance,  to  promote  the  salutary  purpose 
of  his  journey  to  the  Army.  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  give 
him  all  the  attention  and  countenance  requisite  to  so  impor- 
tant a  business,  and  that  you  will  continue  to  exert  your 
utmost  vigilance  and  power  to  make  us  once  more  a  healthy 
Army.  I  send  you  by  this  conveyance  a  large  quantity  of 
provisions,  five  barrels  of  powder,  two  hundred  and  fifty 
weight  of  lead,  some  cartridge-paper  and  thread,  and  a  set 
of  bullet-moulds.  You  will  employ  ptoper  persons,  and,  as 
quick  as  possible,  have  the  ammunition  made  up  into  car- 
tridges. 

A  gentleman,  of  credit  and  reputation,  brings  a  report  to 
Albany,  that  a  French  fleet  had  arrived  at  Rhode-Island, 
with  Mr.  Deane  on  board.  I  am,  sir,  &tc.,  &sc. 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  General  Watcrbury. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Tyonderoga,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  As  I  am  entirely  unacquainted  with  the  Lake  below 
Crown-Point,  I  send  the  Commodore,  with  the  largest  and 
best  schooner,  to  receive  his  instructions  from  you  in  regard 
to  the  cruise  he  ought  to  make.  I  think,  until  the  rest  of 
the  vessels  are  fitted,  it  will  not  be  advisable  to  send  the 
schooner  into  the  narrow  part  of  the  Lake  below.  I  wish 
you  were  here  to  give  directions  for  putting  our  whole  squad- 
ron afloat.  It  seems  to  me  they  are  very  tardy  about  it; 
but  I  am  entirely  uninformed  as  to  Marine  affairs.  I  like 
Captain  Mayhew,  whom  you  sent  here;  but  I  think  the 
Commodore  seems  slow,  and  wish  he  may  retain  all  that 
prowess  for  which  he  says  he  was  so  famous  last  war.  It 
is  of  the  greatest  consequence  to  our  affairs  to  have  the 
armed  vessels  commanded  by  men  of  firmness  and  approved 
courage. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Brigadier-General  Arnold. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  THE  COMMANDING  OFFICER  AT  FORT 

GEORGE. 
Head-Quarters,  at  Ticonderoga,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  understand  that  there  is  a  wanton  waste  of  powder 
at  your  post,  in  firing  a  morning  and  evening  gun,  and  in 
unnecessary  salutes.  It  is  my  positive  order  that  this  practice 
be  immediately  discontinued,  and  no  ammunition  expended 
on  any  account  whatever,  except  in  opposition  to  the  attacks 
of  the  enemy.  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES,  Major-GeneraL 

To  the  Commanding  Officer  at  Fort  George. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  GANSEVOORT. 

Tyonderoga,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  On  the  receipt  of  this,  you  will  send  any  spare  oars 
you  may  have  to  Mr.  Donn,  at  the  Landing  on  this  side  the 
Lake.  The  oars  will  be  wanted  here,  therefore  beg  you'll 
forward  them  as  soon  as  possible. 

You  will  be  very  careful,  sir,  to  prevent  any  desertion  of 
those  who  are  sent  to  the  General  Hospital :  some  villains 
may  perhaps  feign  themselves  sick,  merely  with  the  design 
of  gaining  an  opportunity  of  deserting.  The  utmost  care 
will  be  necessary  to  guard  against  this  evil. 

Many  complaints,  sir,  are  made  by  the  officers  here,  that 
1  their  letters,  both  going  and  coming,  are  interrupted,  and 
sometimes  broke  open.  I  beg.  sir,  if  anything  of  this  kind 
has  happened  at  your  post,  it  rnay  for  the  future  be  prevented. 
If  any  person  can  be  discovered  either  to  open  or  retard  any 
letters  going  to  or  from  the  Army,  he  must  be  immediately 
apprehended  and  tried,  for  a  crime  of  this  kind  cannot  be 
too  severely  punished. 

In  fine,  sir,  you  will  in  everything  be  very  careful  for  the 
publick  good  and  the  security  of  your  post. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Lieut.  Col.  Gansevoort,  commanding  at  Fort  George. 


CAPTAIN  BROWNSON  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Pittsford,  July  17,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR:  I  sent  an  express  to 
Crown-Point,  respecting  Brice  Dunlap,  whom  I  confined  on 
the  13th  instant,  a  second  time,  for  the  murder  of  Corporal 
Co/%,  of  the  Pennsylvania  forces.  Your  Honour  being  at 
Ticonderoga,  I  received  orders  from  General  Arnold  to  send 
the  prisoner  to  you  there.  I  have  sent  Lieutenant  Samuel 
Tubs,  with  eight  men,  to  convey  the  said  prisoner  to 
Ticonderoga. 
These  from  your  Honour's  very  humble  servant, 

GIDEON  BROWNSON,  Captain. 

His  Honour  Major  General  Gates,  Commander  at  Ticonde- 
roga. 

PETITION  OF  THE  OFFICERS  OF  COL.  BEDEL's  REGIMENT. 

To  Major-General  GATES: 

The  petition  of  the  Officers,  &c.,  belonging  to  Colonel 
Bedel's  Regiment,  inhabitants  on  the  frontier  towns  of 
New-Hampshire,  and  the  interior  parts  of  some  other  Pro- 
vinces, of  New-York,  Sic.,  humbly  showeth:  That  your 
petitioners,  from  a  true  sense  of  liberty  and  an  utter  abhor- 
rence of  slavery,  engaged  in  the  honourable  cause  of  liberty 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Timothy  Bedel,  under  whose 
command  we  have  cheerfully  encountered  many  difficul- 
ties and  sustained  many  losses  without  the  least  reluctancy. 
Beg  leave  to  lay  before  your  Honour,  that  it  is  not  through 
any  dislike  to  the  cause,  or  any  part  concerned  therein,  that 
we  do  now  petition  for  liberty  to  take  post  in  the  frontier 
towns,  but  from  the  first  principle  of  nature,  self-pre- 
servation itself;  as,  at  this  time,  by  information  and  letters 
received  from  the  families  of  chief  of  us,  we  find  that  their 
case  is  truly  deplorable,  being  under  the  disagreeable  neces- 
sity of  abandoning  their  farms,  leaving  their  grain  and  the 
whole  of  their  substance  behind  them,  for  fear  of  the  sava- 
ges coming  upon  them,  and  obliged  to  crowd  into  some  of 
the  lower  towns  for  safety,  where  it  is  but  meanly  fortified, 
through  want  of  men,  as  that  part  of  the  country  was  left 
bare,  most  part  of  the  regiment  being  raised  in  those  parts ; 
and  at  this  time  it  is  obvious  to  view,  from  the  behaviour  of 
the  savages,  that  the  first  incursion  will  be  on  the  frontiers, 
and  those  parts  are  entirely  exposed  since  abandoning  Ca- 
nada. There  has,  upon  computation,  for  these  several  years 
past,  been  raised,  in  only  two  of  the  towns,  upwards  of 
ten  thousand  bushels  of  wheat  for  sale,  more  than  what  the 
families  stood  in  need  of,  besides  corn,  &c.,  and  great  quan- 
tities of  hay  cut  on  said  farms.  The  inhabitants  have  moved 
above  one  hundred  miles  below  us,  into  the  towns  further 
down,  so  that  they  are  one  hundred  miles  from  all  assistance, 
which  has  been  the  means  of  a  great  number  of  good  and 
brave  men  leaving  the  service. 

Your  petitioners  beg  leave  to  inform  your  Honour  that  since 
they  were  taken  prisoners  at  the  Cedars,  (as  also  those  at  the 
retreat  of  Quebeck,  which  was  made  so  sudden,)  lost  chiefly 
all  they  had — the  officers  in  said  regiment  being  stripped  of 
every  part  of  their  clothing  that  was  either  comfortable  or  valu- 
able, and  have  not  had,  since  the  19th  day  of  May,  a  shirt 
to  make  a  change,  but  are  obliged  to  put  on  their  outside 
garments  when  they  get  their  shirts  washed ;  and  are  not  in 
any  capacity  to  appear  among  gentlemen,  or  even  to  do  their 
proper  tour  of  duty,  and  nothing  can  be  purchased  here  to 
make  us  comfortable. 

Your  Honour's  petitioners  do  not  desire  the  liberty  to  take 
post  in  the  frontier  towns  in  any  other  view  than  that  of  taking 
care  of  their  poor,  distressed  families,  and  also  providing 
themselves  with  clothing.  We  are  confident  the  men  who 
have  left  the  service  would  heartily  and  freely  join  the  regi- 
ment again.  Those  whose  families  are  most  exposed  would 
be  glad  to  go  upon  furlough  to  take  care  of  and  remove  them 
to  some  place  of  defence,  if  it  is  not  your  Honour's  pleasure 
for  the  whole  to  go.  Your  petitioners  are  and  shall  always 
be  most  cheerfully  disposed  to  stand  firm,  at  the  expense  of 
our  lives  and  property,  to  defend  the  cause  we  are  engaged 
in,  could  we  but  ease  the  distressed  situation  of  our  poor 
families. 

Your  petitioners  humbly  hope  your  Honour  will  take  the 
matter  into  your  consideration,  (as  we  are  sensible  your 
Honour  is  endowed  with  compassion  and  humanity  for  the 
distressed,)  and  grant  such  relief  as  in  your  Honour's  wisdom 


399 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


400 


shall  seem  most  meet ;  and  your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound, 
shall  ever  pray,  &tc. 


James  Osgood,  Captain, 
Jason  Wait,  CaptMl, 
Edward  Everett,  Captain, 
Samuel  Fowler,  l.iiuttnant, 
Ephraim  Stone,  l.iiuttnant, 
Ebenezer  Chamberlain,  l.irul. 
Joseph  Thurbe,  Lieutenant, 
John  Webster,  Lieutenant, 
William  Campbell,  Lieutenant, 

TICONDEROGA,  Juji/  17, 1776. 


William  Bradford,  Ensign, 
John  Gregg's,  Ensign, 
Bcnj'n  Chamberlain,  Ensign, 
Charles  Hill,  Ensign, 
Amos  Webster,  Ensign, 
Frye  Bayley,  Ensign, 
Abner  Barker,  Surgeon, 
Thomas  Hibbard,  Mjutant. 


DANIEL  TILLINGHAST  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Providence,  July  17,  1776. 

By  yesterday's  post  I  wrote  your  Excellency,  and  therein 
enclosed  copy  of  an  invoice  of  S  A,  No.  1  to  3,  three  cases 
&otch  arms.  With  this  you  will  receive,  via  New-London, 
to  the  care  of  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Esq.,  Nos.  8  and  9,  two 
cases  more  Scotch  arms,  as  per  invoice  herewith ;  and  like- 
wise Nos.  4  and  5,  a  chest  and  barrel,  containing  arms  and 
flints,  from  Thomas  Greene,  Esq.,  being  Continental  property 
in  his  hands,  as  per  invoice  herewith ;  all  of  which  wish  safe 
to  your  hands ;  and  am,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Ex- 
cellency's most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

DANIEL  TILLINGHAST,  Continental  Agent. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Commander-in- 

Chief  of  the  American  Army,  at  New-York. 

Providence,  July  17,  1776. 

Invoice  of  one  case  and  one  barrel  containing  twenty 
small-arms,  thirty  cutlasses,  and  fourteen  thousand  five  hun- 
dred gun-flints,  sent  by  Joseph  Bradford,  from  Thomas 
Greene,  of  Providence,  to  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Esq.,  at  New- 
London,  and  by  him  to  be  forwarded  his  Excellency  Gene- 
ral Washington,  at  New-  York,  viz : 

No.  4,  a  chest  containing  twenty  small-arms  and  seven- 
teen cutlasses ;  No.  5,  a  chest  containing  fourteen  thousand 
five  hundred  flints,  in  the  chest  and  in  the  barrel ;  thirteen 
cutlasses  packed  in  S  A  No  9,  a  case. 

Errors  excepted :  Per    THOMAS  GREENE. 

I  have  examined  and  received  the  contents  of  the  within. 

EZEKIEL  CHEEVER,  Com.  Artillery. 
New- York,  July  27,  1776. 

Providence,  July  17,  1776. 

Invoice  of  two  cases  containing  seventy-five  Scotch  arms, 
fcc.,  sent  by  Joseph  Bradford,  from  Daniel  Tillinghast,  of 
Providence,  to  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Esq.,  at  New-London,  and 
by  him  to  be  forwarded  to  his  Excellency  General  Wash- 
ington, at  New-  York,  viz : 

S  A  Nos.  8  and  9,  cases  of  Scotch  arms,  viz :  No.  8,  a 
case  containing  thirty-nine  arms,  thirty-nine  bayonets,  and 
eleven  broadswords ;  No.  9,  a  case  containing  thirty-six  arms 
and  thirty-six  bayonets. 

N.  B.  Packed  in  No.  9,  thirteen  brass-mounted  hangers, 
belonging  to  Mr.  Greene's  invoice. 

Errors  excepted.          Per     DANIEL  TILLINGHAST, 

Continental  Agent. 

I  have  examined  and  received  the  within  mentioned  arms. 
EZEKIEL  CHEEVER,  Com.  Artillery. 


The  scarcity  of  materials  renders  it  extremely  difficult,  if 
not  impracticable,  to  supply  the  troops  now  raising  in  this 
Colony  with  tents.  May  not  temporary  barracks  be  erected 
at  a  moderate  expense  to  supply  the  want  of  them? 

I  took  the  liberty  in  a  former  letter  to  inquire  whether  a 
considerable  number  of  the  old  gun-barrels  and  locks  taken  at 
Ticonderoga  and  Crown-Point,  were  not  yet  on  hand,  and 
to  propose  that  they  might  be  sent  and  fitted  for  use  here. 
One  hundred  and  eighty  were  formerly  sent  me,  out  of  which 
one  hundred  and  seventy  good  arms  fit  for  service  have  been 
made;  which  encourages  me  to  repeat  my  inquiry  and 
request  respecting  other  arms  under  like  circumstances,  and 
to  hope  for  like  success  with  them;  and  the  teams  returning 
that  carry  the  axes  may  bring  them. 

I  have  advanced  out  of  the  Colony  Treasury  £50  to  each 
of  the  head  carpenters  sent  forward  from  this  Colony  to  join 
you  agreeable  to  your  request,  which  it  is  expected  will  in 
proper  time  be  replaced. 

I  hope  the  design  of  Dr.  Ely's  journey  to  the  northward 
may  not  be  mistaken.  The  infection  of  the  small-pox  in 
the  Northern  Army,  accounts  of  which  were  spread  by  every 
traveller  from  thence,  and  represented  in  such  a  light  as 
induced  a  belief  that  it  was  inevitable  by  any  who  should 
join  that  Army,  greatly  retarded  the  levies  for  that  service, 
as  scarcely  one  in  twenty  of  our  people  have  had  that  dis- 
temper. To  prevent  the  bad  effects  of  this  terrour,  almost 
universal,  it  was  judged  expedient  to  send  a  person  of  known 
skill  in  that  distemper,  who  might  examine  the  true  state  of 
the  matter  upon  the  spot,  in  confidence  that  his  report  would 
lessen  the  apprehensions  of  danger,  and  facilitate  the  raising 
of  men  to  join  and  support  that  Army.  We  meant  not  to 
invade  your  province  or  the  business  of  the  physicians  in  the 
Army,  nor  did  we  entertain  the  shadow  of  a  doubt  that  you 
would  use  every  prudent  and  practicable  expedient  to  stop 
the  progress  of  the  infection  and  provide  for  the  safety  of 
the  Army.  To  obviate  the  ill  effects  of  exaggerated  reports 
from  weak  or  designing  men,  by  which  the  levies  for  that 
service  in  this  Colony  were  obstructed,  was  our  only  motive 
to  send  Dr.  Ely  to  that  quarter.  His  great  skill  and  expe- 
rience in  that  distemper  generally  known  here,  as  well  as 
his  character  for  candour  and  probity,  will  naturally  gain 
the  fullest  credit  to  the  favourable  report  expected  from  him, 
and  enable  us  speedily  to  fill  up  the  battalion  destined  for 
that  service.  It  is  with  great  satisfaction  that  I  receive  your 
information  of  the  measures  concerted  for  preventing  the 
further  progress  of  the  infection,  and  hope  the  same  may  be 
effectual  for  that  purpose. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  humble  ser- 

JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 
To  Major-General  Schuyler. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLEH. 

Lebanon,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  Agreeable  to  your  request  in  your  letter  of  the  12th 
instant,  which  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  by  the  return  of 
our  post,  I  have  employed  suitable  persons  to  procure  the 
felling-axes  you  mention,  and  have  furnished  them  with 
£300  to  defray  the  expense,  and  make  no  doubt  I  shall  soon 
be  able  to  send  them  forward.  In  the  mean  time,  should 
be  glad  to  be  advised  whether  you  would  have  them  with 
helves  and  ground,  or  whether  it  will  answer  to  send  them 
forward  without  either. 

I  have  also  issued  a  proclamation  promising  pardon  to 
such  deserters  from  the  Northern  Army  as  shall  return  to 
their  Colonies  by  the  12th  day  of  August  next,  and  enjoin- 
ing all  officers,  civil  and  military,  to  apprehend  all  such 
deserters  found  in  this  Colony  after  said  12th  August,  and 
confine  them  in  some  prison,  giving  notice,  that  they  may  be 
returned  to  the  respective  corps  to  which  they  belong. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO   GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Lebanon,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  favours  of  the  7th  and  9th  instant  were  duly 
received.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  meet  your  approbation 
of  the  measure  of  sending  our  regiments  of  Horse  to  join 
you.  I  make  no  doubt  they  will  cheerfully  acquiesce  in 
whatever  you  shall  direct  respecting  their  horses,  as  the  gen- 
eral good  of  the  service  ought  to  be,  and  I  believe  is,  their 
governing  principle.  I  find  our  battalions  are  filling  up  fast, 
and  moving  to  your  assistance. 

The  stock  of  horned  cattle  and  sheep  are  removed  from 
Fisher's  Island.  Block  Island  lies  in  the  Colony  of  Rhode- 
Island,  and  the  Elizabeth  Islands  and  Martha's  Vineyard 
are  in  the  Province  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay:  I  cannot, 
therefore,  with  propriety,  give  any  orders  for  the  removal  of 
the  fresh  provisions  from  them. 

I  am  sorry  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  comply  with  your 
requisition  for  heavy  cannon,  without  leaving  our  port  and 
harbour  of  New-London  in  too  defenceless  a  state.  By  a 
return  from  the  overseer  of  our  cannon-foundry  at  Salis- 
bury, I  find  they  have  cast  fourteen  six,  eighteen  nine,  and 
eight  twelve-pounders,  and  are  proceeding  to  bore  them  out 
and  fit  them  for  use.  He  has  my  orders,  when  the  twelve- 
pounders  arc  finished,  to  deliver  them  to  your  Excellency's 
order,  to  be  used  where  they  may  be  most  wanted,  without 
waiting  for  further  orders  from  me.  Ball  for  twelve-pounders 
are  aUo  to  be  had  there.  Should  you  have  occasion,  you 
will  please  to  give  orders  accordingly.  I  expect  eighteen- 


401 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


pounders  will  be  soon  cast  there,  which  is  the  largest  size 
we  can  hope  for  from  that  furnace. 

I  have  ordered  two  of  our  row-galleys  to  proceed  to  New- 
York,  and  trust  they  will  be  with  you  at  the  receipt  of  this ; 
they  have  no  guns  larger  than  nine-pounders.  I  wish  it 
may  he  in  your  power  to  make  them  more  useful,  by  placing 
heavier  metal  upon  them,  whilst  they  continue  in  your  ser- 
vice. 

The  Continental  regiment  raising  in  this  Colony  is  now  in 
some  measure  filled  up,  mustered,  equipped,  and  ready  to 
march;  but  as  there  seems  to  be  much  danger  from  the 
prevalence  of  the  small-pox  in  Boston,  should  they  inarch 
there,  and  as  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  on  this  side 
seems  to  be  directed  against  you  at  New-York,  I  have 
thought  it  best  they  should  suspend  their  march  towards 
Boston  till  your  pleasure  might  be  known  whether  they 
should  join  the  Army  at  New-  York  or  proceed  for  Boston. 

Since  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  and  army  at  the  Hook,  seve- 
ral frigates  and  ships  have  been  stationed  between  Montauk 
Point  and  Block-Island,  to  intercept  the  trade  from  the 
Sound,  in  which  they  have  been  so  successful  that  they  have 
derived  great  advantage  from  the  provision  vessels  they  have 
taken ;  and  by  frequent  advices  from  the  Captains  of  our 
armed  vessels,  and  others,  it  appeared  highly  improbable  that 
any  vessel  going  out  or  coming  in  by  that  passage  could 
avoid  falling  into  their  hands;  and  as  several  vessels  were 
prepared  and  preparing  in  sundry  places  to  proceed  to  sea 
with  cargoes  of  provision,  the  owners  of  which  must  be  pre- 
sumed to  be  ignorant  of  the  hazard  they  ran  in  getting  out; 
and  sensible  of  how  great  importance  it  is  that  all  supplies 
of  provision  should  be  kept  back  from  the  enemy;  and 
having  good  grounds  to  believe  that  some  evil-minded  persons 
had  designedly  carried  provisions  to  the  enemy,  or  thrown 
themselves  in  their  way,  as  your  Excellency  will  see  by  the 
enclosed  copies  of  depositions  taken  and  sent  to  Congress, — I 
have  given  orders  to  the  Captains  of  the  armed  vessels  in 
the  service  of  this  Colony  to  stop  and  detain  all  provision 
vessels  coming  out  of  any  port  in  this  Colony,  or  through 
the  Sound,  and  bound  to  sea,  for  the  present,  and  until  the 
Continental  Congress  and  the  Congresses  or  Conventions 
of  the  Colonies  or  States  to  which  they  respectively  belong, 
may  be  apprized  of  the  hazards  attending  their  proceeding 
in  their  voyages,  and,  on  consideration,  shall  give  such  orders 
as  they  may  think  fit  respecting  the  same.  The  apparent 
necessity  of  this  measure  will,  I  flatter  myself,  justify  me  in 
taking  it,  where  it  is  known  and  properly  explained.  To 
prevent  or  obviate  any  misrepresentation,  is  my  motive  for 
troubling  your  Excellency  with  this  account. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient 

humble  servant,  T  ™ 

JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

19th. — Received  your  favour  of  the  15th  instant,  which 
induced  me  to  send  orders  immediately  to  Theo.  Stanton, 
Captain  of  our  other  row-galley,  the  Shark,  to  proceed  with 
her  forthwith  to  New-York,  and  subject  himself  to  your 
command.  Wish  him  safe,  and  serviceable  to  your  designs. 

20th. — Colonel  Ward,  of  the  Continental  battalion  lately 
ordered  to  be  raised  here,  and  mentioned  above,  informs  that 
his  regiment  is  not  much  beyond  half  filled,  occasioned  by 
their  being  raised  for  a  longer  time  and  receiving  less  bounty 
than  others.  Since  many  are  ordered  from  Boston,  and  this 
may  be  stationed  on  the  works  below  or  in  the  environs,  at 
places  out  of  danger  of  the  infection  from  the  small-pox,  will 
it  not  be  best  this  battalion  should  be  ordered  to  march  to 
that  place,  first  mentioned  for  their  destination  ?  They  are 
principally  men  who  have  not  seen  service.  Please  to  give 
the  earliest  notice  of  your  pleasure  therein. 

Nathan  Spicer,  (late  a  hand  on  board  the  sloop  Macaroni,) 
of  New-London,  of  lawful  age,  testifies  and  says:  That  on 
the  22d  of  May  last  he  was  made  a  prisoner,  carried  to 
Halifax,  and  there  detained  on  board  the  Ministerial  fleet 
until  they  sailed  for  New-York,  when  he  was  put  on  board 
a  transport,  and  removed  near  to  Staten-Island,  and  from 
thence  escaped  on  the  14th  instant;  that  while  this  depo- 
nent was  on  board  said  transport,  viz:  on  the  5th  instant, 
there  arrived  and  sailed  up  and  near  to  the  fleet  a  ship  of 
about  two  hundred  tons  burden,  marked  and  called  the 
Charming  Polly;  that  she  was  conducted  near  to  the  Ad- 
miral's ship,  where  she  lay  several  days,  during  which  this 
deponent's  duty  was  often  to  row  near  to  and  by  said  ship ; 


402 

that  on  Sunday,  about  the  7th  instant,  this  deponent,  when 
passing  said  ship,  saw  the  people  on  board  selling  fowls,  &tc., 
to  the  people  of  the  fleet;  that  this  deponent  often  heard  the 
officers,  and  others  belonging  to  the  fleet,  say  that  said  ship 
belonged  to  New-York;  that  she  was  loaded  with  flour,  live 
stock,  &LC.,  and  that  she  came  on  purpose  to  supply  the 
fleet.  And  this  deponent  further  adds,  that  had  not  the  fleet 
been  successful  in  making  prizes  of  American  vessels  when 
on  their  passage  to  New-  York,  they  must  have  been  much 
distressed  for  provisions,  their  allowance  being  very  short 
before  they  had  made  prizes  of  nine  vessels,  chiefly  loaded 
with  flour.  And  further  saith  not. 

NATHAN  SPICER. 

July  17,  1776. — Copy  of  an  affidavit  taken  before  civil 
authority.  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

Samuel  Smedky,  Second  Lieutenant  of  (he  brig  Defence, 
of  lawful  age,  testifieth  and  saith,  That  on  the  passage  from 
New-London  to  Boston,  in  said  brig,  by  order  of  Captain 
Harding,  commander  of  the  said  brig,  having  boarded  sun- 
dry of  the  Block-Island  boats  on  his  way  thither,  and  in 
conversation  with  the  people  belonging  to  said  boats,  this 
deponent  formed  in  his  mind  the  judgment  that  they  were 
not  so  friendly  as  they  ought  to  be  to  the  American  cause; 


and  further  saith  not. 


SAMUEL  SMEDLEY. 


July  17,  1776. — Copy  of  an  affidavit  taken  before  civil 
authority.  JONATHAN  TBUMBULL. 

Robert  Niles,  of  lawful  age,  and  Captain  of  the  schooner 
Spy,  testifies  and  says:  That  in  the  beginning  of  the  present 
month,  a  ship,  to  appearance  of  about  one  hundred  and  sixty 
or  seventy  tons  burden,  loaded  with  flour,  lay  at  anchor  in 
Fisher's  Island  Sound,  for  the  term  of  about  one  week;  that 
during  said  term  this  deponent  spoke  with  said  ship,  and 
advised  and  ordered  her  to  make  New-London  harbour, 
assigning  for  reasons,  that  her  situation  was  unsafe,  being 
exposed  continually  to  the  ships  of  the  enemy;  and  also  that 
her  remaining  there  was  very  disagreeable  to  the  people  of 
New-London,  fearing  that  her  cargo  would  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  However,  the  commander  refused  to 
comply  with  said  advice  and  order,  but  remained  in  that 
situation  until  a  number  of  small  vessels  came  up  and  joined 
her,  when  she  sailed,  without  waiting  or  attending  to  any 
signal  of  safety,  as  has  been  practised  by  other  vessels.  This 
deponent  further  says,  that  when  cruising  on  his  station  he 
very  frequently  has  seen  the  Block-Island  boats  passing  to 
and  from;  that  he  has  good  and  sufficient  reason  to  believe 
that  they  are  much  employed  in  furnishing  the  enemy's  ships 
and  vessels  with  intelligence,  supplies,  and  every  comfort  in 
their  power  to  afford ;  and  that  the  people  of  New-London, 
Groton,  and  Stonington,  are  generally  of  the  same  opinion, 
appear  to  have  no  doubt  of  the  truth  of  that  fact,  and  are 
much  dissatisfied  with  that  circumstance.  This  deponent 
further  says,  that  at  the  time  of  the  Commodore's  fleet  lying 
in  the  harbour  of  New-London,  after  his  return  from  New- 
Providence,  one  Littkfield,  of  Block-Island,  came  over  to 
Stonington,  and  there,  or  near  there,  purchased  a  hogshead 
of  Jamaica  spirits,  and  paid  therefor  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty  dollars  in  milled  money,  as  it  was  then  and  ever 
since  has  been  universally  said  and  believed,  and  retu-ned 
with  it  to  said  Island,  at  which  time  there  lay  watering 
at  said  Island  one  of  the  King's  ships;  and  further  saith 

not'  ROBERT  NILES. 

The  above  is  a  true  copy  of  the  deposition,  attested  17th 
July,  1776.  WINT>  SALTONSTALL)  j  p 

The  above  is  a  true  copy,  extracted  from  an  attested  copy 
of  the  original.  Examined  by  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

Ebcnczer  Colefox,  late  mate  of  the  schooner  Macaroni, 
of  lawful  age,  testifies  and  says:  That  on  the  22d  of  May 
last  he  was  made  a  prisoner  by  a  British  ship,  carried'  to 
Halifax,  and  there  detained  until  the  British  fleet  sailed  for 
New-York,  when  he  was  put  on  board  one  of  the  transports, 
and  removed  near  to  Staten-Island,  and  from  thence  escaped 
on  the  8th  of  July  instant ;  that  while  this  deponent  was  on 
board  said  transport,  viz:  on  the  5th  instant,  there  arrived 
within  the  Hook,  below  New-  York.,  a  ship  of  near  two  hun- 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


26 


403 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1116. 


404 


dred  tons  burden,  loaded  with  flour;  that  she  continued  her 
course  up  until  not  far  distant  from  the  fleet,  when  the  Ad- 
miral sent  out  a  boat,  which  met  and  conducted  her  up  near 
to  the  stern  of  the  Admiral's  ship,  soon  after  which  this 
deponent  heard  Captain  Knowlcs,  commander  of  said  trans- 
port, say  to  the  people  on  board,  that  the  ship  then  arrived 
was  not  a  prize,  but  that  she  came  from  New-York  on  pur- 
pose to  supply  them,  and  that  she  was  loaded  with  flour; 
and  further  saith  not.  r 

L.BENEZER  COLEFOX. 
New-London,  July  17,  1776. 

Copy  of  an  affidavit  taken  before  civil  authority: 

JONATHAN  TKUMBULL. 

The  testimony  of  Matthew  Thompson,  of  London,  in  the 
kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  late  of  the  armed  brigantine 
Diligence,  Dodd,  commander,  mounting  twelve  carriage 
guns,  belonging  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  of  lawful  age, 
is  as  follows,  viz:  The  deponent,  some  time  in  the  month  of 
April,  deserted  from  said  brig,  when  sent  on  shore  on  Block- 
Island  to  assist  in  watering  said  brig,  when  the  deponent 
remained  on  said  Island  six  days ;  the  deponent  applied  to 
several  of  the  boatmen  for  assistance  to  get  to  the  main,  who 
refused ;  and  finally  this  deponent,  together  with  one  Thomas 
Nixon,  a  fellow-deserter,  obtained  their  passage  from  said 
Island  in  a  canoe.  The  deponent  further  says  that  the  livers 
on  the  Island,  except  as  above  said,  treated  him  very  kindly, 
excepting  also  one  John  Wright,  a  taverner  on  said  Island, 
and  his  brother-in-law,  who  used  their  endeavours  to  prevail 
on  this  deponent  and  Thomas  Nixon  to  return  on  board  said 
brig.  And  the  deponent  further  says,  that  he  observed  a 
number  of  cattle,  sheep,  and  horses,  on  said  Island,  and  that 
the  brig  Diligent  and  the  ship  Cerberus  were  supplied  from 
said  Island  with  calves,  hogs,  ducks,  geese,  and  fowls,  which 
articles  this  deponent  assisted  in  transporting  on  board  said 
vessels.  And  further  this  deponent  saith,  that  John  Little- 
fald,  of  said  Island,  was  very  kind  in  using  his  endeavours 
to  get  this  deponent  off  said  Island ;  and  further  saith  not. 

July  17,  1776. — Copy  of  an  affidavit  taken  before  civil 
authority.  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

Thomas  Kanady,  master  of  the  ship  Mary,  of  lawful  age, 
testifies  and  says,  That  some  time  in  the  beginning  of  the 
present  month,  he  discovered  lying  at  anchor  at  Fisher's 
Island  a  ship  of  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  tons  burden ; 
that  this  deponent,  when  on  board  said  ship,  found  her  to  be 
partly  loaded  with  provisions,  &.C.,  some  valuable  house  fur- 
niture in  the  cabin,  &.C.,  and  on  board  Mr.  Damune,o[ New- 
York,  part  owner,  and  two  youths,  sons  of  the  Captain,  John 
Hilton;  that  this  deponent  observed  to  the  Captain,  that  he 
admired  at  his  lying  in  that  situation,  as  he  must  be  exposed 
to  be  taken  by  the  enemy's  ships,  &c.;  to  which  Captain 
Hilton  replied,  that  he  was  not  in  the  least  afraid  of  being 
taken ;  and  if  they  did  take  him,  he  was  not  in  the  least 
afraid  that  they  would  take  from  him  any  of  his  cabin  furni- 
ture ;  and  further  saith  not.  THOMAS  KANADY. 

July  17,  1776. — Copy  of  an  affidavit  taken  before  civil 
authority.  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 


MAJOR  HAWLEY  TO   ELBRIDGE  GERRY. 

Northampton,  July  17, 1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  often  said  that  I  supposed  a  Declaration 
of  Independence  would  be  accompanied  with  a  declaration 
of  high  treason.  Most  certainly  it  must  immediately,  and 
without  the  least  delay,  follow  it.  Can  we  subsist — did 
any  State  ever  subsist,  without  exterminating  traitors?  I 
never  desire  to  see  high  treason  extended  here  further  than 
it  is  now  extended  in  Britain.  But  an  act  of  high  treason 
we  must  have  instantly.  The  Colonies  have  long  suffered 
inexpressibly  for  want  of  it.  No  one  thing  made  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence  indispensably  necessary  more  than 
cutting  off  traitors.  It  is  amazingly  wonderful,  that  having 
no  capital  punishment  for  our  intestine  enemies,  we  have  not 
been  utterly  ruined  before  now.  For  God's  sake,  let  us  not 
run  such  risks  a  day  longer.  It  appears  to  me,  sir,  that  high 
treason  ought  to  be  the  same  in  all  the  United  States,  saving 
to  the  Legislature  of  each  Colony  or  State  the  right  of 
attainting  individuals  by  act  or  bill  of  attainder.  The  present 
times  show  most  clearly  the  wisdom  and  sound  policy  of  the 


common  law  in  that  doctrine,  or  part  thereof,  which  consists 
in  attainting  by  an  act  of  the  whole  Legislature.  Our  Tories 
(be  sure  the  learned  of  them)  knew  very  well  the  absurdity 
of  punishing  as  high  treason  any  acts  or  deeds  in  favour  of 
the  Government  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  so  Ion*  as 
we  all  allowed  him  to  be  King  of  the  Colonies.  Dear  sir, 
this  matter  admits  of  no  delay;  and  when  the  act  declaratory 
of  high  treason  is  passed,  the  strongest  recommendation  for 
a  strict  execution  of  it,  I  humbly  conceive,  ought  to  accom- 
pany it.  Our  whole  cause  is  every  moment  in  amazing 
danger  for  want  of  it.  The  common  understanding  of  the 
people,  like  unerring  instinct,  has  long  declared  this;  and 
from  the  clear  discerning  which  they  have  had  of  it,  they 
have  been  long  in  agonies  about  it.  They  expect  that 
effectual  care  will  now  be  taken  for  the  general  safety,  and 
that  all  those  who  shall  be  convicted  of  endeavouring,  by 
overt  act,  to  destroy  the  State,  shall  be  cut  off  from  the 
earth. 

The  levying  an  army  for  the  war,  after  the  1st  of  January 
next,  lies  heavy  upon  me.  The  present  levies  for  reinforcing 
the  armies,  are,  by  order  of  Congress,  only  till  the  1st  of 
December  next.  It  appears  to  me  high  time  to  set  seriously 
and  in  the  greatest  earnest  about  it.  1  observe,  sir,  that  you 
charge  the  miscarriages  in  Canada  partly  to  the  short  time 
for  which  the  troops  were  raised.  You  know  that  nothing 
will  detain  our  people  after  the  expiration  of  the  term  for 
which  they  were  engaged.  It  will  be  in  vain  to  attempt  to 
inlist  New-England  people  for  a  longer  term  than  two  years. 
No  bounties  will  induce  them  to  engage  for  a  longer  time — 
I  fear  for  no  longer  time  than  one  year. 

I  have  not  time  to  add  a  word  more.  Too  early  or  ear- 
nest care  cannot  be  taken  for  the  providing  good  barracks 
and  covering  for  our  Northern  Army,  or  Armies,  against  the 
cold  season  of  the  year.  They  suffered  much  last  campaign, 
when  about  Boston,  for  want  of  seasonable  covering  and 
firing.  We  are  apt  to  delay.  Let  us  strain  every  nerve. 
Don't  let  us  hesitate  a  moment  at  any  necessary  expense. 
We  will  conquer  or  die.  Amen. 

If  you  judge  anything  in  this  confused  epistle  worth  com- 
municating to  your  brethren  of  this  Colony,  to  whom  I 
present  my  sincerest  respects,  you  are  at  liberty  to  commu- 
nicate it. 

And  I  am,  dear  sir,  your  true  friend,  and  faithful  humble 
servant,  JOSEPH  HAWLEY. 

To  Mr.  Gerry. 

GENERAL  LINCOLN  TO  THE  COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

Boston,  July  17,  1776. 

How  to  remedy  the  inconveniences  that  may  arise  to  this 
State  from  the  removal  of  the  Continental  troops,  and  how 
we  shall  supply  forces  sufficient  to  garrison  the  works  already 
thrown  up,  complete  and  garrison  those  that  are  begun,  is  a 
question  truly  important — a  question  that  has  or  will  call  for 
the  attention  of  the  honourable  Board.  And  as  it  is  neces- 
sary to  know  the  state  of  the  several  fortifications  in  and  near 
Boston,  previous  to  a  determination  what  number  of  men 
will  be  necessary  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  the  Committee, 
under  whose  eye  the  fortifications  have  been  erected,  thought 
it  their  duty  to  lay  before  your  Honours  the  following  state 
of  the  forts,  and  their  idea  of  the  number  of  men  necessary 
to  garrison  them :  The  fort  in  Boston,  that  in  Charlestown, 
one  on  Noddle's  Island,  and  one  on  Governour's  Island,  are 
nearly  finished.  Properly  to  man  the  lines  of  the  fort  in 
Boston,  it  will  require  seven  hundred  men,  and  an  equal 
number,  considering  the  unarmed  state  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Boston,  as  guards  in  the  different  parts  of  the  town.  As 
Charlestown  and  Noddle's  Island  can  be  reinforced  by  the 
Militia,  if  at  any  time  a  reinforcement  should  be  necessary, 
it  is  therefore  proposed  that  one  company  only  be  placed  in 
Charlestown  and  two  on  Noddle's  Island ;  and  that  one  com- 
pany be  placed  on  the  small  redoubt  on  Governour's  Island, 
of  seventy-five  men  each. 

The  works  on  Castle  Island  are  quite  incomplete.  How 
much  the  security  of  the  town  of  Boston  depends  on  our 
maintaining  that  post  is  too  evident  to  need  a  comment.  It 
hath  been  thought  that  five  hundred  men  at  least,  were 
necessary  to  complete  the  works  there,  and  to  defend  them 
when  completed.  The  two  forts  on  Dorchester  Heights 
are  in  the  same  unfinished  state  as  are  the  works  on  Castle 
Island.  Such  hath  been  the  idea  of  the  importance  of  those 


405 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c,  JULY,  1776. 


posts  and  the  post  on  Dorchester  Point,  that  seven  hundred 
men  have  been  assigned  as  absolutely  necessary  to  complete 
and  garrison  them.  The  Committee  are  of  opinion,  as 
these  posts  are  justly  considered  as  a  key  of  the  town  of 
Boston,  that  the  number  was  not  extravagant,  and,  indeed, 
far  short  of  what  they  ought  to  be,  was  there  not  the  highest 
probability  that  they  could  be  reinforced  by  the  Militia  from 
the  neighbouring  towns  in  case  of  an  alarm. 

Orders  have  been  issued  to  us  from  the  Court,  that  works 
should  be  erected  on  Long  Island.  Very  little  hath  been 
done  there,  as  we  had  no  cover  for  the  men.  Barracks  are 
now  ready  to  receive  them.  Four  hundred  men  are  pro- 
posed for  that  post. 

The  next  is  Nantasket.  To  maintain  that  ground,  which 
commands  the  road,  is  too  important  to  be  neglected.  The 
post  is  about  half  finished.  It  is  in  a  state  that  it  may  be 
defended  by  musketry.  The  cannon  for  it  are  not  yet 
stocked,  nor  are  the  works  ready  to  receive  them.  From 
the  many  convenient  places  there  are  in  town  for  an  enemy 
to  land,  and  from  the  situation  and  height  of  the  neighbour- 
ing hills,  the  possession  of  which,  if  possible,  must  be  secured, 
and  from  the  extent  of  the  works,  it  will  be  found  that  a 
large  number  of  men  will  be  necessary — one  thousand,  at 
least.  We  cannot  promise  ourselves  a  reinforcement  from 
the  Militia. 

As  a  further  security  to  the  several  posts,  the  Committee 
beg  leave  to  suggest  whether  it  will  not  be  necessary  to 
have  a  small  camp  formed  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  of  one 
thousand  men,  to  act  in  any  part  where  they  may  be  wanted 
in  an  emergency. 

When  we  mention  garrisons,  we  suppose  that  a  suit- 
able number  of  the  Train  are  to  be  in  addition  to  them. 
We  are  also  of  opinion,  as  the  Continental  Train  is  to  be 
removed,  and  as  our  number  was  insufficient  before,  that  it 
will  be  necessary  to  add  three  companies  more  to  Colonel 
Crafts's  regiment.  The  number  for  the  several  garrisons, 
without  the  Train,  amounts,  as  estimated,  to  five  thousand 
three  hundred.  In  Colonel  Whitney's  and  Colonel  Mar- 
shall's regiments,  and  in  the  four  Independent  companies 
from  Weym.outh,  Hingham,  and  Braintree,  if  full,  there  are 
seventeen  hundred  and  forty;  which  leaves  three  thousand 
five  hundred  and  sixty,  upon  our  estimate,  to  be  raised. 
From  a  view  of  the  services  in  which  they  must  be  employed, 
it  is,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Committee,  very  evident  that 
draughts  from  the  Militia  will  by  no  means  answer  the  pur- 
pose; as  in  that  case,  perhaps,  men  will  be  drawn  out  who 
have  good  estates  and  large  families.  To  content  these  for 
any  considerable  time  from  their  homes,  hath,  by  experi- 
ence, been  found  impossible ;  and  the  present  busy  season 
of  the  year  will  make  it  very  difficult  to  keep  them  even  for 
a  short  time. 

The  Committee  beg  leave  to  ask  whether  it  is  possible 
to  garrison  properly  our  fortifications,  &tc.,  but  by  inlisting 
the  men  to  serve  a  certain  term ;  and  to  wish,  as  the  cir- 
cumstances of  this  State  are  so  materially  altered  since  the 
Court  was  prorogued,  and  it  being  so  evidently  necessary 
for  them  to  be  together,  that  the  House  might  be  sum- 
moned to  attend  on  this  matter,  for  in  a  few  days  we  shall 
not  have  men  in  the  pay  of  this  Colony,  near  its  capital,  for 
a  proper  garrison  thereof. 

BENJ.  LINCOLN,  per  order. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay. 


406 

proceed  with  the  prisoners.     All  the  Captain's  papers  and 

orders  were  thrown  overboard. 

I  am  your  Honours'  humble  servant,  JOHN  FISK. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  Colony  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  now  sitting  at  Water- 
town. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE    OF    SAFETY  TO  COL.  WINGATE. 
In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  17,  1776. 

You  are  directed  to  repair  to  Charlestoum,  on  Connecticut 
River,  and  there  take  charge  of  such  companies  as  you  may 
find  there,  whose  officers  are  commissionated  under  you; 
and  take  all  necessary  care,  with  the  persons  appointed  at 
that  place  to  supply  the  troops,  to  have  the  soldiers  fixed 
off,  taking  their  route  for  Crown-Point,  or'  Ticonderoga,  or 
the  place  where  the  Continental  Army  may  be;  and  when 
you  have  done  what  appears  necessary  to  you  to  do  at 
Charlestown,  you  will  proceed  forward  and  join  the  Conti- 
nental Army  as  aforesaid,  putting  yourself  and  regiment 
under  the  command  of  the  General  and  Commander-in-Chief 
of  said  Army.  If  no  Continental  officer  has  made  provision 
at  Charlestown  for  the  soldiers,  you  will  apply  to  Benjamin 
Giles,  Esq.,  appointed  by  the  Colony,  to  deliver  six  days' 
provision  at  marching,  to  last  the  troops  to  Crown-Point. 

By  order  of  the  Committee: 

MESHECH  WEAHE. 
To  Colonel  Joshua  Wingate. 


FRANCIS  SALVADOR  TO  WILLIAM  H.  DRAYTON. 


CAPTAIN  FISK  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

Salem,  July  17,  1776. 

This  may  serve  to  acquaint  your  Honours  that  in  the 
latitude  40°  26'  north,  longitude  65°  50'  west,  I  fell  in  with 
the  armed  schooner  Despatch  from  Halifax,  bound  to  New- 
York;  and  after  an  engagement  of  one-and-a-half  hour,  she 
struck  to  the  American  arms.  I  boarded  her,  and  found  on 
board  eight  carriage  guns  and  twelve  swivel  guns,  twenty 
small-arms,  sixteen  pistols,  twenty  cutlasses,  some  cartridge- 
boxes,  and  belts  for  bayonets,  nine  half-barrels  powder,  all 
the  accoutrements  for  said  cannon.  The  commander  and 
one  man  were  killed,  seven  others  wounded.  The  crew 
consisted  of  thirty  men  and  one  boy.  I  lost  one  man  killed 
and  two  wounded,  and  my  vessel  was  much  shattered,  which 


Camp  near  Dewett's  Corner,  July  18,  1776.  ' 
DEAR  SIR:  You  would  have  been  surprised  to  have  seen 
the  change  in  this  country  two  days  after  you  left  me.  On 
Monday  morning  one  of  Captain  Smith's  sons  came  to  my 
house  with  two  of  his  fingers  shot  off,  and  gave  an  account 
of  the  shocking  catastrophe  at  his  father's.  I  immediately 
galloped  to  Major  Williamson's  to  inform  him,  but  found 
another  of  Smith's  sons  there,  who  had  made  his  escape  and 
alarmed  the  settlement. 

The  whole  country  was  flying;  some  to  make  forts,  others 
as  low  as  Orangelmrgh.  Williamson  was  employed,  night 
and  day,  sending  expresses  to  raise  the  Militia;  but  the  panick 
was  so  great,  that  the  Wednesday  following,  the  Major  and 
myself  marched  to  the  late  Captain  Smith's  with  only  forty 
men.  The  next  day  we  were  joined  by  forty  more,  and 
have  been  gradually  increasing  ever  since;  though  all  the 
men  in  the  country  were  loath  to  turn  out  till  they  had  pro- 
cured some  kind  of  fancied  security  for  their  families.  How- 
ever, we  had  last  night  five  hundred  men,  but  have  not  been 
joined  by  any  from  the  other  side  of  the  river.*  I  rode 
there  last  Saturday,  and  found  Colonels  Williams  and  Liles, 
and  two  companies  from  Colonel  Richardson's  regiment, 
amounting  to  four  hundred  and  thirty  men.  They  were 
attacked  on  Monday  morning,  July  15th,  by  Indians  and 
Scophelites,^  but  repulsed  them,  taking  thirteen  white  men 
prisoners;  the  Indians  fled  the  moment  day  appeared.  I 
will  not  trouble  you  with  more  particulars,  as  Major  William- 
son will  send  a  circumstantial  account  to  his  Excellency. 

I  am  afraid  the  burden  of  the  war  will  fall  on  this  regi- 
ment, and  that  the  people  over  the  river  will  do  nothing. 
They  grumble  at  being  commanded  by  a  Major;  and  I  fear, 
if  they  join  us  at  all,  (which  I  doubt,)  they  will  be  very  apt 
to  prejudice  the  service  by  altercations  about  command.  I 
cannot  help  saying,  that  if  Williamson  is  fit  to  conduct  such 
an  expedition,  he  certainly  ought  to  have  a  much  higher 
rank  than  any  of  these  chaps,  who  don't  object  to  his  person 
but  his  rank.  I  likewise  think  it  an  omission  that  the  Colo- 
nels on  the  other  side  the  river  have  no  written  orders  to  put 
themselves  or  their  men  under  his  command. 

On  the  last  accounts  from  town,  that  Cunningham  and 
his  companions  were  set  at  liberty,  we  were  very  near 
having  a. mutiny  in  camp;  and  it  is  really  a  measure  which, 
though  certainly  intended  for  the  best,  is  very  alarming  to  all 
ranks  of  people.  The  ignorant  look  upon  it  as  turning  their 
enemies  loose  on  their  backs  in  the  day  of  their  distress;  and 
the  sensible  part  consider  it  as  a  dangerous  exercise  of  a 
dispensing  power,  assumed  contrary  to  the  express  deter- 


« —  ...  _  .. ,  «..«  ...j   .  v,.j.jv,.  T.  wo  ....,'».    .M.,..'  iv  ..,  »Tiiivii         * Saluda  River  is  intended  when  the  word  River  is  mentioned  in  the 

obliged  me  to  return  with  the  prize,  which  I  have  at  anchor    abo*e  Lfu,?,r- 

5  j         TT     i  '  f,  >JL  t  ScopluMes,  alluded  to  those  who  had  joined  the  Royal  cause,  being 

in  balem  Harbour,  and  wait  your  Honours   orders  how  to     named  so  after  one  ScopM,  of  infamous  character,  who  had  done  so. 

-u. 


407 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


408 


.  mination  of  Congress,  and  a  corroborating  resolve  of  the 
succeeding  House  of  Assembly. 

Pearis's  house  having  been  a  rendezvous  for  the  Indians 
and  Scophelites,  Colonel  Thomas  intended  to  attack  it  on 
Monday.  We  are  not  yet  informed  if  he  did  or  not;  but 
one  of  our  spies  was  there  on  Tuesday,  and  saw  many  of 
our  spies  about  the  place,  and  all  the  buildings  in  ashes. 
Whether  they  were  burnt  by  friends  or  foes  is  still  uncertain  ; 
if  by  the  first,  I  fear  P.earis  will  injure  us  much.  Our  men 
seem  spirited,  and  very  much  exasperated  against  our  ene- 
mies. They  are  all  displeased  with  the  people  over  the 
river  for  granting  quarter  to  their  prisoners,  and  declare  they 
will  grant  none,  either  to  Indians  or  white  men  who  join 
them.  We  have  just  received  an  account  that  two  of  the 
Cherokee  head  warriors  were  killed  in  the  late  skirmish  at 
Lindley's  Fort. 

July  19. — Cunningham  and  Pearls  came  here  last  night, 
and  by  the  conversation  of  the  former,  I  imagine  he  was 
much  caressed  in  town.  Here  he  was  treated  politely,  but 
with  reserve;  the  Major  and  myself  having  advised  him  to 
go  home  and  mind  his  private  business,  at  which  he  seemed 
chagrined.  I  am  clear  he  had  not  yet  given  up  the  idea  of 
being  a  man  of  consequence;  but  the  friends  of  liberty  in 
this  part  of  the  world  are  determined  to  have  no  connexion 
with  him,  and  to  consider  him  for  the  future  merely  as  an 
individual,  and  not  as  head  of  any  party.  We  have  just 
heard  from  over  the  river,  that  the  white  people  in  general 
had  quitted  the  Indians  after  the  repulse  at  Lindley's,  and 
were  delivering  themselves  up  to  Colonel  Liles,  He  has 
sent  all  those  to  Ninety-six  Jail  against  whom  there  is  proof 
of  having  been  in  the  action. 

I  hope  you  will  pardon  the  freedom  with  which  I  express 
my  sentiments,  but  I  look  upon  it  as  an  advantage  to  men 
in  power  to  be  truly  informed  of  the  people's  situation  and 
disposition.  This  must  plead  my  excuse;  and  believe  me 
to  be,  with  great  respect,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient,  hum- 
ble servant,  •&  e 

t  RANCIS  SALVADOR. 

To  the  Hon.  Mr.  Chief  Justice  Drayton,  Charlestown. 


NORFOLK  (VIRGINIA)  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Norfolk  County,  July 
18, 1776: 

It  having  been  made  appear  to  the  Committee  for  this 
County,  held  on  the  20th  of  June  last,  that  Bennet  Arm- 
strong had  violated  the  ninth  article  of  the  Continental  As- 
sociation, which  was  then  ordered  to  be  published  in  the 
Gazette,  and  the  said  Armstrong  this  day  appearing,  and 
presenting  a  recantation,  promising  in  future  to  give  no  just 
cause  of  complaint : 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Bennet  Armstrong,  on  publish- 
ing his  apology  in  the  Gazette,  be  recommended  to  the  pub- 
lick  as  a  proper  object  of  clemency. 

LATIMER  HOLSTEAD,  Clerk  pro  tempore. 

Whereas  I  have  been  so  imprudent  as  to  act  contrary  to 
the  9th  article  of  the  Continental  Association,  as  well  as  of  a 
Resolution  of  the  Committee  of  Norfolk  County,  in  the  sale 
of  a  parcel  of  corn ;  I  do  now  declare  my  sincere  sorrow  for 
the  said  offence,  which  proceeded  entirely  from  my  misun- 
derstanding the  matter ;  and  I  promise  so  to  conduct  myself 
in  future  as  to  give  no  just  cause  of  complaint,  and  humbly 
hope  the  publick  will  accept  of  this  acknowledgment,  by 
again  receiving  me  into  their  favour  and  protection. 

BENNET  ARMSTRONG. 
Norfolk,  July  18,  1776. 

JOHN  WEST  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Alexandria,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR  :  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  for  this  County 
and  District,  a  resolution  was  entered  into  to  write  to  your 
Council  of  Safety,  and  the  Committee  appointed  me  for  that 
purpose, 

I  am  informed  that  your  commanding  officer  or  officers  in 
each  County  have  it  not  in  their  power  to  raise  the  Militia 
(on  any  occasion)  under  his  or  their  command,  without 
application  to  your  Council  of  Safety,  and  instructions  from 
them  for  that  purpose. 

Permit  me  to  say,  I  apprehend  many  dangers  may  be 


avoided,  many  good  consequences  (in  case  of  a  sudden 
attack  from  the  enemies  of  America)  are  obvious,  had  the 
commanding  officers  in  each  County  on  Potomack  river 
full  power  to  raise  the  Militia,  and  order  them  to  march 
where  there  was  a  real  occasion,  either  in  your  own  Province 
or  to  the  assistance  of  a  sister  Colony.  We  have  been  fre- 
quently alarmed  with  Dunmore  and  his  banditti,  with  the 
vessels  of  war,  paying  us  a  visit ;  and  when  he  lately  made 
his  appearance  in  our  river,  it  was  presumed  his  intention 
was  to  make  this  place  an  object  worth  his  attention.  His 
well  known  enmity  to  liberty,  his  untoward  disposition 
towards  this  Commonwealth  in  particular,  and  his  corrupt 
principles,  capable  of  committing  the  most  atrocious  villa- 
nies,  give  cause  to  suspect  his  intention  might  be  to  distress 
this  place,  and  the  inhabitants  of  each  side  the  river,  by 
which  your  Province  would  experience  the  dire  effects  of 
the  marauders. 

Should  you  be  attacked,  and  our  assistance  necessary,  we 
would  cheerfully  obey  the  summons  of  liberty,  humanity, 
and  neighbourly  affection,  and  fly  to  your  assistance ;  we 
should  be  wanting  in  duty  if  we  did  not,  because  we  are  not 
bound  up  by  any  ordinance,  nor  command,  but  are  at  full 
liberty  to  exert  ourselves  in  behalf  of  ourselves  and  in  that 
of  a  sister  Colony. 

I  hope  that  you  and  the  gentlemen  of  your  Council  of 
Safety,  will  excuse  this  remonstrance  to  you,  and  that  you 
will  see  the  necessity  in  the  same  light  that  we  do  of  em- 
powering at  least  your  commanding  officers  on  the  river 
to  raise  the  Militia  under  their  respective  commands,  in 
case  of  danger,  and  to  march  them  where  there  may  be  a 
call  for  them.  I  am  convinced  the  gentlemen  and  soldiers 
would  cheerfully  do  it,  from  a  principle  of  humanity  and 
friendship,  though  the  danger  was  more  remote  from  them, 
was  this  request  put  in  execution. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 
servant,  JOHN  WEST,  Chairman  pro  tern. 

To  the  Honourable  the  President  of  the  Council  of  Safety 
at  Annapolis. 

COLONEL  DORSET  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Elkiidge,  July  18, 1776. 

SIR:  When  theElkridge  Militia  went  from  this  place  for 
Annapolis,  I  promised  to  send  down  an  equal  number  on 
Sunday,  the  21st,  to  relieve  them;  but  as  Captain  Daniel 
Dorsey's  company,  of  the  Flying-Camp,  will  certainly  be 
down  on  that  day,  and  Captain  Edward  Norwood's  the  day 
following,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know  whether  you  will  stand 
in  need  of  the  Militia.  Please  to  inform  me  by  Mr.  Larkin 
Dorsey,  that  I  may  take  measures  accordingly. 
I  am,  with  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  DORSEY. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Esq.,  President 

of  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

N.  B.  Captain  Norwood  and  Dorsey's  companies  will 
have  few  or  no  fire-arms. 


CAPTAIN  NICHOLSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  18,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  was  favoured  with  your  orders  of  the  16th. 
I  shall  finish  heaving  down  the  ship  this  evening,  and  expect 
to  sail  from  this  on  Sunday  or  Monday  at  farthest.  I  have 
been  detained  in  caulking  the  ship  all  round.  This  I  have 
sent  by  the  small  tender  to  wait  your  further  orders  until  the 
ship  comes  down.  The  large  tender  sails  this  morning  with 
the  ten  nineteen-pounders,  shot,  wads,  &tc. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obliged  humble  servant  to 
command,  JAMES  NICHOLSON. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

' 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  THE  COMMANDING  OFFICER 

AT  ST.  MARY'S. 
[No.  53.]  Annapolis,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  received  your  favour  of  yesterday,  and 
observe  the  contents.  Some  powder  and  ball  we  despatched 
to  you  yesterday,  and  shall  immediately  send  you  four  field- 
pieces,  &tc.  You  will  receive  by  Mr.  Hopcwell  £300, 
according  to  your  desire.  You  will  judge  what  additional 
number  of  the  upper  Militia  may  be  necessary,  and  order 


409 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


410 


them  down.  It  gives  us  concern  to  hear  that  Captain  Bentt 
is  wounded,  but  hope  it  is  not  dangerous  ;  and  as  we  under- 
stand you  have  several  Surgeons  with  you,  trust  he  will  soon 
do  well.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  the  Commanding  Officer,  St.  Mary's. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  SOMERVILLE. 
[No.  54.]  Annapolis,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  yesterday  we  have  received,  and 
approve  of  the  disposition  you  are  making.  By  Mr.  Hope- 
well  we  send  you  £50.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Alexander  Somcniille. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO   CHARLES  RIDGELY,  SEN. 
[No.  55.]  Annapolis,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  in  immediate  want  of  a  number  of  round 
shot,  of  the  different  sizes,  particularly  eighteen,  nine,  six, 
and  three ;  also,  some  grape,  and  request  you  will  imme- 
diately send  them  down  to  Baltimore,  and  write  to  your 
correspondent  there,  as  soon  as  he  receives  them,  to  apprise 
Captain  Nathaniel  Smyth  of  it,  that  he  may  forward  them 
to  Annapolis.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  Mr.  Charles  Ridgely,  Sen. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  SMYTH. 
[No.  56.]  Annapolis,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  have  written  to  Captain  Ridgely,  with  whom 
we  have  contracted  to  supply  us  with  cannon-shot,  imme- 
diately to  send  down  a  quantity  to  Baltimore;  and  as  we 
are  in  immediate  want  of  them,  we  desire  as  soon  as  they 
arrive  there,  that  you  will  forward  them  to  Annapolis. 

We  are,  Sic. 

To  Captain  Nathaniel  Smyth. 

BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  18,  1776: 

Present:  Samuel  Purviance,  Jun.,  Chairman;  James  Calhoun,  William 
Buchanan,  Edward  Talbot,  Isaac  Griest,  Thomas  Sellers,  William 
Aisquith,  John  Cockey,  Darby  Lux,  and  Benjamin  Griffith. 

The  gentlemen  appointed  by  the  Committee  at  the  last 
meeting,  to  examine  a  situation  near  Armstrong's  to  build 
a  Magazine,  report  several  places  which  they  examined 
suitable  for  the  purpose.  On  consideration  of  which,  it  was 
agreed,  that  Messrs.  Benjamin  Griffith,  James  Calhoun, 
John  Cockey,  and  Edward  Talbot,  be  directed  to  bargain 
with  Captain  Charles  Ridgely  ty-  Co.,  for  one  acre  of  Land, 
which  was  thought  most  convenient,  near  to  the  spring  at 
Armstrong's. 

•Ordered,  That  Mr.  Darby  Lux,  with  the  gentlemen 
above  mentioned,  be  a  Committee  to  agree  with  the  Work- 
men for  constructing  the  Magazine  for  the  publick  use,  and 
that  they  make  a  report  of  their  proceedings  at  the  next 
meeting  of  this  Committee. 

It  is  agreed  that  the  dimensions  of  said  Magazine  shall  be 
forty  feet  long,  and  eleven  feet  wide,  in  the  clear,  and  arched 
over  with  brick  or  stone,  and  covered  with  a  shingled  roof. 

GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  Mr.  Griffin  delivered  me  your  letter  of  the  15th, 
with  the  packets,  which  I  have  laid  before  Congress.  No 
resolution  is  taken  in  consequence  thereof,  nor  has  anything 
new  occurred  since  my  last,  except  the  enclosed  resolves. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  humble  ser- 
vant, JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  General  Washington. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  PENNSYLVANIA  CONVENTION. 

Philadelphia,  July  18,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  it  in  charge  from  Congress  to  inform 
you,  that  they  have  come  to  a  resolution  of  raising  a  bat- 
talion in  the  Counties  of  Westmoreland  and  Bedford,  in 
Pennsylvania,  for  the  defence  of  the  western  parts  of  that 
State. 


I  am,  therefore,  to  request  you  will  immediately  recom- 
mend proper  persons  to  Congress  for  Field-Officers  of  said 
battalion. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania,  now  sitting. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Philadelphia,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  the  resolve  of  Congress  respect- 
ing the  petition  of  Captain  Benedict,  I  am  most  earnestly 
to  recommend  to  you  to  give  attention  to  the  subject-matter 
of  it,  and  to  desire  that  the  proper  payments  may  be  made, 
so  far  as  they  appear  just  and  well  supported,  or  that  the 
objections  to  the  adjustment  of  the  accounts,  as  set  forth  by 
the  petitioner,  may  be  explicitly  stated  to  Congress,  to  pre- 
vent any  prejudice  arising  to  the  general  service. 
I  am,  with  respect,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Schuyler. 


WILLIAM  ALLIBONE  S  REPORT  ON  FLINT  QUARRIES. 

Memoranda. 

Tuesday,  July  16,  1776. — Left  Philadelphia ;  arrived  at 
Wright's  Parlc. 

Wednesday,  July  17. — In  search  of  flint-stone  near  the 
Delaware,  in  Upper  Makefield,  Bucks  County,  on  the 
plantation  of  John  Knowls,  in  a  gully  made  by  former  inun- 
dations of  the  Delaware,  I  find  the  black  flint-stone,  but 
not  in  an  entire  bed,  as  I  supposed,  but  mixed  with  other 
stone  and  sand,  the  best  of  which,  that  had  lain  near  the 
surface,  carried  away  for  domestic  use;  but  find  the  low 
lands  near  the  river,  for  two  or  three  miles,  (which  is,  in 
general,  stony,)  to  be  mixed  with  the  same  kind  of  black 
flint-stone,  but  nowhere  in  separate  quantities.  I  went  as 
far  up  as  Pitcock's  Creek,  in  the  lower  part  of  Salisbury 
township. 

Thursday,  July  18. — Like  for  rain.  Made  what  inquiries 
I  could  in  the  neighbourhood. 

Friday,  July  19. — At  John  Lacey's,  in  the  lower  part  of 
Buckingham  township,  about  three  miles  from  Wrighfs 
Town  Meeting-house,  from  former  digging  in  a  bank,  find 
the  earth  and  other  stone  mixed  with  black  and  bluish  flint, 
as  per  samples.  The  same  day  find  the  white  and  the  gray, 
as  per  sample.  In  a  ridge  of  land  about  three-quarters  of  a 
mile,  on  the  Bristol  road,  from  a  place  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Four  Lane  Ends,  great  quantity  of  the  white,  and  a 
little  gray.  Find  one  single  small  piece  of  yellow  flint, 
which  I  think  much  superior  to  any  other  in  this  County, 
and  has  been  much  used  formerly  by  the  natives  to  head 
their  arrows,  the  heads  being  frequently  found  in  the  fields 
to  this  day;  also  some  black  and  white  ones.  I  have  no  doubt 
but  some  quantity  of  the  yellow  lies  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
the  Delaware ;  but  cannot  as  yet  discover  where,  and  hope 
some  more  successful  hand  has  been  employed. 

Saturday,  July  20. — Find  the  dark  flint  in  scattered  stones 
on  land  of  Mr.  Denormandie,  Bristol  road,  eighteen  miles 
from  Philadelphia;  and,  fifteen  miles  from  Philadelphia,  on 
the  post  road,  great  quantities  of  the  white ;  and,  at  sides  of 
Perryfork  Creek,  one  hundred  and  seven  miles  from  Phila- 
delphia, considerable  quantities  of  light  gray  flint  mixed 
with  other  stone. 

A  sample.  W.  ALLIBONE. 

SAMUEL  CHASE  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  July  18,  1776. 

DEAR  GATES  :  I  wrote  to  you  from  this  city  immediately 
on  my  arrival.  I  was  obliged  to  return  to  Maryland  on 
account  of  Mrs.  Chase's  illness.  Every  moment  of  my  stay 
there  was  engrossed  by  my  attendance  on  my  lady  and  our 
Convention.  On  yesterday,  I  came  to  Congress  with  Mr. 
Carroll. 

I  am  extremely  concerned  for  the  very  disagreeable  situa- 
tion of  our  affairs  with  you.  I  am  apprehensive,  unless  some 
effectual  and  speedy  measures  are  taken,  we  shall  lose  the 
command  of  the  lakes.  While  we  are  masters  of  Lake 
Champlain,  the  enemy  cannot  penetrate  into  the  Colonies. 


411 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


412 


If  they  become  superior,  I  cannot  conceive  the  propriety  of 
erecting  fortifications  at  Crown-Point.  How  can  a  garrison 
there  be  relieved,  if  the  enemy  can  prevent  supplies  by 
water?  I  took  the  liberty  of  communicating  my  opinion  on 
these  subjects  to  General  Arnold,  by  a  letter  from  Saratoga, 
and  if  you  think  the  sentiments  of  a  gentleman  not  of  the 
military,  worthy  of  perusal,  General  Arnold  will  show  it  to 
you. 

I  am  very  anxious  to  know  the  real  state  of  your  Army, 
and  to  know  what  you  think  proper  to  be  done  by  the  Con- 
gress. 

I  am  compelled  to  return  to  Maryland  on  the  8th  of 
August.  Farewell. 

Your  affectionate  and  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  CHASE. 
To  General  Gates. 


LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE  TO  COMMITTEE  OF 

SAFETY. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  18,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  At  the  time  the  officers  absconded  from 
Lebanon,  they  were  indebted  to  sundry  persons  there,  par- 
ticularly to  one  Matthew  McHugh,  for  their  diet,  &c.,  about 
£100.  After  the  confinement  of  Lieutenant  Harrington 
in  this  jail,  McHugh  applied  to  him  for  payment  of  his  quota 
of  the  debt,  and  obtained  an  order  from  this  Committee  for 
Mr.  Harrington's  baggage  to  be  brought  from  Lebanon  to 
this  place,  to  be  delivered  to  him  on  payment  of  his  debts. 
Upon  his  baggage  being  brought  here,  Mr.  Bamngton  pro- 
posed to  McHugh  to  pay  him  his  whole  demand  against  all 
the  officers,  if  the  Committee  would  order  all  their  baggage 
to  this  place,  and  give  it  into  his  custody,  as  his  security  for 
what  he  should  advance  for  his  brother  officers.  The  Com- 
mittee thought  it  best  to  have  all  their  baggage  secured  in 
this  place;  therefore  sent  for  it,  and  have  it  now  deposited 
in  a  part  of  the  new  jail  here,  packed  up  in  upwards  of 
twenty  trunks  and  boxes,  besides  some  bales  and  portman- 
teaus. The  keys  to  the  trunks  we  likewise  have ;  but  have 
not  yet  opened  them  to  examine  their  contents,  neither  have 
we  delivered  them  to  Mr.  Harrington,  choosing  to  have  the 
sentiments  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  or  Congress,  on  the 
propriety  of  that  measure.  The  members  of  the  Committee 
of  Lebanon  have  sent  us  an  account  of  their  expenses  in 
advertising,  pursuing,  and  endeavouring  to  retake  those  gen- 
tlemen, amounting  to  above  £30,  besides  carriage  of  the 
goods. 

Perhaps  by  selling  a  part  of  the  goods  at  vendue,  the 
whole  moneys  might  be  raised.  The  Committee  of  Lebanon 
are  desirous  to  have  their  moneys  refunded.  Mr.  McHugh 
mentions  that  he  has  gone  to  join  the  camp  in  the  Jerseys, 
and  wants  his  money  to  leave  with  his  merchants  in  Phila- 
delphia. We  therefore  beg  the  sentiments  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  and  their  directions  how  to  proceed  in  this  matter; 
but  should  the  Committee  think  the  instructions  ought  more 
properly  to  issue  from  Congress,  as  those  officers  were  Con- 
tinental prisoners,  we  hope  the  Committee  will  not  charge 
us  with  presumption  in  requesting  the  favour  of  them  to  ob- 
tain the  directions  of  Congress  for  our  government. 

We  also  beg  leave  to  mention  to  you,  gentlemen,  that  we 
have  now  about  seven  hundred  men,  women,  and  children, 
prisoners  in  the  Barracks  here,  over  whom,  agreeable  to  order 
of  Congress  of  the  10th  instant,  we  keep  a  strong  guard, 
and  are  erecting  a  stockade  fort  round  the  Barracks.  The 
number  confined  there  we  conceive  full  enough,  and  rather 
too  many,  for  the  building  to  contain  at  this  warm  season. 
It  is  rumoured  here  that  a  large  number  more  of  prisoners 
are  intended  for  this  place.  Should  any  more  arrive,  it  will 
be  necessary  to  make  some  additional  buildings  to  the 
Barracks,  that  these  poor  people  may  not  suffer  by  being 
crowded ;  and  that  work  might  be  best  done  at  this  time,  when 
we  have  a  number  of  tradesmen  of  different  kinds  employed 
at  the  place,  and  the  whole  work  might  be  superintended 
at  the  same  time.  We  beg  the  advice  of  the  Committee 
of  Safety  therein.  In  placing  the  stockades,  we  shall  place 
them  at  such  a  distance  from  the  Barracks  that  there  may  be 
a  free  circulation  of  air,  to  keep  them  as  healthy  as  possible, 
and  that  there  may  be  room  for  additional  barracks,  and  are 
digging  wells  within  the  stockade  to  supply  them  with 
water. 

Lieutenant  Barrington  now  asks  to  be  released  from  con- 


finement, on  his  parole.  We  beg  to  know  if  his  parole  may 
be  taken,  and  he  sent  to  the  place  of  residence  of  the  other 
officers  of  his  corps ;  and  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

W.  ATLEE,  Chairman. 

COLONEL  BURD  TO  LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

MiddiaWn,  July  18,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  herewith  send  you,  by  the  worthy  Captain 
John  Reed,  who  commands  the  first  draught  of  my  battalion, 
the  returns  of  eight  companies.  The  ninth  company  has 
not  yet  come  to  my  hand,  owing  to  the  resignation  of  Cap- 
tain Robert  Elder,  but  it  shall  be  sent  to  you  as  soon  as  it  comes 
to  my  hand.  I  also  send  you  a  certain  John  White,  prisoner, 
with  what  information  is  come  to  my  hand  from  the  County 
of  Northumberland ;  and  I  think  he  is  guilty  of  the  allegation, 
but  this  I  leave  to  your  better  judgment ;  and  I  am,  with 
much  esteem,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  humble 

servant,  „ 

SAMUEL  BURD. 

To  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Lan- 
caster. 

[Endorsed:  Letter  and  examinations  relating;  to  John  White,  a  prisoner, 
charged  with  assisting  the  officers  to  escape  from  Lebanon.  Read  July 
20,  1776.] 


NEW-JERSEY     ORDINANCE    FOR    PUNISHING    TRAITORS     AND 
COUNTERFEITERS. 

In  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-Jersey,  ) 
Trenton,  July  18,  1776.      $ 

Whereas  it  is  necessary,  in  these  times  of  danger,  that 
crimes  should  receive  their  due  punishment,  and  the  safety 
of  the  people  more  especially  requires  that  all  persons  who 
shall  be  found  so  wicked  as  to  devise  the  destruction  of  good 
Government,  or  to  aid  or  assist  the  avowed  enemies  of  the 
State,  be  punished  with  death  : 

Therefore  be  it  Resolved  and  Ordained  by  the  Conven- 
tion, and  it  is  Resolved  and  Ordained  by  the  authority  of 
the  same,  That  all  persons  abiding  within  this  State  of  New- 
Jersey,  and  deriving  protection  from  the  laws  thereof,  do 
owe  allegiance  to  the  Government  of  this  State,  as  of  late 
established  on  the  authority  of  the  people,  and  are  to  be 
deemed  as  members  of  this  State;  and  that  all  persons 
passing  through,  visiting,  or  making  a  temporary  stay  in  this 
State,  being  entitled  to  the  protection  of  the  law  during  such 
passage,  visitation,  or  temporary  stay,  during  the  same  time 
owe  allegiance  to  this  Government. 

And  be  it  further  Resolved  and  Ordained,  That  all  and 
every  person  or  persons,  members  of,  or  owing  allegiance  to 
this  Government,  as  before  described,  who,  from  and  after 
the  date  hereof,  shall  levy  war  against  this  State  within  the 
same,  or  be  adherent  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  or  others, 
the  enemies  of  this  State,  within  the  same,  or  to  the  enemies 
of  the  United  States  of  North  America,  giving  to  him  or  them 
aid  or  comfort,  shall  be  adjudged  guilty  of  high  treason,  and 
suffer  the  pains  or  penalties  thereof,  in  like  manner  as  by  the 
ancient  laws  of  this  State  he  or  they  should  have  suffered  in 
cases  of  high  treason. 

And  be  it  further  Resolved  and  Ordained,  That  all  and 
every  person  or  persons,  who,  from  and  after  the  date  hereof, 
shall  be  found  guilty  of  reviling  the  Government  of  this 
State,  as  by  this  Convention  established,  or  of  other  seditious 
speeches  or  practices,  shall  be  punished  in  like  manner  as 
by  the  former  laws  of  this  State  such  person  or  persons  might 
or  ought  to  have  been  punished,  for  such  seditious  speeches 
and  practices  against  the  Government  then  in  being. 

And  be  it  further  Resolved  and  Ordained,  That  all  and 
every  person  or  persons,  who,  from  and  after  the  date  hereof, 
shall  be  found  guilty  of  counterfeiting  or  altering  the  Conti- 
nental Bills  of  Credit,  the  Bills  of  Credit  issued  by  the  late 
Provincial  Congress  of  this  State,  or  the  Assemblies,  Con- 
ventions, or  Congresses  of  any  of  the  United  States  of  North 
America,  or  uttering  the  same  knowing  them  to  be  counter- 
feit or  altered,  shall  be  adjudged  felons,  and  be  punished  with 
death,  in  like  manner  as  persons  found  guilty  of  counterfeiting 
or  knowingly  uttering  the  former  Bills  of  Credit  of  this  State 
might  or  should  have  been:  Provided  always,  That  no  per- 
son or  persons  shall  suffer  death,  or  other  pain  or  penalty, 
for  any  of  the  offences  aforesaid,  until  he  or  they  shall  have 


413 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  JULY,  1776. 


414 


been  first  found  guilty  of  the  same  offence  or  offences  whereof 
he  or  they  shall  be  charged  and  accused,  in  a  due  course  of 
law,  and  by  the  verdict  of  a  jury.  Provided  also,  That 
nothing  in  this  Ordinance  contained  shall  be  construed  to 
divest  any  Committee  of  the  power  they  now  possess  of 
examining  and  committing  any  offenders,  so  that  they  do  not 
proceed  to  the  infliction  of  punishments  for  any  of  the  offences 
in  this  Ordinance  contained,  but  leave  the  same  to  be  deter- 
mined in  due  course  of  law,  in  manner  aforesaid. 
By  order  of  Convention : 

SAMUEL  TUCKER,  President. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  If  nothing  unlocked  for  intervenes,  I  intend  to  pro- 
secute the  plan  mentioned  in  my  letter  by  Major  Putnam, 
to-night.  We  hope  to  defer  the  attack  till  break  of  day,  but 
if  discovered  before  that  time  our  operations  will  commence 
sooner.  From  our  being  able  to  discover  no  unusual  move- 
ments in  the  enemy's  quarter,  it  is  presumable  they  have  no 
hint  of  being  surprised.  Our  men  are  drawing  together  near 
this  place.  Some  guides  are  provided,  on  whom  I  hope  we 
may  depend,  and  doubt  not  but  our  officers  and  soldiers  will 
with  alacrity  execute  this  service. 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 

HUGH  MERCER. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  MAJOR  KNOWLTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR  :  You  are  to  march  your  party  of  three  hundred  men 
to  attack  the  enemy's  post  at  New  Blazing-Star.  If  pos- 
sible, have  your  men  near  the  enemy  before  break  of  day. 
While  you  attempt  to  surprise  the  enemy,  be  careful  that 
you  are  not  discovered.  Have  a  small  guard  advanced,  and 
if  they  come  unexpectedly  on  a  sentinel,  endeavour  to  seize 
his  arms  and  prevent  giving  an  alarm  by  firing,  unless  the 
enemy  is  prepared  and  formidable.  Let  a  profound  silence 
be  observed  during  the  march,  and  keep  your  men  in  Indian 
file,  about  one  pace  asunder.  If  obliged  to  appear  openly 
against  the  enemy,  have  some  of  your  best  Riflemen  on  your 
flanks,  with  orders  to  gain,  if  possible,  the  flanks  of  the 
enemy.  If  they  have  artillery,  a  sudden  push  is  necessary 
to  gain  possession  of  them.  Should  you  be  successful 
enough  to  take  any  of  the  British  troops  prisoners,  secure 
them  well  and  treat  them  with  humanity.  Use  the  people 
on  the  Island  with  civility,  unless  they  appear  in  arms.  As 
soon  as  it  is  light,  send  out  flanking  parties  to  secure  you 
from  surprise. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  Major  Knowlton.          

SAMUEL  B.  WEBB  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  18,  1776. 
SIR:  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  having  occasion 
to  ride  out  early  this  morning,  has  dictated  and  ordered  me  to 
acknowledge  and  answer  your  two  letters  of  the  1 1th  instant, 
which  came  safe  to  hand  by  yesterday's  post.  He  is  not  a  little 
displeased  at  the  Agent's  taking  the  liberty  of  removing,  or 
rather  disposing  of  the  cargoes  of,  the  prizes,  without  your 
knowledge,  and  begs  you  immediately  to  forbid  anything  of 
the  kind  again.  He  is  surprised  that,  out  of  upwards  of  four 
hundred  prisoners,  only  seventy-three  arms  have  been  sent 
on,  as  he  supposed  every  man  must  have  had  his  arms  with 
him.  He  begs  your  attention  in  collecting,  from  the  Agents 
and  others,  all  the  arms  that  have  been  taken,  and  forward 
them  immediately  to  this  place,  where  they  are  much  wanted. 
Enclosed  is  a  list  of  articles  he  has  taken  from  the  invoices, 
and  would  have  you  send  on  as  soon  as  may  be. 

By  express,  yesterday,  we  learn  of  the  arrival  of  the  north- 
ern Army  at  Crown-Point,  where  those  infected  with  the 
small-pox  will  be  immediately  sent  to  a  distant  Hospital,  so 
that  the  troops  from  your  State  bound  that  way  need  not  be 
under  any  apprehension  of  danger  from  that  disorder.  The 
enemy  on  Staten-Island  remain  as  when  I  last  wrote. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  respect  and  esteem,  your 
Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

SAMUEL  B.  WEBB,  A.  D.  C. 
To  General  Ward. 


List  of  articles,  taken  in  the  Transports,  which  his  Excellency 
General  Washington  requests  General  Ward  to  forward 
from  Boston  to  New-  York  as  soon  as  possible : 
From  ship  GEORGE:  All  the  fusees,  small-arms,  and  bayo- 
nets, shoulder-straps,  gun-straps,  leather  bullet-pouches,  hair 
knapsacks,  canvass  knapsacks,  belts,  flints,  markees,  and 
soldiers'  tents,  common  tent  poles,  tin  canteens,  camp-kettles, 
blankets,  watch-coats,  soldiers'  clothing,  stockings,  black 
plumes. 

.From  sA/p  ANNE:  All  the  checked  and  striped  Hollands, 
check  shirts,  writing  paper,  thread  stockings,  check  trowsers, 
men's  shoes,  ticking  trowsers,  men's  hats. 

From  ship  LORD  HOWE  :  All  the  small -arms,  bayonets, 
and  cartouch-boxes,  part  of  canteens  and  kettles,  soldiers 
blankets,  cutlasses,  canvass  knapsacks,  markees. 

From  brig  ANNABELLA:  All  the  small-arms,  shoes,  soldiers' 
tents,  sheet  lead,  pack-saddles,  cartouch-boxes,  leather  bullet- 
pouches,  shoulder-straps,  gun-straps,  cutlasses,  bayonets,  and 
belts. 

By  order  of  His  Excellency  General  Washington : 

SAMUEL  B.  WEBB,  A.  D.  C. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Head-duarters,  New-York,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  The  General  has  rode  out  this  morning,  and  directed 
me  to  acquaint  your  Honour,  that  on  the  arrival  of  the  Light- 
horse,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Seymour,  he  acquaint- 
ed them  that  they  could  not  be  of  use  as  horsemen ;  on  which 
they  concluded  to  stay  and  do  duty  as  foot,  till  the  arrival 
of  the  new  levies.  The  latter  part  of  the  time  they  grew 
uneasy,  and  refused  their  duty  as  soldiers,  though  their 
services  were  much  wanted,  pleading,  in  excuse,  that  there 
was  an  express  law  of  the  Colony  which  exempts  them  from 
doing  duty  separate  from  their  horses.  It  was  only  requested 
that  they  should  mount  guard,  which  they  refused;  on  which 
the  General  was  obliged  to  discharge  them  yesterday, 
although  but  a  small  proportion  of  the  new  levies  had 
arrived. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  yours,  &c., 

S.B.WEBB,  A.  D.  C. 
To  Governour  TrumbuU,  Connecticut. 


TO   MALCOM    McEWEN    AND    DANIEL    GREEN. INSTRUCTIONS 

TO  SUPERINTEND  EAST-RIVER  FERRIES. 

It  is  General  Washington's  orders,  that  Malcom  McEwen 
and  Daniel  Green  do  daily  attend,  from  sunrise  to  dark  in 
the  evening,  at  the  East-River  Ferry  to  Long-Island,  and 
Peck's  Slip,  at  which,  or  between  which  places,  all  boats 
coming  to  the  east  of  the  town  are  to  land,  where  they,  in  the 
first  place,  are  to  examine  all  passengers  going  from  town, 
and  to  see  that  they  have  genuine  passes  from  the  Commit- 
tee, or  one  of  the  General  Officers. 

In  the  next  place,  they  are  to  be  particularly  attentive  to 
the  passengers  who  arrive  in  town.  If  they  are  travellers, 
such  as  they  can  have  no  suspicion  of,  they  are  only  to  require 
their  names,  and  the  places  where  they  intend  to  lodge, 
and  report  them  to  the  General  at  noon,  and  in  the  even- 
ing. If  they  are,  in  any  manner,  of  suspicious  characters, 
they  are  to  detain  them  at  some  convenient  house,  to  be 
appointed  for  that  purpose  in  the  neighbourhood,  until  they 
can  send  their  report,  which  is  to  be  done  immediately,  to 
Head-Quarters,  and  the  General's  determination  be  had 
thereon. 

They  are  also  to  examine  the  passengers  of  all  other  boats, 
besides  the  ferry-boats,  which  may  arrive,  and  report  in  like 
manner. 

And,  in  order  the  better  to  enable  Malcom  McEwen  and 
Daniel  Green  to  carry  these  instructions  into  execution,  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  East-River  Guard  is  to  give  them 
every  necessary  aid  in  his  power. 

The  said  McEwen  and  Green  are  to  communicate  these 
instructions  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  give  passes. 

By  the  General's  orders,  at  Head-Quarters: 

STIRLING,  Brigadier-General. 
July  18,  1776. 

If  officers  or  soldiers  of  the  corps  posted  on  Long-Island 
should  come  to  town  with  passes  from  their  commanding 
officer,  the  same  are  to  be  sufficient  to  pass  them  out  of 


415 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


416 


town  again.  Artillerymen  are  to  pass  by  Colonel  Knox's 
order;  and  those  in  the  Quartermaster-General's  department 
by  Colonel  Moylan's,  or  Mr.  Hughes's,  Deputy  Quarter- 
master-General. 

Mr.  McEwen  is,  by  the  General's  order,  to  be  allowed 
one  dollar  a  day,  after  deducting  his  pay  in  Colonel  Lasher's 
regiment.  Mr.  Green  is  to  be  allowed  one  dollar  per  day, 
he  having  no  employ  in  the  Continental  service. 

By  the  General's  orders : 

STIRLING,  Brigadier-General. 
July  18,  1776. 

TO  CAPTAIN  JOHN   JOHNSON   AND  LIEUTENANT  ABM.  MESIER. 
INSTRUCTIONS  TO  SUPERINTEND  NORTH-RIVER  FERRIES. 

Similar  to  the  above,  with  directions  to  attend  the  ferries 
to  Powles  Hook  and  Hooghbook,  and  all  the  boats  on  that 
side.  Each  to  have  half  a  dollar  per  day,  in  addition  to 
their  regimental  pay. 


COLONEL  JOSEPH  HEED  TO  ROBERT  MORRIS. 

Head-auarters,  New-York,  July  18,  1776. 
DEAR  SIR  :  I  received  this  letter  by  Lord  Howe,  from  a 
gentleman  of  character  in  England.  You  will  observe  it 
has  the  appearance  of  a  mere  private  letter ;  but  from  the 
contents,  and  some  corresponding  circumstances,  I  have 
reason  to  believe  it  was  not  intended  merely  as  such.  In  this 
view,  I  communicated  it  to  the  General,  and  now  forward  it, 
to  be  made  use  of  as  your  good  judgment  may  direct.  If 
it  can  be  improved,  in  any  respect,  for  the  publick  advan- 
tage, either  to  give  time  to  discover  the  true  powers  these 
Commissioners  have,  or  in  any  other  way,  I  shall  most 
cheerfully  take  such  a  post  as  my  situation  and  abilities 
will  admit,  and  as  may  be  directed.  Or  if  you  think  no 
advantage  or  benefit  can  arise  from  taking  notice  of  it,  you 
will  please  to  suppress  it. 

I  fear  the  die  is  irrevocably  cast,  and  that  we  must  play 
out  the  game,  however  doubtful  or  desperate.     My  princi- 
ples have  been  much  misunderstood,  if  they  were  supposed 
to  militate   against   reconciliation.     I  had   one  dogma  of 
political  faith,  to  which  I  constantly  adhered,  that  as  united 
councils  and  united  strength  alone  could  enable  us  to  support 
this  contest,  private  opinions  and  those  of  mere  local  autho- 
rity should  be  subservient  to  the  supreme  decision  of  Con- 
gress.    From  the  purity  and  extent  of  its  intelligence,  and 
the  abilities  of  its  members,  I  derived  my  hopes  of  political 
safety,  and  therefore  beheld  with  concern  every  attempt  to 
control  the  judgment  and  bind  down  the  opinions  of  any  of 
its  members  by  instructions  or  other  devices,  formed,  as  they 
must  be,  on  the  partial  intelligence  of  some,  and  the  inter- 
ested or  timid  views  of  others.     My  private  judgment  led 
me  to  think,  that  if  the  two  great  cardinal  points,  of  exemp- 
tion from  British  taxation,  and  charge  of  internal  Govern- 
ment, could  have  been  secured,  our  happiness  and  prosperity 
would  have  been  best  promoted  by  preserving  the  depend- 
ence.    The  Declaration  of  Independence  is  a  new  and  very 
strong  objection  to  entering  into  any  negotiation  inconsistent 
with  that  idea.     But  I  fancy  there  are  numbers,  and  some 
of  them  firm  in  the  interests  of  America,  who  would  think 
an  overture  ought  not  to  be  rejected ;  and  if  it  could  be  im- 
proved into  a  negotiation  which  could  secure  the  two  points 
I  have  mentioned  above,  would  think  the  blood  and  trea- 
sure expended  well  spent.     I  have  no  idea,  from  anything 
I  have  seen  or  can  learn,  that  if  we  should  give  the  General 
and  Admiral  a  full  and  fair  hearing,  the  proposition  would 
amount  to  anything  short  of  unconditional  submission ;  but 
it  may  be  worth  considering  whether,  that  once  known,  and 
all  prospect  of  securing  American  liberty  in  that  way  being 
closed,  it  would  not  have  a  happy  effect  to  unite  us  into  one 
chosen  band,  resolved  to  be  free,  or  perish  in  the  attempt. 
There  was  a  time  when  one  sentiment  pervaded  the  whole 
country.     Whig  and  Tory,  however  differing  in  other  things, 
agreed  that  the  claims  of  taxation  by  a  British  Parliament 
could  never  be  admitted.     If  these  Commissioners  have  no 
concessions  to  make  on  this  point,  it  must  be  evident  to  the 
whole  world  that  resistance  cannot  be  called  our  choice.    It 
is  the  only  alternation  left  to  slavery  and  wretchedness. 

What  will  become  of  our  affairs  in  Canada,  or  rather  in 
this  Province,  in  the  Northern  Department?  Our  General 
has  more  trouble  and  concern  with  that  department  than 
his  own ;  and  yet,  after  every  step  taken,  and  supply  sent, 


we  are  told  of  great  necessities  and  wants,  arising  from 
incredible  waste.  If  Mr.  Schuyler  is  so  good  a  Quarter- 
master and  Commissary,  why  is  there  such  incredible  waste? 
In  short,  my  dear  sir,  if  some  speedy  measure  is  not  taken 
in  this  matter,  in  my  opinion  that  Army  will  waste  and 
disperse,  leaving  the  enemy  an  easy  passage  into  the  heart 
of  these  Colonies.  I  trust  and  hope,  amidst  the  changes 
which  have  been  made  in  our  Province,  and  in  most  of 
which  I  could  not  agree,  the  publick  will  not  lose  your 
services  in  Congress.  I  know  many  things  must  be  very 
repugnant  to  your  temper  and  judgment;  but  so  it  has 
proved  in  the  struggles  of  all  free  States  and  countries.  The 
time  and  place  will  come  when  publick  virtue  will  meet  its 

reward — 

"  The  firm  patriot  there, 
Who  made  the  welfare  of  mankind  his  care, 
Though  vex'd  with  envy,  and  by  faction  cross'd, 
Shall  find  his  gen'rofts  labour  was  not  lost." 

Be  pleased  to  present  my  respects  to  Mr.  Willing;  and 
believe  me,  with  much  truth  and  esteem,  &c.,  &ic. 
To  Robert  Morris,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Delegates  of  the  Pro- 
vince  of  Pennsylvania  in   the  honourable  Continental 
Congress. 

DR.  MORGAN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-York,  July  18, 1776. 

SIR  :  The  Congress  having  come  into  a  number  of  re- 
solves respecting  the  General  Hospital,  &.C.,  I  find  that  one 
of  them,  as  it  now  stands,  gives  great  uneasiness  to  the 
regimental  Surgeons.  It  is  that  which  prohibits  them  from 
drawing  upon  the  Hospital  of  their  department  for  any  stores, 
except  medicines  and  instruments ;  and  orders,  that  when 
any  sick  person  shall  require  other  stores,  they  shall  be  re- 
ceived into  the  General  Hospital,  and  the  rations  of  the  said 
sick  persons  be  stopped  so  long  as  they  are  in  the  said  Hos- 
pital. 

The  regimental  Surgeons  seem  to  think,  that  if  this  re- 
solve should  remain  as  it  now  stands,  without  any  pallia- 
tive construction  in  favour  of  supplying  the  sick  under  their 
care  with  necessary  articles  of  diet,  &tc.,  (for  no  provision 
is  made  by  any  of  these  resolves  for  changing  the  diet  of 
the  sick,  and  their  rations  would  be  very  improper  diet,) 
they  have  nothing  left  but  immediately  to  order  the  whole 
of  their  sick  into  the  General  Hospital.  What  would  be  the 
consequence?  Instead  of  about  three  hundred,  which  is 
the  present  number  of  the  sick  in  the  General  Hospital,  it 
would  immediately  amount  to  two  thousand  or  upwards,  and 
the  number  would  increase  every  day.  But  where  we  shall 
get  room  for  them,  is  the  difficulty ;  and  in  case  of  an  ac- 
tion, and  many  persons  being  wounded,  that  difficulty  would 
increase.  The  General  Hospital  would  be  crowded,  and 
the  regimental  Surgeons,  who  profess  their  ardent  desire  of 
being  usefully  employed,  would  complain  of  having  nothing 
to  do.  But  what  is  the  worst  part  of  it,  as  the  dysentery 
and  fevers  of  a  putrid  kind  now  prevail,  the  crowding  so 
many  together  into  the  General  Hospital  would  certainly 
engender  a  malignant,  pestilential  fever,  that  would  threaten 
the  ruin  of  the  Army. 

These  difficulties,  in  my  opinion,  might,  for  the  present, 
be  got  over  in  one  of  these  two  ways,  the  choice  of  which  is 
left  to  your  Excellency : 

The  first,  is  by  adopting  a  set  of  regulations,  drawn  up 
and  agreed  upon  betwixt  the  regimental  Surgeons  and  my- 
self, (if  it  met  with  your  Excellency's  approbation,)  and 
which  I  laid  before  your  Excellency  a  fortnight  ago  for 
your  consideration. 

Otherwise,  let  the  regimental  Surgeons  be  suffered  to  keep 
such  men  in  their  own  Regimental  Hospitals,  under  their  own 
care,  whose  cases  would  endanger  the  spreading  of  putrid 
and  infectious  distempers.  Let  them  be  reported  to,  and 
borne  on  the  list  of  patients  admitted  into  the  General  Hos- 
pital, but  remain  with  the  regimental  Surgeons  under  their 
care.  Then  their  rations  will  be  stopped,  discounted  with  the 
Commissary-General,  and  in  lieu  thereof,  they  will  receive 
supplies  of  such  articles  as  the  General  Hospital  can  furnish 
them  with,  of  wine,  vinegar,  molasses,  meal,  &c.,  which,  I 
believe,  would  not  far  exceed  the  amount  of  those  rations. 

This  would  answer  to  a  plan  I  proposed  to  your  Excel- 
lency last  winter,  and  which  was  approved.  Your  Excellency 
only  wished  then,  that  some  method  might  be  taken  to  pre- 
vent the  rations  of  the  sick  being  twice  drawn.  I  appre- 


417 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


i.         ii  ,         i  ,.     7    .  .  —I--  :mui,  uj  11,111  Hie  uigni  oeiore,  ana  mat  lie  nad  used 

It  would  encourage  the  soldier  ,n  his  duty;   and  if    his  utmost  endeavours  to  pe°rsuade  his  men  to  stay;  notwith- 

I.    On    trial,    sumar.t    it)   nnv  aniua          immrinn   tl-,nt        ».,.,, i; —  ...u:_ u  .1 i  i  ..  .    ,-     .  J  J 


hend  that  matter  is  fully  guarded  against  by  the  method 
pointed  out  by  the  sixth  resolve  of  Congress,  of  July  17,  on 
the  subject  of  the  General  Hospital.  The  first  method  would 
give  the  greatest  satisfaction,  not  only  to  the  regimental  Sur- 
geons, but  to  the  officers  and  to  the  men;  and  an  experi- 
ment would  be  made  of  the  real  expense  attending  Regimen- 
tal Hospitals,  and  every  cause,  or  even  shadow  of  complaint, 
vanish.  It  would  encourage  the  soldier  in  his  duty;  and  if 
it  is  found,  on  trial,  subject  to  any  abuse,  I  imagine  that 
abuse  could  be  easily  remedied  by  future  regulations,  or  a 
stoppage  in  the  men's  pay  at  the  time  of  a  new  inlistment. 

The  present  increase  of  the  sick  is  a  serious  matter,  and 
requires  a  speedy  remedy.  I  regret  the  calling  for  your 
Excellency's  attention  (for  ever  so  short  a  time)  to  my  de- 
partment ;  but  I  flatter  myself  the  importance  of  the  sub- 
ject, and  the  advantages  which  may  accrue  to  the  service 
from  it,  will  evince  the  necessity,  and  be  a  sufficient  apology 
for  it. 

I  remain,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  very  hum- 
ble servant, 

JOHN  MORGAN. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


418 

Seymour  and  those  of  his  officers  I  saw,  to  induce  them  to 
tarry;  but  if  they  were  determined  to  return,  not  to  do  it 
without  the  General's  permission  in  writing.  In  consequence 
of  which,  application  was  made  to  the  General,  who  wrote 
a  letter  to  Colonel  Seymour,  which  I  have  not  seen,  but  have 
it  from  the  Colonel  that  it  contained  in  substance  the  decla- 
ration made  to  him  the  night  before,  and  that  he  had  used 


GENERAL  WADSWORTH  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New- York,  July  18,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  As  I  have  the  honour  to  command  a 
brigade  of  Militia  from  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  I  think  it 
my  duty  to  give  such  information  from  time  to  time  as  may 
relate  to  the  interest  or  honour  of  the  Colony.  I  am  there- 
fore to  inform  your  Honour,  that  on  the  8th  instant  Colonel 
Seymour  arrived  here,  and  informed  the  General  that  a  body 
of  about  five  hundred  of  the  Troop  of  Horse  from  Connecticut 
had  arrived  near  this  city,  and  also  showed  him  his  instruc- 
tions. The  evening  following,  at  a  meeting  of  the  General 
Officers,  the  matter  was  under  consideration,  when  it  was 


standing  which  they  have  almost  all  left  this  city. 

The  troops  are  almost  daily  arriving  from  Connecticut  in 
small  parties,  which  makes  it  difficult  to  ascertain  the  number 
every  day.  I  hope  they  will  soon  be  completed — an  event 
much  to  be  wished,  under  our  present  circumstances. 

Last  Friday  two  ships  passed  all  our  batteries,  up  the 
North  River,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  our  guns,  which  they 
returned  without  any  loss  on  our  side,  except  six  men  by 
an  accident  in  firing  one  of  our  cannon.  What  damage  the 
ships  sustained  I  cannot  learn,  or  how  far  they  are  go'ne  up 
the  river. 

Two  flags  have  come  from  the  fleet,  but  the  letters  not 
being  properly  addressed,  were  not  received.  The  officers 
in  one  of  them  were  very  polite,  and  one  of  them  said  Lord 
Howe  was  very  unhappy  that  he  did  not  arrive  a  few  days 
sooner. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  respect,  your  Honour's  most 
obedient,  humble  servant, 

JAMES  WADSWORTH. 

To  the  Hon.  Governour  Tmmbull. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  a  line  from  Colonel  Webb  last  evening, 
directing  me  to  inquire  how  many  ships  had  passed  the 
Narrows.  Colonel  Hand  reported  one  yesterday  morning, 


— orallUIIj    WlJCn     1C   W3.S  m^tmnfmw**   v/nv*   j^oiu/iuaj'    ujvlUUlKj 

unanimously  agreed  that  the  men  were  much  wanted  here  •     wr"ch  I  thought  was  reported  in  my  morning's  report,  and 
but,  as  Troopers,  could  be  of  no  service  in  case  of  an  attack      ''"'t  's  not  reP°rted  there,  it  was  an  omission  of  mine.     I 


and  that  those  men  who  were  not  armed  with  carbines,  or 
good  fire-arms,  should  return  to  Connecticut  with  the  horses, 
as  forage  for  them  could  not  be  had  here,  and  that  the  de- 
tachment whilst  here  should  do  duty  in  the  brigade  under  my 
command.  And  thereupon  I  received  the  General's  com- 
mand to  acquaint  Colonel  Seymour  with  said  resolution  next 
morning,  which  I  accordingly  did;  when  he  informed  me  he 
thought  it  would  be  disagreeable  to  his  party  to  leave  their 
horses,  but  said  he  would  return  to  them  and  sound  their 
minds;  when  a  plan  of  sending  their  horses,  at  their  own 
expense,  (or  trust  the  Colony  to  reimburse  them,)  so  far  back 
as  not  to  prejudice  the  foraging  of  the  Army,  was  proposed, 
and,  as  I  understood  by  Colonel  Seymour,  was  approved  by 
the  General;  and  thereupon,  upon  the  10th  instant,  they 


beg  your  Excellency  to  examine  it.  Colonel  Hand  reported 
at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  that  a  brigantine  had  gone 
down  towards  the  Hook;  and  that  the  ship  that  went  through 
the  Narrows  in  the  morning,  had  come  to,  off  New- Utrecht 
shore.  At  seven  in  the  evening,  he  reported  that  the  ship 
had  gone  down  to  the  Hook,  and  that  the  enemy  were 
intrenching  on  the  heights  of  Staten-Island. 

The  two  last  reports  I  did  not  come  to  the  knowledge  of 
until  within  night."  I  went  over  to  the  city  at  five,  and  did 
not  return  until  eight.  I  thought  it  would  be  too  late  to  get 
them  to  Head-Quarters  seasonably,  therefore  concluded  to 
report  them  in  the  morning. 

I  have  not  received  Colonel  Hand's  morning  report  yet. 
I  was  down  at  Red-Hook  about  sunrise,  and  saw  a  sloop 


—  --  £.u * .  j      «t»vyii      u*V      J.  Will      I  llo  lil  [  1  L,    LlJtry 

marched  into  the  city,  were  barracked,  drew  provision  am-  stretching  down  towards  the  Narrows.  Nothing  extraor- 
munition,  See.  Yet  many  of  the  officers  objected  to 'their  Binary  nas  happened  the  last  twenty-four  hours.  Our  out- 
being  subjected  to  fatigue  duty,  on  account  of  their  clothin^  •  guards  suspect  that  there  are  spies  about  the  camp.  The 
but  were  answered,  that  a  partial  treatment  of  the  several  parts'  sentrles  have  fired  half-a-dozen  times  a  night  the  three  pre- 
of  the  Army  would  create  jealousy,  animosity  and  strife  and  ceding  nights. 


of  the  Army  would  create  jealousy,  animosity  and  strife,  and  -—*  --  o— 

would  produce  great  mischief  in  the  Army.     Little  duty  Colonel  Hand's  morning  report  is  this  moment  come  in ; 

was  required  of  them  till  the  16th  instant   when  a  number  ne  mentioned  everything  continues  in  the  same  situation  as 

were  warned  out  to  mount  guard,  who  complied;  a  number  'ast  evenmgj  except  the  sloop  going  through  the  Narrows, 

of  others  being  ordered  on  fatigue  duty  did  not' go.     The  tnat  *  observed  from  Red-Hook. 

same  day  I  received  a  writing,  addressed  to  me,  signed  by  *  wrote  to  your  Excellency  yesterday  morning  that  I 

Colonel  Seymour  and  some  of  the  principal  officers  of  the  thought  it  would  be  an  advisable  measure  to  have  Cobble- 

Troop,  representing,  that  by  the  laws  of  the  Colony  of  Con-  ^M  fixed  upon  to  give  notice  by  the  fire  of  one,  two,  or 

necticut,  the  Troop  were  not  obliged  to  do  garrison  duty  or  tnree  Suns> tnat  the  enemy  had  landed  on  this  Island.     Colo- 

on  foot,  yet  were  willing  to  mount  guard,  but  could  not  nel  ^a7^  wrote  me  an  answer  to  tnat  proposition,  and  said 

consent  to  do  fatigue  duty,  and  unless  exempted  therefrom  your  Excellency  had  no  objection.     If  it  is  to  alarm  the 

should  presume  they  were  at  liberty  to  return  home      Which  camP  on  your  s'de> ll  should  be  mentioned  in  general  orders, 

writing,  by  reason  of  the  General's  absence  and  my  tour  of  that  the  guards  may  g°vern  themselves  accordingly.     We 

duty  that  day,  was  not  communicated  to  the  General  till  don't  want  !t  to  alarm  this  camP.;  what  I  proposed  it  for 

done  by  Colonel  Seymour  in  the  evening,  when  the  Gene-  was'  to  give  your  Excellency  earlier  intelligence  than  could 

ral,  as  Colonel  Seymour  informed  me,  said  he  could  make  be  done  by  exPress.>  and   the  express  to  follow  with  the 

no  distinction  in  favour  of  any  one  part  of  the  Army  on  this  Pa.rticu.lars-  J  submit  it  to  your  Excellency's  further  con- 
ground,  but  offered  Colonel  Seymour's  regiment  liberty  of 
going  to  Bergen  Point  in  the  Jerseys,  to  relieve  Colonel 
Bradley's  regiment,  which  is  there  at  present.  To  this  it 
was  objected  many  of  them  had  no  blankets.  The  General 
replied,  if  they  had  not  blankets,  they  could  not  go;  and 
further  added,  if  they  would  not  submit  to  the  duty  in  camp, 
in  common  with  others  in  the  Army,  he  did  not  care  how 
soon  they  returned  home.  Being  advised  of  what  had 


Particu.lars- 
sideration- 

*  am'      •     a11  due  resPect>  y°ur  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dlent'  numble  servant>  N.  GREENE. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 

New-York. 


New-York,  Thursday,  July  125,  1776. 

.  ng  avse     o    wat     a  On  Thursday  last,  pursuant  to  a  resolve  of  the  Repre- 

passed,  1  suggested  every  argument  I  was  able,  to  Colonel     sentatives  of  the  Colony  of  New-York,  sitting  in  Congress, 
FIFTH  SERIES.  —  VOL.  I.  27 


419 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


420 


the  Proclamation  issued  at  Philadelphia  the  4th  instant,  by 
the  Continental  Congress,  declaring  ihe  Thirteen  United 
Colonies  to  be  free  and  independent  States,  was  read  and 
published  at  the  City-Hall,  when  a  number  of  true  friends 
to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  America  attended,  and  signified 
their  approbation  by  loud  acclamations.  After  which,  the 
British  arms  from  over  the  seat  of  justice  in  the  Court- 
House  was  taken  down,  exposed,  torn  to  pieces,  and  burnt. 
Another  British  arms,  wrought  in  stone,  in  the  front  of  the 
pediment  without,  was  thrown  to  the  ground  and  broken  to 
pieces,  and  the  picture  of  King  George  III,  which  had  been 
placed  in  the  Council-Chamber,  was  thrown  out,  broken, 
torn  to  pieces,  and  burnt,  of  all  which  the  people  testified 
their  approbation  by  repeated  huzzas.  The  same  day,  we 
hear,  the  British  arms  from  all  the  Churches  in  the  city  were 
ordered  to  be  removed  and  destroyed. 


New-York,  July  18,  1776. 

Under  a  tyrannical  Government  it  generally  happens  that 
the  officers  in  Administration,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest, 
are  a  set  of  villains,  who  countenance  and  support  each 
other  in  every  species  of  oppression,  injury,  and  abuse  of 
the  unhappy  people  who  fall  into  their  clutches.  The  laws, 
even  those  that  were  well  intended,  in  the  hands  of  such 
officers,  are  only  instruments  of  oppression,  but  afford  no 
protection  from  it.  Of  this,  the  following  Narrative  of  Cap- 
tain Robert  Campbell  affords  a  remarkable  instance,  and  is 
a  slight  specimen  of  what  every  American  might  expect,  if 
ever  these  Colonies  should  again  fall  under  subjection  to  the 
tyrannical  power  of  Great  Britain  or  any  other  State  or 
person. 

Narrative  of  the  case  of  Captain  ROBERT  CAMPBELL,  of 

NEW-YORK. 

On  the  24th  of  October,  1775,  Captain  Robert  Campbell, 
master  of  the  sloop  America,  having  on  board  sixty-five 
hogsheads  of  sugar,  a  mare,  and  a  chariot,  shipped  by  and 
belonging  to  inhabitants  of  St.  Croix,  sailed  from  that 
place,  bound  to  New-York,  where  he  intended  to  pay  the 
duties,  having  refused  other  freight  offered,  on  condition  of 
his  attempting  to  run  it  at  New-York.  Meeting  with  bad 
weather  soon  after  he  sailed,  his  vessel  and  rigging  received 
some  damage.  On  the  24th  November,  latitude  35°,  longi- 
tude 68°,  he  was  brought  to  by  the  Viper  sloop-of-war, 
Captain  Graves,  who  sent  for  and  examined  him,  looked 
over  his  papers,  and  returned  them,  saying  he  would  put  an 
officer  on  board  to  keep  the  sloop  by  him,  as  he  was  going 
to  New-York ;  but  soon  after  took  the  papers  again,  saying 
he  would  enclose  and  send  them  to  Boston,  where  sugars 
bore  a  better  price  than  at  New-  York.  However,  he  assured 
Captain  Campbell  that  if  his  vessel  had  no  powder  on  board 
she  should  not  be  condemned.  Some  time  after  Captain 
Campbell  was  returned  to  his  sloop,  the  man-of-war's  boat 
came  again,  with  a  message  from  Captain  Graves,  demand- 
ing Captain  CampbelPs  sword  and  pistols,  which  the  officer 
having  received,  took  of  hrs  own  accord  a  small  box,  con- 
taining six  bottles  of  castor  oil  and  a  small  cup  of  jelly; 
meanwhile  the  men  were  not  idle,  but,  like  their  officer,  took 
many  little  things  that  lay  in  their  way,  and  broke  open  a 
cask  of  sugar,  from  which  they  stole  as  much  as  they  could 
conveniently  hide  from  their  superior  thief.  Captain  Graves, 
as  he  proceeded  in  villany,  growing  more  callous,  now 
demanded  and  took  away  Captain  CampbelFs  mate  and 
people,  putting  five  of  his  own  men  on  board  in  their  stead, 
with  orders  to  steer  N.N.E.  for  Boston.  Soon  after  setting 
sail,  Captain  Campbell  perceived  that  neither  of  Graves's 
men  understood  working  the  vessel  nor  taking  an  observa- 
tion, and  told  them  that  as  they  proceeded  they  would  never 
reach  Boston.  On  the  30th  of  November,  all  the  provisions 
the  Viper's  men  had  brought  being  expended,  and  having 
only  ninety  pounds  of  bread  on  board  the  sloop,  which  he 
observed  the  men  used  very  lavishly,  he  proposed  dividing 
it  among  them,  which  was  done,  and  amounted  to  about  ten 
pounds  each  man.  The  sun  not  having  appeared  for  five 
days,  they  now  stood  south,  and  continued  so  three  days,  to 
latitude  35°  11';  then  put  it  to  vote  whether  to  go  on  the 
coast  or  to  the  nearest  port.  The  bad  condition  of  the  vessel 
and  shortness  of  bread  and  water  induced  Captain  Campbell 
to  vote  for  the  nearest  port ;  which  being  agreed  to,  they 
sailed  for  Bermuda  three  days,  but  not  being  able  to  reach 
it,  the  officer  ordered  his  second  to  sail  for  Antigua,  whe 


ire, 


with  Captain  Campbelfs  best  assistance,  they  arrived  in  St. 
John's  harbour  the  21st 'day  of  December  last.  On  the 
day  of  his  arrival,  the  vessel  was  seized  by  a  custom-house 
officer,  on  suspicion  of  having  on  board  foreign  rum  and 
sugar.  Captain  Campbell  then  entered  his  protest  against 
Graves  and  the  custom-house  for  all  losses,  fee.,  occasioned 
by  the  detention,  seizure,  &,c.  Captain  Campbell  perceiving 
his  vessel  detained,  and  no  likelihood  of  any  redress,  applied 
for  advice  to  a  lawyer,  one  Philip  Hicks,  who,  on  his  behalf, 
drew  up  and  presented  a  petition  to  the  Honourable  Robert 
Christian,  Esq.,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Vice  Admiralty  for 
the  Island  of  Antigua,  reciting  the  foregoing  particulars,  and 
setting  forth  the  great  injury  he  had  sustained  in  his  property, 
and  the  many  personal  insults  he  had  suffered  by  oppro- 
brious language,  &c.;  that  though  Captain  Graves  was 
arrived,  and  pretended  the  sloop  America  and  her  cargo 
were  lawful  prize,  yet  he  had  instituted  no  process,  nor  taken 
any  step  towards  her  condemnation ;  the  petition,  therefore, 
prayed  that  the  Judge  would  issue  a  monition  against  him 
and  all  other  persons  concerned  in  the  seizure  and  detention, 
Stc.,  citing  them  to  appear  at  a  certain  day,  and  answer  to 
the  complaint  against  their  conduct  respecting  the  said  sloop. 
The  Judge  granted  the  petition,  and  appointed  the  26th 
day  of  January  for  holding  a  Court  of  Admiralty,  for  the 
purposes  mentioned  in  the  petition.  After  this  monition, 
Graves  found  it  necessary  to  bestir  himself,  in  order  to  secure 
the  plunder  (which,  by  an  act  of  piracy,  he  had  violently 
taken  from  an  innocent  man,  and  the  right  owner,)  from 
being  wrested  out  of  his  rapacious  hands.  He  therefore 
applies  first  to  the  officers  of  the  custom-house,  who  had, 
as  well  as  himself,  seized  the  vessel,  and  as  they  no  doubt 
agreed  to  share  the  plunder  between  them,  they  jointly 
concurred  in  a  letter  to  the  Attorney-General,  who  was  also 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  the  King's  Proctor,  of  which 
Letter  the  following  is  the  substance,  viz: 

"  To  Thomas  Warner,  Esq.: 

"  What  can  or  shall  we  do  with  the  vessel  we  have  taken, 
brought  into  port,  and  seized?  Though  her  papers  are 
good,  and  she  has  not  broken  any  of  the  acts  of  trade,  neither 
is  there  anything  on  board  that  will  confiscate  her,  but  her 
owners  are  in  a  state  of  rebellion  against  the  King  and  his 
Parliament." 

The  Attorney  had  as  yet  come  upon  no  terms  with  them, 
and  therefore  it  was  necessary  he  should  let  them  know  his 
importance,  in  order  to  enhance  his  share  in  the  plunder. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  Answer : 

"Though  you  have  the  vessel  in  port,  and  you  actually 
know  that  her  owners  are  in  a  state  of  rebellion  against  the 
King  and  Parliament  and  his  troops,  yet  their  goods  and 
effects  cannot  be  forfeited  nor  confiscated  before  they  are 
convicted  or  fled." 

What  secret  measures  were  taken  after  this  to  induce  the 
Attorney-General  to  become  an  accomplice  in  the  villany, 
we  know  not;  but  that  he  did  become  an  accomplice, 
appears  from  the  part  he  afterwards  acted  in  the  business. 
In  order  to  embarrass  Captain  Campbell,  and  put  it  out  of 
his  power  to  prosecute  his  suit,  two  of  his  sailors,  Thomas 
Pacey  and  John  Lawrence,  were  tampered  with,  treated, 
and  intoxicated,  when  they  were  suborned  to  swear,  on  the 
23d  January  last,  before  the  same  most  conscientious  Attor- 
ney, Proctor,  Justice,  &tc.,  Thomas  Warner,  Esq.,  (at  least 
so  he  certifies,)  that  Captain  Campbell  had  to  each  of  them 
acknowledged,  that  since  the  rebellion  in  North  America  he 
had  served  as  an  artillery  soldier  in  the  Rebel  Army,  and 
that  when  he  was  at  New-York  and  St.  Croix  he  wore  a 
cockade  in  his  hat.  Therefore,  he  (the  illustrious  Thomas 
Warner,  Esq.)  issued  a  warrant  to  John  Jackson,  Constable, 
requiring  him  to  take  up  and  keep  in  safe  custody  the  said 
Captain  Campbell,  till  he  should  be  dealt  with  as  the  law 
directs.  After  this  warrant  was  served  on  Captain  Camp- 
bell, he  was  not  immediately  put  under  close  confinement,  as 
might  have  been  expected  from  the  tenour  of  the  warrant, 
but  suffered  to  go  at  large  for  several  days,  no  doubt  to  give 
him  an  opportunity  to  go  off,  if  lie  chose  to  do  so,  because, 
in  that  case,  by  the  new  act,  the  vessel  and  cargo  becomes 
forfeited.  But  Captain  Campbell,  aware  of  the  snare,  made 
no  effort  to  go  off,  but,  on  the  contrary,  urged  on  his  suit. 
Finding  this  plan  ineffectual,  it  was  dropped,  and  recourse 
had  to  another.  He  was  now  taken  up,  and  closely  confined 
in  a  jail  with  felons,  at  a  short  allowance  of  raw  provisions, 


421 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


422 


which  were  to  be  dressed  by  the  common  negro  hangman ; 
and  under  this  rigorous  and  ignominious  confinement  and 
treatment  he  continued  for  eight  weeks  and  three  days, 
during  whicli  time,  and  afterwards,  till  his  departure,  he  was 
treated  with  continual  insults  and  the  utmost  contempt,  being 
shunned  by  the  men  with  whom  he  had  been  acquainted, 
who  would  scarcely  deign  to  speak  to  him ;  some,  indeed, 
told  him  that  they  should  give  offence  to  their  superiors  if 
they  showed  him  any  countenance ;  and  one  considerable 
merchant,  with  whom  he  had  often  done  business,  told  him 
that  he  feared  his  coming  to  his  house  would  expose  him  to 
censure,  and  be  a  disadvantage  to  him  ;  after  which  Captain 
Campbell  never  went  near  him.     During  this  time,  (on  a 
combination  of  all  the  villains  concerned,)  there  was  exhi- 
bited (on  the  9th  of  March,  1776)  against  the  vessel  and 
cargo  a  libel,  which  was  designedly  made  a  false  one ;  that 
upon  its  being  proved  false  another  might  immediately  take 
place,  upon  another  act,  which  was  not  in  force  till  after  the 
commencement  of  the  first  process.     In  the  libel,  the  seizure 
of  the  vessel  by  the  Viper,  which  was  on  the  24th  Novem- 
ber, (when  no  act  by  which  it  could  be  seized  was  in  force,) 
was  set  forth  to  be  on  the  6th  of  January,  when  the  act  for 
seizing  American  vessels  was  in  force.     After  the  (allega- 
tion or)  libel  above  mentioned  was  issued,  (signed  by  George 
William  Jackson,  Register  in  Admiralty,)  Mr.  Hicks,  (before 
mentioned,)  Captain  Campbell's  attorney,  acquainted  him 
by  note  that  he  (Mr.  Hicks)  was  employed  to  prosecute  the 
claim  of  Mrs.  Alklta  Heyliger,  for  twenty-eight  hogsheads 
of  sugar,  her  property,  (part  of  the  sixty-five,)  on  board  the 
America ;  that  he  was  clear  the  vessel  could  not  be  con- 
demned, and  advises  Captain  Campbell  to  put  in  his  claim, 
and  give  security  as  the  law  directs.     It  appears  by  a  note 
of  Isaac  Harvey,  that  he  had  provided  security  for  the  vessel, 
and  Captain  Campbell  was  at  liberty  to  take  every  advan- 
tage on  that  account  that  the  law  would  afford  him.     On 
the  3d  of  May  came  on  the  trial ;  when,  after  a  full  exami- 
nation and  hearing,  the  judgment  sets  forth  "  the  claim  of 
Mrs.  Heyliger,  that  it  was  allowed,  and  her  property  ordered 
to  be  restored ;  but  that,  no  other  claim  being  made,  the 
Court,  as  their  definitive  sentence,  declared  the  sloop  Ame- 
rica, her  tackle,  apparel,  and  furniture,  and  the  lading  on 
board,  (except  Mrs.  Heyliger  s  twenty-eight  hogsheads  of 
sugar,)  to  be  condemned  as  lawful  prize,  for  the  use  of  the 
captors."     The  night  before  the  trial,  Mr.  Hicks,  the  law- 


Fee  per  docket £2     4     3J 

Writing  four  notes  to  the  Judges  and  Attorney- 
General,  at  3*.  4d.  each 0134 

Writ  of  habeas  corpus      - 068 

Constable's  (Jackson)  trouble  for  apprehending 
you  for  treasonable  practices,  and  bringing 
you  before  Mr.  Warner 1104 


£10 

A  Note  sent  with  the  Constable's  account : 
"  Mr.  WARNER  sends  his  compliments  to  Captain  Camp- 
bell, and  if  he  will  not  pay  Mr.  Jackson's  account,  Mr.  War- 
ner may  issue  his  warrant  to  compel  him  to  do  it." 


N.  WOODHULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York   ) 

White-Plains,  July  18,  1776.    '  \ 

SIR:  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  your  Excellency  a  copy 
of  a  letter  this  moment  received  from  Colonel  Van  Cort- 
landt  and  Captain  Zephaniah  Platl,  who  were  sent  from  this 
Convention  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  and  stationing 
the  Militia  that  might  come  down  from  the  country  to  "uard 
the  river,  and  assist  the  other  Militia  at  the  forts  in  the  High- 
lands. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  servant, 

By  order:  NATHANIEL  WOODHULL,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  at  Head-Quarters, 
New-York. 


yer,  who  appeared  to  be  very  intimate  with  Mr.  Christian, 
the  Judge,  was  a  long  time  in  close  conversation  with  him. 
Mr.  Hicks  told  Captain  Campbell  that  he  had  said,  if  a  claim 
for  the  vessel  and  remainder  of  the  cargo  should  be  made 
by  Captain  Campbell,  it  would  have  been  allowed  in  Court, 
and  the  whole  restored;  but  if  it  should  be  done,  prepara- 
tions were  made  to  exhibit  another  libel  immediately  on  the 
new  act,  which  would  certainly  have  produced  a  condemna- 
tion of  the  vessel  and  cargo,  at  fifty  or  one  hundred  pounds 
more  expense ;  so  that,  by  Mr.  Hicks's  advice,  Captain 
Campbell  thought  proper  to  waive  his  claim,  and  acquiesce 
in  the  judgment.  The  custom-house  officer  had  thought 
proper  to  quit  his  claim  on  the  seizure  he  had  made  of  the 
vessel,  which  being  at  that  time  in  custody  of  the  man-of- 
war,  was  of  no  real  damage  to  Captain  Campbell,  and  there- 
fore he  could  recover  no  damage  on  that  account;  and  of 
the  Captain  of  the  man-of-war  none  could  be  recovered 
because,  by  the  act,  no  damage  shall  be  recovered  of  any 
persons  seizing  vessels,  though  it  should  appear  on  trial  that 
the  seizure  had  been  illegally  made,  and  the  vessel  should 
be  cleared.  Thus  every  way  was  Captain  Campbell  cut  off 
from  any  redress;  and  after  suffering  a  long  and  cruel  im- 
prisonment and  innumerable  insults,  was  obliged  to  acquiesce 
in  the  loss  of  vessel  and  cargo,  without  the  breach  of  any 
law,  even  those  oppressive  and  tyrannical  laws  of  our  ene- 
mies themselves. 

The  following  Accounts  were  for  charges  on  the  imprison- 
ment of  his  person : 

Captain  Robert  Campbell 

1776.  To  the  Hon.  Robert  Christian,  Esq.,  Dr. 

March  28.  My  fee  for  calling  and  attending  a 

special  Court  to  admit  you  to  bail     -     -     -£5     0     0 
March  28.  For  summoning  three  Judges  and 

the  Attorney-General,  at  3s.  6d.  each    -     -     014     0 
March  28.  A  writ  of  habeas  corpus  to  produce 

your  person  in  Court 039 


P.  VAN  CORTLANDT  AND  Z.  PLATT  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Peekskill,  July  18,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We    proceeded,  in  consequence  of  your 
orders,  up  the  river.     When  we  came  to  Croton,  found  the 
ships  anchored   in  Haverstraw  Bay.     We  posted  Colonel 
Hammond,  with  one  hundred  and  forty  men,  on  the  banks 
of  the  river  to  the  best  advantage,  and  proceeded  to  Peeks- 
kill,  rallying,  as  we  went  along,  the  people  near  the  river,  to 
keep  out  proper  sentries  along  the  river  to  watch  the  motions 
of  the  enemy.     As  soon  as  we  came  here,  we  despatched 
an  express  to  Dutchess  County  to  call  in  half  of  the  Militia, 
and  forwarded  your  letter  to  Captain  Van  Zandt,  &c.;  at 
the  same  time  sent  out  for  half  of  the  Militia  of  Cortlandt's 
Manor  to  march  immediately  to  this  place.     Wednesday 
morning  went  over  to  Fort  Montgomery,  to  confer  with 
General  Clinton,  where,  to  our  great  joy,  we  found  six  hun- 
dred of  the  Militia  of  Orange  and  Ulster  Counties,  and  great 
numbers  had  been  sent  back,  all  in  high  spirits.     We  then 
returned  back,  in  order  to  go  up  to  Fort  Constitution,  but, 
on  our  return,  being  informed  that  a  number  of  troops  were 
within  six  or  eight  miles  of  this  from  Connecticut,  we  thought 
prudent  to  stay  until  they  came,  in  order  to  provide  for  them 
and  fix  their  stations.     About  this  period,  one  of  the  tenders 
hove  in  sight,  beating  up  into  Peekskill  Bay.     She  beat  up 
within  about  two  miles  of  Fort  Montgomery,  and  then  bore 
away  and  stood  down  the  river,  when  our  people  at  the  fort 
fired  one  gun  at  her.     She  ran  round  the  point  of  the  Dun- 
derbergh,  sent  her  barge  ashore  and  plundered  a  poor  man's 
house  and  garden,  stole  a  hog,  and  put  off.     As  she  went 
down  between  Verplanck's  Point  and  the  west  shore,  our 
men  galled  them  much  with  their  musketry.     The  tender,  in 
her  turn,  returned  a  heavy  fire  with  her  cannon,  but  did  no 
damage  that  we  have  heard  of.     About  three  o'clock  Major 
Gay,  of  Sharon,  came  in  with  two  hundred  and  sixty  men. 
Soon  after,  General  Ten  Broeck,  from  Dutchess,  and  General 
Fellows,  from  Massachusetts,  arrived,  with    part  of  their 
brigades,  and  many  more  are  on  their  march.     We  sent  an 
express  last  evening  to  General  Clinton,  to  send  for  Colonel 
Clinton  to  meet  us  at  Fort  Montgomery  at  ten  o'clock  this 
morning,  to  confer  with  us  and  Generals  Ten  Broeck  and 
Fellows,  in  order  to  form  a  general  plan  of  operation.     The 
returns  are  not  properly  made  out  as  yet,  but  conclude  there 
are  about  six  hundred  men  now  here,  and  expect  there  will 
be,  by  night,  twelve  hundred. 

From,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants, 

PIERRE  VAN  CORTLANDT, 
ZEPH.  PLATT. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Representatives  for  the  State  of  Neiv-  York 


423 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


424 


COMMITTEE  OF  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION    TO  GENERAL  WASH- 
INGTON. 

Fort  Montgomery,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  We  informed  your  Excellency  of  our  appointment, 
in  consequence  of  which  we  took  a  survey  of  the  fortresses 
in  the  Highlands.  We  are  extremely  sorry  to  say  that,  not- 
withstanding their  importance  and  advantageous  situation, 
they  are  by  no  means  in  a  proper  posture  of  defence.  Part 
of  the  few  cannon  at  Fort  Constitution  were  sent  away,  and 
the  whole  number  now  there,  and  at  Fort  Montgomery,  are 
not  sufficient;  this  want,  we  suppose,  your  Excellency  will 
be  unable  to  supply;  we  have,  therefore,  sent  for  those  that 
were  designed  for  the  ships  that  are  building  at  Pouglikeepsie; 
but  if  we  should  obtain  them,  they  will  be  of  little  use  unless 
some  Matrosses  can  be  spared  from  New-York,  since  there 
are  only  fourteen  at  both  forts.  If  your  Excellency  could 
spare  a  few  howitzers,  they  might  be  of  singular  use  at  this 
place.  A  skilful  engineer  could  be  at  no  place  more  ser- 
viceable than  here,  as  many  small  posts  which  command  this 
ought  to  be  fortified.  We  cannot  think  the  garrison  by  any 
means  proportioned  to  the  extent  of  the  works  or  the  impor- 
tance of  the  place.  We  know  the  difficulty  that  your  Ex- 
cellency will  find  in  supplying  these  wants;  yet  we  cannot 
but  suggest  them,  since  we  are  satisfied  that  even  if  the 
enemy  should  be  defeated  at  New-York,  they  might  take 
such  posts  here  as  we  should  find  it  impossible  to  dispossess 
them  of. 

We  remain,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excellency's 
most  obedient,  humble  servants, 

ROBERT  YATES, 
JOHN  JAY, 

ROBERT  R.  LIVINGSTON, 
CHRISTOPHER  TAPPEN, 
GILBERT  LIVINGSTON. 

To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq.,  at  New-  York. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above,  we  have  been  informed 
that  the  Salisbury  furnace,  at  which  place  the  cannon  are 
cast,  is  under  the  direction  of  the  Government  of  Connecti- 
cut; so  that  we  have  some  doubt  whether  we  can  procure 
those  for  which  we  wrote,  unless  your  Excellency  will  be 
pleased  to  lend  us  your  assistance,  by  writing  to  Governour 
Trumbull  on  the  subject. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German-Flats,  July  18,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  General  Washington  has  enclosed  me  the 
Declaration  of  Congress  of  the  4th  instant,  declaring  the 
American  Colonies  free  and  independent  States;  and  directed 
that  it  should  be  proclaimed  throughout  the  Northern  Army; 
for  which  purpose  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  it  to  you. 

Fifty  carpenters  from  Connecticut  I  hope  have  reached 
Skenesborough  by  this  time,  and  a  like  number  from  Phila- 
delphia are,  1  hope,  on  the  point  of  arriving.  Fifty  more 
are  to  come  from  the  Massachusetts,  and  as  many  from  Rhode 
Island.  To  employ  all  these  to  advantage  will  require  great 
exertions.  I  wish,  therefore,  that  General  Arnold  should 
pay  a  visit  to  Skenesborough,  and  arrange  matters  there. 

General  Washington  has  ordered  three  of  the  fullest  regi- 
ments from  Boston  to  join  you;  these,  with  the  Militia,  will, 
I  hope,  give  us  a  superiority,  and  enable  us  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  doing  anything  decisive  in  that  quarter. 

I  have  ordered  all  the  lead  at  Albany  to  be  cast  into  balls 
of  various  sizes,  and  into  buckshot. 

General  Washington  writes  me  that  Congress  "have  de- 
termined the  matter  between  Mr.  Trumbull  and  Mr.  Living- 
ston, and  decided  the  right  of  supplying  the  Northern  Army, 
and  appointing  persons  for  that  purpose,  to  be  in  the  former." 
I  mention  this  that  you  may  conduct  yourself  accordingly 
upon  any  application  in  the  Commissary -General's  branch. 

I  have  assured  Congress  and  General  Washington  that 
the  difference  in  opinion  between  you  and  me  had  not  caused 
the  least  ill  will,  or  interrupted  that  harmony  which  is  so 
essentially  necessary  to  subsist  between  their  officers;  and  I 
have  entreated  them  not  to  eniertain  an  uneasy  thought  on 
that  account,  for  that  a  good  understanding  will  be  carefully 
cultivated  between  us. 

Adieu,  my  dear  sir;  and  believe  me,  with  unfeigned  regard, 
most  sincerely  yours,  &ic.,  &c.,  &c.,        PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Honourable  General  Gates. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  18,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  the  16th,  and  your 
Honour  may  be  assured  I  shall  execute  your  orders  as  far  as 
lies  in  my  power.  I  would  inform  your  Honour  there  are  no 
troops  arrived  yet.  I  have  had  intelligence  of  their  being 
on  their  march  to  this  place,  and  hope  they  will  soon  arrive. 
I  have  a  small  party  now  clearing  out.  Wood  Creek,  and  a 
small  party  building  a  place  proper  to  keep  a  guard  on  the 
hill  east  of  the  mill,  and  the  rest  are  employed  in  getting 
timber  for  the  carpenters,  and  mills,  and  on  guard.  I  have 
not  men  sufficient  to  begin  the  fortification  on  the  west  side 
of  the  mills.  Your  Honour  will  see  by  the  return,  that  there 
are  but  few  men  here;  but  what  there  are  I  shall  endeavour 
to  keep  well  employed  ;  and  as  soon  as  others  come  in,  I  shall 
do  the  same  by  them.  I  have  picked  up  all  the  axes,  and  the 
blacksmiths  have  overhaled  them.  But  there  are  but  very 
few  here  in  the  whole.  I  shall  stand  in  great  need  of  tools 
at  the  arrival  of  the  troops. 

Sir,  I  shall  with  pleasure  receive  your  orders  as  you  see 
cause  to  send  them,  and  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  put  them 
into  execution,  agreeable  to  your  Honour's  expectation;  and 
am,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  Honour's  most  obedient, 

humble  servant,  ^          -..7 

UAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

P.  S.  Would  acquaint  your  Honour  there  were  thirteen 
carpenters  at  work  at  the  galley,  separate  from  Colonel 
Schuyltr's  company,  who  were  not  included  in  the  return, 
by  not  knowing  of  the  same  when  the  return  was  made  out. 

The  saw-mill  is  not  yet  got  at  work  on  accoQnt  of  a  mis- 
take in  the  irons,  and  I  was  obliged  to  send  them  here  to  get 
them  done.  They  are  now  altered  and  returned.  It  is  ex- 
pected the  mill  will  soon  get  at  work,  as  I  have  used  my 
utmost  endeavours  to  forward  the  thing.  I  have  this  moment 
received  your  favour,  per  Doctor  Ely,  and  everything  shall 
be  complied  with,  so  far  as  lies  in  my  power. 

Still  remain  yours,  &,c. 


RESOLUTIONS  FOR  ARREST    OF    SUSPECTED  PERSONS  IN  CON- 
NECTICUT. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Committee  of  Safety 
of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  held  at  Lebanon,  on  the  18th 
day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776: 

Whereas  many  persons  inimical  to  the  United  States  of 
America,  do  wander  from  place  to  place,  with  intent  to  spy 
out  the  state  of  the  Colonies,  and  give  intelligence  to  their 
enemies,  whereby  confederacies  may  be  formed  and  strength- 
ened, and  other  great  inconveniences  may  ensue  therefrom  : 
Which  to  prevent, 

Resolved,  That  no  person  or  persons  unknown  or  sus- 
pected, whether  they  appear  in  the  character  of  gentlemen, 
expresses,  travellers,  or  common  beggars,  be  permitted  to 
travel  or  pass  from  town  to  town  in  this  Colony,  unless  he 
or  they  can  and  do  produce  a  certificate  from  some  Con- 
gress, Committee  of  Safety  or  Inspection,  some  Magistrate, 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  or  General,  or  Field-Officer  in  the 
Army,  therein  mentioning  from  whence  and  to  what  place 
the  person  producing  the  same  is  travelling,  and  that  he  is 
friendly  to  the  liberties  of  the  American  States,  unless  he  be 
a  pei-son  well  known,  and  friendly  as  aforesaid. 

And  all  officers,  civil  and  military,  Selectmen,  Commit- 
tees of  Inspection,  Sheriffs,  Grand  Jurors,  and  Tythingmen 
in  this  Colony,  are  directed  to  require  every  person  travel- 
ling as  aforesaid,  to  produce  such  certificate,  and  to  stop  and 
examine  such  persons  travelling  without  such  certificate  as 
aforesaid;  and  unless  he  or  they  can  give  full  satisfaction 
that  he  or  they  are  pursuing  their  lawful  business,  and  are 
friendly  to  the  liberties  and  interests  of  the  United  American 
States,  and  has  no  design  to  hurt  or  injure  them  in  his  or 
their  journey,  that  they  apprehend  such  person  or  persons, 
and  him  or  them  carry  before  the  civil  authority,  Selectmen, 
or  Committee  of  Inspection  of  the  town  in  which  he  or  they 
shall  be  found,  to  be  further  examined  and  dealt  with  as  the 
nature  of  the  case,  in  his  or  their  opinion,  may  require. 

And  it  is  further  recommended  to  the  civil  authority  and 
Selectmen  of  the  larger  towns  in  this  Colony,  that  proper 
watches  and  wards  be  kept  in  suitable  places  in  said  towns, 
by  night,  to  apprehend  any  such  persons  as  aforesaid,  that 
may  travel  from  place  to  place,  and  practise  mischief  against 
this  or  the  rest  of  the  United  Colonies,  and  bring  theiu 


425 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


426 


before  proper  authority,  that  they  maybe  dealt  with  in  such 
manner  as  the  nature  of  their  several  cases  may  require. 
A  true  copy, 

Attest :  WILLIAM  WILLIAMS,  Clerk. 


TIMOTHY  PARKER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-London,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  Honour's  favour  of  the  lltli  instant, 
wherein  I  am  made  acquainted  with  my  appointment  to  the 
First  Lieutenancy  of  the  Colony  ship,  to  be  commanded  by 
Captain  William  Coit,  a  gentleman  1  much  esteem  for  his 
patriotick  principles,  as  well  as  the  bravery  and  valour  he 
hath  so  often  manifested  in  the  cause  of  this  our  much  in- 
jured and  oppressed  country. 

I  have  to  thank  your  Honour  and  his  Council  for  the 
good  opinion  they  must  entertain  of  my  skill  and  ability  in 
naval  affairs,  as  being  worthy  the  appointment. 

Sir,  I  am  diffident  of  my  own  ability  in  the  performance 
of  so  great  a  trust;  and  am  sorry  I  am  under  the  necessity 
of  declining  so  honourable  an  appointment,  for  reasons  (to 
me  of  weight)  already  communicated  to  Benjamin  Hun- 
tington, Esq.,  one  of  your  Honour's  Council. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  Honour's  and  Coun- 
cil's most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

TIMOTHY  PARKER. 
To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  TrumluU,  Esq.,  Lebanon. 


JEHIEL  TINKER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-London,  July  18,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  16th  instant, 
ordering  me  to  New-York. 

I  shall  be  ready  by  to-morrow  night,  if  the  small-arms  are 
ready,  that  I  am  to  apply  to  Colonel  Huntington  for.  I 
have  applied  for  them,  but  Colonel  Huntington  was  not  at 
home.  I  could  not  get  them.  There  is  a  postscript  on  the 
back  of  the  letter  your  Honour  sent  me,  informing  me  there 
is  a  letter  at  Lebanon  to  General  Washington,  which  I  shall 
wait  for.  I  have  got  on  board  three  cannon,  (nine-pounders,) 
of  the  five  that  were  here,  which  is  all  that  will  answer; 
and  two  three-pounders  out  of  the  old  fort.  I  should  be  glad 
if  your  Honour  would  give  me  an  order  on  Captain  Dicker- 
son,  at  Saybrook,  for  part  of  a  hogshead  of  rum  that  is 
there,  as  cider  is  very  scarce  and  dear,  and  it  is  likely  rum 
will  be  dear  at  New-York. 

From  your  most  humble  servant,       JEHIEL  TINKER. 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


Boston,  Thursday,  July  18,  1776. 

This  day,  pursuant  to  the  orders  of  the  honourable  Coun- 
cil, was  proclaimed,  from  the  balcony  of  the  State-House  in 
this  town,  the  Declaration  of  the  American  Congress,  ab- 
solving the  United  Colonies  from  their  allegiance  to  the 
British  Crown,  and  declaring  them  free  and  independent 
States. 

There  were  present  on  the  occasion,  in  the  Council  Cham- 
ber, the  Committee  of  Council,  a  number  of  the  Honourable 
House  of  Representatives,  the  Magistrates,  Ministers,  Se- 
lectmen, and  other  gentlemen  of  Boston  and  the  neighbour- 
ing towns;  also,  the  Commission  Officers  of  the  Continental 
Regiments  stationed  here,  and  other  officers.  Two  of  those 
regiments  were  under  arms  in  King  Street,  formed  into 
three  lines,  on  the  north  side  of  the  street,  and  into  thirteen 
divisions ;  and  a  detachment  from  the  Massachusetts  regi- 
ment of  Artillery,  with  two  pieces  of  cannon,  was  on  their 
right  wing.  At  one  o'clock  the  Declaration  was  proclaimed 
by  Colonel  Thomas  Crofts,  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 
Suffolk,  which  was  received  with  great  joy,  expressed  by 
three  huzzas  from  a  great  concourse  of  people  assembled  on 
the  occasion;  after  which,  on  a  signal  given,  thirteen  pieces 
of  cannon  were  fired  from  the  fort  on  Fort-Hill;  the  forts  at 
Dorchester-Neck,  the  Castle,  Nantasket,  and  Point-Alder- 
ton,  likewise  discharged  their  cannon  ;  then  the  detachment 
of  Artillery  fired  their  cannon  thirteen  times,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  two  regiments  giving  their  fire  from  the  thirteen 
divisions  in  succession.  These  firings  corresponded  to  the 
number  of  the  American  States  united.  The  ceremony  was 
closed  with  a  proper  collation  to  the  gentlemen  in  the  Coun- 
cil Chamber;  during  which,  the  following  Toasts  were  given 


by  the  President  of  the  Council,  and  heartily  pledged  by 
the  company,  viz : 

Prosperity  and  perpetuity  to  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica. 

The  American  Congress. 

The  General  Court  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 

General  Washington,  and  success  to  the  arms  of  the  Uni- 
ted States. 

The  downfall  of  tyrants  and  tyranny. 

The  universal  prevalence  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 

The  friends  of  the  United  States  in  all  quarters  of  the 
globe. 

The  bells  of  the  town  were  rung  on  the  occasion,  and 
undissembled  festivity  cheered  and  brightened  every  face. 

On  the  same  evening,  the  King's  arms,  and  every  sign 
with  any  resemblance  of  it,  whether  Lion  and  Crown,  Pestle 
and  Mortar  and  Crown,  Heart  and  Crown,  &z,c.,  together 
with  every  sign  that  belonged  to  a  Tory,  was  taken  down, 
and  made  a  general  conflagration  of  in  King  Street. 


Watertown,  Monday,  July  S3,  1776. 

Last  Thursday,  a  number  of  the  Members  of  the  Council, 
(who  were  prevented  attending  the  ceremony  of  proclaiming 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  at  Boston,  on  account  of 
the  small-pox  there,)  together  with  those  of  the  honourable 
House  of  Representatives  who  were  in  town,  and  a  number 
of  other  gentlemen,  assembled  at  the  Council  Chamber,  in 
this  town,  where  the  said  Declaration  was  also  proclaimed 
by  the  Secretary  from  one  of  the  windows;  after  which,  the 
gentlemen  present  partook  of  a  decent  collation  prepared  on 
the  occasion,  and  drank  a  number  of  constitutional  toasts,  and 
then  retired. 

On  the  same  day,  the  Tyrannicide  privateer,  in  the  ser- 
vice of  this  State,  commanded  by  John  Fisk,  carried  into 
Salem  an  armed  schooner  of  eight  carriage  and  twelve 
swivel  guns,  and  thirty  men,  which  he  took  off  George's 
Banks,  about  three  weeks  ago,  after  an  obstinate  engagement 
of  three  glasses.  The  schooner  belonged  to  and  sailed  with 
the  fleet  which  is  arrived  at  New-York,  and  was  one  of 
those  which  belonged  to  the  rear  division.  The  Tyranni- 
cide had  one  man  killed,  and  one  wounded,  and  was  much 
shattered;  but  is  now  refitting,  and  will  soon  be  ready  for 
another  cruise.  The  Captain  of  the  schooner  and  one  man 
were  killed ;  the  master  lost  one  arm,  and  about  ten  were 
wounded,  several  mortally. 

The  King's  arms  in  this  town  were,  on  Saturday  last, 
defaced. 

The  post  for  Crown-Point  sets  out  this  day  (and  every 
Monday)  at  ten  o'clock,  from  the  house  of  Mr.  Stephen 
Harris  in  this  town,  where  letters  are  to  be  sent,  in  order  to 
be  forwarded  gratis.  He  returns  on  Saturdays. 


TIMOTHY  PICKERING,  JUN.,  TO  RICHARD  DERBY. 

Salem,  July  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Selectmen  and  Committee  of 
Safety  of  this  town  to  inform  you,  that  the  inhabitants  are 
very  uneasy,  and  urge  the  erecting  a  gate  at  the  entrance 
of  the  town  to  secure  them  against  the  small-pox,  of  which 
they  think  themselves  in  danger,  by  means  of  persons  coining 
from  Boston  unexamined  and  uncleansed,  which  they  do 
to  this  day,  and  it  is  feared  will  continue  to  do,  unless 
the  honourable  Council  take  some  effective  order  to  prevent 
it.  Captain  Peek  tells  us  that  he  came  out  of  Boston  yes- 
terday, without  seeing  any  guard,  or  being  asked  a  question. 
If  there  be  a  continuance  of  such  carelessness  in  Boston,  the 
infection  may  be  spread  far  and  near,  and  a  great  many 
towns  put  to  a  very  great  expense  in  erecting  gates  and 
providing  guards.  The  Selectmen  and  Committee  pray  you 
to  use  your  endeavours  in  Council  that  effectual  measures 
be  taken  to  prevent  such  extensive  mischief.  The  Select- 
men and  Committee  are  also  desirous  that  the  poor  of  Boston 
may  be  removed  from  our  Hospital.  Their  continuance 
there  any  longer  will  be  attended  with  many  disadvantages 
to  the  town.  We  have  two  patients  already  with  the  natural 
small-pox,  and  we  expect  many  more.  It  is  no  longer 
expedient  to  remove  them  to  the  Neck,  because,  in  case  of 
an  alarm  in  that  quarter,  the  whole  country  would  be  in 
danger,  if  they  ventured  on  to  the  Neck,  and  perhaps  they 
would  refuse  to  go.  The  Court  of  Sessions  may  also  order 


427 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  tic.,  JULY,  1776. 


428 


it  to  be  used  as  a  County  Hospital.  There  are  other  reasons ; 
but  the  bearer  is  waiting  with  impatience.  You  are  requested 
to  urge  this  point  also  in  Council.  In  haste. 

I  am,  yours,  TlM  PlCKEHINGj  jun. 

To  the  Honourable  Richard  Derby,  Esq. 


SELECTMEN  OF  NORTHFIELD  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Northfield,  July  18,  1776. 

HONOURED  GENTLEMEN:  These  are  to  inform  you,  that 
five  of  the  prisoners  from  Northampton  came  to  us  on  the 
ninth  day  of  July  last,  and  are  in  want  of  some  supply  of 
money  for  their  present  subsistence.  Some  of  them  are  in 
want  of  some  clothes.  Having  an  opportunity  now  to  send 
to  your  Honours  of  their  need,  we  beg  the  favour  that  you 
would  be  pleased  to  send  some  here  by  the  bearer,  Captain 
Hopkins  King,  or  give  order  on  the  Town  Treasurer  of 
Northfield,  as  there  is  some  money  ordered  there,  to  be  paid 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay,  whicli  we  hope 
will  be  sent  in  soon.  Doctor  Samuel  Mattson  is  now  Town 
Treasurer. 

We  would  also  inform  your  Honours  that  many  people 
are  very  uneasy.  The  prisoners  are  sent  so  near  our  frontiers, 
that  they  may  easily  make  their  escape,  and  inform  our  enemy 
of  our  poor  situation  to  defend  ourselves.  They  can  also, 
with  the  liberty  the  Congress  gives,  have  an  opportunity  of 
converse  with  Tories  every  day,  which  has  been  observed 
from  time  to  time.  If  your  Honours,  in  your  wisdom,  shall 
think  proper  to  remove  them  to  some  more  interior  part  of 
the  country,  it  would  be  greatly  pleasing  to  your  very  hum- 
ble servants,  ELJJAH  HuNT 

EBENEZER  JANES, 
EDWARD  WRIGHT, 
Selectmen  of  Northfield. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  JACOB 
BAYLEY. 
In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  18,  1776. 

The  Committee  are  in  expectation  that  you  will  accom- 
plish your  desire  of  keeping  in  Continental  pay,  per  order  of 
General  Washington,  the  sixty  men  employed  by  you  to 
clear  a  road  to  Canada;  and  as  .you  have  thought  fit  to  desist 
working  on  said  road,  that  you  now  employ  them  as  scouting 
parties  to  guard  the  country.  But  if  you  should  be  directed 
to  disband  them,  you  are  hereby  empowered  to  inlist  fifty 
men,  to  be  under  the  pay  of  this  Colony,  until  the  first  of 
December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged,  and  see  that  the 
men  fairly  choose  a  Captain-Lieutenant  and  Ensign  to  com- 
mand them.  Said  company,  if  raised,  to  take  orders,  from 
time  to  time,  from  yourself,  Colonel  John  Hurd,  and  Colonel 
Charles  Johnson,  to  direct  their  conduct.  Said  men  to 
receive  30*.  bounty,  and  40*.  per  month  wages. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

M.  WEARE,  Chairman. 
To  Colonel  Jacob  Bayley. 


ORDER  ON  SAMUEL  DYER. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  18,  1776. 

Samuel  Dyer,  an  inhabitant  of  Berwick,  in  the  County 
of  York,  and  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay,  being 
brought  before  the  Committee,  charged  with  being  unfriendly 
to  the  liberties  of  this  country;  and,  after  hearing  his  defence, 
and  considering  the  matters  objected  against  him,  the  Com- 
mittee do  determine  that  the  said  Samuel  Dyer  ought  to 
confine  himself  to  the  aforesaid  town  of  Berwick,  and  in 
no  case  to  come  within  the  limits  of  this  Colony,  under  pain 
of  imprisonment,  unless  Captain  John  Langdon  should  see 
fit  to  receive  him  aboard  the  Continental  frigate  under  his 
care  at  Portsmouth;  in  which  case,  he  may  inlist  and  con- 
tinue in  that  service. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Portsmouth,  New-Hampshire,  July  20,  1776. 
The  day  before  yesterday,  pursuant  to  an  order  from  the 
Great  and  General  Court  of  this  State,  the  Independent 


Company  under  Colonel  Sherburne,  and  the  Light-Infantry 
Company  under  Colonel  Langdon,  were  drawn  up  on  the 
parade,  in  their  uniforms,  when  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence from  the  Grand  Continental  Congress  was  read,  in 
the  hearing  of  a  numerous  and  respectable  audience.  The 
pleasing  countenances  of  the  many  patriots  present  spoke  a 
hearty  concurrence  in  the  interesting  measure,  which  was 
confirmed  by  three  huzzas,  and  all  was  conducted  in  peace 
and  good  order. 

An  express  passed  through  this  town  last  Tfiursday,  who 
brought  an  account  that  Captain  Mowat,  in  the  Canceaux, 
had  taken  all  the  fishing-boats  that  lay  within  his  reach,  to 
the  number  of  twenty  sail,  at  the  eastward  of  Casco-Bay, 
and  is  supposed  to  have  carried  them  into  Halifax. 

Last  Wednesday  set  out  on  their  march  for  our  Northern 
Army,  the  first  company  of  the  first  battalion  of  New-Hamp- 
shire forces,  commanded  by  Captain  James  Arnold,  late  of 
Boston,  consisting  of  about  one  hundred  stout,  active,  enter- 
prising volunteers,  who  have  all  engaged  in  the  service,  and 
marched  off  with  great  spirit  and  good  order,  within  the 
short  space  of  ten  days.  Such  is  the  ardour,  such  the  reso- 
lution of  freemen  to  support  a  cause  in  which  their  all  is 
interested. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  A  MEMBER  OF  CONGRESS. 

Charlestown,  South-Carolina,  July  19,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND:  I  have  received  yours  of  the  28th  of 
May,  and  did  not  think  it  possible  that  anything  could  come 
from  your  hand  to  give  me  so  disagreeable  sensations.  You 
tell  me  a  dark,  mysterious  story  of  a  certain  great  General, 
of  whom  Prince  Ferdinand  has  declared,  si  I'on  vent  un 
oj/icier,  &tc.  This  great  General  in  the  clouds  will,  it  seems, 
graciously  condescend  to  serve  America,  on  condition  that 
Congress  will  give  him  assurances  of  stepping  over  the  heads 
of  every  officer  but  one,  and  this  he  submits  to,  only  on  con- 
sideration of  the  confidence  due  to  an  American.  You  ask 
my  opinion  on  this  subject ;  but  the  palpable  meaning  of 
your  letter  is,  to  prepare  me  for  a  cession  of  my  rank  in 
favour  of  some  impudent  adventurer.  Buckwith  is  the  man, 
as  you  conjecture,  from  his  known  political  principles  and 
military  abilities,  which  are  so  transcendent  that  I  ought,  for 
the  publick  interest,  to  make  a  second  sacrifice.  I  am  not, 
I  believe,  naturally  proud;  I  do  not  think  myself  conceited 
of  my  talents ;  but  to  be  put  in  competition,  much  more  to 
be  spurned  aside,  to  make  room  for  so  despicable  a  character 

as  Buckwith,  a  generally  reputed  coward,  and  a  b d 

sycophant, — I  say,  to  be  kicked  out  of  my  station  for  such  a 
creature  as  this,  would  swell  a  man  more  humble  than  my- 
self into  a  trumpeter  of  his  own  merits.  Great  God!  is  it 
come  to  this  ?  I  am  not,  it  seems,  an  American;  but  am  I 
not  (if  I  may  so  express  myself)  Americanior  ipsis  Ameri- 
canisl  Have  I  not,  such  has  been  my  zeal  for  your  cause, 
once  already  waived  my  military  claims  in  deference  to  the 
whim  and  partiality  of  some  of  your  members  ?  Did  I  not 
consent  to  serve  under  an  old  Churchwarden,  of  whom  you 
had  conceived  a  most  extravagant  and  ridiculous  opinion  ? 
Your  eyes  were  at  length  opened,  and  Deacon  Ward  returned 
to  his  proper  occupation ;  and  would  you  now,  a  second 
time,  (do  you  think  it  consistent  with  decency,  I  may  say 
gratitude  or  common  honesty,)  load  me  with  a  similar  dis- 
grace ?  Have  I  betrayed  any  ignorance  in  my  profession  ? 
Have  I  shown  a  deficiency  in  courage  ?  Am  I  slackened  in 
my  zeal  or  industry?  What  have  I  done  to  merit  such  an 
indignity  ?  What  part  of  my  conduct  can  justify  your  har- 
bouring such  an  idea?  Have  not  I  staked  my  fortune,  life, 
and  reputation,  in  your  cause  ?  Is  there  a  service  in  Europe, 
to  speak  proudly,  (your  injurious  proposal  forces  me  to  it.) 
is  there  a  service  in  Europe,  where,  with  some  small  reputa- 
tion and  my  powerful  friends,  I  might  not  expect  the  same 
rank  I  now  hold  ?  Have  I  not  made  myself  a  voluntary 
slave  for  the  insurances  of  American  freedom?  Have  I, 
sleeping  or  waking,  employed  a  single  thought  but  for  her 
welfare,  glory,  or  advantage? 

But  enough  of  this.  You  ask  my  opinion,  and  1  will 
freely,  explicitly,  and  concisely  give  it  to  you.  If  the  Con- 
gress supersede  me,  I  will,  1  must  obey;  but  I  hope,  in 
common  justice,  and  for  their  own  honour,  that  they  will 
reestablish  me,  at  least  in  part,  in  the  easy  fortune  which  I 
have  forfeited,  so  as  to  enable  me  to  retire  from  a  service 
to  which  I  am  no  longer  thought  adequate. 


429 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


430 


Before  I  conclude,  let  me  once  more  repeat  confidentially 
to  you,  that  if  Buckwith  is  the  man  in  whose  favour  you 
meditate  so  gross  a  piece  of  injustice,  you  will  make  a  very 
bad  bargain,  as  he  is  certainly,  unless  fame  belies  him, 
neither  possessed  of  courage,  abilities,  or  integrity.  In 
God's  name,  if  a  real  genius,  or  acknowledged  hero,  favour- 
ed by  Heaven  with  a  more  than  common  portion  of  ethereal 
spirit,  should  present  himself,  (a  la  Lippe,  or  Braganza,) 
receive  him  with  open  arms,  as  an  immediate  present  from 
God,  and  invest  him  with  the  command  of  the  whole.  No 
man  loves,  respects,  and  reverences  another,  more  than  I 
do  General  Washington.  I  esteem  his  virtues,  private  and 
publick ;  I  know  him  to  be  a  man  of  sense,  courage,  and 
firmness ;  but  if  a  hero  should  start  up,  endowed  with  the 
attributes  which,  according  to  my  persuasion,  reside  in  the 
two  I  have  mentioned,  and  who  would  charge  himself  with 
the  mighty  task  of  your  political  salvation,  General  Washing- 
ton ought,  and,  I  am  convinced,  would  resign  the  truncheon. 
But  that  a  little,  paltry,  impudent  adventurer  should  sneak- 
ingly  stipulate  for  the  second  rank,  when,  if  his  motives  were 
pure,  he  could  be  equally  serviceable  in  the  third,  fourth, 
fifth,  or  sixth,  it  is  not  to  be  endured,  it  is  a  gross  imposition 
on  common  understanding,  and  a  grosser  attempt  to  rob  an 
individual.  I  must  beg  and  conjure  you,  my  dear  friend,  for 
such  I  am  sure  you  are,  to  consider  the  delicate,  perhaps  you 
will  say  false,  notions  in  which  soldiers  are  bred ;  and  that 
you  will  be  careful  of  putting  to  so  severe  a  trial  the  sensi- 
bility of  one,  who  is,  most  sincerely,  devotedly,  and  affec- 
tionately, yours,  CHARLES  LEE. 

To    *     *    *. 

P.  S.  I  am  extremely  shocked  with  the  pallid  complexion 
of  your  publick  councils.  Is  it  possible  that  such  a  despicable 
group  as  the  Maryland  Convention  should  lay  an  embargo 
on  the  great  vessel  of  the  Commonwealth !  Can  you  be  so 
weak  as  to  hunt  for  the  chimera  Absolute  Unanimity  !  Why 
do  you  not  advise  the  aggregate  of  the  people  to  enfranchise 

J  OO        O  t  l 

themselves  ?  Your  idea  of  quitting  Canada  from  want  of 
specie  is  to  me  inconceivable,  when  you  can  or  ought  to 
command  plate  sufficient  to  purchase  ten  Canadas. 

Williamsburgh,  July  19,  1776. 

From  Hampton  we  learn,  that  advice  was  brought  there, 
from  the  Eastern-Shore,  of  a  tender,  mounting  two  carriage 
and  twelve  swivel  guns,  being  driven  ashore  in  a  squall  of 
wind,  five  or  six  days  ago,  with  eighteen  pirates  on  board, 
(among  them  Mr.  James  Parker,  late  of  Norfolk,  merchant,) 
who  immediately  surrendered  themselves  to  a  party  of  our 
troops,  and  begged  for  quarters.  A  boat  from  another  tender, 
her  consort,  attempted  to  cut  her  out  from  the  creek  where 
she  was  secured,  but  our  people,  perceiving  their  design,  laid 
in  ambush  for  them,  and,  when  nigh  enough,  rushed  into  the 
water  and  fired  upon  them,  killing  five  of  the  crew,  it  was  sup- 
posed, as  three  were  seen  to  fall  overboard,  and  two  to  drop 
down  in  the  boat ;  upon  which  the  pirates  tacked  about,  and 
rowed  faster  than  they  came  to  their  tender. 

Benjamin  Woodward,  against  whom  an  information  was 
lodged  for  attempting  to  counterfeit  the  paper  currency  of 
the  American  States,  was  brought  to  town  last  Wednesday, 
with  four  other  persons,  suspected  to  be  accomplices,  and 
lodged  in  the  publick  jail.  They  were  taken  in  Pittsylvania 
County,  with  types  and  other  implements  to  carry  on  their 
wicked  and  destructive  schemes. 


COLONEL  A.  SOMERVILLE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  You  will  be  informed  by  Mr.  Hopewell 
that  the  enemy  hath  landed  on  St.  George's  Island;  that 
Captain  Beall  is  wounded;  that  they  want  men  in  St. Mary's. 
I  shall  proceed  down  to  their  assistance  with  about  fifty  of 
the  best  men  that  I  can  get,  now  stationed  at  Drum  Point, 
and  shall  leave  orders  for  as  many  more  to  follow,  unless 
ordered  otherwise  by  you,  and  shall  leave  a  guard  at  Drum 
Point.  I  shall  want  cash  to  victual  the  men  who  go  to 
St.  Mary's.  Please  send  us  such  sum  by  bearer  as  you 
may  think  sufficient,  which  shall  be  accounted  for.  You 
will  also  send  orders.  Major  Wilkinson  commands  in  Cal- 
vert  until  Colonel  Marshall's  return. 

Gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

ALEX.  SOMERVILLE. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


GEORGE   SCOTT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Fredericktown,  July  19,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Some  time  past  I  purchased  a  parcel  of 
country  linen,  about  four  hundred  and  twenty  yards,  in  order 
to  send  into  the  lower  Counties  to  get  a  quantity  of  wool  for 
our  factory,  but  on  inquiry  found  it  could  not  be  had,  there 
being  a  great  scarcity  of  that  necessary  article.  It  is  very 
well  calculated  for  the  troops,  and  I  have  been  told  that  the 
Council  of  Safety  wanted  a  quantity  for  that  purpose.  Should 
you  incline  to  take  it,  please  give  me  an  answer  by  Mr. 
John  Ross  Key,  the  bearer  of  this,  who  will  return  in  a  few 
days. 

I  am,  honoured  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  SCOTT. 


THOMAS  BOURK  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Cambridge,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  to  acquaint  you  that  we  have  not 
met  with  the  wished-for  success  in  raising  the  company  you 
ordered  us  to  raise  in  this  County.  The  Militia  having  been 
discharged  till  after  harvest,  we  have  not  had  an  opportunity 
of  recruiting  the  men ;  add  to  this,  that  on  my  returning  from 
Annapolis,  the  Cambridge  Blues  were  ordered  to  inarch 
to  the  straits,  where  the  enemy  was  said  to  have  landed ; 
unwilling  to  desert  them  at  a  time  of  danger,  I  commanded 
them  on  that  occasion,  so  that  it  has  not  been  in  my  power 
to  exert  myself  as  yet.  Mr.  Lynch  has  made  up  his  com- 
plement ;  they  are  here,  and  are  a  likely  set  of  men.  We 
have  about  forty  or  fifty  men  engaged ;  in  Somerset  there 
were  none  willing  to  engage.  I  expect  some  next  week  from 
Worcester,  I  wait  to  know  how  many,  which,  when  informed 
of,  shall  proceed  to  Annapolis,  to  receive  your  orders  whether 
I  shall  continue  to  inlist  or  not.  Our  Militia  companies  will 
meet  next  week,  when  we  shall  have  a  better  opportunity 
of  completing  our  number.  Could  I  have  engaged  to 
take  the  men  into  immediate  pay,  the  company  would 
have  been  nearly  completed.  Mr.  Lynch  carries  our  war- 
rants. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  humble  servant. 

THOMAS  BOURK. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  An- 
napolis. 

GENERAL  HOOPER  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
Dorchester  County,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  On  receipt  of  yours  of  the  15th  instant,  I  immedi- 
ately ordered  a  draught  of  fifteen  privates  and  proper  officers 
to  be  made  from  each  company  of  Militia  of  this  brigade, 
and  those  draughted  in  Dorchester  and  Caroline  Counties  to 
be  stationed  in  Dorchester,  and  the  draughted  Militia  of 
Somerset  and  Worcester  Counties  to  be  stationed  in  Somerset 
County.  The  men  so  draughted  are  ordered  to  be  at  the 
several  places  of  rendezvous  on  Wednesday,  the  24th  instant. 

If  your  Board  should  not  approve  of  this  disposition  of  the 
Militia,  you  will  please  to  let  me  know  it,  and  I  shall  make 
such  alterations  therein  as  you  may  direct.  Although  I  have 
ordered  out  the  Militia,  to  be  in  readiness  to  repel  any  at- 
tempt of  the  enemy  to  land  in  this  district,  agreeably  to  your 
directions,  yet  I  think  it  will  be  difficult  to  keep  them  to- 
gether without  some  money.  The  country  people  here  who 
have  provisions  to  sell  show  a  great  unwillingness  to  part 
with  it,  unless  paid  for  at  the  same  time.  I  would  therefore 
wish  that  your  Board  would  take  some  order  about  subsist- 
ing the  Militia  of  this  district,  when  called  out  in  defence  of 
the  Province,  by  directing  that  the  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern 
Shore  should  pay  to  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Dor- 
chester County  such  a  sum  of  money  as  you  may  think  neces- 
sary, to  be  applied  for  the  purpose  of  victualling  and  subsisting 
the  Militia  of  the  lower  district  when  in  actual  service,  as 
the  commanding  officer  of  said  brigade  shall  direct.  I  have 
applied  to  General  Chamberlain  for  four  hundred  pounds  of 
gunpowder  and  sixteen  pounds  of  lead.  If  you  should  have 
received  any  further  intelligence  of  Dimmore  and  his  fleet,  I 
should  be  glad  to  know  it. 

I  am,  respectfully,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

HENRY  HOOPER. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of  the 
Council  of  Safety. 


431 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


432 


COLONEL  WILLIAM  HARRISON  TO  THE  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF 
SAFETY. 

Charles  County,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  Under  cover  hereof  you  will  please  receive  enrol- 
ments of  two  Militia  Companies,  viz:  John  Thomas's  and 
Richard  Bennett  Mitchel's,  the  former  in  the  Twelfth  and  the 
latter  in  the  Twenth-Sixtj)  Battalion.  They  have  been 
properly  examined ;  and  as  I  am  in  momentary  expectation 
that  the  whole  or  part  of  the  Militia  here  may  be  called  to 
the  aid  of  St.  Mary's,  must  request  your  Board  to  issue  com- 
missions thereon,  and  have  them  transmitted  me  by  the  ear- 
liest opportunity. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

WILL.  HARRISON. 


GENERAL  DENT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Charles  River,  Head-Quarters,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  On  my  arrival  at  this  place  on  the  16th 
instant,  I  found  there  had  been  an  engagement  with  the 
enemy,  with  no  other  loss  but  the  misfortune  of  Captain 
Rezin  Beall  being  badly  wounded,  though  it  is  hoped  not 
mortally. 

By  four  deserters  who  came  over  to  us  yesterday,  we  are 
informed  the  mate  or  Midshipman  of  the  Roebuck  was  killed 
in  the  action.  By  the  best  information,  the  enemy  have  not 
more  than  fifty  regulars  of  the  Fourteenth  Regiment,  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  Tories,  and  one  hundred  negroes,  that 
bear  arms;  all  of  whom  are  landed  every  morning  and  em- 
barked in  the  evening,  under  cover  of  the  fleet,  which  con- 
tinues in  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Mary's  river,  opposite  to  the 
lower  end  of  St.  George's  Island.  Our  strength  at  present 
is  about  four  hundred  Militia,  exclusive  of  the  Independent 
and  Captain  Forrest's  company.  I  made  bold,  immediate- 
ly on  my  arrival  (the  strength  of  the  enemy  being  much 
magnified)  to  order  to  our  assistance  three  full  companies  of 
Militia  from  Colonel  Hawkins's  battalion,  to  be  selected 
from  the  interior  part  of  the  County,  which  I  expect  will 
arrive  about  to-morrow  evening,  when  I  shall  discharge  an 
equal  number  of  the  most  necessitous  of  those  now  on  duty. 
The  fleet  (which  at  first  consisted  of  eighty  sail)  is  now 
reduced  to  little  more  than  half  that  number,  many  of  the 
tenders  and  square-rigged  vessels  having  gone  to  Virginia, 
opposite  the  rnouth  of  Potomack,  where  a  pretty  constant 
cannonade  has  been  kept  up  ever  since  I  have  been  here. 

We  are  told  by  the  deserters  (two  more  of  which  have 
come  over  since  I  began  to  write)  that  the  fleet  intend  only 
to  wood  and  water  on  the  Island,  burn  all  or  most  of  their 
small  craft,  and  proceed  to  sea. 

Had  we  a  few  great  guns  at  a  place  called  Cherry  Fields 
Point,  well  planted  and  served,  we  might  annoy  the  fleet  so 
as  to  oblige  them  to  quit  their  station.  Captain  Forrest's 
company  has  relieved  an  equal  number  of  the  Militia,  who 
readily  parted  with  their  arms,  such  as  they  were. 

I  shall,  as  often  as  anything  of  consequence  happens,  com- 
municate it  to  you  with  the  utmost  despatch;  till  when,  I  am 
your  most  obedient  servant,  T  -p. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 

CUNNINGHAM'S  EXAMINATION. 

Q.  In  what  occupation  did  you  act  in  Virginia  ?  A.  I 
was  a  book-keeper  there  to  Messrs.  Jameson  8f  Co. 

Q.  What  became  of  Mr.  Jameson  ]     A.  In  the  fleet. 

(j>.  What  vessel  were  you  on  board  ?  A.  The  Dolphin 
brig. 

Q.  Did  you  continue  in  the  same  vessel,  or  did  you  land 
at  Gwin's  Island]  A.  No.  I  never  landed. 

Q.  What  time  did  you  leave  Gwin's  Island,  and  what 
was  the  cause  ?  A.  We  were  obliged  to  leave  it  by  batte- 
ries being  erected  on  shore. 

Q.  Was  any  damage  done  to  the  shipping?  A.  To 
Dunmore's  vessel :  the  boatswain  was  killed ;  a  man  lost 
his  arm. 

Q.  None  killed  on  the  Island  ?     A.  None. 

(,>.  What  condition  were  the  people  in  on  board  ?  A. 
Sickly — the  small  pox  ;  the  negroes  had  the  jail  fever. 

Q.  What  number  were  there?  A.  Not  above  three 
hundred  in  arms. 

Q.  Who  commands  them?  A.  Col.  Bird's  son  com- 
mands. 


Q.  How  many  died  and  were  buried  at  G.  Island!  A.  I 
think  there  must  have  been  five  hundred. 

Q.  How  were  you  provided  with  provisions?  A.  Salt 
beef  enough  for  troops. 

Q.  How  many  families  on  board  the  fleet?  A.  I  sup- 
pose one  thousand  souls. 

Q.  How  many  did  the  ships  bring  from  the  Eastern 
Shore  1  A.  One  hundred  and  fifty ;  fifty  belonging  to  the 
Fourteenth  Regiment.  They  did  not  exceed  three  hundred 
in  all. 

Q.  How  many  did  land  upon  St.  George's  Island  1  A. 
I  don't  know.  None  but  soldiers. 

Q.  How  many  marines  on  board?  A.  Roebuck  75, 
Fowey  25,  Otter  15. 

Q.  Did  you  know  where  they  were  going  ?     A.  No. 

Q.  Did  you  come  up,  or  did  you  drift  ashore  ?  A.  I 
came  up  voluntarily. 

Q.  Whose  property  was  that  in  the  vessel  ?  A.  It  was 
sold  at  vendue. 

Q.  Were  the  people  inoculated  on  board  ?     A.  Yes. 

Q.  Whose  property  was  the  molasses?  A.  I  bought 
part. 

Q.  Was  Governour  Eden  on  board  the  Fowey  1  A.  Yes, 
I  have  seen  him  walking  the  deck. 

Q.  Did  you  know  the  Fowey  was  upon  the  Eastern 
Shore  1  A.  Yes.  The  Governour  was  not  on  board. 

Q.  Did  they  consent  you  should  come  off?     A.  No. 

Q.  Was  it  in  the  night  that  you  left  the  fleet  ?  A.  In 
the  night ;  the  fleet  was  after  wood  and  water. 

Q.  Have  you  plenty  of  bread  ?     A.  Yes. 

<J>.  Were  there  any  troops  armed  at  G.  Island!  A.  No. 
No  troops,  but  part  of  the  Fourteenth  Regiment. 

Q.  Do  the  tenders  ply  out  in  the  bay  ?  A.  Yes.  They 
were  cruising. 

Q.  Do  you  know  when  Governour  Eden  goes  home  ? 
A.  Yes;  he  goes  in  a  store-ship. 

Q.  How  much  stock  was  got  upon  Eastern  Shore  ?  A. 
The  private  families  get  no  share  of  it.  I  saw  cattle  on 
decks. 

Q.  Do  the  tenders  go  out  in  the  bay  a  cruising  ?  A. 
Yes;  I  have  seen  them  out  in  the  bay. 

Q.  How  long  were  they  inoculated,  and  was  it  done  to 
communicate  it  to  the  people  on  shore?  A.  By  no  means; 
every  one  in  the  fleet  inoculated  that  had  it  not. 

Q.  How  many  men  in  the  gondolas  ?  A.  Ten  men  on 
each  side.  As  to  the  fleet,  Captain  Hammond  and  Lord 
Dunmore  at  variance.  I  don't  think  Governour  Eden  has 
anything  to  do  with  the  fleet.  The  Lively  frigate  at  the 
Capes.  Molasses  at  a  bit;  good  West-India  rum  at  2s. 
2rf.  Marines  and  sailors  would  desert,  but  no  others. 
Not  the  14th. 

(j>.  What  distance  Fowey  from  the  shore  ?  A.  Musket- 
shot. 

Q.  What  number  of  vessels  in  the  fleet  ?  A.  Seventy- 
two.  Many  small  boats. 

Q.  Did  you  not  say  that  the  fleet  was  going  to  sea?  A. 
Yes;  a  signal  given  from  Dunmore  for  masters  of  ships  to 
come  on  board  to  receive  orders,  that  they  were  going  to  St. 
Augustine. 

Q.  Did  you  leave  any  vessels?  A.  Two  tenders  in  the 
straits.  Two  four-pounders,  two  two-pounders.  Dunmore 
three  six-pounders  fired,  &ic.  Slipt  her  cables.  The  Otter 
upon  careen  with  her  guns  out. 

Q.  How  long  was  it  after  the  cannonade  commenced 
before  you  left  it  ?  A.  Immediately  upon  the  first  discharge 
of  cannon. 

Q.  Where  did  you  get  beef?  A.  From  Antigua:  a 
brig  with  five  hundred  barrels;  a  store-ship  with  five  hun- 
dred barrels. 

Q.  What  execution  was  done  to  your  tenders  on  the 
Eastern  Shore]  A.  One  man  killed,  and  eight  or  nine 
wounded. 

Q.  Money  plenty?  A.  Yes.  Commodore  Hammond 
the  best  man  in  the  Navy.  Captain  Hammond  will  convey 
them  all  out  safe  to  sea. 

Q.  Has  not  Lord  Dunmore  sent  people  about  to  commu- 
nicate the  information?  A.  Not  to  my  knowledge.  Captain 
Hammond  not  to  continue  on  the  Eastern  Shore — to  go  to 
New-York. 

Q.  How  many  guns  has  the  LivclyJ  A.  Thirty  or 
thirty-six.  Eleven  shot.  The  Dunmore,  eighteen. 


433 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fac.,  JULY,  1776. 


434 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  DORSEY. 
[No.  57.]  Annapolis,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR  :  At  present  we  do  not  desire  you  to  send  in  any  more 
of  your  Militia.  Should  it  be  necessary  hereafter,  we  will 
inform  you;  and  from  their  readiness,  which  we  have  hitherto 
experienced,  doubt  not  their  being  here  in  proper  time. 

We  are,  &.c. 
To  Colonel  Dorsey. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  OF 
VIRGINIA. 

[No.  58.]  Annapolis,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  communicating  the  intelligence  that  the 
enemy's  fleet  had  been  driven  from  their  station,  and  their 
forces  obliged  to  abandon  Gwin's  Island,  came  safe  to  hand, 
and  demands  our  acknowledgments. 

They  have  since  arrived  in  Potomack,  and  landed  some 
men  on  St.  George's  Island,  at  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's 
River,  where  they  have  thrown  up  intrenchments.  We  are 
making  preparations  to  dislodge  them  as  soon  as  possible. 

In  return,  we  congratulate  you   on  our  success  in  the 
southern  quarter;  and  we  are,  &c. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Page,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Council  of 

Virginia, 

P.  S.  We  have  ordered  Mr.  Hughes  to  send  immediately 
to  Georgetown  two  eighteen-pounders,  for  the  use  of  your 
Colony,  to  be  delivered  to  Messrs.  Mayson  and  Dalian's 
orders. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DOCTOR  WEISENTHALL. 
[No.  59.]  Annapolis,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR  :  Doctor  Tootle  has  been  with  us.  Since  his  journey 
to  Baltimore,  he  is  uncertain  how  far  you  intend  to  act  as 
physician  to  the  Matross  company  now  at  Baltimore  town, 
or  any  of  the  Militia  of  the  Flying-Camp  that  may  be  sta- 
tioned there,  in  lieu  of  those  companies  of  the  battalion  who 
are  marched  to  New-York.  We  should  be  obliged  to  you 
for  a  line  given  in  answer  to  these  doubts  of  his,  that  we 
may  know  how  to  conduct  ourselves  in  the  nomination  of  an 
assistant  to  act  in  that  department.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Doctor  Charks  Frederick  Weisenthall. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JOHN  WEST. 
[No.  60.]  Annapolis,  July  19, 1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  yesterday  I  received,  and  laid  it  before 
our  Council,  who  have  directed  me  to  assure  you,  that  every 
friendly  assistance  in  their  power  shall  be  cheerfully  afforded 
our  neighbours,  upon  every  emergency  that  may  require  it. 
We  derive  great  comfort  from  the  competence  of  your  powers 
and  the  promise  you  have  been  pleased  to  make,  of  flying  to 
our  assistance  whenever  it  should  be  necessary.  We  can 
order  our  regular  forces  out  of  the  Province  ;  the  Militia  we 
cannot;  but  the  Colonels  in  each  County  are  authorized  to 
call  out  the  Militia  to  act  in  the  Province,  whenever  they 
see  occasion  to  do  it.  I  am,  &.c. 

To  John  West,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Committee  of  Alex- 
andria. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  STEPHEN  STEWART. 
[No.  61.]  Annapolis,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  James  Cray  attends  you,  with  a  vessel  that  he  is 
offering  for  sale  to  the  Council  of  Safety;  but  as  we  are  by 
no  means  judges  of  the  value,  or  whether  or  not  she  will 
answer  our  purpose,  we  have  referred  him  to  you  for  exami- 
nation, and  shall  be  very  glad  to  hear  from  you  upon  that 
head.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  Mr.  Stephen  Stewart. 

MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY   TO   THE    CHARLES    COUNTY 

COMMITTEE. 
[No.  62.]  Annapolis,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  sent  you  £200  by  Charles Lans- 
dale,  which  we  request  the  favour  of  you  to  apply  to  the 
account  of  subsistence  of  that  part  of  Captain  BealCs  com- 
pany stationed  at  Port-Tobacco.     We  are,  &tc. 
To  the  Committee  of  Observation  of  Charles  County. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  2 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 
[No.  63.]  Annapolis,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  we  send  you  copies  of  some  let- 
ters we  have  received  from  Colonel  Barnes  and  Colonel 
Jordan,  giving  us  an  account  of  Lord  Dunmore's  squadron 
having  appeared  near  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's  River,  in  a 
hostile  manner,  and  that  some  of  them  had  landed  on  St. 
George's  Island.  In  consequence  of  these  advices,  we  have 
countermanded  the  orders  to  Captain  Thomas  and  Captain 
Hindman,  whom  we  wish  to  keep  in  the  Province,  to  assist 
in  repelling  the  invasion.  We  do  not  expect  Dim/wore  will 
stay  long  at  St.  George's  Island.  Expect  he  will  move  up 
Potomack,  or  to  the  Eastern- Shore;  perhaps  up  the  Bay  to 
Annapolis,  or  Baltimore  town.  We  shall  send  you  further 
intelligence  as  soon  as  we  receive  it. 

Our  Flying-Camp  are  coming  in  almost  every  day.  But 
many  a  question  has  arisen  as  to  their  subsistence.  Neither 
Congress  nor  Convention  have  made  any  provision  for  rations 
during  the  time  the  men  are  drawing  together,  nor  whilst 
they  remain  unarmed,  and  unprovided  with  necessaries, 
which  will  amount  to  something  considerable.  We  intend 
finding  rations  for  the  battalion  that  is  to  supply  the  place  of 
our  own  regulars.  We  wish  you  to  apply  to  the  Congress, 
and  let  us  know  what  is  to  be  done  about  subsistence  for  the 
other  battalions.  They  are  all  coming  to  us  to  be  supplied 
with  almost  every  necessary,  and  you  may  judge  our  situa- 
tion is  very  disagreeable,  not  having  it  in  our  power  to 
answer  their  demands.  Our  Militia,  in  a  general  way,  during 
this  time  of  invasion,  cannot  be  persuaded  to  lend  theirarms. 
Most  of  those  who  inlist  have  none  of  their  own.  We  take 
it  for  granted,  it  would  answer  very  little  purpose  to  send 
you  a  number  of  men  unarmed,  and  unprovided  with  neces- 
saries, and  therefore  do  not  order  them  forward. 

We  congratulate  you  on  the  victory  that  hath  been  obtained 
in  South-Carolina  by  the  Americans  over  the  British  fleet. 
Some  of  Commodore  Parker's  squadron  have  met  with  a 
severe  drubbing,  according  to  the  particulars  we  have  heard, 
of  which  we  doubt  not  you  have  more  perfect  information 
before  this  time.  We  send  you  the  Maryland  Gazette,  in 
which  are  inserted  some  particulars  of  the  damage  sustained 
by  Commodore  Parker. 

We  have  information  from  below,  that  Lord  Dunmore 
hafh  been  beat  off  at  Gwin's  Island;  and  we  have  too  much 
reason  to  believe,  by  intelligence  from  a  deserter,  who  was 
examined  before  us  yesterday,  that  Governour  Eden  is  still 
on  board  the  Fowey.  They  have  seventy-two  sail  of  ves- 
sels— divers  of  them  small  sharp-rigged  sloops  or  boats. 

We  have  received  Mr.  Stone's  letter  of  the  12th;  but 
know  not  what  answer  to  give  as  to  supplying  tents,  until 
we  can  see  how  our  canvass  holds  out.  Do  not  believe  it 
will  be  in  our  power  to  furnish  any  in  time. 

We  are,  &,c. 
To  the  Deputies  for  Maryland,  in  Congress. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  My  earnestness  to  convey  to  you,  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, the  intelligence  this  moment  received  from  South- 
Carolina,  on  which  I  most  sincerely  congratulate  you,  I  am 
confident,  will  apologize  for  my  not  adding  more  than  to 
tell  you,  that  enclosed  you  will  find  the  copy  of  General 
Lee's  letter,  and  the  account  from  the  deserters  who  escaped 
after  the  action.  I  am  loath  to  hinder  the  express  one  mo- 
ment. He  is  ready;  and  I  will  only  say,  that  the  enclosed 
resolves  of  Congress  were  this  day  passed,  and  to  which  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  you.  I  will  write  General  Schuyler  to-morrow. 

You  will  please  not  to  print  the  letter,  &c.,  received  from 
General  Lee,  as  by  to-morrow's  post  I  shall  write  you  again, 
and  forward  the  account  printed  for  the  publick  information. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  regard,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

N.  B.  I  cannot  detain  the  express  to  give  you  the  par- 
ticulars of  Governour  Rutledge's  letter;  but  will  print  it, 
with  the  other  parts  submitted  to  me  by  Congress,  and  for- 
ward you  by  to-morrow's  post. 

God  bless  you,  my  dear  sir.  May  you  ever  be  under 
the  Divine  protection,  and  see  a  happy  issue  to  your  noble 
exertions!  Yours,  J.  H. 


435 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


436 


Charlestown,  July  2,  1776. 

SIR:  I  should  have  done  myself  the  honour  sooner  of 
informing  the  Congress  of  the  attack  made  by  the  enemy's 
squadron  on  Sullivan's  Island,  and  their  repulse,  but  conjec- 
tured that  by  waiting  a  day  or  two  I  might  probably  be  furnish- 
ed with  the  means  of  sending  a  more  minute,  full,  and  satisfac- 
tory account.  My  conjecture  was  right;  for  yesterday  five 
seamen  made  their  escape,  one  of  whom  is  a  more  intelligent 
fellow  than  is  commonly  found  amongst  men  of  his  level.  En- 
closed is  a  copy  of  their  narrative:  some  parts  ol  it  are 
perhaps  too  whimsical  and  trivial  to  merit  the  attention  of 
Congress;  but  1  think  it  my  duty  to  present  it  as  it  is,  without 
adding  or  curtailing  a  circumstance.  I  think,  sir,  I  may 
venture  to  congratulate  the  Congress  on  the  event:  not  only 
the  advantages  must  be  considerable,  but  the  affair  reflects 
no  small  credit  on  the  American  arms. 

On  Friday,  about  eleven  o'clock,  the  Commodore,  with 
his  whole  squadron,  consisting  of  two  line-of-battle  ships  and 
six  frigates,  the  rates  of  which  are  marked  in  the  enclosed 
narrative,  anchored  at  less  than  half  musket-shot  from  the 
Fort,  and  commenced  one  of  the  most  furious  and  incessant 
fires  I  ever  saw  or  heard  of.  It  was  manifestly  their  plan  to 
land  at  the  same  time  their  whole  Regulars  at  the  east  end 
of  the  Island,  and  of  course  invest  the  Fort  by  land  and  sea. 
As  the  garrison  was  composed  entirely  of  raw  troops,  both 
men  and  officers,  as  I  knew  their  ammunition  was  short,  and 
as  the  bridge  by  which  we  could  reinforce  or  call  off  the 
troops  from  the  Island  was  unfinished,  you  may  easily  con- 
ceive my  anxiety.  It  was  so  great  that  I  was  in  suspense 
whether  I  should  evacuate  it  or  not.  Fortunately,  whilst  I 
was  in  this  state  of  suspense,  some  ammunition  arrived  from 
the  town,  and  my  aid-de-camp,  Mr.  Byrd,  returning  from  the 
Island  with  a  flattering  report  of  the  garrison's  spirit,  I  deter- 
mined to  support  it  at  all  hazards.  On  this  principle,  I 
thought  it  my  duty  to  cross  over  to  the  Island,  to  encourage 
the  garrison  by  my  presence;  but  I  might  have  saved  myself 
that  trouble,  for  I  found  on  my  arrival  they  had  no  occasion 
for  any  sort  of  encouragement — I  found  them  determined 
and  cool  to  the  last  degree;  their  behaviour  would  in  fact 
have  done  honour  to  the  oldest  troops.  I  beg  leave,  sir, 
therefore,  to  recommend,  in  the  strongest  terms,  to  the  Con- 
gress, the  commandingofficer  Colonel  Moultrie,  and  his  whole 
garrison,  as  brave  soldiers  and  excellent  citizens.  Nor  nfust 
I  omit  at  the  same  time  mentioning  Colonel  Thompson,  who, 
with  the  South- Carolina  Rangers  and  a  detachment  of  the 
North-Carolina  Regulars,  repulsed  the  enemy  in  two  several 
attempts  to  make  a  lodgment  at  the  other  extremity  of  the 
Island. 

Our  loss,  considering  the  heat  and  duration  of  the  fire, 
was  inconsiderable.  We  had  only  ten  men  killed  on  the 
spot,  and  twenty-two  wounded,  seven  of  whom  lost  their 
limbs;  but  with  their  limbs  they  did  not  lose  their  spirits,  for 
they  enthusiastically  encouraged  their  commander  never  to 
abandon  the  standard  of  liberty  and  their  country.  This  I  do 
assure  you,  sir,  is  not  in  the  style  of  gasconading  romance, 
usual  after  every  successful  action  ;  but  literally  a  fact.  I 
with  great  pleasure  mention  the  circumstance,  as  it  augurs 
well  to  the  cause  of  freedom.  At  eleven  the  fire  ceased, 
having  continued  just  twelve  hours  without  the  least  inter- 
mission. 

What  the  enemy's  intentions  are  now,  it  is  impossible  to 
divine.  I  am  inclined  to  think  they  will  (if  they  can  repass 
the  bar)  bend  their  course  to  Chesapeake  or  Hampton  Bay. 
Perhaps  shame  and  rage  may  prompt  their  land  forces  to 
some  attempt  before  their  departure.  On  my  part,  I  shall 
spare  no  pains  to  discover  their  intentions  and  baffle  their 
schemes. 

As  Georgia  is  a  district  of  the  command  with  which  you 
have  honoured  me,  I  thought  it  prudent  to  request  some  of 
their  Members  to  a  conference  with  the  President  of  this 
Province  and  myself;  they  accepted  the  invitation,  and  gave 
us  great  satisfaction,  from  their  intelligence  and  good  sense. 
Enclosed  is  their  deliberation. 

That  Province  is  certainly  of  the  last  importance  to  the 
common  cause,  and  the  mode  of  protecting  it  pointed  out  by 
these  gentlemen  is,  in  my  opinion,  in  all  its  parts,  wise  and 
necessary.  They  had  conceived  a  notion  that  I  had  powers 
to  augment  their  establishment.  I  assured  them  that  I  had 
no  such  powers;  but  both  Mr.  Rutleclge  and  myself  gave  it 
as  our  opinion,  that  any  expenses  manifestly  beyond  their 
faculties,  which  they  might  incur  in  the  common  cause,  would 


be  repaid  by  the  Congress;  and  in  this  persuasion  we  ven- 
tured to  encourage  them  to  augment  their  Cavalry  without 
loss  of  time,  and  make  the  proposed  present  of  cattle  to  the 
Indians.  Indeed,  sir,  without  a  strong  corps  of  Cavalry, 
I  do  not  see  how  it  is  possible  to  protect  these  southern  Col- 
onies; and  with  one  thousand  good  Cavalry  I  think  I  could 
insure  their  protection.  From  the  want  of  this  species  of 
troops,  Charleston  and  its  dependencies  had  certainly  been 
lost,  if  the  enemy  had  acted  with  the  vigour  and  expedition 
we  had  reason  to  expect ;  but  a  most  unaccountable  languor 
and  inertness  on  their  part  saved  us.  If  the  scheme  I  pro- 
posed in  Virginia  had  been  approved  and  adopted,  it  would 
have  been  not  only  a  security,  but  considerable  economy; 
the  forage  was  to  have  been  the  only  expense.  Now  I  am 
upon  this  subject,  I  cannot  help  mentioning  that  I  have  been 
informed  that  this  project  has  been  considered  by  some  gen- 
tlemen as  a  sort  of  presumption  in  me  arrogating  such  a  power; 
but  I  fancy  the  affair  was  not  properly  understood:  I  saw 
the  immediate  necessity  of  such  a  corps;  I  knew  they  could 
be  raised  immediately  by  these  means;  and  at  the  same  time 
I  was  given  to  understand  by  several  gentlemen  of  the  Vir- 
ginia Convention,  that,  should  the  Continental  Congress  dis- 
approve of  the  expense,  (trifling  as  it  was,)  there  was  little 
doubt  of  their  Convention  defraying  it.  But  in  fact,  sir,  the 
measure  seemed  necessary  for  the  salvation  of  the  Provinces, 
and  not  a  day  was  to  be  lost,  which  I  hope  will  fully  justify 
my  conduct.  And  I  must  beg  leave  to  repeat  my  assertion, 
that  without  Cavalry  these  Provinces  cannot  be  easily 
defended. 

I  wish  some  means  could  be  devised  of  reducing  East 
Florida  to  an  American  Province.  Had  I  force  sufficient, 
I  should,  with  your  permission,  certainly  attempt  it.  The 
advantages  would  be  great  and  manifold.  The  augmentation 
of  the  Georgia  Cavalry,  I  sincerely  hope  may  be  approved 
of  by  the  Congress.  Enclosed  is  the  establishment  and  pay 
proposed  for  them.  I  think  the  terms  not  high. 

I  shall  now,  sir,  conclude,  with  expressing  the  high  satis- 
faction I  have  received  from  the  zeal,  activity,  and'publick 
spirit,  of  the  gentlemen  and  inhabitants  of  this  city  and 
Province,  from  the  President  of  Council  down  to  the  lowest 
order  of  the  people;  and  assuring  you  that  I  have  not  in  my 
military  capacity  met  with  the  least  obstruction  or  difficulty, 
but  that  we  have  all  worked  in  concert  and  harmony  for 
the  common  good. 

I  most  earnestly  request  you  will  pay  my  respects  to  the 
Congress ;  and  be  persuaded,  sir,  that  I  am,  most  entirely  and 
devotedly,  your  most  obedient  servant,  p  (  y 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 

P.  S'.  As  Georgia  has  been  particularly  unfortunate  in  their 
adventures  for  powder,  and  as  my  command  is  so  extensive, 
I  must  conjure  Congress  to  send  an  ample  supply. 

Circumstantial  account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  BRITISH 
Fleet  and  Army,  both  before  and  after  their  defeat  at 
SULLIVAN'S  ISLAND,  on  the  28th  of  JUNE,  1776. 

On  the  1st  of  June,  his  Excellency  the  President  received 
advices  of  a  fleet  of  forty  or  fifty  sail  being  at  anchor  about 
six  leagues  to  the  northward  of  Sullivan's  Island.  Accounts 
of  the  arrival  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  fleet  in  North- Carolina, 
and  that  it  was  destined  either  for  Virginia  or  this  Province, 
having  been  received  about  three  weeks  before,  put  it  beyond 
a  doubt  that  this  was  his  fleet.  Next  morning  the  alarm 
was  fired,  expresses  having  been  sent,  ordering  the  country 
Militia  to  town.  The  fortifications  were  all  visited  by  his 
Excellency  and  General  Armstrong,  and  preparations  for 
the  mast  vigorous  defence  ordered.  In  the  evening  a  man- 
of-war,  thought  to  be  a  twenty-gun  ship,  beat  up  to  wind- 
ward, and  anchored  off  the  bar;  next  day  she  was  joined  by 
a  frigate;  and  on  the  day  following,  (June  4,)  by  upwards  of 
fifty  sail  of  men-of-war,  transports,  tenders,  &ic.  We  have 
since  learned  that  the  men-of-war  were  the  Bristol,  of  fifty 
cuns,  on  board  of  which  the  Commodore  had  his  flag;  the 
Solebay,  Captain  Symonds,  twenty-eight;  Syren,  Captain 
Furneaux,  twenty-eight;  Active,  Captain  Williams,  twenty- 
eight;  Acteon,  Captain  Atkins,  twenty-eight;  Sphinx,  Cap- 
tain Hunt,  twenty;  Ranger  sloop  of  eight;  Thunder  (bomb) 
of  six  guns  and  two  mortars,  one  of  them  thirteen  inches, 
and  the  other  eleven;  an  armed  ship,  called  the  Friendship, 


437 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


438 


of  eighteen  guns,  with  some  smaller  armed  vessels.  The 
same  day  Captain  Mowat  arrived'  from  North- Carolina, 
with  an  express  from  General  Lee,  informing  that  the  fleet 
had  left  North- Carolina,  and  that  he  would  be  here  as 
speedily  as  possible,  with  several  Continental  regiments,  to 
our  assistance. 

A  few  days  after  the  arrival  of  the  fleet,  several  transports 
and  small  armed  vessels  went  to  Long-Island,  (situated  to 
the  eastward  of  Sullivan's  Island,  from  which  it  is  separated 
by  a  small  creek  called  the  Breach,)  where  they  landed  a 
large  body  of  troops,  who  encamped  there.  The  wind  and 
tide  being  favourable  for  the  four  following  days,  about  thirty- 
six  vessels  came  over  the  bar,  and  anchored  at  about  three 
miles  distance  from  Sullivan's  Island.  Two  of  their  trans- 
ports got  aground  in  coming  over;  one  got  off,  but  the  other 
went  to  pieces.  On  the  10th  the  Bristol  came  over,  her 
guns  being  previously  taken  out. 

On  the  7th,  a  boat,  with  a  flag  of  truce  from  the  enemy, 
came  towards  the  Island,  but  was  fired  on  by  an  ignorant 
sentinel.  The  boat  thereupon  immediately  put  about,  and 
would  not  return,  notwithstanding  the  officer  who  was  sent 
to  receive  the  flag  waved  his  handkerchief,  and  desired  them 
to  come  ashore.  Next  day  Colonel  Moultrie  sent  an  officer 
to  the  fleet  to  acquaint  them  of  the  sentinel's  having  fired 
without  orders,  and  that  he  was  ready  to  receive  anything 
they  had  to  send.  General  Clinton  was  satisfied  with  the 
apology,  and  said  the  intention  of  the  flag's  being  sent  was 
only  to  deliver  the  following  Proclamation,  which  the  officer 
brought  ashore: 

By  Major-General  CLINTON,   Commander  of  His  Majesty'$  Forces  in  the 

Southern  Provinces  of  NORTH  AMERICA: 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  a  most  unprovoked  and  wicked  rebellion  hath  for  some  time 
past  prevailed,  and  doth  now  exist  within  his  Majesty's  Province  of 
North-Carolina,  and  the  inhabitants  (forgetting  their  allegiance  to  their 
Sovereign,  and  denying  the  authority  of  the  laws  and  statutes  of  the 
Realm)  have,  in  a  succession  of  crimes,  proceeded  to  the  total  subversion 
of  all  lawful  authority,  usurping  the  powers  of  Government,  and  erecting 
a  tyranny  in  the  hands  of  Congresses  and  Committees  of  various  denomi- 
nations, utterly  unknown  and  repugnant  to  the  spirit  of  the  British  Con- 
stitution; and  divers  people,  in  defiance  to  all  legal  authority,  are  now 
actually  in  arms,  waging  unnatural  war  against  their  King;  and  whereas 
all  attempts  to  reclaim  the  infatuated  and  misguided  multitude  to  a  sense 
of  their  error  have  unhappily  proved  ineffectual, — I  have  it  in  command 
to  proceed  forthwith  against  all  such  men,  or  bodies  of  men  in  arms, 
and  against  all  such  Congresses  and  Committees  thus  unlawfully  estab- 
lished, as  against  open  enemies  to  the  State.  But,  considering  it  a  duty 
inseparable  from  the  principle  of  humanity,  first  of  all  to  forewarn  the 
deluded  people  of  the  miseries  ever  attendant  upon  civil  war,  I  do  most 
earnestly  entreat  and  exhort  them,  as  they  tender  their  own  happiness 
and  that  of  their  posterity,  to  appease  the  vengeance  of  an  injured  and 
justly  incensed  nation  by  a  return  to  their  duty  to  our  common  Sovereign, 
and  to  the  blessings  of  a  free  Government,  as  established  by  law,  hereby 
offering,  in  his  Majesty's  name,  free  pardon  to  all  such  as  shall  lay  down 
their  arms  and  submit  to  the  laws,  excepting  only  from  the  benefit  of 
such  pardon  Cornelius  Harnett  and  Robert  Howe.  And  I  do  hereby  re- 
quire that  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  all  Committees  of  Safety,  and 
other  unlawful  associations,  be  dissolved,  and  the  Judges  allowed  to  hold 
their  Courts  according  to  the  laws  and  Constitution  of  this  Province,  of 
which  all  persons  are  required  to  take  notice,  as  they  will  answer  the 
contrary  at  their  utmost  peril. 

Given  on  board  the  Pallas  transport,  in  Cape-Fear  River,  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  North- Carolina,  the  5th  day  of  May,  1776,  and  in  the  sixteenth 

year  of  his  Majesty's  reign.  ,T    „ 

H.  CLINTON. 
By  command  of  General  Clinton:  „    „ 

R.  REAVE,  Secretary. 

Major-General  Lee,  Brigadier-General  Howe,  Colonel 
Bullitt,  Colonel  Jenifer,  Otway  Byrd,  and  Lewis  Morris, 
Esqs.,  Aids-de-camp  to  General  Lee,  with  some  other  gen- 
tlemen, arrived  at  Haddrell's  Point  in  the  morning  of  the 
9th.  After  having  viewed  the  fortifications  there  and  on 
Sullivan's  and  James's  Islands,  they  came  to  town.  Orders 
being  given  on  the  10th  for  a  number  of  buildings  on  the 
wharves  to  be  pulled  down,  intrenchments  to  be  thrown  up 
all  around  the  town,  and  barricadoes  to  be  made  in  the  prin- 
cipal streets,  every  person,  without  distinction,  were  employed 
on  those  works. 

On  the  12th  there  blew  a  violent  storm,  in  which  an  hos- 
pital ship  and  the  Friendship,  which  were  at  anchor  on  the 
other  side  of  the  bar,  were  obliged  to  put  out  to  sea,  but 
returned  in  a  few  days  after.  A  schooner  having  on  board 
some  provisions  and  coals,  drifting  a  little  way  from  the  fleet, 
was  taken  by  one  of  our  pilot-boats,  and  brought  to  town.  Her 
crew  took  to  their  boat  on  observing  the  pilot-boat's  approach. 

His  Excellency  the  President  on  the  14th  proposed  to 
the  Militia  under  arms  an  oath  of  fidelity,  which  was  volun- 
tarily and  readily  taken  by  every  one  present  excepting 
three.  The  next  morning  it  was  proposed  to  the  country 
Militia  doing  duty  in  town,  and  to  the  Artillery  companies, 
when.it  met  with  their  unanimous  assent. 


A  sloop  from  the  West-Indies  for  this  port,  with  a  cargo 
of  gunpowder,  arms,  rum,  &tc.,  having,  in  the  afternoon  "of 
the  16th,  descried  the  fleet,  attempted  to  make  her  escape; 
but,  through  the  ignorance  of  her  pilot,  run  aground  and 
bilged.  Next  day  she  was  discovered  by  the  men-of-war; 
and  a  tender,  with  several  boats  full  of  armed  men,  came 
towards  her.  The  crew,  being  only  twenty-two  men,  unable 
to  cope  with  such  a  force  in  the  situation  the  vessel  was  in, 
quitted  her.  She  was  soon  after  boarded,  set  on  fire,  and 
blew  up  with  great  explosion. 

By  some  sailors  who  deserted  from  the  Ranger  sloop, 
lying  near  Long-Island,  we  were  informed  that  the  land 
forces  were  about  two  thousand  eight  hundred  (some  say 
three  thousand  three  hundred)  men,  under  the  command  of 
Major-General  Clinton,  who  had  under  him  Major-General 
Lord  Cornwall™  and  Brigadier-General  Vaughan. 

On  the  21st,  our  advanced  party  at  the  northeast  end  of 
Sullivan's  Island  fired  several  shot  at  the  armed  schooner 
Lady  William,  an  armed  sloop,  and  a  pilot-boat,  lying  in 
the  creek,  between  Long-Island  and  the  main ;  several  of 
which  hulled  them.  For  several  mornings  and  evenings 
the  enemy  threw  shells,  and  fired  from  some  field-pieces  on 
our  advanced  post,  but  without  any  effect. 

A  large  ship  hove  in  sight  on  the  25th,  in  the  morning. 
She  was  thought  to  be  the  Roebuck,  but  we  have  since 
learned  she  was  the  Experiment,  Captain  Scott,  of  fifty  guns. 
Next  day  she  came  over,  having  her  guns  out.  On  the  day 
follosving,  the  27th,  between  nine  and  ten  in  the  forenoon, 
as  soon  as  the  Experiment  had  her  guns  all  in,  the  Commo- 
dore hoisted  his  topsails,  fired  a  gun,  and  got  under  way. 
His  example  was  followed  by  several  others  of  the  men-of- 
war;  but  a  squall  coming  on,  and  the  wind  shifting  from 
southeast  to  the  opposite  quarter,  prevented  their  coming 
much  nearer  at  that  time.  In  the  afternoon,  the  Commo- 
dore again  got  under  way,  and  came  about  a  mile  nearer 
Sullivan's  Island. 

Next  morning,  June  28th,  the  following  was  the  disposi- 
tion of  the  ships-of-war:  The  Friendship,  at  the  distance  of 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Sullivan's  Island,  covering  the 
Thunder  (bomb);  the  Solebay,  Sphinx,  Bristol,  Active,  Ex- 
periment, Acteon,  and  Syren.  About  half  an  hour  past  ten 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  the  Thunder  began  throwing  shells 
on  Fort  Sullivan,  and  the  Active,  Bristol,  Experiment,  and 
Soleb'ay,  came  boldly  up  to  the  attack,  in  the  order  their 
names  are  put  down.  A  little  before  eleven  o'clock  the 
garrison  fired  four  or  five  shot  at  the  Active,  while  under 
sail,  some  of  which  struck  her;  these  she  did  not  seem  to 
regard  till  within  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the 
fort,  when  she  dropped  anchor  and  poured  in  a  broadside. 
Her  example  was  in  a  few  minutes  followed  by  the  other 
three  vessels,  when  there  ensued  one  of  the  most  heavy  and 
incessant  cannonades  perhaps  ever  known.  The  bomb  ves- 
sel was  at  the  same  time  throwing  shells;  a  firing  was  heard 
from  the  advanced  post  at  the  northeast  end  of  the  Island, 
and  more  vessels  were  seen  coming  up.  Our  brave  garrison, 
(consisting  of  the  Second  Regiment  of  Provincials,  a  detach- 
ment of  Artillery,  and  some  Volunteers,)  under  all  these 
difficulties,  which  to  the  far  greater  part  were  entirely  new, 
encouraged  by  the  example  of  their  gallant  commander, 
Colonel  William  Moultrie,  and  the  rest  of  the  officers, 
behaved  with  the  cool  intrepidity  of  veterans.  Our  cannon 
were  well  served,  and  did  dreadful  execution.  About  twelve 
o'clock  the  Sphinx,  Acteon,  and  Syren,  got  entangled  with 
a  shoal,  called  the  Middle  Ground.  The  two  first  ran  foul 
of  each  other;  the  Sphinx  got  off  with  the  loss  of  her  bow- 
sprit, but  the  Acteon  stuck  fast.  The  Syren  also  got  off. 
Much  about  the  same  time,  the  bomb  vessel  ceased  firing, 
after  having  thrown  upwards  of  sixty  shells.  We  have  since 
learned  that  her  beds  got  damaged,  and  that  it  will  require 
much  repairing  before  she  is  fit  for  service  again.  In  the 
afternoon  the  enemy's  fire  was  increased  by  that  of  the  Syren 
and  Friendship,  which  came  within  five  hundred  yards  of 
the  fort. 

Till  near  seven  o'clock  was  the  enemy's  fire  kept  up 
without  intermission.  It  slackened  considerably  after  that, 
and  they  only  returned  the  garrison's  fire,  but  generally 
twentyfold.  At  half  after  nine,  the  firing  on  both  sides 
ceased,  and  at  eleven,  the  ships  slipped  their  cables. 

About  the  time  the  ships  came  up,  an  armed  schooner 
and  sloop  came  nearer  our  advanced  post,  in  order  to  cover 
the  landing  of  their  troops,  and  every  other  preparation  for 


439 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


440 


that  purpose  was  made.  The  soldiers  even  got  into  their 
boats,  and  a  number  of  shells  were  thrown  into  our  intrench- 
•ment,  but  did  no  other  damage  than  wounding  one  soldier. 
Notwithstanding  which  they  never  once  attempted  to  land. 
At  the  advanced  post  were  stationed  Colonel  Thompson,  with 
his  Rangers,  some  companies  of  Militia,  and  a  detachment 
of  Artillery.  They  had  one  eighteen-pounder  and  two  field- 
pieces,  from  which  they  returned  the  enemy's  fire.  They 
were  reinforced  in  the  afternoon  with  Colonel  Muhlenberg's 
Virginia  battalion. 

JNext  morning,  all  the  men-of-war,  except  the  Actcon, 
were  retired  about  two  miles  from  the  Island,  which  they 
had  quietly  effected  under  cloud  of  night.  The  garrison 
fired  several  shot  at  the  Acteon,  which  she  returned.  But 
soon  after,  her  crew  set  her  on  fire  and  abandoned  her, 
leaving  her  colours  flying,  guns  loaded,  with  all  her  ammu- 
nition, provisions,  and  stores  on  board.  They  had  not  been 
long  gone  before  several  boats  from  the  Island  went  to  her. 
Lieutenant  Jacob  Milligan,  with  some  others,  went  on  board, 
and  brought  oft"  her  jack,  bell,  some  sails,  and  stores.  While 
the  flames  were  bursting  out  on  all  sides,  he  fired  three  of 
her  guns  at  the  Commodore.  In  less  than  half  an  hour 
after  they  quitted  her,  she  blew  up. 

The  Bristol,  against  which  the  fire  was  chiefly  directed, 
is  very  much  damaged.  It  is  said  that  not  less  than  seventy 
balls  went  through  her.  Her  mizenmast  was  so  much  hurt, 
that  they  have  since  replaced  it  with  another.  The  main- 
mast is  cut  away  about  fifteen  feet  below  the  hounds,  and 
instead  of  her  broad  pendant  soaring  on  a  lofty  mast,  it  is 
now  hardly  to  be  seen  on  a  jury-mainmast,  considerably 
lower  than  the  foremast.  The  Experiment  had  her  mizen 
gaff*  shot  away;  the  other  vessels  sustained  little  damage  in 
their  rigging. 

The  loss  in  the  fleet,  according  to  the  report  of  the  de- 
serters, is  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  killed  and  wounded ; 
among  the  former,  is  Captain  Morrison,  of  the  Bristol.  Sir 
Peter  Parker  had  the  hind  part  of  his  breeches  shot  away, 
which  laid  his  posteriors  bare:  bis  kneepan  was  hurt  by  a 
splinter.  There  have  been  several  funerals  in  the  fleet  since 
the  engagement,  and  from  the  parade  of  some,  it  is  conjec- 
tured they  were  of  officers  of  rank.  Some  of  the  deserters 
say  that  Captain  Scott,  of  the  Experiment,  is  among  the 
killed. 

The  loss  of  the  garrison  was  as  follows: 

Artillery:  Killed,  one  Matross;  wounded,  two  Matrosses. 
Second  Regiment:  killed,  one  Sergeant,  nine  rank  and  file; 
wounded,  Lieutenants  Gray  and  Hall,  the  Fife-major,  one 
Sergeant,  nineteen  rank  and  file. 

An  officer's  mulatto  waiting-boy  was  killed. 

Total  killed,  twelve;  wounded,  twenty -three. 

Both  the  officers  were  but  slightly  wounded,  and  are  now 
well.  Five  of  the  wounded  privates  are  since  dead. 

The  works  are  very  little  damaged;  but  hardly  a  hut  or 
tree  on  the  Island  escaped  the  shot  entirely.  Many  thou- 
sands of  the  enemy's  shot  have  been  picked  up  on  the 
Island. 

General  Lee  was  at  HacldrcWs  Point  at  the  beginning  of 
the  action,  and  went  in  a  boat,  through  a  thick  fire,  to  the 
fort,  where  he  staid  some  time.     He  says,  in   the  whole 
course  of  his  military  service,  he  never  knew  men  behave 
better;   and   cannot  sufficiently   praise   both    officers   and 
soldiers  for  their  coolness  and  intrepidity.     The  behaviour 
of  tsvo  Sergeants  deserves  to  be  remembered.     In  the  begin- 
ning of  the  action,  the  flag-staff"  was  shot  away;  which  being 
observed  by  Sergeant  Jasper,  of  the  Grenadiers,  he  imme- 
diately jumped  from  one  of  the  embrasures  upon  the  beach, 
took  up  the  flag,  and  fixed  it  on  a  spunge-staff;  with  it  in 
his  hand,  he  mounted  the  merlon,  and,  notwithstanding  the 
shot  flew  as  thick  as  hail  around  him,  he  leisurely  fixed  it. 
Sergeant  McDonald,  of  Captain  Hugcr's  company,  while 
exerting  himself  in  a  very  distinguished  manner,  was  cruelly 
shattered  by  a  cannon-ball ;  in  a  few  minutes,  he  expired, 
after  having  uttered  these  remarkable  words :  "  My  friends, 
I  am  dying ;  but  don't  let  the  cause  of  liberty  expire  with 
me."     His  comrades  felt  for  him ;  the  gallant  Jasper  imme- 
diately removed   his  mangled  corps  from  their  sight,  and 
called  aloud,  "  Let  us  revenge  that  brave  man's  death !" 
The  day  after  the  action,  his  Excellency  the  President  pre- 
sented Sergeant  Jasper  with  a  sword,  as  a  mark  of  esteem 
for  his  distinguished  valour. 

We  hear  that  the  fort  on  Sullivan's  Island  will  be  in 


future  called  Fort  Moultrie,  in  honour  of  the  gallant  officer 
who  commanded  there'  on  the  memorable  28th  of  June, 
1776. 

The  men-of-war  dropped  down  several  miles  further  from 
the  Island  a  few  days  after.  The  carpenters  in  the  fleet  had 
sufficient  employment  in  repairing  the  vessels.  Several  de- 
serters came  from  both  fleet  and  army,  who  all  agreed  we  need 
not  expect  another  visit  at  present;  that  it  was  talked,  that 
the  two  large  ships  would  go  to  English  harbour,  in  Antigua, 
to  get  refitted  ;  the  transports,  with  the  troops,  to  proceed  to 
New-York,  under  convoy  of  some  men-of-war,  to  join  the 
grand  Army;  and  that  two  frigates  would  be  left  to  cruise 
between  North-  Carolina  and  Georgia. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  General  Lee  sent  a  flag  to  the  enemy, 
with  a  proposal  to  exchange  a  prisoner  for  Colonel  Ethan 
Allen,  who,  it  was  said,  was  in  the  fleet;  a  present  of  some 
meat  and  vegetables  was  sent  at  the  same  time.  General 
Clinton  being  at  Long-Island,  an  answer  was  not  received 
till  two  days  afterwards,  when  he  informed  General  Lee 
that  Colonel  Allen  was  not  on  board ;  and  in  return  for  his 
present,  sent  some  porter,  cheese,  &ic.  Two  engineers 
came  in  the  boat;  but  as  they  were  received  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  Fort,  they  were  deprived  of  an  opportunity 
of  seeing  what  they  were  probably  sent  to  observe. 

A  sloop  from  the  West-Indies,  with  gunpowder,  &.C.,  ran 
aground  on  the  5th,  in  coming  into  Stono  Inlet.  She,  a 
few  days  afterwards,  went  to  pieces,  the  cargo  having  been 
previously  taken  out. 

A  number  of  the  enemy's  transports  went  to  Long- 
Island,  about  ten  days  after  the  repulse,  and  took  on  board 
all  the  troops  on  it  and  Goal-Island.  About  the  same  time, 
some  of  their  frigates  and  armed  vessels  went  over  the  bar; 
and  on  the  14th,  the  Bristol  made  an  attempt  to  go  out,  in 
which  she  failed,  having  struck  on  the  bar.  She  succeeded 
in  another  attempt  four  days  after,  and  came  to  an  anchor 
off"  the  harbour. 

The  transports,  with  the  Soltlay,  Thunder,  Friendship, 
and  some  of  the  small  armed  vessels,  sailed  on  the  20th, 
steering  a  southward  course.  They  were  afterwards  seen 
standing  to  the  eastward.  On  the  same  day,  a  brigantine, 
having  on  board  fifty  soldiers  and  six  sailors,  got  aground 
near  Dewces's  Inlet.  She  was  left  unobserved  by  the  rest, 
and  on  the  day  afterwards  was  taken  by  an  armed  flat  or 
floating  battery,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Pickering.  The 
brigantine  could  not  be  got  off,  and  was  therefore  burnt. 
She  was  mounted  with  six  four-pounders.  The  soldiers 
threw  their  small-arms  overboard,  on  seeing  the  approach 
of  the  flat.  Four  of  the  crew  escaped  in  their  boat. 

On  the  25th,  the  Experiment  went  over  the  bar,  her  lower 
tier  of  guns  being  taken  out.  She  came  to  anchor  near  the 
Commodore,  Syren,  and  three  transports,  lying  off  the  har- 
bour. A  frigate,  which  had  not  been  here  before,  came  to 
the  Commodore  in  the  afternoon  of  the  25th.  Next  morn- 
ing, she  sailed  for  the  southward,  and  two  days  after,  the 
Syren  followed  her. 

On  the  2d  of  August,  the  Active,  Sphinx,  and  a  large 
transport,  being  all  of  the  enemy's  vessels  within  the  bar, 
went  out,  and  with  the  Bristol,  Experiment,  three  transports, 
and  a  tender,  stood  out  to  sea,  steering  an  E.N.E.  course. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  NEW-JERSEY  CONVENTION. 

Philadelphia,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Congress  being  informed  that  there  is 
a  large  quantity  of  stock  on  the  sea-coast  of  your  Colony, 
which  are  much  exposed  to  the  incursions  of  the  enemy, 
and  that  many  of  the  proprietors  of  them,  actuated  by  mo- 
tives of  interest,  or  disaffected  to  the  cause  of  their  country, 
would  be  glad  to  dispose  of  them  to  the  enemy,  I  am  ordered 
to  forward  to  you  the  enclosed  resolution,  and  earnestly 
recommend  it  to  you  to  cause  the  stock  to  be  removed  back 
into  the  country  to  a  place  of  safety. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 
servant,  JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  New- Jersey. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  NEW-JERSEY  CONVENTION. 

Philadelphia,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  only  time  to  acquaint  you,  that  a 
letter  from  your  agent  to  Mr.  Kinsey  was  read  in  Congress; 


441 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


442 


in  consequence  of  which,  I  am  desired  to  forward  you  the 
enclosed  resolve;  and  enclose  you  copies  of  Lord  Howe's 
letter  and  declaration,  which  require  no  comment.  I  am  to 
inform  you  that  Congress  wish  to  know  by  what  means  that 
letter  to  Mr.  Kinsey  reached  his  hands,  and  am  to  desire 
you  will  take  every  method  to  prevent  any  communication 
with  the  enemy  from  your  Colony.  This  1  have  in  charge 
most  earnestly  to  recommend  to  you,  and  beg  your  imme- 
diate attention  to  it. 

I  most  sincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  agreeable  intel- 
ligence just  received  from  South -Carolina,  by  express. 
Have  not  time  to  be  particular;  can  only  say  the  enemy 
twice  attempted  to  land,  and  were  repulsed;  their  capital 
ships  disabled,  one  blown  up,  and,  in  short,  a  total  stop  put 
to  the  business  of  the  fleet  for  a  long  time;  the  Commodore 
wounded,  one  Captain  killed,  one  Captain  lost  an  arm,  and 
many  officers  and  men  killed  on  board  the  several  ships. 
General  Lee  writes,  the  officers  and  men  on  our  side  behaved 
as  well  as  any  old  troops  could.  Our  loss  very  trifling,  not 
one  officer  killed,  and  not  more  than  ten  men  killed,  and 
twenty-two  wounded.  General  Lee  writes,  he  never  saw 
such  a  fierce,  incessant  fire  in  all  his  life.  I  hope  He  who 
controls  all  events  will  still  espouse  our  cause,  and  give  such 
success  to  our  arms  in  other  quarters,  as,  from  the  righteous- 
ness of  our  cause,  and  our  real  reliance  on  Him,  He  shall 
judge  fit. 

I  am,  with  real  regard,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble 

servant,  n      ., 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  r resident. 

To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  New-Jersey. 

N.  B.  I  am  vastly  hurried.  Excuse  me,  I  have  not  time 
to  have  it  copied. 


WILLIAM  GODDARD  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  WAR. 

Philadelphia,  July  19,  1776. 

RESPECTED  GENTLEMEN:  Your  complaisant  reception 
of  my  application  to  be  taken  into  the  service  of  my  coun- 
try, and  your  attention  to  the  meritorious  officers  of  the 
Army,  in  which  I  am  desirous  of  serving,  do  equal  honour 
to  the  benevolence  and  justice  of  your  Board,  and  call  for 
my  wannest  acknowledgments.  As'  I  presume  the  cause 
of  my  not  being  hitherto  provided  for  arises  from  a  want  of 
information  how  it  might  be  done  with  propriety,  I  beg 
leave  to  lay  before  you  the  following  particulars,  collected 
from  several  officers  of  distinction.  At  the  same  time,  permit 
me  to  assure  your  honourable  Board,  that  I  do  not  wish  to 
be  gratified  at  the  hazard  of  disobliging  any  worthy  officer; 
neither,  indeed,  should  I  incline  to  serve  in  any  corps  in 
which  I  was  not  perfectly  agreeable. 

In  the  Army  under  the  immediate  command  of  his  Excel- 
lency General  Washington,  there  are  two  regiments  whose 
Colonels  are  removed,  viz:  the  Fourth,  late  Lamed' s,  and 
the  Twentieth,  Arnold's.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tyler,  of 
Colonel  Parsons's  regiment,  is  the  first  Lieutenant-Colonel 
in  rank  in  the  lines;  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Shepherd,  of 
the  Fourth  Regiment,  is  the  second  in  rank.  These  two 
gentlemen  served  all  the  last  war,  and  distinguished  them- 
selves as  brave  and  gallant  officers,  and  during  the  present 
struggle  for  "  peace,  liberty,  and  safety,"  have  been  highly 
esteemed.  It  appears,  therefore,  to  be  their  right  to  take 
the  command  of  those  regiments.  Arnold's  was  raised  in 
Connecticut,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tyler  would,  I  am 
persuaded,  be  as  acceptable  to  them  as  any  man  out  of  the 
regiment.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Shepherd,  if  preferred,  will 
command  the  regiment  he  now  belongs  to.  Major  Prentis, 
of  Colonel  Parsons's  regiment,  is  the  first  Major  in  rank  in 
the  lines,  and  has  always  approved  himself  an  able  com- 
mander. Lieutenant-Colonel  Putnam,  of  Colonel  Wyllys's 
regiment,  is  chief  Engineer,  and  does  no  duty  in  battalion; 
and  as  he  cannot  act  in  both  capacities,  and  he  is  very  skilful 
in  that  important  profession,  the  good  of  the  country,  it  is 
thought,  might  be  better  promoted  by  making  an  establish- 
ment for  Engineers,  and  confirming  Mr.  Putnam  in  that 
office,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel.  If  this  should  take  place, 
and  Major  Prentis  should  be  preferred  in  Colonel  Wyllys's 
regiment,  there  would  then  be  a  vacancy  in  Colonel  Par- 
sons's regiment,  in  which  I  am  assured  there  would  be  no 
objection  to  my  appointment  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel.  Captain  Chapman,  of  the  same  regiment,  an 
officer  of  real  worth,  would  then  of  course  be  appointed  to 


the  rank  of  Major,  he  being  the  oldest  Captain  in  the  regi- 
ment. 

In  addition  to  what  I  have  here  recited,  I  am  further 
informed  that  there  is  a  Lieutenant-Colonelcy  vacant  in  a 
new  battalion  of  Artificers,  commanded  by  Colonel  Parkc. 

I  have  mentioned  these  several  particulars  with  great 
deference  to  your  honourable  Board,  as  well  as  to  his  Excel- 
lency the  General,  and  hope  I  shall  not  be  considered  as  in 
the  remotest  degree  dictating  to  either.  If  I  have  gone 
further  than  I  ought,  I  beg  it  may  be  imputed  to  my  anxious 
desire  of  stepping  forth,  at  this  very  interesting  crisis,  in 
defence  of  my  country. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  highest  esteem,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant. 

WILLIAM  (JODDARD. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Board  of  War,  &c.,  for  the  United 
States  of  America. 

To  the  Honourable  Commissioners,  or  Delegates,  from  the 
several  AMERICAN  States,  now  sitting  in  General  Congress 
in  the  City  of  PHILADELPHIA: 

The  Memorial  of  WILLIAM   GODDARD,  most  respectfully 
showeth  : 

That  the  intolerable  severity  of  Ministerial  oppression 
having  exposed  to  innumerable  hardships  your  memorialist, 
and  other  printers  who  manifested  their  zeal  in  defence  of 
the  invaded  rights  of  America;  and  the  iron  hand  of  tyranny 
having,  by  means  of  the  Parliamentary  Post-Office,  pressed 
upon  him  more  heavily,  perhaps,  than  upon  any  other;  his 
own  sufferings,  and  an  ardent  desire,  of  serving  his  country, 
prompted  him  to  devise  a  plan  for  the  total  abolition  of  that 
engine  of  Ministerial  extortion,  fraud,  and  revenge,  by  sub- 
stituting to  it  a  Post-Office  on  constitutional  principles. 

His  undertaking  was  countenanced  by  all  the  friends  of 
American  freedom,  several  of  whom  contributed  largely 
towards  raising  a  fund  sufficient  to  prosecute  his  plan,  which 
the  artifices  used  by  the  tools  of  despotism  to  discourage  it 
rendered  more  expensive  than  it  might  otherwise  have  been. 
He  was,  however,  very  near  reaping  the  fruits  of  his  labour, 
and  reimbursing  his  friends,  when  your  most  honourable 
House  appointed  one  of  your  colleagues  to  superintend 
that  important  department,  under  your  direction ;  but  the 
worthy  officer  intrusted  with  it,  not  having  been  authorized 
to  indemnify  your  memorialist  or  his  friends  for  the  expense 
incurred  by  establishing  Postmasters,  hiring  riders,  and 
bringing  the  temporary  establishment,  in  all  its  parts,  to  that 
state  where  your  officer  found  it  when  it  was  resigned  with 
all  those  advantages,  a  great  loss  is  sustained '  by  your 
memorialist,  as  well  as  the  persons  who  were  more  inti- 
mately connected  with  him  in  that  voluntary  service  of  the 
publick. 

The  Secretary  and  Comptrollership  (the  two  principal 
places  which  the  Congress  instituted  under  the  Postmaster 
General)  having  been  disposed  of,  it  was  judged  that,  as 
your  memorialist  has  repeatedly  travelled  through  most  of 
the  Colonies,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  his  own  pro- 
jected plan,  he  was  more  capable  than  many  others  to  make 
a  proper  choice  of  inferior  officers,  and  knew  many  local 
circumstances  that  would  be  essentially  useful  in  the  regula- 
tion of  that  department,  should  he  be  invested  with  the 
Surveyorship,  on  the  present  establishment. 

To  serve  this  country,  he  accepted  it,  insufficient  as  the 
salary  was  to  afford  him  a  decent  maintenance,  and  though 
he  well  knew  that  the  greater  his  exertions  should  be,  the 
sooner  his  office  must  be  discontinued,  all  sinecures  being 
inglorious  to  the  incumbents,  and  burdensome  to  the  State. 

Having  brought  the  Surveyorship  to  that  period,  for  one 
year  at  least,  he  entreats  youf  honourable  House  to  favour 
him  with  an  opportunity  to  serve  his  country  in  the  Army, 
wherever  the  scene  of  action  may  be,  if  he  be  permitted 
to  share  in  the  glorious  struggle  in  which  his  country  is  now 
engaged,  and  be  rendered  as  serviceable  as  may  be  reason- 
ably presumed  from  his  known  principles  and  character. 

He  is  informed,  by  officers  of  distinction,  that  there  are 
three  vacancies,  one  of  which,  the  Mustermaster-GeneraPs, 
being  more  lucrative,  might  indemnify  him  for  a  part  of  the 
pecuniary  losses  already  mentioned ;  but  as  it  is  less  liable 
to  those  personal  dangers  which  his  natural  disposition  im- 
pels him  to  encounter,  he  would  think  himself  more  happy 
should  you  honour  him  with  a  commission  amongst  the  gen- 


443 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


444 


*tlemen  who  shall  be  appointed  Field-Officers,  to  supply  the 
consequential  vacancies  occasioned  by  the  alterations  expect- 
ed to  happen  in  two  regiments,  which  have  no  Colonel. 

Your  Memorialist  would  not  presume  to  solicit  employment 
to  the  prejudice  of  the  officers  in  any  regiment;  but  he  is 
assured  that  it  will  give  no  disgust  to  the  worthy  gentlemen 
of  two  corps  on  this  station,  who,  having  honourably  served 
in  them,  might  with  propriety  claim  such  preferments. 

Now  that  this  country  is  threatened  with  a  most  formida- 
ble invasion,  to  assist  in  defending,  at  the  risk  of  his  life, 
those  sacred  rights  which,  as  a  citizen,  he  has  asserted  on 
every  opportunity  that  his  humble  station  offered  him,  is  the 
most  fervent  wish  of  your  memorialist,  who  will  strive  to 
render  himself  worthy  of  the  confidence  that  may  be  reposed 
in  him  by  your  honourable  House,  and  to  demonstrate  that 
he  is  ever  ready  to  sacrifice  his  own  advantage  to  the  publick 
good. 

New-York,  June  21,  1776. 


WILLIAM  GODDARD. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabethtown,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  After  making  such  preparations  as  our  circumstances 
would  admit  of,  I  marched,  about  eight  o'clock  yesterday 
evening,  to  the  mouth  of  Thompson's  Creek,  with  the  Con- 
tinental troops  under  the  command  of  Major  Knowlton;  the 
Rifle  battalions  were  to  follow.  The  wind  and  tide  being 
against  them,  the  boats  could  not  be  so  soon  brought  to  us 
as  we  expected.  In  the  mean  time  the  weather  became  too 
tempestuous  to  venture  over  the  Sound  in  scows.  We  remain- 
ed on  the  shore,  in  hopes  of  calmer  weather,  till  near  eleven 
o'clock,  but  finding  no  probability  of  getting  over  in  time  to 
reach  the  enemy's  quarters  before  day,  were  under  the  ne- 
cessity of  relinquishing  the  enterprise.  It  cannot  be  renewed 
till  we  have  more  forces  here ;  nor  would  it  be  prudent  to 
attempt  any  surprise  for  some  days,  as  our  motions  are 
probably  communicated  to  the  enemy. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  ober 
dient  servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 


A  PLAN  FOR  ATTACKING  STATEN-ISLAND. 

First.  A  party  to  attack  the  southeast  part  of  the  Island, 
at  a  landing  called  Pullion's,  about  two  miles  westward 
from  the  Narrows,  where  are  several  scattered  farm-houses, 
where  it  is  said  troops  are  quartered ;  this  party  to  consist  of 
four  hundred,  and  to  go  from  Long-Island. 

Second.  A  party  to  embark  at  Piscataway  Landing,  on 
Raritan  River,  about  six  miles  above  Amboy,  to  make  their 
descent  on  the  southwest  side  of  the  Island,  about  two  miles 
east  of  Billop's  Point;  to  consist  of  five  hundred  men,  to 
endeavour  to  surprise  the  rear  of  the  camp,  opposite  to 
Amboy. 

Third.  A  party  to  embark  from  the  Old  Blazing-Star, 
near  Woodbridge,  and  to  make  their  descent  on  the  best 
landing  opposite,  and  to  endeavour  to  surprise  the  town  of 
Richmond,  or  Cuckold's  Town;  to  consist  of  five  hundred 
men. 

Fourth.  A  party  to  embark  at  a  place  about  three  miles 
south  from  Elizabethtown  Point,  where  there  is  a  wood  that 
will  cover  them  to  the  place  of  embarkation ;  to  make  their 
descent  on  the  Island  on  the  opposite  shore,  where  there  is 
a  good  landing  on  the  upland,  covered  with  woods  not  far  off. 
The  object  here  is  uncertain,  but  there  are  a  number  of  good, 
large  farm-houses  in  the  neighbourhood,  where  it  is  probable 
troops  are  lodged  without  much  caution  ;  to  consist  of  four 
hundred  men. 

Fifth.  A  party  to  embark  in  Newark  Bay,  from  a  place 
about  a  mile  below  Brown's  Ferry,  to  make  the  descent  at 
a  place  opposite  the  east  end  of  Shutter's  Island,  marked 
Mushcreau;  this  party  to  consist  of  eight  hundred  men,  two 
hundred  of  which  are  immediately  to  march  westward,  in 
order  to  cut  oft"  the  guard  opposite  to  Elizabcthtown-Point; 
the  remaining  six  hundred  to  march  slowly,  firmly,  and  care- 
fully, eastsvard,  towards  the  church  at  Decker's,  with  small 
parties  ahead  to  surprise  and  break  up  the  parties  lodged  in 
the  houses  along  the  shore. 

Sixth.  A  party  to  attempt  to  surprise  the  enemy's  guard 
on  Buskirk's  Point,  which  is  the  southeast  corner  of  Bergen 
Point;  this  party,  or  guard,  does  not  seem  to  be  large,  but 
it  is  said  they  are  possessed  of  two  six-pounders.  The  party 


that  makes  the  attack  must  not  attempt  to  go  over  the  cause- 
way or  road  over  the  meadow,  the  cannon  being  in  ull  proba- 
bility pointed  to  command  that  pass,  but  should  be  provided 
with  some  boards,  and  proceed  in  two  or  three  columns  over 
the  meadow,  where  they  will  meet  with  no  other  obstruction 
than  a  small  creek  or  ditch,  which  they  will  easily  pass  with 
the  help  of  the  boards.  If  this  place  is  carried,  a  cannonade 
and  bombardment  should,  as  soon  as  possible,  commence  on 
the  ships,  a  great  number  of  which  now  lie  within  reach  of 
the  place.  A  cannonade  should  also  commence  on  Bergen 
Point,  opposite  the  church  and  Decker's,  where  it  is  said 
about  six  hundred  men  are  posted ;  this  cannonade,  with 
round  and  grape  shot,  would  confuse  the  troops  in  forming, 
and  prevent  their  succouring  the  guard  at  Elizabethtown- 
Point  or  opposing  our  party  who  make  their  descent  near 
Shutter's  Island.  The  cannonade  should  also  be  kept  up 
on  such  parts  of  the  shore  of  Staten-Island  where  any  boats 
are  collected  or  may  assemble.  The  party  for  these  several 
matters  on  Bergen-Neck  should  be  about  seven  hundred  men, 
besides  the  Riflemen. 

About  the  time  the  troops  make  the  descent,  which  should 
be  at  the  beginning  of  the  ebb,  as  great  a  number  of  fire- 
rafts  and  fire-ships  as  can  be  provided,  should  be  towed  down, 
so  as  to  fall  in  with  the  head  of  the  fleet. 

The  commanding  officer  of  each  party  to  reconnoitre  the 
ground  where  he  is  to  embark,  and  where  he  is  to  make  his 
descent,  in  the  best  manner  he  can,  by  the  help  of  glasses 
or  otherwise;  and  also  to  get  the  best  information  he  can  of 
the  roads  and  country  in  general  in  the  way  to  the  place  of 
his  destination ;  they  should  also  be  provided  with  faithful, 
good  guides :  plenty  of  them  are  to  be  had  in  New-Jersey. 

All  the  boats  in  New- Jersey,  from  Raritan  River  to 
Powles  Hook,  should  immediately  be  collected  and  secured 
under  proper  guards,  as  well  to  prevent  intelligence  going  to 
the  enemy  as  to  serve  for  these  embarkations.  The  com- 
manding officer,  before  he  sets  out,  to  determine  whether  the 
boats  are  to  remain  at  the  place  of  descent,  or  to  meet  him 
at  some  other  place,  and  to  direct  the  guards  of  boats  accord- 
ingly. A  number  of  spare  boats  should  be  collected  in 
Elizabethtown- Creek,  Newark-Bay,  and  towards  Blazing- 
Star,  to  be  ready  to  serve  on  any  emergency. 

As  the  success  of  the  attempt  will  depend  on  a  proper 
timing  of  the  different  attacks,  the  commanding  officers  of 
all  the  parties  should  regulate  their  watches  by  one  standard, 
and  be  punctually  at  the  place  of  their  destinatien  at  the 
time  agreed  on. 

Suspected  persons  on  Bergen  should  be  immediately  re- 
moved :  there  are  several  gone  from  New-  York. 

As  the  safety  of  the  troops  in  these  enterprises  will  entirely 
depend  on  securing  a  safe  retreat,  the  utmost  caution  and 
attention  must  be  paid  to  the  having  the  boats  ready  at  the 
proper  places,  to  take  off  the  respective  parties. 

Instead  of  the  fourth  article,  it  is  proposed  to  adopt  a  plan 
of  Major  Knowlton 's,  which  is,  to  march  a  body  of  about  one 
thousand  men  to  the  point  X,  and  there  to  embark  and  pro- 
ceed to  the  place  A,  and  to  march  up  the  Neck  into  the 
country  by  the  pricked  line  to  the  place  B,  and  there  to  send 
off  a  party  toward  C,  to  fall  upon  the  rear  of  the  troops 
posted  in  the  houses  along  the  north  side  of  the  Island;  the 
rest  to  proceed  to  D,  and  there  to  divide  and  proceed  to  the 
several  places  E,  F,  G,  and  in  their  way  to  sweep  the  whole 
country  before  them,  and  then  to  embark  again  at  the  two 
last  mentioned  places,  where  the  boats  must  be  ready  to 
receive  them  ;  but  the  guard  of  the  boats  should  be  cautious 
of  going  to  those  places  before  they  are  sure  of  our  people 
being  in  possession  of  them. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  20,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  duly  honoured  with  your  favours  of  the 
16th  and  17th,  with  the  several  resolves  they  contained,  to 
the  execution  of  which,  so  far  as  shall  be  in  my  power,  I 
will  pay  proper  attention. 

In  my  letter  of  the  17th  instant,  I  transmitted  you  a  copy 
of  one  from  General  Schuyler,  and  of  its  several  enclosures. 
I  confess  the  determination  of  the  council  of  General  Officers 
on  the  7th,  to  retreat  from  Crown-Point,  surprised  me  much ; 
and  the  more  I  consider  it  the  more  striking  does  the  impro- 


445 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


446 


priety  appear.  The  reasons  assigned  against  it  by  the  Field- 
Officeis  in  their  remonstrance, coincide  greatly  with  my  own 
ideas  and  those  of  the  other  General  Officers  I  have  had  an 
opportunity  of  consulting  with,  and  seem  to  be  of  considerable 
weight — I  may  add,  conclusive. 

I  am  not  so  fully  acquainted  with  the  geography  of  that 
country  and  the  situation  of  the  posts  as  to  pronounce  a 
peremptory  judgment  upon  the  matter;  but  if  any  of  my 
ideas  are  right,  the  possession  of  Crown-Point  is  essential 
to  give  us  every  superiority  and  mastery  upon  the  Lake. 
That  the  enemy  will  possess  it  as  soon  as  abandoned  by  us 
there  can  be  no  doubt ;  and  if  they  do,  whatever  galleys 
or  force  we  keep  on  the  Lake  will  be  unquestionably  in 
their  rear.  How  they  are  to  be  supported  there,  or  what 
succour  can  be  drawn  from  them  then,  is  beyond  my 
comprehension.  Perhaps  it  is  only  meant  that  they  shall 
be  employed  on  the  communication  between  that  and  Ti- 
conderoga.  If  this  is  the  case,  I  fear  the  views  of  Con- 
gress will  not  be  answered,  nor  the  salutary  effects  derived 
from  them  that  were  intended.  I  have  mentioned  my  sur- 
prise to  General  Schuyler,  and  would,  by  the  advice  of  the 
Generals  here,  have  directed  that  the  posts  should  be  main- 
tained, had  it  not  been  for  two  causes:  an  apprehension 
that  the  works  have  been  destroyed,  and  that  if  the  Army 
should  be  ordered  from  Ticonderoga  to  the  post  opposite  to 
it  (where  I  presume  they  are)  to  repossess  it,  they  would 
have  neither  one  place  or  another  secure  and  in  a  defensible 
state.  The  other,  lest  it  might  increase  the  jealousy  and 
diversity  of  opinions  which  seem  already  too  prevalent  in 
that  Army,  and  establish  a  precedent  for  the  inferior  officers 
to  set  up  their  judgment  whenever  they  would  in  opposition 
to  those  of  their  superiors,  a  matter  of  great  delicacy,  and 
that  might  lead  to  fatal  consequences,  if  countenanced ; 
though  in  the  present  instance  1  could  wish  their  reasoning 
had  prevailed.  If  the  Army  has  not  moved,  what  I  have 
said  to  General  Schuyhr  may,  perhaps,  bring  on  a  recon- 
sideraiion  of  the  matter,  and  it  may  not  be  too  late  to  take 
measures  for  maintaining  that  post;  but  of  this  I  have  no 
hope. 

In  consequence  of  the  resolve  of  Congress  for  three  of  the 
Eastern  regiments  to  reinforce  the  Northern  Army,  1  wrote 
General  Ward,  and,  by  advice  of  my  General  Officers,  directed 
them  to  march  to  Norwich,  and  there  to  embark  for  Albany, 
conceiving  that  two  valuable  purposes  might  result  there- 
from: first,  that  they  would  sooner  join  the  Army  by  pur- 
suing this  route,  and  be  saved  from  the  distress  and  fatigue 
that  must  attend  every  long  march  through  the  country  at 
this  hot  and  uncomfortable  season ;  and,  secondly,  that  they 
might  give  succour  here  in  case  the  enemy  should  make  an 
attack  about  the  time  of  their  passing.  But  the  enemy 
having  now,  with  their  ships-of-war  and  tenders,  cut  off  the 
water  communication  from  hence  to  Albany,  I  have  written 
this  day,  and  directed  them  to  proceed  by  land  across  the 
country.  If  Congress  disapprove  the  route,  or  wish  to  give 
any  orders  about  them,  you  will  please  to  certify  me  thereof, 
that  I  may  take  measures  accordingly. 

Enclosed  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit  you  copies  of  a 
letter  and  sundry  resolutions,  which  I  received  yesterday  from 
the  Convention  of  this  State.  By  them  you  will  perceive 
they  have  been  acting  upon  matters  of  great  importance,  and 
are  exerting  themselves  in  the  most  vigorous  manner  to  de- 
feat the  wicked  designs  of  the  enemy,  and  such  disaffected 
persons  as  may  incline  to  assist  and  facilitate  their  views.  In 
compliance  with  their  request,  and  on  account  of  the  scarcity 
of  money  for  carrying  their  salutary  views  into  execution,  I 
have  agreed  to  lend  them,  out  of  the  small  stock  now  in 
hand,  (not  more  than  sixty  thousand  dollars,)  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars,  in  part  of  what  they  want,  which  they  promise 
speedily  to  replace.  Had  there  been  money  sufficient  for 
paying  the  whole  of  our  troops,  and  not  more,  I  could  not 
have  done  it;  but  as  it  was  otherwise,  and  by  no  means 
proper  to  pay  a  part  and  not  the  whole,  I  could  not  fore- 
see any  inconveniences  that  would  attend  the  loan;  on  the 
contrary,  that  might  contribute  in  some  degree  to  forward 
their  schemes.  I  hope  my  conduct  in  this  instance  will  not 
be  disapproved. 

I  enclosed  to  Governour  Trumbull  a  copy  of  their  letter, 
and  of  their  several  resolves,  to-day,  by  Colonel  Broome  and 
Mr.  Duer,  two  members  of  the  Convention,  who  are  going  to 
wait  on  him;  but  I  did  not  think  myself  at  liberty  to  urge  or 
request  his  interest  in  forming  the  camp  of  six  thousand  men, 


as  the  levies,  directed  by  Congress  on  the  3d  of  June  to  be 
furnished  for  the  defence  of  this  place  by  that  Government, 
are  but  a  little  more  than  one-third  come  in ;  at  the  same  time 
the  proposition  I  think  a  good  one,  if  it  could  be  carried  into 
execution.  In  case  the  enemy  should  attempt  to  effect  a 
landing  above  King's  Bridge,  and  to  cut  off  the  communi- 
cation between  this  city  and  the  country,  an  army  to  hang 
on  their  rear  would  distress  them  exceedingly. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  great  esteem, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

P.  S.  The  enclosed  paper  should  have  been  sent  before, 
but  was  omitted  through  hurry. 

P.  S.  After  I  had  enclosed  my  letter  I  received  one  from 
General  Ward,  a  copy  of  which  is  herewith  transmitted.  I 
have  written  to  him  to  forward  the  two  regiments  now  at 
Boston  by  the  most  direct  road  to  Ticonderoga,  as  soon  as 
they  are  well,  with  the  utmost  expedition.  I  consider  their 
having  had  the  small-pox  as  a  fortunate  circumstance.  When 
the  three  arrive  which  had  marched  for  Norwich,  I  shall 
immediately  send  one  of  them  on,  if  Congress  shall  judge  it 
expedient,  of  which  you  will  please  to  inform  me. 

[No.  1.]  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of ) 

New-York,  White-Plains,  July  16,  1776.      \ 

SIR:  We  cannot  but  express  our  satisfaction  at  the  unre- 
mitted  attention  which  your  Excellency  manifests  to  the 
interests  of  this  State.  We  see  the  force  of  your  observa- 
tions, and  have  taken,  and  shall  continue  to  take,  every 
measure  which  we  conceive  most  conducive  to  defeat  the 
designs  of  our  enemy.  This  will  in  part  appear  from  the 
enclosed  resolution. 

We  are  extremely  sorry  that  the  state  of  our  finances 
reduces  us  to  the  necessity  of  applying  to  your  Excellency 
for  a  loan,  which  it  may  perhaps  be  inconvenient  for  you  to 
make,  but  we  shall  take  the  earliest  care  to  replace  what 
nothing  but  urgent  necessity  would  have  induced  us  to  bor- 
row. 

As  our  troops  are  but  ill  supplied  with  ammunition,  we 
hope  that  your  Excellency  will  order  them  an  immediate 
supply,  as  part  of  them  are  already  in  motion,  as  well  as 
direct  the  Commissary-General  to  take  the  necessary  steps 
for  their  subsistence.  New  levies,  who  have  never  seen  ser- 
vice, will,  without  doubt,  require  a  commander  of  some  expe- 
rience. Such  an  one,  we  trust,  your  Excellency  will  supply 
as  soon  as  possible. 

Our  apprehensions  of  an  attempt  on  the  part  of  our  ene- 
mies to  cut  off  the  communication  between  the  city  and 
country,  by  landing  above  King's  Bridge,  makes  us  wish  to 
have  some  force  ready  to  hang  on  their  rear  in  case  such  a 
step  should  be  taken :  for  which  reason  we  have  not  only 
called  out  all  the  force  we  could  possibly  collect,  (exclusive 
of  that  which  may  probably  be  wanted  in  the  frontier  Coun- 
ties,) but  would  take  the  liberty,  if  it  should  meet  your 
Excellency's  approbation,  to  suggest  the  same  idea  to  Go- 
vernour Trumbull,  who,  by  forming  a  camp  on  Byram  River 
of  six  thousand  men,  might  render  any  design  which  the 
enemy  may  have  to  land  above  King's  Bridge  extremely 
hazardous. 

We  have  been  just  informed  that  the  ships  which  sailed 
this  morning  have  anchored  about  ten  or  twelve  miles  below 
Fort  Montgomerie.  We  have  great  reason  to  believe  that 
their  design  is  to  pass  it,  and  burn  our  shipping  at  Pough- 
Jceepsie. 

We  shall  be  happy  to  cooperate  with  your  Excellency  in 
every  measure  which  may  tend  to  secure  the  liberty  of  Ame- 
rica, which  we  conceive  to  be  nearly  connected  with  the 
preservation  of  this  State. 

We  have  this  moment  heard  that  the  Phcenir  is  aground 
in  Havcrstraw  Bay,  and  have  some  reason  to  believe  it. 

We  remain  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  very 
humble  servants, 

By  order:  NATHANIEL  WOODHULL,  President. 


In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 

'6,1776.      $ 


[No.  2.] 

New-York,  White-Plains,  July  16, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  all  persons  abiding  within 
the  State  of  New-York,  and  deriving  protection  from  the 
laws  of  the  same,  owe  allegiance  to  said  laws,  and  are  mem- 
bers of  the  State ;  and  that  all  persons  passing  through,  visit- 
ing, or  making  a  temporary  stay  in  the  said  State,  being 


447 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


448 


entitled  to  the  protection  of  the  laws  during  the  time  of  such 
passage,  visitation,  or  temporary  stay,  owe  during  the  same 
time  allegiance  thereto.  That  all  persons  members  of,  or 
owing  allegiance  to,  this  State,  as  before  described,  who  shall 
levy  war  against  the  said  State  within  the  same,  or  be  adhe- 
rent to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  or  others  the  enemies  of 
the  said  State  within  the  same,  giving  to  him  or  them  aid 
and  comfort,  are  guilty  of  treason  against  the  State,  and 
being  thereof  convicted,  shall  suffer  the  pains  and  penalties 
of  death. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

ROBT.  BENSON,  Secretary. 

[No.  3.1  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 

New-York,  White-Plains,  July  16,  1776.      $ 

Whereas  this  Convention  have  the  strongest  reason  to 
believe  that  the  British  Armies  in  New-  York  and  Canada 
will  endeavour,  by  means  of  Hudson's  River,  to  effect  a 
junction,  and  thereby  cut  off  all  intercourse  between  the 
Eastern  and  Southern  States :  And  whereas  the  Counties 
contiguous  to  the  Sound  and  Hudson's  River  will  be  greatly 
exposed  to  the  ravages  and  incursions  of  a  cruel  and  unnatu- 
ral enemy,  which,  if  not  prevented,  will  render  them  a  scene 
of  ruin  and  desolation:  And  whereas,  from  the  situation  of 
said  country,  intersected  with  defiles  and  narrow  passes,  it 
will  be  extremely  practicable  to  repel  the  hostile  attempts 
of  the  enemy,  provided  the  inhabitants  exert  themselves  in 
its  defence  with  the  union,  spirit,  and  alacrity,  of  men  deter- 
mined to  defend  their  rights,  and  transmit  the  blessings  of 
freedom  to  posterity:  And  whereas  it  is  the  indispensable 
duty  of  this  Convention,  by  every  means  in  their  power,  to 
provide  for  the  happiness  and  security  of  their  constituents, 
reposing  the  highest  confidence  in  their  virtue  and  publick 
spirit:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  one-fourth  part  of  the  Militia  of  the  Coun- 
ties of  Westchester,  Dutchess,  Ulster,  and  Orange,  be  forth- 
with drawn  out  for  the  defence  of  the  liberties,  property, 
wives  and  children,  of  the  good  people  of  this  State. 

And  as  at  this  busy  season  of  the  year  the  service  may  be 
inconvenient  to  many  of  them, 

Resolved,  That  each  man  be  allowed  twenty  dollars  as 
a  bounty,  with  Continental  pay  and  subsistence,  and  be 
continued  iti  the  service  until  the  last  day  of  December  next, 
unless  sooner  discharged. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  such  of  the  inhabi- 
tants who  remain  at  home,  to  give  all  possible  assistance  to 
the  families  of  those  spirited  persons  who  stepped  forth  in 
defence  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  this  invaded  country; 
and  that  the  Sub-Committees  in  the  several  Districts  in  those 
Counties  pay  particular  attention  to  see  this  recommendation 
be  complied  with. 

Resolved,  That  the  Brigadier-General,  and  the  Field-Offi- 
cers  of  the  Militia  of  each  County,  be  directed  to  adopt  the 
most  equitable  and  expeditious  mode  of  raising  these  levies, 
and  of  furnishing  with  arms  those  who  are  not  supplied,  (the 
price  of  the  arms  to  be  deducted  out  of  each  man's  pay;) 
and  that  they  be  authorized  to  call  on  the  Committee  of  each 
County  for  their  assistance. 

Resolved,  That  the  levies  be  formed  into  Companies,  to 
consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  three  Sergeants, 
three  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  one  Fifer,  and  fifty  Privates; 
and  that  the  Captain  and  Subalterns  be  appointed  by  the 
Field-Officers  of  each  Regiment  of  Militia  from  which  the 
quotas  were  to  be  raised,  and  the  Non-Commissioned  Officers 
by  the  Captains  of  each  Company. 

Resolved,  That  each  man  furnish  himself  with  a  Blanket 
and  Knapsack,  and  every  six  men  with  a  Pot  or  Camp- 
Kettle. 

Resolved,  That  two  Deputy-Commissaries  be  appointed 
to  provide  four  months'  Provision  for  six  thousand  men,  to 
be  deposited  in  two  Magazines,  one  on  each  side  of  the  river, 
at  such  places  as  his  Excellency  General  Washington  shall 
think  proper  to  appoint. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  men  now  raised  in  the  Counties 
of  Ulster  and  Orange  be  stationed  in  the  Highlands,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  river,  to  guard  those  defiles  the  possession 
of  which  Brigadier-General  Clinton  shall  think  most  condu- 
cive to  the  safety  of  the  State. 

Resolved,  That  the  men  raised  in  the  Counties  of  West- 
Chester  and  Dutchess  repair  immediately  to  Peek's  Kill;  and 
that  General  Washington  be  requested  to  appoint  an  Officer 


to  take  the  command  of  all  the  levies  on  both  sides  of  the 
river,  to  fix  upon  what  station  they  shall  occupy,  and  to 
nominate  the  two  Deputy-Commissaries  for  the  Troops  on 
each  side  the  river. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  informed  of  the 
measures  which  this  Convention  have  taken  for  the  safety 
of  the  State;  and  that  he  be  requested  to  advance  the  sum 
of  £20,000  in  order  to  expedite  the  raising  these  levies. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  Troops  raised  in  the  above  Counties 
shall  be  subject  to  the  Articles  of  War  established  by  the 
Continental  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  his  Excellency  General  Washington  be 
requested  to  write  to  Governour  Trumbull,  desiring  him  to 
devise  and  carry  into  execution  the  most  expeditious  and 
effectual  measures  for  keeping  up  the  intercourse  betwixt 
the  Army  now  at  New-  York  and  the  State  of  Connecticut ; 
and  that  two  of  the  members  of  this  Convention  wait  on 
Governour  Trumbull,  to  enforce,  by  such  arguments  as  they 
shall  think  of  most  weight,  the  purport  of  General  Washing- 
ton's letter. 

Resolved,  That  the  Brigadier-Generals  and  Committees 
of  the  respective  Counties  be  immediately  furnished  with 
copies  of  these  Resolutions. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes:     ROBT.  BENSON,  Secretary. 

[No.  4.]  Boston,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  this  moment  favoured  with  your  Excellency's 
letter  of  the  1 1th  instant.  I  have  also  received  yours  of  the 
7th  and  9th.  I  have  paid,  and  shall  pay,  the  utmost  atten- 
tion to  all  your  directions.  Two  regiments  will  march  on 
Thursday  morning,  one  on  Friday,  and  the  other  two  as 
soon  as  they  are  well,  which  1  trust  will  be  in  ten  days. 

As  the  small-pox  prevailed  so  much  in  Boston,  the  Legis- 
lature of  this  Government  gave  permission  for  the  inhabitants 
to  inoculate;  and  as  so  many  of  the  troops  in  town  had 
taken  the  disorder,  I  thought  it  might  be  most  for  the  gene- 
ral good  to  permit  the  remainder  of  the  two  regiments  in 
town  to  be  inoculated. 

I  have  made  a  return  to  the  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance 
of  the  stores  in  this  division  of  the  Continental  Army. 

I  am,  sir,  your  Excellency's  obedient  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  COMMITTEE. 
Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  a  resolution  of  the 
Provincial  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-Yorlc,  dated  the 
16th  instant,  recommending  it  to  all  the  General  and  Sub- 
Committees,  to  apprehend  and  secure  all  such  persons  whose 
going  at  large,  at  this  critical  time,  they  may  deem  dangerous 
to  the  safety  of  the  State. 

As  this  city  is  hourly  threatened  with  an  attack  from  a 
powerful  enemy,  and  as  there  is  too  much  reason  to  appre- 
hend, from  their  vicinity  to  this  city,  and  from  the  number 
of  suspicious  characters  still  in  it,  that  they  may  receive 
intelligence  which  may  counteract  all  my  operations  for  its 
defence,  I  strongly  recommend  it  to  you  to  remove  for  some 
time  all  equivocal  and  suspicious  characters.  This  appears 
to  me  to  be  the  spirit  of  the  resolution  of  the  Provincial 
Convention;  and  the  propriety  of  it  is  founded  on  the  law  of 
self-preservation,  and  confirmed  by  the  practice  of  all  nations 
in  a  state  of  war. 

I  esteem  it  my  duty  to  add  my  recommendation  to  that 
of  the  Provincial  Convention,  that  if,  through  an  ill-timed 
lenity,  my  attempts  to  secure  this  Province  should  be  baffled, 
the  blame  of  it  may  not  be  imputed  to  my  want  of  vigilance. 

I  have  enclosed  a  list  of  persons  represented  as  dangerous. 
As  I  can  only  speak  from  information,  I  must  rely  upon  your 
taking  proper  steps  with  them ;  unless,  from  your  better 
kno\\  ledge,-you  determine  them  to  be  of  a  different  character 
than  represented. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New- York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  ROBERT  LIVINGSTON  AND  OTHERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  19,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN:  I  am  favoured  with  yours  of  the  17th  instant. 
My  unacquaintedness  with  Hudson's  River,  and  with  every 


449 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


450 


other  circumstance  necessary  to  form  a  judgment  of  the 
mode  of  defending  it,  will  incapacitate  me  from  giving  you 
the  assistance  and  advice  you  politely  ask.  I  must  entirely 
refer  it  to  your  own  judgment  and  skill,  only  assuring  you 
that  it  will  give  me  great  pleasure  if  anything  effectual  can 
be  done,  and  that  I  will  most  readily  give  all  the  assistance 
in  my  power.  I  had  some  intentions  of  throwing  obstruc- 
tions in  the  passage  at  Mount  Washington,  but  so  many  dif- 
ficulties and  obstacles  have  retarded  it,  that  I  much  fear  my 
being  able  to  complete  it.  However,  it  is  a  matter  so  purely 
confidential,  if  it  can  be  effected,  that  I  must  desire  the  most 
profound  secrecy  may  be  observed  on  the  subject.  1  heart- 
ily wish  you  success  in  the  measures  you  may  adopt;  and 
arn,  with  much  truth  and  esteem,  gentlemen,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  QQ  WASHINGTON> 

To  Robert  Livingston,  Esquire,  and  others,  Members  of  the 
Secret  Committee  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 
Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  By  Messrs.  Broome  and  Duer  I  was  yester- 
day favoured  with  your  several  resolves  of  the  16th  instant. 
The  spirit  and  decision  in  which  they  are  formed  will,  I 
doubt  not,  appear  in  their  execution;  and,  as  far  as  I  can 
cooperate,  I  shall  most  cheerfully  contribute  all  my  aid  and 
assistance.  The  state  of  this  Army  would  make  it  improper 
for  me  to  send  up  any  General  Officer  in  the  Continental 
service  to  take  the  command  of  the  levies  proposed  to  be 
raised;  and,  from  the  nature  of  the  service,  I  should  appre- 
hend a  knowledge  of  the  country  and  its  inhabitants  would 
be  very  necessary.  General  Clinton,  on  all  accounts,  ap- 
pears to  me  the  most  suitable  person ;  and  as  the  appoint- 
ment is  made  dependant  on  me,  I  shall  nominate  him,  unless 
some  objection  should  be  made  or  difficulty  arise,  which  I 
do  not  now  know  of.  The  Deputy-Commissaries  I  will  take 
advice  upon,  and  have  them  appointed  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  state  of  the  pay  office  here  did  not  admit  a  full  com- 
pliance with  your  request  of  the  loan  of  £20,000,  there 
not  being  so  much  in  the  Paymaster's  hands  at  this  time; 
however,  that  so  good  a  work  might  not  be  delayed,  I  im- 
mediately gave  a  warrant  for  $20,000,  and  as  fast  as  cir- 
cumstances will  admit,  shall  make  up  the  remainder. 

I  have  enclosed  your  resolution  to  Governour  Trumbull, 
on  the  subject  of  forming  a  camp  at  Byram  River,  for  the 
security  of  the  communication  with  New-  York,  but  at  the 
same  time  I  very  much  doubt  his  ability  to  carry  it  into 
execution.  The  quota  of  troops  to  be  furnished  by  Con- 
necticut for  the  assistance  of  this  Army  is  not  half  completed, 
notwithstanding  the  most  urgent  and  pressing  instances  on 
the  subject;  which  affords  a  very  dull  prospect  of  fixing  a 
new  camp  adequate  to  the  intended  design;  and  I  very  much 
fear  the  attempt  would  obstruct  the  raising  the  levies  now 
ordered,  and  in  the  end  prove  ineffectual.  At  the  same  time 
I  most  heartily  approve  the  measure,  and  should  rejoice  to 
see  it  carried  into  execution  in  the  completest  manner. 

Since  writing  the  above,  your  favour  of  the  18th  instant, 
enclosing  Colonel  Cortlandt's  and  Captain  Plait's  report,  is 
come  to  hand.  The  spirit  and  alacrity  of  the  Militia  in  so 
readily  turning  out  at  this  busy  season  is  a  very  encouraging 
circumstance,  and  does  them  great  honour. 

1  observe  Colonel  Fellows,  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  men- 
tioned as  having  marched  in.  If  his  troops  compose  a  part 
of  those  destined  for  this  Army,  it  is  my  intention  that  all 
under  that  circumstance  should  come  immediately  down  and 
properly  arranged ;  and  I  observe  there  will  be  the  less  in- 
convenience, as  Messrs.  Van  Cortlandt  and  Platt  observe  that 
they  had  such  a  surplus  of  men  as  to  enable  them  to  dis- 
charge a  number. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 

P.  S.  With  respect  to  ammunition,  I  had  flattered  myself 
that  the  Provincial  stock  would  not  only  have  been  sufficient 
for  the  purposes  of  its  immediate  defence,  but,  in  case  of 
necessity,  to  have  assisted  us.  I  shall  endeavour,  under  a 
late  direction  of  Congress,  to  procure  what  is  to  be  had  from 
the  adjoining  mills. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  29 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  extract  from  the  proceedings  of 
Congress,  which  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit  you,  will 
discover  their  anxiety  respecting  our  Army  here,  and  their 
wishes  to  have  it  reinforced.  I  shall  only  add,  that  the  situ- 
ation of  our  affairs  demands  the  most  speedy  succour,  and 
my  request  that  you  will  use  your  good  offices  for  expediting 
the  new  levies  as  fast  as  possible.  I  have  also  enclosed  you 
a  copy  of  a  letter,  and  sundry  resolutions,  which  I  received 
yesterday  from  the  Convention  of  this  State.  You  will 
perceive  thereby  that  they  have  been  deliberating  on  sundry 
important  measures,  and  are  exerting  themselves,  in  the 
most  vigorous  manner,  to  defeat  the  wicked  designs  of  our 
common  enemy  and  such  disaffected  persons  as  may  attempt 
to  favour  their  views.  They  also  contain  a  request  that  I 
should  solicit  you  to  devise  some  mode  for  keeping  up  a 
communication  and  intercourse  between  your  State  and  this, 
and  suggest  the  expediency  of  your  forming  a  camp  of  six 
thousand  men  about  Byram  River,  to  cooperate  with  those 
they  are  collecting,  in  order  to  hang  on  the  rear  of  the  enemy 
in  case  they  land  above  King's  Bridge,  and  attempt  to  cut  off 
the  communication  between  the  country  and  this  city.  As 
the  quota  of  men  requested  by  Congress  for  the  defence  of 
this  place  is  not  yet  arrived,  I  could  not  conceive  myself  at 
liberty  to  ask  of  you  to  furnish  such  an  additional  number, 
although  I  cannot  but  observe  that  the  scheme  seems  well 
calculated  for  the  purposes  they  have  in  view,  and  might  be 
productive  of  the  most  salutary  consequences  in  case  of  an 
attempt  of  that  sort.  Colonel  Broome  and  Mr.  Duer,  two 
members  of  the  Convention,  wait  on  you  upon  the  subject, 
and  will  fully  point  out  the  object  they  have  in  view,  and 
their  ideas  of  the  importance  and  expediency  of  the  plan, 
and  to  them  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  regard  and  esteem,  your  most  obe- 
dient servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Governour  Trumbull. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

New- York,  July  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  expected  ere  this  to  have  heard  from  you; 
and  I  will  open  the  correspondence,  by  expressing  my  ex- 
ceeding great  concern  on  account  of  the  determination  of 
your  Board  of  General  Officers  to  retreat  from  Crown-Point 
to  Ticonderoga,  assigning  (contrary  to  the  opinion  of  all 
your  Field -Officers)  for  reason,  that  the  former  place 
is  not  tenable  with  your  present  force,  or  the  force  ex- 
pected. 

My  concern  arises  from  information,  and  a  firm  belief, 
that  your  relinquishing  Crown-Point  is,  in  its  consequences, 
a  relinquishment  of  the  Lakes,  and  all  the  advantages  to  be 
derived  therefrom;  for  it  does  not  admit  of  a  doubt  but  that 
the  enemy  will  possess  themselves,  if  possible,  of  that  pass, 
(which  is  a  key  to  all  these  Colonies,)  the  moment  you 
leave  it,  and  thereby  confine  your  vessels  to  the  narrow  part 
of  the  Lake  in  front  of  that  post ;  or,  by  having  them  in  the 
rear  of  it,  cut  off  all  kind  of  supplies  from,  and  intercourse 
between,  your  camp  and  them,  securing,  by  this  means,  a 
free  and  uninterrupted  passage  into  the  three  New-England 
Governments  for  invasion  thereof. 

Nothing  but  a  belief  that  you  have  actually  removed  the 
Army  from  Croim-Point  to  Ticonderoga,  and  demolished 
the  works  at  the  former,  and  the  fear  of  creating  dissensions, 
and  encouraging  a  spirit  of  remonstrating  against  the  con- 
duct of  superior  officers  by  inferiors,  have  prevented  me, 
by  advice  of  the  General  Officers,  from  directing  the  post 
at  Crown-Point  to  be  held  till  Congress  should  decide  upon 
the  propriety  of  its  evacuation.  As  the  case  stands,  I  can 
give  no  order  in  the  matter,  lest,  between  two  opinions, 
neither  of  the  places  should  be  put  into  such  a  posture  of 
defence  as  to  resist  an  advancing  enemy.  I  must,  however, 
express  my  sorrow  at  the  resolution  of  your  council,  and  wish 
that  it  had  never  happened,  as  everybody  who  speaks  of  it 
also  does,  and  that  the  measure  could  yet  be  changed  with 
propriety. 

We  have  the  enemy  full  in  view  of  us ;  but  their  opera- 
tions are  to  be  suspended  till  the  reinforcement,  (hourly 
expected,)  arrives,  when  I  suppose  there  will  soon  be  pretty 
warm  work. 

Lord  Howe  is  arrived.     He  and  the  General,  his  bro- 


451 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


452 


tlier,  are  appointed  Commissioners  to  dispense  pardons  to 
repenting  sinners. 

My  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  with  you  of  my  ac- 
quaintance.    I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Major-General  Gales,  Ticonderoga. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

Head-Cluarters,  New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  In  my  letter  of  the  7th  instant,  I  mentioned 
the  propriety  of  forwarding  a  quantity  of  powder,  and  lodging 
it  between  this  and  Boston.  I  am  now  more  fully  convinced 
of  the  necessity  of  such  a  measure,  and  would  wish  you  to 
forward,  with  all  convenient  speed,  five  hundred  barrels,  to 
be  stored  at  Norwich,  in  Connecticut,  till  further  orders.  In 
a  postscript  to  my  letter  of  the  9th  of  June,  I  was  of  opinion 
it  would  be  much  easier  for  the  troops  bound  from  Boston 
to  the  northward  to  proceed  this  way,  for  the  benefit  of 
water-carriage ;  but  this  being  entirely  cut  off  by  the  ships  up 
Hudson's  River,  you  will  speed  their  march  by  the  nearest 
and  most  convenient  route.  The  several  articles  wrote  for 
in  my  letter  of  yesterd.iy,  you  will  please  to  forward  to 
Norwich,  with  orders  for  them  to  be  sent  on  by  water,  pro- 
vided the  enemy's  ships  should  not  stop  the  communication, 
in  which  case  land-carriages  must  be  procured. 

I  am,  sir,  &c.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Major-General  Ward,  Boston. 

P.  S.  In  speaking  of  the  troops  marching  to  the  northward, 
I  have  reference  to  the  three  regiments  bound  toTiconderoga. 
The  other  two  1  hope  will  be  on  their  way  for  this  place 
before  this  reaches  you.  G.  W. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above,  your  letter  of  the  15th 
instant  came  to  hand.  If  the  three  regiments  you  mention 
have  marched,  they  may  proceed  to  this  city;  if  not,  one  of 
them  to  inarch  for  Ticonderoga,  the  two  remaining  (sick) 
to  follow  to  the  last-mentioned  place,  by  divisions,  as  fast  as 
a  Field-Officer's  proportion  is  well  enough,  as  they  will  be 
much  the  properest  (having  had  the  small-pox)  for  that 
department.  G.  W. 


EPHRAIM  ANDERSON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  I  have  the  honour  now  to  inform  you 
that  I  am  preparing  for  the  destruction  of  the  British  fleet 
in  this  harbour,  and  hope  in  a  few  days  to  be  able  to  give  a 
good  account  of  the  greatest  part  of  them. 

I  should  be  extremely  thankful  if  the  Congress  will  honour 
me  with  the  appointment  of  Deputy  Adjutant-General  to  the 
Flying-Camp.  It  is  a  department  in  which  I  am  sure  I  can 
be  of  infinite  service  to  the  cause,  by  disciplining  young 
troops,  both  officers  and  men.  I  will  leave  myself  upon  the 
Congress  for  the  above,  or  any  other  appointment  they  may 
honour  me  with,  &.c. 

I  am,  honoured  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant,  EPHRAIM  ANDERSON. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Con- 
gress, at  Philadelphia. 


and  at  the  same  time  to  write  Congress,  and  beg  that  rny 
department  to  the  northward  may  not  suffer  for  the  want  of 
so  necessary  an  article  as  cash. 

I  am,  honourable  sir,  your  most  humble  servant. 

JOSEPH  TRUMBULL. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Congress 

of  the  United  States  of  America,  at  Philadelphia. 

P.  S.  Mr.  Gerry  is  here — better  than  when  he  left  Phila- 
delphia. 

GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR  :  Colonel  Hand  reports  that  the  ship  that  went  down 
the  day  before  yesterday  morning,  still  continues  there  at  the 
Hook.  An  armed  sloop  came  up  last  night.  All  the  rest 
of  the  fleet  continue  as  they  were.  Nothing  extraordinary 
has  happened  since  yesterday  in  this  camp. 

I  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  »T  ^ 

INATHANAEL  GREENE. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  at  Head-Quarters, 
New-  York. 


JOSEPH  TRUMBULL  (COMMISSARY-GENERAL)  TO  THE   PRESI- 
DENT OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Walter  Livingston,  Esquire,  Deputy 
Commissary -General  at  Albany,  writes  of  the  15th  instant, 
as  he  has  done  several  times  before,  that  large  supplies  of 
fresh  beef,  &z,c.,  are  wanting  in  the  Northern  Army;  that  he 
has  no  money  to  procure  them  with;  and  that  the  chest  there 
is  empty.  That  the  chest  is  empty,  is  confirmed  to  me 
by  my  brother's  letter  of  the  same  date.  Mr.  Livingston 
writes  me  that  he  is  in  debt  already  more  than  $30^000; 
and  my  brother,  that  the  whole  ,$500,000  ordered  some 
time  ago,  $200,000  of  which  went  by  General  Gates,  would 
not  pay  their  old  debts. 

For  fear  my  department  should  suffer  for  want  of  cash,  I 
am  sending  an  express  this  afternoon  to  Mr.  Livingston, 
with  $18,000,  which  can  but  illy  be  spared  from  here;  but 
as  eating  cannot  go  on  without  cash,  and  they  are  worse  off 
for  it  than  we  are  at  present,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  do  it, 


COLONEL  HAY  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Haverstraw,  July  19, 1776. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
yours,  directed  to  the  County  Committee  of  this  County. 
The  enemy  now  lie  in  Haverstraw  Bay,  and  are  using  every 
effort  to  land  and  destroy  the  property  of  the  inhabitants. 
The  great  extent  of  shore  1  have  to  guard  obliges  me  to 
keep  the  greatest  part  of  my  regiment  on  duty,  in  order  to 
prevent  their  depredations.  I  have  received  a  reinforce- 
ment from  General  Clinton,  at  Fort  Montgomery,  of  about 
eighty  men,  and  hope  when  he  receives  your  Excellency's 
letter  he  will  send  me  further  relief,  as  the  enemy  seem  to 
direct  their  operations  against  the  west  shore.  We  are  in 
want  of  powder  and  ball — a  supply  will  be  absolutely  ne- 
cessary. If  I  had  had  two  or  three  small  cannon,  1  should 
have  been  able  to  have  destroyed  one  of  the  cutters  that 
grounded  near  Stony-Point,  and  lay  there  six  hours. 

The  enclosed  examination  of  a  deserter  from  Captain 
Wallace,  will  give  your  Excellency  all  the  information  I  am 
able  to  communicate  at  present. 

I  am,  with  esteem,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

A.  HAWKES  HAY. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-York. 

P.  S.  The  bearer  can  bring  up  in  his  saddle-bags  twenty 
weight  of  powder. 

The  Examination  of  Richard  Turpin,  a  native  of  the 
town  of  Boston,  in  the  Province  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay, 
who  saith :  That  in  his  passage  from  Bedefort,  in  New-Hamp- 
shire, to  the  West-Indies,  he  was  taken  in  a  schooner  call- 
ed the  Hannah,  commanded  by  Captain  Pcurly,  on  the  1 7th 
of  May  last,  by  the  ship  Rose,  Captain  Wallace,  on  board 
of  which  ship  he  has  been  ever  since;  that  he  sailed  from 
Halifax  with  the  fleet,  which  consisted  of  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  sail;  that  from  the  best  information  he  was 
able  to  procure,  the  troops  consisted  of  about  ten  thousand 
men  fit  for  service;  that  the  ships  that  came  from  Halifax 
were,  the  Chatham  and  ,  each  of  fifty  guns,  the 

Rose,  Greyhound,  Swan,  and  the  Tamar,  each  twenty  guns; 
that  when  they  arrived  at  Staten-Island,  a  man  came  off  and 
informed  Captain  Wallace  that  there  were  five  hundred  men 
ready  to  join  their  troops,  and  the  next  morning  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men  came  down  and  joined  them,  and  the 
next  day  the  rest  joined  them — in  all  about  five  hundred; 
that  the  inhabitants  appeared  very  ready  to  afford  them  every 
necessary;  that  they  got  a  number  of  cattle  on  the  Island. 
That  they  lost  no  men  on  board  the  Rose,  but  three  men 
were  wounded  on  board  thePAosw'r,  in  passing  New-York; 
that  the  Rose  received  three  shot  in  her  hull,  and  her  rigging 
was  damaged ;  that  the  P/icenix  was  also  damaged  in  her  hull 
and  rigging;  that  the  intention  of  the  ships  in  coming  up  the 
river  was,  to  procure  stock,  receive  Tories,  burn  the  ships 
building  up  the  river,  and  destroy  the  buildings  on  the  shore; 
that  a  few  people  (not  exceeding  twenty)  had  come  on  board 
in  the  river;  that  they  had  received  no  provisions  since  they 


453 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


came  up;  that  they  have  but  two  months'  provisions  on  board, 
and  their  water  is  very  bad;  that  it  is  the  general  talk  on 
board,  that  they  will  not  attempt  to  pass  the  forts  in  the 
Highlands  till  they  hear  from  Governour  Carkton.    That 
there  were  two  transports  from  Greenock,  that  had  joined 
General  Howe,  with  three  hundred  men;  that  these  were 
all  that  were  with  General  Howe  when  the  examinant  left 
the  fleet ;  that  it  was  expected  that  the  Hessians  were  to 
join  them  at  New-  York.     That  yesterday  Captain  Wallace 
went  up  to  the  Highlands,  with  the  tender,  and  went  on 
shore  and  set  fire  to  a  house,  and  then  went  off  with  six 
poor  hogs  and  pigs;  that  he  heard  before  he  left  the  ship 
last  night,  that  they  intended  to  land  at  Mr.  Kiers's  house 
and  burn  the  buildings;  that  on  Wednesday  the  tender  went 
up  the  river,  and  one  gun  was  fired  from  the  fort,  which 
struck  the  tender's  stern;  that  there  are  not  above  four  hun- 
dred men  on  board  the  ships  and  tenders  in  all;   Wallace 
has  about  thirty  negroes,  which  he  brought  from  the  east- 
ward, who  are  entered,  and  receive  pay.     That  a  man  left 
the  ship  on  Monday  last,  with  letters  to  Governour  Carle- 
ton,  who  undertook  to  go  by  land ;  he  appeared  to  be  about 
twenty-eight  years  old ;  had  on  a  short  light  cloth  coat  and 
vest,  about  five  feet  eight  inches,  has  a  blemish  in  his  right 
eye,  sandy  hair,  and  says  he  is  a  native  of  Old  England: 
he  came  on  board  on  Sunday  last  from  Haverstraw;  he 
gave  information  that  there  was  pork,  rum  and  molasses,  in 
Mr.  Kiers's  store.    That  when  the  fleet  came  into  the  Hook, 
a  considerable  number  of  men  joined  them  from  Long-Island 
and  Amboy,  and  a  party  of  about  seventeen  Lighthorse  from 
New- Jersey;  that  the  man  who  first  came  from  Staten-Island 
on  board  Captain  Wallace,  he  understood  had  the  command 
of  the  Continental  colours  on  the  Island;  he  is  a  tall  well- 
made  man,  with  black  hair  and  brown  complexion,  and  is 
now  employed  as  a  Colonel  of  the  Staten-Island  men  in  the 
Ministerial  service.  ws 

RICHARD  X  TUHPIN. 

Haverstraw,  July  19,  1776. 


454 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 


Tyonderoga,  July  19,  ]776. 

SIR:  I  have  this  morning  received  a  letter  from  General 
Watcrbury,  at  Skmaboraugk.  He  says  the  Militia  are  not 
any  oi  them  arrived  from  the  eastward,  but  that  he  has  heard 
ot  their  being  upon  the  march,  and  hopes  they  will  soon 
arrive  at  that  post.  The  General  has  employed  a  party  in 
clearing  Wood-Creek,  and  another  to  erect  a  small  work 
upon  the  hill  to  the  eastward  of  the  saw-mill.  He  complains 
for  the  want  of  tools,  and  particularly  felling-axes  Not  one 
gondola  is  arrived  since  that  which  came  with  us,  (the  4th 
instant,)  from  Skenesborough,  and  I  am  assured  by  the  offi- 
cer who  came  from  thence  yesterday,  that  we  cannot  expect 
more  than  two  by  this  day  se'nnight.  So  you  must  be  much 
deceived  in  expecting  that  Mr.  Schuyler  would  get  five  finish- 
ed every  week. 

Sixty  carpenters  are  now  employed  ^Skenesborough- 
they  must  be  very  ill-attended  to,  or  very  ignorant  of  their 
business,  not  to  do  more  work.  At  this  rate  our  superiority 
upon  the  Lake  will  be  of  short  continuance;  and  I  hope  you 
will  not  deceive  yourself,  or  the  Congress,  by  fancying  other- 
wise. General  Waterbury  tells  me  the  saw-mill  at  Cheshire's 
is  not  yet  got  to  work,  on  account  of  a  mistake  in  the  irons. 
Ihey  were  obliged  to  send  the  irons  to  Skenesborough  to  be 
altered.  That  is  now  done,  and  the  mill  expected  to  get 
soon  to  work. 

Your  letter  of  the  17th,  is  just  come  to  hand,  from  the 
German-Flats.  I  shall  immediately  send  you  all  the  Indian 
goods  here.  General  Arnold  will  get  them  collected  to-day 
and  send  them  without  delay  by  the  best  person  we  can  find 
to  make  despatch,  to  Herkimer's.  He  must  take  his  direc- 
tions in  regard  to  the  route  from  Lake  George  to  the  Flats, 
from  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort  George,  as  I  know- 
nothing  of  that  road. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

™  HORATIO  GATES. 

i.  o  General  Schuyler. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German-Flats,  Friday,  July  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  this  moment  received  the  enclosed, 
from  General  Washington,  with  an  order  to  forward  it  to 
General  Burgoyne.  You  will  please  to  appoint  an  officer  to 
carry  it  to  him,  after  having  sealed  it. 

The  Indians  come  on  so  tardily,  that  I  am  afraid  of  being 
detained  much  longer  than  I  expected.  A  scout  just  now 
returned  from  Oswego  advises  that  all  is  well  there,  and  no 
signs  of  an  enemy  approaching. 

The  Honourable  President  Hancock  informs  me  that  Colo- 
nel Greaton,  and  he  believes  some  other  Colonels,  before  they 
left  Boston,  took  some  French  horns,  bassoons,  and  other 
instruments  of  musick,  which  he  had  imported  for  the  use 
of  a  corps  under  his  command,  and  requested  that  I  would 
order  Colonel  Greaton,  and  such  others  in  whose  possession 
they  may  be,  to  deliver  them  to  me,  to  be  sent  to  Philadel- 
phia. Will  you  be  so  good,  my  dear  sir,  as  to  order  one  of 
your  Aids-de-Camp  to  make  inquiry,  and  to  cause  the  in- 
struments to  be  collected,  safely  packed  up,  and  sent  directly 
to  me  at  Albany. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  most  sincerely,  your  most  obedient  hum- 
ble servant,  PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Hon.  General  Gates, 


WALTER  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 
Head-Quarters,  German-Flats,  July  19,  1776. 

First  Lieutenant  Robert  Hagan  and  Second  Lieutenant 
Samuel  Hazelet,  both  of  the  Third  New-Jersey  Regiment, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Elias  Dayton,  being  by  sickness 
rendered  incapable  of  doing  duty  in  the  regiment,  and  having 
requested  leave  to  resign  their  commissions,  the  General  has 
accepted  their  resignations,  which  causing  a  vacancy  and 
promotion  in  the  regiment,  the  General  has  been  pleased  to 
promote  Second  Lieutenant  William  Gordon  to  the  rank  of 
First  Lieutenant,  Ensign  Joseph  Anderson  and  Cornelius 
Kenion  to  the  rank  of  Second  Lieutenants,  in  the  said  regi- 
ment; he  has  also  been  pleased  to  appoint  Messrs.  Edmund 
Disney  Thomas  and  John  Kinney,  volunteers  in  said  reg- 
iment, to  be  Ensigns  therein. 

By  order  of  the  General : 

JAMES  VAN  RENSSELAER,  Aid-de-Camp. 


Albany,  July  19,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  The  King  of  Britain's  ships  having  cut 
off  the  communications  between  this  and  New-York  by 
water,  and  the  pork  which  the  Commissary-General  promised 
to  send  me  not  being  arrived,  I  have  written  to  him  to  send 
some  from  the  magazine  which  lies  above  the  ships,  if  any 
is  left.     My  stores  are  entirely  empty,  except  a  few  barrels 
I  want  here.     I  have  sent  out  ten  hands  different  ways  to 
purchase  cattle,  and  have  ordered  five  hundred  head  to  be 
sent  up  immediately,  many  of  which  I  hope  are  arrived.     I 
have  ordered  two  hundred  head  to  be  delivered  every  week. 
1  know  not  who  acts  as  Commissary  to  your  Army  at  pre- 
sent, therefore  take  the  liberty  to  request  that  you  will  order 
nothing  but  fresh  meat  to  be  delivered  out  while  there  is  any 
on  the  ground.     I  cannot  get  a  barrel  of  pork,  neither  do  I 
expect  that  the  Commissary-General  will  be  able  to  send 
me  any.     When,  upon  emergencies,  pork  is  issued  to  the 
troops,  I  must  entreat  you  to  order  the  Commissary  to  issue 
only  twelve  ounces  to  a  man  per  day.     This  is  the  allow- 
ance of  Congress;  and  pork  is  become  so  exceeding  scarce 
that  more  cannot  be  given  them,  unless  the  Commissary- 
General  can  furnish  me  with  an  additional  supply. 

The  three  kegs  of  sturgeon  will  be  ready  on  Monday, 
when  they  shall  be  forwarded,  and  all  other  your  orders 
complied  with  by,  dear  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

WALTER  LIVINGSTON. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 


NICHOLAS  MARSELIS  TO  WILLIAM  COBB. 

Bennington,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  I  send  you  by  the  bearer,  William  Ferrin,  thirty  fat 
cattle,  marked  with  the  left  ear  cut  off  and  the  end  of  tail, 
which  I  have  purchased  by  order  of  Walter  Livingston,  Esq.' 
at  Albany.  You  will  please  to  receive  them,  and  send  your 
receipt  for  them. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant. 

By  order  of  Walter  Livingston,  Esquire: 

NICHOLAS  MAHSELIS. 
To  William  Coll,  or  Commanding  Officer  at  Ticonderoga. 


455 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


456 


PETITION   OF    THE    INHABITANTS    OF    SHF.LBURNE,   ON   LAKE- 
CHAMPLAIN. 

To  His  Excellency  General  GATES,  Commander- in- Chief 
of  the  Continental  Forces  at  TICONDEROGA  and  CROWN- 
POINT: 

The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  SHELBURNE,  on  LAKE- 
CHAMPLAIN,  humbly  showeth: 

That  we  live  twenty-six  miles  from  Crown-Point,  and 
twelve  from  Onion  River.  Being  well  attached  to  the 
American  cause,  were  much  alarmed  when  we  heard  of  the 
retreat  of  our  Army  out  of  Canada  to  Crown-Point,  and 
thought  we  must  be  forced  to  leave  here.  But  when  the 
Army  came  down,  Colonel  Winds  not  having  had  the  small- 
pox, halted  here  with  fourteen  men,  and  obtained  leave  of 
General  Sullivan  (o  stay  here  some  time;  upon  which  the 
inhabitants  got  together,  and,  in  conjunction  with  Colonel 
Winds,  built  a  stockade  fort,  and  have  continued  here  since. 
We  beg  leave  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  the  place 
where  the  fort  stands  is  a  very  good  harbour;  and  as  the 
Lake  is  often  ruffled  with  sudden  gusts  in  the  summer,  the 
boats  that  pass  are  often  wind-bound  here,  and  sometimes  out 
of  provision,  as  hath  been  the  case  with  two  boats  coming 
from  Onion  River  since  Colonel  Winds  hath  been  here,  and 
were  supplied  with  provision  at  this  place.  We,  the  inha- 
bitants, being  but  few  in  number,  and  having  considerable 
large  crops  of  wheat  and  other  grain  on  the  ground,  besides 
stocks  of  cattle,  we  humbly  beseech  that  his  Excellency 
would  be  graciously  pleased,  if  he  thinks  it  consistent  with 
the  good  of  the  service,  to  let  some  of  the  men  who  were 
there  go  back  again,  or  some  others  as  a  small  guard.  And 
your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray. 

MOSES  PIERSON,     REUBEN  ROWLEE, 
JAS.  LOGAN,  RUFUS  COLE, 

SAMUEL  TEILER,     LODWICK  POTER. 

JOHN , 

To  General  Gates. 
Shelburne,  July  19,  1776. 


SAMUEL  S((UIER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBCLL. 

Fairfield,  July  19,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  By  yours  of  the  10th  instant  I  observe 
you  want  to  know  how  much  pork  I  have  procured  for  the 
Colony's  use,  where  it  is  stored,  and  the  price.  I  have  pur- 
chased three  hundred  barrels  of  pork,  chiefly  from  the  farm- 
ers. There  is  yet  about  two  hundred  barrels  of  pork  more 
at  Newtown.  The  owners  don't  care  to  part  with  it,  and 
for  expuse  have  told  me  it  is  engaged  to  the  Commissary- 
General,  which  I  am  since  informed  is  not  so.  I  expect  to 
know  the  truth  of  the  matter  very  soon,  and  shall  act  accord- 
ingly. The  reason  why  I  have  not  procured  more  pork  is, 
that  Mr.  Wadsworth,  of  Hartford,  and  Mr.  Coult.  of  New- 
Haven,  had  been  into  this  County  and  engaged  it  before  I 
got  home  from  the  Assembly.  As  to  the  hunting-shirts,  I 
have  no  other  voucher  than  Daniel  Gray's  receipt  for  them, 
who  went  with  Colonel  Webb  last  summer  to  Cambridge  to 
carry  his  baggage.  By  him  I  sent  those  shirts.  Said  Gray 
has  taken  a  receipt  in  his  own  name  of  the  Quartermaster- 
General's  clerk  for  them,  a  copy  of  which  I  sent  before,  and 
now  you  have  herein  enclosed  the  original.  I  made  those 
shirts  out  of  cloth  which  I  had  before  purchased  and  charged 
the  Colony  with  for  tents.  1  therefore  took  an  account  of 
how  much  cloth  it  took  for  the  shirts,  which  was  three  yards 
apiece.  I  also  charged  the  making  to  the  Colony,  not  then 
knowing  there  should  be  a  separate  account  kept  of  the  price 
of  the  low-cloth,  which,  upon  an  average,  was  nearest  IGJrf. 
I  therefore  formed  my  former  account  that  I  sent  you,  from 
my  common  account  with  the  Colony,  and  kept  no  other 
copy,  as  also  I  have  done  this  account,  and  expected  to  give 
the  Colony  credit  if  ever  the  shirt-account  should  be  paid 
separate  from  the  other.  I  have  made  out  this  account  at  6s. 
per  shirt,  which  will  be  very  near  the  cost,  as  the  cloth  and 
making  will  be  4s.  10<W.  per  shirt.  The  one-and-a-half  per 
cent,  commissions,  carting,  &tc.,  will  make  up  the  rest. 

1  am,  sir,  your  Honour's  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  SQUIER. 

N.  B.  The  thirty-five  barrels  of  pork  I  left  in  the  fann- 
er's cellar,  judging  that  to  be  as  safe  a  store  as  I  could  get. 
I  find  there  is  more  pork  among  the  farmers,  which  I  trust 
I  shall  be  able  to  procure.  S.  S. 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety,  by 
adjournment,  July  17,  1776: 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  his  Honour  the 
Deputy-Governour,  Eliphalet  Dyar,  Jz.  Huntinglon,  Wm. 
Williams,  Titus  Hosmcr,  Jedh.  Elderkin,  Nathl.  Wales, 
Benj.  Huntington,  William  Hillhouse,  Esquires. 

Voted,  That  the  Paymaster  of  Colonel  Ward's  Regiment 
be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  pay  as  a  premium  to  the 
Soldiers  who  shall  provide  themselves  with  Fire-Arms 
&tc.,  the  sum  of  6*.  for  each  Gun  so  provided,  and  the 
sum  of  4«.  for  each  Bayonet,  Belt,  and  Cartouch-Box,  and 
Knapsack. 

Colonel  Mott  came  in  with  sundry  motions,  &c.,  respect- 
ing his  Regiment,  &c.,  and  many  matters  to  consider. 

This  Board  do  appoint  Messrs.  Andrew  Huntington, 
Joshua  Elderkin,  Chancey  Whittlesey.  of  Middletown,  Jona- 
than Filch,  Samuel  Squier,  and  Lynde  Lord,  a  Committee 
to  purchase  all  the  suitable  Tow-Cloth,  and  other  suitable 
Cloth  for  Tents,  to  be  obtained  in  their  respective  Counties, 
and  cause  the  same  to  be  made  up  into  proper  Tents,  for  the 
use  of  the  Troops  of  this  Colony,  in  the  most  expeditious 
manner  they  can,  and  report  to  his  Honour  of  what  they 
shall  respectively  do  in  the  premises. 

The  Continental  Congress  having  recommended  to  the 
Assemblies  of  the  United  Colonies  to  procure  a  quantity  of 
Clothing  for  the  Continental  Army, 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  a  quantity  of  home-made  Cloth, 
or  other  if  that  can't  be  obtained,  as  far  as  may  be,  of  a 
brown  or  cloth  colour,  sufficient  for  three  thousand  Coats, 
and  the  same  number  of  Waistcoats,  and  as  many  Blankets 
as  can  be  obtained  in  the  Colony;  three  thousand  Felt 
Hats;  cloth  of  check  Flannel,  or  some  Linen  if  that  can't 
be  obtained,  sufficient  for  six  thousand  Shirts,  and  also  six 
thousand  pair  of  Shoes,  to  be  collected  as  soon  as  may  be, 
and  deposited  in  the  proper  stores  in  the  several  Counties ; 
and  the  same  above-named  Committee  are  appointed  to  pro- 
cure the  same ;  and  the  said  articles  are  proportioned  to  the 
several  Counties  as  follows,  viz : 


Coats  and 
waistcoats. 

Felt  hals. 

SMrts. 

Shoa. 

1,000 

800 

1  600 

i  win 

400 

450 

1  000 

qnn 

700 

850 

1  400 

i  'inn 

300 

300 

i;ij() 

400 

400 

1  000 

Onfl 

200 

200 

400 

Ji  in 

3,000 

3,000 

6,000 

6,000 

And  Letters  to  be  prepared  to  each  of  said  Commissaries, 
directing  them  accordingly ;  and  is  done. 

On  motion,  fee.,  considered,  and  this  Board  do  appoint* 
Timothy  Larabee,  Paymaster  of  Colonel  Mott's  Regiment. 

On  application  by  Colonel  Mott  that  it  is  expedient  his 
men  should  be  furnished  with  a  small  quantity  of  Ammuni- 
tion on  their  march,  8cc., 

Resolved,  That  his  Soldiers,  supplying  themselves  with 
four  Bullets  each,  Colonel  William  Piikin  be  desired  and 
directed  to  deliver  Colonel  Mott,  or  his  order,  at  the  rate  of 
one  pound  of  Powder  to  every  eight  men  of  his  Regiment, 
and  the  same  quantity  to  Colonel  Swift,  or  his  order,  for  the 
use  of  his  Regiment. 

Being  informed  by  Colonel  Porter  that  eighteen  nine- 
pound  and  other  Cannon  are  cast  at  the  Furnace  in  Salis- 
bury, which  are  greatly  wanted,  &c.,  on  consideration,  this 
Board  do  appoint  Colonel  Jonathan  Pettibone  a  Committee 
to  procure  proper  Teams  and  Carriages  for  transporting 
twenty  nine-pound  Cannon  from  Salisbury  Furnace  to 
Hartford;  and  he,  said  Colonel  Pettibone,  is  authorized  and 
appointed  to  take  care  of  and  procure  the  same,  to  be  brought 
and  transported  in  the  cheapest  and  most  proper  manner  he 
shall  be  able,  and  the  same  deliver  to  Captain  William 
Tulcy,  at  Hartford,  with  all  convenient  speed,  and  make 
report  to  his  Honour  the  Governour. 

N.  B.  Ordered  eight  hundred  pounds  of  Powder  from 
Colonel  Pitkin's  Mill,  to  be  sent  to  Colonel  Porter,  for  use 
at  Salisbury  Furnace. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning. 


457 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


458 


Thursday,  July  18,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present:  His  HonourtheGovernour,  Hon.Deputy-Gover- 
nour  Griswold,  Elipht.  Dyar,  Jz.  Huntington,  William  Wil- 
liams, Titus  Hosmer,  Jedr.  Elderkin,  Nathl.  Wales,  Benj. 
Huntington,  Wm.  Hillhouse,  Esquires. 

Letters  prepared  for  General  Schuyler,  &ic.,  and  sent  by 
Brown,  the  Albany  Post,  and  for  Colonel  Porter,  about  the 
Cannon,  and  Colonel  Pettibonc's  appointment  to  procure 
Cannon  to  be  brought  to  Hartford;  and  copies  of  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  Commissaries  to  procure  Clothing,  &,c.,  as 
mentioned  page  456. 

Mr.  Root  came  in,  and  moves  in  the  name  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Prisoners  and  the  County  Court,  to  have  a  yard 
erected  around  the  Jail  at  Hartford,  to  secure  the  Prison- 
ers, &tc. ;  and  is  considered  and  largely  discoursed,  &ic.; 
and  it  being  represented  to  this  Board  by  a  Resolve  of  the 
honourable  County  Court  of  the  County  of  Hartford  that 
it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  a  good  yard  be  forthwith  built 
around  the  Jail  in  said  County,  which  they  judge  will  be 
particularly  useful  to  secure  the  Prisoners  of  War  that  are 
or  may  be  taken  in,  or  sent  into,  this  Colony;  and,  on  con- 
sideration. 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the 
County  Court  for  the  County  of  Hartford,  forthwith  to 
make  and  construct  a  good  and  sufficient  yard  for  said 
Jail,  with  pickets  or  plank,  in  the  best  and  most  prudent 
manner  they  can. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  one-half  the  expense 
of  constructing  said  yard  be  borne  and  paid  out  of  the  pub- 
lick  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  the  residue  by  the  County  of 
Hartford  aforesaid. 

Whereas  the  Regiment  raised  in  this  Colony  for  Conti- 
nental service,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Andrew 
Ward,  is  now  in  great  measure  raised,  mustered,  equipped, 
and  ready  to  march,  and  his  Honour  the  Governour  hath 
given  orders  for  their  march  to  Boston:  And  whereas  intel- 
ligence is  received  that  Lord  Howe,  with  a  very  large  body 
of  troops,  hath  joined  General  Howe  at  New-York,  and  the 
whole  force  of  the  enemy  seems  ready  to  fall  upon  the  city 
of  New-  York  and  parts  adjacent,  and  the  small-pox  now 
greatly  prevailing  in  and  about  Boston,  and  would  probably 
spread  in  said  Regiment  and  disable  it  from  service  should 
they  march  there: 

Resolved,  That  it  will  be  most  advisable  and  best,  that 
the  Colonel  of  said  Regiment  be  ordered  to  suspend  their 
march  for  the  present,  until  further  orders  from  the  Congress 
or  General  Washington  may  be  had,  which,  from  the  state 
of  publick  affairs,  may  be  expected. 

The  matter  of  publishing  the  Independency  taken  up 
again,  and  largely  discoursed;  and  the  manner  of  choosing 
the  Delegates,  &tc.,  a  good  deal  considered,  &tc.;  and  finally 
thought  best  to  let  the  matter  of  publishing  the  Independency 
remain  for  the  determination  of  the  General  Assembly  at 
their  next  stated  session. 

Whereas  many  persons  inimical  to  the  United  States  of 
America  do  wander  from  place  to  place,  with  intent  to  spy 
out  the  state  of  the  Colonies,  and  give  intelligence  to  their 
enemies,  whereby  confederacies  may  be  formed  and  strength- 
ened, and  other  great  inconveniences  may  ensue:  Thereupon, 
which  to  prevent, 

Resolved,  That  no  person  or  persons,  unknown  or  sus- 
pected, whether  they  appear  in  the  character  of  Gentlemen, 
Expresses,  Travellers,  or  common  Beggars,  be  permitted  to 
pass  from  Town  to  Town,  in  this  Colony,  unless  he  or  they 
can  and  do  produce  a  certificate  from  some  Congress,  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  or  of  Inspection,  some  Magistrate,  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  General  or  Field-Officer  of  the  Army,  therein 
mentioning  from  whence,  and  to  what  place,  the  person  pro- 
ducing the  same  is  travelling,  and  that  he  is  friendly  to  the 
liberties  of  the  American  States,  unless  he  be  a  person  well 
known  and  friendly  as  aforesaid;  and  all  Officers,  civil  and 
military,  Selectmen,  Committees  of  Inspection,  Sheriffs,  Con- 
stables, Grand  Jurors,  and  Tithingmen,  in  this  Colony,  are 
directed  to  require  every  person  travelling  as  aforesaid  to 
produce  such  certificate,  and  to  stop  and  examine  such  per- 
sons travelling  without  certificate  as  aforesaid;  and  unless 
he  or  they  can  give  full  satisfaction  that  he  or  they  are  pur- 
suing their  lawful  business,  and  are  friendly  to  the  liberties 
and  interests  of  the  United  American  States,  and  hath  no 


design  to  hurt  or  injure  them  in  his  or  their  journey,  that 
they  apprehend  such  person  or  persons,  and  him  or'them 
carry  before  the  civil  authority,  Selectmen,  or  Committee  of 
Inspection  of  the  Town  in  which  he  or  they  shall  be  found, 
to  be  further  examined  and  dealt  with  as  the  nature  of  the 
case,  in  his  or  their  opinion,  may  require.  And  it  is  further 
recommended  to  the  civil  authority  and  Selectmen  of  the 
larger  Towns  in  this  Colony,  that  proper  watches  and  wards 
be  kept  in  suitable  places  in  said  Towns  by  night,  to  appre- 
hend any  such  persons  as  aforesaid  that  may  travel  by 
night  fiom  place  to  place,  and  practise  mischief  against  this 
or  the  rest  of  the  United  American  Colonies,  and  bring  them 
before  proper  authority,  that  they  may  be  dealt  with  m  such 
manner  as  the  nature  of  their  several  cases  may  require. 

An  attested  copy  delivered  Mr.  Root,  to  be  printed  in 
handbills. 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  July  19,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Honourable  Deputy- 
Governour,  Elipht.  Dyer,  Jz.  Huntington,  Wm.  Williams, 
Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Elderkin,  Benj.  Huntington,  Nathl. 
Wales,  and  William  Hillhouse,  Esquires. 

Letters  preparing  for  General  Washington,  &,c.,  for  Con- 
gress, &tc.  Copies  made  of  a  number;  about  six  Depositions 
taken  at  New-London,  of  the  conduct  of  some  New-York 
Provision  vessels  throwing  themselves  into  the  enemy's 
hands,  &c. — in  order  to  send  General  Washington.  Originals 
for  the  Congress. 

O 

On  representation  of  Messrs.  Elderkin  and  Wales,  of  the 
necessity  of  a  Magazine  to  store  the  Powder  wrought  or  to 
be  wrought  at  their  Mill, 

Voted,  That  Colonels  Elderkin  and  Wales  be  directed 
to  build  a  good  and  sufficient  Magazine  of  stone,  of  the 
dimensions  of  eight  feet  by  ten,  at  least;  to  be  arched,  cov- 
ered with  earth,  and  situated  in  a  good  dry  side  hill,  near 
their  Mill  and  Works;  and  that  they  receive  out  of  the  pub- 
lick  Treasury  a  sum  not  exceeding  £14,  to  enable  them  to 
perform  said  service,  for  which  they  engage  to  erect  such 
Magazine,  so  as  to  well  and  thoroughly  answer  the  end 
proposed,  and  to  be,  and  belong  to  the  Colony,  and  they  to 
supply  the  deficiency,  if  any  there  be. 

On  pressing  application  from  Mr.  Brooks,  one  of  the 
Selectmen  of  Stratford,  for  a  supply  of  Powder  for  the 
Town, 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  Messrs.  Doolittk  &f 
Co.'s  Powder-Hill,  at  New-Haven,  for  eight  hundred  pounds 
in  favour  of  the  Selectmen  of  Stratford — they  to  account 
for  to  the  General  Assembly,  or  to  this  Board,  at  the  rate  of 
5s.  4d.  per  pound,  or  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  further 
considered  and  ordered.  (Order  given ;  sent  in  letter  by  the 
Deputy-Governour.) 

On  repeated  application  from  General  Washington,  &c., 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Stanton,  of  the  Row-Galley 
Shark,  shall,  in  addition  to  the  order  before,  immediately 
repair  to  General  Washington,  ztNew-  York,  and  subject  him- 
self to  the  command  of  said  General,  until  further  orders. 

Voted  and  Ordered,  That  Captain  Harding,  of  the  Brig 
Defence,  immediately  cause  said  Brig  to  be  fitted  and 
repaired  with  necessary  repairs,  and  that  he  cruise  in  the 
Sound,  and  in  proper  places  and  grounds,  for  the  best  advan- 
tage and  interest  of  the  Colony. 

Voted,  That  his  Honour  the  Governour  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  desired  to  give  proper  Commissions  to  such  Officers  as 
shall  be  duly  chosen  and  returned  as  Commission  Officers,  in 
all  such  Companies  of  men  not  obliged  by  law  to  bear  arms 
in  the  Militia  in  this  Colony,  as  shall  associate  into  military 
order,  and  stand  ready  to  serve  the  publick,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  Captain-General. 

Adjourned  till  Tuesday  next,  unless  sooner  called. 

MEETING  OF  COMMITTEE  FOR  SYMSBURY,  CONNECTICUT. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Civil  Authority,  Selectmen,  and  Corti- 
mittee  of  Inspection  for  the  Town  ofSymsbury,  on  the  19th 
day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776 : 

Colonel  JONATHAN  PETTIBONE,  Chairman. 

Whereas,  by  frequent  complaints,  it  appears  to  this  meet- 
inf  that  there  is  great  grounds  of  suspicion,  that  inimical 


459 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


4GO 


combinations  and  correspondence  are  formed  and  carrying 
on  with  the  enemies  of  the  United  American  States,  by  means 
of  persons  travelling  from  one  town  and  part  of  the  country 
to  another,  under  pretence  of  selling  Indigo,  Feathers,  Wood- 
en Dishes,  Teas,  and  many  other  goods  and  wares  of  various 
kinds :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  no  person  or  persons  belonging  to  said 
Town  of  Symsbury,  on  any  pretence  whatsoever,  shall  carry, 
vend,  or  offer  for  sale,  any  of  the  aforesaid  goods,  wares,  or 
merchandise,  or  any  other  goods  or  merchandise  whatsoever, 
from  house  to  house,  or  from  one  Town  or  part  of  the  County 
to  another,  or  purchase  any  such  goods,  wares,  or  merchan- 
dise, or  any  other  merchandise  whatsoever,  from  any  such 
strolling  petit  chapmen,  in  like  manner,  without  leave  or 
license  first  had  and  obtained  from  some  one  of  the  Civil 
Authority  or  Selectmen  of  this  Town,  on  penalty  of  being 
treated  as  enemies  to  the  interest  of  the  United  States  of 
North-America,  and  dealt  with  accordingly. 
Published  by  order  of  said  meeting. 

Certified  from  the  Minutes. 

Test:  JOHN  OWEN,  Cleric. 

At  a  Court  of  Inquiry  held  in  Symsbury,  in  the  County 
of  Hartford,  upon  the  19th  day  of  July,  1776: 

Present:  The  Civil  Authority,  Selectmen,  and  Committee 
of  Inspection  for  said  Town. 

Pursuant  to  a  complaint  of  the  Grand  Jurors  of  said  Syms- 
bury,  John  Moses  and  Jesse  Cosset,  of  said  Symsbury,  appear- 
ed upon  an  arrest ;  and  upon  examination,  and  hearing  the 
witnesses,  and  considering  their  cases,  each  of  them  were 
found  guilty  of  inimical  conduct  towards  the  interest  of  the 
United  States  o(  North- America;  and  judgment  was  ren- 
dered that  each  of  them  should  be  immediately  disarmed, 
and  also  each  of  them  were  bound  to  their  peace  and  good 
behaviour,  and  to  answer  to  said  complaints  before  the  next 
Superior  Court  of  this  Colony,  to  be  held  at  Hartford,  on 
the  first  Tuesday  of  September  next,  and  be  further  treated 
agreeable  to  the  statute  of  this  Colony  in  such  cases  made 
and  provided. 

Likewise,  Ordered,  That  these  proceedings  be  published 
in  the  Connecticut  Courant. 

Certified  from  the  Minutes. 

Test:  JOHN  OWEN,  Cleric  of  said  Court. 


BENJAMIN  GREENLEAF  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  30,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

Watertown,  July  19,  1776. 

Sirt :  Your  letter  of  the  25th  of  June,  enclosing  a  reso- 
lution of  Congress  earnestly  recommending  it  to  this  State 
to  send  immediately  two  regiments  of  their  Militia  to  aug- 
ment the  troops  destined  for  the  Northern  or  Canada  Depart- 
ment, has  been  communicated  to  the  General  Assembly; 
and  considering  the  disagreeable  complexion  of  our  affairs 
in  that  quarter,  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  the  measure, 
they  have  ordered  such  a  proportion  of  the  Militia  of  this 
Government  forthwith  to  be  draughted  for  that  purpose  as 
will  be  sufficient  to  make  up  the  regiments  requested.  Since 
which,  General  Washington,  agreeable  to  the  power  vested 
in  him  by  the  Congress  on  the  4th  and  8th  of  July,  has 
ordered  the  whole  of  the  five  regiments  stationed  in  Massa- 
chusetts-Bay to  the  southward;  so  that  our  lines  and  fortifi- 
cations in  and  near  Boston  are  left  entirely  destitute  of 
Continental  troops ;  for  the  General  Court  have  been  so 
closely  engaged  in  taking  effectual  measures  for  furnishing  the 
troops  they  were  desired  to  send  to  New-  York  and  Canada, 
that  they  have  not  had  opportunity  to  raise  the  two  regi- 
ments they  were  permitted  to  raise  upon  the  Continental 
establishment  for  the  defence  of  this  Government,  and  as  the 
General  Court  is  now  prorogued,  it  cannot  at  present  be  done. 
Under  these  circumstances,  the  Council  have  thought  it  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  the  security  and  protection  of  this  Slate 
to  order  such  a  proportion  of  the  Militia  of  this  Government 
to  be  forthwith  draughted  out,  and  to  march  to  the  lines  and 
fortifications  in  and  near  Boston,  to  supply  the  place  of  the 
Continental  troops  ordered  from  thence  to  the  southward  ; 
and  for  their  encouragement,  have  assured  them  that  they 
will  have  the  same  pay  and  establishment  as  is  allowed  to 
the  troops  of  the  United  Colonies.  They  are  to  tarry  until 
the  first  of  December  next,  and  to  be  under  the  same  regula- 
tions as  the  Continental  troops,  and  their  service  is  confined 


to  the  limits  of  this  Government.  We  request,  therefore, 
that  the  honourable  Congress  would  give  orders  to  their 
Commissary -General  to  furnish  these  men  with  their  rations, 
and  to  the  Paymaster-General  to  furnish  them  with  their  pay 
as  it  may  become  due. 

Before  we  conclude,  we  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  besides 
the  six  thousand  five  hundred  men  lately  ordered  to  NCVJ- 
York  and  Canada,  agreeable  to  the  requisition  of  the  hon- 
ourable Congress,  nineteen  regiments  raised  within  this 
Government  have  been  all  ordered  out  of  it,  a  great  num- 
ber of  men  have  been  taken  from  our  sea-coast  to  serve  on 
board  the  Continental  Navy,  and  over  and  above  these,  we 
have  been  obliged  to  keep  a  great  number  of  companies  in 
pay  for  the  defence  of  our  sea-coast.  All  these  calls  have 
so  greatly  thinned  us  of  men,  that  it  has  become  extremely 
difficult,  if  not  impracticable,  to  raise  any  more,  or  even  to 
carry  on  our  necessary  husbandry  business.  The  Courts  have 
been  obliged  already  to  give  a  bounty  of  seven  pounds  law- 
ful money,  in  addition  to  which  many  of  our  towns  have 
been  obliged  to  give  thirteen  pounds  more,  in  order  to  raise 
their  several  quotas,  and  the  price  of  labour  is  at  least  double 
to  what  it  used  to  be.  However,  we  are  engaged  in  a  good 
and  righteous  cause,  and,  heavy  as  our  burdens  are,  we  are 
determined  to  exert  ourselves  to  the  utmost;  but  cannot 
refrain  from  representing  our  circumstances  to  the  honour- 
able Congress,  and  praying  their  consideration  of  the  same, 
that  so  they  may,  as  soon  as  the  general  safety  will  permit 
it,  order  a  number  of  the  Continental  regiments  to  return  to 
the  lines  and  fortifications  in  and  about  Boston,  for  the  secu- 
rity and  protection  of  this  Government. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Council,  I  am,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

B.  GREENLEAF. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 

(To  be  communicated.) 

BENJAMIN  AUSTIN  TO  THOMAS  CUSHING. 

Boston,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  looked  over  the  Court  and  Council  files  for 
October  last,  and  can  find  nothing  of  the  order  of  Court  for 
presents  to  the  Penobscot  Indians;  I  am  therefore  at  a  loss 
what  to  do  in  procuring  the  presents  for  the  St.  John's  and 
Mickmacks.  I  beg  the  favour  you  would  desire  the  Secre- 
tary to  examine  the  files  preceding  October,  and  those  that 
follow.  1  was  told  they  were  all  in  Boston;  but  it's  not  so. 
If  these  articles  are  not  to  be  found,  I  beg  the  favour  that 
the  honourable  Board  would  let  me  know  what  articles  I 
am  to  procure,  as  I  shall  wait  in  town  this  day  for  the  same. 
The  gorget  and  heart  I  have  two  men  at  work  upon,  and 
hope  to  have  them  by  Tuesday. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant,         B.  AUSTIN. 
To  the  Hon.  Thomas  Gushing,  Esq. 


GENERAL  LINCOLN  TO  THOMAS  CUSHING. 

Boston,  July  19,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  It  is  not  necessary  that  the  Council  should 
give  orders  immediately  that  the  Militia  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Point  Shirley,  Noddle's  Island,  Charlcstown,  Dor- 
chester-Heights, and  Nantasket,  be  detached,  and  ordered 
to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  on  an  alarm  to 
those  posts ;  and  that  alarm  posts  be  assigned  to  such  Militia ; 
that  signals  for  an  alarm  should  be  ordered;  and  that  publick 
notice  be  given  what  they  are;  and,  at  the  same  time,  notice 
be  given  that,  on  a  certain  day,  the  signals  will  be  made. 
This  will  call  up  the  attention  of  the  neighbourhood;  the 
people  will  make  such  remarks  with  regard  to  them  as  will 
probably  prevent  their  being  deceived  when  a  real  alarm  is 
designed.  Also,  if  the  signals  agreed  on  will  not  sound  the 
alarm  so  generally  as  we  could  wish,  further  measures  may 
be  taken  in  the  matter  before  it  be  loo  late. 

Give  me  leave  to  propose  that  one  beacon  be  erected  at 
Cape  Ann,  one  at  Marblehcad,  one  at  Maiden,  one  at  Bos- 
ton, one  at  the  Blue-Hills,  and  one  at  Nantasket;  that  a 
sentry  be  constantly  kept  at  each  beacon,  whose  duty  it 
should  be  to  observe  and  report  when  the  beacon  in  the 
neighbourhood  is  fired — (the  expense  of  this  will  be  small, 
as  troops  are  stationed  at  each  of  the  places,  excepting 
Maiden  and  the  Blue-Hills);  that  an  old  cannon  be  car- 
ried to  the  Blue-Hills — such  an  one  there  is  at  Dorchester, 


461 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &,c.,  JULY,  1776. 


462 


near  the  mills,  with  an  old  carriage ;  and  one  be  carried  to 
Maiden;  and  that  upon  the  approach  of  a  fleet  of  more  than 
sail,  an  alarm  be  made  by  firing  the  beacons,  and  by 
a  discharge  of  three  cannon  at  each  place  successively,  at 
one  minute's  distance  between  each  discharge  between  the 
rising  and  setting  of  the  sun,  and  two  in  the  night.  And 
that  on  an  alarm  being  made,  the  detached  Militia  afore- 
said immediately  repair  to  their  alarm-posts,  and  there  wait 
further  orders. 

In_  order  that  people  may  generally  know  what  signals 
will  be  given  on  the  approach  of  an  enemy,  &ic.,  and  when 
the  same  signals  will  be  given  for  an  experiment,  would  it 
not  be  well  to  have  it  published  by  the  Clergy  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  Declaration  of  Independency  is  to  be  made 
known  ?  It  appears  to  me  necessary  that  some  order  should 
be  taken  for  a  general  spread  of  an  alarm  through  this  State. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  regard,  your  most  humble  servant, 

BENJAMIN  LINCOLN. 
To  the  Hon.  Thomas  Gushing. 

TRISTRAM  DALTON  TO  ELBRIDGE  GERRY. 

Newburyport,  July  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  wish  you  joy  on  the  late  full  Declaration — 
an  event  so  ardently  desired  by  your  good  self  and  the  people 
you  particularly  represent.  We  are  no  longer  to  be  amused 
with  delusive  prospects.  The  die  is  cast.  All  is  at  stake. 
The  way  is  made  plain.  No  one  can  now  doubt  on  which 
side  it  is  his  duty  to  act.  We  have  everything  to  hope  from 
the  goodness  of  our  cause.  The  God  of  justice  is  omnipo- 
tent. We  are  not  to  fear  what  man  or  a  multitude  can  do. 
We  have  put  on  the  harness,  and  I  trust  it  will  not  be  put 
off  until  we  see  our  land  a  land  of  security  and  freedom — 
the  wonder  of  the  other  hemisphere — the  asylum  of  all  who 
pant  for  deliverance  from  bondage. 

Wishing  every  blessing  to  attend  you,  I  am,  dear  sir,  with 
great  regard,  your  obedient  servant, 

TRISTRAM  DALTON. 


H.    WENTWORTH    TO    THE    NEW-HAMPSHIRE    COMMITTEE    OF 
SAFETY. 

Portsmouth,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Mrs.  Levins  having  informed  this  Commit- 
tee that  she  was  about  to  apply  to  you  for  leave  to  depart 
this  place,  in  order  to  proceed  to  her  husband  at  Quebeck, 
we  beg  leave  to  acquaint  you  that  the  situation  of  her  family 
is  such  as  that,  if  she  can  go  with  safety,  we  should  think 
it  expedient.  Major  Meigs  and  Captain  Dearborn  inform 
us  that  Mr.  Levins  interested  himself  with  General  Carleton 
to  obtain  leave  for  them  to  revisit  their  families;  and  that  in 
return  for  his  kindness,  they  promised  him  to  use  their  utmost 
endeavours  to  have  his  family  sent  him.  If  this  measure 
meets  with  your  approbation,  we  can  see  no  reasonable 
objection  to  Mrs.  Levins' s  going  with  her  family  as  soon  as 
she  can  get  away. 

I  am,  by  order  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  gentlemen, 
your  most  humble  servant, 

H.  WENTWORTH,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Committee  of  Safety  at  Exeter. 

H.    WENTWORTH    TO    THE    NEW-HAMPSHIRE    COMMITTEE    OF 
SAFETY. 

Portsmouth,  July  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Captain  Roach,  in  the  schooner  Polly, 
navino-  cleared  from  this  port  to  the  eastward,  with  a  cargo 
consisting  of  two  hogsheads  of  salt,  twenty  bushels  of  corn, 
three  hundred  pounds  of  tobacco,  three  barrels  of  rum,  and 
three  barrels  of  cider,  sundry  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town 
have  made  application  to  us  to  forbid  his  departure,  suppo- 
sim*  the  risk  too  great  at  this  time.  We  have  had  Captain 
Roach  before  us,  and  he  acquaints  us  that  he  intends  to  go 
to  St.  Peter's,  and  to  carry  with  him,  exclusive  of  the  above 
articles,  cash  sufficient  to  purchase  a  cargo  there  of  such 
commodities  as  he  supposes  will  be  suitable  for  this  market. 
We  think  it  our  duty  to  inform  you  of  this  matter,  and  have 
desired  Captain  Roach  to  wait  on  you,  and  request  your 
opinion  thereon. 

I  am,  by  order  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  servant, 

H.  WENTWORTH,  Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Committee  of  Safety,  at  Exeter. 


JOSEPH  WENTWORTH   TO   THE    NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE 
OF  SAFETY. 

Portsmouth,  July  20,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Pursuant  to  an  order  from  Major-General 
Sullivan  of  the  3d  instant,  to  me  directed,  to  raise  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  men  out  of  the  First  Regiment,  I  now  have 
the  pleasure  to  enclose  the  return  of  that  number,  who  have 
voluntarily  engaged  in  the  service  of  their  country. 

Gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOSEPH  WENTWORTH. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Colony 

of  New-Hampshire. 


CAPTAIN  RICHARDS,  OF  THE   LISBON  PACKET,  TO  THE  POST- 
MASTERS-GENERAL. 

Falmouth,  England,  July  20,  1776. 

MY  LORDS:  Saturday,  June  15,  received  two  mails  from 
Mr.  Bell,  for  the  Duke  of  York  packet,  and  sailed  for  Lis- 
bon, in  company  with  the  Anna  Theresa  and  Eagle  packets. 
Tuesday,  June  25,  arrived  at  Lisbon  with  the  Eagle  packet 
in  company,  and  off  the  Bar  saw  a  fleet  of  French  men-of- 
war,  consisting  of  six  sail  of  the  line,  two  frigates,  two  sloops, 
a  brig,  and  two  cutters.  The  29th  arrived  six  sail  of  Spa- 
nish men-of-war  in  the  Tagus.  On  Monday,  the  8th  of 
July  afterwards,  we  sailed  in  company  with  the  Spanish 
fleet,  which  consisted  of  three  sail  of  the  line,  one  frigate, 
and  two  sloops.  In  the  evening  saw  four  sail  more  of 
Spanish  ships-of-war  going  in — three  sail  of  the  line,  and  one 
frigate.  The  French  fleet  sailed  to  the  northward. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  his  most  faithful  Majesty  of  Portugal 
issued  a  decree  prohibiting  all  ships  and  vessels  belonging 
to  British- America  entering  into  any  ports  of  the  dominions 
of  Portugal;  and  in  case  they  should  arrive,  prohibiting  any 
of  his  subjects  from  giving  them  any  succour,  but  imme- 
diately turning  them  out  of  the  ports;  and  for  those  in  the 
ports,  immediately  after  eight  days  from  the  above  date; 
and,  in  case  of  disobedience,  all  such  ships  or  vessels  are  to 
be  confiscated  to  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  publick  works ; 
and  in  case  of  departure,  a  strict  charge  is  given  to  the  out- 
ward Consulada  to  search  them,  that  they  do  not  carry  with 
them  any  implements  of  war. 

I  am,  my  Lords,  your  Lordships'  obedient,  humble  ser- 
vant, JOHN  RICHARDS. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  RECEIVED  IN  PHILADELPHIA,  DATED 
LONDON,  JULY  20,  1776. 

The  Ministry  seem  so  confident  of  reducing  the  Colonies 
with  the  formidable  force  which  they  have  sent  for  that  pur- 
pose, that  they  are  already  employed  in  devising  means  for 
keeping  them  in  subjection  after  they  have  subdued  them. 
Lately,  there  was  presented  to  the  King  a  project  for  that 
purpose,  which  his  Majesty  approved  of.  The  proposal  is, 
to  keep  up  ten  thousand  troops,  of  which  two  shall  be  bat- 
talions of  Artillery,  and  two  of  Light-Dragoons ;  and  to  esta- 
blish on  the  Continent  two  Bishopricks,  the  titles  of  which 
shall  be,  the  Protectors  of  the  English  Church.  Such  are 
the  brilliant  chimeras  which  are  spread  by  the  Ministerial 
party,  and  which  the  opposite  party  are  labouring  to  destroy, 
by  publishing  to  the  world  that  the  Colonies  combatting  for 
liberty  will  not  yield  but  to  force;  that  the  force  already  sent 
out  by  the  mother  country,  which  at  present  appears  irre- 
sistible, will  soon  be  reduced  to  nothing,  if  the  first  conse- 
quences of  it  should  not  equal  the  expectations  of  Ad- 
ministration. Dissatisfaction  will  soon  succeed,  and  diffuse 
itself  through  all  ranks  of  people,  already  much  fatigued  with 
civil  intestine  war;  that  in  this  case  the  consequences  must 
necessarily  be  very  fatal  to  England,  especially  if  strangers, 
taking  advantage  of  these  dissensions,  and  in  support  of 
America,  should  attack  the  most  remote  English  settlements, 
and  occasion  a  diversion  which  will  greatly  weaken  the 
power  of  Great  Britain. 

It  appears  plainly  already  that  the  formidable  armaments 
which  they  are  fitting  out  in  the  ports  of  France  and  Spain, 
have  no  other  object  but  war;  that  we  may  be  convinced 
of  this  by  the  evasive  answers  given  to  our  Ambassadors 
at  the  Courts  of  Versailles  and  Madrid,  as  we  have  them 
from  their  representations  on  that  subject;  that  the  distin- 
guished marks  of  respect  with  which  they  have  received  the 
Deputies  of  Congress  in  these  two  Courts,  does  not  leave 


463 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


464 


the  least  doubt  that  a  treaty  has  been  already  formed  between 
them  and  the  Americans,  the  effects  of  which,  in  all  proba- 
bility, will  be  felt  as  soon  as  Independence  shall  be  declared, 
a  period  which  cannot  be  at  a  great  distance,  since  the  reso- 
lutions sent  to  the  General  Congress  by  every  of  the  United 
States  to  that  effect  are  already  publick.  It  is  by  these 
means  that  Opposition  seeks  to  weaken  the  specious  reason- 
ings which  Government  employs,  to  warn  the  people  of 
the  melancholy  consequences  of  the  war,  information  which  To  Mr  Comfort  Sands,  Merchant,  New-  York. 
already  begins  to  alarm  the  nation. 


Provisions  are  likely  to  be  very  much  wanted  soon.  There's 
but  little  good  in  these  Islands.  If  we  have  not  larger  sup- 
plies than  heretofore,  we  may  suffer  much.  The  English 
Islands  already  feel  the  effect  of  America  withdrawing  their 
trade  from  them,  and  some  begin  to  think  with  us.  Great 
Britain  will  lose  her  object. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  CURSON. 


LIST  OF  BRITISH  ARMED  VESSELS  ON  THE  NORTH  AMERICAN 
STATION. 

Third  rates. 


P.  S.   Superfine  flour,  16£  ps.;  corn,  13crl4  ps.;  bread, 
16J  ps.;  pork,  22«24  ps.;  corn,  14  ps. 


VIRGINIA  COUNCIL. 


Gum.  In  Council,  Williamsburgh,  July  20,  1776. 

:/:::::';:::::    TO  „  Ordered,  That  the  Printers  publish  \n  their  respective 

Eagle,  Vice  Admiral  Howe,  H.  Duncan 64  Gazettes  the  Declaration  of  Independence  made  by  the 

Somerset,  G.  Ourry 64  honourable  the  Continental  Congress,  and  that  the  Sheriff 

Fourth  rates.  of  each  County  in  this  Commonwealth  proclaim  the  same 

Bristol,  Com.  Sir  Peter  Parker,  John  Morris, 50  at  the  door  of  his  Court-House  the  first  Court  day  after  he 

Centurion,  Richard  Braithwait 50  c|lall  havp  rpppivpH  thp  samp 

«r"         ft   i      •      i  01      i  11  T    n  crt  ollall   nave  1CLCIVCU    lllc   salllt:. 

Chatham,  Vice  Admiral  Shuldham,  J.  Rayner 50  _,  __ 

Experiment,  Robert  Keeler 50  ARCHIBALD  .DLAIH,  LlerK. 

Jersey,  (Hospital  ship,)  W.  A.  Halsted 60  

Isis,  C.  Douglass 50 

f^wXJp!flon»^^ I i!"^""^^"J"/:*^VJ;J ''/.!*«"'    50  BATTLE  NEAR  THE  GREAT  ISLAND  or  HOLSTEIN. 

Fifth  rates.  Williamsburgh,  August  2, 1776. 

Blonde,  P.  Pownal 32         Last  Wednesday  an  express  arrived  with  the  following 

Brune •••;•••' 3?  account  of  a  battle  fought  between  the  Militia  of  Fincastle, 

Emerald,  B.  Caldwell 32  j  <-.i       /~,7  j  /~i      7    T    >• 

Niger,  G.  Talbot 32  an"  some  °'  tne  Cherokee  and  Lreek  Indians  near  the  great 

Orpheus,  C.  Hudson 32  Island  of  Holstein,  on  the  20th  of  July  last. 

Pearl,  J.O'Hara..... 32         Qn  the  19th  our  scouts  returned,  and  informed  us  that 

Phoenix,  H.  Parker,  Jun 44       ,  ,    ,.  r  T    ,. 

Roebuck,  Andrew  Shape  Hammond 44  tnev  nacl  discovered  where  a  great  number  ot  Indians  were 

Thetis 32  making  into  the  settlement ;  upon  which  alarm,  the  few  men 

Sixth  rates.  that  were  stationed  at  Eaton's  completed  a  breastwork  suf- 

Acteon,  C.  Atkins 28  ficiently  strong,  with  the  assistance  of  what  men  were  there, 

Bore^'.a'^oms^""!!!!!!!!!'.'.'.'..'.''.'.'.'..'.".'.'.'..'."."!!;.'.';;    28  to  have  rePelIed  a  considerable  number,  sent  expresses  to 

Can-ysfort, Fanshaw 28  the  different  stations,  and  collected  all  the  forces  in  one 

Cerberus. 28  body;  and  the  morning  after,  about  one  hundred  and  seventy 

Deal  Castle,  Worth 24  j  °f  ..,  1,7  ,    • 

Powey,  G.  Montagu 24  turned  out  in  seach  01  the  enemy.     We  marched  in  two 

Fox,  Fotheringham 28  divisions,  with   flankers  on  each  side,  and  scouts  before. 

Greyhound.... i  Our  scouts  discovered  upwards  of  twenty  meeting  us,  and 

Crlasgow,  1.  rlowe 24  /•       ,  rni  r        i 

Lively,  T.  Bishop 20  nred  on  them,      ihey  returned  the  fire,  but  our  men  rushed 

Lizard 28  on  them  with  such  violence  that  they  were  obliged  to  make 

MmforT,  J.  BuVr...'  i!!!".'.'.!.'."."'."!'"    28  a  Prec'P'tate  retreat.     We  took  ten  bundles, and  a  good  deal 

Rose,  J.' Wallace 20  of  plunder,  and  had  great  reason  to  think  some  of  them  were 

Scarborough,  Andrew  Barclay 20  wounded.     This  small  skirmish  happened  on  ground  very 

Seaford,  J.  Colpoy .     20  _r     j  t  i    •  -, 

Solebay,  T.  Symons 28  disadvantageous  for  our  men  to  pursue,  though  it  was  with 

Sphinx,  A.  Hunt 20  the  greatest  difficulty  our  officers  could  restrain  their  men. 

i  A  council  was  held> and  il  was  th°»ght  advisable  to  return, 

................    28  as  we  imagined  there  was  a  large  party  not  far  off.     We 

Sloops  accordingly  returned,  and  had  not  marched  more  than  a  mile 

Atalanta,  T.  Underwood 16  when  a  number,  not  inferior  to  ours,  attacked  us  in  the  rear. 

Carcass,  R  Dring Our  men  sustained  the  attack  with  great  bravery  and  intre- 

Falcon'/J.  Lindsay'. ..  .'. .. '. '. '. '. '.'. '.' '..'.". '.*."' is  P'^'ty;  immediately  formed  a  line.    The  Indians  endeavoured 

Ferret,' J.  Codney !...!!!!"!!!"    is  to  surround  us,  but  were  prevented  by  the  uncommon  forti- 

H.awk-e,  R-  Cooper 10  tude  and  vigilance  of  Captain  James  Shelby,  who  took  pos- 

Kingfisher 16  •          r  •  j     t    •     j     • 

Martin,  W.  Parker 14  session  01  an  eminence  that  prevented  their  design.     Our 

Merlin,  C.  Burnaby *    13  line  of  battle  extended  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.     We  killed 

OUCT!'M'  Square1'".8.'.". ' 10  thirteen  on  the  sPot'  whom  we  lound'  and  nave  the  greatest 

Savage,  H.Bromedge!'.'.'.!!.' .''.'.!!'.'.'.".'.'.'..'.'!!'.'.!!'.'.'.'.'.'.."'.'.".     8  reason  to  believe  that  we  could  have  found  a  great  many 

Scorpion,  J.  Tolemache la  more,  had  we  had  time  to  search  for  them.     There  were 

IwaTj.  A±Shn.^"-:::::::::::::::::::;;:  \l  streams  of  blood  every  way;  and  k  was  generally  thought 

Tamar,  E.  Thornborough 16  there  never  was  so  much  execution  done  in  so  short  a  time 

Viper,  D.  Price 10  on  the  frontiers.     Never  did  troops  fight  with  greater  calm- 

Jlrmtd  Fejstb.— Canceaux,  Cherokee,  Lieutenant  Ferguson;  Dilli-  ness  than  ours  did.     The  Indians  attacked  us  with  the  great- 

gence,  Labrador,  Magdalen,  Lieutenant  John  Nunn;  Sultana;  Bomb-          .   r        •         •      ui  j        u  *r 

ketch  Thunder,  J.  Reid.  est  'ury  imagniable,  and  made  the  most  vigorous  efioits  to 

surround  us.     Our  spies  really  deserve  the  greatest  applause. 

We  took  a  great  deal  of  plunder  and  many  guns,  and  had 

SAMUEL  CURSON  TO  COMFORT  SANDS.  only  four  men  greatly  wounded.     The  rest  of  the  troops  are 

St.  Eustatia,  July  20, 1776.  in  high  spirits,  and  eager  for  another  engagement.     We  have 

SIR  :  My  last  respects  were  of  the  30th  May.     I  then  for-  l'le  greatest  reason  to  believe  they  are  pouring  in  great  num- 

warded  you  duplicate  of  sales  of  Captain  Pullar's  car^o,  with  hers  on  us,  and  beg  the  assistance  of  our  friends, 
bill  of  lading  and  invoice  of  what  1  shipped  in  return ;'  also  JAMES  THOMPSON, 

the  honourable  Congress's  account  current:  balance  due  me  JAMES  SHELBY, 

£620  7s.  2rf.     If  you  find  it  right,  I  shall  be  much  obliged  WILLIAM  BUCHANAN, 

to  you  to  pay  it  to  Messrs.  Curson  fy  Seton,  as  I  owe  them  JOHN  CAMPBELL, 

a  large  sum.  WILLIAM  COCKS, 

Powder  continues  in  great  plenty.     It  has  lately  been  sold  •  THOMAS  MADISON. 

as  low  as  30  piastres.    Won't  you  be  in  want  of  blankets  next  To  Major  Anthony  Bledsoe;  from  him  to  be  immediately 
winter?  they  may  be  had  here  at  2  and  3  ps.  apiece.  sent  to  Colonel  Preston. 


465 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


466 


PRESIDENT  OF  COUNCIL  OF  VIRGINIA  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF 

CONGRESS. 
In  Council,  Williamsburgh,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  We  had  the  honour  to  receive  your  lelterof  the  8th 
instant,  enclosing  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  the 
resolve  of  Congress  respecting  the  augmentation  of  the  Rifle 
corps  at  New-  York.  We  shall  take  c- are  to  have  the  De- 
claration immediately  published,  so  as  that  the  people  may 
be  universally  informed  of  it,  who,  we  have  the  pleasure  to 
inform  you,  have  been  impatiently  expecting  it,  and  will 
receive  it  with  joy. 

We  are  perfectly  satisfied  of  the  utility  of  riflemen,  and 
wish  it  was  in  our  power  to  assist  in  raising  the  number  in 
our  County  voted  by  Congress  for  the  support  of  New-  York, 
but  the  Convention  has  adjourned,  and  we  are  vested  with 
no  powers  which  can  in  any  manner  enforce  or  carry  into 
execution  that  vote.  If  commissions  could  he  sent  to  proper 
persons,  they  might  raise  companies  which  would  have  a 
right  to  march  to  New-York,  but  we  could  not  oblige  them 
to  do  so. 

It  is  with  pleasure,  sir,  we  observe  that  you  say,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  Declaration,  you  are  fully  convinced  that  our 
affairs  may  take  a  more  favourable  turn ;  and  we  firmly  rely 
on  the  protection  and  continuance  of  the  powerful  interposi- 
tion of  that  Being  whose  power  no  creature  is  able  to  resist. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  PAGE,  President. 

To  Hon.  John  Hancock,  President  of  Congress,  Philadelphia. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  MAJOR  SHRYOCK. 
[No.  64.]  Annapolis,  July  90,  1776. 

SIR:  We  received  yours  of  the  1st  of  July,  by  Captain 
Reynolds,  and  have  no  particular  orders  to  give  at  present, 
more  than  to  request  you  would  forward  the  Militia  of  the 
Flying-Camp.  Use  your  endeavours  to  have  the  men  well 
armed,  furnished  with  blankets  and  all  necessaries.  Colonel 
Williams,  we  are  told,  has  declined.  You  stand  in  the  way 
of  promotion;  therefore  exert  yourself  to  the  utmost,  and 
may  you  be  crowned  with  success.  We  wish  you  health, 
and  are  yours,  Sic. 

To  Major  Henry  Shryock. 


F.LISHA  WINTERS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Chestertown,  July  20, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Having  been  absent  on  business  to  Phila- 
delphia, did  not  receive  your  much  esteemed  favour  of  the 
12th  instant  till  this  day.  I  am  willing  to  undertake  the 
repairing  the  arms  which  may  be  borrowed  or  purchased  on 
the  Eastern-Shore  for  the  Flying-Camp,  with  all  convenient 
speed,  though  I  am  sorry  to  inlbrm  you  there  is  no  proba- 
bility that  Colonel  Hollingsworth  can  answer  your  order  in 
my  favour  for  four  hundred  bayonets  time  enough  to  des- 
patch the  business  equal  to  your  wishes.  I  will  use  the 
utmost  industry  to  procure  them  elsewhere,  the  Province 
to  be  chargeable  with  the  extraordinary  expense  I  may  incur, 
unless  you  have  any  other  means  to  furnish  me  with  them. 
Ramrods  and  swivels  fitted  I  can  and  would  choose  to  furnish. 

Holding  in  view  my  contract,  and  assuring  you  I  will 
exert  every  effort  for  your  interest,  I  remain,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient,  humble  servant,  ELISHA  WINTERS. 

CAPTAIN  MARTIN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  20,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Oxford  being  a  place  much  exposed  to 
danger,  and  from  which  a  guard  has  been  lately  removed, 
should  you  think  proper  to  place  a  small  body  of  men  there, 
my  company  is  very  convenient,  and  will  engage  to  raise 
thirty  for  that  purpose,  under  such  officers  as  you  may  think 
proper,  that  are  already  officers  in  my  company. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

NICHOLAS  MARTIN. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

GENERAL  DENT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

St.  George's,  Head -Quarters,  July  20,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN:  From  the  accounts  given  me  by  several 
deserters,  that  the  fleet  entered  up  Potomack  River  to  water, 
and  from  the  motions  of  the  Roebuck,  five  other  ships  and  a 
sloop,  I  have  the  greatest  reason  to  believe  they  are  now  on 
their  way  for  that  purpose.  Nanjtmoy  we  suppose  to  be 
the  place  of  their  destination.  I  have,  by  letter,  informed 
the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  the  motions  of  the 
above  ships,  and  shall  endeavour  to  watch  their  motions,  and 
prevent  their  depredations,  with  all  my  might.  There  was 
a  brisk  and  severe  cannonade  from  two  or  three  tenders  and 
a  row-galley  off  Smith's  Creek  about  six  o'clock  this  morn- 
ing the  consequence  of  which  I  have  not  yet  heard. 

°1  am,  gentlemen,  with  much  esteem,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  JOHN  DENT. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  20, 1776 : 

Present :  Samuel  Purviance,  Jr.,  CAnirman;  W.  Lux,  rice  Chairman; 
J.  Calhoun,  B.  Griffith,  J.  Griest,  T.Rutter,  W.  Aisquith,  J.  Boyd. 

A  Letter  from  John  Andrews,  Esquire,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Caroline  County,  was  received  by  express, 
informing  that  they  had  apprehended  John  Amos,  who  lately 
went  away  from  Baltimore  town ;  and,  upon  examining 
him,  found  a  certificate  from  George  Woolsey,  of  his  having 
paid  his  fine  of  £10,  as  a  Non-Associate,  which  had  induced 
them  to  confine  him  till  the  further  order  of  this  Committee. 
An  answer  was  accordingly  returned,  signifying  that  (the 
Convention  having,  at  their  last  meeting,  resolved  that  the 
Committee  should  not  hereafter  take  any  further  cognizance 
of  Non-Associators  or  Non-Enrollers,  and  the  Committee 
having  no  other  charge  against  Mr.  Amos,)  he  might  be 
discharged. 

Attested :  GEORGE  Lux,  Secretary. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Congress  Chamber,  3 o'clock,  A.  M.,  July  20, 1776. 

SIR:  I  have  only  time  to  inform  you  that  this  moment 
your  favour  of  the  19th  is  come  to  hand.  Enclosed  is  this 
morning's  paper,  to  which  beg  to  refer  you. 

My  best  wishes  attend  you  ;  and  am,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  JOHN  ADAMS,  DATED  PHILA.- 
DELPHIA,  JULY  20,  1776. 

We  had  yesterday  an  express  from  General  Lee,  in  Charles- 
town,  South-Carolina,  with  an  account  of  a  brilliant  little 
action  between  the  armament  under  Clinton  and  Cornwallis, 
and  a  battery  on  Sullivan's  Island,  which  terminated  very 
fortunately  for  America.  I  will  endeavour  to  enclose,  with 
this,  a  printed  account  of  it.  It  has  given  us  good  spirits 
here,  and  will  have  a  happy  effect  upon  our  armies  at  New- 
York  and  Ticonderoga.  Surely  our  northern  soldiers  will 
not  suffer  themselves  to  be  outdone  by  their  brethren  so 
nearly  under  the  sun.  I  don't  yet  hear  of  any  Massachusetts 
men  at  New-  York.  Our  people  must  not  flinch  at  this  criti- 
cal moment,  when  their  country  is  in  more  danger  than  it 
ever  will  be  again,  perhaps.  What  will  they  say  if  the 
Howes  prevail  against  our  forces  at  so  important  a  post  as 
New-York,  for  want  of  a  few  thousand  men  from  the 
Massachusetts  ] 

I  will  likewise  send  you,  by  this  post,  Lord  Howe's  letter 
and  Proclamation,  which  has  let  the  cat  out  of  the  bag. 
These  tricks  deceive  no  longer.  Gentlemen  here,  who 
either  were,  or  pretended  to  be,  deceived  heretofore,  now  see 
or  pretend  to  see  through  such  artifices.  I  apprehend  his 
Lordship  is  afraid  of  being  attacked  upon  Staten-Island ',  and 
is  throwing  out  his  barrels  to  amuse  Leviathan  until  his 
reinforcements  shall  arrive. 


MONSIEUR  PELISSIER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  20,  1776,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

Philadelphia,  July  20,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIRS:  Anxious  as  I  am  to  avoid  giving 
trouble  to  this  honourable  House,  I  am,  nevertheless,  obliged 
to  lay  before  you  the  following  particulars  of  my  situation. 
At  the  time  the  first  address  from  Congress  to  the  Canadians 
appeared  in  that  country,  I  was  among  the  foremost  who 
sought  to  give  it  support;  and,  impressed  with  a  strong 
desire  to  free  this  Western  world  from  European  tyranny,  I 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


30 


467 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


468 


hesitated  not  to  furnish  petards  for  the  Continental  Army, 
iron,  stores,  and  every  other  material  in  my  power,  on  the 
credit  of  the  officers'  notes,  which  money  has  since  been 
paid  me  at  Albany.  I  have  been  studious  and  attemive  to 
the  success  of  the  cause,  by  giving  every  useful  information 
in  my  power;  which  circumstance,  I  presume,  some  of  this 
honourable  House  can  testify  to.  I  have  accepted  a  com- 
mission of  Colonel,  for  the  District  of  Three  Jiivers,  from 
General  Arnold;  by  which  act  I  have  put  the  finishing 
character  to  what  Mr.  Carkton  will  call  rebellion,  which 
renders  it  impossible  for  me  to  appear  in  that  country  again 
with  safety. 

In  consequence  of  an  order  from  General  Arnold,  I  pre- 
pared works  for  casting  and  supplying  the  Army  with  four 
thousand  shells  and  twenty-two  thousand  cannon-balls,  and 
such  other  supplies  as  the  Army  might  require  of  that  kind  ; 
in  doing  which,  I  was  at  a  very  great  expense;  which  works, 
on  the  retreat  of  the  Army,  1  was  obliged  to  abandon,  to- 
gether with  all  my  property,  and  an  estate  in  land  which 
cost  fifteen  thousand  pounds,  being  six  miles  long  and  twenty 
acres  broad.  In  consequence  of  these  misfortunes,  I  am 
likely  to  suffer  great  inconveniences ;  I  therefore  request  that 
this  honourable  House  will  take  the  matter  into  their  con- 
sideration, and  enable  me  to  support  myself  in  some  decent 
character  under  them,  until  such  time  as  affairs  will  permit 
me  to  put  myself  in  possession  of  my  Canadian  property; 
and,  in  the  mean  time,  I  beg  that  Congress  will  dispose  of 
rny  service  in  any  way  in  which  I  can  be  most  useful. 

I  am,  honourable  sirs,   with  great   respect,  your  most 

humble  servant, 

JTELISSIER. 

To  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress. 


PHILADELPHIA  COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  for  the) 
County  of  Philadelphia,  July  20,  1776.  <, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  Committee  most  earn- 
estly exhort  the  Captains  of  the  Militia  of  this  County  to 
use  their  utmost  abilities  to  complete  their  Companies,  and 
inarch  them,  under  the  orders  of  their  Commanding  Officer, 
to  Trenton;  and  that  the  Associators  would,  with  becoming 
alertness,  join  their  respective  Companies,  as  they  value  the 
reputation  of  freemen,  and  wish  to  hold  the  foremost  place 
in  the  esteem  of  their  countrymen. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  : 

JOHN  BULL,  Chairman. 


ROBERT  MORRIS  TO  COLONEL  JOSEPH  REED. 

From  the  Hills  on  Schuylkill,  July  20,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  received  your  obliging  letter  of  the  13th, 
yesterday,  in  Congress,  and  should  have  been  tempted  to 
have  laid  the  enclosure  immediately  before  Congress,  had 
not  a  letter  from  the  same  person,  on  the  same  subject,  and 
in  a  similar  style,  addressed  to  Mr.  Kinsey,  of  New-Jersey, 
been  read  in  Congress  the  day  before.  The  temper  of  the 
House  was  plain ;  and  you  may  judge  what  it  was,  when  I 
tell  you  that  the  only  inquiry  the  letter  produced  was,  how 
it  got  into  Mr.  Kinsey's  hands.  I  am  sorry  to  say  there 
are  some  amongst  us  that  cannot  bear  the  thought  of  recon- 
ciliation on  any  terms.  To  these  men,  all  propositions  of 
the  kind  sound  like  high-treason  against  the  State ;  and  I 
really  believe  they  would  sooner  punish  a  man  for  this  crime 
than  for  bearing  arms  against  us.  I  cannot  help  condemn- 
ing this  disposition,  as  it  must  be  founded  in  keen  resentment, 
or  on  interested  views ;  whereas  we  ought  to  have  the  interest 
of  our  country  and  the  good  of  mankind  to  act  as  the  main- 
spring in  all  our  publick  conduct.  I  think  with  you,  that 
if  the  Commissioners  have  any  propositions  to  make,  they 
ought  to  be  heard;  should  they  disclose  powers  different 
from  what  we  imagine  them  to  be  vested  with,  and  an  incli- 
nation to  employ  those  powers  favourably  for  America,  it 
is  our  duty  to  attend  to  such  offers,  weigh  well  the  conse- 
quences of  every  determination  we  come  to,  and,  in  short, 
to  lay  aside  all  prejudices,  resentments,  and  sanguine  notions 
of  our  own  strength,  in  order  that  reason  may  influence  and 
wisdom  guide  our  councils. 

If  the  Admiral  and  General  are  really  desirous  of  a  con- 
ference, I  think  and  hope  they  will  address  our  General 
properly;  this  may  be  expected,  if  they  have  powers  beyond 
granting  pardons;  if  they  have  not,  it  is  idle  for  them  to 


solicit  any  intercourse,  as  no  good  can  possibly  arise  to  them 
or  their  cause  from  it ;  but,  on  our  part,  I  think  that  good 
policy  requires  that  we  should  hear  all  they  have  to  say.  I 
am  not  for  making  any  sacrifice  of  dignity;  but  still  I  would 
hear  them,  if  possible ;  because,  if  they  can  offer  peace  on 
admissible  terms,  I  believe  the  great  majority  of  America 
would  still  be  for  accepting  it.  If  they  can  only  offer  par- 
dons, and  that  is  fully  ascertained,  it  will  firmly  unite  all 
America  in  their  exertions  to  support  the  independence  they 
have  declared ;  and  it  must  be  obvious  to  everybody,  that 
our  united  efforts  will  be  absolutely  necessary.  This  being 
the  case,  why  should  we  fear  to  treat  of  peace,  or  to  hear 
the  Commissioners  on  that  subject?  If  they  can  offer  terms 
that  are  advantageous  and  honourable  for  this  country,  let 
us  meet  them ;  if  they  cannot,  we  are  not  in  a  situation  or 
temper  to  ask  or  receive  pardons ;  and  all  who  do  not  mean 
to  stoop  to  this  ignominious  submission  will  consequently 
take  up  their  arms  with  a  determination  to  conquer  or  to  die. 
If  they  offer  or  desire  a  conference,  and  we  reject  it,  those 
who  are  already  dissatisfied  will  become  more  so,  others  will 
follow  their  example,  and  we  may  expect  daily  greater  dis- 
union and  disaffection  in  every  part  of  these  States ;  at  least 
such  are  my  apprehensions  on  this  subject. 

I  have  uniformly  voted  against  and  opposed  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  because,  in  my  poor  opinion,  it  was 
an  improper  time,  and  will  neither  promote  the  interest  nor 
redound  to  the  honour  of  America;  for  it  has  caused  division 
when  we  wanted  union,  and  will  be  ascribed  to  very  different 
principles  than  those  which  ought  to  give  rise  to  such  an 
important  measure.  I  did  expect  my  conduct  in  this  great 
question  would  have  procured  my  dismission  from  the  great 
Council,  but  find  myself  disappointed,  for  the  Convention 
has  thought  proper  to  return  me  in  the  new  delegation  ;  and 
although  my  interest  and  inclination  prompt  me  to  decline 
the  service,  yet  I  cannot  depart  from  one  point  which  first 
induced  me  to  enter  the  publick  line:  I  mean  an  opinion, 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  individual  to  act  his  part  in  what- 
ever station  his  country  may  call  him  to  in  times  of  difficulty, 
danger,  and  distress.  Whilst  I  think  this  a  duty,  I  must 
submit,  although  the  councils  of  America  have  taken  a  dif- 
ferent course  from  my  judgment  and  wishes.  I  think  that 
the  individual  who  declines  the  service  of  his  country  because 
its  councils  are  not  conformable  to  his  ideas,  makes  but  a 
bad  subject;  a  good  one  will  follow,  if  he  cannot  lead. 
Until  the  good  news  from  Carolina  raised  our  spirits,  they 
were  constantly  depressed  by  every  account  we  received 
from  the  Northern  Army.  Such  scenes  of  mismanagement, 
misconduct,  and  ill  success,  as  have  been  exhibited  in  that 
quarter,  ever  since  the  loss  of  the  brave  Montgomery,  have 
no  parallel. 

I  hope  you  are,  or  will  be,  properly  strengthened  and 
supported  at  New-York.  For  my  own  part,  I  don't  like 
your  situation  there,  but  think  you  had  better  give  up  that 
city  to  the  enemy  than  let  them  get  behind  and  pen  you  in 
there,  as  they  were  cooped  in  Boston  last  year.  However, 
I  don't  pretend  to  any  judgment  in  this  matter,  nor  to  have 
considered  the  subject.  My  confidence  in  the  abilities  of 
General  Washington  is  entire.  His  life  is  the  most  valuable 
in  America ;  and  whenever  an  engagement  happens,  I  sin- 
cerely hope  he  will  think  how  much  depends  on  it,  and 
guard  it  accordingly. 

The  publick  papers  will  announce  to  you  the  new  appoint- 
ments and  changes  here ;  and  as  1  have  not  much  unemployed 
time.  I  am  always  ready  to  spare  the  use  of  my  pen.  This 
being  Sunday  morning,  and  in  the  country,  I  have  spun  out 
this  letter  to  a  length  not  common  with  me  now-a-days.  I 
beg  my  compliments  to  the  General.  I  dined  in  company 
with  Mrs.  Washington  yesterday,  at  Colonel  Harrison's,  and 
expect  her  here  at  dinner  to-day.  Remember  me  to  General 
Mifflin,  Colonels  Shea  and  Moylan,  and  believe  me  to  be, 
very  sincerely,  yours, 

ROBERT  MORRIS. 

P.  S.  I  will  lay  the  London  letter  before  Congress  to- 
morrow. 


SAMUEL  TUCKER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Convention  of  New-Jersey,  Trenlon,  > 
July '20,  1776.      \ 

SIR:   Before  the  arrival  of  your  packet  this  morning  we 
had   received  the   letter   from  Mr.  Kinsey,  of  which  the 


469 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


470 


enclosed  is  a  copy.  We  had  thought  the  step  necessary, 
which  Congress  have  been  pleased  to  intimate,  of  inquiring 
through  what  channel  a  letter  had  been  conveyed  from  Lord 
Howe.  You  are  now  possessed  of  the  letter,  which  will 
speak  for  itself. 

The  very  agreeable  and  important  news  from  the  southward, 
for  which  we  had  felt  the  anxiety  of  brethren  for  brothers  in 
danger,  gives  us  a  joy  we  cannot  name.  We  hope  it  is  a 
happy  presage  of  our  own  success.  It  will  at  least  animate 
our  people,  and  thus  greatly  contribute  to  our  exertions. 

We  shall  do  everything  in  our  power  respecting  the  cattle. 
We  have  such  an  extent  of  shore,  (more  than  three  hundred 
miles,)  all  of  which  is  more  or  less  exposed,  and  a  great  part 
of  it  in  such  a  situation  that  the  owners  have  no  places  to 
which  they  can  remove  their  cattle,  that  the  task  is  not  a 
little  difficult.  The  Tory  cattle  of  all  kinds  we  shall  lay  our 
hands  upon  at  every  opportunity. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  humble  servants, 
By  order  of  Congress: 

SAMUEL  TUCKER,  President. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

July  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  letter  you  mention  is  marked  on  the  back, 
"  Favoured  by  Lord  Howe"  and  came  to  Mrs.  Reed  enclosed 
in  a  packet  from  her  brother.  While  my  clerk  was  copy- 
ing it,  my  barber  came  in,  and  he  told  Hewlings.  Hewlings 
desired  a  sight,  which,  as  it  was  expressly  desired  to  be  com- 
municated to  the  Assembly,  I  did  not  think  myself  (though 
really  inclinable  to  do  it)  at  liberty  to  deny.  He  then  de- 
sired he  might  take  a  copy,  which  copy  was  immediately 
(I  have  reason  to  think)  carried  and  shown  to  Odell;  since 
which  I  have  shown  it  to  such  as  have  applied  to  me.  I 
Lave  sent,  or  rather  written  a  copy  to  send,  to  our  Dele- 
gates, which  I  intend  to  forward  by  the  first  opportunity. 
This  is  all  the  information  you  request. 

I  am,  with  esteem,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  KlNSEY. 

To  Samuel  Tucker,  Esq. 

Bridgetown,  Cumberland  County,  May  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  As  our  situation  on  the  Delaware  exposes 
us  to  the  frequent  depredations  of  our  enemies — we  having 
already  had  two  alarms,  and  this  day  a  number  of  our  cattle 
killed  and  taken  away,  and  we  not  having  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity of  powder  and  ball  in  store  to  protect  our  shore,  and 
hourly  expecting  more  visits  from  the  ships  that  lie  in  the 
bay — I  am  directed  to  apply  to  you  to  solicit  the  Congress 
for  a  further  supply  of  two  hundred  pounds  of  powder  and 
one  thousand  pounds  of  lead.  Your  compliance  will  oblige 
your  very  humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

THOMAS  HARRIS,  Chairman. 

To  the  Delegates  of  New-Jersey  in  the  Continental  Con- 
gress. 

GENERAL  MERCER  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Referred  to  Board  of  War.] 
Head-duarters,  Elizabethtown,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  17th  instant,  with  the  resolves 
of  Congress  of  the  16th,  which  I  had  the  honour  to  receive 
yesterday,  I  shall  pay  all  possible  attention  to. 

Some  days  ago  I  came  to  this  place  with  a  view  to  exe- 
cute a  plan  to  surprise  some  of  the  enemy's  posts  on  Staten- 
Island,  formed  by  consent  of  General  Washington.  From 
what  we  could  observe,  and  the  intelligence  we  received, 
there  were  three  stations,  including  the  New  Blazing-Star, 
which,  together  with  some  few  houses  off  from  the  Sound, 
contained  from  five  to  six  hundred  men.  Two  creeks  en- 
closed these  stations  all  but  a  narrow  neck  of  land,  so  as  to 
prevent  an  easy  access  of  reinforcements. 

It  was  intended  to  pass  the  Sound  from  the  mouth  of 
Thompson's  Creek,  a  little  below  this  town,  to  Staten-Mand, 
at  a  proper  time  of  night,  so  as  to  be  on  the  back  of  the  ene- 
my's quarters  before  daylight  appeared.  We  were  first  to 
have  secured,  by  a  strong  party,  the  neck  of  land  between 
the  two  creeks,  and  then  to  have  divided  our  force  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  have  attacked  all  the  posts  at  once  as  soon 
as  it  was  light,  then  to  have  retired,  if  successful,  by  the  ferry 


at  the  New  Blazing-Star.  The  night  before  last  was  fixed 
for  this  enterprise.  The  first  division,  consisting  of  Conti- 
nental troops  under  Major  Knowlton,  marched  with  me  to 
the  mouth  of  Thompson's  Creel:  by  nine  o'clock,  with  design 
to  pass  the  Sound.  Immediately  the  two  battalions  of  the 
Pennsylvania  Riflemen,  together  with  the  first  battalion  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Militia,  were  to  follow.  The  whole  force 
would  then  have  consisted  of  about  thirteen  hundred.  Some 
of  these  troops  were  rendered  unfit  for  service  by  having  had  a 
very  fatiguing  march  from  Brunswick.  This  obliged  us  to 
think  of  contracting  our  plan  ;  but  very  tempestuous  weather 
corning  on,  obliged  us  to  desist  altogether  from  the  enter- 
prise, some  gentlemen,  being  well  acquainted  with  (he  pas- 
sage  there,  being  of  opinion  that  we  should  endanger  the  loss 
of  our  whole  party  in  attempting  to  cross  in  such  boats  as  we 
were  provided  with. 

I  have  troubled  you  with  this  narrative,  partly  with  design 
to  point  out  the  necessity  of  having  boats  of  a  proper  con- 
struction built  for  the  service  of  this  Army,  either  to  afford 
a  safe  and  speedy  passage  to  the  troops  for  the  attack  of  the 
enemy  on  Staten-Island,  or  to  move  our  men  with  expe- 
dition to  New -York  or  Philadelphia,  should  the  service 
require  their  assistance  at  either  place. 

I  have  relieved  with  the  troops  sent  from  Pennsylvania 
all  the  Militia  of  New-Jersey,  who  occupied  sundry  posts 
from  South- Amboy  to  Paulus  Hook,  to  enable  them  to  secure 
their  harvest.  When  that  is  effected,  they  will  again  cheer- 
fully give  their  assistance. 

The  command  of  the  Flying-Camp,  which  the  Congress 
.have  been  pleased  to  honour  me  with,  will  render  the  assist- 
ance of  an  Adjutant-General  and  a  Secretary  very  necessary. 
Mr.  David  ffoss,  a  young  gentleman  of  Maryland,  had 
joined  me  in  hopes  of  having  the  appointment  of  Brigade- 
Major.  I  beg  leave  to  represent  him  to  the  honourable 
Congress  as  fit  to  perform  the  duty  of  Deputy  Adjutant- 
General,  or  of  Brigade-Major,  as  may  be  thought  most  ex- 
pedient. 

Give  me  leave  to  add  my  most  hearty  congratulations  on 
the  happy  success  of  our  arms  in  South-Carolina,  this  mo- 
ment communicated  to  me  by  yours  of  the  19th  instant. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble 
servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Continental 

Congress. 

(Copy  to  be  forwarded  to  General  Washington.) 


PHILIP  B.  BRADLEY  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Bergen,  July  20,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  I  have  made  strict 
inquiry,  pursuant  to  your  orders,  into  the  conduct  of  Captain 
Ephraim  Burr;  and,  upon  examination,  find  that,  by  order 
of  General  Putnam  and  Colonel  Moylan,  he  was  authorized 
and  empowered  to  secure  the  property  and  effects  of  all  the 
Tory  refugees  which  he  could  come  at,  and  am  of  opinion 
that  he  no  more  than  fulfilled  his  orders.  1  believe  that 
some  of  his  men,  without  his  knowledge  or  approbation,  did 
take  some  things  which  were  the  property  of  persons  whose 
principles  were  not  inimical;  but  these,  together  with  those 
secured  by  himself,  are  safely  deposited  in  the  hands  of  a 
gentleman  in  the  Jerseys,  by  orders  which  he  produced  from 
under  the  hand  of  Colonel  Moylan.  Captain  Burr  has 
fully  satisfied  the  owners  of  the  last  mentioned  effects  as  to 
his  conduct,  and  the  principles  by  which  he  was  actuated. 
Upon  the  whole,  am  of  opinion  that  Captain  Burr's  conduct, 
upon  the  strictest  scrutiny,  will  appear  unexceptionable. 

Nothing  worthy  of  observation  hath  transpired  since  I 
reported  last  to  your  Excellency,  except  that  our  men  dis- 
covered this  morning,  on  an  eminence  near  the  Ministerial 
shipping,  that  the  enemy  were  erecting  a  fortification. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  every  possible  mark  of 
esteem  and  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  humble  ser- 
vant, PHILIP  B.  BRADLEY. 

To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq. 


GENERAL  WADSWORTH  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  July  20,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Mine  of  the  18th  instant  not  going  by 
the  conveyance  I  expected,  gives  me  an  opportunity  of 
enclosing  a  return  of  my  brigade,  mentioned  yesterday,  by 


471 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


472 


which  you  will  see  that  little  more  than  half  are  arrived, 
an  event  very  disagreeable  under  the  present  circumstances 
of  our  Army.  Though  I  cannot  undertake  to  ascertain  its 
number  with  precision,  having  never  seen  a  return  of  the 
whole,  or  been  advised  thereof  minutely  by  the  General, 
yet  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  he  most  earnestly  wishes 
our  battalions  complete,  and  on  this  ground.  If  the  enemy 
should  attack  us,  hope,  by  the  blessings  of  Heaven,  to  be 
able  to  defend  ourselves,  and  defeat  the  cruel  designs  of  the 
enemies  of  the  independent  States  of  America. 

I  am.  with  great  truth  and  regard,  your  Honour's  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  JAMES  WADSWOKTH> 

To  the  Honourable  Governour  Trumlull. 


New- York,  July  22,  1776. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  the  14th,  a  barge  from  the  fleet 
appeared  in  our  Bay  with  a  white  flag,  which  was  there  met 
by  the  General's  barge,  with  several  gentlemen  of  the  Army 
on  board.  The  flag  was  sent  from  Lord  Howe,  with  a 
letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington.  But  as  the 
letter  was  improperly  directed,  it  was  not  received,  though 
much  solicited  by  the  officer,  who,  we  hear,  said  it  contained 
nothing  of  a  hostile  nature;  that  Lord  Howe  came  over 
possessed  of  unlimited  power,  and  was  much  concerned  he 
had  not  arrived  a  few  days  sooner,  which  would  have  effected 
a  reconciliation,  &c.  However,  it  seems  his  unlimited 
power  did  not  extend  even  to  the  necessary  preliminaries 
of  a  negotiation — an  acknowledgment  of  the  right  of  the 
persons  to  whom  he  came  to  treat  with  him. 

Indeed,  the  idea  of  coming  over  to  propose  a  plan  of 
reconciliation  is,  in  every  view,  absurd  and  ridiculous;  for 
as  the  Colonies  never  invaded  the  rights  of  Britain,  and 
only  defended  their  own,  there  was  no  occasion  at  all  for 
negotiation.  The  moment  Great  Britain  receded  from  her 
unjust  claims,  the  war  was  at  an  end.  The  very  proposi- 
tion, therefore,  of  a  negotiation,  was  a  proof  that  Great 
Britain  persisted  in  her  encroachments  on  the  rights  of 
the  Colonies,  and  was,  in  itself,  an  act  of  a  hostile 
nature. 

On  Tuesday,  another  flag  from  the  fleet  appeared,  and 
was  met  as  above ;  when  a  letter  from  General  Howe  was 
again  offered,  but,  for  the  same  reason  as  the  former,  was 
rejected. 

On  Friday,  a  third  flag  from  the  fleet  appeared,  which, 
we  hear,  brought  only  an  open  letter,  directed  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Moncrieffe.* 

Saturday  forenoon,  our  people  discovered  a  fourth  flag  of 
truce,  whereupon  the  Mechanick's  barge  was  sent  to  meet 
it,  and  conducted  the  officer  (said  to  be  Adjutant-General  of 
the  forces  under  the  command  of  Lord  Howe)  to  the  dwell- 
ing of  Colonel  Knox,  in  this  city,  where  his  Excellency 
General  Washington,  attended  by  his  Body-Guards,  waited 
his  arrival,  which  was  a  little  past  one  o'clock.  The  inter- 
view was  short,  and  the  particulars,  we  believe,  are,  as  yet, 
not  made  known.  We  can  therefore  only  say,  that,  at  part- 
in-;,  much  courtesy  was  seen  to  pass  between  the  gentleman 
who  bore  the  flag  and  those  of  the  Continental  forces  who 
had  the  honour  to  be  present. 

•LETTER  FROM  GENERAL  POTNAM  TO  MISS  MONCRIEFFE. 

NEW-YORK,  July  26,  1776. 

I  should  have  answered  your  letter  sooner,  but  had  it  not  in  my  power 
to  write  you  any  thing  satisfactory. 

The  omission  of  my  title  in  Major  Moncritffe'a  letter,  is  a  matter  I 
regard  not  in  the  least;  nor  does  it,  in  any  way,  influence  my  conduct  in 
this  affair,  as  you  seem  to  imagine.  Any  political  difference  alters  him 
not  to  me  in  a  private  capacity.  As  an  officer,  he  is  my  enemy,  and 
obliged  to  act  as  such,  he  his  private  sentiments  what  they  will.  As  a 
man,  I  owe  him  no  enmity;  but,  far  from  it,  will,  with  pleasure,  do  any 
kind  office  in  my  power  for  him  or  any  of  his  connexions. 

I  have,  agreeably  to  your  desire,  waited  on  his  Excellency,  to  endea- 
vour to  obtain  permission  for  you  to  go  to  Stolen- Island,  tie  informs 
me  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Patterson,  who  came  with  the  last  flag,  said 
he  was  empowered  to  offer  the  exchange  of  for  Governour 

Skene.  As  the  Congress  have  reserved  to  themselves  the  right  of  ex- 
changing prisoners,  the  General  has  sent  to  know  their  pleasure,  and 
doubts  not  they  will  give  their  consent.  I  am  desired  to  inform  you, 
that  if  this  exchange  is  made,  you  will  have  liberty  to  pass  out  with 
Governour  Skene;  but  that  no  flag  will  be  sent  solely  for  that  purpose. 

Major  William  Livingston  was  lately  here,  and  informed  me  that  you 
had  an  inclination  to  live  in  this  city;  and  that  all  the  ladies  of  your 
acquaintance  having  left  town,  and  Mrs.  Putnam  and  two  daughters 
being  here,  proposed  your  staying  with  them.  If  agreeable  to  you,  be 
assured,  Miss,  you  shall  be  sincerely  welcome.  You  will  here,  1  think, 
be  in  a  more  probable  way  of  accomplishing  the  end  you  wish,  that  of 
seeing  your  father;  and  may  depend  upon  every  civility  from,  Miss,  your 
obedient  servant,  ISRAEL  PUTNAM. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  IN  THE  ARMY  AT 
NEW-YORK,  DATED  JULY  22,  1776. 

On  Saturday,  the  20th  instant,  came  up  from  Lord  Howe 
a  flag  of  truce,  Adjutant-General  of  the  British  Army.  He 
was  met  by  Colonel  Reed,  our  Adjutant-General,  about  two 
miles  from  the  town,  who  took  him  into  the  General's  barge. 
He  landed  near  our  Battery,  and  passed  through  the  Life- 
Gtiards  of  General  Washington.  He  was  introduced  to  the 
General  by  Colonel  Reed,  and  had  a  private  conference 
with  him  at  Colonel  Knox's,  for  near  half  an  hour,  the  par- 
ticulars of  which  I  am  just  informed  by  a  person  of  distinc- 
tion. The  main  point  was,  with  great  politeness  and  com- 
plaisance, to  induce  the  General  to  receive  a  letter  he  had 
brought  from  Lord  and  General  Howe,  saying  it  was  the 
customary  mode  of  address  even  to  foreign  Ambassadors. 
He  apologized  much  for  General  Howe's  sending  a  leiler 
with  such  an  address,  and  said  that  nothing  was  further  from 
his  thoughts  than  any  failure  in  respect  to  his  Excellency; 
that  Lord  and  General  Howe  both  lamented  exceedingly 
that  any  misunderstanding  should  interrupt  that  frequent 
intercourse  between  both  armies,  which  the  course  of  the 
service  might  require.  He  said  Lord  Howe  had  come  out 
with  exceeding  great  powers.  The  General  replied,  he  had 
heard  that  his  Lordship  had  come  with  great  powers  to 
pardon,  but  he  could  not  apply  that  great  power  to  the 
Americans,  who  had  never  offended,  for  where  there  is  no 
offence,  a  pardon  cannot  be  necessary.  Colonel  Patttrson 
seemed  confused,  and  made  no  reply.  After  many  com- 
pliments and  polite  expressions,  he  departed,  with  saying: 
"  Has  your  Excellency  no  commands  to  my  Lord,  or  Gene- 
ral HoiveT'  "None,  sir,"  replied  the  General,  "  but  my 
particular  compliments  to  both  of  them." 


DUTCHESS  COUNTY  COMMITTEE   TO    NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Dutchess  County,  in  Committee  of  Safety, ) 
July  20,  1776.      \ 

GENTLEMEN:  With  pleasure  we  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  the  resolution  of  the  Convention,  directing  the  raising  of 
two  regiments  in  the  County;  and  be  assured  we  shall  enter 
upon  the  business  with  the  utmost  alacrity.  However,  we 
conceive  the  levies  will  be  completed  with  infinitely  greater 
despatch  if  we  can  be  furnished  with  money  in  order  to  pay 
the  bounty  immediately  upon  inlisting.  Indeed,  we  con- 
ceive it  will  be  impossible  to  procure  a  sufficient  number  of 
volunteers  without  it.  We  must,  therefore,  earnestly  entreat 
that  a  sum  necessary  for  that  purpose  may  be  transmitted  to 
us  immediately.  We  have  authorized  Mr.  Paul  Schenck, 
of  Poughkeepsie,  to  receive  it,  and  we  will  pledge  ourselves 
that  the  utmost  care  and  attention  will  be  observed  in  the 
disposition  of  it. 

Brigadier  Ten  Broeck  has  appointed  next  Tuesday  for 
the  officers  and  the  Committee  to  meet  to  fix  the  quotas  of 
the  several  regiments.  The  business  would  be  greatly  ex- 
pedited if  we  could  have  the  money  on  that  day,  to  distribute 
it,  and  give  to  each  regiment  its  respective  proportion. 

I  remain  (by  order  of  the  Committee)  your  most  obedient 
servant,  EGBERT  BENSON,  Chairman. 

To  the  Deputies  of  the  County  of  Dutchess  in  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  State  of  New-York,  White-Plains. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  THE    PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  August  1, 1776.] 

German  Plats,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the  13th  instant, 
covering  the  resolutions  of  Congress  of  the  6th  and  1 1  th 
instant.  I  shall  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  collecting 
and  auditing  the  publick  accounts  of  the  late  General  Mont- 
gomery, and  include  his  pay  and  table  allowance,  agreeable 
to  the  resolve. 

It  is  with  infinite  pain  that  I  see  no  prospect  of  erecting; 
a  fort  at  Oswego,  or  building  galleys  on  Ontario,  during 
this  campaign.  With  all  the  assistance  that  his  Excellency 
General  Washington  has  been  able  to  afford  us,  with  all 
the  exertions  we  have  been  able  to  make  to  procure  a  suffi- 
ciency of  intrenching  tools  for  the  Army  to  the  northward, 
we  still  are  greatly  deficient  of  what  is  absolutely  necessary. 
Nails,  carpenters'  tools,  whipsaws,  and  a  variety  of  articles 
that  do  not  now  occur  to  me,  and  which  are  indispensably 
necessary,  are  not  to  be  procured,  at  least  not  in  time. 


473 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &,c.,  JULY,  1776. 


474 


Such  of  these  articles  as  are  to  the  northward  will  be  wanted 
there,  and  even  considerably  more.  Besides  these,  the  great 
scarcity  of  pork,  which  cannot  now  be  got  from  New-York, 
will  be  an  insuperable  obstacle;  but  nevertheless,  as  it  is 
probable  that  a  very  few  weeks  will  determine  whether 
troops  can  be  spared  from  New- York  or  the  northward,  I 
shall  make  what  preparations  I  can  to  carry  into  execution 
the  wishes  of  Congress. 

My  long  stay  here  must  necessarily  greatly  retard  our 
affairs  to  the  northward,  and  distress  General  Gates;  and  I 
had  proposed  to  return,  if  the  Indians  did  not  arrive  in  a 
day  or  two  hence,  and  to  leave  the  business  to  Messrs. 
I)ouw  and  Edwards.  The  Indians  have  prevented  me, 
by  sending  a  message  and  belt,  importing  that  they  were 
informed  of  my  intentions  to  go  down  the  country,  and 
insisting  that  I  should  remain.  The  necessity  of  humouring 
these  people,  and  a  deference  to  the  opinion  of  my  col- 
leagues, put  it  out  of  my  power  to  comply  with  my  wishes. 

I  am,  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  and  very  hum- 
ble servant,  PH.  SCHUYLER. 


I  am  greatly  apprehensive  that  the  service  will  suffer  in 
this  quarter  for  the  want  of  money;  very  little,  if  any,  is 
left  in  the  military  chest,  and  our  debts  are  very  consider- 
able. 

The  five  officers,  prisoners  who  deserted  from  some-  part 
of  Pennsylvania,  were  met  by  Mr.  Ryckman  on  his  way 
from  Niagara.  Would  it  not  be  proper  to  request  General 
Burgoyne  to  deliver  these  and  all  other  prisoners  in  Canada 
who  have  slighted  their  parole  and  joined  him? 

General  Arnold  writes  me  that  two  or  three  hundred 
swivels  will  be  wanted,  with  a  number  of  hand-grenades. 
Be  so  good  as  to  order  up  all  (of  both)  you  can  spare. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  every  affectionate  wish,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

German-Flats,  July  20,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Both  of  your  Excellency's  favours  of  the  15th 
instant  were  delivered  to  me  yesterday. 

The  letter  for  General  Burgoyne,  and  the  resolution  of 
Congress  to  accompany  it,  were  immediately  despatched  to 
General  Gates,  with  a  request  to  forward  it  without  delay. 

To  carry  into  execution  the  resolution  of  Congress  of  the 
21st  of  June,  respecting  the  mal-conduct  of  some  of  our 
officers  in  Canada,  will  be,  as  your  Excellency  very  justly 
observes,  "  a  work  of  difficulty  and  delicacy."  Congress 
was  doubtless  furnished  with  a  detail  of  some  of  the  offences, 
and,  most  probably,  with  the  names  of  the  offenders,  pre- 
vious to  their  entering  into  the  resolution.  If  these,  however 
few  they  might  be,  were  pointed  out  and  brought  to  trial, 
others  in  the  course  of  the  examination  might  be  impeached, 
and  probably  most  of  the  offenders  be  discovered.  Perhaps 
your  Excellency  may  think  proper  to  desire  Congress  to  men- 
tion some  particulars.  I  shall,  however,  as  soon  as  I  return 
to  the  Army,  confer  with  Generals  Gates  and  Arnold,  and 
try  to  adopt  such  measures  as  will  best  answer  the  wishes 
of  Congress. 

Colonel  Nicolson's  case,  agreeable  to  your  orders,  shall 
claim  my  earliest  attention,  and  I  will  order  a  trial  imme- 
diately on  my  return. 

It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  if  the  situation  of  our 
affairs  would  admit  of  my  doing  what  Congress  has  recom- 
mended to  me,  in  the  resolution  of  the  llth  instant;  but 
unless  a  considerable  body  of  troops  and  carpenters  are 
moved  from  Ticonderoga,  and  the  variety  of  articles  neces- 
sary for  erecting  fortifications  at  Oswego,  and  building  galleys 
on  Ontario,  can  be  procured,  it  will  not  be  possible  to  carry 
that  resolution  into  execution;  and  I  doubt  much  whether 
such  a  movement  would  be  prudent  at  this  juncture,  even 
if  intrenching  tools,  materials  for  building,  and  the  various 
other  necessary  articles,  could  be  spared  from  the  northward, 
or  elsewhere  procured.  A  few  weeks  will  probably  bring 
about  events  that  will  enable  us  to  determine  with  more 
certainty  what  can  be  done.  If  these  should  be  favourable 
to  us,  I  will  not  lose  a  moment  thereafter,  but  immediately 
possess  ourselves  of  Oswego,  and  shall  therefore  take  mea- 
sures accordingly,  and  make  what  preparations  I  can. 

The  Indians  have  not  yet  arrived ;  the  more  remote  ones 
have  sent  to  apologize  for  their  tardiness  on  account  of  the 
death  of  one,  and  the  extreme  illness  of  another  sachem  ; 
but  that  they  propose  to  be  here  on  Thursday  next.  Mr. 
Ryckman,  on  his  return  from  Niagara,  passed  through  most 
of  the  Six  Nations,  and  he  and  his  party  were  at  every  one 
of  their  villages  entertained  with  the  accounts  brought  by 
those  that  have  lately  returned  from  New-York  and  Phila- 
delpliia;  and  such  is  the  idea  they  have  conceived  of  our 
power  and  resources,  that  the  opinion  that  we  shall  be  an 
overmatch  for  our  enemies,  begins  pretty  generally  to  pre- 
vail. If  this  be  true,  (and  I  have  no  reason  to  doubt  it,)  we 
shall  meet  with  no  trouble  from  the  savages. 

The  account  of  the  two  men-of-war  and  three  tenders 
passing  New-York,  as  transmitted  by  your  Aid-de-camp, 
reached  Albany  on  Sunday  last,  and  Colonel  Van  Schaick 
informs  me  that  he  has  given  the  necessary  directions  to 
prevent  any  of  our  vessels  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  by  Doctor  Ely,  with  the  provision 
and  ammunition,  which  came  safe  to  hand,  except  the  bullet- 
moulds  and  thread.  The  former  is  not  wanted,  as  there  was 
no  bar  lead  sent,  and  there  were  several  boxes  of  ball ;  but 
the  latter  is  much  wanted,  and  would  be  glad  your  Honour 
would  send  some  by  the  first  boat.  I  have  sent  a  boat  to 
Cheshire's  for  boards,  and  it  has  returned  empty  by  reason 
of  there  being  none  sawed  ;  but  the  mill  is  now  got  at  work, 
and  hope  we  shall  soon  be  furnished. 

This  moment  there  is  part  of  a  company  of  carpenters 
from  Connecticut  arrived.  The  remainder  is  at  Cheshire's, 
and  I  shall  send  a  boat  for  them  to-morrow  morning.  The 
rain  has  flowed  so,  that  they  cannot  pass  by  land.  I  shall 
do  everything  that  lies  in  my  power  to  forward  business  for 
the  publick  good  here  and  at  Cheshire's. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  Honour's  most  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  Some  cordage  is  very  much  wanted  here. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  NATHAN  CLARKE. 

Tyonderoga,  July  20,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  your  favour  by  the  bearer,  and 
have  sent  you  by  him  the  eighteen  commissions  filled  up  as 
you  request.  I  have  no  authority  to  appoint  any  Field-Officer 
to  command  the  six  companies,  nor  do  I  see  the  necessity 
of  it,  as  they  are  to  act  separately  for  the  protection  of  the 
inhabitants  in  the  several  districts  where  they  are  posted. 
You  will  please  to  observe  that  the  officers  are  to  rank  in 
the  order  you  recommended.  As  to  advancing  money,  I 
have  no  power  or  authority  to  do  it;  nor  has  it  been  done 
for  any  troops  raised  for  the  protection  of  the  places  they 
inhabit.  When  they  are  raised,  and  have  served  a  month, 
they  may  receive  a  month's  pay. 

1  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 
HORATIO  GATES,  Major-General. 

To  Nathan  Clarke,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  at 
Manchester. 


INSTRUCTIONS    FOR  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL    HARTLEY,  GOING 
UPON  COMMAND  TO  CROWN-POINT. 

Upon  your  arrival  at  Crown-Point,  you  will  post  the 
detachment  under  your  command  in  the  most  secure  man- 
ner, taking  care  to  preserve  a  communication  with  your 
batteaus  and  the  vessels  stationed  at  the  Point. 

You  will  constantly  report  all  extraordinaries,  and  by 
every  means  in  your  power  procure  intelligence  of  the  mo- 
tions of  the  enemy.  Such  as  you  think  of  consequence 
must,  without  delay,  be  sent  by  an  express-boat  to  Ticon- 
deroga. 

As  the  Indians,  especially  those  of  the  6i'r  Nations,  seem 
strongly  disposed  to  a  neutrality,  I  would  by  no  means  com- 
mence hostilities  against  them.  If  they  begin  to  act  offen- 
sively against  us,  there  is  no  doubt  but  we  must  repel  force 
by  force. 

As  the  detachment  under  your  command  is  meant  more 
as  an  advance  guard  than  a  post  to  be  defended  to  the  last 
extremity,  you  are  carefully  to  keep  your  retreat  open  to 
your  batteaus;  and  when  the  enemy  appear  with  a  force  to 


475 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  JULY,  1776. 


476 


which,  from  all  circumstances,  you  are  convinced  you  and 
your  detachment  are  unequal,  and  with  whom  it  would  be 
rashness  to  contend,  you  are  then  to  make  as  secure  a  retreat 
as  possible  to  Tyonderoga. 

Given  at  Tyonderoga,  this  twentieth  day  of  July,  1776. 

HORATIO  GATES. 


BARON  DE  WOEDTKE  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Fort  George,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  to  inform  you  that  I  still  remain  in  a  very 
weak  and  low  situation.  I  find  the  Canadians  are  gone  on 
to  Albany.  I  beg  leave  to  advise  the  General  to  recall 
them  to  this  place,  with  the  person  who  has  assumed  to 
himself  the  title  of  Major,  one  Mr.  Hare,  who,  when  he 
arrives  here,  I  pray  may  be  put  under  an  arrest,  and  deprived 
of  that  commission  he  has  assumed  to  himself,  which,  I 
assure  you,  I  never  authorized  him  to  take. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

BARON  DE  WOEDTKE. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 


GOVERNOUR  COOKE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Newport,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  favoured  with  your  Excellency's  letter  of  the 
15th  instant,  which  I  have  communicated  to  the  General 
Assembly  now  sitting  here.  Agreeable  to  your  request,  the 
Captains  of  the  row-galleys  are  ordered  to  proceed  imme- 
diately to  New-York,  there  to  receive  your  orders,  and  to 
govern  themselves  accordingly. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

NICHOLAS  COOKE. 

To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esquire,  General 
and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
New -York. 


RHODE-ISLAND  ASSEMBLY. 

State  of  Rhode-Island  and  Providence  Plantations,  ) 
In  General  Assembly,  July  Session,  1776.      $ 

Whereas  the  General  Congress  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  by  their  Resolution  of  the  4th  instant,  after  enu- 
merating many  of  the  various  acts  by  which  George  the 
Third,  King  of  Great  Britain,  hath  demonstrated  his  inten- 
tion to  establish  an  absolute  tyranny  over  the  said  States, 
have  declared  that  "  a  Prince  whose  character  is  thus  marked 
by  every  act  which  may  define  a  tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be  the 
ruler  of  a  free  people;"  and  have  further  declared,  that  the 
said  States  "  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  inde- 
pendent States ;  that  they  are  absolved  from  all  allegiance 
to  the  British  Crown ;  and  that  all  political  connexion 
between  them  and  the  State  of  Great  Britain  is,  and  ought 
to  be,  totally  dissolved:"  which  said  Resolution  hath  been 
approved  and  solemnly  published  by  order,  and  in  presence 
of  this  General  Assembly: 

It  is  therefore  Voted  and  Resolved,  That  if  any  person 
within  this  State  shall,  under  pretence  of  preaching  orpraying, 
or  in  any  other  way  and  manner  whatever,  acknowledge 
or  declare  the  said  King  to  be  our  rightful  Lord  and  Sove- 
reign, or  shall  pray  for  the  success  of  his  arms,  or  that  he 
may  vanquish  and  overcome  all  his  enemies,  shall  be  deemed 
guilty  of  a  high  misdemeanour,  and  shall  therefor  be  pre- 
sented by  the  Grand  Jury  of  the  County  where  the  offence 
shall  be  committed,  to  the  Superior  Court  of  the  same 
County ;  and  upon  conviction  thereof  shall  forfeit  and  pay, 
as  a  fine,  to  and  for  the  use  of  this  State,  the  sum  of  £100 
lawful  money,  and  pay  all  costs  of  prosecution,  and  shall 
stand  committed  to  Jail  until  the  same  be  satisfied.  And 
that  a  copy  of  this  Act  be  inserted  in  the  Newport  and  Pro- 
vidence newspapers. 

A  true  copy.     Witness :       HENRY  WARD,  Secretary. 

Newport,  July  22,  1776. 

Last  Saturday,  the  honourable  the  General  Assembly  of 
this  State  being  then  sitting  at  the  State-House  in  this  Town, 
at  twelve  o'clock,  the  Brigade  stationed  here,  under  the 
command  of  the  Colonels  William  Richmond  and  Christo- 
pher Lippitt,  Esquires,  marched  from  Head-Quarters,  and 


drew  up  in  two  columns  on  each  side  the  parade,  before 
the  State-House  door ;  his  Honour  the  Governour  and 
Members  of  Assembly  then  marched  through  and  received 
the  compliments  of  the  Brigade;  after  which  the  Secretary 
read,  at  the  head  of  the  Brigade,  a  Resolve  of  the  Assem- 
bly, concurring  with  the  Congress  in  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  ;  the  Declaration  itself  was  then  read  ;  next, 
thirteen  cannon  were  discharged  at  Fort  Liberty;  the 
Brigade  then  drew  up  and  fired  in  thirteen  divisions,  from 
east  to  west,  agreeable  to  the  number  and  situation  of  the 
United  States.  The  Declaration  was  received  with  joy  and 
applause  by  all  ranks.  The  whole  was  conducted  with 
great  solemnity  and  decorum. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  29,  1776.] 

Lebanon,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR  :  This  Colony  has  been  so  unfortunate  as  to  employ 
two  brigs,  one  after  another,  both  of  which  have  proved  bad 
sailers.  The  last  of  the  two,  being  well  recommended,  was 
purchased  by  this  State  and  fitted  in  the  best  manner;  this, 
indeed,  by  divine  favour,  was  successful  in  taking  one  ship 
and  brig  in  Nantasket  Roads,  near  Boston,  and  afterwards 
assisted  in  taking  another  ship  in  the  bay,  of  which  you  have 
received  information.  Captain  Harding,  the  gallant  com- 
mander of  her,  complains  that  she  is  a  dull  sailer,  and  not 
fit  for  the  service. 

There  is  a  sloop  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons,  Bermu-das- 
built,  brought  from  New-Providence  by  Commodore  Hop- 
kins, which  the  Captain  informs  might  do  well  to  be  turned 
into  a  brig.  The  clothing  and  military  stores  on  board  our 
brig  Defence  may  be  put  on  the  sloop,  and  she  fitted  out 
in  a  very  short  time  to  proceed  on  a  cruise  against  our  ene- 
mies. Our  request  is,  that  this  State  may  have  the  sloop 
at  appraisal,  or  on  such  terms  as  the  honourable  Congress 
may  judge  reasonable,  that  so  she  may  be  fitted  and  employ- 
ed accordingly. 

Colonel  Williams,  who  brings  this,  and  comes  to  take  his 
seat  in  Congress,  agreeable  to  the  appointment  of  our  Gene- 
ral Assembly,  will  inform  fully  on  the  subject,  which  renders 
it  unnecessary  to  add,  only  my  hope  for  a  favourable  and  a 
speedy  answer. 

22rf. — Your  letter  of  the  16th  instant,  with  its  enclosure, 
is  received.  Our  General  Assembly  finished  its  sessions  on 
the  7th  June.  On  the  10th,  the  resolution  of  Congress  of 
the  3d  of  June  came  to  hand,  and  forthwith  warrants  were 
sent  to  convene  the  Assembly  on  the  14th  of  same  June. 

They  complied  with  your  requisition.  The  battalions  of 
Militia  were  ordered  to  be  raised,  armed,  and  equipped  for 
the  service  mentioned.  Great  diligence  hath  been  used  to 
promote  the  same  :  and  lest  they  should  fail  arriving  season- 
ably, three  regiments  of  Lighthorse  were  ordered  forthwith 
to  New-York,  to  put  themselves  under  the  command  of 
General  Washington,  till  our  Militia  could  be  raised  and 
come  in ;  also  to  afford  further  aid  if  needed.  I  gave  orders 
to  the  commanding  officers  of  five  regiments  lying  next  to- 
wards New-York,  to  march  forthwith  on  the  requisition  of 
the  General  to  strengthen  our  Army.  Our  proceedings  are 
well  known  to,  and  can  be  fully  communicated  by  Colonel 
Williams,  to  whom  take  leave  to  refer  you.  The  good 
people  of  our  Government  do  not  hesitate  to  do  all  in  their 
power  to  be  freemen  while  they  live,  and  to  leave  their  pos- 
terity the  heirs  of  freedom  and  its  blessings. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JONA.  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  President  Hancock. 


GOVERNOUR  THUMBULL  TO  NATHANIEL  SHAW,  JUN. 

Lebanon,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  17th  instant  per  Captain 
Harding.  I  am  very  sorry  we  have  been  so  unfortunate  in 
getting  two  brigs,  one  after  another,  that  do  not  answer  our 
designs.  Am  rejoiced  to  hear  that  there  is  a  sloop  that  may 
probably  be  had  that  will  answer  our  purpose.  Colonel 
Williams  sets  out  for  Congress  to  take  a  seat  therein.  I 
shall  send  by  him  to  obtain  the  sloop  you  mention.  I  think 
it  highly  probable  shall  have  success  to  obtain  the  sloop  on 
some  reasonable  terms.  She  may  be  soon  altered  and  fitted 
for  a  cruise.  In  mean  time  think  that  the  brig  Defence  be 


477 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


478 


used  for  such  purpose,  as  she  may  answer  without  laying 
out  further  cost  upon  her.  Have  ordered  Captain  Harding 
to  do  only  what  may  be  barely  needful,  and  to  secure  the 
navigation  of  the  Sound  as  far  as  in  his  power. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

JONTH.  TKUMBULL. 
To  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  Esq. 

WILLIAM  LOUD  TO  JOHN  TAYLOR. 

Muscowgus  Island,  near  Bristol,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  saw  a  letter  from  Colonel  William  Jones,  of  Bris- 
tol, to  Captain  James  Hilton,  of  said  place,  informing  him 
of  the  capture  of  General  Thompson,  and  many  officers,  as 
also  the  retreat  of  General  Sullivan  to  St.  John's,  and  the 
doubt  of  his  ability  to  support  that  post;  as  also  that  fifteen 
hundred  Canadians  and  five  hundred  Indians  were  employed 
by  General  Burgoyne  to  attack  our  back  settlements;  also, 
orders  for  said  Hilton  to  have  his  company  of  Militia  in  order 
for  defence.  Captain  Hilton  sent  intelligence  eastward,  to 
the  settlements;  but,  sir,  in  my  opinion,  intelligence  without 
ammunition  would  be  of  little  service;  and  I  do  not  think 
one-tenth  part  of  the  inhabitants  have  any,  neither  do  I  think 
it  possible  for  them  to  be  supplied  except  by  the  Congress, 
and  are  therefore  at  present  in  a  woful  condition  if  attacked. 
I  doubt  not,  sir,  that  you  remember  Mr.  Waterman  Thomas, 
of  Waldoborough,  who  was  up  to  the  Congress  the  year 
past,  on  account  of  supply  for  many  settlements,  but  could 
not  obtain  it.  Now,  if  no  speedy  supply,  and  the  enemy 
approach,  you  may  expect  dismal  news  from  this  quarter. 

As  the  inhabitants  have  been  driven  to  great  straits  on 
account  of  not  having  a  market  for  their  lumber  the  year  past, 
and  the  supports  of  life  having  been  so  dear  to  them,  I  can- 
not see  how  it  is  possible  at  present  for  them  to  raise  cash 
for  ammunition ;  and  if  some  way  cannot  be  proposed  as  to 
furnish  for  a  hereafter-pay,  then  farewell  to  defence. 

I  imagine  it  will  be  some  time  before  the  many  settle- 
ments will  be  notified  of  the  danger,  and  be  able  to  meet 
and  consult  measures  for  safety;  and  as  there  are  many 
settlements  and  Islands  that  have  no  representatives  or 
acquaintances  in  the  Congress,  I  desire  that  you  would  be 
so  good  as  to  use  your  endeavours  to  have  a  supply  for  them 
on  such  terms  as  you  may  think  proper,  which  will  be  ever 
esteemed  as  a  favour  done  to  your  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  LOUD. 

N.  B.  I  believe  the  Islands  and  non-incorporated  places 
are  not  omitted  in  the  Province  tax;  and  as  for  my  part,  I 
am,  and  ever  have  been,  ready  to  pay  such,  and  have  done 
it  many  years. 

Sir,  the  favour  of  a  line  from  you,  to  inform  me  what  de- 
pendance  may  be  had  on  account  of  ammunition,  directed 
to  myself  or  Waterman  Thomas,  Esq.,  of  Waldoborough, 
will  greatly  oblige  yours,  &tc.,  W.  L. 

N.  B.  I  have  four  that  bear  arms. 


COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  TO  SELECTMEN  OF  BOSTON. 
Council-Chamber,  Watertown,  July  20,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  It  appears  that  there  is  a  great  uneasiness 
in  the  minds  of  the  people,  in  various  parts  of  the  State,  that 
no  greater  care  has  been  taken  to  prevent  the  spreading  of  the 
small-pox;  and  unless  such  care  should  now  be  taken  as  may 
be  reasonable  and  satisfactory,  great  mischief  must  certainly 
ensue,  and  still  greater  if  the  distemper  should  further  prevail 
in  the  country  towns.  To  prevent  which,  and  in  order  that 
the  town  of  Boston  may  not  in  a  special  manner  be  subject- 
ed to  inconveniences,  which  they  are  certainly  liable  to,  we 
request  you  to  use  every  means  in  your  power  for  getting 
clear  of  the  infection  of  that  distemper  as  soon  as  possible, 
and,  in  the  mean  time,  that  you  use  every  precaution  to 
prevent  the  communication  thereof  to  other  towns,  and  par- 
ticularly that  you  employ  trusty  and  proper  guards  at  the 
ferry  places,  and  at  the  Neck,  to  prevent  any  persons  from 
going  into  the  country,  until  they  are  -entirely  cleansed  from 
the  infection,  so  as  to  be  beyond  the  possibility  of  communi- 
cating it  to  others;  otherwise  the  country  towns  will  think 
themselves  under  a  necessity  of  setting  guards  and  preparing 
smoke-houses,  &c.,  the  great  expense  and  trouble  of  which 
may  be  saved,  if  they  can  be  ascertained  that  you  do  not  fail 
of  doing  what  is  thought  to  be  your  duty  to  do. 

To  the  Selectmen  of  Boston. 


JONATHAN  CLOVER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Marblehead,  July  20,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  take  up  one 
moment  of  your  attention,  engaged  as  it  is  in  concerns  of  the 
highest  import  to  the  United  American  States;  but  seeing, 
without  your  kind  interposition,  that  I  may  be  materially 
injured,  1  hope  you  will  excuse  me. 

Your  Excellency  was  pleased  to  appoint  me  one  of  the 
Agents  for  the  Continental  armed  vessels;  which  office  I 
have  endeavoured  to  discharge  with  diligence  and  fidelity, 
and  conducted,  I  would  fain  suppose,  to  your  satisfaction. 
Among  other  things,  when  the  ship  Hope,  laden  with  pow- 
der, was  taken,  I  hastened  to  Putting-Point  Gut,  through 
which  they  attempted  to  carry  the  ship  to  Boston;  but  she 
got  aground;  so  1  procured  small  craft,  and,  before  night, 
got  out  twelve  hundred  barrels  of  powder.  I  procured  a 
guard  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  from  General  Ward, 
lest  the  enemy  should  take  the  ship  by  their  boats  in  the 
night.  I  engaged  the  best  pilot  in  Boston  to  carry  up  the 
ship;  but  he  despaired  of  doing  it  in  the  night,  because  he 
could  not  see  the  marks,  as  the  channel  was  crooked.  I 
told  him  I  did  not  choose  to  trust  her  there  that  night,  and 
that  she  must  be  got  up.  He  said  it  was  impossible.  I 
then  proposed  placing  at  anchor  a  number  of  the  small  ves- 
sels, with  lanterns  on  board  them,  at  the  shallow  places  and 
bends  of  the  channel;  and  after  they  were  thus  stationed,  the 
ship  fluting  and  the  wind  being  fair,  we  made  sail,  and  got 
her  up  to  Boston  safe  at  anchor  off  the  wharf  before  day- 
light; and  I  ceased  not  till,  with  vast  labour  and  fatigue,  the 
whole  cargo  was  secured.  On  account  of  this  business,  for 
four  days  and  three  nights  I  did  not  pull  off  my  clothes, 
and  scarcely  slept  at  all.  Afterwards  I  libelled  the  ship  and 
cargo,  and  attended  the  trial  and  condemnation.  In  one 
word,  I  have  taken  the  whole  care  of  them;  and  nothing 
now  remains  to  be  done  but  making  sale  of  the  ship,  and  a 
few  articles  that  are  not  military  stores — the  work  of  a  day. 
In  this  stage  of  the  business,  Mr.  John  Bradford,  of  Boston, 
steps  in  and  desires  to  sell  this  ship  Hope  and  her  cargo,  and 
claims  a  commission  on  some  others,  against  which  I  have 
either  finished  or  commenced  prosecutions. 

I  will  take  the  liberty  to  fairly  state  his  pretensions:  He 
received  a  private  letter,  about  six  weeks  since,  from  Mr. 
Hancock,  informing  him  that,  through  his  friendship,  he  was 
appointed  Agent  for  all  prizes  brought  into  this  Colony,  and 
that  his  commission  should  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  might  be, 
and  advising  him,  when  he  should  receive  it,  to  make  known 
his  appointment  in  the  publick  newspapers.  This  letter  Mr. 
Bradford  communicated  to  me.  As  I  have  received  no 
intimation  of  this  from  your  Excellency,  who  appointed  me 
an  Agent,  nor  from  any  person  under  the  authority  of  Con- 
gress, and  as  Mr.  Bradford's  commission  has  not  arrived,  and 
perhaps  never  may,  I  thought  it  my  duty,  not  only  to  myself, 
but  to  your  Excellency  and  the  Continent,  to  continue  acting 
in  that  capacity  as  far  as  respected  those  vessels  that  had 
come  into  my  hands;  those  that  have  been  since  brought  in, 
to  avoid  any  colour  of  dispute,  I  have  not  meddled  with. 
Under  these  circumstances,  I  natter  myself  my  conduct  will 
receive  the  approbation  of  your  Excellency  and  the  Congress. 
And  if  your  Excellency  shall  judge  it  expedient,  a  line  from 
the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress  may  settle  this  matter,  as 
in  justice  it  ought  to  be,  which  is  all  I  wish.  Mr.  Bradford 
has  lately  received  a  letter  from  the  Marine  Committee,  which 
considers  him  as  Agent  respecting  some  matters  yet  to  be 
done.  This,  with  Mr.  Hancock's  letter,  is  all  that  give  him 
any  authority. 

I  hope  I  shall  be  excused  for  thus  troubling  you.  I  was 
afraid  the  publick  service  would  suffer  by  an  altercation  be- 
tween us  and  the  captors.  I  shall  esteem  it  a  favour  if  your 
Excellency  will  give  directions  to  have  the  military  stores 
taken  in  the  ship  Hope  appraised,  in  order  that  the  captors 
may  have  their  shares,  as  they  are  greatly  in  want  of  it,  many 
of  them. 

I  am,  with  the  utmost  respect,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant,  JoNATHAN  GLOVER 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Esq.,  Commander- 
in-Chief,  in  New-  York. 


Exeter,  New-Hampshire,  July  20,  1776. 

Tuesday  last  Mr.  Blunt,  who  went  to  the  Northern  Army, 
with  a  number  of  letters,  returned  to  this  town.     He  left 


479 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


480 


Crown-Point  the  10th  instant,  to  which  place  the  American 
Army  had  retreated,  with  all  their  artillery,  baggage,  sick, 
&.C.,  and  proposed  to  make  a  stand  at  Ticonderoga,  fifteen 
miles  this  side;  that  the  Ministerial  Army  had  got  down  to 
St.  John's,  (one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  Crown- 
Point.)  which  consists,  as  is  said,  of  only  five  or  six  thousand 
Regulars,  but  how  many  Canadians  and  Indians  is  very  un- 
certain. From  this  bod'y  they  lately  sent  a  few  Indians,  and 
took  the  miller  at  Crown-Point,  and  carried  him  to  Si.  John's, 
who  has  not  since  returned.  This  is  the  first  visit  they  have 
dared  to  make  since  the  retreat  of  the  American  Army. 

An  express  passed  through  Portsmouth  last  Thursday, 
who  brought  an  account  that  Captain  Mowat,  in  the  Can- 
ceaux,  had  taken  all  the  fishing-boats  which  lay  within  his 
reach,  to  the  number  of  twenty  sail,  at  the  eastward  of  Casco- 
Bay.  It  is  supposed  he  has  carried  them  to  Halifax. 


RECOMMENDATION  TO  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  POPLIN  RESPECT- 
ING ZACCHEUS  CLOUGH. 

Colony  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Committee  of  Safety,  ) 

July  20, 1776.      \ 

Upon  considering  the  complaint  of  Zaccheus  Clough,  Es- 
quire, of  Poplin,  representing  that  he  hath  been  much  injured  in 
his  character  by  designing  persons,  who  (he  says)  have  falsely 
insinuated  to  the  publick  that  he  converted  to  his  own  use 
a  Donation  with  which  he  was  intrusted  by  the  Parish  of  said 
Poplin  to  deliver  persons  properly  appointed  to  receive  the 
same,  for  the  use  of  the  Poor  of  Boston,  suffering  by  the 
Port  Bill: 

The  Committee  recommend  that  the  Committee  of  said 
Poplin  would  call  in  to  their  aid  the  Committees  of  two  of 
the  nearest  Towns  or  Parishes  to  them,  jointly  to  sit  and  hear 
all  accusations  against  said  Clough,  on  the  aforesaid  affair, 
and  also  his  defence  thereon,  giving  notice  of  the  time  and 
place  of  meeting,  sufficient  for  his  accusers  to  be  present ; 
and,  after  impartially  hearing  the  matter,  to  declare  their 
opinion  thereon,  that  all  concerned  may  be  satisfied  of  the 
truth  of  the  premises.  M.  WE  ARE,  Chairman. 


small-pox  very  brief  in  our  Army:  which  has  been  our  de- 
struction. But  must  beg  you  will  excuse  rne,  and  subscribe 
myself  your  humble  servant, 

To  John  Hard,  Esq. 


JOHN  BELLOWS  TO  MESHECH  VVEARE. 

Walpole,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  Lieutenant  Sargents  hath  returned  from  Crown- 
Point,  in  order  to  collect  some  soldiers  who  deserted  at  the 
time  when  Major  Butterfield  resigned  himself  and  men  to 
our  foes,  and  also  to  obtain  a  copy  of  the  muster-rolls  for  the 
four  companies  which  I  mustered.  As  the  soldiers  can  draw 
no  pay  until  the  rolls  are  exhibited  to  the  Paymaster,  I  desire 
you  would  send  the  copies  by  Mr.  Trott,  because  Sargents 
must  return  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  am,  your  humble  servant,  JOHN  BELLOWS. 


COLONEL  WAIT  TO  COLONEL  KURD. 

Onion  River,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  14th  instant.  I  am  at  pre- 
sent at  this  place  with  two  hundred  men ;  and  when  ordered 
here,  I  expected  to  have  been  stationed  here  till  fall  of  the 
year,  and  to  have  built  some  stockades  from  this  to  Cohos; 
but  it  seems  it  is  otherwise  ordered.  I  am  ordered  to  join  the 
Army  again,  which  I  expect  to  do  in  five  or  six  days,  but 
Colonel  Warner,  of  the  Green-Mountains,  is  ordered  to  raise 
three  hundred  men  immediately,  to  proceed  to  these  frontiers 
and  to  guard  the  same,  but  the  particulars  of  his  orders  I 
know  not.  Have  sent  a  man  from  hence  to  know  whether 
he  is  to  relieve  me  or  not. 

1  applied  to  General  Sullivan  for  this  station,  as  soon  as 
the  Army  retreated,  that  I  might  be  a  safeguard  to  our  fron- 
tiers, which  was  readily  granted ;  but  he  is  now  superseded  by 
General  Gates,  and  the  scene  is  now  changed ;  and  what 
will  be  done  next,  I  know  not;  but  it  seems  this  must  be  our 
unhappy  fate,  the  change  of  command  so  often,  that  it  keeps 
our  Army  in  continual  confusion. 

You  must  spare  a  little  by  way  of  complaint.  This 
Northern  Army  has  been  treated  with  most  cruel  neglect, 
or  we  might  have  been  in  possession  of  Quebecle.  Sir,  when 
I  arrived  there,  I  found  Generals  without  men,  and  a  small 
Artillery  without  supplies,  and  Commissaries  without  pro- 
visions, Paymasters  without  money,  and  Quartermasters 
without  stores,  and  Physicians  without  medicines,  and  the 


BENJAMIN  GILES  TO  MESHECH  WEARE. 

Charlestown,  No.  IV.,  July  20,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Would  inform  you  I  pursued,  agreeable 
to  instructions  to  be  in  readiness  to  give  the  troops  a  quick 
pass  from  Charlestown,  arriving  here  last  Sabbath,  &tc.  I 
need  not  write  the  particulars  of  my  conduct,  or  the  cause  of 
purchasing  stores.  Mr.  Trott  can  inform,  as  he  is  particu- 
larly knowing  to  my  conduct,  both  before  and  after  Captain 
Farnsworth  came  to  No.  4,  whose  orders  are  to  purchase 
beef,  and  that  only  for  the  troops.  A  difficulty  I  am  afraid 
will  arise:  his  orders  are  to  give  provisions  to  a  complete 
company  only;  and  as  I  suppose  it  is  next  to  impossible 
for  complete  companies  to  march  without  being  notified,  1 
thought  it  my  duty  to  advertise  you,  sir,  that,  if  possible,  the 
Captains  of  each  company  may  have  notice  thereof.  Billet- 
ing, mileage,  and  some  other  allowances,  are  all  to  be  paid 
at  Ticonderoga,  the  money  being  sent  forward.  Captain 
Farnsworth  came  here  last  Thursday,  and  is  gone  oft'  this 
morning.  According  to  direction,  1  have  dismissed  the  busi- 
ness, but  have  some  pork  on  hand,  can't  say  how  much; 
Mr.  Trott  will  inform  you  of  the  circumstance.  1  sent  him 
to  Hadley,  to  purchase  pork.  I  paid  his  expenses,  being 
17*.  9d.,  and  have  charged  it.  Would  be  glad  of  further 
directions  respecting  what  I  have  taken  in. 

I  rest,  sir,  your  real  friend  and  very  humble  servant, 

BENJ.  GILES. 
To  the  Hon.  Meshech  Weare,  Esq. 

P.  S.  I  should  have  written  in  a  different  manner,  but  Mr. 
Trott  can  inform  you  of  every  particular. 

P.  S.  I  borrowed  forty-four  dollars,  which  I  have  paid  for 
wheat  and  pork.  Would  be  glad  if  it  can  be  sent  by  Mr. 
Trott.  I  promised  to  pay  it  directly.  In  hurry,  Mr.  'Trott 
is  waiting.  BENJ.  GILES. 


Providence,  July  20,  1776. 

A  gentleman  from  No.  4  informs,  that  a  Missionary  arrived 
there  a  few  days  since  from  the  Indian  country,  and  brought 
advices  that  the  Chiefs  of  the  Six  Nations,  in  a  grand  council, 
had  determined  to  call  in  their  young  men  immediately,  and 
to  remain  neuter  during  the  present  conflict  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  American  States. 


COLONEL  KURD  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Haverhill,  July  20,  1776. 

SIR:  Yesterday  afternoon  came  in  here  to  CoAos,  a  French- 
man from  the  river  St.  Francois,  with  whom  and  the  Com- 
mittees of  Havtrhill  and  Ncwbury,  I  spent  the  evening  till 
late,  to  obtain  what  intelligence  we  could.  He  tells  us  that 
he  has  been  out  from  thence  nineteen  days,  and  undergone 
great  hardship  on  his  journey,  having  mistook  his  path  from  the 
head  of  St.  Francois  to  this  river;  that  there  were  seventy- 
two  ships  arrived  at  Quebeck,  and  the  Ministerial  Army  made 
up  ten  thousand  British  and  Canadians,  under  General 
Carleton.  He  knows  nothing  of  Burgoyne;  the  Indians  of 
St.  Francois  and  Caughnaivaga  remain  neuter,  and  refuse 
to  take  up  arms  on  either  side.  He  does  not  think  there  are 
any  Indians  out  upon  the  scout  on  this  quarter.  He  fled,  as 
he  says,  for  fear  of  his  life,  having  been  a  Captain  in  the  Con- 
tinental service,  at  the  Parish  of  Three  Riven,  and  advanced 
considerable  effects  for  our  Army.  He  is  desirous  of  being 
conveyed  to  the  General  and  to  the  Continental  Congress. 
His  appearance  to  me  is  open  and  honest,  though  some  of  our 
people  are  jealous  of  him.  Keep  a  guard  to  watch  the  house 
where  he  lodges,  and  intend  to  send  him  over  to  Croicn- 
Point  to  the  commanding  officer  there. 

We  are  anxious  for  Colonel  Bayley's  return,  to  know  in 
what  manner  the  men  designed  for  our  protection  are  to  be 
raised;  and  we  shall  look  for  him  this  evening,  so  that  I 
hope  1  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  some  advices. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

J.   HURD. 

To  the  Hon.  Colonel  Weare. 


481 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


482 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER   FROM    CHARLESTOWN,    SOUTH-CARO- 
LINA, DATED  JULY  21,   1776. 

You  are  undoubtedly  informed  before  this,  that  that  detest- 
able villain,  Stcuart,  has  prevailed  upon  the  Cherokees  to 
take  up  the  hatchet  against  our  countrymen.  This,  however, 
does  not  in  the  least  intimidate  us.  Our  people  march  forth 
against  the  Savages  with  all  the  alacrity  and  cheerfulness 
you  can  conceive,  and  with  a  full  determined  resolution  to 
extirpate  the  whole  tribe.  The  damage  done  to  us  by  them 
is  yet  trifling.  A  number  of  the  heads  of  the  Tories  in  this 
Province,  when  they  heard  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  In- 
dians, wrote  to  our  Governour,  and  told  him  that  they  never 
dreamt  the  King  would  descend  to  such  low  and  diabolical 
designs;  that  they  were  now  willing  to  do  everything  in  their 
power  to  assist  their  brethren  in  America.  These  are  men 
of  influence  on  the  frontiers,  and  will  be  very  useful  against 
the  Indians. 

In  a  little  brush  with  the  Indians  the  other  day,  our  peo- 
ple were  successful;  killed,  wounded,  and  took  prisoners,  a 
considerable  number.  Colonel  Mclntosh,  of  Georgia,  with 
a  party  of  his  regiment,  went  out  a  few  days  ago  to  recon- 
noitre the  situation  of  the  two  young  Wrights,  who  are 
posted  on  St.  Mary's  River,  which  separates  Florida  from 
Georgia.  When  he  came  within  two  miles  of  their  fort,  he 
was  fired  on  from  an  outpost  of  theirs;  our  Colonel  returned 
the  fire,  killed  one,  and  iook  nine  prisoners;  upon  which  the 
fort  fired  an  alarm  gun.  The  man-of-war  below  hearing  this, 
immediately  detached  a  barge  with  a  Lieutenant  and  nine 
men ;  all  these  the  Colonel  thought  proper  to  seize  upon. 
In  the  brig  lately  taken  here  with  Highlanders,  on  board  was 
found  about  £600  sterling  worth  of  goods. 


Williamsburgh,  Virginia,  August  10,  1776. 
A  correspondent  has  favoured  us  with  extracts  of  letters 
from  officers  of  rank  in  Fincastle,  from  which  we  learn,  that 
on  Sunday,  the  2 1st  of  July,  a  large  party  of  Indians  attacked 
the  Watauga  Fort,  in  which  were  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men.  They  fired  on  a  great  number  of  women,  who  went 
out  at  daybreak  to  milk  their  cows,  and  chased  them  into  the 
fort,  but  providentially  did  not  kill  one  of  them.  They  fired 
briskly  on  the  fort  till  eight  o'clock,  but  without  effect,  and 
then  retired,  with  considerable  loss,  as  was  supposed  from  the 
quantity  of  blood  found;  but  they  returned  to  the  attack, 
and  were  besieging  the  fort  six  days  after,  as  a  messenger, 
who  was  slipped  out,  informed  our  men  on  Holstein.  A  de- 
tachment was  sent  to  relieve  the  fort,  and  it  was  expected 
they  would  do  so  on  Monday,  the  29th.  A  party  of  one 
hundred  men  of  the  Militia  fell  in  with  a  party  of  forty 
Cherokees,  who  were  fifty  miles  on  this  side  the  Island,  at 
one  of  the  deserted  plantations,  and  killed  five,  took  one 
prisoner,  and  twenty  guns.  It  is  worthy  of  our  observation, 
that  in  these  several  skirmishes  with  the  Indians,  in  all  of 
which  we  did  more  execution  than  in  some  of  the  principal 
actions  of  the  last  war,  we  lost  not  a  man.  No  one  can 
reflect  on  this,  and  many  other  circumstances  which  have 
attended  the  present  war  with  the  British  tyrant,  without 
acknowledging  that  he  sees  evident  proofs  of  the  Divine 
interposition  in  our  favour. 


JAMES  TILGHMAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 
Sunday  morning,  July  21,  177G. 

GENTLEMEN:  Mr.  Thomas,  who  was  to  have  delivered 
you  the  enclosed,  is  now  with  me.  The  company  is  very 
anxious  to  be  furnished  with  the  arms  which  arrived  at  Chin- 
goteague,  but  I  have  informed  Mr.  Thomas  of  the  resolution 
of  the  Council  as  to  them.  It  will  be  very  difficult,  if  not 
impossible,  to  procure  a  sufficient  quantity  of  guns  here,  the 
Militia  having  but  few,  and  will  not  part  with  them,  unless 
to  the  company  which  is  to  defend  Kent-Island.  They,  I 
believe,  will  soon  be  supplied,  from  what  I  can  learn.  I 
cannot,  however,  speak  with  certainty. 

I  shall  meet  the  Committee  next  Thursday,  and  shall 
then  have  an  opportunity  of  forming  some  judgment  myself 
of  the  practicability  of  arming  them.  Pray  write  me  if  any- 
thing extraordinary. 

I  am  your  obedient  humble  servant,     JA.  TILGHMAN. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


B.  JOHNSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Fredericktown,  July  21,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Yesterday  I  received  part  of  Captain  Good's 
company.  Lieutenant  Ghislen  now  waits  on  you  for  com- 
missions and  orders.  Captain  Good  informed  me  that  it 
will  be  out  of  his  power  to  procure  arms  unless  you  will  be 
pleased  to  furnish  him  with  money,  and  then  he  can  get 
both  arms  and  blankets.  I  submit  it  to  your  consideration 
whether  it  would  not  be  best.  I  believe  Captain  Good  to 
be  a  man  of  honour.  I  know  him  to  be  a  man  of  property, 
and  will,  I  dare  say,  lay  the  money  out  to  the  advantage  of 
the  publick. 

Some  villain  or  other  has  propagated  through  this  County 
that  Colonel  Beatty  and  myself  have  destroyed  the  recom- 
mendation of  Field-Officers  by  the  Committee,  and  the 
several  petitions  of  the  people  for  a  further  representation. 
I  hope  you  will  not  think  me  troublesome,  when  I  request  the 
favour  of  you  to  inform  me  by  letter,  that  they  are  in  your 
possession,  by  Mr.  Ghislen.  I  hope  to  receive  your  answer. 

I  am,  'gentlemen,  with  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  JOHNSON. 
To  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  Annapolis. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  COLONEL  HASLETT. 

Philadelphia,  Sunday  morning,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  a  resolution  of  Congress  passed 
yesterday  evening,  I  am  to  direct  you,  immediately  and 
without  loss  of  time  after  the  receipt  of  this,  to  march  with 
the  troops  under  your  command  to  Philadelphia,  there  to  do 
duty  until  the  further  orders  of  Congress.  If  the  company 
ordered  to  Lewistown  be  still  there,  you  are  not  to  include  that 
company  in  your  marching  orders  for  Philadelphia.  On  your 
arrival  here,  you  will  station  your  troops  in  the  barracks. 

I  am,  with  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Colonel  Haslett,  or  Officer  commanding  the  Battalion 
of  Continental  Troops  in  the  Delaware  Government. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  DENT. 
[No.  65.]  Annapolis,  July  21,  1776. 


US 

M 


DR.  FRANKLIN  TO  LORD  HOWE. 

Philadelphia,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  favours  of  the  19th  and  20th  instant  are  before         My  LoRD.  j  received  safe  ti,e  letters  your  Lordship  so 
.     We  approve  of  your  ordering  an  additional  number  of    kind]    forwarded  to  nie)  and  beg  you  to  accept  my  thanks, 
ihtia  from  Colonel  Hawkins  s  battalion,  and  don  t  doubt         T<L    ffi  •  j  deSDatc|les  to  which  you  refer  me  contain 


nothing  more  than  what  we  had  seen  in  the  act  of  Parlia- 
ment, viz:  "offers  of  pardon  upon  submission ;"  which  I  was 


your  doing  everything  necessary  to  repel  the  invaders. 

We  have  ordered  Major  Price  down,  with  three  field- 

pieces  and  one  nine-pounder,  with  Captain  Thomas's  Inde-    sorry'to  fin(]   as  it  must  give  your  Lordship  pain  to  be  sent 
pendent  company,  which  we  rest  satisfied  are  arrived  with  you    go  ^  Qn  ^  llopeiess  a  business 
by  this  time.     These  will  enable  the  Major  and  you  to  speak 
more  properly  with  the  row-galley  than  you  hitherto  could  do. 


You  apprehend  the  enemy  are  moving  up  the  river:  it  is  not 


Directing  pardons  to  be  offered  to  the  Colonies,  who  are 
the  very  parties  injured,  expresses,  indeed,  that  opinion  of 
our  ignorance,  baseness,  and  insensibility,  which  your  unin- 


)  ,  , 

improbable  but  they  may  be.     You  will  (as  you  have  done)     formed  ancj  proud  nati0n  has  long  been  pleased  to  entertain 


continue  to  watch  their  motions,  and,  from  time  to  time, 
inform  us.  We  wish  to  be  acquainted  how  many  and  what 
sort  of  deserters  have  come  over — whether  they  be  soldiers, 
sailors,  Tories,  or  prisoners  taken  by  them. 

Wishing  you  all  success,  we  are,  &.c. 
To  Brigadier-General  Dent. 

P.  S.  Please  to  say  in  your  next  how  Captain  Beallm&y  be. 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  31 


of  us ;  but  it  can  have  no  other  effect  than  that  of  increasing 
our  resentments.  It  is  impossible  we  should  think  of  sub- 
mission to  a  Government  that  has,  with  the  most  wanton 
barbarity  and  cruelty,  burned  our  defenceless  towns  in  the 
midst  of  winter,  excited  the  savages  to  massacre  our  peace- 
ful farmers,  instigated  our  slaves  to  murder  their  masters,  and 
is  even  now  bringing  foreign  mercenaries  to  deluge  our  set- 


483 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


484 


tlements  with  blood.  These  atrocious  injuries  have  extin- 
guished every  spark  of  affection  for  that  parent  country  we 
once  held  so  dear.  But  were  it  possible  for  us  to  forget  and 
forgive  them,  it  is  not  possible  for  you  (I  mean  the  British 
nation)  to  forgive  the  people  you  have  so  heavily  injured. 
You  can  never  confide  again  in  those  as  fellow-subjects,  and 
permit  them  to  enjoy  equal  freedom,  to  whom  you  know 
you  have  given  such  just  causes  of  lasting  enmity;  and  this 
must  impel  you,  were,  we  again  under  your  Government,  to 
endeavour  the  breaking  our  spirit  by  the  severest  tyranny, 
and  obstructing,  by  every  means  in  your  power,  our  growing 
strength  and  prosperity. 

But  your  Lordship  mentions  "  the  King's  paternal  solici- 
tude for  promoting  the  establishment  of  lasting  peace  and 
union  with  the  Colonies."  If  by  peace  is  here  meant  a  peace 
to  be  entered  into  by  distinct  States  now  at  war,  and  his  Ma- 
jesty has  given  your  Lordship  powers  to  treat  with  us  of  such 
a  peace,  I  may  venture  to  say,  though  without  authority, 
that  I  think  a  treaty  for  that  purpose  not  quite  impracticable 
before  we  enter  into  foreign  alliances.  But  I  am  persuaded 
you  have  no  such  powers.  Your  nation,  though,  by  punish- 
ing those  American  Governours  who  have  fomented  the 
discord,  rebuilding  our  burnt  towns,  and  repairing,  as  far  as 
possible,  the  mischiefs  done  us,  might  recover  a  great  share 
of  our  regard,  and  the  greatest  share  of  our  growing  com- 
merce, with  all  the  advantages  of  that  additional  strength  to 
be  derived  from  a  friendship  with  us;  yet  I  know  too  well 
her  abounding  pride  and  deficient  wisdom  to  believe  she  will 
ever  take  such  salutary  measures.  Her  fondness  for  conquest 
as  a  warlike  nation ;  her  lust  of  dominion  as  an  ambitious 
one;  and  her  thirst  for  a  gainful  monopoly  as  a  commercial 
one,  (none  of  them  legitimate  causes  of  war,)  will  join  to 
hide  from  her  eyes  every  view  of  her  true  interest,  and  con- 
tinually goad  her  on  in  these  ruinous  distant  expeditions,  so 
destructive  both  of  lives  and  of  treasure,  that  they  must  prove 
as  pernicious  to  her  in  the  end  as  the  Croisades  formerly 
were  to  most  of  the  nations  of  Europe. 

I  have  not  the  vanity,  my  Lord,  to  think  of  intimidating, 
by  thus  predicting  the  effects  of  this  war;  for  I  know  it  will 
in  England  have  the  fate  of  all  rny  former  predictions — not 
to  be  believed  till  the  event  shall  verify  it. 

Long  did  I  endeavour,  with  unfeigned  and  unwearied 
zeal,  to  preserve  from  breaking  that  fine  and  noble  porcelain 
vase — the  British  empire ;  for  I  knew,  that  being  once 
broken,  the  separate  parts  could  not  retain  even  their  share 
of  the  strength  and  value  that  existed  in  the  whole,  and  that 
a  perfect  reunion  of  those  parts  could  scarce  ever  be  hoped 
for.  Your  Lordship  may  possibly  remember  the  tears  of 
joy  that  wetted  my  cheek,  when,  at  your  good  sister's  in 
London,  you  once  gave  me  expectations  that  a  reconciliation 
might  soon  take  place.  I  had  the  misfortune  to  find  these 
expectations  disappointed,  and  to  be  treated  as  the  cause  of 
the  mischief  I  was  labouring  to  prevent.  My  consolation 
under  that  groundless  and  malevolent  treatment  was,  that  I 
retained  the  friendship  of  many  wise  and  good  men  in  that 
country,  and,  among  the  rest,  some  share  in  the  regard  of 
Lord  Howe. 

The  well-founded  esteem  and,  permit  me  to  say,  affection 
which  I  shall  always  have  for  your  Lordship,  make  it  pain- 
ful to  me  to  see  you  engaged  in  conducting  a  war,  the  great 
ground  of  which  (as  described  in  your  letter)  is  "  the  neces- 
sity of  preventing  the  American  trade  from  passing  into 
foreign  channels."  To  me  it  seems  that  neither  the  obtain- 
ing or  retaining  any  trade,  hosv  valuable  soever,  is  an  object 
for  which  men  may  justly  spill  each  other's  blood ;  that  the 
true  and  sure  means  of  extending  and  securing  commerce 
are  the  goodness  and  cheapness  of  commodities;  and  that 
the  profits  of  no  trade  can  ever  be  equal  to  the  expense  of 
compelling  it,  and  holding  it  by  fleets  and  armies.  I  con- 
sider this  war  against  us,  therefore,  as  both  unjust  and 
unwise ;  and  I  am  persuaded  that  cool  and  dispassionate 
posterity  will  condemn  to  infamy  those  who  advised  it. 

I  know  your  great  motive  in  coming  hither  was  the  hope 
of  being  instrumental  in  a  reconciliation  ;  and  I  believe,  when 
you  find  that  to  be  impossible,  on  any  terms  given  you  to 
propose,  you  will  then  relinquish  so  odious  a  command,  and 
return  to  a  more  honourable  private  station. 

With  the  greatest  and  most  sincere  respect,  I  have  the 
honour  to  be,  my  Lord,  your  Lordship's  most  obedient  hum- 
ble servant,  B.  FKANKLIN. 
To  the  Right  Honourable  Lord  Viscount  Howe. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  23,  1776,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New-York,  July  2],  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  just  time  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
favour  of  the  19th.  The  interesting  intelligence  of  the  suc- 
cess of  our  arms  in  the  Southern  Department  gives  me  the 
highest  satisfaction.  Permit  me  to  join  my  joy  in  the  congratu- 
lation of  Congress  upon  the  event.  To-morrow,  I  will  write 
more  fully. 

Two  o'clock,  p.  m. — I  this  moment  had  report  made  me, 
that  ten  ships  were  seen  in  the  offing  coming  in — I  suppose 
part  of  Admiral  Howe's  fleet. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  greatest 
respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  SAMUEL  TUCKER. 

New-York,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR:  As  we  have  the  strongest  reason  to  believe  the 
period  is  just  at  hand,  or  will  soon  be,  when  we  shall  have 
the  most  pressing  occasions  for  troops  successfully  to  oppose 
and  defeat  the  formidable  army  we  expect  against  us,  I 
confess  I  feel  myself  not  a  little  concerned  for  the  slow 
manner  in  which  the  levies  come  in  that  were  required  by 
Congress,  and  which  will  be  essential  to  counteract  the 
efforts  of  our  enemies. 

Not  many  more  than  twelve  hundred  of  the  quota  to  be 
furnished  by  your  State  are  yet  arrived ;  and  I  am  apt  to 
conclude  that  it  will  be  a  long  time  before  the  whole  can  be 
made  up  by  voluntary  inlistments.  As  the  succour  they  are 
meant  to  afford,  by  the  delay  that  may  attend  that  mode  of 
raising  them,  may  be  too  late,  and  after  an  important  stroke 
has  been  given  us,  I  submit  it  to  your  consideration  whether 
it  may  not  be  prudent  to  devise  some  other  way  by  which 
they  may  be  raised,  and  their  aid  immediately  had. 

Voluntary  inlistments,  without  doubt,  are  preferable  to 
any  other  mode,  if  they  could  be  effected  in  time,  and  what 
I  would  wish  for.  But  as  there  is  too  much  reason  to  fear 
they  cannot,  from  the  small  progress  already  made,  the  criti- 
cal situation  of  our  affairs  requires  that  other  means  should 
be  used ;  and  in  full  confidence  that  nothing  will  be  omitted 
on  the  part  of  your  honourable  body  to  forward  the  quota 
required  of  them  by  Congress,  I  am,  with  great  respect,  your 
and  their  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Samuel  Tucker,  Esq. 

P.  S.  Ten  sail  of  ships  are  just  discovered  in  the  offing, 
below  Sandy  Hook.  What  they  are  I  know  not,  as  yet. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  ROBERT  YATES  AND  OTHERS. 
Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  21,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Yours  of  the  18th  instant  I  duly  received, 
and  note  the  contents,  and  am  very  sorry  to  hear  the  forts 
in  the  Highlands  are  in  so  defenceless  a  situation.  Through 
such  variety  of  business,  which  calls  my  closest  attention,  it 
has  been,  and  still  is,  impossible  for  me  personally  to  recon- 
noitre all  the  different  posts  under  my  command ;  but  was 
so  sensible  of  the  importance  of  the  fortresses  in  the  High- 
lands, that  I  ordered  Lord  Stirling  to  visit  them,  which  he 
did  early  in  the  summer,  and  reported  to  me  their  situation 
at  that  time ;  and  through  his  representations  I  continued 
two  gentlemen  in  Continental  pay,  who  were  acting  as 
Engineers,  under  orders  from  the  authority  of  this  State.  I 
have  repeatedly  pressed  Colonel  Clinton  to  spare  no  pains 
to  put  them  on  the  best  footing  possible ;  and,  indeed,  I  had 
reason  to  suppose  they  were  in  tolerable  order  to  receive  the 
enemy.  By  the  returns  there  appear  to  be  six  thirty-two- 
pounders,  besides  some  nine,  six,  four,  and  three-pounders ; 
and  enclosed  is  a  letter  for  Governour  Trumbull,  begging 
him  to  assist  you  all  in  his  power.  Wre  were  so  short  of 
Matrasses  that  I  was  necessitated  to  draught  six  hundred 
from  the  different  battalions  to  join  the  Artillery  in  this  place. 
The  fourteen  with  Colonel  Clinton,  are  of  the  old  regiment, 
and  experienced ;  to  these  he  may  add,  by  draughting  a 
sufficient  number  of  stout,  active  men,  from  the  other  corps 
under  his  command,  and  put  them  immediately  to  exercising 
the  artillery.  It  is  not  in  my  power  to  reinforce  those  gar- 


485 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


486 


risons  with  more  men,  as  but  about  five  thousand  of  the 
new  levies  have  yet  arrived  in  camp,  out  of  fifteen  thousand 
ordered.  I  will  this  day  send  up  Mr.  Machin,  a  Lieutenant 
of  the  Train,  who  has  just  returned  from  overseeing  the 
works  at  Boston.  He  is  as  proper  a  person  as  any  1  can 
send,  being  an  ingenious,  faithful  hand,  and  one  that  has 
had  considerable  experience  as  an  Engineer.  I  shall  enjoin 
on  him  to  attend  closely  to  the  business  he  is  going  to  exe- 
cute. Rest  assured,  gentlemen,  that  every  assistance  in  my 
power  shall  be  most  cheerfully  granted  ;  and  that  I  am,  with 
esteem,  yours,  &ic., 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Messrs.  Yates,  Jay,  Livingston,  Tappan,  and  Living- 
ston, the  Secret  Committee  of  the  New-  York  Convention, 
at  Fort  Montgomery. 

[To  the  above  was  added  the  account  of  the  battle  of  Sullivan's  Island, 
Charleslovin,  South-  Carolina.] 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  21, 1776,  two  o'clock. 

SIR:  Colonel  Hand  reports  seven  large  ships  are  coming 
up  from  the  Hook  to  the  Narrows. 

A  negro  belonging  to  one  Strickler,  at  Gravesend,  was 
taken  prisoner  (as  he  says)  last  Sunday  at  Coney-Island. 
Yesterday  he  made  his  escape,  and  was  taken  prisoner  by 
the  rifle-guard.  He  reports  eight  hundred  negroes  collected 
on  Staten-Island,  this  day  to  be  formed  into  a  regiment. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

N.  GREENE. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 

New-  York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  JAMES  CLINTON. 
Head-auarters,  New- York,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer,  Lieutenant  Machin,  I  have  sent  to  act 
as  an  Engineer  in  the  posts  under  your  command,  and  at 
such  other  places  as  may  be  thought  necessary.  He  is  an 
ingenious  man,  and  has  given  great  satisfaction  as  an  Engi- 
neer at  Boston,  from  which  he  has  just  returned. 

I  have  received  from  the  Secret  Committee  a  representa- 
tion of  your  want  of  Matrosses,  which  can  be  supplied  in  no 
other  way  but  by  draughting  those  that  are  proper  from 
other  corps,  and  exercising  them  to  the  artillery;  it  is  what 
we  have  been  obliged  to  do  here.  The  men  thus  draughted 
may  be  considered  as  remaining  with  their  own  regiments, 
and  only  doing  duty  with  the  Train  on  the  present  occa- 
sion. 

I  am,  sir,  &c.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Colonel  Clinton,  3d  N.  Y.,  Fort  Montgomery. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  LIEUTENANT  MACHIN. 

Head-auarters,  New- York,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR:  You  are,  without  delay,  to  proceed  for  Fort  Montgo- 
mery or  Constitution,  in  the  Highlands,  on  Hudson's  River, 
and  there  put  yourself  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
James  Clinton,  or  the  Commanding  Officer  there,  to  act  as 
Engineer  in  completing  such  works  as  are  or  may  be  laid 
out  for  the  defence  of  the  river  and  adjacent  defiles  on  each 
side  of  the  river.  Your  being  steady  and  giving  close  atten- 
tion to  this  business  is  necessary.  It  is,  therefore,  expected 
and.  required  of  you  that  you  personally  attend  where  you' 
may  be  most  wanted  to  forward  the  works.  In  case  of  an 
attack  from  the  enemy,  or  in  any  engagement  with  them, 
you  are  to  join  the  Train  of  Artillery  on  that  station,  and  act 
according  to  your  office. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Lieutenant  Machin,  of  Artillery. 


COMMISSARY  TRUMBULL  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

New-York,  July  21,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  19th  instant,  signed 
in  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Council  of  Massachusetts-Bay, 
is  this  day  delivered  me.  I  received  that  referred  to  from 
Mr.  President  Powell,  and  answered  it  per  post  the  next 
day.  A  person  is  now  at  No.  4,  and  everything  in  readiness 
to  receive  and  forward  the  troops  from  New-England,  going 
to  Crown-Point,  as  fast  as  they  arrive  there,  agreeable  to 
your  expectations  and  rny  engagements. 

I  most  sincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  success  of  Gene- 
ral Lee  and  his  troops  in  South- Carolina,  the  particulars  of 
which  will  undoubtedly  be  transmitted  to  you  by  General 
Washington,  by  your  express.  It  appears  they  are  disabled 
from  further  action  this  season. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  esteem  and  respect,  your  Honours' 
and  the  Council's  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

Jos.  THUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  James  Bowdoin,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Council  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 


ROBERT  YATES  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Poughkeepsie,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  copy  of  some  late  resolutions  of  the 
Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York  will  inform  you  that 
we  are  a  Committee  of  that  body,  and  charged  with  the 
execution  of  the  business  mentioned  in  them.  As  the  chain 
intended  to  obstruct  the  navigation  of  the  river  Sorel  cannot 
now  be  applied  to  that  use,  and  will  serve  to  prevent  the 
enemy's  ships  from  going  beyond  the  forts  on  Hudson's 
River,  we  must  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  send  the  whole,  or 
such  parts  of  it  as  may  expeditiously  be  had,  to  Poughkeepsie, 
and  consign  it  to  Messrs.  Fan  Zandt,  Lawrence,  and  Tudor, 
with  the  utmost  despatch.  Be  pleased  to  inform  those 
gentlemen  of  the  length  of  such  part  of  the  chain  you  can 
send,  in  order  that  they  may  direct  the  deficiency  to  be  sup- 
plied. 

We  shall  by  this  opportunity  request  of  the  Committee  of 
Albany  immediately  to  furnish  us  with  one  hundred  and  fifty 
sawed  logs  of  the  largest  size,  to  support  the  chain,  and  we 
flatter  ourselves  that  your  attention  and  influence  will  be  ex- 
tended to  both  these  objects. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  with  the  greatest  esteem 
and  respect,  your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant. 
By  order  of  the  Committee: 

ROBERT  YATES,  Chairman. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New- York,  July  16,  1776.     $ 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  a  Secret  Committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  devise  and  carry  into  execution  such  measures  as 
to  them  shall  appear  most  effectual  for  obstructing  the  Chan- 
nel of  Hudson's  River,  or  annoying  the  enemy's  Ships  in  their 
navigation  up  the  said  River,  and  that  this  Convention  pledge 
themselves  for  defraying  the  charges  incident  thereon. 

And  Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Robert 
Yates,  Major  Tappen,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Gil- 
bert Livingston,  and  Mr.  Paulding,  be  the  said  Committee. 

A  true  extract  from  the  Minutes: 

ROBERT  YATES, 
Chairman  to  the  Secret  Committee. 


WILLIAM  GILLILAND  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  very  sorry  to  be  a  complainant  against  one  of 
my  own,  one  of  my  first  settlers  on  Lake  Champlain;  but 
his  threatenings  have  been  so  frequent  and  so  severe  against 
the  Continental  Officers,  and  against  me,  for  the  part  I  have 
taken  on  their  side,  that  it  has  been  thought  proper  to  con- 
fine him.  I  have  just  now  heard,  with  much  astonishment, 
that  he  is  gone  from  hence  to  Ticonderoga,  under  the  patron- 
age of  Major  Udney  Hay.  Should  he  be  released  without 
inquiry,  adieu  to  American  or  to  political  virtue.  I  shall 
stand  forth  as  his  prosecutor,  and  think  I  have  sufficient 
evidence  to  support  me ;  and  am,  with  the  most  profound 
respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  GILLILAND. 

N.  B.  The  prisoner's  name  is  George  Belton. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  21,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  As  soon  as  I  arrived  here  yesterday 
evening,  I  sent  off  the  goods,  &c.,  wanted  for  the  Indians. 
I  presume  they  arrived  at  Ticonderoga  last  night.  I  also 


487 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


488 


yesterday  evening  sent  an  officer  and  seven  men  after 
Brown,  but  he  is  gone.  Unless  he  is  at  Ticonderoga,  he  is 
fled  to  the  enemy.  However,  I  have  sent  in  search  of  him 
this  morning  again  ;  but  have  no  prospect  of  success. 

There  is  no  news  yet  from  down  the  Lake.  I  wish  I 
could  get  a  couple  of  canoes  from  Head-Quarters,  as  we 
have  not  one  here.  We  want  also  some  cordage  for  ropes 
to  the  sails  of  the  batteaus. 

I  have  laid  out  my  encampment  near  the  Grenadier-Re- 
doubt. The  sick  I  will  keep  in  the  long  store-house.  From 
the  numerous  detachments  and  sickness,  I  have  not  two 
hundred  men  now  here  fit  for  duty.  Part  of  these  are  daily 
employed  in  the  boats. 

Air.  Hops,  a  young  gentleman  from  fork,  in  Pennsylva- 
nia, was  wounded  in  the  aclion  at  Trois  Rivieres,  where  he 
behaved  with  the  utmost  bravery.  He  stood  far  back  in 
point  of  seniority  in  the  regiment,  so  that  I  could  have  no 
prospect  of  advancing  him  soon,  without  giving  disgust.  He 
was  recommended  to  General  Arnold,  and  was  commission- 
ed as  a  Lieutenant  of  Marines  on  board  the  large  schooner. 
He  was  to  have  twenty -five  men.  We  would  willingly  fur- 
nish the  whole  number  from  our  regiment,  were  it  not  for  the 
losses  and  distresses  we  have  suffered.  At  present,  from 
our  low  state,  it  would  be  almost  impracticable.  There 
15  not  one  day  of  intermission  scarcely  between  one  day 
and  another.  I  would  propose  that  good  men  should  be 
draughted  from  the  Army  as  marines,  when  we  shall  cheer- 
fully afford  our  proportion. 

The  vessel  will  be  ready  to  sail  in  a  few  days.  I  would 
wish  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  take  such  steps  as  to  have 
him  the  complement  of  twenty-five  marines.  He  is  a  gentle- 
man of  the  greatest  worth,  and  will  prove  himself  deserving 
of  his  office. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  humble 
servant,  THOMAS  HARTLEY. 

P.  S.  Brown  is  taken  just  now.  I  send  him  with  Lieu- 
tenant Hops.  I  send  also  all  the  oars  that  are  now  ready. 
I  imagine  it  must  have  been  a  bad  place  for  timber  where 
the  oar-makers  were  first  sent.  They  are  changing  their 
ground.  T.  H. 

COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Crown-Point,  July  21,  1776,  8  o'clock,  P.  M. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  just  now  received  your  favour  of  this 
day.  A  few  minutes  before  it  came  to  hand,  eight  batteaus, 
with  forty-four  pieces  of  timber,  under  Captain  Pofliphemus, 
arrived  from  the  mouth  of  Onion  River.  In  the  late  storm, 
the  raft  broke,  and  the  timber  was  scattered  on  the  sands. 
They  say  there  was  one  hundred  and  twenty  pieces  in  the 
whole.  Seventy-four  men  were  employed  in  bringing  up 
these  eight  boats,  and  I  am  told  the  timber  is  but  of  a  very 
indifferent  quajity,  and  that  much  better  can  be  had  nearer 
Head-Quarters.  The  men  on  this  party  have  experienced 
the  greatest  fatigue.  They  have  been  three  weeks  gone, 
and  if  we  might  calculate  on  the  future  by  what  is  past,  it 
would  require  three  weeks  for  two  hundred  and  ten  men  to 
bring  up  the  rest  of  the  timber.  There  are  also  boarsd 
collecting  there.  It  is  said  they  bring  them  fourteen  miles 
overland.  This  is  certainly  very  bad  policy,  when  we  can 
procure  boards  from  other  saw-mills,  without  any  land-car- 
riage. The  saw-mill  by  this  place  could  be  put  in  order  in 
five  or  six  days  by  four  or  five  carpenters  and  as  many 
labourers.  If  the  carpenters  of  our  regiment  now  at  Ticon- 
deroga are  sent  down,  with  proper  tools,  it  shall  be  done 
immediately. 

Our  regiment  is  now  very  weak  from" sickness  and  the 
numerous  detachments  that  have  gone  from  it;  so  that  order- 
ing a  considerable  party  from  it,  would  prevent  us  keeping 
the  necessary  guards.  We  have  not  one  hundred  and  seventy 
fit  for  duty  on  the  spot.  Some  are  coming  in  daily,  and 
others  are  recovering  their  health. 

We  have  no  smith  nor  tools  here.  If  the  smiths  of  our  regi- 
ment were  sent  here  from  Ticonderoga,  I  would  make  search 
for  tools,  though  I  much  doubt  if  any  good  ones  can  be 
had,  notwithstanding  what  Mr.  Gilliland  said.  It  will,  I 
apprehend,  be  absolutely  necessary  to  have  some  smiths 
here. 

Captain  Wilson  was  at  Onion  River  with  his  party  four 
days  ago,  He  was  within  a  few  hours  of  the  party  of  five 


which  you  sent  off  a  few  days  before,  and  intended  to  over- 
take it,  which  no  doubt  he  effected,  as  he  had  a  fair  wind ; 
so  that,  from  the  whole,  you  have  a  right  to  expect  success 
from  our  friends.  It  is  said  still,  that  the  enemy  are  cutting- 
timber  about  the  Islc-aux-Noix.  If  that  be  the  case,  we 
shall  soon  know. 

There  is,  it  seems,  a  Tory,  who  has  a  saw-mill  about 
fifteen  miles  below  the  mouth  of  Onion  River.  He  may, 
perhaps,  supply  the  enemy,  or  do  the  Army  here  an  in- 
jury. 

I  enclose  you  a  note  which  I  have  just  received.  If  a  party 
is  to  be  sent  down  the  Lake,  Major  Dunlop,  who  was  down 
with  me,  would  be  a  very  proper  person  to  command  it. 
We  shall  be  ready  to  add  our  proportion  to  those  who  come 
from  Ticonderoga  from  the  main  Army. 

I  would  submit,  whether  a  quantity  more  than  sufficient 
for  this  regiment  in  provisions  should  not  be  here,  to  supply 
any  parties  who  may  accidentally  stand  in  need.  One  Mr. 
Nicholl  I  have  appointed,  to  take  care  and  act  for  the  regi- 
ment. He  would  be  proper  to  do  the  other  business,  and 
I  would  be  accountable  for  his  conduct. 

I  have  collected  the  above  facts,  and  I  make  no  doubt  such 
steps  will  be  taken  as  the  exigency  of  affairs  requires. 

1  am,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  humble 


servant, 


THOMAS  HARTLEY. 


P.  S.  The  eight  boats  with  timber  will  be  up  to-morrow 
at  Ticonderoga.  Captain  Hay  is  gone  up.  Quere :  Would 
he  not  be  very  proper  to  go  down  the  Lake? 


S.  METCALF  TO  COLONEL  JACOB  BAYLEY. 

Prattsburgh,  July  21,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  sorry  I  had  not  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
Mr.  Witherspoon,  Stc.,  &c.  The  bearers  hereof  are  lour 
Canadian  officers,  late  of  Colonel  James  Livingston's 
regiment,  who  inform  me  that  the  forces  in  Canada  are  no 
ways  equal  to  what  they  were  at  first  reported  ;  and  that 
General  Carlcton  has  miscarried  in  the  plan  he  had  laid  to 
make  himself  master  of  this  Lake,  by  drawing  three  vessels, 
which  had  been  previously  built  for  the  purpose,  over  sand, 
past  the  rapids  of  Chambly,  they  being  entirely  broke  to 
pieces  in  the  attempt,  and  now  totally  abandoned;  so  that 
General  Sullivan  will  undoubtedly  remain  master  of  this 
country  for  the  season  at  least,  he  having  fortified  with  an 
intrenchment  and  cannon.  Point-au-Fer,  on  the  north 
end  of  the  Lake,  where  stands  a  brick  house,  commonly 
called  the  White-House,  is  a  very  advantageous  situation, 
as  it  commands  the  navigation  towards  St.  John's,  and  is 
formed  into  a  kind  of  an  island,  by  a  deep  morass  that  runs 
behind  it  from  one  bay  to  the  other.  I  having  no  boat  to 
assist  these  people  with,  who  are  on  their  way  to  Albany, 
they  were  constrained  to  go  this  road ;  and  as  they  speak 
very  little  English,  you  had  better  give  them  a  pass  to 
Albany. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  friend  and  obedient  humble  servant, 

S.  METCALF. 


COLONEL  A.  WILLIAMSON  TO  W.  H.  DRAYTON. 

Camp  at  Baker's  Creek,  South-Carolina, 
July  22,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  12th  instant  is  now  before 
me,  giving  an  account  of  the  agreeable  news  of  your  having 
beat  the  British  fleet.  I  shall  try  my  utmost  endeavours 
to  follow  your  example,  and  beat  the  Cherokecs,  of  whose 
treachery  and  faithless  behaviour  you  are  well  acquainted. 

I  am  now  encamped  here  with  about  seven  hundred  effec- 
tive men  from  this  regiment,  which,  with  one  hundred  and 
thirty  who  do  duty  in  the  different  forts,  you  will  perceive 
have  turned  out  pretty  well.  My  numbers  would  soon  in- 
crease if  I  had  arms.  If  any  can  be  spared  from  Charles- 
town,  you  can  never  do  this  part  of  the  country  a  greater 
service  than  by  using  your  endeavours  to  have  them  imme- 
diately sent  here. 

Captain  Tutfs  and  Prince's  companies  of  Riflemen  have 
just  now  joined  me;  they  consist  of  ninety-three  effective 
men;  and  to-morrow  Colonel  Williams  (who  has  been  at 
least  fourteen  days  contriving  a  mode  to  cross  Saluda  River) 
will  also  join  me  with  about  two  hundred  men.  Captain 
Hammond  marched  off  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred 


489 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


490 


picked  men  on  Friday  morning  for  Pearis's  house,  where, 
1  am  informed,  a  party  of  the  enemy  have  been  skulking 
ahout  these  some  days  past.  I  expect  hourly  to  hear  from 
him,  and  some  agreeable  news.  He  has  my  orders,  if  he 
can  conveniently  join  Colonels  Thomas  and  Neel,  to  act  in 
concert  with  them,  and  proceed  directly  into  the  nation  by 
Estaloe,  while  I  penetrate  by  way  of  Seneca  and  the  Sugar 
town.  Thomas  has  acted  in  every  respect  agreeable  to  his 
declaration  when  at  his  house.  I  have  written  and  sent  him 
express  upon  express  to  no  purpose;  it  is  really  disagreeable 
to  have  any  connexion  with  such  men;  he  has  not  written 
me  a  line  since  the  Indians  first  commenced  hostilities. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Polk,  of  Neefs  regiment,  with  three 
hundred  men  well  aimed,  has  joined  Thomas;  and  I  am 
told  by  Captain  Purves,  who  I  sent  on  purpose  to  see  his 
strength,  and  marked  out  a  plan  to  act  in  conjunction  with 
them,  that  Polk  is  eager  to  join  me;  it  is  agreeable  to  his 
sentiments  communicated  by  letter  to  me  lately.  Judge, 
then,  what  feelings  such  a  man  must  be  possessed  of,  who, 
in  the  place  of  hastening  to  save  and  revenge  his  country, 
can  content  himself  with  doing  nothing. 

Robert  Cunningham  and  Pearls  came  to  my  camp;  the 
former,  on  his  arrival,  declared  himself  our  fast  friend,  and 
that  he  came  to  stand  and  fall  with  us.  1  was  sorry  I  could 
not  show  him  the  countenance  I  could  have  wished,  owing 
to  the  people  being  so  much  exasperated  at  the  behaviour  of 
Hugh  Brown  and  others,  who  have  lately  joined  the  Indians 
against  us,  thirteen  of  whom  were  taken  prisoners  a  few  days 
ago,  and  sent  to  Ninety-six  Jail,  four  of  whom  were  painted 
as  Indians.  I  have  no  doubt. of  Cunningham  proving  true 
to  his  declaration;  but,  at  present,  it  would  be  improper  to 
confer  any  publick  trust  on  him.  Mr.  Salvador  has  been 
with  me  since  my  first  taking  the  field.  I  showed  him  your 
postscript;  he  thinks  of  making  the  campaign  to  the  nation. 
I  understood  last  night  the  Indians  struck  at  North-Carolina 
and  Virginia  the  very  day  they  commenced  hostilities  against 
our  frontiers.  If  these  two  Colonies  join  heartily  with  us,  I 
hope  soon  to  have  the  pleasure  of  congratulating  you  of  a 
happy  issue  being  put  to  this  expedition,  and  reduce  the 
savages  to  such  a  state  as  to  wish  they  had  never  broken 
their  faith  with  us. 

I  am,  with  much  regard,  dear  sir,  your  most  humble  ser- 

Vimt'  A.  WILLIAMSON. 

To  the  Hon.  William  Henry  Drayton,  Charkstown. 


GENERAL  H.  CLINTON  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

Off  Charlestown  Bar,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  On  my  return  to  the  fleet  I  found  a  letter  from  you 
by  a  flag  of  truce,  with  some  refreshments  you  were  pleased 
to  send  me;  in  return  for  which  I  must  beg  your  acceptance 
of  a  cask  of  porter  and  some  English  cheese. 

I  have  made  inquiries  concerning  the  person  mentioned 
in  your  letter,  who,  it  seems,  has  occasioned  this  correspond- 
ence between  us,  but  can  learn  nothing  further  about  him, 
than  tnat  he  is  not  a  master  of  a  vessel,  as  he  has  represented 
himself  to  you.  And  you  will  have  been  already  informed 
by  Mr.  Byrd,  that  Ethan  Allen,  and  those  that  were  with 
him,  are  gone  to  the  northward. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant,          TT  CLINTON 

To  Charles  Lee,  Esq.,  Major-General  in  the  service  of  his 
Polish  Majesty. 

PITTSYLVANIA  COUNTY  (VIRGINIA)  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  Committee  held  for  the  County  of  Pittsylvania,  at 
the  Court-House,  the  22d  day  of  July,  1776: 

Present,  the  Chairman,  and  a  majority  of  the  Members. 

This  Committee  being  informed  that  George  Herndon, 
George  Murdoch,  John  Mack,  Samuel  Gallon,  Zachariah 
tfmeerf,  William  Mitchell,  and  Archibald  Smith,  are  suspect- 
ed to  be  enemies  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  America,  they 
having  appeared  before  this  Committee  agreeable  to  citation, 
refused  lo  take  the  oath  prescribed  by  the  General  Conven- 
tion: Whereupon,  it  is 

Ordered,  That  the  Clerk  do  transmit  a  copy  of  these 
proceedings  to  Mr.  Alexander  Purdie,  that  the  same  may 
be  inserted  in  his  Gazette. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes:         WlLLIAM  ToDD;  Clerk. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  RECEIVED  IN  PHILADELPHIA,  DATED 
JULY  22,   1776. 

On  Sunday  last  I  was  informed  that  Lord  Dunmore  was 
landing  his  troops  on  Thacker  Washington's  plantation,  a 
little  below  Hooe's  Ferry.  About  twelve  o'clock  the  same 
night,  the  Major  of  the  County  came  express  to  let  me  know 
that  the  fleet  was  then  at  Marlborough,  a  few  miles  above 
Boyd's  Hole.  The  alarm  was  soon  spread,  and  in  a  very 
little  time  the  shores  were  covered  with  men.  I  went  over 
early  yesterday,  and  discovered  four  ships  and  three  tenders. 
They  appeared,  as  near  as  I  can  guess,  to  be  somewhere 
about  Dumfries.  The  remainder  we  supposed  to  be  below, 
either  coming  up  or  attempting  to  land.  Some  few  of  us 
then  pushed  down  the  river,  but  found  the  Militia  dispersing 
just  before  we  got  to  Boyd's  Hole.  They  had  received 
information  that  the  balance  of  the  fleet  was  at  anchor  near 
the  mouth  of  the  river.  This  morning  early,  we  returned 
up  Potomack  River,  and  saw  only  three  ships  and  two  ten- 
ders; and  hearing  very  distinctly  at  the  same  time  a  heavy 
cannonade  at  or  near  Alexandria,  we  concluded  the  other 
ship  and  tender  had  made  the  town  a  visit,  where  they  will 
certainly  meet  with  a  warm  reception.  As  yet  we  have  no 
account.  I  shall  proceed  to-morrow  morning  up  the  river 
Potomack,  and  continue  there  till  the  fleet  goes  down. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  DUMFRIES,  VIRGINIA. 

On  Monday,  July  22,  the  Roebuck,  Mercury,  Otter,  and 
an  armed  ship,  came  up  Potomack,  and  anchored  about  two 
miles  below  Dumfries,  where  the  river  is  yet  quite  fresh. 
On  Tuesday,  about  twelve  o'clock,  they  sent  off  two  ten- 
ders, a  gondola  covered,  and  eight  boats,  mostly  large,  and 
full  of  men,  consisting  of  the  remains  of  the  Fourteenth 
Regiment,  Marines,  &c.  They  landed  at  William  Brent's 
Esq.;  where  about  sixty  of  the  Stafford  Militia  were  posted, 
without  any  cover.  The  gondola,  drawing  but  sixteen  inches 
water,  run  in  close  to  the  shore,  and,  with  a  nine-pounder 
and  grape-shot,  obliged  the  Militia  to  retreat,  when  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men  landed  and  burnt  the  house,  out- 
houses, hay-stacks,  Sic.,  and  intended  to  have  burnt  Mr. 
Brent's  fine  merchant  mill,  and  several  other  houses  along 
shore;  but  on  the  Roebuck's  observing  that  the  Prince  Wil- 
liam Militia  were  on  their  march  to  Mr.  Brent's,  she  hoisted 
a  white  flag,  and  their  men  immediately  retreated,  so  that 
no  further  damage  was  done.  The  fleet  having  taken  in 
fresh  water,  fell  down  the  river  the  next  day.  I  followed 
them  to  the  Narrows,  about  thirty  miles  below  this,  and 
found  they  had  done  no  other  mischief.  As  I  returned  on 
Friday,  I  was  informed  that  three  white  men  and  four 
negroes  were  found  dead  on  the  shore,  two  of  the  whites 
sewed  up  in  hammocks  and  shot  through  the  breast;  they 
had  fine  Holland  shirts,  and  are  supposed  to  be  of  some  dis- 
tinction ;  and  a  gold-laced  hat  was  found,  with  a  bullet-hole 
through  both  sides  of  the  crown.  As  the  Riflemen  had  some 
fair  shot  at  them,  it  is  not  doubted  but  several  are  killed. 
No  damage  was  done  on  the  side  of  the  Militia. 

GEN.  THOMAS  JOHNSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Fredericktown,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  In  conversation  with  Mr.  Ringgold,  as  he 
had  thought,  he  told  me  that  General  Dent  was  collecting 
the  Militia  below  to  attack  Lord  Dunmore.  I  am  appre- 
hensive they  will  want  arms  for  the  purpose,  and  that  a  good 
many  of  the  men,  notwithstanding  their  desire  to  go  on  the 
service,  very  reluctantly  leave  their  own  neighbourhoods, 
unhappily  full  of  negroes,  who  might,  it  is  likely  on  any 
misfortune  to  our  Militia,  become  very  dangerous.  I  have 
spoken  with  several  here,  and  it  seems  to  be  a  general  sen- 
timent that  we  ought  to  assist;  and  I  believe,  though  our 
exertions  are  already  as  great  as  we  can  well  make,  that  for 
a  short  expedition  on  this  very  interesting  occasion,  we  might 
now  collect  a  battalion,  and  borrow  the  arms  which  would 
be  wanting.  If  you,  who  are  acquainted  with  all  circum- 
stances, think  it  necessary  to  have  men  from  hence,  I  shall 
most  gladly  execute  any  orders  you  may  think  proper  to 
give  for  that  purpose. 

Mr.  Ringgold  gave  me  your  letter  for  my  brother, 
furnace  is  not  now  in  blast.     I  went  out  to  him  as  soon  as 
I  got  the  letter.     We  have  now  by  us  a  few  pots  of  about 
the  size  you  describe,  a  few  kettles,  and  a  few  Dutch  ovens, 


491 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


492 


of  much  the  same  contents;  the  covers  we  could  lay  by,  and 
of  all  sorts  make  up  perhaps  sixty  or  upwards.  We  shall 
have  bails  made  to  them,  and  (unless  you  have  an 'opportu- 
nity of  supplying  the  men  with  others  more  to  your  satisfac- 
tion) send  them  to  Baltimore  as  soon  as  we  can ;  the  prices 
must  depend  on  their  size,  and  the  whole  shall  be  so  reason- 
able as  to  give  satisfaction.  But  if  you  can  be  better  pro- 
vided, please  to  advise  of  it.  Mr.  Butler  is  getting  his 
furnace  into  blast  with  all  diligence,  and  hopes  to  effect  it 
within  a  fortnight.  You  may  then  have  any  number  of  pots 
and  kettles  thai  you  please  within  a  short  time.  We  shall 
also  attempt  to  cast  such  guns  as  are  wanted,  but  cannot 
contract  for  them  in  all  events,  because  the  metal  may  not 
suit,  though  we  have  every  reason  to  expect  it  will.  If  we 
succeed  in  making  good  guns,  the  publick  may  have  them 
delivered  at  Baltimore  at  £40  a  ton,  the  guns  being  proved 
at  the  works  at  the  publick  expense;  the  swivels  at  their 
convenience;  but  I  should  be  glad  if  you  would  ascertain 
the  length,  and  other  descriptions,  as  the  make  of  cannon 
carrying  the  same  shot  vary  very  much.  If  anybody  else 
will  contract  for  a  certainty,  he  should  be  preferred,  even  at 
a  greater  price. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  very  obedient 
servant,  THOMAS  JOHNSON. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

JOHN  SCOTT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Monday,  nine  o'clock. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  take  the  liberty  to  inform  you  that  I  came 
to  town  early  this  morning,  and  beg  to  know  at  what  hour 
to-day  my  attendance  will  be  expected  by  the  Council. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant; 

JOHN  SCOTT. 
To  the  Honourable  the  President  of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

JAMES  MURRAY  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Cambridge,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  At  our  last  May  Convention,  an  order  was 
drawn  by  your  Board  in  my  favour  on  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Eastern-Shore,  for  £7  10s.,  to  pay  wagon  hire,  &c.,  for 
carrying  arms,  ammunition,  8tc.,  down  to  Snow-Hill,  in 
Worcester  County.  This  order  I  have  carelessly  lost.  If  in 
this  you  could  furnish*  me  with  a  duplicate  of  same  date, 
should  be  obliged  to  you,  or  signify  what  necessary  steps  I 
must  take  by  probate  or  certificate,  and  it  shall  be  done. 
The  President  may  remember  something  of  my  application 
for  it.  I  am,  with  esteem,  your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  MURRAY. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

RICHARD  DALLAM  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  my  last,  I  have  had  what  guns  I  had  proved  by 
gentlemen  appointed  by  the  Committee  of  Observation,  for 
which  purpose  they  have  passed  twenty-three  guns  ready 
fitted.  I  have  five  more  ready;  and  shall  have  as  many  more 
next  week  as  will  pay  the  sum  I  received ;  and  unless  you 
can  raise  the  price  to  me,  I  must  give  over.  By  the  parcel  I 
have  now  made  I  shall  be  near  £30  loser.  Our  Committee 
have  given  £4  for  guns  worse  than  mine.  If  you  want  any 
quantity  of  bayonets  made,  I  will  undertake  to  make  a  parcel 
at  10*.  Please  to  let  me  know. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

RICHARD  DALLAM. 
To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer. 

MATTHEW  TILGHMAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Talbot,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  I  must  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  lay  before  the 
Council  the  enclosed  petition.  If  I  have  not  paid  absolute 
obedience  to  their  order,  1  hope  they  will  impute  it  not  to  a 
disposition  to  dispute  their  authority,  but  to  the  real  cause: 
the  saving  to  the  publick  a  considerable  expense,  or  to 
myself  a  heavy  and  irreparable  loss.  If  the  Council  con- 
sider the  matter  in  the  light  in  which  I  have  endeavoured 
to  place  it,  and  which,  in  my  opinion,  is  the  true  one,  I  am 
confident  they  will  have  no  difficulty  in  granting  my  prayer. 
Aud  I  hope  they  will  pay  some  attention  to°the  hint  of 


keeping  an  armed  boat  to  ply  for  the  security  of  this  part  of 
the  Eastern-Shore.  Be  pleased  to  offer  my  petition  imme- 
diately to  the  Board,  and  whatever  may  be  their  determina- 
tion, I  must  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  transmit  it  to  me  by 
the  bearer,  who  will  wait. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

MAT.  TILGHMAN. 
To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Esq.,  Charles 

Carroll,  or  any  other  of  the  Members  of  the  Council  of 

Safety,  in  Annapolis. 

THOMAS  STONE  AND  WILLIAM   PACA   TO   MARYLAND    COUNCIL 
OF   SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  five  hundred  dollars  granted  by  Con- 
gress for  raising  the  four  German  companies  in  our  Province, 
have  been  paid  into  our  hands,  and  retained  by  us  for  the 
purpose  of  exchanging  it  for  our  Maryland  Convention 
money,  and  by  this  means  to  give  our  currency  credit  and 
circulation  here.  Had  we  not  taken  this  measure,  our  emis- 
sions would  have  been  useless  here,  and  the  commercial 
connexion  between  this  and  our  Province  would  have  been 
greatly,  if  not  totally,  obstructed.  We  had  exchanged  the 
whole  sum  with  the  merchants  and  shopkeepers,  and  we 
have  advanced,  as  per  account  enclosed. 

Mr.  Hughes  having  obtained  a  large  sum  of  Continental 
money,  he  exchanged  with  us  as  far  as  we  had  our  Conven- 
tion money  in  our  hands.  This  gives  us  a  fresh  fund  to 
keep  up  the  credit  of  our  money  here.  You  will  be  pleased 
to  advise  us  whether  this  measure  of  ours  meets  with  your 
approbation;  if  not,  we  will  remit  the  whole  immediately  to 
you. 

Captain  Strieker^ being  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  of 
the  German  battalion,  and  being  desirous  to  proceed  imme- 
diately to  Frederick  County,  to  forward  with  all  expedition 
the  raising  of  the  companies,  we  thought  proper  to  advance 
him  $1,520  of  the  sum  appropriated  for  that  purpose;  and 
we  also  have  taken  the  liberty  of  advancing  Colonel  Ware 
£15,  and  Major  Gist  £67  10s.,  which  sums  they  request 
you  will  charge  to  their  account. 

We  are.  gentlemen,  your  obedient,  humble  servants, 

T.  STONE, 
WM.  PACA, 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  An- 
napolis. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF    SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  PERKINS. 
[No.  66.]  Annapolis,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Council  of  Safety  will  fix  upon  some  day  not 
far  distant  to  issue  the  several  commissions  for  the  officers 
belonging  to  the  Flying-Camp,  when  you  may  depend  upon 
you  and  your  officers  receiving  yours.  We  have  no  muskets 
to  supply  your  company  with,  or  any  other  belonging  to  the 
Eastern-Shore  battalion.  It  at  present  remains  doubtful 
whether  or  not  we  shall,  after  all  our  endeavours,  p/ocure 
sufficient  arms  to  arm  the  battalion  to  be  stationed  upon  this 
Shore,  in  the  stead  ofColonel  Smallwood's,  which  is  marched 
to  the  northward.  We  expect  to  be  supplied  from  Balti- 
more with  knapsacks  and  haversacks,  a  part  of  which,  when 
received,  will  be  appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  Eastern- 
Shore  battalion.  At  present  we  have  no  tents,  nor  are  we 
possessed  of  the  necessary  materials  to  make  them.  When 
your  company  is  equipped  for  marching,  and  any  of  the 
men  at  that  time  should  prove  non-effective,  we  think  if 
others  offer  to  supply  their  places,  you  may  safely  incorpo- 
rate them  in  your  company.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  Captain  Perkins. 

P.  S.  Orders  are  lodged -with  the  Eastern- Shore  Trea- 
surer. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL   OF    SAFETY  TO  GENERAL   HOOPER. 

[No.  67.]  Annapolis,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  19th  of  July  was  this  day  handed 
to  the  Council  of  Safety;  and  agreeable  to  your  requisition 
we  have  sent  you  enclosed  an  order  upon  the  Eastern-Shore 
Treasurer  for  £300,  to  be  applied  to  the  pay  and  subsisting 
of  the  Militia  within  your  district  when  called  into  service. 

Your  arrangement  of  the  Militia  meets  with  the  entire 
approbation  of  this  Board. 


493 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


494 


We  have  just  received  information  that  a  part  of  Dun- 
more's  squadron  have  moved  from  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's 
River  pretty  far  up  the  Potomadc,  with  intent  to  wood  and 
water,  which  they  are  in  the  greatest  distress  for  the  want 
of.  When  they  obtain  those  articles,  it  is  not  improbable 
but  they  may  think  proper  to  visit  you  for  fresh  provision. 
Should  that  event  happen,  we  have  full  confidence  that 
every  military  exertion  will  be  used  to  give  them  a  proper 
reception.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  Brigadier-General  Hooper. 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF     SAFETY    TO    COMMITTEE     OF    KENT 
COUNTY. 

[No.  68.]  Annapolis,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  received,  by  Captain  Berry,  the  fol- 
lowing articles,  viz:  fifty  barrels  of  powder,  four  half-barrels 
ditto,  fifteen  chests  of  arms,  two  large  and  two  small  pieces 
of  lead.  We  send  him  back  again  for  another  load,  and  the 
schooner  Resolution  is  to  follow  her,  to  bring  away  every- 
thing she  leaves.  The  money  for  wagon  hire  and  other 
contingent  expenses,  we  have  ordered  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Thomas  Smyth.  Sixty  barrels,  or  six  thousand  weight,  of 
powder,  and  lead  in  proportion,  is  to  be  left  for  the  Eastern- 
Shore  Magazine,  and  five  barrels  for  your  County.  We 
want  the  swivels,  blunderbusses,  &tc.,  to  fit  out  a  small  ves- 
sel immediately.  Should  Elisha  Winters  have  any  guns, 
please  let  them  come  down  by  the  schooner  Resolution. 

We  are,  Sic. 
To  the  Committee  of  Observation  of  Kent  County. 

P.  S.  We  expect  the  sixty  barrels  for  the  Eastern-Shore 
Magazine  were  left  at  Talbot  Court-House. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY   TO    THOMAS  RINGGOLD  AND 

OTHERS. 
[No.  69.]  Annapolis,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  You  are  hereby  requested  to  deliver  the 
barrel  of  gunpowder,  and  lead  in  proportion,  lately  lodged 
with  you  by  the  Council  of  Safety  for  the  defence  of  Kent- 
Island,  to  Captain  Thomas  Barnes  and  Captain  Thomas 
Ellicott,  or  their  order,  and  take  their  receipt  for  the  same. 

Per  order,  &c. 

To  Messrs.  Thomas  Ringgold,  Aquila  Brown,  and  Doctor 
Jacob  Ringgold. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  favour  of  the  2d  instant,  containing  the  very 
agreeable  intelligence  of  the  success  of  the  American  Army 
under  your  command,  I  had  the  honour  of  receiving,  and 
immediately  laid  the  same  before  Congress. 

It  affords  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  convey  to  you,  by 
their  order,  the  most  valuable  tribute  which  a  free  people 
can  ever  bestow,  or  a  generous  mind  wish  to  receive — the 
just  tribute  of  gratitude  for  rendering  important  services  to 
an  oppressed  country. 

The  same  enlarged  mind  and  distinguished  ardour  in  the 
cause  of  freedom,  that,  taught  you  to  despise  the  prejudices 
which  have  enslaved  the  bulk  of  mankind,  when  you  nobly 
undertook  the  defence  of  American  liberty,  will  entitle  you 
to  receive  from  posterity  the  fame  due  to  such  exalted  and 
disinterested  conduct. 

That  a  handful  of  men,  without  the  advantage  of  military 
experience,  animated  only  with  the  sacred  love  of  liberty, 
should  repulse  a  powerful  fleet  and  army,  are  circumstances 
that  must  excite  gratitude  and  wonder  in  the  friends  of  Ame- 
rica, and  prove  a  source  of  the  most  mortifying  disappoint- 
ment to  our  enemies. 

Accept,  therefore,  sir,  the  thanks  of  the  Independent  States 
of  America,  unanimously  declared  by  their  Delegates  to  be 
due  to  you  and  the  brave  *Officers  and  Troops  under  your 

*Listofthe  Officers  who  were  in  FORT  MOULTRIE  on  (Ac  28(ft  of  JUNE,  1776. 

William  Moultrie,  Colonel;  Isaac  Motte,  Lieutenant-Colonel;  Francis 
Marion,  Major;  Andrew  Dcllicnt,  Adjutant. 

Captains:  Peter  Horry,  Nicholas  Eveleigh,  James  McDonald,  Isaac 
Harlcstori,  Charles  Molt,  Francis  Hiiger,  Richard  Ashby,  Richard 
Shubrick,  William  Oliplinnt,  John  Blake. 

Lieutenants:  William  Charnock,  Thomas  Lessesne,  Thomas  Moul- 
trie, Daniel  Maryck,  Jacob  Shubrick,  Thomas  Dunbar,  William  Moul- 
trie, Jun.,  Thomas  Hall,  Henry  Gray,  Isaac  Dubosc,  Richard  B.  Baker, 
Adrian  Proveaux,  Richard  May  son,  Peter  Gray,  Basil  Jackson,  Gad 
Mai-ion. 


command,  who  repulsed  with  so  much  valour  the  attack 
that  was  made  on  the  State  of  South-Carolina,  on  the  28th 
of  June,  by  the  Fleet  and  Army  of  his  Britannick  Majesty, 
and  be  pleased  to  communicate  to  them  this  distinguished 
mark  of  the  approbation  of  their  country. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Major-General  Lee,  Charleston,  South- Carolina. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  COLONEL  MOULTRIE. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  extremely  happy  to  have  it  in  my  power  to 
transmit  to  you,  by  order  of  Congress,  the  thanks  of  the 
United  States  of  America  for  your  patriotick  and  spirited 
exertions  in  behalf  of  liberty  and  your  country. 

This  success  of  our  arms,  attended  with  every  circum- 
stance that  can  add  lustre  to  the  characters  of  those  who 
conducted  it,  will  render  your  name  forever  estimable  with 
every  friend  of  America;  and  posterity  will  be  astonished 
when  they  read,  that  on  the  28th  of  June  an  inexperienced 
handful  of  men,  under  your  command,  repulsed  with  loss 
and  disgrace  a  powerful  fleet  and  army  of  veteran  troops, 
headed  by  officers  of  the  first  rank  and  reputation.  May 
you  go  on  thus  to  merit  and  to  receive  the  gratitude  of  your 
country;  and  as  a  reward  for  your  military  services,  may 
your  name  be  enrolled  in  the  list  of  American  worthies,  on 
whom  posterity  will  bestow  the  most  grateful  and  unceasing 
applauses. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Colonel  Moultrie,  Charleston. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  COLONEL  THOMPSON. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  Congress  to  convey  to  you  the  thanks 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  for  the  very  distinguished 
and  important  part  you  acted  on  the  28th  June,  when  the 
fleet  and  army  of  his  Britannick  Majesty  were  repulsed  with 
so  much  valour  in  an  attack  made  on  the  State  of  South- 
Carolina. 

Your  own  feelings  must  have  already  taught  you  that 
there  is  a  conscious  pleasure  arising  from  patriotism.  Be 
pleased  now,  sir,  to  accept  from  your  country,  on  whose 
behalf  you  have  exerted  your  patriotism,  that  accession  of 
pleasure  which  it  is  just  you  should  receive  from  their  grate- 
ful approbation  of  your  conduct. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Colonel  Thompson,  Charkstown. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  THE  GOVERNOUR  OF  VIRGINIA. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Congress  having  directed  General  Lewis  to 
order  two  battalions  of  Continental  troops,  in  the  State  of 
Virginia,  to  march  immediately  to  the  Flying-Camp,  in 
New- Jersey,  under  the  command  of  General  Mercer,  I  have 
ft  in  charge  to  inform  you,  that  should  you  have  reason  to 
apprehend  an  invasion  of  that  State,  and  in  consequence 
thereof  call  forth  an  equal  number  of  Minute-men  or  Mili- 
tia, the  Congress  have  resolved,  that  while  in  service  they 
shall  be  in  Continental  pay. 

I  do  myself  the  honour  of  congratulating  you  on  your 
appointment  to  preside  over  the  Councils  of  the  free  and 
independent  State  of  Virginia. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  the  Hon.  Patrick  Henry,  Governour  of  Virginia. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  LEWIS. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  As  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  the  strength  of  our 
enemies,  or  the  force  destined  for  the  attack  of  New-York, 


495 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


49G 


it  is  incumbent  on  us  to  be  prepared  to  defend  ourselves 
against  any  number  of  troops  that  may  be  ordered  against 
tbat  place.  For  ibis  purpose,  the  Congress  have  judged  it 
necessary  to  augment  the  Flying-Camp.  I  have  it  there- 
fore in  command  to  direct,  that,  immediately  on  the  receipt 
of  this,  you  order  two  battalions  of  the  Continental  troops 
in  the  State  of  Virginia  to  march  with  all  possible  despatch 
to  the  Flying-Camp  in  New-Jersey,  under  the  command  of 
General  Mercer. 

The  state  of  our  affairs,  and  the  hourly  expectation  of 
the  arrival  of  the  foreign  troops,  render  it  absolutely  neces- 
sary that  the  troops  should  be  sent  forward  with  the  greatest 
expedition. 

I  am  further  to  direct  that  you  forward  to  South- Carolina 
the  whole  five  tons  of  powder  which  were  sent  to  you  for 
the  use  of  Virginia  and  South- Carolina. 

Should  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Virginia  have  rea- 
son to  apprehend  an  invasion  of  that  State,  and  in  conse- 
quence thereof  call  forth  two  battalions  of  Minute-Men  or 
Militia,  the  Congress  have  agreed  that  they  shall,  while  in 
service,  be  in  Continental  pay.  I  shall  write  by  the  present 
conveyance  to  the  Governour  and  Council,  to  inform  them 
of  this  resolution. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 

humble  servant,  TJ  D     . , 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Brigadier-General  Lewis,  Virginia. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  PENNSYLVANIA  CONVENTION. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  As  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  the  strength 
of  our  enemies,  or  the  force  destined  for  the  attack  of  New- 
York,  it  is  incumbent  on  us  to  be  prepared  to  defend  our- 
selves against  any  number  of  troops  that  may  be  ordered 
against  that  place.  For  this  purpose,  the  Congress  have  come 
to  a  resolution  to  increase  the  Flying-Camp.  I  have  it  there- 
fore in  command  from  Congress  to  request,  that  you  will 
immediately  augment  your  quota  for  the  Flying-Camp  with 
four  battalions  of  Militia,  in  addition  to  those  formerly  desired 
by  Congress,  and  send  them  with  all  possible  despatch  to 
the  Flying-Camp. 

You  will  please  to  exert  yourselves,  as  the  greatest  de- 
spatch is  indispensably  required  by  the  situation  of  our 
affairs. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  respect,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  Pennsylvania. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO   CONVENTION   OF    NEW-JERSEY. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Congress,  taking  into  consideration  the 
strength  of  our  enemies  and  the  force  destined  for  the  attack 
of  New-  York,  have  come  to  a  resolution  to  increase  the 
Flying-Camp.  For  this  purpose,  I  have  it  in  charge  to  re- 
quest that  you  will  immediately  augment  your  quota  to  the 
Flying-Camp  with  three  battalions  of  Militia,  in  addition  to 
those  formerly  desired  by  Congress,  and  send  them,  with  all 
possible  despatch,  to  join  the  Flying-Camp. 

The  battalions  are  to  be  officered,  paid,  and  provided, 
agreeable  to  former  resolutions  of  Congress  for  establishing 
said  Camp. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  New- Jersey. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  COLONEL  GRIFFIN. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Congress,  in  consideration  of  your  merit  and 
uniform  attachment  to  the  liberties  of  the  American  States, 
have  been  pleased  to  appoint  you  Deputy  Adjutant-General 
to  the  Flying-Camp,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel. 

I  enclose  your  commission  with  the  greatest  pleasure, 
being  fully  persuaded  your  abilities  and  attention  will  enable 
you  to  discharge  the  duties  of  your  department  with  reputa- 
tion to  yourself  and  advantage  to  your  country. 

As  it  is  necessary  this  important  department  should  be 


immediately  filled,  you  will  please  to  repair  for  that  purpose 
to  the  Flying-Camp  as  soon  as  possible,  and  put  yourself 
under  the  direction  of  the  commanding  officer  in  that 
quarter. 

1  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  Col.  Grijfin,  Dep.  Adj.  Gen.  to  the  Flying-Camp. 

DR.  FRANKLIN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer,  Mr.  Joseph  Helton,  some  time  since 
petitioned  the  Congress  for  encouragement  to  destroy  the 
enemy's  ships  of  war  by  some  contrivances  of  his  invention. 
They  came  to  no  resolution  on  his  petition,  and,  as  they 
appear  to  have  no  great  opinion  of  such  proposals,  it  is  not 
easy,  in  the  multiplicity  of  business  before  them,  to  get  them 
to  bestow  any  part  of  their  attention  on  his  request.  He  is 
now  desirous  of  trying  his  hand  on  the  ships  that  are  gone 
up  the  North  River;  and  as  he  proposes  to  work  entirely  at 
his  own  expense,  and  only  desires  your  countenance  and 
permission,  I  could  not  refuse  his  desire  of  a  line  of  intro- 
duction to  you,  the  trouble  of  which  I  beg  you  to  excuse. 
As  he  appears  to  be  a  very  ingenious  man,  1  hope  his  pro- 
ject may  be  attended  with  success. 

With  the  sincerest  esteem  and  respect,  I  have  the  honour 
to  be,  &ic. 

B.  FRANKLIN. 


JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 

MY  FRIEND  :  By  yours  of  the  6th  instant,  I  received 
your  genteel  but  just  reprimand  for  not  answering  your 
letters,  and  shall,  in  future,  endeavour  to  give  you  the  trouble 
of  a  line  at  least  every  week,  without  further  excuse  or 
ceremony. 

By  the  enclosed  paper,  you  will  see  the  account  of  Gene- 
ral Clinton's  and  Sir  Peter  Parker's  defeat  in  South-  Caro- 
lina. fheVirginians  have  likewise  driven  Lord  Dunmore 
from  Gwin's  Island,  with  loss.  These  are  agreeable  events, 
after  our  repeated  crosses  in  Canada.  Some  of  our  southern 
brethren  seem  much  elated  with  their  success.  By  alt 
accounts,  the  troops  there  behaved  with  incomparable 
bravery.  I  am  sorry  I  can't  say  the  same  of  our  troops  in 
Canada.  Some  of  the  southern  gentlemen  say  America 
must  be  saved  by  the  Southern,  not  the  Northern  troops. 
However,  I  hope  it  will  yet  appear  that  the  New-England 
troops  are  not  behind  any  on  the  Continent  in  point  of 
bravery. 

The  papers  will  inform  you  of  the  march  of  the  Militia 
of  this  State  to  New-Jersey.  Three  regiments  are  ordered 
from  Virginia  to  the  Jerseys.  I  hope  soon  there  will  be  an 
army  there  of  fifteen  or  twenty  thousand  men,  besides  those 
at  New-York.  We  must,  at  all  events,  prevent  their  getting 
possession  of  New-York  and  Hudson's  River,  which  1  be- 
lieve is  their  principal  view,  and  by  that  way,  open  a  com- 
munication with  Canada. 

Lord  Hoive's  Proclamation  has  now  convinced  everybody 
that  no  offers  are  to  be  made  us  but  absolute  submission.  I 
think  it  very  happy  for  America  that  Britain  has  insisted 
on  those  terms ;  ibr  had  she  proposed  a  treaty,  and  offered 
some  concessions,  there  would  have  been  danger  of  divisions, 
or  at  least  of  our  not  acting  with  unanimity  and  spirit,  as  I 
think  will  now  be  the  case. 

The  Convention  here  have  taken  on  them  the  government 
of  this  Colony,  and  have  appointed  Delegates  for  Congress, 
men  who  will  forward,  and  not  hinder,  spirited  measures. 
In  short,  there  is  a  far  greater  harmony  in  carrying  on  spirited 
measures  in  Congress  than  heretofore.  The  Conventions  even 
of  Maryland  and  Ntw-  York  seem  now  to  be  in  earnest. 

The  Confederation  is  now  before  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole.  By  reason  of  so  much  other  business,  it  goes  on 
but  slowly.  When  it  is  laid  before  our  Legislature,  brother 
Whiffle,  expects  to  be  at  home,  and  can  inform  them  of 
some  things  they  may  want  to  be  informed  of  concerning  it. 
Our  Court,  I  hear,  is  to  sit  again  the  1st  of  September. 

With  sincerity,  I  am  your  friend, 

JOSIAH  BARTLETT. 

P.  S.  I  have  omitted  enclosing  this  day's  paper,  as  brother 
Whiffle,  has  sent  one  to  you  in  his  letter. 


497 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


498 


WILLIAM  WHIFFLE   TO  JOHN   LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  July  22.  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  your  favour  of  the  6th  instant.  In 
answer  to  the  part  of  it  respecting  the  commissions,  I  can 
only  say,  I  am  perpetually  dunning  the  President  to  send 
them.  If  any  alteration  in  the  wages  of  the  commission 


PETITION  OF  LF.VI  ALLEN. 
T<    jL     TT  u      ?     r< 

T°  ^  ^™«™««  <*«  Continental  Congress:  The  Petition 

""*  Mcmonal  °/LEVI  ALL*N,  humbly  showeth: 
Tllat  he  llas  tlle  greatest  reason  to  believe  that  his  bro- 
'her,  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  is  now  a  prisoner  on  board  the 


officers,  they  will  be  higher;  so  there  can  be  no  difficulty  Bntuh  fleet  lying  off  the  coast  of  South-  Carolina;  that  he 

with  them.     If  any  are  lowered,  it  will  be  the  mates,  mid-  's  '"  a  'ovv  state  of  health,  occasioned  by  the  inhuman  usage 

shipmen,  coopers,  sailmakers,  and  perhaps  some  other  of  °^  barbarous  enemies;  that  his  wife  and  children,  with  his 

the  petty  officers,  and  perhaps  boatswain,  carpenter,  and  relatlons  and  friends,  have  the  greatest  anxiety  for  and  desire 

gunner.     If  the  three  last  are  altered,  it  will  be  but  a  trifle  _  to  recover  him  from  the  chains  of  captivity,  and  the  wretched 

say  one  dollar.     The  number  of  men  I  sent  you  some  time  state  worse.  than  death  into  which  he  hath  fallen  in  the  de- 

ago:  eighty  seamen,  eighty  landsmen,  and  eighty  or  ninety  ^ence  °f  .his  injured  country.     Your  petitioner,  therefore, 

marines;  but  it  is  my  opinion,  if  a  greater  proportion  of  moved  with  the  highest  principles  of  fraternal  regard  fora 

seamen  are  entered  and  less  landsmen,  there  can  be  no  harm  8U™nng  brother,  most  humbly  requests  the  honourable  Con- 

done.    If  the  officers  have  boys,  no  doubt  they  must  be  on  Sress  to  take  this  matter  under  their  consideration,  and  make 

the  roll.     It  cannot  be  a  question  whether  the  men  are  to  out  an  orc!er  ^or  tne  immediate  exchange  of  his  brother, 

have  hammocks  —  to  be  sure  they  must.     The  men  to  be  toge'her  with  the  prisoners  taken  with  him,  for  such  other 

entered  for  a  year,  and  as  much  longer  as  you  can  get  them.  Pnsoners>  and  in  such  way  and  manner,  as  they  shall  think 

If  you  can  get  arms,  the  sooner  the  better.     The  Agent  will  Pr°Per.  ar>d  that  the  same  order  may  be  transmitted  to  all  the 

i                                        .       .              „             ,                                                                                  O     _  /"1~«    .,  __  1   f~\fC  __          _„  ft  ___             ___  i  _  __      •        r*i   •     F  P        .  i           • 


have  a  commission  for  the  business  he  does;  therefore, 
suppose,  will  employ  what  clerks  he  thinks  necessary. 


General  Officers  or  Commanders-in-Chief  for  the  time  being 
in  the  Continental  Army,  as  your  petitioner  determines  to 

i' always  thought'you  had  ample  powers  to  fit  the  ship  sParenocost  or  trouble  until  this  exchange  is  effected,  if  within 
for  sea,  and  I  believe  it  is  so  understood  by  the  Committee.  the  hounds  of  possibility,  being  now  on  his  way  to  South- 
It  is  impossible  to  get  the  exact  dimensions  of  the  guns,  as  Caro/ma,  where  he  has  no  doubt  of  finding  his  brother,  if  the 
there  are  but  few  made  here,  and  it  is  altogether  uncertain  S."^  ^e.et  should  not  quit  the  coast  before  his  arrival, 
whether  they  can  be  sent  to  you.  The  furnaces  here  have  Yo,ur  petitioner  has  the  highest  assurance  of  the  interposition 


. 

with  many  accidents,  and  I  am  of  opinion  your  guns    and  ass'stance  of  the  honourable  Congress  in  this  particular, 
come  from  Providence  or  some  othe    u  *'  's  c'ear  a"d  evident  that  at  the  time  of  his  brother's  en- 


met 

must  come  from  Providence,  or  some  other  furnace  eastward. 

I  shall  not  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  so  soon  as  I    8a§inS  m  'he  hazardous  enterprise  in  which  he  was  taken, 

hoped,  as  some  very  important  matters  are  now  on  the  tapis, 

which  I  want  to  hear  debated;  besides,  I  would  fain  have 

the  marine  matters  settled  before  I  leave  this.     I  therefore 

think  it  will  be  the  latter  end  of  August  before  1  shall  be 

able  to  enjoy  that  satisfaction  which  I  have  flattered  myself 

would  be  much  earlier. 

How  goes  on  the  courtship?  Have  you  well  considered 
the  matter?  I  would  just  beg  leave  to  remind  you  of  an 
observation  of  one  of  the  first  philosophers  of  the  age:  that 
a  man  who  thinks  of  marrying  a  woman  twenty  years 
younger  than  himself,  ought  to  consider  who  is  to  be  her 


late  General  Montgomery  assured  him  and  Colonel 
Brown,  that  in  case  of  captivity,  every  method  should  be 
taken  and  proposed  for  his  or  their  redemption  as  soon  as 
might  be. 

And,  as  in  duty  bound,  your  petitioner  ever  prays,  &,c. 

LEVI  ALLEN. 
Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 


To  the  Honourabk  Congress  of  the  free  and  United  States 

of  AMERICA: 

We,  whose  names  are  undersigned,  take  the  liberty  to 

husband  twenty  years  hence.  I  hope  you  won't  think  by  recommend  Mr.  Levi  Allen  as  a  person  fit  and  proper  to  be 
this  hint  that  I  have  any  objection  to  the  connexion.  So  intrusted  with  a  flag  to  the  fleet  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
far  from  it,  you  may  be  assured,  my  dear  sir,  that  whatever  now  within  the  harbour  of  New-  York,  in  order  to  recover 
contributes  to  your  happiness  will  be  an  addition  to  mine.  his  brother,  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  from  his  captivity,  who  is 

1  am  in  pain  for  the  frontier  settlements  in  our  Colony;  not  supposed  to  be  on  board  said  fleet,  under  such  instructions 
that  I  think  there  is  any  immediate  danger,  but  I  know  that  and  limitations  as  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  shall 
the  people  must  be  alarmed.  I  think  there  should  be  scouting  think  proper, 
parties  immediately  placed  on  the  frontiers.  I  wish  I  may  have 
directions  to  make  application  to  Congress  for  that  purpose. 

Our  late  successes  at  the  southward  are  almost  a  balance 
for  our  misfortunes  in  Canada,  considered  Continentally. 
Must  refer  you  to  the  papers  for  news.  I  hope  the  bravery 
of  the  Carolinians  will  inspire  the  Yankees  with  new  cour- 
age, and  not  let  it  be  said  that  they  have  transferred  the 
whole  of  that  virtue  to  their  southern  brethren. 

This  Colony  and  New- Jersey  are  all  alive.  The  Asso- 
ciates are  all  gone  from  this  city.  Men  of  fortune  don't 
think  themselves  too  good  to  march  in  the  character  of 
private  soldiers,  and  I  hope  won't  be  ashamed  to  face  the 
enemy.  Colonel  Dickinson,  and  all  the  other  Colonels, 
have  marched  with  their  battalions.  In  short,  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence  has  done  wonders. 

I  have  Mr.  Hancock's  promise  that  the  commission  and 
blank  warrants  shall  go  off  in  a  day  or  two  by  express.  The 
gentlemen  are  appointed  agreeable  to  your  recommenda- 
tions. There  can  be  no  difficulty  in  their  acting,  though 
they  have  not  their  commissions,  as  they  will  soon  have  them. 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  mustering  the  regiment.  It 
would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  see  them  in  as  good  order 
as  the  battalions  of  this  city;  but  that  is  next  to  impossible, 
owing  to  their  being  so  much  scattered,  and  the  want  of 
uniforms.  However,  we  must  do  the  best  we  can  with 
them.  I  am,  with  great  respect,  yours, 


Jos.  SPENCER,  Brigadier-General. 
G.  SELLECK  SILLIMAN,  Colonel. 
SAML.  WYLLYS,  Colonel. 
JOHN  TYLER,  Lieutenant-  Colonel. 
RUFUS  PUTNAM,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 
SAML.  H.  PARSONS,  Colonel. 
J.  WARD,  Colonel. 
JED.  HUNTINGTON,  Colonel. 
CHARLES  WEBB,  Colonel. 
COMFORT  SAGE,  Colonel. 
LEVI  WELLS,  Major. 
STREET  HALL,  Lieutenant-  Colonel. 
THOMAS  SEYMOUR,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 
ELISHA  SHELDON,  Major. 
WILLIAM  HART,  Major. 
New- York,  July  13,  1776. 

JOHN  BROWN'S  CERTIFICATE  RESPECTING  COLONEL  ALLEN. 
This  certifies,  that  at  the  Isk-aux-Nois,  at  the  time  when 
Colonel  Allen  was  sent  on  the  enterprise  in  which  he  was 
taken  prisoner,  Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery  promised 
and  engaged  that  in  case  Colonel  Allen  should  have  the 
misfortune  to  be  taken  prisoner,  that  every  proper  method 
should  be  taken  for  his  redemption  and  exchange  consistent 

JNO.  BROWN. 


with  the  rules  of  war  in  such  cases. 
July  22,  1776. 


WILLIAM  WHIFFLE. 

P.  S.  The  order  the  Officers  stand  appointed :  Peter  Shores 
First  Lieutenant,  John  Wheelright  Second  Lieutenant, 
Josiah  Shackford  Third  Lieutenant;  George  Jerry  Osborne 
Captain  Marines.  Stephen  Meads  First  Lieutenant,  Nathan-  Johnston,  and  Paxton,  are  Captains  of  three  companies  in 


COLONEL  THOMPSON  TO  LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

July  22,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN  :    The  bearers  hereof,  viz :    Messrs.  Ross, 


id  Thuing  Second  Lieutenant. 

Warrants  will  be  filled  up  with  the  names  you  sent. 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


Colonel  Porter's  battalion,  who  have  more  men   in   their 
companies  willing  to  turn  out  in  defence  of  their  country 


499 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  be.,  JULY,  1776. 


500 


than  can  be  fitted  off  in  firearms.  They  now  call  upon  you 
for  their  part  of  the  publick  guns,  which  I  put  no  doubt  you 
will  get  for  them  as  soon  as  possible,  as  the  want  of  guns 
is  the  only  thing  that  hinders  their  marching  according  to 
orders. 

I  remain,  with  due  respect,  your  most  humble  servant, 

ROBERT  THOMPSON. 

To  the  Standing  Committee  for  Lancaster  County. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  JOHN  HANCOCK. 

Head-duarters,  Perth-Amboy,  July  22,  177G. 

SIR:  The  declaration  enclosed  in  the  letter  to  Captmn 
Morgan  was  brought  to  me  yesterday  evening.  It  was 
found  in  the  fork  of  a  road  leading  from  South-Amboy  ferry. 
We  have  no  reason  to  suspect  the  integrity  of  Morgan,  or 
his  attachment  to  the  American  cause.  He  is  Captain  of 
Militia  in  South-Amboy,  and  a  very  intimate  acquaintance  of 
Cortlandt  Skinner.  Morgan,  on  reading  the  letter,  told  me 
he  was  ready,  as  soon  as  I  pleased,  to  pass  over  to  Staten- 
Island,  with  all  his  company,  and  would  convince  Skinner 
he  had  mistaken  his  man. 

Some  ships  have  appeared  within  a  few  days  coming  in 
from  sea.  The  enemy  seem  a  little  alarmed  at  the  number 
of  troops  assembled  here,  but  have  not  changed  their  position 
along  the  shore  of  Staten-Island.  Three  battalions  of  Pro- 
vincial Regulars  and  three  of  Militia  from  Pennsylvania, 
together  with  one  company  of  Artillery  and  two  field-pieces, 
are  now  on  duty  here,  stationed  from  Bergen  Neck  to  South- 
Amboy,  to  the  great  relief  of  the  New-Jersey  Militia. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  IN  THE  2o  PHILA- 
DELPHIA BATTALION,  DATED  AMBOY,  JULY  22,  1776. 

We  arrived  here  Saturday  morning,  from  Woodbridge, 
with  all  our  battalion,  except  Captain  Wilcock's  company, 
who  are  stationed  at  Smith's  farm,  on  Woodbridge  Neck. 
We  are  now  in  full  view  of  the  enemy,  only  separated  by 
the  Sound,  which  is  about  as  wide  as  Schuylkill.  Our  men 
are  in  high  spirits,  and  longing  for  an  opportunity  to  have  a 
skirmish  with  them. 

Yesterday  Colonel  Atlee's  battalion  came  in,  and  marched 
along  the  beach.  They  made  a  good  appearance,  and  I 
think  alarmed  the  enemy  not  a  little.  We  could  distinctly 
see  a  number  of  the  officers  observing  with  glasses,  and  their 
men.  drawn  up  in  a  line,  appeared  greatly  surprised.  We 
have  here  Colonel  Miles,  Colonel  Atlee,  the  Second  Bat- 
talion, Captain  Moulder's  company,  and  a  Jersey  company 
of  Artillery:  in  all  about  fifteen  hundred  men.  It  is  sup- 
posed the  enemy  have  about  one  thousand  men  opposite  us. 
When  our  numbers  are  a  little  more  augmented,  it  is  ex- 
pected we  shall  do  something.  To-day  our  encampment 
will  be  marked  out,  and  to-morrow  I  expect  the  battalion 
will  pitch  their  tents. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  29,  1776,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New-York,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Congress  having  been  pleased  to  appoint  Mr.  Wil- 
pen  to  the  command  of  a  company  in  the  German  battalion 
now  raising,  I  have  directed  him  to  repair  to  Philadelphia 
for  their  orders.  From  my  acquaintance  with  him,  1  am 
persuaded  his  conduct  as  an  officer  will  meet  their  appro- 
bation ;  and,  thanking  them  for  their  kind  attention  to  my 
recommendation  of  him,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sen- 
timents of  the  highest  respect,  their  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancoclc,  President  of  Congress. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Received  and  read  July  23,  1776.] 

New- York,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favours  of  the  18th  and  19th,  with  which  you 
have  been  pleased  to  honour  me,  have  been  duly  received, 
with  the  several  resolves  alluded  to. 


When  the  letter  and  declaration  from  Lord  Howe  to  Mr. 
Franklin  and  the  other  late  Governours  come  to  be  pub- 
lished, I  should  suppose  the  warmest  advocates  for  depend- 
ence on  the  British  Crown  must  be  silent,  and  be  convinced, 
beyond  all  possibility  of  doubt,  that  all  that  has  been  said 
about  the  Commissioners  was  illusory,  and  calculated  ex- 
pressly to  deceive  and  ungtiard,  not  only  the -good  people 
of  our  own  country,  but  those  of  the  English  nation  that 
were  averse  to  the  proceedings  of  the  King  and  Ministry. 
Hence  we  see  the  cause  why  a  specification  of  their  powers 
was  not  given  to  the  Mayor  and  City  of  London  on  their 
address  requesting  it.  That  would  have  been  dangerous, 
because  it  would  then  have  been  manifest  that  the  line  of 
conduct  they  were  to  pursue  would  be  variant  from  that  they 
had  industriously  propagated  and  amused  the  publick  with. 
The  uniting  the  military  and  civil  offices  in  the  same  per- 
sons, too,  must  be  conclusive  to  every  thinking  one,  that 
there  is  to  be  but  little  negotiation  of  the  civil  kind. 

I  have  enclosed,  for  the  satisfaction  of  Congress,  the 
substance  of  what  passed  between  myself  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Patterson,  Adjutant-General,  at  an  interview  had 
yesterday,  in  consequence  of  a  request  from  General  Howe 
the  day  before;  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  them  for  par- 
ticulars. 

Colonel  Knox,  of  the  Train,  having  often  mentioned  to 
me  the  necessity  of  having  a  much  more  numerous  body  of 
Artillerists  than  what  there  now  is,  in  case  the  present  contest 
should  continue  longer,  and  knowing  the  deficiency  in  this 
instance,  and  their  extreme  usefulness,  I  desired  him  to 
commit  his  ideas  upon  the  subject  to  writing,  in  order  that 
I  might  transmit  them  to  Congress  for  their  consideration. 
Agreeable  to  my  request,  he  has  done  it;  and  the  propriety 
of  his  plan  is  now  submitted  for  their  decision.  It  is  certain 
that  we  have  not  more  at  this  time  than  are  sufficient  for 
the  several  extensive  posts  we  have,  including  the  draughts 
which  he  speaks  of,  and  which,  I  presume,  not  only  from 
what  he  has  informed  me,  but  from  the  nature  of  the  thing, 
can  never  be  qualified  to  render  the  same  service  as  if  they 
were  regularly  appointed  and  formed  into  a  corps  for  that 
particular  purpose. 

I  beg  leave  to  remind  Congress  that  some  time  ago  I  laid 
before  them  the  proposals  of  some  persons  here  for  forming 
a  company  of  Lighthorse,  and  of  the  President's  answer  a 
little  time  after,  intimating  that  the  plan  seemed  to  be  ap- 
proved of.  As  those  who  wanted  to  make  up  the  troop  are 
frequently  pressing  me  for  an  answer,  I  could  wish  to  be 
favoured  with  the  decision  of  Congress  upon  the  subject. 

By  a  letter  from  General  Schuyler  of  the  14th  instant, 
dated  at  Albany^  he  informs  me  that  the  day  before  some 
desperate  designs  of  the  Tories  in  that  quarter  had  been 
discovered,  the  particulars  of  which  he  could  not  divulge, 
being  under  an  oath  of  secrecy;  however,  that  such  mea- 
sures had  been  taken  as  to  promise  a  prevention  of  the 
intended  mischief;  and  that  four  of  the  conspirators,  among 
them  a  ringleader,  were  apprehended  about  one  o'clock  that 
morning  not  far  from  the  town.  What  the  plot  was,  or  who 
were  concerned  in  it,  is  a  matter  I  am  ignorant  of  as  yet. 

With  my  best  regards  to  Congress,  I  have  the  honour  to 
be  your  and  their  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

P.  S.  Congress  will  please  to  observe  what  was  proposed 
respecting  the  exchange  of  Mr.  Lovcll,  and  signify  their 
pleasure  in  your  next.  The  last  week's  Return  is  also 
enclosed. 

Memorandum  of  what  passed  at  the  interview  betivcen  His 
Excellency  General  WASHINGTON  and  Colonel  PATTER- 
SON. Adjutant-General  of  the  Army  under  General  HOWE, 
JULY  20, 1776. 

After  usual  compliments,  in  which,  as  well  as  through  the 
whole  conversation,  Colonel  P.  addressed  General  Washing- 
ton by  the  title  of  Excellency,  Colonel  Patterson  entered 
upon  the  business  by  saying:  That  General  Howe  much 
regretted  the  difficulties  which  had  arisen  respecting  the 
address  of  the  letters  to  General  W.;  that  it  was  deemed 
consistent  with  propriety,  and  founded  upon  precedents  of 
the  like  nature  by  Ambassadors  and  Plenipotentiaries  where 
disputes  or  difficulties  of  rank  had  arisen;  that  General  W. 
might  recollect  he  had  last  summer  addressed  a  letter  to 
General  Howe  To  the  Hon.  William  Howe,  Esq.;  that  Lord 


501 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


502 


Howe  and  General  II.  did  not  menn  to  derogate  from  the 
respect  or  rank  of  General  W.;  that  they  held  his  person 
and  character  in  the  highest  esteem;  that  the  direction  with 
the  addition  of  &tc.,  &tc.,  &,c.,  implied  everything  that  ought 
to  follow.  He  then  produced  a  letter,  which  he  did  not 
directly  offer  to  General  W.,  but  observed  that  it  was  the 
same  letter  which  h"ad  been  sent,  and  laid  it  on  the  table 
with  a  superscription  To  George  Washington,  &,c.,  &tc.,  &c. 
The  General  declined  the  letter,  and  said  that  a  letter  directed 
to  a  person  in  a  publick  character  should  have  some  descrip- 
tion or  indication  of  it,  otherwise  it  would  appear  a  mere 
private  letter;  that  it  was  true  the  &.c.,  &tc.,  &tc.,  implied 
everything,  and  they  also  implied  anything;  that  the  letter 
to  General  Howe  alluded  to  was  an  answer  to  one  received 
under  a  like  address  from  him,  which  the  officer  on  duty 
having  taken,  he  did  not  think  proper  to  return,  but  answered 
it  in  the  same  mode  of  address ;  that  he  should  absolutely 
decline  any  letter  directed  to  him  as  a  private  person  when 
it  related  to  his  publick  station.  Colonel  P.  then  said,  that 
General  Howe  would  not  urge  his  delicacy  farther,  and  re- 
peated his  assertions  that  no  failure  of  respect  was  intended. 

He  then  said  that  he  would  endeavour,  as  well  as  he  could, 
to  recollect  General  Howe's  sentiments  on  the  letter  and 
resolves  of  Congress,  sent  him  a  few  days  before,  respecting 
the  treatment  of  our  prisoners  in  Canada:  "That  the  affairs 
of  Canada  were  in  another  department  not  subject  to  the  con- 
trol of  General  Howe;  but  that  he  and  Lord  Howe  utterly 
disapproved  of  every  infringement  of  the  rights  of  humanity." 
Colonel  P.  then  look'a  paper  out  of  his  pocket,  and  after 
looking  it  over,  said  he  had  expressed  nearly  the  words. 
General  W.  then  said  that  he  had  also  forwarded  a  copy  of 
the  resolves  to  General  Burgoyne.  To  which  Colonel  P. 
replied,  he  did  not  doubt  a  proper  attention  would  be  paid  to 
them;  and  that  he  (General  W.)  was  sensible  that  cruelty 
was  not  the  characteristick  of  the  British  nation. 

Colonel  P.  then  proceeded  to  say  he  had  it  in  charge  to 
mention  the  case  of  General  Prescott,  who,  they  were  inform- 
ed, was  treated  with  such  rigour,  that,  under  his  age  and 
infirmities,  fatal  consequences  might  be  apprehended.  Gene- 
ral Washington  replied,  that  General  Prescotfs  treatment 
had  not  fallen  under  his  notice ;  that  all  prisoners  under  his 
particular  direction  he  had  treated  with  kindness,  and  made 
their  situation  as  easy  and  comfortable  as  possible ;  that  he 
did  not  know  where  General  Prescott  was,  but  believed  his 
treatment  very  different  from  their  information.  General 
W.  then  mentioned  the  case  of  Colonel  Allen  and  the  officers 
who  had  been  confined  in  Boston  Jail.  As  to  the  first,  Colo- 
nel P.  answered  that  General  Howe  had  no  knowledge  of 
it  but  by  information  from  General  Washington,  and  that  the 
Canada  department  was  not  under  his  direction  or  control. 
That  as  to  the  other  prisoners  at  Boston,  whenever  the  state 
of  the  Army  at  Boston  admitted  it,  they  were  treated  with 
humanity  and  even  indulgence;  that  he  asserted  this  upon  his 
honour,  and  should  be  happy  in  an  opportunity  to  prove  it. 

General  Washington  then  observed,  that  the  conduct  of 
several  of  the  officers  would  well  have  warranted  a  different 
treatment  from  what  they  had  received,  some  having  refused 
to  give  any  parole,  and  others  having  broken  it  when  given, 
by  escaping,  or  endeavouring  to  do  so.  Colonel  P.  answered, 
that  as  to  the  first,  they  misunderstood  the  matter  very  much, 
and  seemed  to  have  mistaken  the  line  of  propriety  exceed- 
ingly; and  as  to  the  latter,  General  Howe  utterly  disapproved 
and  condemned  their  conduct;  that  if  a  remonstrance  was 
nlade,  such  violations  of  good  faith  would  be  severely  pun- 
ished, but  that  he  hoped  General  W.  was  too  just  to  draw 
publick  inferences  from  the  misbehaviour  of  some  private 
individuals;  that  bad  men  were  to  be  found  in  every  class  of 
society;  that  such  behaviour  was  considered  as  a  dishonour 
to  the  British  Army. 

Colonel  Patterson  then  proceeded  to  say,  that  the  good- 
ness and  benevolence  of  the  King  had  induced  him  to  ap- 
point Lord  Howe  and  General  Howe  his  Commissioners  to 
accommodate  this  unhappy  dispute;  that  they  had  great 
powers,  and  would  derive  the  greatest  pleasure  from  effect- 
ing an  accommodation;  and  that  he  (Colonel  P.)  wished  to 
have  this  visit  considered  as  making  the  first  advances  to  this 
desirable  object.  General  W.  replied,  he  was  not  vested  with 
any  powers  on  the  subject  by  those  from  whom  he  derived 
his  authority  and  power;  but,  from  what  had  appeared  or 
transpired  on  this  head,  Lord  Howe  and  General  Howe  were 
only  to  grant  pardons;  that  those  who  had  committed  no 


fault  wanted  no  pardon;  that  we  were  only  defending  what 
we  deemed  our  indisputable  rights.  Colonel  P.  said,  that 
that  would  open  a  very  wide  field  for  argument.  He  then 
expressed  his  apprehensions  that  an  adherence  to  forms  was 
likely  to  obstruct  business  of  the  greatest  moment  and  con- 
cern. He  then  observed  that  a  proposal  had  been  formerly 
made  of  exchanging  Governour  Skene  for  Mr.  Lovell;  that 
he  now  had  authority  to  accede  to  that  proposal.  General 
W.  replied,  that  the  proposition  had  been  made  by  the  direc- 
tion of  Congress,  and  having  been  then  rejected,  he  could 
not  now  renew  the  business,  or  give  any  answer,  till  he  had 
previously  communicated  it  to  them. 

Colonel  Patterson  behaved  with  the  greatest  politeness 
and  attention  during  the  whole  business,  and  expressed  strong 
acknowledgments  that  the  usual  ceremony  of  blinding  his 
eyes  had  been  dispensed  with.  At  the  breaking  up  of  the 
conference,  General  Washington  strongly  invited  him  to 
partake  of  a  small  collation  provided  for  him,  which  he 
politely  declined,  alleging  his  late  breakfast  and  an  impa- 
tience to  return  to  General  Howe,  though  he  had  not  execu- 
ted his  commission  so  amply  as  he  wished.  Finding  he  did 
not  propose  staying,  he  was  introduced  to  the  General  Offi- 
cers, after  which  he  took  his  leave,  and  was  safely  conducted 
to  his  own  boat,  which  waited  for  him  about  four  miles  distant 
from  the  city. 

New-  York,  July  9,  1776. 

From  a  view  of  the  present  important  contest  with  Great 
Britain,  it  appears  that  the  war  is  but  in  its  infancy.  To 
carry  it  on  with  vigour  and  success,  a  well-regulated  and 
numerous  body  of  Artillery  will  be  necessary.  The  present 
number  of  officers  and  men  of  the  regiment  of  Artillery  here, 
are  not  sufficient  for  the  posts  in  and  round  about  this  city. 
To  supply  this  deficiency,  a  number  of  men  from  the  different 
regiments  have  been  draughted  into  Artillery  pro  tempore. 
This  is  a  present  remedy;  but  if  the  service  should  require 
a  few  companies  of  ArtiMery  to  be  sent  on  command,  it  could 
not  be  complied  with  unless  many  posts  were  left  entirely 
naked.  For  a  variety  of  extensive  service,  more  officers 
and  men  of  this  profession  will  be  wanting.  If  it  should  be 
thought  proper  to  raise  another  battalion  of  Artillery  upon 
the  same  plan  as  the  present,  it  could  be  very  easily  effected, 
by  taking  the  men  lately  draughted  into  the  different  com- 
panies and  forming  separate  companies;  or  by  taking  some 
officers  and  men  of  experience  out  of  the  different  companies, 
and  incorporating  them  with  the  new,  they  would  soon  be 
fit  for  action. 

The  number  of  men  draughted  into  the  different  compa- 
nies would  form  eight  companies  of  sixty  men;  Captain 
Bauman's,  lately  raised,  would  make  nine;  three  companies 
more  would  make  up  a  battalion  of  twelve  companies.  Upon 
this  plan  the  Continent  would  have  eleven  companies  and 
sixty  officers  more  than  they  now  have,  applying  themselves 
to  the  particular  art  of  gunnery,  and  ready  for  any  emer- 


HENRY  KNOX, 

Colonel  Regiment  of  Artillery. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


(Parole,  Ulster.) 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  13,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Winchester.) 


The  Guard  at  Fort-George  to  be  reinforced  with  a  Field- 
Officer,  two  Captains,  four  Subalterns,  six  Sergeants,  six 
Corporals,  and  seventy  Privates. 

The  General  was  sorry  to  observe  yesterday  that  many 
of  the  officers  and  a  number  of  men,  instead  of  attending  to 
their  duty  at  the  beat  of  the  drum,  continued  along  the  banks 
of  the  North-River,  gazing  at  the  ships.  Such  unsoldierly 
conduct  must  grieve  every  good  officer,  and  give  the  enemy 
a  mean  opinion  of  the  Army,  as  nothing  shows  the  brave 
and  good  soldier  more  than,  in  case  of  alarms,  coolly  and 
calmly  repairing  to  his  post,  and  there  waiting  his  orders ; 
whereas  a  weak  curiosity  at  such  a  time  makes  a  man  look 
mean  and  contemptible. 

A  well-dressed  Orderly-Sergeant,  from  Generals  Scott's, 
Wadsworth's,  and  Heard's  Brigades,  to  attend  at  Head- 
Quarters  every  day. 

The  Majors  of  the  new  Brigades,  and  all  other  officers  of 
those  corps,  are  directed  to  look  over  the  Orderly  books 
before  they  come  into  camp,  and  acquaint  themselves  well 


503 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


504 


will)  former  orders.  They  are  also  to  be  very  careful  that 
the  daily  orders  are  delivered,  so  as  that  neither  officer  nor 
soldier  may  plead  ignorance,  as  in  that  case  they  will  be 
deemed  answerable. 

A  party  of  eight  hundred  men,  properly  officered,  to 
parade  to-morrow  morning.  LearnetTs  and  Wyllys's  Regi- 
ments to  receive  tools  for  making  fascines:  they  are  to  take 
their  dinner  with  them.  Ensign  Field,  of  Learned' s  Regi- 
ment; to  attend  this  party.  All  the  other  regiments  to 
attend  at  the  Engineer's  store  for  tools  and  orders.  Three 
hours  allowed  for  dinner,  and  to  work  till  seven,  and  so 
continue  till  further  orders.  All  who  have  tools  belonging 
to  the  Engineer's  store,  to  return  them  immediately. 

If  any  Brigade  or  Regiment  are  exempted  from  fatigue  at 
any  time,  the  Brigade-Majors  to  inform  the  Engineer  thereof, 
(except  it  be  in  General  Orders,)  that  he  may  proportion 
what  are  sent  accordingly. 

The  safety  and  success  of  the  Army  depends  so  much 
updn  having  the  works  in  all  possible  forwardness,  that  the 
General  is  much  concerned  to  find  ihe  Brigade  Majors 
represented  as  deficient  in  their  part  of  the  duty.  Only  five 
Regiments — Learned's,  Reed's,  Bailey's,  Parsons's,  and 
Jf'yllys's  Regiments — have  turned  out  their  working  parties 
this  day.  The  General  hopes  this  is  the  last  time  he  shall 
have  occasion  to  take  notice  of  any  such  neglect. 

Head-auarters,  New-York,  July  14, 1776. 

(Piiroli>,  Jlnilorcr.)  (Countersign,  Bridal.) 

A  Court  of  Inquiry  to  sit  to-morrow  morning,  to  examine 
into  the  conduct  of  Colonel  Ritzema,  who  stands  charged 
with  practices  contrary  to  the  rales  and  discipline  of  the  Army: 
Brigadier-General  Heath,  President ;  Colonels  Wyllys  and 
Malcolm,  and  Lieutenant-Colonels  Johnston  and  Brearly. 

The  Judge-Advocate  General  and  witnesses  to  attend  the 
Court  at  Mr.  Montagnie's  Tavern  in  the  fields,  at  ten  o'clock. 

The  Regiment  of  Artificers,  under  command  of  Colonel 
Parke,  to  join  Lord  Stirling's  Brigade.  They  will  receive 
orders  from  the  Brigadier,  with  respect  to  their  alarm  posts, 
arrangement  and  duty,  in  case  of  action. 

The  Regimental  Surgeons  to  meet  on  Tuesday  next,  at 
nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  at  the  Coffee-House,  on  business  of 
importance.  The  Adjutants  of  the  several  Regiments  to 
give  them  special  notice. 

The  Majors  of  Brigade  and  Adjutants  of  Generals  Scott's, 
Heard?*,  and  Wadsworth's  Brigades,  are  to  send  into  the 
Adjutant-General's  office  a  daily  report  of  every  Regiment 
or  Company  belonging  to  their  several  Brigades,  as  they  join 
the  Army,  in  order  that  proper  arrangements  may  be  made 
while  time  will  admit.  The  Majors  of  Brigade  are  to  be 
answerable  for  obedience  to  this  order,  and  if  the  Adjutants 
refuse  or  neglect  their  duty,  they  are  to  be  put  in  arrest 
immediately. 

All  the  Brigade-Majors  and  Adjutants  are  again  reminded, 
that  the  Weekly  Returns  (as  well  Brigade  as  Regimental 
ones)  are  to  be  brought  in  every  Saturday  at  Orderly  time 
to  the  Adjutant-General's  office.  And  as  inaccuracy  and 
neglect  in  their  Returns  will  create  difficulties  in  the  payment 
of  their  men,  the  Colonels,  or  officers  commanding,  should 
carefully  examine  the  Returns,  compare  them  with  those  of 
the  preceding  week,  and  have  all  the  alterations  accounted 
for. 

The  General  strongly  recommends  it  to  the  soldiers  to  be 
careful  of  their  arms  and  ammunition  at  all  times,  but  more 
especially  in  rainy  weather.  An  enterprising  enemy,  de- 
pending upon  neglect  in  this  article,  often  makes  an  attack, 
and  too  frequently  with  success.  Officers  will  also  be  very 
attentive  to  this  order,  and  see  it  complied  with. 

John  Andreivs,  Jeremiah  Williams,  and  William  Gary, 
late  belonging  to  General  Lee's  Guard,  to  join  Captain 
Ford's  company  of  Artificers. 

The  Chief  Engineer  was  mistaken  in  his  report  yesterday 
as  to  Colonel  Baldwin's,  Colonel  Huntington's,  and  Colo- 
nel Ward's  Regiments'  neglect  of  fatigue,  and  takes  the  first 
opportunity  to  rectify  it. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  15,  1776. 
(Parole,  Cfcrttem.)  (Countersign,  Darby.) 

1  l)e  Pay  Abstracts  for  the  month  of  June  are  imme- 
diately to  be  made  up  carefully,  examined  by  the  Colonels, 
or  officer  commanding  the  Regiments,  and  then  certified  by 
the  Brigadiers;  after  which  to  be  lodged  with  the  Paymas- 
ter-General. 


A  working  party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  with  a 
Field-Officer,  three  Captains,  six  Subalterns,  twelve  Ser- 
geants, twelve  Corporals,  and  three  Drums  and  Fifes,  to 
parade  to-morrow  on  the  grand  parade,  at  six  o'clock,  and 
go  up  to  King's  Bridge,  to  relieve  the  party  sent  up  the  7th 
instant ;  to  take  their  arms  and  two  days'  provision ;  to  apply 
to  General  Putnam  for  boats  for  transportation;  and  when 
at  King's  Bridge,  apply  to  General  Mifflin  for  orders. 

It  is  intended  that  all  detached  parties  to  King's  Bridge 
shall  be  relieved  once  a  week  in  future. 

General  Scott's  Brigade  to  do  duty  hereafter  in  their  own 
encampment. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  16,  1776. 
(Parole,  Kiscx.)  (Countersign,  Fairfax.) 

The  honourable  Continental  Congress  have  been  pleased 
to  increase  the  pay  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons  to  thirty- 
three  dollars  and  one-third  per  month,  to  take  place  from 
the  5th  of  June  last ;  and  that  the  pay  of  the  Troops  in  the 
Middle  Department  shall  be  six  dollars  and  two-thirds  per 
month,  from  the  10th  of  June  last.  The  Pay  Abstracts 
are  to  be  made  out  accordingly,  and  care  taken  to  prevent 
confusion  or  delay. 

The  hurry  of  business  often  preventing  particular  invita- 
tion being  given  to  officers  to  dine  with  the  General,  he 
presents  his  compliments  to  the  Brigadiers  and  Field-Offi- 
cers of  the  day,  and  requests,  while  the  camp  continues 
settled  in  this  city,  they  will  favour  him  with  their  company 
to  dinner,  without  any  further  or  special  invitation. 

The  officers,  tinder  whose  care  and  direction  the  cartridges 
are  made  up,  having  neglected  to  make  daily  returns  to 
Head-Quarters,  they  may  depend  upon  it,  that  after  this 
day,  any  officer  omitting  to  send  a  daily  return  of  the 
number  of  cartridges  made,  will  be  put  under  an  arrest  for 
disobedience  of  orders. 

After  Orders. — Colonel  Reed,  President  of  the  present 
sitting  General  Court-Marlial,  being  unable  to  attend,  Colo- 
nel Webb  is  to  succeed  him  as  President:  said  Court-Martial 
to  assemble  to-morrow  morning,  nine  o'clock,  at  the  brick- 
house  near  Colonel  McDougalFs  encampment. 


(Parole,  Georgia.) 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  17,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Hartford.) 


A  working  party  of  fifty  men,  properly  officered,  to  pa- 
rade to-morrow  morning,  six  o'clock,  with  their  arms,  near 
the  Laboratory.  There  Captain  Anderson  will  attend,  from 
whom  they  are  to  receive  directions:  Quartermaster-Gene- 
ral to  supply  such  tools  as  they  may  want. 

John  Berrian,  Henry  Wilmot,  and  John  Ray,  Jun.,  a 
Committee  of  the  town,  are  appointed  to  give  passes  to 
citizens  going  over  the  ferries.  Officers  and  soldiers  who 
want  passes  over  the  ferries,  are  to  apply  to  their  own  Bri- 
gadier-General. And  the  General  desires  that  they  will  give 
no  passes  to  officers  or  soldiers  of  another  Brigade.  The 
officers  at  the  Ferry-Guards,  to  attend  to  this  order  particu- 
larly, and  make  it  known  to  the  sentries. 

The  two  Companies  of  Colonel  Van  Corllandt's  Regi- 
ment at  Long-Island,  to  join  their  regiment  at  New-  York. 
Captain  Kelsey's  Company,  and  the  Company  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Borden,  of  Colonel  Newcomb's  Re- 
giment, to  replace  them  to-morrow  morning,  nine  o'clock. 

The  Court  of  Inquiry  upon  Colonel  Ritzema's  conduct, 
having  reported  that  no  other  of  the  charges  made  against 
him  was  supported,  except  that  of  using  disrespectful  ex- 
pressions of  Brigadier-General  Lord  Stirling,  and  his  Lord- 
ship generously  overlooking  the  personal  affront  offered  him, 
the  General  orders  that  all  further  proceedings  cease,  and 
Colonel  Ritzema  to  be  discharged  from  his  arrest. 

Yesterday  the  detachment  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
ordered  for  King's  Bridge,  to  march  from  the  parade  at  six 
o'clock,  did  not  leave  it  till  nine,  by  which  they  lost  the 
tide,  and  then  much  short  of  the  proportion  of  officers,  an 
evil  which  is  every  day  increasing.  The  Brigade-Majors 
will  hereafter  be  deemed  answerable  for  such  neglects,  unless 
they  report  to  the  Adjutant-General  the  same  day  what 
Adjutant  fails  in  bringing  on  his  quota  of  men  on  the  parade 
in  time,  or  put  such  Adjutant  immediately  under  arrest,  and 
report  it  at  Head-Quarters. 

The  Adjutants  and  Colonels  of  the  new  troops  arriving, 
are  to  take  notice  that  Weekly  Returns  of  their  Regiments 
are  to  be  sent  in  at  Orderly  time  every  Saturday.  Blank 


505 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


506 


returns  will  be  given  out  at  the  Adjutant-General's  office  to 
those  who  apply  for  them,  and  an  Orderly  book  for  each 
Company. 

A  working  party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  properly 
officered,  to  parade  to-morrow  morning  at  six  o'clock,  with 
their  arms,  near  the  Laboratory,  to  take  one  day's  provision 
with  them,  to  relieve  the  party  which  went  up  the  10th 
instant ;  this  party  to  stay  one  week,  and  then  to  be  re- 
lieved. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  18,  1776. 

(Parole,  Italy.)  (Countersign,  Kent.) 

Although  the  General  is  very  sensible  that  the  great 
fatigue  duty  of  this  Army  (which  he  is  highly  pleased  to  see 
the  officers  and  men  go  through  with  so  much  cheerfulness 
and  zeal)  does  not  allow  much  time  for  manoeuvring  and 
exercising  the  troops;  yet  it  is  a  matter  of  so  much  conse- 
quence to  have  them  as  well  practised  as  time  and  circum- 
siances  will  admit,  that  he  earnestly  recommends  it  to  the 
Brigadiers,  Colonels,  or  commanding  officers  of  Regiments, 
to  take  time  for  that  purpose ;  and  particularly,  to  have  the 
men  instructed  and  practise  the  evolutions,  manoeuvring, 
and  as  much  of  the  manual  exercise  as  respects  loading  and 
firing,  not  only  with  quickness  but  calmness. 

John  Priest,"  of  Captain  MaxwelFs  Company,  Colonel 
Prescotfs  Regiment,  Duncan  Grant,  of  Captain  McFar- 
land's  Company,  Colonel  Nixon's  Regiment,  Jason  Kemp, 
of  Captain  Bolster's  Company,  late  Colonel  Learned's  Re- 
giment, William  Baker,  of  Captain  Waterhouse' 's  Company, 
Colonel  Parsons's  Regiment,  all  tried  by  a  General  Court- 
Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Webb  was  President,  for  "  deser- 
tion," and  found  guilty,  were  sentenced  to  receive  thirty-nine 
lashes  each  ;  Baker  to  receive  his  punishment  at  three 
different  times,  thirteen  lashes  each  time.  The  General 
approves  the  above  sentences,  and  orders  them  to  be  exe- 
cuted at  the  usual  time  and  place. 

Two  guns  fired  from  Cobble-Hill,  on  Long-Island,  are 
to  be  the  signal  that  the  enemy  have  landed  on  that 
Island. 

Complaints  having  frequently  been  made  that  the  sentries, 
especially  those  along  the  river,  fire  wantonly  at  boats  and 
persons  passing,  officers  of  guards  are  to  be  careful  upon  this 
head,  and  acquaint  the  sentries  that  they  are  not  to  fire  upon 
boats  coming  to  the  town,  and  that  they  are  not  to  molest 
or  interrupt  the  ferry-boats. 

The  present  number  of  fatigue  to  be  augmented  with  one 
hundred  men,  properly  officered ;  the  whole  to  parade 
precisely  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning ;  to  continue  so  till 
further  orders. 

Colonel  Malcolm,  of  General  Scott's  Brigade,  to  have  the 
superintendence  of  the  work  laid  out  near  that  encampment, 
and  to  be  excused  from  other  duty. 

The  General  invites  the  Brigade-Major  of  the  day  to 
dine  with  him  in  course,  with  the  other  officers  of  the 
day. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  19,  1776. 
(Parole,  Leu-is.)  (Countersign,  Maryland.) 

A  detachment  of  three  hundred  men,  properly  officered, 
to  parade  to-rnorrow  morning,  six  o'clock,  on  the  grand 
parade,  with  two  days'  provisions,  to  go  in  boats,  by  way  of 
East-River,  to  King's  Bridge,  to  execute  such  work  as  shall 
be  laid  out  for  them  by  the  Engineer.  Lieutenant  Champion, 
of  Colonel  Wyllys's  Regiment,  to  oversee  said  works.  Major 
Reed  to  furnish  this  party  with  such  tools  as  Colonel  Putnam 
shall  direct. 

A  working  party  of  fifty  men,  properly  officered,  to  parade 
to-morrow  morning,  at  six  o'clock,  on  the  grand  parade, 
without  their  arms,  to  receive  their  orders  from  Captain 
Anderson,  and  tools  from  the  Laboratory. 

William  Hercnden,  of  Captain  Warren's  Company,  Colo- 
nel Read's  Regiment,  David  Ludlow,  of  Captain  Let/yard's 
Company,  Colonel  McDougalfs  Regiment,  both  tried  by  a 
General  Court-Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Webb  was  Presi- 
dent, for  desertion,  and  found  guilty,  were  sentenced  to 
receive,  the  former  thirty-nine  lashes,  the  latter  twenty. 
The  General  approves  the  sentences,  and  orders  them  to  be 
executed  at  the  usual  time  and  place. 

The  Field-Officers  of  the  Picket  are  directed  to  attend, 
on  the  grand  parade,  punctually,  at  a  quarter  after  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  to  continue  there  till  the  guards 


are  marched  off;  for  there  has  been  great  remissness  lately 
of  that  kind. 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  20,  1776. 
(Parole,  Xfeirington.)  (Countersign,  Orrnond.) 

Daniel  Grimes,  of  Captain  Shaw's  Company,  Colonel 
MarshalPs  Regiment,  tried  by  a  General  Court-Martial, 
whereof  Colonel  Webb  was  President,  was  found  guilty  of 
"  desertion ;"  but  some  favourable  circumstances  appearing 
in  the  prisoner's  behalf,  his  punishment  is  remitted.  The 
Provost-Marshal  is  ordered  to  deliver  him  to  Captain  Tilton, 
in  order  to  be  put  into  some  Regiment,  to  do  duty  here  until 
a  good  opportunity  offers  to  send  him  to  his  own. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  21,  1776. 
(Parole,  Philafelphia.)  (Countersign,  Qurfec*.) 

William  Baker,  of  Captain  Johnson's  Company,  in  Colo- 
nel McDougall's  Regiment,  charged  with  "  absenting  him- 
self several  days  from  the  camp  without  permission,"  having 
been  tried  by  a  General  Court-Martial,  whereof  Colonel 
Webb  was  President,  and  found  guilty,  was  sentenced  to 
receive  twenty  lashes.  The  General  approves  the  sen- 
tence, and  orders  it  to  be  executed  at  the  usual  time  and 
place. 

Sergeant  Bollard,  late  of  General  Lee's  Guard,  now  in 
custody  for  having  presumed  to  give  a  pass  to  a  person  to 
cross  the  East  River,  appearing  to  have  done  it  more 
through  ignorance  than  design,  the  General  is  pleased  to 
discharge  him;  but  if  any  inferior  officer  shallhereafter  take 
such  a  liberty,  he  will  be  severely  punished  ;  it  being  again 
declared  that  passes  to  citizens  or  country  people  are  only 
to  be  granted  by  John  Betrian,  Henry  Wilmot,  and  John 
Ray,  Jun.,  or  one  of  them ;  passes  to  officers  and  soldiers, 
only  by  a  Major-General,  the  Brigadier-General  of  the 
Brigade  to  which  the  person  belongs,  the  Adjutant-General, 
or  General's  Secretary  or  Aids-de-Camp. 

The  General  has  great  pleasure  in  communicating  to  the 
officers  and  soldiers  of  "this  Army,  the  signal  success  of  the 
American  arms,  under  General  Lee,  at  South- Carolina. 
The  enemy  having  attempted  to  land  at  the  same  time  that 
a  most  furious  cannonade,  for  twelve  hours,  was  made  upon 
the  fortifications  near  Charlestoim,  both  fleet  and  army 
have  been  repulsed  with  great  loss  by  a  small  number  of 
gallant  troops  just  raised.  The  enemy  have  had  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  men  killed  and  wounded,  among 
whom  were  several  officers ;  two  capital  ships  much  dam- 
aged ;  one  frigate  of  twenty-eight  guns  entirely  lost,  being 
abandoned  and  blown  up  by  the  crew;  and  others  so  hurt 
that  they  will  want  great  repair  before  they  can  be  fit  for 
service.  And  all  with  a  loss  on  our  part  of  ten  killed  and 
twenty-two  wounded.  The  firmness,  courage^  and  bravery 
of  our  troops  has  crowned  them  with  immortal  honour.  The 
dying  heroes  conjured  their  brethren  never  to  abandon  the 
standard  of  liberty,  and  even  those  who  had  lost  their  limbs 
continued  at  their  posts.  Their  gallantry  and  spirit  extorted 
applause  from  their  enemies,  who,  dejected  and  defeated, 
have  retired  to  their  former  station,  out  of  the  reach  of  our 
troops.  This  glorious  example  of  our  troops,  under  the  like 
circumstances  with  us,  the  General  hopes  will  animate  every 
officer  and  soldier  to  imitate,  and  even  outdo  them,  when  the 
enemy  shall  make  the  same  attempton  us.  With  such  a  bright 
example  before  us  of  what  can  be  done  by  brave  and  spirited 
men  fighting  in  defence  of  their  country,  we  shall  be  loaded 
with  a  double  share  of  shame  and  infamy  if  we  do  not  acquit 
ourselves  with  courage,  or  a  determined  resolution  to  conquer 
or  die.  With  this  hope  and  confidence,  and  that  this  Army 
will  have  its  equal  share  of  honour  and  success,  the  General 
most  earnestly  exhorts  every  officer  and  soldier  to  pay  the 
utmost  attention  to  his  arms  and  health,  to  have  the  former 
in  the  best  order  for  action,  and  by  cleanliness  and  care,  to 
preserve  the  latter;  to  be  exact  in  their  discipline,  obedient 
to  their  superiors,  and  vigilant  in  duty.  With  such  prepa- 
ration, and  a  suitable  spirit,  there  can  be  no  doubt  but,  by 
the  blessing  of  Heaven,  we  shall  repel  our  cruel  invaders, 
preserve  our  country,  and  gain  the  greatest  honour. 

A  working  party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  properly 
officered,  to  parade  to-morrow  morning  on  the  grand  parade, 
at  six  o'clock,  with  their  arms  and  one  day's  provision,  to 
go  up  to  King's  Bridge,  by  water,  to  relieve  the  party  which 
went  up  the  15th  instant;  to  apply  to  General  Putnam  for 
tents. 


507 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


508 


The  General  is  much  pleased  with  the  alacrity  of  the  orders,  the  men  who  are  to  go  upon  fatigue  shall  be  excused 
men  in  doing  fatigue  duty;  and  being  resolved  to  ease  them  from  turning  out  to  their  alarm  posts  for  that  day,  unless  in 
as  much  as  the  service  will  admit,  directs  that,  until  further  case  of  real  alarm. 

Return  of  the  Army  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  in  and  near  the  City  of  NEW-YORK,  commanded 
by  His  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esquire,  General  and  Comma nder-in- Chief. 


REGIMENTS. 

OFFICERS  PRESENT. 

RANK  ANP  FILE. 

Wanting  to 
complete. 

Since  last 
Return. 

Commissioned. 

Staff. 

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30 
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24 
30 
16 
35 
20 
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32 

10 
15 
14 
16 
15 
16 
15 
16 
15 
16 
14 
15 
13 
15 
15 
11 
18 
11 
15 
12 

270 
255 
286 
311 
278 
326 
286 
335 
281 
264 
312 
350 
216 
290 
291 
216 
271 
276 
406 
438 

3 

48 
40 
32 
63 
146 
45 
51 
97 
146 
89 
70 
126 
70 
105 
77 
74 
114 
51 
39 

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10 
20 
13 
10 
6 
9 
9 
11 
5 
10 
2 
2 
6 
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6 
7 
2 
26 
20 

1 
232 
80 
54 
46 
114 
48 
69 
135 
122 
141 
115 
167 
132 
133 
188 
108 
62 
4 
1 

13 

3 
3 

3 
2 
1 

1 
1 
4 

2 

293 
545 
426 
413 
397 
595 
388 
464 
524 
540 
554 
538 
511 
548 
538 
488 
461 
458 
487 
500 

~ 

2 
1 

1 
1 

1 

7 
1 

2 
1 
2 

1 

1 
1 

4 

347 
95 
214 
227 
243 
45 
252 
176 
116 
100 
86 
102 
129 
92 
102 
152 
259 
182 
153 
140 

19 

3 
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2 
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3 

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13 

2 
19 

*  Companies  of  Col.  McDougall's 

Colonel  Shea's  

Total  

1817 

124 

131 

130 

1420 

lit 

1818 

549  287 

5,968  [1476 

189 

2,002 

33    9,668   13 

20    3,212 

31 

10 

29 

Return  of  General  SCOTT'S  Brigade;  sixty-seven  men,  rank  andjile,  in  a  Company,  ten  Companies  to  a  Regiment,  is 
the  establishment. 

1 
1 
1 

$ 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

1(1 
9 
10 
5 

a 

in 

6 

3 

10 
8 
11 
6 

- 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

- 

30 
27 
28 
15 

17 
14 
16 
19 

390 
234 
395 
222 

6 
13 
55 

22 

40 
21 
1 

7 

91 
20 
38 
3 

8 
5 
7 

535 
293 
496 
254 

3 

2 

f 

3 
6 
4 

1 

135 
377 

174 
81 

5 

13 

10 



18 
1 

10 
1 

-.ieutenant'Col.  Hardenburgh's.... 
Total  

3  4 

3 

34  28 

35 

- 

1 

4 

4  3  -  I  100     66  1  1,241       96 

69 

152J  20 

1,578 

14 

767 

26 

19 

11 

Return  of  General  HEARD'S  Brigade;  seventy-two  men,  rank  and  file,  in  a  Company,  eight  Companies  to  a  Regi- 
ment, is  the  establishment. 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

8 
7 
7 
2 
4 

7 
6 
7 
1 
3 

V 
5 
5 

1 
2 

7 
(i 
7 
3 
2 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

i 

i 
i 

30 
22 
27 
9 
13 

15 
13 

10 
3 

7 

400 
257 
193 
56 
174 

18 
11 
35 
6 
9 

3 

2 

121 
37 

10 

1 

3 
3 

430 
269 
355 
99 
186 

2 
6 
1 
3 
1 

1 
1 
3 
3 
1 

146 
235 
149 
117 
102 

4 
4 
20 
141 

- 

- 

- 

Companies  of  Col.  Martin's  ..  .  . 
:  Companies  of  Col.  Newcomb's. 
Comp.  of  Col.  Van  Cortlandt's. 

Total  

1 

4   5|  28|  24 

2.') 

4 

5   3 

3  101 

48 

1,080 

79 

3 

160    17 

1,339   13 

9 

749169 

. 

_ 

_ 

Return  of  General  WADSWORTH'S  Brigade;  eighty-three  rank  and  fie  to  a  Company,  and  eight  Companies  to  a  Regi- 
ment, is  the  establishment. 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

7 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

8 
7 
6 
4 
•2 
7 
6 

39 

6 

7 
4 
3 

7 
(i 

6 
5 
5 
3 

3 
7 
(J 

7 
5 
5 
5 
5 
7 
3 

1 
1 
1 

1 

4 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

30 
24 
22 
20 
23 
28 
25 

13 
16 
12 
9 
8 
13 
12 

252 
273 
305 
178 
212 
324 
275 

16 
37 
27 
20 
11 
36 

2 

4 
2 

81 
58 
23 
41 
3 
56 
47 

- 

351 
368 
355 
243 

228 
416 
322 

2 
8 
6 
4 
9 
4 
7 

3 

9 
3 

8 

3 

4 

313 
296 
216 
255 
436 
248 
342 

- 

- 

1 

3 

Companies  of  Col.  Bradley's... 

Colonel  Chester's  

Total  

6 

5 

38 

35 

37 

7|7 

6|6 

172 

83 

1,819 

147     8 

309 

- 

2,283 

40  23 

2,106 

- 

1 

3 

^he  total  of  General  Heard  's  .... 
?he  total  of  General  Scott's  
^he  old  Regiments  

1 

4 

5   28 

34 

20 

25 

1 

4^5 

3|  3 

101 

48 

1,080 

79     3 

160 

17 

1,339 

13 

9 

749  169 

- 

- 

- 

3 

4 

3   34 

98 

35 

- 

1 

4   4 

3 

- 

100 

66 

1,241 

96 

69 

152 

20 

1,578 

5    14       767    26 

- 

19 

11 

18|l7|l7124 

135  131 

130 

142019 

1818 

549 

887 

5,966 

1476 

189 

2,002 

33 

9,666 

13   20  i  3,214 

31 

10 

99 

19 

Total  of  the  whole  

28:32!30225 

225221192 

203535l3ol27 

922  1484 

10,106 

1  798269 

2,623 

70 

14,866  \n    66  l6,836'226 

10 

4!) 

33 

Head-duarlers,  July  20,  1776. 


Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Artillery  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED  COLONIES,  in  and  near  the  City  of  NEW-YORK, 

commanded  by  HENRY  KNOX,  Esq. 


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New-  York,  Head-Quarters,  July  20,  1776. 

509 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


510 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  JOHN  AUGUSTINE  WASHINGTON. 

New-York,  July  22,  1776. 

DEAR  BROTHER:  Whether  you  wrote  to  me  last,  or  I  to 
you,  I  cannot  undertake  to  say;  but  as  it  is  some  time  since 
a  letter  has  p;issed  between  us,  and  as  I  expect  every  hour 
to  be  engaged  in  too  busy  a  scene  to  allow  time  for  writing 
private  letters,  I  will  take  an  opportunity,  by  this  day's  post, 
to  address  to  you  a  few  lines,  giving  a  brief  account  of  the 
situation  of  affairs  in  this  quarter. 

To  begin,  then :  We  have  a  powerful  fleet  within  full  view 
of  us,  distant  about  eight  miles.  We  have  General  Howe's 
present  Army,  consisting,  by  good  report,  of  about  eight  or 
nine  thousand  men  upon  Stalen-Island,  covered  by  their 
ships.  We  have  Lord  Howe  just  arrived,  and  we  have  ships 
now  coming  in,  which  we  suppose,  but  do  not  know,  to  be 
part  of  the  fleet  with  the  expected  reinforcement.  When 
this  arrives,  if  the  reports  of  deserters,  prisoners,  and  Tories, 
are  to  be  depended  upon,  the  enemy's  numbers  will  amount 
at  least  to  twenty-five  thousand  men ;  ours  to  about  fifteen 
thousand.  More,  indeed,  are  expected;  but  there  is  no 
certainty  of  their  arrival,  as  harvest  and  a  thousand  other 
excuses  are  urged  as  the  reasons  of  delay.  What  kind  of 
opposition  we  shall  be  able  to  make,  time  only  can  show. 
I  can  only  say,  that  the  men  appear  to  be  in  good  spirits ; 
and,  if  they  will  stand  be  me,  the  place  shall  not  be  car- 
ried without  some  loss,  notwithstanding  we  are  not  yet  in 
such  a  posture  of  defence  as  I  could  wish. 

Two  ships  (the  Phcenix,  of  forty-four  guns,  and  the  Rose, 
of  twenty)  ran  by  our  batteries  on  the  12th,  exhibiting  a 
proof  of  what  I  had  long  most  religiously  believed;  and  that 
is,  that  a  vessel,  with  a  brisk  wind  and  strong  tide,  cannot, 
unless  by  a  chance  shot,  be  stopped  by  a  battery,  unless  you 
can  place  some  obstruction  in  the  water  to  impede  her  mo- 
tion within  reach  of  your  guns.  We  do  not  know  that  these 
ships  received  any  capital  injury.  In  their  rigging  they  were 
somewhat  damaged,  and  several  shot  went  through  their 
hulls ;  but  few,  if  any,  lives  were  lost.  They  now,  with 
three  tenders  which  accompanied  them,  lie  up  the  North 
or  Hudson's  River,  about  forty  miles  above  this  place,  and 
have  totally  cut  off  all  communication,  by  water,  between 
this  city  and  Albany,  and  between  this  Army  and  ours  upon 
the  Lakes.  They  may  have  had  other  motives  inducing 
them  to  run  up  the  river,  such  as  supplying  the  Tories  with 
arms,  and  the  like;  but  such  a  vigilant  watch  has  hitherto 
been  kept  upon  them,  that  I  fancy  they  have  succeeded  but 
indifferently  in  those  respects,  notwithstanding  this  country 
abounds  in  disaffected  persons  of  the  most  diabolical  disposi- 
tions and  intentions,  as  you  may  have  perceived  by  the 
several  publications  in  the  gazettes,  relative  to  their  designs 
of  destroying  this  Army  by  treachery  and  biibery,  which 
were  providentially  discovered. 

It  is  the  general  report  of  deserters  and  prisoners,  and  a 
prevailing  opinion  here,  that  no  attempt  will  be  made  by 
General  Howe  till  his  reinforcement  arrives,  which,  as  I  said 
before,  is  hourly  expected.  Our  situation  at  present,  both 
in  regard  to  men  and  other  matters,  is  such  as  not  to  make 
it  advisable  to  attempt  anything  against  them,  surrounded  as 
they  are  by  water,  and  covered  with  ships,  lest  a  miscarriage 
should  be  productive  of  unhappy  and  fatal  consequences. 
It  is  provoking,  nevertheless,  to  have  them  so  near,  without 
being  able  to  give  them  any  disturbance.  Their  ships  that 
passed  us  are  also  safely  moored  in  a  broad  part  of  the  river, 
out  of  reach  of  shot  from  either  shore. 

Mrs.  Washington  is  now  at  Philadelphia,  and  has  thoughts 
of  returning  to  Virginia,  as  there  is  little  or  no  prospect  of 
her  being  with  me  any  part  of  this  summer.  I  beg  of  you 
to  present  my  love  to  my  sister  and  the  children,  and  com- 
pliments to  any  inquiring  friends,  and  to  do  me  the  justice 
to  believe  that  I  am,  fcc.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  John  Augustine  Washington,  Esq. 


In  the  mean  while,  a  sentiment  of  patriotism  obliges  me 
to  trouble  you  again,  being  wounded  by  the  sorrow  in  seeing 
my  countrymen  in  the  greatest  want ;  and  what  afflicts  me 
the  most  is,  that  it  is  no  more  in  my  power  to  do  for  them 
what  I  have  done  for  the  others:  so  that  you  will  permit  me 
to  represent  to  your  Excellency,  that  the  good  mind  that  led 
those  gentlemen  to  serve  under  your  orders,  and  to  help  this 
Continent  against  her  enemies,  has  determined  them  to 
leave  their  families,  their  country,  and  to  despise  all  sorts  of 
dangers,  in  order  10  join  you.  You  know,  sir,  that  necessity 
has  no  law,  and  you  must  not  be  surprised  if  some  French- 
men have  behaved  so  scandalously.  I  hope  that  you  will  be 
so  good  as  to  observe  my  representation ;  having  the  honour 
to  be,  of  your  Excellency,  Mon  General,  the  most  humble 
and  most  obedient  servant,  LE  BARON  DE  CALBIAC. 

P.  S.  The  6th  June,  1776,  four  battalions  of  the  regi- 
ment of  Champagne  arrived  at  Guadaloupe,  to  garrison 
that  place,  while  the  fleet  and  army  of  France  go  to  Quebeck 
to  retake  Canada.  This  account  I  have  just  received  from 
that  Island. 


BARON  DE  CALBIAC  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-York,  July  22,  1776. 

MY  GENERAL:  Though  it  is  easy  to  see  your  Excel- 
lency, by  the  kind  reception  with  which  you  entertain  every- 
body, I  have,  with  a  good  deal  of  repugnancy,  imposed  a 
law  to  myself,  in  discontinuing  lo  go  and  present  to  you  my 
humble  duty — in  the  first  place,  by  the  reason  of  the  diffi- 
culty that  I  have  to  make  myself  understood;  and,  secondly, 
in  the  apprehension  to  trouble  you  from  your  business. 


JEDEDIAH  HUNTINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Camp,  New-York,  July  22,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  It  passes  for  some  apology  in  my  own 
mind,  for  not  writing  so  often  as  at  some  times  I  think  I 
oua,ht  to,  that,  in  the  first  place,  my  letters  cannot  carry 
news,  because,  in  your  publick  station,  you  have  the  best 
and  earliest  from  all  quarters;  in  the  second  place,  that  the 
urgency  of  the  publick  affairs  needs  all  your  attention. 

Since  the  British  fleet  placed  themselves  so  near  us  as 
Staten-Island,  the  most  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  the 
city  have  been  moving  away  with  their  effects.  The  late  ad- 
venture of  the  Phoenix  and  Rose  determined  all  the  hesitating 
to  fly.  I  should  be  willing  to  part  with  all  of  them,  unless  we 
had  some  skilful  assayist  to  separate  the  bad  from  the  good. 

Since  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  I  haveoften  thought 
how  anxious  you  would  be  that  the  leaders  of  the  present  day, 
though  they  themselves  may  not  reap  the  fruits  of  their  labours, 
should  not  spare  any  pains  to  have  the  foundations  of  the 
great  Continental  government  well  laid,  and  as  well  that  of 
particular  States,  that  publick  virtue  and  liberty,  which  make 
the  publick  happiness,  may  be  secured  and  perpetuated.  It 
is  plain  to  see,  from  a  small  acquaintance  with  the  manners 
of  this  people,  the  pernicious  influence  of  some  overgrown 
estates.  The  landlords,  though  few  in  number,  have  the 
power  of  disobliging  their  numerous  dependants,  and  there- 
fore assume  the  right  of  dictating  to  them  in  their  most 
interesting  and  tenderest  concerns.  Ought  not  or  cannot  a 
timely  remedy  be  provided  against  the  limitation  of  the  descent 
of  large  tracts  of  land  that  carry  such  evil  power  with  them? 

General  Sullivan  is  returned  to  this  place ;  he  did  not 
meet  a  very  cordial  reception,  I  am  told,  from  G.  W.  Gen- 
eral Washington  and  the  Adjutant-General  of  the  British 
Army  at  Staten-Island  had  an  interview  at  Colonel  Knox's, 
near  Fort  George,  last  Saturday.  The  application  was 
from  their  side,  and  very  importunate.  Our  expectations 
were  raised  to  look  for  something  considerable ;  but  it  proved 
to  be  very  frivolous — a  proposition  to  exchange  Master 
Lovell  for  Governour  Skene,  which  heretofore  they  had 
refused  to  us.  The  General  told  him  it  could  not  be  done 
without  an  order  of  Congress.  The  Adjutant-General  wished 
for  a  familiar  intercourse  between  the  two  armies,  and  that 
all  proceedings  be  carried  on  on  the  highest  principles  of 
honour  and  humanity.  Our  General  treated  him  rather 
coolly,  and  they  parted  soon. 

A  small  party  of  the  enemy  landed  on  the  Jersey  side 
yesterday,  under  the  protection  of  a  tender.  Our  people 
repulsed  them  without  firing  but  a  few  small-arms.  What 
loss,  or  whether  any,  do  not  learn. 

My  love  and  respects  to  all,  as  is  due.  I  remain,  your 
affectionute  son,  JEDH.  HUNTINGTON. 

P.  S.  The  papers  of  this  day  do  not  contain  the  joyful 
news  from  South-Carolina;  therefore  I  enclose  you  a  hand- 
bill. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp'on  Long-Island,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Colonel  Hand  reports  this  morning  that  the  ships 
that  came  in  yesterday  have  troops  on  board.     They  appear 


511 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


512 


to  be  dressed  in  the  Highland  habit.     Nothing  material  has 
happened  in  this  camp  since  yesterday. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  N.  GREENE. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 
New- York. 

WILLIAM  HOPKINS  TO  OYSTER-BAY  (NEW-YORK)   COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  for  Township  of  Oyster-Bay,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  By  request  of  Captain  Daniel  JNoorstrant, 
we  do  make  application  to  your  honourable  House  for  a 
commission  for  Jacob  Totten,  First  Lieutenant  under  above- 
said  Captain,  instead  of  Daniel  Hendrickson,  who  absolutely 
refuses  executing  his  commission.  Reasons  may  be  given 
sufficient  for  his  excuse. 

N.  B.  The  company  belonging  to  Captain  Daniel  Noor- 
strant  hath  unanimously  appeared  and  chosen  Jacob  Totten 
First  Lieutenant. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

WILLIAM  HOPKINS,  Chairman. 
To  Chairman  of  County  Committee,  or  his  Deputy. 


ROBERT  YATES  TO  WILLIAM  PAWLING. 

In  Committee,  Poughkeepsie,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have,  among  other  things,  determined  to  fit  out 
two  armed  sloops  at  Albany,  in  order  to  protect  the  river 
against  the  depredations  of  tenders.  To  effect  this,  we  have 
written  to  the  Committee  at  New-York  to  furnish  us  with 
gunners,  or  persons  who  in  anywise  are  used  to  the  manage- 
ment of  cannon  on  board  of  ships,  and  a  quantity  of  com- 
bustible matter  for  fire-arrows,  and  by  all  means  a  person 
who  understands  the  making  of  them.  If  your  business  will 
possibly  admit,  we  must  entreat  your  attention  to  this  matter 
also.  Mr.  Jay  is  gone  to  Salisbury  for  cannon,  Messrs. 
Yates  and  Livingston  to  Albany,  and  Tappen  and  G.  Liv- 
ingston remain  to  superintend  the  works  here,  where  we 
request  your  attendance  as  soon  as  you  conveniently  can. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Committee : 

ROBERT  YATES,  Chairman. 

To  William  Pawling,  Esq.,  Member  of  Congress  for  West- 
chester  County,  at  New-York  or  elsewhere. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  COLONEL  DAYTON. 

German-Flats,  July  22,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  From  the  advice  contained  in  an  intercepted 
letter  which  was  yesterday  delivered  me,  there  is  reason  to 
suspect  that  Lieutenant  McDonald,  of  your  regiment,  is 
concerned  in  the  embezzlement  of  the  effects  at  Johnstown. 
You  will  therefore  be  pleased  to  send  him  immediately, 
under  arrest,  to  this  place,  together  with  such  other  officers, 
if  any  there  are,  who  may  lay  under  similar  suspicions,  and 
all  such  officers  and  soldiers  who  may,  by  their  testimony, 
elucidate  a  matter  which  reflects  so  much  disgrace  on  the 
regiment. 

The  Representatives  of  the  United  American  States  have 
lately  transmitted  me  a  resolution  deprecating,  in  the  most 
pointed  terms,  the  abuses  of  a  like  kind  committed  to  the 
northward,  and  have  ordered  every  military  offender  to  be 
brought  to  justice.  You  will,  I  doubt  not,  exert  your  best 
endeavours  to  convict  the  delinquents,  and  to  wipe  away 
that  stain  which  now  sullies  the  whole  corps.  1  beg  you 
will  attend  here  yourself,  and  bring  with  you  the  orders  I 
sent  you  previous  to  your  leaving  Albany.  I  have  a  suffi- 
ciency of  officers  here  to  hold  a  general  court-martial. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  Colonel  Dayton. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Tyonderoga,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  This  morning  I  received  your  favour  of  the  18th 
instant  from  the  German-Flats.  General  Arnold  has  writ- 
ten to  you,  with  the  Indian  goods  he  sent  you,  by  this  con- 
veyance. He  is  disappointed  that  he  has  not  more  to  send 
you.  The  same  express  that  brought  me  your  letter  brought 
me  one  from  Mr.  Livingston,  a  copy  of  which  I  send  you 


enclosed.  I  have  also  ordered  Mr.  Commissary  Avcry  to 
send  you  an  exact  state  of  his  magazine  here.  The  fresh 
provisions  mentioned  in  Mr.  Livingston's  letter  is  not  any 
of  it  arrived  here  yet,  nor  do  I  know  of  any  cattle  being 
upon  their  way  hither ;  so  we  must  eat  pork,  or  go  without 
meat.  The  Militia  are  beginning  to  arrive  at  Skenesbo- 
rough;  so  the  demands  upon  our  magazine  will  increase 
daily.  General  Arnold  sets  off  to-day  for  Skenesborough, 
if  possible  to  expedite  the  building  the  gondolas.  1  hope 
we  shall  not  be  too  late  with  our  fleet.  Four  gondolas  are 
all  that  are  built,  and  it  will  take  a  fortnight  to  finish  those 
that  are  upon  the  stocks.  This  I  am  assured  of  by  an  offi- 
cer who  left  Skencsborough  yesterday;  he  is  an  intelligent 
young  man,  is  well  versed  in  maritime  affairs,  and  is  to 
command  one  of  the  gondolas.  The  corps  of  carpenters, 
which  you  tell  me  are  ordered  to  Skenesborough,  will  arrive 
late ;  but  that,  if  the  enemy  move  slow,  may  answer.  I 
have  acquainted  Mr.  Commissary  Avery  with  the  paragraph 
in  your  letter  which  relates  to  Mr.  Trumbull,  and  have 
directed  Mr.  Avery  to  govern  himself  accordingly.  1  am 
told  Colonel  Gansevoort  stopped  my  letter  to  the  postmaster 
at  Albany,  and  sent  the  messenger  I  ordered  down  with  it 
back  to  Tyonderoga.  The  Army  here  are  outrageous  in 
having  their  letters  stopped  at  Albany,  all  correspondence 
with  the  lower  country  being  entirely  precluded.  I  have 
written  to  Colonel  Gansevoort  upon  the  subject,  and  will 
certainly  bring  him  to  immediate  trial,  if  he  dares,  for  the 
future,  to  stop  any  letters  gojng  to  -or  from  the  Army  that 
he  is  not  very  particularly  ordered  to  intercept.  The  East- 
ern Governments  have  established  a  weekly  post  to  the  Army, 
free  of  all  expense  to  the  officers  and  soldiers. 

I  am,  Jkc.  Ho.  GATES. 

To  General  Schuykr. 

P.  S.  Enclosed  is  a  return  of  all  the  provisions  at  this 
post.  There  is  at  Crown-Point  only  a  bare  sufficiency  to 
supply  one  weak  battalion  posted  there. 


JOHN  TRUMBULL  TO  COLONEL  READ. 

Head-Quarters,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  By  the  General's  order,  I  wrote  you  four  or  five 
days  since,  desiring  you  to  collect  all  the  well  at  Fort  George 
of  every  corps,  and  return  to  the  Army  with  them.  Per- 
haps you  have  not  received  that  letter.  There  is  now  a 
still  more  urgent  necessity  of  your  immediate  return,  as  you 
are  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  brigade,  with  whom  your 
presence  is  absolutely  necessary.  You  will,  therefore,  sir, 
on  the  receipt  of  this,  immediately  collect  all  who  are  able 
to  return  to  their  duty,  and  repair  with  them  to  this  place  as 
soon  as  possible. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  THCMBULL. 
To  Colonel  Read. 


CAPTAIN  WILSON  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Three-Brothers,  July  22,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  We  arrived  at  the  east  side  of  the  Isle- 
au-Motte  on  Friday  night,  about  one  or  two  o'clock,  con- 
cealed our  boats,  and  kept  a  good  look-out  till  about  six  in  the 
afternoon  of  Saturday,  when  we  perceived  a  canoe  creeping 
up  under  the  east  shore  of  the  Lake.  A  party  was  imme- 
diately detached  in  pursuit  of  her,  and  took  her,  with  a 
Frenchman  in  her.  We  had  no  interpreter  amongst  us,  and 
therefore  found  considerable  difficulty  in  understanding  him. 
Thus  much  we  learned,  that  he  had  been  to  St.  John's,  and  had 
informed  himself  of  the  number  of  troops  there,  of  the  works 
they  were  chiefly  employed  at,  and  of  the  number  of  boats 
they  had  in  readiness.  He  informed  us,  as  we  understood 
him,  that  he  met  two  men  in  a  canoe  about  a  league  on  this 
side  of  Islc-aux-Noix,  who  informed  him  that  two  of  our 
boats  lay  at  Me-au-Motte.  He  says  they  live  near  GUliland's 
Creek,  and  (if  we  understood  him  properly)  went  down  with 
information  to  the  enemy.  We  hope  to  be  able  to  intercept 
them  on  their  return. 

We  have  taken  a  certain  John  Davie,  who,  from  the 
manner  in  which  he  was  travelling,  and  the  account  which 
he  gave  of  himself,  appears  to  be  a  very  suspicious  person. 
The  prisoners  are  sent  up  in  charge  with  the  bearer,  Lieu- 
tenant Clark,  with  one  batteau  and  part  of  the  men.  With 
those  \vho  remain  here  we  propose  to  return  to  Isle-aurMotte 


513 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


514 


this  evening.  A  party  of  four  men  was  in  readiness  on  Satur- 
day evening  to  have  proceeded  on  the  east  side  of  the  Lake 
from  opposite  Point-au-Fer  by  land  to  St.  John's;  but  upon 
learning  from  the  Frenchman  that  intelligence  was  gone  down 
of  our  being  at  Islc-au-Motte,  it  was  thought  most  prudent 
not  to  send  them.  We  have  neither  a  bark  canoe  nor  a 
good  pilot. 

I  am,  dear,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble 

JAMES  A.  WILSON,  Captain. 
To  His  Excellency  Brigadier-General  Arnold. 


COLONEL  SEYMOUR  TO  GOVERNOUK  TRUMBULL. 

Hartford,  July  22,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  As  the  troops  of  Lighthorse  returned 
yesterday  from  New-York,  1  thought  it  my  duty  to  give 
your  Honour  the  earliest  account  of  our  conduct  and  pro- 
ceedings, with  every  attending  circumstance.  I  before  men- 
tioned the  immediate  forwarding  of  your  Honour's  orders  to 
the  Majors  of  the  several  regiments  named  therein,  as  soon 
as  they  came  to  my  hand.  The  companies  made  so  great 
despatch  in  their  march,  that  most  of  them  came  on  (though 
well-spirited)  without  the  precaution  of  a  blanket,  or  even  a 
change  of  clothing.  They  had  conceived  the  idea,  from  the 
suddenness  and  urgency  of  the  orders,  that  they  were  imme- 
diately to  be  called  to  action,  and  soon  to  return,  which  made 
them  too  incautious.  I  must,  however,  in  justice,  say,  that 
a  better  body  of  substantial  yeomen  never  appeared  on  such 
an  occasion.  They  were  admired  and  applauded  for  their 
spirit  and  zeal. 

We  no  sooner  arrived  at  King's  Bridge,  on  Monday  morn- 
ing, than  the  General's  letter  met  us,  copy  of  which  I  now 
enclose.  This  at  once  seemed  to  check  and  mortify.  We 
had  no  idea  of  sending  back  our  horses,  especially  as  the  men 
had  left  their  farms  and  crops  in  the  most  critical  situation, 
and  must  return  as  soon  as  possible.  I  ordered  them,  how- 
ever, to  halt  at  the  bridge,  and,  with  Majors  Starr  and  Shel- 
don, waited  upon  General  Washington.  He  soon  told  us 
that  forage  could  not  be  had  upon  the  Island,  (the  drought 
being  extreme  that  way,)  and  that  he  would  by  no  means 
be  justified  to  pay  for  it,  if  it  could  be  found.  This  again 
flung  us  into  some  perplexity,  for  we  thought  at  least  if  there 
was  so  great  need  of  the  men,  from  the  danger  of  a  sudden 
attack,  as  the  General  often  expressed  it,  that  the  Continent 
ought  to  undergo  the  burden  of  detaining  us.  There  was, 
however,  no  reasoning  upon  the  subject.  We  then  proposed 
finding  pastures  for  our  horses,  at  and  this  side  of  the  bridge, 
and  depend  upon  the  Colony,  and  so  tarry  a  short  time, 
rather  than  be  turned  directly  back,  which  might  throw  a 
discouragement  upon  the  honest  intentions  and  wishes  of 
men  forward  to  serve  their  country  on  any  emergency.  To 
this  the  General  graciously  consented ;  and  after  much  diffi- 
culty to  obtain  pastures  for  a  small  space,  we  marched  into 
the  city,  through  dust  and  sweat.  Our  numbers  were  soon 
trebled,  and  the  sound  of  it  rung  through  the  enemy's  camp. 
The  same  day  our  horses  were  sent  out,  and  the  men  were 
put  into  houses,  with  nothing  but  the  clothes  on  their  backs,  for 
lodging.  As  soon  as  a  return  of  our  men  could  be  made,  a 
number  were  ordered  upon  guard.  This  was  something  unex- 
pected, but  cheerfully  submitted  to.  Soon  after,  a  further 
order  came  for  mounting  guard,  and  for  eight  of  our  men  to 
go  to  King's  Bridge  upon  fatigue,  there  to  remain  one  week. 
The  first  of  these  requisitions  was  complied  with,  but  the  last 
declined,  as  unreasonable  for  men  under  our  circumstances. 
Colonel  Silliman,  as  well  as  others,  advised  against  submit- 
ting to  fatigue;  that  it  was  counter  to  the  laws  of  the  Colony, 
and  what  your  Honour  had  no  idea  of  subjecting  us  to. 
Major  Hart,  with  me  of  course,  (by  direction  of  General 
Wadsworth,)  waited  upon  General  Washington,  and  stated 
the  case,  mentioned  the  exemptions  of  our  law,  &.C.,  at  same 
time  suggested  that  the  men  would  freely  furnish  guards  of 
every  kind,  and  man  the  lines,  as  they  had  done,  if  they 
might  only  be  excused  from  working  parties,  for  which  they 
were  in  no  measure  prepared.  We  were  answered,  that  no 
distinction  could  be  made  between  our  men  and  the  rest,  and 
if  they  would  not  submit  to  these  terms,  they  might  be  dis- 
missed. This  reply,  after  we  had  come  so  far,  left  everything 
at  home  in  the  most  suffering  condition,  had  made  such  de- 
spatch, and  placed  out  our  horses  at  so  much  risk  and  expense, 
and  had  done  every  other  duty  in  the  time  of  the  alarm,  and 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  33 


also  at  other  times  (except  that  of  the  pick-axe,  the  shovel 
and  the  wheelbarrow,)  was  indeed  very  humiliating.  We 
could  not  account  for  such  treatment,  unless  it  was  irom  the 
quarter  of  such  who  always  viewed  the  existence  of  a  body 
of  Lighthouse  with  a  jaundiced  eye.  It  was  the  opinion  of 
several  General  Officers  that  we  ought  to  be  excused ;  that 
it  might  be  done  consistently,  and  that  we  deserved  thanks 
and  applause  instead  of  the  reverse.  And,  in  short,  if  so 
large  and  respectable  a  body  of  men,  scattered  through  the 
Colony,  are  to  be  blamed,  under  particular  circumstances, 
for  not  complying  with  every  formal  round  of  duty  in  camp, 
from  which  they  knew  themselves  excused,  it  must  rather 
create  disaffection  than  otherwise.  We  are,  however,  willing, 
if  we  have  done  amiss,  to  stand  amenable  at  your  Honour's 
bar. 

We  left  the  city  on  Thursday  noon  last,  when  the  most, 
if  not  all  of  our  inlisted  levies  had  arrived.  About  seven 
thousand  of  the  Flying-Camp  had  also  reached  the  Jersey 
shore.  These  at  least  must  treble  our  number  to  that  of  the 
enemy.  Lord  Howe  also  arrived  the  Friday  before,  without 
fleet  or  army  (save  a  ship  or  two.)  Under  these  circum- 
stances, no  prospect  of  any  sudden  attack,  our  horses  not  to 
be  kept  any  longer,  the  pressing  circumstances  of  our  affairs 
at  home,  and  the  general  opinion  that  we  could  not  be  needed 
soon,  (even  General  Putnam  said  we  were  not  wanted,) 
together  with  the  sudden  and  unexpected  reply  from  the 
General,  all  induced  us  to  return. 

I  have  troubled  your  Honour  too  long  with  a  relation  of 
facts,  but  thought  it  necessary,  that  no  mistake  might  arise 
from  differing  accounts.  I  ought  to  mention  one  circum- 
stance further:  that  is,  that  just  before  I  left  New-York,  after 
the  men  were  all  gone,  Generals  Spencer  and  Heath  called 
upon  me,  and  said  there  was  a  misunderstanding  in  the  matter, 
and  that  they  had  just  come  from  the  General,  and  he  meant 
to  excuse  us  from  fatigue.  The  matter  was  now  over,  the 
men  gone  and  irrecoverable.  And  besides,  the  General  had 
othewise  expressed  it  the  evening  before,  when  Major  Hart, 
with  me,  waited  upon  him  for  the  purpose. 

I  can't  help  remarking  to  your  Honour,  that  it  may  be 
with  truth  said,  General  Washington  is  a  gentleman  of  ex- 
treme care  and  caution ;  that  his  requisitions  for  men  are 
fully  equal  to  the  necessity  of  the  case;  and  that  if  more 
attention  was  had  to  the  Northern  Department  it  would  be 
as  well. 

It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  our  numbers  of  volunteers 
are  so  slow  and  deficient.  Am  persuaded  that  detachments 
must,  after  all,  take  place,  as  our  only  remedy. 

I  should  have  stopped  here,  but  am  this  moment  informed 
by  Captain  Hooker  that  Mr.  Webb,  General  Washington's 
Aid-de-Camp,  has  written  your  Honour  something  dishon- 
ourable to  the  Lighthorse.  Whatever  it  may  be  I  know  not, 
but  this  I  do  know,  that  it  is  a  general  observation,  both  in 
camp  and  country,  if  the  butterflies  and  the  coxcombs  were 
away  from  the  Army,  'we  should  not  be  put  to  so  much 
difficulty  in  obtaining  men  of  common  sense  to  engage  in  the 
defence  of  their  country. 

Your  Honour  will  excuse  my  freedom  and  prolixity  in  this, 
as  it  proceeds  from  no  other  motive  than  a  sacred  regard  for 
the  community  of  which  I  have  the  favour  to  be  a  member. 

I  am,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem  and  regard,  your 
Honour's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  SEYMOUR. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  July  22,1776. 

SIR:  The  company  of  Artificers  in  the  Continental  ser- 
vice here,  under  the  care  of  Captain  Eayrs,  your  Excellency 
did  not  mention  in  your  directions  respecting  the  troops,  and 
I  must  request  your  directions  respecting  said  company.  It 
is  a  very  good  company,  and  if  such  a  company  be  wanted 
in  the  Continental  service,  I  believe  a  better  cannot  be  had. 

Sargent's  and  Hutchinson's  regiments  marched  the  18th 
instant  for  Norwich;  Glover's  marched  the  20th.  The  two 
remaining  regiments  are  recovering  fast  of  the  small-pox, 
and  as  soon  as  they  can  march  with  safety  I  shall  order  them 
forward.  I  shall  use  every  precaution  to  prevent  the  march- 
ing regiments  from  communicating  the  small-pox,  and  for 
this  purpose  will  endeavour  that  they  shall  be  thoroughly 
cleansed,  being  sensible  of  the  destructive  consequences  that 
would  result  from  spreading  this  disorder  in  our  armies,  which 
are  every  hour  liable  to  be  called  to  action. 


515 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


516 


Application  was  made  to  me  some  days  since  by  the 
Government  of  Neiv-Hampshire  for  some  ammunition  to 
supply  the  Continental  regiments  now  on  their  march  from 
that  State  to  join  our  Army  in  Canada;  and  as  they  had 
none  to  march  through  the  woods  with,  and  it  would  be 
unsafe  to  go  without,  1  furnished  them  with  eight  barrels  of 
powder,  tsvo  thousand  pounds  of  musket-ball,  and  t\\'o  thou- 
sand flints. 

I  have  ordered  the  proper  returns,  that  I  may  be  able  to 
make  such  a  return  to  your  Excellency  as  mentioned  in 
yours  of  the  1 1th  in>tant. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  obedient  and  very  humble  ser- 

vant'  ARTEMAS  WARD. 

To  General  Washington. 


COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  TO  COLONEL  FOSTER. 

In  Council,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  In  the  list  or  return  by  you  made  out  and  signed  in 
behalf  of  the  Field-Officers  of  the  Sixth  Regiment  of  Militia 
in  the  County  of  Lincoln,  of  the  Captains  and  subalterns 
chosen  by  the  several  companies  belonging  to  said  regiment, 
you  express  a  desire  that  commissions  may  be  made  out, 
&.C.,  except  those  for  the  third  company,  for  the  reasons  for 
which  exception  the  Council  are  referred  to  a  copy  of  a 
petition  annexed  to  said  return,  signed  by  Joseph  Swett  and 
others,  which  has  been  read ;  and  thereupon 

It  is  Ordered,  That  the  Field-Officers  of  the  Sixth  Regi- 
ment of  Militia  in  the  County  of  Lincoln  be,  and  they  hereby 
are,  directed  to  make  a  full  inquiry  whether  the  facts  set  forth 
in  the  said  petition  are  true,  and  whether  any  corrupt  prac- 
tices were  used  in  the  choice  of  said  officers ;  and  they  are 
directed  to  make  return  hereof  to  the  Council  as  soon  as 
possible. 

To  Colonel  Benjamin  Foster. 


Worcester,  Massachusetts,  July  22,  1776. 
On  Monday  last  a  number  of  patriotick  gentlemen  of  this 
town,  animated  with  a  love  of  their  country,  and  to  show 
their  approbation  of  the  measures  lately  taken  by  the  Grand 
Council  of  America,  assembled  on  the  green  near  the  Liberty 
Pole,  where,  after  having  displayed  the  colours  of  the  Thir- 
teen Confederate  Colonies  of  America,  the  bells  were  set 
a  ringing  and  the  drums  a  beating;  after  which  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independency  of  the  United  States  was  read  to  a 
large  and  respectable  body  (among  whom  were  the  Select- 
men and  Committee  of  Correspondence)  assembled  on  the 
occasion,  who  testified  their  approbation  by  repeated  huzzas, 
firing  of  musketry  and  cannon,  bonfires,  and  other  demon- 
strations of  joy;  when  the  arms  of  that  tyrant  in  Britain, 
George  III.,  of  execrable  memory,  which  in  former  reigns 
decorated,  but  of  late  disgraced,  the  Court-House  in  this 
town,  were  committed  to  the  flames,  and  consumed  to  ashes; 
after  which  a  select  company  of  the  sons  of  freedom  repaired 
to  the  Tavern,  lately  known  by  the  sign  of  the  King's  Arms, 
which  odious  signature  of  despotism  was  taken  down  by 
order  of  the  people,  which  was  cheerfully  complied  with  by 
the  Innkeeper,  where  the  following  toasts  were  drunk,  and  the 
evening  spent  with  joy,  on  the  commencement  of  the  happy 
era: 

1.  Prosperity  and  Perpetuity  to  the  United  States  of 
America. 

2.  The  President  of  the  Grand  Council  of  America. 

3.  The  Grand  Council  of  America. 

4.  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

5.  All  the  Generals  in  the  American  Army. 

6.  Commodore  Hopkins. 

7.  The  Officers  and  Soldiers  in  the  American  Army. 

8.  The  Officers  and  Seamen  in  the  American  Navy. 

9.  The  Patriots  of  America. 

10.  Every  Friend  of  America. 

11.  George  rejected,  and  Liberty  protected. 

12.  Success  to  \h&  American  Arms. 

13.  Sore  eyes  to  all  Tories,  and  a  chesnut  burr  for  an  eye 
stone. 

14.  Perpetual  itching  without  the  benefit  of  scratching  to 
the  enemies  of  America. 

15.  The  Council  and  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
Massachusetts-Bay. 


16.  The  Officers  and  Soldiers  in  the  Massachusetts  ser- 
vice. 

17.  The  Memory  of  the  brave  General  Warren. 

18.  The  Memory  of  the  magnanimous  General  Montgo- 
mery. 

19.  Speedy  redemption  to  all  the  Officers  and  Soldiers 
who  are  now  prisoners  of  war  among  our  enemies. 

20.  The  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 

21.  The  Town  of  Boston. 

22.  The  Selectmen  and  Committees  of  Correspondence 
for  the  Town  of  Worcester. 

23.  May  the  enemies  of  America  be  laid  at  her  feet. 

24.  May  the  Freedom  and  Independence  of  America  en- 
dure till  the  sun  grows  dim  with  age,  and  this  earth  returns 
to  chaos. 

The  greatest  decency  and  good  order  was  observed,  and, 
at  a  suitable  time,  each  man  returned  to  his  respective 
home. 


JOSEPH  PALMER  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Germantown,  July  22,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  sent  expresses  to  the  commanding 
officers  of  the  several  regiments  in  my  brigade  for  the  draught 
ordered,  which  I  expect  will  be  immediately  complied  with. 
I  think  it  was  a  wise  and  necessary  measure;  but  permit  me 
to  suggest  whether  it  is  not  necessary  that  there  should  he 
an  appointment  to  general  command  at  Hull,  and  also  at  the 
Castle,  if  not  at  each  of  the  other  fortified  posts.  I  shall 
always  consider  ourselves  weak  until  there  is  a  general  com- 
mand appointed  over  all  the  forces  when  at  such  or  such  a 
station,  whether  they  be  Colonial  or  established  regiments, 
Militia,  or  any  others  who  may,  upon  an  alarm  or  otherwise, 
be  there.  At  present,  it  is  apprehended  that  there  is  no  such 
officer;  for  the  particular  commander  of  the  Train  has  no 
command  over  Colonel  Whitney's  or  Marshall's  regiments; 
nor  have  either  of  them  over  the  Militia,  or  others  (except- 
ing their  own  corps)  who  may  be  at  such  or  such  a  post,  upon 
any  alarm;  nor  have  the  Militia  officers  any  command  but 
only  over  their  own  corps.  The  necessity  and  danger  with- 
out it  is  so  obvious  when  attended  to,  that  1  doubt  not  im- 
mediate provision  will  be  made  for  it.  I  mentioned  Hull 
and  the  Castle,  because  they  are  singly  of  more  importance 
than  some  others,  particularly  Hull,  which  I  consider  is  the 
key  of  the  whole  harbour,  and  therefore  demanding  more 
particular  and  immediate  attention. 

Upon  this  occasion,  as  new  regiments  will  be  doubtless 
raised,  I  would  beg  leave  to  mention  my  son  for  a  Colonel, 
which  is  his  rank.  Upon  account  of  the  connexion,  I  have 
not  pushed  him  forward ;  it  was  a  delicate  point.  I  now 
mention  it,  not  as  a  favour  to  be  conferred  upon  him  or 
myself,  exclusive  of  right,  but  founded  therein.  He  was 
early  engaged  on  the  side  of  liberty,  and  was  complained  of 
to  Governour  Hutchinson  by  the  Commissioners  as  a  dan- 
gerous person.  The  tea  affair  witnessed  his  zeal,  which  was 
confirmed  in  a  different  way  on  the  memorable  19th  of  April; 
and  Colonel  Hancock,  of  the  Cadets,  gave  testimony  to 
General  Washington  of  his  military  knowledge.  His  con- 
duct as  the  first  Quartermaster-General,  in  the  most  diffi- 
cult times,  has  been  approved  of  by  General  Ward,  and  his 
removal  from  that  office  was,  professedly,  by  General  Wash- 
ington, to  make  way  for  a  worthy  gentleman  of  another 
Colony,  and  not  for  any  fault  or  incapacity;  and  by  the  Gen- 
eral's recommendation,  Mr.  Mifflin  offered  him  the  deputy- 
ship  in  that  office;  but  he,  considering  that  all  the  blame,  if 
any,  would  be  thrown  upon  him,  and  all  the  praise,  if  any, 
would  be  given  to  another,  declined  an  acceptance;  since 
which  he  has  been  neglected,  for  what  reason  I  know  not. 
As  a  gentleman  of  letters,  as  a  sufferer  in  the  cause,  having 
given  up  everything  to  it,  as  one  whose  moral  character  does 
honour  to  his  religious  profession,  and  as  a  person  of  military 
knowledge,  he  is,  at  least,  equal  to  some  who  have  been 
appointed.  He  has  held  himself  in  readiness  to  serve  the 
publick,  when  he  might  have  served  his  private  interest 
with  much  greater  prospect  of  advantage.  I  have  not  con- 
sulted him  upon  this  application,  nor  has  he  seen  what  I 
write.  He  will  not  dance  daily  attendance  at  the  levees  of 
the  great,  humbly  petitioning  for  that  which  his  country 
ought  to  thank  him  for  accepting.  If  he  is  neglected  this 
time,  we  shall  consider  the  publick  as  saying  to  him,  "  we 
have  no  occasion  for  your  services,  we  have  better  men;"  in 


517 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


518 


consequence  of  which  he  will  look  out  for  other  means  to 
provide  for  his  family  and  serve  the  State;  and  I  shall  really 
suspect  that  I  am  a  stranger  to  his  true  character,  that  the 
publick  know  more  of  him  than  I  do,  and  that  he  is  not  the 
man  I  have  taken  him  to  be. 

I  herewith  enclose  abstracts  of  the  returns  of  the  four  In- 
dependent companies.  They  have  never  had  any  Commis- 
sary, which  has  occasioned  much  difficulty  to  them  and  me. 
They  have  not  had  any  pay  since  December,  as  I  think,  and 
are  now  in  straits  for  want  of  it,  being  part  at  Dorchester 
Heights  and  part  at  Hull,  and  very  uneasy  at  their  unset- 
tled and  ill-provided  state.  If  those  at  Dorchester  should  be 
returned  to  Hull,  where  they  are  more  wanted,  the  Com- 
missary directed  to  supply  them  all,  and  they  ordered  to 
make  up  their  rolls  and  billeting  to  a  certain  day,  they  may 
be  kept  quiet  until  they  are  regimented,  or  a  Field  Officer 
appointed  over  them;  and  when  they  are  upon  the  same 
footing  as  others,  they  will  cheerfully  do  their  duty.  1  think 
they  may  be  made  part  of  the  new  regiments  which  it  is 
supposed  will  be  raised. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

J.  PALMER. 
To  the  Honourable  James  Bowdoin,  Esq.,  President  of  the 

Council. 


him  with  money,  he  could  get  guns,  blankets,  &tc.    For  my 
own  part,  1  think,  from  his  assiduity,  he  will  soon  do  it. 
Nor  do  I  think  it  will  be  in  his  power  to  do  it  without. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  JOHNSON. 
To  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Mart/land. 


PETITION  OF  THE  TOWN  OF  WARREN. 

To  the  Honourable  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Colony  of 

NEW-HAMPSHIRE  : 

The  Petition  of  us,  the  Committee  of  the  Town  of  WARREN, 
humbly  showeth : 

That  the  inhabitants  are  destitute  of  fire-arms  and  lead, 
and  pray  that  your  Honours  will  grant  us  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity of  fire-arms  and  lead,  or  otherwise  grant  us  a  sum  of 
money  to  purchase  them,  as  you  in  your  wisdom  shall  think 
proper ;  for  which  we,  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  said 
Warren,  will  account,  in  hehalf  of  said  town. 

We  shall  ever  pray,  fcc.,    JOSHUA  MERRILL; 

JOSHUA  COPP, 
OBED.  CLEMENT, 

Committee  for  the  Town  of  Warren. 
Warren,  July  23,  1776. 

COLONEL    DAVID    GILLMAN    TO   NEW-HAMPSHIRE    COMMITTEE 

OF  SAFETY. 
Head-Quarters,  Portsmouth,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the 
works  at  New-Castle  go  on  very  well.  If  nothing  extra- 
ordinary happens,  I  am  in  hopes  the  walls  of  that  important 
fortress  will  be  almost  completed  this  week.  I  believe  I 
may  venture  to  say,  it  will  be  one  of  the  most  complete 
ones  upon  the  Continent  of  America,  when  finished.  I 
should  have  been  almost  ready  to  have  mounted  all  the  can- 
non on  the  fort  by  this  time,  could  I  have  got  timber  to  have 
laid  the  platforms,  but  am  still  at  a  loss.  Should  be  glad  to 
know  how  soon  some  might  be  procured  for  that  purpose.  I 
flatter  myself,  gentlemen,  when  I  have  got  these  works  a 
little  (fut  of  the  way,  shall  have  an  opportunity  to  discipline 
my  men,  and  make  them  somewhat  respectable,  in  case  we 
should  be  attacked.  I  should  think  it  proper  to  have  some 
person  appointed  to  muster  the  men  here,  as  the  Captains  are 
daily  recruiting. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  Honour's  most 
obedient  humble  servant,  DAVID  GILLMAN. 

To  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

Plymouth,  England,  July  23,  1776. 

This  day  Commodore  Fielding,  with  the  last  of  the  Hes- 
sians, Waldeclcers,  &c.,  Burgoyne's  Lighthorse,  horses  for 
the  Artillery,  &ic.,  &tc.,  sailed  for  America.  The  Repulse, 
with  the  remainder  (fifteen  hundred)  of  the  former  division 
of  the  Hessians,  sailed  for  America  on  the  25th  of  May. 


MAJOR  PRICE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Upper  Camp,  St.  George's,  July  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  arrived  at  this  place  the  21st  instant, 
with  one  of  the  four-pounders;  the  other  two  I  left  zlLcon- 
ardtown  till  further  orders.  After  inspecting  this  camp, 
and  giving  the  necessary  orders,  I  went  over  to  the  lower 
camp,  commanded  by  Colonel  Barnes,  who  is  stationed  much 
nearer  to  the  fleet  than  to  this  camp.  I  think  a  nine-pounder 
could  reach  the  Fowey  from  one  of  the  points,  though  I 
doubt  our  doing  her  much  damage.  The  rest  of  the  fleet 
lay  outside  of  her.  They  are  very  quiet,  and  give  us  no 
disturbance.  The  Roebuck,  and  three  or  four  large  ships, 
went  up  the  river  the  evening  before  I  got  here,  since  which 
a  number  of  cannon  have  been  fired,  as  I  suppose,  near  the 
mouth  of  Neayemoy.  I  have  ordered  the  other  two  pieces  of 
cannon  to  the  lower  camp,  and  shall,  as  soon  as  the  nine- 
pounder  arrives,  order  that  there;  and,  if  intrenching  tools, 
which  I  have  sent  after,  can  be  had,  throw  up  an  intrench- 
ment  as  near  the  Fowey  as  possible.  I  find  great  difficulty 
in  providing  necessaries;  it  is  the  poorest  part  of  the  country 
I  ever  was  in.  I  suppose  there  are  not  three  spades  and 
shovels  to  be  had  within  ten  miles. 

We  have  several  deserters  from  the  enemy,  most  of  them 
in  the  small-pox.  A  valuable  negro  made  his  escape  from  us 
last  night,  he  not  being  so  well  guarded  as  he  ought  to  have 
been,  owing  to  the  people's  being  afraid  of  the  small-pox. 
The  shores  are  full  of  dead  bodies,  chiefly  negroes.  I  think, 
if  they  stay  here  any  time,  they  must  be  ruined;  for  by 
deaths,  desertions,  and  the  ,  I  think  their  business  must 
be  done  completely.  The  officers  who  have  been  here  some 
time,  imagine  about  fifty  corpses  have  been  thrown  on  the 
shores. 

Upon  my  arrival  here,  I  was  informed  that  General  Dent 
had  ordered  a  flag  of  truce  on  board  the  Fowey,  to  request  a 
passage  for  Mr.  Daniel  Wolstenholme  to  go  to  England  with 
his  property;  and  this  was  done  in  consequence  of  a  pass- 
port Mr.  Wolstenholme  obtained  from  the  Committee  of  this 
County;  and  that  he  expected  a  boat  every  day  to  take  him 
on  board;  but  as  matters  are  circumstanced,  I  thought  it 
advisable  not  to  suffer  Mr.  Wolstenholme  to  leave  the  Pro- 
vince, until  your  knowledge  and  approbation  could  be  had 
relative  to  this  business;  therefore  hope  for  your  instructions 
by  the  return  of  this  express,  who  promises  to  return  imme- 
diately. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

THOMAS  PRICE. 
To  the  Council  of  Safety  for  the  Province  of  Maryland. 

P.  S.  The  Fowey  and  Otter,  with  about  fifty  sail  of  ves- 
sels, are  still  here.  This  express  to  be  paid  by  your  Board. 


MAJOR  PRICE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL    OF  SAFETY. 

Upper  Camp,  St.  George's,  July  23,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN:  About  two  hours  after  I  sent  off  the  express 
to  you,  which  I  had  promised  to  detain  till  twelve  o'clock, 
and  did  so,  to  give  Mr.  Wolstenholme  an  opportunity  of 
writing  to  your  Board,  I  received  the  enclosed  packet  from 
Colonel  Barnes.  The  messenger  told  me,  on  delivering  it, 
that  it  was  for  me,  and,  without  looking  at  the  direction,  I 
broke  the  seal.  A  number  of  gentlemen  were  present. 
However,  I  discovered  the  mistake  without  knowing  the 
contents,  and  enclosed  it  immediately.  I  hope  you  will 
pardon  this  blunder. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  PRICE. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  An- 
napolis. 

Fredericktown,  July  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  omitted  in  my  letter  in  favour  of  Mr.          COLONEL  BARNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
Morris,  to  mention  anything  relative  to  equipping  Captain  St-  George's  Neck,  July  23, 1776. 

Hardman's  company.     I  have  since  had  conversation  with         GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  you  will  receive  the  papers  rela- 

the  Captain,  and  he  is  of  opinion,  that  if  you  would  furnish  live  to  our  permitting  Mr.  Wolstenholme  to  go  on  board  the 


B.  JOHNSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 


519 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


520 


fleet  here.  The  first  application  received  from  Mr.  Wolstcn- 
holme  was  by  myself  directed  to  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  station  where  I  was.  On  perusing  it,  I  sent  a  mes- 
sage hy  the  gentleman  that  brought  it,  to  inform  Mr. 
Wdlstcnholme,  that  as  I  understood  General  Dent  was  at 
the  station  at  the  Narroivs,  I  should  consult  him  about  it, 
and  send  him  an  answer;  which  answer  was,  that  it  was  not 
thought  proper  for  him  to  depart,  as  you  will  see  by  a  para- 
graph in  one  of  Mr.  Wolstenholme' s  letters;  on  receiving  of 
which,  he  sent  me  his  passport  from  the  Committee  of  the 
County,  a  copy  of  which  you  have  enclosed.  Upon  demand- 
ing of  him  that  he  would  say  nothing  to  the  prejudice  of 
the  Province,  he  answered,  that  he  defied  his  worst  enemy 
to  say  that  he  had  ever  done  or  said  anything  inimical, 
or  that  had  a  tendency  that  way,  but  that  he  would  not  be 
bound  to  anything ;  but  that  the  same  principle  that  had 
ever  been  the  rule  of  his  actions  would  govern  his  future 
conduct.  Well  knowing,  from  the  knowledge  I  had  of  Mr. 
Wolstenholme,  that  he  was  a  man  of  honour,  and  his  word 
not  to  he  doubted,  and  as  he  had  for  several  years  been  very 
anxious  to  go  to  England,  and  an  opportunity  now  offered, 
which,  in  all  probability,  would  not  again  occur  for  some  time, 
and  his  passport  from  the  Committee  being  unanimous,  which, 
without  very  particular  reasons,  in  my  opinion,  ought  to  be 
adhered  to,  particularly  by  the  military,  were  the  reasons  for 
me  to  agree,  with  General  Dent,  that  Mr.  Wolstenholme 
should  depart.  By  one  of  the  letters  written  by  Mr.  Wol- 
stenholme to  Governour  Eden,  with  my  certificate  to  it, 
which  was  sent  with  a  flag  on  board  one  of  the  men-of-war, 
it  was  understood  by  all  the  gentlemen  here,  and  must  have 
been  by  the  fleet,  that  Mr.  Wolstenholme  was  to  depart,  if 
they  thought  proper  to  send  for  him.  Whether  it  is  con- 
sistent with  the  honour  of  the  Province  to  detain  Mr.  Wol- 
stenholme after  what  has  passed,  I  leave  you  to  determine. 
But  I  must  confess  to  you  that  I  think  the  honour  of  the 
Province,  together  with  General  Dent's  and  mine,  are  con- 
cerned in  it.  I  am  really  astonished  at  the  slight  received 
from  Major  Price,  not  to  have  been  consulted  or  asked  how 
the  affair  was  really  conducted,  before  he  counteracted 
General  Dent's  and  my  conduct.  I  doubt  not  Major  Price 
will  inform  you  of  our  affairs  here,  which  prevents  my 
troubling  you  thereon. 

Reports  have  been  spread  to  Mr.  Wolstenholme' s  preju- 
dice, relative  to  a  conversation  passed  between  him  and  a 
gondola  under  his  bank,  without  any  foundation,  as  I  am 
informed  by  several  of  his  family,  who  heard  the  conversa- 
tion, and  were  called  on  by  him  for  that  purpose. 

I  remain,  with  regard,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  BARNES. 
To  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

P.  S.  The  substance  of  the  letter  from  Mr.  Wolsten- 
holme to  Governour  Eden  was,  to  beg  that  he  would  use 
his  endeavours  to  procure  him  a  passage  in  a  ship  that  was 
going  to  England,  and  that,  if  he  could  be  received  with 
conveniency,  a  flag  might  be  sent  from  on  board  the  fleet 
for  him.  Under  which  I  wrote  the  following  certificate: 

"  By  order  of  General  John  Dent,  I  do  hereby  certify,  that 
if  the  above  shall  be  approved  of,  and  a  flag  should  be  sent 
on  shore,  every  due  respect  shall  be  paid  to  it. 

"  RICHARD  BARNES." 

Papers  referred  to  by  Colonel  BARNES. 

St.  Mary's,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  Doctor  Keyman  is  so  kind  as  to  wait  on  you,  in 
order  to  acquaint  you  of  the  danger  my  house  and  family 
were  in  this  morning  from  a  covered  vessel,  or  galley,  in 
his  Majesty's  service,  the  commanding  officer  not  knowing 
who  was  the  proprietor. 

The  manner  in  which  it  was  prevented,  and  the  conver- 
sation that  passed  between  the  commanding  officer  and 
myself  on  the  occasion,  which  I  have  great  reason  to  be- 
lieve caused  his  immediate  return,  without  any  intention  of 
doing  further  damage,  and  what  happened  afterwards  to  Mr. 
Morris's  house,  as  well  as  the  action  which  occasioned  it,  I 
flatter  myself  you  will  hear  from  persons  whose  veracity 
may,  in  general,  be  less  questioned  than  my  own  at  so 
critical  a  juncture.  As  I  mentioned  the  term  of  four  days, 
and  it  was  found  convenient  to  be  received  by  the  flair,  I 
thought  it  necessary  to  acquaint  you  therewith,  in  order  that 
you  might  appoint  a  proper  officer  on  the  occasion,  and  that 


every  due  respect  may  be  paid  to  it,  as  the  Militia,  who 
have  returned  to  my  house  since  the  affair,  are,  I  apprehend, 
very  little  acquainted  with  ceremonies  of  this  nature. 

I  am,  very  respectfully. 

(Signed  by  Mr.  Wolstenholme.) 
To  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Maryland  Provincial 

Troops,  at  St.  George's,  Maryland,  St.  Mary's  County. 

St.  Mary's,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  By  Colonel  Read,  I  am  just  now  favoured  with 
yours  of  this  date,  acquainting  me  that  you  have  communi- 
cated my  request  to  General  Dent,  "  relative  to  sending  and 
receiving  a  flag  of  truce  from  the  fleet,  and  that  he  is  against 
sending  a  flag  on  board,  and  permitting  any  one  to  go  on 
board  from  this  part,  and  that  you  therefore  hope  I  will 
decline  all  thoughts  of  going  at  present." 

If  you  will  please  to  refer  to  my  letter  sent  on  the  occa- 
sion, I  presume  you  will  find  that  the  purport  of  it  hath 
been  entirely  mistaken,  as  I  only  acquainted  the  command- 
ing officer  at  St.  George's,  (which  I  find  you  were  at  that 
time,)  that  I  thought  it  necessary  to  inform  him  a  flag  would 
be  sent  for  me,  and  desiring  that  a  proper  officer  might  be 
appointed  on  the  occasion,  and  that  every  due  respect  might 
be  paid  to  it,  as  the  Militia,  who  had  returned  to  my  house 
since  the  affair  which  I  had  mentioned  in  my  letter,  were 
very  little  acquainted  with  ceremonies  of  that  nature.  How, 
from  the  above  request,  it  could  be  imagined  that  I  asked 
the  General's  permission  to  depart  the  Province,  or  to  go 
on  board  any  ship  in  the  fleet  for  that  purpose,  I  am  at 
a  loss  to  determine;  as  he  must,  no  doubt,  be  well  acquaint- 
ed with  the  genteel  treatment  I  met  with  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  Observation  of  this.  County,  and  the  unanimous 
consent  they  gave  me  to  embark  at  any  time  I  should  judge 
most  convenient  to  my  health  and  private  concerns.  If,  by 
the  permission  granted  me,  the  Committee  have  exceeded 
the  power  delegated  to  them  by  the  Convention,)  which  it  is 
my  opinion  they  have  not,)  to  that  body  only,  I  apprehend, 
they  are  answerable;  but  their  determination  is  no  way  sub- 
ject to  any  controlling  orders  of  the  General ;  so  that,  unless 
the  military  power  is  authorized  to  supersede  that  of  the  civil, 
the  General  cannot  possibly  have  any  right  to  give  the  least 
obstruction  to  my  intended  embarkation.  I  therefore  beg 
you  will  desire  him  to  consider  well  the  consequences  of 
such  a  step,  as  well  with  regard  to  the  rights  which  every 
freeman  in  this  Province  is  entitled  to,  as  the  danger  of  that 
resentment  which  may  possibly  be  expressed  against  innocent 
persons  here,  from  a  detention  of  an  officer  in  his  Majesty's 
service,  without  the  least  charge  of  any  crime  whatever 
against  him.  I  am  far  from  disputing  the  General's  autho- 
rity to  receive,  or  not  to  receive,  the  flag;  but  I  do  deny 
that  the  military  power  hath  any  right  to  control  that  of 
the  civil.  If  it  has,  the  people  of  this  Province  are  as  com- 
plete slaves  as  any  in  Turkey. 

As  a  friend,  therefore,  to  the  rights  and  privileges  of  a 
freeman  of  Maryland,  I  do  expect  and  demand  that  no 
hinderance  or  molestation  whatever  be  given  to  my  depart- 
ure for  Great  Britain,  in  any  vessel  I  please,  provided  that 
it  is  the  General's  pleasure  the  flag  of  truce  should  not  be 
received.  Doctor  Keyman,  who  is  so  kind  as  to  promise 
the  delivery  of  this  letter,  will,  at  the  same  time,  furnish  you 
with  the  passport  granted  me  by  the  Committee,  in  order  to 
be  shown  to  General  Dent,  which,  after  his  perusal  of  it,  I 
must  beg  you  will  be  pleased  to  return  to  him.  Should 
its  authority  be  still  disputed,  I  shall  be  under  the  indispu- 
table necessity  of  appealing  to  that  power  which,  as  in  the 
case  of  his  Excellency  Governour  Eden  and  Mr.  Purviance, 
I  flatter  myself  will  support  the  rights  of  freemen  against 
every  undue  invasion  whatever. 

1  am,  very  respectfully,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

DANIEL,  WOLSTENHOLME. 
To  Colonel  Richard  Barnes,  at  St.  George's. 

Court-House  in  Leonardtown,  July  1,  1776. 
In  Committee: 

Present:  Colonel  Abraham  Barnes,  (in  the  chair,)  Major  James  Eden, 
Major  Samuel  Abell,  Captain  John  Smith,  Captain  Edward  Ahell, 
Captain  Everard  Bond,  Captain  Vernon  Hebb,  Colonel  John  H.  Read, 
Major  Ignatius  Fenwick,  Mr.  Wilfred  Neale,  Mr.  William  Taylor, 
Mr.  Henry  Tubman,  Mr.  Nicholas  L.  Sewell. 

On  reading  a  Letter  from  Daniel  Wolstenholme,  Esq., 
Collector  of  his  Majesty's  Customs  on  North  Potomack,  set- 
ting forth  that,  by  advice  of  his  Physicians,  he  intended  to 


521 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


522 


leave  this  Province  and  return  to  Great  Britain,  his  native 
country,  on  account  of  his  infirm  state  of  health,  for  which 
purpose  he  had  obtained  a  warrant  from  the  Right  Honour- 
able, the  Lords  Commissioners  of  his  Majesty's  Board  of 
Treasury  in  London;  yet  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the 
times,  joined  to  his  own  inability  to  prosecute  the  intended 
voyage,  had  unfortunately  prevented  him  from  embracing 
the  opportunity  within  the  time  limited  by  the  aforesaid 
warrant,  by  which  means  he  is  utterly  disabled,  by  peculiar 
circumstances,  from  making  a  second  application  to  their 
Lordships  for  a  renewal  of  it,  and  hoping,  under  such  a  pre- 
dicament, to  be  able  to  justify  his  conduct  in  his  proposed 
departure,  finds  himself  under  the  necessity  of  making  imme- 
diate application  to  this  Committee  for  the  grant  of  such  a 
passport  as  may  enable  him  to  leave  the  Province  with  safety 
to  himself  and  that  security  to  his  property  which  he  hath 
ever  hitherto  enjoyed,  so  soon  as  he  can,  with  convenience 
to  the  present  situation  of  his  affairs,  procure  a  passage  for 
that  purpose:  Thereupon, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  said  Daniel  Wolsten- 
holme,  Esq.,  have  leave  to  depart  this  Province  (with  his 
effects  unmolested)  to  Great  Britain,  at  any  time  hereafter 
as  shall  by  him  be  judged  most  convenient  for  his  health  and 
private  concerns ;  and  that  the  Chairman  make  out  a  pass- 
port, to  be  delivered  to  the  said  Daniel  Wolstenholme,  Esq., 
agreeable  to  this  resolve. 

Test:  TIMOTHY  BOWERS,  Clerk. 

MAJOR  WILLIAMS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Fredericktown,  July  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Colonel  Stull  informs  me  that  at  your  last 
Convention,  at  Annapolis,  you  did  me  the  very  great  honour 
of  appointing  me  Colonel  of  the  Frederick  County  Battalion, 
to  serve  the  United  States  of  America  in  the  Flying-Camp, 
until  the  first  day  of  December  next. 

Ever  since  the  commencement  of  the  unnatural  war  waged 
by  a  wicked  Ministry  against  this  country,  I  have  considered 
it  as  my  indispensable  duty  to  exert  my  feeble  abilities  in 
its  defence;  and  entering  early  into  the  service,  have  had 
the  good  fortune  to  be  so  far  recommended  to  the  honourable 
the  Continental  Congress  as  to  obtain  a  commission  as 
Major  of  a  battalion  of  Riflemen,  to  serve  the  United  States 
three  years;  and  being  diffident  of  my  abilities  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  a  more  exalted  station  at  present,  beg  leave 
to  decline  the  very  honourable  appointment  by  which  you, 
gentlemen,  have  conferred  an  obligation  on  me  ever  to  be 
most  gratefully  remembered  and  acknowledged. 

I  beg  leave  in  a  particular  manner  to  profess  my  gratitude 
to  those  worthy  gentlemen  by  whose  recommendations  I 
obtained  so  respectable  an  appointment.  Their  favourable 
opinion  I  trust  will  always  be  maintained  by  a  propriety 
of  conduct  in,  gentlemen,  your  most  obliged  and  obedient 
humble  servant,  O.  WILLIAMS. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Maryland. 

T.  HANSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Green-Hill,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  I  send  you  a  list  of  my  proportion  of  men 
raised  as  part  of  the  Flying-Camp.  This  return  I  should 
have  made  sooner  had  I  conceived  it  a  necessary  step. 
Officers  that  have  made  their  returns  taught  me  to  believe 
that  by  this  opportunity  the  end  would  be  equally  as  well 
answered  as  if  I  had  come  up  a  few  days  sooner.  I  was 
unwilling,  too,  to  leave  the  Province  whilst  I  thought  I  might 
be  of  service  in  repelling  Dunmore's  men  from  landing.  I 
hope,  therefore,  I  shall  not  be  suspected  of  negligence  or  in- 
attention, as  my  design  was  for  the  best. 

I  should  thank  you  for  any  information  respecting  arms 
for  our  men ;  if  any  money  is  allowed  the  officers  to  pur- 
chase arms ;  and  when  the  men  are  to  march. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant,  T.  HANSON. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of  the 

Council  of  Safety. 

JAMES  MURRAY  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Observation,  Dorchester  County,  ) 

July  23,  1776.      j 

GENTLEMEN:  We  received  yours  of  the  16th  instant,  re- 
questing our  assistance  in  furnishing  firelocks  and  blankets 
for  the  use  of  the  Flying-Camp;  which  you  may  be  assured 


we  shall  endeavour  to  comply  with,  as  far  as  our  situation 
will  admit  of;  but  we  think  we  should  be  wanting  in  our 
regard  for  the  publick  cause  and  the  safety  and  welfare  of 
our  country,  if  we  omitted  to  repeat  to  your  Honours,  what 
we  have  on  several  occasions  informed  you  of,  our  weak  and 
defenceless  state.  We  are  satisfied  at  this  time  there  are  not 
more  than  a  fourth  part  of  ,the  Militiamen  in  our  County 
who  have  arms  that  can  be  depended  on,  and  these  only 
fowling-pieces  and  squirrel-guns,  not  fixed  with  bayonets. 
There  are  others,  which  are  defective,  some  of  which  may  be 
repaired,  which  we  are  endeavouring  to  have  done;  but  a  great 
part  of  these  can  never  be  made  fit  for  service.  As  to  publick 
arms,  we  have  none  that  we  know  of  in  our  County,  and  but 
twenty-two  taken  from  Non-Enrollers  and  Non- Associates. 

As  to  blankets,  there  are  none  that  we  know  of  in  any  of 
the  stores  here ;  nor  is  there  any  way  we  can  think  of  by 
which  there  appears  any  probability  of  getting  any,  unless  it 
be  by  applying  to  different  families,  some  of  svhom  may,  on 
this  occasion,  perhaps,  furnish  a  few,  though  this  is  uncer- 
tain, as  there  seems  a  scarcity  of  blankets  among  the  people ; 
however,  on  our  receiving  cash,  you  may  be  assured  we  shall 
endeavour  by  every  means  in  our  power  to  procure  them. 

We  know  of  no  person  this  way  that  can  be  engaged  to 
make  knapsacks  with  haversacks,  priming-wires  and  brushes, 
camp-kettles,  canteens  or  wooden  bottles;  if  we  should  here- 
after be  informed  of  any  such,  we  shall  advise  you  of  it. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  and  very  humble 
servants.  Per  order  of  the  Committee  of  Observation : 

JAMES  MURRAY,  Chairman. 

To  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

P.  S.  We  learn  from  Mr.  Goldsborough  that  we  are  to 
receive  a  supply  of  powder  and  ball  or  lead.  We  should  be 
glad  to  be  furnished  with  it  as  quick  as  possible,  being  in 
great  want  of  it. 


GENERAL  DENT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Charles  County,  July  23, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  enclosed  is  the  commission  under  which 
I  have  had  the  honour  to  act,  and  more  especially  by  your 
late  order,  until  the  21st  instant,  when  an  order  was  presented 
to  me  from  your  Honours,  appointing  Major  Thomas  Price, 
to  the  command. 

Be  pleased  to  take  notice  that  I  will  not  in  future  accept 
of  any  commission  from  any  body  of  men,  under  whom  the 
same  controlling  power  exists  that  has  deprived  me  of  my 
late  command.  If  you  have  had  any  insinuations  touching 
my  conduct  during  the  short  time  I  have  been  in  actual 
service,  justice  requires  that  I  should  be  heard,  when,  I  flatter 
myself,  I  shall  be  able  not  only  to  justify  my  conduct,  but  in 
some  measure  be  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  every  sensible  and 
judicious  man;  which,  together  with  the  success  of  the 
American  arms,  have  been  and  still  shall  be,  the  study  and 
sincere  wish  of,  your  obedient  servant,  JNO.  DENT. 


GENERAL  JOHNSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Fredericktown,  July  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Mr.  Peter  Harrison,  who  was  appointed  a 
Lieutenant  in  Captain  Hardman's  company  of  Militia,  having 
been  named  by  the  Committee  as  Lieutenant  of  the  company 
of  Riflemen  now  raising  in  this  County,  Captain  Hardman 
has  had  the  aid  of  one  Mr.  Morris,  in  Harrison's  stead. 
Morris  is  a  fine,  lively  young  fellow,  has  been  very  serviceable 
in  raising  the  men,  and,  I  think,  from  what  I  hear  of  him, 
will  make  a  good  officer.  I  shall  be  glad  that  his  appli- 
cation to  fill  Harrison's  place  in  Hardman's  company  may 
prevail. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  THO.  JOHNSON. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  23,  1776: 

Present:  Samuel  Purviance,  Jun.,  (Chairman,)  J.  Boyd,  C.  Ridgely  of 
William,  J.  Calhoun,  J.  Cockey,  J.  Griest,  J.  Standeford,  B.  Griffith, 
T.  Rutter,  J.  Moale,  W.  Buchanan,  J.  Giuings,  E.  Talbot,  D.  Lux, 
W.  Tolly,  Jun.,  A.  Britain,  T.  Sellers,  T.  Gist. 
On  application  from  John  Hatton  to  be  relieved  part  of 
his  Tax  on  account  of  his  poverty,  and  it  appearing  to  the 
Committee  that  his  excuse  is  just,  he  is  excused. 


523 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


524 


A  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  York  County,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, was  read  in  Committee,  respecting  the  circulation 
of  Convention  Money  of  this  State  in  that  State,  requesting 
that  this  Committee  would  endeavour  to  promote  the  circula- 
tion of  said  Money  in  that  State: 

The  Committee  resolved,  that  they  would  represent  the 
matter  to  the  Legislative  authority  of  this  State,  to  remedy 
the  said  inconvenience. 

A  Letter  from  tlie  Council  of  Safety  of  the  16th  instant, 
on  the  subject  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence;  also  a 
Letter  from  the  Honourable  President  of  the  Congress,  en- 
closed by  them  to  our  Board  on  the  subject  aforesaid,  were 
read:  Whereupon,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  on  Monday  next  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, dissolving  all  connexion  between  Great  Britain 
and  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies,  and  declaring  them  free 
and  independent  States,  be  proclaimed  at  the  Court-House 
of  the  County. 

Ordered,  That  Messrs.  William  Smith,  John  Boyd,  and 
Benjamin  Levy,  together  with  the  General  and  Field-Officers 
of  the  Town  Battalion,  and  of  the  Independent  Company, 
be  a  Committee  to  form  the  regulation  of  the  procession 
for  the  Declaration  of  Independency. 

The  Committee  acquainted  Mr.  Robert  Christie,  Jun., 
(Sheriff  of  this  County,)  of  the  time  agreed  on  for  the  De- 
claration of  Independency,  and  at  the  same  time  requested 
him  to  attend  at  the  same  time,  and  proclaim  Independency; 
which  he  promised  to  do. 

The  Committee,  taking  into  consideration  that  part  of  the 
Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  requiring  our  assistance  to 
furnish  the  Militia  from  this  Province  that  are  to  join  the 
Flying-Camp  with  Firearms  and  Blankets,  were  of  opinion, 
that,  in  order  the  more  speedily  to  comply  with  their  requi- 
sition, the  Committee  of  Safety  be  immediately  desired  to 
furnish  this  Committee  with  £1000;  which  sum,  when  ob- 
tained, is  to  be  lodged  with  Messrs.  James  Calhoun,  William 
Aisguith,  and  John  Boyd;  who  are  requested  to  use  the  utmost 
expedition  and  industry  in  applying  to  the  inhabitants  of  this 
County,  and  earnestly  request  all  those  who  have  it  in  their 
power,  to  supply  the  publick  with  Firearms  for  the  purposes 
aforesaid  ;  for  the  return  of  which  in  the  like  good  order  as 
when  received,  or,  in  case  of  loss,  the  value  thereof,  agreeable 
to  an  appraisement  to  be  made  by  two  reputable  freeholders, 
the  publick  faith  be  pledged ;  and  that  they  also  be  requested 
to  purchase  as  many  good  Blankets  as  the  inhabitants  in 
the  respective  Hundreds  in  this  County  can  spare;  provided 
they  do  not  exceed  the  sum  of  20*.  for  every  Blanket  of 
equal  quality  with  the  best  new  striped  Duffil  Blankets, 
and  not  much  injured  by  use,  and  so  in  proportion  for  those 
that,  in  their  judgment,  are  much  impaired  by  use,  or  of 
inferior  quality. 

Messrs.  Calhoun,  Aisqitilh,  and  Boyd,  are  appointed  to 
write,  and  acquaint  the  honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  the 
measures  taking  by  this  Committee  to  effect  the  purposes 
mentioned  in  their  Letter.  They  are  also  to  give  Instructions 
to  the  persons  employed  in  collecting  Blankets  and  Arms, 
and  to  write  to  Mr.  David  McLure,  in  York-Town,  to  know 
whether  any  Blankets  can  be  procured  in  that  place  in  a 
short  time. 

The  above-mentioned  gentlemen  are  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee to  prepare  and  get  printed,  sixty  copies  of  Lists  for 
taking  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  this  County,  which  they 
are  directed  to  send  to  the  persons  appointed  to  take  the 
numbers  in  the  respective  Hundreds. 

The  following  persons  were  appointed  to  collect  the 
Blankets  and  Arms  in  the  different  Hundreds  in  this  County, 
viz: 

Darby  Lux,  in  Back  River  Upper,  Back  River  Lower, 
Middle  River  Upper,  and  Middle  River  Lower  Hundreds. 

Captain  Thomas  Rutter,  in  Middlesex  and  Palapsco 
Lower  Hundreds. 

Shadrach  Bond,  in  North  and  Soldier's  Delight  Hun- 
dreds. 

Walter  Tolly,  Jun.,  in  Gunpowder  Upper  and  Mine  Run 
Hundreds. 

Charles  Ridgcly,  of  tVm.,  in  Patapsco  Upper  Hundred. 
William  Lux  in  Delaware  Hundred. 
Colonel  William  Buchanan  in  Pipe  Creek  Hundred. 
Mr.  John  Cockey  Owings  having  by  a  note  advised  this 
Committee,  that  he  declined  acting  as  a  Collector  of  the 


Fines  assessed  on  the  Non-Enrollers  in  Back  River  Upper 
Hundred,  Mr.  Shadrach  Bond  was  appointed  in  his  room. 
Attest:  GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 

BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE    TO   MARYLAND    COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  order  of  the  16th,  for  the  purchase 
of  blankets  and  arms,  was  yesterday  taken  into  consideration 
by  our  Committee,  by  whom  we  are  directed  to  inform  you 
of  the  measures  resolved  on  to  accomplish  your  intentions. 
Several  persons  of  judgment  and  activity,  and  of  the  most 
influence,  are  appointed  to  ride  through  different  districts  of 
the  County,  to  use  their  best  endeavours  to  prevail  on  the 
inhabitants  to  spare  part  of  their  blankets  on  the  present 
emergency.  The  same  persons  are  instructed  to  purchase 
all  muskets  which  are  either  good  or  capable  of  being  made 
so.  We  conceived  there  was  so  little  chance  of  borrowing 
any,  that  it  appeared  to  us  vain  to  attempt,  as  those  who 
are  well  disposed  to  defend  their  country  will  use  their  own 
arms,  and  those  who  are  otherwise  disposed,  will  be  more 
influenced  by  the  money  than  by  any  other  arguments.  In 
order  to  despatch  this  very  urgent  business  the  more  expe- 
ditiously,  we  have  borrowed  a  few  hundred  pounds,  and 
given  it  to  several  of  the  gentlemen  appointed  for  the  pur- 
pose, who  set  off  to  the  country  this  day.  As  we  have 
recommended  the  greatest  industry  to  the  gentlemen  who 
manage  this  business,  we  shall  probably  be  able  to  inform 
you  against  next  week  of  their  success. 

We  have  some  information,  which  induces  us  to  expect 
that  a  quantity  of  new  country-made  blankets  may  be  pro- 
cured iu  York  County;  therefore  shall  send  an  express  this 
day  to  a  person  in  York  town,  who  can  inform  us  on  this 
subject. 

The  house-keepers  in  town  spared  all  the  blankets  they 
could  in  the  spring  to  accommodate  the  Regulars  that  weie 
stationed  here;  so  that  few  can  be  expected  from  them. 
Please  to  send  the  Committee  £1000,  to  answer  the  in- 
tended purchase.  Should  we  not  be  able  to  procure  to  that 
amount,  the  surplus  may  be  returned. 

We  are,  with  much  respect,  by  order  and  in  behalf  of  the 
Committee,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servants, 

SAML.  PURVIANCE,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

WlLM.  AlSOJUITH, 

JNO.  BOYD, 
JAS.  CALHOUN. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

MUSTER-ROLL  OF  CAPTAIN  GRAYBILL's  COMPANY. 

A  Roll  of  thirty-four  men  inlisted  by  Captain  Philip  Gray- 
bill,  in  virtue  of  a  warrant  issued  by  the  honourable  Council 
of  Safety,  for  that  purpose,  and  to  him  directed,  bearing  date 
the  twelfth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  seventeen 
hundred  and  seventy-six. 

Wolfgone  Citzenger,  David  Mumma,  Rudolph  Krower, 

Christopher  Begel,  Jacob  Myers,  Adam  Earbaugh, 

Frederick  Welhelm,  Jacob  Hardstone,  Roland  Smith, 

John  Moore,  Ferdinand  Lorance,  Wm.  Kornmelstone, 

Vendell  Andrews,  Henry  Millberger,  John  Shryork, 

Michael  Kersher,  William  Libzinger,  Joseph  Stritter, 

George  Hyatt,  Jacob  Fry  Miller,  Jacob  Ruturt, 

John  Shlile,  James  Caple,  Mnrtin  Lantz, 

Abraham  Frantz,  John  Rich,  Philip  Kautz, 

Frederick  Wage,  Lorance  Knery,  Vendell  Lorance, 

Henry  Hartman,  Peter  Baker,  Matthias  Byer. 
John  Shaffer, 

I  do  certify,  that  I  have  viewed  and  examined  thirty-four 
men,  answering  to  the  above  names,  exhibited  to  me  for 
that  purpose  by  Captain  Philip  Graybill,  and  find  them 
effective  and  fit"  for  duty.  THOMAS  JONES, 

Second  Major  of  Baltimore-Town 
Battalion  of  Militia. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JOHN  YOST. 
[No.  70.]  Annapolis,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  very  desirous  of  knowing  exactly  what  arms 
you  have  ready  for  the  publick,  that  we  may  send  for  them. 
As  soon  as  you  get  a  wagon  load,  or  such  number  as  will  be 
worth  while  sending  for,  let  us  know  by  first  good  opportu- 
nity, and  if  none  offers,  and  your  arms  be  ready,  hire  an 
express,  and  we  will  pay  him.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  Mr.  John  Yost. 


525 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c,  JULY,  1776. 


AFFAIR  OF  THE  GALLEYS  NEAR  SANDY-POINT,  JULY  23,  1776. 


Captain  CONWAY'S  Statement. 

Alexandria,  August  10,  1776. 

To  the  Printer  of  the  MARYLAND  GAZETTE  : 

SIR:  No  other  motive  than  in  justice  to  my  own  charac- 
ter, as  well  as  that  of  my  officers,  could  ever  induce  me  to 
request  of  you  to  publish  the  following  Narrative  and  Depo- 
sitions; more  especially  at  this  important  juncture,  when  it 
is  the  duty  of  every  individual  to  propagate  the  general  har- 
mony, and  to  discountenance  every  dornestick  contention 
that  would  seem  in  any  way  tending  to  frustrate  the  general 
good. 

About  five  weeks  ago,  I  had  the  honour  to  be  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  Protector  row-galley,  belonging  to 
this  Commonwealth ;  I  went  down  to  Yeocomico  to°ecruit 
men;  1  inlisted  six  hands;  from  the  capacity  and  good  be- 
haviour, as  well  as  the  character  that  was  given  me  of  three 
of  them,  I  appointed  one  my  Second  Lieutenant,  and  the 
other  two  Midshipmen.  We  knew  that  part  of  the  enemy's 
fleet  had  gone  up  the  river  Potomack  before  us.  Instead  of 
coming  up  in  a  pilot-boat  as  we  at  first  intended,  we  came  up 
with  two  row-boats,  thinking  by  that  means  to  pass  the  fleet 
with  greater  safety.  What  happened  after  we  came  in  sight 
of  the  fleet  will  appear  by  the  following  Depositions  : 
"  The  Deposition  of  JOHN  THOMAS,  Second  Lieutenant  to 
Captain  ROBERT  CONWAY,  of  the  PROTECTOR  row-gal- 
ley, belonging  to  the  Commonwealth  of  VIRGINIA. 
"Alexandria,  in  Fairfax  County,  ss. 

"This  day  came  before  me  the  subscriber,  one  of  the 
Magistrates  for  the  County  aforesaid,  John  Thomas,  Second 
Lieutenant  to  Captain  Robert  Conway,  of  the  Protector 
row-galley,  and  made  oath,  that  on  Tuesday,  the  23d  day 
of  My  last,  about  nine  or  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  near 
Sandy-Point,  seven  of  us,  with  two  boats,  landed  on  the 
Maryland  shore,  within  about  half  a  mile  of  the  enemy's 
fleet,  which  consisted  of  four  ships,  two  tenders,  and  one 
row-galley,  expecting,  as  soon  as  we  landed,  to  have  been 
guarded  by  a  party  of  the  Maryland  Militia,  having  no  fire- 
arms ourselves,  thinking  to  pass  the  fleet  the  following  night. 
As  soon  as  we  landed  we  conveyed  our  baggage  to  an  adja- 
cent house,  when,  after  inquiry,  we  were  informed  the  troops 
were  opposite  the  Roebuck,  to  whom  four  of  us  immediately 
went;  from  whence  we  observed  the  fleet  manning  their 
boats,  with  intent  (as  we  thought)  to  land  on  the  Maryland 
shore,  from  which  the  Roebuck  man-of-war  seemed  to  be 
two  or  three  hundred  yards ;  when  a  gentleman  they  called 
Colonel  Harrison,  said,  Come,  let  us  march  down ;  to  which 
several  replied,  I  can't  bear  to  shoot  a  man ;  others,  that 
their  guns  were  out  of  order,  with  sundry  other  excuses;  to 
whom  Colonel  Harrison  said,  You  that  have  not  a  mind  to 
go,  give  your  guns  to  those  men  that  carne  with  Captain 
Conway.    I  then  said,  Give  me  a  gun  and  ammunition,  and  I 
will  go;  which  one  of  the  Militia  readily  did;  so  down  we 
marched,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Harrison.     Soon 
after  we  came  down  to  the  shore,  the  enemy  gave  three  loud 
huzzas,  and  rowed  over  to  the  Virginia  side,  with  two  ten- 
ders, one  gondola,   and  ten  row-boats;   from  which  they 
landed  and  burnt  Mr.  Brent's  house,  from  whence  they  re- 
turned in  about  an  hour  to  their  respective  vessels.     In  the 
mean  time  we  thought  ourselves  very  safe  under  the  protec- 
tion of  the  Militia;  who,  by  this  time,  as  we  were  informed 
had  increased  from  between  thirty  and  forty  men,  to  between 
three  and  four  hundred.      In  justice  to  Colonel  Harrison  I 
must  not  omit  informing,  that  he  seemed  very  active  and 
resolute,  encouraging  his  men,  and  telling  them  that  nature 
could  not  form  a  more  convenient  place  than  where  he  pro- 
posed they  should  be  stationed.    About  three  or  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  the  enemy's  gondola  and  a  schooner  tender 
put  off  and  made  for  our  boats;  seeing  that,  I  said,  Gentle- 
men, I  hope,  as  we  came  to  offer  you  our  services,  you  will 
be  kind  enough  to  assist  us  in  taking  care  of  our  boats,  having 
no  fire-arms  ourselves ;  they  said  one  company  should  go  with 
us;  then  we  ran  down  ourselves,  and  hauled  the  smallest  boat 
about  thirty  or  forty  yards  into  a  marsh,  the  other,  which 
had  ballast  in,  we  hauled  on  the  beach  and  staved.    Bv  this 
time  the  company  of  Militia  came  down,  but  the  enemy 
being  close  ashore  where  our  boat  was,  they  stopped  in  a 
valley  about  fifty  or  sixty  yards  distance  from  the  boat  on 
the  beach;    the   enemy's  row-galley  rowed  several  times 
towards  the  boat  on  the  beach  and  back  again ;  at  last  the 


526 

row-galley  and  tender  fired,  on  which  the  sentinels  the 
Uolonel  had  placed,  ran  across  a  cornfield  and  made  for  the 
woods;  to  whom  the  Colonel  called,  Come  back;  No  (says 
I,)  they  will  not  come  back  till  they  get  to  Port-Tobacco,  (at 
which  he  laughed.)  They  would  peep  at  the  enemy  when 
they  rowed  close  to  our  boat,  but  never  offered  to  fire  ex- 
cepting it  was  the  Colonel,  who  presented  once,  but  reco- 
vered without  firing.  Some  of  them  said,  if  the  row-rrallevr 
landed  she  would  rake  them  up  the  valley,  (which  indeed 
was  impossible;)  at  which  they  ran,  the  men  first,  after 
whom  the  Colonel  retreated;  notwithstanding,  I  am  pretty 
well  assured  the  Colonel  would  have  stood,  had  he  been 
supported  by  his  men.  When  the  enemy  saw  ihem  (from 
the  Roebuck's  mast-head)  running  off,  they  hallooed  at 
them,  and  called  them  sundry  names;  then  made  si'ms  for 
the  row-galley  to  pull  ashore,  which  they  did,  and  launched 
our  boat  off,  then  gave  three  huzzas,  and  fired  several  shot 
both  small  and  great,  at  the  house  where  our  baggage  had 
been  taken  to;  then  returned  to  their  ships  with  their  booty 
without  having  one  gun  fired  at  them.  Colonel  Harrison 
seemed  to  have  that  good  opinion  of  Captain  Conway  as  to 
say,  he  was  assured  that  Conway  would  not  be  backward  in. 
taking  a  firelock.  And  further  this  deponent  saith  not. 

"JoHN  THOMAS. 

"August  10,  1776. 

"  Sworn  to  before  me, 

"  WM.  RAMSEY,  Justice  of  the  Peace." 
"  The  Deposition  of  EDWARD  COLES  and  CUTHBERT  ELLIS- 
TON,  Midshipmen  on  board  the  PROTECTOR  row-galley, 
commanded  by  Captain  ROBERT  CONWAY. 
"Alexandria,  in  Fairfax  County,  ss: 

"  Likewise  Edward  Coles  and  Cuthbert  Elliston,  two  Mid- 
shipmen belonging  to  the  Protector  row-galley,  came  this 
day  before  me,  the  subscriber,  one  of  the  Magistrates  for  the 
County  aforesaid,  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  and 
took  the  accustomary  oaths,  by  virtue  of  which  they  depose 
and  say:  That  on  Tuesday,  the  23d  day  of  July  last,  coming 
up  the  river  Potomack  with  Captain  Conway,  came  in  sight 
of  the  enemy's  fleet,  consisting  of  four  ships,  two  tenders,  and 
one  row-galley,  when  we  made  for  the  Maryland  shore,  and 
landed  about  half  a  mile  below  them,  expecting  to  have  been 
protected  by  the  Militia  on  shore,  the  number  of  whom  (as 
we  were  informed  soon  after  our  landing)  was  between  three 
and  four  hundred;   we  were  seven  in  number,  with  two 
boats.     Soon  after  we  landed,  four  of  us  went  up  to  the 
troops.     After  we  were  with  the  troops  about  an  hour  and 
a  half,  some  of  the  men  offered  to  give  up  their  firelocks  to 
us,  and  one  in  particular  gave  his  gun  to  Mr.  Thomas,  our 
Second  Lieutenant.     We  saw  the  enemy's  two  tenders,  one 
row-galley,  and  some  row-boats,  filled  with  men,  and  making 
for  the  Virginia  shore,  (Instead  of  coming  to  the  Maryland 
shore,  as   we  expected,)   where  they   burnt   Mr.  Brent's 
houses ;  from  thence  they  returned  to  their  ships.     Between 
three  and  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  observed  their 
row-galley  and  a  schooner  tender  making  down  for  the  place 
where  our  boats  lay.     The  little  boat  we  pulled  into  a  marsh 
out  of  their  way,  and  hauled  the  big  boat  on  the  beach, 
which  was  staved  by  James  Sorrell,  by  Captain  Conway's 
.order,  before  the  enemy  could  come  nigh  enough  to  fire  at 
us  with  any  certainty.     As  soon  as  the  enemy's  row-galley 
began  to  fire,  the  Militia  made  a  precipitate  retreat,  and  ran 
up  to  the  woods,  after  whom  Colonel  Harrison  went  up; 
then  the  enemy  came  and  took  the  boat  from  oft"  the  beach, 
without  having  one  gun  fired  at  them,  although  some  of  the 
Militia  were  within  less  than  one  hundred  yards  of  the  boat 
when  they  took  her  off,  and  gave  three  huzzas.     Further 
said  deponents  say  not.  •<  EDWARD  COLES, 

"  CUTHBERT  ELLISTON. 
"August  10,  1776. 

"  Sworn  to  before  me:  WM.  RAMSAY,  J.  P." 


Soon  after  I  arrived  at  Alexandria,  my  row-galley  was 
ordered  down  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  but 
at  my  return,  to  my  great  surprise,  I  found  the  following 
Advertisement  had  been  stuck  up  at  several  publick  places 
in  this  town: 

"ADVERTISEMENT. 

"Alexandria,  July  31,  1776. 

"Whereas  it  appears,  by  certificates  now  in  my  posses- 
sion, under  the  hands  of  Captain  John  H.  Lowe,  Mr.  John 


527 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


528 


M.  Burgess,  and  Mr.  George  Fraser  Hawkins,  of  Maryland, 
that  Captain  Robert  Conway  has  propagated  a  report,  much 
to  the  dishonour  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Battalion  of  the  Militia 
of  Maryland,  viz:  that  three  or  four  hundred  of  the  said 
Militia  betook  themselves  to  flight  as  soon  as  the  Ministerial 
row-galley  began  to  fire:  in  order,  therefore,  to  remove 
every  ill  impression  made  by  the  said  report,  I  take  this 
method  of  asserting  that  it  is  a  malicious,  infamous  falsehood  ; 
as  many  gentlemen  who  were  present,  as  spectators,  when 
Captain  Conway  says  this  scene  of  cowardice  was  acted  are 
ready  upon  oath  to  testify. 

"S.HANSON,  S.  of  Sam." 

No  man,  conscious  of  his  own  integrity,  would  lay  silent 
under  such  opprobrious  epithets;  therefore,  in  vindication 
of  what  I  have  already  asserted,  which  was  altogether  to 
the  same  effect  as  the  foregoing  Depositions,  I  desire  you 
will  publish  the  foregoing  Narrative,  for  the  truth  of  which 
1  appeal  to  every  impartial  spectator;  and  remain,  sir,  your 

humble  servant.  n  ,-, 

ROBERT  CONWAY. 


Certificates  of  Captain  JOHN  N.  LOWE  and  Mr.  JOHN  M. 
BURGESS  and  Mr.  GEORGE  FRASER  HAWKINS. 

Prince  George's  County. 

I  do  hereby  certify  to  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that  some 
time  last  week  I  fell  in  company  with  several  people,  who 
were  on  their  way,  by  water,  to  Alexandria.  Amongst 
these  there  was  one  Mr.  Conway,  as  I  understood,  who  said 
he  was  just  from  Sandy-Point,  where  a  party  of  three  or 
four  hundred  of  the  Maryland  Militia  was  stationed ;  that 
as  soon  as  the  row-galley  began  to  fire,  the  said  Militia  all 
ran ;  that  Colonel  Harrison  walked  after  them,  laughing  at 
them,  and  never  attempted  to  rally  them ;  that  the  only  man 
of  spirit  amongst  them  was  one  Jones,  as  he  described ;  that 
the  galley  landed  a  parcel  of  her  men  and  launched  one  of 
his  boats,  carrying  her  off,  after  giving  three  huzzas,  without 
meeting  with  any  opposition.  This  conversation,  and  a  great 
deal  more,  passed  in  the  presence  of  many  gentlemen.  I 
would  have  been  more  particular,  but  being  very  unwell 
with  a  bad  fever,  cannot  at  this  time  recollect  every  par- 
ticular conversation  that  passed. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  29th  day  of  July,  1776. 

GEO.  FRASER  HAWKINS. 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern. 

We,  the  subscribers,  John  H.  Lowe  and  John  M.  Bur- 
gess, set  out  on  Wednesday  last  from  Mr.  George  Hawkins's, 
with  some  other  gentlemen,  by  water,  in  order  to  view  the 
situation  of  the  Ministerial  fleet  that  was  then  lying  opposite 
Sandy-Point;  and  on  our  way  down  we  met  with  Mr.  Con- 
voy, who  said  he  was  from  Sandy-Point,  where  a  party  of 
three  or  four  hundred  of  Militia  were  stationed,  and  at  the 
appearance  of  a  row-galley,  which  directed  her  course  to  the 
shore,  and  on  firing,  the  said  Militia  ran  off.  He  was  asked 
whether  the  Colonel  did  not  endeavour  to  rally  the  men ; 
he  said  no,  but  walked  after  them  and  laughed.  He  said, 
as  the  row-galley  approached  the  shore,  the  Colonel  ad- 
dressed his  men  in  the  following  manner:  You  that  will  not 
fight,  give  your  guns  to  those  that  will.  On  which  declara- 
tion every  man  left  the  field  but  himself  and  one  who  we 
suppose  to  be  one  Jones.  The  row-galley  landed  a  parcel 
of  her  men,  launched  one  of  his  boats,  gave  three  cheers, 
and  carried  her  off,  without  meeting  with  any  opposition. 
There  were  several  other  matters  that  he  spoke,  the  par- 
ticulars of  which  I  do  not  at  present  remember,  but  all 
tended  to  the  discredit  of  said  Militia. 

July  29, 1776. 

Colonel  HARRISON'S  Statement. 

Charles  County,  October  21,  1776. 

Mr.  GREEN:  SIR:  Reports  having  been  propagated  by 
a  certain  Robert  Conway,  of  the  Protector  row-galley,  be- 
longing to  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  his  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, and  two  Midshipmen,  with  design  to  dishonour  the 
Twenty-Sixth  Battalion  of  Militia  of  this  Province ;  which 
reports  being,  within  my  own  knowledge  and  that  of  many 
other  persons,  entirely  without  foundation,  I  had  determined 
to  treat  them  with  contempt ;  but  finding  that  they  have 
carried  the  joke  rather  far,  by  publishing  part  of  their  story 
in  the  Baltimore  and  Virginia  gazettes,  and  some  of  them 


swearing  to  the  same,  I  think  it  high  time  to  publish  a  little 
too,  as  a  piece  of  justice  due  myself  and  those  whom  I  had 
the  honour  to  command.  You  will,  therefore,  be  pleased 
to  insert  in  your  next  paper  the  whole  which  Captain  Con- 
ivay  has  published  in  the  Baltimore  paper  of  the  20th  of 
August,  herewith  sent  you;  also,  the  certificates  under  the 
hands  of  Captain  John  H.  Lowe  and  Mr.  John  M.  Burgess 
and  Mr.  George  Fraser  Hawkins. 

The  variation  between  Captain  Conway's  own  narrative 
(as  certified  by  Messrs.  Lowe,  Burgess,  and  Hawkins")  and 
the  depositions  of  his  Lieutenant  and  Midshipmen,  and  again, 
the  variation  in  what  they  depose,  must  make  every  impar- 
tial reader  suspect  the  truth  of  them.  Captain  Conway 
asserts,  that  as  soon  as  the  row-galley  began  to  fire,  the 
said  Militia  (being  three  or  four  hundred  in  number)  all  ran  ; 
that  as  the  row-galley  approached  the  shore,  every  man  left 
the  field  save  two.  Mr.  Lieutenant  swears  that  only  one 
company  out  of  the  three  or  four  hundred  men  ran.  Messrs. 
Midshipmen  swear  that  the  whole  three  or  four  hundred 
made  a  precipitate  retreat,  and  ran  up  to  the  woods;  then 
they  swear,  that  some  of  the  Militia  were  within  less  than 
one  hundred  yards  of  the  boat  when  the  enemy  took  her 
off. 

Men  who  mean  to  wound  the  characters  of  others  in  the 
eyes  of  the  publick,  by  inventing  and  circulating  falsehoods, 
should  be  extremely  circumspect  in  what  they  say  or  swear; 
and,  as  I  have  already  observed,  the  variation  and  inconsis- 
tency in  the  assertions  and  depositions  of  Captain  Conway 
and  his  party,  would  make  every  impartial  man  suspect  their 
veracity.  However,  to  evince  to  every  one  that  they  are 
founded  only  in  malice  and  mischief,  I  have  taken  the 
depositions  of  Messrs.  Finley,  Hunter,  and  Lawrason,  of 
Alexandria,  and  Messrs.  Matthews  and  Stoddart,  gentlemen 
volunteers,  which  you  will  also  insert,  with  the  certificate 
under  the  hands  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fendall  and  Mr.  Warren 
Dent. 

"  Alexandria,  October  4,  1776. 

"On  Tuesday,  the  2f3d  of  July  last,  we,  the  subscribers,  set 
off  from  this  place  with  intention  to  see  the  enemy's  ships, 
which  we  were  informed  were  proceeding  up  Potomack, 
and  arrived  opposite  them  at  Sandy-Point,  in  Maryland, 
about  half  an  hour  past  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  where 
we  found  a  body  of  Militia  stationed,  who  informed  us  there 
were  more  men  a  little  lower  down  the  river,  to  whom  we 
immediately  went,  and  were  by  them  told  that  Colonel 
Harrison,  with  a  detachment  of  twenty-five  men,  was  gone 
down  to  prevent  the  enemy's  taking  off  Captain  Conway's 
boats,  by  means  of  a  gondola  and  armed  schooner,  which  had 
left  the  ships  for  that  purpose,  as  was  conceived.  We  saw  the 
Roebuck  under  way  turning  clown,  and  firing  now  and  then 
across  the  field,  between  the  detachment  and  main  body,  and 
heard  other  great  guns,  which  we  supposed  were  from  the 
gondola  and  armed  schooner.  We  returned  to  the  main 
body,  when  we  immediately  heard  a  brisk  firing  of  small- 
arms  and  swivels,  which  was  thought  to  be  an  engage- 
ment betwixt  the  detachment  and  the  enemy.  We  think 
about  sixteen  cannon  were  fired  in  the  whole.  The  men 
appeared  to  be  all  drawn  up  ready  with  their  arms,  and 
during  the  firing  seemed  in  good  spirits;  and  we  heard  seve- 
ral of  them  ask  if  they  ought  not  to  go  to  the  assistance  of 
the  detachment.  We  neither  saw  nor  discovered  anything 
like  cowardice,  but,  on  the  contrary,  a  willing  spirit  seemed 
generally  to  prevail.  "JoHNF.NLET, 

"  WILLIAM  HUNTER, 
"JAMES  LAWRASON. 


"  Sworn  before  me, 


WILLIAM  RAMSAY,  J.  P." 


"  Charles  County,  October  18,  1776. 

"We,  the  subscribers,  joined  three  Companies  of  the 
Twenty-Sixth  Battalion  of  Militia,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Harrison,  at  Sandy-Point,  on  Tuesday,  the  23d  of 
July  last,  early  in  the  morning,  in  the  character  of  volun- 
teers. About  nine  o'clock  the  ships  began  to  man  their 
tenders  and  small  boats ;  when  Colonel  Harrison  ordered  the 
three  companies  to  stand  to  their  arms,  and,  after  watching 
the  motions  of  the  enemy  a  few  minutes,  gave  orders  for 
Captain  Mastin's  company,  consisting  of  about  forty-five 
men,  including  officers,  to  repair  to  the  head  of  a  valley  which 
led  down  to  the  river  nearly  opposite  the  Roebuck.  We 
fell  in  with  this  company  at  the  head  of  the  valley.  A 
little  while  after,  there  came  three  or  four  strangers,  who 


529 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


530 


were  questioned  by  Colonel  Harrison,  and  informed  him 
that  they  had  come  up  the  liver,  were  going  to  Alexandria, 
and  had  landed  a  little  below  in  two  small  boats.  Those 
we  understood  to  be  Captain  Conway,  his  Lieutenant,  and 
two  men.  By  this  time  ten  row-boats,  two  tenders,  and  a 
gondola,  were  filled  with  men  alongside  of  the  Roebuck, 
which  lay  near  four  hundred  yards  from  the  Maryland  shore. 
It  was  every  moment  expected  the  enemy  would  land  and 
attack  us.  Colonel  Harrison  told  Captain  Mastin's  com- 
pany, that  in  case  the  enemy  attempted  to  land  there,  he 
should  instantly  march  down  at  their  head  and  post  them 
behind  the  beach;  and  after  admonishing  them,  begged  that 
if  any  one  felt  confused  or  under  any  panick,  to  candidly 
inform  him,  and  turn  out  of  the  ranks ;  on  which  one  of  the 
privates  turned  out,  and  told  him  that  he  did  not  like  to 
inarch  down  the  hill.  He  was  then  ordered  to  give  up  his 
gun  and  ammunition  to  some  other  that  would,  and  Colonel 
Harrison  delivered  his  gun  to  Captain  Conway1  s  Lieutenant, 
who  said  he  would  march  down  with  us.  About  ten  o'clock 
the  enemy's  boats,  tenders,  and  gondola,  left  the  Roebuck, 
giving  three  cheers,  and,  contrary  to  our  expectation,  went 
over  to  Virginia,  where  they  landed,  and  set  fire  to  Mr. 
Brent's  houses.  Colonel  Harrison  marched  the  company 
down  to  the  beach,  in  order  to  show  them  where  he  intended 
to  post  them,  had  the  enemy  attempted,  or  in  case  they 
should  attempt,  a  landing  at  that  place.  Before  the  enemy 
returned  from  Virginia,  we  were  reinforced  with  about  one 
hundred  and  twenty  men  under  Colonel  Hanson.  About 
five  or  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  enemy's  small  tender 
and  the  gondola  were  observed  to  be  manning,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  left  the  Roebuck,  and  directed  their  course  towards 
the  Bay,  where  Captain  Conway'' 's  boats  were  landed.  Colo- 
nel Harrison  immediately  ordered  the  men  to  arms,  and  con- 
ceiving the  enemy's  design  was  to  take  off  Captain  Conway' s 
boats,  gave  Captain  Mastin  orders  to  take  about  twenty  of 
his  best  armed  men,  and  follow  him  down,  to  watch  the 
motions  of  the  tender  and  gondola.  This  detachment  we 
joined,  with  two  other  volunteers ;  in  the  whole,  we  think 
it  consisted  of  twenty-five  persons.  We  proceeded  down 
towards  the  Bay  with  all  haste,  and  near  the  head  of  a 
valley  met  with  Captain  Conway  and  some  of  his  men. 
Captain  Conway  went  down  the  valley  with  Colonel  Har- 
rison, to  show  where  his  boats  lay,  and  we  followed  close 
after  in  Indian  file,  and  were  halted  at  the  mouth  of  the 
valley.  He  told  the  Colonel  that  one  of  his  boats  was  drawn 
over  the  beach  into  a  marsh ;  the  other  was  on  the  shore 
staved,  which  was  about  fifty  yards  from  us,  though  we  could 
not  see  her  from  the  mouth  of  the  valley,  on  account  of  some 
bushes  which  grew  on  the  beach.  The  tender  had  got  in 
the  Bay  before  we  reached  our  post,  and  lay  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  yards  off.  As  soon  as  we  were  halted,  the 
tender  fired  one  of  her  carriage-guns,  which  was  presently 
succeeded  by  a  discharge  of  grape-shot  from  the  gondola ; 
this  load  grounded  within  a  few  paces  of  us,  and  many  of 
the  shot,  with  several  cannon-balls,  were  picked  up  the  next 
day.  Sundry  great  guns  were  discharged  at  us  whilst  we 
remained  at  this  post.  The  gondola,  after  she  came  against 
the  boat,  rowed  off  and  on,  and,  after  a  short  time,  seemed 
to  be  gradually  getting  more  into  the  Bay,  as  if  designing  to 
open  the  valley  and  rake  it.  We  heard  Captain  Conway 
say  to  Colonel  Harrison  that  he  thought  she  was  endeavour- 
ing to  rake  the  valley,  and  advised  him  to  order  a  retreat, 
or  words  to  the  same  purpose.  The  Colonel,  after  taking 
a  view  of  the  gondola,  turned  about,  and,  in  a  low  tone, 
gave  orders  for  a  retreat  to  the  head  of  the  valley — the  gon- 
dola being  within  seventy  or  eighty  yards  of  us  at  the  time. 
Five  or  six  of  the  men  who  were  in  the  rear,  retreated  some 
distance  beyond  the  place  intended,  which  we  firmly  believe 
proceeded  from  their  not  having  heard  the  orders  distinctly, 
as  most  of  them  returned  immediately  to  the  head  of  the 
valley,  on  being  called  to  by  some  of  the  officers.  From 
this  place  we  observed  the  Roebuck  had  got  under  way  and 
fallen  down,  and  began  to  fire  on  us ;  also  the  tender,  our 
situation  being  open  to  them  both.  The  Colonel  returned 
to  the  mouth  of  the  valley,  and  we  and  others  went  different 
ways,  to  take  another  view  of  the  gondola,  which  we  found 
lying  quite  still,  nearly  opposite  the  boat,  with  her  hatches 
close  shut,  and  nothing  visible  but  her  oars  and  guns,  though 
Captain  Conway's  Lieutenant  had  just  before  informed  that 
her  hatches  weie  up  and  men  exposed,  which  raised  our 
hopes  of  getting  a  shoot.  We  recollect  that,  previous  to 


our  leaving  the  mouth  of  the  valley,  Captain  Conway  asked 
Colonel  Harrison  to  let  the  gondola  be  fired  at,  to  scare  her 
off  from  the  shore,  which  was  refused,  as  there  was  no  living 
object  to  shoot  at.  A  retreat  was  then  ordered  to  the  main 
body  by  Colonel  Harrison,  and  the  detachment  directed  to 
scatter  as  they  retreated  through  the  old  fields,  to  observe 
the  flash  of  the  enemy's  cannon,  and  to  fall  down  whenever 
they  saw  it.  The  fire  from  the  Roebuck,  armed  schooner, 
and  gondola,  grew  very  warm,  and  the  frequent  falling  down 
of  the  men  occasioned  a  general  laughter.  We  retreated  to 
a  fence  at  the  edge  of  a  wood,  and  lay  behind  it  until  the 
enemy's  fire  ceased,  then  returned  to  the  main  body,  with 
which  we  remained  until  the  ships  went  down  the  river,  and 

the  troops  were  discharged. 

"JOHN  MATTHEWS, 

"  WILLIAM  STODDERT." 
"  Charles  County,  October  18,  1776. 

"Then  came  Messrs.  John  Matthews  and  William  Stod- 
dert,  gentlemen,  and  made  oath  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of 
Almighty  God,  that  the  above  is  a  true  state  of  the  transac- 
tions at  Sandy-Point,  under  Colonel  William  Harrison,  on 
the  23d  of  July  last.  «G.R.  BROWN." 

"  Charles  County,  October  20,  1776. 

"  Whereas  we  find,  by  sundry  depositions  published  in  the 
Baltimore  Gazette,  and  by  certificates  under  the  hands  of 
George  Fraser  Hawkins,  Esq.,  Captain  John  II.  Lowe, 
and  Mr.  John  M.  Burgess,  that  reports  have  been  falsely 
and  industriously  propagated,  reflecting  on  the  courage,  and 
tending  to  injure  the  character  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Battalion 
of  Maryland  Militia,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  William 
Harrison:  And  whereas  we  think  it  a  duty  irfcumbent  on 
us,  and  on  every  man,  to  rescue  injured  merit  from  unde- 
served reproach,  and  check  any  idle  reports  that  may  reflect 
disgrace  on  the  American  arms: 

"  We  think  it  but  common  justice  to  declare,  that  many,  of 
the  most  injurious  aspersions  contained  in  the  above  men- 
tioned publication  and  certificates,  are,  within  our  knowledge, 
totally  false,  and  in  every  sense  groundless.  And  we  do 
further  assert,  that  we  attended  the  said  Militia  from  the 
Monday  of  the  enemy's  arrival  at  Sandy-Point  until  their 
departure  from  said  place;  and  that  said  Militia  appeared  to 
us  to  assemble  with  cheerfulness  and  alacrity.  And  we  have 
all  the  reason  in  the  world  to  believe,  that  had  the  enemy 
attempted  a  landing,  they  would  have  been  warmly  and 
vigorously  opposed;  for,  on  two  different  occasions,  the 
one  on  Monday  during  a  thunder  gust,  when  the  men  were 
obliged  to  take  shelter  in  a  small  house,  the  sentries  gave  an 
alarm  that  the  enemy  were  preparing  to  land,  they,  so  far 
from  exhibiting  any  symptoms  or  signs  of  fear,  were,  on  the 
contrary,  in  our  opinion,  too  warm  and  impetuous,  by  spring- 
ing out  of  the  house  without  waiting  for  orders,  and  running 
towards  the  shore  in  an  irregular  manner;  the  alarm  proved 
groundless,  and  their  too  eager  behaviour  drew  from  the 
Colonel  a  gentle  reprimand.  The  other  instance  happened 
on  the  Tuesday  morning  when  the  alarm  was  given  that  the 
enemy  were  manning  their  boats,  and  preparing  to  land ; 
and  the  general  opinion  was,  and  every  man  expected,  that 
they  would  attempt  a  landing  at  Sandy-Point;  on  which 
Colonel  Harrison  ordered  the  men  to  stand  to  their  arms, 
and  in  a  very  short  time  after,  ordered  Captain  Mastin's 
company  to  the  head  of  a  valley  which  led  down  to  the 
shore  where  it  was  expected  the  enemy  would  land.  On 
this  trial  (and  we  do  not  believe  mejj  can  be  put  to  a  greater 
or  severer  one)  the  men  behaved  with  the  most  undaunted 
courage  and  cool  intrepidity.  Upon  the  whole,  not  only 
in  the  above  particularized  instances,  but  in  the  whole  of 
their  conduct,  they  appeared  spirited,  brave,  and  ready  to 

enSaSe'  «  HENRY  FENDALL, 

<:  WARREN  DENT." 

Were  it  necessary,  a  variety  of  other  evidence  could  be 
procured  to  invalidate  these  idle  tales;  but  I  firmly  trust  that 
the  testimony  now  offered  will  fully  satisfy  every  impartial 
and  well  disposed  person.  I  would  observe,  that  the  gen- 
tlemen who  depose  and  certify  are  not  of  the  battalion — 
three  of  them'  residing  in  Alexandria,  Virginia — and  can 
have  no  further  interest  in  its  character  than  as  good  mem- 
bers of  community.  What  motive  induced  Captain  Conway 
and  his  officers  thus  to  assert,  and  thus  solemnly  to  depose, 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  say,  unless  it  was  to  divert  their  consthu- 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


34 


531 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


532 


ents  from  an  inquiry  into  their  own  conduct;  for,  be  it  known 
to  the  publick,  that  Potomack  River  at  Sandy-Point  is  near 
four  miles  wide,  and  they,  like  persons  wanting  sense,  landed 
their  boats  within  a  small  distance  of  the  enemy's  ships,  on 
the  Maryland  shore,  when  they  might  have  evaded  them  at 
least  three  miles  by  passing  along  the  Virginia  side;  and  in 
case  they  had  been  noticed  and  pursued  by  the  enemy,  could 
at  any  rate  have  gone  ashore,  and  sued  for  protection  from 
the  opposite  Militia  of  Virginia.  Had  Captain  Conway 
and  his  officers  reported  facts  as  they  happened,  they  must 
have  given  the  publick  a  favourable  opinion  of  the  Militia 
in  general  at  Sandy-Point.  A  single  company,  armed  and 
equipped  as  our  Militia  too  generally  are,  was  drawn  up  in 
their  presence,  ready  to  advance  down  to  the  beach,  there 
to  receive  the  attack  of  ten  row-boats,  two  tenders,  and  a 
gondola,  filled  with  men.  On  the  commanding  officer's 
admonishing  this  company,  and  begging  that  if  any  of  them 
felt  confused  or  afraid,  to  candidly  inform  him,  one  of  the 
company,  out  of  about  forty-eight  persons,  said  he  did  not 
like  to  march  down  the  hill,  and  turned  out  of  the  ranks. 
Whether  this  be  an  instance  of  general  cowardice,  or  not, 
the  impartial  publick  will  say.  For  my  part,  his  refusal  by 
no  means  surprised  me,  as  the  expedition  appeared  very 
dangerous,  and  was  really  so,  though  I  thought  it  necessary. 
We  were,  agreeable  to  every  one's  idea,  to  oppose  the 
landing  of  at  least  four  times  our  number,  and  could  we 
not  have  repulsed  them,  must  have  retreated  up  the  hill, 
exposed  to  a  near  fire  from  the  Roebuck,  two  tenders,  and  a 
gondola. 

The  retreat  of  the  detachment  in  the  afternoon,  which 
went  down  to  prevent  the  enemy's  taking  off  Captain  Con- 
way's  boats,  was  by  my  orders.  If  it  was  wrong,  I  am 
chargeable  with  it  and  not  the  men.  However,  I  thought 
it  prudent,  and,  in  a  similar  situation,  should  act  again  in 
the  same  manner.  1  shall  not,  to  humour  Captain  Conway 
or  his  crew,  expose  men  to  the  fire  of  a  gondola,  when  the 
chance  of  killing  is  only  on  the  side  of  the  enemy;  but  hope 
ever  to  be  found  ready  and  willing,  with  those  whom  I  have 
the  honour  to  command,  to  risk  life  whenever  any  valuable 
end  can  be  answered. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  must  declare  that,  from  the  trial  of 
the  men  at  Sandy-Point,  I  entertain  the  highest  opinion  of 
their  bravery  in  general;  and  were  they  equipped  as  men 
going  into  battle  should  be,  would  risk  my  life  with  them  as 
soon  as  with  any  men  in  the  world.  And  as  Mr.  Lieutenant 
Thomas  has,  in  the  course  of  his  deposition,  given  his  opinion 
of  me,  I  must  in  return  give  mine  of  him:  which  is,  in  the 
sincerity  of  my  heart,  this,  that  he  would  at  any  time,  to 
oblige  a  person  on  whom  he  was  the  least  dependant,  swear 
that  black  is  white,  or  white  black. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  HARRISON. 


SAMUEL  CHASE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Yesterday's  post  brought  us  yours  of  the 
19th  instant.  The  copies  of  the  letters  from  Colonels  Barnes 
and  Jordan  you  omitted  to  enclose.  We  hope  the  necessity 
of  recalling  Captains  Thomas  and  Hindman  will  soon  be 
removed,  and  that  they  will  be  permitted  to  march  to  the 
Flying-Camp  as  soon  as  possible.  It  is  of  the  last  conse- 
quence to  collect  a  sufficient  force  to  oppose  the  British 
Army,  which  may  be  hourly  expected  at  Staten-Island. 
General  Washington  has  not  above  fifteen  thousand  troops. 
Two  battalions  of  the  Virginia  Regulars  are  ordered  to 
New-York.  Four  battalions  in  this  Province,  and  two 
more  in  New-Jersey,  are  ordered  to  reinforce  the  Flying- 
Camp. 

We  agree  with  you  that  it  will  be  useless  to  send  men 
without  arms.  We  have  had  no  opportunity  to  consult 
Congress  relative  to  subsistence  of  the  men  during  the  time 
they  are  collecting.  We  doubt  not  the  expense  will  be 
Continental.  If  they  should  be  employed  upon  your  works, 
it  would  contribute  to  their  health  and  defray  the  expense  of 
provision. 

A  man  who  professes  to  be  an  adept  in  the  refining  of 
sulphur  has  applied  to  us,  and  enclosed  are  his  terms.  We 
are  ignorant  whether  any  quantity  of  sulphur  has  been  dis- 
covered in  our  Colony,  and  do  not  know  whether  you  want 
such  a  man. 


We  have  no  intelligence  from  Neiv-  York  since  the  19th; 
Ix>rd  Howe's  fleet  had  not  then  arrived.  We  shall  be  obliged 
by  the  communication  of  any  intelligence  worthy  of  notice, 
and  at  all  times  ready  to  obey  your  commands. 

Your  most  obedient  servants,  c 

SAML.  CHASE, 

T.  STONE. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


LETTER  FROM  A  MEMBER  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

Philadelphia,  July  23,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  It  would  take  a  volume  to  tell  you  how 
many  clever  things  were  said  of  you  and  the  brave  troops 
under  your  command,  after  hearing  of  your  late  victory.  It 
has  given  a  wonderful  turn  to  our  affairs.  The  loss  of  Can- 
ada had  struck  the  spirits  of  many  people,  who  now  begin 
to  think  our  cause  is  not  abandoned,  and  that  we  shall  yet 
triumph  over  our  enemies. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  has  produced  a  new 
era  in  this  part  of  America.  The  Militia  of  Pennsylvania 
seem  to  be  actuated  with  a  spirit  more  than  Roman.  Near 
two  thousand  citizens  of  Philadelphia  have  lately  marched 
towards  New-York,  in  order  to  prevent  an  incursion  being 
made  by  our  enemies  upon  the  State  of  New- Jersey.  The 
cry  of  them  all  is  for  battle.  I  think  Mr.  Howe  will  not  be 
able  to  get  a  footing  in  New-York,  and  that  he  will  end  the 
present  or  begin  the  next  campaign  in  Canada,  or  in  some 
one  of  the  southern  Colonies — the  only  places  in  which 
America  is  vulnerable.  We  depend  upon  Gates  in  the 
North,  and  you  oblige  us  to  hope  for  great  things  from  the 
South. 

The  Tories  are  quiet,  but  very  surly.  Lord  Howe's  Pro- 
clamation leaves  them  not  a  single  filament  of  their  cobweb- 
doctrine  of  reconciliation. 

The  spirit  of  liberty  reigns  triumphant  in  Pennsylvania. 
The  Proprietary  gentry  have  retired  to  their  country  seats, 
and  honest  men  have  taken  the  seats  they  abused  so  much 
in  the  government  of  our  State. 

The  papers  will  inform  you  that  I  have  been  thrust  into 
Congress.  I  find  there  is  a  great  deal  of  difference  between 
sporting  a  sentiment  in  a  letter,  or  over  a  glass  of  wine  upon 
politicks,  and  discharging  properly  the  duty  of  a  Senator. 
I  feel  myself  unequal  to  every  part  of  my  new  situation, 
except  where  plain  integrity  is  required. 

My  former  letters  to  you  may  pass  hereafter  for  a  leaf  of 
the  Sibyls.  They  are  full  of  predictions;  and  what  is  still 
more  uncommon,  some  of  them  have  proved  true.  I  shall 
go  on,  and  add,  that  1  think  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
will  produce  union  and  new  exertions  in  England  in  the 
same  ratio  that  they  have  done  in  this  country.  The  pre- 
sent campaign,  I  believe,  is  only  designed  to  train  us  for  the 
duties  of  next  summer. 

Adieu ;  yours  sincerely, 


AN  OLD  FRIEND. 


To  Major-Gen  eral  Lee. 


DR.  CADWALADER  S  CERTIFICATE. 

War  Office,  July  23,  1776. 

The  bearer,  James  Carmichael,  a  Continental  soldier,  says 
he  is  so  ill  as  not  to  be  able  to  join  his  regiment.  Any 
physician  of  eminence  certifying  this  will  be  of  service  to 
the  man,  as  he  wants  to  remain  until  cured. 

RICHARD  PETERS,  Secretary. 

I  have  examined  James  Carmichael,  and  am  of  opinion 
that  he  is  incapable  of  doing  the  duty  of  a  soldier. 

THOMAS  CADWALADER. 


Philadelphia,  Thursday,  July  25,  1776. 

Last  Tuesday,  the  Convention  of  this  Province  appointed 
the  following  gentlemen  as  a  Council  of  Safety,  viz:  David 
Rittenhousc,  Samuel  Mifflin,  Jonathan  B.  Smith,  Timothy 
Matlack,  Samuel  Morris,  Jun.,  Owen  Biddlc,  James  Can- 
non, Samuel  Howell,  Nathaniel  Falconer,  Frederick  Kuhl, 
Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  Henry  Kep- 
pele,  Jun.,  Joseph  Blewer,  George  Gray,  John  Bull,  Henry 
Wynkoop,  Benjamin  Bartholomew,  John  Hubley,  Michael 
Swoope,  Daniel  Hunter,  William  Lyon,  Peter  Rhoad,  David 
Epsey,  John  Witzcl,  and  John  Moore,  Esquires. 


533 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


534 


WILLIAM  MACLAY  TO  RICHARD  PETERS. 

Sunbury,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  On  notification  from  the  War  Office  that  flints  were 
wanted,  I  immediately  determined  to  examine  what  could 
be  produced  in  that  way  in  this  country,  my  former  general 
acquaintance  with  the  country,  in  the  practice  of  survey- 
ing, enabling  me  to  prosecute  such  an  inquiry  with  the 
greater  advantage.  The  bearer,  Mr.  Ball,  will  produce  you 
specimens  of  our  success.  Some  of  our  gunsmiths,  who 
have  tried  them  in  firearms,  do  not  hesitate  to  pronounce 
them  superior  to  imported  flints.  1  will,  however,  be  suffi- 
ciently happy,  if,  on  general  experience,  they  are  found  only 
equal.  The  vein  or  quarry  appears  inexhaustible,  situate 
along  the  banks  of  Penn's  Creek,  down  which  and  Susque- 
hannah  there  is  a  safe  and  expeditious  navigation  for  boats 
and  canoes  great  part  of  the  year;  the  distance  from  Sunbury 
about  ten  miles.  I  will  only  add,  that  if  it  is  thought  ad- 
visable to  establish  a  manufacture  of  flints  at  this  place,  I 
will  cheerfully  render  every  assistance  in  my  power. 

And  am,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant,  WM.  MACLAY. 

To  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  War  Office  at 

Philadelphia.     - 


G.  NOARTTS  TO  RICHARD  PETERS. 

Sunbury,  July  23,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  In  consequence  of  an  advertisement  put  out 
of  the  War  Office,  a  number  of  gentlemen  of  this  County 
have  taken  pains  to  discover  a  quantity  of  flint-stone,  and 
have  sent  Mr.  Thermond  Ball  to  you  with  some  of  it.  If, 
from  the  specimen  which  will  be  delivered  to  you,  it  should 
be  found  necessary  to  establish  any  kind  of  manufacture  of 
them.  I  am  desired  to  acquaint  you  that  the  gentlemen  here 
are  ready  to  give  any  assistance  in  their  power. 
I  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  most  humble  servant, 

G.  NOARTTS. 

To  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  Secretary  at  War,  Philadelphia. 


WILLIAM  ALLEN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  I  had  the  honour  of  receiving  a  commission 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  Army  of  the  honourable  Con- 
tinental Congress,  several  circumstances  have  intervened, 
which  render  it  extremely  inconvenient,  and  indeed  impos- 
sible, for  me  any  longer  to  execute  the  duties  of  the  said 
commission ;  wherefore,  with  the  greatest  sense  of  gratitude 
for  your  past  favours,  I  humbly  beg  leave  to  resign  it  into 
your  hands. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

WILL.  ALLEN. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


It  is  Ordered  by  the  Committee,  That  John  Leggit,  of 
Captain  Watson's  Flying-Camp,  do  deliver  to  Captain  p'ax- 
ton,  of  Colonel  Porter's  Battalion,  the  Gun  which  Captain 
Paxton  sometime  ago  intrusted  him  with;  and  if  the  said 
Gun  should  be  in  the  hands  of  any  other  of  Captain  Watson's 
Company,  he  is  desired  to  direct  the  same  to  be  delivered 
to  Captain  Paxton,  who  hath  engaged,  in  a  Company  now 
forming,  to  join  the  Camp  in  the  Jerseys. 

A  number  of  the  reputable  inhabitants  of  Earl  Township 
represent  to  the  Committee,  that  the  Militia  in  that  district 
are  about  to  march  in  a  few  days,  under  Colonel  Peter  Grubb, 
for  the  Camp  in  the  Jerseys;  that  several  families  of  the 
Associators  who  are  obliged  to  march,  will  in  a  short  time 
be  in  a  suffering  condition;  and  request  this  Committee  to 
appoint  such  persons  as  may  be  proper  to  take  charge  of 
such  as  may  be  found  not  of  ability  to  maintain  themselves; 
and  they,  at  the  same  time,  recommend  Mr.  Gabriel  Davis 
as  a  person  that  may  be  confided  in. 

The  Committee,  taking  the  same  into  consideration,  do, 
,  by  virtue  of  the  authority  to  them  given  by  the  Resolve  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety  of  the  15th  of  July  instant,  nomi- 
nate and  appoint  the  said  Gabriel  Davis  to  take  care  of,  and 
distribute  to  such  distressed  families  in  that  district  the  allow- 
ance he  shall  judge  reasonable;  and  he  is  requested  to  under- 
take this  duty,  and  keep  an  account  of  his  disbursements, 
that  this  Committee  may  draw  on  the  Committee  of  Safety 
for  the  necessary  sums  of  money,  and  return  the  proper 
account  to  that  Board  of  his  expenditures. 

Joseph  Park,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  and  John  Lang- 
ford,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  are  permitted  to  work  with 
Ernest  Born,  Weaver — Mr.  Michael  Musser  and  Mr.  Lewis 
Peters,  here  in  Committee,  engaging  to  be  answerable  for 
them,  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  this  Committee. 

William  Craig,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is  per- 
mitted to  work  with  William  Tanner,  Weaver — he,  here  in 
Committee,  engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him,  agreeable  to 
the  Resolves  of  this  Committee. 

Robert  Borreas,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  is  permitted  to 
work  with  John  Jordan — James  Bickman,  Esq.,  engaging 
for  his  good  behaviour,  &tc. 

Thomas  Matchin,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  and 
John  Jack,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  are  permitted 
to  work  with  Jacob  Curry,  Weaver — he  here  in  Committee 
engaging  to  be  answerable  for  them,  agreeable  to  the  Resolves 
of  this  Committee. 

John  Dare,  of  the,  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is  permitted 
to  work  with  Joseph  Simons,  at  the  Silversmith's  business — 
he  here  in  Committee  engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him, 
agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  this  Committee. 


LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation,  Inspec- 
tion, and  Correspondence,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart, 
the  23d  day  o(  July,  1776: 

Present:  William  Atlee,  William  Bowsman,  Lodwick  Lowman,  Jacob 
King,  Henry  Dehuff,  Michael  Mussen,  Adam  Reigart,  Edward  Ship- 
pen,  John  Miller,  and  Christopher  Crawford. 

William  Atlee  in  the  chair. 

TheChairman  handed  the  Committee  two  packets,  received 
last  night,  between  ten  and  eleven  o'clock,  by  express;  one 
containing  Ordinances  of  Convention  for  disarming  the  Non- 
Associators ;  and  the  other  containing  Circular  Letters  from 
the  Convention  to  the  different  Colonels  and  Commanding 
Officers  of  the  Battalions  in  this  County;  which  Circular 
Letters  and  Ordinances  are  sent  off  by  expresses,  as  directed 
by  the  honourable  the  Convention. 

The  Chairman  read  to  the  Committee  copies  of  two 
Letters:  one  from  the  Committee  to  Richard  Peters,  Esq., 
Secretary  of  the  Board  of  War,  acknowledging  the  arrival 
of  the  Prisoners  sent  here  under  the  conduct  of  Captain 
Sterling,  from  Burlington;  and  the  other  of  them  to  the 
Honourable  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esq.,  the  President  of  the 
Convention  of  this  Province;  which  being  read,  are  approved 
of,  and  ordered  to  be  transcribed  and  forwarded  as  expedi- 
tiously  as  possible. 


WILLIAM  ATLEE  TO  BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  express  arrived  here  last  night  between  ten 
and  eleven  o'clock,  with  the  Ordinance  of  Convention  for 
disarming  the  Non-Associators,  and  the  Circular  Letters  to 
the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Battalions  of  Associators  in 
this  County;  and  this  morning,  about  eight  o'clock,  we  de- 
spatched three  expresses  to  different  parts  of  this  County,  with 
a  Circular  Letter  and  Ordinance  to  each  of  the  Commanding 
Officers  of  the  Battalions,  agreeably  to  the  orders  of  Conven- 
tion; so  that  by  twelve  or  one  o'clock,  to-day,  we  expect 
those  officers  will  be  possessed  of  them,  and  have  no  doubt 
will  do  everything  in  their  power  to  forward  the  march  of 
the  Militia. 

We  shall,  with  great  cheerfulness,  agreeably  to  the  requi- 
sition of  Convention,  aid  and  assist  them,  as  far  as  in  our 
power,  to  carry  the  recommendation  of  Congress  into  the 
most  immediate  and  effectual  execution,  by  providing  them 
with  every  necessary  which  we  possibly  can.  We  have  as- 
sisted such  Captains  as  have  had  companies  ready,  or  nearly 
so,  with  cash,  camp-kettles,  and  a  few  muskets  and  bayo- 
nets, and  our  gunsmiths  have  been  busy  for  a  few  days  past 
in  repairing  their  arms.  But  we  think  it  our  duty  to  men- 
tion to  the  Convention  that  our  stores  are  nearly  exhausted. 
We  have  distributed  our  muskets  and  bayonets,  so  that  we 
have  hardly  sufficient  in  good  order  to  relieve  our  necessary 
guards.  Our  tin-workers  are  out  of  tin,  so  that  no  more  camp^ 
kettles  can  be  expected  from  them ;  and  we  have  taken  up 
the  chief  part  of  the  casli  to  be  found  amongst  our  moneyed 
men,  which  we  have  distributed  amongst  the  officers,  to 


535 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  he.,  JULY,  1776. 


53G 


enable  them  to  advance  something  to  such  of  their  people 
as  stood  in  need  of  it;  and  beg  leave  to  submit  to  the  Con- 
vention, whether  money  should  not  be  immediately  lodged 
here  in  proper  hands,  to  be  paid  by  discretion  of  the  Com- 
mittee to  the  officers  that  march  with  the  Militia,  for  the  use 
of  their  men,  most  of  whom  require  some  little  necessaries, 
and  many  of  them  have  families  with  whom  they  would 
choose  to  leave  a  few  shillings.  We  should  be  happy  to 
have  it  in  our  power  to  supply  these  or  any  other  necessa- 
ries to  our  Militia  as  they  march.  Their  applications  are  to 
us;  and  they  expect  here  to  be  equipped  and  assisted,  and 
it  gives  us  pain  to  see  their  disappointment. 

Our  tin-workers  say  there  is  no  tin  to  be  had  in  Philadel- 
phia. Should  there  be  any  in  the  publick  magazines  to 
spare,  we  should  keep  our  tinmen  employed  in  making 
kettles  and  canteens  for  the  troops.  We  shall  use  our  best 
endeavours  to  keep  our  gunsmiths  busy,  and  do  everything 
in  our  power  to  execute  the  orders  of  the  Convention,  and 
promote  the  general  interest;  and  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

W.  ATLEE,  Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esq.,  President  of 
the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania, 


WILLIAM  ATLEE  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  WAR. 

In  C»mmittee,  Lancaster,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Captain  Sterling  arrived  here  on  the  21st  instant, 
and  delivered  us  your  letter  of  the  16th,  mentioning  his  being 
appointed  to  conduct  a  number  of  prisoners  to  this  town. 
The  prisoners  arrived  here  with  him;  and  as  our  barracks 
were  full,  we  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  taking  a  house 
for  their  accommodation  till  some  additional  buildings  are 
made  at  the  barracks;  to  do  which  we  hourly  expect  orders 
from  the  Committee  of  Safety,  Convention,  or  Congress. 

Captain  William  Goodwin,  of  the  Artillery,  before  he  left 
this  place  to  proceed  with  Captain  Sterling  for  Frederick- 
town,  assured  the  Committee  in  writing,  under  his  hand, 
that,  upon  his  arrival  at  Fredericktown,  he  would  sign  the 
parole  directed  by  Congress.  We  therefore  permitted  John 
Brown,  one  of  the  prisoners  sent  to  our  care,  to  attend  him, 
with  directions  to  have  him  sent  back  under  the  care  of 
Captain  Sterling,  if  Captain  Goodwin,  upon  his  arrival  at 
Frederick,  should  refuse  to  sign  his  parole,  and  engage  for 
the  good  behaviour  and  appearance  of  his  servant. 

As  Captain  Gamble  experienced  the  like  indulgence  at 
Philadelphia,  and  had  his  servant  from  among  the  prisoners, 
upon  his  signing  the  parole  and  engaging  for  him,  and  as 
Captain  Sterling  assured  us  the  Congress  would  have  per- 
mitted all  the  prisoners  to  have  had  their  servants  had  they 
not  absolutely  refused  signing  the  parole,  we  ventured  to 
favour  the  application  of  a  gentleman  who  was  represented 
to  us  by  Captain  Sterling  as  a  worthy  good  man,  with  a 
family  in  a  distressed  situation. 

We  are,  sir,  your  very  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Committee : 

WILLIAM  ATLEE,  Chairman. 

To  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  War, 
Philadelphia. 

PETITION  OF  JONATHAN  ROLAND  AND  OTHERS. 

Earl  Township,  Lancaster  County,  July  23,  1776. 
Whereas  the  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  15, 
1776,  making  a  recital  in  the  Gazette,  No.  2,482,  that  the 
Assembly  of  this  Province  did,  in  a  former  session,  resolve, 
that  if  any  Associator  called  into  actual  service  should  leave 
a  family  not  of  ability  to  maintain  themselves  in  his  absence, 
the  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  with  the  concurrence  of  one  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  of  the  City  or  County  where  such  Asso- 
ciator did  reside,  shall  immediately  make  provision  by  way 
of  out-pension  for  the  maintenance  of  such  family;  and  said 
Committee  considering  that  the  funds  of  said  Overseers  will 
prove  greatly  insufficient  whenever  a  considerable  number 
of  Associators  are  drawn  into  actual  service,  the  said  Com- 
mittee have  resolved,  that  out  of  the  funds  of  which  they 
have  the  disposition,  they  will  make  such  provision  as  they 
shall  think  necessary  to  answer  the  said  purposes,  and  that 
it  is  recommended  by  said  Committee  to  the  Committees  of 
Inspection  and  Observation  for  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and 


the  several  Counties  in  the  Province,  to  nominate  and  appoint 
a  proper  number  of  judicious  persons  residing  in  said  City  and 
Counties,  respectively,  to  distribute  to  such  distressed  families 
the  allowance  thoy  shall  think  reasonable. 

Whereas  we  the  petitioners,  in  behalf  of  ourselves,  in  this 
time  of  emergency,  do  make  our  address  to  you,  gentlemen, 
who  are  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  for 
the  County  n(  Lancaster,  as  we  are  to  set  out  under  Colonel 
Peter  Grub  in  a  few  days  for  the  Flying-Camp  now  in  the 
Jerseys,  and  finding  that  several  families  belonging  to  such 
Associators  as  are  obliged  to  march  away  will  in  a  short 
time  be  in  a  suffering  condition,  in  consideration  whereof  we 
the  petitioners,  request,  gentlemen,  you  would  nominate  such 
persons  as  you  may  think  proper  to  take  the  charge  of  such 
as  may  be  found  not  of  ability  to  maintain  themselves  in  our 
district. 

Gentlemen,  if  it  might  not  be  thought  impertinent  in  your 
petitioners  to  mention  a  person  for  the  above  purpose,  we 
would  be  satisfied  you  would  nominate  Gabriel  Davis,  as  he 
is  a  person  we  confide  in  to  give  us  satisfaction  in  our  ab- 
sence; and  your  petitioners  are  in  duty  bound  to  pray. 

JONATHAN  ROLAND, 
GEORGE  LIGHTNER, 
VALENTINE  BAUER, 
AMOS  SCHNEIDER, 
PETER  BAKER, 
HENRY  PETTERS, 
PETER  SCHJEFFER, 
HENRY  MAHKLE, 
JOHN  LIGHTNER, 
MICHAEL  BRUBAKER, 
VALENTINE  REINTZER. 


CAPTAIN  OREGIER  TO  THOMAS  RANDALL. 

Cranberry  Inlet,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  received  your  favour  about  four  weeks  since,  by 
the  hands  of  Dr.  Boyd,  wherein  I  found  you  advised  me  to 
join  Captain  Rogers;  but  understanding  Rogers  was  gone  to 
the  Sound  in  order  to  refit;  and  what  more  induced  me  to 
keep  to  the  southward  was  my  having  expectation  of  meet- 
ing with  some  of  the  fleet,  which  I  much  expected  this  way, 
but  have  been  deprived  of  that  satisfaction.  There  appeared 
six  sail  one  day,  and  seven  sail  the  other  day;  but  they  were 
all  large  ships  under  strong  convoys,  so  there  was  no  doing 
anything  with  them,  and  every  day  frigates  cruising  along 
this  coast.  Three  days  ago  fell  in  with  a  ship  and  sloop 
tender  about  ten  guns,  the  frigate  being  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  from  the  sloop,  and  was  determined  to  give  the  sloop 
battle,  but  could  not  bring  her  to  battle.  I  have  been  assist- 
ing in  bringing  into  this  and  Egg-Harbour  Inlet,  two  prizes 
taken  from  the  West-Indies  by  two  different  privateers.  One 
of  those  prizes  I  had  much  trouble  with,  and  in  short  was 
three  days  at  work  getting  the  other  into  port,  who  lay 
aground  on  the  bar  of  Egg-Harbour,  a  ship  of  three  hun- 
dred tons,  laden  with  sugar,  rum,  and  molasses,  bound  to 
Bristol. 

I  am  too  well  informed  that  your  city  is  invaded  by  pirates 
and  ruffians,  whom  I  hope  in  God  to  hear  a  good  account 
of,  and  that  very  shortly. 

My  provisions  grow  short,  and  in  a  little  time  shall  want 
a  new  supply,  unless  I  fall  in  with  some  of  the  enemy's  store 
vessels;  but  as  for  that  I  cannot  promise  myself,  but  will 
discharge  my  duty  in  the  search  of  them ;  and  as  for  being 
supplied  by  the  way  of  Long-Island,  I  believe  there  is  no 
prospect;  as  I  do  imagine  the  troops  intend  landing  on  the 
said  Island.  My  bread  is  but  very  indifferent,  and  does  not 
keep  good;  although  it  is  aired  every  fortnight,  yet  it  moulds 
very  fast,  and  believe  it  never  was  made  of  sound  flour.  You 
know  I  laid  in  only  four  months'  provisions,  and  you  may 
judge  how  long  what  remains  will  serve  me. 

My  people  begin  to  want  many  articles,  and  I  would  be 
glad  if  you  will  send  me  some  cash,  that  I  may  furnish  them 
with  a  little.  I  have  advanced  of  my  own  cash  to  the  offi- 
cers and  men  £39.  The  custom  out  of  Philadelphia  is  to 
advance  half  of  their  wages  monthly,  and  beg  you  will  send 
me  whatever  you  think  proper,  and  charge  the  same  to  me. 

I  beg  your  advice  in  every  respect;  and  any  instructions 
given  me  I  shall  gladly  comply  with.  Myself,  officers,  and 
men,  are  willing  at  any  time  to  march  to  your  assistance,  on 
the  shortest  notice ;  and  I  am  willing  to  sacrifice  both  life 


537 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


538 


and  everything  to  serve  my  country.  .Whatever  instruc- 
tions you  may  have,  let  me  have  by  the  bearer,  my  chief 
Lieutenant. 

1  remain,  with  due  respect,  your  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  CKEGIER. 

To  Thomas  Randall,  Esq.,  Member  of  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress in  New-  York,  or  any  of  the  Marine  Committee  in 
New-  York.* 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  24,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New- York,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the  20th,  by 
yesterday's  post,  since  which,  and  my  letter,  nothing  of 
moment  has  occurred. 

The  ships  mentioned  in  my  letter  of  the  21st  to  have  been 
in  the  offing,  got  in  that  day,  and  are  supposed  to  be  part 
of  the  Scotch  fleet,  having  landed  some  Highlanders  yes- 
terday. 

Enclosed  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit  you  copies  of  a 
letter  and  sundry  resolutions,  which  I  received  last  night 
from  the  Convention  of  this  State.  They  will  inform  you 
of  the  computed  number  of  inhabitants  and  stock  upon 
Nassau- Island,  and  their  sentiments  on  the  impracticability 
of  removing  the  latter,  and  also  of  the  measures  they  think 
necessary  and  likely  to  secure  them. 

I  have  also  enclosed  a  letter  from  Mr.  Faesh  to  Lord 
Stirling,  upon  the  subject  of  a  cannon  furnace  for  the  use 
of  the  States.  Congress  will  see  his  plan  and  proposals, 
and  determine  upon  them  as  they  shall  judge  proper. 

I  am,  sir,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect,  your  most  obe- 
dient servant,  ~  ,,r 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

"To  the  Honourable  the  Congress  of  NEW-YORK,  assembled  at  the  WHITE- 
PLAINS,  in  the  State  O/NEW-YORK: 

The  humble  petition  of  ua  the  subscribers  showeth:  That  we  have 
been  four  months  in  the  service  of  the  American  States,  on  board  the 
schooner  General  Putnam,  during  which  time  we  have  not  been  to  sea 
but  eleven  days,  all  the  rest  of  the  time  we  have  spent  inactively  at  the 
head  of  inlets,  five  or  six  miles  from  the  mouths  thereof,  from  whence, 
at  any  emergency,  we  could  not  put  out  without  great  difficulty,  and 
often  not  at  all.  That  we  have  at  sundry  times  lain  a  week,  sometimes 
longer,  in  an  inlet;  and  in  one  we  have  lain  at  anchor,  four  or  five  miles 
from  the  mouth,  a  full  month,  without  ever  attempting  to  go  out,  or 
scarcely  offering  to  send  any  person  to  look  out.  That  numbers  of  ves- 
sels have  passed  and  repassea  without  our  endeavouring  to  speak  them, 
notwithstanding  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  officers  we  had  several  oppor- 
tunities very  favourable.  That  with  our  commander,  Thomas  Cregier 
on  board,  we  have  not  been  out  of  this  inlet  in  seven  weeks.  That  our 
said  commander  hath  several  times  insulted  the  officers  when  they  have 
candidly  advised  him,  and  gave  them  to  understand  that  their  business 
was  only  to  answer  a  question  when  asked,  and  not  attempt  giving  advice. 
That  in  correcting  the  people  for  slight  or  no  offences,  he  hath  used  un- 
lawful weapons;  once  presenting  a  pistol  to  the  breast  of  one  Byrns  for 
only  requesting  to  know  what  his  stated  allowance  was,  and  swearing 
by  God  he  would  blow  a  ball  through  him.  At  another  time,  with  a 
large  hickory  club,  striking  one  Bell  on  the  head  and  much  wounding 
him,  for  what,  in  our  opinion,  scarcely  appeared  a  crime.  That  in  no 
one  thing  has  he  complied  with  the  resolves  of  the  Congress,  his  whole 
conduct  being  one  series  of  folly,  vice,  and  inconsistencies,  setting  the 
most  scandalous  examples  to  the  people,  swearing,  lying,  and  frequent- 
ing the  company  of  the  most  contemptible  of  women,  presenting  the 
private  property  of  others  to  them.  Also  at  sundry  times  giving  the 
ship's  and  cabin  stores  away.  We  are  sorry  to  have  occasion  to  lay 
these  charges  against  our  commander;  but,  black  as  they  are,  they  can 
be  proved  by  the  journals  of  the  officers  and  the  evidence  of  the  most 
respectable  persons  in  these  parts.  That,  by  these  means,  he  hath  ren- 
dered himself  despicable  to  every  man  on  board;  has  greatly  dissatisfied 
every  friend  of  the  cause,  and  become  the  derision  of  its  foes.  That  we 
cannot  with  honour  serve  any  longer  under  the  command  of  the  said 
Thomas  Cregier.  That  it  is  our  sincere  opinion  (with  him  as  our  com- 
mander) we  have  not  done  the  least  service  to  our  country,  and  the 
season  of  the  year  being  so  far  advanced,  we  humbly  conceive  the  vessel 
unfit  to  be  continued  in  the  service,  she  being  weakened,  and  consequently 
would  endanger  our  lives  in  a  gale  of  wind;  besides,  she  leaks  so  that 
not  a  man  in  lire  hold  can  lay  dry  in  the  cabins.  And,  at  the  same  time, 
we  solemnly  declare  our  ardent  desire  to  exert  our  utmost  abilities  in 
defence  of  our  distressed  country  in  any  station  where  there  is  a  pro- 
bability of  doing  it,  and  profess  ourselves  fully  satisfied  with  the  conduct 
of  our  Lieutenant,  Mr.  Quigleij,  and  the  officers  in  general.  And  though 
we  confess  it  would  be  most  agreeable  to  have  a  discharge  from  this 
vessel,  yet,  if  your  honourable  House  should  think  proper  to  continue 
us  therein,  (as  long  as  the  season  will  admit,)  under  the  command  of 
Mr.  Quigley,  or  any  other  person  you  shall  appoint,  except  the  said 
Thomas  Cregier,  we  shall  cheerfully  comply;  for  we  beg  leave  to  assure 
you  that  we  glory  in  yielding  obedience  to  your  commands;  but  humbly 
request,  for  the  honour  and  interest  of  our  country  and  ourselves,  that  the 
said  Thomas  Gregier  may  be  cashiered.  And  your  petitioners,  as  in  duty 
bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

Jno.  James  Boyd.Sur-    John  Hardy,  Isaac  Pritchet, 

gnn.  Thomas  Shourds,     Samuel  Turner, 

George  Shell,  Gunner.     Benj.  Woodruff,       Ezekiel  Heagen, 
John  Thomas,  Carpen-    William  Willasce,   Morgan  Lahy, 
ter.  William  Bell,  John  Thayer, 

John  Trail,  Boatswain.    Thomas  Stills,         Nathaniel  Larance, 
John  Prichet,  Timothy  Byrns,       Mack  Donol, 

William  Radley,  Cook.     Henry  Basset,          Josiah  Davis,  Steward. 


In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York, ) 

July  20, 177G.   '  \ 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  your  Excellency,  by 
order  of  the  Convention,  a  copy  of  sundry  resolves  which 
were  yesterday  agreed  to,  for  the  defence  of  the  inhabitants 
and  protection  of  the  stock  on  Nassau- Island;  and  beg  leave 
to  submit  to  your  consideration  a  short  state  of  the  situation 
and  circumstances  of  that  Island  and  its  inhabitants,  from 
which  you  will  see  the  inutility  of  any  attempts  for  a  total 
removal  of  the  stock  from  thence. 

It  is  supposed  there  are  near  one  hundred  thousand  head 
of  horned  cattle,  besides  a  much  larger  number  of  sheep  and 
other  stock,  the  removal  of  which  would  necessarily  consume 
the  greatest  part  of  the  campaign.  But  supposing  the  same 
could  be  effected  in  a  short  time,  vast  numbers  of  the  stock 
must  inevitably  perish  for  want  of  subsistence,  as  it  could 
not  be  procured  within  any  reasonable  distance.  Besides, 
such  a  measure  would  reduce  the  inhabitants,  computed  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  thousand,  to  the  most  deplorable  and 
insuperable  difficulties  and  distresses.  These  considerations 
have  induced  the  Convention  to  give  over  the  thought  of 
removing  the  stock  from  the  Island,  as  not  only  imp°racti- 
cable,  but  not  advancive  of  the  publick  service,  especially 
as  the  waste  and  common  lands  in  the  easternmost  part  of 
Queen's  and  Suffolk  Counties  are  so  covered  with  thickets 
of  wood,  as  to  render  it  too  dangerous  for  foraging  parties  to 
attempt  to  penetrate. 

I  trust  that  the  Militia  now  to  be  raised,  (which  is  ex- 
pected to  form  a  corps  of  between  seven  hundred  and  nine 
hundred  men,)  with  the  troops  already  stationed  at  the  east 
end  of  the  Island,  may  be  sufficient  to  remove  the  stock 
from  those  places  which  are  most  exposed,  and  prevent  the 
depredations  of  small  detachments.  And  should  the  enemy 
attempt,  with  their  main  Army,  to  fix  themselves  on  any 
part  of  the  Island,  I  doubt  not  but  your  Excellency  will  give 
a  good  account  of  them. 

The  Convention  have  received  information  that  there  are 
a  considerable  number  of  fatted  cattle  and  sheep  on  the 
Island.  They  submit  whether  it  would  not  be  proper  that 
the  Commissary-General  should  be  requested  to  give  the 
preference  in  purchasing  to  these  cattle. 

I  cannot  conclude  without  expressing  my  wishes  that  the 
detachment  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Livingston  may  be 
continued  at  their  present  post,  for  that  part  of  the  Island  is 
so  much  exposed  to  be  insulted  by  the  enemy's  cruisers, 
that  I  fear  the  inhabitants  would  totally  abandon  the  country 
should  those  troops  be  drawn  off. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  most  respectfully,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  servant, 

NATHAN.  WOODHULL,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York, ) 

July  20,  1776.      $ 

This  Convention  having  taken  into  consideration  the  ex- 
pediency of  removing  the  Stock  from  Nassau-Island: 

Resolved,  That  it  will  not  be  for  the  publick  good,  pro- 
vided it  were  practicable,  to  remove  the  Stock  from  the 
Island,  except  such  Cattle,  Sheep,  and  Hogs,  as  are  fit  for 
the  use  of  the  Army. 

2d.  That  the  common  Stock  in  Suffolk, King' s,&nA  Queen's 
Counties,  be  put  in  such  convenient  and  secure  places  in 
each  County  as  may  be  most  convenient,  to  be  guarded  by 
a  sufficient  number  of  Troops,  and  to  be  driven  off  into  the 
interior  parts  of  Nassau-Island,  whenever  the  Commanding 
Officer  or  Officers  of  the  said  Troops  shall  order,  to  prevent 
such  Stock  from  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands ;  leaving,  if 
he  shall  judge  it  safe  and  necessary,  with  each  large  family, 
three  Milch-Cows,  two  Cows  to  a  middling  farm,  arid  one 
to  a  small  family.  And  if  the  said  Commanding  Officer 
finds  that  he  cannot  prevent  the  Stock  from  falling  into 
the  enemy's  hands,  he  may  order  them  to  be  killed  or 
destroyed. 

3d.  And  to  the  intent  that  no  person  may  be  a  loser  by  said 
Stock  being  killed  or  destroyed, 

Resolved,  That  the  oath  or  affirmation  of  the  owner  of 
Cattle,  describing  their  number,  age,  and  qualities,  shall  be 
a  direction  for  the  valuation  of  such  Cattle,  driven  from  his 
possession :  Provided,  That  no  person  who  has  joined,  or 
shall  go  over  to  and  join  the  enemy,  or  who  has  been  or 


539 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


540 


shall  be  in  anywise  aiding  or  assisting  the  enemy,  shall,  in 
consequence  of  this  resolve,  be  entitled  to  a  compensation 
for  any  loss  he  shall  or  may  sustain. 

4th.  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Battalion  of 
Minute-Men  and  Militia  in  Suffolk,  Queen's,  and  King's 
Counties,  be  ordered  immediately  to  draught  out  one-fourth 
part  of  the  Minute-Men  and  Militia  of  said  Counties,  and 
carry  these  resolves  into  execution ;  and  that  the  Field- 
Officers  of  the  Minute  and  Militia  Regiments  in  each  County 
do  appoint  such  Captains  and  Subalterns  to  command  such 
draughts,  out  of  the  Militia  or  Minute  Officers,  as  they  shall 
judge  most  proper;  and  that  the  draughts  be  formed  into 
Companies,  to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  three 
Sergeants,  three  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  one  Fifer,  and 
fifty  Privates.  And  in  case  any  draughts  shall  be  left  after 
the  Companies  are  completed,  and  not  sufficient  to  form 
another  Company,  Officers  shall  be  appointed  for  them  in 
the  following  proportion:  one  Captain  and  one  Lieutenant, 
two  Sergeants  and  two  Corporals,  for  forty  Privates;  two 
Lieutenants,  two  Sergeants,  two  Corporals,  for  thirty  Pri- 
vates; and  one  Lieutenant,  one  Sergeant,  and  one  Corporal, 
for  twenty  Privates — each  man  to  find  his  own  arms  and 
accoutrements.  That  the  Field-Officers  of  the  said  Militia, 
so  to  be  draughted,  be  appointed  by  this  Convention.  The 
troops  so  raised  to  have  Continental  pay  and  rations,  and  to 
continue  in  service  until  the  last  day  of  December  next, 
unless  they  shall  be  sooner  discharged.  That  the  Non- 
Commissioned  Officers  and  Privates  of  the  said  Troops,  who 
shall  furnish  themselves  with  a  good  and  sufficient  Musket  or 
Firelock,  Cartouch-box  and  Belt,  and  Bayonet  or  Hatchet, 
shall  be  allowed  ten  dollars  bounty  to  each  man. 

5th.  Resolved,  That  the  Brigadier-General  of  Suffolkand 
Queen's  Counties  be  directed  to  order  the  Militia  of  those 
Counties  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  into  either 
of  the  said  Counties,  or  any  other  part  of  Nassau-Island,  on 
the  shortest  notice,  with  five  days'  Provisions.  And  that  the 
President  of  this  Convention  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed 
to  write  a  Letter  to  the  Colonel  of  the  Militia  of  King's 
County,  ordering  that  he  hold  his  Regiment  in  the  like 
readiness,  to  march  to  any  part  of  Nassau-Island,  with  five 
days'  Provisions. 

6th.  Resolved,  That  Colonel  Josiah  Smith,  of  Suffolk 
County,  be  First  Colonel  of  the  Troops  to  be  raised  by 
draughts  from  the  Militia  on  Nassau-Island;  that  Colonel 
John  Sands  be  Second  Colonel  of  those  Troops,  with  the 
rank  of  Colonel,  but  with  the  pay  of  a  Lieutenant-Colonel; 
and  that  Abraham  Remsen  be  Major;  that  Colonel  Benja- 
min Birdsall,  at  south  side  of  Queen's  County,  take  the 
command  of  one  Company  of  those  draughts,  with  Chap- 
lain's pay,  saving  his  rank. 

7th.  Resolved,  That  the  Rations  of  the  said  Troops  be 
estimated  at  the  rate  of  lO^d.  each,  which  they  are  to 
receive  in  Money,  in  lieu  of  Provisions. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

JOHN  McKsssoN,  Secretary. 


In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York, 
White-Plains,  July  22,  1776. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Colonels  of  each  Regi- 
ment of  Troops  to  be  draughted  from  the  Militia  of  the 
Counties  of  Dutchess,  Westchester,  Ulster,  Orange,  Suffolk, 
King's,  and  Queen's,  be  each  of  them,  respectively,  a  Mus- 
termaster  of  the  several  Regiments  draughted  or  inlisted  in 
the  said  Counties ;  and  that  each  of  said  Colonels  do  return, 
upon  oath,  to  this  Convention,  a  Muster-Roll  of  the  Regi- 
ment by  him  so  mustered  as  aforesaid ;  and  that  no  person 
so  draughted  or  inlisted,  receive  his  Bounty  until  he  shall 
have  passed  muster. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  one-half  of  the  Bounty 
to  be  given  to  the  draughts  from  the  Militia  in  the  said 
Counties,  be  sent  to  the  Committee  of  each  County,  to  be 
paid  unto  the  said  Troops  immediately  upon  and  after  their 
passing  muster  as  aforesaid ;  and  that  the  remainder  of  the 
Bounty  be  paid  when  the  said  Troops  shall  be  mustered  by 
the  Continental  Mustermaster,  at  their  respective  places  of 
rendezvous;  and  that  his  Excellency  General  Washington 
be  requested  to  cause  the  said  musters  to  be  completed  with 
all  possible  despatch. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

JOHN  MCKESSON,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  25,  1776.] 

New-York,  July  23,  1776. 

Sm :  Since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  writing  you,  by  this 
morning's  post,  I  was  favoured  with  a  letter  from  Governour 
Trumbull,  a  copy  of  which  is  enclosed,  and  to  which  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  you. 

In  regard  to  the  stock  he  mentions,  I  wrote  to  him  re- 
questing that  they  might  be  removed  from  the  Island  on 
which  they  were,  as  I  conceived  it  of  great  importance  to 
distress  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible  in  the  article  of  fresh 
provisions.  I  wish  the  other  Governments  may  follow  his 
example,  and  have  it  removed  from  the  Islands  belonging  to 
them  respectively. 

When  the  ships  of  war  and  tenders  went  up  the  river,  it 
was  thought  expedient  that  application  should  be  made  for 
the  Connecticut  row-galleys  and  those  belonging  to  Rhode- 
Island,  in  order  to  attempt  something  for  their  destruction. 
As  soon  as  they  arrive  we  shall  try  to  employ  them  in  some 
useful  way;  but  in  what,  or  how  successfully,  I  cannot  at 
present  determine. 

Congress  will  please  to  observe  what  Mr.  Trumbull  says 
respecting  the  Continental  regiment  raising  under  Colonel 
Ward.  If  they  incline  to  give  any  orders  about  their  destina- 
tion, you  will  please  tocommunicate  them  by  the  earliest  oppor- 
tunity, as  their  march  will  be  suspended  till  they  are  known. 

The  orders  Mr.  Trumbull  has  given  to  the  officers  of  the 
cruisers  to  stop  provision  vessels,  seem  to  be  necessary.  We 
have  too  much  reason  to  believe  that  some  have  gone  vol- 
untarily to  the  enemy;  and  that  there  are  many  persons 
who  would  contrive  to  furnish  them  with  large  supplies;  and 
however  upright  the  intentions  of  others  may  be,  it  will  be  a 
matter  of  the  utmost  difficulty,  if  not  an  impossibility,  for 
any  to  escape  falling  into  their  hands  now,  as  every  part  of 
the  coast,  it  is  probable,  will  swarm  with  their  ships  of  war 
and  tenders.  1  had  proposed  writing  to  the  Convention  of 
this  State  upon  the  subject  before  I  received  his  letter,  and 
am  now  more  persuaded  of  the  necessity  of  their  taking  some 
steps  to  prevent  further  exportations  down  the  Sound.  In 
my  next  I  shall  inform  them  of  the  intelligence  received  from 
Mr.  Trumbull,  and  recommend  the  matter  to  their  attention. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  esteem,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

P.  S.  It  appears  absolutely  necessary  that  the  exportation 
of  provisions  should  be  stopped ;  our  Army  is  large,  and 
otherwise  may  want;  nor  can  individuals  be  injured,  as  they 
have  a  ready-money  market  for  everything  they  have  to  dis- 
pose of  in  that  way. 

Lebanon,  July  17,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favours  of  the  7th  and  9th  instant  are  duly 
received.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  meet  your  approbation 
of  the  measure  of  sending  our  regiments  of  Horse  to  join 
you.  I  make  no  doubt  they  will  cheerfully  acquiesce  in 
whatever  you  shall  direct  respecting  their  horses,  as  the  gen- 
eral good  of  the  service  ought  to  be,  and  I  believe  is,  their 
governing  principle.  I  find  our  battalions  are  filling  up  fast, 
and  moving  to  your  assistance. 

The  stock  of  horned  cattle  and  sheep  are  removed  from 
Fisher's  Island  and  the  Elizabeth-Islands.  Block-Island 
lies  in  the  Colony  of  Rhode-Island,  and  the  Elizabeth-Islands 
and  Martha's  Vineyard,  are  in  the  Province  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay:  I  cannot,  therefore,  with  propriety,  give  any  orders 
for  the  removal  of  the  fresh  provisions  from  them. 

I  am  sorry  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  comply  with  your 
requisition  for  heavy  cannon  without  leaving  our  port  or  har- 
bour of  New-London  in  too  defenceless  a  state.  By  a  return 
from  the  overseer  of  our  cannon-foundry  at  Salisbury  I  find 
they  have  cast  fourteen  six,  eighteen  nine,  and  eight  twelve- 
pounders,  and  are  proceeding  to  bore  them  out  and  fit  them 
for  use.  He  has  my  orders,  when  the  twelve-pounders  are 
finished,  to  deliver  them  to  your  Excellency's  order,  to  be 
used  where  they  may  be  most  wanted,  without  waiting  for 
further  orders  from  me.  Ball  for  twelve-pounders  are  also 
to  be  had  there.  Should  you  have  occasion,  you  will  please 
to  give  orders  accordingly.  I  expect  eighteen-pounders  will 
be  soon  cast  there,  which  is  the  largest  size  we  can  hope  for 
from  that  furnace. 

I  have  ordered  two  of  our  row-galleys  to  proceed  to  New- 
York,  and  trust  they  will  be  with  you  at  the  receipt  of  this; 
they  have  no  guns  larger  than  nine-pounders.  I  wish  it 


541 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


542 


may  be  in  your  power  to  make  them  more  useful,  by  placing 
heavier  metal  upon  them,  whilst  they  continue  in  yourservice. 

The  Continental  regiment  raising  in  this  Colony  is  now  in 
some  measure  filled  up,  mustered,  equipped,  and  ready  to 
march ;  but  as  there  seems  to  be  much  danger  from  the 
prevalence  of  the  small-pox  in  Boston,  should  they  march 
there,  and  as  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  on  this  side 
seems  to  be  directed  against  you  at  New-York,  1  have 
thought  it  best  they  should  suspend  their  march  towards 
Boston  till  your  pleasure  might  be  known  whether  they 
should  join  the  Army  at  New-  York  or  proceed  (or  Boston. 

Since  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  and  army  at  the  Hook,  seve- 
ral frigates  and  ships  have  been  stationed  between  Montauk 
Point  and  Block-Island,  to  intercept  the  trade  from  the 
Sound,  in  which  they  have  been  so  successful  that  they  have 
derived  great  advantage  from  the  provision  vessels  they  have 
taken.  And  as,  by  frequent  advices  from  the  Captains  of  our 
armed  vessels,  and  others,  it  appeared  highly  improbable  that 
any  vessel  going  out  or  coming  in  by  that  passage  could 
avoid  falling  into  their  hands;  and  as  several  vessels  were 
prepared  and  preparing  in  sundry  places  to  proceed  to  sea 
with  cargoes  of  provisions,  the  owners  of  which  must  be  pre- 
sumed to  be  ignorant  of  the  hazard  they  run  in  getting  out ; 
and  sensible  of  how  grent  importance  it  is  that  all  supplies 
of  provisions  should  be  kept  back  from  the  enemy;  and 
having  good  grounds  to  believe  that  some  evil-minded  persons 
have  designedly  carried  provisions  to  the  enemy,  or  thrown 
themselves  in  their  way,  as  your  Excellency  will  see  by  the 
enclosed  copies  of  depositions  taken  and  sent  to  Congress, — I 
have  given  orders  to  the  Captains  of  the  armed  vessels  in 
the  service  of  this  Colony  to  stop  and  detain  all  provision 
vessels  coming  out  of  any  port  in  this  Colony,  or  through 
the  Sound,  and  bound  to  sea,  for  the  present,  and  until  the 
Continental  Congress  and  the  Congresses  or  Conventions 
of  the  Colonies  or  States  to  which  they  respectively  belong, 
may  be  apprized  of  the  hazards  attending  their  proceeding 
in  their  voyages,  and,  on  consideration,  shall  give  such  orders 
as  they  may  think  fit  respecting  the  same.  The  apparent 
necessity  of  the  measure  will,  I  flatter  myself,  justify  me  in 
taking  it,  where  it  is  known  and  properly  explained.  To 
prevent  or  obviate  any  misrepresentation,  is  my  motive  for 
troubling  your  Excellency  with  this  account. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient 
humble  servant,  JONTH.  TKUMBULL. 

19th. — Received  your  favour  of  the  15th  instant,  which 
induced  me  to  send  orders  immediately  to  Thomas  Stanton, 
Captain  of  our  other  row-galley,  the  Shark,  to  proceed  with 
her  forthwith  to  New -York,  and  subject  himself  to  your 
command.  Wish  him  safe,  and  serviceable  to  your  designs. 


2Qtk. — Colonel  Ward,  of  the  Continental  battalion  lately 
ordered  to  be  raised  here,  and  mentioned  above,  informs  me 
that  his  regiment  is  not  much  beyond  half  filled,  occasioned  by 
their  being  raised  fora  longer  time  and  receiving  less  bounty 
than  others.  Since  many  are  ordered  from  Boston,  and  this 
may  be  stationed  on  the  works  below  or  in  the  environs,  at 
places  out  of  danger  of  the  infection  from  the  small-pox,  will 
it  not  be  best  this  battalion  should  be  ordered  to  march  to 
that  place,  first  mentioned  for  their  destination  ?  They  are 
principally  men  who  have  not  seen  service.  Please  to  give 
the  earliest  notice  of  your  pleasure  therein. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  BARON  DE  CALBIAC. 

New- York,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  yesterday,  and  in  answer 
thereto,  I  am  to  inform  you,  at  the  same  time  that  I  com- 
mend the  good  intentions  which  you  profess  induced  your 
countrymen  to  leave  their  families  and  homes,  that  I  have 
done  the  only  thing  in  my  power  to  favour  their  views.  On 
their  first  arrival  and  introduction  to  me,  I  gave  them  a  letter 
to  the  Continental  Congress,  to  whom  it  was  necessary  to 
make  known  their  wishes,  and  from  whom  any  appointment 
they  expect  must  come.  This,  I  am  persuaded,  you  are 
sensible  of,  and  would  wish  you  to  communicate  to  them. 
Their  pretensions  will  be  duly  considered,  and  if  supported 
by  proper  credentials,  I  make  no  doubt  but  suitable  regard 
will  be  had  to  their  merits.  Your  and  their  good  sense  will 
readily  suggest  the  propriety  and  expediency  of  their  furnish- 
ing some  testimonial  and  recommendation  previous  to  any 
appointment.  These  would  have  been  proper  at  any  time, 
but  the  late  instance  of  treachery  and  ingratitude  in  Monsieur 

,  in  deserting  and  taking  the  command  of  a  party 
of  the  enemy  in  Canada,  after  he  had  been  promoted  to  office 
in  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies,  makes  them  indispen- 
sably necessary,  though  I  do  not  entertain  the  least  suspicion 
of  the  honour  and  integrity  of  the  gentlemen  of  whom  you 
write,  or  mean  to  insinuate  that  a  conduct  like  Monsieur 

would  frequently  happen.  I  might  further  add, 
that  the  unacquaintance  of  our  soldiers  with  any  language  but 
their  own  makes  them  unwilling  and  impatient  under  the  com- 
mand of  foreigners,  unless  they  are  men  of  high  reputation. 
Nor  will  they  consent  thereto  but  on  that  account,  and  where 
they  possess  great  military  knowledge.  It  therefore  follows, 
that  any  appointments  these  gentlemen  may  obtain  will  not 
be  attended  with  any  good  purposes  or  satisfaction  to  them- 
selves, unless  they  are  to  corps  of  their  own  people,  or  those 
who  understand  their  language.  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obe- 
dient servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Baron  De  Calbiac. 


A  Return  of  the  Ammunition  and  other  Utensils  at  the  different  Forts  on  LONG-ISLAND,  July  23,  1776. 


. 

^ 

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—    V 
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To 

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£_ 

5 

<    6-pounders  2. 
At  Fort  Greene  ]    3-pounders  3. 

100 
43 

23 
200 

100 
43 

50 

- 

- 

12 
24 

48 

130 

2 
3 

2 
3 

2 
3 

2 
3 

2 
3 

8 
6 

2 
3 

2 

12-pounders  2. 

60 

- 

61 

- 

34 

- 

- 

- 

3 

2 

2 

2 

2 

8 

2 

• 

At  Fort  Putnam  

6-pounders  1. 

50 

8 

48 

30 

- 

- 

2 

24 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

- 

3-pounders  2. 

32 

120 

32 

. 

. 

- 

3 

60 

4 

2 

2 

1 

2 

6 

2 

1 

At  Fort  Stirling  

32-pounders  3. 
18-pounders  2. 
6-pounders  1. 

122 
50 
50 

124 
50 
8 

124 
50 
50 

20 

- 

50 
20 

- 

4 

24 

4 
2 
1 

4 
2 
1 

3 
2 
1 

4 
2 
1 

4 
2 

1 

16 

8 

4 

3 
2 
1 

_ 

3-pounders  1. 

15 

24 

15 

- 

• 

- 

5 

- 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

1 

~ 

At  Cobble  1 

Jill  $ 

9-pounders 
3-poundevs 

2. 
1. 

175 
15 

60 
49 

190 
15 

50 

38 

38 

3 

4 

96 
35 

3 
2 

2 

1 

2 

1 

3 
1 

3 
1 

8 

1 

2 
1 

1 

At  Redoubt  at  the  Mil  ,  3-pounders  1. 

1 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1 

- 

1 

1 

• 

4 

~ 

" 

Musket  Cartridges. 



GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

FortGreene. 

Cobble  Hill. 

Fort 
Stirling. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  23,  1776. 

oz.  balls, 
20 
21 
23 

15,072 
3,728 
2,956 
504 

oz.  balls, 
20 
21 
22 

2,592 
1,056 
1,000 
1,000 

oz.  balls, 
23 
24 

3,432 
1,920 
2,000 

SIR:  Enclosed  is  a  letter  sent  me  by  Colonel  Varnum, 
relative  to  Captain  Read.    Your  Excellency  can  best  deter- 
mine the  force  of  the  reasons  offered  for  a  discharge.     The 

26 
32 

2,640 
1,200 

23 
24 
26 

960 
1,000 
1,200 

- 

: 

First  Lieutenant  of  the  company,  perhaps,  may  make  as 
good  a  Captain  as  the  present  acting  one. 

- 

26,100 

- 

8,808 

- 

7,352 

Colonel  Hand  reports  that  the  enemy  continues  as  they 

26,100 

were. 
I  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 

Total   

42,260 

dient  humble  servant,                               N          R 

J.1  Al  XI  •    V  1  Ki  .  !,_>  I,. 

543 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


544 


Red-Hook,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  As  I  mentioned  to  you  before,  Captain  Read  is 
soliciting  for  a  discharge.  The  reason,  he  is  informed  by 
letters  which  lie  cannot  discredit,  that  his  wife  is  verging  to 
the  close  of  life  by  means  of  a  chronick  disorder,  which  ap- 
pears too  inveterate  to  yield  to  the  efficacy  of  medicine.  He 
cannot  so  far  stifle  the  tender  emotions  of  conjugal  affection 
as  to  remain  in  absence.  The  distance  is  so  great  that  he 
cannot  wish  to  injure  the  service  by  requesting  a  furlough, 
leaving  a  weakness  in  the  command  of  his  country.  From 
these  circumstances  I  am  induced  to  request  you  to  repre- 
sent his  prayer  to  the  Commander-in-Cliief,  whose  exalted 
wisdom  and  humanity  cannot  fail  of  directing  what  is  right 
in  so  disagreeable  a  situation. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant,  J.  VARNUM. 

To  General  Greene. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER    DATED    HUNTINGTON,  LONG-ISLAND, 
NEW-YORK,  JULY  23,   1776. 

Yesterday,  the  freedom  and  independency  of  the  Thir- 
teen United  Colonies  was,  with  beat  of  drum,  proclaimed 
at  the  several  places  of  parade,  by  reading  the  Declaration 
of  the  General  Congress,  together  with  the  Resolutions  of 
our  Provincial  Convention  thereupon;  which  were  approved 
and  applauded  by  the  animated  shouts  of  the  people,  who 
were  present  from  all  the  distant  quarters  of  this  district. 
After  which,  the  flag  which  used  to  wave  on  Liberty  Pole, 
having  "  Liberty"  on  one  side,  and  "George  III."  on  the 
other,  underwent  a  reform — i.  e.,  the  Union  was  cut  off, 
and  the  letters  George  III.  were  discarded,  being  publickly 
ripped  off;  and  then  an  effigy  of  the  person  represented 
by  those  letters,  being  hastily  fabricated  out  of  base  mate- 
rials, with  its  face  black,  like  Dunmore's  Virginia  regiment, 
its  head  adorned  with  a  wooden  crown  and  stuck  full  of 
feathers,  like  Carleton's  and  Johnson's  savages,  and  its  body 
wrapped  in  the  Union,  instead  of  a  blanket  or  robe  of  State, 
and  lined  with  gunpowder,  which  the  original  seems  to  be 
fond  of, — the  whole,  together  with  the  letters  above  men- 
tioned, were  hung  on  a  gallows,  exploded,  and  burnt  to 
ashes.  In  the  evening,  the  Committee  of  this  town,  with 
a  large  number  of  the  principal  inhabitants,  sat  round  the 
genial  board,  and  drank  thirteen  patriotick  toasts,  among 
which  were,  The  Free  and  Independent  States  of  America ; 
The  General  Congress;  The  Conventions  of  the  Thirteen 
States;  Our  principal  military  Commanders;  and  success 
and  enlargement  to  the  American  Navy.  Nor  was  the 
memory  of  our  late  brave  heroes,  who  have  gloriously  lost 
their  lives  in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  their  country,  forgotten. 

Southampton,  Suffolk  County,  New-York,  July  23,  1776. 
Last  Monday  afternoon,  was  exhibited  to  view  in  this 
town  a  very  agreeable  prospect:  the  old  gentlemen,  grand- 
fathers, to  the  age  of  seventy  years  and  upwards,  met, 
agreeably  to  appointment,  and  formed  themselves  into  an 
Independent  company.  Each  man  was  well  equipped  with 
a  good  musket,  powder,  ball,  cartridges,  Sic.,  and  unani- 
mously made  choice  of  Elias  Pelletreau,  Esq.,  for  their 
leader,  (with  other  suitable  officers,)  who  made  a  very 
animating  speech  to  them,  on  the  necessity  of  holding  them- 
selves in  readiness  to  go  into  the  field  in  time  of  invasion. 
They  cheerfully  agreed  to  it,  and  determined,  at  the  risk  of 
their  lives,  to  defend  the  free  and  Independent  States  of 
America.  May  such  a  shining  example  stimulate  every 
father  on  Long-Island  in  particular,  and  America  in  general, 
to  follow  their  aged  brethren  here. 


CAPTAIN  DENTON  TO  GENERAL  WOODHULL. 

New-York,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Some  weeks  ago,  the  Second  Lieutenant  of  my 
company  secretly  deserted  it;  but,  previous  to  his  leaving 
me,  he  assigned  his  warrant  over  to  Cadwalader  Moore, 
one  of  my  Sergeants,  a  young  man  every  way  well  qualified 
to  act  in  the  capacity  of  an  officer,  and  who  bears  an  unex- 
ceptionable character,  and  is  of  good  family.  Upon  relating 
the  circumstance  of  my  being  destitute  of  a  Second  Lieu- 
tenant to  my  company  to  some  of  .the  members  of  the  late' 
Committee  of  Safety,  they  told  me  they  would  mention  the 
matter  in  Committee;  and  shortly  afterwards  I  was  informed 
by  Mr.  Cooper,  (one  of  the  members  I  had  mentioned  the 
affair  to,)  that  the  Committee  had  ordered  that  James  Mil- 


ler, my  Ensign,  should  be  Second  Lieutenant,  and  Cadwal- 
ader Moore  Ensign ;  and  upon  that,  Moore  went  to  some 
expense  in  purchasing  regimentals,  and  has  ever  since 
appeared  in  the  character  of  an  officer.  Lately,  the  com- 
missions were  issued  for  most  of  the  officers  of  the  regiment, 
but  Mr.  Miller's  commission  was  detained  from  him,  and 
no  commission  issued  to  Mr.  Moore,  which  occasions  some 
uneasiness  in  my  company.  I  must  therefore  request  the 
favour  of  you  to  lay  the  affair  before  the  Convention ;  and 
if  any  further  light  is  required  on  it,  Mr.  Strong,  the  bearer, 
will  be  able  to  give  it.  I  have  the  only  full  company  in  the 
regiment,  which  makes  me  take  the  greater  liberty  of  men- 
tioning the  affair  to  you. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

DANIEL  DENTON, 

Captain  in  Third  Regiment  Nett>-YorJc  Forces. 
To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq. 

REPORT  ON  COMMISSIONS  TOR  CAPTAIN  DENTON's  COMPANY. 

Your  Committee,  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the 
letter  received  from  Captain  Daniel  Denton,  dated  23d 
instant,  and  from  such  information  as  they  could  collect,  do 
report : 

That  a  commission  be  made  out  for  James  Miller,  as  a 
Second  Lieutenant,  bearing  date  the  3d  day  of  May  last; 
and  another  for  Cadwalader  Moore,  as  Ensign,  bearing  date 
the  same  diiy,  both  in  the  company  commanded  by  Captain 
Denton,  and  in  Colonel  Rilzema's  regiment. 


COLONEL  CORTLANDT  AND  CAPTAIN  PLATT  TO  NEW-YORK 
CONVENTION. 

Peekskill.  July  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  There  was  yesterday  a  council  of  war  held 
at  Fort  Montgomery,  where  it  was  agreed  that  three  hun- 
dred men  would  be  a  sufficient  guard  on  the  east  side  of 
Hudson's  River,  from  Anthony's  Nose  to  Croton;  but  as 
all  the  troops  belonging  to  this  State  are  withdrawn,  the 
whole  draught  has  fallen  on  the  New-England  forces,  who 
have  agreed  to  stay  until  Saturday  next,  but  we  think  it  will 
be  impracticable  to  prevail  on  them  to  stay  any  longer  there. 
Beg  the  Convention  would  order  such  parts  of  the  new 
levies  as  may  be  raised  to  be  on  the  ground  at  that  time,  to 
relieve  them.  Colonel  Cortlandt's  regiment  has  been  called 
out,  and  I  think  there  may  be  depended  on  about  fifty  or 
sixty  of  the  new  levies  from  the  said  regiment  by  Saturday. 
About  three  hundred  of  the  New-England  troops  returned 
home  this  day;  and  by  some  pay-rolls  delivered  in,  it  appears 
that  their  subsistence  money,  for  men  and  horses,  will  amount 
to  near  six  hundred  pounds.  Therefore,  in  order  to  pay  said 
subsistences,  and  discharge  sundry  other  accounts,  request 
the  Convention  to  give  an  order  on  the  Treasurer  of  this 
State  for  six  hundred  pounds,  to  be  paid  to  the  bearer,  John 
Levinus. 

No  particular  occurrences  have  happened.  The  ships 
remain  a  little  below  Verplanclc's  Point.  Have  made  no 
attempts  to  land  lately.  One  of  their  barges  was  seen  night 
before  last  rowing  down  the  river  by  Teller's  Point.  We 
have  since  ordered  twenty  men  stationed  at  Albert  Aarsen's, 
below  Croton.  The  detachment  from  General  Ten  Broeck's 
brigade  have  also  left  Fort  Constitution  and  the  heights 
they  were  ordered  to  occupy  above  Anthony's  Nose,  it  is 
supposed  in  order  to  raise  their  men. 

Remain,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants, 

PIERRE  VAN  CORTLANDT, 
ZEPHA.  PLATT. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of 

New-  York. 

P.  S.  This  instant  an  officer  arrived  here  by  order  of 
General  Washington,  in  search  of  three  French  gentlemen, 
whom  he  found  here.  They  are  suspected  of  being  spies 
from  Canada. 


GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Fort  Montgomery,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  favoured  with  your  Excellency's  commands 
of  the  17th  instant,  and  am  happy  to  find  the  measures 
taken  here  for  the  reception  of  the  enemy's  shipping  ap- 
proved. Yesterday  some  of  the  carpenters  from  Pough- 
keepsie  arrived  at  this  place  with  the  fire-rafts.  They  are 


545 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


546 


constructed  on  the  plan  lately  transmitted  to  your  Excellency 
by  my  brother.  We  are  busy  preparing,  and  hope  to  be 
able  to-morrow  or  next  day  to  draw  them  across  the  river, 
though  I  fear  we  will  be  put  to  great  difficulty  in  procuring 
anchors,  cables,  &c.,  for  securing  them.  The  combustible 
matter  with  which  they  are  filled  will,  I  apprehend,  hardly 
be  quick  enough,  for  want  of  spirits  of  turpentine  and  salt- 
petre. We  have  neither,  and  1  don't  know  where  to  apply 
for  or  how  to  procure  these  necessary  articles.  Should  the 
enemy  ever  attempt  to  gain  possession  of  this  fortress  by 
land,  with  equal  numbers  only,  we  are  in  a  bad  situation  to 
defend  it.  The  hill  on  the  south  side  of  Pooplopen's  Kill, 
and  not  above  one-seventh  of  a  mile  distant,  overlooks  every 
gun  almost  in  our  battery,  which  lies  in  open  view  of  it.  It 
is  accessible  to  the  enemy  from  a  landing  that  we  cannot 
command  with  our  batteries,  by  a  road  along  which  field- 
pieces  may  easily  be  brought  up.  We  must,  for  the  safety 
of  these  works,  keep  a  large  body  of  men  there,  should  the 
enemy  attempt  landing,  if  no  works  are  erected.  If  fortified,  a 
less  number  will  hold  the  ground,  annoy  the  enemy's  shipping, 
and  render  us  safe  from  that  quarter  or  any  attempt  by  land. 
Indeed,  it  is  the  spot  where  our  first  works  should,  in  my  poor 
judgment,  have  been  made.  Mr.  Jay,  Messrs.  Livingston, 
Mr.  Tappen,  and  Mr.  Yates,  a  Committee  of  Provincial 
Congress  lately  at  this  place,  are  of  opinion  with  me,  that 
this  fortress  is  by  no  means  safe,  unless  that  height  is  secured. 
General  Fellows  and  other  officers  from  the  eastward  are  all 
of  the  same  opinion.  They  advised  me  to  begin  some  small 
works  there.  I  have  laid  such  out,  as  well  as  I  know  how; 
and  the  Militia  are  employed  in  making  fascines  and  other 
necessary  preparations  which  are  not  attended  with  any 
publick  expense;  but  I  can't  think  of  doing  anything  more 
than  making  a  small  breastwork  for  musketry,  until  1  receive 
your  Excellency's  orders  on  this  head,  especially  as  there 
may  be  good  reasons  against  erecting  any  such  works,  which, 
from  my  want  of  military  knowledge,  don't  occur  to  me. 
A  few  cannon  would  serve  them ;  and  these,  I  think,  may 
be  spared  from  other  fortifications  here,  where  they  cannot 
be  so  serviceable. 

1  find  large  arrears  are  due  to  the  few  artificers,  carters,  &c., 
employed  in  completing  these  works.  Since  the  Commis- 
sioners of  Congress  were  dismissed,  I  believe  there  has  not 
been  any  money  furnished  the  commanding  officer  for  that 
purpose.  They  are  uneasy,  discontented,  and,  in  my  opin- 
ion, do  not  half  work.  We  dare  not  drive  them  till  able  to 
pay  them,  and  are  obliged  to  use  our  own  private  cash  and 
credit  to  prevent  their  leaving  us,  which  they  threaten,  and 
we  can't  as  yet  do  without  them. 

Nothing  of  any  great  importance  has  happened  since 
my  last.  On  the  16th  instant  the  enemy's  shipping  came 
under  way,  and  proceeded  up  the  river  opposite  the  stores 
at  Haverstraw,  about  eight  miles  above  where  they  first  lay, 
opposite  Tarrytown.  They  discharged  a  few  shot  at  the 
houses  on  the  west  shore,  without  doing  any  damage.  I 
went  down  there  next  day,  caused  the  goods  to  be  removed 
out  of  the  stores,  and  the  cattle,  sheep,  &,c.,  contiguous  to 
the  shore,  to  places  of  safety,  and  ordered  one  hundred  and 
eighty  Militia,  under  a  prudent  officer,  to  protect  that  neigh- 
bourhood and  prevent  the  enemy  getting  any  supplies.  In 
the  afternoon  a  tender  sloop  made  sail,  and  ran  up  within 
full  view  and  long-shot  of  our  battery,  sounding  the  river 
carefully  as  she  beat  up.  We  gave  her  a  thirty-two-pounder, 
which  hit  her;  she  put  about,  and  fell  down  to  the  shipping, 
plundering  a  small  house  on  her  return,  near  the  shore,  before 
our  people  could  possibly  get  there. 

The  17th  instant,  the  Rose,  Captain  Wallace,  and  the 
same  tender,  came  under  sail.  The  tender,  soon  after,  en- 
deavouring to  cover  a  barge  in  shore  at  which  our  people 
were  firing,  run  aground,  and  did  not  get  off  before  evening. 
The  Rose  proceeded  up  within  three  miles  of  this,  plundered 
a  poor  man's  house,  and  set  it  on  fire.  Captain  Wallace 
headed  the  party  who  committed  this  little  robbery;  his 
share  of  the  plunder  was  a  handkerchief  full  of  salad  and  a 
pig  so  very  poor  that  a  crow  would  scarcely  deign  to  eat  it. 
The  house  stood  single  under  a  mountain,  and  we  thought 
the  poverty  of  the  owner  would  be  a  sufficient  protection, 
though  we  had  a  party  not  far  distant,  but  they  were  not 
able  to  arrive  time  enough  to  prevent  the  mischief.  Their 
being  able  to  move  from  place  to  place  so  much  quicker  by 
water  than  we  can  by  land,  is  much  against  us.  However, 
I  think  I  have  my  party  so  disposed  of  now  as  to  prevent 


effectually  any  mischief  in  future.  The  Rose  fell  down  in 
the  evening  near  to  where  the  tender  run  aground,  and  the 
next  day  ihePhcenix  moved  up  to  her;  so  that  they  now  all 
lay  about  five  or  six  miles  below  us. 

A  deserter  swam  on  shore  from  the  Rose  a  few  nights 
ago.  I  directed  Colonels  Nicoll  and  Hay  to  take  and 
transmit  to  your  Excellency  his  examination,  which  I  hope 
you  have  received.  He  was  a  volunteer  in  our  service  last 
summer,  was  taken  on  board  of  one  of  our  privateers  last 
winter  by  the  Rose,  is  now  here,  and  well  known  by  our 
Artillery  officer  and  people. 

I  am  very  apprehensive  that  the  enemy's  shipping  (from 
their  moving  up  so  near  us,  and  other  little  circumstances) 
mean  to  take  the  advantage  of  a  dark  night,  and  slip  by  us. 
The  shores  are  high  and  bold,  and  the  navigation  of  course 
safe  and  easy.  To  prevent  this,  I  keep  out  an  advanced 
guard  every  night  on  the  extreme  point  in  view,  about  two 
and  a  half  miles  below  our  works,  properly  prepared  to  kindle 
up  a  large  light  fire  on  the  shipping's  heaving  in  sight;  I 
have  also  on  the  shore,  opposite  the  battery,  for  a  con- 
siderable distance  up  and  down  the  river,  large  piles  of  dry 
brushwood,  mixed  with  leaves  and  the  best  combustible 
matter  I  can  procure,  with  proper  persons  to  set  them  on 
fire  upon  the  signals  being  given  from  the  first  point;  so 
that,  by  having  them  between  us  and  those  lights,  we  will 
be  able  to  play  upon  them  with  great  advantage,  while  our 
shore  will  be  thereby  darkened  to  them. 

The  Militia  from  New-England,  on  the  opposite  shore, 
have  lately  applied  to  our  Congress  at  White-Plains  for 
leave  to  return  home.  They  referred  the  matter  to  a  council 
of  war  to  be  held  here,  and  yesterday  General  Fellows  and 
other  officers  attended  on  that  business.  The  result  was, 
that  all  should  be  dismissed  but  three  hundred,  who  were  to 
continue  to  defend  the  shore.  I  think  that  number  sufficient. 

I  am  sorry  to  trouble  your  Excellency  with  so  long  a 
letter.  I  am  induced  to  give  you  so  particular  an  account 
of  the  motions  of  the  enemy  here,  that,  by  comparing  them 
with  their  movements  below,  some  judgment  may,  perhaps, 
be  formed  of  their  designs,  while  diffidence  of  my  own 
judgment  in  military  operations  leads  me  to  inform  your 
Excellency  of  every  little  step  we  have  taken.  These  con- 
siderations, I  hope,  will  apologize  for  my  being  so  prolix. 

I  am,  with  the  highest  respect,  your  Excellency's  tnost 


obedient  servant, 


GEO.  CLINTON. 


To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above,  Messrs.  Livingston,  Van 
Zandt,  and  Lawrence,  arrived  here  to  consult  upon  the  most 
advisable  way  of  fixing  a  chain  across  the  river,  and  to  view 
the  shores.  The  ship-carpenters  at  Poughkeepsie  are  making 
more  rafts  and  other  matters  advised  by  the  Committee  of 
Congress.  The  bearer  may  be  trusted  with  your  Excel- 
lency's commands  for  this  post. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  DATED  AT  FORT  MONTGOMERY,  IN  THE 
HIGHLANDS,  JULY  23,  1776. 

The  British  piratical  rovers  up  the  river  were  then  below 
Verplanck's  Point.  Their  intentions  were  unknown;  but 
it  plainly  appeared  that  their  design  in  coming  up  was  en- 
tirely frustrated.  They  were  far  from  expecting  we  were 
so  well  prepared  to  receive  them,  especially  at  the  Fort. 
They  were  well  watched  on  both  sides  the  river;  and,  on 
Friday  last,  one  of  their  tenders  having  got  aground,  would 
have  been  destroyed  by  our  people  on  shore,  had  it  not  been 
for  want  of  boats.  A  continual  fire  of  musketry  was  kept 
upon  her  till  she  was  relieved  by  the  assistance  of  the  Rose 
man-of-war. 

Captain  Wallace,  the  noted  pirate,  with  about  thirty  men, 
landed  at  Haverstraw,  where  they  set  fire  to  the  house 
of  Captain  Lilly,  a  noted  Tory,  who  was  the  first  and  only 
one  who  received  a  specimen  of  the  kind  treatment  they 
as  well  as  others  may  expect  from  their  newly-adopted 
friends.  The  British  Act  of  Parliament  makes  no  distinc- 
tion between  such  and  the  freemen  of  America. 

We  have  at  this  post  one  thousand  men,  well  equipped; 
seven  hundred  at  Fort  Constitution;  and  several  thousands 
at  Peekskill,  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  At  General  Clin- 
ton's request,  I  came  down  here  to  assist  in  preparations  for 
a  proper  reception  of  the  enemy,  should  they  deign  to  favour 
us  with  a  visit. 


FIFTH  SEKIES. — VOL.  I. 


35 


517 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


548 


Last  Thursday,  a  prisoner  escaped  by  swimming  from  on 
board  the  Rose  man-of-war.  He  is  a  native  of  Boston,  well 
known  to  many  officers  and  men  from  thence,  in  the  Train. 
Was  last  summer  in  the  service.  He  was  taken  by  the 
Rose,  on  his  passage  from  Ipswich  to  the  West-Indies;  so 
that  his  information  respecting  those  worse  than  freebooters 
may  be  relied  on,  viz: 

That  by  the  conversation  of  the  Rose's  crew,  he  found 
that  they  expected,  on  coming  up,  to  be  joined  by  five  hun- 
dred Tories,  who  were  to  have  driven  down  with  them  plenty 
of  stock  of  all  sorts;  that  they  had  been  informed  great 
quantities  of  provision  and  goods  of  all  kinds  were  deposited 
in  the  stores  at  Peekskill,  which  they  were  to  have  destroyed, 
and  then,  proceeding  through  the  Highlands  to  Povghkcep- 
sie,  were  there  to  destroy  our  men-of-war  on  the  stocks ; 
that  they  appeared  highly  mortified  in  finding  everything 
in  a  .situation  so  different  from  what  they  had  been  made  to 
expect;  that  the  Rose  had  on  board  one  hundred  and  ten 
men,  (boys  included,)  and  twenty  marines;  that  in  pass- 
ing New -York,  the  greatest  damage  they  received  was  from 
the  batteries  at  Paulus-Hook  Ferry,  and  the  Blue-Bell; 
that  the  cook  and  another  man  had  each  a  leg,  and  another 
his  thigh,  taken  off  by  a  cannon-ball;  that  tsvo  twelve- 
pound  shot  lodged  in  the  head  of  the  foremast  just  below 
the  hounds,  one  went  through  and  through  the  quarter, 
one  into  the  quarter  gallery  and  cabin,  and  three  were  cut 
out  just  above  her  black  streak.  Her  shrouds  and  rigging 
were  much  hurt. 

The  Phoenix's  damage  he  was  unacquainted  with,  and, 
being  a  prisoner,  it  could  not  be  expected  they  should  inform 
him.  He  only  heard,  accidentally,  that  she  had  a  twelve- 
pound  shot  in  her  bowsprit. 


CAPTAIN  WYNKOOP  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  23,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  send  you  down  one  gondola,  and  I 
expect  to  send  you  one  more  the  latter  end  of  this  week. 
The  vessel  and  one  gondola  which  are  now  on  the  stocks, 
I  expect  to  have  done  next  week,  and  will  send  them  down 
also. 

I  have  sent  this  day  to  the  saw-mill  concerning  boards, 
and  there  were  none  sawed.  But  1  am  going  to-morrow  to 
the  saw-mill  myself,  and  I  will  have  them  sawed  as  quick 
as  possible,  and  sent  down  to  you. 

There  are  this  day  twenty-nine  carpenters  more  arrived 
at  this  place.  There  are  none  of  General  Waterbury's  men 
arrived  yet;  so  that  I  find  I  am  too  weak  at  present  to  sup- 
ply the  saw-mills  and  carpenters  with  what  they  want  to 
forward  the  business. 

I  would  be  glad  if  the  General  would  order  those  two 
small  companies  of  my  regiment  now  in  the  Fort  here  to 
help  me.  Then  I  think  I  would  be  able  to  forward  the 
work  in  a  proper  manner. 

I  find  thirty  men  here  of  Colonel  Van  Dyke's  regiment. 
I  would  be  glad  if  the  General  would  please  to  order  them 
over  to  Ticonderoga,  where  part  of  their  regiment  now  lies ; 
for  as  they  are  Militia,  I  find  them  to  be  under  no  command, 
and  I  am  tired  of  being  plagued  with  people  of  so  many 
different  corps  as  I  have  been  already  this  year. 

I  would  be  glad  if  the  General  would  order  some  rum 
over  here  for  the  carpenters,  for  we  have  none  at  all ;  and 
among  rurn,  I  would  be  glad  of  one  barrel  of  West-India. 

I  find  we  want  one  set  of  blacksmith's  tools  more,  which 
I  have  sent  for  by  express  to  General  SchuyJer,  at  Albany. 

I  have  no  more;  but  conclude,  dear  General,  with  my 
compliments  to  you,  and  so  remain  your  affectionate  friend 

arid  humble  servant,  >-,  »,r 

CORNS.  WYNKOOP. 

To  Major-General  Gates,  at  Ticonderoga. 


procuring  the  boards  and  timber  is  attended  with  all  the 
labour  and  difficulty  you  mention,  I  think  Colonel  Wait  had 
better  desist,  and  return  to  his  regiment;  but  he  should  first 
destroy  the  remainder  of  the  raft,  and  such  ship-timber  as 
may  be  useful  to  the  enemy. 

When  the  command  down  the  Lake  returns,  you  will  be 
strengthened  by  their  reinforcement.  Mr.  Hops  is  intended 
to  he  employed  in  the  capacity  you  mention,  where  I  wish 
his  behaviour  lo  he  such  as  to  met  it  further  promotion.  The 
service  in  the  vessels  will  be  the  post  of  honour.  Those 
who  distinguish  themselves  therein  may  depend  upon  my 
protection.  I  will  direct  Lieutenant-Colonel  Baldwin  lo 
send  down  the  carpenters  of  your  regiment  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, to  be  employed  at  the  saw-mill  in  the  manner  you 
recommend.  I  will  consider  whether  it  be  proper  and  con- 
venient to  send  smiths  to  Crown-Point.  If  that  is  deter- 
mined, such  as  can  be  spared  from  hence  shall  be  sent 
there. 

This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Major  Bigelow,  of  the 
Artillery,  who  goes  by  the  positive  command  of  General 
Washington,  and  the  honourable  the  Convention  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  with  a  letter  to  General  Bur- 
goyne.  You  may  send  your  orders  to  Onion-River  by  him, 
and  he  should  be  directed  to  send  back  all  the  parties  now 
upon  the  scout  down  the  Lake.  The  commanding  officers 
of  those  parties  should  have  some  private  signals,  that  they 
may  not  attack  or  interrupt  each  other's  discoveries.  They 
ought  all  to  be  called  in,  and  desist  from  further  progress, 
while  the  flag  of  truce  is  going  up  and  down  the  Lake. 
As  some  more  batteaus  will  go  to  Crown-Point  to-morrow 
morning,  I  shall  consider  what  I  have  further  to  say  to  you, 
and  write  by  that  opportunity. 

The  oars  for  the  gondolas  should  be  forwarded  with  all 
expedition.  I  am,  sir,  &,c., 

HORATIO  GATES,  Major-General. 
To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hartley. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  COLONEL  HARTLEY. 

Tyonderogn,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  to  me  of  the  21st  instant,  with  that  to 
General  Arnold  of  the  same  date,  are  now  before  me.  M  r. 
Brown  was  brought  here  by  your  party.  I  am  much 
obliged  to  you  for  your  address  in  securing  him.  The  In- 
dian goods  are  received,  and  sent  forward  to  General 
Schuykr.  Tho  raft,  with  the  party  under  Captain  Peramus, 
of  Colonel  BurrcWs  regiment,  arrived  last  ni"ht.  If  the 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  THE  COMMANDING  OFFICER  AT  ALBANY. 

Tyonderogn,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  The  prisoner  (Brown)  who  is  sent  with  this,  has 
been  a  conductor  of  artillery  stores,  and  is  accused,  among 
many  acts  of  villany,  of  selling  the  puhlick  stores  of  ammu- 
nition, &,c.  He  is  suspected,  likewise,  of  attempting  to 
escape  to  the  enemy.  He  has,  by  some  means,  put  the 
principal  evidence  in  this  case  out  of  the  way,  so  that,  at 
present,  it  is  not  possible  to  proceed  in  his  trial.  For  this 
reason,  I  send  him  to  you,  with  my  orders  to  confine  him  in 
close  jail,  under  care  of  a  guard,  in  the  city  of  Albany,  till 
you  receive  orders  from  me  to  release  him. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES,  Major-General. 
To  the  Commanding  Officer  at  Albany. 

REUBEN  FOSTER  TO  GENERAL  SULLIVAN. 

Newbury,  Cohoa,  July  23, 1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer  of  this,  Monsieur  Traverse,  having  come 
over  to  this  part  of  the  country  from  the  parish  of  St. 
Francois,  by  a  tedious  journey,  claiming  our  protection,  as 
being  in  danger  of  suffering  there  by  his  attachment  to  the 
general  cause  of  American  liberty,  and  having  served  as 
Captain  of  Militia  in  the  said  parish,  under  commission  of 
Captain  Goforth,  while  commanding  a  party  at  Trots  Ri- 
vieres, as  appears  by  his  papers;  by  which,  and  the  account 
he  gives  of  himself,  we  think  him  an  honest  man,  and  have 
shown  him  all  the  civility  in  our  power,  at  the  same  time 
taking  the  most  prudent  and  cautious  method  of  conveying 
him  through  the  country  to  the  Head-Quarters  of  our 
Northern  Army,  where  he  expressed  his  desire  of  going, 
having  been  known  to  Major-General  Sullivan,  and  several 
officers  of  our  American  Army,  that  he  might  give  the  best 
intelligence  he  could.  We  hope  for  your  approbation  in 
our  conduct;  and,  with  our  warmest  wishes  for  the  success 
of  our  Army  under  your  command,  remain,  very  respect- 
fully, sir,  your  most  humble  servants, 

REUBF.N  FOSTF.R, 
SAMUEL  BAYLY, 
Chairmen  of  Committees  of  Ncwunry  and  Haverhill. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-Gen.  Sullivan,  or  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Continental  Army  at  Crown-Point. 


549 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


550 


GOVERNOUR  OF  RHODE-ISLAND  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Providence,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  On  Sunday  last,  in  the  afternoon,  Lieutenant  Cal- 
cott,  of  the  Merlin,  came  into  Newport  with  a  flag,  and 
delivered  me  a  letter  from  Lord  Hoive,  with  his  declaration. 
I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  copies  of  them  and  of  my 
letters  to  him.  Mr.  Calcott  also  left  with  me  three  letters 
from  Lord  Howe,  \  suppose  of  the  same  tenour  with  that  to 
me,  directed  to  the  Cornmander-in-Chief  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  Connecticut,  and  New-Hampshire,  to  be  forwarded. 

The  General  Assembly  have  passed  an  act  for  the  punish- 
ment of  traitors,  and  have  also  appointed  a  Committee  to 
procure  clothing  for  the  Continental  troops  in  this  State.  I 
enclose  a  copy  of  the  act  approving  the  resolution  of  Con- 
gress declaring  the  United  States  independent  of  the  British 
Crown.  The  Declaration  was  published  on  Saturday  last, 
at  Newport,  with  great  solemnity,  in  presence  of  the  whole 
General  Assembly,  the  brigade  being  under  arms,  thirteen 
cannon  fired,  &.c.  It  will  be  published  here  on  Thursday, 
and  in  the  several  towns  in  the  Colony  at  their  next  stated 
meetings. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servant,  NICHS> 


To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  The  carpenters  are  all  inlisted.     Their  baggage 
proceeds  to-day,  and  they  follow  to-morrow. 


East-Greenwich,  Rhode-Island,  July  26,  1776. 

On  Tuesday  last,  the  Kentish  Guards,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Richard  Fry,  appeared  in  their  uniforms.  About 
twelve  o'clock  they  drew  up  on  the  parade  before  the  State- 
House,  when  the  Declaration  of  the  General  Congress, 
declaring  these  Colonies  free  and  Independent  States,  was 
read ;  likewise  a  Resolve  of  the  Assembly,  concurring  with  the 
same,  which  was  announced  by  a  discharge  of  thirteen  can- 
non at  Fort  Daniel.  Next,  the  Guards  fired  thirteen  vollies. 
This  was  followed  by  three  huzzas  from  a  numerous  body 
of  inhabitants.  They  then  repaired  to  Arnold's  Hall,  where, 
after  partaking  of  a  very  decent  collation,  the  following 
patriotick  toasts  were  drunk: 

1.  The  Thirteen  United  States  of  America. 

2.  The  General  Congress  of  the  American  States. 

3.  General  Washington. 

4.  The  American  Army. 

5.  Augmentation  of  the  American  Navy. 

6.  In  memory  of  those  immortal  Heroes  who  have  fallen 
in  the  American  cause. 

7.  May  a  happy  rule  of  Government  be  established  in 
the  State  of  Rhode-Island. 

8.  American  Manufactures; 

9.  Free  trade  with  all  the  world. 

10.  May  true  patriotism  warm  the  breast  of  every  Ame- 
rican. 

11.  May  the  Independency  of  the  American  States  be 
firmly  established,  and  a  speedy  peace  take  place. 

12.  May   Liberty  expand    her   sacred    wings,    and,    in 
glorious  effort,  diffuse  her  influence  o'er  and  o'er  the  globe. 


Voted,  To  draw  an  order  on  the  Pay  Table  for  £200  in 
favour  of  Josiah  Elderkin,  to  enable  him  to  purchase  Tents 
and  Clothing  for  the  Continental  Army;  to  be  paid  out  of 
the  money  lodged  by  Mr.  Sherman  in  the  Treasury,  if 
lodged  there  for  that  purpose;  otherwise,  to  be  paid  out  of 
the  proper  Treasury  of  this  Colony;  and  to  render  his  ac- 
count. Order  given  23d  July,  1776,  and  delivered  Colonel 
Elderkin. 


RICHARD  DERBY,  JUN.,  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  29,  1776.] 
Council  Chamber,  Watertown,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  16th  instant  is  now  before  us, 
and  in  answer  thereto  we  have  little  to  say  in  addition  to 
what  this  Board  wrote  you  in  their  letter  of  the  19th  instant. 
Marching  orders  were  issued  some  time  ago  to  the  com- 
manding officers  of  the  regiments  ordered  to  be  raised  for 
Canada  and  New-  York,  and  we  have  now  the  pleasure  to 
inform  you  that  many  of  the  men  have  already  marched  for 
their  several  destinations,  and  we  expect  the  whole  will  be 
gone  in  a  few  days. 

The  fifteen  hundred  men  last  ordered  for  the  Northern 
Department  are  now  raising  with  all  possible  expedition, 
and  the  necessary  preparations  are  already  made  for  their 
inarching,  so  that  we  hope  that  Army  will  soon  receive  such 
reinforcements  as  will  enable  them  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
making  any  further  advances  upon  us  in  that  quarter.  And 
we  again  assure  you,  that  we  will  still  continue  to  exert  our- 
selves zealously  for  the  publick  good,  hoping  shortly  to  hear 
matters  have  taken  another  turn,  and  that  our  publick  affairs 
will  soon  wear  a  more  favourable  aspect. 

In  the  name,  and  by  order  of  the  Council,  I  have  the 
honour  to  be  your  most  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  DERBY,  Jun.,  President. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


REUBEN  SWAIN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Nantucket,  7  mo.,  23d,  1776. 

RESPECTED  FRIEND  :  I  have  desired  the  bearer,  Micajah 
Coffin,  to  wait  on  thee  to  request  thy  permission  for  liberty 
to  make  a  request  to  Lord  Howe  for  the  liberation  of  a  son 
of  mine  and  two  sons-in-law,  that  were  taken  about  five  weeks 
ago  on  their  return  from  a  long  and  tedious  whale-voyage 
on  the  coast  of  Brazil.  One  of  my  sons-in-law  and  my 
son  were  in  the  brig  Speedwell  Pembroke,  Obed  Bunker 
master,  and  now  supposed  detained  on  board  the  Greyhound, 
ship-of-war,  Captain  Dixon.  The  consideration  and  anxious 
concern  that  must  attend  parents  and  near  relations,  who 
have  their  children  and  near  connexions  placed  in  such  dis- 
agreeable situations,  I  hope  will  induce  thee  to  suffer  some 
mode  of  application  for  their  relief;  which  shall  be  accepted 
with  gratitude,  as  a  favour  done  to  thy  respectful  and  assured 
friend, 

REUBEN  SWAIN. 
To  George  Washington,  Esq.,  General  and  Commander-in- 

Chief  of  the  Continental  Army  in  America. 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
July  23,  1776: 

Present,  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  Jz. 
Huntington,  Benj.  Huntington,  Jed.  Eldcrkin,  and  Nathan- 
iel Wales,  Esquires. 

Mr.  Daniel  Dee  is  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  of  the 
Company  of  Matrosses,  under  command  of  Captain  Nathan- 
iel, Saltonstall,  at  New-London,  in  the  service  of  this  Colony. 

Voted,  That  this  Council  do  approve  of  an  order  drawn 
by  his  Honour  the  Governour,  dated  the  22d,  on  the  Pay 
Table,  for  £200,  in  favour  of  Ephraim  Bell.  To  render 
his  account. 

Voted,  That  this  Council  do  approve  of  an  order  drawn 
by  his  Honour  the  Governour  on  Colonel  William  Pitkin, 
to  sell  to  Mr.  James  P helps,  of  Spencer  town,  of  the  Colo- 
ny of  Massachusetts,  fifty  pounds  of  the  Gunpowder  in  said 
Colonel  Pitkin's  hands,  belonging  to  this  Colony,  at  the 
price  of  5s.  4d.  per  pound. 


BENJAMIN  BARNARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Nantucket,  7  mo.,  22,  1776. 

RESPECTED  FRIEND:  I  have  desired  the  bearer,  Micajah 
Coffin,  to  wait  on  thee  to  request  thy  permission  for  liberty 
to  make  a  request  to  Lord  Howe  for  the  liberation  of  a  son 
and  brother  of  mine,  who  were  taken  on  board  the  brigantine 
Mercury,  (on  their  return  from  a  long  and  tedious  whale- 
voyage  on  the  coast  of  Brazil,)  George  Bunker  master, 
about  four  weeks  ago,  and  are  detained  on  board  the  Cer- 
berus frigate,  Captain  Symons.  The  consideration  of  the 
anxious  concern  that  must  attend  parents  and  near  relations 
who  have  their  children  and  near  connexions  placed  in  such 
disagreeable  situations,  I  hope  will  induce  thee  to  suffer 
some  mode  of  application  for  their  relief;  which  shall  be 
accepted  with  gratitude,  as  a  favour  done  to  thy  respectful 
and  assured  friend, 

BENJAMIN  BARNARD. 
To  George  Washington,  Esq.,  General  and  Commander-in- 

Chief  of  the  Continental  Army  in  America. 


551 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  177(5. 


552 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

In  Council,  July  23,  1776. 

Whereas  Edward  Mitchell,  Theophilus  Gushing,  and 
H'illinm  Drew,  Esqs.,  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  pro- 
vide fifteen  hundred  Canteens,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty 
Camp-Kettles,  and  Camp  Equipage,  for  the  last  fifteen  hun- 
dred men  to  be  raised  agreeable  to  a  late  Resolve  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  and  were  directed  by  a  Resolve  of 
the  General  Court,  of  the  12th  of  this  instant,  to  send  them 
forward  to  the  several  places  and  in  like  proportions  with 
those  by  a  Resolve  of  the  said  Court  ordered  for  the  other 
forces  destined  to  the  same  place,  which,  if  complied  with, 
will  be  very  inconvenient,  and  retard  the  business:  There- 
fore, 

Rcsolied,  That  the  said  Committee  be,  and  they  hereby 
are,  directed  to  provide  and  send  forward  the  aforesaid  arti- 
cles forthwith  to  Charlestown,  in  the  Government  of  New- 
Hampshire,  to  the  care  of  Samuel  Hunt  and  Church, 

Esqs.,  or  either  of  them,  by  them  to  be  delivered,  one-half 
to  Colonel  Samuel  Brewer,  or  his  order,  and  the  other  half 
to  Colonel  Aaron  IVillard,  or  his  order,  for  the  use  of  their 
regiments;  and  this  order  to  be  printed  in  the  several  News- 
papers in  this  State  without  delay. 

A  true  copy. 

Attest:  JOHN  AVERY,  Dep.  Sec. 


PETITION  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  BROOKFIELD. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  the  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, 
in  NEW-ENGLAND: 

Most  humbly  shew,  the'  subscribers,  the  major  part  of  the 
Committee  of  Inspection  for  the  Town  of  Brookfield,  that 
the  inhabitants  of  this  town  have  always  been  ready,  and 
have  freely  exerted  themselves  in  the  common  cause  of 
America;  that  they  have  near  one-third  their  men  in  the 
service  at  New-York  and  in  the  Northern  Department,  in- 
cluding their  proportion  of  what  are  now  to  march  for  Bos- 
ton; that  it  is  a  large  and  ancient  town,  and  suffered,  per- 
haps, as  much  as  any  town  in  this  State  by  former  wars; 
that  there  is  but  one  Field-Officer  now  belonging  to  the 
same  in  the  publick  service ;  that  Captain  King,  a  gentleman 
of  reputation  among  us,  would  be  glad  of  an  appointment  as 
Field-Officer  at  Boston  station,  if  it  would  be  agreeable  to 
the  honourable  Board. 

Wherefore,  we  earnestly  recommend  him  to  your  Honours, 
and  pray  that  he  may  be  appointed  accordingly,  and  your 
petitioners  will  pray,  &,c. 

THOS.  MOOR,    DAVID  HITCHCOCK, 
JOHN  WAJTE,    JABEZ  CROSBY, 
TULLY  RICE,    JOHN  HAMILTON. 
Brookfield,  July  23,  1776. 

I,  the  subscriber,  who  have  the  honour  to  command  the 
Fourth  Regiment,  in  the  County  of  Worcester,  do  also  join 
in  the  prayer  of  the  foregoing  Petition. 

JAMES  CONVERSE. 
Brookfield,  July  23,  1776. 

JOSEPH  CUSHING  TO  JOHN  TAYLOR. 

Hanover,  July  23,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  have  lately  received  the  orders  of 
Council  for  mustering  the  Militia  and  raising  men  to  supply 
the  places  of  the  Continental  regiment  ordered  to  New-  York 
and  Canada.  We  have,  through  difficulty,  raised  our  men 
for  New-  York,  and  some  for  Canada.  I  hope  by  the  mid- 
dle of  next  week  to  complete  the  number  required.  1  have 
not  given  out  orders,  as  yet,  for  mustering  the  Militia  and 
raising  the  men  to  supply  the  places  of  the  Continental 
regiment,  lest  it  might  totally  defeat  getting  the  men  for 
the  Canada  department,  thinking  it  best  to  see  the  orders 
for  men  to  reinforce  the  Army  for  Canada  first  complied 
with  and  executed.  I  imagine  we  shall  soon  get  the  men 
to  supply  the  places  of  the  Continental  troops. 

I  am  informed  the  Field-Officers  are  not  appointed  for  the 
Militia  regiments  that  are  to  supply  the  places  of  the  Conti- 
nental regiment.  Would,  therefore,  beg  leave  to  recommend 
my  friend,  Jeremiah  Hall,  who  now  is  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  of 
the  Second  Regiment  of  Militia,  in  the  County  of  Plymouth, 
as  a  suitable  man  for  a  Colonel  of  one  of  these  regiments,  as 
he  now  is  an  officer  in  the  Militia,  and  has  been  out  several 
campaigns  heretofore,  and  known  to  be  firmly  attached  to 


the  cause  of  his  country,  and  known  by  the  people  of  this 
quarter.  I  should  take  it  as  a  favour  if  you  would  use  your 
influence  with  the  members  of  the  honourable  Board  lor  his 
appointment ;  and  I  am,  with  respect,  your  friend  and  ser- 
vant, Jos.  GUSHING. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Taylor,  Esq.,  at  Watertown. 

P.  S.  I  purpose  to  be  inoculated,  if  the  weather  is  cooler. 
I  hope  my  non-attendance  will  be  excused  on  account  of 
small-pox.  Great  danger  is  apprehended  in  the  natural  way. 

MAJOR  HAWLEY  TO  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Northampton,  July  23,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  The  Councils  favour 
of  the  15th  instant,  I  received  by  Mr.  Cranson,  enclosing 
an  order  to  Brigadier  Fellows,  directing  him  to  march  his 
brigade  by  the  way  of  No.  4  to  Lake  Champlain;  which 
order  I  make  bold  to  enclose  and  remit,  concluding,  (as  the 
lawyers  say,)  improvide  cmanavit.  1  judge  so,  because  1 
know  that  Mr.  Fellows's  brigade  was  originally  destined  to 
New-York ;  and  although  his  command  might  be  since 
varied,  yet  I  find  it  expressed  in  the  same  letter,  which  en- 
closed the  said  order,  that  Brigadier  Briskett  commands  the 
reinforcement  destined  to  Crown-Point;  which  Mr.  Cran- 
son also  confirms  by  word  of  mouth. 

Your  Honours  have  been  pleased  to  send  me  orders  for 
inlisting  Hampshire's  quota  of  fifteen  hundred  further  re- 
cruits; but  as  your  Honours  have  not  been  pleased  to  send 
any  money  to  me,  or  to  any  other  of  the  Committee  for  that 
purpose,  we  are  at  some  loss  how  to  proceed  without  further 
instructions. 

The  levies  for  the  Hampshire  battalion,  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  County,  have  succeeded  beyond  expectation.  Two 
companies  proposed  to  march  this  day,  and  another  com- 
pany of  ninety-eight  men,  effective  and  well  equipped,  are  to 
march  on  the  morrow.  I  believe  several  of  the  companies 
from  this  County,  without  any  express  license  from  the  Com- 
mittee, will  presume  to  march  by  Bennington,  and  not  by  No. 
4,  because  they  are  informed  by  Mr.  Farnsivorth,  that  he  is 
scarce  able  to  provide  rations  at  No.  4  for  the  troops  of  this 
Government,  exclusive  of  Hampshire  County  men,  and  that 
he  has  great  plenty  of  stores  at  Bennington.  I  saw  the 
orders  of  the  General  Court  to  the  Captains,  but  say  nothing 
to  divert  them  from  their  purpose;  for  I  believe  there  is  no 
provision  to  pay  the  men  their  mileage  at  A'o.  4,  and  very 
scanty  provision  for  their  rations.  I  fear  there  will  be  great 
complaints  in  that  quarter.  Besides,  there  is  a  great  plenty 
of  small-pox  there  at  No.  4,  and  none  the  other  way,  and 
all  the  accounts  now  are  that  the  Bennington  route  is  much 
the  most  feasible.  The  men  will  run  the  risk  of  going  with 
but  little  ammunition,  rather  than  run  the  risk  of  the  small- 
pox and  submit  to  the  other'  inconveniences  there  is  a  pros- 
pect of  in  the  No.  4  route.  The  Field-Officers  of  this  bat- 
talion being  in  the  small-pox,  the  whole  business  is  devolved 
on  the  Committee. 

I  am  your  Honours'  respectful,  and  most  obedient  servant, 

JOSEPH  HAWLEY. 
To  the  Honourable  Council. 


Salem,  July  23,  1776. 

Friday  last  arrived  here  Captain  Fisk,  in  the  privateer 
sloop  called  the  Tyrannicide,  in  the  service  of  this  State, 
mounting  fourteen  carriage-guns  and  two  swivels,  having 
been  out  about  twelve  days  on  a  cruise.  He,  on  the  12th 
instant,  in  latitude  40°  23'  fell  in  with  the  armed  schooner 
Despatch,  one  Gutteridge  commander,  mounting  eight  car- 
riage-guns and  ten  swivels,  having  thirty-two  men,  in  the 
service  of  the  King  of  England;  when  a  warm,  obstinate, 
and  well-disputed  engagement  ensued,  and  which  lasted 
upwards  of  an  hour,  when  the  schooner  struck  to  Captain 
Fisk,  which  he  safely  brought  in  with  him,  having  in  the 
engagement  lost  her  Captain  and  one  man  killed,  the  Master 
and  four  of  her  sailors  wounded,  and  a  Midshipman,  who 
was  passenger  on  board,  bound  in  this  schooner  lo  New- 
York.  Captain  Fisk  had  one  man  killed  and  three  wound- 
ed, one  of  whom  is  since  dead  of  his  wounds,  the  other  two 
likely  to  recover.  The  six  wounded  men  belonging  to  the 
schooner  are  likely  to  recover.  The  schooner  has  on  board, 
besides  her  guns  and  provisions,  seventeen  half-barrels  of 
powder. 


553 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


554 


Sunday  last  was  sent  in  here  by  Captain  Lander,  in  a 
letter-of-marque  schooner  belonging  to  this  place,  a  sloop 
from  the  West-Indies,  bound  to  Halifax,  laden  with  salt. 
She  has  on  board  some  brass  blunderbusses  and  a  quantity 
of  English  goods;  was  taken  about  a  fortnight  ago.  About  the 
same  time  was  taken,  by  the  above  letter-of-marque,  a  ship 
from  Jamaica,  bound  to  London,  laden  with  three  hundred 
and  ninety -three  hogsheads  of  sugar,  one  hundred  and  forty- 
four  hogsheads  of  rum,  twenty-four  pipes  of  wine,  twenty-six 
pieces  of  cannon,  from  nine  to  four-pounders,  and  fifteen 
tortoise.  This  ship  is  thought  to  be  worth  between  twenty 
and  thirty  thousand  pounds  sterling.  She  is  not  yet  arrived 
here. 

Last  Sunday  a  store-ship  from  Ireland,  being  one  of  those 
which  were  blown  off  our  coast  last  fall,  bound  to  Boston, 
not  having  heard  that  the  Ministerial  fleet  and  army  had  left 
it,  ran  close  in  with  the  Islands  in  the  harbour,  and  imme- 
diately came  to  anchor,  when  the  first  salute  she  received  to 
welcome  her  was  from  an  American  battery  erected  at  Point 
Alderton;  when,  after  receiving  a  few  shot  therefrom,  she 
struck. 


FLAG  FOR  CAPT.  ROACH  TO  CARRY  MRS.  LIVIUS  TO  Q.UEBECK. 

Colony  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Committee  of  Safety, ) 

July  23,  1776.      ] 

Captain  Henry  Deaborn.  who  was  of  Colonel  Arnold's 
detachment,  and  made  prisoner  at  the  attack  upon  Quebeck 
on  the  31st  of  December  last,  having  had  liberty  to  come 
home  on  his  parole,  and  represented  to  this  Committee  that 
the  Honourable  Peter  Livius,  Esq.,  at  Quebeck,  treated  him 
and  other  prisoners  with  great  humanity,  and  that  said  Mr. 
Livius  was  desirous  that  his  lady  and  children,  now  at  Ports- 
mouth, in  this  Colony,  might  be  permitted  to  come  to  him 
at  Quebeck,  it  is  therefore  determined  by  the  Committee 
that  the  schooner  Polly,  Thomas  Roach  master,  with  James 
Stoodley,  John  March,  and  John  Bowman,  mariners,  have 
liberty  to  depart  from  the  port  of  Piscataqua  for  Quebeck, 
with  provisions  sufficient  for  the  voyage,  for  the  sole  purpose 
of  conveying  Mrs.  Livius  and  her  children  there,  not  doubt- 
ing but  liberty  will  be  granted  for  said  schooner  and  men 
to  return  to  this  Colony  as  soon  as  may  be.  In  witness 
whereof,  we  have  affixed  the  seal  of  the  Colony,  the  day 
and  year  above  mentioned. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

M.  THORNTON,  Chairman  pro  tern. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  L.  BARRETT. 
[No.  71.]  Annapolis,  July  23,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have,  in  consequence  of  yours  of  the  15th  inst., 
sent  to  Fredericktown  eight  hundred  and  six  pounds  of  lead, 
and  liave  desired  the  Committee  of  the  Middle  District  to 
forward  it  to  you.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Mr.  Lemuel  Barrett,  Chairman  of  Skipton  District, 
Frederick  County. 


THOMAS  SMYTH  TO  HARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Chestertown,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  22d  instant  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  this  County,  was  this  morning  delivered  to 
Mr,  Ringgold  and  myself,  and  we  immediately  ordered  all 
the  powder  and  sailcloth  in  the  care  of  the  Committee  on 
board  Captain  Barry,  for  which,  enclosed,  you  will  receive 
his  receipt.  The  second  escort  of  wagons  is  expected  at  town 
to-night,  by  which  time  I  hope  the  schooner  Resolution  will 
appear,  that  the  powder,  Sic.,  may  be  delivered  to  me  out 
of  the  wagons.  The  money  sent  to  me  by  my  son  for  the 
payment  of  the  wagonage  of  the  powder  and  other  contin- 
gent charges,  did  not  reach  me  until  after  the  arrival  of  the 
wagons  that  brought  the  first  load  from  Chingoteague ;  they 
have  since  been  paid  off 

I  am,  with  much  respect,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOS.  SMYTH. 
To  the  Honourable  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President 

of  the  Council  of  Safety. 


ings  of  the  enemy  up  Potomack.  I  took  the  liberty  last 
week  to  mention  the  want  of  more  powder  at  Piscataway, 
&ic.  As  you  said  nothing  on  the  subject  in  your  letter, 
permit  me  to  mention  the  matter  again,  as  there  is  uneasi- 
ness, from  the  apprehensions  of  the  people  on  account  of 
the  small  quantity  we  have.  I  hope  your  honourable  Board 
will  consider  the  matter,  and  order  for  the  best.  I  have  the 
satisfaction  to  say  our  people  have  shown  a  manly  disposi- 
tion. On  Monday  last,  when  (from  the  alarm-guns  from  the 
Virginia  vessels,  fired  in  their  way  up  to  Alexandria)  the 
enemy  were  expected  every  hour  up.  they  marched  to  the 
shore  with  great  firmness.  I  was  with  them  all  the  day, 
and,  from  their  behaviour,  make  no  doubt  they  would  have 
behaved  well  had  the  enemy  appeared  and  tried  them.  I 
much  wish  they  were  provided  better,  if  it  can  be  done. 

I  am  this  morning  so  unwell  with  the  cholic,  that  sitting  to 
write  is  uneasy,  and  prevents  adding  further  than  that  I  am, 
with  esteem  for  your  honourable  Board,  dear  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

JOSIAS  DEALL. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Esq. 


GENERAL  DENT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Charles  County,  July  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  On  the  evening  of  my  return  home  from 
the  camp  at  St.  George's,  yours  of  the  22d  instant  came  to 
hand,  wherein  you  say  you  don't  doubt  of  my  doing  every- 
thing necessary  to  repel  the  invaders,  and  likewise,  that  you 
have  ordered  Major  Price,  with  three  field-pieces  and  one 
nine-pounder,  &tc.  These,  you  say,  will  enable  the  Major 
and  myself  to  speak  more  properly  with  the  row-galley 
than  I  hitherto  could  do.  You  likewise  request  I  will  (as  I 
hitherto  have  done)  continue  to  watch  their  motions,  and 
from  time  to  time  inform  you  thereof,  with  several  other 
requests  equally  irreconcilable  to  me,  after  having,  by  a  short 
order,  given  me  nothing  to  do.  I  have  the  highest  opinion 
of  the  Major's  abilities  and  attachment  to  the  cause,  and 
doubt  not  he  is  equal  to  the  task ;  all  that  I  request  is  to  be 
informed  whether  you  have  any  reason  (from  the  disposition 
of  the  troops  while  under  my  command)  to  believe  that  I 
was  wanting,  either  in  military  knowledge,  assiduity,  or  per- 
sonal courage ;  for  the  first  of  which,  I  would  beg  leave  to 
refer  you  to  Major  Price,  and  for  the  two  latter,  to  the 
officers  of  the  several  corps  while  under  the  command  of 

your  most  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  DENT. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


B.  GRAVES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Some  time  ago  I  tendered  you  an  account 
of  some  repairs  done  to  gun-locks,  in  consequence  of  instruc- 
tions from  Brigadier-General  Chamberlaine.  I  did  not 
exceed  my  orders  in  any  one  thing,  to  my  knowledge,  par- 
ticularly with  respect  to  the  circumstances  of  the  persons 
for  whom  the  repairs  were  done. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

B.  GRAVES. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


ROBERT  L.  NICOLS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Talhot  County,  July  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Captain  Veazey's  demand  upon  me,  due 
from  the  commencement  of  his  company,  renders  me  under 
the  necessity  of  begging  a  small  order  on  our  Treasurer  for 
payment  of  the  lower  troops.  About  four  hundred  pounds 
will  be  sufficient.  As  the  time  draws  near  for  payment, 
you  will  please  to  forward  it. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

ROBT.  LLOVD  NICOLS. 
To  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


JOSIAS  BEALL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Piscataway,  July  24,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  received  your  favour  by  last  post.     You     »auu,i  ,Ui  ^  ,.,«.<>  «cu,s<: ,  ^uumy,  i  am  10  acquaint  you, 
have  no  doubt  an  account  of  our  situation,  from  the  proceed-    as  Chairman  appointed  for  this  day,  that  there  is  but  little 


J.  CONTEE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

July  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  At  the  request  of  the  Committee  of  Obser- 
vation for  Prince  George's  County,  I  am  to  acquaint  you, 


555 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


556 


probability  at  present  of  borrowing  or  purchasing  any  guns, 
well  fixed,  in  this  County,  at  the  price  of  £4  10s.,  or  of 
collecting  any  blankets;  but  if  any  such  should  hereafter  be 
got,  the  Committee  will  send  them  to  the  Council  as  soon  as 
they  may  be  obtained.  Also,  I  am  to  inform  you,  that  the 
collectors  appointed  some  time  past  to  receive  fire-arms  from 
Non-Associates  have  not  as  yet  made  any  return  thereof. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

J.  CONTEE. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  COVERNOUR  RUTLEDGE. 

Philadelphia,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Congress  being  of  opinion  that  the  service  of 
the  United  Slates  will  be  promoted  by  taking  into  pay  a 
number  of  troops  in  the  State  of  South- Carolina,  who  are 
to  act  either  as  Infantry  or  Lighthorse,  as  occasion  may 
require,  have  come  to  the  enclosed  resolves,  which  I  do  my- 
self the  honour  of  transmitting  in  obedience  to  their  com- 
mands. In  consideration  that  these  troops  will  go  through 
more  than  ordinary  duty,  and  be  put  to  greater  expense  than 
others,  the  Congress  have  augmented  their  pay  in  propor- 
tion. I  have  delivered  blank  commissions  to  the  Delegates 
of  your  State. 

With  most  hearty  and  sincere  wishes  for  your  health  and 
happiness,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  State  over  which  you 
preside,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Governour  Rutlcdge,  of  South-  Carolina. 

[Same  to  the  Convention  of  Georgia.] 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  sundry  resolves, 
to  which  I  must  entreat  your  attention.  The  Congress,  you 
will  there  find,  reposing  the  most  entire  confidence  in  your 
judgment,  have  left  the  disposition  of  the  troops  at  New- 
York,  the  Flying-Camp,  and  Ticonderoga,  wholly  with  you, 
being  fully  assured  you  will  make  such  an  arrangement  as 
in  your  opinion  will  conduce  most  to  the  publick  good. 

The  Commissioners  appointed  to  audit  the  accounts  of  the 
Army  in  the  York  department  have  been  with  me.  They 
are  preparing  to  set  out  as  soon  as  possible,  and  I  expect  will 
be  at  Netv-  York  in  a  few  days. 

You  will  observe  that  the  Congress  have  empowered  the 
Commander-in-Chief  in  each  department  to  negotiate  an 
exchange  of  prisoners,  which  you  will  please  to  conduct 
agreeably  to  the  enclosed  system. 

I  have  written  to  General  Schuyler,  and  forwarded  a  copy 
of  the  enclosed  resolves. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be.  with  the  highest  esteem  and 
respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  SCHUTLER. 

Philadelphia,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  resolves,  which  I  do  myself  the  honour 
of  transmitting,  are  so  explicit  that  1  need  only  refer  your 
attention  to  them.  The  Congress  are  extremely  concerned 
to  find  there  should  be  a  necessity  of  recommending  harmony 
to  the  officers  and  troops  of  different  States  under  your  com- 
mand. At  a  time  like,  this,  when  the  greatest  confidence  is 
so  essentially  required,  nothing  can  show  greater  weakness 
or  wickedness  than  to  throw  provincial  reflections  on  one 
another,  which  must  have  a  direct  tendency  to  impede  the 
publick  service,  and  to  weaken  the  union  of  the  American 
States.  1  am,  therefore,  to  request  that  you  will  discounte- 
nance and  suppress,  by  every  means  in  your  power,  such 
ungenerous  and  base  practices,  and  promote  discipline,  order, 
and  zeal,  in  the  Army,  as  much  as  possible. 

The  Commissioners  appointed  to  audit  the  accounts  of 
the  Army  in  the  Northern  Department,  have  been  with  me. 
They  are  preparing  to  set  out  immediately,  and  I  expect 
will  be  in  New-York  in  a  few  days. 

The  Congress  having  empowered   the  Commander-in- 


Chief  in  each  department  to  negotiate  an  exchange  of  pri- 
soners, you  will  please  to  conduct  the  business  agreeably  to 
the  enclosed  system. 

In  consequence  of  a  flag  from  Lord  Howe,  with  a  letter 
directed  "To  George  Washington,  Esq.,"  which  he  declined 
receiving,  as  an  improper  direction,  considering  his  rank  and 
station,  the  Congress  came  to  a  resolution,  not  only  express- 
ing their  approbation  of  his  conduct,  but  ordering  for  the 
future  that  no  Commander-in-Chief,  or  other  the  command- 
ers of  the  American  Army,  should  receive  any  letters  from 
the  enemy  but  such  as  are  directed  to  them  in  the  characters 
they  sustain. 

You  will  please  to  inquire  into  the  complaints  of  the  sol- 
diers as  soon  as  possible,  and  give  strict  orders  that  the  goods 
furnished  them  shall  not  be  charged  at  a  higher  price  than 
the  first  cost  of  them,  and  an  allowance  of  five  per  cent,  for 
charges. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem 
and  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  ser- 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Schuyler,  Albany,  or  elsewhere. 


THOMAS  STONE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  send  you  herewith  forty  barrels  of  pow- 
der and  fifiy-four  boxes  of  arms,  the  arrival  of  which  I 
informed  you  by  the  post.  I  have  agreed  with  the  wagoners 
for  30s.  per  day,  each,  going  and  returning.  They  are  to 
travel  twenty  miles  per  day  going  and  twenty-five  returning. 
This  seems  to  be  the  usual  practice,  though  I  think  it  very 
exorbitant.  I  have  paid  them  £12  each,  and  have  informed 
them  they  will  receive  the  balance  from  you  upon  delivery 
of  their  charges,  or  if  it  be  more  agreeable  to  you,  they  may 
be  paid  here  on  your  certificate.  1  have  paid  £15  2s.  for 
cartage  from  Egg-Harbour,  and  shall  settle  the  freight 
to-morrow,  which,  according  to  agreement  with  Harrison 
&f  Vanlibber,  is  ten  per  cent,  on  the  gross  sales  here ;  and 
powder  which  came  with  ours  has  sold  by  the  quantity  for 
£25  per  hundred  weight,  which,  I  suppose,  will  ascertain  the 
rule  for  the  freight.  The  guns  came  loose,  and  are  hurt  by 
it;  I  had  them  put  into  boxes,  to  prevent  their  being  further 
damaged.  Two  are  left  out  to  guard  the  powder.  Others, 
&tc.,  will  be  delivered  you.  I  have  thought  it  advisable  to 
send  two  men  to  guard  the  powder  and  arms,  at  5s.  per  day 
each.  My  brother  Delegates  think  this  mode  of  conveying 
these  very  necessary  articles  to  you  right,  and  I  hope  it  will 
also  meet  with  your  approbation. 

Nothing  since  ours  by  the  post.  The  wagons  to  be  paid 
from  this  day. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  T.  STONE. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  Annapolis. 


JOHN  COVENHOVEN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-Jersey,  ) 
Brunswick,  July  24,  177C.      > 

SIR:  In  answer  to  your  letter  of  the  21st  instant,  we  can 
inform  you  that  a  considerable  number  of  the  levies  required 
from  this  State  by  Congress  are  now  on  their  march  to  New- 
York.  We  have  written  to  General  Heard  to  make  return 
as  soon  as  possible  of  the  deficiencies  in  each  County,  and 
you  may  rest  assured  we  shall  use  our  utmost  efforts,  at  this 
critical  period,  to  complete  the  brigade  ordered  for  the  rein- 
forcement of  the  Army  at  New-York,  and  also  to  afford  you 
all  such  other  assistance  as  the  weal  of  the  United  States 
shall  require  and  the  condition  of  this  State  admit  of. 

We  are,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  humble 
servants. 

By  order  of  Convention : 

JOHN  COVENHOVEN,  Vice-President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-  York. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  is  a  return  of  the  troops  in  this  Colony. 
Two  battalions  joined  yesterday.  We  are  told  of  numbers 
being  on  the  way  from  Philadelphia.  In  a  few  days  the 


557 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


558 


harvest  will  be  secured,  when  General  Livingston  \v\\\  have 
it  in  his  power  to  call  in  a  considerable  body  of  Militia  to 
take  post  along  the  Jersey  shore.  And  these  troops  may  be 
employed  on  such  other  service  as  you  judge  proper. 

Proper  persons  are  employed  to  examine  and  secure  all 
the  craft,  of  which  I  shall  transmit  a  return  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. 

The  returns  of  the  troops  are  not  so  accurate  as  I  could 
wish  ;  the  number  of  rank  and  file  may,  however,  be  sup- 
posed tolerably  exact,  making  some  allowance  for  the  sick, 
of  which  I  have  been  able  to  procure  distinct  lists.  Of  the 
troops  who  joined  yesterday  (the  fourth  battalion,)  twenty  of 
the  men  had  no  muskets.  They  were  furnished  with  pikes 
about  twelve  feet  long. 

The  enemy  have  reinforced  their  guards  on  this  part  of  the 
Island.  Three  battalions  appeared  on  the  point  opposite 
this  place  yesterday  morning,  with  four  pieces  of  field-artil- 
lery. Probably  this  arises  from  their  perceiving  our  force 
daily  increasing  here. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington, 

A  General  Return  of  the  PENNSYLVANIA  Forces  in  NEW- 
JERSEY,  PERTH-AMBOY,  July  24,  1776,  under  the  Com- 
mand oj  Brigadier-General  MERCER. 


REGIMENTS. 

OFFICERS  PRESENT. 

e 

w 

V 

G. 

7. 

C 

a! 
QJ 
bD 

1 

Drums  and  Fifes. 

0 

E 

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c 
a 

,s 

§ 
H 

Commission. 

Staff. 

•/' 

"5 

o 

c 

Lieut.  Colonels. 

Majors. 

K 
= 
5 
:_ 
*. 

Lieutenants. 

n 

s 

61 
•j. 

^ 

w 

Chaplains. 

K 

£ 

5 
3 
-? 
< 

Quartermasters. 

OQ 

a 
c 

V 

s; 

s 
-fi 

03 

ju 

~Z 

5 

_y; 

C 
C 
V 

?r 
3 
y: 

Col.  Miles—  first  bat-  ) 
talion  Riflemen  $ 
Col'nel  Miles  —  second 
battalion  Riflemen  . 
Col.  Alice's  battalion 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 

6 
6 
8 
6 
7 
7 
7 
4 
C 

18 
17 
7 
12 
16 
12 
16 
13 
11 

24 
20 
15 
24 
29 
26 
28 
17 
19 

6 

7 
15 
12 

14 
1(1 
11 
6 
6 

409 
347 
329 
360 
339 
305 
280 
94 
165 

6 

11 
14 
11 
8 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

First  battalion  Phila-  > 
delphia  Associators  ) 
Second  battal'n  Phila- 
delphia Associators 
Third  battalion  Phila- 
delphia Associators 
Fourth  battal'n  Phila- 
delphia Associators 
Fifth  battalion  Phila- 
delphia Associators 
Col.     Montgomery  — 
Chester  battalion.. 

Total  

7 

7 
sey- 

8 

-t' 

9 
vo 

57 
cc 

12457 
mpani 

2!6 

58,    Si 

4 

*  I 

:) 
>ie 

3 
:es 

202 
car 

!)3 

- 

3,528 
120 
50 

Artillery  from  New-Jer 

Artillery  from  Philadelphia  —  one  company,  two  pieces  can- 

Total   

3,698 

q- 

One  Brigadier-General  —  the  Hon.  DANIEL  ROBERDEAU,  Es 

WHERE  STATION 
At  Newark  ferries  —  two  companies,  rank  a 
At  Newark  —  artillery,  two  pieces  —  Matros: 
At  Elizabelh-Town  and  posts  adjoining;  —  ra 
At  Elizabeth-Town  —  artillery,  two  pieces  — 
At  Wooilbridge  and  posts  adjoining  —  rank 
At  Wooitttridge  —  artillery,  2  pieces  —  Matro 
At  Anboy  and  posts  adjoining  —  rank  and  fi 
At  Jlinboy  —  artillery,  four  pieces  —  Matrossf 

El 

Tld 

M 
nk 
M 
101 
>se 
e 

. 
fil< 

122 
20 
500 
20 
500 
20 
2,406 
110 

an 

itr 
1  fi 
9.. 

dfile 
osses 
e 



s  

3,698 

HUGH  MERCER,  Brigadier-General. 


GENERAL,  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the  20th 
instant,  with  its  several  enclosures.  1  observe  the  sentiments 
of  your  honourable  body  on  the  impracticability  of  removino- 
the  stock  from  Nassau-Island,  and  the  measures  tbey  have 
adopted  for  securing  them  there  and  protecting  the  inhabi- 
tants, and  sincerely  wish  they  may  prove  adequate. 

I  have  long. since  and  frequently  requested  the  Commissary 
to  purchase  all  the  fatted  cattle  and  sheep  from  the  Island 
that  he  possibly  could,  in  preference  to  any  other.  He  informs 
me  that  ho  has  had  many  from  thence,  and  that  he  now  has 


persons  employed  in  different  parts  for  that  purpose.  The 
expediency  of  the  measure  strikes  me  so  forcibly,  that  you 
may  depend  every  means  in  my  power  will  be  directed  to 
ts  execution. 

Agreeably  to  your  request,  I  shall  continue  Colonel  Liv- 
ingston at  his  present  post,  for  the  protection  of  the  inhabi- 
tants against  the  insults  of  the  enemy's  cruisers,  unless 
something  should  happen  to  make  bis  removal  necessary. 

When  the  several  regiments  are  raised,  and  I  am  certified 
thereof,  and  of  the  places  of  rendezvous,  I  will  direct  the 
Mustermaster-General  to  attend  and  complete  the  musters. 

Governour  TrumbuH  having  informed  me  by  letter,  yes- 
terday, that  since  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  at  the  Hook,  many 
of  the  enemy's  frigates  and  ships  have  been  stationed  between 
Montank-Point  and  Block-Island  to  intercept  the  trade  from 
the  Sound,  and  in  which  they  had  been  but  loo  successful  in 
taking  several  provision  vessels,  and  of  the  impossibility  that 
any  should  escape  falling  into  their  hands,  he  had  ordered 
the  armed  vessels  in  the  service  of  Connecticut  to  stop  and 
detain  all  vessels  going  down  the  Sound  \\'uh  provisions,  till 
the  Continental  Congress,  or  the  Conventions  of  the  States 
to  which  they  belong,  could  be  apprized  of  the  hazards 
attending  their  proceeding  in  their  voyage,  and  give  orders 
thereon.  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  the  matter  to  the  con- 
sideration of  your  honourable  body,  and  submit  it  to  them 
whether  it  may  not  be  expedient  to  lay  a  general  embargo 
or  prohibition  upon  all  exports  of  this  kind  from  your  State, 
except  such  as  Congress  or  yourselves  may  order. 

The  propriety  of  keeping  the  enemy  from  supplies  of  this 
sort,  and  providing  a  sufficiency  for  our  Army,  is  so  evident 
that  words  are  unnecessary  upon  the  subject.  However,  I 
cannot  but  observe,  as  my  opinion,  that  the  former  will  be 
impossible  to  effect,  unless  some  general  restraining  regula- 
tion is  come  into.  No  care,  nor  industry,  nor  honesty,  on  the 
part  of  exporters,  will  be  able  to  elude  the  vigilance  and 
activity  of  their  almost  innumerable  cruisers.  But  when  it 
is  considered,  that  as  long  as  a  free  export  of  any  articles  of 
this  nature  is  tolerated,  disaffected  persons  may  easily  fall 
into  their  hands  with  impunity,  nor  any  means  be  left  us  to 
ascertain  their  guilt;  when  there  is  strong  reason  to  believe 
that  some  have  designedly  done  so,  and  almost  incontestable 
proof,  from  sundry  depositions  of  deserters  and  others,  that  a 
ship  that  went  from  hence  sailed  with  no  other  view,  and 
joined  the  enemy  at  the  Hook, — I  incline  to  think  the  measure 
not  only  advisable,  but  necessary;  especially  as  the  large 
consumption  of  provisions  by  our  Army  affords,  and  will 
afford,  a  ready  cash  market  for  all  that  individuals  may  have 
to  dispose  of,  and  take  away  every  objection  of  injury  on  that 
head.  Were  it  otherwise,  private  advantages  and  emoluments 
must  always  give  place  to  the  publick  good,  when  they  are 
incompatible. 

The  last  deserters  from  the  enemy  inform  us,  since  they 
have  heard  of  our  forming  a  carnp  at  Amboy,  they  have 
talked  much  of  turning  their  views  to  Long-Island,  and 
regaling  themselves  with  large  supplies  of  provisions  they 
intend  to  get  from  thence.  This  is  an  additional  circum- 
stance to  induce  the  Commissary  to  purchase  the  cattle  there 
before  any  other. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Woodhull^sq.,  President,  &c. 

P.  S.  When  the  ships  of  war,  &.C.,  ran  up  the  river,  I 
wrote  to  Governours  Trumbull  and  Cooke  for  some  of  their 
row-galleys,  supposing  they  might  be  of  service  in  attempt- 
ing something  against  the  ships.  I  expect  three  or  four  every 
hour,  besides  the  one  I  have.  If  the  Secret  Committee  are 
forming  any  plan  against  the  ships,  in  which  they  may  think 
they  may  be  usefully  employed,  and  will  let  me  know,  I 
shall  be  glad  to  cooperate  with  them,  and  furnish  every 
assistance  the  galleys  can  give,  if  not  otherwise  materially 
engaged. 

I  am  just  now  informed  that  the  ship  mentioned  above  to 
have  gone  to  the  enemy,  was  fitted  out  by  the  Congress, 
under  the  command  of  a  Captain  Hilton,  who  has  acted  this 
base  part. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New- York,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  honoured  yesterday  with  your  favour  of  the 
17th  instant,  and  return  you  my  thanks  for  your  kind  atten- 


550 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


5GO 


tion  to,  and  compliance  with,  my  request  for  the  row-galleys. 
They  are  not  yet  arrived,  that  I  know  of. 

I  wrote  Congress  by  the  return  express  that  brought 
yours,  respecting  Colonel  Ward's  regiment,  and  as  the  post 
comes  in  every  day,  it  is  probable  I  shall  soon  have  their 
answer.  The  result  I  will  transmit  you  by  the  first  oppor- 
tunity, and  would  recommend  that  the  regiment  be  put  under 
marching  orders,  that  they  may  proceed  without  loss  of  time 
whatever  way  Congress  shall  direct. 

The  orders  you  have  given  to  your  armed  cruisers  for 
stopping  provision  vessels,  appear  to  me  extremely  neces- 
sary. I  have  mentioned  the  matter  to  Congress,  and  shall 
warmly  recommend  it  to  the  consideration  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  this  State.  If  it  should  be  attended  with  inconve- 
nience to  individuals,  yet  necessity  and  publick  utility  ought 
to  be  first  considered,  and  outweigh  everything  else:  but  it 
cannot;  there  is  nothing  but  what  they  can  readily  dispose  of 
for  the  use  of  the  Army  and  for  ready  cash;  so  that  every 
ground  of  objection  must  be  nugatory.  I  am,  &tc. 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Governour  Tnunbull. 


New- York,  Wednesday,  July  24,  1776. 

The  men-of-war  that  lately  went  up  the  North-River,  lie 
in  Haverstraic-Bay.  Their  tenders  cruise  about,  and  last 
Saturday  one  of  them  went  near  the  Fort;  upon  which  our 
people  fired  a  thirty-two  pounder  at  her,  which  went  through 
her  quarter,  when  she  tacked  about  and  stood  down  the 
river.  Some  time  after,  they  landed  a  party  of  their  men  at 
Peekskill,  set  fire  to  a  wheat  field,  and  burnt  the  house  of 
Mr.  John  Lilly.  A  number  of  the  Militia  were  soon  col- 
lected, who  attacked  and  killed  seven  of  them,  without  any 
loss  on  our  side. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR  :  Colonel  Hand  reports  nothing  new;  everything  re- 
mains in  much  the  same  situation  as  they  were  yesterday. 
I  am,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

N.  GREENE. 


GENERAL  SCHUVLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

German  Flats,  July  24,  1776. 

DEAB  SIR:  Your  Excellency's  favour  of  the  17th  instant 
was  last  night  delivered  me  by  Mr.  Bennet. 

If  I  had  with  me  the  remonstrance  of  the  Field-Officers 
against  quitting  Crown-Point,  I  should  attempt  to  point  out 
the  insufficiency  of  each  of  the  several  reasons  they  give 
against  the  removal  of  the  Army  to  Ticonderoga,  and  which 
would  at  the  same  time  show  on  what  J  founded  my  opinion 
of  the  propriety  of  the  measure;  but  as  the  paper  was  left 
at  Albany,  I  shall  cursorily  enter  into  some  observations. 
The  little  time  I  have  for  reflecting  on  the  subject,  the  con- 
stant interruptions  from  the  Indians,  indisposition  of  body, 
and  my  inability  to  convey  my  ideas  with  that  perspicuity 
the  subject  merits,  I  hope  will  plead  for  the  inaccuracies 
which  you  will  discover. 

Crown-Point  is  a  peninsula  which  projects  from  the  west 
side  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  runs  down  and  almost  parallel 
to  both  sides  of  it.  The  east  side  of  the  peninsula  is  bounded 
by  the  waters  of  that  part  of  the  Lake  which  flow  from 
Skeneslorough  and  Lake  George,  passing  by  Ticonderoga 
in  their  way;  and  the  northeast  corner  of  the  peninsula  is 
distant  from  the  east  shore  of  Lake  Champlain  about  half  a 
mile,  or  something  better,  but  under  three-quarters  of  a  mile. 
The  northwest  corner  of  it  is  nearly,  if  not  quite,  two  miles 
distant  from  the  western  shore  of  the  Lake.  If  the  enemy 
should  have  a  naval  superiority,  our  armed  vessels  must 
retire  to  the  southward  of  Crown-Point,  between  that  and 
Ticonderoga,  or  take  shelter  under  any  fortifications  we 
might  have  there.  In  either  case  the  enemy  may  go  along 
the  western  shore,  land  in  the  bay  that  forms  the  peninsula, 
and  attack  any  force  that  may  be  at  Crown-Point  from  the 
rear,  or  they  may  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  Lake,  below 
Crown-Pomt;  and  as  the  country  is  flat,  and  in  some  parts 
improved,  they  may  possess  themselves  of  the  east  shore, 
between  Crown-Point  and  Ticonderoga,  without  any  great 
difficulty,  however  strong  any  fortification  on  the  east  side, 
opposite  to  Crown-Point,  might  be ;  and  hence  all  supplies 


must  be  cut  off,  unless  our  force  at  Crown-Point  should 
embark  in  batteaus,  and  be  sufficiently  strong  to  land  and 
repulse  them.  And  there  is  little  prospect  that  such  an 
attempt  would  succeed,  considering  how  infinitely  better 
they  are  provided  than  we,  and  what  advantages  they  would 
receive  from  the  works  they  might  throw  up. 

Besides  the  last  considerations,  permit  me  to  subjoin,  that 
such  is  the  nature  of  the  ground  at  Crown-Point,  (the  Point 
faces  to  the  north,  fronts  the  Lake,  and  is  indented  with 
small  bays,  and  about  one  mile  broad  on  a  straight  line  from 
the  northeastern  to  the  northwestern  point,)  that  the  fort 
which  General  Amhcrst  erected  there  was  so  exposed,  from 
the  grounds  about  it,  that  it  required  three  or  four  strong 
redoubts  to  cover  it — redoubts  that  were  in  themselves  very 
considerable  fortifications,  and  built  at  much  expense  on 
account  of  the  scarcity  of  earth,  insomuch  so,  that  all  the 
fortifications  ten  thousand  men  could  make  in  the  course  of 
the  campaign,  would  be  far  from  formidable. 

At  Ticonderoga  we  are  not  exposed  to  these  dangers  or 
difficulties.  The  Lake  between  the  fort  and  the  intended 
encampment  on  the  east  side  of  it,  does  not  exceed  half  a 
mile  in  breadth.  Let  us  now  suppose  that  the  enemy  are 
capable  of  forcing  our  armed  vessels  to  seek  shelter  at  Ticon- 
deroga: nothing  then  is  to  obstruct  their  coming  to  that 
place.  Being  come,  let  us  suppose  that  they  would  land 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Lake:  the  intended  camp  is  defended 
on  the  north  by  a  large  creek  and  sunken  country,  which 
effectually  prevents  any  approaches  from  that  quarter;  they 
must  therefore  take  a  tour  of  several  miles  to  head  the 
sunken  country,  before  they  can  get  into  our  rear.  If  they 
do,  are  our  supplies  cut  off?  No;  for  we  have  the  commu- 
nication by  Lake  George  open.  Can  they  drive  us  out  of 
the  strong  camp  on  the  east  side?  I  think  not.  I  think  it 
impossible  for  twenty  thousand  men  to  do  it,  ever  so  well 
provided, "if  the  camp  consists  of  less  than  even  a  quarter  of 
that  number,  indifferently  furnished,  such  is  the  natural 
strength  of  the  ground.  But  let  us  suppose  that  the  enemy 
should  land  on  the  west  side  and  attempt  to  drive  us  thence: 
here  we  fight  on  an  equal  footing,  (except  what  advantages 
our  lines  and  fortifications  may  give  us,)  and  we  can  oppose 
nine-tenths  of  our  Army  to  them;  for  they  cannot  prevent 
the  junction  of  our  troops  either  way,  whenever  they  please 
to  join.  Let  us  suppose  the  worst:  they  drive  us  from  the 
ground ;  we  lose  our  cannon ;  but  they  cannot  prevent  such 
as  do  not  fall  in  the  engagement,  from  retiring  to  the  strong 
camp.  A  bare  inspection  of  a  good  map,  if  I  had  one  to 
send  your  Excellency,  would,  I  hope,  convince  you  of  the 
weight  of  these  observations. 

But  if  we  are  obliged  to  retreat  from  Ticonderoga,  will 
not  their  vessels  pass  our  strong  camp  and  get  between  that 
and  Skeneslorough'?  I  think  it  impossible  for  them  to  pass. 
The  passage  is  narrow;  the  channel  more  so;  our  vessels 
lying  in  line  of  battle  on  the  south  side  of  the  camp;  theirs 
obliged  to  come  up  by  two  at  a  time  at  most,  exposed  to 
our  cannon  in  getting  there,  and  when  there,  at  once  attacked 
by  our  vessels  and  our  batteries  within  point-blank  shot. 

But  if  the  enemy  have  possession  of  Ticonderoga,  will 
they  not  cut  off  our  supplies?  Yes,  effectually,  any  sup- 
plies attempted  to  be  sent  by  the  way  of  Lake  George,  but 
not  those  sent  by  the  way  of  Skeneslorough,  or  through  the 
towns  lying  in  this  Colony  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  between  the  camp  and  New-Hampshire,  and  the 
northern  parts  of  the  Massachusetts. 

But  cannot  the  enemy,  when  in  possession  of  Ticonde- 
roga, penetrate  into  this  Colony  by  the  way  of  Lake  George, 
and  leave  our  Army  in  the  strong  camp?  Yes,  provided 
they  take  their  boats,  provisions,  &.C.,  out  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  on  the  north  side  of  Ticonderoga,  and  convey  them 
by  land  into  Lake  George — the  distance  between  three  and 
four  miles ;  but  as  they  cannot  do  this  without  our  know- 
ledge, we  can  move  any  part  of  our  Army  by  the  way  of 
Skenesborough  to  Fort  George,  before  they  can  reach  it; 
but  as  we  have  no  naval  force  on  that  Lake,  nor  any  strong 
fortifications,  and  if  they  are  superior,  and  our  Army  not 
reinforced  by  Militia,  (which  I  should  hope  would  not  be  the 
case,)  we  can  retire  from  thence  to  some  place  in  the  vicinity 
of  Fort  Edward,  and  bring  away  all  the  carriages  from  the 
fesv  inhabitants  that  live  there;  and  I  conceive  that  they 
would  find  it  extremely  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  move 
only  such  of  their  boais  and  necessaries  as  they  cannot  dis- 
pense with,  over  a  fifteen-mile  land-carriage,  even  if  they 


561 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


562 


should  be  able  to  bring  a  considerable  number  of  carriages  Your  Excellency's  conclusion  is  too  just,  "  tliat  the  most 

from  Canada,  for  it  will  take  one  hundred  carriages,  each  lavish  and  extravagant  waste  has  been  made  of  provisions." 

carrying  four  barrels  of  pork  or  flour,  (and  they  can  bring  The  difficulties  I  experienced  last  campaign  on  this  account 

no  carriages  that  will  convey  more,)  to  transport  one  day's  are  incredible ;  and  I  was  in  hopes  that  the  orders  I  had 

provision  for  ten  thousand  men,  and  the  carriages  can  only  issued  to  the  officers,  and  the  directions  I  had  given  to  the 


complete  a  trip  in  two  days. 


Commissaries  in  the  course  of  the  winter,  would  have  been 


Upon  the  whole,  I  do  not  only  think  Ticonderoga  infinitely  effectual,  and  have  put  a  stop  to  many  infamous  practices, 

preferable  to  Crown-Point  for  a  stand  to  be  made,  but  so  On  this  side  of  Canada  I  experienced  the  good  effects;  such 

happily  situated  for  us,  that  I  have  very  little  apprehension  of  the  Commissaries  appointed  by  the  Colonies  at  the  be- 

of  General  Burgoyne's  being  able  to  succeed  in  that  quarter,  ginning  of  the  struggle  as  were  then  employed,  and  were 

unless  there  should  be  too  great  a  disparity  of  numbers  in  found  incompetent,  were  removed  as  soon  as  it  could  be 

his  favour.  done  without  giving  umbrage  to  particular  Colonies.  This 

I  had  almost  forgotten  to  observe  that  your  Excellency,  removal  took  place  last  fall,  and  things  have  been  carried  on 

from  the  information  you  have  had,  seems  to  entertain  an  idea  regularly  since  that  time.  But  otherwise  in  Canada;  a  return 

that  the  situation  of  Crown-Point  "is  of  the  utmost  impor-  was  asked  of  such  as  were  employed;  and  the  orders  by 

tance,  especially  if  we  mean  to  keep  the  superiority  and  which  they,  as  well  as  the  officers,  were  to  govern  themselves, 

mastery  of  the  Lake ;"  and  that  "  if  it  is  abandoned  by  us,  it  were  transmitted  to  the  commanding  officer  in  February  last, 

is  natural  to  suppose  the  enemy  will  possess  it;  and  if  they  with  a  request  to  publish  them.  I  am  informed  they  were 

do  that,  then  our  vessels  will  be  in  their  rear,  and  it  will  not  never  made  publick,  nor  was  any  return  sent  of  who  were 

be  in  our  power  to  bring  them  to  Ticonderoga,  or  the  post  employed,  and  the  Deputy-Commissary  could  not  tell,  as 


opposite  to  it 


they  were  appointed  in  Canada,  and  acted  independent  of 


Your  Excellency  will  pardon  me  for  a  few  remarks  on    him.     When  Mr.  Price  was  appointed  Deputy  Commissary- 


that  passage  of  your  letter. 


General  for  Canada,  I  gave  him  a  copy  of  these  orders; 


Crown-Point  lies  about  forty-three  miles  from  the  extreme  copy  of  which,  and  a  copy  of  my  instructions  to  him,  I  think 
south  part  of  Lake  Champlain,  which  is  at  Skenesborough,  I  transmitted  to  your  Excellency.  I  never  received  a  single 
and  about  one  hundred  from  the  northern  extreme,  which  is  line  from  him  during  the  time  he  was  in  Canada;  and  1  am 
at  St.  John's.  The  part  of  the  Lake  south  of  Crown-Point  informed  by  Mr.  Swart,  whom  Mr.  Livingston  sent  into 
is  seldom,  in  any  place,  above  two  miles  wide.  From  Crown-  Canada  as  his  deputy,  that  the  soldiers  have  been  permitted 
Point  to  about  eighteen  miles  north  of  it,  it  may  be  at  a  to  go  to  the  barrels  and  take  what  they  liked,  and  that  this 
medium  about  three  and  a  half  miles,  three  and  four  being  the  was  by  general  orders.  On  my  last  arrival  at  Crown- 
extremes  ;  beyond  that,  for  about  fifty-six  miles,  it  is  seldom  Point,  I  found  the  provisions  lying  in  parcels  on  different 
less  than  six,  or  more  than  fourteen  or  fifteen ;  but  a  chain  parts  of  the  beach,  exposed  to  the  weather  and  to  be  stolen, 
of  islands,  running  nearly  parallel  to  the  sides  of  the  Lake,  1  ordered  it,  and  did  see  it,  put  into  the  stores,  and  then 
lie  in  the  broadest  part,  on  and  nearly  in  the  middle,  so  that  found  much  less  than  I  had  expected,  although  I  had  sup- 
the  width  on  each  side  is  about  six  miles.  posed  that  great  waste  and  loss  had  taken  place  in  the  retreat 

Let  us  now  suppose  our  Navy  to  be  in  any  part  of  the  from  Canada.     When  I  observed  that  fresh  beef  was  not 

Lake  to  the  northward  of,  and  out  of  the  reach  of  the  cannon  to  be  had,  I  conceived  that  it  could  not  be  immediately 

that  may  be  at  Crown-Point,  and  there  attacked  by  the  procured  in  sufficient  quantities,  as  all  stall-fed  beef  was 

enemy:  What  assistance  can  it  receive  from  any  fortification  expended,  and  the  grass-fed  then  hardly  fit  for  killing;  nor 

at  the  Point?     None,  surely;  and,  if  worsted,  it  must  fly  to  was  I  much  mistaken,  although  a  few  days  after  I  found 

the  south  side  of  Crown-Point  for  shelter,  and  the  enemy  that  Mr.  Livingston,  by  his  exertions,  and  with  borrowed 

have  the  entire  mastery  of  the  Lake.     If  Crown-Point  was  money,  had  made  shift  to  engage  such  a  number  that  my 

totally  abandoned,  and  if  the  Navy  was  attacked  and  worsted  apprehensions  on  that  score  are  at  an  end.     But  Mr.  Trum- 

in  any  part  to  the  northward  of  Ticonderoga,  whether  in  bull  was  certainly  ill-informed  in  supposing  that  fresh  meat 

sight  of  that  place,  or  towards  the  north  end  of  the  Lake,  the  could  be  easily  procured  at  the  time  alluded  to.     If  Mr. 

consequences  are  exactly  the  same.     It  must  retire  to  the  Livingston  had  been  less  industrious  than  he  was,  we  should 

south  of  where  the  Army  is.     If  we  abandon  Crown-Point,  have  experienced  a  scarcity  of  provisions,  both  from  the 

that  the  enemy  will  possess  themselves  of  it  is  certain,  if  then  scarcity  of  beef,  and  money  to  purchase  it  with.     I  am, 

they  can  do  it;  but  if  we  suppose  they  can,  we  must  not  however,  still  uneasy  on  account  of  pork,  lest  any  accident 

only  suppose  that  they  can  and  will  pass  our  fleet,  although  should  hereafter  be  occasioned  by  not  having  a  sufficient 

theirs  should  be  inferior,  or  that  they  must  have  a  naval  quantity  in  store. 

superiority.     If  they  can  pass  our  fleet  anywhere  beyond  Before  General  Sullivan's  brigade  arrived  at  Albany,  the 

Crown-Point,  their  Army  can  attack  ours  at  Crown-Point,  troops  were  contented  with  the  Continental  allowance;  and 

if  it  is  there,  or  at  Ticonderoga,  if  there:  in  either  case  our  when  only  bread,  pork,  and  peas,  could  be  got,  they  had  a 


ships  will  be  in  their  rear. 


pound  of  each  of  the  two  former,  in  lieu  of  all  the  other 


But  supposing  they  could  and  would,  by  some  means  or  articles;  but  a  regiment  of  his  brigade  refusing  to  draw  less 

other  frustrate  our  intentions  in  having  a  Navy  in  the  Lake,  than  eighteen  ounces  of  pork,  and  General  Sullivan  assuring 

(which  intention  appears  to  be  to  prevent  any  boats  coming  me  that  the  additional  ounces  had  been  allowed  them  since 

up,)  and  pass  by  it,  although  superior  to  theirs;  is  it  probable  December  last,  in  lieu  of  milk,  I  ordered  the  Commissary  to 

they  will  do  it  ?     Will  they  risk  the  danger  they  may  run  issue  it,  taking  receipts  for  the  quantities  delivered.     This 

if  a  fair  wind  should  enable  our  ships  to  get  up  with  them?  extra-allowance  has  not  only  made  the  calculation  I  sent 

Will  they  risk  an  interception  of  their  supplies,  and  a  pre-  you  some  time  ago  extremely  erroneous,  but  will  greatly 

vention  of  retreat  in  case  of  a  repulse?     I  think  not;  but  if  distress  us. 

their  Navy  is  superior,  the  keeping  possession  of  the  Lake  is  I  am  so  well  convinced  of  the  difficulties  you  labour  under 

impossible;  and  then  the  question  recurs,  where  is  the  best  to  procure  the  necessary  supplies  of  every  kind  for  the  Army, 

place  to  make  a  stand  with  the  greatest  prospect  of  advan-  that  I  have  only  asked  for  such  things  as  could  not  be  pro- 

tage  to  us  ?     I  think  that  place  to  be  Ticonderoga  and  the  cured  at  Albany  or  in  the  neighbouring  country,  and  have 

grounds  oppoiite  to  it.     I  may  be  mistaken.     The  only  view  written  to  Committees  and  employed  persons  in  every  quarter 

1  had  in  givii  g  my  opinion  for  removing  the  Army  to  these  of  the  County.     I  tried,  but  in  vain,  to  procure  the  articles 

places  was,  that  I  thought  it  would  there  most  advance  the  for  the  gondolas;  but  as  the  navigation  is  since  interrupted,  I 

interest  of  the  cause  we  are  engaged  in.     Although  I  do  not  hope  to  be  able  to  get  them,  and  shall  write  immediately  to 

recollect  that  in  the  resolution  of  the  General  Officers  to  Albany  on  that  head. 

move  the  Army  from  Crown-Point,  that  it  is  observed  that  I  shall,  immediately  on  my  return,  give  out  in  orders  that 

a  small  post  was  to  be  kept  there,  from  whence  our  vessels  no  double  commissions  are  to  be  held,  except  by  the  officers 

might  be  supplied  more  readily  than  from  Ticonderoga,  yet  you  mention.     I  hope  your  Excellency  will  approve  of  my 

that  was  determined  on.  leaving  it  to  the  choice  of  the  officers  what  commission  to 

I  have  always  deprecated  jealousies  and  contentions  in  keep. 

the  Army.  I  believe  the  officers  that  have  served  under  me  I  believe  I  forgot  to  mention  that  General  Thomas  and  I 
will  do  me  the  justice  to  acknowledge  it.  I  shall  invariably  concluded  that  it  was  highly  necessary  to  have  an  active 
continue  in  that  line  of  conduct,  and,  if  seconded  by  the  Deputy  Quartermaster  at  St.  John's  and  Chambly.  I  men- 
inferior  officers,  I  hope  the  evil  will  soon  vanish.  tioned  Lieutenant-Colonel  Buell,  of  BurrelCs  regiment  as 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  36 


563 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


564 


an  officer  whose  activity  and  prudence  I  could  rely  on.  He 
accepted  the  office,  but  with  much  persuasion,  as  he  wished 
to  remain  with  the  regiment.  He  is  now  at  Fort  George, 
and  I  am  really  at  a  loss  to  6nd  one  to  replace  him,  who 
will  be  equal  to  the  duty  he  is  obliged  to  do. 

My  Secretary,  who  had  orders  to  open  any  despatches  that 
might  come  from  you,  and  to  transmit  such  parts  to  General 
Gates  as  contained  orders  that  required  more  immediate  de- 
spatch than  the  roundabout  way  of  first  sending  them  here 
would  admit  of,  informs  me  that  the  omitted  part  of  my 
letter  of  the  12th  was,  "enclose  returns  of  the  Army  at 
Crown-Point,  the  garrison  of  Fort  George,"  &tc.  "  When 
I  was  at  Crown-Point,  I  proposed  to  a  council  of  officers 
an  expedient  to  procure  the  return  of  the  deserters  of  the 
Northern  Army,  and  it  was"  unanimously,  &ic. 

I  am  just  now  informed  that  the  Pennsylvania  carpenters 
arrived  at  Albany  on  the  20th  instant.  I  left  directions  for 
forwarding  them,  and  1  hope  they  are  now  at  work. 

I  have  no  hope  that  the  conference  with  the  Indians  will 
open  before  the  29th,  and  I  fear  it  will  then  last  a  week. 
Their  delays  distress  me  beyond  imagination.  I  have 
represented  to  them  that  important  business  required  my 
attendance  at  Albany;  they  will  not,  however,  suffer  me  to 
leave  them;  and  my  colleagues  apprehend  if  I  do  that  it  will 
essentially  injure  us.  I  must,  therefore,  comply  with  their 
wishes,  although  my  presence  on  the  communication  was 
never  more  wanted  than  at  this  juncture. 

Mr.  Trumbull,  the  Deputy  Paymaster-General,  informs 
me  that  his  chest  is  quite  empty.  So  early  as  the  22d  of 
May  Congress  voted  half  a  million  of  dollars  for  the  Northern 
Army;  $200,000  have  only  been  received.  Will  your 
Excellency  please  to  represent  to  Congress  that  the  service 
suffers  very  materially  for  want  of  money,  and  that  the  offi- 
cers in  the  different  departments  are  put  to  inconceivable 
difficulties  on  that  account. 

That  Heaven  may  protect  and  pour  its  best  blessings  on 
you,  is  the  unfeigned  wish  of  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 

humble  servant,  „      ,-, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  24,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  After  my  regards  to  your  Honour,  I  would 
inform  you  that  the  letter  received  with  the  provision  and 
ammunition  mentioned  five  barrels  of  powder.  There  were 
but  two  barrels  powder  come  to  hand,  which  was  in  provision 
barrels;  and  whether  your  Honour  included  the  five  in  the 
two,  or  whether  there  was  a  mistake,  I  cannot  tell,  and 
should  be  glad  your  Honour  would  inform  me  by  the  first 
opportunity. 

1  should  be  glad  your  Honour  would  see  fit  to  appoint 
and  send  some  proper  person  here,  to  act  as  Commissary, 
which  I  think  is  very  much  wanted. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  respectfully,  your  Honour's  humble  ser- 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates,  at  Ticonderoga. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  24, 1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  arrived  here  last  evening,  and  found 
three  gondolas  on  the  stocks ;  two  will  be  completed  in  five 
or  six  days,  the  row-galley  in  eight  or  ten  days.  Three 
other  gondolas  will  be  set  up  immediately,  and  may  be  com- 
pleted in  ten  days.  A  company  of  twenty-seven  carpenters 
from  Middletown  are  cutting  timber  for  a  row-galley,  on  the 
Spanish  construction,  to  mount  six  heavy  pieces  of  cannon. 
One  hundred  carpenters  from  Pennsylvania  and  Massachu- 
setts-Bay will  be  here  this  evening.  I  shall  employ  them 
on  another  row-galley.  In  two  or  three  weeks,  I  think  we 
shall  have  a  very  formidable  fleet.  No  canvass  or  cordage 
is  yet  arrived,  though  much  wanted.  Not  one  syllable  of 
news  from  below.  There  are  only  one  hundred  barrels  of  pork 
and  two  liundred  of  flour  here.  I  have  desired  Mr.  Schuyler 
to  purchase  beef  for  the  troops  and  workmen  here.  A 
Commissary  of  Provisions  is  much  wanted  here,  and  will 
be  more  so  when  the  Militia  arrive,  who  are  daily  expected. 
If  Mr.  Taylor  can  be  spared,  he  will  be  a  proper  person 
to  send,  and  may  purchase  a  considerable  quantity  of  beef 


in  this  neighbourhood.  I  hope  the  vessels  and  gondolas 
will  not  be  retarded  for  want  of  seamen  or  marines.  Those 
seamen  who  were  sent  from  Crown-Point  with  Captain 
Mayhew,  and  afterwards  joined  their  regiments,  I  would  wish 
were  ordered  on  board  the  vessels  and  gondolas.  We  shall 
not  be  able  to  procure  a  sufficient  number  without  them. 

The  mills  at  Cheshire's  are  sawing,  and  will  produce  about 
four  thousand  feet  of  boards  each  day.  All  that  can  be 
sawed  in  a  fortnight  will  be  wanted  here.  I  have  ordered 
the  next  gondolas  that  go  down  to  be  loaded  with  boards. 
I  think  it  will  be  best  to  send  to  Onion  River  for  the  boards 
there,  and  fora  parcel  lying  between  Ticonderoga  and  Crown- 
Point.  Mr.  Hay  can  inform  svhere  they  lie.  As  soon  as 
I  can  give  the  carpenters  proper  instructions,  and  set  them 
at  work,  I  will  return  to  Ticonderoga. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  dear  General,  your  obedient  and 
humble  servant, 

To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Gates. 


B.  ARNOLD. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  24,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Captain  Wilson,  it  seems,  has  taken 
prisoners,  one  a  Canadian,  who  left  St.  John's  within  a  few 
days.  You  will  be  able  to  make  some  material  discoveries 
from  him.  I  have  examined  him,  and  was  much  at  a  loss  to 
know  if  the  flag  should  not  be  stopped  till  we  could  hear 
from  you;  but  as  Major  Bigclow's  orders  were  positive,  he 
is  just  now  gone  down.  It  would  be  of  consequence  to  take 
eight  Indians  and  one  Canadian,  who  have  come  up  from 
St.  John's  to  spy  what  we  are  about.  They  have  landed 
somewhere  between  this  and  Cumberland-Head. 

Hays  and  another  on  the  western  shore,  Midkiff  and 
some  others  in  Massiskie-Bay,  ought  to  be  secured.  There 
is  too  much  reason.  I  fear,  to  suspect  some  other  persons,  of 
whom  Lieutenant  Clark  can  inform  you.  I  shall  wait  your 
orders. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  humble 

servant'  THOS.  HARTLEY. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  understood  from  several  quarters  that  which 
inclines  me  to  apprehend,  that  the  supposition  that  Gilliland 
and  some  others  had  sent  down  one  Edward  Watson  and 
another  to  St.  John's,  had  some  foundation.  They  doubtless 
carry  any  intelligence  they  have  to  the  enemy.  It  has  just 
been  intimated  to  me  that  Gilliland  and  Jack  Watson,  with 
one  Macauley,  all  relations,  have  had  a  hint  that  they  are 
suspected.  This  may  induce  them  to  send  a  canoe  or  boat, 
to  warn  the  two  men  of  their  danger  in  returning,  or  to  make 
their  own  escape.  I  have  ordered  a  party  of  about  twenty- 
five  men  to  set  off  in  a  boat  towards  Cumberland-Head,  to 
intercept  the  eight  Indians  and  the  Canadian  on  their  way 
back  to  St.  John's,  or  the  two  rascals  in  the  canoe,  who  are 
gone  to  St.  John's,  in  their  return  to  Willsborough,  and  also 
to  favour  Captain  Wilson's  retreat.  Hays,  and  the  men 
mentioned  in  my  letter  of  this  day,  ought,  in  my  opinion,  to 
be  secured.  You  will  judge  of  the  proper  time.  I  hope 
my  conduct  will  meet  with  your  approbation. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOS.  HARTLEY. 

P.  S.  The  party  will  set  off  to-night  or  to-morrow  morn- 
ing early,  unless  countermanded. 


PETITION  FROM   CUMBERLAND  COUNTY,  NEW-YORK. 

To  the  Hon.  HORATIO  GATES,  Commander-in- Chief  of  the 
Forces  in  the  Northern  Department  to  defend  the  AME- 
RICAN States,  fyc.: 

The  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  County  of 
CUMBERLAND,  in  the  Colony  of  NEW-YORK,  humbly 
showeth : 

That  whereas,  by  resolves  of  our  Provincial  Congress, 
this  County  is  to  raise  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  effective 
men  to  join  the  troops  under  your  command,  and  whereas 
this  County  of  Cumberland  is  a  frontier,  eminently  exposed 
to  the  ravages  both  of  British  and  Savage  cruelty: 

We,  therefore,  your  petitioners,  humbly  pray  that  your 


565 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


566 


Honour  would  be  pleased  to  order  that  the  said  one  hundred 
and  twenty-five  men  may  be  employed,  in  actual  service, 
as  scouting  parties,  &c.,  to  defend  our  frontier  towns,  which 
are  this  moment  exposed  to  be  destroyed,  ravaged,  and 
burnt,  by  a  merciless  and  inveterate  enemy,  and  to  make 
and  repair  the  roads  from  hence  to  Head-Quarters. 

Your  petitioners  humbly  conceive  that  your  Honour  will 
be  forward  to  grant  us  this  our  request,  when  we  acquaint 
you  that  we  have  never,  as  yet,  understood  that  either  the 
Continental  or  Provincial  Congress  have  made  any  provision 
for  these  purposes. 

Confiding  in  your  Honour's  humanity,  and  not  doubting 
in  the  least  but  that  you  will  readily  grant  us  this  our  peti- 
tion, we  are,  with  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servants,  &.c. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  County  Committee: 

JAMES  CLAY,  Chairman. 
Westminster,  Cumberland  County,  July  24,  1776. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  GRANTS. 

Extract  of  the  Votes  and  Proceedings  of  a  General  Conven- 
tion of  fifty-nine  Delegates  on  the  west  side  of  the  range 
of  Green-Mountains,  on  the  New-Hampshire  Grants,  held 
at  Dorset,  the  24th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1776:  said  num- 
bers represented  the  Inhabitants  of  thirty-five  Townships 
on  said  Grants. 

Captain  Joseph  Woodward  Chairman,  Doctor  Jonas  Fay 
Clerk,  of  said  Convention. 

This  Convention  being  of  opinion  that  the  business  which 
occasions  their  meeting  at  this  time  requires  the  most  serious 
deliberation,  are  disposed  to  pass  the  following  Votes,  viz: 

1st.  That  not  more  than  one  person  be  permitted  to  speak 
at  a  time  in  this  Convention,  and  only  by  leave  of  the 
Chairman. 

2dly.  That  the  business  of  the  meeting  be  closely  adhered 
to,  and  that  the  several  articles  in  the  warrant  for  this  meet- 
ing be  considered  in  due  order,  except  otherwise  overruled. 

After  receiving  the  Report  from  the  honourable  the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  by  Captain  Heman  Allen,  voted  to  pass 
over  the  4th,  5th,  and  6th  articles  of  the  warrant,  till  nine 
o'clock  to-morrow,  for  consideration. 

Adjourned  to  six  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 
Meeting  opened  at  time  and  place. 
Proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  fourth  article  of  the 
warrant,  and  the  same  is  objected  to.     Proceeded  to  the 
consideration  of  the  fifth  article  of  the  warrant,  and  voted, 
that  suitable  application   be  made  to  form  the  district  of 
land  commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the  New- 
Hampshire  Grants  into  a  separate  district.  Dissentient,  only 
one. 

Proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  sixth  article  of  the 
warrant,  and  voted  to  recommend  it  accordingly. 

Voted,  To  choose  a  Committee  to  treat  with  the  inhabi- 
tants on  the  east  side  of  the  range  of  Green  Mountains  rela- 
tive to  their  associating  with  this  body. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Heman  Allen,  Colonel  William 
Marsh,  and  Doctor  Jonas  Fay,  in  conjunction  with  Captain 
Samuel  Fletcher  and  Mr.  Joshua  Fish,  together  with  such 
other  gentlemen  on  the  east  side  of  the  range  of  Green  Moun- 
tains on  said  Grants  as  they  may  hereafter  appoint  to  join 
them,  be,  and  are  hereby,  appointed  a  Committee  for  the 
above  purpose. 

Adjourned  one  hour. 

Meeting  opened  at  time  and  place. 

Proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  following  Associa- 
tion, viz: 

This  Convention  being  fully  sensible  that  it  is  the  will 
and  pleasure  of  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  that 
every  honest  friend  to  the  liberties  of  America,  in  the  several 
United  States  thereof,  should  subscribe  an  Association,  bind- 
ing themselves,  as  members  of  some  body  or  community,  to 
stand  in  the  defence  of  those  liberties;  and  whereas  it  has 
been  the  usual  custom  of  individuals  to  associate  with  the 
Colony  or  State  which  they  are  reputed  to  be  members  of: 
Yet,  nevertheless,  the  long  and  spirited  conflict  which 
has  for  many  years  subsisted  between  the  Colony  or  State 
of  New- York  and  the  inhabitants  of  that  district  of  land 
commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  New-Hamp- 
shire Grants,  relative  to  the  title  of  the  land  on  said  district, 


renders  it  inconvenient  in  many  respects  to  associate  with 
that  Colony,  which  has  hitherto  been  the  sole  reason  of  our 
not  subscribing  an  Association  before  this. 

The  better,  therefore,  to  convince  the  publick  of  our  readi- 
ness to  join  in  the  common  defence  of  the  aforesaid  liberties, 
we  do  publish  and  subscribe  the  following  Association,  viz: 

"  We,  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  that  district  of  lands 
commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Grants,  do  voluntarily  and  solemnly  engage,  under  all 
the  ties  held  sacred  among  mankind,  at  the  risk  of  our  lives 
and  fortunes,  to  defend  by  arms  the  United  American  Colo- 
nies against  the  hostile  attempts  of  the  British  fleets  and 
armies  until  the  present  unhappy  controversy  between  the 
two  countries  shall  be  settled." 

The  foregoing  Association  being  approved,  is  accordingly 
signed  by  fifty  of  the  members  of  this  Convention;  and  voted, 
that  each  inhabited  Town  on  the  New-Hampshire  Grants  be 
served  with  a  copy  thereof,  and  that  it  be,  and  is  hereby, 
recommended  to  each  of  said  inhabitants  who  are  friends 
to  their  country,  that  they  severally  subscribe  the  same  as 
soon  as  may  be,  and  make  return  by  the  Delegate  or  Dele- 
gates which  they  are  hereby  directed  to  appoint  to  join  this 
Convention  at  their  next  sitting  at  Dorset,  the  25th  day  of 
September  next,  at  eight  o'clock  forenoon,  to  which  time  and 
place  this  Convention  stands  adjourned. 

JONAS  FAT,  Clerk  of  said  Convention. 

Extractfrom  Minutes  of  General  Convention  of  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  GRANTS, 
24<A  JOLT,  1776. 

New-Hampshire  Grants,  in  General  Convention,  ) 
Dorset,  July  24,  1776.     $ 

Resolved,  That  it  be,  and  it  is  hereby,  recommended  to 
the  several  inhabitants  on  the  New-Hampshire  Grants  who 
are  friends  to  the  liberties  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
that  they  subscribe  the  Association  agreed  on  and  signed  by 
the  several  members  of  this  Convention,  and  return  the  same 
to  the  Clerk  thereof  as  soon  as  may  be. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  any  person  or  persons,  inha- 
bitants on  the  New-Hampshire  Grants,  who  shall  in  future 
subscribe  and  return  an  Association  to  any  of  the  Committee 
or  Committees  of  Safety  for  either  of  the  Counties  in  the 
Province  of  New-  York  or  to  the  Provincial  Congress  thereof, 
otherwise  than  the  Association  contained  in  these  records,  and 
subscribed  by  the  several  Delegates  of  this  Convention,  shall 
be  deemed  enemies  to  the  common  cause  of  the  New-Hamp- 
shire Grants. 

Resolved,  That  nine  persons  be  chosen  as  a  Committee 
of  Appeals,  who  are  to  hear  and  determine  such  matters  as 
may  be  properly  exhibited  to  them  in  writing  by  any  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  New-Hampshire  Grants,  relative  to  the 
cause  of  American  liberty,  by  way  of  proper  appeal  from 
either  of  the  Committees  of  Safety  on,said  Grants;  any  five 
of  which  Committee  to  make  a  quorum. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes :  JONAS  FAY,  Clerk. 


KILLINGWORTH  COMMITTEE. 


Killingworth,  July  24,  1776. 

Whereas  Benjamin  Griffith,  of  Killingworth,  hath  for 
some  time  been  suspected  of  being  unfriendly  to  the  common 
cause,  and  an  enemy  to  his  country;  said  Griffith  was  cited 
to  appear  before  the  Civil  Authority,  Selectmen,  and  Com- 
mittee of  Inspection  of  said  Killingworth,  for  examination, 
on  the  llth  day  of  July  instant,  and  adjourned  to  the  15th, 
who,  upon  examination,  pleaded  not  guilty.  After  taking 
a  number  of  evidences  in  the  case,  this  meeting,  considering 
the  evidences,  and  the  late  Act  of  this  Colony  in  the  premises, 
and  question  being  put  by  the  chairman  of  said  meeting, 
whether  the  said  Griffith  was  inimical  to  his  country,  or  to 
these  United  Colonies'!  Voted  in  the  affirmative  by  a  very 
clear  vote.  And  it  was  ordered  by  said  meeting  or  court 
of  inquiry,  that  said  Griffith  be  disarmed  of  all  fire-arms  of 
what  kind  soever,  and  not  allowed  to  keep  arms  any  more 
in  his  house,  until  he  make  it  appear  to  said  meeting,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  according  to  the  late  act  of  this  Colony, 
that  he  is  friendly  to  the  United  Colonies,  and  to  the  common 


cause. 


The  doings  of  this  meeting  desired  to  be  made  publick. 
Signed  by  order: 

ELNATHAN  STEVENS,  Chairman  of  said  meeting. 


567 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


568 


TO  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. 

MY  COUNTRYMEN:  When  I  consider  the  danger  attending 
this  importantday — Burgoyne  with  his  Regulars,  Canadians, 
and  Indians,  on  our  Northern  and  Western  frontiers,  General 
Howe  with  his  Regulars  and  Naval  force  on  our  sea-coats, 
and  our  Northern  Army  in  such  a  situation  as  that  the  enemy 
may  evade  their  foree  and  possibly  spread  devastation  in 
our  defenceless  towns — how  necessary  and  important  is  it, 
then,  that  every  well-wisher  to  American  liberty  should  be 
equipped  in  }he  best  manner  to  oppose  our  enemies.  In 
what  a  miserable  situation  would  we  be  in  should  our  fron- 
tiers be  invaded  with  two  or  three  thousand  Canadians  and 
Indians,  and  so  many  of  our  people  without  fire-arms  and 
ammunition,  to  oppose  their  career.  How  far  would  they 
spread  devastation  before  we  should  be  able  to  stop  them  ? 
Should  Howe,  with  the  help  of  his  fleet,  suddenly  transport 
his  Army  to  any  of  our  Colonies  where  our  Army  is  not 
stationed,  and  our  home  fanners  be  unprepared  to  meet  them, 
in  such  case  we  must  leave  our  houses  to  the  devouring 
flames,  and  possibly  our  stock,  our  wives,  our  children,  at 
their  mercy.  Pray  let  us  realize  these  things,  and  if  any  are 
destitute  of  implements  of  war,  let  them,  rather  than  remain 
in  such  a  situation, "  sell  their  coats  and  buy  them."  Pray 
consider  that  pur  liberties  are  vastly  more  worth  than  all  our 
property,  and  that  he  who  at  such  a  day  as  this  will  not 
rather  venture  his  life  in  battle  than  be  a  slave,  shows  a 
dastardly  spirit,  and  cannot  be  said  to  stand  fast  in  that  liberty 
in  which  the  God  of  nature  has  made  us  free. 

A  WATCHMAN. 

Worcester,  Massachusetts,  July  24,  1776. 


should  be  of  opinion  that  the  quantity  is  insufficient,  I  presume 
you  will  endeavour  to  have  it  augmented. 

I  am,  respectfully,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

W.  SEVER. 
To  the  Hon.  James  Boivdoin,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Council, 

at  Watertown. 


CUMBERLAND  COUNTY  COMMITTEE    TO   THE    MASSACHUSETTS 
COUNCIL. 

Palmouth,  July  24,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS:  We  desire  you  will  give 
the  bearer  hereof,  Mr.  Jesse  Partridge,  an  order  upon  the 
Treasurer  for  the  sum  of  £820,  to  pay  off  the  men,  the 
bounty,  advance  pay,  &tc.,  as  ordered  by  the  honourable 
Court.  We  likewise  desire  blank -commissions  for  one  set 
of  commission  Officers  for  one  company,  and  orders  for  the 
men's  marching  when  inlisted. 

JOSIAH  NOYES, 
JOSHUA  FABYAN, 
JNO.  LEWIS, 
Committee  of  the  County  of  Cumberland. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay.  _ 

In  Council  Chamber,  July  27,  1776. 

Read  and  Ordered,  That  a  warrant  be  drawn  on  the 
Treasurer  for  £251  16*.,  for  the  use  of  Jos.  Noyes  and 
others,  Committee  for  the  County  of  Cumberland. 

JNO.  AVERY,  Deputy  Secretary. 


COURT-MARTIAL  ON  LIEUTENANT  MOSES  BANKS. 

At  a  General  Court-Martial  held  at  Boston,  July  24, 1776, 
by  order  of  the  Hon.  Artemas  Ward,  Major-General  and 
Commander-iu-Chief  of  the  American  Forces  stationed  at 
Boston,  on  Moses  Banks,  Second  Lieutenant  and  Quarter- 
master-General in  the  Eighteenth  Regiment  of  the  United 
Independent  States  of  North  America,  for  defrauding  the 
said  Regiment  of  their  pay,  provisions,  Sic.,  he  was  found 
guilty,  sentenced  to  be  cashiered,  forfeit  all  his  pay,  and 
refund  £10  to  the  Regiment. 


JOHN  BACHELLOR  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Boston,  July  24, 1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  The  information  which 
the  Committee  for  fortifying  the  Harbour  of  Boston  lately 
gave  to  your  Honours,  relative  to  Captain  Obrian,  they  had 
from  me.  I  then  supposed  the  suggestion  could  be  easily 
supported ;  but  from  various  circumstances  since  turned  up, 
I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  malice  of  his  enemies  hath 
induced  them  to  take  such  steps  to  injure  his  character  as 
cannot  be  justified. 

I  am,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

JNO.  BACHELLOR. 


WILLIAM  SEVER  TO  JAMES   BOWDOIN. 

Kingston,  July  24,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  brigantine  Independence  being  now  nearly 
ready  for  sea,  Captain  Samson  waits  on  your  Honour  for  his 
commission,  and  such  instruction  for  his  conduct  as  may  be 
thought  proper. 

As  from  the  time  which  has  elapsed  since  the  evacuation 
of  Boston,  I  apprehend  we  cannot  expect  to  find  British 
merchant-ships  on  the  coast  of  this  Colony,  and  British 
ships-of-war  having  withdrawn  themselves,  allow  me,  sir,  to 
suggest  the  expediency,  in  my  opinion,  of  giving  him  such 
latitude  in  his  orders  as  will  authorize  his  cruising  in  the  path 
of  the  homeward-bound  West-India  trade,  at  least  a  part  of 
the  time  he  may  be  abroad. 

Captain  Samson  does  not  think  the  half  ton  of  powder 
which  he  has  received  is  by  any  means  sufficient.  I  am  in- 
formed the  person  who  received  it  was  told  that  it  was  as  much 
as  had  been  ordered  by  the  brigantine  at  Dartmouth;  but 
it  is  said  that  about  half  a  ton  of  powder,  which  was  stored 
at  Dartmouth,  has  been  received  on  board  said  brigantine,  in 
addition  to  what  was  received  at  Watertown.  If  you,  sir, 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  TO  BENJAMIN  GILES. 
In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  We  received  yours  by  Mr.  Trott.  Have  sent  you 
by  him  £20,  and  expect  you  will  settle  with  him  for  his 
time  and  expenses  in  the  service.  We  hope  Mr.  Farns- 
worth  or  his  deputy  will  supply  the  troops  in  such  a  way  as 
will  help  them  to  proceed;  and  though  we  would  by  no 
means  pretend  to  supply,  or  in  anywise  be  concerned  in 
the  affair,  unless  to  prevent  their  returning  home  dissatisfied, 
in  which  case  we  would  desire  you  to  do  what  you  can  in 
reason  to  furnish  them  to  march  forward.  If  the  provision 
you  have  furnished  is  not  wanted,  you  may  stow  it,  and  it 
will  come  to  bear  at  some  time  or  other,  without  doubt. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

M.  THORNTON,  Chairman  pro  tern. 

To  Benjamin  Giles,  Esq. 


Williamsburgh,  July  26,  1776. 

Yesterday  afternoon,  agreeable  to  an  order  of  the  honour- 
able Privy  Council,  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was 
solemnly  proclaimed  at  the  Capitol,  the  Court-House,  and 
the  Palace,  amidst  the  acclamations  of  the  people,  accom- 
panied by  firing  of  cannon  and  musketry,  the  several  regi- 
ments of  Continental  troops  having  been  paraded  on  that 
solemnity. 

Advices  from  Charlestown,  which  arrived  here  by  express, 
say  that  the  Cherokee  Indians  have  committed  several  out- 
rages, which  seem  to  be  only  a  part  of  the  capital  and 
favourite  plan  laid  down  by  his  most  excellent  and  clement 
Majesty  George  the  Third,  to  lay  waste  the  Provinces,  burn 
the  habitations,  and  mix  men,  women,  and  children,  in  one 
common  carnage,  by  the  hands  of  those  merciless  savages. 
It  is  to  be  hoped,  however,  thai  our  frontier  riflemen,  joined 
to  those  of  the  Carolinas,  will  be  able  before  long  to  strike 
some  blow  that  may  intimidate  numerous  tribes  of  Indians 
from  falling  into  the  measures  of  the  tyrant,  and  make  a 
severe,  lasting,  and  salutary  example  of  the  treacherous 
Cherokees.  By  the  same  express,  we  learn  that  the  Army 
and  squadron  under  Clinton  and  Parker  have  remained 
tolerably  quiet  since  their  late  drubbing;  but  daily  make 
some  alteration  in  the  disposition  of  the  land  forces  from  one 
Island  to  another,  probably  for  the  sake  of  water,  of  which, 
deserters  say,  they  are  in  great  want;  as  also,  that  consider- 
able sickness  prevails  among  them,  and  great  discontents,  from 
hard  duty  and  bad  diet.  The  deserters  likewise  say,  that 
was  not  the  Army  on  an  island  from  which  it  is  difficult  to 
escape,  two-thirds  of  them,  they  are  confident,  would  soon 


569 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


570 


be  with  General  Lee.  An  officer  of  distinction  writes : 
"  That  when  he  considers  the  difficulties  which  the  enemy's 
Generals  have  to  encounter,  the  temper  and  disposition  of 
their  troops,  and  the  improving  spirit  of  our  people,  he  assures 
himself  that  the  game  in  that  quarter  is  in  our  hands,  and 
hopes  that  God  will  give  them  more  grace  than  to  shuffle  it 
away." 

BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  25,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Messrs.  Gordon  and  Patten,  saddlers  in 
this  town,  have  informed  me  that  they  had  made  proposals 
to  you  for  making  a  quantity  of  knapsacks  and  haversacks 
for  the  service  of  the  Flying-Camp;  and  that  a  recommenda- 
tion from  the  Committee,  or  some  persons  here  well  known 
to  you,  was  necessary  before  a  contract  was  made.  As  there 
may  not  be  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  before  Monday,  we 
conceive  it  might  further  the  publick  service  to  give  you  our 
opinion,  that  they  are  both  men  of  character,  and  equal  to 
the  undertaking,  and  that  we  doubt  not  they  will  punctually 
fulfil  any  engagement  of  the  nature  in  question  which  they 
may  make. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servants, 

SAML.  PURVIANCE,  Jun., 
JAS.  CALHOUN, 
JOHN  BOYD. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland, 
Annapolis. 

JOHN  HANSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Frederick  County,  Middle  District,  July  25,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  directed  by  the  Committee  of  this 
District  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours  of  the  16th, 
enclosing  several  resolves  and  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ency, to  the  contents  of  which  papers  due  attention  will  be 
paid.  Persons  were  some  time  ago  appointed  in  the  dif- 
ferent Hundreds  within  this  District,  to  receive  the  arms 
from  those  who  had  not  signed  the  Association  and  enrolled 
in  the  Militia;  but  no  returns  have  been  made  by  them. 
Three  guns  only  have  been  brought  in,  which  have  been 
delivered  to  Mantz's  company;  and  the  Committee  offer  it 
as  their  opinion,  that  very  few  guns  will  be  got  by  way  of 
loan,  and  that  there  is  not  the  least  probability  of  arming 
the  Flying-Camp  from  this  quarter  but  by  purchase. 

The  Committee  have  often  been  applied  to  by  the  prisoners 
in  the  Tory  Jail  for  an  enlargement,  on  giving  sufficient 
security  not  to  depart  the  bounds  which  may  be  allotted  them, 
and  for  their  good  behaviour;  but  they  are  doubtful  whether 
they  would  be Justified  in  complying  with  their  request,  and 
would  be  glad  to  be  favoured  with  the  opinion  of  your  hon- 
ourable Board ;  and  as  some  of  these  prisoners  are  officers, 
whether  they  are  not  entitled  to  their  parole,  agreeable  to 
the  resolution  of  Congress  respecting  prisoners. 

Yesterday,  were  brought  to  this  place,  under  a  guard  from 
Burlington,  fifteen  officers,  taken  at  St.  John's,  who  are 
ordered  by  the  Board  of  War  to  be  kept  here.  Those  who 
refuse  to  sign  the  parole  are  ordered  to  be  confined  in  Jail. 
Three  of  them  have  signed,  and  the  other  twelve  who  refused 
to  sign  were  last  night  sent  to  the  Tory  Jail,  which  we 
hope  will  occasion  them  in  a  short  time  to  take  the  advan- 
tage allowed  them.  It  is  a  dreadful  place  (but  the  best  we 
have)  to  be  confined  in,  and  so  crowded  at  present  (being 
twenty-seven)  that  it  may  be  dangerous  to  their  health. 
The  officers  last  mentioned  find  themselves;  but  it  will  be 
necessary  to  augment  the  guard,  which  will  increase  the 
expense;  and  the  money  sent  to  defray  the  charges  of  the 
prisoners  being  nearly  expended,  the  Committee  request 
that  a  further  sum  be  sent  by  the  first  opportunity. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HANSON,  Jun.,  Chairman. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


Captains  appointed  in  this  Province  have  already  completed 
thirty  men  each.  I  could  wish  we  had  it  in  our  power  to 
inlist  the  men  who  have  engaged  in  the  Flying-Camp, 
as  there  are  many  of  them  who  would  willingly  go  with 
us. 

The  fifteen  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  I  received  for  the 
two  Captains'  bounty  money  for  this  County,  shall  make 
use  of  for  purchasing  blankets  and  arms,  if  you  see  proper, 
as  the  Captains  had  already  received  the  full  bounty  money 
for  the  recruiting  of  their  companies.  I  have  already  ad- 
vanced fifty  pounds  to  one  of  the  Captains  for  the  sub- 
sistence and  expense  money  for  raising  the  company, 
and  1  expect  the  others  to  call  upon  me  for  the  same 
purpose. 

Should  be  glad  there  might  one  of  the  companies  of  our 
battalion  be  a  Rifle  company,  as  I  think  I  could  arm  them  in 
this  Province ;  for  muskets,  I  am  afraid  we  can  get  but  few 
that  are  good  here. 

I  shall  esteem  the  favour  of  a  reply,  and  to  receive  any 
further  instructions  you  may  please  to  favour  me  with,  being 
the  needful. 

I  remain,  with  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  the  Dele- 
gates from  this  Province,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 
GEORGE  STHICKER,  Lt.  Colonel. 
To  Samuel  Chase,  Esq. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO/JENERAL  JOHNSON. 
[No.  72.]  Annapolis,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  have  received  your  favour  of  the  22d,  and  are 
very  glad  that  the  Militia  of  Frederick  are  so  ready  to  turn 
out  on  the  present  occasion.  We  think  their  service  will  not 
be  wanting,  for  although  there  are  many  of  the  enemy's  ships 
in  Potomack,  yet  there  are  but  few  men  in  them,  and  those 
sickly  and  die  fast.  The  Fowey  and  Otter,  with  about  fifty 
sail  of  vessels,  are  still  at  St.  George's.  The  Roebuck,  with 
three  ships,  and  a  few  small  vessels,  are  as  high  up  Poto- 
mack as  Mattawoman,  where,  it  is  said,  they  are  watering. 
We  have  already  contracted  for  a  large  number  of  camp- 
kettles  of  iron  and  copper,  and  expect  to  procure  some  of 
tin. 

If  your  -brother's  iron  is  suitable  for  casting  guns,  we 
would  contract  with  you  for  fifty  three-pounders,  fifty  four- 
pounders,  and  seventy-five  swivels  to  carry  one-pound  balls. 
Captain  Nicholson  informs  us,  that  the  length  of  the  swivels 
is  not  material;  the  three  and  four-pounders  ought  to  be 
somewhat  shorter  than  the  common  standard. 

Should  we  find  it  necessary,  we  will  hereafter  give  orders 
for  the  march  of  a  battalion  from  Frederick  County. 

We  are,  with  respect  and  esteem,  yours,  Sic. 
To  Brigadier-General  Thomas  Johnson. 


COLONEL  STHICKER  TO  SAMUEL  CHASE. 

Fredericktown,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  I  arrived  here  on  Monday  last,  and  have  since  seen 
divers  of  my  recruiting  parties,  which  have  not  been  so  suc- 
cessful as  I  could  wish.  The  Flying-Camp  and  Militia's 
turning  out  hurts  our  recruiting  much,  although  the  four 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  MAJOR  PRICE. 
[No.  73.]  Annapolis,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  You  will  make  use  of  all  or  part  of  the  cannon,  as 
you  see  cause,  taking  care  not  to  waste  powder  in  vain. 

Enclosed  you  have  an  order,  which  you  will  do  every- 
thing in  your  power  to  enforce. 

You  should  be  particularly  cautious  in  taking  care  to  secure 
deserters;  some  of  them,  you  may  depend  upon  it,  are  spies. 
The  negro  you  mention,  that  escaped  from  the  guard,  may 
have  been  sent  on  purpose  to  seduce  the  slaves  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood. 

Be  pleased  to  inform  us,  from  time  to  time,  of  material 
occurrences,  as  they  happen.     We  have  paid  the  express; 
and  are,  &c. 
To  Major  Thomas  Price. 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY    TO    COMMITTEES    OF    DOR- 
CHESTER AND  SOMERSET. 

[No.  74.]  Annapolis,  July  25,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  ordered  Captain  John  Gunby's 
company  to  march  to  Cambridge,  in  your  County,  and  to  be 
stationed  where  you  may  direct.  We  hope  that  company 
will  be  sufficient  to  protect  you  against  tenders  who  may 
attempt  to  plunder.  We  are,  ike. 

To  the  Committees  of  Observation  of  Dorchester  and  Som- 
erset Counties. 


571 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


572 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  MATTHEW  TILGHMAN. 
[No.  75.]  Annapolis,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  very  apprehensive  that  we  should  incur  the 
censure  of  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  and  of  the 
Islanders  who  have  stock,  should  we  make  the  order  you 
request.  The  resolve  of  Congress  is  full  and  explicit,  with- 
out any  exception.  Should  we  extend  our  powers  to  answer 
your  request,  others  would  expect  indulgence,  and  we  know 
not  where  the  exceptions  would  stop.  Our  powers  are 
extensive,  but  not  large  enough  to  control  the  orders  of 
Congress.  Your  application  may  well  lie  over  till  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Convention,  which  will  be  in  a  short  time. 

We  shall  take  particular  notice  of  your  application  for  an 
armed  boat,  and  give  directions  (oour  armed  vessels  as  soon 
as  they  can  be  got  ready.  The  Defence  is  going  down  the  bay, 
and  will  be  a  good  security  against  tenders,  for  the  present. 

Perhaps  it  would  be  prudent  to  sell  some  of  your  cattle. 
If  you  want  a  market,  our  contractor  will  probably  take  off 
some  of  your  superfluous  numbers.      We  are,  &c. 
To  the  Honourable  Matthew  Tilghman,  Esq. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  BARNES. 
[No.  76.]  Annapolis,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR  :  Before  your  letter  and  papers  therein  enclosed  came 
to  hand,  we  had  received  a  letter  from  Major  Price,  in  which 
Mr.  Wolstenholme's  affair  was  mentioned.  The  Council  of 
Safety  thereupon  passed  a  general  order  to  all  the  Commit- 
tees of  Observation  and  military  commanders,  not  to  suffer 
any  person  whatever  to  go  out  of  the  Province  for  the  pre- 
sent. A  copy  of  this  order  was  enclosed  to  Major  Price  and 
your  Committee. 

All  intercourse  with  the  Fowey  has  been  heretofore 
expressly  forbidden  by  the  Convention.  Besides,  times  are 
so  much  altered  since  Mr.  Wolstenholme' s  passport,  and  the 
men-of-war  have  so  openly  invaded  this  Province,  that  we 
could  not  discharge  our  duty  without  passing  such  order;  at 
least,  we  thought  so.  Mr.  Wolstenholme' s  case  may  be 
attended  with  particular  circumstances;  he  must,  however, 
submit  to  the  times. 

We  hope  both  General  Dent  and  yourself,  on  reflection, 
will  be  of  opinion  that  we  have  done  right.  The  suffering 
gentlemen  to  go  off  on  board  the  men-of-war  or  tenders,  or 
any  other  vessel  that  may  have  communication  with  them, 
is  attended  with  great  danger  to  the  Colony.  Every  means 
of  intelligence  must  be  cut  off,  if  possible.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  Colonel  Richard  Barnes. 


JOHN  ADAMS  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

Philadelphia,  July  25, 1776. 

SIR:  I  find  myself  under  a  necessity  of  applying  to  the 
honourable  the  General  Court  for  leave  to  return  home.  I 
have  attended  here  so  long  and  so  constantly,  that  I  feel 
myself  necessitated  to  ask  the  favour  on  account  of  my 
health,  as  well  as  on  many  other  accounts.  I  beg  leave  to 
propose  to  the  honourable  Court  an  alteration  in  their  plan 
of  delegation  in  Congress,  which,  it  appears  to  me,  would 
be  more  agreeable  to  the  health  and  convenience  of  the 
members,  and  much  more  conducive  to  the  publick  good,  than 
the  present.  No  gentleman  can  possibly  attend  to  an  inces- 
sant round  of  thinking,  speaking,  and  writing,  upon  the  most 
intricate,  as  well  as  important  concerns  of  human  society, 
from  one  end  of  the  year  to  another,  without  trying  both 
his  mental  and  bodily  strength.  I  would  therefore  humbly 
propose,  that  the  honourable  Court  would  be  pleased  to 
appoint  nine  members  to  attend  in  Congress — three  or  five 
at  a  time.  In  this  case,  four  or  six  might  be  at  home  at  a 
time,  and  every  member  might  be  relieved  once  in  three  or 
four  months.  In  this  way  you  would  always  have  members 
in  Congress  who  would  have  in  their  minds  a  complete  chain 
of  the  proceedings  here,  as  well  as  in  the  General  Court; 
both  kinds  of  which  knowledge  are  necessary  for  a  proper 
conduct  here.  In  this  way,  the  lives  and  health,  and,  indeed, 
the  sound  minds,  of  the  delegates  here,  would  be  in  less 
danger  than  they  are  at  present,  and,  in  my  humble  opinion, 
the  publick  business  would  be  much  better  done.  This 
proposal,  however,  is  only  submitted  to  the  honourable  body, 
whose  sole  right  it  is  to  judge  of  it.  For  myself,  I  must 
entreat  the  General  Court  to  give  me  leave  to  resign,  and 
immediately  to  appoint  some  other  gentleman  in  my  room. 
The  consideration  of  my  own  health,  and  circumstances  of 


my  family  and  private  affairs,  would  have  little  weight  with 
me,  if  the  sacrifice  of  these  was  necessary  for  the  publick; 
but  it  is  not,  because  those  parts  of  the  business  of  Congress 
for  which  (if  for  any)  I  have  my  qualifications  being  now 
nearly  completed,  and  the  business  that  remains  being  chiefly 
military  and  commercial,  of  which  I  know  but  very  little, 
there  are  multitudes  of  gentlemen  in  the  Province  much 
fitter  for  the  publick  service  here  than  I  am. 

With  great  respect  to  the  General  Court,  I  am,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  JOHN  ADAMS. 

To  the  Deputy  Secretary. 

ROBERT  MORRIS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  July  25,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  ought  to  have  written  you  a  fortnight  ago 
that  Mrs.  Gates,  with  your  son  Bob,  had  gone  for  Virginia, 
after  about  two  weeks  stay  with  us,  during  which  you  had 
the  misfortune  to  lose  a  horse.  I  believe  he  had  been  too 
hard  driven,  at  least  Bob  thought  that  was  the  cause  of  his 
death,  although  the  servant  would  not  allow  it.  Mrs.  Gates 
bought  another  from  Mr.  Hancock,  for  which  I  am  to  pay 
him  forty  pounds,  and  shall  charge  it  to  your  account.  Mrs. 
Gates  did  not  take  the  money  she  wanted  at  home,  but  is 
to  draw  on  me  for  it. 

I  hope  you  will  be  able  to  put  our  affairs  at  the  Lakes  on 
a  more  respectable  footing  than  they  have  ever  been  since 
the  days  of  poor  Montgomery.  Certainly  there  has  been 
great  mismanagement  in  that  department,  and  I  find  some 
people  attributing  this  to  a  source  I  never  should  have  sus- 
pected. Is  it  possible  for  a  man  who  writes  so  well,  and 
expresses  such  an  anxiety  for  the  cause  of  his  country,  as 
General  Schuyler  does — I  say  is  it  possible  that  he  can  be 
sacrificing  the  interest  of  that  country  to  his .  ambition,  or 
avarice  ?  I  sincerely  hope  it  is  not  so ;  but  such  insinuations 
are  dropped. 

I  beg  leave  to  recommend  Major  Wood  to  your  patronage ; 
you'll  find  him  a  bold,  intrepid  officer ;  and  as  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Allen  has  resigned,  I  shall  push  for  the  Major  to 
have  that  vacancy. 

You'll  be  pleased  with  Lee's  success  at  Carolina;  the  ene- 
my were  mauled  greatly,  and  I  think  the  repulse  disgraces 
them ;  consequently  reflects  great  honour  on  our  people. 

You  are  no  doubt  well  informed  of  what  passes  at  New- 
York;  and  as  I  have  full  employment  for  my  whole  time, 
I  shall  only  assure  you  of  the  esteem  and  regard  with  which 
I  am,  dear  sir,  your  affectionate,  humble  servant, 

ROBERT  MORRIS. 


LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Obser- 
vation, held  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart,  on  the  25th  July, 
1776: 

Present:  Edward  Shippen,  William  Atlee,  William  Bowsman,  Lodwick 
Lownian,  Jacob  §rug,  Henry  Dehuff,  Christopher  Crawford,  Michael 
Musser,  Eberhart  Gruber,  Adam  Reigart. 

William  Atlee  in  the  chair. 

John  Purick,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  is  permitted  to 
work  with  Basoran  Wolf,  at  the  Saltpetre  business,  he  here 
in  Committee  engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him,  agreeable 
to  the  resolves  of  this  Committee. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Philip  Greemvah,  dated  the  24th 
of  July  instant,  mentions  that  the  Ninth  Battalion  of  this 
County  is  to  march  for  Trenton,  in  the  Jerseys,  next  Mon- 
day; that  the  men  stand  in  need  of  Muskets,  Cartridge- 
Boxes,  Field-Kettles,  Canteens,  and  other  necessary  accou- 
trements, and  requests  this  Committee  to  let  him  know  when 
to  send  for  them,  and  how  many  of  each ;  which  Letter 
being  read,  the  Chairman  is  desired  to  inform  Colonel  Green- 
wait  that  the  Committee  have  already  distributed  the  whole 
of  the  Muskets  and  Cartridge-Boxes  which  can  possibly  be 
spared  from  the  guard  here,  and  that  there  are  neither  Ket- 
tles nor  Canteens  to  be  had  here,  nor  tin  to  make  them  of; 
and  that,  were  it  in  our  power,  we  should  cheerfully  comply 
with  the  request. 

Edward  Shipptn  took  the  chair,  and  William  Atlee,  in 
behalf  of  Colonel  Atlee,  motioned  that  Colonel  Atlee,  upon 
entering  into  the  service,  had  employed  and  hired  a  certain 
John  Hamilton  to  take  care  of  his  farm ;  that  there  is  no 
other  man  about  the  house  or  farm  than  the  said  John 
Hamilton ;  that  Mrs.  Alice  hath  a  number  of  young  cliil- 


573 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


574 


dren,  and,  without  the  assistance  of  the  said  hired  man, 
cannot  take  care  of  her  farm,  but  the  same,  with  her  family, 
must  suffer.  Upon  consideration,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the 
Committee,  that  the  said  John  Hamilton  should  be  permit- 
ted to  stay  at  home  with  Colonel  Alice's  family,  and  take 
care  of  his  affairs  in  his  absence  in  the  service  of  his  coun- 
try; and  Captain  Hare,  in  whose  Company  the  said  John 
Hamilton  is  an  Associator,  and  the  Colonel  and  other  Field 
Officers  of  the  Battalion,  are  requested  not  to  march  the  said 
John  Hamilton  with  the  troops  intended  for  the  Camp,  but 
to  permit  him,  on  furlough  or  otherwise,  as  he  or  they  shall 
think  most  proper,  to  stay  with  Colonel  Atlec's  family,  to 
take  care  of  his  affairs. 

Mr.  Atlee  resumed  the  chair. 

Col.  Thomas  Porter,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Robert  Thomp- 
son, and  Major  Thomas  Smith,  of  the  Fifth  Battalion  of 
Associators,  in  Lancaster  County,  of  Pennsylvania,  do  now 
report,  that  they  have  formed  a  Company  for  the  Flying- 
Camp,  to  be  assembled  in  the  Jerseys,  and,  with  the  assent 
of  the  Company,  have  chosen  Mr.  James  Watson  as  their 
Captain,  Mr.  William  Steel  as  their  First  Lieutenant,  Mr. 
Dorrington  Willson  as  their  Second  Lieuienant,  and  Mr. 
William  Nelson  as  their  Ensign,  (or,  if  a  Rifle  Company, 
their  Third  Lieutenant,)  and  do  recommend  the  said  gen- 
tlemen (who  have  filled  superior  stations  in  the  Militia  with 
reputation)  to  this  Committee  for  their  appointment;  which 
report  and  recommendation  being  considered,  are  approved 
of,  and  the  said  Mr.  James  Watson  is  appointed  Captain, 
Mr.  William  Steel  is  appointed  First  Lieutenant,  Mr.  Dor- 
rington Willson  is  appointed  Second  Lieutenant,  and  Mr. 
William  Nelson  is  appointed  Ensign,  (or,  if  a  Rifle  Com- 
pany, Third  Lieutenant,)  of  the  said  Flying-Camp  Com- 
pany furnished  by  Colonel  Porter's  Battalion  of  Associators 
aforesaid,  agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  the  Committee  of 
Conference  of  Pennsylvania,  and  are  to  take  the  charge  of 
the  Company  accordingly. 

Colonel  James  Burd,  of  the  Fourth  Battalion  of  Asso- 
ciators in  Lancaster  County,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  Cornelius 
Cox,  First  Major  of  the  Battalion,  do  now  report, 

that  the  First  Company  of  Volunteers  of  the  said  Battalion 
intended  to  serve  in  the  Flying-Camp  to  be  formed  in  the 
Jerseys,  agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  the  honourable  Conti- 
nental Congress  and  resolutions  of  the  Conference  of  Com- 
mittees of  the  said  Province,  have  unanimously  chosen  Mr. 
John  Reed  their  Captain,  Mr.  James  Collier  their  First 
Lieutenant,  Mr.  John  Gillcreart  their  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  Mr.  John  Cochran  their  Ensign ;  which  report  being 
considered,  is  approved  of,  and  the  said  Mr.  John  Reed  is 
appointed  Captain,  Mr.  James  Collier  is  appointed  First 
Lieutenant,  Mr.  John  Gillereat  is  appointed  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, and  Mr.  John  Cochran  is  appointed  Ensign,  of  the 
said  Flying-Camp  Company  furnished  by  Colonel  Burd's 
Battalion  of  Associators  aforesaid,  agreeable  to  the  resolves 
of  the  Conference  of  Committees  of  Pennsylvania,  and  are 
to  take  charge  of  the  said  Company  accordingly. 

Thomas  Dickinson,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  is  permit- 
ted to  work  with  Leonard  Oaler,  Wheelwright,  Stephen 
Lutz  here  in  Committee  engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him, 
agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  this  Committee. 

Samuel  Eaton,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is  per- 
mitted to  work  with  Christopher  Petre,  Stocking  Weaver, 
he  here  in  Committee  engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him, 
agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  this  Committee. 

Daniel  Allen,  of  the  Twenty -Sixth  Regiment,  is  permit- 
ted to  work  with  Michael  Shirdle,  Tailor,  Mr.  Lowman  here 
in  Committee  engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him,  agreeable 
to  the  resolves  of  this  Committee. 

James  Vidian,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is  per- 
mitted to  work  with  Casper  Eglee,  Brewer,  he  here  in  Com- 
mittee engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him,  agreeable  to  the 
resolves  of  this  Committee. 

WILLIAM    ATLEE    TO    THE    ASSOCIATORS     FROM    LANCASTER 
COUNTY,  PENNSYLVANIA. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  25,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Province, 
by  their  resolve  of  the  14th  July  instant,  have  recommended 
it  to  the  Committees  of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  the 
several  Counties  in  the  Province  to  nominate  and  appoint  a 
proper  number  of  judicious  persons  residing  in  the  sajd  Coun- 


ties respectively,  to  distribute  to  the  distressed  families  of 
such  Associators  as  are  called  into  actual  service  and  are  not 
of  ability  to  maintain  themselves,  the  allowance  which  the 
persons  so  to  be  nominated  shall  judge  reasonable,  and  have 
empowered  the  Committees  to  draw  on  that  Board  for  the 
necessary  sums  of  money,  to  be  by  them  lodged  in  the 
hands  of  the  persons  so  nominated  and  appointed,  to  be 
applied  as  above  directed.  It  must  give  great  satisfaction 
to  such  of  the  Associators  who  are  called  into  actual  service 
and  leave  poor  families  unable  to  maintain  themselves,  to 
reflect  that  those  families  are  under  the  care  of  good  men, 
who  will  be  attentive  to  their  situation,  and  make  the  neces- 
sary provision  for  them  in  their  absence ;  and  we  are  anxious 
to  have  the  resolve  carried  into  immediate  execution ;  but 
as  we  are  at  a  loss  who  to  appoint,  not  knowing  but  the 
man  of  our  appointment  may  be  the  companion  of  the  poor 
Associator  in  the  camp,  and  also  being  desirous  that  the 
persons  appointed  to  this  duty  may  be  men  who  are  agree- 
able to  the  Associators,  in  whom  they  can  confide,  who  are 
known  to  have  leisure  to  attend  to  this  duty,  and  goodness 
of  heart  to  search  out  and  relieve  the  distressed,  we  request 
the  favour  of  you,  gentlemen,  to  send  to  us  the  names  and 
places  of  abode  of  some  good  men  in  the  Townships  or 
District  from  whence  your  Battalion  is  drawn,  who  continue 
at  home,  are  willing  to  accept,  and  will  be  the  most  suitable 
for  this  service,  that  we  may  nominate  and  appoint  them 
thereto  without  delay. 

We  are,  &c.,  WILLIAM  ATLEE,  Chairman. 

GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  is  a  Return  of  the  Troops  in  New- Jersey. 
There  was  a  very  capital  error  in  the  Return  of  yesterday, 
through  the  carelessness  of  my  clerk. 

The  position  of  the  enemy  continues  the  same  as  when  I 
wrote  last.  I  have  sent  to  such  of  the  Counties  here  as  had 
not  completed  the  levies  for  the  Army  at  New-York,  to  give 
all  possible  assistance,  and  forward  such  men  as  were  inlisted. 
Such  of  those  troops  as  have  come  in  my  way  I  have  pushed 
on  with  all  expedition. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 

dient  S6rVant>  H.  MERCER. 

To  General  Washington. 

A  General  Return  of  the  Troops  in  NEW-JERSEY,  under  the 
command  of  Brig.  Gen.  MERCER,  July  25th,  1776. 


'QJ 

& 

• 

C 

o 

09 

<c 

REGIMENTS. 

K 

0 

U 

m 

C 

C 

C 

03 

rn 

C 

c 
a 

C 

C 
O 

3 

£ 
o 

s 

.y> 

¥n 

e 

M 

<u 

'3 

sc1 

0 

_« 

C 

X 

o 

& 

Col.  Miles  's  First  Rifle 

1 

i 

1 

6 

18 

. 

24 

6 

409 

Col.  Miles's  Second  Ri- 
fle Battalion  

. 

i 

1 

6 

17 

- 

20 

4 

347 

Pennsylvania  Musketry. 

1 

i 

. 

8 

16 

15 

16 

8 

341 

First    Battalion   Phila- 
delphia Associators.. 

1 

i 

1 

6 

12 

11 

24 

12 

360 

Second  Battalion  Phila-  ( 
delphia  Associators..  S 

1 

i 

1 

7 

16 

14 

31 

15 

400 

Third  Battalion  Phila-  ) 
delphia  Associators..  £ 
Fourth  Battalion  Phila- 
delphia Associators.. 

1 
1 

i 
i 

2 

1 

7 
6 

12 
16 

11 

8* 

26 

28 

16 
11 

310 

285 

Fifth    Battalion   Phila- 
delphia Associators.. 

- 

i 

1 

4 

13 

- 

17 

6 

180 

Colonel    Montgomery, 
Chester  

1 

i 

1 

6 

15 

8 

27 

11 

290 

Artilleryfrom  New-Jer- 

ton 

Artillery  from  Philadel- 

phia, two  pieces  

Total  

7 

9 

9 

56 

135 

67 

213 

89 

3,092 

Brigadier-General  Roberdeau. 

STATIONED. 

Artillery  at  Elizabeth-Town,  two  pieces,  Matrosses  20 

3,092 

HUGH  MERCER,  Brigadier-General. 


575 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


576 


A  General  Return  of  the  Forces  in  the  JERSEYS,  under  the 
command  of  Brig.  Gen.  MERCER,  July  22,  1776. 


BATTALIONS. 

Colonels. 

0 

O 

e 

o 

1 

1 
1 

05 

C 

i 

a 

6 

6 
8 

g  ^  S  |  Lieutenants,  j 

.1 

K 

W 

Sergeants. 

1 

a 

4 

3 

8 

£ 

Rank  and  file. 

1  Battalion  Pennsylvania 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 

15 

34 
20 
15 

2 
4 

7 

409 
347 
283 
380 
480 
305 

2  Battalions  of  Pennsyl-  j 

Battalion  of  Pennsylva- 

1  Battalion  of  Penn.  Mili- 
tia, officers  included.... 
3  Battalions  of  Penn.  Mili- 
tia, officers  included.... 
3  Battalions  of  Penn.  Mili- 
tia, officers  included  

Total  

1 

1 

1 

7 

12 

11 

26 

8 

8 

3 

4 

4 

27 

62 

"JO 

75 

33 

21 

2,204 

Brigadier-General  Roberdeau. 

From  Nut-Jersey  ,  2  comr 
From  Philadelphia,  1  com 

2  pieces  at  Passaick,  2  at 
at  .Imboy. 
STAT1 

Ferries  of  Hackensack  am 
Elizabeth  -  Town  Point  ,  ofl 
Woodbridge,  with  several 
Jlmboy,  with  advanced  po 

ARTILI.EK 

anies,  6  piec 
pany,  2  piec 
STATION 
Elizabeth  T 

ONS  OF  TH1 
Passaick,  2 
icers  include 
advanced  pc 

sts 

t. 

es  of  cannon,  1 
es  of  cannon, 

3. 

nun  Point,  2  at 

3  TROOPS. 
Captains  and  1' 

£7,  a 

JO  Matrosses. 
50  Matrosses. 

the  Blazing-Star 

J2  rank  and  file> 
00           " 
00           "     ' 
82           " 
00 

•04  . 

Sts 

6 

..  J 

.  .1 

2,5 
Four  tons  of  Powder. 

HUGH  MERCER,  Brigadier-General. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  THE  CAMP  AT  ELIZABETHTOWN, 
DATED  JULY  25,  1776. 

Yesterday  nine  of  our  Riflemen  crossed  the  river  in  order 
to  harass  some  Regulars  who  were  throwing  up  a  kind  of 
breastwork  on  a  bridge  for  their  enemies,  who  kept  firing 
on  our  men  for  some  time,  without  doing  any  execution,  till 
one  of  the  brave  fellows  went  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
enemy  and  desired  them  to  surrender.  At  that  instant  he 
received  a  ball  through  his  head,  which  killed  him  on  the 
spot.  The  Colonel  sent  over  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  com- 
manding officer  on  the  Island,  desiring  leave  to  bring  off 
his  man,  which  the  officer  very  politely  agreed  to,  and  let 
him  take  man,  rifle,  and  all  his  accoutrements.  After  talk- 
ing a  little,  he  inquired  what  news  was  stirring.  On  being 
told  that  General  Clinton  had  been  defeated  at  Carolina,  he 
bore  it  very  well;  but  on  being  acquainted  that  Lord  Dun- 
more  had  been  driven  from  Gwn's  Island,  he  looked  very 
much  confused. 

'GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  29,  1776.] 

New-York,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  Disagreeable  as  it  is  to  me,  and  un pleasing  as  it  may 
be  to  Congress,  to  multiply  officers,  I  find  myself  under  the 
unavoidable  necessity  of  asking  an  increase  of  my  Aids-de- 
Camp.  The  augmentation  of  my  command,  the  increase 
of  my  correspondence,  the  orders  to  give,  the  instructions  to 
draw,  cut  out  more  business  than  I  am  able  to  execute  in 
time  with  propriety.  The  business  of  so  many  different 
departments  centring  with  me,  and  by  me  to  be  handed  on 
to  Congress  for  their  information,  added  to  the  intercourse  I 
am  obliged  to  keep  up  with  the  adjacent  States,  and  inci- 
dental occurrences,  (all  of  which  require  confidential  and 
not  hack  writers  to  execute,)  renders  it  impossible,  in  the 
present  state  of  things,  for  rny  family  to  discharge  the  several 
duties  expected  of  me  with  that  precision  and  despatch  that  I 
could  wish.  What  will  it  be,  then,  when  we  come  into  a 
more  active  scene,  and  I  am  called  upon  from  twenty  differ- 
ent places  perhaps  at  the  same  instant? 

Congress  will  do  me  the  justice  .to  believe,  I  hope,  that  it 
is  not  my  inclination  or  wish  to  run  the  Continent  to  any 
unnecessary  expense;  and  those  who  better  know  me  will 
not  suspect  that  show  and  parade  can  have  any  influence  on 
my  mind  in  this  instance.  A  conviction  of  the  necessity  of 
it  for  the  regular  discharge  of  the  trust  reposed  in  me  is  the 
governing  motive  for  the  application,  and,  as  such,  is  submit- 
ted to  Congress  by,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble 
servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

New-York,  July  25,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Congress  having  empowered  me  to  appoint 
suitable  places  of  rendezvous  for  the  battalions  raising  in  your 
Government  for  the  Northern  Army,  and  to  communicate 
the  same  to  you,  also  to  advance  them  one  month's  pay, 
&LC.,  as  you  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  copy  of  their  reso- 
lution which  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit,  1  must  request 
the  favour  of  you  to  direct  them  to  march  by  companies,  as 
they  are  raised,  to  Skenesborough,  and  there  receive  orders 
and  instructions  for  their  conduct  from  the  officer  command- 
ing the  Northern  Army;  and  also  to  advance  the  month's 
pay,  and  take  every  necessary  measure  for  forwarding  their 
march,  and  complying  with  the  purport  of  the  said  resolve; 
assuring  you  that  whatever  money  may  be  advanced  neces- 
sarily in  carrying  the  same  into  execution  shall  be  repaid  to 
your  order. 

Before  I  conclude  I  cannot  but  confess  that  I  do  not 
clearly  understand  what  battalions  Congress  allude  to,  and 
therefore  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  requisition  I  presume 
they  made  upon  the  subject. 
I  am,  with  great  respect,  yours, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 

[Similar  Letter  sent  to  Governour  Trumbull  and  the  Jftw -Hampshire 
Convention.] 

COLONEL  REED  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  29,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  revise  Articles 
of  War.] 

New-York,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  discipline  of  the  Army  falling  more  immediately 
within  the  notice  of  my  department  will,  I  hope,  sufficiently 
apologize  for  recommending  Mr.  Tudor,  the  Judge-Advo- 
cate, to  the  attention  of  Congress. 

The  military  system  of  government,  though  much  more 
complete  than  at  first,  is  yet  extremely  defective.  The  mild- 
ness of  the  punishment,  even  of  crimes  the  most  destructive 
to  the  Army,  such  as  desertion,  burglary,  drink,  of  sleeping 
on  guard,  which  are  capital  in  all  other  parts  of  the  world, 
not  to  mention  mutiny  and  sedition,  which  is  a  growing  evil, 
have  rather  made  such  crimes  known  to  others  than  serve  as 
examples.  This  Army  is  composed  of  a  greater  mixture 
than  any  which  has  yet  been  collected,  and  I  am  sorry  to 
say  we  have  too  many  who  would  equal,  if  not  exceed,  the 
King's  troops  in  all  kinds  of  disorder  and  irregularity.  To 
men  of  this  stamp  thirty-nine  lashes  is  so  contemptible  a 
punishment  that  it  is  very  frequent  for  them,  in  the  hearing 
of  their  comrades,  to  offer  to  take  much  more  for  a  pint  of 
rum.  Neither  my  nature  nor  education  would  lead  me  to 
unnecessary  severity,  but  I  cannot,  consistently  with  the  duty 
and  regard  I  owe  the  service,  avoid  giving  my  clear  opinion, 
that  unless  some  very  material  alterations  in  some  articles 
take  place,  the  publick  will  be  greatly  defrauded,  military  duty 
neglected,  and  the  most  dangerous  consequences  ensue  to 
the  American  cause. 

Since  bounties  have  been  introduced,  a  new  species  of 
desertion  has  appeared,  that  of  leaving  one  corps  to  inlist 
into  another,  and  we  have  some  instances  of  its  being  done 
a  second  and  a  third  time.  I  would  humbly  propose  that 
some  additional  punishment  to  that  for  simple  desertion  be 
made.  We  have  a  general  court-martial  sitting  every  day, 
by  which  a  Field-Officer  and  twelve  Captains  are  kept  from 
all  other  duty,  a  circumstance,  perhaps,  which  never  hap- 
pened in  any  army  before;  and  yet  crimes,  especially  deser- 
tions, increase  every  day.  The  punishing  desertion  capitally 
I  am  sensible  would  only  prevent  discovery  and  detection, 
and  would  not  meet  the  genius  of  the  people ;  but  if  the 
number  of  lashes  was  increased,  so  as  not  to  be  less  than  one 
hundred,  and  the  offender  liable  to  double  fatigue,  I  hope  it 
would  be  more  effectual. 

Mr.  Tudor  will  propose  several  other  regulations  which 
appear  very  proper,  and  to  which  I  humbly  beg  leave  to 
solicit  the  attention  of  Congress,  as  a  matter  of  no  small  im- 
portance. It  would  be  extremely  useful,  and  I  may  say 
necessary,  that,  should  any  alterations  be  made,  a  new  edition 
of  the  articles  should  be  published,  as  we  have  now  many 
new  regiments  who  cannot  procure  any,  and  offenders  plead 
ignorance  with  great  reason. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant,  Jos.  REED. 


577 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


578 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  The  challenge  I  mentioned  to  your  Excellency  the 
other  evening  I  find  is  given  and  accepted,  and  the  parties 
have  appointed  to-morrow  morning  to  fight.  As  I  am  made 
acquainted  with  the  matter,  I  beg  your  Excellency's  direc- 
tion in  what  manner  I  am  to  conduct  myself. 

This  moment  Colonel  Hand  was  with  me,  and  acquaints 
me  that  I  have  mistaken  his  intentions  respecting  promotions. 
As  he  is  coming  to  Head-Quarters,  I  wish  he  may  explain 
the  matter  to  your  Excellency,  and  the  alteration  be  made 
on  the  return  there,  or  sent  back  to  me,  and  I  will  make  the 
necessary  alterations  here. 

I  apprehend  it  is  necessary  to  have  an  order  of  Congress 
for  the  removal  of  the  wheat  along  New-Utrecht,  Graves- 
end,  &sc.,  shore,  that  if  the  enemy  should  land  there,  they 
may  not  have  it  in  their  power  to  do  us  any  injury;  for  every- 
thing they  destroy  or  carry  off  will  be  a  matter  of  triumph. 
The  wheat  is  almost  fit  to  thrash,  and  can  be  speedily  removed 
out  of  harm's  way. 

I  should  be  exceeding  glad  if  your  Excellency  would 
visit  this  post,  when  at  liberty,  to  see  if  there  are  any  altera- 
tions or  further  regulations  necessary. 

I   am,  with   due   respect,  your   Excellency's  obedient 


servant, 


NATH.  GREENE. 


New-York,  July  25,  1776. 

Our  troops  stationed  on  Bergen-Point,  give  the  Ministe- 
rial fleet  and  army  some  uneasiness,  by  firing  at  the  tenders, 
boats,  &.c.  It  so  galls  and  provokes  them,  that  they  return 
the  fire  with  great  fury,  but  have  not  done  the  least  damage 
to  our  people. 

Last  Lord's  day  a  great  many  shot  were  heard  in  this 
city  and  at  Bergen-Point.  The  occasion  was  this:  A  barge 
from  the  fleet,  full  of  men,  landed  on  the  Point,  but  were 
opposed  and  driven  off  with  precipitation  by  our  troops;  a 
smart  fire  ensued  from  a  tender  for  a  considerable  time, 
without  doing  any  injury.  By  two  deserters,  we  are  in- 
formed that  a  Captain  and  two  privates  were  killed  on  board 
their  barge. 

We  hear  from  New-Jersey  and  Connecticut  that  a  great 
part  of  the  men  being  absent  on  military  service,  and  the 
time  of  harvest  coming  on,  the  women,  assisted  by  the  elderly 
men,  whose  age  rendered  them  unfit  for  the  Army,  have  so 
effectually  exerted  themselves,  that  they  have  generally  got 
in  the  harvest  completely,  the  laudable  example  being  set 
by  the  ladies  of  the  first  character  in  each  place.  And  we 
are  credibly  informed  that  many  of  them  have  declared  that 
they  will  take  the  farming  business  upon  themselves,  so  long 
as  the  rights  and  liberties  of  their  country  require  the  presence 
of  their  sons,  husbands,  and  lovers,  in  the  field. 


To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-  York. 

N.  B.  The  challenge  mentioned  in  the  forepart  of  my 
letter  was  given  by  Lieutenant  Dunworth  (discharged  the 
other  day)  to  Captain  Talbut.  I  did  not  wish  to  know 
anything  about  it;  but  it  was  made  known  to  me,  and  many 
of  the  officers  know  that  I  do  know  it.  This  perplexes  me 
a  little,  knowing  duelling  to  be  against  all  law,  both  civil 
and  military. 

GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  just  completed  a  brigade  return  for  the 
vacancies  in  the  different  regiments.  My  brigade  is  so 
dispersed  that  it  is  difficult  getting  returns  seasonably.  I 
should  have  made  this  return  yesterday,  but  could  not  ^et 
Colonel  Hand's  until  last  evening. 

The  outguards  report  nothing  worthy  your  Excellency's 
notice  this  morning. 

i  am  so  confined  writing  passes,  &c.,  that  it  is  impossible 
for  me  to  attend  to  the  duties  of  the  day,  which,  in  many 
instances,  prejudices  the  service.  Such  a  confined  situation 
leaves  one  no  opportunity  of  viewing  things  for  themselves. 
It  is  recommended  by  one  of  the  greatest  Generals  of  the 
age,  not  only  to  issue  orders,  but  to  see  to  the  execution,  for 
the  Army  being  composed  of  men  of  indolence,  if  the  com- 
mander is  not  attentive  to  every  individual  in  the  different 
departments  the  machine  becomes  dislocated,  and  the  pro- 
gress of  business  retarded. 

The  science  or  art  of  war  requires  a  freedom  of  thought 
and  leisure  to  reflect  upon  the  various  incidents  that  daily 
occur,  which  cannot  be  had  where  the  whole  of  one's  time 
is  engrossed  in  clerical  employments.  The  time  devoted  to 
this  employment  is  not  the  only  injury  I  feel,  but  it  confines 
my  thoughts  as  well  as  engrosses  my  time.  It  is  like  a 
merchandise  of  small  wares. 

I  must  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your  Excellency's 
consideration  the  appointing  an  officer  to  write  and  sign  the 
necessary  passes.  The  person  I  should  wish  to  be  appointed 
is  Lieutenant  Blodget.  If  it  was  put  in  general  orders  that 
passes  signed  by  him  should  be  deemed  authentick  as  if 
signed  by  me,  it  would  leave  me  at  liberty  to  pursue  the 
more  important  employments  of  my  station. 

I  hope  your  Excellency  will  not  think  this  application 
results  from  a  lazy  habit,  or  a  desire  to  free  myself  from 
business — far  from  it;  I  am  never  more  happy  than  when  I 
am  honourably  or  usefully  employed.  If  your  Excellency 
thinks  I  can  promote  the  service  as  much  in  this  employment 
as  any  other,  I  shall  cheerfully  execute  the  business,  without 
the  least  murmur. 

I  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant, 

NATH.  GREENE. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 
New-  York. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


37 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Greenwich,  July  25,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  The  bearer,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Jacobs,  of  Colonel  Bailey's  regiment,  com- 
plains that  one  Ensign  Seth  Bryant,  belonging  to  said 
regiment,  and  now  employed  in  the  works,  was  yesterday 
afternoon,  by  order  of  my  Lord  Stirling,  put  under  guard 
in  a  common  guard-house,  where  he  still  remains,  on  sus- 
picion of  embezzlement.  A  procedure  so  extraordinary, 
constrains  me  to  represent  the  matter  to  your  Excellency,  as 
your  Excellency  is  sensible  that  in  all  service,  and  in  special, 
by  the  rules  and  regulations  by  which  this  Army  is  to  be 
governed,  "whenever  any  officer  or  soldier  shall  commit  a 
crime  deserving  punishment,  he  shall,  if  an  officer,  be  put 
in  arrest;  if  a  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier,  be  im- 
prisoned." Whether  he  be  guilty  or  not,  I  cannot  tell ;  the 
judgment  of  a  general  court-martial  is  to  determine.  But 
as  he  wears  a  Continental  commission,  his  being  confined 
under  guard  must  give  umbrage  to  every  gentleman  who 
sustains  a  commission  in  the  Army. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  humble 
servant,  W.  HEATH. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  present. 

REPORTS  OF  GENERAL  AND  FIELD-OFFICERS. 

Greenwich,  July  25,  1776. 

In  pursuance  of  the  general  order  of  yesterday,  directing 
the  Brigadier  and  the  Colonel  or  Commanding  Officer  of 
each  Regiment  in  his  Brigade  to  meet  and  estimate  the 
quantity  of  Paper  absolutely  necessary  to  serve  a  Regiment 
a  month,  &ic.,  the  officers  of  the  First  Brigade  met  this  day 
for  that  purpose. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Heath,  Colonel  Prescott, 
Colonel  Read,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Sheppard,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Jacobs,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wesson. 

The  subject-matter  being  maturely  considered,  the  officers 
are  of  opinion  that  twelve  quires  of  Paper  are  absolutely 
necessary  for  each  Regiment  per  month,  if  they  are  to 
provide  their  own  books. 

W.  HEATH,  Brigadier-General. 

Quantity  of  Paper  necessary  for  each  Regiment  of  General 
Greene's  Brigade. 

For  five  Morning  Reports,  to  be  made  by  the  Corporals,  of 
the  state  of  each  Company,  one  to  each  officer  in  the  Com- 
pany, and  one  to  the  Adjutant,  eight  sheets  per  day.  Also 
a  Daily  Report  of  the  sick  to  the  Surgeon  of  the  Regiment  by 
the  Corporal,  and  of  the  absent  men,  one  sheet  per  day. 

The  Adjutant  must  every  day  make  a  report  of  the  state 
of  the  Regiment  to  the  Commanding  Officer. 

The  Sergeant  of  each  Company  to  make  a  Provision 
Return  every  other  day  to  the  Quartermaster. 

The  Adjutant  to  make  three  Weekly  Returns — one  to 


579 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  JULY,  1776. 


580 


Head-Quarters,  one  to  Brigadier-General,  and  one  to  Colonel 
of  Regiment. 

The  Surgeons  to  make  three  Weekly  Returns — one  for 
Head-Quarters,  one  to  Brigade-General,  and  one  to  Colonel 
of  Regiment.  He  must,  moreover,  have  Paper  to  dispense 
medicines  and  send  orders  for  the  reception  of  the  men  into 
the  General  Hospital. 
Daily  Reports  of  Guards. 

Regimental  Court-Martials  and  Orders  on  the  Quarter- 
master-General's Store  for  necessaries  for  the  men. 

Sheet  of  Paper  per  month  to  each  Company  to  make 
abstracts,  and  the  like  quantity  to  register  them. 
Paper  for  Passes  on  necessary  occasions. 
Reports  of  Arms  and  Ammunition  necessary  to  be  made 
by  each  Company  at  least  twice  a  week. 
Paper  for  necessary  correspondence. 
A  ream  per  month  to  each  Regiment  thought  sufficient. 
NATHANAEL  GREENE,  Brig.  General. 
J.  VAHNUM,  Col.  Ninth  Regt. 
DANL.  HITCHCOCK,  Colonel. 
MOSES  LITTLE,  Colonel. 
EDWD.  HAND,  Col.  First  Regiment. 
July  25,  1776. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Brigadier-General  and  the  Officers  - 
commanding  Regiments  in  the  Second  Brigade,  according 
to  General  Orders  of  the  24th  instant,  to  estimate  the  quan- 
tity of  Paper  absolutely  necessary  for  the  use  of  a  Regi- 
ment's Returns  and  their  publick  use  one  month: 

Having  considered  the  several  uses  of  Paper  in  a  Regi- 
ment, and  estimated  the  quantity  necessary  for  the  same, 
are  of  opinion  that  ten  Quires  to  a  Regiment  will  be  neces- 
sary, exclusive  of  sufficient  books  for  orders  and  printed 
forms  for  Weekly  Returns. 

Jos.  SPENCER,  Brigadier-General. 

SAM'L  H.  PARSONS,  Col.  10th  Regt. 

JED.  HUNTINGTON,  Col.  llth  Regt. 

JONA.  WARD,  Col.  2lst  Regt. 

SAM'L  WYLLYS,  Col.  22<f  Regt. 
Camp,  New-York,  July  26,  1776. 

An  Estimate  of  the  quantity  of  Paper  necessary  to  serve  the 

Brigade  commanded  by  General  HEARD,  for  one  month: 

General     ---------1  quire. 

B.  Major 1" 

Four  Colonels,  each  one  quire  -  -  -  4  " 
Four  Adjutants,  each  one  quire  -  -  4  " 
Thirty-two  Captains 32  " 

42  quires. 


July  26,  1776. 


PETER  GORDON,  B.  M. 


On  consulting  the  Field-Officers  of  my  Brigade,  they  are 
unanimously  of  opinion,  that  if  one  quire  of  Paper  be  allowed 
per  month  to  each  Company,  one  quire  to  the  Adjutant,  one 
quire  to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Regiment  per 
month,  it  will  be  a  sufficient  and  proper  allowance. 

STIRLING,  Brigadier-General. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

July  25, 1776. 

An  estimate  of  Paper  necessary  for  the  regiment  of  Artil- 
lery per  month :  Twenty  quires,  or  one  ream. 

HENRY  KNOX,  Colonel. 
New-York,  July  26,  1776. 

The  Colonels  of  the  several  Regiments  in  my  brigade  being 
convened  according  to  orders  of  the  24th  instant,  have  esti- 
mated the  quantity  of  Paper  necessary  to  serve  a  Regiment  for 
Returns,  and  other  publick  uses,  for  a  month,  at  ten  quires. 
JAMES  WADSWOHTH,  Brigadier-General. 

New-York,  July  26,  1776. 

GENERAL  MIFFLIN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  at  Mount  Washington,  July  25,  1776,  V 
eight  o'clock,  P.  M.      $ 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  this  minute  received  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Gerry,  at  Norwalk,  on  his  way  to  Boston,  with  the 
following  paragraph : 


"I  was  informed  at  the  White-Plains,  by  some  gentler 
men  of  the  Convention,  that  a  person  very  unfriendly  to  the 
American  States  had  authentick  information  of  the  intention 
of  the  General  in  providing  the  chevaux-de-frise ;  and  that 
it  was  appropriated,  with  the  ships,  to  stop  the  channel  in 
the  North  River,  and  hem  in  the  enemy's  ships." 

The  movement  of  the  ships  this  morning  down  the  river 
confirms  Mr.  Gerry's  information.  Lieutenant  Connoly  says 
they  came  nine  miles  down  this  morning.  We  keep  a  good 
look-out  for  them,  as  the  wind  and  tide  are  favourable  to 
their  wishes.  When  they  first  appear  I  will  order  six  alarm 
guns  to  be  fired  at  a  minute's  interval;  and  when  they  come 
within  reach,  will  keep  up  as  heavy  a  fire  as  possible. 

I  am,  with  attachment,  your  Excellency's  obedient  ser- 
vant, THO.  MIFFLIN. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-  York. 


COLONEL  HAY  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Haverstraw,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
Excellency's  letter  of  the  20th  instant,  with  twenty  pounds 
of  powder.  The  approbation  you  are  pleased  to  express  of 
my  conduct,  and  the  regiment  under  my  command,  while  it 
affords  the  most  sensible  satisfaction,  cannot  fail  to  produce 
a  continuance  of  our  exertions,  until  it  is  in  your  Excellen- 
cy's power  to  relieve  the  inhabitants. 

My  regiment  consists  of  but  four  hundred  men,  one-fourth 
of  whom,  with  eighty  men  sent  me  by  General  Clinton,  I 
find  necessary  to  keep  on  constant  duty.  This  Precinct  has 
already  raised  two  companies  for  the  Continental  service.  In 
the  vicinity  of  the  mountains  being  poor,  is  thinly  inhabited 
by  people  of  small  estates;  this,  together  with  the  great  ex- 
tent of  shore  we  have  to  guard,  is  extremely  burdensome  to 
the  people,  and  J  suppose  is  the  true  reason  that  has  induced 
Captain  Parker  to  fix  his  station  in  Haverstraw  Bay. 

Since  the  destruction  of  Halstead's  house,  and  the  robbing 
the  poor  man  of  his  hogs  by  Captain  Wallace,  nothing  of  a 
hostile  nature  has  been  attempted.  The  enemy  have  collected 
their  force  nearly  opposite  my  house,  and  employ  their  time  in 
sounding  the  river.  Their  having  taken  down  the  sand  bags 
from  the  sides  of  their  ships,  spread  awnings  in  all  their  ves- 
sels, and  neglecting  to  embrace  the  many  fair  winds  and 
tides  that  have  offered,  induce  me  to  think  that  Captain 
Parker  has  resolved  to  confine  his  operations  to  the  south 
side  of  the  Highlands,  and  to  make  no  further  progress  up 
the  river  till  the  arrival  of  a  reinforcement.  As  yet  they 
have  had  no  supplies  from  this  shore,  nor  any  addition  to 
their  strength  except  two  poor  wretches  of  infamous  charac- 
ter; nor  have  I  any  reason  to  think  that  many  have  resorted 
to  them  from  the  eastern  shore,  although  a  bullock  was 
brought  from  thence,  and  hoisted,  with  great  shoutings,  from 
a  barge  into  the  Rose  at  the  dawn  of  day  on  Monday  last. 
My  guards  have  since  seen  cabbages  delivered  from  a  canoe. 
If  there  has  been  any  other  communication  between  the 
enemy  and  the  County  of  Westchester,  it  must  have  been  in 
the  night,  for  I  have  observed  no  increase  of  the  number  of 
boats  about  the  ships  or  tenders  in  the  daytime. 

Permit  me,  sir,  to  suggest  that  it  would  tend  greatly  to 
obstruct  the  designs  of  the  enemy  if  the  shores  above  and 
below  them  were  furnished  with  light  whaleboats,  to  pursue 
their  barges.  This  would  enable  us  not  only  to  dismiss  part 
of  the  guards  now  employed,  but  also  to  cut  off  any  supplies, 
follow  them  wherever  they  may  attempt  to  land,  and  prevent 
the  disaffected  from  joining  them,  give  greater  safety  and 
relief  to  the  peasants,  and,  upon  the  whole,  be  a  saving  to 
the  publick.  I  shall,  in  compliance  with  your  Excellency's 
request,  give  you  the  earliest  information  of  every  material 
event  in  this  quarter;  and  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  ser- 
vant, A.  HAWKES  HAY. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters. 

P.  S.  Half  after  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  This  moment  the 
ships  and  tenders  came  under  sail,  fair  wind  and  tide,  and 
they  are  proceeding  down  the  river. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

German-Flats,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  this  day  honoured  with  your  obliging  favour 
of  the  17th  instant,  and  am  happy  to  learn  that  we  shall 


581 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  SEC.,  JULY,  1776. 


582 


soon  be  supplied  with  felling-axes.  If  the  helving  will  not 
cause  much  delay,  I  could  wish  to  have  it  done,  and  the 
axes  ground,  otherwise  to  send  them  on  as  they  are,  we 
being  in  great  need  of  them. 

I  am  happy  that  your  Honour  has  so  early  issued  the  pro- 
clamation concerning  the  deserters  from  the  Army.  I  hope 
it  will  have  a  good  effect.  Before  I  went  last  to  Crown- 
Point,  I  gave  directions  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Buell  to  col- 
lect all  the  boards  he  possibly  could  for  erecting  hospitals 
for  the  sick  at  Fort  George,  and  temporary  barracks  for  the 
troops  wherever  they  might  be.  He  has  carried  into  execu- 
tion my  wishes  with  that  diligence  which  distinguishes  him, 
and  a  very  considerable  quantity  of  boards  are  collected. 
As  soon  as  I  found  our  Army  was  to  retreat  from  Canada,  I 
caused  a  saw-mill  to  be  erected  at  the  head  of  Wood- Creek, 
that  will  cut  nearly  three  hundred  boards  of  fourteen  feet 
long  in  every  twenty-four  hours.  The  mill  began  to  work 
about  twelve  or  fourteen  days  ago,  so  that  I  trust  we  shall 
have  sufficient  shelter  for  our  troops.  I  believe  there  are  not 
any  old  gun-barrels  or  locks  left ;  if  there  should  be,  I  will 
order  them  to  be  sent  to  you.  The  head  carpenters  will  be 
charged  with  the  money  you  have  advanced,  and  I  will  order 
it  to  be  replaced  as  soon  as  the  Deputy  Paymaster-General 
has  it  in  his  power  to  do  it.  I  dare  say  Doctor  Ely's  design 
will  not  be  mistaken.  I  wrote  to  General  Gates  on  the  sub- 
ject, and  pointed  out  his  errand.  I  consider  his  being  sent 
up  on  such  an  occasion,  as  an  evidence  of  his  foresight  and 
attention  to  the  good  of  the  common  cause.  The  confer- 
ence with  the  Indians  is  not  yet  opened,  and  I  fear  it  will 
not  be  until  Monday  next.  My  long  absence  from  the  Army 
distresses  me  much,  as  the  variety  of  business  carrying 
forward  on  the  communication,  I  fear,  will  get  somewhat 
deranged.  But  neither  my  colleagues  nor  the  Indians  will 
permit  me  to  return  until  the  business  is  completed. 

I  am,  with  perfect  esteem,  and  every  wish  for  your  health 
and  happiness,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  TrumbuU,  Esq. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German-Flats,  July  25,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  13th  instant,  I  received 
yesterday,  and  that  of  the  17th,  this  morning.  I  am  per- 
fectly in  sentiment  with  you  on  the  subject  of  private  sutlers. 
They  are  in  an  Army  what  tippling-houses  are  in  cities:  the 
receptacle  of  the  abandoned,  where  mutiny,  disorder  and 
every  vice  takes  rise.  I  shall  immediately  give  orders  for 
purchasing  Arnet's  rum ;  but  your  order  to  the  Deputy  Com- 
missary-General would  have  been  sufficient. 

Governour  Trumbull,  from  whom  I  had  a  letter  this  morn- 
ing, of  the  17th  instant,  advises  me  that  I  may  soon  expect 
one  thousand  axes.  1  hope  they  are  now  on  the  way,  with 
such  others  as  may  have  been  collected  by  the  other  people 
employed  in  that  business  before  I  left  Albany. 

This  moment  I  received  the  enclosed.  If  the  chain  can 
be  spared,  I  wish  you  would  send  it  without  delay,  under  the 
care  of  a  careful  officer  to  attend  it  to  Poughkeepsie. 

The  Indians  are  not  yet  convened;  and  I  fear  we  shall 
not  open  the  conference  until  Monday  next.  I  intended  to 
leave  the  business  to  my  colleagues,  but  they  were  both  of 
opinion  that  if  I  quitted  this  place  before  the  treaty  was 
held,  that  it  would  essentially  prejudice  our  cause;  and  the 
Indians,  too,  formally  addressed  me  on  the  occasion.  Their 
delays  greatly  distress  me,  as  I  know  I  could  be  of  some 
service  in  expediting  matters.  Can  you  procure  no  intelli- 
gence from  Canada1! 

Adieu,  my  dear  sir ;  I  am,  with  best  wishes  and  esteem, 
your  most  obedient,  humble  servant,        PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 

P.  S.  If  you  do  not  send  the  chain,  please  to  advise  my 
Secretary,  who  is  at  Albany,  of  it,  and  direct  him  to  de- 
spatch a  messenger  to  Messrs.  Van  Zandt,  Laivrence,  and 
Tudor,  at  Poughkeepsie,  to  inform  them  of  it. 

Yours,  he.,  P.  SCHUYLER. 


have  set  off  for  Ticonderoga  in  the  morning,  but  was  obliged 
to  wait  for  his  people,  who  were  gone  to  Cheshire's,  and  did 
not  return  till  evening,  when  he  received  your  order  to  remain 
here.  I  have  sent  carpenters  to  assist  in  fixing  the 

gondolas  and  vessels.  I  should  have  returned  this  morning, 
but  the  boats  which  were  sent  to  Cheshire's  the  day  before 
yesterday  for  the  carpenters  are  not  yet  returned.  It  will  be 
necessary  for  me  to  stay  until  they  arrive,  to  give  them  orders 
respecting  the  craft  they  are  to  build.  I  have  sent  off  an 
express  this  morning  to  General  Schuyler  for  sundry  articles 
wanted  for  the  gondolas,  and  have  requested  him  to  send 
either  to  Connecticut  or  to  General  Washington  for  two 
or  three  hundred  seamen,  who  will  be  absolutely  necessary 
to  man  what  craft  we  shall  soon  have  completed.  With- 
out a  larger  number  of  seamen  than  can  be  found  in  the 
Northern  Army  our  navigation  will  be  useless.  We  have 
received  no  advice  from  below  lately.  The  first  company 
of  Militia  arrived  last  evening — others  are  expected  every 
minute. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  affection,  dear  General,  your  obe- 
dient and  humble  servant,  „ 

Ji.  ARNOLD. 

To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborongh,  July  25,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  wrote  you  early  yesterday  morning, 
and  delivered  the  letter  to  Colonel  Wynkoop,  who  was  to 


CAPTAIN  WYNKOOP  TO  GENERAL   GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  25,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  have  received  yours  of  yesterday,  and 
shall,  with  a  great  deal  of  pleasure,  comply  with  all  com- 
mands in  said  letter.  I  shall  send  you  one  gondola  to- 
morrow, and  the  rest  I  shall  forward  as  fast  as  possible,  and 
send  them  down. 

When  I  came  here  on  this  ground.  I  found  things  went 
very  irregular  and  slow.  The  carpenters  complained  to  me 
that  if  the  soldiers  went  into  the  woods  to  help  them,  they 
would  sit  down  by  the  trees  instead  of  working,  and  when 
they  complained  to  their  officers  thereof,  found  no  redress. 

I  have  been  one  day  from  here,  to  Cheshire's  saw-mill, 
where  I  saw  that  neither  the  store  nor  barracks  was  set  up  at 
that  place,  and  the  commanding  officer  at  that  post  was  gone 
to  Albany;  and  found  also  that  the  saw-mill  did  not  go  at 
night,  only  by  day;  and  no  boards  sawed.  1  have  now  given 
them  the  strictest  charge  to  saw  continually,  for  I  found  they 
had  water  plenty.  I  have  employed  my  officers  and  men 
to  clear  the  creek  and  fetch  the  boards,  and  expect  this  day 
one  hundred  and  forty  boards  here  from  that  place,  which  I 
will  send  you  down  to-morrow. 

The  same  day  that  General  Arnold  arrived  here  on  this 
ground,  he  told  me  it  was  General  Gates's  positive  orders 
that  I  should  go  down  to  Ticonderoga  and  join  my  regi- 
ment, which  I  thought  a  little  strange  of.  As  I  had  no  men 
at  home,  (they  being  all  employed  in  clearing  the  creek  and 
fetching  boards  down,)  I  could  not  comply  with  his  orders. 
The  greater  part  of  them  arriving,  I  was  determined  to  com- 
ply with  his  orders ;  but  receiving  your  letter  this  morning, 
and  finding  nothing  of  that  nature  mentioned,  induces  me  to 
stay  till  further  orders  from  your  Excellency. 

What  is  the  reason  of  General  Arnold's  giving  such  orders 
to  me  I  know  not,  except  that  some  of  our  commanders  at 
this  place  see  that  I  drive  business  on  faster,  as  several  have 
complained  to  General  Arnold  concerning  me. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  Excellency's  humble  servant, 

CORNELIUS  WYNKOOP. 
To  Major-General  Gates,  at  Ticonderoga. 

P.  S.  Concerning  the  stores,  I  found  it  went  very  irregu- 
lar, and  have  demanded  the  keys,  and  have  appointed  one  of 
my  officers  to  act  in  that  station,  as  long  as  the  General 
pleases  to  continue  him  therein. 

Providence,  Saturday,  July  27,  1776. 

Tlmrsday  last,  (25th  July,)  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  fore- 
noon ,  his  Honour  the  Governour,  attended  by  such  Membersof 
the  Upper  and  Lower  Houses  of  Assembly  as  were  in  town, 
and  a  number  of  the  inhabitants,  went  in  procession  to  the 
State-House,  escorted  by  the  Cadet  and  Light-Infantry  Com- 
panies, where,  at  twelve  o'clock,  was  read  the  Act  of  Assem- 
bly concurring  with  the  most  honourable  General  Congress 
in  their  Declaration  of  Independence.  The  Declaration  was 
also  read;  at  the  conclusion  of  which,  thirteen  volleys  were 
fired  by  the  Cadets  and  Light-Infantry;  the  Artillery  Com- 
pany next  fired  thirteen  cannon,  and  a  like  number  of  new 


583 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


584 


cannon  (cast  at  the  Hope  Furnace)  were  discharged,  at  the 
Great-Bridge;  the  ships  Alfred  and  Columbus  likewise  fired 
thirteen  guns  each,  in  honour  of  the  day.  At  two  o'clock 
his  Honour  the  Governour,  attended  and  escorted  as  above, 
proceeded  to  Hacker's- Hall,  where  an  elegant  entertainment 
was  provided  on  the  occasion.  After  dinner  the  following 
toasts  were  drunk,  viz: 

1.  The  Thirteen  Free  and  Independent  States  of  America. 

2.  The  most  Honourable  the  General  Congress. 

3.  The  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States. 

4.  The  State  of  Rhode-Island  and  Providence  Planta- 
tions. 

5.  The  Commerce  of  the  United  States. 

6.  Liberty  to  those  who  have  spirit  to  assert  it. 

7.  The  friends  of  the  United  States  in  every  part  of  the 
eartli. 

8.  General   Washington. 

9.  The  Officers  of  the  American  Army  and  Navy. 

10.  May  the  Crowns  of  Tyrants  be  crowns  of  thorns. 

1 1 .  The  memory  of  the  brave  Officers  and  Men  who  have 
fallen  in  defence  of  American  Liberty. 

12.  May  the  Constitution  of  each  separate  State  have  for 
its  object  the  preservation  of  the  civil  and  religious  rights  of 
mankind. 

13.  May  the  Union  of  the  States  be  established  in  justice 
and  mutual  confidence,  and  be  as  permanent  as  the  pillars 
of  nature. 

The  Artillery  Company,  and  a  number  of  other  gentlemen' 
dined  the  same  day  at  Lindsey's  Tavern,  when  the  following 
toasts  were  drunk : 

1.  The  Free  and  Independent  States  of  America. 

2.  The  General  Congress  of  the  American  States. 

3.  The  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

4.  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

5.  His  Excellency  General  Lee. 

6.  The  brave  Carolineans. 

7.  Success  to  General  Gates  and  the  Northern  Army. 

8.  May  the  subtilty  of  the  American  Standard  destroy 
the  ferocity  of  the  British  Lion. 

9.  The  State  of  Rhode-Island  and  Providence  Planta- 
tions. 

10.  The  Honourable  Governour  Cooke. 

11.  May  the  Independent  States  of  America  for  ever  be 
an  asylum  for  Liberty. 

12.  The  American  Army  and  Navy. 

13.  The  Providence  Independent  Companies. 

The  whole  was  conducted  with  great  order  and  decency, 
and  the  Declaration  received  with  every  mark  of  applause. 
Towards  evening  the  King  of  Great  Britain's  Coat  of  Arms 
was  taken  from  a  late  publick  office,  as  was  also  the  sign 
from  the  Crown  Coffee-House,  and  burnt. 


MAJOR  MEIGS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Middletown,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  I  arrived  here  the  22d  instant,  after  a  tedious  passage 
of  sixty-six  days  from  Quebeck,  on  my  parole  of  honour  to 
return  when  called  for,  a  copy  of  which,  together  with  my 
pass  from  General  Carleton,  are  enclosed,  (the  original  is  in 
the  hands  of  General  Howe.) 

I  am  to  represent  to  your  Excellency  the  situation  of  the 
unfortunate  detachment  that  were  made  prisoners  on  the  31st 
December  last.  The  number  now  in  Quebeck  is  about  three 
hundred,  including  officers.  The  officers  were  confined  in 
the  Seminary.  The  soldiers  were  confined  in  the  Jesuits' 
College,  and  were  served  with  the  same  rations  that  were 
served  to  the  garrison  after  the  siege  was  raised.  The  officers 
had  liberty  to  walk  in  a  large  garden  that  is  adjoining  the 
Seminary.  The  officers  and  privates  are  in  great  want  of 
money,  as  they  cannot  procure  clothing  without  it,  of  which 
they  are  in  great  want;  the  officers  are  now  considerably  in 
debt  for  necessaries,  exclusive  of  the  garrison  allowance. 
Generals  Carleton  and  Howe  have  given  their  word  for  the 
protection  of  any  private  gentleman  that  may  be  sent  with 
money,  but  will  not  admit  that  an  officer  of  the  Army  be 
sent.  The  prisoners  bear  their  confinement  with  becoming 
fortitude,  but  are  anxious  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  if  it 
can  be  obtained  consistently  with  the  interest  of  their  country. 
I  am  informed  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  of  the 
Highlanders,  applied  to  General  Howe  fora  cartel,  and  that 
Major  French  and  others  are  anxious  for  an  exchange.  In 


February  last,  the  officers  prisoners  at  Quebeck  petitioned 
General  Carleton  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners,  provided 
our  country  should  approve  of  it.  The  General  received 
the  petition,  read  it,  and  told  the  officer  that  presented  it, 
that  he  would  consider  of  it;  but  returned  no  other  answer. 
I  intended  to  have  waited  on  your  Excellency  myself,  but 
was  advised  by  the  gentlemen  in  Hartford  and  this  town 
not  to  do  it  without  your  Excellency's  advice,  as  it  would 
be  undoubtedly  known  to  General  Howe,  and  perhaps 
even  represented  that  I  had  joined  the  Army,  or  was  giving 
intelligence,  for  which  he  might  immediately  demand  me. 
When  I  gave  my  parole  to  General  Carleton,  he  told  me 
Major  Skenc,son  to  Governour  Skene,  had  arrived  at  Quebeck 
two  days  before,  and  that  he  should  not  employ  him  till  he 
had  the  advice  of  the  King  of  England. 

I  have  sent  by  the  bearer  a  number  of  unsealed  letters, 
which  I  brought  from  the  prisoners  at  Quebeck. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 
Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

RETURN  JONA.  MEIGS. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Commander-in- 

Chief  of  the  Forces  of  the  American  States. 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Boston,  July  25, 1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  Last  Monday  the  Militia 
of  this  town  were  called  into  the  field  to  draught  the  town's 
proportion  of  the  last  ordered  levies.  After  much  uneasi- 
ness, between  thirty  and  forty  men,  I  understand,  were  inlist- 
ed,  on  a  promise  of  extravagant  bounties.  Some  demanded, 
and  I  am  told  were  promised,  one  hundred  dollars  over  and 
above  the  Government  bounty. 

When  the  resolve  for  raising  these  last  levies  was  under 
consideration  of  the  honourable  Board,  it  was  said  by  several 
gentlemen,  and  it  appeared  to  be  the  sense  of  the  Board, 
that  the  men  which  Boston  would  have  to  furnish  would  not 
be  called  for  to  go  either  to  New-  York  or  Canada,  as  the 
draught  of  every  twenty-fifth  man  from  the  whole  Militia 
of  the  Colony  would  produce  a  much  greater  number  than 
fifteen  hundred,  the  number  wanted,  and  that  the  overplus 
would  be  ordered  to  Boston  and  its  neighbourhood.  And 
after  the  receipt  of  General  Washington's  order  for  all  the 
Continental  regiments  stationed  there  to  proceed  to  New-' 
York,  it  was  said  at  Council  that  it  would  be  proper  that  the 
said  overplus  should  be  ordered  to  Nantasket,  the  Castle,  and 
Dorchester,  together  with  a  further  number,  to  replace  those 
regiments.  If  this  were  the  case,  and  your  Honours  con- 
tinue of  the  same  mind,  I  beg  leave  to  submit  to  your 
consideration  whether  it  would  not  be  proper  that  the  men 
inlisted  in  Boston  should  be  ordered  here,  for  the  defence  of 
the  town,  or  that  your  Honours  should  signify  that  the  said 
men  will  not  be  ordered  to  Neiv-  York  or  Canada;  in  which 
case  the  payment  of  the  said  most  extravagant  bounties  may 
be  stopped,  and  the  town,  already  almost  ruined,  in  some 
measure  relieved. 

If  your  Honours  think  proper  to  do  anything  in  this  mat- 
ter, the  relief  will  depend  on  its  being  done  immediately; 
and  in  that  case,  I  beg  leave  to  suggest  whether  it  would  not 
be  proper  that  one  or  two  of  your  honourable  members 
should  be  desired  to  come  to  Boston,  without  delay,  to  com- 
municate your  pleasure. 

Enclosed  is  a  letter  from  the  Honourable  Mr.  Sever,  just 
received.  It  will  be  brought  by  Captain  Samson,  the  com- 
mander of  the  Colony's  ship  of  war,  who  says  the  quantity 
of  powder  allowed  him  is  too  short ;  I  believe  it  would  be 
proper  to  enlarge  it  at  least  five  hundred  pounds. 

There  is  an  account  to  the  eastward  that  some  of  the  ene- 
my's small  vessels  are  cruising  on  that  shore,  and  have  taken 
a  number  of  our  coasters.  1  submit  it  to  your  consideration 
whether  Captain  Samson  should  not  be  ordered  to  cruise 
on  that  shore  for  some  time,  and  then  proceed  where  it  is 
most  likely  he  may  pick  up  some  of  their  West-Indiamen; 
and  that  he  be  directed  to  Boston  by  the  middle  of  Septem- 
ber, in  order  to  proceed,  with  other  of  our  vessels  of  war,  to 
Newfoundland,  to  sweep  the  whole  British  fishery;  and,  in 
the  meanwhile,  our  other  armed  vessels  be  ordered  to  be  at 
Boston  at  that  time. 

All  which  is  submitted  with  great  respect,  by  your  Hon- 
ours' most  obedient,  humble  servant,        JAMES  BOWDOIN. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 


585 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  tic.,  JULY,  1776. 


586 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Boston,  July  25,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  The  enclosed  petition,  from 
Winslow,  came  to  hand  the  last  evening.  The  most  effectual 
means  of  securing  the  eastern  part  of  the  Colony  from  an 
inland  attack,  and  quieting  the  minds  of  the  people  settled 
there,  I  humbly  apprehend,  is,  to  engage  the  St.  John's,  Mick- 
mack,  Penobtcot,  and  other  eastern  Indians,  to  engage  heartily 
in  the  war,  agreeably  to  General  Washington's  request.  For 
this  purpose  I  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  your  Honours,  whether 
it  would  not  be  proper  that  three  or  four,  or  more,  suitable 
persons  be  engaged  to  go  immediately  into  the  Indian  coun- 
try, along  with  the  Indians  that  are  now  there,  and  inlist  them 
into  the  service  without  delay.  I  cannot  but  apprehend  such 
a  measure  would  be  attended  with  success,  and  that  General 
Washington,  in  that  case,  would  in  a  short  time  have  a  con- 
siderable body  of  them;  which  would  answer  the  double 
purpose  of  assisting  him  and  securing  our  eastern  frontiers, 
which  otherwise  may  be  in  great  danger  of  being  broken  up 
by  these  same  Indians. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  your  Honours'  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Massachusetts- Bay. 


J.  PALMER  TO  1UCIIAK1)  DEVENS. 

Germantown,  July  25,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Mr.  Bates  has  finished  six  pieces,  and  would 
have  finished  the  other  four,  had  he  had  iron.  He  mentions 
to  me  your  sending  one  ton  of  the  largest  iron  for  the  four 
mentioned,  and  for  the  six  large  ones  which  are  to  be  done, 
and  says  he  should  be  glad  to  have  the  wheels  for  the  first 
ten  pieces.  He  also  says  he  shall  want  cash  as  soon  as  the 
other  ten  are  finished,  in  order  to  keep  up  the  spirit  for  doing 
the  others.  Perhaps  when  you  send  him  the  iron  and  the 
wheels,  the  same  vessel  may  take  the  six  pieces  from  thence 
for  Hull. 

Pray  my  compliments  to  the  Committee.  I  hope  this  will 
find  them  well.  I  very  much  want  to  see  them  at  Hull,  to 
which  place  I  was  just  setting  out. 

And  remain  ever,  your  very  humble  servant, 

J.  PALMER. 
To  Richard  Devens,  Esq.,  Commissary-General,  Boston. 

P.  S.  Please  send  me  news,  or  the  papers;  for  news  is 
so  refined  when  it  reaches  Hull  that  we  don't  understand  it. 
The  Committee  want  paper  at  Hull;  J.  P.  has  expended  all 
his  own,  or  nearly  all. 

MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  DEACON  NEWELL. 

July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Council  have  this  minute  received  information 
that  Colonel  Reed's  regiment,  in  the  County  of  Middlesex, 
are  now  delayed  from  marching  towards  Canada  solely  for 
want  of  camp-kettles,  which  were  to  have  been  delivered  at 
Concord  some  time  since.  You  will  be  pleased  to  inform 
the  bearer  whether  those  kettles  are  gone  forward  to  Concord 
or  not;  if  not,  whether  it  is  in  your  power  to  send  them  for- 
ward immediately;  if  that  should  not  be  the  case,  you  will 
direct  the  bearer  to  Dr.  Carling,  or  any  other  person  whose 
province  it  is  to  order  those  matters,  that  the  kettles  may  be 
sent  forward  with  all  possible  despatch.  I  need  not  urge 
the  necessity  of  sending  this  article  immediately,  as  the 
soldiers  are  now  lying  on  the  road. 

By  order  of  Council :  JNO.  AVERY,  D.  Secretary. 

To  Deacon  Timothy  Newell. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  July  25,  1776. 

SIR:  Herewith  is  enclosed  Returns  of  the  Stores  in  this 
division  of  the  Continental  Army.  I  shall  immediately  send 
to  the  Agents  to  furnish  those  articles  mentioned  in  Mr. 
Webb's  letter  of  the  18th  instant,  and  shall  comply  as  far  as 
is  in  my  power  with  all  your  directions  therein. 

As  soon  as  the  regiments  are  able  to  march,  I  shall  give 
orders  therefor,  and  immediately  retire. 

I  am,  your  Excellency's  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 
To  General  Washington. 


A.  Return  of  Ordnance  Stores. 

Round  Shot:  1-pounders  11,400,  2-pounders  340,  3-pounders  800, 
6-pounders  4,100,  9-poundera  460, 12-pounders  2,800,  18-pounders  480, 
24-pounders  2,030,  32-pounders  62. 

Boxes  of  Round  Shot,  with  wood  bottoms:  3-pounders  1,  G-pounders 
24,  12-pounders  17,  24-pounders  3. 

Boxes  of  Case-Shot,  with  wood  bottoms:  2J-pounders  1, 6-pounders  9, 
12-pounders  30,  18-pounders  3,  24-pounders  15;  Sj-inch  howitzer  4, 
8-inch  howitzer  1. 

Caps  and  Cylinders:  6-pounders  800,  12-pounders  2,200. 

Empty  Cartridges:  flannel,  6-pounders  1,600,  paper,12-pounders  3,000, 
hand-grenadoes  720. 

Shells:  5i-inch  510,  8-inch  200,  10-inch  795,  13-inch  167. 

Mortar  Beds:  8-inch  2,  10-inch  2. 

Barrels  of  powder  856,  barrels  of  brimstone  2,  barrels  of  turpentine  2. 

Weight  of  musket  balls  9  tons  6  ct.,  buck-shot  10  ct.,  junk  13  ct., 
chalk  140  Ibs.,  thread  701bs.,  twine  121bs.,  sheet  lead  Set.,  slowmatch 
150 Ibs. 

Carcasses:  8-inch  oblong  35,  10-inch  round  11,  13-inch  round  37. 

Drums:  serviceable  29,  unserviceable  15;  Fifes  18. 

Musket  cartridges  of  all  sorts  37,700,  cartouch  boxes  351,  hand-bel- 
lows, double  blast,  1  pair,  budge  barrels  5,  pincers  2  pair,  funnels  6, 
hammers  2,  park  pickets  2. 

Flints:  Musket  11,000,  carbine  2,500,  wallpiece  250. 

Reams  of  Cartridge  Paper:  Cannon  36,  musket  28. 

Barrows:  Hand  8,  wheel  31. 

Lanterns:  Muscovy  5,  dark  2,  common  6. 

Harness:  sets  of  men's  60.  Horse:  saddles  68,  bridles  40,  collars  82, 
harness  22. 

Tanned  hides  4,  copper  ladles,  without  staves,  6-pounders,  4. 

Spare  Spunge  and  Ram  Heads:  6-pounders  16,  24-pounders  1. 

Jars  of  Oil:  Sweet  3,  train  13. 

Coils  of  White  Rope:  I'-inch  2,  2-inch  1,  3|-inch  1,  4£-inch  1- 

Casks  of  Spikes:  7-inch  9,  8-inch  2. 

Melting  ladles  5,  casks  of  streak  nails  3,  sheep  skins  40,  brass  scales 
and  weights  1  pair,  handspikes  30,  camp-kettles,  with  fryingpan  covers, 
66,  6  dozen  of  fuses  fixed,  50  dozen  of  tubes  fixed,  bottoms  of  wood 
for  13-inch  mortars  90,  watch-coats  12,  hand-screws  2  pair,  powder- 
horns  2,890,  boxes  of  grape-shot  16,  shot-bags  1,430,  unserviceable  fire- 
arms 614,  gun-locks  54,  yards  of  bunting  35,  sand-bags  500,  priming- 
wires  and  brushes  3,500,  fuse  compound  2  boxes,  5  small  coils  of  com- 
mon cordage,  scaling-ladders  19,  spare  travelling  carriages  for  12-pound- 
ers 4,  sets  of  iron  carriage-wheels  30,  cod  lines  32. 

Ordnance  Store,  Boston,  July  22,  1776. 

Errors  excepted.  Per  NATHANIEL  BARBER,  Jun., 

Deputy  Commissary  of  Artillery. 

N.  B.  Included  in  the  above  Return:  At  Roxbury:  Powder  500  bbls.; 
shells,  13-inch  92,  10-inch  43,  8-inch  19. 

At  Cambridge:  Powder 232  bbls.;  shells,  13-inch  75, 10-inch  371,  8-inch 
181,  5!-inch  610. 

A  Return  of  Ordnance  Stores,  made  to  His  Excellency  the 
Commander-in- Chief,  July  22,  1776. 

Round  Shot,  with  wooden  bottoms:  6-pounders  1,792,  12-pounders 
720,  24-pounders  136. 

Round  Shot,  without  bottoms:  3-pounders  416,  6-pounders  720, 
9-pounders  680, 12-pounders  2,275,  18-pounders  600,  24-pounders  1,130, 
32-pounders  1,884. 

With  Flannel  Cartridges  filled:  6-pounders  64. 

Case  Shot,  with  wooden  bottoms:  12-pounders  348,  24-pounders  71. 

Case  Shot,  with  Flannel  Cartridges  filled:  3-pounders  721,  6-pounders 
890,  9-pounders  150,  12-pounders  82,  24-pounders  40,  for  8-inch  howit- 
zers 21,  5j-inch  howitzers  58. 

Carcasses:  13-inch  31,  10-inch  14,  8-inch  63. 

Grape  Shot:  32-pounders  82. 

Double-headed  Shot,  (bar  and  sliding:)  18-pounders  49,  24-pounders 
21,  32-pounders  261. 

Paper  Cartridges,  filled:  3-pounders  416,  6-pounders  104,  9-pounders 
132,  12-pounders  115,  18-pounders  328,  24-pounders  23,  32-pounders 
555. 

Paper  Cartridges,  empty:  3-pounders  2,000, 6-pounders  5,000, 9-pound- 
ers 800,  12-pounders  12,000,  18-pounders  300,  24-pounders  6,010, 
32-pounders  450. 

Flannel  Cartridges,  empty,  (light  and  heavy:)  '6-pounders  2,400, 
12-pounders  2,100,  24-pounders  1,450. 

Caps  and  Cylinders:  6-pounders  1,220, 12-pounders  3,660, 24-pounders 
1,900. 

Reams  of  Cartridge  Paper:  musket  52,  cannon  10. 

Fixed  Fuses:  4  2-5-inch  3,000,  8-inch  188,  13-inch  59. 

Empty  Fuses:  13-inch  75,  8-inch  2,000,  5|-inch  2,000. 

Spunges,  with  Rammer  Heads:  3-pounders  19,  6-pounders  36, 
12-pounders  5,  18-pounders  2,  24-pounders  3,  32-pounders  3. 

Wad  Hooks:  3-pounders  13,  4-pounders  4,  6-pounders  7,  32-pound- 
ers 3. 

Copper  Ladles:  3-pounders  9,  4-pounders  25,  6-pounders  43,  9-pound- 
ers 10,  12-pounders  16,  18-pounders  12,  24-pounders  1,  32-pounders  12. 

Shells:  Hand-grenades  260,  4i-inch  23,000,  5|-inch  2,200,  8-inch 
1,900,  10-inch  300,  13-inch  27. 

Spikes  for  laying  Platforms:  7-inch  1,800,  8-inch  5,500. 

Sets  of  Harness:  Men's  100,  horse  60. 

2,800  powder-horns,  16  haversacks  for  Artillery,  14  sets  of  drag- 
ropes,  213  handspikes,  3  sets  of  gin-blocks,  28  portfire-stocks,  85  lin- 
stocks, 3  matchlocks,  50  dozen  of  port-fires,  76  cannon  priming-irons, 
45  sheep-skins  for  spunges,  3  budge-barrels. 

Tin  Tubes:  Fixed  3,000. 

Pincers:  For  drawing  tubes  48;  14  hammers. 

Weight  of  slow  match  23  ct.,  sulphur  50  Ibs.,  saltpetre  90Ibs.,  musket- 
ball  3,700 Ibs. ,  buck-shot  300 Ibs.,  thread  12  Ibs.,  twine  63 Ibs. ,  lead  23 ct. , 
rosin  2ct. 

30,000  flints,  114,000' musket-cartridges,  15,000  musket  primingwires 
and  brushes,  5  tanned  hides,  3  handscrews,  55  wooden  cases  for  cannon 
cartridges. 

Sand  Bags:  bushel,  5,000,  half  bushel,  5,000. 

Oil:  sweet  15  gallons,  Spermaceti  15  gallons. 

Lanterns:  Muscovy  2,  horn  2. 

20,000  spunge  tacks,  500  copper  nails. 

Fire-Arms:  Carbines  74,  rifles  150,  unserviceable  720. 


587 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &,c.,  JULY,  1776. 


588 


Spunges,  with  Rammer  Heads:  For  swivels  18,  cohorns  24,  howit- 
zers 27. 

Barrels  of  Powder:  mealed  2|,  grained  53. 
Spirits  of  Wine  9  gallons. 

Errors  excepted.       EZEK.  CHEEVEK,  Com.  Artillery. 
Neiv-York,  July  22,  1776, 

A  Return  of  Stock  and  Tools,  belonging  to  the  Continent, 
in  the  possession  O/THOMAS  CHASE,  Assistant  Quarter- 
master at  BOSTON,  July  25,  1776. 

Compass-saws,  6. 

Files,  different  sorts,  7  dozen. 

Turning  Lathe  and  Tools,  1. 

Bar  Iron,  8  tons  1  cwt.  10  Ibs. 

Old  Iron,  1  ton  12  cwt. 

Nail  Rods,  1  cwt.  2qrs.  14  Ibs. 

Sea  Coal,  38  chaldrons. 

Fire-wood,  700  cords. 

Writing-paper,  120  reams. 

Shot-bass,  1,500. 

Sleel,  270  Ibs. 

Vices,  4. 

Beek  Irons,  4. 

Boards,  21,000  feet. 

Oak  Plank,  5,500  feet. 

Ranging  Timber,  2,540  feet. 

Wheel  Timber  for  10  pair  Wheels. 

Garrison  Carriage  Wheels,  2  pairs. 

Axletrecs,  39. 

White-oak  Logs  for  hubs,  16. 


Snow  Shoes,  450  pairs. 
Snow  Shovels,  1,778. 
Handbarrows,  228. 
Wheelbarrows,  205. 
Pickaxes,  678. 
Iron-shod  Shovels,  312. 
Iron  Spades,  125. 
Broadaxes,  42. 
Felling-axes,  6  casks  and  24. 
Common  Axes,  64. 
5-inch  Spikes,  2  casks  and  800. 
6-inch  Spikes,  2  casks. 
7-inch  Spikes,  1  cask  and  300. 
8  and  8|-inch  Spikes,  1  cask. 
Hambrc  Lines,  19  double. 
Iron  Pots  and  Kettles,  60. 
Wooden  Plates,  300. 
Wooden  Bowls,  50. 
Wooden  Pails,  200. 
Grindstones  and  Troughs,  17. 

O •- I.  _    1    TT 


Smiths'  Hammers,  1  cask  and  33.  Spokes,  130  dozen. 

Anvils,  10.  Travelling  Carriages,  stuff  for  four 

Smiths   Bellows,  19  pair.  18-pounders. 

Iron  Mandril,  1.  Ash  Timber,  34  feet. 

Nail  Stakes,  11.  Clapboards,  700. 

Drill  Stock,  1.  Refuse  Shingles,  20.000. 

Beams  and  Weights,  2.  Horses,  7. 

Forge  Tongs,  51  pair.  Oxen,  3  yoke. 

Screw-plates,  3.  Whale-boats  fit  for  use,  40. 

Nail  Tools,  18.  Flat-bottomed  Boats,  30.: 

Bolt  Sweges,  3  sets.  Long  and  Mosses  Boats,  6. 

Firmers,  1  dozen.  Tents,  125. 

Gouges,  1  dozen.  Hammocks,  22. 

A  quantity  of  old  tools  of  different  Ticklenburgh,  150  yards. 

sons-  Twine,  50  Ibs. 

4-penny  Nails,  18,000.  2i-inch  Rope,  68  Ibs. 

10-penny  Nails,  92,000.  Old  Canvass,  50  yards. 

20-penny  Nails,  11,000.  Dog-fish  Skins,  5. 

24-penny  Nails,  5  casks.  Large  Iron  Grates,  16. 

Carpenter's  Tools,  3  chests.  Jars  of  Olive  Oil,  containing  40  or 
Hand-saws,  78.  50  gallons  the  two,  2. 

Tenon-saws,  5.  Old  Chain,  1. 

Camp  at  Boston,  July  25, 1776. 
Errors  excepted.  THOS.  CHASE, 

Assistant  Quartermaster. 


JOSEPH  NYE,  J0N.,  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Sandwich,  July  25,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  Being  appointed  one 
of  the  Committee  for  this  Colony  for  raising  every  twenty- 
fifth  man  for  the  Canada  department,  I  have  applied  myself 
to  the  service  with  success,  but  cannot  find  by  the  resolve 
that  they  are  to  be  marched  from  home  without  further 
orders  from  your  Honours.  I  beg  to  have  your  direction  by 
the  bearer,  Colonel  Norton;  and  remain  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  Jos.  NYE,  Jun. 

Boston,  Thursday,  July  25,  1776. 

Last  Sunday,  a  ship  of  two  hundred  tons,  commanded  by 
James  Arnout,  was  sent  into  this  harbour  by  Commodore 
Hopkins,  in  the  George  ship-of-war,  taken  in  Nantasket- 
Road.  She  has  on  board  sixteen  hundred  barrels  of  pork,  four 
hundred  firkins  of  butter,  some  oat-meal,  &tc.,  &c. 

Last  Tuesday  evening,  came  to  town  from  Halifax  Lieu- 
tenant Scott,  of  Peterborough,  in  New-Hampshire  Govern- 
ment, who  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  memorable 
battle  of  Bunker-Hill,  the  17th  of  June,  1775,  and  has  been 
a  prisoner  ever  since.  He  informs,  that  he,  with  thirteen 
others,  broke  jail  about  five  weeks  ago,  and  betook  them- 
selves to  the  woods,  where  they  separated ;  that  Captain 
Martindale  and  his  First  and  Second  Lieutenants,  John 
Brown,  rifleman,  Leonard  Briggs,  of  Ware,  and  himself, 
arrived  at  Truro,  at  the  head  ""of  Cobbecut-River,  after  a 
travel  of  three  days,  where  they  procured  a  boat,  and  got  to 
the  eastward ;  that  Richard  Carpenter,  formerly  a  barber  in 
this  town,  Philip  Johnson^Peack,  David  Kemp,  of  Groton, 
and  Corporal  Cruse,  of  Virginia,  and  two  others,  took  the 
road  to  Windsor,  where  they  were  apprehended,  and  con- 
fined in  irons;  that  Benjamin  Wikon,  of  Billerica,  one  of 
the  Bunker-Hill  prisoners,  died  lately  in  jail ;  and  that  he  left 
Master  James  Lovell,  still  confined,  in  health  and  high  spirits. 


CONVENTION  OF  COMMITTEES  OF  HAMPSHIRE  COUNTY,  MASSA- 
CHUSETTS. 

Extracts  of  the  doings  of  a  Convention  of  the  Committees 
of  the  Towns  in  the  County  of  Hampshire,  and  State  of  the 
Massachusetts-Bay,  held  at  the  Court-House,  in  North- 
ampton, on  Thursday  and  Friday,  July  25  and  26,  1776. 
Present :  Eighty-eight  Delegates  from  forty  Towns. 
Colonel  John  Bliss  President,  and  Mr.  Robert  Breck 
Clerk. 

Resolved,  That  all  persons  that  shall  be  convicted  of  being 
notoriously  inimical  to  the  cause  of  American  Liberty,  be 
disarmed  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  that  such  as  are  more 
dangerous  among  them,  be  confined  to  the  Town  to  which 
they  belong,  or  to  their  farms,  or  kept  in  safe  custody,  or 
bound  with  sufficient  sureties,  as  shall  appear  necessary;  and 
as  confederacies  are  judged  to  be  formed  and  forming  in 
many  parts  of  the  country,  and  may  be  strengthened,  and 
oilier  great  inconveniences  may  ensue  from  such  persons 
(who  are  inimical  as  aforesaid)  collecting  together  in  com- 
panies, that  they  be  restrained  from  all  such  Meetings  and 
Conventions,  as  also  from  holding  any  intercourse  or  corre- 
spondence with  those  sent  into  the  County  as  prisoners. 

It  is  recommended  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  the 
several  Towns  in  the  County  aforesaid,  that  such  persons  as 
are  prisoners  and  privates  in  their  respective  Towns,  who 
have  hired  themselves  out  for  their  support,  be  not  permitted 
to  go  out  of  the  limits  of  such  Town,  till  the  time  of  their 
contract  be  fulfilled,  nor  be  out  of  their  respective  places  of 
abode  after  daylight,  unless  by  special  order  of  their  master, 
nor  after  nine  o'clock  with  his  consent ;  that  they  be  not 
suffered  to  dwell  with  any  person  who  shall  be  judged  inimi- 
cal to  the  American  States;  and  that  all  such  persons  as 
shall  hire  such  privates  be  strictly  enjoined  to  return  such 
privates  to  the  Committee  of  such  Town  from  whence  they 
were  taken  at  the  time  of  their  discharge;  and  that  special 
care  be  taken  that  such  prisoners  as  are  on  their  parole 
strictly  conform  to,  and  abide  within  the  limits  of,  such 
parole,  otherwise  they  ought  to  be  closely  confined.  Also, 
that  such  prisoners  as  are  on  parole  be  so  situated  as  that 
their  limits  shall  not  extend  to  any  Town  where  officers  or 
privates  are  confined,  and  that  no  privates  be  suffered  to  dwell 
in  any  Town  where  officers  or  others  on  parole  are  stationed. 

It  is  recommended  to  the  Selectmen  of  the  several  Towns 
in  the  County  aforesaid,  that  may  be  defective,  that  they  do, 
as  soon  as  may  be,  procure  the  several  proportions  of  a  Town 
stock  of  powder;  also,  a  sufficient  quantity  of  fire-arms  for 
such  poor  persons  as  are  not  able  to  equip  themselves,  agree- 
able to  the  resolve  of  the  great  and  Genera!  Court  of  this  State. 
It  is  further  recommended  to  the  Committees  of  the  several 
Towns  in  the  County  aforesaid,  to  use  their  utmost  care  in 
apprehending  and  securing  all  deserters  from  our  Army,  and 
cause  that  they  be  returned  to  their  respective  corps ;  also, 
that  they  request  their  several  Towns  that  they  instruct  their 
Representatives  to  procure  an  order  from  the  General  Court 
of  this  State,  that  all  persons  travelling  through  the  same 
should  have  passes,  denoting  their  friendliness  to  the  Ame- 
rican States,  and  make  provision  for  suspected  persons  being 
taken  up,  examined,  &tc. 

Resolved,  also,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  all 
the  good  people  of  this  County  in  general,  and  the  Commit- 
tees of  the  several  Towns  in  particular,  that  they  use  their 
utmost  influence  and  endeavours  to  discountenance  and  sup- 
press all  mobs,  riots,  and  tumultuous  proceedings,  and  the 
seizing  and  detaining  the  person  and  properly  of  any  indi- 
vidual contrary  to  a  late  resolve  of  the  Continenlal  Con- 
gress; and  that  any  person  who  has  been,  or  may  be,  so 
seized,  be  immediately  dismissed,  and  the  property  of  any 
one  so  seized  and  detained,  be  immediately  replaced. 

Voted,  That  Major  Hawley,  Mr.  Robert  Brcck,  and  Dr. 
Levi  Shephard,  be  a  Committee  to  make  the  foregoing  ex- 
tracts from  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention  aforesaid,  and 
transmit  the  same  to  Mr.  Ebenezer  Watson,  Printer,  in  Hart- 
ford, for  publication,  as  soon  as  may  be. 

London,  July  26,  1776. 

Captain  Williamson,  of  the  Francis,  arrived  in  London, 
from  Antigua,  and  brings  an  account,  viz:  that  a  few  days 
after  he  was  on  this  side  the  Bermuda  Islands,  the  following 
ships  were  taken  by  the  Revenge  and  Montgomery,  two 
small  American  privateers,  viz:  the  brig  Henri/,  Blijth,  from 


589 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


500 


Barbadocs  to  Halifax,  taken  the  28th  of  May,  laden  with 
rum;  the  Rover,  Hunter,  from  Antigua  to  Dublin,  taken 
the  13th  of  June,  laden  with  rutn ;  the  Isabella,  Kirk,  from 
Antigua  to  Dublin,  taken  the  13th  of  June,  loaded  with 
rum;  the  Harlequin,  Goodwin,  from  Nevis  to  Dublin,  taken 
the  2d  of  Jitfy,  loaded  with  sugar  and  rum ;  the  Devonshire, 
Fisher,  from  Antigua  to  Dublin,  taken  the  1st  of  July, 
loaded  with  sugar  and  rum,  in  latitude  34°  55',  longitude 
53°  36'.  Fifty  per  cent,  insurance  was  offered  on  some 
of  the  above  ships;  and  insurance,  with  convoy,  rose  near 
thirty  per  cent. 

Captain  Stephenson,  of  the  Lady  Juliana,  arrived  in  town 
this  day,  and  gives  the  following  account  of  the  capture  of 
his  ship,  the  Lady  Juliana,  from  Jamaica  to  London,  in  com- 
pany with  the  Reynolds,  Captain  Rusden,  from  Jamaica  for 
London,  and  the  Juno,  Captain  Marsden,  from  Jamaica  for 
Bristol:  On  the  9th  and  12th  of  May  last,  they  were 
attacked  by  two  American  privateers  off  the  Matanzas, 
bearing  S.S.E.,  and  that  the  Reynolds,  Rusden,  was  taken 
by  the  American  privateer  ,  Captain  Henry,  mounting 
six  three-pounders,  and  ten  swivels,  on  the  9th  of  May;  and 
Lady  Juliana,  Stephenson,  and  Juno,  Marsden,  were  taken 
by  the  Chance,  Captain  Adams,  who  mounted  four  six- 
pounders  and  ten  swivels,  the  12th;  that  the  Provincials 
put  the  Captains  and  passengers  on  board  a  Spanish  vessel 
that  was  leaky,  who  carried  them  into  Providence,  where 
the  Captains  purchased  a  vessel,  called  the  Baltimore,  which 
is  since  arrived  at  Plymouth. 

The  nine  ships  above  mentioned  were  all  taken  with  the 
greatest  ease,  after  they  had  been  convoyed  one  hundred 
and  fifty  leagues  from  the  ports  they  respectively  sailed  from, 
and  left  by  the  men-of-war,  under  a  supposition  that  they 
were  totally  out  of  danger.  The  privateers  which  took 
them  were  but  thinly  manned,  and  weakly  armed.  One 
carried  ten,  and  the  other  twelve  guns.  Several  of  the 
ships  carried  a  great  number,  but  (which  is  very  extraordi« 
nary)  no  powder  on  board,  the  Governours  of  the  places 
they  sailed  from  not  allowing  any  to  be  shipped,  for  fear 
enough  should  not  remain  with  them  to  defend  their  situa- 
tions in  case  of  an  attack,  which  was  something  more  than 
probable.  The  Lady  Juliana,  Captain  Stephenson,  had  six 
hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar  and  thirty  thousand  hard  dollars 
on  board,  besides  other  negotiable  and  marketable  articles. 
Her  cargo,  therefore,  exclusive  of  the  dollars,  at  a  moderate 
computation,  was  worth  twenty-five  thousand  pounds.  She 
was  boarded  by  Captain  White,  an  old  acquaintance  of 
Captain  Stephenson,  who  cordially  shook  hands  with  his 
captor  when  he  set  foot  on  deck,  little  thinking  he  was  an 
enemy.  White,,  out  of  civility  and  respect  for  old  acquaint- 
anceship, promised  to  send  Stephenson  safe  to  England,  at 
the  same  time  told  him,  that  he  was  ordered  by  the  Congress 
to  carry  every  prize  he  took  to  Rhode-Island,  and  that  the 
other  privateer  was  to  carry  hers  to  Salem,  in  New-Eng- 
land. The  ship  Francis,  on  board  which  Stephenson  came 
to  England,  was  suffered  to  sail  home,  as  the  Captains  of 
the  Provincial  .privateers  did  not  think  her  valuable  enough 
to  be  seized.  The  amount  of  the  cargoes  of  the  above 
prizes,  we  are  informed,  upon  the  best  authority,  is  upwards 
of  £  140,000  sterling. 


SILAS  DEANE  ffO  C.  W.  F.  DUMAS. 

Paris,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  letter  from  Dr.  Franklin  will  hint  at 
my  business  in  this  city,  where  I  arrived  the  7th  instant,  and 
should  have  sent  forward  this  earlier,  had  I  not  hopes  of  the 
honour  of  presenting  it  to  you  in  person.  This  I  now  find 
I  cannot  expect  without  delaying  it  beyond  all  bounds.  I 
therefore  forward  it  by  the  common  conveyance,  and  inform 
you  that  my  address  in  this  city  is  to  Messrs.  Germany, 
Guardot  fy  Co.,  bankers ;  that  I  shall  tarry  here  till  the  last 
of  August,  when  I  propose  going  to  Dunkirk,  thence  to 
Amsterdam  and  Hamburgh,  in  which  journey  I  hope  for  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you.  In  the  mean  time,  I  shall  be  happy 
in  a  correspondence  with  you  on  the  subject  of  the  dispute 
between  the  United  Colonies  and  Great  Britain,  or  any 
other  that  shall  be  agreeable  to  you ;  and  I  wish  to  be  in- 
formed if  I  shall  be  in  danger  of  any  disagreeable  treatment 
in  my  journey  through  Holland,  in  a  private  capacity,  though 
it  should  be  known  that  I  was  in  the  service  of  the  United 
Colonies.  It  has  been  suggested  to  me  that  I  might  meet 


with  some  interruption  or  difficulties  from  the  friends  of  the 
British  Ministry,  which  occasions  my  making  this  inquiry. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &tc.,  SILAS  DEANE. 

P.  S.  I  read  and  understand  ilie  French  language  tolerably 
well,  though  I  am  unable  to  write  it. 

CAPTAIN   MERONEY  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Fredericktown,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  exerted  myself  endeavouring  to  fur- 
nish my  company  with  guns  and  blankets,  but  find  it  imprac- 
ticable without  money.  I  applied  to  Mr.  Harrison,  and 
could  receive  but  seventy  pounds,  insufficient  to  furnish  one- 
tenth.  Mr.  Harding,  the  bearer,  is  a  gentleman,  and  may 
be  trusted  with  any  sum.  Three  hundred  and  fifty  pounds 
is  the  sum  I  want  to  receive  by  the  bearer. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

PHILIP  MERONEY. 
To  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  of  opinion  that  a  less  sum  than  is 
mentioned  in  the  above  letter  will  not  furnish  the  above 
company  with  arms  and  blankets.  C.  BEATTY. 

To  the  Council  of  Safety. 


MAJOR  PRICE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Upper  Camp,  Prince  George's,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  If  you  expect  frequent  intelligence  from 
this  place,  you  must  send  down  for  it,  it  being  impossible  to 
get  horses  here. 

I  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  sending  home  all  the 
Militia  except  fifty,  and  it  was  with  much  difficulty  I  could 
keep  them.  Indeed,  their  distress  seems  to  be  very  great, 
for  most  of  them  are  poor  people  whose  crops  are  suffering, 
and  many  have  not  any  dependance  but  their  labour.  I 
received  an  express  from  General  Lewis  last  night.  The 
following  is  a  copy  of  my  answer  to  him,  which  will  give 
you  as  true  a-  state  of  matters  here  as  possible. 

I  found  it  absolutely  necessary  to  keep  the  wagon  and 
horses  brought  from  Annapolis,  not  knowing  what  hour  it 
might  be  necessary  to  remove  the  cannon,  and  also  to  draw 
them  back,  for  it  will  not  be  possible  to  get  any  here.  How- 
ever, if  you  think  it  best,  and  will  send  me  directions,  I  shall 
act  accordingly. 

1  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

THOS.  PRICE. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


MAJOR  PRICE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

St.  George's  Camp,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enemy  come  on  St.  George's  Island  in  the  day 
time  to  get  water  and  wood,  and  in  the  evening  retire  on 
board  their  ships.  They  have  no  manner  of  fortifications  on 
the  Island. 

The  fleet  lies  from  the  northeast  side  of  St.  George's 
River  about  a  mile,  the  depth  of  water,  as  I  imagine,  about 
three  fathom.  The  Island  lies  from  the  main  land  about  a 
hundred  yards.  The  water,  at  low  tide,  about  knee-deep, 
where  we  threw  up  a  small  intrenchment.  There  are  three 
pieces  of  cannon  on  Cherryfield  Point,  (about  a  mile  from 
the  Fowey,)  one  a  nine-pounder,  one  a  four,  the  other  three. 
I  have  another  on  the  northwest  side  of  the  river,  (the  nar- 
rowest water  between  the  land  and  main,)  a  four-pounder. 
I  have  about  four  hundred  men  (half  of  whom  are  well 
armed,  the  other  half  poorly)  placed  on  each  side  of  St. 
George's  River.  I  have  good  reason  to  think,  with  the  force 
I  have,  I  can  prevent  the  enemy's  landing  or  plundering  the 
inhabitants.  I  yesterday  morning  sent  one  hundred  on  the 
Island  about  half  after  two  o'clock.  They  marched  silently 
through  the  Island  till  day  appeared,  and  then  lay  hid  till 
they  came  from  the  ships  to  water.  The  advance  party 
being  rather  eager,  was  too  soon  discovered,  and  the  whole 
enemy  ran  to  their  boats,  my  people  then  pursuing  them 
with  all  speed,  and  firing  on  them  as  they  were  getting  into 
their  boats,  when  our  people  say  they  killed  three  or  four, 
that  they  saw  fall,  and  several  wounded,  and  one  taken 
prisoner.  The  Fowcy  then  fired  on  them,  and  compelled 
them  to  retire.  After  destroying  their  water-casks  and  filling 
up  a  well,  (the  best  on  the  Island,  for  they  have  no  springs,) 


591 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


592 


they  returned  tc  the  main  without  loss.  By  the  best  advice 
I  can  get  from  the  prisoners  and  many  deserters,  the  whole 
fleet  does  not  intend  to  stay  here  longer  than  those  up  the 
Potomack  come  down,  which  they  expect  every  day.  Cap- 
tain Beall,  who  was  wounded  in  the  first  engagement,  is 
recovering  fast.  I  am,  &tc.,  THOS.  PRICE. 

N.  B.  I  yesterday  sent  under  a  small  guard  a  prisoner  to 
Annapolis,  taken  yesterday,  and  three  deserters,  one  of  them 
an  officer  of  Dunmore's,  who  made  his  escape  with  an  old 
man  who  is  very  sick  and  not  able  to  travel.  1  believe  they 
are  well  pleased  they  have  made  their  escape.  One  of 
them  went  from  Annapolis,  who  says  Caton  was  privy  to  his 
and  others  going  on  board  the  Fowey  while  she  lay  there. 
Please  to  pay  this  express. 

B.   HOOE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL   OF   SAFETY. 

Cliingoteague,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  did  myself  the  honour  of  writing  you  on 
the  19th  instant  by  Mr.  Crockett.  Some  days  after  that 
time,  I  purchased  about  one  hundred  hogsheads  of  tobacco, 
sixty  of  which  I  have  actually  received,  and  since  making 
the  purchase  the  whole  of  the  flour  has  arrived.  I  have 
examined  a  good  deal  of  it,  and  find  it  is  in  such  a  state  as 
will  not  admit  of  its  being  stored  any  length  of  time  in  ex- 
pectation of  a  sale.  I  shall,  therefore,  endeavour  to  sell  or 
ship  it  without  delay.  If  I  cannot  do  better,  I  must  have 
the  schooner  John  examined  and  valued  and  send  her  off  with 
it,  for  it  will  soon  perish  here,  and  there  is  a  good  chance  of 
selling  it  very  high  if  it  can  be  expeditiously  pushed  to  mar- 
ket. The  brig  will  sail  in  twelve  days,  by  which  time  Cap- 
tain Martin  has  engaged  to  return.  If  he  does  not,  I  must 
send  her  without  him,  as  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  attend 
here  longer. 

The  two  chests  of  arms  and  nine  bales  of  sailcloth  the 
Captain  has  delivered  since  the  Committee  of  Worcester 
wrote  you  of  the  deficiency.  The  powder  yet  remains, 
twelve  whole  barrels  of  shot,  four  and  a  half  barrels  of  which 
he  says  was  put  on  board  for  the  vessel's  use. 

Captain  Martin  appears  very  anxious  to  be  commissioned. 
Of  this  I  can  say  nothing,  as  he  is  a  stranger  to  me,  except 
that  the  men  enter  and  act  more  cheerfully  where  they  have 
a  chance  of  sharing  a  prize ;  but  how  proper  it  may  be  to  grant 
commissions  to  vessels  carrying  cargoes  must  be  submitted 
to  you. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Honours'  most  obedient 
servant,  B.  HOOE. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

CAPTAIN  DARNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Queen  Anne's  County,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Mr.  Jackson  waits  on  you  with  two  copies 
of  my  muster-roll,  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of  the  Conven- 
tion. I  can't  say  but  I  am  a  good  deal  distressed  at  the 
uneasiness  of  our  people.  They  throw  themselves  out  of 
business  by  entering  into  the  service,  and  many  of  them 
have  not  holes  to  put  their  heads  in,  and  are  perpetually 
teasing  me  about  it.  They  are  prodigiously  anxious  to  be 
provided  for  with  arms.  They  really  labour  under  great 
disadvantages  at  present.  If  possible,  I  make  no  doubt  but 
you  will  soon  supply  us.  It  certainly  would  be  vastly  agree- 
able to,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  DAHNES. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

COLONEL  BARNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 
Camp  at  Cherry  Fields,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  informed  that  Colonel  Kent,  who 
was  appointed  by  the  Convention  to  command  the  Defence, 
declines  the  acceptance  of  the  command.  I  shall  therefore 
take  the  liberty  to  recommend  Captain  George  Cooke  as  a 
proper  person  to  command  the  Defence,  knowing  that  Cap- 
tain Richardson's  opinion  was,  that  neither  of  the  gentlemen 
on  board  the  Defence  was  sufficiently  qualified  to  take  the 
command.  Captain  George  Cooke  has  served  on  board  the 
English  Navy  for  seven  years,  and  has  been  in  several 
engagements,  and  I  think  well  qualified  for  the  business.  I 
have  had  an  opportunity  of  finding  him  to  be  a  man  of  un- 
daunted courage  since  I  have  been  in  these  parts.  As  Colonel 
Plater  is  well  acquainted  with  Captain  George  Cooke,  and 
I  suppose  some  others  of  the  Council,  I  shall  say  no  more 


about  him  further  than  that  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  prevent 
his  passing  unnoticed,  if  in  my  power. 

I  remain,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant, 

RICHD.  BARNES. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 

B.  BRACCO  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Port-Tobacco,  July  26,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  sent  the  bearer,  Sergeant  Smith,  ex- 
press to  inform  you  that  the  small-pox  has  broken  out  among 
the  men  under  my  command  here,  and  hope  you  will  be  kind 
enough,  by  his  return,  to  let  me  have  instructions  in  what 
manner  I  am  to  act — whether  immediately  to  inoculate  the 
remainder  of  the  men,  or  remove  them  out  of  the  way.  I 
think  the  latter  would  be  of  no  effect,  as  the  man  who  com- 
municated the  infection  was  a  day  and  a  night  in  company 
with  all  the  soldiers  here.  Some  combed  his  hair,  and  others 
slept  with  him.  He  was  a  man  that  called  himself  a  deserter 
from  Lord  Dunmorc,  and  produced  a  pass  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  Essex  County,  in  Virginia.  I  have  spoken  to  Dr. 
Browne,  who  had  the  care  of  the  fellow,  and  he  says  he 
thinks  he  was  inoculated. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  greatest  gratitude,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  B.  BRACCO. 

To  James  Tilghman,  Esq.,  at  Annapolis. 

COLONEL  HAWKINS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Charles  County,  July  26,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  On  the  18th  instant,  I  received  orders  from 
Brigadier-General  Dent  to  select  from  the  interior  parts  of 
my  battalion  three  companies  of  Militia,  to  be  composed  of 
men  out  of  different  companies,  and  despatch  them  to  St. 
George's  River,  to  relieve  the  Militia  collected  there  at  that 
time.  Agreeable  to  order,  I  set  out  immediately,  and  had 
two  of  the  companies  raised  the  next  day,  commanded  by 
Captain  Paniham  and  Captain  John  Harrison;  the  other 
was  not  raised  till  the  20th,  and  was  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain McPherson.  Parnham's  company,  which  was  foremost, 
got  down  to  St.  George's,  or  within  a  small  distance  of  it, 
before  great  part  of  the  fleet  sailed  up  Potomack,  and  have 
been  detained  there  ever  since.  The  other  two  companies 
were  ordered  to  return  and  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy, 
and  to  prevent  their  landing  or  plundering  the  inhabitants. 
And  I  have  the  satisfaction  of  informing  you  that  our  Militia 
have  prevented  the  enemy  from  landing  or  plundering,  if 
they  intended  it,  and  that  we  have  sustained  no  damage, 
except  the  loss  of  a  couple  of  boats,  and  the  fleet  have  gone 
down  the  river  again  this  day.  I  received  a  line  yesterday 
evening  from  Captain  Parnham,  informing  that  several  of  his 
men  are  sickly,  and  desires  that  others  may  be  sent  to  their 
relief;  but  that  he  is  willing  to  stay  as  long  as  it  may  be 
necessary.  And  he  pressed  me  much  to  send  him  a  small 
supply  of  cash,  as  it  is  a  shocking  place  to  be  at,  especially 
without  money,  and  many  of  his  company  are  very  poor. 
I  must  therefore  request  that  you  will  appoint  some  person 
to  adjust  the  accounts  of  my  battalion,  and  be  pleased  to 
send  the  cash  for  the  payment  of  the  companies,  and  the 
necessary  expenses,  by  Mr.  Henry  Massey  Hanson,  that  I 
may  be  able  to  comply  with  the  request  of  Captain  Parn- 
ham; and,  for  further  particulars,  must  beg  leave  to  refer  you 
to  Mr.  Hanson. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  dear  sir,  your  obedient  humble 
servant,  J.  HAWKINS. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of  the 
Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 

FREDERICK    COUNTY  COMMITTEE  TO  MARYLAND   COUNCIL   OF 
SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Lower  District  of  Frederick  County, ) 

July  26,  1776.      > 

GENTLEMEN  :  Understanding  that  there  is  a  vacancy  for 
a  Major  in  the  battalion  for  this  County,  we  take  the  liberty 
to  recommend  Major  Richard  Crabb  to  you  for  that  office. 
We  are  convinced  as  well  of  Major  Crabb's  attachment  to 
the  cause  of  America,  as  of  his  economy,  fortitude,  and  manly 
resolution,  and  doubt  not  but  his  own  merit  will  fully  justify 
the  appointment. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants. 

By  order:  SAML.  W.  MAGRUDEB,  Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


593 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


594 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  WORCESTER  COUNTY 

COMMITTEE. 
[No.  77.]  Annapolis,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  are  informed  that  there  are  a  number 
of  pieces  of  cannon  in  your  County  that  have  lain  there 
some  years,  ever  since  the  Spanish  wreck  on  the  seaboard 
side  of  your  County.  We  request  you  would  immediately 
cause  those  cannon  to  be  examined,  and  let  us  hear  from 
you  by  express  what  state  and  condition  they  are  in,  and 
how  many  there  are,  and  what  weight  of  metal  they  would 
carry,  as  also  who  claims  any  property  in  them ;  and  if  any- 
body claims,  under  what  contract  or  agreement  they  were 
purchased,  and  of  whom.  We  expect  your  answer  as  soon 
as  you  conveniently  can.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  the  Committees  of  Observation  of  Worcester  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  JOSIAS  BEALL. 
[No.  79.]  Annapolis,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  Yours  of  the  24th  instant  was  laid  before  us,  and 
we  observe  the  contents.  In  answer  thereto  we  can  only 
say  that  five  quarter-barrels  of  powder  have  been  sent  to 
Piscataway,  and  that  six  or  seven  barrels  are  now  lodged 
with  the  Committee  of  Prince  George's  County.  If  more 
be  necessary,  we  will  order  some  down.  It  gives  us  sincere 
pleasure  to  find  the  people  in  different  parts  of  the  Colony 
so  spirited,  and  can  assure  you  nothing  shall  be  wanted  on 
our  parts.  We  are,  £z.c. 

To  Josias  Beall,  Esq.,  Prince  George's  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 
[No.  78.]  Annapolis,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  letters  from  Colonels  Barnes  and  Jor- 
dan were  not  enclosed  in  our  last,  from  inattention.  We  now 
send  them,  with  copies  of  some  other  letters  from  below, 
from  whence  you  will  see  how  affairs  are  going  on  there. 

Dunmore's' fleet  have  separated.  The  Fowey  and  the 
Otter,  with  a  number  of  vessels  having  the  Tory  families  on 
board,  remain  in  the  mouth  of  St.  Mary's  River.  The 
Roebuck  and  six  or  seven  other  vessels  have  moved  up  the 
river  Potomack,  as  high  as  Quantico  in  Virginia,  wjiere 
they  stopped  to  take  in  water.  There  are  some  flying  reports 
of  their  having  landed  at  Mr.  William  Brent's,  and  burnt  his 
house,  which  are  confirmed  this  day  by  Charles  Lansdale. 
He  says  it  is  feared  they  are  landing  on  Colonel  Small- 
ivood's  estate.  The  last  he  heard  of  them  was  yesterday, 
and  the  report  was,  they  were  landing  on  the  Maryland  side, 
near  Colonel  Smallwood's. 

We  observe  what  you  say  about  the  Flying-Camp,  and 
shall  do  the  best  we  can.  We  shall  give  the  necessary 
orders  for  finding  the  troops  rations,  in  expectation  that  the 
subsistence-money  will  be  reimbursed.  As  soon  as  the 
Regulars  are  replaced  that  have  and  are  about  to  march  to 
the  northward,  we  shall  use  our  endeavours  to  complete  the 
remaining  battalions  with  all  diligence,  and  send  them  for- 
ward, either  in  battalions  or  companies,  as  they  get  ready. 
Most  of  those  we  have  seen  of  the  new-inlisted  men,  appear 
to  be  quite  raw,  and  in  great  want  of  necessaries.  Some 
pay  must  be  advanced  to  put  them  in  tolerable  condition  to 
appear  in. 

On  Tuesday  last,  we  gave  orders  to  Captain  Thomas  to 
march  witli  his  men  to  Philadelphia,  as  soon  as  the  com- 
manding officer  below  thinks  he  can  be  spared.  And  this 
day,  on  receipt  of  your  letter,  we  have  ordered  Captain 
Hindman  to  move  forward,  although  we  apprehend  the 
Eastern-Shore  will  be  weakened  thereby,  and  we  are  doubt- 
ful that  will  be  the  next  place  invaded. 

We  feel  for  the  State  of  New-York,  but  cannot  help 
feeling  also  for  Maryland,  and  shall  endeavour  to  conduct 
ourselves  in  such  manner  as  to  give  every  assistance  in  our 
power  to  them  and  to  the  common  cause,  without  exposing 
ourselves  to  destruction.  Since  the  march  of  our  Regulars, 
we  are  truly  in  a  defenceless  state,  and  if  powerfully  invaded, 
know  not  what  may  be  the  consequence.  However,  we  hope 
for  the  best,  and  are  exerting  ourselves  to  the  utmost. 

We  wish  our  powder  that  arrived  at  Egg-Harbour,  to 
be  sent  to  Baltimore.  The  arms  we  desire  may  be  left  at 
Philadelphia,  for  the  use  of  one  of  the  companies  of  the 
Flying-Camp,  who  will  have  our  order  to  call  for  them. 

We  approve  of  what  you  have  done  as  to  the  five  thou- 
sand dollars,  and  would  have  you  keep  the  balance  to  answer 
contingent  expenses,  and  render  account  from  time  to  time 
as  you  may  see  fit. 

Doctor  Tootle,  our  Surgeon-Major,  has  put  into  our  hands 
a  list  of  chirurgical  instruments,  which  we  send  you  here- 
with, and  request  the  favour  of  you  to  procure  and  send  them 
down  by  the  first  opportunity. 

We  send  you  also  the  proceedings  of  the  last  Convention. 
Thomas  Jennings,  Esq.,  is  just  arrived,  in  good  health, 
after  a  very  long  passage.     He  left  London  the  29th  of 
March,  and  brings  no  very  particular  news  that  we  hear. 
We  are,  Sic. 

To  the  Deputies  for  Maryland  in  Congress. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  38 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JOHN  HANSON. 
[No.  80.]  Annapolis,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  The  instructions  from  the  Council  of  Safety  (as 
you  will  observe)  only  respected  muskets;  but  we  desire 
you  will  purchase  rifles  upon  the  best  terms  you  can.  Be 
pleased  likewise  to  pay  for  those  purchased  by  Captain 
Mantz;  and  -by  the  first  opportunity  we  shall  order  and 
send  you  any  money  you  may  find  necessary. 

We  are,  &c. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JAMES  TILGHMAN. 
[No.  81.]  Annapolis,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  business  before  this  Board  daily  becomes  more 
important,  and  consequently  requires  as  full  a  Council  as 
may  be.  We  hope,  therefore,  before  this  reaches  you,  that 
your  line  with  your  cousin  is  settled,  and  that  it  will  not  be 
inconvenient  for  you  to  attend  your  brethren  immediately. 
We  are  the  more  earnest  in  making  this  requisition,  as  Colo- 
nel Plater  intends  to  St.  Mary's  in  a  few  days,  and  then 
we  shall  be  left  with  only  four  members.  Mr.  Smith  pleads 
the  necessity  of  staying  at  his  ship-yard  about  the  building 
of  the  gondola,  in  excuse  for  his  non-attendance;  and  Mr. 
Hands  has  resigned  his  seat.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  James  Tilghman,  Esq. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

[No  82.]  Annapolis,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  alacrity  shown  by  your  Committee  in 
exerting  itself  in  the  common  cause  in  which  we  are  all 
engaged,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  attended  with  the  success  it 
merits,  and  which  is  so  exceedingly  necessary  at  this  alarm- 
ing and  important  juncture  of  time,  as  without  arms  and 
blankets  little  prospect  of  a  favourable  campaign  can  arise, 
if  the  troops  were  ever  so  numerous. 

Agreeable  to  your  request,  therefore,  and  to  expedite  the 
business,  we  have  transmitted  to  you,  by  Captain  Yates,  the 
£1000,  the  disposal  of  which  you  will  be  pleased  to  render 
us  an  account. 

No  account  has  yet  been  sent  to  this  Board  of  the  expen- 
diture of  the  £1000  advanced  at  the  time  of  the  alarm 
occasioned  by  the  Otter;  omitted,  we  suppose,  through  the 
hurry  of  business,  and  therefore  desire  you  will  furnish  it  by 
the  first  opportunity.  We  are,  Stc. 

To  the  Committee  of  Observation  of  Baltimore  County. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS   TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 
Friday,  July  26,  four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

SIR:  Congress  being  adjourned,  I  have  to  acknowledge 
the  receipt  of  your  favour  of  the  25th  instant,  this  moment 
come  to  hand.  The  subject  of  it  is  so  just,  that  I  will 
venture  to  say  that  it  will  be  complied  with  in  its  fullest 
latitude. 

The  preamble  to  the  resolutions  for  confiscating  the  pro- 
perty of  the  subjects  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain  having 
been  this  day  expunged,  and  the  resolution  altered,  agree- 
able to  the  one  now  enclosed  you,  I  am  to  request  you  will 
please  to  erase  that  from  the  resolves  I  enclosed  you  a  few 
days  past,  and  substitute  the  one  I  now  transmit  in  its  place. 

With  every  wish  in  your  favour,  and  every  sentiment  of 
esteem,  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

P.  S.  Brigadier-General  Sullivan  this  day  sent  me  a  let- 
ter of  resignation,  which  is  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table  until 
Monday.  I  have  not  yet  seen  him. 


595 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


596 


TNSTRUCTIONS  TO  PENNSYLVANIA  DELEGATES.  Upon  consideration,  it  is  the  sentiments  of  this  Committee, 

,*«  t>  TU  that  those  who  are  in  this  place,  armed  and  accoutred,  be 

In  Convention,  Friday,  July  26,  1,,  6,  P.  immediately  marched  for  tlie  Camp,  where  there  may  be 

The  draught  of  Instructions  for  the  Delegates  in  Congress  jmine(jjale  occasion  for  them;  and  that  this  Committee  imme- 

was  read  and  unanimously  approved,  and  is  as  follows,  viz:  diately  write  to  Captain  Ambrose  Crean,  Thomas  Roppe- 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  This  Convention,  confiding  in  your  wis-  ^^^  an(j  J0fm  Rough,  requiring  them  immediately  to  send 

dom  and  virtue,  has,  by  the  authority  of  the  people,  chosen  down  tQ  tllig  p)ace  t)]e  (jrallgilts  f,.om  their  respective  Com- 

and  appointed  you  to  represent  the  free  State  of  Pcrmsyl-  anjes  appOinted  or  allotted  to  form  the  said  Flying-Camp 

vania  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America,  at  Company,  that  they  may  follow  their  commanders  to  the 

authorized  you,  or  a  majority  of  such  of  you  as  shall  at  ai  camp  as  expeditiously  as  possible;  and  if  they  refuse  to  pro- 

time  be  present,  to  vote  for  and  in  the  name  of  this   state,  cegd  UpQn  bejn(r  requjred,to  march  them  under  Guard. 

in  all  and  every  question  there  to  be  decided  Ordered,  That  7,.  6d.  be  paid  to  Edward  Smith,  one  of 

Convention  apprehend  it  to  be  a  duty  which  >  >          Company,  for  riding  express  the  other  day 

publick  to  give  you  the  following  general  direct,  o,     for  ym  J  J£  ^^ 
conduct,  confident  that  you  will  at  all  times  pay  the  utmost 

attention  to  the  instructions  of  your  constituents.  Wham  Sergeant  o  ^the  Seventh  Regiment,  ,s  permitted 

«  The  immense  and  irreparable  injury  which  a  free  country  to  work  with  Jacob  He/er,  at  the  Blacksmith  s  business,  he 

may  sustain  by,  and  the  very  great  inconveniences  which  here  in  Committee  engaging  to  be  answerable 
always  arise  from  a  delay  of  its  Councils,  induce  us,  in  the 
first  place,  strictly  to  enjoin  and  require  you  to  give  not  only 
a  constant,  but  a  punctual  attendance  in  Congress. 

"  The  present  necessity  of  a  vigorous  exertion  of  the  united 
force  of  the  free  States  of  America  against  our  British  ene- 
mies, is  the  most  important  object  of  your  immediate  regard, 

and  points  out  the  necessity  of  cultivating  and  strengthening,  _____  ......  ______  _________       ^  ______ 

by  every  means  in  your  power,  the  present  happy  union  of  g        sf)me  time  jast  Spr;ng  or  summer,  (he  thinks  about 

these  States,  until  such  a  just,  equal,  and  perpetual  conside-  three  weeks  before  lhe  officers  went  away))  he  was  at  his 


may  sustain  by,  and  the  very  great  inconveniences  which     here  in  Committee  eng 

»*.•>• :i.  :_j —  .,„  ;~  tV,o    able  to  the  Resolves  01  this  Committee. 

The  Examination  of  WILLIAM  POOR,  in  respect  to  the 
BRITISH  Officers  (prisoners  of  war)  who  broke  their 
Parole,  and  escaped  from  LEBANON,  PENNSYLVANIA,  in 

JUNE,  1776. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  July  26,  1776. 


,  ) 

ration  can  be  agreed  upon,  and  finally  effected,  as  will  b<      Qwn  house  by  ^watara  Creek,  at  the  place  belonging  to 


and  h     heard  wo,.ked  with  one  _poor_    He  told  White  he 
of  nQ  guch  person>     jje  ]eft  tne  house  to  go  after  the 
^  and  ^hi(e  accompanje(]  him  till  they  came  to  Jones's 


the  most  likely  to  secure  to  each  the  perfect  direction  of  its  Mr.'Maddox,  o(  Philadelphia,  about  sixteen  or  seventeen 

own  internal  police;  in  the  forming  of  which  Confederation,  miles  from  j^i^^.  was  getting  ready  to  set  oft'  to  buy  a 

you  are  to  give  your  utmost  assistance.  cow;  one  jffcfte  cal|ed  at  his  house,  and  told  him  he  was 

"  We  recommend  to  you  to  use  your  utmost  power  and  jookin(r  for  a  brother  of  his  who  had  come  into  the  country, 
influence  in  Congress  to  have  a  due  attention   paid  to  the 
establishing  and  maintaining  a  respectable  naval  force,  as 

such  a  force  is  absolutely  necessary  to  every  trading  nation,     ^^  ^  _^_  ^^..^ ^ 

and  is  the  least  expensive  or  dangerous  to  the  liberties  ol  Town,  and  there  they  parted  after  drinking  some  cider  10- 

mankind.                                                                 _            .  gether  at  Parker's,  in  Jonts's  Town,  for  which  White  paid. 

"  With  respect  to  the  forming  of  treaties  with  foreign  T[)at  he  did  not  see  ^hite  afterwards  till  White  came  to 

powers,  it  is  necessary  only  to  say,  that  we  strictly  charge  hjm  jn  company  wjth  the  officers.     Says,  that  on  the  way 

and  enjoin  you  not  to  agree  to,  or  enter  into  any  treaty  of  between  his  house  and  Jones's  Town,'he  and  White  were 

commerce  or  alliance  with  Great  Britain,  or  any  other  for-  met  by  one  Thomas  Edmonds,  who  lives  over  Swalara  near 

eign  power,  but  (on  the  part  of  America)  as  free  and  inde-  John  Smney's.  t|4at  Edmonds's  shirt  was  bloody,  and  he 

pendent  States;  and  that  whenever  Great  Britain  shall  asked  ^  ;t  he  had  been  fightjng;  that  Edmonds  answered 

acknowledge  these  States  free  and  independent,  you   are  ^  ))e  1)ad  bgen  ;n  sfiter>s  Town,  where  the  soldiers  wanted 

hereby  authorized,  in  conjunction  with  the  Delegates  of  the  {o  inlist  him>  and  gtruck  him>     That  Edmonds  then  said  to 


United  States,  to  treat  with  her  concerning  peace,  amity, 
and  commerce,  on  just  and  equal  terms." 


LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 


Poor  that  he  wanted  to  speak  with  him.  Poor  told  him  to 
speak  out;  that  he  hesitated.  Poor  asked  him  if  it  was  a 
secret.  Edmonds  said  it  was.  That  upon  this,  he  went  a 
little  aside  with  him,  and  then  told  him  he  had  been  at  Mc- 
Hugh's  with  the  officers,  and  that  the  officers  wanted  him 
(Poor)  to  go  away  with  them.  That  he  told  Edmonds  it 
was  a  dangerous  thing,  and  he  would  have  nothing  to  do 
with  it.  That  White  could  not  hear  the  conversation  be- 
tween him  and  Edmonds.  That  Edmonds  then  told  him 
to  say  nothing  about  it,  or  else  the  officers  would  be  confined. 
That  Edmonds  left  them  then,  and  White  and  he  (Poor) 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection,  Observation, 
and  Correspondence,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart,  the 
26th  of  July,  1776: 

Present:  Edward  Shippen,  Wm.  Atlee,  Lodwick  Lowman,  Henry 
Dehuff,  Christopher  Crawford,  Jacob  Krug,  John  Miller. 

William  Atlee  in  the  Chair. 

There  being  a  number  of  young  lads  in  town,  to  wit:  proceeded  to  Jones's  Town,  where  they  drank  together  as 

Henry  Wilson,  William  Furguson,  William  Porter,  Robert  above.  That  White  and  he  left  Jones's  Town  together,  kept 

Jockley,  Michael  McGachakin,  George  McGighagin,  James  together  about  half  a  mile,  when  White  said  he  would  go  to 

Ellet,  Robert  Jones,  and  Christian  Newcomer,  who  have  Lebanon,  and  parted  with  Poor,  who  went  to  look  for  his 

been,  at  the  request  of  Colonel  Hand,  under  the  tuition  of  cow.  That  White  and  Edmonds  had  no  conversation  to- 

the  Drum-Major  of  Colonel  Slough's  Battalion,  and  the  gether.  That  White  and  he  (Poor)  had  no  conversation 

Fife-Major  of  Colonel  Ross's  Battalion,  and  those  teachers  about  the  officers  or  taking  them  oft'.  That  he  never  had 

being  now  employed  in  the  service  in  such  manner  that  they  any  conversation  with  the  officers,  or  any  of  them,  before 

cannot  instruct  tlie  said  lads,  and  Captain  .fioss  now  being  they  came  to  him  at  his  house  after  they  left  Lebanon,  except 

about  to  march  to  the  Camp,  and  agreeing  that  the  said  lads  that  once  when  alMcHugh's  one  of  them  named  Cuppaidge 


shall  march  under  the  care  of  his  Sergeant: 

It  is  Resolved,  That  the  said  lads  be  sent,  under  the  care 
of  Captain  Ross's  Sergeant,  with  his  direction,  to  the  Camp 
at  New-York;  and  that  the  Chairman  write  to  Colonel 


asked  him  if  he  was  from  a  particular  part  of  Ireland,  to  which 
he  answered  in  the  negative.  That  about  a  week  after  this 
conversation  between  him  and  Edmonds,  as  he  was  riding 
out  of  town,  one  Bullman,  a  blue-dyer  in  Lebanon,  called 


Hand  by  the  Sergeant,  informing  him  of  this  proceeding,     to  him  and  stopped  him,  told  him  that  the  officer  at  Mc- 
and  that  the  Committee  have  advanced  £4  10s.  to  the  Ser-     Hugh's  wanted  to  speak  with  him;  that  he  then  told  Bull- 

.     f .1 *       _     l_    •    ,  i          .1  ^G    .  _  t  ,-y.  m  i 


geant  for  their  subsistence  by  the  way. 


man  he  had  nothing  to  say  to  the  officers.      That  some 


Colonel  Greene  representing  that  near  fifty  of  his  Flying-  time  after  this,  (he  thinks  some  weeks.)  as  he  was  fishing 
Camp  Company  are  now  in  this  town,  armed,  accoutred,  and  in  Swatara,  about  half  a  mile  from  his  house,  in  the  after- 
ready  to  march,  and  that  a  number  of  the  draughts  of  some  noon  a  little  before  sunset,  on  a  Saturday,  several  men  came 
of  the  Companies  of  his  Battalion  have  not  yet  joined  them,  up  to  him,  four  of  whom  were  officers,  one  named  Rich- 
requests  the  sentiments  of  this  Committee  whether  those  ardson,  one  named  Cubbage,  one  named  Hume,  the  other 
who  are  shall  march  for  the  Camp  under  his  command,  and  name  he  don't  know,  with  three  servants,  and  the  said  White, 
what  method  shall  be  taken  to  oblige  the  other  draughts  to  and  a  man  who  sometimes  called  himself  Billy  Caldwcll, 
follow:  and  sometimes  Paddy  McGown's  man.  That  some  of  them, 


597 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


598 


he  don't  know  which,  told  him  they  had  escaped  from  Leba- 
non, and  wanted  to  get  to  Wyoming,  and  wanted  him  to  show 
the  way.  That  he  told  them  he  did  not  know  the  way,  and 
had  never  been  there.  That  Hume  presented  a  pistol  to  his 
breast,  and  told  him  if  he  did  not  go  with  them  he  was  a 
dead  man.  He  then  consented  to  go,  and  asked  leave  to  go 
home  and  get  some  clothes;  but  they  would  not  suffer  it,  and 
obliged  him  to  go  with  them.  That  they  immediately  pro- 
ceeded over  the  hill,  and  travelled  about  six  miles,  where 
they  stopped  to  rest  and  refresh  themselves.  That  they 
rose  before  day,  and  the  next  morning  crossed  Weiser's  road, 
about  a  mile  or  two  from  Kuntzelman's,  and  proceeded  to  a 
hollow  place  not  far  from  Kuntzelman's,  where  they  stopped, 
and  sent  Caldwell  to  Kuntzelman's  to  inquire  the  road  to 
Wyoming.  That  Caldwell  soon  returned,  and  they  pro- 
ceeded travelling  the  whole  day  over  the  mountains  till  after 
sunset.  That  they  then  encamped  in  a  place  full  of  old 
logs,  &c.  Here  they  made  a  fire,  a  tent  was  raised  for  the 
officers,  arid  the  servants  and  others  made  coverings  of  bark, 
&c.  Here  they  eat  bread  and  cheese,  of  which  he  (Poor) 
partook,  and  laid  down  to  sleep,  saying  they  thought  them- 
selves safe.  That  towards  morning  he  observed  them  all 
asleep,  and  made  his  escape,  taking  with  him  a  sword  which 
happened  to  lay  near  him.  He  left  the  said  officers,  their 
servants,  Caldwell,  and  White,  there  asleep.  That  the  offi- 
cers had  guns  and  ammunition,  and  the  servants  pistols  and 
swords.  Caldwell  and  White  had  no  guns,  but  Caldwell 
used  to  have  one  of  the  officer's  guns,  and  marched  before. 
That  they  had  a  horse  with  them,  which  carried  their  pro- 
visions and  linen  for  their  tent — the  horse  a  dark-coloured 
horse,  don't  know  any  marks.  That  about  noon  of  the  day 
he  left  the  officers  he  came  to  Kuntzelman's,  where  he  had  a 
gill  of  rum.  That  Kuntzelman  asked  him  where  he  had 
been;  to  which  he  answered  that  he  had  been  hunting  for 
beaver  and  their  signs.  He  then  proceeded  homewards ; 
but,  as  he  could  not  reach  home  that  night,  he  lay  in  the 
woods,  and  arrived  at  home  the  next  morning. 

Being  asked  why  he  did  not  then  give  notice  of  the  route 
of  the  officers,  &.C.,  he  says  he  was  afraid,  as  they  had  sworn 
him  to  secrecy  on  some  book  which  Hume  took  out  of  his 
pocket,  on  the  other  side  of  Kuntzelman's.  Says  Caldwell 
was  a  tall  young  man,  fair  complexion,  wore  a  blue  coat. 
Says  that  Caldwell  was  at  his  house  about  nine  or  ten  days 
before  the  officers  went  away,  and  told  him  he  came  from 
the  West-Branch,  and  was  going  towards  Tulpehocken; 
that  he  heard  him  say  he  had  been  a  soldier  with  Lord 
Dunmore,  and  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  expedition  against 
Wyoming. 

William  Poor  being  again  examined  on  the  8th  Novem- 
ber, 1776,  acknowledges  that  the  officers  had  his  mare,  and 
that  he  left  it  with  them.  That  they  bargained  with  him  for 
it  for  £7.  That  the  conversation  about  the  price  of  the 
mare  was  the  same  morning  that  he  left  them  before  day. 
That  they  counted  him  down  the  money,  and  laid  it  down, 
but  he  left  the  money  and  went  off  presently  afterwards, 
one  of  them  (who  he  thinks  was  one  of  the  officers)  being 
sitting  at  the  fire  at  the  time.  That  it  was  one  of  the  ser- 
vants' swords  which  he  brought  off  with  him,  who  was 
asleep  when  he  took  it.  That  his  daughter  told  him  when 
he  came  to  his  house,  before  they  went  off,  that  she  had 
bought  some  whiskey  for  the  officers;  but  says  he  did  not 
send  her.  Says  that  Hume  presented  a  pistol  to  his  breast 
twice:  the  first  time  was  the  first  night  they  set  off,  after 
travelling  a  small  distance;  and  the  second  time  was  after 
Caldwell  returned  from  Kuntzelman's.  That  his  mare  was 
loaded  with  the  officers'  baggage  and  necessaries  from  the 
time  they  set  off,  and  travelled  with  them  so  loaded. 

THE  EXAMINATION  OF  JOHN  WHITE. 

Says  that  some  time  in  May  last  went  up  the  country  to 
look  for  a  brother  of  his,  who,  he  had  been  told  by  one  Wil- 
liam Johnston,  was  come  into  the  country,  and  lived  up  near 
Lebanon,  at  one  Poor's.  He  proceeded  from  Lancaster  to 
Manheim,  where  he  dined ;  from  there  he  went  to  Lebanon; 
got  there  that  evening,  and  stopped  at  McHugh's,  the  sign 
of  the  Bear;  lodged  there  that  night;  next  morning  left 
Lebanon  alone,  and  went  to  Jones's  Town;  stopped  there 
and  took  a  draught  of  cider,  and  from  thence  went  to  William 
Poor's,  at  Swatara  Gap;  got  there  late  in  the  evening; 
supped  there  and  lodged  there  in  the  same  bed  with  Poor; 


could  hear  nothing  of  his  brother,  therefore,  next  morning, 
determined  to  return.  Poor  told  him  he  wanted  to  <jo  to 
buy  a  cow,  and  set  off  with  him;  they  travelled  together  to 
Jones's  Town,  (Poor  riding  on  his  horse  or  mare;)  at  Jones's 
Town  they  dined  together,  and  drank  some  cider  and  beer; 
after  dinner  they  left  Jones's  Town  together,  and  kept  com- 
pany about  a  mile,  when  they  separated;  Poor  said  he  was 
going  to  look  for  the  cow,  and  he  proceeded  to  Lebanon ; 
got  there  that  afternoon,  and  stopped  again  at  McHugh's; 
stayed  in  the  bar-room  till  supper  time,  and  went  to  bed 
there  and  stayed  all  night,  and  next  morning  left  Lebanon 
about  daylight,  and  proceeded  to  Manheim,  where  he  took  a 
drink  of  cider,  and  then  walked  on  to  Lancaster,  which  he 
reached  in  the  evening,  and  put  up  at  George  Widclay's, 
where  he  worked  at  the  shoemaker's  trade.  Says  he  did  not 
see  or  speak  with  any  of  the  officers  either  of  the  times  he 
was  at  McHugh's,  nor  at  any  other  place,  at  or  before  this 
time,  nor  with  any  of  their  servants.  Says  that  on  the  way 
between  Poor's  and  Jones's  Town  they  met  a  man  who 
appeared  as  if  he  had  been  fighting;  that  Poor  asked  the 
man  if  he  had  been  killing  anybody,  and  was  answered  by 
him,  no,  that  he  had  been  at  Lebanon,  that  they  wanted  to 
list  him  there,  and  had  struck  him;  that  the  man  told  Poor 
he  had  something  to  say  to  him ;  Poor  answered,  Say  it  then. 
Upon  which  the  man  told  him  it  must  not  be  heard;  that 
Poor  then  went  aside  with  the  man,  and  they  spoke  together 
two  or  three  minutes,  while  he  (this  examinant)  held  Poor's 
horse;  that  the  man  and  Poor  then  separated,  and  Poor, 
when  he  returned,  said  the  man  had  told  him  some  of  the 
English  officers  wanted  to  speak  to  him,  and  said  that  he 
told  the  man  he  did  not  know  them ;  says  that  Poor  and  he 
had  no  further  conversation  about  the  officers.  That  about 
two  weeks  after  his  said  return,  the  said  William  Johnston 
having  told  him  it  was  a  good  place  for  the  shoemaker's 
trade  at  Wialusing,  he  agreed  to  accompany  him  there,  and 
accordingly,  on  a  Friday  morning,  they  set  off  together,  stop- 
ped together  at  Manheim,  eat  something  there,  and  from 
there  proceeded  to  Lebanon;  got  there  that  evening,  and  put 
up  at  the  sign  of  the  Swan;  stayed  there  that  night;  Johnston 
stayed  there  with  him.  Next  day  Johnston  and  he  stayed  in 
the  house  all  the  morning.  They  agreed  to  go  to  Poor's,  but 
Johnston  set  off  first,  as  he  said  he  had  some  business  by  the 
way;  says  he  set  off  about  an  hour  after  Johnston,  and  travel- 
led on  to  Poor's  without  stopping,  and  there  found  Johnston; 
got  there  in  the  evening  late ;  Poor  was  not  at  home ;  John- 
ston told  him  he  wanted  to  go  to  some  of  the  neighbouring 
places;  upon  which  examinant,  being  fatigued,  went  to  bed 
in  Poor's  bed,  and  Johnston  went  off.  In  the  morning 
when  examinant  wakened,  he  found  Poor  was  come  home, 
and  got  up  and  breakfasted  with  Poor.  Sometime  after  they 
had  breakfasted,  Poor  went  out  (as  he  said)  to  look  after  a 
steer  he  had  sick,  and  continued  out;  that  at  about  eleven 
o'clock  that  morning  Johnston  returned  and  came  into  the 
house,  and  told  the  examinant  that  he  had  met  with  four 
Virginia  gentlemen,  with  their  three  servants,  who  were 
going  to  Wialusing  to  look  for  lands,  and  that  it  was  as  good 
for  him  (the  examinant)  to  go  along,  as  it  was  a  good  place 
for  his  business ;  upon  this  he  went  out  with  Johnston,  who  led 
him  to  the  gentlemen,  who  were  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
the  house,  in  a  thicket  of  woods  by  a  spring.  The  gentlemen 
sat  -by  the  spring  about  two  hours,  and  then  left  the  spring, 
and  went  about  half  a  mile  or  three  quarters  farther  into  the 
woods,  and  then  stopped  again  and  sat  down  till  towards 
evening,  having  continued  all  together  from  the  time  that 
he  came  to  them  at  the  spring;  as  evening  approached  he 
asked  Johnston  if  they  did  not  intend  to  stay  at  Poor's  that 
night,  and  was  answered  no,  the  cool  of  the  evening  was 
the  best  time  to  travel.  While  sitting  here  in  the  evening 
William  Poor  came  to  them,  leading  a  little  mare,  (he  thinks 
of  a  lightish  brown  colour.)  Directly  after  Poor  came  up 
he  got  into  conversation  with  Johnston,  and  some  other  of 
the  party,  and  was  very  busy  with  Johnston  in  loading  the 
horse  which  the  officers  had  with  them,  and  his  own  mare, 
with  the  provisions  and  things  which  they  had  brought  to 
the  place.  As  soon  as  the  loads  were  fixed  on  the  horse 
and  mare,  the  whole  party  set  off,  Poor  leading  his  own 
mare,  and  one  of  the  servants  leading  the  hors£ ;  that  Poor 
sometimes  led  the  way,  and  sometimes  Johnston;  that  after 
they  had  travelled  about  a  mile  and  a  quarter,  they  passed 
by  a  house  within  about  twenty  yards,  where  a  dog  barked 
at  them  very  much;  it  was  now  night  and  dark,  and  the 


599 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


600 


family  supposed  to  be  in  bed.  After  travelling  about  five 
miles,  either  Poor  or  Johnston  (he  don't  recollect  which) 
mentioned  that  there  was  a  swamp  before  them,  and  it  would 
be  better  to  lay  by  for  the  night,  and  pass  it  in  the  morning. 
The  party  lay  by  that  night  without  making  any  fire,  and 
proceeded  early  next  morning.  Johnston  led  the  way  in  the 
morning  across  the  swamp,  the  horses  next,  and  then  the 
gentlemen  and  servants  with  this  examinant.  They  travel- 
led all  that  day,  stopping  but  once  at  a  spring  while  they 
eat  some  cold  ham  and  bread.  Saw  no  house  that  day  nor 
for  twelve  days  after.  Either  Johnston  or  Poor  were  fore- 
most always,  and  constantly  walked  next  each  other.  Lay  by 
at  dark,  and  next  morning  set  off  again,  proceeding  through 
the  woods  as  before,  and  lay  by  at  night  again,  Poor  being 
still  with  them.  The  next  morning  when  the  examinant 
and  the  -party  got  up,  he  (the  examinant)  found  that  Poor 
was  missing,  but  had  left  his  mare,  having  travelled  and  been 
with  them  three  nights  and  two  days.  He  says  the  officers 
showed  no  uneasiness  at  Poor's  having  left  them,  and  knows 
not  whether  it  was  with  iheir  knowledge  or  not.  That  he 
(this  examinant)  travelled  with  those  gentlemen  and  Johnston, 
as  the  leader,  after  this,  about  ten  or  eleven  days,  through 
the  woods,  the  horse  and  mare  carrying  the  provision  and 
some  cloth,  which  was  used  as  a  tent,  till  they  arrived  at 
packman's,  about  twenty- five  miles  (as  he  was  told)  above 
Wyoming.  Says  that  he  wanted  frequently  in  the  way  to 
leav.e  the  party,  but  Johnston  told  him  he  would  lose  himself; 
that  now  he  determined  to  do  it,  and,  getting  a  conveyance 
in  a  canoe,  came  down  to  Wyoming.  Upon  the  way  down, 
the  man  in  the  canoe  with  him,  one  Trip,  told  him  that  it 
was  noised  abroad  that  (he  English  officers  had  escaped  from 
Lebanon,  and  he  supposed  it  was  them  he  (this  examinant) 
had  been  in  company  with  al  Hickman's;  that  examinant 
then  told  him  he  was  informed  they  were  Virginians,  and 
did  not  know  whether  they  were  officers  or  not.  Trip  then 
told  him  they  were  strict  people  at  Wyoming,  and  if  they 
should  ask  him  about  the  officers,  he  should  or  had  better 
say  he  had  not  seen  them ;  that  he  concluded  so  to  do ;  that 
when  he  came  to  Wyoming  he  was  about  engaging  to  work 
at  the  shoemaking  business,  and  some  noise  being  abroad  of 
his  arrival  there,  he  was  asked  by  one  Carrigan  if  he  had 
seen  or  been  with  the  officers  who  had  escaped  from  Leb- 
anon; to  which  he  answered,  no.  The  next  morning  the 
same  Carrigan  and  another  man  asked  him  again  about  it, 
he  told  them  that  he  had  been  with  some  gentlemen,  where 
he  met  with  them,  how  he  had  travelled  with  them,  and 
where  he  left  them,  but  did  not  know  if  they  were  officers 
or  not.  Upon  this  they  told  him  he  must  be  examined  before 
the  Shamokin  Committee,  and  ordered  him  down  there. 
He  arrived  there  in  a  few  days,  and  was  again  examined 
by  the  Committee  of  Sunbury;  from  there  he  was  sent 
to  John  Harris's;  and  from  thence  to  Lancaster.  Says 
he  did  not  know  these  gentlemen  were  officers  at  the  time 
he  first  saw  them  in  the  woods  at  Poor's,  nor  at  any  time 
after,  either  by  conversation  with  their  servants  or  other- 
wise. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  29, 1776.] 

Perlh-Amboy,  July  26,  1776. 

_  SIR:  There  are  now  on  duty,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Pro- 
vincial Battalions,  and  the  Associators  of  the  same  Province, 
three  thousand  rank  and  file  in  all,  cantoned  from  Bergen- 
Neck,  near  to  Middletown,  in  South-Amboy;  these  are  the 
only  troops  who  have  joined.  A  battalion  from  Maryland 
go  on  to  New-  York.  Some  shallops  passing  from  Fishkill 
into  Rariton  Bay  yesterday  afternoon  brought  on  a  cannon- 
ade. Our  field-pieces  did  little  or  no  execution,  and  the 
small-arms  were  not  used,  the  distance  being  too  great.  The 
enemy  fired  four,  six,  and  twelve-pound  shot  very  briskly 
for  the  space  of  an  hour;  we  lost  one  man  of  the  Militia,  and 
had  two  wounded,  not  dangerously.  Some  iron  four  or  six- 
pounders  might  be  mounted  on  flats  or  scows  we  have  here 
to  answer  very  well  against  such  vessels  as  passed  us  yes- 
terday. Some  have  gone  down  to-day.  I  did  not  think  it 
proper  to  wasje  ammunition  with  so  little  probability  of  effect. 
Some  such  pieces  as  are  mentioned  above  are  to  be  had  at 
Philadelphia.  We  have  shipwrights  and  smiths  here  could 
mount  them.  Captain  Dawson  is  appointed  assistant  to  the 
Engineer,  who  is  planning  some  works  of  defence  for  securing 


the  passage  along  the  Sound,  and  at  the  mouth  of  Rariton 
River. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  We  were  of  opinion  that  the  shallops  were  sent 
with  flour  round  to  the  fleet;  but  I  am  this  moment  informed 
by  the  officer  of  the  guard  on  South-Amboy  shore  that 
soldiers  appeared  thick  on  their  decks  after  getting  round 
Billup's  Point  into  Prince's  Bay.  This  morning  they  fell 
down  to  Siindy-Hook.  A  flag  was  seen  hoisted  this  morn- 
ing on  the  Light-House,  which  is  an  unusual  thing. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  I  find  by  intelligence  from  our  guards  at  South-Am- 
boy, that  some  shallops  (five  in  number)  that  passed  us 
yesterday  from  Fishkill,  were  full  of  soldiers,  who  appeared 
on  deck  after  getting  round  Billup's  Point  into  Prince's 
Bay.  As  the  shallops  passed,  our  field-pieces  played  on 
them,  but  with  little  effect.  The  enemy  returned  the  can- 
nonade briskly  during  the  space  of  an  hour,  with  four,  six, 
and  twelve-pounders.  One  of  our  Militia  was  killed,  and 
two  wounded,  but  not  dangerously.  Two  more  shallops 
passed  this  morning,  and  one  remains  up  the  Sound  in  view. 
The  Fly  s!oop-of-war,  Captain  Edgar,  lies  at  Brunswick. 
I  ordered  her  down  yesterday  upon  the  appearance  of  the 
shallops,  but  she  is  not  yet  fallen  down  the  river. 

I  am  collecting  all  the  craft,  of  which  a  return  will  be 
transmitted.  General  Heard  is  out  examining  the  creeks. 
I  would  send  Morgan  to  Head-Quarters,  were  his  principles 
steady  enough  to  resist  the  arts  of  Tryon  and  Skinner,  &.c., 
which  I  much  doubt.  This  morning  a  flag  was  seen  hoisted 
on  the  Light-House. 

The  Maryland  battalion  passed  Woodbridge  yesterday. 
Orders  from  hence  would  reach  Colonel  Smallwood  this 
morning,  to  detain  him  at  Elizabeth-Town. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  MERCER. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  26, 1776. 

SIR:  When  I  mentioned  this  morning  the  unusual  ap- 
pearance of  a  flag  being  hoisted  on  the  Light- House,  I  had 
not  then  understood  that  any  ships  were  seen  in  the  offing; 
but  find  by  a  person  just  now  from  South-Amboy  that  some 
have  been  seen,  and  now  six  have  come  into  the  Hook. 
I  am,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

H.  MERCER. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  26,  1776,  two  P.  M. 

A  deserter  from  the  Asia,  examined  at  Elizabeth-Town, 
says  that  ten  ships  arrived  some  days  ago  with  two  thousand 
Highlanders. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  THE  CAMP  AT  PERTH-AMBOY, 
DATED  JULY  26,  1776. 

Yesterday  afternoon  we  had  a  smart  cannonading"  with 
the  ene.tny,  occasioned  by  four  or  five  shallops  coming  down 
the  Sound.  The  General  directed  a  smart  battery,  mount- 
ing two  iron  four-pounders,  to  fire  on  them;  this  brought  on 
a  heavy  firing  from  the  enemy's  battery,  from  an  eminencs 
that  overlooked  ours. 

Captain  Moulder,  with  his  two  field-pieces,  was  ordered 
to  the  shore,  but  being  encamped  at  some  distance,  before 
he  could  come  up  the  shallops  had  all  nearly  passed.  How- 
ever, he  began  a  well-directed  fire,  and  though  they  had  got 
to  a  considerable  distance,  hulled  one  of  them. 

When  the  vessels  were  passed,  the  firing  ceased  on  both 
sides.  We  had  the  misfortune  of  losing  one  of  the  Second 
Battalion,  and  having  another  wounded.  The  young  man's 
name  who  was  killed  is  Owens,  belonging  to  Captain  Weed's 
company;  he  was  shot  right  through  the  heart;  the  ball,  a 
four-pounder,  entering  his  left  side,  and  coming  out  of  his 
breast.  This  morning  he  was  buried  with  the  honours  of 
war.  The  other,  who  is  wounded,  is  one  Freeman,  a  Ser- 
geant in  Captain  Boyd's  company;  his  wound  is  not  danger- 
ous, the  ball  having  first  taken  the  street,  and  rebounding 


601 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


G02 


struck  the  upper  part  of  his  right  thigh,  but  has  not  broken 
the  bone.  There  was  a  horse  killed  which  was  standing  in 
a  wagon  near  the  General's  door.  The  enemy  appear  to 
have  some  heavy  field-pieces:  they  sent  some  twelve-pound 
shot  among  us.  It  is  surprising  they  did  not  do  more  exe- 
cution, as  there  were  so  many  of  our  people  on  the  bank 
opposite  to  them  without  the  least  covering. 

The  enemy  appear  to  be  very  strong,  and  are  constantly 
reinforcing,  as  our  troops  come  in.  They  are  throwing  up 
breastworks  along  the  shore  to  prevent  our  landing. 


LORD  STIRLING  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New- York,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR  :  Captain  Butler,  of  Colonel  Nixon's  regiment,  has 
again  called  on  me  to  know  your  determination  with  regard 
to  his  asking  leave  to  resign.  From  his  appearance  at 
present,  I  do  not  think  he  will  ever  be  fit  for  active  duty 
again. 

Colonel  Parke  has  frequently  mentioned  to  me  the  neces- 
sity of  his  having  leave  of  absence  for  about  a  fortnight. 
He  has  again  applied  to  me  this  morning  by  the  enclosed 
letter.  I  should  be  glad  to  know  your  Excellency's  plea- 
sure. 

I  have  been  obliged  to  take  a  little  medicine,  which  obliges 
me  to  stay  at  home,  or  I  should  have  been  at  Head-Quarters 
this  morning. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  your  Excellency's  most  humble 

servant'  STIRLING. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  26,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Yours  of  the  23d  instant  is  duly  received, 
and  I  am  pleased  with  the  timely  notice  of  your  situation, 
strength,  movements,  &.C.,  &ic.,  &tc.,  and  think  time  is  not 
to  be  lost,  or  expense  regarded,  in  getting  yourselves  in  the 
best  posture  of  defence,  not  knowing  how  soon  the  enemy 
may  attempt  to  pass  you. 

The  fire-rafts  you  mention  are  not  of  the  best  construc- 
tion, but  probably  are  the  best  that  can  be  procured  with 
the  necessary  despatch.  Cables  and  anchors,  I  should  sup- 
pose, might  easily  be  procured  from  the  vessels  which  used 
to  be  plying  up  and  down  the  river,  and  are  now  lying 
idle;  saltpetre  from  the  manufactures  in  the  country,  as 
neither  are  to  be  had  in  this  place.  The  necessity  of 
the  case  will  fully  justify  your  taking  the  former  wherever 
found,  and  the  safety  of  the  people,  I  should  imagine, 
would  induce  them  to  assist  you  to  the  latter  all  in  their 
power. 

I  have  sent  up  Lieutenant  Machin  to  lay  out  and  over- 
see such  works  as  shall  be  thought  necessary  by  the  officers 
there,  and  from  your  representation  of  the  hill  which  over- 
looks the  fort,  1  think  it  ought  to  be  taken  possession  of 
immediately.  You,  who  are  on  the  spot,  must  be  a  better 
judge  than  I  possibly  can  be.  I  must  leave  it  with  you  to 
erect  such  works  as  you,  with  Colonel  Clinton  and  the  En- 
gineer, may  think  necessary. 

A  proper  abstract  or  pay-roll  should  be  made  out,  of  the 
wages  due  the  artificers,  examined  and  certified  by  you  or 
your  brother,  when  it  may  be  sent  here,  and  the  money 
drawn. 

Your  method  of  fixing  fires,  with  advanced  guards,  if  they 
are  vigilant,  must  answer  the  purposes  you  intend. 

Your  dismissing  all  the  New-England  men  to  three  hun- 
dred, is  a  step  I  approve  of.  I  hope  you  may  continue  to 
prevent  the  enemy  from  obtaining  any  supplies  or  intelli- 
gence, and  committing  any  ravages  on  the  distressed  peasan- 
try on  and  about  the  shores.  While  you  are  able  to  keep 
them  in  this  situation  below  the  forts,  they  can  do  little 
damage.  By  every  conveyance  I  shall  like  to  hear  of  your 
situation  and  the  enemy's  mano3uvres. 

I  am,  sir,  &c.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Brig.  Gen.  George  .Clinton,  at  Fort  Montgomery. 

P.  S.  Since  the  above,  the  Quartermaster-General  in- 
forms me  you  may  be  supplied  with  turpentine  here,  and 
thinks  he  can  get  saltpetre  enough  for  the  present  emer- 
gency. G.  W. 


COLONEL  MCDOUGALL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New- York,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  All  the  non-commissioned  officers,  rank  and  file,  of 
my  regiment,  are  inlisted  without  time,  except  one  com- 
pany, recruited  before  the  instructions  for  raising  the  four 
regiments  issued  from  Congress ;  and  I  doubt  not  to  be  able 
to  engage  this  on  the  same  establishment. 

By  the  instructions  to  Colonel  Dubois,  I  observe  he  is 
authorized  to  give  ten  dollars  bounty  to  such  soldiers  as  shall 
inlist  for  three  years,  or  during  the  present  troubles.  I  shall 
be  glad  to  be  informed  from  your  Excellency  whether  I  can 
be  authorized  to  offer  the  same  bounty;  for  as  the  harvest  is 
now  near  in,  I  think  it  probable  some  recruits  may  be  raised 
on  this  bounty. 

Regiments  engaged  without  time,  are  more  to  be  depended 
on  for  the  defence  of  the  country  than  those  imbodied  for  a 
short  period.  I  therefore  submit  it  to  the  General's  con- 
sideration, whether  it  would  not  advance  the  service  to  enable 
the  regiments  raised  for  three  years,  or  a  longer  time,  to  recruit 
out  of  the  new  levies,  and  those  corps  raised  for  a  shorter 
duration. 

When  your  attention  to  subjects  of  more  importance  will 
permit,  I  shall  be  glad  to  be  favoured  with  your  orders  on 
these  points. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  humble  ser- 

ALEX.  McDouGALL. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp,  Long-Island,  Friday,  five  o'clock,  P.  M.,  ) 
July  26,  1776.      $ 

DEAR  SIR:  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chambers,  at  Gravesend, 
reports  eight  sail  of  shipping  standing  in  for  the  Hook;  but 
they  are  at  too  great  a  distance  to  discover  what  they  are 
to  a  degree  of  certainty,  but  they  have  the  appearance  of 
transports. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  N.  GREENE. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 

New-York. 


NATHANIEL  WOODHULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York,  ) 

July  26,  1776.     J 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  transmit  your 
Excellency  a  copy  of  the  examination  of  Balthazar  De 
Hart,  relative  to  the  conduct  of  the  Tories  in  Monmouth 
County,  in  New-Jersey,  and  to  acquaint  you  that  we  have 
likewise  sent  duplicates  to  the  President  of  the  Convention 
of  the  State  of  New-  Jersey,  and  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Monmouth,  in  order  that  measures  may  be  taken 
for  preventing  the  pernicious  practices  of  such  parricides  to 
their  country. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

By  order:  NATHL.  WOODHULL,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  at  Head-Quarters, 

New -York. 


The  Examination  of  BALTHAZAR  DE  HART,  of  the  County 
of  ORANGE,  Attorney-at-Law,  who  has  been  for  some 
time  past  in  SHREWSBURY,  in  MONMOUTH  County,  in 
NEW-JERSEY. 

He  saith  that  when  he  left  Shrewsbury,  as  he  conceives, 
far  the  greater  part  of  that  place  was  inhabited,  or  rather 
infested,  with  Tories  or  persons  disaffected  to  the  common 
cause  of  America,  and  that  he  has  understood,  from  informa- 
tion, that  their  disaffection  has  been  greatly  increased  by  a 
number  of  persons  who  have  gone  from  the  city  of  New- 
York  there,  and,  as  he  has  understood,  secretly  laboured  to 
deceive  the  lower  set  of  people,  the  higher  being  almost  all 
disaffected ;  that  he  knows  that  Joseph  Wardell,  John  Cor- 
lies,  and  George  Allen,  went  the  week  before  last,  or  last 
week,  to  General  Howe's  camp,  on  Staten- Island,  after,  as 
they  pretended,  two  negroes,  who  had  run  away  from  Wil- 
liam Kipping  and  the  said  John  Corlies ;  that  they  stayed 
some  time  there;  that  this  examinant  has  been  informed 


603 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


604 


and  indeed  believes  that  those  three  persons  are  disaffected, 
and  heard  that  for  that  very  reason  the  negroes  were  deli- 
vered to  them  by  Howe's  order;  that  he  has  heard  that  they 
had  a  long  conversation  with  some  of  Howe's  officers.  And 
further,  he  saith  that  he  was  informed  by  Captain  Jacob 
Dennis,  a  Militia  officer,  who  had  been  ordered  to  guard 
Deal  shore,  in  that  Township,  that  he  could  scarce  persuade 
a  man  to  go  therewith  him;  and  that  the  examinant  knows 
that  his  brother,  who  is  another  Militia  officer  there,  could 
by  no  means  prevail  on  his  men  to  go  to  defend  that  shore — 
the  Whigs  telling  him  they  expected  that  if  they  went  there, 
they  would  be  delivered  by  the  Tories  to  the  enemy  on  their 
landing;  and  that  he  was  informed  by  the  said  Captain 
Dennis,  that  the  inhabitants  along  Deal  shore  told  him 
they  did  by  no  means  thank  him  for  guarding  them,  and  that 
they  would  much  rather  have  the  Regulars  than  the  Yankees 
there;  and  he  (this  examinant)  was  further  informed  by  the 
said  Captain  Dennis,  that  there  were  some  vessels  of  force 
lying  off  Shark  River,  which  he  supposed  were  landing 
some  men  there  to  get  provision,  as  he  observed  flat-bottomed 
boats  with  them.  And  further,  this  examinant  saith  that  he 
saw  some  armed  vessels  off  Deal  shore  last  Saturday,  and 
observed  some  boats  which  seemed  to  be  going  on  board 
said  vessels,  and  that  he  verily  believes  that  the  inhabitants 
along  that  shore  have  communication  with  the  enemy.  And 
this  examinant  further  saith,  that  Isaac  Low,  William  Wal- 
ton, Anthony  Van  Dam,  John  Roome,  William  Kipping, 
Hulet,  a  dancing-master,  with  a  number  of  other  persons 
from  New-York,  are  there,  whose  names  this  examinant  does 
not  recollect.  And  further  this  examinant  saith  not. 

The  aforegoing  is  a  true  copy  of  Mr.  De  Harfs  examina- 
tion, as  delivered  into  the  Convention  at  New-York  by  a 
Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

Examined  and  compared  by 

ROBT.  BENSON,  Secretary. 

RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  July  26,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  to  General  Schuyler  I  received 
yesterday  evening,  and  have  forwarded  it  by  express  this 
morning. 

As  soon  as  the  troops  arrive  from  the  eastward,  I  shall 
advise  you  thereof  by  express,  agreeable  to  General  Schuy- 
ler's  orders  to  me,  that  batteaus  may  be  furnished  for  them 
at  Skenesborough. 

I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  you  an  invoice  of  axes 
forwarded  since  the  14th,  including  four  hundred  or  four 
hundred  and  fifty  which  go  this  morning.  I  also  send  you 
a  small  quantity  of  twenty-four-penny  nails  and  a  cask  of 
spikes  for  the  carpenters  at  Skenesborough,  and  beg  the 
favour  of  you  to  order  them  to  be  forwarded  with  all  possi- 
ble expedition. 

Colonel  Wynkoop  has  sent  for  a  bellows  and  set  of  black- 
smith's tools.  As  soon  as  they  can  be  procured,  I  shall  for- 
ward them  to  Tyonderoga  to  be  sent  to  him. 

I  have  desired  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort  George  to 
forward  every  article  to  you  immediately  on  its  arrival  at  his 
post- 

We  have  a  report  in  town  that  General  Clinton  is  killed, 
and  that  all  his  army  are  killed,  wounded,  or  prisoners,  and 
that  his  fleet  is  destroyed  by  General  Lee,  assisted  by  a  gale 
of  wind,  which  occasioned  his  landing.  How  much  this 
account  is  to  be  depended  on  I  know  not,  though  it  is  be- 
lieved here  that  General  Clinton  has  met  with  some  disaster 
fatal  to  his  expedition. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

RICHARD  VAHICK. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Horatio  Gates. 


COLONEL  M.  OGDEN  TO  MAJOR  A.  BURR. 

Ticonderoga,  July  26,  1776. 

DEAR  BURR:  I  have  been  waiting  with  the  greatest  im- 
patience to  know  what  is  doing  in  York  and  Jersey.  There 
are  twenty  different  reports  that  contradict  each  other  rela- 
tive to  Howe  and  his  fleet.  It  has  once  been  generally 
believed  that  a  French  fleet  had  arrived  at  New-York,  and 
blocked  up  the  British  Army.  Independence  is  well  relished 
in  this  part  of  the  world.  Generalship  is  now  dealt  out  to 
the  Army  by  our  worthy  and  well -esteemed  General  Gates, 


who  is  putting  the  most  disordered  Army  that  ever  bore  the 
name  into  a  state  of  regularity  and  defence.  If  our  friends 
in  Canada,  commanded  by  Burgoyne,  will  wait  a  few  days, 
we  shall  give  them  a  very  proper  reception. 

The  Army  are  beginning  to  recruit  fast,  from  the  effects 
of  a  little  fresh  meat  and  some  rum  when  on  fatigue.  Tea 
days  ago,  there  were  not  in  our  regiment  eighty  men  fit  for 
duty.  We  have  now  upwards  of  two  hundred  and  thirty; 
and,  in  a  few  days,  they  will  be  as  rugged  as  New-Jersey 
is  firm. 

Colonel  Winds  is  sent  home  on  a  fool's  errand  by  the 
General,  that  he  may  be  out  of  the  way  of  doing  any  more 
harm  to  the  regiment.  The  General  assures  me  that  I  shall 
not  be  troubled  with  him  again.  I  suppose,  by  that,  he  has 
written  to  have  him  detained  below.  A  short  history  of  this 
man  will  convince  you  that  he  ought  to  be  nowhere  but  on 
his  farm.  He  is,  in  the  first  place,  a  professed  enemy  to 
subordination,  and  has  an  utter  aversion  to  discipline.  He 
is  positive,  and  prefers  his  own  opinion  to  even  th6  General's, 
because  he  was  in  the  service  last  war.  He  is  not  possessed 
of  one  qualification  that  distinguishes  a  gentleman,  nor  has 
he  genius  or  education.  His  whole  study  is  to  gain  the 
applause  of  the  private  soldiers,  at  the  expense  of  every 
officer  in  the  regiment.  He  is  hated  by  all  his  own  officers, 
except  two,  and  despised  by  every  gentleman  in  the  Army. 

We  are  in  great  want  of  Brigadier-Generals — three  at 
least;  I  mean  for  the  men  who  are  now  here.  General 
Arnold  will  command  the  water-craft  on  the  Lake  in  per- 
son. There  are  three  brigades  commanded  by  the  Colonels 
Reed,  Stark,  and  St.  Clair.  The  last  of  these  I  sincerely 
wish  was  appointed  a  Brigadier  by  Congress.  There  is  no 
better  man.  The  other  two  have  full  enough  already. 

Please  to  forward  the  enclosed,  with  the  letter  to  Mr. 
Spencer.  My  best  respects  to  Generals  Putnam,  Greene, 
and  Mifflin,  and  to  Colonel  Trumbull.  Compliments  to 
Webb.  I  wait,  with  the  greatest  impatience,  some  important 
news  from  New-York.  Pray  write  particulars  relative  to 
the  conduct  of  the  Jerseymen.  Should  any  fall,  mention 
their  names. 

I  am  yours  sincerely,  MATT.  OGDEN. 

COURT-MARTIAL  ON  CAPTAIN  WENTWORTH. 

At  a  General  Court-Martial  held  at  Ticonderoga,  the 
26th  day  of  July,  1776,  by  order  of  the  Honourable  Major- 
General  Gates. 

Colonel  POOH,  President. 

Members:  The  four  eldest  Colonels,  the  four  eldest 
Lieutenant-Colonels,  and  four  eldest  Majors,  of  the  Northern 
Army. 

Captain  Wentworth  was  brought  before  the  Court,  and 
accused  of  "  refusing  to  go  on  duty  when  regularly  warned 
by  the  Adjutant  of  the  regiment  to  which  he  belonged." 

The  Court  having  considered  the  evidences,  were  of 
opinion  that  Captain  Wentworth  was  guilty;  and  sentenced 
him  to  be  cashiered,  and  advertised  in  the  publick  papers  as 
having  wilfully  neglected  his  duty,  with  a  view  of  being  dis- 
charged the  service. 

Agreeable  to  this  sentence,  Jonathan  Wentworth,  of 
Somersworth,  in  Strajford  County,  New-Hampshire,  late 
Captain  in  Colonel  Poor's  regiment,  is  published  to  the 
world  as  a  scoundrel,  guilty  of  neglecting  his  duty  evidently 
with  a  design  of  obtaining  a  discharge  from  the  service  of 
his  country — a  crime,  till  this  day,  unheard  of. 

His  countrymen,  it  is  hoped,  will  treat  him  with  the  con- 
tempt merited  by  so  infamous  a  conduct. 

By  the  General's  order: 

JOHN  TRUMBULL, 
Deputy  Adjutant-General  of  the  Northern  Army. 

Head-duarters,  Ticonderoga,  August  26,  1776. 
All  printers  in  the  United  States  of  America  are  desired 
to  publish  the  foregoing  in  their  respective  papers.     J.  T. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  26,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  send  by  a  boat  thirty  oars  and  some 
boards,  with  the  arms  of  our  regiment,  which  want  repair, 
and  hope  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  give  directions  that 
they  may  be  immediately  repaired,  as  many  men  are  now 


605 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


606 


at  this  post  without  guns.  The  arms  of  the  sick  we  shall 
make  go  as  far  as  possible.  The  oarmakers  are  going  on 
with  their  business.  I  still  keep  a  strong  covering  party 
with  them.  There  are  some  batteaus  here  which  want 
repairing.  I  would  have  them  put  in  order,  if  I  had  some 
pitch  and  oakum  sent  here.  I  have  also  a  small  boat  which 
would  be  very  useful,  if  finished.  We  want  the  above 
materials  to  complete  it. 

1  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOS.  HARTLEY. 
To  General  Gates. 


GOVERNOUR  COOKE  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  CONVENTION. 

Providence,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR  :  On  Sunday  last  Lieutenant  Calcott,  of  the  Merlin, 
came  into  the  harbour  of  Newport  with  a  flag,  and  brought 
a  letter  from  Lord  Howe  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  this 
State,  which  I  suppose  to  have  been  a  circular  letter  exactly 
of  the  same  tenour  with  that  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose 
you.  The  Lieutenant  delivered  me  two  others  directed  for 
Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  with  a  request  that  I  would 
forward  them. 

I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  my  letter  to  his  Lordship,  and 
hew  leave  to  assure  you  that  I  am,  with  great  truth  and 
esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

NICHS.  COOKE. 

To  the  Honourable  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  New- 
Hampshire. 

Ea"Ie,  off  the  Coast  of  the  Province  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  ) 

June  20,  1776.      $ 

SIR:  Being  appointed  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  ships 
and  vessels  of  his  Majesty's  fleet  employed  in  North-Ame- 
rica, and  having  the  honour  to  be  by  his  Majesty  constituted 
one  of  his  Commissioners  for  restoring  peace  to  his  Colonies, 
and  for  granting  pardons  to  such  of  his  subjects  therein  as 
shall  be  duly  solicitous  to  benefit  by  that  effect  of  his  gra- 
cious indulgence,  I  embrace  this  opportunity  to  inform  you 
of  my  arrival  on  the  American  coast,  where  my  first  object 
will  be  an  early  meeting  with  General  Howe,  whom  his 
Majesty  hath  been  pleased  to  join  with  me  in  the  said  com- 
mission. 

In  the  mean  time,  I  have  judged  it  expedient  to  issue  the 
enclosed  Declaration,  in  order  that  all  persons  may  have 
immediate  information  of  his  Majesty's  most  gracious  inten- 
tions; and  I  desire  you  will  be  pleased  forthwith  to  cause 
the  said  Declaration  to  be  promulgated,  in  such  manner, 
and  at  such  places  within  the  Colony  of  Rhode-Island,  as 
will  render  the  same  of  the  most  publick  notoriety. 

Assured  of  being  favoured  with  your  assistance  in  every 
measure  for  the  speedy  and  effectual  restoration  of  the  pub- 
lick  tranquillity,  I  am  to  request  you  will  communicate,  from 
time  to  time,  such  information  as  you  may  think  will  facili- 
tate the  attainment  of  that  important  object  in  the  Colony 
over  which  you  preside. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect  and  consi- 
deration, sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HOWE. 
To  the  Hon.  Governour  Wanton,  &.C.,  &ic.,  Rhode-Island, 

or  other  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  Colony. 

By  RICHARD  Viscount  HOWE,  of  the  Kingdom  of  IRELAND, 
one  of  the  King's  Commissioners  for  restoring  peace  to 
His  Majesty's  Colonies  and  Plantations  in  NORTH-AME- 

KICA,  fyc.,  SfC.,  SfC. 

DECLARATION. 

Whereas  by  an  act  passed  in  the  last  session  of  Parlia- 
ment to  prohibit  all  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Colonies 
of  New-Hampshire,  Massachusetts-Bay,  Rhode-Island,  Con- 
necticut, New-York,  New- Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  the  three 
lower  Counties  on  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North- 
Carolina,  South- Carolina,  and  Georgia,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses therein  mentioned,  it  is  enacted  that  "  it  shall  and 
may  be  lawful  to  and  for  any  person  or  persons  appointed 
and  authorized  by  his  Majesty  to  grant  a  pardon  or  pardons 
to  any  number  or  "description  of  persons,  by  Proclamation, 
in  his  Majesty's  name,  to  declare  any  Colony  or  Province, 
Colonies  or  Provinces,  or  any  County,  Town,  Port,  District, 
or  place,  in  any  Colony  or  Province,  to  be  at  the  peace  of 


his  Majesty;  and"  that  "from  and  after  the  issuing  of  any 
such  Proclamation  in  any  of  the  aforesaid  Colonies  or  Pro- 
vinces, or  if  his  Majesty  shall  be  graciously  pleased  to  sig- 
nify the  same  by  his  royal  Proclamation,  then,  from  and 
after  the  issuing  of  such  Proclamation,"  the  said  "act,  with 
respect  to  such  Colony  or  Province,  Colonies  or  Provinces, 
County,  Town,  Port,  District,  or  place,  shall  cease,  deter- 
mine, and  be  utterly  void  :" 

And  whereas  the  King,  desirous  to  deliver  all  his  subjects 
from  the  calamities  of  war,  and  other  oppressions  which  they 
now  undergo,  and  to  restore  the  said  Colonies  to  his  protec- 
tion and  peace  as  soon  as  the  constitutional  authority  of 
Government  therein  may  be  replaced,  hath  been  graciously 
pleased,  by  letters  patent  under  the  great  seal,  dated  the 
sixth  day  of  May,  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  his  Majesty's 
reign,  to  nominate  and  appoint  me,  Richard  Viscount  Howe, 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Ireland,  and  William  Howe,  Esq.,  Gen- 
eral of  his  Forces  in  North-America,  and  each  of  us,  jointly 
and  severally,  to  be  his  Majesty's  Commissioner  and  Com- 
missioners for  granting  his  free  and  general  pardons  to  all 
those  who,  in  the  tumult  and  disorder  of  the  times,  may  have 
deviated  from  their  just  allegiance,  and  who  are  willing,  by  a 
speedy  return  to  their  duty  to  reap  the  benefits  of  the  royal 
favour ;  and,  also,  for  declaring  in  his  Majesty's  name,  any 
Colony,  Province,  County,  Town,  Port,  District,  or  place,  to 
be  at  the  peace  of  his  Majesty:  I  do  therefore  hereby  declare, 
that  due  consideration  shall  be  had  to  the  meritorious  ser- 
vices of  all  persons  who  shall  aid  and  assist  in  restoring  the 
publick  tranquillity  in  the  said  Colonies,  or  in  any  part  or  parts 
thereof;  that  pardons  shall  be  granted,  dutiful  representa- 
tions received,  and  every  suitable  encouragement  given,  for 
promoting  such  measures  as  shall  be  conducive  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  legal  government  and  peace,  in  pursuance  of 
his  Majesty's  most  gracious  purposes  aforesaid. 

Given  on  board  his  Majesty's  ship  the  Eagle,  off"  the  Coasts 
of  the  Province  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  the  twentieth  day  of 
June,  1776.  HOWE. 

Providence,  July  27,  1776. 

Lieutenant  Cakott,  who  came  last  Sunday  to  Newport 
with  a  flag  from  on  board  the  Merlin  ship-of-war,  and  deli- 
vered a  Letter  and  Declaration  from  Lord  Viscount  Howe, 
returned  next  morning  with  the  following  Answer  from  his 
Honour  the  Governour : 

"  Rhode-Island  and  Providence  Plantations,  ) 
Newport,  July  21, 1776.     J 

"  Mr  LORD  :  I  am  favoured  with  your  Lordship's  letter  of 
the  20th  of  June  last,  enclosing  your  Declaration.  I  have 
communicated  them  to  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State, 
now  sitting  here,  and  at  their  request  inform  your  Lordship, 
that  they  will  transmit  copies  of  them  to  the  most  honourable 
the  General  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America,  to 
whom  every  application  respecting  the  disputes  between  the 
said  States  and  Great  Britain  ought  to  be  addressed,  and 
must  be  referred. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be.  with  great  respect  and  esteem, 
my  Lord,  your  Lordship's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

"  NICHOLAS  COOKE." 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  WILLIAM  WILLIAMS. 

Lebanon,  July  26,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  intend  to  give  you  the  state  of  our  Army 
from  Canada.  Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  Major  Ely's  report  on 
the  subject  of  the  small-pox,  .with  which  he  was  charged. 
From  others,  with  some  things  I  learn  from  him,  I  think  it 
apparent  that  our  troops  went  most  imprudently  into  inoc- 
ulation near  Quebeck;  and  when  the  enemy  came  out  upon 
them,  our  Army  fled  when  there  was  little  force  to  pursue ; 
that  discontent,  disorder,  and  confusion,  had  taken  place — 
clamour  for  wartt  of  supplies  of  clothing,  provisions,  and 
wages — and  by  degrees  discipline  and  subordination  failed; 
everything  was  neglected  that  tended  to  a  reform.  When 
General  Burgoyne,  with  the  troops  under  him,  arrived,  a 
general  dispiritedness  appeared  ;  the  force  at  the  Cedars  was 
very  inconsiderable — not  more  than  thirty-seven  Regulars, 
with  two  or  three  hundred  Indians;  that  the  latter  were  loath 
to  go,  and  mostly  tarried  at  Oswegatchie.  Had  our  men 
behaved  well,  that  defeat  would  not  have  happened;  this 
was  occasioned  by  the  same  causes  that  are  just  before  men- 
tioned. Why  they  were  in  such  manner  neglected,  and  left 


607 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


608 


without  supplies  and  without  their  wages,  is  matter  of  wonder 
and  astonishment;  and  last  spring  there  were  ten  battalions, 
amounting  to  about  six  thousand  four  hundred  men,  sent  from 
New-  York  to  join  this  Army.  There  were  at  the  same 
time,  in  Canada,  two  battalions  of  Pennsylvanians,  three 
from  New-England,  and  one  or  two  from  New-Jersey;  all  of 
them  strong,  amounting  at  least  to  four  thousand  men  more, 
which,  joined  with  the  others,  made  the  Army  upwards  of 
ten  thousand  strong.  There  are  now  three  thousand  sick, 
and  about  three  thousand  well;  this  leaves  near  five  thousand 
to  be  accounted  for ;  of  them,  the  enemy  have  cast  perhaps 
one  thousand — sickness  another  thousand ;  which  leaves 
near  three  thousand ;  in  what  manner  they  are  disposed  of,  is 
unknown.  Among  those  who  remain,  there  is  neither  order, 
subordination,  or  harmony;  the  officers  as  well  as  men,  of  one 
Colony,  insulting  and  quarrelling  with  those  of  another. 

This  wretched  situation  of  our  troops  induced  the  General 
Officers,  in  a  council  of  war,  to  determine  on  a  retreat  to 
Ticonderoga,  and  conclude  on  occupying  a  post  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Lakes,  very  advantageous;  it  is  a  height  opposite 
the  old  works,  which  commands  the  entrance  of  the  Lakes 
Champlain  and  George ;  it  is  almost  inaccessible,  except 
in  two  places,  where  they  propose  to  make  roads;  the  rest  is 
surrounded  by  rocks  and  precipices.  Supplies  may  be  easily 
had  from  Skenesborough,  at  the  head  of  Lake  Champlain; 
from  hence  they  expect  easily  to  retire  into  the  country. 
This,  without  a  naval  superiority  on  the  Lakes,  they  will  be 
obliged  to  do,  notwithstanding  the  strength  of  their  camp, 
unless  very  soon  joined  by  six  thousand  or  eight  thousand 
men.  How  they  will  maintain  their  naval  superiority,  1  must 
confess  myself  much  at  a  loss.  They  build  a  gondola,  per- 
haps, one  in  a  week ;  but  where  are  they  to  find  rigging  for 
them — where  the  guns?  To  be  sure  they  have  a  great  train 
of  artillery,  but  very  few  of  them  mounted  on  carriages;  at 
present  their  materials  and  conveniences  for  making  them 
are  very  slender.  They  have  neither  places  for  them  to  work 
in,  nor  materials  in  that  plenty  they  ought  to  have.  To 
oppose  the  enemy  on  the  Lake,  they  have  a  schooner  of  twelve 
carriage  guns,  a  sloop  of  eight  guns,  two  small  schooners  to 
carry  lour  or  six  guns  each,  and  three  gondolas ;  and  the  large 
schooner  is  now  in  good  sailing  order,  and  about  to  take  a  trip 
down  the  Lake  to  make  discovery.  The  sloop  is  a  most  un- 
manageable thing;  it  is  impossible  to  beat  up  against  a  head 
wind  in  her.  The  two  small  schooners  are  not  armed — the 
gondolas  are  not  armed — and  even  the  carriages  of  their  guns 
are  yet  to  be  made.  The  enemy  are  at  St.  John's  repairing 
the  works  at  that  place,  and  building  three  schooners  and 
two  sloops ;  they  have  no  doubt  everything  ready  to  their 
hands — the  rigging  made,  the  guns  mounted,  and  only  the 
wooden  work  to  perform,  in  which,  I  fear,  they  will  have  the 
advantage. 

General  Sullivan  set  off  to  New-York  and  Philadelphia 
in  disgust  at  being  superseded  by  General  Gates;  the  latter 
was  ordered  to  command  in  Canada;  the  Army  from  thence 
being  retreated  within  the  limits  of  New-  York,  the  command 
devolves  on  General  Schuyler.  It  is  justly  to  be  expected 
that  General  Gates  is  discontented  with  his  situation ;  finding 
himself  limited,  and  removed  from  the  command,  to  be  a 
wretched  spectator  of  the  ruin  of  the  Army,  without  power 
of  attempting  to  save  them.  A  truly  melancholy  scene. 
General  Schuyler  has  gone  to  the  German  Flats;  he  writes  me 
July  17th,  "  I  arrived  here  yesterday,  and  found  very  few 
Indians.  This  day  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indians  have  come 
in,  and  we  expect  a  numerous  body  of  them  in  a  few  days. 
Mr.  Ryckman,  a  trader  from  Albany,  who  has  been  detained 
at  Niagara,  by  the  British  officer  commanding  there,  since 
last  year,  because  he  was  a  friend  to  our  cause  and  had  in- 
fluence among  the  savages,  has  found  means,  by  the  help 
of  the  Indians,  to  make  his  escape.  He  arrived  here  last 
night,  accompanied  by  twenty-one  warriors  of  the  Seneca 
nation.  The  account  he  brings  of  the  temper  of  the  Senecas 
(the  nation  who  could  distress  us  most)  is  very  favourable; 
and  he  assures  me,  that  he  has  reason  to  believe  the  Indians 
will  not  attack  our  frontiers." 

You  are  sensible  the  extreme  busy  season  retards  the  filling 
our  regiment  going  to  New-  Yurk;  and  to  this  is  added  the 
dread  of  the  small-pox  to  those  inlisting  to  go  into  service 
in  the  Northern  Army.  Now,  as  business  will  soon  admit 
men  to  leave  it  without  so  much  loss,  and  the  fear  of  that 
infection  prevailing  in  the  Northern  Army  is  relieved  in  so 
great  a  measure,  I  hope  the  battalions  from  this  State  will 


all  be  filled,  and  march  to  their  several  destinations.  Nothing 
in  our  power  will  be  omitted  to  promote  it.  My  fears  for  the 
Northern  Army  and  frontiers  are  great,  besides  what  is  men- 
tioned above,  and  Major  Ely's  report.  A  reform  is  abso- 
lutely necessary;  the  soldiers  are  ragged,  dirty,  and  many 
lousy;  clothing  greatly  wanted — some  destitute  of  sufficiency 
to  make  themselves  comfortable  and  decent  to  appear;  to 
remedy  this,  shall  send  from  hence,  shirts,  trowsers,  breeches, 
shoes,  stockings,  and  some  woollen  clothes,  as  soon  as  possible. 
Subordination  and  harmony  is  next  to  be  restored;  to  do  this, 
the  officer  that  effects  it,  will  meet  with  great  trouble;  and 
when  done,  will  expect  to  reap  the  honours  of  it.  To  prevent 
uneasiness  and  jealousies  between  the  Generals  who  were  to 
have  had  the  command  in  Canada  and  New-York,  why, is 
it  not  best,  and  even  just,  each  command  the  same  body  of 
men  as  expected,  without  respect  to  the  place  where.  General 
Schuyhr  will  have  full  employment  at  Albany,  and  below  on 
the  river,  and  at  Tryon  County,  &tc.;  while  General  Gates 
commands  the  same  Army  at  Ticonderoga,  &,c.,  which  it 
was  expected  he  would  have  had  in  Canada.  The  good 
of  the  general  service  is  the  great  object.  Doth  not  a  regard 
to  what  will  keep  up  harmony,  and  prevent  jealousies,  come 
within  it? 

Captain  Winslow  and  his  party  of  ship-carpenters,  are 
arrived,  and  gone  to  work.  Captain  Lester,  going  by  water, 
did  not  get  to  New- York  until  the  river  was  invested 
with  the  ships,  and  they  were  obliged  to  take  to  the  land. 
The  one  thousand  felling-axes  requested  by  General  Schuy- 
ler,  are  provided,  and  will  be  sent  forward  on  Monday. 
Your  kinsman  is  come  to  preach  to  us.  Your  family  is  well. 
Mr.  Gerry  keeps  Sabbath  here.  Mr.  Jay  carne  here  on 
Friday  for  the  loan  of  cannon  to  use  on  the  A'ortA  River. 
The  twenty  nine-pound  cannon  for  the  ships  are  ready  for  use, 
bored  and  drilled;  and  we  have  lent  him  ten  twelve, and  ten 
six-pounders.  Messrs.  Hobart  and  John  Brown  were  here 
yesterday,  a  Committee  from  the  New-York  Convention,  to 
ask  our  assistance.  They  found  we  had  made  provision, 
that  six  Western  regiments,  next  towards  New- York,  might 
be  called  on  by  General  Washington,  if  needed;  this  was 
one  chief  thing  they  had  to  ask. 

It  is  time  to  break  off.  This  letter  may  be  communi- 
cated, as  you  think  fit,  with  my  compliments,  to  the  other 
Delegates,  &.c. 

With  esteem  and  regard,  dear  sir,  your  affectionate, 

JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 
To  William  Williams,  Esq. 

P.  S.  By  Friday's  post,  received  Lord  Howe's  letter  of 
the  20th  of  June  ultimo,  and  his  declaration  of  pardons  to 
all  those  who,  in  the  tumujt  and  disorder  of  the  times, 
may  have  deviated  from  their  just  allegiance,  and  who  are 
willing,  by  speedy  return  to  their  duty,  to  reap  the  benefits  of 
the  royal  favour;  that  pardons  shall  be  granted,  dutiful  repre- 
sentation received,  and  every  suitable  encouragement  given 
for  promoting  such  measures  as  shall  be  conducive  to  the 
establishing  legal  government  and  peace,  in  pursuance  of  his 
Majesty's  most  gracious  purposes.  In  his  letter  he  says,  "  I 
have  judged  it  expedient  to  issue  the  enclosed  declaration, 
in  order  that  all  persons  may  have  immediate  information  of 
his  Majesty's  gracious  intentions."  He  desires  me  to  pro- 
mulgate it,  assured  of  being  favoured  with  my  assistance  in 
every  measure  to  restore  the  publick  tranquillity;  and  re- 
quests such  information  as  will  facilitate  the  attainment  of 
that  important  object.  I  shall  by  next  post  forward  copies 
of  both  to  Congress  ;  to  them  I  shall  refer  him.  Who  began 
the  war?  Who  withdrew  his  protection  ?  Who  refused  to 
hearken  to  most  dutiful  and  humble  petitions  ?  Who  invaded 
our  rights  ?  Is  not  the  appeal  made  to  the  Supreme  Direc- 
tor of°all  events?  Will  not  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  do 
right?  Doth  not  pardon  presuppose  guilt?  Are  we  guilty 
of  want  of  duty  and  allegiance?  Could  anything  but 
tyranny,  oppression,  injustice,  cruel  war  and  desolation, 
have  driven  us  to  cast  off  our  mother  country  ? 

TIMOTHY  NEWELL  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Boston,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  am  directed  by  a  letter  just  now  received 
from  the  Deputy  Secretary,  to  lay  before  your  Honours  the 
state  of  the  order  of  the  General  Court  relative  to  the  camp- 
kettles  and  canteens.  It  has  given  me  extreme  uneasiness 
that  there  has  happened  any  delay;  but  not  in  the  least 


609 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


610 


occasioned  through  any  neglect  in  me,  as  I  assure  your 
Honours  the  kettles  (which  was  all  I  engaged)  have  been 
ready  these  ten  days  past;  and  the  delay  is  wholly  owing  to 
the  canteens  not  coming  from  Hingkam.  The  last  parcel  of 
one  hundred  and  two  dozen  came  yesterday,  upon  which  I 
immediately  went  in  pursuit  of  a  team,  and  after  riding  six 
miles  out,  I  returned  without  being  able  to  procure  one, 
except  accidentally  one  for  Pittsfield,  which  I  despatched 
yesterday.  This  morning  early  I  prevailed  for  one  of  the 
Continental  teams,  which  set  oft'  for  Concord  betwixt  ten 
and  twelve  o'clock  this  forenoon,  with  one  hundred,  and 
seventy-eight  kettles,  and  one  thousand  and  seventy  can- 
teens, which  completes  the  order  of  the  five  thousand  troops 
raised  for  Canada  and  New-  York. 

The  last  order  for  the  two  hundred  and  fifty  kettles,  for 
the  fifteen  hundred  troops,  will  be  ready  by  Monday  night 
next;  but  unless  more  workmen  are  put  upon  the  canteens 
supplied  by  Theophilus  Gushing,  Esq.,  at  Hingham,  I  ap- 
prehend the  same  delay  will  be  as  heretofore. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  Honour's  most  obedient 
servant,  TIMO.  NEWELL. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Massachusetts. 


ORDER  TO  LIEUTENANT  GILMAN  TO  RETURN  COAT-MONEY  TO 
SOLDIERS. 

Colony  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Committee  of  Safety, 

July  26,  1776. 
To  Lieutenant  JOHN  OILMAN  : 

Complaints  being  made  to  this  Committee  that  you  re- 
ceived of  the  Colony  Paymaster  last  year,  coat-money 
belonging  to  several  persons,  soldiers  in  the  same  company 
with  you,  which  you  have  not  paid  to  them,  and  refuse  to 
pay,  therefore,  that  justice  may  be  done,  you  are  required 
to  appear  before  this  Committee,  on  Wednesday  the  seventh 
day  of  August  next,  to  answer  to  said  complaint. 
By  order  of  the  Committee  : 

M.  THORNTON,  Chairman  p.  t. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  August  6,  1776. 
The  Committee  having  heard  Lieutenant  Oilman  on  the 
within  complaint,  are  of  opinion,  that  he  ought,  without 
delay,  to  pay  the  coat-money  he  has  received  in  behalf  of 
any  soldier  to  them  respectively. 

M.  WEAHE,  Chairman. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  ST.  EUSTATIA,  DATED  JULY 

27,  1776. 

Since  my  last  we  have  the  agreeable  news  that  Captain 
Wickes,  in  the  ship  Reprisal,  from  your  place,  is  safe  arrived 
at  Martinico,  after  having  an  engagement  with  the  Shark 
sloop  of  war,  a  ship  of  about  equal  force  with  himself.  The 
story  is  related  as  follows:  This  day  week,  the  Shark,  lying 
at  anchor  in  St.  Pierre's  harbour,  sawa  ship  beating  in,  which 
she  took  for  an  American,  on  which  she  slipped  her  cables, 
bore  down  on  Captain  Wickes,  and  fired  two  shots  in  order 
to  bring  him  to;  but  Captain  Wickes  took  no  notice  of  them, 
and  stood  on  his  course  till  within  hail  of  the  Shark.  On 
being  asked  by  the  Captain,  where  from,  and  to  what  State 
belonging  ?  he  answered,  from  Philadelphia,  and  belonging 
to  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congress ;  and  at  the  same 
time  saluted  him  with  a  broadside,  which  was  returned  in 
course  by  the  Shark,  without  much  damage  to  either  that  I 
can  find.  The  engagement  continued  very  hot  for  fifteen  or 
twenty  minutes,  when  the  Shark  sheered  off.  Captain 
Wickes  stood  in,  and  came  to  in  St.  Pierre's;  the  Shark 
followed  soon  after,  when  the  Captain  went  on  shore  and  de- 
manded the  American  Rebel  pirate,  as  he  was  pleased  to  term 
Captain  Wickes's  vessel ;  but  the  Governour  did  not  think 
proper  to  grant  his  moderate  request,  and  desired  he  might 
not  attempt  to  commit  hostilities  within  the  bounds  of  his 
Government.  Captain  Wickes  requested  protection,  and 
leave  to  clean  his  ship,  which  was  granted,  and  he  has  gone 
to  some  little  distance  from  St.  Pierre's  to  heave  down. 
It  appears  from  every  account  I  can  learn,  and  by  the 
letters  of  the  French  merchants  at  St.  Pierre's  to  their  friends 
here,  who  were  eyewitnesses  of  the  engagement,  that  Cap- 
tain Wickes  and  his  ship's  crew  have  acquired  much  applause 
by  this  affair.  Captain  Wickes  had  taken  three  prizes  on 
his  passage,  bound  from  the  West-Indies,  English  property, 
so  that  he  was  eighty  men  short  of  his  complement.  He 


was  across  another  vessel,  and  discharged  her,  finding  she 
was  Irish  property.  The  colours  which  the  American  show- 
ed were  a  field  white  and  yellow,  with  thirteen  stripes. 

A  French  frigate  arrived  last  Sunday  at  Martinico,  from 
old  France,  with  despatches  as  late  as  22d  of  June,  to  the 
Governours  and  Commanders  of  all  the  different  French 
Islands,  to  put  themselves  in  the  best  posture  of  defence,  and 
to  aid,  assist,  and  protect  all  American  vessels  that  might  put 
into  their  ports,  as  far  as  possible. 

It  is  confidently  reported  from  Martinico,  that  Spain  was 
about  or  had  actually  declared  war  against  Portugal. 

These  are  good  omens  of  a  war  between  England  and 
France.  God  grant  it  may  be  soon!  It  will  be  the  making 
of  America,  by  calling  off  the  attention  of  the  British  fleet 
from  the  coast,  and  leaving  the  ports  open  for  trade  with  all 
the  world. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


JAMES  CRESWELL  TO  W.  H.  DRAYTON. 

Ninety-Six,  South-Carolina,  July  27,  1776. 
HONOURED  SIR:  I  make  no  doubt  that  you  are  anxious 
to  hear  how  our  affairs  stand  in  this  perplexed  and  unhappy 
district  since  the  heathen  have  broke  in  on  our  frontier. 
Fame  on  such  occasions  speaks  variously,  nor  is  it  easy  to 
report  only  real  facts.  You  may  rely  on  the  following. 

It  is  quite  evident  that  the  savages  were  made  acquainted 
with  the  designs  of  the  British  fleet  against  Charlestons,  and 
that  there  was  a  connected  scheme  between  them  against  our 
country.  Nor  is  it  less  certain  that  the  disaffected  party  among 
us  knew  the  intentions  of  the  Indians,  and  were  really  elated 
with  the  prospect.  They  made  no  secret  of  their  expectations 
of  safety;  and  when  the  time  drew  near  that  was  appointed 
for  the  savages  to  murder,  they  refused  to  muster  or  obey  any 
officer  appointed  by  their  country  over  them.  This  insolent 
behaviour,  at  such  a  threatening  time,  very  much  alarmed  us. 
At  this  time,  it  evidently  appears  that  they  were  by  compact 
to  assist  the  savages  to  ruin  the  country;  and  had  they  been 
in  possession  of  their  arms,  many  of  them  would  have  actu- 
ally engaged  in  the  bloody  scheme.  But,  providentially  for 
us,  their  arms  were  scarce,  and  the  savages  killed  the  disaf- 
fected in  common,  without  distinction  of  party.  This  greatly 
alarmed  them,  changed  their  countenance  and  tone,  and 
made  them  look  out  for  safety  for  their  families.  Others  of 
them  justly  supposed  that  any  of  their  party  that  were  killed 
must  have  suffered  through  mistake.  This  now  appears  plain 
to  us,  by  the  Indians  giving  up  those  of  them  which  they 
had  taken  as  prisoners. 

The  savages  have  spread  great  desolation  all  along  the 
frontiers,  and  killed  a  great  number.  On  the  14th,  they 
attacked  a  part  of  Colonel  Williams's  regiment,  at  Lindley's 
Fort,  but  were  repulsed  by  the  loss  of  one  lover  of  his  coun- 
try, who,  unfortunately,  suffered  a  cruel  death  by  them. 
This  attack  was  made  by  about  ninety  Indians  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  white  men.  Ten  of  the  white  Indians 
were  made  prisoners,  nine  of  whom  were  painted.  They 
are  now  safe  at  Ninety- Six,  where  they  will  remain,  unless 
released  by  their  brethren. 

Major  Williamson  and  the  officers  under  him  have  exerted 
themselves  in  getting  our  forces  together,  and  arming  them 
as  well  as  could  be  done  among  us.  Our  Army  is  about 
one  thousand  or  eleven  hundred  strong,  and  has  advanced 
about  fifteen  miles  over  the  line. 

Ninety- Six  is  now  a  frontier.  Plantations  lie  desolate,  and 
hopeful  crops  are  going  to  ruin.  In  short,  dear  sir,  unless 
we  get  some  relief,  famine  will  overspread  our  beautiful  coun- 
try. As  our  Army  is  now  over  the  line,  the  dread  of  savages 
and  the  disaffected  will  deter  the  lovers  of  their  country  from 
looking  after  their  affairs  at  home.  Fences  are  thrown  down, 
and  many  have  already  suffered  great  loss.  Such  of  us  as 
are  in  forts  have  neither  suitable  guns  nor  ammunition  for 
the  defence  of  our  wives  and  little  ones,  as  we  were  obliged 
to  furnish  our  Army  with  our  best  arms. 

By  every  intelligence  we  have  from  Georgia,  we  learn 
that  the  New-Purchase  is  in  great  distress.  Should  the 
savages  break  through  the  New-Purchase,  we  will  then  be 
a  frontier  in  that  quarter. 

The  release  of  the  prisoners  at  Charlestown,  at  this  criti- 
cal juncture,  very  much  alarmed  us.  We  really  dread  that 
party.  I  cannot  express  our  distress. 

Your  friendship  on  our  behalf  with  our  Governour  to  pro- 
cure us  the  Rangers,  or  part  of  them,  to  assist  us,  will  be 


39 


611 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


612 


acknowledged  by  all  with  real  gratitude,  and  by  none  more 
than  by,  honoured  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JAMES  CRESWELL.* 

To  the  Hon.  William  Henry  Drayton,  Charlestown. 


JOHN  PAGE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  5,  1776.] 

Williamsburgh,  July  27,  1776. 

SIR:  We  had  the  hortour  to  receive  your  letter  of  the 
16th  instant,  by  express,  enclosing  two  resolutions  of  Con- 
gress, one  respecting  the  taking  the  forts  and  garrisons  on 
our  frontiers  on  the  Continental  establishment,  and  the  other 
desiring  that  a  quantity  of  lead  should  be  sent  from  hence  to 
Philadelphia.  The  Convention  is  not  sitting,  but  we  can- 
not doubt  that  it  would  highly  approve  of  the  former  resolu- 
tion; as  to  the  latter,  we  have  sent  off  an  express  to  the 
lead-mines,  ordering  a  large  number  of  hands  to  be  imme- 
diately hired,  to  assist  those  already  employed  there.  By 
this  means,  it  will  not  be  long  before  we  shall  be  able  to 
furnish  the  twenty  tons  you  require;  but  at  present  we  have 
had  such  demands  for  lead  (mm  North-Carolina  and  our 
frontiers,  on  account  of  an  Indian  war  in  which  we  are  at 
present  engaged,  that  it  is  impossible  to  procure  any  for  you 
till  more  can  be  extracted  from  the  ore.  We  have  not  in 
our  publick  magazines  two  tons  of  lead  and  ball,  and  our 
cruisers  are  not  yet  furnished  with  that  article ;  so  that  it 
will  not  be  in  our  power  to  send  any  from  hence.  However, 
sir,  we  hope  to  procure  you  a  ton  or  two;  but  even  this  we 
almost  doubt  of,  since  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  the 
lead  which  our  Delegates  have  sent  to  Fredericksburgh  for, 
will  be  all  given  out  to  the  cruisers  on  Rappahannock ',  or  the 
Militia  now  out  on  the  alarm  spread  by  the  enemy's  fleet  in 
their  neighbourhood. 

We  have  enclosed  you,  sir,  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the 
President  of  South- Carolina,  and.  another  from  General 
Lee,  with  one  from  the  President  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety  of  North-  Carolina,  enclosing  a  letter  from  Brigadier 
Rutherford,  from  which  letters  you  will  see  how  unavoid- 
ably we  are  engaged  in  an  Indian  war,  and  may  judge  how 
extensive  it  may  prove,  if  the  Creeks,  and  other  nations  bor- 
dering on  the  Cherokees,  should  join  them.  We  did  not 
hesitate  a  moment  to  adopt  the  plan  recommended  by  the 
President  of  Carolina  and  General  Lee,  and  have  ordered 
twelve  hundred  men  to  be  immediately  raised,  and  marched 
into  the  Overkill  Towns ;  but  this  force  is,  we  hear,  by  no 
means  sufficient,  if  the  other  Indian  tribes  should  join  against 
us.  We  are  by  the  Indian  war  daily  incurring  many  and 
heavy  expenses,  which  we  humbly  conceive  must  be  a 
Continental  charge. 

Written  by  order  of  the  Council. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant,  JOHN  PAGE,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Con- 
gress, in  Philadelphia. 

Copy  of  Mr.  President  RCTLEDGE'S  Letter  to  the  President  of  the  VIRGINIA 
Contention. 

Charlestown,  July  7, 1776. 

SIR:  I  am  sorry  to  acquaint  you,  that  notwithstanding  the 
most  friendly  appearance  is  given  to  the  Continental  Com- 
missioners at  the  late  Congress  by  the  Cherokee  Indians, 
those  people  have  actually  begun  a  war  against  the  Colonies. 
The  Lower  towns  some  time  ago  suffered  Cameron  (Stuart's 
deputy  in  the  Overkills)  to  leave.  Two  men  (Hamptons) 
who  resided  there,  and  were  in  our  interest,  were  seized  and 
carried  to  Cameron;  but  they  refused  to  suffer  any  of  our 
people  in  their  towns,  who  were  in  the  King's  interest,  to 
be  taken.  They  have  also  made  several  prisoners,  plun- 
dered houses,  and  on  the  30th  ultimo  proceeded  to  kill 
several  people.  These  outrages  must  not  go  unpunished, 
but  be  instantly  checked,  conceiving  that  the  most  effectual 
way  of  putting  a  stop  to  them,  will  be  to  march  a  consider- 
able force  from  this  Colony  and  North- Carolina,  into  the 
heart  of  the  Lower  and  Middle  Towns,  and  of  the  Valley 
Settlements ;  and  at  the  same  time,  or  as  soon  as  may  be,  the 
Overkills  should  be  attacked  from  Virginia,  from  whence 
alone  it  can  be  done  to  advantage,  and  may  with  the  greatest 
ease ;  and  General  Lee  (who  writes  to  you  on  this  subject) 

»  Mr.  Creswell  was  a  respectable  Preacher,  residing  between  Saluda 
and  Broad  Rivers,  in  Ninety-Six  District. 


and  our  Council  being  of  the  same  opinion,  I  have  given 
orders  to  Major  Williamson  to  proceed  with  what  men  he 
has  imbodied  and  can  raise,  which  I  suppose  may  amount 
to  about  eleven  hundred  men,  and  march,  as  I  presume 
he  will  within  a  very  few  days,  against  the  lower  Cherokees, 
and  then  to  carry  on  a  war  against  them,  unless  they  will 
submit  to  reasonable  terms.  I  have  written  to  the  President 
of  the  Council  of  AortA-  Carolina,  to  order  assistance  from 
that  Colony  to  Major  Williamson;  and  1  hope  that,  as  the. 
object  is  of  the  utmost  importance,  and  there  is  not  a  mo- 
ment to  be  lost  in  taking  such  steps  as  may  prevent  future 
apprehensions  of  danger  from  those  Indians,  and  others  who 
may  be  intimidated  by  their  fate,  you  will  immediately 
cause  a  considerable  force  to  march  from  Virginia,  with 
the  utmost  expedition,  and  wage  war  with  the  Overkill 
Cherokees,  until  they  shall  be  brought  to  such  terms  as  may 
be  safe  and  honourable  ibr  the  Colonies. 

Enclosed  you  will  receive  an  extract  of  a  letter  to  Major 
Williamson.  I  shall  be  glad  of  your  answer  by  the  bearer, 
as  soon  as  possible,  and  hope  to  meet  with  no  difficulty,  delay, 
or  disappointment,  in  this  matter,  on  the  part  of  your  Colony. 

I  am,  with  great  regard  and  respect,  sir,  your  most  obe- 
dient and  very  humble  servant,  J.  RUTLEUGE. 

P.  S.  You  will  be  pleased  to  forward  the  letter  herewith 
delivered  to  my  brother  as  soon  as  possible,  and  to  acquaint 
him  what  will  be  done  by  your  Colony  in  consequence  of 
my  application,  as  I  think  it  material  that  the  Congress 
should  be  apprized  of  the  disposition  of  these  Indians,  &ic., 
as  soon  as  may  be. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  General  LIE  to  the  Convention  of  VIRGINIA. 

Charlestown,  July  7,  1776. 

SIR:  Mr.  Rutledge  will  inform  you  by  this  express  of  the 
outrages  committed  by  the  Cherokees,  which  must  be  con- 
strued as  the  commencement  of  a  war.  As  it  is  now  certain 
that  a  capital  and  favourite  part  of  the  plan  laid  down  by 
his  most  excellent  and  clement  Majesty  George  the  Third 
is  to  lay  waste  the  Provinces,  burn  the  habitations,  and  mix 
men,  women,  and  children,  in  one  common  carnage  by  the 
hands  of  the  Indians,  and  as  this  part  of  his  plan,  though  of 
apiece  in  point  of  humanity,  is  certainly  more  big  with 
mischievous  consequences  than  the  rest,  it  appears  to  me 
absolutely  necessary  to  crush  the  evil  before  it  arises  to  any 
dangerous  height;  indeed,  if  we  avail  ourselves  of  the  event,  it 
may  prove  a  fortunate  one;  perhaps  in  policy  we  ought  to 
have  wished  for  it.  We  can  now,  with  the  greatest  justice, 
strike  a  blow  which  is  necessary  to  intimidate  the  numerous 
tribes  of  Indians  from  falling  into  the  measures  of  the  present 
Administration ;  and  Ss  these  Cherokees  are  not  esteemed  the 
most  formidable  warriors,  we  can  probably  do  it  without  much 
risk  or  loss.  I  think,  then,  sir,  without  a  moment's  delay  a  body 
of  your  frontier  riflemen  should  be  furnished  forthwith,  and 
march  into  the  country  of  the  Overkill  Cherokees, and  make  a 
severe,  lasting,  and  salutary  example  of  them.  The  Caro- 
lineans  propose  at  the  same  time  attacking  their  lower  towns, 
and,  with  the  cooperation  of  Virginia,  entertain  no  doubt  of 
success. 

Clinton's  Army  and  Parker's  squadron  are  pretty  much  in 
the  same  situation  as  when  I  wrote  last.  They  daily,  in- 
deed, make  some  alteration  in  the  position  of  their  land 
troops,  from  one  Island  to  another,  perhaps  for  new  air  or 
water,  of  which  the  deserters  say  they  are  in  great  want. 
They  tell  us  likewise,  that  considerable  sickness  prevails  in 
the  Army,  and  greater  discontents  from  hard  duty  and  bad 
diet.  The  spirit  of  desertion  begins  to  show  itself.  Five 
soldiers  came  over  these  two  last  nights,  who  assure  us  that 
were  they  not  on  an  Island,  from  which  it  is  difficult  to 
escape,  two-thirds  of  their  Army  would  soon  be  with  us.  I 
am  myself  inclined  to  believe  them.  Upon  the  whole,  when 
I  consider  the  difficulties  which  the  enemy's  Generals  have 
to  encounter,  the  temper  and  disposition  of  their  troops,  and 
the  improving  spirit  of  ours,  I  assure  myself  that  the  game 
is  in  our  hands.  God  give  us  more  grace  than  to  shuffle  it 
away.  I  am  your  most  obedient,  &tc., 

CHARLES  LEE. 

To  the  Hon.  Edmund  Pendleton,  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  Virginia. 

P.  S.  I  must  request,  sir,  that  any  letters  that  I  address 
to  the  Convention  may  be  forwarded  to  the  Congress  when 
you  think  them  of  sufficient  importance. 


613 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


614 


Copy  of  a  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  NORTH-CAROLINA  to  Governour 
P.  HENRY,  enclosed  in  a  Letter  from  the  Council  of  VIRGINIA,  27(A  JULY, 

1776. 

Halifax,  North-Carolina,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  the  honour  to  transmit  your  Excellency 
copies  of  two  letters  from  Brigadier  Rutherford,  who  lives 
in  Rowan  County,  near  Salisbury,  the  commanding;  officer 
on  the  frontiers  of  this  Colony,  directed  to  the  Board,  re- 
specting Indian  affairs,  to  which  we  beg  leave  to  refer  you. 
The  contents  of  these  letters  you  may  depend  upon  the  truth 
of.  Brigadier  Rutherford  has  been  directed  by  me  to  have 
a  sufficient  force  immediately  on  the  frontiers,  and  to  act  in 
conjunction  with  Major  Williamson,  who  commands  eleven 
hundred  men,  raised  by  the  Colony  of  South- Carolina.  It  is 
intended  that  General  Rutherford  and  Major  Williamson 
should  march  into  the  Cherokees  Lower  Towns;  they  have 
their  orders  for  that  purpose.  We  are  in  full  and  certain 
expectation  that  your  Colony  will,  upon  this  very  alarming 
and  dangerous  situation  of  the  frontiers  of  the  southern 
Colonies,  immediately  order  the  commanding  officer  on  the 
western  settlements  of  it  to  imbody  a  sufficient  number  of 
men  to  march  against  the  Overkill  Cherokee  towns,  so  that 
the  lower  and  upper  towns  of  those  faithless'  savages  may 
be  attacked  at  one  and  the  same  time,  as  nearly  as  may  be. 
It  will  be  very  necessary  for  your  officer  to  give  Briga- 
dier Rutherford  notice  from  time  to  time  of  his  intentions, 
in  order  that  their  future  operations  may  go  hand  in  hand 
together. 

This  Colony  is  in  the  greatest  want  of  lead-,  we  have  to 
request  that  you  will  order  from  ChisweWs  Mines  a  present 
supply  of  five  tons,  as  the  inhabitants  on  our  frontiers  have 
scarcely  any,  and  are  in  the  most  distressed  situation;  and 
we  have  no  other  means  of  procuring  that  article  but  from 
your  Colony ;  therefore  must  once  more  request  your  friendly 
and  speedy  assistance. 

We  cannot  help  mentioning  the  suspicions  many  of  our 
western  people  have  with  respect  to  a  design  the  Indians 
have  in  view  of  cutting  off  the  persons  at  ChisweWs  Mines; 
and  as  the  savages  have  many  white  men  now  out  with  them 
(who  are  well  acquainted  with  the  importance  of  a  lead  mine) 
in  scouting  parties,  there  may  be  some  reason  for  the  belief 
of  such  an  intention. 

We  congratulate  your  Excellency  on  your  being  appointed 
to  the  government  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia;  and 
have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.,  your  most  obedient,  &tc. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety: 

CORNELIUS  HARNETT,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  P.  Henry. 

Copy  of  Brigadier  RUTHERFORD'S  Letter  to  the  Council  of  Safety  of  NORTH- 
CAROLINA,  enclosing  the  Letter  of  the  Council  of  VIRGINIA. 

July  14,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  I  am  under  the  necessity  of 
sending  you  by  express  the  alarming  condition  this  country 
is  in.  The  Indians  are  making  great  progress  in  destroying 
and  murdering  in  the  frontiers  of  this  County.  Thirty-seven, 
I  am  informed,  were  killed  last  Wednesday  and  Thursday, 
on  the  Catawba  River.  I  am  also  informed,  that  Colonel 
McDowell,  ten  men,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  women 
and  children,  are  besieged  in  some  kind  of  a  fort,  and  the 
Indians  round  them;  no  help  to  them  before  yesterday,  and 
they  were  surrounded  on  Wednesday.  I  expect,  the  next 
account,  to  hear  that  they  are  all  destroyed.  Colonel  Back- 
man's  is  the  frontier  of  this  County.  Pray,  gentlemen, 
consider  our  distress,  and  send  us  plenty  of  powder,  and  I 
hope,  under  God,  we  of  Salisbury  district  are  able  to  stand 
them;  but  if  you  allow  us  to  go  to  the  nation,  I  expect  you 
will  order  Hillsborough  district  to  join  Salisbury.  Three 
of  our  Captains  are  killed,  and  one  wounded.  This  day  I 
set  out  with  what  men  I  can  raise  for  the  relief  of  the  dis- 
tressed. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  in  haste,  your  humble  servant, 

GRIFFITH  RUTHERFORD. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety,  North-Carolina. 


by  Monday,  3d  August,  making  up  forty  muskets  per  month, 
agreeable  to  my  contract. 

I  remain,  with  much  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  hum- 


ble servant, 


ELISHA  WINTERS. 


To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 


CHARLES  CARROLL,  BARRISTER,  TO  MARYLAND   COUNCIL  OF 
SAFETY. 

Mount-Clare,  July  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  do  not  know  whether  you  have  received 
any  answer  to  your  letter  to  Philadelphia  to  your  Deputies, 
desiring  them  to  look  out  for  an  Engineer,  or  whether  they 
may  be  able  to  get  one  to  come  down.  I  therefore  intro- 
duce to  you  Mr.  Allcock,  of  Baltimore-  Town,  who,  from 
the  character  I  have  of  him,  will  be  able  to  do  you  service. 
He  has  been,  as  1  am  informed,  of  great  help  to  the  gentle- 
men of  Baltimore-Town  in  designing  and  erecting  their 
fortifications  at  Whetstone.  He  now,  at  my  desire,  waits 
on  you,  and  will  look  at  all  your  situations.  He  keeps  a 
school  in  this  town,  and  cannot  very  well  spare  the  time  for 
his  journey.  I  have,  however,  prevailed  on  him  to  ride 
down,  on  a  promise  of  a  compensation  for  his  time  and 
trouble.  You  will,  on  conversing  with  him,  judge  whether 
he  can  be  of  any  assistance  to  you  as  a  designer  or  otherwise. 
I  fancy  it  will  be  difficult  to  get  Engineers  from  the  north- 
ward, and  we  must,  in  my  opinion,  avail  ourselves  of  the 
skill  of  such  as  we  can  meet  with  among  ourselves,  though 
their  knowledge  be  not  so  perfect  or  complete. 

I  was  yesterday  at.  Whetstone,  and  find  Captain  Smith 
has  five  eighteen-pounders  to  spare,  four  of  them  on  high 
carriages,  and  the  other  on  a  low  carriage.  I  think  the 
sooner  you  get  them  down  to  Annapolis  the  better.  1 
intended  to  come  down  about  the  middle  of  next  week,  but 
have  had  a  touch  of  the  fever  and  ague,  which  I  believe 
will  keep  me  up  here  a  little  longer. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 

humble  servant,  /-,         ^ 

CHAS.  CARROLL. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety,  at  Annapolis. 


COLONEL  SOMERVILLE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Calvert  County,  July  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  orders  from  Colonel  Mackall 
(who  is  now  at  St.  George's)  yesterday  to  send  a  company 
of  our  Militia  to  St.  Mary's,  to  relieve  the  company  now 
stationed  there,  which  T  shall  do  without  loss  of  time.  As 
Captain  John  Brooke,  and  his  First  Lieutenant  and  Ensign, 
have  enrolled  the  number  of  men  directed  by  Convention 
to  entitle  them  to  their  commissions,  I  would  humbly  beg 
leave  to  ask  if  it  would  not  contribute  greatly  to  the  ease  of 
our  Militia  if  they  were  ordered  to  be  stationed  either  at 
Drum  Point  or  down  in  St.  Mary's,  in  lieu  of  the  compa- 
nies of  Militia  now  at  those  places,  until  such  time  as  your 
Honours  may  think  proper  to  order  them  otherwise  ? 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

ALEX.  SOMERVILLE. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


ELISHA  WINTERS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Chestertown,  July  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  gladly  embrace  this  opportunity  to  inform 
you  I  shall  have  twenty-eight  muskets  ready  to  your  order 


CHARLES  RUMSEY  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Cecil  County,  July  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  bearer,  Captain  John  Ogkvie,  finding 
Captain  Alexander  had  not  made  up  his  company  by  the 
20th  instant,  and  being  zealous  in  the  cause,  proposed  to 
march  with  his  company,  or  with  such  a  part  of  them  as 
could,  with  convenience,  leave  their  homes ;  upon  which,  in 
a  few  days  time,  he  had  the  number  enrolled,  agreeable  to 
his  Return.  Hope  they  will  be  accepted,  as  they  are  a 
parcel  of  active,  stout,  willing  men. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servants, 

CHARLES  RUMSEY, 

H.    HoLLINGS WORTH. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


We,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  enrol  ourselves  to  serve 
as  Militia  of  Maryland,  in  the  Middle  Department,  that  is 


615 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


616 


to  say,  from  this  Province  to  New-York,  inclusive,  until  the 
1st  clay  of  December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  the 
honourable  Congress,  according  to  the  resolution  of  the 
Convention  of  Maryland,  held  at  Annapolis,  the  21st  day  of 
June,  1776. 

Capt.  John  Oglevie,  Samuel  Bing,  David  Morrison, 

1st  Lt.  Jos.  Tanner,  James  Hasson,  William  Mullen, 

2(1  Lt.  Elisha  Roil-  David  M.  Guffin,  Hugh  McDowell, 

gers,  Alex.  Thompson,  James  Perry, 

Ensign  James  Boggs,  John  Sands,  John  Minor, 

William  Tilyard,  James  Connor,  Thomas  King, 

Thomas  Ramsay,  William  Duffield,  Elisha  Gatchell, 

Eliot  Williams,  John  Johnson,  Jmnes  Hindman, 

Oliver  Bing,       '  Michael  Askin,  Benjamin  Moody, 

William  Smith,  JamcsClendenin,  (a  George  Robinson, 

Benjamin  McMahon,      lad,)  drummer,  Samuel  Thompson, 

James  McKibbin,  Alex.  Armstrong,  Alexander  Simpson, 

John  Jameson,  Patrick  Donnelly,  Josiah  Porterfield, 

George  Glass,  Matthew  Morgan,  William  Jameson, 

William  Strean,  John  Phillips,  James  Stevenson, 

George  Cunningham,  James  Wright,  Thomas  Newell, 

William  Brisland,  George  Day,  Matthew  McDowell, 

James  M.  Clenshey,  William  Bean,  Benjamin  Hasson, 

William  Brison,  Carbery  Cuningham,  William  Johnson, 

Andrew  Thompson,  David  Robinson,  James  Welch. 

James  Morrow,  George  McClelland, 

The  within  and  above  men  were  viewed,  and  are  able- 
bodied  and  effective  men.  CHARLES  RUMSEY. 
July  25,  1776. 


MAJOR  PRICE  TO  MARYLAND   COUNCIL  OF    SAFETY. 

Upper  Camp,  St.  George's,  July  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  day  before  yesterday,  in  the  evening, 
the  Roebuck  and  other  ships  returned  down  the  river,  and 
came  to  about  five  miles  from  this  place.  At  two  o'clock 
yesterday  morning,  I  received  a  line  from  Captain  Nicholson, 
acquainting  me  that  he  intended  to  attack  the  fleet  at  day- 
break. I  immediately  despatched  an  officer,  with  orders,  if 
possible,  to  speak  to  Captain  Nicholson,  and  let  him  know 
the  ships  had  returned  down  the  river,  and  were  then  within 
nine  or  ten  miles  of  the  fleet,  and  that  I  did  not  think  it 
prudent  to  attack  them.  Colonel  Barnes  had  sometime 
before  despatched  an  officer.  The  one  I  sent  got  to  his 
camp,  but  neither  of  them  could  come  up  with  Captain 
Nicholson.  1  immediately,  on  the  receipt  of  the  letter, 
ordered  the  troops  under  arms,  and  despatched  Captain 
Thomas  with  about  forty  on  the  Island,  to  alarm  the  enemy 
in  that  quarter,  Major  Eden  with  about  the  same  number  on 
the  Point,  with  a  four-pounder,  and  I  took  the  remainder, 
twenty-five  in  number,  on  board  of  two  boats  and  canoes, 
and  went  down  St.  George's  River  as  near  the  enemy  as 
we  could  with  safety,  when  I  left  them  under  the  command 
of  Lieutenant  Adams,  with  orders,  if  there  should  be  any 
confusion  in  the  fleet,  to  push  up  with  their  boats  to  Cherry- 
field  Point,  where  I  would  be.  I  then  went  across  to  the 
Point,  where  our  people  from  the  lower  camp  had  been  at 
work  all  night,  and  by  the  time  the  sun  was  rising,  had 
mounted  the  two  largest  cannon.  About  an  hour  after,  we 
espied  the  Defence  making  up  for  the  fleet.  The  Fowey, 
which  lay  about  a  mile  from  the  battery,  did  not  see  her,  or 
seemed  to  take  no  notice  of  her,  for  more  than  an  hour, 
when  we  noticed  boats  going  ahead  of  her,  as  we  supposed, 
to  carry  out  her  anchor,  in  order  to  warp  her  out;  and  in  a 
short  time,  we  observed  her  hauling  out,  when  I  immediately 
ordered  the  cannons  to  be  fired  at  her.  We  fired  four  times 
from  the  nine-pounder,  and  twice  from  the  four,  one  of  which 
(the  nine,  we  think)  hulled  her;  the  other  struck  a  boat 
laying  at  the  stern,  with,  I  believe,  men  in  her.  I  saw  them 
a  very  little  time  before,  the  Fowey  all  the  time  hauling  out. 
By  this  time,  observed  the  Defence  put  about,  and  stand 
down  the  river.  I  believe  she  must  have  seen  the  Roebuck, 
which  was  seen  some  time  after  standing  down  after  her,  the 
Fowey  giving  chase  a  very  little  while  before.-  Upon  the 
whole,  the  enemy  appears  to  be  a  good  deal  alarmed,  and  1 
am  in  hopes  will  leave  this  in  a  short  time. 

Captain  Boucher  came  to  camp  last  night ;  he  left  two 
row-galleys  about  two  miles  above  this  place.  I  furnished 
him  with  a  boat  and  some  hands  to  go  back  by  water;  he 
expects  to  be  down  with  the  galleys  this  evening.  I  am 
collecting  all  the  boats  and  cannons,  to  give  him  all  the 
assistance  in  my  power.  The  remainder  of  the  Militia  here 
must  be  discharged  to-morrow  night.  I  expected  to  have 
had  a  fresh  recruit  of  them  by  this  time.  Shall  be  very 
weak— not  less  than  twenty  regulars  down  with  fevers  at 
this  time.  There  will  be  great  difficulty  in  getting  the 


cannon  back  by  land ;  should  think  it  best  to  have  them 
carried  by  water,  if  vessels  can  be  had,  as  soon  as  the  enemy 
goes  off. 

Enclosed  you  have  Governour  Eden's  answer  to  Mr. 
Wolstcnholmc's  letter,  which  was  brought  to  Captain  Forrest, 
who  I  ordered  to  that  station,  in  place  of  Captain  Mackall, 
whom  1  could  not  so  well  depend  upon.  You  have  also 
enclosed  Captain  Forrest's  letter  to  me,  and  Mr.  Wolsten- 
holme's  answer  to  Governour  Eden. 

This  is  a  shocking  country:  everything -scarce;  water  we 
are  obliged  to  haul  nearly  three  miles ;  no  liquor  but  bad 
whiskey  to  drink ;  everybody  fatigued  and  tired  of  the  place. 
If  the  enemy  continue  here,  must  certainly  have  fresh  troops. 
I  had  almost  forgotten  to  tell  you  that  the  nine-pounder 
turns  out  extraordinarily  good,  perhaps  none  better;  all  here 
are  much  pleased  with  her. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  PRICE. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 

Roebuck,  July  20,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  received  this  morning  your  letter  of  the 
19th,  and  the  annexed  declaration  and  assurance  that  any 
flag  sent  for  you  and  your  effects  shall  be  received  with  the 
respect  due  to  it.  Commodore  Hammond's  inclination  to 
render  any  service  in  his  power  to  any  of  his  Majesty's  offi- 
cers in  your  situation,  has  induced  him  to  order  a  flag  to  be 
sent  on  shore  for  you  on  Monday  or  Tuesday  next ;  and 
you  shall  have  as  good  accommodations  for  your  passage  to 
England  in  the  victualler  he  has  been  pleased  to  grant  to  me, 
as  it  will  afford.  And  I  am  desired  to  assure  you  that  any 
flag,  or  vessel  with  a  flag,  that  you  may  employ  to  bring  off 
your  effects  and  stock,  with  their  provision  and  water,  shall 
be  allowed  to  return  immediately  unmolested. 

Doctor  Scott  and  four  other  gentlemen,  besides  myself, 
take  this  opportunity  of  going  to  England;  he  desires  his 
compliments  to  you  and  such  of  our  friends  as  may  be  with 
you,  in  which  I  join,  and  in  wishing  you  health  and  a  good 
passage. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ROBERT  EDEN. 
To  D.  Wolstenholme,  Esq. 

SIR  :  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  very  kind  favour 
per  Lieutenant  Sandys,  and  beg  that  you'll  be  pleased  to  pay 
my  most  respectful  compliments  to  Commodore  Hammond, 
and  acquaint  him  of  the  high  sense  I  entertain  of  his 
goodness  in  sending  for  me  a  flag  of  truce,  and  to  acquaint 
him  that  I  have  been  twice  stopped  by  the  commanding 
officers  at  St.  George's;  but  the  first  order  revoked,  and 
afterwards  repeated,  with  fresh  instructions  to  the  officers  of 
the  troops  stationed  at  my  house,  not  to  permit  my  embark- 
ation, till  the  pleasure  of  the  Council  of  Safety  should  be 
known. 

The  express  has  returned,  which,  at  present,  puts  a  stop 
to  my  embarkation ;  what  may  happen  from  a  second  ex- 
press that  was  sent,  and  to  which  no  answer  is  yet  returned, 
I  cannot  say;  though  I  much  doubt  their  first  resolution  will 
not  be  rescinded. 

I  think  myself  much  obliged  to  your  Excellency  for  the 
kind  part  you  have  acted  on  this  occasion,  and  that  you 
may  rest  assured  that  no  sinister  event  whatever  shall  ever 
shake  those  principles  of  honour  becoming  an  officer  in  his 
Majesty's  service.  I  have  only  now  to  repeat  my  most 
respectful  compliments  to  Commodore  Hammond,  Dr.  Scott, 
and  all  the  gentlemen  of  my  acquaintance,  and  to  wish  you  a 
pleasant  passage,  and  a  happy  sight  of  your  friends  in  Eng- 
land; being,  very  respectfully,  sir,  yours,  &.C., 

DANIEL  WOLSTENHOLME. 
To  His  Excellency  Governour  Eden. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  RICHARD  DALLAM. 

[No.  83.]  Annapolis,  July  27,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  received  yours  of  the  22d  of  July,  and  are  glad 
to  hear  that  you  have  made  as  many  guns  as  will  reimburse 
the  money  already  advanced;  they  may  be  delivered  to  Colo- 
nel Carville  Hall,  or  his  order.  The  price  you  ask  is  high 
for  guns,  but  we  want  them  at  present,  and  therefore  will 


617 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


618 


take  any  number  you  may  make  in  six  weeks  from  this  time, 
and  give  you  £4  10s.  currency  for  them  completely  finished. 
We  are,  &tc. 

To  Richard  Dallam,  Esq.,  Harford  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL,  OF  SAFETY  TO  GORDON  AND  PATTEN. 
[No.  84.]  Annapolis,  July  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  you  will  have  a  plan  of  a  knap- 
sack and  haversack  in  one,  adopted  by  three  Provinces,  and 
which  they  offer  to  make,  of  the  materials,  dimensions,  and 
in  manner  described,  in  Philadelphia,  at  8s.  6d.  If  you  in- 
cline to  make  two  thousand  six  hundred  at  that  rate,  we  will 
agree  to  pay  that  price,  provided  they  be  made  in  the  space 
of  six  weeks  at  farthest. 

We  expect  your  answer  immediately,  that  we  may  apply 
elsewhere  in  case  you  do  not  incline  to  furnish  us. 

We  are,  &tc. 

To  Messrs.  Gordon  and  Patten. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GERARD  HOPKINS. 
[No.  85.]  Annapolis,  July  27,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  you  will  receive  an  order  on  the  Treasurer 
for  £50,  to  pay  off  the  debts  you  have  incurred  on  the  ac- 
count of  the  knapsacks  and  haversacks,  for  girth  and  diaper 
web,  and  what  you  may  want  for  future  purchases  of  that 
sort. 

I  have  it  in  command  from  the  Council  to  inform  you  that 
it  is  impossible  for  them  to  fix  the  price  of  making  the  haver- 
sacks, as  they  cannot  be  judges  of  the  value  of  work  they 
have  never  seen,  and  haversacks  are  made  in  various  forms, 
and  of  course  more  work  must  be  bestowed  on  one  kind  than 
another.  Knapsacks  and  haversacks  in  one,  are  offered  to 
be  made  in  Philadelphia,  and  all  materials  found,  for  8s.  6d, 
apiece;  you  speak  only  of  haversacks;  it  is  not  known  if  you 
mean  haversacks  alone,  or  knapsacks  and  haversacks  together. 
As  soon  as  the  price  can  be  fixed,  the  cash  will  be  sent  you. 
The  Council  will  pay  what  the  Committee  of  Baltimore 
shall  fix  their  value  at. 

It  is  by  no  means  agreeable  to  the  Council  that  the  officers 
of  the  Flying-Camp  should  have  any  command  over  the 
stores  of  this  Province;  and  they  cannot  look  upon  you  as 
acting  in  the  line  of  your  duty,  in  disposing  of  them  to  any 
of  them,  without  orders  from  their  Board:  they  are  to  be 
in  Continental  pay,  and  no  regular  account  can  be  kept 
against  the  Continent  without  such  commands  issuing  from 
the  proper  place.  They  will,  however,  take  the  eight  hun- 
dred and  fifty  haversacks  made  in  consequence  of  Colonel 
fining's  request  to  you,  which  you  are  to  deliver  only  to 
the  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety.  They  again  desire  to 
know  whether  you  mean  haversacks  alone,  or  knapsacks 
with  them. 

Enclosed  is  a  letter  open,  which  you  are  desired  to  seal 
and  deliver  to  Messrs.  Gordon  and  Patten.  It  contains 
proposals  for  making  a  quantity  of  knapsacks  and  haversacks, 
the  pattern  and  price,  and  they  are  requested  to  give  an 
answer  speedily. 

I  am  yours,  &,c.,  GABRIEL  DUVALL. 

To  Mr.  Gerard  Hopkins,  son  of  Richard. 


DELAWARE  ASSEMBLY. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  for  the  Counties  of  New- 
Castle,  Kent,  and  Sussex,  upon  Delaware,  at  New- Castle 
Saturday,  July  27,  1776,  P.  M.: 

The  House,  taking  into  consideration  the  Resolution  of 
Congress  of  the  15th  of  Mr  i/ last,  for  suppressing  all  autho- 
rity derived  from  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain,  and  for  estab- 
lishing a  Government  upon  the  authority  of  the  People,  and 
the  Resolution  of  this  House  of  the  15th  of  June  last,  in 
consequence  of  the  said  Resolution  of  Congress,  directing 
all  persons  holding  offices,  civil  or  military,  to  execute  the 
same  in  the  name  of  this  Government  until  a  new  one  should 
be  formed,  and  also  the  Declaration  of  the  United  States  of 
America  absolving  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown, 
and  dissolving  all  political  connexion  between  them  and 
Great  Britain,  lately  published  and  adopted  by  this  Gov- 
ernment as  one  of  those  States,  are  of  opinion  that  some 
speedy  measures  should  be  taken  to  form  a  regular  mode  of 


civil  polity;  and  this  House,  not  thinking  themselves  autho- 
rized by  their  constituents  to  execute  this  important  work, 

Do  Resolve,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  good  people 
of  the  several  Counties  in  this  Government  to  choose  a  suit- 
able number  of  Deputies  to  meet  in  Convention,  there  to 
order  and  declare  the  future  form  of  Government  for  this 
State. 

Resolved,  also,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  House,  that 
the  said  Convention  consist  of  the  number  of  thirty  persons; 
that  is  to  say,  ten  for  the  County  of  New-  Castle,  ten  for  the 
County  of  Kent,  and  ten  for  the  County  of  Sussex;  and  that 
the  freemen  of  the  said  Counties  respectively  do  meet  on 
Monday,  the  19th  day  of  August  next,  at  the  usual  places 
of  election  for  the  County,  and  then  and  there  proceed  to 
elect  the  number  of  Deputies  aforesaid,  according  to  the 
directions  of  the  several  laws  of  this  Government  for  regula- 
ting elections  of  the  Members  of  Assembly,  except  as  to  the 
choice  of  Inspectors,  which  shall  be  made  on  the  morning  of 
the  day  of  election  by  the  electors,  inhabitants  of  the  respec- 
tive Hundreds  in  each  County. 

Resolved.  That  every  elector  shall  (if  required  by  one 
or  more  of  the  Judges  of  the  Election)  take  the  following 
oath  or  affirmation,  to  wit:  "I,  A.  B.,  will,  to  the  utmost 
of  my  power,  support  and  maintain  the  independence  of 
this  Government,  as  declared  by  the  honourable  Continental 
Congress." 

Resolved,  also,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  House  that 
the  Deputies,  when  chosen  as  aforesaid,  shall  meet  in  Con- 
vention in  the  Town  of  New- Castle,  on  Tuesday,  the  27th 
day  of  the  same  month  of  August,  and  immediately  proceed 
to  form  a  Government  on  the  authority  of  the  people  of  this 
State,  in  such  sort  as  may  be  best  adapted  to  their  preserva- 
tion and  happiness. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes. 
Published  by  order: 

JAMES  BOOTH,  Cleric  of  Assembly. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  JOSEPH  TRUMBULL. 

Philadelphia,  July  27,  1776. 

SIR  :  Enclosed  you  have  a  resolution  of  Congress  for  the 
supply  of  provisions  to  the  frigates  in  the  Eastern  Depart- 
ment, out  of  the  stock  of  provisions  in  that  quarter;  and  am 
to  request  you  will,  by  the  next  post,  issue  your  orders  to 
your  Deputy  there  to  furnish  such  quantities  as  shall  be  ap- 
plied for  by  Mr.  Gushing  and  others  who  have  the  care  of 
the  ships. 

I  have  paid  all  your  bills  which  have  been  presented. 
Money  will  soon  be  sent  to  the  Paymaster. 

I  wish  you  happy;  and  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  Jos.  Trumbull,  Esq.,  Commissary-General,  New-  York. 


MARYLAND  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS  TO  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Colonel  Smallwood,  apprehending  his  bat- 
talion would  be  in  want  of  many  necessaries  at  the  camp, 
applied  to  us  for  a  sum  of  money,  and  we  advanced  him 
$1,335,  for  which  he  is  to  be  accountable  to  the  Conven- 
tion of  Maryland.  We  hope  this  advance  will  meet  with 
your  and  their  approbation,  as  not  much  can  be  expected 
from  soldiers  badly  provided;  and  such  is  the  discretion  and 
economy  of  Colonel  Smallwood,  that  we  are  persuaded  he 
will  make  a  very  judicious  application  of  this  money. 

The  Congress  has  allowed  a  regimental  Paymaster  to  each 
battalion  in  the  Flying-Camp,  the  appointment  of  which 
officer  is  left  to  the  several  States  from  which  those  battalions 
come.  In  the  recess  of  our  Convention,  the  appointment  is 
in  you,  and  we  beg  you  may  appoint  one  as  soon  as  may  be. 
Colonel  Smallwood  recommended  to  us  for  this  place  Mr. 
Christopher  Richmond.  We  mention  this  circumstance  be- 
cause we  know  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Richmond  will  be 
very  agreeable  to  the  Colonel. 

There  are  now  lodged  in  Mr.  Shries's  house  fifty  odd 
muskets,  lately  imported  for  the  use  of  our  State;  they  want 
repairing  and  cleaning.  We  submit  it  to  you  whether  we 
shall  not  keep  these  muskets  here,  to  arm  in  part  one  of  our 
Militia  companies  passing  through  this  city,  on  its  way  to 
the  Flying-Camp ;  this  will  save  the  expense  and  trouble  of 
sending  them  to  Maryland. 


619 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


620 


We  are  informed  that  there  are  large  quantities  of  flint- 
stones  at  the  landings  on  Wye  and  Choplank  rivers ;  these 
were  brought  by  the  ships  as  ballast,  and  thrown  out  on  the 
banks.  The  Congress  has  desired  us  to  write  to  you  on  the 
subject,  and  to  procure  some  person  who  understands  flints, 
to  look  after  them,  and  to  report  to  Congress  whether  they 
are  good  or  not. 

We  have  nothing  new  from  New-York:  the  post  is  not 
yet  come  in:  we  heard  from  General  Washington  yesterday: 
all  was  quiet.  The  ten  vessels  mentioned  in  the  papers 
appearing  in  ihe  offing  at  New-York  brought  over  Highland- 
ers— how  many  we  know  not.  As  the  harvest  is  now  over, 
we  imagine  the  Militia  will  come  in  fast  to  compose  the 
Flying-Camp;  and  we  hope  the  Maryland  Militia  will  march 
with  all  possible  expedition. 

We  are,  with  regard,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  hum- 
ble servants,  c  „ 

SAMUEL  CHASE, 

CH.  CARROLL,  of  Carrottton. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at 
Annapolis. 

GEORGE  STEVENSON  TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  31,  1776.] 

In  Committee  of  Inspection  anil  Observation  of  Cumberland  ) 
County,  at  Carlisle,  July  27,  1776.      \ 

SIR:  Agreeable  to  the  request  of  Congress,  recommended 
by  our  Convention,  by  their  Circular  Letter  of  the  19th 
instant,  by  this  Committee  forwarded  to  the  Colonels  or 
commanding  officers  of  the  several  battalions  of  Militia  As- 
sociators  in  this  County,  to  hasten  the  march  to  New-Jersey 
of  as  many  of  their  companies  as  can  be  armed,  the  in- 
habitants have  voluntarily  and  very  generally  offered  their 
service ;  and,  by  the  answers  which  we  have  received  from 
the  officers,  it  appears  to  us  that  eleven  companies  will  be 
sufficiently  armed  and  accoutred,  and  the  last  of  them  march- 
ed from  this  place,  in  about  a  week  from  this  time.  Three 
companies  more  are  preparing,  if  they  can  get  arms;  and 
many  more  declare  themselves  willing  to  march ;  but  we  are 
well  assured  arms  are  not  to  be  got  in  this  County.  A  con- 
siderable quantity  of  arms  were  purchased  in  this  County 
last  winter,  and  sent  to  Virginia,  by  permission  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety;  several  chests  of  arms  were  sent  to  the 
Committee  of  Safety, and  with  them  fifty-six  of  the  new  arms, 
made  here  by  order  of  the  Assembly;  all  the  companies  who 
have  hitherto  been  raised  in  this  County  have  been  supplied 
wiih  our  arms ;  therefore  there  can  be  but  very  few  arms  now 
in  this  County. 

The  money  we  sent  for  by  our  order  of  the  14th  instant, 
we  disposed  of  to  the  companies  first  raised,  and  we  are  now 
obliged  to  draw  for  £1000  more  in  favour  of  Mr.  John  Pol- 
lock, of  this  place,  our  express,  whom  we  hope  you  will  not 
detain,  as  it  is  a  doubt  with  us  whether  we  can  borrow  money 
sufficient  to  answer  the  necessary  demands  of  the  companies 
before  they  can  march;  and  if  that  should  be  the  case,  some 
of  them  will  be  obliged  to  wait  his  return.  After  the  men 
shall  have  marched,  we  shall  render  an  account  of  the  dis- 
posal of  the  money. 

If  arms  and  accoutrements  are  to  be  had  at  Philadelphia 
we  can  send  more  men.  An  answer  to  this  and  to  our 
former  letter,  will  oblige  us  much. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  humble  servants, 
GEORGE  STEVENSON,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Atnboy,  July  27, 1776. 

SIR:  General  Heard  and  General  Roberdeau  have  con- 
sidered with  me  the  plan  proposed  for  attacking  the  posts  on 
Stolen- Island.  Two  things  we  entirely  agree  in,  namely, 
that  the  number  of  troops  proposed  are  by  no  means  equal 
to  the  undertaking.  We  cannot  rationally  suppose  the 
enemy's  force  on  the  Island  to  be  less  than  ten  thousand. 
Where  these  are  chiefly  posted  we  have  no  intelligence  to 
be  depended  on.  Several  outguards  posted  along  the  shores 
of  the  Island  are  in  our  view,  but  these  we  can  only  regard 
as  necessary  to  the  security  of  their  main  body,  who  may 
speedily  come  to  the  assistance  of  any  one  post.  The  craft 
necessary  to  convey  a  sufficient  body  for  a  successful  attack 
on  the  enemy  is  not,  so  far  as  I  can  find,  to  be  collected 


along  the  shores  here.  It  is  true  there  are  many  small  vessels, 
but  the  greater  number  ill-constructed  for  making  a  descent. 
It  is,  therefore,  our  opinion,  that  before  any  grand  effort  is 
made,  a  number  of  flat-bottomed  boats  should  be  constructed 
for  the  purpose,  as  well  as  those  we  have,  put  in  the  best 
repair.  We  have  carpenters  enough  in  the  troops  here ;  tools, 
nails,  and  other  materials  may  be  had ;  and  we  wait  your  orders 
to  set  about  this  part  of  the  service.  In  Rariton  River  are 
craft  of  different  sizes  calculated  to  transport  one  thousand 
men ;  Rahway  River  three  hundred.  General  Heard  will 
be  able  to  inform  your  Excellency  what  craft  may  be  ready 
in  Thompson's  Creek,  Elizabeth-Town,  and  Newark. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 


dient servant, 


HUGH  MERCER. 


P.  S.  No  troops  have  joined  since  last  return. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  COLONEL  DICKINSON. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  your  favour  to-day,  I  have  order- 
ed ammunition  for  the  troops  at  Elizabeth-Town,  also  two 
pieces  of  cannon,  with  their  arrangement  of  necessary 
articles.  They  wHl  be  with  you  to-morrow,  and  I  will  do 
myself  the  pleasure  of  then  paying  you  my  respects.  I  am 
very  sorry  you  do  not  find  people  actuated  with  such  a 
spirit  as  you  wish.  General  Washington,  under  the  dread 
of  leaving  this  part  of  the  country  naked,  through  the 
desertion  of  such  numbers,  has  directed  me  to  send  no  more 
men,  after  Colonel  Atlee's,  to  New-  York. 

H.  MERCER. 
To  Col.  John  Dickinson,  commanding  at  Elizabeth-Town. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  July  29,  1776.] 

New-York,  July  27,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  yesterday  morning  honoured  with  your  favour 
of  the  24th  instant,  with  its  several  enclosures,  to  which  I 
shall  pay  the  strictest  attention.  The  confidence  Congress 
are  pleased  to  repose  in  my  judgment  demands  my  warmest 
acknowledgments;  and  they  may  rest  assured  it  shall  be 
invariably  employed,  so  far  as  it  shall  be  in  my  power,  to 
promote  their  views  and  the  publick  weal. 

I  have  enclosed  a  letter  received  from  Major  French  two 
days  ago;  also,  one  from  him  to  his  lady.  Congress  will 
perceive  thereby  what  he  says  and  thinks  about  his  parole, 
and  will  be  pleased  to  transmit  to  me,  by  the  earliest  oppor- 
tunity, the  results  of  their  opinion,  and  such  orders  as  they 
may  think  necessary  to  be  taken  upon  it.  The  letter  for 
Mrs.  French  they  will  please  to  return  me.  It  was  only 
forwarded  to  show  his  views  more  explicitly  than  what  that 
to  me  does. 

Since  my  last,  nothing  material  has  occurred.  Yesterday 
evening,  report  was  made  that  eight  ships  were  seen  in  the 
offing,  standing  towards  the  Hook.  The  men-of-war  and 
tenders  are  still  up  the  river.  They  have  never  attempted 
to  pass  the  Highland  fortifications;  and  a  day  or  two  ago 
quitted  their  station,  and  fell  down  the  river  eight  or  ten 
miles.  The  vigilance  and  activity  of  the  Militia  opposite 
where  they  were,  have  prevented  their  landing,  and  doing 
much  injury.  One  poor  peasant's  cot  they  plundered,  and 
then  burnt. 

1  would  wish  to  know  whether  the  allowance  given  to 
officers  the  17th  of  January,  of  one-and-a-third  dollars  for 
every  man  they  inlist,  Congress  mean  to  extend  to  the  offi- 
cers who  inlist  for  the  new  Army  for  three  years.  At 
first,  it  may  appear  wrong,  or  rather  exorbitant,  supposing 
that  many  will  be  recruited  out  of  the  regiments  now  in 
service,  and  under  them ;  but  the  allowance  will  be  of  great 
use,  as  it  will  interest  the  officers,  and  call  forth  their  exer- 
tions, which  otherwise  would  be  faint  and  languid.  Indeed, 
I  am  fearful,  from  the  inquiries  I  have  made,  that  their 
utmost  exertions  will  be  attended  with  but  little  success.  It 
is  objected,  that  the  bounty  of  ten  dollars  is  too  low,  and 
argued,  that  if  the  Slates  furnishing  men  for  five  or  six 
months  allow  considerably  more,  why  should  that  be  accept- 
ed, and  when  the  term  of  inlistment  is  to  be  for  three  years  ? 
I  heartily  wish  a  bounty  in  land  had  been,  or  could  be,  given, 
as  was  proposed  some  time  ago.  I  think  it  would  be  attended 
with  salutary  consequences. 

In  consequence  of  my  application  toGovernour  Trumlutt, 


621 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


G22 


he  has  sent  me  two  row-galleys,  and  I  expect  another  from 
him.  None  from  Governour  Cooke  are  yet  come,  nor  have 
I  heard  from  him  on  the  subject.  One  is  complete  here. 
The  fire-ships  are  going  on  under  Mr.  Anderson's  direction, 
but  rather  slowly;  and  I  am  preparing  some  obstructions  to 
the  channel  nearly  opposite  the  works  at  the  upper  end  of 
this  Island.  When  all  things  are  ready,  I  intend  to  try,  if 
it  shall  seem  practicable,  to  destroy  the  ships  and  tenders 
above,  and  to  employ  the  galleys,  if  they  can  be  of  advantage. 

The  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp  come  in  but  slowly. 
By  a  return  from  General  Mercer  yesterday,  they  are  but  a 
little  more  than  three  thousand.  If  they  were  in,  or  can  be 
there  shortly,  and  the  situation  of  the  enemy  remains  the 
same,  I  would  make  some  efforts  to  annoy  them,  keeping 
our  posts  here  well  guarded,  and  not  putting  too  much  to 
the  hazard,  or  in  any  manner  to  the  risk. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  utmost  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

Hartford,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  A  letter  which  I  saw  to  Captain  Delaplace,  direct- 
ing his  Majesty's  officers,  prisoners  here,  to  send  their  letters 
under  cover  to  you,  occasions  my  troubling  you  with  the 
enclosed,  which  I  request  you  will  direct  to  be  sent  to  his 
Excellency  General  Howe,  by  the  first  flag  of  truce ;  and  as 
I  am  certain  there  must  be  many  letters  for  me  and  the  other 
gentlemen  here,  we  shall  esteem  it  a  favour  if  you  will  direct 
inquiry  to  be  made  of  the  flags  of  truce  which  may  be  sent 
to  you.  I  make  no  doubt  you  will  grant  us  this  small  con- 
solation in  our  captivity,  that  we  may  have  the  satisfaction 
of  hearing  from  our  friends. 

When  the  parole  which  I  signed  to  the  Committee  of 
Safety  at  Philadelphia  was  tendered  to  me,  and  I  had  read 
as  far  as  "  that  I  would  not  bear  arms  against  the  United 
Colonies  for  twelve  months,"  I  refused  to  sign  it  for  so  long 
a  time;  but  one  of  the  members,  (Mr.  Morris,)  observing 
there  was  an  alternative,  viz:  "unless  exchanged,"  I  agreed, 
and  signed  it ;  from  which  it  is  evident,  that  I,  with  Ensign 
Rotlon  and  Mr.  McDermott,  who  were  taken  with  me,  as 
also  Mr.  Goldthorpe,  a  private  soldier  in  his  Majesty's 
Twenty-Second  Regiment,  and  Alexander  Allen,  a  private 
soldier  in  his  Majesty's  Forty-Fifth  Regiment,  who  came 
under  the  same  articles,  are  entitled  to  our  enlargement  on 
the  1 2th  of  August  next,  at  which  period  our  parole  expires, 
for  which  I  beg  you  will  give  orders.  I  should  not  have 
presumed  to  remind  you  of  this  circumstance,  which  I  know 
would  naturally  occur,  but  through  an  apprehension  that  the 
multiplicity  of  business  now  on  your  hands  might  occasion 
it  to  escape  your  memory. 

I  am,  sir,  with  all  due  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant.  CHR&TR.  FRENCH. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


tailors,  named  John  and  James  Dunlar;  and  the  other  two 
are  common  labourers,  named  Isaac  Petit  and  Will  Smith. 
They  candidly  confess  they  set  off  with  an  intention  of  going 
to  Staten-Island,  but  not  with  any  intention  of  joining  the 
enemy,  but  to  get  out  of  the  way  of  fighting  here.  I  believe 
the  true  reasons  of  their  attempting  to  make  their  escape 
were,  there  has  been  a  draught  amongst  the  Militia  to  fill  the 
new  levies,  and  it  was  rumored  these  were  a  part  that  were 
drawn.  It  was  also  reported  they  were  to  go  into  the  North- 
ern Army,  and  that  almost  all  that  went  there  died,  or  were 
killed.  The  prospect  was  so  shocking  to  them  and  to  their 
grandmothers  and  aunts,  I  believe  they  persuaded  them  to 
run  away.  Never  did  I  see  fellows  more  frightened;  they 
wept  like  a  parcel  of  children,  and  appear  exceeding  sorrow- 
ful. One  of  them  is  in  an  exceeding  ill  state  of  health,  very 
unfit  for  any  fatigue.  I  beg  your  Excellency's  direction 
how  to  dispose  of  them  ;  they  don't  appear  to  be  acquainted 
with  one  publick  matter;  they  have  been  Toryish,  but  I 
fancy  not  from  principle,  but  from  its  being  the  prevailing 
sentiment  in  the  County. 

Mrs.  Grant  desires  to  go  on  board  the  fleet  to-morrow, 
and  to  carry  the  necessary  provision  for  her  passage,  agree- 
able to  the  order  or  permit  of  Congress.  Your  Excellency 
will  please  to  signify  your  pleasure  in  the  matter. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  obedient  servant, 

NATH.  GREENE. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  Saturday  morning,  July  27, 1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Colonel  Hand  reports  five  ships,  one  brig,  and 
five  schooners,  at  the  Hook.  One  very  large  vessel  came 
up  last  evening  to  the  fleet.  One  other  ship  sailed  about 
one  this  morning,  but  the  Colonel  don't  write  whether  she 
went  down  or  up. 

I  have  four  prisoners,  inhabitants  of  Queen's  County,  that 
were  taken  yesterday,  attempting  to  make  their  escape  to 
the  enemy.  I  am  just  going  to  examine  them.  If  I  dis- 
cover anything  worthy  your  Excellency's  notice,  it  shall  be 
transmitted  you  immediately. 

I  received  information  last  evening  of  there  being  thirty 
or  forty  Tories  on  a  little  Island  near  the  entrace  of  Jamaica- 
Bay.  Three  boats  full  of  men  were  seen  off  there  day 
before  yesterday,  but  they  did  not  land,  nor  speak  with  any 
boats,  that  the  guards  could  discover.  I  sent  a  party  of 
sixty  men  to  scour  the  Island  this  morning,  and  to  take  all 
they  found  there  prisoners. 

1  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  very  humble 
servant,  NATHAL.  GREENE. 


COLONEL  SHEE  TO  GENERAL  MIFFLIN. 

Mount  Washington,  July  27,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  know  of  no  vacancy  in  the  Third  Pennsylvania 
Battalion  but  one,  occasioned  by  the  promotion  of  Lieutenant 
Woelpper,  who  requested  me  not  to  recommend  any  person 
in  his  room,  as  he  was  not  determined  to  leave  the  regiment; 
of  which  he  promised  to  advise  me  on  his  arrival  at  Phila- 
delphia. 

Lieutenant  Knox  has  been  a  long  while  imprisoned  at 
Philadelphia.  As  it  is  not  likely  that  he  will  join  the  regi- 
ment, Congress  may  probably  think  proper  to  deprive  him 
of  his  commission.  Should  there  be  a  vacancy  in  conse- 
quence, as  well  as  one  on  the  advancement  of  Mr.  Woelpper, 
I  should,  as  I  have  already  done,  beg  leave  to  recommend 
John  Davis  and  Samuel  Dewees,  to  fill  the  post  of  Ensigns. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  JOHN  SHEE. 

To  Brigadier-General  Mifflin. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Saturday,  twelve  o'clock,  July  27,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  examined  the  prisoners,  and  find  them 
to  be  a  parcel  of  poor  ignorant,  cowardly  fellows.     Two  are 


N.  WOODHULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

White-Plains,  July  27,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  to  transmit  to  your  Excellency  the 
enclosed  Deposition,  relative  to  William  Button's  declaration 
after  returning  from  on  board  Governour  Tryon's  ship  last 
fall.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient,  humble  servant,  NATH<  WooDHOLL>  p^ 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 
New-  York. 

Committee  Chamber,  White-Plains,  July  12,  1776. 
Mr being  duly  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evan- 
gelists of  Almighty  God,  deposes  and  says:  That  some 
time  after  William  Sutton  returned  home  from  Governour 
Tryon's  ship,  he  (this  deponent)  was  informed  by  said  Sut- 
ton, as  follows :  That  our  people  were  to  be  cut  off  from 
New-York,  and  that  the  King's  troops  were  to  land  about 
ten  miles  from  Mamaroneck ;  that  Hudson's  River  was  to  be 
occupied  by  them;  that  the  fleet  was  to  be  drawn  up  in  a 
line  before  New-York,  with  intent  to  keep  the  forces  there 
in  action,  in  order  to  give  the  transports  a  better  opportunity 
of  running  up  the  North  River  with  intent  to  cut  off  the 
communication  between  the  country  and  city;  that  the  King's 
standard  was  to  be  hoisted,  and  that  the  Tories  would  then 
have  a  chance.  That  said  Sutton  further  informed  this 
deponent  that  Robert  Sutton,  of  Long-Island,  would  join 
the  Regulars,  with  seven  hundred  men,  well  equipped;  that 
a  proclamation  would  be  issued  out  by  the  King's  party; 
that  the  people  would  then  know  what  they  had  to  expect, 
and  that  there  would  be  forty-five  thousand  troops  sent  over 
to  America  this  summer.  Aud  this  deponent  says  that  he 
heard  John  Sutton,  son  of  the  aforesaid  William,  declare 
that  the  Regulars  would  land  between  Manwroiieck  and 
Ilorseneck,  and  that  he  would  join  them.  And  this  depo- 


623 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


624 


nent  further  says  that  he  heard  James  Horton  say  that  lie 
was  sure  the  Ministerial   Army  would  conquer,  and  that 
matters  would  soon  be  settled  ;  and  further  says  not. 
By  order  of  the  Committee : 

JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  White-Plains, ) 
July  13,  1776.      $ 

The  within  deponent  came  before  this  Committee  and 
made  oath  that  he  saw  Joshua  Gedney,  of  Dutchess  County, 
have  a  long  list  of  men's  names  who  would  join  the  Minis- 
terial Army;  that  the  said  list  of  names  was  delivered  to 
Governour  Tryon  by  said  Gedney,  in  the  presence  of  this 
deponent.  And  this  deponent  further  says  that  he  heard 
Caleb  Fowler,  Jun.,  of  North-Castle,  degrade  the  service  he 
had  been  in,  and  say  that  if  he  went  again,  he  would  go  like 
a  man,  and  join  the  Ministerial  Army. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  : 

JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 


KICHARD  BR0ERE   (PRISONER)  TO   NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

At  Mr.  Jonathan  Tyler's,  Bedford  Township, ) 
New-Purchase,  July  27,  1776.      $ 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  am  very  sorry  to  trouble  you  so  often  on 
the  same  subject ;  but  as  I  received  my  bills  for  money  on 
England  by  the  hands  of  one  of  your  officers  about  a  week 
past,  and  as  I  have  no  method  of  supplying  myself  with 
money,  think  it  somewhat  strange  that  the  gentlemen  of  the 
Committee,  if  they  have  received  directions  from  you,  have 
not  supplied  us  with  money  according  to  the  general  reso- 
lution of  the  Congress ;  but  should  rather,  as  to  my  own 
part,  have  been  glad  to  have  got  money  for  bills  on  England. 
However,  I  will  take  it  as  a  favour  that  you  will  give  the 
necessary  directions  for  the  usual  allowance  as  soon  as  may  be. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant, 

RD.  BRUERE,  prisoner  of  war. 

To  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Ne w-  York. 
N.  B.  The  Committee  have  been  applied  to  more  than  once. 


RICHARD  VAH1CK  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  July  27,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  send  you  this  morning  about  twelve  hun- 
dred weight  of  spikes,  of  different  sizes,  and  four  hundred 
weight  of  twenty-four  penny  nails,  for  the  carpenters  at 
Skenesborough ;  as  also  some  axes,  in  addition  to  the  twelve 
hundred  heretofore  sent,  and  some  spades  and  pickaxes, 
which  will  be  immediately /orwarded  from  Fort  George. 

As  soon  as  the  iron  and  other  articles  can  be  procured 
for  the  works  at  Skenesborough,  I  shall  forward  them. 

It  is  now  confidently  reported  that  General  Lee  has 
repulsed  Clinton  seven  times  in  his  attempts  to  land,  with 
much  loss  of  men  and  shipping.  The  remainder  of  the  fleet 
were  supposed  to  have  gone  to  Barbadoes  to  refit.  If  this 
be  true,  his  business  is  done  for  this  campaign. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

RICH.  VARICK. 
To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 


MARINE   COMMITTEE  OF  RHODE-ISLAND  TO  THE    COUNCIL  OF 
MASSACHUSETTS. 

Providence,  July  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  bearer,  Captain  Grannis,  is  appointed 
Captain  of  Marines  on  board  the  Continental  ship  Warren, 
provided  he  obtains  a  dismission  from  the  service  of  the 
State  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  in  which  he  is  now  engaged. 
We  think  the  furnishing  of  these  ships  with  able  officers 
and  good  men,  is  of  the  greatest  consequence  to  these  United 
States ;  we  therefore  request  that  you  would  be  pleased  to 
dismiss  the  said  Captain  Grannis  from  your  service,  and 
give  him  permission  to  inlist  a  company  of  men  within  your 
territories — permitting  such  of  your  people  as  are  willing, 
and  are  now  in  the  land  service,  to  go  on  board  the  shfp 
with  him.  We  are  in  hopes  to  get  the  ships  to  sea  in  about 
three  weeks. 

We  are,  (for  the  Marine  Committee  here,)  your  Honours' 
humble  servants,  ... 

INiCHs.  COOKE,  Chairman. 

JABEZ  BOWEN,  Secretary. 
The  Hon.  Council  of.  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL   OF   SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
July  27,  1776: 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Elipht.  Dyer,  Jz. 
Huntington,  Jed.  Elderkin,  Nalhl.  fVaks,  Jun.,  and  Benj. 
lluntington,  Esquires. 

Voted,  That  the  felling  Axes  purchased  in  this  Colony 
be  sent  forthwith,  without  delay,  by  trusty  wagoners,  to 
Skenesborough,  to  the  care  of  such  persons  as  have  a  right 
to  receive  them,  for  the  use  of  the  Continental  Army,  as 
has  been  requested  by  Genera'  Schuyler. 

On  application  of  Mr.  Jay,  from  the  Committee  of  Con- 
vention of  the  State  of  New -York, 

Voted  to  grant  the  loan  of  twenty  Cannon,  viz:  ten  twelve- 
pounders  and  ten  six-pounders,  now  at  the  Furnace  at  Salis- 
bury, to  the  State  of  New-  York ;  also,  a  suitable  proportion 
of  Shot  for  said  Cannon — said  Cannon  to  be  replaced,  and 
said  Shot  to  be  replaced,  or  accounted  for  by  said  State, 
when  requested;  and  the  overseers  of  said  Furnace  are 
directed  to  cast  a  sufficient  number,  or  as  many  as  can  be, 
of  iron  Trucks  or  Carriage-Wheels  for  said  Cannon,  to  be 
loaned  to  said  State,  and  returned  or  accounted  for  with  the 
Cannon  aforesaid.  All  to  be  delivered  to  Mr.  Jay,  or  order, 
by  said  overseers,  taking  proper  receipts  for  the  same. 

Copy  delivered  to  Mr.  Jay,  July  27,  1776. 


JOHN  JAY  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Whereas  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York  did, 
on  the  16th  day  of  July,  1776,  "resolve  unanimously  that 
a  secret  Committee  be  appointed  to  devise  and  carry  into 
execution  such  measures  as  to  them  should  appear  most 
effectual  for  obstructing  the  Channel  of  Hudson's  River,  or 
annoying  the  enemy's  ships  in  their  navigation  up  the  said 
river,  and  that  the  said  Convention  pledge  themselves  for 
defraying  the  charges  incident  thereon ;"  and  whereas  the 
said  Convention  did  then  resolve  and  order  "that  Mr.  Jay, 
Mr.  Robert  Yates,  Major  Tappen,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Living- 
ston, Mr.  Gilbert  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Paulding,  be  the  said 
Committee;"  of  which  said  Committee,  the  above-men- 
tioned Mr.  Robert  Yates  hath  by  them  been  appointed  their 
Chairman.  

Poughkeepsie,  July  22,  1776. 

The  said  Committee  met,  according  to  agreement,  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Van  Kleek.  Present :  Mr.  Robert  Yates,  Chair- 
man, Mr.  Jay,  Major  Tappen,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston, 
and  Mr.  Gilbert  Livingston. 

It  appearing  to  the  said  Committee  that  a  number  of 
Cannon  were  wanting  and  absolutely  necessary  for  the 
defence  of  Hudson's  River,  as  well  at  the  forts  erected  on 
its  shores,  as  for  the  armed  vessels  ordered  to  be  prepared 
for  its  defence, 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  Mr.  Jay  forthwith  repair  to 
Salisbury  Iron  Works,  and  endeavour  to  procure  there  twenty 
of  the  heaviest  Cannon  that  can  be  had  there,  eight  Can- 
non six-pounders,  and  eight  Cannon  four-pounders;  also,  a 
proper  quantity  of  Shot  and  Trucks  for  the  said  Cannon ; 
(the  whole  to  be  sent  to  Colonel  Hoffman's  Landing;)  and 
that  he  take  with  him  Davis  Hunt,  a  carpenter,  to  take  the 
dimensions  of  the  said  Trucks,  in  order  that  Carriages  may 
be  immediately  made  for  the  said  Cannon. 

Resolved  unanimously  also,  That  Mr.  Jay  be  authorized 
to  apply  to  Governour  frumbull,  and,  in  behalf  of  the  Con- 
vention of  the  State  of  New-York,  to  request  his  aid  and 
influence  in  the  premises;  and  further,  that  Mr.  Jay  be,  and 
he  hereby  is,  authorized  and  empowered  to  impress  Car- 
riages, Teams,  Sloops,  and  Horses,  and  to  call  out  detach- 
ments of  the  Militia,  and  generally  to  do,  or  cause  to  be 
done,  at  his  discretion,  all  such  matters  and  things  as  he  may 
deem  necessary  or  expedient  to  forward  and  complete  the 
aforesaid  business  committed  to  his  care. 

ROBERT  YATES,  Chairman. 
JOHN  JAY, 

ROBT.  R.  LIVINGSTON, 
GILBERT  LIVINGSTON, 
CHRISTR.  TAPPEN. 

Lebanon,  July  27,  1776. 

The  above  is  a  true  copy  of  my  instructions  from  the 
Committee  therein  mentioned ;  and,  in  pursuance  thereof,  I 


625 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


62G 


request  the  favour  of  his  Excellency  Governour  Trumbiill 
to  furnish  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York  with 
as  many  Cannon  for  the  defence  of  Hudson's  River  as  the 
State  of  Connecticut  can  conveniently  supply,  not  exceeding 
the  number  in  the  said  instructions  specified. 

JOHN  JAY. 


JOSEPH  WARD  TO  JOHN  BRADFORD. 

Boston,  July  27,  1776. 

Pursuant  to  directions  from  the  Continental  Congress, 
and  from  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  General 
Ward  requests  and  directs  John  Bradford,  Esq.,  agent  to 
the  Continental  Navy,  to  forward  to  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  all  the  within-mentioned  articles  with  the  utmost 
expedition  and  despatch,  as  they  are  greatly  wanted  for  the 
Continental  Army  at  New-York. 

JOSEPH  WARD,  A.  D.  C. 

List  of  Articles  taken  in  the  Transports  which  his  Excel- 
lency Gen.  WASHINGTON  requests  Gen.  WARD  to  forward 
from  BOSTON  to  NEW- YORK  as  soon  as  possible. 

From  Ship  George:  All  the  fusees,  small-arms,  and  bay- 
onets, shoulder  straps,  gun  straps,  leather  bullet  pouches, 
hair  and  canvass  knapsacks,  belts,  flints,  markees  and  sol- 
dier's tents,  common  tent  poles,  tin  canteens,  camp  kettles, 
blankets,  watch  coats,  soldiers'  clothing,  stockings,  and 
black  plumes. 

From  Ship  Lord  Howe:  All  the  small-arms,  bayonets, 
and  cartouch  boxes,  cask  of  canteens  and  kettles,  soldiers' 
blankets,  cutlasses,  canvass  knapsacks,  markees. 

From  Brigantine  Annabella:  All  the  small-arms,  shoes, 
soldiers'  tents,  sheet  lead,  packsaddles,  cartouch  boxes, 
leather  bullet  pouches,  shoulder  straps,  gun  straps  with 
lashes,  bayonets  and  belts. 

By  order  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington: 

S.  B.  WEBB,  A.  D.  C. 


COLONEL.  HURD  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Harerhill,  (Cohos,)  July  27,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  favoured  with  yours  of  the  20th  instant  by 
Mr.  Atkinson,  and  observe  your  several  appointments  to 
raise  the  men  for  the  protection  of  this  part  of  the  country, 
which  by  present  appearances  may  be  sufficient;  but  how 
long  the}1'  may  continue  so  is  very  uncertain. 

I  arn  just  now  informed,  by  a  person  from  the  College, 
that  Captain  Woodward  has  raised  his  men  and  gone  out 
into  the  woods  to  a  place  called  Royalston,  I  suppose  about 
midway  between  Connecticut  River  and  the  Lake,  to  erect 
some  stockade  or  fortification  there,  from  whence  they  may 
keep  their  scouts  going;  but  they  have  not  thought  proper 
to  inform  the  Committee  what  their  plan  may  be,  or  any- 
thing of  their  intention.  We  hear  that  Captain  Jeremiah 
Eamcs  is  upon  the  road  on  his  way  here,  and  wish  he  may 
be  able  to  make  up  his  quota  of  men,  so  as  to  be  on  duty 
soon,  that  the  people  at  Upper  Cohos  may  keep  about  their 
husbandry,  and  not  lose  the  advantage  of  such  promising 
crops  as  are  now  on  the  ground.  Colonel  Bayley  will,  I 
believe,  inlist  his  fifty  without  difficulty,  chiefly  from  those 
men  that  have  been  working  on  the  new  road,  when  he  shall 
immediately  employ  them  on  necessary  duty. 

One  of  our  scouting  parties  came  in  from  Onion  River 
two  days  ago,  by  whom  I  received  a  letter  from  Colonel 
Wait,  a  copy  of  which  1  shall  enclose,  and  by  which  you 
will  observe  the  change  of  command  at  that  station,  with  the 
complaints  he  makes.  If  it  be  so  as  there  represented,  we 
must  have  had  some  cruel  enemies,  snake-like,  in  the  grass, 
that  have  been  secretly  working  out  our  ruin  all  in  their 
power,  which,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  will  by  and  by  come  to 
light.  No  wonder  we  have  not  succeeded  better  in  that 
department. 

As  to  those  persons  in  this  quarter  who  proposed  sending 
to  General  Burgoyne  or  into  Canada  for  assistance,  we  have 
our  eyes  upon  them,  and  watch  all  their  motions;  but  at 
present,  think  it  not  prudent  to  make  much  stir. 

This  afternoon,  came  into  Newbury  four  Frenchmen  from 
Metcalf's,  on  the  Lake,  in  six  days'  travel.  Bad  weather 
retarded  them,  or  they  would  have  been  here,  they  say,  in 
three  days,  with  a  letter  to  Colonel  Bayley  from  Mr.  Mctcalf, 
(an  extract  of  which  I  have  also  enclosed,)  by  which  it 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  40 


appears  our  affairs  in  Canada  are  not  so  desperate  as  we 
might  have  imagined.  These  men  give  much  the  same 
account  as  the  other  a  few  days  ago,  and  having  the  appear- 
ance of  open,  honest  folks,  we  shall  treat  them  with  civility, 
and  forward  them  along  to  the  Army  at  Crown-Point, 
where  they  are  desirous  of  going,  as  quick  as  possible,  with 
a  pilot  and  proper  guard. 

There  are  also  two  or  three  of  Bedel's  soldiers  come  into 
town  direct  from  thence,  who  give  veiy  indifferent  accounts 
of  our  Army  there;  such  as,  their  being  very  sickly;  that 
many  officers  of  Stork's  regiment,  disgusted  at  General  Sul- 
livan's being  superseded,  were  determined  to  quit  the  service; 
that  great  part  of  the  Army  were  drawing  off  to  Ticonderoga ; 
Colonel  Bedel  and  most  of  his  officers  returning  home.  But 
we  don't  give  much  credit  to  these  stories,  as  they  come 
from  fellows  we  suppose  to  be  deserters. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  that  your  powder-mill  is  in  such  for- 
wardness, and  that  we  are  likely  to  have  a  good  supply  of 
arms  and  ammunition,  which  will  give  our  people  fresh 
spirits. 

Your  goodness,  I  hope,  will  excuse  my  lengthy  epistles. 
Beg  my  grateful  respects  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  Commit- 
tee; and  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HURD. 
To  the  Honourable  Meshech  Weare,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the 

Committee  of  Safety. 

London,  September  2,  1776. 

This  day  arrived  Colonel  Maclean,  from  Quebeck.  This 
officer  raised  a  body  of  men,  chiefly  Scotch  emigrants,  in 
Canada,  who  were  of  infinite  service  in  the  defence  of  Que- 
beck last  winter.  He  had  been  promised  establishment  and 
rank  for  this  corps,  but  the  promise  was  not  kept.  He  left 
Quebeck  July  27th. 

General  Carleton  did  not  go  forward  with  the  Army;  he 
was  at  Quebeck.  General  Burgoyne  was  at  Chambly,  with 
six  thousand  British  and  two  thousand  Brunswick  troops. 
Some  of  the  Brunswickers  had  deserted,  and  eight  of  them, 
retaken,  had  been  hanged.  His  advanced  guard,  consisting 
of  Light-Infantry  and  Grenadiers,  were  at  Isle-aux-Noix. 
The  design  of  sending  a  party  to  Oswego,  and  down  the 
Mohawk  River,  was  laid  aside.  Colonel  Patrick  Gordon 
was  killed  in  a  scouting  party  that  had  been  attacked. 

The  Provincials  were  said  to  have  four  armed  vessels  on 
Lake  Champlain,  each  carrying  sixteen  guns,  nine-pounders. 
General  Sullivan  commanded  the  American  Army,  consist- 
ing of  seventeen  regiments,  (about  six  thousand  men,)  at 
Crown-Point,  which  he  was  repairing ;  and  it  was  imagined 
he  would  there  make  his  stand.  Many  of  his  men  are  ill 
with  the  small-pox.  He  has  with  him  Brigadier-General 
Arnold  and  Brigadier-General  Woedtke.  The  Indians,  it 
was  supposed,  would  be  neuter. 

The  shipwrights  at  Montreal  and  other  places  were  hard 
at  work  building  eight  schooners  and  a  proper  number  of 
batteaus,  for  crossing  the  Lakes ;  but  it  was  not  expected 
that  they  could  be  ready  to  go  upon  Lake  Champlain  till 
the  15th  of  September. 

Some  untoward  circumstances  are  said  to  have  happened, 
not  a  good  understanding  among  the  officers;  an  appre- 


viz 


hension  of  a  want  of  provisions,  the  French  inhabitants  not 
having  sown  any  corn  on  account  of  the  war;  therefore, 
unless  great  quantities  of  provisions  are  sent  from  England, 
with  allowance  for  casualties,  it  is  impossible  to  subsist  so 
large  an  Army  there.  The  last  year's  crop  was  very  indif- 
ferently got  in,  and  was  nearly  all  consumed  by  the  Pro- 
vincial forces  while  in  Canada. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  RECEIVED  IN  PHILADELPHIA,  FROM 
ST.  EUSTATIA,  DATED  JULY  28,  1776. 

I  have  acquainted  you,  by  my  former,  from  Martinique, 
of  the  good  disposition  of  the  French  towards  the  Continent 
of  America,  and  how  willing  they  are  to  admit  and  welcome 
all  vessels  from  thence;  for  which  purpose  they  have  now 
by  them,  and  daily  import,  all  sorts  of  goods  in  demand  with 
you,  particularly  powder  and  other  warlike  stores,  which  you 
may  purchase  and  ship  without  any  difficulty.  And  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  if  the  Congress  declares  its  inde- 
pendency to  the  European  States,  and  offers  to  open  their 
ports  to  foreigners,  your  ports  will  be  crowded  with  them 


627 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


628 


from  all  parts;  and  it  seems  France  only  waits  for  that  event 
to  assist  you  in  your  defence. 

We  have  at  present  no  other  news  than  what  is  brought 
by  a  Dutch  ship,  arrived  here  within  two  days  from  Amster- 
dam, viz :  that  the  French,  Spanish,  and  Portuguese,  are 
making  great  preparations  for  war,  by  land  and  by  sea,  as 
well  as  the  Slates  General;  that  the  Spaniards  bad  marched 
an  army  to  the  frontiers  of  Portugal,  and  had  sent  to  sea  a 
fleet  of  sixteen  sail  of  the  line,  the  destination  of  which 
was  not  known,  and  that  they  had  sent  considerable  numbers 
of  troops  to  their  Colonies. 

The  States  of  Holland  had  absolutely  refused  to  renew 
the  prohibitions  for  the  exportation  of  powder,  &c.,  to  the 
Colonies,  or  to  cede  to  the  English  the  four  Scotch  regiments 
the  States  have  in  their  service,  and  furnish  them  with  a 
number  of  men-of-war  which  the  British  Court  had  required 
of  them.  The  vexation  occasioned  by  this  in  the  British 
Ministry  induced  them  to  take  several  Dutch  ships,  amongst 
which  are  twotbat  sailed  from  this  Island,  which  were  carried 
to  London,  and  another  to  St.  Christopher's.  In  consequence 
of  this,  the  Dutch  have  armed  forty  ships  of  war,  and  ordered 
sixty  more  to  be  built  with  the  greatest  diligence  in  their 
different  ports,  and  to  raise  twenty  thousand  men  to  aug- 
ment their  land  forces,  &c.  &.c. 

DR.  DAVID  MORROW  TO  COLONEL  RUMSEY. 

Charlestown,  Maryland,  July  28,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  You  will  oblige  me  much  if  you  will  inform 
me,  by  the  return  of  the  post,  whether  I  am  appointed  one 
of  the  Surgeons  for  the  Flying-Camp,  or  not;  and,  if  I  atn, 
how  am  I  to  be  provided  with  medicines,  &tc.  I  have  had 
an  offer  from  the  northward,  but  must  confess  I  rather  choose 
to  go  from  Maryland;  I  therefore  refused  the  offer  until  I 
could  have  an  answer  from  Annapolis. 

I  some  time  ago  enclosed  to  the  Council  of  Safety  a 
recommendation  from  Drs.  Cadwalader,  Bond,  and  Shippen, 
of  Philadelphia;  should  be  glad  if  you  would  enclose  it  to 
me,  as  it  svill  cost  me  some  trouble  to  obtain  a  second. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,          DAVJD  MORROW> 

To  Colonel  Benjamin  Rumsey. 


GENERAL  CHAMBERLAINE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Talbot  County,  July  28,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  When  it  was  proposed  to  me  that  a  ma- 
gazine should  be  fixed  in  our  County,  I  was  told  that  a 
detachment  from  the  Fourth  Independent  Company  would 
be  stationed  there  as  a  guard. 

I  received  from  three  wagoners,  the  other  day,  what  is 
supposed  to  be  six  thousand  pounds  of  powder,  the  greatest 
part  of  which,  I  think  it  probable,  is  cannon  powder,  and 
such  as  will  be  useless  with  musketry.  I  send  you  a  sample 
of  it,  and  hope  it  will  be  found  better  than  it  looks  to  be.  I 
made  a  trial  of  it  in  a  small  cannon  that  we  have,  and  found 
it  to  have  equal  force  and  quickness  with  some  English 
powder  that  1  had. 

I  have  directed  a  guard  from  our  Militia,  and  shall  con- 
tinue them  till  I  have  your  directions,  which  shall  be  glad  to 
have  by  the  bearer.  It  is  very  inconvenient  to  those  now 
on  that  service,  and  if  they  must  continue,  you  will  please 
to  direct  the  number  that  shall  compose  the  guard. 

Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

JAS.  LLOYD  CHAMBERLAINE. 

To  the  Honourable  President  of  Council  of  Safety. 


CAPTAIN  DEAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Kent-Island,  July  28, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Agreeably  to  your  orders,  I  have  marched 
the  company  under  my  command  to  this  place,  and  am 
sorry  to  find  no  provision  made  for  us.  You  will  please 
direct  whoever  you  may  think  proper  to  find  us  all  that  is 
fit  and  necessary  for  a  company  of  men.  We  expected  to 
have  found  some  pork,  which  we  supposed  was  left  by  Cap- 
tain Harrison,  but  were  disappointed.  You  will  please  direct 
attention  immediately  in  this  matter,  as  we  live  only  on  what 
we  can  borrow. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  very  respectfully,  your  very  humble 
servant,  JOHN  DEAN. 

To  the  Honourable  Committee  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


BENJAMIN  MACKALL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Drum-Point,  July  28,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  left  the  camp  at  St.  George's  yesterday, 
and  Major  Price  requested  me  to  send  to  the  Council,  at- 
tended by  a  subaltern  officer,  Mr.  Braithwait,  who  deserted 
from  the  fleet  Thursday  night,  and  brought  with  him  two 
trunks,  which  shall  be  sent  up  (o  you  as  soon  as  Mr.  Mid- 
dleton's  boat  returns  from  the  mouth  of  Potomack,  where  she 
is  waiting  upon  the  Defence. 

I  am,  with  much  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble 

servant'  BENJ.  MACK  ALL,  4th. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

P.  S.  Lieutenant  Gray,  who  comes  with  Mr.  Braithwait, 
desires  nothing  more  for  his  trouble  than  his  expenses  paid 
by  the  Province. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  DENT. 
[No.  86.]  Annapolis,  July  28,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  you  will  receive  your  commission,  omitted 
to  be  made  out  by  the  last  Convention.  The  greater  part 
of  the  companies  of  the  Flying-Camp  are  enrolled,  and  a 
number  of  them  arrived  here.  As  we  apprehend  your 
presence  would  greatly  contribute  to  expedite  their  being 
properly  armed  and  disciplined,  as  also  accelerate  their 
march,  we  should  be  glad  to  see  you  as  soon  as  possible. 

We  are,  &tc. 
To  Brigadier-General  Dent. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  28,  1776. 

SIR:  Colonel  Hand  reports  that  the  enemy  continues  as 
they  were.  They  fired  several  guns  last  night  different  from 
any  custom  that  has  prevailed  amongst  them  since  the  arrival 
of  the  fleet.  A  considerable  noise  and  movement  of  the 
boats  was  heard  after  the  signal  guns,  and  the  hurry  and 
confusion  they  seemed  to  be  in  after  the  firing,  discovered 
they  were  alarmed.  Perhaps  they  have  heard  of  the  fire- 
ships.  Captain  Talbut,  of  Colonel  Hitchcock's  regiment,  begs 
the  command  of  one  of  these  vessels.  He  is  a  daring  spirit, 
and  I  doubt  not  will  execute  the  command  agreeable  to  your 
Excellency's  wishes.  As  I  am  totally  ignorant  of  the  matter, 
I  could  give  him  no  encouragement  until  your  Excellency's 
pleasure  was  known. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 


humble  servant, 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


N.  GREENE. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  Sunday,  12  o'clock,  July  28,  1776. 

Colonel  Hand's  morning  report  contained  nothing  mate- 
rial. Lieutenant-Colonel  Chambers  reports  this  moment  that 
he  saw,  at  ten  this  morning,  ten  sail  of  vessels  standing  in 
for  the  Hook,  but  at  too  great  a  distance  to  discover  what 
they  were. 

Mrs.  Grant  applies  again  for  permission  to  go  on  board  the 
fleet.  Should  be  glad  to  know  your  Excellency's  pleasure 
in  the  matter.  She  pleads  great  distress,  but  it  can  amount 
only  to  a  family  matter,  make  the  best  of  it. 

The  new  levies  that  come  in  hanker  after  milk  and  vege- 
tables. 1  should  think  it  would  benefit  the  service  to  allow 
all  the  regiments  to  draw  one-third  the  value  of  the  animal 
food  in  money  to  purchase  milk,  &tc.;  and  direct,  in  the  most 
positive  terms,  the  Quartermasters  to  provide  it  for  the  men. 

I  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  N.  GREENE. 

COLONEL  HITZEMA  TO  COLONEL  SEVEY. 

Sunday,  nine  o'clock,  July  28,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  His  Excellency  the  General's  answer  to  my 
letter  this  morning  has  so  much  weight  with  it  as  to  make 
me  in  some  measure  ashamed  of  my  hasty  request,  to  which 
I  was  induced  by  the  advice  of  my  Lieutenant-Colonel. 
You'll  therefore  be  pleased  jtist  to  request  of  the  General,  in 
my  behalf,  that  the  matter  be  determined  to-morrow. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  R(JD> 


629 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


630 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German-Flats,  Sunday,  July  28,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  19th  instant  was  delivered  me 
last  evening.  When  I  left  Ticonderoga  I  made  all  possible 
despatch  to  Albany,  and,  immediately  on  my  arrival,  I  not 
only  ordered  every  felling  axe  which  had  been  collected 
agreeable  to  my  orders  before  I  left  Albany  to  be  sent  to  you, 
which  was  accordingly  done,  but  I  also  took  every  measure 
in  my  power  to  procure  a  speedy  supply;  and,  if  I  am  not 
misinformed,  twelve  hundred  have  already  been  sent  up  since 
the  12th  instant,  as  many  more  are  collecting  as  possible, 
and  one  thousand  are  daily  expected  from  Governour  Trum- 
bull,  to  whom  1  had  wrote  intreating  his  assistance  in  pro- 
curing this  necessary  tool.  Of  this  I  advised  you  in  my 
letter  of  the  25th  instant. 

I  am  astonished  beyond  imagination  to  be  informed  that 
not  one  gondola  was  arrived  at  Ticonderoga  in  the  course  of 
fifteen  days — that  is,  from  the  time  we  were  at  Skenesborough 
to  the  diite  of  your  letter;  especially  as  you  cannot  but  re- 
collect that  you,  and  I  believe  General  Arnold,  and  all  the 
gentlemen  with  us  when  we  were  there,  saw  one  on  the 
stocks  and  considerably  advanced  in  the  timbering,  and  a 
stage  prepared  to  erect  another  upon,  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  plank  already  sawed,  and  the  mill  at  work  in  sawing 
more.  I  hope,  therefore,  that  when  you  saw  such  an  impor- 
tant work  so  shamefully  neglected,  that  you  sent  a  proper 
person  to  inquire  into  the  cause,  and  to  push  on  the  business 
with  more  despatch.  Two  gondolas  more  at  least  ought  to 
have  been  finished  by  the  19th,  unless  the  weather  has  been 
remarkably  wet. 

I  very  well  recollect,  sir,  that  I  observed  that  five  gondolas 
a  week  could  be  built  when  the  carpenters  I  expected  should 
arrive;  but  neither  you  nor  any  person  else  have  ever  heard 
me  say  that  they  could  be  built  with  what  carpenters  were 
there.  If  I  had  written  so  to  Congress,  I  should  most  cer- 
tainly not  only  have  deceived  them,  but  wilfully  deceived 
them;  and  I  believe  that  respectable  body  will  not,  upon  the 
most  minute  examination,  find  that  I  ever  did  or  ever  in- 
tended them  so  gross  an  insult.  Congress  well  knows  what 
carpenters  I  expected ;  and  I  well  know  that  few,  and  I 
believe  none,  of  these  were  arrived  at  Skenesborough  when 
your  letter  was  written  ;  and  therefore  I  do  repeat,  that  when 
they  all  arrive  and  get  to  work,  if  they  are  middling  good 
workmen,  and  do  not  build  five  gondolas  a  week,  they  will 
not  do  their  duty. 

1  am  sorry  the  blacksmith  made  a  mistake  in  the  iron 
work  for  the  saw-mill.  He  is  a  man  much  accustomed  to 
that  work,  and  perhaps  does  more  of  it  than  any  five  others 
now  in  the  County  of  Albany. 

I  did  not  point  out  any  particular  route  for  the  officer  who 
might  take  charge  of  the  Indian  goods,  as  I  know  of  none 
for  carriages  but  by  the  way  of  Schenectady. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  the  Honourable  General  Gates. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  28,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  There  is  an  immediate  want  of  some 
rum  at  this  place,  and  should  be  glad  your  Honour  would 
convey  some  by  first  opportunity. 

Wood  Creek  is  grown  so  very  low  that  it  is  almost  impos- 
sible to  pass  up  or  down  with  the  boats ;  but  I  am  deter- 
mined to  keep  it  passable,  if  possible,  by  constantly  keeping 
a  party  thereon  to  clear  out  the  logs  and  obstructions  that 
are  in  the  creek. 

We  are  very  much  in  want  for  teams ;  but  we  intend  to 
get  as  much  timber  by  the  side  of  the  lake  and  creek,  and 
bring  them  to  the  place  they  are  wanted  by  fatigue  parties, 
as  we  can. 

A  number  of  grindstones  is  very  much  wanted,  and  I  fear 
the  business  will  suffer  by  their  being  so  few,  as  the  carpen- 
ters are  obliged  to  wait  for  each  other  to  grind. 

I  am,  with  respect,  dear  sir,  your  Honour's  humble  ser- 
vant, DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Gates,  commanding  at 
Ticonderoga. 

P.  S.  The  bullets  which  were  sent  down  here  are  all  too 
large  for  the  guns.  I  should  take  it  as  a  favour  if  there 
could  be  a  pair  sent  down  of  small-sized  bullet-moulds. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  28,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  The  oar-makers  have  this  day,  being 
Sunday,  come  here.  They  allege  they  want  some  neces- 
sary tools,  to  prosecute  the  business  with  more  expedition. 
They  were  very  desirous  to  go  to  Ticonderoga,  to  procure 
some  matters  they  stand  in  need  of,  and  propose  to  return 
to-morrow.  My  party  is  ready  to  cover  and  guard  them 
whilst  at  work.  There  have  been  spying  parties  of  the 
enemy  near  them.  There  have  been  several  marks ;  but  the 
place  where  the  oars  are  to  be  cut,  though  eight  miles  off, 
is  in  view  of  Crown-Point.  From  a  proper  signal,  I  could, 
upon  any  occasion,  support  my  party  in  a  very  short  time. 

I  have  sent  out  a  party  some  miles  to  the  right  of  this 
place,  to  examine  the  country;  they  will  return  to-morrow. 
Captain  Wilson  is  not  yet  come  up.  I  hope  that  some  of 
the  loose  parties  of  the  enemy  who  have  been  attempting  to 
come  up  this  way,  or  the  canoe  with  the  two  Tories  who 
lately  went  down  to  St.  John's,  may  fall  into  his  hands  or 
the  party  which  I  sent  to  cover  his  retreat. 

The  Lake,  I  presume,  will  be  pretty  well  secured  by  our 
shipping  in  a  short  time,  and  I  think  I  have  taken  such  steps 
as  to  make  us  pretty  safe  on  the  land  side.  If  any  'enemy 
appear  against  this  place,  we  may  expect  Indians  or  Cana- 
dians amongst  them.  The  rough  ground  on  this  point  is  so 
favourable  for  our  Riflemen,  I  should  not  be  the  least  afraid 
of  double  our  numbers.  The  boats  I  have  always  ready,  if 
it  be  necessary  to  retreat. 

I  mount  a  guard  of  a  subaltern,  two  sergeants,  three  cor- 
porals, forty-two  privates ;  and  a  picket  of  a  subaltern,  one 
sergeant,  three  corporals,  and  thirty  men,  daily.  One  of  the 
Captains  acts  as  officer  of  the  day.  1  have  at  least  twenty- 
five  sentries  every  night.  I  believe  I  shall  not  be  surprised. 
I  send  out  parties  daily.  The  men  here  are  recovering  in 
their  health  fast,  notwithstanding  their  duty. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOS.  HARTLEY. 
To  Major-General  Gates,  at  Ticonderoga. 

P.  S.  I  send  you  all  the  oars  now  made.  You  will  be 
pleased  to  direct  Colonel  Belding  to  deliver  the  oar-makers 
such  tools  as  they  want. 


Ticonderoga,  July  28,  1776. 

Immediately  after  divine  worship  this  day,  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  was  read  by  Colonel  St.  Clair;  and, 
having  said  "God  save  the  free  independent  States  of  Ame- 
rica!" the  Army  manifested  their  joy  with  three  cheers.  It 
was  remarkably  pleasing  to  see  the  spirits  of  the  soldiers  so 
raised,  after  all  their  calamities ;  the  language  of  every  man's 
countenance  was,  Now  we  are  a  people ;  we  have  a  name 
among  the  States  of  this  world. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  PATRICK  HENRY. 

Charlestown,  July  29,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  used  to  regret  not  being  thrown  into  the 
world  in  the  glorious  third  or  fourth  century  of  the  Romans, 
but  I  am  now  thoroughly  reconciled  to  my  lot.  The  reve- 
ries which  have  frequently,  for  a  while,  served  to  tickle  my 
imagination,  (but  which,  when  awakened  from  my  trance, 
as  constantly  I  considered  as  mere  golden  castles  built  in 
the  air,)  at  length  bid  fair  for  being  realized.  We  shall 
now,  most  probably,  see  a  mighty  empire  established  of 
freemen,  whose  honour,  property,  and  military  glories,  are 
not  to  be  at  the  disposal  of  a  sceptred  tyrant,  nor  their 
consciences  to  be  fettered  by  a  proud,  domineering  hierarchy. 
Every  faculty  of  the  soul  will  be  now  put  in  motion ;  no 
merit  can  lie  latent ;  the  highest  offices  of  the  State,  both 
civil  and  military,  will  now  be  obtained,  without  Court  favour 
or  the  rascally  talents  of  servility  and  obsequience,  by  which 
Court  favour  could  alone  be  acquired.  Sense,  valour,  and 
industry,  will  conduct  us  to  the  goal ;  every  spark  of  ability 
which  every  individual  possesses  will  now  be  brought  forth, 
and  form  the  common  aggregate,  for  the  advantage  and 
honour  of  the  community.  The  operations  of  war  will  be 
directed  by  men  qualified  for  war,  and  carried  on  with  that 
energy  natural  to  a  young  people.  True  unartized  know- 
ledge, unsophisticated  learning,  simple  genuine  eloquence 
and  poetry,  will  be  carried  to  the  highest  degree  of  perfec- 
tion. This,  to  many,  I  am  sensible,  would  appear  rant,  but 
to  you,  who,  I  think,  have  congenial  feelings  with  my  own, 


631 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


632 


it  needs  no  apology.  However,  I  shall  now  endeavour  to 
deliver  myself  more  like  a  man  of  this  world. 

I  most  sincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  noble  conduct 
of  your  countrymen ;  and  I  congratulate  your  country  on 
having  citizens  deserving  of  the  high  honour  to  which  you 
are  exalted  ;  for  the  being  elected  to  the  first  Magistracy  of  a 
free  people  is  certainly  the  pinnacle  of  human  glory;  and  I  am 
persuaded  that  they  could  not  have  made,  a  ha  ppier  choice. 

Will  you  excuse  me  ?  But  I  am  myself  so  extremely 
democratical,  that  I  think  il  a  fault  in  your  Constitution  that 
the  Governour  should  be  eligible  for  three  years  successively. 
It  appears  to  me  that  a  government  of  three  years  may  fur- 
nish an  opportunity  of  acquiring  a  very  dangerous  influence. 
But  this  is  not  the  worst:  Tacitus  says,  Plura  peccantur, 
dum  demercmtir,  qitam  dum  ojfendimus.  A  man  who  is  fond 
of  office,  and  has  his  eye  upon  reelection,  will  be  courting 
favour  and  popularity,  at  the  expense  of  his  duty.  He  will 
give  way  to  the  popular  humours  of  the  day,  let  them  be  ever 
so  pernicious.  In  short,  his  administration  will  be  relaxed  in 
general,  or  partial  to  those  whom  he  conceives  to  have  the 
greatest  interest;  whereas,  were  all  hopes  of  reelection  pre- 
cluded till  after  the  intervention  of  a  certain  number  of  years, 
he  would  endeavour  to  illustrate  the  year  of  his  government 
by  a  strict,  rigorous,  and  manly  performance  of  his  duty. 
These  notions  may,  perhaps,  be  weak  and  foolish ;  but  such 
as  they  are,  I  am  sure  you  will  excuse  my  uttering  them. 

There  is  a  barbarism  crept  in  among  us  that  extremely 
shocks  me :  I  mean  those  tinsel  epithets  with  which  (I  come 
in  for  my  share)  we  are  so  beplastered — his  Excellency  and 
his  Honour,  the  Honourable  President  of  the,  Honourable 
Congress,  or  the  Honourable  Convention.  This  fulsome, 
nauseating  cant,  may  be  well  enough  adapted  to  barbarous 
Monarchies,  or  to  gratify  the  adulterated  pride  of  the  mag- 
nifici  in  pompous  Aristocracies;  but  in  a  great,  free,  manly, 
equal  Commonwealth,  it  is  quite  abominable ;  for  my  own 
part,  I  would  as  lief  they  would  put  ratsbane  in  my  mouth 
as  the  Excellency  with  which  1  am  daily  crammed.  How 
much  more  true  dignity  was  there  in  the  simplicity  of  address 
amongst  the  Romans :  Marcus  Tullius  Cicero,  Decimo  Bruto 
Imperatori,  or  Caio  Marcdlo  Consult,  than  to  his  Excel- 
lency Major-General  .Noodle,  or  to  the  Honourable  John 
Doodle.  My  objections  are,  perhaps,  trivial  and  whimsical, 
but  for  my  soul  I  cannot  help  starting  them.  If,  therefore,  I 
should  sometimes  address  a  letter  to  you  without  the  Excel- 
lency tacked,  you  must  not  esteem  it  a  mark  of  personal  or 
official  disrespect,  but  the  reverse. 

The  discontent  of  the  troops,  which  you   mention   as 


arising  from  the  want  of  regular  payment,  might  have  been 
remedied  by  General  Lewis;  his  warrant  is  undoubtedly 
sufficient  for  the  Paymaster;  however,  I  have  written  to 
that  gentleman  on  this  subject,  and  am  in  hopes  that  affairs 
for  the  future  will  be  more  satisfactorily  conducted. 

An  old  rice-boat,  which  we  converted  the  other  day  into 
a  row-battery,  has  made  a  considerable  prize — no  less  than 
a  brig  with  a  whole  company  of  the  Royal  Highland  Emi- 
grants on  board,  consisting  of  two  officers  and  fifty  men. 
Although  they  saw  that  they  were  inevitably  our  prize,  they 
had  the  impudence  to  throw  their  arms  overboard,  for  which 
they  ought  to  have  had  their  ears  cut  off,  as  it  was  contrary 
to  all  the  rules  of  war. 

I  send  you  enclosed  the  state  of  the  enemy's  Navy.  I 
think  there  is  no  doubt  of  their  Army  having  steered  their 
northward.  On  this  presumption  I  shall  direct  my 


course 

course  towards  Virginia,  but  first  must  assist  to  regulate  the 
military  affairs  of  this  Province  in  the  best  manner  I  can, 
though,  in  fact,  that  will  be  doing  little;  the  inconveniences 
of  this  complex  play  we  are  acting,  of  Duke  and  no  Duke, 
are  numberless  and  great.  The  President  is  thought  by 
some  to  be  the  real  commander ;  I  am  thought  so  by  others ; 
in  short,  there  must  be  no  troops  but  Continental.  The 
Council  is  at  present  employed  in  settling  a  more  regular 
post.  We  have  received  none  these  eighteen  days ;  for  my 
own  part,  I  conclude  the  mail  has  been  intercepted  and 
carried  on  board  the  man-of-war.  Seven  tons  and  a  half 
of  powder  were  safely  landed  four  days  ago  at  Georgetouvi. 

Adieu,  dear  sir,  and  believe  me  to  be,  most  entirely  and 
sincerely,  yours,  CHARLES  LEE. 

His  Excellency  P.  Henry,  Jun.,  Governour  of  Virginia, 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER,  DATED  CHARLESTOWN,  JULY  29, 

1776. 

Now  at  anchor  off  Charlcstoum  bar  the  Bristol,  of  fifty 
guns,  Experiment,  of  fifty  guns,  with  a  small  sloop,  supposed 
to  be  armed,  acting  as  a  tender,  the  Paliser  transport  ship, 
still  having  part  of  the  Experiment's  cannon  or  stores  on 
board,  another  transport  ship,  and  a  brigantine,  which  have 
discharged  the  BristoFs  cannon  and  stores  they  had  on 
board.  Within  the  bar  at  anchor,  the  Active,  of  thirty-two 
guns,  Sphinx,  of  twenty  guns,  and  the  Pigot  hospital  ship. 
Sailed  from  the  bar  on  Wednesday  last  a  frigate  of  twenty 
or  more  guns,  which  arrived  the  day  before,  and  steered  to 
the  southward.  The  Syren,  of  twenty-eight  guns,  yester- 
day morning  steered  the  same  course. 


Monthly  Return  of  the  Forces  in  SOUTH-CAROLINA,  for  July,  1776. 


Wanting  to 
complete. 

Since  la^t 
Return. 

Field 
Officers. 

Commiss'd 
Officers. 

Sta/  Officers. 

Non-  Commis- 
sioned Officers. 

Rank  and  File. 

'• 

•a 

•5 

g 

E 

^ 

CORPS  OR  BATTALIONS  OF 

V 

M 

~ 
V 

^ 

B 

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e 

c 

£ 

. 

THE  BRIGADES. 

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o 

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r; 

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1 

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s 

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3 
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^_ 

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u 

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C 

a 

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3 

D. 

0 

ti 

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f* 

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<2 

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3 

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£ 

6 

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C! 

X 

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3    -5 
CQ  ;0 

£ 

cf 

W 

D|£ 

K 

1 

cs 

H 

£ 

3 

1 

1 

Q 

Q 

0 

First  Battalion  North-Caro- 

J 

J 

J 

8 

16 

7 

] 

1 

°6 

1 

1  1 

97ft 

88 

10 

Sec'd  Battalion  Nortll-Caro- 

1 

1 

1 

4 

6 

8 

_ 

. 

. 

1 

_ 

1 

1 

23 

244 

• 

53 

336 

3 

9 

304 

3 

Third  Battalion  North-Caro- 

_ 

1 

1 

1 

8 

16 

7 

. 

. 

_ 

1 

_ 

. 

_ 

1 

m 

25 

m 

. 

9 

272 

55 

. 

. 

327 

239 

. 

. 

25 

Ei^hth     Battalion    Virginia  \ 

„ 

1 

1 

1 

9 

13 

5 

_ 

. 

1 

_ 

1 

1 

1 

i 

. 

31 

. 

. 

5 

310 

150 

4 

„ 

464 

1 

13 

147 

i 

4 

45 

56 

First  Battalion  South-Caro- 

. 

1 

1 

] 

9 

12 

_ 

* 

_ 

. 

1 

_ 

1 

1 

m 

i 

l 

25 

i 

. 

14 

257 

94 

a 

. 

353 

5 

6 

397 

. 

. 

Sec'd  Battalion  South-Caro- 

_ 

1 

1 

1 

10 

17 

. 

_ 

_ 

_ 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

_ 

. 

24 

. 

. 

13 

319 

49 

4 

_ 

372 

. 

. 

. 

m 

11 

. 

2 

Third  BattalionSouth-Caro-  ) 

. 

. 

1 

1 

9 

16 

_ 

„ 

m 

m 

1 

m 

1 

. 

1 

. 

18 

. 

. 

366 

18 

_ 

. 

384 

. 

. 

1 

16 

•Fourth  Battalion  of  South-  ) 

Fifth    Battalion    of   South-  ) 

- 

1 

1 

1 

3 

g 

3 

. 

. 

. 

1 

- 

1 

1 

1 

m 

. 

12 

. 

_ 

4 

262 

I] 

4 

. 

279 

. 

. 

„ 

. 

2 

_ 

. 

Sixth    Battalion   of  South-  ) 

- 

- 

1 

1 

6 

J2 

4 

- 

. 

. 

- 

- 

1 

. 

1 

. 

. 

21 

. 

_ 

5 

247 

9C 

7 

- 

277 

. 

. 

. 

\ 

2 

2 

8 

Third  Company  of  North-  ( 
Carolina  Horse  J 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1 

1 

1 

36 

. 

_ 

. 

_ 

_ 

. 

Total  

2l8 

8J9 

67 

115 

35     1 

- 

] 

8 

1  IT1  6  1  8 

3 

1 

207 

2 

- 

842,555 

532'74 

- 

3,194 

15 

4fi 

1,294 

2 

21 

47 

178 

*  South-Carolina  Battalion  of  Artillery. 

THOMAS  BULLITT,  Deputy  Adjutant-General. 

N.  B.  These  battalions  were  early  hurried  into  a  campaign,  before  several  of  them  had  time  to  form,  therefore  the  Colonels  cannot  be  so  correct 
in  their  Returns  as  is  necessary.  They  have  assured  me  they  will  attend  to  formin"  and  regulating  their  battalions,  and  have  promised  me  to 
make  their  Returns  as  soon  as  they  can  get  in. 


633 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


634 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  BRUNSWICK  (VIRGINIA)  COMMITTEE. 
Briinswick  Committee,  July  29,  1776. 

The  fatal  consequences  which  must  inevitably  attend  the 
counterfeiting  the  Paper  currency  of  any  of  the  Thirteen 
United  Colonies,  render  it  necessary  that  the  strictest  search 
and  most  diligent  inquiry  should  be  made  after  those  persons 
who  are  justly  suspected  of  being  guilty  of  that  atrocious 
crime;  and  as  those  who  harbour,  advise,  or  countenance 
such  offenders,  are,  we  conceive,  as  great  enemies  to  their 
country  as  the  offenders  themselves,  we  shall  ever  think  it 
our  duty  to  expose  to  the  displeasure  and  contempt  of  the 
publick  the  conduct  of  all  such  persons,  whenever  the  same 
shall  be  made  known  to  us.  An  offence  of  this  nature 
appealing  before  this  Committee,  is  the  cause  of  publishing 
the  following  facts: 

On  the  23d  day  of  June  last,  at  one  of  the  Churches  of 
St.  Andrew's  Parish,  in  this  County,  two  strangers  appeared, 
with  letters  for  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  from  the 
Committees  of  Hartford  and  Choivan.  Counties,  in  the 
Province  of  North- Carolina,  informing  him  that  indubitable 
testimony  had  been  laid  before  those  Committees  that  a 
certain  Henry  Lightfoot  had  been  concerned  in  counter- 
feiting and  passing  the  paper  currency  of  that  Province, 
particularly  the  four-dollar  bills,  issued  in  pursuance  of  the 
resolution  of  the  North- Carolina  Congress,  held  at  Hills - 
borough,  the  21st  day  of  August,  1775,  and  that  they  were 
informed  the  said  Lightfoot  was  then  in  this  County.  The 
Chairman  of  this  Committee,  being  then  at  Church,  imme- 
diately engaged  Captain  John  Maclin  to  proceed  with  the 
messengers  after  the  said  Lightfoot.  The  Captain,  on  his 
return,  represented,  that  in  a  very  short  time  after  he  en- 
gaged in  this  service,  he  went  to  the  house  where  he  was 
informed  the  said  Lightfoot  was,  and  made  diligent  search, 
but  to  no  purpose,  and  from  thence  proceeded  to  a  meeting, 
where  he  expected  to  find  him;  but  when  he  arrived,  he 
was  told  he  had  precipitately  made  off,  and  that  there  was 
reason  to  suspect  a  certain  William  Wall,  of  this  County, 
had  given  him  notice  of  the  business  the  messengers  from 
North-Carolina  were  upon.  On  the  22d  of  July,  these 
circumstances  were  proved  before  this  Committee,  and  the 
said  Wall  was,  in  consequence  thereof,  ordered  to  appear 
before  them  on  the  Monday  following,  being  the  29th,  to 
answer  the  same.  Accordingly,  on  that  day,  he  made  his 
appearance,  was  charged  with  the  fact,  and  confessed  that 
he  was  the  means  of  giving  intelligence  to  the  said  Light- 
foot,  which  induced  him  to  make  his  escape;  which  con- 
fession, together  with  the  testimony  of  other  persons  relative 
to  the  conduct  of  the  said  William  Wall  in  this  matter,  make 
it  appear,  to  the  full  conviction  of  this  Committee,  that  he 
ought  to  be  exposed  as  an  enemy  to  his  country.  And  it 
is  ordered,  that  a  representation  of  the  above  proceedings 
be  transmitted  to  the  Printer,  to  be  laid  before  the  publick. 

By  order  of  the  Commiltee:  D.  FISHER,  Clerk. 

Baltimore,  July  30,  1776. 

Yesterday,  by  order  of  the  Committee  of  this  Town,  the 
Declaration  of  Independency  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica was  read  at  the  Court-House  to  a  numerous  and 
respectable  body  of  Militia,  and  the  company  of  Artillery, 
and  other  principal  inhabitants  of  this  Town  and  County, 
which  was  received  with  general  applause  and  heartfelt 
satisfaction.  At  night,  the  Town  was  illuminated;  and  at 
the  same  time,  the  effigy  of  our  late  King  was  carted  through 
the  Town,  and  committed  to  the  flames,  amidst  the  accla- 
mations of  many  hundreds — the  just  reward  of  a  tyrant. 


GEORGE   WOOLSE¥  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  29,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Agreeable  to  your  directions,  I  have  ex- 
amined all  the  wharves  about  this  place,  and  find  on  the 
most  of  them  a  few  flint-stones,  but  1  think  not  of  the  best 
quality.  I  am  told  by  many  people  here,  that  there  are 

fuantitiessunk  in  the  wharves;  therefore,  if  you  think  proper, 
will  employ  people  to  search  for  them.  At  the  same 
time,  I  have  been  informed  that  there  is  a  flint  quarry  about 
two  miles  from  the  head  of  Elk.  If  so,  no  doubt  the  flints 
there  would  be  more  easily  got.  Mr.  Henry  Ilollingsworth 
can  give  you  information  respecting  it.  1  am,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  servant,  GEO.  WOOLSEY: 

To  the  Council  of  Safety. 


CAPTAIN  THOMAS  TO  GEORGE  PLATER. 

Head-Quarters,  St.  George's,  July  29,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Yesterday,  the  Roebuck,  with  the  fleet  under 
her  convoy,  arrived  here  from  their  cruise  up  the  river. 
They  were  watched  all  the  way  down  by  two  row-galleys 
from  Alexandria.  They  will  be  here  this  evening,  and  I 
expect  to-night  we  shall  engage  the  fleet.  The  Roebuck 
stood  clown  the  Bay,  and  is  now  out  of  sight.  The  Defence 
made  her  appearance  yesterday  morning,  but  on  the  Fowey's 
wearing  out,  thought  it  prudent  to  stand  down  again.  We 
are  preparing  all  the  boats  we  can  get  to  assist  in  boarding 
all  such  vessels  as  are  not  armed,  and  I  am  in  hopes  we  shall 
be  able  to  give  a  good  account  of  them.  I  most  sincerely 
wish  the  business  over.  The  place  is  exceedingly  disagree- 
able. Not  a  drop  of  water  but  what  is  brought  three  miles, 
together  with  the  uncomfortable  tents  that  we  have,  I  am 
afraid  will  make  us  all  sick.  Near  half  of  mine  and  Cap- 
tain BealTs  company  are  down.  The  Militia  do  every 
duty  exceeding  ill,  and  the  service  is  so  very  unknown  to 
them,  that  the  whole  burden  lies  upon  the  few  regulars  that 
are  here.  Nearly  half  of  the  fleet  are  gone,  and  the  rest,  I 
suppose,  will  go  in  a  few  days.  Whenever  they  do,  I  shall 
proceed  to  Annapolis,  on  my  way  to  the  northward,  and 
shall  be  extremely  obliged  to  you  if  you  will  have  the  tents, 
knapsacks,  haversacks,  camp-kettles,  and  canteens,  com- 
pleted for  my  company,  ready  at  Annapolis.  What  I  want 
will  certainly  be  finished  in  that  time.  If  the  tents  are 
large,  they  will  hold  eight  men,  so  that,  at  that  computation, 
I  shall  want  fifteen  tents  for  the  whole  company,  with  other 
things  in  proportion.  I  trust  you  will  endeavour  to  procure 
them  for  me  by  the  middle  of  next  week,  by  which  time  I 
shall,  I  hope,  be  at  Annapolis;  but  I  shall  necessarily  be 
delayed  here  a  few  days,  to  get  on  board  the  cannon,  and 
in  providing  vessels  to  transport  us;  but  not  one  moment  shall 
be  lost.  Be  pleased  to  present  my  compliments  to  Mrs. 
Plater,  and  believe  me  to  be,  dear  sir,  yours  affectionately, 

J.  A.  THOMAS. 
To  the  Hon.  George  Plater,  Annapolis. 

P.  S.  I  forgot  to  mention  that  we  yesterday  morning 
opened  our  battery,  which  played,  as  it  is  thought,  with 
success,  on  the  Fowey.  Numbers  of  dead  bodies  come  on 
shore  every  day,  so  that  we  are  poisoned  with  the  stench. 


ARCHIBALD  BUCHANAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

SIR:  Upon  application  of  Mr.  Sewell,  by  the  desire  of 
Mr.  Cowen  to  him,  we  agreed,  if  it  was  agreeable  to  the 
Council  of  Safety,  to  undertake  the  building  of  two  or  three 
gondolas;  to  begin  upon  them  immediately  with  a  number  of 
hands,  and  finish  as  soon  as  possible.  We  have  an  opportu- 
nity of  engaging  what  hands  we  want  immediately,  and  will 
undertake  it  on  the  same  terms  as  other  carpenters,  and  will 
give  any  bond  and  security  that  may  be  required.  Colo- 
nel Hall  and  Mr.  Risteau  both  promised  to  wait  upon  you 
for  a  line,  but  I  have  not  heard  from  them;  if  it  is  approved 
of,  please  to  write  me,  and  I  will  begin  the  work,  and  come 
down  if  necessary;  but  if  my  coming  a  few  days  hence  to 
enter  into  the  bond  would  do,  it  would  suit  me  better.  I  am 
at  present  unwell.  It  will  be  necessary  for  me  to  hear  of 
your  determination,  and  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  a  line. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ARCH.  BUCHANAN. 
To  Benjamin  Rumsey,  Esq.,  Annapolis. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 

[No.  87.]  Annapolis,  July  29,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  directed  Captain  Nicholson,  who 
goes  to  Philadelphia  on  business  of  his  own,  to  endeavour 
to  procure  some  salted  provisions  for  the  use  of  the  Navy. 
Should  any  difficulties  attend  the  execution  of  his  orders,  we 
must  request  you  will  endeavour  to  remove  them,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  advance  him  money  to  pay  for  what  he  may 
engage.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  the  Deputies  of  Maryland  in  Congress. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  SOMERVILLE. 

[No.  88.]  Annapolis,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  willing  and  desirous  to  ease  the  Militia  of 
your  County  all  we  can  with  safety  to  the  Province,  and 


635 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


636 


therefore  have  ordered  Captain  John  Brooke  to  Drum-Point, 
there  to  remain   until  Captain  Beall  returns,  or  until  the 
further  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety.     The  contractor  is 
to  furnish  rations  for  his  men.     We  are,  &tc. 
To  Colonel  Alexander  Somervilk. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  KENT. 
[No.  89.]  Annapolis,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Council  of  Safety  request  you  will,  immediately 
upon  the  receipt  of  this,  attend  them  at  Annapolis;  they  want 
to  consult  you  upon  matters  relative  to  the  arming,  marching, 
and  equipping  the  battalion  under  your  command. 

We  are,  &c. 
To  Colonel  James  Kent. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  DASHIEL. 


[No.  90.] 


Annapolis,  July  29,  177G. 


SIR:  We  have  given  to  your  Quartermaster,  Mr.  Severe 
Hitch,  an  order  on  the  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern-Shore  for 
the  sum  of  £750  currency,  which  no  doubt  he  will  deliver 
you.  This  sum  is  intended  to  pay  the  Militia  for  their  ser- 
vices heretofore,  also  something  to  your  Quartermaster,  the 
remainder  to  answer  growing  expenses  of  Militia,  for  which 
you  are  to  render  an  account  hereafter. 

The  expense  of  the  witnesses  against  Atkinson  is  referred 
to  the  Board  of  Accounts;  they  are  not  here  at  present;  we 
shall  lay  all  the  accounts  before  them  when  they  meet  again, 
which  we  expect  will  be  in  a  few  days.  We  doubt  your 
account  is  too  general,  and  that  the  Board  will  expect  par- 
ticulars for  the  lumping  charges:  that  must  be  left  to  them. 
We  think  the  march  of  one-half  of  Captain  Watkins's  com- 
pany somewhat  extraordinary;  expect  to  hear  more  of  it. 

We  have  already  ordered  you  more  powder.  If  it  does 
not  come  down  soon,  apply  to  Brigadier  Chamberlainc,  who 
has  the  care  of  the  Etistern-Shore  magazine,  and  will  deliver 
you  five  barrels  for  the  use  of  Somerset  County. 

We  are,  Sic. 
To  Colonel  George  Dashiell. 


BALTIMORE   COMMITTEE. 


occasion. 


A  Letter  was  received  from  the  Council  of  Safety,  direct- 
ing security  to  be  taken  of  Alexander  Me  Gee  for  his  good 
behaviour,  and  directing  him  to  be  confined  until  he  gave 
said  security,  and  paid  the  expense  of  taking  him  to  and 
from  Annapolis;  which  the  said  McGee  could  not  comply 
•with,  therefore  he  was  ordered  to  Prison,  with  the  following 
Commitment  to  the  Sheriff: 

"Baltimore  County,  ss: 

"  Receive  from  Benjamin  Wood  the  body  of  Alexander 
McGee,  and  him  in  your  Jail  and  custody  safely  keep,  until 
he  gives  bond  in  the  sum  of  £300  currency,  with  good 
security  to  be  approved  of  by  the  Committee  of  Observation 
of  this  County,  with  condition  that  he  do  not  in  any  manner 
correspond  with  or  give  intelligence  to  the  enemies  of  Ame- 
rica; and  further,  that  he  obey  all  orders  of  the  honourable 
Congress  and  Convention,  agreeable  to  an  order  of  the 
Council  of  Safety  of  this  Province;  and  for  your  so  doing 
this  shall  be  your  sufficient  authority. 

"  Given  under  our  hands  and  seals,  this  24th  day  ofJulu, 
1776. 

"  S.  PURVIANCE.  Jun.,  [L.  s.] 

"JAMES  CALHOUN.        [L.  s.] 

''  To  Robert  Christie,  Esq.,  Sheriff  of  Baltimore  County." 


Mr.  Hercules  Courtenay  applied  to  the.  Committee  for 
their  Instructions  in  what  manner  he  should  act  as  a  Magis- 
trate when  any  person  should  be  brought  before  him  to  give 
security  for  a  Levy.  The  Committee,  on  deliberating  the 
matter  and  recurring  to  the  Association,  wherein  we  unite, 
associate,  and  solemnly  engage  ourselves  to  support  good 
order  and  the  publick  peace,  and  to  support  the  civil  power 
in  the  due  execution  of  the  laws,  so  far  as  may  be  consistent 
with  the  present  plan  of  opposition,  are  of  opinion,  that  it  be 
recommended  to  the  Magistrates  in  such  cases  to  act  with 
lenity,  and  as  they  may  think  most  conducive  to  the  good  of 
the  community. 

The  Fines  of  William  Lavcly  and  George  Lovely,  who 
prove  to  be  upwards  of  fifty  years  old,  are  remitted. 

On  the  representation  of  Thomas  Randall,  the  Collector 
is  desired  to  suspend  distressing  his  effects  for  payment  of 
his  fine  till  the  further  orders  of  this  Committee. 

N.  B.    Several  blank    papers  for  taking  a  List  of  the 

Inhabitants  of  this  County,  were  given  to  the  persons  em- 
ployed. 

Attest :  GEORGE  Lux,  Secretary. 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  29,  1776: 

Present:  Samuel  Purviance,  (Chairman,)  W.  Lux,  (Vice  Chairman,) 
A.  Buchanan,  J.  Cradock,  T.  Gist,  T.  Sellers,  W.  Wilkinson,  W. 
Tolly,  Jun.,  D.  Lux,  T.  Rutter,  J.  Merryman,  J.  Calhoun,  D.  Shaw, 
E.  Talbot,  C.  Riclgely  of  William,  J.  Gittings,  J.  Smith. 

This  day,  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of  this  Committee  of 
the  22d  instant,  the  Declaration  of  Independency  was  pro- 
claimed at  the  Court-House  by  Mr.  William  Aisquith,  (Mr. 
Christie  being  out  of  Town  :)  Captain  Nathaniel  Smith's 
Company  of  Matrosses,  Captain  John  Sterrett's  Company 
of  Independents,  Captain  John  Smith's,  Captain  James 
Cox's,  Captain  George  Wells' s,  and  Captain  William  Rich- 
ardson's Companies  being  drawn  up  under  arms  on  the 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  favours  of  22d, 
25th,  and  27th  instant.  I  hope  by  to-rnorrow's  post  to 
transmit  you  answers  to  the  whole  of  your  letters  which  are 
yet  unanswered.  The  exceeding  warm  season  and  the 
constant  attention  of  Congress  to  business  the  last  week, 
induced  Congress  to  adjourn  from  Friday  evening  to  this 
morning.  I  shall  directly  lay  your  letters  before  them,  and 
request  their  immediate  attention  to  them. 

Congress  having  indulged  me  to  make  a  demand  of  money 
from  Mr.  Brimer,  who  1  judge  to  be  with  Mr.  Howe  on 
Staten-Island,  I  have  sent  the  bill  to  Mr.  Palfrey,  and  de- 
sired him  to  apply  to  you,  and  I  request  you  will  please  to 
suffer  him  lo  conduct  this  matter  for  me. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  much  esteem,  sir,  your  very 


humble  servant, 


JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 


To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  I  sent  off  my  letter  of  this  morning  the  Con- 
gress have  met,  before  whom  I  laid  your  letters,  and  I  have 
the  pleasure  to  inform  you  the  Congress  readily  agreed  to 
your  having  another  Aid-de-Camp. 

I  have  the  honour  to  he,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Washington. 

PETITION  OF  GEORGE  NICHOLSON. 
[Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

To  the  Honourable  Congress  of  the  free  and  independent 
States  of  AMERICA: 

The  humble  Petition  O/GEORGE  NICHOLSON  showeth: 

That  your  petitioner  has  had  the  honour  of  serving  the 
honourable  Congress  as  an  officer  since  the  4th  of  September, 
1775,  in  Canada;  was  appointed  Aid-de-Camp  to  General 
Wooster,  the  7th  of  March,  1776,  which  office  he  continued 
in  till  the  General  quitted  the  service;' and  as  the  corps  to 
which  he  formerly  belonged  is  in  a  manner  broke,  (the 
men's  time  being  expired,  and  many  of  the  officers  provi- 
ded for  in  other  regiments,)  he  hopes  this  honourable  House 
will  continue  him  in  the  service,  and  order  him  lo  be  paid  the 
trifle  that  is  due  to  him.  As  it  is  the  sole  ambition  of  your 
petitioner  to  spend  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country,  he 
is  the  more  anxious  of  being  speedily  placed,  on  account  of 
the  critical  situation  of  affairs,  preferring  a  military  life  to  any 
other.  Should  your  honourable  House  grant  this  request, 
your  petitioner  would  have  no  objection  to  join  any  of  the 
regiments  either  at  York  or  Ticonderoga.  And  your  petition- 
er, as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray. 

GEORGE  NICHOLSON. 


637 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


638 


JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  July  29,  1776. 

MY  FRIEND  :  Yours  of  the  15th  instant  is  now  before  me, 
and  with  you  I  lament  the  selfish  disposition  that  is  but  too 
prevalent  among  almost  all  orders  and  degrees  of  men ;  even 
the  Senate  and  Army  are  not  entirely  free.  However,  we 
must  not  expect  perfection  in  human  nature,  but  must 
endeavour  to  correct  it  in  ourselves,  and  to  point  it  out  and 
oppose  it  in  others. 

The  retreat  of  our  Army  to  Ticonderoga  has  no  doubt 
alarmed  the  western -parts  of  our  State,  though  I  think  there 
will  be  no  great  danger  at  present,  as  there  is  a  very  powerful 
Army  there,  who  are  now  getting  well  of  the  small-pox,  and 
will  be  soon  ready  for  action,  besides  the  numerous  Militia 
who  are  marching  to  join  that  Army. 

Our  friend  General  Sullivan  is  disgusted  at  the  appoint- 
ment of  General  Gates  to  be  a  Major-General,  and  being 
sent  to  the  Northern  Army.  By  permission  of  the  Generals 
Schuykr  and  Washington^  (General  Sullivan)  has  left  the 
Army,  and  is  now  here,  and  has  petitioned  Congress  for 
leave  to  resign  his  commission.  What  will  be  done  in  the 
case  I  cannot  say,  but  hope  it  will  be  settled  without  his 
dismission. 

Brother  Whipple  is  here  yet,  and  will  not  set  out  for  home 
till  the  Confederation  is  settled,  which  may  possibly  take  a 
week  or  ten  days'  time,  as  there  is  a  great  deal  of  other 
business  to  be  done  in  the  mean  time,  and  the  sentiments  of 
the  members  of  Congress  very  different  on  many  of  the 
articles.  I  should  be  glad  he  might  hear  the  whole  of  the 
debates  here,  and  be  present  in  our  Colony  when  it  is  laid 
before  our  Legislature  for  their  concurrence,  to  answer  any 
questions  and  remarks  that  may  be  made  upon  it.  It  is  a 
matter  of  the  greatest  importance,  but  the  interests  and 
opinions  of  the  several  members  are  so  various  that  I  see  it 
will  not  be  settled  agreeable  to  my  mind. 

It  is  a  very  still  time  as  to  news  here.  The  fleet  and 
Armies  at  New-  York  and  Staten-Island  remain  in  statu  quo. 
The  Army  in  the  Jerseys  is  increasing  very  fast,  so  that  there 
will  soon  be  a  powerful  body  of  men  there. 

July  31st. — I  can  now  inform  you  that  the  affair  with 
General  Sullivan  is  settled,  and  he  is  to  return  to  New-  York, 
to  be  employed  by  General  Washington  in  that  department; 
so  hope  you  will  not  make  many  words  about  it. 

I  am,  sir,  your  friend  and  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JOSIAH  BAHTLETT. 

P.  S.  By  the  enclosed  you  will  see  the  resolves  passed 
by  Congress,  and  sent  to  Generals  Howe  and  Burgoyne,  in 
consequence  of  the  affair  at  the  Cedars. 

By  letters  yesterday  from  Virginia  we  are  informed  that 
Dunmore  with  his  fleet  has  gone  up  Potomack  River,  has 
burnt  some  houses  near  the  shores,  and  has  endeavoured  to 
burn  more,  but  was  hindered ;  that  the  Virginians  had  taken 
a  tender  with  one  of  the  most  infamous  Tories  in  the  Pro- 
vince on  board ;  the  number  of  men  and  guns  I  have  forgot. 
They  have  also  taken  a  vessel  from  Dunmore,  with  linens, 
&ic.,  said  to  be  worth  twenty  thousand  pounds  sterling. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  JOHN  ADAMS,  DATED  PHILA- 
DELPHIA, JULY  29,  1776. 

We  have  no  news.  It  is  very  hard  that  half  a  dozen  or 
half  a  score  of  armies  can't  supply  us  with  news.  We  have 
a  famine,  a  perfect  dearth  of  this  necessary  article.  I  am, 
at  this  present  writing,  perplexed  and  plagued  with  two 
knotty  problems  in  politicks.  You  love  to  pick  a  political 
bone;  so  I  will  even  throw  it  to  you. 

If  a  Confederation  should  take  place,  one  great  question 
is,  how  we  shall  vote, — whether  each  Colony  shall  count 
one ;  or  whether  each  shall  have  a  weight  in  proportion 
to  its  number,  or  wealth,  or  exports  and  imports,  or  a  com- 
pound ratio  of  all  ?  Another  is,  Whether  Congress  shall 
have  authority  to  limit  the  dimensions  of  each  Colony,  to 
prevent  those  which  claim, .by  charter,  or  proclamation,  or 
commission,  to  the  South  Sea,  from  growing  too  great  and 
powerful,  so  as  to  be  dangerous  to  the  rest? 

Shall  I  write  you  a  sheet  upon  each  of  these  questions? 
When  you  are  well  enough  to  read,  and  I  can  find  leisure 
enough  to  write,  perhaps  1  may. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  A  very  great  dissatisfaction  prevails  among  the 
troops  here,  and  all  the  several  posts  from  hence  to  New- 
York,  on  account  of  the  quality  of  the  provisions  and  the 
great  inattention  paid  by  the  Commissaries  in  serving  the 
rations.  We  have  here  three  Commissaries  of  equal  powers 
in  this  service,  namely:  Mr.  Lowrie,  Mr.  Dunham,  and  Mr. 
Ogden.  The  services  performed  by  Mr.  Dunham  have 
fallen  more  immediately  under  my  notice.  By  what  I  have 
seen,  that  gentleman  is  very  unfit  for  any  extensive  business 
in  this  way,  insomuch  that  if  we  are  to  depend  on  his 
abilities  and  assiduity,  the  Army  must  starve.  It  is,  in  my 
opinion,  absolutely  necessary  that  one  person  be  employed 
here  as  Commissary-General  for  the  camp,  who  is  to  employ 
and  be  answerable  for  the  necessary  subordinate  persons  to 
issue  provisions.  Mr.  Lowrie,  by  all  accounts,  would  suit 
very  well,  and  would  undertake  it.  It  is  of  equal  conside- 
ration with  me  who  the  person  is,  so  one  has  the  sole  direc- 
tion. I  beg  your  Excellency  will  please  to  consider  how 
essential  it  is  that  no  cause  of  complaint  be  given  the  troops 
in  our  present  circumstances,  and  that  you  will  interpose 
your  authority  with  Mr.  Trumbull  to  have  this  put  on  a 
proper  footing,  and  as  speedily  as  possible. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  COLONEL  DICKINSON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  to-day  had  a  Court  of  Inquiry  of  the 
commanding  officers  of  battalions,  to  rectify,  if  possible,  the 
disorders  in  the  management  of  the  Commissary's  branch  of 
business.  I  have  written  to  General  Washington.  It  will 
give  me  pleasure  to  remove  the  discontents.  In  the  mean 
time  take  what  method  appears  to  you  most  likely  to  answer 

that  P"rP°Se-  H.  MERCER. 

To  Col.  John  Dickinson,  commanding  at  Elizabeth-Town. 

[Procured  the  troops  stationed  here  to  be  satisfied  with  their  pro- 
visions. J.  D.] 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  July  30,  1776.    Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New-York,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  favour  of  the  24th,  I  received  on  Saturday 
evening,  and  agreeable  to  your  request  shall  expunge  the 
preamble  to  the  resolution  subjecting  the  property  of  sub- 
jects to  the  British  Crown  to  forfeiture  and  confiscation. 

Our  stock  of  musket  powder  is  entirely  made  up  in  car- 
tridges. I  therefore  request  that  Congress  will  order  four  or 
five  tons  more  of  that  sort  to  be  immediately  forwarded,  it 
being  not  only  necessary  that  we  should  have  more  for  that 
purpose,  but  also  some  stock  to  remain  in  barrels. 

Yesterday  evening  Hutchinson'sand  Sergeant's  regiments 
from  Boston  arrived ;  also  two  row-galleys  from  Rhode- 
Island.  I  am  fearful  the  troops  have  not  got  entirely  clear 
of  the  small-pox.  I  shall  use  every  possible  precaution  to 
prevent  the  infection  spreading,  and  for  that  purpose  have 
ordered  them  to  an  encampment  separate  and  detached  from 
the  rest. 

By  Saturday's  report  from  Long-Island  camp,  five  ships, 
a  brig,  and  five  schooners,  had  got  into  the  Hook.  By 
yesterday's,  two  ships  more  and  a  sloop  were  standing  in  : 
what  they  are,  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn. 

I  have  transmitted  a  General  Return  herewith,  by  which 
Congress  will  perceive  the  whole  of  our  force  at  the  time  it 
was  made. 

I  have  enclosed  you  an  account  of  sundry  prizes,  which 
was  transmitted  to  several  gentlemen  here  by  Saturday's 
post.  The  two  last  prizes  I  did  not  see  mentioned  in  the 
letters  shown  me,  and  I  fear  the  report  of  the  second  pro- 
vision vessel  is  premature.  I  was  also  this  minute  informed 
that  Captain  Biddle  had  taken  a  ship  with  sugars  for  Britain, 
and  in  bringing  her  in,  unfortunately  lost  her  on  Fisher's 
Island. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 


639 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


640 


Return  of  the  Army  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED  COLONIES,  in  and  near  the  City  of  NEW-YORK,  commanded  ly  His 
Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esquire,  General  and  Commander-in- Chief . 


REGIMENTS. 


2 

O      3 

33 


olonel  Hand's 

ale  Colonel  Learned's 

olonel  Nixon's 

olonel  Prescott's 

olonel  Varnum's 

olonel  Parsons's 

olonel  Hitchcock's 

olonel  Little's 

olonel  Read's 

olonel  Huntington's 

olonel  Webb's 

olonel  Arnold's 

olonel  Ward's 

olonel  Wyllys's 

olonel  Bailey's 

olonel  Baldwin's 

Companies  of  Col.  McDougall's 

olonel  Ritzema's 

olonel  Magaw's 

olonel  Slice's 


OFFICERS  PttESENT. 


Commissioned. 


Total 14  17  17  122  127  124  123  14:20  19  17  19   513  272 


3 


H 


Staff. 


Non-com- 

missinned. 


17 
32 
27 
27 
26 
29 
22 
25 
29 
31 
14 
31 
26 
25 
23 
10 
35 
21 
32 
31 


RANK  AND  FILE. 


243 
224 
276 
296 
282 
307 
287 
319 
245 
226 
233 
314 
218 
237 
227 
187 
254 
253 
401 
435 


26 

55 

47 

48 

64 

137 

47 

57 

108 

134 

110 

83 

115 

103 

141 

98 

85 

122 

53 

49 


11 

254 

87 

52 

41 

136 

43 

79 

161 

151 

197 

129 

179 

201 

161 

196 

113 

81 

10 


16 


1 


305 
541 
431 
410 
397 
591 
386 
464 
525 
538 
552 
532 
513 
547 
538 
487 
457 
459 
495 
500 


5,464  |l682201  2,284:  37  19,668 


Wanting  to 
complete. 


1 

_^ 
15 


H 


Since  last 
.Return. 


33518 

99|  - 
20'J   5 
230 
243 

49 
254 
176 
115 
102 

88 
108 
127 

93 
102 
153 
263 
181 
145 
140 


25  13,21237   13   17   22 


& 


Return  of  General  SCOTT'S  Brigade  ;  sixty-seven  men,  rank  andjile,  to  a  Company,  and  ten  Companies  in  a  Regiment  , 

is  the  establishment. 


olonel  Lasher's 

olonel  Malcom's 

olonel  Drake's 

Comp.  of  Lt.  Col.  Hardenburgh's 

Total.. 


81  41  3 


34 


30 
27 
29 
15 


462 
196 
359 
222 


42 
14 
57 
22 


4l  4l  31  -  I  101  |  57  1 1,239  |  135 


34 


30 
50 
40 

7 


127 


30 


555 
276 
480 
254 


1,565  |  4 


5 
4 
3 
1 

13  |     780 


115 

394 

190 

81 


17    - 


10 


17!  -  '20 


leturn  of  General  HEARD'S  Brigade;  seventy-two  men,  rank  and  file,  to  a  Company,  and  eight  Companies  to  a  Regi 

ment,  is  the  establishment. 


olonel  Forman's. 

Companies  of  Col.  Hunt's 

Companies  of  Col.  Martin's.... 
Companies  of  Col.  Newcomb's. 
Comp.  of  Col.  Van  Cortlandt's. 


Total 


1  1 

1  1 

1  1 

li  1 


5!  5\  26|  26'  2ll  25  3^  5 


i!  i 


29 
24 

28 
9 

18 


4   108 


370 
271 
281 
90 
176 


46  11,188 


42 
23 
55 
6 
14 


140 


11 


11 


30 


19 


432 

301 

356 

99 

200 


1,388  '12  Il6 


144 
203 
148 
117 


772 


18 


11 


Return  of  General  WADSWORTH'S  Brigade  ;  eighty-three  rank  andjlle  to  a  Company,  and  eight  Companies  to  a  Regi- 

ment, is  the  establishment. 


Colonel  SiUiman's. . 

olonel  Gay's 

Colonel  Bradley's. .. 

Colonel  Sage's 

oloiir!  Selden's... . 
olonel  Douglass's., 
olonel  Chester's . . . 


Total 


'otal  of  General  Beard's 

'otal  of  General  Scott's 

'otal  of  the  old  estab'd  Regiments 
otal  of  the  whole 


7   7 


_5J_43 
_5J_26 
3  34 


17  122  127 


14J17J17 
28I33I30I225 


4:2 
_2JI 
_33 
124 


228220191223634 


7   7   7 


54 


=u[j 

1231420;i9ll7 


lil 


30 

28 
29 
85 
24 
25 
26 


187 


108 
101 


513 


909 


90 


46_ 

57 

272 


465 


245 
216 
398 
155 
153 
274 
184 


1,625 


1,188 


1,239 


5,464 


9,516 


36,    ! 

73    - 
43     2 
63 

23 

57 
44 


33fl 


140   11 


135 


1 082  201 


2296254 


34 


92 

115 

28 

79 

70 

112 

126 


622 


30 


127 


2,284 


3,063 


375 
404 
471 
301 
246 
443 
354 


2,594 


19     1,388 


30     1,565 


21 


260 
193 
363 
418 
221 
310 


2,054 


12  1 16  |    772 


37     9,668,15 


86  Il5,215  65 


13       780 


3,212 


6,820 


11 


22 


Head-duarters,  July  27,  1776. 


Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Artillery,  commanded  by  Colonel  HENRY  KNOX,  Esquire,  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED 

COLONIES. 


Present,  fit  for  duty. 

Sick,  present 

Sick,  absent  

On  command 


Total 


O 


O 


ill        1      10      10      12 


19 


0 


1  I     1  I    1 


18 


13 


O 


32  I  31  I  64  I  63  |    2 


17 

5 
114 


23  I  314 


335 

26 

6 

221 


588 


New-York,  July  27,  1776. 


641 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


G42 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  WAR. 

New-York,  July  29,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  At  length  I  have  been  able  to  comply  with 
the  first  part  of  a  resolution  of  Congress,  relative  to  a  return 
of  the  vacancies  in  the  several  regiments  composing  that 
part  of  the  Army  under  rny  immediate  command.  I  thought 
to  have  made  this  return  much  sooner,  but  the  dispersed  situ- 
ation of  our  troops,  the  constant  duty  they  are  upon,  the 
difficulty  of  getting  returns  when  this  is  the  case,  especially 
when  those  returns  are  (more  than  probable)  to  undergo 
several  corrections,  and  the  variety  of  important  occurrences 
which  have  intervened  of  late  to  withdraw  attention  from 
this  matter,  will,  I  hope,  be  admitted  as  an  excuse,  and  the 
delay  not  ascribed  to  any  disinclination  in  me  to  comply 
with  the  order;  as  I  shall,  while  I  have  the  honour  to  remain 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  obey,  to  the  utmost  of 
my  power,  and  to  the  best  of  my  abilities,  all  orders  of  Con- 
gress with  a  scrupulous  exactness. 

With  respect  to  the  latter  part  of  the  aforementioned 
resolution  of  the  27th  of  June,  I  have  to  observe,  that  I 
have  handed  in  the  names  of  such  persons  as  the  Field- 
Officers  of  the  several  regiments  and  their  Brigadiers  have 
pointed  out,  as  proper  persons  to  fill  these  vacancies.  I  have 
neither  added  to  nor  diminished  aught  from  their  choice, 
unless  the  following  special  information,  which  I  considered 
my  indispensable  duty  to  give,  should  occasion  any  altera- 
tions. 

For  the  Twentieth  Regiment,  then,  (late  Arnold's,)  there 
were  two  competitors,  to  wit:  Colonel  Durkee,  the  present 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  who  has  had  charge  of  the  regiment 
ever  since  the  first  establishment  of  it,  and  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Tyler,  of  Parsons's  regiment.  The  pretensions  of  both, 
and  a  state  of  the  case,  I  have  subjoined  to  the  list  of  vacan- 
cies given  in  by  General  Spencer,  as  1  have  also  done  in  the 
case  of  Colonel  Learned  to  another  list  exhibited  by  Gene- 
ral Heath.  If  Learned  returns  to  the  regiment,  the  vacan- 
cies stand  right;  if  he  should  not,  I  presume  the  regiment 
will  be  given  to  the  Lieutenant-Colonel,  William  Shtpherd, 
who  stands  next  to  Tyler  in  rank,  and  not  second  to  him  in 
reputation;  this  change  would,  in  its  consequences,  occasion 
several  moves. 

There  is  a  third  matter,  in  which  I  must  be  more  particu- 
lar, as  it  is  unnoticed  elsewhere,  and  that  is,  the  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  Wyllys's  regiment,  Rufus  Putnam,  acts  here  as 
a  Chief  Engineer,  by  which  means  the  regiment  is  totally 
deprived  of  his  services;  and  to  remove  him  from  that  depart- 
ment the  publick  would  sustain  a  capital  injury;  for  although 
he  is  not  a  man  of  scientifick  knowledge,  he  is  indefatigable 
in  business,  and  possesses  more  practical  knowledge  in  the 
art  of  Engineering  than  any  other  we  have  in  this  camp  or 
Army.  I  would  humbly  submit  it,  therefore,  to  Congress, 
whether  it  might  not  be  best  to  give  him  (Putnam)  the 
appointment  of  Engineer  with  the  pay  of  sixty  dollars  per 
month;  less  than  which  I  do  not  suppose  he  would  accept, 
as  I  have  been  obliged,  in  order  to  encourage  him  to  push 
the  business  forward  in  this  our  extreme  hurry,  to  give  him 
reasons  to  believe  that  his  Lieutenant-Colonel's  pay  would 
be  made  equal  to  this  sum. 

If  this  appointment  should  take  place,  then  it  makes  a 
vacancy  in  Wyllys's  regiment,  which  I  understand  he  is  de- 
sirous of  having  filled  up  by  Major  Henley,  an  active  and 
spirited  officer,  now  a  Brigade-Major  to  General  Heath. 

I  am  sorry  to  take  up  so  much  of  your  time  as  the  recital 
of  particular  cases  and  some  others  require;  but  there  is  no 
avoiding  it,  unless  Congress  will  be  pleased  to  appoint  one 
or  more  persons,  in  whom  they  can  confide,  to  visit  this  part 
of  the  Army  once  a  month,  inspect  into  it,  and  fill  up  the 
vacancies,  as  shall  appear  proper  to  them  upon  the  spot. 
This  cannot  be  attended  with  any  great  trouble  nor  much 
expense,  as  it  is  only  in  the  part  of  the  Army  under  my  im- 
mediate direction  that  such  a  regulation  would  be  necessary; 
the  officers  commanding  in  other  departments  having,  I 
believe,  this  power  already  given  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  a  list  of  the  officers  of  the 
regiments  at  this  place,  and  long  ago  directed  the  like  return 
to  be  made  from  the  Northern  and  Eastern  troops,  which  I 
hope  is  complied  with.  I  also  make  return  of  the  Artillery 
according  to  Colonel  Knox's  report,  and  of  the  ordnance  and 
stores,  &c.,  agreeable  to, the  Commissary's  return. 

I  come  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favour  of 
the  20th  instant,  with  several  enclosures,  relative  to  a  propo- 


sal of  Mr.  Goddard,  and  beg  leave  to  give  it  as  my  opinion, 
that  the  introduction  of  that  gentleman  into  the  Army  as 
Lieutenant-Colonel  would  be  attended  with  endless  confu- 
sion. I  have  spoken  to  Colonel  Parsons  (who  is  a  very 
worthy  man)  upon  this  subject.  I  have  done  more,  I  have 
shown  him  the  memorial;  in  answer  to  which  he  says,  that 
in  the  conversation  had  between  him  and  Mr.  Goddard  the 
latter  was  told,  that  unless  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tyler  was 
provided  for,  the  Major  Prentiss  advanced  to  a  Lieutenant- 
Colonelcy  in  some  other  regiment,  and  his  eldest  Captain 
(Chapman)  not  deprived  of  his  expectation  of  the  Majority, 
his  coming  jn  there  would  give  uneasiness;  but,  nevertheless, 
if  it  was  the  pleasure  of  Congress  to  make  the  appointment, 
he  would  do  everything  in  his  power  to  make  it  palatable. 

If  all  these  contingencies  were  to  take  place  before  Mr. 
Goddard  could  get  into  a  regiment  he  had  been  paving  the 
way  to,  what  prospect  can  there  be  of  his  getting  into  any 
other  without  spreading  jealousies  as  he  goes? 

With  respect  to  the  regiment  of  Artificers,  I  have  only  to 
observe,  that  the  forming  of  them  into  one  corps  at  the  time 
1  did,  when  immediate  action  was  expected,  was  only  in- 
tended as  a  temporary  expedient  to  draw  that  useful  body 
of  near  six  hundred  men  into  the  field  under  one  head,  and 
without  confusion.  The  appointment  of  officers,  therefore, 
in  this  instance,  was  merely  nominal,  and  unattended  with 
expense. 

The  mode  of  promotion,  whether  in  a  Continental,  Colo- 
nial, or  Regimental  line,  being  a  matter  of  some  considera- 
tion and  delicacy  to  determine,  I  thought  it  expedient  to 
know  the  sentiments  of  the  General  Officers  upon  the  conse- 
quences of  each,  before  I  offered  my  own  to  your  Board;  and 
I  have  the  honour  to  inform  you,  that  it  is  their  unanimous 
opinion,  as  it  is  also  mine,  from  observations  on  the  temper 
and  local  attachments  of  each  corps  to  the  members  thereof, 
that  regimental  promotions  would  be  much  the  most  pleasing. 
But  this,  it  is  thought,  had  better  appear  in  practice,  than 
come  announced  as  a  resolution,  and  that  there  ought  to  be 
exceptions  in  favour  of  extraordinary  merit  on  the  one  hand, 
and  dement  on  the  other — the  first  to  be  rewarded  out  of  the 
common  course  of  promotion,  whilst  the  other  might  stand, 
and  sustain  no  injury.  It  is  a  very  difficult  matter  to  step 
out  of  the  regimental  line  now  without  giving  much  disquie- 
tude to  the  corps  in  which  it  happens.  Were  it,  then,  to  be 
declared,  as  the  resolution  of  Congress,  that  all  promotions 
should  go  in  this  way,  without  some  strong  qualifying  clauses, 
it  would  be  almost  impossible  to  do  it  without  creating  a 
mutiny.  This  is  the  sense  of  my  officers;  as  also,  that  the 
promotions  by  succession  are  not  meant  to  extend  to  non- 
commissioned officers  further  than  circumstances  of  good 
behaviour,  &LC.,  may  direct. 

As  the  list  of  vacancies  are  returned,  in  consequence  of 
an  order  of  Congress,  and  would,  I  doubt  not,  be  referred 
to  your  Board,  I  have  sent  no  duplicate;  nor  have  I  written 
to  Congress  on  the  subject.  But,  that  I  may  not  appear 
inattentive  to  their  commands,  I  must  request  the  favour  of 
having  this  letter,  or  the  substance  of  it,  laid  before  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  &ic., 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  Board  of  War,  fee.,  John  Adams,  Roger  Sher- 
man, B.  Harrison,  James  Wilson,  and  Ed.  Rutledge. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  29,  1776. 
DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  22d  instant  I  received  by  post, 
and  note  the  contents.  The  company  of  Artificers  you 
mention  are  much  wanted,  and  I  would  have  you  order  them 
with  all  convenient  despatch.  It  was  necessary  the  troops, 
on  their  march  for  Ticonderoga,  should  be  furnished  with 
powder  and  ball.  I  have  written  several  times  about  the 
remaining  part  of  the  arms,  which  you  have  not  ndticed  in 
your  letters.  There  is  yet  a  deficiency  in  the  carbines,  which 
are  not  all  arrived;  these,  with  the  other  arms  taken  in  differ- 
ent vessels,  I  wish  you  to  send  on.  I  am  exceedingly  anxious 
to  know  if  you  have  forwarded  the  powder  I  mentioned, 
what  quantity,  and  where  stored.  I  must  beg  your  answer  to 
these  particulars  in  your  next.  The  pork  taken  from  Ire- 
land the  Commissary-General  requests  may  all  be  secured 
for  the  use  of  the  Army,  and  desires  you  will  order  the 
Deputy-Commissary,  Mr.  Miller,  to  secure  it  in  store  till  he 
receives  his  orders  respecting  it.  Colonels  Hutchinson's  and 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


41 


643 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


644 


Sergeant's  regiments  have  arrived,  with  one  man  who  has 
the  small-pox,  but  hope  to  be  able  to  prevent  the  spreading 
of  that  fatal  disorder. 

The  enemy's  fleet  are  daily  arriving;  it  appears  they 
must  have  been  scattered  on  their  passage,  as  they  come  in 
sometimes  single,  at  others  three,  four,  and  so,  on.  1  hope 
our  cruisers  may  pick  up  some  of  them. 

I  am,  sir,  &tc.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Major-Gen.  Ward,  or  officer  commanding  in  Boston. 

P.  S.  We  are  in  distressing  want  of  Artillerymen.  If  you 
can  make  any  tolerable  shift,  I  must  urge  your  sending  on 
Captain  Burbeck  with  his  company  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  am,  Sic.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 


ROBERT  H.  HARRISON  TO  DANIEL  TILLINGHAST. 

New-York,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  it  in  command  from  his  Excellency  to  inform 
you  that  your  favours  of  the  15th  and  17th  came  duly  to 
hand,  and  that  the  arms,  &,c.,  contained  in  the  invoices 
therewith  transmitted,  have  been  safely  received  into  the 
Ordnance  stores. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

ROBERT  H.  HARRISON. 

To  Daniel  Tillinghast,  Esq.,  Continental  Agent,  Provi- 
dence. 


JOSEPH  TRUMBITLL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favour  ol 
the  27th  instant,  directing  me  to  supply  provisions  to  Mr 
Gushing  and  others,  who  have  the  care  of  the  Continental 
ships  in  New-England.  It  came  just  in  time  for  me  to  send 
the  necessary  orders  to  Mr.  Charles  Miller,  in  Boston,  per 
this  post,  which  I  have  done,  and  directed  him  to  notice  the 
several  gentlemen  thereof. 

The  following  is  an  extract  of  a  letter  received  per  post 
from  Mr.  Charles  Miller,  in  Boston,  my  deputy  there,  dated 
22d  July,  1776: 

"  Yesterday,  a  large  transport  came  into  our  eelpot.  The 
fort  fired  on  her.  The  Captain  sent  his  boat  on  shore,  to 
know  the  reason  why  he  was  fired  at.  Our  people  detained 
the  boat  and  men,  and  sent  a  boat  and  men  of  their  own  on 
board,  and  brought  her  safe  to  town.  She  has  on  board 
fifteen  hundred  barrels  of  beef  and  pork,  a  quantity  of 
butter  and  oatmeal,  and  several  other  articles.  We  have 
just  received  advice  from  Salem,  that  a  small  letter-of-marque 
sloop,  fixed  out  there,  and  bound  to  the  West-Indies  with 
lumber,  fell  in  with  and  took  a  large  ship  from  Jamaica  for 
London.  She  has  on  board  near  eight  hundred  hogsheads 
of  sugar  and  rum,  and  twenty-seven  pieces  of  cannon.  On 
their  return  for  Salem,  they  fell  in  with  a  sloop  bound  for 
New-York,  loaded  with  bale  goods,  which  she  likewise  took. 
After  which,  she  fell  in  with  and  took  another  small  sloop, 
and  all  are  safe  arrived  at  Salem,  Massachusetts." 

Our  people  seem  in  a  good  way  to  make  up  their  losses.  I 
have  a  letter  likewise  from  Jabez  Bowen,  Esq.,  at  Providence, 
informing  that  their  Captain,  (Martindale,)  and  part  of  our 
Bunker-Hill  prisoners,  have  made  their  escape  from  Hali- 
fax jail,  and  got  safe  home.  I  hope  the  Paymaster  here 
and  at  Albany  will  both  be  supplied  with  money  soon,  as  we 
are  all  bankrupt  at  present. 

I  am,  sir,  with  esteem  and  respect,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  J.  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  at  Philadelphia. 

P.  S.  I  have  ordered  Mr.  Miller  to  secure  the  eatables 
on  board  the  transport,  for  the  Continental  service;  and 
General  Washington  has  written  on  the  subject  to  General 
Ward. 


Return  of  the  Officers'  Names,  their  Bank,  and  the  dates  of 
their  Commissions,  in  1775,  in  the  Continental  Service, 
belonging  to  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Foot,  raised  in  the 
Colony  of  the  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. 


Names. 

Dates  nl  r>iiMiiii-sinM-. 

Field-  Officers. 

Julyl,  1775. 
July  1,  1775. 
Jan.  1,  1776. 

Andrew  Colburn  Major  

Names. 

Dales  of  Com- 
missions. 

Names. 

Dales  nf  Com- 
mission*. 

Captains. 

July  1,  1775. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

July  1    1775. 
Jan.  1    1776. 
Jan.  1    1775. 
July  1    1775. 
Jan.  1    1776. 
July  1    1775. 
Mar.  28,  1776. 
Jan.  1,  1776. 

Second  Lieutet 
Jnhn  Sawyer 
Nath'l  Creton 
Benj.  Haywo 
Abel  Holden. 

%ants. 

Jan.  1,  1776. 
July  1,  1775. 
Jan.  1,  1776. 
do. 
July  1,  1775. 
do. 
Jan.  1,  1776. 

Jan.  1,  1776. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
March  28. 
January  1. 

Joseph  Thompson. 
Adam  Wheeler  ..  . 
Michael  Glenson  .  . 
Ebenezer  Winship. 
Thomas  Barnes..  . 

ton.  . 
od... 

Rich.  Buckmaster. 
William  Lemont.. 
John  White  

Moses  McFnrland  . 
First  Lieutenants 

(Vacant.) 
Ensigns. 

Warham  Wheeler. 
Ephraim  Wheeler. 
Ephraim  Minot.... 
Peter  Clayea  

William  Toogood. 
Jonathan  Hill  
James  Kimliell...  . 
Nathaniel  Wheeler 

Mason  Wattles  ..  . 
Isaac  Nichols  
William  Hutchins. 
jDudley  Tyler  

Simon  Snrtwell  ..  . 
Joseph  Wood  

Names. 

Dales  of  Warrants 

Staff-Officer). 

in. 

nl.  . 

July  1,  1775. 
July  1,  1775. 
March  18,  1776. 

Abel  Holclen                Jldjuta 

Benjamin  Putnam  Surgeon  
Asa  Kingsbury  Mate. 

N.  B.  Second  Lieutenant  vacant  in  Captain  McFarland's  Company. 
Ensign  Dudley  Tyler  recommended  to  fill  up  the  vacancy  in  Captain 
McFarland's  Company;  and  Sergeant  Samuel  Frost  recommended  to  be 
Ensign  of  that  Company. 

JOHN  NIXON,  Colonel. 
NEW-YORK,  July  6,  1776. 


Return  of  the  Officers'  Names,  their  Rank,  and  the  Date  of 
their  Commissions  in  1776,  in  the  Continental  service, 
belonging  to  the  First  Regiment  of  Foot  raised  in  the 
Colony  o/ NEW-YORK. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL,  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR  :  Colonel  Hand  reports  nine  ships,  four  brigs,  and  two 
sloops,  at  the  Hook,  that  came  in  last  evening.  Two  brigs 
came  up  to  the  Narrows,  and  one  went  down. 

I  arn,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant,  N.  GREENE. 


Names. 

Dates  of  Commission*. 

Field  Officers. 
.lexander  McDougall  .  .  .  .Colonel.  . 

it-  Colonel.  . 

30  June,  1775. 
8  March,  1776. 
30  June,  1775. 

Names. 

3alesof  Commis- 
sions or  warrams. 

Names. 

Date  of  Commis- 
sions or  warrants. 

Captains. 
ohn  Johnston.  .  .  . 
Lichard  Varick  .  .  . 
Jenjamin  Ledyard 

28  June,  1775. 
28  June,  1775. 
28  June,  1775. 
28  June,  1775. 
24  Feb.,  1776. 
24  Feb.,  1776. 
25  April,  1776. 
27  April,  1776. 
28  June,  1776. 

14  May,  1776. 
24  Feb.  1776. 
24  Feb.  1776. 
24  Feb.  1776. 
24  Feb.  1776. 
24  Feb.  1776. 
25  April,  1776. 
27  April,  1776. 
28  Mar.,  1776. 

Second  Lieutenants. 
Henry  Tiebout  
Arant  Van  Hook.. 
Peter  Vergereau..  . 
Cornelius  Becker.  . 
William  Tapp  
William  D.  Tripp. 
Joseph  De  Groot.. 
Andrew  Taylor..  . 
William  Dunn.  .  .. 
Ensigns. 
Theodosius  Fowler 
James  Fairly  
(Vacant.) 
James  Bonnell..  .  . 
W.W.De  Peyster 
Samuel  Young.  .  . 
Isaac  Pioneer..  .. 
Benjamin  Jones..  . 
(Vacant.) 

24  Feb.,  1776. 
24  Feb.,  1776. 
24  Feb.,  1776. 
24  Feb.,  1776. 
13  June,  1776. 
24  April,  1776. 
25  April,  1776. 
18  June,  1776. 
30  Mar.  ,1776. 

24  Feb.,  1776. 
24  Feb.,  1776. 

26  Feb.,  1776. 
24  Feb.,  1776. 
24  Feb.,  1776. 
25  April,  1776. 
27  April,  1776. 

Lbrm.  Van  Wyck. 

Cornelius  Steinrod. 
Ambrose  Horton.  . 

First  Lieutenants. 
jeonard  Bleecker.  . 
.Villiam  A.  Forbes 
ames  M.  Hughes, 
benjamin  Walker. 
Abra'm  B.  Banker, 
'ohn  Johnston.  .  .. 

Thomas  Le  Foy.  .  . 

Names. 

Dales  ol'  Commissions  or 
Warrants. 

Staff-Officers. 
Israel  Evans  Chaplain  

1  June,  1776. 
18  March,  1776. 
1  May,  1776. 
1  March,  1776. 
20  March,  1776. 

Joseph  Carr  Quartermaster  .  . 
Benjamin  Curtis  Surgeon  
Isaac  Ledyard  Male  

ALEXANDER  McDoucALL,  Colonel. 

This  Regiment  is  raised  during  the  present  contest,  the  Congress  of 
the  Colony  having  had  regard  in  the  nomination  of  officers  tn  such  per- 
sons as  would  probably  be  able  to  raise  men  to  recruit  the  Regiment. 
The  Colonel  declines  naming  persons  for  Ensigns  to  fill  up  the  two 
vacancies. 


645 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


646 


A  Return  of  the  Names  and  Rank  of  the  Officers  of  the 

Nineteenth  Regiment,  JULY  29,  1776. 
The  Regiment  under  my  command  was  raised  in  the 
Colony  of  Connecticut,  in  July,  1775,  to  continue  in  service 
five  months;  said  service  ended  December  6,  1775.  Said 
Regiment  was  ranked  in  said  Colony  the  Seventh  Regiment 
at  the  end  of  said  campaign.  The  Officers  set  down  in  the 
following  Roll  engaged  anew,  and  raised  the  Regiment  now 
under  my  command,  to  continue  until  the  1st  day  of  January 
next,  in  the  Continental  service,  and  is  the  Nineteenth  Regi- 
ment in  the.  said  service. 


Names. 

Rank. 

Date  of  Coi 

Colony  CuimnU- 
riOMi 

imissinns. 

'ontiiientiil  Com- 
missions. 

Charles  Webb 

July  6,  1775. 
July  6,  1775. 
June  6,  1775. 
July  6,  1775. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
1st,  Lieut,  do. 
1st  Lieut,  do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
(  Ensigp;  do. 
(  last  year, 
do.       do. 
do.       do. 
do.       do. 

Jan.  1,  1776. 
Jan.  1,  1776. 
July  1,  1775. 
Feb.  1,  1776. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

I      do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 

Jan.  1,  1776. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

Lieutenant-Colonel 

John  £*r°°  s  

Nathaniel  Tutlle... 
Edward  Shipman..  . 

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
1st  Lieutenant.  ..  . 
do. 
do. 

do. 

do. 
do. 
do. 
'Vacant.) 

Eli  Leavenworth.  .  . 
William  Hull  

Joseph  A.  Wright.  . 
EliCatlin  

Samuel  Hurlbut..  .  . 
Charles  Pond  

John  Shumway.  .  .  . 

Reuben  Scofield.  .  .  . 

do. 
(Vacant.)  

r.li.sha  Bostwick...  . 
Samuel  Snndford... 
Charles  Webb  

do. 
Do.  and  Adjutant., 
do. 
Do.&  Q.  Master.. 

William  Clark  

Stephen  Belts  

Amos  Johnson  

do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

Amos  Bostwick.  .  .  . 
William  Smith  
John  Ball  

Charles  Whitilesey. 
George  Hurlbut.  .  .  . 

Camp,  New-  York, 

N.  B.  The  Colone 
in  the  Colony  of  Co 
last  war,  1775.    Maj 
of  Massachusetts-Bay. 

Staff  Offic 

Rev.  John  Ganc 
Charles  Webb, 
John  Elderkin 

CHARLES  WEBB 

July  2,  1776. 

1  is  commander  of  the  Ninth  Regi 
nneclicut.     The  Lieutenant-Colonel 
or  Juhn  Brooks  was  born  in  Medford, 

ers  belonging  to  the  Nineteenth  Begin 
Chi 

,  Colonel. 

Dent  of  Militia 
was  a  Captain 
in  the  Province 

lent. 

plain, 
utant. 
irtermaster. 
geon. 
geon's  Mate. 

.  .  Otu 

Elisha  Ely  ..Si» 

Preserve  Wood 

Siu 

CHARLES  WEBB,  Colonel. 


Camp  at  New- York,  July  29,  17J6. 


PERSONS  RECOMMENDED  TO  FILL  THE  VACANCIES  IN  LORD 
STIRLING'S  BRIGADE,  JULY,  1776. 

Remarks  on  the   Officers  and  vacant  Commissions  in  the 
Fourth  Regiment,  commanded  by  Col.  JOHN  NIXON. 

There  is  only  one  vacancy  in  this  Regiment,  which  is  a 
Second  Lieutenancy  in  Captain  McFarland" s  Company:  to 
fill  up  which,  Ensign  Dudley  Tyler,  of  the  same  Company, 
is  recommended;  and  Sergeant  Samuel  Frost,  of  Captain 
Gleason's  Company,  to  be  Ensign  to  Captain  McFarland's 
Company. 

Remarks  on  the  Officers  and  vacant  Commissions  in  the 
First  Regiment  of  NEW-YORKERS,  in  the  service  of  the 
free  UNITED  STATES  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Herman  Zedtwitz,  a  brave  good  offi- 
cer; but  so  disabled  by  a  rupture,  occasioned  by  a  fall  from 
a  precipice  in  the  attack  of  QuebecJc  under  General  Mont- 
gomery, that  he  is  unfit  for  active  duty.  If  some  stationary 
duty,  such  as  the  command  of  some  fort,  could  be  allotted 
him,  and  another  Field-Officer  put  into  this  Regiment,  it 
would  benefit  the  service. 

Captain  Richard  Varick.  He  is  Secretary  or  Aid-de- 
Camp  to  General  Schuyler,  and  ought  to  resign  his  com- 


mission in  this  Regiment;  in  which  case,  William  A.  Forbes 
ought  to  succeed  to  his  Company;  Henry  Tiebout,  Second 
Lieutenant,  should  succeed  him  as  First  Lieutenant;  and 
Ensign  Theodosius  Fowler  in  the  room  of  him  as  Second 
Lieutenant. 

There  will  then  be  three  Ensigncies  vacant  in  this  Regi- 
ment, for  which  the  following  are  recommended: 

Gilbert  R.  Livingston,  who  had  a  warrant  in  this  Regi- 
ment, dated  February  24,  1776,  went  volunteer  to  Canada 
with  Colonel  Winds's  Regiment,  and  is  now  returned  to 
this  Regiment. 

William  Munday,  Sergeant  in  this  Regiment. 

Hugh  Me  Conn,  Sergeant  in  this  Regiment. 

Remarks  on  the  Officers  and  vacant  Commissions  in  the 
Nineteenth  Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  CHARLES 
WEBB. 

In  this  Regiment  are  two  vacancies  of  a  First  Lieutenancy 
in  Captain  Hale's  Company  ;  to  fill  up  which,  Charles 
Webb,  Second-  Lieutenant  of  Captain  Leavenworth' 's  Com- 
pany, is  recommended ;  and  John  Elderkin,  Second  Lieuten- 
ant of  Captain  Hale's  Company,  to  be  Second  Lieutenant 
of  Captain  Shipman's  Company. 

Ensign  Selah  Benton,  of  Captain  Shipman's  Company, 
to  be  Second  Lieutenant  of  Captain  Leavenworth's  Com- 
pany;  and  Ensign  Charles  Whitilesey,  of  Captain  Hull's 
Company,  to  be  Second  Lieutenant  of  Captain  Hale's  Com- 
pany. Two  of  these  changes  are  made  to  avoid  having  the 
Adjutant  and  Quartermaster  in  the  same  Company. 

Benoni  Shipman,  Sergeant-Major,  to  be  Ensign  to  Cap- 
tain Shipman's  Company.  Thomas  Updike  Fosdick,  Ser- 
geant, to  be  Ensign  to  Captain  Huffs  Company. 

Remarks  on  the  Officers  and  vacant  Commissions  in  the 
Third  Regiment  of  NEW-YORKERS,  in  the  service  of  the 
free  UNITED  STATES  OF  NORTH  AMERICA. 

Major  ,  vacant. 

Captain  Andrew  Billings,  eldest  Captai*  in  this  Regi- 
ment, has  done  the  duty  ol  Major  for  several  months  past, 
served  as  a  Captain  last  campaign  with  the  reputation  of  a 
good  officer,  is  recommended  to  fill  this  vacancy;  and  Adju- 
tant Benjamin  Pelton,  who  served  as  a  Lieutenant  in  the  First 
Regiment  last  year,  was  at  the  taking  of  St.  John's,  and  in 
the  attack  of  Quebedc  under  General  Montgomery,  returned 
from  thence  in  May,  too  late  for  any  other  commission,  and 
therefore  accepted  the  Adjutancy  on  the  promise  of  the  first 
vacant  Company, — he  is  recommended  to  succeed  Captain 
Billings. 

Lieutenant  Jonathan  Hallet  is  recommended  to  be  Adju- 
tant in  the  room  of  Benjamin  Pelton. 

RECAPITULATION  OF  THE  COMMISSIONS  RECOMMENDED  TO  BE 
ISSUED. 

For  Colonel  NIXON'S  Regiment. 

Ensign  Dudley  Tyler  to  be  Second  Lieutenant  in  Cap- 
tain McFarland's  Company. 

Sergeant  Samuel  Frost  to  be  Ensign  in  the  same  Com- 
pany. 

Colonel  WEBB'S  Regiment. 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  Webb  to  be  First  Lieutenant 
in  Captain  Hale's  Company. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  Elderkin  to  be  Second  Lieuten- 
ant in  Captain  Shipman's. 

Ensign  Selah  Benton,  of  Captain  Shipman's  Company, 
to  be  Second  Lieutenant  of  Captain  Leavenworth's  Com- 
pany. 

Ensign  Charles  Whittlesey  to  be  Second  Lieutenant  in 
Captain  Hale's  Company. 

Sergeant-Major  Benoni  Shipman  to  be  Ensign  in  Captain 
Shipman's  Company. 

Sergeant  Thomas  Updike  Fosdick  to  be  Ensign  in  Cap- 
tain Hull's  Company. 

Colonel  MCDOUGALL'S  Regiment. 

First  Lieutenant  William  A.  Forbes  to  be  Captain,  in  the 
room  of  Captain  Varick. 

Second  Lieutenant  Henry  Tiebout  to  be  First  Lieutenant 
in  Captain  Forbes's  Company.  Ensign  Theodosius  Fowler 
to  be  Second  Lieutenant  in  ditto. 

Gilbert  R.  Livingston  to  be  Ensign  in  Captain  Johnson's 
Company.  William  Munday  to  be  Ensign  in  Captain 


647 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


648 


Ledyard's  Company.     Hugh  McConncll  to  be  Ensign  in 
Captain  Horlon's  Company. 

Colonel  RITZEMA'S  Regiment. 
Captain  Andrew  lii//i>iffs  to  be  .Major. 
Adjutant  Kenjamin  Pellon  to  be  Captain,  in  the  room  of 
Captain  Billings,  promoted. 

Lieutenant  Jonathan  Hallct  to  be  Adjutant. 

The  foregoing  recommendations  fixed  with  the  Field- 
Officers  of  the  respective  Regiments. 

STIRLING,  Brigadier-General. 
July  22,  1776. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  DATED  NEW-YORK,  JULY  29,  1776. 

Yesterday  one  of  our  galleys,  mounting  one  thirty-two 
pounder  in  her  bow,  and  the  other  a  New-London  galley, 
mounting  two  twelve-pounders  in  her  stern,  and  two  eigh- 
teen in  her  bow,  went  up  the  North  River  to  Spitcn  Devil, 
or  King's-Bridge  Creek,  with  an  intent  to  lay  there  till  the 
ships  come  down  the  river.  Should  that  be  the  case,  I 
make  no  doubt  we  shall  be  able  to  give  a  good  account  of 
them. 

This  moment  arrived  a  sloop,  Captain  Hawkins,  from 
Rhode-Island,  which  gives  the  disagreeable  news  of  Captain 
Biddies  losing  his  prize,  the  ship  Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth, 
Captain  Hoar,  from  Jamaica,  with  three  hundred  hogsheads 
of  sugar  and  one  hundred  hogsheads  of  rum,  &c.,  at  Fisher's 
Island  reef,  just  entering  the  Sound.  Captain  Hawkins  says 
he  saw  the  ship  on  the  rocks  last  Friday,  and  saw  one  vessel 
take  up  an  iron-bound  cask,  which  he  took  to  be  a  hogshead 
of  rum.  There  was  a  great  number  of  people  on  board,  and 
several  vessels  alongside;  and  her  masts  were  cut  away.  He 
does  not  know  if  any  of  the  cargo  is  saved  or  not. 


New-York,  July  29,  1776. 

The  fourth  man  in  the  Counties  of  King's,  Queen's,  and 
Suffolk,  on  Long-Island,  and  Westchester,  Dutchess,  Orange, 
and  Ulster,  were  last  week  ordered  to  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning;  indeed,  many 
of  them  are  gone  to  their  proper  stations  already. 

An  old  gentleman,  between  sixty  and  seventy,  now  does 
duty  in  the  Militia  near  Newark,  in  New-Jersey,  is  the  father 
of  about  fifteen  children  now  alive,  nine  of  whom  are  in  the 
Continental  Army,  from  captains  to  privates. 

Several  cannon  were  fired  last  Thursday  afternoon,  from 
our  Battery  at  Amboy,  at  a  number  of  boats  from  Staten- 
Island,  bound  to  Sandy-Hook,  supposed  to  join  part  of  the 
Ministerial  Fleet  lying  there.  This  brought  on  a  cannonade 
from  the  encampment  of  the  Regulars  near  Billop's  Point, 
on  the  Island,  which  continued  very  hot  on  both  sides  for 
near  an  hour.  The  boats  got  clear,  but  many  of  the  regulars 
were  seen  to  fall,  and  several  were  carried  off,  supposed  to  be 
wounded.  On  our  side,  a  soldier  belonging  to  one  of  the 
Philadelphia  battalions  was  killed,  and  one  wounded ;  a 
horse  in  a  carriage  had  his  head  shot  off  in  the  street,  and 
some  damage  was  done  the  houses. 


siderable  parcel  of  herbs  or  rags,  may  find  a  ready  sale,  by 
applying  at  the  above-mentioned  place  to 

THOMAS  CARNES, 
Steward  and  Quartermaster  to  the  General  Hospital. 


General  Hospital,  at  New-York,  July  29,  1776. 
Wanted  immediately  in  the  General  Hospital,  a  number  of 
women,  who  can  be  recommended  for  their  honesty,  to  act 
in  the  capacity  of  Nurses ;  and  a  number  of  faithful  men  for 
the  same  purpose.  Any  who  incline  entering  the  service  in 
this  way,  will  meet  with  good  encouragement,  by  making 
application  to  the  Quartermaster  of  the  Hospital  at  King's 
College,  New-  York.  Wanted  also  for  the  use  of  said  Hos- 
pital a  large  quantity  of  dry  herbs,  for  baths,  fomentations, 
&c.,  &£c.,  &,c.,  particularly  balm,  hyssop,  wormwood,  and 
mallows,  for  which  a  good  price  will  be  given  ;  and  also  old 
-linen  for  the  use  of  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiery.  The 
good  people  of  the  neighbouring  towns,  and  even  those 
who  live  more  remote  from  this  city,  by  carefully  collecting 
and  curing  quantities  of  useful  herbs,  will  greatly  promote 
the  good  of  the  Army,  and  considerably  benefit  themselves. 
From  principles  of  benevolence  and  humanity,  it  is  presumed 
that  many  will  attend  to  this  matter,  (which  is  really  of  con- 
sequence,) and  cheerfully  contribute  to  the  relief  of  their  sick 
and  wounded  brethren,  though  from  any  pecuniary  conside- 
ration they  might  neglect,  as  having  the  appearance  of  small 
importance.  Those  who  have  already  collected  any  con- 


ORANGE  COUNTY  (NEW-YORK)  COMMITTEE. 

Clark's  Town,  July  29,  1776. 

In  County  Committee  on  the  South  side  of  the  Moun- 
tains, in  the  County  of  Orange: 

Whereas  Dennis  Snyden,  Jesse  Snyden,  William  Snyden, 
and  Samuel  Snyden,  all  living  at  or  near  a  place  commonly 
called  Snyden' s  or  Dobbs's  Ferry,  on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's 
River,  in  the  County  of  Orange,  and  State  of  New-  York, 
have  refused  to  sign  any  or  either  of  the  Associations  that 
have  been  put  forth,  or  recommended  by  our  honourable 
Convention;  and  as  the  abovesaid  persons  are  greatly  sus- 
pected of  carrying  on  a  treasonable  correspondence  with  our 
unnatural  enemies,  or  ships-of-war,  belonging  to  the  King 
of  Great  Britain,  lying  in  the  abovesaid  river,  by  the  great 
opportunity  afforded  them  in  the  privilege  they  have  by  keep- 
ing ferry,  knowing  the  abovesaid  persons  to  be  inveterate 
enemies  to  the  common  States  of  America  : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  above  Dennis  Snyden, 
Jesse  Snyden,  William  Snyden,  and  Samuel  Snyden,  are 
hereby  forewarned  not  to  keep  ferry,  or  employ  any  other 
person  to  ferry  in  their  room,  or  employ  a  craft  on  the  above- 
said  river,  upon  any  pretence  whatsoever:  and  all  other 
persons  are  hereby  forewarned  against  having  any  corre- 
spondence with  the  abovesaid  Snydens,  or  any  other  person 
or  persons  whatsoever,  that  are  in  any  degree  enemies  to  the 
liberties  of  America. 

And  whereas  John  Snyder  is  advertised  in  the  publick 
Gazette  as  pilot  of  the  ships-of-war  up  the  abovesaid  river, 
greatly  to  the  damage  of  the  said  John  Snyder:  It  is  hereby 
requested,  that  the  said  Printer  will  insert  Robert  Snyden, 
instead  of  John  Snyder,  who  has  always  appeared  to  be  a 
warm  friend  to  the  common  cause  of  America. 

Per  order  of  the  Committee  : 

JOHN  COE,  Deputy  Chairman. 

Attested :  JOHN  COLEMAN,  Secretary. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German-Flats,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  Lieutenant  Welch  has  delivered  me  your  and  General 
Arnold's  letters  of  the  22d  instant,  with  the  Indian  articles 
mentioned  in  a  list  enclosed  in  the  latter. 

General  Arnold  writes  me  that  the  greater  part  was  al- 
ready delivered  to  the  Army  before  my  letter  came  to  hand. 
I  know  they  were  greatly  wanted  there.  We  shall  be 
greatly  distressed  for  a  supply  for  the  Indians;  something 
more  than  eleven  hundred  are  already  arrived,  and  we  this 
day  expect  between  four  and  five  hundred  more. 

When  there  is  no  fresh  or  any  other  beef,  there  is  no  al- 
ternative left,  and  the  pork  mftst  be  used,  as  the  Army  will 
not  live  on  bread  alone;  but  I  should  hope  that  you  received 
a  supply  of  beef  soon  after  the  date  of  your  letter,  from  what 
Mr.  Livingston  observes  in  his  to  you. 

On  the  subject  of  the  gondolas  I  wrote  you  yesterday. 
If  the  carpenters  had  not  arrived  at  Skenesborough  until 
the  1st  day  of  November,  or  indeed  never,  it  would  not  have 
been  my  fault.  Months  are  elapsed  since  my  first  applica- 
tion, and  my  last  \vas  made  immediately  after,  if  not  before, 
the  retreat  of  the  Army  from  Canada.  What  could  I  do 
more?  I  could  not  create  them. 

Although  I  remained  only  part  of  Friday  and  Saturday 
at  Albany,  when  I  returned  from  Crotvn-Point,  I  neverthe- 
less thought  of  the  Army  letters,  and  requested  the  Postmas- 
ter to  send  them  all  up  to  you,  with  a  blank  commission  for 
a  Postmaster  at  Ticondcmga,  to  be  filled  up  by  you.  This 
he  promised  me  would  be  immediately  done.  If  he  has  not 
fulfilled  his  promise,  I  am  sorry  for  it.  I,,  shall  remind  him 
of  it.  If  you  or  the  Army  conceive  that  any  letters  are 
stopped  at  Albany  by  my  order,  you  are  mistaken.  I  am  not 
allowed  to  interfere  in  the  post  office.  Colonel  Gansevoort 
is  not  ordered  to  intercept  any  letters;  at  least  neiiher  he 
nor  any  other  person  has  such  an  order  from  me.  I  should 
imagine  if  he  took  your  letter  from  the  messenger  that  brought 
it  to  Fort  George,  it  was  in  order  to  expedite  it;  and  if  he 
did  do  that,  I  cannot  possibly  discover  any  criminal  intention 


649 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  JULY,  177G. 


650 


in  it.     It  is  his  duty  to  forward  all  letters  on  publick  business 
with  all  possible  despatch :  he  has  my  orders  so  to  do.    If  he 
should,  therefore,  stop  any  letters  going  to  or  from  the  Army, 
he  would  be  culpable,  and  merit  punishment. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHITYLER. 
To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Gates. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  8,  1776.] 

Tyonderoga,  July  29,  177fi. 

SIR:  I  am  but  just  now  honoured  with  the  receipt  of 
your  letter  of  the  8th  instant,  with  the  resolves  of  Congress 
enclosed.  As  their  resolves  will  ever  be  held  sacred  by  me, 
they  may  be  assured  of  my  implicit  obedience  to  them.  I 
have  this  day  written  to  General  Schuykr,  to  assure  him  of 
my  entire  satisfaction  and  acquiescence  in  the  resolves  of 
Congress,  and  of  my  unalterable  resolution  to  obey  his  com- 
mands. I  am  confident  we  shall,  as  the  Congress  wish,  go 
hand  in  hand  to  promote  'the  pubiick  service.  Affairs  here 
begin  to  wear  a  less  gloomy  aspect.  The  carpenters  are  all 
got  to  Skenesborough  from  the  different  Colonies,  and  our 
fleet  is  increasing  rapidly,  as  it  ought.  General  Arnold, 
ever  active,  and  anxious  to  serve  his  country,  is  just  returned 
from  Skenesborough,  where  he  has  been  to  give  life  and 
spirit  to  our  dock-yard. 

Two  schooners  and  a  sloop  will  be  at  Crown-Point  this 
evening,  well  manned  and  armed ;  four  gondolas  will  follow 
in  a  day  or  two.  When  what  we  have  finished  get  to  Crown- 
Point,  we  shall  have  as  many  armed  vessels  there  as  will 
carry  fifty-two  pieces  of  cannon,  with  all  the  swivels  we 
have  to  mount.  More  swivels  are  written  for  to  New-York, 
and  we  shall  collect  all  the  heavy  cannon  we  can  from 
Albany  and  the  posts  upon  the  communication  thither.  I 
wish  they  may  be  sufficient.  More  should  be  sent  could 
they  be  procured.  The  Militia  begin  to  come  to  Skenesbo- 
rough, from  whence  I  do  not  propose  to  remove  them,  until 
all  danger  of  the  small-pox  is  far  removed  from  us.  General 
Waterbury  remains  at  Skenesborough,  and  has  my  orders  to 
exert  his  utmost  vigilance  and  authority  to  prevent  that  pes- 
tilence from  spreading  again  amongst  us. 

The  Director  of  the  Hospital  complains  heavily  of  a  want 
of  medicines.  I  have,  at  his  urgent  request,  ordered  him  to 
New-  York  to  get  a  supply. 

General  Arnold  (who  is  perfectly  skilled  in  maritime  affairs) 
has  most  nobly  undertaken  to  command  our  fleet  upon  the 
Lake.  With  infinite  satisfaction,  I  have  committed  the  whole 
of  that  department  to  his  care,  convinced  he  will  thereby  add 
to  that  brilliant  reputation  he  has  so  deservedly  acquired. 

I  suppose  General  Sullivan,  who  left  us  the  12th  instant, 
has  made  a  report  to  the  Congress  of  the  state  of  this  Army 
upon  his  leaving  it. 

Brigadier  Baron  de  Woedtke  went,  by  my  permission,  to 
the  General  Hospital,  at  Lake  George,  about  a  fortnight  ago. 
His  health  was  indeed  so  much  impaired,  that  I  doubt  his 
recovery.  In  the  mean  time,  I  have  appointed  the  three  eldest 
Colonels  to  command  brigades — Colonel  Stark,  Colonel 
Reed,  and  Colonel  St.  Clair.  Should  the  conduct  of  these 
gentlemen  be  such  as  to  merit  approbation,  (of  which  I  have 
not  the  least  doubt,)  I  am  confident  the  Congress  will  show 
them  some  honourable  mark  of  esteem. 

Independence  has  been  received  by  this  Army  with  that 
applause  that  the  great  benefit  America  will  receive  thereby, 
so  justly  claims. 

A  French  gentleman  is  just  got  here  from  Canada,  by  the 
way  of  Cohos.  He  left  Canada  three  weeks  ago.  He  says 
General  Carleton  has  summoned  all  the  Canadians  to  be 
at  St.  John's  the  last  of  August,  to  go  with  his  Army  of  ten 
thousand  men  to  drive  the  Rebels  before  thetn  like  sheep, 
and  to  meet  the  Grand  Army  at  Albany.  Perhaps  this  may 
prove  a  vain  boast. 

Enclosed  is  a  letter  from  General  Washington  to  me,  of 
the  19th  instant,  with  my  answer.  I  beg  you,  sir,  and  the 
gentlemen  of  the  Congress,  will  believe,  that  if  the  Generals 
in  this  department  do  not  act  with  the  same  ability  and 
have  not  the  same  good  fortune,  that  they  will  not  be  ex- 
celled in  zeal  or  military  virtue  by  any  of  your  officers, 
however  dignified  or  distinguished. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esquire. 


New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  expected  ere  this  to  have  heard  from  you. 
As  I  have  not,  I  will  open  the  correspondence,  by  express- 
ing my  exceeding  great  concern  on  account  of  the  determi- 
nation of  your  Board  of  General  Officers,  to  retreat  from 
Crown-Point  to  Ticonderoga,  assigning  (contrary  to  the 
opinion  of  all  your  Field-Officers)  for  reason,  that  the  former 
place  is  not  tenable  with  your  present  force,  or  the  force 
expected.  My  concern  arises  from  information,  and  a  firm 
belief,  that  your  relinquishing  Crown-Point  is,  in  its  conse- 
quences, a  relinquishment  of  the  Lakes,  and  all  the  advan- 
tages to  be  derived  therefrom;  for  it  does  not  admit  of  a 
doubt  but  that  the  enemy  will  possess  themselves,  if  possi- 
ble, of  that  pass  (which  is  a  key  to  all  these  Colonies)  the 
moment  you  leave  it,  and  thereby  confine  your  vessels  to  the 
narrow  part  of  the  Lake  in  front  of  that  post;  or,  by  having 
them  in  the  rear  of  it,  cut  off  all  kind  of  supplies  from, 
and  intercourse  between,  your  carnp  and  them;  securing  by 
this  means  a  free  and  uninterrupted  passage  into  the  three 
New-England  Governments,  for  invasion  thereof.  Nothing 
but  a  belief  that  you  have  actually  removed  the  Army  from 
the  Point  to  Ticondcroga  and  demolished  the  works  at  the 
former,  and  the  fear  of  creating  dissensions  and  encouraging 
a  spirit  of  remonstrating  against  the  conduct  of  superior  offi- 
cers by  inferiors,  have  prevented  me,  by  advice  of  the  Gen- 
eral Officers  here,  from  directing  the  post  at  Crown-Point  to 
be  held  till  Congress  should  decide  upon  the  propriety  of  its 
evacuation.  As  the  case  stands,  I  can  give  no  order  in  the 
matter,  lest  between  two  opinions,  neither  of  the  places  are 
put  into  such  a  posture  of  defence  as  to  resist  an  advancing 
enemy.  I  must,  however,  express  my  sorrow  at  the  resolu- 
tion of  your  Council,  and  wish  that  it  had  never  happened, 
as  everybody  who  speaks  of  it  also  does,  and  that  the 
measure  could  yet  be  changed  with  propriety. 

We  have  the  enemy  full  in  view  of  us,  but  their  opera- 
tions are  to  be  suspended  till  the  reinforcement  hourly  ex- 
pected arrives,  when  I  suppose  there  will  be  pretty  warm 
work.  Lord  Howe  is  arrived.  He  and  the  General,  his 
brother,  are  appointed  Commissioners  to  dispense  pardons  to 
repenting  sinners.  My  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  with 
you  of  my  acquaintance. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 

Ticonderoga,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  General  Schuyler,  who  left  us  the  10th  instant,  pro- 
mised me  to  give  your  Excellency  a  very  particular  account 
of  the  state  of  the  Northern  Army;  I  conclude  he  has  done 
it,  but  it  might  not  have  reached  your  hands  when  the  post 
left  New-York  the  19th  instant.  Your  Excellency's  letter 
of  that  date  is  now  before  me.  The  Board  of  General 
Officers  mentioned  by  your  Excellency  were  assembled  by 
order  of  General  Schuyler,  who  presided  at  it.  They  were 
unanimous  in  adopting  his  sentiments;  which  were,  in  my 
opinion,  founded  in  reason  and  good  sense.  As  to  the  Field- 
Officers  being  all  of  a  contrary  opinion,  whoever  gave  your 
Excellency  that  intelligence  was  the  author  of  an  assertion 
contrary  to  fact.  Two  Field-Officers  did  object  to  it,  but 
those  whose  judgment  and  experience  entitle  them  to  be  the 
best  attended  to,  acquiesced  in  the  opinion  of  the  General 
Officers.  Colonel  St.  Clair  and  Colonel  De  Haas,  in  par- 
ticular, men  whose  long  service  and  distinguished  characters 
deservedly  give  their  opinion  a  preference,  your  Excellen- 
cy's Council  could  not  see,  nor  did  not  know  the  circum- 
stances of  this  Army,  when  they  took  upon  them  to  decide 
that  the  General  Officers  here  had  acted  reprehensibly. 

My  letter  to  your  Excellency  of  the  16th  instant  too 
plainly  describes  the  deplorable  state  to  which  death,  defeats, 
desertion,  and  disease,  had  most  unhappily  reduced  the 
Northern  Army.  Your  Excellency  speaks  of  works  to  be 
destroyed  at  Crown-Point.  Time  and  the  bad  construction 
of  those  works  had  completely  effected  that  business  long 
before  General  Schuykr  came  with  me  to  Croiun-Point. 
The  ramparts  are  tumbled  down,  the  casemates  are  fallen 
in,  the  barracks  burnt,  and  the  whole  so  perfect  a  ruin',  that 
it  would  take  five  times  the  number  of  our  Army,  for  several 
summers,  to  put  it  in  defensible  repair. 

Your  Excellency  also  mentions  the  troops  expected  to 
reinforce  this  Army.  It  would  be  to  the  last  degree  impro- 
per to  order  those  troops  to  Crown-Point,  or  even  hither, 


651 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  be.,  JULY,  1776. 


652 


until  obliged  by  the  most  pressing  emergency;  as  tbat  would 
only  be  heaping  one  hospital  upon  another.  Those  troops, 
when  they  arrive,  are  all  ordered  to  halt  at  Skencsborotigh. 
Everything  about  this  Army  is  infected  with  the  pestilence: 
the  clothes,  the  blankets,  the  air,  and  the  ground  they  walk 
upon.  To  put  this  evil  from  us,  a  General  Hospital  is  esta- 
blished at  Fort  George,  where  there  are  now  between  two 
and  three  thousand  sick,  and  where  every  infected  person 
is  immediately  sent;  but  this  care  and  caution  has  not  yet 
effectually  destroyed  the  disease  here;  it  is,  notwithstanding, 
continually  breaking  out. 

General  Schuyler  assures  me  lie  has  written  to  the  East- 
ern Governments,  and  acquainted  them  with  the  precautions 
taken  to  purify  the  Army,  and  directed  the  reinforcements 
still  expected  to  halt  at  Skenesborough.  General  Arnold 
is  just  returned  from  thence,  where  he  has  been  exerting  his 
utmost  diligence  in  forwarding  the  vessels  constructing  there. 
Our  little  fleet  already  built  is  equipping  under  his  direction, 
with  all  the  industry  his  activity  and  good  example  can 
inspire.  As  fast  as  they  are  fitted,  they  are  sent  to  Crown- 
Point,  where  the  Sixth  Battalion  of  the  Pennsylvanians, 
commanded  by  Lieut.  Colonel  Hartley,  is  posted.  Three 
hundred  men  and  officers  have  been  draughted  from  the 
corps  here  to  man  the  vessels:  one-half  seamen,  the  other 
to  act  as  marines.  As  soon  as  all  the  vessels  and  gondolas 
are  equipped,  General  Arnold  has1  offered  to  go  to  Crown- 
Point  and  take  the  command  of  them.  This  is  exceedingly 
pleasing  to  me,  as  he  has  a  perfect  knowledge  in  maritime 
affairs,  and  is,  besides,  a  most  deserving  and  gallant  officer. 
The  command  of  the  water  is  of  the  last  importance ;  for, 
should  the  enemy  ever  get  a  naval  force  superior  to  ours 
upon  the  Lake,  the  command  thereof  is  theirs,  let  w  ho  will 
possess  Crown-Point.  As  to  their  penetrating  the  Eastern 
Governments,  they  may  attempt  that  by  Onion  River,  which 
empties  itself  into  Missisque  Bay,  sixty  miles  below  Crotun- 
Point. 

1  must  now  take  the  liberty  to  animadvert  a  little  upon 
the  unprecedented  behaviour  of  the  members  of  your  Coun- 
cil to  their  compeers  in  this  department.  They,  sir,  having 
every  ample  supply  at  hand,  make  no  allowance  for  the 
misfortunes  and  wants  of  this  Army,  nor  for  the  delay  and 
difficulty  that  attend  the  procuring  everything  necessary 
here.  Had  we  a  healthy  Army,  four  times  the  number  of 
the  enemy,  our  magazines  full,  our  artillery  complete,  stores 
of  every  kind  in  profuse  abundance,  with  vast  and  populous 
Towns  and  Counties  close  at  hand  to  supply  our  wants,  your 
Excellency  would  hear  no  complaints  from  this  Army;  and 
the  members  of  your  Council,  our  brethren  and  compeers, 
would  have  as  little  reason  then,  as  they  have  now,  to  cen- 
sure the  conduct  of  those  who  are  iu  nothing  inferior  to 
themselves. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  Enclosed  is  a  letter  I  received  this  morning  from 
the  Director  of  the  Hospital  at  Fort  George.  I  must  beg 
your  Excellency  will  give  Doctor  Morgan  your  directions 
to  relieve  the  pressing  wants  which  Doctor  Stringer  com- 
plains of. 

Fort  George,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  My  daughter's  illness  occasioned  my  being  absent 
from  this  post  a  few  days ;  and  on  my  return  yesterday  eve- 
ning I  found  Major  Stewart's  letter  of  the  18th,  also  one 
from  Colonel  Trumbullof  the  same  date,  requesting  a  return 
of  the  sick,  &tc.,  who  I  find  are  greatly  increased,  insomuch 
that  we  are  in  the  utmost  distress  for  both  assistants  and 
medicines;  which  events  I  foresaw  might  happen,  and  took 
the  timely  precaution  of  representing  it  to  General  Schuyler 
so  early  as  the  25th  of  October  last,  and  to  General  Wash- 
ington the  10th  of  May,  together  with  my  want  of  power, 
which  (by  the  resolve  of  Congress,  a  copy  whereof  is  here 
enclosed)  is  limited  in  so  positive  terms,  as  to  render  me 
incapable  either  to  relieve  or  guard  against  them  by  any 
other  method.  Both  my  letters,  the  Generals  have  informed 
me,  were  sent  to  Congress ;  notwithstanding  which,  the 
matter  rests  as  it  did. 

At  the  same  time  that  I  wrote  to  General  Washington,  I 
requested  an  augmentation  of  the  Hospital  Surgeons  and 
Mates,  and  sent  a  list  for  such  a  supply  of  medicines  as  I 


thought  necessary  for  the  campaign;  and,  from  a  letter  I 
received  from  Mr.  Giles,  Apothecary-General,  before  I  de- 
parted, I  expected  the  medicines  to  be  forwarded  immedi- 
ately; but,  to  my  great  mortification,  except  a  few  that  Dr. 
Potts  brought  with  him,  none  are  arrived,  not  even  a  quan- 
tity that  the  Doctor  informed  me  were  to  come  from  Phila- 
delphia, under  the  care  of  Mr.  McHenry.  What  we  are 
to  do,  under  these  shocking  circumstances,  I  know  not ;  I 
say  shocking,  because  nothing  can  appear  more  so  than  our 
present  situation — men  dying  for  want  of  assistance  that  we 
are  not  empowered  to  give.  Besides  a  want  of  Surgeons, 
I  am  not  furnished  with  Clerks  or  Stewards  ;  one  Clerk,  that 
I  took  upon  myself  to  appoint,  with  General  Schuyler's  con- 
currence, is  not  now  capable  of  going  through  the  business 
he  is  obliged  to  take  charge  of.  As  our  men's  lives  are  thus 
wasted,  would  it  be  improper  (as  writing  answers  no  end) 
that  I  should  leave  the  care  of  the  sick  to  Dr.  Potts,  and  go 
to  York  myself,  and  see  the  medicines  forthwith  forwarded 
by  land,  until  they  can  be  safely  conveyed  by  water,  and 
from  thence  wait  on  Congress  in  person,  lay  our  situation 
before  them,  and  endeavour  to  have  my  powers  enlarged,  or 
at  least  get  their  consent  to  provide  the  number  of  assistants 
that  are  requisite?  If,  sir,  you  should  approve  of  such  a 
step,  I  should  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  a  letter  enforcing 
the  necessity  of  the  application.  I  should  not,  at  this  time 
of  distress,  hesitate  to  engage  Surgeons,  had  not  General 
Schuyler  received  an  answer  in  the  winter  to  the  purport  of 
my  letter  above  mentioned,  which  was  contained  in  a  fresh 
resolve,  "  that  the  resolve  (now  enclosed)  was  sufficient." 

I  must  beg,  sir,  that  you  will  not  impute  it  to  neglect  that 
you  have  not  received  returns  of  the  sick  before  this  time, 
but  let  the  above  relation  account  for  it.  Regularity  and 
a  strict  adherence  to  duty  are  what  I  much  admire,  and  was 
uneasy  when  I  found  we  were  still  so  much  backward  as 
not  to  be  able  to  send  you  a  return,  a  thing  that  I  know, 
from  long  service,  ought  to  be  done  weekly. 

Mr.  Potts  wrote  this  morning  respecting  Mr.  Mouse,  or 
the  gentleman  sent  to  be  examined  for  the  Surgeoncy  of  the 
Navy.  As  he  will  not  answer,  you  will  readily  conceive 
that  it  will  be  adding  to  our  distresses  to  part  with  any  of 
our  gentlemen  for  that  purpose;  neither  do  I  suppose  that  any 
place  on  this  side  of  York  can  furnish  a  person  properly  quali- 
fied ;  and  as  it  is  probable  the  Navy  will  be  much  augmented, 
I  think  a  couple  of  Mates,  at  least,  would  be  necessary. 

Doctor  Potts  informed  me  that  there  were  twenty  half- 
chests  of  medicines,  already  put  up  at  York,  to  be  sent  off 
by  the  first  sloop,  for  ten  battalions  in  this  department.  I 
made  at  Albany  the  strictest  inquiry  about  them,  and  find 
they  are  not  come.  Whence  such  a  dilatoriness  arises,  I 
cannot  account ;  but  there  certainly  is  a  remissness  some- 
where that  ought  to  be  removed,  if  possible. 

Just  now  Lieutenant  Diffendorffamved,  and  acquaints  us 
that  a  large  number  of  sick  are  coming,  in  addition  to  what 
we  already  have,  (about  fifteen  hundred.)  In  the  name  of 
God,  what  shall  we  do  with  them  all,  my  dear  General  ? 

Mr.  Gonsevoort,  brother  to  Colonel  Gansevoort,  and  mem- 
ber of  the  New-York  Convention,  a  gentleman  of  noted 
character,  arrived  at  Albany  from  York,  on  Saturday  last, 
and  tells  me  that  it  is  beyond  a  doubt  that  a  French  fleet  of 
fifty  ships  of  force,  and  fifteen  thousand  troops,  are  actually 
on  their  way  for  Quebeck;  that  it  was  reported,  that  it  was  in 
consequence  of  the  receipt  of  our  Ambassador's  letter  from 
France,  that  Independence  was  so  suddenly  declared;  for 
which  event's  taking  place,  he  was  obliged  to  pledge  the  faith 
and  honour  of  the  Colonies,  so  soon  as  his  letter  should 
arrive,  or  he  could  not  have  obtained  the  armament.  How- 
will  George  like  this,  and  what  will  Burgoyne  now  say  ? 
No  elbow  room.  They  are  effectually  to  prevent  succours 
from  getting  up,  and  to  spare  ships  to  secure  those  of  our 
enemy  and  the  country. 

The  privateers  Schuyler  and  Montgomery  took  a  store-ship 
last  week;  two  Jamaica-men  are  also  taken.  One  hundred 
thousand  homed  cattle,  besides  a  vast  number  of  hogs  and 
sheep,  are  driven  off  Long-Island . 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

SAM.  STRINGER. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates,  Ticonderoga. 

P.  S.  We  have  upwards  of  fifty  thousand  men  in  and 
about  York,  so  far  as  Anthony's  Nose,  on  both  sides  the 
river.  I  must  write  you  something  more.  Lord  Howe  is 


653 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


654 


certainly  arrived,  with  three  ships;  the  rest  behind^  He  sent 
a  letter  "To  George  Washington,  Esq.,"  whicrrwas  not 
received.  General  Washington  sent  him  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  The  next  day  he  received  a  letter  directed 
to  "His  Excellency,  &ic.,  &tc.,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
United  Colonies;"  and  it  is  said  expressed  a  concern  that 
Independence  was  so  suddenly  declared ;  that  it  was  proba- 
ble there  might  have  been  an  accommodation,  his  powers 
being  very  extensive.  Only  two  frigates  and  three  tenders 
are  above  the  town  as  yet,  and  lie  nearly  opposite  Peekskill. 
The  man  that  piloted  them  was  a  Tory,  and  on  board  the 
Asia  all  winter.  He  landed  at  night,  in  order  to  go  to  his 
family,  who  lived  a  little  distance  from  the  river,  and  the 
inhabitants  got  knowledge  of  it,  seized  him,  and  tore  him 
into  atoms. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Ticonderoga,  July  10,  1776. 
(Parole,  Washington.)  (Countersign,  Kern-fork.) 

The  boats  that  came  with  Colonel  St.  Clair's  Regiment 
to  be  returned  to  Crown-Point  as  soon  as  possible.  Colonel 
St.  Clair  will  order  a  proper  detachment  from  his  corps  to 
execute  this  order. 

Colonel  St.  Clair's,  Colonel  De  Haas's,  Colonel  Wayne's, 
and  Colonel  Irvine's  Regiments,  are  to  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  to  encamp  upon  the  Heights  opposite  to  the  old 
redoubt.  As  soon  as  the  Chief  Engineer  can  get  the  road 
up  the  hill  finished,  those  Regiments  will  be  ordered  to 
remove. 

Two  Captains,  six  Subalterns,  eight  Sergeants,  eight 
Corporals,  two  Drums,  and  one  hundred  and  ninety-two 
Privates,  to  parade  to-morrow  morning,  at  eight  o'clock,  to 

fi  on  fatigue,  under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
aldwin,  Chief  Engineer.     This  party  to  get  their  break- 
fast before  they  come  to  the  parade,  and  to  take  with  them 
a  day's  provision,  ready  dressed. 


Head-Quarters,  July  11,  1776. 
(Parolo,  Boiton.)  (Countersign,  Warrtn.) 

Captain  Williams,  with  all  the  blacksmiths  that  came 
with  him  from  Crown-Point,  to  proceed  as  soon  as  possible 
to  Skenesborough.  Lieutenant  Bowman  and  the  armourers 
to  remain  at  Ticonderoga.  Lieutenant  Beal,  with  the  house- 
carpenters,  and  Mr.  Noah  Nichols,  with  the  wheelwrights, 
are  to  remain  at  Ticonderoga,  under  the  direction  of  Colonel 
Baldwin,  Chief  Engineer.  Mr.  Richard  Tillock,  with  the 
thirteen  ship-carpenters  under  his  direction,  are  to  proceed 
immediately  to  Skenesborough.  Lieutenant  Curtis,  with  his 
gang  of  ship-carpenters,  are  to  remain  at  Ticonderoga,  under 
the  direction  of  Commodore  Wynkoop. 

The  same  fatigue  party  as  was  directed  by  yesterday's 
orders,  to  parade  to-rnorrow  morning  at  the  same  hour,  and 
under  the  same  directions  and  regulation  as  therein  expressed. 
This  party  to  be  furnished  every  morning  by  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Regiments,  until  further  orders. 

A  Return  of  each  Corps  to  be  delivered  to  Colonel  Trum- 
bull  to-morrow  morning  at  ten  o'clock,  that  the  duty  may 
be  regulated. 

The  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Pennsylvania  Regiments 
to  send  a  scouting  party  of  one  Subaltern,  one  Sergeant,  and 
twenty  men  every  morning,  half  an  hour  before  day,  who 
are  carefully  t6  examine  the  ground  in  the  front  of  the  old 
French  lines  and  the  Isthmus  between  the  Bridge  and  the 
side  of  the  Lake  to"  the  northeast  of  the  Fort.  The  officer  to 
report  to  the  General  upon  his  return. 


(Parole,  Philadelphia.) 


(Parole,  WUliarmhirgli.) 


Head-auarters,  July  12,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Franklin.) 

Head-Quarters,  July  13,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Virginia.) 


One  woman  from  each  Company  of  each  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Battalions  now  at  this  post,  to  be  draughted  as  soon 
as  possible,  and  sent  to  the  General  Hospital  at  Fort  George 
to  nurse  the  sick.  They  will  have  the  customary  allowance 
of  provision,  Sic.,  from  Doctor  Stringer,  Director  of  the 
Hospital  there. 

Captain  Stevens,  of  the  Artillery,  will  encamp  with  his 
Company  near  the  Landing  on  the  east  side  of  the  Lake, 
where  all  the  artillery,  stores,  &c.,  are  to  be  landed. 


When  the  batteaus  are  unloaded,  Captain  Stevens  will 
order  them  all  to  be  carefully  returned,  and  made  fast  in  the 
Bay,  to  the  south  of  the  old  Fort. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Baldwin  will  draw  provision  twice  a 
week  for  all  the  Artificers,  and  take  the  whole  under  his 
direction. 

Head-auarters,  July  14,  1776. 
(Parole,  Hartford.)  (Countersign,  Deane.) 

Captain  Mayhew  to  send  fifty  of  the  seamen  he  brought 
yesterday  from  Crown-Point,  under  proper  officers,  to  bale 
out  the  batteaus,  and  prepare  them  fit  to  be  returned  to- 
morrow morning  to  Crown-Point. 

The  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Artillery  to  be  indefati- 
gable in  landing  the  cannon  and  artillery  stores  at  the  point 
directed  in  yesterday's  orders,  that  the  batteaus  may  be 
returned. 

The  Chief  Engineer  to  order  the  Artificers  to  get  proper 
necessaries  made  over  the  rock  opposite  their  huts,  that  the 
new  encampment  may  be  preserved  clean  against  the  troops' 
arrival. 

Captain  Stevens  will  do  the  same  in  regard  to  his' people. 

Lieutenant  John  Williamson,  of  the  Fourth  Pennsylvania 
Battalion,  is  appointed  Batteau  Master,  and  is  to  be  obeyed 
as  such. 

Head-auarters,  July  15,  1776. 

(Parole,  Maryland.)  (Countersign,  Annapolis.) 

The  Batteau  Master,  Lieutenant  Williamson,  is  to  see  forty 
batteaus  put  in  proper  order  to  be  returned  to  Crown-Point 
as  soon  as  possible. 

Colonel  Maxwell  and  Colonel  Ogden  will  each  of  them 
order  one  Captain,  two  Sergeants,  and  sixty  men,  to  parade 
at  one  o'clock,  to  take  forty  batteaus  to  Crown-Point. 

The  Pennsylvania  Regiments  to  encamp  upon  the  new 
ground  to-morrow.  Colonel  St.  Clair,  with  the  assistance 
of  Colonel  Wayne,  will  this  morning  mark  out  the  ground 
for  their  encampment. 

The  General,  anxious  to  preserve  the  new  Camp  perfectly 
clean  and  free  from  infection,  recommends  it  in  the  strongest 
manner  to  the  Commanding  Officers  of  Regiments  to  have 
their  necessaries  fixed  upon  the  brink  of  the  precipices,  or 
in  such  places  as  are  least  obnoxious.  If  there  is  a  neces- 
sity of  having  any  dug  in  the  front  of  the  Regiments,  care 
must  be  taken  to  have  them  frequently  covered,  and  no 
person  to  be  suffered  to  ease  himself  in  any  other  part  of  the 
encampment. 

The  sick  of  Colonel  Winds's  and  Colonel  Maxwell's  Regi- 
ments to  be  immediately  sent  to  Fort  George. 

Head-auarters,  July  16,  1776. 
(Parole,  Carolina.)  (Countersign,  Ler.) 

The  Court  of  Inquiry  that  have  set  upon  Colonel  Bedel, 
to  sit  again  as  soon  as  possible. 

One  Field-Officer,  two  Captains,  eight  Sergeants,  eight 
Corporals,  four  Drums  and  Fifes,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty 
Privates,  to  mount  guard  to-morrow  at  troop-beating.  The 
Field-Officer  will  receive  his  orders  from  the  General  where 
to  post  his  guard. 

The  ammunition  wanted  to  complete  the  Riflemen,  will  be 
ordered  to  be  delivered  as  soon  as  the  Commanding  Officers 
of  the  Regiments  make  a  return  of  the  deficiency. 

Head-auarters,  July  17,  1776. 
(Parole,  For*.)  (Countersign,  Savile.) 

The  Commanding  Officer  of  Artillery  is  immediately  to  be 
provided  with  a  proper  place  for  a  Laboratory,  and  another 
for  casting  musket-ball  and  buck-shot. 

The  Commanding  Officers  of  Regiments,  and  their  Sur- 
geons, are  to  be  answerable  that  tlie  General  is  immediately 
acquainted  with  any  persons  who  are  seized  wilh  the  infec- 
tion of  the  small-pox,  that  they  may  be  immediately  removed 
to  Lake  George. 

The  state  of  the  men's  ammunition  to  be  immediately 
examined,  and  the  deficiencies  reported.  The  troops  will, 
as  soon  as  possible,  be  completed  to  as  many  rounds  as 
the  pouches  and  cartridge-boxes  they  are  possessed  of  will 
hold.  A  quantity  of  spare  cartridges  will  always  be  ready 
in  store,  to  furnish  an  immediate  supply  when  more  is 
wanted. 


655 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


656 


Head-Quarters,  July  18,  1776. 
(Parole,  Hampton.)  (Countersign,  Harrison.) 

Ensign  Thomas  Ryerson,  of  Colonel  Maxwcirs  Regiment, 
is  appointed  a  Second  Lieutenant  in  the  said  Regiment,  in 
the  room  of  Lieutenant  John  Higgiiis,  deceased. 

The  forty  batteaus  ordered  for  Crown-Point  to  set  out 
immediately.  The  Commissary  will  send  what  flour  is 
wanted  for  that  Post. 

As  Colonel  Reed  and  some  of  the  Members  of  the  Gen- 
eral Court-Martial  ordered  at  Crown-Point  are  absent,  or 
gone  with  the  sick  to  Lake  George,  that  Court-Martial  is 
dissolved. 

A  General  Court-Martial  to  sit  to-morrow  morning,  at  ten 
o'clock,  for  the  trial  of  Colonel  Hazen,  and  such  prisoners  as 
shall  be  brought  before  them.  The  Court  to  be  composed 
of  the  thirteen  eldest  Field-Officers  in  this  Camp:  that  is, 
the  five  eldest  Colonels,  the  four  eldest  Lieutenant-Colonels, 
and  the  four  eldest  Majors.  All  evidences  and  persons  con- 
cerned to  attend  the  Court. 

Captain  Crafts's  Company,  of  Colonel  Greaton's  Regi- 
ment, to  be  detached  to  make  a  quantity  of  musket-cartridges 
in  the  Laboratory  assigned  for  that  purpose.  The  Regiment 
to  be  allowed  in  the  roll  of  duty  for  this  Company. 

Colonel  John  Trumbull  is  appointed  Deputy  Adjutant-Gen- 
eral to  the  Army.  He  is  to  be  obeyed  as  such. 

For  the  Court-Martial :  Colonel  Poor,  President;  Mem- 
bers: Colonels:  Bond,  Maxwell,  Paterson,  De  Haas ;  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonels: Gilman,  Poor,  Johnston,  Shreve;  Majors: 
Cillcy,  Loring,  Morris,  Haussegger.  Captain  Scott  to  act 
as  Judge  Advocate. 


(Parole,  Wilmington.) 


Head-Quarters,  July  19,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Richmond.) 


The  weather  having  been  so  very  wet  and  stormy  all  last 
night,  the  Commissary  is  to  issue  one  gill  of  rum  to  every 
non-cornmissioned  officer  and  soldier  now  in  camp. 

The  Chief  Engineer  is  to  get  all  the  wood-axes  helved 
and  ground  immediately,  that  they  may  be  ready  for  use, 
when  the  weather  clears  up. 

As  soon  as  the  General  Court-Martial  now  sitting  have 
finished  the  trial  of  Colonel  Hazen,  they  are  to  proceed  to 
try  Colonel  Bedel  and  Major  Butterfield. 

A  Return  of  each  Regiment  to  be  given  to  the  Deputy 
Adjutant-General  to-morrow  morning,  at  eleven  o'clock. 
Colonel  Trumbull  will  give  two  blank  Returns  to  each  Ad- 
jutant, which  are  to  be  filled  up,  one  for  the  General,  and  the 
other  for  the  Colonel  of  the  Regiment.  The  Commanding 
Officer  of  each  Regiment,  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the 
Artillery,  and  the  Chief  Engineer  for  the  Artificers,  will  regu- 
larly every  Saturday,  at  orderly  time,  send  their  Returns  to 
the  Deputy  Adjutant-General. 

Head-Quarters,  July  20,  1776. 
(Parole,  Falmovih.)  (Countersign,  KorfoUt.) 

The  men  who  were  draughted  from  the  several  Corps  at 
Crown-Point,  to  serve  with  Captain  Mayhew,  on  board  the 
Continental  armed  vessels,  are  to  parade  at  one  o'clock,  by 
the  General's  Quarters.  . 

Whereas  a  scandalous  and  most  irregular  custom  prevails 
among  the  soldiery,  of  firing  arms  in  and  near  the  Camps ; 
any  non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier  who  shall  hereafter 
be  detected  firing,  without  order,  must  be  sent  to  the  Com- 
manding Officer  of  the  Regiment  to  which  such  delinquent 
belongs,  who  is  hereby  ordered  to  have  the  prisoner  imme- 
diately stripped,  and  punished  with  twenty  lashes. 

A  Return  of  the  Names,  Regiments,  and  Companies,  of 
the  Ship-Carpenters  in  this  Army,  to  be  delivered  to  the 
Deputy  Adjutant-General,  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Arrny  is  to  be  immediately  Brigaded  in  the  following 
manner:  the  First  Brigade,  commanded  by  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Arnold,  to  consist  of  Bond's,  Greaton's,  BiirreWs,  and 
Porter's  Regiments;  the  Second  Brigade,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Reed,  to  consist  of  Reed's,  Poor's,  Patcrson's,  and 
Bedefs  Regiments;  the  Third  Brigade,  commanded  by 
Colonel  Stark,  to  consist  of  Stork's,  Maxwell's,  Winds's,  and 
Wynkoop's  Regiments;  the  Fourth  Brigade,  commanded 
by  Colonel  St.  Clair,  to  consist  of  St.  Clair's,  De  Haas's, 
ll'ai/nc's,  and  Irvine's  Regiments. 

Brigade-Major  to  the  First  Brigade,  Stoddard ;  to  the 
Second,  Rice ;  to  the  Third,  Wilkinson;  to  the  Fourth, 
Scull. 


Head-Quarters,  July  21,  1776. 
(Parole,  ^Br/fsfotw.)  (Countersign,  Providence.) 

As  the  Chief  Engineer  will  have  a  sufficient  number  of 
felling  axes  ready  to  employ  a  large  body  of  men  to-morrow, 
the  General  desires  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  three 
eldest  Brigades  will  send  as  many  men  as  can  be  sent  from 
those  off"  duty,  to  clear  the  ground  for  the  encampment  of 
those  Brigades. 

Captain  Romans' s  Company  will  encamp  with  the  Fourth 
Brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel  St.  Clair.  Major  Badlam 
will  order  two  twelve  and  two  four-pounders  from  the  guns 
already  mounted  in  the  fort,  to  be  placed  in  the  old  French 
lines,  under  the  care  and  command  of  Captain  Romans. 
Colonel  St.  Clair  will  order  the  ground  to  be  marked  for 
Captain  Romans' s  Company. 

The  General  recommends  it  to  Colonel  St.  Clair  to  get 
platforms  laid,  as  soon  as  possible,  for  the  guns  ordered  to 
his  Brigade. 

The  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Brigade  will  be  punc- 
tual in  reporting,  and  in  obliging  the  Colonels  and  Command- 
ing Officers  of  Regiments  to  report  to  him,  the  persons  who 
are  infected  with  the  small-pox. 

After  Orders,  July  21,  1776. — The  Regiment  of  Cana- 
dians, with  all  the  Canadian  families,  now  at  Ticonderoga, 
to  march  to-morrow  morning,  under  the  command  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Antil,  for  Albany. 

Ticonderoga,  July  22,  1776. 
(Parole,  Si.  Battalia.)  (Countersign,  Alexandria.) 

The  Commissary  will  deliver  all  the  soap  he  has  in  store 
in  the  following  proportions  to  each  Regiment: 

To  Col.  Reed's 47  ounces.      To  Col.  Wynkoop's.  .226  ounces. 

Col.  Stark 's 187  Col.  Peterson's. .  .303       " 

Col.  Maxwell's... 294 

Col.  Winds's 306 

Col.  Bond's 294 

Col.  Poor's 371 

Col.  Greaton'a....297 
Col.  St.  Clair's  ...415 
Col.  De  Haas's... 555 


Col.  Wayne's.... 709 
Col.  Irvine's 577 


Col.  Burrell's 2 

Col.  Porter's '233 

Col.  Bedel's 254 

The  Companies  of 

Artillery 144 

The  Carpenters..  .144 

The  Smiths 144 

The  Armourers ...  144 


The  Chief  Engineer,  Colonel  Baldwin,  will  order  that 
the  soap  delivered  to  the  Artificers  be  delivered  properly 
between  them. 

The  three  Brigades,  commanded  by  General  Arnold, 
Colonel  Reed,  and  Colonel  Stark,  will  encamp  as  soon  as 
possible  upon  the  ground  allotted  them  upon  the  Heights. 

Colonel  St.  Clair's  Brigade  to  furnish  a  guard  of  a  Cor- 
poral and  six  men  daily,  to  guard  the  batteaus.  The  Corporal 
will  receive  his  orders  from  Lieutenant  Williamson,  Batteau 
M  aster.  

Head-Quarters,  July  23,  1776. 
(Parole,  Martinico.)  (Countersign,  Monckton.) 

Whereas  it  is  of  the  utmost  consequence  that  a  well-re- 
gulated body  of  Seamen  and  Marines  should  be  immediately 
draughted  from  the  several  Brigades  of  this  Army,  to  the 
end  that  the  Army  of  the  United  States  may  continue  to 
support  their  naval  superiority  and  command  of  the  waters 
of  Lake-Champlain ;  and  for  the  encouragement  of  such  sea- 
men and  marines  as  shall  be  so  draughted  for  the  important 
purpose  aforesaid,  the  honourable  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  have  ordered  each  non-commissioned  officer,  seaman, 
and  marine,  while  employed  in  the  service  aforesaid,  an 
additional  pay  of  8s.,  lawful  money,  per  month,  over  and 
above  the  pay  they  are  entitled  to  receive  in  the  corps  to 
which  they  respectively  belong. 

The  following  is  the  detail  for  the  Non -Commissioned 
Officers,  Seamen,  and  Marines,  to  be  draughted  from  each 
Brigade.  They  are  to  parade  to-morrow  morning  at  eight 
o'clock,  and  immediately  to  be  delivered  to  the  Officers 
appointed  to  command  them.  Each  Officer  will  keep  a 
roll  of  their  names,  Regiments,  and  Companies,  that  their 
pay-abstracts  may  be  regularly  made  up  and  adjusted  once 
a  month. 

Detail  for  the  Seamen  and  Marines. 

First  Brigade 6  Sergeants,  4  Corporals,  4  Drummers,  64  Privates. 

Second  Brigade.. .  .6 4 4 62        " 

Third  Brigade 6 2 2 60        " 

Fourth  Brigade..  .JO .J! ..6. 102        " 

Total 28  Serg'nts,  16  Corp'rals,  16  Drum'ers,  288  Privates. 

Colonel  Poor's  Regiment  is  immediately  to  be  removed 
into  the  Third  Brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel  Stark;  aud 


657 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


658 


Colonel  Wynkoop's  Regiment  into  the  Second  Brigade, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Reed. 

The  Court-Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Reed  was  President, 
is  dissolved. 

Samuel  Tenners,  of  Captain  Trow's  Company,  Colonel 
Bond's  Regiment,  and  William  Prudox,  Filer  in  Captain 
Egery's  Company,  the  same  Regiment,  ropemakers,  are  to  be 
immediately  sent  to  the  Captain  of  the  Sloop,  to  be  employed 
by  him.  They  will  receive  the  same  additional  pay  as  the 
other  artificers. 

A  Court  of  Inquiry  to  sit  to-morrow  morning,  ten  o'clock, 
to  inquire  into  the  conduct  of  Captain  Romans,  of  the  Train 
of  Artillery,  in  a  dispute  between  him  and  his  Lieutenant. 

Colonel  Wayne, President.  Members:  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Irvine  and  Major  Fuller. 


(Parole,  Rhode-Island.) 


Head-Quarters,  July  29,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Newport.) 


(Parole,  Harana.) 


Head-Quarters,  July  24,  1776. 

(Countersign,  Putnam.) 


The  Commissary  to  issue  one  day's  fresh  provisions  to  the 
Troops  now  here,  to-morrow  morning,  at  eleven  o'clock. 

The  Captains  of  the  armed  vessels  and  gondolas  to  send 
this  evening  a  signed  return  to  the  Deputy  Adjutant-General, 
of  the  ammunition  and  military  stores  wanted  for  each  vessel 
and  gondola. 

Head-auarters,  July  25,  1776. 
(Parole,  The  Congress.)  (Countersign,  Independence.) 

Mr.  John  Shreve  is  appointed  an  Ensign  in  Captain 
Brearley's  Company,  of  Colonel  Maxwell's  Regiment.  He 
is  to  be  obeyed  as  such. 

Head-Quarters,  July  25,  1776. 
(Parole,  Lancaster.)  (Countersign,  Armstrong.) 

The  Commissary  for  next  week  to  issue  four  days'  fresh, 
and  three  days'  salt,  provisions.  As  live  cattle  increase,  the 
Commissary  will  issue  five  days'  fresh,  and  two  days'  salt, 
a  week. 


(Parole,  Fort.) 


Head-Quarters,  July  27,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Bristol.) 


The  Commanding  Officers  of  Regiments,  the  Command- 
ing Officer  of  the  Artillery,  and  the  Chief  Engineer,  will  be 
very  exact  in  obliging  their  Surgeons  to  make  an  immediate 
report  of  every  person  infected  with  small-pox. 

Sutling  has  become  so  frequent  and  pernicious  in  this 
Camp,  that  it  is  absolutely  necessary  every  Commanding 
Officer  of  a  corps  should  exert  himself  to  suppress  it.  The 
General  therefore  recommends  it  in  the  strongest  manner 
to  them,  to  seize  all  the  rum  and  spirituous  liquors  from 
Sutlers  who  are  detected  making  private  sale  thereof,  and 
deliver  the  same  to  Mr.  Commissary  Avery,  who  will  give 
his  receipt  for  it. 

The  twenty-five  men  who  have  been  draughted  from 
General  Arnold's  Brigade,  as  shingle-makers,  under  En- 
sign Calkin,  are  to  be  employed  in  that  business  till  further 
orders. 

Head-Quarters,  July  28,  1776. 
(Parole,  Durham.)  (Countersign,  Raxburtj.) 

The  Commissary  will  issue  eight  pounds  of  soap  to  every 
hundred  men,  per  week,  now  in  this  Camp,  upon  a  proper 
signed  return  being  delivered  to  him  by  the  Commanding 
Officer  of  each  corps.  The  Commanding  Officer  of  Artil- 
lery and  Chief  Engineer  for  the  Artificers  to  draw  in  pro- 
portion to  their  numbers. 

Captain  Wtntworth,  of  Colonel  Poor's  Regiment,  tried  at 
a  late  General  Court-Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Poor  was 
President,  for  refusing  to  do  his  duty  when  properly  called 
on,  was  found  guilty  by  the  Court,  sentenced  to  be  cash- 
iered, and  published  in  the  publick  papers  as  having  wilfully 
neglected  his  duty  with  a  view  of  being  discharged  from  the 
service.  The  General  approves  the  sentence  of  the  fore- 
going Court-Martial,  and  orders  it  to  be  put  in  execution 
accordingly. 

Lieutenant  B.  Miller,  of  Colonel  St.  Clair's  Regiment, 
tried  at  the  same  General  Court-Martial,  for  possessing  him- 
self of  part  of  the  hangings  of  Lieutenant  Christie's  sword, 
and  on  suspicion  of  having  secreted  some  effects  of  the  late 
Captain  Watson;  the  Court  unanimously  acquit  him  with 
honour.  The  General  approves  the  sentence,  and  orders 
Lieutenant  Miller  to  be  immediately  discharged  from  his 
arrest. 


Captain  Young,  of  Colonel  BedeTs  Regiment,  tried  at  a 
late  General  Court-Martial,  "  for  deserting  his  post,  at  St. 
Ann's,  on  the  Island  of  Montreal :"  The  Court,  after  con- 
sidering the  evidence  in  the  case,  adjudge  that  Captain 
Young  is  not  guilty  of  the  charge,  and  do  acquit  him  from 
his  arrest. 

Captain  Newland,  tried  at  a  late  General  Court-Martial,  of 
which  Colonel  Poor  was  President,  for  damning  and  other- 
wise abusing  Colonel  Stark:  The  Court  are  of  opinion, 
upon  examination  of  the  evidences,  that  the  charge  is  fully 
supported,  but  judge,  at  the  same  time,  that  the  satisfaction 
offered  Colonel  Stark  at  the  time  of  the  abuse  was  sufficient, 
and  therefore  acquit  Captain  Newland  from  his  arrest. 

The  General  approves  both  the  above  sentences,  and 
orders  that  Captain  Young  and  Captain  Newland  be  imme- 
diately discharged  from  their  confinement. 

Ensign  Steel,  of  Captain  Austin's  Company,  and  Colonel 
Burrell's  Regiment,  tried  at  a  late  General  Court-Martial, 
\vhereofColonel  Greaton  was  President,  for  leaving  the  Army 
and  going  on  to  Crown-Point  with  a  batteau  and  men, 
contrary  to  orders;  the  prisoner  pleads  guilty:  The  Court 
therefore  adjudge  Ensign  Steel  to  be  cashiered  and  dismissed 
the  service.  The  General  approves  the  sentence,  and  orders 
it  to  take  place  immediately. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  RICHARD  VARICK. 

Tyonderoga,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  send  you,  under  the  care  of  the  bearer,  the  chain 
requested  by  General  Schuyler's  letter  to  me  of  the  25th 
instant,  and  have  enclosed  Colonel  Baldwin's  (the  Chief- 
Engineer's)  invoice  of  the  pieces  and  links  that  the  whole 
consists  of.  It  will  be  all  in  the  boats,  on  the  other  side  of 
the  camping-place,  this  evening,  and  will  not,  I  hope,  be 
delayed  in  its  passage  to  you.  I  must  desire  you  to  assist 
the  bearer  in  getting  it  forward  to  Poughkeepsie,  as  the 
Committee  seems  so  anxious  to  have  it  there. 

I  am,  sir,  &c.  HORATIO  GATES. 

To  Captain  Richard  Variclc. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


JOHN  DEWITT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Ticomleroga,  July  29, 1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  I  make  bold  to  return  your  Honour  my 
most  grateful  thanks  for  your  goodness  in  granting  me  a 
Court  of  Inquiry. 

Captain  Romans,  in  his  return  of  the  company  to  the 
Brigade-Major,  the  26th  instant,  has  entirely  left  me  out.  I 
inquired  of  the  Conductor,  who  draws  the  return,  the  reason 
of  the  omission;  who  told  me  he  had  positive  orders  from 
Captain  Romans  so  to  do.  This  I  thought  my  duty  to  in- 
form your  Honour  of. 

Although  a  stranger  to  your  Honour,  1  flatter  myself  were 
you  to  know  the  man  I  had  to  deal  with,  you  would  not 
disapprove  my  conduct.  He  has  neither  honour,  honesty, 
nor  true  valour  in  him. 

If  I  am  to  receive  no  further  satisfaction  for  the  injury 
done  me,  I  would  most  ardently  request  your  Honour's  leave 
to  resign  and  quit  the  service ;  and  that  your  Honour  will 
order  me  to  be  paid  off  and  give  me  a  pass  for  that  purpose. 

I  assure  your  Honour  I  sacrificed  everything  that  was 
pleasing  to  me  for  the  sake  of  serving  my  country,  and  now 
would  cheerfully  undergo  the  greatest  hardships  for  sake  of 
the  same,  were  I  to  be  used  with  common  decency. 

All  which  is  most  humbly  submitted  to  your  Honour  by 
him,  who,  with  the  greatest  respect,  begs  leave  to  subscribe 
himself,  honoured  sir,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble 

servant,  T        -^ 

JOHN  DEWITT. 

To  Major-General  Gates. 


COMMITTEE  OF  POTJLTENEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Poulteney,  July  29, 1776. 
To  His  Excellency  General  GATES  : 

We  understand  that  several  of  the  frontier  towns  have 
applied  to  the  Continental  store  for  powder  and  lead;  we, 
being  one  of  the  frontier  towns,  do  now  apply  to  his  Honour, 
by  Lieutenant  Josiah  Grant,  for  fifty  weight  of  powder  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  weight  of  lead,  for  a  town  stock.  We 


42 


659 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


660 


are  upwards  of  fifty,  able  to  bear   arms  when  called   for. 
We  are  for  liberty  in  general,  and  don't  know  that  there  is 
one  dam'd  Tory  in  this  town.     Your  compliance  will  much 
oblige  us,  the  Committee  of  Safety. 
This  from  us,  true  Sons  of  Liberty, 

NEHEMIAH  How, 
WILLIAM  WARD, 
HEBER  ALLEN, 

Committee  of  Safety. 


their  country;  that  there  are  about  forty  Americans  on  board 
said  ship,  her  whole  number  of  men  being  now  about  one 
hundred  and  sixty;  she  has  taken  on  this  station  eighteen 
vessels,  mostly  small  sloops  and  schooners,  sixteen  of  which 
have  been  burnt;  and  that  about  a  week  ago  they  spoke 
with  seven  sail  of  transports,  with  Scotch  troops  on  board, 
bound  to  New-York,  who  had  been  in  Boston  Bay. 


EXTRACT    OF    A    LETTER    FROM    TICONDEROGA,    DATED    JULY 

29,  1776. 

We  are  hard  at  work  every  day  repairing  the  old  French 
lines,  that  have  once  already  been  very  fatal  to  the  British 
Army;  and  if  they  will  but  let  us  alone  for  two  weeks,  I 
think  they  will  meet  with  as  warm  a  reception  here  as  ever 
they  did.  We  have  a  General  that  is  at  once  the  soldier 
and  the  srentleman,  and  a  parcel  of  men  that  are  determined 
to  defend  this  place;  so  that  let  the  enemy  come  when  they 
will,  they  will  get  what  they  little  expect. 


GOVERNOUR  COOKF.  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Providence,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honour  to  acquaint  your  Excellency  that 
last  evening  Captain  Bucklin,  in  a  privateer  from  this  place, 
returned  from  a  successful  cruise,  in  which  he  took  five  valu- 
able prizes,  bound  from  the  British  Islands  in  the  West- 
Indies  to  Great  Britain.  He  informs  me  that  on  the  25th 
instant,  in  latitude  40°  20',  S.S.E.  from  Nantucket  Shoals, 
upon  the  clearing  up  of  a  fog,  he  found  himself  in  the  midst 
of  twenty-six  sail  of  ships,  two  of  which  appeared  very  large, 
and  were  all  standing  about  west.  He  also  tells  me  that  on 
the  27th  of  June,  in  latitude  35°,  longitude  52°,  he  spoke 
with  the  ship  Morris  in  the  Continental  service,  Captain 
Thomas  Bell,  from  Havre-de-Grace  for  Philadelphia,  with 
a  lading  of  duck,  powder,  lead,  &.c.  Captain  Bell  informed 
him  that  the  Portuguese  had  seized  all  the  American  vessels 
in  their  ports. 

A  prize  which  arrived  here  this  day,  on  Thursday  last 
spoke  with  two  schooners  from  the  eastward,  bound  on  a 
cruise,  who,  the  day  before,  had  taken  a  large  ship  laden 
with  provisions  for  the  enemy's  Army  at  New-York. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  respect,  sir,  your  Excellency's 
most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

NICHS.  COOKE. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


Newport,  July  29,  1776. 

The  Jamaica  ship  lately  taken  by  the  brig  Andrew  Doria, 
Captain  Biddle,  was  last  Friday  chased  ashore  near  Watch- 
Hill,  by  the  Cerberus,  Captain  Stjmons,  who  had  almost 
got  within  gunshot  of  her,  but  being  afraid  to  risk  his  ship 
any  nearer,  was  obliged  to  stand  off  again  and  leave  her. 
The  prize,  we  hear,  is  a  little  bilged,  but  by  the  assistance 
of  the  Cabot  and  Connecticut  brig,  and  a  number  of  small 
craft,  the  cargo  is  likely  to  be  nearly  all  saved,  and  it  is 
thought  the  vessel  may  be  got  off. 

Yesterday  the  privateer  Montgomery,  Captain  Bucklin, 
of  Providence,  went  in  at  the  east  side  of  this  Island,  and 
carried  with  him  a  fine  large  snow,  Captain  Goading,  from 
Antigua,  loaded  with  three  hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar,  and 
one  hundred  hogsheads  of  rum.  And  we  hear  Captain 
Bucklin,  in  company  with  another  privateer,  has  taken  five 
other  considerable  prizes,  viz:  three  ships,  one  snow,  and 
one  brig,  which  were  but  about  one  day's  sail  behind  him, 
two  of  which,  with  the  other  privateer,  were  to  make  some 
port  to  the  eastward. 

Last  Saturday  night,  as  the  Cerberus  was  lying  about 
three  miles  from  Block-Island,  Frank  Gould,  a  mustee  lad, 
of  this  place,  swam  from  the  ship  to  the  Island,  where  he 
got  a  cedar  boat  with  two  sails,  in  which  he  came  off,  alone 
and  naked,  and  landed  at  the  fort  on  Brenton's  Point  yester- 
day in  the  afternoon.  He  is  one  of  the  hands  Captain 
Biddle  put  on  board  one  of  the  Scotch  transports  some  time 
past,  and  which  was  retaken  by  the  Cerberus,  and  again 
taken  by  a  New-York  privateer.  He  says  Mr.  James  Jo- 
siah,  Captain  Biddle's  former  Lieutenant,  who  was  prize- 
master  on  board  the  transport,  is  treated  very  ill  on  board 
the  Cerberus,  as  are  some  others,  for  refusing  to  act  against 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Lebanon,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  not  received  any  of  your  letters.  On  the 
return  of  Major  Ely,  I  am  informed  of  the  care  taken  to 
prevent  the  spread  of  the  infection  of  the  small-pox,  which 
I  hope  will  succeed. 

From  other  intelligence  I  am  become  acquainted  with  the 
wretched  condition  of  the  Army  retreated  from  Canada, 
where  you  were  to  have  commanded  them.  I  wrote  fully 
to  Congress  by  last  post,  which  goes  from  Hartford  this 
day,  what  I  had  heard  concerning  that  Army,  "their  sick, 
ragged,  and  dirty  condition  ;  that  they  were  in  want  of 
clothing,  shirts,  trowsers,  stockings,  and  shoes ;  that  there 
would  be  some  quantities  sent  from  hence  soon ;  and  next, 
subordination  and  harmony  are  to  be  restored.  To  do  this, 
the  officer  that  effects  it,  will  meet  with  great  trouble,  and 
when  done,  will  expect  to  reap  the  honours  of  it.  I  have 
mentioned  to  them,  that  to  prevent  uneasiness  and  jealousies 
between  the  Generals  who  were  to  have  had  the  command 
in  Canada  and  in  New-  York,  why  is  it  not  best,  and  even 
just,  that  each  command  the  same  body  of  men  as  expected, 
without  respect  to  the  place  where  ?  General  Schuyler  will 
have  full  employment  at  Albany,  and  below  on  the  river,  and 
at  Tryon  County,  fcc.;  while  General  Gates  commands  the 
same  Army  at  Ticonderoga,  &c.,  which  it  is  expected  he 
would  have  had  in  Canada.  The  good  of  the  general  ser- 
vice is  the  great  object.  Doth  not  a  regard  to  what  will 
keep  up  harmony  and  prevent  jealousies,  come  within  it?" 
I  wish  to  cast  in  my  mite  for  that  end. 

General  Schuyler  wrote  to  me  to  send  a  number,  not 
exceeding  one  thousand,  felling  axes  to  Albany,  for  the  use 
of  the  Army.  On  advice,  I  have  sent  them  the  same  route 
the  soldiers  march,  by  Bennington,  arid  so  on  to  Skcnesbo- 
rough,  that  the  same  may  be  in  use  sooner  than  they  would 
be  if  sent  by  Albany.  1  have  written  to  Brigadier-General 
Waterbury,  or  in  his  absence,  to  Colonel  Swift,  to  see  them 
properly  delivered,  and  receipts  given  for  them.  The  ac- 
counts of  numbers,  &c.,  come  with  each  parcel. 

I  wish  for  direction,  when  clothing  is  forwarded,  which 
way  it  is  best  to  send  it,  and  to  whose  care,  as  I  know  not 
your  Quartermaster,  or  the  proper  channel  in  which  it  is  to 
pass. 

Since  Major  Ely's  report,  I  have  reason  to  hope  our  two 
battalions — Colonel  Swift's  and  Colonel  Mott's — will  soon 
fill  and  come  on.  The  former,  I  conclude,  is  got  to  Skenes- 
borough;  the  latter,  one  company  marched  last  Thursday; 
the  rest  will  march  to-morrow.  I  learn  about  seventy  men 
in  a  company;  leaving  subalterns  to  recruit,  which  I  trust 
will  fill  soon. 

I  am,  with  great  regard  and  esteem,  sir,  your  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JONTH.  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  Major  General  Gates. 

P.  S.  August  1,  1776. — SIR:  This  serves  to  confirm  the 
foregoing,  sent  by  Mr.  Hyde,  the  wagoner,  and  to  inform 
that  there  is  fresh  intelligence  of  four  thousand  Hessians 
near  on  our  coast. 

I  am,  ut  supra,  JONTH.  TRUMBULL. 

STEPHEN  BUCKLAND  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Hartford,  July  29,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR:  On  the  14th  of  the 
current  month,  I  left  Crown-Point,  where  Captain  John 
Bigelow's  company,  of  the  Train  of  Artillery,  then  was, 
consisting  of  about  thirty-six  privates,  which  was  much  less 
than  any  other  company  of  the  Train  in  the  Northern  De- 
partment ;  and  it  has  been  proposed  by  General  Arnold  to 
augment  that  company  to  the  number  of  sixty,  by  new 
recruits,  if  possible ;  and  as  I  was  Captain-Lieutenant  of  the 
company,  and  about  to  come  home  for  the  purpose  of  regain- 
ing my  health,  which  had  been  much  impaired,  I  was 


661 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


662 


directed  by  General  Arnold  to  call,  in  my  way,  upon  Gene- 
ral Schuyler,  who  was  then  supposed  to  be  at  Albany,  and 
request  his  orders  and  directions  how,  and  in  what  manner, 
to  effect  the  inlisting  a  number  of  recruits,  sufficient  to  fill 
the  company;  but  when  I  arrived  at  Albany,  1  found  Gene- 
ral Schuyler  was  absent,  on  a  journey  to  the  German-Flats ; 
so  have  obtained  neither  orders  nor  directions  in  the  matter. 
Would  therefore  beg  the  favour  of  your  Honour's  advice  and 
direction  with  respect  to  the  same. 

I  arn,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

STEPHEN  BUCKLAND. 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


Hartford,  July  29,  1776. 

The  following  is  a  true  state  of  the  situation  of  the  North- 
ern Army,  with  respect  to  the  small-pox,  given  by  a  gen- 
tleman sent  by  the  Governour  and  Council  of  this  Colony 
to  make  inquiry  into  the  state  of  said  Army,  viz: 

"All  inftteted  with  said  disorder  are  removed  to  Fort 
George.  The  main  body  of  the  Army  are  at  Ticonderoga, 
at  which  place  a  stand  is  to  be  made.  The  greatest  care 
is  taken  to  prevent  the  further  spreading  of  that  fatal  dis- 
order, as  the  Generals  have  taken  every  precaution  necessary, 
and  have  left  no  infected  person  with  the  main  body,  which, 
together  with  the  stations  assigned  for  the  two  battalions 
now  raised  in  this  Colony  for  the  Northern  Army,  viz:  at 
Skenesborough  and  the  east  side  of  Ticonderoga,  will 
effectually  render  the  campaign  safe  as  to  the  above  dis- 
order." 

N.  B.  The  health  of  the  Army  is  much  recruiting.  Pro- 
visions are  now  plenty,  both  fresh  and  salt. 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  GOVERNOUR  COOKE. 

Boston,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  I  had  the  honour  of  your  letter  per  the  post, 
enclosing  Lord  Hoive's  Circular  Letter  and  Declaration  to 
this  Government,  together  with  a  copy  of  your  answer  to  a 
like  letter  from  his  Lordship.  I  shall  immediately  transmit 
them  to  the  Council  at  Watertown.  Your  answer  to  Lord 
Howe  expresses  the  mind,  I  believe,  of  every  one  of  the 
United  States.  I  am  sure  it  does  of  this.  If  he  has  no 
further  powers  than  appears  by  these  papers,  he  is  probably, 
before  this  time,  convinced  that  his  commission  is  very  inade- 
quate to  the  effecting  the  business  he  proposes  to  have  come 
upon — the  reestablishment  of  peace  between  these  States 
and  Great  Britain. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  most  perfect  regard,  your 
Honour's  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

To  the  Hon.  Nicholas  Cooke,  Esq.,  Governour  of  Rhode- 
Island,  at  Providence. 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  July  29,  1776,  1  o'clock,  P.  M. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  declaration  is  this  moment  sent  to  me 
by  the  Sheriff,  which  I  thought  necessary  to  be  communi- 
cated to  your  Excellency. 

The  ship  Peggy,  mentioned  in  it,  was  taken  by  two  of  the 
Continental  cruisers,  and  sent  into  Marblehead.  The  pas- 
sengers on  board,  who  fled  from  Boston  last  March,  came  to 
town  this  morning,  and  are  now  in  jail  here,  who,  I  understand, 
have  been,  or  will  be,  examined  by  General  Ward.  It  is 
probable  you  will  have,  by  this  post,  the  result  of  that 
examination;  but  if  you  should  not,  the  enclosed  may  give 
you  some  necessary  information. 

I  cannot  be  more  particular,  as  the  post  is  just  setting  out. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  most  perfect  regard,  sir, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  BOWDOIN. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

Examination  of  Captain  JAMES  KENNEDY,  Master  of  the 
Ship  PEGGY,  taken  by  two  Privateers. 

Boston  Jail,  July  29,  1776. 

I,  James  Kennedy,  Master  of  the  ship  Peggy,  in  the 
merchant  service,  declare  that  I  left  Halifax  about  the  first 
instant,  under  convoy  of  the  Renown,  of  fifty  guns,  with  a 


fleet  of  sixteen  transports,  containing  the  Forty-Second  and 
Seventy-First  Scotch  Regiments,  and  Frazer's  new-raised 
regiment,  about  three  thousand  in  all,  and  three  large  ships 
with  Hessian  troops  on  board,  about  six  hundred  in  all,  and 
one  ship  with  five  companies  of  English  Foot-Guards,  and 
four  victualling  ships — the  whole  fleet  bound  for  New-York. 
Off  Nantucket-Shoals,  we  fell  in  with  the  Flora  frigate,  of 
thirty  guns,  and  four  transports,  with  Highland  troops.  These 
had  been  in  Boston-Bay,  where  they  got  information  from  a 
fisherman  that  the  town  was  evacuated,  on  which  they  stood 
for  Halifax,  until  they  met  with  us.  They  then  joined  our 
fleet  for  New-  York.  The  Scotch  troops  were  all  to  be  of 
Colonel  Campbell's  division  of  the  grand  Army  in  America, 
the  whole  of  which  Army,  I  was  informed,  would,  by  the 
last  of  July,  amount  to  fifty  thousand.  The  Hessian  troops 
left  England  about  the  12th  of  May.  Some  of  the  officers 
informed  me  that  they  came  out  with  three  hundred  and 
four  sail,  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Hotham,  on 
board  of  which  were  ten  thousand  foreign  troops,  and  some 
English  troops,  number  unknown.  Last  Friday  night,  in 
a  gale  of  wind  and  thick  weather,  I  lost  the  fleet,  and  on 
Monday,  I  fell  in  with  two  armed  schooners,  Captains 
Skinner  and  Tucker,  to  whom  I  surrendered,  after  a  short 
engagement,  in  which  I  had  only  one  man  wounded.  The 
day  after  the  fleet  left  Halifax  I  saw  from  my  deck  forty 
sail  of  ships  standing  in  for  that  harbour,  and  which  I  sup- 
pose to  be  part  of  the  fleet  under  Commodore  Hotham. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR  :  Yesterday  the  armed  schooners  Franklin  and  Han- 
cock, commanded  by  Captains  Skinner  and  Tucker,  sent 
into  Marblehead  a  ship  from  Halifax,  bound  to  New-  York, 
with  refugee  Tories  and  Tory  goods  on  board.  The  invoices 
which  Mr.  Glover,  the  agent,  sent  me,  I  have  enclosed.  The 
same  day  Captain  Burk,  in  the  armed  schooner  Lee,  came 
into  Marblehead  to  refit,  having  a  few  days  since  engaged  a 
ship  and  a  schooner,  (supposed  to  be  transports,)  and  was 
likely  to  have  taken  them  both,  but,  by  some  unhappy  acci- 
dent, a  quantity  of  powder  took  fire  and  blew  up  part  of  his 
quarter-deck,  killed  two  men  and  wounded  several  more,  by 
which  accident  he  was  obliged  to  leave  the  vessels  he  had 
engaged,  and  come  into  port  to  refit. 

All  the  articles  your  Excellency  wrote  for  which  I  could 
procure  of  the  Agents,  I  have  forwarded  to  Norwich.  In- 
voices of  them,  which  I  received  from  Mr.  Bradford  and 
Mr.  Glover,  are  enclosed.  Mr.  Glover  informs  me  he  let 
Colonel  Glover  have  the  arms  taken  in  the  ship  Anne,  for 
the  use  of  his  regiment ;  and  he  being  at  New-  York  can 
give  an  account  of  them. 

Mr.  Bradford  informs  me  he  has  a  prospect  of  collecting 
the  most  of  the  arms  he  parted  with,  which,  if  he  accom- 
plishes, I  will  have  them  forwarded  immediately. 

The  agent  for  the  Connecticut  brig  Defence,  which  assisted 
in  taking  three  of  the  Scotch  ships,  protested  against  sending 
the  articles  written  for  until  the  decision  of  the  Court  of  Ad- 
miralty was  obtained  and  a  division  made;  but  I  thought,  in 
the  present  circumstances,  I  should  be  justified  in  ordering 
them  to  be  immediately  forwarded. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  obedient,  humble  servant, 

AHTEMAS  WARD. 
To  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  I  have  enclosed  a  Halifax  newspaper,  which  was 
found  on  board  the  prize. 


Boston,  July  29,  1776. 

Yesterday  was  carried  into  Marblehead,  taken  by  the 
privateers  Hancock,  Captain  Tucker,  and  the  Franklin,  Cap- 
tain Skinner,  the  ship  Peggy,  commanded  by  James  Kennedy, 
mounts  six  three  and  two  two-pounders,  bound  from  Halifax 
for  New-York.  She  is  one  of  the  fleet  of  twenty-four  sail 
which  came  out  with  transports,  under  convoy  of  two  men-of- 
war,  the  Renown  of  fifty  and  the  Flora  of  twenty  guns, 
having  on  board  a  number  of  troops.  The  cargo  consists  of 
seventy-five  dozen  hose,  one  hundred  and  eighty  yards  of 
Irish  sheeting,  two  boxes  cord,  seventy-four  dozen  porter, 
eighty-three  dozen  strong  beer,  three  hundred  and  eleven 
tierces  salted  beef,  six  barrels  herring,  twenty-four  camp- 
kettles,  five  dozen  canteens,  two  dozen  kettles  with  covers, 


G63 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  JULY,  1776. 


664 


candlesticks  and  spoons,  two  thousand  six  hundred  and 
forty-eight  mutton  hams,  forty  dozen  rappee  snuff,  one  hun- 
dred gallons  of  rum,  three  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
eighty-four  yards  osnaburghs,  twelve  dozen  claret,  four  barrels 
flour,  two  kegs  barley,  two  hundred  and  thirty  dozen  red 
port  wine,  fifty  dozen  sherry,  fifty-three  dozen  white  port 
wine,  sixteen  dozen  strong  white  beer,  amounting  to  £1,509 
1*.  9rf.  sterling,  and  some  cash.  Also  the  following  Tory 
gentlemen  and  ladies,  viz:  Patrick  Reed,  Thomas  Frazicr, 
Robert  Semple  and  wife,  Elizabeth  Burns,  John  Burns, 
Abigail  Pecit,  Thomas  Semple,  and  the  pious  Benjamin 
Davis,  and  son  Benjamin  Davis,  Thomas  Parnp,  and  John 
Wttehead. 

The  privateer  Warren,  Captain  Burk,  engaged  with  an- 
other of  the  fleet,  and  was  near  taking  her,  when,  by  some 
accident,  she  had  three  of  her  men  blown  up  and  seven 
wounded,  which  obliged  them  to  put  into  port. 

Tuesday,  2d  of  July,  put  into  Halifax  a  transport-ship, 
having  on  board  a  number  of  the  Hessian  troops. 

The  above  Tories  were  brought  to  town  in  a  Marblehead 
schooner  early  this  morning,  and  escorted  up  to  jail.  They 
say  they  left  Halifax  near  a  month  ago ;  that  three  transports, 
with  Hessian  troops,  sailed  in  company  with  them,  bound  to 
New-York,  and  that  the  day  they  left  Halifax  they  saw  a 
fleet  of  forty  sail,  which  they  supposed  to  be  transports  with 
Hessian  troops. 

GENERAL  WARNER  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

State  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  July  29, 1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  I  have  been  directed  by 
Major-General  Warren  to  muster  the  Militia  in  my  brigade, 
and  draught  from  them  every  twenty-fifth  man,  agreeable  to 
orders  issued  by  your  Honours ;  whereupon  I  immediately 
ordered  the  several  Colonels  under  my  command  to  make 
such  draught  in  their  respective  regiments,  and  meet  me, 
together  with  all  the  other  Field-Officers,  at  Worcester,  with 
the  number  and  names  of  the  men  thus  draughted,  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  them  into  companies,  and  choosing 
Captains  and  subaltern  officers,  agreeable  to  your  Honours' 
direction  ;  who  met  me  accordingly.  And  the  amount  of  all 
the  returns  from  the  several  regiments  is  two  hundred  and 
sixty-four  men,  which  is  sufficient  to  form  three  companies; 
and  accordingly  the  Field-Officers  proceeded,  and  chose  for 
Captain  Ezekiel  Knowlton,  First  Lieutenant  Barrister  Wil- 
liam Tofts,  Second  Lieutenant  Ensign  David  Me Clalland, 
for  one  Company;  and  Benjamin  Richardson  Captain,  Samuel 
Baldwin  First  Lieutenant.  Robert  Kelly  Second  Lieutenant, 
and  Jonathan  Mason  Ensign  for  another;  Manasseh  Sawyer 
Captain,  Moses  Harrington  First  Lieutenant,  Samuel  Sawin 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  Josiah  Carter  Ensign.  But  the  said 
Field-Officers,  on  finding  that  your  Honours  had  so  far  super- 
seded their  command  in  the  Militia  as  to  appoint  others  not 
now  in  actual  commission  to  take  the  field  command  of  their 
men  thus  draughted  when  they  arrive  at  Dorchester  Heights, 
unanimously  agreed  to  hold  the  names  of  the  men  thus 
draughted  in  their  own  hands,  until  a  proportionable  part  of 
the  men  from  among  themselves  should  be  called  upon  to 
take  such  field  command.  They  say  it  seldom  or  never 
was  known  that  there  was  a  detachment  from  any  army, 
brigade,  or  regiment,  without  a  proper  proportion  of  officers 
out  of  them  to  command  the  same.  They  conceive  that  the 
Militia  Act  knows  no  new  creation  of  officers  for  any  such 
detachment  of  Militia. 

I  am,  your  Honours'  humble  servant, 

JONA.  WARNER. 
To  the  Honourable  Council. 

IN  COMMITTEE  orCooNciL,  July3\,  1776:  Read,  and  ordered  that  the 
•within  Officers  be  commissioned  agreeable  to  their  respective  ranks. 

JOHN  AVERT,  Deputy  Secretary. 


from  the  Board  to  deliver  it.  The  bearer  of  this  waits  on  you 
for  that  purpose ;  and  as  the  duck  is  much  wanted,  I  hope  he 
will  not  be  detained. 

A  master  of  a  vessel  of  mine,  who  had  been  taken  and 
carried  to  Halifax,  is  just  arrived  from  thence,  which  place 
he  left  about  fifteen  days  ago.  He  informs  that  thirty  sail  of 
transports,  with  the  Hessians,  bad  arrived  there  and  sailed 
again  for  New-York;  and  as  he  came  out  he  saw  another 
considerable  number  of  ships,  which  he  supposes  were  the 
remainder  of  the  fleet,  which,  they  told  him,  consisted  in  the 
whole  of  seventy  sail.  He  was  on  board  the  man-of-war  at 
the  time  when  the  Yankee-Hero  was  taken :  one  man  only 
was  wounded.  He  was  also  on  board,  and  in  Nantasket, 
when  the  boats  attacked  Captain  Mugford:  they  went^in 
five  boats;  the  Admiral's  Lieutenant  was  killed,  and  seven 
men,  and  nine  wounded.  The  people  in  Nova-Scotia  in 
general  wish  well  to  our  cause,  &.C.,  &.c. 

I  find  great  difficulty  with  Obrian's  crew,  and  am  ap- 
prehensive I  shall  not  be  able  to  prevail  on  them  to  go  to 
sea;  they  want  their  wages,  which  I  shall  not  give  them, 
and  without  them  I  think  they  will  not  go.  His  other  mat- 
ters I  could  have  delivered  him  this  day;  but  until  matters  are 
made  easy  with  the  crew,  it  is  not  worth  while  to  expend 
anything  on  the  vessel. 

The  Court  of  Captures  sits  here  on  the  morrow,  when  the 
justice  of  the  capture  of  some  vessels  are  to  be  tried  in  which 
the  Colony  is  concerned.  I  think  it  best  I  should  attend, 
and  therefore  shall  not  be  at  Council  till  Friday  morning, 
when  I  hope  to  attend.  In  the  mean  time  1  am  your 
Honours'  most  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  DERBY,  Jun. 
To  the  Hon.  the  President  of  the  Council  in  Watertown. 


RICHARD  DERBY  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Salem,  July  29, 1776— eight  o'clock,  Evening. 

SIR:  I  sent  the  Captain  of  the  Colony  brig  Massachusetts 
to  Boston,  to  endeavour  to  purchase  twelve  pieces  of  their 
duck  for  making  small  sails  for  said  vessel,  and  he  informs 
me  that  he  very  luckily  met  with  that  quantity  on  board  the 
French  vessel  lately  arrived  there,  and  which  the  Commis- 
sary-General has  purchased,  and  only  waits  to  see  orders 


MARITIME  COURT  FOR  CAPTURED  VESSELS. 

MASSACHUSETTS-BAY,  Middle  District,  ss: 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern:  Notice  is  hereby  given,  that 
the  Maritime  Court  for  the  Middle  District  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts-Bay will  be  held  at  the  Court-House  in  Salem,  on 
Monday,  the  19th  day  of  August,  1776,  at  the  hour  often 
in  the  forenoon,  to  try  the  justice  of  the  capture  of  the  ship 
named  the  Queen  of  England,  of  about  two  hundred  tons 
burden,  (lately  commanded  by  James  Arnot,)  and  of  her 
cargo  and  appurtenances ;  against  which  a  libel  is  filed  before 
me  (the  said  ship  having  been  taken  and  brought  into  the 
Middle  District  aforesaid)  by  Caleb  Hopkins,  commander 
of  the  armed  ship  called  the  George,  in  behalf  of  the  Offi- 
cers, Mariners,  and  Marines  on  board  the  same  ship,  the 
owner  or  hirers  thereof,  and  of  himself.  And  the  owners  of 
the  said  ship  Qu^en  of  England,  or  any  persons  concerned, 
may  appear  and  show  cause,  if  any  they  have,  why  the 
same  ship  and  her  cargo  and  appurtenances  should  not  be 
condemned. 

TIMOTHY  PICKERING,  Judge  of  said  Court. 

Colony  of  the  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY,  LINCOLN,  ss: 

Libels  are  filed  before  me  against  the  sloop  Nancy,  burden 
about  eighty  tons,  commanded  by  Peleg  Crooker;  against 
the  sloop  Betsey,  burden  about  eighty  tons,  commanded  by 
Jonathan  Blodget;  against  the  sloop  Endeavour,  burden 
about  thirty  tons,  commanded  by  James  Tattersall;  against 
the  sloop  Beaver,  burden  about  seventy  tons,  commanded 
by  Nathan  Phillips;  and  against  the  schooner  Dolphin, 
burden  about  fifty  tons,  commanded  by  Jonathan  Carleton; 
which  vessels  are  said  to  be  improved  in  carrying  supplies  to 
the  Fleet  and  Army  employed  against  the  United  Colonies, 
and  taken  and  brought  into  the  Counties  of  Cumberland  and 
Lincoln;  and  the  Court  erected  to  try  and  condemn  all 
vessels  that  shall  be  found  infesting  the  sea-coast  of  America, 
and  brought  into  either  of  the  Counties  of  York,  Cumber- 
land, or  Lincoln,  will  be  held  at  the  Meeting-House  in  the 
East  Precinct  of  Pownalborough,  on  Tuesday,  the  third  day 
of  September,  1776,  at  the  hour  of  ten  in  the  forenoon,  to 
try  the  justice  of  said  captures;  of  which  this  notice  is  given 
pursuant  to  the -laws  of  this  Colony,  that  all  persons  claim- 
ing in  said  vessels  or  cargoes,  or  are  any  way  concerned 
therein,  may  appear  and  show  cause  (if  any  they  have)  why 
the  said  vessels,  or  either  of  them,  with  their  appurtenances 
and  cargoes  should  not  be  condemned. 

TIMOTHY  LANGDON,  Judge  of  said  Court. 


665 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  tic.,  JULY,  1776. 


666 


TURBUTT  WRIGHT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
In  Committee  of  Observation,  July  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  take  the  liberty  to  inform  you  that 
Captain  Dean's  company  are  armed,  and  have  marched 
to  Kent  Island  agreeable  to  their  orders;  and  that  Captain 
Domes' 's  company  is  full,  but  we  are  clearly  of  opinion  that 
arms  cannot  be  got  for  them  in  this  County.  We  believe 
between  twenty  and  thirty  firelocks  may  be  had  on  Kent 
Island,  on  loan,  for  the  defence  of  any  part  of  this  County, 
but  the  people  will  not  part  with  them  to  go  out  of  the 
County;  and,  indeed,  these  are  the  terms  upon  which  the  chief 
of  the  arms  lent  to  Captain  Dean's  company  have  been  pro- 
cured. We  thought  it  necessary  to  give  you  this  information 
relative  to  Captain  Darnes's  company,  that  you  may  take 
such  steps  as  may  be  in  your  power  to  furnish  them  with 
arms. 

Captain  Darnes  is  in  a  very  disagreeable  situation  with 
his  men,  who  are  continually  complaining  to  him  of  the  want 
of  employment,  and  of  the  necessity  they  have  been  under 
of  boarding  themselves  out  until  they  receive  orders  to 
march. 

By  order  of  the  Committee.    I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

TURBUTT  WRIGHT,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


GENERAL  HOOPER  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Head-Quarters  at  Cambridge,  July  30,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIRS:  Since  my  last  I  have  received  from 
Major  Fallen,  who  is  stationed  at  Hooper's  Straits,  an  ac- 
count of  tile  guard  there  under  his  command  having  taken 
a  small  schooner  belonging  to  the  enemy,  in  a  creek  making 
out  of  Holland's  Straits.  Major  Fallen  having  received 
intelligence  of  the  schooner  being  in  the  creek,  sent  a  detach- 
ment of  thirty  men,  who  took  her  and  the  cargo,  consisting 
of  a  hogshead  and  a  half  of  rum,  thirty  barrels  of  salt,  the 
sails  and  rigging  of  a  sloop,  a  large  quantity  of  old  iron,  a 
few  guns,  swords,  and  cartridge  boxes.  The  schooner  had 
four  men,  three  of  whom  were  just  out  of  the  small-pox,  and 
are  now  sent  you  by  the  Committee  of  this  County,  to  be  dealt 
with  in  such  manner  as  your  Board  may  judge  proper. 

I  informed  you  a  few  days  since  of  the  draughts  I  had 
ordered  to  be  made  out  of  the  several  battalions  in  my  bri- 
gade, which  I  have  since  ordered  to  be  stationed  at  the  fol- 
lowing places:  Colonel  Richardson,  with  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  privates  of  his  battalion,  at  this  place;  ninety 
privates  of  Colonel  Fiddiman's  battalion,  together  with  thirty 
privates  of  Colonel  EnnaWs  battalion,  at  Cooke's  Point, 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stainlon;  Cap- 
tains Robson  and  Stephen  Woolford,  with  fifteen  privates 
each,  at  Taylor's  and  James's  Islands ;  Captain  Keene,  with 
a  party  of  fifteen  privates,  atMeekin's  fleck;  Captain  Tro- 
vers, with  a  party  of  fifteen  privates,  at  Hooper's  Island;  Cap- 
tain Wheatky,  with  a  party  of  fifteen  privates,  on  Ascom's 
Island;  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Ennalls,  with  a  party  of 
forty-five  privates,  at  Hungar  River;  Colonel  Murray  with 
a  party  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  privates  of  his  battalion, 
and  Major  Fallen  with  thirty  privates  of  Travers's  corps,  at 
Hooper's  Straits.  The  draughts  from  Colonel  Dashielfs 
and  Colonel  Hay  ward's  battalions,  consisting  of  two  hundred 
and  seventy  privates,  are  stationed  at  Nanticoke-Point, 
Dammed  Quarter,  and  Animessex. 

The  Colonels  of  the  several  battalions  in  Somerset  and 
Worcester  Counties  having  consulted  together,  were  of  opi- 
nion that  the  Militia  of  Somerset  County  would  at  present  be 
sufficient  for  the  defence  of  that  County,  and  requested  per- 
mission for  the  Worcester  Militia,  who  had  marched  to  Prin- 
cess Anne,  to  return  home;  which  I  have  granted  them,  upon 
the  assurance  of  the  officers  that  they  will  hold  their  men  in 
readiness  to  march  on  the  shortest  notice,  if  occasion  should 
require  it.  I  cannot,  in  justice  to  the  brigade,  omit  to  inform 
your  Board  of  the  alacrity  with  which  the  officers  and  privates 
have  stepped  forth  on  this  occasion.  We  have  scarcely  in  a 
single  instance  been  obliged  to  draught  to  make  up  our  num- 
bers, and  in  several  companies  there  has  been  no  small  con- 
tention for  the  privilege  of  being  permitted  to  march;  and 
indeed  the  spirit  and  alacrity  shown  by  the  whole  brigade 
has  been  such  as  does  them  great  honour,  and  has  given  me 
great  pleasure.  To  induce  the  privates  to  enter  cheerfully 
into  the  service,  I  ordered  the  Colonels  to  direct  a  Captain, 


Ensign,  Sergeant,  and  two  Corporals,  to  march  with  the 
draughts  of  each  company;  and  though  the  number  of  offi- 
cers was  greater  than  I  deemed  necessary,  yet  I  incline  to 
think  the  men  would  not  have  marched  with  the  same 
alacrity  had  they  not  been  accompanied  by  their  Captains. 
After  the  troops  had  arrived  at  their  several  places  of  ren- 
dezvous, I  discharged  the  supernumerary  officers  in  every 
instance  when  I  could  do  it  without  breeding  great  discon- 
tent among  the  troops,  both  officers  and  privates  being  in 
general  averse  to  the  measure. 

I  have  further  to  inform  your  Board,  that  I  have  taken 
such  steps  as  will  put  it  in  the  power  of  every  officer  and 
private  now  on  duty  to  attend  and  give  their  votes  at  the 
ensuing  elections  without  leaving  our  coast  exposed  to  the 
attacks  of  the  enemy,  which  it  is  not  at  all  improbable  they 
will  make,  under  an  idea  that  our  people  are  taken  off  to 
attend  the  elections. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,, with  great  respect,  your  most 

obedient  servant, 

HENRY  HOOPER. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of 
the  Council  of  Safety. 


JOSEPH  W.  HARRISON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Port-Tobacco,  July  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  the  happiness  to  inform  you  that 
the  Molly,  Captain  Thomas  Comoay,  is  once  more  safely 
arrived  in  Great  Wicomico,  Virginia,  with  a  fine  cargo  of 
arms  and  ammunition.  The  enclosed  papers  will  furnish 
you  with  particulars.  Captain  Conway  will  remain  at  Port- 
Tobacco  till  the  ex  press  returns,  waiting  for  your  orders.  My 
brother  adventured  in  this  vessel  to  the  amount  of  £211  7*. 
6s.,  Maryland  currency.  He  writes  the  customary  freight 
is  ten  per  cent.  If  so,  the  amount  shall  be  remitted  by  the 
first  safe  conveyance.  The  goods  consist  of  twenty  bolts  of 
osnaburgh,  nine  barrels  of  powder,  and  seven  smallswords. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 

humble  servant,  T       „,   TT 

Jos.  VV.  HARRISON. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 
N.  B.  Captain  Conway  had  a  passage  of  fourteen  days. 


GERRARD  HOPKINS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  27th  instant,  wherein  you 
enclosed  me  an  order  on  the  Treasurer  for  £50,  which  I  am 
much  obliged  to  you  for. 

You  desire  me  to  inform  you  whether  I  have  the  knap- 
sacks and  haversacks  made  in  one.  When  Colonel  Ware 
requested  me  to  have  the  five  hundred  made,  he  desired  I 
would  have  haversacks  made,  and  did  not  mention  knap- 
sacks. I  also  showed  him  a  pattern  before  they  were  made. 
Colonel  Ewing's  are  made  without  knapsacks  also.  I  think 
they  can  not  cost  altogether,  finished  off,  more  than  3s.  apiece. 
They  are  made  out  of  cruder  out  of  the  magazine.  I  have 
advanced  myself,  as  the  women  were  in  want  of  cash,  as  far 
as  9d.  apiece;  which,  1  make  no  doubt,  is  within  bounds. 
They  think,  as  they  found  thread,  they  ought  to  be  allowed 
Is.  apiece.  I  shall  pay  all  attention  to  what  you  say  in 
regard  to  the  delivery  of  the  stores.  You  desire  to  know 

I  can  inform  you  I  have  not  yet 

received  any,  but  make  no  doubt  but  that  I  shall  receive  it 
soon. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

GERRARD  HOPKINS,  son  of  Rd. 
To  Gabriel  Duvatt,  Esq.,  Annapolis. 

P.  S.  I  have  received  the  linen  sent  by  Alexander  Brown, 
and  delivered  it  to  Mr.  Johnson,  who  will  make  the  tents  as 
soon  as  possible. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO   COL.  HOLLINGSWORTH. 
[No.  91.]          V  Annapolis,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  We  should  be  obliged  to  you,  if  you  would  inform 
us  by  letter  how  soon  you  can  comply  with  the  enclosed 
resolve. 

We  are,  &ic. 

To  Colonel  Henry  Hollingsworth. 


C67 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


CG8 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  ARCHIBALD  BUCHANAN. 
[No.  92.]  Annapolis,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  Enclosed  you  have  a  copy  of  the  agreement  made 
between  the  Council  of  Safety  and  Messrs.  Galloway  and 
'Stewart. 

Two  galleys  are  not  yet  contracted  for;  and  as  a  favour- 
able representation  has  been  made  of  the  skill  and  diligence 
of  the  workmen  in  your  yard,  and  we  place  great  confidence 
in  you,  if  you  can  contract  to  build  them  by  the  15th  day 
of  November  next  at  farthest,  and  will  enter  into  a  similar 
engagement  with  the  enclosed,  we  are  inclined  to  give  you 
a  preference. 

You  are  desired  to  attend  the  Council,  to  enter  into  a 
contract  and  receive  a  draught  of  the  row-galleys,  as  soon  as 
possible.     We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Archibald  Buchanan. 


ascertain  full  as  well,  if  not  better,  than  we  can.     As  to  the 
number  of  men  requisite  for  a  guard,  you  must  certainly  be 
a  more  competent  judge  than  we  are.     We  are,  &ic. 
To  Brigadier-General  Chamberlain. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JACOB   SCHLEY. 
[No.  93.]  Annapolis,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  publick  service  requires  that  you  should  send 
to  this  place,  with  all  the  expedition  you  can,  the  rifles  by 
you  made  for  the  use  of  the  Province;  also,  the  ten  large 
rifles  contracted  by  you  to  be  made  and  delivered  on  the 
first  day  of  August  next.  We  therefore  earnestly  request 
you  will  comply  with  your  engagements ;  and  are  yours,  &ic. 
To  Mr.  Jacob  Schky. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GUN-LOCK  COMMISSIONERS. 
[No.  94.]  Annapolis,  July  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  As  a  considerable  time  has  elapsed  since 
your  erecting  your  gun-lock  manufactory,  we  are  in  great 
hopes  you  have  made  a  number  for  the  use  of  this  Province. 
The  Province  is  in  great  distress  for  arms.  Few  of  the 
troops  raised  for  the  Flying-Camp  are  supplied  with  them, 
and  the  Militia  will  not  lend  theirs.  There  is  an  absolute 
necessity,  therefore,  that  you  immediately  send  down  what 
locks  you  have.  We  expect  fire-locks  from  John  Yost. 
They  may  come  from  thence,  if  you  continue  them  there. 
We  desire  also  to  know  how  many  locks  you  make  per 
week.  We  have  barrels  enough  here  and  in  Kent  for  the 
locks  you  can  make.  We  are,  &.c. 

To  the  Commissioners  of  Gun-Lock  Manufactory. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF    SAFETY  TO  MAJOR  PRICE. 
[No.  95.]  Annapolis,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  given  orders  to  Captain  Mantz  to  march 
down  to  St.  Mary's,  to  take  the  place  of  Captain  John  Allen 
Thomas's  company,  until  further  orders.  You  will  be  pleased 
to  station  him  in  such  manner  as  may  be  most  for  the  publick 
service.  And  we  request  that  Captain  Thomas's  company 
may  immediately  march  to' the  northward,  according  to  the 
order  of  Convention. 

The  cannon  that  were  sent  down,  will  be  wanted  here. 
Should  the  men-of-war  be  gone  off,  which  we  expect  either 
is  or  soon  will  be  the  case,  we  request  you  would  order  the 
cannon  to  the  mouth  of  the  Patuxent,  and  let  them  be 
brought  up  here  by  water,  if  the  passage  appear  safe,  other- 
wise you  are  to  order  them  up  by  land. 

Nothing  new  from  New-York,  only  that  the  Highlanders 
not  taken  by  our  cruisers,  are  arrived. 

When  all  is  quiet  below,  we  expect  to  have  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  you  here.  And  are  yours,  &tc. 

To  Major  Thomas  Price. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  CHAMBERLAIN. 

1N°-  96-l  Annapolis,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  shall  esteem  it  a  particular  favour  if  you  will 
have  an  examination  made  of  the  powder  in  your  magazine, 
and  give  us  an  account  as  well  of  the  number  of  barrels  of 
cannon  as  musket;  and  when  we  receive  the  account,  we 
shall  take  care  to  make  such  regulation  as  will  leave  a  suffi- 
cient quantity  of  each  kind  to  answer  every  purpose. 

You  must  continue  your  Militia  guards  over  the  powder 
until  the  place  of  Captain  Hindman's  company  is  supplied 
by  a  Flying-Camp  company.  When  they  will  be  raised, 
armed  and  equipped  for  that  or  any  other  purpose,  you  can 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY   TO    CAPTAINS    BARNES   AND 

ELLIOTT. 
[No.  97.]  Annapolis,  July  30,  1776. 

GENTLF.MEN  :  You  are  requested  to  furnish  Captain  Dean 
with  as  much  ammunition  and  flints  as  will  be  necessary  for 
his  company,  while  it  continues  upon  that  Island,  out  of  the 
powder,  lead  and  flints,  delivered  to  you  by  the  Council  of 
Safety.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  Captains  Barnes  and  Elliott. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  ISAAC  GRIEST. 

[No.  98.]  Annapolis,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  We  received  the  several  patterns  of  wooden  bottles, 
alias  kegs.  We  should  be  much  obliged  to  you  to  bespeak 
two  thousand  of  them,  of  the  sort  marked  at  2s.  Id.  We 
approve  of  it,  and  imagine  you  can  engage  a  quantity  much 
cheaper  than  a  single  one.  We  desire  you  will  bespeak 
them  immediately.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Isaac  Griest. 


BALTIMORE  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  30,  1776: 

Present :  William  Lux,  (Chairman,)  J.  Merryman,  B.  Griffith,  J.  T. 
Chase,  W.  Aisquilh,  J.  Calhoun,  J.  Cockey,  J.  Boyd. 

A  Plan  of  a  Magazine  was  offered  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Grif- 
fith, of  forty  feet  long,  twenty-six  feet  wide,  divided  in  the 
middle,  so  as  to  make  two  rooms  of  thirty-two  feet  by  six 
and  a  half  wide,  and  sufficient  to  hold  five  hundred  barrels 
of  powder ;  which  the  Committee  agrees  to  adopt,  instead 
of  the  one  exhibited  the  18th  instant,  that  being,  on  calcula- 
tion, too  small.  They  accordingly  agreed  with  Mr.  John 
Cockey  to  furnish  the  scantling,  at  13s.  6d.  per  hundred, 
delivered  on  the  spot;  the  inch-plank  at  8s.,  and  the  one- 
and-a-quarter-inch  at  9s.,  also  delivered  on  the  spot. 

Ordered,  That  advertisements  be  put  up,  desiring  any 
person  willing  to  contract  for  the  Carpenter's  work  of  the 
said  building,  to  apply,  on  Wednesday  next,  the  7th  August, 
to  Mr.  Benjamin  Griffith,  and  leave  their  Proposals,  in 
writing,  with  him. 

The  Chairman  is  directed  to  answer  the  Letters  from  the 
honourable  Council  of  Safety  relative  to  building  the  said 
Magazine. 

The  Chairman  being  informed  by  Mr.  Robert  Christie, 
Sheriff  of  this  County,  that  he  had  reason  to  be  apprehen- 
sive of  violence  being  offered  to  him,  the  said  Sheriff,  on 
account  of  his  not  attending  to  read  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence on  Monday  last,  agreeable  to  the  desire  of  the 
Committee ;  and  that  from  these  apprehensions,  he  would 
be  under  (he  disagreeable  necessity  of  retiring  to  the  coun- 
try, and  withdrawing  himself  from  the  publick  service; 
whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  do  declare  their  utter 
disapprobation  of  all  threats  and  violence  being  offered  to 
any  persons  whatever,  as  contrary  to  the  Resolves  of  Con- 
gress, and  the  sense  of  the  Convention  of  this  Province ; 
that  they  conceive  themselves  bound  to  protect  (as  far  as  is 
in  their  power)  the  Civil  Officers  in  the  discharge  of  their 
duty;  that  they  do  expect  of,  and  call  upon  every  good 
citizen  and  friend  to  his  country  to  assist  them  in  their 
endeavours  to  preserve  the  peace  and  good  order  of  society, 
and  to  prevent  all  riots  and  tumults,  and  personal  abuse  or 
violence  to  individuals;  that  the  good  people  of  Baltimore, 
having  hitherto  been  so  respectfully  attentive  to  the  Resolves 
of  this  Committee  on  all  occasions,  they  flatter  themselves 
that  due  regard  will  be  paid  to  this  recommendation. 

Attest:  GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  I  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  enclose,  at  this  time, 
sundry  resolves  of  Congress,  relating  principally  to  new 
appointments  and  promotions  in  the  Army. 


669 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


670 


The  return  of  Colonel  Elmore's  Regiment  (which  you  will 
please  to  give  orders  to  join  you)  I  now  transmit,  together 
with  blank  commissions,  to  be  filled  up  with  the  names  of 
such  officers  as  appear  with  their  respective  companies  in 
the  regiment.  I  shall  deliver  commissions  agreeably  to  the 
enclosed  resolves,  as  soon  as  possible,  and  order  the  gentle- 
men to  repair  to  their  respective  departments. 

The  regiment  raised  in  Connecticut,  under  Colonel  Ward, 
you  will  order  wherever  the  service,  in  your  judgment,  shall 
require  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  highest 
esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  I  return  you  the  letter  from  Mrs.  French.  Your 
favour  of  the  29th  this  moment  came  to  hand.  I  shall  send 
the  blank  commissions  this  evening,  by  Fessenden.  Several 
resolutions  are  passed  in  consequence  of  your  letters.  I 
will  send  by  Fessenden,  and  not  longer  detain  the  post. 
$500,000  will  be  on  the  way  to  you  to-morrow;  $60,000 
also  to  the  Flying-Carnp. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  Monsieur  St.  Martins  having  been  recommended  to 
Congress  as  a  gentleman  conversant  with  the  Engineering 
branch,  they  have  been  pleased  to  appoint  him  in  that 
department  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel.  I  have 
delivered  him  his  commission,  and  directed  him  to  repair  to 
you,  at  New-York,  to  receive  orders,  and  you  will  employ 
him  where  you  judge  the  service  will  be  best  promoted. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  much  esteem,  sir,  your 
very  humble  servant,  JQHN  HANCQCKj  President, 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  CAPTAIN  MORRIS. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  an  application  from  General 
Mercer  for  six  Lighthorse  to  be  sent  to  him  at  the  Flying- 
Camp  in  New-Jersey,  as  soon  as  possible,  I  am  to  request, 
by  order  of  Congress,  you  will  give  the  necessary  orders  to 
Mr.  Randolph,  and  the  party  who  are  engaged  with  him  in 
that  service,  to  repair  to  the  Flying-Camp  immediately. 
You  will  please  to  lose  no  time  in  complying  with  this 
requisition. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Captain  Samuel  Morris,  commanding  the  Lighthorse, 
Philadelphia. 


SAMUEL  CHASE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  this  moment  received  the  enclosed  letter 
from  Colonel  Strieker,  and  send  it  to  you  for  your  orders  to 
him. 

If  you  think  proper  to  grant  him  the  liberty  of  inlisting 
into  the  German  battalion  from  the  companies  raised  for  the 
Flying-Camp,  it  might  promote  the  service,  as  the  former 
are  inlisted  for  three  years,  and  the  latter  only  till  December. 
I  am  sensible  difficulties  will  occur. 

Anns  and  blankets  are  as  necessary  as  men ;  but  an 
account  should  be  transmitted  to  your  Board.  Unless  you 
give  orders  as  to  the  quantity  and  mode  of  subsistence,  I  am 
afraid  great  extravagance  will  happen.  No  news  from  New- 
York,  except  that  a  sail,  supposed  part  of  Lord  Howe's 
fleet,  arrived  at  the  Hook  the  27th. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

SAML.  CHASE. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


great,  and  many  of  the  cutlers  of  this  city  having  gone  to 
Jersey  with  the  Militia. 

The  powder  and  arms  were  sent  some  days  ago  to  Anna- 
polis, which  we  hope  will  be  attended  with  no  inconvenience. 
We  have  not  the  least  doubt  but  everything  in  your  power 
will  be  done  in  the  best  manner  for  the  publick  service,  and 
the  preservation  of  every  part  of  the  United  States.  Mary- 
land, to  be  sure,  must  be  a  principal  object  of  your  attention ; 
and  we  hope,  considering  the  spirit  and  alacrity  which  all 
ranks  of  men  have  shown,  whenever  occasion  required  their 
services,  that  our  coast  will  be  secure  against  the  ravages  of 
Dunmore  and  his  rascally  gang  of  Pirates. 

We  have  nothing  lately  from  Ticondtroga.  The  enemy 
do  not  stir  from  Siaten-Island.  Eight  ships  arrived  there  a 
few  days  ago;  but  whether  they  brought  men  or  not,  we 
have  not  heard.  General  Washington  has  now  a  consider- 
able strength  at  New  -York ;  but  there  are  only  three  thou- 
sand men  in  Jersey,  where  there  ought  to  be  at  least  tea 
thousand.  Colonel  Smallwood  is  at  New -York.  We  have 
no  doubt  but  the  subsistence  money  will  be  readily  paid, 
and  we  wish  every  necessary  which  can  be  had  may  be 
furnished  the  Militia  before  they  march.  Money  will  be 
advanced  to  them  now  if  they  need  it.  Hunting-shirts  will 
be  a  convenient  and  good  uniform,  if  they  can  be  had.  We 
shall  at  all  times  give  you  the  earliest  information  of  all  im- 
portant occurrences,  and  shall  with  pleasure  execute  your 
commands. 

And  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

T.  STONE. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

P.  S.  My  brothers  are  engaged  in  other  business,  and  the 
post  is  going,  so  that  their  signatures  must  be  dispensed 
with.  T.  S. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  JOHN  BRADFORD. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  take  the  liberty  to  enclose  herein  some  despatches 
for  Messrs.  Samuel  and  J.  H.  Delap,  merchants  in  Bordeaux, 
which  you  will  please  to  deliver  into  Captain  Cleveland's 
own  hands,  with  a  strict  charge  to  take  the  utmost  care  of 
them,  and  follow  the  orders  also  enclosed  herein  directed  to 
him,  which  you  will  be  pleased  to  deliver,  and  enjoin  his 
punctual  obedience,  on  which  will  depend  his  future  employ- 
ment and  advancement  in  the  publick  service.  Mr.  Morris 
informs  us  of  the  alacrity  with  which  you  have  executed  his 
commission  in  the  purchase  of  the  brigantine  Despatch;  and 
anything  further  of  this  kind  offers,  this  Committee  will 
claim  the  liberty  of  troubling  you  again ;  being  very  respect- 
fully, sir,  your  obedient  servants. 
To  John  Bradford,  Esq. 


THOMAS  SJTONE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  shall  endeavour  to  procure  the  instru- 
ments desired  by  yours  of  the  25th  ;  but  they  are  not  easily 
procured,  the  demand  for  the  Continental  Army  being  very 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  CAPTAIN  CLEVELAND. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  been  regularly  informed  by  John  Brad- 
ford, Esq.,  of  his  purchasing,  loading,  and  fitting  the  brigantine 
Despatch,  in  consequence  of  our  orders ;  and  we  approve  of 
his  having  appointed  you  to  the  command  of  that  brigantine, 
in  the  Continental  service,  as  he  gives  you  an  extremely  good 
character,  of  which  we  hope  and  expect  to  find  you  very 
deserving.  The  honourable  Continental  Congress,  of  which 
we  are  members,  authorized  us,  as  a  Committee,  to  purchase 
the  brigantine,  and  to  order  her  on  such  voyage  as  would  best 
answer  certain  purposes  to  the  States  of  America.  You  will 
receive  this  by  the  hands  of  John  Philip  Merkle,  Esq.,  and 
are  to  be  governed  by  the  following  instructions  during  the 
present  voyage,  or  until  you  receive  others  from  Congress, 
or  from  this  or  some  other  Committee  of  Congress: 

Mr.  Bradford  will  require  bills  of  lading  from  you  for  the 
entire  cargo  on  board  the  Despatch,  consigned  to  the  above- 
mentioned  John  Philip  Merkle,  Esq.,  (who  is  to  go  passenger 
in  the  brigantine,)  at  her  discharging  port  in  Europe.  Such 
bills  of  lading  you  are  to  sign ;  receive  Mr.  Merkle  on  board  ; 
assist  him  in  providing  sea-stores ;  and  then  proceed  with  the 
utmost  diligence  to  the  coast  of  France,  avoiding  most  care- 
fully all  vessels  at  sea,  and  put  into  the  first  convenient  port 
you  can  make  in  that  Kingdom,  (Nantz  or  Bordeaux,  per- 
haps, may  be  the  safest,)  and  you  must  there  deliver  to  Mr. 
Merkle  any  part  of  the  cargo  he  may  find  it  convenient  to 
sell,  or  the  whole  if  he  chooses  it.  We  enclose  to  Mr. 


671 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


672 


Bradford,  by  this  conveyance,  a  packet  directed  for  Messrs. 
Samuel  and  J.  H.  Delap,  merchants  in  Bordeaux.  Mr. 
Bradford  will  deliver  that  packet  to  you,  and  we  require 
your  utmost  care  of  it.  Should  you  have  the  misfortune  to 
be  taken,  you  must  throw  it  overboard  slung  with  a  weight 
that  will  sink  it,  for  on  no  account  must  this  fall  into  the 
hands  of  our  enemies.  On  the  contrary,  if  you  get  safe  into 
Bordeaux,  deliver  it  yourself  to  Messrs.  Samuel  and  J.  H. 
Delap,  merchants,  there.  If  you  go  into  any  other  port, 
forward  it  to  them  by  post  or  special  messenger,  as  you  may 
be  advised  is  safest  and  best.  You  must  also  advise  these 
gentlemen  what  other  ports  or  places  Mr.  Mcrkle  intends  to 
order  you  for,  and  for  this  purpose  inquire  of  him,  and  desire 
them  to  write  you  a  few  lines  telling  you  how  to  direct  let- 
ters to  Silas  Deane,  Esq.,  so  that  they  will  certainly  fall 
into  his  hands.  We  expect  Mr.  Merkle  will  direct  you  to 
proceed  from  France  to  Amsterdam,  and  you  must  obey  his 
orders,  delivering  to  him  the  rest  of  the  cargo  at  any  port  or 
ports  he  may  desire.  He  is  not  to  pay  any  freight ;  but  will 
supply  you  with  all  things  necessary  for  the  biigantine,  and 
money  to  pay  charges.  For  all  you  receive  in  money,  stores, 
outfit,  &z,c.,  you  will  grant  him  proper  receipts ;  and  when  you 
have  discharged  entirely  the  present  cargo,  you  are  to  receive 
from  him  all  such  goods,  merchandise,  arms,  and  ammuni- 
tion, as  he  may  think  proper  to  ship,  granting  him  bills  of 
lading  for  what  he  puts  on  board.  We  also  give  you  liberty 
to  arm  the  brigantine  in  the  most  complete  manner,  with  as 
many  four-pounder  cannon,  swivels,  blunderbusses,  muskets, 
cutlasses,  &c.,  as  may  be  proper  for  such  a  vessel.  You  may 
also  ship  as  many  good  seamen  as  you  can  conveniently 
accommodate,  obtaining  them  on  the  best  terms  in  your 
power;  lay  in  a  suitable  stock  of  provisions,  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  ammunition,  &c.;  the  cost  and  charges  of  all 
which,  Mr.  Merkle  will  defray,  taking  your  receipts. 

Whilst  this  business  is  transacting,  you  will  write,  imme- 
diately after  your  arrival  at  the  port  where  it  is  to  be  done, 
to  Messrs.  Samuel  and  J.  H.  Delap,  of  Bordeaux,  and  also 
to  Silas  Deane,  Esq.,  if  you  obtain  from  them  in  time  his 
address.     Tell  them  how  to  direct  letters  to  you,  and  when 
you  expect  to  sail,  and  we  expect  you  will  receive  back  from 
them  letters  and  packets  for  us.     If  you  do,  the  utmost  care 
must  be  taken  of  them.     Don't  let  them  be  seen  by  any 
person  whatever.     Sling  them  with  a  weight  ready  for  sink- 
ing ;  and  if  taken,  be  sure  to  let  them  go  overboard  in  time. 
But  we  hope  you  will  have  better  fortune,  and  bring  them 
safe.     When  your  vessel  is  completely  fitted,  the  cargo  on 
board,  and  you  have  received  your  despatches  from  Mr. 
Merkle,  you  are  then  to  put  out  to  sea,  and  make  the  best 
of  your  way  back  to  America.     We  think  it  best  not  to  fix 
on  any  particular  port  for  you  to  aim  at ;  but  leave  you  at 
liberty  to  push  into  the  first  safe  harbour  you  can  make  in 
any  of  the  United  States  of  America;  and  on  your  arrival, 
apply  to  the  Continental  Agent,  if  there  be  one  at  or  near 
that  place ;  if  not,  to  the  persons  in  authority  there,  desiring 
their  advice  and  assistance  to  forward,  with  the  utmost  ex- 
pedition, to  us  all  the  letters,  packets,  &c.,  you  bring.    You 
will  also  write  us  the  state  and  condition  of  your  vessel,  and 
we  shall  return  orders  for  your  proceedings.     We  send  you 
herewith  a  commission,  a  book  of  regulations  respecting  cap- 
tures, &tc.,  and  a  list  of  the  Continental  Agents,  for  your 
government,  if  you  should  take  any  prizes.     But  you  are 
to  remember  prizes  are  not  your  object;  we  wish  you  to 
make  an  expeditious  and  safe  voyage,  and  for  this  reason 
desire  you  will  make  all  possible  despatch,  both  at  sea  and 
in  port.     We  expect  you  will  be  careful  of  the  brigantine, 
her  stores  and  materials.    Allow  your  people  plenty  of  good 
provisions ;  but  suffer  no  waste,  and  be  as  frugal  as  is  con- 
sistent with  true  economy  in  your  expenses  and  charges. 
These  things  duly  observed  will   recommend  you  to  the 
governing  powers  in  America,  and  in  time  your  utmost  am- 
bition may  be  gratified,  provided  merit   leads  the  way  to 
promotion.     If  any  American  masters  or  mates  of  ships,  or 
seamen,  want  passages,  you  may  accommodate  them  free  of 
any  charge  or  expenses.     Probably  Mr.  Merkle  may  find 
it  proper  to  make  your  vessel  a  French  or  Dutch  bottom, 
and  clear  you  out  for  the.  JVest-Indies.     In  such  case,,  you 
will  do  what  is  needful  on  your  part  to  answer  his  views; 
and  we  hope  you  will  be  attentive  to  accommodate  and 
please  him  during  this  voyage. 

We  are,  sir.  your  humble  servants. 
To  Captain  Stephen  Cleveland. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  MESSRS.  DELAP. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  must  frequently  give  you  the  trouble 
to  receive  and  forward  our  despatches  to  Silas  Deane,  Esq. 
As  you  will  be  possessed  of  his  address,  and  from  the  na- 
ture of  his  business,  which  requires  him  to  move  from  place 
to  place,  we  cannot,  you  will  therefore  hold  us  excusable, 
and  he  will  pay  any  charge  that  arises  by  postage  or  other- 
wise. We  send  this  by  Captain  Cleveland,  of  the  brigan- 
tine Despatch,  which  will  put  into  some  port  in  France.  If 
it  should  happen  to  be  yours,  he  will  deliver  these  despatches 
himself;  if  any  other,  he  will  forward  them  by  post  or  special 
messenger,  as  may  be  thought  best  by  those  he  consults. 
A  John  Philip  Mcrkle,  Esq.,  goes  passenger,  and  to  him  this 
vessel  and  cargo  is  addressed.  If  they  call  at  Bordeaux, 
we  beg  to  recommend  Mr.  Merkle  to  your  attention. 

We  have  desired  Captain  Cleveland  to  inform  you,  either 
in  person  or  by  letter,  where  he  is  to  land  his  cargo,  when 
he,  expects  to  sail  from  thence,  and  how  you  can  direct  to 
him  with  a  certainty  of  your  letters  reaching  his  hands. 
We  also  desired  him  to  ask  of  you  Mr.  Deane' s  address; 
for  as  we  have  a  good  opinion  of  this  proving  a  safe  convey- 
ance, we  wish  to  hear  from  you  and  Mr.  Deane  by  Captain 
Cleveland,  who  will  take  particular  care  of  the  letters,  and 
you  will  gratify  us  very  much  by  transmitting  us  all  the 
publick  news,  newspapers,  commercial  intelligence,  &tc.,  that 
you  think  can  be  any  ways  useful. 

We  are,  sirs,  yours,  &ic. 
To  Messrs.  Samuel  Sf  J.  H.  Delap. 


SAMUEL  CHASE  TO  RICHARD  HENRY  LEE. 

Philadelphia,  July  30,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  14th  instant  followed 
me  to  this  city,  and  your  other  favour,  of  the  21st,  was 
delivered  by  yesterday's  post.  I  hurried  to  Congress,  to 
give  my  little  assistance  to  the  framing  a  Confederacy,  and 
a  plan  for  a  foreign  alliance — both  of  them  subjects  of  the 
utmost  importance,  and  which,  in  my  judgment,  demand 
immediate  despatch.  The  Confederacy  has  engaged  our 
close  attention  for  a  week.  Three  great  difficulties  occur: 
Representation,  the  mode  of  voting,  and  the  claims  to  the 
South-Sea.  The  whole  might,  in  my  opinion,  be  settled, 
if  candour,  justice,  and  the  real  interests  of  America  were 
attended  to.  We  do  not  all  see  the  importance,  nay,  the 
necessity,  of  a  Confederacy.  We  shall  remain  weak,  dis- 
tracted, and  divided  in  our  councils;  our  strength  will 
decrease ;  we  shall  be  open  to  all  the  arts  of  the  insidious 
Court  of  Britain,  and  no  foreign  Court  will  attend  to  our 
applications  for  assistance  before  we  are  confederated.  What 
contract  will  a  foreign  State  make  with  us,  when  we  cannot 
agree  among  ourselves? 

Our  Army  at  Ticonderoga  consists  of  six  thousand  men, 
of  which  three  thousand  are  in  the  Hospital,  from  the  small- 
pox and  other  camp  disorders.  Our  Army  at  JVew>-  York 
contains  fourteen  thousand,  of  which  only  ten  thousand  are 
effective.  Our  Flying-Camp  in  the  Jerseys  has  but  between 
three  and  four  thousand  troops.  No  news  from  General 
Washington.  He  writes,  27th,  that  eight  sail,  supposed  to 
be  part  of  Lord  Howe's  fleet,  arrived  at  the  Hook  that  day. 
I  shall  always  be  glad  to  hear  from  you ;  and  am,  with  great 
esteem,  your  affectionate  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL,  CHASE. 
To  the  Hon.  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Esq. 


LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation,  Inspec- 
tion, and  Correspondence,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart, 
30th  July,  1776: 

Present:  Edward  Shipper,  William  Atlee,  William  Bowman,  Lod- 
v/ick  Lowman,  Henry  Denuff,  Jacob  Krug,  Christopher  Crawford,  John 
Miller,  Adam  Reigart: 

William  Atlee  in  the  Chair. 

It  is  the  sentiment  of  the  Committee,  that  Christian  Wer- 
ger,  of  Leacock  Township,  Gunsmith,  and  his  Apprentice, 
Martin  Micksell,  ought  to  continue  at  home  at  that  business, 
and  ought  not  to  be  marched  with  Captain  Bore's  or  Cap- 
tain Roland's  Company  into  the  Camp  in  the  Jerseys,  it 
being  contrary  to  the  Resolves  of  the  Congress  and  Commit- 
tee of  Safety  to  march  tradesmen  of  that  kind  with  the 


673 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


674 


troops;  and  those  officers,  and  the  Field-Officers  of  the 
Battalion  to  which  those  Companies  belong,  are  requested 
to  leave  those  persons  at  home,  at  the  said  trade,  agreeable 
to  the  said  Resolves. 

The  Chairman  is  directed,  by  a  line  to  Captain  Scott,  of 
Colonel  Crawford's  Battalion,  to  request  he  will  not  inarch 
Robert  Knox  with  his  Company  to  the  Camp  in  the  Jerseys, 
his  foot  being  in  a  condition  which  renders  him  unfit  for  duty 
as  a  soldier"  his  brother  having  lately,  by  accident,  hurt 
himself  so  as  to  render  him  incapable  of  labour,  and  two 
of  his  sisters  now  lying  in  the  small-pox,  and  no  person 
remaining  about  the  house  or  farm  but  himself  who  can  in 
any  manner  assist  them. 

Jacob,  a  Mulatto,  belonging  to  Mr.  Thomas  Douglass, 
Peter,  a  Negro,  belonging  to  John  Hopkins,  Irey,  a  Negro, 
belonging  to  Lionel  Ellmaker,  suspected  and  charged  with 
intending  to  injure  the  inhabitants  in  the  absence  of  the 
Associators,  are  brought  to  Town  by  Mr.  Isaac  McCammont, 
a  member  of  the  Committee  for  Salisbury  Township,  and 
ordered  to  be  confined  in  Jail  for  examination,  &tc. 

Hugh  Knox,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is  permitted 
to  work  with  Hann,  Tailor,  he  here,  in  Committee,  engaging 
to  be  answerable  for  him,  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  the 
Committee. 

William  Sutherland,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is 
permitted  to  work  with  Michael  Shindel,  Tailor,  Mr.  Lod- 
wick  Lowman,  here  in  Committee,  engaging  to  be  answer- 
able for  him,  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  this  Committee. 

The  Committee  requests  Colonel  Slough  will  order  Wil- 
liam Waggoner,  a  journeyman  Hatter,  in  the  employ  of 
Captain  Klatz,  and  an  Associator  in  Captain  Klatz's  Com- 
pany, to  attend  constantly  to  his  business,  and  excuse  him 
from  guard  duty,  that  he  may  the  better  attend  Captain 
Klatz's  business  in  his  absence. 

Nathan  Wood,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  is  permitted  to 
work  with  Nicholas  Messersmith,  Tailor,  he  here,  in  Com- 
mittee, engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him,  agreeable  to  the 
Resolves  of  this  Committee. 


CAPTAINS  MARTIN  AND  ADAMS  TO  LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

Hinckel-Town,  July  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Since  there  have  been  two  companies 
marched  to  this  place  yesterday,  and  they  are  not  willing  to 
march  from  here  until  they  receive  the  month's  pay  accord- 
ing as  the  Committee  hath  promised,  we  would  be  glad  if 
you  would  send  down  money  sufficient  to  pay  off  the  men ; 
after  which  they  will  be  ready  to  march  whenever  the 
Colonel  sees  proper  to  march  the  battalion,  which  he  thinks 
to  do  as  soon  as  the  battalion  is  all  together. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble,  obedient, 
ALEXANDER  MARTIN,  ?  /-,    ,  • 
ISAAC  ADAMS,  '  ^  Captain,. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  Within  these  two  days,  we  have  observed  sixteen 
ships  pass  from  Sandy-Hook  to  the  Narrows,  but  no  new 
movement  of  the  enemy  on  Staten-Island.  Some  more  shal- 
lops have  come  down  the  Sound,  from  Fishkill,  into  Prince's 
Bay.  To  give  us  the  entire  command  of  the  Sound,  as 
well  as  to  prevent  the  approach  of  tenders  or  armed  sloops 
to  this  place,  permit  me  to  recommend  to  the  honourable 
Congress,  that  some  row-galleys  be  built  in  Rariton  River, 
to  mount  eighteen-pounders,  or  any  heavier  metal.  The 
cannon,  I  am  told,  may  be  sent  from  Philadelphia,  and  our 
artificers  in  the  Army  would  construct  the  vessels  at  no  great 
expense.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 

P.  S.  I  have  this  moment  heard  from  the  Blazing-Star, 
that  our  field-pieces  have  obliged  one  of  the  shallops  to  return 
into  the  Kill. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  this  moment  favoured  with  yours  of  yesterday, 
and  shall  set  about  preparing  boats  with  all  possible  expe- 
dition. Your  favours  by  Major  Ross  were  extremely  accept- 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


able.  Since  his  arrival  Colonel  Griffin  has  joined  me,  very 
much  to  my  satisfaction.  Only  four  companies,  intended 
for  the  Flying-Camp,  have  arrived  since  my  last,  and  a 
battalion  of  Associators,  consisting  of  three  hundred  and 
fifty.  These  last  1  have  sent  on  to  Ncivark  and  Elizabeth- 
Town,  for  the  purpose  of  relieving  such  of  the  troops  as 
are  to  form  the  Flying-Camp,  that  we  may  have  our  men 
who  are  to  remain  in  service  brought  into  proper  order  as 
soon  as  possible.  It  will  contribute  greatly  to  this  end,  if, 
now  the  harvest  is  secured,  General  Livingston  were  desired 
to  call  out  into  service  such  a  number  of  the  New-Jersey 
Militia  as  would  guard  the  different  posts  from  Btrgen, 
along  the  Jersey  shore.  Not  less  than  two  thousand  would 
be  required  for  this  purpose.  His  Excellency  the  General 
will  please  to  consider  how  far  such  a  measure  is  necessary. 
I  am,  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  COLONEL  DICKINSON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  what  the  officers  deter- 
mined on  yesterday,  relative  to  the  rations.  I  have  this 
morning  received  instructions  from  Head-Quarters,  to  have 
proper  boats  built  for  the  purpose  of  transporting  troops  with 
safety  and  expedition.  I  am  told  that  Captain  Manuel  Eyres, 
of  your  regiment,  would  be  a  proper  person  to  direct  this 
business.  We  should  have  at  least  twenty  of  them  pre- 
pared. The  service  requires  that  we  should  as  speedily  as 
possible  set  about  this  matter.  After  consulting  with'Cap- 
tain  Eyres,  you  will  be  able  to  furnish  me  with  such  hints 
as  may  greatly  expedite  the  service. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  respectful,  and  your  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  Col.  John  Dickinson,  commanding  at  Elizabeth-Town. 

[Thus  endorsed  by  me: — July  30,  1776,  I  took  all  the  necessary  steps 
on  this  letter — collected  a  dozen  of  the  most  proper  persons— conferred 
with  General  Livingston  and  them — procured  all  the  information  I  could, 
and  sent  Captain  Eyres  and  Mr.  Joshua  Mercereau,  July  31st,  to  General 
Mercer  for  his  final  orders;  wrote  so  to  him  at  large,  with  some  material 
intelligence  I  had  received  concerning  the  weak  guard  on  Newark-Bay; 
sent  him  the  best  map  of  Staten- Island  that  has  yet  been  made,  which  I 
procured  Mr.  Mercereau  to  make.  J.  D.] 

[The  design  was  an  attack  on  Staten-Island.  J.  D.] 


GENERAL  ROBERDEAD  TO  PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Amboy,  July  30,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIRS  :  Within  these  few  days  past  the  enemy 
have  been  collecting  shallops  and  small  craft,  which  makes 
me  apprehensive  they  are  planning  a  descent  somewhere, 
probably  in  this  place,  as  the  present  condition  of  it  seems 
to  afford  such  an  opportunity. 

Amboy  is  parted  from  Staten-Island  by  a  Sound  about 
four  hundred  yards  wide.  The  river  Rariton  is  on  the  south 
side  of  the  town,  from  which,  to  a  marsh  on  the  north  side, 
the  bank  is  high,  and  I  conceive  easily  defended.  The  marsh 
is  in  some  places  impassable;  where  it  is  not  so,  guards  are 
planted ;  but  as  the  enemy  have  the  command  of  the  water, 
they  have  it  in  their  power  to  go  up  the  Rariton,  and,  by 
landing  their  men  some  miles  above  us,  to  attempt  at  least 
to  intercept  the  communication  between  this  place,  which 
is  on  a  point  of  land,  and  the  country;  in  which  case  we 
should  soon  be  distressed,  as  we  have  no  magazine  of  pro- 
visions, and  the  small  circle  we  should  be  enclosed  in,  not 
sufficiently  stored  to  supply  any  considerable  number  of 
men  any  length  of  time.  This  appears  to  me  the  most  pro- 
bable scheme  they  can  attempt  here,  while,  from  the  best 
observations  I  can  make,  I  am  of  opinion  that  a  few  row- 
galleys  in  the  river  Rariton  would  be  the  best  means  either 
to  prevent  their  landing,  or  to  destroy  their  craft  after  they 
had  landed,  and  by  that  means  retaliate  their  scheme,  by 
cutting  off  their  retreat. 

I  observed  while  at  Philadelphia,  several  pieces  of  can- 
non, in  several  parts  of  the  city,  which,  though  not  suffi- 
ciently sightly  for  a  man-of-war,  would  be  serviceable  in  this 
case,  and  might,  with  a  few  carriages,  be  easily  conveyed 
here,  as  the  land  carriage  would  be  but  thirty  miles  from 
Trenton  to  Brunswick.  Here  are  some  scows,  and  a  large 
kind  of  flat-bottomed  boats,  called  Wild-Cats,  which  might 
be  expeditiously  fitted  up  for  temporary  galleys,  until  others 
can  be  supplied,  as  we  have  several  carpenters  and  ship-car- 
penters, but  are  in  want  of  tools. 


43 


675 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &,c.,  JULY,  1776. 


676 


I  can  see  many  advantages  we  shall  receive  from  the 
service  of  a  few  armed  boats,  the  want  of  which  distresses 
us  greatly,  our  cannon  on  the  bank  being  too  light  to  give 
the  enemy  any  material  obstruction  on  the  water ;  who,  not- 
withstanding our  fire,  have  passed  from  day  to  day  through 
the  Sound  without  receiving  much  injury. 

I  am,  honourable  sirs,  your  most  obedient  and  very  hum- 

ble  servant'  DANIEL  ROBERDEAU. 

'     GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  1,  1776.] 

New- York,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  this  morning  honoured  with  your  two  favours 
of  yesterday's  date;  and  agreeable  to  your  request  have  given 
Mr.  Palficy  liberty  to  negotiate  your  claim  with  Mr.  Brimer, 
and  wish  it  may  be  satisfied  agreeably  to  you. 

I  last  night  received  a  letter  from  General  Schityler,  [dated 
German-Flats,  July  24,]  a  copy  of  which  I  do  myself  the 
honour  to  transmit  to  you.  You  will  thereby  peiceive  his 
reasons  for  leaving  Croum-Point  and  preferring  the  post 
the  Council  of  Officers  determined  to  take  opposite  to 
Ticonderoga.  I  am  totally  unacquainted  with  these  seve- 
ral posts  and  the  country  about  there,  and  therefore  cannot 
determine  on  the  validity  of  his  observations,  or  think 
myself  at  liberty  to  give  any  direction  in  the  matter. 
Congress  will  please  to  observe  what  he  says  of  their 
distress  for  money.  From  hence  he  can  have  no  relief, 
there  being  only  about  three  or  four  thousand  dollars  in  the 
Paymaster's  hands,  according  to  his  return  this  morning,  and 
all  but  two  months'  pay  due  the  Army,  besides  many  other 
demands.  I  could  wish  that  proper  supplies  of  money 
could  be  always  kept:  the  want  may  occasion  consequences 
of  an  alarming  nature.  By  a  letter  from  him  of  a  prior 
date  to  the  copy  enclosed,  he  tells  me  that  a  Mr.  Ryckman, 
who  had  just  returned  through  the  country  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions, reports  that  the  Indians  who  were  at  Philadelphia, 
had  gone  home  with  very  favourable  ideas  of  our  strength 
and  resources.  This  he  heard  in  many  of  their  villages.  A 
lucky  circumstance,  if  it  will  gain  either  their  friendship  or 
secure  their  neutrality. 

In  my  letter  of  the  27th,  I  informed  Congress  of  my 
views  and  wishes  to  attempt  something  against  the  troops  on 
Staten-Island.  I  am  now  to  acquaint  them,  that  by  the 
advice  of  General  Mercer  and  other  officers  at  Amboy,  it 
will  be  impracticable  to  do  anything  upon  a  large  scale  for 
want  of  craft;  and  as  the  enemy  have  the  entire  command 
of  the  water  all  round  the  Island,  I  have  desired  General 
Mercer  to  have  nine  or  ten  flat-bottomed  boats  at  Newark- 
Bay  and  Elizabeth-Town,  with  a  design  principally  to  keep 
up  the  communication  across  Hackinsack  and  Passaick 
Rivers,  which  I  deem  a  matter  of  great  importance  and  ex- 
tremely necessary  to  be  attended  to. 

Since  I  wrote  you  yesterday,  eleven  ships  more,  four 
brigs,  and  two  sloops,  have  come  into  the  Hook.  I  have  not 
yet  received  intelligence  what  any  of  the  late  arrivals  are,  but 
I  suppose  we  shall  not  Jong  remain  in  a  state  of  uncertainty. 

Having  reason  to  believe  that  Lord  Howe  will  readily 
come  into  an  exchange  of  such  prisoners  as  may  be  more 
immediately  under  his  command,  and  that  something  will  be 
offered  on  this  subject  within  a  day  or  two,  or  rather  come 
in  answer  to  the  propositions  I  have  made  General  Howe,  I 
shall  be  glad  to  have  Congress's  interpretation  of  the  re- 
solve of  the  22d  instant,  empowering  the  Commanders  to 
exchange,  &,c.,  whether  by  the  word  "  sailor,"  they  mean 
sailors  generally,  as  well  those  taken  in  the  vessels  of  pri- 
vate adventurers  by  the  enemy,  as  those  belonging  to  the 
Continental  cruisers  or  vessels  in  the  Continental  employ, 
or  whether  they  only  design  to  extend  the  exchange  to  the 
latter,  those  in  their  particular  employ.  I  would  also  ob- 
serve, that  heretofore  sailors  belonging  to  merchant  ships 
that  have  fallen  into  our  hands,  and  those  employed  merely 
as  transports,  have  not  generally  been  considered  as  prisoners. 
I  submit  it  to  Congress,  whether  it  may  not  be  now  neces- 
sary to  pass  a  resolve  declaring  their  sentiments  on  this  sub- 
ject, and  in  general  who  are  to  be  treated  as  prisoners  of  war 
that  are  taken  on  board  vessels  belonging  to  the  subjects  of 
the  British  Crown,  &c.  The  result  of  °their  opinion  upon 
the  first  question  proposed  you  will  be  pleased  to  transmit  me 
by  the  earliest  opportunity. 

1  have  enclosed  for  the  consideration  of  Congress  a  me- 


morial and  petition  by  Captain  Aldridge,  praying  to  be 
relieved  against  the  loss  of  money  stolen  from  him,  not  con- 
ceiving myself  authorized  to  grant  his  request.  The  certi- 
ficate which  attends  it  proves  him  to  be  a  man  of  character, 
and  his  loss  is  hard  on  his  state  of  it.  Whether  making  the  loss 
good  may  not  open  a  door  to  others,  and  give  rise  to  appli- 
cations not  so  just  as  his  may  be,  I  cannot  determine.  That 
seems  to  be  the  only  objection  to  relieving  him. 

I  am  informed  by  General  Putnam  that  there  are  some 
of  the  Stockbridgc  Indians  here,  (I  have  not  seen  them 
myself,)  who  express  great  uneasiness  at  their  not  being 
employed  by  us,  and  have  come  to  inquire  into  the  cause. 
I  am  sensible  Congress  had  them  not  in  contemplation  when 
they  resolved  that  Indians  might  be  engaged  in  our  service. 
However,  as  they  seem  so  anxious,  as  they  were  led  to  expect 
it  from  General  Schuyler  and  the  other  Commissioners,  as  we 
are  under  difficulties  in  getting  men,  and  there  may  be  danger 
of  their,  or  some  of  them,  taking  an  unfavourable  part,  I  beg 
leave  to  submit  it  as  my  opinion,  under  all  these  circumstances, 
that  they  had  better  be  employed. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL   ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  22,  1776. 
(Parole,  AicAmind.)  .(Countersign,  Savoy.) 

The  Orderly  Sergeants  who  attend  at  Head-Quarters,  are 
hereafter  to  bring  their  dinners,  and  svait  till  they  are  regu- 
larly relieved. 

As  it  is  much  to  be  feared  the  state  of  the  necessary 
houses  in  the  city  may  endanger  the  health  of  the  Troops 
quartered  there,  it  is  recommended  to  the  officers  and  men 
to  guard  against  it  as  much  as  possible;  and  if  any  method 
can  be  fallen  on  to  remove  or  lessen  the  inconvenience,  to 
apply  to  the  Barrackmaster  for  that  purpose.  The  General 
has  noticed  with  pleasure  the  care  of  the  Troops  in  the 
encampments,  on  this  subject.  He  hopes  they  will  continue 
it  for  the  sake  of  their  own  health,  and  the  credit  of  the  Army. 

It  being  represented  to  the  General  that  many  Regiments 
would  at  this  season  choose  to  lessen  their  rations  of  Meat, 
and  supply  it  with  Vegetables,  if  they  could  be  permitted; 
his  concern  for  the  health  of  the  Troops,  and  desire  to  gratify, 
them  in  every  reasonable  request,  induces  him  to  direct  that 
the  Colonels  of  such  Regiments  as  choose  to  adopt  this  plan, 
signify  it  to  the  Commissary-General,  and  in  two  days  after- 
wards the  Quartermaster  of  such  Regiment  be  allowed  to 
draw  one-quarter  part  of  the  usual  Rations  in  money,  to  be 
laid  out  in  Vegetables  for  his  Regiment. 

Passes  from  Colonel  Knox  for  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  of 
the  Artillery  only,  to  be  sufficient  to  pass  the  Ferries. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  23,  1776. 
(Parole,  Trenton.)  (Countersign,  t//7<m.) 

Lieutenant  Fuller,  of  Captain  Keycs's  Company,  Twen- 
tieth Regiment,  tried  by  a  General  Court-Martial,  of  which 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Hobby  was  President,  for  "  inoculating, 
and  disobedience  of  orders,"  is  honourably  acquitted  and 
discharged  from  his  arrest. 

It  is  with  great  astonishment  and  surprise  the  General 
hears  that  soldiers  inlist  from  one  corps  to  another,  and 
frequently  receive  a  bounty,  and  that  some  officers  have 
knowingly  received  such  men.  So  glaring  a  fraud  upon  the 
publick,  and  injury  to  the  service,  will  be  punished  in  the 
most  exemplary  manner;  and  the  General  most  earnestly 
requests  and  expects  of  every  good  officer  who  loves  his 
country  not  only  to  oppose  such  practices,  but  to  make  the 
offenders  known,  that  they  may  be  brought  to  justice. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  24,  1776. 
(Parole,  yirginia.)  (Countersign,  Wain.) 

Each  Brigadier,  with  the  Colonel  and  Commanding  Offi- 
cer of  the  several  Regiments  in  his  Brigade,  are  to  meet  and 
estimate  the  quantity  of  Paper  absolutely  necessary  to  serve 
a  Regiment  for  Returns,  and  other  publick  uses,  for  a  month, 
and  make  report  thereof  to  the  General  at  Orderly  time  on 
Friday  next,  that  the  Quartermaster-General  may  be  directed 
to  provide  and  deliver  the  same  monthly  to  the  Colonels  for 
the  use  of  their  respective  Regiments. 

The  General  being  sensible  of  the  difficulty  and  expense 
of  providing  Clothes,  of  almost  any  kind,  for  the  Troops,  feels 
an  unwillingness  to  recommend,  much  more  to  order,  any 


677 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


678 


kind  of  uniform;  but  as  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  men 
should  have  Clothes,  and  appear  decent  and  tight,  he  ear- 
nestly encourages  the  use  of  Hunting-Shirts,  with  long 
breeches  made  of  the  same  cloth,  gaiter-fashion  about  the 
legs,  to  all  those  yet  unprovided.  No  dress  can  be  had 
cheaper  or  more  convenient,  as  the  wearer  may  be  cool  in 
warm  weather,  and  warm  in  cool  weather,  by  putting  on 
under-clothes,  which  will  not  change  the  outward  dress, 
winter  or  summer;  besides,  it  is  a  dress  justly  supposed  to 
carry  no  small  terror  to  the  enemy,  who  think  every  such 
person  a  complete  marksman. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  25,  1776. 
(Parole,  Mingion.)  (Countersign,  Bedford.) 

Care  to  be  taken  in  future,  that  the  Provost  Marshal's 
Guard  be  properly  officered,  there  having  been  a  complaint 
made  on  that  head. 

Henry  Davis,  tried  for  "  Desertion,"  is  sentenced  to  re- 
ceive twenty  lashes.  Patrick  Lyons,  for  "  Drunkenness, 
and  sleeping  on  his  post,"  thirty  lashes. 

It  is  with  inexpressible  concern  the  General  sees  soldiers, 
fighting  in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  their  country,  committing 
crimes  most  destructive  to  the  Army,  and  which  in  all  other 
Armies  are  punished  with  death.  What  a  shame  and  re- 
proach will  it  be,  if  soldiers,  fighting  to  enslave  us  for  two 
pence  or  three  pence  a  day,  should  be  more  regular,  watch- 
ful and  sober  than  men  who  are  contending  for  everything 
that  is  dear  and  valuable  in  life. 

The  honourable  Continental  Congress,  in  consideration 
of  the  Sergeant-Majors,  Quartermaster  Sergeants,  Drum  and 
Fife  Majors  not  having  pay  adequate  to  their  service,  and 
hoping  it  will  excite  them  to  vigilance  and  industry,  have 
been  pleased  to  increase  the  pay  of  them — officers  having 
no  other  appointment,  one  dollar  per  month,  to  commence  the 
16th  instant. 

Those  soldiers  who  have  entered  on  board  the  row-galley 
commanded  by  Cook,  are  to  repair  immediately  on 

board ;  and  the  officer  of  the  regiment  to  which  they  re- 
spectively belong,  are  to  forward  them  as  much  as  possible, 
as  the  service  is  of  the  most  important  kind. 

Peter  Gusten,  Esquire,  is  appointed  Major  of  Brigade  to 
Brigadier-General  Heard,  and  is  to  be  obeyed  and  respected 
as  such. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  26,  1776. 

(Parole,  CanMdge.)  (Countersign,  Darby.) 

The  General  Court-Martial  to  sit  to-morrow  for  the  trial 
of  Ensign  Bryant,  now  under  arrest  for  "sending  some 
soldiers  to  take  away  old  iron,  and  other  materials,  from  the 
ships  now  fitting  for  publick  use." 

A  guard  at  Harrison's  Brewery,  to  be  mounted,  consisting 
of  one  Subaltern,  one  Sergeant,  one  Corporal,  and  twenty- 
four  Privates,  every  evening,  and  sentries  to  be  posted  at 
proper  distances  from  the  Air  Furnace,  along  the  shore,  till 
they  come  opposite  to  Colonel  Baldwin's  Quarters. 

General  Greene  being  particularly  engaged  at  present, 
passes  signed  by  Lieutenant  Blodgett  are  to  be  allowed 
sufficient  to  enable  persons  to  cross  the  Ferries. 

Complaints  having  been  made  that  some  of  the  soldiers  ill 
treat  the  country-people  who  come  to  market,  the  Gene- 
ral most  positively  forbids  such  behaviour,  and  hopes  the 
officers  will  exert  themselves  to  prevent  it.  Good  policy, 
as  well  as  justice,  demands  that  they  should  have  all  possible 
encouragement,  as  the  health  of  the  soldiers  much  depends 
upon  supplies  of  vegetables.  Those  who  have  been  guilty 
of  such  practices  will  do  well  to  consider  what  will  be  our 
situation,  at  this  season,  if  we  drive  off  the  country-people, 
and  break  up  the  market:  the  healthy  will  soon  be  sick, 
and  the  sick  must  perish  for  want  of  necessaries.  No  favour 
will  be  shown  to  any  offenders  hereafter. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  27, 1776. 

(Parole,  Effin'ham.)  (Countersign,  .) 

Complaints  are  made,  that  officers  who  are  to  attend  the 
men  upon  fatigue  and  other  duty  grow  remiss.  The  Gene- 
ral hopes  they  will  consider  what  the  effects  of  so  bad  an 
example  might  be  to  the  men ;  and  as  he  believes  it  pro- 
ceeds rather  from  inattention  than  design,  flatters  himself 
there  will  be  no  occasion  to  remind  them  of  their  duty 
hereafter. 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  28,  1776. 
(Parole,  Gravesend.)  (Countersign,  Hungary.) 

William  Peek,  Esq.,  who  has  for  some  time  past  done 
the  duty  of  Brigade-Major  to  General  Spencer,  is  appointed 
to  that  office,  and  to  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingly. 

Some  of  the  Adjutants  have,  of  late,  been  very  remiss 
in  making  up  their  returns  by  eleven  o'clock,  on  Saturday, 
not  sending  their  detachments  properly  officered,  or  relieving 
their  Orderly-Sergeants  at  Head-Quarters.  These  gentle- 
men will,  in  future,  be  pointed  out  in  the  General  Orders,  and 
after  that  put  under  arrest,  if  they  are  not  more  attentive. 

The  General,  finding  the  number  of  sick  to  increase,  and 
being  desirous  to  have  them  as  well  accommodated  as  possible, 
directs  that  the  Barrack-Master,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Colonel  or  Commanding  Officer  of  each  regiment,  fix  on  some 
house  convenient  to  the  regiment,  to  be  improved  as  an 
Hospital  for  the  reception  of  patients  just  taken  down,  or 
whose  disorder  does  not  require  any  special  assistance  beyond 
that  of  their  own  Regimental  Surgeon.  One  of  the  Surgeons 
of  the  Hospital  will  occasionally  visit  these  Hospitals,  and 
determine  when  the  nature  of  the  case  requires  the  patient 
to  be  removed  to  the  General  Hospital,  which  will  hereafter 
be  kept  in  different  houses  contiguous  to  each  brigade.  The 
Regimental  Surgeons  are  to  receive  directions  from,  and  be 
responsible  to,  the  Director-General,  so  far  as  respects  the 
furnishing  their  Regimental  Hospitals  with  conveniences  for 
their  sick.  The  Regimental  Surgeons  are  also  to  keep  a 
register  of  their  sick,  and  make  a  weekly  return  to  the 
Director  and  Commissary-General,  severally,  of  the  sick  in 
their  respective  Regiments. 

As  the  rations  issued  for  men  in  health  are  very  improper 
for  those  who  are  sick,  the  following  regulations  are  to  take 
place:  Whenever  a  person  is  taken  sick,  he  is  not  to  be 
borne  on  the  provision  return;  but  the  value  of  his  rations  be 
obtained  in  suitable  supplies  from  the  General  Hospital,  to 
be  drawn  by  the  Surgeon  of  the  Regiment,  who  is  to  conform 
to  the  rules  of  diet  established  in  the  General  Hospitals,  and 
to  account  with  the  Director-General. 

The  Quartermaster  of  each  Regiment  to  apply  for  neces- 
saries at  the  Quartermaster-General's,  for  the  sick.  Guards 
to  be  on  the  parade  every  morning  before  eight  o'clock. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  29,  1776. 
(Parole,  Jersey.)  (Countersign,  Kngwood.) 

The  Quartermaster-General  is  directed  to  furnish  twelve 
quires  of  Paper  to  each  Regiment,  per  month,  viz:  one  quire 
to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Regiment,  one  to  each 
Company,  and  one  to  the  Adjutant ;  the  remaining  two  quires 
to  be  kept  by  the  Colonel,  as  a  reserve  for  special  occasions, 
exclusive  of  Orderly  books  and  blank  Returns. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  July  30, 1776. 
(Parole,  Lancaster.)  (Countcrsign,Jtod/or<I.) 

The  Quartermaster-General  is  to  provide  canteens  as  soon 
as  possible,  and  to  have  the  water  in  the  several  works,  in 
casks,  examined,  that  there  may  be  a  fresh  supply,  if  neces- 
sary. 

It  is  represented  to  the  General,  that  the  pump-water  in 
the  city  is  very  unhealthy.  The  Troops  are  therefore  cau- 
tioned against  the  use  of  it;  and  the  Quartermaster  and 
Commissary  Generals  are  to  consult  together,  and  fix  upon 
some  mode  of  supply  of  fresh  water  for  the  Troops  in  the 
city. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  31,  1776. 
(Parole,  Norwalk.)  (Countersign,  Oxford.) 

Ensign  Bryant,  charged  with  ."embezzling  publick  pro- 
perty," having  been  tried  by  a  General  Court-Martial, 
whereof  Colonel  Webb  is  President,  is  acquitted  of  any 
fraudulent  intention,  but  censured  by  the  Court  for  indiscre- 
tion, in  permitting  some  of  the  soldiers  taking  away  old  iron 
from  the  shipping.  The  General  approves  of  the  sentence, 
and  orders  him  to  be  discharged  from  arrest. 

It  is  with  astonishment  and  concern  the  General  finds  that 
the  precautions  used  to  prevent  the  countersign  being  made 
known  to  any  not  entitled  to  it,  are  defeated  by  the  ignorance 
or  misconduct  of  those  to  whom  it  is  intrusted.  In  order  that 
none  may  plead  ignorance  hereafter,  the  officers  and  soldiers 
are  to  know  that  the  following  rule  is  established : 

The  Adjutant  General,  at  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  will  deliver 


679 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


680 


the  parole  and  countersign  to  the  Majors  of  Brigade  and 
Adjutant  of  Artillery;  they,  at  Retreat-beating,  and  not  be- 
fore, are  to  deliver  them  to  the  Adjutants  of  their  respective 
Brigades.  The  Adjutants  are  to  deliver  them  to  the  Field- 
Officers  of  their  respective  Brigades,  if  required  ;  then  to  the 
officers  of  the  advanced  guards;  then  to  the  officer  of  every 
other  guard  in  and  about  the  city  or  camp.  And  the  General 
flatters  himself,  that  when  the  importance  and  necessity  of 
secrecy  upon  this  head  is  considered,  every  officer  and  soldier 
will  pride  himself  in  his  fidelity,  prudence,  and  discipline. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  HOWE. 

Heail-CUmrters,  New-York,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  Lieutenant-Colonel  Patterson,  Adjutant-General  of 
the  Army  under  your  command,  at  the  interview  between 
us,  having  proposed  an  exchange  of  Mr.  Lovell  for  Gov- 
ernour  Skene,  I  nm  authorized  to  inform  you,  that  the 
Congress  have  not  only  approved  of  this  proposition,  but, 
judging  that  a  general  exchange  of  prisoners  will  be  at- 
tended with  mutual  convenience  and  pleasure  to  both  par- 
ties, have  empowered  their  commanders  in  each  department 
to  negotiate  one,  in  the  following  manner:  "  Continental  offi- 
cers for  those  of  equal  rank  either  in  the  land  or  sea  service, 
soldier  for  soldier,  sailor  for  sailor,  and  citizen  for  citizen." 
They  have  also  particularly  mentioned  the  exchange  of 
Colonel  Ethan  Allen  for  any  officer  of  the  same  or  inferior 
rank. 

You  will  be  pleased  to  signify  the  time  and  place  for  that 
of  Mr.  Lovell  and  Governour  Skene,  that  I  may  give  direc- 
tion for  the  latter  to  be  ready,  who  is  now  at  Hartford, 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  hence;  also,  to 
favour  me  with  your  sentiments,  as  well  on  the  proposition 
respecting  Colonel  Allen,  as  on  the  subject  of  a  general 
exchange. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  due  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  GQ  WASHINGTON> 

To  Lieutenant-General  Howe. 


BARON  DE  CALB1AC  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-York,  July  30,  1776. 

Mv  GENERAL:  I  cannot  express  to  you  how  humiliating 
it  is  to  a  man  who  thinks  that  his  sentiments  are  of  the 
purest  kind,  to  be  the  sport  of  evil-minded  men,  who,  I  am 
informed,  have  said  many  things  to  my  prejudice  to  your 
Excellency.  To  convince  you  of  the  purity  of  my  inten- 
tions, and  to  give  you  a  just  idea  of  my  views  in  coming  to 
this  country,  1  have  enclosed  you  the  copies  of  letters  which 
I  have  written  to  the  Minister  in  France,  having  sent  a  dupli- 
cate to  Colonel  McKean,  having  also  communicated  it  to 
General  Mifflin. 

I  also  enclose  you  my  second  commission,  which  I  have 
found  among  my  papers.  I  desire  to  be  favoured  with  one 
minute  of  your  Excellency's  precious  time. 

Assuring  your  Excellency  of  my  most  respectful  attach- 
ment to  you  and  the  glorious  cause  in  which  you  fight, 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 

LE  BARON  DE  CALBIAC. 

GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  30,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Since  my  last,  there  are  several  compa- 
nies arrived,  and  I  intend  immediately  to  post  one  company 
at  Cheshire's,  to  clear  the  roads  as  fast  as  possible.  I  here 
send  you  a  few  peas,  which  is  all  I  could  get  at  present.  I 
sent  three  or  four  miles  round  to  get  some  butter  to  send  to 
your  Honour,  but  could  not  get  one  pound  on  any  account 
whatever.  Every  man  here  is  employed  to  the  best  advan- 
tage for  the  publick  good;  the  chief  of  our  men  are  obliged 
constantly  to  be  on  fatigue  in  assisting  the  carpenters. 

I  hope  your  Honour  will  excuse  the  gondola  not  coming 
sooner.  The  reason  was  they  had  much  more  to  do  than 
they  expected  to  complete  the  platform  for  the  mortar. 

Axes  and  spades  are  very  much  wanted  here,  but  shall 
endeavour  to  do  with  what  we  have  until  a  supply  comes. 

I  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  Honour's  humble  servant, 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gales,  Ticonderoga. 


CAPTAIN  WYNKOOP  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  July  30,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  sent  you  one  gondola  more  down, 
which  the  carpenters  have  named  after  me.  I  hope  you 
will  send  a  good  officer  on  board  of  her.  I  have  had  her 
made  as  strong  as  she  could  be  made,  which  you  will  see 
by  the  work  done  in  her.  I  also  send  you  one  sailor  out  of 
my  regiment  down.  I  would  be  glad  you  would  order  him 
on  board  immediately,  or  I  am  afraid  he  will  run  off  and 
leave  you.  I  will  get  one  gondola  and  the  row-galley 
finished  this  week,  and  send  them  down  to  you.  As  for 
boards,  the  General  allows  the  soldiers  and  carpenters  to 
use  them  as  fast  as  I  can  possibly  get  them  down  as 
yet. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 


humble  servant, 


CORNELIUS  WYNKOOP. 


To  Major-General  Gates,  at  Ticonderoga. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Ticonderoga,  July  30,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Your  favour  of  the  20th  instant,  I  re- 
ceived last  night.  I  am  sorry  to  hear  your  treaty  with  the 
Indians  is  so  long  retarded.  You  must  have  an  infinite  deal 
of  trouble  with  them,  which  1  am  fearful  will  prejudice 
your  health;  and  your  presence  is  much  wanted  both  at 
Skenesborough  and  this  place.  I  wrote  to  you  from  the 
former  place,  the  25th  instant,  at  which  time  only  two  com- 
panies of  carpenters  were  arrived — one  from  Philadelphia 
and  the  other  from  Connecticut;  since  which,  the  whole 
have  arrived,  to  the  number  of  two  hundred.  I  left  them 
such  directions  as  I  thought  necessary,  and  orders  to  begin 
four  row-oalleys,  nearly  of  the  construction  of  those  built  in 
Philadelphia,  to  carry  four  pieces  heavy  and  two  pieces 
light  cannon  each. 

The  two  largest  schooners  are  at  Crotvn-Point.  The 
sloop  goes  this  morning,  and  four  gondolas  will  follow  in 
two  or  three  days.  I  intend  to  visit  Skenesborough  on 
Monday  next.  I  shall  be  happy  to  accelerate  the  busi- 
ness all  in  my  power,  and  to  take  as  much  trouble  from  off 
your  hands  as  possible,  as  I  am  sensible  you  have  more  than 
your  share  of  it. 

A  Frenchman,  who  arrived  here  in  fifteen  days  from  St. 
Francois,  confirms  the  intelligence  respecting  the  Indians, 
and  adds,  that  all  the  tribes  in  Canada  were  determined  on 
a  neutrality;  that  the  troops  were  busy  in  building  batteaus 
and  several  large  vessels  at  St.  John's;  that  General  Carle- 
ton  has  given  the  French  inhabitants  notice  of  his  intention 
of  crossing  Lake  Champlain  the  last  of  August  or  beginning 
of  September,  and  that  he  should  depend  on  their  joining 
him.  If  we  were  supplied  with  the  articles  I  have  written 
for,  we  shall  soon  be  in  a  condition  to  give  him  a  proper 
reception. 

Enclosed  is  a  return  of  the  ordnance  stores,  shot,  &c., 
&.C.,  by  which  you  will  observe  there  are  many  articles 
wanting  to  complete  the  same ;  as  also  a  great  deficiency  of 
shot,  in  particular  grape,  double-headed,  chain,  and  round, 
which  will  be  very  serviceable  among  vessels  and  batteaus. 
More  heavy  cannon  will  be  wanted  for  the  row-galleys;  the 
four  now  building  will  carry  eight  twenty-fours  and  eight 
eighteens;  four  others  will  be  set  up  soon,  and  will  require 
an  equal  number  of  guns.  To  supply  the  row-galleys  and 
lines,  we  have  only  eleven  pieces  and  ten  twelve-pounders, 
which  may  answer,  though  not  so  well  as  heavier  guns.  If 
they  are  substituted,  eleven  pieces  will  still  be  wanting,  with 
shot,  &.G.,  which  I  wish  may  be  sent  up,  if  they  can  possi- 
bly be  procured.  With  the  approbation  of  General  Gates, 
I  sent  to  Connecticut  for  three  hundred  seamen.  The  ex- 
press had  orders  to  call  on  you  (if  returned)  and  take  your 
instructions  in  the  matter.  As  it  was  uncertain  if  you  were 
returned,  I  wrote  Captain  Varick,  desiring  him  to  give  the 
express  a  warrant  on  the  Paymaster-General  for  £1,000  to 
pay  the  bounty  of  the  seamen.  As  the  treasury  was  empty, 
he  has  proceeded  on  to  General  Washington.  We  are  in- 
formed, that  of  the  four  regiments  coming  from  Boston,  there 
is  a  very  considerable  number  of  seamen,  who  are  daily 
expected. 

I  am.  &c.,  B.  ARNOLD. 


681 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


682 


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R.  V. 


ISAAC  PEIRCE  TO  COLONEL  BUELL. 

Head-Quarters,  Ticonderoga,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  You  are  immediately,  upon  receipt  of  this,  to  set 
out  for  this  place,  in  order  to  join  your  regiment. 
By  the  General's  command : 

ISAAC  PEIRCE,  Aid-de-Camp. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Buell. 


PETITION  OF  LIEUTENANT    FOWLER  AND  OTHERS. 

The  humble  Petition  of  Lieutenant  SAMUEL  FOWLER,  Lieu- 
tenant JOHN  WEBSTF.R,  Lieutenant  NATHANIEL  WALES, 
and  Ensign  FRYE  BAYLEY,  of  Colonel  BEDEL'S  Regi- 
ment, humbly  showeth  : 

That  your  petitioners'  families,  as  also  their  whole  sub- 
stance at  home,  being  in  a  very  deplorable  state  on  account 
of  the  present  troubles,  beg  the  liberty  to  resign  our  com- 
missions, not  through  any  dislike  to  the  Army,  or  that  we 


are  not  willing  to  serve  and  defend  our  country;  but  self- 
preservation,  the  first  law  of  nature,  calling  for  our  assistance 
to  take  care  of  our  families,  is  the  reason  for  petitioning  for 
a  resignation.  If  there  should  be  any  call,  we  shall  be 
willing  to  return,  after  our  securing  our  families;  as  also 
use  our  endeavours  to  collect  and  bring  what  men  we  can 
'u;  to  the  service. 


SAML.  FOWLER,  Lieutenant. 
JOHN  WEBSTER,  Lieutenant. 
NATHL.  WALES,  Lieutenant. 
FRYE  BAYLEY,  Ensign. 


Ticonderoga,  July  30,  1776. 


To  Major-General  Gates. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  TICONDEROGA,  DATED  JULY 

30,  1776. 

We  have  no  certain  accounts  of  the  strength  of  the  enemy, 
who  are  at  St.  John's,  building  boats  and  vessels,  in  order  to 
take  the  Lake. 

A  number  of  ship-carpenters  from  Philadelphia  have 
arrived  at  Skenesborough,  where  they  are  building  galleys, 
so  that  in  a  short  time  we  shall  have  a  strong  force  on  the 
Lake.  Some  companies  of  Militia  from  New-England  have 
also  arrived  there. 

We  are  impatiently  expecting  the  return  of  a  flag,  sent 
by  General  Gates  to  Carlelon,  with  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendency; also  a  requisition  for  the  delivery  of  Forster  and 
his  party,  that  they  may  receive  such  punishment  as  their 
conduct  merits,  in  suffering  the  savages  inhumanly  to  butcher 
the  captives,  in  direct  violation  of  the  capitulation  entered 
into  by  General  Arnold  at  the  Cedars. 


N.  B.  The  above  Return  includes  all  at  or  near  this  place,  except  what 
are  on  board  the  sloop  or  schooners;  a  number  of  carriages  not  fitting 
any  of  the  cannon  on  the  ground;  two  13-inch  mortars,  with  beds;  forty 
13-inch  shells;  one  4j-inch  cohorn;  a  number  of  8-inch  and  other  size 
shells,  which  exact  number  cannot  at  present  be  ascertained. 

A  large  quantity  of  sheet  copper  and  tin  will  be  necessary  to  complete 
the  above;  also,  one  hundred  sheep-skins  dressed  for  spunges,  thirty 
pounds  of  spunge  tacks,  five  pounds  of  copper  nails,  and  a  good  tinman, 
for  the  Laboratory. 

N.  B.  Ten  grape  and  ten  double-headed  or  chain  shot,  wanted  for  all 
the  cannon  above  6-pounders,  and  a  few  for  the  4-pounders. 

B.  ARNOLD. 

One  mortar  is  since  burst  on  trying  it  in  a  row-galley.    No  hurt  done 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  INDEPENDENT-POINT,  DATED 
JULY  30,  1776. 

Three  schooners  are  gone  down  the  Lake,  and  a  sloop 
and  six  or  eight  gondolas  will  follow  in  a  few  days.  Two 
hundred  carpenters  are  employed  in  building  more  after  the 
Delaware  mould.  We  have  plenty  of  large  guns,  and  hope 
soon  to  have  a  formidable  fleet  upon  Lake  Champlain. 
Carleton  and  Burgoyne  are  at  St.  John's,  likewise  busy  in 
preparing  a  fleet. 

A  Canadian,  a  friend  of  ours,  and  an  officer  in  the  Militia, 
arrived  yesterday  from  St.  Franpois,  twelve  miles  below 
Sorel,  his  property  being  seized  by  Carleton.  He  says 
that  Carleton  and  Burgoyne  have  not  yet  ordered  the  Cana- 
dians to  arms,  but  have  notified  them  to  be  ready  in  Sep- 
tember to  come  with  them  over  the  Lakes,  as  they  intend  to 
drive  the  Rebels  out  of  the  country,  and  winter  in  Albany. 
This  may  be  their,  intention,  but  I  am  certain  they  will  find 
it  impracticable.  They  will  have  to  pass,  in  the  first  place, 
the  gondolas;  secondly,  Crown-Point;  and  thirdly,  the  Nar- 
roivs  below  Independent-Point  and  Ticonderoga.  Our  for- 
tifications are  much  stronger  than  when  the  French  had  this 
post,  when,  with  only  three  thousand  .FVeneAand  Canadians, 
they  made  such  a  terrible  havock  of  the  British  Army  in 
1758.  Good  living  here  at  present,  having  plenty  of  fresh 
beef  and  excellent  bread. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  July  30,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Ensign  Hughes,  who  had  set  off  from 
here  on  the  night  of  the  24th  instant,  returned  here  on  the 
evening  of  the  20th.  He  went  down  as  far  as  the  Isle 
Motte;  he  expected  to  have  met  Captain  Wilson  there,  but 
he  was  gone  from  thence.  He  imagined  he  might  have 
returned  home  by  the  east  side  of  the  Lake.  Mr.  Hughes 
carefully  examined  all  round  the  Isle  Motte,  but  discovered 
no  enemy;  nor  did  he  see  anything  of  the  two  men  who  had 
gone  to  St.  John's  in  a  canoe.  He,  surrounded  Hays's 
house  in  the  night,  but  found  no  strangers.  He  went  several 
miles  up  the  river  Sable,  in  expectation  of  intercepting  some 
Indians  and  a  Canadian,  but  discovered  no  marks  of  them. 
Major  Bigelow  passed  the  Island  while  the  Ensign  was  there. 
He  could  not  speak  to  him.  I  sent  orders  to  Captain  Wil- 
son, by  Major  Bigelow,  to  return.  He  probably  saw  him. 
There  is  (I  believe)  no  enemy  on  this  side  of  the  White- 
House  on  the  Lake. 

When  Marines  were  spoken  of  by  General  Arnold,  I 


683 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


C84 


thought  of  Mr.  Hops  as  a  fit  person  for  First  Lieutenant 
among  them.  He  was  commissioned.  I  had  not  an  oppor- 
tunity of  consulting  him  first.  He  has,  upon  consideration, 
thought  proper  to  make  his  resignation.  He  apprehends  the 
land  service  will  suit  him  best,  especially  as  he  cannot  have 
the  men  he  could  wish  with  him.  He  holds  an  Ensigncy 
in  the  Sixth  Battalion,  which  he  prefers  for  the  present. 
His  wound  is  not  cured  yet:  salt  provision  might  be  injurious 
to  it.  He  hopes  his  conduct  will  not  give  offence. 

Mr.  Calderwood,  an  officer  in  this  battalion,  who  is  a 
scholar,  and  has  been  three  years  and  a  half  in  the  sea 
service,  part  of  which  as  a  Midshipman  on  board  a  man-of- 
war,  is  desirous  of  serving  as  an  officer  of  Marines  on  this 
Lake.  He  is  a  person  of  courage,  and  will  show  himself 
worthy  of  an  appointment.  I  beg  leave  to  recommend 
him  to  your  Honour  to  be  appointed  a  First  Lieutenant  of 
Marines  on  board  the  schooner  Royal  Savage,  in  the  room 
of  Mr.  Hops.  I  would  be  very  glad  that  his  commission 
should  bear  the  same  date  with  that  to  Mr.  Hops. 

Mr.  Calderwood  is  a  good  draughtsman,  and  may  be 
useful  in  this  particular  also  on  the  Lake. 

I  am  afraid  my  writing  so  often  may  give  you  offence, 
but  I  shall  not  be  so  troublesome  for  the  future. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  humble  servant, 

THOS.  HARTLEY. 

To  Major-General  Gates. 


shot,  and  also  one  hundred  stand  of  arms,  and  all  the  lead- 
shot  lately  brought  into  said  port  by  a  French  sloop. 

Memorandum. — There  is  a  quantity  of  timber,  plank, 
&ic.,  at  Hayden's  Yard  in  Saybrook,  which  belongs  to  the 
Colony,  and  must,  at  some  seasonable  lime,  be  taken  care 
of. 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
July  30,  1776: 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour ;  Elipht.  Dyer,  Jz. 
Himtington,  Richd.  Law,  Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Elderkin,  Wm. 
Hillhouse,  Nathl.  Wales,  and  Benj.  Himtington,  Esqs. 

Voted  and  allowed  to  Prosper  Wetmore,  Esq.,  Sheriff  of 
the  County  of  New-London,  the  sum  of  £12  2s.  lOrf.,  for 
his  expense  and  trouble  in  supporting  and  guarding  twenty- 
two  Continental  prisoners,  taken  by  Commodore  Hopkins, 
and  transporting  them,  with  their  baggage,  to  Windham 
Jail,  as  per  bill. 

Also  voted  and  allowed  to  said  Wetmore  the  sum  of  £  1 1 
4*.,  for  transporting  Dr.  Church,  by  order  of  Congress,  from 
Norwich  to  Boston,  and  from  thence  to  Watertown,  as  per 
bill. 

Also  voted  and  allowed  to  said  Wetmore  the  sum  of  £9 
5s.,  for  his  trouble  and  expense  with  Dr.  Church  whilst  a 
prisoner  in  his  care,  from  November  1775,  until  the  27th  of 
May,  1776,  and  for  his  trouble  in  waiting  on  Dr.  Church 
abroad  for  his  health,  at  sundry  times,  during  his  imprison- 
ment, as  was  ordered  by  Congress;  amounting,  in  the  whole, 
to  £32  lls.  10d,  lawful  money. 

(Order  drawn  and  delivered  Mr.  Wetmore.) 

Voted  and  allowed  to  Ebenezcr  Backus,  Jun.,  of  Nor- 
wich,  the  sum  of  £12  2s.  8d.,  for  victualling  nineteen 
prisoners  and  their  guards  five  days,  as  per  bill  30th  July, 
1776. 

(Order  drawn  on  the  back  of  the  bill,  and  delivered  Mr. 
Wetmore.) 

Voted  to  draw  an  order  on  the  Pay-Table  for  a  £1000, 
in  favour  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  for  the  Colony  use, 
and  to  render  account. 

(Order  drawn  30th  July,  and  delivered  to  Colonel  Hun- 
tington.') 

Voted  the  following  Instructions  to  his  Honour  Colonel 
Himtington,  from  his  Honour  the  Governour  and  Council  of 
Safety: 

You  are  directed  to  proceed  to  New-London,  with  all 
possible  despatch,  and  there,  in  behalf  and  for  the  use  of  the 
Colony,  in  conjunction  with  your  son  Mr.  Andrew  Hun- 
tington,  to  purchase  necessary  clothing  for  the  Troops  of 
this  Colony,  as  you  can  procure  upon  the  most  reasonable 
terms.  You  are  also  to  treat  with  the  owner  of  the  Bcr- 
mudian  sloop,  brought  into  said  port  by  the  Continental 
fleet,  for  the  purchase  thereof,  and  to  find  out  his  terms, 
conditions,  &c.,  and  report  make;  and  in  the  mean  time  to 
lay  an  injunction  against  the  said  sloop's  leaving  said  port 
till  further  orders  from  this  Board  be  had  thereon.  And 
you,  with  your  son,  are  to  purchase  all  the  swivel-guns  and 
the  shot  belonging  to  them,  one-third  of  the  cannon  and 


WORCESTER  (MASSACHUSETTS)  COMMITTEE. 

Worcester,  July  30,  1776. 

Agreeably  to  a  Resolve  of  the  Continental  Congress,  the 
Committee  of  the  Town  of  Worcester  having  liberated  Alex- 
ander Gardner  and  John  Thornhill,  two  prisoners  of  war, 
that  they  might  support  themselves  by  their  labour;  and  on 
the  28th  day  of  July  instant  they  went  from  this  town  to- 
gether, and  have  not  since  returned.  Gardner  had  on,  when 
he  went  away,  a  red  coat  lappelled  with  buff,  buttons  marked 
10;  he  has  been  a  drummer  in  the  Twenty-Third  Regiment 
of  Fusiliers.  Thornhill  has  been  a  sailor,  had  on  a  sailor's 
blue  jacket,  speaks  something  slow,  pretty  tall.  Whoever 
will  take  up  and  return  the  said  prisoners  to  the  Committee 
of  Safety,  &tc.,  for  the  Town  of  Worcester,  shall  receive  four 
dollars  reward,  and  all  reasonable  charges,  or  two  dollars  for 

either  of  them.  .T  .-,,    . 

NATHAN  BALDWIN,  Chairman. 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  THEOPHILUS  CUSHING. 

In  Council,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  directed  by  the  Committee  of  Council  to  inform 
you  that  there  are  many  complaints  from  different  parts  of 
this  State  for  want  of  camp-kettles,  canteens,  &.C.,  which 
you,  as  one  of  the  Committee,  were  to  provide.  I  need  not 
press  the  necessity  of  forwarding  them  immediately,  when  I 
inform  you  that  the  men  are  now  waiting  on  the  road  for 
those  articles,  and  are  very  uneasy,  to  the  great  detriment  of 
this  State;  therefore  the  Committee  of  Council  earnestly 
request  that  you  forward  them  without  further  delay. 

By  order  of  Council:     T 

JOHN  A  VERY,  JJep.  secretary. 

To  Theophilus  Gushing,  Esq. 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  JOSEPH  NYE,  JUN. 

In  Council  Chamber,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  In  answer  to  your  request  of  the  26th  instant,  we 
would  have  you  proceed  to  muster  and  form  your  men  into 
companies,  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of  Court  for  raising  the 
men,  and  make  return  thereof  to  Council  as  soon  as  possible; 
upon  which  you  will  receive  further  orders. 


EXTRACT  OF    A  LETTER    FROM   DOVER,  IN    ENGLAND,  DATED 
JULY  31,    1776. 

The  Zachary  Bayley,  from  Jamaica  for  London,  and  the 
Creighton,  from  Antigua,  with  rum  for  the  Army,  were 
taken  by  the  Yankee  privateer,  Captain  Johnson,  carrying 
nine  four-pounders,  sixteen  swivels,  and  forty-three  men. 
The  prizes  were  sent  to  New-England,  and  the  masters, 
together  with  a  Midshipman  of  the  Experiment,  man-of-war, 
who  was  a  passenger,  and  eleven  seamen,  were  taken  on 
board  the  privateer.  On  the  3d  of  July  they  seized  the 
privateer  without  bloodshed,  and  have  brought  her  to  Dover. 
They  were  chased  by  two  sloops,  whom  they  imagined  to 
be  American  privateers,  but  durst  not  engage  them  because 
of  the  number  of  prisoners  they  had  on  board. 

Captain  Johnson  (the  American. commander  of  the  pri- 
vateer) complained  of  the  illiberal  treatment  he  received, 
by  being  insulted  frequently  while  at  sea,  calling  him  by 
the  most  opprobrious  names,  and  threatening  him  with  the 
cruellest  and  most  savage  punishments;  and  also  for  suffer- 
ing many  people  to  come  on  board  after  the  privateer  arrived 
in  the  river  to  insult  him  in  the  grossest  terms,  though  he 
was  then  a  prisoner.  And  when  his  brother  came  to  see 
him,  after  a  three  years'  absence,  they  were  not  permitted  to 
talk  together  one  minute  in  private. 

The  prisoners  on  board  the  Yankee  privateer  having  peti- 
tioned not  to  be  closely  confined,  but  that  they  might  be  put 
to  some  employment,  upon  which  it  was  agreed  that  they 
should  be  placed  on  board  the  guardships.  The  vessel  was 
afterwards  ordered  to  be  sold,  and  the  money  to  be  given  to 
the  captors. 


685 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


08G 


To  His  Excellency  Genera/ LEE,  Commander-in- Chief,  SfC.: 
The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  ST. 
GEORGE,  and  ST.  PAUL,  including  the  ceded  lands  in  the 
Province  of  GEORGIA,  most  humbly  shoiveth: 
That  your  petitioners,  living  on  the  frontiers  of  the  western 
parts  of  the  Province  of  Georgia  aforesaid,  are  much  exposed 
to  the  barbarous  attacks  of  the  Creek  Indians,  and  more 
especially  from  the  intercourse  which  necessarily  must  sub- 
sist between  them  and  the  Indian  traders,  whilst  an  Indian 
trade  is  carried  on,  as  it  tends  to  bring  those  savages  down 
into  the  settlements,  and  they  seldom  return  without  either 
committing  murder  or  robbery,  and  generally  both,  upon  the 
white  people.  That  this  trade  is  of  the  utmost  prejudice  to 
your  petitioners,  and  the  rest  of  the  Province,  excepting  only 
a  few  men  immediately  concerned  in  it.  And  we  would 
further  represent  to  your  Excellency,  that  at  the  treaty  held 
between  Sir  James  Wright,  Bart.,  and  John  Stuart,  Esq., 
on  behalf  of  George  the  Third,  and  the  Headmen  and 
Warriors  of  the  same  nation,  in  the  year  1774,  the  Indian 
traders,  from  self-interested  views,  then  recommended  it  to 
the  said  Sir  James  Wright  and  John  Stuart  to  reject  a  certain 
offer  made  to  them  by  the  said  Headmen  and  Warriors  of 
a  most  valuable  cession  of  a  tract  of  land  lying  or  being 
on  Oconee  River,  being  a  fork  of  the  Alatamaha,  and  by 
nature  formed  for  the  benefit  and  advantage  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, in  giving  them  an  opportunity  of  sending  and  export- 
inn-  their  produce  to  market.  And  your  petitioners  can  with 
truth  assure  your  Excellency,  that  if  the  Indian  trade  was 
banished,  it  would  be  not  only  the  means  of  restoring  peace 
and  tranquillity  to  this  back  country,  but  likewise  would 
encourage  people  to  come  and  settle  therein.  That  your 
petitioners  submit  to  your  Excellency's  wise  consideration 
how  far  prudent  it  might  be  to  make  an  attempt  to  exter- 
minate and  rout  those  savages  out  of  their  nation,  as  it  ap- 
pears to  your  petitioners  that  a  sufficient  force  might  (with 
your  Excellency's  assistance)  now  be  raised  against  them ; 
and  in  such  case  your  petitioners  will  be  ready,  at  the  hazard 
of  their  lives  and  fortunes,  to  unite  together  for  so  desirable 
a  purpose.  May  it,  therefore,  please  your  Excellency  to 
take  the  premises  into  mature  deliberation,  and  to  grant  such 
relief  to  your  petitioners  as  your  Excellency  may  think  most 
proper.  And  your  petitioners  will  ever  pray. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER    FROM    CHARLESTOWN,  SOUTH-CARO- 
LINA, DATED  JULY  31,    1776. 

We  are  just  setting  out  for  the  burning  sands  of  Georgia. 
An  expedition  is  planned  against  part  of  East-Florida.  Two 
brothers  of  Governour  Wright,  with  many  others,  are  in- 
trenched on  St.  Mary's  River,  which  divides  Florida  from 
Georgia.  Besides  the  great  number  of  negroes  they  have 
of  their  own,  others  flock  to  them.  Colonel  Somers's  regi- 
ment from  North- Carolina,  and  Major  White,  of  North- 
Carolina,  with  two  companies  of  volunteers,  have  marched; 
and  Colonel  Muhlenberg's  regiment  only  waits  for  wagons 
to  transport  their  baggage. 


GENERAL  HOOPER  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
Dorchester  County,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  conduct  of  Lieutenant  Lev i  Willen  and  Ensign 
Job  Todd,  both  of  Captain  Lake's  company  of  Militia,  has 
of  late  been  such  as  to  give  great  reason  to  suspect  their 
principles  are  unfriendly  to  American  liberty,  and  which  I 
think  renders  them  unfit  to  hold  their  commissions.  I  there- 
fore make  this  representation  of  them  to  your  honourable 
Board,  that  you  may  take  such  order  therein  as  you  think 
necessary. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  HOOPER. 
To  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of  the  Council 

of  Safety. 


should  be  glad  you  would  let  me  know,  as  soon  as  convenient, 
whether  the  Sheriff  must  be  allowed  what  is  common  for 
taking  up  servants,  and  the  prison  fees.  You  will  observe 
he  is  committed  by  the  name  of  Samuel  Johnson;  his  name 
is  John  Montgomery. 

I  should  be  glad  to  know  who  I  am  to  apply  to  as  doctor 
in  Mr.  IVeisenthaPs  absence.  If  it  would  be  agreeable  to 
you,  would  apply  to  Doctor  Coulter,  who  I  think  the  most 
skilful  in  this  place,  and  will  do  it  as  cheap  as  any  one. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servant, 

NATH.  SMITH. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


CAPTAIN  SMITH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Fort  at  Whetstone,  July  31,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  There  is  a  soldier  belonging  to  Captain 
Bowie's  company  (formerly  Colonel  Swing's)  who  deserted, 
and  was  taken  up  two  days  ago,  and  put  into  the  prison  in 
Baltimore.  Colonel  Ewing  desired  I  would  send  his  men 
to  join  their  company  as  soon  as  1  had  an  opportunity.  I 


DORCHESTER  COUNTY  COMMITTEE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF 

SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Observation,  Dorchester  County, ) 

July  31,  1776.      i 

GENTLEMEN:  We  herewith  send,  under  a  guard  to  your 
Board,  Joseph  Wheeland,  Junior,  John  Evans,  and  Robert 
Howith,  who  were  lately  taken  in  Hooper's  Straits,  in  the 
service  of  Lord  Dunmore,  by  a  party  of  Major  Fallen's  men, 
and  sent  by  the  Major  to  us,  as  by  his  letter,  which  we  have 
enclosed  for  your  perusal,  will  appear.  The  depositions  of 
Joseph  Mareman,  and  Moses  Yell,  which  are  mentioned  in 
the  enclosed  letter,  we  have  since  received  from  Captain 
Eccleston,  the  Magistrate  who  took  them,  which  we  have 
also  enclosed.  We  have  not  seen  Captain  Eccleston  since 
he  took  the  depositions,  but  are  informed  Mareman  and  Yell 
have  returned  home,  on  a  promise  that  they  will  attend  your 
Board  on  notice.  We  apprehend  the  prisoners  will  not 
deny  their  being  in  the  service  ofDunmore;  but  if  they  should, 
and  any  further  evidence  should  be  necessary  to  prove  that 
fact,  on  your  informing  us  of.it  we  believe  such  may  be 
easily  had. 

Wheeland  is  the  man  who,  the  last  Convention  (as  we  are 
told)  were  informed,  served  as  pilot  to  Dunmore's  vessels  up 
to  Nanticoke  Point,  and  he  confesses  to  us  he  was  with  the 
party  who  took  cattle  from  Hopkins's  Island. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servants. 
Signed  per  order  of  Committee  : 

EDWARD  NOEL,  Chairman. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 

Joseph  Mareman,  being  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangels  of 
Almighty  God,  deposeth  and  saith  :  That  about  the  15th  day 
of  this  instant,  he,  with  Moses  Yell,  left  the  mouth  of  Hunger  - 
River,  in  a  vessel  bound  to  Potomack,  loaded  with  plank  and 
tar;  but  being  a  hard  gale  and  a  large  swell,  they  were 
obliged  to  put  back ;  but  on  their  attempting  to  put  back,  the 
tide  headed  them.  They  afterwards  hove  about,  and  stood 
for  the  mouth  of  Potomack  again;  and  about  daybreak 
they  espied  Lord  Dunmore's  fleet,  at  the  distance  of  about 
a  mile.  They  then  hove  about,  and  stood  for  Smyth's 
Island,  and  there  came  to  anchor.  They  staid  there  about 
two  or  three  hours.  The  wind  moderated.  This  deponent 
went  ashore  to  Smyth's  Island,  in  order  to  buy  some  fish, 
and  to  seek  for  a  canoe  he  had  lost  the  night  before,  and  to 
inquire  if  there  was  no  inlet  there  to  make  a  better  harbour, 
and  to  get  some  fire  to  cook  with.  Before  he  got  ashore, 
he  saw  two  men  in  a  canoe,  making  towards  him,  which  he 
understood  afterwards  were  Joseph  Wheeland,  Jun.,  and  one 
Lazarus,  a  Mulatto;  and  by  the  time  he  got  ashore,  they 
came  up  with  him.  This  deponent  says,  they  then  asked 
him  from  whence  he  came,  and  what  he  had  in.  His  answer 
was,  they  had  plank  and  tar;  that  they  were  from  Potomack, 
loaded  in  Hungar-River,  and  bound  to  Potomack  again. 
Wheeland  then  asked  this  deponent  if  he  did  not  belong  to 
the  fleet?  This  deponent  asked,  what  fleet?  They  answer- 
ed, the  English  fleet.  This  deponent  answered,  he  did  not. 
He  then  asked,  who  he  was  for,  either  the  country  or  the 
King?  This  deponent  told  him,  he  did  not  choose  to 
intermeddle  with  either  side.  He  then  asked  him,  how 
many  men  he  had  on  board?  This  deponent  told  him, 
there  was  but  one  person  besides  himself.  He  then  asked 
him,  (this  deponent,)  if  he  was  a  Tory  or  not?  He  then  told 
him  he  could  not  tell.  The  said  Joseph  Wheeland  then  told 
him  he  belonged  to  the  English  fleet,  and  he  must  go  along 
with  him.  He  then  asked  him  if  he  was  willing  to  stay 
with  the  fleet.  He  then  told  him,  (the  said  Wheeland,)  no; 
for  he  had  a  wife  and  children,  and  wanted  to  get  home  as 


687 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Stc.,  JULY,  1776. 


688 


soon  as  possible.  The  said  Wheeland  said  lie  would  not 
detain  any  person  that  had  a  family  against  their  will;  but 
if  they  had  no  family,  they  should  go.  He  then  asked  him 
for  some  victuals,  for  he  was  very  hungry.  He  then  ordered 
him  to  get  into  the  canoe  with  the  Mulatto  fellow,  Lazarus, 
and  go  up  to  the  three  schooners  that  lay  in  the  creek,  and 
tell  some  person  to  give  him  some  victuals;  and  while  he 
was  giving  orders,  there  came  two  other  persons  in  a  canoe, 
with  a  case  of  gin  and  rum,  and  gave  him  a  dram.  He 
then  got  out  of  his  canoe,  and  sent  one  of  the  other  persons 
with  him,  and  he,  the  said  Wheeland,  and  one  of  the  persons 
in  the  other  canoe,  proceeded  on  board  Captain  Yell.  We 
went  some  part  of  the  way  in  the  canoe,  till  they  came  to 
an  anchor.  They  then  took  it  in,  and  ordered  him  to  keep 
along  shore.  As  this  deponent  was  going  along,  he  met 
with  one  of  the  Islanders,  and  had  some  conversation  with 
him,  till  the  said  Joseph  Wheeland  came  up  with  the  said 
Captain  Yell,  and  then  took  him  aboard  said  canoe,  and 
carried  him,  the  said  deponent,  with  the  said  Yell,  on  board  the 
schooners  that  lay  in  the  creek's  mouth  aforesaid,  in  Smyth's 
Island,  where  there  was  likewise  a  sloop  dismasted,  as  they 
understood,  which  belonged  to  one  White,  up  Nanticoke; 
and  when  they  came  aboard,  they  saw  about  twenty  persons 
sharing  of  plunder,  and  as  they  understood  were  all  county 
born,  except  one.  This  deponent,  with  Captain  Yell,  re- 
quested the  said  Joseph  Whetland  to  go  on  shore.  He  then 
told  them  they  might,  but  lhat  Yell  must  leave  his  clothes 
on  board.  They  then  went  on  shore,  and  got  some  victuals 
at  Richard  Evans's.  After  some  time,  Marmaduke  Mister, 
and  sundry  persons,  came  to  the  said  house,  and  took  supper. 
Some  time  after  supper,  Marmaduke  Mister  told  this  depo- 
nent and  Captain  Yell  that  they  must  go  aboard,  for  they 
could  not  keep  guard  aboard  and  on  shore  too.  They  then 
ordered  them  on  board.  As  they  were  going  along,  he  said, 
God  damn  you !  do  you  go  before  the  guard?  John  Evans 
said  it  would  make  no  difference.  He,  the  said  Mister,  said, 
they  should  not  go  before  the  guard.  When  they  got  on 
board,  they  ordered  them  down  into  the  cabin,  where  they 
remained  all  night.  There  were  several  on  the  guard,  viz: 
Joseph  Wheeland,  John  Evans,  John  Price,  Robert  Howith, 
and  one  Dial,  and  several  others  that  he  did  not  know, 
which  said  persons,  as  mentioned  above,  are  under  guard  at 
Hooper's  Straits,  except  the  said  Dial.  The  next  morn- 
ing, Joseph  Wheeland  ordered  three  hands  to  bring  up  the 
vessel.  They  informed,  when  they  returned,  that  she  was 
between  two  bars,  and  they  could  not  get  her  off.  John 
Evans  then  persuaded  the  said  Joseph  Wheeland  to  let  the 
men  have  the  vessel  again,  as  she  would  not  be  of  any  use 
to  them.  Wheeland  then  told  this  deponent,  that  Captain 
Yell  might  have  the  vessel  if  they  would  get  her  off.  This 
deponent  and  Yell  then  went  down  to  the  vessel ;  and  when 
the  said  deponent  and  Yell  returned,  the  said  Yell  told  the 
said  Wheeland  that  he  could  get  her  off,  and  wanted  his  said 
clothes  and  money.  He  then  refused  him  his  clothes  and 
vessel,  and  said  he  must  have  the  tar;  but  if  he  would  wait 
till  he  was  gone  to  the  fleet,  he  might  have  the  residue  of 
his  cargo  and  vessel.  The  said  deponent  and  Yell  went  to 
unloading  the  said  vessel,  and  took  out  six  barrels  of  tar,  and 
put  them  on  board  Richard  Evans's  boat,  and  told  the  said 
Wheeland  that  he  should  have  the  residue  as  soon  as  he 
could  come  at  it.  Wheeland  told  the  said  deponent  that  he 
had  just  received  orders  to  come  immediately  to  the  fleet, 
and  to  burn  that  vessel  that  was  understood  to  be  White's. 
The  said  Yell  then  asked  him  for  his  clothes  and  money. 
He  then  gave  him  part  of  his  clothes,  and  told  him  some 
person  had  stolen  his  money,  and  that  he  might  have  his 
vessel  and  all  his  load.  This  deponent  says  that  he  heard 
the  said  Joseph  Wheeland  tell  the  said  Marmaduke  Mister, 
that  if  he  would  see  the  aforesaid  sloop  that  belonged  to 
White  burnt,  he  might  have  the  iron  of  said  vessel ;  upon 
which,  said  vessel  was  burnt;  that  the  said  Joseph  Whteland 
went  off  immediately. 

The  said  Yell  and  this  deponent  hired  hands,  and  got  off 
their  vessel,  and  carried  her  to  the  creek  aforesaid,  in  order 
to  take  in  the  remainder  of  her  load ;  and  before  he  had  got 
her  loaded,  two  tenders  came  in  with  the  Island,  and  the 
said  deponent  and  Captain  Yell  went  on  shore ;  and  as  soon 
as  they  got  on  shore,  two  persons  came  down  the  creek,  and 
went  on  board  the  said  vessel,  and  carried  her  over  lo  the 
fleet.  One  of  the  persons,  as  this  deponent  was  informed, 
was  Isaac  Summers,  from  Little  Annamcsick,  the  other  a  lad 


unknown.  The  aforesaid  Joseph  Wheeland  was,  as  this 
deponent  understood,  esteemed  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  said  vessel ;  and  further  saith  not. 

Sworn  before  HUGH  ECCLESTON. 

Joseph  Mareman  lives  in  St.  Mary's  County,  near  Leon- 
ard- Town,  on  Breton's  Bay. 

Moses  Yell,  being  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangels  of  Al- 
mighty God,  deposeth  and  saith:  That  some  time  about  the 
15th  instant,  this  deponent  was  going  in  a  vessel  to  Poto- 
mack  River  with  tar  and  plank ;  but  on  seeing  Dunmore's 
fleet,  this  deponent  returned,  and  anchored  under  Smith's 
Island.  About  two  or  three  hours  after  he  had  anchored, 
Joseph  Wheeland,  with  one  other  man  unknown  to  this 
deponent,  came  on  board  the  vessel  this  deponent  was  in. 
Joseph  Wheeland  asked  this  deponent  if  he  saw  the  fleet. 
This  deponent  answered  that  he  had  seen  the  fleet,  and 
returned  in  consequence  of  it.  Joseph  Wheeland  then  asked 
this  deponent  whence  he  came,  and  where  he  was  bound, 
and  who  he  was  for.  This  deponent  answered,  he  had  not 
a  design  to  kill  any  person,  but  was  a  friend  to  his  country. 
Joseph  Wheeland  then  asked  this  deponent  who  he  thought 
was  right — the  King,  or  the  Shirtmen.  This  deponent 
answered  that  he  thought  the  Americans  were  right.  Joseph 
Wheeland  then  told  this  deponent  he  was  for  the  fleet,  and 
had  orders  from  Lord  Dunmore  to  take  any  vessel  belong- 
ing to  the  Rebels,  and  destroy  such  as  he  thought  proper, 
and  carry  the  rest  to  the  fleet.  The  said  Wheeland  then 
demanded  a  sight  of  this  deponent's  papers,  which  this  de- 
ponent gave  him.  The  said  Wheeland  then  took  the  papers, 
a  pocket-book,  about  forty  shillings  cash,  and  all  the  clothes 
belonging  to  this  deponent  that  were  in  the  vessel,  except 
what  he  had  on,  and  carried  this  deponent,  together  with 
the  clothes  and  money,  on  board  a  tender  which  he  informed 
this  deponent  he  had  the  command  of;  and  likewise  the  said 
Wheeland  informed  him  he  had  the  command  of  the  other 
two  vessels  that  were  with  the  one  this  deponent  was  put 
on  board  of. 

This  deponent  saith,  the  said  Wheeland  told  him  he  had 
taken  a  vessel  belonging  to  White,  in  Nanticoke,  and  that 
he  (Wheeland)  intended  to  fit  her  out  with  four  four-pounders 
and  twelve  swivels  to  guard  the  Islands,  and  keep  the  Shirt- 
men  from  going  on  to  abuse  the  inhabitants.  The  aforesaid 
Wheeland  told  him  he  must  take  out  the  mast  from  his  ves- 
sel, (Yell's,)  and  put  it  in  the  vessel  he  had  taken  from 
White,  which  was  then  driven  aground,  and  had  lost  her 
mast ;  but  before  he  had  got  her  over  the  bar,  he  ( Yell) 
understood  from  an  old  man  on  board  the  tender,  that 
Wheeland  had  received  an  express  from  the  fleet  ordering 
him  to  come  up  to  Potomack,  to  assist  the  fleet  in  getting 
water,  as  quickly  as  possible,  as  orders  were  come  to  the 
fleet  to  go  out  as  soon  as  they  could — part  to  Martinico,  to 
light  the  French,  (as  they  expected  a  war  there,)  and  a  part 
to  New-York  or  Halifax.  Wheeland  soon  after  ordered 
fire  set  to  While's  vessel,  and  one  other  which  he  had  not 
got  over  the  bar;  and  put  this  deponent  on  shore,  gave  him 
part  of  his  clothes,  and  told  him  he  might  take  his  boat 
again.  This  deponent  saith  that  Marmaduke  Mister  was 
one  of  the  persons  that  kept  guard  over  him  one  night  while 
he  was  on  board  the  tender.  The  aforesaid  Mister  asked 
this  deponent  who  he  was  for,  whether  King  or  country. 
This  deponent  answered,  he  was  friend  to  every  person  that 
behaved  well.  The  aforesaid  Mister  then  commanded,  in 
the  King's  name,  to  tell  him  the  truth.  This  deponent  then 
told  him  he  was  born  in  this  country,  and  had  a  right  to 
defend  his  liberty.  Mister  then  said,  what  them  damned 
Rebels  call  liberty,  I  call  slavery,  and  so  the  people  will  find 
it.  This  deponent  further  saith,  that  Marmaduke  Mister 
set  fire  to  one  of  the  vessels  that  was  burnt,  and  was  to  have 
the  iron  for  doing  it.  This  deponent  saith  that  John  Evans, 
Robert  Howith,  and  one  Price,  were  likewise  on  board  the 
same  tender,  under  the  command  of  the  aforesaid  Joseph 
Wheeland,  (he  supposes,)  as  he  often  heard  them  call  him 
Captain.  This  deponent  saith  he  heard  John  Evans  say  he 
was  determined  to  have  several  of  the  principal  people  on 
the  Islands,  either  dead  or  alive,  or  get  some  of  their  negroes. 
This  deponent  saith  he  has  seen  Joseph  Wheeland,  John 
Evans,  Robert  Howith,  and  Price,  the  four  persons  above 
mentioned,  since  they  have  been  under  guard  at  the  Straits, 
and  that  they  are  the  same  persons  that  he  saw  on  board  of 


C89 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  JULY,  1776. 


690 


the  tender  above  mentioned.  This  deponent  further  saith, 
on  his  asking  Joseph  Wheeland  for  his  clothes,  Wheeland 
threatened  to  put  him  in  irons  in  the  vessel's  hole.  This 
deponent  likewise  saith,  that  John  Evans  told  him  not  to  be 
uneasy  about  his  clothes  and  money,  for  that  Wheeland 
would  give  them  to  him  after  he  was  ready  to  go  from  the 
Island,  for  the  paper  money  would  be  of  no  more  use  to  him 
than  blank  paper. 
Sworn  before 

July  27,  1776. 


HUGH  ECCLESTON. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  CONWAY. 
[No.  101.]  Annapolis,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  Our  Council  would  be  very  glad  to  see  you  imme- 
diately at  Annapolis,  to  consult  you  about  another  voyage 
for  the  Molly,  and  also  to  be  informed  of  the  particulars  that 
have  happened  relative  to  her  last.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  Captain  Thomas  Conway, 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  MAJOR  PRICE. 
[No.  99.]  Annapolis,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  Captain  Mantz,  who  commands  a  company  of  the 
Frederick  battalion,  well  armed  and  accoutred,  this  day 
marches  to  relieve  Captain  Thomas  and  his  company,  whom 
you  may  thereupon  order  up  to  this  place  in  his  way  to  the 
camp  to  the  northward.  He  may  leave  his  pots  to  Captain 
Mantz's  company  to  cook  with,  and  may  be  supplied  here 
with  camp-kettles  or  pots  more  portable  than  those  he  has 
now  in  possession.  Captain  Mantz  will  occupy  the  posts 
and  places  where  Captain  Thomas's  company  were  station- 
ed, until  further  orders. 

The  officers  despatched  by  you  to  give  Captain  Nicholson 
notice,  not  being  able  to  overtake  him,  had  very  nearly  occa- 
sioned a  loss  of  the  Defence.  She  was  becalmed,  and  obli- 
ged to  come  to  an  anchor,  tide  against  her.  The  English 
fleet  had  a  wind,  which  brought  them  down  Potomack  within 
three  miles  of  her,  where  she  lay  becalmed,  when  fortunately 
a  breeze  sprung  up,  which  enabled  her  to  escape.  They 
heard  no  firing  at  your  camp. 

We  are  glad  to  hear  the  cannon  proves  good,  as  it  will  be 
advantageous  to  the  Province,  and  a  greater  encouragement 
to  those  who  use  them  in  time  of  engagement,  as  they  will 
put  the  more  confidence  in  the  rest.  We  are  also  well 
pleased  on  the  account  of  Mr.  H ughes's'  succeed  ing  in  the 
way  to  satisfaction. 

We  received  copies  of  Mr.  Eden's,  Mr.  Wolstenholme's, 
and  Mr.  Forrest's  letters,  and  still  retain  the  opinion  com- 
municated to  you  in  our  last,  and  of  which  we  informed 
Colonel  Barnes,  in  answer  to  his  packet,  that  it  is  unsafe, 
at  this  period  of  time,  to  permit  Mr.  Wolstenholme  to  depart 
this  Province,  and  the  more  especially  as  he  would  not  en- 
gage secrecy  with  respect  to  our  movements  and  present 
situation ;  and  his  letter  to  Mr.  Eden,  of  the  20th  July,  so 
far  from  removing,  has  impressed  it  more  forcibly  on  our 
minds. 

We  are  sorry  for  the  fatigue  and  hard  fare  you  have  met 
with,  and  would  alleviate  it  as  much  as  lies  in  our  power; 
it  is  only  the  fortune  de  la  guerre.  Another  time,  we  hope 
you  will  have  quarters  more  agreeable.  We  doubt  not  your 
humanity  will  interest  you  so  far  in  favour  of  the  sick  as  to 
have  all  the  care  taken  of  them  you  can.  We  have  here- 
tofore written  you  about  the  cannon  coming  up  by  water, 
after  the  departure  of  the  enemy. 
We  are,  &tc.  , 

To  Major  Thomas  Price. 

P.  S.  We  have  some  powder  and  small-arms  arrived  at 
Wicomico,  in  Virginia,  as  you  will  see  by  the  enclosed 
receipt,  and  should  be  glad  of  your  opinion  how  we  could 
contrive  it  across  in  the  safest  manner  to  the  Maryland  side 
of  Potomack. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  THOMAS  JONES. 
[No.  100.]  Annapolis,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  thank  your  Committee  for  the  care  they  have 
and  intend  to  take  of  the  Molly's  cargo  belonging  to  our 
Province.  We  are  not  yet  certain  whether  we  shall  order 
wagons  from  Alexandria,  or  send  a  vessel  to  the  mouth  of 
Potomack  for  it.  This  will  depend  upon  the  information 
we  may  receive  from  Major  Price,  who  has  the  command 
of  our  troops  stationed  on  St.  Mary's  River.  Should  he 
think  that  it  may  be  transported  across  the  river  without 
risk,  either  above  or  below  St.  Mary's,  it  is  probable  we 
shall  adopt  what  he  may  recommend. 

We  are,  &z,c. 

To  Thomas  Jones,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  Committee  of  Obser- 
vation for  Northumberland  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  JOSEPH  GILPIN. 
[No.  102.]  Annapolis,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  Mr.  Woolscy,  of  Baltimore -Town,  informs  us  that  he 
has  heard  there  is  a  good  flint  quarry  about  two  miles  from 
the  head  of  Elk,  and  of  course,  we  are  told,  must  be  near 
your  house,  on  your  land. 

The  Congress,  foreseeing  the  necessity  of  having  gun-flints 
manufactured  among  us,  have  requested  the  strictest  search 
to  be  made  after,  and  earliest  intelligence  given  them  of  the 
discovery  of  any  such  quarry  in  any  of  the  Independent 
States.  We  request  you  will  make  inquiry,  and  acquaint 
us  of  the  success  of  the  inquiry  with  all  the  speed  in  your 
power.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Joseph  Gilpin,  Esq. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  ALEXANDER  McFADON. 
[No.  103.]  Annapolis,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  There  is  an  immediate  demand  for  tenting  and  shirt- 
ing linen  for  the  troops  raised  by  this  Colony  in  the  Conti- 
nental service.  It  would  be  extremely  serviceable  to  the 
publick,  and  agreeable  to  us,  that  you  would  exert  yourself 
all  in  your  power  to  furnish  this  Province  with  what  quanti- 
ties you  can,  and  send  it  directly  to  this  place. 

We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Alexander  McFadon,  Georgetown. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  THE  PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL 
OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  July  31,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  service  at  the  Flying-Camp  requiring 
some  pieces  of  artillery,  I  have  it  in  charge  from  Congress 
to  request  you  will  immediately  send  to  General  Mercer  ten 
six-pounders,  and  an  equal  number  of  four-pounders.  If 
you  cannot  furnish  them  out  of  the  stores  of  the  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  I  am  to  request  you  will  procure  them  with 
all  possible  despatch,  and  forward  them  to  Amboy  in  New- 
Jersey.  Whatever  number  you  can  spare,  you  will  please 
to  forward  immediately,  and  procure  the  remainder  as  soon 
as  possible.  Your  ardour  and  zeal  in  the  cause  of  your 
country  will,  I  am  persuaded,  supersede  the  necessity  of 
arguments  to  induce  you  to  an  immediate  compliance  with 
this  requisition. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  respect,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient,  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  resolves,  which  I  do  myself  the  honour 
of  transmitting,  are  so  explicit  that  I  need  only  refer  your 
attention  to  them. 

You  will  please  to  give  such  orders  with  regard  to  build- 
ing boats  for  the  service  of  the  Flying-Camp  as  you  shall 
judge  necessary.  A  copy  of  General  Mercer's  letter  to  Con- 
gress on  this  subject  you  have  enclosed. 

I  have  written  to  the  Council  of  Safety  of  this  State  to 
forward  to  General  Mercer  ten  six-pounders  and  an  equal 
number  of  four-pounders,  with  the  greatest  expedition.  Your 
favour  of  the  29th  came  safe  to  hand,  and  was  immediately- 
laid  before  Congress.  I  have  forwarded  to  Generals  Schuy- 
ler  and  Mercer  a  copy  of  the  enclosed  resolves,  as  far  as 
they  relate  to  their  respective  departments. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  witli  sentiments  of  the  greatest 
respect  and  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  and  very  humble 
servant,  JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  Upon  conversing  with  General  Sullivan,  and  stating 


44 


691 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  be.,  JULY,  1776. 


692 


to  him  the  reasons  of  Congress's  promoting  General  Gates 
over  him,  he  desired  me  to  move  for  leave  to  withdraw  his 
application  to  resign,  in  which  the  Congress  have  acquiesced. 
He  has  now  orders  to  repair  to  New-York,  where  you  will 
please  to  assign  him  such  post  of  duty  as  you  shall  think 
proper. 

A  Continental  ship  arrived  at  Chester  with  three  hundred 
and  sixty-six  pigs  of  lead,  fifty-four  boxes  musket  balls,  one 
thousand  stand  of  arms  with  bayonets,  one  barrel  flints,  one 
hundred  and  ninety-three  whole  barrels  powder. 

[Endorsed  on  cover  of  Letter  by  J.  II.,  Esq.: 

Also,  a  privateer  1ms  brought  in  a  It'cst-Indiaman  bound  to  Ijmdon, 
having  on  board,  besides  produce,  eleven  hundred  Johannes,  seven  hun- 
dred guineas,  &c.] 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  BENJAMIN  FLOWER. 

Philadelphia,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  commission  of  Commissary  of  Military 
Stores  for  the  Flying-Camp  has  been  ready  for  you  ever 
since  the  date  of  it.  I  should  have  forwarded  it  sooner  if  I 
had  known  where  to  send  it.  It  \vas  not  till  yesterday  I  heard 
you  were  with  Colonel  Dickinsoreal  the  Flying-Camp. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Benjamin  Flower,  New-Jersey. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  MERCER. 

Philadelphia,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  I  do  myself  the  honour  of  transmitting  the  enclosed 
resolves,  by  which  you  will  perceive  that  your  application 
to  Congress  relative  to  building  boats  for  the  use  of  the 
Flying-Camp,  is  referred  to  General  Washington,  to  whom 
I  have  written  on  the  subject,  by  this  conveyance,  to  give 
such  directions  as  he  shall  judge  necessary.  I  have  also 
written  to  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  to  forward 
to  you  immediately  ten  six-pounders,  and  an  equal  number 
of  four-pounders.  The  Congress  have  allowed  you  a 
Secretary  as  long  as  you  shall  continue  to  act  in  a  separate 
command.  The  sixty  thousand  dollars  for  the  use  of  the 
Flying-Camp  will  be  sent  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  New-Jersey. 

P.  S.  The  appointment  of  a  Brigade-Major  resting 
entirely  with  yourself,  you  are  authorized  to  nominate  one 
as  soon  as  ever  you  shall  think  proper. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  SCHOYLER. 

Philadelphia,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  so  extremely  hurried  that  I  have  only  time  to 
forward  the  enclosed  resolves  of  Congress,  which  are  indeed 
so  explicit,  that  there  is  not  the  least  occasion  to  enlarge. 
1  must  therefore  request  your  attention  to  them,  and  beg 
leave  to  conclude,  by  assuring  you  that  I  am,  with  sentiments 
of  real  respect  and  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 

humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  General  Schuyler,  Albany,  or  elsewhere. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  JOSEPH  TRUMBULL. 

Philadelphia,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Continental  troops  being  ordered  from  Boston 
to  New-  York,  and  the  Massachusetts-Bay  left  to  depend 
entirely  on  their  Militia,  I  am  to  inform  you,  that  should  the 
Assembly  of  that  State  think  proper  to  call  any  of  them 
into  the  field,  you  will  in  that  case  take  care  that  they  are 
supplied  with  rations,  making  the  enclosed  resolve  of  Con- 
gress the  rule  of  your  conduct. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 
JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  Joseph  Trumbull,  Esq.,  Com'y  General,  at  New-  York. 

GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  This  morning  two  Negroes  were  brought  to  me  who 
made  their  escape  last  night  from  Staten-Island,  and  were 


taken  up  by  our  guards  at  South-Amboy.  Their  examina- 
tion contains  nothing  new,  but  is  sent  enclosed  for  your 
perusal. 

By  the  report  of  the  commanding  officer  at  the  above 
mentioned  post,  it  appears  that  thirty-nine  sail  of  square- 
rigged  vessels,  three  of  them  men-of-war,  have  come  in  from 
sea  within  these  three  days. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 

Examination  of  two  -Vegroej,  Deserters  from  STATES-ISLAND,  JULY  31, 

1776. 

The  Examination  of  Joshua,  a  Negro  slave,  belonging  to 
Peter  Peleyon,  of  Richmond  County,  on  Staten-Island, 
taken  at  Perth-Amboy,  July  31st,  1776,  before  Hugh 
Mercer,  Esq.,  Brigadier-General. 

Saith  he  hath  lived  on  the  south  side  of  Staten-Island,  in 
Richmond  County  aforesaid,  for  the  space  of  nine  years ;  that 
having  gone  to  see  the  fleet  on  Sunday  last,  his  master  threat- 
ened him  with  a  beating ;  that  at  the  Watering  Place  there 
is  a  large  encampment  with  many  soldiers.  He  has  heard 
of  no  other  large  encampment  on  the  Island,  except  at  the 
post  at  Billop's  Point.  He  has  overheard  discourses  among 
the  enemy,  of  attacking  New-  York,  when  Lord  Howe's  fleet 
shall  arrive,  before  which  time  they  should  not  have  a  suf- 
ficient number  of  men  to  pursue  their  design  with ;  that  the 
troops  on  the  Island  are  almost  all  Irish  and  Scotch;  that 
the  English  regiments  are  to  come  over  with  Lord  Howe's 
fleet ;  that  said  fleet  was  to  consist  of  two  hundred  sail ; 
that  the  enemy  have  yet  a  plenty  of  provisions.  This  exa- 
minant  overheard  an  officer  threaten  to  come  over  to  the 
Jerseys,  for  stock,  by-and-by.  The  Tories  are  well  treated  by 
the  British  troops ;  Governour  Tryon  has  set  a  price  on  pro- 
visions; the  soldiers  are  divided  among  the  plantations  within 
his  knowledge  on  the  east  side  of  the  Island. 

Lawrence,  another  Negro  slave,  belonging  to  the  above 
mentioned  Peter  Peleyon,  being  examined,  in  like  manner 
as  the  above  named  Joshua,  saith :  He  has  lived  with  Peleyon 
eight  years;  that  an  officer  and  fourteen  soldiers  live  at  his 
master's  house.  He  believes  the  greatest  number  of  soldiers 
to  be  on  the  shore  near  the  place  where  the  fleet  lies. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  5, 1776.] 

New- York,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  This  will  be  handed  you  by  Captain  Marquesie, 
with  whom  I  have  no  other  acquaintance  than  what  is  derived 
from  the  enclosed  letter  from  General  Schuyler.  He  says 
he  has  lost  his  baggage  and  all  he  had  in  our  service.  I 
have  advanced  him  twenty  dollars,  and  he  is  now  going  to 
wait  on  Congress,  to  whom  I  suppose  he  means  to  make  his 
pretensions  known. 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 

EPHRAI9I  ANDERSON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New- York,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  I  beg  leave  just  to  inform  you  that  I  have  been  for 
some  time  past  very  assiduous  in  the  preparation  of  fire  ships. 
Two  are  already  complete  and  hauled  off  in  the  stream;  two 
more  will  be  off  to-morrow,  and  the  residue  in  a  very  short 
time.  In  my  next  I  hope  to  give  you  a  particular  account 
of  a  general  conflagration,  as  everything  in  my  power  shall 
be  exerted  in  the  demolition  of  the  enemy's  fleet.  I  expect 
to  take  an  active  part,  and  be  an  instrument  for  that  purpose. 
I  am  determined  (God  willing)  to  make  a  conspicuous  figure 
among  them,  by  being  a  "burning  and  shining  light,"  and 
thereby  serve  my  country,  and  have  the  honour  of  meeting 
the  approbation  of  Congress. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  and  very 

humble  servant,  r 

li.PHRAiM  ANDERSON. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Honourable 
Continental  Congress,  Philadelphia. 

P.  S.  The  bearer,  Captain  Marquesie,  Engineer,  I  have 
been  acquainted  with,  in  our  service  in  Canada,  and  recom- 
mend him  as  a  deserving  officer. 


693 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


694 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLEH. 

New-York,  July  31,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favours  of  the  14th.  17th,  20th,  and 
24th,  have  been  duly  received,  and  I  am  extremely  happy 
to  find  that  you  have  discovered  and  apprehended  some  of 
the  ringleaders  of  a  dangerous  plot  you  say  was  forming  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Albany;  nor  do  1  hear  with  little  plea- 
sure of  the  harmony  and  good  agreement  between  you  and 
General  Gates,  knowing  how  essential  they  are  to  the  ser- 


vice. 


Agreeable  to  your  request,  I  communicated  to  Mr.  Trum- 
bull  That  part  of  your  letter  respecting  Mr.  Livingston,  and 
your  apprehensions  of  his  resigning  in  case  any  person  should 
be  appointed  to  act  independently  of  him  in  the  business  he 
usually  managed.  Upon  this  occasion  I  must  observe,  that 
as  Mr.  Tmmbull  has  the  supreme  direction  given  him  by 
Congress  of  supplying  the  Northern  Army,  and  is  the  person 
that  is  to  be  accountable  if  it  is  not  done  in  a  proper  manner, 
his  appointment  should  and  must  be  regarded,  or  things  in 
this  instance  will  never  proceed  in  a  regular  channel,  and 
fatal  consequences  will  otherwise  ensue.  Mr.  Trumbull,  I 
believe,  has  written  to  Mr.  Livingston  on  the  subject,  and  I 
imagine  has  mentioned  in  what  manner  he  would  have  him 
to  act;  and  also  given  necessary  instructions  to  his  deputies. 

It  gives  me  great  satisfaction  to  hear  that  taking  post  at 
Fort  Stanwix  has  not  given  umbrage  to  the  Indians;  and 
also  that  those  who  were  at  Philadelphia  and  this  place, 
have  returned  to  their  several  nations  with  such  favourable 
ideas  of  our  strength  and  resources.  From  this  circumstance 
I  am  hopeful  you  will  be  able  to  engage  them  in  our  interest, 
and,  with  the  assistance  of  the  reward  allowed  by  Congress, 
to  excite  their  efforts  to  make  prisoners  of  our  enemies.  I 
would  have  you  press  the  matter  strongly  in  both  instances ; 
and  though  you  should  not  succeed,  I  flatter  myself  you  will 
secure  their  neutrality.  That  will  be  an  important  point  to 
gain. 

I  conceive  it  will  not  only  be  proper,  but  absolutely  neces- 
sary, to  request  General  Howe  to  deliver  up  the  officers,  who, 
regardless  of  their  paroles,  have  escaped  from  Pennsylvania, 
and  all  other  that  have  acted  in  the  same  manner,  pointing 
out  the  impropriety  of  such  conduct,  and  the  difficulty  it 
lays  us  under  as  to  the  line  of  treatment  to  be  observed  to 
others.  In  a  conversation  with  the  Adjutant-General  of  the 
King's  Army,  I  touched  upon  this  subject,  and  he  assured 
me  all  complaints  of  this  nature  would  be  strictly  attended 
to  by  General  Howe,  and  those  who  gave  rise  to  them  be 
handled  with  severity.  Lord  Howe,  too,  I  am  confidently 
informed,  has  expressed  his  great  disapprobation  of  such 
behaviour,  and  said  that  those  who  were  guilty  of  it  should 
be  severely  noticed  if  they  came  into  his  hands.  Every 
thinking  and  sensible  person  must  see  the  impropriety  of  it, 
and  the  consequences  that  must  attend  it.  I  should  suppose 
the  requisition  will  claim  General  Burgoyne's  attention,  and 
be  readily  complied  with. 

The  swivels  you  mention  cannot  be  had  ;  but  if  the  ex- 
periments of  a  person  who  has  undertaken  to  cast  some  three- 
pounders  should  succeed,  perhaps  after  some  time  you  may 
be  furnished  in  part  with  a  quantity  of  these.  Colonel  Knox 
seems  to  think  they  will  be  far  superior  to  swivels.  The 
man  supposes  that  after  he  begins  he  will  be  able  to  complete 
twenty  every  week.  Neither  are  there  any  hand-grenades. 
We  have  a  large  number  of  4^-inch  shells,  which  might  be  a 
good  substitute.  But  I  do  not  know  how  things  of  this  sort 
can  be  forwarded  to  you,  as  the  water  communication  with 
Albany  is  entirely  cut  off.  The  difficulty  will  be  great  if  not 
almost  insuperable. 

I  observe  your  reasons  for  quitting  Crown-Point,  and  pre- 
ferring Ticondcroga.  My  knowledge  of  the  importance  of 
the  former  was  not  properly  my  own;  it  arose  from  the  infor- 
mation I  had  from  gentlemen  and  persons  who  were,  or  said 
they  were,  well  acquainted  with  it,  and  the  situation  of  the 
country  about  it.  Being  founded  on  that,  I  cannot  say  any- 
thing myself  upon  the  subject.  Your  representation  of  it 
most  certainly  lessens  its  consequence  in  a  capital  degree. 
However,  I  am  fearful  the  observation  of  the  Field-Officers, 
"  that  the  New-England  Governments,  &tc.,  will  be  thereby 
exposed  to  the  incursions  of  our  cruel  and  savage  enemies," 
will  be  but  too  well  verified.  If  that  post  could  not  have 
been  maintained,  this  evil,  with  others  greater,  must  have 
happened. 


In  respect  to  the  privilege  you  have  given  the  officers  who 
hold  double  commissions  to  retain  which  they  choose,  I  can- 
not object,  if  the  authority  giving  them  was  the  same,  and 
such  as  was  exercised  usually  and  approved.  I  see  no  cause 
for  it,  and  suppose  the  officers  have  that  right.  As  to  Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Buell's  case,  I  cannot  give  any  direction  about 
it,  not  having  authority  to  appoint  officers  generally. 

It  is  not  in  my  power  to  spare  you  any  money  from  hence. 
Our  chest  is  all  but  empty.  Congress  would  be  informed 
by  your  letters  of  your  situation,  doubtless;  I  mentioned  it 
in  mine;  and  have  suggested,  as  I  often  have,  the  expediency, 
nay  the  necessity,  of  keeping  regular  supplies. 

Nothing  of  moment  has  occurred  here  lately.  The  enemy 
are  growing  stronger.  For  some  time  past  ships,  Sic.,  have 
been  coming  in  to  them  more  or  less.  All  the  eastward  ac- 
counts say  that  three  or  four  captures  have  been  made  lately, 
among  them  a  provision  vessel  from  Ireland,  which  of  herself 
came  into  Boston  harbour.  In  the  Southern  Department 
we  have  been  still  more  lucky:  Sir  Peter  Parker  and  his  fleet 
got  a  severe  drubbing  in  an  attack  against  our  works  on 
Sullivan's  Island,  just  by  Charlestown,  South-  Carolina.  A 
part  of  their  troops  at  the  same  time  attempting  to  land  were 
repulsed.  The  papers,  I  presume,  have  reached  you  an- 
nouncing this  fortunate  event,  where  you  will  see  the  par- 
ticulars transmitted  by  General  Lee  to  Congress. 

I  am,  &ic.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  General  Schuyler. 


MEMORIAL    OF    THE    REGIMENTAL    SURGEONS    TO    CONGRESS, 
JULY,  1776. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  United  Free 

and  Independent  States  of  AMERICA: 
The  Memorial  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons  in  the  Army 

commanded  by  his  Excellency  General  WASHINGTON,  most 

respectfully  showeth: 

That,  immediately  after  the  battles  of  Lexington  and  of 
Bunker's  Hill,  the  19th  April  and  17th  June,  1775,  the 
inhabitants  of  the  country  rising  in  defence  of  their  lives, 
liberty,  and  property,  an  Army  was  suddenly  collected  in  the 
Province  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  from  that  and  the  neigh- 
bouring Colonies :  that  Surgeons  and  Mates  were  appointed 
to  take  charge  of  the  several  regiments,  and  furnished  at  that 
time  with  such  supplies  of  Medicines,  Bandages,  and  Chirur- 
gical  Instruments,  as  could  be  procured  on  that  emergency 
from  the  respective  Colonies  in  which  the  regiments  were 
raised,  for  the  use  of  the  sick  and  wounded  in  the  several 
regiments  to  which  they  belonged :  that  the  honourable  Con- 
tinental Congress,  having  afterwards  appointed  a  Director- 
General  and  Physician-in-Chief,  with  power  and  instructions 
to  establish  a  General  Hospital  for  the  reception  of  the  sick 
and  wounded,  under  certain  regulations,  agreed  and  fixed 
upon  by  the  Congress,  with  Surgeons,  Mates,  and  other  officers 
to  take  care  of  them,  no  mention  was  then  made  of,  or  any 
orders  given  for,  the  regulation  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons 
and  Mates,  or  allowance  of  Regimental  Hospitals,  which  are 
thought  necessary  in  regular  Armies.  That  the  said  Regi- 
mental Surgeons  and  Mates  were  thus  left  destitute  of 
necessaries  and  conveniences  for  taking  care  of  their  sick, 
not  knowing  where  to  apply  for  them  in  any  regularly  estab- 
lished method,  to  the  great  injury  of  their  patients;  some  of 
whose  cases  not  requiring  them  to  be  sent  to  the  General 
Hospital,  if  they  could  be  supplied  with  a  few  refreshments 
under  their  proper  Regimental  Surgeons,  and  the  cases  of 
others  rendering  them  unfit  patients  for  a  General  Hospital, 
as  patients  labouring  under  dysenteries,  the  itch,  hectical 
patients,  and  those  having  fevers  likely  to  be  rendered  infec- 
tious by  crowding  many  of  them  together,  with  other  sick 
patients,  into  one  large  Hospital.  That  the  Regimental 
Surgeons  have  no  means  of  providing  the  sick  with  wine, 
cordial,  or  any  variety  of  refreshments  in  the  dietetick  way, 
as  in  the  General  Hospital:  that  they  never  have  been 
provided  with  medicines  (except  from  the  General  Hospital) 
since  the  first  supplies  from  the  Colonies  were  expended : 
that  they  are  wholly  destitute  of  Surgeons'  Instruments, 
except  a  very  few,  which  are  private  property,  and  have 
never  had  any  allowance  made  them  whereby  to  enable  them 
to  provide  themselves  with  the  necessary  bandages  and  im- 
plements of  Surgery,  by  which  they  are  left  to  depend  on 
the  General  Hospital  for  those  articles,  contrary  to  all  mili- 
tary rules;  nor  does  it  appear  that  the  General  Hospital  can 


695 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


696 


furnish  instruments  to  the  Regimental  Surgeons,  even  if  they 
had  an  allowed  right  to  demand  them.     That  on  application 
to  the  Colonels  of  these  regiments  for  a  supply  of  what  they 
want  for  these  purposes,  they  are  constantly  told  they  have 
no  orders  to  furnish  them ;  and  no  assurance,  if  they  were 
to  advance  money  for  these  regimental  purposes,  that  they 
should  be  repaid.     That,  in  consequence  of  this  unsettled 
state  of  affairs,  they  have  applied  to  the  Director-General  of 
the  Hospital,  and,  at  a  conference  on  the  subject,  have  agreed 
with  him  upon  certain  pro  tempore  regulations,  if  approved 
of  by  the  Commander-in-Chief,  (a  copy  of  which  are  an- 
nexed,)   for  the  occasional    establishment   of  Regimental 
Hospitals,  the  direction  of  Regimental  Surgeons  and  Mates, 
and  settling  the  proper  subordination  of  them  to  the  Direc- 
tor-General, and  ascertaining  the  dependance  they  are  to 
have  on  the  General  Hospital  for  supplies  of  necessary  re- 
freshments; and,  by  his  advice,  have  thus  represented  their 
situation  to  Congress,  praying  that  the  honourable  Represen- 
tatives will  take  their  case  into  consideration,  and  appoint 
in  what  method  they  would  in  future  have  them  apply  for 
Medicines,  Instruments,  and  other  implements  of  Surgery; 
and  in  case  further  necessaries  and  refreshments  may  here- 
after be  wanted,  over  and  above  what  is  already  settled  by 
the  foregoing  rules,  for  the  recovery  or  preservation  of  the 
men,  whether  the  expenses  will  be  allowed  by  Congress, 
and  who  is  to  defray  the  same ;  or  whether  the  Congress  may 
think  fit,  on  any  future  regulation  of  the  Army,  to  subject 
the  soldiery  to  such  small  stoppages  in  their  pay  as  may 
answer  that  purpose,  according  to  the  usage  and  custom 
observed  in  the  British  and  other  Armies,  for  the  support 
of  the  General  and  Regimental  Hospitals,  (it  being  only  an 
appropriation  of  part  of  their  pay,  by  their  own  consent,  at 
inlistment,  and  for  their  own  good,  where  no  other  fund  is 
provided.)     And  lastly,  that  as  the  Regimental  Surgeons 
are  wholly  destitute  of  Chirurgical  Instruments  for  the  im- 
mediate assistance  of  the  wounded  of  their  corps,  in  case  of 
action,  and  they  cannot  leave  camp  to  procure  them,  they 
are  constrained  to  entreat  that  the  honourable  Congress  will 
be  pleased  to  give  some  immediate  directions  for  furnishing 
them  with  the  necessary  articles  and  implements  of  Surgery; 
and*  that,  in  all  cases  in  which  there  are  no  orders  given 
them  for  the  government  of  themselves  and  the  sick  under 
their  care,  the  usages  and  customs  observed  in  the  British 
and  other  European  Armies  may  be  allowed  to  direct  them, 
till  more  perfect  rules  of  conduct  are  established  by  the 
authority  of  Congress.     And  your  memorialists,  as  in  duty 
bound,  shall  ever  pray,  &tc. 


MEMORIAL  OF  THE  REGIMENTAL,  SURGEONS. 

To  His  Ercelkncy  GEORGE  WASHINGTON, Esq.,  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  United  Free  and  Independent 
States  of  AMERICA: 

The  Regimental  Surgeons  of  the  Army,  stationed  at 
New-York,  commanded  by  your  Excellency,  considering 
themselves  aggrieved  by  the  Regulations  issued  by  your 
Excellency  on  the  28th  of  July,  and  having  the  strongest 
assurances  that  your  ear  is  ever  open  to  the  just  complaints, 
and  that  you  are  ever  ready  to  redress  the  injuries,  of  those 
under  your  command,  beg  leave,  with  the  utmost  respect, 
to  remonstrate:  That  by  those  orders  the  sole  right  of  judging 
and  determining  of  the  fitness  of  removing  a  patient  from  the 
Regimental  to  the  General  Hospital,  is  vested  in  the  Surgeon 
of  the  Hospital,  to  the  exclusion  of  the  Regimental  Surgeon, 
who  must  be  supposed  to  be  under  equal,  if  not  superior 
advantages  to  determine  with  regard  to  his  own  patient,  of 
the  propriety  of  doing  it.  That  we  conceive  the  orders  are 
expressed  in  such  terms,  and  are  in  fact  so  understood  by 
the  officers  of  the  respective  regiments  to  which  we  belong, 
as  represent  your  remonstrants  in  a  very  contemptible  light, 
and  their  services  of  less  importance  in  the  Army  than  we 
humbly  conceive  they  deserve.  While  your  remonstrants 
reflect  on  their  assiduity  and  constant  attendance  on  the  sick, 
the  great  numbers  they  have  had  under  their  care,  in  pro- 
portion to  those  admitted  into  the  General  Hospital,  and  the 
almost  inconceivable  disadvantages  which  they  have  labour- 
ed under  till  the  present  period,  being  almost  wholly  destitute 
of  suitable  supplies,  they  cannot,  on  the  present  occasion,  see 
themselves  considered  by  the  publick,  and  especially  by  your 
Excellency,  in  so  disagreeable  a  point  of  light,  without  feel- 
ing it  in  the  most  sensible  manner.  While  we  complain  to 


your  Excellency  on  a  very  tender  point,  (a  point  in  which 
we  think  our  usefulness  and  honour  are  deeply  concerned,) 
we  beg  leave  to  inform  you,  that  we  shall,  with  the  greatest 
cheerfulness,  submit  ourselves,  our  Hospitals,  and  the  whole 
of  our  conduct,  as  it  respects  the  good  of  the  Army,  to  the 
inspection  and  regulation  of  the  Director-General. 

Confiding  in  your  justice  and  equity  for  a  redress  of  our 
grievances,  we  willingly  leave  it  to  your  Excellency  to 
remedy  our  complaints;  and  your  remonstrants,  as  in  duty 
bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

James  Coggswcll,  John  Hart,  Samuel  Richards, 

Percival  Hall,  David  Jones,  William  Adams, 

Elisha  Story,  Lemuel  Gushing,  Samuel  Tenny, 

Jared  Potter,  John  Oondict,  John  Crocker, 

Thomas  Ewing,  John  Crocker,  jr.  Elisha  Eley, 

Gibbons  Jewell,  Josiah  Hart,  Hlmr'IPell. 

Benjamin  Putnam,  John  Waldo, 

,  My  31,  1776. 


WILLIAM  PALFREY  TO  FRANCIS  LEWIS. 

New- York,  July  31,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Agreeable  to  your  directions  I  presented  to 
Messrs.  Murry  fy  Sanson  the  two  drafts  for  £100  sterling 
each,  for  which  I  received  one  thousand  dollars  in  payment; 
which  sum  I  shall  apply  to  the  publick  service,  and  credit 
the  United  States  of  America  accordingly. 

Any  other  commands  that  you  may  have,  either  publick 
or  private,  shall  be  executed  with  the  greatest  pleasure  by, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

WM.  PALFREY. 
To  Francis  Lewis,  Esq.,  Member  of  Congress. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  Colonel  Hand  reports  two  ships  that  came  in  late 
last  evening  at  the  Hook.  Nothing  material  has  occurred 
in  this  camp  since  yesterday. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
servant,  NATHANAEL  GREENE. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 

New-  York. 


COLONEL  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  July,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  enclosed  is  a  true  state  of  the  three  detached 
companies  of  Colonel  Clinton's  regiment,  stationed  at  the  east 
end  of  Long-Island.  We  have  two  field-pieces  mounted  on 
field-carriages,  but  no  ammunition  for  them.  If  we  had  a 
supply  of  that  article,  also  ladles,  rammers,  and  worms,  for 
them,  I  fancy  they  would  be  of  service  to  us,  if  the  enemy 
should  ever  take  it  in  their  heads  to  visit  us.  The  Com- 
mittee have  fitted  up  these  two  pieces,  and  requested  me  to 
write  to  your  Excellency  for  a  supply  of  ammunition  for 
them.  I  have  with  much  difficulty  prevailed  on  them  to 
remove  the  cattle  from  some  of  the  Islands,  and  to  prepare 
boats  to  remove  them  from  Shelter-Island  as  soon  as  a  fleet 
shall  appear  in  sight.  They  have  furnished  us  with  five 
whale-boats  since  my  arrival,  and  promise  to  procure  a  suffi- 
ciency for  us,  which  will  be  a  great  advantage  to  us,  as  the 
companies  can  much  more  expeditiously  assist  each  other 
by  water  than  by  land.  There  are  a  prodigious  number  of 
cattle  here,  more  than  three  companies  can  possibly  protect. 
Montauk-Point  or  Neck,  about  eighteen  miles  in  length  and 
two  in  breadth,  contains  sixteen  hundred  head  of  horned 
cattle,  five  hundred  horses,  and  ten  thousand  sheep.  Should 
the  communication  be  cut  off  between  this  neck  and  the 
country,  it  would  be  a  fine  supply  for  our  enemies. 

I  remain  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  ser- 
vant, HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  One  of  the  companies  is  stationed  on  Montauk- 
Point,  another  on  Shelter-Island,  about  twenty  miles  from 
Montauk,  another  at  Oyster-Pond  Point,  about  seven  miles 
from  Shelter-Island,  and  twenty-four  miles  from  Montauk. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

German-Flats,  July  31,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Indeed  I  give  you  much  trouble,  but  I  cannot 
avoid   it.     I  am  this  moment  informed  that  only  seventy 


697 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  JULY,  1776. 


698 


sailors  can  be  procured  out  of  our  Northern  Army,  and  that 
we  shall  want  two  or  three  hundred  more,  and  that  they 
may  possibly  be  procured  in  Connecticut;  and  it  is  con- 
jectured that  Captains  Samuel  Chew  and  Francis  Brown, 
of  New-  Haven,  Captain  Amos  Green,  of  Stanford,  Captain 
Whittksey,  of  Saybrook,  and  Captain  Seth  Warner,  of 
Haddam,  would,  if  not  employed,  be  willing  to  engage  as 
Captains  to  command  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain.  I  am 
a  stranger  to  all  these  gentlemen;  permit  me,  therefore,  to 
beg  the  favour  of  you  to  send  them,  or  such  others  as  you 
may  think  proper,  to  engage  forty  men  apiece,  and  to  make 
the  best  contracts  you  can  with  them  for  the  men's  monthly 
wages  and  allowances,  which  will  be  strictly  complied  with. 

1  am  greatly  chagrined  at  the  tedious  delay  of  the  Indians, 
as  well  on  account  of  the  very  heavy  expense  in  sending  them, 
as  that  I  am  kept  from  the  Army.  Our  misfortunes  in  Canada 
have  made  them  somewhat  assuming;  but  I  have  great  hopes 
that  they  will  not  engage  against  us,  although  very  little,  if  any, 
except  the  Oneida  nation,  will  take  an  active  part  with  us. 

I  am,  sir,  most  sincerely  and  respectfully,  your  obedient, 
humble  servant,  PH.  SCHUYLEB. 

To  the  Honourable  Governour  Trumbull. 


COLONEL  GANSEVOORT  TO  JOHN  McKESSON. 

Fort  George,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  only  time  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
favour  of  the  13th  instant,  which  came  to  hand  this  morning; 
and  in  answer  thereto,  inform  you  that  the  companies  of 
Colonel  Wynlcoop's  regiment  which  were  here,  are  gone, 
some  to  Ticonderoga  and  some  to  Skenesborough. 
I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

PETER  GANSEVOORT, 
Lieutenant- Colonel,  commanding  Fort  George. 

To  John  McKesson,  Esq. 

COLONEL  GREATON  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

Ticonderoga,  July  31,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  your  kind  letter  of  the  13th 
June,  which  gave  me  great  pleasure  to  think  you  had  not 
forgotten  your  friend,  though  at  a  distance.  You  inform  me 
you  had  not  received  a  line  from  me  since  I  left  New-York. 
I  have  written  to  you  but  once,  which  I  am  very  sorry  you 
did  not  receive.  1  had  not  time,  hardly,  to  write  to  my  family 
when  I  was  in  Canada. 

Our  fatigues  and  hardships  have  been  very  great;  they 
are  too  tedious  to  enumerate  at  this  time,  but  I  hope  I  shall 
have  an  opportunity  some  winter's  evening  to  inform  you  of 
what  we  have  undergone.  We  have  got  out  of  Canada  very 
well,  considering  the  situation  we  were  in,  but  happy  would 
it  have  been  for  us  if  we  had  retreated  three  weeks  sooner 
than  we  did;  we  should  tyave  saved  three  hundred  men  by 
it,  and  got  to  Crown-Point  soon  enough  to  have  fortified 
there,  and  not  have  come  to  this  sickly  place.  We  are 
fortifying  here  as  fast  as  we  can.  The  men  are  in  very 
low  spirits.  You  would  hardly  know  my  regiment  now, 
they  are  so  altered  in  every  shape. 

We  have  various  accounts  from  St.  John's.  The  best 
intelligence  we  can  get  here  is,  that  they  are  building  vessels, 
batteaus,  Sic.,  as  fast  as  they  can.  They  have  seven  thou- 
sand Regulars,  and  about  five  thousand  Canadians,  dressed 
in  Regular  clothing  and  armed  by  the  Regulars.  They 
expect  to  be  ready  to  cross  the  Lake  the  last  of  next  month. 
The  above  news  we  have  from  a  French  Captain  of  Militia, 
who  left  his  family  for  fear  of  being  hanged,  and  came  across 
the  woods  to  this  place. 

I  hope  we  shall  have  the  start  of  them.  We  have  three 
schooners  and  one  sloop  ready  to  sail,  and  in  a  week  or  ten 
days  we  shall  have  fourteen  row-galleys  and  gondolas  ready, 
which  will  mount  three  cannon  apiece,  from  twelve  to 
twenty-four- pounders. 

General,  I  should  take  it  as  a  great  favour  if  you  would 
let  me  hear  from  you,  every  opportunity  you  can,  how  affairs 
are  in  York.  You  wrote  me  about  Major  Sherburne's  get- 
ting great  honour  to  himself  amongst  you;  it  is  not  so  here; 
you  will  hear  more  about  it.  1  would  have  written  you  more 
particularly,  but  the  post  is  waiting,  and  I  am  in  great  haste. 

I  subscribe  myself  your  Honour's  sincere  friend  and  obe- 
dient servant,  JNO.  GREATON. 

To  the  Hon.  Brigadier-General  Heath,  at  New- York. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

Tyonderoga,  July  31,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  the  Militia  begin  to 
arrive  at  Skenesborough.  You  must  be  careful  to  prevent 
their  straggling  to  camp,  as  there  will  be  the  utmost  danger 
of  their  carrying  the  small-pox  back  with  them. 

Let  me  hear  by  every  opportunity  the  state  of  your  post, 
and  what  number  of  the  Militia  arrives  there,  and  every 
Saturday  send  me  an  exact  return.  That  of  the  28th  is 
now  before  me — I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  it. 

I  thank  you  for  the  peas.  Vegetables  and  butter  would 
be  extremely  welcome,  as  there  are  scarce  any  to  be  had  in 
this  part  of  the  country. 

General  Arnold  has  my  directions  to  write  to  you ;  his 
letter  goes  by  this  conveyance.  I  am,  &tc. 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Brigadier-General  Waterbury. 

P.  S.  Let  me  know  the  state  of  your  provisions  and  rum. 
Do  the  Militia  bring  ammunition?  What  shall  you  want? 
I  am  told  a  number  of  cattle  are  ordered  to  Skenesborough? 
Do  any  arrive? 


JOHN  TRUMBULL  TO  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  GANSEVOORT. 

Ticonderoga,  July  31,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer,  Major  Hubly,  late  Major  of  Brigade  to 
General  Woedtke,  comes  to  take  an  inventory  and  appraise- 
ment of  the  late  Baron  Woedtke's  goods.  This  you  will 
permit  him  to  do,  and  to  bring  such  goods,  &c.,  as  he  shall 
think  proper,  with  the  will,  to  this  place,  where  Colonel 
D'Haas  proposes  to  administer  on  the  estate. 

It  has  been  told  the  General  that  some  officers  at  your 
post  (not  yourself)  have  presumed  to  give  furloughs  to  the 
sick,  when  discharged  from  the  Hospital.  You  will  inquire 
into  this,  and  let  any  gentleman  who  may  have  done  it  here- 
tofore know,  that  if  he  is  found  guilty  of  a  conduct  so  unpre- 
cedented and  so  prejudicial  to  the  service,  he  will  be  imme- 
diately put  in  arrest,  and  tried  for  his  presumption  and  breach 
of  orders  by  a  general  court-martial. 

You  will  assist  Ensign  Hallenbach  in  forwarding  the  chain 
he  has  in  charge  to  Albany. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

J.  TRUMBULL,  Dep.  Adj.  Gen. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gansevoort. 


PETITION  OF  CAPTAIN  YOUNG. 

The  Petition  of  SJMUEL.  YOUNG, CaptaininColonelBEVEi.'s 
Regiment,  humbly  showeth : 

That  your  Honour's  petitioner,  from  a  true  zeal  for  the 
American  cause,  and  an  utter  abhorrence  to  slavery  and 
oppression,  engaged  in  the  honourable  Continental  cause, 
on  the  earliest  notice  of  the  unhappy  disturbance,  for  the 
defence  of  an  injured  country,  in  which  I  have  endeavoured 
to  do  all  in  my  power  to  serve  the  publick  cause,  and  have 
left  my  interests  at  home  under  great  disadvantages  for  the 
same.  My  last  command  in  said  service  being  at  Fort  St. 
Ann's,  my  conduct  in  the  same  being  called  in  question, 
General  Arnold  put  me  under  arrest.  As  for  my  behaviour 
at  said  Fort,  I  declare  on  honour,  if  I  did  anything  worthy  of 
confinement  or  punishment,  it  was  done  ignorantly,  and  not 
for  want  of  zeal  in  the  cause,  as  at  that  time  I  looked  upon 
myself  to  be  in  a  defenceless  posture.  Of  my  proceedings 
I  presume  your  Honour  is  acquainted,  as  I  had  a  legal  trial 
by  a  Court-Martial  at  Crown-Point,  on  the  13th  instant. 

I  would  humbly  observe  to  your  Honour  the  situation  of 
my  company.  My  First  Lieutenant  did  not  join  me  till 
lately,  and  has  been  on  command  great  part  of  his  time 
since,  and  at  this  time  is  on  scout,  from  which  he  is  not 
expected  to  return  soon.  My  Second  Lieutenant  has  like- 
wise been  on  command,  and  sick  the  whole  of  his  time,  and 
now  remains  sick;  so  that  I  have  no  officer  except  the 
Ensign  to  take  care  of  the  company,  and  he  frequently  on 
command.  That  the  company  suffers  much  for  the  want  of 
an  officer;  which  company  is  the  largest  in  said  regiment, 
and  has  chiefly  been  under  these  disadvantages  during  my 
confinement,  which  is  now  fifty-nine  days. 

I  humbly  beg  your  Honour  may  take  the  same  into  con- 
sideration, and  order  that  the  determination  of  the  Court- 
Martial  may  be  known,  and  that  I  may  know  my  destiny: 


\.\.\>\  si;s, 


1770. 


700 


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mi   tin-   I', i)    Tahl,     |,,i    lln      ,;nnr. 

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Willl.  M   I"   I'm  -.nil'  i    <; .,1    ll'u/i  i/nin/   I"    ,  111(1  fill'        ilhlr  a  i  air  a     In    ,  an    Im   t  In    Colon;,   n  ,r.     (  'o|iy  drlivi  l '  d. 

d  iliem  \\h.  n   ihoy  may  be  wanted,  agreeable  to  lueb        /„/,,/  Todmw  on  tin-  r.iy  Tui,!,-,  m  favom  >,i ./,,/, ,//,/// 

..id.  i  .  .1  .  >on   may   i.ii.  .  ..i    ' •';    i"'n.     Iroin   (In-  Com         /.;/,/,  ,/,,„  and  \,il/inni,  III  ////  -,,  .Inn. ,   \.  <|   .,  Im    l.'.,M,lolir 

m. md I'linl    "I    ill.-    Army  ill  your  lilrinirr.  ,„,  ,Ui,l    lor  lln  n   mal.iii"  <  ;mi|iowdrr  loi    I  In .,  (  'olony  . 

Oid'-r  draw id  drliMM-d  Colom-l    /','////  //.///. 

Ureeived,   cxmiillird,    mid    iillownl    ihr    An  omit    "I     .-l-in 

,S'yi,i//,i/,/,  ol   II  inilliiiiii,  loi    C  i  •1,1.   I  I//.,  I |i.n nndry 

.MM,  .  "I     "I,  In  i     n,   lln     iiicv  in    "I   llir  I  Inilnl  Sin  Im  nj      / 
/  //  //,  a     |ii-i    lull,  ii  nil  Mil, -i  I  lo  dr.iw  on  lln    I'll)     I  ..lilr  loi    ihr 
-  mnr. 

Ord'i  dur.Mi  mid  drlivered  (  'olom  I  /'.'////  //,///. 


i  ......   iin  •  ,  i  .....  v'l.i  M  olvi  of  CongrtH  dirtetlu 

ih.il  ,  I,  .iliu,.  I",  lln  (  'onliin  nl.il  Anny  .lioiilil  In'  |iroriiinl 
id  (Ili-,  I  .',M  IMIIII  Ml,  ninl  |ini|,i  l  |M  i  i  .....  n  ,iii|,l"^"l  I-  1 
ll.  1  1  |  nil  |  ii  i  .'-,  \\  In,  .n.  n  ,ii,"  lln  n  IM  I  .  ml,  .i\  "in  I"  I'locmr 
.,  M!I,  n  i,l  i|iiiiillily  !  .mi  IM|..,IM.  .1  lh.,1  "in  li",,|i, 

I,  ..M,    Ciniiiilii    .in     now   in   "M.  H    v  mil  "I    lli.il   .nlii'lr,   I     h.ill 

MMiil  wii.ii  '  m  i  ......  mi  dlati  i\  i  ..........  i  i"  ii"  <^nmi'  rrni 

1  1  i  l  ..  in  1.  1  1  loi  I  hiil  1  1.  1  1  MI,,,.  1,1,  u  ii  hi  ,,n  v  .....  m"  Im  fnrllirr 
"i  'I'  i  .,  IIN  NODI  i  '  i  MI  I  u  i  1  1  I"  I  .....  I  vised  liy  w  I  lilt 

I,  ,ul        ,1     w  ,11     li.       In      I     I"    |<in\  .11,1      II  ,    .111,1     U  ho     I        llir    (  Jllilll,    I 

.....        I  ..  nrilll    lo  u  I  ......  lln       Illlli    HIM    I   1)0  I  1)11    n'lird.       I'ri 

..,,       lilr     hi  r\\  i  ir    ,  IM|'|".  '  il    I"    |H"i  ui'     Mill.  ii..  I       I'M     Irill'i, 

wliirli  \\ill  I"    m.  nlr  up  .mil  Im  v.  .ml,  'I  inuy  lie. 

I    lllll,  willl  Klr.il    linlh  mil    ,  ......  l,n  I    ohnlii-lll 


To  llir   lion.  lM..|"i   lininiil  Silunjl,  i 


I    IINM   II I'M    II,    OK 


Al    ll    mr.-l o|    |hr  (in ii    and   (  ' l"l    S.,|,|\, 

.//I///.-II,    I/ill      I'M     'Ml       III,    II", mm    ihr   Covrlnom  ,     /'.'// 


jilltlli  I  l>l/'i  lin/liilil  I. nil'  'I'llui  //D-.-//I/,  .liil.  i'.lilil  I,  III. 
Ilin.  I  Ill/In, ii  '.i  A,////,////,/  II  ///i>,  lit  ll/iiniiu  llllllllii"liin. 
\.  .imi, 


itu.mii  ii,\\vi.i-:v  TO  M\  ,  nt  (OHM  n.. 

N.ii-iliniii|iiiiii,  July  Ml,  IV7C. 

MAV    ii    1-1.1  UI   voi  n    HIIMIIIKM:    III  ihrir  |,.iil      A,    II.IM- 
nol  lin-n  ilhlr  lo  Irinn  in  wlim     Ian-  lln-  ml  i  allrd  lln;  Tcsl 
Art    III    |ii,     '  nl    IS.        Hill    ihr    "i  in  lal    \ol,  r   In  M     I  ,,  lli.il    a    M 
:,olvr,  or    onlri,   viy     .miilai     lo   \th.il    l.   |,.i     r,|   lalrly   hy   llio 
I  iovrinoui  mid  '  'ommillrr  ol  S.drly  ol   (  'mini  tlifiil,  n     |>,  .  l 
ill^    II.IM  II.  i      i     aliolnl'ly   nrn-i.Miry  loi    tin     I  •oM-nimi  nl. 
Tin  u    an  ,  ui"  .1  i -ril mnly,  i-xlnioidm.ny   .md  nn.u  ",mii.,hl. 

m  i,  i  MM  , ID  carried  on  and  uphold  butwoen  the  (liMufTucl 

cil    in    lln.  Coiinlv    and    tin-   ('onnlv    ol    // n/, ,.-:///,   mid    ihr 

|M-,,|,|, i.M.n  -in-  on   I  /ml  .mi  I   l!n  •  i  ,  mid     Q  n|i 

tin  ,  in,  l  ,  \\  llh   ihr   |,,-..|i|,     in   llir  in- \\   (  'o'Mih    IM   lln  -  (  'olony 


II  illinill   .N/i/ii,/., .  nl    llni/lmtl,  i     ll|i|ioinlrd   I'ilMii.,   l'i   "I 
(  'olom-l    I  It  until  ,S'ic///' . 


ol    ,\///'    »/)//,.        A-,    thrir    i,    now    il    rrn-ss    of  our  (inn-ial 

\   embly,  we  are  generally  looking  aod  wiihinn  iii.it  *ma 

sili-ll  orilrr   or    rr.olvr    ini"hl    \Mllmnl    d.-l. liom   \  "m 

llonom -.,  u  .  lln-  '  i'  .il  <  'ommillrr  <,!    ,S,d,  h   ol    lln  .  .Sl.iir  in 

lliri,,,        "I    il      A     .nnlily.      Snrh    11    inr.i-.inr  \M||  In-  n 

\tlninitili    lln/,/',!!,/    .Im,  ,  ol    Miililli'liiini     il    a  |,|,oinlnl      |1V .,lilr  lo  ,'ovrrnmrnl ,  mid   ill    lliiil    virw    I    '  on   nln    il  of 

'.IMU.I   l'i   "I   Colour!   t'linili-.    linn, /I':.    Cui.ilniM  inijioi  I  linn-.       Il   will   lir  moir   likrl.y    lo  In-   lrm|ir|a|r;    hill   if 

,S',///M</7    C/I////////////I,  .Inn.,  ol    \.  i/-   /.,i//i/,i//,  i  .    a|,|,,,mlrd        ,,n,r  ,-||,  riual  oidn  .  in  "M-al    |>:nl    lil-r  ih.il  ol    Cttnii,  tliflll, 

Third  Lieutenant  on  board  the -Colonj    h,|,,  nndrr  Cii|,i.in,    ,,,,,,, i  i,,  ,i,,  <  i  the  people  hereabouti  will  not 

inn  lln-  n.1.  ol    \\.iilin.,',    till   our  A-.M-mlily  inn-l  ;,  In, I    eVM] 

I  ariah  II  imil'  ., //  "l  .S'/M//i/n,i/. ,  r.  ii|i|i"iiiir,|  Ma  in  ,.i 
r     i    lony  i  !M|I,  und'-i  .  ominind  ,>i  <  .i|iimn  ( 'nil. 


for  £860,  in 


(t>\\  n  \\ill  take  ll"  "   "\MI   I'l.m;    mid  in  -.oinr  |iliirr-i  llic-y  urn 
10    in,  n,  .nl,  lliiil     I     hrli'M-    thry    \\  ill     |ii,,rrrd   willl 
In-di   hand. 


F'brtrfi  To  draw  an  order  on  the  Pay-Table  ft.  „ ,, ._„ 

l.uom    "I    C.i|ilmn    //  i/li.im    ('nil,  to  rnahlr  him   lo  Mill   I    In          om.-ol    ihr    In-   T mrhmi"..        ^' our   Hi 's'   I '  •  ,  ,U  ,- 

men,  and  ad vanoe  their  fli  i  monili's  |iuy,  mnl  ilmi  Mtid  Cun-     im/du  -.im •  iimn  .1  mrdn  rmn  >-. 


I. mi   I  ','il  lod'M'  il  hond,  \\illi     nir|\  ,  \\nli  |hr   I'.iy  Tid ilr,  in 


ii  very 

Tin  \    m   i   I    on    it,  thai   u  r    ,  .Mini, I     I ,.-     ..dr    Illl 

hi"    T .IM'     lltllin. 

ihrm   .1   MIL, In   nun    r. 

Tin-  d.i\   I, 'I"M-  M-  irid.iy  (liy  somo  strung'-  mi  .tukr)  all 


701 


COUKKSI'OiNDKNCK,  l'l<( M  T.r.IM!\<;S,  R/r.,  JI'I.Y,   177(5. 


702 


the  kettles  find  canlei'iiH   u..|    Im    lln    //<//.  uliin-  men  WITH 

hmu'dii  mill  delivered  Hi  my  home,  wliii'li  ought  tin  m 

to  lie  ni  Ni:m- Yurie.    Tlii-  //'•//.  ,/i/n •  men  all  in, in-lii-il  ,'iliniii 

llm  middle  of  IliHl  week,   Vi'iy  Uima-<y,  iiml  i-nni|il. Lhll 

limy  weie  mil  implied  svilli  llm  ,'•  .mi.  I.  Tin'  'Juarler- 
ma'.li'i  nl' lln-  haltalion  win  here  l.r.l  Siiiiilnij  in  i|in  .1  nl  dm 
arlii-les,  but  UH  I  COIllll  linl  'uve  iiny  aerouul  nl  llmni,  Im 
wenl  nn  In  '.ce|(  llii'in;  .nrl  :i  ,  limy  IMIIIM  hern  hy  llm  wny 
of  Urimjli-lil,  I  Iiml  llial  Im  Inn  mi'.'i' d  llii-m.  and  ftlppo  ' 

tllllt  III!  Will    ft)  nil    In    Until},!.         Alii.!     ill"    I HI,    1. 1    IMMM    nl 

leaving  biixinttHH  to  oxi'.euiM  itself. 

I    have,   the    liniiiini    lo    Im   yniir     llnnmn.'    inn  I    nln  dmnl 
»"""""<  JIIHKI-II   HAW,.,:V. 

To  lln-    llniinni.ilil'-  <  'mini  il. 


MAMMAI'MI      III       •   01    Kl    II      I"    M-     I   NT    Ml   MIIKIIN. 

I'. .MM.  i!  I  'I ,.  ,  .    I,, I;     III,  ,i, 

Sill  :   Till-  '  'nlMlinllrr  nl  (  'mini  ll    llllll  IIIIW  nil,   In  III,"   lillly 
ronvine.ed  from  every  illlellli'.i'in'    limn  Hii'ituii  lli.. I  lln      m  ,11 
I'1,     i     v  i  y  nili -i  I  inn  i,  .mil  ,i     inn  .1  n|  1 1  ii 'ii  i  1 1,1  vi'  mil   Iiml  1 1  in 
ill  i'  mper,  limy  .in'  ap|ii.  In  ii  ,ivr  lli.il  limy  IIH-  in  very  nieiii 
(Illll^i'l,  mill  .in-  Ir. iilnl  nl    i. n  i  ,ni"   .in,    lnii;>i  i  ,    mid  a*  limy 

nil  III  I'll  1(1  lull  Vi      nun     liir.ini      i  llllll  II  Illy  very  i      i  II 

lilllly    alli'd    llm   Illli'lc     I     I    '.,ili-ly    nl     (III  ,    Sl.lle    lllllliil    In  it  . 

h.ive   ml    lli'     Ii.  ....  i    In  M  .|ii.     i    ynni    llllllH'llllllr  ill  Iriiillllire, 
.•mil   they   eillin-illy   I|IMII     ymi   would   unl    I. ill. 
Ill   llm  ii.ii...     mid   |ie|   nlili'i   nl    lln1  <  'iimiinllee 

.InllN     Avi'.IIV,     Illjlll/lf    Xlltiltlll/ 

'I'n  ihi-  -.evi'liil   iih-.enl    Mi  mix  i     ill    <  'nl I 


MAHHAOIIUHKTTK T.I  mi.  ....vi  I.NOIJII  or  IIM..I.I 

IMI.ANII. 

Ii.  i:..m (  '..nii'il,  .Inly  .'II,  IVVIi. 

Sin:     I    .MM    dn.i'led     liy    ill''    rommillee    of   ( 'nun.  ll    In 
aekuowled;"'    tin-   irceijil  of  your   teller,  daled  '..'illi    ./»///, 
in. I    In   a.  ijii.Miil    you    lliiil    lln;   < 'ommillee  would  liiivi-  wil 
linjdy  I'liuijilied  will)  youi   |.'i|im,l    M'.liiliv.'   In  ('aplam  .In/in. 

(,',,111111;,  I. nl  lllllll'.  lIl.'IM  .< 'lv>  .  linl  lllll.'ii'lllly  illllllnll/,.-.| 
:r.  :n  'tin;'  ill  ill'-  e:i|i;inly  nf  ii  (  'oinMiiM' •<•  '.I  '  'ninicil  ;  llmrn- 
Inn  ..m  I  d.-li'i  lln.  iiiiiller  lill  Ihe  (ii'in'iiil  Couil  uii'i'l-:, 
vvlin-li  will  I.,  nun 

In  ill.-  niillir  .mil   |n  i   mil. -i-  nf  llm  <  lollirillll'  • 

JNO.  AVKIIV,  l)</iiity  Secretary. 
To  Nif.linlai  (Men,  I'/tq.,  I'rovidtnce. 


OCNKHAI,  I'Al.MKIl  TO  IIKNJAMIN   LINCOLN. 

Hull,  July  31,  177(1, 

DBAH  Sin:  I  am  juxt  roturued  froin  the  Armourer'*;  ho 
hit  but  lnil'-  IKIII,  no  Ntmtl,  and  no  (ili-<,  .unl  Inn  lml<  .  ...il. 
Very  lilll<-  work  i:nn  \>>-  done  wilhoul  innl  .unl  iiilll'-liidH. 
Tlicro  iff  Hiiolhef  f<ir^,n,  hut  no  li'-llo  .vi  to  il  ,  mid  IIH  ii  hliii'k  • 
Miiiilh  i-.  111111  Ii  wiiiiled  lor  »tlllir|)(Mlill«  pirk-HXiiH,  miikiu;', 
Hfiikitu,  mending  whecllmiTOWH,  (die.,  which  ix  nni  m  iln- 
Ariuoiirer'M  way,  I  would  ndvitte  thiit  n  piiir  of  hullown  ho 

•  Ml     ;iud.   1  1    .i"i.  i-llllli      I    will    H||(|e;iv<.ui    In  olililill  11  bluck- 

iiiniih  from  Wr.ymtiuth. 

Mr.  h'liui:  in  just  iirrivnd;   hy  him  nwiive.il  the  well  rn|n-, 
|i.-i|i>  i,  inn!  ;.  I'  n.  i  with  IIUWH;  iliiink  you;   I  khiill  uti«'iid  in 
..      1  1'  in  urn  I  wo  li-,  '  In  .id-,  nl    limn,  ihn  ho|{ilhead* 


:IH-  hnn»liii!{;  pray  xnnd  it  IIIUNOII  Hi  miike,  it  up  into  moiiiii. 

1  H     w.iiili-d.       ''.,).,  it.  -I   .liihlUdlt.  *ay'-.  lln  |.    ;n.    linn. 

in   lln      itOTI 

The  Colo/ml  w;mu  on«  wt  of  rule*,  &»:.,  for  ihn  Army. 
Ai  Itiiiiliinli-.r,  I  ohne.rvjd  wmm  //".</.//  /I,  J,ini:  u««J  u 
iniiiiiinii  f.  not,  May  w«  not  IliVO  (Ill-ill,  if  Hililahln,  Im  mu 

einhiii  -mi   .  '       I   |i"'|i-l    lln     In    .   nl    |,',m    Ituli'nitnn.       I   hopi: 
ihiil  idl  mu  other  lin-irl:)  an;  \ninl  iliutf  i. 

Adieu,  and   h.-ln  -v  im-  In  Im  your*  Hud  the  (  'ominr 

friend  and  humhli;  »ervunl, 

J.  FAI.MKII. 

To    the    Hon.     /.'-///./mm    I.  ,,„<,!„       I  .  .|       (  .),.,,,  ,,,.,,,    ..I    lln 
ili'      ')!    l''orl  I'd    Itioil    , 


wMl:  Mr.  Dr.vr.nt,  or  Mr.  I'huu,  will  mij.j.ly  lln  I,,  !)„.//.,  ,,,,,!  il... 

II.  I 


MA»«A<;iii;nK-rr»  COI;N«;II.  TO  nn  MAKI. 


Sin:    The    Oimmiliee    o(   Oiuinil    IMV     ilii''i..|    ,,,..   i,, 

>',   /-.in   lloii'iur,  thai  you  would,  ax  utton  tt*  \nnHi\i\n, 

pin<  Hi'-,  :i  r;iiiiii;'e  at  Snlfiti,  thai  v.ill  i-aii  /  'I"    Inm   Imlun, 

and  ihe  |i'  r.nn   v-limn  lln-  Hoard  s-.endfi  lo  a'.rompany  lln-in, 

lo  (ieneral  lVu»kinfft<m,\l\  A'"     \'>ili',    and  dial  you  will  Im 

IJ'  a1,'  'I    In    a;M'  '•    Im     lln-      aid    ..iina;"-    and    diivr;    :il    lln; 
owe  I    jal'-,,    and    mil.i    lli'ni    Ini'-  ninnedialely.       Vr,i,  v/||| 
|i|e.;rii;   lo  oh'.'ivn    ihe.   n  vin-i    of    lln-   i.iniii'"-  v/ho   l,i- 
the  Imlium  hern  liom  .S'«//-m,  mi-nlioned,  when  Ini.-    In:  in 
clinalimi  In  eauy  tin  in  lo   Y<  ./     >-,./ 
I   a. 

To  the.  Hon.  n.,il,'i,,l  ll,,!,,/    \.  .).,  or,  in  hix  abftcnce,  lo  ih': 
Jinn.   I  limn  I  ll'ijil.!,,      I.  •       .',(//,,„ 


OOUKOIbi 

In  <  .....  n  .....  .  oi  i'.,  .n..  il,  inly  :i|,  I77fl, 

Win  i.,  i.  ii'|iealei|  iipplii'iilinn:-.  have  In  i-n  in.nl.  In  llm 
(aiuni'il  ol  lllil  Slali',  liy  ('mi  .....  Mi''",  nl  Safely,  fw  .  in 
•.••vial  Inwn  ,  Im  JIM  •  In.  n  .unl  ,i  i  I.  nn  .  n  |  n  ,  .........  I, 

pononi  M  nra  oillod  Torim  ! 

Therelon  ,  I  >,,!,!,,/  'I  I,.,  i  idl  Mii|(iNtrutM,  Hlii-iiii     <  '•.,„ 

nnili  .      nl      .  .i|.  ly  .  iiml  all  oil  ii  -i   olln  •.  -i  i  w  illini  lln;  Sin  I.  ,  do 

'    '  1  1  ihemwlvtm  with  vigour  in  ciirryinK  dm  lawx  and  ordon 

of  Mllid  Slllln  illlll  nxei'Ulimi,  ',n  lliiil    lln     "nnd   |n  '.|.|.    nl    lln- 
I  'inliil  Sltitt'.»  oJ'/tiiK/ii'ii  may  not  Im  expnxed  lo     M.  Ii  nn 
inu-iil  |HIIW>IIM.      A  trim  ropy  ; 

Attoit:  JOHN  AVKIIV,  l)i"/inii/  X,, 


COI/Ni;!!,  TO  IIKNKII  AI.   W  ANIIINOTON. 

In  Ciiiiniilllrn  (if  (  InlllH'll,  Hl.ill-  lit  MliUKin  Inui  111  Itny,  I 

WI.I.M..WII,  July  III,  177(1,      ( 

Sin:  Tin  I,.  ,M.  i  Mi.  ll'illnmi  Slunii,  wnili  on  your  MX- 
C«lleri<:y,  with  four  indlaiu  "I  iln  /I//,  /,„„///,  nnd  ,SV.  .////</«'« 
Irilmn,  who  have  agi'-i  'I  in  |mn  you  in  llm  war.  Tin-  lion 
omahle  Mr.  Itiiii'ilnin  (I'rinidenl  of  ihn  (  lounril)  hint,  or  will 
noon  write  to  yom  Kx.  ellenc.v  parliriiliirly  on  Intliun  alliiii'K, 
eneloiini^  dm  .'.onfurODCO  with  ill'  linliuiiit,  nnd  the 
iniidn  with  tlmm,  lo  whii'h  wn  refer  you. 

In   ihe.   nn.,',    and    In-ll  ill    nl        ml    <    min.ilM.  .       I    hllVn   lln- 
hnnmii     lo    he,    yom     I'/XCullonoyV    Miml    ohedient,    huinhle 

N«rvant,  JOHN  WINTIMUIC,  (  'huirmnn. 

To  Mil  K/.relleney  (inn  i.d    IClli/unfflHIl,  4i(!.,  Nt 


(;OUNCII.  TO  UKNKIIAI.  WAItlllM/TON. 

Wnlurltiwn,  Jiily-'ll,  177(1. 
MAV   IT  l'l.lr,A«K   VOI/K   Kki:KM.KN(iV  I    Tim  henrer  liM.nl, 

,\,  ,////  WulHi,  111111  of  llm  .V/.  Jolin'i  (rihn  of  l/itlitni»,  ha» 
applied  to  tin!  Council  lor  11  comm  Union,  UN  Im  »ay,->  In  li.n 
had  mm  undnr  tho  /'V«w;A  commiuidnr;  hut  hav.  I.IMI..I 
him  lo  your  Kxc.ellnncy,  to  ((runt  him  sui-h  (!ommi»nion  UK 
you  may  think  piop'  i. 
l'«r  onlnr  of  llm  Couneil  : 

JOHN  Avr.iir,  Dtjntty  Ntimtary, 

TO  Ili»  KxccIN  in  y  tlioifi    H  ii  :li,ii"/i,,i     J'.'.ij 


COIIWCII,  TO  JAMKI  IIOWKOIN. 

W«U:»l'.Wf(,  July  «fi,  I77fl. 

Slli      I  am  dmrlid  hy  ihe  honourahle  Hnanl    In  oanamit 
to  v/oil  r:opi<*  of  lh«  TfllU  wild  lln    (  I,,.  I    nl  il,.    /'/,,„/,  ,  „/ 
I  and    llm   i  on.  Indiii."   An«W<!r  of  llm   Moaid    In    linn 

,.  i|u.  It*;  and  ii       -  ilial  you  would  »<•,,.  I  ),,(,,  ,, 

eral  /('»  hhlgton  •  -.pi**  ofww:h  \iarU  ol  Hn  ll  p(pi 
|iid;'i    projn  i  .lmr<   A 

'J'o  llmimnahl.     film,      !',>,„,  !•„„ 


Mi  in',  minium   ',/     iiiiilin      ni'iiiil    In/  „,,/,,    ,,/  lln     /I,  ,,,,,,,, 
nl,l,    t',,,,,,,,1 

I'',,,,,,  l/n    lli,  ii',  in,  i/,/,    'I  ''ii'NIMNO,   /'/«</, 

'.i|niin  Inlu,  uu'l  Im  i-.lmll  fiif^.in,  |.,i  il,, 
'I  rut  !•  1  1...,:-'  1,1  V'/'/.»^ 

I-',,,,,,  //,,  '  ',,„:„!,  n,,  .  ,/„,,„  ,,i  (;,,  ,,,  .    rig, 

i     /.,/,„      /,../  .....       \li,l  ..  ,„! 
......  ,  i.i.  'I  ':  '-.,.'',  tut  I,  • 

/  .  .'V'l,  U,  Iilnl  I-,/    ,  I,./..IH,£,    i-. 

' 

If.  •  .  ,v  d  hy  mder:  FI.A.  SIIAW,  Jun. 

W«UrU(Wli,  July    II,  ItTI 


703 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  JULY,  1776. 


704 


STEPHEN  SMITH  TO  THE  COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. 

Machias,  June  22,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  When  your  Honours  were 
pleased  to  appoint  me  Truckmaster  for  the  Indians,  I  was 
not  apprized  of  the  task  I  had  to  perform;  the  numbers  of 
them  far  exceed  my  expectations;  and  the  offers  they  have 
from  the  factors  of  Nova-Scotia  cause  them  to  be  very 
troublesome. 

The  sum  of  £400,  lawful  money,  granted  by  your 
Honours,  to  supply  at  least  one  thousand  men,  exclusive  of 
their  families,  is  but  small.  Your  Honours  can't  expect  I 
can  satisfy  them  and  keep  friends  with  that  sum,  as  I  was 
obliged  to  credit  near  £200  for  their  spring  hunt,  which' 
they  have  not  yet  paid.  The  news  of  the  defeat  at  Quebeck 
has  reached  them.  That,  with  the  advice  of  General  Wash- 
ington, obliges  me  to  put  up  with  many  insults. 

I  have  given  the  bearer,  Major  Francis  Shaw,  Jun.,  a 
power  of  attorney  to  receive  any  further  sum  your  Honours 
may  be  pleased  to  grant,  with  directions  to  purchase  such 
articles  as  are  most  wanted.  As  soon  as  they  come  in  from 
their  spring  hunts,  I  shall  send  the  fur  up.  In  the  mean  time, 
I  arn  in  much  want  for  articles  for  them. 

With  Major  Shaw  come  up  ten  chiefs  of  the  different 
tribes.  Knowing  the  trouble  and  expense  they  would  be  at, 
we  endeavoured,  with  all  our  art,  to  detain  them,  without  effect. 
As  they  had  letters  from  your  Honours  and  his  Excellency 
General  Washington,  they  were  determined  either  to  pro- 
ceed, or  rely  on  the  assistance  of  Nova-Scotia.  Of  the  two 
evils,  I  have  endeavoured  to  choose  the  least,  and  have  accord- 
ingly prevailed  on  Major  Shaw  to  take  the  charge  of  them, 
which  I  hope  will  meet  your  Honours'  approbation. 

The  Indians  that  were  at  Court  last  winter  have  received 
a  supply,  and  one  has  since  refused  to  pay,  as  he  says  his 
Excellency  General  Washington  told  them  they  should  be 
paid  for  coming  up,  as  well  as  carrying  letters  to  the  Mick- 
mack  tribe. 

I  am  likewise  much  troubled  with  the  inhabitants  supply- 
ing them  with  rum,  &tc.,  as  it  makes  them  very  troublesome 
and  quarrelsome.  1  should  be  glad  your  Honours  would 
give  some  orders  that  they  may  not  have  liberty  to  sell  or 
give,  as  they  take  their  furs  for  much  less  than  their  value, 
and  detain  them  longer  than  needful. 

I  have  hitherto  given  eight  shillings  for  beaver,  to  hinder 
them  from  trading  with  Nova-Scotia,  and  shall  do  it  until  I 
hear  from  your  Honours.  This  I  do,  as  I  am  sensible,  from 
the  best  accounts  from  Nova-Scotia,  that  they  take  every 
measure  to  defeat  your  Honours'  plans,  and  to  bring  them 
against  the  Nt-.w-England  settlements  in  this  country. 

As  Major  Shaw  has  been  here,  and  witness  to  their  pro- 
ceedings, I  refer  your  Honours  to  him  for  any  further  intel- 
ligence; and  remain,  with  much  respect,  your  Honours' 
much  obliged,  humble  servant, 

STEPHEN  SMITH. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  and  House  of  Representatives 
for  the  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay. 


To  the  Honourable  Provincial  Congress  or  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY: 

The  Petition  O/JACOB  BARKER,  ISRAEL  PERLEY,  PHINEAS 
NEVENS,  DANIEL  PALMER,  MOSES  PICKARD,  EDWARD 
COYE,  THOMAS-  HARTT,  ISRAEL  KENNEY,  ASA  KIMBALL, 
ASA  PERLEY,  HUGH  QUINTON,  and  OLIVER  PERLEY,  a 

Committee  chosen  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  River 
ST.  JOHN'S,  in  NOVA-SCOTIA,  humbly  showeth: 

That  we,  your  petitioners,  have  for  some  time  past  beheld 
with  grief,  the  calamity  brought  on  this  nation  and  land  by 
a  ruinous  and  destructive  civil  war.  Our  situation  being 
somewhat  remote  from  the  seat  of  these  troubles,  and  our 
land  producing  most  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  we  have  not 
been  so  immediately  affected  as  many  parts  on  the  Conti- 
nent, and  therefore  have  taken  no  part  in  the  present 
unnatural  quarrel,  but  have  quietly  suffered  a  suspension  of 
trade,  hoping  that  God,  in  his  Providence,  would  point  out 
a  way  for  the  amicable  settlement  of  these  unhappy  dis- 
putes; but  our  hopes  have  hitherto  proved  abortive,  and 
troubles  are  rather  increased.  Our  Governour  hath  thought 
proper  effectually  to  prevent  our  being  supplied  with  arms 
and  ammunition,  by  ordering  a  large  penalty.  Many  of 
those  articles  being  shipped  (or  water-borne)  in  the  Province, 


at  the  same  time  requires  us  to  assemble  in  military  array, 
and  by  force  of  arms  to  repel  all  invaders.  Martial  law  is 
published  throughout  the  Province,  and  civil  authority  made 
subordinate.  Exorbitant  taxes  are  required  of  us  to  sup- 
port the  war  against  you.  Under  these  circumstances  we 
find  it  is  impracticable  for  us  to  continue  as  neutrals,  and  to 
subsist  without  commerce. 

We  now,  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants,  openly  declare, 
that  we  could  never  see  any  shadow  of  justice  in  that  exten- 
sive claim  of  \heBritish  Parliament,  viz:  the  right  of  enact- 
ing laws  binding  on  the  Colonies  in  all  cases  whatsoever. 
This  system,  if  once  established,  (we  conceive,)  hath  a  direct 
tendency  to  sap  the  foundation  not  only  of  liberty,  that 
dearest  of  names,  but  of  property,  that  best  of  subjects. 
And  as  tyranny  ought  to  be  resisted  in  its  first  attempts,  we 
are  convinced  that  the  United  Provinces  are  just  in  their 
proceedings  in  this  regard.  The  inhabitants  of  this  place, 
after  mature  consideration,  have  thought  fit  to  submit  them- 
selves to  your  government,  and  desire  your  protection,  and 
that  you  would  esteem  the  river  St.  John's  as  a  part  of  your 
Province,  which  would  add  thereto  a  valuable  extent  of 
territory,  though  at  present  but  few  inhabitants.  And  we 
promise,  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants,  to  adopt  such  measures 
as  you  shall  propose  for  our  future  conduct;  and  we  are 
ready,  with  our  lives  and  fortunes,  to  share  with  you  the 
event  of  the  present  struggle  for  liberty,  however  God,  in 
his  Providence,  may  order  it. 

We,  therefore,  humbly  ask  your  protection  as  a  defence- 
less people,  and  that  you  would  grant  us  such  relief  and 
assistance  as  you  in  your  wisdom  shall  think  proper,  hoping 
that  you  will  not  tamely  see  us  butchered  or  plundered  for 
showing  ourselves  friendly  to  your  cause. 

That  God  would  speedily  restore  peace  to  America,  and 
that  you  will  be  led  to  such  measures  as  will  be  most  to  His 
glory  and  the  good  of  His  people,  is  the  earnest  desire  of 
your  humble  petitioners. 

Maugerville,  on  the  River  St.  John's,  May  21,  1776. 

JACOB  BARKER,  ISRAEL  KENNEY, 

PHINEAS  NEVENS,  HUGH  QUINTON, 

DANIEL  PALMER,  OLIVER  PERLEY, 

EDWARD  COYE,  ISRAEL  PERLEY, 

ASA  PERLEY,  MOSES  PICKARD. 
THOMAS  HARTT, 

Letter  of  Agency. 

Whereas  the  inhabitants  on  the  River  St.  John's,  in  the 
County  of  Sunbury,  and  Province  of  Nova-Scotia,  being 
regularly  assembled  at  Maugerville,  in  said  County,  on  the 
14th  day  o(May,  1776,  did  then  and  there  make  choice  of 
us,  Jacob  Barker,  Phineas  Nevens,  Israel  Perky,  Daniel 
Palmer,  Moses  Pickard,  Edward  Coye,  Thomas  Hart,  Israel 
Kenney,  Asa  Kimball,  Asa  Perky,  and  Hugh  Quinton,  a 
Committee  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  County,  to 
make  immediate  application  to  the  Congress  or  General 
Assembly  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay,  for  relief  under  their 
present  distressed  circumstances : 

Now  know  ye,  That  we,  the  Committee  above  named, 
have,  by  these  presents,  constituted  and  appointed  two  of 
said  Committee,  viz :  Messrs.  Asa  Perky  and  Asa  Kimball, 
to  act  as  Agents  for  the  body  of  said  Committee,  to  go  per- 
sonally to  the  said  Congress  or  General  Assembly,  and  there 
present  our  petition;  also  to  act  and  transact,  determine, 
accomplish,  and  finish  all  matters  touching  the  premises,  as 
fully,  finally,  and  effectually  as  the  body  of  said  Committee 
might  or  could  do;  and  we  do,  in  behalf  of  the  inhabitants 
of  said  County,  allow,  ratify,  and  confirm  whatsoever  our  said 
Agents  shall  do  or  cause  to  be  done  in  and  about  this  matter. 
In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and 
seals,  at  Maugerville,  in  said  County,  this  20th  day  of  May, 
1776. 

ISRAEL  PERLEY,     [L.  s.] 
THOMAS  HART,       [L.  s.] 
ISRAEL  KENNEY,     [L.  s. 
OLIVER  PERLEY,    [L.  s. 
HUGH  QUINTON,     [L.  s. 
JACOB  BARKER,       [L.  s. 
PHINEAS  NEVEHS,  [L.  s. 
DANIEL  PALMER,    [L.  s.] 
MOSES  PICKARD,    [L.  s.] 
•'     EDWARD  COYE,       [L.  s.] 


705 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


706 


All  officers,  civil  or  military,  in  the  United  Provinces,  and 
all  others,  are  desired  not  to  molest  or  hinder  the  within  Asa 
Perley  and  Asa  Kimball,  in  their  progress ;  on  the  contrary, 
to  encourage  and  assist  them,  as  they  would  merit  the 
esteem  of  all  lovers  of  their  country's  liberty,  and  the  thanks 
of  this  Committee. 


Copy  of  Resolves. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Sunbury,  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  Nova-Scotia,  being  regularly  assembled  at  the 
Meeting-House  in  Maugerville,  in  said  County,  on  Tuesday, 
the  14th  day  of  May,  1776,  to  consult  on  some  measures 
necessary  to  be  taken  for  the  safety  of  the  inhabitants : 

Istly.  Chose  Jacob  Barker,  Esq.,  Chairman. 

2dly.  Chose  Jacob  Barker,  Israel  Perley,  Phineas  Nev- 
ers,  Esquires,  and  Messrs.  Daniel  Palmer,  Moses  Pickard, 
Edward  Coye,  Thomas  Hart,  Israel  Kenney,  Asa  Kimball, 
Asa  Perley,  Oliver  Perley,  and  Hugh  Quinton,  a  Commit- 
tee to  prepare  a  draught  proper  for  the  proceedings  of  the 
Assembly. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned  till  three  of  the  clock  in  the 
afternoon. 

Being  again  met,  the  Committee  reported  the  following 
Resolves,  which  were  read;  and  after  a  second  reading,  the 
Resolves  were  severally  put,  and  passed  in  the  affirmative, 
unanimously: 

1st.  Resolved,  That  we  can  see  no  shadow  of  justice  in 
that  extensive  claim  of  the  British  Parliament,  viz:  the 
right  of  making  laws  binding  on  the  Colonies  in  all  cases 
whatsoever.  This  system,  if  once  established,  we  conceive, 
hath  a  direct  tendency  to  sap  the  foundation  not  only  of 
liberty,  that  dearest  of  names,  but  of  property,  that  best  of 
subjects. 

2dly.  Resolved,  That  as  tyranny  ought  to  be  resisted  in 
its  first  appearances,  we  are  convinced  that  the  United  Pro- 
vinces are  just  in  their  proceedings  in  this  regard. 

3dly.  Resolved,  That  it  is  our  minds  and  desire  to  sub- 
mit ourselves  to  the  Government  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay, 
and  that  we  are  ready,  with  our  lives  and  fortunes,  to  share 
with  them  the  event  of  our  present  struggle  for  liberty,  how- 
ever God  in  his  Providence  may  order  it. 

4thly.  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  chosen,  to  consist 
of  twelve  men,  who  shall  immediately  make  application  to 
the  Massachusetts  Congress  or  General  Assembly  for  relief; 
and  that  said  Committee,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  shall 
conduct  all  matters,  civil  or  military,  in  this  County,  till 
further  regulation  be  made. 

5thly.  Resolved,  That  we,  and  each  of  us,  will  most 
strictly  adhere  to  all  such  measures  as  our  said  Committee, 
or  the  major  part  of  them,  from  time  to  time  prescribe  for 
our  conduct ;  and  that  we  will  support  and  defend  them  in 
this  matter  at  the  expense  of  our  lives  and  fortunes,  if  called 
thereto. 

6thly.  Resolved,  That  we  will  immediately  put  ourselves 
in  the  best  posture  of  defence  in  our  power.  That  to  this  end, 
we  will  prevent  all  unnecessary  use  of  Gunpowder,  or  other 
Ammunition  in  our  custody. 

7thly.  Resolved,  That  if  any  of  us  shall  hereafter  know 
of  any  person  or  persons  that  shall,  by  any  ways  or  means, 
endeavour  to  prevent  or  counteract  this  our  design,  we  will 
immediately  give  notice  thereof  to  the  Committee,  that 
proper  measures  may  be  taken  for  our  safety. 

Sthly.  Resolved,  That  we,  and  each  of  us,  will  pay  our 
proportion  of  all  such  sums  of  money  as  may  be  necessary 
for  carrying  these  matters  into  execution  ;  and  finally,  that 
we  will  share  in,  and  submit  to,  the  event  of  this  underta- 
king, however  it  may  terminate,  to  the  true  performance  of 
all  which  we  bind  and  obligate  ourselves  firmly  each  to  the 
other,  on  penalty  of  being  esteemed  enemies  and  traitors 
to  our  country,  and  submitting  ourselves  to  popular  resent- 
ment. 

The  whole  Assembly  subscribed  to  the  foregoing  Re- 
solves. 

The  Body  then  voted: 

Istly,  That  the  above-named  Committee  shall  be  a  Stand- 
ing Committee ;  to  make  application  to  the  Massachusetts 
Congress;  also,  to  conduct  all  matters,  Civil  or  Military, 
in  the  County,  till  further  regulations  be  made. 

Voted,  That  we  will  have  no  dealings  or  connexions  with 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  45 


any  person  or  persons  for  the  future  that  shall  refuse  to  enter 
into  the  foregoing,  or  similar  regulations. 

A  true  copy  from  the  Minutes: 

ISRAEL  PEKLEY,  Cleric. 

Dated  at  Maugerville,  on  the  River  St.  John's,  May  21, 
1776. 

MEMORANDUM. — By  desire  of  the  Committee,  represent  the 
conduct  of  the  Indians;  that  General  Washington's  letter 
had  set  them  on  fire,  and  they  are  plundering  all  people  they 
think  are  Tories ;  and  when  that  is  done,  perhaps  the  others 
may  share  the  same  fate.  We  think  it  necessary  that  some 
persons  of  consequence  be  sent  among  them. 

If  it  be  asked  what  lands  are  granted  on  the  River,  it 
may  be  answered,  that  there  are  four  towns  and  a  half  granted 
to  sixty -eight  gentlemen,  mostly  officers  in  the  Army.  The 
towns  are  a  hundred  thousand  acres  each.  There  are  several 
other  large  tracts  of  land  granted  to  particular  gentlemen. 
Those  townships  and  other  lands  have  but  few  settlers  on 
them. 

If  it  be  asked,  what  proportion  of  the  people  signed  the 
Resolutions,  it  may  be  answered,  there  are  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  signed,  and  about  twelve  or  thirteen  that  have 
not,  nine  of  whom  are  at  the  River's  mouth. 


PORTSMOUTH  (NEW-HAMPSHIRE)  INSTRUCTIONS. 

Portsmouth,  July  31,  1776. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  others,  inhabitants 
of  said  Portsmouth,  per  adjournment,  among  other  things, 

Voted,  That  the  Representatives  of  this  Town  at  the 
General  Assembly  be  instructed  for  the  following  purposes, 
viz: 

1st.  That  they  do  their  utmost  endeavours  to  procure  the 
enactment  of  a  law,  that,  from  and  after  the  dissolution  of 
this  present  Assembly,  no  Member  of  any  future  Assem- 
bly hold  any  place  in  Government  than  his  seat  in  said 
Assembly;  and  that  when  any  such  shall  be  chosen,  and 
accept  of  a  place,  his  seat  shall  become  vacant,  and  a  new 
writ  issued  to  his  Constituents  for  a  new  choice. 

2d.  That  they  do  not  consent  that  any  person  should  hold 
more  than  one  place  in  Government  at  the  same  time. 

3d.  That  they  do,  in  the  most  effectual  manner,  secure  to 
the  people  of  this  State  their  inherent  right  of  being  judged 
and  governed  in  the  least  prejudicial  manner. 

4th.  That  they,  nor  any  future  Representative,  in  future 
shall  consent  to  any  aleration,  innovation,  or  abridgment  of 
the  constitutional  form  that  may  be  adopted,  without  first 
consulting  their  Constituents,  in  a  matter  of  so  much  impor- 
tance to  their  safety. 

A  true  copy.     Attest: 

JOHN  PENHALLOW,  Town-Clerk. 

EXTRACT  OP  A  LETTER  FROM  ST.  PIERRE,  DATED  AUGUST  1, 

1776. 

Captain  Wickes  has  added  much  glory  to  the  American 
flag,  when  entering  this  harbour.  He  fell  in  with  the  British 
ship  Shark,  Captain  Chapman,  a  fine  new  vessel  of  equal 
force,  that  was  despatched,  we  hear,  for  the  express  pur- 
pose of  intercepting  him.  An  engagement  immediately 
commenced  with  spirit  on  both  sides  for  about  thirty  minutes, 
when  k  terminated  in  the  disgraceful  and  precipitate  flight 
of  the  latter.  Wickes  then  triumphantly  entered  this  port, 
and  landed  amidst  the  acclamations  and  caresses  of  a  multi- 
tude of  people,  who  had  been  anxious  spectators  of  the  com- 
bat. There  was  not  a  man  killed,  in  this  action,  on  our 
side.  On  the  other,  we  know  not  what  damage  was  sus- 
tained. The  very  friendly  and  polite  treatment  Captain 
Wickes  experienced  from  the  Governour,  will,  I  doubt  not, 
be  highly  pleasing  to  the  Congress. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  PENSACOLA,  IN  WEST-FLORIDA, 
DATED  AUGUST  1,  1776. 

Our  Governour  (as  well  as  Governour  Tonyn,  of  East 
Florida)  has  published  a  proclamation,  offering  an  asylum 
to  such  who,  from  the  present  distracted  situation  of  affairs  in 
America,  may  choose  to  come  and  settle  in  this  Province, 
with  an  offer  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  for  the  master, 
and  the  same  for  the  mistress  of  every  family,  and  fifty  acres 


707 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


708 


for  every  child  and  servant,  and  free  of  quitrent  for  a  certain 
number  of  years,  and  even  more  land  than  the  above,  provided 
it  shall  appear  that  they  are  able  to  cultivate  it.  He  has 
offered  to  any  person,  gratis,  to  cut  down  timber  from  his 
Majesty's  woods,  for  the  making  of  lumber  for  the  service  of 
the,  West-India  Islands,  provided  that  security  be  given  that 
it  really  and  bona  fide  is  intended  only  for  their  service. 
Every  other  encouragement  is  offered  by  the  Governour  to 
such  settlers,  and  those  who  may  think  proper  to  furnish  our 
Islands  with  lumber;  and  indeed  here  is  enough  in  conscience, 
if  we  had  but  ships  to  transport  it.  Some  vessels  from 
Jamaica  have  been  here ;  but  our  want  of  hands  to  prepare 
it  is  a  great  hinderance  to  that  business.  Being  but  an  infant 
colony,  we  are  in  want  of  people.  However,  even  this 
might  be  remedied  if  a  trade  was  carried  on,  as  we  should 
soon  get  slaves  if  we  had  customers  to  take  off  the  lumber 
when  made.  This  country  is  much  more  healthy  than  I 
had  been  informed,  and,  instead  of  being  a  desert,  has  some 
good  pasturage,  and  grows  European  corn  of  several  sorts. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  WOOLSEY. 
[No.  104.]  Annapolis,  August  1,  1776. 

SIR:  The  vessel  you  and  company  have  on  the  stocks, 
the  Council  of  Safety  are  now  desirous  of  purchasing,  pro- 
vided they  can  have  her  on  reasonable  terms.  Let  us  know, 
therefore,  whether  your  company  will  sell,  and  what  price 
they  ask.  We  expect  your  answer  as  soon  as  possible, 
when  Mr.  Stewart,  our  agent,  will  attend  to  complete  the 
contract,  and  give  directions.  We  are,  &ic. 
To  Mr.  George  Woolsey. 

GENERAL  DENT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Charles  County,  August  1,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  you  have  my  commission  as 
Brigadier  for  the  Flying-Camp,  which  I  return  for  the  same 
reason  as  that  I  don't  doubt  you  have  received  ere  this,  viz: 
that  you  have  a  controlling  power  therein,  under  which  I 
am  resolved  never  more  to  act. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  due  respect,  your  humble  servant, 
&c.,  JNO.  DENT. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 


THOMAS  SMYTH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Chester-Town,  August  1,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  My  son  waits  on  the  Council  for  his  and 
his  officers'  commissions,  and  for  such  orders  as  they  may 
think  necessary  to  give  him.  I  am  afraid  the  Companies 
raised  in  this  County  will  be  delayed  a  good  deal  for  want  of 
arms.  Those  that  are  tolerably  good  are  very  difficult  to  get. 
Most  people  that  have  guns  will  rather  sell  than  lend,  and 
are  very  pressing  for  their  money.  It  will  be  necessary  to 
send  some  money  to  the  Committee,  to  pay  for  guns  and 
blankets.  The  latter,  I  believe,  will  be  furnished  without 
much  difficulty. 

The  Committee,  in  pursuance  of  your  Honours'  request, 
have  employed  a  cooper  in  making  wooden  bottles,  a  sample 
whereof  you  will  receive  by  the  bearer.  The  price  is  2*.  6d. 
each.  You  will  please  to  say  how  many  you  will  have 
made,  and  the  time  when  they  must  be  finished. 

I  am,  with  much  respect,  you  most  humble  servant, 

THO.  SMYTH. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 


JOHN  YOST  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Georgetown,  August  1,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  COUNCIL:  I  have  received  your  let- 
ter dated  the  23d  of  July,  and  rinding  you  desirous  to  know 
what  complement  of  arms  I  had  ready  for  the  publick,  I 
have  them  all  ready  of  the  first  contract,  including  the 
bayonets,  which  I  expect  this  day  with  an  express  which  I 
have  sent  for  them.  I  have  also  been  much  detained  in  the 
last  contract,  by  repairing  old  arms  for  the  Militia,  the  Colonel 
finding  it  very  necessary.  If  I  am  not  deceived  in  receiving 
the  bayonets,  I  hope  I  can  despatch  all  by  the  latter  end  of 
this  week. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  in  duty  bound,  JOHN  YOST. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  the  Western- Shore. 


PETITION  OF  MARY  GIDDINS. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Marine  Committee:   The  Petition 
O/MARY  GIDDINS  humbly  showeth: 

That  your  petitioner  is  the  widow  of  John  Giddins,  late 
Boatswain's  Yeoman  on  board  the  Alfred,  who  was  killed 
on  board  said  ship  in  her  action  with  the  Glasgow,  as  ap- 
pears by  a  regular  certificate  which  she  now  produces  to 
your  Honours.  That  your  petitioner  is  in  very  distressed  cir- 
cumstances, and  having  confidence  in  the  publick  faith,  has 
applied  to  the  honourable  the  Navy  Board  for  the  bounty 
of  two  hundred  dollars  promised  by  Congress  to  the  widows 
or  children  of  seamen  who  fall  in  the  defence  of  America; 
that  the  honourable  the  Navy  Board  do  not  think  them- 
selves authorized  to  pay  this  bounty  without  an  order  from 
your  Honours,  declaring  that  the  fund  out  of  which  the 
bounty  is  directed  to  be  paid  is  not  in  their  hands.  That 
your  petitioner  doubts  not  but  that  your  Honours  will  con- 
sider the  irreparable  loss  she  has  met  with,  and  order  her 
that  temporary  relief  for  which  the  Congress  have  pledged 
the  sacred  faith  of  the  Continent,  and  not  suffer  their  good 
intentions  to  be  frustrated  on  account  of  any  little  irregu- 
larities of  office,  which  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  your  peti- 
tioner to  remedy.  The  whole  is  submitted  to  the  justice 
and  humanity  of  your  honourable  Board ;  and  in  hopes  of 
the  interposition  of  your  power  in  her  behalf, 

She  will,  as  in  duty  bound,  ever  pray. 

MARY  GIDDINS. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Were  it  in  my  power  to  support  myself  and 
family  I  should  not  have  troubled  this  honourable  House  so 
often  as  I  have  done;  necessity  is  the  motive  that  compels 
me  to  this  my  first  Petition,  and  all  the  rest  of  my  returns 
before  so  honourable  a  body.  I  know  it  is  the  multiplicity 
of  business  that  causes  me  to  be  thus  neglected,  but  1  ho'pe 
that  these  lines  will  again  bring  the  widow  and  family  of 
him  who  died  in  the  cause  of  liberty  once  more  afresh  in 
your  memory,  and  order  her  a  part  of  the  dowry  that  your 
bountiful  clemency  has  set  apart  for  the  poor  widows  and 
fatherless ;  and  in  so  doing,  your  poor  petitioner,  as  in  duty 
bound,  will  ever  pray.  MARY  GIDDJNS 

To  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress. 

This  is  to  certify  whom  it  may  concern,  that  John  Giddins, 
Boatswain's  Yeoman  on  board  the  ship  Alfred,  was  killed 
on  board  said  ship  in  the  engagement  with  the  Glasgow  the 
7th  day  of  April,  1776. 

By  order  of  Esek  Hopkins,  Esq.,  Commander-in-Chief. 

SAML.  LYON,  Secretary. 

Philadelphia,  August  1,  1776. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  PHILADELPHIA,  DATED  AUGUST 
1,   1776. 

Last  night  arrived  an  account  of  the  capture  of  the  brig 
Richmond  by  the  sloop  Congress,  (fitted  out  of  this  place;) 
she  was  bound  from  London  and  Nevis  for  Halifax,  and 
had  on  board  the  following  articles,  viz:  one  thousand  and 
seventy-eight  joes,  six  hundred  and  seventy-two  guineas, 
fifteen  moidores,  forty-one  hogsheads  rum,  six  hogsheads 
five  tierces  and  five  barrels  sugar,  one  hogshead  loaf-sugar, 
twenty-four  hogsheads  prize  molasses;  three  cases  drugs,  and 
a  trunk  of  Irish  linen.  The  brig  is  safe  arrived  at  Egg- 
Harbour;  the  gold  they  had  in  the  water-cask.  The  cash 
and  several  London  passengers  are  on  board  the  privateer, 
which  was  left  in  chase  of  a  three-decker.  They  took 
several  London  letters  directed  for  people  in  New-York; 
also  some  newspapers — one  of  the  23d  of  April,  which  is 
the  only  one  we  have  not  seen  before;  it  contains  very 
little,  except  advices  from  Jamaica,  by  which  they  seem 
alarmed  at  the  arrival  of  the  French  troops  at  Hispaniola, 
and  that  some  of  the  merchants  had  forbid  their  orders  for 
goods,  expecting  a  visit  from  them.  That  seven  ships,  one 
of  them  the  Hancock  and  Adams,  with  wheat,  had  arrived 
at  Lisbon  from  Philadelphia,  and  that  two  tobacco  and  one 
wheat  loaded  ships  were  arrived  in  France. 

Mr.  Gibbs's  ship,  Captain  Robinson,  is  below,  from  Mar- 
seilles, with  eleven  hundred  arms,  thirty-seven  tons  of  lead, 
fifteen  tons  of  powder,  flints,  Sic.  1  have  just  seen  the 
supercargo,  who  tells  me  they  are  seven  weeks  out;  that 
they  could  not  procure  a  newspaper,  although  he  offered  a 
guinea  for  one ;  but  saw  one  as  late  as  the  25th  of  May. 


709 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


710 


He  says  the  first  embarkation  of  troops  sailed  with  Lord 
Howe  about  the  12th  of  May;  that  the  second  detachment 
of  foreigners  had  not  left  Holland,  and  that  it  was  reported 
that  they  had  refused  sailing  till  a  cartel  was  established : 
that  France  had  two  formidable  fleets  at  sea,  which  were  to 
join  off  Cape  St.  Vincent;  that  the  Duke  De  Chartres  was 
to  command  the  whole,  and  was  cruising  off  that  Cape, 
where  he  had  retaken  an  American  vessel  from  an  English 
man-of-war;  that  the  carpenters  in  the  French  ship-yards 
were  kept  close  at  work,  Sundays  and  holydays  not  except- 
ed ;  that  all  the  naval  and  military  stores  were  engaged  for 
the  King's  use ;  that  all  the  seamen  were  ordered  immedi- 
ately to  be  registered,  and  everything  bore  the  appearance 
of  war;  that  the  Spaniards  had  marched  a  large  body  of 
troops  to  the  environs  of  Portugal;  that  the  English  Par- 
liament and  the  Irish  were  dissolved,  and  that  a  ship  and 
bri"  from  New-York  were  arrived  at  Marseilles. 


PENNSYLVANIA  CONVENTION. 

In  Convention  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
Tuesday,  August  1,  1776,  A.  M. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  Petition  and" 
Memorial  from  Northumberland  County,  reported  that  the 
facts  therein  set  forth  are  well  supported  by  evidence ;  and 
therefore  recommend  the  immediate  consideration  thereof  to 
this  Convention. 

And  the  House  having  deliberated  thereon,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Convention  that 
the  inhabitants  of  the  said  County  and  of  the  County  of 
Northampton  are  greatly  exposed  to  Indian  incursions, 
without  being  able  to  make  a  proper  defence,  on  account  of 
the  scattered  situation  of  the  inhabitants,  they  being  settled 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  unable  to  afford  each  other  neces- 
sary assistance. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Convention  that 
it  will  be  proper  to  raise  and  keep  up  a  body  of  troops  for 
the  defence  of  the  frontiers,  not  only  of  the  County  of 
Northumberland,  but  also  of  the  County  of  Northampton, 
the  latter  County  being  equally  exposed  to  Indian  incur- 
sions. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Convention  that 
the  defenceless  situation  of  those  parts  of  our  frontiers  be 
made  known  to  the  Congress  by  the  Delegates  of  this  State, 
and  that  they  further  inform  them  that  the  Battalion  ordered 
to  be  raised  for  defence  of  the  western  frontier  can  afford 
no  assistance  to  those  two  Counties,  and  that  the  quota  of 
Militia  of  Northampton  first  required  for  the  Flying-Camp, 
is  already  marched,  and  the  residue  of  the  Militia  is  about 
to  march,  agreeable  to  the  late  request  of  Congress;  by 
which  means  they  will  be  without  the  least  defence,  and 
request  Congress  to  take  these  matters  into  their  considera- 
tion. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

JOHN  MOERIS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 


An  Ordinance  for  securing  the  Arms  of  the  Non-Associators 
of  the  'State  of  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Whereas  the  Non-Associators  in  this  State  have  either 
refused  or  neglected  to  deliver  up  their  Arms  according  to 
the  Resolves  of  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  and 
the  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania;  and  effective  measures  have 
not  been  yet  taken  to  carry  the  said  Resolves  into  execu- 
tion: 

Be  it  therefore  ordained  by  the  authority  of  this  Con- 
vention, That  the  Colonel  or  next  officer  in  command  of 
every  Battalion  of  Militia  in  this  State  is  hereby  authorized, 
empowered,  and  required,  to  collect,  receive,  and  take,  all 
the  Arms  in  his  District  or  Township  nearest  to  such  officer 
which  are  in  the  hands  of  Non-Associators,  in  the  most 
expeditious  and  effectual  manner  in  his  power,  and  shall 
give  to  the  owners  receipts  for  such  Arms,  and  the  amount 
of  the  appraisement ;  and  such  as  can  be  repaired  shall  with 
all  possible  despatch  be  rendered  fit  for  service,  and  the 
value,  according  to  appraisement,  of  all  such  Arms,  together 
with  the  repairs  and  transportation,  shall  be  paid  to  the  offi- 
cer by  the  Treasurer,  on  the  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety, 
for  the  use  of  the  owners. 

And  be~  it  further  ordained,  That  the  same  Arms  shall 
be  appraised  by  any  three  reputable  freeholders  appointed 


by  the  Commanding  Officer.  But  if  the  owner  of  any  Arms 
shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  apply  for  such  money  within  six 
months,  the  same  shall  be  applied  towards  the  repairs  of  the 
Arms.  And  the  Colonels  are  hereby  authorized  to  draw  for 
the  necessary  sums  of  money,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  on 
the  Council  of  Safety. 

And  it  is  further  ordained,  That  the  Colonels  aforesaid 
shall  arm  the  Associators  with  the  said  Arms,  and  keep  an 
account  to  whom  they  are  delivered,  and  return  the  same  to 
the  Council  of  Safety.  And  every  Associator  shall  be  an- 
swerable for  such  Arms  or  the  value,  unless  lost  or  destroyed 
by  some  unavoidable  accident,  or  in  actual  service. 

And  be  it  further  ordained,  That  in  case  any  Arms  so 
collected  shall  not  be  worth  repairing,  the  same  shall  be  laid 
by  until  such  time  as  may  be  thought  proper  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  to  return  them  to  the  owner, 

A  true  extract  from  the  Minutes: 

JOHN  MORRIS,  Jun.,  Secretary. 


An  Ordinance  to  prevent  the  Counterfeiting  the  Paper  Money 
issued  by  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congress,  or  by 
this,  or  any  other  of  the  UNITED  AMERICAN  STATES. 
Whereas  great  mischiefs  may  arise  to  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  the  property  of  the  good  people,  inhabitants 
thereof,  rendered  precarious  and  insecure,  by  wicked  and 
designing  persons  counterfeiting  the  paper  Bills  of  Credit 
issued  by  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congress,  or  by  any 
of  the  United  States  of  America: 

For  remedy  whereof — 

Be  it  Ordained  and  Declared,  and  it  is  hereby  Ordained 
and  Declared,  by  the  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of  the 
State  of  PENNSYLVANIA,  in  General  Convention  met,  That 
if  any  person  or  persons  shall  presume  to  counterfeit  any 
of  the  Bills  of  Credit  issued,  or  hereafter  to  be  issued,  by  the 
honourable  the  Continental  Congress,  or  by  and  under  any 
laws  or  resolves  of  the  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  or  by 
the  Legislatures,  or  Conventions,  or  Assemblies,  of  this  or 
any  other  of  the  United  States,  by  printing,  or  procuring  the 
same  to  be  printed,  in  the  likeness  of  the  said  genuine  Bills 
of  Credit,  and  also,  if  any  person  or  'persons  shall  forge 
the  name  or  names  of  the  signers  of  the  true  Bills  of  Credit 
to   such   Counterfeit   Bills,  whether  the  counterfeiting  of 
the  bills  or  names  be  done  within  this  State  or  elsewhere, 
or  shall  utter  such  bills,  knowing  the  same  to  be  so  coun- 
terfeited as  aforesaid,  and  being  thereof  legally  convicted, 
by  confession,  standing  mute,  or  by  verdict  of  twelve  men, 
in  any  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  hereafter  to  be  erect- 
ed within  this  State,  he,  she,  or  they,  shall  suffer  death. 
And  the  discoverer  or  informer  shall  have,  as  an  encourage- 
ment for  his  or  her  discovery,  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds,  to  be 
levied  out  of  the  goods  and  chattels,  lands  and  tenements 
of  the  person  convicted ;  and  if  no  such  goods  or  chattels, 
lands  or  tenements,   can  be    found,  a  reward  of  twenty 
pounds  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  publick  treasury.     And  if 
any  person  or  persons  shall  counterfeit  any  of  the  said  Bills 
of  Credit,  by  altering  the  denomination  of  the  said  bills,  with 
design  to  increase  the  value  of  such  bills,  or  shall  utter  such 
bills,  knowing  them  to  be  so  counterfeited  or  altered  as  afore- 
said, and  shall  be  thereof  legally  convicted  in  any  Court  of 
Record  hereafter  to  be  established  in  this  State,  such  person 
or  persons  shall  be  sentenced  to  the  pillory,  and  have  both 
his  or  her  ears  cut  off  and  nailed  to  the  pillory,  and  be  pub- 
lickly  whipped,  on  his  or  her  bare  back,  with  thirty-one  lashes, 
well  laid  on ;  and,  moreover,  every  such  offender  shall  forfeit 
the  sum  of  one  hundred  pounds,  to  be  levied  on  his  lands 
and  tenements,  goods  and  chattels,  the  one-half  to  the  use 
of  the  State,  and  the  other  half  to  the  use  of  the  discoverer; 
and  the  offender  shall  pay  the  party  double  the  value  of  the 
damages  thereby  sustained,  together  with    the   costs  and 
charges  of  prosecution:  and  in  case  the  offender  hath  not 
sufficient  to  satisfy  the  discoverer  for  his  or  her  damages  and 
charges,  and  pay  the  forfeiture  aforesaid,  in  such  case  the 
offender  shall,  by  order  of  the  Court  where  he  or  she  shall 
be  convicted,  be  sold  for  any  term  not  exceeding  seven  years, 
for  satisfaction ;  and  in  such  case  the  Treasurer  of  this  State 
shall  reward  the  discoverer  of  such  insolvent  offender  to  the 
value  of  five  pounds,  out  of  the  publick  moneys  in  his  hands. 
And  every  such  counterfeit  bill  shall  be  delivered  to  the  said 
Treasurer,  to  be  burnt  and  destroyed. 
And  be  it  further  Ordained  and  Declared,  That  the  proper 


711 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


712 


Bills  of  Credit  issued  by  the  honourable  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, or  under  the  liite  laws,  or  by  the  resolves  of  the  late 
Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  shall  be  legal  tender  in  all  cases 
whatsoever  within  this  State. 
By  order  of  the  Convention: 

GEORGE  Ross,  Pice  President. 
Passed  August  1,  1776. 

Attest:  JOHN  MORRIS,  Jun.,  Secretary. 


PHILADELPHIA  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 

At'gust  1,  1776. 

In  consequence  of  a  Resolve  of  the  Committee  of  Safety 
for  proper  persons  to  be  appointed  to  distribute  Money  for 
the  support  of  poot  women  and  children,  who  are  left  des- 
titute by  means  of  their  husbands  and  fathers  being  now  in 
actual  service, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be  appointed  to 
that  service,  and  that  they  be  requested  to  draw  upon  the 
Treasurer,  Mr.  Joseph  Mather,  for  such  sums  as  they  may 
think  necessary  for  their  different  districts,  viz:  Philip  Price, 
James  Jones,  John  Price,  Lindsay  Coates,  Isaiah  Worrell, 
James  Dungan,  William  Tiller,  Peter  Rush,  John  Coffin, 
John  Wihon,  Peter  Evans,  Edward  Burke,  James  Brookes, 
Alexander  McMichael,  Jeremiah  Jordan,  David  Shotts, 
Henry  Hise,  George  Hcrtzel,  John  Yost,  Sen.,  John  Rox, 
Joseph  Ferree,  Augustine  Reiser,  Nathan  Levering,  Wil- 
liam Wilson,  Jonathan  Robinson,  Richard  Bisbing,  James 
Slroud,  John  Chain,  John  Bean,  Israel  Jacobs,  John  Weigel, 
Alexander  Major. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes:  ENOCH  EDWARDS. 


GABRIEL  DAVIS  TO  LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 

August  1,  1776. 

SIR:  We,  Committee-men  of  Earltown,  having  received 
orders  from  Colonel  Peter  Grub  to  collect  wagon  cloths  and 
to  have  them  at  Hinkletown  against  Monday  night,  it  was 
done.  .  As  there  was  no  regular  order  from  the  Committee 
for  these  proceedings,  George  Rine  sent  me  word  this  morn- 
ing that  he  went  yesterday  to  Colonel  Grub  and  Captain 
Martin,  and  demanded  a  receipt  for  the  wagon  cloths  which 
were  delivered  to  them,  which  they  refused. 

Sir,  I  would  take  it  as  a  particular  favour  if  you  would  lay 
this  matter  before  the  Committee,  and  let  me  know,  by  a 
few  lines  from  you,  whether  or  no  they  will  assist  in  getting 
money  for  the  payment  of  these  wagon  cloths.  You  have, 
likewise,  enclosed,  a  copy  of  a  certain  resolve  which  I  hap- 
pened to  stumble  over. 

Sir,  your  humble  servant,  GABRIEL  DAVIS. 

To  Mr.  William  Atke,  Chairman,  Lancaster. 


GENERAL  HOWE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Head-Quarters,  Staten-Island,  August  1,1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  received  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the 
30th  of  July,  and  shall  accordingly  direct  that  Mr.  Lovell, 
who  is  now  at  Halifax,  be  brought  to  this  post,  of  which  I 
shall  have  the  honour  of  advising  you,  that  the  proposed 
exchange  between  him  and  Governour  Skene  may  take 
place. 

The  extent  of  my  command  having  no  relation  to  Canada, 
it  is  not  in  my  power  to  give  you  the  satisfaction  I  could 
wish  respecting  the  enlargement  of  Colonel  Allen;  it  must 
therefore  depend  upon  General  Carlcton's  determination.  But 
wishing  sincerely  to  give  relief  to  the  distresses  of  all  pri- 
soners, I  shall  readily  consent  to  the  mode  of  exchange  you 
are  pleased  to  propose,  viz:  officers  for  those  of  equal  rank, 
soldier  for  soldier,  citizen  for  citizen;  the  choice  to  be  made 
by  the  respective  commanders  for  their  own  officers  and 
men.  You  must  be  sensible  deserters  cannot  be  included 
in  this  arrangement;  and  for  the  mode  of  exchange  in  the 
naval  line,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  Admiral. 

I  cannot  close  this  letter  without  expressing  the  deepest 
concern  that  the  unhappy  state  of  the  Colonies,  so  different 
from  what  I  had  the  honour  of  experiencing  in  the  course  of 
the  last  war,  deprives  me  of  the  pleasure  I  should  other- 
wise have  had  in  a  more  personal  communication. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

To  General  Washington,  &c.,  fee. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  August  1,  1776. 

SIR  :  Congress  having  been  pleased  to  empower  me  to 
order  Colonel  Ward's  regiment  wherever  I  might  think  it 
necessary,  I  take  the  liberty  of  requesting  you  to  direct  him 
to  march  it  immediately  to  this  place,  where  I  am  of  opinion 
the  service  requires  it,  and  their  aid  may  be  extremely  ma- 
terial, especially  as  the  levies  come  in  very  slowly. 

Since  my  last,  nothing  of  importance  has  occurred,  or 
that  is  worthy  of  notice,  except  an  augmentation  of  about 
twenty-nine  ships  and  brigs,  with  seven  or  eight  smaller 
vessels,  to  the  enemy's  fleet.  I  have  not  learned  certainly 
what  they  bring;  however,  some  troops  were  seen  landing 
yesterday,  which  the  gentlemen  who  observed  them  took  to 
be  Artillerymen.  It  is  not  improbable  that  they  were  some 
of  the  guards,  whose  dress  is  pretty  much  like  that  of  the 
Artillery. 

I  have  the  honour,  &.C.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Governour  Trumbull. 

P.  S.  The  three  galleys  which  you  were  kind  enough  to 
order,  are  safely  arrived;  as  are  two  from  Rhode-Island. 
With  these,  and  one  that  we  have  finished  here,  we  propose 
attempting  something  against  the  ships  above,  and  are  pre- 
paring for  it. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  August  1,  1776. 

SIR  :  Having  just  received  from  Congress  a  return  of  Colo- 
nel Elmore's  regiment,  now  in  your  State,  with  directions 
that  it  shall  join  this  Army,  I  request  the  favour  of  you  to 
order  him  to  march  immediately  to  this  place.  They  have 
appointed  John  Brown,  Esq.,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  it,  and 
Robert  Cochran,  Esq.,  Major.  Commissions  for  such  offi- 
cers as  appear  with  their  respective  companies,  I  am  to  fill 
up. 

I  am,  &,c.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Governour  Trumbull,  Connecticut. 

P.  S.  Half-past  twelve  o'clock. — I  this  moment  received 
intelligence  that  thirty  ships  more  were  coming  into  the 
Hook. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  ELMORE. 

New-York,  August  1,  1776. 

SIR  :  Having  just  received  from  Congress  a  return  of  your 
regiment,  now  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  with  directions 
that  it  shall  join  this  Army,  I  request  the  favour  of  you  to 
march  immediately  to  this  place.  They  have  appointed 
John  Brown,  Esq.,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  it,  and  Robert 
Cochran,  Esq.,  Major.  Commissions  for  such  officers  as 
appear  with  their  respective  companies,  I  am  to  fill  up. 

I  am,  &ic.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Colonel  Samuel  Elmore,  in  Connecticut. 


GENERAL  WADSWORTH  TO  GOVEHNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  August  1,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  In  consequence  of  your  orders  received 
the  23d  June  last,  I  immediately  issued  orders  to  the  Colo- 
nels commanding  the  several  regiments  in  my  brigade,  for 
raising  and  for  sending  those  men,  when  mustered  and  equip- 
ped, agreeable  to  my  instructions.  On  the  29th  of  June 
last,  I  received  a  letter  from  General  Washington,  requesting, 
in  the  most  pressing  manner,  not  to  lose  a  moment's  time  in 
sending  forward  the  regiments  designed  for  New-  York;  with 
which  I  immediately  acquainted  the  Colonels,  and  directed 
them  to  give  all  possible  attention  in  carrying  the  same  into 
execution;  and  on  the  3d  of  July  last,  in  New-York,  I  re- 
ceived it  in  command  from  the  General  to  send  an  express 
immediately  to  Connecticut,  to  forward  the  regiments  design- 
ed for  this  department,  the  British  fleet  being  then  in  sight 
of  this  city.  In  this  situation  of  affairs,  many  of  the  men 
marched  (as  I  am  informed  since  my  last)  without  being 
first  mustered;  a  circumstance  which  I  mentioned  to  the 
General  on  my  first  knowledge  of  it,  who  then  informed  me 
that  they  must  be  mustered  here  by  the  Mustermaster;  but  no 
order  has  been  issued  for  that  purpose.  Must,  therefore,  beg 
your  Honour's  directions,  whether  to  have  the  men  mustered 
by  a  Mustermaster  appointed  here,  or  by  one  from  Connec- 


713 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


714 


ticict,  or  any  other  mode  of  procedure  which  you  shall  think 
proper.  By  the  last  returns,  it  appears  that  about  three 
thousand  of  the  troops  from  Connecticut  have  arrived,  in- 
cluding officers,  more  than  three  hundred  of  whom  are  re- 
turned sick.  Colonel  Bradky's  regiment  is  at  Bergcn-Point. 
in  the  Jerseys,  and  Colonel  Gray's  going  to  Long-Island. 
Many  of  the  Connecticut  officers  have  not  yet  joined:  three 
Captains  of  Colonel  Selden's  regiment  only  are  present.  I 
sincerely  wish  all,  except  those  who  have  leave  from  their 
Colonels  to  recruit,  were  present,  as  we  have  reason  to  be- 
lieve some  of  the  foreign  troops  are  arrived.  The  post  is 
just  now  setting  out. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  your  Honour's  most 
Obedient,  humble  servant,        JAM£S  WADSWORTH)  Jun. 

To  Hon.  Governour  Trumbull. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  August  1,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Colonel  Hand  reports  thirty  sail  of  ships 
standing  in  for  the  Hook.  Perhaps  this  may  be  part  of  the 
foreign  troops. 

I  detached  for  the  galleys  between  forty  and  fifty  men 
yesterday.  Two  companies  that  have  been  with  Colonel 
Foreman's  regiment  are  gone  from  this  post  to  join  their  regi- 
ment under  General  Heard.  The  troops  in  general  are 
exceeding  sickly,  great  numbers  taken  down  every  day.  If 
the  state  of  the  Army  will  admit  of  a  reinforcement  at  this 
post,  perhaps  it  may  be  prudent.  If  it  does  not,  I  will  do 
the  best  I  can  with  what  I  have  got. 

I  am,  all  with  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient  servant, 

To  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  August  1,  1776, 
4  o'clock,  P.  M. 

DEAR  SIR  :  The  fleet  reported  coming  in  this  morning 
consists  of  about  forty  sail,  tenders  and  all.  They  are  now 
off  New-Utrecht  shore.  Pilots  have  gone  down  to  bring 
them  up. 

The  dispute  subsisting  between  an  officer  in  Colonel  Lit- 
tle's regiment  and  Colonel  Varnum's,  I  hope  is  in  a  fair  way 
to  be  accommodated. 

In  to  day's  orders  a  regiment  of  General  Wadsworth's 
brigade  is  ordered  on  this  Island.  If  they  can  have  tents,  it 
will  be  much  the  best. 

I  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient  servant,  ^  GREENE- 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington, New-  York,  Head- 
Quarters. 


SYLVESTER  SALISBURY  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Kingston,  August  1,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  According  to  a  resolve  of  Congress,  the 
Militia  in  this  County  are  to  raise  a  regiment  of  men  to  be 
stationed  on  the  west  side  of  the  North  River,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  enemy  from  penetrating  into  the  country.  Pur- 
suant to  that  resolve  the  Militia  was  called  together,  as  was 
also  my  company  of  Horse.  The  quotas  of  the  different 
companies  of  Foot  were  soon  raised  according  to  your  direc- 
tions. My  company  of  Horse  was  also  called  upon  to  raise 
their  quota  of  men,  but  unanimously  objected  to  their  turning 
out  as  footmen.  They  think  it  is  not  the  intent  and  meaning 
of  Congress  that  horsemen  shall  be  turned  into  footmen : 
that  after  having  properly  equipped  themselves  as  horsemen 
they  should  now  again  be  obliged  to  equip  themselves  as 
footmen. 

I  did  all  in  my  power  to  persuade  them  to  comply  with 
the  request  of  the  Colonel,  though  at  the  same  time  did  not 
think  it  your  intent  and  meaning.  The  bearer  of  this  letter 
can  more  fully  inform  you  about  my  company,  if  required. 
I  should  be  glad  to  know  your  sentiments  concerning  this 
matter;  that  is,  whether  we  are  obliged  to  turn  out  as  horse- 
men or  footmen.  They  say  they  are  willing  to  turn  out  as 
horsemen  at  any  time  when  called  upon.  You  will  much 
oblige  me  if  you  will  give  me  your  opinion  by  the  bearer  of 


this  letter,  as  soon  as  possible,  because  Colonel  Pawling  is 
to  march  with  his  regiment  from  here  the  beginning  of  next 
week. 

If  we  are  obliged  to  turn  out  as  footmen,  my  company  of 
Horse  will  be  dissolved  immediately,  because  they  think  it 
very  unjust  that  they  should  serve  both  as  horsemen  and 
footmen,  and  then,  of  course,  I  shall  resign  my  commis- 
sion. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 

obedient,  humble  servant,  „  c 

SYLVESTER  SALISBURY. 

To  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York. 


COLONEL  3NYDER  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Kingston,  August  1,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Whereas  by  virtue  of  a  resolve  of  Congress 
it  is  ordered  to  raise  the  one-fourth  of  the  Militia  of  the  seve- 
ral Counties  therein  mentioned,  to  guard  Hudson's  River  on 
both  sides;  and  whereas  I  have  the  honour  to  command  the 
First  Regiment  in  Ulster  County, — I  have,  in  compliance 
with  said  resolve,  ordered  the  Militia  under  my  command  to 
turn  out  the  fourth  man  of  each  company,  as  well  the  troop 
of  Horse  as  the  rest  of  the  Militia,  to  go  into  immediate 
service  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Levi  Pawling.  And 
whereas  I  find  the  Militia  all  ready  and  willing  to  go  in  said 
service  except  the  troop  of  Horse,  and  as  I  have  just  under- 
stood that  the  Captain  of  the  troop  of  Horse  will  appeal  to 
your  honourable  Board  for  advice  whether  he  is  to  deliver  his 
quota  of  men  or  not,  and  if  so,  he  will  resign  his  commission 
and  dissolve  the  company;  and  whereas  I  conceive  that  it  is  a 
matter  of  no  doubt  but  it  was  the  sense  of  Congress,  in  plain 
terms,  by  the  resolve  of  Congress  passed  the  22d  day  of 
August,  1775,  to  regulate  the  Militia,  that  the  troop  of  Horse 
should  be  subject  to  commands  and  duties  the  same  as  the 
rest  of  the  Militia:  Now  if  they  should  be  exempted  from 
doing  duty  equal  with  the  rest  of  the  Militia,  it  will  effect 
a  mutiny  among  us;  reason,  because  it  has  been  the  general 
rule,  as  long  as  the  troop  has  been  known  in  our  County, 
they  have  always  delivered  their  quota  of  men  as  the  rest  of 
the  Militia;  and  if  they  now  should  be  excused,  particularly 
in  these  critical  times  when  all  and  all  is  at  stake,  we  might 
rather  have  no  troop  at  all,  for  the  troop  are  chiefly  the  prin- 
cipal people,  and  ought  of  course  to  step  forth  to  defend 
their  liberties  as  well  as  any  of  the  Militia.  So,  gentlemen, 
I  shall  rest  the  matter  to  your  consideration;  and  remain  your 


most  obedient  humble  servant, 


JOBS.  SNYDER. 


To  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York. 

P.  S.  Gentlemen,  favour  me  with  an  answer  by  the  bearer, 
that  a  mutiny  may  be  prevented. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  8,  1776.] 

German-Flats,  August  1,  1778. 

SIR:  Yesterday  afternoon  I  had  the  honour  to  receive 
your  favour  of  the  24th  July,  with  the  resolutions  of  Con- 
gress it  enclosed,  which  shall  claim  the  most  immediate 
attention  I  can  possibly  give  them-,  but  as  I  may. not  be  so 
soon  with  the  Army  as  1  could  wish,  I  shall  transmit  a  copy 
to  General  Gates,  and  recommend  the  execution  of  them. 

The  pain  I  experienced  in  finding  that  so  much  unbeco- 
ming and  dangerous  jealousy  prevailed  in  the  Army  is  not 
easily  described.  What  little  I  could  do  in  my  short  stay 
at  Crown-Point,  towards  eradicating  an  evil  which  strikes 
at  the  very  existence  of  an  Army,  I  did;  and  I  doubt  not 
but  General  Gates  has  directed  much  of  his  attention  to  so 
capital  an  object,  and  that  in  a  little  time  we  shall  in  a  great 
measure  be  purged  of  the  evil. 

I  do  not  recollect  that  any  complaints  have  been  made 
that  the  persons  intrusted  with  the  disposal  of  the  publick 
stores  have  made  overcharges  against  the  soldiers,  as  the 
resolution  of  the  19th  ultimo  intimates.  The  idea  I  meant 
to  convey  in  one  of  my  letters  to  Congress,  or  to  his  Excel- 
lency General  Washington,  (I  forget  which,  as  I  have  not 
the  copies  here,)  was,  that  tl]p  soldiers  complained  of  the 
very  high  price  of  all  kinds  of  necessaries,  and  that  they 
were  not  on  a  footing  with  those  in  the  more  interior  parts  of 


715 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


716 


the  country,  who  could  purchase  at  much  easier  rates,  and 
therefore  wished  an  abatement  on  the  first  cost. 

Yesterday  some  of  the  Cayugas  arrived,  and  the  remain- 
der are  expected  to-day.  The  Senecas,  it  is  said,  will  be 
here  to-morrow;  if  so,  the  conference  will  begin  on  the  next 
day.  I  sincerely  wish  it  was  ended.  The  consumption 
of  provision  and  rum  is  incredible;  it  equals  that  of  an 
Army  of  three  thousand  men,  although  the  Indians  here 
are  not  above  twelve  hundred,  including  men,  women,  and 
children. 

Two  trusty  Oneidas,  whom  we  sent  last  week  to  Cayuga 
and  the  Senecas  to  inquire  the  reasons  of  their  delay,  in- 
formed us  on  their  return  that  Colonel  Butler  had  called 
another  meeting  at  Niagara,  and  that  the  consideration  of 
the  answer  to  his  message  had  occasioned  the  delay.  They 
also  advise  us  that  they  heard  from  Indians  returned  from 
Canada,  that  the  British  troops  are  making  a  strong  fortifi- 
cation at  St.  John's,  but  could  say  nothing  of  their  numbers. 
Our  emissaries  amongst  the  Indians  advise  us  that  an  ac- 
count of  our  misfortunes  in  Canada  has  been  industriously 
propagated  amongst  them;  that  our  conduct  in  demanding 
a  neutrality  only,  in  all  the  former  treaties,  has  been  greatly 
applauded  at  all  their  councils;  that  they  believe  a  devia- 
tion from  that  line  of  conduct  will  terminate  greatly  to  our 
disadvantage.  We  are  still  at  a  loss  what  to  do,  and  wait 
for  further  information.  At  any  rate  we  are  resolved  in  our 
first  speech  to  point  out,  in  the  strongest  terms,  the  faith- 
less conduct  of  some  of  them,  and  to  threaten  them  with 
revenging  the  insults  we  have  received. 

General  Arnold,  in  a  letter  of  the  24th  ultimo,  from  Ti- 
conderoga,  advises  me  that  only  seventy  sailors  could  be 
draughted  out  of  the  Army,  and  that  three  hundred  would 
be  wanting,  and  entreated  that  measures  should  be  taken  to 
procure  them.  I  have  accordingly  written  to  Governour 
Trumbull  on  the  subject;  and  as  General  Arnold  suggested 
that  they  could  not  be  got  for  the  wages  allowed  seamen 
by  Congress,  (as  these  would  have  no  prospect  of  making 
prizes,)  I  have  therefore  ventured  to  entreat  the  Governour 
to  engage  them  on  the  best  terms  he  can,  as  Congress  will 
perceive  by  the  following  extract  of  my  letter  of  yesterday's 
date: 

"  I  am  this  moment  informed  that  only  seventy  sailors 
can  be  procured  out  of  our  Northern  Army,  and  that  we 
shall  want  two  or  three  hundred  more,  and  that  they  may 
possibly  be  procured  in  Connecticut;  and  it  is  conjectured 
that  Captains  Samuel  Chew  and  Francis  Brown  of  New- 
Haven,  Captain  Amos  Green  of  Stamford,  Captain  Whittle- 
sey  of  Saybrook,  and  Captain  Seth  Warner  of  Haddam, 
would,  if  not  employed,  be  willing  to  engage  as  Captains 
to  command  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain.  I  am  a  stranger 
to  all  these  gentlemen.  Permit  me  to  beg  the  favour  of  you 
to  send  them,  or  such  others  as  you  may  think  proper,  to 
engage  forty  men  apiece,  and  to  make  the  best  contract  you 
can  with  them  for  theirs  and  their  m'en's  monthly  wages  and 
allowances,  which  will  be  strictly  complied  with." 

I  hope  this  measure  will  meet  the  approbation  of  Congress, 
as  the  necessity  of  having  sailors  is  evident,  and  as  there  can 
be  no  doubt  but  that  Governour  Trumbull  will  make  the  most 
favourable  contract  for  the  publick  that  he  can. 

Since  writing  and  despatching  my  letter,  I  am  informed  by 
my  Secretary,  who  is  at  Albany,  that  Captain  Bacon  was 
sent  on  this  service  by  General  (rates,  with  orders  to  call  on 
my  Secretary  for  £1000  lawful;  but  the  Paymaster  having 
no  money,  he  was  disappointed,  and  has  proceeded  to  New- 
York.  Every  department  suffers  greatly  for  want  of  a  sup- 
ply of  cash.  I  hope,  however,  that  a  little  time  will  remove 
the  difficulties  we  labour  under  on  this  account. 

I  am,  sir,  with  sincere  esteem  and  respect,  your  most 


procure  five  companies  of  sailors,  of  forty  men  each.  Un- 
certain on  what  terms  they  might  be  procured,  I  entreated 
him  to  engage  them  on  the  best  he  could,  and  that  his 
contract  with  them  would  be  punctually  fulfilled.  Since 
which,  Captain  Varick  advises  me  that  you  have  sent  Cap- 
tain Bacon  on  the  same  errand.  I  am  happy  that  you  have 
done  it,  as  by  the  joint  exertions  of  the  Governour  and  him, 
it  is  probable  the  business  will  be  much  expedited.  It  was 
unfortunate  that  the  Paymaster  had  no  money  to  furnish 
Captain  Qacon.  Why  we  are  so  long  left  without  a  supply 
of  that  necessary  article,  I  cannot  conjecture.  My  applica- 
tions have  been  frequently  repeated. 

By  an  express  whom  I  despatched  yesterday  with  Gov- 
ernour Trumbull's  letter,  I  also  directed  that  a  proper  person 
should  be  instantly  sent  to  Connecticut  for  the  said  cloth  and 
cordage  mentioned  in  General  Arnold's  letter. 

As  I  fear  that  the  pitch  some  time  since  written  for  from 
New-York  may  not  be  sent,  I  have  directed  tar-makers  to 
be  sent  to  St.  George,  and  there  employed  in  procuring  a 
quantity  of  it,  which  is  easily  reduced  to  pitch. 

Congress  has,  I  believe,  mistaken  the  idea  I  meant  to 
convey  about  the  price  of  goods  for  the  soldiers.  I  have 
explained  the  matter  in  a  letter  of  this  date. 

All  the  fatigues  I  have  endured  at  the  opening  of  the 
campaign  cannot  equal  what  I  suffer  from  the  uninterrupted 
importunity  of  the  Indians.  They  now  exceed  twelve  hun- 
dred, and  all  the  Cayugas  are  not  yet  arrived,  and  very  few 
of  the  Senecas. 

It  is  reported  that  some  Indians  from  Canada  say  that  the 
British  troops  are  making  a  large  fortification  at  St.  John's. 
I  cannot  learn  anything  of  vessels,  although  they  are  doubt- 
less building. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Honourable  General  Gates. 


obedient,  humble  servant, 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock. 


PH.  SCHUYLER. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German  Flats,  August  1,  1776. 

SIR:  Yesterday  I  received  despatches  from  Congress 
enclosing,  amongst  other  papers,  certain  resolutions;  copy 
of  which  I  enclose  you.  I  dare  say  that  whatever  you  can 
do  in  the  premises,  will  be  e_ffected. 

In  consequence  of  General  Arnold's  letter  of  the  24th 
ultimo,  I  despatched  an  express  to  Governour  Trumbull,  to 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

German-Flats,  August  1, 1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  General  Arnold,  in  a  letter  of  the  24th 
ultimo,  from  Tyonderoga,  advises  me  of  the  necessity  of 
sending  ten  or  twelve  gunners,  and  as  many  gunners'  mates, 
for  our  armed  vessels,  as  none  can  be  spared  from  the  Artil- 
lery. They  are  not  to  be  had  at  Albany  or  its  vicinity,  and 
I  know  not  of  anyplace  nearer  than  New-  York  where  they 
can  be  procured.  Will  your  Excellency  be  so  good  as  to 
order  them  up  with  all  possible  despatch? 

1  have  written  to  Governour  Trumbull  for  seamen,  as 
only  seventy  are  to  be  got  out  of  the  Army,  and  three  hun- 
dred are  wanted.  As  it  will  not  be  possible  to  procure  them 
on  the  Continental  allowance  for  seamen,  there  being  no 
prospect  of  making  prizes,  I  have  ventured  to  desire  the 
Governour  to  engage  them  on  the  best  terms  he  can.  I 
hope  this  will  meet  with  your  Excellency's  approbation. 

Part  of  the  Cayuga  Indians  arrived  yesterday;  the  re- 
mainder are  expected  to-day,  and  the  Senecas  to-morrow, 
and  we  are  in  hopes  of  opening  the  treaty  on  the  next  day. 
We  have  advice  by  Indians  returned  from  Canada,  that  the 
enemy  are  employed  in  erecting  a  large  and  strong  fortifica- 
tion at  St.  John's.  I  can  learn  nothing  from  them  about 
any  vessels  building  there. 

Fort  Stanwix  is  repairing,  and  is  already  so  far  advanced 
as  to  be  defensible  against  light  artillery.  It  would  already 
have  been  furnished  with  six  months'  provisions,  if  the 
necessary  supply  of  the  Indians  had  not  prevented.  These 
people  consume  an  amazing  quantity  of  provisions — at  least 
better  than  twice  as  much  as  so  many  troops.  They  now 
consist  of  about  twelve  hundred,  including  women  and  chil- 
dren. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem,  your 
Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &c.,  &tc. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  1,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Since  my  last,  there  are  four  companies 
of  the  Connecticut  troops  arrived;  and  instead  of  sending 
one  company,  as  I  wrote  in  my  last,  1  yesterday  sent  off 
two  to  be  posted  at  Cheshire's;  and  gave  orders  to  the  com- 


717 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fac.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


718 


manding  officer  to  use  bis  utmost  endeavours  to  forward  the 
repairing  the  roads,  and  in  lending  his  assistance  in  getting 
logs  for  the  saw-mill,  and  hope  I  shall  not  be  disappointed 
in  his  fulfilling  his  orders.  , 

We  are  constantly  sending  boats  for  boards,  but  cannot 
get  them  half  so  fast  as  they  are  wanted.  The  troops  suffer 
much  by  not  being  covered  from  the  weather ;  but  I  shall 
use  my  utmost  endeavours  to  cover  them  as  fast  as  I  can. 

I  must  once  more  trouble  your  Honour  about  a  set  of 
bullet-moulds,  which  is  much  wanted.  The  bullets  are  all 
too  large,  and  for  that  reason  have  not  made  up  any  car- 
tridges, but  have  dealt  out  a  little,  in  case  they  should  want 
it,  to  every  company. 

There  are  so  many  oars  sent  off  with  the  gondolas,  and 
none  sent  back,  that  we  can  scarcely  furnish  out  any  boats. 
In  case  we  should,  we  would  be  glad  there  might  be  some 
returned. 

We  have  great  success  in  getting  our  timber  by  the  creek 
side,  and  in  getting  it  in  by  rafts,  that  it  saves  team-work 
greatly.  And  I  hope  the  carpenters  will  make  considerable 
show  soon  in  their  building,  as  they  seem  to  be  spirited  in 
their  undertaking. 

And  am,  in  haste,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble 

'  servant>  DAVID  WATERBUHY,  Jun. 


intended  for  the  support  of  our  enemies,  we  thought  best  to 
send  him  to  Head-Quarters,  to  be  dealt  with. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

NATHL.  SHAW,  Jun. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Commander  of  all 

the  Forces  of  the  United  States,  in  New-York. 

Per  Dr.  Wolcott,  with  a  turtle. 


HARMANUS  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  1,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  We  are  entirely  out  of  oakum,  and  I 
have  sent  two  expresses  to  Albany,  and  have  none  as  yet. 
I  would  be  very  glad,  if  there  is  any  oakum  or  iron  at  Ticon- 
deroga,  that  your  Excellency  would  please  to  send  it  by 
the  boat  that  brings  you  this  letter. 

We  are  also  in  want  of  several  other  articles,  such  as 
spades,  axes,  and  ropes,  which,  if  the  General  pleases  to 
send,  will  be  of  great  use. 

We  have  our  third  express  to  Albany  now  for  all  those 
articles,  and  are  as  yet  destitute. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 
HARMANUS  SCHUYLER, 

A.  D.  Q.  M.  General 
To  Major-Geueral  Gates. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  CUMBERLAND  COUNTY  (NEW-YORK)  COM- 
MITTEE. 

Tyonderoga,  August  1,1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Your  petition  of  the  24th  ultimo  I  was 
favoured  with  yesterday  by  Colonel  Barret. 

The  Congress  have  ordered  a  regiment  to  be  immediately 
raised  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Warner,  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  frontier  most  exposed  to  the  enemy,  in  which 
your  County  is  comprehended.  1  therefore  think  the  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  men  you  mention,  can  be  more 
usefully  employed  for  the  publick  service  in  building  a  bridge 
over  Otter  Creek,  and  cutting  and  repairing  the  road  from 
Number-Four  to  the  foot  of  Mount  Independence.  Colonel 
Barret  has  the  necessary  information  upon  this  head,  and 
would,  in  rny  opinion,  be  a  proper  person  to  superintend  the 
work. 

I  beg  your  Committee  will  give  all  possible  discourage- 
ment to  the  scandalous  desertion  that  has  prevailed  in  this 
Army,  by  seizing  and  sending  under  a  proper  guard  all 
stragglers,  and  persons  who  are  not  supplied  with  a  written 
pass  under  my  hand  or  the  hand  of  some  publick  officer 
authorized  by  me.  I  must  likewise  entreat  you,  gentlemen, 
to  acquaint  all  officers  commanding  regiments  and  compa- 
nies, who  have  directions  to  march  to  this  post,  that  it  is  my 
positive  orders  not  to  loiter  upon  the  way,  but  to  march 
without  delay  to  the  place  of  their  destination. 


NATHANIEL  SHAW,  JUN.,  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-London,  August  1,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  bearer,  Dr.  Wolcott,  will  deliver  you  a  turtle, 
which  was  taken  in  a  ship  bound  from  Jamaica  to  London, 
by  Captain  Biddle,  in  the  brig  Andrew  Doria,  and  was  sent 
into  this  port,  but  unfortunately  was  lost  on  the  rocks  off 
Fisher's  Island,  being  chased  by  a  man-of-war.  We  saved 
about  ninety  puncheons  of  rum;  the  sugar,  two  hundred  and 
fifty  hogsheads,  all  lost,  and  the  ship;  and  as  the  turtle  was 


THOMAS  MUMFORD  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Groton,  August  1,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  have,  per  last  post,  received  a  letter 
from  Congress,  requesting  me  to  deliver  to  your  order  the 
quantity  of  powder  lent  General  Washington,  as  you  will 
see  by  a  quotation  from  their  letter  below:  ("We  request 
you  will  apply  to  Governour  Trumbull  for  an  account  of  the 
powder  lent  by  your  Colony  to  General  Washington  when 
before  Boston.  We  don't  know  exactly  the  quantity,  but 
believe  it  was  about  four  tons.  The  Governour,  or  some 
officer  of  your  Government,  have  a  receipt  or  certificate, 
either  from  the  General  or  Commissary,  which  you  will 
please  to  take  up,  paying  the  powder,  and  transmitting  the 
same  to  us,  with  a  receipt  for  the  powder  you  so  repay;") 
in  which  they  desire  me  to  take  your  receipt  for  the  said 
powder,  and  also  to  take  up  General  Washington's  or  the 
Commissary's  receipt,  which  they  gave  when  said  powder 
was  delivered  belonging  to  this  Colony.  I  have  three  tons 
and  upwards  of  their  powder  now  here,  which  I  conclude 
is  as  much  as  was  delivered  here.  The  remainder  is  at 
Providence,  where  some  part  that  you  lent  General  Wash- 
ington was  received.  I  am  ready  to  deliver  to  your  order  the 
quantity  of  powder  at  Norwich,  which  was  received  in  this 
Colony,  and  the  remainder  I  will  give  orders  to  be  delivered 
at  Providence  when  you  please,  but  shall  expect  the  receipts 
as  directed  by  Congress  in  their  letter  to  me  as  above.  I 
shall  be  glad  to  have  duplicates  of  your  receipts,  as  I  want 
one  to  send  to  Congress  and  the  other  to  keep,  to  warrant 
my  charging  them  with  said  powder. 

I  am,  with  much  esteem  and  respect,  your  Honour's  most 

obedient,  humble  servant,  ,,,          ,.- 

THOS.  MUMFORD. 

P.  S.  I  have  twenty  tons  of  powder  lately  arrived  in  seve- 
ral bottoms. 


ENOS  STONE  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

Whereas  a  complaint  is  carried  in  against  us  the  subscri- 
bers by  the  Committee  of  the  4own  of  Lexington  in  said 
State,  respecting  our  conduct  with  one  John  Me  Alpine;  and 
whereas  the  said  complaint  is  set  forth  in  a  colour  most 
odious,  we,  in  justice  to  ourselves,  and  in  our  own  defence, 
beg  leave  to  set  forth  the  whole  proceedings  to  your  Honours 
in  a  fair  point  of  light,  which  is  as  follows: 

Some  time  in  January  last  past,  the  above  said  McAlpine 
was  found  at  one  Smith's,  in  Stockbridge,  in  this  State,  a 
house  for  some  time  suspected  to  harbour  unfriendly  persons; 
whereupon  several  of  us  immediately  went  to  said  Smith's, 
and  apprehended  said  McAlpine;  and  some  of  the  captors 
being  the  Committee  of  Lenox,  thought  proper  to  consult 
with  the  Committee  of  Stockbridge,  and,  on  a  close  exami- 
nation, judged  the  said  McAlpine  inimical  to  the  United 
States,  and  in  their  wisdom  thought  prudent  to  send  him  to 
the  Committee  of  Salisbury,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut;  upon 
which  the  prisoner  was  delivered  into  our  care,  with  directions 
to  the  Salisbury  Committee,  and  accordingly  we  delivered  the 
prisoner  with  our  directions  to  Salisbury  Committee,  and  from 
them  we  received  orders  to  proceed  with  said  McAlpine  to 
the  Committee  in  the  Little  Nine  Partners,  with  which  orders 
we  complied,  and,  on  our  arrival  there,  but  two  of  the  Com- 
mittee were  to  be  found.  We  presented  the  prisoner,  with  the 
writing  we  had  received  from  the  two  former  Committees; 
but  they  declined  receiving  the  said  McAlpine  till  the  whole 
of  the  Committee  was  present;  and  by  this  time  the  evening 
was  far  spent;  we  resolved  to  keep  a  good  watch  over  the 
prisoner;  and  about  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  the  Committee 
not  being  met,  there  entered  the  house  by  surprise  about 
thirty  Tories,  and  with  a  retinue  without,  and  to  appearance 
seemed  determined  to  retaliate  and  revenge  for  said  Mc- 
Alpine's  suffering,  and  all  in  confusion,  cried  Kill,  kill  the 
Rebels,  and  then  demanded  the  surrendering  of  our  arms, 
and,  crowding  upon  us  in  a  savage  manner,  extorted  from  us  a 


719 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


720 


very  valuable  cutlass  and  two  pistols,  and  sundry  writings  of 
value,  which  neverwere  returned,  and  immediately  after  bound 
us  both;  and  after  they  had  insulted  and  abused  us,  to  the 
satisfying  of  their  savage  dispositions,  demanded  Me  Alpine's 
money;  but  I  was  determined  to  divest  myself  of  and  secrete 
the  money,  let  the  consequence  be  what  it  might :  accordingly, 
I  did,  at  the  time  they  were  seeking  of  me;  but  they,  finding 
the  money  was  not  about  me,  concluded  we  had  left  it  back 
about  ten  miles.  They  then  threatened  our  lives,  and  solemn- 
ly declared,  if  we  would  not  promise  to  return  the  money  of 
said  McAlpine  to  his  brother  and  sister,  after  we  had  satis- 
faction for  our  damage  and  expense,  (if  there  was  any  left,) 
they  would  sacrifice  us  there;  accordingly  we  promised  the 
money  should  be  returned,  and  upon  that  they  relieved  us 
from  our  confinement,  also  exchanged  horses  with  me,  but 
my  horse  made  his  escape  from  them,  and  returned  the  next 
morning  to  my  quarters,  so  I  have  both  horses  in  custody. 
At  my  return  the  captor  demanded  an  equal  right  in  the 
plunder,  but  we  refused,  and  submitted  it  to  the  judgment  of 
men,  and  they  were  only  to  have  their  expenses  paid  for 
assisting  in  apprehending  the  said  McAlpine;  but  said  cap- 
tors demanded  said  moneys,  that  they  might  make  an  equal 
distribution,  not  that  the  publick  should  be  benefited  thereby. 
I  myself  being  one  of  the  Committee  of  the  town,  supposed 
that  I  had  a  right  to  keep  it  until  I  should  have  directions 
from  the  honourable  House  of  Assembly  or  elsewhere,  that 
I  might  be  secure.  Must  beg  that  I  may  not  be  condemned 
without  a  proper  hearing;  and  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most 

obedient,  humble  servant,  ^ 

I^NOS  STONE. 

To  the  Honourable  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  State. 

Amherst,  August  1,  1776. 
State  of  NEW-HAMPSHIRE,  County  of  HILLSBOROUGH  : 

Pursuant  to  orders  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  said 
State,  to  the  Sheriff  of  said  County,  requiring  him  to  proclaim 
Independency  in  Amherst,  the  shire-town  of  said  County, 
the  Sheriff,  attended  by  the  Militia,  a  great  part  of  the 
Magistrates  of  the  County,  and  several  hundreds  of  other 
spectators,  met  at  the  Meeting-House  in  said  Town,  and,  after 
attending  prayers,  were  formed  into  a  circle  on  the  parade, 
the  Sheriff  in  the  centre,  on  horseback,  with  a  drawn  sword 
in  his  hand.  The  Declaration  was  read  from  an  eminence 
on  the  parade;  after  that  was  done  three  cheers  were  given, 
colours  flying  and  drums  beating.  The  Militia  fired  in 
thirteen  divisions,  attended  with  universal  acclamations.  The 
whole  was  performed  with  the  greatest  decorum. 


Charlestown,  South-Carolina,  August  2,  1776. 
We  hear  that  about  three  weeks  ago  two  armed  vessels 
from  St.  Augustine  cut  a  sloop  and  schooner,  loaded  with 
rice,  out  of  Ogeechee  River,  in  Georgia.  A  party  from  the 
same  place  have  been  employed  in  building  a  fort  at  St. 
Mary's.  A  boat  belonging  to  them,  with  Captain  Peter 
Bachop  and  seven  others  on  board,  was  taken  about  a  fort- 
night since,  after  some  shot  being  exchanged.  Three  of 
them  were  killed,  and  Captain  Bachop,  with  the  other  four, 
brought  prisoners  to  Savannah. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  HICHAHD  PETERS. 

Charlestown,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR:  I  wish  I  had  been  informed  how  I  am  to  address 
myself  in  writing  to  the  Board  of  War — whether  to  the 
Board  in  general,  to  the  first  members  on  the  list,  or  to  the 
Secretary.  I  have  ventured  on  the  last  mode :  if  it  is  wrong, 
I  hope  I  shall  be  excused  and  corrected. 

The  irregularity  and  tardiness  of  the  post  are  now  become 
a  matter  of  my  serious  concern.  We  never  receive  a  letter 
from  Philadelphia  in  less  than  six  or  seven  weeks.  That 
from  the  members  of  the  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance  is  only 
just  now  arrived,  though  dated  the  12th  of  June.  I  have 
been  pressed,  sir,  by  several  members  of  the  Convention  of 
Virginia,  to  establish  a  post  for  this  district ;  but  I  am  ap- 

Behensive  that  it  might  interfere  with  the  Continental  post, 
owever,  the  consequences  arising  from  the  irregularity  of 
the  post  are  so  very  serious,  that  all  other  considerations 
must  be  waived.  In  the  mean  time,  I  am  constrained  to  the 
necessity  of  putting  the  Continent  to  the  expense  of  an  ex- 
press on  almost  every  occasion. 


I  am  extremely  rejoiced  at  the  establishment  of  a  Board 
of  War ;  for  the  business  of  Congress  was  so  complex  and 
heterogeneous,  that  it  was  impossible  they  should  give  the 
necessary  attpntion  to  the  affairs  of  any  one  distinct  depart- 
ment. Their  regulations,  witli  respect  to  returns,  &,c.,  shall 
be  punctually  observed.  I  have  ordered  General  Armstrong 
to  collect  the  returns  from  different  corps,  to  digest  them  into 
one,  and  transmit  them  immediately  to  the  Congress. 

I  am  myself  busied  in  arranging  matters  for  an  expedition 
into  East-Florida.  It  is  much  to  be  lamented,  that  these 
Southern  Colonies  suffered  the  whole  of  last  winter  to  pass 
over  their  heads  without  preparing  the  means  either  of 
offence  or  defence.  Not  a  single  row-galley  or  armed  boat 
was  furnished  by  Virginia,  North  or  South-  Carolina.  Were 
we  provided  with  a  moderate  fleet  of  these  sort  of  vessels, 
I  think  I  could  ensure  the  reduction  of  East-Florida;  an. 
object,  though  not  equal  with  Canada,  is  certainly  of  very 
great  importance.  Here  the  measures  of  the  Southern  In- 
dians are  concerted  and  planned,  their  treaties  negotiated 
and  concluded;  here  they  receive  their  bribes,  for  their 
murderous  operations,  and  from  hence  they  are  supplied 
with  all  the  means  and  instruments  of  war.  From  hence  they 
have  lately  made  some  alarming  incursions  into  Georgia, 
carried  off  a  considerable  number  of  negroes,  and  not  less 
than  two  thousand  head  of  cattle.  They  have  likewise 
thrown  up  a  post  on  the  river  St.  Mary's,  which,  if  suffered 
to  remain,  may  prove  extremely  troublesome  to  Georgia, 
by  affording  a  ready  asylum  to  negro  deserters. 

From  these  considerations,  although  I  cannot  think  of 
laying  siege  to  Augustine,  having  neither  boats,  horses, 
wagons,  nor  any  other  means  of  conveying  cannon,  ammu- 
nition, or  provision  for  the  purpose,  I  think  it  both  a 
prudent  and  necessary  measure  to  attempt  breaking  up  the 
whole  Province  of  East-Florida.  It  will  be  a  security  to 
Georgia,  occasion  infinite  distress  to  the  garrison  of  St. 
Augustine,  but,  above  all,  make  a  salutary  impression  upon 
the  minds  of  the  Creeks,  who  are  now  thought  to  stand 
wavering.  They  profess  a  good  disposition  towards  the 
American  cause ;  but  if,  by  a  strong  predatory  expedition 
into  the  province  of  the  enemy,  we  give  an  idea  of  our 
prowess  and  superior  strength,  they  will  be  riveted  in  our 
interest.  If  I  were  sure  Mr.  Clinton  and  his  Army  had 
steered  their  course  to  New-  York,  as  the  deserters  all  agree, 
and  a  letter  which  was  left  in  Long-Island  confirms,  (a  copy 
of  which  is  here  enclosed,)  I  should,  as  I  have  nothing 
immediately  else  to  do  in  my  district,  march  in  person  with 
this  party;  but  the  bare  possibility  of  his  being  gone  to  Vir- 
ginia will  detain  me.  Every  ship  of  the  enemy  has  now 
repassed  the  bar.  It  appears  by  this  same  enclosed  letter, 
that  they  were  more  roughly  handled  than  even  the  deserters 
represented. 

The  Congress,  I  make  no  doubt,  have  been  informed  of 
the  incursions  made,  and  the  ravages  committed,  by  the 
Upper  and  Lower  Cherokees.  An  expedition,  I  understand, 
is  furnished  forth  by  Virginia  against  the  Upper  Nations ; 
another,  by  this  Province,  against  the  Lower.  The  success 
or  miscarriage  is  of  the  last  consequence.  I  am  therefore 
desirous  of  forming  a  second  line,  or  corps  dc  reserve,  and 
detaching,  for  this  purpose,  a  regiment  of  Regulars,  but  have 
not,  as  yet,  been  able  to  procure  wagons  sufficient  for  two 
companies.  It  will  be  necessary  that  Congress  should  make 
some  regular  establishment  for  wagons.  1  should  think  one 
wagon,  at  least,  if  not  two,  should  be  purchased  and  ap- 
pointed to  each  company  of  the  whole  Army,  and  regiments 
made  responsible  for  theirs  respectively.  We  should  then 
be  able  to  march  when  occasion  requires  expedition.  At 
present,  it  is  sometimes  as  much  impossible  to  march  an 
hundred  miles,  although  the  fate  of  a  Province  depended 
upon  it,  as  if  the  soldiers  wanted  legs. 

I  hope  the  Congress  and  Board  of  War  will  excuse  my 
giving  an  opinion  on  a  subject  on  which  it  has  not  been 
asked ;  but  I  conceive  it  to  be  my  duty  not  to  remain  silent 
on  any  affairs  of  such  a  moment. 

I  find,  sir,  that  representations  have  been  made  that  many 
inconveniences  would  arise  from  putting  the  troops  of  this 
Province  on  the  Continental  establishment.  I  can  assure 
the  Congress,  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  carry  on  the 
service  if  they  remain  on  the  Colonial  establishment.  The 
difference  of  the  laws,  the  distinction  of  rank,  occasion  so 
much  confusion,  and  the  ridiculous  farce  of  Duke  and  no 
Duke  we  are  playing,  the  officers  not  always  comprehending 


721 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


722 


who  is  their  proper  commander,  whether  the  President  or  the 
Continental  General,  occasions  very  dangerous  distractions. 
But  there  are  other  matters,  of  more  serious  consideration, 
of  which  I  shall  not  trouble  you  with  a  detail.  Nor  do  I 
find  that  the  officers  of  this  Province  object  to  a  Continental 
establishment;  on  the  contrary,  all  those  I  have  conversed 
with  seem  desirous  of  it.  Upon  the  whole,  I  think  it  abso- 
lutely essential  to  the  publick  service  that  these  regiments 
should  immediately  be  put  on  the  same  footing,  and  be 
governed  by  the  same  laws,  with  the  rest.  Nor  am  I  singu- 
lar in  opinion.  The  two  brigades,  all  the  officers  of  every 
rank,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  country, 
concur  with  me. 

Colonel  Muhlenberg,  of  the  Eighth  Battalion  of  Virgin- 
ians, has  been  made  very  uneasy  by  some  letters  he  has  lately 
received,  with  respect  to  the  rank  of  his  regiment.  These 
letters  intimate  that  it  was  never  the  intention  of  the  Congress 
to  consider  the  Seventh,  Eighth,  and  Ninth  Battalions  of 
the  Virginians  on  the  Continental  establishment,  until  they 
were  entirely  complete;  that  his  regiment  never  was  entirely 
complete;  and  that,  consequently,  after  having  so  long 
thought  himself  on  the  Continental  establishment,  and,  on 
this  presumption,  having  marched  five  hundred  miles  from 
his  own  Province,  under  the  command  of  a  Continental 
General,  he  now,  at  last,  finds  himself  only  a  Provincial 
officer. 

I  have  ventured  to  assure  him,  and  his  officers,  who  are 
equally  uneasy,  that  there  must  be  some  mistake  in  this 
affair.  In  fact,  the  hardship  would  be  so  great,  that  I  can- 
not believe  their  apprehensions  are  well  founded.  It  was, 
if  I  remember  right,  notified  in  April,  by  the  Committee  of 
Safety  in  Virginia,  that  they  were  then  taken  upon  the 
Continental  establishment,  and,  though  in  this  I  may  be 
mistaken,  without  the  proviso  of  their  being  complete. 

It  happened  at  this  time,  though  not  complete  to  a  man, 
(for  no  regiment  is  ever  complete  to  a  man,)  that  Muhlen- 
berg's regiment  was  not  only  the  most  complete  of  the 
Province,  but  I  believe  of  the  whole  Continent.  It  was 
not  only  the  most  complete  in  numbers,  but  the  best  armed, 
clothed,  and  equipped,  in  all  respects,  for  immediate  service. 
I  must  repeat,  that  I  cannot  conceive  that  it  was  ever  the 
intention  of  Congress  that  the  establishment  should  be  filled 
to  a  man ;  but  that  they  should  be  competent  to  service,  in 
or  out  of  their  Province.  In  most  services,  when  new  levies 
are  raised,  one-half  of  the  proposed  complement  entitles 
them  to  establishment.  Muhlenberg's  regiment  wanted  only 
forty  at  most.  It  was  the  strength  and  good  condition  of 
the  regiment  that  induced  me  to  order  it  out  of  its  own 
Province  in  preference  to  any  other.  I  certainly  consi- 
dered them  at  that  time  as  Continental  troops;  otherwise, 
I  could  have  had  no  authority  to  order  them  out  of  the 
Province. 

I  must  now  submit  it  to  the  consideration  of  the  Congress, 
if  it  would  not  really  be  the  greatest  cruelty  that  their  strength 
and  good  condition  should  be  turned  against  them.  It  was 


really  know  not  how  to  carry  on  the  business.     I  hope  the 
Board  will  consider  the  necessity  of  supplying  me. 

I  shall  now,  sir,  conclude,  with  assuring  them  that  I  am, 
with  great  respect,  their  obedient,  most  humble  servant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 
To  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  Secretary  to  the  Board  of  War 

and  Ordnance. 


TURB0TT  WRIGHT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Observation,  Queen  Anne's  County, ) 

August  2,  1776.     \ 

GENTLEMEN:  Complaint  has  been  made  to  us  by  Lieu- 
tenant Hawkins,  that  Captain  Dean's  company,  stationed 
on  Kent-Island,  are  greatly  in  want  of  water  at  their  station, 
and  informed  that  a  sufficient  quantity  may  be  had  at  Blunt's 
Warehouse,  on  the  said  Island,  or  at  Captain  Thomas 
Marsh's  plantation,  adjoining  their  station  ;  and  further  com- 
plained, that  Mr.  Cummins,  the  Commissary,  has  neglected 
to  make  the  necessary  provision  for  the  company,  and  that 
the  company  are  in  want  of  a  physician. 

We  have  applied  to  Captain  Marsh  for  his  permission  to 
Captain  Dean  to  station  his  company,  or  a  part  thereof,  on 
his  plantation,  and  have  received  his  absolute  refusal;  in 
consequence  of  which  we  have  ventured  to  advise  Captain 
Dean  to  remove  his  company,  or  such  part  thereof  as  he  may 
judge  necessary,  from  the  present  station  to  Blunt's  Ware- 
house, and  to  fix  such  and  so  many  guards,  and  at  such 
places,  as  he  may  think  proper,  to  promote  in  the  best  man- 
ner the  service  in  which  he  is  engaged,  until  he  shall  receive 
the  further  orders  of  your  Board. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 
I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

TURBUTT  WRIGHT,  Chairman. 
To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


CAPTAIN  GRAYBILL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  2,  1776. " 

GENTLEMEN:  Please  to  pay  unto  Captain  GeorgeT&epot 
£400,  to  be  applied  for  purchasing  arms  and  blankets  for 
my  company  of  German  troops,  and  you  will  very  much 
oblige  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  GHAYBILL. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  HOOPER. 
[No.  105.]  Annapolis,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  our  last,  we  have  had  advice  from  Major  Price, 
our  commanding  officer  in  St.  Mary's,  that  the  British  fleet 
lay  near  the  mouth  of  Smith's  Creek,  in  Potomack;  that 
they  were  very  weak  in  land  forces,  not  exceeding  three 
hundred  men;  that  they  were  so  sickly  that  fifty  dead  bodies 
had  appeared  on  the  shore,  chiefly  negroes ;  and  that  having 
gone  up  the  river  Potomack  to  take  in  water,  and  returned, 

their  strength  and  good  condition  which  carried  them  out  of    he  imagined  they  would  soon  sail  from  that  quarter, 
their  Province,  where,  had  they  remained  and  known  that  it        Their  forces  appear  so  inconsiderable  and  contemptible 
was  a  necessary  condition  of  their  establishment  to  be  com-    to  him,  that  he  has  dismissed  all  the  Militia,  and  keeps  only 
plete  to  a  man,  they  certainly  could  have  accomplished  it  in 
three  days.     I  do,  therefore,  most  sincerely  hope,  and  con- 
fidently persuade  myself,  that  Muhlenberg's  regiment  will 
at  least  date  their  rank  from  the  day  1  ordered  them  to 
march  out  of  their  Province.     Not  only  justice,  but  policy 


two  Independent  companies  to  oppose  them,  one  of  which, 
Captain  Thomas,  we  have  this  day  ordered  to  march  to  the 
northward,  and  Captain  Mantz,  of  the  Frederick  battalion, 
marches  to  supply  his  place. 

,         r _,          Captain  Dean's  company  is  stationed  at  Kent-Island, 

requires  it,  for  you  will  otherwise  lose  a  most  excellent  regi-    and  Captain  Goldsborough's  is  to  supply  the  place  of  Cap- 
mpnt  tain  Hindman's,  if  the  latter  can  get  arms,  which  we  cannot 


ment. 


I  often  represented  to  Congress  how  difficult  or  impossible    doubt  the  Militia  will  lend  them  for  their  defence,  until  the 


it  would  be  to  engage,  or  retain  after  they  were  engaged, 
any  engineers  of  tolerable  qualification  on  the  wretched  pay 
established.  The  two  appointed  to  my  district  have,  as  I 
expected,  quitted  the  service.  It  was,  indeed,  impossible 
for  them  to  exist.  Stadler,  I  hear,  has  entered  into  the 
service  of  Virginia.  Masscnbaugh  is  retained  by  this  Pro- 
vince at  fifty-four  dollars  per  month,  a  servant,  rations,  and 
his  travelling  expenses.  He  formerly  begged  his  dismission 
from  me,  assuring  me,  and  I  believe  sincerely,  he  was  zeal- 
ous in  the  cause  of  America ;  that  he  would  willingly,  if  I 
chose  it,  inlist  as  a  common  soldier;  but  that  to  ride  about 


Province  can  supply  them.    These,  with  the  two  Indepen- 
dent companies,  will  make  a  company  of  near  five  hundred 
We  therefore  think  that  three-fourths  of  the  Militia 


men. 


under  your  command  may  return  to  their  habitations,  and 
keep  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  in  case  of  an  attack, 
as  the  above  force  will  be  more  than  sufficient  to  repel  an 
invasion  from  the  fleet.  We  do  not  expect,  from  their  weak 
state,  that  any  attempt  will  be  made,  except  to  plunder;  and 
we  think  the  five  hundred  regular  troops,  together  with  the 
two  hundred  Militia,  a  sufficient  force  to  protect  your  shore 
until  the  fleet  sails,  which  we  daily  expect  to  hear  of;  and 


the  Continent  from  North  to  South,  find  horses,  and  appear    if  some  of  them  go  to  sea,  and  only  a  few  remain  at  our 
like  a  gentleman,  was  impossible.     I  could,  not,  in  con-    Capes,  and  in  Virginia,  to  destroy  our  trade,  as  it  is  sug- 
science,  force  him  to  starve;  so  consented  to  his  engaging    gested  to  us  will  be  the  case,  the  remainder  of  the  Militia 
in  this  service.     I  am  now  without  a  single  Engineer,  and    also  may  be  discharged. 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  46 


723 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


724 


If  the  schooner  you  have  taken  would  answer  to  make  an 
armed  boat  or  vessel  for  the  defence  of  this  Colony,  \ve 
should  be  glad  you  would  send  her  over,  that  she  may  be 
put  in  repair,  and  fitted  for  the  service,  if  she  is  unfit.  An 
account  of  her  size,  value,  and  stores,  will  be  agreeable  to  us. 
We  are  of  opinion  that  a  Court-Martial  ought  to  be  held  on 
the  conduct  and  opinions  of  the  two  military  gentlemen  you 
mention,  and  a  representation  made  from  it  to  our  Board,  as 
a  foundation  for  their  being  deprived  of  their  commissions. 

The  spirit  and  order  with  which  your  brigade  has  acted 
on  this  occasion  has  been  exceedingly  agreeable  to  us,  and 
we  are  possessed  of  the  pleasing  prospect  that  they  will  con- 
tinue to  distinguish  themselves  on  every  future  occasion  by 
an  animated  affection  to  their  country,  leading  them  to  brave 
every  fatigue  and  peril  to  preserve  her  liberties  inviolate. 

We  are,  Sic. 

To  Brigadier-General  Hooper. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COMMITTEE  OF  DORCHES- 
TER COUNTY. 
[No.  106.]       .  Annapolis,  August  2,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  prisoners  sent  up  by  you  we  have  not,  by 
reason  of  the  great  deal  of  business  now  before  us,  been  able  to 
examine;  but  shall,  when  we  do,  apply  to  you  to  send  up  the 
witnesses,  if  they  deny  the  facts  with  which  they  are  charged. 
We  send  you  a  couple  of  barrels  of  musket  gunpowder, 
and  weight  of  lead.  The  cannon  powder  may  remain 
with  you.  We  rely  upon  you  for  taking  especial  care  that 
they  shall  not  be  wasted,  as  you  know  our  safety  depends 
upon  our  economy  in  this  point.  We  are,  &.c. 
To  the  Committee  of  Dorchester  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 

[No.  107.]  Annapolis,  August  2,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  received  yours  of  the  27th  July, 
many  parts  of  which  are  already  answered,  as  you  will  per- 
ceive%y  recurring  to  our  last.  The  advance  of  $1,335  to 
Colonel  Smallwood  we  approve  of,  upon  presumption  he 
had  occasion  for  that  sum,  and  that  he.  will  lay  it  out  in  pro- 
viding necessaries  for  himself  and  battalion  with  economy 
and  discretion.  We  enclose  you  Mr.  Christopher  Rich- 
mond's appointment  to  be  Paymaster  of  the  battalion,  accord- 
ing to  Colonel  SmaUwood's  desire  and  your  recommendation. 
We  have  set  on  foot  inquiries  in  several  places  with  regard 
to  flints,  and  shall  hereafter  let  you  know  whether  any  stone 
can  be  found  for  manufacturing  them  here.  Since  our  last, 
we  have  received  two  letters  from  Major  Price,  copies  of 
which  are  enclosed.  From  them  you  will  hear  the  situation 
of  the  enemy  below.  Our  pilot-boat  came  up  last  night, 
and  informs  they  are  not  yet  gone  off.  Several  vessels  are 
dismasted,  and  on  shore  at  the  point  of  St.  George's  Island, 
with  intention  to  burn  them.  Middleton  thinks  they  are 
going  off  down  the  Bay,  and  we  hope  soon  to  be  able  to 
write  you  to  that  effect,  although  we  apprehend  a  visit  to  the 
Eastern- Shore,  and  are  preparing  accordingly.  We  have 
the  satisfaction  to  inform  you  that  the  report  of  a  landing  at 
Colonel  Smallwood's  was  not  true.  Mr.  Brent's  houses 
were  burnt,  and  a  good  deal  of  damage  done.  We  hear  of 
no  particulars  of  any  other  mischief  up  above. 

We  send  you  also,  enclosed,  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Cap- 
tain Deakins,  as  a  sample  of  the  many  applications  we  have 
from  almost  all  the  Captains  in  the  Flying-Camp.  They  are 
in  want,  not  only  of  guns,  but  of  almost  everything  else. 
We  expect  to  be  able  soon  to  arm  a  number  equal  to  that 
of  the  Regulars  who  have  marched  to  the  camp,  and  that 
we  shall  be  able  to  send  forward  some  companies  (perhaps 
a  battalion  or  more)  by  the  middle  of  this  month.  To  enable 
us  to  do  this,  we  shall  be  obliged  to  advance  more  than  the 
£5,000  given  by  the  Convention  to  purchase  arms.  Few  or 
none  can  be  borrowed.  The  companies,  many  of  them,  not 
yet  complete. 

We  expect  the  Convention  will  approve  our  advancing 
a  further  sum  to  furnish  arms  for  the  Flying-Camp.  Without 
so  doing,  they  would  not  have  been  in  condition  to  march 
at  all.  We  think  it  advisable  to  purchase  for  all  the  com- 
panies, rather  than  suffer  them  to  remain  here  on  expense, 
or  be  disbanded,  which  must  have  been  the  case. 

We  have  ordered  Captain  Mantz  down  to  St.  Mary's, 
and  given  Captain  Thomas  positive  orders  to  march,  so  that 


we  hope  he  will  soon  be  with  you  on  his  way  to  New-  York. 
We  congratulate  you  on  the  safe  arrival  of  the  Molly,  'Cap- 
tain Conway,  in  Great  Wicomico,  Virginia,  with  twenty- 
one  thousand  weight  of  gunpowder,  and  two  hundred  and 
seventy  stand  of  small-arms,  for  the  use  of  this  Province. 
We  shall  get  the  cargo  up  here  as  soon  as  we  can  with 
safety.  We  send  you  a  letter  for  the  commander  for  the 
North  American  troops,  which  came  by  Conway,  which 
please  to  forward  to  General  Washington. 

One  of  the  wagons  that  came  with  powder  from  Phila- 
delphia met  with  an  accident  that  is  likely  to  prove  fatal  to 
a  Sergeant  of  Captain  Cox's  guard.  Coming  down  the  road, 
not  far  from  J.  Hammond's,  a  bridge  over  a  deep  gutter 
that  runs  through  his  old  field  gave  way,  and  wounded  two 
of  the  people,  shattered  the  wagon,  and  stove  some  of  the 
powder.  The  loss  of  one  barrel  of  powder  is  trifling  to  the 
life  of  the  Sergeant.  He  is  not  dead  as  yet,  but  it  is  appre- 
hended cannot  live.  Another  man  slipped  his  shoulder,  but 
is  got  better.  The  powder  and  arms  are  safe  at  the  maga- 
zine, except  part  of  two  barrels,  making,  in  all,  about  one 
barrel  lost.  We  cannot  but  admire  at  what  you  say,  that 
there  are  only  three  thousand  Militia  in  Jersey.  Permit  us 
to  ask,  what  are  become  of  all  the  Militia  that  we  read  in  the 
papers  are  marched  from  Pennsylvania,  Jersey,  &ic.?  Be 
pleased  to  explain  how  it  has  happened  that  no  more  have 
as  yet  marched  to  their  station  in  that  Province. 

By  the  southern  post,  we  have  intelligence  that  the  Chero- 
kees  have  committed  some  outrages  on  the  borders  of  Caro- 
lina; that  the  squadron  of  Parker  and  Clinton  are  moving 
frequently  from  Island  to  Island,  and  are  growing  sickly. 

Yesterday,  our  election  for  this  County  began,  and  is 
not  yet  ended.  We  are  sorry  to  inform  you  that  Messrs. 
Johnson  and  Paca  and  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  from  present 
appearances,  will  not  be  elected.  Worthington,  Carroll, 
(barrister,)  Chase,  and  R.  Hammond,  are  greatly  beyond 
any  others  on  the  poll.  Very  few  people  from  Elk-Ridge, 
or  the  lower  part  of  the  County,  have  as  yet  attended. 

We  are,  &ic. 

To  the  Deputies  for  Maryland  in  Congress. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GENERAL  DENT. 
[No.  108.]  Annapolis,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR:  At  the  time  we  wrote  you  first  to  take  the  com- 
mand, Major  Price  was  on  the  Eastern-Shore.  We  knew 
your  attention  must  be  engaged  with  the  Flying-Camp. 
Had  he  been  here,  we  should  not  have  troubled  you  at  all, 
but  sent  the  Major  immediately  down  to  take  the  command. 
Upon  his  return,  and  understanding  that  the  enemy  were 
landing  at  St.  George's  Island,  and  that  cannon  would  be 
necessary  to  repel  them  ;  hearing  also  that  some  of  the  fleet 
were  preparing  to  move  up  the  river,  we  came  to  the  resolu- 
tion of  sending  Major  Price  down  to  St.  George's,  expecting 
you  might  be  usefully  employed  higher  up  the  river,  and 
occasionally  with  the  Flying-Camp.  These  were  the  mo- 
tives for  sending  Major  Price,  and  not  any  intention  of  giving 
you  offence.  We  tell  you  candidly  that  we  have  no  reason 
to  believe  that  you  were  not  equal  to  the  task,  or  that  you 
were  deficient  either  in  military  knowledge,  assiduity,  or 
personal  courage,  and  that  we  are  surprised  you  should 
entertain  any  such  idea. 

We  had  never  any  insinuation  to  your  prejudice;  there- 
fore, there  could  be  no  foundation  for  appointing  any  hear- 
ing. We  thought  it  would  be  of  advantage  to  the  publick 
cause  to  send  down  Major  Price.  The  service  was  likely 
to  be  extensive,  and  a  commander  wanted  in  more  places 
than  one.  We  know  you  must  be  called  off  soon  to  the 
Flying-Camp,  and  accordingly  wrote  you  the  28th,  enclo- 
sing your  commission,  and  requesting  to  see  you.  We  now 
repeat  that  request,  and  are  convinced  that  we  are  able,  by 
personal  conference,  to  satisfy  you  that  we  intended  no 
affront  or  indignity  to  you,  unless  you  think  the  Convention 
have  acted  improperly  in  adjusting  the  rank  between  the 
Regulars  and  the  Militia. 

We  wish  to  stand  fair  with  yourself  and  all  other  worthy 
men ;  and  whatever  you  may  determine  upon,  be  assured 
that  we  had  nothing  to  allege  against  your  conduct,  and  that 
we  were  actuated  by  no  other  views  than  those  of  service  to 
the  publick,  and  taking  effectual  measures  to  repel  the  com- 
mon enemy.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  Brigadier-General  Dent. 


725 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


726 


CHRISTOPHER  PELISSIER  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Philadelphia,  August  2,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  I  have  received  the  commission  [of 
Engineer,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel]  which  the 
honourable  Continental  Congress  has  been  pleased  to  point 
out  for  me;  and  shall  take  it  as  a  very  particular  favour  if 
the  honourable  House  will  order  me  two  months'  pay  ad- 
vanced, to  equip  myself  for  the  service. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  very  obedient,  humble 

servant>  PELISSIER. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  particularly  instructed  by  Congress  to  answer 
that  part  of  your  letter  of  29th  ultimo,  directed  to  the  Board 
of  War,  which  relates  to  the  filling  up  vacancies  in  the  Army. 
The  Congress  are  concerned  to  find  that  an  opinion  is  enter- 
tained that  greater  confidence  has  been  placed  in,  and  larger 
powers  given  to,  other  commanders  in  that  respect,  than  to 
yourself.  They  have  in  no  instance,  except  in  the  late  ap- 
pointment of  General  Gates  to  the  command  in  Canada, 
parted  with  the  power  of  filling  up  vacancies.  The  great 
confusion  and  many  disorders  prevalent  in  that  Army,  and 
its  distance,  induced  Congress  to  lodge  such  a  power  in  that 
General,  for  the  limited  space  of  three  months,  and  only 
during  his  continuance  in  Canada.  Should  Congress  ever 
empower  its  Generals  to  fill  up  the  vacancies  in  the  Army, 
they  know  of  no  one  in  whom  they  would  so  soon  repose  a 
trust  of  such  importance  as  in  yourself;  but  future  Generals 
may  make  a  bad  use  of  it.  The  danger  of  the  precedent, 
not  any  suspicion  of  their  present  Commander-in-Chief, 
prompts  them  to  retain  a  power,  that,  by  you,  sir,  might  be 
exercised  with  the  greatest  publick  advantage. 

I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  sundry  resolves,  and  to 
request  your  attention  to  them.  They  relate  principally,  as 
you  will  perceive,  to  some  new  regulations  with  regard  to 
Paymasters,  Commissaries,  and  Quartermasters,  in  the  Ame- 
rican Army,  and  are  intended  to  prevent  confusion  and  dis- 
order in  those  several  departments. 

The  Congress  approve  of  your  employing  in  the  service 
of  the  States  the  Stockbridge  Indians,  if  you  think  proper. 

The  enclosed  resolve,  for  taking  into  the  pay  of  the  States 
such  of  the  seamen  as  may  fall  into  our  hands  on  board  of 
prizes,  will,  I  trust,  be  attended  with  the  good  effects  Con- 
gress had  in  view  when  they  passed  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  perfect  respect  and  esteem, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

N.  B.  Your  favour  of  5th  instant,  just  come  to  hand,  will 
be  replied  to  by  to-morrow's  post. 


GEORGE  MEASAM  S  PETITION. 

[Read  August  7,  1776.    Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

To  the  Honourable  Members  of  the  Continental  Congress, 

tfc.,  tfc.,  fye. 

The  Memorial  of  GEORGE  MEASAM,  late  of  MONTREAL,  in 
CANADA,  humbly  showeth: 

That  your  memorialist  was  well  known  by  the  late  Bri- 
gadier-General Montgomery  to  be  a  true  friend  to  the  Ame- 
rican cause  by  sundry  circumstances,  both  before  and  after 
the  capitulation  of  Montreal,  and  in  consequence  thereof  the 
General  thought  proper  to  recommend  your  memorialist  as 
a  person  in  whom  confidence  could  be  put  to  repose  the  trust 
and  care  of  the  Post-Office  for  that  Province;  and  he  was 
honoured  with  a  commission  from  the  Postmaster-General  for 
that  purpose,  and  did  direct  the  same,  and  support  it  with 
his  own  proper  moneys,  until  the  American  Army  was  obliged 
to  retreat  from  thence. 

And  further,  the  General  was  pleased  to  desire  your  me- 
morialist, with  Major  Lockwood,  to  superintend  the  landing 
of  the  stores  taken  by  Colonel  Easton,  commencing  the  20th 
of  November,  1775;  and  on  the  10th  of  December  following, 
your  memorialist  was  put  in  publick  orders  to  superintend  all 
the  stores,  except  Artillery  stores;  and  he  has  a  small  account 
of  disbursements  unsettled,  contracted  by  order  of  the  com- 


manding officer  at  Montreal.  That  no  rate,  rank,  or  salary, 
hath  been  stipulated  to  the  said  office;  and  that  your  memo- 
rialist humbly  conceives  it  highly  necessary  an  officer  should 
be  appointed  to  superintend  the  issues  of  the  publick  stores 
of  the  Northern  camp  at  and  about  Ticonderoga. 

That  your  memorialist  had  entered  into  the  Indian  trade 
pretty  largely  at  four  different  posts  above  Montreal,  and  was 
possessed  of  other  property,  land,  trade,  and  dealings,  in  that 
country;  all  which  your  memorialist  has  been  obliged  to 
abandon  upon  the  retreat  of  the  American  Army  from  thence. 

Therefore,  your  memorialist  prays  your  Honours  will  be 
pleased  to  confirm  his  appointment,  and  extend  it  to  the 
Northern  Army,  or  elsewhere,  with  such  rate,  rank,  or  salary, 
as  your  Honours  shall  judge  proper;  and  your  memorialist 

shall  pray,  &tc. 

GEO.  MEASAM. 

Philadelphia,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  bearer,  Mr.  Measam,  was  a  merchant  of  good 
reputation  at  Montreal;  but  having  engaged  warmly  in  the 
American  cause,  has  been  obliged  to  abandon  that  country 
to  the  great  detriment  of  his  affairs. 

He  was  appointed  by  General  Wooster  a  Commissary  of 
Stores  there,  and  apprehending  such  an  officer  to  be  at  this 
time  necessary  in  our  Northern  Army,  he  has  applied  to 
Congress  for  a  continuance  in  that  office.  I  understand  that 
his  memorial  is  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.  As  I  have 
had  occasion  to  know  Mr.  Measam  as  a  good  accountant,  a 
man  of  method,  and  very  correct  in  business,  I  cannot  but 
think  that  if  such  an  officer  is  wanting,  he  is  extremely  well 
qualified  for  the  employ,  and  as  such  beg  leave  to  recom- 
mend him  to  the  favour  of  the  Board. 

With  great  respect,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your 

most  obedient,  humble  servant,  „   ,-, 

r>.  r  RANKLIN. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Adams,  Esq. 


JOSEPH  TRCMBULL  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Perth-Amboy,  August  2,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  This  serves  to  notice  you,  that  I  have  this 
day  drawn  on  you  for  $20,000,  at  four  days'  sight,  in  favour 
of  Mr.  Azariah  Dunham,  to  be  improved  in  supplying  the 
Continental  troops  in  New-Jersey  with  provisions. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  dear  sir,  your  most  humble  ser- 
vant, T  „, 

Jos.  IRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  of  America,  at  Philadelphia. 


ESTATES  OF  NEW-JERSEY  REFUGEES. 

In  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-Jersey, ) 
Brunswick,  August  2,  1776.      > 

Resolved,  That^the  several  County  Committees  within 
this  State  do  cause  Inventories  and  Appraisements  to  be 
made  of  the  Estates,  real  as  well  as  personal,  of  all  such  per- 
sons within  their  respective  bounds  as  have,  or  shall  have 
absconded  from  their  homes,  and  joined  themselves  to  the 
enemies  of  this  State;  causing  all  perishable  articles  to  be 
sold,  and  the  moneys  arising  therefrom,  and  all  other  the 
goods  and  estates  of  such  persons,  that  they  keep  in  safe 
and  secure  custody,  until  the  further  order  of  this  Conven- 
tion, or  the  determination  of  other  proper  judicature:  Pro- 
vided, That  the  said  Committees  be  empowered  to  leave  any 
part  of  the  said  Estate  in  the  hands  of  the  relations  or  friends 
of  such  absconding  persons,  taking  such  security  as  they  may 
think  proper  for  the  return  thereof,  or  of  the  value. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  5,  1776.] 

New- York,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  favour  of  the  30th  ultimo,  with  its  several  en- 
closures, I  was  honoured  with  by  Wednesday's  post. 

Congress  having  been  pleased  to  leave  with  me  the  direc- 
tion of  Colonel  Ward's  regiment,  I  have  written  to  Governour 
Trumbull,  and  requested  him  to  order  their  march  to  this 
place,  being  fully  satisfied  that  the  enemy  mean  to  make 
their  grand  push  in  this  quarter,  and  that  the  good  of  the 
service  requires  every  aid  here  that  can  be  obtained.  I  have 
also  written  to  Colonel  Elmore,  and  directed  him  to  repair 
hither  with  his  regiment.  When  it  comes,  I  shall  fill  up 


727 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


728 


commissions  for  such  officers  as  appear  with  their  respective 
companies. 

Colonel  Holman,  with  a  regiment  from  the  Massachusetts 
State,  is  arrived.  Colonel  Gary  from  thence  is  also  here, 
waiting  the  arrival  of  his  regiment,  which  he  hourly  expects. 
He  adds,  when  he  left  New-London  he  heard  that  the  Third 
Regiment  from  the  Massachusetts  was  almost  ready,  and 
would  soon  be  in  motion. 

The  enemy's  force  is  daily  augmenting,  and  becoming 
stronger  by  new  arrivals.  Yesterday,  General  Greene  reports, 
about  forty  sail,  including  tenders,  came  into  the  Hook. 
What  they  are,  or  what  those  have  brought  that  have  lately 
got  in,  I  remain  uninformed.  However,  I  think  it  probable 
they  are  part  of  Lord  Howe's  fleet  with  the  Hessian  troops. 
It  is  time  to  look  for  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 


obedient  servant, 


Go.  WASHINGTON. 


Pf  S.  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  inform  Congress  our  troops 
are  very  sickly. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS- 
BAY. 

Head-Quarters,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  16th  ultimo,  in  behalf  of  the 
Council  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  is  duly  received.  The  con- 
tents have  been  attended  to ;  and  I  have  the  pleasure  to  in- 
form you  there  is  a  prospect  of  an  early  exchange  of  the 
prisoners  taken  in  the  Yankee  Hero  privateer.  As  Mr. 
Tracy  negotiated  this  matter,  and  had  an  interview  with  Lord 
Howe  on  board  the  Eagle  man-of-war,  1  must  refer  you  to 
him  for  particulars.  Congress  authorized  me  to  comply  with 
General  Howe's  request  of  giving  Governour  Skene  for  Mr. 
Lovcll.  I  have  written  informing  General  Howe  thereof, 
and  expect  soon  to  have  Mr.  Lovell  sent  to  some  part  of  the 
Continent. 

Assure  the  members  of  your  honourable  body,  it  gives  me 
particular  pleasure  that  I  have  it  in  my  power  to  relieve  one 
of  their  citizens  from  a  long  and  tedious  imprisonment,  and 
shall  esteem  myself  happy  in  complying  with  any  request 
they  may  make  consistent  with  the  important  duties  of  my 
office. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  esteem,  their  and 
your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Greenleaf,  Esq.,  Boston. 

August  5th. — P.  S.  On  the  llth  ultimo,  I  wrote  your 
honourable  body,  respecting  the  St.  John's,  Nova-Scotia, 
and  Penobscot  Indians.  Since  which,  I  have  heard  nothing 
from  them.  It  is  a  matter  of  the  greatest  consequence. 
Must  therefore  beg  an  answer,  acquainting  me  what  steps 
they  have  taken,  by  the  first  post. 

Since  the  above,  I  have  a  letter  from  General  Howe, 
acquainting  me  he  has  sent  for  Mr.  Lovell  for  the  proposed 

exchange.     I  am,  &c.,  ^     •,,, 

uo.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  August  2,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Colonel  Hand  reports  nothing  worthy  your 
Excellency's  notice  this  morning. 

I  was  at  the  Narrows  last  evening,  and  find  the  fleet  that 
came  in  yesterday  consisted  of  thirty-six  ships,  four  brigs, 
and  five  sloops :  one  ship  and  a  sloop  still  at  the  Hook.  I 
could  not  learn  with  any  degree  of  certainty  who  they  are ; 
but  I  believe,  from  their  uniforms,  they  must  be  the  Guards 
and  Artillery.  If  your  Excellency  has  leisure,  perhaps  it 
may  be  worth  while  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  Narrows,  to  recon- 
noitre and  view  the  fleet. 

With  respect  to  the  tents  I  wrote  about  yesterday,  I  can 
easily  dispense  with  them,  if  there  are  barracks  to  be  got 
for  the  regiment.  I  wrote  to  the  Quartermaster-General  to 
send  over  his  Barrackmaster,  to  look  up  quarters  for  the  regi- 
ment this  morning.  Shall  notify  your  Excellency  the  result 


NEW-YORK    COMMITTEE. 

Committee-Chamber,  New-York,  August  2,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  no  Lambs  be  killed  and  exposed  to  sale  in 
any  Market  of  this  City  and  County,  (of  which  all  Butchers 
and  other  inhabitants  are  desired  to  take  particular  notice,) 
until  further  orders  from  the  Convention  of  this  State  or  this 
Committee. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

JOSEPH  WINTER,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Fort  Montgomery,  August  2, 1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  take  this  opportunity  by  my  brother  (now 
on  his  way  to  New-York  to  settle  some  affairs  of  his  regi- 
ment) to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Excellency's 
favour  of  the  26th  ultimo,  and  of  informing  you  of  our  pre- 
sent situation,  and  that  of  the  enemy.  On  Thursday  last 
the  shipping  and  tenders  fell  down  to  the  mouth  of  Croton's 
River,  where  they  have  since  continued  at  anchor  near  the 
east  shore;  since  which,  they  have  made  one  attempt  to 
land  on  this  side  the  river,  with  their  barge,  but  were  re- 
pulsed by  our  Militia.  On  Saturday  last,  the  three  hundred 
New-England  Militia  left  Peek's  Kill,  &,c.,  and  returned 
home  without  giving  me  the  least  notice  of  it,  though  I  be- 
lieve they  had  the  consent  of  the  Committee  of  Congress, 
who  expected  in  the  new  levies  from  West-Chester  and 
Dulchess  Counties  to  supply  their  place.  They  did  not 
arrive.  The  shore,  of  course,  was  unguarded,  and  the  very 
same  evening  the  enemy  came  up  the  river  in  their  barges, 
above  six  miles  from  where  their  shipping  lay.  went  upwards 
of  a  mile  in  the  country  and  took  oft'  a  yoke  of  oxen,  a  steer, 
a  cow,  and  ten  sheep,  from  the  farm  of  one  Baily,  a  noted 
Tory,  who,  it  is  said,  is  on  board  the  Phenix,  and  I  suppose 
was  their  guide. 

On  receiving  this  account,  I  thought  it  was  my  duty  to 
send  a  part  of  our  men  to  protect  that  shore,  until  the  new 
levies  in  those  Counties  can  be  raised  to  relieve  them,  and 
have  done  so  accordingly,  though  contrary  to  the  resolves 
of  the  Provincial  Congress,  which  fixes  their  station  on  this 
side  the  river;  but  trust  the  necessity  of  the  case  will  justify 
my  conduct  in  this;  for  to  leave  that  side  without  protection 
would  in  a  great  degree  render  our  care  on  this  useless  and 
idle.  I  have  taken  possession  of  the  hill  mentioned  in  my 
last,  and  the  proper  works  are  laid  out  there  by  Mr.  Machin, 
and  which  shall  be  executed  with  the  greatest  despatch  and 
economy. 

The  fire-rafts  are  not  yet  completed.  The  difficulty  of 
procuring  the  necessary  materials  has  occasioned  much  de- 
lay. They  are,  however,  in  such  forwardness  as  to  be  used 
to  some  advantage,  should  the  shipping  attempt  passing  us. 

The  gentleman  from  Philadelphia  to  assist  our  Secret 
Committee,  was  here  yesterday,  and  is  gone  forward  to 
Poughkeepsie.  Think  it  not  best  to  proceed  on  the  rafts 
until  he  returns  here,  as  he  don't  altogether  approve  the 
method  we  have  taken  of  fixing  the  combustible  matter  in 
them.  The  mode  directed  by  your  Excellency  for  drawing 
the  Artificers'  pay,  &c.,  (with  which  I  was  entirely  unac- 
quainted,) will  prevent  any  future  uneasiness  on  their  ac- 
count, and  answer  better  than  money  here. 

1  am,  with  the  highest  esteem,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  CLINTON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-  York. 


COLONEL  HAY  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Haverstraw,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR:  I  find  my  own  apprehensions  that  the  banks  of 
Hudson's  River  would  become  the  chief  theatre  of  the  war, 
confirmed  by  the  opinion  of  the  Congress ;  and  I  feel  there- 
fore vast  satisfaction  in  the  provision  they  are  making  for  a 
proper  defence  on  this  great  line  of  communication,  as  well 
as  in  the  report  that  your  Excellency  is  at  the  same  time 
concerting  measures  totally  to  obstruct  the  navigation  below 
the  capital. 

The  vessels  under  Captain  Parker's  command,  on  their 


of  the  Barracktnaster's  inquiry. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  obedient  ser-  departure  from  our  Bay,  brought  to  in  an  hour  after  my  last 

vant  letter  was  despatched,  between   Idlers  s  1  oint   and    the 

"IYT  . .  _     /"* .i.-ii.-  11  •_ 


NATHANAEL  GREENE. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-York. 


Werdlinge  Hook,  where  they  still  continue,  and  have,  since 
they  changed  their  ground,  received  some  supplies  from  the 


729 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


730 


West-Chester  shore.  On  this  side  our  watch  is  so  strictly 
kept  up  that  they  have  had  nothing  from  us  since  the  day 
on  which  they  destroyed  Halsted's  house. 

By  the  late  act  of  our  Congress  for  establishing  river 
guards,  I  observe  that  the  appointment  of  the  Deputy  Com- 
missaries is  left  to  your  Excellency;  and  if  the  burden  of  the 
service  will  not  fall  too  heavily  upon  the  undertaker,  I  stand 
ready  to  perform  it  on  this  side  of  the  river;  and  being  con- 
veniently situated,  and  having  an  extensive  acquaintance  in 
the  surrounding  country  for  the  facilitating  the  necessary 
supplies,  I  now  offer  myself  for  that  trust,  with  hopes  of  your 
favour  and  approbation.  The  bearer  will  wait  for  your  Ex- 
cellency's answer;  for  I  propose,  upon  his  return,  and  your 
acceptance  of  my  services,  instantly  to  wait  upon  you  for 
your  further  commands.  The  obstruction  of  all  intercourse 
by  water  between  the  Highland  forts  and  Head-Quarters, 
renders  it  so  difficult  to  give  and  procure  intelligence  which 
may  be  of  the  utmost  moment  to  the  inhabitants  on  the  bor- 
ders of  the  river,  that  I  beg  leave,  in  compliance  with  their 
wishes,  to  entreat  your  Excellency's  attention  to  the  proposal 
of  setting  up  a  post  to  ride  once  or  twice  in  a  week  between 
these  stages.  I  think  I  could  procure  a  rider  at  thirty  or 
forty  shillings  a  trip,  and  that  the  letters  and  carriage  of  small 
articles  wanted  from  the  capital,  all  along  the  road,  and  now 
not  to  be  obtained  by  water,  would  pay,  if  not  overbalance 
the  expense. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  »  u  u 

A.  HAWKES  HAY. 

P.  VAN   CORTLANDT   AND   Z.  PLATT   TO   NEW-YORK    CONVEN- 
TION. 

Head-Quarters,  mouth  of  Croton,  August  2,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  enemy's  ships  lie  off  here,  and  their 
barges  row  up  and  down  the  river  o'nights;  and  notwithstand- 
ing our  utmost  exertions,  some  infamous  rascal  must  have 
given  them  information  that  the  New-England  troops  went 
off  on  Saturday  last;  and  not  a  sufficient  number  coming  in 
to  guard  the  shore,  they  landed  at  one  Bailey's,  on  Sunday 
night,  and  went  back  half  a  mile  and  drove  off  one  pair  of 
oxen,  two  cows,  one  calf,  one  heifer,  and  eleven  sheep.  No 
doubt  had  the  assistance  of  some  Tories  on  shore.  We  have 
since  got  some  assistance  from  General  Clinton's  brigade,  and 
several  companies  have  come  in,  and  more  are  hourly  expect- 
ed, that  we  are  in  hopes  soon  to  have  such  an  arrangement  as 
will  effectually  cut  off  all  kind  of  communication.  Hope  there 
may  be  soon  some  discreet  smart  officer  appointed  to  take 
the  command,  and  a  proper  Commissary,  that  the  business 
rnay  be  conducted  with  spirit  and  regularity.  We  must 
confess,  gentlemen,  that  as  yet  things  have  not  been  so 
well  regulated  as  we  should  have  been  glad  to  have  seen; 
but  the  many  difficulties  and  disadvantages  we  had  to  en- 
counter only  must  apologize.  We  considered  our  appoint- 
ment as  only  pro  tern  pore,  and,  cautious  of  assuming  too 
much  authority  to  ourselves  lest  it  might  give  disquiet  to 
some  of  the  military  corps,  and  having  such  an  extensive 
shore  and  frequent  movements,  were  obliged  to  deal  out  pro- 
visions in  different  places ;  and  not  being  able  to  give  any 
man  assurance  that  he  should  continue  any  considerable  time 
in  office,  has  made  it  difficult  to  get  proper  persons  to  act  in 
different  departments.  Added  to  this,  having  to  deal  with 
new  raw  troops  every  few  days,  by  reason  of  their  frequent 
changes,  (and  sorry  to  see  many  of  them  very  refractory,) 
that  on  the  whole  our  station  has  not  been  the  most  desirable ; 
however,  are  willing  to  serve  in  any  department  that  may 
be  for  the  good  of  our  country. 

Remain,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants, 

PIERRE  VAN  CORTLANDT, 
ZEPHA.  PLATT. 

To  the  Representatives  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of 
New-York. 


be  speedily  supplied.  It  will  also  be  very  agreeable  to  the 
regiment  I  have  the  honour  to  command  if  a  Surgeon  was 
also  appointed. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant, 

ISAAC  NICOLL. 
To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Convention 

of  the  State  of  New-York. 


WILLIAM  BEDLOW  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Fort  Constitution,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  wrote  you  last  week  by  Captain  Cook,  in  which 
I  enclosed  the  accounts  of  this  post,  from  my  last  settlement 
to  the  time  of  my  dismission  as  a  Commissioner  under  the 
Provincial  Congress,  requesting  you  would  be  so  kind  as  to 
lay  them  before  the  Committee  of  Accounts  for  their  inspec- 
tion. I  have  now  to  desire  the  favour  of  the  honourable  the 
Congress  of  the  State  of  New- York  to  order  the  amount  of 
those  accounts  to  be  paid  to  Colonel  James  Clinton,  who  will 
bring  it  up  to  this  post  with  him,  by  which  means  I  shall  be 
enabled  to  settle  with  the  artificers  and  others,  who  are  con- 
tinually pestering  me  for  their  money. 

I  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  BEDLOW. 
To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq. 


ISAAC  NICOLL  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Haverstraw,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  appointed  by  General  Clinton  to  take  the  com- 
mand at  this  place ;  we  have  now  three  companies,  and 
expect  daily  a  reinforcement  of  one  or  two  more  companies. 
We  are  without  a  Commissary  to  provide  for  the  troops,  and 
have  no  store  of  provisions,  powder,  and  ball.  I  must,  there- 
fore, request  that  the  Congress  will  give  orders  that  we  may 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German-Plats,  August  2,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  29th  ultimo  was  delivered 
me  within  this  half  hour.  As  I  wish  that  to  Congress  should 
reach  them  the  soonest  possible,  I  will  not  detain  an  express 
that  is  already  at  the  door  to  carry  it  to  Albany  any  longer 
than  to  assure  you  that  I  experience  the  finest  feelings  from 
your  friendly  declaration.  You  will  never,  my  dear  sir, 
outdo  me  in  acts  of  friendship.  There  I  will  always  vie 
with  you.  To-morrow  I  will  write  you  more  at  large,  and 
enclose  you  copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Washington, 
(though  I  believe  you  have  it  before  this,  for  I  ordered  Cap- 
tain Variclc  to  send  you  copies  of  all  letters  that  concerned 
our  affairs  to  the  northward,)  on  the  same  subject  with  that 
of  his  to  you,  and  with  copy  of  my  answer,  which  I  wish 
may  meet  your  approbation. 

Adieu  until  then;  and  believe  me,  dear  sir,  your  most 
faithful  and  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  2,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  your  favour  of  theSlst  ultimo, 
and  your  Honour  may  depend  upon  my  compliance  with  every 
order,  as  far  as  lies  in  my  power.  I  have  done  but  very  little 
at  the  fort  as  yet,  the  call  has  been  so  great  from  the  car- 
penters for  the  men.  I  have  ordered,  some  part  of  the  time, 
one  gill  of  rum  per  man  for  fatigue-men,  but  our  growing 
short,  I  give  half  a  gill.  The  carpenters  will  insist  upon 
having  their  full  complement  of  rum;  there  are  but  two  and 
a  half  barrels,  and  should  be  glad  your  Honour  would  send 
me  a  supply  soon. 

I  herewith  send  some  peas,  and  have  sent  out  after  butter, 
and  have  encouragement  of  having  some  the  beginning  of 
the  week,  which  I  shall  send  as  soon  as  I  can  get ;  and  am, 
with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  Honour's  humble  servant, 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 


SAMUEL  SQUIER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Fairficld,  August  2, 1776. 
SIR  :  According  to  the  request  per  your  letter  of  the  17th 
of  last  month,  I  have  made  inquiry,  and  find  I  can  procure 
the  greater  part  of  the  clothing,  &.c.  I  have  agreed  for  all 
the  hats  and  shoes,  and  I  expect  I  shall  be  able  to  procure 
the  shirting;  but  as  our  people  are  but  now  spinning  the 
wool,  I  don't  expect  it  will  be  ready  before  the  first  of  Octo- 
ber; and  as  to  the  tow-cloth,  I  have  purchased  some  and  am 
making  it  into  tents,  although  at  a  vastly  higher  price  than 
last  year.  I  imagine  the  tents  are  now  wanted,  so  that  I 


731 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


732 


shall  get  them  ready  as  soon  as  possible.  I  hope  to  get 
cloth  enough  for  about  fifty  tents,  and  could  have  procured 
enough  for  two  hundred  if  I  had  had  orders  but  a  little 
sooner.  As  to  the  cloth  for  the  coats  and  waistcoats,  I  find 
some  difficulty.  I  shall  get  a  part  of  homespun  cloth,  but  I 
suppose  not  enough,  and  hope  to  make  up  the  complement 
in  coarse  cloth,  which  I  find  to  be  sold  amongst  us  at  a  reason- 
able rate.  The  blankets  I  find  still  more  difficult,  but  have 
procured  some,  and  shall  endeavour  to  procure  the  rest,  if 
possible.  If  the  shirts  and  other  clothing  are  to  be  made  up 
here,  I  desire  you  will  let  me  know  it,  and  I  will  have  it 
done  as  fast  as  I  collect  the  cloth. 

I  find  it  will  be  very  necessary  to  have  money  to  pay  for 
those  articles  whenever  they  are  brought  in.  You  will  there- 
fore please  to  inform  me  where  I  may  draw  the  money  for 
that  purpose. 

I  am  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

SAMUEL  SO.UIER. 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq.,  at  Lebanon. 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety  of 
Connecticut,  August  1st,  1776: 

Present :  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eliphakt  Dyer,  Jz. 
Huntington,  Richard  Law,  Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Elderkin, 
Nathaniel  Wales,  Jun.,  Benj.  Huntington,  Esquires. 

Voted,  (upon  application  of  the  Selectmen  of  Windham,) 
That  Lieutenant  Wales  have  twelve  Guns,  and  Bayonets 
and  Belts,  to  be  delivered  him  by  Mr.  David  Trumbull,  for 
the  use  of  Captain  Stedman's  company. 

Sent  Circular  Letters  to  all  the  respective  Towns  in  the 
Colony,  urging  the  necessity  of  forwarding  the  Inlistments, 
Sic. 

Sundry  Letters  from  the  Convention  of  New-  York,  by 
Mr.  Dcpuyster,  relative  to  the  Prisoners  sent  from  thence  to 
Litchfield  Jail,  read,  taken  up,  and  considered,  and  there- 
upon, 

Voted,  That  the  Mayor  of  New-  York  be  brought  down 
to  Hartford,  and  there  confined ;  two  of  said  Prisoners,  viz : 
Gilbert  Forbes  and  William  Forbes,  to  be  confined  at  Litch- 
field  Jail,  and  the  other  ten  to  be  brought  down  to  Norwich 
Jail;  and  warrants  thereon  granted,  directed  to  the  respective 
Jailers. 

Voted,  That  an  order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table  for 
£600,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Andrew  Huntington,  for  the  pur- 
chase of  Clothing,  Tents,  fcc.,  for  the  Continental  Army,  to 
be  paid  out  of  the  money  lodged  in  the  Colony  Treasury  by 
Mr.  Sherman,  if  lodged  for  said  purpose,  otherwise  to  be  out 
of  the  proper  Treasury  of  the  Colony,  and  to  render  his 
account  therefor. 

Order  given  1st  August;  delivered  Colonel  Huntington. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning. 

Friday,  August  2,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Present :  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  Jz. 
Huntington,  Richard  Law,  Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Elderkin, 
Nathl.  Wales,  Benj.  Huntington,  Esquires. 

Colonel  Pettibone  applied  to  this  Board  for  direction  and 
instruction  relative  to  bringing  down  the  Cannon,  &.C.,  from 
Salisbury  Furnace. 

Voted,  That  an  order  be  given  to  Colonel  Pettibone,  on 
Colonel  J.  Porter,  to  deliver  to  him,  for  the  use  of  this 
Colony,  forty  tons  of  pig  Iron,  also  one  or  two  tons  of  nine- 
pound  Shot,  to  be  by  him  transported  to  Connecticut  River. 

Order  given,  &,c. 

Whereas  the  Continental  Congress  did  order  Clothing  to 
be  provided  in  this  State  for  the  use  of  the  Continental 
Army,  and  proper  persons  are  employed  for  that  purpose; 
and  whereas  this  Board  have  been  advised  of  the  great  and 
pressing  necessity  of  the  Army  at  Crown-Point  and  Ticon- 
deroga,  for  an  immediate  supply  of  the  Clothing,  which  will 
admit  no  delay: 

Resolved,  That  the  necessity  of  the  Northern  Army  for 
an  immediate  supply  of  Clothing  is  so  great,  that  such  part 
of  what  articles  is  procured  in  ihis  State,  in  pursuance  of  such 
order  of  Congress,  ought  to  be  forwarded  to  said  Army,  with- 


out waiting  for  particular  orders  to  that  purpose.  And  his 
Honour  the  Governour  is  desired  to  give  orders  to  have  the 
same  forwarded  to  said  Army  accordingly. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Deshon  and 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  be,  and  they  are,  instructed  to 
purchase  the  New-Providence  Sloop  belonging  to  Mr.  Charles 
Walker,  now  lying  at  New-London,  for  the  use  of  this  Go- 
vernment, to  be  fitted  as  an  armed  vessel,  at  the  easiest  and 
cheapest  rate  in  their  power,  and  to  execute  proper  contracts 
on  the  part  of  this  Colony  for  that  purpose,  and  receive  suit- 
able writings  of  conveyance  to  pass  the  property  of  the  same 
to  this  State;  and  that  thereupon  Captain  Seth  Harding  do 
immediately  proceed  to  alter  and  fit  up  said  Sloop  as  an  armed 
Brigantine,  with  the  greatest  despatch;  and  that  he  make 
use  of  the  masts,  sails,  rigging,  guns,  and  other  implements 
of  furniture  of  the  Brigantine  Defence,  now  under  his  com- 
mand, for  that  purpose,  and  that  he  employ  the  officers, 
sailors,  and  marines,  of  said  Brigantine  Defence,  in  fitting 
said  Sloop  as  aforesaid.  And  said  Mr.  Shaw  is  directed  to 
furnish  Captain  Harding  with  what  shall  be  necessary  for 
that  purpose. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  Hon.  Eliphalet  Dyer 
and  Richard  Law,  Esqs.,  immediately  repair  to  New-York, 
and  there  confer  with  his  Excellency  General  Washington 
upon  further  measures  proper  and  necessary  to  be  pursued 
by  this  State,  for  the  defence  and  security  of  this  and  the  rest 
of  the  United  States,  and  to  frustrate  the  designs  of  our 
enemies  against  them. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  order  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £200, 
in  favour  of  Dr.  Joshua  Elderkin,  to  enable  him  to  purchase 
Tents  and  Clothing  for  the  Continental  Army,  to  be  paid 
out  of  the  money  lodged  by  Mr.  Sherman  in  the  Treasury, 
if  lodged  there  for  that  purpose,  otherwise  to  be  paid  out  of 
the  proper  Treasury  of  this  Colony,  and  to  render  his 
account. 

Order  drawn  this  day;  delivered  W.  Wales,  Jun.,  Esq. 

August  5,  1776. 

The  Governour  drew  an  Order  on  the  Pay-Table  for 
£1000,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Chauncey  Whittlesey,  to  enable 
him  to  go  on  in  purchasing  Tents  and  Clothing  for  the  Con- 
tinental Army,  to  be  paid  out  of  the  money  lodged  in  the 
Treasury  by  Mr.  Sherman,  if  sent  for  that  purpose,  other- 
wise out  of  the  proper  Treasury  of  this  State;  and  said 
Whittlesey  to  render  his  accounts. 

The  above  order  was  approved  by  a  vote  of  the  Governour 
and  Council  of  Safety,  at  their  meeting,  August  15,  1776. 
Attest:  BENJAMIN  HUNTINGTON,  Clerk, P.T. 

MIDDLETOWN  (CONNECTICUT)  COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  of  Inspection,  Middletown,  ) 
August  2,  1776.     J 

It  was  resolved  by  this  Committee  that  no  Sheep  be  killed 
in  this  town;  that  is  to  say,  Ewes  under  five,  nor  other  Sheep 
under  four  years  old. 

Mr.  John  Birdsey  was  cited  before  this  Committee  on  a 
charge  of  depreciating  the  Continental  Paper  Currency,  and 
also  Mr.  Gershom  Birdsey  was  cited  to  appear  for  the  same 
offence;  but  the  said  Gershom  showed  contempt  in  refusing 
to  appear,  and  the  charge  appearing  very  probable,  it  was 
resolved  by  this  Committee  that  the  said  John  and  Gershom 
Birdsey  are  guilty  of  a  breach  of  a  late  law  of  the  honour- 
able Continental  Congress.  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  they  be  advertised  in  the  Hartford  Cou- 
rant,a.s  enemies  to  their  country,  and  excluded  from  all 
trade  and  intercourse  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

Mr.  Elijah  Burr  was  brought  before  this  Committee  upon 
a  charge  of  selling  Bohea  Tea  for  more  than  three-fourths 
of  a  dollar  per  pound;  which  he  confessed,  and  offered  the 
following  confession,  viz: 

"  Whereas  I,  the  subscriber,  was  brought  before  the  Com- 
mittee of  Inspection  lor  Middletown,  upon  a  charge  of  selling 
Bohea  Tea  at  a  higher  rate  than  three-fourths  of  a  dollar  per 
pound,  and  found  guilty:  I  am  sorry  for  my  offence,  and  will 
restore  to  all  persons  from  whom  1  have  taken  more  the  over- 
plus, if  they  will  appear  to  demand  the  same  within  one 
month  from  this  date,  and  for  the  future  will  demean  myself 


733 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


734 


in  all  things,  agreeable  to  the  resolutions  of  the  honourable 
the  Continental  Congress.  Witness  my  hand  in  Middle- 
town,  the  2d  day  of  August,  1776. 

"  ELIJAH  BURR." 

Which  was  voted  satisfactory,  and  the  said  Burr  recom- 
mended to  the  favour  of  the  publick. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Committee. 

Test:  BENJAMIN  HENSHAW,  Clerk. 


PITTSFIELD  (MASSACHUSETTS)  COMMITTEE. 

As  it  appears  in  the  present  struggle  between  Great 
Britain  and  America  that  every  man  is  by  this  time  fixed 
and  acts  from  principle,  so  it  becomes  every  true  friend  to 
his  country  to  discover  himself  on  the  side  of  liberty,  not 
only  in  opposing  the  British  Administration,  but  also  in 
opposing  internal  enemies  among  ourselves. 

From  these  principles  the  Committee  of  the  Town  of 
Pittsfield,  in  the  County  of  Berkshire,  have  acted,  in  setting 
forth  to  publick  view  the  conduct  of  Captain  Charles  Good- 
rich, of  said  Pittsfield.  Said  Goodrich,  in  the  beginning  of 
our  contest  with  Great  Britain,  appeared  friendly,  and  spoke 
highly  in  favour  of  Committees;  but  as  soon  as  an  opportu- 
nity presented,  he  procured  to  himself  a  commission  in  the 
King's  name  to  exercise  authority  over  the  people  as  a  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace;  and  because  the  people  were  not  willing 
to  submit  to  British  authority,  said  Goodrich  rose  up  in  a 
rage,  plead  the  legality  of  his  commission,  threatened  the 
Town  and  County  to  bring  the  Militia  upon  them.  He  op- 
posed the  Committee,  saying  "he  would  as  soon  be  judged 
by  a  pack  of  Pirates,"  refusing  to  comply  with  any  of  their 
orders.  He  violated  his  former  contracts  by  force  and  arms, 
and  horsewhipped  a  man  for  not  tamely  submitting  to  the 
wanton  exercise  of  his  power.  He  has  fully  joined  himself 
with  the  most  ancient  Tories  and  implacable  enemies  among 
us,  taking  their  counsel  and  advice,  and  with  all  his  power 
set  himself  against  the  Town  and  County,  and  the  cause  of 
his  country;  and  in  the  prosecution  of  his  infernal  designs, 
remonstrated  to  the  General  Court  against  the  Town,  Coun- 
ty, and  Committee,  but  missed  his  aim,  the  Court  paying  no 
regard  to  his  remonstrance.  Moreover,  when  the  General 
Court,  in  July  last,  ordered  the  raising  two  regiments  for 
the  Canada  service  by  a  bounty  and  draught  on  the  Train 
Band  and  Alarm  List,  said  Goodrich,  being  draughted,  re- 
fused to  comply  with  the  order  of  Court  in  any  way  or 
manner,  showing  his  most  implacable  hatred  and  envy  to  the 
union  of  the  people  and  defence  of  the  country. 

The  Committee  of  Safety,  therefore,  after  much  labour 
and  great  patience,  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this 
Committee,  that  said  Charles  Goodrich  is  an  enemy  to  his 
country,  and  that  he,  with  his  conduct,  be  published  as  such 
in  the  publick  newspapers,  and  that  all  connexions  and  com- 
mercial intercourse  be  withdrawn  from  said  Goodrich  till  he 
give  satisfaction  for  his  unfriendly  conduct. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee: 

VALENTINE  RATHBUN,  Chairman. 

Pittsfield,  August  2,  1776. 


RICHARD  DERBY,  JUN.,  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Council  Chamber,  Watertown,  August  2, 1776. 
SIR:  The  enclosed  letter  I  have  this  day  laid  before  the 
Council  of  this  State,  who  have  directed  me  to  enclose  it  to 
your  Excellency,  desiring,  (if  you  think  proper,)  when  a 
convenient  opportunity  offers,  it  may  be  forwarded  agreeable 
to  its  directions. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  Honour's  most  obedient 

RICHARD  DERBY,  Jun. 


COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 

In  Committee  of  Council,  Watertown, ) 
August  2,  1776.      \ 

GENTLEMEN:  The  bearer  hereof,  Captain  Jonathan  Edy, 
has  brought  us  a  Petition  from  the  town  of  Onslow,  in  Nova- 
Seotia,  representing  their  distressed  situation,  and  praying 
relief,  either  by  sending  them  forces,  or  vessels  to  bring  them 
away.  We  are  truly  concerned  for  their  unhappy  condition, 
and  should  be  glad  to  afford  them  assistance  were  it  in  our 
power;  but  as  the  General  Court  is  not  sitting,  we  conceive 
that  we  are  not  authorized  to  do  anything  in  the  matter; 


we  must  therefore  refer  Captain  Edy  to  you.  He  will  give 
you  a  particular  account  of  the  circumstances  of  that  Pro- 
vince, and  what  he  thinks  may  be  done  for  their  relief  and 
the  service  of  the  common  cause.  We  leave  it  with  you, 
gentlemen,  to  take  such  steps  in  the  affair  as  you  may  judge 
best. 

By  order  of  the  Committee: 

JOHN  WINTHROP,  Chairman. 
To  the  Hon.  Delegates  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay, 

in  Congress. 


S.  McCLINTOCK  TO  WILLIAM  WHIFFLE. 

Greenland,  New-Hampshire,  August  2,  1776. 
SIR:  The  only  consideration  which  has  restrained  me 
from  writing  you  before  now,  is  the  weighty  and  important 
business  in  which  you  are  engaged.  Perhaps  no  body  of 
men,  in  any  period  of  time,  ever  had  objects  of  greater 
magnitude,  or  more  various  and  complicated,  to  engage  their 
attention  than  the  grand  American  Congress  have  at  the 
present  day;  and  I  believe  I  speak  the  sentiments  of  people 
in  general,  when  I  add,  never  did  men  act  with  more  wisdom, 
prudence,  and  fidelity,  than  they  have  hitherto  done  in  the 
discharge  of  the  great  trust  committed  to  them  by  their 
country.  I  rejoice  that  we  have  such  able  politicians  and 
true  patriots  at  the  helm  in  this  convulsed,  critical,  alarming 
state  of  our  publick  affairs.  The  wisdom,  the  justice,  and 
publick  spirit  discovered  in  all  their  resolves  and  proceedings, 
have  acquired  them  the  entire  confidence  of  the  people, 
excepting  a  few  restless,  disappointed,  malignant  Torjes,  or 
venal  wretches,  bought  with  British  gold,  or  the  hope  of 
making  themselves  great  on  the  ruin  of  their  country,  who 
are  not  inactive  in  propagating  falsehoods  and  slanders  to 
discourage  people  and  prejudice  the  common  cause.  But 
I  believe  they  are  so  few  that  their  influence  is  like  the  drop 
of  the  bucket  to  the  ocean.  I  will  not  say  what  a  gentle- 
man in  conversation  with  me  the  other  day  said,  with  some 
warmth,  that  people  have  a  greater  veneration  for  the  resolves 
of  the  Congress  than  for  the  laws  of  the  Almighty;  but  I 
will  say,  from  my  observation,  that  their  resolves  are  observed 
by  people  in  general  with  as  much  reverence  as  ever  were 
the  laws  of  Solon  and  Lycurgus  by  the  Athenians  and 
Spartans,  and  much  better  than  laws  enforced  by  Royal 
authority.  People  in  general  will  be  quiet  and  obedient  so 
long  as  they  see  that  their  Rulers  are  pursuing  the  true  end 
of  Government,  the  good  of  the  governed. 

While  some  few  among  us  are  showing  their  enmity  to 
the  country  in  every  way  they  dare,  it  is  merry  to  observe 
the  conduct  of  some  others  who  seem  to  be  in  a  state  of  sus- 
pense, waiting  to  see  which  side  is  like  to  prevail — are  half 
Whigs  one  day  and  half  Tories  the  next,  according  as  the 
events  that  turn  up  are  for  or  against  us.  They  are  not 
governed  by  a  regard  to  the  justice  of  the  cause,  but  by  a 
regard  to  consequences — in  other  words,  by  selfishness. 
Their  conduct  puts  me  in  mind  of  the  old  Scotchwoman  in 
the  time  of  a  competition  between  a  Popish  and  Protestant 
Prince  for  the  Throne,  who  used  to  say  her  prayers  both  in 
Latin  and  Scotch;  being  asked  the  reason,  she  answered, 
"  I  dinna  ken  which  side  I  shall  gang  to  at  last,  and  let  the 
Lord  tak  which  he  wull."  Sorry  I  am  that  there  are  any 
among  us,  who  drew  their  vital  breath  in  America,  and  have 
all  their  connexions  here,  so  totally  void  of  that  noble  and 
divine  virtue,  the  love  of  their  country,  as  to  be  unfriendly 
to  the  common  cause.  But  I  promise  myself  that  the  wis- 
dom, justice,  moderation,  and  firmness  of  the  honourable 
Congress  in  their  proceedings,  will  finally  silence  all  opposi- 
tion. The  eyes  of  all  America  are  looking  up  to  them, 
under  God,  as  the  guardians  of  the  Commonwealth,  and 
reposing  the  greatest  confidence  in  them  that  they  will  frame 
such  regulations  as  effectually  to  secure  her  liberties  against 
the  future  encroachment  of  tyrants,  and  place  them  on  a 
permanent  basis. 

It  is  said  virtue  is  the  basis  of  a  Republick,  and  some 
express  their  fears  that  there  is  not  publick  virtue  enough  in 
the  country  for  such  a  form  of  Government;  or  if  there  is  at 
present,  it  will  not  long  be  the  case — that  we  shall  soon 
become  so  corrupt  that  anarchy  and  confusion  will  take 
place,  and  we  shall  be  in  a  worse  state  than  if  we  had  re- 
mained as  we  were,  or  submitted  to  absolute  power.  I  hope 
not;  as  the  abilities,  virtue,  and  publick  spirit  of  the  gentle- 
men who  compose  our  Congress  are  unquestionable,  so  they 


735 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


736 


have  the  advantage  in  framing  a  Constitution  for  America 
of  the  experience  of  past  ages.  They  know  the  rocks  on 
which  other  States  have  been  shipwrecked,  and  I  trust,  like 
good  pilots,  will  steer  clear  of  them.  Can  no  regulation  be 
made  to  guard  more  effectually  against  that  corruption  which 
has  proved  the  ruin  of  all  States  that  ever  have  existed,  and 
to  counteract  the  tendency  of  vice,  and  in  some  measure  to 
supply  the  want  of  publick  virtue  ?  To  oblige  people  to 
preserve  and  retain  their  liberties  ? 

What  do  you  think  of  the  Agrarian  law  to  prevent  subjects 
from  engrossing  too  much  property,  and  of  consequence 
acquiring  too  much  power  and  influence,  dangerous  to  the 
liberties  of  the  people?  What  of  a  Rotation  act,  to  oblige 
those  who  make  laws,  in  their  turn  to  experience  the  opera- 
tion of  them?  Would  it  be  a  wise  measure  to  oblige  the 
elected  to  clear  themselves  by  a  solemn  oath  when  chosen, 
from  having,  directly  or  indirectly,  used  any  influence  to  ob- 
tain their  election,  and  to  make  outlawry  and  an  incapacity 
ever  to  serve  their  country  afterwards  in  any  publick  post, 
the  punishment  of  perjury  in  such  cases  ?  Would  it  prevent 
the  abuse  of  that  power  by  which  the  British  Parliament 
made  themselves  Septennial  to  make  it  an  express  rule  of 
the  Constitutions,  that  Representatives  shall  be  considered  as 
reduced  to  private  station  at  the  expiration  of  the  term  for 
which  they  shall  be  chosen;  and  that  if  they  should  presume 
to  make  any  laws  after  the  constitutional  term  of  their  exist- 
ence, such  laws  shall  have  no  binding  force  on  the  people 
in  any  case  whatsoever,  and  that  such  an  attempt  shall  dis- 
qualify them  for  being  reflected  ?  Can  no  method  be  found 
out  to  restrain  and  counteract  that  spirit  of  domination,  which 
in  all  ages  has  spread  desolation  and  misery  in  the  East,  and 
drenched  it  in  human  blood  ?  Above  all,  I  trust  that  Spiritual 
tyranny,  the  worst  sort  of  tyranny,  will  be  guarded  against. 
Civil  power  in  the  hands  of  domineering  Priests,  of  every 
denomination,  ever  hath  been,  and  while  human  nature  re- 
mains what  it  is,  ever  will  be  a  source  of  infinite  mischief. 
In  my  apprehension,  it  is  clearly  inconsistent  with  the  nature 
of  Christ's  Kingdom  for  his  Ministers  to  have  any  share  in 
the  civil  power,  and  with  the  idea  of  religious  liberty,  the 
natural  rights  of  mankind,  and  the  design  of  Government, 
for  the  civil  power  to  be  employed  to  propagate  or  establish 
any  particular  persuasion  in  opposition  to  others.  As  all 
men  have  an  equal  right  to  think  and  judge  for  themselves 
in  matters  of  religion,  and  to  worship  God  in  that  way  that 
is  agreeable  to  their  own  consciences,  and  cannot  be  amena- 
ble for  their  religious  opinions  to  any  earthly  tribunal,  I  could 
heartily  wish,  that  in  framing  a  Constitution  for  America, 
care  might  be  taken  to  secure  these  rights  inviolate  to  all, 
without  exception,  and  to  lay  an  effectual  bar  against  perse- 
cution for  conscience  sake ;  that  there  might  be  no  civil 
establishment  of  any  particular  persuasion,  but  that  all  de- 
nominations might  enjoy  equal  liberty  and  protection  so  long 
as  they  behave  in  a  manner  becoming  good  and  loyal  sub- 
jects, and  that  the  line  between  civil  and  religious  power 
drawn  by  that  wise,  judicious,  and  upright  Magistrate,  Galio, 
might  be  carefully  observed.  But  perhaps  I  have  need  to 
ask  pardon  for  offering  these  hints  on  a  subject  which  I  con- 
fess does  not  belong  to  my  province.  However,  I  persuade 
myself  your  candour  and  friendship  will  not  impute  it  to  a 
conceit  of  my  ability  to  afford  you  any  assistance,  but  rather 
to  a  warm  and  honest  zeal  for  the  common  cause. 

That  you  and  the  respectable  gentlemen,  whom  I  regard 
with  veneration  and  gratitude,  as,  under  God,  the  guardians 
of  our  inestimable  privileges  and  the  saviours  of  their  coun- 
try, may  have  a  double  portion  of  the  Spirit  of  Wisdom  to 
guide  you  in  your  deliberations,  and  may  enjoy  the  reward 
of  your  fidelity  and  patriotism  in  the  applause  of  your  grate- 
ful country,  the  approbation  of  your  own  conscience,  and  of 
your  Supreme  Judge,  is  the  ardent  wish  of,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

S.  McCLINTOCK, 

NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

North-Carolina,  in  the  Council  of  Safety,  ) 
August  3,  1776.      ) 

Whereas  this  Board,  anxious  to  detect  all  persons  con- 
cerned in  counterfeiting  the  Currency  of  this  State,  and 
influenced  by  reports  injurious  to  Mr.  William  Edwards's 
character,  and,  by  misinformation,  ordered  Mr.  Edwards  to 
be  brought  before  us  for  examination,  and  he  was  brought 
and  examined  accordingly:  We,  in  justice  to  injured  inno- 


cence, and  to  prevent  that  imputation  of  guilt  which  might 
arise  from  the  circumstance  of  apprehending  Mr.  Edwards, 
do,  with  infinite  pleasure,  declare,  that,  after  the  strictest 
scrutiny  into  his  conduct,  the  charge  was  found  totally 
groundless,  and  he  was  most  honourably  acquitted. 

CORNELIUS  HARNETT,  President. 
JAMES  GREEN,  Secretary. 


JOHN  PAGE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  12, 1776.] 
Williamsburgh,  in  Council,  August  3,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  have  your  letter  of  the  22d  ultimo  before  us, 
written  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour,  informing  him  of 
a  resolution  of  Congress  directing  General  Lewis  to  order 
two  battalions  from  Virginia  to  join  the  Flying-Camp  under 
Brigadier  Mercer,  in  New-Jersey,  and  that  the  Congress  had 
resolved  to  take  an  equal  number  of  Minute-men,  or  Militia, 
on  Continental  pay,  should  an  invasion  be  apprehended. 
We  must  observe,  sir,  that  from  the  dispersed  situation  of 
our  troops,  the  number  of  navigable  rivers,  exposing  our 
country  to  the  ravages  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  the  great  de- 
mand of  men  and  arms  on  our  frontiers,  on  account  of  the 
Indian  war,  and  from  the  present  state  of  General  Clinton's 
Army  near  Charlestown,  which  we  conceive  might  be  em- 
ployed to  greater  advantage  here,  we  have  reason  to  appre- 
hend an  invasion,  and  have  therefore  ordered  a  number  of 
Minute-men  and  Militia  into  duty,  to  supply  the  want  of  our 
two  regiments  ordered  to  the  Jerseys.  We  look  upon  them, 
however,  as  very  inadequate  to  that  purpose,  and  beg  leave 
to  refer  you  to  a  letter  written  on  this  subject  to  our  Dele- 
gates. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant,  JOHN  PAGE,  President. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


GENERAL  LEWIS  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  12,  1776.] 

Williamsburgh,  August  3, 1776. 

SIR  :  By  yesterday's  post  I  was  honoured  with  the  order 
of  Congress,  by  which  I  am  to  send  to  the  Flying-Camp  in 
New-Jersey  two  battalions  of  the  Continental  troops  in  this 
State.  This  shall  be  done  as  expeditiously  as  in  my  power, 
though,  from  the  dispersed  condition  of  the  troops  in  affording 
a  general  protection,  it  cannot  be  so  soon  as  I  could  wish. 
Should  this  State  be  attacked  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy 
in  the  absence  of  those  two  battalions,  I  shall  not  be  able 
to  give  them  the  reception  I  could  wish.  With  our  whole 
force,  (as  it  now  stands,)  it  would  be  difficult,  considering 
the  many  rivers  that  give  them  entrance  to  any  or  as  many 
parts  of  this  country  as  ihey  could  wish.  Another  circum- 
stance, too,  will  (1  doubt)  weaken  us:  the  First  and  Second 
Battalions  were  inlisted  for  no  more  than  twelve  months, 
which  is  nearly  expired,  and  they  have  as  yet  refused  to 
inlist  for  a  longer  time.  I  shall  use  my  best  endeavours  to 
have  them  inlisted  on  Continental  establishment.  I  shall  do 
myself  the  honour  to  write  you  more  fully  the  next  post. 

I  am,  honourable  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  hum- 
ble servant, 

ANDW.  LEWIS,  Brigadier-General. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  &c. 


COURT-MAHTIAL  ON  LIEUTENANT  JONES. 

At  a  General  Court-Martial  held  at  Camp  at  Springfield, 
the  3d  day  of  August,  1776,  by  order  of  the  Honourable 
Brigadier-General  Lewis,  for  the  trial  of  Lieutenant  Peter 
Jones,  of  the  Sixth  Regiment,  arrested  by  Colonel  BucJmer 
for  neglect  of  duty  and  insolent  behaviour: 

Major  HENDRICKS,  President. 

Members :  Captain  Davis,  Captain  Towles,  Captain  Fox, 
Captain  Johnson,  Captain  Crochan,  Lieutenant  Pettus,  Lieu- 
tenant Curd,  Lieutenant  Crump,  Lieutenant  Clayton,  Lieu- 
tenant Murray,  Ensign  Burnet,  Ensign  Smith. 

The  Court  being  duly  sworn,  Lieutenant  Jones  appeared, 
and  was  made  acquainted  with  the  charge.  Colonel  BucJc- 
ner  also  appeared,  and  said,  that  between  nine  and  ten 
o'clock  in  the  evening  of  Saturday  last,  he  was  going  home 
to  his  tent;  that  he  was  stopped  by  a  sentinel  who  had  the 


737 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fac.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


738 


wrong  countersign;  that  he  sent  for  Lieutenant  Jones,  who 
was  officer  of  the  Guard,  and  inquired  of  him  the  reason  of 
it,  who  said,  that  he  had  given  the  sentinel  the  countersign 
himself,  which  was  of  his  own  make;  that  he  asked  the  said 
Lieutenant  why  he  did  not  wait  on  the  commanding  officer 
for  the  countersign,  and  was  answered  that  he  did  not  know 
it  was  his  duty  to  do  so,  as  the  officer  he  had  relieved  had 
given  a  countersign,  and  he  thought  he  might  do  it  as  well 
as  other  officers.  Colonel  Buckner  told  the  Lieutenant  that 
it  was  owing  either  to  neglect  or  contempt,  and  was  answered 
it  was  intended  as  neither. 

Lieutenant  Rose  was  sworn  a  witness;  said,  that  when 
he  was  officer  of  the  Guard,  he  had  no  countersign  given 
him,  but  made  one  himself;  that  he  was  applied  to  by 
Lieutenant  Jones  to  know  how  he  (Jones)  could  get  the 
countersign,  and  that  he  informed  him  that  when  he  was 
on  guard,  he  made  the  countersign  himself. 

Lieutenant  Jones,  in  his  defence,  says  that  he  received 
no  countersign  from  the  officer  of  the  day,  and  did  not  know 
it  to  be  his  duty  to  wait  on  the  commanding  officer  for  it, 
as  he  had  been  informed  by  the  officer  whom  he  relieved, 
that  the  officer  had  made  the  countersign;  that  he  did  not 
intend  the  least  insult  or  insolence  to  Colonel  Buckner  in 
what  he  said  to  him  on  Saturday  evening. 

The  Court  having  considered  the  case,  are  of  opinion, 
that  Lieutenant  Jones  is  not  guilty  either  of  neglect  of  duty 
or  insolent  behaviour,  and  that  he  be  therefore  released  from 

Major  HENDRICKS,  President. 

Brigadier-General  Lewis  agrees  with  the  Court  so  far  as 
to  release  Lieutenant  Peter  Jones,  but  begs  Lieutenant  Jones 
to  make  himself  more  acquainted  with  his  duty  as  an  officer, 
that  in  future  he  may  not  be  guilty  of  such  mistakes. 


MARYLAND     COUNCIL    OF     SAFETY    TO    THOMAS     SMYTH     AND 
THOMAS  RINGGOLD. 

[No.  109.]  Annapolis,  August  3,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  received  your  separate  favours 
of  the  1st  instant,  by  Captain  Smyth,  and  transmit  by  him, 
for  the  Committee,  the  sum  of  £500,  for  the  purchase  of 
blankets  and  arms.  The  Continental  money  which  Mr. 
Ringgold  has,  we  would  have  sent  to  us  by  the  first  safe 
conveyance.  We  should  be  fond  of  permitting  Captain 
Smyth  to  go  beyond  £4  10*.  for  extraordinary  guns,  was  it 
not  that  w<»  are  apprehensive  of  dangerous  consequences 
from  such  license.  As  soon  as  a  price  is  offered  for  any- 
thing above  what  is  customarily  given,  there  is  no  purchasing 
at  the  price  which  was  before  usually  allowed,  though  the 
particular  article  bought  in  reality  was  worth  considerably 
more;  and  therefore  we  cannot  accord  to  his  request,  but 
hope,  as  the  number  of  arms  which  are  wanting  are  very 
few,  that  they  may  be  collected  at  not  more  than  £4  10*., 
by  the  time  other  necessaries  can  be  procured  for  their 
marching.  Rifles  we  will  allow  £5  for. 

We  shall  give  orders  to  the  Colonel  of  the  Eastern-Shore 
Battalion  of  Flying-Camp  Militia  to  march  his  men  in  com- 
panies to  the  northward,  when  they  are  ready.  As  soon, 
therefore,  as  Captains  Smyth  and  Perkins  are  prepared,  they 
will  apply  to  him  for  orders ;  but  we  shall  be  obliged  to 
you  if  you  will  procure  proper  carriages  for  their  baggage, 
and  afford  them  other  assistance  which  may  be  wanting. 

We  have  sent  by  Captain  Smyth  twenty  pieces  of  cruder, 
and  request  you  will  engage  proper  persons  to  make  them 
into  tents  immediately.  A  sample  shall  be  furnished  from 
Baltimore. 

Your  Committee  will  be  pleased  to  have  five  hundred 
wooden  bottles  made  as  soon  as  possible  for  the  use  of  the 
Province,  agreeable  to  the  sample  delivered  Captain  Smyth. 
We  also  send  to  your  Committee  thirty  camp-kettles  for 
the  use  of  the  Flying-Camp.  Knapsacks  with  haversacks 
are  already  contracted  for,  and  we  expect  will  be  completed 
in  a  very  little  time.  Captain  Smyth  has  our  orders  to  take 
with  him  from  Baltimore,  four  hundred  cartouch-boxes  and 
slings,  six  hundred  and  eighty-eight  bayonet-belts,  and  six 
hundred  and  eighty-eight  gun-slings,  which  are  to  be  lodged 
with  your  Committee.  We  request  they  may  be  delivered 
by  them,  with  the  wooden  bottles,  to  the  Flying-Camp 
Militia  on  the  Eastern-Shore,  when  armed. 

The  Council  are  very  glad  to  hear  Mr.  Smyth's  business 
is  so  circumstanced  as  to  admit  his  coming  over;  the  earlier 


in  the  week  the  better,  as  we  are  much  thronged  with  busi- 
ness, and  some  of  our  Board  are  anxious  to  see  their  families 
before  the  meeting  of  Convention. 
We  are,  &tc. 

To  Thomas  Smyth  and  Thomas  Ringgold,  Esqs. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GEORGE  SCOTT. 
[No.  110.]  Annapolis,  August  3,  1776. 

SIR:  Linen  fit  for  shirting-  or  tents  is  wanted — seven  or 
eight  hundred — and  tow  linen.  You  have  not  informed  us 
of  either  the  quality  or  price  of  yours.  Our  manufacturers 
bring  us  in  linen  of  the  first  kind  at  3s.  6d.,  and  of  the  latter 
at  2*.  3d.  If  you  can  let  yours  go  at  that  rate,  and  it  is 
good  in  quality,  you  may  send  it  down  to  this  place. 

We  are,  Sic. 

To  Mr.  George  Scott. 


RICHARD  THOMPSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Georgetown,  August  3,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  Not  having  known  of 
my  appointment  by  the  honourable  Convention  as  Quarter- 
master to  the  regiment  now  raising  in  Frederick  County  for 
the  Flying-Camp  before  the  1st  of  this  instant,  renders  it 
impossible  for  me  to  enter  on  that  service  on  so  short  a 
notice,  although  my  inclination  leads  me  to  it.  I  know  not 
who  can,  or  whether  any  one  ought  to  be  blamed,  for  ne- 
glecting to  afford  me  timely  intelligence,  but  I  can  assure 
your  Honours  it  will  always  give  me  the  highest  pleasure  to 
act  in  any  situation  wherein  my  poor,  though  willing,  ser- 
vices can  be  of  use  in  the  common  cause  of  the  United 
States  of  America.  I  have  only  to  lament  its  being  out  of 
my  power,  for  the  reasons  afore-mentioned,  to  accept  the 
appointment  allotted  me,  and  to  request  you  will  tender  my 
acknowledgments  to  the  Convention,  in  any  manner  the 
most  acceptable,  for  the  honour  intended  me. 

1  am,  may  it  please  your  Honours,  with  great  respect  and 
esteem,  your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

RICHARD  THOMPSON. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


JOS.  EAHLE  TO  J.  NICHOLSON. 

August  3,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  yesterday  received  a  commission  from  the  honour- 
able the  Council  of  Safety  contrary  to  my  expectation.  I 
had  repeatedly  said  I  had  resigned  my  commission,  and  was 
determined  not  to  accept  it,  as  I  was  solicited  by  many 
respectable  people  in  this  County  to  resign,  and  offer  myself 
as  a  candidate,  for  the  reasons  set  forth  in  the  application. 
I  am  truly  sensible  of  the  honour  intended  by  the  Conven- 
tion ;  and  am,  with  the  greatest  respect  to  your  honourable 
Board,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant,  j  v  L 

To  the  Hon.  J.  Nicholson,  Esq. 


MEMORIAL  OF  WILLIAM  STONE. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  the  State  of 

MARYLAND  : 

The  Memorial  of  WILLIAM  STONE,  of  BALTIMORE-TOWN, 
humbly  showeth  : 

That  your  memorialist,  some  time  in  the  month  of  Janu- 
ary last  past,  requested  Mr.  Hercules  Courtenay  to  endea- 
vour to  obtain  license  of  the  honourable  Council  of  Safety 
to  load  your  memorialist's  brigantine  with  Indian  corn,  to 
be  exported  for  the  purpose  of  importing  salt ;  but  the  said 
Mr.  Hercules  Courtenay  not  being  able  to  procure  such 
license,  did  charter  the  said  vessel  to  the  Council  on  account 
of  the  said  State ;  that  the  said  vessel  was  valued  at  £1,000, 
when  in  truth  she  cost  your  memorialist  £1,500;  that  your 
memorialist  left  instructions  with  Mr.  Courtenay  to  have  the 
further  sum  of  £500  insured  on  the  said  vessel  at  Phila- 
delphia, to  indemnify  your  memorialist  in  case  of  loss. 

Your  memorialist  further  showeth,  that  after  the  delivery 
.of  your  cargo,  Captain  Martin  proceeded  in  the  said  brig  to 
St.  Eustatia,  in  order  to  receive  the  net  proceeds  of  two 
cargoes  shipped  by  your  memorialist  last  October,  when  she 
was  attached  by  Mr.  Richard  Jennings  for  a  debt  of  £300, 
or  thereabouts,  due  from  your  memorialist  to  him ;  that  the 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


47 


739 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


740 


said  Richard  Jennings  rendered  your  memorialist  no  account 
of  the  sale  of  the  brig,  and  retained  the  sum  of  £450  in  his 
own  hands;  that  Mr.  Harrison  loaded  the  said  vessel,  and 
called  on  Mr.  Ji-nnings  for  a  bill  of  sale,  who  refused  to  give 
one;  that  Captain  Martin  (who  was  not  authorized  by  me 
to  make  any  sale  or  transfer  of  said  vessel)  was  induced  and 
prevailed  on  to  give  a  bill  of  sale  for  said  vessel  to  Mr. 
Harrison,  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of  £900,  and  to 
accept  an  order  drawn  by  Mr.  Harrison  on  the  honourable 
Council  of  Safety  for  the  sum  of  £450 ;  that  the  vessel  was 
sold  for  much  less  than  her  real  N  value,  she  being  worth 
£1,500.  Your  memorialist  further  showeth,  that  at  the 
time  his  vessel  was  attached,  he  was  possessed  of  property 
in  St.  Euslatia  and  St.Kitts  sufficient  to  discharge  the  debt 
due  to  the  said  Mr.  Jennings ;  that  the  said  Mr.  Jennings, 
being  displeased  with  your  memorialist  for  not  consigning 
the  vessel  to  him  last  October,  acted  in  the  manner  above 
shown,  to  injure  and  oppress  your  memorialist. 

Your  memorialist,  esteeming  the  actings  and  doings  of 
the  said  Mr.  Richard  Jennings  and  Captain  Martin  unjust, 
illegal,  and  oppressive,  beg  your  Honours  will  take  his  case 
into  consideration,  and  not  suffer  any  advantage  to  be  taken 
of  him  by  the  sale  of  the  said  vessel  to  Mr.  Harrison,  your 
agent,  but  allow  your  memorialist  to  have  the  vessel,  on 
paying  the  money  advanced  by  your  agent  to  Richard  Jen- 
nings. 

And  your  memorialist  will  ever  pray,  &ic. 

WILLIAM  STONE. 
August  3,  1776. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  OFFICER  COMMANDING  COL. 
HASLETT'S  BATTALION. 

Philadelphia,  August  3,  1776. 

SIR:  You  are  hereby  directed  to  order  the  company  of 
your  battalion  posted  at  Lewis-Town  as  soon  as  possible  to 
march  to  Philadelphia  and  join  their  battalion  now  stationed 
at  the  barracks  in  this  city. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  the  Officer  commanding  the  Battalion  of  Continental 
Troops  now  in  this  city,  Colonel  Haslett's  Battalion. 


Congress  has  not  determined  to  have  no  regard  to  the 
line  of  succession  in  promotions,  but  only  that  this  line  shall 
not  be  an  invariable  rule ;  cectcris  paribus,  the  line  will  be 
pursued ;  but  they  mean  to  reserve  a  right  of  distinguishing 
extraordinary  merit  or  demerit.  This  rule  may  be  abused  ; 
but  is  it  not  necessary  ?  All  good  things  are  liable  to  abuse. 
I  am  afraid,  nay,  I  know  it  will  be  abused  in  particular 
instances ;  but  if  we  make  the  succession  an  invariable  rule, 
will  not  the  abuse  be  greater?  Is  it  not  common  in  the 
British  Army  to  promote  junior  officers  over  the  heads  of 
their  superiors — nay,  even  officers  in  the  same  regiment, 
and  on  the  same  command  ?  I  have  been  told  of  several 
instances;  this,  however,  is  wrong. 

Your  opinions  of  men  and  things  I  wish  I  knew  in  more 
detail,  because  I  have  a  good  opinion  of  your  judgment  of 
both;  and  I  fear,  situated  as  I  am,  many  things  relating  to 
both  may  not  have  come  to  my  knowledge  that  I  ought  to 
know.  As  the  first  officer  in  the  Massachusetts  service,  you 
have  in  some  sort  the  patronage  of  all  the  officers.  I  hope 
you  will  recommend  the  best  men  for  promotion.  I  confess 
myself  very  ignorant  of  the  military  characters  from  that 
State. 

By  some  expressions  in  the  clause  of  your  letter,  I  con- 
clude you  were  not  perfectly  satisfied  with  a  late  promotion. 
Be  assured,  sir,  if  that  was  raising  an  inferior  officer  over  the 
head  of  any  superior,  it  was  not  considered  in  that  light  by 
the  gentlemen  who  did  it;  the  person  promoted  was  thought 
to  be  the  ablest  Brigadier,  and  intituled  to  advancement  by 
the  line  of  succession ;  and  it  is  my  opinion  he  would  have 
been  made  a  Major-General  much  sooner,  if  his  experience 
had  not  been  thought  indispensable  in  the  Adjutant-Gene- 
ral's department. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  affectionate  servant, 

JOHN  ADAMS. 
To  General  Heath.  • 


JOHN  ADAMS  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

Philadelphia,  August  3,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  20th  ultimo  is  before  me.  I 
am  much  obliged  to  you  for  it,  and  most  heartily  wish  for  a 
more  free  and  intimate  communication  of  sentiments  upon 
the  state  both  of  our  Councils  and  arms.  I  should  be  happy 
in  a  few  hours'  conversation ;  but  as  this  cannot  be,  I  must 
be  content  with  a  letter. 

We  have  now  a  nation  to  protect  and  defend ;  and  I  can 
easily  see  the  propriety  of  the  observations  you  quote  from 
the  Prussian  Hero,  that  the  prosperity  of  a  State  depends 
upon  the  discipline  of  its  Army.  This  discipline  reared  the 
Roman  empire  and  the  British;  and  the  American  will 
stand  or  fall,  in  my  opinion,  as  it  adheres  to  or  deviates  from 
the  same  discipline.  If  there  is  not  wisdom  and  vigour 
enough  in  the  civil  Government  to  support  the  military  offi- 
cers in  introducing  and  establishing  such  a  discipline,  it  must 
be  owing  to  the  advantages  of  soil  and  plimate  and  our  ex- 
treme distance  from  our  enemies,  not  to  our  own  strength, 
virtue,  or  wisdom,  if  we  do  not  fail. 

The  Army  must  be  well  officered,  armed,  disciplined,  fed, 
clothed,  covered,  and  paid ;  in  these  respects,  we  do  as  well 
as  we  can.  Time,  I  hope,  will  assist  us;  and  every  officer 
of  the  Army  would  do  well  to  suggest  to  his  friends  and 
correspondents  in  Congress  and  in  the  Legislatures  of  the 
several  States  every  defect  and  every  improvement  in  those 
particulars  which  occurs  to  him.  I  am  in  more  anxiety  for 
clothes  and  tents  than  anything,  because  the  health  as  well 
as  the  discipline  of  the  Army  depends  much  upon  them. 

We  shall  never  do  well  until  we  get  a  regular  Army;  and 
this  will  never  be  until  men  are  inlisted  for  a  longer  dura- 
tion ;  and  that  will  never  be  effected  until  we  are  more 
generous  in  our  encouragement  to  men.  But  I  am  con- 
vinced that  time  alone  will  persuade  us  to  this  measure ;  and 
in  the  mean  time,  we  shall  very  indiscreetly  waste  a  much 
greater  expense  than  would  be  necessary  for  this  great  pur- 
pose, in  temporary  calls  upon  Militia,  besides  risking  the 
loss  of  many  lives  and  much  reputation. 


RODNEY  TO  THOMAS  RODNEY. 


Philadelphia,  August  3,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  30th  July,  and  shall  endea- 
vour to  answer  it.  Captain  Gordon  might  have  had  the  place 
you  mentioned,  but,  on  talking  with  me,  he  very  prudently 
declined  it.  The  history  of  your  manoeuvres,  procession, 
&.C.,  pleased  me,  and  the  more  so,  as  I  heard  of  the  choice, 
without  knowing  the  principle  on  which  it  was  made. 

With  respect  to  the  return  made  me  by  the  Fifcld-Officers, 
they  have  neglected  to  send  me  the  dates  of  their  commis- 
sions or  appointments  in  the  Militia;  I  have  therefore  written 
to  them  to  return  me  dates,  before  commissions  can  be  made 
out.  As  to  the  subalterns,  their  being  placed  with  an  older 
or  younger  Captain  does  not  affect  their  rank,  as  that  will 
be  preserved  by  the  commission  made  out  for  them  ;  and  as 
that  will  be  the  case,  it  is  better  that  they  should  be  fixed 
in  such  companies  as  best  please  them.  I  showed  Captain 
Gordon  the  return  made  me  by  the  Fielrf-Officers,  showing 
the  order  in  which  they  choose  to  be  placed  with  respect  to 
the  companies,  which  Mr.  Gordon  said  was  agreeable  to 
their  desire,  so  far  as  he  had  knowledge  in  it;  that  he  was 
sure  it  was  right  as  to  Caldwelfs  company. 

With  respect  to  the  choice  of  a  Convention,  I  would 
leave  it  to  you  and  your  friends,  whether,  when  you  have 
fixed  on  such  ticket  as  meets  your  approbation,  it  would  not 
be  better  to  pursue,  and  endeavour  to  impress  the  utility  of 
such  choice  being  made  by  the  people,  (especially  at  a  time 
when  the  establishing  their  rights  and  privileges  as  freemen 
depends  on  such  choice,)  upon  your  former  plan,  I  mean  of 
true  Whigism  —  true  patriotism.  This  plan,  if  pursued  with 
diligence,  and  such  cool  argument  and  reasoning  as  the  case 
will  point  out  and  justify,  I  think  must  carry  with  it  per- 
suasion and  conviction.  It  certainly  will  with  all  such  as  are 
not  governed  by  a  party  spirit.  If  any  person  or  persons 
be  proposed  in  opposition  to  your  ticket,  who  have  hereto- 
fore been  unfriendly  to  the  cause,  point  out  to  the  people 
their  former  conduct,  and  submit  to  them  the  propriety  of 
trusting  to  such  men  at  such  an  important  crisis.  Your 
scheme  ought  to  hold  out  more  of  the  patriot  than  party- 
man.  I  will  again  submit,  as  before,  whether  the  inquiry 
and  examination  proposed  to  be  had  before  the  Committee 
will  not  tend  so  to  irritate,  as  to  occasion  many  people,  by 
taking  sides  in  that  matter,  to  lose  sight  of  the  cause  —  their 
true  interest;  for  if  they  are  led  to  believe  that  you  and  your 


741 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


742 


friends  are  governed  more  by  a  party  spirit,  than  by  the  true 
interests  of  America,  they  will  hold  you  in  the  light  of  all 
other  party  men,  and  deal  with  you  accordingly.  You  say 
the  Committee  are  about  to  make  this  inquiry:  Are  there 
a  sufficient  number  of  patriots  in  that  Committee  to  answer 
your  expectation?  Are  there  a  considerable  majority  of 
them  that  wish  the  inquiry  should  be  had  ?  Will  they,  if 
matters  turn  out  as  you  expect,  publish  their  opinions  to  the 
County,  so  that  the  friends  of  liberty  may  benefit  by  it  ?  It 
is  an  inquiry  that  ought  to  have  been  made;  but  it  is  an 
inquiry  that  ought  to  be  made  by  men  of  understanding 
only.  Do  such  make  a  majority  of  the  Committee — the 
good  men?  By  what  authority  do  they  take  it  up?  Are 
not  many  of  the  members  principals  in  the  matter  of  inquiry? 
All  these  things  I  submit  to  the  prudence  and  good  sense 
of  you  and  your  friends,  though  you  seern  to  have  deter- 
mined on  the  measure,  by  your  letter,  before  my  opinion 
was  asked.  In  short,  it  is  difficult  to  give  an  opinion  in  this 
case,  as  I  am  a  stranger  to  the  present  complexion  of  the 
Committee.  However,  as  this  Convention  is  undoubtedly 
the  most  important  Assembly  that  ever  was  chosen  in  that 
Government,  would  advise  the  avoiding  every  kind  of  vio- 
lence; and,  on  the  other  hand,  the  utmost  diligence  and 
persuasion,  to  procure  as  many  friends  to  liberty  on  the  return 
as  possible.  By  this  means,  men  who  have  heretofore  been 
unfriendly  to  liberty,  if  properly  pointed  out,  cannot  prevail. 
The  people,  when  uninitiated,  generally  hearken  to  reason, 
and  make  prudent  choices.  But  you  may  be  able  to  let  me 
know  about  these  things  by  the  next  post. 

Yesterday  came  to  town  a  ship  belonging  to  the  Congress, 
from  France,  with  ten  drums  of  powder,  about  forty  drums 
of  lead,  one  thousand  stand  of  arms,  &tc.,  &.C.,  and  the  same 
day  an  armed  vessel  taken  by  Captain  Barry  at  sea.  I 
have  put  your  thread  in  the  hands  of  a  weaver. 

I  am,  with  love  to  all,  yours,  &.C., 

C.ESAR  RODNEY. 
To  Captain  Thomas  Rodney,  Dover. 


This  morning  we  have  an  express  from  a  schooner  taken 
by  Captain  Wickes,  in  the  Continental  ship  Reprisal.  She 
was  bound  from  St.  Vincent's  to  Liverpool,  with  upwards  of 
one  hundred  hogsheads  of  rum,  and  is  safe  in  Absecomb- 
Inlet.  They  bring  an  account  of  his  having  taken  a  ship 
of  four  or  five  hundred  tons  burden,  from  Grenada  for  Lon- 
don. She  was  quite  full,  and  by  the  captors  said  to  be 
worth  £35,000.  A  ship  was  seen  last  Wednesday,  to  the 
southward  of  our  Cape,  by  the  North- Carolina  man,  which 
we  hope  is  the  prize. 

Captain  Fowler,  in  a  sloop  belonging  to  your  city,  is 
arrived  at  Egg-Harbour,  with  £4,000  worth  of  indigo,  in 
twelve  or  thirteen  days  from  Charlestown.  She  passed  the 
fleet  in  a  thunder-storm.  By  him  we  learn,  that  two  desert- 
ers from  the  fleet  confirm  the  account  which  General  Lee 
received  from  the  five  deserters  already  published  here,  and 
further  add,  that  the  brig  that  had  the  Captain  of  the  Com- 
modore on  board  for  London,  had  returned  off  Spencer's 
Inlet.  The  said  Captain  soon  died  after  he  got  on  board, 
and  was  buried  on  Long-Island,  the  3d  of  July;  that  the 
men  began  to  grow  sickly,  and  they  are  dissatisfied  with 
General  Clinton's  conduct ;  they  suspect  he  keeps  a  private 
correspondence  with  General  Lee;  that  there  was  some 
talk  of  his  being  under  an  arrest;  that  the  last  rumour  among 
them  was,  of  their  embarkation  for  Long-Island,  in  New- 
York  Government.  The  Commodore's  ship  is  much  shat- 
tered; it  will  take  them  some  time  to  refit.  The  4th  of 
July,  he  hoisted  his  pendant  on  board  the  Experiment.  One 
shot  from  the  fort  took  off  three  Midshipmen's  heads,  who 
happened  to  stand  in  a  range,  one  of  whom  is  a  nobleman's 
son. 

A  few  days  before  Captain  Fowler  sailed,  the  whole  fleet 
was  in  mourning,  supposed  for  the  death  of  Sir  Peter  Parker, 
who  was  wounded,  and  lost  part  of  his  breeches  in  the  late 
engagement.  Captain  Fowler  thinks  the  two  large  ships 
will  not  be  able  to  go  over  the  bar  so  as  to  get  out. 


CJESAR  RODNEY  TO  THOMAS  RODNEY. 

Philadelphia,  August  3,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  I  finished  my  other  letter,  have  been  up  at 
Congress,  where  we  received  intelligence,  by  letter  from 
Captain  Wickes,  in  the  Congress  ship  the  Reprisal,  that  he 
has,  at  sea,,  on  the  13th  of  July,  taken  two  prizes,  a  ship 
and  a  schooner,  bound  for  Liverpool,  loaded  with  cotton, 
sugar,  rum,  Sic.  The  letters  came  by  the  prize  schooner, 
which  arrived  in  an  inlet  near  Egg-Harbour;  and  the  ship 
prize  has  been  seen  off  the  Cape  of  Delaware,  and  supposed 
by  this  time  got  in. 

This  day's  post  is  not  yet  come  in  from  New-York.  It 
is  past  its  usual  time  of  coming,  and  therefore  imagine  there 
will  be  something  important,  which  delayed  him.  I  wish 
it  may  be  good.  The  Delaware  battalion  came  to  town  this 
morning,  and  there  passed  an  order  of  Congress  yesterday 
morning  for  Captain  Darby  and  his  company,  now  at  Lewis, 
to  come  up  and  join  the  battalion,  or  at  least  to  follow  them; 
for  as  the  Congress  has  now  got  arms,  I  imagine  they  will 
not  stay  long  here.  Let  not  the  contents  of  my  other  letter 
be  seen  by  any,  unless  a  friend  in  whom  you  can  confide. 

I  believe  I  shall  never  be  able  to  get  that  scoundrel  to 
make  Betsey's  and  Sally's  shoes.  I  have  not  time  to  say 
anything  about  my  plantation  affairs;  but  hope  you  will  have 
an  eye  to  them,  that  they  may  not  suffer.  Without  the  least 
expectation  of  being  gratified,  I  have  a  strong  desire  to  be  at 
home  once  more. 

I  am  yours,  &.C.,  CJESAR.  RODNEY. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  PHILADELPHIA,  DATED  AUGUST 

3,  1776. 

Since  my  last  we  have  arrived  a  sloop  from  North-Caro- 
lina, with  naval  stores,  and  a  sloop  of  eight  four-pounders. 
She  belongs  to  the  Goodriches,  of  Virginia,  and  was  com- 
manded by  one  of  them;  was  out  three  days  from  Bermuda, 
when  he  discovered  and  gave  chase  to  the  brig  Lexington, 
Captain  Barry;  but  finding  his  mistake,  put  back  too  late; 
for  in  about  an  hour  and  a  half,  Barry  run  alongside,  when 
she  struck.  She  had  eight  negroes  on  board.  All,  or  most 
of  the  men,  to  the  amount  of  twenty -five,  entered  on  board 
of  Barry.  Goodrich  is  a  prisoner  on  board  of  the  brig. 


NEW-JERSEY  CONVENTION  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 

In  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-Jersey, ) 
New-Brunswick,  August  3,  1776.      J 

GENTLEMEN:  As  it  is  of  great  importance  that  the  com- 
munication between  Neiv-York,  this,  and  the  Southern  Colo- 
nies, be  preserved,  and  no  adequate  provision,  that  we  know 
of,  having  been  made  to  keep  open  the  ferries  over  Passaick 
and  Hackensack  Rivers,  between  Newark  and  Powles  Hook, 
which,  in  their  present  situation,  may  not  only  be  easily 
obstructed  by  a  single  armed  vessel  of  the  enemy  lying  near 
them,  but  the  ferry  boats  may  be  seized,  and  the  passing  and 
repassing  of  our  troops  on  emergent  occasions  thereby  for 
a  considerable  time  impeded;  and  as,  from  the  exposed  and 
unguarded  situation  of  the  settlements  up  said  rivers,  the 
creeks,  and  country  adjacent  to  Newark  Bay,  the  enemy 
may  receive  supplies  of  provisions  either  by  plunder  or  from 
disaffected  persons;  and  the  making  provision  for  the  above 
purposes  (as  they  intimately  concern  all  the  United  States) 
belonging  to  your  honourable  House,  we  must  desire  you  to 
propose  at  first  opportunity  in  Congress,  that  the  most  speedy 
and  effectual  measures  may  be  adopted  to  obtain  these  salutary 
ends.  We  conceive  there  are  but  two  practicable  methods, 
viz:  by  batteries  at  the  several  ferries,  or  by  armed  vessels. 
The  ground  on  each  side  of  the  ferries,  being  low  salt  marsh, 
will  not,  without  very  great  expenses,  admit  of  being  fortified; 
but  if  this  had  not  been  the  case,  a  larger  number  of  heavy 
cannon  would  be  necessary  to  answer  our  purposes  than 
perhaps  can  be  procured,  or  if  procurable,  than  would  be 
necessary,  if  employed  on  board  one  or  more  vessels  of  the 
row-galley  or  gondola  construction.  Protection  by  armed 
vessels  have  a  further  advantage  over  fortifications  at  the 
ferries :  the  fortifications  must  have  great  strength,  a  conside- 
rable number  of  cannon,  and  a  large  body  of  men  stationed 
there,  or  a  descent  of  the  enemy  might  take  cannon  and  men 
together,  as  the  cannon  could  not  be  retreated  with,  and  the 
distance  of  the  ferries  from  succour  too  great  to  expect  sup- 
plies in  time.  On  the  contrary,  an  armed  vessel  stationed 
at  or  near  each  ferry  of  the  row-galley  or  gondola  kind,  carry- 
ing only  an  eighteen-pounder  each,  with  swivels,  cohorns  or 
blunderbusses,  may  be  sufficient,  and  their  forces  may  be 
occasionally  united;  for, being  so  contiguous,  they  may  readily 
act  in  concert,  and,  by  being  made  to  draw  but  little  water 
and  to  row  swiftly,  may,  if  they  find  the  forces  attacking 


743 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


744 


them  too  powerful,  secure  a  safe  retreat  where  the  enemy's 
tenders  cannot  pursue  them.  But  perhaps  heavy  cannon 
may  be  spared  for  one  gondola,  and  not  more;  in  such  case 
a  vessel  of  the  cat-schooner  kind  might  be  usefully  employed 
for  the  other  vessel.  We  are  informed  there  are  two  in 
Passaick  River,  well  built  and  almost  new,  and  that  either 
of  them  may  be  hired  for  a  small  consideration,  provided  the 
owners  are  assured  of  their  being  returned  in  as  good  order 
as  when  delivered,  or  of  being  paid  the  value  in  case  they 
should  be  irreparably  damaged.  Their  dimensions  are  about 
forty-five  feet  in  length,  fourteen  feet  breadth,  four-and-a- 
half  feet  depth,  draw  but  little  water,  and  one  of  them  sails 
remarkably  swift. 

Although  gondolas  may  not  so  advantageously  attack 
ships  of  war,  yet  their  tenders,  or  vessels  of  such  size  as  can 
approach  the  ferries,  will  not  choose  to  come  in  the  way  of 
an  eighteen  or  twenty-four-pounder. 

If  not  a  single  cannon  of  this  weight  can  be  spared,  per- 
haps both  of  the  above-mentioned  cat-schooners  may  be 
usefully  employed  in  this  service.  They  will  probably 
carry  either  two  six-pounders  on  each  side,  and  a  six  or  nine- 
pounder  in  the  bow,  or  three  four-pounders  on  each  side, 
and  a  six-pounder  in  the  bow,  besides  swivels,  cohorns,  and 
blunderbusses,  (as  they  may  be  procurable,)  spears,  and 
small-arms. 

We  were  so  perfectly  convinced  of  the  importance  and 
utility  of  making  provision  for  the  above  purposes,  that  had 
the  state  of  our  funds  permitted  it,  as  much  depends  on 
despatch,  we  might  probably  have  gone  into  the  measures 
necessary  to  that  end,  not  doubting  but  Congress,  when 
convinced  of  their  general  utility  to  the  United  States, 
would  have  ordered  a  reimbursement  of  the  expenses, 
&c. 

Two  other  armed  vessels  might  be  advantageously  sta- 
tioned at  proper  places  between  the  ferries  above-mentioned 
and  the  mouth  of  Rariton  River.  They  might  cooperate 
occasionally  either  for  the  purposes  aforesaid  or  for  annoying 
the  enemy,  or  be  employed  to  protect  the  ferry  from  South 
to  Perth-Amboy  and  the  navigation  of  Rariton  River, 
which  protection  would  be  a  great  saving  either  in  troops 
crossing  the  ferry  to  Amboy,  or  in  transporting  provisions, 
baggage,  &tc.,  from  Brunswick,  by  water,  to  the  camp  at 
Amboy. 

As  it  is  important  that  no  time  be  lost  in  making  the  afore- 
said provision,  and  as,  from  the  multiplicity  of  interesting 
business  before  Congress,  this  may  be  delayed, — if  Congress 
will  provide  for  the  expense,  and  request  it,  we  shall  be  wil- 
ling to  give  a  helping  hand  towards  carrying  their  resolutions 
on  this  subject  into  effect. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Convention : 

JOHN  COVENHOVEN,  Vtce-President. 
To  the  Delegates  representing  the  State  of  New- Jersey  in 

Continental  Congress. 


RESOLVES  OF  NEW-JERSEY  CONVENTION. 

In  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- Jersey,  ) 
Brunswick,  August  3,  1776.      $ 

Whereas,  by  the  arrival  of  the  enemy  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  this  State,  the  burden  is  become  much  greater  to  the  Militia 
thereof,  numbers  being  obliged  to  leave  their  families,  and  to 
march  to  the  defence  of  their  country,  so  that  former  Ordi- 
nances for  regulating  the  Militia  are  become  inadequate,  it 
being  highly  just  and  equitable,  proportionally  to  increase 
the  sums  formerly  directed  to  be  paid  by  those  who  refuse 
to  bear  arms  for  the  protection  of  the  State;  and  also  to 
inflict  greater  punishments  on  those  who,  although  they  have 
associated,  or  been  directed  to  be  enrolled  for  the  defence  of 
their  country,  yet  neglect  to  attend  on  days  appointed  for 
mustering,  and  are  unwilling,  at  this  time  of  great  danger,  to 
step  forth  with  their  countrymen  to  oppose  the  enemies  of 
freedom :  It  is,  therefore, 

Resolved  and  Ordained,  That  all  able-bodied  persons, 
between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty  years,  who,  on  any  ac- 
count, refuse  to  bear  arms,  do  pay,  as  an  equivalent  for  their 
actual  service,  the  sum  of  20*.  Proclamation  money,  monthly, 
and  every  month,  during  the  present  alarming  time,  and  until 
proper  measures  shall  be  taken  by  the  future  Legislature  to 
render  the  burden  and  expense  equal  to  the  inhabitants  of 
this  State;  and  that  all  persons  directed  to  be  enrolled  by 


former  Ordinances,  both  Officers  and  Privates,  who  neglect  to 
attend  on  days  of  muster,  do  pay  double  the  sums  directed 
by  an  Ordinance  of  the  late  Congress,  bearing  date  the  28th 
day  of  October,  1775;  all  which  sums  shall  be  recovered 
and  applied  by  the  Officers  of  the  Militia,  in  such  manner  as 
the  aforesaid  Ordinance  directs  with  respect  to  the  fines  in- 
flicted on  Officers  and  Privates  of  the  Militia,  without  regard 
to  religious  denominations,  anything  in  said  Ordinance  to  the 
contrary  notwithstanding. 

Resolved  further,  That  all  persons  between  the  ages  of 
sixteen  and  fifty  years,  directed  to  be  enrolled  as  aforesaid, 
who  shall  neglect  to  attend  when  called  upon  at  the  time  of 
an  alarm,  or,  when  ordered  to  meet,  in  consequence  of  a 
requisition  of  the  Deputies,  Commander-in-Chief,  or  any  of 
the  Brigadier-Generals  of  this  State,  for  the  purpose  of  rais- 
ing levies  for  the  Army,  or  detaching  part  of  the  Militia  for 
the  defence  of  the  States,  or  who  shall  refuse  to  march  when 
detached  in  their  proper  turn,  or  to  provide  persons  to  march 
in  their  stead,  do  pay,  if  a  Colonel,  £20,  a  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  £15,  a  Major  £12,  a  Captain  £8,  a  Lieutenant 
and  Ensign  £6,  Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Privates 
£3,  for  every  such  neglect,  to  be  recovered  in  manner  afore- 
said, and  to  be  applied  as  follows:  The  fines  of  Field-Offi- 
cers to  be  equally  divided  among  the  Non-Commissioned 
Officers  and  Privates  of  the  detachment  which  marches  from 
the  Battalion,  and  the  fines  of  Captains,  Subalterns,  Non- 
Commissioned  Officers  and  Privates,  to  be  equally  divided 
among  the  Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Privates  of  the 
detachment  which  marches  from  the  Company  to  which  the 
delinquents  respectively  belong. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

WM.  PATERSON,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  COLONEL  DICKINSON. 

Woodbridge,  August  3,  1776. 

SIR:  The  account  you  gave  me  of  the  disposition  of 
Battalion  hath  appeared,  the  more  I  think  of  it,  the  more 
alarming.  That  no  inconsiderate  step  may  be  taken,  I  have 
had  the  opinion  of  the  Field-Officers,  and  others  here,  on 
the  occasion;  they  join  unanimously  in  opinion  with  me  that 
the  orders  issued  last  week  relative  to  such  of  the  Associa- 
tors  as  should  presume  to  desert  the  service  of  their  country 
at  this  critical  time,  ought  to  be  enforced.  TT  »T 

To  Col.  John  Dickinson,  commanding  at  Elizabeth-Town. 


RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  August  3V 1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  Agreeable  to  Gen-  ' 
eral  Schuyler's  orders,  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  you 
three  lists  of  articles  wanted  for  the  publick  service  on  Lake- 
Champlain,  contained  in  the  paper  marked  A;  and  do  also 
enclose  your  Excellency  another  paper,  marked  B,  contain- 
ing a  true  account  of  such  articles  of  these  lists  as  cannot 
possibly  be  procured  at  this  place. 

An  express  is  sent  from  this  place  to  Connecticut,  with 
instructions  to  purchase  the  sailcloth  and  cordage,  which 
General  Arnold  says  is  to  be  had  in  that  Colony;  and  an 
express  is  also  sent  to  the  forges  and  furnaces  at  Livingston's 
Manor  and  Salisbury,  to  procure  the  swivels  and  grape, 
double-headed  and  chain  shot,  if  to  be  had  there.  None  of 
the  other  articles  are  to  be  had  nearer  than  New-York. 
And  I  am  directed  by  the  General  to  request  your  Excel- 
lency, in  his  name,  to  order  the  several  articles  which  are 
wanting  to  be  sent  up  with  all  possible  despatch  to  this 
place.  With  the  assistance  of  the  publick  Store-Keeper,  I 
have  procured  from  the  proprietors  of  vessels,  and  the  mer- 
chants of  Ais  place  and  Schenectady,  all  the  anchors,  cables, 
and  cordage,  that  was  to  be  had  from  them,  for  which  I 
have  made  a  full  allowance. 

I  am,  with  respect  and  esteem,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

RICHD.  VARICK, 
Secretary  to  Major-General  Schuyler. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &tc.  &tc. 

P.  S.  The  articles  in  B,  marked  with  the  letter  C,  are 
sent  for  to  Connecticut,  but  not  certain  of  being -procured 
there.  R.  V. 


745 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


746 


A,  No.  1. 

List  of  Articles  wanted  for  the  Gondolas,  •armed  Vessels, 
and  Batteaus,  viz: 

30  Anchors  for  Gondolas,  200  a  300  pounds. 

40  Anchors,  100  a  150  pounds. 
C.  30  Hawsers,  4£  a  5J  inches,  50  a  60  fathoms. 
C.  40  Hawsers,  4 "a  4i  "inches,  50  a  160  fathoms. 
C.  1  coil,  6-inch  Rope,  60  fathoms. 
C.  1   do.   5-inch    do.     60     do. 

1  do.    4-inch    do.     60     do. 

2  do.    3|-inch  do.     60     do. 
2   do.    3-inch    do.     60      do. 
8  do.   2|-inch  do.  120     do. 
4  do.    2-inch    do.  120     do. 
4  do.    IJ-inch  do.  120     do. 
4  do.    l|-inch  do.  120     do. 
4   do.    Ratlin,  stiff. 

4  sets  Tackle  Blocks. 

200  double  Blocks,  5|  to  8  inches. 

300  single  Blocks,  44  a  9  inches. 

4  Coils  Spun  Yarn,  2  and  3  threads. 
10  dozen  Hamline. 

10  dozen  Marline. 

50  Half-hour  Glasses. 

10  Spyglasses. 

200  Buckets. 

40  small  Colours,  (Continental,)  some  red,  blue,  for  signals. 

60  Iron  Pots,  4  a  6  gallons. 

5  dozen  Lead  Lines. 

1  dozen  Lines  for  Pennant  and  Ensign  Halliards. 

6  dozen  deep  Wooden  Bowls. 
Pistols  and  Cutlasses. 

Small  Tacks  and  Pump  Nails. 
Linseed  Oil,  Blacking,  and  White  Lead. 
1  dozen  Hand  Speaking  Trumpets. 
6  dozen  Sail  Needles. 

5  dozen  Bolt-Rope  Needles. 
J  dozen  Marline  Needles. 

1  side  Pump  Leather. 

60  coils  Slow  Match,  for  the  Artillery. 

6  Fishing  Nets  with  Ropes. 

A  true  copy:  RICHD.  VARICK. 


A,  No.  2. 

Articles  wanted  immediately  for  the  Vessels  and  Gondolas 
on  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN,  July  20,  1776. 

20  Hawsers,  5  a  5^  inches,  40  to  120  fathoms  long. 

20  Anchors,  100  a  250  pounds  weight. 

40  small  Graplins,  about  20  to  40  weight. 

5  coils  Cordage,  4  inches,  120  fathoms. 

5    do.        do.       3    do.      120     do. 

5   do.        do.     2£     do.      120     do. 

10  do.        do.       2    do.      120     do. 

10  do.        do.     1J     do.      120     do. 

10  do.        do.     1|     do.      120     do. 

5    do.   12-thread  Ratlin. 

5    do.     9-thread  Ratlin. 

10  pounds  2  and  3-thread  Spun  Yarn. 

200  double  Blocks,  5  to  7  inches. 

400  single  Blocks,  4  to  7  inches,  sorted. 

100  single  Blocks,  7  to  12  inches,  sorted. 

3  dozen  Lanterns,  horn  or  tin. 
2  dozen  Dark  Lanterns. 

1  barrel  Brimstone. 
500  pounds  Chalk. 
2,000  Pump  Nails. 

4  sides  Sole  Leather. 

2  dozen  Frying  Pans. 

4  dozen  small  Lines  for  Halliards. 

20  Speaking  Trumpets. 

10  dozen  Sail  Needles. 

2  dozen  Bolt-Rope  Needles. 

10  Spyglasses. 

20  pounds  Sewing  Twine. 

2  Fish  Nets,  large. 

10  sets  Colours. 

TICONDEROGA,  July  20,  1776. 
A  true  copy. 


B.  ARNOLD. 
RICHD.  VARICK. 


A,  No.  3. 

List  of  Articles  wanted  for  the  Vessels  on  the  LAKE 
CHAMPLAIN,  July  24,  1776,  viz: 

70  bolts  thick  Sailcloth. 

30  bolts  light  Sail  Towcloth,  or  Osnaburghs. 

20  cwt.  Spun  Yarn. 

20  cwt.  2j-inch  Rope. 

20  cwt.  5-inch  Shroud  Hawsers. 

100  pounds  Sewing  Twine. 

6  dozen  Sail,  Bolt-Rope,  and  Marline  Needles. 

1  dozen  Palms. 

1  barrel  Linseed  Oil. 
4  cwt.  Chalk. 

2  cwt.  White  Lead. 
|  cwt.  Red  Lead. 

Sheet  Lead  for  Aprons  of  Guns. 

1  dozen  kegs  Lampblack. 

6  dozen  Powderhorns. 

Quick  Match  and  Port  Fire. 

4  dozen  Paint  and  Tar  Brushes,  assorted. 

3  barrels  Tar. 


4  dozen  Cod  Lines. 

10  dozen  small  Lines,  sorted. 

Colours  for  the  Vessels,  Galleys,  and  Gondoloes.     (Hughes 

only  says  Colours.) 
One  White  Flag. 
10  sides  Sole  Leather. 
10  M.  Pump  Nails,  different  sizes. 
Tin  Tubes.      )  „       ...  , 
Slow  Match.  I  Very  little  hew. 

200  Swivel  Guns,  (wrote  for  before.) 
A  few  sheets  of  Copper  for  Gun  Ladles. 

5  dozen  Sheepskins  for  Spunges. 

Grape,  Canister,  Double-headed  and  Chain  Shot,  for  9, 12, 18, 

and  24-Pounders.    Very  few  here. 
1  dozen  Half-hour  Glasses. 
Cartridge  Paper. 
Flannel  Cartridges. 


A  true  copy. 


B.  ARNOLD. 
RICHD.  VARICK. 


B,  No.  1. 

Return  of  Articles  wanted  for  the  Publick  Service  on  LAKE 
CHAMPLAIN,  which  cannot  be  procured  at  ALBANY,  or  at 
any  place  between  this  and  NEW-YORK,  except  as  per 
N.  B.  at  the  bottom. 

15  Anchors  for  Gondolas,  200  a  300  pounds. 

10  Anchors,  100  a  150  pounds. 
C.  15  Hawsers,  4|  and  5j  inches,  50  a  60  fathoms. 
C.  10  Hawsers,  4  and  4£  "inches,  50  a  100  fathoms. 
C.  1  coil,  6-inch  Rope,  60  fathoms. 
C.  1  do.    5-inch    do.    60     do. 
C.  1   do.    4-inch    do.     60     do. 
C.  2  do.    SJ-inch  do.     60     do. 
C.  2  do.   3-inch    do.     60     do. 
C.  1  do.   2i-inch  do.  120     do. 
C.  4  do.   2-inch    do.  120     do. 
C.  2  do.    l|-inch  do.  120     do. 
C.  4  do.    li-inch  dp.  120     do. 
C.  4  do.    Ratlin,  stiff. 
C.  1   do.    Spun  Yarn,  2  and  3  threads. 

40  small  Colours,  (Continental,)  some  red,  blue,  for  Signals. 

Pistols  and  Cutlasses. 

ALB  ANT,  August  3,  1776. 

A  true  extract.  Tr 

KICHD.  VARICK. 


B,  No.  2. 

General  ARNOLD'  s  first  Requisition. 

Articles  wanted  immediately  for  the  Vessels  and  Gondolas 

on  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN,  July  20,  1776. 

C.  20  Hawsers,  5  and  5j  inches,  40  to  120  fathoms  long 

20  Anchors,  100  to  250  weight. 

40  Graplins,  about  20  to  40  weight. 
C.  5  coils  Cordage,  4  inches,  120  fathoms. 
C.  5  do.        do.       3     do.      120     do. 
C.  5  do.        do.       2i  do.      120     do. 
C.  10  do.        do.       2"  do.     120     do. 
C.lOdo.        do.        1J  do.      120     do. 
C.  10  do.        do.       H  do.     120     do. 
C.  5  do.        do.        12-thread  Ratlin. 
C.  5  do.        do.         9-thread  Ratlin. 

2  dozen  Dark  Lanterns. 

200  pounds  Brimstone. 

20  Speaking  Trumpets. 

6  Spyglasses. 

2  Fish  Nets,  large,  with  Ropes. 

10  sets  Colours. 

N.  B.  Expresses  are  sent  to  Connecticut  for  the  sailcloth  and  cordage, 
and  to  Livingston's  Manor  and  Salisbury  Forges  and  Furnaces  for  the 
anchors,  graplins,  grape,  double-headed  and  chain  shot,  mentioned  in 
the  preceding  requisition. 

RICHD.  VAHICK. 


B,  No.  3. 
General  ARNOLD'S  second  Requisition. 

A  list  of  Articles  wanted  for  the  Vessels  on  LAKE  CHAM- 
PLAIN,  July  24,  1776. 

C.  50  bolts  thick  Sailcloth. 

C.  20  bolts  light  Towcloth  or  Osnaburghs. 

C.  20  cwt.  Spun  Yarn. 

C.  16  cwt.  2J-inch  Rope. 

C.  20  cwt.  5-inch  Shroud  Hawser. 

6  dozen  Sail,  Bolt-Rope,  and  Marline  Needles. 

Sheet  Lead  for  Aprons  of  Guns. 

duick  Match  and  Port  Fire. 

Colours  for  the  Vessels,  Galleys,  and  Gondolas. 
'  One  White  Flag. 

Tin  Tubes. 

200  Swivel  Guns. — Written  for  before. 

A  few  sheets  Copper  for  Gun  Ladles. 

Grape,  Canister,  Double-headed  and  Chain  Shot,  for  9,  12, 
18,  and  24-Pounders.     (Very  few  here.) 

1  dozen  Half-hour  Glasses. 

Flannel  Cartridges. 

A  true  extract.  RICHD.  VARICK. 


747 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


748 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

German-Flats,  August  3,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Agreeable  to  my  promise  of  yesterday,  I  now 
enclose  you  an  extract  of  General  Washington' t  letter  to 
me  on  the  subject  of  removing  the  Army  from  Crown-Point, 
\vith  an  extract  of  so  much  of  my  letter  as  contained  an 
answer  to  that  part  of  his. 

If  gentlemen  knew  with  how  much  reluctance  I  quitted 
the  serene  pleasures  of  a  rural  life,  if  they  knew  how  con- 
scious I  am  of  the  mediocrity  of  my  talents,  and  how  far  I 
believe  myself  from  being  equal  to  the  task  which  my  coun- 
try has  imposed  upon  me,  they  would  not  envy  me.  They 
would  know  that  I  am  not  dazzled  with  the  honour  of  office; 
that  I  never  wished  to  be — what  every  man  in  publick  life 
must  be — the  object  of  envy,  and  exposed  to  the  insults  occa- 
sioned by  both  the  weakness  and  wickedness  of  men.  Sick, 
heartily  sick  of  command  at  the  conclusion  of  last  campaign, 
I  begged  leave  of  Congress  to  retire;  and  in  confidence  com- 
municated to  General  Washington  my  more  immediate  rea- 
sons for  it.  Time  and  experience  have  convinced  me  (and 
I  believe  General  Washington  too)  that  my  reasons  were  too 
well  founded ;  but  both  Congress  and  he  urged  my  contin- 
uance in  the  command,  in  such  a  manner  that  1  suffered 
myself  to  be  prevailed  on  to  remain  in  it.  The  implication 
contained  in  General  Washington's  letter  of  the  19th  ultimo 
to  you,  is  so  very  disadvantageous  to  us,  that  I  very  sincerely 
repent  having  deviated  from  my  resolution  to  retire.  But 
the  opinion  of  his  Council  that  we  had  acted  reprehensibly, 
without  being  informed  what  were  the  reasons  on  which  we 
had  founded  our  opinion  of  the  propriety  of  the  measure  in 
question,  is  so  insulting  that  I  cannot  sit  patiently  under  it; 
and  I  therefore  not  only  reflect  with  pleasure  on  the  spirited 
and  proper  manner  in  which  you  have  resented  it  to  Con- 
gress and  General  Washington,  but  shall  give  to  both  my 
sentiments  on  the  impropriety  and  injustice  of  convening 
one  council  of  officers  to  determine  on  the  measures  of 
another,  at  the  distance  of  near  three  hundred  miles,  without 
calling  for  such  information  as  we  could  have  given  them. 
It  is  incumbent  on  us,  my  dear  sir,  to  do  justice  to  our  in- 
jured reputations ;  and  as  it  is  our  duty  to  go  hand  in  hand 
in  opposing  the  enemies  of  the  publick,  so  we  ought  heartily 
to  join  in  defeating  the  insidious  foes  who  so  basely  aim  at 
the  destruction  of  our  character.  We  shall  discover  who 
he  or  they  are,  and  I  trust  will  be  able  to  cover  them  with 
confusion. 

I  am  extremely  happy  that  General  Arnold  has  under- 
taken to  command  the  fleet.  It  has  relieved  me  from  very 
great  anxiety  under  which  I  laboured  on  that  account. 

I  have  written  to  Captain  Varick  to  lose  not  a  moment's 
time  in  forwarding  whatever  he  can  procure  to  you,  and  I 
am  in  hopes  we  shall  be  able  to  give  a  tolerable  good  account 
of  Carleton  whenever  he  shall  venture  an  attempt  to  cross 
the  Lakes. 

Yesterday  I  received  information  that  the  enemy  intend- 
ed to  possess  themselves  of  Oswego,  and  to  march  a  body 
of  troops  to  destroy  the  settlements  on  this  river.  I  can 
hardly  imagine  that  they  will  venture  to  leave  Fort  Stanwix 
in  the  rear,  which  is  already  in  such  a  condition  as  to  be 
tenable  against  small-arms,  and  even  light  artillery. 

Adieu,  and  be  assured  that  I  shall  omit  nothing  in  my 
power  to  cultivate  mutual  harmony,  good  understanding, 
and  friendship. 

I  am,  my  dear  sir,  your  most  sincere  and  obedient  humble 

servant>  PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


COLONEL  BEDEL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

August  3,  1776. 

SIR:  This  being  my  twelfth  campaign,  in  which  I  always 
had  the  esteem  of  my  superiors.  I  was  the  first  who  turned 
out  with  my  regiment  last  year  from  New-Hampshire  for 
Canada,  where  I  arrived,  in  eight  days  after  my  departure, 
on  the  north  of  St.  John's,  having  a  small  skirmish  with  the 
enemy.  The  command  of  that  post  was  delivered  to  me  by 
General  Montgomery,  which  I  kept  until  the  surrender  of 
that  tort,  and  had  always  his  esteem  in  regard  to  my  pro- 
ceedings, so  that  he  gave  me  the  command  of  a  party  to  go 
down  the  river  St.  Lawrence  to  seize  and  take  the  vessels 
there,  which  order  I  complied  with,  and  took  eleven  sail. 


His  orders  for  that  purpose  I  have  now  with  me,  but  being 
now  led  into  difficulty  by  not  understanding  the  meaning  of 
General  Arnold's  instructions,  or  they  being  otherwise  un- 
derstood by  other  gentlemen,  1  am  broke  and  ordered  home. 
Shall  take  it  as  a  favour  if  your  Honour  would  let  me  have 
the  liberty  of  three  or  four  men  to  assist  me  on  the  road,  as 
it  is  bad.  This  affair  being  laid  to  my  charge,  I  hope  your 
Honour  will  not  look  upon  it  as  wilful,  the  fault  being  in  my. 
head,  and  not  my  heart;  and  while  I  live  under  the  protec- 
tion of  the  United  States,!  hope  I  shall  ever  have  the  esteem 
of  my  countrymen,  as  this  was  the  first  crime  I  was  ever 
charged  with. 

I  wish  the  whole  Army  good  success,  and  beg  leave  to 
subscribe  myself,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

TIMO.  BEDEL. 
To  General  Gates. 

EXTRACT    OF    A    LETTER   DATED    TICONDEROGA,    AUGUST   3, 

1776. 

Colonel  Bedel  and  Major  Butterfield,  for  their  bad  con- 
duct, are  cashiered,  and  rendered  incapable  of  bearing  a 
commission  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States.  Captain 
Wmticorth  is  cashiered  for  disobedience  of  orders. 

We  came  from  Crown-Point  the  17th  of  July;  left  one 
regiment*  there.  Three  brigades  are  encamped  on  a  hill 
southeast  from  Ticonderoga  Fort,  called  Mount  Indepen- 
dence, where  we  are  raising  some  batteries  to  great  advan- 
tage. One  brigade  is  encamped  on  the  hill  near  the  old 
French  lines,  where  they  have  fortified  very  strong. 

We  have  now  on  the  Lake  two  schooners  which  mount 
twelve  guns  each,  two  sloops  and  five  gondolas  ;  the  gondo- 
las mount  four  guns  each ;  and  five  gondolas  more  are  almost 
finished.  I  hope  we  shall  be  able  to  give  our  enemies  a 
warm  reception  if  they  should  dare  to  come. 


LETTER  FROM  AARON  HOBART. 

Abington,  August  3, 1776. 

SIR:  I  have  no  time  to  come  myself  to  see  your  Honour. 
I  want  you  to  get  me  all  the  broken  cannon  and  pig  iron 
you  can,  and  I  will  send  for  them.  I  am  disappointed  by 
the  brown  six-pounders  for  pig  iron,  and  the  pig  the  Pro- 
vince got  for  me  will  not  do  for  cannon,  but  is  very  good 
for  the  forge,  and  I  want  it  for  that  use.  I  have  cast  eight 
cannon  for  the  brig  of  Dartmouth,  for  Thomas  Durfee,  and 
have  two  six-pounders  for  the  ships  at  Swansey,  and  hope 
to  get  them  ready  in  a  month.  As  to  the  Province  guns,  I 
hope  they  will  be  ready  before  there  is  a  call  for  them.  I 
want  fifty  weight  of  steel,  of  the  best  quality,  to  use  in  drill- 
ing and  boring  out  cannon.  I  have  one  bar  left  at  the  Long 
Wharf;  please  to  send  it  and  them  to  Weymouth,  by  the  first 
opportunity,  or  by  land.  As  to  cash,  I  have  wanted  it  very 
much  for  the  shot  and  pots,  but  cannot  come  if  the  small- 
pox prevents.  Sir,  I  have  got  some  shot  made,  but  you  must 
not  expect  them  all  very  soon. 

I  remain  your  humble  servant,  Sic., 

AARON  HOBART. 


COLONEL  KURD  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETT. 

Haverhill,  August  3,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  I  wrote  last,  Captain  Eames  has  been  with  us, 
and  proceeded  to  Upper  Cohos,  with  about  thirty  men,  not 
doubting  he  should  be  able  soon  to  make  up  his  whole 
number. 

The  Committee  have  written  to  Captain  Woodard,  de- 
siring he  would  come  to  Haverhill,  to  consult  with  us 
respecting  the  scouts. 

Captain  Payne,  of  Lebanon,  who  went  on  a  scout,  a 
volunteer,  is  just  now  returned.  He  tells  he  has  been  to 
Ticonderoga,  where  he  waited  on  General  Gates.  Found 
the  principal  part  of  the  Army  there,  having  quitted  Crown- 
Point,  as  too  infectious  a  place  for  the  reinforcements,  till  it 
can  be  thoroughly  cleansed.  That  a  large  number  of  car-, 
penters  were  employed  in  building  batteaus,  with  a  design, 
as  supposed,  to  go  over  the  Lake  again.  From  Ticonderoga 
he  went  to  Crown-Point,  where  was  only  one  regiment; 
made  a  short  tarry  there,  and  then  down  the  Lake  to  Onion- 
River;  he  saw  Colonel  Wait  there,  took  his  advice,  and 
proceeded  to  the  river  La  Moelle,  and  so  back  to  Cohos, 
striking  the  new  road.  Met  no  enemy  on  the  way.  Brought 


749 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


750 


the  same  report  as  mentioned  by  the  Frenchman,  that  a  fleet 
was  in  the  river  St.  Laurence,  supposed  to  be  French,  and 
the  Regulars  retreating  from  St.  John's  to  Sorel. 

I  have  a  letter  from  the  Committee,  of  the  25th  July, 
forwarded  by  Mr.  Joseph  Whipple,  desiring  me  to  send  two 
several  guns  to  Upper  Cohos,  for  the  use  of  Captain  Eames's 
party,  which  shall  be  done  as  soon  as  we  receive  the  others 
from  Canterbury,  but  we  have  only  two  yet  come  to  hand. 

Colonel  Bay/ey  has  not  yet  been  able  to  embody  his 
working  party  of  men  into  a  regular  company,  under  the 
orders  of  us,  as  a  Committee,  agreeable  to  your  directions; 
and  unless  they  will  consent  to  form  themselves  as  such,  the 
Committee  will  proceed  to  inlist  others  for  the  purpose.  We 
defer  this  a  few  days  till  we  see  how  they  agree  among 
themselves,  when  I  shall  advise  you  further.  In  the  mean 
time  remain,  with  my  best  respects  to  you  and  the  gentle- 
men of  the  Committee,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 

servant'  JOHN  KURD. 

To  the  Hon.  Meshech  Weare,  Esq. 


COLONEL  A.  WILLIAMSON  TO  GOVERNOUR  RDTLEDGE. 
Camp  two  miles  below  Keowee,  August  4,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  Excellency's  favours  of  the  26th 
and  27th  ultimo,  by  express.  In  my  last  letter  to  your 
Excellency,  of  the  31st  ultimo,  I  informed  you  of  my  spies 
being  returned  with  two  white  prisoners,  who  gave  an 
account  of  Cameron's  being  arrived  from  over  the  hills  with 
twelve  white  men,  and  that  he,  with  the  Seneca  and  other 
Indians,  was  encamped  at  Ocnore  Creek,  about  thirty  miles 
distant  from  Twenty-three  Mile  Creek,  where  I  then  lay 
encamped.  This  intelligence  induced  me  to  march  imme- 
diately to  attack  their  camp  before  they  could  receive  any 
information  of  my  being  so  far  advanced. 

I  accordingly  marched,  about  six  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
with  three  hundred  and  thirty  men  on  horseback,  (taking 
the  two  prisoners  with  me  to  show  where  the  enemy  were 
encamped,  and  told  them,  before  I  set  out,  if  I  found  they 
deceived  me  I  would  order  them  instantly  to  be  put  to  death,) 
intending  to  surround  their  camp  by  daybreak,  and  to  leave 
our  horses  about  two  miles  behind,  with  a  party  of  men  to 
guard  them.  The  river  Keowee  lying  in  our  route,  and  only 
passable  at  a  ford  at  Seneca,  obliged  me  (though  much 
against  my  inclination)  to  take  that  road.  The  enemy, 
either  having  discovered  my  march  or  laid  themselves  in 
ambush  with  a  design  to  cut  off  any  spies  or  party  I  had 
sent  out,  had  taken  possession  of  the  first  house  in  Seneca, 
and  posted  themselves  behind  a  long  fence,  on  an  eminence 
close  to  the  road  where  we  were  to  march,  and  to  prevent 
being  discovered,  had  filled  up  the  openings  betwixt  the 
rails  with  twigs  of  trees  and  corn-blades.  They  suffered  the 
guides  and  advanced  guard  to  pass,  when  a  gun  from  the  house 
was  discharged,  meant,  as  I  suppose,  for  a  signal  for  those 
placed  behind  the  fence,  who  a  few  seconds  after  poured  in  a 
heavy  Gre  upon  my  men,  which,  being  unexpected,  stagger- 
ed my  advanced  party.  Here  Mr.  Salvador  received  three 
wounds,  and  fell  by  my  side.  My  horse  was  shot  down 
under  me,  but  1  received  no  hurt.  Lieutenant  Farar,  of 
Captain  Prince's  company,  immediately  supplied  me  with 
his  horse.  I  desired  him  to  take  care  of  Mr.  Salvador,  but 
before  he  could  find  him  in  the  dark  the  enemy  unfortunately 
got  his  scalp,  which  was  the  only  one  taken.  Captain 
Smith,  son  of  the  late  Captain  Aaron  Smith,  saw  the  Indian, 
but  thought  it  was  his  servant  taking  care  of  his  master, 
or  could  have  prevented  it.  He  died  about  half  after  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  forty-five  minutes  after  he  received 
the  wound,  sensible  to  the  last.  When  1  came  up  to  him, 
after  dislodging  the  enemy,  and  speaking  to  him,  he  asked 
whether  I  had  beat  the  enemy.  1  told  him  yes.  He  said 
he  was  glad  of  it,  and  shook  me  by  the  hand,  and  bade  me 
farewell,  and  said  he  would  die  in  a  few  minutes.  Two  men 
died  in  the  morning,  and  six  more  who  were  badly  wounded 
I  have  since  sent  down  to  the  settlements,  and  given  direc- 
tions to  Doctors  Delahowe  and  Russell  to  attend  them. 

I  remained  on  the  ground  till  daybreak,  and  burnt  the 
houses  on  this  side  the  river,  and  afterwards  crossed  the  river, 
the  same  day,  and  reduced  Seneca  entirely  to  ashes.  Know- 
ing that  the  Indians  would  carry  immediate  intelligence  of 
my  strength  to  the  place  where  Cameron  lay  encamped,  who 
would  directly  move  from  thence;  and  having  ordered  the 


detachment  from  Colonels  Necl  and  Thomas's  regiments  to 
attack  and  destroy  Estatoc,  Qualhatchie,  and  Toxaway,  and 
join  me  this  day  at  Sugar-Toivn,  obliged  me  to  march  that 
way;  which,  this  day,  a  strong  detachment,  consisting  of  four 
hundred  men,  has  totally  reduced  to  ashes.  An  old  Indian 
was  found  there,  who  said  the  enemy  had  deserted  the  town 
four  days  ago,  on  hearing,  by  a  white  man,  that  an  army  was 
advancing  against  them. 
I  am,  respectfully,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

A.  WILLIAMSON. 

To  His  Excellency  John  Rutlcdge,  President  of  South.- 
Carolina,  Charlestown. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF   CONGRESS. 
[Read  Augusts,  1776.] 

Perth-Amboy,  August  4,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  July  31st,  enclosing  resolves  of 
Congress,  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  yesterday,  and  shall 
pay  all  possible  attention  to. 

Some  of  the  Militia  from  Pennsylvania,  not  duly  informed 
of  the  length  of  time  their  services  here  might  be  required, 
have  become  much  dissatisfied.  It  is  with  difficulty  the 
officers  in  some  of  the  battalions  prevent  a  desertion,  not  of 
men  singly,  but  by  companies.  Some  speedy  and  effectual 
measures  will  be  necessary,  that  the  quotas  for  the  Flying- 
Camp  be  made  up,  to  relieve  the  Associators  as  soon  as 
possible. 

I  enclose  such  a  return  as  is  in  my  power  to  make  out. 
By  this  it  appears  that  only  two  hundred  and  seventy-four, 
rank  and  file,  properly  belonging  to  the  Flying-Camp,  have 
yet  joined.  Colonel  Smallwood's  battalion,  from  Maryland, 
remains  at  Elizabeth-Town,  but  expect  daily  to  have  orders 
to  proceed  to  New-  York. 

Last  night  thirteen  sail  of  ships  arrived  at  Sandy-Hook; 
these,  together  with  what  have  come  in  since  Thursday  last, 
make  upwards  of  sixty  sail.  On  Staten-Island  we  discover 
no  late  movements  of  the  enemy. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


JOSEPH  TRUMBCLL  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  4,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  received  your  favour  of  31st  ultimo,  last  night,  on 
my  return  from  Perth-Amboy,  from  whence  I  wrote  you.  I 
observe  your  directions  therein  for  supplying  any  number 
of  Militia  the  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay  may  direct  to  be 
called  into  service,  with  provisions.  I  will  give  the  neces- 
sary orders  therein  to  Mr.  Charles  Miller,  my  issuing  store- 
keeper in  Boston,  by  the  post  to-morrow  morning,  and  you 
may  rely  on  it  that  your  directions  shall  be  fully  complied 
with. 

I  am,  sir,  with  respect  and  esteem,  your  most  humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Congress 
of  Delegates  from  the  United  States  of  America,  at 
Philadelphia. 

GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  August  4,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Colonel  Hand  reports  twenty-one  sail  seen 
off  last  evening,  eight  arrived  at  the  Hook  this  morning,  and 
thirteen  corning  in. 

The  enemy's  guard-boats  patrolled  much  higher  up  the 
bay  than  usual  last  night. 

I  apprehend  a  couple  of  guard-boats  are  necessary  to 
patrol  from  Red  to  Yellow  Hook,  across  the  Bay,  leading  to 
Rapalye's  Mills,  provided  there  are  boats  to  spare. 

Enclosed  is  a  return  of  the  officers  of  Colonel  Hand's  Rifle 
regiment.  As  the  return  made  me  by  Colonel  Hand  is  not 
as  intelligible  as  I  could  wish,  I  shall  send  and  get  another 
as  soon  as  may  be.  I  must  beg  your  Excellency's  pardon 
for  suffering  the  return  to  escape  my  memory,  and  neglecting 
making  it  agreeable  to  your  orders  some  days  past. 

I  shall  send  in  a  list  of  the  names,  in  a  few  hours,  of  the 
persons  proper  to  be  taken  up  on  this  Island. 
I  am,  with  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

NATHL.  GREENE. 


751 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


752 


New-York,  Thursday,  August  8,  1776. 

The  Phenix,  of  forty -four  guns,  Captain  Parker,  and  the 
Rose,  of  twenty  guns,  Capt.  Wallace,  two  notorious  Pirates 
belonging  to  Great  Britain,  having,  for  some  time  past, 
infested  the  North  River,  to  the  great  interruption  of  our 
trade  and  navigation  thereon,  last  Friday  six  of  our  row- 
galleys,  hastily  collected,  though  of  force  greatly  inferior  to 
these  ships,  went  up  the  river  to  find  them  out,  and  annoy 
them  in  their  station.  Next  day  the  galleys  proceeded  to 
Tarrytown,  where  the  two  Pirate  ships  lay,  attacked  and 
engaged  them  for  two  hours.  The  following  letter,  written 
the  morning  after  by  a  gentleman  who  was  a  volunteer  on 
board  one  of  the  galleys,  gives  the  most  particular  account 
of  the  engagement  that  has  as  yet  come  to  hand,  viz: 

"  Tarrytown,  (Sunday  Morning,)  August  4. 

"Sin:  I  have  just  opportunity  to  inform  you  that  yester- 
day at  one  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  galleys  attacked  the  Phenix 
and  the  Rose  off  Tarrytown.  The  Lady  Washington  fired 
the  first  gun  on  our  side,  in  answer  to  one  received  from  the 
Phenix ;  this  first  shot  from  us  entered  the  Phenix.  The 
Washington  galley,  on  hoard  of  which  the  Commodore's 
flag  was  hoisted,  then  came  up  within  grape-shot  of  the 
ships,  and  singly  sustained  their  whole  fire  for  above  a  quar- 
ter of  an  hour  before  any  other  of  our  vessels  took  a  shot 
from  her,  (the  tide  wasting  them  more  than  the  pilots  ex- 
pected to  the  eastern  shore,  and  the  Lady  Washington  fall- 
ing back  to  take  her  station  in  the  line,  according  to  orders.) 
The  Spitfire  advanced  in  a  line  with  the  Washington,  and 
with  her  behaved  well.  We  had  as  hot  a  fire  as  perhaps 
was  ever  known  for  an  hour  and  a  half.  The  Washington, 
which  I  was  on  board  during  the  whole  engagement,  had 
the  ledgings  of  her  bow  guns  knocked  away,  which  pre- 
vented our  working  them,  and  was  otherwise  considerably 
damaged,  being  thirteen  times  hulled,  had  three  shot  in  the 
waist,  many  of  her  oars  carried  away,  &.c.  The  Lady 
Washington,  after  hulling  the  Phenix  six  times,  had  her  bow, 
and  only  gun,  a  thirty-two  pounder,  on  which  we  placed 
much  dependance,  split  seven  inches,  and  her  gun  tackles 
and  breechings  carried  away.  The  Spitfire  was  hulled  seve- 
ral times,  and  received  one  shot  between  wind  and  water, 
which,  not  being  quickly  discovered,  occasioned  her  making 
much  water.  The  rest  of  the  galleys  received  conside- 
rable damage  in  their  rigging,  sails,  and  oars.  Under  these 
circumstances,  our  Commodore,  Colonel  Tupper,  thought 
it  prudent  to  give  the  signal  for  our  little  fleet  to  withdraw, 
after  manfully  fighting  a  much  superior  force  for  two  hours. 
Never  did  men  behave  with  more  firm,  determined  spirits, 
than  our  little  crews ;  one  of  our  tars,  being  mortally  wound- 
ed, cried  to  his  messmate,  '  I  am  a  dying  man ;  revenge  my 
blood,  my  boys,  and  carry  me  alongside  my  gun,  that  I  may 
die  there.'  We  were  so  preserved  by  a  gracious  Providence, 
that  in  all  our  galleys  (which  consisted  of  six)  we  had  but 
two  men  killed  and  fourteen  wounded,  two  of  which  are 
thought  dangerous.  We  hope  to  have  another  touch  at 
these  Pirates  before  they  leave  our  river,  which  God  pros- 
per. 

"  P.  S.  The  following  are  the  particulars  of  the  galleys, 
with  their  killed  and  wounded,  viz :  the  Washington,  Capt. 
Hill,  four  wounded;  Whiting,  McClave,  one  killed,  four 
wounded ;  Spitfire,  Grimes,  one  killed,  three  wounded ; 
Crane,  Tincker,  one  wounded;  on  board  a  whaleboat,  two 
wounded." 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  4, 

1776. 

Friday,  the  2d  instant,  the  ships  that  passed  up  North 
River  were,  from  eleven  o'clock  to  one,  engaged  by  six  of 
our  row-galleys,  who  sustained  the  fire  of  the  Phenix,  of 
forty-four  guns,  and  the  Rose,  of  twenty-eight  guns.  For 
two  hours,  their  broadsides  poured  in  as  fast  as  they  could 
discharge  them.  Finally,  for  want  of  a  proper  tide  or  from 
prudence,  Colonel  Tupper,  who  commanded  the  galleys, 
threw  out  a  signal  for  the  galleys  to  retire.  The  Lady 
Washington  is  returned  to  the  city;  she  alone  commenced 
the  attack  against  both  the  ships,  who  were  previously  pre- 
pared, and  had  got  springs  on  their  cables,  and  sustained  for 
more  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  fire  of  both  those  ships; 
she  received  thirteen  shot  in  her  hull,  and  one  of  her  two- 
and-tliirty  pounders  cracked  for  a  considerable  length.  They 
have,  however,  handled  the  ships  very  roughly.  Colonel' 


Tupper  writes  the  General  that  a  great  many  splinters  and 
pieces  of  the  ship,  soon  after  the  action,  passed  by  the  gal- 
leys, who  are  preparing  for  a  second  attack. 

Last  night  four  ships,  chained  and  boomed,  with  a  number 
of  amazing  large  chevaux-de-frise,  were  sunk  close  by  the 
fort,  under  the  command  of  General  Mijflin,  which  fort 
mounts  thirty  pieces  of  heavy  cannon.  W'e  are  thoroughly 
sanguine  that  they  never  will  be  able  to  join  the  British 
fleet,  nor  assistance  from  the  fleet  be  afforded  to  them ;  so 
that  we  set  them  down  as  our  own.  The  British  Army 
still  remain  at  Staten-Mand  and  the  fleet  at  the  Narrows. 
Last  Thursday  forty  sail  of  ships  arrived  to  the  British  fleet, 
and  yesterday  twenty  more,  and  forty  more  were  in  sight, 
supposed  to  be  foreign  troops.  This  day  we  have  a  report 
circulating  that  the  foreign  troops  refuse  fighting,  unless  a 
cartel  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners  is  previously  settled. 
Mr.  Tracy,  who  went  with  the  flag  to  Lord  Howe,  was 
treated  with  great  politeness ;  by  all  accounts,  his  Lordship 
is  as  good  a  man  for  the  errand  on  which  he  is  sent  as  the 
British  nation  could  possibly  fix  upon ;  he  is  a  gentleman 
of  very  great  abilities,  master  of  chicanery  and  deception, 
and  believes  it  is  in  his  power,  either  by  persuasion  or  threats, 
to  bring  about  a  reconciliation.  The  event  of  things  will 
prove  how  greatly  he  is  mistaken. 

I  congratulate  you  on  the  capture  made  by  one  of  the 
armed  vessels  in  the  service  of  the  United  American  States, 
on  board  of  which,  I  understand,  is  that  infamous  villain, 
Ben.  Davis;  I  hope  you  will  hang  him.  In  the  late 
engagement  between  the  galleys  and  the  enemy's  ships, 
there  were  on  board  the  galleys  three  killed,  two  mortally 
wounded,  and  fourteen  others  slightly  wounded  ;  what  loss 
the  enemy  sustained,  we  are  not  yet  able  to  ascertain.  We 
expect,  as  the  enemy  have  received  a  considerable  rein- 
forcement, that  they  will  soon  make  an  attack.  From  the 
amazing  spirit  of  the  Army,  which,  from  the  best  informa- 
tion I  can  get,  amounts  to  at  least  forty  thousand  men,  we 
shall  give  them  such  a  reception  as  will  oblige  them,  in  spite 
of  their  prejudice  to  the  contrary,  to  acknowledge  the  Ame- 
ricans to  be  the  bravest  people  they  ever  contended  with. 


RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  4,  1776,  six  o'clock,  A.  M. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  do  myself  the  honour  of  informing 
you  that,  exclusive  of  the  quantity  of  rope  mentioned  in  the 
invoice  already  sent  you,  I  have  procured  about  twenty-five 
hundred  weight,  from  two-and-a-half-inch  downwards,  &c., 
which  was,  in  a  great  measure,  sent  up  two  days  since  from 
Schenectady.  I  have  also  procured  four  new  cables  of  four 
inch  by  sixty  fathoms,  at  that  place ;  and  we  have  still  here 
seven  or  eight  good  anchors  and  cables,  to  be  forwarded  as 
soon  as  wagons  can  be  procured;  the  owners  of  which,  for 
want  of  ready  cash,  cannot  be  enticed  to  leave  their  harvest. 
I  hope  to  have  no  reason  to  complain  of  this  in  future. 

The  sail  cloth  and  cordage  is  sent  for  to  Connecticut;  and 
an  invoice  of  such  other  articles  as  are  not  to  be  had  here,  is 
sent  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  with  a  request 
to  send  them  with  all  possible  despatch. 

The  blocks  will  be  finished  in  about  ten  days.  By  the 
General's  orders  I  have  sent  an  officer  with  two  batteaus  to 
Poughkccpsie  for  such  of  them  as  are  finished,  and  for  sixty 
coils  of  slow  match,  and  one  hundred  pounds  of  twine,  which 
are  to  be  had  there. 

An  express  is  sent  to  Governour  Trumbulland  the  Salis- 
bury Iron-Works  for  the  swivels,  and  to  Colonel  Robert 
Livingston  for  the  different  kinds  of  cannon  and  grape-shot, 
as  also  for  the  anchors  and  cabels  which  are  wanting. 

A  skipper  is  sent  down  the  river  to  purchase  all  the 
anchors,  cables,  sails,  and  rigging,  that  are  to  be  procured 
from  the  proprietors  of  vessels  between  this  place  andPough- 
keepsie.  The  six  anchors  and  cables  lately  sent  from  New- 
York,  I  hope,  will  arrive  by  the  first  southerly  wind.  As 
soon  as  any  of  these  articles  arrive,  I  shall  forward  them  to 
Tyonderoga  without  delay,  as  far  as  lies  in  my  power. 

I  am  directed  by  General  Schuylcr  to  procure  three  tar- 
burners,  and  send  them  to  Fort  George.  As  soon  as  I  can 
procure  persons  that  understand  it,  I  shall  send  them  to  Fort 
George,  with  the  proper  orders  to  the  commanding  officer. 

All  the  articles  mentioned  in  Colonel  TrumbulFs  requisi- 
tion of  the  29th,  with  an  additional  quantity  of  blacking, 
are  purchased,  and  shall  be  sent  as  soon  as  possible. 


753 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


754 


I  think  that  in  my  letter  of  the  31st,  I  informed  you  that 
I  could  not  furnish  Captain  Bacon  with  money,  for  want  of 
that  article  in  the  Paymaster's  hands.  If  I  have  not,  I  am 
directed  by  the  General  to  do  it  now. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  RICHD  VARICK 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates, 


GENERAL  WATERBURT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  4,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  your  Honour's  favour  of  the 
1st  instant,  and,  according  to  order,  I  immediately  sent  off 
two  messengers  from  this  place  to  go  on  the  most  publick 
roads  to  New-England,  to  hasten  the  troops  according  to 
your  Honour's  orders,  and  sent  such  men  as  I  think  will  be 
faithful  in  the  execution  of  the  same. 

I  must  acquaint  your  Honour  that  I  fear,  do  the  best  I 
can,  that  the  carpenters  will  wait  for  plank,  as  the  water 
fails  at  this  place  much.  The  carpenters  want  plank  to- 
morrow. I  am  going  to  set  the  saw-mill  at  Cheshire's  to 
sawing  oak  plank,  as  the  carpenters  must  want,  so  I  can 
fetch  them  down  by  water. 

I  am  very  anxious  to  get  the  galleys  forward,  as  we  can 
well,  with  the  rest  of  our  shipping,  command  the  Lake, 
being  well  manned  and  conducted.  If  it  is  disagreeable  to 
your  Honour's  mind  for  the  mill  at  Cheshire's  to  saw  plank, 
I  should  be  glad  to  be  informed,  as  I  would  not  act  anything 
disagreeable  to  your  Honour's  mind. 

I  tiave  this  day  sent  an  express  to  Albany,  to  General 
Schuyler,  desiring  him  to  forward  iron  and  other  necessaries 
for  building  the  shipping. 

The  troops  come  entirely  destitute  of  ammunition,  and 
should  be  glad  your  Honour  would  send  us  a  supply  of 
bullets ;  and  am,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  Honour's 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

P.  S.  This  moment  arrived  a  company  of  Boston  troops, 
which  I  shall  forward  immediately. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  August  4,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honour  of  your  letter  of  the  29th  July. 
I  am  much  surprised  to  hear  that  the  carbines  are  not  all 
yet  arrived  at  New-  York.  I  forwarded  them  all  agreeable 
to  your  directions,  and  the  last  two  hundred  went  from  this 
place  the  4th  of  July,  for  Norwich,  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Hun- 
tington,  to  whom  I  wrote,  every  time  I  sent  arms  or  other 
articles  which  were  ordered  to  New-York,  to  forward  them 
with  the  greatest  expedition. 

With  regard  to  the  arms  taken  in  the  Scotch  ships,  I  wrote 
your  Excellency  the  llth  and  29th  of  July,  and  it  has  not 
yet  been  in  my  power  to  send  any  more  than  those  I  have 
forwarded. 

Agreeable  to  your  directions  of  the  7th  of  July,  to  forward 
from  three  to  four  hundred  barrels  of  powder  to  Norwich,  I 
sent  off  four  hundred  barrels  the  13th  of  July,  to  the  care  of 
Mr.  Huntington,  to  be  stored  there  in  some  safe  place  until 
he  should  receive  your  orders  respecting  the  same.  It  would 
have  been  sent  sooner,  had  not  the  interruption  of  business 
by  the  small-pox  prevented.  I  shall  forward  as  soon  as 
possible  one  hundred  barrels  of  powder  more  to  Norwich, 
to  complete  the  five  hundred,  agreeable  to  your  directions 
of  the  19th  of  July.  This  letter  I  did  not  receive  uutil  the 
31st  of  July. 

The  Deputy-Commissary,  Mr.  Miller,  informs  me  he  has 
particular  directions  from  the  Commissary-General  to  secure 
all  the  salt  provisions  he  can  for  the  use  of  the  Army;  and 
I  have  given  him  directions  respecting  the  pork  brought  in 
here  from  Ireland,  agreeable  to  your  orders. 

Your  Excellency  mentions  your  want  of  more  Artillery- 
men, and  that  Captain  Burbeck,  with  his  company,  must  be 
sent  to  New-  York,  if  we  could,  by  any  means,  spare  him. 
I  do  not,  at  present,  conceive  how  he  can  be  spared,  as  the 
Continental  armed  vessels  depend  on  his  company  to  pre- 
pare and  fix  ammunition  for  them — new  supplies  of  which 
they  frequently  want.  They  are  also  wanted  to  prepare 
ammunition  for  the  forts,  and  for  many  other  important  pur- 
poses. But  if  your  Excellency  should  judge  the  want  of 


Artillerymen  at  New-York  is  so  great  as  to  outweigh  these 
considerations,  I  will  send  the  company  forward  as  soon  as 
your  pleasure  shall  be  known. 

The  two  regiments  here  are  generally  recovered  of  the 
small-pox.  I  shall  take  the  utmost  care  to  have  them 
thoroughly  cleansed,  and  agreeable  to  your  orders  of  the 
19th  of  July,  shall  order  them  to  march  this  week  for  Ticon- 
deroga. 

I  am  informed  by  the  Council  of  this  State,  that  they  are 
bringing  in  between  two  and  three  thousand  men  to  defend 
these  lines,  in  the  room  of  the  Continental  regiments  ordered 
from  hence.  The  Council  expect,  agreeable  to  the  resolve 
of  Congress,  that  these  troops  will  be  supplied  with  provisions 
and  ammunition,  and  paid  by  the  Continent;  but  there  being 
no  Continental  officer  when  I  retire  (which  I  intend  to  do 
very  soon)  to  take  the  direction  and  oversight  of  these  and 
many  other  matters  interesting  to  the  United  States,  such  as 
commanding  the  men  in  Continental  pay,  giving  orders  to 
the  Assistant  Quartermaster-General,  Deputy -Commissary 
of  Artillery,  and  Commissary  of  Provisions,  making  returns 
of  the  stores  and  men  in  the  Continental  pay,  and  giving 
warrants  for  the  payment  of  the  men  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  supplying  the  armed  vessels,  Sic.,  I  con- 
ceive the  publick  must  greatly  suffer,  unless  these  matters 
are  committed  to  the  care  and  direction  of  some  person  who 
is  well  acquainted  with  them. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  obedient  and  very  humble  ser- 
vant, ARTEMAS  WARD. 
To  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  I  have  sent  for  Captain  Eayrs,  who  has  the  care 
of  the  company  of  Artificers,  and  acquainted  him  with  your 
Excellency's  orders  respecting  his  company.  He  informs 
me  that  his  men  cannot  go  to  New-York,  unless  their  pay 
is  increased  to  six  pounds  per  month,  and  that  he  informed 
your  Excellency  of  this  before  the  Army  left  Cambridge  last 
spring,  and  that  he  expected  their  pay  would  have  been 
thus  established  before  he  was  sent  for;  that  he  is  willing  to 
march  immediately,  but  as  his  men  are  not  engaged  for  any 
particular  time,  he  cannot  induce  them  to  march  until  the 
establishment  is  made.  If  your  Excellency  should  think 
proper  to  make  such  an  establishment,  and  order  them  to 
New-York,  Captain  Eayrs  desires  that  he  may  receive 
directions  whether  he  is  to  carry  his  tools  with  him.  The 
company  in  the  mean  time  will  be  fully  employed  in  making 
carriages  and  other  necessary  work ;  and  if  they  were  not 
wanted  at  New-  York,  they  might  be  still  employed  here  to 
great  advantage. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 

London,  August  5,  1776. 
To  THE  LORD  MAYOR. 

MY  LORD  :  I  was  last  week  on  board  the  American  pri- 
vateer called  the  Yankee,  commanded  by  Captain  Johnson, 
and  lately  brought  into  this  port  by  Captain  Ross,  who  com- 
manded one  of  the  West-India  sugar  ships,  taken  by  the 
privateer  in  July  last;  and,  as  an  Englishman,  I  wish  your 
Lordship,  who  is  so  happily  placed  at  the  head  of  this  great 
city,  (justly  famed  for  its  great  humanity  even  to  its  enemies,) 
would  be  pleased  to  go  likewise,  or  send  proper  persons,  to 
see  the  truly  shocking,  and,  I  may  say,  barbarous  and  mise- 
rable condition  of  the  unfortunate  American  prisoners,  who, 
however  criminal  they  may  be  thought  to  have  been,  are 
deserving  of  pity,  and  entitled  to  common  humanity. 

They  are  twenty-five  in  number,  and  all  inhumanly  shut 
close  down,  like  wild  beasts,  in  a  small  stinking  apartment 
in  the  hold  of  a  sloop,  about  seventy  tons  burden,  without  a 
breath  of  air,  in  this  sultry  season,  but  what  they  receive 
through  a  small  grating  over  head,  the  openings  in  which  are 
not  more  than  two  inches  square  in  any  part,  and  through 
which  the  sun  beats  intensely  hot  all  day;  only  two  or  three 
being  permitted  to  come  on  deck  at  a  time;  and  then  they 
are  exposed  in  the  open  sun,  which  is  reflected  from  the 
decks  and  water  like  a  burning  glass. 

I  do  not  at  all  exaggerate,  my  Lord:  I  speak  the  truth; 
and  the  resemblance  that  this  barbarity  bears  to  the  memo- 
rable black-hole,  at  Calcutta,  as  a  gentleman  present  on 
Saturday  observed,  strikes  every  one  at  the  sight.  All 
England  ought  to  know  that  the  same  game  is  now  acting 
upon  the  Thames  on  board  this  privateer,  that  all  the  world 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


48 


755 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


756 


cried  out  against  and  shuddered  at  the  mention  of  in  India, 
some  years  ago,  as  practised  on  Captain  Hallowell  and  other 
of  the  King's  good  subjects. 

The  putrid  streams  issuing  from  the  hole  are  so  hot  and 
offensive,  that  one  cannot,  without  the  utmost  danger,  breathe 
over  it ;  and  I  should  not  be  at  all  surprised  if  it  should 
cause  a  plague  to  spread.  The  miserable  wretches  below 
look  like  persons  in  a  hot  bath,  panting,  sweating,  and  faint- 
ing for  want  of  air;  and  the  Surgeon  declares  that  they  must 
all  soon  perish  in  that  situation,  especially  as  they  are  almost 
all  in  a  sickly  state  with  bilious  disorders. 

The  Captain  and  Surgeon,  it  is  true,  have  the  liberty  of 
the  cabin,  (if  it  deserves  the  name  of  a  cabin,)  and  make 
no  complaints  on  their  own  account;  they  are  both  sensible, 
well-behaved  young  men,  and  can  give  a  very  good  account 
of  themselves,  having  no  signs  of  fear,  and  being  supported 
by  a  consciousness  of  the  justice  of  their  cause.  They  are 
men  of  character,  of  good  families  in  New-England,  and 
highly  respected  in  their  different  occupations;  but  being 
stripped  of  their  all  by  the  burning  of  towns  and  other  de- 
structive measures  of  the  present  unnatural  war,  were  forced 
to  take  the  disagreeable  method  of  making  reprisals,  to  main- 
tain themselves  and  their  children,  rather  than  starve. 

Numbers  of  gentlemen,  and  friends  of  Government,  who 
were  on  board  at  the  same  time,  will  confirm  the  truth  of 
this  my  representation,  being  very  sensibly  touched  them- 
selves at  the  horrid  sight. 

English  prisoners  taken  by  the  Americans  have  been 
treated  with  the  most  remarkable  tenderness  and  generosity, 
as  numbers  who  are  safely  returned  to  England  most  freely 
confess,  to  the  honour  of  our  brethren  in  the  Colonies.  And 
it  is  a  fact,  which  can  be  well  attested  in  London,  that  this 
very  Surgeon  on  board  the  privateer,  after  the  battle  of  Lex- 
ington, April  10, 1775,  for  many  days  voluntarily  and  gen- 
erously, without  fee  or  reward,  employed  himself  in  dressing 
the  King's  wounded  soldiers,  (who  but  an  hour  before  would 
have  shot  him,  if  they  could  have  come  at  him,)  and  in  making 
a  collection  for  their  refreshment,  of  wine,  linen,  money,  &tc., 
in  the  town  where  he  lived.  This  is  a  real  fact,  of  which  the 
most  ample  testimony  may  be  had. 

The  capture  of  the  privateer  was  solely  owing  to  the  ill- 
judged  lenity  and  brotherly  kindness  of  Captain  Johnson, 
who,  not  considering  his  English  prisoners  in  the  same  light 
that  he  would  Frenchmen  or  Spaniards,  put  them  under  no 
sort  of  confinement,  but  permitted  them  to  walk  the  decks 
as  freely  as  his  own  people,  at  all  times.*  Taking  advantage 
of  this  indulgence,  the  prisoners  one  day,  watching  their 
opportunity  when  most  of  the  privateer's  people  were  below 
and  asleep,  shut  down  the  hatches,  and  making  all  fast, 
had  immediate  possession  of  the  vessel  without  using  any 
force. 

I  shall  conclude  with  saying,  that  though  this  letter  is 
addressed  to  your  Lordship,  I  hope  that  all  who  may  read 
it,  and  have  any  influence,  will  do  all  in  their  power  to  gain 
the  necessary  relief;  and  it  is  humbly  apprehended  that  the 

*  LONDON,  *1\tgust  6,  1776. — Captain  Johnson,  of  the  Yankee  privateer, 
and  Ross  and  Hodges,  (Captains  of  the  two  Wesl-Indiamen  taken  by  the 
above  privateer,)  were  sitting  together  in  Johnson's  cabin,  a  few  days 
after  they  were  taken,  when  Johnson  having  inadvertently  laid  down  his 
cutlass,  Ross  and  Hodges  took  advantage  of  it,  by  throwing  him  on  his 
back,  and  seized  the  cutlass. 

The  guard  stationed  on  the  quarter-deck  having  also  laid  down  his 
cutlass,  in  order  to  go  forward,  one  of  Ross  or  Hodge's  people,  who  had 
been  let  into  the  secret,  immediately  seized  it,  and  gave  the  alarm;  on 
which  the  men  belonging  to  the  Yankee,  and  those  of  the  merchantmen 
(who  ought  to  have  been  confined)  ran  up,  and  one  of  the  Americans 
having  caught  up  a  scrubbing  brush,  and  advancing  in  a  threatening 
posture,  was  tola  by  the  man  who  held  the  cutlass,  that  if  he  advanced 
a  step  further  he  would  take  his  head  off,  and  ordered  him  and  the  rest 
of  the  men  belonging  to  the  privateer,  to  go  forward;  Ross  and  Hodges 
in  the  mean  time  having  broken  open  the  arm  chest. 

Captain  Johnson  and  his  crew  were  removed  from  the  Yankee  about 
two  o'clock  on  Sunday  morning,  and  it  is  said  are  now  on  board  the 
Conquestadore  man-of-war. 

Captain  Johnson  complains  of  Captain  Ross's  illiberal  behaviour,  in 
Buffering  several  people  to  come  on  board  since  he  arrived,  and  insult 
him  in  the  most  cruel  and  gross  terms,  though  a  prisoner;  and  when  his 
brother  came  to  see  him,  after  three  years  absence,  Captain  Ross  would 
not  permit  them  to  talk  a  moment  in  private. 

If  Captain  Rots  has  secreted  his  prisoners,  is  it  not  worthy  the  inter- 
position of  the  civil  power  to  compel  him  to  produce  them,  that  no  foul 
play  may  be  offered  them,  till  they  have  taken  their  trials  ? 

Captain  Johnson,  of  the  Yankee  privateer,  lately  taken  and  brought  into 
the  river,  is  a  native  of  New-England.  Previous  to  the  present  unhappy 
differences  between  this  country  and  America,  he  lived  as  a  merchant 
in  great  repute,  at  Portsmouth,  in  New-Hampshire.  Last  winter  he  had 
the  misfortune  to  have  his  house  burnt  down  at  the  time  when  the 
greatest  part  of  Portsmouth  was  destroyed  by  the  Sloan,  and  other  ships 
of  war,  at  which  time  he  lost  the  whole  of  his  property.  The  Restrain- 
ing Act  taking  place,  and  depriving  him  from  carrying  on  his  trade,  he 


well  disposed,  who  are  blessed  with  affluence,  could  not 
better  bestow  their  bounty  than  upon  those  poor  objects. 
Vegetables  and  ripe  fruits  of  all  kinds,  with  porter,  &ic., 
must  be  very  useful,  as  well  as  the  means  to  procure  other 
necessaries.  The  privateer  lies  opposite  to  Ratcliffe- Cross, 
a  mile  and  a  half  below  the  Tower,  and  by  asking  for  Cap- 
tain Johnson  admittance  may  be  obtained. 

HUM  ANITAS. 

We  have  been  informed,  since  the  receipt  of  the  above 
letter,  that  the  crew  of  the  American  privateer  the  Yankee, 
were  yesterday  morning,  at  half-past  three  o'clock,  conveyed 
on  board  a  vessel,  and  carried  down  the  river,  to  be  secured 
in  Dover  Castle. 

We  hear  that  a  petition  will  be  presented  to  the  Secretary 
of  State  for  the  American  Department,  by  the  merchants,  to 
cause  the  Captain  of  the  Yankee  privateer  to  be  kept  in 
custody  to  answer  to  them  for  the  property  he  has  illegally 
taken,  he  being  the  sole  owner  of  the  privateer,  and  the 
prizes  of  course  will  be  sold  in  America  for  his  account  and 
emolument. 

By  His  Excellency  JOHN  RUTLEDGE,  Esq.,  President  and 
Commander-in-  Chief  of  SOUTH-CAROLINA: 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  it  appears  to  me  necessary  for  the  publick  service 
to  call  the  General  Assembly  and  Legislative  Council  before 
the  time  to  which  they  stand  adjourned:  I  have  therefore 
thought  fit  to  issue  this  Proclamation,  requiring  them,  and 
they  are  hereby  required,  to  meet  at  Charlestown,  on 
Tuesday,  the  17th  day  of  September  next,  then  and  'there 
to  sit  for  the  despatch  of  divers  weighty  and  important 
affairs. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  seal  of  South- Carolina, 
at  Charlestown,  this  5th  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-six. 

JOHN  RUTLEDGE. 

By  His  Excellency's  command: 

JOHN  HUGER,  Secretary. 

Williamsburgh,  Virginia,  August  10,  1776. 
On  Monday  last,  the  5th  instant,  being  Court  day,  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  publickly  proclaimed  in 
the  Town  of  Richmond,  before  a  large  concourse  of  respect- 
able freeholders  ofHenrico  County,  and  upwards  of  two  hun- 
dred of  the  Militia  who  assembled  on  that  grand  occasion. 
It  was  received  with  universal  shouts  of  joy,  and  reechoed 
by  three  volleys  of  small-arms.  The  same  evening  the  town 
was  illuminated,  and  the  members  of  the  Committee  held  a 
club,  when  many  patriotick  toasts  were  drunk.  Although 
there  were  near  one  thousand  people  present,  the  whole  was 
conducted  with  the  utmost  decorum;  and  the  satisfaction 
visible  in  every  countenance  sufficiently  evinces  their  deter- 
mination to  support  it  with  their  lives  and  fortunes. 

resolved  to  go  to  sea  in  a  privateer,  and  accordingly  hired  the  Yankee  for 
that  purpose. 

LONDON,  August  10,  1776. — The  method  by  which  the  Yankee  priva- 


tently  laid  down  his  cutlass,  floss  and  Hodges  took  the  advantage  of 
it,  and  one  coming  behind  Captain  Johnson,  seized  and  threw  him  down, 
while  the  other  got  possession  of  the  cutlass.  The  guard  stationed  on 
the  quarter-deck  having  at  the  same  time  laid  down  his  cutlass  to  go 
forward,  one  of  Boss's  or  Hodges's  people,  who  had  been  let  into  the 
conspiracy,  immediately  seized  it,  and  gave  the  alarm;  on  which  either 
Koss  or  Hodges  ran  upon  the  quarter-deck,  and  got  possession  of  the  arm- 
chest  before  the  privateer's  men  and  those  of  the  merchantmen,  who 
were  at  large  and  unconfined,  though  then  down  in  the  hold,  could  get 
upon  the  main  deck.  One  of  the  Americans  took  up  a  scrubbing-brush, 
and  advanced  to  the  quarter-deck;  he  was  told  by  the  man  possessed  of 
the  cutlass,  that  if  he  came  a  step  farther,  his  head  should  be  cut  off. 
The  privateer's  men  thus  finding  the  quarter-deck  and  their  arms  all  in 
possession  of  their  adversaries,  and  their  Captain  a  prisoner  in  the  cabin, 
submitted  without  further  resistance,  being  promised  good  treatment, 
and  to  be  landed  as  soon  as  possible  in  some  part  of  America,  and  then 
be  at  liberty  to  go  where  they  pleased.  So  far  from  this  promise  being 
complied  with,  the  men  were  put  in  irons,  and  closely  confined  in  the 
hold  of  the  privateer,  and  all  of  them  brought  into  the  river  Thames. 
Since  which  they  were,  in  the  night  of  Saturday  last,  hurried  into  a  man 
of  war's  tender,  and  smuggled  to  some  place  of  confinement,  but  where, 
is  not  yet  certainly  known. 

Captain  Johnson  complained  heavily  of  the  illiberal  behaviour  and 
cruel  usage  he  suffered,  by  being  insulted  frequently  at  sea,  calling  him 
by  the  most  opprobrious  names,  and  threatening  him  with  the  crudest 
and  most  savage  punishments,  and  also  for  suffering  many  people  to 
come  on  board  after  they  arrived  in  the  river,  to  insult  him  in  the  basest 
and  grossest  terms,  though  he  was  then  a  prisoner;  and  when  his  brother 
came  to  see  him  after  a  three  years'  absence,  they  would  not  permit  them 
to  talk  together  one  minute  in  private. 


757 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


758 


GENERAL  DENT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Charles  County,  August  5,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  favour  of  the  2d  instant  I  have  received, 
wherein  you  not  only  account  for  ordering  me  to  St.  George's 
Island,  (whither  I  should  most  undoubtedly  have  gone  with- 
out orders,  so  soon  as  I  was  apprized  of  the  arrival  of  the 
enemy,)  but  also  for  sending  Major  Price  to  take  the  com- 
mand. I  never  entertained  the  most  distant  thought  that  you 
had  any  intention  of  giving  me  offence,  and  am  happy  to 
find  you  have  had  no  insinuations  to  my  prejudice.  What  I 
complain  of  is,  your  very  concise  order,  whereby  I  was  super- 
seded, without  a  line  from  your  Honours  signifying  what  part 
I  was  to  act,  or  whether  I  was  to  remain  there  a  cipher, 
where  I  stayed  with  impatience  twenty-four  hours,  expect- 
ing further  orders.  I  never  attended  to  the  rank  between 
officers  of  the  Militia  and  Regulars,  as  adjusted  by  the  Con- 
vention, or  should  not  have  accepted  of  the  commission  I 
held;  for  that,  and  the  reason  already  given,  did  enclose  you 
my  commission  for  the  Flying-Camp.  Having  tendered  my 
service  to  the  publick  in  a  different  line  of  duty,  (viz:  the 
civil  department,)  which,  requiring  my  presence  till  my 
offer  is  accepted  or  rejected,  prevents  my  complying  with 
your  repeated  request  of  giving  you  a  personal  conference 
until  Monday  next,  when  I  have  reason  to  believe  I  shall 
have  the  pleasure  of  conferring  with  your  Honours  on  the 
subject. 

1  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

JNO.  DENT. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  TOOTELL. 
[No.  113.]  Annapolis,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Guard  at  the  Magazine  complain  of  not  having 
a  sufficient  quantity  of  provision  delivered  them  for  three 
meals  per  day.  We  think  it  is  necessary  they  should  have 
it,  and  that  it  may  be  furnished  for  10  J  per  week,  and  there- 
fore desire  it  may  be  allowed.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Captain  James  Tootell. 

CAPTAIN  BROOKE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Calvert  County,  August  5,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  Agreeable  to  your  orders  I 
marched  such  of  my  men  as  were  raised  to  Drum  Point, 
and  there  continued  until  yesterday,  when  Captain  BeaWs 
men  returned.  As  there  was  no  conveniency  for  myself  and 
company  to  stay  there  any  longer,  I  thought  it  proper  to 
move  up  the  country  as  far  as  Hunting-Town,  (about  twenty 
miles,)  at  which  place  we  are  now  stationed  and  waiting  for 
further  orders. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  BROOKE,  Jun. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


JOHN  HANSON,  JUN.,  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Frederick-Town,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  money  sent  to  purchase  arms,  &c.,  is  nearly 
expended.  Many  receipts  for  guns  and  blankets  are  yet  to 
come  in.  The  two  German  companies  and  the  Rifle  com- 
pany are,  I  believe,  altogether  unprovided.  It  will  be, 
therefore,  necessary  to  send  us  more  cash,  and  the  present 
will  be  a  good  opportunity. 

I  am,  veiy  respectfully,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  HANSON,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of 
the  Council  of  Safety. 


COLONEL  EWING  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  5,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIRS  :  I  have  this  day  delivered  your  order  to 
the  Committee  of  Observation  for  this  County,  for  eighty- 
four  guns ;  they  have  returned  me  for  answer,  that  they  have 
not  as  many,  but  expect  soon  to  let  me  have  that  quantity. 
I  have  sent  off  a  gentleman  to  Frederick-Town,  who  is  like- 
wise to  go  to  Shepherd's  Town,  in  Virginia,  where  I  am  in 
hopes  he  will  be  able  to  procure  a  quantity  of  guns  and 
rifles.  If  agreeable  to  you,  I  propose  making  one  of  my 


companies  a  Rifle  company,  as  a  Light-Infantry  company 
to  the  battalion.  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  an 
order  on  the  Committee  here  for  a  quantity  of  blankets  for  my 
soldiers,  which  are  to  be  embarked  on  Thursday  or  Friday 
next.  As  there  is  a  quantity  of  arms  arrived  at  Philadel- 
phia since  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  and  as  they 
are  indebted  to  you  some  arms,  I  shall  be  much  obliged  by 
your  giving  me  an  order  on  them  for  some  guns,  and  allow- 
ing me  to  march  some  of  my  soldiers  to  Philadelphia  with- 
out guns.  You  know  I  am  very  desirous  of  getting  to 
station;  therefore,  shall  esteem  it  a  particular  favour  and 
indulgence.  Upon  inquiry,  Mr.  Hopkins  has  about  four 
hundred  hunting-shirts,  which  I  would  be  glad  you  would 
allow  me  to  take  for  the  use  of  the  troops,  and  for  which 
they  shall  pay.  As  I  purpose  sending  off  more  than  two 
companies,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  for  an  order  for  more 
guns  when  received,  for  camp-kettles,  canteens  or  wooden 
bottles,  cartouch-boxes  and  belts,  bayonet  scabbards  and 
belts,  with  gun  slings.  If  your  Honours  thought  proper  to 
give  me  an  unlimited  order  for  completing  my  battalion  with 
such,  I  shall  take  nothing  but  what  the  Captains  shall  give  a 
receipt  for,  and  shall  observe  to  them  that  they  are  account- 
able for  everything. 

I  shall  be  much  obliged  for  your  answer;  and  am,  with 
due  respect,  honoured  sirs,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  EWING. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  now 

at  Annapolis. 


DOCTOR  WEISENTHALL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore-Town,  August  5,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  take  the  liberty  to  inform  you  of  my  return 
from  the  camp,  where  I  went,  according  to  my  promise  to 
you,  in  order  to  see  the  regiment  properly  taken  care  of. 
Doctor  Shippen  is  appointed  Surgeon-General  to  the  Flying- 
Camp,  with  whom  I  had  a  conference,  and  received  a  letter 
from  him  to  General  Mercer,  as  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Flying-Camp,  in  order  to  concert  measures  for  the  forming 
proper  hospitals,  which  was  done.  I  left  our  Maryland 
troops  in  a  good  condition  at  Elizabeth-Town,  and  shall 
take  an  opportunity  of  giving  a  fuller  account  when  I  arrive 
at  Annapolis. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 

humble  servant,  „  „, 

U.  WEISENTHALL. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


BALTIMORE  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  August  5,  1776 : 

Present :  Samuel  Purviance,  Chairman;  William  Lux,  Vice  Chairman; 
W.  Buchanan,  B.  Griffith,  A.  Britain,  T.  Sellers,  J.  Smith,  J.  Griest, 
T.  Gist,  J.  Boyd. 

The  following  persons,  viz :  Thomas  Harriman,  Josias 
Harriman,  Chas.  Harriman,  John  Cotterell,  Thos.  Graves, 
and  John  Graves,  having  enrolled  in  Captain  Mercer's  Com- 
pany, their  fines,  as  Non-Enrollers,  are  remitted. 

Captain  Richard  Owings  is  summoned  to  attend  this 
Committee,  on  Monday  next,  to  answer  a  charge  exhibited 
against  him  by  Mr.  John  Messier. 

Captain  Gist  Vaughan  returned  his  Enrolment. 

Richard  Taylor  (of  Baltimore  West)  produced  a  Certifi- 
cate of  his  having  enrolled  in  Captain  William  Richardson's 
Company;  on  which  his  fine  was  remitted. 

Ordered,  That  the  Chairman  advertise  for  those  who  have 
Arms  to  dispose  of  to  bring  them  to  the  Committee,  who 
will  pay  for  the  same. 

Attest :  GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 

JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  my  last,  a  vessel,  fitted  out  by  the  Secret 
Committee,  has  arrived  here  from  Marseilles,  in  France, 
which  place  she  left  the  8th  of  June.  She  has  brought,  for 
the  use  of  the  American  States,  one  thousand  good  muskets, 
about  ten  tons  of  powder,  and  about  forty  tons  of  lead,  &c. 
A  small  privateer  from  this  city,  called  the  Congress,  has 
taken  a  vessel  bound  from  the  West-Indies  to  Halifax,  and 
sent  her  safe  into  port ;  besides  a  cargo  of  West-India  goods, 


759 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


760 


there  was  found  on  board  her  one  thousand  and  seventy- 
eight  joes,  six  hundred  and  seventy -two  guineas,  and  some 
other  gold  coin.  Captain  Barry,  in  the  Lexington,  one  of 
the  Continental  vessels,  has  taken  and  sent  in  here  a  priva- 
teer of  six  carriage-guns,  commanded  by  another  of  those 
infamous  Goodriches,  of  Virginia,  Captain  Wickcs,  in  the 
Reprisal,  another  Continental  vessel,  has  taken  and  sent  in 
a  sloop  bound  from  the  West-Indies  to  Liverpool;  he  has 
also  taken  a  ship  from  Grenada  to  London,  which  is  not 
yet  arrived — both  loaded  with  West-India  goods. 

Since  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  your  friend  John 
Alsop  has  written  to  the  Convention  of  New-  York  to  resign 
his  seat  in  Congress,  and  made  some  reflections  on  the  Con- 
vention for  their  agreeing  so  unanimously  to  that  Declara- 
tion. The  Convention,  in  return,  voted  cheerfully  and 
unanimously  to  accept  of  his  resignation,  with  some  severe 
and  cutting  reflections  on  him  for  his  conduct ;  which  were 
all  sent  to  Congress.  I  believe  his  boarding  svith  our  friend 
Wharton  has  been  no  advantage  to  him ;  possibly,  he  was 
obliged  to  resign  his  seat  as  a  previous  condition  to  his  taking 
full  possession  of  the  lady. 

As  I  had  no  letter  from  you  last  post,  (for  I  look  on  the 
cover  to  Colonel  Whipple's  letters  to  be  nothing,)  I  hope 
you  will  consider  this  as  bringing  you  one  letter  in  debt,  or 
at  least  that  it  be  put  to  my  credit,  to  make  up  former  defi- 
ciencies ;  which  will  be  but  justice  to  your  most  obedient, 

JOSIAH  BARTLETT. 

P.  S.  August  6. — Yesterday  arrived  here  two  prizes, 
taken  by  Captain  Wickes — one,  the  ship  before  mentioned, 
having  on  board,  it  is  said,  five  hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar, 
the  other  a  brig,  bound  from  the  West-Indies  to  Ireland, 
taken  since  the  ship  and  sloop ;  the  particulars  of  her  cargo 
I  have  not  heard.  This  is  the  best  way  of  supplying  our- 
selves with  necessaries,  since  Britain  will  not  suffer  us  to 
procure  them  by  trade ;  and  I  expect  another  year  we  shall 
be  well  supplied  this  way. 
.  Yours,  &tc.,  J.  B. 


LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation,  Inspec- 
tion, and  Correspondence,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart, 
the  5th  August,  1776 : 

Present:  Edward  Shippen,  Mathias  Slough,  William  Atlee,  Adam  Rei- 
gart, Jacob  Krug,  Christopher  Crawford,  William  Bowsman,  Michael 
Musser,  Henry  Dehuff,  John  Miller,  Casper  Shaffner. 

William  Atlee  in  the  chair. 

On  Saturday,  the  3d  instant,  a  report  being  circulated 
through  this  town,  that  a  company  intended  for  the  Camp 
in  the  Jerseys,  from  Cumberland  County,  had,  in  their  pas- 
sage through  Carlisle,  wantonly  fired  upon  and  wounded 
some  of  the  prisoners  of  war  there,  and  had  particularly  at- 
tacked the  house  wherein  Lieutenant  Andre  resided,  fired 
several  shot  through  his  windows,  and  had  wounded  him, 
and  had  otherwise  behaved  to  the  officers,  prisoners  there, 
in  a  cruel  and  ungenerous  manner,  and  that  the  said  com- 
pany might  be  expected  in  Lancaster  that  evening, — the 
Committee  recollecting  that  many  of  those  persons  who 
were  lately  so  barbarously  butchered  and  ill-treated  after 
their  surrender  to  Captain  Forster,  of  the  British  troops,  in 
Canada,  had  been  inhabitants  of  Cumberland  County,  and 
much  respected  there,  and  not  knowing  the  officer  who 
commanded  this  company,  nor  the  character  of  himself  and 
men,  were  induced  to  give  some  credit  to  the  report,  and 
therefore  gave  directions  that  the  prisoners  of  war  here  should 
confine  themselves  to  their  rooms,  or  at  least  to  the  walls  of 
their  barracks,  from  the  hour  of  five  in  the  afternoon  until 
the  next  morning,  and  that  they  should  before  five  o'clock 
aforesaid,  bring  into  the  barracks  water  and  other  necessa- 
ries to  last  them  that  time,  being  determined  to  draw  out  the 
town  companies  and  defend  them  from  any  attack  which 
might  be  made  on  them  to  the  utmost  of  their  power.  Orders 
of  this  kind  alarmed  the  prisoners  at  the  barracks;  they  had, 
by  some  means  or  other,  found  out  the  reason  of  them,  and 
were  arming  themselves  with  clubs  from  the  cordwood.  In- 
telligence of  this  being  brought  to  the  Committee,  a  member 
was  sent  up  to  inform  them  that  every  method  should  be 
used  for  their  safety,  and  to  desire  they  would  keep  them- 
selves quiet.  About  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  Com- 
mittee had  notice  that  the  company  was  in  the  woods  near 
the  town,  and  immediately  sent  out  two  officers  to  meet 


them,  with  directions  to  inform  the  commander  of  the  party 
of  the  report,  and  to  request  that  no  injury  might  be  offered 
to  the  prisoners  here.  In  about  half  an  hour  the  officers 
returned,  with  an  account  that  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
company  were  very  uneasy  at  the  charge  against  them,  and 
assured  them  it  was  false.  This  answer  was  directly  circu- 
lated to  quiet  the  minds  of  the  inhabitants;  and  about  nine 
o'clock  the  company  marched  in  under  command  of  Captain 
Thomas  Clark,  of  the  Fourth  Battalion  of  Associators  in 
Cumberland  County,  in  great  good  order,  without  offering 
injury  to  any  one,  and  quietly  retired  with  their  billets  to  the 
places  assigned  them.  Upon  Captain  Clark's  request,  the 
person  who  had  propagated  a  report  so  injurious  to  himself 
and  company,  was  sought  for  and  placed  in  the  guard-house 
for  examination,  where  he  was  continued  until  this  morning, 
that,  by  the  delay,  we  might  have  an  opportunity  of  hearing 
from  Carlisle.  Agreeable  to  expectation,  Captain  George 
Hubley  (a  gentleman  who  is  a  native  of  this  place,  and  well 
known  to  the  Committee)  arrived  here  yesterday  evening, 
and  now  being  introduced  to  the  Committee,  declares,  upon 
oath,  that  he  left  Carlisle  yesterday  morning;  that  he  arrived 
there  from  the  westward  on  Saturday  morning  last  about  ten 
o'clock,  and  staid  there  the  remainder  of  the  day.  That  he 
saw  the  officers  prisoners  of  war  there,  very  cheerful  at  din- 
ner, at  Mr.  Folk's,  with  their  servants  attending  them;  that 
some  of  them  spoke  to  him  ;  that  he  was  in  conversation  with 
different  companies  in  the  town  that  day;  that  he  heard 
Captain  Clark,  with  his  Company,  had  passed  through  the 
town  the  day  before,  and  heard  not  a  word  of  any  disturb- 
ance or  ill-treatment  to  any  of  the  prisoners.  And  the  said 
informant  (George  Huber)  being  also  brought  into  Commit- 
tee, saith,  that  at  Carlisle,  on  Wednesday  evening  last,  he 
did  see  two  men  discharge  their  pieces  down  the  street,  but 
whether  they  belonged  to  Captain  Clark's  Company  or  not, 
or  whether  they  intended  injury  to  any  one, he  don't  know; 
and  that  as  to  the  remainder  of  the  report,  he  had  it  from  a 
woman  who  washed  in  the  house  occupied  by  the  officers' 
servants,  and  others. 

The  Committee,  therefore,  do  now,  in  justice  to  Captain 
Clark,  and  at  the  request  of  himself,  his  officers,  and  Com- 
pany, (who  have  been  basely  charged  with  an  action  which, 
if  true,  must  have  reflected  great  dishonour  upon  them,)  with 
great  cheerfulness  certify  the  foregoing  narrative  to  be  true ; 
that  the  said  charge  against  the  said  Captain  Clarlc  and  his 
Company,  upon  the  evidence  adduced  to  them,  is  false  and 
groundless,  and  that  the  behaviour  of  his  Company,  during 
their  stay  in  Lancaster,  and  on  leaving  it,  hath  been  remark- 
ably decent  and  orderly. 

Doctor  John  Sensinney  having  certified  to  this  Committee 
that  John  Freeser,  of  Captain  Andrew  Bare's  Company  of 
Associators  in  Lancaster  County,  is  unfit  for  service  as  a 
soldier,  and  Captain  Bare  being  satisfied  that  the  Committee 
shall  direct  him  to  continue  at  home  with  his  family,  the 
Committee  do  therefore  agree  that  the  said  John  Freeser 
continue  at  home  with  his  family,  he  here  in  Committee 
engaging  to  afford  to  the  families  of  such  Associators  as  are 
gone  into  service  from  his  neighbourhood  every  assistance  in 
his  power. 

Ordered.  That  the  Chairman  write  to  Captain  Harris 
informing  him  that  it  is  the  sentiments  of  the  Committee 
that  Jonas  Keeler,  an  apprentice  of  Isaac  Hains,  be  kept  at 
the  Gunsmith's  business  with  his  master,  and  be  not  obliged 
to  do  duty  as  a  soldier. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Dillen,  an  apprentice  to  Isaac  Hains, 
Gunsmith,  now  an  Associator,  and  doing  duty  in  Captain 
Hoofnagle's  Company,  go  home  with  his  said  master,  and 
continue  at  that  work  with  him. 

John  Okely,  of  the  Twenty -Sixth  Regiment,  is  permitted 
to  work  with  Christian  Bough,  Tailor,  he  here  in  Committee 
engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him,  agreeable  to  the  resolves 
of  the  Committee. 

Richard  Savory,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  is  permitted 
to  work  with  Casper  Singer,  Farmer,  he  here  in  Committee 
engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him  agreeable  to  the  resolves 
of  the  Committee. 

Examination  of  PETER  SH<ECKER,  on  oath. 

In  Committee,  August  2,  1776. 

Says  that  he  and  Joseph  Jones,  John  Musser,  and  some 
others,  hearing  that  a  prisoner  was  at  Mr.  Holmes's,  who 


761 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


762 


before  had  been  sent  to  Lancaster,  went  to  Mr.  Holmes's, 
and  told  Mr.  Holmes  that  they  would  be  much  obliged  to 
him  if  he  would  send  the  prisoner  back  again.  That  he 
understood  Mr.  Holmes,  that  he  said  he  had  bailed  him  for 
£500 ;  after  that,  he  told  him  then  he  was  there ;  he  would 
not  send  him  off;  and  that  they  might  do  what  they  pleased. 
And  further  saith  not. 

Sunday  morning,  August  4,  1776. 

SIR  :  My  negro  boy  is  confined  in  jail  through  the  ambition 
of  one  of  our  neighbours;  and  as  all  the  men  are  marched 
to  the  camp,  belonging  to  my  family,  and  my  sons  and  com- 
panies of  men  must  be  entertained  in  publick  houses,  we  are 
in  a  great  need  of  the  negro  if  he  could  be  released  and 
sent  home.  I  would  be  willing  to  go  under  any  obligations 
that  could  in  justice  be  required  for  his  good  behaviour.  But 
the  bearer,  Mr.  Douglass,  one  of  our  Committee,  will  inform 
you  of  the  matter  more  fully. 

I  am,  with  respect,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

SARAH  HOPKINS. 
To  William  Atke,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee. 

SIR:  Will  your  Honour  be  so  kind  as  to  permit  me  to 
go  to  the  Upper  Barracks  to  day? 

ANTHONY  SHADFORD. 

COMMITTEE  GENTLEMEN:  I  earnestly  beg  and  do  desire, 
gentlemen,  that  your  Honours  would  be  so  kind  as  to  permit 
me  to  go  up  to  the  Barracks,  and  there  remain.  My  reason 
for  going  up  is  because  I  have  a  comrade  there,  and  I  have 
a  desire  to  be  with  him.  I  hope,  gentlemen,  you  will  not 
think  it  too  much  to  do  that  for  me.  Pardon  me,  gentle- 
men, for  making  so  bold. 

I  remain,  gentlemen,  yours,  Sic.,     JONATHAN  PILLING. 
Lancaster,  August  5,  1776. 

LIEUTENANT   HARRINGTON   (PRISONER)  TO   THE    LANCASTER 
COMMITTEE. 

Lancaster  Jail,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  applied  to  the  President  of  the  Committee  some 
time  ago  that  my  baggage  might  be  allowed  me,  to  which 
I  received  no  answer,  but  received  some  wearing  apparel. 
I  understand  that  by  my  baggage  being  hurried 

away  from  Lebanon,  and  not  being  allowed  either  to  bring  it 
with  me  or  pack  it  properly  up.  As  I  suppose  the  Commit- 
tee can  have  no  claim  or  reason  for  keeping  my  own  private 
goods,  whatever  right  they  may  allege  for  keeping  those  of  the 
officers  who  are  escaped,  I,  therefore,  would  be  obliged  to  the 
Committee  if  they  would  order  it  to  be  restored  me. 

As  I  am  in  want  of  a  bed,  bedstead,  and  curtains,  should 
be  glad  if  the  Committee  would  allow  me  the  use  of  one 
of  those  which  are  in  jail,  belonging  to  the  other  officers. 
There  are  also  amongst  those  goods  a  small  trunk  full  of 
books  and  a  case  of  liquors,  and  a  few  other  things  which 
belong  to  me,  among  the  things  below  in  this  place — the 
Committee  will  oblige  me  by  allowing  me  to  have  them. 

I  beg  also  to  mention  my  parole  to  the  Committee.  Should 
be  glad  to  have  an  answer,  whether  or  not  I  am  to  be  obliged 
so  far  as  to  be  allowed  to  go  out  on  that  condition,  (as  the 
Committee  have  had  full  time  to  have  an  answer  from  Con- 
gress,) or  be  obliged  to  remain  locked  up  in  a  jail  for  the 
remainder  of  the  war. 

I  am,  sir,  with  due  respect,  yours  and  the  Committee's 
humble  servant, 

W.  BARRINGTON,  Lieut,  in  Royal  Fusileers. 
To  Wm.  Atlee,  President  of  the  Committee  of  Lancaster. 

P.  S.  If  the  Committee  have  received  an  answer  from 
Congress,  refusing  to  allow  me  my  parole,  I  think  it  might  be 
allowed  me  to  have  the  liberty  to  walk  at  large  about  the 
jail. 


lency  will  see  that  the  whole  force  of  the  Flying-Camp  is 
as  yet  only  two  hundred  and  seventy-four  rank  and  file. 

I  understood  that  the  Pennsylvania  Militia  were  to  remain 
on  duty  here  until  troops  had  assembled  to  form  the  Flying- 
Camp,  but  of  late  they  have  become  (many  of  them)  cla- 
morous to  return  home. 

Colonel  Matlack  is  gone  to  Philadelphia,  to  represent  the 
temper  of  the  Associators  to  the  Convention,  that  some 
speedy  method,  by  bounty  or  otherwise,  may  be  adopted,  to 
facilitate  the  recruiting  business. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabeth-Town,  August  5, 1776. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  your  letter  of  the  1st  instant, 
which  I  did  not  receive  till  the  evening  of  the  3d,  I  came 
here  yesterday  to  have  an  interview  with  General  Living- 
ston and  Colonel  Dickinson. 

By  the  return  of  the  troops  on  duty  here,  your  Excel- 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  6,  1776.] 

New-York,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the  31st  ultimo 
on  Friday,  with  its  several  enclosures,  and  return  you  my 
thanks  for  the  agreeable  intelligence  you  were  pleased  to 
communicate,  of  the  arrival  of  one  of  our  ships  with  such 
valuable  articles  as  arms  and  ammunition ;  also  of  the  cap- 
ture made  by  a  privateer. 

The  mode  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners  resolved  on  by 
Congress,  is  acceded  to  by  General  Howe,  so  far  as  it  comes 
within  his  command.  A  copy  of  my  letter,  and  his  answer 
upon  the  subject,  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you,  and  to 
which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  Congress. 

The  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from  Colonel  Tapper,  who 
had  the  general  command  of  the  galleys  here,  will  inform 
Congress  of  the  engagement  between  them  and  the  ships  of 
war  up  the  North  River,  on  Saturday  evening,  and  of  the 
damage  we  sustained.  What  injury  was  done  to  the  ships,  1 
cannot  ascertain ;  it  is  said  they  were  hulled  several  times 
by  our  shot.  All  accounts  agree  that  our  officers  and  men, 
during  the  whole  of  the  affair,  behaved  with  great  spirit  and 
bravery.  The  damage  done  to  the  galleys  shows  beyond 
question  that  they  had  a  warm  time  of  it.  The  ships  still 
remain  up  the  river;  and  before  anything  further  can  be 
attempted  against  them,  should  it  be  thought  advisable,  the 
galleys  must  be  repaired. 

I  have  also  transmitted  to  Congress  a  copy  of  a  letter  I 
received  by  Saturday's  post  from  Governour  Cooke,  to 
which  I  refer  them  for  the  intelligence  it  contains.  The 
seizure  of  our  vessels  by  the  Portuguese  is,  I  fear,  an  event 
too  true.  Their  dependance  upon  the  British  Crown  for 
aid  against  the  Spaniards,  must  force  them  to  comply  with 
everything  required  of  them.  I  wish  the  Morris  may  be 
got  in  safe  with  her  cargo.  As  to  the  ships  Captain  Buck- 
lin  saw  on  the  25th  ultimo,  they  are  probably  arrived,  for 
yesterday  twenty-five  sail  came  into  the  Hook. 

By  a  letter  from  General  Ward,  of  the  29th  ultimo,  he 
informs  me  that  two  of  our  armed  vessels  the  day  before 
had  brought  into  Marblehead  a  ship  bound  from  Halifax  to 
Staten- Island.  She  had  in  about  £  1509  cost  of  British 
goods,  besides  a  good  many  belonging  to  Tories.  A  Hali- 
fax paper  found  on  board  of  her,  I  have  enclosed,  as  also 
an  account  sent  me  by  Mr.  Hazard,  transmitted  him  by 
some  of  his  friends,  as  given  by  the  Tories  taken  in  her. 
Their  intelligence  I  dare  say  is  true  respecting  the  arrival 
of  part  of  the  Hessian  troops.  General  Ward,  in  his  letter, 
mentions,  that  the  day  this  prize  was  taken,  Captain  Burk, 
in  another  of  our  armed  vessels,  had  an  engagem'ent  with  a 
ship  and  a  schooner,  which  he  thought  were  transports,  and 
would  have  taken  them,  had  it  not  been  for  an  unlucky 
accident  in  having  his  quarter-deck  blown  up ;  two  of  his 
men  were  killed,  and  several  more  were  wounded. 

The  hulks  and  chevaux-de-frise  that  have  been  preparing 
to  obstruct  the  channel,  have  got  up  to  the  place  they  are 
intended  for,  and  will  be  sunk  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  have  transmitted  Congress  a  General  Return  of  the  Army 
in  and  about  this  place,  on  the  3d  instant,  by  which  they 
will  perceive  the  amount  of  our  force. 

Before  I  conclude  I  would  beg  leave  to  remind  Congress 
of  the  necessity  there  is  of  having  some  Major-Generals 
appointed  for  this  Army,  the  duties  of  which  are  great, 
extensive,  and  impossible  to  be  discharged  as  they  ought 
to  be  and  the  good  of  the  service  requires,  without  a  compe- 
tent number  of  officers  of  this  rank.  I  mean  to  write  more 
fully  upon  the  subject ;  and,  as  things  are  drawing  fast  to  an 
issue,  and  it  is  necessary  to  make  every  proper  disposition 


7C3 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


764 


and  arrangement  that  we  possibly  can,  I  pray  that  this  mat-  tunity  I  shall  take  the  liberty  of  giving  you  my  sentiments 

ter  may  be  taken  into  consideration,  and  claim  their  early  more  at  large  upon  the  propriety  and  necessity  of  the  measure, 
attention.     I  well  know  what  has  prevented  appointments  of        I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect, 

this  sort  for  some  time  past ;  but  the  situation  of  our  affairs  will  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 


not  justify  longer  delays  in  this  instance.     By  the  first  oppor- 


Go.  WASHINGTON. 


Return  of  the  Army  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  in  and  near  the  City  of  NEW-¥ORK,  commanded 
by  His  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  General  and  Commandcr-in- Chief. 


REGIMENTS. 

OFFICERS  PRESENT. 

RANK  AND  FILE. 

Wanting  to 
complete. 

Since  last 
Return. 

Commissioned. 

Staff. 

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1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
] 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

18 
32 
20 
21 
22 
30 
21 
25 
29 
20 
31 
15 
30 
27 
25 
22 
23 
16 
29 
19 
32 
32 
28 

13 
15 
13 
14 
16 
16 
15 
14 
16 
7 
16 
]3 
15 
12 
14 
8 
13 
14 
16 
10 
11 
12 
14 

248 
230 
267 
241 
267 
265 
239 
290 
251 
331 
214 
224 
268 
191 
264 
234 
283 
342 
253 
243 
391 
424 
526 

28 
67 
56 
85 
86 
195 
53 
62 
131 
23 
184 
118 
126 
157 
117 
148 
110 
20 
81 
127 
56 
62 
3 

10 

7 
20 
14 
9 
6 
6 
9 
10 
187 
1 
11 
6 
1 
c 

8 
10 

38 

ll 
32 
10 

122 

19 
236 
88 
73 
36 
116 
83 
103 
128 
17 
133 
193 
133 
161 
158 
141 
81 
102 
114 
72 
11 
2 

14 

7 

1 
1 
3 

2 

2 

1 
3 
5 

319 
540 
431 
413 
398 
589 
381 
464 
520 
559 
533 
549 
533 
512 
544 
531 
484 
504 
451 
455 
493 
503 
651 

8 

1 
1 

2 
1 

1 
2 

4 

2 
1 
3 

1 
1 
2 
1 
5 
4 

321 
100 
209 
227 
242 
51 
259 
176 
120 
81 
107 
91 
107 
128 
96 
109 
156 
136 
269 
185 
147 
137 

15 

2 
1 
1 
1 

2 

3 
3 

3 

1 
1 
2 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

2 
7 

1 

2 
2 

2 

3 
2 

1 
2 

2 

1 

2 
1 

1 
2 

1 
1 

8 
5 

Colonel  Webb's    

Total  

182oll9 

145  137 

148 

12 

19 

21 

1719 

567   307    6,486 

2095 

537 

2,200 

39 

11,357 

16 

24 

3,45431 

19 

20 

18 

Return  of  General  SCOTT'S  Brigade  ;  sixty-seven  rank  and  file  to  a  Company. 

1 
1 
1 

i 
i 
i 
i 

1 

1 
1 
1 

3 

10 
9 
10 
5 

34 

10 
9 
10 
5 

34 

10 
9 
9 
5 

33 

— 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 

4 

1 
1 
1 

1 

4 

1 

30 

28 
28 
15 

17 
17 

18 
8 

399 
198 
307 
183 

53 

18 
86 
55 

16 
9 
21 

46 

56 
52 
49 
15 

8 
2 
18 
4 

532 
279 

481 
257 

2 
1 

3 

3 
3 
1 

138 
391 
199 

78 

1 

3 

4 

8 



11 
11 

13 

2 
1 

SComp.  ofLt.  Col.Hardenburgh's 
Total  

4 

101 

60  1  1,087 

212 

172)  32 

1,549 

7 

816 

16 

Return  of  General  HEARD'S  Brigade;  seventy-two  rank:  and  file  to  a  Company. 

Companies  of  Colonel  Forman's 

1 

1 

1 
1 

4 

i 
i 
i 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

4 
7 
7 
6 

5 

29 

6 
6 
5 
3 

5 

6 
5 
6 

4 
4 

7 
6 
6 
5 
4 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

28 
25 
26 
23 

18 

14 
12 
12 
6 
6 

312 

255 
258 
193 
171 

34 
22 
88 
23 
21 

25 

7 
4 

36 

9 

4 
6 

11 

4 
5 

6 

382 
281 
367 
224 
204 

2 
3 
6 
1 
2 

14 

2 
2 
4 
6 
4 

176 
223 
209 
208 
156 

4 

23 
126 
4 

1 
1 

2 

5 
1 

6 

14 

12 

Companies  of  Col.  Martin's.... 
Companies  of  Col.  Newcomb's. 
5  Comp.  of  Col.  Van  Cortlandt's. 

Total  

4   5 

25 

25 

28 

2l  5 

5 

5 

3 

120 

50 

1,189 

188 

19 

26 

1,458 

Iw 

972 

157 

26 

Return  of  General 

WADSWORTH'S  Brigade  ;  eighty-three  rank  and  Jile  to  a  Company. 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

7 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

8 
8 

7 
3 
6 
8 

8 

7 
7 
6 
6 

7 
8 

8 

8 
8 
5 
4 
7 
8 
8 

8 
8 
7 
5 

7 
7 
7 

1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

31 

28 
28 
28 
23 
30 
28 

15 
16 
14 
11 
15 
15 
15 

250 
194 
191 
219 
258 
244 
396 

til 
134 

76 
56 

84 
65 
68 

5 
1 

2 

2 

84 
91 
80 
51 
102 
110 
37 

- 

400 
420 
349 
326 
444 
419 
503 

1 

4 
4 
4 
9 
2 
4 

i 

2 
5 
1 
1 
1 

264 
244 
315 
338 
220 
245 
161 

25 
16 

48 
80 
2 
85 
32 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

- 

Total  

76 

48 

49 

48 

49J  4 

7 

7 

6 

196 

101 

1,752 

544 

10 

555 

- 

2,861 

28 

11 

1,787 

288 

3 

2 

- 

Total  of  General  Heard  's  

4 

4 

5 

~29 

25 

25 

28 

2 

5 

5 

5 

3 

120 

50 

],189 

188  36 

19 

26 

1,458 

14 

18 

972 

157 

2 

6 

26 

Total  of  General  Scott's  

3 

4 

3   34 

34 

33 

- 

i 

4   4J  4 

1 

101 

60 

1,087 

212 

46 

172 

32 

1,549 

3 

7 

816 

8 

- 

11 

16 

Total  of  the  22  Regiments  

18 

20 

19145 

137 

148 

140 

IS 

1921 

17 

19 

567 

307 

6,486 

2095537 

2,200 

39 

11357 

16 

24 

3,454 

31 

19 

20 

18 

Total  of  the  whole  

3235 

33256 

245 

254 

217 

984 

518 

10,514 

3039:629 

2,946l  97  Il7,225 

61  160  1  5,429 

484 

24 

39 

60 

Head-Quarters,  August  3,  1776. 
Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Artillery,  in  the  service  of  the 

UNITED  STATES,  commanded  ly 

HENRY  KNOX,  Esquire. 

~s 
§ 

"o 
O 

V 

C 
_0 

V 

J 

o 

1 

£ 
'$ 

£X 
d 
0 

1 

3 

J 

O. 
03 
O 

00 

C 
SB 

C 

B 

3 

o 

3 
O 

J 

>  C 

o 

1 

| 

_r: 
O 

c 
id 

o 
tn 

a 

1 

a 

<§ 

1 
f 

CO 

I 

3 
5 

1 

S 

CO 

1 
1 

0 

O 

£ 

QJ 

•5 

i 

o 
23 

C 

c 

c 

0 

w 

P 

m 

a> 

03 
OS 

S 

1 

Present,  fit  for  duty  

1 

1 

1 

4 
2 

4 

5 

5 

5 

6 

9 
3 

8 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

19 
1 

13 

17 
16 

27 
4 
1 
30 

30 
3 
1 
30 

15 

8 

160 
25 
7 
115 
2 

300 
38 
9 
236 
2 

Sick,  present  

Sick,  absent  

On  command  

On  furlough  

Total  

1 

1 

1 

10 

10  1  11 

90 

1111 

1       2 

33 

33  1  62     64 

23     3091    585 

New-York,  August  3,  1776. 


765 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


766 


A  Return  of  the  Regiment  under  the  command  of  Colonel  JONATHAN  BREWER,  Lieutenant -Colonel  JOHN  PARKE,  and 
Major  WILLIAM  BACON,  (ordered,  in  case  of  alarm,  to  join  Lord  STIRLING'S  Brigade.) 


Captains'  Names,  or 
Master  Workmen. 

When  engaged. 

Military  Com- 
missions. 

War- 
rants. 

Occupation. 

JVb.  of 
Men. 

Subalterns  pro- 
posed 1st  Lieuts. 

Rank  in 
the  Jlrmy. 

Second  Lieuten- 
ants proposed. 

Rank  in 
the  Jlrmy. 

Benjamin  Pollard  .... 

28  April,  1775 
2  May,     1775 
19  May,  1775 
May,  1775 
14  May,  1775 
23  April,  1776 
1  March,  1776 
17  Mar.,  1776 
15  Jan.,    1776 
May,  1776 
14  June,  1776 

W.  C. 

w.  c. 

W.  C. 

Carpenter 
Carpenter 
Carpenter 
Carpenter 
Smith.... 
Smith  
Smith  
Carpenter 
Carpenter 
Sh.Carp'r 
Carpenter 

34 
45 
43 
61 
55 
55 
55 
40 
53 
59 
26 

Samuel  Kenney.. 

Adjutant. 
Sergeant. 
Sergeant. 
Sergeant. 

James  Hitchings. 
Abraham  Howe.  . 
Pelatiah  Russell.  . 
J.  Chamberlain  .  . 
Jonathan  Brown. 
Amos  Hitchings.. 
Robert  Carter. 
Robert  Nichols. 
HenryN.  Carmer. 
Abijah  Rogers. 

Sergeant. 
Ensign. 
Sergeant. 
Sergeant. 
IstLt.Mil. 
Sergeant. 

Sergeant. 

2d  and  1st  Lt. 

Oliver  Dewey.  ... 

Winthrop  Sargent.... 
Eli  Gaile        

Ord.  Sergeant 
1st  Lieutenant 

W.  Lt. 

Sergeant. 

John  Milliard 

W.  C. 
W.  C. 

1st  Lieutenant 

Jonathan  Vernum 

Ord.  Serg. 

546 

Samuel  K 

Phineas  1 

enney  J 
Vard    i 

STAFF. 

Idjutant.                Joseph  Bea 

ergeant-Major. 

master. 
master  Sergeant. 
n. 

Quarter 
Surgeo 

The  Companies  in  the  Regiment  of  Artificers  are  to  be  arranged,  and  the  Officers  posted  to  them,  in  the  following 
order,  viz : 

A  Return  of  the  Officers  of  the  Regiment  of  Artificers,  and  of  the  Companies,  as  they  are  to  be  posted  till  farther  order, 
commanded  by  Colonel  JONATHAN  BREWER,  Lieutenant- Colonel  JOHN  PARKE,  and  Major  WILLIAM  BACON. 


Companies. 

Captains'  Names. 

First  Lieutenants. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

JVb.  of  Men. 

54 
53 
40 
55 
55 
55 
59 
45 
43 
61 
26 
38 

Third            

Eli  Gaile  

Fifth                           

Robert  Carter  

Ninth          

Pelatiah  Russell  

Twelfth 

Tnfnl.  .  . 

584 

Samuel  Kenny,  Adjutant;  Joseph  Seaman,  Quartermaster;  Phinehas  Ward,  Sergeant-Major. 

The  officers  thus  posted  are  to  understand,  that  the  rank  here  assigned  to  them  is  merely  Regimental,  and  is  not  to 
affect  the  rank  or  pay  that  any  of  them  hold  or  enjoy  in  the  Army. 

Such  of  the  officers  and  privates  as  belong  to  any  other  corps  in  the  Army,  are  to  continue  to  receive  their  pay  in 
their  respective  Regiments  as  usual,  and  all  the  others  are  to  receive  their  pay  as  heretofore. 

[A  copy  of  this  was  given  in  to  the  Officers.      Go.  WASHINGTON.] 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  Lieutenant-Colonel  Patterson,  Adjutant-General  of 
the  Army  under  your  command,  at  the  interview  between 
us,  having  proposed  an  exchange  of  Mr.  Lovell  for  Govern- 
our  Skene,  I  am  authorized  to  inform  you  that  the  Congress 
have  not  only  approved  of  this  proposition,  but,  judging  that 
a  general  exchange  of  prisoners  will  be  attended  with  mutual 
convenience  and  pleasure  to  both  parties,  have  empowered 
their  Commanders  in  each  department  to  negotiate  one,  in 
the  following  manner :  "  Continental  officers  for  those  of 
equal  rank  either  in  the  land  or  sea  service,  soldier  for 
soldier,  sailor  for  sailor,  and  citizen  for  citizen."  They  have 
also  particularly  mentioned  the  exchange  of  Colonel  Ethan 
Allen  for  any  officer  of  the  same  or  inferior  rank. 

You  will  be  pleased  to  signify  the  time  and  place  for  that 
of  Mr.  Lovell  and  Governour  Skene,  that  I  may  give  direc- 
tion for  the  latter  to  be  ready,  who  is  now  at  Hartford,  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  hence ;  also,  to  favour  me 
with  your  sentiments  as  well  on  the  proposition  respecting 
Colonel  Allen,  as  on  the  subject  of  a  general  exchange. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  due  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Howe. 


Head-duarters,  Staten-Island,  August  1, 1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  received  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  30th 
July,  and  shall  accordingly  direct  that  Mr.  Lovell,  who  is 
now  at  Halifax,  be  brought  to  this  post,  of  which  I  shall 
have  the  honour  of  advising  you,  that  the  proposed  exchange 
between  him  and  Governour  Skene  may  take  place. 

The  extent  of  my  command  having  no  relation  to  Canada, 
it  is  not  in  my  power  to  give  you  the  satisfaction  I  could 
wish  respecting  the  enlargement  of  Colonel  Allen;  it  must, 


therefore,  depend  upon  General  Carleton's  determination. 
But  wishing  sincerely  to  give  relief  to  the  distresses  of  all 
prisoners,  I  shall  readily  consent  to  the  mode  of  exchange 
you  are  pleased  to  propose,  viz:  officers  for  those  of  equal 
rank,  soldier  for  soldier,  citizen  for  citizen;  the  choice  to 
be  made  by  the  respective  commanders  for  their  own  officers 
and  men.  You  must  be  sensible  deserters  cannot  be  inclu- 
ded in  this  arrangement.  And  for  the  mode  of  exchange  in 
the  naval  line,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  Admiral. 

I  cannot  close  this  letter  without  expressing  the  deepest 
concern  that  the  unhappy  state  of  the  Colonies,  so  different 
from  what  I  had  the  honour  of  experiencing  in  the  course  of 
the  last  war,  deprives  me  of  the  pleasure  I  should  otherwise 
have  had  in  a  more  personal  communication. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

W.  HOWE. 
To  General  Washington,  fee.,  8tc. 

Dobbs's  Ferry,  August  3,  1776,  five  afternoon. 
I  am  now  to  inform  your  Excellency  that,  my  flag  being 
hoisted  on  board  of  the  Washington,  I  came  up  with  the 
ships,  and  attacked  them  at  a  quarter  past  one  this  after- 
noon. The  Phenix  fired  the  first  gun,  which  was  returned 
by  the  Lady  Washington,  whose  shot  went  through  the 
Phenix.  Upon  my  orders,  the  Lady  Washington  put  about 
to  form  a  line;  the  tide  was  such  that  the  Washington  and 
Spitfire  were  exposed  to  the  broadsides  of  the  ships  for  half 
an  hour,  without  suffering  much  damage.  We  engaged 
them  an  hour  and  a  half,  and  then  we  thought  to  retreat  to 
Dobbs's  Ferry,  about  four  miles  below  the  ships.  The 
damages  we  sustained  are  as  follows,  viz :  Washington,  four 
slightly  wounded,  sail  and  rigging  much  damaged,  thirteen 
shot  in  her  hull.  Lady  Washington  cracked  her  thirty-two- 
pounder;  no  other  damage.  Spitfire,  one  killed,  two  badly 


767 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


768 


wounded,  hull  and  rigging  much  damaged.  Shark,  none 
killed  or  wounded,  hulled  four  times.  The  Whiting,  one 
man  lost  both  legs,  and  four  more  wounded,  rigging  much 
damaged,  two  men  wounded,  one  of  them  mortally.  It  is 
thought  of,  but  not  yet  determined,  whether  we  shall  retreat 
to  Spiten  Devil,  or  not.  We  wish  to  give  them  another 
drubbing.  We  saw  many  splinters  drifting  down. 
I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

BENJ.  TUPPER, 
Lieutenant-  Colonel  and  Commander. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

Providence,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honour  to  acquaint  your  Excellency  that 
last  evening  Captain  Bucklin,  in  a  privateer  from  this  place, 
returned  from  a  successful  cruise,  in  which  he  took  five  valu- 
able prizes,  bound  from  the  British  Islands  in  the  West- 
Indies  to  Great  Britain.  He  informs  me  that  on  the  25th 
instant,  in  latitude  40°  20',  S.S.E.  from  Nantucket  Shoals, 
upon  the  clearing  up  of  a  fog,  he  found  himself  in  the  midst 
of  twenty-six  sail  of  ships,  two  of  which  appeared  very  large, 
and  were  all  standing  about  west.  He  also  tells  me,  that 
on  the  27th  of  June,  in  latitude  35°  longitude  52°,  he  spoke 
with  the  ship  Morris,  in  the  Continental  service,  Captain 
Thomas  Bell,  from  Havre-de-Grace  for  Philadelphia,  with 
a  lading  of  duck,  powder,  lead,  &tc.  Captain  Bell  informed 
him  that  the  Portuguese  had  seized  all  the  American  vessels 
in  their  ports. 

A  prize  which  arrived  here  this  day,  on  Thursday  last 
spoke  with  two  schooners  from  the  eastward,  bound  on  a 
cruise,  who  the  day  before  had  taken  a  large  ship  laden  with 
provisions  for  the  enemy's  Army  at  New-  York. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  respect,  sir,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

NICH.  COOKE. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

Thirteen  Tory  gentlemen  and  ladies  were  taken  in  the 
ship  Peggy,  James  Kennedy  Master,  and  carried  into  Mar- 
blehead.  Report :  That  the  2d  of  July,  a  transport,  with  a 
number  of  Hessians,  put  into  Halifax;  that  three  transports, 
with  Hessians,  sailed  in  company  with  them  for  New-York; 
and  that  the  day  they  left  Halifax,  they  saw  about  forty 
sail,  supposed  to  be  transports  with  Hessians. 

GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  1, 1776. 
(Parole,  Parts.)  (Countersign,  .Reading.) 

It  is  with  great  concern  the  General  understands  that 
jealousies,  &cc.,  are  arisen  among  the  troops  from  the  dif- 
ferent Provinces,  out  of  reflections"  frequently  thrown  out, 
which  can  only  tend  to  irritate  each  other,  and  injure  the 
noble  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged,  and  which  we  ought 
to  support  with  one  hand  and  one  heart.  The  General  most 
earnestly  entreats  the  officers  and  soldiers  to  consider  the 
consequences — that  they  can  no  way  assist  our  cruel  ene- 
mies more  effectually  than  making  division  among  ourselves; 
that  the  honour  and  success  of  the  Army  and  the  safety 
of  our  bleeding  country,  depend  upon  harmony  and  good 
agreement  with  each  other ;  that  the  Provinces  are  all  united 
to  oppose  the  common  enemy,  and  all  distinctions  sunk  in 
the  name  of  an  American.  To  make  this  honourable,  and 
preserve  the  liberty  of  our  country,  ought  to  be  our  only 
emulation ;  and  he  will  be  the  best  soldier  and  the  best 
patriot  who  contributes  most  to  this  glorious  work,  whatever 
his  station,  or  from  whatever  part  of  the  Continent  he  may 
come.  Let  all  distinctions  of  nations,  countries,  and  Pro- 
vinces, therefore,  be  lost  in  the  generous  contest — who  shall 
behave  with  the  most  courage  against  the  enemy,  and  the 
most  kindness  and  good  humour  to  each  other.  If  there 
are  any  officers  or  soldiers  so  lost  to  virtue  and  a  love  of 
their  country  as  to  continue  in  such  practices  after  this  order, 
the  General  assures  them,  and  is  directed  by  Congress  to  de- 
clare to  the  whole  Army,  that  such  persons  shall  be  severely 
punished  and  dismissed  the  service  with  disgrace. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  2,  1776. 

(Parole,  Satan.)  (Countersign,  Taunton.) 

The  Colonels  of  the  several  Regiments  are  to  be  parti- 
cularly careful  that  the  damaged  Cartridges  are  preserved, 


and  sent  in  to  Commissary  Cheever,  at  the  Laboratory,  as  it 
will  be  a  great  publick  saving. 

The  Court-Martials  are  often  detained  by  non-attendance 
of  witnesses.  All  officers  and  soldiers  notified  to  attend  as 
witnesses  on  any  Court-Martial,  are  to  be  punctual;  and  in 
future  any  neglect  of  this  kind  will  be  punished  as  disobe- 
dience of  orders. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  abuses  of  Regimental  Hospitals 
last  year,  the  General  has,  out  of  indulgence  and  kindness 
to  the  troops  who  seem  to  like  them,  permitted  them  to  be 
again  opened,  with  a  full  persuasion  that  the  Regimental 
Surgeons  will  fully  conform  to  the  rules  and  orders  which 
have  been  made,  and  particularly  that  they  act  with  the 
strictest  honour  and  candour  in  their  drafts  upon  the  several 
stores,  and  accounting  with  the  Director-General  of  the 
Hospital  when  required,  making  him  regular  reports  of  the 
sick,  and  applying  what  they  receive  to  the  patients  only. 
The  Colonels  and  Field-Officers  of  the  several  Regiments 
would  do  well  to  visit  their  Regimental  Hospitals  frequently, 
and  see  these  regulations  observed ;  and  in  all  cases,  except 
slight  or  putrid  disorders,  have  the  sick  removed  to  the 
General  Hospital,  near  the  Brigade;  or  the  General  must, 
in  justice  to  the  publick,  break  them  up  again. 

Richard  Laurence,  of  Captain  Gilbert's  Company  and 
Colonel  Prescotfs  Regiment,  having  been  tried  by  a  Gene- 
ral Court-Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Webb  was  President, 
and  convicted  of  "  desertion,"  was  sentenced  to  receive 
thirty-nine  lashes.  The  General  approves  the  sentence,  and 
orders  it  to  be  executed  at  the  usual  time  and  place. 

The  new  Troops  coming  in  are  upon  their  arrival  to  apply 
to  Captain  Tilton,  at  the  Quartermaster-General's  store  in 
the  Broadway,  who  will  give  them  all  necessary  directions. 


(Parole,  UxirUge.) 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  3,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Virginia.) 


That  the  troops  may  have  an  opportunity  of  attending 
publick  worship  as  well  as  take  some  rest  after  the  great 
fatigue  they  have  gone  through,  the  General  in  future  ex- 
cuses them  from  fatigue  duty  on  Sundays  (except  at  the 
ship  yards,  or  special  occasions)  until  further  orders. 

The  General  is  sorry  to  be  informed  that  the  foolish  and 
wicked  practice  of  profane  cursing  and  swearing  (a  vice 
heretofore  little  known  in  an  American  Army)  is  growing 
into  fashion;  he  hopes  the  officers  will,  by  example  as  well 
as  influence,  endeavour  to  check  it,  and  that  both  they  and 
the  men  will  reflect  that  we  can  have  little  hopes  of  the  bless- 
ing of  Heaven  on  our  arms,  if  we  insult  it  by  our  impiety  and 
folly;  added  to  this,  it  is  a  vice  so  mean  and  low,  without  any 
temptation,  that  every  man  of  sense  and  character  detests  and 
despises  it. 

Clarkson  and  Chace,  under  confinement  for  desertion  and 
reinlistment  into  the  Artillery  from  another  corps,  to  return 
to  Captain  Bauman's  Company,  until  Colonel  Elmore's  Re- 
giment, which  claims  them,  comes  into  camp. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  4,  1776. 
(Parole,  Wcston.)  (Countersign,  Yarmouth-} 

Passes  signed  by  the  Quartermaster-General,  or  his  Assist- 
ant, Mr.  Hughes,  for  persons  in  that  department,  to  cross  the 
Ferries,  to  be  admitted  as  sufficient. 

Thomas  Herbert,  of  Captain  Wyllyis  Company,  Colonel 
Sargent's  Regiment,  tried  by  a  Regimental  Court-Martial, 
and  convicted  of  theft,  was  sentenced  to  receive  thirty-nine 
lashes;  but  having  appealed  to  a  General  Court-Martial, 
whereof  Colonel  Webb  was  President,  the  sentence  of  the 
Regimental  Court  was  revised,  and  the  prisoner  acquitted. 
The  General  approves  the  acquittal,  and  orders  him  to  be 
discharged. 

Daniel  McGuire,  of  Captain  Scott's  Company,  Colonel 
Sargent's  Regiment;  Samuel  Weaver,  of  Captain  Farring- 
ton's  Company,  same  Regiment,  both  tried  by  the  same 
Court-Martial,  and  convicted — McGuire  of  desertion  and 
inlisting  into  another  Company,  taking  a  second  bounty, 
sentenced  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes;  Weaver  of  desertion 
only,  sentenced  to  receive  thirty  lashes. 

William  Mcllvaine,  of  Captain  Wyllys's  Company,  and 
the  above  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  Court-Martial,  and 
convicted  of  desertion,  and  sentenced  to  receive  thirty  lashes. 

William  Diggs,  of  Captain  Wood's  Company,  Colonel 
Baldwin's  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  Court-Martial,  and 
convicted  of  desertion,  sentenced  to  receive  twenty  lashes. 


769 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


770 


The  Genera]  approves  each  of  the  above  sentences,  and 
orders  them  to  be  put  in  execution  at  the  usual  time  and 
place. 

The  Court-Martial  to  sit  to-morrow  for  the  trial  of  Lieu- 
tenant Hobby,  of  Colonel  McDougalfs  Regiment,  now 
under  arrest  for  "  Misconduct  in  leaving  the  vessels  under 
his  care  on  the  East  River  on  Friday  evening."  Witnesses 
to  attend. 

All  persons  are  strictly  forbid  meddling  with  the  flat-bot- 
tomed boats  without  leave  from  General  Putnam,  or  unless 
sent  upon  some  special  service;  and  those  parties  who  have 
any  of  them,  are  to  be  careful  in  returning  them  safely.  The 
Guards  at  the  wharves  to  attend  to  this  order. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  5,  1776. 
(Parole,  dmtoy.)  (Countersign,  Bradford.) 

The  General  has  nothing  more  at  heart  than  the  health 
of  the  Troops,  and  as  the  change  of  encampment  has  been 
found  very  salutary  by  such  Regiments  as  have  shifted  their 
ground,  it  is  recommended  to  the  several  Brigadier-Generals 
to  have  it  more  generally  adopted.  And  the  General  once 
more  calls  upon  the  officers  and  men  who  are  quartered  in 
houses,  to  have  them  kept  clean  and  wholesome. 

Brigadier-General  Scott  having  informed  the  General  that 
some  dissatisfaction  has  arisen  in  his  Brigade  on  account  of 
the  First  Battalion,  who  had  received  some  assurances  from 
the  Committee  of  the  Convention  of  this  State,  that  they 
should  not  be  removed  out  of  town  unless  the  Army  moved 
generally,  the  General  at  the  same  time  being  of  opinion  that, 
from  their  knowledge  of  the  city,  they  can  be  more  service- 
able than  any  other  equal  number  of  men  who  are  strangers, 
orders  that  on  Wednesday  General  Scott's  Brigade  move 
into  the  city,  and  General  Fellows,  with  his  Brigade,  take 
their  places.  He  also  directs  that  no  officers  or  soldiers 
of  General  Fellows' s  Brigade  take  up  their  quarters  in  the 
dwelling-houses  in  or  near  their  encampment,  except  they 
are  placed  there  by  the  Quartermaster-General. 

The  General  cannot  dismiss  this  matter  without  assuring 
the  First  Battalion  of  General  Scott's  Brigade,  that  he  will 
have  the  grounds  of  their  claim  particularly  inquired  into  of 
the  Provincial  Congress  of  the  State  of  New-  York,  as  well 
because  they  may  rest  assured  that  at  the  same  time  publick 
faith  is  preserved  with  them,  he  expects,  and  will  require, 
that  they  observe  their  engagement  to  the  publick. 

The  arrival  of  new  Troops  requiring  some  change  in  the 
arrangement,  and  particularly  with  respect  to  the  Alarm 
Posts,  Major-General  Putnam,  with  the  several  Brigadiers, 
are  desired  to  meet  to-morrow,  at  ten  o'clock,  at  the  City 
Hall,  to  consider  thereof,  and  make  report  to  the  General. 
The  Adjutant-General  will  attend  at  the  same  time. 


By  a  letter  from  Colonel  Hancock,  of  the  31st  ultimo,  I 
am  authorized  to  say  that  a  Continental  ship  had  arrived  at 
Chester,  not  far  below  Philadelphia,  with  three  hundred 
and  sixty-six  pigs  of  lead,  fifty-four  boxes  of  musket-ball, 
one  thousand  stand  of  arms  with  bayonets,  one  barrel  flints, 
and  one  hundred  and  ninety-three  whole  barrels  of  gun- 
powder. He  also  adds,  that  a  privateer  had  sent  in  a  West- 
Indiaman,  having  on  board,  besides  produce,  eleven  hundred 
Johannes  and  seven  hundred  guineas.  I  wish  the  ship  Cap- 
tain Bucklin  saw  may  get  in  safe. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c., 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Honourable  Governour  Cooke. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  COOKE. 

New-York,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  duly  honoured  with  your  two  favours 
of  the  20th  and  29th  ultimo,  and  wish  your  acceptance  of 
my  thanks  for  your  kind  and  ready  compliance  with  my 
requisition  for  the  galleys,  and  the  matters  of  intelligence 
transmitted  in  the  last. 

The  account  given  Captain  BucJclin  (on  whose  success 
I  congratulate  you)  by  Captain  Bell,  of  the  Portuguese 
seizing  our  vessels,  I  fear  is  too  true ;  their  dependance  on 
the  British  Crown  for  protection  and  aid  against  their  »Sjpa- 
nish  neighbours,  obliges  them  to  comply  with  everything 
required  of  them.  Captain  Bucklin's  information  of  the 
fleet  he  saw,  I  dare  say  is  not  to  be  doubted.  It  is  proba- 
ble they  arrived  yesterday,  for  twenty-five  ships  then  came 
into  the  Hook;  these  make  from  ninety  to  one  hundred  that 
have  come  in  since  Thursday  se'nnight. 

Our  galleys  on  Saturday  evening  had  a  smart  engagement 
with  the  ships  up  the  river.  The  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter 
from  Colonel  Tapper,  under  whose  general  command  they 
were,  will  give  you  the  particulars.  Though  they  did  not 
take  the  ships,  nor  is  it  certain  what  damage  they  sustained, 
I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  our  officers  and  men 
behaved  with  the  greatest  spirit  and  resolution.  The  injury 
their  little  fleet  sustained  testifies  their  courage.  It  is  said 
the  ships  were  several  times  hulled  by  our  shot.  They  still 
remain  up  the  river.  The  galleys  musl  be  a  little  repaired 
before  anything  further  can  be  attempted,  provided  it  should 
be  thought  advisable. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  NATHANIEL  SHAW,  JUN. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  This  will  be  accompanied  by  four  French  gentle- 
men from  the  Island  of  Guadeloupe,  \v[\o  arrived  from  thence 
at  Newburyport,  with  a  view  of  engaging  in  the  Continental 
service.  They  came  to  this  place  about  six  weeks  since, 
and  delivered  me  a  letter  from  General  Ward,  at  Boston, 
which  I  enclosed  to  the  President  of  the  Congress,  intending 
to  forward  it  by  them,  that  it  might  serve  as  some  sort  of 
introduction;  but  it  seems  that,  for  want  of  proper  creden- 
tials, added  to  the  unsuccessfulness  of  some  of  their  coun- 
trymen on  that  same  account,  they  declined  applying  to 
Congress ;  and  as  it  appears  they  are  quite  destitute  of 
money,  I  am  obliged  to  pay  their  expenses  here,  and  to  send 
them  to  New-London,  to  enable  them  to  procure  a  passage 
home.  I  have  therefore  addressed  them  to  your  care,  re- 
questing you  will  assist  in  providing  them  a  passage  as  soon 
as  possible.  I  suppose  it  will  not  be  long  before  an  oppor- 
tunity offers,  as  I  understand  there  are  vessels  with  you 
bound  to  the  West-Indies.  You  will  please  to  furnish  them 
with  convenient  and  cheap  lodgings  when  they  get  to  New- 
London,  and  I  will  reimburse  you  what  you  may  be  in 
advance  therefor.  You  are  to  observe,  though,  that  I  do 
not  mean  to  be  at  the  expense  of  supporting  them  in  your 
place  more  than  eight  or  ten  days  at  farthest ;  neither  do  I 
mean  to  be  at  the  expense  of  their  passages  home.  They 
must  make  the  best  terms  for  themselves  they  can  with  the 
master  of  the  vessel,  as  I  don't  determine  to  burden  the 
Continent  any  more  on  their  account,  or  any  of  their  coun- 
trymen. 

I  am,  with  due  regard,  sir,  your  vecy  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  Esq.,  New-London. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  JOHN  BRADFORD. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  Yours  of  the  29th  ultimo  is  duly  received.  For 
the  future,  I  must  desire  all  warlike  stores  and  necessaries 
for  an  army,  taken  by  the  armed  vessels  in  publick  service, 
may  be  safely  stored  under  care  of  the  different  agents  till 
they  receive  orders  from  proper  authority.  You  will  please 
to  enjoin  it  upon  the  different  Commanders  of  the  Conti- 
nental cruisers,  to  be  particularly  careful  no  embezzlement 
is  made  by  their  crews  or  others. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &.C.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Mr.  John  Bradford,  one  of  the  Continental  Agents  at 
Boston. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


GENERAL  SULLIVAN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  5,  1776. 

MUCH  ESTEEMED  SIR:  My  sincere  regard  to  my  country 
will,  I  hope,  apologize  for  my  troubling  Congress  with  an 
account  of  our  situation  at  New-York.  We  have  at  this 
place,  Long-Island,  Governour' s  Island,  and  King's  Bridge, 
(including  the  lame,  the  halt,  and  blind,)  between  sixteen 
and  seventeen  thousand  men  ;  on  the  New-Jersey  shore  they 
have  between  three  and  four  thousand.  Within  two  or 
three  days  have  arrived  about  one  hundred  of  the  enemy's 
ships  with  troops,  which  we  have  seen  march  up  and  en- 
camp on  Staten-Island.  Doubtless  the  remainder  will  be 
here  in  a  few  days,  when,  I  suppose,  they  will  have  at  least 
twenty  thousand,  perhaps  twenty-five.  Two  thousand  of 
Horse,  with  some  of  their  shipping,  will  be  sufficient  to  guard 
their  baggage,  and  with  eighteen  thousand  they  may  make 


49 


771 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


772 


an  attack:  if  on  Long-Island,  we  have  only  six  broken 
regiments  to  oppose  them;  if  at  King's  Bridge,  a  much  less 
number;  if  they  attempt  the  city,  we  can  meet  them  with 
little  more  than  one-third  of  their  number,  as  our  Army  is 
very  sickly,  which  must  reduce  our  numbers  some  thousands, 
at  least  two  or  three.  Those  of  Govcnwurs  Island  and 
Long-Island  can't  leave  their  post  to  come  to  our  assistance ; 
and  should  Long-Island  be  attacked,  (which,  indeed,  I  think 
most  probable,)  there  will  be  much  difficulty  and  delay  in 
affording  them  seasonable  relief,  on  account  of  our  great 
want  of  proper  boats  and  the  time  which  will  be  taken  up 
in  embarking  and  disembarking  such  a  number  of  troops  as 
may  be  found  necessary.  The  troops  at  King's  Bridge 
will  be  at  fourteen  miles  distance  from  the  place  of  action, 
and  cannot  possibly  be  at  either  of  those  posts  till  the  action 
is  over;  and  from  New-Jersey  no  relief  can  be  expected,  as 
boats  are  wanting  to  transport  their  men  across  the  water; 
and  even  if  they  had  boats,  the  ships  will  doubtless  be  posted 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  intercept  their  passage ;  and  even  if 
that  was  not  the  case,  most  of  those  troops  are  nearly  a 
day's  march  from  us,  and  cannot  possibly  be  here  in  season 
to  give  us  any  assistance.  From  this  state  of  the  matter,  it 
must  appear  that  we  can  at  no  point  meet  them  with  much 
more  than  a  third  of  their  numbers — too  great  a  disparity  of 
numbers  to  risk  the  fate  of  America  upon.  I  am  far  from 
being  anxious  for  my  own  safety;  I  well  know  that  numbers 
will  be  no  protection  to  my  person ;  but  numbers  may  save 
the  country.  I  know  Congress  has  ordered  men,  but  they 
are  not  arrived,  or  likely  to  arrive ;  I  therefore  most  heartily 
recommend  to  Congress  to  fall  upon  some  method  of  sending 
a  number  of  men  immediately  to  this  place,  sufficient  to  meet 
the  enemy  upon  more  equal  terms,  and  give  at  once  the 
decisive  blow.  This,  I  apprehend,  will  be  a  means  of  short- 
ening the  war  in  every  success,  and  will  doubtless  prove 
cheapest  in  the  end.  I  have  not  yet  any  post  assigned  me 
or  brigade  to  command ;  the  General  says  he  will  do  it  as 
soon  as  possible. 

I  hope  Congress  will  excuse  this  freedom,  as  I  think  it 
necessary  to  give  them  every  information  that  appears  of 
importance ;  and  did  not  this  appear  to  me  in  that  light,  I 
should  not  have  given  them  the  trouble. 

Dear  sir,  believe  me  to  be,  with  the  most  unfeigned  re- 
'  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  SULLIVAN. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  I  know  Congress  are  not  pleased  with  complaining 
letters,  and  I  am  far  from  being  pleased  with  writing  them ; 
but  when  our  all  is  at  stake,  I  think  it  will  admit  of  some 
excuse,  if  nothing  more  is  done  than  barely  to  give  a  true 
state  of  facts,  in  order  that  they  may  provide  in  season  a 
remedy  for  each  defect.  It  must  be  allowed  that  nothing 
is  more  true  than  that  he  who  would  make  a  good  defence 
must  provide  himself  in  season  with  every  necessary  for  that 
purpose. 

Mr.  Livingston  has  just  informed  us  of  the  death  of  the 

Prussian  General  Woedike.     Our  six  galleys  have  made 

an  attack  upon  the  Phenix  and  Rose.     The  engagement 

lasted  near  two  hours.     The  batteries  having  fired  away 

'  their  ammunition,  returned  to  King's  Bridge.     We  have 

about  four  killed  and  some  few  wounded.     We  can't  learn 

what  damage  the  ships  sustained ;  several  shots  went  through 

'  them.     One  of  our  batteries   was   hulled   thirteen   times; 

another  five  or  six.     The  damage  is  inconsiderable. 

Yours,  as  above,  J.  S. 


which  Mr.  W.  tells  me  was  not  the  case.  But  as  complaints 
have  arisen,  and  as  it  is  best  that  all  these  matters  should 
be  under  some  one  direction  and  governance,  I  hope  you 
will  support  Mr.  Wharton,  who  I  have  desired  to  look  after 
the  matter  and  set  the  complaints  right,  and  continue  the 
person  under  due  regulation  for  the  future,  or  appoint  another, 
as  may  best  serve  the  general  cause. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  esteem  and  respect,  your  most 

humble  servant,  T      m 

Jos.  IRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Adams,  Esq.,  Member  of  Congress, 
Philadelphia,  Committee  of  the  War  Office. 

New-York,  August  5,  1776. 

The  publick  are  desired  to  take  notice  that  no  person 
whatever,  either  male  or  female,  above  the  age  of  fourteen 
years,  will  be  permitted  to  pass  any  of  the  Ferries  in  the 
State  of  New-Jersey,  without  a  proper  Pass  from  the  place 
they  leave. 


JOSEPH  TRUMBULL  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  WAR. 

New- York,  August  5,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Mr.  Carpenter  Wharton,  of  Philadelphia, 
who  was  appointed  by  Congress  to  supply  the  Pennsylvania 
Militia  with  provisions,  &.c.,  has  joined  with  the  gentlemen 
of  New- Jersey,  Messrs.  Ogden,  Lowrey,  and  Dunham,  in 
supplying  the  Continental  troops  in  Pennsylvania  and  New- 
Jersey  with  provisions,  agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  Congress, 
and  under  my  care  and  direction. 

^  There  have  been  some  great  complaints,  by  Colonel 
Smallwood's  battalion  and  some  others,  against  a  person 
appointed  to  issue  provisions  in  Philadelphia,  that  he  has 
not  done  them  justice;  and  it  has  even  been  laid  to  Mr. 
H'hartoris  charge,  supposing  that  person  acting  under  him; 


COLONEL  DOBOIS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Poughkeepsie,  August  5,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  We  are  as  industri- 
ous as  possible  recruiting  men  for  my  regiment,  but  we  find 
it  very  difficult  inlisting  men  now,  as  the  one-fourth  part  of 
the  Militia  is  to  turn  out,  and  such  large  bounty  given  for 
about  four  or  five  months,  though  we  come  as  good  speed 
as  I  could  expect.  I  would  have  sent  a  return  of  the  men 
already  inlisted  by  my  brother,  only  I  have  been  very  un- 
well for  some  time,  but  am  now  getting  better,  and  as  soon 
as  I  am  able  to  ride  I  intend  going  down  to  New-York, 
when  I  shall  bring  a  return  of  them  with  me. 

We  are  purchasing  arms  for  those  we  inlist,  and  would 
be  glad  to  know  where  to  send  them  as  fast  as  we  raise 
them. 

As  my  regiment  is  to  be  inlisted  during  the  war,  perhaps 
your  Excellency  may  allow  me  to  raise  men  out  of  the 
Militia;  if  so,  I  think  I  could  soon  fill  my  regiment,  and  go 
into  immediate  service,  which  would  be  very  agreeable  to 
me.  I  would  be  glad  if  your  Excellency  would  send  by 
my  brother,  the  bearer,  some  money  for  recruiting,  as  with- 
out that  we  can  do  but  little. 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

LEWIS  DUBOYS,  Colonel. 


RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  August  5, 1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  directions  from  General  Schuyler,  in  order  to 
prevent  delays  in  forwarding  the  stores  and  other  necessaries 
for  the  Army,  in  his  absence  to  open  any  letters  that  shall 
be  directed  to  him  from  the  General  Officers  and  command- 
ers of  posts  in  this  department,  and  to  comply  with  their 
requisitions,  in  procuring  and  forwarding  such  articles  as  may 
be  wanted  and  can  be  procured  by  me,  and  to  send  for  such 
articles  as  cannot  be  had  at  this  place,  to  New-  York,  or  such 
other  place  as  they  may  be  had  in,  without  waiting  his  orders 
at  the  great  distance  he  is  from  this  place.  I  therefore  do 
myself  the  honour  to  enclose  your  Excellency  copy  of  a 
letter  from  General  Arnold  to  General  Schuyler,  received 
this  day,  with  the  copy  of  a  return  of  ordnance  and  ordnance 
stores  wanted  for  the  publick  service. 

Of  the  many  articles  wanted,  handspikes,  round  shot, 
rammers,  spunges,  worms,  priming-horns,  priming-wires,  and 
tube-boxes,  are  the  only  ones  that  can  possibly  be  procured 
or  made  at  or  near  this  place;  and  no  copper,  lead,  or  tin,  is 
to  he  had  between  this  place  and  New-York.  I  must  there- 
fore request  your  Excellency,  in  General  Schuyler' s  name, 
to  order  the  several  articles  which  are  wanted  and  not  to  be 
procured  here  to  be  sent  to  this  place  without  the  least 
delay. 

In  mine  of  the  3d,  by  the  express,  I  forgot  to  inform  your 
Excellency  that  I  had  sent  for  the  anchors  to  Colonel  Robert 
Livingston. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  humble 

servant>  RICH.  VARICK, 

Secretary  to  Major-General  Schuyler. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &c.,  &c. 


773 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


774 


RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  5,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  was  just  this  moment  honoured  with 
your  favour  of  the  29th  ultimo. 

You  may  be  assured,  my  dear  sir,  that  I  shall  give  all  as- 
sistance in  rny  power  to  forward  the  chain  to  Poughkeepsie, 
as  soon  as  it  arrives  here.  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose 
you,  per  favour  of  Major  Sherburne,  a  letter  from  General 
Schuyler,  which  I  received  at  eleven  last  night,  and  some 
others  from  New-York,  for  yourself  and  the  gentlemen  of 
your  family,  which  I  received  per  express  this  morning.  I 
do  also  enclose  a  return  of  sucli  articles  as  have  been  this 
day  forwarded  to  Fort  George,  with  an  invoice  of  the  paints, 
&tc.,  I  have  purchased,  and  also  a  return  of  articles  forwarded 
to  Cheshire's  for  the  works  at  Skenesborough,  with  a  return 
of  such  things  as  are  to  be  sent  there  to-morrow  or  next  day 
in  consequence  of  requisitions  from  that  quarter. 

A  large  quantity  of  spikes  were  sent  to  Fort  George,  to 
be  forwarded  to  Tyonderoga,  about  fourteen  days  since,  for 
our  works  at  Skenesborough,  which  I  fear  are  not  arrived 
there,  as  General  Watcrbury,  in  a  letter  of  the  3d  to  General 
Schuyler,  which  arrived  this  morning,  requests  that  spikes 
may  be  made  here.  I  wish  that  if  they  are  not  forwarded, 
it  may  be  done,  and  that  I  may  be  informed  about  the  mat- 
ter; for  as  I  did  not  dare  to  rely  on  the  supposition  that  they 
were  delayed,  I  have  desired  Mr.  Rensselaer  to  have  them 
made  here  immediately. 

In  consequence  of  General  Schuyler's  orders  to  me,  to 
prevent  delay,  I  shall  this  day,  by  post,  transmit  a  copy  of 
the  Return  of  Artillery  and  Stores,  sent  down  for  General 
Schuyler  by  General  Arnold,  to  his  Excellency  General 
Washington,  with  an  account  of  such  articles  as  may  be  had 
and  made  here,  that  those  that  are  wanting  may  be  im- 
mediately sent  up  from  New-  York. 

Some  of  the  shot,  powder,  and  thread,  mentioned  in  Co- 
lonel TrumbuWs  letter,  shall  be  sent  forward  to-morrow,  if 
wagons  are  to  be  had.  The  wagoners  (many  of  whom  are 
poor  and  want  fodder  for  their  horses)  are  weary  of  riding 
for  the  publick  without  cash.  The  Sutlers  have  hitherto 
got  them,  when  the  publick  officers  could  not,  merely  on  this 
account.  I  have  this  morning  obtained  an  order  from 
Colonel  Van  Schaick,  prohibiting  any  Sutlers  to  go  up  with- 
out his  pass,  and  have  entreated  the  Storekeeper  to  borrow 
money  to  pay  the  wagoners  for  every  load  they  ride.  This 
is  a  disagreeable  expedient,  but  we  are  not  likely  to  have 
any  from  Congress  soon  enough  to  make  this  unnecessary. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours  most  respectfully, 

RICHARD  VARICK. 
To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  More  axes,  spades,  pickaxes,  &c.,  will  soon  be  sent 
up  to  Fort  George.  The  anchors  and  cables  sent  this  day 
are  almost  new. 


COLONEL  GANSEVOORT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Fort  George,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  3d  instant,  yesterday,  in 
which  you  write  me  that  you  are  informed  that  there  are 
three  thousand  barrels  of  flour  at  this  post. 

I  am  apprehensive  that  your  Honour  is  frequently  troubled 
with  false  representations  of  the  state  of  this  garrison  and  our 
proceedings.  By  the  enclosed  return  you  will  see  what 
provision  we  have  in  store  at  this  post. 

My  brother  writes  me  from  Ticonderoga,  that  you  had 
received  but  one  week's  return  from  this  post,  at  which  I  am 
much  surprised.  I  can  prove  I  have  sent  a  return  each  week 
since  I  received  your  orders. 

I  am,  your  humble  servant, 

PETER  GANSEVOORT,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 
To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Gates. 


date  to  the  President  of  the  Continental  Congress.  I  have 
also  put  into  the  hands  of  Messieurs  Gansevoort  and  Cuyler 
a  list  of  the  principal  articles  wanted  for  this  Army;  these, 
together,  will  answer  almost  every  question  demanded  by 
your  Convention. 

Your  Delegates,  that  they  might  have  every  necessary 
information,  took  their  route  hither  by  Lake  George,  and 
return  from  hence  by  Skenesborough,  and  up  Wood  Creek 
to  Fort  Edward.  By  this  sensible  tour,  they  will  see  every- 
thing that  is  done  and  doing,  at  every  post  upon  both  com- 
munications, our  dock-yard  at  Skenesborough  included. 

I  also  enclose  you  a  list  of  our  fleet  already  built.  The 
bearers  will  fully  inform  you  of  the  diligence  with  which 
we  are  endeavouring  to  increase  it.  Messieurs  Gansevoort 
and  Cuyler  have  also  been  at  Crown-Point,  where  they 
have  seen  the  naval  force  now  on  float,  and  can  give  you 
the  best  intelligence  how  that  most  important  part  of  our 
defence  is  likely  to  be  conducted.  The  strength,  situation, 
and  works  carrying  on  at  this  post,  will  likewise  be  described 
to  you  by  those  gentlemen ;  and  if  I  can  get  a  plan  there- 
of finished  in  time,  you  shall  have  it  in  this  packet. 

As  to  provisions,  the  Army  is  now  well  supplied.  Six 
days'  fresh  meat,  and  one  day's  salt,  is  the  weekly  allowance 
issued  by  the  Commissary. 

Very  extraordinary  intelligence  was  last  night  received  of 
the  enemy's  motions.  Your  Ambassadors  wait  until  to-mor- 
row, to  have  it  better  confirmed,  as  we  expect  this  night,  or 
to-morrow  morning,  to  receive  further  confirmation  on  that 
head. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  the  Honourable  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President  of 

the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Tyonderoga,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  the  receipt  of  your  letter  by 
Messieurs  Gansevoort  and  Cuyler,  and  I  beg  you  will  assure 
the  gentlemen  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York 
of  my  readiness,  at  all  times,  to  obey  their  commands. 

Enclosed  I  have  sent  you  a  general  return  of  the  Army  in 
this  department,  together  with  a  copy  of  my  letter  of  this 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  COLONELS  BAYLEY  AND  HURD. 

Tyonderoga,  August  5,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  your  favour  by  Mr.  Atkinson, 
with  two  of  the  Canadian  officers  mentioned  therein.  The 
other  two  Canadian  officers  are  not  yet  arrived.  Their 
information  may  be  true;  but  to  put  entire  confidence  in  it, 
before  it  is  better  confirmed,  would  be  imprudent.  Should  the 
facts  be  as  they  relate,  it  will  not  be  long  before  we  shall 
have  them  authenticated  in  a  manner  not  to  be  doubted.  I 
am  much  obliged  to  you,  gentlemen,  for  your  informa- 
tion, and  for  the  pains  you  take  to  serve  the  publick 
cause. 

I  am,  sirs,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Colonels  Bayley  and  Hurd,  of  Committee  of  Newbury 

and  Haverhill. 


COLONEL  PHILIP  CORTLANDT  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 


Ticonderoga,  August  5, 

GENTLEMEN:  This  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  a  letter 
from  Mr.  John  McKesson,  dated  New-York,  July  14th  last, 
relative  to  Colonel  Wynkoop's  regiment. 

When  I  was  at  Albany,  I  had  not  time  to  procure  the 
dates  of  all  the  officers'  warrants;  the  Committee  promised 
to  have  the  matter  settled. 

I  have  paid  the  billet  of  six  companies;  the  two  raised  in 
Tryon  County  I  have  not  settled  with,  but  borrowed  money 
on  account  of  the  Paymaster  for  them.  Shortly  after  which 
1  was  ordered  to  this  place  by  General  Schuyler;  since  which 
I  have  not  had  it  in  my  power  to  make  a  return,  the  regi- 
ment being  in  such  a  divided  state,  but  shall  make  out  one 
as  soon  as  possible.  I  have  enclosed  your  letter  to  Colonel 
Wynkoop,  who  is  at  Skeensburgh. 

Permit  me,  gentlemen,  by  this  opportunity,  to  transmit 
to  you  a  few  observations  on  my  present  situation,  being 
confident  that  nothing  is  wanting  on  your  part  to  promote 
the  welfare  of  the  United  States,  or  to  do  justice  to  those 
who  have  risked  their  all  for  its  defence.  Many  of  you, 
gentlemen,  I  have  the  honour  to  be  personally  acquainted 
with,  which  emboldens  me  to  appeal  to  you  for  my  character 
in  private  life,  for  my  behaviour  as  an  officer.  The  Gene- 
rals under  whom  I  served  the  preceding  and  present  cam- 
paign, can  testify  it  was  not  for  ease,  or  to  have  an  exalted 
commission,  that  brought  me  to  the  field.  On  the  contrary, 
numbers  of  you.  gentlemen,  I  flatter  myself,  know  that  I 


775 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


776 


lived  in  affluence  at  home,  and  consequently  I  was  not  in- 
duced into  the  service  with  a  view  to  the  pay,  as  you  must 
all  be  satisfied  that  it  is  not  an  object  for  a  gentleman. 
When  that  respectable  body  with  which  I  had  the  honour 
of  serving  in  representing  this  State,  offered  me  a  commis- 
sion from  the  Continental  Congress  last  summer,  I  with 
reluctance  accepted,  not  from  a  want  of  zeal  to  do  my  injured 
country  all  the  service  I  was  capable  of,  but  a  diffidence  in 
my  own  mind  of  my  abilities  to  fill  such  an  important  office 
as  that  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  a  regiment.  I  am  at  present 
the  First  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  this  Army,  as  I  am  informed, 
and  I  believe  may  safely  add,  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States.  Notwithstanding,  must  do  my  country  justice  and 
not  myself,  and  bear  the  mortification  to  see  several  officers 
promoted  to  the  command  of  regiments  in  the  Continental 
Army,  which  I  commanded  last  campaign.  Justice  to  those 
gentlemen  of  our  State  who  entered  into  the  service  and 
have  undergone  the  fatigue  of  last  winter's  campaign  in 
Canada,  superior  in  rank,  and  who  have  been  distinguished 
throughout  the  Army  for  their  bravery  and  honour,  are  also 
superseded  by  the  late  appointments  of  officers  for  Colonel 
Dubois's  regiment,  &,c.  This  must  be  evident  when  the 
rank-roll  of  last  year  is  examined  as  to  the  characters  of  the 
officers.  I  cannot  conclude  without  suggesting  to  you,  that 
I  was,  by  an  ill  state  of  health,  prevented  from  going  into 
Canada,  and  there  joining  the  Army  then  in  that  quarter. 
My  honour  as  a  gentleman  I  conceive  hurt  and  injured  by 
being  thus  neglected  and  superseded;  and  lest  you  might 
think  that  I  was  ignorant  thereof,  I  have  taken  this  method 
of  informing  you  of  it.  But  the  same  principle  of  honour 
which  tells  me  I  am  disregarded,  assures  me  also  that  it 
would  be  most  shameful  for  me  to  resign  at  present,  when 
the  enemy  of  the  States  have  attacked  the  State  of  which 
I  am  a  citizen,  at  both  extremities.  I  must,  however,  ob- 
serve to  you,  that  I  shall  be  obliged,  in  justice  to  myself,  to 
resign  my  commission  after  the  cloud  which  now  hangs  over 
us  in  this  part  is  dispelled ;  and  I  shall  do  it  with  the  more 
cheerfulness,  as  I  conceive  it  will  be  agreeable  to  those  from 
whom  I  have  received  it,  or  they  would  not  have  given  me 
the  private  intimation  by  superseding. 

Be  assured,  gentlemen,  however,  that  if  ever  it  lies  in  my 
power  to  render  any  service  to  my  country,  or  to  the  cause 
of  liberty  and  mankind,  no  man  will  be  more  ready  in  doing 
it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  with  respect,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

PHILIP  CORTLANDT. 

To  the  President  and  Gentlemen  convened,  representing 
the  State  of  Ntw-  York. 


COLONEL  STARK  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

August  5,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  The  Field-Officers  in  the  Continental 
Army  at  this  place  have  met  with  Mr.  Commissary  Jaunccy, 
to  consult  with  him  upon  the  value  of  the  rations  due  to  the 
officers  whilst  in  the  Northern  Army;  and  upon  an  exact 
and  careful  calculation  made  by  the  Commissary,  it  was 
found  that  the  ration  could  not  be  purchased  at  this  place 
under  one  shilling,  lawful  money  of  New-England,  per 
day;  which  sum,  they  hope  your  Honour  will  order  them 
to  be  paid  by  the  Commissary  for  each  ration  due  to 
them. 

In  behalf  of  the  whole  of  the  Field-Officers:    . 

JOHN  STARK,  Colonel. 

EXTRACT  OP  A  LETTER  FROM  TICONDEROGA,  DATED  AUGUST 

5,  1776. 

I  came  over  here  from  Royalton  to  conduct  a  Canadian 
from  St.  Francois  to  Head-Quarters.  He  assures  me  that 
the  Indians  in  general  have  resolved  not  to  join  in  the  war. 
Things  here  begin  to  wear  a  different  face.  The  greatest 
harmony  reigns  among  the  General  Officers.  Order  is  taking 
place  in  the  Army,  and  the  men  are  in  high  spirits.  Great 
numbers  are  coming  in  from  New-England  to  Skenesbo- 
rough.  It  is  reported  that  General  Carleton  has  used  the 
Canadians  who  favoured  us  very  barbarously,  which  has 
provoked  them  very  much.  Some  deserters  are  come  over, 
and  some  of  the  foreign  troops  are  said  to  be  desirous  of 
deserting. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  TICONDEROGA,  DATED  AUGUST 

5,  1776. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the  greatest  har- 
mony subsists  between  the  General  Officers  in  tliis  depart- 
ment, as  well  as  the  Field-Officers  in  general.  We  have 
three  thousand  five  hundred  effective  men  here,  and  the 
Militia  coming  in  fast,  all  under  pretty  good  discipline.  The 
sick,  about  one  thousand  five  hundred,  are  at  Fort  George, 
and  recruiting  fast;  near  two  months'  salt  provisions,  and 
fresh  arrives  in  great  plenty. 

Our  naval  force  consists  of  two  vessels,  carrying  twelve 
carriage  and  as  many  swivel  guns  each,  two  schooners,  eight 
carriage  and  eight  swivels  each,  a  row-galley,  six  carriage 
and  ten  swivels,  five  gondolas,  carrying  three  nine  and 
twelve-pounders  and  eight  swivels  each;  five  other  gondolas 
will  be  completed  in  ten  days,  and  four  row-galleys  in  two 
or  three  weeks,  each  of  the  latter  to  carry  four  eighteen 
and  twenty  four-pounders.  The  fleet  when  completed  will 
be  superior  to  anything  the  enemy  can  bring  againt  us.  Two 
days  since,  two  French  Captains  of  Colonel  Livingston's 
regiment  arived  here,  by  the  way  of  Cohos,  in  sixteen  days 
from  St.  John's,  who  say  that  a  French  fleet  is  arrived  before 
Quebeck ;  and  that  General  Carleton,  with  all  the  troops, 
except  two  hundred  left  at  St.  John's,  are  gone  to  Quebeck. 
We  expect  soon  to  know  the  certainty  of  the  matter  by  our 
reconnoitring  parties,  who  are  daily  expected  in. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Lebanon,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  received  your  two  favours  of  the  24th  and 
25th  of  July  last.  Have  put  Colonel  Ward's  regiment 
under  marching  orders  to  proceed  without  loss  of  time  what- 
ever way  Congress  shall  direct.  The  troops  from  this  State 
destined  to  the  northward,  are  marched  to  Bennington,  and 
from  thence  to  Skenesborough.  At  the  request  of  General 
Schuyler  for  one  thousand  felling  axes,  have  sent  eight  hun- 
dred, ground  and  with  helves,  to  go  the  same  route.  They 
went  from  hence  the  29th  last.  The  residue  will  go,  with 
clothing  preparing  for  that  Army,  next  Monday.  Thought 
it  not  best  to  wait  for  orders,  as  we  were  very  well  assured 
of  their  necessity. 

Notwithstanding  our  enemies  are  so  numerous  and  power- 
ful, and  have  hired  mercenaries  into  their  service,  yet  know- 
ing our  cause  righteous,  and  trusting  Heaven  will  support 
and  defend  us,  I  do  not  greatly  dread  what  they  can  do 
against  us.  Our  internal  malignants  may  be  permitted  to  do 
many  injurious  and  insidious  things.  They  are  therefore  to 
be  watched  with  care  and  diligence,  to  prevent  such  hypo- 
critical and  designing  men  carrying  on  and  perpetrating  their 
wicked  purposes.  No  doubt  there  are  many  such,  the  per- 
sons and  characters  unknown  to  me,  and  not  convenient  to 
mention  in  a  letter  the  notices  given  me  of  any. 

Last  week  I  sent  circular  letters  addressed  to  the  Civil 
Authority,  Selectmen,  Committees  of  Inspection,  and  mili- 
tary officers,  in  all  the  towns  in  this  Slate,  to  promote  and 
facilitate  the  filling  the  several  battalions  ordered  to  be  raised 
here,  and  to  send  them  forward  to  the  places  of  their  desti- 
nation. Recruiting  officers  for  the  companies  not  filled  are 
necessary,  and  conclude  are  left  for  the  purpose.  The  peo- 
ple have  in  some  measure  got  through  the  hurry  of  harvest, 
&,c.  Hope  that  they  will  cheerfully  inlist  and  go  on. 

Colonel  Eliphalet  Dyer  and  Richard  Law,  Esquires,  are 
directed  to  repair  to  New-York,  to  confer  with  your  Excel- 
lency on  every  subject  needful  for  our  direction  and  for  your 
information;  you  know  our  readiness  to  afford  every  assist- 
ance for  our  common  defence. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  JONA.  TRUMBULL. 
To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq.,  General  and 

Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States 

of  America,  at  New -York. 

Six  o'clock,  A.  M. — P.  S.  Just  received  your  two  favours 
of  the  1st  instant.  Orders  are  gone  to  Colonel  Elmore,  and 
express  to  carry  those  to  Colonel  Ward  expected  in  soon. 
The  orders  are  ready. 


WILLIAM  PITKIN  TO   GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Hartford,  August  5,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  In  consequence  of  your  Honour's  cir- 
cular of  the  1st  instant,  the  Civil  Authority.  &tc.,  convened 


777 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


778 


this  clay.  They  view  it  of  the  utmost  importance  to  encour- 
age the  inlistments  within  our  respective  spheres  and  in- 
fluence of  connexion,  and  to  forward  the  same  with  all  pos- 
sible expedition.  It  appears,  upon  the  strictest  scrutiny,  that 
the  proportion  of  men  due  from  this  town  to  the  several 
officers  appointed  to  the  service  here,  are  very  nearly,  if  not 
quite  furnished  and  completed.  The  gentlemen  of  the  town 
have  exerted  themselves  much  upon  this  occasion,  and  also 
very  generously  contributed  towards  increasing  the  encour- 
agements; which  had  its  effect. 

We  have  no  doubt  what  has  been  done  here  will  meet 
your  Honour's  approbation,  and  in  some  degree  be  thought 
anticipating  your  Honour's  requisition.  We  shall,  however, 
continue  our  exertions,  and  lend  every  aid  in  our  power  to 
ease  your  Honour's  burden,  and  furnish  the  numbers  so 
much  called  for  from  this  State. 

With  great  regard,  we  are  your  Honour's  most  obedient, 
humble  servants.  Per  order: 


WM.  PITKIN. 


To  the  Hon.  Governour  Trumbull. 


SELECTMEN    OF    FAIRFIELD    TO    CONNECTICUT    COUNCIL    OF 
SAFETY. 

Fairfield,  August  5,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  the  subscribers,  Selectmen  of  the  town 
of  Fairfield,  pray  that  you  w«uld  please  to  give  orders  for 
the  delivery  of  the  cannon  and  ball  allotted  to  the  town  of 
Fairfield,  for  the  Battery  at  Black  Rock,  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Mills,  and  you  will  greatly  oblige  your  very 

humble  servants,  A 

JOHN  ALLEN,          ^ 

EBENEZER  BANKS,  I   0  7    , 
T  \\r  >  Selectmen. 

JOSEPH  WAKEMAN,  ( 

DANIEL  ANDREWS,  J 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Governour  of  the  Colony 
of  Connecticut,  and  the  Council  of  Safety. 

N.  B.  Lieutenant  Milk  could  not  be  spared  to  be  sent  to 
New-  York,  although  he  was  very  forward  with  his  party  to 
proceed.  As  danger  of  the  enemy  is  attending,  he  is  much 
wanted  for  the  defence  of  this  town.  We  desire  Lieutenant 
Mills  would  speak  to  his  Honour  about  the  cost  of  transport- 
ing the  cannon  and  ball.  Lieutenant  Mills  has  paid  some 
sick  bills,  and  is  in  want  of  money  for  his  party;  and  further- 
more, if  his  Honour  will  please  to  grant,  twelve  men  more. 


MAJOR  FRENCH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Hartford,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  Notwithstanding  I  claimed  my  release,  in  a  letter  I 
did  myself  the  honour  to  write  you  a  fortnight  past,  as  con- 
sonant with  the  tenour  of  my  parole,,  yet  I  shall  waive  the 
pretensions  arising  from  that  circumstance  in  favour  of  Major 
Meigs,  who,  I  am  informed,  is  desirous  to  be  exchanged  for 
me.  As  it  will  mutually  serve  us,  I  hope  you  will  have  no 
objection,  should  General  Howe,  on  his  part,  agree,  since  in 
restoring  him  to  his  family,  it  would  also  procure  me  the 
satisfaction  to  see  my  son.  Colonel  Allen  is  also  mentioned 
in  the  papers  to  be  designed  for  exchange  for  any  Colonel 
or  officer  of  inferior  rank;  should,  therefore,  the  proposed  one 
with  Major  Meigs  prove  abortive,  I  flatter  myself  you  will 
not  object  to  my  being  exchanged  for  him,  as  I  have  been 
longer  a  prisoner  than  any  of  his  Majesty's  officers  of  my 
rank;  so  that  I  think  I  stand  in  priority  of  claim.  But  should 
not  either  of  these  take  place,  from  any  unforeseen  circum- 
stances, I  assure  myself  you  will  grant  me  the  same  indul- 
gence given  by  General  Carleton  to  Major  Meigs,  when  I 
shall  readily  sign  a  parole  similar  to  his. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant,  CHRIS.  FRENCH. 


JOHN  AVERY  TO  COLONEL  WILLARD. 

Council  Chamber,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  directed  by  the  honourable  Committee  of 
Council  to  request  that  you  give  them  information  what 
Counties  and  Towns  are  included  to  make  up  eight  com- 
panies in  your  regiment,  and  how  far  eastward  they  will 
extend,  and  to  make  a  return  thereof  as  soon  as  possible. 
In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Committee  of  Council, 

JOHN  AVERY,  Deputy  Secretary. 
To  Colonel  Aaron  Willard. 


JOHN  AVERY  TO  SHERIFF  GREENLEAF. 

Council  Chamber,  August  5,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  honourable  Committee  of 
Council  to  acquaint  you  that  the  printed  Declarations  of 
Independency  are  on  their  table,  and  they  expect  that  you 
will  take  proper  care  that  they  be  distributed  through  this 
State  as  soon  as  may  be,  that  every  town  may  have  them 
publickly  read  in  each  religious  assembly. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Committee  of  Council. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  AVERY,  Deputy  Secretary. 
To  Sheriff  Greenleaf. 


CAPTAIN  CLARK  TO  JAMES  WARREN. 

Chelsea,  August  5,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  received  your  commands  of  July  25, 
to  have  the  Militia  in  this  town  at  a  minute's  notice,  fcc., 
and  should  have  obeyed  them  with  the  greatest  cheerfulness 
had  it  been  in  my  power ;  but  for  the  want  of  your  commis- 
sions, we  are  quite  unable  to  do  anything  in  the  military  way; 
and  since  unwearied  pains  have  hitherto  been  unsuccessful, 
I  must  beg  your  Honour's  influence  to  procure  a  settlement 
of  our  Militia.  The  town  instructed  their  Representative  to 
make  it  the  first  object  of  his  endeavour  in  the  late  session  of 
our  Assembly.  I  much  solicited  one  of  the  Field  Officers  of 
the  Boston  regiment,  to  which  we  formerly  belonged,  to  pre- 
side at  the  meeting  when  officers  were  chosen,  but  could  not 
prevail  with  one  to  do  it;  the  town  therefore  chose  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  their  Moderator,  and  were  unanimous  in  their 
choice,  since  which  repeated  applications  have  been  made 
to  the  honourable  Council,  but  we  are  refused  commissions, 
because  a  Field  Officer  did  not  preside  at  the  meeting,  and 
it  was  quite  out  of  our  power  to  obtain  one.  It  seems  as  if 
some  strange  fatality  attended  the  thing.  Your  Honour,  I 
trust,  will  procure  our  settlement,  when  you  will  ever  find 
me  most  obedient  to  your  commands.  Upon  this  representa- 
tion of  facts,  I  doubt  not  you  will  excuse  my  utter  incapacity 
to  obey.  Permit  me  to  add,  the  company  is  far  from  being 
inconsiderable,  and  desirous  of  being  on  a  footing  with  their 
neighbours.  A  regard  to  the  publick  safety,  I  doubt  not,  will 
induce  your  Honour  to  procure  for  us  a  speedy  settlement 
and  our  commissions,  when  your  Honour's  commands  shall 
be  obeyed  with  the  greatest  precision  and  alacrity,  by,  sir, 
your  most  obedient,  humble  servant,  SAMUEL  CLARK> 

To  the  Hon.  James  Warren,  Esq. 

P.  S.  The  town  unanimously  chose,  at  a  very  full  meeting, 
Samuel  Clark  Captain,  Jonathan  Williams  Lieutenant,  James 
Storer  Ensign. 


TIMOTHY  PICKERING,  JUN.,  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Salem,  August  5,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  I  have  acquainted  the 
Captains  of  the  Salem  Militia  with  the  Brigadier's  orders  to 
raise  every  twenty-fifth  man  to  march  to  Dorchester-Heights, 
and  considered  of  the  means  of  raising  them;  but  it  is  their 
opinion,  that  the  execution  of  those  orders  here  will  be  im- 
practicable. There  are  so  few  men  left  in  town  (and  there 
is  a  demand  of  such  numbers  to  man  the  four  or  five  priva- 
teers, besides  the  brig  belonging  to  this  State  now  fitting) 
that  we  are  sure  no  volunteers  will  present.  Even  our  own 
sea-coast  company  remains  incomplete,  the  vacancies  made 
by  inlistments  into  the  sea  service  of  this  and  the  United 
States  not  being  supplied;  and  many  others  of  that  com- 
pany are  daily  pressing  to  be  discharged,  that  they  may 
obtain  more  lucrative  employments  which  court  their  accept- 
ance. And  should  the  orders  be  strictly  pursued,  and  every 
twenty-fifth  man  draughted,  the  Captains,  who  know  the 
sentiments  of  their  towns,  say  they  are  certain  the  men  so 
draughted  would  not  go,  and  that  the  effect  will  be  a  publick 
open  contempt  of  authority,  (there  being  no  penalty  in  case 
of  disobedience);  and  this  they  apprehend  would  do  more 
hurt  to  Government  than  the  proposed  levy,  were  it  to  be 
made,  would  do  good.  They  therefore  request  me  to  lay 
the  matter  before  your  Honours,  and  pray  that  they  may  be 
excused  furnishing  their  quota  to  this  levy;  at  the  same  time 
desiring  me  to  assure  your  Honours  that  they  stand  ready 
to  march,  in  case  of  need,  to  the  assistance  of  the  capital 
with  much  greater  numbers  than  the  present  levy  would 


779 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


780 


amount  to.  If,  notwithstanding,  the  attempt  must  be  made, 
I  shall  begin  it  as  soon  as  I  am  made  acquainted  with  your 
Honours'  determination. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  your  Honours'  most  obedient  ser- 

vant>  TIM.  PICKERING,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay. 


MAJOR  HAWLEY  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Northampton,  August  5,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  As  the  major  part  of 
the  Committee  for  the  raising  seven  hundred  and  fifty-four 
men  in  the  County  of  Hampshire,  as  its  part  of  the  three 
thousand  destined  to  the  northward,  are  now  together,  they 
conceive  it  to  be  their  duty  to  acquaint  your  Honours  with 
the  success  they  have  had  in  the  execution  of  their  commis- 
sion. And  to  be  brief,  two  companies,  consisting  of  ninety- 
seven  men  each,  inclusive  of  their  officers,  marched  on  the 
24th  of  July  last,  the  one  by  the  way  of  No.  4,  and  the  other 
by  Bennington;  a  third  company,  of  eighty -five,  marched 
on  the  29th  of  the  same  July,  by  the  way  of  Bennington;  a 
fourth  company,  of  ninety-two,  began  their  march  on  the 
30th;  and  all  the  companies  marched  from  Northfield  on 
the  1st  of  August  by  the  way  of  No.  4.  Another  company 
of  eighty-three,  begin  their  march  this  day,  by  the  way  of 
Bennington.  Some  disappointment  has  taken  place  with 
regard  to  Murraysjield  quota,  too  long  to  relate,  which  has 
occasioned  a  defect  in  the  last-mentioned  company.  We 
are  informed  that  the  Lieutenent -Colonel  has  ordered  the 
three  other  companies  to  march  next  Friday,  by  the  way 
of  Bennington.  Two  of  the  three  companies  will  be  very 
full,  the  other  very  deficient  by  reason  that  the  Granville  men 
and  the  Blanford  men  who  have  inlisted,  are,  without  any 
orders,  gone  into  inoculation.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Leonard 
and  Major  Stacy  have  been  out  of  inoculation  about  a  week, 
who  have  applied  themselves  faithfully  to  their  duty  since 
their  return.  Colonel  Woodbridge,  who  has  had  a  severe 
drench  of  it,  is  expected  home  this  day. 

Your  Committee  are  not  furnished  with  any  blankets  for 
the  Staff  Officers,  and  pray  your  Honours  to  furnish  them  by 
Major  Pyncheon.  As  to  the  Hampshire  quota  of  the  fifteen 
hundred  to  go  to  the  northward,  we  have  attempted  nothing, 
by  reason  of  a  misapprehension  concerning  the  inclination  of 
your  Honours;  but  as  the  matter  is  this  day  explained  to  us 
by  Colonel  Brewer,  we  shall  enter  upon  the  business  as  soon 
as  Major  PyncAeow  shall  return  with  the  money  and  blankets. 
The  service  has  not  suffered  by  the  Committee  not  having 
entered  on  the  business  sooner,  for  the  attempt  to  have  raised 
these  men  would  have  retarded  the  completing  and  marching 
of  others;  and  now  we  have  but  little  prospect  of  success  till 
after  the  harvest. 

As  to  the  penalties  in  the  resolve,  they  are  well  calculated 
for  this  meridian,  but  we  have  hopes  to  inlist  them  all  as 
volunteers. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your 
Honours'  most  obedient  servants, 

Per  order  of  Committee.  JOSEPH  HAWLEY. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 


for  the  troops  to  march  with  all  speed.  We  have  three  thou- 
sand men  in  town.  You  must  send  by  the  post  five  hundred 
dollars,  or  I  shall  not  be  able  to  complete  the  business.  The 
credit  of  the  Colony  will  not  do.  I  had  all  the  assistance 
of  the  gentlemen  in  town,  and  tried  to  obtain  the  teams 
cheaper,  but  could  not.  We  can't  get  hardly  anything  to 
eat:  have  no  pork,  and  many  of  the  troops  sick  on  the 
march;  rum  12s.  per  gallon,  New-England.  When  I  shall 
be  at  home,  God  only  can  tell;  but  I  wish  I  had  never  come 
out.  If  I  had  had  orders  to  buy  teams,  the  Colony  would 
have  saved  half  the  expense;  but  I  will  do  the  best,  and 
through  the  tents  shall  go  if  I  have  my  life  spared.  Your 
compliance  and  further  orders  will  much  oblige  your  dis- 
tressed friend,  and  much  worn-out  humble  servant, 

FRANCIS  ABBOTT. 

Richard  Dcvens  Esq.,  Commissary-General. 

P.  S.  I  have  had  hardly  any  pens  or  paper,  and  am  in 
haste.  Give  my  love  to  Nat  and  all  friends.  Send  to  me  at 
Captain  Walker's.  I  must  tarry  in  town  till  the  money 
comes. 

Boston,  August  5,  1776. 

By  an  express  from  Falmouth,  we  are  informed  that  Cap- 
tain White  the  day  before,  in  a  privateer,  had  arrived  there, 
having  forty  men  on  board,  *vith  the  particulars  of  the  fol- 
lowing prizes  he  had  taken,  viz:  the  brig  Fanny,  130  hogs- 
heads rum  from  Antigua;  sloop  Betsey,  150  hogsheads  rum, 
and  a  brig  from  Antigua,  for  Liverpool,  with  230  hogsheads 
rum;  brig  Harlequin,  from  Nevis  for  London,  273  hogsheads 
sugar  and  63  hogsheads  rum;  ship  Polly,  from  Antigua, 
450  hogsheads  rum,  12  hogsheads  sugar  ;  ship  Anna  Maria, 
495  hogsheads  sugar,  and  52  pipes  wine,  and  some  bales 
of  cotton,  carried  into  Falmouth.  The  Captain  also  took  a 
seventh  vessel,  which  he  gave  the  prisoners. 


FRANCIS  ABBOTT  TO  RICHARD  DEVENS. 

Charlestown,  No.  4,  August  5,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  came  to  town  after  more  trouble  than  is 
possible  to  express.  This  day  the  teams  arrived,  and  de- 
livered their  loads  in  good  order,  for  which  I  have  given  a 
receipt,  and  hope  justice  will  be  done  them,  for  they  have 
had  a  troublesome  voyage  from  Winchendon  to  this  place.  I 
could  not  get  the  teams  I  have  with  the  utmost  trouble  ob- 
tained round  this  woody  place,  at  28s.  per  day.  They 
stood  strong  for  30*.  Was  obliged  to  press  them.  I  am  told 
it  is  impossible  to  get  to  Ticonderoga,  the  roads  are  so  bad; 
but  have  obtained  four  hundred  men  to  mend  the  way,  after 
finding  them  rum  and  axes  and  shovels,  which  the  Committee 
must  pay,  or  ought  to  pay,  or  the  men  would  perish.  The 
expense  is  more  than  you  or  all  the  Court  did  think,  or  the 
teams  would  not  have  come  this  way.  I  have  got  twelve 
teams,  which  will  corne  to  more  than  £15  a  team,  and  have 
promised  them  pay  at  Ticonderoga,  if  they  stop  there :  but 
am  afraid  the  troops,  before  I  can  get  to  them,  will  be  gone 
to  Crown-Point.  We  have  an  express  from  General  Gates, 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  THE  CAMP   TWO    MILES  BELOW 
KEOWEE,  IN  THE  CHEROKEE  COUNTRY,  DATED  AUGUST  6, 

1776. 

On  the  31st  of  July,  some  of  Colonel  Williamson's  scouts 
took  two  white  men  prisoners,  who  had  been  sent  to  get 
cattle  for  the  enemy.     They  informed   the  Colonel  that 
Cameron  had  come  over  the  Hills  a  few  days  before  with 
twelve  white  men ;  and  that  he,  with  the  Seneca  and  some 
other  Indians,  in  all  about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  were  then 
encamped  at  Cowanaross,  about  twenty  miles  from  Twenty- 
three  Mile  Creek,  where  our  Army  then  lay  encamped ; 
and  that  their  women  and  children  had  all  retired  from  the 
towns  to  the  neighbourhood  of  the  same  place.     This  intel- 
ligence determined  the  Colonel  to  march  that  evening  at 
the  head  of  three  hundred  and  thirty  horsemen,  taking  the 
two  prisoners  with  him.     His  intention  was  to  leave  the 
horses  two  miles  behind,  with  a  party  to  guard  them,  and 
surround  the  enemy's  camp  by  daybreak.    The  river  Keowee 
lying  in  his  route,  and  being  only  passable  at  a  ford  at 
Seneca,  obliged  him  to  take  that  road.     About  one  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  he  arrived  at  the  outskirts  of  that  town, 
which  he  had  received  accounts  of  being  entirely  abandoned, 
and  therefore  little  expected  to  meet  with  any  opposition 
there.     The  enemy,  however,  having  received  some  intima- 
tion of  his  march,  had  taken  possession  of  the  first  houses, 
and  posted  themselves  behind  a  long  fence,  stuffed  with  twigs 
and  corn  blades,  on  an  eminence  close  to  the  road  where 
the  party  was  to  pass.     They  allowed  the  guides  and  ad- 
vanced guard  to  come  almost  up  to  the  houses,  when  they 
fired  five  or  six  guns,  but  without  doing  any  other  damage 
than  killing  one  of  the  guide's  horses.     They  immediately 
afterwards  began  a  very  heavy  fire  on  our  advanced  guard 
and  main  body,  by  which  Mr.  Francis  Salvador  was  shot 
in  three  different  places,  Colonel  Williamson  had  his  horse 
shot  under  him,  and  eight  men  were  badly  wounded,  and 
two  slightly.     Mr.  Salvador  falling  among  the  bushes,  it 
being  dark,  and  both  parties  mixed,  they  unluckily  got  his 
scalp.    The  Indian  was  seen  by  Captain  Smith,  who  would 
have  prevented  his  accomplishing  his  cruel  purpose,  had  he 
not  thought  it  was  Mr.  Salvador's  servant  taking  care  of  his 
master.     He  died   about  three-quarters  of  an  hour  after. 
The  whole  Army  regretted  his  loss,  as  he  was  universally 
beloved  and  esteemed  by  them.    Two  of  the  wounded  died 


781 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


782 


Our  party  soon  recovering  from  their  surprise,  kept  up  a 
brisk  fire  on  the  places  where  the  flashes  of  the  enemy's 
guns  were  seen,  and  soon  drove  them  from  their  fences  and 
houses.  Their  loss  is  not  known ;  but  from  the  number  of 
blankets,  shirts,  tomahawks,  &tc.,  left  besmeared  with  blood, 
and  the  bloody  tracks  which  marked  their  retreat,  it  is  sup- 
posed to  be  considerable.  Colonel  Williamson  remained  on 
the  ground  till  daybreak,  and  burnt  all  the  houses  on  both 
sides  of  the  river,  and  destroyed  their  corn,  &ic.  Judging 
that  the  party  he  had  defeated  would  immediately  proceed 
to  their  camp  and  apprize  them  of  his  approach,  and  having 
made  an  appointment  to  meet  Colonels  Ncel  and  Thomas 
at  Sugar-Town,  the  Colonel,  after  leaving  a  party  to  bury 
the  dead  and  take  care  of  the  wounded,  returned  to  his 
camp.  Next  day,  in  consequence  of  this  appointment,  the 
whole  Army  proceeded  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Keowee, 
where  they  encamped  ;  and  on  the  4th,  a  party  of  four  hun- 
dred men  was  sent  to  burn  that  town  and  Sugar-Town, 
which  they  effected.  They  found  only  an  old  lame  Indian, 
who  informed  them  that  the  others  had  left  the  towns  four 
days  before,  on  a  white  man's  telling  them  a  large  Army- 
was  at  Paris's,  which  probably  may  be  the  Colonels  Neel 
and  Thomas's  party.  He  would  not  tell  where  the  Indians 
were  gone  to. 

On  the  6th,  the  Colonel  marched  at  the  head  of  six  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  after  the  enemy,  being  fully  determined 
to  cany  fire  and  sword  throughout  their  country. 


service  will  be  discouraged,  and  that  it  will  be  very  difficult 
to  recruit  men  in  future.  We  have  procured  thirty  camp 
kettles.  The  money  we  have  will  not  be  sufficient  to  answer 
all  the  purposes.  If  you  think  proper  to  send  us  any  more, 
we  shall  take  care  to  dispose  of  it  to  the  best  advantage  for 
the  publick  service. 

As  cartouch  boxes,  belts  and  slings,  knapsacks  with 
haversacks,  priming-wires  and  brushes,  are  not  to  be  had 
here,  the  sending  them  by  the  first  opportunity  will  expedite 
the  company's  marching. 

I  am,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee,  gentlemen,  your  most 
obedient  humble  servant, 

JOHN  VEAZEY,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL,  OF   SAFETY  TO  JESSE   HOLLINGSWORTH. 
[No.  111.]  Annapolis,  August  6, 1776. 

SIR:  You  are  requested  by  the  Council  of  Safety  to  pur- 
chase, for  the  use  of  the  publick,  one  good  scow,  proper  for 
transporting  heavy  cannon  ;  also,  let  us  know  whether  you 
can  purchase  any  flat-bottomed  boats,  with  eight  or  ten  oars, 
that  would  carry  fifty  men  each,  or  any  barges  or  whale- 
boats.  Please  to  let  us  hear  from  you,  and  the  price  at 
which  they  may  be  got;  if  there  be  none  to  be  had,  whether 
you  would  undertake  to  have  some  built  this  fall. 

We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Jesse  Hottingsworth. 


FRANCIS  SANDERSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

August  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  time  I  made  application  to  furnish  you 
with  camp-kettles,  1  only  agreed  with  the  Council  for  three 
hundred — one  hundred  and  fifty  against  the  1st  of  August, 
and  one  hundred  and  fifty  against  the  1st  of  September.  I 
have  these  contracts  ready.  Should  be  glad  to  furnish  the 
Council  with  more  if  they  want.  I  have  employed  more 
hands  for  that  purpose,  as  I  furnished  them  with  only  half 
the  number  they  wanted  to  contract  with  me  for. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  the  Council's  most  obedient  humble 
servant,  FRANCIS  SANDERSON. 

To  the  Right  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety,  sitting  at  the 
City  of  Annapolis. 


JOHN  VEAZEY,  JUN.,  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
In  Committee,  Cecil  County,  August  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  received,  by  the  hands  of  Captain 
Alexander,  £500  from  your  Board,  for  the  purchasing  arms, 
&,c.,  for  the  use  of  the  troops  raised  in  our  County.  We 
find  it  will  be  in  our  power  very  speedily  to  collect  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  blankets  for  the  use  of  those  men  raised 
here,  and  perhaps  more  than  what  they  want.  We  will 
also  do  everything  we  can  for  procuring  muskets ;  but  are 
very  doubtful  whether  we  shall  be  able  to  procure  enough 
of  them.  There  is  a  gunsmith  here  that  will  undertake  to 
repair  any  number  of  guns  that  we  may  get.  Steel  ramrods 
can  be  had  here.  We  cannot  as  yet  find  that  there  are  more 
than  three  or  four  publick  arms  in  this  County,  and  we  have 
not  received  any  guns  worth  anything  from  the  Non-Asso- 
ciates or  Non-Enrollers. 

We  beg  leave,  gentlemen,  to  inform  you,  that  the  com- 
panies here  are  completed,  and  that  the  men,  from  being 
thrown  out  of  all  kind  of  employment,  express  great  un- 
easiness at  their  situation,  especially  as  many  of  them  are 
daily  at  expense  for  their  support,  and  are  to  receive  no  pay 
until  they  march.  To  mitigate  their  uneasiness,  and  pre- 
vent their  deserting  the  service,  we  have  ordered  the  Cap- 
tains to  call  all  their  men  together,  and  then  to  quarter  them 
at  the  expense  of  the  Continent,  until  we  can  have  your 
advice  how  to  proceed  ;  and  for  their  support,  we  have  been 
obliged  to  advance  part  of  the  money  sent  us  by  your  Board 
to  the  officers.  We  have  been  very  sorry  to  take  this  step 
without  your  orders ;  but  in  our  opinion  the  publick  service 
must  have  greatly  suffered  unless  something  of  the  kind  had 
been  done;  indeed,  the  men  think  they  ought  to  be  under 
immediate  pay.  We  request,  gentlemen,  that  you  will,  as 
soon  as  possible,  inform  us  whether  it  is  agreeable  to  you 
to  keep  these  troops  in  quarters,  and  whether  we  may  assure 
them  that  they  shall  be  under  pay  from  the  time  they  in- 
listed  into  the  service.  Should  this  be  refused,  we  fear  the 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  MESSRS.  VANBIBBER  AND 

HARRISON. 
[No.  112.]  Annapolis,  August  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  have  received  by  Captain  Martin  all 
the  goods  you  sent  us,  according  to  invoice  and  bill  of  lading, 
except  ten  barrels  of  gunpowder,  which  he  says  is  a  mis- 
take, and  that  they  were  never  put  on  board.  If  there  be 
any  mistake,  you  must  rectify  it;  if  no  mistake,  charge  the 
Captain  with  the  powder. 

Captain  'Stone  has  presented  us  a  memorial,  claiming  the 
brig  Friendship  as  his  property,  copy  of  which  we  send  you 
enclosed,  and  to  which  \ye  shall  be  glad  hereafter  of  having 
your  answer.  We  shall  endeavour  to  make  you  remittances 
by  every  opportunity.  We  do  not  know  the  cargo  of  the 
brig  Friendship.  Colonel  Hooe  is  down  at  Chingoteague, 
and  will  write  you  fully  of  the  cargo  put  on  board — some 
tobacco,  bread,  and  flour,  are  the  chief  articles.  You  will 
do  the  best  you  can  for  us,  and  send  by  first  good  opportu- 
nity the  following  articles,  viz :  guns  with  bayonets,  coarse 
woollens,  coarse  linens,  gun-flints,  lead,  powder,  and  salt- 
petre. We  have  heretofore  written  you  by  Captain  Handy, 
a  duplicate  whereof  is  now  enclosed.  When  the  fall  and 
winter  comes  on,  we  shall  do  better,  we  hope.  Dunmore's 
fleet  is  gone  off  from  the  mouth  of  Potomack,  very  sickly 
and  in  great  distress.  Perhaps  our  Bay  will  be  clearer  of 
ships  of  war  than  it  has  been ;  if  so,  we  shall  remit  you  fully; 
in  the  mean  time,  draw  on  us,  if  you  are  in  want  of  cash, 
payable  either  in  Maryland  or  Pennsylvania,  and  we  shall 
pay  due  honour  to  your  drafts.  Captain  Conway  is  safe 
arrived  in  Great  Wicomico,  in  Virginia.  We  shall  get  his 
cargo  up  soon,  and  despatch  him  as  quick  as  possible. 

We  are,  with  due  regard,  yours,  &c. 
To  Messrs.  Vanbibbcr  and  Harrison. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  EDWARD  PARKER. 
[No.  114.]  Annapolis,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  Please  to  send  us  by  the  first  opportunity  ten  pounds 
of  coarse  sewing-thread.  We  wrote  you  some  time  ago  that 
we  had  a  demand  for  linen  for  the  Flying-Camp ;  we  are 
very  desirous  you  would  let  us  have  what  you  can  get  with 
all  expedition.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Edward  Parker. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  MESSRS.  HARRIS  AND 
ARCHER. 

[No.  115.]  Annapolis,  August  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  hear  you  have  got  a  quantity  of  linen 
ready  for  us-,  which  we  wait  with  impatience  to  receive,  for 
the  use  of  this  Province.  We  should  be  obliged  to  you  if 


783 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


784 


you  would  send  it  down  immediately,  and  five  pounds  of 
coarse  osnaburgh  thread  therewith.     We  are,  Sic. 

To  Messrs.  Harris  fy  Archer. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  EWING. 

[No.  116.]  Annapolis,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  ordered  Captain  Young's  company  up  to 
Baltimore  County,  to  be  subject  to  your  command,  and  we 
have  advanced  him  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty -five 
pounds  currency,  to  purchase  necessaries.  You'll  be  pleased 
to  apply  to  the  Committee  for  blankets,  with  the  enclosed 
order.  Were  you  to  march  one  of  your  companies  unarmed 
to  Philadelphia,  we  doubt  no  arms  can  be  got ;  we  have 
not  more  due  to  us  than  will  arm  one  company;  we  have 
applied  several  times  by  our  Deputies,  and  cannot  get  them. 
If  you  can  satisfy  us  that  we  stand  any  chance  of  succeed- 
ing in  our  application,  we  will  cheerfully  give  an  order.  To 
do  it  would  only  expose  you  and  ourselves.  The  hunting- 
shirts  you  cannot  have ;  we  want  them  for  that  part  of  the 
Flying-Camp  that  is  to  supply  the  place  of  Colonel  Small- 
wood's  battalion.  As  your  companies  march  forward,  they 
shall  be  supplied  with  everything  we  can  spare;  but  an  un- 
limited order  cannot  be  given.  We  are,  &.c. 

To  Colonel  Thomas  Ewing. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  ISAAC  GRIEST. 
[No.  117.]  Annapolis,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR:  Two  tent-makers  are  engaged  to  make  tents  at 
Baltimore,  to  wit,  Jacobs  and  Johnson;  one  is  employed  in 
Kent,  and  one  in  this  County;  if  any  others  are  at  Baltimore 
willing  to  engage  in  that  way,  you'll  inform  us  of  it,  and 
we  will  give  you  directions  to  employ  them.  Tent-poles  are 
necessary  to  be  made.  We  suppose  the  tent-makers  procure 
them ;  if  not,  you  must  get  them  made.  As  soon  as  you 
inform  us  another  tent-maker  can  be  found,  we  will  order 
him  the  cloth  necessary.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Mr.  Isaac  Griest. 

R.  POTTS  TO  LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 
Frederick-Town,  August  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  directed  by  the  Committee  of  this 
town  to  inform  you  that  the  several  officers  sent  to  this  place 
have  subscribed  the  parole  pointed  out  by  the  Congress,  and 
that  they  have  given  security  for  the  good  behaviour  and 
appearances  of  their  servants.  This  Committee,  under  an 
expectation  that  their  servants  will  be  ordered  here  by  your 
body  after  this  notice  of  their  having  complied  with  the 
terms  directed  by  the  Congress,  have  encouraged  the  officers 
to  send  to  your  town  for  them.  A  list  of  the  servants  for 
whom  security  is  given  is  herewith  enclosed. 

I  am,  on  behalf  of  the  Committee,  gentlemen,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  R.  POTTS,  Clerk. 

To  the  Committee  of  Lancaster. 

OFFICERS  WHO  HAVE  SUBSCRIBED  THEIR  PAROLE,  AND  THEIR 
SERVANTS. 

Major  STOPFORD'S:  John  Smith,  Ed.  Nankirritt ;  Royal 
Fusileers. — Pass  granted  17  August,  1776. 

Major  DUNBAR:  John  Pilling;  Royal  Fusileers. — Pass 
granted  17  August,  1776. 

Captain  STEWART:  Thos.  Battersby;  Twenty-Sixth  Regi- 
ment.— Pass  granted  17  August,  1776. 

Captain  CAMPBELL:  William  Ennis;  Royal  Emigrants. — 
Pass  granted  16  August,  1776. 

Lieutenant  HARRISON  :  either  Wm.  Evidert  or  John  Bow- 
land;  Royal  Fusileers. — Pass  granted  to  Rowland  16 
August,  1776. 

Lieutenant  SHUTXLEWORTH  :  John  Smith ;  Royal  Fusileers. 
Pass  granted  17  August,  1776. 

Lieutenant  LESLIE  :  Sylvester  Conlaer;  Twenty-Sixth  Re- 
giment.— Pass  granted  17  August,  1776. 

Captain  ALGEE:  Edivard  Forrestall;  Navy. — Pass  grant- 
ed 17  August,  1776. 


your  battalion,  Robert  Morris,  Esq.,  will  give  the  orders  for 
the  delivery.  And  I  have  it  in  charge  from  the  Congress 
to  direct,  that  as  soon  as  the  arms  are  received,  you  do.  with- 
out loss  of  time,  march  your  battalion  to  Amboy,  New-Jer- 
sey, and  acquaint  General  Washington  of  your  arrival  there, 
and  follow  such  orders  as  you  shall  receive  from  him. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  the  Officer  commanding  the  Battalion  of  Continental 

Troops  at  the  Barracks,  Philadelphia,  Colonel  HashlCs 

Battalion. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  THE  OFFICER  COMMANDING 
COL.  HASLETT'S  BATTALION. 

Philadelphia,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Congress  having  instructed  their  Committee 
immediately  to  deliver  as  many  arms  as  are  necessary  for 


RICHARD  PETERS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

[Circular  Letter.] 

War  Office,  Philadelphia,  August  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  By  a  resolve  of  Congress  on  the  subject 
of  Prisoners,  it  is  determined  "  that  a  list  of  the  prisoners  in 
each  Colony  be  made  out  by  the  Committees  of  the  Coun- 
ties, Towns,  or  Districts,  where  they  reside,  and  transmitted 
to  the  Assembly,  Convention,  or  Council  or  Committee  of 
Safety  of  such  Colony  respectively."  The  Board  of  War, 
who  have,  by  direction  of  Congress,  the  care  of  all  prisoners, 
are  much  obstructed  in  that  business  by  the  resolution  before 
quoted  not  having  been  complied  with.  I  am  therefore  to 
press  you  by  all  means  to  prevail  on  the  several  Committees 
in  your  State  to  enable  you  immediately  to  transmit  an  accu- 
rate list  of  all  prisoners  of  war  now  in  your  State  to  the 
Board,  that  this  matter,  which  has  heretofore  been  in  confu- 
sion, may  be  reduced  to  proper  order. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  most  obedient  humble  ser- 

v      '  RICHARD  PETERS,  Secretary. 

To  the  Honourable  Convention  or  Committee  of  Safety  of 
Maryland. 

P.  S.  Please  to  send  also  a  list  of  all  officers,  their  ranks, 
and  dates  of  commissions  of  any  Continental  troops  raised  in 
your  State,  and  the  time  for  which  they  were  inlisted. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  CAPTAIN  JONES. 

In  Marine  Committee,  Philadelphia, ) 
August  6,  1776.      > 

SIR:  We  have  ordered  the  provisions  and  stores  you 
requested,  to  be  sent  on  board  the  sloop  Providence,  which 
you  command  under  authority  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica; so  that  the  said  sloop  being  now  ready  for  sea,  you  are 
to  proceed  immediately  on  a  cruise  against  our  enemies;  and 
we  think  in  or  about  the  latitude  of  Bermuda  may  prove  the 
most  favourable  ground  for  your  purpose. 

Herewith  we  deliver  you  an  extract  from  the  Journals  of 
Congress  respecting  the  Navy  prizes,  &c.,  by  which  you  will 
know  with  precision  what  vessels  can  be  made  prizes  and 
which  not.  You  have  also  herewith  a  list  of  the  Continen- 
tal Agents  in  each  State,  and  to  some  of  them  your  prizes 
must  be  addressed  according  to  the  port  they  arrive  in. 
Your  cruise  may  be  for  six  weeks,  two  or  three  months,  just 
as  provisions,  water,  and  other  circumstances  point  out  to 
be  best.  If  you  gain  any  material  intelligence,  you  must 
put  into  the  nearest  port  of  the  Continent,  and  despatch  an 
express  to  us  with  the  same. 

You  must,  by  all  opportunities,  transmit  us  an  account  of 
your  proceedings  and  of  such  occurrences  as  you  meet  with. 
You  are  to  be  particularly  attentive  to  protect,  aid,  and  assist 
all  vessels  and  property  belonging  to  these  States  or  the 
subjects  thereof.  It  is  equally  your  duty  to  seize,  take, 
sink,  burn,  or  destroy  that  of  our  enemies.  Be  careful  of 
the  sloop,  her  stores  and  materials;  use  your  people  well, 
thereby  recommending  the  American  naval  service  to  all 
who  engage  in  it.  And  we  also  recommend  humane,  kind 
treatment  of  your  prisoners.  These  things,  duly  observed, 
will  recommend  you  to  the  attention  and  regard  of  this 
Committee. 

We  are,  sir,  your  humble  servants, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  GEORGE  READ, 

FRANCIS  HOPKINSON,      GEO.  WALTON, 
WILLIAM  WHIPPLE,        ARTHUR  MIDDLETON, 
ROBT.  MORRIS,  FRANCIS  LEWIS. 

JOSEPH  HEWES, 

To  John  Paul  Jones,  Esq.,  Commander  of  the  Sloop  Pro- 
vidence. 


785 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


786 


ABBAM  CLARK  TO  COLONEL  DAYTON. 

Philadelphia,  August  6,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND:  Your  favour  of  the  25th  of  My,  and 
Mr.  Caldweffs  of  the  26th,  from  the  German-Flats,  1  re- 
ceived a  few  days  ago,  which  I  answered  in  a  letter  to  Mr. 
Caldwcll,  having  the  day  before  written  to  you  by  a  Doctor 
going  through  Albany  to  the  Army  at  Ticonderoga.  Yours 
of  the  20th  July,  from  Fort  Stanwix,  I  received  yesterday. 
I  have  frequently  informed  you  of  the  situation  of  our  Army 
in  the  Jerseys,  watching  that  under  General  Howe  on  Staten- 
Island.  Could  I  believe  any  letters  would  come  safe  to  you, 
my  pleasure  in  writing  would  be  equal  to  that  you  express 
in  receiving  them. 

The  King's  Army  remain  on  the  Island,  fortifying  every 
pass ;  their  numbers  unknown,  but  we  with  reason  believe 
they  are  daily  receiving  reinforcements.  Forty  vessels,  great 
and  small,  arrived  a  few  days  ago.  The  number  of  our  forces 
in  Jersey,  I  am  not  able  to  inform  you  of;  they  are  to 
consist  of  at  least  sixteen  thousand  when  completed.  The 
greater  part  of  the  Militia  of  Pennsylvania  Colony  are  either 
there  or  going,  who  are  to  stay  till  the  Army  is  completed. 
They  form  a  chain  from  Amboy  to  Elizabeth-Town  Point, 
where  strong  works  are  erected  at  an  amazing  expense  of 
labour,  chiefly  effected  by  our  Militia,  before  the  Pennsyl- 
vanians  arrived  to  their  assistance.  The  Jersey  Militia,  upon 
the  arrival  of  other  forces,  returned  home  to  get  in  their 
harvest;  since  which,  they  are  again  taking  the  field. 

What  works  are  thrown  up  at  Amboy,  Blazing- Star,  &c., 
I  am  not  able  to  say.  I  know  nothing  of  any  design  to 
attack  the  King's  forces  on  the  Island ;  it  rather  seems  an 
attack  from  them  is  waited  for ;  and  it  is  said  such  an  attack 
is  soon  expected  to  be  made  above  New-York,  near  King's 
Bridge,  to  which  place  the  ships  that  went  up  the  river,  I 
hear,  are  returned.  Elizabeth-Town  was  in  great  conster- 
nation upon  General  Howe's  taking  possession  of  the  Island; 
but  at  present  I  believe  they  are  very  easy.  I  formerly 
informed  you  that  Mrs.  Dayton  had  sent  the  chief  of  her 
goods  into  Springfield.  Many  that  moved  away  from 
Elizabeth-Town  have  since  returned. 

You  have  no  doubt  been  informed  by  the  papers  of  the 
flags  sent  by  Lord  Howe  to  General  Washington,  with  let- 
ters. He  refused  to  receive  them,  as  they  were  only  directed 
"  To  George  Washington,  &c."  You  have  also,  I  suppose, 
seen  the  printed  Narrative  of  what  passed  in  conversation 
between  General  Washington  and  Colonel  Patterson,  who 
came  with  a  flag  from  Lord  Howe.  We  lately  sent  a  flag 
to  his  Lordship  to  settle  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  He 
received  the  officer  with  great  politeness;  manifested  a  deep 
concern  that  he  had  not  arrived  before  Independency  was 
declared ;  professed  a  great  regard  for  America,  especially 
the  Massachusetts-Bay,  that  had  so  signally  honoured  his 
family.  He  gave  General  Washington  the  title  of  General, 
and  called  us  The  United  States.  He  consented  to  the 
exchange  of  prisoners;  proposed  immediately  to  set  all  his 
prisoners  at  liberty,  relying  upon  the  honour  of  the  American 
States  to  return  him  an  equal  number  when  in  their  power. 
By  a  flag  to  General  Howe  an  exchange  of  prisoners  was 
also  agreed  upon,  so  far  as  fell  within  his  department,  Canada 
being,  he  said,  out  of  it. 

An  Indian  war  hath  broken  out  to  the  southward.  The 
Overkill  Cherokees  have  commenced  hostilities  in  the  back 

Sart  of  Carolina,  killed  thirty  or  forty  in  one  settlement,  and 
ad  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  besieged  in  a  fortress, 
which  it  is  thought  must  surrender  before  succours  could 
arrive.  Forces  were  marching  against  the  Indians.  Gene- 
ral Clinton's  fleet  remain  inactive  below  Charlestown  since 
his  defeat:  his  forces  sickly.  No  news  from  Lord  Dunmore 
since  he  left  Gwin's  Island  and  went  up  Potomack  River. 

Last  Saturday  our  gondolas  attacked  the  King's  ships  near 
Dobbs's  Ferry;  they  fought  about  an  hour  and  a  half,  hulled 
the  men-of-war  several  times,  and  were  served  in  the  same 
manner  themselves.  They  lost  hut  four  men,  several  wound- 
ed, and,  I  believe,  came  off  the  second  best,  though  the 
Commander  writes  that  he  hopes  soon  to  give  the  King's 
ships  another  drubbing. 

This  day's  post,  since  I  begun  this  letter,  brings  accounts 
of  more  of  the  enemy  arriving  in  the  Narrows — an  addition 
to  what  I  have  mentioned  of  at  least  twenty  transports. 
And  by  the  last  accounts  brought  this  day,  I  find  our  forces 
in  the  Jerseys  are  by  no  means  equal  to  what  I  supposed 
from  former  information  as  above  mentioned. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


50 


I  spoke  to  our  President  for  the  commissions  you  desire 
may  be  sent.  He  tells  me  you  must  apply  to  General 
Schuyler,  who  hath  got  spare  commissions,  and  can  supply 
your  regiment.  I  dare  say  you  have  a  good  regiment,  and 
hear  their  commendation  with  pleasure;  but  had  you  seen 
a  regiment,  that  went  near  two  weeks  ago  to  New-  York, 
raised  in  Maryland,  and  another  paraded  this  day  in  the 
State-House  yard,  from  the  Delaware  Government,  you 
would  have  altered  your  opinion ;  they  were  all  shirtmen, 
mostly  of  an  age  and  size.  The  two  battalions  above  men- 
tioned were  the  finest  I  ever  saw. 

I  lately  men  tioned  to  you  that  a  ship  belonging  to  Congress 
arrived  at  this  town  from  France,  with  one  thousand  stand 
of  arms,  ten  tons  of  powder,  and  blankets ;  since  which,  I 
find  she  brought  thirty  or  forty  tons  of  lead  or  more,  salt- 
petre, &c.,  fcc.  Several  valuable  prizes,  this  day's  post 
advises,  were  lately  brought  in  to  the  eastward.  We  are  also 
informed  that  the  Portuguese  have  declared  war  against  us 
by  seizing  our  vessels  in  their  ports. 

Our  election  for  Council  and  Assembly,  Sheriffs,  fee., 
comes  on  next  Tuesday  in  all  the  Counties  of  New-Jersey. 
I  now  feel  the  want  of  you  in  Elizabeth-Town.  I  sat  down 
to  consider  to  whom  I  might  venture  to  write  on  politicks, 
and  have  none  that  I  dare  speak  plainly  to.  Had  you,  or 
my  much  esteemed  friend  Mr.  Caldwell,  been  there,  I  should 
have  been  at  no  loss.  I  have  none  like-minded.  I  have 
friends,  it  is  true,  but  none  there  now  that  I  dare  speak  with 
freedom  to.  I  have  written  to  several,  and  desire  they  will 
not  keep  my  letters  secret,  so  that  I  hope  I  shall  not  be 
charged  with  secret  practices. 

As  to  my  title,  I  know  not  yet  whether  it  will  be  honour- 
able or  dishonourable:  the  issue  of  the  war  must  settle  it. 
Perhaps  our  Congress  will  be  exalted  on  a  high  gallows. 
We  were  truly  brought  to  the  case  of  the  three  lepers:  If 
we  continued  in  the  state  we  were  in,  it  was  evident  we 
must  perish;  if  we  declared  Independence,  we  might  be 
saved, — we  could  but  perish.  I  assure  you,  sir,  I  see — I 
feel,  the  danger  we  are  in.  I  am  far  from  exulting  in  our 
imaginary  happiness;  nothing  short  of  the  almighty  power 
of  God  can  save  us.  It  is  not  in  our  numbers,  our  union, 
our  valour,  I  dare  trust.  I  think  an  interposing  Providence 
hath  been  evident  in  all  the  events  that  necessarily  led  us 
to  what  we  are — I  mean  independent  States;  but  for  what 
purpose,  whether  to  make  us  a  great  empire,  or  to  make  our 
ruin  more  complete,  the  issue  only  can  determine. 

You  and  Mr.  Caldwcll,  it  seems,  diverted  yourselves  with 
the  power  given  in  his  commission.  I  find  it  was  useful, 
however;  for  in  his  last  he  informs  me  of  his  commanding  a 
garrison. 

General  Schuyler  makes  the  same  complaint  as  you  do 
for  want  of  cash.  His  letter  came  to  Congress  the  same 
day  with  yours  and  Mr.  CaldwelTs  from  the  German-Flats. 
Two  hundred  thousand  dollars  were  immediately  sent  to  the 
Paymaster-General,  being  part  of  five  hundred  thousand 
dollars  ordered  to  be  sent.  The  Congress,  or  rather  some 
of  the  Members,  tell  me,  that  if  your  regiment  is  near  three 
months  in  arrear  of  pay,  it  is  not  a  neglect  of  Congress, 
but  a  neglect  somewhere  else,  as  they  have  sent  seasonable 
supplies. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  a  person  so  high  in  my  esteem  as  Mr. 
Barber,  so  honourably  spoken  of  by  you.  I  never  doubted 
but  he  would  do  honour  to  his  appointment.  He  is  young, 
and  in  the  bloom  of  life,  and  a  large  field  for  promotion  is 
open  before  him;  and  I  can't  help  but  look  upon  him  as 
designed  in  Providence  for  some  important  station. 

I  most  gratefully  accept  your  congratulation  on  account 
of  my  appointment.  Believe  me,  my  dear  friend,  I  am  not 
in  a  place  of  my  own  choosing.  I  had  much  rather  take 
an  active  part  in  our  own  State ;  I  think  I  could  have  been 
more  useful  to  my  country  there,  where  I  had  a  sufficient 
share  of  influence,  and  where  I  could  have  served  my  friends 
much  better  than  here.  Besides,  I  have  found  my  health 
much  interrupted,  pent  up  in  a  close  town,  deprived  of  air 
and  exercise,  and  excessive  heat  from  the  reflection  of  the 
sun  on  the  buildings  and  pavements.  Excepting  my  health, 
I  am  as  agreeably  situated  as  I  could  expect.  Dr.  Wither- 
spoon,  Mr.  Hart,  and  myself,  quarter  together,  and  endeavour 
to  make  our  lives  as  agreeable  as  possible. 

What  you  say  respecting  your  regiment  returning  in  the 
fall,  will  be  attended  to  in  a  proper  time. 

Remember,  sir,  (what  I  frequently  mention,)  that  when  I 


787 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


78 


write  to  you  or  Mr.  Caldwell,  \  mean  always  to  address  you 
both;  but,  with  regard  to  your  families,  I  can  say  no  more 
than  that  I  have  not  heard  of  their  being  unwell. 

I  am,  my  dear  friend,  your  sincere  and  humble  servant, 

ABKAM  CLARK. 

P.  S.  You'll  please  to  accept  this  on  plain  paper;  our 
dignity  don't  afford  gilt,  and  our  pay  scarcely  any.  Richard 
Lawrence,  on  Staten- Island,  is  Colonel  of  a  regiment  under 
the  Crown,  and  commands  the  forces  there,  joined  with  some 
Regulars. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  August  6,  1776. 
In  consequence  of  a  request  of  this  Board  to  the  Com- 
mittees of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  the  different  Coun- 
ties, to  appoint  suitable  persons  to  hear  the  complaints  of  the 
families  of  those  Associators  that  have  gone  to  camp,  and  to 
supply  them  with  such  necessaries  as  they  may  stand  in  need 
of,  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  tins  City 
and  Liberties  have  recommended  the  following  gentlemen 
for  that  purpose,  viz : 

For  the  First  Battalion  :  Isaac  Coates,  William  Moulder, 

Jacob  Schreiner. 
For  the  Second  Battalion:  Moses  Bartram,  Gasper  Guyer, 

Ephraim  Bonham. 

For  the  Third  Battalion :  George  Meade,  Richard  Den- 
nis, Robert  Baily. 
For  the  Fourth  Battalion :  George  Grame,  Frederick 

Dushon,  Peter  Knight. 
For  the  Fifth  Battalion :  John  Hart,  John  Tittamary, 

William  Drury. 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  they  be  and  are  hereby  appoint- 
ed accordingly. 
Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

JACOB  S.  HOWELL,  Secretary. 


PHILADELPHIA   COMMITTEE. 
In  Committee  Chamber,  Philadelphia,  August  6,  1776. 
Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  following  Resolve  of  the 
Provincial  Conference  be  published  in  all  the  Newspapers  in 
English  and  German. 

"  In  Provincial  Conference,  June  25. 

"Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  every  County 
and  District  Committee  in  this  Province,  to  pay  the  strictest 
attention  to  the  examination  of  all  strangers  or  persons 
travelling  through  the  City  or  Counties,  and  permit  no  per- 
sons travelling  through  the  City  or  Counties  to  remain 
therein,  unless  they  produce  a  pass  or  certificate  from  the 
City,  County,  or  District  Committee  from  whence  they  last 
came;  and  it  is  further  recommended  to  all  Committees,  to 
furnish  proper  passes  to  all  friends  to  American  liberty  upon 
their  application  therefor." 

NATHANIEL  DONNELL,  Secretary  pro  tern. 


A  General  Muster-Roil  of  Jive  Artillery  Companies  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  MIFFLIN,  now  lying  at  the  Ar- 
tillery Park,  near  AMBOY,  &fc.,  fyc.,  in  EAST-JERSEY. 


ARTILLERY  PARK  FRONTING  CONGRESS  STREET,NEAR  AMBOY. 

Muster-Roll  of  the  First  Company  of  Jlrlilltry  Jtssociators  of  PHILADELPHIA, 
commanded  by  Major  BENJAMIN  LOXLEY. 

1  Colonel, 
1  Major, 


^Commissioned  Officers. 

1  Second  Lieutenant, 
1  Ensign, 

3  Lieutenant  Fire- Workers,  one  of  which  on  furlough,  one 

stopped  by  Council  of  Safety. 
1  Clerk  of  Stores, )  ,,r  .  „_ 
1  Conductor,  \  Warrant  Officers. 

4  Sergeants. 

4  Corporals,  one  sick,  one  lame  left  behind. 
<  Bombardiers,  one  on  furlough,  one  lame  left  behind. 
18  Gunners. 
11  Matrosses. 
1  Drum. 
1  Fife. 
11  Wagon-Drivers,  including  the  Wagonmaster. 

Colonel's  servants:  2  Negroes,  who  do  duty  without  pay. 
Major's  servant:  1  Negro,  who  does  duty  without  pay. 
N.  B.  Twenty  -fix  Privates  of  this  Company  at  sea  or  at  publick  work. 


f  Commissioned  Officers. 


Mvaltr-RollofCapl.  HUGO'S  First  CompanyofJIrtilleryof'Wf.sT-jEs.sEj. 
1  Captain,  "1 

1  Captain-Lieutenant,  1 
1  First  Lieutenant,        f 
1  Second  Lieutenant,  J 
1  Lieutenant  Fire-Worker. 
4  Sergeants. 
4  Corporals. 
1  Bombardier. 
48  Matrosses. 
1  Drum. 
1  Fife. 


Muster-Roll  of  the  Third  Company  of  Artillery  dssociators  of  PHILADEL- 
PHIA, commanded  by  Captain  JOSEPH  STILES. 


1  Captain, 

1  Captain-Lieutenant 
1  First  Lieutenant, 
1  Second  Lieutenant, 

1  Ensign, 

2  Lieutenant  Fire-Workers. 


Commissioned  Officers. 


4  Sergeanta. 
4  Corporals. 
6  Bombardiers. 
24  Matrosses. 
1  Drum. 
1  Fife. 

11  Wagon-Drivers,  including  the  Wagonmaster. 
N.  B.  Eight  of  the  above  Matrosses  at  publick  work. 


f'  Commissioned  Officers. 


Muster-Roll  of  the  Second  Company  of  Artillery  Associators  O/PHILADEL 

PHIA,  commanded  by  Captain  JOSH.  MOULDER. 
1  Captain,  1 

1  Captain-Lieutenant, 
1  First  Lieutenant, 
1  Second  Lieutenant, 
3  Sergeants. 
3  Corporals. 
3  Bombardiers. 
5  Gunners. 
38  Privates. 
1  Drum. 
7  Wagoners. 


Muster-Roll  of  Captain  NEAL'S  Company  ofJlrtillery. 
I  Captain,  "| 

1  Captain-Lieutenant,  I 

1  First  Lieutenant,       >  Commissioned  Officers. 
1  Second  Lieutenant, 
1  Third  Lieutenant,    J 
4  Sergeants. 
4  Corporals. 
4  Bombardiers. 
45  Matrosses. 
1  Drum. 
1  Fife. 

SAMUEL  MIFFLIN,  Colonel  of  Artillery. 
Amboy,  August  6,  1776. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  GEN.  HOWE  TO  LORD  GEORGE 
GERMAINE,  DATED  HEAD-QUARTERS,  STATEN-ISLAND,  AU- 
GUST 6,  1776. 

Judging  your  Lordship  will  be  anxious  for  information, 
and  having  two  packets  on  this  side,  I  despatch  the  Sand- 
wich, without  waiting  for  further  tidings  of  Commodore 
Hotham  and  the  part  of  his  fleet  not  yet  arrived,  but  which, 
from  late  reports,  may  with  reason  be  hourly  expected. 

The  troops  that  have  arrived  to  this  day  are  expressed  in 
my  returns  to  the  Secretary  at  War  and  Adjutant-General, 
whereby  your  Lordship  will  observe  that  we  are  in  force 
sufficient  to  enter  upon  offensive  operations ;  but  I  am  de- 
tained by  the  want  of  camp-equipage,  particularly  kettles 
and  canteens,  so  essential  in  the  field,  and  without  which 
too  much  is  to  be  apprehended  on  the  score  of  health,  at  a 
time  when  sickness  among  the  British  troops  was  never 
more  to  be  dreaded,  from  a  due  consideration  of  their  im- 
portance in  the  prosecution  of  this  distant  war,  and  esteeming 
the  Army  present  as  the  stock  upon  which  the  national  force 
in  America  must  in  future  be  grafted.  However,  if  the  camp- 
equipage  should  not  arrive  with  Commodore  Hotham,  we 
must  use  every  means  to  provide  against  those  wants,  and 
the  Army  will  immediately  begin  to  act. 

Your  Lordship's  despatches  of  the  3d,  12th,  and  13th  of 
May,  with  the  duplicates  of  others  since  the  22d  October, 
1775,  were  received  by  the  Sandunch  packet,  on  the  27th, 
and  by  Lord  Hyde  on  the  29th  July.  His  Majesty's  most 
gracious  approbation  of  my  withdrawing  the  troops  from 
Boston,  under  the  circumstances,  as  described  in  my  de- 
spatch of  21st  of  March,  and  the  flattering  terms  wherein 
it  was  conveyed  by  your  Lordship,  does  me  the  highest 
honour. 


789 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  be.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


790 


Having  communicated  my  reasons,  in  a  former  letter,  for 
ordering  the  Guards  and  Hessians  to  this  post,  previous  to 
any  attempts  upon  Rhode-Island,  I  am  since  confirmed  in 
the  propriety  of  such  measure,  by  finding,  as  I  expected, 
the  principal  force  of  the  Rebels  assembled  at  New-York, 
from  whence  to  dislodge  them,  it  will  require  our  collected 
strength,  before  any  other,  operation  can  take  place.  In 
this  I  shall  now  be  most  essentially  assisted  by  Lieutenant- 
General  Clinton  and  Lord  Cornwallis,  who  arrived  here 
from  South-Carolina  on  the  1st  instant.  The  Southern 
transactions  have  been  sent  to  your  Lordship  by  General 
Clinton;  and  duplicates  of  his  letters  going  by  this  opportu- 
nity, I  need  not  touch  upon  that  subject. 

The  Phenix,  of  forty  guns,  and  the  Rose,  of  twenty, 
passed  the  enemy's  batteries  up  the  North  River,  on  the 
12th  of  July,  in  mid-day.  We  have  not  received  any  direct 
intelligence  from  them  since  they  went  upon  this  service, 
but  by  private,  means  I  learn  they  did  not  suffer  the  least 
damage  from  the  enemy's  batteries,  and  that  they  were  in 
safety,  at  the  upper  end  of  the  Tappan  Sea,  a  few  days 
past. 

The  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Rebel  Armies  sent  me 
the  enclosed  letter  and  narrative  of  some  past  transactions 
in  Canada,  which  I  thought  proper  to  answer  in  general 
terms,  directed  "To  George  Washington,  Esq.,  &z,c.,  &c.," 
as  the  most  unexceptionable  mode  of  address.  The  officer 
sent  to  meet  the  flag  would  not  receive  my  letter,  as  it  did 
not  express  his  general  titles ;  in  consequence  of  which, 
I  sent  Lieutenant-Colonel  Patterson,  Adjutant-General,  a 
few  days  afterwards,  to  remonstrate  upon  this,  and  other 
circumstances,  relative  to  the  usage  of  General  Prescott  and 
several  officers  in  the  enemy's  possession,  and  to  mention  an 
exchange  of  prisoners.  This  interview  was  more  polite  than 
interesting;  however,  it  induced  me  to  Change  my  super- 
scription for  the  attainment  of  an  end  so  desirable;  and  in 
this  view,  I  flatter  myself  it  will  not  be  disapproved.  The 
letters,  though  unimportant,  are  all  enclosed  for  your  Lord- 
ship's satisfaction. 

The  report  concerning  the  Seventy-First  Regiment,  as 
mentioned  in  my  last,  proves  to  be  true  by  later  accounts, 
directly  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  who  is  a  prison- 
er at  Boston,  and  it  is  confirmed  that  Major  Menzies  was 
killed  in  the  action.  This  unfortunate  accident  makes  a 
considerable  addition  to  their  number  of  prisoners,  and  in- 
creases my  anxiety  for  their  relief;  for  which  end  I  shall  use 
every  means  in  my  power  to  improve  and  avail  myself  of 
this  agreement  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners. 

Major  Rogers,  having  escaped  to  us  from  Philadelphia, 
is  empowered  to  raise  a  battalion  of  Rangers,  which,  I  hope, 
may  be  useful  in  the  course  of  the  campaign. 

It  is  with  much  satisfaction 'I  am  to  inform  your  Lordship 
that  the  troops  which  came  with  me,  and  those  since  arrived, 
are  in  perfect  good  health. 


COLONEL  DRAKE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  at  Greenwich,  New-York,  August  6,  1776. 
MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  It  is  with  reluctance 
we  presume  to  approach  your  Excellency  with  complaints, 
at  this  critical  period;  nevertheless,  our  duty  to  the  men 
under  our  care  and  command  compels  us  to  that  measure. 
We  observe  with  much  concern  the  order  of  yesterday  for 
the  march  of  our  Brigade  into  the  city;  but  we  have  much 
reason  to  believe  that  misinformation,  as  well  as  misrepre- 
sentations made  to  your  Excellency,  have  occasioned  that 
order;  which  order  (if  consistent  with  the  good  of  the  ser- 
vice) we  would  wish  to  have  suspended — at  the  same  time 
we  assure  your  Excellency  that  we  always  mean  to  obey 
your  orders  with  cheerfulness — from  a  tender  regard  to  the 
health  of  the  troops  under  our  command,  and  the  inconve- 
nience it  will  subject  them  to,  by  being  again  crowded  into 
houses  in  town,  which  we  are  sensible  has  been  very  preju- 
dicial to  their  health.  Your  Excellency  must  be  sensible 
that  when  we  marched  to  this  encampment  we  found  it  in 
exceeding  bad  order,  but,  by  the  industry  of  the  men,  they 
have  now  provided  comfortable  quarters  for  the  season,  are 
satisfied  with  their  situation,  and  the  sick  are  daily  turning 
out  from  the  Hospital,  for  duty.  However,  as  they  have 
entirely  devoted  themselves  to  the  cause  of  their  country, 
they  are  resolved  to  submit,  unless  your  Excellency  shall 
think  proper  to  suspend  the  order  with  regard  to  the  two 


regiments,  (which  are  entirely  composed  of  people  from  the 
country,)  if  it  be  consistent,  that  we  may  be  continued  on 
the  ground,  and  our  places  supplied  by  some  other  regi- 
ments, now  in  quarters  in  town;  which  we  shall  ever  esteem 
a  favour  conferred  on  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and 
very  humble  servants,  (in  behalf  of  the  officers,) 

SAML.  DRAKE,  Colonel. 

JOHS.  HARDENBURGH,  Lt.  Col. 


COLONEL  DRAKE  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-Rochelle,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  When  I  some  time  ago  delivered  in  to  General 
Morris  a  resignation  of  my  military  appointment,  I  had  not 
time  to  commit  to  writing  my  reasons  for  so  doing,  and  there- 
fore beg  leave  now  to  offer  them. 

On  the  19th  ultimo  I  received  General  Morris's  orders  to 
call  together  the  regiment  under  my  command,  in  order  to 
draught  one-fourth  of  the  men  for  immediate  service.  The 
General  at  the  same  time  requested  me  to  meet  him  at  the 
White-Plains,  previous  to  the  calling  together  the  regiment. 
I  accordingly  waited  on  him  at  the  Plains,  and  was  much 
surprised  to  find  that  I  was  not  to  have  the  command  of 
the  new  levies,  (which,  as  first  Colonel  I  considered  my 
right,)  but  that  the  command  was  given  to  the  second  Colo- 
nel in  the  County.  I»expressed  to  the  General  my  disincli- 
nation to  continue  in  the  service,  as  I  considered  myself 
aggrieved  by  such  a  preference  given  to  my  inferior  officer. 
But  he,  notwithstanding,  prevailed  on  me  to  call  out  and 
meet  the  regiment  for  the  aforesaid  purpose,  which  I  accord- 
ingly did,  and  solicited  the  officers  to  turn  out  voluntarily 
in  order  to  encourage  the  private  men;  but  they  excused 
themselves  unless  they  were  commanded  by  me.  I  told 
them  the  command  was  already  given  to  the  second  Colonel. 
To  him  they  particularly  objected,  and  positively  refused 
going. 

After  this,  I  informed  the  General  of  the  steps  I  had  taken, 
and  the  result,  and  told  him,  that  should  I  a  second  time  be 
ordered  to  call  out  the  regiment  for  the  purpose  of  draught- 
ing, I  had  so  little  prospect  of  success  that  I  begged  leave 
to  resign  my  commission.  Upon  this  declaration,  the  Gene- 
ral signified  to  me  that  he  would  procure  an  order  of  the 
Convention  to  leave  my  regiment  as  it  was  at  present,  but 
that  they  should  be  held  in  readiness  to  march  at  the  short- 
est notice  on  an  emergency.  With  this  I  was  well  satisfied. 
But  on  the  31st  of  last  month  I  again  received  orders  to  call 
them  out,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  every  fourth  man  to  go 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Thomas,  whereupon  I  took 
the  liberty  to  deliver  up  my  commission. 

I  hope  the  above  reasons  will  prove  satisfactory  to  you, 
and  dare  say  you  will  do  me  the  justice  to  believe  that  I 
had  no  other  motive  for  resigning. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 

humble  servant,  T  ,^ 

JOSEPH  DRAKE. 

To  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq. 


GENERAL  M1FFLIN  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Mount  Washington,  August  6,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL  :  Agreeable  to  your  order  by  Colonel 
Reed's  letter,  I  have  directed  Colonel  Holden  to  march  with 
his  three  companies,  this  evening,  to  King's  Bridge. 

I  shall,  in  consequence  of  that  order,  be  under  the  neces- 
sity of  totally  neglecting  the  Point  battery  until  men  are 
sent  up  to  work  on  it ;  our  two  battalions  being  employed 
in  raising  part  of  our  parapet,  covering  the  large  magazine, 
cutting  and  forming  the  abatis,  digging  wells,  &tc.  That 
magazine  will  be  prepared  to  receive  the  powder  this  eve- 
ning. The  magazine  within  the  fort  will  be  completed  in 
two  days.  We  have  so  many  sick  and  on  guard,  that  I  have 
been  obliged  to  give  up  the  outworks  for  the  present. 

As  I  had  no  orders  respecting  the  chevaux-de-frise,  and 
as  the  artists  appeared  willing  to  take  their  own  way,  I  did 
not  presume  to  interfere.  In  future  I  will  watch  and  direct 
their  movements.  But  as  Colonel  Putnam  is  absent  with 
the  soundings,  and  as  the  vessels  are  sent  up  without  persons 
who  are  acquainted  with  the  depth  of  water  for  which  they 
were  calculated,  I  shall  be  at  a  loss  to  sink  them.  The 
sloops  which  came  up  this  morning  being  small,  must,  in  my 
opinion,  be  sunk  to  the  westward  of  the  brigs.  If  Colonel 


791 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


792 


Putnam  had  another  destination  for  them,  I  beg  to  be  favour- 
ed with  directions  where  to  place  them. 

In  future  it  will  be  best  to  send  up  single  vessels,  it  being 
the  most  abstruse  problem  in  hydraulics  to  determine  of  what, 
size  the  several  ports  or  holes  should  be  in  vessels  of  differ- 
ent tonnage  and  construction,  in  order  to  their  sinking  at  the 
same  time.  If  one  sinks  before  the  other,  we  risk  as  yes- 
terday. I  believe  that  vessels  above  ninety  tons,  without 
frise-work,  will  answer  very  well.  No  ship  will  attempt  to 
pass  over  them,  even  if  they  were  eighteen  feet  below  the 
surface.  If  five  or  six  vessels  of  one  hundred  tons  each 
could  be  sent  up,  I  shall  apprehend  no  danger  of  the  ships 
of  war  passing  them.  It  will  be  the  most  expeditious  and 
most  frugal  scheme. 

The  Colossus  is  now  at  anchor  a  little  to  the  westward  of 
her  post.  The  buoy  fixed  by  Colonel  Putnam  appears  to 
be  too  distant  from  the  shore ;  possibly  it  may  have  been 
carried  there  by  the  wind  and  current.  She  shall  be  re- 
moved this  night  if  possible,  the  brigs  this  afternoon. 

The  enemy  may  probably  attempt  to  weigh  some  of  the 
vessels;  it  will  therefore  be  necessary  to  fix  some  guns  on 
the  battery.  If  I  can  obtain  no  heavy,  I  will  send  down 
our  four  twelve-pounders  and  the  howitzer,  and  fight  them 
en  barbette. 

I  am,  with  zeal  and  attachment,  your  Excellency's  obe- 
dient  servant,  THQ<  MlFFUN> 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  Detachments  do  us  no  service — I  cannot  manage 
them.  Those  sent  up  formerly  I  was  obliged  to  chase  from 
tree  to  tree  to  prevent  their  lounging. 


COLONEL  THOMAS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Tarrytown,  August  6,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  From  the  situation 
of  the  men-of-war  and  tenders,  now  opposite  this  place  in 
Hudson's  River,  think  it  my  duty,  as  commanding  officer 
here,  to  inform  your  Excellency  of  the  advantageous  situation 
of  the  ground  here  for  placing  some  cannon  to  play  upon 
the  shipping  whilst  attacked  by  our  galleys.  The  cannon 
may  be  placed  upon  an  eminence  within  near  half  a  mile  of 
the  shipping;  and  if  your  Excellency  should  think  the  above 
plan  expedient,  an  Engineer  might  be  necessary  to  form  a 
breastwork  for  three  or  four  pieces  of  cannon,  which  I  beg 
your  Excellency  in  that  case  will  order  up,  with  the  neces- 
sary apparatus  and  intrenching  tools.  I  conceive  shall  be 
able  to  collect  a  sufficient  number  of  men,  with  those  already 
under  my  command  here,  to  throw  up  a  breastwork  in  a  very 
short  time  in  an  evening  after  planned  by  an  Engineer. 

Should  your  Excellency  think  this  advisable,  it  may  be 
necessary  to  order  the  Commodore  of  the  galleys  to  post- 
pone an  attack  upon  the  shipping  until  a  proper  breastwork 
is  thrown  up,  in  case  his  orders  should  oblige  an  attack 
sooner.  I  don't  pretend  to  dictate  to  your  Excellency,  but 
only  take  the  liberty  of  stating  the  above  for  your  Excel- 
lency's consideration,  with  which  I  would  wish  your  Excel- 
lency's indulgence. 

Captain  Townsend,  who  brings  this,  will  be  able  to  inform 
you  of  the  true  state  of  the  ground,  from  a  view  thereof. 

I  shall  wait  orders;  and  am  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient humble  servant,  „, 

1  HOMAS  THOMAS. 


ULSTER  COUNTY  COMMITTEE  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

In  Committee  for  the  County  of  Ulster,  ) 
New-Paltz,  August  6,  1776.      \ 

GENTLEMEN:  This  day  Mr.  Coldcn  made  application  to 
the  Committee  for  bis  enlargement.  The  Committee,  out 
of  compassion  to  his  son,  Cadwalader,  (who  appears  to  be  a 
decent  young  man,)  consented  to  liberate  him  to  the  bounds 
of  his  own  farm,  on  his  giving  sureties  and  obligation  for 
;2,000  that  he  would  not  depart  the  same  until  he  received 
full  liberty  from  the  honourable  Convention  of  this  State. 
This  being  done,  he  desired  a  copy  of  the  Minutes  of  this 
Committee  the  time  he  was  committed.  The  Committee, 
thinking  they  were  under  no  obligations  to  gratify  Mr.  Golden 
in  this  particular,  informed  him  'they  would  transmit  a  copy 
of  them  to  the  honourable  Convention,  which  would  answer 
the  necessary  purpose  for  him,  which,  gentlemen,  this  Com- 
mittee gives  you  preceding  this,  and  beg  leave  to  inform 


the  honourable  Convention  of  the  motives  that  influenced 
their  conduct  tosvard  Mr.  Golden,  which  he  so  loudly  com- 
plains of  as  arbitrary  and  cruel. 

Some  of  the  members  of  iheNewburgh  and  New-Windsor 
Committees  being  present  at  the  time  Mr.  Golden  was  tried 
and  committed,  did  then  inform  this  Committee  that  the 
reasons  why  they  took  notice  of  Mr.  Coldcn  (he  being  some 
distance  without  the  bounds  of  their  districts,  although  more 
contiguous  to  them  than  he  is  to  the  greater  part  of  the  Pre- 
cinct where  he  lives)  were  that  the  times  grew  very  alarming; 
Tories  were  extremely  impudent;  a  most  infernal  plot  just 
discovered  in  New-York,  which  was  supposed  to  extend  to 
most  parts  of  the  Province ;  several  persons  in  this  country 
strongly  suspected  as  being  concerned  therein,  and  some  of 
them  sent  for  to  New-  York.  They  further  knew  that  orders 
had  been  issued  by  this  Committee  to  every  Precinct  Com- 
mittee in  this  County  for  disarming  all  suspected  persons,  of 
whom  they  freely  thought  Mr.  Golden  one.  After  waiting 
some  time,  they  perceived  that  the  Committee  of  the  Precinct 
of  Hanover,  in  which  Mr.  Golden  lives,  took  no  notice  of 
him,  agreeable  to  the  aforesaid  order;  from  which  they  were 
induced  to  believe  the  common  report  to  be  too  true,  i.  e. 
that  the  Committee  of  the  Precinct  of  Hanover  were  afraid 
to  treat  Mr.  Colden  as  he  deserved,  for  there  was  a  general 
report  in  the  country,  which  they  believed  could  be  fully 
proved,  that,  after  Mr.  Colden  had  signed  the  General  Asso- 
ciation, he  broke  the  same,  by  either  giving  or  selling  a  book 
or  books  to  a  certain  person  in  this  County,  which  contained 
poisonous  doctrines,  directly  opposite  to  the  efforts  which 
the  United  Colonies  are  making  for  the  preservation  of  their 
invaded  rights.  This  the  aforesaid  Committee  passed  over 
without  doing  anything  material  in  it.  They,  considering 
these  things,  concluded  themselves  under  obligations  to  act 
for  the  publick  safety,  being  equally  concerned  in  the  con- 
sequences with  their  neighbours,  whom  they  could  not  avoid 
thinking  rather  remiss  in  their  duty  in  this  particular,  because 
nothing  could  be  inferred  or  learned  from  Mr.  Colden's  whole 
conduct  that  would  serve  for  a  sufficient  reason  why  he  might 
not  be  engaged  in  plots  and  conspiracies  against  the  liberties 
of  his  country;  for  although  Mr.  Colden  did  sign  the  General 
Association,  it  is  evident  he  only  meant  it  as  a  sanctuary  for 
his  person  and  property,  never  having  acted  in  the  smallest 
degree  agreeable  to  the  spirit  of  it,  or  in  his  heart  bid  it  God 
speed.  A  few  considerations  will  clearly  demonstrate  the 
truth  of  this.  At  the  very  juncture  of  time  the  Association 
made  its  appearance  Mr.  Colden  was  intently  engaged  in 
procuring  subscribers  to  his  favourite  Protest,  (a  copy  of 
which  we  here  enclose  the  honourable  Convention  for  their 
perusal,)  which  he  alludes  to  in  his  letter  directed  to  the  Joint 
Committees  of  Ulster  County,  where  he  says:  "  I  said  that 
I  had  made  no  secret  of  my  principles  and  opinions  on  these 
matters,  while  I  thought  they  might  in  the  least  contribute 
to  ward  off  those  calamities  I  foresaw  must  attend  the  publick 
measures  then  adopted,  and  which  is  now  too  unhappily 
come  to  pass.  That  when  I  found  I  could  do  no  good  in 
that  way,  I  had  entirely  avoided  interfering  in  any  shape  in 
publick  affairs."  And  nothing  appears  as  yet,  either  from 
Mr.  Colden's  actions,  words,  or  writing,  by  which  it  can  be 
fairly  construed  that  his  political  principles  are  one  jot  altered 
from  what  is  expressed  in  the  Protest,  so  that  it  will  not  re- 
quire a  spirit  of  divination  to  disclose  the  principle  on  which 
Mr.  Colden  signed  the  Association.  These  gentlemen  further 
informed  this  Committee  that  they  considered  this  Protest 
as  the  evil  seed  sown  in  this  County,  from  which  the  whole 
of  the  fruits  of  Toryism  sprung;  for,  to  their  knowledge, 
upwards  of  sixty  persons  in  the  Precinct  of  Newburgh  had 
subscribed  it,  numbers  of  whom  indeed  were  rather  to  be 
ranked  among  the  lower  class  of  mankind,  but  appeared  to 
be  possessed  of  more  common  honesty  than  Mr.  Colden,  for, 
after  they  had  signed  the  Protest,  they  stoutly  defended  their 
conduct,  by  refusing  to  sign  the  Association;  which  caused 
great  expense  and  trouble  to  the  good  people  of  this  County, 
every  shilling  of  which  is  justly  chargeable  to  Mr.  Colden's 
account,  who  retracted  and  left  them  in  the  lurch.  Further, 
they  conceived  that  the  end  and  design  of  the  Association 
was  not  to  be  a  state  of  neutrality,  (Mr.  Colden  freely  con- 
fesses he  had  observed,)  but  a  firm  bond  of  union  for  mutual 
defence,  which  required  activity;  also  an  obligation  to  obey 
the  rules  and  resolutions  of  the  Congresses.  How  far  Mr. 
Coldcn  hath  obeyed  relative  to  the  disposition  of  the  Militia 
is  easily  known,  by  the  enclosed  depositions  of  Messrs.  Pal- 


793 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


794 


mer  and  Logan,  one  broken  gun  in  his  house,  which,  (to  use 
his  own  words,)  "  in  these  times,  he  did  not  think  worth  while 
to  have  it  mended." 

It  would  be  trespassing  on  the  time  and  patience  of  this 
honourable  Convention  to  enumerate  every  minute  circum- 
stance relative  to  this  man's  conduct.  Therefore,  will  only 
add,  that,  after  considering  the  reasons  given  by  the  gentle- 
men of  the  Newburgh  and  New -Windsor  Committees  for 
dealing  with  Mr.  Golden,  this  Committee  was  of  opinion 
they  did  no  more  than  what  was  right  at  this  critical  period. 
Also,  that  Mr.  Golden  appeared  (all  things  considered)  to  be 
a  person  dangerous  to  the  welfare  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  at  this  alarming  crisis ;  therefore  committed  him  to 
jail,  and  have  since  given  him  the  privilege  of  his  own  larm, 
as  before  recited,  until  fully  discharged  by  the  honourable 
Convention  of  this  State. 

We  have  the  honour,  gentlemen,  to  be,  with  the  highest 
esteem,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee  : 

ROBERT  BOYD,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  in  Convention  of 
the  State  of  New-  York. 

P.  S.  The  honourable  Convention  will  please  to  note 
the  great  difference  between  Mr.  Colden's  representation  of 
matters  and  the  Minutes  of  the  Committee.  Also  this  Com- 
mittee would  inform  the  honourable  Convention  of  the  mo- 
tive that  induced  them  to  propose  the  addition  Mr.  Golden 
so  much  complains  of,  although  no  more  in  fact  than  what 
is  contained  in  the  Association.  Mr.  Golden  being  upwards 
of  fifty  years  old,  of  course  an  exempt  by  the  Militia  laws, 
and  found  destitute  of  arms,  the  Committee  was  of  opinion 
Mr.  Golden  should  be  somewhat  explicit  on  that  particular. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

German-Flats,  August  6, 1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  Excellency's  favour  of  the  31st  of  July 
I  had  the  pleasure  to  receive  this  morning. 

I  am  well  aware  that  every  person  in  the  Commissary- 
General's  department  should  strictly  abide  by  and  obey  his 
orders;  and  that  more  than  one  head  to  any  department 
must  be  introductory  to  confusion.  This  sentiment  I  have 
strongly  held  up  to  Congress  in  some  of  my  letters  in  the 
course  of  last  campaign;  and  as  soon  as  Mr.  Trumbull 
arrived  in  the  Northern  Department,  I  conceived  that  he 
became  the  principal  of  the  Commissary  Department,  and 
have  accordingly  always  directed  Mr.  Livingston  to  obey 
his  orders,  in  terms  which,  I  trust,  will  do  me  honour  as  a 
soldier  and  a  citizen,  whose  first  wish  is  the  the  weal  of  the 
cause  he  is  engaged  in.  Nor  do  I  know  of  an  instance  in 
which  Mr.  TrumbuWs  appointments  have  not  been  regarded. 
The  case  of  Mr.  Avery  is  surely  not  one ;  he  was  particu- 
larly appointed  for  Canada,  soon  after  that  country  was  put 
into  a  separate  military  department,  and  his  appointment, 
therefore,  did  no  more  extend  to  this  department  than  it  did 
to  South- Carolina.  But  as  the  Army  was  returned  from 
Canada,  and  as  more  Commissaries  were  wanted  than  what 
were  then  employed,  I  made  a  temporary  appointment  of 
Mr.  Avery  to  superintend  the  issues,  for  which  business  he 
was  designed  in  Canada,  as  your  Excellency  will  perceive 
by  calling  for  the  orders  Mr.  Trumbull  gave  him. 

Our  emissaries  amongst  the  Indians  all  agree  that  it  would 
be  extremely  imprudent  to  request  the  Indians  to  take  an 
active  part  with  us,  as  they  think  it  would  effectually  mili- 
tate the  contrary  way.  The  conferences  begin  to-morrow. 
From  their  answer  to  our  first  speech,  we  shall,  I  hope,  be 
able  to  discover  their  temper  and  intentions ;  and  should  we 
have  a  prospect  of  engaging  them  in  our  favour,  we  will 
improve  it  in  the  best  manner  we  can.  Their  number  now 
here,  including  their  women  and  children,  is  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  eighteen. 

As  your  Excellency  conceives  it  will  be  proper,  and  even 
necessary,  to  request  General  Burgoyne  to  deliver  the  offi- 
cers who  have  slighted  their  paroles,  and  are  now  with  him, 
I  will  write  to  General  Gates,  and  desire  him  to  send  a  flag 
for  the  purpose. 

I  have  sent  to  Salisbury  Furnace  to  get  swivels  cast  for 
the  Navy.  The  difficulty  of  procuring  the  articles  neces- 
sary for  the  Navy  are  almost  insuperable;  persons  are  gone 
express  to  every  quarter  of  the  country,  and  some  as  far  as 


New-London,  to  purchase  whatever  can  be  got,  but  I  still 
fear  we  shall  fall  short  in  many  articles. 

In  mine  of  the  24th,  I  pointed  out  the  situation  of  Crown- 
Point,  with  respect  to  the  distance  from  the  southern  and 
northern  extremes  of  the  Lake.  It  is  evident  that  it  cannot 
command  an  inch  of  country  north  of  the  fort  further  than 
cannon-shot  will  reach ;  and  that  if  a  General  has  a  mind 
to  land  an  army  on  any  part  of  the  banks  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain  north  of  Crown-Point,  nothing  but  a  superior  naval 
force  can  prevent  him — perhaps  not  even  that.  If,  then, 
an  attempt  was  made  to  penetrate  into  the  New-England 
Colonies  from  any  place  between  two  miles  beyond  Crown- 
Point  and  the  north  end  of  the  Lake,  what  will  be  the  differ- 
ence in  bringing  our  Army  to  oppose  them  ?  Why,  fifteen 
miles,  and  no  more,  by  land  or  by  water,  as  we  may  choose 
to  go ;  but  I  really  have  no  idea  of  the  possibility  of  an 
Army  penetrating  into  the  well-inhabited  part  of  any  of 
the  Neiv-England  Colonies.  If  I  commanded  an  army  at 
Crown-Point,,  and  was  certain  that,  by  removing  it  from 
thence,  the  enemy  would  undertake  to  march  across  the 
Green  Mountains  (for  that  is  the  only  route  when  they  are 
not  suffered  to  go  by  the  way  of  Ticonderoga)  into  the  New- 
England  Colonies,  I  would  immediately  remove  the  obsta- 
cle.; nor  would  I  attempt  to  follow  them  until  they  had  got 
at  least  twenty-five  miles  from  the  Lake — conscious  that  if, 
indeed,  they  were  not  followed  at  all,  and  a  body  of  light 
troops  only  sent  to  harass  them  on  their  arrival  in  the  Green 
Mountains,  very  few  would  ever  return,  and  none  penetrate. 
General  Arnold,  with  all  his  activity,  with  picked  men, 
with  a  small  body,  suffered  greatly  before  he  got  a  hundred 
miles  from  his  batteaus.  What  would  an  army,  so  numer- 
ous as  to  be  capable  of  effecting  anything  of  consequence 
if  they  did  penetrate,  suffer  in  such  a  march,  and  through 
mountains  hardly  passable  for  a  carriage  with  the  best  of 
drivers  and  a  good  team  ?  How  an  army  at  Crown-Point 
could  prevent  savages  from  penetrating  into  the  country 
east  of  Lake  Champlain,  I  cannot  possibly  conceive.  Can 
an  army  at  New-  York  prevent  a  man  going  into  a  batteau 
at  New-London,  crossing  the  Sound  to  the  east  end  of  Long- 
Island,  or  to  any  other  part  of  it  betw.een  New-  York  and 
the  east  end,  landing  there,  crossing  the  Island,  and  com- 
mitting a  depredation  on  the  south  side  ?  Surely  not ;  and 
yet  the  case  is  nearly  similar,  and  would  be  quite  so,  if  the 
north  side  of  Long-Island  was  as  thinly  inhabited  as  the 
east  shore  of  Lake  Champlain. 

Enclose  you  an  extract  of  a  letter  dated  the  4th  instant, 
from  Captain  Varick,  my  Secretary  at  Albany.  You  will 
perceive  what  difficulties  we  have  to  encounter  for  want  of 
money.  I  can  easily  foresee,  that  unless  a  supply  is  soon 
sent,  it  will  be  impossible  to  keep  the  Army  where  it  is ;  for 
without  carriages,  it  cannot  be  supplied,  and  your  Excel- 
lency is  informed  how  many  are  daily  wanted  for  provisions 
only,  when  a  full  number  of  batteaus  are  employed,  and 
carriages  can  no  longer  be  procured  without  money. 

Since  your  Excellency's  arrival  in  New-York,  1  have  not 
written  to  Congress  on  military  affairs,  otherwise  than  in 
answer  to  letters  received  from  them,  (in  some  of  these,  I 
have  urged  the  necessity  of  a  supply  of  cash,)  supposing 
that  whatever  information  I  might  give,  and  which  might  be 
necessary  for  Congress  to  know,  would  be,  as  I  doubt  not  it 
has  been,  communicated  to  them. 

I  am  informed  that  a  Council  of  Officers,  convened  at  New- 
York,  (whether  of  their  own  accord  or  by  your  Excellency's 
order  I  am  not  advised,)  had  decided  that  the  Council  of 
General  Officers  lately  held  at  Crown-Point  had  acted 
reprehensibly.  In  justice  to  myself  and  the  other  General 
Officers  who  composed  that  Council,  I  cannot  pass  by  this 
extraordinary  mode  of  proceeding  without  animadverting  on 
it ;  for  although  I  should  grant  that  every  officer  that  com- 
posed the  Council  at  Neiv-  York  had  the  most  perfect  know- 
ledge of  the  country,  that  they  were  separately  endowed  svith 
abilities  vastly  superior  to  those  of  the  Generals  in  this  quar- 
ter taken  in  the  aggregate,  yet  to  assume  a  power  of  cen- 
suring us,  even  if  we  were  their  inferiors  in  rank,  if  convened 
as  a  court-martial,  for  the  purpose  of  trying  us,  without  hear- 
ing what  we  could  say  in  support  of  our  decision,  is  so  inju- 
rious, so  unjust,  so  extra-judicial,  that  I  have  not  the  least 
doubt  but  that  every  man  of  candour  will  join  us  in  depre- 
cating the  outrage.  For  although  every  individual  in  the 
community  has  a  right  to  give  his  opinion  on  the  conduct  of 
the  servants  of  the  publick,  and  although  a  superior  officer 


795 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  tic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


796 


has  a  right,  nay,  ought  to  direct  a  change  of  measures  when 
he  believes  those  adopted  will  be  attended  with  dangerous 
consequences,  and  although  a  council  may  give  their  opinion 
on  the  propriety  or  impropriety  of  a  measure  referred  to  them 
for  consideration,  yet  the  superior  officer,  in  directing  a 
change  of  measures,  or  a  council  in  deciding  that  a  measure 
was  improper,  ought  not  to  convey  an  idea  which  supposes 
guilt  until  guilt  is  proved,  and  not  even  then,  unless  they 
had  been  constituted  a  tribunal  for  the  purpose  of  deciding 
on  the  guilt  or  innocence  of  the  party  to  be  tried,  and  that 
the  party  supposed  guilty  had  had  an  opportunity  given  him 
of  being  heard  in  his  own  defence.  This  we  have  not  had, 
and  yet  our  conduct  is  said  to  be  reprehensible.  1  feel  my- 
self so  deeply  chagrined  at  this  conduct,  that  if  my  informa- 
tion is  true,  (which  your  Excellency  can  determine,  and 
which  I  entreat  you  to  do  the  soonest  possible,)  I  cannot, 
consistent  with  my  honour,  remain  in  the  Army,  unless  the 
Council  at  New-York  are  censured  for  the  assertion  by  Con- 
gress or  by  your  Excellency,  or  unless,  conscious  of  the  im- 
propriety of  their  conduct  towards  us,  they  make  a  candid  and 
full  acknowledgment  thereof.  And  permit  me  to  beg  you 
to  lay  a  copy  of  this  letter,  with  copy  of  mine  of  the  24th, 
before  Congress,  that  they  may  see  on  what  I  founded  my 
opinion  for  the  removal  of  the  Army  to  Ticonderoga,  and 
what  idea  I  have  of  the  injury  the  General  Officers  who 
composed  the  Council  at  Crown-Point  have  sustained. 

The  account  of  General  Lee's  success  reached  us  a  few 
days  ago,  as  also  that  of  the  captures  to  the  eastward.  May 
we  soon  hear  that  the  enemy  meets  with  other  checks  so 
decisive  as  to  cause  them  to  forbear  any  further  attempts  this 
campaign.  It  has  several  times  been  reported  by  the  Indians, 
that  part  of  Burgoyne's  Army,  joined  by  a  body  of  Indians, 
will  attempt  to  penetrate  by  the  way  of  Oswego.  Should 
this  information  be  true,  as  I  believe  it  to  be,  a  greater  force 
will  be  necessary  in  this  quarter.  I  think  it  will  be  prudent 
to  post  Colonel  Nicolson's  regiment,  which  consists,  by  his 
own  account,  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  privates,  on  some 
part  of  the  Mohawk  River ;  but  if  time  will  permit,  I  shall  wait 
your  Excellency's  order  before  I  make  this  movement. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient,,  humble  servant,  PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &tc.,  &c. 

JExImcf  of  a  Letter  from  Captain  VARICK  to   General  SCHUYLEB,  dated 
ALBANY,  August  4,  1776. 

The  wagoners  will  not  ride,  unless  they  can  have  prompt 
payment.  It  is  shameful  that  publick  officers  are  obliged  to 
giye  their  notes  for  money  on  interest  to  carry  on  the  ser- 
vice. A  number  of  wagoners  had  come  down  to  this  place 
this  morning  to  carry  sutlers'  stores.  I  applied  to  Colonel 
Van  Schaick  for  his  order  to  prohibit  sutlers'  stores  going 
up  without  his  pass,  which  I  begged  him  not  to  give.  But 
the  wagoners  would  sooner  return  home  than  ride  for  the 
publick.  They  say  the  publick  is  largely  indebted  to  them, 
and  they  can  get  no  money. 


GENERAL  WATEHBURV  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  6,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  We  have  sent  off  so  many  gondolas,  and 
there  are  none  of  the  oars  returned,  that  we  are  left  almost 
destitute;  and  we  shall  be  very  much  troubled  to  furnish  the 
boats  to  forward  the  troops  as  they  shall  arrive ;  and  should  be 
glad  your  Honour  would  order  some  by  the  return  of  this  boat. 

I  herewith  send  your  Honour  a  few  pounds  of  butter, 
which  is  all  I  could  procure  at  present. 

I  should  be  glad  to  be  informed  whether  I  am  to  forward 
the  Hampshire  troops  to  Ticonderoga,  or  employ  them  here 
to  the  best  advantage.  A  considerable  number  arrived  last 
evening,  but  have  not  had  their  returns  yet.  Our  galleys 
go  on  extremely  fast,  but  fear  we  shall  have  to  wait  for  iron 
and  other  articles. 

I  am,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Tyonderoga,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  In  this  packet,  I  have  the  honour  to  send  you  the 
proceedings  of  the  General  Court-Martial,  held  for  the  trial 
of  Colonel  Bedel  and  Major  Butlerfield.  Immediately 


upon  the  President's  delivering  the  proceedings  into  my 
hands,  I  ordered  the  sentences  to  be  inserted  in  the  General 
Orders,  and  hope  the  disgraceful  example  made  of  the  offen- 
ders will  deter  others  from  committing  so  flagrant  a  crime. 
Perhaps  a  little  more  severity  in  the  Court-Martial  would 
have  effected  this  in  a  stronger  manner;  but  severity  is  not 
the  characteristick  of  our  military  courts,  any  more  than  it 
is  of  our  military  law. 

I  have  at  last  been  able  to  send  you  something  like  a 
general  return  of  this  Army.  It  is  also  accompanied  by 
the  particular  return  of  each  corps.  These,  though  as  cor- 
rect as  our  present  circumstances  will  admit,  are  not  so 
exactly  so  as  I  wish  to  have  them,  nor  as  I  am  resolved 
in  future  to  have  them ;  but  time  works  wonders.  Gen- 
eral Waterbury's  return  from  Skeneslorough  is  also  in  the 
packet.  I  am  daily  informed  of  the  Militia  that  crowd 
the  roads,  coming  from  the  eastward.  When  I  have  a 
proper  authority  to  say  they  are  arrived,  then  I  shall  imme- 
diately declare  it.  You  will  likewise  find  in  the  packet  a 
pretty  correct  return  of  the  ordnance  and  military  stores  at 
this  post.  As,  for  want  of  store-room,  we  are  obliged  to  place 
things  much  confounded,  and  stores  for  different  purposes 
and  services  too  much  intermixed,  it  renders  it  impossible, 
as  yet,  to  give  Congress  so  distinct  an  idea  of  the  ordnance 
branch  as  I  am  earnest  they  should  know. 

Some  proper  officer  ought,  without  delay,  to  go  and  take 
an  exact  account  of  all  the  New-  York  regiments.  I  am 
confident,  when  that  affair  is  properly  examined,  they  will 
be  found  scandalously  deficient.  Regiments  should  not, 
without  the  most  urgent  necessity,  be  scattered  and  broken 
in  bits,  as  some  of  those  are.  The  service  of  the  United 
States  demands  it,  only  in  a  few  instances.  When  that  is 
unavoidably  the  case,  the  duty  should  be  done  by  detach- 
ment. As  far  as  I  can  command  it,  the  error  shall  be  corrected. 

Enclosed,  you  will  find  a  list  of  the  fleet  upon  the  Lake, 
I  mean  what  is  actually  equipped  and  sailed  for  Crown- 
Point.  I  hope  it  will  soon  be  powerfully  increased.  Four 
row-galleys  and  as  many  gondolas  will,  I  am  assured,  be 
added  to  it  in  a  fortnight.  Cannon,  rigging,  and  powder, 
are,  as  things  stand,  more  likely  to  be  in  request  than  the 
vessels  to  be  armed;  but  General  Schuyler  wrote  long  since 
to  New-York,  to  demand  what  was  wanted,  and  sent  a  par- 
ticular account  of  the  whole.  Perhaps  it  is  so  busy  a  time 
there,  it  prevents  our  affairs  being  attended  to.  Messrs. 
Cuyler  and  Gansevoort  have  been  here  some  days,  deputed 
by  the  Congress  of  the  State  of  New-  York  to  examine  our 
real  circumstances,  and  know  our  wants.  They  are  fully 
informed  of  both;  and,  no  doubt,  what  .that  Congress  can- 
not supply,  yours  will  be  loudly  called  upon  to  furnish. 

The  whole  of  the  field  artillery,  with  all  the  attirail, 
being  lost  in  Canada,  it  is  necessary  it  should  be  replaced 
in  the  best  manner  possible.  Six  six-pounders,  six  twelve, 
four  eight-inch  howitzers,  and  six  cohorn  mortars,  all  brass, 
should  be  provided  for  the  Army  in  this  department.  Shells 
for  the  mortars  may  be  had  here  and  at  New-  York.  There 
are  eight-inch  shells  here  sufficient  for  the  howitzers  of  that 
caliber.  This  Army  cannot  advance  again  into  Canada 
without  a  field  train ;  and  I  hope  our  good  fortune  will  one 
day  return.  An  army  should  in  no  circumstance  be  left 
without  field  artillery.  When  you  order  the  above  to  be 
provided,  carriages,  and  everything  to  complete  them,  must 
be  provided  also. 

In  a  week,  our  fleet  will,  I  am  told,  be  in  a  condition  to 
make  sail  down  the  Lake.  General  Arnold  proposes  to 
post  them  so  as  to  command  some  narrow  pass,  opening  into 
a  broad  part  of  the  Lake,  either  near  the  Split  Rock,  or 
Isle-au-Molte ;  but  of  this  you  will,  in  time,  be  particularly 
informed. 

Brigadier-General  Baron  dc  Woedtke  died  at  Lake  George 
the  beginning  of  last  week.  He  was  buried  with  the  hon- 
ours due  to  his  rank. 

Enclosed  is  the  examination  of  two  Canadians,  Captains 
in  Colonel  Livingston's  regiment,  sent  here  by  the  Commit- 
tee of  Safety  of  Newbury,  (Cohos.)  It  may  be  true;  the 
men  seem  sincere,  and  are  well  known  to  many  officers  in 
this  camp.  I  shall  send  immediately  for  the  four  German 
deserters  at  Mctcalf's. 

The  flag  of  truce  sent  from  hence  fourteen  days  ago  by 
Major  Bigelow,  has  not  yet  returned.  As  the  reason  for  his 
delay  can  only  be  founded  upon  conjecture,  I  leave  the 
Congress  to  make  theirs. 


797 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


798 


The  Militia  begin  to  come  up.  This  moment,  about  six 
hundred  are  arrived  from  New-Hampshire.  I  am  told  a 
large  body  will  be  at  Skenesborough  this  week.  Colonel 
Woodbridge,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Leonard,  and  Major  Stacy, 
all  from  the  County  of  Hampshire,  in  Massachusetts,  left 
their  regiment  upon  the  march,  and  went  home  to  be  ino- 
culated. An  example  so  shameful  in  officers  of  their  rank 
must  be  taken  notice  of.  I  shall  bring  them  to  a  Court- 
Martial  the  instant  they  arrive  in  camp. 

I  have  added  to  the  packet  a  plan  of  the  very  important 
post  at  present  occupied  by  this  Army.  The  works  are  laid 
down  in  it  so  as  to  give  Congress  a  general  idea  of  the  situa- 
tion of  this  Army. 

Our  fleet  flourishes  amazingly;  and  by  letters  this  moment 
received  from  General  Schuyler,  I  find  we  shall  be  very 
speedily  supplied  with  everything  demanded  for  the  rigging, 
arming,  and  fitting  of  the  whole  for  action. 

I  beg,  sir,  you  will  assure  Congress,  that  the  utmost  har- 
mony prevails  between  the  General  Officers  in  this  depart- 
ment, and  that  unanimity  and  good  fellowship  are  taking 
place  with  the  troops  of  different  States.  When  the  upper 
officers  in  an  army  are  industrious  to  promote  friendship, 
and  by  their  example  discountenance  and  discourage  all 
illiberal  animosity,  there  is  no  danger  can  happen  from 
foolish  dissensions. 

With  the  greatest  respect,  I  request  you  believe  me,  dear 
sir,  your  much  obliged  and  most  faithful  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  General  WATERBURT,  dated  SKENESBOROUGII, 

August  6,  1776. 

You  desired  to  know  of  me  the  names  of  those  who  had 
been  inoculated.  They  are  as  follows,  viz:  Colonel  Joshua 
Wingate,  Chaplain  Porter  and  Doctor  Wiggksworth.  The 
above  gentlemen  were  inoculated  at  Number-Four  last  Satur- 
day se'nnight.  Captain  Wethersby's  company  were  quar- 
tered at  Number-Four,  and,  as  I  am  informed,  were  to  march 
for  this  place  directly  after  coming  out  of  the  Hospital  last 
Saturday.  The  names  of  the  three  Field-Officers  from 
Massachusetts  that  were  inoculated,  1  am  not  able  to  give. 

N.  B.  The  Colonel  from  Massachusetts  is  Woodbridge, 
who  served  at  Cambridge,  with  so  much  credit  the  last  cam- 
paign. 

General  Waterbury  has  sent  orders  to  Captain  Wethersbee 
not  to  march  on  any  account  till  he  has  particular  orders. 

To  Major-General  Gates. 

List  of  Continental  Armed  Vessels  on  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN, 
August  5,  1776. 


4 

§ 

5 

i 

~ 

NAMES  OF  VESSELS  AND 

1 

5 

i 

S 

CAPTAINS. 

V 

t 

•& 

•s> 

{ 

I 

s 

4 

Schooner  Royal  Savage...  Wynkoop. 
Sloop  Enterprise  Dickson... 

13 
19 

4-lbs. 
4-lbs. 

10 
10 

50 

50 

i  Sailed. 

Schooner  Revenge  Seaman... 

8 

J4    4-lbs. 
<4    2-lbs. 

10 

85 

Schooner  Liberty  Primmer 

8 

$2    4-lbs. 
(6    2-lbs. 

8 

35 

Almost  rigged. 

Gondola  New-Haven.  .  .  .Mansfield, 

3 

J  1  12-lbs. 
1  2   9-lbs 

8 

45 

] 

Gondola  Providence  Simmons. 

3 

9-lbs. 

B 

-r> 

f.  Sailed. 

3 

<  1  12-lbs. 
(2   9-lbs 

e 

45 

I        • 

Gondola  Spitfire  Ulmer.  .  . 
A  Gondola  not  rigged. 

3 

9-lbs. 

a 

45 

Almost  rigged. 

A   Spanish-built    Row-Galley   nol 

rigged. 

Total  

52| 

711 

•150 

Newbury,  Cohos,  July  29,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  had  the  honour  to  write  you  a  few  days  ago  by 
one  Monsieur  Traverse,  a  Frenchman  from  the  Parish  of 
St.  Francois,  who  came  this  way  for  protection  and  a  safe 
conduct  to  the  Army,  whom  we  forwarded  along  under  the 
care  of  Mr.  Witherspoon,  with  a  guard  of  four  men,  via 
Onion^  River;  and  now  trouble  you  again  by  the  bearers, 
four  Canadian  officers  of  Colonel  James  Livingston's  regi- 
ment, as  mentioned  in  Mr.  Metcalf's  letter  they  brought  us, 
copy  of  which  you  have  enclosed,  and  to  which  beg  to  refer 


for  particulars.  The  purport  or  true  intent  of  this  letter, 
you  will  be  better  able  to  judge  of  than- we  are,  being  stran- 
gers to  Mr.  Metcalf.  We  trust  the  Frenchmen  will  prove 
to  be  honest  men,  as  they  appear  to  us  by  their  story,  and 
hope  their  information  of  affairs  in  Canada  may  be  of  pub- 
lick  service.  We  have  accordingly  showed  them  all  civility 
in  our  power,  as  we  shall  any  others  that  may  come  into 
our  part  of  the  country,  friends  to  the  American  cause,  not 
doubting  of  your  approbation.  And,  with  great  respect, 
remain,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servants, 

JACOB  BAYLEY, 
JAMES  BAYLET, 
Chairmen  of  the  Committees  of  Newbury  and  HaverhilL 

To  the  Hon.  General  Gates,  or  the  Commander-in-Chief  at 
Crown-Point. 

P.  S.  Names  of  these  Frenchmen,  viz:  Messrs.  Loseau, 
Allin,  Basade,  Menarere. 

We  intrust  this  letter  to  the  care  of  Mr.  S.  Atkinson, 
who  engages  to  see  those  men  along  to  Head-Quarters;  and 
as  he  will  return  directly  here,  shall  be  glad  of  a  few  lines 
for  our  further  direction,  should  any  more  Frenchmen  come 
across  the  country. 

Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Mr.  S.  METCALF  to  Colonel  JACOB  BAYLET,  dated 
PRATSBURGH,  July  21,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  sorry  I  had  not  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
Mr.  Witherspoon.  I  make  no  doubt  but  you  know  or  have 
heard  of  a  set  of  sad  dogs  that  have  settled  at  Onion  River, 
where  I  imprudently  went  to  purchase  some  cows,  a  pair  of 
oxen,  and  some  seed  wheat,  during  which  the  news  of  the 
Army's  leaving  St.  John's  unexpectedly  arrived,  which  put 
the  whole  settlement  in  a  violent  commotion.  They  all 
determined  to  abandon  the  settlement  immediately,  and  took 
me  prisoner,  and  conveyed  me  to  Crown-Point,  after  robbing 
me  of  my  cows,  oxen,  money,  boats,  &.C.,  &c.,  together  with 
my  people;  but  as  they  could  prove  no  crime  against  me,  I 
was  immediately  released.  But  the  rascals  made  off  with  all 
my  effects  to  the  amount  of  upwards  of  two  hundred  , 

and  what  they  did  with  my  people,  I  could  never  yet  learn. 

My  apprentice,  Thomas  .Thompson,  went  to  York  and 
Philadelphia  six  weeks  ago  on  my  business,  and  has  orders 
to  return  by  Cohos  with  a  quantity  of  horned  cattle  and 
sheep;  and  as  the  boy  is  a  stranger  in  your  country,  I  hope 
you  will  be  so  kind  as  to  assist  him,  and  forward  him  on  his 
way.  I  did  imagine  you  would  have  been  out  with  the  road 
here  before  this. 

The  bearers  hereof  are  four  Canadian  officers,  late  of 
Colonel  James  Livingston's  regiment,  who  inform  me  that 
the  forces  in  Canada  are  no  ways  equal  to  what  they  were 
at  first  reported,  and  that  General  Carleton  has  miscarried 
in  the  plan  he  had  laid  to  make  himself  master  of  this  Lake, 
by  drawing  three  vessels,  which  had  been  previously  built 
for  the  purpose,  over  land,  past  the  Rapids  of  Chambly, 
they  being  entirely  broken  to  pieces  in  the  attempt,  and  now 
totally  abandoned;  so  that  General  Sullivan  will  undoubtedly 
remain  master  of  this  country  for  this  season  at  least;  he 
having  fortified,  with  an  intrenchment  and  cannon,  Point-au- 
Fer,  on  the  north  end  of  the  Lake,  where  stands  a  brick  house 
commonly  called  the  White-House.  This  is  a  very  advan- 
tageous situation,  as  it  commands  the  navigation  towards 
St.  John's,  and  is  formed  into  a  kind  of  an  Island  by  a  deep 
morass  that  runs  behind  it  from  one  bay  to  the  other. 

I  having  no  boat  to  assist  these  people  with  who  are  on 
their  way  to  Albany,  they  were  constrained  to  go  this  road ; 
and  as  they  speak  very  little  English,  you  had  better  give 
them  a  pass  to  Albany. 

I  am  desirous  of  having  my  boy  home,  that  should  you 
hear  of  him  below,  please  to  write  or  send  him  word  to 
return  with  all  possible  expedition  with  the  cattle. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  friend  and  obedient  humble  servant, 

S.  METCALF. 

The  following  particulars  were  collected  from  the  verbal  examination 
and  the  conversation  of  two  Canadian  Captains  (Captain  L'Oiseau  and 
Captain  Jlllain)  of  Colonel  James  Livingston's  Regiment  of  Canadians, 
who,  having  fled  from  the  neighbourhood  of  St.  John's,  arrived  on 
Sunday  morning  at  Tyonderoga,  and,  after  having  been  examined  by 
Major-General  Gates,  were  sent  to  Many. 

The  enemy  did  not  fortify  any  of  the  places  we  aban- 
doned ;  but  they  cut  a  new  road,  or  repaired  the  old,  from 


799 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


800 


Isle-aux-Noix  to  Chambly.  They  had  two  thousand  Germans 
at  Isle-aux-Noix,  under  General  Frazer;  the  like  number 
at  St.  John's,  under  Governour  Carleton;  and  likewise  at 
Montreal,  under  the  command  of  a  General,  whose  name 
the  Canadian  officers  did  not  know,  but  we  suppose  it  was 
Burgoyne.  No  more  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  were 
left  at  Quebeck.  No  English  national  regiment  had  arrived; 
but  it  was  reported  that  four  thousand  English  troops,  who 
were  intended  as  a  part  of  that  Army,  had  perished  at  sea, 
or  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  American  privateers,  which 
gave  inexpressible  uneasiness  to  Governour  Carleton.  The 
English  fleet  brought  over  from  Europe,  timber,  &.C.,  for 
no  more  than  fifty  boats,  which  they  attempted  to  transport 
by  land,  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  Sorel  to  St.  John's; 
but  the  carriages  employed  on  that  service  having  been 
ruined,  Carleton  employed  Canadians  in  building  others  at 
St.  John's,  on  the  plan  of  our  batteaus.  That  Governour 
has,  very  luckily  for  us,  rendered  himself  odious  to  the  Tory 
Canadians  themselves,  by  exacting  fifty  head  of  cattle  from 
every  Parish,  for  the  payment  of  which  his  Commissaries  or 
other  agents  gave  to  the  owners  notes  payable  to  the  bearer. 
He  exhibited  to  his  Army  a  diversion  which  may  cost  his 
master  very  dear,  as  it  awoke  the  sensibility  of  the  Cana- 
dians, without  the  least  necessity.  The  Militia  officers  who 
had  served  under  the  Congress  were  forced  to  burn  their 
commissions,  to  the  very  minutest  particle — an  operation 
which,  as  was  expected  by  the  beholders,  singed  the  fingers 
of  such  of  the  criminals  who  were  not  very  dexterous  in  dis- 
appointing that  most  humane  General.  The  officers  who 
have  accepted  commissions  in  the  corps  raised  under  the 
sanction  of  the  Congress  underwent  the  same  punishment; 
but  immediately  after  this  farcical  execution,  were  confined 
on  board  men-of-war,  to  be  carried  to  the  West-Indies;  and 
his  Excellency  confiscated  the  estates  of  all  the  Canadians 
who  followed  our  Army,  or  who  remain  concealed  in  the 
country.  The  Indians  have  refused  to  fight  against  the 
United  States. 

Great  numbers  of  the  Germans  desert  daily,  and  are  very 
zealously  secreted  by  the  inhabitants.  Seventy  Brunswickers 
made  off  together,  four  of  whom  are  at  Mr.  Metcalf's,  about 
twenty  miles  this  side  of  St.  John's.  Their  officers  are  so 
afraid  of  bushfight  and  ambushes,  that  they  durst  not  head 
any  party  to  pursue  the  runaways;  but  then,  the  common 
soldiers  being  checked  by  the  same  fears,  deserters  were 
but  few  to  what  it  might  have  been,  could  our  fleet  have 
cruised  on  the  Lake,  and  afforded  them  protection. 

Between  the  23d  and  24th  ultimo,  Carleton  and  the  other 
Generals  abandoned  all  their  posts  on  this  side  of  the  river 
Sorel,  St.  John's  excepted,  with  the  same  precipitation  that 
we  did.  They  carried  with  them  their  artillery  and  provi- 
sions, without  paying  the  inhabitants  for  the  last  article.  It 
was  reported  that  this  unexpected  motion  was  occasioned 
by  the  arrival  and  mysterious  manoeuvres  of  a  fleet  at  Qwe- 
beck,  supposed  to  consist  of  French  ships,  which  now  and 
then  puzzled  the  garrison,  by  hoisting  different  flags,  and 
fired  at  tenders  sent  from  the  town  to  know  who  were 
those  guests.  Two  hundred  men  have  been  left  at  the 
Isle-aux-Noix,  to  send  early  intelligence  of  our  operations; 
and  if  we  return  to  Canada,  which  all  the  inhabitants  seem 
to  wish  most  devoutly,  that  garrison  will  immediately  pro- 
ceed down  the  river.  The  Canadian  officers  who  delivered 
this  intelligence  last  Sunday,  the  4th  instant,  are  men  of  good 
characters,  and  well  known  to  several  of  our  principal  offi- 
cers. They  likewise  say,  that  sorna  time  ago,  Carleton, 
having  heard  that  we  were  returning  with  a  considerable 
reinforcement,  was  so  terrified,  that  he  would  immediately 
have  retired,  had  he  not  been  informed  by  his  spies  of  the 
deplorable  condition  to  which  the  small-pox  had  reduced 
our  Army.  The  names  of  the  two  Canadian  Captains  are 
Attain  and  L'Oiseau,  who,  with  Captain  Mesnard  of  the 
same  regiment,  fled  from  those  parts  at  the  same  time. 
Captain  Mesnard  is  hourly  expected  to  arrive  at  this  camp, 
where  he  is  held  in  great  estimation. 

August  7,  1776. — Captain  Mesnard  arrived  yesterday. 
Says  he  left  Chambly  the  14th  ultimo,  and,  on  the  evening  of 
that  day,  met  with  L'Oiseau  and  Attain,  who  told  him  they 
had  left  their  homes  about  eight  days  before,  and,  as  they 
were  retiring  from  Canada,  proposed  to  travel  in  company  to 
the  American  Army,  which  was  unanimously  consented  to. 
Captain  Mesnard  says  there  were  about  four  thousand  men 
at  Chambly,  St.  John's,  and  on  the  Sorel,  all  English;  and 


that  the  Germans  were  quartered  at  La  Prairie  and  Mon- 
treal, one  of  whom  had  deserted,  and  was  harboured  in  a 
house  near  the  place,  where  he  (Mesnard)  met  L'  Oiseau. 
Told  him  that  sixty  of  his  comrades  had  deserted  together 
on  the  same  day.  That  deserter  proceeded  with  them  as  far 
as  Mr.  Metcalf's,  where  they  left  him,  he  being  over-fatigued. 
There  was  no  other  deserter  at  Metcalfs.  The  English 
Generals  ordered  artillery  to  be  transported  to  and  from 
St.  John's,  Chambly,  fee.  Mesnard  confirms  what  L'Oiseau 
says  respecting  the  commissions  given  to  the  Canadians 
under  the  authority  of  the  Congress,  and  every  other  par- 
ticular which  is  not  contradicted  by  this  examination  of 
Mes7iard,  and  therefore  now  omitted. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 


(Parole,  Winchester. ) 


Head  Quarters,  July  30,  1776. 

(Countersign,  Coventry.) 


The  General  is  exceedingly  astonished  and  concerned 
to  find  such  a  supineness  and  indolence  prevailing  in  the 
three  Brigades  stationed  upon  Mount  Independence,  as  if  it 
was  a  time  of  profound  peace,  and  no  enemy  to  contend 
with.  He  is  therefore  obliged  to  represent  to  Brigadier- 
General  Arnold,  to  the  Colonels  commanding  Brigades,  and 
to  every  Commanding  Officer  of  a  Regiment  belonging  to  those 
Brigades,  how  necessary  it  is,  in  the  present  emergency,  for 
them,  by  their  authority  and  example,  to  inspire  all  under 
them  with  a  spirit  of  emulation  in  forwarding  the  works, 
clearing  the  ground,  and  preparing  to  receive  the  enemy. 
The  Troops  upon  the  Mount  should  be  convinced,  by  their 
last  year's  campaign  at  Cambridge,  of  the  utility  of  good 
works.  The  General  trusts  they  will  lose  no  time  in  raising 
them.  Colonel  Baldwin  will  this  day  acquaint  the  Com- 
manding Officer  of  each  Brigade  with  the  work  expected  to 
be  done  by  that  Brigade ;  and  the  General  is  confident  a 
spirit  of  emulation  will  animate  each  Brigade  to  finish  the 
task  assigned  them. 

The  Commissary  having  just  received  a  supply  of  1,008 
pail's  of  shoes,  177  pairs  of  moccasins,  and  454  shirts,  they 
are  ready  to  be  delivered  to  the  order  of  the  Commanding 
Officers  of  Corps,  in  the  following  proportion,  they  being 
exactly  calculated  according  to  the  number  fit  for  duty 
reckoned  by  each  Corps: 


First  Brigade — 

Greaton's 

Bond's 

Burrell's 

Porter's 

Tofal  first  Brigade 

Second  Brigade — 

.SMI  It's 

Winds's 

Maxwell's 

Poor's 

Total  second  Brigade. . . 

Third  Brigade- 
Reed's 

Patterson  'a 

Wynkoop's 

Bedel's 

Total  third  Brigade  .... 

Fourth  Brigade — 

St.  Clair's 

De  Haas's 

Wayne's 

Irvine's 

Total  fourth  Brigade . . . 
Artillery 


Slioc-s.  MIIC.  Shirts.  Shoes.  Moc.  Shirts. 
,..58... 10... 26 
...57. ..10. ..26 
...25. ...5... 12 
...57. ..10. ..26 

197. ..35. ..90 


..32.  .-=.7. ..17 
..67... 12. ..30 
..59... 11... 27 
..72... 12... 32 
230. ..42.. 106 

..30.... 6... 17 
..56.... 9... 25 
..30. ...5. ..16 
..32.  ...6... 17 
148. ..26. ..75 

..77... 13... 34 
..93. ..15. ..37 
.123... 21... 54 
.110. ..17. ..42 

393. ..66. .167 

40 8. ..16 


Total 1008    177    454 

Udney  Hay,  Esq..  is  appointed  Assistant  Deputy  Quar- 
termaster-General, and  is  to  be  obeyed  as  such. 

A  mistake  was  made  in  the  return  of  the  articles  of  cloth- 
ing ordered  to  be  delivered  this  morning  to  the  Troops.  The 
number  of  shirts  being  1,008,  and  the  shoes  454,  the  Com- 
manding Officers  will  draw  accordingly. 

The  fatigue  parties  for  the  future  are  to  begin  work  at 
six  o'clock,  and  have  their  breakfast  before  they  begin. 
They  will  be  dismissed  at  twelve  o'clock  for  dinner  till  one ; 
then  to  work  till  seven. 

Head-Q.uarters,  July  31, 1776. 
(Parole,  St.  Domingo.)  (Countersign,  Berlin.) 

Fishing  in  batteaus  being  prejudicial  to  the  men's  health, 
to  the  service,  and  to  the  batteaus,  it  is  positively  prohibited. 
The  Batteaumaster  will  order  those  batteaus  which  are  not 
wanted  for  immediate  service  to  be  drawn  up  and  put  in 
proper  repair.  Two  baiteaus  are  to  be  delivered  to  the 


801 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


802 


order  of  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Regiment  for  the 
use  of  each  Regiment.  He  is  to  be  answerable  for  them. 
The  rest  of  the  batteaus  are  immediately  to  be  collected  and 
placed  under  the  care  of  the  Batteau-Guard ;  and  the  Bat- 
teaumaster  is  positively  forbidden  to  part  with  any  batteaus 
from  the  Landing,  without  a  signed  order  from  Head-Quar- 
ters. 

Colonel  St.  Clair,  Colonel  Wayne,  and  Mr.  Avery,  the 
Deputy  Commissary-General,  to  sit  this  afternoon,  at  four 
o'clock,  as  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  to  examine  into  certain  de- 
mands made  upon  the  United  States  by  Mr.  Gilliland  and 
Major  Udncy  Hay,  A.  D.  Q.  M.  G.  They  will  certify  such 
as  they  think  just  and  reasonable,  that  the  demands  of  the 
claimants  may  be  settled  and  adjusted. 

Lieutenant  William  Augustus  Patterson,  of  Colonel  Pat- 
terson's Regiment,  is  appointed  an  Assistant  Engineer  to 
Colonel  Baldwin,  and  is  to  be  obeyed  as  such. 


Head-Quarters,  August  1,  1776. 
(Parole,  Lee.)  (Countersign,  Carolina.) 

Two  men  from  each  Regiment,  who  understand  making 
small-arm  cartridges,  to  be  sent  to  Head-Quarters  to-morrow 
morning,  at  seven  o'clock. 

The  Regiments  of  the  Fourth  Brigade  are  to  apply  imme- 
diately at  Head-Quarters  for  an  order  on  the  Conductor  of 
Stores  for  the  cartridges  wanted  to  complete  them. 

At  a  late  General  Court-Martial,  of  which  Colonel  Poor 


Head-Quarters,  August  4,  1776. 
(Parole,  Cambridge.)  (Countersign,  New-  York.) 

Head-Quarters,  August  5,  1776. 
(Parole,  Niagara.)  (Countersign,  Pitt.) 

The  Commissary  has  received  five  hundred  shirts  from 
Albany;  they  are  ready  to  be  delivered  to  the  order  of  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  Regiments  and  Corps,  according  to 
the  proper  proportion  for  each.  ' 

The  Troops  are  to  receive  one  pound  of  flour,  and  one 
and  a  half  of  beef  or  one  pound  of  pork  per  man  a  day,  till 
further  orders.  The  Quartermasters  are  ordered  to  apply 
to  the  Commissary,  Mr.  Yauncey,  for  forms  of  Returns  fo'r 
Provisions,  which  they  are  strictly  to  adhere  to,  that  the 
Army  may  be  served  more  expeditiously  and  regularly. 

Colonel  Winds' s  Regiment  is  to  join  St.  Clair' :s  Brigade ; 
and  the  New-Hampshire  Militia,  just  arrived,  are  to  join 
Colonel  Stork's. 


GENERAL  POOR  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Ticonderoga,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  do  not  make  a  doubt  of  your  having  heard  that 
this  Court  has  taken  umbrage  at  some  part  of  General  Ar- 
nold's behaviour  in  the  course  of  his  prosecution  of  Colonel 
Hazen. 

We  are  sensible  men  of  rank  should  be  treated  with  deli- 
cacy. We  are  also  sensible  that  it  is  our  duty  to  maintain 


"for  „*•,„.  hi,  p«   „  ,he  a**,':  M,,  las,     The 

Court,  after  having  examined  and  mature  v  considered  the 
evidences  and  the  defence,  do  find  Colonel  Bedel  guilty,  and 
sentence  him  to  be  cashiered. 

Major  Butterfteld  tried  at  the  same  General  Court-Martial 

,'  " 

h  ,d'°a 

United  States 
The  General  approves  the  above  proceedings  of  the 

and 


.u  •   • 

^  »««nPt  's  '"  stf'°"  m™  elevated   and  that  passing  over 

of  the  Ann  °"  P     ° 

wr&  \  ""^      i. 

,  tre  1  I 


"Ot  '° 


. 

and  nugatory.     It  is  a  power,  however,  we 

"  the  C3S6  °f  GenArnold  «e- 


U««MW  v,»     u     **V&*UHJUII    tiA/d  v  to    ii cw     uiiJllJUU  JUUU .     lllt^y 

are  to  deliver  in  their  old  and  damaged  cartridges  to  the 
Conductor. 

Mr.  Bedel  and  Mr.  Butterfield  are  immediately  to  adjust 
and  discharge  whatever  accounts  they  may  have  open  with 
the  Regiment  to  which  they  lately  belonged ;  after  which, 
they  are  directly  to  depart  the  camp. 


(Parole 


Head-Quarters,  August  2,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Mercer.) 


1171  ~  t>     •  •  Justice  to  the  Army  and  to  our  country  renuire  it  of  us 

Whenever  a  Regiment  receives  new  ammumt.on,  they    The  cage  ig  shortl/this.  ' 

i  to  deliver  in  their  old  and  rlamao-prl  r>artrir1<roc  tn  tVia  .  •'._ 

A  witness  was  offered  to  the  court  to  support  the  charge 

brought  by  General  Arnold  against  Colonel  Hazen,  to  whom 
exception  was  taken  that  he  was  interested  in  the  event  of 
the  trial,  and  therefore  not  admissible.  The  court,  after 
hearing  the  allegations  of  both  parties,  adjudged  that  he  was 
interested,  and  rejected  him.  Other  witnesses  were  called, 
and  the  trial  went  on ;  after  some  time,  General  Arnold  again 
pressed  for  the  admission  of  the  above  witness,  at  the  same 

=_7 ,       time  observing  to  the  court,  that  he  would  enter  a  protest 

The  Majors  of  Brigades  will  take  care  that  the  Weekly  on  their  minutes>  unless  his  request  should  be  granted.  He 
Returns  of  the  Regiments  are  given  in,  seasonably  and  was  .refused-  He  tllen  offered  his  protest  against  our  pro- 
correct,  to-morrow.  Blanks  may  be  had  at  the  Deputy  ceedlngs>  couched,  as  we  think,  in  indecent  terms,  and 
Adjutant-General's.  The  Colonels  and  Commanding  Offi-  direc.lly  impeaching  the  justice  of  the  court.  If  he  thought 
cers  are  desired  to  note,  at  the  foot  of  their  Returns,  b^  h.is  P™1651  to  st°P  the  proceedings,  he  certainly  has  not 
the  time  to  which  their  corps  are  raised,  and  from  what  cons'dered  how  far  that  practice  would  lead.  If  either  party 
Colony.  has  a  right  to  stop  the  proceedings  by  protest,  both  parties 

must  have  the  right,  and  there  then  needs  nothing  more  to 

secure  every  offender  from  punishment.     And  on  the  other 

Head-Quarters,  August  3, 1776.       liand,  it  would  expose  a  person  who  might  have  the  mis- 

(VT  '*  (Countersign,  Pam.)       fortune  to  be  obnoxious  to  his  superior  officer  to  perpetual 

L  he  Commissary  to  issue  sixteen  pounds  of  soap  to  every    persecution.     However  conscious  of  his  innocence,  in  vain 

hundred  men  in  this  camp;  for  the  next  week  afterwards,  he    would  he  expect  redress  from  a  General  Court-Martial   for 

s  to  issue  the  usual  Continental  allowance.     Until  further    in  the  very  moment  of  a  well-founded  expectation  of  an 

:rs,  he  is  to  issue  six  days'  fresh  and  one  day's  salt  pro-    honourable  acquittal,  a  protest  appears  and  blasts  it  all,  and 

visions  every  week.  sends  him  back  to  his  room  a  melancholy  prisoner.    But  on 

Ihe  following  promotions  are  ordered  to  take  place  in  the    the  contrary,  if  his  design  was  no  more  than  by  an  entrv  of 

1  wenty-Fourth  Regiment,  commanded  by  Colonel  Greaton,    his  protest  upon  the  minutes,  to  operate  against  the  jus'tice 

Vlzf    .  and  equity  of  our  proceedings,  we  must  and°do  consider  our- 

1       h  Bussey,  b  irst  Lieutenant,  vice  Lieutenant  Paine,    selves  as  an  improper  conveyance  to  our  superiors  of  that 

protest,  which  was  so  replete  with  crimination  and  abuse. 
•etyamin  laUiott,  Second  Lieutenant,  vice  Adjutant  Rice,    We  could  add  that  the  illiberal  sentiments  of  the  protest 

OIT1O16C1.  \\mvf\    ns*+    *V»rt    ,,,,!.-    i. ,',,,,.  T    nA\..A,J    .,  nnu  _         i     i          /»     « 


promoted. 


were  not  the  only  injury  offered  us.     The  whole  of  the 


ry  oere     us.          e  woe  o    te 
n      im  mipatnck,  becond  Lieutenant,  vice  Lieutenant    General's  conduct  during  the  course  of  the  trial  was  marked 


Uvuey,  advanced. 

Peer  Crane  Adjutant  and  Ensign. 

Jo/ml  ratt,  Ensign,  vice  Ensign  Talbott,  promoted. 


wjth  contempt  and  disrespect  towards  the  court;  and  by  his 
extraordinary  answer,  has  added  insult  to  injury 

We  mention  these  things  that  you  may  know  what  were 


,  ,  .  ese      ngs 

JJandJJoty,  Lieutenant  of  Colonel  Burrell's  Regiment,  our  motives  in  this  matter.     And  our  principal  design  is 

is  appointed  Wagonmaster-General  to  this  Army,  and  is  to  this,  that  through  you  General  Arnold  may  know  the1i<*t 

be  regarded  as  such.  in  which  we  have  seen  thig  ^^  ^  ^  flat(er  o=f_ 

FIFTH  SERIES.  —  VOL.  I.  51 


803 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


804 


selves  you  will  readily  see  the  propriety  of.  And  from  the 
regard  you  have  for  the  honour,  the  discipline,  and  subordi- 
nation of  the  Army,  you  will  not  by  a  sudden  dissolution, 
put  it  out  of  our  power  to  obtain  that  satisfaction  we  are 
entitled  to. 

By  order  of  the  Court-Martial : 

ENOCH  POOR,  President. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates, 

To  His  Excellency  General  GATES,  Commander-in-  Chief 
of  the  Continental  Troops  at  TICONDEROGA  and  CROWN- 
POINT  : 
The  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  SHELBURNE,  on  Lake 

CHAMPLAIN,  humbly  showeth: 

That  we  are  in  great  distress  at  this  place,  as  Lodowiclc 
Potter,  one  of  our  neighbours,  and  one  that  petitioned  to 
your  Excellency  by  Mr.  Logan,  was  carried  away,  with  his 
wife  and  children,  some  time  last  week;  and  we  expect  the 
inhabitants  of  Onion  River  are  also  carried  off,  but  are  not 
certain,  as  the  men  we  sent  there  are  not  returned,  and  we 
dare  not  wait  longer.  As  we,  the  inhabitants,  are  well  attach- 
ed to  the  American  cause,  and  had  encouragement  from  your 
Excellency  that  if  any  alarm  happened  you  would  be  so 
gracious  as  to  send  us  relief,  and  as  we  have  just  begun  our 
harvest,  which  is  considerably  large,  we  humbly  pray  your 
Excellency  will  be  graciously  pleased  to  send  us  relief  by 
so  large  a  guard  as  your  Excellency's  wisdom  shall  in  our 
condition  think  proper. 

As  one  of  the  men  we  send  was  one  of  the  first  that  dis- 
covered the  mischief  done,  your  Excellency  can  further 
satisfy  yourself  by  examining  him.  Pray  consider  us  in  our 
distress,  and  your  humble  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  will 

MOSES  PIERSON,  KELER  THOWBRIDGE, 

JAS.  LOGAN,  JACOB  SMITH, 

DERICK  WEBB,  JAMES  HILL, 

JOHN  ,  RUFUS  COLE, 

SAML.  FILER,  WILLIAM  BLANCHARD. 
Shelburne,  August  6,  1776. 

Onion  River,  August  6,  1776. 
To  the  Commander  General  in  chief  at  TICONDEROGA  : 

SIR:  We,  the  inhabitants  of  this  place,  being  in  distress 
by  the  enemy,  would  beg  your  Honour's  assistance  with  a 
guard,  so  that  we  may  secure  our  crops,  that  are  now  ripe, 
which  are  very  valuable,  or  to  help  us  away  with  our  families. 
Colonel  Warner  is  not  come  to  us,  as  we  expected.  We 
have  made  some  discovery  of  the  enemy  here;  one  family 
taken,  in  which  are  two  men,  one  woman,  two  children. 
We  leave  to  your  Honour's  pleasure  to  secure  our  crops,  or 
to  help  us  away. 

We  are,  sir,  your  friends  and  humble  servants. 
Signed  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  place. 

AZARIAH  ROOD,  AARON  MILLER, 

EBENEZER  LYMAN,         PARISH  COBURN, 
JOSEPH  BROWNE,  JONATH.  CLASON, 

SAML.  CHAMBERLIN,       LEVI  MILLER, 
JOSEPH  TERWAY,  SILAS  ROOD. 

NATHANIEL  BROWN, 


all  times  be  pleased  with  the  intelligence  you  can  find  time 
to  communicate. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient,  humble 
servant,  JONA.  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  Brigadier-General  Wadsworth. 


NORWALK  (CONNECTICUT)  COMMITTEE. 

Norwalk,  August  6, 1776. 

Whereas  Cornelius  Dyckman,  of  Norwalk,  has  been  com- 
plained of  to  this  Committee,  for  endeavouring  to  depreciate 
the  Continental  currency,  emitted  by  the  honourable  Conti- 
nental Congress;  this  Committee  gave  the  said  Dyckman 
the  usual  notice  of  six  days,  previous  to  their  meeting  this 
day,  to  answer  to  the  charge,  but  the  said  Dyckman  did  not 
appear;  whereupon  this  Committee  proceeded  to  examine 
the  evidence,  by  whom  it  appeared  that  the  said  Dyckman 
openly,  and  in  a  concourse  of  people,  declared  and  offered  to 
give  one  hundred  dollars  in  Continental  currency  for  ninety 
dollars  in  silver;  this  he  did  repeatedly  in  the  course  of  his 
conversation,  and  at  different  times,  adding  reproachful  re- 
flections on  the  institutions  of  Committees  of  Observation. 
Whereupon  this  Committee,  considering  the  high  importance 
of  supporting  the  credit  of  the  Continental  currency, by  which 
the  expense  of  our  military  operations  are  in  a  great  measure 
defrayed,  are  of  opinion  that  the  said  Dyckman  did  it  with 
a  design  to  depreciate  the  said  currency,  and  thereby  injure 
the  cause  of  liberty,  and  oppose  and  counteract  the  opera- 
tions of  the  United  States  in  support  of  their  invaded  rights. 
Therefore,  this  Committee 

Resolve,  That  it  is  evident  to  them  that  the  said  Dyck- 
man is  an  open  and  malicious  enemy  to  the  proceedings  of 
the  United  States  in  the  noble  stand  they  have  made  in 
defending  their  rights  and  repelling  their  enemies;  and  as 
such  they  publish  him,  requesting  all  persons  to  refrain  all 
dealings  and  intercourse  with  said  Dyckman. 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

Attest :  THADDEUS  BETTS,  Clerk. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  WADSWORTH. 

Lebanon,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  Yours  of  the  18th  and  20th  of  July  last,  with  the 
return  of  your  brigade  of  the  19th  last  month,  and  the  other 
letter  of  the  1st  August  instant,  are  all  duly  come  to  hand. 
Last  week  circular  letters  were  sent  to  the  Civil  Authority, 
Selectmen,  and  Committees  of  Inspection,  and  all  military 
officers,  in  the  several  towns  of  this  State,  to  facilitate  and 
promote  inlistments  in  the  several  regiments  raised  here. 
Trust  that  the  hurry  of  harvest  being  in  a  good  measure 
over,  and  our  common  cause  pressing,  men  will  incline  to 
inlist  for  its  service.  Recruiting  officers  are  necessary,  and 
suppose  are  left  for  the  purpose.  Shall  be  glad  to  know 
how  they  are  filled,  and  for  your  brigade  wish  to  have  another 
return  thereof.  As  to  the  mustering  such  as  were  not  here, 
you  will  adopt  the  easiest  mode  for  it. 

This  you  will  receive  by  Eliphalct  Dyer  and  Richard 
Law,  Esquires,  who  will  inform  what  is  needful.  Shall  at 


JAMES  WARREN  TO  THOMAS  CUSHING. 

Boston,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  bearer  of  this  is  Captain  Samson,  of  the  brigan- 
tine  Independence,  who  arrived  here  this  afternoon,  and  waits 
for  his  commission,  &c.  The  Council  have  as  yet  ordered 
him  but  twelve-and-a-half  hundred  weight  of  powder,  which 
is  a  quantity  really  too  little  for  his  cruise.  I  therefore  could 
wish  you  to  aid  him  in  getting  an  order  for  two-and-a-half 
hundred  weight  more.  You  may  depend  on  his  economy 
and  care.  I  think  it  not  good  policy  to  be  too  parsimonious, 
especially  when  it  has  a  tendency  to  dampen  the  ardour  and 
spirit  of  our  men,  as  in  this  case,  and  when  all  that  is  desired 
is  so  trifling.  I  could  also  wish  it  may  be  agreeable  to  the 
Council  to  enlarge  his  orders,  so  as  to  give  him  a  better 
chance  for  a  rich  prize  or  two. 

Your  attention  to  this  mattter  will  serve  the  publick  and 
oblige  your  humble  servant,  J.  WARREN. 

To  Thomas  Cashing,  Esq. 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  COLONEL  DIKE. 

In  Committee  ofCounc.il,  Watertown,  August  6,  1776. 
You  are  hereby  directed  and  commanded  to  order  the 
several  companies  that  may  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of 
Hampshire,  Worcester,  Middlesex,  Plymouth,  and  Barnsta- 
ble,  as  soon  as  they  are  formed,  immediately  to  march  to  the 
Heights  of  Dorchester,  where,  as  soon  as  the  troops  are 
collected,  they  will  be  formed  into  regiments.  And  you  are 
further  commanded  to  observe  and  follow  such  order  and 
instructions  as  you  from  time  to  time  shall  receive  from 
Major-General  Ward,  or  his  successor,  to  whom  you  are 
directed  to  apply  to  furnish  your  men  with  their  quarters, 
with  their  subsistence  and  pay,  as  also  such  ammunition  as 
the  men  under  your  command  may  from  time  to  time  stand 
in  need  of. 
To  Colonel  Nicholas  Dike. 


FRANCIS  SHAW,  JUN.,  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Marblehead,  August  6, 1776. 

Enclosed  you  have  memorandum  of  sundries  I  received 
by  your  Honours'  orders. 


805 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


806 


Captain  Lambert  is  now  ready  to  sail  with  a  fair  wind. 
He  informs  me  that  he  has  paid  Mr.  Perkins  and  Mr.  Clark, 
two  of  his  officers,  one  month's  pay;  since  which  he  has  not 
seen  them.  He  thinks  it  possible  that  the  same  gentlemen,  in 
his  absence,  will  apply  to  your  Honours  for  what  wages  may 
be  due  to  them  on  the  former  voyage,  and  desired  me  to 
inform  your  Honours  of  their  late  conduct,  for  your  govern- 
ment. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble 
servant,  r  c 

fRED.  BHAW,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts-Say. 


to  for  orders;   we  therefore  request  you  will  give  him  any 
direction  or  assistance  in  your  power.     We  are,  &tc. 
To  the  Deputies  for  Maryland  in  Congress. 


W.  SEVER  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Kingston,  August  6,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Captain  Samson  is  apprehensive  that  the 
limits  to  which  he  is  confined  by  his  orders  will  not  admit 
of  his  crossing  the  line  of  the  trade  between  the  West-India 
Islands  and  Europe,  as  he  tells  me  he  finds,  from  inquiry, 
that  from  an  apprehension  of  danger  northward,  ships  pass 
more  southerly  than  they  usually  have  done.  If  this  be  fact, 
and  it  be  the  design  of  the  Council  that  his  orders  should 
not  admit  of  his  cruising  on  that  trade,  perhaps  it  might 
be  thought  expedient  to  enlarge  his  orders.  I  have  been 
informed  that  Captain  Fisk,  in  one  of  the  Colonial  armed 
sloops,  is  at  liberty  to  proceed  as  far  south  as  35°.  Your 
Honour  knows  whether  it  be  so  or  not.  Captain  Samson 
informs  me  that  he  is  restricted  to  37°. 

I  mention  these  things  for  consideration ;  and  am,  respect- 
fully, your  very  humble  servant,  w  „ 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE   COMMITTEE   OF   SAFETY  TO  MESSRS.  LOVE- 
WELL,  PATTEN,  AND    BLANCHARD. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  August  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  By  Captain  Dow  we  received  your  letter 
relative  to  your  suspicions  of  many  persons  being  concerned 
in  altering,  and  thereby  passing  the  Bills  of  Credit  emitted 
by  the  Colonies  at  higher  rates  than  they  are  originally  set  at. 
We  are  amazed  any  persons  in  this  time  of  difficulty  and  dis- 
tress should  be  so  wicked  as  to  endeavour  to  destroy  the  very 
sinews  of  defence  against  our  very  potent  enemy ;  are  also 
much  obliged  to  you  and  the  other  gentlemen  in  the  County 
of  Hillsborough  for  their  care  in  discovering  the  persons 
concerned  in  so  vile  a  cheat,  and  almost  treason  against 
the  States.  The  Act  is  not  printed,  but  is  in  the  press,  and 
will  be  finished  in  a  few  days,  when  they  will  be  distributed. 
In  the  mean  time  send  you  an  attested  copy  thereof  in  man- 
uscript, and  advise  that  the  Magistrates  exert  themselves  in 
examining  all  suspected  persons;  and  those  they  think  guilty, 
to  oblige  them  to  recognise  in  large  sums,  and  sufficient 
sureties,  to  appear  at  the  Supreme  Court,  but  on  failure,  to 
commit  them. 


EXTRACT   OF  A  LETTER   FROM   CHARLESTOWN,  S.  C.,  DATED 
AUGUST  7,  1776. 

Not  less  than  two  thousand  five  hundred  men  have  gone 
against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  who  have  Alexander  Cameron 
at  their  head.  An  express  last  night  from  Major  Williamson 
says  our  people  are  anxious  to  be  amongst  them.  Generals 
Lee  and  Howe  set  off  this  morning  for  the  southward;  they 
have  about  fifteen  hundred  men.  It  is  said  they  are  going 
to  St.  Augustine,  where  they  are  to  make  reprisals  for  the 
emolument  of  each  lucky  and  bold  fellow.  This  will  cer- 
tainly be  the  means  of  keeping  Georgia  quiet;  for  the  thieves 
of  St.  Augustine  have  committed  some  outrages  on  the  back 
part  of  that  Province. 

Our  people  are  taking  up  the  Acteon's  guns;  three  fine 
nine-pounders  and  a  parcel  of  swivels,  were  landed  in  town 
yesterday. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  HOLLINGSWORTH. 
[No.  119.]  Annapolis,  August  7, 1776. 

SIR  :  If  there  should  not  be  any  provision  laid  in  for  the 
Flying-Camp  Militia  at  the  head  of  the  Bay,  as  they  arrive 
there  on  their  march  to  the  northward,  or  baggage-wagons 
provided,  we  request  you  will  give  them  the  necessary  assist- 
ance. We  are,  &c. 

To  Colonel  Henry  Hollingsworth. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  BROOKE. 
[No.  120.]  Annapolis,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  no  particular  orders  to  give  you,  further 
than  to  let  you  know  that  we  have  given  general  orders  to 
your  Colonel ;  and  as  soon  as  your  company  is  complete 
and  well  armed,  you  are  to  march  immediately  to  the  north- 
ward. We  are,  &.c. 

To  Captain  John  Brooke. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 
[No.  121.]  Annapolis,  August  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  been  informed  Lieutenant  Stew- 
art, of  Captain  Thomas's  company,  has  lately  accepted  a 
commission  from  Congress  in  the  Marine  service.  If  the  fact 
is  so,  it  must  supersede  the  commission  he  holds  under  us. 
And,  upon  a  presumption  of  the  truth  of  it,  we  have  filled 
up  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  removal,  and  promoted 
the  other  officers,  and  enclose  the  commissions  to  you,  to  be 
delivered  the  several  officers,  if  Mr.  Stewart  is  removed,  or 
return  to  us  if  he  is  not.  We  are,  &c. 

To  the  Deputies  for  Maryland  in  Congress. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  NICHOLSON. 
[No.  122.]  Annapolis,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  some  powder  and  small-arms  arrived  at 
Great  Wicomico,  in  Virginia.  We  want  your  small  tender 
to  go  up  that  river  for  them,  and  the  ship  Defence  to  go 
down  below  the  mouth  of  Potomack  to  protect  her;  come 
down,  therefore,  as  soon  as  you  can,  and  call  on  us  for  a 
letter  to  the  person  who  has  the  military  stores  under  his 
care.  We  are,  &.c. 

To  Captain  James  Nicholson. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DANIEL  HUGHES. 
[No.  123.]  Annapolis,  August  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  are  now  much  in  want  of  the  cannon 
you  contracted  to  supply  us  with.  We  must,  therefore, 
request  you  will,  with  all  expedition,  send  down  all  you  have 
ready,  and  that  you  will  not  delay,  as  quickly  as  you  possi- 
bly can,  complying  with  the  whole  of  your  contract. 

We  are,  &c. 

To  Daniel  &f  Samuel  Hughes. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 
[No.  118.]  Annapolis,  August  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  This  will  be  delivered  you  by  Captain 
Thomas,  who  commands  one  of  the  Independent  companies 
that  was  ordered  up  to  Philadelphia  by  the  late  Convention. 
As  Colonel  Smallwood  will  not  be  at  Philadelphia,  we 
apprehend  Captain  Thomas  may  be  at  a  loss  who  to  apply 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  TILLARD. 

[No.  124.]  Annapolis,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  informed  by  Mr.  Chase,  that  the  privates  of 
your  company  are  very  uneasy  on  account  of  their  not  being 
taken  into  barracks  and  provided  with  subsistence.  By  the 
resolves  of  Congress,  the  Militia  of  the  Flying-Camp  are 
not  to  be  allowed  any  pay  or  rations  until  they  are  properly 
armed  and  accoutred,  and  march  to  the  northward;  and  as 
our  Convention  did  not  give  any  particular  directions  to 
the  Council  of  Safety  about  them,  we  have  not  thought  it 
proper  to  order  them  to  be  taken  into  barracks  or  subsisted ; 
however,  as  your  company  may  be  very  serviceable  here, 
provided  they  will  assist  in  working  on  the  fortifications  in 
and  about  this  city,  which  we  presume  they  will  not  object 
to,  we  will  take  them  into  barracks  and  give  them  all  the 
assistance  we  can  in  getting  arms.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  Captain  Edward  Tillard. 


807 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


808 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GEORGE  SCOTT. 
[No.  125.]  Annapolis,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  Colonel  Griffith  wants  some  linen  for  his  battalion  ; 
if  you  and  he  can  agree  about  price,  we  are  willing  lie 
should  have  it.     We  are,  &c. 
To  George  Scott,  Esq. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  MR.  NICHOLS. 
[No.  126.]  Annapolis,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  Being  informed  there  is  a  large  quantity  of  flint- 
stones  on  the  wharf  at  Emerson's  Warehouse,  we  request 
you  will,  immediately  on  receipt  of  this,  favour  us  with  your 
answer,  advising  whether  there  are  any  such  there  or  not ; 
and  if  there  should  be,  we  request  you  will  endeavour  to 
get  them  into  a  situation  to  be  removed  from  thence  to  some 
place  where  they  may  be  manufactured  into  flints.  Any  ex- 
penses which  you  may  incur  in  this  business  we  will  cheer- 
fully allow  you ;  also  a  reasonable  price  for  the  stones  to  the 
proprietor  of  them.  We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Nichols,  at  Emerson's  Warehouse,  Talbot  County. 

P.  S.  If  it  can  be  conveniently  done,  we  would  choose 
to  have  them  manufactured  on  the  spot. 


A.  BARNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

In  Committee,  St.  Mary's  County,  Leonard-Town, ) 

August  7,  1776.      $ 

GENTLEMEN  :  Captain  Mantz,  with  his  company,  is  ar- 
rived here,  we  presume  to  assist  in  repelling  the  enemy  from 
this  quarter,  as  well  as  to  supply  the  place  of  the  Indepen- 
dent company  ordered  from  hence  to  the  northward.     We 
beg  leave  to  observe  to  you,  that  as  the  principal  cause 
(that  of  the  enemy)  is  now  happily  removed,  by  the  fleet 
having  left  Potomack  and  passed  down  the  Bay,  there  may 
not  be  so  great  a  necessity  for  that  company  now  as  existed 
and  appeared  to  your  Board  at  the  time  you  ordered  Cap- 
tain Mantz  to  march  to  our  assistance.     We  would  further 
observe  to  you,  that  we  find  the  strongest   dissatisfaction 
prevailing  in  these  men  at  being  stationed  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  proceeding  from  a  representation  of  some  persons 
that  it  is  unhealthy;  and  from  the  difference  of  situation, 
disease  and  ill  health  must  be  expected  as  a  certain  conse- 
quence, especially  to  those  who  have  been  born  and  bred 
in  a  more  healthy  climate.     Add  to  this  their  licentious 
behaviour  since  they  have  been  at  this  place,  in  killing  and 
destroying  people's  property,  and  threatening  to  disband  and 
return,  should  any  of  their  company  fall  sick  ;  and  being,  as 
we  perceive  and  observe,  under  no  control  or  command  of 
their  officers,  we  fear  they  will  rather  prove  a  disadvantage 
than  service  to  the  people  of  this  County.     Under  these 
circumstances,  and  for  these  reasons,  we  have  taken  the 
liberty  to  remonstrate  to  you,  and  entreat  their  removal  from 
hence,  hoping  that  this  act  (which  we  conceive  to  be  the 
good  of  the  whole)  cannot  meet  with  your  censure  or  dis- 
approbation.     That  it  is  right,  agreeable  to  a  resolve  of 
Convention,  to  station  some  troops  in  the  lower  part  of  this 
County,  we  agree ;   and  beg  you  will  order  that  part  of 
Captain  Beall's  company  now  stationed  at  Port  Tobacco  to 
move  down,  or  any  other  you  may  think  more  proper.    This 
we  are  of  opinion  will  answer  the  purpose  better.     Upon 
this  principle  we  have  acted,  without  any  intention  to  coun- 
teract your  proceedings ;  and  in  that  point  of  light  we  hope 
and  trust  you  will  kindly  view  it. 
Signed  by  order: 

A.  BARNES,  Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 


charged.  You  have,  enclosed,  Captain  Bayne's  account 
for  the  time  his  company  was  in  the  service,  and  he  now 
waits  on  you  for  the  payment  of  his  account. 

By  the  appointment  of  Captain  John  Addison,  as  Lieute- 
nant-Colonel to  the  Flying-Camp,  Captain  Baynt  succeeds 
to  the  command  of  his  company  as  First-Lieutenant;  he 
therefore  would  be  glad  to  receive  his  commission,  together 
with  commissions  for  his  several  officers,  who  rise  of  course. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  regard,  your  most  obedient 

JOSEPH  SIM. 


To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at 

Annapolis. 

P.  S.  Captain  Wade  also  waits  on  you  with  his  account, 
and  will  receive  the  money  for  Captain  Bayne,  who  declines 
going  up,  and  will  likewise  receive  the  commissions  for  Cap- 
tain Bayne's  officers. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOSEPH  SIM. 


COLONEL  SIM  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Prince  George's  County,  August  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  On  the  late  alarm  of  Lord  Dunmore's  fleet 
coming  up  the  river  Potomack,  it  was  thought  necessary  that 
the  neighbouring  Militia  should  be  called  out  for  the  defence 
of  the  inhabitants ;  and  as  1  was  at  that  time  absent  in  Frede- 
rick, an  application  was  made  to  Major  T.  Sim  Lee,  who, 
as  you  will  observe  by  the  letter  enclosed,  ordered  Captain 
Marbury's,  Captain  Wheeler's,  Captain  Bayne's,  Captain 
Wade's,  and  Captain  Leran's  companies  to  march,  which 
they  did,  and  continued  on  the  banks  of  Potomack  till  dis- 


CHARLES  GRAHAME  TO  THOMAS  HARWOOD,  JUN. 

Lower  Marlborough,  August  7,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Enclosed  is  Captain  J.  A.  Thomas's  certifi- 
cate of  an  agreement  made  with  John  David  for  the  hire  of 
his  schooner  to  carry  his  company  to  Annapolis,  and  John 
David's  account  of  the  time  he  was  on  that  service  proved. 
You  will  please  apply  to  the  Council  of  Safety  for  an  order 
on  the  Treasury  for  the  money,  and  I  will  take  it  when  I 
come  up  next  week. 

Our  people  have  put  it  upon  me  to  serve  them  once  more, 
and  I  must  accordingly  give  my  attendance  at  the  next  Con- 
vention. My  colleagues  are  Benjamin  Mackall,  ofHallow- 
ing-Point,  Colonel  Fitzhugh,  and  John  Mackall.  I  am 
sorry  to  hear  that  Mr.  Johnson  is  dropped  by  Anne  Arundel 
County — it  would  have  given  me  pleasure  to  have  served 
with  him;  and  as  I  have  heard  nothing  of  the  city  election, 
am  still  in  hopes  of  his  being  elected  for  that. 

I  am,  respectfully,  dear  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

CHARLES  GRAHAME. 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Harwood,  Jun.,  Annapolis. 

July  13, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  agreed  to  pay  to  Captain  John  David 
thirty  shillings  a  day  for  his  vessel,  to  convey  my  company 
to  Annapolis.  J.  A.  THOMAS. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety. 


JAMES  KENT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY 

Queen  Anne's  County,  August  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Your  letter  of  the  29th  July,  with  my  com- 
mission enclosed,  has  been  received. 

I  observe  you  request  my  attendance  at  your  Board  to 
consult  on  matters  relative  to  the  Flying-Camp.  It  would 
have  given  me  pleasure  to  have  received  this  request  earlier, 
for  at  an  election  in  this  County  for  Delegates  to  serve  in 
Convention,  I  have  been  very  unexpectedly  polled,  and  now 
stand  second  on  the  polls.  This  distinguished  mark  of  the 
approbation  of  the  freemen  of  this  County  forbids  my  leaving 
them  at  this  time;  and  could  I  be  permitted  to  hold  both 
posts,  do  think  I  should  be  wrong  in  attempting  it;  therefore 
take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  resigning  my  commission  into 
the  hands  of  the  honourable  body  that  honoured  me  with  it. 
Although  I  am  well  convinced,  when  I  consider  the  two 
departments,  that  my  abilities  in  the  military  must  excel  any 
1  have  for  the  legislative,  yet  I  must  submit  this  to  the  choice 
of  the  freemen  of  my  County. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  much  esteem  and  respect, 
gentlemen,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JAMES  KENT. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


JOHN  CROCKETT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  to  let  me  know  if 
the  Council  intend  sending  anything  from  Carolina.  I  have 
some  thoughts  of  going  out  to  St.  Eustatia,  in  case  I  do  not 
go  to  Carolina  to  do  the  business  for  you.  I  shall  also  be 
much  obliged  to  you  if  you  will,  per  this  opportunity,  (Capt. 


809 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


810 


Martin,')  inform  Mr.  Vanbibber  of  what  he  may  expect,  and 
whether  or  no  you  intend  sending  anything  from  Carolina, 
as  I  have  mentioned  it  to  him,  though  he  could  not  positively 
say  whether  you  would  send  anything  from  there  or  not. 
You  will  please  excuse  my  taking  the  liberty  of  writing 
you  on  this  matter,  as  it  is  a  requisition  by  Mr.  Vanbibber 
of  me. 

Your  humble  servant,  *  JOHN  CROCKETT. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer. 


GEORGE  WOOLSEY  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  received  your  esteemed  favour  of  the  1st 
instant,  and  delayed  answering  it  until  now  on  account  of 
not  being  able  to  see  all  the  owners  of  the  vessel  you  write 
about  sooner.  They  seem  pretty  generally  to  be  against 
parting  with  her,  as  they  still  have  large  expectations  from 
her,  not  doubting  but  she  will  answer  their  purpose. 

I  wrote  you  a  few  lines  the  29th  of  last  month,  by  Captain 
Thomas  Yates,  concerning  flints,  which  you  formerly  spoke 
to  me  about,  but  have  not  any  answer  to  it  from  you. 

I  intend  going  up  to  Philadelphia,  and  perhaps  to  New- 
York,  soon ;  if  there  is  anything  there  I  can  do  lor  you,  you 
may  command  me  with  the  greatest  pleasure  to  me. 

I  atn,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servant, 

GEO.  WOOLSEY. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis. 

P.  S.  I  should  be  glad  to  know  when  you  think  you  will 
want  me  for  the  service  of  the  Province,  as  I  would  not  wish 
to  be  out  of  the  way.  G.  W. 


COLONEL  EWING  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  7,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIRS:  The  bearer,  Mr.  Chew,  a  Lieutenant 
in  Captain  Tillard"s  company  in  my  battalion,  has  applied, 
he  says,  by  your  order,  for  orders  to  put  his  company  into 
barracks  until  such  time  as  guns  and  blankets  can  be  got  for 
them. 

It  is  my  opinion,  from  what  I  saw  when  down  the  coun- 
try, that  numbers  of  the  poor  soldiers  were  very  badly  off 
for  want  of  subsistence.  I  therefore  think  it  would  much 
forward  the  good  of  the  service,  to  put  the  soldiers,  as  raised, 
into  barracks.  I  would  be  glad  you  would  give  me  leave 
to  issue  such  orders. 

Mr.  Chew  tells  me  he  thinks  he  could  procure  a  quantity 
of  guns  and  blankets,  provided  he  had  money.  I  should  be 
glad  you  would  let  him  have  some. 

I  am,  with  respect,  horfoured  sirs,  your  most  obedient 


servant, 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


THOS.  EWING. 


Baltimore,  August  7,  1776. 

Captain  John  Campbell,  commander  of  the  Enterprise 
privateer,  from  this  place,  has  taken  and  sent  into  Chingo- 
teague  a  brig  loaded  with  molasses ;  and  a  ship  from  Bar- 
badoes  to  England,  was  sent  into  Sinepuxent  on  the  24th 
ultimo.  When  the^brig  left  Captain  Campbell,  he  was  in 
chase  of  a  ship,  deeply  laden,  and  expected  to  be  in  pos- 
session of  her  in  a  few  hours.  The  prize  ship  which  has 
safely  arrived  in  Sinepuxent,  is  said  to  have  on  board  a  great 
quantity  of  Spanish  dollars,  &tc.,  &,c.,  and  was  taken  by 
Captain  Campbell  the  18th  ultimo. 


SECRET  COMMITTEE  TO  SILAS  DEANE. 

Philadelphia,  August  7,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  above  is  a  copy  of  our  .last,  [of  July  8,] 
which  went  by  the  Despatch,  Captain  Parker. 

The  Congress  have  since  taken  into  consideration  the 
heads  of  a  treaty  to  be  proposed  to  France;  but  as  they  are 
not  yet  concluded  upon,  we  cannot  say  more  of  them  by 
this  conveyance. 

You  will  see  by  the  newspapers  which  accompany  this, 
that  the  expedition  against  South- Carolina  is  foiled  by  the 
gallant  resistance  made  there.  The  enemy,  much  dimin- 
ished by  sickness,  it  is  thought  will  attempt  nothing  further 
in  those  parts.  The  people  of  North- Carolina,  who  at  first 


had  taken  up  their  bridges  and  broken  the  roads  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  penetrating  their  country,  have  since,  being 
ready  to  receive  him,  repaired  the  roads  and  bridges,  and 
wish  him  to  attempt  making  use  of  them. 

General  Howe  is  posted  now  on  Staten- Island,  near  New- 
York,  with  the  troops  he  carried  to  Halifax  when  he  was 
driven  out  of  Boston.  Lord  Howe  is  also  arrived  there  with 
some  regiments,  and  more  are  expected,  as  the  great  push 
seems  intended  to  be  made  in  that  Province.  General 
Washington's  Army  is  in  possession  of  the  town,  about 
which  many  intrenchments  are  thrown  up,  so  as  to  give  an 
opportunity  of  disputing  the  possession  with  Howe,  if  he 
should  attempt  it,  and  of  making  it  cost  him  something;  but 
it  is  not  so  regularly  fortified  as  to  stand  a  siege.  We  have 
also  a  Flying-Camp  in  the  Jerseys,  to  harass  the  enemy  if 
he  should  attempt  to  penetrate  through  that  Province  to 
Philadelphia.  In  the  different  Colonies  we  have  now  near 
eighty  thousand  men  in  the  pay  of  Congress. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  meets  with  universal 
approbation,  and  the  people  everywhere  seem  more  animated 
by  it  in  defence  of  their  country. 

Most  of  our  frigates  are  launched  in  the  different  Pro- 
vinces, and  are  fitting  for  sea  with  all  the  expedition  in  our 
power.  They  are  fine  ships,  and  will  be  capable  of  good 
service.  Our  small  privateers  and  Continental  armed"  ves- 
sels have  already  had  great  success,  as  the  papers  will  show 
you;  and  by  abstaining  from  trade  ourselves,  while  we  dis- 
tress that  of  our  enemies,  we  expect  to  make  their  men-of- 
war  weary  of  their  unprofitable  and  hopeless  cruises,  and 
their  merchants  sick  of  a  contest  in  which  so  much  is  risked 
and  nothing  gained.  The  forming  a  Navy  is  a  capital  object 
with  us,  and  the  Marine  Committee  is  ordered  to  bring  in  a 
plan  for  increasing  it  very  considerably. 

The  armed  boats  for  the  defence  of  our  rivers  and  bays 
grow  more  and  more  in  repute;  they  venture  to  attack  large 
men-of-war,  and  are  very  troublesome  to  them.  The  papers 
will  give  you  several  instances  of  their  success. 

We  hope  by  this  time  you  are  in  Paris,  and  that  Mr. 
Morris  has  joined  you,  whom  we  recommend  to  you  warmly, 
and  desire  you  may  mutually  cooperate  in  the  publick  ser- 
vice. .  With  great  esteem  we  are,  &c. 

To  Silas  Deane,  Esq. 

SAMUEL  CHASE  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Philadelphia,  August  7,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  SIR  :  I  wrote  you  immediately  on  my  return  to 
this  city,  (about  the  18th  of  July,)  and  acknowledged  the 
receipt  of  your  letter  dated  from  Montreal  the  llth  June. 
In  that  you  admit  the  receipt  of  my  letter  of  the  31st  May 
and  1st  and  3d  June.  The  last  post  brought  me  your  favour 
of  the  12th  July,  from  Crown-Point.  I  have  received  no 
other  letters  from  you  than  the  above.  As  you  do  not 
inform  me  of  the  receipt  of  my  long  letter  from  Saratoga 
of  6th  June,  I  presume  it  miscarried. 

There  are,  in  all,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  sail  of 
our  enemy's  fleet  arrived  at  Staten-Island.  Our  Army  at 
New-York  consists  of  about  eighteen  thousand  men,  of  which 
three  thousand  six  hundred  are  sick;  our  Flying-Camp,  in 
the  Jerseys,  of  about  five  thousand.  Seven  battalions  from 
Boston  and  two  from  Virginia  are  ordered  to  New-York. 
A  battalion  from  the  Delaware  State  passed  through  this 
city  yesterday,  and  the  Militia  are  coming  in  every  hour. 
Our  vessels  are  very  successful  in  taking  prizes. 

I  beg  you  will  from  time  to  time  communicate,  with  your 
usual  candour,  and  without  any  reserve,  the  numbers  and 
condition  of  our  Army,  and  such  observations  as  you  think 
will  explain  the  subject  to  me,  both  of  men  and  measures. 
No  more  will  be  disclosed  than  you  desire. 

I  am  distressed  to  hear  so  many  reports  injurious  to  your 
character  about  the  goods  seized  at  Montreal.  I  cannot 
but  request  all  persons  to  suspend  their  opinion,  and  to  give 
you  an  opportunity  of  being  heard.  Your  best  friends  are 
not  your  countrymen. 

Mr.  Carroll  requests  his  compliments  to  you.  Make  me 
remembered  to  General  Gates.  Tell  him  I  saw  his  letter 
to  Mr.  J.  Adams;  that  I  cannot  understand  his  message 
to  me,  and  shall,  if  I  can  get  the  letter,  write  to  him;  if 
not,  I  wish  he  would  explain  fully  and  explicitly  what  he 
means.  I  take  his  letter  unkind ;  think  he  ought  to  have 
written  to  me,  or  at  least  to  have  written  so  as  to  be  under- 


811 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


812 


stood  by  Mr.  Adams  or  myself,  which  is  not  the  case.     He 
knows  my  esteem  and  friendship  for  him.     Adieu. 
Your  affectionate  and  obedient  servant, 

SAML.  CHASE. 
To  "Brigadier-General  Arnold. 

P.  S.  In  what  condition  is  our  Navy  on  the  Lakes  ? 


ABRAHAM  CLARK  TO  REV.  JAMES  CALDWELL. 

Philadelphia,  August  7,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND  :  Your  favour  of  the  26th  July,  from 
the  German-Flats,  I  received,  and  the  next  day  after  wrote 
you  by  post ;  at  the  same  time  received  a  letter  from  Colo- 
nel Dayton,  of  the  25th,  and  since  that  I  received  one  the 
Colonel  wrote  the  20th  from  Fort  Stanwix,  to  which  I  wrote 
a  long  answer  yesterday,  which  I  have  yet  by  me,  as  the 
President  will  write  this  day  to  General  Schuyler,  and  hath 
engaged  to  send  it  in  his  packet,  in  which  I  purpose  to  get 
this  a  place.  If  this  should  find  you  at  the  German-Flats, 
and  the  Colonel  is  at  Fort  Stanwix,  I  hereby  authorize  you 
to  open  and  read  his  letter,  and  then  forward  it  to  him,  as 
I  intend  my  letters  to  either  of  you  will  be  considered  as 
intended  for  both. 

We  have  no  news  to-day.  This  morning  one  of  our  large 
frigates  was  launched;  two  others,  of  twenty-four  and  twenty- 
six  guns,  were  some  time  ago  launched,  and  are  rigging. 

I  regret  my  being  moved  to  this  Congress.  I  think  I 
should  have  been  of  more  service  in  our  own  Province  than 
here.  I  remember  what  Casar  said  in  passing  the  Alps: 
"  That  he  had  rather  be  the  first  in  a  small  village  in  the 
Alps,  than  the  second  in  Rome"  This  will  not  exactly 
apply  to  myself,  as  I  did  not  esteem  myself  the  first  in  the 
Jersey  Convention,  and  I  am  sure  I  am  far  below  the  second 
here.  It  is  in  some  degree  applicable. 

In  your  letter  you  tell  me  of  our  feasting  here.  Indeed 
we  have  plenty;  but  I  dare  say  you  have  the  best  feast: 
my  want  of  health  will  not  suffer  me  to  relish  delicacies. 

News,  as  far  as  my  present  station  will  permit,  I  have 
given  in  the  letter  to  the  Colonel.  More  1  might  in  confi- 
dence say,  were  either  of  you  present ;  but  I  dare  not  risk 
more  in  a  letter.  I  think  I  informed  you  in  my  last,  that 
money  to  pay  your  regiment  was  sent  forward,  and  the 
matter  relative  to  your  regiment's  returning  to  the  Jerseys 
in  the  fall,  was  not  proper  to  mention  yet,  from  the  uncer- 
tain issue  of  the  war  to  the  northward. 

1  am,  dear  sir,  most  affectionately  yours, 

ABRA.  CLARK. 

To  the  Rev.  James  Caldwell.  Chaplain  of  a  Battalion  at 
German-Flats  or  Fort  Stanwix. 

P.  S.  I  don't  recollect  the  death  of  any  of  your  hearers 
since  you  left  us,  but  Thomas  Williams,  who  died  two  weeks 
ago,  or  something  more.  A.  C. 


CUMBERLAND  COUNTY  (NEW-JERSEY)  COMMITTEE. 

On  Wednesday,  the  7th  instant,  the  Committee  of  Inspec- 
tion for  the  County  of  Cumberland,  in  the  State  of  New- 
Jersey,  the  Officers  of  the  Militia,  and  a  great  number  of 
other  inhabitants,  having  met  at  Bridgetown,  went  in  pro- 
cession to  the  Court-House,  where  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendency, the  Constitution  of  New- Jersey,  and  the  Treason 
Ordinance,  were  publickly  read,  and  unanimously  approved 
of.  These  were  followed  with  a  spirited  Address  by  Dr. 
Elmer,  Chairman  of  the  Committee;  after  which  the  Peace 
Officers'  staves,  on  which  were  depicted  the  King's  Coat  of 
Arms,  with  other  ensigns  of  royalty,  were  burnt  in  the  street. 
The  whole  was  conducted  with  the  greatest  decency  and 
regularity. 

The  following,  being  the  substance  of  the  before  men- 
tioned Address,  is  published  at  the  particular  request  of  the 
Committee  and  all  who  were  present: 
"Gentlemen  of  the  Committee,  Officers  of  the  Militia,  and 
Gentlemen  spectators  : 

"  From  what  has  now  been  read,  you  see  the  long  wished- 
for,  but  much  dreaded  period  has  arrived,  in  which  the 
connexion  between  Great  Britain  and  America  is  totally 
dissolved,  and  these  Colonies  declared  Free  and  Independent 
States.  As  this  is  an  event  of  the  greatest  importance,  it 
must  afford  satisfaction  to  every  intelligent  person  to  reflect, 


that  it  was  brought  about  by  unavoidable  necessity  on  our 
part,  and  has  been  conducted  with  a  prudence  and  modera- 
tion becoming  the  wisest  and  best  of  men. 

"With  the  Independency  of  the  American  States  a  new  era 
in  politicks  has  commenced.  Every  consideration  respecting 
the  propriety  or  impropriety  of  a  separation  from  Britain, 
is  now  entirely  out  of  the  question  ;  and  we  have  now  no 
more  to  do  with  the  King  and  people  of  England,  than  we 
have  with  the  King  and  people  of  France  or  Spain.  No 
people  under  Heaven  were  ever  favoured  with  a  fairer  op- 
portunity of  laying  a  sure  foundation  for  future  grandeur  and 
happiness  than  we.  The  plan  of  Government  established 
in  most  States  and  Kingdoms  of  the  world,  has  been  the 
effect  of  chance  or  necessity:  ours  of  sober  reason  and  cool 
deliberation.  Our  future  happiness  or  misery,  therefore,  as  a 
people,  will  depend  entirely  upon  ourselves.  If,  actuated 
by  principles  of  virtue  and  genuine  patriotism,  we  make  the 
welfare  of  our  country  the  sole  aim  of  all  our  actions;  if 
we  intrust  none  but  persons  of  abilities  and  integrity  with 
the  management  of  our  publick  affairs ;  if  we  carefully  guard 
against  corruption  and  undue  influence  in  the  several  depart- 
ments of  Government ;  if  we  are  steady  and  zealous  in  put- 
ting the  laws  in  strict  execution  ; — the  spirit  and  principles  of 
our  new  Constitution,  which  we  have  just  now  heard  read, 
may  be  preserved  for  a  long  time.  But  if  faction  and  party 
spirit,  the  destruction  of  popular  Governments,  take  place, 
anarchy  and  confusion  will  soon  ensue,  and  we  shall  either 
fall  an  easy  prey  to  a  foreign  enemy,  or  some  factious  and 
aspiring  demagogue,  possessed  of  popular  talents  and  shi- 
ning qualities — a  Julius  Caesar  or  an  Oliver  Cromwell — will 
spring  up  among  ourselves,  who,  taking  advantage  of  our 
political  animosities,  will  lay  violent  hands  on  the  Govern- 
ment, and  sacrifice  the  liberties  of  his  country  to  his  own 
ambitious  and  domineering  humour.  God  grant  that  neither 
of  these  may  ever  be  the  unhappy  fate  of  this  or  any  of  the 
United  States.  To  prevent  which,  while  we  are  striving  to 
defend  ourselves  against  the  unjust  encroachments  of  a 
foreign  and  unnatural  enemy,  let  us  not  neglect  to  keep  a 
strict  and  jealous  eye  over  our  own  internal  police  and 
Constitution.  Let  the  fate  of  Greece,  Rome,  Carthage, 
and  Great  Britain,  warn  us  of  our  danger;  and  the  loss  of 
liberty  in  all  those  States,  for  want  of  timely  guarding  against 
the  introduction  of  tyranny  and  usurpation,  be  a  standing 
admonition  to  us,  to  avoid  the  rock  on  which  they  have  all 
been  shipwrecked. 

"  Let  us,  as  honest  citizens  and  sincere  lovers  of  our  coun- 
try, exert  ourselves  in  the  defence  of  our  State  and  in  support 
of  our  new  Constitution ;  but  while  we  strive  to  vindicate 
the  glorious  cause  of  liberty  on  the  one  hand,  let  us,  on  the 
other  hand,  carefully  guard  against  running  into  the  contrary 
extreme  of  disorder  and  licentiousness. 

"  In  our  present  situation,  engaged  in  a  bloody  and  dan- 
gerous war  with  the  power  of  Great  Britain,  for  the  defence 
of  our  lives,  our  liberties,  our  property,  and  everything  that 
is  dear  and  valuable,  every  member  of  this  State  who  enjoys 
the  benefits  of  its  civil  government,  is  absolutely  bound,  by 
the  immutable  law  of  self-preservation,  the  laws  of  God  and 
of  society,  to  assist  in  protecting  and  defending  it.  This  is 
so  plain  and  self-evident  a  proposition,  that  I  am  persuaded 
every  person  here  present  makes  it  the  rule  of  his  conduct 
on  all  occasions ;  and  consequently,  in  a  time  of  such  im- 
minent danger,  will  be  extremely  careful,  at  our  ensuing 
election,  not  to  intrust  any  one  with  the  management  of  our 
publick  affairs  who  has  not,  by  his  vigilance  and  activity  in 
the  cause  of  liberty,  proved  himself  to  be  a  true  friend  to 
his  country.  The  success,  gentlemen,  of  our  present  glorious 
struggle  wholly  depends  upon  this  single  circumstance.  For 
though  the  situation  and  extent  of  the  United  States  of 
America  and  our  numberless  internal  resources,  are  sufficient 
to  enable  us  to  bid  defiance  to  all  Europe,  yet  should  we 
be  so  careless  about  our  own  safety  as  to  intrust  the  affairs 
of  our  State,  while  the  bayonet  is  pointed  at  our  breasts,  to 
persons  whose  conduct  discovers  them  to  be  enemies  to  their 
country,  or  whose  religious  principles  will  not  suffer  them  to 
lift  a  hand  for  our  defence,  our  ruin  will  inevitably  follow. 

"As  it  is  impossible  for  any  one  possessed  of  the  spirit  of 
a  man,  who  is  a  friend  to  the  United  States,  and  whose  con- 
science does  not  furnish  him  with  an  excuse  to  stand  by,  an 
idle  spectator,  while  his  country  is  struggling  and  bleeding 
in  her  own  necessary  defence,  all  such  inactive  persons  ought 
therefore  to  be  shunned  as  enemies  or  despised  as  cowards. 


813 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


814 


And  as  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  many  who  plead  con- 
science as  an  excuse  are  sincere  in  their  pretensions,  and  as 
every  man's  conscience  'ought  to  be  free  from  compulsion, 
this  single  consideration  should  restrain  us  from  forcing  such 
into  any  of  the  departments  of  Government.  For  to  put 
such  persons,  at  this  time,  in  places  of  publick  trust,  is 
actually  to  deprive  them  of  liberty  of  conscience;  for  we 
thereby  compel  them  either  to  betray  the  trust  reposed  in 
them,  or  to  act  contrary  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  con- 
sciences ;  a  dilemma  in  which,  act  as  they  will,  their  con- 
duct must  be  criminal.  Besides,  if  we  consulted  only  our 
own  safety,  it  is  plain,  that  to  intrust  the  affairs  of  our  Gov- 
ernment, at  this  juncture,  to  such  people,  is  as  dangerous  as 
to  intrust  the  management  of  a  ship  in  a  violent  storm  to  an 
infant  or  an  idiot. 

"As  a  friend  to  my  country  and  a  lover  of  liberty,  I  thought 
it  my  duty  to  address  you  on  this  occasion ;  and  having  now, 
as  a  faithful  memLer  of  society,  discharged  my  duty,  I  shall 
leave  you  to  the  exercise  of  your  own  judgment,  and  con- 
clude with  a  request,  that  you  would  conduct  yourself  this 
day  hi  such  a  manner  as  to  convince  the  publick  that  your 
abhorrence  of  the  cruel  and  bloody  Nero  of  Britain,  and 
his  despicable  minions  of  tyranny  and  oppression,  arises,  not 
from  the  mere  impulse  of  blind  passion  and  prejudice,  but 
from  sober  reason  and  reflection ;  and  while  we  rejoice  in 
being  formally  emancipated  from  our  haughty  and  imperious 
task-masters,  let  us  remember  that  the  final  termination  of 
this  grand  event  is  not  likely  to  be  brought  about  without 
shedding  the  blood  of  many  of  our  dear  friends  and  country- 
men." 

GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  August  7,  1776,  seven  P.  M. 
SIR:  Enclosed  is  some  intelligence  from  a  deserter,  who 
swam  over  to  us.  His  account  that  the  heavy  baggage  of 
the  troops  was  ordered  on  board  shows  an  intended  move- 
ment of  the  troops  from  Staten-Island,  By  his  information, 
no  foreign  troops  have  yet  arrived.  I  will  endeavour  to 
procure  some  intelligence  to-night. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 

obedient  servant,  IT        •»» 

HUGH  MERCER. 

To  General  Washington. 

Examination  of  RICHARD  SHEA,  a  Deserter. 

Inlisted  in  Waterford  twenty-two  months  ago  ;  an  Irish- 
man; of  the  Fortieth  Regiment,  commanded  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  James  Grant;  in  Captain  John  Adlum's  company; 
was  clerk  to  the  regiment.  He  has  been  six  weeks  on  Staten- 
Island.  Was  at  Boston  last  year  from  July  to  the  17th 
March.  Went  from  there  to  Halifax.  Remained  there 
on  ship,  except  now  and  then  on  shore  to  exercise.  There 
are  in  the  Fortieth  Regiment  three  hundred  and  thirty-six 
rank  and  file.  Supposed  to  have  fourteen  thousand  on  the 
Island.  Two  new  Highland  regiments  very  sickly.  The 
Forty-Second  Regiment  of  Highlanders.  Expect  some 
Hessians,  but  none  come.  The  Fortieth  Regiment  oppo- 
site the  Blazing-Star,  in  barns.  Stretch  two  miles  and  a 
quarter  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  Old  Biasing-Star.  Had 
no  leave  to  go  one-quarter  of  a  mile  from  quarters.  If  any 
soldier  left  quarters,  severely  punished.  His  reason  for  de- 
serting was,  he  had  £4  due  for  pay,  and  £10  as  clerk, 
which  he  asked  for,  and  was  refused  by  the  Paymaster.  The 
officers  are  much  afraid  of  the  Riflemen;  the  soldiers  in  spirits; 
two  thousand  men  sick — small-pox,  the  Highlanders  with 
fluxes — poxes;  not  more  than  four  thousand  of  the  fourteen 
thousand  clever  soldiers.  The  Lighthorse  and  Marines  re- 
mained at  Halifax;  also  old  men  and  others  unfit  for  ser- 
vice. 

Five  days  ago,  ordered  the  officers'  heavy  baggage,  and 
women  of  the  Army,  on  board  the  fleet.  As  far  as  he 
heard,  he  believes  they  will  not  attack  New- York,  unless 
reinforced  by  the  foreigners.  He  has  seen  in  orders  for 
working  party  at  Billop's  Point,  where  they  are  numerous, 
and  have  thrown  up  intrenchments.  No  works  near  the 
Blazing-Star.  One  company  at  the  Old  Blazing-Star. 
Don't  know  who  is  at  the  New  Blazing-Star. 

Two  days'  fresh  provisions  in  a  week.  No  vegetables  in 
the.  week.  Each  company  of  the  Fortieth  Regiment  have 
a  guard  in  front — three  men  in  daytime,  six  at  night;  no  main 


guard.  The  inhabitants  are  sworn  by  the  commanding 
officer. 

There  is  on  the  Island  Major-General  James  Grant,  who 
was  formerly  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Fortieth  Regiment ; 
and  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  James  Grant,  who  is  also  there, 
was  Major  in  the  regiment. 

He  heard  there  were  forty  transports  arrived  last  Thursday, 
chiefly  store-ships;  some  few  Highlanders.  Heard  Clinton 
was  defeated,  and  he  was  expected  to  join  them. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  ELIZABETH-TOWN  POINT,  NEW- 
JERSEY,  DATED  AUGUST  7,   1116. 

I  was  ordered  by  Colonel  Chevalier  to  wait  on  two  gen- 
tlemen, Mr.  Maddison  and  Mr.  Johnson,  one  of  whom  is  a 
clergyman,  and  both  natives  of  Augusta  County,  Virginia, 
who  arrived  in  the  Lord  Hyde  packet  from  Falmouth,  at 
Staten-Island,  the  29th  of  July,  and  have  brought  papers 
from  London  to  the  23d  of  May,  which  are  now  here,  and 
kept  for  the  use  of  General  Washington,  who,  it  is  said,  will 
be  in  town  to-morrow.  A  copy  of  the  King  of  Englan&s 
speech  is  enclosed.  The  above-mentioned  gentlemen  left 
the  Island  this  morning  with  Lord  Howe's  approbation,  and 
inform  that  Lord  Cornwallis  and  General  Clinton,  with  all 
the  troops,  arrived  there  on  Thursday  last  from  Carolina, 
as  a  reinforcement,  preparatory  to  the  attack  on  New-  York, 
which,  these  gentlemen  say,  would,  in  their  opinion,  be  made 
in  less  than  a  week,  without  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  the 
remainder  of  the  foreigners,  who  were  hourly  looked  for, 
having  sailed  three  days  before  this  ship;  that  the  troops 
now  on  the  Island  amount  to  about  twelve  thousand,  and 
those  expected  will  make  the  enemy  twenty  thousand 
strong. 

The  current  opinion  of  the  British  Generals  is,  that  they 
will  find  no  difficulty  in  taking  possession  of  New -York; 
but  are  much  afraid  that  the  Rebels  (as  they  call  us)  will 
destroy  it,  as  they  speak  most  contemptuously  of  us,  looking 
upon  us  as  an  undisciplined  rabble ;  and  that  they  are  con- 
fident of  effecting  a  junction  with  Burgoyne  from  Canada, 
and  thereby  facilitate  the  subjection  of  this  country.  The 
gentlemen  add,  that  the  enemy  are  much  distressed  for  want 
of  fresh  provisions. 

The  English  papers  inform  that  the  Minerva,  Wining, 
from  Philadelphia,  was  arrived  at  Londonderry,  in  five 
weeks,  loaded  with  three  hundred  and  twenty  hogsheads  of 
flaxseed,  and  that  she  was  immediately  made  a  prize  of, 
being  American  property.  An  article  mentions,  that  on  the 
question  for  Independence  in  Congress,  the  Pennsylvania 
Delegates  voted  against  it,  and  in  consequence  thereof,  the 
other  Colonies  kept  a  jealous  eye  over  them.  The  papers 
contain  many  other  matters,  but  I  cannot  keep  them  any 
longer  to  transcribe  particulars. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  August  8,  1776.] 

New- York,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  In  my  letter  of  the  5th,  which  I  had  the  honour  of 
addressing  you,  I  begged  leave  to  recall  the  attention  of 
Congress  to  the  absolute  necessity  there  is  for  appointing 
more  General  Officers,  promising,  at  the  same  time,  by  the 
first  opportunity,  to  give  my  sentiments  more  at  large  upon 
the  subject. 

Confident  I  am  that  the  postponing  this  measure  has  not 
proceeded  from  motives  of  frugality,  otherwise  I  should  take 
the  liberty  of  attempting  to  prove  that  we  put  too  much  to 
the  hazard  by  such  a  saving.  I  am  but  too  well  apprized 
of  the  difficulties  that  occur  in  the  choice.  They  are,  I 
acknowledge,  great ;  but  at  the  same  time  it  must  be  allowed 
that  they  are  of  such  a  nature  as  to  present  themselves  when- 
ever the  subject  is  thought  of.  Time,  on  the  one  hand,  does 
not  remove  them ;  on  the  other,  delays  may  be  productive 
of  fatal  consequences. 

This  Army,  though  far  short  as  yet  of  the  numbers  in- 
tended by  Congress,  is  by  much  too  unwieldy  for  the  com- 
mand of  any  one  man,  without  several  Major-Generals  to 
assist.  For  it  is  to  be  observed,  that  a  Brigadier-General 
at  the  head  of  his  brigade  is  no  more  than  a  Colonel  at  the 
head  of  a  regiment,  except  that  he  acts  upon  a  larger  scale. 
Officers  of  more  general  command  are  at  all  times  wanted 
for  the  good  order  and  government  of  an  army,  especially 


815 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


816 


when  the  army  is  composed  chiefly  of  raw  troops ;  but  in  an 
action,  they  are  indispensably  necessary.  At  present  there 
is  but  one  Major-General  for  this  whole  department  and  the 
Flying-Camp;  whereas,  at  this  place  alone,  less  than  three 
cannot  discharge  the  duties  with  that  regularity  there  ought 
to  be. 

If  these  Major-Generals  are  appointed,  as  undoubtedly 
they  will,  out  of  the  present  Brigadiers,  you  will  want  for  this 
place  three  Brigadiers  at  least.  The  Northern  Department 
will  require  one,  if  not  two,  (as  General  Thompson  is  a  pris- 
oner, and  the  Baron  JVoedtke  reported  to  be  dead,  or  in  a 
state  not  much  better,)  there  being  at  present  only  one  Brig- 
adier (Arnold)  in  all  that  department.  For  the  Eastern 
Governments  there  ought  to  he  one,  or  a  Major-General,  to 
superintend  the  regiments  there,  and  to  prevent  impositions 
that  might  otherwise  be  practised.  These  make  the  number 
wanted  to  be  six  or  seven ;  and  who  are  to  be  appointed, 
Congress  can  best  judge.  To  make  Brigadiers  of  the  oldest 
Colonels  would  be  the  least  exceptionable  way;  but  it  is 
much  to  be  questioned  whether  by  that  mode  the  ablest  men 
would  be  appointed  to  office.  And  I  would  observe,  though 
the  rank  of  the  Colonels  of  the  Eastern  Governments  was 
settled  at  Cambridge  last  year,  it  only  respected  themselves, 
and  is  still  open  as  to  officers  of  other  Governments.  To 
pick  a  Colonel  here  and  a  Colonel  there  through  the  Army, 
according  to  the  opinion  entertained  of  their  abilities,  would 
no  doubt  be  the  means  of  making  a  better  choice,  and  nomi- 
nating the  fittest  persons;  but  then  their  senior  officers  would 
get  disgusted,  and  more  than  probable,  with  their  connexions, 
quit  the  service.  That  might  prove  fatal  at  this  time. 

To  appoint  gentlemen  as  Brigadiers  that  had  not  served 
in  the  Army,  (in  this  part  of  it  at  least,)  would  not  wound 
any  one  in  particular,  but  hurt  the  whole  equally,  and  must 
be  considered  in  a  very  discouraging  light  to  every  officer  of 
merit.  View  the  matter,  therefore,  in  any  point  of  light, 
you  will  see  there  are  inconveniences  on  the  one  hand,  and 
difficulties  on  the  other,  which  ought  to  be  avoided.  Would 
they  be  remedied  by  appointing  the  oldest  Colonels  from 
each  State?  If  this  mode  should  be  thought  expedient,  the 
enclosed  list  gives  the  names  of  the  Colonels  from  New- 
Hampshire  to  Pennsylvania  inclusive,  specifying  those  who 
rank  first,  as  I  am  told,  in  the  several  Colony  lists. 

I  have  transmitted  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  John  Glover, 
setting  forth  the  nature  and  grounds  of  a  dispute  between 
him  and  a  Mr.  Bradford,  respecting  their  agency.  Not 
conceiving  myself  authorized,  nor  having  the  smallest  in- 
clination, to  interfere  in  any  degree  in  the  matter,  it  is  referred 
to  Congress,  who  will  determine,  and  give  direction  upon  it 
in  such  manner  as  they  shall  judge  best.  I  will  only  observe, 
that  Mr.  Glover  was  recommended  to  me  as  a  proper  person 
for  an  Agent  when  we  first  fitted  out  armed  vessels,  and  was 
accordingly  appointed  one,  and,  so  far  as  1  know,  discharged 
his  office  with  fidelity  and  industry. 

I  received,  yesterday  evening,  a  letter  from  General 
Schuyler,  containing  Lieutenant  McMichaeTs  report,  who 
had  been  sent  a  scout  to  Oswego.  A  copy  of  the  report  I 
have  enclosed  for  the  information  of  Congress,  lest  General 
Schuyler  should  have  omitted  it  in  his  letter  which  accom- 
panies this.  He  was  at  the  German  Flats  when  he  wrote, 
which  was  the  2d  instant,  and  the  treaty  with  the  Indians 
not  begun,  nor  had  the  whole  expected  then  arrived ;  but 
of  these  things  he  will  have  advised  you  more  fully,  I  make 
no  doubt. 

The  Paymaster  informs  me  he  received  a  supply  of  money 
yesterday.  It  came  very  seasonably,  for  the  application 
and  clamours  of  the  troops  had  become  incessant  and  dis- 
tressing beyond  measure.  There  is  now  two  months'  pay 
due  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  esteem,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

bo.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  &c. 

German  Flats,  August  2,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Lieutenant  McMichael,  who  has  been  on  a 
scout  to  Oswego,  has  just  now  delivered  me  a  paper,  of 
which  the  enclosed  is  a  copy.  If  the  intelligence  it  contains 
should  be  true,  a  reinforcement  would  be  necessary  in  this 
quarter.  I  dare  give  no  orders  about  the  removal  of  the  old 
Sergeant  at  Oswego,  until  the  treaty  is  over.  I  have  ordered 
scouts  to  be  continually  kept  towards  Oswego,  and  shall  try 


to  procure  some  of  the  best-affected  Indians  to  make  further 
inquiry  into  the  matter,  and  give  your  Excellency  the  earliest 
advice. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  Excellency's  most 


obedient,  humble  servant, 


PH.  SCHUYLER. 


To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &,c.,  &tc. 

Intelligence  brought  from  OSWEGO  by  Lieutenant  McMiciiAEL. 

Was  informed  at  Oswego  that  three  regiments  of  Minis- 
terial troops  had  arrived  at  Oswegatchie,  at  which  place 
they  were  joined  by  a  number  of  Tories  and  Indians  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Johnson,  and  were  to  embark  imme- 
diately on  board  two  armed  vessels,  batteaus,  and  canoes,  and 
proceed  to  Oswego,  at  which  place  they  were  to  be  joined 
by  Colonel  Bu^erwith  all  the  Indians  under  his  command, 
and  likewise  by  Colonel  Caldwell  with  what  Regulars  could 
be  spared  from  Niagara.  They  intend  repairing  Oswego 
Fort  as  quick  as  possible,  in  order  that  they  might  hold  a 
treaty  with  the  Indians,  and  be  able  to  defend  themselves 
against  any  attack.  Immediately  after  the  treaty,  they  are 
to  march  with  all  their  force  against  Fort  Stanwix  and  the 
German  Flats,  at  the  latter  of  which  places  they  intend  to 
fortify,  (if  they  proceed);  they  are  likewise  to  fortify  at 
Johnstown,  and  to  secure  all  the  provisions  they  can. 

Was  likewise  informed  that  the  main  Army,  under  the 
command  of  General  Burgoyne,  was  marching  to  Crown- 
Point  and  Tyonderoga,  to  besiege  those  places.  Was 
further  informed  that  an  Indian  man,  named  Thomas  Davis, 
was  sent  from  Niagara  by  Colonel  Butler,  as  a  spy,  to  the 
German  Flats,  and  he  is  to  inform  said  Butler  of  the  particu- 
lars that  pass  at  the  German  Flats  during  the  treaty. 

This  intelligence  came  from  a  person  who  resides  at 
Oswego,  who  was  a  Sergeant  in  the  Regulars  last  war,  and 
likewise  from  a  party  of  Indians  who  I  conversed  with  that 
had  left  Colonel  Johnson  four  days  before,  and  had  come  as 


spies. 


EDWD.  McMicHAEL. 


Albany,  June  10,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  At  nine  this  morning  I  arrived  from  Fort- 
George,  having  left  that  place  yesterday  in  consequence  of  the 
information  contained  in  a  letter  and  paper  sent  me  by  the 
Committee  of  this  City  and  County,  copies  of  which  I  do 
myself  the  honour  to  enclose  you.  I  was  apprehensive  that 
something  of  this  kind  would  happen,  as  your  Excellency 
will  perceive  by  recurring  to  some  of  my  former  letters.  I 
shall  do  everything  in  my  power  to  prevent  the  savages  from 
succeeding;  and  if  Dayton's  regiment  and  the  Militia  of 
Tryon  and  this  County  drive  them  off,  as  I  hope  they  will, 
I  propose  to  take  post  at  Fort  Stanwix,  as  soon  as  I  shall 
be  in  a  condition  to  do  it  by  the  arrival  of  cannon,  ammuni- 
tion, and  intrenching  tools,  having  none  of  either  here. 

I  am  informed  that  Captain  Forster's  troops  and  the  Indi- 
ans that  joined  him,  retired  on  General  Arnolds  approach ; 
failing  of  success,  their  necessity  will  oblige  them  to  turn  else- 
where in  search  of  subsistence,  probably  the  Mohawk  River. 

Your  Excellency's  favour  of  the  7th  instant  I  have  this 
moment  received.  I  am  happy  that  Captain  Wilkinson's 
conjectures  were  not  realized. 

1  assure  you,  my  dear  sir,  that  I  do  all  in  my  power  to 
forward  and  arrange  matters.  Such  a  variety  of  business 
crowds  upon  me,  that  I  hardly  know  which  to  take  in  hand 
first;  a  steady  perseverance  will,  however,  I  hope,  carry  me 
through;  and  if  I  can  find  time,  I  will  repair  to  Canada, 
though  I  hope  and  believe  General  Sullivan  will  put  our 
affairs  in  good  order,  seconded  by  Generals  Arnold  and 
Thompson,  who  are  also  indefatigable.  General  Thomas 
died  the  2d  instant. 

So  far  from  having  been  able  to  procure  two  thousand 
Indians  to.  join  us,  I  shall  be  extremely  happy  if  we  can 
prevent  them  from  acting  against  us;  and  I  believe  nothing 
will  do  it  but  the  spirited  measure  I  proposed  in  my  last,  of 
the  8th  instant,  to  Congress,  and  the  taking  post  at  Fort 
Stanwix.  If  any  Militia  should  come  up,  I  shall  certainly 
employ  them  on  the  communication,  and  send  on  the  troops.  I 
have  already  ordered  three  companies  of  Van  Schaick's  from 
Ticonderoga,  as  the  exchanged  prisoners  were  to  be  employ- 
ed there;  but  if  the  Militia  should  take  it  in  their  heads  to 
leave  Fort  George,  Ticonderoga,  &.c.,  it  will  be  difficult  to 
carry  on  the  provisions  for  the  Army. 


817 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


818 


Yesterday  morning  upwards  of  an  hundred  barrels  of  flour 
left  Fort  George;  I  suppose  thrice  that  quantity  left  it  to- 
day, and  Saturday  next  I  expect  fifteen  hundred  barrels 
will  be  sent,  together  with  three  hundred  barrels  of  pork 
lately  arrived  here;  after  which  none  will  be  left,  unless  a 
fresh  supply  comes  from  New-York,  which  I  hope  will  be 
the  soonest  possible. 

I  do  not  wish  that  Lady  Johnson  should  be  permitted  to 
go  to  any  place  where  she  may  escape,  as  her  detention  may 
induce  her  husband  to  seek  an  accommodation. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem  and  respect, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  I  believe  I  shall  be  under  the  necessity  of  going  to 
Tryon  County  myself. 

[Detract  of  a  Letter  from  Colonel  FREDERICK  PELLENGER,  of  the  GERMAN- 
FLATS,  June  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  This  minute  an  express  came  from  one  of 
the  best  Indians,  with  the  news  that  a  great  number  of  the 
far  Indians  had  arrived  at  Oneida,  being  on  their  march 
down ;  so  we  sent  an  express  yesterday  to  the  Commanding 
Officer  at  Johnstown  with  the  news  which  we  got  yester- 
day from  Fort  Stanwix,  but  could  get  no  assistance;  so  there- 
fore the  necessity  requires  that  you  will  come  up  with  your 
regiment  immediately,  to  meet  them  without  delay,  or  we 
shall  be  slaughtered ;  and  send  the  orders  to  the  next  regi- 
ment with  speed. 

Gentlemen,  I  am  your  most  humble  servant, 

FREDERICK  PELLENGER. 

Albany  Committee-Chamber,  June  8,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  We  have  this  moment  received  from 
the  Mohawk  River  an  accdunt  of  an  intended  attack  of  the 
Upper  Indians  against  our  western  frontiers,  a  copy  of  which 
information  we  herewith  enclose  you.  We  immediately  wrote 
to  the  Provincial  Congress  for  a  further  supply  of  ammu- 
nition. Upon  so  alarming  an  occasion  we  find  it  necessary 
to  apply  to  you  for  advice  and  assistance.  We  beg  of  you, 
in  the  most  earnest  manner,  to  give  us  both ;  together  with 
such  directions  for  our  conduct  as  you  may  conceive  will 
best  answer  the  purpose  of  opposing  the  attempts  of  the 
savages  and  their  more  savage  instigators. 

We  are,  honoured  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servants. 

By  order:  ABRM.  YATES,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

Marblehead,  July  90,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  take  up  one 
moment  of  your  attention,  engaged  as  it  is  in  concerns  of  the 
highest  importance  to  the  United  American  States;  but  see- 
ing, without  your  kind  interposition,  that  I  may  be  materially 
injured,  I  hope  you  will  excuse  me. 

Your  Excellency  was  pleased  to  appoint  me  one  of  the 
Agents  for  the  Continental  armed  vessels;  which  office  I 
have  endeavoured  to  discharge  with  diligence  and  fidelity, 
and  conducted,  I  would  fain  suppose,  to  your  satisfaction. 
Among  other  things,  when  the  ship  Hope,  laden  with  pow- 
der, was  taken,  I  hastened  to  Pulling-Point  Gut,  through 
which  they  attempted  to  carry  the  ship  to  Boston;  but  she 
got  aground ;  so  I  procured  small  craft,  and,  before  night, 
got  out  twelve  hundred  barrels  of  powder.  I  procured  a 
guard  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  from  General  Ward, 
lest  the  enemy  should  take  the  ship  by  their  boats  in  the 
night.  I  engaged  the  best  pilot  in  Boston  to  carry  up  the 
ship,  but  he  despaired  of  doing  it  in  the  night,  because  he 
could  not  see  the  marks,  as  the  channel  was  crooked.  I 
told  him  I  did  not  choose  to  trust  her  there  that  night,  and 
that  she  must  be  got  up.  He  said  it  was  impossible.  I 
then  proposed  placing  at  anchor  a  number  of  the  small  ves- 
sels, with  lanterns  on  board  them,  at  the  shallow  places  and 
bends  of  the  channel ;  and  after  they  were  thus  stationed,  the 
ship  fluting  and  the  wind  being  fair,  we  made  sail,  and  got 
her  up  to  Boston  safe  at  anchor  off  the  wharf  before  day- 
light; and  I  ceased  not  till,  with  vast  labour  and  fatigue,  the 
whole  cargo  was  secured.  On  account  of  this  business,  for 
four  days  and  three  nights  I  did  not  pull  off  my  clothes, 
and  scarcely  slept  at  all.  Afterwards  I  libelled  the  ship  and 
cargo,  and  attended  the  trial  and  condemnation.  In  one 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  5 


word,  I  have  taken  the  whole  care  of  them ;  and  nothing 
now  remains  to  be  done  but  making  sale  of  the  ship,  and  a 
few  articles  that  are  not  military  stores — the  work  of  a  day. 
In  this  stage  of  the  business,  Mr.  John  Bradford,  of  Boston, 
steps  in  and  desires  to  sell  this  ship  Hope  and  her  cargo,  and 
claims  a  commission  on  some  others,  against  which  I  have 
either  finished  or  commenced  prosecutions. 

I  will  take  the  liberty  to  fairly  state  his  pretensions :  He 
received  a  private  letter,  about  six  weeks  since,  from  Mr. 
Hancock,  informing  him  that,  through  his  friendship,  he  was 
appointed  Agent  for  all  prizes  brought  into  this  Colony,  and 
that  his  commission  should  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  might  be, 
and  advising  him,  when  he  should  receive  it,  to  make  known 
his  appointment  in  the  publick  newspapers.  This  letter  Mr. 
Bradford  communicated  to  me.  As  I  have  received  no 
intimation  of  this  from  your  Excellency,  who  appointed  me 
an  Agent,  nor  from  any  person  under  the  authority  of  Con- 
gress, and  as  Mr.  Bradford's  commission  has  not  arrived,  and 
perhaps  never  may,  I  thought  it  rny  duty,  not  only  to  myself, 
but  to  your  Excellency  and  the  Continent,  to  continue  acting 
in  that  capacity  as  far  as  respected  those  vessels  that  had 
come  into  my  hands;  those  that  have  since  been  brought  in, 
to  avoid  any  colour  of  dispute,  I  have  not  meddled  with. 
Under  these  circumstances,  I  flatter  myself  my  conduct  will 
receive  the  approbation  of  your  Excellency  and  the  Congress. 
And  if  your  Excellency  shall  judge  it  expedient,  a  line  from 
the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress  may  settle  this  matter  as 
in  justice  it  ought  to  be,  which  is  all  I  wish.  Mr.  Bradford 
has  lately  received  a  letter  from  the  Marine  Committee,  which 
considers  him  as  Agent  respecting  some  matters  yet  to  be 
done.  This,  with  Mr.  Hancock's  letter,  is  all  that  gives  him 
any  authority. 

I  hope  I  shall  be  excused  for  thus  troubling  you.  I  was 
afraid  the  publick  service  would  suffer  by  an  altercation  be- 
tween us,  and  the  captors.  I  shall  esteem  it  a  favour  if  your 
Excellency  will  give  directions  to  have  the  military  stores 
taken  in  the  ship  Hope  appraised,  in  order  that  the  captors 
may  have  their  shares,  as  they  are  greatly  in  want  of  it,  many 
of  them. 

I  am,  with  the  utmost  respect,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

JONATHAN  GLOVER. 
To  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  8,  1776.] 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  7,  1776,  ) 
1  o'clock,  P.  M.      \ 

SIR  :  Since  closing  the  letter  which  I  had  the  honour  to 
write  you  this  morning,  two  deserters  have  come  in,  who  left 
the  Solebay  man-of-war  last  evening.  One  of  them  is  a 
native  of  New-  York.  Their  account  is,  that  they  were  in 
the  engagement  with  Colonel  Moultrie,  at  Sullivan's  Island, 
on  the  9th  July.  The  particulars  they  give  nearly  corre- 
spond with  the  narrative  sent  by  General  Lee.  That  they 
left  Carolina  three  weeks  ago  as  a  convoy  to  forty-five  trans- 
ports, having  on  board  General  Clinton,  Lord  Cornwallis,  and 
the  whole  Southern  Army,  consisting  of  about  three  thou- 
sand men,  all  of  whom  were  landed  last  week  on  Staten- 
Island,  in  tolerable  health.  That  on  Sunday,  thirteen 
transports,  part  of  Lord  Howe's  fleet,  and  having  on  board 
Hessians  and  Highlanders,  came  to  Staten-Island.  That 
the  remainder  of  the  fleet,  which  was  reported  to  have  in  the 
whole  twelve  thousand  men,  had  parted  with  these  troops 
off  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland,  and  were  expected  to  come 
in  every  moment.  That  they  were  getting  the  heavy  car- 
riages and  cannon  on  board;  had  launched  eight  gondolas 
with  flat  bottoms,  and  two  rafts  or  straps,  to  carry  cannon. 
These  men  understand  that  the  attack  will  soon  be  made, 
if  the  other  troops  arrive.  That  they  give  out  they  will 
lay  the  Jersey  waste,  with  fire  and  sword.  The  computed 
strength  of  their  Army  will  be  thirty  thousand  men.  They 
further  add,  that  when  they  left  Carolina,  one  transport  got 
on  shore,  so  that  they  were  not  able  to  give  her  relief;  upon 
which  she  surrendered,  with  five  companies  of  Highlanders, 
to  General  Lee,  who,  after  taking  everything  valuable  out  of 
her,  burnt  her.  That  the  Admiral  turned  General  Clinton 
out  of  his  ship  after  the  engagement,  with  a  great  deal  of 
abuse;  great  differences  between  the  principal  naval  and 
military  gentlemen.  That  the  ships  left  in  Carolina  are 


819 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


820 


now  in  such  a  weakly,  distressed  condition,  they  would  fall 
an  easy  prey. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect  and  regard,  your  most  obedi- 
ent  and  very  humble  servant,  GQ  WASHINGTON. 

P.  S.  The  ships  are  changing  their  position,  and  the  men- 
of-war  forming  into  a  line,  but  I  still  think  they  will  wait  the 
arrival  of  the  remaining  Hessians  before  any  general  attack 
will  be  made.  Monday's  return  will  show  our  strength 
here.  G.  W. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-JERSEY  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  received  repeated  informations  that  a  number 
of  persons  known  to  be  inimical  to  the  cause  of  the  American 
States,  or  of  a  suspicious  character,  have  lately  removed 
from  this  and  other  places  into  the  County  of  Monmouth,  in 
New-Jersey,  with  intent,  no  doubt,  from  its  situation,  of 
communicating  with  and  aiding  our  enemies.  All  those  of 
similar  character  on  Long-Island,  and  the  other  Counties 
adjacent  to  this  place,  will  be  secured  by  to-morrow  morn- 
ing; and  I  must  urge  the  necessity  of  your  Congress  adopting 
the  same  measure  in  all  those  parts  of  your  Province  which 
are  most  contiguous  to  the  enemy.  There  are  some  also  of 
very  dangerous  character,  who,  I  am  informed,  are  lurking 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Hackensack,  and  what  they  call  the 
English  neighbourhood,  particularly  Benjamin  Hugget  and 
Frederick  Rhinelander.  This  measure  is  now  become  the 
more  necessary,  as,  from  the  intelligence  I  have  this  day 
received,  there  is  the  greatest  reason  to  believe  that  the 
enemy  intend  to  begin  their  operations  in  a  very  few  days, 
and  that  with  a  very  powerful  force;  for  not  only  a  consider- 
able part  of  the  foreign  troops,  the  British  Guards,  and  an 
additional  number  of  Scotch  troops,  are  lately  arrived  at 
Staten-Island,  but  the  Army  from  the  southward,  under 
General  Clinton,  also  joined  them  last  Thursday,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  foreign  troops  have  been  spoken  with  on 
the  coast,  and  are  momently  expected.  This  must  also 
urge  the  absolute  necessity  of  your  Congress  instantly  adopt- 
ing some  effectual  measures  for  completing  the  troops  voted, 
and  for  affording  every  other  reinforcement  to  this  place  that 
is  in  their  power,  by  detaching  a  considerable  body  of  the 
Militia,  or  in  such  other  manner  as  will  be  more  effectual. 
Of  the  three  thousand  three  hundred  voted  by  your  State,  we 
have  but  fourteen  hundred  and  fifty,  and  in  the  same  propor- 
tion from  the  other  Colonies;  so  that  you  will  easily  conceive 
what  an  alarming  situation  we  are  in.  As  the  harvest  is 
now  over,  and  the  Militia  engaged  most  cheerfully  to  return, 
if  necessary,  I  persuade  myself  they  will  readily  turn  out 
upon  a  representation  being  made  to  them  of  the  necessity. 
What  from  a  deficiency  of  the  old  regiments,  sickness,  and 
the  failure  of  new  levies,  we  are  in  danger  of  being  outnum- 
bered by  the  enemy  at  least  double,  if  not  more.  The  conse- 
quences may  be  fatal,  unless  prevented  by  the  spirit  of  the 
country.  I  have  despatched  expresses  to  Connecticut  to 
call  in  their  Militia  immediately,  with  their  arms,  blankets, 
and  what  ammunition  they  have,  as  the  supply  here,  to  suit 
their  guns,  is  attended  with  much  difficulty  and  delay.  I 
must  beg  your  attention  to  the  same  circumstance,  as  far  as 
the  situation  of  things  will  admit,  but  so  as  not  to  hinder 
from  marching  those  who  cannot  come  so  provided. 


I  am,  Sic., 


Go.  WASHINGTON. 


To  the  Hon.  Samuel  Tucker,  Esq.,  President,  fcc. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON. 
Head -Quarters,  New-York,  August  9,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  2d  instant  is  duly  received. 
Enclosed  you  have  a  resolution  of  the  Provincial  Conven- 
tion, which  came  to  hand  last  evening,  by  which  you  will 
please  to  regulate  your  conduct.  I  must  beg  you  to  inform 
me  as  soon  as  possible  what  number  your  brigade  now  con- 
sists of,  and  what  number  it  will  contain  when  a  fourth  part 
of  the  Militia  are  draughted  agreeable  to  order  of  Provincial 
Congress. 

By  intelligence  received  and  movements  observed  of  the 
enemy,  we  have  the  greatest  reason  to  believe  a  general 
attack  will  be  made  in  the  course  of  a  few  days.  Our  num- 
bers are  much  short  of  the  enemy.  I  hope  no  time  will  be 


lost  in  marching  the  reinforcements  expected  to  our  assistance 
from  different  quarters,  with  all  possible  despatch. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Brigadier-General  George  Clinton. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  ELMORE. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  On  the  1st  instant  I  wrote  you,  and  directed  you 
to  march  immediately  with  your  regiment  to  join  the  Army 
here.  When  I  gave  this  order,  I  supposed  you  and  your 
regiment  to  be  in  Connecticut ;  but  understanding  that  you 
have  got  to  Albany  with  it,  or  near  that  place,  I  have  thought 
proper  to  countermand  the  orders  then  given,  and  desire  that 
you  will  put  yourself  under  the  command  of  General  Schuy- 
ler,  and  comply  with  such  directions  as  you  may  receive  from 
him,  being  satisfied  that  you  cannot  be  here  in  time  to  give 
the  least  assistance. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,        Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Colonel  Samuel  Elmore,  Albany. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

New- York,  August  7,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Before  this,  I  presume  you  have  received  a 
letter  from  Congress  enclosing  sundry  resolutions  of  the  22d, 
23d,  and  24th  ultimo;  among  which  was  one  empowering 
their  Commanders-in-Chief  in  every  department  to  negotiate 
an  exchange  of  prisoners  upon  the  plan  therein  pointed  out. 
There  were  two  others,  mentioning  the  case  of  Colonel 
Allen  and  the  persons  taken  with  him.  That  the  views  of 
Congress  might  be  carried  into  execution  in  those  instances 
as  far  as  they  could  in  this  department,  and  for  the  enlarge- 
ment of  Mr.  Lovell,  whose  case  they  have  since  mentioned, 
I  wrote  to  General  Howe,  who  has  acceded  to  the  several 
propositions  I  made  him,  as  far  as  they  came  within  the  ex- 
tent of  his  command.  A  copy  of  my  letter  and  his  answer, 
I  have  enclosed.  By  the  latter,  you  will  perceive  prisoners 
made  in  Canada  are  subject  to  General  Carleton's  determi- 
nation and  pleasure.  It  is  probable  you  have  already  writ- 
ten him  upon  the  subject  of  an  exchange;  but  if  you  have 
not,  I  think  you  should  propose  it  immediately  both  to  him 
and  General  Burgoyne,  and  try  to  obtain  General  Thomp- 
son for  General  Prescott,  and  also  one  for  the  other  officers 
and  men  who  are  prisoners  in  their  hands.  Justice,  and  a 
regard  to  the  merit  and  bravery  of  the  officers  and  privates 
who  were  taken  when  General  Montgomery  unfortunately 
fell,  require  that  your  exertions  should  be  directed  to  relieve 
their  sufferings,  and  procure  their  enlargement  among  the 
first.  It  may  not  be  improper  to  inform  these  two  gentlemen 
of  what  has  passed  between  General  Howe  and  myself. 
Perhaps  the  copies  of  our  letters  will  contribute  in  some 
measure  to  facilitate  the  work. 

I  was  yesterday  evening  favoured  with  your  letters  of  the 
1st  and  2d ;  also  with  one  from  Mr.  Varick.  It  is  impos- 
sible to  spare  any  gunners  or  mates  from  hence,  our  posts 
being  so  extensive  that  we  are  obliged  to  draught  upwards  of 
six  hundred  men  from  different  regiments  to  assist  the  artil- 
lery. Colonel  Knox  informs  me  you  have  four  companies 
of  gunners  and  matrosses  at  the  Lakes  as  good  as  any  here, 
which  is  a  much  greater  proportion  than  we  have.  You 
must  draw  what  are  necessary  from  those  and  other  parts  of 
the  Army.  As  to  seamen,  they  are  extremely  difficult  to 
procure,  and  I  wish  they  may  be  got.  As  it  is  almost  cer- 
tain they  would  not  engage  in  the  service  you  mention 
upon  the  terms  usually  allowed  here,  there  seems  to  have 
been  a  necessity  for  employing  them  on  the  best  that  can  be 
had. 

From  Lieutenant  McMichaeFs  report,  our  enemies  seem 
determined  to  push  us  on  all  quarters.  It  is  nothing  but  what 
we  may  expect.  Your  utmost  activity  and  exertions  must 
be  employed  to  counteract  their  designs,  and  prevent  their 
penetrating  the  country.  I  hope  Fort  Stanwix  ere  long 
will  be  complete,  and  defensible  against  any  attack  they  can 
make,  if  they  have  any  such  views.  The  garrison  should 
by  all  means  have  a  proper  supply  of  provision  in  case  it 
should  be  invested. 

In  respect  to  the  articles  in  the  list  marked  B,  in  Mr. 
Varick's  letter,  all  that  can  be  procured  here  are  those  set 
down  in  the  list  subscribed  by  the  Quartermaster-General. 


821 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


822 


As  to  the  cordage,  lest  a  supply  may  not  be  got  in  Connecti- 
cut, Mr.  Ivers  has  undertaken,  and  will  immediately  set  out 
for  Poughkeepsie,  in  order  to  manufacture  six  or  eight  tons 
of  hemp.  He  has  there  an  assortment  of  it,  which  will  be 
forwarded  to  Albany  with  all  possible  despatch  from  thence. 
I  hope  the  other  necessaries  will  be  got  by  the  person  sent 
to  Connecticut,  and  the  anchors,  &c.,  at  the  forges  Mr. 
Varick  mentions.  Captain  Bacon,  sent  in  pursuit  of  sea- 
men, &,c.,  by  General  Arnold,  is  gone  to  Connecticut,  to  see 
what  he  can  procure.  I  advanced  him  £500,  lawful,  all 
the  money  that  was  in  the  Paymaster's  hands. 

Having  represented  to  Congress  the  expediency  of  em- 
ploying the  Stockbridge  Indians,  as  they  are  desirous  of  it, 
they  have  authorized  me  to  do  it,  as  you  will  see  by  the 
enclosed  copy  of  their  resolution  passed  the  2d  instant.  If 
Mr.  Edwards  is  at  the  treaty  you  are  now  holding,  show 
him  the  resolve,  and  please  to  inform  him  that  it  is  rny  re- 
quest he  should  adopt  the  most  expeditious  mode  of  raising 
them ;  giving  such  of  them  that  choose  it,  liberty  to  join  the 
Northern  Army,  and  those  that  prefer  coining  here,  leave  to 
do  it,  in  case  they  incline  to  divide.  If  they  do  not,  the 
whole  may  go  to  which  of  the  armies  they  please.  Lest 
Mr.  Edwards  should  not  be  at  the  treaty,  I  will  try  to  write 
him  by  another  opportunity  to  the  same  effect.  Congress, 
I  see,  too,  have  ordered  $500,000  to  be  sent  Mr.  Trumbull 
for  the  Northern  Army.  I  am  hopeful  they  will  be  atten- 
tive to  the  necessary  supplies  of  money  in  future. 

By  two  deserters,  we  are  informed  General  Clinton,  with 
his  whole  Army  from  the  southward,  except  three  companies, 
has  arrived.  They  also  add,  that  about  one  thousand  of  the 
Hessians  have  got  in.  The  remainder  of  the  foreign  troops 
they  expect  (about  eleven  thousand)  will  be  in  every  day, 
those  that  have  arrived  having  parted  with  them  in  a  gale 
of  wind  off  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland. 

Congress  having  resolved  that  Colonel  Elmore's  regiment 
should  reinforce  this  Army,  on  the  1st  instant  I  wrote  him 
(supposing  him  in  Connecticut  with  his  regiment)  to  repair 
here  with  all  possible  expedition ;  but  being  informed  that 
he  is  at  Albany  with  it,  or  a  great  part  of  it,  ere  now,  and 
fully  convinced  that  he  cannot  be  here  in  time  to  afford  any 
succour,  I  request  that  you  will  retain  him,  and  direct  his 
regiment  to  such  service  as  you  may  think  necessary.  I 
wrote  him  by  this  opportunity,  countermanding  rny  former 
orders. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Major-General  Schuyler,  Northern  Department. 


Present  fit  for  duty,  10,514;  sick  present,  3,039;  sick 
absent,  629;  on  command,  2,946;  on  furlough.  97:  Total, 
17,225.  By  this,  you  will  see  we  are  to  oppose  an  army 
of  30,000  experienced  veterans  with  about  one-third  the 
number  of  raw  troops,  and  these  scattered  some  fifteen  miles 
apart. 

This  will  be  handed  you  by  Mr.  Root.  To  him  I  must 
refer  you  for  further  particulars ;  and  have  the  pleasure  to 
be,  your  Honour's  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Governour  Trumbull,  Connecticut. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  THUMBULL. 

Head-Quarters,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  By  two  deserters  this  day,  we  have  the  following 
intelligence,  viz:  That  General  Clinton  and  Lord  Cornwallis, 
with  the  whole  Southern  Army,  have  arrived  and  landed  on 
Staten-Island,  from  South-  Carolina,  in  number  about  three 
or  four  thousand ;  that  the  fleet  which  came  in  a  few  days 
since  are  Hessians  and  Scotch  Highlanders,  part  of  twelve 
thousand  who  were  left  off  Newfoundland,  in  the  whole 
making  about  thirty  thousand  men  ;  and  it  is  said  by  officers 
of  the  Army  and  Navy,  they  are  to  attack  New-York, 
Long-Island,  &LC.,  in  the  course  of  a  week.  The  uncom- 
mon movements  of  the  fleet  this  day,  together  with  the  above 
intelligence,  convince  us  that,  in  all  human  probability,  there 
can  but  a  very  few  days  pass  before  a  general  engagement 
takes  place.  When  I  consider  the  weakness  of  our  Army 
by  sickness,  the  great  extent  of  ground  we  have  to  defend, 
and  the  amazing  slowness  with  which  the  levies  come  for- 
ward, I  think  it  absolutely  necessary  the  neighbouring  Militia 
should  be  immediately  sent  in  to  our  assistance;  and,  agree- 
able to  your  letter  of  the  6th  July,  I  have  ordered  the 
Colonels  ,  with  their 

regiments,  to  march  with  all  convenient  speed  to  this  place. 
The  disgrace  of  the  British  arms  to  the  southward,  and  the 
season  being  far  advanced,  will  make  them  exert  every 
nerve  against  us  in  this  quarter.  To  trust  altogether  in  the 
justice  of  our  cause,  without  our  own  utmost  exertions,  would 
be  tempting  Providence;  and  that  you  may  judge  of  our 
situation,  I  give  you  the  present  state  of  our  Army. 

Copy  from  the  General  Return  of  the  Army  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  now  on  New-York,  Governour 's,  and 
Long  Islands,  and  at  Powlcs-Hook,  August  3,  1776,  viz: 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  FITCH. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  7-,  1776. 
SIR:  The  spirit  and  zeal  which  the  Colony  of  Connecti- 
cut has  ever  shown  in  the  cause  of  America,  make  it  only 
necessary  to  acquaint  you  with  our  situation,  in  order  to 
ensure  your  assistance.  General  Clinton  has  brought  his 
whole  body  of  troops  from  South- Carolina ;  the  foreign 
troops  are  every  day  arriving;  and  we  have  the  most  authen- 
tick  accounts  that  in  a  little  time  our  enemy's  Army  will 
amount  to  thirty  thousand  men.  With  these  a  decisive  attack 
will  be  made  upon  the  Army,  which,  in  its  present  situation 
from  sickness,  the  deficiency  of  regiments,  and  other  causes, 
is  far  short  of  its  intended  complement.  Under  these  cir- 
cumstances, I  am  persuaded  I  need  only  remind  you  of  the 
power  given  by  the  laws  of  the  Colony  to  the  Colonels  of 
regiments,  upon  an  alarm,  invasion,  or  appearance  of  an 
enemy,  by  sea  or  land,  to  call  out  their  respective  regiments 
into  service.  Since  the  settlement  of  these  Colonies,  there 
has  never  been  such  just  occasion  of  alarm,  or  such  an  ap- 
pearance of  an  enemy,  both  by  sea  and  land.  I  am  there- 
fore to  request  you  to  call  forth  your  regiment  without  delay, 
and  have  them  equipped  with  blankets,  arms,  and  ammuni- 
tion, if  possible,  and  march  them  immediately  to  this  place, 
agreeably  to  the  power  given  by  your  Constitution,  as  ex- 
plained by  his  Honour  Governour  Trumbull,  in  his  letter  to 
the  honourable  Continental  Congress,  dated  the  6th  July 
last.  I  can  only  add,  that  the  greater  the  expedition  used, 
the  more  essential  and  honourable  the  service  will  probably 
be.  I  arn,  Stc., 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Colonel  Fitch,  New-Haven. 

[The  same  to  Colonel  lehabod  Sears,  Stratford;  to  Colonel  John  Mead, 
Greenwich;  to  Colonel  Edward  Hinman,  Woodbury;  and  to  Colonel  Jo- 
seph Platt  Cooke,  Danbury.] 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  JESSE  ROOT. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  7,  1776. 
SIR:  I  have  the  most  authentick  intelligence  that  General 
Clinton,  with  his  whole  Southern  Army,  one  thousand  Hes- 
sians, and  a  number  of  Highlanders,  have,  within  these  few 
days,  joined  General  Howe;  and  that  ten  thousand  more 
foreign  troops  are  hourly  expected,  having  been  left  on  the 
Banks  of  Newfoundland  a  few  days  ago.  An  attack  is  now, 
therefore,  to  be  expected,  which  will  probably  decide  the  fate 
of  America.  The  levies  from  New-Jersey,  New-  York,  and 
Connecticut,  are  not  completed  within  one-half  of  their  es- 
tablishment, and  my  whole  Army  much  short  of  its  comple- 
ment. Under  these  circumstances,  sir,  I  must  desire  you  to 
apply  to  the  several  Committees,  or  other  authority  of  Con- 
necticut, to  hasten  down,  as  fast  as  possible,  the  Militia ; 
and  I  cannot  doubt  but  a  sense  of  publick  duty  and  the 
imminent  danger  to  which  everything  that  is  dear  to  us  is 
exposed,  will  induce  every  true  friend  and  lover  of  his  coun- 
try to  exert  his  utmost  powers  for  its  salvation  and  defence. 
I  am,  sir,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Jesse  Root,  Esq. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  TIMOTHY  EDWARDS. 

New-York,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  copy  of  a  resolution  of  Congress, 
entered  into  the  2d  instant,  will  discover  to  you  their  senti- 
ments on  the  subject  of  employing  the  Stockbridge  Indians 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States.  It  is  certain  they  differ- 
ed some  time  ago  from  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs, 
and  put  a  stop  to  their  proceedings  in  this  instance ;  but 


823 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


824 


finding  that  our  enemies  are  prosecuting  the  war  with  unex- 
ampled severity  and  industry,  and  that  these  Indians  are 
anxious  to  take  a  part  in  our  favour,  they  have  instructed 
me  to  employ  in  the  service  of  t\\e  American  States  as  many 
of  them  as  1  may  think  proper.  I  therefore  take  the  liberty 
to  request  your  friendly  exertions  on  this  occasion,  and  that 
you  will  engage  in  the  service  as  great  a  number  of  them  as 
you  possibly  can.  I  would  wish  you  to  give  the  whole  of 
them,  or  any  part  that  may  choose  it,  the  liberty  of  joining 
either  this  Army  or  that  in  the  Northern  Department  under 
General  Schuykr.  I  do  not  think  it  will  be  proper,  as  they 
are  desirous  of  becoming  a  part  of  the  Army,  to  oblige  them 
to  join  where  they  have  not  an  inclination  to  go ;  and  there- 
fore recommend  that  they  should  be  indulged  in  whatever 
way  their  fancy  may  lead,  as  to  joining  either  the  one  or 
the  other  Army,  partially  or  wholly.  The  situation  of  our 
affairs  will  readily  suggest  to  you  the  necessity  of  despatch; 
at  the  same  time  that  it  will  point  out  the  expediency  of 
engaging  as  many  of  them  as  you  can.  The  business  may 
be  attended  with  a  degree  of  trouble,  which  I  could  wish 
not  to  happen ;  but  yet  I  am  persuaded  will  be  undertaken 
with  alacrity. 

I  am,  &c.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Timothy  Edwards,  Esq.,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs, 

Northern  Department,  at  Stockbridge. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON    TO    THE    COMMITTEE    OF    SAFETY  OF 
HARTFORD. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  7,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  to  acquaint  you  that  I  lately  received 
a  letter  from  Major  French,  who  is  a  prisoner  in  your  place, 
signifying  that  his  parole  would  be  out  the  12th  instant,  and 
that  he  had  no  intentions  of  renewing  it.  This  conduct,  I 
must  confess,  appears  very  extraordinary,  as  he  cannot  be 
ignorant  that  he  has  been  hitherto  considered  as  a  prisoner 
of  war,  and  that  accepting  his  parole  at  first  was  an  indul- 
gence granted,  solely  to  make  his  situation  more  easy  and 
comfortable,  and  to  prevent  his  experiencing  the  disagree- 
able effects  of  a  close  confinement.  I  have  expressed  my 
sentiments  to  him  freely  on  the  subject  in  my  answer,  which 
I  enclose  unsealed  for  your  perusal.  I  doubt  not  you  will 
pursue  such  measures  as  are  most  proper  on  this  occasion. 
You  will  please  to  seal  and  deliver  the  letter  enclosed 
without  delay,  to  avoid  any  trouble  that  may  arise  on 
account  of  not  delivering  it  previous  to  the  date  before 
mentioned. 

I  am,  with  due  respect  and  regard,  gentlemen,  your  very 
humble  servant,  QQ  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Hartford. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  MAJOR  FRENCH. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  7,  1776. 
SIR  :  I  am  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favour  of 
the  22d  July,  intimating  your  expectations  of  release  on  the 
12th  of  this  month. 

I  have  considered  your  parole,  advised  with  those  whose 
knowledge  and  experience  gives  weight  to  their  opinion,  and 
otherwise  endeavoured  to  inform  myself  how  far  your  con- 
struction of  it  is  founded  upon  justice,  reason,  or  usage.  I 
do  not  find  it  warranted  by  either;  my  duty  therefore  obliges 
me  to  overrule  your  claim  as  a  matter  of  right.  As  a  mat- 
ter of  favour,  indulgence  is  not  in  my  power,  even  if  your 
general  line  of  conduct  as  a  prisoner  had  been  unexcep- 
tionable. I  have  therefore  written  to  the  Committee  of 
Hartford,  and  sent  them  a  copy  of  this  letter,  and  hope 
you  will,  without  difficulty,  conform  to  the  regulations 
already  made  with  respect  to  prisoners  by  the  General 
Congress. 

It  is  probable  a  general  exchange  of  prisoners  will  soon 
take  place;  it  will  then  be  a  pleasing  part  of  my  duty  to 
facilitate  your  return  to  your  friends  and  connexions,  as,  I 
assure  you,  it  is  now  a  painful  one  to  disappoint  you  in  an 
expectation  which  you  seem  to  have  formed,  in  a  full  per- 
suasion of  being  right,  and  in  which,  on  mature  deliberation, 
I  am  so  unhappy  as  totally  to  differ  with  you. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Major  French. 


JOHN  BERRIEN  TO  NEW-VORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  the  resolution  of  the  Convention, 
enclosed  to  us,  we  took  the  first  opportunity  of  applying  to 
the  Reverend  Mr.  Jngliss,  the  only  Governour  of  the  Col- 
lege in  town,  who  readily  consented  to  the  delivery  of  the 
telescope  for  the  use  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington, 
on  which  we  produced  him  the  resolution  marked  No.  2. 

The  General  must  have  been  anxious  for  the  receipt  of  it, 
for  before  it  could  be  come  at,  from  the  number  of  boxes, 
&c.,  stowed  in  the  small  room  it  was  put  into  at  the  City- 
Hall,  his  Aid-de-camp,  Colonel  Webb,  with  some  men,  were 
ready  to  receive  it,  and  it  was  delivered  to  him. 

We  have  procured  all  the  books  and  papers  you  required 
from  the  Custom-House,  which  we  now  forward  you  by 
Lieutenant  Thomas  Lawrence,  with  a  guard,  as  they  are  in 
our  opinion  of  great  value,  and  of  much  consequence.  Mr. 
Moran  assures  us  these  are  all  the  papers  and  books  belong- 
ing to  the  Receiver-General's  office,  and  that  he  is  certain 
there  is  not  any  cash. 

We  are,  with  much  esteem  and  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servants,  JOHN  BERRIEN; 

HENRY  WILMOT. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  Wednesday  Evening,  August  7,  > 
nine  o'clock.      J 

DEAR  SIR  :  Colonel  Varnum  reports  from  Red-Hook, 
about  sunset  and  after,  as  many  as  one  hundred  boats  were 
seen  coming  from  Staten-Mand  to  the  ships,  full  of  men. 
Three  ships  went  towards  the  Narrows;  previous  to  which 
about  thirty  boats  with  soldiers  went  on  board  them.  From 
the  best  observations  made  by  Captain  Foster  and  others, 
there  is  a  general  embarkation. 

I  have  enclosed  a  report  from  an  officer  of  one  of  Colo- 
nel Hand's  out-guards,  sent  by  express  this  evening. 

Your  Excellency  will  pay  the  attention  the  intelligence 
deserves. 

I  am,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

NATH.  GREENE. 


WALTER  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  greatly  distressed  for  money  to  purchase  pro- 
visions for  the  use  of  the  Army.  I  am  indebted  very  large 
sums  for  flour,  transportation  of  stores,  &c.,  to  the  amount 
of  about  $50,000. 

The  military  chest  belonging  to  this  part  of  the  Army  is 
empty.  I  have  written  to  the  Commissary-General,  inform- 
ing him  of  the  necessity  there  was  of  sending  me  money. 
He  has  it  not,  or  I  am  persuaded  he  would  have  relieved  me. 

I  have  extended  my  own  credit,  and  that  of  my  friends. 
I  have  borrowed  moneys  on  interest,  that  the  service  might 
not  be  impeded.  I  am  apprehensive  it  will  be  impractica- 
ble for  me  to  support  the  Army  much  longer,  unless  that 
sum  is  sent  to  discharge  my  debts,  and  I  could  wish  a  further 
sum  might  be  advanced  to  enable  me  to  furnish  a  future 
supply.  I  cannot  procure  cattle  unless  I  have  cash;  they 
are  bought  in  States  where  my  credit  does  not  extend. 

I  think  it  is  a  duty  incumbent  on  me,  in  General  Schuy- 
ler's  absence,  to  give  your  Excellency  this  information  by 
express,  requesting  if  money  can  be  obtained,  that  it  may  be 
delivered  to  Captain  Tennis  V.  Vechten. 

Hoping  your  Excellency  will  excuse  this  application,  I 
remain  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 
WALTER  LIVINGSTON, 

Deputy  Commissary-General. 

To  His  Excellency  Major-General  George  Washington. 

P.  S.  August  9. — By  letters  last  night  from  Ticondemga, 
we  are  informed  that  forty  sail  of  French  ships  are  within 
four  leagues  of  Qutbeck,  and  that  General  Burgoyne  had 
retreated  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel.  This  account  was 
brought  by  two  French  gentlemen  in  our  service. 

RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  7,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  only  time  to  enclose  you  a  re- 
turn of  such  articles  as  have  been  forwarded  since  mine  of 


825 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


826 


the  1  st  instant.  To-morrow  I  shall  do  myself  the  honour  to 
enclose  you  a  general  return  of  all  the  articles  that  have  been 
forwarded  to  Fort  George  and  Wood  Creek  since  General 
Schuyler's  return  from  Tyonderoga;  and  after  this  day  you 
may  weekly  expect  a  general  return  of  everything  that  shall 
be  forwarded  from  hence.  All  these  articles  are  sent  by 
General  Arnold's  and  General  Schuyler's  directions  to  me, 
and  on  Colonel  TmmbuWs,  Colonel  Wynkoop's,  and  General 
Schuyler's  requisitions. 

The  powder  will  leave  this  place  on  Friday  morning, 
under  a  Captain's  guard ;  and  the  shot  will  be  forwarded  as 
soon  as  the  whole  is  finished;  before  which  time  I  shall  not 
have  it  in  my  power  to  furnish  the  moulds  requested  by 
Colonel  Trumbull.  Twelve  of  the  anchors,  in  the  enclosed 
return,  arrived  this  morning,  by  the  direction  of  Captain 
Bacon. 

The  cannon-shot  will  be  sent  as  soon  as  Colonel  Living- 
ston shall  furnish  me  with  this  article,  which  he  promises  to 
do  as  soon  as  they  can  possibly  be  cast. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours,  most  respectfully, 

RICHARD  VARICK. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

German-Plats,  August  7,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  Your  favour  of  the  3d  instant,  from 
Skenesborough,  is  come  to  hand.  I  thank  you  for  your  at- 
tention and  the  information  you  gave. 

Apprehensive  that  iron  and  a  variety  of  other  articles 
would  be  wanted,  I  have  repeatedly  ordered  every  article 
that  could  be  procured  to  be  sent  up.  The  iron  and  black- 
smith's tools  and  bellows,  I  hope  you  received  soon  after  the 
date  of  your  letter,  as  I  find  they  left  Albany  on  the  1st  instant. 
All  the  spikes  that  could  be  procured  were  sent,  and  the 
blacksmiths  at  Albany  are  employed  in  making  more,  which 
will  be  sent  as  fast  as  any  quantity  worth  sending  are  made. 
A  considerable  number  of  axes  are  already  forwarded ;  more 
are  going  up,  and  as  many  spades  as  can  be  procured. 

My  long  stay  here  very  much  distresses  me.  It  is,  how- 
ever, a  great  alleviation  of  my  anxiety  that  you  are  at  Skenes- 
borough, as  I  am  confident  that  you  will  expedite  the  work 
as  much  as  possible. 

I  am,  dear  General,  sincerely  your  most  obedient,  humble 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  General  Waterbury. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLEH  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMB0LL. 

German-Flats,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the  31st  July. 
A  variety  of  business  claiming  my  attention  when  1  en- 
treated you  to  aid  me  in  procuring  axes  for  the  Army,  I 
forgot  to  point  out  the  route  by  which  I  wished  them,  and 
every  article  from  your  Colony,  to  be  sent  to  the  Army;  and 
although  I  could  not  have  been  particular,  I  might  have  ob- 
served that  the  most  direct  road  to  Skenesborough  would 
not  only  be  the  speediest,  but  cheapest;  and  that  way  I  wish 
things  to  be  sent  in  future.  Colonel  Campbell,  I  am  informed, 
has  left  the  Army.  Who  acts  as  Deputy  Quartermaster- 
General  now,  I  am  not  yet  advised  of.  If  any  article  you 
send  is  directed  to  the  Deputy  Quartermaster-General,  the 
person  acting  as  such  will  pass  his  receipts  for  what  may  be 
delivered  to  him. 

I  am  this  moment  going  to  open  the  conference  with  the 
Indians,  who  are  collected  from  all  the  Six  Nations,  and 
some  Delawares  and  Mohegans.  The  number,  including 
women  and  children,  now  here,  is  seventeen  hundred  and 
eighteen,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  more  are  expected  to- 
day. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 


servant, 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


PH.  SCHUYLER. 


for  three  or  four  others.  The  carpenters  are  very  industrious 
and  spirited.  Nothing  will  retard  the  building  but  want  of 
plank  and  iron.  I  have  written  Captain  Varick  to  hurry  on 
the  latter,  and  have  ordered  the  carpenters  to  omit  building 
more  gondolas  than  those  on  the  stocks;  as  they  take  a  large 
quantity  of  plank,  and  retard  the  building  of  the  galleys, 
which  are  of  more  consequence.  One  gondola  will  be 
launched  to-morrow,  and  the  eighth  and  last  in  a  few  days. 
The  seamen  will  be  draughted  this  afternoon,  and  to-mor- 
row I  hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  at  Ticonde- 
roga. 

I  am,  with  sentiments  of  esteem  and  respect,  dear  General, 

your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

B.  ARNOLD. 

To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 

P.  S.  Militia  come  in  fast.     Nothing  new  at  Albany  the 
4th  instant.  B.  A. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  7,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  found  on  my  arrival  here  last  evening 
the  galleys  much  more  forward  than  I  expected.  Three  will 
be  launched  in  a  fortnight,  if  not  sooner,  and  timber  is  cut 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

Tyonderoga,  August  7,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Connor,  of  Colonel  Wingate's  regiment  of 
New-Hampshire  Militia.  I  send  him  with  a  number  of 
batteaus  to  bring  the  rest  of  Colonel  Wingate's  regiment  and 
the  rest  of  Colonel  Wyman's  regiment  to  this  post,  where 
ground  is  marked  out  and  a  station  appointed  for  those  two 
regiments.  I  will  be  much  obliged  to  you  to  acquaint  rne 
what  Militia  regiments  that  arrive  at  your  post  are  supplied 
with  tents,  and  what  not.  When  more  are  ordered  to  this 
place,  you  will  send  those  first  who  are  supplied  with  tents. 

General  Arnold,  who  went  to  Skenesborough  this  day, 
will  apply  to  you  for  all  the  seamen  that  can  be  supplied 
from  your  post. 

I  am,  sir,  &tc.,  HORATIO  GATES. 

To  General  Waterbury. 

Orders  and  Instructions  for  the  Hon.  BENEDICT  ARNOLD, 

Esq.,  Brigadier-General  in  the  Army  of  the  UNITED 

STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

Upon  your  arrival  at  Crown-Point,  you  will  proceed,  with 
the  Fleet  of  the  United  States  under  your  command,  down 
Lake  Champlain,  to  the  narrow  pass  of  the  Lake  made  by 
the  Split  Rock,  or  to  the  other  narrow  approach  down  the 
Lake,  made  by  Isle-aux-Tetes  and  the  opposite  shore.  YQII 
will  station  the  fleet  in  the  best  manner  to  maintain  the  pos- 
session of  those  passes,  according  as  your  judgment  shall 
determine,  cautiously  avoiding  to  place  the  vessels  in  a  man- 
ner which  might  unnecessarily  expose  them  to  the  enemy's 
heavy  artillery  from  the  shore.  You  will  most  religiously 
observe  that  it  is  my  positive  order  that  you  do  not  com- 
mand the  fleet  to  sail  below  the  pass  of  the  Isle-aux-Tetes, 
above  mentioned,  incessantly  reflecting,  that  the  preventing 
the  enemy's  invasion  of  our  country  is  the  ultimate  end  of 
the  important  command  with  which  you  are  now  intrusted. 
It  is  a  defensive  war  we  are  carrying  on,  therefore  no  wan- 
ton risk  or  unnecessary  display  of  the  power  of  the  fleet  is 
at  any  time  to  influence  your  conduct.  Should  the  enemy 
come  up  the  Lake,  and  attempt  to  force  their  way  through 
the  pass  you  are  stationed  to  defend,  in  that  case  you  will 
act  with  such  cool,  determined  valour,  as  will  give  them 
reason  to  repent  their  temerity.  But  if,  contrary  to  my  hope 
and  expectation,  their  fleet  should  have  so  increased  as  to 
force  an  entrance  into  the  upper  part  of  the  Lake,  then, 
after  you  shall  have  discovered  the  insufficiency  of  every 
effort  to  retard  their  progress,  you  will,  in  the  best  manner 
you  can,  retire  with  your  squadron  to  Ticonderoga.  Every 
vessel  in  the  fleet  being  furnished  with  a  batteau,  you  will 
have  it  in  your  power  to  keep  out  scout-boats  at  night,  and 
occasionally  to  annoy  the  enemy's  small  craft.  In  the  day- 
time your  boats  can  act,  when  opportunity  offers,  under 
cover  of  the  cannon  of  your  fleet. 

As  the  most  honourable  the  Congress  of  the  United  States 
rest  a  great  dependance  on  your  wise  and  prudent  conduct 
in  the  management  of  this  fleet,  you  will  on  no  account 
detach  yourself  from  it,  upon  the  lesser  services  above  men- 
tioned. A  resolute  but  judicious  defence  of  the  northern 
entrance  into  this  side  of  the  Continent,  is  the  momentous 
part  which  is  committed  to  your  courage  and  abilities.  I 
doubt  not  you  will  secure  it  from  further  invasion. 


827 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


828 


As  I  am  entirely  unacquainted  with  Marine  affairs,  I  shall 
not  presume  to  give  any  directions  respecting  the  duty  and 
discipline  of  the  seamen  and  marines  on  board  the  fleet. 

I  have  traced  the  great  outline  of  that  service  which  your 
country  expects  from  the  rank  and  character  you  have 
acquired.  I  have,  as  is  my  duty,  fixed  the  limits  beyond 
which  you  are  not  to  go.  But  you  must  communicate  that 
restriction  to  nobody.  I  wish,  on  the  contrary,  that  words 
occasionally  dropped  from  you,  with  that  prudence  which 
excludes  every  sort  of  affectation,  and  which,  I  believe,  you 
possess,  may,  together  with  all  your  motions,  induce  our 
own  people  to  conclude  it  is  our  real  intention  to  invade  the 
enemy,  which,  after  all,  may  happen.  It  will  keep  up  their 
spirits  without  affecting  your  reputation,  whatever  may  be 
the  event. 

It  only  remains  for  me  to  recommend  you  to  the  protec- 
tion of  that  Power  upon  whose  mercy  we  place  our  hopes 
of  freedom  here,  and  of  happiness  hereafter.  You  will  fre- 
quently report  the  slate  and  situation  of  your  fleet,  and  of 
every  interesting  occurrence. 

Given  at  Ticonderoga,  this  7th  day  of  August,  1776. 
HORATIO  GATES,  Major-General. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Tyonderoga,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit  to  your 
Excellency  a  general  return  of  the  troops  immediately  under 
my  command.  It  is  as  perfect  as  the  circumstances  will 
admit ;  but  the  numbers  at  the  General  Hospital  at  Lake 
George,  and  upon  both  communications,  where  correctness 
is  not  attended  to  with  that  diligence  required  by  good  dis- 
cipline, obliges  me  to  send  it  somewhat  imperfect  to  your 
Excellency.  The  very  great  desertion  from  this  Army  has, 
I  believe,  been  principally  occasioned  by  the  dread  of  the 
small-pox ;  but  many  have  also  been  induced  to  desert  by 
the  vast  bounty  given  for  substitutes  in  the  Militia:  fifty 
dollars  a  man  have,  in  many  instances,  been  given  to  men 
who  inlisted  in  the  Militia  from  New-Hampshire.  This 
aggravates  and  disgusts  the  Continental  regiments  so  much, 
that  I  am  apprehensive  it  will  be  extremely  difficult  to  retain 
them  for  another  campaign.  This,  as  it  well  deserves  the 
attention  of  your  Excellency  and  the  Congress,  will,  I  dare 
say,  be  duly  regarded. 

In  the  packet  your  Excellency  will  find  the  examinations 
of  four  French  Captains  of  Colonel  Livingston's  Canadian 
regiment.  The  two  latter  differ  materially  from  the  two 
former.  My  Secretary,  who  is  an  Old  France  gentleman, 
and  perfectly  skilled  in  the  language,  interpreted  the  facts 
contained  in  it.  Upon  the  same  sheet  is  the  examination  of 
Lieutenant  Whitcomb  of  Colonel  BurrcWs  Connecticut  regi- 
ment, which  corresponds  in  some  degree  with  the  informa- 
tion of  Captain  Mesnard  and  his  associate. 

Your  Excellency  will  also  find  enclosed  a  copy  of  my 
letter  of  yesterday  to  the  President  of  the  honourable  the 
Continental  Congress.  General  Schuyler  will  doubtless  by 
the  same  conveyance  send  his  report  of  what  has  been  doing 
upon  the  Mohawk  River,  and  of  the  state  of  the  troops 
there,  and  upon  the  communication  from  the  great  Oneida 
carrying-place  to  Albany. 

Last  night  General  Waterbury  sent  the  enclosed  report 
from  Skenesborough.  I  believe  your  Excellency  will  think 
with  me  how  justly  Captain  Wethersbee  deserves  to  be 
punished.  These  men  get  an  enormous  bounty  from  their 
countrymen,  are  highly  paid  by  the  Continent,  and  then, 
rather  than  march  where  they  are  commanded,  they  get 
inoculated,  by  which  a  month  of  the  short  time  they  are 
engaged  for  elapses,  and  perhaps  the  health  of  the  whole 
Army  is  endangered.  I  have  sent  a  state  of  this  scandalous 
affair  to  Governour  Trumbull  and  Major  Haivley.  They,  I 
think,  will  find  some  method  to  punish  the  delinquents ;  to 
bring  them  here,  in  our  circumstances,  would  be  ruin. 

Colonel  Stark,  in  the  name  of  the  Field-Officers  of  this 
Army,  delivered  me  yesterday  the  enclosed  paper.  I  think 
it  beyond  me  to  determine  upon  it,  and  shall  wait  your 
Excellency's  commands  thereupon. 

The  campaign  in  Canada  has  been,  beyond  a  doubt, 
exceedingly  severe ;  the  retreat  from  thence  distressful,  and 
attended  with  a  variety  of  calamitous  circumstances.  I  am 
sure  it  is  the  wish  of  your  Excellency  and  this  Congress  to 
reward  the  deserving  officer.  Some  small  soulagemcnt  to 


these  troops  would  not  be  misplaced,  to  soften  the  rigours 
they  have  endured. 

Major  Pierce  being  extremely  ill  of  a  fever,  leaves  me 
and  my  Secretary  more  writing  to  do  than  we  can  possibly 
accomplish.  The  Congress,  your  Excellency,  and  General 
Schuyler,  with  all  the  necessary  business  of  this  Army,  cause 
more  writing  than  two  hands  can  well  perform. 

With  my  most  respectful  compliments  to  your  Excellency, 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

Report  of  Captain  ANTHONY  MESNARD'S  Examination. 

Captain  Mesnard,  who  arrived  here  the  6th  instant,  was 
at  Chambly  the  14th  ultimo,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  same 
day  accidentally  met  in  the  woods,  about  three  leagues  from 
that  place,  with  L'Oiseau  and  Attain,  who  had  left  their 
homes  about  a  week  before,  whose  intelligence,  therefore, 
could  not  be  so  fresh,  and,  moreover,  was  to  have  been  sup- 
ported by  Captain  Mesnard's.  He  confirms,  indeed,  what 
the  others  said  relative  to  the  commissions  burnt  by  the 
Militia,  and  other  officers,  employed  by  Congress;  but  he 
denies  the  confiscation  of  any  estate  belonging  to  those  who 
have  retreated  with  our  Army.  He  says  there  .was  a  secret 
report  of  a  fleet  being  down  the  river,  but  could  not  learn 
any  of  the  motions  mentioned  by  L'Oiseau  and  Attain. 
He  affirms  there  were  about  four  thousand  men  at  Chambly, 
St.  John's,  and  on  the  Sorel,  all  English,  and  that  about 
two  thousand,  and  no  more,  Germans  were  at  Montreal  and 
La  Prairie ;  that  one  deserter,  and  no  more,  of  these  Ger- 
mans, was  at  Mr.  Metcalf's.  This  deserter,  who  travelled 
along  with  them  from  near  Chambly  to  Mr.  Metcalf's,  where 
he  was  left,  being  over-fatigued,  had  been  kindly  entertained 
and  concealed-in  a  house  near  the  place  where  Mesnard  met 
with  L'Oiseau  and  Attain;  and  he  told  them  that  sixty 
(not  seventy)  of  his  comrades  had  deserted  together  on  the 
same  day. 

Mesnard  reports  likewise,  that  Governour  Carleton  trans- 
ported his  artillery  to  and  from  Isle-aux-Noix,  Chambly,  and 
St.  John's,  but  does  not  know  the  reason  of  that  manoeuvre. 
His  report  is  nearly  the  same  as  theirs  respecting  the  enemy's 
batteaus,  but  then,  he  declares,  that  when  the  Committee 
of  Newbury  examined  them,  he  upbraided  L'Oiseau  and 
Attain  for  giving  false  intelligence;  but  that  they  had  the 
advantage  of  him,  as  Attain,  who  is  an  Acadian  and  speaks 
good  English,  could  tell  the  Committee  what  he  pleased  to 
tell  them.  It  is  very  necessary  here  to  observe,  that  when 
Attain  was  examined  in  the  presence  of  General  Gates,  he 
pretended  he  could  hardly  speak  English,  and  therefore 
was  questioned  in  French  only  by  the  General's  Secretary. 
The  other  parts  of  the  intelligence  given  by  Attain  and 
L'Oiseau  are  nearly  similar  to  that  of  Mesnard,  excepting 
the  few  particulars  which  are  not  mentioned  in  this,  and  not 
evidently  contradicted  by  it. 

Lieutenant  Whitcomb's  report,  which  shall  be  added  to 
this  as  soon  as  delivered  by  him,  in  writing,  seems  to  con- 
firm Captain  Mesnard's. 
August  7,  1776. 

N.  B.  Lieutenant  Whitcomb  has  on  this  day,  the  9th  in- 
stant, delivered  a  Journal,  sent  herewith  by  the  General. 

A  Journal  of  a  scout  from  CROWN-POINT  to  ST.  JOHN'S, 
CHAMBLY,  IfC.,  fyc.,  by  Lieutenant  BENJAMIN  WHITCOMB 
and  four  men,  as  follows,  viz  : 

July  14th,  set  out  from  Crown-Point,  went  seven  miles 
that  night ;  the  wind  being  very  high,  we  could  go  no  farther. 
Fifteenth  day  we  got  to  Onion  River  at  dark;  the  wind  and 
rain  being  severe,  we  could  go  no  farther.  Sixteenth  day 
was  obliged  to  lay  by,  the  weather  being  very  tempestuous. 
Seventeenth,  in  the  evening,  we  set  out,  and  went  twenty 
miles.  Eighteenth  the  wind  and  rain  being  so  severe,  we 
could  not  move  from  our  present  station.  Nineteenth,  at 
night,  we  set  out  and  arrived  at  the  head  of  Masisque-Bay 
at  break  of  day.  Twentieth  day  we  travelled  till  we  came 
opposite  St.  John's.  The  two  Frenchmen  being  uneasy 
and  not  willing  to  go  near  St.  John's,  I  told  them  to  take  a 
Frenchman  and  examine  him  and  return  home;  upon  which 
we  left  them,  and  went  towards  St.  John's.  In  the  evening 
we  came  within  about  five  miles  of  St.  John's,  heard  the 


829 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


830 


drum  beat,  &;c.  Twenty-first,  the  day  being  cloudy  and 
rainy,  we  got  to  the  river  about  noon;  we  lay  there  all  day 
in  hopes  of  taking  a  prisoner,  but  none  appeared.  Twenty- 
second,  at  day-break,  we  went  down  to  the  river  side,  staid 
there  till  the  sun  was  half  an  hour  high,  counted  thirty  bat- 
teaus  in  the  water  all,  finished,  nine  on  the  stocks;  there  were 
also  six  saws  employed  by  hand  to  saw  boards,  all  appear- 
ing to  work  with  great  life  and  activity;  staying  there  all 
day  till  night,  and  finding  none  except  the  guard,  they  keep- 
ing close,  we  imagined  it  difficult  to  get  a  prisoner  there. 
We  then  set  out  to  go  to  Chambly,  and  on  the  way  saw  four 
batteaus  laden  with  barrels;  we  tben  proceeded  to  a  French 
house,  where  we  found  a  canoe,  and  crossed  the  river  at  the 
lower  end  of  the  Island,  where  we  saw  a  large  number  of 
lights,  and  supposed  them  to  be  a  party  of  Regulars  con- 
sisting of  about  one  hundred.  We  supposed  there  were  at 
St.  John's,  of  Regulars,  between  two  and  three  thousand. 
Then  going  into  the  road  leading  into  Montreal,  we  soon 
perceived  we  were  discovered  by  the  enemy;  returned  from 
the  road  a  small  distance,  and  then  went  forward  about  a 
mile  and  came  into  the  road  again.  Immediately  a  file  of 
men  passed,  upon  which  I  concealed  myself,  and  after  they 
had  passed  me,  returned  again  into  the  road  and  followed 
them  a  small  distance,  where  I  perceived  them  sitting,  who 
discovered  us  again,  upon  which  we  concealed  ourselves  a 
second  time.  Coming  again  near  the  road,  we  made  obser- 
vations on  the  road  and  passengers;  observed  seventeen  carts 
laden  with  barrels  going  towards  St.  John's ;  also  seven  armed 
Indians.  That  evening  went  in  search  of  provisions,  at 
which  time  the  man  who  was  in  company  left  me.  Twenty- 
third,  early  in  the  morning,  I  returned  to  my  former  place  of 
abode,  staid  there  the  whole  day,  saw  twenty-three  carts 
laden  with  barrels  and  tents  going  to  St.  John's.  Twenty- 
fourth,  staid  at  the  same  place  till  about  twelve  o'clock, 
then  fired  on  an  officer,*  and  moved  immediately  into  Cham- 
bly road;  being  discovered,  retreated  back  into  the  woods, 
and  staid  till  night;  then  taking  the  road  and  passing  the 
guards  till  I  came  below  Chambly,  finding  myself  discovered, 
was  obliged  to  conceal  myself  in  the  brush  till  dark.  The 
25th  instant,  on  which  I  made  my  escape  by  the  guards,  I 
saw  upwards  of  forty  carts  preparing  to  go  to  St.  John's,  and 
I  judge  there  were  lying  at  that  place  and  on  the  road  about 
one  full  regiment  of  Regulars.  Twenty-sixth,  on  my  march 
towards  Montreal  road,  I  saw  a  party  of  Regulars  coming 
towards  me,  upon  which  1  made  my  escape  as  fast  as  possi- 
ble, by  the  way  promising  myself  some  provisions.  Came 
to  the  aforesaid  road  again;  saw  twenty-seven  armed  Indians 
passing  towards  St.  John's,  and  a  considerable  number  of 
empty  carts  returning  towards  Montreal;  at  the  same  time 
heard  thirty-four  platoons  fired  towards  Montreal,  and  heard 
near  the  same  number  fired  every  evening  and  morning  from 
the  same  parts  during  the  whole  of  my  stay  in  those  parts. 
Twenty-seventh,  setting  out  for  home,  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Lake,  nothing  remarkable  happened,  only  detained  by 
bad  weather,  and  under  great  disadvantages  in  travelling  for 
want  of  a  compass.  Arrived  at  this  place  on  the  6th  of 

BENJAMIN  WHITCOMB,  Lieutenant. 
•[General  Gordon.] 

GOVEKNOUR  THUMBULL  TO  NATHANIEL  SHAW,  JUN. 

Lebanon,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  yesterday  per  Captain  Richard 
Deshon.  The  sloop  purchased  from  Captain  Walker  I  trust 
will  be  got  ready  for  service  with  all  possible  diligence  and 
despatch.  Captain  Leonard  Van  Buren  brings  letters  from 
General  Schuyler.  He  will  show  you  the  invoice  of  articles 
to  be  purchased  for  the  use  of  the  United  States.  Be  so 
good  as  to  give  him  your  best  advice.  If  there  is  anything 
wherein  you  can  furnish  him,  please  to  do  it,  and  signify  it 
to  me.  Mention  is  made  as  though  Mr.  Mumford  is  able 
to  afford  assistance  in  the  matter:  please  to  let  Mr.  Van 
Buren  know  concerning  it,  and  direct  him  to  apply  to  Mr. 
Mumford,  if  probable.  It  requires  despatch.  Gen.  Schuylcr 
writes  for  five  Captains  to  command  vessels  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  to  engage  and  carry  with  them  forty  men  apiece. 
Please  to  advise  me  on  this  head.  I  expect  Mr.  Van 
Buren's  return  to-morrow. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JONA.  TRUMBULL. 
To  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  Esq. 


COLONEL  WARD  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Guilford,  August  7,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  received  your  order  dated  the  1st  of 
August,  which  I  prosecuted  with  as  much  despatch  as  pos- 
sible ;  last  evening,  those  bearing  date  the  5th.  Shall  send 
orders  to  the  several  Captains  with  as  much  speed  as  I  can, 
and  hope  soon  to  have  the  regiment  on  their  march.  Wish 
it  might  be  as  agreeable  to  the  officers  and  men  as  to  my- 
self. I  have  received  a  line  from  Captains  Cutler,  Stedman, 
and  Dennie,  in  which  they  express  their  fears  that  it  will 
be  very  disagreeable  to  their  soldiers  to  march  anywhere  but 
to  Boston,  which  I  was  sorry  to  hear.  Make  no  doubt  your 
Honour  will  do  all  in  your  power  to  make  them  easy  with 
their  destination,  should  they  be  otherwise.  From  what 
returns  I  have  had  the  regiment  is  not  full — Captain  Prior 
sixty-one,  Dana  eighty,  Cutler  forty-one,  Stedman  forty, 
and  Captain  Meigs  forty,  are  all  the  returns  I  have  received. 
Captain  Prior  told  me  he  believed  Phelps  and  Pettibone 
had  more  inlisted  than  he.  The  Field-Officers'  commis- 
sions I  have  not  heard  whether  they  have  arrived  from  Con- 
gress. We  had  a  report  in  town  last  night  by  Colonel 
IVakott,  that  one  of  our  rowrgalleys  had  returned  to  New- 
York,  having  split  her  gun ;  the  others  were  playing  on  the 
ships  up  the  river.  I  shall  do  all  in  my  power  to  join  the 
Army  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  am,  sir,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ANDREW  WARD,  Jun. 
To  Govemour  Trumbull. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Boston,  August  7,  1776. 

SIR:  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your  notice  Mr.  Na- 
thaniel Barber,  Jun.,  Deputy  Commissary  of  Artillery  in 
this  department ;  he  has  ever  appeared  to  me  to  be  a  faith- 
ful, active  officer,  and  very  well  calculated  for  the  depart- 
ment in  which  he  has  acted;  he  has  no  establishment,  and 
therefore  applied  to  me  to  write  to  Congress  that  one  might 
be  made.  I  conceive  that  as  it  is  an  important  office,  and 
the  duties  attending  it  are  not  small,  the  establishment  ought 
to  be  equal  to  a  Captain's  pay;  however,  of  this  Congress 
is  the  judge;  and  I  should  not  have  given  any  opinion  re- 
specting it,  but  from  an  apprehension  that  you  might  incline 
to  have  some  information  with  regard  to  the  duties  of  such 
an  office  in  this  department. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

State  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  in  Committee  of  Council,  ) 
Watertown,  August  7,  1776.     $ 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  Your  letter  of  the 
25th  ultimo,  enclosing  a  resolve  of  the  honourable  Congress 
of  the  8th  of  July,  respecting  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  the 
battalions  raising  in  this  State  for  Canada,  has  been  consi- 
dered by  us,  and  it  is  with  pleasure  we  can  inform  your  Ex- 
cellency that  we  apprehend  everything  that  is  necessary  has 
been  done  respecting  the  matter,  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of 
Congress,  and  that  General  Schuyler  and  Commissary  Trum- 
bull have  been  made  fully  acquainted  with  the  route  the 
troops  were  to  take,  and  that  they  approve  of  the  same,  and 
have  given  directions  for  their  being  supplied  accordingly. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Committee,  I  have  the 
honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  ser- 
vant, JOHN  WINTHROP,  Chairman. 
To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq.,  Commander- 

in-Chief  of  the  Forces  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

at  Nno-York. 


JOHN  AVERY  TO  ABSENT  MEMBERS    OF    THE    MASSACHUSETTS 

COUNCIL. 

In  Committee  of  Council,  Boston,  August  7,  1776. 
SIR  :  I  am  directed  by  the  Committee  of  Council  to  ac- 
quaint you  that  there  are  many  important  matters  now  before 
them,  which  require  the  presence  of  the  major  part  of  the 
Council ;  therefore  it  is  requested  that  your  Honour  would, 
without  fail,  give  your  attendance  at  the  Board  on  Tuesday 
next,  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon. 

In  the  name  and  per  order  of  the  Committee  of  Council: 

JOHN  AVERY,  Dcp.  Sec. 


831 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


832 


LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  WILLIAM  HEY. 

Whitehall,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  His  Majesty's  Province  of  Quebeck  being  cleared 
of  the  Rebels,  it  becomes  highly  necessary  that  the  Courts 
of  Justice  should  be  forthwith  opened,  and  publick  business 
carried  on  in  the  usual  form.  I  must,  therefore,  beg  the 
favour  of  you  to  acquaint  me,  for  his  Majesty's  information, 
by  what  time  you  can  be  ready  to  embark  for  that  Pro- 
vince. I  am,  &tc. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JOHN  HANSON. 


{No.  127.] 


Annapolis,  August  8,  1776. 


GENTLEMEN:  We  send  you  the  sum  of  £300  currency, 
for  purchase  of  arms  and  blankets,  in  consequence  of  a  let- 
ter of  the  5th  instant  received  from  Mr.  Hanson,  your 
Chairman;  but  you  will  be  pleased  to  observe  that  the  rifle- 
men find  their  own  guns,  which,  by  order  of  Congress,  are 
to  be  appraised  and  paid  for  by  the  United  Colonies.  The 
German  companies  we  have  nothing  further  to  do  with,  but 
to  pay  their  bounty  money,  which  we  have  already  done. 
What  arms  or  blankets  you  may  purchase  more  than  suffi- 
cient for  the  Flying-Camp,  in  your  County,  be  pleased  to 
send  down  to  us  under  guard.  Major  Price  alleges  he  con- 
tracted for  a  number  of  rifles,  which  have  been  given  out 
without  his  directions.  You  will  set  this  matter  right,  and 
will  soon  have  an  opportunity  of  doing  so,  as  Major  Price  is 
coming  up  to  Frederick -Town. 

We  are,  &tc. 

To  John  Hanson,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  Committee  of  Middle 
District  of  Frederick  County. 


MATTHEW  TILGHMAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Talbot  County,  August  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Thomas  as 
Quartermaster  of  the  Fourth  Battalion,  Mr.  William  Perry 
is  desirous  of  being  placed  in  his  stead.  I  therefore  beg 
leave  to  recommend  him  to  your  favour,  as  a  person  who,  in 
my  opinion,  will  not  fail  to  execute  the  office  properly,  and 
whose  appointment  will  give  satisfaction. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

MAT.  TILGHMAN. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  Annapolis. 

August  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  you  have  my  commission  of 
Quartermaster,  which  I  resign,  and  earnestly  request  you  to 
appoint  Mr.  William  Perry  in  my  stead.  His  being  appoint- 
ed I  think  will  give  general  satisfaction. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

NIC.  THOMAS. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


CAPTAIN  MANTZ  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Leonardtown,  August  8, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  of  the  disappoint- 
ment 1  and  my  company  have  met  with ;  and  am  really  sorry 
to  say,  that  1  believe  I  shall  not  have  one-third  of  my  men 
able  to  do  duty,  if  we  should  continue  here  for  ten  or  fifteen 
days.  People  here  are  unprovided  with  provisions,  which 
I  believe  are  not  to  be  had  at  any  rates.  The  greater  part  of 
my  men  have  been  obliged  to  live  forty-eight  hours  without 
the  least  bit  of  bread  or  meat,  by  which  means  some  of  them 
were  obliged  to  act  disagreeably  and  clissatisfactorily  to  me, 
although  I  could  not  by  any  means  prevent  them.  The 
water  and  climate  here  are  very  unhealthy  to  those  people 
especially  who  came  from  my  quarter.  Although,  gentle- 
men, if  it  is  not  in  your  power,  or  cannot  be  obtained  by  us 
to  return  to  a  place  more  healthy  and  agreeable  to  my  men, 
and  where  they  may  perhaps  be  of.  more  service  to  their 
country,  I  am  willing  to  comply  with  your  orders,  and  die 
in  the  cause.  I  am  at  present  out  of  cash,  and  would  be 
glad  if  you  would  furnish  me  as  soon  as  possible,  as  nothing 
here  is  to  be  had  without. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

PETER  MANTZ. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


ISAAC  GRIEST  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore-Town,  August  8,  177G. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Agreeable  to  your  instructions  of  the  6th, 
I  have  made  inquiry  for  tent-makers,  but  could  find  none  in 
this  place,  except  those  employed  by  the  Council  of  Safety, 
and  they  tell  me  that  they  will  engage  to  deliver  between 
fifty  and  sixty  tents  every  week,  provided  they  are  supplied 
with  stuff  to  make  them  with.  They  say  they  have  about 
twenty  made,  or  will  be  by  the  last  of  this  week,  and  have 
wrought  up  all  the  stuff  they  have.  I  shall  have  tent-polls 
made  for  each  tent.  Colonel  Thomas  Ewing  has  applied 
to  me  for  a  number  of  canteens,  and  them  to  be  slung. 
Pray  shall  I  have  them  slung,  and  let  him  have  them?  The 
slinging  of  them  will  be  one  shilling  each.  Should  be  glad 
of  your  orders  in  the  matter.  I  have  all  the  coopers  that  I 
can  get  employed  at  the  canteens,  but  they  come  on  but 
slowly  as  yet.  Most  people  most  approve  of  the  oak  ones. 

All  from  yours  to  command,  j  Q 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  letters  of  the  7th,  with  the  papers  enclosed, 
are  received  and  now  under  consideration  of  Congress. 

Enclosed  I  send  you  a  resolution  passed  respecting  Lieu- 
tenant Josiah.  He  was  first  Lieutenant  of  Captain  Nicholas 
Biddle,  and  was  taken  in  a  ship  Captain  Biddle  had  made 
prize  of,  by  the  Cerberus  frigate.  By  a  letter  which  he 
found  means  to  convey,  he  informs,  that  "  he  is  used  worse 
than  he  ever  thought  one  Englishman  could  use  another; 
that  he  was  sent  before  the  mast  with  the  rest,  but  upon 
refusing  to  do  duty  was  given  under  the  charge  of  three 
boatswain's  mates,  and  expects  the  gangway  soon,  as  he  is 
daily  threatened." 

An  order  is  this  moment  passed  for  calling  General  Lee 
from  the  southward,  and  to-morrow  is  appointed  for  electing 
a  number  of  Major-Generals  and  Brigadier-Generals. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  You  will  please  to  mention  the  matter  of  Lieu- 
tenant Josiah  as  real  information,  but  not  discover  that  it 
was  by  letter,  as  it  may  prove  injurious  in  case  he  is  not 
exchanged. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

Philadelphia,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  Congress  having  this  day  received  a  letter  from 
General  Washington,  containing  very  important  information, 
I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  same. 
You  will  there  perceive  that  General  Clinton,  with  the  troops 
under  his  command,  has  joined  General  Howe  at  Staten- 
Island,  having  left  South- Carolina  soon  after  the  defeat  he 
and  Commodore  Parker  sustained  at  Sullivan's  Island.  In 
consequence  of  this  intelligence  the  Congress  are  convinced 
that  the  enemy,  by  collecting  their  whole  force  into  a  point, 
are  determined  to  make  a  most  vigorous  exertion  at  New- 
York;  and,  in  order  to  ensure  success  in  that  quarter,  are 
disposed  for  the  present  to  overlook  every  other  object.  The 
getting  possession  of  that  city,  and  the  junction  of  the  two 
Armies  under  Generals  Howe  and  Burgoyne,  seem  to  be  the 
grand  objects  they  have  in  view,  to  the  attainment  of  which 
they  give  up  every  inferior  consideration. 

In  this  situation  of  our  affairs,  the  Congress  being  of 
opinion  your  services  in  the  Middle  Department  will  be 
necessary,  I  have  it  in  command  to  direct  that  you  repair  as 
soon  as  possible  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  there  to  receive 
such  orders  as  they  may  think  proper  to  give  you.  The 
attack  at  New-York  being  hourly  expected,  and  the  event 
of  it  uncertain,  I  am  to  request  you  will  use  the  greatest 
expedition  on  the  way. 

With  the  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  prosperity,  I 
have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  utmost  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Lee,  South-  Carolina. 


833 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fac.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


834 


CJESAR  RODNEY  TO  THOMAS  RODNEY. 


Philadelphia,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  As  I  have  received  no  letter  from  you  by  the  last 
post,  and  have  little  or  no  intelligence  except  what  you  will 
find  in  the  papers,  am  at  loss  what  to  write  you. 

The  Delaware  battalion  is  under  marching  orders  forAm- 
boy,  subject  to  General  Washington's  further  orders.  They 
are  completely  armed — as  fine  guns  as  you  could  wish  to  see. 

Having  a  few  idle  moments,  I  have  enclosed  you  a  paper 
containing  a  few  queries,  and  submit  to  you  whether  that,  or 
something  like  it,  taken  and  copied  in  an  unknown  hand, 
and  secretly  distributed,  so  as  to  become  publick  at  this  time, 
might  not  be  of  use,  by  drawing  the  serious  attention  of  the 
people  at  this  important  crisis.  But  as  I  know  but  very  little, 
or  rather  nothing,  of  the  present  politicks  or  the  disposition 
of  the  people  at  this  time,  wholly  submit  the  matter  to  you, 
and  wish  the  people  may  consider  their  true  interest. 

Mr.  McKean  is  still  in  the  Jerseys,  and  not  likely  soon  to 
return.  The  terms  of  Confederation  now  before  the  Con- 
gress, and  our  Colony  not  represented  without  Read  and  me 
both,  therefore  cannot  expect  to  see  you  in  Kent  very  soon. 

I  am  yours,  &c.,  C«SAR  RODNEY. 


War  Office,  Philadelphia,  August  8,  1776. 
The  Congress  having  resolved  "  That  the  Commanding 
Officers  of  the  several  Battalions  of  Militia  now  in  this  city 
be  ordered  instantly  to  march  to  Amloy,  in  New- Jersey,  and 
that  in  case  any  of  the  Militia  want  arms,  that  they  be  left 
under  a  proper  officer  until  they  can  be  provided  with  arms, 
and  those  that  have  arms  march  without  any  further  delay ; 
and  that  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  see  this  resolution 
carried  into  immediate  execution :"  I  have  it  in  direction 
from  the  Board  of  War  to  notify  all  the  Officers  command- 
ing Battalions  or  detached  Companies,  now  in  this  city,  of 
the  said  resolve  of  Congress,  and  they  are  hereby  required 
to  pay  immediate  obedience  thereto. 

RICHARD  PETERS,  Secretary. 

Philadelphia,  August  8,  1776. 

The  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Detachment  of  Associa- 
tors  left  for  the  defence  of  the  city,  for  the  last  time  gives 
notice  to  the  persons  who  have  entered  into  the  several  com- 
panies and  do  not  attend  their  duty,  that  they  will  be  severely 
dealt  with  unless  they  immediately  alter  their  conduct.  It 
is  extremely  hard  upon  their  fellow-citizens,  some  of  whom 
are  obliged  to  do  double  duty,  owing  to  the  negligence  of 
others  in  not  attending  roll-calling,  and  thereby  escaping 
being  put  upon  guard.  Those  who  have  entered  their  names, 
as  many  seem  to  have  done,  to  save  appearances,  will  not 
be  surprised  if  they  see  a  catalogue  of  delinquents  published, 
besides  feeling  the  inconveniences  of  a  rigid  execution  of  the 
articles  by  which  we  are  bound.  The  example  of  one  is 
constantly  an  argument  for  the  delinquency  of  another,  and 
therefore  every  individual  neglecting  his  duty  does  a  double 
injury.  Calling  upon  people,  over  whom  command  should 
be  exercised,  in  this  way,  may,  perhaps,  be  unsoldierly,  but 
as  they  are  his  fellow-citizens,  who  from  hard  necessity  have 
become  soldiers,  it  will  relieve  the  Officer  from  the  least 
anxiety,  after  the  Associators  being  thus  reminded  of  their 
duty,  when  (with  the  concurrence  and  assistance  of  the  other 
Officers  and  Privates,  who  have  virtue  enough  to  attend  to 
the  service  and  support  authority)  he  executes  his,  as  he 
ever  has,  and  means  in  future  to  do,  without  distinction  of 
persons.  It  is  too  late  now  to  talk  of  those  who,  let  their 
motives  be  inability,  cowardice,  or  an  aversion  to  our  cause, 
have  refused  to  enter  into  the  service  of  their  country.  Leave 
them  to  be  properly  dealt  with,  as  they  certainly  will  be,  by 
our  Convention  or  Legislature.  Those  who  refuse  their  duty 
on  this  account,  afford  consequence  to  people  who  deserve 
none,  and  give  their  tardiness  or  baseness  double  force. 
Every  one  has  it  in  his  election  whether  or  not  he  will  be- 
come a  soldier.  If  he  does  not,  he  subjects  himself  to  the 
disgrace  and  penalties  attending  his  situation ;  but  when  he 
has  engaged  in  that  capacity,  he  is  bound  to  an  adherence 
to  discipline. 


desires  to  inform,  that  his  absence  has  been  entirely  owing 
to  the  partial  and  unjust  conduct  exercised  over  those  who 
had  entered  to  do  the  necessary  duty  of  the  city.  He  should 
not  think  himself  justified  in  neglecting  of  duty,  had  he  not 
frequently  desired  the  officers  to  exercise  their  authority, 
and  enrol  all  Associators  who  had  not  joined  their  respect- 
ive companies  at  the  camp  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety  of  the  17th  ultimo.  This  would  oblige 
you  to  compel  some  of  rank  and  fortune,  who  have  had  the 
credit  of  associating,  but  never  experienced  any  of  the  fatigue 
or  duty  attending  it.  Those,  sir,  you  still  seem  inclinable 
not  to  notice,  as  persons  of  no  consequence.  There  can  be 
but  little  expectation  of  those  persons  being  properly  dealt 
with,  who,  from  inability,  cowardice,  or  an  aversion  to  our 
cause,  have  refused  to  enter  into  the  service  of  their  coun- 
try, if  officers  have  not  resolution  enough  to  execute  the 
Resolves  of  Convention  or  Committee  of  Safety,  without 
respect  of  persons. 

He  knows  of  no  authority  any  commanding  officer  has  to 
publish  delinquents  without  a  trial,  yet  is  by  no  means  sur- 
prised at  this  stretch  of  prerogative,  as  it  is  far  short  of  what 
has  been  already  exercised  over  those  who  have  already 
submitted  to  your  partial  command;  and  should  his  name  as 
a  delinquent  appear  in  publick,  he  shall  expect  it  to  follow 
those  who  never  attended,  nor  have  given  any  reasonable 
excuse  for  their  neglects.  If  so,  he  shall  think  it  his  duty 
to  return  to  his  company;  but  if  otherwise,  he  shall  rest 
satisfied  with  the  stjgma  of  having  dared  to  exercise  the 
right  of  a  freeman,  knowing  that  his  offence  consists  in  refu- 
sing to  crouch  to  the  arbitrary  designs  'and  impositions  of  a 
few  rich  men.  For  his  part,  he  knows  no  reason  why  any 
one  Associator  should  enjoy  privileges  distinct  from  another 
of  equal  rank  and  degree.  When  this  equality  becomes  the 
rule  of  conduct  for  our  officers,  he  shall  esteem  it  his  great- 
est glory  to  serve  under  them. 


TO    THE    COMMANDING    OFFICER    OF    THE    DETACHMENT    OF 
ASSOCIATORS  LEFT  FOR  THE  DEFENCE  OF  THE  CITY. 

A  private  Associator,  who  has  lately  been  a  delinquent  at 
roll-calling,  having  seen  your  publication  of  the  8th  instant, 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


53 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabeth-Town,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  this  morning,  and  am  very  glad 
to  find  Mr.  Maddison  and  Mr.  Johnston  here,  who  are  imme- 
diately from  Staten-Mand.  They  intend  to  pay  their  respects 
to  your  Excellency.  It  will,  therefore,  be  improper  to  take 
up  your  time  with  relating  what  you  will  hear  from  these 
gentlemen.  That  some  attempt  will  speedily  be  made  with 
the  greater  part  of  the  enemy's  force,  is  confirmed  by  all  ac- 
counts. I  shall  endeavour  to  have  the  troops  in  this  quarter  in 
as  good  preparation  as  lean,  and  will  wjth  great  alacrity  give 
my  assistance  in  such  way  as  you  are  pleased  to  point  out. 

The  Militia  are  brought  into  somewhat  better  temper. 
Their  well  or  ill-founded  complaints  have  given  me  a  great 
deal  of  concern ;  but  it  has  given  me  more  anxiety  to  find, 
by  a  letter  from  Colonel  Reed,  that  constructing  lines  of  de- 
fence was  expected  here,  when  it  was  difficult  to  keep  the 
troops  from  deserting  the  posts. 

It  will  always  give  me  pleasure  to  receive  and  obey  your 
commands. 

I  am,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 

P.  S.  Generals  Roberdeau  and  Ewing  accompanied  me 
here  in  hopes  of  having  the  pleasure  of  meeting  your  Ex- 
cellency. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  12,  1776.    Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New- York,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  yesterday  morning's  post,  I  was  honoured  with 
your  favour  of  the  2d  instant,  with  sundry  resolutions  of 
Congress,  to  which  I  shall  pay  strict  attention.  As  the  pro- 
position for  employing  the  Stoclcbridge  Indians  has  been 
approved,  I  have  written  to  Mr.  Edwards,  one  of  the  Com- 
missioners, and  who  lives  among  them,  requesting  him  to 
engage  them,  or  such  as  are  willing  to  enter  the  service.  I 
have  directed  him  to  indulge  them  with  liberty  to  join  this  or 
the  Northern  Army,  or  both,  as  their  inclination  may  lead. 

1  wish  the  salutary  consequences  may  result  from  the  regu- 
lation respecting  seamen  taken,  that  Congress  have  in  view. 
From  the  nature  of  this  kind  of  people,  and  the  privileges 
granted  on  their  entering  into  our  service,  I  should  suppose 
many  of  them  will  do  it.  We  want  them  much. 


835 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


836 


I  yesterday  transmitted  the  intelligence  I  received  from 
the  deserters  from  the  Solelay  man-of-war.  The  enclosed 
copy  of  a  letter  hy  last  night's  post,  from  the  Honourable 
Mr.  Bowdoin,  with  the  information  of  a  Captain  Kennedy, 
lately  taken,  corroborate  their  accounts  respecting  the  Hes- 
sian troops.  Indeed,  his  report  makes  the  fleet  and  arma- 
ment to  be  employed  against  us  greater  than  what  we  have 
heard  they  would  be ;  however,  there  remains  no  doubt  of 
their  being  large  and  formidable,  and  such  as  will  require 
our  most  vigorous  exertions  to  oppose  them.  Persuaded  of 
this,  and  knowing  how  much  inferior  our  numbers  are  and 
will  be  to  theirs  when  the  whole  of  their  troops  arrive,  and  of 
the  important  consequences  that  may  and  will  flow  from  the 
appeal  that  will  soon  be  made,  I  have  written  to  Connecti- 
cut and  New-Jersey  for  all  the  succour  they  can  afford,  and 
also  to  the  Convention  of  this  State.  What  I  may  receive 
and  in  what  time,  the  event  must  determine.  But  I  would 
fain  hope  the  situation,  the  exigency  of  our  affairs,  will 
call  forth  the  most  strenuous  efforts  and  early  assistance  of 
those  who  are  friends  to  the  cause.  I  confess  there  is  but  too 
much  occasion  for  their  exertions.  I  confidently  trust  they 
will  not  be  withheld. 

I  have  enclosed  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Bowdoin, 
respecting  the  Eastern  Indians.  Congress  will  thereby  per- 
ceive that  they  profess  themselves  to  be  well  attached  to 
our  interest,  and  the  summary  of  the  measures  taken  to  en- 
gage them  in  our  service.  I  have  the  treaty  at  large  between 
the  honourable  Council  of  the  Massachusetts,  on  behalf  of 
the  United  States,  with  the  Delegates  of  the  St.  John's  and 
the  Mickmack  Tribes.  The  probability  of  a  copy's  being  sent 
already,  and  its  great  length,  prevent  one  coming  herewith. 
If  Congress  have  not  had  it  forwarded  to  them,  I  will  send 
a  copy  by  the  first  opportunity  after  notice  that  it  has  not 
been  received. 

August  9th. — By  a  report  received  from  General  Greene 
last  night,  at  sunset  and  a  little  after  about  a  hundred  boats 
were  seen  bringing  troops  from  Staten-Island  to  the  ships; 
three  of  which  had  fallen  down  towards  the  Narrows,  having 
taken  in  soldiers  from  thirty  of  the  boats.  He  adds,  that  by 
the  best  observations  of  several  of  the  officers,  there  appear- 
ed to  be  a  general  embarkation. 

I  have  written  to  General  Mercer  for  two  thousand  men 
from  the  Flying-Camp.  Colonel  Smallwood's  battalion,  as 
part  of  them,  I  expect  this  forenoon;  but  where  the  rest  are  to 
come  from,  I  know  not,  as,  by  the  General's  last  return,  not 
more  than  three  or  four  hundred  of  the  new  levies  had  got  in. 

In  my  letter  of  the  5th,  I  enclosed  a  general  return  of  the 
Army  under  my  immediate  command,  but  I  imagine  the  fol- 
lowing slate  will  give  Congress  a  more  perfect  idea,  though 
not  a  more  agreeable  one,  of  our  situation  :  For  the  several 
posts  on  New-York,  Long,  and  Governour's  Islands,  and 
Paulus  Hook,  we  have  fit  for  duty  10,514,  sick  present 
3,039,  sick  absent  629,  on  command  2,946,  on  furlough  97: 
Total  17,225.  In  addition  to  these,  we  are  only  certain  of 
Colonel  Smallwood's  battalion  in  case  of  an  immediate  attack. 
Our  posts,  too,  are  much  divided,  having  waters  between 
many  of  them,  and  some  distant  from  others  fifteen  miles. 
These  circumstances,  sufficiently  distressing  of  themselves, 
are  much  aggravated  by  the  sickness  that  prevails  through 
the  Army.  Every  day  more  or  less  are  taken  down,  so  that 
the  proportion  of  men  that  may  come  in  cannot  be  consi- 
dered as  a  real  and  serviceable  augmentation  in  the  whole. 
These  things  are  melancholy,  but  they  are  nevertheless  true. 
I  hope  for  better.  Under  every  disadvantage  my  utmost 
exertions  shall  be  employed  to  bring  about  the  great  end  we 
have  in  view;  and  so  far  as  I  can  judge  from  the  professions 
and  apparent  disposition  of  my  troops,  I  shall  have  their 
support.  The  superiority  of  the  enemy  and  the  expected 
attack,  do  not  seem  to  have  depressed  their  spirits.  These 
considerations  lead  me  to  think,  that  though  the  appeal  may 
not  terminate  so  happily  in  our  favour  as  1  could  wish,  that 
yet  they  will  not  succeed  in  their  views,  without  consider- 
able loss.  Any  advantage  they  may  get,  I  trust,  will  cost 
them  dear. 

Eight  o'clock,  A.  M.— By  the  Rev.  Mr.  Maddison  and 
a  Mr.  Johnston,  two  gentlemen  of  Virginia,  who  came  from 
Staten-hland  yesterday,  and  where  they  arrived  the  day 
before  in  the  packet  with  Colonel  Guy  Johnson,  I  am  in- 
formed that  nothing  material  had  taken  place  in  England 
when  they  left  it;  that  there  had  been  a  change  in  the 
French  Ministry,  which  many  people  thought  foreboded  a 


war;  that  it  seemed  to  be  believed  by  many  that  Con- 
gress would  attempt  to  buy  off  the  foreign  troops,  and  that 
it  might  be  effected  without  great  difficulty.  Their  accounts 
from  Staten-Island  nearly  correspond  with  what  we  had 
before.  They  say  that  every  preparation  is  making  for  an 
attack;  that  the  force  now  upon  the  Island  is  about  fifteen 
thousand;  that  they  appear  very  impatient  for  the  arrival 
of  the  foreign  troops,  but  a  very  small  part  having  got  in. 
Whether  they  would  attempt  anything  before  they  came, 
they  are  uncertain;  but  they  are  sure  they  will  as  soon  as 
they  arrive,  if  not  before.  They  say,  from  what  they  could 
collect  from  the  conversation  of  officers,  &tc.,  they  mean  to 
hem  us  in  by  getting  above  us  and  cutting  off  all  communi- 
cation with  the  country.  That  this  is  their  plan  seems  to 
be  corroborated  and  confirmed  by  the  circumstance  of  some 
ships-of-vvar  going  out  at  different  times  within  a  few  days 
past,  and  other  vessels.  It  is  probable  that  a  part  are  to  go 
round  and  come  up  the  Sound. 

Mr.  Maddison  says  Lord  Howe's  powers  were  not  known 
when  he  left  England;  that  General  Conway  moved,  be- 
fore his  departure,  that  they  might  be  laid  before  the  Com- 
mons, and  had  his  motion  rejected  by  a  large  majority. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Continental 
Congress. 

Boston,  July  29, 1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  declaration  is  this  moment  sent  to  me 
by  the  Sheriff,  which  I  thought  necessary  to  be  communi- 
cated to  your  Excellency.  The  ship  Peggy,  mentioned  in 
it,  was  taken  by  two  of  the  Continental  cruisers,  and  sent 
into  Marblehead.  The  passengers  on  board,  who  fled  from 
Boston  last  March,  came  to  town  this  morning,  and  are  now 
in  jail  here,  who,  I  understand,  have  been,  or  will  be,  exa- 
mined by  General  Ward.  It  is  probable  you  will  have  by 
this  post  the  result  of  that  examination ;  but  if  you  should 
not,  the  enclosed  may  give  you  some  necessary  information. 
I  cannot  be  more  particular,  as  the  post  is  just  setting  out. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  most  perfect  regard, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  &tc., 

JAMES  BOWDOIN. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

Boston  Jail,  July  29,  1776. 

I,  James  Kennedy,  Master  of  the  ship  Peggy,  in  the  mer- 
chant service,  declare,  that  I  \eftHalifax  about  the  1st  instant, 
under  convoy  of  the  Renown,  of  fifty  guns,  with  a  fleet  of 
sixteen  transports,  containing  the  Forty -Second  and  Seventy- 
First  Regiments,  and  Frazer's  new-raised  regiment,  about 
three  thousand  in  all,  and  three  large  ships  with  Hessian  troops 
on  board,  about  six  hundred  in  all,  and  one  ship  with  five 
companies  of  English  Foot  Guards,  and  four  victualling  ships, 
the  whole  fleet  bound  to  New-  York.  Off  Nantucket  Shoals 
we  fell  in  with  the  Flora  frigate,  of  thirty  guns,  and  four 
transports,  with  the  land  troops,  that  had  been  in  Boston 
Bay,  where  they  got  information  from  a  fisherman  that  the 
town  was  evacuated,  on  which  they  stood  for  Halifax,  until 
they  met  with  us;  they  then  joined  our  fleet  for  New-York. 
The  Scotch  troops  were  all  to  be  of  Colonel  Campbell's 
division  of  the  grand  Army  in  America,  (the  whole  of  which 
Army,  I  was  informed,  would,  by  the  last  of  July,  amount 
to  fifty  thousand  men.)  The  Hessian  troops  left  England 
about  the  12th  of  May.  Some  of  the  officers  informed 
me  that  they  came  out  with  three  hundred  and  four  sail, 
under  the  command  of  Commodore  Hotham,  on  board  of 
whom  were  ten  thousand  foreign  troops,  and  some  English 
troops,  (number  unknown.)  Last  Friday  se'nnight,  in  a  gale 
of  wind  and  thick  weather,  lost  the  fleet,  and  on  Monday 
I  fell  in  with  two  armed  schooners,  Captains  Skinner  and 
Tucker,  to  whom  I  surrendered  after  a  short  engagement, 
in  which  I  had  only  one  man  wounded.  The  day  after  the 
fleet  left  Halifax,  I  saw  from  my  deck  forty  sail  of  ships 
standing  in  for  that  harbour,  and  which  I  suppose  to  be  part 
of  the  fleet  under  Commodore  Hotham. 

Boston,  July  30,  1776. 

SIR:  At  the  time  your  Excellency's  letter  was  received, 
requesting  the  aid  of  this  Government  in  procuring  a  body 
of  the  Eastern  Indians  for  the  service  of  the  United  States, 


837 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fac.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


838 


it  happened  very  fortunately  that  a  number  of  them  were 
here  as  delegates  from  the  St.  John's  and  Midtmack  tribes, 
in  Nova-Scotia.  They  came  on  a  visit  to  you,  in  conse- 
quence of  your  letter  to  them,  which  they  produced;  and 
soon  after  a  couple  of  chiefs  arrived  here  from  thoPenobscot 
tribe.  At  the  conference  held  with  the  former,  there  ap- 
peared in  them  a  very  good  disposition  towards  the  United 
States,  and  the  General  Court  having  resolved  that  a  regiment 
should  be  raised  for  the  service  of  the  State,  to  consist  of 
five  hundred  Indians  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  English, 
it  was  strongly  urged  upon  them  to  join  with  us  in  the  war; 
and  accordingly  they  have  engaged  to  do  it,  and  have  signed 
a  treaty  for  that  purpose.  By  what  they  said  at  the  confer- 
ence, it  appeared  the  six  villages  they  represented  could 
furnish  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men ;  but  as  those 
villages  are  at  a  great  distance  from  each  other,  their  men 
dispersed  in  hunting,  and  they  proposed  to  call  the  whole 
together,  they  said  they  should  not  be  able,  and  they  could 
not  engage  to  come  until  next  spring.  The  St.  John's 
delegates,  however,  on  being  told  they  lived  near,  and  could 
be  soon  here  again,  promised  to  return  early  in  the  fall,  with 
about  thirty  of  their  tribe.  There  are  six  other  nations  of 
Mickmacks,  who  had  not  been  informed  of  your  letter,  and 
had  not  therefore  sent  delegates,  but  are  equally  well  dis- 
posed, and  have  about  the  same  number  of  men  belonging  to 
them.  These,  therefore,  probably  will  furnish  for  the  service 
a  like  number  of  men  with  the  other.  With  regard  to  the 
Penobscots,  they  appeared  well  disposed.  They  said  that 
when  General  Washington  sent  his  Army  to  Canada,  five 
of  their  people  went  with  them,  and  were  at  the  siege  of 
Quebeck,  two  of  whom  were  wounded,  and  three  taken 
prisoners,  who  had  since  returned;  that  they  had  been 
promised  an  allowance  should  be  made  to  those  who  went 
with  Colonel  Arnold,  the  support  of  whose  families  in  their 
absence  had  been  a  great  burden  to  them  ;  and  that  they  had 
had  no  recompense  for  their  services.  They  were  told  this 
matter  would  be  represented  to  General  Washington,  and 
that  what  was  right  and  just  he  would  order  to  be  done.  They 
said  further,  they  looked  upon  themselves  to  be  one  people 
with  us,  and  that  whatever  Government  we  were  under  they 
were  willing  to  subject  themselves  to;  that  they  had  no  doubt 
their  tribe  would  be  willing  to  join  General  Washington,  and 
that  when  they  got  home  they  would  call  the  tribe  together 
and  consult  them  for  that  purpose. 

This  good  disposition  appearing  in  all  the  Indians,  the 
Council  thought  it  best,  in  consequence  of  your  letter,  to  send 
whh  the  Indians  into  their  own  country  the  most  suitable 
persons  that  could  be  had,  in  order  to  procure,  with  the 
utmost  expedition,  the  number  of  Indians  you  desire  may  be 
engaged  in  the  service  of  the  Slates,  or  as  many  as  can  be 
procured.  An  armed  vessel  is  accordingly  engaged  to  carry 
these  Indians  to  Penobscot  and  St.  John's,  where  those  tribes 
will  be  respectively  assembled,  and  all  that  can  be  persuaded 
to  it  inlisted  into  the  service  immediately.  Mr.  Fletcher,  who 
came  with  the  Penobscots,  is  engaged  in  this  business  with 
regard  to  that  tribe,  and  Major  Shaw  employed  with  regard 
to  the  St.  John's  and  their  neighbours  at  Passamaquoddy. 
It  being  expected  a  considerable  number  might  be  had  from 
these  tribes  in  a  short  time,  the  said  vessel  was  engaged  to 
bring  them  hither  as  soon  as  may  be.  One  Mr.  Oilman  is 
also  employed  to  go  to  the  St.  Francois  Indians,  and  engage 
as  many  of  them  as  he  can.  On  the  conference  with  the 
St.  John's  and  Mickmacks,  (a  copy  of  which  is  enclosed, 
together  with  a  copy  of  the  treaty,)  three  of  them  offered 
themselves  to  join  the  Army  at  New-York  immediately, 
and  their  offer  was  accepted,  as  it  might  not  only  secure  the 
fidelity  of  the  tribes  to  which  they  belonged,  but  induce  many 
others  of  them  to  engage  in  the  service.  Another  has  since 
joined  them.  Accordingly,  these  four  (one  of  whom  can 
speak  French)  will  immediately  set  off  for  New-  York,  under 
the  conduct  of  Mr.  William  Shaw,  who  is  ordered  to  wait 
upon  you  with  them. 

The  Council  hope  these  measures  will  be  effectual  for  the 
purpose  they  were  ordered.  In  their  name  and  behalf,  I 
have  the  honour  to  be,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect,  your 
Excellency's  most  obedient,  &c.,  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &ic. 

P.  S.  The  names  of  the  four  Indians  abovementioned,  viz : 
Joseph  Denaquara,  of  Windsor,  who  speaks  French  and 
English;  Peter  Andre,  of  Le  Heve ;  Sebattis  Netobcobwit, 
of  Gaspee ;  Francis,  of  St.  John's. 


A  Conference  held  at  WATER-TOWN,  in  the  Colony  of  MAS- 
SACHUSETTS-BAY, between  the  Honourable  the  Council  of 

the  said  Colony  in  behalf  of  the  said  Colony  and  of  all 

the  UNITED  COLONIES,  on  the  one  part,  and  the  Delegates 

of  the  ST.  JOHN'S  and  MICKMAC  Tribes  of  INDIANS  in 

NOVA-SCOTIA,  on  the  other  part. 

In  Council,  Wednesday,  July  10,  1776. 

The  honourable  Board  being  informed  that  Major  Shaw 
was  desirous  of  speaking  to  them  on  business  of  importance, 
he  was  admitted  into  the  Council  Chamber;  when  he  ac- 
quainted their  Honours  that  a  number  of  Indians  of  the  St. 
John's  and  Mickmac  Tribes,  in  Nova-Scotia,  were  come  to 
town  to  see  and  talk  with  the  Council  and  General  Wash- 
ington, from  both  of  whom  they  had  received  letters;  and 
that  at  the  earnest  request  of  the  said  Indians  he  had  accom- 
panied them,  having  brought  them  in  his  sloop  from  Machias 
to  Salem,  from  whence  they  rode  hither  in  carriages  which 
were  provided  for  them. 

Major  Shaw  was  desired  to  introduce  them ;  which  he  did. 
After  salutations,  and  they  being  seated  and  welcomed,  the 
Honourable  James  Bowdoin,  Esq.,  as  President  of  the  Coun- 
cil, was  desired  to  manage  the  Conferences  with  them. 

PRESIDENT.  What  Tribes  do  you  belong  to  and  repre- 
sent? 

INDIANS.     The  St.  John's  and  Mickmac. 

PRESIDENT.  We  should  be  glad  to  know  your  names, 
and  to  what  villages  you  belong  ? 

INDIANS.     We  will  answer,  each  one  for  himself: 

AMBROSE  VAR,  NEWELL  WALLIS,  FRANCIS  :  Of  St.  John's 
River. 

JOSEPH  DENAQUARA,  CHARLES  :  Of  Windsor  Mickmacs. 

M ATTAHU  ONTRANE,  NICHOLAS  :  OfMerimichi  and  Rech- 
bucto  Mickmacs. 

JOHN  BATTIS  :  Of  Beausejour,  in  Cumberland,  a  Mick- 
mac. 

PETER  ANDRE:  Of  Le  Heve^a  Mickmac. 

SEBATTIS  NETOBCOBWIT  :  Of  Gaspee,  a  Mickmac. 

PRESIDENT.  What  number  of  men  is  there  in  your  seve- 
ral villages?  Let  each  answer  with  respect  to  his  own 
village  only. 

AMBROSE  VAH.  There  are  sixty  men  belonging  to  the 
St.  John's  Tribe. 

JOSEPH.     There  are  sixty  at  my  village,  Windsor. 

MATTAHU.     In  my  village  are  eighty  men. 

JOHN  BATTIS.  In  the  village  at  Cumberland  are  forty 
men. 

PETER  ANDRE.     There  are  fifty  men  at  Le  Heve. 

SEBATTIS.     At  Gaspee  are  fifty  strong  men. 

PRESIDENT.  Are  there  any  more  villages  of  Indians  in 
Nova-Scotia  1 

INDIANS.  There  are  six  more  villages  of  Mickmacs,  but 
we  do  not  know  what  number  of  men  they  have. 

PRESIDENT.  As  you  want  refreshment,  we  will  defer 
hearing  what  you  have  to  say  to  us;  and  we  will  let  you 
know  when  we  are  ready  to  hear  you.  We  have  ordered 
good  lodgings  and  entertainment  to  be  provided  for  you ; 
and  Major  Shaw  will  take  care  that  the  order  be  complied 
with. 

Wine  being  brought,  the  President  drank  their  health, 
and  the  health  of  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmac  Tribes ;  which 
was  returned  by  the  Indians  drinking  the  health  of  the 
Council. 

They  then  retired  with  Major  Shaw. 

In  Council,  Friday,  A.  M.,  July  12,  1776. 

A  Message  went  from  the  Board  to  the  honourable  House 
of  Representatives,  then  sitting  in  the  Meeting-House,  to 
inform  them  that  certain  Indians  from  the  St.  John's  and 
Mickmac  Tribes  were  in  town,  with  whom  the  Board  pur- 
posed to  hold  a  Conference  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  to  invite 
the  honourable  House  to  be  present  at  it ;  and  to  propose 
to  them  that  it  should  be  held  in  the  Meeting-House. 

A  Message  was  received  from  the  House  in  answer,  that 
they  would  attend  the  Conference  at  the  Meeting-House, 
which  should  be  at  the  service  of  the  honourable  Board  for 
that  purpose. 

The  Council  then  proceeded  to  the  Meeting-House,  into 
which  they  were  introduced  by  the  Speaker.  Being  seated, 
and  the  Indians  also  come  and  seated,  the  Conference  was 
renewed. 


839 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


840 


PRESIDENT.  Brothers  of  the  St.  Join's  and  Mickmac 
Tribes:  We  are  glad  to  see  you  to-day,  and  hope  you  are 
all  well. 

AMBROSE.     We  thank  you. 

PRESIDENT.  As  some  of  you  speak  French,  we  have 
desired  Mr.  Job  Prince,  who  speaks  French  also,  to  inter- 
pret what  shall  be  said  at  this  Conference.  And  we  have 
appointed  Mr.  John  Awry  as  Clerk  to  take  Minutes  of  it. 
They  will  be  each  sworn  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  their 
office  respectively. 

[They  were  sworn  hy  the  President  accordingly,  and 
Colonel  Lit/igow,  who  understands  the  Indian  language, 
was  desired  to  assist  as  Interpreter.] 

AMBROSE.     We  like  it  well. 

PRESIDENT.  At  our  first  interview  you  told  us  that  you 
came  from  and  represented  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmac 
Tribes.  What  evidence  do  you  give  us  of  this? 

AMBROSE.  Ambrose  hereupon  rose,  and  delivered  to  the 
President  a  large  parchment,  containing  a  Treaty  made  be- 
tween those  Tribes  and  the  Government  of  Nova-Scotia  in 
1760.  Also,  a  letter  to  them  from  General  Washington, 
dated  in  February  last,  and  a  letter  to  them  from  the  Gene- 
ral Court  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  dated  in  October  last;  and 
said  that  those  letters  were  the  occasion  of  their  coming 
hither  to  see  General  Washington. 

PRESIDENT.  We  are  now  ready  to  hear  what  you  have 
to  say  to  us,  and  shall  give  great  attention  to  it. 

AMBROSE.  The  St.  John's  and  Mickmac  Tribes  are  all 
one  people,  and  of  one  tongue  and  one  heart. 

We  are  very  thankful  to  the  Almighty  to  see  all  the 
Council ;  the  Almighty  has  given  the  English  and  Indians 
one  heart. 

General  Washington  sent  us  something  (the  letters  afore- 
said) last  fall  and  this  spring,  and  that  is  the  reason  of  our 
coming  here  now  to  speak. 

The  Captains  that  are  come  up  with  me,  and  all  our 
people,  are  all  one  as  Boston;  our  eyes  and  our  ears  will 
not  turn  to  the  other  side  of  the  water  to  see  or  hear  what 
they  do. 

We  want  a  Father  or  a  French  Priest. 
Jesus  we  pray  to,  and  we  shall  not  hear  any  prayers  that 
come  from  England. 

We  shall  have  nothing  to  do  with  Old  England,  and  all 
that  we  shall  worship  or  obey  will  be  Jesus  Christ  and 
General  Washington. 

[Here  Ambrose  delivered  to  the  President  a  silver  gorget 
and  heart,  with  the  King's  Arms  and  the  busts  of  the  King 
and  Queen  engraved  on  them.] 

General  Washington  advised  us  to  pray  to  Jesus  for  aid 
and  assistance,  and  to  be  thankful  for  the  lands  that  God 
had  given  us.  All  our  old  men  and  women  pray  that  the 
Almighty  would  enable  us  to  walk  in  the  right  way.  Gene- 
ral Washington  wrote  us  a  letter  desiring  us  to  pray  for  him, 
and  assist  him  all  in  our  power.  All  our  Captains  and 
Chiefs  do  pray  that  he  and  his  brothers  may  be  masters  of 
this  country.  We  are  both  one  country.  We  are  of  their 
country  and  they  are  of  our  country. 

There  are  Boston  people  down  with  us,  and  we  esteem 
them  there  as  our  own  people,  and  treat  them  as  such. 

There  are  a  number  of  French  people  upon  our  land,  who 
disturb  us  in  hunting,  and  we  want  to  remove  them  a  little 
further  from  us,  near  the  sea-coast. 

[Here  Ambrose  presenter!  and  delivered  a  sword  and  pistol, 
which  he  said  had  been  offered  to  them  by  one  Anderson. 
and  which  they  afterwards  took  from  him ;  and  he  then 
proceeded — ] 

Mr.  Anderson  told  us  if  we  would  be  for  England,  as  he 
intended  to  be,  we  might  have  that  sword  and  pistol.  He 
told  us  that  if  we  lost  any  money  by  the  Boston  people,  the 
King  in  Old  England  would  make  it  up. 

After  we  received  letters  from  General  Washington,  we 
took  the  sword  from  Anderson,  and  told  him  we  would  have 
nothing  to  do  with  him,  and  set  him  up  as  a  mark,  and 
despised  him. 

We  told  Anderson  when  we  took  the  sword  from  him,  we 
would  deliver  it  up  to  General  Washington,  if  he  would 
receive  it. 

We  have  now  said  what  we  had  to  say  concerning  this 
matter;  and  would  again  mention,  that  we  want  a  Truck- 
House  and  a  Priest. 


PRESIDENT.     You  mentioned  there  were  some  French- 
men in  your  country  whom  you  wanted  to  have  removed : 
Are  they  in  opposition  to  the  interest  of  this  country? 
AMBROSE.     They  are  all  for  you. 

PRESIDENT.  For  what  purpose  did  Anderson  give  you 
the  sword  ? 

INDIANS.  As  Mr.  Anderson  would  not  be  for  the  people 
of  Bos(on,  we  took  it  from  him. 

PRESIDENT.  Did  Mr.  Anderson  appear  as  an  Agent  for 
the  Government  of  Nova- Scotia,  or  only  as  a  private  indi- 
vidual? 

INDIANS.  Anderson  told  us  in  the  winter  and  in  the 
spring  not  to  go  to  Boston,  but  to  Halifax.  He  said  it 
would  not  signify  to  go  to  Boston,  but  if  we  could  go  to  the 
Governour  of  Halifax,  we  should  have  a  hat-full  of  money 
given  to  us  by  the  Governour. 

INDIANS.  We  did  not  want  money,  but  we  wanted  to 
lay  our  hearts  open  to  the  people  of  Boston. 

PRESIDENT.     Was  Anderson  a  publick  agent,  or  employ- 
ed by  the  Governour  of  Halifax  ? 
INDIANS.     We  believe  he  was. 

PRESIDENT.  What  is  the  disposition  of  the  English 
people  in  Nova-Scotia  with  regard  to  the  disputes  between 
England  and  America  ? 

INDIANS.     We  do  not  know. 

PRESIDENT.  What  is  the  disposition  of  the  Mickmac 
and  St.  John's  Tribes  in  general?  Would  they  all  enter 
heartily  and  with  resolution  into  the  war  on  our  side? 

INDIANS.  Both  the  Mickmac  or  Cape-Sable  Indians  and 
the  St.  John's  Indians  are  all  for  helping  Boston;  we  know 
their  hearts,  for  we  had  a  talk  with  them. 

The  President  then  delivered  a  Speech  to  them,  which 
was  as  follows : 

PRESIDENT:  Brothers:  What  you  have  said,  we  like 
well.  It  makes  a  strong  impression  on  our  hearts,  and  at 
our  next  Conference  with  you,  we  will  give  you  a  full  and 
particular  answer.  We  will  now  open  our  minds  to  you. 
You  have  heard  that  the  English  people  beyond  the  great 
water  have  taken  up  the  hatchet,  and  made  war  against  the 
United  Colonies  in  America.  We  once  looked  upon  them 
as  our  brothers,  as  children  of  the  same  family  with  our- 
selves, and  not  only  loved  them  as  brothers,  but  loved  and 
respected  them  as  our  elder  brothers.  But  they  have  grown 
old  and  covetous ;  many  of  their  great  men  have  wasted 
and  squandered  not  only  their  own  money,  but  the  money 
of  the  publick;  and  because  they  cannot  obtain  in  their  own 
country  a  sufficiency  to  support  their  excessive  luxury  and 
satiate  their  avarice,  they  want  to  take  from  us  our  money 
and  our  lands  for  those  purposes ;  and  at  the  same  time  to 
deprive  us  of  our  liberties  and  make  us  slaves.  They  have 
already  taken  away  a  great  deal  of  our  money  and  many  of 
our  privileges,  and  we  have  borne  it  with  patience,  having 
only  told  them  that  their  doing  so  was  unbrotherly  and  un- 
kind, and  most  earnestly  prayed  them  again  and  again  to 
desist  from  their  unfriendly  and  cruel  treatment  of  us.  But 
all  our  petitions  have  been  disregarded,  and  they  have  trod- 
den them  as  waste  paper  under  their  feet.  After  tlxis  ill 
usage  and  repeated  insults,  we  have  refused  to  part  with 
any  more  of  our  money  and  privileges;  and  this  refusal  has 
brought  upon  us  the  war  in  which  we  are  engaged.  Our 
enemies,  before  they  openly  declared  themselves  to  be  such, 
we  received  as  friends,  and  admitted  them  into  our  towns 
and  sea-ports.  Taking  advantage  of  this  peaceable  dispo- 
sition of  ours,  they  sent  ships  and  troops  and  took  possession 
of  Boston,  and  strongly  fortified  it,  expecting  we  should  per- 
mit them  to  do  the  same  with  other  places,  till  they  had 
secured  the  whole  country.  But  they  found  themselves 
mistaken ;  for  when  a  large  body  of  them  went  from  Boston 
secretly  by  night  into  our  country  in  the  month  of  April  the 
last  year,  and  killed  some  of  our  people,  burnt  or  damaged 
many  of  their  houses,  stole  and  destroyed  much  of  their 
property,  and  committed  other  acts  of  cruelty,  a  number  of 
our  warriors  assembled  and  drove  them  back,  and  killed  a 
great  many  of  them ;  and  a  little  while  after  killed  a  much 
greater  number  of  them  at  Charlestown,  with  comparatively 
little  loss  of  lives  on  our  side.  The  war  being  thus 
begun,  all  the  Colonies  on  the  Continent,  from  New-Hamp- 
shire to  Georgia,  (including  them,)  determined  in  a  great 
Council,  held  by  some  of  their  wise  men  at  Philadelphia, 
to  unite  together  for  their  mutual  defence;  and  their  Army, 
under  the  command  of  that  great  warrior,  General  Wash- 


841 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


842 


ington,  have  lately  driven  away  the  British  Army  from 
Boston,  where  for  many  months  they  were  held  as  prison- 
ers, not  daring  to  march  out  of  the  town  to  fight  General 
Washington.  And  we  doubt  not,  through  the  favour  of 
Divine  Providence,  that,  although  the  British  troops  have 
gained  some  advantages  in  Canada,  the  armies  of  the  United 
Colonies  will  be  able  to  drive  them  out  of  all  other  parts  of 
America  within  the  limits  of  the  said  Colonies ;  and  out  of 
Canada  also  if  the  Canadians  are  not  blind  with  regard  to 
their  own  interest  and  liberty. 

We  have  given  you  this  information,  that  you  might  know 
the  true  state  of  things.  And  we  would  inform  you  further, 
that  as  we  and  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmac  tribes  of  In- 
dians are  countrymen,  and  not  very  distant  from  each  other, 
we  ought  to  be,  and  it  is  our  interest  to  be  mutual  friends, 
and  as  brothers.  And  we  are  glad  to  find  by  what  you  have 
now  said,  that  you  are  of  the  same  mind.  Accordingly,  we, 
the  governours  of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  in  behalf 
of  this  Colony  and  of  all  the  United  Colonies  in  North 
America,  receive  you  to  our  friendship.  Your  acceptance 
of  it  entitles  you  to  be  considered  by  us  as  brothers ;  and 
your  enemies  we  shall  deem  our  enemies,  and  will  do  all  in 
our  power  to  protect  you  from  them.  We  do  not,  however, 
ask  you  to  join  with  us  in  the  war,  unless  it  is  your  free 
choice  to  do  so.  If  you  choose  to  join  with  the  United 
Colonies  in  the  war,  and  shall  tell  us  so  clearly,  we  will 
immediately  take  the  matter  into  consideration)  and  let  you 
know  our  minds  at  the  next  Conference'.  In  the  mean  time 
we  are  glad  to  see  you  do  not  intend  to  join  our  enemies 
against  us.  It  is  probable  that  the  Governour  of  Nova- 
Scotia,  the  Governour  of  Canada,  and  other  enemies  of 
these  Colonies,  will  endeavour  to  deceive  you,  and  by  pre- 
sents and  threats  try  to  make  you  join  with  them  against  the 
United  Colonies.  But  be  not  deceived  by  them.  Our  love 
for  you  obliges  us  to  forewarn  you  of  their  arts,  and  earnestly 
to  caution  you  against  being  deceived.  If  they  should  en- 
gage you  in  the  war  against  us,  you  will  be  undone,  and 
will  be  a  ruined  people.  We  do  not  mention  this,  as  sup- 
posing you.  will  join  them,  but  only  as  a  friendly  caution  to 
you,  that  you  do  not  suffer  them  to  deceive  you  to  your  own 
ruin. 

When  you  have  considered  what  we  have  now  said,  and 
are  ready  to  give  an  answer  to  it,  we  will  hear  you. 

AMBROSE.     We  will  consider  it,  and  speak  to  you  again. 

PRESIDENT.  You  told  us  the  sword  and  pistol  you  took 
from  Anderson  was  at  our  disposal.  We  thank  you,  and 
now  return  them  to  you,  in  confidence  that  they  will  be 
employed  by  you  only  against  your  own  enemies  and  our 
enemies. 

[The  silver  gorget  and  heart,  with  the  King's  Arms  and 
bust  engraven  on  them,  were  delivered  to  the  Interpreter  to 
be  returned  to  the  Indians.  He  presented  them  to  their 
Speaker,  but  with  great  vehemence  and  displeasure  he  re- 
fused to  take  them,  saying  they  had  nothing  to  do  with  King 
George  and  England.  Whereupon  the  President  told  them 
they  should  have  a  new  gorget  and  heart,  with  the  bust  of 
General  Washington,  and  proper  devices  to  represent  the 
United  Colonies.] 

The  ConfeYence  was  then  adjourned  to  to-morrow,  after 
drinking  mutual  healths. 

In  Council,  Saturday,  July  13,  1776. 

A  Message  went  from  the  honourable  Board  to  inform 
the  honourable  House  that  the  Conference  with  the  Indians 
would  be  renewed  at  three  o'clock,  P.  M.,  to  which  the 
House  returned  an  answer  that  they  would  then  attend. 

Accordingly,  at  three  o'clock,  the  Council  proceeded  to 
the  Meeting-  House,  and  the  Indians  being  come,  the  Con- 
ference was  renewed. 

PRESIDENT.  Brothers  of  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmac 
Tribes:  It  gives  us  pleasure  to  see  you  to-day  in  health. 
We  hope  you  have  been  well  entertained  at  your  lodgings, 
agreeable  to  our  order. 

We  shall  now  give  an  answer  to  what  you  said  to  us 
yesterday.  You  told  us  you  prayed  to  our  Saviour  Jesus, 
and  wanted  a  French  Priest  to  assist  you  in  your  prayers. 
We  are  glad  you  have  such  a  regard  for  religion,  and  are 
ready  to  furnish  you  with  a  Priest  to  assist  you  in  your 
prayers,  and  teach  you  the  true  religion  ;  but  we  do  not 
know  that  we  can  get  a  French  Priest;  if  one  of  our  Priests 


would  be  agreeable  to  you,  we  will  endeavour  to  get  you 
one,  and  will  take  care  he  be  a  good  man. 

You  told  us  you  wanted  a  Truck-House.  According  to 
your  desire  last  year,  we  sent  to  our  Truckmaster  atPenob- 
scot  money  to  purchase  ammunition,  provision,  and  goods, 
as  much  of  each  as  we  thought  sufficient  to  supply  you  the 
last  winter,  and  we  wrote  you  so  in  our  letter  to  you  last 
October.  We  hope  the  Truckmaster  supplied  you  accord- 
ing to  our  order,  which  was,  to  supply  you  with  what  you 
wanted,  and  take  your  skins  and  furs  in  payment;  and  that 
you  might  be  the  better  accommodated,  we  also  sent  a 
quantity  of  the  same  articles  to  Machias,  with  orders  to  our 
Truckmaster  there  to  supply  you.  We  shall  send  a  further 
quantity,  and  order  him  to  let  you  have  the  things  you  want 
at  the  same  rate  they  cost  us,  and  allow  you  for  your  skins 
and  furs  the  same  price  they  will  fetch  in  Boston.  We  hope, 
this  will  be  satisfactory  to  you. 

With  respect  to  the  war.  we  told  you  yesterday  how  it 
began,  and  mentioned  to  you  some  of  the  cruelties  our  enemies 
committed  on  our  people.  We  shall  now  mention  some 
more  of  those  cruelties.  After  the  British  ships  and  troops 
were  admitted  into  Boston  as  friends,  they  stopped  all  the 
trade  of  the  town,  and  would  not  suffer  our  vessels  to  come 
in  or  go  out  to  supply  the  town  and  country  as  usual.  They 
then,  fearing  the  people  of  Boston,  after  such  provocation, 
would  rise  upon  them,  told  them  that  if  they  would  deliver 
up  their  arms,  the  inhabitants  should  be  all  safe,  and  no 
injury  offered  to  them  or  their  property;  and  that  such  as 
inclined  to  go  out  of  the  town  should  have  free  liberty  to  go 
with  all  their  effects.  The  town,  knowing  themselves  to 
be  in  the  power  of  the  troops,  and  being  cut  off  from  all 
communication  with  the  country,  agreed  to  the  proposal, 
and  accordingly  delivered  up  their  arms,  relying  on  the  pro- 
mise of  the  British  General,  Mr.  Gage,  that  he  would  per- 
form his  part  of  the  agreement;  but  as  soon  as  he  had  got 
their  arms  he  broke  his  faith,  and  would  permit  only  a  part 
of  the  people  to  go,  and  would  not  suffer  them  to  take  their 
effects  with  them.  Those  that  were  obliged  to  remain  in 
the  town  were  insulted  and  abused  by  the  soldiers,  who 
burnt  and  destroyed  many  of  their  houses,  stole  a  great  quan- 
tity of  their  goods,  and  subjected  them  to  great  difficulties 
and  hardships — all  directly  contrary  to  the  plighted  faith  of 
the  British  General.  And  afterwards,  when  the  British 
troops  found  that  General  Washington  was  determined  to 
drive  them  out  of  the  town,  they  broke  open  dwelling-houses 
and  store-houses  and  took  away  and  destroyed  a  prodigious 
quantity  of  goods,  and  then,  with  great  precipitation,  re- 
treated to  their  ships,  and  quitted  the  town. 

Some  time  before  this,  they  burnt  the  large  town  of  Charles- 
town,  consisting  of  several  hundred  houses,  taking  away 
everything  valuable  they  could  find  there;  and  several  of 
their  ships-of-war  went  and  destroyed  a  great  part  of  the 
town  of  Falmouth,  in  Casco  Bay,  burning  near  two  hundred 
houses  there,  with  many  things  of  value  in  them.  Much 
other  damage  they  have  done,  and  many  other  cruelties  they 
have  committed.  This  unjust,  inhuman,  and  cruel  treat- 
ment has  compelled  us  to  take  up  arms  in  our  defence,  and 
in  earnest  to  engage  in  a  war  with  them ;  and  all  the  Colonies 
on  the  Continent,  through  fifteen  hundred  miles  in  extent, 
have  joined  with  us  in  the  war,  and  are  determined  to  carry 
it  on  till  we  can  obtain  a  peace  on  just  and  honourable 
terms. 

We  know  our  cause  to  be  just:  we  can  therefore  place 
our  confidence  in  that  Being  who  is  the  great  Dispenser  of 
Justice,  and  who  will  not  suffer  such  inhumanity  and  breach 
of  laith  to  go  unpunished.  We  trust  that,  by  His  favour, 
we  shall  be  able  to  defend  ourselves;  and  we  do  not  desire 
you,  as  we  told  you  yesterday,  to  enter  into  the  war  unless 
you  choose  it.  You  then  expressed  a  disposition  to  engage 
in  it ;  but  we  desired  you  to  weigh  and  consider  the  matter 
well  before  you  engaged,  and  to  let  us  know  your  mind 
about  it,  fully  and  plainly,  after  you  had  so  considered  it. 
We  shall  now  attend  to  what  you  have  to  say  on  this  head, 
and  to  everything  else  you  have  to  say. 

AMBROSE.  We  have  the  same  to  say  to-day  that  we  said 
yesterday — that  we  are  your  friends  and  brothers,  and  will 
join  in  the  war  on  your  side.  You  may  depend  upon  it  that 
we  will  not  break  our  words;  we  will  not  lie;  all  that  are 
here  present  hear  us,  and  the  God  of  Heaven  hears  us;  and 
we  will  engage  in  the  war,  for  we  are  brothers.  We  would 
not  lie  to  save  our  right  bands.  We  pledge  our  faith  that 


843 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


844 


we  will  do  what  we  promise.  We  love  Boston.  It  gives 
us  a  great  deal  of  concern  they  were  so  ill  used.  We  should 
have  been  glad  to  have  had  the  arms  of  Boston  to  keep. 
If  we  had  had  the  Boston  arms,  we  should  have  been  able 
to  defend  ourselves.  In  case  the  people  of  England  should 
come  to  drive  us  out  of  our  country,  we  will  give  you  infor- 
mation of  it  immediately.  We  shall  be  very  glad  to  have 
proper  goods  for  our  furs  and  skins,  and  we  want  them  up 
St.  John's  River.  We  are  not  capable  of  writing.  We 
can't  convey  our  mind  as  we  would  wish  to  do.  We  will 
pledge  our  right  hands  in  faith  of  what  we  have  promised. 
There  are  some  of  us  here  that  are  willing  to  go  to  war  now, 
and  would  go  to  General  Washington  immediately. 

[Upon  this,  three  of  them  went  from  their  seats  into  the 
aisle,  and  manifested  a  great  desire  to  go. 

These  three  are  Chiefs  of  different  villages,  and  are  willing 
to  go  together.] 

PRESIDENT.  We  thank  them,  and  will  let  them  know 
our  minds.  By  what  you  said  yesterday,  and  what  you  say 
now,  it  appears  to  be  your  disposition  and  intention  to  join 
in  the  war  with  us.  Do  we  understand  you  right?  Do  you 
mean  to  join  with  us  in  the  war? 

AMBROSE.  Yes;  we  are  with  our  hearts  ready  to  join 
you. 

PRESIDENT.  You  mean  not  only  yourselves  particularly, 
but  your  Tribes  in  general. 

AMBROSE.  It  is  not  in  our  power  to  answer  now  for  the 
whole  of  our  Tribes ;  but  when  we  go  home,  we  will  call 
together  all  the  young  men,  and  see  how  many  will  go  to 
war. 

PRESIDENT.     How  many  do  your  Tribes  consist  of? 

AMBROSE.     It  is  not  in  our  power  to  tell. 

PRESIDENT.  You,  Ambrose,  are  of  St.  John's.  How 
many  men  are  there  in  your  Tribe? 

AMBROSE.     Sixty  men  that  are  able  to  do  duty. 

PRESIDENT.  How  many  of  your  men  would  be  willing 
to  engage  in  the  war? 

AMBROSE.  It  is  impossible  to  tell  certainly  till  we  go  home 
and  call  our  men  together. 

PRESIDENT.     Do  you  think  that  thirty  would  engage? 

AMBROSE.  We  can  get  thirty  men  to  go,  and  three 
Captains  for  certain.  This  man  that  is  next  to  me  will  make 
one  of  the  thirty  that  will  go  with  me. 

FRANCIS,  (of  the  same  Tribe.)  I  can  go  and  fetch  from 
St.  John's  twenty  men  myself.  I  will  return,  and  bring 
twenty  men  with  me. 

PRESIDENT.  How  many  men,  Joseph,  would  go  from 
your  village,  and  how  many  does  it  consist  of? 

JOSEPH  DENAQ.UARA.  Twenty-five  would  go,  and  there 
are  fifty  in  the  whole. 

PRESIDENT.  How  many  men  in  your  village,  Mattahu, 
and  how  many  would  go? 

MATTAHU.  I  can  bring  ten  men,  and  could  bring  more, 
if  I  wasn't  afraid  of  the  English  coming  to  attack  our  vil- 
lage while  we  were  gone.  We  have  eighty  men. 

PRESIDENT.  How  many  men  in  your  village,  and  how 
many  would  go,  Battis  1 

JOHN  BATTIS.  We  can  produce  fourteen,  but  must  have 
some  to  take  care  of  the  women  and  children.  We  have 
forty  men  in  our  village. 

PRESIDENT.  I  want  to  know  how  many  men  there  are 
in  your  village,  Peter! 

PETER  ANDRE.     Sixty  men. 

PRESIDENT.     How  many  men  can  your  village  furnish  ? 

PETER.  It  is  not  in  my  power  to  answer  with  certainty, 
as  I  am  going  myself  to  General  Washington  directly. 

PRESIDENT.     Do  you  think  twenty? 

PETER  ANDRE.     Thirty. 

PRESIDENT.  How  many  are  there  in  your  villafe,  Se- 
battitl 

SEBATTIS  NETOBCOBUIT.     Fifty  men. 

PRESIDENT.     How  many  would  go  to  war? 

SEBATTIS  NETOBCOBUIT.     Twenty-five. 

PRESIDENT.  How  many  villages  are  there  of  the  Mick- 
macs  not  represented  here? 

[Here  several  of  them  consulted  together,  and  then  the 
answer  was  given.] 

AMBROSE.     Six. 

PRESIDENT.  How  many  villages  are  there  represented 
here  ? 

AMBROSE.     Six. 


PRESIDENT.     Are  the  other  villages  as  big  as  those  six? 

AMBROSE.     Some  much  bigger. 

PRESIDENT.  What  is  the  reason  that  the  other  six  vil- 
lages did  not  send  delegates  as  well  as  those  that  have 
sent? 

AMBROSE.  The  reason  is,  that  General  Washington's 
letter  had  not  reached  them.  Some  of  our  people  went  after 
them,  but  we  have  not  heard  from  them. 

PRESIDENT.  Do  you  think  that  the  other  villages  have 
as  friendly  a  disposition  toward  us  as  you  have? 

AMBROSE.  The  same.  We  are  all  brothers  and  cousins. 
We  are  of  the  same  flesh  and  blood,  and  can't  make  war 
or  be  attacked  separately. 

PRESIDENT.  Would  your  warriors  form  a  body  in  con- 
junction with  a  number  of  our  people  i 

AMBROSE.  Yes ;  we  are  brothers  now,  and  for  that  rea- 
son we  would  join  our  hands  with  yours. 

PRESIDENT.  From  what  you  now  say,  we  depend  that 
you  are  hearty  to  enter  into  the  war  with  us. 

AMBROSE.     Yes,  we  are. 

[Hereupon  all  the  Indians  came  from  their  seats,  and 
shook  hands  with  the  President,  in  token  of  their  heartiness 
and  sincerity.] 

PRESIDENT.  We  look  upon  this  as  an  expression  of  your 
readiness  to  join  with  us  in  the  war,  and,  accordingly,  I  shall 
immediately  consult  my  brothers  of  both  Houses  here  present, 
and  let  you  know  presently  what  our  determination  is. 

After  consultation  with  the  Council,  and  with  the  Speaker 
and  gentlemen  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  the  Presi- 
dent then  proceeded : 

PRESIDENT.  Brothers:  I  would  now  inform  you  what 
the  General  Court  have  agreed  to  upon  your  having  signified 
your  readiness  to  enter  with  us  into  the  war.  They  have 
agreed  that  a  regiment  be  employed  in  the  Continental  ser- 
vice, under  the  command  of  General  Washington,  to  consist 
of  five  hundred  of  the  Mickmac  and  St.  John's  Tribes,  and 
two  hundred  and  fifty  of  our  people  with  them.  These  are 
to  form  one  regiment,  to  act  together.  The  Field  Officers  or 
the  chief  officers  are  to  be  English.  The  other  officers  of 
the  regiment  to  be  one-half  English,  and  the  other  half 
Indians.  With  respect  to  the  pay  of  the  officers,  it  will  be 
determined  the  next  time  the  Court  meets.  With  respect 
to  the  soldiers,  both  Indian  and  English,  they  will  have  the 
like  pay,  viz :  forty  shillings  per  month,  equal  to  six  dollars 
and  two-thirds ;  and  each  of  the  Indians  is  to  be  allowed  a 
rifle  shirt,  such  as  the  Riflemen  have,  a  blanket,  shoes  and 
buckles,  or  moccasins.  You  will  also  have  provisions  sup- 
plied you  while  in  the  service. 

PRESIDENT.  Do  you  understand  perfectly  what  has  been 
said  ? 

AMBROSE.     We  understood  it  exceedingly  well. 

PRESIDENT.  Do  you  approve  of  the  establishment  of 
such  a  regiment,  consisting  of  English  and  Indians? 

AMBROSE.  We  are  very  glad  of  it,  and  we  repeat  it 
again,  we  are  very  well  contented  and  pleased  with  it. 

PRESIDENT.  Brothers,  are  you  well  equipped  with  guns, 
and  all  things  necessary  belonging  to  a  gun  ? 

AMBROSE.  We  have  few  or  none ;  nor  can  we  find  any 
knives  to  buy. 

PRESIDENT.     How  do  you  hunt  without  guns? 

AMBROSE.  We  have  got  guns,  but  reserve  them  for  our 
children  to  hunt  with  in  our  absence  from  home. 

PRESIDENT.  Those  that  engage  in  the  service  must  bring 
their  guns  with  them.  Have  you  anything  further  to  say 
at  this  time? 

AMBROSE.  We  have  nothing  further  to  say.  All  we 
have  said  we  consider  as  an  oath. 

PRESIDENT.  The  next  time  we  meet  together,  we  will 
let  you  know  how  the  regiments  are  to  be  regulated. 

Then  the  President  drank  prosperity  to  the  Indians  of 
the  Mickmac  and  St.  John's  Tribes,  and  wished  that  the 
friendship  now  established  might  continue  as  long  as  the  sun 
and  moon  shall  endure,  which  was  pledged  by  the  Indians. 

PRESIDENT.  We  will  bid  you  farewell  to  night,  and  will 
see  you  again  next  Tuesday. 

In  the  Meeting-House,  Tuesday,  July  16,  1776,  P.  M. 

The  Conference  was  continued. 

PRESIDENT.  Brothers,  we  hope  we  now  see  you  well. 
At  our  last  meeting,  you  desired  that  the  goods  we  should 


845 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


846 


send  to  the  Truck-House  at  Machias  might  be  such  as  you 
most  wanted.  We  should  be  glad  you  would  now  inform 
us  what  goods  you  want  most,  and  like  best,  and  we  will 
endeavour  the  Truck-House  shall  be  supplied  with  them, 
being  desirous  to  accommodate  you  in  the  best  manner  in 
our  power. 

AMBROSE.  We  want  strouds  and  blankets  for  winter  and 
summer.  Our  children  and  families  are  always  in  want  of 
those  articles.  We  want  powder,  shot,  flints,  knives,  and 
combs,  hatchets,  small  axes  of  two  different  sizes,  paint, 
some  steel-traps  to  catch  beaver,  and  we  want  guns,  too,  to 
go  a-hunting  with. 

PRESIDENT.  Major  Shaw  has  delivered  us  a  memoran- 
dum of  a  number  of  articles.  We  will  order  our  Commis- 
sary to  supply  the  Truck-House  with  them,  if  they  can  be 
procured. 

AMBROSE.     We  are  much  obliged  to  you. 

PRESIDENT.  One  of  you  desired  yesterday  that  a  Truck- 
master,  with  goods,  might  be  sent  to  St.  John's. 

AMBROSE.  There  is  one  Adderton,  who  lives  a  league 
from  our  village,  who  we  should  be  .glad  might  be  appointed. 

PRESIDENT.  We  should  be  glad  to  send  a  Truckmaster 
there ;  but  as  St.  John's  is  not  within  the  bounds  of  this 
Colony,  we  have  no  right  to  do  it. 

AMBROSE.     We  are  much  obliged  to  you. 

PRESIDENT.  Since  we  last  talked  together,  we  have 
received  letters  from  General  Washington,  in  which  he  men- 
tions his  brothers  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmac  Indians.  As 
he  thinks  you  are  strong  men  and  his  good  friends,  and  as 
you  have  expressed  a  great  inclination  to  take  part  with  him 
in  the  war,  he  desires  you  to  come  and  join  him  at  New- 
York,  with  all  possible  expedition.  He  wants  five  or  six 
hundred  of  you;  but  if  you  cannot  spare  so  many,  desires 
you  to  speak  to  your  brothers  of  Penobscot,  Passamaquoddy. 
and  other  places,  to  come  along  with  you,  so  as  to  make  up 
that  number  in  the  whole.  The  pay  and  encouragement 
will  be  the  same  we  mentioned  to  you  last  Saturday.  We 
now  desire  your  answer,  that  we  may  write  it  to  General 
Washington. 

AMBROSE.  My  brothers,  it  is  not  in  our  power  to  tell 
how  many  men  we  can  raise.  We  will  get  as  many  as  we 
can.  We  cannot  say  anything  further.  We  will  endeavour 
to  furnish  all  we  can. 

PRESIDENT.  You  all  promise  to  use  your  endeavours  to 
engage  all  the  warriors  you  can.  They  are  to  come  here, 
and  then  go  to  New-York  to  join  General  Washington. 

AMBROSE.  Yes,  we  have  said  it  already,  that  we  will 
go  and  get  all  that  we  can. 

PRESIDENT.  You  told  us  the  other  day  how  many  you 
thought  your  several  villages  would  furnish.  We  should 
be  glad  if  you  would  mention  the  number  again,  according 
to  the  best  of  your  judgment,  that  General  Washington  may 
know  what  to  depend  on. 

AMBROSE.  St.  John's  consists  of  sixty  men,  and  will 
furnish  thirty. 

JOSEPH  and  CHARLES.  Windsor  consists  of  fifty  men,  and 
will  furnish  twenty  or  twenty-five. 

MATTAHU.  Miramichi  and  Rechlbucto  consist  of  eighty 
men,  and  will  furnish  ten. 

JOHN  BATTIS.  Cumberland  Beausejour  consists  of  for- 
ty men,  and  will  furnish  fifteen,  perhaps  twenty-five. 

PETER  ANDRE.  Lehcve  consists  of  sixty  men,  and  will 
furnish  fifteen. 

SEBATTIS  NETOBCOBUIT.  Gaspee  consists  of  fifty  men, 
and  will  furnish  twenty-five  or  thirty  men. 

PRESIDENT.  How  many  can  the  other  six  villages  fur- 
nish? 

AMBROSE.  We  cannot  tell.  We  would  let  you  know 
it  is  not  in  our  power  to  come  this  fall,  except  three,  who 
are  willing  to  go  now.  The  rest  say,  they  cannot  come 
this  fall. 

PRESIDENT.  If  you  cannot  come  yourselves  this  fall, 
perhaps  some  others  of  your  Tribes  can. 

AMBROSE.  When  we  go  home,  we  will  get  all  our  peo- 
ple together,  and  advise  with  them,  and  we  will  certainly 
come  in  the  spring. 

PRESIDENT.  General  Washington  writes  he  wants  them 
now,  as  they  are  strong  men,  and  his  good  brothers. 

AMBROSE.  We  will  endeavour  to  get  them,  and  if  it  is 
possible,  we  will  come  this  fall.  We  will  get  our  men  to- 
gether, and  corne  up,  if  it  is  possible. 


PRESIDENT.  Would  the  other  six  villages  furnish  any 
men? 

AMBROSE.  We  are  so  far  distant  from  each  other,  that  it 
would  bring  it  to  Christmas  before  we  could  get  together. 

PRESIDENT.  How  long  would  it  be  before  your  people 
could  get  together? 

AMBROSE.  We  are  certain  that  we  can  all  be  here  in  the 
spring.  It  will  be  late  before  we  can  all  get  home,  and  it 
will  be  winter  before  our  people  will  be  able  to  get  together. 

PRESIDENT.  Captain  Shaw  can  carry  you  to  Machias 
or  St.  John's  quick,  and  you  can  be  in  your  own  country 
in  a  few  days  after. 

AMBROSE.  Some  of  us,  after  we  get  to  St.  John's  River, 
have  a  great  way  to  go,  near  two  hundred  leagues. 

PRESIDENT.  Those  of  the  St.  John's  Tribe  are  near; 
they  come  in  a  short  time. 

AMBROSE.  When  we  came  from  home,  our  Captain  of 
the  St.  John's  Tribe  was  gone  to  Quebeck  to  hear  what 
news.  He  went  to  see  the  Boston  people,  not  the  King's 
troops.  Perhaps  when  we  get  home,  our  Captain  may  be 
returned,  and  may  bring  the  same  tidings  we  get  here.  If 
not,  as  soon  as  he  does  return,  we  will  endeavour  to  get  the 
men  here  as  quick  as  possible. 

PRESIDENT.  Do  you  think  your  neighbours,  the  Passa- 
maquoddy Indians,  can  furnish  any  men  ?  They  are  near. 

AMBROSE.  We  will  send  people  to  inform  them,  and 
endeavour  to  get  as  many  of  them  as  we  can. 

PRESIDENT.  Do  you  think  the  Cape  Sabk  Indians  can 
furnish  any  men  ? 

AMBROSE.  They  are  too  far  off  to  send  to  from  St. 
John's. 

PRESIDENT.  Not  if  you  can  go  across  the  Bay  ofFundy 
to  Cape  Sable. 

AMBROSE.  We  keep  along  the  coast,  except  when  we 
come  across  the  rivers  that  are  not  too  wide. 

PRESIDENT.  General  Washington  will  depend  on  thirty 
men  from  St.  John's  to  come  up  soon. 

AMBROSE.     Yes,  all  we  can  get. 

PRESIDENT.     Who  lives  next  to  St.  John's1! 

AMBROSE.  The  Mickmacs  are  the  nearest;  they  can't 
come  this  fall,  for  want  of  provisions  for  their  families,  who 
will  starve  if  they  come  away. 

PRESIDENT..  Tell  Ambrose  that  we  thank  him  for  his 
readiness  to  engage  his  people  to  come  here  as  soon  as  they 
can ;  and  we  should  be  glad  the  rest  of  them  would  get  their 
people  together  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  come  to  Boston  with 
as  many  as  they  can  get. 

INDIANS.     We  will  do  all  that  we  can. 

PRESIDENT.  When  you  get  home,  inform  your  Tribes 
and  the  other  Indian  Tribes  what  has  been  agreed  between 
us.  Such  of  the  Indian  warriors  as  incline  to  engage  must 
come  to  this  place ;  and  General  Washington  says  they 
must  bring  their  own  guns  with  them.  Remember  to  tell 
them  they  must  not  fail  to  bring  their  guns,  as  General 
Washington  depends  upon  it. 

AMBROSE.  Those  that  have  two  guns  will  bring  one  with 
them,  and  those  that  have  but  one  gun  must  leave  it  at 
home. 

PRESIDENT.  Besides  their  wages,  they  will  have  a  dol- 
lar for  the  use  of  each  gun  ;  and  if  their  guns  should  be  lost 
in  the  service,  they  will  be  paid  for  them.  Everything  else 
that's  necessary  will  be  supplied  them  when  they  come  here. 
They  must  be  very  expeditious  in  coming.  General  Wash- 
ington wants  them  immediately.  Now  you  know  what  will 
be  paid  for  your  guns,  you  must  prevail  with  your  people 
to  bring  guns  with  them. 

AMBROSE.  Yes,  we  will  all  bring  our  guns,  all  that  have 
any.  We  have  all  got  guns,  but  they  are  not  in  very  good 
order. 

PRESIDENT.  Bring  the  best  you  have  got;  you  must 
come  as  quick  as  you  can.  We  shall  desire  Major  Shaw 
to  procure  you  a  passage  up  to  Boston  from  Machias. 

AMBROSE.  If  there  was  a  vessel  at  St.  John's  we  could 
come  much  quicker.  We  want  to  know  who  will  carry  us 
to  St.  John's  now,  for  the  sooner  we  can  get  home  the  sooner 
we  can  get  together. 

PRESIDENT.  We  shall  desire  Major  Shaw  to  carry  you 
to  Machias  certain  ;  and  if  he  can  carry  you  to  St.  John's 
he  will.  When  Major  Shaw  carries  you  to  Machias,  you 
must  let  him  know  when  he  must  go  there  again  to  bring 
you  up. 


847 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


848 


AMBROSE.     We  will  let  him  know. 

PRESIDENT.  Your  pay  will  commence  on  the  day  you 
sail  from  Machias  to  come  up  to  Boston ;  our  Commissary 
will  send  provisions  for  your  passage  up.  The  companies 
will  be  formed  when  you  come  here.  You  must  engage 
and  inlist  for  so  long  a  time  as  General  Washington  shall 
want  you,  not  exceeding  two  or  three  years,  unless  General 
Washington  and  you  agree  for  a  longer  time;  and  from 
hence  you  will  proceed  to  General  Washington. 

AMBROSE.     We  are  willing. 

PRESIDENT.  Several  of  you,  viz :  Joseph  Donaquara, 
Sabattis  Netobcobius,  and  Peter  Andre,  offered  themselves 
to  engage  in  the  war  immediately;  we  thank  them  ;  we  are 
much  pleased  they  show  so  hearty  a  disposition  to  engage. 
We  accept  of  their  offer,  and,  according  to  their  desire,  will 
send  them  to  General  Washington,  who  will  inform  them 
what  to  do.  The  St.  John's  and  Mickmac  Tribes  are  now 
our  brothers,  and  are  become  one  people  with  the  United 
Colonies.  Those  Colonies  have  lately,  by  their  great  Coun- 
cil at  Philadelphia,  declared  themselves  free  and  indepen- 
dent States,  by  the  name  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
The  certain  news  of  it,  and  the  Declaration  itself,  are  just 
come  to  us;  and  we  are  glad  of  this  opportunity  to  inform 
you,  our  brothers,  of  it.  The  said  great  Council,  the  "Re- 
presentatives of  the  United  States  of  America  in  General 
Congress  assembled,  appealing  to  the  Supreme  Judge  of  the 
world  for  the  rectitude  of  their  intentions,  do,  in  the  name 
and  by  the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  these  Colonies, 
solemnly  publish  and  declare  that  these  United  Colonies  are, 
and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  independent  States ;  that 
they  are  absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown, 
and  that  all  political  connexion  between  them  and  the  State 
of  Great  Britain  is,  and  ought  to  be,  totally  dissolved ;  and 
that,  as  free  and  independent  States,  they  have  full  power 
to  levy  war,  conclude  peace,  contract  alliances,  establish 
commerce,  and  to  do  all  other  acts  and  things  which  inde- 
pendent States  may  of  right  do :  and  for  the  support  of  this 
Declaration,  with  a  firm  reliance  on  the  protection  of  Divine 
Providence,  they  mutually  pledge  to  each  other  their  lives, 
their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honour." 

[Here  the  printed  Declaration  at  large  was  produced  to 
the  Indians,  and  the  Interpreter,  Mr.  Prince,  fully  explained 
it  to  them.] 

AMBROSE.     We  like  it  well. 

PRESIDENT.  This  is  the  Declaration  of  the  United  States 
of  America.  You  and  we,  therefore,  have  now  nothing  to 
do  with  Great  Britain ;  we  are  wholly  separated  from  her, 
and  all  the  former  friendship  and  connexion  with  her  are  now* 
dissolved.  The  United  States  now  form  a  long  and  strong 
chain  ;  and  it  is  made  longer  and  stronger  by  our  brethren 
of  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmac  Tribes  joining  with  us.  And 
may  Almighty  God  never  suffer  this  chain  to  be  broken. 
In  pursuance  and  in  full  confirmation  of  what  has,  in  these 
conferences,  been  agreed  upon  between  us,  we  now  lay 
before  you  certain  Articles  of  Alliance  and  Friendship  which, 
if  you  approve  of  them,  we  propose  should  be  mutually 
signed,  viz :  by  you,  in  behalf  of  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmac 
Tribes  on  the  one  part,  and  by  us,  in  behalf  of  the  United 
States  of  America  on  the  other  part. 

The  PRESIDENT  then,  holding  out  to  them  the  Treaty, said, 
This  is  the  Treaty  to  be  read  to  you;  if  you  approve  of  it, 
it  will  be  fairly  written  and  brought  here  again  to  be  signed 
by  you  and  us.  I  shall  desire  one  of  my  brothers  to  read  it 
to  you,  being  obliged  myself  to  go  to  Boston.  Upon  which 
the  President,  after  shaking  hands  with,  the  Indians,  and 
bidding  them  farewell,  retired. 

The  Honourable  BENJAMIN  GREENLEAF,  Esq.,  then  read 
the  Treaty  to  the  Indians,  which  was  fully  and  clearly  inter- 
preted to  them,  and  of  which  they  expressed  their  entire 
approbation,  and  said  they  were  ready  to  sign  it.  After 
mutual  healths  were  drunk,  the  Conference  was  adjourned 
to  the  next  day. 

Wednesday,  July  17,  1776. 

The  Council  and  the  Indian  Delegates  being  met,  dupli- 
cates of  the  Treaty,  fairly  written,  were  produced  and  signed 
and  exchanged. 

Then  the  Hon.  Benjamin  Greenleaf,  Esq.,  told  them  that 
the  presents  ordered  them  by  the  Government  would  be 
delivered  to  them  as  soon  as  they  were  ready. 


The  Conference  being  now  ended,  the  Indians  took  leave 
of  the  Council  and  departed. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  Treaty  above  referred  to,  viz  : 
A  Treaty  of  Alliance  and  Friendship  entered  intoand  con~ 

eluded  by  and  between  the  governours  of  the  State  of  MAS- 
SACHUSETTS-BAY and  the  Delegates  of  the  ST.  JOHN'S 

and  MICKMAC  Tribes  of  INDIANS. 

Whereas  the  United  States  of  America,  in  General  Con- 
gress assembled,  have,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of 
the  good  people  of  these  Colonies,  solemnly  published  and 
declared  that  these  United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought 
to  be,  free  and  independent  States ;  that  they  are  absolved 
from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown ;  and  that  all  politi- 
cal connexion  between  them  and  the  State  of  Great  Britain 
is,  and  ought  to  be,  dissolved ;  and  that,  as  free  and  inde- 
pendent States,  they  have  full  power  to  levy  war,  conclude 
peace,  contract  alliances,  establish  commerce,  and  to  do  all 
other  acts  and  things  which  independent  States  may  of  right 
do:  We,  the  governours  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  do, 
by  virtue  thereof,  and  by  the  powers  vested  in  us,  enter  into 
and  conclude  the  following  Treaty  of  Friendship  and  Alli- 
ance, viz: 

1st.  We,  the  governours  of  the  said  State  of  Massachu- 
setts-Bay, in  behalf  of  said  State  and  the  other  United  States 
of  America  on  the  one  part,  and  Ambrius  Var,  Newell 
Wallis,  and  Francis,  Delegates  of  the  St.  John's  Tribe, 
Joseph  Denaquara,  Charles,  Mattahu  Ontrane,  Nicholas, 
John  Battis,  Peter  Andre,  and  Sebattis  Netobcobwit,  Dele- 
gates of  the  Mickmac  Tribe  of  Indians,  inhabiting  within  the 
Province  of  Nova-Scotia,  for  themselves  and  in  behalf  of 
the  said  Tribes  on  the  other  part,  do  solemnly  agree,  that 
the  people  of  the  said  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay  and  of 
the  other  United  States  of  America,  and  of  the  said  Tribes  ' 
of  Indians,  shall  henceforth  be  at  peace  with  each  other,  and 
be  considered  as  friends  and  brothers,  united  and  allied  to- 
gether for  their  mutual  defence,  safety,  and  happiness. 

2d.  That  each  party  to  this  Treaty  shall  and  will  con-  , 
sider  the  enemies  of  the  other  as  enemies  to  themselves; 
and  do  hereby  solemnly  promise  and  engage  to  and  with 
each  other,  that  when  called  upon  for  that  purpose,  they 
shall  and  will,  to  the  utmost  of  their  abilities,  aid  and  assist 
each  other  against  their  publick  enemies ;  and  particularly 
that  the  people  of  the  said  Tribes  of  Indians  shall  and  will 
afford  and  give  to  the  people  of  said  State  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay  and  the  people  of  the  other  United  States  of  America, 
during  their  present  war  with  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
all  the  aid  and  assistance  in  their  power;  and  that  they,  the 
people  of  the  said  Tribes  of  Indians,  shall  not  and  will  not, 
directly  or  indirectly,  give  any  aid  or  assistance  to  the  troops 
or  subjects  of  the  said  King  of  Great  Britain,  or  others 
adhering  to  him,  or  hold  any  correspondence,  or  carry  on 
any  commerce  with  them  during  the  present  war. 

3d.  That  if  any  robbery  or  outrage  happens  to  be  com- 
mitted by  any  of  the  subjects  of  said  State  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  or  of  any  other  of  the  United  States  of  America,  upon 
any  of  the  people  of  said  Tribes,  the  said  State  shall,  upon 
proper  application  being  made,  cause  satisfaction  and  resti- 
tution speedily  to  be  made  to  the  party  injured. 

4th.  That  if  any  robbery  or  outrage  happens  to  be  com- 
mitted by  any  of  the  said  Tribes  of  Indians  upon  any  of  the 
subjects  of  said  State,  or  of  any  other  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  the  Tribe  to  which  the  offender  or  offenders 
shall  belong  shall,  upon  proper  application  being  made, 
cause  satisfaction  and  restitution  speedily  to  be  made  to  the 
party  injured. 

5th.  That  in  case  any  misunderstanding,  quarrel,  or  inju- 
ry, shall  happen  between  the  said  State  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  or  any  other  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  the 
said  Tribes  of  Indians,  or  either  of  them,  no  private  revenge 
shall  be  taken,  but  a  peaceable  application  shall  be  made 
for  redress. 

6th.  That  the  said  Tribes  of  Indians  shall  and  will  furnish 
and  supply  six  hundred  strong  men  out  of  the  said  Tribes, 
or  as  many  as  may  be,  who  shall,  without  delay,  proceed 
from  their  several  homes  up  to  the  town  of  Boston,  within 
this  State,  and  from  thence  shall  march  to  join  the  Army  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  now  at  New-York,  under  the 
immediate  command  of  his  Excellency  General  Washing- 
ton, there  to  take  his  orders. 


849 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


850 


7th.  That  each  of  the  Indians  who  shall,  by  their  respec- 
tive Tribes,  be  appointed  to  join  the  Army  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  shall  bring  with  him  a  good  gun,  and 
shall  be  allowed  one  dollar  for  the  use  of  it;  and  in  case  the 
gun  should  be  lost  in  the  service,  shall  be  paid  the  value  of 
it;  and  the  pay  of  each  man  shall  begin  from  the  time  they 
sail  from  Machias  for  Boston,  and  they  shall  be  supplied 
with  provisions  and  a  vessel  or  vessels  for  their  passage  up 
to  Boston.  Each  private  man  shall  receive  the  like  pay 
as  is  given  to  our  own  private  men.  The  Indians  shall  be 
formed  into  companies  when  they  arrive  at  Boston,  and  shall 
engage  or  inlist  for  so  long  a  time  as  General  Washington 
shall  want  them,  not  exceeding  the  term  of  three  years, 
unless  General  Washington  and  they  shall  agree  for  a  longer 
time.  And  as  Joseph  Denaquara,  Peter  Andre,  and  Sfl- 
battis  Netobcobwit,  have  manfully  and  generously  offered  to 
enter  immediately  into  the  war,  they  shall  be  sent,  as  soon 
as  may  be,  to  General  Washington,  to  join  the  Army,  and 
shall  be  considered  as  entering  into  our  pay  at  the  time  of 
their  arrival  at  New- York. 

8th.  The  delegates  above  named  who  may  return  to  their 
homes,  do  promise  and  engage  to  use  their  utmost  influence 
with  the  Passamaquoddy  and  other  neighbouring  Tribes  of 
Indians  to  persuade  them  to  furnish  and  supply,  for  the  said 
service,  as  many  strong  men  of  their  respective  Tribes  as 
possible;  and  that  they  come  along  with  those  of  the  Tribes 
of  St.  John's  and  Mickmac.  And  the  said  governours  of 


the  said  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay  do  hereby  engage  to 
give  such  of  the  said  Passamaquoddy  or  other  neighbouring 
Indians  who  shall  enter  into  the  service  of  the  United  States 
of  America  the  same  pay  and  encouragement,  in  every  par- 
ticular, as  is  above  agreed  to  be  given  to  the  St.  John's  or 
Mickmac  Indians,  and  to  consider  them  as  our  friends  and 
brothers. 

9th.  That  the  said  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay  shall  any 
will  furnish  their  Truckmaster  at  MacAi<M,  as  soon  as  mad  be, 
with  proper  articles  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  Indians 
of  said  Tribes  with  the  necessaries  and  conveniences  of  life. 

10th.  And  the  said  delegates  do  hereby  annul  and  make 
void  all  former  Treaties  by  them,  or  by  others  in  behalf  of 
their  respective  Tribes,  made  with  any  other  Power,  State, 
or  person,  so  far  forth  as  the  same  shall  be  repugnant  to  any 
of  the  Articles  contained  in  this  Treaty. 

In  faith  and  testimony  whereof,  we,  the  said  governours 
of  the  said  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  have  signed  these 
presents,  and  caused  the  seal  of  the  said  State  to  be  hereunto 
affixed;  and  the  said  Ombrius  Far,  Newell  Wallis,  and 
Francis,  delegates  of  the  St.  John's  Tribe,  Joseph  Dena- 
quara, Charles,  Mattahu  Ontrane,  Nicholas,  John  Battis, 
Peter  Andre,  and  Sebattis  Netobcobwit,  delegates  of  the 
Mickmac  Tribe  of  Indians,  have  hereunto  put  their  marks 
and  seals  in  the  Council  Chamber  at  Watertown,  in  the 
State  aforesaid,  the  nineteenth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-six. 

his 


JAMES  BOWDOIN, 
B.  GREENLEAF, 
CALEB  GUSHING, 
RICHD.  DERBY,  Jun., 
JOHN  W1NTHROP, 
THOMAS  GUSHING, 
JOHN  WHETCOMB, 
ELDAD  TAYLOR, 
SAML.  HOLTEN, 
MOSES  GILL, 
JOHN  TAYLOR, 
BENJM.  WHITE, 
EBEN.  THAYER,  Jun., 
HENRY  GARDNER, 
DANIEL  HOPKINS, 
DANIEL  DAVIS, 
JABEZ  FISHER. 


OMBRIUS 


VAR  &  Seal. 


his 


mark. 


NEWELL  >P    -^  WALLIS  &  Seal, 
mark, 
his 


FRANCIS 


&  Seal. 


mark, 
his 


MATTAHU  y\/\/XONTRANE  &  Seal. 

mark, 
his 

NICHOLAS /^^     ^V   &Seal. 
mark. 


JOHN 


CHARLES  &  Seal. 


PETER 


BATTIS  &  Seal. 


ANDRE  &Seal. 


JOSEPH  7         DENAdUARA  &  Seal. 

mark. 


his 


SEBATTIS 


NETOBCOBWIT. 


mark. 


[Colony  Seal  appended.] 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PENNSYLVANIA  ASSOCIATORS. 

Head-Quarters,  August  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  had  fully  resolved  to  pay  you  a  visit  in 
New-Jersey,  if  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  some 
late  intelligence,  indicating  an  early  attack,  had  not  induced 
me  to  suspend  it.  Allow  me,  therefore,  to  address  you  in 
this  mode,  as  fellow-citizens  and  fellow-soldiers  engaged  in 
the  same  glorious  cause;  to  represent  to  you  that  the  fate  of 
your  country  depends,  in  all  human  probability,  on  the  exer- 
tion of  a  few  weeks;  that  it  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  54 


keep  up  a  respectable  force  for  that  time;  and  there  can  be 
no  doubt  that  success  will  crown  our  efforts,  if  we  firmly  and 
resolutely  determine  to  conquer  or  die.  I  have  placed  so 
much  confidence  in  the  spirit  and  zeal  of  the  Associated 
Troops  of  Pennsylvania,  that  I  cannot  persuade  myself  an 
impatience  to  return  home,  or  a  less  honourable  motive,  will 
defeat  my  well-grounded  expectation  that  they  will  do  their 
country  essential  service  at  this  critical  time,  when  the  powers 
of  despotism  are  all  combined  against  it,  and  ready  to  strike 
their  most  decisive  stroke.  If  I  could  allow  myself  to  doubt 


851 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


852 


your  spirit  and  perseverance,  I  should  represent  the  ruinous 
consequences  of  your  leaving  the  service,  by  setting  hefore 
you  the  discouragement  it  would  give  the  Army,  the  confu- 
sion and  shame  of  our  friends,  and  the  still  more  galling 
triumph  of  our  enemies;  hut  as  I  have  no  such  douhts,  I 
shall  only  thank  you  for  the  spirit  and  ardour  you  have 
shown  in  so  readily  marching  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  am 
most  confident  you  will  crown  it  by  a  glorious  perseverance. 
The  honour  and  safety  of  our  bleeding  country,  and  every 
other  motive  that  can  influence  the  brave  and  heroick  patriot, 
call  loudly  upon  us  to  acquit  ourselves  with  spirit.  In  short, 
we  must  now  determine  to  be  enslaved  or  free.  If  we  make 
freedom  our  choice,  we  must  obtain  it  by  the  blessing  of 
Heaven  on  our  united  and  vigorous  efforts. 

I  salute  you,  gentlemen,  most  affectionately,  and  beg  leave 
to  remind  you  that  liberty,  honour,  and  safety,  are  all  at 
stake;  and  I  trust  Providence  will  smile  upon  our  efforts, 
and  establish  us  once  more  the  inhabitants  of  a  free  and 
happy  country. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Association. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  LIVINGSTON. 

New- York,  August  8,  177G. 

SIR:  Before  this  reaches  you,  you  will  undoubtedly  have 
heard  of  the  unexpected  arrival  of  the  Carolina  Army  on 
Staten-Island,  which,  added  to  the  Hessians  and  foreign 
troops  under  Lord  Howe,  exhibits  a  force  justly  alarming. 
When  I  compare  it  with  that  which  we  have  to  oppose  them, 
I  cannot  help  feeling  every  anxious  apprehension.  The  new 
levies  are  so  incomplete,  the  old  regiments  deficient  in  their 
complement,  and  so  much  sickness,  that  we  must  have  an 
immediate  supply  of  men.  I  have  therefore  written  to  Con- 
necticut and  to  the  Convention  of  your  Province  to  call  out 
the  Militia  immediately;  but  as  it  may  take  some  time,  and 
the  necessity  admits  of  no  delay,  I  have  thought  it  proper 
to  apply  to  you  also,  under  the  resolution  of  Congress  of 
last  June,  (copy  of  which  was  sent  you  when  Lord  Howe's 
fleet  first  arrived,)  to  beg  you  would  use  your  utmost  exer- 
tions to  forward  this  most  necessary  measure.  The  conse- 
quences to  the  American  interest  of  any  failure  here,  are  so 
obvious,  that  I  need  not  enlarge  upon  them.  Your  own 
good  judgment  will  suggest  everything  proper. 

It  would  be  a  great  saving  of  time  and  expense,  if  the 
Militia,  when  they  come,  would  always  equip  themselves 
with  arms,  ammunition,  blankets,  canteens,  and  kettles,  as 
far  as  they  can.  And  in  any  order  given  on  the  present 
occasion,  1  would  wish  you  to  notice  it  specially. 

I  am,  with  much  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedi- 
ent and  very  humble  servant, 

(jo.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Brig.  Gen.  William  Livingston,  New-Jersey  Militia. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  MERCER. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  8,  1776. 
SIR:  The  account  given  you  by  a  deserter,  as  brought 
me  by  Mr.  Tilghman,  is  confirmed  by  two  sailors  who  came 
off  the  night  before  last  from  the  enemy — that  General  Clin- 
ton is  arrived  with  his  Army  from  South- Carolina,  and  that 
preparations  are  making  for  an  early  and  vigorous  attack. 
They  further  add,  that  last  Sunday  one  thousand  Hessians 
landed — part  of  twelve  thousand,  the  remainder  being  left  off 
the  Banks  of  Newfoundland,  that  may  be  expected  every 
hour.  Under  these  circumstances,  and  considering  how  much 
deficient  this  Army  is,  from  the  not  filling  up  the  new  levies, 
and  sickness,  I  must  desire  you  to  send  over  one  of  the  Rifle 
regiments,  as  we  have  not  one  corps  of  that  kind  on  this 

shnd.  I  leave  it  to  you  to  fix  upon  that  which  you  think 
will  come  with  the  most  cheerfulness  and  are  best  appointed, 
but  would  not  have  any  time  lost.  The  Quartermaster  may 

et  out  immediately  to  prepare  for  them.     From  all  accounts, 

the  grand  attack  will  be  made  here  and  at  Long-Island.     I 

cannot  find  anything  meditated  against  New-Jersey  at  pre- 

have  written  to  the  Convention  of  Jersey  and  to 

Connecticut  to  send  on  the  Militia  with  all  expedition. 

I  am,  sir,  with  much  regard,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

lo  ueneral  Mercer,  New- Jersey. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  8,  177fi. 

SIR:  By  this  I  mean  to"  communicate  to  your  honourable 
body  the  substance  of  the  intelligence  I  received  yesterday, 
from  two  deserters  that  came  the  evening  before  from  the 
Solcuay  man-of-war. 

They  inform  that  they  were  in  the  engagement  at  Sulli- 
van's Island,  and  give  nearly  the  same  account  as  that  trans- 
mitted by  General  Lee,  which  you  would  see  published  by 
Congress.  They  add,  that  they  left  South- Carolina  about 
three  weeks  ago,  with  General  Clinton  and  his  whole  Army, 
who  are  now  arrived  and  landed  on  Staten-Island.  They 
also  say  that  part  of  Lord  Howe's  fleet,  wiih  Hessian  and 
Highland  troops  on  board,  have  got  in,  and  that  the  remain- 
der, with  a  considerable  body,  is  hourly  expected,  which 
those  that  have  come  in  parted  from  in  a  gale  of  wind  off 
the  Banks  of  Newfoundland. 

As  the  accounts  given  by  these  men  are  direct  and  cir- 
cumstantial, and  their  authenticity  corroborated  by  many 
other  things  that  have  occurred,  it  is  not  to  be  doubted  but 
the  number  of  the  enemy's  Army  will  greatly  exceed  ours. 
Their  force  it  was  generally  expected  would  be  considerable 
of  itself,  and  the  unexpected  augmentation  of  General  Clin- 
ton's Army  makes  it  more  so.  On  the  other  hand,  ours  does 
not  come  up  to  the  intended  establishment. 

Under  these  circumstances,  and  as  we  may  expect  the 
period  just  at  hand  when  they  will  make  their  vigorous  push, 
I  submit  it  to  the  consideration  of  your  honourable  body 
whether  it  may  not  be  necessary  for  your  exertions  to  be 
employed  in  calling,  in  the  most  expeditious  manner,  such 
reinforcements  as  you  can  obtain,  to  the  aid  of  this  Army. 


I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &tc. 


Go.  WASHINGTON. 


To  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  President,  &ic. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  favoured  with  your  letter  of. the  6th 
instant,  and  am  happy  to  find  the  nomination  I  made  of 
General  Clinton,  in  consequence  of  your  request  to  appoint 
an  officer  to  the  command  of  the  levies  on  both  sides  Hud- 
son's River,  has  met  the  approbation  of  your  honourable 
body.  His  acquaintance  with  the  country,  abilities,  and  zeal 
for  the  cause,  are  the  motives  that  induced  me  to  make  choice 
of  him.  However,  I  arn  led  to  conclude,  from  that  part  of 
your  letter  which  desires  me  to  transmit  him  his  appoint- 
ment, with  the  resolution  subjecting  the  levies  on  both  sides 
of  the  river  to  his  command,  that  your  honourable  body  en- 
tertain ideas  of  the  matter  somewhat  different  from  what  I 
do,  or  ever  did. 

When  I  was  honoured  with  your  letter  of  the  IGth  ultimo, 
with  the  resolves  of  Convention  upon  this  subject,  the  state 
of  the  Army  under  my  command  would  not  allow  me  to 
send  a  General  Officer  in  the  Continental  service  to  com- 
mand the  levies  you  then  proposed  to  raise,  supposing  I  had 
been  authorized  to  do  it.  But  considering  myself  without 
power  in  this  instance,  and  the  levies  altogether  of  a  Provin- 
cial nature,  to  be  raised  by  you,  and  subject  to  your  direc- 
tion, I  esteemed  the  nomination  of  a  General  Officer  over 
them,  intrusteo"  to  my  choice,  a  matter  of  favour  and  of  com- 
pliment, and  as  such  I  gratefully  filled  it.  I  am  persuaded, 
that  I  expressed  myself  in  this  manner  to  the  gentlemen  who 
were  pleased  to  attend  me  upon  the  occasion,  and  that  they 
had  the  same  ideas.  Under  the  influence  of  this  opinion, 
all  I  expected  was,  that  an  appointment  would  be  made  in 
conformity  to  my  nomination,  if  there  was  no  objection  to  the 
gentleman  I  proposed;  conceiving  then,  as  I  do  now,  that  if 
he  was  approved  by  Convention,  he  would  be  their  officer, 
and  derive  his  appointment  and  authority  from  them.  In  this 
light  I  presume  General  Clinton  must  be  viewed,  and  his 
powers  over  the  levies  you  allude  to,  flow  from  you.  Lest 
accident  may  have  mislaid  the  letter  I  wrote  you  on  the 
subject,  1  have  enclosed  an  extract  of  it,  so  far  as  it  had 
relation  to  it. 

It  is  not  in  my  power  to  send  an  experienced  officer  at 
this  time  to  the  post  you  mention.  I  trust  that  Colonel  Clin- 
ton will  be  equal  to  the  command  of  both  the  Highland  for- 
tifications. They  are  under  his  direction  at  present. 

In  respect  to  the  two  Commissaries,  I  thought  the  matter 
had  been  fixed;  but  as  it  is  not,  I  have  requested  Mr.  Trutn- 


853 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


854 


lull,  who  has  the  charge  of  this,  to  wait  upon  and  agree 
with  the  Convention,  on  proper  persons  to  conduct  the  busi- 
ness, and  in  such  a  way  that  their  purchases  and  his  may 
not  clash;  to  him,  therefore,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  upon 
this  subject. 

I  am  extremely  obliged  by  the  order  for  the  telescope.  I 
have  obtained  it,  and  will  try  to  employ  it  for  the  valuable 
purposes  you  designed  it. 

I  shall  pay  proper  attention  to  your  members,  and  persons 
employed  in  their  service,  and  give  it  in  General  Orders  that 
they  be  permitted  to  pass  our  guards  without  interruption. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  cannot  but  express  my  fears  lest  the 
enemy's  Army,  so  largely  augmented,  should  possess  them- 
selves of  the  whole  stock  on  Long-Island.  When  the  fur- 
ther reinforcement  arrives,  which  they  hourly  expect,  they 
may  do  it  without  a  possibility  on  our  part  of  preventing 
them.  I  wish  the  Convention  may  not  see  cause  to  regret 
that  they  were  not  removed. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sic.,          Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  JVoodhull,  Esq.,  President,  Sic. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL    GEORGE  CLINTON. 
Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  8,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Yours  of  the  2d  instant  is  duly  received. 
Enclosed  you  have  a  resolution  of  the  Provincial  Conven- 
tion, which  came  to  hand  last  evening,  by  which  you  will 
please  to  regulate  your  conduct.  I  must  beg  you  to  inform 
me,  as  soon  as  possible,  what  number  your  brigade  now  con- 
sists of,  and  what  number  it  will  contain  when  a  fourth  part 
of  the  Militia  are  draughted,  agreeable  to  order  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress. 

By  intelligence  received  and  movements  observed  of  the 
enemy,  we  have  the  greatest  reason  to  believe  a  general 
attack  will  be  made  in  the  course  of  a  few  days.  Our  num- 
bers are  much  short  of  the  enemy.  I  hope  no  time  will  be 
lost  in  marching  the  reinforcements  expected,  to  our  assist- 
ance, from  different  quarters,  with  all  possible  despatch. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Brigadier-General  George  Clinton,  New- York  Militia. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  MAJOR  FRENCH. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  unwilling  to  determine,  hastily,  upon  your 
claim  of  a  release,  founded  upon  your  parole;  and  therefore 
delayed  the  acknowledgment  of  your  favour  of  the  22d  of 
July,  until  I  should  fully  inform  myself.  I  had  accordingly 
written  to  you  yesterday,  that  I  was  so  unhappy  as  to  differ 
from  you  in  the  construction  you  had  put  upon  it,  but  as 
there  was  reason  to  believe  a  general  exchange  of  prisoners 
might  soon  take  place,  I  should  cheerfully  facilitate  your 
return  to  your  friends. 

Last  night  I  received  your  favour  of  the  5th  of  August, 
waiving  your  claim  of  a  release,  which  makes  any  further 
discussion  of  that  matter  unnecessary.  Your  other  proposal, 
of  being  exchanged  for  Major  Meigs  or  Colonel  Allen,  will 
meet  with  no  objection  from  me.  Should  you  write  to  Gene- 
ral Howe  on  the  subject,  the  letter  shall  be  cheerfully  for- 
warded, and  his  answer  returned. 

Should  any  difficulty  arise  in  the  exchange,  I  am  doubt- 
ful how  far  I  should  be  authorized,  without  consulting  the 
Congress,  to  grant  you  an  indulgence  similar  to  that  of 
Major  Meigs,  which  I  have  been  informed  was  allowed  in 
consequence  of  his  saving  the  life  of  a  British  officer  either 
nearly  connected  with,  or  much  esteemed  by,  General  Carle- 
ton.  However,  you  may  assure  yourself,  sir,  that  both  duty 
and  inclination  lead  me  to  relieve  the  unfortunate,  and  that  I 
agree  with  you,  that  your  long  and  early  captivity,  gives  you 
a  very  just  claim  to  special  notice;  and  I  shall  be  happy  in 
furthering  your  wishes,  as  far  as  my  station  will  admit. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  and  very  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Major  French. 

DANIEL  GOLDSMITH  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New  Jail,  New-York,  August  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  On  Tuesday  last  Mr.  Alderman  Blagge 
sent  for  me,  and  showed  me  a  petition  he  had  received  from 


the  enclosed  petitioner,  and  informed  me  he  never  had  any 
proof  appeared  against  him  ;  therefore  he  saw  no  just  cause 
for  detaining  him  any  longer,  and  advised  a  discharge  of  tho 
petitioner.  I  replied,  that  he  was  now  an  immediate  prisoner 
under  your  honourable  House,  and  of  consequence  not  in 
my  power  to  discharge  him  without  your  approbation;  which 
the  Alderman  acquiesced  in,  and  told  me  he  would  wait  on 
you  concerning  it;  but  if  he  did  not,  advised  me  to  wait  upon 
some  gentleman  in  the  Congress,  which  I  have  done,  and 
was  by  him  advised  to  write  to  the  whole  House. 

Your  petitioner  appears  to  me  to  be  very  friendly  to  the 
cause,  and  I  have  been  informed  by  several  officers  that  he 
is  one  of  the  most  complete  fuglemen  upon  the  Continent, 
and  has  proved  himself  very  useful  in  disciplining  the  Jersey 
forces.  He  seems  very  desirous  to  enter  the  service  if  dis- 
charged. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obliged  and  most  humble 


servant, 


DANIEL  GOLDSMITH. 


To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress  for  the  Province 
of  New-York,  sitting  at  Harlem. 

PETITION  OF  JOHN  ANDREWS. 

To  the  Honourable  Provincial  Congress  for  the  Province  of 

NEW- YORK: 
The  humble  Petition  of  JOHN  ANDREWS,  of  POITGHKEEP- 

SIE,  in  the  Province  of  NEW-YORK,  most  humbly  show- 

eth: 

That  your  petitioner  about  seventeen  weeks  ago  was  com- 
mitted to  the  new  Jail,  in  the  city  of  New-  York,  by  Alder- 
man Blagge,  on  suspicion  of  theft;  and  no  witnesses  having 
appeared  against  me,  I  took  the  liberty  of  petitioning  the 
above  Alderman  for  a  trial  and  discharge,  who  advised  Mr. 
Goldsmith,  Continental  Jailor,  to  petition  your  honourable 
House,  from  whom,  he  informed  me,  I  might  expect  impar- 
tial justice  and  mercy  in  this  my  deplorable  situation.  I  am 
willing  to  swear  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty  God, 
that  I  am  entirely  innocent  of  the  crime  for  which  I  am  con- 
fined. 

If  you  will  be  favourably  pleased  to  take  my  unhappy 
case  into  your  serious  consideration,  I  shall,  in  gratitude,  be 
in  duty  bound  ever  to  pray,  &c.  JoHN  ANDREWS- 

New  Jail,  August  8,  1776. 

NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York,  ) 

Harlem,  August  8,  1776.     ) 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  of  the  State  of 
New-York  to  enclose  to  your  Excellency  sundry  resolutions 
which  they  have  entered  into  in  consequence  of  part  of  your 
letter  of  this  date. 

The  Convention  have  further  measures  in  contemplation 
for  the  security  of  this  State,  which  they  conceive  of  the 
utmost  importance  to  the  general  cause  of  America.  So 
soon  as  they  are  determined  on,  I  shall  give  your  Excellency 
immediate  notice,  and  at  the  same  time  answer  your  two 
letters  of  this  date  in  a  more  particular  manner  than  the 
hurry  of  business  will  at  present  admit  of. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  respectfully,  sir,  your  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant, 

NATH'L  WOODHULL,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New- York,  ) 

Harlem,  August  8,  1776.      ) 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Josiah  Smith  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  ordered  immediately  to  march  all  his  new  levies  to  the 
western  end  of  Nassau  Island,  and  within  two  miles  of  Brig- 
adier-General Greene's  encampment ;  and  that  he  obey  such 
orders  as  he  may  receive  from  time  to  time  from  Brigadier- 
General  Greene. 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  Brigadier-General  Clinton 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  appointed  to  the  command  of  all  the 
levies  raised  and  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Ulster, 
Orange,  Dutchess,  and  West -Chester,  agreeable  to  the  reso- 
lution of  this  Convention  of  the  16th  day  of  July  last. 

Resolved,  That  General  Clinton  be  informed  of  this  ap- 
pointment, and  directed  immediately  to  send  expresses  to 
the  Counties  of  Ulster,  Dulchess,  Orange,  and  West-Chester, 


8oo 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


856 


and  order  them  to  hasten  their  levies,  and  inarch  them  down 
to  the  fort  now  erected  on  the  nortli  side  of  King's  Bridge, 
leaving  two  hundred  men  under  the  command  of  a  brave 
and  alert  officer,  to  take  possession  of,  and  throw  up  works 
at,  the  pass  at  Anthony's  Nose. 

Resolved,  That  General  Clinton  be  requested  to  order  the 
Troops  of  Horse  belonging  to  the  Counties  of  Ulster,  Orange, 
and  H'est-  Chester,  immediately  to  inarch  to  such  posts  as  he 
may  think  proper  that  they  should  occupy,  in  order  to  watch 
the  motions  of  the  enemy's  ships  of  war  now  in  Hudson's 
River. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

JOHN  MCKESSON,  Secretary. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  A  GENTLEMAN  TO  HIS  FRIEND 
IN  NEW-YORK,  DATED  OFF  FORT-WASHINGTON,  AUGUST  8, 
1776. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  instant  I  gave  you  a  short  ac- 
count of  our  brush  with  the  Phenix  and  Rose,  men-of-war, 
off  Tarrytown,  on  Saturday  last.  Give  me  now  leave  to 
add  thereto  the  following  remarks : 

The  force  with  which  we  were  to  attack  these  ships  being 
entirely  inferior  to  theirs,  our  dependance,  under  Providence, 
was  to  find  them,  or  to  force  them  into  such  a  situation  as 
they  could  not  bring  their  broadsides  to  bear  upon  our  galleys; 
and  indeed  in  this  situation  the  Phenix  was  about  twelve 
hours  before  we  got  up  to  her,  being  at  that  time  fast  aground; 
but  before  we  could  reach  them,  both  ships  were  entirely 
clear,  with  springs  upon  their  cables,  and  their  broadsides 
ready  to  engage  us.  Let  me  observe  here,  that  this  was  not 
at  any  time  the  case  with  the  frigates  that  were  attacked  by 
our  gondolas  at  Philadelphia,  which  makes  all  odds.  For 
had  the  tide  or  the  channel  prevented  the  Phenix  and  the 
Ros  e  bringing  springs  upon  their  cables,  and  their  broadsides 
to  bear,  our  galleys  would  no  doubt  have  managed  them  in 
our  river  without  much  difficulty.  But  our  gallant  command- 
er was  determined  to  exchange  a  few  shots  with  them  at 
all  events.  The  enterprise  was  worthy  of  a  people  con- 
tending ^for  their  dearest  rights.  For  it  is  a  fact  that  the 
ground-tier  of  even  one  side  of  the  Phenix  was  equal  to  all 
the  force  of  our  galleys  put  together.  Judge  then — let  the 
world,  let  our  enemies  judge — if  the  sons  of  Connecticut  and 
Rhode-Island,  from  which  States  out  galleys  were  almost 
wholly  officered  and  manned,  did  not  behave  with  a  spirit 
and  intrepidity  becoming  the  descendants  of  such  noble  an- 
cestors, in  fighting,  for  two  hours,  an  enemy  of  at  least  four 
times  their  force.  Oh !  ye  despicable  Ministerial  bawlers ! 
it  could  only  have  entered  into  such  servilely  dastard  souls 
as  your  own  to  believe  that  the  brave  Americans  were 
cowards. 


COLONEL  THOMAS  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Tarrytown,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  Yesterday  was  brought  before  me  Joshua  Ferris, 
whom  I  send  by  the  bearer,  and  whose  examination  is  en- 
closed. He  is  an  old  offender,  has  been  sought  for  long 
since  by  the  Committee  of  this  County  to  answer  for  his 
repeated  offences,  particularly  in  being  in  arms  against  this 
country.  He  was  also  suspected  of  being  guilty  of  spiking 
up  our  cannon  near  the  bridge.  I  therefore  refer  him  to  the 
honourable  Convention  of  this  State  for  trial. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  THOMAS. 
To  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President  of  the 

Convention  of  the  State  of  Neiv-  York,  at  Harlem. 

P.  S.  Philip  Scureman  and  Frederick  Secore,  who  came 
on  shore  with  the  prisoner,  having  then  made  their  escape, 
were  immediately  pursued  by  Captain  J.  Vermilyea's  com- 
pany of  the  Militia,  who  apprehended  the  prisoner. 


Philip  Scureman,  and  Frederick  Secore,  both  of  whom  came 
on  shore  with  this  examinant  last  evening;  that  he  saw  also 
on  board  one  Lewis  Purdy,  from  Croton  River.  That  he 
was  on  board  when  the  ships  were  attacked  last  Saturday  by 
our  galleys,  when,  as  he  was  informed,  one  man  was  killed 
and  two  wounded  on  board  of  the  Rose. 

EXAMINATION  OF  JOSHUA  FERRIS. 

Joshua  Ferris,  being  examined,  says,  That  on  Friday,  the 
26th  July,  he  went  on  board  the  Phenix  in  the  night,  and 
returned  on  shore  the  next  day,  and  after  staying  on  shore 
till  the  Wednesday  following,  then  returned  on  board  the 
said  ship ;  that  he  saw  one  Bailey  on  board  the  said  ship ; 
that  he  saw  two  persons  on  board  the  ship  who  came  from 
New-York,  while  he  was  on  shore,  one  of  them  with  a  laced 
hat  and  one  eye,  but  does  not  know  their  names.  Philip 
Scureman  and  Frederick  Secore  went  on  board  the  ship  and 
returned  with  him.  That  he  also  saw  Lewis  Purdy,  of 
Croton,  on  board.  That  when  the  ship  was  aground,  she 
ran  about  one-half  of  her  lower-deck  guns  forward  to  lighten 
her.  That  he  was  on  board  at  the  time  of  the  engagement, 
and  understood  there  was  one  man  killed  and  two  wounded 
on  board  the  Rose,  but  there  were  none  hurt  on  board  the 

Phenix.  T  ,-, 

JOSHUA  b  ERRIS. 

Taken  at  Harlem,  the  10th  August,  1776,  before  us, 

LEWIS  GRAHAM, 
JNO.  SLOSS  HOBART. 


EXAMINATION  OF  JOSHUA  FERRIS. 

Joshua  Ferris,  son  of  Caleb  Ferris,  being  this  7th  day  of 
August,  1776,  examined,  saith,  That  he  went  on  board  of 
the  Phenix  last  Friday  week,  (being  the  26th  day  of  July 
last,)  and  returned  on  shore  the  next  day;  that  after  having 
staid  on  shore  until  the  Wednesday  after,  he  returned  on 

board  again  in  the  canoe,  he  put  off  in   from  Benjamin    supporting  an  Army,  that  mode  will  soon  fail;  and  what 
ys;  that  he  saw  on  board  of  the  Phenix  one  Bailey,     the  consequences  will  be  is  easily  foreseen.     Permit  me, 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

German-Flats,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  Last  night  I  was  honoured  with  yours  of  the  18th 
July,  with  copy  of  the  petition  of  Captain  Benedict,  of  the 
1 1th  July,  to  Congress,  and  the  resolution  of  Congress  of  the 
16th  thereon. 

Captain  Benedict's  pay  was  stopped  in  consequence  of 
an  order  from  the  honourable  Commissioners  of  Congress, 
before  whom,  it  seems,  he  had  been  charged  with  some  mal- 
practices in  Canada.  What  were  the  particular  charges 
against  him  I  cannot  determine;  I  was  only  ordered  to  stop 
paying  until  further  orders. 

Yesterday  afternoon  the  conference  with  the  Six  Nations 
was  opened  in  form,  previous  to  which  two  of  their  Sachems 
requested  that  we  should  publickly  condole  the  death  of  one 
of  their  Sachems  who  fell  at  the  Cedars,  or  in  Major  Sher- 
burne's  rencounter.  We  instantly  rejected  the  proposal  with 
indignation,  deprecating  the  insult  and  their  want  of  faith, 
and  they  waived  the  matter.  This  morning  our  speech  is  to 
be  delivered  to  them.  By  their  answer  I  hope  we  shall  be 
enabled  to  judge  whether  it  will  be  prudent  to  offer  them  the 
hatchet.  Our  emissaries  unanimously  think  it  will  not,  and 
that  it  will  greatly  prejudice  our  interests,  as  the  friends  we 
have  amongst  them  have  used  it  as  an  argument  of  our  suffi- 
ciency to  cope  with  the  enemy  without  their  aid,  as  we  have 
never  asked  it.  Whatever  the  result  of  this  meeting  may 
be — whether  they  engage  to  take  an  active  part  with  us, 
whether  they  promise  to  remain  neuter,  or  give  evident  marks 
of  an  unfriendly  disposition — it  will  be  incumbent  upon  us 
to  prepare  for  the  worst,  as  their  promises  are  not  to  be 
relied  upon  however  solemnly  made. 

That  an  ignorant  multitude,  instigated  not  only  by  my 
own  enemies,  but  by  those  of  the  country,  should  have  been 
instigated  to  traduce  my  character,  is  not  very  surprising, 
and  I  had  already  made  myself  easy  on  that  score;  but  a  late 
transaction  of  a  Council  of  Officers  held  at  New-  York  is  so 
injurious,  that  I  have  found  it  necessary  to  resent  it  in  a  letter 
to  General  Washington,  copy  of  which  I  have  requested  his 
Excellency  to  lay  before  Congress. 

Of  the  half  million  of  dollars  which  Congress  ordered  on 
the  22d  of  May  last,  only  two  hundred  thousand  have 
reached  the  military  chest  in  this  department.  Half  was  sent 
to  the  Army,  and  the  remainder  paid  out  as  fast  as  the  war- 
rants could  be  drawn,  much  more  than  that  sum  being  due 
when  it  arrived.  And  since  that  time  the  service  has  been 
carried  on  upon  credit;  but  that,  too,  is  exhausted,  and  we 
are  driven  to  the  necessity  of  borrowing  money  at  interest,  or  ' 
leaving  undone  what  is  indispensably  necessary  to  be  done. 
But  as  no  individual's  estate  is  equal  to  the  expense  of 


857 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


858 


therefore,  to  entreat  the  attention  of  Congress  to  this  capital 
article. 

I  am,  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient,  humble  ser- 
vant, PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 


CAPTAIN  WYNKOOP  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  8,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  find  the  saw-mill  here  could  not  sup- 
ply the  carpenters  here  with  white-oak  boards,  which  occa- 
sioned me  to  go  to  Cheshire's,  where  they  told  me  there  were 
no  oak  trees ;  upon  which  I  took  a  party  into  the  woods, 
and  have  got  thirty  saw  logs  at  the  mill,  which  I  had  floated 
down  the  creek;  so  that  now  we  will  be  supplied  with  four 
batteau  loads  every  day.  I  have  also  been  to  take  a  view 
of  the  road  from  Cheshire's,  near  Fort  Edward,  and  have 
marked  the  road  out  for  the  party  there ;  so  that  in  a  short 
time  I  expect  we  will  have  a  considerably  good  road  from 
there  to  Fort  Edward,  for  they  are  now  hard  engaged.  Our 
carpenters  go  on  very  smart  here;  so  that  we  expect  in  a 
short  time  to  finish  three  galleys. 

I  would  be  exceedingly  glad  if  your  Excellency  could  pos- 
sibly spare  my  two  companies  which  are  now  in  the  fort,  as  I 
have  four  companies  of  my  regiment  stationed  at  the  Mohawk 
River,  and  have  never  seen  officers  or  men,  and  have  writ- 
ten several  letters  to  them,  and  also  to  the  Committees  of 
the  different  places  for  a  return  of  the  officers'  names,  and 
have  as  yet  had  none.  Whether  my  letters  are  miscarried, 
or  whether  they  neglect  to  answer  them,  is  unknown  to  me ; 
so  that  if  those  two  companies  could  join  me  here,  I  would 
choose  to  let  Colonel  Cortlandt  go  and  inquire  into  the  state 
of  the  warrants  and  names  of  the  officers  there.  I  have 
received  a  letter  from  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York,  stating  that  they  never  had  a  return  from  the  Com- 
mittees, and  for  that  reason  can't  send  up  the  commissions. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  CORNELIUS  WYNKOOP. 


DOCTOR  POTTS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Fort  George,  August  8,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  The  return  of  the  sick  remaining  in 
the  General  Hospital,  which  you  were  pleased  to  order  to 
be  made  weekly,  will  be  delivered  you  by  Captain  Craig. 
I  hope  you  will  not  attribute  its  late  appearance  at  this  time 
to  any  neglect  on  my  part,  as  I  can  with  truth  assure  your 
Honour  nothing  is  left  undone  in  my  power  to  reduce  every 
matter  relative  to  the  Hospital  into  order.  The  number  of 
the  sick  being  great,  they  employ  our  whole  time;  and 
having  but  one  clerk,  who  has  to  enter  the  names  of  every 
person  admitted,  discharged,  died,  or  deserted,  as  well  as  to 
superintend  to  issuing  of  provisions,  makes  it  almost  impos- 
sible to  comply  with  your  order  so  punctually  as  I  could  wish. 

I  am  your  Honour's  most  obedient  and  very  humble  ser- 
vant, JONA.  POTTS. 

Return  of  the  Sick  of  the  General  Hospital  at  FORT  GEORGE, 
from  the  12th  to  the  26th  July,  1776,  inclusive. 


REGIMENTS. 

Admitted. 

Discharged. 

•a 

V 

5 

Deserted. 

Remaining. 

39 

85 

CLC 

91 

82 

1  1H 

99 

32 

Colonel  Bedel  *s  

21 

7 

95 

197 

Colonel  Maxwell's  

172 

83 

5 

84 

Colonel  Porter's  

59 

9 

3 

Colonel  Greaton  's  

43 

15 

Colonel  Winds's  

129 

oe 

5 

Colonel  Stark  'a  

105 

g 

•i 

Batteaumen  

2 

19 

Colonel  Van  Schaick's  .. 

113 

55 

5 

la 

Colonel  Wynkoop's  

14 

Colonel  Wayne's  

g 

A 

Colonel  Van  Dyke'a.  . 

4 

i 

Colonel  St.  Clair's  

83 

11 

g 

Colonel  Irvine's  

01 

i 

Colonel  Poor's  

.]'! 

Men  for  Nurses  

1497 

439 

51 

3 

1UU4 
ififi 

Total  

110 

Lebanon,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  Captain  Thacher  came  to  me  last  evening,  and 
showed  me  his  orders.  I  apprehend  the  companies  ordered  to 
be  raised  are  not  filled.  Those  who  are  inlisted  are  marched. 
I  sent  out  Circular  Letters  to  the  Civil  Authority,  Select- 
men, Committees  of  Inspection,  and  all  military  officers  in 
the  respective  towns  in  this  State,  to  promote  and  facilitate 
further  inlistments  to  complete  the  companies.  It  will  be 
needful  that  officers  to  recruit  be  here  till  they  find  what  can 
be  done.  The  hurry  of  harvest  will  be  soon  over,  and  trust 
men  will  engage  for  the  service. 

The  infection  from  the  small-pox  hath  been  matter  of 
discouragement.  It  seemed  to  be  removed  in  good  meas- 
ure on  Major  Ely's  return.  By  the  practice  that  is  now- 
carrying  on  by  some  companies  from  the  Massachusetts  and 
carpenters  from  Providence,  in  stopping  on  the  way  to  inocu- 
late, I  fear  a  new  spread  of  that  infection.  Men  who  have 
taken  it  by  inoculation  can't  be  fit  for  service  and  fatigue  in 
less  than  three  or  four  months.  They  are  relaxed,  liable  to 
colds,  &ic.;  so  that  it  will  be  more  for  the  benefit  of  the  Army 
to  have  them  return  back  than  to  join  it;  yea,  they  ought  to 
meet  some  mark  of  displeasure.  I  wish  this  may  be  attended 
to.  I  have  sent  forward  felling-axes,  which  hope  are  come 
to  hand.  Shall  send  clothing  soon,  and  same  route. 

The  matter  of  Chaplain,  I  supposed  you  would  advise 
Colonel  Swift  of  your  intentions.  Had  heard  of  no  mistake 
on  that  head  till  now;  have  enclosed  a  blank  warrant,  to  be 
used  as  there  may  be  occasion,  and  prevent  uneasiness.  No 
attention  of  mine  shall  be  wanting  to  promote  the  service  in 
your  department.  Regular  returns  will  be  necessary  to 
show  your  numbers  and  condition.  Shall  send  a  post  soon 
to  Skenesborough  and  Ticonderoga  by  him.  Shall  expect 
all  needful  intelligence. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient,  humble 

servant, 

JONA.  IRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  Brigadier-General  Waterbury. 


ANDREW  WARD,  JUN.,  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Guilford,  August  8,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  On  receiving  your  Circular  Letter  yes- 
terday afternoon,  the  Authority,  Selectmen,  Committee  of 
Inspection,  and  Militia  officers,  immediately  met,  to  consult 
what  they  could  do  more  than  they  had  already  done  towards 
promoting  further  inlistments,  and  were  of  opinion  that  there 
were  but  two  methods  which  would  effect  their  purpose:  one 
by  a  subscription  of  money  in  addition  to  their  premium;  the 
other,  if  thirty  or  forty  men  would  appear  to  join  Captain 
Meigs's  company  for  a  short  term  of  three  or  four  months, 
on  the  encouragement  the  State  had  offered  to  others  in  the 
same  regiment.  I  told  them  I  did  not  know  but  that  would 
procure  the  men.  But  Captain  Meigs's  orders  were  to 
inlist  for  one  or  two  years ;  and  whether  it  would  be  ap- 
proved of  by  Governour  Trumbull  or  Congress  I  know  not. 
They  desired  I  would  request  your  Honour  (if  you  thought 
it  worth  taking  notice  of)  to  give  them  your  opinion.  They 
further  proposed  the  inlisting  an  Independent  company,  to 
go  and  join  and  do  duty  in  any  regiment  thought  best,  as 
matters  seemed  so  pressing  at  this  critical  time.  They  are 
warm  in  the  glorious  cause  of  liberty  and  their  country,  and 
will  do  everything  in  their  power  in  compliance  with  your 
requisition. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Honour's  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  t  T,r 

ANDREW  WARD,  Jun. 

To  Governour  Trumbull. 


THOMAS  MUMFORD  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Groton,  August  8,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  As  one  of  the  Selectmen  and  Civil 
Authority  of  this  town,  yours  of  the  1st  instant  was  delivered 
to  me,  requesting  our  influence  and  exertion  in  forwarding 
the  inlisting  of  the  troops  lately  ordered  by  this  Colony.  I 
have  shown  it  to  such  of  the  Authority  and  Selectmen  as  I 
have  seen,  a  number  of  whom  desired  I  would  inform  your 
Honour  what  methods  we  had  previously  taken  to  encourage 
and  forward  the  raising  said  troops. 

I  therefore  take  the  liberty  to  inform  you  that  a  number  of 
us  advanced  to  the  amount  of  fifteen  dollars  to  each  volun- 


859 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


860 


teer  that  would  immediately  inlist,  besides  which,  I  engaged 
myself  to  supply  the  families  of  any  such  needy  volunteers 
with  provisions  during  their  absence;  and  if,  when  they 
returned,  they  were  unable  to  pay,  I  would  freely  give  what 
I  had  so  advanced.  This  is  all  the  encouragement  we  could 
think  of  offering. 

The  number  that  have  inlisted  into  our  fort,  and  what 
have  gone  otherwise  into  the  service,  has  left  us  very  bare  of 
men.  Scarce  any  are  to  be  hired  now  for  common  neces- 
sary service. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  respect,  your  Honour's  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

THOS.  MUMFORD. 

To  the  Hon.  Jona.  Trumbull,  Esq. 


TOWN  OF  WOODSTOCK  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Woodstock,  Augusts,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  We  take  the  earliest  opportunity  to  in- 
form your  Honour,  that  in  compliance  with  your  Honour's 
requisition,  in  your  letter  of  the  1st  instant,  we  immediately, 
on  receipt  thereof,  convened  together;  and  having  examined 
the  state  of  our  standing  Militia,  and  the  numbers  gone  forth 
from  this  town  into  the  publick  service,  we  find  that  seventy 
men  have  inlisted  in  and  are  gone  from  this  town  into  the 
publick  service  since  the  last  act  of  Assembly  for  raising 
troops  for  the  three  departments,  viz:  Canada,  New-York, 
and  Boston;  which  is  near  one-half  the  Militia  in  this  town, 
as  will  appear  to  your  Honour  by  your  inspecting  the  return 
lately  made  to  you  of  the  Militia  in  the  Colony,  which  is  a 
much  greater  number  than  our  proportion.  But,  notwith- 
standing our  exertions  have  already  exceeded  our  proportion, 
we  are  still  ready,  and  eyer  shall  be,  to  do  everything  in  our 
power  to  advantage  the  publick  cause  at  this  critical  day,  as 
to  forwarding  inlistments,  and  every  other  way;  and  can 
assure  your  Honour  that  we  ever  shall  be  ready  to  cooperate 
with  your  Honour  in  promoting  and  encouraging  any  matter 
which  you  shall  recommend  for  the  defence  of  our  cause, 
which  your  Honour  so  justly  styles  the  "all-important 
cause ;"  and  are,  with  the  utmost  respect  and  esteem,  your 
Honour's  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servants. 

Per  order  of  the  Civil  Authority,  Selectmen,  Committee 
of  Inspection,  and  Military  Officers  of  the  Town  of  Wood- 

0  '  CHARLES  CHURCH  CHANDLER. 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


WILLIAM  WATSON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Plymouth,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  Captain  Martindale,  the  bearer  of  this,  will  inform 
your  Excellency  that  he,  when  he  was  about  to  sail  in 
the  Continental  armed  brigantine  the  Washington,  was  ob- 
liged to  draw  on  the  Agent  for  sundry  articles  in  the  clothing 
way,  (for  the  use  of  his  people,  who  were  almost  naked,  and 
without  which  they  could  not  go  to  sea,)  amounting  to  £80, 
lawful  money;  which  were  delivered,  and  by  Captain  Mar- 
tindale  charged  to  such  persons  as  received  them. 

Captain  Martindale  had  taken  from  him  his  books  and  all 
the  papers  which  related  to  this  matter,  and  cannot  tell  to 
whom,  or  in  what  proportion,  the  said  goods  were  delivered. 

I  have  conducted  as  Agent  with  integrity,  and  with  a 
view  to  the  publick  good,  and  flatter  myself  that  my  services 
have  been  approved,  and  that  your  Excellency  will  not 
let  me  suffer  by  this  unexpected  event,  and  that  your  Excel- 
lency will  please  to  direct  in  what  manner  I  shall  be  reim- 
bursed. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 

much  obliged  humble  servant,  ,,r 

WILLIAM  WATSON. 

To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq. 


RICHARD  DERBY,  JUN.,  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Watertown,  Council  Chamber,  August  8,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  informed  that  Major-General  Ward,  having 
leave  from  Congress,  designs  in  a  few  days  to  retire  from 
his  military  department.  The  troops  at  the  lines  in  and 
about  Boston  will  therefore  soon  be  destitute  of  any  General 
Officer.  Such  an  officer  is  absolutely  necessary  to  take  the 
command  of  these  troops,  to  give  the  necessary  orders  for 


their  pay  and  subsistence,  as  well  as  their  being  supplied 
with  what  ammunition  they  stand  in  need  of,  and  also  from 
time  to  time  to  make  to  the  Congress  the  necessary  returns 
of  the  state  of  the  Continental  Army  in  these  parts.  Wo 
thought  it  necessary  to  acquaint  the  Congress  with  this 
matter,  that  a  General  Officer  may  be  directed  to  take  the 
command  of  the  troops  here  as  soon  as  possible. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Committee  of  Council, 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

RICHARD  DERBY,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  New-Hampshire,  Exeter,  ) 

August  8,  1776.      5 

SIR:  Having  been  encouraged  by  your  honourable  House 
of  Representatives  to  expect  the  loan  of  a  few  large  cannon 
to  defend  the  extensive  works  at  the  entrance  of  our  har- 
bour, (which  we  cannot  possibly  obtain  elsewhere,)  if  upon 
examination  you  could  possibly  spare  them,  we  have  directed 
Pierce  Long,  Esq.,  one  of  our  body,  to  wait  on  you,  and  if 
you  can  do  us  so  great  a  favour  as  to  part  with  them,  it  will 
be  esteemed  a  very  particular  kindness  to  the  Colony;  in 
whose  behalf,  as  well  as  this  Committee,  I  subscribe  myself 
your  humble  servant, 

MESHECH  WEARE,  Chairman. 

To  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  War  in  the  Massa- 
chusetts-Bay. 


ETHAN  ALLEN  TO  CONNECTICUT  ASSEMBLY. 

Halifax,  Nora-Scotia,  August  8,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  been  prohibited  from  writing  to 
friends  during  the  course  of  my  imprisonment,  but  hope 
these  lines  may  find  a  channel  to  reach  you.  If  they  fall 
into  the  enemy's  hand,  it  can  do  me  no  harm,  as  I  ever  have 
talked  the  same  language  to  the  King's  officers.  The  fear 
of  retaliation  has  been  the  sole  cause  of  preserving  me  from 
an  ignominious  death.  I  have  suffered  everything  short  of 
it.  Imagination  is  insufficient  to  paint  the  evils,  nor  shall 
I  here  attempt  it.  The  heavy  leg  irons  and  handcuffs  so  be- 
numbed my  limbs  that  I  expected  to  have  lost  their  use;  but 
on  the  8th  of  January  last,  having  been  released  of  them, 
I  have  recovered  my  health  and  suppleness  of  limbs,  and 
ardently  desire  to  be  with  you,  as  I  am  fired  with  adequate  in- 
dignation to  revenge  both  my  own  and  my  country's  wrongs. 
1  am  experimentally  certain  I  have  fortitude  sufficient  to 
face  the  invaders  of  America  in  the  place  of  danger  spread 
with  all  the  horrors  of  war.  I  am  apprehensive  that  Gov- 
erriour  Tryon  and  sundry  of  my  old  land-jobbing  combatants 
from  New-York,  exercise  their  influence  to  detain  me  a 
prisoner,  hoping  a  conquest  of  America  may  in  future  put 
it  into  the  power  of  the  English  Government  to  proceed 
against  me  as  a  criminal  for  taking  the  fortresses  on  Lake 
Champlain.  You  are  sensible  my  confidence  in  presuming 
upon  those  achievements  was  predicated  on  the  good  faith 
of  Connecticut.  I  have  never  repented  that  I  did  it;  and 
inasmuch  as  this  is  the  Colony  in  which  I  received  my  first 
breath,  and  in  which  most  of  my  acquaintance  and  connex- 
ions are,  have  addressed  these  lines  to  your  Honours,  and 
further  assure  you,  provided  you  can  hit  upon  some  mea- 
sures to  procure  my  liberty,  I  will  appropriate  my  remaining 
days,  and  freely  hazard  my  life,  in  the  service  of  the  Colony 
and  in  maintaining  the  American  empire.  I  thought  to 
have  enrolled  my  name  in  the  list  of  illustrious  American 
heroes,  but  was  nipped  in  the  bud.  News  has  been  kept 
as  close  as  possible  from  me.  I  have  nothing  more  to 
inform  than  that  the  King's  officers  express  less  assurance 
of  the  conquest  of  America  than  they  did  some  time  ago. 
I  have  great  confidence  in  the  unity,  bravery  and  strength 
of  the  Colonies,  as  everything  worth  living  for  is  apparently 
at  stake.  Never  had  any  people  upon  earth  greater  induce- 
ment to  fight,  and  play  the  man.  You  cannot — nay,  you 
must  not,  give  over  the  cause,  though  you  have  to  wade 
through  seas  of  blood. 

The  5th  instant  I  was  landed,  and  the  prisoners  that  have 
been  with  me,  and  put  into  the  common  jail  in  Halifax. 
We  have  the  liberty  of  the  yard  in  the  daytime.  In  this 
prison  I  found  the  wise  and  patriotick  Mr.  James  Lovell, 
from  Boston,  who  has  greatly  contributed  to  conversable 


861 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


862 


happiness,  and  supplied  me  with  the  comforts  of  life.  I  am 
out  of  money,  but  am  well  supplied  with  clothes — a  present 
from  some  gentleman  in  Ireland.  I  know  nothing  how  long 
my  confinement  may  continue,  but  if  money  could  be  com- 
municated to  me,  it  would  put  me  out  of  the  sovereignty  of 
imperious  officers.  I  cannot  reconcile  it  to  my  feelings  that 
the  King's  officers  taken  in  America  are  treated  as  gentle- 
men, while  I  have  but  little,  and,  great  part  of  the  time,  no 
distinction  made  between  me  and  illiterate  private  persons. 
My  compliments  to  my  family  and  brethren,  whom  I  have 
not  heard  from  since  I  was  taken,  and  to  all  my  friends  in 
America. 

I  subscribe  myself  your  Honours'  humble  servant, 

ETHAN  ALLEN. 

To  the  Honourable  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of 
Connecticut,  or  to  the  worthy  Council  of  War,  for  that 
Colony. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  A  GENTLEMAN  IN  LONDON  FROM 
HIS  CORRESPONDENT  AT  THE  HAGUE,  DATED  AUGUST  9, 

1776. 

The  differences  between  Spain  and  Portugal  become 
daily  of  more  importance ;  and  we  now  plainly  see  that  the 
war  between  Great  Britain  and  America  has  a  great  influ- 
ence over  the  above  affairs.  It  is  true  that  the  Court  of 
France  pretends  to  be  peaceably  inclined;  the  Court  of 
Spain  pretends  to  be  of  the  same  inclination ;  but  the  whole 
Spanish  nation  (most  undoubtedly  led  on  by  the  nobles  and 
grandees)  all  cry  out  for  a  war,  insinuating  that  whilst  Great- 
Britain  is  so  deeply  engaged  in  a  civil  war,  it  will  be  impos- 
sible for  her  to  defend  Portugal.  The  whole  Continent  of 
America  must  then  take  part  with  the  Spaniards;  so  that 
at  any  rate  success  is  almost  sure.  The  British  Minister  at 
Madrid  openly  declared  that  his  Britannick  Majesty  would 
not  leave  his  allies  on  account  of  the  present  civil  war,  Mi- 
norca and  Gibraltar  being  well  fortified,  and  battles  by  land 
and  sea  should  be  fought  for  the  Portuguese,  in  case  Spain 
insisted  upon  a  war. 

By  the  last  advices  from  Madrid,  dated  the  llth  ultimo, 
they  were  rather  apprehensive  that  it  would  end  in  an  open 
war.  According  to  these  advices,  an  army  of  forty  thousand 
men  were  ordered  to  march  towards  the  Portuguese  territo- 
ries, commanded  by  Count  Aranda,  the  Duke  of  Gaillon, 
and  Don  Pedro  Cevallos ;  and  that  the  Portuguese  Minister 
was  just  preparing  to  return  to  Lisbon  when  these  advices 
came  away.  About  ten  thousand  men  were  ordered  to 
embark  lor  Buenos-Ayres,  notwithstanding  it  being  almost 
too  late  in  the  season  for  that  undertaking;  nay,  the  intelli- 
gence from  that  quarter  concerning  the  insolent  behaviour 
of  the  Portuguese,  is  very  alarming.  On  the  other  hand, 
we  are  astonished  to  find  the  obstinacy  of  the  Court  of  Lis- 
bon. In  short,  we  may  assert  that  several  Courts  of  Europe 
are  concerned  in  the  affair;  and  though  this  dispute  may 
appear  trifling  to  many,  yet  it  is  the  very  beginning  of  a 
general  war,  in  which  many  mighty  empires  may  fall,  and 
little  ones  grow  opulent  and  powerful. 


TO  THE  PRINTER  OF  THE  PUBLICK  LEDGER. 

London,  August  9,  1776. 

SIR:  The  arrival  of  Mr.  St.  Paul  from  the  Court  of 
Versailles  was  unexpected  at  this  critical  juncture.  You 
may  assure  the  publick  that  he  is  charged  with  despatches 
from  Lord  Stormont,  the  delivery  of  which  will  much  em- 
barrass Administration. 

Mr.  St.  Paul  is  a  man  ot  vigilance.  He  possesses  that 
kind  of  penetration  which  renders  it  a  very  difficult  matter 
to  deceive  him.  During  the  absence  of  Lord  Stormont  he 
watched  the  motions  of  the  Court  of  France  with  such  suc- 
cess, that  he  traced  the  duplicity  of  that  Court  through  all 
its  different  windings.  He  perceived  that  France  intended 
secretly  to  afford  America  that  assistance  which  she  openly 
disavowed.  He  detected  the  Agents  of  the  Cabinet  in  the 
very  act  of  affording  succours  to  the  Colonies,  and  of  giving 
every  assurance  of  protection  to  the  American  leaders. 
Intelligence  of  this  was  communicated  to  Lord  Stormont 
whilst  his  Lordship  was  in  England.  He  was  despatched 
in  haste  to  Versailles,  with  instructions  to  remonstrate,  in 
spirited  terms,  on  the  insult  thus  offered  to  the  Court  of 
London.  Lord  Stormont  obeyed  his  instructions.  He 


pressed  for  a  categorical  answer.  The  reply  was  couched 
in  the  most  ambiguous  terms.  The  affair  was  dropped. 
The  Court  of  Versailles  was  more  narrowly  watched"  than 
ever.  Enough  was  discovered  to  convince  Lord  Stormont 
of  the  intentions  of  that  Court.  Mr.  St.  Paul  is  now  sent 
over  to  assure  our  Ministry  of  the  resolution  of  the  Cabinet 
of  Versailles,  which  is  simply  this:  That  if  the  declaration 
of  the  Congress,  setting  forth  the  independency  of  America, 
shall  be  generally  relished  by  the  people  throughout  the 
different  Colonies,  then  France,  in  conjunction  with  Spain, 
will  hazard  a  rupture  with  Great  Britain,  by  openly  assist- 
ing the  Colonists  on  terms  highly  advantageous  to  the  com- 
merce of  France  and  Spain. 

I  do  not  pretend  to  specify  every  particular ;  hut  this  I 
will  venture  to  affirm  is  the  substance  of  that  intelligence 
which  Mr.  St.  Paul  is  sent  over  to  communicate  to  Admin- 
istration. The  publick  will  from  hence  perceive  that  it  is 
entire  madness  to  place  any  reliance  on  the  pacifick  assu- 
rances of  France  and  Spain.  They  will  not  wantonly  plunge 
into  war;  but  no  person  can  expect  that  they  will  forego 
national  advantages  out  of  compliment  to  the  English  Min- 
istry. The  idea  is  chimerical.  Mr.  St.  Paul  hath  by  this 
time  told  Administration  thus  much.  The  publick  have 
only  to  expect  what  hath  been  repeatedly  foretold:  that  the 
rupture  wilh  our  Colonies  will  end  in  {he  loss  of  America, 
and  a  war  with  France  and  Spain.  If  these  are  eligible 
events,  the  people  are  very  right  in  supporting  those  plans 
which  must  produce  them.  If  the  loss  of  America  (which 
implies  the  total  ruin  of  our  commerce)  is  not  a  thing  to  be 
desired,  then  are  the  people  blind  to  their  own  interests  in 
not  ceasing  to  protect  Ministers  who  have  long  ceased  to  pay 
any  regard  to  the  commercial  welfare  of  their  country. 

MATTER  or  FACT. 


Williamaburgh,  August  9,  1776.  - 

By  advices  from  Hampton,  we  learn  that  last  Wednesday 
morning  the  Right  Honourable  the  Earl  of  Dunmore,  Vis- 
count Fincastle,  and  Baron  Murray  of  Blair,  Mouilli  and 
Tillimet,  after  dividing  his  fleet  and  burning  ten  or  a  dozen 
vessels,  took  leave  of  the  Capes  of  Virginia,  where  he  has, 
for  more  than  a  twelvemonth  past,  perpetrated  crimes  that 
would  even  have  disgraced  the  noted  pirate  Black  Beard. 
One  part  of  the  fleet  was  seen  to  stand  to  the  southward,  it 
is  imagined  for  South-Carolina,  the  other  to  the  northward, 
supposed  for  New-  York.  Their  strength,  from  the  informa- 
tion of  two  negro  deserters  who  came  up  to  Hampton  in  the 
evening,  amounts  to  near  four  hundred — Regulars,  Negroes, 
and  Tories  ;  that  they  were  now  tolerably  healthy,  and  had 
lately  got  a  supply  of  provisions,  which  they  took  from  a 
Rhode-Island  vessel.  So  respectable  a  band  will  no  doubt 
be  a  most  valuable  acquisition  to  the  Generals  Howe  and 
Clinton. 

We  have  just  got  a  supply  of  290  half-barrels  of  gunpow- 
der and  90  stand  of  arms;  and  436  barrels,  with  18  chests 
of  arms,  arrived  safe  some  little  time  ago. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COMMITTEE  OF  ST.  MARY  S 

COUNTY. 
[No.  128.]  Annapolis,  August  9,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Captain  Mantz's  company  being  completely 
armed,  as  well  as  good  marksmen,  were  the  causes  that  in- 
duced us  to  send  him  to  occupy  Captain  Thomas's  station, 
whom  we  thought  it  our  duty  to  order  to  the  Flying-Camp 
so  soon  as  the  enemy  left  Potomack  River.  But  as  you  are 
of  opinion  that  this  company  will  not  answer  the  end  for 
which  it  was  sent,  we  have  ordered  Captain  Mantz  to  march 
immediately  to  Annapolis,  and  have  sent  Captain  Barry  in 
a  boat  to  the  mouth  of  Patuxent  to  take  in  his  baggage. 

We  cannot,  without  contravening  a  resolution  of  the  Con- 
vention, order  that  part  of  Captain  Beall's  company  sta- 
tioned at  Port-Tobacco  to  Saint  Mary's,  but  have  ordered 
Captain  Forrest  to  take  Captain  Thomas's  station,  and  we 
must  depend  'upon  the  Militia  lending  Captain  Forrest's 
company  arms  until  we  can  supply  them,  which  will  be 
soon,  expecting  some  arms  from  Virginia  that  we  have 
lately  imported.  We  are,  &tc. 

To  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Saint  Mary's  County. 

P.  S.  We  have  received  information  by  one  of  our  boats 
that  the  enemy's  fleet  had  anchored  in  Hampton  Roads. 


863 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776 


864 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATES  IN  CONGRESS. 
[No.  129.]  Annapolis,  August  9,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that 
the  enemy's  fleet  left  Potomack  River  on  Friday  last,  and 
is  gone  off  down  the  Bay.  They  had  collected  a  number  of 
small  vessels,  which  they  had  dismasted,  and  left  on  the 
point  of  St.  George's  Island,  with  intention  to  set  fire  to 
them,  but  a  high  tide  floated  them  off,  and  they  were  driven 
on  shore  near  our  guard,  who  have  taken  possession  of  them, 
and  have  found  sundry  goods  and  other  effects  on  board  to 
the  value  of  three  or  four  hundred  pounds  currency.  Some 
of  the  hulks  may  be  repaired,  and  made  fit  for  service. 
They  burnt  some  other  small  vessels,  and  from  appearances 
expect  they  are  gone  down  to  the  Capes.  Our  pilot  boat 
is  just  returned  yesterday  evening,  and  says  he  heard  at 
Pyanketank  that  the  men-of-war  had  stopped  in  Hampton 
Roads  and  were  making  demands  of  fresh  provisions  and 
water,  and  promised,  on  being  supplied,  to  leave  the  Bay. 
The  deserters,  of  whom  many  have  come  over  to  us.  inform 
that  the  Tory  families  are  going,  some  to  the  West-Indies, 
others  to  Halifax,  and  the  Roebuck  to  New-  York. 

The  Flying-Camp  are  beginning  to  move.  Captain 
Good's  company  from  Frederick  will  be  with  you  by  the 
time  this  comes  to  hand,  and  Colonel  Charles  Grcenbury 
Griffith,  with  the  battalion,  with  the  remainder  of^  the 
Frederick  battalion,  will  follow  him  in  a  few  days.  Colo- 
nel Griffith  appears  to  be  active  and  spirited,  and  we  beg 
leave  to  recommend  him  to  your  notice.  Some  little  coun- 
tenance from  you  might  be  of  service  to  him.  Captain 
Mantz's  company  were  ordered  to  St.  Mary's,  but  we  have 
this  day  given  an  order  for  their  moving  to  the  northward. 
Captain  Thomas  is  on  the  way  to  Philadelphia.  Colonel 
Swing's  battalion  is  also  under  marching  orders.  Two  or 
three  companies  of  his  battalion  are  nearly  ready,  and  we  are 
doing  all  we  can  to  forward  the  others.  They  want  every- 
thing. We  have  arms  for  one-half  the  battalion  we  keep, 
besides  two  hundred  and  seventy  lately  imported,  not  yet 
come  to  hand;  these,  with  what  we  expect  from  the  manu- 
facturers, will  enable  us  to  complete  Colonel  Carroll  Hall's 
battalion,  which  we  propose  to  keep.  Colonel  Kent  has 
resigned,  and  so  we  hear  has  Colonel  Earle,  both  endea- 
vouring to  obtain  a  seat  in  Convention.  Two  or  three  East- 
ern-Shore companies  will  be  ready  to  march  next  week. 
Two  other  companies  have  borrowed  arms,  and  are  to  sup- 
ply the  place  of  Captain  Veazey  and  Captain  Hindman;  the 
rest  will  be  very  slow  we  fear  in  getting  arms.  Brigadier 
Dent  hath  also  resigned,  and  is  elected  for  Charles  County. 
Under  all  these  difficulties,  arising  from  the  want  of  arms 
and  necessaries,  and  also  from  resignations,  we  are  exerting 
ourselves  to  the  utmost.  Money  has  flowed  out  of  the 
Treasury  very  freely  upon  this  important  occasion.  We  hope 
for  the  approbation  of  the  honourable  Congress  and  Conven- 
tion. 

We  shall  say  nothing  particular  about  the  elections,  more 
than  what  relates  to  yourselves.  S.  Chase  is  in  for  Anne 
Arundel,  Wm.  P.  and  Carrollton  Carroll  for  Annapolis. 
T.  J.  and  5.  S.  are  left  out,  and  there  is  a  very  great  change 
in  the  members  in  all  Counties.  According  to  the  intelli- 
gence we  have,  Mr.  Stone  will  have  a  list  sent  to  him  of  all 
the  Counties  that  we  know,  or  have  heard  anything  about, 
to  which  we  refer  you.  There  will  be  disputed  elections 
we  expect,  particularly  Queen  Ann's,  Prince  George's,  and 
Anne  Arundel.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  the  Deputies  for  Maryland  in  Congress. 


In  the  interim,  am  and  shall  ever  remain  a  strenuous 
advocate  for  the  welfare  of  America ;  and  beg  leave  to  sub- 
scribe myself,  honoured  sirs,  your  most  obedient  and  obliged 
humble  servant,  THQMAS  PowNALL< 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


LIEUTENANT  POWNALL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

August  9,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIRS:  On  the  appointment  of  Edward  Tillard 
to  a  Captaincy  in  the  Flying-Camp  from  a  Captaincy  of  a 
company  of  Militia  in  the  Third  Battalion  of  this  Province, 
the  Militia  company,  on  Edward  Tillard' s  completing  his 
inlisting  warrant  for  the  Flying-Camp,  wished  to  have  a 
Captain.  Accordingly  a  majority  of  the  company  met.  and 
Mr.  Benjamin  Galloway  was  unanimously  chosen.  I  having 
been  appointed  to  a  first  Lieutenancy  in  the  third  company, 
and  a  commission  conferred  by  the  honourable  Council  of 
Safety  at  the  time  being,  now  beg  leave  to  resign  the  same, 
(being  enclosed,)  having  a  daily  expectation  of  a  Marine 
commission  from  the  honourable  Continental  Congress. 


SAMUEL  CHASE  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  August  9,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Mr.  S.  Adams  showed  me  your  letter  to  him 
from  Tyonderoga,  of  the  17th  of  July,  wherein  you  write: 
"  I  desire,  if  Chase  is  returned  to  Congress,  he  may  know 
how  much  I  have  been  deceived  and  disappointed  in  being 
removed  from  a  place  where  I  might  have  done  the  publick 
service,  and  fixed  in  a  situation  where  it  is  exceedingly 
doubtful  if  it  will  be  in  my  power  to  be  more  than  the 
wretched  spectator  of  a  ruined  army."  "  Mr.  Chase  passed 
too  speedily  through  this  country;  he  saw  superficially,  and, 
like  a  sanguine  man,  drew  conclusions  from  the  consequence, 
not  the  cause.  Tell  him  if  he  and  I  meet,  he  must  expect 
to  be  called  to  a  serious  account  upon  this  matter.  1  know 
he  is  my  sincere  friend ;  but  I  also  know  he  has  deceived 
himself  and  his  friend.  I  am  not  angry :  I  am  only  vexed 
with  him."  After  this  recital  of  so  unkind,  so  unfriendly, 
so  injurious  a  letter,  permit  me  to  ask  you  a  few  serious 
questions :  Why  not  write  to  me,  if  you  considered  your- 
self injured  or  deceived?  How  have  you  been  deceived  and 
disappointed  by  your  removal  from  New -York  to  the  com- 
mand in  Canada,  in  what  particular,  and  by  whom  ?  Did 
I  ever  make  a  profession,  or  communicate  an  opinion,  or 
relate  a  fact,  in  which  I  was  not  sincere  and  faithful  ?  When 
did  I  pass  too  speedily  through  the  country  in  going  or 
returning  from  Canada?  and  to  what  does  this  relate?  What 
things  did  I  see  superficially  1  Deal  in  particulars,  and 
point  out  when  I  was  mistaken  as  to  men,  things,  or  cir- 
cumstances. I  admit  that  I  am  constitutionally  warm  and 
sanguine ;  but  be  pleased  to  name  the  instances  in  which  I 
drew  conclusions  from  the  consequences,  and  not  the  cmuel 
If  ever  you  and  I  should  meet,  1  will,  with  candour  and 
integrity,  and  as  a  friend,  answer  you  in  all  your  inquiries,  or 
I  will  with  pleasure,  by  letter,  give  you  full  satisfaction.  I 
will  now  only  ask  you  one  more  question :  In  what  instance 
have  I  deceived  myself  or  you? 

I  will  not  be  angry  with  you ;  but  I  am  not  only  vexed, 
but  mortified,  chagrined,  and  exceedingly  hurt  by  your  sus- 
picious and  very  unfriendly  expressions.  You  have  held 
up  your  friend  as  a  man  who  had  deceived  and  disappointed 
you,  as  a  superficial  observer,  and  of  so  warm  and  weak  a 
constitution  as  to  draw  conclusions  from  the  consequence, 
and  not  the  cause.  An  imputation  on  my  understanding  I 
can  forgive;  a  charge  that  I  have  disappointed  and  deceived 
you,  from  want  of  knowledge  and  without  design,  I  can  for- 
get. 1  will  add  no  more,  but  that  I  always  was,  and  still 
am,  with  sincerity,  your  affectionate  and  obedient  servant, 

SAML.  CHASE. 
To  General  Gates. 


IN  CONVENTION  FOR  THE  STATE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Friday,  August  9,  1776. 

Whereas  the  time  for  which  the  Committee  of  Inspection 
and  Observation  for  the  City  and  Liberties  of  Philadelphia, 
as  well  as  the  times  for  which  the  Committees  of  several 
Counties  of  this  State  were  elected  into  that  office,  are  near 
expiring;  and  whereas  the  Associators  of  the  said  City  and 
Counties,  who  compose  a  great  majority  of  the  electors,  are 
or  may  be,  at  such  expiration,  «bsent  in  the  service  of  their 
country,  and  it  would  be  highly  inexpedient  that  the  said 
City  or  Counties  should  either  be  without  such  Committees, 
or  that  they  should  be  partially  elected : 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  present  Committees  of  the 
said  City  and  Counties  respectively  shall  continue  to  exe- 
cute the  duty  of  their  said  offices,  until  the  Militia  of  such 
City  and  Counties  respectively  shall  return,  and  other  Com- 
mittees be  regularly  chosen ;  excepting  from  this  Resolve 
the  Committees  of  the  Counties  of  Cumberland,  Bedford, 
Northumberland,  and  Westmoreland. 

Resolved,  That  no  Tavern-keepers  or  others  take  out  any 
Licenses  from  the  officers  of  the  late  Government  of  this 
State. 


8G5 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


8G6 


On  motion,  Ordered,  That  two  thousand  copies  of  the 
particulars  of  the  Rations  allowed  for  the  Flying-Camp  be 
printed  and  distributed  among  the  men. 

Pay  of  a  Battalion  in  the  Continental  service. 

Colonel 50  dollars  per  calendar  month. 

Lieutenant-Colonel 40 

Major 33J- 

Captain 26 1 

Lieutenant 18 

Ensign 13^ 

Adjutant 18^ 

Quartermaster 18  3 

Surgeon 25,  raised  to  33J,  June  5,  1776. 

Mate 18  dollars  per  calendar  month. 

Chaplain 20,  raised  to  33J,  July  5. 

Sergeant 8  dollars  per  calendar  month. 

Corporal,  Drummer,  and  Fifer,  each 7J         "  " 

Private 6§.    Light-Infantry  the  same. 

Artillery. 

Captain 26f  dollars  per  calendar  month. 

Captain-Lieutenant 20 

First  and  Second  Lieutenant 18j 

Lieutenant  Fireworker 13j 

Sergeant 85 

Corporal 7| 

Bombardier 7 

Matross 6  5-6 

Sergeant-Major 9 

Quartermaster-Sergeant 9 

Drum-Major 85 

Fife-Major 8£ 

Regimental  Paymaster 26f 

The  Ration  for  each  man,  as  copied  from  the  Minutes  of  the 
Honourable  the  Continental  Congress,  is  as  follows: 
One  pound  of  beef,  or  three-quarters  of  a  pound  of  pork, 
or  one  pound  of  salt  fish,  per  day.  One  pound  of  bread  or 
flour  per  day.  Three  pints  of  peas  or  beans  per  week,  or 
vegetables  equivalent,  at  one  dollar  per  bushel  for  peas  or 
beans.  One  pint  of  milk  per  man  per  day,  or  at  the  rate  of 
1-72  of  a  dollar.  One  half-pint  of  rice,  or  one  pint  of 
Indian  meal  per  man  per  week.  One  quart  of  spruce  beer, 
or  cider,  per  man  per  day,  or  nine  gallons  of  molasses  per 
company  of  one  hundred  men  per  week.  Three  pounds  of 
candles  to  one  hundred  men  per  week,  for  guards.  Twenty- 
four  pounds  of  soft,  or  eight  pounds  of  hard,  soap  for  one 
hundred  men  per  week. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perlh-Amboy,  August  9,  1776. 

SIR  :  In  consequence  of  your  Excellency's  letter,  Colo- 
nel Miles  will  march  with  all  his  Riflemen.  The  two  batta- 
lions will  make  about  seven  hundred.  As  we  have  numbers 
of  Riflemen  lately  arrived,  it  seemed  to  me  more  for  the 
service  to  order  the  Second  Battalion,  and  it  will  be  more 
agreeable  to  the  men.  I  hope  they  will  be  in'  time  to  ren- 
der you  essential  service. 

A  cowardly  infamous  spirit  of  desertion  prevails  here  too 
much.  Your  letter  will  be  read  to  each  corps,  and  must 
have  good  effects. 

Some  wagons  have  been  discovered  going  from  Billop's 
Point  to-day,  which  confirms  your  former  intelligence,  and 
the  enemy  do  not  appear  so  numerous. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Commander-in- 
Chief. 


COLONEL  GUY  JOHNSON  TO  LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

Staten-Island,  August  9,  1776. 

MY  LORD  :  I  have  the  honour  to  acquaint  your  Lordship 
that  I  arrived  here  the  29th  ultimo,  after  a  long  passage,  and 
much  molestation  from  the  Rebel  vessels  for  the  last  three 
weeks,  one  of  which  attacked  us  near  Bermudas,  but  was, 
after  a  pretty  close  engagement  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  beat 
off  with  much  loss,  though  she  damaged  our  masts  and  rig- 
ging so  much  that  we  could  not  pursue  her.  My  Surgeon 
is  shot  through  the  leg,  and  five  others  slightly  wounded — a 
trifle,  considering  her  great  superiority,  for  she  had  more  than 
double  our  complement  of  men,  and  carried  fourteen  six- 
pounders,  and  swivels,  against  our  twelve  three-pounders. 
My  officers  and  the  Indians  behaved  very  well,  and  were 
very  useful  at  small-arms. 

The  General  had  been  arrived  here  some  time  with  the 
troops  from  Halifax,  and  from  him  your  Lordship  will  doubt- 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  55 


less  receive  an  account  of  affairs  here.  I,  however,  think  it 
necessary  to  enclose  your  Lordship  a  copy  of  the  best  and 
latest  intelligence  I  could  procure  respecting  the  back  coun- 
try and  the  Indians,  and  I  have  good  hopes  that  my  officers 
there  have  discharged  their  duty,  and  conducted  the  Indians 
agreeable  to  my  instructions  and  the  promises  of  the  latter. 
At  present  everything  awaits  the  grand  operation,  and  on  its 
issue  our  future  measures  must  depend.  I  think  the  pros- 
pect is  favourable,  and  that  the  declaration  for  an  indepen- 
dency must  totally  silence  any  advocates  they  had  in  Eng- 
land. At  all  events,  I  flatter  myself  I  shall  discharge  my 
duties  as  far  as  time  and  circumstances  will  admit ;  in  good 
hope  that  I  shall  soon  be  enabled  to  meet  our  friends  to  the 
northward,  when  I  shall  endeavour  to  merit  his  Majesty's 
favour  and  your  Lordship's  patronage,  by  a  zealous  atten- 
tion to  the  trust  reposed  in  me.  This  moment  an  inhabitant 
of  the  Mohock  River  has  found  means  to  reach  our  camp, 
and  informs  that  he  had  heard  that  Sir  John  Johnson  had 
reached  General  Burgoyne;  that  a  Colonel  Dayton,  with  six 
hundred  men,  was  repairing  Fort  Stanwix ;  and  that  Gene- 
ral Schuyler  had  opened  a  Congress  at  the  German  Flats, 
but  that  only  some  of  the  Oneidas  and  Oughquugys  attend- 
ed it;  and  adds,  that  the  Rebels  had  carried  off  my  negroes, 
&c.,  and  demolished  everything  on  my  estate.  The  Indians 
that  attended  Schuyler  have  been  long  under  the  influence 
of  New-England  missionaries,  and  I  found  some  difficulty 
with  them  last  year. 

I  beg  to  be  honoured  with  your  Lordship's  commands;  and 
I  am,  with  very  great  respect,  my  Lord,  your  Ix>rdship's  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant,  G.  JOHNSON. 

To  the  Right  Honourable  Lord  George  Germaine. 

Declaration  of  Mr.  THOMAS  GCMERSALL,  Deputy  Assistant  to  the  Commis- 
sary-General of  Stores  and  Provisions,  born  at  LEEDS,  in  YORKSHIRE. 

That  he  left  the  Mohock  River  about  the  beginning  of 
June,  of  the  present  year,  and  had  been  for  several  weeks  in 
that  country,  where  he  was  acquainted.  That  Sir  John 
Johnson,  through  intelligence  he  had  received,  partly  by 
means  of  Mr.  Gumersall,  found  it  necessary  to  leave  his 
home  and  withdraw  to  Canada;  to  effect  which  he  procured 
three  Indians  from  the  adjacent  village,  as  guides  through 
the  woods,  and  was  accompanied  by  about  one  hundred  and 
thirty  Highlanders,  and  near  one  hundred  and  twenty  other 
inhabitants  of  the  country,  attached  to  Government,  with 
whom  he  proceeded  from  the  house  of  Mr.  McDonnell,  called 
Callaghy,  on  or  about  the  13th  of  May  last,  for  Osivegatchie, 
in  Canada.  That  the  said  Mr.  Gumersall,  who  was  instru- 
mental to  him  on  the  occasion,  accompanied  him  a  few  miles 
further  on  his  route,  and  then  took  his  leave;  after  which, 
with  much  difficulty,  after  secreting  himself  and  marching  by 
night  about  five  weeks,  he  arrived  at  Staten-Island  (where 
his  Majesty's  troops  were)  on  the  19th  of  July,  and  was  by 
General  Howe's  favour  (through  the  accommodation  of  John 
Small,  Esq.,  Major  of  Brigade)  appointed  to  his  present 
office,  in  consideration  of  his  sufferings  and  service,  having 
been  obliged  to  abandon  a  very  advantageous  branch  of  trade 
in  which  he  was  largely  concerned.  Mr.  Gumersall  further 
declares  that  he  was  credibly  informed  that  John  Butler, 
Esq.,  who  was  left  at  Niagara  by  Colonel  Johnson  Super- 
intendent of  Indian  Affairs,  with  other  officers,  to  encourage 
the  Indians  to  join  his  Majesty's  troops,  this  season  received 
several  letters  from  Mr.  Schuyler,  a  Rebel  General,  inviting 
him  down,  and  promising  him  protection,  &ic.;  but  at  the 
same  time  employed  the  messenger,  (an  Indian,)  in  case  he 
refused,  to  bring  his  scalp,  for  which  he  was  to  have  a  reward 
of  one  hundred  dollars.  That  about  three  days  after  S'\r  John's 
departure,  Lady  Johnson  received  a  letter  from  John  Butler, 
Esq.,  addressed  to  Sir  John,  acquainting  him  that  he  had, 
agreeable  to  Colonel  Johnson's  instructions,  assembled  a  con- 
siderable body  of  Indians  ready  to  go  on  service,  and  only 
waited  to  receive  news  from  Colonel  Johnson,  or  orders  to 
proceed ;  and  Mr.  Gumersall  believes,  and  has  heard,  that 
the  Indians  had  proceeded  agreeable  thereto,  and  that  Lieu- 
tenant Gray,  late  of  the  Forty-Second,  and  Mr.  Gumersall, 
helped  to  raise  the  men  who  accompanied  Sir  John,  and  Mr. 
Gumersall  advanced  them  money  on.  that  occasion. 

THOS.  GUMERSALL. 

Signed  at  Staten-Island,  the  6th  August,  1776,  in  pre- 
sence of  JOHN  DEASE, 

GILBERT  TICE, 
JOSEPH,  Indian  Chief. 


867 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


868 


Copy  of  a  Letter  intercepted  from  S.  KIIIKI.ANK,«  NEW-ENGLAND  Mission- 
ary among  the  ONEIDAS,  lo  Mr.  SCUUYLER,  n  Rebel  General  and  manager 
of  their  affairs, 

Oneida,  May  22,  1776. 

BROTHER  GOVERNOUR:  We,  the  Oneida  Chiefs,  think 
proper  to  acquaint  you  with  the  result  of  the  meeting  at 
Niagara  with  Colonel  Butler.  This  we  do  at  our  own 
option,  without  being  desired  by  the  other  parts  of  the  Con- 
federacy, though  it  has  been  reported  among  them  that 
General  Schuyler  ought  to  be  informed.  We  sent  two 
Oneidas  to  hear  what  should  pass  at  Niagara.  They  return- 
ed the  night  before  last,  and  bring  the  following  account: 

The  Representatives  of  the  Six  Nations  delivered  the 
answer  to  Colonel  Butler's  belts,  that  was  formed  and  agreed 
upon  in  full  council  at  Onondaga,  of  which  we  suppose  you 
have  been  made  acquainted.  The  purport  of  our  answer 
was,  that  the  Sit  Nations,  with  the  Caughnawagas,  and  the 
Seven  Tribes  in  that  vicinity,  had  all  united  and  resolved  to 
maintain  peace,  both  with  the  King  and  the  Bostonians, 
and  receive  no  axe  from  either. 

Colonel  Butler  replies : 

"  Brothers:  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  are  all  united,  but  I  am  sur- 
prised to  find  you  talk  of  maintaining  peace  with  the  Americans, 
and  at  the  same  time  support  the  King's  peace  orGovernment. 

"  Brothers,  your  resolutions  are  very  surprising.  Where 
is  there  any  one  or  body  of  men  to  be  compared  to  the  King  ? 
As  for  General  Schuyler,  (and  the  other  Commissioners,)  of 
whom  you  boast  so  much,  what  is  he?  He  was  born  but 
yesterday;  just  now,  as  it  were,  started  up  out  of  the  ground, 
and  to-morrow  will  return  into  the  earth  whence  he  came. 
It  will  not  be  the  space  of  a  month  before  you  hear  him  cry. 
He  has  no  men,  guns,  cannon  and  ammunition,  or  clothing; 
and  should  he  survive  the  summer,  he  must  perish  by  the 
cold  next  winter  for  want  of  blankets.  But  the  King  wants 
neither  men  nor  money;  there  is  no  computing  his  numbers. 
As  to  the  Caughnaioagas  claiming  seven  tribes  as  under 
their  jurisdiction,  it  is  false ;  they  tell  a  lie.  The  Caughna- 
wagas are  by  themselves  alone,  and  they  are  become  Bos- 
tonians. But  the  other  six  tribes  in  that  vicinity,  with  all 
the  back  nations,  are  at  the  King's  command  and  will  take 
his  side.  And  as  for  Canada,  they  are  all  (except  twelve 
persons)  returned  to  the  King's  side. 

"Brothers,  you  had  better  recall  your  resolutions,  and 
determine  to  keep  the  King's  peace,  and  the  King  will  then 
be  glad  to  hear  from  you.  What  a  wretched  situation  must 
you  be  in  when  the  King  attacks  all  the  seaports  of  America, 
and  comes  in  earnest  to  sweep  off  the  Americans,  if  he  finds 
you  supporting  the  Americans!" 

To  this  the  Sachems  made  an  immediate  reply : 
"  Brothers,  we  will  support  the  King's  peace  or  Govern- 
ment, and  we  now  speak  from  our  very  inside,  and  don't 
think  it  proceeds  only  from  our  lips." 

For  this,  Colonel  Butler  returned  thanks,  and  expressed 
great  joy. 

Then  the  commanding  officer  of  Niagara  (whom  the 
Indians  call  Oguhaenjes)  addressed  the  Indians  as  follows: 

"  Brothers :  The  King  of  England  is  very  great  and  wise; 
he  was  never  yet  conquered.  He  has  subdued  both  France 
and  Spain.  Pray,  what  can  this  handful  in  America  do  with 
such  a  King?  The  King  is  very  subtle,  he  has  deceived  the 
Bostonians  with  a  witness.  He  ordered  his  forces  to  con- 
tinue at  Boston  till  the  Bostonians  had  collected  all  the 
cannon  that  could  be  found,  from  Philadelphia,  New-York, 
and  even  from  Virginia,  and  brought  them  to  that  place. 
The  Bostonians,  having  all  their  force  and  cannon  collected, 
were  about  to  destroy  the  town  ;  but  the  King's  officer  com- 
manding there  forbade  jhem,  telling  them  he  would  leave  it 
in  a  peaceable  manner,  as  the  purpose  of  his  coming  there 
was  now  answered.  And  now,  brothers,  you  will  soon  hear 
that  the  King's  ships  have  laid  waste  all  their  seaports,  as 
they  can  make  no  resistance,  having  sent  all  their  cannon 
and  stores  to  Boston.  Virginia  has  had  all  already. 

"  Brothers :  I  shall  not  give  up  this  post  (Niagara)  to  the 
Bostonians  without  a  struggle.  My  men  must  fall  first  be- 
fore the  Bostonians  shall  take  possession." 

After  this  Colonel  Butler  proceeds,  addressing  himself  to 
the  Sachems: 

"  Brothers  :  I  propose  to  your  consideration  that  a  number 
of  your  warriors  should  go  in  quest  of  Colonel  Johnson. 
Here  is  a  large  vessel  ready  for  sailing;  let  them  embark 


who  desire  a  speedy  interview  with  Colonel  Johnson.  He 
must  at  this  time  be  at  Quebeck  or  in  the  rivers;  and  upon 
my  hearing  of  his  actual  arrival,  I  shall  immediately  pursue, 
and  will  certainly  see  him.  If  the  Bostonians  should  be 
betwixt  me  and  Colonel  Johnson,  I  will  turn  out  of  the  road 
and  pass  by  them.  I  have  also  another  vessel  prepared  for 
the  back  nations,  as  soon  as  they  come." 

The  Sachems  reply : 

"  We  shall  not  consider  the  matter,  for  we  know  it  is 
already  settled,  and  they  are  now  embarking.  Did  we  know 
that  Colonel  Johnson  was  actually  arrived  at  any  particular 
place,  we  would  consider  the  affair." 

Brother  General  Schuyler:  We  now  inform  that  Colonel 
Butler  prevailed,  and  upwards  of  fifty  of  the  Six  Nations 
have  embarked,  twelve  days  ago,  in  quest  of  Colonel  John- 
son, and  a  number  of  the  back  nations,  the  whole  amounting 
to  one  hundred. 

Brother,  we  dread  the  consequence.  We  this  day  send 
off  four  of  our  young  men  to  acquaint  you,  and  then  proceed 
to  Caughnawaga  to  inform  them.  The  one  from  Oriske  is 
a  chief  man,  and  one  of  the  two  sent  to  Niagara,  and  will 
give  you  particulars.  The  next,  called  Kanaghividiga,  is 
a  young  Sachem  of  great  influence  in  this  nation.  The  third, 
Sewajis,  is  chosen  to  a  Sachemship.  We,  the  Sachems  of 
Oneida,  send  our  love  to  you,  and  wish  you  success. 

From  your  faithful  Brothers,         SUGHNAGEVRAT, 

JlMMEY, 

AGHSHINHARE, 
TIGAWI, 
TEKEONGO, 
KAGHNEGHLORIES. 

To  the   Hon.  Philip  Schuyler,  Esq.,   Commissioner,  &tc. 
From  the  Oneida  Chiefs. 

[Enclosed  in  a  letter  from  Colonel  G«t;  Johnson  to  Lord  George  Ger- 
maine,  dated  New-York,  November  25,  1776.] 

Intercepted  by  S.  Kirkland,  and  who  hopes  to  write  to 
his  Honour  very  soon,  if  a  safe  conveyance  presents. 
A  true  copy  from  the  original,  compared  by 

Jos.  CHEW,  Secr'y  of  Indian  Affairs. 
New- York,  November  25,  1776. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  DUBOIS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  9,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  5th,  by  your  brother,  is  received. 
By  him,  I  forward  you  eight  hundred  dollars.  Would  have 
you  order  your  regiment  to  march  for  this  place  as  fast  as  an 
officer's  party  are  inlisted.  You  will  make  a  return  to  me 
immediately  of  the  number  of  men  already  imbodied,  and 
continue  to  make  your  returns,  by  which  you  may  call  for 
money  as  wanted.  I  conceive  that  taking  men  from  the 
four  or  five  months'  Militia  will  not  answer  our  present 
necessity,  as  it  will  not  add  to  the  number  in  service ;  but 
of  the  Militia  which  is  only  ordered  in  for  a  few  days  or 
weeks,  you  have  an  undoubted  right  to  take  such  as  have  a 
mind  to  inlist  with  you.  Previous  to  your  men  arriving  in 
this  city,  you  will  order  a  Field-Officer  here,  to  take  charge 
of  them  as  they  corne  in. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &c.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Colonel  Lewis  Dubois,  Poughkeepsie. 


COLONEL  HARDENBTJRGH  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  9,  1776. 

SIR:  As  I  am  at  New-York,  with  four  companies  of 
Militia  from  Ulster  County  and  one  company  from  Liv- 
ingston's Manor,  and  as  some  of  them  have  not  got  guns, 
cartridge-boxes,  or  any  accoutrements  of  war,  I  think  it  very 
hard  that  men  are  taken  away  from  their  places  and  business, 
and  brought  down  to  defend  their  country  without  arms.  I 
here  enclose  you  a  true  state  of  the  deficiencies  of  the  five 
companies,  by  which  you  may  see  how  the  matter  is.  I 
have  done  all  that  lies  in  my  power  to  get  a  supply  for  them 
while  I  have  been  in  town,  but  cannot  perform.  I  there- 
fore once  more,  gentlemen,  supplicate  to  your  House, 
whether  you  cannot  put  me  in  some  way  to  get  a  supply  for 
these  men.  They  are  willing  to  allow  for  it  out  of  their  pay. 

I  am,  with  regard,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHS.  HARDENBURGH,  Lieut.  Col. 
To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  President  of  the  Congress  of  the 

State  of  New-York. 


869 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


870 


HUGH  WALLACE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-York,  August  9,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  Lord  Stirling  has 
acquainted  the  prisoners  brought  from  Long-Island,  that 
they  are  to  attend  your  Excellency's  orders  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, at  nine  o'clock,  and  to  be  then  ready  to  be  sent  out  of 
the  Province. 

I  beg  to  let  your  Excellency  know  the  unfortunate  situa- 
tion my  brother  and  partner  and  I  are  under.  Our  books, 
papers,  &,c.,  are  at  the  house  at  Jamaica  chiefly,  where  they 
are  very  unsafe,  only  women  to  take  care  of  the  house  and 
them;  that  we  have  also  many  valuable  papers,  &c.,  here, 
which  we  must  leave  behind.  In  short,  this  affair  may 
probably  ruin  us. 

Could  your  Excellency,  in  compassion  to  our  distress, 
allow  my  brother  to  stay  with  his  small  helpless  family, 
he  could  take  care  of  our  widely-scattered  affairs,  and  he 
is  satisfied  to  give  security  to  remain  on  his  farm.  As  for 
me,  though  in  a  very  infirm  and  disagreeable  situation,  I 
must  be  content. 

If  your  Excellency  cannot  indulge  us  in  this  request,  will 
you  be  so  good  as  to  allow  one  of  us  to  go  to  Jamaica  this 
day,  to  bring  clothes  and  necessaries  for  our  journey,  and  to 
secure  our  books  and  papers  there  in  the  best  way  we  can, 
engaging,  by  all  that's  sacred  and  honourable,  to  be  here  by 
nine  o'clock  to-morrow,  to  receive  your  Excellency's  com- 
mands. The  other  gentlemen  will  also  beg  to  have  clothes, 
&c.,  sent  for.  I  am  sorry  thus  to  trouble  your  Excellency ; 
hope  my  situation  will  be  my  excuse. 
•  I  am,  respectfully,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  RUGH  WALLACE 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


COLONEL  MCDOUGALL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Friday,  August  9,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  seen,  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Palfrey,  a  copy 
of  a  resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress,  resolving  that  a 
Paymaster  be  appointed  to  each  regiment.  If  the  appoint- 
ment is  in  your  Excellency,  I  should  be  glad  Mr.  John 
Lawrence  (a  person  who  has  had  some  trouble  with  the 
papers  respecting  the  payment  of  my  regiment)  may  be 
appointed.  I  will  engage  for  his  faithful  discharge  of  that 
duty. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  obedient  servant, 

ALEX.  McDoucALL. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


EBENEZER  HAZARD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

New-York,  August  9,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  This  is  at  least  the  fifth  letter  I  have  written 
you  since  you  left  New-York,  and  I  have  not  yet  received 
one  from  you.  As  you  remained  silent  so  long,  I  began  to 
suspect  you  considered  me  a  troublesome  correspondent,  and 
intended  to  get  rid  of  me  by  absolute  neglect:  the  natural 
consequence  of  this,  you  know,  was  a  determination  not  to 
be  troublesome  any  longer;  and  I  was  just  about  concluding 
upon  it,  when  our  friend  Tmmbull  told  me  you  had  com- 
plained of  receiving  no  letters  since  you  reached  Ticonderoga. 
This  absolutely  astonished  me,  as  I  could  not  account  for  it 
without  supposing  some  person  or  other  guilty  of  villanous 
practices,  which  I  was  unwilling  to  do,  but  am  forced  upon 
the  conclusion.  The  letters  must  have  been  stopped  some- 
where between  Albany  and  Ticonderoga. 

We  have  very  little  among  us  at  present  that  is  material. 
Clinton  and  Sir  Peter  Parker  have  fled  from  the  southward, 
after  being  beaten  by  Lee,  and  have  arrived  at  Staten-Island 
with  the  remnant  of  their  fleet  and  army.  About  one  thou- 
sand Hessians  have  arrived  there,  too;  and  in  consequence 
of  information  received  by  two  persons  who  left  the  enemy, 
and  two  gentlemen  lately  from  London,  by  way  of  Staien- 
Island,  we  are  in  daily  expectation  of  an  attack.  Howe 
musters  now  about  thirteen  thousand  men  in  all,  and  affects 
to  hold  the  "Rebel  Army"  in  contempt.  One  would  have 
thought  experience  had  taught  him  better.  The  Vicar  of 
Roxbury  inquires  very  often  after  you,  and  wishes  for  a  let- 
ter. Don't  disappoint  his  wishes  and  mine.  I  send  you 
some  of  the  latest  newspapers  ;  and  am  yours,  affectionately, 

EBEN.  HAZARD. 


JOSEPH  TRUMBULL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New- York,  August  9,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  informed  that  there  is  a  quantity  of  salt  at 
Norwich,  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  and  its  neighbour- 
hood, in  care  of  some  person  or  persons  to  me  unknown :  I 
suppose  iti  the  hands  of  Mr.  Shaw  or  Mr.  Stamford,  &.c., 
which  belongs  to  the  Continent,  and  has  been  imported  on 
their  account,  and  has  lately  been  offered  for  sale.  I  would 
humbly  suggest  to  Congress  the  necessity  of  a  large  quantity 
of  that  article  being  secured  by  the  Congress  for  salting  pro- 
visions for  the  Army  the  next  season,  and  wish  that  orders 
may  be  given  Congress  agents  for  that  purpose. 

I  am,  sir,  with  esteem  and  respect,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JOSEPH  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Congress  of  Delegates  from  the  United  States  of  America, 
Philadelphia. 

/ 
New-York,  August  8,  1776. 

Yesterday  two  deserters  came  from  the  fleet,  who  say  that 
Lord  Howe  is  preparing  for  an  attack ;  that  the  field-pieces 
were  put  on  board  a  vessel,  and  it  was  supposed  the  forces 
would  land  on  Long-Island,  while  the  ships  attacked  the 
city. 

We  hear  from  Elizabeth-Town  that  on  a  late  alarm  there, 
when  an  immediate  attack  of  the  regulars  was  expected,  and 
every  man  capable  of  bearing  arms  was  summoned  to  defend 
it,  there  were  three  or  four  young  men,  brothers,  going  out 
from  one  house;  when  an  elderly  lady,  mother  or  grand- 
mother to  the  young  men,  (who,  without  betraying  the  least 
signs  of  timidity,  had,  with  a  resolute  calmness,  encouraged 
and  assisted  them  to  arm,)  when  they  were  ready  to  go,  and 
just  setting  out,  addressed  them  thus:  "My  children,  I  have 
a  few  words  to  say  to  you :  you  are  going  out,  in  a  just 
cause,  to  fight  for  the  rights  and  liberties  of  your  country; 
you  have  my  blessing,  and  prayers  that  God  will  protect  and 
assist  you ;  but  if  you  fall,  His  will  be  done.  Let  me  beg  of 
you,  my  children,  that  if  you  fall  it  may  be  like  men,  and 
that  your  wounds  may  not  be  in  your  backs." 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  August  9,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Colonel  Hand  reports  the  three  ships 
mentioned  in  my  last  evening's  Report  gone  down  the  Nar- 
rows, are  at  anchor  in  and  a  little  below  the  Narrows.  I 
was  at  Red  Hook  this  morning  about  three  o'clock,  but 
nothing  further  had  been  discovered,  neither  has  there  since, 
that  has  come  to  my  knowledge. 

General  Heard  gives  furloughs  to  the  troops  of  Colonel 
Foreman's  regiment.  I  conceive  it  to  be  capitally  wrong, 
and  very  injurious  to  me  and  Colonel  Foreman  both,  as 
neither  can  know  what  to  depend  upon  if  the  troops  are 
furloughed  without  our  knowledge  or  consent.  This  is  not 
the  only  evil ;  for  if  the  troops  are  refused  the  indulgence 
here  they  request,  and  get  it  elsewhere,  it  will  naturally  lead 
them  to  form  an  opinion  that  we  are  tyrannical.  1  must 
beg  your  Excellency  to  put  a  stop  to  it  immediately. 

I  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient,  humble  servant,  N  GREENE> 

To  His  Excellency  General  •  Washington,  Esquire,  Head- 
Quarters,  New-York. 


ROBERT  R.  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Harlem,  August  9,  1776. 

SIR:  It  is  with  peculiar  pleasure  that  I  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  Excellency's  favour  of  yesterday,  since  I 
cannot  but  consider  it  as  an  additional  mark  of  that  confi- 
dence with  which  your  Excellency  has  hitherto  honoured 
me.  1  have  made  the  proper  use  of  it,  and  imparted  it  in 
confidence  to  those  members  of  the  Convention  on  whose 
secrecy  I  thought  I  could  most  safely  rely,  and  from  whose 
influence  I  hoped  to  draw  the  most  effectual  assistance. 

I  early  foresaw  what  has  since  happened,  and  therefore 
made  it  my  endeavour  to  enforce  the  drawing  out  as  much 
of  the  strength  of  this  State  as  could  possibly  be  collected. 
I  cannot  but  hope  that  the  good  effect  of  this  measure  will 
very  shortly  appear.  A  considerable  body  of  troops  will, 


871 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


872 


as  we  suppose,  begin  their  march  for  King's  Bridge  to-mor- 
row, and  I  flatter  myself  that  in  five  or  six  days  their  number 
will  be  increased  to  sixteen  or  eighteen  hundred  men.  Such 
is  my  idea  of  the  importance  of  this  post  that  I  could  wish 
your  Excellency  to  count  as  little  as  possible  upon  the  raw 
troops  we  send  there,  but  to  send  thither  all  you  originally 
designed  for  that  station.  Your  Excellency  is  best  able  to 
judge  whether  it  can  be  rendered  tenable  without  some  can- 
non" gunners,  and  Matrosses,  and  how  far  it  is  prudent  to 
supply  that  want  under  which  it  now  labours,  by  sending 
them  from  some  other  place. 

Since  I  am  upon  this  subject,  I  will  take  the  liberty  to 
hint  what  may  possibly  have  escaped  your  Excellency's 
attention  in  the  multiplicity  of  business  in  which  you  are 
involved;  I  mean  the  possibility  of  the  enemy's  destroying 
the  bridge  (if  their  fleet  should  get  above  the  town)  by 
means  of  a  body  of  troops  sent  up  the  creek  in  boats,  before 
any  assistance  could  come  in,  unless  some  small  work  was 
thrown  up  for  its  defence,  which  the  situation  renders  very 
practicable. 

The  troops  raised  on  Long-Island,  and  which  we  have 
subjected  to  your  Excellency's  command,  and  ordered  to 
join  General  Greene's  brigade,  may  amount  to  about  eight 
hundred  men;  but  as  part  of  them  are  very  remote,  they 
may  possibly  not  all  arrive  at  their  stations  in  less  than  eight 
days. 

We  shall  this  morning  endeavour  to  raise  some  more  of 
our  Militia,  to  occupy  the  passes  in  the  Highlands,  and  that 
of  the  northern  Counties  which  have  hitherto  been  reserved 
in  case  of  any  misfortunes  happening  to  the  Army  at  Ticon- 
deroga.  I  fear  they  will  not  come  in  time  to  assist  your 
Excellency  at  New-  York,  if  the  enemy  should  be  speedy 
in  their  attack,  as  they  are  very  remote  and  but  ill-armed. 
Perhaps  we  may  be  able  to  send  some  of  the  neighbouring 
Militia  to  General  Greene,  to  be  dismissed  when  the  Long- 
Island  levies  are  all  come  in. 

Your  Excellency  may  be  assured  that  the  little  influence 
I  have  shall  be  exerted  to  forward  any  operations  which 
your  Excellency  may  form,  since  I  am  fully  satisfied  that 
they  will  always  be  directed  by  that  spirit  of  patriotism 
which  has  so  deservedly  secured  to  you  the  esteem  of  this 
Continent,  and  shall  therefore  think  it  a  happiness  to  be 
honoured  with  your  commands. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  esteem  and 
respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ROBT.  R.  LIVINGSTON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Esquire,  Head- 
Quarters,  New-York. 


JOHN  SCHENCK  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

In  Committee,  Poughkeepsie,  August  9,  1776. 
SIRS  :  From  the  present  situation  of  publick  affairs,  the 
Committee  of  Poughkeepsie  labour  under  many  difficulties 
for  the  want  of  cash,  as  well  to  answer  publick  accounts 
already  due,  which  they  have  become  bound  for,  as  to  an- 
swer emergencies  of  which  the  following  are  instances: 
Colonel  Clinton  wrote  us  to  send  him  a  number  of  boards 
down  to  Fort  Constitution,  to  make  shelter  for  the  troops 
then  ordered  there,  which  the  barracks  would  not  contain. 
On  his  request  we  purchased  a  quantity  of  Mr.  Child,  and 
sent  them  down.  On  return  of  the  sloop,  Mr.  Child  received 
an  order  on  us  for  the  money,  which  we  could  not  pay;  in 
consequence  of  which  he  returned  the  order  to  Colonel 
Clinton,  which  we  are  informed  remains  yet  unpaid.  Colo- 
nel Clinton  also  drew  on  us  to  pay  the  freight  of  the  above 
boards. 

Major-General  Schuyler  sent  down  a  party  of  men  for 
stores  from  the  shipyards.  These  men  called  upon  us  to 
provide  them  provisions.  We  have  to  request  the  honour- 
able the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York  would  intrust 
the  Committee  of  Poughkeepsie  with  a  sum  of  money  as  a 
bank,  to  answer  publick  emergencies,  for  which  they  will 
give  any  security  that  it  shall  be  expended  for  the  use  and 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  State.  We  have  herewith  sent  in 
our  account  against  this  State,  which  we  request  the  Con- 
vention will  order  paid  unto  the  bearer,  Robert  North. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee,  by,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient, 

JOHN  SCHENCK,  Secretary. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 


RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  9,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Agreeable  to  my  promise  and  duty,  I 
do  myself  the  honour  to  inclose  you  a  return  of  the  stores 
forwarded  for  Tyonderoga  and  Skenesborough.  I  am  sorry 
to  disappoint  you  in  not  sending  the  powder  as  soon  as  it 
might  be  expected  by  you;  but  it  is  not  a  neglect  in  me.  I 
have  endeavoured  to  procure  wagons,  but  cannot  get  them 
now,  in  harvest,  even  for  cash.  The  farmers  complain  that 
their  wheat  is  blasted,  and  must  be  attended  to.  However, 
I  expect  that  the  whole,  or  at  least  the  greater  part,  will  be 
moved  from  hence  on  Monday.  I  shall  try  every  means  to 
effect  it.  Be  assured,  my  dear  sir,  that  I  do  not  withhold 
either  my  time  or  attention  from  the  publick  interest.  Some 
of  the  shot  and  of  the  blocks  I  do  expect  next  week.  I 
shall  forward  them  as  fast  as  possible.  Some  of  the  swivels 
will  be  sent  as  soon  as  Governour  Trumbull's  order  can  be 
obtained  for  sending  them  from  Salisbury  to  this  place.  The 
anchors  and  cables  sent  from  New-  York  are  not  yet  arrived. 
I  expect  them,  with  some  others,  in  three  days.  The 
handspikes  and  rammers,  with  sponges,  will  be  finished  next 
week,  and  forwarded,  as  also  some  powderhorns  and  pri- 
ming-wires. 

My  respects  to  the  gentlemen  of  your  family.  I  remain, 
with  every  good  wish,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 

servant>  RICHD.  VARICK. 

To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Gates. 


COLONEL  DAYTON  TO  INDIAN  CHIEFS. 

Fort  Schuyler,  August  9,  1776. 

SIR:  Yours  of  yesterday  was  just  handed  me.  I  observe 
the  contents.  By  the  bearer  I  send  two  barrels  of  powder. 
Lead,  I  have  deferred  sending  any  more  for  the  present. 
As  there  is  a  probability  of  an  attack  being  made  here,  can- 
not tell  what  we  may  have  occasion  for,  and  especially  as  I 
have  understood  our  brothers  at  the  Castle  are  not  in  much 
want  of  that  article  at  present. 

Three  of  the  Oneida  Indians  are  gone  to  Oswego  for 
intelligence,  which  I  hope  will  answer  as  well  as  though 
some  of  my  people  had  gone  with  them.  As  I  place  the 
greatest  confidence  in  the  Oneidas,  shall  listen  to  what  they 
say  at  all  times. 

I  thank  the  great  men  very  sincerely  for  their  kind  wishes 
respecting  my  health,  and  pray  that  the  great  and  good 
Spirit  may  ever  continue  his  protection  to  us  all. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant,  £LJAS 


P.  S.  We  have  a  report  here  that  a  battle  has  lately  been 
fought  near  New-York,  and  that  General  Washington  has 
killed  a  great  number  of  the  Regulars  ;  but  for  the  truth  of 
it,  cannot  positively  say. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  9,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  your  Honour's  favour  of  the 
7th  instant,  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Conner,  and  have  com- 
plied with  your  Honour's  orders  as  to  forwarding  Colonel 
Wingate's  and  Colonel  Wyman't  regiments  to  Ticonderoga. 
The  Militia  that  are  still  to  come  who  have  tents,  shall  be  sent 
forward  as  fast  as  they  shall  arrive,  by  the  orders  that  I  shall 
receive.  There  are  none  of  the  troops  who  have  tents,  ex- 
cept the  small  parties  of  the  New-  York  regiments. 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Gates. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  CAPTAIN  RICHARD  VARICK. 

Ticonderoga,  August  9,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  This  morning  I  was  favoured  with  yours 
by  Mr.  Hughes,  with  the  invoices  enclosed.  I  am  much 
obliged  to  you  for  your  diligence  and  attention  in  forwarding 
to  this  post,  and  with  such  despatch,  the  articles  of  which 
we  stand  so  much  in  need.  Spades,  and  cartridge  paper  for 
muskets,  are  the  things  at  present  most  in  request.  Flour 
will  become  scarce  soon.  I  am  told  there  are  three  thou- 
sand barrels  at  Fort  Edward.  Surely  the  harvest  is  now 
over,  and  the  teamsters  ready  to  serve  the  publick.  As  to 
money,  I  can  have  no  idea  that  that  can  long  be  wanted; 
nor  ought  fellows  who  get  so  much  from  the  United  States 


873 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


874 


to  hesitate  at  this  time.  They  know  they  are  sure  of  their 
pay.  In  case  the  enclosed  packet  gets  early  enough  to 
Albany  to  go  by  the  post  on  Monday,  send  it  by  that  con- 
veyance; if  not,  you  will  despatch  a  special  express  with  it 
to  General  Washington.  I  fancy  General  Schuyler  cannot 
have  yet  returned  to  Albany;  so  defer  writing  to  him  until 
to-morrow  or  Sunday,  when  perhaps  I  may  have  something 
material  to  say.  There  is  nothing  new  since  Messrs.  CuyJer 
and  Gansevoort  left  us.  Yours, 


HORATIO  GATES. 


To  Captain  Richard  Varick. 


OBADIAH  JOHNSON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Canterbury,  August  9,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  have  concluded  to  have  the  Reverend 
Ephraim  Jttdson,  Chaplain  to  Colonel  Ward's  regiment,  if 
agreeable  to  your  Honour,  &,c.  And  if  your  Honour  pleases 
to  send  warrants  for  Chaplain  and  Surgeon's  Mate,  or  what- 
ever commands,  the  bearer  will  convey  them  to  me.  The 
Surgeon's  Mate  agreed  upon  is  Dr.  Thomas  Shaw, 

I  am,  sir,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

OBADIAH  JOHNSON. 
To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull. 


COLONEL  COOKE  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Danbury,  August  9,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  Upon  receipt  of  orders  from  your 
Honour  of  the  6th  of  July  last,  requiring  that  upon  notice 
given  rne  by  General  Washington,  or  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  United  Colonies,  of  the  necessity 
of  assistance,  I  should  call  forth  and  march  with  all  expedi- 
tion so  many  of  the  able-bodied  effective  men  of  my  regi- 
ment as  might  be  necessary  and  convenient  for  the  defence 
of  the  Colonies, — I  immediately  sent  my  orders  to  the  com- 
manding officers  of  the  several  companies  in  my  regiment  to 
have  them  properly  equipped  and  hold  them  in  readiness  to 
march  at  the  shortest  warning;  which  I  trust  have  been 
generally  executed  agreeable  to  your  Honour's  direction. 

I  would  now  acquaint  your  Honour  that  I  this  day  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  General  Washington,  dated  7th  instant, 
informing  me  that  General  Clinton  had  brought  his  whole 
body  of  troops  from  South-  Carolina ;  that  the  foreign  troops 
are  every  day  arriving;  that  he  hath  the  most  authentick 
intelligence  that  the  enemy's  Army  in  a  little  time  will 
amount  to  thirty  thousand  men ;  and  that  a  decisive  attack 
will  be  made  upon  our  Army,  which,  in  its  present  situation, 
from  sickness,  the  deficiency  of  regiments  and  other  causes, 
is  far  short  of  its  intended  complement.  His  Excellency 
therefore  requests  me  to  call  forth  my  regiment  without 
delay,  and  have  them  equipped  with  blankets,  arms,  and 
ammunition,  if  possible,  and  march  them  immediately  to 
New- York.  Which  orders  I  am  carrying  into  execution 
with  the  utmost  despatch,  and  expect  to  march  in  a  very 
short  time.  I  hope  your  Honour  will  order  some  small 
supply  of  money,  without  which  it  will  be  difficult  to  pro- 
ceed, as  many  of  the  men  will  probably  have  none  of  their 
own  ;  but  I  mean  not  to  wait  for  that. 

As  the  General  says  nothing  about  the  time  the  Militia 
may  be  detained,  I  would  beg  leave  to  observe  that  the 
present  season  of  the  year  is  a  very  important  season,  espe- 
cially to  this  part  of  the  Colony,  where  large  crops  of  wheat 
are  raised,  this  being  the  usual  time  when  the  ground  is 
prepared  for  seed,  and  about  three  or  four  weeks  hence  will 
be  the  proper  seed  time,  upon  which  the  hopes  of  a  future 
harvest  altogether  depend;  so  that, should  the  whole  Militia 
be  detained  much  beyond  that  time,  it  would  present  a 
melancholy  prospect  for  the  ensuing  year,  especially  when 
joined  to  a  very  scanty  harvest  the  present  year. 

These,  sir,  are  thoughts  which  very  forcibly  strike  the 
minds  of  people,  and  would,  very  much  damp  their  zeal 
upon  the  present  emergency,  was  it  not  for  the  expectation 
of  being  soon  dismissed.  I  therefore  hope  your  Honour 
will  represent  the  matter  to  the  General  in  such  a  manner 
that  they  may  not  be  detained  longer  than  absolute  necessity 
requires. 

I  am,  sir,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Honour's  most  obe- 
dient and  very  humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  r.  COOKE. 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


COLONEL  CRAFTS  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Boston,  August  9,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  bearer  hereof,  Lieutenant  Raney,  in 

the  battalion  under  my  command,  has  an  inclination  to  serve 

his  country  in  the  sea  department.     As  I  am  doubtful  of  my 

power  to  discharge  him,  have  referred  him  to  your  Honours. 

I  am,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Honours'  most  obedient, 

humble  servant.  m         „ 

IHOS.  CRAFTS. 

To  the  Board  of  Council  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay. 

TIMOTHY  LANGDON  TO  JOHN  AVERT. 

August  9,  1776. 

SIR:  I  should  take  it  as  a  favour  if  you  would  look  over 
the  records  of  Council  for  August  and  September,  1775, 
and  inform  me  if  Lieutenant  Nathan  Smith  delivered  any 
paper  relating  to  the  schooner  Susannah,  Gammon  or  Phil- 
lips Master.  If  there  are  any  such  papers,  you  will  send 
me  a  pass  from  Admiral  Graves  that  is  amongst  them,  or  a 
copy  of  it ;  you  shall  be  satisfied  for  your  trouble. 
I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

TIMO.  LANGDON. 
To  Mr.  John  Avery. 

COLONEL  MITCHELL  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Falmouth,  August  9,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  As  I  have  some  par- 
ticular business  of  a  private  nature  which  renders  my  being 
personally  at  Boston  about  the  middle  of  September,  of  very 
great  importance  to  me,  I  therefore  take  the  liberty  to  ask 
your  Honours'  permission  for  leave  of  absence  to  go  thither 
at  that  time,  which  (should  you  think  proper  to  grant)  I 
shall  esteem  a  particular  favour. 

I  can,  with  the  greater  freedom,  solicit  your  indulgence 
herein,  as  we  shall  soon  be  in  a  tolerable  state  of  defence  at 
this  place,  and  I  hope  as  well  prepared  for  the  reception  of 
the  enemy  as  our  number  of  men  and  cannon  will  permit. 
I  wish  to  tarry  no  longer  time  than  what  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary for  the  accomplishing  my  business. 

I  am,  with  profound  respect,  your  Honours'  humble  ser- 
vant, 

JONA.  MITCHELL. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  the  State  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts-Bny. 

In  Committee  of  Council,  August  14,  1776. 
Ordered,  That  the  prayer  of  the  within  Petition  be  grant- 
ed, and  that  he,  the  said  Colonel  Mitchell,  have  a  parole  of 
absence  to  go  to  Boston  and  attend  his  own  private  busi- 
ness about  the  middle  of  September  next,  agreeable  to  his 
request,  and  to  return  to  his  duty  as  soon  as  he  can. 

JNO.  AVERY,  Deputy  Secretary. 

Watertown,  August  12,  1776. 

We  hear  that  on  Wednesday  last  was  sent  into  Ports- 
mouth, by  the  Hancock  privateer  of  Philadelphia,  a  large 
ship  (formerly  a  twenty-gun  ship)  now  mounting  fourteen 
guns,  bound  from  Jamaica  for  London,  having  on  board 
seven  hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar,  two  hundred  of  rum, 
besides  other  valuables;  a  fine  prize.  We  hear  she  was 
taken  by  the  following  stratagem,  viz:  Just  before  dusk  in 
the  evening  the  Hancock  came  across  her;  the  Captain  of 
the  prize  taking  the  Hancock  to  be  one  of  the  tyrant's 
pilferers,  was  very  much  rejoiced  to  fall  in  with  her,  and 
doubtless  vice  versa;  when  the  Hancock  at  night  threw  out 
a  light  for  a  signal  as  a  pilot.  At  daylight  the  next  morn- 
ing, the  vessels  being  near  together,  the  Captain  of  the  ship 
invited  the  Captain  of  the  Hancock  to  come  on  board  and 
take  a  breakfast ;  who  replied,  his  hands  were  so  few  and 
sick,  that  he  had  not  enough  to  man  his  boat  and  work  the 
vessel,  and  in  his  turn  invited  the  Captain  of  the  ship  to 
come  on  board  him,  which  ho  readily  complied  with,  by 
ordering  his  boat  out,  when  he  and  about  a  dozen  of  his 
hands  went  on  board  the  Hancock,  and  were  taken  as  good 
care  of  as  men  in  such  circumstances  could  allow.  The 
Hancock  then  sent  an  equal  number  of  her  own  hands  on 
board  the  ship,  when,  alas!  she  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
United  States  of  America. 


875 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


876 


COLONEL  GALE  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COUNCIL  Of   SAFETY. 

State  of  New-Hampshire,  East  Kingston,) 
August  9,  1776.      S 

Pursuant  to  orders  from  Nathaniel  Fokom,  Esq.,  Major 
General,  &.C.,  requiring  me  forthwith  to  raise  and  see  equip- 
ped one  hundred  and  eleven  men  out  of  the  regiment  under 
my  command,  to  be  ready  to  march  and  reinforce  the  North- 
ern Army,  in  consequence  of  which  orders,  the  number  of 
the  soldiers  raised,  equipped,  and  marched  the  20th  of  July, 
are  as  followeth,  viz : 

1  Captain,  4  Subalterns,  5  Sergeants,  5  Corporals, 

1  Drummer,  1  Fifer, -.-17 

90  Privates,  2  privates  marched  the  25th,    -     -     -     92 
1  Jonathan  Carlton  inlisted  from  Newtown  under 
Captain  Johnson  for  the  Massachusetts  State  in 

the  same  expedition,  --------     - 

Total  number  of  men,  ------  110 

The  above  Return  from  Colonel  Josiah  Bartktfs  regi- 
ment, exhibited  by       JACQB  GALE  Lieutemnt.Cobnel. 
To  the  Honourable  Committee  of  Safety  of  said  State. 


CHARLES  W.  F.  DUMAS  TO  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  SECRET  COR- 
RESPONDENCE, AUGUST  10,  1776. 

M.  A.  L.,  par  sa  lettre  du  lle  Juin,  m'apprennoit,  que 

"  Story  goes  from  hence  directly  to  America.     A  French 

H     o     r      t      a      1    e       z        , 
gentleman,  named  613.  2.  17.  15.  19.  4.  5.  414.  207. 

having       some       th        i 
424.  69.  1.  16.  14.  104.  11.  9.  76.  13.  33.  613.  21. 

nor        tonegotiate 
27.  238.  34.  50.  51.  24.  476.  67.  52.  53.  75.  57.  26. 

forth        eCon        g       res 
22.  94.  25.  61.  424.  29.  28.  9.  54.  561.  46.  32.  12. 

s       z 
39.  226,  I  have  given  him  your  address." 

La  veille  de  mon  depart  d'  Utrecht,  j'ecrivis  ce  qui  suit 
a  la  personne  que  vous  savez,  Messieurs : 

21«  Juin. 

"M.:  Dans  I'esperance  que  vous  avez  bien  voulu  me 
faire  concevoir,  que  je  pourrai  quelque  jour  vous  etre  utile, 
je  crois  devoir  vous  prevenir  que  je  partirai  demain  de  cette 
ville,  pour  aller  passer  1'ete  a  line  campagne  a  moitie  chemin 
d'ici  a  .  J'y  recevrai  en  toute  surete  vos  ordres,  si  vous 
envoyez  vos  lettres  chez,  &.c.  Je  me  propose  d'ailleurs  de 
passer  a  le  plutot  que  je  pourrai,  uniquement  pour 

profiler  de  la  permission  que  vous  m'avez  donnee  de  vous 
rendre  mes  devoirs  de  temps  en  temps.  Sans  avoir  du 
nouveau  a  vous  faire  voir,  1'ouvrage  ebauche  a  besoin  des 
vos  bonnes  directions  pour  le  temps  ou  vous  ne  resideriez 
plus  a  ;  et  je  serois  bien  fache  de  manquer  1'honneur 

de  vous  entretenir  au  moins  une  fois  encore  avant  votre 
depart,  s'il  etoit  proche." 

REPONSE. 

23«  Juin. 

"M.:  J'ai  re^u  la  lettre  que  vous  m'avez  fait  1'honneur 
de  m'ecrire  le  21"  de  ce  mois.  Vous  me  fiattez  de  1'espe- 
rance  de  vous  voir  a  ,  dont  vous  rapproche  le  sejour 

que  vous  allez  faire  pendant  1'ete  a  une  campagne.  Cette 
proximite  vous  donnera  la  facilite  de  faire  des  voyages,  dont 
je  profiterai  avec  grand  plaisir.  Je  sens  1'estime  qui  vous 
est  due,  et  1'avantage  de  meriter  1'amilie  d'un  homme  instruit 
tel  que  vous,  reunissant  la  litterature  aux  devoirs  de  la  so- 
ciete.  Je  vous  entendrai  toujours  avec  une  grande  envie 
de  profiler,  et  cela  sur  toutes  les  matieres  qui  out  inleresse  la 
sagesse  de  vos  reflexions.  Je  ne  sai  pas  encore  le  lemps  que 
je  resterai  a  .  Peut-etre  sera-t-il  assez  long  pour  jouir 
plusieurs  fois  de  1'honneur  de  vous  recevoir;  cela  depend  des 
ordres  qu'on  me  donnera  de  la  cour ;  et  rien  ne  paroit  jusqu'ici 
devoir  les  accelerer.  Nous  somines  dans  la  saison  la  moins 
acli i ve,  ou  la  plus  dissipee.  Les  affaires  ne  reverdissent  guere 
qu'a  la  chute  des  feuilles,  ou  meme  ne  s'ecbaufenl  qu'au 
retour  des  glaces.  Je  parle  du  vietix  monde:  car  je  ne 
veux  pas  trop  generaliser  le  tableau.  Avez  vous,  Monsieur, 
des  nouvelles  du  Docleur  el  de  ses  amis?  Je  vous  serois 
Ires  oblige  de  soigner  a  eel  egard  mon  inslruction.  Je  ferois 
volonliers  les  fraix  d'un  expres  que  vous  m'enverriez  quand 
vous  le  jugeriez  a-propos;  sinon,  la  poste  tout  uniment. 


S'il  m'arrivoit  a  moi-meme  de  voyager,  j'aurois  1'honneur  de 
vous  marquer  mes  stations  et  mon  addresse.     Je  ne  saurois 
trop  vous  exprimer,  Monsieur,  le  desir  que  j'ai  de  vous  ser- 
vir,  et  de  meriter  une  part  dans  vos  sentiments,"  &c. 
Environ  15  jours  apres,  j'ecrivis  ce  qui  suit  au  meme: 

Juillet,  1776. 

"  M. :  La  lettre  dont  vous  m'avez  honore  en  date  du  23e 
Juin,  m'a  donne  la  securite  qu'il  falloit,  pour  me  consoler 
des  contre-lemps  qui  m'ont  retenu  ici.  Peut-etre  serai-je  a 
Lahaie  Dimanche  matin.  Soyez  persuade,  M.,  que  s'il  me 
parvient  quelque  chose  qui  merite  votre  atleniion,  vous 
en  serez  inslruit  sur  le  champ.  Je  n'ai  pas  de  raison  pour 
m'attendre  a  recevoir  silot  des  nouvelles  directement.  J'ai 
ecrit  deux  letlres  par  deux  differents  vaisseaux  parlis  d'Amst. 
pour  St.  E. ;  et  j'attends  qu'un  autre  vaisseau  parte  pour 
leur  en  depecher  une  troisieme.  Avant  que  j'aie  reponse,  il 
se  passera  bien  du  lemps,  el  dans  ce  temps  bien  des  choses. 
II  y  a  cependant  un  homme  charge  de  quelque  commission 
de  leur  part,  a  qui  1'on  a  donne  a  L.  mon  addresse;  et  j'ai 
rec.u  deux  letlres  de  cetle  ville,  1'une  du  21e  Mai,  1'autre  du 
1 1«  Juin,  ou  1'on  me  prie  de  lui  rendre  service.  Voila  lout 
ce  que  j'en  sai ;  car  cet  homme  n'a  pas  encore  paru. 

"Plus  je  suis  favorise  de  vos  lettres,  M.,  et  plus  j'ambi- 
tionne  de  meriter  avec  le  lemps  que  vous  ayiez  bonne  opinion 
de  moi.  En  allendanl  je  dois  me  lenir  en  garde  contre  trop 
de  presomption,  et  penser  combien  il  est  naturel  de  faire  un 
accueil  gracieux  au  serviteur  pour  1'amour  du  maitre.  Je 
vous  avouerai,  M.,  qu'en  rendant  compte  au  Docleur  el  a 
ses  amis  de  noire  correspondance,  j'ai  cru  devoir  les  prevenir 
la-dessus,  non  que  je  doulasse  de  leur  penetration,  mais  de 
peur  qu'ils  ne  soupconnassent  le  geai  de  vouloir  se  parer  des 
plumes  du  paon.  Ils  seront  instruils  de  1'obligeant  interet 
avec  lequel  vous  me  demandes  de  leurs  nouvelles.  J'espere 
que  le  temps  viendra  ou  vous  pourrez  me  permettre  de  ne 
plus  leur  faire  un  secret  de  votre  nom. 

"  Apres  y  avoir  longlemps  el  bien  pense,  il  me  semble 
que  pour  repondre  completlemenl  a  leur  intenlion,  je  dois 

mepres       ente       raus 
76.  5.  60.  17.  24.  11.  13.  14.  15.  26.  25.  19.  3.  12. 

s      i       a      1  h       6     t       e       1      d  E 

39.  16.  69.  4.  74.  424.  2.  33.  29.  18.  20.  183.  32. 

spagne        ,         poury 
44.   172.  75.   104.  27.  35.  207.   185.  9.   10.   46.  40. 

etresim        pleme 
286.  34.  65.  38.  58.  21.  202.  186.  37.  41.  235.  48. 

ntconnuco        in        m       e 
51.  52.   28.  50.   54.   56.  42.  49.   67.   287.   371.   55. 

charge 

115.  613.  85.  78.  238.  77.  d'unelelle  commission,  m'ou- 
vrir  par-la  les  voies  de  servir  rnes  commellants  a  1'avenir  dans 
diverses  occasions  qui  peuvent  se  presenter  d'un  moment  a 
1'aulre,  el  ne  pas  encourir  le  blame,  qui  pourroil  rejaillir 

u      n      e       p 
jusque  sur  ces  messieurs,  d'avoir  neglige  45.  63.  59.  295. 

uissanc    esidi 
81.  53.  87.  90.  120.  68.  124.  62.  93.  66.  71.  79. 

gneaus    s    idele 
476.  86.  72.  147.  96.  101.  110.  98.  84.  82.  47.  89. 

urconfi    a    n    c    e 
106.  91.  136.  94.  100.  22.  103.  155.  128.  181.  108. 

&,  r  e  c  here  he 
241.  107.  111.  227.  424.  114.  119.  252.  613.  116. 
Au  resle  je  ne  ferai  ni  ne  dirai  rien  a  eel  egard,  qu'apres  avoir 
eu  1'honneur  de  vous  voir,  M.;  el  je  vous  supplie  de  croire, 
que  j'observerai  scrupuleusement  la  conduite  et  la  discretion 
que  vous  aurez  eu  la  bonte  de  me  prescrire  la-dessus." 

En  consequence  je  m'abouchai  avec  lui;  nous  convinmes 
de  lout  ce  que  nous  dirions  chacun ;  il  alia  diner  a  celle 
meme  niaison,  dil  que  j'avois  ele  chez  lui,  el  que  je  lui  avois 
dit  que  j'irois  aussi  a  1'autre  maison  le  lendemain  all 
heures.  J'y  fus  effeclivement.  On  me  rec,ut  tele-a-lele, 
en  grande  cerernonie,  dans  la  salle  d'audience.  J'exposai 
brievement  mon  sujel,  el  lira!  un  memoire  pour  le  lui  lire. 
II  me  dit  qu'il  ne  pouvoit  pas  m'ecouler  sans  ordre  de  son 
maitre.  Je  lus  pourtant,  et  il  ne  boucha  pas  ses  oreilles. 
Je  le  priai  de  recevoir  et  garder  le  memoire.  II  refusa, 
alleguant  toujours  qu'il  ne  pouvoit  rien  sans  ordre.  Je  tirai 
alors  mes  originaux,  et  lui  montrai  mes  trois  signalures,  qu'il 
regarda  avideiuent.  En  vous  separant  je  le  priai  de  taire  mon 
nom  a  :  il  me  dit  qu'il  le  tairoit  parloui.  11  me 

demanda  pourtant  si  c'etoil  mon  vrai  nom.     Je  1'en  assurai. 


877 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


878 


II  me  clit  quelques  gracieus  etes  personnelles:  nous  nous  quit- 
tames  ;  et  je  sus  des  le  lenclemain  par  un  autre  canal,  qu'il 
avoit  pourtant  rendu  compte  a  son  maitre  de  cette  visite; 
ce  qui  me  suffit,  car  je  n'ai  proprement  besoin,  pour  ce  que 
vous  savez,  que  d'une  de  ces  bonnes  maisons.  J'y  suis  tou- 
jours  bien  poliment  rec.u,  et  en  ami ;  c'est  tout  ce  que  je 
demande.  Je  n'y  multiplie  pas  trop  mes  apparitions;  mais 
pour  les  rendre  toujours  desirables,  je  n'y  parois  jamais  sans 
avoir  quelque  chose  d'interessant  a  dire;  et  pour  cet  effet, 
les  lettres  de  mon  cher  et  digne  correspondant  de  Londres 
me  sont  fort  utiles.  Ce  dernier  rn'a  addresse  dernierement 
quelqu'un,  dont  la  conversation,  jointe  a  ce  que  me  disoit  la 
lettre  dont  il  etoit  porteur,  m'a  servi  a  la  composition  d'un 
memoire  qu'on  a  goute,  et  j'ai  lieu  de  croire  qu'on  1'a  en  voye. 

Ce  quelqu'un  m'a  fait  vous  ecrire  une  lettre,  datee  du  4e 
Aout,  par  voie  de  Bourdeaux  a  St.  Domingue,  sous  envel- 
oppe  de  M.  Caton,  marchand  au  Port  St.  Nicholas,  dans 
cette  Isle,  d'onl  voici  1'extrait : 

"A  gentleman  belonging  to  Jamaica,  a  particular  friend 
of  Dr.  B.  Fr.,  and  very  well  known  to  him,  m'a  charge  de 
lui  ecrire,  pour  1'assurer  de  bonne  part  de  1'estime  singuliere 
qu'a  pour  lui  et  ses  amis  ce  qu'il  y  a  de  plus  sense  en  Angle- 
terre;  qu'ils  ne  doivent  pas  croire,  and  that  he  prays  him  to 
let  them  know  it,  que  la  voix  du  Parlement  actuel  soil  la  voix 
du  peuple^ngfois;  qu'il  existe  et  se  renforce  a  great  body, 
qui,  a  la  verite,  n'est  pas  le  plus  fort,  mais  qui  regarde  la  cause 
des  Americains  comme  la  sienne  propre,  leur  salut  et  leur 
liberte  comme  la  sienne,  qui  prefereroit  de  les  voir  indepen- 
dents plutot  que  subjugues,  et  qui  fera  a  la  future  rentree  du 
Parlement  les  plus  grands  efforts  en  leur  faveur;  que  la  base 
de  ce  parti  est  deja  de  40  pairs,  et  de  160  membres  des 
communes. 

"  Ce  gentilhomme  m'a  avoue  qu'il  etoit  un  des  plus  actifs 
dans  ce  parti,  qui  seroit  bien  aise  qu'il  y  cut  en  H.  un  homine 
de  confiance,  un  agent  de  la  part  du  Congres.  La  lettre 
que  ce  gentilhomme  m'avoit  apportee  debutoit  ainsi  : 

"  Dear  Sir :  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by ,  a 

friend  of  Dr.  Fr.,  of  liberty,  and  of  America.  He  is  a  philo- 
sopher, very  well  instructed  on  the  subject  of  America,  and 
I  trust  will  be  both  an  agreeable  and  useful  acquaintance 
while  he  remains  near  you." 

"  Cela  me  rassurant,  je  lui  decouvris  que  j'etois  rhomme 
qu'il  cherchoit,  muni  de  creances  et  ordres  suffisants  du  Con- 
gres, pour  faire  passer  par  mes  mains  tous  les  bons  offices  que 
voudroient  lui  rendre  ses  amis.  La-dessus  je  lui  montrai  ma 
creance;  il  en  fut  satisfait;  nous  nous  donnames  nos  addresses; 
il  me  proinit  de  m'ecrire  quand  il  en  seroit  temps;  et  nous  nous 
separames  satisfaits  1'un  de  1'autre,"  &tc. 

Enfin  ma  depeche  C  vous  portoit  aussi  copie  de  deux 
lettres  d'un  officier  fort  habile  dans  la  petite  guerre,  et  des 
conditions  aux  quelles  il  passeroit  au  service  des  Colonies 
Unies.  Un  guerrier  tres  experimente  me  1'avoit  recom- 
mande  non  seulement  comme  excellent  officier  pour  le  com- 
mandement  en  chef,  mais  aussi  comme  tres  verse  dans  le 
genie.  Mais  lui-meme  m'ecrit  qu'ayant  neglige  depuis 
longtemps  cette  partie  de  1'art  militaire,  il  ne  s'engageroit 
jamais  comme  ingenieur,  mais  pour  la  conduite  d'un  corps  de 
troupes  en  chef,  surtout  pour  la  petite  guerre,  qu'il  a  etudiee 
a  fond ;  et  que'en  cette  qualite  il  consacrera  avec  plaisir  et 
zele  sa  capacite  et  son  zele  en  faveur  de  peuples  qu'il  admire, 
et  avec  lesquels  il  voudroit,  lui  et  6  enfants  qu'il  a,  passer  le 
reste  de  sa  vie,  aux  conditions  suivantes : 

1°.  Que  le  Congres  lui  paiera  au  moins  lOOOf.,  (c'est-a- 
dire.apeu  pres  100  livres  sterling,)  tant  pour  1'arrangement 
de  ses  affaires,  que  pour  se  pourvoir  des  c hoses  necessaires 
dans  une  pareille  situation  et  pour  le  voyage,  sans  etre  oblige 
a  rembourser  cet  argent. 

2".  Que  le  Congres  lui  donnera  des  assurances,  qu'au 
cas  qu'on  ne  lui  procure  pas  un  etablissement  solide,  et 
equivalent  a  son  emploi  militaire,  dans  ce  pays-la,  a  la  paix, 
on  lui  paiera  1000  ducats,  (environ  500  livres  sterlings,)  pour 
dedommagement  de  ses  peines  et  risques,  et  pour  s'en 
retourner  dans  ses  foyers. 

3°.  Qu'on  sera  payer  par  quelque  negociant  dece  pays-ci, 
pendant  2  annees,  a  ses  enfants,  la  pension  qu'il  tire  actuelle- 
ment,  et  qu'il  perdra,  du  moment  qu'il  quittera  I'Europe, 
savoir,  600f.  environ  60  livres  sterlings  par  an,  de  6  en  6 
mois,  chaque  fois  300f.,  ou  30  livres  sterlings.  Cet  article 
il  le  remboursera  s'il  reste  en  vie  :  mais  s'il  mouroit  en  route, 
ou  s'il  etoit  pi-is  par  les  Anglois,  le  Congres  continueroit 
cette  pension  pendant  6  ans. 


4°.  On  lui  confiera  le  commandement  d'un  corps  de  troupes 
legeres,  avec  un  grade  proportionne,  et  la  disposition  de  toutes 
les  places  d'officiers,  et  la  liberte  d'engager  ici  en  Europe  de 
bons  sujets,  d'une  bonne  conduite  et  capacite.  Pour  cet 
effet  on  lui  fournira  les  pouvoirs  et  les  moyens  pour  leur 
transport  en  Amerique.  Cet  article  pourra  etre  eclairci  en 
son  temps. 

5°.  Ses  gages  doivent  etre  au  moins  de  125  dollars  par 
mois  courant. 

II  est  bon  d'ajouter  a  ceci,  que  M.  le  Marquis  d'Enge- 
nelli,  en  1756,  et  apres  lui  le  General  Wumch  en  1758,  lui 
ont  offert  une  compagnie  dans  leurs  regiments ;  ce  dernier 
avec  la  majorite  au  service  du  Roi  de  Prusse.  La  meme 
annee  M.  Van  Hellen,  alors  nn'nistre  de  ce  Roi  a  Lahaie,  le  fit 
venir  chez  lui  par  M.  le  Colonnel  de  Courvoisier,  lui  offrit  le 
commandement  d'une  troupe  avec  200  ducats  pour  le  voyage, 
et  les  postes  franches  du  Roi.  Mais  n'ayant  pu  obtenir  des 
suretes  pour  sa  capitulation,  cette  raison,  et  1'instabilite  de 
ce  service,  1'ont  empeche  d'accepter  ces  offres. 

J'ajouterai,  Messieurs,  a  ce  que  vous  venez  de  lire,  que  cet 
officier,  qui  est  veuf,  avec  6  enfants,  Suisse,  bon  republicain, 
voudroit  rester  avec  eux  en  Amerique  apres  1'avoirservie.  S'il 
est  vrai  ce  qu'on  dit,  et  ce  que  vos  amis-memes  me  marquent 
de  Londres,  que  vous  n'avez  pas  assez  d'officiers  command- 
ants en  chef  pour  1'etendue  vaste  de  vos  operations,  je  crois 
qu'il  seroit  bon  que  vous  prissiez  celui-la  pour  la  cam- 
pagne  prochaine;  il  me  semble  que  ces  demandes  ne  sont  pas 
deraisonnables :  et  comme  il  n'est  pas  apparent  que  vos  enne- 
mis  quittent  la  partie  shot,  je  crois  qu'il  pourra  vous  etre  fort 
utile. 

[Translation.] 

CHARLES  W.  F.  DUMAS  TO  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  SECRET  COR- 
RESPONDENCE. 

August  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Mr.  Arthur  Lee,  in  his  letter  of  the  llth 
of  June,  observes,  that  "  Mr.  Story  goes  from  hence  directly 
to  America.  A  French  gentleman  named  Hortalez  having 
something  to  negotiate  for  the  Congress,  I  have  given  him 
your  address."  On  the  eve  of  my  departure  from  Utrecht, 
on  the  21st  of  June,  I  wrote  as  follows  to  the  person  whom 
you  know: 

"  SIR  :  In  the  hope  that  you  have  consented  to  make  me 
understand  that  I  shall  be  one  day  useful  to  you,  I  think  it 
my  duty  to  advise  you,  that  I  shall  depart  to-morrow  from 
this  city,  to  pass  the  summer  at  a  country  house  half  way 
from  here  to  .  I  shall  receive  there  in  all  safety 

your  orders,  if  you  send  your  letters  to,  &£C. 

"  I  propose,  also,  to  pass  to  as  soon  as  I  can, 

merely  to  profit  by  the  permission  you  have  given  me  to  ren- 
der you  my  services  from  time  to  time.  Without  having  any 
new  plan  to  propose,  the  work  already  marked  out  has  need 
of  your  good  directions,  for  the  time  which  you  will  no 
longer  reside  at  ;  and  I  shall  be  very  sorry  to  fail 

of  the  honour  of  an  interview  with  you  at  least  once  more 
before  your  departure,  if  it  is  near." 

To  this  I  received  the  following  answer,  dated  June  23 : 

"  SIH  :  I  have  received  the  letter  you  did  me  the  honour 
to  write  me  the  21st  of  this  month.  You  flatter  me  with 
the  hope  of  seeing  you  at  ,  to  which  you  are  brought 

near  by  the  residence  you  intend  to  make  during  the  sum- 
mer at  a  country  house.  This  proximity  will  afford  you 
opportunity  to  make  journeys,  by  which  I  shall  profit  with 
much  pleasure.  I  am  sensible  of  the  esteem  which  is  your 
due,  and  of  the  advantage  of  meriting  the  friendship  of  an 
experienced  man  like  yourself,  uniting  literature  to  the 
duties  of  society.  I  shall  listen  to  you  always  with  an  eager 
desire  of  profiting  by  your  counsels,  and  this  on  all  subjects 
that  have  engaged  your  thoughts.  I  do  not  yet  know  the 
time  that  I  shall  remain  at  .  Perhaps  it  will  be 

sufficiently  long  to  enjoy  often  the  honour  of  receiving  you. 
This  depends  on  the  orders  of  my  Court,  and  nothing  has 
as  yet  appeared  which  will  hurry  them.  We  are  in  the 
least  active,  or  most  dissipated  season.  Business  will  not 
flourish  much  till  the  fall  of  the  leaves,  or  even  not  get  warm 
till  the  return  of  snow.  I  speak  of  the  Old  World-,  for  I 
wish  not  to  extend  the  picture  too  much. 

"  Have  you  any  news  of  the  Doctor  and  his  friends  ?  I 
shall  be  obliged  to  you  to  follow  my  instructions  in  this 
respect.  I  will  bear  willingly  the  charge  of  an  express, 


879 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


880 


whom  you  may  send  to  me  when  you  shall  judge  proper ; 
otherwise  write  uniformly  by  the  post.  Should  I  be  on  a 
journey,  I  shall  have  the  honour  to  inform  you  of  my  resi- 
dence and  address.  I  do  not  know  how  to  express  to  you 
sufficiently,  sir,  the  desire  I  have  to  serve  you  and  to  deserve 
a  place  in  your  thoughts." 

About  fifteen  days  after,  I  replied  to  this  letter  as  follows : 

"  SIK  :  The  letter  with  which  you  honoured  me,  dated 
23d  of  June,  has  given  me  the  assurance  which  was  needed 
to  console  me  for  the  disappointments  that  have  detained  me 
here.  Perhaps  1  shall  be  at  the  Hague  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing. Be  assured,  sir,  that  if  anything  comes  to  my  know- 
ledge worthy  of  your  attention,  you  shall  be  informed  of  it 
immediately.  1  have  no  reason  to  expect  soon  10  receive 
nc\\  s  directly.  I  have  written  two  letters  by  two  different 
vessels,  that  have  sailed  from  Amsterdam  for  St.  Eustatia; 
and  I  expect,  when  another  vessel  departs,  to  despatch  a 
third.  Before  I  have  an  answer  much  time  will  pass,  and 
in  this  time  many  events.  There  is,  however,  a  man 
charged  with  some  commission  on  their  part,  to  whom  they 
have  given  my  address  at  Leyden;  and  1  have  received  two 
letters  from  that  city,  the  one  of  the  21st  of  May,  the  other 
of  the  llth  of  June,  in  which  they  pray  me  to  render  him 
service.  This  is  all  that  I  know  of  him,  for  the  man  has  not 
yet  appeared. 

"  The  more  I  am  favoured  with  your  letters,  sir,  the  more 
I  wish  to  deserve  your  good  opinion.  In  the  meantime,  I 
ought  to  be  on  my  guard  against  too  much  presumption,  and 
to  think  how  natural  it  is  to  give  a  gracious  reception  to  the 
servant  for  the  love  of  the  master.  I  own  to  you,  sir,  that 
in  giving  an  account  to  the  Doctor  and  his.  friends  of  our 
correspondence,  I  have  thought  proper  to  forewarn  them 
thereon;  not  that  I  doubt  their  penetration,  but  from  fear 
that  they  might  suspect  the  jay  of  a  desire  to  appear  in  the 
feathers  of  the  peacock.  They  will  be  informed  of  the 
obliging  interest  with  which  you  ask  news  of  them.  I  hope 
that  the  time  will  come  when  you  will  be  able  to  permit 
me  to  reveal  your  name  to  them. 

"  After  having  thought  long  and  much,  it  seems  to  me, 
that  in  order  to  answer  completely  their  intention,  I  ought  to 
present  myself  also  to  the  Hotel  d'Espagne,  to  be  known 
there  simply  as  charged  with  such  a  commission,  to  open  to 
myself  thereby  ways  of  serving  my  constituents  on  diverse 
occasions,  which  may  present  themselves  at  one  moment  or 
another,  and  not  incur  the  blame,  which  may  be  reflected 
even  on  these  gentlemen,  of  having  neglected  a  power  so 
worthy  of  their  confidence  and  notice.  For  the  rest,  I  shall 
not  do  or  say  anything  in  this  respect  till  I  have  had  the 
honour  of  seeing  you,  sir;  and  I  pray  you  to  believe  that  I 
shall  observe  scrupulously  the  conduct  and  the  discretion 
that  you  have  had  the  goodness  to  prescribe  to  me." 

In  consequence,  I  have  again  conferred  with  this  gen- 
tleman. We  agreed  upon  all  that  each  of  us  should  say. 
He  went  to  dine  at  that  same  house,  said  that  I  had  been 
with  him,  and  that  I  told  him  I  would  go  also  to  the  other 
house  the  next  day  at  eleven  o'clock.  1  went  in  fact,  and 
was  received  tete-a-tete  with  great  ceremony  in  the  hall  of 
audience.  1  opened  briefly  my  business^  and  drew  out  a 
memoir  to  read  to  him.  He  told  me  that  he  could  not  hear 
me  without  the  order  of  his  master.  I  read  notwithstanding, 
and  he  did  not  stop  his  ears.  I  prayed  him  to  receive  and 
keep  the  memoir.  He  refused,  alleging  continually  that  he 
could  do  nothing  without  orders.  I  drew  out  then  my  origi- 
nals, and  showed  him  my  three  signatures,  which  he  looked 
at  eagerly.  In  separating,  1  asked  him  to  keep  my  name 
concealed  at  ;  he  said  to  me  that  he  would  keep  it 

secret  everywhere.  He  asked  me,  however,  if  that  was  my 
true  name.  I  assured  him  it  was  ;  he  paid  me  some  personal 
compliments,  and  we  parted.  I  learned  on  the  next  day, 
by  another  channel,  that  he  had,  notwithstanding,  given  an 
account  to  his  master  of  this  visit;  which  suffices  me,  for  I 
have  need,  as  you  know,  of  only  one  of  these  good  houses. 

am  always  very  politely  received,  and  as  a  friend.     This 

that  I  ask.     1  do  not  multiply  too  much  my  visits;  but 

to  render  them  always  desirable,  I  never  appear  there  with- 

liavmg  something  interesting  to  say;  and  to  this  end 

le  letters  ol  my  worthy  correspondent  at  London  are  very 

1  his  last  has  addressed  to  me  lately  a  person 

whose  conversation,  joined  to  the  contents  of  the  letter  of 

which  he  was  bearer,  has  served  me  in  the  composition  of  a 

memoir  which  they  approve,  and  I  have  reason  to  think  they 


have  sent.  This  person  has  induced  me  to  write  a  letter  to 
you,  dated  the  4th  of  August,  by  way  of  Bordeaux  to  St. 
Domingo,  under  an  envelope  of  Mr.  Caton,  merchant  at 
Port  St.  Nicholas  in  that  Island,  of  which  here  is  an  ex- 
tract : 

"  A  gentleman  belonging  to  Jamaica,  a  particular  friend 
of  Dr.  Franklin,  and  very  well  known  to  him,  has  charged 
me  to  write  to  him,  to  assure  him,  on  good  authority,  of  the 
singular  esteem  that  there  is  for  him  and  his  friends  among 
the  more  judicious  in  England;  that  they  ought  not  to  think, 
and  that  he  prays  him  to  let  them  know  it,  that  the  present 
voice  of  Parliament  is  the  voice  of  the  English  people; 
that  there  exists,  and  gathers  strength,  a  great  body,  which, 
in  truth,  is  not  the  strongest,  but  which  regards  the  cause 
of  the  Americans  as  its  own,  their  safety  and  liberty  as  its 
own,  which  would  prefer  to  see  them  independent  rather 
than  subjugated,  and  which  will  make,  at  the  future  meet- 
ing of  Parliament,  the  greatest  efforts  in  their  favour;  that 
the  basis  of  this  party  is  already  forty  Peers  and  one  hundred 
and  sixty  members  of  the  Commons. 

"  This  gentleman  owned  to  me  that  he  was  one  of  the 
most  active  in  that  party,  who  would  be  very  glad  that  there 
was  in  H.  a  man  who  could  be  confided  in,  an  agent  on  the 
part  of  Congress. 

"  The  letter  which  this  gentleman  brought  me  began  thus : 
'  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Mr.  Ellis,  a  friend  of 
Dr.  Franklin,  of  liberty,  and  of  America.  He  is  a  philoso- 

fher,  very  well  instructed  on  the  subject  of  America,  and, 
trust,  will  be  both  an  agreeable  and  useful  acquaintance 
while  he  remains  near  you.'  This  assuring  me,  I  discovered 
to  him  that  I  was  the  man  whom  he  was  seeking,  provided 
with  credentials  and  orders  from  Congress  sufficient  to  do  all 
the  good  offices  that  his  friends  could  wish  to  render;  there- 
upon I  showed  him  my  credentials;  he  was  satisfied  with 
them,  and  we  exchanged  addresses.  He  promised  to  write 
me  when  he  had  time ;  and  we  separated  satisfied  with  each 
other,"  &c. 

Finally,  my  despatch  C  carried  to  you  also  copies  of  two 
letters  of  an  able  partisan  officer,  and  the  conditions  upon 
which  he  will  enter  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies.  An 
experienced  soldier  had  recommended  him  to  me,  not  only 
as  an  excellent  superior  officer,  but  also  as  well  versed  in 
engineering.  But  he  has  himself  written  to  me  that,  having 
for  a  long  time  neglected  that  branch  of  military  science, 
he  would  not  engage  as  an  Engineer,  but  as  commander  of 
a  corps,  especially  for  partisan  service,  which  he  has  studied 
thoroughly ;  and  that  in  that  capacity  he  will,  with  plea- 
sure and  zeal,  devote  his  ability  and  energy,  in  the  service 
of  a  people  whom  he  admires,  and  among  whom,  with  his 
six  children,  he  would  wish  to  spend  the  rest  of  his  life,  on 
the  following  conditions : 

1st.  That  the  Congress  shall  pay  him  at  least  one  thou- 
sand francs,  (that  is,  nearly  one  hundred  pounds  sterling,) 
to  enable  him  to  arrange  his  affairs,  and  procure  articles 
necessary  for  his  situation,  and  for  the  voyage,  without  having 
to  reimburse  the  money. 

2d.  That  the  Congress  shall  give  him  assurances  that,  in 
case  they  should  not  obtain  for  him  a  permanent  situation, 
and  equivalent  to  his  military  rank  in  this  country,  on  the 
conclusion  of  peace,  they  shall  pay  him  one  thousand  ducats, 
(about  five  hundred  pounds  sterling.)  to  remunerate  him  for 
his  trouble  and  risk,  and  to  enable  him  to  return  home. 

3d.  That  they  will  pay,  through  some  merchant  in  this 
country,  for  two  years,  to  his  children,  the  pension  which  he 
actually  draws,  and  which  he  will  lose  the  moment  he  leaves 
Europe,  to  wit:  six  hundred  francs  (about  sixty  pounds  ster- 
ling) per  year,  every  six  months  three  hundred  francs,  or 
thirty  pounds  sterling.  This  he  will  reimburse  if  he  lives; 
but  if  he  should  die  on  the  way,  or  be  taken  by  the  English, 
the  Congress  shall  continue  the  pension  six  years. 

4th.  They  shall  give  him  command  of  a  corps  of  light 
troops,  with  a  proportionate  rank,  and  the  arrangement  of 
all  the  officers,  and  liberty  to  engage  recruits  in  Europe,  of 
good  conduct  and  capacity.  For  this  purpose,  they  shall 
furnish  him  with  power  and  means  for  their  passage  to  Ame- 
rica. This  article  can  be  explained  at  a  proper  time. 

5th.  His  pay  shall  be  at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  dollars  per  current  month. 

It  is  well  to  add  to  this,  that  the  Marquis  d'Engenelli,  in 
1756,  and  after  him  General  PVunsch,  in  1758,  offered  him 
a  company  in  their  regiments,  the  latter  with  the  rank  of 


881 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


882 


Major  in  the  service  of  the  King  of  Prussia.  The  same 
year,  Mr.  Van  Hellen,  then  Minister  of  that  King  at  the 
Hague,  caused  him  to  be  brought  to  him  by  Colonel  Cour- 
voisier,  and  offered  him  the  command  of  a  troop,  with  two 
hundred  ducats  for  the  journey,  and  the  posts  of  the  King 
free;  but  having  been  unable  to  obtain  sureties  for  his  agree- 
ment, this  reason,  and  the  instability  of  the  service,  pre- 
vented his  accepting  these  offers. 

I  will  add,  gentlemen,  to  what  you  have  just  read,  that 
this  officer,  who  is  a  widower,  with  six  children,  a  Swiss,  a 
good  Republican,  wishes  to  remain  with  them  in  America, 
after  having  served  it.  If  it  is  true,  as  has  been  said,  and 
as  your  own  friends  inform  me  from  London,  that  you  have 
not  sufficient  commanding  officers  for  the  wide  extent  of 
your  operations,  I  think  it  would  be  well  to  engage  him  for 
the  next  campaign.  It  seems  to  me  his  conditions  are  not 
unreasonable;  and  as  it  does  not  appear  that  your  enemies 
will  give  up  the  contest  soon,  I  think  he  could  be  very  useful. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &.C.,  -Q 


ARTHUR  LEE  TO  C.  W.  F.  DUMAS. 

London,  July  6,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Mr.  Ellis, 
a  friend  of  Dr.  Franklin,  of  liberty,  and  of  America.  He 
is  a  philosopher,  very  well  instructed  on  the  subject  of  Ame- 
rica, and  I  trust  will  be  both  an  agreeable  and  useful  ac- 
quaintance while  he  remains  near  you. 

I  thank  you  for  your  favour  of  the  21st  of  last  month.  By 
the  last  advices  from  America,  General  Howe  was  prepared 
to  sail  from  Halifax,  and,  it  is  imagined,  to  hnd  at  New- York, 
where  he  will  certainly  be  strongly  opposed.  He  numbers 
ten  thousand  regulars,  and  it  will  be  fortunate  for  us  if  he 
makes  attempt  before  he  is  joined  by  the  Germans,  who 
sailed  the  6th  of  May.  The  Americans  have  taken  post 
upon  the  river  Richelieu  and  the  lakes.  General  Lee  is  in 
Virginia,  with  ten  thousand  men,  expecting  Lord  Cornwal- 
lis  and  General  Clinton.  General  Washington  commands 
at  New-York,  and  General  Ward  in  Boston. 

The  strange  timidity  de  la  Cour  Frangaise  requires  great 
patience  and  management;  but  I  think  it  will  at  last  be 
brought  to  act  an  avowed  and  decided  part.  When  that 
happens,  Angleterre  must  submit  to  whatever  terms  they 
please  to  impose,  for  she  is  totally  incapable  of  sustaining  a 
war  with  France. 

Adieu,  ARTHUR  LEE. 

SILAS  DEANE  TO  C.  W.  F.  DUMAS. 

Paris,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  The  enclosed  letter  from  Doctor  Franklin  will  hint 
at  my  business  in  this  city,  where  I  arrived  the  7th  instant, 
and  I  should  have  sent  forward  this  earlier  had  I  not  had 
hopes  of  having  the  honour  of  presenting  it  to  you  in  person. 
This  I  now  find  I  cannot  expect,  without  delaying  it  beyond 
all  bounds.  I  therefore  forward  it  by  the  common  convey- 
ance, and  inform  you  that  my  address  in  this  city  is  to  Messrs. 
Germany,  Guardot,  Sf  Co.,  Bankers  ;  that  I  shall  tarry  here 
till  the  last  of  August,  when  I  propose  going  to  Dunkirk, 
thence  to  Amsterdam  and  Hamburgh,  in  which  journey  I 
hope  for  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you.  In  the  mean  time  I 
shall  be  happy  in  a  correspondence  with  you  on  the  subject 
of  the  dispute  between  the  United  Colonies  and  Great  Bri- 
tain, or  any  other  that  shall  be  agreeable  to  you ;  and  I  wish 
to  be  informed  if  I  shall  be  in  danger  of  any  disagreeable 
treatment  in  my  journey  through  Holland,  in  a  private 
capacity,  though  it  should  be  known  that  I  was  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  Colonies.  It  has  been  suggested  to  me 
that  I  might  meet  with  some  interruption  or  difficulties  from 
the  friends  of  the  British  Ministry,  which  occasions  my 
making  this  inquiry. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sic.,  SILAS  DEANE. 

P.  S.  I  read  and  understand  the  French  language  tolera- 
bly well,  though  I  am  unable  to  write  it. 


Brest,  of  twenty  sail  of  the  line,  twelve  frigates,  and  four- 
teen thousand  land  forces,  whose  destination,  it  is  presumed, 
is  for  this  place.  I  think  this  armament  will  occasion  no 
uneasiness  to  your  Continent,  as  France  has  from  the  begin- 
ning shown  such  a  partiality  in  favour  of  your  cause,  and 
now  does  in  a  more  open  manner.  You  have  none  but 
zealous  friends  in  this  Island,  and  if  there  be  any  Tories, 
they  are  from  your  parts.  The  American  vessels  have  our 
ports  open  to  them,  and  they  will  be  protected. 

Savannah,  (in  Georgia,)  August  10,  1776. 

A  Declaration  being  received  from  the  Honourable  John 
Hancock,  Esq.,  by  which  it  appeared  that  the  Continental 
Congress,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  their  consti- 
tuents, had  declared  that  the  United  Colonies  of  North 
America  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  independent 
States,  and  absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown, 
his  Excellency  the  President,  and  the  honourable  the  Coun- 
cil, met  in  the  Council  Chamber,  and  read  the  Declaration. 
They  then  proceeded  to  the  square  before  the  Assembly 
House,  and  read  it  likewise  before  a  great  concourse  of  people, 
when  the  Grenadier  and  Light-Infantry  Companies  fired  a 
general  volley.  After  this  they  proceeded,  in  the  following 
procession,  to  the  Liberty  Pole :  The  Grenadiers  in  front; 
the  Provost  Marshal  on  horseback,  with  his  sword  drawn; 
the  Secretary  with  the  Declaration;  his  Excellency  the  Pre- 
sident; the  honourable  the  Council  and  ge^lemen  attending; 
then  the  Light  Infantry  and  the  rest  of  me  Militia  of  the 
town  and  district  of  Savannah.  At  the  Liberty  Pole  they 
were  met  by  the  Georgia  Battalion,  who,  after  reading  of 
the  Declaration,  discharged  their  field-pieces  and  fired  in 
platoons.  Upon  this  they  proceeded  to  the  Battery,  at  the 
Trustees  Gardens,  where  the  Declaration  was  read  for  the 
last  time,  and  cannon  of  the  Battery  discharged.  His  Ex- 
cellency and  Council,  Colonel  Lachlan  Mclntosh,  and  other 
gentlemen,  with  the  Militia,  dined  under  the  Cedar  Trees, 
and  cheerfully  drank  to  the  United,  Free,  and  Independent 
States  of  America.  In  the  evening  the  town  was  illumi- 
nated, and  there  was  exhibited  a  very  solemn  funeral  pro- 
cession, attended  by  the  Grenadier  and  Light-Infantry  Com- 
panies, and  other  Militia,  with  their  drums  muffled,  and  fifes, 
and  a  greater  number  of  people  than  ever  appeared  on  any 
occasion  before  in  this  Province,  when  George  the  Third  was 
interred  before  the  Court-House,  in  the  following  manner : 

Forasmuch  as  George  the  Third,  of  Great  Britain,  hath 
most  flagrantly  violated  his  coronation  oath,  and  trampled 
upon  the  Constitution  of  our  country,  and  the  sacred  rights 
of  mankind,  we  therefore  commit  his  political  existence  to 
the  ground,  corruption  to  corruption,  tyranny  to  the  grave, 
and  oppression  to  eternal  infamy,  in  sure  and  certain  hope 
that  he  will  never  obtain  a  resurrection  to  rule  again  over 
these  United  States  of  America.  But  my  friends  and  fel- 
low-citizens, let  us  not  be  sorry  as  men  without  hope  for 
tyrants  that  thus  depart;  rather  let  us  remember  America  is 
free  and  independent;  that  she  is,  and  will  be,  with  the 
blessing  of  the  Almighty,  great  among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
Let  this  encourage  us  in  well-doing,  to  fight  for  our  rights 
and  privileges,  for  our  wives  and  children,  for  all  that  is  near 
and  dear  unto  us.  May  God  give  us  his  blessing,  and  let  all 
the  people  say,  Amen. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  A  GENTLEMAN  IN  PHILADELPHIA, 
DATED  CAPE  FRANCOIS,  AUGUST  10,  1776. 

Although  our  Government  appears  here  in  a  profound 
tranquillity,  letters  of  undoubted  authority,  just  arrived  from 
France,  inform  us  that  an  armament  is  now  fitting  out  at 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


HUGH  LYON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIU^F  SAFETY. 

Prince  George's  County,  August  10,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN  :  To  comply  with  your  request  for  purchasing 
arms  and  blankets,  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  the 
County  aforesaid  find  it  necessary  to  have  a  sum  of  money, 
not  exceeding  £50,  for  that  purpose.  If  you  think  proper, 
they  would  be  glad  to  receive  that  sum  by  the  first  safe  hand ; 
and  am,  for  and  on  behalf  of  the  Committee,  gentlemen,  your 
most  humble  servant,  HUGH  LYON. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


ARCHER  AND  HARRIS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF    SAFETY. 

Harford  County,  August  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Enclosed  you  have  a  bill  of  what  the  hemp 
linen  delivered  to  the  Commissary  of  Stores  cost  us  per 
yard,  as  near  as  we  can  make  it  out  at  this  time,  as  we  have 
not  got  all  the  materials  which  we  purchased  manufactured; 
when  we  have,  shall  cheerfully  submit  a  just  and  true  account 


56 


883 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


884 


thereof  to  you,  agreeable  to  our  proposals.  At  this  time  we 
have  as  much  thread  spun  as  would  answer  our  contract 
with  the  Convention,  if  we  could  get  it  wove;  hut  there  is 
great  difficulty  in  procuring  weavers,  as  great  numbers  in 
our  parts  have  inlisted  in  the  Flying-Camp,  and  those  that 
remain  have  advanced  their  prices. 

We  have  now  delivered  to  the  Commissary  of  Stores  two 
hundred  and  sixty-nine  yards  of  hemp  linen,  as  per  receipt, 
and  hope  in  a  short  time  to  deliver  a  quantity  more. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obliged 
and  very  humble  servants,  ARCHER  &  HARRIS 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS    TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR:  Conceiving  it  highly  necessary  that  you  should  be 
informed  as  soon  as  possible  of  the  promotions  the  Congress 
were  pleased  to  make  in  the  Army  of  the  American  States,  I  do 
myself  the  honour  to  enclose  you  a  list  of  the  same  by  express. 

The  Continental  battalion  commanded  by  Colonel  Haslet 
will  begin  their  march  this  day  for  the  Jerseys,  where,  on 
their  arrival  at  Amboy,  the  Colonel  has  orders  to  acquaint 
you  of  the  same. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  esteem  and 
resoect,  sir,  vour  most  humble  servant, 

fJoHN  HANCOCK,  President, 
ngton,  New- York. 

P.  S.  The  enclosed  letters  please  to  order  to  be  delivered. 
The  commissions  enclosed  in  each. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

Philadelphia,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Congress  having  yesterday  been  pleased  to. 
appoint  you  a  Major-General  in  the  Army  of  the  American 
States,  1  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  enclose  your  commission. 
Confident  of  your  zeal  and  attachment  to  the  liberties  of 
America,  I  am  persuaded  you  will  do  everything  to  merit 
the  honour  your  country  has  now  conferred  on  you. 

With  the  warmest  wishes  for  your  health  and  prosperity, 
I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 


humble  servant, 


JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 
Philadelphia,  August  10, 1776,  six  o'clock,  P.  M. 

SIR:  I  am  this  minute  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the 
8th  and  9th  instant,  per  post.  Having  sent  off  an  express 
tliis  morning,  at  which  time  I  forwarded  commissions  for  the 
General  Officers  appointed  yesterday  by  Congress,  I  shall 
not  detain  the  post  to  send  the  commissions  ordered  by  the 
enclosed  resolves.  In  the  mean  time,  you  will  please  to 
direct  the  persons  to  do  such  duty  as  you  shall  think  proper. 
Their  commissions  shall  be  transmitted  by  the  first  opportu- 
nity. I  will  lay  your  letter  before  Congress  on  Monday 
morning,  and  immediately  inform  you  of  the  result. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  General  Washington,  New- York. 


LETTER  FROM  WILLIAM  FLOYD,  OF  NEW-YORK. 

Philadelphia,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  situation  of  our  Province  or  State  is  truly  alarm- 
ing; and  it  gives  me  concern  that  I  cannot  hear  more  par- 
ticularly what  its  true  state  and  circumstances  are.  1  beg 
you  would  favour  me  with  a  few  lines  on  that  subject  as 
often  as  your  time  will  permit.  Be  pleased  to  let  me  know 
what  you  hear  of  the  situation  of  our  friends  on  the  eastern 
part  of  Long-Island.  What  is  become  of  General  Wood- 
hull,  Mr.  Hobart,  Tredwell,  Mr.  Smith,  and  others?  Have 
you  heard  anything  from  my  family?  Have  any  of  our 
friends  got  off  the  Island  with  their  families,  or  what  must 
they  submit  to?  Despotism  or  destruction,  I  fear,  is  their 
fate.  We  have  nothing  new  here ;  all  important  news  is 
with  you.  Is  our  Convention  sitting?  Are  they  forming 
Government?  Where  are  the  two  armies?  What  are  their 
probable  intentions  ?  Is  New-  York  to  be  evacuated,  as  well 
as  Long-Island,  without  fighting?  Or  will  our  Army,  like 
the  Romans  of  old,  consider  the  invaluable  prize  for  which 
they  are  contending,  and,  with  their  fortitude,  attack  the 
enemy  wherever  they  can  find  them,  knowing  that  death  is 
rather  to  be  chosen  than  life  upon  the  terms  our  enemies  will 
suffer  us  to  hold  it  ?  If  our  Convention  is  not  sitting,  please 
to  inform  me  who  I  can  draw  upon  for  money  to  pay  my 
expenses;  and  you  will  very  much  oblige,  sir,  your  very 
humble  servant,  WM.  FLOYD. 


To  Major-General  William  Heath. 

Same  to  Major-General  Joseph  Spencer;  to  Major-General  John  Sulli- 
van; and  to  Major-General  .V«(/icma<(  Greene. 

N.  B.  They  are  to  take  rank  according  to  the  order  in  which  they 
stand. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  JAMES  READ. 

Philadelphia,  August  10,  177G. 

SIR:  The  Congress  having  yesterday  been  pleased  to 
promote  you  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General  in  the  Army 
of  the  American  States,  I  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  enclose 
your  commission,  and  wish  you  happy. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 
JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Brigadier-General  James  Read. 

Same  to  Brigadier-General  John  Nixon;  to  Brigadier-General  Jlrthur 
St.  Clair;  to  Brigafer-General  Alexander  McDovgall;  to  Brigadier-Ge- 
neral Samuel  Holdtn  Parsons;  and  to  Brigadier-General  James  Clinton. 

N.  B.  The  said  Brigadier-Generals  are  to  take  rank  according  to  the 
order  in  which  they  stand. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  WILLIAM  TUDOR. 

Philadelphia,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  it  in  charge  from  Congress  to  inform  you 
that  they  have  this  day  been  pleased  to  give  you  the  rank 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  Army  of  the  American  States. 
It  is  their  order  that  you  repair,  as  soon  as  possible,  to  Head- 
Quarters,  there  to  attend  the  execution  of  your  office  as 
Judge- Advocate-General.  I  have  written  to  General  Wash- 
ington to  acquaint  him  of  your  appointment,  and  that  you 
will  set  out  immediately  for  New-York. 

Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  William  Tudor,  Esq.,  Judge-Advocate-General. 


IN  CONVENTION  FOR  THE  STATE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Saturday,  August  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  1,  That  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  seve- 
ral Battalions  in  the  respective  Counties  of  this  State  imme- 
diately march  into  Jersey  with  their  whole  Battalions. 

Resolved,  2,  That  the  Associators  of  the  Counties  of 
Bedford,  Northumberland,  Northampton,  and  Westmore- 
land, and  the  Guards  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  retained  by 
the  Council  of  Safety,  and  two  Companies  of  Colonel  Ross's 
Battalion,  and  two  Companies  of  Colonel  Slough's  Battalion, 
of  about  fifty  men  each,  left  to  guard  the  prisoners,  and  about 
sixty  carpenters  and  workmen  retained  by  the  Committee  of 
Lancaster,  be  excepted  out  of  the  foregoing  Resolve. 

Resolved,  3,  That  a  bounty  of  £3  be  paid  to  every 
Associator  who  has  entered,  or  will  enter,  into  the  service  of 
the  Flying-Camp,  to  continue  until  the  first  day  of  January 
next,  if  not  sooner  discharged,  unless  such  as  have  already 
received  a  bounty. 

Resolved,  4,  That  such  Battalions  as  have,  or  shall  fur- 
nish their  quotas  for  the  Flying-Camp,  and  have  been  in 
actual  service  six  weeks,  shall  be  permitted  to  return  home, 
if  the  Generals  and  Field-Officers  shall  judge  it  consistent 
with  the  publick  safety ;  and  where  the  whole  cannot  be 
permitted  to  return,  furloughs  are  to  be  granted  in  cases  of 
particular  necessity. 

Resolved,  5,  That  three  Commissioners  be  appointed  to 
go  to  Head-Quarters  in  Jersey,  to  form  the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  6,  That  the  Commissioners,  with  the  Field-Offi- 
cers of  the  Counties  respectively,  shall  nominate  the  Officers 
for  the  Flying-Camp,  where  they  are  not  already  nominated. 

Resolved,  1,  That  money  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
Commissioners  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the  bounty. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

JOHN  MORRIS,  Jun.,  Secretary. 


885 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


886 


LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation,  Inspec- 
tion, and  Correspondence,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart, 
the  10th  August,  1776: 

Present:  Mathias  Slough,  William  Atlee,  William  Bowsman,  Chris- 
topher Crawford,  Henry  Dehuff,  Casper  Shaflner,  Daniel  Elliot,  Michael 
Musser,  William  Bowsman,  John  Miller., 

William  Atlee  in  the  chair. 

Resolved,  That  Englehart  Holtzinger,  an  Associator  in 
Captain  Morgan's  Company  of  Militia,  being  a  Gunstock 
Smitli,  now  at  work  with  Mr.  Jacob  Graejf,  ought  not  to 
be  marched  to  the  Camp  with  the  Militia,  but  be  continued 
at  that  work. 

Resolved,  That  the  men  in  Town  of  Captains  Pedan's 
and  McKee's  Companies,  amounting  to  about  sixty,  or  be- 
tween that  and  seventy  men,  of  Militia  of  Colonel  Galbreath's 
Battalion,  ought  to  be  marched  for  the  Camp,  and  not  be 
kept  on  billets  in  this  Town ;  and  if  neither  of  their  Com- 
panies receive  additions  by  to-morrow  at  two  o'clock  suffi- 
cient to  make  up  a  full  Company,  that  they  be  joined  and 
marched  together  under  the  eldest  Captain  of  those  two 
gentlemen ;  being  6rst  mustered,  and  their  advance  paid  them 
on  the  junction. 

IN  CONVENTION  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW-JERSEY. 

Brunswick,  August  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  to  prevent  Desertion,  no  person  or  per- 
sons belonging  to,  or  coming  from,  the  Army  in  the  State  of 
New-Jersey,  be  permitted  to  go  over  any  of  the  Ferries  in, 
or  travel  through,  said  State,  without  a  pass,  signed  either 
by  General  Mercer,  General  Dickerson,  General  Living- 
ston, Colonel  Griffin,  or  Colonel  Diddle.  And  all  persons 
in  general,  and  in  particular  the  members  of  Committees, 
Militia  Officers,  and  owners  or  keepers  of  Ferries,  are  strictly 
enjoined  to  carry  this  Resolution  into  effect,  by  apprehending 
and  securing  every  person  belonging  to,  or  coming  from,  said 
Army,  who  shall  not  have  a  pass  signed  as  above  directed, 
until  he  can  be  conducted  to  the  Army  aforesaid. 

That  no  Troops  in  service  of  the  United  States,  or  of 
any  of  them,  nor  their  Baggage,  Ammunition,  or  their  other 
\Vagons  or  Carriages,  shall  pay  for  passing  any  of  the  Ferries 
within  this  State  more  than  one-third  part  of  the  ferriage 
paid  by  such  as  are  not  in  said  service.  And  to  prevent  a 
misconstruction  of  this  Resolve,  it  is  hereby  declared  that 
Commissaries  and  other  persons  supplying  the  Army  with 
Provisions,  Stores,  fkc.,are  not  intended  to  be  included  in  said 
Resolve,  so  as  to  receive  any  private  benefit  from  the  same. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

WM.  PATERSON,  Secretary. 

GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  August  10,  1776,  ten  o'clock,  A.  M. 

SIR:  I  received  the  favour  of  two  letters  from  your  Ex- 
cellency this  forenoon. 

In  consequence  of  these,  I  shall  push  forward  to  New-  York 
as  many  of  the  troops  as  I  can  prevail  on  to  march.  Colonel 
Atke's  battalion  of  Musketry  will  march  this  afternoon.  Col. 
Miles's  two  battalions  of  Riflemen  set  out  this  morning. 

A  tender,  of  ten  carriage  guns,  came  up  this  morning  to 
Billop's  Point ;  was  under  sail  about  an  hour  ago.  seem- 
ingly with  a  view  to  pass  up  the  Sound;  the  wind  failed, 
and  she  is  come  to.  The  distance  is  too  great  to  fire  on  her 
as  yet;  we  are  prepared  when  she  comes  near  enough.  As 
the  enemy  probably  draw  off  from  this  end  of  Staten-Island, 
the  tender  may  be  sent  to  prevent  bur  passing  over. 

Your  letter  I  hoped  would  have  had  good  effects  on  the 
Militia ;  but  fear  nothing  will  do.  None  have  gone  off  from 
hence  last  night:  but  some  battalions  are  in  very  ill-humour, 
and  very  abusive  to  their  officers.  Colonel  Dickinson  writes 
me  that  thirty  of  his  men  have  gone  off  with  their  arms  this 
morning.  I  have  written  to  the  Congress  to  take  some 
measures  to  stop  this  infamous  desertion,  and  to  the  Con- 
vention of  New-Jersey  to  raise  their  Militia  to  take  up  the 
deserters,  and  to  supply  proper  guards  for  these  posts.  I 
have  ordered  one  company  of  General  Dickerson 's  brigade 
to  be  stationed  at  Trenton,  one  at  Princeton,  and  one  at 
Brunswick,  to  stop  all  deserters. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 

To  General  Washington. 


RICHARD  H.  HARRISON  TO  GENERAL  MIFFLIN. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  it  in  command  from  his  Excellency  to  request 
in  his  name  your  particular  attention  to  the  works  erecting 
on  the  other  side  of  King's  Bridge.  He  conceives  them  to 
be  of  great  consequence,  and  therefore  is  desirous  that  they 
should  be  carried  on  with  every  degree  of  diligence  that  the 
situation  of  affairs  will  admit  of.  As  they  are  of  such 
importance,  and  to  make  them  more  tenable  against  any 
attempt  that  may  be  made  by  the  enemy  to  possess  them, 
he  desires  that  you  will  send  five  or  six  cannon  from  your 
post  as  can  best  be  spared,  and  have  them  mounted  imme- 
diately. 

Apprehensive  that  the  enemy,  if  they  go  up  the  North 
River,  may  attempt  to  go  down  the  creek  in  their  boats  and 
destroy  King's  Bridge,  his  Excellency  judges  it  necessary  that 
you  should  direct  Colonel  Putnam  and  Monsieur  Wiebert  to 
mark  out  some  convenient  spot  where  a  small  work  proper 
for  its  defence  and  security  must  be  thrown  up  as  speedily 
as  may  be. 

His  Excellency  wishes  you  to  sink  as  fast  as  possible  the 
vessels,  Sic.,  for  obstructing  the  channel;  and  should  you  want 
more,  that  you  will  certify  General  Putnam  of  the  same. 

Having  set  down  the  things  given  me  in  charge,  and 
being  in  haste,  I  have  only  to  add,  I  am,  &c. 

R.  H.  HARRISON. 
To  General  Mifflm. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  COLONEL  HAY. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  favours  of  the  2d  and  7th  instant,  are  duly 
received.  The  Commissary-General,  to  whom  I  had  refer- 
red the  matter  of  your  appointment,  was  to  have  written  and 
desired  you  to  undertake  the  business.  Since  which,  it  is 
determined  that  those  troops  under  General  Clinton  are  to 
march  to  King's  Bridge,  and  of  consequence  will  receive 
their  supplies  from  the  general  store  there.  It  cannot  be  long 
before  matters  may  take  a  capital  turn  this  way.  The  issue 
will  determine  whether  a  post  from  your  part  of  the  country 
is  necessary  or  otherwise.  Any  movements  of  the  enemy, 
which  you  think  may  be  of  consequence,  I  shall  be  obliged 
if  you  will  transmit  me. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Colonel  Ann  Hawkes  Hay,  Haverstraw. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  RICHARD  VARICK. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  5th  instant,  with  its  several  enclo- 
sures, is  come  safe  to  hand;  and  I  now  enclose  you  a  list  from 
the  Colonel  of  Artillery  and  Quartermaster-General  of  what 
is,  and  will  be,  forwarded  from  this  place;  which  is  all  that 
can  be  procured.  There  was  some  duck  arrived  at  Provi- 
dence, out  of  which  I  have  requested  Governour  Cooke  to 
supply  the  Northern  Army,  provided  it  is  not  otherwise 
disposed  of.  The  water  communication  being  yet  stopped, 
makes  it  exceedingly  difficult  to  transport  these  articles  to 
Albany. 

I  am,  sir,  &tc.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Richard  Varick,  Esq.,  Secretary  to  General  Schuyler. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  TIMOTHY  EDWARDS. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR:  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Samuel  and  John, 
two  of  our  friends  of  the  Stockbridge  Indians,  who  have  been 
here,  and  expressed  the  desire  of  their  people  to  become 
part  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States.  Having  written  to 
you  fully  on  the  7th  instant,  and  transmitted  a  copy  of  the 
resolution  of  Congress  upon  this  subject,  (which  I  presume 
will  have  reached  you  before  this  comes  to  hand,)  I  have 
referred  them  to  you  for  information,  in  the  instance  of  their 
application,  and  have  only  to  request  the  favour  of  your 
early  attention  to  what  I  then  recommended  to  your  care 
and  direction. 

I  am,  Sic.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Timothy  Edwards,  Esq.,  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs. 


887 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &LC.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


888 


AARON  BURR  TO  TIMOTHY  EDWARDS. 

New-York,  August  10,  1776. 

DEAR  UNCLE  :  I  have  received  your  letters  from  Stock- 
bri/lire,  with  my  watch,  for  which  I  thank  you.  Our  six 
galleys  which  went  up  the  North  River  attacked  the  British 
ships.  They  behaved  svell,  but  were  driven  off  with  the 
loss  of  three  killed  and  twelve  or  thirteen  wounded.  A 
second  attack  is  proposed.  Vessels  and  chevaux-de-frise 
are  sunk  in  the  North  River.  The  channel  is  said  to  be 
effectually  stopped.  We  are  endeavouring  the  same  in  the 
East  River.  The  British  fleet  have  been  largely  reinforced 
at  different  times.  They  are  now  said  to  be  upwards  of  two 
hundred  sail  within  the-  harrows.  They  have  drawn  up 
seven  of  their  heaviest  ships  in  a  line,  nearly  two  miles  ad- 
vanced of  the  rest. 

By  two  Virginia  gentlemen  who  went  to  England  to 
take  the  gown,  who  returned  in  a  packet  and  landed  on 
S(atcn-Island,  where  they  tarried  several  days,  and  were 
permitted  to  cross  to  Elizabethtown  on  Thursday  last,  we 
liave  some  intelligence  of  the  enemy.  Clinton  has  arrived 
with  his  shattered  fleet  and  about  three  thousand  six  hun- 
dred men.  By  this  it  appears  that  he  has  either  fallen  in 
with  part  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  or  picked  up  the  remainder  of 
his  own,  which  had  been  separated,  and  were  not  in  the 
action  near  Charlcstown.  Of  the  Hessians  only  thirteen  or 
fourteen  hundred  have  arrived.  The  remainder,  about  nine 
thousand,  are  daily  expected.  They  were  left  near  the 
Banks  of  Newfoundland.  Those  already  here  are  not  much 
esteemed  as  soldiers. 

The  King's  land  Army  is  at  present  about  fifteen  or  six- 
teen thousand  strong.  They  expect  very  soon  to  exceed 
twenty-five  thousand.  They  have  taken  on  board  all  their 
heavy  cannon  from  Staten-Island,  and  have  called  in  several 
of  their  outposts.  Thirty  transports  have  sailed  under  con- 
voy of  three  frigates.  They  are  to  come  through  the  Sound, 
and  thus  invest  us  by  the  North  and  East  Rivers.  They  are 
then  to  land  on  both  sides  of  the  Island,  join  their  forces,  and 
draw  a  line  across,  which  will  hem  us  in  and  totally  cut  off 
all  communication;  after  which  they  will  have  their  own 
fun. 

These  Virginia  gentlemen  lodged  in  a  house  with  several 
King's  officers.  They  hold  us  in  the  utmost  contempt. 
Talk  of  forcing  all  our  lines  without  firing  a  gun.  The 
bayonet  is  their  pride.  They  have  forgot  Bunker's  Hill. 

Your  nephew,  A.  BURR. 

To  T.  Edwards. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  August  10,  1776. 

SIR:  Colonel  Hand  reports  three  ships  at  the  Hook.  A 
large  schooner  sailed  from  the  watering-place  late  yesterday 
in  the  afternoon.  She  seems  to  direct  her  course  towards 
Amboy  this  morning.  From  the  firing  heard  at  sea  last 
evening,  it  is  supposed  the  remainder  of  the  Hessian  fleet  is 
at  hand.  Everything  at  the  watering-place  remains  quiet. 

Nothing  remarkable  has  happened  in  this  camp  since 
yesterday's  report. 

I  sent  over  nine  suspected  Tories  this  morning  to  the 
City  Hall,  under  the  care  of  Lieutenant  Randal.  I  report- 
ed their  names  to  Colonel  Harrison.  There  is  one  Ben- 
jamin Heiclet,  that  liveson  the  Northside,  who  does  notappear 
to  be  an  object  worth  sending  away. 

There  appears  several  insignificant  characters  amongst 
these  last.  How  extensive  their  influence  may  be,  I  can't 
pretend  to  divine ;  but  from  their  appearance,  they  don't 
look  like  doing  much  mischief. 

Lieutenant  Skinner  is  as  industrious  as  possible  in  appre- 
hending the  disaffected.  By  what  he  writes  to  me,  many 
have  gone  off.  He  says  the  Tories  had  an  account  amongst 
them  that  they  were  to  be  taken  for  several  days  before  the 
attempt  was  made.  1  wonder  whether  anything  of  this  sort 
has  been  in  contemplation  by  the  Provincial  Congress.  It 
is  surprising  to  me  how  it  could  be  known.  They  expected 
it  was  an  order  from  Congress. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

N.  GREENE. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 

New-  York. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  10,  1776,  five  o'clock  P.  M. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  congratulate  you  on  the  safe  return  of 
Major  Bigelow,  though  his  embassy  may  have  proved  abor- 
tive in  some  measure. 

We  hear  the  disagreeable  truth  that  Captain  Wilson  and 
his  party  of  near  thirty  men  of  our  regiment,  are  taken 
prisoners,  one  killed.  We  also  understand  that  the  Cana- 
dian Indians  are  against  us,  and  that  sons  of  Britain  will 
avow  that  they  were  present  at  the  cruel  murder  and  scalp- 
ing at  the  Isle-am-Noix. 

The  fleet,  if  of  any  use,  ought  to  be  lower  down.  The 
enemy  might  land  on  the  eastern  shore,  fifteen  miles  from 
this,  and  could  make  such  a  lodgment  in  a  short  time  as 
might  prevent  our  vessels  from  going  down. 

We  had  an  instance  to-day  of  a  false  alarm  from  the 
Navy.  The  Regulars  were  said  to  have  landed  about  nine 
miles  off,  and  were  intrenching.  Was  there  a  good  look- 
out on  the  vessels  lower  down  this  could  not  happen. 

In  consequence  of  your  orders  to  me,  on  the  flag's  going 
down,  I  have  sent  but  few  parties  on  the  Lake. 

I  fear  the  orders  from  General  Arnold  were  so  positive 
that  he  (Captain  Wilson)  could  not  return  before  he  was 
taken,  without  an  apparent  disobedience.  Captain  Wilson 
had  notice  that  he  was  discovered  by  two  scoundrels  that 
went  down  in  a  canoe :  the  one  is  a  step-brother  and  the 
other  a  tenant  of  Gilliland's.  A  point  of  honour,  or  some- 
thing else,  must  have  prevented  him  from  returning  back  as 
soon  as  was  prudent. 

You  will  find  that  the  enemy  are  coming  up  the  Lake, 
but  not  in  large  bodies.  This  induced  Major  Bigelow  to 
advise  a  party  of  seven  to  return  from  near  Gilliland's,  who 
were  going  down  to  Cumberland-Bay  on  the  business  I 
mentioned  to  you. 

I  have  three  men  down  toward  St.  John's,  who  do  not 
appear  yet  to  have  been  discovered.  I  have  some  hopes 
from  them ;  and  had  the  party  not  been  so  great  under  Cap- 
tain Wilson,  he  might  have  returned,  and  our  regiment  not 
so  materially  injured.  However,  the  treachery  of  the  two 
men  who  were  in  the  canoe  ruined  the  scheme. 

The  important  matter  submitted  by  you  to  me  is  ad- 
vancing fast  towards  maturity.  A  number  of  suspected  men 
are  hourly  waiting  on  them.  I  have  given  them  an  additional 
pass,  and  all  things  seem  to  stand  fair  on  their  side.  Should 
they  have  gone  on,  it  would  have  been  the  worst  policy  in 
the  world.  The  youth  has  been  watching  all  our  motions 
to-day.  He  shows  much  sagacity.  To-morrow  I  shall  be 
able  to  tell  you  of  some  matters  of  consequence,  if  I  am 
not  much  mistaken. 

I  am,  honoured  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 
humble  servant,  THOS.  HARTLEY. 

To  the  Honourable  Major-General  Gates. 


COLONEL  RICHMOND  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Head-Quarters,  Newport,  August  10,  1776,  ) 
Ten  o'clock,  evening.      \ 

SIR:  This  moment  arrived  Captain  Harris,  who  brings 
us  the  following  intelligence:  That  Thursday  last  he  fell  in 
with  a  fleet,  and  distinctly  counted  one  hundred  and  eight 
sail,  seventeen  of  which  he  took  to  be  ships-of-war,  the  rest 
transports,  about  fifteen  leagues,  S.E.  by  S.  from  Nantucket- 
Shoals,  their  course  W.N.W.,  close  to  the  wind,  about  the 
latitude  of  Sandy-Hook.  The  next  morning,  ten  o'clock, 
saw  nine  sail,  supposed  to  be  part  of  the  same  fleet. 

I  thought  it  to  be  my  indispensable  duty  to  give  your 
Excellency  the  earliest  intelligence,  by  express,  of  so  impor- 
tant a  piece  of  news,  as  without  doubt  they  are  destined  for 
New-York. 

I  am,  with  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 
humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  RICHMOND,  Col.  Commandant. 

To  His  Excellency  George  Washington,  Esq. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Lebanon,  August  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  is  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Com- 
mittee at  Albany,  by  Ensign  John  Fisk,  who  escorted  under 
guard,  from  Albany,  twenty-three  prisoners,  represented  to 
be  inimical  to  the  rights  of  these  States,  to  be  secured  and 


889 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


890 


taken  care  of.  The  Jails  here  are  so  filled  that  it  is  difficult 
to  find  a  proper  place  of  security  for  this  additional  number. 
For  the  present  they  are  ordered  to  the  Jail  in  New-London, 
and  shall  expect  soon  a  resolution  from  your  Convention  in 
what  manner  you  would  have  them  treated,  and  how  or  by 
what  means  supported. 

The  Mayor  of  Albany,  and  five  others  sent  with  him  by 
the  Committee  of  that  city  some  time  ago,  are  at  Hartford. 
Those  sent  by  your  body  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Depeyster 
are  imprisoned  at  Hartford,  Norwich,  and  Litchfield. 

The  present  necessity,  attention  to  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  and  real  affection  to  our  sister  State  of  Neiv- 
York  under  the  present  calamities  of  a  siege  and  invasion, 
induce  us  to  receive  such  troublesome  and  inimical  men  into 
our  care  and  custody.  We  wish  to  have  them  removed, 
and  to  be  released  from  the  trouble  they  occasion,  as  early 
as  is  convenient. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  gentlemen,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JONA.  TRCMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 

Albany  Committee,  August  2,  1776. 

SIR  :  Agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  this  Committee  we  take 
the  liberty  to  send  to  the  care  of  your  Honour  the  persons 
named  on  the  within  list,  and  have  affixed  to  their  names 
the  crimes  which  they  have  committed. 

We  are  of  opinion  that  Alexander  Campbell,  William 
Pemberton,  Henry  Van  Schaack,  Joseph  Anderson,  and 
John  Munro,  and  Samuel  Anderson,  are  to  be  maintained 
at  their  own  expense;  and  that  Frederick  Williams,  John 
Duzenberry,  Walter  Scott,  John  Scott,  Samuel  S.  Gardi- 
nier,  Benjamin  Greenman,  Dugald  Campbell,  Henry  West- 
ernhouser,  Thomas  Sword,  Jacob  Zimmerman,  Nicholas 
Weaver,  Owen  Conner,  Ralph  Walton,  and  William  Mc- 
Mullen,  are  to  be  maintained  at  the  expense  of  the  publick. 

The  situation  of  this  County  as  a  frontier  induces  us  to 
be  particularly  careful  in  lessening  the  number  of  our  inter- 
nal enemies,  besides  the  great  number  of  disaffected  amongst 
us.  Their  constant  meetings,  plots,  and  conspiracies,  oblige 
us  to  consult  every  method  for  placing  them  in  a  situation 
where  they  can  do  no  injury  to  the  general  cause,  by  joining 
with  the  forces  of  the  British  King,  assisting  his  army,  or 
by  opposing  and  preventing  the  support  and  preservation  of 
our  forces  to  the  northward  and  westward.  The  influence 
of  these  men,  if  exerted,  would,  we  conceive  from  their 
avowed  principles,  have  been  used  against  the  American 
States. 

The  places  of  confinement  here  are  full ;  and  since  the 
retreat  of  our  Army  from  Canada,  and  the  arrival  of  the 
regular  troops  at  New-York,  disaffected  persons,  whose 
principles  before  were  concealed,  are  daily  appearing  in 
every  part  of  the  country;  and  by  reason  of  the  great  num- 
bers of  men  drawn  from  us  for  the  publick  service,  we 
are  unable  to  apprehend  and  guard  with  security  all  such 
persons  as  we  are  convinced,  from  the  fullest  proof,  are 
inimical  to  the  rights  of  America. 

We  would  recommend  it  to  your  Excellency  to  separate 
them  as  far  distant  from  one  another  as  they  conveniently 
can  be,  and  to  prevent  any  communication  between  the 
persons  now  sent  from  this  County  to  your  Honour's  care 
and  those  formerly  transmitted,  as  some  of  the  persons  now 
sent  are  particularly  dangerous,  though  their  abilities,  their 
address  and  insinuation,  may  place  them  in  a  different  point 
of  light. 

We  are  your  Honour's  most  obedient  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Committee: 

JOHN  BARCLAY,  Chairman  pro  tern. 
To  His  Honour  Governour  Trumbull. 

Albany  Committee  Chamber,  August  10,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN:  In  obedience  to  your  resolve  of  the  26th 
day  of  June  last,  requesting  this  Committee  to  lay  before 
your  honourable  Board  the  proceedings  had  against  Abra- 
ham C.  Cuyler,  Henry  Cuyler,  Stephen  DeLancey,  John 
Duncan,  Benjamin  Hilton,  and  John  Monier,  inhabitants 
of  this  City  and  County,  sent  to  Hartford  in  the  Colony  of 
Connecticut,  and  the  misdemeanors  with  which  they  stand 
charged,  this  Committee  beg  leave  to  acquaint  your  honour- 
able Board  that  the  representation  respecting  Henry  Cuyler 


is  groundless;  and  as  to  the  others,  we  refer  you  to  the  mat- 
ters contained  in  the  paper  herewith  sent,  distinguished  by 
No.  1,  which  sets  forth  the  conduct  of  some  of  them  previous 
to  this  Committee's  proceedings  against  them. 

At  a  meeting  of  this  Committee  on  the  9th  day  of  May 
last,  the  said  Abraham  C.  Cuyler,  Stephen  DeLancey,  and 
John  Monier,  among  other  persons  of  this  city,  were  judged 
to  be  notoriously  disaffected  to  the  American  cause ;  where- 
upon it  was  resolved,  that  the  said  disaffected  persons  should 
be  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board,  and  that  the  Associa- 
tion made  by  your  honourable  Board  the  27th  day  of  March 
last  should  be  tendered  to  them.  They  were  cited  accord- 
ingly, and  appeared  before  this  Committee  on  the  llth  day 
of  May  last,  which  Association  they  refused  to  sign ;  upon 
which  it  was  resolved  that  the  said  persons  should  be  dis- 
armed, as  will  appear  by  a  certified  copy  of  the  Minutes  of 
this  Board,  herewith  sent,  marked  No.  2. 

Respecting  Benjamin  Hilton,  we  refer  you  to  Nos.  3  and  1 . 
The  morning  of  the  4th  of  June  was  ushered  in  with  the 
firing  of  guns,  pistols,  &tc.,  by  boys,  negroes,  &.c.,  a  circum- 
stance not  agreeable  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  city,  knowing 
the  scarcity  of  powder.  We  were  no  longer  at  a  loss  to 
guess  from  whence  this  untimely  liberality  proceeded  than 
the  evening  following,  when  a  number  of  unfriendly  persons 
assembled  at  the  house  of  Richard  Cartwright  in  order  to 
celebrate  that  anniversary.  The  Mayor  was  conducted  to 
this  noble  banquet  by  Thomas  Barret,  a  cooper,  and  Charles 
Folliott,  a  carpenter,  supported  by  them  under  each  arm. 
The  unusual  noise  on  this  occasion  alarmed  many  of  the 
inhabitants  of  this  city,  who  went  to  Cartwright's,  to  inform 
themselves  of  the  occasion  of  this  indecent  meeting,  when, 
to  their  astonishment,  they  found  Abraham  C.  Cuyler,  Ste- 
phen DeLancey,  and  John  Monier,  with  a  number  of  the 
lower  sort  of  people,  carousing,  and  singing  God  save  the 
King,  Sic.  Their  former  conduct  having  so  exasperated  the 
good  people  of  this  city  that  they  could  no  longer  refrain 
taking  notice  of  this  daring  insult,  upon  which  they  rushed 
in,  seized  Stephen  DeLancey  and  John  Monier,  among 
others,  and  committed  them  to  the  Tory  Jail.  The  next 
day  the  petition  No.  4  was  presented  to  this  Committee  by 
a  number  of  respectable  inhabitants  of  this  city.  Shortly 
after,  a  verbal  request  was  made  to  this  Board  by  the  said 
petitioners,  praying  that  the  said  Abraham  C.  Cuyler,  Henry 
Cuyler,  Stephen  DeLancey,  John  Monier,  John  Duncan, 
and  Benjamin  Hilton,  might  be  removed  out  of  this  city. 
Whereupon  this  Committee,  on  the  13th  day  of  June  last, 
on  motion,  resolved  that  the  said  six  persons  above  named, 
and  Lieutenant  Angus  McDonald,  should  be  removed  un- 
der guard  to  Hartford  in  Connecticut.  See  the  Resolve 
No.  5. 

During  the  residence  of  these  men  in  this  place,  our  ene- 
mies were  daily  increasing  in  number  and  insolence,  boast- 
ing that  they  were  to  make  returns  of  their  proceedings  to 
some  of  the  greatest  men  in  the  country.  We  plainly  fore- 
saw that  nothing  could  be  done  with  the  rabble  who  were 
influenced  by  them  till  they  were  removed;  and  indeed  the 
conduct  of  the  Committee  of  Albany  was  freely  and  loudly 
censured  by  the  good  people  of  this  County  in  all  parts. 
Complaints  were  made  that  the  most  atrocious  offenders 
were  screened  in  Albany,  while  every  poor  low  fellow  was 
immediately  prosecuted  for  only  lisping  out  things  which 
those  people  uttered  daily  in  the  most  daring  language. 
Since  the  removal  of  those  leading  enemies  to  our  freedom, 
and  repose,  this  place  has  enjoyed  much  more  tranquillity 
than  heretofore.  Many  iniquitous  plans  have  since  been 
discovered,  and  their  execution  prevented;  for  they  now, 
being  destitute  of  council  and  support,  when  taken  some  of 
them  have  made  full  and  free  confession.  We  may  also 
observe,  that  during  the  stay  of  these  gentlemen  in  this  place 
complaints  have  been  made  by  the  officers  of  almost  every 
regiment  that  passed  through  here,  that  the  minds  of  their 
men  were  immediately  poisoned  on  their  arrival,  and  many 
who  had  marched  in  the  most  peaceable  manner  from  Phila- 
delphia had  deserted  from  here,  and  others  turned  almost 
ungovernable ;  which  complaints  have,  since  their  removal, 
entirely  subsided. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Committee  : 

JOHN  BARCLAY,  Chairman  pro  tern. 

To  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York. 


891 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


892 


COLONEL  FITCH  TO  OOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-Haven,  August  10,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  I  received  a  letter  from  General  Wash- 
ington yesterday  in  the  afternoon,  requiring  me  to  call  forth 
and  march  my  regiment  forthwith  to  New- York,  to  the 
assistance  of  the  Army  there.  1  have  accordingly  drawn 
my  orders  to  each  Captain  in  the  regiment.  I  sent  to  Colo- 
nel Thompson  to  march  with  the  regiment,  but  he  being 
sick  as  well  as  myself,  I  now  hold  the  orders  in  my  hands, 
as  1  cannot  inform  the  Captains  who  will  take  the  command 
of  them.  I  desire  that  your  Honour  would  order  some  field- 
officer  in  the  Colony  to  take  the  command  of  the  regiment, 
and  let  me  know  who  it  is,  so  that  I  may  give  out  the  orders, 
&,c.  I  send,  with  the  bearer,  General  Washington's  letter 
to  me,  for  your  Honour  to  peruse,  &z,c. 

I  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself  your  Honour's  most  hum- 
ble servant,  JONATHAN  FITCH. 
To  His  Honour  Governour  Trumbull. 


COLONEL  STEPHEN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THF.  COUNCIL  OF 
VIRGINIA. 

August  11,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer  is  a  native  of  Hesse,  has  seen  a  great 
deal  of  service,  and  seerns  to  have  a  good  military  turn.  He 
is  lately  arrived  from  Eustatia.  If  he  cannot  be  employed 
here,  I  should  think  it  advisable  to  send  him  to  Congress. 
He  might  probably  be  useful  in  seducing  the  Hessians,  as 
he  is  acquainted  with  their  natural  disposition,  and  seems  to 
have  a  good  deal  of  address.  Please  to  introduce  him  to 
General  Lewis. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  esteem,  sir,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  ADAM  gTEpHEN< 

To  the  Honourable  John  Page. 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  MAJOR  HAWLEY. 

In  Committee  of  Council,  August  10,  1776. 
SIR:  Your  letters  of  the  31st  ultimo  and  5th  instant  are 
now  before  us,  and  we  have  thought  proper  to  enclose  you  a 
copy  of  a  resolve,  passed  the  last  session  of  the  General  Court, 
respecting  the  Test  Act ;  and  we  apprehend  your  Honour 
has  seen  the  last  order  of  this  Committee,  calling  upon  all 
Magistrates,  Sheriffs,  Committees,  &c.,  to  be  vigilant  in 
causing  the  laws  and  orders  of  this  State  to  be  put  into  exe- 
cution, to  prevent  the  good  people  from  being  exposed  by 
persons  inimical ;  which  we  think  is  all  that  is  necessary  for 
us  to  do  in  the  recess  of  the  Court.  As  to  passing  a  resolve 
similar  to  that  passed  by  the  Governour  and  Committee  of 
Safety  of  Connecticut,  it  is  not  in  our  power.  We  have  never 
seen  it,  and  you  have  not  furnished  us  with  a  copy  of  it. 

We  are  sorry  to  hear  of  the  mistake  respecting  the  kettles 
and  canteens ;  but  as  there  is  a  Committee  appointed  by  the 
Court  to  take  particular  care  of  this  matter,  and  we  have 
written  to  them  not  long  since  respecting  the  same,  we  can- 
not but  think  they  will  take  effectual  care  about  it. 

We  did  not  expect  to  raise  and  march  the  men  without 
money,  but  we  expected  the  Committee  of  Hampshire 
County  would,  agreeable  to  what  the  rest  of  the  Committees 
have  done,  apply  to  us  for  a  warrant  on  the  Treasurer  for 
the  same,  which  we  should  readily  have  granted,  it  being  to 
be  made  payable  to  them  only.  We  should  also  have  sup- 
plied them  with  blank  commissions.  Please  to  send  down 
one  of  your  Committee  for  these  purposes. 

We  have  not  the  pleasure  of  knowing  Mr.  Cranson,  whom 
your  Honour  mentions,  and  we  are  at  a  loss  to  know  how 
he  could  understand  that  we  were  not  in  haste  to  have  the 
fifteen  hundred  men  raised.  We  are  sure  we  did  not  employ 
him  to  construe  the  resolve  of  the  Court. 

We  are  sorry  to  hear  it  is  so  difficult  to  raise  men  in  your 
County  to  support  the  Northern  Army;  but  we  hope  it  will 
be  otherwise  when  the  harvest  is  over ;  and  it  gives  me  some 
satisfaction  that  they  inlist  to  support  the  lines  at  Boston, 
notwithstanding  you  are  now  in  the  midst  of  your  harvest. 

We  do  not  pretend  to  say  that  the  resolve  for  raising  the 
men  was  the  best  that  could  have  been  formed,  but  look  upon 
it  as  our  duty  to  comply  with  every  resolve  of  the  Court,  so 
far  as  it  is  in  our  power. 

We  are  concerned  to  hear  of  any  apprehensions  of  de- 
ficiencies of  supplies  at  No.  4,  and  that  you  are  assured  that 
there  will  be  no  mileage  paid  there.  We  apprehend  you 
have  been  misinformed  with  respect  to  this  matter.  Every- 
thing has  been  done  agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  Court. 
Everything  in  our  power  has  been  done  to  prevent  any 
deficiencies  of  supplies  at  No.  4,  and  Commissary  Trumbull 
has  engaged  to  take  proper  care  respecting  the  same ;  in 
answer  to  oneof  theirs  upon  this  subject,  he  writes  the  Council 
the  21st  of  July,  "  that  a  person  is  at  No.  4,  and  everything 
in^  readiness  to  receive  and  forward  the  troops  from  New- 
England  going  to  Crown-Point,  as  fast  as  they  arrive  there, 
agreeable  to  your  expectations  and  my  engagements."  We 
hope,  therefore,  the  Committee  will  cause  the  men  to  march 
to  Ticonderoga  with  all  possible  despatch. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Committee,  1  am,  with 
great  respect,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOS.  GUSHING. 
To  Major  Hawley. 


COLONEL  EWING  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  11,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIRS:  I  did  myself  the  pleasure  of  writing  to 
you  the  7th  instant  per  Lieutenant  Chew,  to  which  beg  leave 
to  refer.  Since  which  have  been  honoured  with  yours  of 
the  6th  current,  accompanied  by  Captain  Young  and  his 
company.  I  observe  you  have  given  him  £125,  which  he 
has  laid  out  in  shoes,  stockings,  hunting  and  body  shirts,  for 
his  soldiers;  he  has  laid  out  more,  and  has  applied  to  me  for 
more  money.  I  would  be  glad  if  you  would  send  him  £60, 
or  allow  me  to  give  it  to  him,  as  it  will  be  for  the  good  of 
his  company,  and  of  course  of  the  service.  The  Committee 
cannot  procure  the  quantity  of  guns  ordered.  Mr.  John 
Smith,  son  of  Captain  Young's  Lieutenant,  tells  me  the 
Committee  of  Harford  had  thirty  stand,  and  that  Mr.  Rich- 
ard Dallam  had  thirty  stand  more  completed.  I  shall  be 
much  obliged  for  an  order  for  them  to  complete  Captain 
Young's  company,  so  as  to  send  them  off.  You  omitted 
enclosing  me  an  order  for  necessaries  to  complete  Captain 
Young's  company,  which  please  send  me  with  the  order 
you  mention  for  the  blankets.  You  will  please  likewise 
give  me  an  order  for  the  tents  now  made,  or  what  you  allow 
I  should  take  with  me.  With  respect  to  arms,  I  do  not 
doubt  but  if  I  was  to  march  all  my  battalion  without  arms 
to  the  camp  at  the  Jerseys,  there  would  enough  of  the  gen- 
tlemen Militia  be  very  glad  to  lend  them  arms,  on  account 
of  being  relieved  by  us.  I  understand  some  of  the  Militia 
are  grumbling  very  much,  and  want  to  be  relieved;  and  I 
am  convinced  Generals  would  rather  have  those  whom  they 
can  with  more  propriety  command.  The  Captains  here 
have  come  to  a  resolution  of  buying  linen  and  having  hunt- 
ing-shirts made  for  all  their  soldiers.  Captain  Posey,  with 
his  company,  arrived  here  the  9th,  and  I  expect  Captain 
Forrest  this  day  or  to-morrow.  You  will  please  send  an 
order  for  things  to  equip  Captain  Forrest  out.  Capt.  Posey 
will  write  you  for  some  money,  which  please  send.  The 
gunsmith  wraught  all  night  and  works  all  this  day.  I  am  as 
industrious  as  I  can  be,  but  can  do  but  little  without  your 
assistance.  For  God's  sake,  if  any  way  possible,  let  me 
have  some  arms.  The  gentleman  I  sent  to  Frederick  and 
Virginia  has  brought  none,  which  is  a  great  disappointment 
to  me.  He  tells  me  they  give  £4  5s.  in  Virginia,  for 
muskets,  that  currency. 

The  present  accompanies  Captain  John  Hawkins's  son, 
who  goes  down  to  settle  his  account.  I  don't  expect  to 
be  able  to  get  his  or  any  of  the  companies  from  this  before 
Wednesday  next.  There  will  be  a  quantity  of  haver  and 
knapsacks  made  together.  You  will  please  send  me  an 
order  for  a  sufficiency  to  supply  four  companies,  and  I  will 
not  lift  the  others.  I  shall  esteem  it  a  favour  your  not  de- 
taining Captain  Lowe,  as  he  will  be  wanted  here. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  honoured  sirs,  your  most  obedient 
humble  servant,  THOS.  EWING. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  Annapolis. 


CAPTAIN  THOMAS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Head  of  Elk,  August  1],  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  After  a  tedious  passage  of  almost  four  days, 
I  arrived  here  this  morning ;  the  other  boats  are  all  in  sight. 
On  my  arrival  here  I  applied  to  Colonel  Hollingsworth  for 
provisions,  and  was  informed  by  him  that  he  had  no  orders 
from  you  for  that  purpose.  However,  I  have  procured  what 
beef  and  bread  1  want  for  the  present,  and  propose  to  start 
from  here  early  on  the  morrow.  Colonel  Hollingsworth 


893 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


894 


informs  me  that  if  you  would  give  him  a  general  order  to 
supply  the  troops  that  come  here  with  provisions  and  bag- 
gage-wagons, he  would  take  care  to  have  all  these  necessa- 
ries on  the  shortest  notice ;  but  without  such  an  order,  he 
thinks  it  would  be  wrong  in  him  to  do  it.  I  have  therefore 
mentioned  it  to  you,  submitting  whether  such  an  order  would 
not  be  proper.  One  thing,  also,  give  me  leave  to  mention  : 
the  victualler  at  Annapolis  will  find  the  troops  coming  by 
water  but  little  salt  provision.  I  drew  two  days'  provision, 
chiefly  fresh ;  all  the  fresh  was  totally  spoiled  on  the  second 
day,  so  that  we  could  not  use  a  morsel  of  it ;  it  must  happen 
so  to  others,  and  I  submit  it  whether  it  would  not  be  better 
to  direct  him  to  furnish  the  troops  going  by  water  princi- 
pally with  salt  provisions  while  the  hot  weather  continues. 
For  want  of  salt  provisions,  I  have  been  obliged  to  buy  on 
the  passage  at  extravagant  prices.  I  hope  the  freedom  I 
have  taken  will  be  excused,  by,  gentlemen,  your  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  J.  A.  THOMAS. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


JAMES  GIBSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

August  11,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Whereas  it  does  appear  that  Mr.  Nicholas 
Thomas  has  resigned  up  his  late  warrant  of  Quartermaster 
in  the  Fourth  Battalion  of  Militia :  We  therefore  are  in  hopes 
this  honourable  Board  will  issue  their  warrant  to  a  worthy 
gentleman  who  now  applies,  and  also  is  recommended  by  us, 
the  officers  of  the  Wye  company,  William  Perry,  Esq.,  who 
offers  his  services  as  Quartermaster.  He  is  well  known  by 
every  man  in  the  County.  He  ever  appeared  to  be  hearty 
in  the  cause  of  the  liberty  of  America.  He  stepped  forth 
early  in  the  present  cause,  and  his  integrity  seems  to  be 
supported  with  zeal  and  earnestness  to  the  present  cause. 
Your  compliance,  I  make  no  doubt,  will  give  great  satisfac- 
tion to  the  people  in  general. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servants, 

JAS.  GIBSON, 
ROBT.  HALL, 

ROBT.  DuiGGINS. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  An- 
napolis, now  sitting. 


JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  August  11,  1776. 

DEAR  SIK:  Yours  of  the  28th  ultimo  is  come  to  hand, 
and  I  congratulate  you  on  your  late  appointment.  Colonel 
Whipple  sets  off  to-morrow  morning  for  Portsmouth,  and 
takes  with  him  your  commission  as  Continental  Agent,  and 
will  be  able  to  inform  you  of  everything  relative  to  it.  He 
will  be  likely  to  make  a  little  stop  at  New-York,  and  will 
go  by  the  way  of  Providence,  and,  if  possible,  procure  the 
guns  for  your  ship,  &.C.,  which  stops  may  prevent  his  being 
with  you  as  soon  as  this  may  reach  you.  but  will  no  doubt 
in  a  few  days  after.  He  takes  with  him  $60,000  for  the 
account  of  New-Hampshire. 

By  the  publick  prints  you  will  see  there  is  a  new  emission 
of  Brigadier-Generals,  and  four  of  the  former  Brigadiers  pro- 
moted to  Major-Generals.  We  find  some  difficulty  to  give 
satisfaction  in  the  appointment  of  officers;  and,  on  the  whole, 
it  was  thought  the  appointing  the  first  Continental  Colonel 
in  the  respective  States  to  the  rank  of  Brigadiers  was  the 
least  liable  to  objection. 

You  have  no  doubt  heard  that  Clinton  and  Cornwallis, 
since  their  defeat  at  South- Carolina,  have  joined  General 
Howe.  Governour  Dunmore  and  his  ragamuffins,  it  is  said, 
have  left  Virginia,  and  are  supposed  to  be  going  to  join 
General  Howe.  I  think  we  may  expect  that  some  impor- 
tant event  will  soon  take  place  at  or  near  New-York.  God 
grant  it  may  be  favourable  to  the  United  American  States. 

August  13.  Colonel  Whipple  left  us  (or  New-Hampshire 
yesterday  at  two  o'clock. 

I  am  your  most  obedient,  JOSIAH  BARTLETT. 


circumstances  of  that  people  constrain  me  warmly  to  wish. 
Conscious  of  the  extreme  disadvantages  I  labour  under, 
unaided  by  purse,  and  unknown  in  person,  I  have  thereby 
been  prevented  from  making  effectual  applications  in  their 
behalf.  I  am  not  insensible  how  much  complaints  increase, 
and  how  indelicate  it  is  to  appear  on  that  list,  nor  uninformed 
that  imposture  and  knavery  patrol  this  Continent,  deceiving 
the  Christian,  benevolent,  and  honest.  Since  my  arrival,  I 
have  taken  all  pains  to  engage  lumber,  but  find  the  price 
here  will  scarcely  more  than  pay  freight,  and  already  anti- 
cipate the  distress  our  people  will  be  thrown  in  when  on 
return  I  inform  them  they  can  obtain  no  relief  from  hence. 
Money  the  inhabitants  have  not,  what  little  was  among  them 
being  sent  away  for  provision  long  before  my  coming;  and 
when  I  left,  there  were  only  two  hundred  bushels  of  Indian 
corn,  one  hundred  of  rye,  a  tierce  or  two  of  rice,  with  a 
small  quantity  of  pork  and  flour,  for  one  hundred  and  twelve 
families,  besides  a  number  of  single  men — families  industri- 
ous, and  many  of  them  frugal,  but  wholly  employed  in  the 
lumber  way,  and  dependant  thereon  for  support.  Every 
avenue  to  New-England,  the  centre  of  our  usual  intercourse, 
is  stopped,  so  that  from  thence  we  can  receive  nothing. 

Our  people,  ambitious  to  pay  an  implicit  obedience  to  the 
resolves  of  the  honourable  American  Congress,  and  zealous 
to  enthusiasm  of  exerting  themselves  in  defence  of  invaded 
liberty,  by  securing  Captain  Jones,  preventing  his  trade, 
seizing  the  tender,  and  arming  a  sloop  to  annoy  the  trans- 
ports loading  at  Nova-Scotia  for  the  use  of  the  Crown  Army, 
have  thrown  themselves  into  the  arms  of  immediate  want ; 
and,  to  heighten  the  distress,  a  long  winter  is  approaching 
on  us,  attended  with  all  the  horrors  of  famine.  Oh,  sir, 
though  extreme  modesty  has  hitherto  prevented  my  men- 
tioning these  things  fully  to  you,  lest  I  should  prove  too 
impertinent  by  being  troublesome,  I  beg  leave  to  epitomise 
them  here ;  painful  the  idea,  but  how  heightened  to  such  as 
are  assured  of  exchanging  sympathy,  for  suffering  sensibility 
preponderates  against  the  scale  of  selfishness,  and  makes  our 
interest  one.  I  find  a  willingness  to  sacrifice  the  trifle  I  own 
for  their  support;  but  could  I  negotiate  it,  it  would  be  but 
small.  Gratitude,  powerful  gratitude,  would  constrain  all 
as  one  every  way  to  exert  themselves  to  make  the  speediest 
and  justest  returns,  could  they  be  so  happy  as  to  obtain 
credit,  while  the  most  indelible  characters  of  thankfulness 
imprinted  themselves  on  their  hearts.  With  respect  to  my- 
self, I  can  only 'say,  were  I  influenced  by  the  most  aban- 
doned principles  that  ever  stood  opposed  to  truth  and  justice, 
a  regard  for  my  interest,  and  a  more  tender  one  for  my 
family,  would  constrain  me  to  do  everything  for  the  welfare 
of  that  place,  which  only  can  thrive  on  the  foundations  of 
honour,  honesty,  and  virtue.  Were  any  gentlemen  within 
the  circuity  of  your  acquaintance,  in  cornmisseration  of  our 
distress,  pleased  to  afford  us  relief  by  crediting  us  with  pro- 
visions, every  assurance  in  my  power  shall  be  given  them 
for  the  speediest  payment  possible;  but  can  this  not  be, 
God  only  knows  what  will  become  of  us.  May  I  beg  the 
honour  of  receiving  your  advice  in  these  matters,  your  par- 
don for  the  intrusion  on  your  moments,  the  absolute  result  of 
lively  distress,  and  permission  to  subscribe  myself,  most  re- 
spectfully, sir,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

STEPHEN  PARKER. 
To  Jonathan  Smith,  Esq.,  Philadelphia. 


STEPHEN   PARKER  TO  JONATHAN  SMITH. 

Philadelphia,  Saturday,  August  11, 177C. 

SIR:  I  am  about  returning  to  Machias,  and  your  com- 
mands that  way  shall  be  proud  to  receive.  My  coming  here 
has  not  been  attended  with  such  success  as  the  deplorable 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Perth-Amboy,  August  11,  1776. 

SIR:  About  twelve  hundred  spears  are  sent  off,  agreeable 
to  your  orders,  by  Mr.  Tilghman.  I  shall  push  on  as  many 
of  the  Flying-Camp  and  volunteers  as  possible,  but  cannot, 
as  yet,  ascertain  the  number.  Every  assistance  we  can 
procure  will  be  given  to  facilitate  the  passage  of  the  troops 
at  all  the  ferries. 

The  tender  I  mentioned  yesterday  keeps  the  same  station 
as  hitherto.  We  perceive  no  remarkable  alteration  in  the 
numbers  of  the  enemy  on  Billop's  Point  or  Staten-Island. 
The  Pennsylvania  Associators  continue  to  desert  by  bodies. 
Seventeen  went  off  from  the  Fourth  Battalion  last  night,  and 
am  just  now  informed  of  another  party  who  have  left  camp. 
I  hear  of  several  companies  about  to  join,  and  hope  still  to 
keep  up  a  formidable  appearance. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 
humble  servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 


80,5 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


896 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  COLONEL  DICKINSON. 

Perth-Amboy,  August  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  by  Mr.  Brown,  and  in  con- 
sequence of  your  intelligence  haye  sent  off  an  express  with 
letters,  one  to  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey,  acquainting 
them  of  the  desertion  of  numbers  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Militia,  and  desiring  them  to  order  out  their  Militia,  to  guard 
the  ferries  and  take  other  effectual  steps  to  secure  the  desert- 
ers; the  other  to  Congress,  advising  them  of  the  unhappy 
condition  of  the  Militia,  and  desiring  them  to  take 

such  steps  as  might  seem  necessary  on  the  occasion,  as  these 
parts  were  like  to  be  left  exposed  to  the  enemy.  In  conse- 
quence of  a  requisition  from  General  Washington,  I  have 
ordered  a  number  of  troops  to  New-York.  Colonel  Miles, 
with  about  seven  hundred  riflemen,  marches  this  day.  Colo- 
nel Alice,  with  his  battalion,  and  a  number  more,  will  march 
to-morrow.  To  facilitate  their  march,  I  have  thought  some 
might  be  passed  over  in  boats  from  Crane's  Ferry  to  Broivn's 
Ferry,  on  Hackensack.  Therefore,  all  the  boats  that  can 
be  had  up  the  river  should  be  collected. 

H.  MERCER. 

To  Colonel   John  Dickinson,  commanding  at  Elizabeth- 
Town. 

[Thus  endorsed  by  me:  "This  letter  was  received  on  the  10th  of 
August,  1276,  therefore  dated  wrong.  Consulted  the  Committee  on  the 
measure  proposed,  who  disapproved  it.  Acquainted  General  Mercer 
with  the  reasons."  J-  D.] 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  COLONEL  DICKINSON. 


Perth-Amboy,  August  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  had  intended  to  order  Colonel  Grub's  battalion, 
of  Lancaster  County,  to  New- York ;  but  I  have  ordered 
him  to  Elizabeth-Town.  You  will  use  your  utmost  address 
to  induce  the  Militia  to  perform  their  duty  at  this  critical 
time,  when  the  fate  of  America  is  so  near  being  deter- 
mined. Colonel  Grub  is  very  willing  to  go  anywhere.  I 
have  desired  him  to  consult  with  you  on  the  defence  of  the 

Jersey  shore.     Be  so  good  as  to  point  out  to  him  the  neces-    tion  is  the  only  measure  I  judged  necessary  to  take  before  I 
sity  of  strong  guards  on  Bergen  Neck.  could  have  a  conference  w.th  General  Howe,  1  have  nothing 

H.  MERCER. 


effect,  together  with  a  Circular  Letter  addressed  to  the  Gov- 
ernours,  or,  in  their  absence,  the  Lieutenant-Governours  or 
Chief  Magistrates  of  the  respective  Colonies ;  copies  of  which 
I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  to  your  Lordship,  No.  1  and  2. 
[Letter  and  Declaration,  dated  June  20,  1776.] 

I  had  little  expectation  that  these  Letters  and  Declaration 
would  reach  the  hands  of  his  Majesty's  Governours.  My 
object  was,  that  they  should  be  circulated  as  much  as  possi- 
ble throughout  the  Provinces ;  and  I  hoped  to  have  found 
an  opportunity  of  landing  them  soon  after  the  time  of  their 
date  by  means  of  some  vessel  I  might  meet  with  upon  the 
coasts;  but  no  opportunity  offered  till  I  arrived  off  the  har- 
bour of  New-York  on  the  12th  of  last  month,  when  1  de- 
spatched the  First  Lieutenant  of  the  Eagle  to  Amboy,  with 
those  intended  for  the  Colonies  to  the  southward  of  New- 
York,  directing  him  to  deliver  them  to  any  person  who 
might  appear  in  authority,  and  to  desire  they  might  be  for- 
warded by  the  post. 

The  enclosed  printed  paper,  No.  3,  which  came  acciden- 
tally to  my  hands,  will  inform  your  Lordship  of  the  resolu- 
tion of  the  General  Congress,  [of  July  19,  1776,]  upon  their 
receipt  of  the  above-mentioned  packets,  which  it  seems  were 
transmitted  by  Mr.  (called  General)  Mercer,  the  command- 
ing officer  at  Amboy,  to  Mr.  Washington,  at  New-  York,  and 
by  him  to  the  Congress. 

Captain  Burnaby,  in  the  Merlin  sloop,  was  charged  with 
the  packets  for  the  Colonies  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  Rhode- 
Island,  Connecticut,  and  New-Hampshire,  and  directed  to 
land  them  at  Rhode-Island.  On  the  28th  of  last  month  he 
returned,  with  a  letter  to  me  from  Mr.  Cooke,  acknowledg- 
ing the  receipt  of  my  Letter  and  Declaration,  and  acquaint- 
ing me  that  he  had  communicated  them  to  "  the  General 
Assembly  of  that  State,"  then  sitting  at  Newport,  who  would 
transmit  copies  of  them  to  "  the  most  honourable  the  General 
Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America,  to  whom  every 
application  ought  to  be  addressed,  and  must  be  referred."  A 
copy  of  Mr.  Cookc's  letter  to  me  is  enclosed,  No.  4,  [dated 
Newport,  July  21,  1776.] 

As  the  issuing  the  above-mentioned  Letters  and  Declara- 


To  Colonel  John  Dickinson,  commanding  at  Elizabeth- 
Town. 


ng 

further  to  add  in  this  separate  despatch,  but  my  hopes  of 
being  informed  by  your  Lordship  that  my  conduct  is  hon- 
oured with  his  Majesty's  approbation. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.,  HOWE. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  COLONEL  DICKINSON. 

Perth-Amboy,  August  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  wrote  to  you  a  few  hours  ago  that  Colonel  Grub 
would  march  with  his  battalion  for  Elizabeth-Town  to-morrow 
morning,  which  I  hope  will  be  time  enough  to  reinforce  your 
post.  This  morning  I  wrote  to  your  brother,  the  General, 
to  take  the  most  effectual  measures  to  cooperate  with  us. 

H.  MERCER. 

To  Colonel  John  Dickinson,  commanding  at  Elizabeth- 
Town. 


LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  TO  COLONEL  DICKINSON. 

SIR:  The  company  seem  determined  to  go  off  to- 

morrow morning.  Their  going  will,  in  my  opinion,  be  follow- 
ed by  the  First  Battalion  and  the  rest.  The  present  is  a 
matter  of  infinite  consequence.  If  Colonel  Dickinson  will 
give  his  sentiments  to  the  battalion  this  afternoon,  I  am 
convinced  it  would  be  effectual  in  quieting  the  present  dis- 
turbance. 


VICE    ADMIRAL    LORD    VISCOUNT    HOWE    TO    LORD    GEORGE 

GERMAINE. 

Eagle,  off  Staten-Island,  August  11,  1776. 
MY.  LORD:  Conceiving  it  of  the  utmost  importance,  in 
pursuit  of  the  objects  of  the  special  commission  with  which 
I  had  the  honour  to  be  charged  by  his  Majesty,  that  the 
Colonies  in  rebellion  should  have  the  earliest  information  of 
his  Majesty's  most  gracious  intentions  with  respect  to  the 
restoration  of  peace,  and  the  granting  of  pardons  to  such  of 
his  Majesty's  subjects  as,  by  a  speedy  return  to  their  alle- 
giance, might  deserve  the  Royal  mercy,  I  thought  proper  in 
the  course  of  my  voyage  to  prepare  a  Declaration  to  that 


GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    THE    COMMITTEE    OF    O.UEEN  S 
COUNTY,  NEW-YORK. 
Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  11,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  publick  exigencies  having  required  my 
apprehending  a  number  of  suspected  persons  in  your  County, 
and  sending  them  into  another  Colony  for  a  short  time,  they 
have  expressed  some  apprehensions  that,  in  their  absence, 
their  property  may  be  exposed  to  injury,  and  their  families 
deprived  of  the  support  they  would  otherwise  derive  from  it. 
I  therefore  beg  leave  to  acquaint  you  that  a  temporary  re- 
straint of  their  persons  is  all  that  is  intended  by  the  present 
measure ;  and  that  it  would  give  me  much  pain  if  it  should 
be  construed  to  extend  to  any  depredation  of  property,  that 
matter  resting  entirely  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  civil  au- 
thority of  the  Province.  Until,  therefore,  some  orders  are 
received  from  them  to  that  effect,  I  shall  be  happy  in  be- 
lieving you  will  exert  your  whole  power  and  influence  to 
prevent  the  mischief  which  these  gentlemen  seem  to  appre- 
hend. 

I  am,  with  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  hum- 

ble  servant>  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Committee  of  Queen's  County,  Long-Island. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  11,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  In  answer  to  your  favour  of  the  9th,  with 
which  I  have  been  honoured,  I  beg  leave  to  inform  you  that 
I  neither  wish  nor  expect  anything  more  than  that  the  levies 
raised  by  you  will  be  in  Continental  pay  from  the  time  they 
were  called  into  service.  That  troops  employed  in  a  gene- 
ral cause  should  be  supported  at  the  general  expense,  is  so 
evidently  just  that  I  cannot  see  any  objection  to  it. 


897 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


898 


It  is  true  when  the  proceedings  of  your  honourable  body 
for  raising  these  levies  were  first  communicated  to  me,  and 
it  was  mentioned  by  the  Committee  who  brought  them  that 
it  was  expected  they  would  be  paid  by  the  States,  I  did  not 
think  myself  authorized  to  take  into  service  so  large  a  num- 
ber of  men,  and  therefore  could  not  say  the  States  would  pay 
them;  but  the  situation  of  our  affairs  being  much  changed, 
and  requiring  their  service,  I  cannot  but  consider  them  as 
much  entitled  to  Continental  pay  as  any  troops  in  this  Army. 
In  this  light  I  am  persuaded  Congress  will  view  them.  It 
is  so  obvious  and  so  equitable,  that  no  application  from  me 
can  be  necessary.  The  bounty,  I  imagine,  as  you  your- 
selves do,  will  be  the  expense  of  the  State,  for  which  indem- 
nification will  not  be  made  by  the  publick.  My  letter  of 
the  8th  was  not  meant  to  comprehend  this  subject.  It  was 
particularly  designed  to  explain  rny  ideas  of  the  authority 
from  whence  General  Clinton's  powers  were  derived. 

I  have  requested  Mr.  Trumbull  to  take  the  direction  of  the 
Commissaries,  and  to  see  that  the  levies  are  properly  sup- 
plied with  provisions.  I  am  extremely  concerned  that  the 
quotas  of  men  to  be  furnished  by  the  neighbouring  States 
have  proved  so  deficient.  The  busy  season  and  harvest,  to 
which  it  has  been  ascribed,  being  now  over  in  a  great 
degree,  I  flatter  myself,  from  the  zeal  they  have  heretofore 
manifested,  they  will  afford  every  possible  assistance.  They 
are  well  apprized  of  the  importance  of  this  State  in  the  pre- 
sent contest,  and  the  necessity  of  maintaining  it  against  the 
attempts  of  the  enemy. 

In  respect  to  the  Militia  of  Albany  County,  as  you  are 
pleased,  in  your  proceedings  of  the  10th  instant,  to  submit 
the  propriety  of  calling  them  out  to  my  determination,  I 
would  advise  that  they  should  not,  unless  the  necessity  for 
bringing  them  here  should  be  extremely  great ;  they  other- 
wise should  remain  in  their  County,  to  afford  succour  to  the 
frontier  parts  of  the  Government,  if  it  should  be  necessary. 
I  have  enclosed  a  copy  of  Lieutenant  McMichaeTs  report, 
transmitted  me  by  General  Schuyler,  from  whence  it  will 
appear,  if  the  intelligence  contained  in  it  be  true,  that  their 
aid  may  be  required  there. 

I  have  desired  General  Greene,  on  the  application  of  the 
Committee  sent  to  King's  County,  to  afford  them  every 
assistance  he  conveniently  can,  for  executing  the  business 
they  are  upon. 

Before  I  conclude,  I  would  observe,  the  letter  of  the  9th, 
which  I  have  acknowledged  to  have  received,  is  without 
any  signature.  I  presume  it  has  been  omitted  through  the 
hurry  of  business. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen, 

your  most  obedient  servant,  .-,     „, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President,  &c. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVEHNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  August  11,  1776. 

SIR:  Necessity  obliges  me  to  trouble  your  Honour  with 
some  more  suspected  persons,  whose  characters  are  such  as 
to  make  it  unsafe  for  them  to  remain  at  their  usual  places  of 
abode  on  Long-Island;  and  there  is  no  retreat  in  this  Pro- 
vince where  they  may  not  do  some  mischief,  or  be  less  secure 
than  our  safety  requires.  As  they  are  apprehended  merely  on 
suspicion,  arising  from  a  general  line  of  conduct  unfriendly 
to  the  American  cause,  I  have  given  them  reason  to  expect 
from  you  every  indulgence  which  your  good  judgment  will 
admit  you  to  allow  them,  consistent  with  the  publick  safety. 
There  are  few  of  them  who  will  not  defray  their  own  ex- 
penses, and  those  few  their  companions  of  better  circum- 
stances will  assist,  if  convenience  will  admit  their  being 
together  in  the  same  place,  which  will  be  a  saving  to  the 
publick.  If  there  are  any  quite  destitute,  I  presume  they 
must  be  put  on  the  footing  of  other  prisoners  in  like  circum- 
stances. They  express  a  very  earnest  desire  to  be  permitted 
to  choose  their  own  lodging  and  accommodations,  to  which 
I  see  no  objection.  But  as  I  have  referred  them  entirely  to 
you,  I  do  not  choose  to  enter  into  any  engagements  on  this 
or  any  other  point,  only  adding  generally,  that  I  could  wish 
they  might  have  every  accommodation  and  indulgence, 
having  a  respect  to  their  rank  and  education,  which  may  be 
deemed  consistent  with  safety;  'and  they  are-given  to  under- 
stand that  your  humanity  and  politeness  will  most  effectually 
prevent  their  being  liable  to  any  unnecessary  hardships. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


I  am,  with  much  respect  and  esteem,  your  Honour's  most 
obedient  and  humble  servant,  GQ  WASHJNGTON- 

To  Governour  Trumbull'. 

P.  S.  I  am  just  informed  that  Judge  Jones  has  obtained 
some  letters  of  recommendation  to  Connecticut,  from  which 
he  expects  to  be  permitted  to  stay  at  New-Haven.  Unless 
very  particular  circumstances  should  require  it,  I  cannot  but 
think  you  will  agree  with  me  that  these  prisoners  should  be 
removed  from  seaport  and  post  towns,  as  the  intention  of 
removal  from  hence  is  not  fully  answered,  while  they  have 
opportunities  of  carrying  on  correspondence. 


JEDEDIAH  HUNTINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

• 

Camp,  New-York,  August  11,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Judge  Jones  being  taken  up  and  ordered 
to  Connecticut,  has  applied  to  me  for  letters  to  my  friends. 
I  am  a  stranger  to  any  particulars  of  his  political  character, 
except  that  be  lately  held  a  place  under  the  Crown  of  Eng- 
land. His  character  as  a  gentleman  I  believe  unexception- 

O  i 

able.     He  has  shown  me  some  civilities.     I  think  I  can 
assure  him  that  he  will  be  secure  from  any  insult  or  abuse, 
and  that  he  will  experience  from  my  friends  and  others  every 
civility  compatible  with  his  situation. 
I  am,  most  affectionately,  your  son, 

JED'H  HUNTINGTON. 
To  Governour  Trumbull. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  August  11, 1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  There  is  no  proper  establishment  for 
the  supplying  the  Regimental  Hospital  with  proper  utensils 
for  the  sick.  They  suffer,  therefore,  for  want  of  proper  ac- 
commodation. There  is  repeated  complaint  upon  this  head. 
The  Regimental  Hospitals  are  and  ever  will  be  rendered 
useless,  nay,  grievous,  unless  there  is  some  proper  fund  to 
provide  the  necessary  conveniences.  The  General  Hospital 
cannot  receive  all  the  sick,  and  those  that  are  in  the  Regi- 
mental Hospitals  are  in  a  suffering  condition.  If  this  evil 
continues,  it  must  greatly  injure  the  service,  as  it  will  greatly 
dispirit  the  well  to  see  the  sick  suffer,  and  prevent  their 
engaging  again  upon  any  conditions  whatever.  Great 
humanity  should  be  exercised  towards  those  indisposed. 
Kindness  on  one  hand  leaves  a  favourable  and  lasting  im- 
pression ;  neglect  and  suffering  on  the  other,  is  never  for- 
gotten. 

I  am  sensible  there  has  formerly  been  great  abuses  in  the 
Regimental  Hospitals ;  but  I  arn  in  hopes  in  general  men  of 
better  principles  are  elected  to  those  places,  and  that  the 
same  evils  will  not  happen  again.  But  the  Continent  had 
better  suffer  a  little  extraordinary  expense  than  the  sick 
should  be  left  to  suffer  for  want  of  those  conveniences  that 
may  easily  be  provided. 

I  would  beg  leave  to  propose  that  the  Colonels  of  regi- 
ments be  allowed  to  draw  moneys  to  provide  the  Regimental 
Hospitals  with  proper  utensils;  an  account  of  the  disburse- 
ments weekly  or  monthly  to  be  rendered.  This  will  pre- 
vent abuse  and  remedy  the  evil.  Something  is  necessary 
to  be  done  speedily,  as  many  sick  are  in  a  suffering  condi- 
tion. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

NATH.  GREENE. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-York. 

N.  B.  The  General  Hospital  is  well  provided  with  every 
thing,  and  the  sick  very  comfortable.  I  wish  it  was  exten- 
sive enough  to  receive  the  whole,  but  it  is  not. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  on  Long-Island,  August  11,  1776,  ) 
Sunday,  11  o'clock.      \ 

DEAR  SIR:  Enclosed  is  a  list  of  the  principal  Tories  in 
the  different  towns,  given  before  Mr.  Skinner,  a  young 
gentleman  bred  to  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  perfectly 
acquainted  with  almost  all  the  political  characters  in  the 
Province.  Your  Excellency  will  please  to  examine  it,  and 
if  it  meets  your  approbation,  signify  the  time  you  will  have 


57 


899 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


900 


the  execution  take  place,  by  giving  your  orders  on  the  back 
of  the  list. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  GREENE. 


LIST  OF  TORIES. 


Hugh  Wallace,  Jamaica. 

Alexander  Wallace. 

Doctor  Ardin. 

Mr.  Bethunc,  (should  be  secured.) 

Nathaniel  Mills. 

Jos'h  French,  (should  be  secured.) 

Capt.  Benjamin  Whitehead. 

Richard  Beus. 

John  Troup. 

Van  Bi  unt,  (at  the  Mill.) 

Robert  Ross  Waddle. 
Thomas  Willett,  Esq.,  Sheriff 

of  Flushing. 
Edward  Willett. 
Dnvid  Golden. 
Judge  Willett. 
Joseph  Field. 
Charles  Willett. 
Jos.  Griswold,  (at  the  Plains.) 
Justice  Isaac  Smith. 


William  Thorn,  Great  Neck. 

Justice  Kissam. 

Benjamin  Hewlet. 

Richard  Townsend,  (North  side.) 

Justice  Clowes,  Hempstead,  (should 
be  secured.) 

David  Beaty. 

Doctor  Seabury. 

Benjamin  Lester. 

Samuel  Lanirdon. 

George  Hewlett,  Hempstead. 

Stephen  Hewlett. 

John  Miller. 

James  Coggeshall,  (should  be  se- 
cured.) 

Richard  Hewlett,  Rockaway. 

Doctor  Martin. 

Charles  Hicks. 

Whitehead  Cornell. 

Justice  John  Hewlett,  East  Woods. 

ABR'M  SKINNER. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Tyonderoga,  August  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  must  entreat  your  Excellency  to  pardon  my  so 
long  delaying  to  send  you  a  particular  state  of  the  Army  of 
the  United  States  in  this  department. 

Upon  my  first  joining  the  troops  (or  rather  the  Hospital) 
at  Croum-Point,  all  was  in  the  utmost  disorder — the  pes- 
tilence raging,  not  a  cannon  mounted,  the  vessels  lumbered 
with  stores,  the  men  dispirited  with  defeat  and  fatigue,  and, 
in  short,  the  whole  a  scene  variegated  with  every  distress 
and  disappointment  that  could  conspire  to  ruin  an  army. 
In  this  miserable  state,  the  first  thing  to  be  done  was,  if 
possible,  to  remove  the  pestilence.  Accordingly  the  Gene- 
ral Officers  unanimously  resolved  to  send  all  the  sick  and 
infected  to  the  General  Hospital  at  the  south  end  of  Lake 
George ;  to  remove  the  main  body  of  the  Army  to  the  im- 
portant pass  of  Tyonderoga ;  to  send  the  vessels  with  the 
utmost  despatch  to  be  refitted  at  Skenesborough ;  and  to 
begin  to  erect  strong  works  upon  the  ground  described  in 
the  enclosed  plan.  These  measures — thank  the  Giver  of 
all  victory — the  enemy  either  have  not  had  the  means  or 
the  wisdom  to  prevent. 

Our  fleet,  since  the  arrival  of  the  reinforcement  of  car- 
penters, grows  daily  more  and  more  powerful.  Enclosed  is 
a  list  of  those  manned,  armed,  and  ready  for  action  at  Crown- 
Point.  A  schooner,  a  row-galley,  and  three  gondolas,  are 
rigging  here,  and  will  this  week  join  those  at  Crown-Point, 
when  General  Arnold  will  sail  with  the  whole  down  the 
Lake.  Three  fine  row-galleys  will  be  finished  in  a  fortnight 
at  Skenesborough,  and  will  directly  join  the  rest  of  the  fleet 
under  General  Arnold.  This  is  a  naval  force,  when  col- 
lected, that  promises  to  secure  the  command  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain. 

I  ordered  Colonel  Trumbull  to  send  your  Excellency  a 
general  return  of  the  Army  soon  after  our  return  hither,  and 
desired  him  to  write  your  Excellency  an  account  of  the  then 
state  of  our  affairs.  Happy  am  I  in  saying  they  are  so  much 
altered  for  the  better. 

In  the  packet  you  will  find  a  copy  of  my  last  letter  to  the 
most  honourable  the  Continental  Congress ;  also  the  report 
of  Major  Bigelow,  who  returned  last  night  with  his  flag  of 
truce,  which  he  carried  from  hence  the  23d  ultimo  with  the 
resolves  of  Congress  relative  to  the  capitulation  of  the  Ce- 
dars and  the  exchange  of  prisoners  engaged  for  by  General 
Arnold.  General  Carletotis  orders  issued  in  consequence  of 
the  despatch  sent  by  the  flag  of  truce,  you  will  find  enclosed. 
They  asionish  me;  for  with  their  prosperity,  the  Generals 
ol  the  British  Army  seem  to  have  lost  their  good  understand- 
ing.^ 

Enclosed  is  copy  of  a  letter  this  moment  sent  off  express 
to  Major  Hawley  at  Northampton.  I  must  beg  your  Ex- 
cellency's authority  may  be  exerted  to  bring  these  delin- 
quents to  justice.  If  that  cannot  be  had,  let  them  feel  all 
tho  shame  and  disgrace  they  so  richly  deserve  from  their 
injured  country. 

A  Captain  and  thirty-nine  carpenters  from  Rhode-Island, 
hired  by  the  United  States  at  prodigious  wages,  General 


Waterbury  writes  me  word,  are  inoculated  at  IVilliamstown. 
I  beg  you,  sir,  to  write  to  Governour  Cooke  to  dismiss  them 
immediately.  Pay,  they  do  not  deserve  a  penny;  they 
should  on  no  account  be  permitted  to  come  to  Sktnesbo- 
rough.  I  am  confidently  assured  we  can  do  without  them. 
The  Massachusetts  Militia,  I  am  told  by  Brigadier-General 
Brickctt,  who  arrived  here  last  night,  are  all  near  at  hand, 
and  have  all  tents  and  camp  equipages  with  them.  I  am 
sorry  to  be  informed  that  my  respectable  friends  from  Con- 
necticut are  coming  without  these  necessary  articles.  Aeie- 
Hampshire  have  sent  their  Militia  equally  deficient.  Colonel 
fVingate's  and  Colonel  Wy  man's  regiments  from  that  Colony 
are  now  in  this  camp. 

I  am  harassed  to  death  with  writing.  The  Congress, 
General  Washington,  General  Schuyhr,  I  am  obliged  con- 
stantly to  correspond  with;  the  whole  business  of  this  Army 
to  direct,  with  all  the  variety  of  writing  demanded  thereby; 
and  to  make  the  load  the  heavier,  my  principal  copyist  is 
sick.  Your  son,  who  is  very  industrious,  does  all  he  can  to 
aid  me,  but  his  own  duty  is  enough  for  any  one  man.  This, 
sir,  must  be  my  apology  for  all  imperfections. 

With  the  greatest  respect,  I  am,  sir,  your  Excellency's 
most  faithful  and  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Governour  Trumbull. 

P.  S.  Your  Excellency  will  please  to  communicate  all, 
or  any  part  of  this  intelligence,  to  the  President  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts-Say. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  PUTNAM. 

Tyonderoga,  August  11,  1776. 

DEAR  PUT:  Every  fond  mother  dotes  upon  her  booby, 
be  his  imperfections  ever  so  glaring,  and  his  good  qualities 
ever  so  few.  Croum-Point  was  not  indeed  your  own  im- 
mediate offspring,  but  you  had  a  capital  hand  in  rearing  the 
baby.  You  cut  all  the  logs,  which  are  now  rotten  as  dirt, 
and  tumbled  in  the  dust.  No  matter  for  that.  Why  should 
not  you  be  fond  of  Crown-Pointl  If  i  live  to  be  as  old  as 

{'ou.  I  shall  be  as  fond  of  Tyonderoga.  I  can  assure  you, 
fancy  already  that  my  booby  is  a  great  deal  handsomer 
than  yours,  and  has  a  thousand  excellences  more  than 
yours  ever  possessed.  But  don't  be  uneasy,  the  absurdities 
of  your  booby  time  will  very  soon  obliterate ;  but  mine  will 
live  for  some  future  great  engineer,  like  myself,  to  laugh  at 
and  despise.  Joking  apart:  Have  you  blown  up  Staten 
Island?  Have  you  burnt  the  enemy's  fleet?  Have  you 
sent  the  two  brothers  to  Hartford  1  What  have  you  and 
what  have  you  not  done?  Sense,  courage,  honour,  and 
abilities,  you  know  to  be  the  great  outlines  of  a  General. 
My  friend  Tom  Mifflin  has  an  uncommon  share  of  all  four. 
Present  my  affectionate  compliments  to  him.  I  shall  pre- 
serve your  letter  for  a  winter  evening's  subject,  when  we 
three  meet  again. 

Remember  me  affectionately,  as  you  ought,  and  believe 
me,  veteran,  your  sincere  well-wisher  and  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  HORATIO  GATES. 

To  General  Putnam. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

Tyonderoga,  August  11,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  The  enclosed  letter  to  Major  Hawley, 
I  desire  you  will  forward  immediately  by  express,  and  oider 
the  express  to  wait  for  the  Major's  answer,  and  then  return 
immediately  to  Skenesborough.  You  will  send  it  directly 
to  me. 

General  Brickett  arrived  here  yesterday  evening.  He 
says  the  whole  of  the  Massachusetts  Militia  have  tents. 
The  carts  that  carry  them  he  thinks  will  be  obliged  to  go 
by  Skenesborough.  As  soon  as  they  arrive  there,  you  will 
send  them  under  the  care  of  proper  officers  to  Tyonderoga. 

The  naval  stores  wanted  at  your  post  shall  he  sent  to 
Skenesborough  as  fast  as  it  comes  to  hand. 

I  would  have  the  whole  of  the  Massachusetts  Militia  sent 
here  as  soon  as  their  tents  come  forward.  If  the  carts  with 
their  tents  get  here  by  the  road  General  Brickctt  came,  I 
will  let  you  know  it  immediately.  Yours,  &.C., 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  General  fVaterbury. 


901 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


902 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  MAJOR  HAWLEY. 

Tyonderoga,  August  10,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  A  villain  of  a  Surgeon  (or  what  is  commonly 
called  a  Doctor)  is  inoculating  the  Militia  as  fast  as  they 
arrive  at  Number  Four.  Such  a  slave  to  private  gain,  who 
would  sacrifice  this  Army  for  the  sake  of  obtaining  a  few 
dollars  to  himself,  deserves  to  be  immediately  brought  to 
condign  punishment.  Were  he  within  my  reach,  it  would 
not  be  many  minutes  before  he  should  feel  the  weight  of 
my  resentment.  That  not  being  the  case,  I  must  apply  to 
you,  to  beg  you  would  write  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Number  Four,  directing  him  to  exert  his  utmost 
power  to  stop  this  most  pernicious  practice,  and,  if  possible, 
to  send  the  doctor  instantly  to  jail.  As  fine  an  Army  as 
ever  marched  into  Canada  has  this  year  been  entirely  ruined 
by  the  small-pox.  If  the  Militia,  which  ought  long  ago  to 
have  been  here,  are  once  infected,  this  country  will  infallibly 
be  exposed  to  the  invasion  of  the  enemy.  Such  officers  as 
have  st^ed  upon  the  way  to  be  inoculated,  shall,  they  may 
depend  upon  it,  be  brought  to  a  General  Court-Martial  as 
soon  as  they  arrive  at  Skenesborough.  The  country  is  at  an 
enormous  expense  for  these  troops.  Individuals  receive  vast 
sums  to  go  as  substitutes  in  the  Militia.  The  provisions 
and  carriages  are  also  provided  at  an  amazing  charge;  and 
all  this,  that  tnese  men,  rather  than  march  where  they  are 
commanded,  may  get  inoculated,  by  which  a  month  of  the 
short  time  they  are  engaged  for  elapses,  and  perhaps  the 
health  of  the  whole  Army  is  endangered. 

Our  fleet  flourishes  to  my  wish ;  and  all  would  be  well  in 
this  quarter  could  the  Militia  be  marched  up  immediately, 
and  the  pestilence  kept  from  us.  Our  camp  here  and  at 
Sktnesborough  have  long  been  perfectly  purged  of  it. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Major  Hawley,  at  Northampton. 


COLONEL  M.  OGDEN  TO  AARON  BURR. 

Ticonderoga,  August  11,  1776. 

DEAR  BURR:  I  yesterday  received  yours  of  July  29th 
and  August  2d.  The  others  I  made  mention  of  in  the 
letter  to  Mrs.  Ogden  that  I  sent  to  you  unsealed.  In  my 
last,  you  had  a  very  particular  account  of  the  numbers,  force, 
names,  &,c.,  of  our  Navy  on  the  Lake.  As  to  our  leaving 
Crown-Point  for  this  place,  the  Field-Officers  knew  nothing 
of  it  till  it  was  concluded  on  by  the  Generals  Schuyler, 
Gates,  and  Arnold. 

General  Arnold  is  taking  a  very  active  part — I  mean  in 
the  command  of  the  fleet.  He  will  sail  himself  in  a  few 
days.  He  says  he  will  pay  a  visit  to  St.  John's.  I  wish 
he  may  be  as  prudent  as  he  is  brave.  Well,  now  have  at 
you  for  news.  Last  evening  the  flag  of  truce  returned, 
bringing  a  letter  directed  to  George  Washington,  Esq.,  and 
a  truly  ridiculous  copy  of  a  general  order,  which  you  will 
see  at  General  Washington's  by  the  time  you  receive  this. 
But  there  is  one  part  of  it  in  which  I  think  they  in  some 
measure  accuse  us  justly :  I  mean  that  of  assassinating,  as 
they  term  it  with  too  much  truth,  Brigadier-General  Gordon. 
He  was  shot  by  the  Whitcomb  I  mentioned  in  my  last,  who 
had  been  sent  there  as  a  spy.  The  act,  though  villanous, 
was  brave,  and  a  peculiar  kind  of  bravery  that  I  believe 
Whitcomb  alone  is  possessed  of.  He  shot  Gordon  near  by 
their  advanced  sentinel ;  and,  notwithstanding  a  most  diligent 
search  was  made,  he  avoided  them  by  mere  dint  of  skulking. 

I  shall  have  the  honour  to  command  the  New-Jersey 
redoubt,  which  I  am  now  building,  with  the  Regiment  alone. 
It  is  situated  on  the  right  of  the  whole,  by  the  water's  ed^e. 
It  is  to  mount  two  eighteen-pounders,  two  twelve,  and  four 
nine-pounders.  In  this  I  expect  to  do  honour  to  New-Jersey. 

I  yesterday  received  a  letter  from  Colonel  Dayton,  dated 
the  28th  of  July,  at  the  German-Flats.  He  informs  me 
that  he  is  to  take  the  command  at  Fort  Stanwix. 

Should  there  be  anything  to  be  had  in  New-York  in  the 
clothing  way,  I  should  be  glad  if  you  will  lay  some  aside, 
no  matter  what — either  small-clothes,  shirts,  stockings,  or 
anyihing  of  the  kind.  My  best  compliments  to  General 
Putnam.  If  you  will  let  Robert  or  Sawyer  have  the  peru- 
sal of  this,  they  would  learn  the  news  of  this  Army.  Paper 
is  so  scarce,  that  one  letter  must  serve  both,  unless  some- 
thing particular. 

Yours  sincerely,  MATT.  OGDEN. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  11,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  The  young  man  Tfiomson,  who  is  clerk 
to  Mr.  Midkiff,  and  the  Frenchman.  Anthony  Gerchard, 
arrived  here  the  night  before  last.  A  canoe  was  imme- 
diately provided,  and  Thomson  said  they  would  set  off  in  the 
morning.  I  gave  him  an  additional  pass,  and  fixed  upon  a 
proper  person  to  seize  them  as  soon  as  they  were  on  board. 
Yesterday  they  staid  all  day;  several  suspicious  persons 
were  seen  with  them;  and  I  expected  we  should  have  been 
able  to  have  made  some  material  discoveries.  Just  at  dusk, 
yesterday,  they  got  in  their  canoe,  when  they  were  seized, 
stripped,  and  their  clothes  and  packs  examined.  We  found 
some  private  papers,  but  no  letters  besides  those  which  I  now 
send  by  the  bearer:  they  also,  it  seems,are  of  a  private  nature. 
I  fear  there  must  have  been  a  plan  laid  to  have  taken 
in  the  letters  somewhere  lower  down  on  the  Lake.  A 
pei-son  might  have  gone  from  Ticonderoga,  crossed  above 
this,  and  went  down  on  the  east  side  to  any  particular  place. 

The  lad  had  not  a  single  letter  to  Mr.  Midkiff.  This 
seems  very  odd,  as  he  had  so  much  business  to  transact, 
that  there  should  not  be  an  answer  from  a  correspondent. 

Thomson  possesses  much  knowledge  and  sagacity  for  his 
years.  He  is  capable  of  conveying  many  verbal  messages 
from  the  disaffected  to  the  enemy.  He  has  been  in  such 
places  where  we  know  there  are  numerous  Tories. 

He  has  been  at  Philadelphia,  New-York,  and  Albany. 
He  knows  well  the  situation  of  our  affairs,  as  well  as  the 
state  of  the  Army  and  Navy  in  this  department.  In  short, 
he  is  capable  of  giving  our  enemies  almost  every  information 
they  could  wish. 

In  my  opinion,  it  would  be  very  wrong  to  let  him  or  the 
Frenchman  go  down.  They  might  be  sent  back  to  Albany, 
where  they  would  be  secure  till  such  times  as  it  were  pru- 
dent to  let  them  go  home.  I  have  the  Frenchman  under 
a  guard.  Thompson  I  have  confined  to  Mr.  Lewis's  house. 
His  money,  amounting  to  upwards  of  $500,  is  deposited  as 
a  security  with  Mr.  Lewis.  The  sooner  they  are  removed 
from  hence  the  better.  Midkiff' s  mill  has  been  burnt;  he 
lives  within  five  leagues  of  St.  John's;  he  is  undoubtedly 
against  us  at  present. 

As  great  part  of  my  original  orders  here  fall  within  the 
Department  of  the  Navy,  I  have  now  only  one  party  of 
three  men  down  the  Lake.  Should  anything  more  in  that 
way  be  expected,  I  will  cheerfully  send  out  small  parties 
in  canoes  or  small  boats.  If  we  had  a  few  whale-boats  or 
barges,  they  would  be  very  useful,  as  I  understand  the 
enemy  have  large  bark  canoes,  which  will  hold  between 
twelve  and  twenty  men,  and  run  very  fast.  The  enemy  had 
some  of  those  canoes  when  Wilson  was  taken,  and  he  had 
a  clumsy  batteau. 

I  have  sent  up  some  more  oars.  I  have  still  a  party  with 
the  oarmakers. 

If  anything  more  is  to  be  done  before  I  am  ordered  away, 
I  shall  be  happy  in  executing  your  commands. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOS.  HARTLEY. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 


MAJOR  FRENCH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Hartford,  August  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  yesterday  honoured  with  your  letter,  agreeing 
to  my  being  exchanged  for  Colonel  Allen  or  Major  Meigs; 
in  consequence  of  which  I  take  the  liberty  of  troubling  you 
with  a  letter  to  General  Howe  on  that  subject;  and  though 
from  my  long  having  been  honoured  with  his  acquaintance, 
having  frequently  served  under  his  command  during  the  last 
war,  I  have  not  the  least  reason  to  apprehend  a  negative 
from  him,  yet  I  hope,  should  it  prove  otherwise,  that  you 
will  get  the  consent  of  Congress  to  my  being  allowed  the 
same  privilege  granted  to  M ajor  Meigs. 

Allow  me,  sir,  to  return  you  thanks  lor  your  attention  to 
my  situation,  and  to  assur§  you  that  I  am,  sir,  your  most 

obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

CHRIS,  b  RENCH. 

THOMAS  CUSHING  TO  THE  PRESIDENT   OF  CONGRESS. 

[Referred  to  Committee  for  Indian  Affairs.] 

Watertown,  August,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  been  desired  by  the  Commissioners  appoint- 
ed by  the  Society  in  London  for  propagating  the  Gospel 


903 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


904 


among  tile  Indians  In  New-England  and  the  parts  adjacent, 
to  inform  you  that  Mr.  Samuel  Kirkland  has  been  employed 
by  them  as  a  Missionary  among  the  Indians  at  Oncida, 
with  a  salary  of  £130  sterling  per  annum;  more  has  been 
allowed  him  for  a  catechist;  that  Mr.  Crosby  has  been  em- 
ployed iis  a  Missionary  among  the  Indians  at  Onaquagh, 
with  a  salary  of  £130  sterling  per  annum;  and  that  Mr. 
John  Sargeant,  the  bearer  of  this,  has  been  employed  as  a 
Missionary  among  the  Indians  at  Stockbridge,  with  a  salary 
of  £60  sterling  per  annum.  These  several  salaries  have 
been  paid  out  of  the  moneys  remitted  from  London  by  the 
Society,  who  have  established  a  fund  for  these  purposes. 
No  remittances  have  been  made  from  the  Society  to  the 
Commissioners  for  the  year  past,  and  have  been  suspended  by 
means  of  the  cruel  war  commenced  by  Great  Britain  against 
these  Colonies,  so  that  the  Commissioners  are  now  without  any 
fund  to  pay  these  Missionaries  their  salaries.  Their  residence 
among  the  Indians  is  certainly  of  great  importance,  and  has 
been  very  useful  and  very  serviceable  to  the  common  cause. 
The  Indians  are  very  desirous  of  their  continuance;  but  as 
they  are  now  destitute  of  a  support,  they  will,  unless  speedily 
relieved,  be  obliged  to  quit  this  important  service,  so  neces- 
sary to  keep  the  Indians  in  the  interest  of  the  United  States 
of  America  and  from  joining  our  enemies.  It  is  therefore 
humbly  submitted  to  the  honourable  Congress  whether  it 
would  not  be  of  great  advantage  to  all  the  United  States  of 
America,  for  the  reasons  before  mentioned,  for  the  Congress 
to  allow  them,  out  of  the  Continental  treasury,  their  usual 
salaries;  and  in  case  any  remittances  should  be  made  from 
the  Society  in  London  for  this  purpose  hereafter,  the  Com- 
missioners have  directed  me  to  assure  you  that  any  sum  the 
Continent  may  advance  upon  this  occasion  will  be  by  them 
cheerfully  refunded.  The  Commissioners  request  that  your 
Honours  would  represent  this  matter  to  the  honourable  Con- 
gress, that  they  may  take  such  order  respecting  the  same  as 
they  may  judge  proper. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant,  THOMAS  GUSHING. 

CASE    OF  STOCKBRIDGE    INDIANS,  AS    RELATED  BY   MR.  SAR- 
GEANT. 

Indians  at  Stockbridge,  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  are  of  the  Mohekon  tribe,  and  now  number  somewhat 
more  than  two  hundred;  the  rest  of  the  nation  dispersed, 
residing  chiefly  in  the  State  of  New-York,  and  supposed  to 
be  about  five  hundred ;  consider  Stockbridge  as  their  capital; 
formerly,  as  their  tribe  was  numerous  and  powerful,  hath 
been  held  in  great  veneration  by  Delawares  and  Shawanese, 
especially  the  latter,  with  whom  it  hath  long  had  alliances, 
offensive  and  defensive,  and  whom  it  hath  several  times 
assisted  against  their  enemies;  still  keep  up  a  correspondence 
with  those  two  nations,  as  well  as  the  Canadian  Indians. 
This  people  have  at  all  times  been  friendly  to  the  Ameri- 
cans; generally  attend  the  treaties  between  the  Commission- 
ers and  the  Six  Nations.  At  Albany,  in  August,  last  year, 
declared  they  would  join  with  the  United  States,  and  assist 
them  against  Great  Britain,  although  the  Six  Nations  should 
be  neuter,  or  confederate  with  the  other  side;  and  some  of 
them,  for  that  purpose,  went  to  the  camp  at  Cambridge. 
Sent  a  message  to  the  Shawanese  this  fall,  inviting  them  to 
engage  in  the  war  with  the  United  States.  Mr.  Sargeant, 
(father  of  the  present  Missionary  to  the  Mohekons,)  the  first 
person  employed  in  that  function  after  the  establishment  of 
the  Society  for  propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians, 
settled  at  Stockbridge  about  forty  years  ago,  as  it  is  supposed. 
The  gentleman  who  succeeded  him  hath  received  no  part  of 
his  stipend  for  twelve  months  past  and  upwards. 

The  Mohekons,  in  a  speech  to  the  Commissioners  at 
Albany  last  year,  after  mentioning  a  dispute  concerning  their 
lands,  declared  their  desire  to  have  teachers  and  instructors 
among  them,  which  the  Commissioners  promised,  in  their 
answer,  to  report  to  Congress. 

London,  September  26,  1776. 

Advices  have  been  received  from  Canada,  dated  August 
12,  which  say  that  General  Burgoyne's  Army  have  found  it 
impracticable  to  get  across  the  Lakes  this  season;  that  the 
naval  foice  of  the  Provincials  upon  the  Lakes  is  too  great 
for  them  to  contend  with  at  present ;  that  they  must  build 
larger  vessels  for  this  purpose,  and  that  these  vessels  cannot 


be  ready  before  next  summer.  The  Army  will  therefore  be 
obliged  to  winter  in  Canada,  about  Montreal,  St.  John's, 
&.C.,  and  they  will  be  in  want  of  provisions,  unless  supplied 
from  England.  General  Carleton  has  requested  that  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  provisions  may  be  sent.  The  design 
was,  that  the  two  Armies,  commanded  by  the  Generals 
Howe  and  Burgoyne,  should  cooperate ;  that  they  should 
both  be  on  the  Hudson's  River  at  the  same  time ;  and  that 
they  should  join  about  Albany,  and  thereby  cut  off  all  com- 
munication between  the  Northern  and  Southern  Colonies. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTF.R  FROM  CAPE  NICHOLA  MOLE,  DATED 
AUGUST  12,  1776. 

From  the  best  authority,  I  am  informed  that  four  French 
frigates  are  ordered  to  cruise  about  this  Island  to  protect  the 
American  trade,  and  two  Spanish  ships  are  to  do  the  same 
about  Porto  Rico,  for  the  like  purpose.  There  are  about 
eight  or  ten  thousand  troops  in  this  Island.  TwUlty-nine 
ships  of  the  line  are  getting  ready  at  Brest,  and  fourteen  at 
Toulon,  and  twenty  thousand  land  forces,  to  put  to  sea,  but 
where  bound  is  not  known.  Twelve  Spanish  ships  of  the 
line  and  six  frigates,  with  many  land  forces,  went  by  here 
some  weeks  past  for  the  Havana,  but  for  what  end  is  a 
secret. 


GENERAL  ARMSTRONG  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  September  13,  1776.] 

Charlestown,  August  12,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  In  the  beginning  of  May  last  I  wrote  the 
honourable  the  Continental  Congress  the  state  in  which  I 
found  the  troops  here,  as  being  entirely  upon  the  establish- 
ment of  this  Colony,  and  in  no  other  respect  Continental 
than  that  of  the  uniformity  of  their  purposes  to  cooperate  in 
the  great  Continental  design.  In  that  situation,  and  being 
without  Continental  troops,  I  did  not  debate  for  a  dubious 
command,  which,  had  it  even  been  offered  me,  (as  it  was 
not,)  I  could  not  with  propriety  accept,  but  begged  to  be 
favoured  with  the  further  orders  of  Congress;  and  being 
candidly  asked  by  the  President  and  others  to  wait  the  event, 
I  preferred  the  disagreeable  situation  of  long  suspense  to  a 
precipitate  departure,  for  reasons  I  conceived  to  be  pruden- 
tial and  rather  tending  to  the  publick  tranquillity;  determined 
at  the  same  time  to  repair  to  any  neighbouring  Colony  where 
the  enemy  should  make  their  first  impressions;  but  have  not 
yet  been  so  happy  as  to  know  whether  my  letter  was  received. 
In  some  weeks  the  English  fleet  appeared,  when  the  town 
began  to  barricade  such  places  as  we  supposed  would  most 
favour  the  enemy's  landing.  In  these  and  various  other  cases 
I  contributed  any  advice  I  could  give  to  the  President  of  the 
Colony  for  their  defence,  who  joined  me  in  urging  the  march 
of  General  Lee  with  Continental  troops ;  to  whom,  when  he 
came,  the  President  resigned  the  command,  notifying  this  to 
the  Provincials  and  Militia  of  the  Colony  in  writing.  Briga- 
dier Howe  also  came  with  General  Lee. 

At  this  time  the  enemy  took  possession  of  Long-Island, 
some  eight  or  nine  miles  from  Charlestown,  whereby  it  was 
evident  the  town  was  not  their  immediate  object.  Upon  this 
unexpected  manoeuvre,  General  Lee  ordered  me  to  encamp 
alHaddrelFs  Point,  on  the  main,  separated  from  the  town  by 
a  bay  of  five  miles  over,  with  the  command  of  the  main,  and 
the  neighbouring  Island  of  Sullivan,  which  is  also  divided 
from  Haddrell  by  an  arm  of  the  bay,  which,  even  with  the 
benefit  of  an  unstable  bridge,  prevents  the  communication 
betwixt  these  two  important  posts  but  at  low  water  only — a 
secret,  this,  to  General  Clinton,  as  was  the  paucity  of  our 
numbers,  otherwise,  no  doubt,  his  conduct  would  have  been 
different  from  what  it  was. 

In  this  command,  at  first  small,  afterwards  about  two  thou- 
sand, complicated  as  it  was  by  different  corps,  and  as  many 
different  regulations  for  their  government,  I  have  only  to 
inform  you,  sir,  that  these  troops,  crude  as  they  were  in  point 
of  discipline,  discovered  a  laudable  disposition  to  have  met 
the  enemy ;  and  as  long  as  their  health  served,  were  generally 
so  far  subordinate  that  we  were  tolerably  harmonious  amongst 
ourselves,  and  favoured  with  an  exemption  from  any  degree 
of  surprise  or  insult  from  the  enemy,  who  lay  partly  on  the 
rear  of  Sullivan  and  flank  of  the  camp  on  Haddrell,  and 
whose  approaches  we  waited  near  six  weeks,  as  certain  at 
one  post  or  the  other;  more  especially  at  HaddrelPs,  which 


905 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


906 


if  gained,  Sullivan  must  have  fallen  of  course,  without  the 
risk  of  tarnish  to  the  splendid  walls  of  .England,  unequally 
arranged  with  indignant  brow  in  battle's  noisy  line,  against 
the  feeble,  the  simple  cabbage-stalk,  but  by  secret  and  patri- 
otic texture,  the  irrefragable  palmetto. 

General  Clinton,  probably  misled  by  magnified  reports  of 
our  numbers,  cautiously  declined  the  expected  visit,  and  we, 
in  the  attitude  of  resistance,  were  too  rigid  to  make  the  first 
bow,  and  unwilling  to  expose  the  young  dancers  to  some 
awkward  scrape  on  his  slippery  parade.  In  short,  he  was 
so  surrounded  by  shipping,  water,  and  impassable  marsh, 
that  we  had  no  practicable  access  to  him  without  a  great 
many  boats,  and  as  these  were  collecting,  he  thought  proper 
to  decamp,  and  the  last  division  of  the  fleet  is  now  sailed 
from  this  bar  about  a  week.  I  shall  only  add,  the  anxiety  of 
many  here  to  have  eased  your  arms  to  the  northward  of  the 
additional  burden  of  these  three  thousand,  that  are  now  like 
to  fall  upon  them. 

The  enemy  being  now  far  removed,  and  their  return  un- 
certain, I  hope  the  honourable  Congress  will  not  consider 
me  as  regardless  of  their  service,  when  I  beg  leave  to  express 
my  wishes  to  be  recalled,  conscious  as  I  am  that  my  consti- 
tution is  too  far  run  down  by  time  to  answer  in  any  tolerable 
degree  the  designs  of  that  appointment  with  which  they  have 
honoured  me,  in  this  very  warm  climate.  The  health  I  have 
enjoyed,  and  now  do,  depends,  I  am  persuaded,  on  the 
benefit  of  the  salts  where  I  am  situated,  and  of  which  I  have 
no  future  certainty.  Little,  indeed,  can  I  now  promise  my 
country  in  any  situation,  but  still  less  here.  On  this  con- 
sideration, General  Lee  has  as  good  as  promised  my  liberty 
from  hence  as  soon  as  the  season  will  admit  me  to  travel ; 
nor  can  there  be  any  necessity  of  my  stay  at  present,  the 
troops  being  chiefly  dispersed,  except  the  town  Militia  and 
a  few  Colonial  troops  in  the  sundry  forts ;  and  should  any- 
thing happen  in  the  winter,  which  I  must  question,  there 
are  gentlemen  at  hand  whose  services  cannot  be  inferior  to 
mine,  and  to  whom  the  climate  is  more  familiar.  And  to 
these  principal  reasons  of  this  request,  collateral  ones,  not 
inconsistent  with  the  duty  of  any  man,  might  easily  be  added, 
which,  if  admitted,  will  serve  to  increase  the  obligation  of 
your  Honours'  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  ARMSTRONG. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock. 

P.  S.  Brigade-Major  Conner  has  been  very  serviceable  to 
the  publick  and  to  me.  His  commission  not  come  to  hand. 


Charlestown,  August  6,  1776. 

His  Excellency  Major-General  Lee,  having  thought  proper 
to  take  the  sense  of  Brigadiers-General  Armstrong  and  Howe, 
and  the  Field  Officers  of  the  First,  Second,  Fourth,  and  Fifth 
Regiments  of  the  South-Carolina  forces,  on  a  difference  of 
opinion  between  his  Excellency  the  President  and  General 
Lee,  on  the  construction  of  a  resolve  of  Congress,  with  respect 
to  the  above  Regiments  being  in  the  Continental  establish- 
ment, the  following  are  the  opinions  of  the  above  gentle- 
men on  the  subject : 

Brigadiers-General  Armstrong  and  Howe  are  clearly  of 
opinion,  from  the  face  of  the  resolves  of  Congress,  that  the 
above  Regiments  are  on  the  Continental  establishment. 

The  other  officers,  being  called  upon,  were  as  follows: 

Colonels  Gadsden  and  Moultrie,  Continental. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Sumpter,  Continental. 

Majors  Cathell  and  Elliot,  Continental. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Pinckney,  not  Continental. 

Lieutenant-Colonels  Motte  and  Robertson,  not  Conti- 
nental. 

Major  Henderson,  not  Continental. 


ADDRESS     OF     BAPTIST     CHURCHES     IN     VIRGINIA     TO     THE 
GOVERNOUR. 

To  His  Excellency  PATRICK  HENRY,  Jun.,  Esq.,  Governour 

of  the  Commonwealth  of  VIRGINIA: 
The  humble  Address  of  the  Ministers  and  Delegates  of  the 

Baptist  Churches  met  in  Association  in  LOUISA,  August 

12,  1776,  in  behalf  of  their  brethren: 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  As  your  advance- 
ment to  the  honourable  and  important  station  as  Governour 
of  this  Commonwealth  affords  us  unspeakable  pleasure,  we 


beg  leave  to  present  your  Excellency  with  our  most  cordial 
congratulations. 

Your  publick  virtues  are  such  that  we  are  under  no  tempta- 
tion to  flatter  you.  Virginia  has  done  honour  to  her  judg- 
ment in  appointing  your  Excellency  to  hold  the  reins  of 
Government  at  this  truly  critical  conjuncture,  as  you  have 
always  distinguished  yourself  by  your  zeal  and  activity  for 
her  welfare,  in  whatever  department  has  been  assigned  you. 

As  a  religious  community  we  have  nothing  to  request  of 
you.  Your  constant  attachment  to  the  glorious  cause  of 
liberty  and  the  rights  of  conscience,  leaves  us  no  room  to 
doubt  of  your  Excellency's  favourable  regards  while  we 
worthily  demean  ourselves. 

May  God  Almighty  continue  you  long,  very  long,  a  pub- 
lick  blessing  to  this  your  native  country,  and,  after  a  life  of 
usefulness  here,  crown  you  with  immortal  felicity  in  the  world 
to  come. 

Signed  by  order:         JEREMIAH  WALKER, Moderator. 
JOHN  WILLIAMS,  Clerk. 

ANSWER. 

To  the  Ministers  and  Delegates  of  the  Baptist  Churches 
and  the  Members  of  that  Communion : 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  exceedingly  obliged  to  you  for  your  very 
kind  Address,  and  the  favourable  sentiments  you  are  pleased 
to  entertain  respecting  my  conduct  and  the  principles  which 
have  directed  it.  My  constant  endeavour  shall  be  to  guard 
the  rights  of  all  my  fellow-citizens  from  every  encroachment. 

I  am  happy  to  find  a  catholick  spirit  prevailing  in  our 
country,  and  that  those  religious  distinctions  which  formerly 
produced  some  heats  are  now  forgotten.  Happy  must  every 
friend  to  virtue  and  America  feel  himself  to  perceive  that  the 
only  contest  among  us,  at  this  most  critical  and  important 
period,  is,  who  shall  be  foremost  to  preserve  our  religious 
and  civil  liberties. 

My  most  earnest  wish  is,  that  Christian  charity,  forbear- 
ance, and  love,  may  unite  all  our  different  persuasions,  as 
brethren  who  must  perish  or  triumph  together;  and  I  trust 
that  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  we  shall  greet  each 
other  as  the  peaceable  possessors  of  that  just  and  equal  sys- 
tem of  liberty  adopted  by  the  last  Convention,  and  in  sup- 
port of  which  may  God  crown  our  arms  with  success. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 

servant,  r>  u  T 

r.  HENRY,  Jun. 

August  13,  1776. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  EWING. 
[No.  130.]  Annapolis,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  We  send  you  an  order  on  the  Commissary  of  Stores 
for  camp-kettles,  knapsacks  with  haversacks,  and  wooden 
bottles,  for  Captain  Young's  company.  Tents,  gun-slings, 
cartouch-boxes,  and  bayonet-belts,  you  will  be  pleased  to 
get,  if  you  have  not  already  done  it,  for  the  three  companies, 
viz :  Posey's,  Lowe's,  and  Young's.  Captain  Forrest  we 
have  ordered  to  remain  in  St.  Mary's  County,  to  supply  the 
place  of  Thomas's  Independent  Company;  he  will  be  obliged 
to  borrow  arms  from  the  Militia.  We  wish  to  forward  you 
all  in  our  power,  but  cannot  agree  to  spare  the  arms  in  the 
hands  of  the  Harford  Committee,  or  in  Dallam's  possession. 
The  companies  of  the  battalion  we  propose  to  keep  are  not 
half  armed.  You  must  depend  on  your  former  order  to  the 
Committee.  We  have  advanced  the  sum  of  £125  currency 
each  to  Captains  Posey  and  Lowe.  You  are  to  account 
with  Captain  Lowe  for  £200  which  he  says  you  have  already 
furnished  him  with.  We  expect  to  have  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  you  in  Annapolis  before  you  go,  when  you  have  sent 
off  the  three  companies.  We  are  obliged  to  transmit  our 
accounts  to  Congress,  and  therefore  request  you  to  come 
prepared  to  settle  your  whole  account.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Colonel  Thomas  Ewing. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GERARD  HOPKINS. 
[No.  131.]  Annapolis,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  have  heretofore  given  Colonel  Charles  Green- 
bury  Griffith  an  order  for  sundries  for  his  battalion ;  but 
Captain  'l3urgess's  company  is  coming  this  way,  and  being 
more  forward  than  the  rest  of  the  battalion,  we  request  you 
would  deliver  him  eighty-six  gun-slings,  eighty-six  bayonet- 


907 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  kc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


908 


belts,  fifteen  camp-kettles,  ninety  cartouch-boxes,  and  ninety 
brushes  and  priming-wires,  and  deduct  so  many  of  each  from 
the  former  order.     We  are,  &tc. 
To  Gerard  Hopkins,  Deputy  Commissary. 

JAMES  CUNNINGHAM  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL,  OF  SAFETY. 

Annapolis,  August  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  When  I  waslast  before  you,  you  were  pleased 
to  allow  me  a  few  days  to  consider  on  what  1  bad  best  do 
to  get  a  living  for  myself.  I  think,  as  this  is  the  County 
in  which  I  expect  to  live  and  spend  my  days,  I  cannot  do 
better  than  enter  into  the  service  of  this  country.  Though 
it  may  appear  a  little  odd  that  I  should  be  so  ready  to  enter 
into  the  service  of  the  States  of  America  after  being  so  long 
with  Lord  Dunmore,  yet  I  am  in  hopes  that  it  will  not  ap- 
pear so  when  I  tell  you  that  I  was,  long  before  I  left  the 
fleet,  looked  upon  as  what  they  call  a  Rebel.  I  have  been, 
by  order  of  his  Lordship,  tried  for  such,  and  with  great 
difficulty  could  get  clear.  I  had  a  commission,  which  1  was 
prevailed  upon  to  accept  by  my  friends,  which  I  gave  up  in 
a  very  few  days,  since  which  I  never  took  up  arms  against 
America.  His  Lordship,  after  that,  endeavoured  to  distress 
me  by  every  means.  At  last  I  formed  the  scheme  of  throw- 
ing myself  upon  the  country  which  I  once  injured,  to  get 
clear  of  the  most  despotick  wretch.  Hoping,  gentlemen, 
you  will  take  my  case  into  consideration,  I  remain  your 
humble  and  obliged  servant,  JAMES  CUNNINGHAM. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


BALTIMORE  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  August  12,  1776: 

Present:  William  Lux,  Chairman;  A.  Buchanan,  C.  Ridgely,  (of 
Wm.,)  W.  Wilkinson,  J.  Slandeford,  W.  Tolley,  Jun.,  J.  Calhoun,  B. 
Griffith,  W.  Aisquith,  A.  Britain,  G.  Vaughan,  T.  Sellers,  J.  Moale, 
D.  Shaw. 

Henry  Carback  having  enrolled  in  Captain  Job  Garrit- 
son's  Company,  an  order  was  given  to  Captain  John  Tutty 
Young  to  redeliver  his  Gun  in  the  same  order  in  which  it 
was  received. 

Mr.  Ridgely  brought  in  three  Muskets  which  he  purchased 
at  £12,  and  two  Matchcoats  at  30s. 

The  Fines  imposed  on  Robert  Evans  and  William  Sin- 
clair, as  Non-enrollers,  are  remitted,  they  having  enrolled  in 
Captain  Vaughan's  Company.  Benjamin  Riston's  fine  is 
remitted,  he  having  enrolled  with  Captain  Shaw.  Robert 
CoweWs  fine  is  remitted,  he  beingupwards  of  fifty  years  of  age. 

Messrs.  William  Lux,  William  Aisquith,  and  James  Cal- 
houn, are  appointed  a  Committee  to  settle  all  Accounts 
against  the  publick,  and  exhibit  them  to  the  Committee  on 
Monday  next. 

Mr.  Caleb  Merryman  delivered  ten  Matchcoats  and  three 
Firelocks,  which  he  purchased. 

Captain  James  Bosley  delivered  two  Guns,  which  were 
appraised  on  oath  by  Job  Garritson  and  William  Raven, 
viz:  one  the  property  of  William  Gad,  15*;  one  the  pro- 
perty of  Benkid  Willson,  £  1  10s. 

Attest:  GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 


sugar  which  has  been  taken,  and  it  amounted  to  three  thou- 
sand hogsheads;  since  which  two  other  ships  have  been  taken 
and  carried  into  Maryland.  Thousands  of  schemes  for  pri- 
vateering are  afloat  in  American  imaginations.  Some  are 
for  taking  the  Hull  ships,  with  woollens  for  Amsterdam  and 
Rotterdam;  some  are  for  the  tin  ships;  some  for  the  Irish 
linen  ships;  some  for  outward  bound,  and  others  for  inward 
bound  Indiamen;  some  for  the  Hudson's  Bay  ships;  and 
many  for  West-India  sugar  ships.  Out  of  these  specula- 
tions many  fruitless  and  some  profitable  pi  ejects  will  grow. 

We  have  no  news  from  New-York.  All  is  quiet  as  yet. 
Our  expectations  are  raised.  The  eyes  of  the  world  are 
upon  Washington  and  Howe  and  their  armies.  The  wishes 
and  prayers  of  the  virtuous  part  of  it,  I  hope  will  be  an- 
swered; if  not,  yet  virtues  grow  out  of  affliction.  I  repeat 
rny  request  that  you  would  ask  some  of  the  members  of  the 
General  Court  if  they  can  send  me  horses;  and  if  they  can- 
not, that  you  would  send  them.  I  can  live  no  longer  with- 
out a  servant  and  a  horse. 

JOHN  ADAMS  TO  MRS.  ADAMS. 

Philadelphia,  August  12,  1776. 

Mr.  A.  and  Colonel  Whipple  are  at  length  gone.  Colonel 
Tudor  went  off  with  them.  They  went  away  about  three 
o'clock  this  afternoon.  I  wrote  by  A.  and  Colonel  Whipple 
too.  By  the  latter  I  sent  two  large  bundles,  which  he  pro- 
mised to  deliver  to  you.  These  middle  States  begin  to  taste 
the  sweets  of  war.  Ten  thousand  difficulties  and  wants 
occur  which  they  had  no  conception  of  before.  Their  Mili- 
tia are  as  clamorous  and  impatient  of  discipline  and  mutinous 
as  ours,  and  more  so.  There  has  been  seldom  less  than  four 
thousand  men  in  this  city  at  a  time,  for  a  fortnight  past,  on 
their  march  to  New-Jersey.  Here  they  wait,  until  we  grow 
very  angry  about  them,  for  canteens,  camp-kettles,  blankets, 
tents,  shoes,  hose,  arms,  flints,  and  other  dittoes,  while  we 
are  under  a  very  critical  solicitude  for  our  Army  at  New- 
York,  on  account  of  the  insufficiency  of  men. 

1  want  to  be  informed  of  the  state  of  things  with  you ; 
whether  there  is  a  scarcity  of  provisions  of  any  kind,  of  West- 
India  articles,  of  clothing?  Whether  any  trade  is  carried 
on,  any  fishery?  Whether  any  vessels  arrive  from  abroad, 
or  whether  any  go  to  sea  upon  foreign  voyages?  1  wish  to 
know,  likewise,  what  posture  of  defence  you  are  in  ?  What 
fortifications  are  at  Nantasket,  at  Long-Island,  Pettick's 
Island,  Sic.,  and  what  men  and  officers  there  are  to  garrison 
them?  We  hear  nothing  from  the  Massachusetts  lately,  in 
comparison  of  what  we  did  when  the  Army  was  before 
Boston. 

I  must  not  conclude,  without  repeating  my  request,  that 
you  would  ask  some  of  the  members  of  the  General  Court 
to  send  me  horses,  and  if  they  cannot,  to  send  them  your- 
self. 


JOHN  ADAMS  TO  MRS.  ADAMS. 

Philadelphia,  August  12,  1776. 

Mr.  A.*  sets  off"  to-day,  if  the  rain  should  not  prevent 
him,  with  Colonel  Whipple  of  Portsmouth,  a  brother  of  the 
celebrated  Miss  Hannah  Whipple,  a  sensible  and  worthy 
man.  By  him  I  have  sent  you  two  bundles  of  letters,  which 
I  hope  you  will  be  careful  of.  I  thought  I  should  not  be 
likely  to  find  a  safer  opportunity.  By  them  you  will  see 
that  my  private  correspondence  alone  is  business  enough  for 
a  lazy  man.  I  think  1  have  answered  all  but  a  few  of  those 
large  bundles. 

A  French  vessel,  a  pretty  large  brigantine,  deeply  laden, 
arrived  here  yesterday,  from  Martinique.  She  had  fifty 
barrels  of  limes,  which  are  all  sold,  already,  at  such  prices 
that  the  amount  of  them  will  be  sufficient  to  load  the  brig 
with  flour.  A  trade,  we  see,  even  now,  in  the  midst  of 
summer,  is  not  totally  interrupted  by  all  the  efforts  of  our 
enemies.  Prizes  are  taken  in  no  small  numbers.  A  gen- 
tleman told  me  a  few  days  ago  that  he  had  summed  up  the 

[•Samuel  Adams.] 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  13,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

Woodbridge,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  break  of  day  this  morning,  upwards  of  eighty 
sail  of  ships  have  been  seen  standing  in  from  sea  towards 
New-York.  At  the  requisition  of  General  Washington, 
Colonel  Miles' 's  two  battalions  of  Riflemen  have  gone  on  to 
reinforce  his  Excellency's  Army,  also  Colonel  Atlee's  batta- 
lion of  Musketry.  About  four  hundred  set  off  from  Amboy 
this  afternoon,  and  as  many  of  the  Flying-Camp  and  volun- 
teers as  will  make  up  two  thousand  I  shall  have  ready  at 
Newark  and  Bergen,  to  assist  in  the  defence  of  New-  York, 
if  required. 

Notwithstanding  the  desertion  of  many  of  the  Associators, 
we  shall  have  a  respectable  force  here.  The  Militia  of  this 
State  are  to  be  arranged  universally;  and  the  greatest  number 
by  far  of  the  Pennsylvania  gentlemen  are  actuated  by  the 
most  laudable  spirit,  and  voluntarily  engage  to  serve  their 
country  wherever  they  are  required  to  go. 

Colonel  Griffin  will  transmit  a  return  of  the  force  collected 
here  by  to-morrow.  We  require  the  indulgence  of  Congress 
on  this  head;  but  really  such  has  been  the  various  move- 
ments and  dispersed  situation  of  the  troops,  that  regular 
reports  could  not  be  obtained.  Among  the  variety  of  mili- 
tary arrangements  that  appear  in  this  camp,  some  are  incon- 
sistent with  regular  duty.  Colonels  Miles  and  Atlee  will  not 
serve  under  the  orders  of  Brigadiers  Roberdeau  and  Eiving. 


909 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


910 


The  Commissioner  appointed  by  the  Convention  will  have 
it  in  his  power  to  regulate  the  rank  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
parties,  by  doing  justice  to  the  merit  of  the  Colonels,  who 
have  long  ago  served  with  fidelity  and  honour.  I  beg  the 
interposition  of  Congress  on  this  matter;  and  have  the  honouj 
to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  I  am  this  moment  informed  that  since  I  left  Amboy 
the  number  of  the  enemy's  ships  at  Sandy-Hook  is  upwards 
of  one  hundred. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Woodbridgc,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  Give  me  leave  to  introduce  to  your  Excellency's 
notice  Colonel  Atlee,  of  the  Pennsylvania  troops.  His  ex- 
perience and  attention  to  every  part  of  the  service  intrusted 
to  his  direction  will,  I  am  persuaded,  secure  to  him  your 
regard.  Colonel  Burd  will  march  this  afternoon  with  about 
three  hundred  men  of  the  Flying-Camp,  including  one  com- 
pany of  Riflemen,  volunteers  from  Cumberland,  command- 
ed by  Captain  Steel. 

I  intend  to  have  ready  at  New-York,  as  speedily  as  pos- 
sible, two  thousand  men  to  reinforce  the  Army  at  New-York, 
if  you  think  their  services  there  necessary. 

I  received  your  letter  of  yesterday,  written  probably  under 
the  apprehension  that  these  posts  were  in  danger  of  being 
abandoned.  In  consequence  of  the  postscript,  signifying 
your  desire  that  no  more  troops,  after  Colonel  Atlee's,  should 
be  sent  to  New-  York  from  hence,  I  shall  not  send  any  more 
over  the  ferries  till  I  hear  from  Head-Quarters. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient servant,  HUGH  MERCER. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  IN  THE  SECOND 
BATTALION  OF  PHILADELPHIA,  DATED  AMBOY,  AUGUST  12, 
NINE  O'CLOCK  A.  M. 

We  have  now  in  sight  upwards  of  sixty  sail  of  topsail 
vessels  coming  into  Sandy-Hook.  I  suppose  many  more 
will  appear,  for  every  quarter  of  an  hour  they  make  their 
appearance  round  the  Highlands.  I  suppose  this  is  their 
grand  fleet.  Our  battalion  is  ordered  for  New-  York.  Sa- 
turday Colonel  Miles's  two  battalions,  and  this  morning 
Colonel  Alice's  battalion,  and  part  of  the  Jersey  Militia, 
marched  for  New-York;  and  in  a  few  days  most  of  the 
troops  that  are  here  will  march  for  the  same  place,  where 
they  are  in  great  want  of  men. 

P.  S.  Half-after  ten  o'clock,  ninety  sail  in  sight. 


WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabeth-Town,  August  12, 1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  Your  letter  of  the 
8th  instant  I  received  on  a  journey  to  Brunswick  on  Friday 
last,  when  I  had  an  opportunity  of  conferring  with  our  Con- 
vention, and  urging  your  Excellency's  requisition  relating  to 
the  Militia,  the  propriety  of  which  is  so  obvious.  I  returned 
on  Saturday  evening,  and  delayed  answering  your  favour  in 
hopes  of  receiving  the  resolution  of  Convention  thereon.  I 
have  just  been  favoured  with  a  rough  draught  of  their  ordi- 
nance, which  I  shall  send  you  as  soon  as  I  get  a  correct 
copy. 

The  outlines  are,  that  the  one-half  of  the  whole  Militia, 
without  exception,  be  immediately  called  out,  and  join  the 
Flying-Camp.  That  eveiy  person  refusing  his  attendance 
be  fined  £3.  That  they  be  formed  into  thirteen  battalions, 
and  to  remain  on  service  one  month,  and  then  to  be  relieved 
by  the  other  half. 

There  being  no  mention  made  of  any  number  to  be  for- 
warded to  New-York,  I  take  it  for  granted  the  whole  are 
to  be  under  your  Excellency's  direction  as  to  their  station, 
&,c. 

The  two  thousand  men  for  the  Flying-Camp,  under  Gen- 
eral Dickerson  are  in  great  forwardness,  and  (although  very 
little  acquainted  with  their  duty)  might  answer  a  valuable 
purpose  in  New-York  on  the  present  emergency,  especially 
as  their  places  will  be  so  soon  filled  by  the  half  of  the 
Militia  now  to  be  raised.  A  considerable  body  of  the 
Militia  must  be  kept  here  to  supply  the  place  of  the  Penn- 


sylvania Associators,  who  are  deserting  their  post  in  conside- 
rable numbers,  notwithstanding  the  most  spirited  exertions 
of  their  officers,  and  particularly  their  Colonel,  whose  be- 
haviour does  honour  to  his  Province  in  particular  and  Ame- 
rica in  general.  We  have  taken  such  measures  as  I  hope 
will  put  a  stop  to  any  further  behaviour  of  this  kind.  This 
corps,  since  our  Militia  were  dismissed,  have  not  carried  on 
any  of  the  works  at  the  Point,  which,  as  soon  as  they  are 
relieved  by  any  men  under  my  command,  I  shall  order  to 
be  prosecuted  with  all  possible  vigour,  as  it  is  more  than 
probable  the  enemy  will  attempt  an  incursion  into  this  Pro- 
vince, to  which  its  present  defenceless  state  in  this  part  seems 
strongly  to  invite  them. 

I  am,  with  much  truth  and  regard,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  and  humble  servant,  WIL  LIVINGSTON- 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  14,  1776.] 

New-York,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  duly  honoured  with  your  favours  of 
the  8th  and  10th  instant,  with  their  several  enclosures. 

I  shall  pay  attention  to  the  resolution  respecting  Lieu- 
tenant Josiah,  and  attempt  to  relieve  him  from  his  rigorous 
usage.  Your  letters  to  such  of  the  gentlemen  as  were  here, 
have  been  delivered ;  the  rest  will  be  sent  by  the  first  op- 
portunity. 

Since  my  last  of  the  8th  and  9th,  the  enemy  have  made 
no  movements  of  consequence.  They  remain  nearly  in  the 
same  slate.  Nor  have  we  any  further  intelligence  of  their 
designs.  They  have  not  been  yet  joined  by  the  remainder 
of  the  fleet  with  the  Hessian  troops. 

Colonel  Smallwood  and  his  battalion  got  in  on  Friday; 
and  Colonel  Miles  is  also  here,  with  two  battalions  more  of 
Pennsylvania  Riflemen. 

The  Convention  of  this  State  have  been  exerting  them- 
selves to  call  forth  a  portion  of  their  Militia  to  an  encamp- 
ment forming  above  King's  Bridge,  to  remain  in  service 
for  the  space  of  one  month  after  their  arrival  there;  and  also 
half  of  those  in  King's  and  Queen's  Counties,  to  reinforce 
the  troops  on  Long-Island  till  the  first  of  September,  unless 
sooner  discharged.  General  Morris  too  is  to  take  post  with 
his  brigade  on  the  Sound  and  Hudson's  River  for  ten  days, 
to  annoy  the  enemy  in  case  they  attempt  to  land ;  and  others 
of  their  Militia  are  directed  to  be  in  readiness  in  case  their 
aid  should  be  required.  Upon  the  whole,  from  the  infor- 
mation I  have  from  the  Convention,  the  Militia  ordered  are 
now  in  motion,  or  will  be  in  a  little  time,  and  will  amount  to 
about  three  thousand  or  more.  From  Connecticut  I  am  not 
certain  what  succours  are  coming.  By  one  or  two  gentle- 
men who  have  come  from  hence,  I  am  told  some  of  the 
Militia  were  assembling,  and  from  the  intelligence  they  had, 
would  march  this  week. 

By  a  letter  from  Governour  Trumbull,  of  the  5th,  I  am 
advised  that  the  troops  from  that  State,  destined  for  the 
Northern  Army,  had  marched  for  Skenesborough.  General 
Ward  too,  by  a  letter  of  the  4th  instant,  informs  me  that 
the  two  regiments  would  march  from  Boston  last  week, 
having  been  cleansed  and  generally  recovered  from  the 
small-pox.  I  have  also  countermanded  my  orders  to  Colo- 
nel Elmore,  and  directed  him  to  join  the  Northern  Army, 
having  heard,  after  my  orders  to  Connecticut  for  his  marching 
hither,  that  he  and  most  of  his  regiment  were  at  Albany  or 
within  its  vicinity.  General  Ward  mentions  that  the  Coun- 
cil of  the  Massachusetts  State  will  have  in  from  two  to  three 
thousand  of  their  Militia  to  defend  their  lines  and  different 
posts,  in  lieu  of  the  regiments  ordered  from  thence  agreeable 
to  the  resolution  of  Congress. 

The  enclosed  copy  of  a  resolution  of  this  State,  passed 
the  10th  instant,  will  discover  the  apprehension  they  are 
under  of  the  defection  of  the  inhabitants  of  King's  County 
from  the  common  cause,  and  of  the  measures  they  have 
taken  thereupon.  I  have  directed  General  Greene  to  give 
the  Committee  such  assistance  as  he  can,  and  they  may 
require,  in  the  execution  of  their  commissions;  though,  at 
the  same  time,  I  wish  the  information  the  Convention  have 
received  upon  the  subject  may  prove  groundless. 

I  would  beg  leave  to  mention  to  Congress,  that  in  a  letter 
I  received  from  General  Lee,  he  mentioned  the  valuable  con- 


911 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


912 


sequences  that  would  result  from  a  number  of  Cavalry  being 
employed  in  the  Southern  Department.  Without  them,  to 
use  his  own  expressions,  he  can  answer  for  nothing;  with 
one  thousand,  he  would  ensure  the  safety  of  those  States. 
I  should  have  done  myself  the  honour  of  submitting  this 
matter  to  Congress  before,  at  his  particular  request,  had  it 
not  escaped  my  mind.  From  his  acquaintance  with  that 
country,  and  the  nature  of  the  grounds,  I  doubt  not  he  has 
weighed  the  matter  well,  and  presume  he  has  fully  repre- 
sented the  advantages  that  would  arise  from  the  establish- 
ment of  such  a  corps.  All  I  mean  is,  in  compliance  with 
his  requisition,  to  mention  the  matter,  that  such  consideration 
may  be  had  upon  it,  if  not  already  determined,  that  it  may 
be  deserving  of. 

I  have  transmitted  a  general  return,  whereby  Congress 
will  perceive  the  whole  of  our  strength,  except  the  two  bat- 
talions under  Colonel  Miles,  which  coining  in  since  it  was 
made  out,  are  not  included. 

1  have  enclosed  a  letter  just  come  to  hand  from  Marti- 
nique. Congress  will  please  to  consider  of  the  purport, 
favouring  me  with  their  answer  and  a  return  of  the  letter. 

This  moment  (ten  o'clock)  report  is  made  by  General 
Greene  that  a  man-of-war  came  in  yesterday,  and  that  sixty 
sail  of  ships  are  now  standing  in.  No  doubt  they  are  a 
further  part  of  the  Hessian  troops. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  all  possible  respect,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  GQ>  WASHINGTON. 


In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  at  Harlem,  August  10,  1776.     $ 

Whereas  this  Convention  has  received  information  that 
the  inhabitants  of  King's  County  have  determined  not  to 
oppose  the  enemy: 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed 
to  repair  forthwith  to  the  said  County,  and  inquire  concern- 
ing the  authenticity  of  such  report;  and  in  case  they  find  it 
well  founded,  that  they  be  empowered  to  disarm  and  secure 
the  disaffected  inhabitants;  to  remove  or  destroy  the  stock 
of  grain  ;  and,  if  necessary,  to  lay  the  whole  country  waste; 
and  for  the  execution  of  these  purposes  they  be  directed  to 
apply  to  General  Greene,  or  the  Commander  of  the  Conti- 
nental troops  in  that  County,  for  such  assistance  as  they 
shall  want ;  and  ordered  that  Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Remsen, 
Mr.  Hobart,  and  Colonel  De  Witt,  be  the  said  Committee. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary. 

GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  6,  1776. 
(Parole,  Canterbury.)  (Countersign,  Durham.) 

One  hundred  and  fifty  men,  with  a  Field -Officer,  three 
Captains,  six  Subalterns,  six  Sergeants,  six  Corporals,  and 
six  Drums  and  Fifes,  to  proceed  to  Burdett's  Ferry,  oppo- 
site Mount  Washington,  to  relieve  the  party  now  there. 
For  this  purpose  to  parade  to-morrow  with  arms,  on  the 
grand  parade,  at  seven  o'clock,  apply  to  General  Putnam 
for  boats,  and  attend  to  the  tide. 

Every  Commanding  Officer  of  a  Regiment  or  Corps  in 
future  is  to  account,  on  the  back  or  at  the  bottom  of  his 
Return,  for  all  the  officers  and  men  returned  to  be  on  com- 
mand, expressing  the  place  and  service  in  which  they  are 
engaged. 

Notwithstanding  the  orders  issued,  and  the  interest  the 
troops  have  in  it,  complaints  are  made  of  the  bad  behaviour 
of  the  troops  to  people  at  market,  taking  and  destroying 
their  things.  The  General  declares,  for  the  last  time,  that 
he  will  punish  such  offenders  most  severely;  and  in  order 
that  they  may  be  detected,  an  officer  from  each  of  the 
guards  nearest  to  those  markets  where  the  country-people 
are,  to  attend  from  sunrise  till  twelve  o'clock;  and  he  is 
strictly  enjoined  to  prevent  any  abuses  of  this  kind,  to  seize 
any  offender  and  send  him  immediately  to  the  Guard-House, 
reporting  him  also  at  Head-Quarters.  The  officers  of 
guards  in  future  will  be  answerable  if  there  are  any  more 
complaints,  unless  they  apprehend  the  offender.  A  copy 
of  this  order  to  be  put  up  in  every  Guard-House  in  the 
city. 

James  McCormick,  of  Captain  Harrington's  Company, 
Colonel  Sergeant's  Regiment;  Thomas  Williams,  of  Captain 
Barnes 's  Company,  and  the  same  Regiment;  Peter  Burke, 


of  Captain  Ledyard's  Company,  John  Green,  of  Captain 
Johnson's  Company,  both  of  Colonel  McDougalTs  Regi- 
ment, all  tried  by  a  General  Court-Martial,  of  which  Colonel 
Webb  was  President,  and  convicted  of  "  desertion,"  were 
sentenced  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes  each.  The  General 
approves  the  sentences,  and  orders  them  to  be  put  in  exe- 
cution at  the  usual  times  and  places. 

HughLacey,  of  Captain  Stewart's  Company  of  Highland- 
ers, tried  by  the  same  Court-Martial,  and  found  guilty  of 
"  impudence  and  disobedience  to  the  orders  of  his  Captain,'' 
was  sentenced  to  receive  twenty  lashes.  The  General  is 
pleased  to  pardon  him,  on  condition  that  he  makes  a  suitable 
acknowledgment  of  his  fault  to  his  Captain. 

Hendrick  Lent,  Jacob  Lent,  Elias  Lent,  Peter  Brewer, 
Jeremiah  Hewson,  Oronimus  Ackcrman,  all  of  Captain  Hy- 
att's Company,  and  Colonel  McDougalFs  Regiment,  having 
been  confined  some  time  for  "  desertion,"  and  no  evidence 
appearing  against  them,  they  are  ordered  to  be  discharged 
for  want  of  prosecution. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  7,  1776. 
(Parole,  Essex.)  (Countersign,  FairfiM.) 

The  order  of  the  28th  of  July,  respecting  the  removal 
of  the  sick  from  the  Regimental  to  the  General  Hospital, 
having  been  misunderstood  by  some,  the  General  directs  that 
it  be  taken  with  the  following  explanation :  The  Regimen- 
tal Surgeons  are  to  send  at  any  time,  with  the  usual  ticket, 
any  patient  to  the  General  Hospital,  whose  case  requires  it, 
(putrid  and  infectious  disorders  always  excepted.)  When- 
ever the  Director-General,  or  any  Surgeon  of  the  Hospital, 
by  his  direction,  visits  the  Regimental  Hospitals,  they  are  to 
direct  what  patients  are  proper  to  be  removed.  But  it  is 
expected  that  when  any  Surgeon  visits  the  Regimental  Sur- 
geon, and  if  they  should  differ  in  opinion,  they  will  refer  it 
to  the  Director-General,  who  has,  by  the  resolutions  of  Con- 
gress, a  superintendency  over  the  whole.  The  General 
most  earnestly  recommends  to  the  gentlemen  in  both  de- 
partments to  cultivate  harmony  and  good  agreement  with 
each  other,  as  conducive  to  their  own  honour  and  the  good 
of  the  service. 

A  subaltern  and  twenty  men  to  be  placed  at  Hoebuck 
Ferry  for  examination  of  passengers:  the  officer  to  receive 
his  orders  from  the  Adjutant-General  at  Head-Quarters. 

The  Paymaster  having  received  a  supply  of  cash,  the 
Colonels  or  commanding  officers  of  Regiments  are  to  apply 
for  their  June  pay,  and  make  up  Pay-Rolls  for  July,  and 
deliver  them  to  their  respective  Brigadiers  for  examination. 

As  many  soldiers  discharge  their  pieces  under  pretence 
of  ignorance  of  General  Orders,  and  others  having  leave  to 
do  so  from  their  officers  because  they  cannot  draw  the 
charge,  the  General  directs  that  the  Colonel  of  the  Regi- 
ment or  commanding  officer  cause  a  daily  inspection  to  be 
made  of  the  state  of  the  arms;  and  when  any  are  found 
loaded  which  cannot  be  drawn,  they  are  to  cause  such  men 
to  assemble  on  the  Regimental  parade,  or  some  other  con- 
venient place,  but  at  the  same  time,  viz :  retreat  beating, 
and  then  discharge  those  pieces.  No  alarm  will  then  be 
given,  and  the  officers  will  see  there  is  no  unnecessary 
firing.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  Colonel,  and  the  reputation  of 
his  Regiment  so  much  depends  upon  the  good  order  of  the 
arms,  that  the  General  hopes  he,  as  well  as  every  other 
officer  and  the  men,  will  pay  a  special  attention  to  it. 

John  Palsgrave  Wyllys,  Esquire,  is  appointed  Brigade- 
Major  to  General  Wadsworth,  and  Mark  Hopkins,  Esq.,  to 
General  Fellows.  They  are  to  be  obeyed  and  respected 
accordingly. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  8,  1776. 
(Parole,  Greenwich.)  (Countersign,  Keminglan.) 

Passes  signed  by  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  New- 
York  are  to  be  deemed  authentick,  and  noticed  as  such  by 
officers  attending  at  the  ferries. 

As  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  intelligence  by 
deserters,  give  the  utmost  reason  to  believe  that  the  great 
struggle  in  which  we  are  contending  for  everything  dear  to 
us,  and  our  posterity,  is  near  at  hand,  the  General  most 
earnestly  recommends  the  closest  attention  to  the  state  of 
the  men's  arms,  ammunition,  and  flints;  that  if  we  should 
be  suddenly  called  to  action,  nothing  of  this  kind  may  be  to 
provide;  and  he  does  most  anxiously  exhort  both  officers 


913 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


914 


and  soldiers,  not  to  be  out  of  their  quarters  or  encampments, 
especially  early  in  the  morning,  or  upon  the  tide  of  flood. 

A  flag  in  the  daytime,  or  a  light  at  night,  in  the  fort  on 
Bayard's  Hill,  with  three  guns  from  the  same  place,  fired 
quick  but  distinct,  is  to  be  considered  as  a  signal  for  the 
troops  to  repair  to  their  alarm  posts,  and  prepare  for  action. 
And  that  the  alarm  may  be  more  effectually  given,  the 
drums  are  immediately  to  beat  to  arms  upon  the  signal  being 
given  from  Bayard's  Hill.  This  order  is  not  to  be  consi- 
dered as  countermanding  the  firing  two  guns  at  Fort  George 
as  formerly  ordered.  That  is  also  to  be  done  upon  an  alarm, 
but  the  fla°-  will  not  be  hoisted  at  the  old  Head-Quarters  in 

O 

the  Broadway. 

Colonel  Parson's,  Colonel  Reed,  Colonel  Huntington, 
Colonel  Webb,  Colonel  Wyllys,  Colonel  Bailey,  Colonel 
Baldwin,  Colonel  McDougall,  Colonel  Ritzcma,  and  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Sheppard,  to  attend  at  Head-Quarters,  this 
evening,  at  six  o'clock. 


Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  9,  1776. 
(Parole,  Lexington.)  (Countersign,  Maryland.) 

Captain-Lieutenant  Sergeant,  of  the  Artillery,  with  two 
field-pieces,  to  attach  himself  to  General  Heath's  Brigade, 
with  the  ammunition-carts,  as  ordered  by  Colonel  Knox, 
while  time  will  permit.  He  must  manoeuvre  with  the  Regi- 
ments of  the  Brigade,  and  practise  as  much  as  possible. 
The  horses  not  to  be  taken  away  from  the  carts,  but  kept 
with  the  driver,  in  some  convenient  place  contiguous  to  the 
Brigade,  so  as  to  be  ready  at  a  moment's  warning. 

Captain-Lieutenant  Carpenter  to  do  the  same  with  Lord 
Stirling's  Brigade.  Captain-Lieutenant  Johnson  to  do  the 
same  with  General  Spencer's  Brigade.  Captain-Lieutenant 
Crane  to  do  the  same  with  General  Fellows's  Brigade. 

An  ammunition-cart  is  provided  for  each  Regiment,  with 
spare  cartridges.  These  carts  are  immediately  to  join  the 
several  Regiments  to  which  they  belong,  and  keep  with 
them  in  some  safe  place,  near  the  Regiment. 

The  Quartermaster-General  to  have  the  water-casks  re- 
plenished. 

The  Commissary-General  to  deliver  to  the  Colonel  of 
each  Regiment,  rum  in  the  proportion  of  half  a  pint  to  a 
nian.  The  Colonel  to  make  a  return  of  the  number  of  his 
men,  for  this  purpose,  and  see  that  it  is  properly  dealt  out,  by 
putting  it  under  the  care  of  a  very  discreet  officer. 

As  there  are  some  Regiments  yet  deficient  in  arms,  the 
General  directs  that  the  Colonels,  or  Commanders  of  Regi- 
ments, see  what  good  arms  there  are  belonging  to  the  sick, 
and  put  them  into  the  hands  of  those  who  are  well.  If  there 
should  still  be  a  deficiency,  they  are  then  to  apply  to  the 
Adjutant-General. 

The  General  Officers  to  be  at  Head-Quarters  this  even- 
ing, at  six  o'clock  precisely. 

The  General  exhorts  every  man,  both  officer  and  soldier, 
to  be  prepared  for  action;  to  have  his  arms  in  the  best  order; 
not  to  wander  from  his  encampment  or  quarters;  to  remem- 
ber what  their  country  expects  of  them;  what  a  few  brave 
men  have  lately  done  in  South- Carolina,  against  a  powerful 
fleet  and  army;  to  acquit  themselves  like  men;  and,  with 
the  blessing  of  Heaven  on  so  just  a  cause,  we  cannot  doubt 
of  success. 

Nicholas  Fish,  Esq.,  is  appointed  Brigade-Major  to  Gene- 
ral Scott.  He  is  to  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingly. 

Colonel  Glover's  and  Colonel  Smallwood's  Regiments  are 
to  be  under  the  immediate  direction  of  Brigadier-General 
Sullivan,  till  some  further  arrangement  is  made  of  the  Bri- 
gades. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  10,  1776. 

(Parole,  Newcastle.)  (Countersign,  Onsiote.) 

Great  complaints  are  made  of  the  soldiers  taking  away 
the  flat-bottomed  boats,  which  may  now  be  wanted  for  the 
most  important  purposes:  The  General  absolutely  forbids 
any  person  meddling  with  them  at  the  place  where  they  are 
stationed,  but  by  order  of  General  Putnam,  in  writing,  or  by 
one  of  his  Aids-de-Camp ;  and  the  officer  of  the  main  guard 
is  to  detach  a  subaltern  and  thirty  men,  who  are  to  mount 
guard  over  them,  taking  further  orders  from  General  Put- 
nam. 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  11, 1776. 
(Parole,  Portmauth.)  (Countersign,  Roxbury.) 

No  furlough  or  discharges  are  after  this  day  to  be  grant- 
ed to  officers  or  soldiers,  without  the  knowledge  and  con- 
sent of  the  Commander-in-Chief.  When  an  action  is  hourly 
expected,  a  case  must  be  very  extraordinary  which  can  war- 
rant an  application  of  this  kind;  but  if  such  should  happen, 
the  Colonels  are  to  satisfy  their  Brigadiers  in  it  first;  the 
Brigadiers,  if  they  concur  in  it,  are  then  to  apply  to  Head- 
Quarters,  from  whence  only  furloughs  are  to  be  issued  till 
further  orders. 

The  honourable  the  Continental  Congress  having  been 
pleased  to  allow  a  Paymaster  to  each  of  the  established 
Regiments,  and  directed  the  General  to  appoint  them,  he 
desires  the  Field-Officers  of  each  Regiment  to  recommend 
to  him  suitable  persons ;  they  are  to  be  persons  of  good  in- 
tegrity and  fidelity,  and  good  accountants  and  fair  writers. 
The  pay  is  twenty-six  dollars  and  two-thirds  per  calendar 
month. 

When  a  prisoner  is  put  under  guard,  the  officer  sending  him 
is  not  only  to  put  down  the  crime  he  stands  charged  with,  but 
the  Regiment  and  Company  to  which  he  belongs;  and  he 
should  also  note  the  witnesses'  names  to  prove  the  charge. 

The  Court-Martial  to  sit  to-morrow  as  a  Court  of  Inquiry, 
upon  Lieutenant  Mesier,  of  Colonel  Lasher's  Regiment,  for 
misbehaviour  to  his  superior  officer. 

Joseph  Martin,  of  Captain  Hurd's  Company,  Colonel 
Silliman's  Regiment,  tried  by  a  General  Court-Martial,  of 
which  Colonel  Wyllys  was  President,  for  "abusing  and  rob- 
bing a  woman  in  the  market,"  acquitted  for  want  of  evidence. 

Hugh  Cahaggan  (a  transient  person)  and  Richard  Keif, 
belonging  to  Colonel  Nicolson's  Regiment,  convicted  by 
the  same  Court-Martial  of  "  stealing  a  coat  and  several  fire- 
locks from  Captain  Dickson's  Company,"  were  sentenced 
to  receive  thirty-nine  stripes  each.  The  General  approves 
the  above  sentences ;  orders  Martin  to  be  discharged,  and 
the  sentences  upon  Cahaggan  and  Keif  to  be  executed 
to-morrow  morning  at  guard  mounting.  A  drummer  from 
each  Regiment  in  General  Wadsworth's  Brigade  to  attend  the 
executing  the  sentence  upon  Cahaggan,  and  then  he  is  to  be 
turned  out  of  the  camp,  and  taken  up  if  ever  found  in  it  again. 

The  practice  of  sentries  sitting  down  while  on  their  post 
is  so  unsoldierly,  that  the  General  is  ashamed  to  see  it  pre- 
vail so  much  in  the  Army;  at  night,  especially,  it  is  of  the 
most  dangerous  consequences,  as  it  occasions  a  sentinel 
sleeping  on  his  post,  when  otherwise  he  would  be  watchful. 
The  General  requests  the  officers,  especially  those  of  guards 
and  visiting  rounds,  to  caution  the  soldiers  against  it,  and 
have  all  conveniences  for  that  purpose  removed. 

Officers  and  soldiers  will  be  very  careful  in  case  of  damp 
weather  to  have  their  arms  kept  dry,  and  fit  for  action. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  J2,  1776. 
(Parole,  Slowe.)  (Countersign,  Temple.) 

The  business  of  granting  passes  proving  burdensome  to 
Messrs.  Berrien,  Ray,  and  Wilmot,  three  others  are  added 
to  them,  viz:  William Goforth,  John  Campbell,  and  Samuel 
Cowperthwaite.  Any  passes  signed  by  either  of  them  are  to 
be  allowed. 

The  honourable  the  Continental  Congress  have  been 
pleased  to  appoint  the  following  gentlemen  Major-Generals 
of  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  viz :  William  Heath, 
Esq.,  Joseph  Spencer,  Esq.,  John  Sullivan,  Esq.,  Nathan- 
ael  Greene,  Esq.  And  the  following  gentlemen  Brigadier- 
Generals  :  James  Read,  Esq.,  Colonel  John  Nixon,  Colonel 
Arthur  St.  Clair,  Colonel  Alexander  McDougall,  Colonel 
Samuel  Holden  Parsons,  Colonel  James  Clinton.  They 
are  to  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingly. 

Jacob  Jones,  in  Captain  Stewart's  Company,  late  Colonel 
McDougalCs  Regiment,  tried  by  a  Court-Martial,  whereof 
Colonel  Wyllys  was  President,  and  convicted  of  "  sleeping 
on  his  post,"  sentenced  to  receive  thirty  stripes.  The  Gene- 
ral approves  the  sentence,  and  orders  it  to  be  executed  at 
the  usual  time  and  place. 

A  quantity  of  spears  being  arrived,  the  General  Officers 
commanding  posts  where  they  may  be  wanted,  are  to  make 
report  and  draw  for  them  through  the  Adjutant-General. 

After  Orders. — That  as  little  shifting  of  Regiments,  and 


The  General  will  be  much  obliged  to  every  officer  change  of  alarm  posts  may  take  place  as  possible,  at  a  time 
or  soldier,  who,  seeing  them  out  of  their  places,  will  bring  when  an  attack  may  be  hourly  expected,  the  General  orders 
them  to  their  station.  and  directs  that  the  following  arrangement  of  the  Army, 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  58 


915 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


910 


in  consequence  of  the  late  promotions,  shall  take  place,  till 
some  new  disposition  can  be  made,  viz :  Glover's,  Small- 
wood's,  Miles's,  and  Alice's  Regiments,  to  compose  one 
Brigade,  and  to  be  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  Lord 
Stirling. 

Late  Nixon's,  Prescott's,  Varnum's,  Little's,  and  Hand's 
Regiments,  to  form  another  Brigade,  and  be  commanded  by 
Brigadier-General  Nixon. 

Late  McDougatfs,  Ritzema's,  and  Webb's  Regiments, 
and  the  Artificers,  to  be  another  Brigade,  under  the  com- 
mand of  General  McDougall. 

Late  Parsons's,  Huntington's,  Ward's,  Wylhjs's,  and 
Durkee's  Regiments,  to  compose  another  Brigade,  under 
the  command  of  General  Parsons. 

Late  Clinton's,  Read's,  Bailey's,  Baldwin's,  and  Lear- 
ned's  Regiments,  to  be  another  Brigade,  commanded  by 
Brigadier-General  James  Clinton. 

Sergeant's,  Hutchinson's,  and  Hitchcock's  Regiments,  to 
be  added  to  General  Mifllin's  Brigade. 

General  Heard 's  whole  Brigade  is  to  move  over  to  Long- 
Island.  Colonel  Gay's  Regiment  is  to  join  his  Brigade  in 
the  City  of  New-  York.  Colonel  Hitchcock's  Regiment  is 
to  relieve  the  detachment  at  Burdett's  Ferry,  where  it  is  to 
remain,  and  receive  orders  from  Brigadier  Mifflin.  Lord 
Stirling,  and  the  Colonels  of  the  Regiments  in  his  Brigade, 
are  to  fix  upon  a  Brigade  parade,  convenient  to  the  several 
encampments  thereof.  General  McDougall  is  to  do  the 
same  with  his  Colonels.  All  the  other  Brigades,  parades, 
and  alarm-posts,  are  to  be  as  last  settled. 

The  Brigadier-Generals  James  Clinton,  Scott,  and  Fel- 
lows, are  to  be  under  the  immediate  command  of  Major- 
General  Putnam.  The  Brigadiers  Mifflin  and  George 
Clinton's  Brigades,  to  be  commanded  by  Major-General 
Heath.  Brigadiers  Parsons's  and  Wadsworth's  Brigades  to 
be  under  the  command  of  Major-General  Spencer.  Briga- 
diers Nixon's  and  Heard's  Brigades,  to  be  commanded  by 
Major-General  Greene.  Till  General  James  Clinton  can  join 
his  Brigade  at  this  place,  Colonel  Reed  is  to  command  it. 
Under  this  disposition,  formed  as  well  as  times  will  allow, 
the  united  efforts  of  the  officers  of  every  rank,  and  the  sol- 
diers, with  the  smiles  of  Providence,  the  General  hopes 
to  render  a  favourable  account  to  his  country  and  posterity 
of  the  enemy,  whenever  they  choose  to  make  the  appeal  to 
the  great  Arbiter  of  the  Universe. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Tyler  is  appointed  Colonel  of  the 
Regiment  late  Parsons's,  and  Major  Prentice,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  thereof. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Durkee  is  appointed  Colonel  of  the 
Regiment  late  Arnold's,  and  Major  "Knowlton  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  said  Regiment. 

The  Congress  have  likewise  been  pleased  to  appoint 
Rufus  Putnam,  Esq.,  an  Engineer,  and  have  given  him  the 
rank  of  Colonel  in  the  Army. 

Major  Henly  (for  the  present)  is  to  do  duty  as  Brigade- 
Major  in  General  James  Clinton's  Brigade ;  Major  Box  in 
General  Nixon's ;  Major  Livingston  in  Lord  Stirling's;  and 
Major  Peek  in  General  Parsons's ;  and  Richard  Platt,  Esq., 
is  to  do  the  duty  of  Brigade-Major  in  General  McDougall' s. 
All  of  which  are  to  be  considered  and  obeyed  as  such. 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New- York,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  This  will  be  handed  you  by  Colonel  Campbell,  from 
the  Northern  Army,  whom  the  enclosed  letter  and  proceed- 
ings of  a  General  Court-Martial  will  show  to  have  been  in 
arrest,  and  tried  for  sundry  matters  charged  against  him.  As 
the  Court-Martial  was  by  order  of  the  commander  in  that 
department,  the  acts  committed  there,  the  trial  there,  I  am 
much  at  a  loss  to  know  why  the  proceedings  were  referred 
to  me  to  approve  or  disapprove.  As  my  interfering  in  the 
matter  would  carry  much  impropriety  with  it,  and  show  a 
want  of  regard  to  the  rules  and  practice  in  such  instances, 
and  as  Colonel  Campbell  is  going  to  Philadelphia,  I  have 
submitted  the  whole  of  the  proceedings  to  the  consideration 
of  Congress  for  their  decision  upon  his  case,  perfectly  con- 
vinced that  such  determination  will  be  had  therein  as  will 
be  right  and  just. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 


Tyonderoga,  July  21,  1776. 

SIR:  Upon  my  arrival  at  Crown-Point  with  General 
Schuyler,  I  found  Colonel  Campbell,  the  Quartermaster- 
General  in  this  department,  in  arrest  by  order  of  Brigadier- 
General  Sullivan.  The  day  I  left  Croivn-Point,  a  Court- 
Martial  was  ordered  for  the  trial  of  Colonel  Campbell,  which 
General  Arnold  has  transmitted  me,  and  which  1  have  now 
the  honour  to  enclose  to  your  Excellency.  General  Schuyler 
being  at  the  German-Flats,  upon  the  Mohawk  River,  at  an 
Indian  treaty,  and  Colonel  Campbell  being  ordered  down 
the  country  to  settle  his  accounts  with  the  Congress,  I 
thought  it  best  to  send  your  Excellency  the  Court  Martial, 
it  not  being  in  my  power  to  approve  or  disapprove  the  pro- 
ceedings. General  Sullivan,  who  is  probably  at  New-York, 
knows  the  circumstances,  and  the  reasons  that  induced  him 
to  confine  Colonel  Campbell,  to  whom  I  beg  leave  to  refer 
your  Excellency.  I  shall  write  to  your  Excellency  this 
day,  or  to-morrow,  upon  the  state  of  affairs  here.  As  it  is 
uncertain  when  Colonel  Campbell  may  get  to  New -York, 
I  think  it  better  to  send  my  despatches  by  express. 

1  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  LEE. 

New-York,  August  12,  1776. 

My  DEAR  LEE  :  Notwithstanding  I  shall  probably  feel  the 
effect,  I  do  most  cordially  and  sincerely  congratulate  you 
on  your  victory  over  Clinton  and  the  British  squadron  at 
Sullivan's  Island.  A  victory  undoubtedly  it  is,  when  an 
enemy  are  drubbed  and  driven  from  a  country  they  were  sent 
to  conquer.  Such  is  the  case  of  Clinton  and  Sir  Peter 
Parker,  who  are  now  with  the  fleet  and  army  at  Staten- 
Island,  where  General  Howe  and  the  troops  from  Halifax 
have  been  ever  since  the  last  day  of  June,  and  Lord  Hoice 
since  the  12th  of  July.  Some  Hessians  and  pretty  many 
of  the  Scottish  laddies  have  got  in,  and  the  residue  of  the 
fleet  parted  with  off  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland  hourly 
expected.  When  the  whole  arrive,  matters  will  soon  come 
to  a  decision,  everything  being  prepared  on  both  sides  for  the 
appeal ;  and,  on  ours,  I  hope  it  will  be  obstinate,  if  not  suc- 
cessful. The  latter  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  mortals  to  com- 
mand ;  but  they  may  endeavour  to  deserve  it ;  and  this,  I  am 
persuaded,  our  troops  will  more  than  ever  aim  at,  as  I  have 
impressed  upon  their  minds  the  gallant  behaviour  of  the 
brave  few  who  defended  Sullivan's  Island. 

At  present,  the  enemy  can  bring  more  men  to  a  point  than 
we  can,  and,  when  reinforced  by  the  Hessians  (unless  the 
Militia,  faster  than  heretofore,  come  to  our  aid)  their  numbers, 
when  the  Hessians  arrive,  cannot,  by  the  best  intelligence  we 
can  get,  fall  short  of  twenty -five  thousand  men  ;  ours  are  un- 
der twenty,  very  sickly,  and  posted  on  Governour's  Island, 
Long  Island,  at  Powles  Hook,  Horn's  Hook,  and  at  the  pass 
near  King's  Bridge.  More  Militia  are  expected;  but  whether 
they  will  be  in  time,  time  only  can  tell,  as  also  where  the  point 
of  attack  will  be.  An  opinion.prevails,  countenanced  by  hints 
from  some  of  the  principal  Tories, and  corroborated  by  intelli- 
gence from  Statcn  Island,  that  part  of  the  enemy's  fleet  and 
army  will  go  into  the  Sound,  whilst  another  part  of  it  runs 
up  the  North  River,  thereby  cutting  off  all  communication 
by  water  with  this  place,  whilst  their  troops  form  a  chain 
across  the  Neck,  and  stop  an  intercourse  with  Connecticut 
by  land.  Others  think  they  will  not  leave  an  army  in  their 
rear,  whilst  they  have  the  country  in  their  front,  getting,  by 
that  means,  between  two  fires,  unless  it  is  intended  as  a  feint 
to  withdraw  our  troops  from  the  city, that  they  may  slip  in  and 
possess  themselves  of  it.  All  this  is  but  a  field  of  conjecture. 

Our  affairs  in  the  North  have  been  growing  from  bad  to 
worse,  till  I  hope  they  will  mend,  as  one  great  source  of  evil 
is  in  a  way  of  being  removed — I  mean  the  small-pox.  But 
the  Army  have  retreated  from  place  to  place,  till  they  are 
now  got  to  Ticonderoga,  opposite  to  which,  on  the  east  side 
of  Lake  Charnplain,  they  are  about  to  establish  a  post,  which, 
they  say,  will  be  invulnerable.  But  whether  it  may  not  be 
somewhat  like  the  man  who  built  a  mill  on  account  of  a 
beautiful  fall,  and  then  had  to  consider  whether  it  was  prac- 
ticable to  bring  water  to  it,  remains  in  some  measure  to  be 
determined,  as  it  is  the  opinion  of  some  (i  know  nothing  of 
the  country  myself)  that  the  enemy  may  pass  this  post  and 
get  into  Lake  George  without  receiving  the  least  annoyance 


917 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1T7« 


918 


from  this  work.  Whether  they  would  choose  to  leave  a  post 
in  their  rear,  without  establishing  one  themselves  sufficient  to 
keep  it  in  awe,  is  the  point  in  question. 

It  gives  me  a  very  singular  pleasure  to  hear  of  the  gallant 
behaviour  of  your  young  Aids,  and  Mr.  Jenifer;  as  also  of 
Colonels  Moultrie  and  Thompson.  To  be  the  means  at  any 
time  of  rewarding  merit  will  add  greatly  to  my  happiness ; 
and  whenever  you  can  point  out  a  mode  that  can  be  adopted 
consistently,  you  shall  find  me  very  ready.  But  you  know 
the  temper  of  the  troops  in  this  quarter  as  well  as  I  do,  and 
how  impracticable  it  is  to  bring  in  a  person,  let  his  merit  be 
ever  so  great,  without  throwing  a  whole  corps  into  confusion. 
This  will  also  apply  to  Captain  Bullitt.  What  vacancies 
there  may  be  in  your  department  that  he  has  his  eye  to,  and 
could  be  appointed  to  with  propriety,  you  must  know  better 
than  I.  That  there  is  none  here  I  can  undertake  to  say. 
I  have  no  doubt  but  that  Congress  would  annex  the  rank  of 
Colonel  to  his  office  of  Adjutant.  I  believe  they  have  done 
it  in  the  instance  of  Griffin,  who  is  appointed  Deputy-Adju- 
tant to  the  Flying-Camp.  If  this  would  add  anything  to  his 
satisfaction,  I  should  have  no  objection  to  the  mention  of  it. 

With  every  wish  for  your  prosperity  and  success,  I  remain, 
with  sincere  regard,  your  most  affectionate  and  obedient, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  General  Lee. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  As  the  time  is  certainly  near  at  hand,  and 
may  be  hourly  expected,  which  is  to  decide  the  fate  of  this 
city  and  the  issue  of  this  campaign,  I  thought  it  highly  im- 
proper that  persons  of  suspected  character  should  remain  in 
places  where  their  opportunities  of  doing  mischief  were  much 
greater  than  in  the  enemy's  camp.  I  therefore  have  caused 
a  number  of  them  to  be  apprehended,  and  removed  to  some 
distance,  there  to  remain  until  this  crisis  is  passed.  Having 
formerly  mentioned  this  subject  to  your  honourable  body,  I 
would  not  again  trouble  them  in  a  business  which  former 
connexions,  obligations,  and  interests,  must  make  very  un- 
pleasant, and  which,  I  apprehend,  must  have  been  in  danger 
of  failing  in  the  execution,  unless  done  with  all  possible 
secrecy  and  despatch.  I  postponed  this  most  disagreeable 
duty  till  the  last  moment ;  but  the  claims  of  the  Army  upon 
me,  and  an  application  from  a  number  of  well-affected  inhabi- 
tants concurring  with  my  own  opinion,  obliged  me  to  enter 
upon  it  while  time  and  circumstances  would  admit.  I  have 
ordered  a  very  strict  attention  to  be  paid  to  the  necessities 
of  the  gentlemen  apprehended,  and  to  their  comfortable  ac- 
commodations in  every  respect,  both  here  and  at  the  places 
of  their  destination.  I  have  also  written  to  the  Committee 
of  Queen's  County,  that  this  step  is  not  to  be  construed  as 
making  their  property  liable  to  any  injury  or  appropriation, 
unless  they  should  receive  directions  from  your  honourable 
body,  to  whom  I  have  referred  tl)em  on  this  subject;  being 
resolved  in  all  cases,  where  the  most  absolute  necessity  does 
not  require  it,  to  confine  myself  wholly  to  that  line  which 
shall  exclude  every  idea  of  interfering  with  the  authority  of 
the  State.  Some  of  these  gentlemen  have  expressed  doubts 
and  raised  difficulties,  from  engagements  they  lie  under  to 
your  honourable  body,  or  to  some  Committees.  They  do  not 
appear  to  me  to  deserve  much  attention,  as  they  cannot,  with 
any  propriety,  be  charged  with  a  breach  of  any  parole  under 
their  present  circumstances ;  but  I  beg  leave  to  submit  to 
your  consideration  the  propriety  of  removing  the  pretence. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect  and  regard,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  GQ  WASHIHOTOH< 

To  the  Hon.  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  12,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  4th  instant  is  safe  to  hand. 
An  answer  to  the  several  particulars  it  contains  will  be  given 
soon.  Time  will  but  allow  me  to  request  your  forwarding, 
with  all  possible  despatch,  two  thirteen-inch  sea  mortars,  of 
the  best  in  Boston,  to  this  place,  with  their  beds  and  every 
thing  complete. 

1  am,  sir,  yours,  &ic.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Major-General  Ward. 


COLONEL  MCDOUGALL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-York,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR  :  Agreeable  to  your  Excellency's  favour  of  the  9th, 
I  take  the  liberty  to  enclose  you  a  recommendation  of  Mr. 
John  Lawrence  as  a  Paymaster  to  the  regiment,  signed  by 
the  Field-Officers  of  it,  and  all  the  Captains  then  in  camp. 
I  pledge  myself  that  he  will  discharge  the  office  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  General  and  the  corps. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  very  humble  servant, 

ALEX.  McDouoALL. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

New-York,  August  9,  1776. 

We  the  subscribers,  Field-Officers  and  Captains  in  the 
First  Regiment  of  the  New-York  troops,  in  the  service  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  do  hereby  recommend  Mr. 
John  Lawrence  as  a  fit  person  to  be  appointed  as  a  Pay- 
master to  the  said  Regiment. 

ALEXANDER  McDoucALL,  Colonel. 

H.  ZEDTWITZ,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 

BAR.  TUTHILL,  Major. 

JOHN  JOHNSON,  Captain. 

BENJ.  LEDYAHD,  Captain. 

DAVID  LYON,  Captain. 

ABM.  A.  VAN  WYCK,  Captain. 

JOHN  WILEY,  Captain. 

EZEKIEL  HYATT,  Captain. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


RECOMMENDATION  OF  ROBERT  PROVOOST. 

New-York,  August  12,  1776. 

We  the  subscribers,  Field-Officers  of  the  Third  Regiment 
of  New-York  troops,  well  knowing  the  integrity  and  fidelity 
of  Mr.  Robert  Provoost,  Quartermaster  in  said  regiment,  do, 
agreeably  to  General  Orders  of  yesterday,  recommend  the 
said  Provoost  to  his  Excellency  the  General,  as  a  proper 
person  for  a  Regimental  Paymaster,  he  also  being  a  (air 
writer  and  a  good  accountant.  We  shall  be  happy,  there- 
fore, in  his  being  appointed  to  that  office. 

RUD.  RITZEMA,  Colonel. 
FRED.  WEISENFELS,  Lieut.  Col. 


LIST  OF  OFFICERS  OF  COLONEL  LASHER  S  REGIMENT. 


Quartermaster,  Matthew  Davis. 
Mjutant,  Jeronemus  Hoogland. 


Colonel,  John  Lasher. 

Lieut.  Col.,  Andrew  Stockholm. 

Major,  William  Smith  Livingston 

.  ,  „         T          . ,     ,  (1st  Lieut.,  John  Banker; 

1st  Capt.,  James  Abed j  M  r  -        'Thomas  RR  , 


2d  Lieut.,  Thomas  Beekman. 
1st  Lieut.,  John  Anthony, 
2d  Lieut.,  Henry  Breevoort. 
1st  Lieut.,  John  Harbeck; 
2d  Lieut.,  Oliver  Meldeberger. 
1st  Lieut.,  Ethan  Sickels; 
2d  Lieut.,  Thomas  Lawrence. 
1st  Lieut.,  Joseph  Fortin; 
2d  Lieut.,  Robert  Troup. 
1st  Lieut.,  Ralph  Thurman; 
3d  Lieut.,  Edward  Dunscomb. 
1st  Lieut.,  Abm.  Mesier; 
2d  Lieut.,  Thomas  Warner. 
1st  Lieut.,  Jefrey  Hickjs; 
2d  Lieut.,  Benjamin  North. 
1st  Lieut.,  George  Carpenten 
9th  Capt.,  Jaques  Repalje 2(J  Li?ut.;  John  Vredenburgh. 

m.u  r-     .    v        v      T     At          <  1st  Lieut.,  Frederick  Stymets; 
10th  Capt.,  Vmer  Van  Zandt. . . .  |  2(,  Lieut.;Samuel  Johnson. 

August  12,  1776. — The  above  is  a  true  Return,  made  out  by  Colonel 
Lasher,  and  desired  by  him  to  be  by  me  this  day  delivered  to  Congress, 
in  order  to  procure,  as  soon  as  possible,  the  several  commissions. 

WM.  LIVINGSTON. 

LIST  OF  OFFICERS  OF  VAN  SCHAICK's,  NICOLSON's,  AND  WYN- 
KOOP'S  REGIMENTS. 

VAN  SCHAICK'S  REGIMENT. 


2d  Capt.,  Abraham  Van  Dyck... 

3d  Capt.,  William  Leonard 

4th  Capt.,  Theophilus  Beekman.. 

5th Capt. .David  Dickson 

6th  Capt.,  William  Willcocks 

7th  Capt.,  Charles  Dickenson. . . . 
8th  Capt.,  Jacob  Wright 


Goose  Van  Schaick,  Colonel. 
Peter  Gansevoort,  Jr.,  Lieut.  Col. 

*  Eleazer  Curtis,  Major. 
Captains. 

Joseph  McCracken, 
f  James  Van  Rensselaer, 
Andrew  Fink, 
Benjamin  Hicks, 
Job  Wright, 
David  Van  Ness, 
Robert  Edmonston, 
Moses  Martin. 


Peter  B.  Tears,  Adjutant. 
Budd,  Surgeon. 

First  Lieutenants. 
Guy  Young, 
John  Barnes, 
Henry  Deffendorf, 
Charles  Parsons, 
Ebenezer  Hill, 
Holtham  Dunham, 
Peter  J.  Vosburgh, 
Michael  Ryan. 


*  Belongs  to  Connecticut. 


t  Resigned. 


919 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


920 


Second  Lieutenants, 
Job  Cook, 

Tobias  Van  Veghten, 
James  Clark, 
\Villii\m  Moulton, 
Manning  V.  Der  Heyden, 
George  Lythes, 
John  J.  Van  Ness, 
Philip  Conyne. 


Ensigns. 
Luther  Bisscl, 
Tliomas  Hoil, 
John  McClung, 
John  Dftiny, 
Jonathan  Blown, 
George  Palmer, 
Nicholas  Kettle, 
John  Perkins  Wendell. 


N1COLSON  S    REGIMENT. 


John  Nicolson,  Colonel. 
John  Visscher,  Lieut.  Colonel. 
,  Major. 

Captains. 
Gershom  Mott, 
Elisha  Benedict, 
John  Graham, 
Robert  Johnston, 
Ezekiel  Cooper, 
Benjamin  Evans, 
Dirck  Hanson, 
John  Copp. 

Second  Lieutenants. 
Isaac  Nichols, 
Nathaniel  Henry, 
Francis  Brendly, 
Thomas  Nicholson, 
William  Belknap, 
Thomas  McClallen, 
Isaac  (in  it  in, 
John  Bluckney. 


John  Brogdon ,  Adjutant. 
Israel  Evans,  Chaplain. 
Joseph  Marvin,  Surgeon. 

first  Lieutenants. 

Digby  Odum, 
John  G.  Lansing, 
William  Martin, 
Timothy  Hughes, 
Isaac  Hubbell, 
John  Brogdon. 


.Ensigns. 

Charles  F.  Van  Weisenfels, 
Francis  Shaw, 
Asa  Holmes, 
Peter  Hartan, 
Thomas  Lennington, 
Samuel  Prebble, 
John  Blackney, 
Thomas  Lagan. 


WYNKOOP  S   REGIMENT. 


Cornelius  D.  Wynkoop,  Colonel. 
Philip  Cortlandt,  Lieut.  Colonel. 

Captains. 

Cornelius  Van  Santvoort, 
John  H.  Wendell, 
Samuel  Van  Veghten, 
Horman  Vosburgh, 
Gerrit  Veeder, 
Henry  O'Hara, 
Robert  McKean, 
Jacob  Seeber. 

Second  Lieutenants. 
Isaac  Bogert, 
John  Welch, 
David  Bates, 
Albert  Van  Der  Werken, 
Obadiah  Vaughan, 
John  Seeber, 
John  Ball, 
Levi  Stockwell. 


-,  Major. 


Thomas  Williams,  Quartermaster. 
First  Lieutenants. 

Barent  S.  Van  Salsbury, 
John  Ten  Broeck, 
Solomon  Pendleton, 
Abner  French, 
Abraham  Becker, 
Jacob  House, 
John  Hoghkerk, 
Abdiel  Sherwood. 

Ensigns. 
John  Ostrander, 
Abraham  Hardenburgh, 
Ephraim  Snow, 
Samuel  Wilson, 
David  Becker, 
John  Dunn, 
Daniel  Everitt, 
William  Scudder. 


The  above  is  a  List  of  the  Officers  in  the  three  above-mentioned  Regi- 
ments. Those  of  Van  Sc/iotcfc's  and  Jficolson's  are  placed  in  the  order 
in  which  they  rank  in  their  respective  regiments.  The  order  of  rank 
of  those  of  Wynkoop'i,  I  am  informed,  is  not  ascertained. 


A  Return  made,  NEW-YORK,  AUGUST  12,  1776,  to  his  Ex- 
cellency GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esq.,  General  and  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  Forces  of  the  UNITED  STATES  OF 
AMERICA,  by  order  of  Colonel  STEPHEN  MOYLAN,  Esq., 
Quartermaster-General,  of  sundry  articles,  delivered  in 
good  order,  by  HUGH  HUGHES.  Assistant  Quartermaster- 
General,  to  CHRISTOPHER  HART,  who  engages  to  convey 
them  in  the  like  condition  to  the  *Hon.  Major-General 
SCHUYLER,  or  his  order,  at  ALBANY,  the  danger  of  the 
road  excepted. 

For  24-pounders:  300  empty  Paper 

Cartridges,  300  empty  Flannel 

Cartridges. 
For  12-pounders:  400  empty  Paper 

Cartridges,  600  empty   Flannel 

Cartridges,  200  Fixed  Tubes. 
For  6-pounders:  400  empty  Paper 

Cartridges,  600  empty   Flannel 

Cartridges,  500  Fixed  Tubes. 
For  3-pounders:  250  empty  Paper 

Cartridges. 
400  pounds  Slow  Match. 

5  dozen  Port  Fires. 

1  pair  Callipers. 

12  reams  Cartridge  Paper. 


2  Spy  Glasses. 

5  Speakinsr  Trumpets. 
8  reams  Writing  Paper. 

200  Q.uills. 

57j  pounds  Sheet  Copper. 
1    barrel    Brimstone — weight  3 
cwt.  0  qr.  6  Ibs. 

6  dozen  Bolt-Rope  Needles. 

1  piece  Blue  Bunting. 

2  Ensign  Colours. 
2  boxes  Tin. 

10  Tinman's  Bick-Iron. 
10  dozen  Gimlets. 

7  boxes  Grape  Shot — 18  cwt.  3 

qrs.  19  Ibs.,  net. 


STEPHEN  MOYLAN,  Q.  M-  G. 

The  above  articles  packed  in  five  hogsheads,  one  barrel, 
and  fourteen  boxes,  marked  G.  S. 

DOCTOR  MORGAN  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR  :  Sensible  of  the  value  of  your  time,  I  should  not  now 
encroach  upon  it,  were  not  some  further  regulations  of  Con- 

*  It  was  intended  at  first  to  send  these  articles  all  the  way  by  land,  but 
since  concluded  to  ship  them  at  Poughkeepsie,  or  the  most  convenient 
landing  above  the  men-of-war,  &c. 


gress  necessary,  or  at  least  some  explication  of  those  already 
formed,  respecting  the  appointment  and  subordination  of 
officers  in  the  General  Hospital. 

On  my  return  from  Cambridge  to  Neiv-  York,  I  found  a 
number  of  sick  had  been  sent  here  to  the  General  Hospital 
from  the  Northern  Department.  Various  applications  were 
made  to  me  from  thence,  as  Director-General,  by  different 
officers  in  the  service,  and  some  of  them  in  the  Hospital  there, 
in  behalf  of  the  sick.  Large  quantities  of  medicines  were 
sent  for  by  the  Commissary  and  others,  and  by  Dr.  Stringer 
himself,  Director  in  that  district,  which  seemed  to  imply  a 
full  persuasion  of  a  claim  to  and  dependence  on  my  care ; 
but  as  1  had  not  then  received  any  regular  information  of 
the  nature  of  Dr.  Stringer's  or  Dr.  Potts's  appointments,  I 
at  first  doubted  whether  those  gentlemen  had  a  right  to 
depend  on  me  for  assistance,  and  accordingly  wrote  so  to 
Dr.  Stringer.  I  afterwards  was  informed,  from  what  I  con- 
ceived to  be  good  authority,  that  the  Congress  had  deter- 
mined to  assemble  the  various  parts  of  the  Hospital  under  the 
Director-General.  This  answering  the  idea  I  ever  had  of 
the  nature  of  a  General  Hospital,  readily  obtained  credit 
with  me;  yet  not  having  received  any  instructions  on  that 
head,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  ask  leave  to  visit  Philadel- 
phia, to  learn  the  intentions  of  Congress,  and  to  confer  upon 
the  necessary  regulations  for  the  better  government  of  the 
Hospital,  that  I  might  not  incur  blame  either  for  neglect  of 
my  supposed  duty,  or  for  intermeddling  in  matters  not  com- 
mitted to  my  charge.  After  three  days'  conference  with 
the  Doctors'  committee,  and  having  made  every  necessary 
inquiry,  I  returned  here  with  a  full  persuasion  of  there  being 
but  one  General  Hospital,  (in  the  Northern  Department,) 
though  consisting  of  divisions,  each  under  a  separate  Direct- 
or, all  united  under  one  head,  viz :  the  Director-General. 
As  to  Dr.  Stringer  and  Dr.  Potts,  I  learned  that  neither  of 
those  gentlemen  had  a  power  of  appointing  Surgeons  to  act 
under  them,  and  Dr.  Potts  applied  to  me,  as  though  he  had 
been  commanded  to  do  it,  for  advice  and  assistance;  yet, 
till  I  knew  what  would  be  the  result  of  the  Congress's  deter- 
mination, I  forbore  to  give  any  order,  but  sent  a  quantity  of 
medicine  with  him  at  his  setting  out  for  Lake  George.  As 
I  was  the  person  who  proposed  an  augmentation  of  Surgeons 
in  the  General  Hospital,  on  the  same  footing  as  the  first 
appointment,  and  an  allowance  of  other  necessary  officers, 
which  was  adopted  by  Congress,  I  had  no  doubt  but  the 
appointment  of  those  additional  Surgeons  was  intended  by 
Congress  to  be  intrusted  with  me;  especially  as  it  did  not 
appear  by  any  vote  of  Congress  that  the  power  of  making 
that  appointment  was  reserved  to  itself,  and  no  other  person 
but  myself  could  be  supposed  to  enjoy  it.  At  the  same 
time  there  being  above  three  thousand  sick  reported  to  me 
in  the  Northern  Department,  I  should  have  deemed  myself 
culpable  indeed  if  I  had  not  sent  the  quantity  of  medicines 
sufficient  for  six  more  regimental  chests,  and  more,  named  a 
Surgeon  to  assist  in  the  care  of  the  sick,  and  an  Apothecary 
to  despense  those  medicines,  since  from  the  late  regulations 
the  Regimental  Surgeons  were  authorized  to  draw  upon  the 
Hospital  in  their  department  for  medicines.  At  the  same 
time,  the  appearance  of  an  approaching  siege  at  New-York, 
requiring  further  chirurgical  assistance,  and  there  being  no 
time  to  be  lost  in  preparing  for  it,  I  was  happy  to  have  it 
in  my  power  to  nominate  an  additional  Surgeon,  one  of  my 
own  choice,  Dr.  James  Armstrong,  who  was  luckily  on  the 
spot,  (son  of  General  Armstrong,  a  gentleman  of  liberal  edu- 
cation, tried  abilities,  and  established  character  in  his  profes- 
sion,) for  the  Hospital  at  New-York.  It  was  not  till  some 
time  after  I  had  settled  those  appointments,  that  I  received 
a  recommendation  from  Congress  in  favour  of  Dr.  Senter. 
Wishing  to  employ  him,  I  proposed  his  going  as  Surgeon  of 
the  Hospital  to  the  northward,  where  the  great  number  of 
sick  and  few  Surgeons  seemed  to  call  more  loudly  for  his 
assistance.  In  the  meanwhile,  Dr.  McHenry,  whom  I  had 
sent  to  Philadelphia  for  medicines  for  the  northern  Army, 
returned,  and  told  me  he  had  received  information,  as  coming 
from  you,  that  those  gentlemen  who  were  appointed  for  the 
northward  by  any  other  authority  than  of  the  Congress, 
(immediately,)  might  look  for  their  pay  where  they  could 
get  it.  I  do  not  presume  on  any  right  to  transgress  the 
known  orders  of  Congress,  or  pretend  to  know  all  the  regu- 
lations it  may  have  come  into;  but  after  I  had  been  to  Phi- 
ladelphia on  purpose  to  inquire,  and  from  all  I  could  then 
learn,  as  well  as  from  anything  I  can  yet  discover  in  the 


921 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


922 


resolutions  of  Congress  of  July  17th,  I  thought  it  was  clearly 
and  indispensably  my  duty  to  make  the  appointments  I  Hid, 
in  which  I  was  actuated  by  no  other  motive  than  what  I 
conceived  to  be  for  the  good  of  the  service;  and  should  have 
deemed  myself  answerable  to  and  reprehensible  by  Congress, 
had  I  neglected  or  deferred  it.  I  have,  indeed,  been  since 
told,  that  at  the  appointment  of  Dr.  Stringer,  it  was  evi- 
dently the  intention  of  Congress  to  give  him  the  same  power 
in  his  department  as  the  Director-General  enjoyed  in  his: 
thus  that  a  power  was  given  him  of  appointing  Surgeons  and 
Nurses,  &,c.  But  I  know  that  to  be  a  mistake ;  for  by  the 
resolves  of  Congress  of  September  14,  at  which  time  he  was 
appointed,  no  more  power  was  given  to  him  than  is  allowed 
to  every  Surgeon  chosen  by  the  Director-General,  of  choos- 
ing his  own  Mates.  Seeing,  then,  if  we  may  judge  from 
the  past,  the  Congress  only  reserved  to  itself  the  nomination 
of  the  Director-General  and  Directors,  granting  to  the  Di- 
rector-General, and,  as  far  as  I  know,  to  him  only,  the  choice 
of  Surgeons,  allowing  the  Surgeons  to  choose  their  Mates, 
it  does  not  appear  from  anything  made  publick  that  the 
Congress  have  resumed  the  power  already  granted. 

I  still  flatter  myself,  from  the  manner  in  which  I  have 
discharged  the  duties  of  my  station  ever  since  I  joined  the 
Army,  that  Congress  does  not  intend,  unless  the  good  of  the 
service  makes  it  necessary,  to  abridge  the  Director-General, 
in  my  person,  of  that  authority  which  was  deemed  so  proper 
in  the  person  of  my  predecessor;  and  yet  I  fear  in  later  ap- 
pointments, for  want  of  keeping  up  that  idea  of  subordina- 
tion so  necessary  in  an  Army,  or  want  of  attention  to  explain 
properly  the  nature  and  extent  of  those  appointments,  so  as 
not  to  interfere  with  those  which  are  prior,  some  resolves 
of  Congress  have  been  incautiously  entered  into,  (1  speak 
with  reverence,)  or  titles  of  rank  and  distinction  given,  which 
have  a  tendency  to  interfere  with  mine.  If  you  would  wish 
to  be  further  informed  hereof,  I  would  beg  leave  to  refer  you 
to  what  I  have  written  on  this  subject  to  my  worthy  friend 
the  Honourable  Thomas  Hayward.  Dr.  Stringer's  senti- 
ments on  this  subject,  who  is  now  gone  to  Philadelphia  to 
lay  his  claims  before  Congress,  may  throw  further  light  on 
the  insufficiency  of  the  present  regulations  respecting  the 
rank  and  subordination  of  the  different  officers  in  the  Gene- 
ral Hospital  department. 

After  all  I  have  said,  I  cheerfully  submit  the  propriety  of 
my  conduct  in  making  the  before-mentioned  appointments 
in  the  General  Hospital,  and  am  desirous  of  conforming 
strictly  to  my  instructions.  If  I  have  exceeded  my  com- 
mission, it  has  been  for  want  of  knowing  the  designs  and 
resolves  of  Congress,  or  their  being  misunderstood.  Should 
the  Congress,  on  that  footing,  annul  my  appointments  and 
make  others,  I  must  at  least  stand  acquitted  of  intentionally 
going  beyond  the  line  of  duty;  and  it  will  behoove  Congress 
to  be  more  explicit  in  respect  to  its  intentions;  for  if  the 
Congress  does  not  suppose  the  appointment  of  any  new  Sur- 
geon rests  with  me,  of  what  use  is  it  to  recommend  one  to 
me  for  my  approbation?  I  must  pay  an  implicit  obedience 
to  their  simple  recommendation.  In  that  case,  I  do  not 
imagine  there  will  be  the  same  security  for  harmony,  or  for 
having  the  business  of  the  Hospital  so  well  executed,  as 
where  the  choice  of  the  Surgeons  is  left  to  the  Director- 
General,  which  is  an  additional  incentive  to  industry  and  an 
obliging  behaviour  in  the  Surgeon  thus  freely  elected,  to 
approve  himself  worthy  of  the  choice.  Be  that  as  it  may, 
wherever  the  path  of  duty  is. plain,  I  shall  endeavour  to  walk 
steadily  in  it,  having  no  design  or  inclination  to  exceed  those 
bounds  which  the  good  of  the  service  or  the  wisdom  of  Con- 
gress may  prescribe  to  me. 

I  entreat  your  excuse  for  this  long  letter,  and  beg  permis- 
sion to  subscribe  myself,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  MORGAN. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress. 


If  your  Excellency  thinks  Colonel  Varnum  deserving 
promotion,  and  another  Brigadier  is  to  be  appointed,  I  wish 
he  may  be  appointed. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

N.  GREENE. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  at  Brookland,  August  12,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Colonel  Hand  reports  this  morning  a 
twenty-gun  ship  that  came  in  last  evening,  fired  as  she  passed 
through  the  Narrows,  and  was  answered  by  the  Admiral. 
Four  ships  went  through  the  Narrows  yesterday;  they  are 
at  anchor  along  New-Utrecht  shore.  Twenty -five  sail  of 
ships  are  seen  at  a  great  distance  at  sea,  coming  in. 


LAST  ORDER  ISSUED  TO  GENERAL  HEATH  S  BRIGADE. 

August  13,  1776. 

The  honourable  Continental  Congress  having  thought  fit 
to  promote  Brigadier-General  Heath  to  the  rank  of  Major- 
General  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and 
the  Commander-in-Chief  having  thought  fit  to  appoint  him 
to  the  command  of  the  division  of  the  Army  at  King's  Bridge, 
the  Major-General  most  heartily  thanks  the  officers  and 
soldiers  of  his  late  Brigade  for  their  soldier-like  and  orderly 
behaviour  during  the  time  he  had  the  command  of  them, 
and  for  the  great  cheerfulness  with  which  they  have  so 
remarkably  performed  the  great  and  necessary  fatigue  of  the 
campaign  thus  far.  He  laments  the  present  sickly  state  of 
the  Brigade,  and  implores  the  Great  Physician  of  body  (as 
well  as  soul)  soon  to  send  to  them  help.  The  day  seems 
nigh  at  hand  when  they  will  be  called  to  face  the  enemy  in 
defence  of  everything  dear  in  life,  and  he  is  confident  that 
they  will  nobly  distinguish  themselves  in  their  country's  cause. 
And  may  the  Lord  of  Hosts  crown  them  with  success. 
Should  it  ever  be  in  the  power  of  the  Major-General  to  serve 
the  officers  or  soldiers  of  his  late  Brigade,  he  will  do  it  with 
the  greatest  pleasure. 

RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  12,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  Your  favour  of  the  9th  was  delivered 
me  last  evening.  Since  the  date  of  your  letter,  one  hundred 
and  eleven  axes  and  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  spades 
have  been  forwarded  to  Fort  George,  and  I  shall  continue 
forwarding  them  as  fast  as  I  can.  Musket  cartridge-paper, 
or  any  other,  it  is  out  of  my  power  to  furnish  you  with.  I 
have  written  this  day  to  New-  York  for  thirty  reams  of  that 
article  and  the  bullet-moulds.  Three  barrels  of  tar  and 
eighty-one  bars  of  iron  have  been  sent  to  Skenesborough  on 
Saturday  and  this  day. 

I  am  happy  in  informing  you  that  five  hundred  and  thir- 
teen thousand  dollars  are  arrived  this  morning,  and  the  har- 
vest is  almost  over.  We  shall  not  again  experience  the 
want  of  carriages  or  difficulty  of  transportation,  except  from 
the  badness  of  the  roads. 

I  am  weary  of  importuning  tradesmen  and  others  for  the 
publick,  who  are  almost  too  lazy  to  earn  their  bread,  when 
money  is  offered  to  the  wagoners,  who  are  backward  when 
most  wanted.  I  wish  a  Quartermaster  were  appointed  here, 
that  I  may  no  longer  do  that  extra  duty,  when  others  have 
the  merit  and  can  receive  no  blame. 

Yours  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington  goes  by 
this  day's  post.  I  had  detained  L'Oiseau  and  Allaine,  and 
sent  your  letter  forward  to  the  General.  Agreeable  to  your 
directions  by  Mr.  Clajon,  I  shall  take  care  of  them  till  the 
General's  return,  who  is  positively  to  leave  the  German- 
Flats  to-morrow. 

In  consequence  of  Mr.  Egbert's  requisition,  by  your  order, 
three  dozen  broadaxes  shall  be  sent  by  the  first  conveyance. 
The  grubbing-hoes  are  making,  and  the  scales  and  beams 
will  be  sent,  if  to  be  had,  at  least  part  of  them.  The  weights 
I  have  ordered  him  to  send  for  to  Livingston's  Manor. 
Small  cartridge  paper  will  be  sent  as  soon  as  it  arrives. 
Thread  is  sent,  and  the  bar  lead  is  now  casting  into  musket 
balls  of  various  sizes  and  buckshot.  The  boxes  are  num- 
bered, beginning  with  the  smallest  size.  Part  is  sent  up; 
the  remainder  will  be  sent  as  soon  as  finished ;  as  also  two 
hundred  buckets,  axes,  nails,  and  packages,  now  in  store. 

I  have  received  large  iron,  which  I  sent  for  to  Livingston's 
Manor,  and  the  grapplings  are  begun  here  this  day. 

I  have  this  day  procured  a  sufficient  quantity  of  sheet  lead, 
(for  aprons  of  guns,)  which  came  from  the  country,  in  ex- 
change for  bar  lead.  I  could  not  get  it  on  any  other  terms, 
and  it  will  be  easier  to  procure  cast  than  sheet  lead  for  balls. 
I  will  order  it  up  immediately.  Some  handspikes  are  now 
making  here.  I  believe  it  will  be  easier  to  have  them  made 
there.  I  have  sent  nails,  and  will  send  some  dressed  skin 
for  spunges  to-morrow  or  next  day.  No  tin  or  tinman  is  yet 
to  bu  had  here,  nor  have  I  yet  got  the  copper. 


923 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


924 


I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  you  fopy  of  an  invoice 
of  such  articles  as  General  Washington  has  ordered  from 
New-York  to  this  place.  In  this  list  copper  is  mentioned. 
I  am  at  a  loss  what  to  do  now;  I  do  not  think  that  enough 
will  be  sent  up  from  New-  York. 

This  day  I  have  procured  three  new  sails,  which  were 
ordered  to  be  made  for  the  schooner  Liberty,  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  by  Governour  Skene,  before  the  commencement  of 
his  misfortunes.  I  shall  send  them  up  as  a  cover  over  the 
powder,  instead  of  oil  cloths.  The  powder  would  have  gone 
oil'  tliis  day,  but  the  bad  weather  has  prevented  it.  The 
blocks  and  slow-match  are  momentarily  expected  from 
Poughkeepsic. 

1  am,  with  compliments  to  Colonel  Trumbulland  the  gen- 
tlemen of  your  family,  dear  sir.  yours,  with  every  sentiment 
of  esteem  and  respect,  R,CHARD  VAIUCK. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  I  enclose  copy  of  a  return  of  cannon  and  grape- 
shot  which  I  have  ordered  from  Livingston's  Manor,  in  con- 
sequence of  General  Arnold's  requisitions. 

Were  my  services  not  done  to  the  benefit  of  my  country, 
I  should  be  much  mortified,  for  I  have  frequently  good  reason 
to  conclude,  with  the  Latin  poet — 

"  Hos  ego  versiculos  feci,  tulit  alter  honores;" 

though  I  shall  cheerfully  do  all  in  my  power  to  advance  the 
publick  interest.  R.  V. 

I  enclose  you  last  Monday's  paper.  The  attack  is  every 
day  expected,  and  foreign  troops  coming  in. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  DATED  ALBANY,  AUGUST  12,  1776. 

General  Schuyler  has  returned  from  the  Congress  at  the 
German-Flats,  where  he  had  to  satisfy  near  two  thousand 
Indians.  They  promise  a  strict  neutrality.  Some  scalps 
have  been  taken  near  Oneida  Lake.  A  scouting  party  of 
ours  were  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians,  three  killed  and 
scalped,  two  wounded  and  escaped,  who  fell  in  with  some 
of  the  Indians  that  had  been  at  the  treaty,  who  brought 
them  safe  to  Fort  Stanwix.  A  report  of  a  large  body  of 
troops  from  Canada  at  Fort  Ontario,  and  that  Clause  and 
Butler  are  there. 

You  will  see  Carkton's  orders  of  the  14th  of  August,  that 
were  brought  by  Major  Bigelow,  who  went  with  a  flag  of 
truce  to  carry  the  Declaration  of  Independency  and  the 
resolutions  of  Congress  relative  to  the  affairs  of  the  Cedars. 
An  officer  of  ours,  who  went  to  reconnoitre  St.  John's  and 
Chambly,  fell  in  with  a  regular  officer  on  horseback,  alone, 
on  the  road  between  La  Prairie  and  St.  John's,  summoned 
him  to  surrender  himself  prisoner,  but,  clapping  spurs  to  his 
horse,  he  rode  off.  Our  officer  (ired  at  and  shot  him.  It 
turns  out  to  be  a  General  Gordon. 


enemy  did  not  mean  to  attack  us,  but  expected  to  be  attacked, 
for  that  they  are  only  preparing  for  defence  by  enlarging 
their  forts  and  erecting  new  ones.  General  Gates  says  it 
would  not  give  him  the  least  concern  if  the  enemy  were  to 
come  with  twenty  thousand  men. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  ALBANY,  DATED  AUGUST  12, 

1776. 

I  find  the  more  thinking  sort  of  people  do  not  credit  the 
news  of  the  French  fleet  being  in  St.  Lawrence  River.  They 
rather  think  it  is  a  story  given  out  by  Burgoyne  to  put  our 
people  off  their  guard.  This  day  we  have  advice  that  there 
are  two  thousand  Indians  with  General  Schuyler;  that  he 
began  the  conference  with  them  last  Tuesday. 

Mr.  returned  from  the  Lake,  who  was  ordered 

there  by  Congress  to  inspect  into  the  state  of  our  Army. 
He  says  that  our  Army  consists  of  five  thousand  effective 
men,  hearty  and  in  high  spirits ;  that  they  have  built  com- 
plete fortifications;  have  sixty  pieces  of  cannon,  from  nine 
to  eighteen-pounders,  mounted ;  that  in  a  fortnight  they  will 
have  upwards  of  one  hundred  pieces  mounted ;  they  have 
now  in  the  Lake  nine  gondolas,  two  row-galleys,  and  three 
schooners,  all  complete  and  fit  for  service ;  that  we  shall  have 
twenty-five  or  twenty-eight  of  those  vessels  in  the  Lakes, 
which  will  carry  sixty  pieces  of  cannon,  one  hundred  and 
seventeen  swivel-guns,  and  about  five  hundred  men.  That 
there  were  two  officers  sent  out  as  spies  some  time  since,  one 
of  whom  returned  while  he  was  there,  who  reports  that  the 
enemy  had  about  two  thousand  men  at  St.  John's,  one 
thousand  at  the  Isle-aux-Noix,  and  one  thousand  or  fifteen 
hundred  at  Chambly;  that  they  had  about  thirty  batteaus 
in  the  Lake,  and  no  other  vessels,  nor  any  preparation  for 
building  more;  that  it  appeared  very  clear  to  him  that  the 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  12,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  The  weekly  returns  not  being  made 
out  and  forwarded  by  this  boat  was  by  reason  of  the  great 
rain  yesterday,  which  detained  the  boats  bringing  the  returns 
from  Cheshire's,  but  shall  be  forwarded  with  all  possible  de- 
spatch, witli  the  true  state  of  every  corps. 

His  Honour  the  Governour's  letter  came  this  moment  to 
hand,  and  I  thought  it  of  the  utmost  importance  to  be  for- 
warded, and  not  wait  for  the  return. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble 

servant>  DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

To  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

GENERAL  GATES  TO  DOCTOR  POTTS. 

Ticonderoga,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  informed  that  the  Baron  De  Woedtke,  some 
time  before  his  death,  made  a  solemn  declaration  to  you  of 
matter  that  highly  concerns  the  interest  of  the  United  States. 
You  will  please  forthwith  to  communicate  to  me  the  sub- 
stance of  the  Baron's  declaration.  The  bearer,  Mr.  Lucas, 
has  my  orders  to  wait  for  your  letter,  and  return  with  it  im- 
mediately to  me. 

I  would  not  wish  to  give  unnecessary  trouble;  once  a 
fortnight  is  full  often  enough  to  make  a  general  return  of  the 
Hospital. 

I  desire  Dr.  Stringer  may  come  here  as  soon  as  he  arrives 
at  Fort  George,  and  bring  with  him  a  good  Surgeon,  properly 
provided,  for  the  service  of  the  fleet. 

I  am,  &.C.,  HORATIO  GATES. 

To  Dr.  Potts,  at  Fort  George. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Lebanon,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  now  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letters 
of  the  25th  and  31st  ultimo,  and  that  of  your  Secretary,  Mr. 
Varick,  of  the  3d  instant ;  and  have  the  pleasure  to  inform 
you  that  Captain  Van  Buren  has  succeeded  so  far  as  to 
purchase  all  the  sail  cloth,  and  part  of  the  cordage  it  is 
expected  he  will  be  able  to  procure  at  Middletoum.  What- 
ever number  of  swivels  can  be  had  at  Salisbury,  will  be 
spared  for  your  use  as  requested.  At  present  it  is  not  in 
my  power  to  inform  you  how  many  you  may  depend  upon, 
or  when  it  will  be  most  convenient  to  deliver  them,  but 
shall  take  the  earliest  opportunity  to  advise  you  of  both. 

Such  of  the  sea  Captains  you  mention  as  are  in  this 
Colony  I  have  written  to,  and  expect  their  answer  soon. 
Two  of  them,  to  wit:  Francis  Brown  and  ,  are 

abroad.  1  shall  inquire  after,  and  endeavour  to  engage  some 
suitable  persons,  and  advise  you  what  you  may  expect,  as 
soon  as  possible. 

The  residue  of  one  thousand  felling  axes,  with  so  much 
clothing  as  to  make  up  two  loads  with  the  axes,  I  have  sent 
forward  to  Skejiesborough,  and  have  written  to  General 
Gates,  requesting  him  to  give  orders  to  some  proper  officer 
or  other  person  to  receive  them. 

1  have  received  advices  from  Governour  Cooke,  of  Rhode- 
Island,  that  one  hundred  and  twelve  sail  of  ships,  seventeen 
of  them  men-of-war,  the  rest  transports,  were  seen  the  8th 
instant,  fifteen  leagues  southeast  by  south  from  Nantucket 
Shoals,  standing  to  the  westward.  Probably  they  are  Hes- 
sians and  Highlanders,  bound  to  New-York,  and  arrived 
there  before  this  time. 

The  bearer,  Brown,  our  postrider.  goes  directly  to  Ticon- 
deroga, and  will  send  off  an  express  to  Albany  from  that 
part  of  his  route  nearest  to  it.  I  shall  hope  in  future  you 
will  procure  a  post  to  meet  him  and  change  packets  at  such 
place  as  you  think  proper,  and  advise  me  of  the  time  and 
place  when  and  where  such  exchange  will  most  conve- 
niently be  made.  I  am,  &.C.,  &ic., 

JONA.  TRUMBULL. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Schuyler. 


925 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


926 


GOVEHNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Lebanon,  August  12,  1776. 

SIK:  I  enclose  you  the  copy  of  a  letter  to  Brigadier- 
General  Waterbury,  of  the  Sth  instant,  and  desire  your  atten- 
tion to  the'  matter  of  the  infection  of  the  small-pox  therein 
mentioned.  I  flatter  myself  the  measures  taken  for  com- 
pleting the  regiments  destined  to  join  your  Army  will  prove 
effectual,  unless  that  distemper  should  again  break  out  in  it; 
but  should  that  be  the  case,  recruits  would  be  procured  in 
this  State  with  the  utmost  difficulty. 

The  residue  of  the  felling  axes  to  make  up  one  thousand 
are  gone  forward,  with  two  loads  of  clothing  for  the  use  of 
the  Army,  (the  axes  included  in  them.)  They  are  ordered 
to  Skenesborough  by  the  way  of  Bennington,  where  I  hope 
they  will  meet  your  orders  for  their  delivery  to  the  proper 
officer,  or  such  person  as  you  shall  appoint. 

By  a  letter  from  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  of 
the  7th  instant,  I  have  intellfgence  that  General  Clinton  and 
Lord  Cornwallis,  with  the  southern  Army,  have  arrived  from 
South- Carolina,  and  are  landed  at  Staten-Island,  in  number 
between  three  and  four  thousand;  that  a  fleet  which  came 
in  a  few  days  since  are  Hessians  and  Scotch  Highlanders, 
part  of  twelve  thousand  who  were  left  off  Newfoundland, 
and  that  an  attack  upon  some  of  our  posts  at  or  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  New-  York,  may  be  very  soon  expected  ; 
that  the  enemy  are  moving  all  their  heavy  cannon  and  most 
of  their  field-pieces  on  board  their  ships,  and  had  launched 
eight  gondolas,  and,  in  general,  seemed  preparing  for  an 
attack.  In  consequence  of  which,  I  have  ordered  the  Mili- 
tia of  this  State,  of  fourteen  regiments,  to  march  with  all 
expedition  and  join  General  Washington,  and  hope  they  will 
arrive  in  season  to  take  part  in  the  defence  of  those  impor- 
tant stations. 

The  controversy  with  Great  Britain  seems  now  approach- 
ing fast  to  a  crisis.  May  the  Great  Ruler  of  all  grant  that 
the  event  may  correspond  with  the  justice  of  our  cause. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient, 


humble  servant, 

To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 


JONA.  TRUMBULL. 


REV.  WILLIAM  GORDON  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

[Roxbury,  August  12,  1776.] 

FRIEND  GATES:  These  American  dog-days  almost  de- 
molish me;  they  lay  me  under  a  universal  lassitude  of  body 
and  mind,  so  that  I  am  neither  fit  for  walking,  nor  talking, 
nor  writing;  but  finding  by  your  Adjutant's  letter  to  Julia 
that  a  word  from  this  civilized  quarter  revives  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Ticonderoga,  I  must  send  you  a  few,  as  an  expres- 
sion of  my  desire  to  lessen  the  uncomfortableness  of  your 
dreary  situation.  From  the  account  he  has  transmitted,  I 
am  convinced  that  you  have  had  enough  to  exercise  your 
patience;  but  you  know  it  is  one  excellence  of  a  good  sol- 
dier to  command  his  temper  as  well  as  his  troops.  By-the- 
by,  as  it  comes  in  apropos,  the  Howes  have  been  juggling 
together  to  learn  his  Excellency's  temper,  and,  to  their  great 
mortification,  have  discovered  that  it  is  to  be  resolutely  steady 
and  immoveable.  This  is  my  interpretation  of  their  proceed- 
ing in  continuing  to  urge  his  acceptance  of  the  letter.  I 
suspect  that  your  antagonist  will  not  be  so  much  for  hurrying 
the  war  to  a  close,  as  for  securing  the  present  opportunity 
for  the  purpose  of  recruiting  his  broken  .fortunes.  I  still 
expect  that  we  shall  be  saved  by  Providence,  and  not  by 
luck;  and  am  more  than  ever  convinced,  that  if  we  are 
saved,  it  will  be  by  Providence.  The  dilatoriness  with 
which  the  reinforcements  have  been  procured  and  sent  on 
to  the  different  camps,  would  have  been  the  ruin  of  our 
affairs,  had  not  the  interposition  of  Heaven  prevented.  We 
have  scarce  any  but  west  and 'southwest  winds,  chiefly  the 
latter,  which  have  retarded  the  ships  amazingly. 

I  consider  the  southern  expedition  of  the  enemy  as  de- 
molished, and  give  you  joy  upon  it.  Whether  there  will 
be  hot  work  or  no  work  at  New-York,  and  the  summer  be 
spent  in  watching  and  skirmishing,  must  be  left  to  futurity 
to  discover.  But  you  certainly  have  the  post  of  honour, 
for  you  have  the  care  of  the  weakest  quarter,  and  are  the 
most  ill  provided;  a  fine  field  for  glory;  the  more  difficul- 
ties, the  more  a  man's  abilities  in  surmounting  them;  the 
fewer  and  worse  his  tools,  the  more  his  dexterity  and  genius 
in  finishing  the  work  after  a  masterly  manner.  These 


reflections  have  so  often  occurred  to  you,  that  they  are  quite 
stale;  but  they  may  suit  well  enough  for  your  little  man  of 
an  Adjutant:  I  would  not  say  your  little  Adjutant,  because 
that  might  have  been  thought  a  designed  affront  by  a  person 
whose  heart  is  somewhat  captivated  by  that  bauble — alias 
bubble — honour. 

Pray,  have  you  any  preaching  among  you?  If  so,  does 
your  Adjutant  attend  ?  If  he  attends,  is  he  not  taught  not 
to  seek  honour  from  men,  and  to  propose  a  better,  lest  he 
should  have  no  other  reward  ?  Now  the  Parson  shows 
himself.  Well,  and  what  if  he  does?  What  hurt  of  that? 
Every  one  ought  to  be  consistent,  and  not  ashamed  of  his 
commission.  And  if  I  have  a  commission  from  one  that 
was  crucified,  but  is  now  exalted  above  all,  he  would  de- 
spise me,  were  I  afraid  to  own  or  to  act  up  to  it.  Well, 
then,  that  matter  is  settled ;  and  I  may  go  on  to  beseech  that 
care  may  be  taken  of  the  soldiers'  morals;  that  these  may  be 
good,  as  well  as  their  quarters.  Let  not  any  future  historian 
have  to  remark,  as  Lieutenant  Biggs  did,  referring  to  the 
Old  England  troops:  that  the  best  in  the  world  were  most 
given  to  cursing  and  swearing.  Put  a  stop  to  these  unpro- 
fitable practices,  that  so,  if  I  come  to  the  camp,  I  may  not 
be  affronted  and  disgusted,  and  I  promise  you — health  and 
strength  permitting — I  will  endeavour  to  visit  you  before  the 
campaign  is  over.  Am  plotting  to  set  off  the  beginning  of 
September  for  both  camps.  Doubt  not  but  I  shall  meet 
with  a  hearty  welcome  from  both  his  Honour  and  his 
Excellency;  and  I  shall  be  greatly  delighted  to  see  them 
in  the  happy  character  of  glorious  conquerors,  loved  and 
admired  by  all  about  them  for  having  been  instrumental  in 
saving  the  liberties  as  well  as  the  necks  of  the  Americans. 

We  get  in  a  few  West-India  ships  by  way  of  a  prize,  to 
sweeten  the  sourness  of  the  times  and  keep  up  our  spirits. 
Great  Britain  will  be  all  in  a  flame  either  at  the  Ministry 
or  at  us.  I  had  rather  at  the  former,  as  that  may  be  best 
for  our  native  country;  but  I  am  not  afraid  of  the  latter. 
The  Powers  of  Europe  will  not  always  sleep.  'Tis  likely 
that  France  and  Spain  have  been  only  sleeping  cat's  sleep, 
and  that  they  will  suddenly  jump  upon  their  prey,  when 
they  see  it  is  within  their  reach,  and  there  is  no  danger  of 
missing  it. 

I  have  not  received  your  answer  to  my  long  letter,  de- 
signed for  you  before  you  left  New-York;  but  that  friend 
Hazard  sent  after  you.  By  whom  or  which  way  do  you 
send  it?  Or  have  you  not  yet  finished  writing  it? 

The  above  was  written  the  beginning  of  last  week.  Since 
this  have  been  to  Providence.  Am  now  got  to  Monday, 
the  12th  of  August.  Having  heard  no  bad  news  from  your 
quarter,  am  in  hopes  that  Mr.  Burgoyne's  complaisance 
has  given  you  an  opportunity  of  preparing  to  receive  him 
warmly  whenever  he  shall  advance  on  you. 

The  old  forty -gun  ship,  with  a  thousand  hogsheads  of  sugar, 
rum,  and  madeira,  besides  cotton,  with  some  iron  nine-pound- 
ers, and  brass  six-pounders,  from  Tortola,  carried  into  Ports- 
mouth last  week.  Arrived  at  Boston  last  Saturday,  sent  in 
by  a  couple  of  Yorkers,  a  ship  from  the  Granadas,  with  four 
hundred  bags  of  cotton,  an  article  much  wanted,  and  three 
hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar.  The  merchants  will  certainly 
clamour. 

Julia  sends  respects,  as  does  Mrs.  Gordon;  take  your  own 
share  of  mine,  and  then  proportion  the  remainder  among 
friends.  Wishing  you  protection  and  success,  not  only  in 
stopping,  but  driving  the  enemy,  I  am  your  very  sincere  and 
affectionate  friend, 


WILLIAM  GORDON. 


To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR  :  This  day  I  have  forwarded  one  hundred  barrels  of 
powder  for  Norwich,  there  to  be  deposited  agreeable  to  your 
directions.  I  have  also  forwarded  a  chest  of  arms  to  the 
care  of  Messieurs  Huntington,  to  be  by  them  sent  to  New- 
York;  an  invoice  of  them  is  here  enclosed. 

Whetcomb's  regiment  marched  the  Sth  instant,  and  Phin- 
ney's  the  9th,  for  Ticonderoga. 

Last  week  Mr.  Glover,  the  Agent,  was  in  town,  and  in- 
formed me  that  he  could  not  find  the  trowsers  mentioned  in 
the  invoice  of  the  cargo,  and  which  your  Excellency  wrote 
for,  and  says  they  were  not  on  board,  unless  they  are  in  some 


927 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


928 


of  the  packages  that  are  forwarded  to  New-York,  which  he 
did  not  open. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 
To  General  Washington. 

Received  from  John  Bradford,  Esq.,  27  Firearms,  with- 
out Bayonets;  10  Cartridge  Boxes;  2  Slrat  Bags;  2  Hair 
Knapsacks;  71  Canvass  Knapsacks;  7  Slings. 

NATHL.  BARBER,  Jun. 
Boston,  August  9,  1776. 

JOHN  BRADFORD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  your  Excellency's  signature, 
under  the  5th  instant,  directing  me  to  take  the  necessary 
care  of  all  the  warlike  stores  and  necessaries  for  an  Army, 
till  I  receive  orders  from  proper  authority.  Your  Excellency 
may  rely  on  the  strictest  punctuality  in  complying  with  any 
future  orders  I  may  receive. 

I  have  not  omitted,  since  I  have  been  in  this  department, 
giving  a  particular  caution  to  each  commander  to  prevent 
any  embezzlements,  and  have  furnished  them  with  the 
resolve  of  Congress  on  that  head;  but  it  signifies  little,  for 
great  complaints  are  made  by  those  who  came  in  the  last 
prize,  that  they  acted  more  like  pirates  than  men  who  were 
so  honourably  employed.  I  am  taking  every  measure  to 
efface  that  notion  of  their  being  privateers;  for  while  they 
continue  in  it  they  will  act  like  such.  Great  need  there  is 
of  a  reform  in  our  little  Navy,  which  I  hope  in  time  may 
be  effected. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  truth,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JNO.  BRADFORD. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


ought  not  to  be  sent  out  of  the  County  for  trial;  that  as  this 
district  is  not  represented,  and  has  remonstrated  against  our 
form  of  Government,  the  Colony  Committee  of  Safety  have 
no  authority  to  order  him  to  Exeter.  I  have  therefore  been 
obliged  to  exert  myself  in  this  matter,  as  Captain  Wood- 
ward can  inform  you,  and  have  had  a  hard  struggle  to  obtain 
the  point — some  objecting,  too,  that  we  ought  not  to  send 
Porter  away,  unless  we  send  the  whole  number;  but  it  is 
the  general  opinion,  besides  ours  of  the  Committee,  that  he 
is  a  dangerous  person  to  tarry  among  us.  For  my  own  part, 
I  shall  not  be  easy  to  have  him  remain  here  longer,  as  I  can 
more  particularly  hereafter  inform  you,  and  my  reasons.  In 
the  mean  time,  I  trust  your  Committee  will  order  Colonel 
Porter  to  be  properly  taken  care  of.  I  would  not  recom- 
mend a  close  imprisonment,  but  that  he  is  well  secured. 

If  you  think  proper  to  allow  him  a  hearing  before  the 
General  Court  should  meet,  you  will  please  to  inform  us  by 
Captain  Woodward's  return,  that  the  evidences  may  be  sent 
down  to  confront  him,  which  we  shall  look  upon  as  abso- 
lutely necessary,  especially  Mr.  Daniel  Hall,  and  whether 
it  be  advisable  to  send  the  others  who  belong  to  New-York 
Government. 

We  have  had  much  trouble  in  this  business,  as  you  may 
well  think,  and  I  am  sorry  to  give  you  so  large  a  share  by 
my  long  letters,  which  I  beg  you  will  excuse;  and  am,  re- 
spectfully, sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

J.  HuRD. 

To  the  Honourable  Meshcch  Weare,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety. 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  MAJOR  HAWLEY. 

Water-town,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Committee  of  Council  have  received  your 
letter  of  the  5th  instant,  by  Major  Pyncheon.  We  are 
glad  to  hear  that  five  companies  of  the  men  you  were  to 
raise  for  the  Northern  Department  have  already  marched. 
We  hope  the  other  three  marched  by  the  time  you  men- 
tion. We  trust  that  the  Committee  will  forward  those  who 
have  inlisted.  and  are  now  under  inoculation,  to  their  place 
of  destination  as  soon  as  they  have  recovered  their  health, 
We  have,  agreeably  to  your  desire,  forwarded  the  blanks  for 
the  Staff-Officers  by  Major  Pyncheon,  and  have  furnished 
him  with  the  necessary  commissions  for  the  officers  that  may 
be  appointed  to  command  your  part  of  the  fifteen  hundred 
men  destined  to  Ticondcroga,  as  also  with  the  money  for 
the  bounty,  advance  pay,  and  for  the  blankets  and  guns. 

We  must  entreat  you  would  use  your  utmost  exertions  to 
raise  and  march  these  men  to  Ticonderoga  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, as  they  are  much  wanted  there.  The  lower  Counties' 
proportion  of  the  fifteen  hundred  men  were  raised  fifteen 
days  ago,  and  are  waiting  to  know  what  number  we  raised 
in  the  County  of  Hampshire,  in  order  to  determine  into  what 
regiment  they  shall  be  imbodied.  It  is  desired  you  would 
make  a  return  to  the  Council  as  soon  as  these  men  are  raised. 

In  the  name  and  by  the  order  of  the  Committee  of 
Council. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  most  humble  servant. 
To  Major  Hawley. 


COLONEL  HURD  TO  MESHECH  WEARE. 

Haverhill,  August  12,  1776. 

SIR:  The  intention  of  the  Committee  was  to  have  got 
Colonel  Porter  off  this  morning ;  but  he  says  he  has  tried 
every  step  in  his  power  to  prevent  being  sent  to  Exeter.  He 
has  petitioned  the  Committee  of  this  town,  and  been  solicit- 
ing several  persons  of  the  other  Committee,  for  a  new  hearing, 
under  pretence  that  he  has  not  had  opportunity  to  vindicate 
himself,  nor  to  procure  such  evidence  in  his  favour  as  he 
can  do,  if  more  time  was  allowed;  but  the  truth  is,  I  am 
persuaded,  that  he  thinks  and  has  brought  over  Mr.  James 
Bayley,  Chairman  of  the  Haverhill  Committee,  and  two 
or  three  other  persons,  to  be  of  the  same  opinion,  that  he 


ETHAN  ALLEN  TO  CONNECTICUT  ASSEMBLY. 

Halifax  Jail,  August  12,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  In  addition  to  my  letter  of 
the  8th  instant,  I  have  to  inform,  that  intelligence  was  yes- 
terday received  in  this  place  that  General  Clinton  had  failed 
in  an  attempt  to  take  Charlestown  by  water;  that  a  fifty- 
gun  ship  and  two  frigates  were  almost  destroyed;  that  a 
third  was  burnt  by  the  Americans,  and  that  two  or  three 
more  were  so  surrounded  by  batteries  and  shivered  to  pieces, 
that  they  were  unable  to  get  out  to  sea;  and  that  Clinton 
was  returned  to  Head-Quarters,  Staten-Island,  New-York, 
where  the  King's  Army  were  encamped,  and  that  no  action 
of  moment  had  happened  at  New-York. 

1  greatly  rejoice  to  hear  that  the  States  of  America  have 
declared  for  independency.  I  am  the  more  confirmed  in  its 
importance,  in  consequence  of  many  political  arguments  from 
a  French  gentleman.  He  assures,  that  on  a  supposition  of  that 
declaration,  the  French  and  Spaniards  will  assist,  and  come 
into  alliance  with  America;  and  I  assure  you  that  the  English 
rascally  treatment  to  me  has  wholly  erased  my  former  feelings 
of  parent  State,  mother  country,  and,  in  fine,  all  kindred  and 
friendly  connexion  with  them.  I  have  never  asked  better 
treatment  than  what  the  laws  of  arms  give  to  prisoners  between 
foreign  nations;  but  instead  of  that,  have  been  crowded  into 
the  most  filthy  apartments  of  ships,  among  privates,  where  I 
have,  almost  the  whole  of  my  time  since  taken,  been  covered 
with  lice;  and  though  I  have  genteel  clothes,  could  not.  for 
this  reason,  wear  them  till  since  I  have  been  confined  in 
the  common  jail  of  Halifax,  which  is  about  a  week.  The 
prisoners  have  the  liberty  of  the  yard;  but  there  is  no  dis- 
tinction between  gentlemen  and  others.  If  1  must  suffer 
the  vengeance  and  ignominy  of  tyrants,  it  would  be  more 
graceful  from  Turks,  Moors,  and  barbarians.  The  names 
of  the  prisoners  that  were  taken  with  me  are  as  follows, 
namely:  Roger  Moor,  Peter  Noble,  (who  made  his  escape 
from  a  manif-war  at  Cape-Fear,)  Levi  Barnem,  Barnabas 
Cane,  Preston  Dcnton,  John  Gray,  Zachariah  Brirnsmaid, 
William  Drinkwater,  Jonathan  Maho,  Levi  Mearson, 
Samuel  Lewis,  William  Gray,  David  Goss,  Amos  Green, 
John  James  Burque,  Ithuriel  Flower,  Charles  Stuad,  Ebe- 
nezer  Mack,  and  Adonijah  Maxam.  Thirteen  Canadians 
were  taken  with  me:  one  is  dead  since,  the  other  twelve  are 
at  work  in  the  King's  yard.  Sundry  are  sick  with  the 
scurvy,  but  are  getting  better. 

I  remain  your  humble  servant,  ETHAN  ALLEN. 

To  the  Honourable  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of 
Connecticut,  or  to  the  Council  of  War  of  the  same  Co- 
lony. 

N.  B.  We  know  not  the  cause  why  we  are  not  yet  ex- 
changed, as  it  seems  the  King's  troops  might  be  compelled 


929 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


930 


to  it,  inasmuch  as  you  have  so  many  prisoners  in  your 
hands,  more  especially  as  you  have  many  of  the  King's 
officers.  I  will  lay  my  life  on  it,  were  you  to  treat  them 
as  they  have  me,  they  would  willingly  have  exchanged  us 
before.  Now,  we  are  destitute  of  cash,  friends,  &c.,  every- 
thing desirable.  E.  A. 


ARTHUR  LEE  TO  C.  W.  F.  DUMAS. 

London,  August  13,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  answered  your  last  letter  immediately.  I 
now  enclose  you  several  pamphlets,  which  contain  such  an 
authentick  state  of  facts,  and  such  arguments  on  the  Ameri- 
can question,  as  will  enable  its  advocates  with  you  to  main- 
tain their  ground  against  the  pensioner  of  this  Court.  I  beg 
particularly  that  you  will  send  some  of  them  to  the  gentle- 
man who  has  answered  Pinto,  the  pensioner  of  this  Court. 

The  pamphlet  entitled  the  Rights  of  Great  Britain,  &ic., 
is  full  of  the  grossest  falsehoods.  A  very  material  one  is 
exposed  by  the  enclosed  extracts  from  the  acts  of  Parlia- 
ment granting  bounties  upon  American  produce,  which 
proves  by  their  own  words,  that  those  bounties  were  given 
for  their  own  interests  only.  Yet  that  pamphlet  has  given 
a  long  list  of  the  amount  of  those  bounties,  and  charged  it 
to  the  Colonies.  The  fact  is  as  Dr.  Smith,  a  Scotchman, 
and  an  enemy  to  American  rights,  has  stated  it,  in  his  late 
laboured  and  long-expected  book  on  the  Wealth  of  Nations. 
"  Whatever  expense,"  says  he,  "  Great  Britain  has  hitherto 
laid  out  in  maintaining  this  dependancy,  has  really  been  laid 
out  in  order  to  support  their  monopoly."  Speaking  of  the 
debt  incurred  last  war,  he  says :  "  This  whole  expense  is  in 
reality  a  bounty,  which  has  been  given  in  order  to  support 
a  monopoly.  The  pretended  purpose  of  it  was  to  encourage 
the  manufactures,  and  to  increase  the  commerce  of  Great 
Britain."  The  operation  of  this  monopoly  against  the 
Colony  he  states  thus  :  "  The  monopoly  of  the  Colony  trade, 
therefore,  like  all  the  other  mean  and  malignant  expedients 
of  the  mercantile  system,  depresses  the  industry  of  all  other 
countries,  but  chiefly  that  of  the  Colonies." 

When  you  write  to  the  Congress  it  would  be  well,  I  think, 
to  mention  that  as  all  the  evils  have  been  produced  by  Scotch 
counsel,  and  those  people  prosecute  the  business  with  more 
rancour  and  enmity,  a  distinction  ought  to  be  made  between 
the  treatment  of  them  and  other  people,  when  made  prisoners. 

We  expect  every  day  some  decisive  news  from  New-  York. 
The  last  Gazette  gives  us  no  reason  to  fear  anything  but  the 
chance  of  war,  against  which  no  prudence  can  provide.  We 
have  certain  intelligence  from  Canada,  that  it  will  be  the 
last  of  August  before  the  boats  will  be  ready  upon  Lake 
Champlain  for  the  Ministerial  Army;  so  that  there  is  no 
possibility  of  their  joining  Howe.  They  are  putting  eleven 
ships  of  the  line  in  commission  here,  which  is  kept  very 
secret,  or  it  would  shake  the  stocks  exceedingly. 

Adieu,  ARTHUR  LEE. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  HYDE. 
[No.  132.]  Annapolis,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  As  we  are  very  desirous  of  having  the  troops  sta- 
tioned at  Baltimore  under  your  command  armed  as  speedily 
as  possible,  and  as  we  are  informed  the  Committee  of  Ob- 
servation of  Harford  County  have  about  sixty  stand  belong- 
ing to  this  Province,  we  request  you  will  immediately  send 
up  for  them,  and  deliver  them,  on  receipt,  to  your  companies. 
Enclosed  you  have  an  order  on  the  Committee  for  them. 

We  are,  &tc. 

To  Colonel  William  Hyde. 


FRANCIS  BAKER  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL   OF   SAFETY. 

Talbot  County,  August  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  herewith  have  the  honour  to  return  you 
my  commission,  it  not  laying  in  my  power  to  discharge  the 
trust  under  the  present  resolves  of  Convention. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  Honours'  most  obedient  humble 
servant,  FRS.  BAKER. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


ROBERT  CHRISTIE,  JUN.,  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  13,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  wrote  you  some  time  ago  acquainting  that 
I  had  two  schooners  which  were  sunk  at  the  mouth  of  this 
harbour,  by  order  of  the  Committee,  for  upwards  of  three 
months.  An  allowance  has  been  made  me  to  put  the  ves- 
sels into  as  good  order  as  when  they  were  taken  away;  but 
I  am  told  an  application  must  be  made  to  the  Council  of 
Safety  for  payment  of  the  damages.  I  should  be  glad  to 
know  when  it  would  be  proper  to  apply,  and  what  vouchers 
the  Council  will  require,  to  ascertain  the  time  the  vessels 
were  out  of  my  possession.  If  necessary,  I  can  make  it 
appear  that  I  have  paid  considerable  sums  for  freight  of  other 
vessels  during  the  time  my  own  were  sunk.  I  hope  you 
will  excuse  my  being  troublesome  to  you.  I  do  not  want 
to  come  down  to  Annapolis  until  I  am  prepared  with  the  ne- 
cessary vouchers  to  complete  the  business.  You  will  oblige 
me  very  much  by  giving  me  an  answer  at  your  convenience. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

ROBT.  CHRISTIE,  Jun. 
To  the  Honourable  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer. 


JOSEPH  RICHARDSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
Dorchester  County,  August  13, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  herewiih  send  you.  under  guard,  John 
Price,  who  was   taken   in   the  service  of  Dunmore,  with 
Wheeland,  Evans,  and  Howith,  whom  we  sent  you  some 
time  since.     Price  was  in  the  small-pox  when  the  others 
were  sent,  which  occasioned  the  delay  of  sending  him  with 
them.     The  charge  against  him  will  appear  in  the  deposi- 
tions of  Yell  and  Mareman,  already  transmitted  to  you. 
We  are,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

Jos.  RICHARDSON,  Chairman. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  Annapolis. 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  59 


THOMAS  STONE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  August  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  very  glad  to  be  informed  that  Lord 
Dunmore  and  his  fleet  have  quitted  the  Bay,  and  am  hope- 
ful this  circumstance  will  induce  your  Militia  to  lend  assist- 
ance to  their  neighbours  with  more  alacrity  than  could  have 
been  expected  while  an  enemy  was  hovering  on  their  coast. 
You  may  be  assured  they  are  much  wanted  in  the  Jerseys 
and  at  New-York,  where  an  attack  is  daily  expected,  and 
at  both  which  places  our  strength  is  by  no  means  sufficient  to 
oppose  the  enemy  with  that  certainty  of  success  which  every 
man  who  considers  the  importance  of  the  event  must  wish. 

Captain  Thomas  is  arrived  with  his  company.  I  shall 
rejoice  to  see  Colonel  Griffith  with  his  troops,  and  shall 
with  pleasure  afford  him  and  all  other  officers  and  troops 
from  Maryland  any  assistance  in  my  power.  I  shall  show 
particular  attention  to  Colonel  Griffith,  your  recommenda- 
tion entitling  him  to  particular  notice. 

The  difficulties  you  have  experienced  in  raising  your 
quota  of  the  Flying-Camp  I  am  convinced  have  been  dis- 
tressing; but  I  hope  they  are  now  pretty  well  over.  You 
may  have  any  money  you  want  from  Congress,  upon  appli- 
cation. The  enemy's  strength  at  Staten-Island  is  fifteen 
thousand  men.  The  Hessians  are  daily  expected:  by  the 
last  accounts,  they  were  shipping  their  men,  and  making  all 
necessary  preparations  for  an  attack.  General  Washington 
is  not  so  strong  as  he  could  wish.  Upon  these  movements 
of  the  enemy,  he  ordered  a  reinforcement  of  two  thousand 
from  Jersey  to  York.  The  Maryland  battalion  was  imme- 
diately sent  to  him ;  but  I  believe  the  camps  in  Jersey  were 
too  weak  to  spare  any  more.  I  observe  many  of  the  Militia 
of  this  State  in  motion ;  but  many  are  leaving  the  camp,  and 
are  not  to  be  kept  there  by  threats  or  persuasions.  I  intend 
to  leave  this  city  on  this  day  week,  till  which  I  shall  be 
ready  to  execute  your  orders;  being,  gentlemen,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  T.  STONE. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Congress  Chamber,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  nothing  in  charge  from  Congress  to  com- 
municate to  you.  Had  not  the  honour  of  a  letter  by  the 
post.  I  judge  the  return  express  is  on  the  road,  by  whom 
wish  to  have  an  agreeable  account  of  the  state  of  the  Army. 

I  am,  with  perfect  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient  ser- 
vant, JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


931 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


932 


MEASE  AND  CALDWELL  TO  RICHARD  PETERS. 

Philadelphia,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR:  The  honourable  Congress  having  been  pleased  to 
direct  us  to  provide  a  large  quantity  of  necessary  clothing  for 
the  use  of  the  Continental  Army,  of  which  felt  hats  and 
coarse  yarn  stockings  are  very  material  articles,  and  in  order 
to  secure  the  quantity  requisite  in  proper  time,  they  must 
be  engaged  now  from  the  manufacturers,  as  we  find  that 
private  speculations  are  beginning  to  engross  them;  we 
have  therefore  to  request  you  will  lay  this  before  the  Board 
of  War,  in  order  that  application  be  made  to  General  Mercer 
for  the  discharge  of  Joseph  Kerr,  hatter,  of  Captain  Wills' 's 
company,  in  the  first  battalion ;  and  Philip  Mausc,  stocking- 
weaver,'of  Captain  Kling's  company,  in  the  fourth  battalion 
of  Philadelphia  Militia  ;  as  these  two  men  will  be  exceed- 
ingly useful  to  us  in  providing  those  essential  articles,  having 
found  them  so  last  fall,  when  they  assisted  us  with  great 
address  and  fidelity.  If  we  did  not  know  how  usefully  we 
could  employ  them  in  procuring  the  above  articles,  and  how 
necessary  it  is  they  should  be  immediately  engaged,  we 
should  by  no  means  wish  for  their  discharge  from  the  Army 
at  this  juncture. 

We  are,  sir,  your  very  humble  servants, 

MEASE  &t  CALDWELL. 

To  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  Secretary  at  War. 


At  a  Board  of  War,  August  13,  1776,  P.  M.,  agreed  to 
report  to  Congress: 

That  Monsieur  Weibert,  now  serving  in  the  Continental 
Army  at  New-  York  as  an  Engineer,  be  appointed  Assistant 
Engineer,  with  the  rank  and  pay  of  Lieutenant-Colonel; 
and  that  his  pay  commence  from  the  time  of  his  engaging  in 
the  service. 

That  General  Mercer  be  directed  to  discharge  or  grant 
furloughs  to  Joseph  Kerr,  Hatter,  a  private  of  Capt.  Wills's 
company,  in  the  First  Battalion,  and  to  Philip  Mouse,  a 
Stocking  Weaver,  a  private  in  Captain  Kling's  company 
of  the  Fourth  Battalion  of  Philadelphia  Militia,  these  two 
persons  being  applied  for  by  Messrs.  Mease  &t  Caldwell, 
Commissaries,  to  whom  their  services  are  indispensably  ne- 
cessary in  making  and  providing  clothing  for  the  Army. 

That  the  Council  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay  be  requested 
to  appoint  one  of  the  General  Officers  of  their  Militia  to 
command  the  Troops  which  that  State  has  ordered  for  its 
defence  in  the  room  of  the  Continental  Regiments  lately  or- 
dered from  Boston  to  New-York  and  Ticonderoga,  which 
General  Officer  shall  be  invested  with  the  same  powers  and 
subject  to  the  same  duties  within  that  State,  and  be  upon  the 
same  establishment  with  the  Continental  General  Officers, 
during  the  continuance  of  the  said  troops  in  the  Continental 
service. 


JOHN  HUBLEY  TO  WILLIAM  ATLEE. 

Philadelphia,  August  13, 1776,  three  o'clock,  P.  M. 

SIR:  I  have  received  your  favour,  with  the  money  and 
letter  enclosed  for  Mr.  Cox,  which  I  delivered  to  him  imme- 
diately, and  now  enclose  you  a  receipt.  Mr.  William  Cox 
tells  me  that  your  privateer  is  almost  finished  and  already 
manned;  that  his  brother  has  been  offered  five-and-twenty 
per  cent,  profit  on  his  shares.  When  I  received  yours  I  had 
just  come  from  Convention,  and  by  the  way  heard  that  our 
Militia  were  marching  from  Amboy  to  New-York ;  that  one 
hundred  and  four  vessels  were  just  arrived,  which  it  was 
supposed  contained  the  foreign  troops;  but  I  went  immedi- 
ately to  do  your  business,  and  have  not  time  at  present  to 
inquire  into  the  truth  of  the  report,  as  the  Convention  meets 
again  at  four  o'clock.  By  my  brother  I  have  sent  for  your 
Committee  some  resolves.  1  had  not  time  to  pack  up  and 
direct  them  properly;  you  will  be  kind  enough  to  excuse 
the  manner  in  which  they  come.  Mr.  Ross,  with  two  other 
Commissioners,  set  out  this  day  from  Convention  to  form  the 
Flying-Camp. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HUBLEY. 
To  William  Atlee,  Esq.,  Lancaster. 

P.  S.    14th. — I  refer  you  for  particulars  to  Mr.  Lan- 
man. 


CHESTER  COUNTY  (PENNSYLVANIA)   COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  ) 
for  Chester  County,  August  13,  1776.      ) 

Pursuant  to  several  resolves  of  the  honourable  Committee 
of  Safety,  recommending  the  respective  Committees  of  In- 
spection, Sic.,  of  this  Province  to  appoint  suitable  persons 
to  provide  for  the  distressed  families  of  Associators  when  they 
are  in  actual  service:  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be,  and  are  hereby, 
appointed  for  that  purpose,  viz : 

Robert  Witherow,  Jonathan  Pugh,  David  John, 
Caleb  Way,  John  Pugh,  David  Davis,  Charles- 
William  Kenedy,  Paul  McKnight,  town. 
John  Smith,  JohnGruber,  Jenkin  Davies, 
Richard  Cheyney,  Israel  Longacre,  David  Davis, Tredyf- 
Samuel  Holliday,  William  Worral,  fryri> 
Francis  Alexander,  Lewis  Davis,  James  Davis, 
William  Irwin,  Adam  Grubb,  Benj.  Bartholomew, 
Jeffrey  Bentley,  Thomas  Hinkson,  David  Cloyd, 
Thomas  Trueman,  Robert  Fennel),  William  Trimble, 
Thomas  Evans,  James  Lindsey,  George  Thomas, 
Joseph  Treago,  Richard  Reyley,  Esq.,  William  Hunter, 
Francis  Gardner,  Mordecai  Cloud,  John  Steel, 
Robert  Ralston,  Robert  Finney,  Joshua  Evans, 
Henry  Acre,  David  Wherry,  Griffith  Jones, 
John  Robinson,  Samuel  Futhy,  Edward  Jones, 
David  Thomas,  Samuel  Ramsey,  Samuel  Brookes, 
John  Lloyd,  John  Glascow,  John  Morris, 
Thcophilus  Reese,  Robert  Wilkin,  Isaac  Davis,  Esq., 
John  Wagoner,  John  Fulton,  Henry  Hayes. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

WILLIAM  EVANS,  Chairman. 


GENERAL  HOWE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Head-Quarters,  Staten-Island,  August  13,  1776. 

General  Howe  desires  to  know  if  General  Washington 
has  any  objection  to  Mr.  Robert  Temple's  being  landed  at 
New-York,  and  going  from  thence  to  his  family  in  the  Go- 
vernment of  Massachusetts-Bay. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR:  As  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  but  little  time  will 
elapse  before  the  enemy  make  their  attack,  I  have  thought 
it  advisable  to  remove  all  the  papers  in  my  hands  respecting 
the  affairs  of  the  States  from  this  place.  I  hope  the  event 
will  show  the  precaution  was  unnecessary,  but  yet  prudence 
required  that  it  should  be  done,  lest  by  any  accident  they 
might  fall  into  their  hands.  They  are  all  contained  in  a 
large  box,  nailed  up,  and  committed  to  the  care  of  Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Reed,  brother  to  the  Adjutant-General,  to  be 
delivered  to  Congress,  in  whose  custody  I  would  beg  leave 
to  deposite  them  until  our  affairs  shall  be  so  circumstanced 
as  to  admit  of  their  return. 

The  enemy,  since  my  letter  of  yesterday,  have  received 
a  further  augmentation  of  thirty-six  ships  to  their  fleet, 
making  the  whole  that  have  arrived  since  yesterday  morn- 
ing ninety-six. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  GQ  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  I  would  observe,  that  I  have  sent  off"  the  box  pri- 
vately, that  it  might  raise  no  disagreeable  ideas,  and  have 
enjoined  Colonel  Reed  to  secrecy.  G.  W. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

New-York,  August  13,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  6th  instant  I  received  this 
morning  by  Bennet.  The  reports  made  by  the  emissaries, 
who  have  been  among  the  Indian  nations,  appear  not  so 
promising  as  I  could  wish.  However,  I  trust  as  so  many 
have  come  to  the  treaty,  their  views  are  friendly,  and  though 
they  may  not  consent  to  take  an  active  part,  that  they  will 
not  arm  against  us. 

The  difficulties  attending  the  vessels  fitting  for  the  Lakes 
I  am  well  apprized  of.  My  late  letters  will  inform  you  that 
I  have  taken  every  measure  in  my  power  to  facilitate  the 
work.  Before  this  comes  to  hand  the  Paymaster,  I  expect, 
will  have  received  a  supply  of  money.  The  extract  of  Mr. 
Varick's  letter  shows  it  was  much  wanted.  I  have  not 
failed  in  any  instance  to  communicate  your  wants  of  this 


933 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


934 


article  to  Congress  when  they  have  been  mentioned  to  me; 
urging,  at  the  same  time,  not  only  the  expediency,  but  neces- 
sity of  keeping  the  military  chests  constantly  furnished.  It 
will  be  well  for  you  always  to  give  them  early  notice  of  what 
you  may  have  occasion  for,  that  their  remittances  may  be 
adequate.  In  future  I  presume  they  will  have  the  fullest 
information  upon  that  subject,  having,  by  some  late  resolves, 
enjoined  their  commanders  in  every  department  to  transmit 
them  monthly  a  list  of  the  warrants  they  grant,  the  Paymas- 
ters to  return  a  weekly  state  of  their  military  chests,  and  the 
Commissaries  and  Quartermasters  of  what  they  receive.  I 
have  not  these  regulations  by  me,  but  if  my  memory  serves, 
they  were  passed  the  2d  instant,  and  have  been  forwarded 
to  you.  I  have  always  laid  before  Congress  copies  of  your 
letters  and  their  enclosures,  when  they  were  of  a  publick 
nature,  or  contained  intelligence  in  any  way  material,  except 
when  advised  that  you  had  done  it  yourself.  I  shall  here 
take  occasion  to  request,  that  whenever  you  write  to  them 
and  me  of  the  same  things,  you  certify  me  thereof,  to  prevent 
me  transmitting  useless  information. 

In  respect  to  Colonel  Nicohon's  regiment  and  the  places 
where  it  should  be  stationed,  you  certainly  can  determine 
better  than  I,  having  more  in  your  power  intelligence  of  the 
enemy's  movements  and  designs. 

I  would  observe,  in  answer  to  that  part  of  your  letter  which 
mentions  that  a  Council  of  Officers  or  a  Court-Martial  had 
been  convened  and  held  here  to  decide  upon  the  Council  of 
those  who  had  sat  at  Crown-Point,  that  your  information  is 
wrong.  No  Council,  no  Court  of  Inquiry,  nor  Court-Martial, 
upon  that  subject,  sir,  was  ever  convened  by  my  order  or  their 
own  accord.  When  intelligence  was  first  received  here  that 
Crown-Point  was  abandoned,  it  was  the  cause  of  a  general 
alarm,  and  filled  the  minds  of  most  who  heard  it  with  no 
small  degree  of  anxiety;  some  judging  from  the  commonly 
accepted  opinion,  and  others  from  their  knowledge  and  ac- 
quaintance with  it  and  the  country  round  about  it,  that  it  was 
of  the  last  importance  to  us  to  possess  it,  to  give  us,  in  con- 
junction with  the  vessels  we  were  about  to  build,  the  superi- 
ority of  the  Lake,  and  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  penetrating 
into  this  and  the  Eastern  States.  Among  othess,  some  of 
the  General  Officers,  from  their  own  knowledge,  and  the  rest 
from  the  ideas  they  had  formed  as  the  matter  was  occasion- 
ally mentioned,  delivered  their  sentiments  to  this  effect,  as 
did  every  person  I  heard  speak  of  it  at  the  time  the  account 
first  came.  From  the  universal  chagrin  that  took  place,  the 
regret  that  every  person  expressed  upon  the  occasion,  the 
Remonstrance  of  the  Officers  which  you  transmitted,  and 
which  appeared  to  contain  many  weighty  reasons,  I  felt 
myself  much  concerned,  as  everybody  else  dfd,  and  wished, 
according  to  my  information  and  opinion  at  that  time,  the 
post  had  been  maintained.  I  do  not  wish  to  dwell  longer 
upon  the  subject,  and  therefore  shall  only  add  that  your 
letter  of  the  24th  ultimo  (or  at  least  a  copy  of  it)  was  trans- 
mitted to  Congress  as  soon  as  it  was  received;  nor  shall  I 
have  any  objection  to  sending  a  copy  of  the  one  before  me 
now,  when  I  have  an  opportunity  to  make  it  out,  if  it  shall 
be  your  inclination  and  request. 

I  have  no  news  of  any  importance  to  communicate,  unless 
that  the  enemy  are  daily  becoming  stronger.  On  Monday 
they  received  an  augmentation  of  ninety-eight  ships  to  their 
fleet,  with  a  further  part  of  the  foreign  troops  it  is  probable. 
They  seem  to  be  making  great  preparations,  and  we  have 
reason  to  expect  they  are  upon  the  point  of  making  an  attack. 
The  letters  which  accompany  this  you  will  be  pleased  to 
deliver  to  Generals  Gates,  Reed,  and  St.  Clair;  they  came 
to  hand  on  Sunday.  And  wishing  you,  and  the  Army 
under  your  command,  health,  and  the  smiles  of  a  kind  Provi- 
dence on  all  your  efforts,  I  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient 


servant, 


Go.  WASHINGTON. 


To  Major-General  Schuyler,  Northern  Department. 


GENERAL  HEARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-York,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  Please  to  grant  an  order  on  the  Paymaster  Gene- 
ral for  the  payment  of  my  brigade  to  the  1st  of  this  instant, 
as  the  greatest  part  of  them  are  under  the  necessity  of  receiv- 


JOSEPH  REED  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF   CONGRESS. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR:  The  critical  situation  of  the  Army  at  this  time  re- 
quired the  removal  of  all  persons  of  suspected  characters. 
Among  others,  the  two  gentlemen  who  will  have  the  honour 
of  waiting  upon  you  with  this  have  been  apprehended  and 
brought  to  this  place.  As  there  were  no  specifick  charges 
against  them,  but  the  measure  was  merely  cautionary,  his 
Excellency  indulged  them  on  their  parole  with  personal 
liberty;  and  though  he  removed  the  others  to  Connecticut, 
for  some  special  reasons,  and  a  confidence  which  he  reposed 
in  Captain  Hamilton  and  Mr.  Young,  he  permitted  them  to 
go  to  Philadelphia,  there  to  be  subject  to  the  orders  of  the 
honourable  Congress;  for  which  purpose  they  now  wait  on 
you. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  most  respectfully,  sir,  your  obe- 
dient and  very  humble  servant,  Jos.  REED. 

STEPHEN  MOYLAN  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New- York,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  His  Excellency  the  General  sent  me  yesterday  copy 
of  a  resolve  of  Congress,  passed  the  2d  instant.  In  com- 
pliance therewith,  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you  an 
account  of  all  moneys  I  have  received  from  the  Paymaster- 
General  since  my  appointment  to  the  Quartermaster-Gene- 
ral's office,  until  this  day.  I  shall  henceforward  send  weekly 
returns  thereof;  and  as  soon  as  possible  transmit  returns  of 
the  stores  under  mine  and  the  assistants'  directions,  with  the 
distribution  of  them. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  very  great  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient,  humble  servant,  STEPHEN  MoYLAN> 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


BARON  DE  CALBIAC  TO  RICHARD  PETERS. 

New-York,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  received  from  you,  through  the  hands  of  General 
Washington,  part  of  some  papers  I  left  with  Colonel  Me- 
Kean.  There  are  other  very  material  ones,  which  I  left  at  the 
same  time,  which  have  not  been  transmitted  tome.  I  should 
suppose  Colonel  McKean  sent  to  your  office  the  whole  of 
the  papers  together.  I  have  written  to  him  on  the  subject; 
but  in  case  you  may  not  hear  from  him  soon,  should  esteem 
it  a  great  favour  that  you  would  examine  in  the  office  if 
there  are  no  other  papers  of  mine,  which  have  been  over- 
looked. The  papers  which  are  wanting  are  my  passport  from 
France,  and  two  letters  of  service  from  the  French  Court. 

You  will  excuse  the  trouble  I  give  you,  from  your  most 
obedient,  very  humble  servant, 

LE  BARON  DE  CALBIAC. 


GENERAL  SCOTT  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New- York,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  Mr.  Willet  Taylor  is  a  prisoner.  He  is  an  infirm 
man,  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Bogart,  a  staunch  Whig.  No 
difficulty  can  arise  from  the  interposition  of  the  Congress  in 
his  affair.  I  am  sure  the  General  will  not  be  displeased 
with  it.  I  am  told  Mr.  Taylor  is  willing  to  give  assurances 
on  oath;  and  very  probably  his  father-in-law  will  under- 
take for  him.  For  the  sake  of  his  family,  and  particularly 
his  wife,  who  is  far  gone  in  her  pregnancy,  I  could  wish  the 
Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York  would  do  something 
in  the  case.  If  he  is  left  to  me,  I  must  of  course  order  him 
to  Connecticut. 

If  Congress  will  interfere  in  the  affair,  I  will  answer  for 
it  to  the  General.  I  should  be  glad  to  know  their  determi- 
nation on  the  subject. 

I  am,  sir,  with  all  imaginable  respect,  their  and  your  most 
obedient  servant,  JNO.  MORIN  SCOTT. 

To  the  Honourable  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  the 

State  of  New-  York. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  Harlem,  August  13,  1776.      $ 

Resolved,  That  General  Scott  be  empowered,  with  the 
permission  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  to  dis- 


ing  their  wages  before  they  move;  which  granted  will  oblige     pose  of  Wilkt  Taylor,  Esq.,  within  this  State. 


your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

NATHANIEL  HEARD. 


A  true  copy  from  the  Minutes : 

JOHN  MCKESSON,  Secretary. 


935 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


936 


SAMUEL  LOUDON  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New- York,  August  13,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  been  informed  that  there  is  another 
sum  of  money  to  be  soon  printed  by  order  of  Congress.  If 
I  am  honoured  with  their  command  to  print  it,  there  will  be 
absolute  necessity  to  remove  my  press  to  some  place  of 
safety  and  convenience  for  the  purpose. 

I  have  thoughts  of  taking  down  my  press  to-morrow,  but 
where  to  remove  it  I  know  not.  The  situation  here  at  pre- 
sent is  dangerous.  I  mean  to  continue  my  newspaper,  and 
remove  to  such  place  as  the  posts  may  meet,  which,  I  sup- 
pose, will  not  be  far  from  the  city.  If  I  can  be  serviceable 
to  the  honourable  Congress  of  this  State,  I  am  ready  to  obey 
their  order,  by  removing  to  such  place  as  they  may  think 
fit. 

I  shall  be  glad  of  your  answer  and  advice  on  this  subject; 
and  am,  dear  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

S.  LOUDON. 
To  John  McKesson,  Esq. 


GENERAL  WADSWORTH  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  August  13,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  Received  yours  of  the  6th  instant  to 
Colonel  Dyer;  and  having  been  previously  informed  that 
circular  letters  had  been  issued  by  your  Honour  to  the  civil 
authorities,  Sic.,  to  promote  enlistments  into  the  several  regi- 
ments in  my  brigade  to  complete  the  same,  had  sent  recruiting 
officers  into  Connecticut  to  facilitate  the  inlistment;  which 
I  did  as  soon  as  I  judged  the  pressing  necessity  for  labour 
was  so  far  over  as  to  afford  the  least  prospect  of  success. 
Am  informed  Major  St.  John  is  coming  down  with  the 
Militia.  If  so,  I  think  it  would  be  best  he  should  muster 
the  troops  here,  unless  some  more  eligible  mode  may  be 
suggested.  I  herewith  transmit  a  copy  of  the  last  brigade 
return,  by  which  it  appeal's  Colonel  Gay's  regiment  is  at 
Long-Island,  but  has  now  orders  to  return  into  the  city.  In 
the  present  hurry  of  business,  must  beg  leave  to  refer  your 
Honour  to  Colonel  Dyer  and  Mr.  Law  for  intelligence. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  your  Honour's  most 

obedient,  humble  servant,   ,  Alr 

JAMES  WADSWORTH,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Governour  Trumbull. 


ROBERT  YATES  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Poughkeepsie,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR  :  Your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  21st  ultimo  arrived 
here  at  a  time  when  this  Committee  was  dispersed,  and  the 
members  gone  different  ways  on  different  business.  It  was, 
however,  sent  by  express  to  Mr.  Jay,  who  was  then  in  Con- 
necticut, endeavouring  to  procure  cannon  for  the  defence  of 
Hudson's  River;  and  we  have  the  pleasure  of  informing  your 
Excellency  that  we  have  obtained  ten  twelve,  and  ten  six- 
pounders,  with  fifty  rounds  of  shot  for  each  cannon;  four  of 
the  twelve  are  now  at  Fort  Montgomery. 

We  have  paid  a  second  visit  to  the  forts,  and  were  pleased 
to  find  the  fortifications  at  the  West-Point,  opposite  to  Fort 
Montgomery,  going  on  with  spirit.  We  think  it  a  most  im- 
portant post,  and  are  confident  that  if  it  be  well  fortified  and 
defended,  it  will,  together  with  Fort  Montgomery,  effectually 
secure  that  important  pass.  The  attention  General  Clinton 
has  paid  to  that  work,  as  well  as  other  objects  of  publick 
concern,  merits  approbation.  Several  of  the  garrison  have 
been  put  to  exercising  the  artillery,  and  we  hope  a  number 
of  good  matrosses  will  in  that  way  be  made. 

The  chain  intended  for  the  Sorel  is  arrived,  and  will 
form  a  quarter  part  of  the  one  designed  for  Hudson's  River. 
The  iron  for  the  remainder  is  come  to  hand,  and  the  smiths 
begin  this  day  to  forge  it.  We  have  agreed  to  fix  one  end 
of  it  at  fort  Montgomery,  and  the  other  at  the  foot  of  a 
mountain  called  Anthony's  Nose.  It  will  cross  the  river 
obliquely,  and  for  that  reason  be  less  exposed  to  the  force 
of  the  tide,  and  less  liable  to  injury  from  the  ships  of  the 
enemy.  The  length  of  the  chain  will,  at  least,  be  twenty- 
one  hundred  feet. 

We  have  purchased  and  are  now  fitting  out  two  sloops, 
each  of  sufficient  force  to  manage  a  tender,  and  have  appoint- 
ed Captain  Benson  (who  will  be  the  bearer  of  this  letter) 
commander  of  the  one,  and  Captain  Castel  of  the  other. 
The  late  levies  have  so  far  drained  the  country  of  men,  that 


we  fear  it  will  be  impracticable  to  man  these  vessels  unless 
the  officers  be  permitted  to  inlist  them  from  among  the  levies. 
Between  fifty  and  sixty  men  for  each  vessel  will  be  sufficient. 
Should  this  expedient  meet  your  Excellency's  approbation, 
we  flatter  ourselves  the  vessels  would  in  a  very  short  time 
be  fit  for  service. 

We  are  much  obliged  to  your  Excellency  for  communi- 
cating to  us  the  agreeable  intelligence  of  the  success  attend- 
ing the  bravery  of  our  Carolina  friends,  as  well  as  for  your 
constant  and  unwearied  attention  to  the  safety  and  defence 
of  this  State. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect  and 
esteem,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  very  humble 
servants.  By  order  of  the  Committee : 

ROBERT  YATES,  Chairman. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

i 

CAPTAIN  SMITH   (PRISONER)  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Esopus,  August  13, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  When  Captain  Biddle,  of  the  Congress 
armed  vessel  the  Andrew  Doria,  on  the  29th  May  last,  took 
the  Oxford  transport,  on  board  of  which  was  a  company  of 
his  Britannick  Majesty's  Forty-Second  Regiment  of  Foot, 
Captain  Biddle,  upon  taking  the  officers  out  of  the  Oxford, 
only  allowed  them  to  take  their  bedding  and  a  few  shirts 
with  them,  and  told  them  that  by  orders  of  the  Continental 
Congress  all  that  was  the  private  property  of  the  prisoners 
that  were  taken,  should  be  allowed  them,  and  that  he  would 
return  the  officers  their  swords  upon  coming  on  shore. 

My  reason  for  troubling  you  with  this,  gentlemen,  is,  that 
you  mentioned  that  when  any  prisoners  had  business  of  any 
kind,  they  were  to  apply  to  you.  Now  I,  and  the  rest  of 
the  officers  of  my  company,  who  were  taken  on  board 
the  Oxford,  will  be  glad  to  be  informed  whether  or  not  we 
will  be  allowed  our  baggage,  and  what  was  our  private  pro- 
perty, that  was  on  board  at  the  time  we  were  taken.  All 
my  clothes  and  other  baggage,  and  about  sixty  guineas  in 
cash,  were  on  board ;  as  likewise  Lieutenant  Franklin's,  who 
is  prisoner  with  me  here,  and  Lieutenant  Monroe's  and  En- 
sign Campbell's,  whom  Captain  Biddle  carried  to  Rhode- 
Island  with  him.  Captain  Biddle  gave  the  command  of  the 
Oxford  to  one  of  his  Lieutenants,  a  Mr.  McDougall,  and  a 
Mr.  Tribbet. 

I  should  be  very  much  obliged  to  you,  gentlemen,  if  you 
will  be  so  kind  as  to  let  me  have  an  answer  to  this  as  soon 
as  it  is  convenient. 

I  am,  with  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  hum- 
ble  servant,  JQHN  SMITH)  ^^  {n 

His  Britannick  Majesty's  42rf  Reg't. 

To  Jno.  Broum,  Esq.,  and  the  other  gentlemen  appointed 
by  Congress  for  the  disposition  of  Continental  prisoners. 


GOVEBNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Lebanon,  August  13, 1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  7th  instant,  by  Mr.  Root,  and 
the  intelligence  it  contains,  have  given  me  great  concern 
and  anxiety.  The  soon  expected  strength  of  the  enemy, 
and  the  weakness  of  your  Army,  were  equally  unforeseen 
and  surprising.  Though  I  never  gave  credit  to  the  publick 
accounts  of  your  numbers,  yet  I  could  not  suspect  they  fell 
so  much  short  of  the  numbers  proposed  as  I  find  they  do. 

Immediately  upon  receipt  of  your  letter  I  summoned  my 
Council  of  Safety,  and  ordered  nine  regiments  of  our  Militia, 
in  addition  to  the  five  Western  regiments,  (fourteen  in  the 
whole,)  to  march  without  loss  of  time  and  join  you,  under  the 
command  of  Oliver  Wolcott,  Esq.,  Colonel  of  the  regi- 

ment, as  their  Brigadier-General,  who  is  appointed  and  com- 
missioned to  that  office.  These  orders  are  accompanied 
with  the  most  pressing  recommendation  of  speedily  carrying 
them  into  execution,  enforced  by  communicating  as  much  of 
the  intelligence  you  was  pleased  to  favour  me  with,  of  your 
situation  and  danger,  as  I  thought  prudent  and  necessary. 

I  have  likewise  proposed  that  companies  of  volunteers, 
consisting  of  able-bodied  men  not  in  the  Militia,  should  asso- 
ciate and  march  to  your  assistance,  under  officers  they  should 
choose,  and  have  promised  them  like  wages  and  allowance 
of  provisions,  &tc.,  as  the  Continental  Army  receive.  Some 
such  companies  are  formed,  and  I  expect  more  will  be. 


037 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


938 


Whatever  their  numbers  may  be,  they  will  be  ordered  to 
join  some  one  of  our  Militia  regiments,  and  submit  themselves 
to  the  command  of  their  field  officers  while  they  continue  in 
service.  Colonel  Ward's  regiment  is  on  their  march  to  join. 

I  am  far  from  trusting  merely  in  the  justice  of  our  cause. 
I  consider  that  as  a  just  ground  to  hope  for  the  smiles  of 
Heaven  on  our  exertions,  which  ought  to  be  the  greatest  in 
our  power. 

These  fourteen  regiments,  sent  on  the  present  emergency, 
consist  of  substantial  farmers,  whose  business  requires  their 
return  when  the  necessity  of  their  further  stay  in  (he  Army 
is  over;  and  doubt  not  your  attention  thereto,  and  that  you 
will  dismiss  them  in  whole  or  in  part  as  soon  as  you  think 
safe  and  convenient. 

Captain  Bacon  has  not  been  with  me,  though  I  have 
heard  of  him,  and  that  he  is  returned  without  going  to  Rhode- 
Island.  Captain  Van  Buren  has  been  here  upon  the  same 
errand,  and  has  procured  all  the  sail-cloth  that  was  wanted, 
and  part  of  the  cordage,  and  has  a  prospect  of  obtaining  the 
rest  of  the  cordage  in  this  Colony.  I  have,  notwithstanding, 
forwarded  your  letter  to  Governour  Cooke,  and  likewise 
given  him  the  intelligence  I  received  from  you,  agreeable  to 
your  request. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient,  humble 

servant>  JONA.  TRUMBULL. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Lebanon,  August  13, 1776. 

SIR:  I  wrote  you  yesterday,  since  which  Captain  Seth 
Warren,  one  of  the  sea  Captains  you  mention, came  to  me,  and 
hath  consented  to  undertake  and  raise  a  company  of  seamen 
for  thu  Lake  service.  He  informs  me  that  he  can  soon  procure 
twenty  seamen  here,  and  as  many  more  out  of  the  companies 
in  Colonel  Mott's  regiment,  which  went  from  his  neigh- 
bourhood, and  are  at  or  on  their  march  to  Skenesborough. 
I  have  conferred  with  him,  and,  on  consideration,  offered 
the  following  encouragement  to  such  able-bodied  seamen  as 
shall  inlist  into  the  service,  to  wit:  Bounty,  ($20,)  £6; 
premium  for  blanket,  12s.;  premium  for  gun,  6s.;  cartouch- 
box,  belt,  and  knapsack,  2s.;  wages  per  month,  £2  8s. : 
they  to  be  held  in  service  from  the  day  of  their  inlistment 
until  the  25th  day  of  December  next,  unless  sooner  dis- 
charged, and  to  have  the  same  allowance  and  inarching 
money  as  the  other  troops  in  Continental  service.  The  pre- 
mia  and  first  month's  wages  to  be  paid  before  they  begin 
their  march. 

I  shall,  per  next  opportunity,  send  you  an  account  of  the 
cost  of  the  felling-axes  and  advance  pay  to  the  carpenters, 
and  an  estimate  of  the  sums  necessary  to  be  advanced  for 
premia  and  first  month's  wages  for  the  seamen  now  to  be 
raised,  which  I  shall  hope  to  receive.  The  other  Captains 
I  expect  here  soon,  and  trust  they  will  undertake  the  ser- 
vice. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  your  obedient  and 
humble  servant,  JONA.  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Schuylcr. 


GOVEHNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Lebanon,  August  13, 1776. 

SIR:  This  day  Mr.  Daniel  Strong,  a  wagoner  from  this 
place,  set  out  with  a  load  of  axes  and  clothing  for  your  Army. 
Enclosed  is  account  of  packages,  with  an  invoice  of  sundry 
articles  of  clothing.  At  Farmington  he  is  to  fall  into  com- 
pany with  an  ox-team  which  brings  on  more  clothing.  On 
their  arrival,  they  will  need  your  directions  for  the  delivery. 
Another  team  will  set  out  from  Windham  on  Thursday  or 
Friday  next  with  more  clothing,  and  will  meet  your  direc- 
tions. 

A  post-rider  will  pass  in  course  from  this  place  to  Ticon- 
dcroga  or  Skenesljorovgh,  as  may  be  thought  necessary,  as 
frequently  as  that  stage  can  be  performed.  I  have  desired 
General  Schuyhr  to  order  another  to  meet  him  and  exchange 
mails  at  the  nearest  place  to  Albany. 

Every  intelligence  you  may  think  proper  to  give  me  will 
be  acceptable  to,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JONA.  THUMBULL. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


HENRY  BROMFIELD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  your  Excellency's  favour  of 
24th  June,  which  came  to  hand  at  a  time  when  I  was  absent 
on  a  journey  in  the  country.  This,  with  a  great  uncertainty 
whether  to  undertake  the  task  assigned  me  therein,  has  been 
the  reason  that  I  have  not  returned  an  earlier  answer;  at 
length,  however,  upon  the  consideration  of  the  delay  a  refusal 
must  occasion,  and  that  the  excuse  I  might  allege  in  my  favour 
might  be  pleaded  by  others  who  most  probably  must  have 
been  in  the  same  situation,  viz:  an  unacquainted  ness  with 
the  value  of  the  various  articles  to  be  appraised,  has  deter- 
mined me  to  undertake  the  trouble,  in  conjunction  with  Mr. 
William  Davis,  merchant  of  this  town,  on  behalf  of  Captain 
Manley  and  his  crew.  We  have  spared  no  pains  to  ascertain 
the  value  of  the  different  articles,  in  order  to  which  we  have 
applied  to  all  the  traders  and  mechanicks  most  conversant 
therein,  and  have,  from  the  information  received  from  them, 
and  others  most  capable  of  giving  it,  endeavoured  to  make 
an  estimation  as  near  to  truth  as  might  be,  which,  however 
it  may  deviate,  I  am  conscious  on  my  own  part  cannot  be 
attributed  to  inattention  or  neglect,  and  hope  will  be  such  as 
to  meet  the  approbation  of  your  Excellency  and  the  honour- 
able Congress. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  esteem  and 
respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HENRY  BROMFIELD. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Esq. 


COLONEL  FITCH  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-Haven,  August  13,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  I  think  it  my  duty  to  acquaint  your 
Honour  of  the  condition  and  circumstances  of  the  soldiers  in 
my  regiment,  as  they  are  now  all  ordered  off  to  New-  York. 
Their  complaints  are  without  number.  I  will  mention  a 
few.  In  some  parishes  but  one  or  two  are  left ;  some  have 
got  ten  or  twelve  loads  of  hay  cut,  and  not  a  man  left  to 
take  it  up;  some  five  or  six,  under  the  same  circumstances; 
some  have  got  a  great  quantity  of  grass  to  cut;  some  have 
not  finished  hoeing  corn ;  some,  if  not  all,  have  got  all  their 
ploughing  to  do,  for  sowing  their  winter  grain ;  some  have 
all  their  families  sick,  and  not  a  person  left  to  take  care  of 
them.  I  could  mention  as  many  more  excuses  as  would  fill 
up  a  sheet  of  paper  which  they  have  made  to  me,  &c. 

I  would,  with  submission,  beg  of  your  Honour  to  inform 
his  Excellency  General  Washington  of  the  condition  of  this 
regiment,  so  that  they  may  be  released  as  soon  as  they  pos- 
sibly can  be,  consistent  with  the  safety  of  the  Army.  It  is 
enough  to  make  a  man's  heart  ache  to  hear  the  complaints 
of  some  of  them. 

I  would  ask  your  Honour  whether  it  is  safe  to  have  all 
the  Militia  taken  from  the  sea-shore  at  this  time,  when  we 
expect  two  or  three  men-of-war  in  our  Sound.  Colonel  Jabez 
Thompson  has  undertaken  to  command  the  regiment  at  last, 
and  is  now  gone  to  New-  York.  He  desired  me  to  mention 
to  your  Honour  that  he  thinks,  as  he  has  been  in  the  service 
so  long,  he  ought  to  rank  with  a  Colonel,  and,  if  it  can  be 
done,  desires  you  to  give  him  such  appointment,  &c. 

I  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself  your  Honour's  most  obe- 
dient,  humble  servant,  JQNA  FITCH 

To  His  Honour  Governour  Trumbutt. 

N.  B.  I  beg  your  Honour  to  sign  the  enclosed  letter,  and 
send  it  to  me. 


JACOB  BAYLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Newbury,  August  13,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  employed  by  his  Excellency  General  Wash- 
ington to  cut  a  road  from  this  to  St.  John's.  I  had  pro- 
ceeded thirty  miles,  when  I  had  news  of  General  Sullivan's 
retreat.  I  then  brought  in  my  party,  and  held  them  in 
readiness.  I  informed  his  Excellency,  and  wait  for  further 
orders.  The  whole  way  is  well  marked,  and  cattle  may  be 
easily  driven  to  St.  John's,  if  wanted  there  by  our  Army. 
On  the  shortest  notice,  I  will  proceed  on  the  road  to  com- 
plete it.  I  know  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance.  I  was 
lately  at  Watertown  and  Exeter.  Gentlemen  of  the  first 
character  say  they  will  immediately  turn  out  volunteers  to 


939 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


940 


assist  in  Canada,  if  wanted.     I  believe  four  or  five  thousand 
may  be  had  at  St.  John's  fifteen  days  after  notice. 

The  bearer,  Thomas  McKcach,  soldier  in  Colonel  Bedefs 
regiment,  doubtless  was  enticed  from  his  duty,  as  the  next 
day  after  he  came  to  me,  and  was  ready  to  return.  I  advised 
him  to  stay  a  little  for  some  of  the  Cedar  men,  who  now  are 
returning  with  him.  Must  beg,  sir,  you  will  pardon  him. 
His  character  is  good  with  us,  and  the  people  of  his  country 
with  us  are  friendly  to  our  cause. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JACOB  BAYLEY. 

P.  S.  I  have  sent  for  the  Hessian  deserter  at  Mr.  Met- 
calf's,  and  shall  leave  one  of  our  men  in  his  room,  to  watch 
the  motions  of  Regulars,  &c. 

Halifax,  NoTa-Scolia,  August  13,  1776. 

We  have  undoubted  authority  that  two  thousand  High- 
landers, under  the  convoy  of  three  frigates  and  three  armed 
schooners,  on  a  new  construction  for  drawing  the  least  quan- 
tity of  water,  have  been  despatched  by  Lord  Howe  up  the 
Bay  of  Fund  ay,  to  penetrate  by  that  side  into  the  Neu- 
Hampshire  Government;  and  that  Colonel  McLane,  with 
three  thousand  of  the  lower  country  Militia  of  Canada,  and 
six  hundred  Indians,  are  on  their  full  march  to  join  that  body 
of  Highlanders  at  the  head  of  the  river  St.  John's,  and 
to  cooperate  with  them. 

Saturday  night  last  arrived  below,  and  Sunday  morning 
came  up  to  town,  his  Majesty's  frigate  Liverpool,  from 
Head-Quarters,  and  brought  in  with  her  a  Jamaica  ship 
and  Antigua  brig,  retaken  ;  also,  a  Philadelphia  sloop, 
bound  to  some  port  of  New-England. 

We  hear  that  a  Spanish  vessel,  with  a  large  quantity  of 
cash  on  board,  was  taken  going  up  the  Delaware  river  to 
Philadelphia,  by  one  of  his  Majesty's  ships-of-war  cruising 
off  there;  and  that  a  ship  from  Hamburgh,  laden  with 
woollen  cloth  and  all  sorts  of  linen,  &.C.,  was  likewise  taken, 
bound  for  the  above  port. 

On  the  2d  instant  arrived  his  Majesty's  frigate  Milford, 
Captain  Burr,  from  a  cruise,  and  brought  in  a  prize  schoo- 
ner, loaded  with  fish  and  lumber  for  the  West-India  market; 
also,  the  Princess  Royal,  a  homeward  Jamaica  ship,  loaded 
with  rum,  sugar,  and  other  valuable  articles,  which,  having 
parted  her  convoy,  fell  in,  off  the  Bermuda  Islands,  with  a 
letter-of-marque  schooner,  in  the  American  service,  of  six 
guns  and  some  swivels,  bound  to  Santa  Croix,  who  took 
her  and  put  an  officer  and  twelve  men  on  board.  But  after 
they  had  her  in  possession  sixteen  days,  he  fell  in  with  the 
Milford,  in  Boston  Bay,  who  retook  her,  but  the  prize- 
master  and  his  men  took  to  their  boat,  and  got  on  shore 
before  the  Milford  came  up. 


The  foregoing  works  had  no  cannon  mounted  when  I  left 
Halifax,  August  16th. 

A  large  square  breastwork  for  cannon,  almost  finished, 
on  the  top  of  Citadel  Hill,  mounting  twelve  twenty-four 
pounders,  three  each  way,  viz:  north,  east,  south,  west. 
The  eastern  side  fronts  the  harbour.  A  block-house,  forty 
feet  by  sixty,  erecting  in  said  works. 

In  the  County  of  King's  County:  Part  of  the  Royal 
Highland  Emigrants,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  thirty- 
seven  rank  and  file. 

In  the  County  of  Cumberland:  The  regiment  of  Royal 
Fencible  Americans,  commanded  by  Colonel  Gorham,  con- 
sisting of  two  hundred  and  seventy-two  rank  and  file  when 
the  last  accounts  came  away;  but  frequent  desertions  lessen 
their  numbers. 

The  dock-yard  is  situate  upon  low  land,  about  one  mile 
north  by  west  of  the  middle  of  the  town  of  Halifax,  sur- 
rounded with  a  stone  wall,  ten  feet  high,  but  is  not  strong 
enough  to  resist  the  enchantment  of  a  three-pound  ball. 


An  authentick  List  of  the  Naval  and  Military  Force  in  the 
Province  of  NOVA-SCOTIA,  August  13,  1776,  collected 
from  the  best  authorities  in  the  Province. 

In  the  Harbour  of  Halifax:  The  Milford  and  Liverpool 
frigates,  of  28  guns;  the  brig  Hope,  of  12  guns;  the  new 
sloop  of  war,  fitting  out,  called  the  Albany,  (late  the  Ritten- 
house,  belonging  to  Philadelphia,)  to  carry  16  guns,  Mowatt 
Commander. 

August  16. — Since  writing  this  List,  the  Milford  and 
Liverpool  frigates  sailed;  and  the  17th,  (to-morrow,)  the 
brig  Hope  will  sail  for  Louisburgh. 

In  the  Town  of  Halifax:  Two  battalions  of  Marines,  the 
whole  nine  hundred  rank  and  file;  near  two  hundred  inva- 
lids; twelve  Artillery  men;  one  company  of  the  Fourteenth 
Regiment  of  Infantry,  forty-seven  rank  and  file;  one  com- 
pany of  the  Royal  Highland  Emigrants,  thirty-nine  rank 
and  file,  six  brass  field-pieces,  six  and  three-pounders. 

Fortifications  in  the  Town  and  Suburbs:  A  five-sided 
redoubt,  about  one  hundred  paces  west  of  the  dock-yard; 
a  redoubt  on  a  hill  called  Padley's  Hill,  about  one  and  a 
half  mili;  northwest  of  the  dock-yards:  a  redoubt,  four  sides, 
about  five  hundred  paces  southwest  of  the  dock-yard;  a 
small  breastwork  on  a  hill  called  Still-House  Hill,  about 
forty  paces  north  of  the  dock-yard,  small  block-houses  to  be 
built  in  each  of  the  above  redoubts;  a  block-house,  twenty 
feet  by  thirty,  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the  dock-yard,  and 
another  of  the  same  dimensions  at  the  southwest  corner;  a 
small  block-house,  fifteen  feet  by  eight,  each  side  of  the  dock- 
yard gate. 


JOHN  HANSON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  October  7,  1776.] 

St.  Croix,  August  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  To  say  anything  in  recommendation  of  my- 
self will  be  presumption ;  to  promise  much  will  be  idle;  for 
events  depend  on  the  Almighty.  I  foresee  an  Independency 
must  of  necessity  be  declared.  I  am  a  friend,  and  ever  have 
been,  to  the  righteous  cause  of  America;  and  as  such  I  offer 
you  my  heart  and  hand.  If  I  can  be  of  service  at  this  critical 
moment,  and  if  my  service  is  accepted,  please  to  inform  me 
time  enough  to  settle  my  affairs  here,  and  send  a  fast-sailing 
frigate  to  conduct  myself  and  family  to  America.  If  she  is  of 
force,  I  may  probably  bring  one  of  King  George's  frigates 
with  me. 

I  am,  with  hearty  wishes  for  your  success,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient,  humble  servant,  JQHN  JJANSQN 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


COLONEL  THOMPSON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Charlestown,  South-Carolina,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  As  no  greater  honour  can  be  conferred  on  a  faithful 
servant  of  the  publick,  so  next  to  a  consciousness  of  having 
done  his  duty,  nothing  can  afford  so  much  pleasure  to  such 
servant  as  the  thanks  of  the  people.  I  must  confess,  sir,  I 
had  not  entertained  the  smallest  expectation  of  such  distin- 
guished notice  as  the  Congress  have  been  pleased  to  take  of 
my  endeavours  to  assist  in  repelling  the  attempts  of  the  fleet 
and  army  upon  this  State  on  the  28th  of  June  last.  I  was 
conscious  of  having  acted  honestly  in  the  cause,  according 
to  the  best  of  my  poor  abilities,  and  there  my  ideas  rested. 
However,  sir,  I  am  not  insensible  of  the  very  great  honour 
which,  for  barely  having  done  my  duty,  I  have  now  received 
from  the  Congress;  and  I  beg  leave  to  return  you  my  par- 
ticular thanks  for  the  very  polite  manner  in  which  you  have 
transmitted  their  resolution  of  the  20th  July  in  your  favour 
of  the  22d,  which  I  have  communicated  to  the  officers  and 
soldiers  of  my  regiment. 

Permit  me  to  request,  sir,  you  will  be  pleased  to  present 
my  humble  respects  and  assurances  to  the  Congress  that  my 
life  and  fortune  are  devoted  to  the  cause  of  the  thirteen 
United  States  of  America,  and  to  the  general  propagation  of 
liberty,  and  that  while  my  health  and  strength  will  permit 
me,  I  shall  hold  myself  at  the  command  of  my  country. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant,  ^M  THOMPSON. 


To  the  Honourable  John  Hancoclc,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  Thirteen  United 
States  of  America,  in  Congress,  at  Philadelphia. 

Charlestown,  South-Carolina,  August  14,  1776. 
His  Excellency  General  Lee  and  Brigadier-General  Howe 
have  set  out  for  Georgia.  Ten  very  fine  double-fortified 
nine-pounders,  lately  belonging  to  the  Acteon  frigate,  and 
several  anchors,  spars,  &.C.,  which  the  men-of  war  thought 
prudent  to  leave  behind  them  on  the  night  of  the  28th  June, 
have  been  taken  up  and  brought  to  town.  The  search  is 
still  continued,  and  it  is  expected  most  of  the  guns  will  be 
got  up. 


941 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


942 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER    FROM  A  FIELD-OFFICER    OF    SOUTH- 
CAROLINA,  DATED  CAMP  AT  KEOWEE,  AUGUST  14,   1776. 

On  the  6th  instant  I  marched  from  my  camp,  about  two 
miles  below  this  place,  with  about  seven  hundred  chosen 
men,  to  surprise  Cameron  and  the  Indians,  who  were  said 
to  be  encamped  at  Oeonousel.  When  I  arrived  there,  I  found 
the  camp  deserted.  I  destroyed  the  houses  and  corn  that 
were  there.  I  then  proceeded  towards  Toogola,  where, 
when  I  arrived,  I  found  the  houses  all  burnt  down  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  but  the  corn  and  all  the  houses  on 
this  side  standing,  which  1  entirely  cut  down  and  destroyed, 
and  detached  one  hundred  men  on  horseback,  who  destroyed 
another  place,  and  the  corn,  Sic.,  about  six  miles  distance, 
and  took  about  three  hundred  raw  deerskins.  The  9th  I 
marched  for  and  destroyed  the  corn  at  Estatoe,  having  before 
sent  off  Captains  Anderson  and  Pickens  to  reconnoitre  the 
mountains  near  the  river,  who  returned  and  informed  me 
that  they  had  seen  several  Indians  on  the  hills  on  each  side 
the  river.  I  marched  at  five  o'clock  next  morning,  and  in 
fording  the  river  about  a  mile  above  where  I  encamped,  the 
front,  being  advanced  about  half  way  over,  was  fired  upon 
by  a  considerable  body  of  white  men  and  Indians,  who  had 
taken  the  advantage  of  the  ground  along  the  river  side, 
and  on  a  high  hill,  which  commanded  the  ford  and  landing 
place ;  being  but  a  few  men,  they  retreated  to  the  bank, 
where  they  returned  the  fire  with  spirit.  A  general  fire  now 
ensued  on  both  sides  the  river,  which  is  here  about  forty 
yards  wide;  being  betwixt  the  two  parties,  I  ordered  out  a 
party  to  proceed  up  the  river  about  half  a  mile,  in  order  to 
endeavour  to  cross  there  and  take  them  behind,  but  found  it 
impracticable,  the  enemy  having  secured  every  part.  I 
then  ordered  a  strong  party  on  a  hill  which  commanded  an 
open  field  and  part  of  the  hill  on  the  other  side,  and  had  the 
Indian  canoes  brought  over  the  river,  in  which  about  two 
hundred  and  twenty  men  crossed  it,  about  two  in  the  after- 
noon; which  the  enemy  perceiving,  quitted  the  ground,  and 
left  me  in  possession  thereof,  where  1  found  nothing  but 
some  marks  of  blood.  I  do  not  know  the  number  of  killed 
and  wounded  of  the  enemy;  on  my  side  one  Lieutenant  and 
four  privates  are  wounded,  but  none  of  them  dangerously. 
I  had  the  houses  and  corn  here  also  burnt  and  destroyed, 
and  encamped  on  a  convenient  spot  till  the  next  morning, 
the  llth,  when  I  marched,  burnt  and  destroyed  the  houses 
and  corn  on  Brass-Town  Creek.  •  Here  I  encamped.  The 
12th  I  proceeded  about  twelve  miles  to  Tomisie,  where  I 
found  a  large  quantity  of  corn,  and  detached  Captain  Pickens 
with  sixty  men  to  reconnoitre  the  hills,  where,  about  three 
in  the  afternoon,  they  discovered  a  spy  from  the  enemy,  on 
whom  they  fired  and  followed ;  and  after  running  some  small 
distance,  about  thirty-five  of  them  engaged  a  large  number 
of  the  enemy.  On  hearing  of  the  firing  at  Tomisie,  I  im- 
mediately hurried  to  their  assistance,  with  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men,  and  came  upon  their  back  about  a  mile  from 
Tomisie,  when  a  sharp  firing  ensued,  which  lasted  about  an 
hour  and  a  quarter,  when  the  enemy  gave  way  with  con- 
siderable loss,  fifteen  dead  bodies  being  found  in  about  the 
space  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  whom  our  people 
scalped.  They  were  so  nearly  engaged,  that  three  of  the 
Indians  were  killed  by  our  people  with  their  own  knives  and 
tomahawks.  From  apparent  circumstances,  I  cannot  think 
there  could  be  less  than  sixty  Indians  killed  and  wounded 
in  this  affair.  We  had  one  man  killed  and  fifteen  wounded, 
three  of  which  have  since  died,  and  the  rest  are  in  a  fair 
way  to  do  well.  Here  I  encamped  for  the  night,  and  the 
next  day,  13th,  reached  this  camp  late  in  the  evenino-. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  NORTHUMBERLAND  COUN- 
TY (VIRGINIA)  COMMITTEE. 

[No.  133.]  Annapolis,  August  14, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  You  will  be  pleased  to  deliver  to  Captain 
James  Nicholson,  or  order,  the  powder,  arms,  and  osna- 
burghs,  imported  in  the  Molly,  Captain  Conway,  and  which 
you  were  so  obliging  as  to  land  in  a  place  of  security.  We 
shall  be  happy  in  having  it  in  our  power  to  render  you  the 
like  good  offices,  and  will  most  cheerfully  repay  you  every 
expense  that  you  have  been  put  to  on  account  of  this  im- 
portation. We  are,  Sic. 

To   the   Committee   of  Observation    for  Northumberland 
County,  in  Virginia. 


JOHN  DALTON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Alexandria,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  By  an  account  received  from  Messrs.  Daniel  and 
Samuel  Hughes,  this  Commonwealth  became  indebted  to 
your  Province  for  the  expense  of  powder,  Sic.,  expended  in 
proving  the  two  eighteen-pounders  for  the  galleys.  En- 
closed is  an  order  for  the  amount  from  the  honourable  Privy 
Council,  £28  2s. ;  on  the  receipt  of  which,  you  will  be 
pleased  to  have  a  receipt  directed  to  me. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  DALTON. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer, 

President  of  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


SAMUEL  NICHOLLS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Wye  River,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  bearing  date  the  9th  instant,  in 
regard  to  the  flint-stones  at  Emmerson's  Landing.    I  believe 
there  are  two  tons  at  least  that  are  very  readily  got  at. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  NICHOLLS. 
To  the  Honourable  Daniel,  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer. 


DOCTOR  WEISENTHALL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Annapolis,  August  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  When  I  was  before  the  Council  the  time 
before  I  set  out  for  New -York,  I  was  desired  to  furnish  the 
Council  a  memorandum  concerning  the  direction  of  physical 
matters  of  the  military  in  the  Province,  and  that  it  was  un- 
avoidable, the  nature  of  the  circumstances  requiring  it;  which 
memorandum  you  intended  to  lay  before  the  Convention; 
but  as,  immediately  after,  Doctor  Toolell  was  appointed  for 
the  present  battalion,  and  acting  at  the  same  time  as  direc- 
tor, it  gives  me  room  to  suppose  myself  superseded,  and  con- 
sequently discharged  from  any  Provincial  employment.  My 
commission  being  Surgeon  to  the  battalion  of  Colonel  Small- 
wood,  I  never  looked  upon  to  be  what  I  intended,  but  ac- 
cepted it  merely  since  the  other  was  not  as  yet  established. 
Should  my  suggestions  of  my  discharge  be  your  intention,  be 
then  pleased  to  give  Dr.  Tootell,  or  anybody  else,  an  order 
for  the  delivery  of  the  remaining  medicines  of  the  Province 
now  under  my  care;  and  as  there  will  be  a  balance  coming 
to  me,  both  for  the  battalion,  as  well  as  the  attendance  at 
Baltimore  Town  and  Fort,  you  will  please  to  issue  your 
order  for  that  purpose. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  due  respect,  gentlemen, 
you  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

C.  WEISENTHALL. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

CAPTAIN  LOWE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  As  I  had  unfortunately  engaged  the  hunt- 
ing-shirts for  my  company  before  I  waited  on  you,  not 
doubting  but  that  your  Honours  would  have  furnished  me 
with  cash  to  have  paid  for  them ;  and  as  you  did  not,  I  was 
under  the  necessity  of  paying  for  them  with  the  money  you 
furnished  me  with  to  carry  the  said  company  to  Philadelphia; 
that,  together  with  sheaths  for  a  parcel  of  bayonets,  shoes, 
hats,  and  body  shirts,  (which  articles  the  said  company  could 
not  march  without,)  has  taken  the  most  of  the  money  you 
gave  me  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the  company  to  Phila- 
delphia. I  am,  therefore,  under  the  necessity  of  begging 
your  Honours  to  grant  me  a  further  supply  by  the  return  of 
Colonel  Ewing,  or  an  order  on  him  to  supply  me  with  what 
will  be  necessary  for  that  purpose,  as  it  is  impracticable  for 
me  to  pretend  to  march  my  company  without.  I  have  no 
way  without  to  furnish  them  with  necessaries  of  life. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  Honours'  most  obedient  humble 
servant,  JNO.  HAWKINS  LOWE. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


COLONEL    HOLLINGSWORTH    TO    THE  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF 
SAFETY. 

Head  of  Elk,  August  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  several  letters  relative  to  forwarding 
the  troops  I  have  received.    I  have  given  every  assistance  iu 


943 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


944 


my  power;  but  having  found  much  difficulty  in  some  cases 
to  give  that  despatch  I  could  have  wished  for,  (on  account 
of  our  wagons  being  taken  on  to  Philadelphia,  so  that  the 
next  troops  were  obliged  to  wait  till  their  return,)  it  hath 
from  necessity  induced  me  to  form  the  plan  which  I  flatter 
myself  will  be  approved  of  by  your  Honours: 

The  troops  as  they  arrive  are  to  be  provided  with  wagons 
at  Elk,  to  carry  the  baggage,  &tc.,  to  Christeen,  where  shal- 
lops are  provided ;  or  if  not  there,  at  Newport  or  Wilming- 
ton, where,  at  furthest,  our  wagons  are  to  be  relieved,  where 
there  are  barracks  provided  for  a  battalion,  and  where 
I  have,  by  the  advice  and  recommendation  of  Brigadier- 
General  McKinky,  appointed  Mr.  Jonathan  Rurnford  to 
provide  provisions,  shallops,  and  wagons,  as  occasion  may 
require,  to  forward  them  to  Chester;  where  there  are  good 
well-furnished  barracks  for  a  thousand  men,  and  where,  by 
the  General's  recommendation,  I  applied  to  David  Copeland 
to  provide  provisions,  open  the  barracks,  &,c.  &c.  So  that 
by  tliis  method  of  proceeding  the  troops  will  make  the  march 
from  Elk  to  Philadelphia  in  three  days,  (one  day  of  eighteen 
and  two  of  fifteen  miles,)  and  may  have  good  barracks  and 
fresh  provisions  at  each  stage;  by  which  means  the  tents  and 
three-fourths  the  baggage  may  go  by  the  shallops,  as  also 
the  sick  or  ailing;  and  in  some  cases,  where  there  is  room, 
a  company  or  two  may  go.  In  this,  gentlemen,  I  have  far 
surpassed  my  orders.  Captain  Allen  Thomas  was  with  me, 
who  highly  approved  the  mode  of  proceeding.  By  him  I 
acquainted  the  honourable  members  of  Congress  for  this 
Province.  As  this  matter  appears  to  me  most  comfortable 
to  the  troops,  the  cheapest,  and  liable  to  the  least  delay,  I 
flatter  myself  of  your  Honours'  and  their  approbation.  As 
these  things  are  attended  with  considerable  expense,  for 
which  (with  some  arms  I  am  completing  here  for  Captain 
Alexander's  company)  I  have  advanced  freely,  I  submit  it 
whether  some  person,  being  appointed  in  this  County  to  pay 
the  several  expenses,  may  not  be  conducive  to  the  service ; 
and  am  your  Honours'  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

H.  HOLLINGSWORTH. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


ROBERT  MORRIS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  You  have  annexed,  an  extract  of  a  letter  we  have 
just  received  from  Messrs.  Clarke  fy  Nightingale,  merchants 
in  Providence,  Rhode-Island.  This  letter  was  laid  before 
Congress,  who  ordered  this  Committee  to  inform  your  Ex- 
cellency of  the  powder  therein  mentioned,  and  to  desire  you 
would  take  possession  of  it,  granting  a  receipt  for  the  same 
to  those  who  have  it  in  keeping,  in  order  that  we  may  account 
hereafter  for  the  value  of  such  part  as  may  be  adjudged  to 
the  privateer  that  retook  it. 

By  order  and  on  behalf  of  the  Secret  Committee,  I  have 
the  honour  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

ROBT.  MORRIS,  Chairman. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

Extract  qf  the  Letter  from  Messrs.  CLARKE  ff  NIGHTINGALE. 

A  few  days  ago  we  received  intelligence  that  the  sloop 
Nancy  was  retaken  by  the  Schuyler  privateer,  Captain  Pond, 
and  carried  into  Fury  Inlet  Bay  on  Long-Island.  We  there- 
fore despatched  Captain  Potter  immediately  to  make  inquiry 
whether  the  report  was  true ;  he  has  returned,  and  confirms 
it,  and  further  says  she  was  in  possession  of  the  enemy  but 
five  or  six  days,  and  that  she  is  pillaged  of  almost  everything. 
Out  of  all  the  arms  she  had,  there  are  but  three  muskets  and 
fifteen  pair  of  pistols  left.  They  have  got  two  cutlasses  and 
the  four  swivels  on  board  the  privateer.  Seventy-one  kegs  of 
powder  and  one  bag  saltpetre,  they  have  stored  in  Hunting- 
ton  ;  also  one  large  case  of  linens,  cotton  stockings,  and  two 
or  three  pieces  cambrick.  The  case  of  flints,  containing  ten 
thousand,  are  sent  forward  to  New-York,  to  his  Excellency 
General  Washington.  One  half  cask  of  powder,  containing 
fifty  weight,  they  have  put  into  store  at  the  south  side  o°f 
Long-Island.  This  is  all  that  remains  of  the  cargo. 

JOHN  ADAMS  TO  MRS.  ADAMS. 

Philadelphia,  August  14,  1776. 

This  is  the  anniversary  of  a  memorable  day  in  the  history 
of  America:  a  day  when  the  principle  of  American  resist- 


ance and  independence  was  first  asserted  and  carried  into 
action — the  stamp-office  fell  before  the  rising  spirit  of  our 
countrymen.  It  is  not  impossible  that  the  two  grateful  bro- 
thers may  make  their  grand  attack  this  very  day.  If  they 
should,  it  is  possible  it  may  be  more  glorious  for  this  country 
than  ever :  it  is  certain  it  will  become  more  memorable. 

Your  favours  of  August  1st  and  5th  came  by  yesterday's 
post.  I  congratulate  you  all  upon  your  agreeable  prospects. 
Even  my  pathetick  little  hero  Charles,  I  hope,  will  have  the 
distemper  finely.  It  is  very  odd  that  the  Doctor  cannot  put 
infection  enough  into  his  veins;  nay,  it  is  unaccountable  to 
me,  that  he  has  not  taken  it  the  natural  way  before  now. 
I  am  under  little  apprehension,  prepared  as  he  is,  if  he  should. 
I  am  concerned  about  you  much  more.  So  many  persons 
about  you  sick,  the  children  troublesome,  your  mind  per- 
plexed, yourself  weak  and  relaxed.  The  situation  must  be 
disagreeable.  The  country  air  and  exercise,  however,  will 
refresh  you. 

I  am  put  upon  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  device  for  a 
golden  medal,  to  commemorate  the  surrender  of  Boston  to 
the  American  arms,  and  upon  another,  to  prepare  devices 
for  a  great  seal  for  the  confederated  States.  There  is  a  gen- 
tleman here  of  French  extraction,  whose  name  is  du  Simi- 
tiere,  a  painter  by  profession,  whose  designs  are  very  inge- 
nious, and  his  drawings  well  executed.  He  has  been  applied 
to  for  his  advice.  I  wailed  on  him  yesterday,  and  saw  his 
sketches.  For  the  medal  he  proposes,  Liberty,  with  her 
spear  and  pileus,  leaning  on  General  Washington;  the  Bri- 
tish fleet  in  Boston  harbour  with  all  their  sterns  towards 
the  town,  the  America?i  troops  marching  in.  For  the  seal, 
he  proposes,  The  arms  of  the  several  nations  from  whence 
America  has  been  peopled,  as  English,  Scotch,  Irish,  Dutch, 
German,  &,c.,  each  in  a  shield.  On  one  side  of  them,  Li- 
berty with  her  pileus ;  on  the  other,  a  Rifler  in  his  uniform, 
with  his  rifle-gun  in  one  hand,  and  his  tomahawk  in  the  other: 
this  dress,  and  these  troops,  with  this  kind  of  armour,  being 
peculiar  to  America,  unless  the  dress  was  known  to  the  Ro- 
mans. Dr.  Franklin  showed  me  yesterday  a  book,  contain- 
ing an  account  of  the  dresses  of  all  the  Roman  soldiers,  one 
of  which  appeared  exactly  like  it.  This  M.  du  Simitiere  is 
a  very  curious  man.  He  has  begun  a  collection  of  materials 
for  a  history  of  this  Revolution.  He  begins  with  the  first 
advices  of  the  tea  ships.  He  cuts  out  of  the  newspapers 
every  scrap  of  intelligence,  and  every  piece  of  speculation, 
and  pastes  it  upon  clean  paper,  arranging  them  under  the 
head  of  that  State  to  which  they  belong,  and  intends  to  bind 
them  up  in  volumes.  He  has  a  list  of  every  speculation  and 
pamphlet  concerning  independence,  and  another  of  those 
concerning  forms  of  Government. 

Doctor  Franklin  proposes  a  device  for  a  seal :  Moses 
lifting  up  his  wand,  and  dividing  the  Red  Sea,  and  Pharaoh 
in  his  chariot  overwhelmed  with  the  waters.  This  motto, 
"  Rebellion  to  Tyrants  is  obedience  to  God." 

Mr.  Jefferson  proposed,  The  children  of  Israel  in  the  wil- 
derness, led  by  a  cloud  by  day,  and  a  pillar  of  fire  by  night; 
and  on  the  other  side,  Hengist  andHorsa,  the  Saxon  Chiefs, 
from  whom  we  claim  the  honour  of  being  descended,  and 
whose  political  principles  and  form  of  Government  we  have 
assumed. 

I  proposed,  The  choice  of  Hercules,  as  engraved  by  Gri- 
belin,  in  some  editions  of  Lord  Shaftesbury' s  works.  The 
hero  resting  on  his  club;  Virtue  pointing  to  her  rugged 
mountain  on  one  hand,  and  persuading  him  to  ascend; 
Sloth,  glancing  at  her  flowery  paths  of  pleasure,  wantonly 
reclining  on  the  ground,  displaying  the  charms  both  of  her 
eloquence  and  person,  to  seduce  him  into  vice.  But  this  is  too 
complicated  a  group  for  a  seal  or  medal,  and  it  is  not  original. 

1  shall  conclude  by  repeating  my  request  for  horses  and  a 
servant.  Let  the  horses  be  good  ones.  I  can't  ride  a  bad 
horse  so  many  hundred  miles.  If  our  affairs  had  not  been 
in  so  critical  a  state  at  New-  York,  I  should  have  run  away 
before  now.  But  I  am  determined,  now,  to  stay  until  some 
gentleman  is  sent  here  in  my  room,  and  until  my  horses 
come.  But  the  time  will  be  very  tedious. 

The  whole  force  is  arrived  at  Statcn-Island. 


C;FSAR  RODNEY  TO  THOMAS  RODNEY. 

Philadelphia,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  I  sent  by  Mr.  Robinson  (without  having  time  to 
write)  the  thread  you  committed  to  my  charge,  converted 


945 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


946 


into  stockings;  but  whether  the  weaver  has  discovered  as 
much  care  and  ingenuity  as  the  spinner,  on  that  occasion,  I 
cannot  say,  as  I  had  but  little  time  to  inspect  them.  I  wrote 
to  you  by  young  Mr.  Loockerman,  who  promised  you  should 
have  the  letter  as  soon  as  he  got  borne,  but  I  do  not  recol- 
lect when  he  left  home,  but  imagined  you  ought  to  have 
received  it  before  you  wrote  to  me,  and  yet  do  not  find  it 
mentioned. 

Agreeable  to  promise,  I  sent  some  time  ago  to  Mr.  Killon, 
by  Matthew  Henry's  vessel,  in  the  care  of  Richard  Lock- 
wood,  Esq.,  a  quire  of  post  paper.  I  have  not  heard  yet 
whether  it  got  safe  to  hand,  and  had  not  when  I  sent  it 
time  to  write  to  him  about  it. 

By  your  letter,  I  stand  informed  as  to  the  names  of  your 
antagonists  in  the  ensuing  election;  and  am  pleased  to  find 
you  hope  to  succeed.  But  are  you  not  too  sanguine  in  your 
expectation?  I  wish  your  ticket  may  be  supported  by  the 
freemen  of  the  County,  because  I  believe  those  men  wish 
to  have  the  great  work  in  which  we  are  now  engaged  finish- 
ed in  such  a  manner  as  to  afford  to  the  community  at  large 
that  personal  safety,  security  of  property,  free  enjoyment 
of  religious  persuasion,  and  that  equal  and  easy  distribution 
of  justice,  which  they  have  a  right  to  expect,  and  without 
which  they  cannot  be  happy. 

I  did  not  expect  to  be  carried  in  the  other  ticket,  because 
I  see  some  names  there  who  I  believe  are  too  far  gone  in 
personal  prejudice  and  private  emolument  to  do  justice  to 
merit,  or  to  consider  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  people 
at  large  their  interest.  But  if  the  people  cannot  or  will  not 
see  these  things,  though  glaring,  they  must  and  will  suffer. 

The  time  is  now  big  with  importance,  as  to  Continental 
as  well  as  Governmental  matters.  The  armies  at  New-  York 
are  like  to  come  to  blows  in  a  few  days.  One  hundred  and 
some  odd  transports,  with  Hessians,  arrived  at  the  Hook  the 
day  before  yesterday.  The  English  Army  is  supposed  to  be 
upwards  of  twenty  thousand  strong;  ours  better  than  thirty 
thousand,  in  high  spirits,  and  eager  for  action,  &.c.  I  shall 
be  able  perhaps  to  write  you  more  on  that  head  in  a  few 
days. 

I  am,  with  much  love  to  all  friends,  yours, 

CJESAR  RODNEY. 
To  Thomas  Rodney,  Esq.,  Dover. 


FRANCIS  LEWIS  TO  MRS.  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  August  13, 1776. 

DEAR  MADAM  :  I  was  favoured  with  your  letter  of  the 
6th  instant,  which  gave  me  the  greater  pleasure  as  it  was 
delivered  me  by  your  son.  He  set  off  this  morning  for 
Princeton  in  order  to  settle  some  matters  with  Mr.  Wrther- 
spoon.  In  my  conversation  with  Bob  upon  the  present  state 
of  the  college,  I  found  his  inclination  was  to  return  home.  I 
advised  him  to  the  contrary,  but  that  he  should  consult  Dr. 
Witherspoon,  and  be  governed  by  his  advice,  and  as  I  ex- 
pect the  Doctor  in  town  this  day,  shall  advise  with  him.  I  am 
under  no  apprehension  of  any  personal  danger  at  Princeton ; 
at  present  I  think  it  safer  than  in  this  city. 

I  perceive  by  your  letter  that  you  are  alarmed  at  my  son 
Morgan's  coming  down  express  to  Congress.  He  brought 
nothing  material,  more  than  the  then  state  of  the  Army  at 
Ticonderoga,  much  reduced  by  the  small-pox  and  other  dis- 
orders, but  since  their  removal  from  IsIe-aux-Noix  they  were 
recovering  daily,  and  reinforcements  arriving,  so  that  when 
he  left  Ticonderoga  they  were  thought  sufficient  to  oppose 
General  Burgoijne  on  that  quarter,  who  is,  on  his  part,  for- 
tifying St.  John's,  and  building  boats,  &c.,  in  order  to  cross 
the  Lake.  The  principal  reason  for  Morgan's  coming  down 
was  briefly  this :  General  Gates,  when  appointed  to  the 
command  of  the  Army  in  Canada,  was  empowered  to  ap- 
point such  officers  as  he  thought  proper.  In  consequence 
thereof  he  nominated  Morgan  Deputy  Quartermaster-Gene- 
ral. When  General  Gates  got  to  Albany  the  troops  under 
Sullivan  had  evacuated  Canada,  therefore  General  Schuykr 
claimed  the  command  of  that  Army  whilst  in  the  Colony  of 
New-York,  as  senior  officer,  and  of  course  General  Gates' s 
appointments  for  Canada  were  null.  This  brought  Mor- 
gan down  to  solicit  redress  from  the  Congress,  as  he  had 
been  put  to  a  considerable  expense  in  equipping  himself  for 
the  appointment.  General  Sullivan  also  was  so  disgusted  at 


At  present  our  greatest  anxiety  is  for  the  fate  of  New- 
York,  which  I  greatly  fear  is  devoted  to  destruction.  The 
Ministerial  Army  on  Staten-Island  are  said  to  be  thirteen 
thousand  strong,  with  a  considerable  naval  force,  and  we 
hourly  expect  to  hear  the  city  is  attacked.  If  so,  there  is, 
in  my  opinion,  little  probability  of  its  being  saved. 

I  can  assure  you  that  General  Gates  and  the  Army  under 
his  command  were  by  their  last  letters  in  high  spirits,  and 
under  no  apprehension  of  danger  from  that  quarter  this  cam- 
paign. Whatever  material  may  happen  I  shall  advise  you. 

I  am,  dear  madam,  sincerely,  your  very  humble  servant, 

FHANS.  LEWIS. 


REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  SALE  OF   SALT. 

In  Convention  for  the  Slate  of  Pennsylvania, 
Saturday,  August  14,  1776. 

Whereas  it  appears  to  this  Convention,  upon  due  inquiry 
and  information  of  the  circumstances,  that  the  Salt  now  in 
this  city  has  been  imported  at  low  prices,  and  under  mode- 
rate insurance ;  and  whereas  divers  persons,  in  contempt  of 
the  just  and  wholesome  regulations  of  the  Committee,  &c., 
of  Philadelphia,  under  directions  of  Congress,  have  con- 
tinued to  dispose  of  their  Salt  at  most  exorbitant  prices,  to 
the  great  grievance  and  distress  of  their  fellow-subjects  of 
this  State : 

It  is  therefore  Resolved,  That  the  said  regulations  be 
hereby  confirmed,  and  all  persons  whatever  are  hereby 
strictly  enjoined  to  pay  due  obedience  thereto.  And  the 
said  Committees  are  authorized  and  directed  to  seize  and 
take  into  their  possession  the  Salt  belonging  to  such  persons 
as  have  refused,  or  shall  refuse,  conformity  to  the  regulations 
so  established,  or  shall  altogether  withhold  or  refuse  to  sell 
their  Salt  during  the- continuance  of  such  regulations,  allow- 
ing to  the  said  persons,  upon  the  sale  thereof,  the  fixed  and 
settled  prices,  first  deducting  the  expenses  incurred  upon  the 
sale. 

And  whereas  it  is  but  reasonable  that  every  part  of  this 
extensive  State  should  be  accommodated  as  nearly  as  may 
be  with  their  proportion  of  this  article,  so  justly  esteemed  a 
necessary  of  life: 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Philadelphia  are 
hereby  further  directed  to  distribute  the  Salt  that  may  as 
aforesaid  come  into  their  possession  in  equal  quantities  in  the 
several  Counties,  having  regard  to  the  reputed  number  of 
inhabitants  contained  in  the  said  Counties. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

JOHN  MORRIS,  Jun.,  Secretary. 


Philadelphia,  August  14,  1776. 

Last  Wednesday  was  launched  the  third  Continental  fri- 
gate built  here,  called  the  Washington. 

Monday  last  arrived  here  the  brig  Polly,  Captain  Mer- 
mahue,  in  twenty-four  days  from  Martinico,  who  has  brought 
a  quantity  of  powder,  sulphur,  some  arms,  coffee,  &.c.  In 
latitude  19°  longitude  64°  he  spoke  the  brig  Mermaid,  Cap- 
tain Sawyer,  from  New-York,  out  twenty-two  days.  None 
of  the  enemy's  ships  were  at  the  Capes  when  the  above 
vessel  came  in. 


LANCASTER  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation,  Inspec- 
tion, and  Correspondence,  at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart, 
the  14th  August,  1776: 

Present:  William  Atlee,  Matthias  Slough,  Ludwiek  Lowman,  Henry 
Dehuff,  Christ.  Crawford,  John  Miller,  Casper  Shaffner,  Jacob  Krug. 

William  Atlee  in  the  chair. 

It  being  represented  that  a  number  of  troublesome  and 
dangerous  persons  are  strolling  about  the  country  near  the 
town  of  Lebanon,  and  that  they  threaten  the  inhabitants; 
and  it  appearing  that  Colonel  Curtis  Grubb  hath  left  John 
Sweitzer,  Michael  Winter,  and  some  others  of  his  battalion, 
with  orders  to  guard  and  assist  the  inhabitants  in  the  absence 
of  the  Associators  who  have  marched  to  the  camp,  and  the 
said  Michael  Winter  requesting  some  Ammunition  from  the 
Magazine, 


It  is  Agreed  and  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Bowsman  deliver  to 

.— a said  Michael  Winter  three  pounds  of  Powder  and  twelve 

General  Gates  being  appointed  to  that  command,  that  he    pounds  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  Guard  for  the  purpose 
requested  to  resign  ;  however,  that  he  has  withdrawn.  aforesaid. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


60 


947 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


948 


Lieutenant  Christopher  Craivford,  of  a  detachment  of  As- 
sociators  who  have  acted  as  guard  in  the  town,  exhibited  a 
Pay-Hill  for  the  Troops  under  his  command,  amounting  to 
£-2-l-}  8s.  -2cl.,  which,  being  examined,  is  allowed  and  passed 
in  Committee,  and  ordered  to  be  paid  by  Ifillium  Alice, 
Esq.,  the  Committee  Treasurer  and  Paymaster. 

And  as  it  appears  there  are  a  number  of  pel-sons  included 
in  the  said  Pay-Bill  who  have  joined  his  detachment  and 
have  really  done  duty,  but  have  not  signed  the  Association 
in  any  Company  or  Battalion,  and  are  therefore  subject  to 
being  marched  from  here,  Mr.  Crawford  is  directed  lo  ten- 
der to  them  the  Association,  to  be  signed  by  them  as  mem- 
bers of  some  particular  Company  here,  and  those  who  reluse 
are  to  be  discharged.  And  Mr.  Crawford  is  directed  to  dis- 
charge from  his  detachment  the  following  persons,  who  ap- 
pear to  the  Committee  unfit  for  duty,  and  therefore  think 
they  ought  not  to  receive  pay,  viz:  Frederick  Bauder,  above 
fifty  years  of  age,  and  very  infirm ;  Henry  Lindeman,  above 
fifty  years  of  age,  lame  and  infirm  ;  Adam  Froult,  above 
fifty  years,  and  a  Non-Associator  ;  Jacob  Steigleman,  above 
fifty,  and  a  Non-Associator;  John  G outer,  a  lad  of  about 
fourteen  years  of  age,  and  a  Gunsmith's  apprentice. 

Lieutenant  Casper  Shaffner,  of  Captain  Klatz's  Company 
of  Militia,  doing  duty  in  Lancaster,  exhibited  a  Pay-Bill  for 
the  Company  now  under  his  command,  (Captain  Klatz 
being  absent,)  amounting  to  £230  16*.  5d.,  which,  being 
examined,  is  allowed  and  approved  in  Committee,  and  or- 
dered to  be  paid  by  William  Atlee,  the  Committee  Trea- 
surer and  Paymaster. 

Lieutenant  Christian  Petre,  of  Captain  Yeates's  Com- 
pany of  Militia,  of  Colonel  Slough's  Battalion,  now  doing 
duty  in  Lancaster,  exhibited  a  Pay-Bill  for  that  Company, 
now  under  his  command,  (Captain  Yeatcs  being  absent,) 
amounting  to  £237  6s.  2c/.,  which,  being  examined,  is 
allowed  and  approved  in  Committee,  and  ordered  to  be  paid 
by  William,  Atlee,  the  Committee's  Treasurer  and  Pay- 
master. 

Captain  John  Henry,  of  Colonel  Boss's  Battalion  of  Mili- 
tia, now  doing  duty  in  Lancaster,  exhibited  a  Pay-Bill  for 
that  Company,  now  under  his  command,  amounting  to 
£272  18*.  8d.,  which,  being  examined,  is  allowed  and  ap- 
proved in  Committee,  and  ordered  to  be  paid  by  William 
Atlee,  the  Committee  Treasurer  and  Paymaster,  deducting 
£100  heretofore  advanced  to  Captain  Henry  by  Mr.  Low- 
man,  and  repaid  to  Mr.  Lawman  by  the  Paymaster  in  Phila- 
delphia, so  that  the  sum  of  £172  18*.  8d.  is  to  be  paid  to 
Captain  Henry. 

Captain  Peter  Hoofnagle,  of  Colonel  George  Ross's  Bat- 
talion of  Militia,  now  doing  duty  in  Lancaster,  exhibited 
a  Pay-Bill  for  that  Company,  now  under  his  command, 
amounting  to  £282  16*.  10</.,  which,  being  examined,  is 
allowed  and  approved  of  in  Committee,  and  ordered  to  be 
paid  by  William  Atlee,  the  Committee's  Treasurer  and  Pay- 
master, he  deducting  £120  heretofore  advanced  to  Captain 
Hoofnagle  by  Mr.  Christopher  Wirtz,  and  repaid  to  Mr. 
Wirtz  by  the  Paymaster  in  Philadelphia,  so  that  the  sum 
of  £162  16s.  IQd.  is  to  be  paid  to  Captain  Hoofnagle. 

August  16,  1776. 

The  same  Members  present  as  on  the  13th. 
William  Atlee  in  the  chair. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons,  to  wit :  Marcus 
Nagle,  Nicholas  Scove,  Thomas  ]\abury,  Peter  McMuUen, 
John  Jones,  (Stocktaker,)  in  the  service  of  Colonel  Peter 
Grubb,  at  his  forge  in  the  manufacture  of  Gun-scalps,  Sip., 
be  left  in  that  employ,  and  be  not  marched  with  the  Militia. 

George  Sand,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  servant  to 
Ensign  Gordon,  and  John  Willson,  are  permitted  to  go  to 
York,  and  continue  there  under  the  directions  of  the  Com- 
mittee there,  that  Committee  having  agreed  to  it,  and  these 
people  have-before  been  permitted  to  be  at  York  as  servants 
with  the  officers,  and  were  lately  sent  by  that  Committee 
from  thence. 

Daniel  Campbell,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is  per- 
mitted to  work  with  John  Lightner  at  the  Weaving  business. 

John  Farnell,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  is  permitted  to 
work  with  Cornelius  Taylor,  Shoemaker,  he  here  in  Com- 
mittee engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him,  agreeable  to  the 
resolves  of  the  Committee. 

Daniel  Campbell,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is  per- 


mitted to  work  with  John  Lightner  at  the  Weaving  business, 
he  here  in  Committed  engaging  to  be  answerable  for  him, 
agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  Committee. 

Committee  Chamber,  in  Paxtotcn.  14th  of  August,  at 
Mr.  George  Fries' s,  in  Middletotcn,  1776: 

On  motion,  Resolved  unanimously,  That  this  Committee 
make  application  to  the  County  Committee  for  one  hundred 
and  thirty-five  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  for  the  use,  of  this 
Township,  as  we  do  not  know  the  day  or  hour  we  may  be 
attacked  by  a  frontier  enemy;  thirty-five  pounds  of  which 
Powder  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-pounds  of  Lead  and  Shot 
lies  in  Mr.  John  Harris's;  and  five  hundred  pounds  of  Lead 
which  lies  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Carrous;  and  as  we  look  up 
to  you  in  all  cases  of  emergency,  we  hope  you  will  consider 
our  distressed  situation,  and  that  you  will  direct  under  whose 
hands  said  Ammunition  shall  be  lodged. 

Also,  on  motion,  Resolved  unanimously,  That  all  the 
Gunsmiths  of  our  Township  be  set  to  repair  all  Arms  in  said 
Township  that  are  not  fit  for  service,  at  the  expense  of  the 
puhlick,  and  that  your  honourable  Board  will  empower  this 
Committee  to  oblige  all  the  Gunsmiths  in  that  Township  to 
fall  to  work  at  said  Guns  immediately. 

By  order  of  Committee : 

ANDREW  BERRYHILI,,  Chairman. 

To  the  Chairman  of  Upper-P axtown  Township  Commit- 
tee, when  sitting,  at  the  request  of  Captain  Divlar  and  a 
number  of  others  then  present,  and  also  1  send  you  a  copy 
of  our  resolve  in  regard  of  putting  in  our  fall  crops: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  advice  and  opinion  of  this  Com- 
mittee that  there  shall  be  four  men  chosen  in  each  company 
or  district,  and  are  hereby  appointed,  to  give  their  assistance 
and  advice  to  the  utmost  of  their  power  and  abilities  to  take 
care  and  have  the  fall  crops  of  each  man  in  each  district 
that  is  gone  abroad  in  defence  of  his  country,  put  in  in  pro- 
per time  and  season,  as  far  as  in  them  lies,  and  according  to 
the  choice  of  the  members  of  the  Committee  in  each  dis- 
trict. The  following  men  were  chosen  for  the  said  purpose, 
by  order  of  Committee : 

.,  ,,.,.  ANDREW  BERRYHJLL,  Chairman. 

August  13,  1776. 

Mr.  JOHNGARBEH:  You  are  desired  to  send  this  paper  to 
the  Committee  of  Upper-Paxton,  or  to  Captain  Devilar. 

Paxton,  August  27,  1776. 

Mr.  Bcrryhill  has  been  wrongly  informed  respecting  the 
quantity  of  powder  in  John  Harris's  possession,  (of  his  own,) 
which  said  Harris  informed  Mr.  Bowman,  of  Lancaster,  by 
letter,  was  one-quarter  cask,  to  wit:  twenty-five  pounds  of 
gunpowder,  which  should  be  procured,  if  wanted^  for  the 
common  defence  of  American  liberty,  though  not  included 
in  the  military  stores  of  Lancaster  County,  nor  any  lead. 
Witness  the  return  made  when  the  military  stores  were  in- 
spected into  by  the  said  Harris  and  others,  appointed  by 
the  Committee  of  said  County. 

And  whereas  it  is  reported  that  several  evil-disposed  per- 
sons in  the  frontiers  of  Upper-Paxton  township  and  Hanover 
township,  above  the  Kittatinney  Mountains,  are  robbing 
houses,  frightening  women  and  children,  &.C.,  the  said  Har- 
ris thinks  it  very  proper  that  the  bearer,  Ludwick  Gratz, 
appointed  by  the  township  of  Upper  Paxton,  to  apply  for 
one-quarter  cask  of  gunpowder  at  the  magazine  of  Lancaster, 
and  an  order  for  about  sixty  or  seventy  pounds  of  lead,  be 
delivered  said  Gratz  by  Mr.  Carson,  to  save  the  trouble  of 
carriage  from  Lancaster  of  said  lead  within  mentioned,  on 
condition  that  the  said  Gratz  give  security  that  said  ammu- 
nition shall  be  detained  in  said  Upper  Paxton  township  to 
oppose  all  enemies,  Tories,  robbers,  &c.,  when  needful. 
And  the  said  John  Harris  chooses  to  keep  his  own  ammu- 
nition in  store  until  wanted  for  said  purposes  within  men- 
tioned. JOHN  HARRIS. 
To  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  and  Observation,  &,c., 
of  Lancaster  County. 


CLEMENT  B1DDLE  TO  RICHARD  PETERS. 

Perth-Amboy,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  my  arrival  here,  I  have  from  time  to  time 
written  to  Mr.  Gustavus  Risberg,  at  Philadelphia,  to  procure 
such  articles  as  were  necessary  for  furnishing  the  Flying-Camp 


949 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


950 


and  Militia  as  were  in  service  here,  and  to  apply,  if  need,  at 
your  office.  Indeed  I  found  they  wanted  everything;  and 
I  have  proceeded  with  as  much  caution  and  economy  as  was 
in  my  power,  in  providing  and  supplying  them,  consistently 
with  the  good  of  the  service.  However,  I  find  it  will  he 
necessary  to  have  some  method  established  by  which  the  dif- 
ferent regiments  of  Militia  and  Flying-Camp  are  to  account 
for  necessaries  and  accoutrements  furnished  them,  and  beg 
you  will  lay  before  the  honourable  Board  of  War  the  state  of 
this  affair  for  their  determination. 

I  was  empowered  by  the  honourable  Continental  Con- 
gress to  name  one  Assistant  Quartermaster  General,  and 
accordingly  named  John  Shaw,  Esq.,  who  remains  at  Tren- 
ton. I  wrote  to  Colonel  Moylan  on  this  subject,  and  he 
informs  me  I  must  employ  as  many  trusty  persons  as  are 
necessary  to  forward  the  service.  It  is  essentially  necessary 
that  some  person  be  appointed  Assistant  Quartermaster 
General  at  Philadelphia;  and  as  Mr.  Risberg  is  fully  ac- 
quainted with  the  business,  and  has  the  whole  of  my  affairs 
under  his  care  there,  with  proper  assistance  in  providing 
necessaries  for  the  Army,  I  wish  him  to  be  confirmed  therein, 
the  office  to  give  weight  to  his  acting  therein ;  and  that  any 
application  to  your  Board  may  come  through  him.  I  can't 
possibly  do  without  one  (or  more  occasionally)  here,  with 
storekeeper,  clerk,  &.C.;  and  I  shall  proceed  in  the  expensive 
department  under  rny  care  with  caution  and  attention  to 
saving  as  much  as  the  service  will  allow.  I  beg  you  will 
lay  this  also  before  the  Board,  and  favour  me  with  any 
directions  herein  or  relative  to  my  office  that  may  be  thought 
necessary. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

CLEMENT  BIDDLE,  D.  Q.  M.  Gen. 
To  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  War,  Philadelphia. 


GOVERNOUR  TRYON  TO  LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

Ship  Dutchess  of  Gordon,  off  Slaten-Island, 
August  14,  1776. 

MY  LORD:  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  Lordship's 
several  despatches  by  the  Sandwich,  Lord  Hyde,  and  Hali- 
fax, packet  boats,  to  No.  4  inclusive.  I  am  happy  to  learn 
my  endeavours  to  promote  the  interest  of  the  present  great 
national  cause  has  been  so  well  accepted  by  his  Majesty. 
I  wish  the  strength  of  my  constitution  could  keep  pace  with 
my  inclinations  to  serve  my  Prince;  broken  and  impaired  as 
the  former  is,  I  am  nevertheless  not  without  the  hope  of 
having  a  share  in  the  restoration  of  the  publick  tranquillity. 

The  confederated  Colonies  have  declared  themselves  inde- 
pendent States.  Enclosed  is  a  printed  copy  of  their  Decla- 
ration of  Independency,  which  was  published  through  the 
streets  of  New-  York  the  middle  of  last  month,  where  the 
King's  statue  has  been  demolished,  as  well  as  the  King's 
arms  in  the  City  Hall,  the  established  churches  shut  up,  and 
every  vestige  of  Royalty,  as  far  as  has  been  in  the  power  of 
the  Rebels,  done  away;  the  persons  of  the  Mayors  of  the 
cities  of  New-  York  and  Albany,  Judges,  Counsellors,  Magis- 
trates, and  principal  gentlemen  of  the  country,  that  are  not  in 
rebellion,  seized  and  secured,  and  even  down  to  the  meanest 
planter,  persecuted  and  tyrannized  over. 

The  whole  armament  destined  for  this  part  of  America, 
except  the  last  division  of  the  Hessians,  being  now  assembled 
here,  I  expect,  by  the  courage  and  strength  of  this  noble  Army, 
tyranny  will  be  crushed  and  legal  Government  restored. 

As  the  military  and  naval  operations  do  not  lie  within  my 
department,  I  shall  leave  the  relations  of  them  to  those  gen- 
tlemen who  have  the  honour  to  guide  them. 

I  am,  with  all  possible  respect,  my  Lord,  your  Lordship's 
most  obedient  servant,  WM.  TRYON. 

To  Lord  George  Germaine. 

P.  S.  August  15,  1776.  Yesterday  evening  Sir  Peter 
Parker  brought  into  the  Hook  a  fleet  of  twenty-five  sail 
from  the  southward.  Lord  Dunmore  and  Lord  Wm.  Camp- 
bell are  on  board  that  fleet. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  15,  1776.] 

New- York,  August  14, 1776. 

SIR:  Since  I  had  the  honour  of  addressing  you  on  Mon- 
day, nothing  of  importance  has  occurred  here,  except  that 


the  enemy  have  received  an  augmentation  to  their  fleet  of 
ninety-six  ships;  some  reports  make  them  more.  In  a  letter 
I  wrote  you  yesterday  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Reed,  I  ad- 
vised you  of  this;  but  presuming  it  may  not  reach  you  so 
soon  as  this  will,  I  have  thought  proper  to  mention  the  intelli- 
gence again. 

Enclosed  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit  a  copy  of  the 
examination  of  a  deserter,  sent  me  this  morning  by  General 
Mercer,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  Congress  for  the  latest 
accounts  I  have  from  the  enemy.  Whether  the  intelligence 
he  has  given  is  literally  true  I  cannot  determine,  but  as  to 
the  attack  we  daily  expect  it. 

Your  favour  of  the  10th,  with  its  enclosures,  was  duly 
received,  and  I  have  instructed  the  several  officers  who  were 
promoted  to  act  in  their  stations,  as  you  requested,  though 
their  commissions  were  not  sent. 

As  we  are  in  extreme  want  of  tents  and  covering  for  this 
Army,  (a  great  part  of  them  are  outposts,  having  nothing  to 
shelter,  nor  houses  to  go  in,)  I  submit  it  to  Congress  whether 
it  may  not  be  prudent  to  remand  those  that  were  sent  to 
Boston  lately,  where  there  are  no  troops  at  present;  and  if 
there  were,  the  necessity  for  them  would  not  be  great,  as 
the  town  and  barracks  at  several  of  the  posts  would  be  suffi- 
cient to  receive  them. 

The  enclosed  letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Henshaw 
will  discover  to  Congress  his  views  and  wishes,  which  they 
will  consider  and  determine  on,  in  whatever  they  may  think 
right  and  conducive  to  the  publick  good,  meaning  only  to  lay 
his  letter  before  them. 

I  take  the  liberty  of  mentioning  that  Colonel  Varnum,  of 
Rhode-Island,  has  been  with  me  this  morning,  to  resign  his 
commission,  conceiving  himself  to  be  greatly  injured  in  not 
having  been  noticed  in  the  late  arrangements  and  promotions 
of  General  Officers.  I  remonstrated  against  the  impropriety 
of  the  measure  at  this  time,  and  he  has  consented  to  stay  till 
affairs  wear  a  different  aspect  than  what  they  do  at  present. 

Eleven  o'clock. — By  a  report  just  come  to  hand  from 
General  Greene,  seventy  ships  more  are  coming  in. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  highest 
respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

Camp  Long-Island,  July  6,  1776. 

SIR:  Upon  a  recommendation  from  General  Ward  to 
your  Excellency  in  my  favour,  you  were  pleased  to  say  I 
deserved  a  regiment;  but  as  so  many  regiments  were  ordered 
to  be  reduced  at  the  end  of  last  campaign,  I  could  not  have 
one  then  without  doing  injustice  to  some  others  who  were 
deserving;  which  I  did  not  then,  nor  do  now,  desire.  Your 
Excellency  will  please  to  note  I  commanded  a  regiment  in 
the  country  where  I  dwell  when  at  home,  before  this  unnatu- 
ral war  broke  out,  and  marched  with  it  to  Cambridge  at  the 
battle  of  Lexington,  and  continued  in  the  service  five  or  six 
weeks ;  my  business  at  home  being  in  such  a  situation  at 
that  time  as  required  my  presence,  I  requested  a  discharge 
from  the  Army,  which  was  granted;  soon  after  was  desired 
to  engage  in  the  service  again  as  Adjutant-General,  which 
I  did,  and  continued  therein  until  superseded  by  General  - 
Gates.  In  the  present  campaign  I  was  appointed  a  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel under  Colonel  Little,  which  reduced  the  rank 
I  formerly  held  in  the  service,  and  exposes  me  to  be  com- 
manded by  many  who  have  been  on  command  under  me; 
which  your  Excellency  is  sensible  must  be  disagreeable  to 
every  person  who  has  any  feelings,  and  which  nothing  but 
the  noble  cause  we  are  engaged  in  could  have  induced  me 
to  submit  to.  I  have  no  doubts  in  my  mind,  sir,  but  that 
you  will  take  my  case  into  consideration,  and  grant  me  the 
rank  I  have  heretofore  held,  when  you  can  without  injuring 
the  service  or  doing  injustice  to  others.  Happy  shall  I  es- 
teem myself  when  I  can  retire  from  the  service  without 
injuring  the  cause  or  dishonouring  myself. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  HENSHAW. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

The  Examination  of  THOMAS  GIVENS,  a  Private  of  the  Sixty-Fourth  Regi- 
ment, who  deserted  from  STATEN-!SLAND  by  swimming  over  to  AMBOT, 
dvgust  13,  1776,  at  nine  o'clock. 

He  informs,  that  six  companies  are  quartered  near  Billop's 
farm,  and  two  at  the  house  above.     That  General  Agnew 


951 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


952 


is  quartered  at  BiUop's  house.*  That  all  the  troops  expect- 
ed are  arrived.  That  about  five  hundred  Hessians  and  six 
marching  regiments  arrived  yesterday,  which,  having  been 
refreshed  at  Halifax,  are  not  to  be  landed  at  Staten- Island, 
but  to  continue  on  board  till  the  attack  is  made.  That 
five  thousand  Hessians  had  arrived  before.  That  it  is  sup- 
posed the  whole  force  consists  of  about  twenty-six  thousand 
men.  That  he  heard  of  no  intention  of  attacking  Amloy, 
but  that  they  expected  soon  to  attack  Long-Island  and  New- 
York.  That  three  brigades  are  to  stay  on  the  Island  when 
the  attack  at  Nev>-  York  and  Long-Island  is  made,  viz:  one 
opposite  Amboy,  another  at  the  Narrows,  and  the  third  at 
Elizabethtown  Point.  The  soldiers  are  healthy,  but  have 
no  fresh  provisions.  That  there  were  about  nine  thousand 
effective  men  when  they  left  Boston,  and  that  three  thou- 
sand unfit  for  duty  were  left  behind  at  Halifax.  That  about 
five  nights  ago,  two  men  from  Amboy  came  over  to  the 
Island,  being  inhabitants  of  this  place,  (Amboy,)  but  cannot 
remember  their  names ;  that  the  sentries  had  orders  to  let 
them  pass  and  repass  at  pleasure.  That  there  are  four  brass 
pieces  (two  twelve  and  two  three-pounders)  opposite  Amboy, 
which  are  all  that  belong  to  the  brigade.  That  there  are 
eight  companies  to  a  regiment,  besides  Grenadiers  and  In- 
fantry, and  each  company  consists  of  thirty-six  privates,  and 
each  brigade  of  three  regiments.  A  subaltern  and  sixteen 
men  mount  guard  in  the  day,  and  at  night  they  are  reinforced 
with  a  Captain  and  twenty-eight  men,  who  mount  at  the 
tent  near  the  Point.  That  General  Clinton  and  the  troops 
from  Carolina  had  arrived,  and  that  the  Fiftieth  Regiment 
were  almost  cut  off  at  Sullivan's  Island.  That  it  is  in  the 
orders  of  this  day  (13th)  that  the  men  be  immediately 
furnished  with  three  days'  provision,  ready  cooked,  and  be 
ready  at  a  moment's  warning.  That  they  have  gondolas  and 
floating  batteries.  The  gondolas  carry  two  guns  and  thirty 
oars  each,  and  one  designed  to  cover  the  men  when  they  land. 
That  at  reveille  beating  the  men  are  under  arms  an  hour. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  This  will  be  delivered  you  by  Captain  Mocballe,  a 
Dutch  gentleman  from  Surinam,  who  has  corne  to  the  Con- 
tinent with  a  view  of  entering  into  the  service  of  the  States, 
as  you  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  letters  from  Mr.  Brown, 
of  Providence,  and  General  Greene.  What  other  letters 
and  credentials  he  has,  I  know  not,  but  at  his  request  have 
given  him  this  line  to  Congress,  to  whom  he  wishes  to  be  in- 
traduced,  and  where  he  will  make  his  pretensions  known. 

I  have  ordered  the  Quartermaster  immediately  to  write  to 
Mr.  Broivn  for  the  Russia  duck  he  mentions,  with  directions 
to  have  it  instantly  made  into  tents  there,  being  in  great  dis- 
tress for  want  of  a  sufficient  number  to  cover  our  troops. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL   JAMES  CLINTON. 

Head-Quarters,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  pleasure  of  forwarding  you  by  this  oppor- 
tunity a  letter  from  Congress  enclosing  your  commission  for 
a  Brigadier  in  the  Continental  Army ;  on  which  appointment 
please  to  accept  rny  hearty  congratulations.  As  the  post 
you  are  now  at  is  an  object  of  great  importance,  and  I  am 
acquainted  with  the  officers  under  you,  must  request  you 
will  remain  there  till  you  hear  further  from  me. 
I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Brig.  Gen.  James  Clinton,  Fort  Montgomery. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

New- York,  August  14, 1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  yesterday  morning  received  your  letter  of 
the  29th  ultimo,  by  Bennet,  the  express,  and  am  extremely 
sorry  to  find  that  the  Army  is  still  in  a  sickly  and  melancholy 
state.  The  precaution  taken  to  halt  the  reinforcements  at 
Skenesborough,  which  are  destined  for  your  succour,  is  cer- 
tainly prudent.  They  should  not  be  exposed  or  made  liable 
to  the  calamities  already  too  prevalent,  unless  in  cases  of 
extreme  necessity.  Dr.  Stringer  has  been  here  with  Dr. 
"Billop's  house  is  opposite  - 


Morgan,  and  is  now  at  Philadelphia.  I  trust  he  will  obtain 
some  necessary  supplies  of  medicines,  which  will  enable  him, 
under  the  smiles  of  Providence,  to  relieve  your  distresses  in 
some  degree.  By  a  letter  from  General  Ward,  two  regi- 
ments (  fyhiteomb'i  and  Phinney's)  were  to  march  to  your  aid 
last  week.  They  have  happily  had  the  small-pox,  and  will  not 
be  subject  to  the  fatal  consequences  attending  that  disorder. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  the  vessels  for  the  Lakes  are  going  on 
with  such  industry.  Maintaining  the  superiority  over  the 
water  is  certainly  of  infinite  importance.  I  trust  neither 
courage  nor  activity  will  be  wanting  in  those  to  whom  the 
business  is  committed.  If  assigned  to  General  Arnold,  none 
will  doubt  of  his  exertions. 

In  answer  to  those  parts  of  your  letter  which  so  highly 
resent  the  conduct  of  the  General  Officers  here,  I  would 
observe,  sir,  that  you  are  under  a  mistake  when  you  suppose 
a  Council  of  Officers  had  sat  upon  those  who  composed  the 
board  at  Crown-Point.  When  intelligence  was  first  brought 
that  that  post  was  evacuated,  it  spread  a  general  alarm,  and 
occasioned  much  anxiety  to  all  who  heard  it ;  it  being  almost 
universally  believed  that  it  was  a  post  of  the  last  importance, 
and  the  only  one  to  give  us,  in  conjunction  with  our  naval 
force,  a  superiority  over  the  Lake,  and  for  preventing  the 
enemy's  penetrating  into  this  and  the  Eastern  Governments. 
As  this  matter  was  occasionally  mentioned,  the  General  Offi- 
cers (some  from  their  own  knowledge,  and  others  from  the 
opinion  they  had  formed)  expressed  themselves  to  that  effect, 
as  did  all  I  heard  speak  upon  the  subject.  Added  to  this, 
the  remonstrance  of  the  officers,  transmitted  by  General 
Schuyler,  at  the  same  time  the  account  was  brought,  did 
not  contribute  a  little  to  authorize  the  opinion  which  was 
generally  entertained.  They  surely  seemed  to  have  some 
reasons  in  their  support,  though  it  was  not  meant  to  give  the 
least  encouragement  or  sanction  to  proceedings  of  such  a 
nature.  Upon  the  whole,  no  event  that  I  have  been  informed 
of  for  a  long  time  produced  a  more  general  chagrin  and  con- 
sternation. But  yet  there  was  no  Council  called  upon  the 
occasion, nor  Court  of  Inquiry, nor  Court-Martial, as  has  been 
suggested  by  some.  I  will  not  take  up  more  time  upon  the 
subject,  or  make  it  a  matter  of  further  discussion,  not  doubt- 
ing but  those  who  determined  that  the  post  ought  to  be 
abandoned,  conceived  it  would  promote  the  interest  of  the 
great  cause  we  are  engaged  in,  though  others  have  differed 
from  them.  By-the-by,  I  wish  your  description  perfectly 
corresponded  with  the  real  circumstances  of  this  Army. 

You  will  have  heard,  before  this  cotnes  to  hand  most 
probably,  of  the  arrival  of  Clinton  and  his  Army  from  the 
southward.  They  are  now  at  Staten- Island,  as  are  the  whole 
or  the  greatest  part  of  the  Hessian  and  foreign  troops.  Since 
Monday,  ninety -six  ships  came  in,  which  we  are  informed  is 
the  last  division  of  Lord  Howe's  fleet  which  touched  at  Hali- 
fax, and  (by  a  deserter)  are  not  to  land  their  troops.  We 
are  in  daily  expectation  that  they  will  make  their  attack ; 
all  their  movements,  and  the  advices  we  have,  indicating 
that  they  are  on  the  point  of  it. 

I  atn,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  M  ajor-General  Gates,  Ticonderoga. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  30th  ultimo,  in  behalf  of  the 
honourable  Council  of  the  Massachusetts  State,  is  duly  re- 
ceived. Through  you,  I  beg  their  acceptance  of  my  most 
hearty  thanks  for  their  readiness  in  undertaking  the  late 
treaty.  I  likewise  congratulate  them  on  the  success  with 
which  it  was  attended,  and  wish  an  early  arrival  of  such  of 
their  tribes  as  intend  joining  us  in  the  present  controversy. 
The  four  under  care  of  Mr.  Shawh&ve  arrived,  and  promise 
to  take  an  active  part  with  us. 

By  intelligence  received  this  morning  from  Staten-Island, 
we  have  the  greatest  reason  to  suppose  a  very  few  days  will 
determine  the  fate  of  this  city.  A  deserter  mentions  the 
arrival  of  their  whole  force,  and  that  it  was  the  orders  of 
yesterday  to  have  three  days'  provisions  ready  cooked,  and 
be  ready  at  a  moment's  warning ;  he  mentions  their  num- 
bers to  be  twenty-six  thousand,  and  in  general  very  healthy. 
The  Army  under  my  command  (which  amounts  to  little 
more  than  half  the  number  of  effective  men)  are  in  good 
spirits,  and  will,  I  hope,  act  becoming  men  fighting  for  every- 


953 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


954 


thing  worth  fighting  for,  everything  worth  living  for.  Tn 
this  case,  with  the  smiles  of  Providence,  1  have  not  a  doubt 
but  that  we  may  render  a  good  account  to  our  country  and 
posterity  of  these  mercenaries. 

AVith  particular  compliments  to  the  several  members  of 
your  honourable  body,  I  am,  sir,  with  sentiments  of  esteem, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Honourable  James  Bowdoin,  Esq. 


GENERAL  SCOTT  TO  NEW-YORK  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  13,  Evening,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  SIR:  While  I  confess  I  am  much  honoured  by 
the  respectable  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York,  in 
trusting  Willet  Taylor  to  my  discretion,  I  am  reduced  to 
much  difficulty  to  determine  how  to  dispose  of  him.  I  ad- 
vised his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Bogart,  whom  I  know  to  be  a 
staunch  friend  to  liberty,  to  send  for  him  home,  and  require 
him  to  submit  to  the  orders  of  the  Convention.  It  is,  1  sup- 
pose, in  consequence  of  that  advice  that  he  has  returned  to 
Harlem.  Mr.  Bogart  told  me  Taylor  would  bind  himself 
by  oath  neither  to  speak,  write,  or  act  against  the  American 
cause.  His  oath  the  Convention  can  take,  but  I  cannot  do 
it.  If  further  security  should  be  necessary,  by  Mr.  Bogarfs 
entering  into  recognizance  with  him,  the  Convention  can  take 
it,  but  I  cannot.  If,  nevertheless,  it  should  still  be  their 
opinion  that  I  am  to  deal  with  him,  I  shall  obey  their  com- 
mands, for  I  shall  ever  think  it  an  honour  to  me,  both  as  a 
member  of  their  body  and  as  a  military  officer  of  their  ap- 
pointment, implicitly  to  execute  their  orders.  Be  pleased  to 
commend  me  to  them,  and  assure  them  that  nothing  but  the 
expectation  of  an  attack  prevents  my  having  the  honour  of 
being  with  them.  I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

JNO.  MORIN  SCOTT. 
To  John  McKesson,  Esq. 

P.  S.  The  messenger  had  just  left  me  when  Major  Fish 
informed  me  that  the  officers  of  my  brigade  will  not  receive 
their  commissions,  because,  being  dated  yesterday,  the  date 
will  render  them  juniors  to  many.  They  entered  into  the 
service  the  14th  June.  Be  pleased,  sir,  to  get  a  new  set  of 
that  date.  Major  Fish  thinks  it  hard  to  be  left  without  a 
commission.  The  entry  in  the  records  respecting  him  will 
show  when  his  commission  is  to  be  dated. 


A  Roll  of  the  Commissioned  Officers,  A 'on-  Commissioned 
Officers,  and  Privates,  of  the  Troop  of  Horse  of  KING'S 
County,  which  were  upon  duty  in  order  to  drive  off  the 
stock.  Commenced  AUGUST  14,  1776. 


Upon  duty  and  came  over  from  LONG- 
ISLAND. 


Uponduty,  but  remninediipon  LONG- 
ISLAND. 


Daniel  Rappelye,  1st  Lieutenant.          Lambert  Suydam,  Captain. 
Jacob  Bloom,        2rf       do.  Peter  Wyckoff,  Quartermaster. 

Peter  Vandervoot,  Ensign.  Hendrick  Suydam,  Clerk. 

Heiidrick  Johnson,  Sergeant.  John  Nostrant,  do. 

John  Blanco,  Trumpeter.  Jacob  Suydam,        Private. 

Reyner  Suydam,  Private.  Isaac  Snediker,  do. 

John  Vanderveer,     do.  Isaac  Boerum,  do. 

John  Rierson,  do. 

Rutgers  Van  Brunt,    do. 

Charles  De  Bevort,     do. 

Benjamin  Seaman,       do. 

RoelofTurhume,         do. 

Andrew  Casper,          do. 

Thomas  Belts,  do. 

Martin  Kershaw,        do. 

Peter  Miller,  do. 

Hendrick  Wyckoff,    do. 

DANIEL  RAPPELYE,  Lieutenant. 

A  Roll  of  the  Commissioned  Officers,  Non- Commissioned 
Officers,  and  Privates,  of  the  Troop  of  Light- Horse  of 
QUEEN'S  County,  which  were  upon  duty  in  order  to  drive 
off  the  Stock.  Commenced  AUGUST  14,  1776. 

Upon  iluty,  and  came  oner  from  off      Upon  duly,  but  remotnerf«ponLoNG- 

LoNC-lsLAND.  ISLAND. 

William  Boerum,  1st  Lieutenant.          Thomas  Everit.  '2d  Lieutenant. 

Jacob  Sebring,       Ensign.  Joseph  Smith,  Prirate. 

Isaac  Sebring,      Private.  William  Everit,  do. 

Joseph  Sebring,        do.  Abraham  Rappelye,    do. 

John  Hicks,  do.  Stephen  Schenck,        do. 

George  Powels,         do.  Robert  Galbrcath,        do. 

William  Ellsworth,  do.  Samuel  Elherington,   do. 

Jereininli  Brower,     do.  Nicholas  Van  Dam,    do. 
James  Casper,            do. 
William  Boerum,      do. 
Adolphus  Brower,    do. 

WILLIAM  BOERUM,  Lieutenant. 


JOHN  BROOME  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Harlem,  August  14,  1776. 

Owners  of  the  privateer  sloop  Harlequin,  Daniel  Shaw 
commander,  viz :  Samuel  Broome  fy  Co.,  John  Broome, 
John  Woodward,  John  Livingston,  Daniel  Shaw,  Thomas 
Crab,  Abraham  P.  Lott,  Stockholm  fy  Dickson,  and  Abra- 
ham Sf  E.  Lott. 

The  above  privateer  sloop  is  about  seventy  tons  burden, 
mounts  fourteen  double  fortified  four-pounders,  navigated  and 
manned  with  ninety  men;  provisions,  forty  barrels  ol  beef 
and  pork ;  arms  and  ammunition,  one  thousand  pounds  of 
powder,  fifty  small -arms. 

The  subscriber  being  one  of  the  forementioned  owners, 
requests  from  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York  a 
commission  for  the  above  vessel.  JNQ  BRQOMF 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  That  we,  Daniel  Shaw, 
John  Broome,  and  Thomas  Crab,  of  the  City  of  New- York, 
in  the  sum  of  six  thousand  dollars  are  held  and  firmly  bound 
to  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  Colonies  of  New-Hampshire,  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  Rhode-Island,  Connecticut,  New-York,  New-Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  the  Counties  of  New-Castle,  Kent,  and  Sussex, 
on  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  North- Carolina,  South- 
Carolina,  and  Georgia,  to  be  paid  to  the  said  John  Han- 
cock, or  his  certain  attorney,  executors,  administrators,  or 
assigns,  in  trust  for  the  use  of  the  said  United  Colonies :  To 
which  payment  well  and  truly  to  be  done,  we  do  bind  our- 
selves, our  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators,. jointly  and 
severally,  firmly  by  these  presents.  Sealed  with  our  seals, 
dated  the  sixteenth  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1776. 

The  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such,  That  if  the  above 
bounden  Daniel  Shaw,  who  is  commander  of  the  sloop  called 
the  Harlequin,  belonging  to  John  Broome,  Samuel  Broome 
&f  Co.,  of  New-York,  in  the  Colony  of  New-  York,  mount- 
ing fourteen  carnage  guns,  and  navigated  by  ninety  men, 
and  who  hath  applied  for  a  commission  or  letters  of  marque 
and  reprisal,  to  arm,  equip,  and  set  forth  to  sea,  the  said 
sloop  as  a  private  ship  of  war,  and  to  make  captures  of  Bri- 
tish vessels  and  cargoes,  shall  not  exceed,  or  transgress  the 
powers  and  authorities  which  shall  be  contained  in  the  said 
commission,  but  shall  in  all  things  observe  and  conduct  him- 
self and  govern  his  crew  by  and  according  to  the  same,  and 
certain  instructions  therewith  to  be  delivered,  and  such  other 
instructions  as  may  hereafter  be  given  to  him,  and  shall 
make  reparation  for  all  damages  sustained  by  any  miscon- 
duct or  unwarrantable  proceedings  of  himself  or  the  officers 
or  crew  of  the  said  sloop,  then  this  obligation  shall  be  void, 

or  else  remain  in  force.  ,-.  c 

DANIEL  SHAW, 

JNO.  BROOME, 
THOMAS  CRAB. 
Sealed  and  delivered  in  the.  presence  of, 

DANIEL  PHCENIX, 

Witness  to  Captain  Shaw  and  John  Broome. 


ROBERT  YATES  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Poughkeepsie,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR  :  As  we  are  informed  that  the  little  powder  belong- 
ing to  the  State  is  dispersed  through  the  Counties  for  the  use 
of  the  Militia,  we  find  ourselves  under  the  necessity  of  re- 
questing an  order  from  your  Excellency  to  Captain  Benson, 
on  Mr.  John  R.  Livingston,  for  as  much  powder  as  may  be 
necessary  for  our  two  armed  vessels. 

We  have  directed  him  to  procure  a  proper  number  of 
hand-grenades.  There  is  reason  to  expect  he  may  be  able 
to  purchase  them.  Should  he  fail  in  this,  and  the  publick 
stores  admit  of  such  a  supply,  we  also  beg  of  your  Excel- 
lency to  give  him  the  necessary  orders  for  tiiat  purpose. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect  and 
esteem,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servants. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

ROBERT  YATES,  Chairman. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  14,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  would  inform  your  Honour  that  the 
three  galleys  are  planked,  but  we  have  had  such  a  flood  of 


955 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


956 


water  for  two  days,  that  the  mill  at  this  place  has  not  been 
able  to  go,  which  has  been  some  set-back  to  our  getting 
plank ;  but  we  expect  her  to  go  this  day.  The  road  proving 
very  bad  between  Cheshire's  and  Fort  George  road,  I  would 
send  more  help  to  that  post,  if  it  be  agreeable  to  your  Hon- 
our. We  are  not  provided  with  deck  nails:  if  there  be 
any  at  Ticonderoga,  I  should  take  it  as  a  favour  to  have 
them  forwarded,  as  they  will  soon  be  wanted.  And  am,  with 
the  greatest  esteem,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble 

servant>  DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

Tyonderogd,  August  14,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  desire  you  will  immediately  send  to  Tyon- 
dcroga  all  the  troops  belonging  to  Massachusetts-Bay  and 
New-Hampshire,  now  at  Skenesborough,  and  as  fast  as 
more  arrive  from  those  Provinces,  you  will,  without  delay, 
send  them  also  forward  to  this  post.  Such  of  the  tents  be- 
longing to  the  Bay  forces  as  are  come  to  Skenesborough, 
you  will  forward  with  the  troops.  When  the  three  galleys 
and  gondolas  now  building  are  launched,  and  fitted  with  all 
that  is  requisite  to  be  done  to  them  at  Skcnesborough,  you 
will  yourself,  with  one  regiment  of  the  Connecticut  troops, 
embark  on  board  of  them,  and  proceed  to  Tyonderoga, 
leaving  Colonel  Wynkoop  in  command  at  Skcnesborough. 

Governour  Trumbull  writes  me  word  that  he  sent  one  thou- 
sand felling-axes  to  Skenesborough:  five  hundred  of  them 
may  be  sent  forward  under  proper  care  to  me,  the  rest  to  be 
left  at  Skenesborough,  under  the  care  of  Colonel  Wynkoop. 
All  the  spades  not  wanted  at  your  post  should  be  sent  here 
directly.  Let  me  have  an  immediate  answer  to  this  letter, 
with  as  good  an  account  as  you  can  give  so  suddenly,  of  the 
number  of  the  Militia  now  at  your  post.  Are  any  of  the 
Continental  regiments  from  Boston  come,  or,  as  you  hear, 
coming? 

I  am,  sir,  Sic.,  HORATIO  GATES. 

To  Brigadier-General  Waterbury. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  COLONEL  GANSEVOORT. 

Tyonderoga,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  Many  things  which  I  have  lately  written  for  to 
Captain  Varick,  and  which  he  acquaints  me  with  having 
sent  forward,  are  not  arrived  here,  particularly  cartridge- 
paper.  I  desire  you  will  immediately  oblige  the  Conductor 
at  Fort  George  to  give  you  a  signed  return  of  everything 
at  present  under  his  care,  and  let  me  know  what  cartridge- 
paper,  musket-balls,  buckshot,  and  flints,  are  in  his  hands 
now,  all  which  I  desire  you  will  see  immediately  forwarded 
by  a  careful  officer  to  me.  I  beg  you  will  keep  a  watch- 
ful eye  over  this  Conductor,  and  see  that  no  stores  of 
any  kind  are  delayed  at  Fort  George  in  their  passage 
hither. 

Be  sure  you  acquaint  the  Director  of  the  Hospital  that 
all  persons  recovered  of  the  small-pox  must  be  perfectly 
cleansed  from  all  infection  before  they  are  sent  hither:  their 
clothes,  blankets,  fkc.,  well  washed.  Too  much  care  can- 
not be  taken  in  this  business.  I  am,  sir,  Sic. 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gansevoort. 

P.  S.  Spades  are  much  wanted  here. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  14,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  congratulate  you  on  the  safe  arrival 
of  the  three  men  whom  I  sent  to  St.  John's.  They  bring 
most,  perfect  intelligence  from  that  quarter.  You  may  de- 
pend upon  the  truth  of  what  they  allege. 

You  will  have  an  exact  account  of  the  boats  and  vessels 
at  that  place,  as  well  as  a  pretty  near  estimate  of  the  troops 
there,  and  a  state  of  the  works,  &.c.  From  the  whole,  I 
understand  that  they  have  only  one  vessel  of  force,  and  tlnit 
not  finished :  no  more  on  the  stocks.  They  seem  to  be  draw- 
ing their  strength  towards  the  Me-aux-Noix,  and  I  presume 
mean  to  pay  us  a  visit.  These  men  have  behaved  with 
great  address,  not  only  in  saving  themselves,  but  in  procu- 
ring the  intelligence.  They  are  brave  men,  yet  cautious. 


Had  the  taking  away  a  life  or  two  been  of  any  use,  they 
would  have  effected  it  easily.  Their  canoe  was  too  small 
to  carry  a  prisoner,  could  they  have  taken  one. 

I  am  happy  in  this  regiment  having  rendered  any  service 
to  the  publick:  we  would  wish  to  be  more  useful.  Mr. 
Thomas  McCoy, one  of  the  men,  formerly  held  an  Ensigncy 
in  the  Pennsylvania  service.  I  promised  him  an  Ensigncy 
in  this  regiment,  in  case  he  behaved  well.  I  mentioned 
this  to  your  Honour;  you  were  pleased  to  say  you  approved 
of  my  engagement.  'There  is  a  vacancy  now  in  this  regi- 
ment; you  will  therefore  be  pleased  to  grant  him  an 
Ensigncy  in  it.  General  Arnold  engaged  that  they  should 
have  a  pecuniary  reward  in  case  they  made  any  discoveries. 
You  also  mentioned  that  you  would  reward  merit  in  that 
way  on  proper  occasions.  I  hope  you  will  consider  this  as 
one,  and  give  Gilbert  McCoy  and  Power  such  a  reward  as 
their  services  deserve. 

I  am  forming  an  intrenchment  round  my  camp,  which 
will  effectually  serve  us  against  any  attempt  of  the  savages, 
Canadians,  or  the  light  troops  of  the  enemy.  We  have 
made  a  considerable  progress  in  it. 

It  will  always  give  me  satisfaction  to  find  that  in  the 
above,  or  any  other  part  of  my  conduct,  I  meet  with  your 
approbation. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  humble 
and  obedient  servant,  '  THOS.  HARTLEY. 

P.  S.  Thomas  McCoy,  Gilbert  McCoy,  and  James  Power, 
I  send  up  with  this  letter. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Lebanon,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR  :  Dr.  Russell,  Surgeon  of  Colonel  Swift's  regiment, 
now  at  Skenesborough,  came  to  me  this  morning  for  a  supply 
of  medicine  for  the  use  of  his  regiment.  I  concluded  what 
was  necessary  would  be  furnished  from  the  Continental  Hos- 
pital stores;  but  as  Dr.  Russell  informs  me  he  had  applied 
to  you  for  an  order  on  Dr.  Stringer,  and  received  for  an 
answer  that  he  could  not  be  supplied  there,  I  have  ordered 
him  a  small  supply  from  hence  for  the  present,  until  the 
Continental  stores  are  replenished. 

The  distressed,  broken  and  dejected  state  of  the  Army 
which  retreated  out  of  Canada,  has  given  pain  and  anxiety 
to  every  friend  to  this  country,  especially  to  the  inhabitants 
of  these  Northern  Colonies.  I  am  happy  to  hear  that  they 
begin  to  emerge  from  their  state  of  distress  and  dejection, 
and  that  there  is  reason  to  hope  we  may  yet,  in  the  course 
of  this  campaign,  see  them  upon  a  respectable  footing  and 
in  condition  to  act  with  vigour  and  spirit  in  defence  of  their 
country. 

The  friends  of  those  soldiers  from  this  State  who  are  and 
have  been  sick  in  Hospital  at  Fort  George,  are  particularly 
anxious  on  their  account.  I  apprehend  they  will  naturally 
divide  into  three  classes',  such  as  recover  and  become  fit  for 
duty;  such  as  will  at  length  recover  their  full  health  and 
strength ;  and  such  as  will  probably  never  regain  their  health 
so  as  to  be  fit  for  duty,  or  at  least  not  till  their  term  of  ser- 
vice is  expired.  May  I  not  be  permitted  to  suggest  to  your 
consideration,  as  the  two  last  classes  are  at  present  worse 
than  useless  to  the  Army,  whether  it  would  not  be  expedient 
that  those  of  the  last  class  should  be  discharged,  and  some 
of  the  convalescent  officers  employed  to  supply  their  places 
with  fresh  recruits,  and  that  those  of  the  second  class  might 
be  permitted  to  return  home  on  furlough  for  a  short  time, 
that  their  health  may  be  fully  reestablished  ?  In  this  way 
I  flatter  myself  that  some  lives  may  be  saved,  and  at  the 
same  time  the  real  strength  of  the  Army  not  diminished. 
Should  any  be  permitted  to  return,  I  trust  care  will  be  taken 
that  they  may  not  bring  the  infection  of  the  small-pox,  and 
scatter  it  in  the  country. 

A  report  prevails  here,  and  gains  some  credit,  that  Gene- 
ral Burgoyne  has  retreated  to  Montreal  zndQuebeck.  Should 
this  report  prove  true,  and  the  new  levied  troops  go  on  to 
join  you,  as  is  expected,  we  shall  hope  not  only  to  see  you 
strong  enough  to  resume  and  fortify  the  strong  post  at  Crown- 
Point,  but  also  St.  John's  and  Montreal. 

I  am,  sir,  with  sentiments  of  the  highest  respect,  your 
obedient,  humble  servant,  JQNA  TRUUBCIjLt 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


957 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


958 


NORWALK  (CONNECTICUT)  COMMITTEE. 

Whereas  the  Committee  of  Inspection  of  the  Town  of 
Norwalk,  on  the  28th  day  of  February  last  past,  for  good 
causes  them  thereunto  moving,  resolved  that  no  article  of 
any  kind  be  exported  by  land  or  water  out  of  this  Town, 
without  first  obtaining  a  permit  from  a  Sub-Committee  then 
appointed  by  them  for  that  purpose: 

Notwithstanding  the  above  resolution,  one  Captain  Tho- 
mas Grenel,  and  his  son  Thomas  Grenel,  both  now  resident 
in  said  Norwalk,  without  desiring  such  permit,  and  in  open 
defiance  and  contempt  of  this  Committee,  conveyed  two 
boxes  of  Tea,  under  arms,  on  board  a  boat  to  be  transported 
abroad.  And  also  the  said  Grenel,  before  the  conveyance 
aforesaid,  had  declared  his  spite  and  contempt  against  said 
Committee,  by  saying  "  Damn  the  Committee,"  and  swore  by 
the  Almighty,  that  if  any  man  or  men  opposed  him  in  the 
delivery  of  said  Tea,  he  would  send  him  or  them  to  the  other 
world,  or  words  to  that  effect.  Whereupon,  on  the  8th  day 
of  August,  1776,  this  Committee  resolved  that  the  said 
Thomas  Grenel,  and  his  son  Thomas  Grenel,  are  dangerous 
persons,  and  ought  to  be  disarmed. 

And  moreover,  the  said  Thomas  Grenel,  by  citation,  ap- 
peared before  this  Committee,  with  regard  to  his  price  in 
selling  Bohea  Tea;  to  whom  he  replied,  owned,  and  declared, 
that  he  had  sold  quantities  of  Tea  for  a  greater  price  than  was 
set  by  the  Continental  Congress,  (although  this  Committee 
were  informed  that  the  said  Mr.  Grenel  was  one  who  made 
application  to  the  honourable  Continental  Congress  for  the 
sale  of  such  Teas.)  Which  complicated  iniquities  have  a 
dangerous  tendency  to  draw  the  incautious  into  many  snares 
and  troubles;  which  to  prevent,  and  also  that  our  constitu- 
ents should  not  be  imposed  on  in  any  such  wicked  practices, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Thomas  Grenel  is  a  staunch  op- 
poser  of  the  proceedings  and  resolutions  of  the  honourable 
Continental  Congress,  and  also  of  this  Committee  and  their 
constituents,  and  appears  to  this  Committee  to  be  a  haughty, 
disaffected,  unfriendly  person  to  the  United  States.  And  all 
persons  are  requested  to  have  no  further  dealings,  intercourse, 
connexions,  or  correspondence  with  said  Thomas  Grenel; 
and  that  the  same  be  published. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

Attest :  JESSE  RAYMOND,  Clerk. 

Norwalk,  August  14,  1776. 


COLONEL  HINMAN  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Woodbury,  August  14,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  Honour's  orders  of  the  6th  July 
last,  requiring  me  (on  notice  given  by  General  Washington, 
or  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  United 
Colonies,  of  the  necessity  of  assistance)  to  call  forth  and 
march  with  expedition  so  many  of  the  able-bodied  and 
effective  men  of  my  regiment  as  would  be  necessary,  &.c.,  to 
be  under  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army,  and  give 
immediate  notice  thereof  to  your  Honour. 

In  obedience  to  said  orders,  I  would  hereby  inform  your 
Honour,  that,  on  the  10th  instant,  I  received  (per  express) 
a  letter  from  General  Washington,  dated  New-York,  the 
7th  instant,  informing  of  the  necessity  of  assistance,  request- 
ing me  to  call  forth  my  regiment  without  delay,  and  have 
them  equipped  with  blankets,  arms,  and  ammunition,  and 
march  them  immediately  to  New-York;  upon  the  receipt 
of  which,  I  without  delay  gave  orders  to  all  my  Captains 
to  call  forth  their  respective  companies,  have  them  equipped 
according  to  the  above  request,  and  march  them  immediately 
to  New-York.  A  number  of  said  companies  have  marched, 
others  are  now  going  off,  and  to-morrow  the  whole  will  be 
on  the  way.  Major  Canfield,  I  am  informed,  went  off 
yesterday.  I  am  now  going  off  myself,  with  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Moscly,  and  expect  in  two  or  three  days  to  be  in 
New-York  with  rny  regiment.  We  must  be  deficient  in 
numbers,  notwithstanding  we  take  almost  every  man.  I 
shall  transmit  to  your  Honour  a  return  of  those  of  my  regi- 
ment which  are  in  said  service  as  soon  as  it  comes  in  my 
power. 

1  am,  sir,  your  Honour's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

BENJAMIN  HINMAN. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  CAPTAIN  HENRY  BARNES,  OF 
THE  EAGLE,  BELONGING  TO  WHITEHAVEN,  ENGLAND,  TO 
HIS  OWNERS,  DATED  RHODE-ISLAND,  AUGUST  14,  1776. 

I  sailed  from  Barbadoes  the  21st  of  June.  On  the  12th 
of  July,  made  a  sail  astern :  she  soon  came  up  with  us, 
though  we  little  imagined  her  to  be  an  American  privateer, 
being  then  in  latitude  32°  25',  longitude  52°.  At  half-past 
eight  in  the  night,  she  fired  a  gun  to  leeward,  from  which 
we  concluded  she  was  an  English  cruiser;  but  were  too 
soon  convinced  to  the  contrary.  When  we  first  made  the 
sloop,  she  appeared  large  from  the  crowd  of  sail  she  carried; 
but,  on  a  nearer  survey,  we  found  her  to  be  very  small, 
painted  black,  with  ten  guns,  fifty  men,  and  every  necessary 
for  a  cruise.  She  is  called  the  Montgomery,  Captain  Buck- 
lin.  They  took  out  all  the  Eagle's  people  but  myself,  the 
boatswain,  and  a  boy,  and  convoyed  us  to  this  place. 

My  people  are  all  well.  We  are  supported  at  present  at 
the  expense  of  the  owner  of  the  privateer,  and  indulged  with 
the  liberty  of  going  about  where  we  please,  and  are,  in  every 
respect,  treated  with  the  greatest  kindness  and  civility.  We 
are  the  seventh  West-Indiaman  taken  by  this  privateer. 
Numbers  of  vessels  have  been  taken  coming  from  the  West- 
India  Islands. 


MAJOR  HAWLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Northampton,  August  14,  1776. 

GENERAL  GATES  :  I  this  minute  received  your  favour  of 
the  10th  instant,  and  carefully  mark  the  contents,  and  shall, 
dear  sir,  do  everything  in  my  power  as  soon  as  possible  to 
effect  what  you  have  been  pleased  to  ask.  Your  Honour 
will  please  to  be  informed  that  Number  Four  is  upwards  of 
seventy  miles  from  this  place.  It  is  directly  counter  to  the 
orders  of  the  Council  of  this  Government  that  a  man  should 
tarry  to  inoculate.  I  have  been  so  happy  as  to  effect  the 
inarch  of  about  seven  hundred  good  men  from  this  County, 
without  any  delay  for  inoculation. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 
Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  HAWLEY. 


MAJOR  HAWLEY  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Northampton,  August  14,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  I  conceive  it  to  be  my 
duty  to  acquaint  you  that  this  day  I  saw  a  young  man  sent 
by  Mr.  Farnsworth  to  inform  the  three  Continental  regiments 
and  Colonel  Willard's  regiment,  (if  he  could  find  them,)  that 
it  was  impossible  to  provide  rations  for  them  or  any  of  them 
at  Number  Four. 

Your  Honours  will  determine  what  orders  are  proper  to 
give  on  this  occasion.     He  also  declared  that  they  would 
make  good  provision  for  them  all  at  Bennington. 
I  am,  with  great  respect,  the  Council's  servant, 

JOSEPH  HAWLEY. 


BENJAMIN  GREENLEAF  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Newburyport,  August  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  this  moment  received  the  enclosed 
letter  by  a  gentleman  from  New-York,  and  take  the  first 
opportunity  to  forward  it  to  you.  As  soon  as  I  have  de- 
spatched a  piece  of  business  now  in  hand,  and  which  it  is 
necessary  I  should  attend  to,  I  shall  do  myself  the  honour 
of  waiting  on  you  at  Watertown;  as,  in  the  interim,  I  am, 
with  the  greatest  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 


and  most  humble  servant, 


B.  GREENLEAF. 


To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Massachusetts  State. 

P.  S.  Captain  Wingate  Newman  is  just  arrived  at  the 
entrance  of  this  river  with  a  prize-ship,  nearly  four  hundred 
hogsheads  of  sugar,  and  nearly  one  hundred  hogsheads  of 


rum. 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  COMMITTEE  AT  SALEM. 

In  Committee  of  Council,  August  14,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN:  The  Committee  of  Council  have  duly  con- 

T  sidered  your  memorial  respecting  Messrs.  Dalit  and  Lawless 

To  the  Honourable  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq.,  Governour    having  taken  their  passage  for  France  on  board  a   vessel 
and  Lapta  J  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  at     fitted  out  by  the    United  States,  under  the  command  of 

Captain  Cleaveland.    The  character  you  suppose  these  gen- 


Lebanon. 


959 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


960 


tlemen  sustain  makes  it  very  important  for  them  to  embark 
for  any  part  of  Europe  at  this  time.  You  are  therefore 
directed  to  use  your  utmost  endeavours  to  prevent  these 
gentlemen  from  sailing  in  the  vessel  aforesaid,  or  in  any 
other,  until  the  further  order  of  the  Council. 
To  the  Committee  of  Safety,  Sic.,  Salem. 

JACOB  EMERSON  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Reading,  August  14,  1776. 

Colonel  Campbell,  stationed  at  Reading,  has  dismissed 
four  of  his  servants,  Charles  McArthur,  Archibald  Baxter, 
John  Nicholson,  and  Robert  Hill.  Hill  has  contracted  for 
the  present  with  one  of  his  trade,  a  cordwainer  in  this  town, 
for  his  support.  The  other  three  are  on  charge  exceeding  the 
rations  of  American  soldiers.  A  person  by  the  name  of 
Munroe,  boarding  with  QuarterrnasterOg-i'foz'e  and  Surgeon's 
Mate  Bums,  according  to  appearance,  passes  and  repasses 
as  far  as  a  sea-port. 

By  order  of  Committee: 

JACOB  EMERSON,  Chairman. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  the  Massachusetts  State. 


Worcester,  August  14,  1776. 

Last  week  Richard  Green,  late  of  Boston,  merchant,  a 
noted  Tory,  went  through  this  town  into  exile,  agreeable  to 
his  sentence. 


WARWICK  (MASSACHUSETTS)  COMMITTEE. 

Warwick,  Massaehusetts-Bny,  August  14,  1776. 

The  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspection,  and 
Safety,  of  the  town  of  Warwick,  having  had  many  com- 
plaints of  the  inimical  temper  and  disposition  of  Mr.  Lemuel 
Hedge,  of  said  JVarivicJc,  towards  the  grand  struggle  for  the 
liberties  of  the  American  States,  and  the  said  Mr.  Lemuel 
Hedge  showed  contempt  in  refusing  to  appear,  it  is  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Lemuel  Hedge,  in  speaking  con- 
temptuously of  the  honourable  Continental  Congress,  and 
also  setting  forth  how  the  Province  of  the  Massachusetts- 
Bay  had  trampled  on  the  King's  laws  and  his  officers,  and 
also  many  other  unfriendly  speeches;  it  is  therefore  the 
opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  the  said  Mr.  Lemuel  Hedge 
is  inimical  to  these  American  States,  and  that  he  ought  to  be 
dealt  with  accordingly.  It  is  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Mr.  Lemuel  Hedge  be  disarmed, 
and  confined  to  the  limits  of  his  farm,  unless  by  a  permit 
from  the  Committee  of  said  Town. 

Voted,  That  the  foregoing  proceedings  with  regard  to 
Mr.  Lemuel  Hedge,  be  inserted  in  the  Hartford  paper. 

By  order  of  said  Committee: 

JOSIAH  POMEROY,  Chairman. 


Secretary's  Office,  Halifax. 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  discovery  has  been  m'ade  that  some  disaffected 
persons  have  endeavoured,  by  promises  and  other  arts,  to 
seduce  Seamen  from  his  Majesty's  service,  and  engage  them 
in  the  cause  of  rebellion,  with  assurance,  in  further  prosecu- 
tion of  the  said  design,  to  convey  them  out  of  this  harbour 
by  means  to  be  provided  for  that  purpose:  This  is  there- 
fore to  give  notice,  that  the  master  of  any  ship,  boat,  or 
vessel,  who  shall  take  on  board  any  person  or  persons  to 
carry  or  convey  them  from  hence,  without  having  first  ob- 
tained from  this  office  a  pass  for  the  departure  of  such  person 
or  persons,  will  be  liable  for  the  penalty  of  fifty  pounds  for 
every  such  person  so  conveyed  away,  and  such  master  shall 
be  prosecuted  for  the  same  as  the  law  directs. 

By  command  of  the  Lieutenant-Governour: 

RICHARD  BULKELEY,  Secretary. 


By  letters  from  Cape  Nichvla  Mole,  of  the  28th  ultimo, 
we  learn  that  two  frigates  had  lately  arrived  at  St.  Domingo 
from  France,  completely  manned,  in  order  to  cruise  oft'  that 
Island  and  protect  all  American  vessels  within  their  limits. 
Two  more  frigates  were  daily  expected  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. These  four  frigates  are  to  act  in  conjunction  with 
two  Spanish  frigates,  which  are  stationed  at  Porto  Rico  for 
the  protection  of  all  North  American  vessels.  The  Spanish 
Captains  are  to  pay  equal  attention  to  the  General  of  St. 
Domingo's  orders  as  to  those  of  the  Commander  at  Porto 
Rico.  There  is  every  appearance  of  a  speedy  rupture 
between  France,  Spain,  and  Great  Britain,  as  Spain  and 
Portugal  are  absolutely  now  at  war. 

Williamsburgh,  August  15, 1776. 

All  persons  who  have  bought  goods  at  the  sale  of  Lord 
Dunmore's  Estate,  and  have  not  already  given  bond  in  those 
instances  where  credit  was  allowed,  or  paid  the  money  where 
prompt  payment  was  requirable,  are  desired  to  comply  with 
the  terms  of  the  sale,  without  further  delay.  The  Com- 
missioners will  attend  for  that  purpose  at  the  house  of  the 
Attorney-General  on  Saturday,  the  24th  of  this  month. 
Such  of  the  purchasers  as  live  too  remote  to  comply  with 
this  request  are  earnestly  desired  to  save  the  Commissioners 
all  further  trouble,  by  sending  their  bonds  as  soon  as  possible. 


Williamsburgli,  Virginia,  September  13,  1776. 

General  Lee  writes  from  Purysburgh,  of  August  15,  that 
he  is  going  to  break  up  East  Florida.  President  Rutkdge, 
in  a  letter  to  the  Council,  writes  that  the  South-Carolinians 
had  destroyed  five  Indian  towns  in  the  lower  settlements,  and 
laid  waste  their  fields  of  corn.  They  have  had  two  skirmishes, 
in  both  of  which  the  Carolinians  have  been  successful.  They 
supposed  they  killed  between  sixty  and  seventy  men. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  Or  SAFETY  TO  COL.  HOLLINGSWORTH. 
[No.  134.]  Annapolis,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:   We  request  you  will  provide  provision  and  baggage 
wagons  at  the  head  of  Elk  for  our  troops  as  they  arrive 
there  on  their  march  to  Philadelphia,  and  from  time  to  time 
transmit  us  your  accounts.     We  are,  Sic. 
To  Colonel  Henry  Hollingsivorth. 


MAJOR  BROOKE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Lower  District,  Frederick  County,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:  Finding  my  enemies  have  been  so  far  successful  in 
poisoning  the  minds  of  the  Twenty-Ninth  Battalion  of  Militia 
that  a  majority  are  against  tny  acting  as  Major,  I  therefore 
take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  you  my  commission.  I  would 
not  have  it  understood  by  this  resignation  that  I  have  de- 
serted the  common  cause;  no,  sir,  I  will  most  cheerfully, 
when  necessary,  hazard  my  life  and  fortune  in  defence  of 
the  rights  and  liberties  of  America.  Impressed  with  the 
deepest  concern,  and  warmed  with  resentment  of  the  mea- 
sures pursued  by  a  venal  and  corrupt  Parliament,  I  stepped 
forth  with  the  foremost  of  my  countrymen  in  opposition  to 
the  tyrannical  encroachments  of  Great  Britain.  Appealing 
to  that  Divine  Being  who  searches  the  heart,  I  can  safely 
declare  I  have  been  actuated  by  no  other  motive  than  the 
publick  good;  and  I  flatter  myself  that  every  impartial  per- 
son who  takes  a  retrospective  view  of  my  conduct  will  find 
it  uniform.  If  I  have  erred,  it  has  been  the  fault  of  my 
head,  and  not  of  my  heart. 

With  the  most  ardent  wishes  for  the  happiness  and  pros- 
perity of  the  United  States  of  America,  I  am,  sir,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  RICHARD  BROOKE. 

To  the  Honourable  Matthew  Tilghman,  Esq.,  President  of 
the  Convention  of  Maryland. 


JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH   TO   MARYLAND    COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  15,  1776. 

SIRS  :  I  am  going  on  about  the  timber  and  other  things  for 
the  gondolas,  which  I  shall  purchase  and  bring  into  the  yard 
as  fast  as  possible,  but  have  made  no  bargain  with  you  about 
it.  I  shall  charge  the  same  for  my  time  as  when  I  super- 
intended the  frigate  business,  which  was  22s.  6d.  per  day, 
and  I  had  the  liberty  of  furnishing  her  with  all  the  bar  iron 
delivered  at  the  place,  at  £26  per  ton — I  mean  Mr.  fVells's 
shop;  and  the  pitch,  tar,  and  turpentine,  at  the  market  price 
in  Baltimore,  and  paid  all  my  bills  for  money  advanced  for 
all  kinds  of  necessaries,  such  as  she  wants.  Sirs,  you  may 
at  first  look  on  this  as  too  much ;  but  I  have  a  good  deal  of 
my  own  business  lo  do,  and  a  great  amount  of  other  people's. 
I  have  myself  and  two  as  good  clerks  as  any  in  Baltimore, 
and  we  are  early  and  late  at  our  business.  I  am  on  horse- 
back from  morning  till  night,  driving  amongst  the  people; 


961 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


962 


have  another  riding  after  teams,  getting  necessaries,  and  two 
horses  are  not  enough  sometimes,  nor  two  clerks,  with  my- 
self at  the  head  of  them.  I  shall  be  from  home  in  Patapsco 
the  next  two  weeks,  getting  timber,  with  twenty  hands  from 
home  day  and  night,  and  two  or  three  teams,  up  to  my 
middle  or  neck  in  water,  rafting,  and  fretting  myself,  and  a 
thousand  disappointments  that  you  know  nothing  of.  I  shall 
be  as  reasonable  as  possible  in  my  charges,  and  do  your  busi- 
ness as  well  as  I  possibly  can,  and  make  the  best  bargains 
I  can  for  you  ;  but  I  declare  if  any  person  will  do  it  on  better 
terms,  I  should  be  pleased.  The  timber  is  purchased  ready, 
and  most  of  it  down,  and  I  will  hire  them  my  carriages  (as 
there  is  no  other)  at  a  moderate  rate,  if  any  person  will  now 
bring  it  into  the  yard  on  better  terms  than  the  proposals  I 
make.  We  shall  lay  one  of  the  keels  this  day,  and  the  other 
next  week,  I  hope,  but  expect  a  line  from  you  on  the  before 
mentioned  matters.  I  have  furnished  the  yard  with  rum 
at  market  prices,  and  my  charges  of  every  kind  have  been 
thought  reasonable ;  and  they  beg  of  me  to  be  ready  for  them 
again  with  all  my  teams,  carriages,  and  hands. 

Be  pleased,  gentlemen,  to  write  me,  and  if  the  rum  is  to 
be  furnished  for  the  yard,  two  drinks  of  grog  a  day,  and  no 
more;  the  carters  and  people  rafting  and  getting  timber  must 
have  rum;  in  that  I  want  neither  more  nor  less  than  I  had 
with  the  frigate,  but  thought  it  my  duty  to  explain  my  bar- 
gain to  you,  that  you  might  know  the  matter. 

I  have  bought  a  scow  that  will  carry  six  hundred  bushels, 
for  £28,  a  very  good  one:  please  send  for  her.  I  have  sent 
some  coffee,  tea,  and  nails,  to  Annapolis,  and  some  pots  to 
Captain  Veazey,  at  Newtown.  I  never  heard  if  they  were 
received.  Please  let  me  know  about  the  bales  I  wrote  by 
Mr.  Hawkins.  Excuse  this  long  letter.  Please  answer  it. 

From  your  humble  servant, 

JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


JOHN  VEAZEY  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

In  Committee,  Cecil  County,  August  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  wrote  you  on  the  6th  instant,  inform- 
ing you  of  our  proceedings  respecting  the  two  companies 
raised  in  this  County  for  the  Flying-Camp ;  and  lest  it 
should  have  miscarried  on  its  way,  we  now  send  you  a  du- 
plicate of  that  letter,  as  we  have  not  as  yet  received  any 
answer  to  it.  We  now  inform  you  that  the  different  officers 
are  collecting  arms  as  expeditiously  as  possible.  Captain 
Alexander  has  got  fourteen  guns  in  the  neighbourhood,  which 
he  paid  for,  and  Colonel  Hollingsworth  is  to  supply  him 
with  twenty  more,  which  is  to  be  charged  to  your  Board. 
We  fear,  from  Captain  Alexander's  report,  that  he  will  not 
be  able  to  procure  more  than  twenty  others.  He  will  get  a 
sufficient  number  of  blankets.  Captain  George  has  got  fifty 
guns,  which  are  paid  for,  and  will  be  able  to  procure  a  suffi- 
cient number  for  his  company.  He  has  also  got  fifty-four 
blankets,  which  are  paid  for,  and  will  get  the  remainder  that 
his  company  may  want.  We  have  followed  your  instruc- 
tions in  the  purchase  of  guns.  We  have  been  obliged  to 
give  such  prices  for  blankets  as  they  could  be  purchased  for. 
The  cash  in  our  hands  is  expended ;  and  if  you  wish  us  to 
proceed  any  further,  a  supply  will  be  necessary,  as  these 
necessary  accoutrements  cannot  be  had  without  it.  We 
further  desire  to  know,  whether  these  troops  are  to  be  con- 
tinued in  quarters.  If  cartouch  boxes  are  difficult  to  be 
procured  with  you,  they  may  be  had  here  at  the  same  price 
as  in  Philadelphia.  We  have  purchased  six  canteens,  at 
4*.  6d.  each,  (earing  you  might  want  them. 

I  am,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee,  gentlemen,  your  most 
obedient,  JOHN  VEAZEY,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


recommend  him  to  you  as  a  person  well  qualified  in  business, 
he  having  been  chiefly  employed  in  publick  offices;  there- 
fore, should  you  be  in  want  of  such  a  one,  or  know  of  any 
gentleman  that  is,  I  doubt  not  but  he  will  make  it  his  study 
to  please.  I  dare  say  he  can  produce  reasonable  proof  of  his 
being  a  friend  to  the  American  States,  and  says  he  is  willing, 
upon  a  prospect  of  staying  here,  to  become  an  Associator, 
and  in  that  respect  would  be  glad  to  serve  under  you. 
I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  WM.  Cox. 

To  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  War,  in  Philadelphia. 


THE  PETITION  OF  RETURN    JONATHAN  MEIGS,  IN  BEHALF  OF 
HJMSELF  AND  OTHERS. 

[Read  August  15,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Congress  of  the  UNITED  STATES  OF 
AMERICA: 

The  Petition  of  RETURN  JONATHAN  MEIGS,  in  behalf  of 
the  Officers  and  Soldiers  taken  prisoners  on  the  31  st  day 
of  DECEMBER  last,  at  the  storming  of  QUEBECK,  hum- 
bly showeth: 

That  your  Petitioner,  with  many  officers  and  soldiers  in 
the  Continental  service,  were  unhappily  made  prisoners  of 
war  in  the  attempt  upon  Quebeck.  That  the  officers  and 
soldiers  now  confined  in  the  said  garrison  have  it  not  in  their 
power  to  negotiate  bills  or  obtain  sufficient  credit  in  their 
present  situation,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  live  with  decency; 
and  as  they  have  expended  what  they  could  obtain  upon 
credit,  they  must,  without  assistance,  live  in  great  want  of 
many  of  the  comforts  of  life,  not  being  looked  upon  by  their 
captors  as  prisoners  of  war.  That  your  Petitioner,  the  other 
officers  and  soldiers,  prisoners  as  aforesaid,  humbly  hope  and 
anxiously  wish  that  this  honourable  House  will,  in  as  short 
time  as  possible,  settle  a  cartel  for  exchange  of  prisoners. 

Your  Petitioner,  therefore,  humbly  hopes  that  your 
Honours  will  take  the  premises  into  consideration,  and  grant 
such  relief  to  the  sufferers  as  in  your  wisdom  shall  seem 

meet;  and  they  will  pray. 

RETURN  JONA.  MEIGS. 

Philadelphia,  August  15,  1776. 


PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  15,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Bat- 
talion or  Company  of  Associators  belonging  to  this  State  be 
required  forthwith  to  return  to  the  Council  of  Safety  a  list 
of  the  names  of  the  Associators  who  have  deserted  from 
their  respective  corps,  that  they  may  be  dealt  with  accord- 
ing to  their  deserts. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  Resolve  be  published  in  all 
the  publick  papers  of  this  city. 
Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

JACOB  S.  HOWELL,  Secretary. 


WILLIAM  COX  TO  RICHARD  PETERS. 

Philadelphia,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer,  Mr.  William  Strong,  a  person  I  have 
been  acquainted  with  for  several  years  past,  is  from  New- 
York,  with  a  letter  of  recommendation  to  Mr.  Hancock  and 
Mr.  Elhry,  Delegate  from  Rhode-Island,  soliciting  employ 
in  some  publick  office  as  a  clerk;  but  those  gentlemen's 
thoughts  having  been  taken  up  about  matters  of  far  greater 
consequence,  nothing  as  yet  hath  been  done  for  him ;  and 
he  greatly  disliking  an  idle  life,  hath  prevailed  upon  me  to 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  61 


READING  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 

Reading,  Berks  County,  August  15,  1776. 
In  pursuance  of  a  Resolve  of  the  late  Committee  of 
Safety  "  for  making  provision  for  distressed  families  whose 
husbands  are  now  in  actual  service,  and  appointing  a  num- 
ber of  judicious  persons  to  distribute  the  same,"  the  Com- 
mittee of  this  County,  agreeable  to  the  recommendation  of 
the  Council  of  Safety,  have  appointed  the  following  persons 
for  that  purpose,  who  are  requested  to  inform  this  Committee 
what  moneys  will  be  necessary  in  their  several  Townships 
for  this  charitable  and  necessary  work : 

Reading — Henry  Hawn,  Peter  Feather. 
Alsace — Deiter  Beidelman,  Christopher  Spingler. 
Amity — Henry  Vanreed,  John  Griner. 
Albany — Michael  Hagenback,  Henry  Reichelsdorffer. 
Bern — Samuel  Philbert,  Valentine  Epler. 
Brunswick — Jacob  Sheffer,  Michael  Diver. 
Brecknock — John  Pennybecker,  Henry  Brindle. 
Bethel — William  Krickbaum,  Christian  Pojfenbcrger. 
Cumry — Michael  Ruth,  William  Hottenstcin. 
Colebrookdale — Jacob  Mechlin,  Mathias  Roth,  Sen. 
Caernarvan — David  Jones,  Aaron  Rutue,  Sen. 
Douglass — Peter  Yocum,  Valentine  Keihlc. 
Exeter — James  Boone,  Jacob  Bechtel. 
Greenwich — Frederick  Kruner,  Michael  Lesher. 


9G3 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


964 


Heidelberg — Frederick  Gerhart,  John  Moyer. 
Hereford — Christopher  Schultz,  Christopher  Meschter. 
Long-Swamp — Nicholas  Schwartz,  Martin  Kercher. 
Maxatawny — Andrew  Sassamunshausen,  Nick.  Schweyer. 
Maiden  Creek — George  Gernant,  John  Reeser. 
Oley — Jacob  Schneider,  Casper  Griexmer. 
Pine  Grove — George  Guthman,  Philip  Lorentz. 
Richmond — George  Merckel,  Peter  Biehl.^ 
Ruscomb  Manor — Adam  Schmchl,  Jost  Wagner. 
Rockland — Peter  Keiffer,  Peter  Loback. 
Robeson — Vahntinc  'llahn,  Herman  Umsted. 
Tulpehocken — Christian  Laner,  Jacob  Fisher. 
Union — John  Godfrey,  Jacob  Ratche. 
Eastern  District — Nicholas  Imbody,  Conrad  Keim. 
Western  District — George  Klaufer,  Daniel  East. 
Windsor — Michael  Kreischer,  Conrad  Kirschner. 

By  order  of  the  Committee: 

COLLINSON  READ,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Powles  Hook,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  at  Elizabeth-Toum  when  your  letters  of  the 
13th  and  14th  reached  me.  The  men  who  had  been  pre- 
pared to  join  the  Army  at  Ntiv-YorTc  lay  at  Newark. 
The  posts  along  the  Jersey  shore  opposite  to  Staten-Island 
are  sufficiently  guarded,  and  more  troops  are  daily  arriving. 
If  you  approve  of  it,  a  body  of  four  hundred  men,  well 
accoutred,  from  the  Delaware  Counties,  may  be  stationed 
at  Powles  Hook,  and  four  hundred  of  the  Jersey  men  for 
the  Flying-Camp  at  Bergen-Town,  besides  what  we  may 
spare  to  be  ready  in  case  of  emergency  at  Newark.  Eight 
hundred  men  will  cross  to-day  to  join  you.  If  more  are 
necessary,  please  to  inform  me.  I  shall  be  to-night  at  New- 
ark. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  servant,  R  MERCER. 


A  General  Return  of  the  Army  in  NEW-JERSEY,  under  the  Command  of  the  Honourable  HUGH  MERCER,  Brigadier- 
General  in  the  Continental  service;  PERTH-AMBOY,  August  14,  1776. 


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To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters,  New-  York. 


GENERAL  HOWE  TO  LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

Head-Quarters,  Staten-Island,  August  15,  1776. 

MY  LORD:  I  have  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  lordship's  despatches  of  the  1 1th  and  12th  of  June, 
by  the  Halifax  packet,  arriving  here  the  llth  instant. 

On  the  12th  the  two  fleets,  under  convoy  of  Commodore 
Hothamand  the  Repulse,  met  off  this  harbour,  and  came  in 
together.  The  Guards  and  Hessians  on  board  are  reported 
to  be  very  healthy.  The  camp  equipage  is  also  come,  and 
no  time  will  be  lost  in  proceeding  upon  the  operations  of  the 
campaign. 

Lord  Dunmore  and  Lord  William  Campbell  arrived  yes- 
terday from  the  southward,  with  Sir  Peter  Parker.  Being 
anxious  to  send  off  this  packet,  I  defer  being  more  particular 
until  the  next  departure. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.,  WJLL 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:  As  the  situation  of  the  two  Armies  must  engage  the 
attention  of  Congress,  and  lead  them  to  expect  that  each 
returning  day  will  produce  some  important  events,  this  is 
meant  to  inform  them  that  nothing  of  moment  has  yet  cast 
up. 

In  the  evening  of  yesterday,  there  were  great  movements 
among  their  boats,  and  from  the  number  that  appeared  to 
be  passing  and  repassing  about  the  Narrows,  we  were  induced 
to  believe  that  they  intended  to  land  a  part  of  their  force  upon 


Long-Island;  but  having  no  report  from  General  Greene,  I 
presume  they  have  not  done  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  my  duties  to  Congress, 
your  and  their  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

P.  S.  Your  favour  of  the  13th  was  received  by  yester- 
day's post.  I  wrote  on  Monday  by  the  return  express,  as 
you  supposed.  Go.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  13,  1776. 
(Parole,  WeymoM.)  (Countersign,  For*.) 

Thomas  Hendly  and  Israel  Keith,  Esquires,  are  appointed 
Aids-de-Camp  to  Major-General  Heath.  They  are  to  be 
respected  and  obeyed  accordingly. 

The  Court-Martial  to  sit  to-morrow,  for  the  trial  of  Lieu- 
tenant Holcomb,  of  Captain  Anderson's  Company,  Colonel 
Johnson's  Regiment,  under  arrest  for  "assuming  the  rank  of 
a  Captain,  and  mounting  guard  as  such." 

The  Colonels  of  the  several  Regiments,  or  Commanding 
Officers,  are  to  send  their  Quartermasters  to  the  Laboratory 
for  the  ammunition  cart  to  be  attached  to  each  regiment, 
with  spare  ammunition ;  to  have  it  posted  in  some  safe  and 
proper  place  near  the  regiment,  so  as  to  be  ready  at  a  mo- 
ment's warning:  the  horse  and  driver  to  be  also  kept  near 
the  regiment.  It  is  the  Quartermaster's  duty  to  attend  to 
this,  and  in  case  of  action  to  see  the  cartridges  delivered  as 
they  are  wanted. 

The  enemy's  whole  reinforcement  is  now  arrived,  so  that 


965 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


966 


an  attack  must  and  will  soon  be  made.  The  General  there- 
fore again  repeats  his  earnest  request  that  every  officer  and 
soldier  will  have  his  arms  and  ammunition  in  good  order; 
keep  within  their  quarters  and  encampment,  as  much  as 
possible;  be  ready  for  action  at  a  moment's  call;  and  when 
called  to  it,  remember  that  liberty,  property,  life,  and  honour, 
are  all  at  stake;  that  upon  their  courage  and  conduct  rest  the 
hopes  of  their  bleeding  and  insulted  country;  that  their  wives, 
children,  and  parents,  expect  safety  from  them  only;  and 
that  we  have  every  reason  to  expect  Heaven  will  crown 
with  success  so  just  a  cause.  The  enemy  will  endeavour 
to  intimidate  by  show  and  appearance,  but  remember  how 
they  have  been  repulsed  on  various  occasions  by  a  few  brave 
Americans.  Their  cause  is  bad;  their  men  are  conscious  of 
it;  and  if  opposed  with  firmness  and  coolness  at  their  first 
onset,  with  our  advantage  of  works  and  knowledge  of  the 
ground,  victory  is  most  assuredly  ours.  Every  good  soldier 
will  be  silent  and  attentive,  wait  for  orders,  and  reserve  his 
fire  till  he  is  sure  of  doing  execution.  The  officers  to  be 
particularly  careful  of  this.  The  Colonels,  or  Commanding 
Officers  of  Regiments,  are  to  see  their  supernumerary  officers 
so  posted  as  to  keep  the  men  to  their  duty;  and  it  may  not  be 
amiss  for  the  troops  to  know  that  if  any  infamous  rascal,  in 
time  of  action,  shall  attempt  to  skulk,  hide  himself,  or  retreat 
from  the  enemy  without  orders  of  his  Commanding  Officer, 
he  will  instantly  be  shot  down  as  an  example  of  cowardice. 
On  the  other  hand  the  General  promises  that  he  will  reward 
those  who  shall  distinguish  themselves  by  brave  and  noble 
actions:  and  he  desires  every  officer  to  be  attentive  to  this 
particular,  that  such  men  may  afterwards  be  suitably  no- 
ticed. 

General  Greene  to  send  for  ten  of  the  flat-bottomed  boats, 
which  are  to  be  kept  under  guard  at  Long-Island.  No 
person  to  meddle  with  them  but  by  his  special  order. 

Thirty-seven  men  (sailors)  are  wanted  for  the  galleys. 

Eighty  men,  properly  officered  and  used  to  the  sea,  are 
wanted  to  go  up  to  King's  Bridge  with  the  ships  and  rafts. 
They  are  to  be  furnished  immediately,  and  parade  with 
blankets  and  provisions,  but  without  arms,  at  General  Put- 
nam's, at  two  o'clock,  and  take  orders  from  him. 

John  Gardiner,  of  Captain  Trowbridge's  Company,  Col- 
onel Huntington's  Regiment,  tried  by  a  General  Court- 
Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Wyllys  was  President,  and  con- 
victed of  "desertion,"  ordered  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes. 

John  Morgan,  of  Captain  Johnson's  Company,  Colonel 
McDougall's  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  Court-Martial  and 
convicted  of  "sleeping  on  his  post,"  sentenced  to  receive 
thirty  lashes. 

Francis  Claudge,  of  Captain  Spearman's  Company,  Col. 
Glover's  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  Court-Martial,  and 
convicted  of  "desertion  and  reinlistment,"  sentenced  to 
receive  thirty-nine  lashes,  thirteen  each  day  successively. 

The  General  approves  each  of  the  above  sentences,  and 
orders  them  to  be  executed  at  the  usual  times  and  places. 

The  Court  of  Inquiry  having  reported  that  Lieutenant 
Mesier  had  behaved  unbecoming  an  officer,  to  one  of  supe- 
rior rank,  the  Court  directed  a  Court-Martial,  unless  he  ask 
pardon  of  the  officer  he  affronted ;  but  that  officer  having 
represented  to  the  General  that  he  is  willing  to  pass  it  over, 
the  General,  at  his  request,  orders  Lieutenant  Mesier  to  be 
discharged. 

After  Orders. — Colonel  Miles's  and  Colonel  Brodhead's 
regiments  of  Riflemen  to  discharge  and  clean  their  rifles 
to-morrow,  at  troop-beating,  under  the  inspection  of  their 
officers.  Colonel  Smallivood's  and  Colonel  Alice's  Batta- 
lions of  Musketry  to  fire  at  the  same  time  with  loose  powder 
and  ball. 

s 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  14,  1776. 
(Parole,  America.)  (Countersign,  Liberty.) 

Alexander  Scammdl  and  Lewis  Morris,  Esqs.,  are  ap- 
pointed Aids-de-Camp  to  Major-General  Sullivan.  They  are 
to  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingly. 

The  divisions  of  the  Army  under  Major-Generals  Putnam 
and  Sullivan  having  undertaken  some  special  works,  are  to 
be  omitted  out  of  the  general  detail  of  guards  and  fatigue 
for  the  present. 

The  General  orders  three  days'  provision  to  be  cooked 
immediately,  that  the  soldiers  have  their  canteens  filled,  and 
be  ready  to  meet  the  enemy  on  a  short  notice. 


Such  Colonels  of  Regiments  as  have  not  sent  for  their 
ammunition  carts,  or  drawn  for  rum  for  the  refreshment  of 
their  men  in  time  of  action,  as  per  order  of  the  9th  instant, 
are  to  do  it  immediately,  and  the  Quartermaster  must  take 
care  that  it  be  used  properly;  the  allowance  is  half  a  pint 
per  man. 

The  Brigadier-Generals  will  please  to  recollect  that  there 
are  a  number  of  spears  at  the  Laboratory,  which  will  be  of 
great  use  at  the  posts,  and  are  waiting  to  be  distributed. 

In  case  of  alarm,  the  men  are  immediately  to  repair  to 
their  usual  parade,  where  the  roll  is  to  be  called,  and  then 
march,  join  in  battalion,  and  march  to  their  respective  alarm 
posts ;  absentees  will  be  considered  as  cowards,  and  treated 
as  such. 

The  General  flatters  himself  that  every  man's  mind  and 
arms  are  now  prepared  for  the  glorious  contest  upon  which 
so  much  depends.  The  time  is  too  precious,  nor  does  the 
General  think  it  necessary  to  spend  it  in  exhorting  his  brave 
countrymen  and  fellow-soldiers  to  behave  like  men,  fighting 
for  everything  that  can  be  dear  to  freemen.  We  must  re- 
solve to  conquer  or  die;  with  this  resolution  and  the  blessing 
of  Heaven,  victory  and  success  certainly  will  attend  us. 
There  will,  then,  be  a  glorious  issue  to  this  campaign  ;  and 
the  General  will  reward  his  brave  fellow-soldiers  with  every 
indulgence  in  his  power. 

The  whole  line  to  turn  out  to-morrow  morning  and  march 
to  their  several  alarm  posts,  in  all  points  ready  for  action, 
and  continue  until  nine  o'clock,  or  further  orders. 

William  Peek  and  Charles  Whiting,  Esqs.,  appointed 
Aids-de-Camp  to  Major-General  Spencer.  They  are  to  be 
respected  and  obeyed  accordingly. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  15,  1776. 
(Parole,  Charlestovm.)  (Countersign,  Boston.) 

William  S.  Smith,  Esq.,  appointed  to  act  as  Aid-de- 
Camp  to  General  Sullivan  during  the  absence  of  Major 
Scammell,  and  to  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingly. 

Henry  Williams,  of  Captain  Parke's  Company,  Colonel 
Shepard's  Regiment,  convicted  by  a  General  Court-Martial, 
whereof  Colonel  Wyllys  was  President,  of  "  desertion,"  sen- 
tenced to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes.  The  General  approves 
the  sentence,  and  orders  it  to  be  executed  at  the  usual  time 
and  place. 

Lieutenant  Holcomb,  of  Captain  Anderson's  Company, 
and  Colonel  Johnson's  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  CoUrt- 
Martial  for  "assuming  the  rank  of  a  Captain,  wearing  a 
yellow  cockade,  and  mounting  guard  in  that  capacity,"  it 
appearing  to  be  done  through  misinformation  and  want  of 
experience,  the  Court  are  of  opinion  he  should  be  cautioned 
by  his  Colonel  to  make  himself  acquainted  with  his  duty, 
and  that  he  be  released  from  his  arrest.  The  General  ap- 
proves thereof,  and  orders  that  he  be  discharged. 

Mr.  William  Caldwell  is  appointed  Paymaster  to  Colonel 
Baldivin's  Regiment;  Mr.  John  Lawrence  to  the  Regiment 
late  McDougall's. 

The  General  directs  and  requests  that  every  officer  will 
see  the  men's  arms  and  ammunition  put  in  order  as  soon  as 
it  clears  up ;  and  for  that  purpose  have  them  paraded  and 
carefully  inspected ;  an  enemy  often  presumes  upon  neglect 
at  such  time  to  make  an  attack. 

Mr.  Robert  Prevost,  Jan.,  is  appointed  Paymaster  to  Co- 
lonel Ritzema's  Regiment. 

Colonel  Glover's  Regiment  to  move  to-morrow  to  Green- 
wich, and  join  General  Fellows's  Brigade. 

General  Putnam's  Division  to  be  put  into  the  general 
detail  of  duty  as  before. 

Captain  James  Chapman  to  do  the  duty  of  Major  to  Colonel 
Tyler's  Regiment  (late  General  Parsom's)  till  further  orders. 
Captain  James  Mellen  to  do  the  same  in  Colonel  fVard's 
Regiment. 

Captain  Thomas  Dyer  to  do  the  duty  of  Brigade-Major 
to  General  Parsons' s  Brigade  till  further  orders. 


JOSEPH  THUMBULL  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New- York,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:  This  serves.only  to  advise  you  that  I  have  this  day 
drawn  on  you  in  favour  of  Colonel  Thomas  Lowrey,  of  New- 
Jersey,  on  account  of  a  quantity  of  pork  supplied  to  the 
Army  by  him  some  time  since,  for  six  thousand  twenty-nine 


967 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


968 


and  one-third  dollars,  which  you  will  please  to  pay,  and 
charge  to  my  account  accordingly. 
I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Jos.  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Congress  of  Delegates  from  the  States  of  America,  at 
Philadelphia. 

P.  S.  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  drawn  another  list 
of  bills  on  you,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Lowrey,  for  twenty  thou- 
sand dollars,  for  supplying  the  Continental  troops  in  New- 
Jersey,  which  you  will  please  to  pay,  and  charge  accord- 
ingly. If  the  communication  should  be  cut  off  by  the  enemy 
between  us  here  and  the  troops  in  New-Jersey,  I  hope  the 
Congress  will  from  time  to  time  supply  him  with  money,  as 
occasion  may  require  in  that  department,  and  charge  the 
same  to  me,  taking  his  receipts  to  account  to  me  or  them- 
selves for  the  expenditure  thereof. 

Yours,  ut  supra. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  It  having  appeared  in  orders  that  Colonel  Hitch- 
cock's regiment  is  to  take  possession  of  the  post  opposite 
to  Fort  Washington,  I  beg  leave  to  acquaint  you  that  their 
peculiar  attachment  to  the  old  regiments  that  are  here,  their 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  ground,  their  discipline,  and  the 
good  order  in  which  they  are  respecting  arms,  make  me 
desirous  of  their  remaining  here,  if  it  can  possibly  be  dis- 
pensed with,  and  absolute  necessity  does  not  require  their 
removal.  The  most  of  the  troops  that  come  over  here  are 
strangers  to  the  ground,  undisciplined,  and  badly  furnished 
with  arms.  They  will  not  be  so  apt  to  support  each 
other  in  time  of  action  as  those  who  have  long  been 
acquainted,  and  who  are  not  only  attached  to  each  other 
but  to  the  place.  I  have  made  this  application  in  con- 
sequence of  my  own  observations;  and  to  evince  the  pro- 
priety of  it,  send  you  enclosed  the  arrangement  for  your 
inspection. 

Colonel  Hand,  about  eight  o'clock  yesterday  evening,  re- 
ported that  the  Hessians  were  landing  on  Staten-Island  to  a 
considerable  number ;  that  after  their  landing  they  paraded 
upon  the  beach,  and  inarched  up  the  hill  towards  the  flag- 
staff. I  have  received  no  report  from  him  this  morning, 
owing,  as  I  suppose,  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather. 
Should  he  not  send  one  speedily,  I  shall  despatch  an  express 
to  inquire  the  cause. 

I  have  made  choice  of  Mr.  William  Blodget  and  Major 
William  Livingston  for  my  Aids-de-Camp.  Should  it  meet 
with  your  approbation,  you  will  please  to  signify  it  in  orders. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the  troops  appear 
to  be  in  exceeding  good  spirits;  and  make  no  doubt  that  if 
the  enemy  should  make  their  attack  here,  we  shall  be  able 
to  render  a  very  good  account  of  them. 

I  am  carrying  into  execution  the  late  resolve  of  Congress 
respecting  the  removal  of  the  cattle,  dismantling  of  the  mills, 
removing  the  grain  already  thrashed,  and  having  that  which 
is  still  in  sheaf  so  stacked  and  disposed  of,  that  in  case  of  an 
attack  it  may  easily  be  destroyed. 

The  Militia  of  the  County  that  were  ordered  here  have 
not  as  yet  made  their  appearance,  notwithstanding  the  pro- 
mise I  received  from  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  that  they  should 
be  here  last  night.  Should  they  delay  coming  in  any  longer 
than  this  day,  I  am  determined  not  to  be  trifled  with,  and 
shall  let  them  feel  my  resentment  by  vigorous  and  spirited 
exertions  of  military  discipline  and  those  powers  with  which 
I  arn  invested.  A  part  of  the  Militia,  from  the  east  end 
of  the  Island,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Smith,  are 
arrived. 

I  am  very  sorry  that  I  am  under  the  necessity  of  acquaint- 
ing you  that  I  am  confined  to  my  bed  with  a  raging  fever. 
The  critical  situation  of  affairs  makes  me  the  more  anxious, 
but  I  hope,  through  the  assistance  of  Providence,  to  be  able 
to  ride  before  the  presence  of  the  enemy  may  make  it  abso- 
lutely necessary. 

I  am,  with  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

NATHANAEL  GREENE. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 

Neiv-  York. 


RICHARD  VARICK  TO  GENV.RAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  15,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  you 
a  return  of  stores  forwarded  since  the  8th  instant.  As  the 
General  is  momentarily  expected,  I  have  hitherto  detained 
your  despatches,  and  shall  deliver  them  as  soon  as  he  comes. 
I  had  prepared  copies  to  enclose  to  his  Excellency,  but  being 
informed  that  he  will  certainly  be  here  in  a  few  hours,  I 
must  beg  your  pardon  for  the  detention.  I  am  confident 
the  General  will  have  some  observations  to  make  on  the 
orders  of  Carkton,  as  they  militate  with  resolves  of  Congress 
I  sent  him  on  the  10th,  in  the  evening. 

Some  of  the  stores  are  arrived  at  Poughkecpsic ;  some 
blocks,  three  coils  4i  and  4^-inch  cordage,  and  some  small 
cordage,  with  several  old  sails,  and  a  few  anchors  and  cables. 
More  4  j-inch  cordage  is  to  be  had  at  Poughkcepsie.  I  think 
we  had  better  send  for  it  to  supply  the  three-inch  cordage 
ordered  by  the  requisition.  Above  four  hundred  pounds  of 
slow-match  is  arrived  ;  this,  together  with  fifty  dressed  skins, 
some  powder-horns,  one  hundred  pounds  of  twine,  two  fish- 
ing nets,  grubbing  hoes,  and  intrenching  tools,  will  be  sent 
by  the  first  wagons. 

I  shall  soon  send  you  some  grapplings.  From  their  size, 
I  supposed  them  to  be  in  lieu  of  small  anchors,  and  have 
ordered  them  to  be  made  so.  Spikes  are  making,  and  I 
have  sent  for  iron,  in  consequence  of  General  Arnold's  requi- 
sitions from  Skenesborough. 

When  my  General  arrives,  I  shall  consider  myself  in  some 
measure  discharged  from  the  extra  offices  his  absence  has 
imposed  on  me;  but  shall  at  leisure  see  to  it  that  tlie'requi- 
sitions  are  complied  with  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  am,  my  dear  sir,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect,  and 
the  most  profound  esteem,  your  obedient  and  very  humble 
servant,  RICHD.  VARICK. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

L'Oiseau  and  Allain  are  confined  in  the  Tory  Jail;  the 
others  not  yet  arrived.  They  had  no  papers,  and  from  their 
examination,  appear  almost  incapable  of  deception. 


GENERAL  WATEHBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  15,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  your  favour  of  the  14th  in- 
stant, and  am  now  sending  off  the  troops  according  to  order. 
Your  Honour's  letter  of  the  llth  directed  me  to  send  the 
troops  down  to  Ticonderoga  when  the  tents  should  arrive. 
As  the  tents  did  not  arrive,  I  thought  it  to  be  my  orders  not 
to  send  the  troops,  till  your  Honour's  letter  of  the  14th 
came  to  hand.  1  hear  the  tents  are  likely  to  come  to  this 
place  to-morrow,  and  it  they  should,  I  shall  send  them  imme- 
diately down  to  Ticonderoga,  without  loss  of  time. 

As  to  the  Continental  regiments  that  your  Honour  desired 
me  to  acquaint  you  with,  there  is  not  one  arrived  at  this 
place,  neither  can  I  get  any  intelligence  where  they  are. 
As  to  the  Militia,  they  come  in  very  slowly,  and  what  is  the 
reason  I  cannot  tell. 

Your  Honour  may  depend  I  shall  do  all  in  my  power  to 
get  the  galleys  ready  as  soon  as  possible,  and  embark  on  board 
of  them,  according  to  orders.  We  are  kept  back  by  the  mill 
being  put  out  of  order  by  the  great  flood  of  water;  but  I  hope 
we  shall  soon  get  her  agoing.  I  fear  we  shall  want  for  oakum 
and  deck  nails.  I  hope  we  shall  not  be  kept  back  for  want 
of  anything,  for  I  think  our  shipping  must  be  a  great  terror 
to  our  enemy. 

As  to  the  axes  that  Governour  Tnunbiill  wrote  about,  they 
have  not  arrived,  but  as  soon  as  they  arrive  I  shall  attend  to 
the  orders,  in  sending  one-half  down  to  Ticonderoga. 

We  are  behindhand  on  account  of  plank  for  sealing,  by 
the  mill  being  out  of  order.  The  carpenters  could  not  all 
work  at  the  three  on  the  stocks,  and  so  went  to  work  at 
others,  and  have  two  almost  ready  to  raise;  hut  I  will  keep 
as  many  as  possible  at  work  to  get  those  three  off  the  stocks. 

I  can  spare  fifty  spades,  and  the  rest  I  have  on  hand  I 
think  I  can  employ  to  good  advantage.  Those  fifty  I  send 
to  Ticonderoga  are  hew,  and  are  not  helved.  Those  that  I 
received  from  Ticonderoga  are  but  little  worth;  they  are  old, 
and  bend  when  used. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  Honour's  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


969 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


970 


P.  S.  I  hear  that  the  Militia  from  Connecticut  that  have 
not  yet  arrived  are  near  at  hand. 

COLONEL  GANSEVOORT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Port  George,  August  15,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  The  enclosed  letter,  directed  to  your 
Honour,  with  the  return,  signed  by  Mr.  Rensselaer,  was 
delivered  to  me  just  now  by  Mr.  McElhcnny,  who  informed 
me  that  the  enclosed  letter,  with  the  return,  was  left  in  his 
markee  by  Mr.  Shepherd,  Conductor  at  this  place.  I  imme- 
diately sent  for  Mr.  Shepherd,  and  inquired  from  him  where 
he  had  got  the  enclosed  letter  with  the  return.  He  informed 
me  that  he  had  seen  the  aforesaid  letter  with  the  return,  in 
this  condition,  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Beames,  who  left  here 
this  morning  for  Ticondcroga.  I  examined  Mr.  Shepherd's 
receipts,  and  find  them  to  agree  with  Mr.  Rensselaer's  return, 
except  fifty  papers  of  blacking :  he  can  only  account  for 
twenty-eight,  and  does  not  account  for  any  pencils. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

P.  GANSEVOORT,  Lieut.  Colonel. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  COLONEL  HARTLEY. 

Tyonderogn,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  yesterday  by  Mr.  McCoy, 
and  have  at  your  request  appointed  him  Ensign  in  the  Sixth 
Battalion  of  Pennsylvania™.  I  at  the  same  time  offered  a 
pecuniary  reward  to  his  two  companions,  but  they  absolutely 
refused  taking  any,  saying  their  sole  motive  was  to  serve  their 
country.  I  meet  with  very  few  such  truly  publick-spirited 
men.  General  Arnold,  who  gives  you  this  letter,  will  im- 
mediately make  a  cruise  down  the  Lake.  It  will  be.  there- 
fore, proper  for  you  to  remain -at  your  present  post.  I  highly 
approve  of  your  intrenching  your  people  and  keeping  a  good 
lookout.  You  will  send  forward,  with  all  possible  despatch, 
the  letters  or  reports  from  General  Arnold. 

HORATIO  GATES. 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hartley,  Crown-Point. 


GEORGE  PITKIN  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRDMBULL. 

Hartford,  August  15, 1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR:  The  importance  of  Chap- 
lains in  an  army  I  need  only  suggest  to  your  Honour;  there- 
fore wait  on  your  Honour  by  this  to  know  your  Honour's 
pleasure  in  allowing  and  appointing  one  to  the  Nineteenth 
Regiment  of  Militia,  ordered  to  New-York.  In  conversa- 
tion with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Perry,  of  East-  Windsor,  he  mani- 
fested his  willingness  to  undertake  in  that  character,  who  I 
can  recommend,  and  am  very  desirous  of  having  appointed. 
A  doctor  likewise  is  very  necessary  to  a  regiment.  Your 
Honour's  directions  for  filling  up  vacancies  of  officers,  if  there 
should  be  any,  is  strongly  desired. 

If  it  were  possible,  after  seeing  the  regiment  arrived  at 
New-York,  for  me  to  retire,  leaving  the  command  to  Major 
Terry,  (my  constitution  and  state  of  health  at  present  being 
such  that  I  cannot  undergo  the  duty  of  a  camp,)  I  submit  to 
your  Honour.  May  Almighty  God  deliver  this  land  from 
its  present  dire  calamities. 

With  submission,  I  subscribe  myself,  with  the  highest 
esteem,  your  Honour's  most  obedient  servant, 

GEORGE  PITKIN. 
To  the  Hon.  Governour  TrumbuU. 

N.  B.  The  bearer  will  wait  an  answer. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  TICONDEROGA,  DATED  AUGUST 
15,   1776. 

I  came  over  here  to  conduct  a  Canadian  from  St.  Fran- 
fois  to  Head-Quarters.  He  assures  me  that  the  Indians  in 
general  have  resolved  not  to  join  in  the  war.  Things  here 
begin  to  wear  a  different  face.  The  greatest  harmony  reigns 
among  the  General  Officers.  Order  is  taking  place  in  the 
Army,  and  the  men  are  in  high  spirits.  Great  numbers  are 
coming  in  from  New-England  to  Skenesborough.  General 
Carleton  has  barbarously  used  the  Canadians  who  favoured 
us.  General  Burgoyne  has  endeavoured  to  persuade  some 
tribes  of  Canadian  Indians  to  join  the  British  Army,  but 
they  absolutely  refused  to  take  any  part,  adding,  that  if  Great 
Britain  and  America  should  become  reconciled,  they  should 
be  the  greatest  sufferers,  and  therefore  were  determined  to 
be  neuter.  We  have  received  a  large  supply  of  fresh  beef, 
which  has  been  of  great  service  in  the  recovery  of  the 
sick.  Our  maritime  force  consists  of  eight  gondolas  and  four 
schooners.  We  are  going  from  here  down  the  Lake,  in 
order  to  retake  St.  John's,  which  General  Burgoyne  has 
possession  of  at  present.  As  we  have  numbers,  and  our 
Army  are  determined,  I  do  not  entertain  the  least  doubt  of 
success. 


OLIVER  WOLCOTT  TO  GOVERNOUR  THUMBULL. 

Litchfield,  August  15,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  have  just  now  received  your  Honour's 
favour  of  the  12th  instant,  and  am  thereby  acquainted  with 
the  honour  done  me  in  appointing  me  to  the  command  of 
the  Militia  lately  ordered  to  New-York.  I  shall  most  cheer- 
fully render  my  country  every  service  in  my  power,  and  am 
sorry  my  health  is  not  better  to  go  through  the  duties  of  a 
military  life,  and  more  so  that  my  inexperience  and  want 
of  knowledge  in  this  service  are  so  very  considerable.  But  as 
this  is  well  known,  candour  will  not  require  what  it  has  no 
reason  to  expect.  All  I  can  engage  is,  an  upright  endeavour 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  my  appointment,  in  humble  trust 
of  the  Divine  guidance  and  protection. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem,  your  Honour's  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  QLIVER  WoLCOTT. 


Ticonderoga,  August  15,  1776. 

Our  fleet  on  Lake  Champlain  consists  of  the  Royal  Sa- 
vage, Captain  Wynkoop,  twelve  carriage  nine,  six,  and  four- 
pounders,  ten  swivels,  and  fifty  men ;  Enterprise,  Dixon, 
twelve  carriage  guns,  nine,  six,  and  four-pounders,  ten  swi- 
vels, and  fifty  men ;  Revenge,  Laman,  ten  carriage  guns, 
four  and  two- pounders,  ten  swivels,  and  thirty-five  men; 
Liberty,  Primer,  ten  carriage  guns,  four  and  two-pounders, 
eight  swivels,  and  forty-five  men  ;  four  gondolas,  Captains 
Mansfield,  Simmons,  Sumner,  and  Vstins.  Each  gondola 
carries  three  guos,  one  twelve  and  two  nine-pounders, 
eight  swivels,  and  forty-five  men.  Three  row-galleys,  just 
ready  to  launch,  and  ten  more  gondolas,  will  soon  be 
ready. 


COLONEL  LEWIS  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Stratford,  August  15,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  These  inform  that  I  received  your  orders 
dated  the  6th  July,  directing  me,  "on  notice  given  by  his 
Excellency  General  Washington,  to  call  forth  and  march 
with  all  expedition  so  many  able-bodied  and  effective  men 
of  the  regiment  under  my  command  as  are  necessary  and 
convenient  for  the  defence  of  the  Colonies,  to  be  under  the 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army;"  whereupon  I  gave 
orders  to  the  commanding  officers  of  the  several  companies 
in  my  regiment  to  draught  every  able-bodied  man  in  their 
companies,  and  see  that  they  were  well  equipped,  and  to 
hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  on  the  shortest  notice, 
and  make  returns,  &c. 

On  the  9th  instant  I  received  a  letter  from  his  Excellency 
General  Washington,  bearing  date  August  7,  requesting  me 
to  call  forth  my  regiment  without  delay,  and  to  march  them 
immediately  to  New-York,  with  which  request  I  have  endea- 
voured to  comply  without  loss  of  time.  I  gave  orders  im- 
mediately to  the  several  Captains  and  officers  commanding 
the  several  companies  in  the  regiment  to  call  forth  their 
companies,  see  them  well  equipped,  and  march  them,  and 
meet  me  at  Fairjield  on  Tuesday,  the  13th  instant,  where 
they  might  expect  orders  to  march  to  New-York;  at  which 
time  and  place  the  Captains  with  their  companies  generally 
attended. 

I  would  inform  your  Honour  that  Captain  Daniel  Hill, 
of  Redding,  and  his  company,  did  not  appear  nor  comply 
with  my  orders,  and  gave  no  attendance;  that  Captain 
Cooky,  of  Nortfifield,  did  not  attend.  Lieutenant  Squier,of 
Captain  Cooky's  company,  attended,  and  informed  me  that 
Captain  Cooky  had  never  read  any  orders  to  his  company  that 
I  had  sent  him,  and  utterly  refused  to  take  up  arms  against  the 
King's  forces.  Whereupon  I  gave  orders  to  Lieutenant  Squier 
to  call  out  the  company,  and  march  them,  and  join  the  regi- 
ment without  delay.  Captain  Henry  Summers,  of  North-Fair- 


971 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


972 


fold,  attended  at  Fairfield  with  seven  men.  His  Lieutenant 
is  bound  over  to  the  Superior  Court  to  answer  for  a  misde- 
meanour. His  Ensign  is  in  the  Army.  He  informs  that 
his  company  are  chiefly  Tories,  and  refuse  to  obey  him.  I 
admitted  Captain  Summers  to  return  home,  and  desired  those 
privates  (which  were  only  three)  to  join  some  other  com- 
pany. Some  of  the  companies  in  the  regiment  had  one  or 
more  of  their  commissioned  officers  in  the  service,  and  a 
considerable  part  of  the  companies  have  joined  two  toge- 
ther, by  their  consent,  where  it  was  convenient  and  agreeable 
to  them,  so  that  these  companies  are  now  full ;  and  others, 
where  it  was  not  so  convenient  and  agreeable,  remained 
as  they  were,  and  the  regiment  marched  for  New-York  from 
Fairfield  yesterday,  in  number  about  four  hundred  and 
twenty.  Lieutenant  Squier,  of  Northfield,  had  not  then 
joined  the  regiment  with  his  men.  Captains  that  marched: 
Dimon,  Coe,  Tomlinson,  Wheeler,  Andrus,  Bennett.  Sub- 
alterns that  commanded  companies,  their  Captains  absent  or 
otherwise :  Lieutenants  Davis,  Lyon,  and  Penfield,  and 
Ensign  Silliman. 

This,  honoured  sir,  is  the  number  and  state  of  my  regi- 
ment, as  nearly  as  I  can  give  it  at  present.  Myself  and  the 
Major  set  out  for  New-  York  to-morrow  morning. 

From  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ICHABOD  LEWIS. 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Captain-General. 


MASSACHUSETTS  CO0NCIL  TO  COLONEL  HERRICK. 

Council  Chamber,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:  You  are  hereby  directed  and  commanded  to  cause 
the  second  company  in  your  regiment,  together  with  the 
alarm-list  within  the  limits  of  the  same,  to  be  duly  notified 
to  assemble  together  at  some  convenient  place  within  such 
limits,  and  at  such  time  as  you  shall  appoint,  and  require 
them  to  make  choice  by  ballot  of  one  Captain  and  two  Lieu- 
tenants, in  the  room  of  Captain  Samuel  Flint,  Messrs.  Daniel 
Putnam  and  Joseph  Putnam,  Jun.,  who  have  declined  ac- 
cepting commissions  to  command  said  company;  and  you  are 
requested  to  be  present  at  said  meeting,  and  to  preside  as 
Moderator;  which  choice  you  are  immediately  to  certify  to 
the  Secretary  of  this  State. 

In  the  name  and  by  order  of  the  Council  : 

JEREMIAH  POWELL,  President. 

To  Colonel  Henry  Herrick. 


MASSACHUSETTS   COUNCIL  TO  THE   COMMITTEE  OF  READING. 

Watertown,  August  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  Board  have  received  your  letter  of  the 
14th  instant,  informing  that  Colonel  Campbell  has  dismissed 
four  of  his  servants,  one  of  whom  has  let  himself  out  to  work 
for  his  living;  the  rest  have  declined.  The  Board  therefore 
order,  that  the  three  soldiers  before  mentioned  be  immediately 
sent  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Middlesex,  who  is  hereby 
directed  to  confine  them  in  the  jail  of  said  County,  provided 
the  Committee  should  find  they  still  refuse  to  go  to  work  for 
their  support.  As  to  Munro,  the  Council  think  you  have 
full  power  to  take  proper  care  of  him  if  he  prove  an  enemy 

JEREMIAH  POWELL,  President. 
To  Jacob  Emerson,  Chairman  to  the  Committee  of  Heading. 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Boston,  August  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Mr.  Adams,  of  Taunton,  carries  on  a  con- 
siderable deal  of  business  as  a  nailer  and  cutler,  and  he  wants 
a  couple  of  men  (prisoners)  who  are  now  at  Worcester, 
named  Francis  Hall  and  Thomas  Toft,  acquainted  with 
manufacturing  in  that  way.  The  men  are  willing  to  engage 
with  Mr.  Adams,  and  his  son  (the  bearer)  waits  upon  you 
to  desire  the  favour  that  those  men  may  be  allowed  to  go 
with  him  to  Taunton,  to  be  employed  at  his  manufactory, 
which  I  think  would  be  of  publick  utility,  and  therefore 
suppose  your  Honours  will  be  inclined  to  grant  his  re- 
quest. 

I  am,  respectfully,  your  Honour's  most  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  BOWDOIN. 
To  the  Honourable  Council. 


In  Council,  August  16,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Worcester 
deliver  the  above  two  persons,  Francis  Hall  and  Thomas 
Taft,  to  the  above  Mr.  John  Adams,  if  they  are  not  already 
engaged,  or  under  contract  with  any  other  person  or  persons, 
provided  the  said  two  men  are  willing  to  go  with  him. 
In  the  name  and  by  the  order  of  Council : 

JER.  POWELL,  President. 


Boston,  August  15,  1776. 

Last  Lord's  day  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was 
published  in  the  several  Churches  in  this  town,  agreeable  to 
an  order  of  the  honourable  Council  of  this  State. 

Last  Sunday  was  sent  in  here  by  the  brig  Enterprise  and 
sloop  Beaver,  two  letters  of  marque  vessels  belonging  to 
New-York  and  bound  for  St.  Eustatia,  a  ship  from  Grenada 
bound  for  London,  laden  with  sugar,  rum,  cotton,  fee. 

Yesterday  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  14th  of  August, 
1765,  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  with  a  number  of  their  friends, 
met  at  Liberty  Hall,  and  erected  a  pole  on  the  stump  of 
Liberty  Tree,  (the  body  of  which  was  cut  down  by  our 
worse  than  savage  myrmidons  the  last  winter,)  where  they 
hoisted  the  red  flag,  or  flag  of  defiance.  At  twelve  o'clock 
a  number  of  patriotick  toasts  were  drank,  which  came  too 
late  for  this  day's  paper. 

A  select  number  likewise  met  at  the  Bunch  of  Grapes, 
in  King  street,  where  flags  were  also  displayed  ;  and  at  one 
o'clock  a  company  of  the  Train  was  paraded  in  King  street, 
with  two  field-pieces,  which  were  discharged  thirteen  times; 
after  which  a  number  of  patriotick  toasts  were  drank,  and 
three  cheers  given. 

We  hear  that  on  Wednesday  last  was  sent  into  Ports- 
mouth, by  the  privateer  Hancock,  of  Philadelphia,  the  Re- 
ivard,  of  six  hundred  tons,  a  large  ship  (formerly  a  twenty- 
gun  ship)  now  mounting  fourteen  guns,  bound  from  Tortola 
for  London,  having  on  board  seven  hundred  and  fifty  hogs- 
heads of  sugar,  two  hundred  hogsheads  of  rum,  five  thousand 
weight  of  cotton,  and  a  number  of  pieces  of  cannon.  We 
hear  she  was  taken  by  the  following  stratagem,  viz:  Just 
before  dusk  the  evening  the  Hancock  came  across  her,  the 
Captain  of  the  prize  taking  the  Hancock  to  be  one  of  the 
tyrant's  pilferers,  very  much  rejoiced  to  fall  in  with  her,  and 
doubtless  vice  versa,  when  the  Hancock  at  night  threw  out 
a  light  for  a  pilot.  At  daylight  the  next  morning,  the  ves- 
sels being  near  together,  the  Captain  of  the  ship  invited  the 
Captain  of  the  Hancock  to  come  on  board  and  take  a  break- 
fast; who  replied,  his  hands  were  so  few  and  sick,  that  he 
had  not  enough  to  man  his  boat  and  work  the  vessel ;  and 
in  his  turn,  invited  the  Captain  of  the  ship  to  come  on  board 
him,  which  he  readily  complied  with  by  ordering  his  boat 
out,  when  he  and  about  a  dozen  of  his  hands  went  on  board 
the  Hancock,  and  were  taken  as  good  care  of  as  men  in 
such  circumstances  could  be.  The  Hancock  then  sent  an 
equal  number  of  her  own  hands  on  board  the  ship,  when 
alas !  she  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
The  letters  by  her  inform  us  that  every  sort  of  provision  was 
very  high;  flour,  scarce  a  barrel  to  be  had  at  any  price; 
butter  at  £6  12s.  currency  per  firkin; — all  wishing  the 
dispute  settled  with  America,  and  in  great  expectation  that 
matters  would  be  accommodated  by  the  discretionary  powers 
of  Lord  Howe.  This  ship  was  taken  in  latitude  28°  north, 
longitude  62°.  The  prize-master,  Mr.  Barton,  informs  us 
that  the  Hancock  had  taken  a  brigantine  from  the  West- 
Indies  just  before  this  ship,  and  sent  her  to  Egg-Harbour, 
and  was  in  chase  of  a  ship,,  supposed  to  be  a  Jamaicaman, 
and  almost  within  gunshot,  when  he  left  her. 

By  a  person  from  Charlestown,  Number  Four,  we  hear  that 
the  report  there  was,  that  a  great  number  of  boats  full  of 
troops  had  been  sent  in  the  Lakes;  so  it  is  very  likely  we 
shall  soon  hear  of  some  business  from  that  quarter. 

The  Tyrannicide  privateer,  Captain  Fisk,  belonging  to, 
and  in  the  service  of  this  State,  has  sent  into  Salem  the 
brigantine  St.  John,  with  a  cargo  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
hogsheads  of  molasses,  eighty-one  casks  of  rum,  fifty-two 
casks  of  coffee,  fourteen  hogsheads  of  sugar,  and  eight  casks 
of  cocoa;  and  into  Dartmouth,  the  schooner  Three  Bro- 
thers, Captain  Smith,  from  Dominica  for  Nova-Scotia,  with 
a  cargo  of  fifty  hogsheads  of  rum,  eighty-six  casks  of  mo- 
lasses, forty  barrels  of  flour,  ten  barrels  of  pork,  and  £420 
lawful  money  in  cash. 


973 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1-776. 


974 


Thursday  last  a  fine  prize  ship  from  St.  Augustine  for 
London,  laden  with  dried  skins  and  indigo,  was  sent  into 
Salem  by  a  privateer  commanded  by  Captain  Skimmer. 

The  same  day  arrived  at  Newburyport  a  prize  schooner, 
laden  with  rum,  &tc.  We  have  not  heard  by  whom  she 
was  taken. 

Last  week  the  Warren  privateer,  of  Dartmouth,  carried 
in  there  a  ship  from  the  West  Indies  for  Newfoundland,  laden 
with  sugar  and  molasses;  she  was  commanded  by  Captain 
Cochran,  of  this  town,  and  owned  by  Thomas  Boylstone,  of 
Boston. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  HALIFAX,  DATED  AUGUST  15, 
1776. 

An  expedition  has  been  formed  here  for  landing  some  men 
at  St.  John's  Fort,  on  St.  John's  River,  in  the  Bay  ofFundy. 
The  Farmer  sloop-of-war  has  been  to  convoy  the  transports 
thither,  and  is  returned  from  that  business,  and  brought  back 
the  vessels.  What  the  design  may  be  I  am  not  able  to 
fathom.  Our  dock-yard  here  has  constant  employ;  scarce 
any  of  the  King's  ports  in  England  has  more,  which  may 
easily  be  conceived  from  the  number  of  ships  employed  on 
the  Continent. 

This  expedition  was  thus  spoken  of  in  the  Halifax  news- 
papers: Two  thousand  Highlanders,  under  convoy  of  three 
frigates  and  three  armed  schooners,  have  been  sent  to  the 
Bay  ofFundy  to  penetrate  that  way  into  New-Hampshire. 


COLONEL  HUGER  TO  JOHN  LEWIS  GERVAIS. 

Purysburgh,  August  16,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  this  day  settled  with  Mr.  Pugh  for 
fourteen  days'  rations,  amounting  to  £261  16*.  4d.,  including 
four  bushels  of  rice.  You  will  please  pay  Mr.  Pugh  £164 
16s.  4d.,  as  I  have  advanced  him  £105  in  part,  for  beef. 
The  certificates  for  rice  and  beef  on  my  march  to  this  place 
shall  send  you  in  a  few  days. 

Am  your  humble  servant,  ISAAC  HUGER. 

To  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Esquire,  Commissary-General, 
Charlestown. 

Fourteen  days'  Rations  bought  O/WILLOBT  PUGH. 

3,871  pounds  Beef,  at  Is.  4d ,£258    1  4 

250  pounds  Rice,  at  30s 3  15  0 


261  16  4 
Paid  Mr.  Pugh 105    00 


Balance  due  Pugh ,£156  16  4 


Williamsburgh,  August  16,  1776. 

On  Tuesday,  the  13th  instant,  the  First  Virginia  Regi- 
ment in  the  Continental  service  marched  from  this  city  for 
New-York.  From  undoubted  authority  we  can  assure  the 
publick  that  fifteen  thousand  weight  of  pure  lead  have  been 
got  from  our  mines  in  the  back  country,  which,  after  being 
cast  into  bullets,  we  hope  will  be  unerringly  directed  against 
our  enemies. 

The  last  advices  from  the  back  country  are,  that  the  Che- 
rokee and  Creek  Indians,  to  the  number  of  between  six  and 
seven  hundred,  are  encamped  in  Carter's  valley,  from  whence 
they  send  out  parties  against  the  settlements,  some  of  which 
had  penetrated  near  one  hundred  miles  on  this  side  of  the 
Big  Island,  carrying  destruction  wherever  they  come,  by 
burning  houses,  fences,  fields  of  wheat  and  other  grain,  and 
turning  droves  of  horses  into  the  corn-fields.  Upwards  of 
one  thousand  head  of  horses  have  been  driven  off,  and  a  great 
number  of  cattle;  the  sheep  and  hogs  they  shoot  down. 
They  have  killed  and  scalped  eighteen  men,  one  or  two 
women,  and  several  children  ;  some  of  the  people  were  most 
barbarously  murdered,  too  shocking  to  relate.  The  ruined 
settlers  had  collected  themselves  together  at  different  places, 
and  forted  themselves,  four  hundred  and  upwards  at  Major 
Shelby's,  about  the  same  number  at  Captain  CampbelTs,  and 
a  considerable  number  at  Amos  Eaton's.  The  fort  at  Wa- 
tauga,  which  was  besieged  by  four  hundred  savages,  are 
now  relieved,  the  Indians  having  abandoned  their  enterprise 
upon  the  approach  of  Colonel  Russell,  with  about  three 
hundred  men.  In. all  the  skirmishes  with  the  Indians  our 
people  have  continually  worsted  them,  and,  in  the  whole, 


have  killed  and  scalped  twenty-seven,  and  badly  wounded 
many  others,  as  was  discovered  by  the  tracks  of  blood.  A 
man  from  the  frontiers  of  Georgia  had  arrived  in  Fincastle, 
who  declared  upon  oath,  that  he  saw  upwards  of  one  hun- 
dred people  buried  in  one  day,  who  were  killed  by  the  Creek 
Indians. 

By  an  express  from  Colonel  Russell,  of  Fincastle,  we 
learn,  that  on  his  approaching  the  Watauga  Fort  with  the 
men  under  his  command,  the  Indians  retired  precipitately; 
however,  not  without  losing  one  man,  and  having  two  wound- 
ed, by  a  party  that  pursued  them.  The  fort  was  thus  for- 
tunately relieved  after  a  fortnight's  close  siege,  during  the 
greater  part  of  which  time  our  people  lived  on  parched  corn. 
There  were  supposed  to  be  five  hundred  women  and  chil- 
dren in  this  little  fort,  who  fled  there  for  shelter  on  hearing 
that  the  Indians  were  marching  into  that  part  of  the  coun- 
try. We  lost  not  a  man  in  this  long  affair,  except  four  or 
five  who  ventured  out  to  drive  in  some  cows;  these  were 
found  scalped. 

The  number  of  Indians  concerned  in  the  different  ravages 
lately  committed  in  Fincastle  amount  to  six  or  seven  hun- 
dred, some  say  eight  hundred ;  and  yet,  sudden  as  their  attack 
was,  they  murdered  in  all  their  butchering  parties  but  eigh- 
teen persons,  and  wounded  six,  whilst  our  men  killed  in  the 
skirmishes  with  them  twenty-six  on  the  spot,  (as  many  were 
carried  off  dead,)  took  one  prisoner,  and  wounded  at  least  as 
many  as  they  killed.  As  the  Cherokees  have  been  so  com- 
pletely checked  in  their  career,  and  we  understand  from  Fort 
Pitt  that  the  Northern  Indians  are  not  disposed  to  attack  us 
in  that  quarter,  and  have  only  engaged  not  to  suffer  us  to 
march  through  their  country  against  Detroit,  we  may  hope 
that  there  is  not  much  to  be  dreaded  from  the  terrible  com- 
bination of  Indians  we  have  been  threatened  with  by  our 
enemies. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  WATKINS. 
[No.  135.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  There  are  about  thirty  stand  of  arms  belonging  to 
the  Province  at  Snow-Hill,  under  the  care  of  the  Commit- 
tee. We  desire  you  will  bring  them  up  with  you.  En- 
closed is  an  order  on  the  Committee  for  them. 

We  are,  &ic. 

To  Captain  Waikins. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  THE  TENT-MAKERS. 
[No.  136.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR  :  As  all  the  troops  belonging  to  this  Province  are 
directed  to  march  directly,  you  will  get  all  the  tents  ready 
you  are  to  make,  with  the  greatest  despatch. 

We  are,  &.c. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  DEAN. 
[No.  137.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  order  of  the  Convention,  you  are  immediately 
to  march  to  Philadelphia,  where  you  will  receive  further 
orders.  The  service  requires  the  utmost  expedition.  You 
will  go  to  the  head  of  Elk  by  water,  where  provision  and 
baggage-wagons  will  be  provided  for  you.  If  those  who 
have  lent  guns  upon  condition  your  troops  continued  in  Queen 
Ann's  County,  insist  upon  having  them  returned,  you  will 
then  supply  the  deficiency  occasioned  thereby  out  of  Cap- 
tain Darnes's  company,  which  has  a  number  of  guns  pur- 
chased by  the  Committee.  We  are,  &.c. 
To  Captain  Dean,  Queen  Ann's  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  BOURKE. 
[No.  138.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  You  are  requested  to  apply  to  Major  Fallin  for  the 
guns  he  has  the  care  of,  which  jvere  taken  in  a  tender;  and 
you  are  likewise  to  apply  to  the  Committee  of  your  County 
for  all  the  guns  they  have  by  them,  to  arm  your  company 
agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  Convention  which  you  have  here- 
with enclosed.  Those  two  parcels  of  guns,  together  with 
what  you  have  otherwise  procured,  will  completely  arm 
your  company;  and  by  the  order  of  Convention  you  are 
immediately  to  march  your  company  to  Philadelphia,  and 
there  you  will  receive  further  orders.  We  are,  &tc. 
To  Captain  Bourkc. 


975 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  he.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


976 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY   TO    DORCHESTER    COUNTY 

COMMITTEE. 
[No.  139.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIRS  :  Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  an  order  of  Convention.  We 
request  you  will  deliver  to  Captain  Bourke  (to  whom  we 
have  written  on  the  subject)  all  the  arms  we  understand  are 
in  your  County,  and  afford  him  all  the  assistance  in  your 
power  in  equipping  him  for  his  march  to  the  northward, 
agreeable  to  orders  already  sent  him.  We  are,  &LC. 
To  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Dorchester  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  EDWARD  PARKER. 

[No.  140.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  received  your  favour  of  the  14th  instant, 
also  the  thread,  and  request  you  will  immediately  on  receipt 
of  this  forward  all  the  coarse  cloth  and  linen  to  Mr.  Gerrard 
Hopkins,  the  Deputy  Commissary  at  Baltimore-Town. 

We  are,  fee. 

To  Mr.  Edward  Parker. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  LINEN  MANUFACTURERS. 
[No.  141.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  As  all  the  troops  belonging  to  this  Province  are 
directed  to  march  immediately  to  the  northward,  and  as  they 
will  be  greatly  distressed  for  tents,  unless  we  can  be  supplied 
with  tenting  linen  from  you,  we  earnestly  beg  you  will  send 
us  what  you  can  possibly,  with  the  utmost  despatch. 

We  are,  fee. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JESSE  HOLLINGSWORTH. 

[No.  142.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  We  are  pleased  to  hear  that  you  are  going  on  with 
getting  timber  for  the  gondolas,  and  other  necessaries.  You 
may  depend  on  being  handsomely  paid  according  to  the 
trouble  you  have;  so  you  may  proceed  and  make  your 
charge:  if  reasonable,  it  shall  be  paid.  The  charge  for 
your  teams,  we  take  it  for  granted,  will  be  moderate,  there- 
fore expect  you  will  set  them  to  work  hauling  timber.  Whis- 
key and  Continental  rum  may  be  furnished  to  the  workmen 
at  market  price,  in  the  manner  you  mention. 

We  wish  you  could  hire  some  persons  to  bring  the  scow 
down  to  us,  we  want  her  much.  We  know  not  what  to 
say  about  the  boats,  not  having  received  your  letter  by 
Hatchings;  when  we  do,  we  shall  take  due  notice  of  it. 

We  are,  fee. 

To  Jeste  ffollingsworth. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  DELEGATE  IN  CONGRESS. 
[No.  143.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  We  received  yours  of  the  13th,  and  have  seen  what 
you  wrote  to  Major  Jenifer  on  the  state  of  publick  affairs. 

In  consequence  of  a  resolve  of  the  Convention,  we  have 
given  orders  to  all  the  Independent  Companies  (four  in  num- 
ber) to  march.  Colonel  CarvellHaWs,  and  Colonel  Ewing's, 
and  six  or  seven  companies  on  the  Eastern-Shore,  have  like 
orders  to  march;  so  that,  with  Griffith's  battalion,  we  shall 
have  near  four  thousand  men  with  you  in  a  short  time.  This 
exceeds  our  proportion  for  the  Flying-Camp,  but  we  are 
sending  all  that  we  have  that  can  be  armed  and  equipped; 
and  the  people  of  New-York,  for  whom  we  have  great 
affection,  can  have  no  more  than  our  all.  Enclosed  you 
have  a  list  of  the  several  battalions  and  companies. 

We  depend,  in  case  of  invasion,  on  being  supported  power- 
fully by  our  neighbours  in  Pennsylvania,  New-York,  and  the 
Jerseys,  besides  having  part  of  our  own  troops  sent  back. 

Our  gentlemen  met  for  the  first  time  after  the  late  elections 
on  Wednesday,  the  14th,  Matthew  Tilghman  in  the  chair. 
Most  of  their  time  since  meeting  has  been  taken  up  in  contro- 
verted elections.  Queen  Ann's,  Prince  George's,  Worcester, 
and  LowerDistrictin  Frederick,  set  aside,  The  members  have 
been  all  discharged,  upon  the  principle  of  their  having  broken 
the  resolves  of  the  late  Convention  with  regard  to  the  quali- 
fication of  the  voters.  Charles  was  controverted,  or  rather, 
it  appeared  on  the  face  of  a  return  that  they  had  adjourned 
the  polls  to  a  different  place  than  that  appointed  by  the  late 
Convention.  It  was  not  set  aside  for  that  reason,  the  ad- 
journment being  made  by  consent  of  all  the  candidates  and 


voters.  Some  other  elections  are  talked  of,  but  we  know  not 
whether  there  will  be  petitions — Anne  Arundcl  for  one.  In. 
Kent  County  they  began  right,  and  proceeded  so  some  time, 
till  interrupted  by  a  mob.  The  Judges  broke  up,  and  are 
ordered  to  finish  the  election  according  to  the  old  plan  of 
qualification. 

We  shall  lose  a  valuable  correspondent,  we  fear,  when 
you  leave  Philadelphia.  Our  wishes  are  that  you  should 
stay,  but  we  submit  to  your  determination  and  that  of  the 
honourable  Convention. 

We  are,  your  most  obedient  servants. 

P.  S.  These  companies  are  not  all  fully  armed  and  equip- 
ped, but  we  hope  soon  to  collect  enough. 

List  tof  the  Troops  for  MARYLAND. 

Smallwood's  Battalion,  nine  Companies,  76  each,  -  684 
Captain  Veazey  100,  Captain  Hindman  100,  Captain 

Thomas  100, 300 

Captain  Beall  100,  Captain  Gunby  100,  -     -     -     -  200 

Captain  Woolford  100,  Captain  Waikins  100,     -     -  200 


1384 

-  810 

810 

-  270 

-  644 

~3918 

The  remaining  Companies  of  Ewing's  and  the  Eastern- 
Shore  Battalion  must  borrow  arms  from  the  Militia  to  do 
duty  here ;  they  can  get  arms  on  no  other  terms. 


Griffith's  Battalion,  nine  Companies,  90  men  each, 
Colonel  Carvel  Hall's      do.  do.         do. 

3  Companies  of  Colonel  Ewing's,    -     -     -     -     - 
7  Companies  of  Eastern-Shore  Battalion,       -     - 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY    TO    CAPTAINS    SMYTH    AND 

PERKINS. 
[No.  144.]  Annapolis,  August  16, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  By  desire  of  the  Convention  you  are  to 
march  your  companies,  as  soon  as  they  are  ready,  to  Phila- 
delphia, where  you  will  receive  further  orders.  The  service 
requires  the  utmost  despatch,  and  we  earnestly  request  you 
to  exert  yourselves  on  this  occasion.  We  have  written  the 
Committee  to  supply  you  with  camp  kettles,  gun  slings, 
wooden  bottles,  and  cartouch  boxes.  Messrs.  Smyth  and 
Ringgold,  who  are  requested  to  have  tents  made,  will  sup- 
ply you  with  them.  We  are,  fee. 

P.  S.  The  knapsacks,  haversacks,  and  priming-wires, 
shall  be  sent  you  from  Baltimore. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  JOHN  GORDON. 
[No.  145.]  Annapolis,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  As  all  the  troops  belonging  to  the  Province  are 
directed  to  march  immediately  to  the  northward,  we  beg 
you  will  work  day  and  night  in  furnishing  the  knapsacks  and 
haversacks  you  have  engaged  to  make,  as  they  cannot  march 
without  them.  We  are,  fee. 
Mr.  John  Gordon,  Baltimore-Town. 

CAPTAIN  SMYTH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Chestertown,  August  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Mr.  Williamson,  First  Lieutenant  of  my 
company,  waits  on  you  for  my  marching  orders,  and  any 
other  you  may  please  to  issue  to  me.  My  company  now 
want  nothing  but  knapsacks  to  equip  them  completely; 
which  (as  I  suppose  you  have  them  not)  I  shall  be  glad 
you  will  please  to  order  me  to  procure,  furnishing  me  with 
money  for  that  purpose.  1  shall  be  glad  to  receive  your 
orders  concerning  baggage  wagons;  they  can  be  either  hired 
or  purchased  here  very  readily,  and  I  believe  at  a  very  rea- 
sonable rate. 

The  money  you  were  pleased  to  let  me  have,  to  advance 
to  the  men  for  the  purchase  of  necessaries,  is  entirely  ex- 
pended, and  we  have  and  must  run  in  debt  for  many  things 
we  cannot  do  without.  Most  of  the  men  require  a  full 
month's  pay,  and  some  more,  to  procure  necessaries  to  en- 
able them  to  march.  I  hope  your  Honours  will  supply  me 
with  money  for  this  and  the  above  mentioned  purposes,  not 
forgetting  that  our  travelling  expenses  will  be  considerable. 

The  twenty  pieces  of  linen  you  ordered  over  for  our  tents 


977 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


978 


are  not  sufficient  for  the  purpose.  They  will  generally  hold 
out  forty  yards  to  a  piece,  and  each  tent  requires  thirty 
yards.  Agreeable  to  this  calculation,  which  is  just,  there  will 
be  one  hundred  and  twenty  yards,  or  three  pieces,  wanting. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

1  HOMAS  SMYTH,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Congress,  Philadelphia,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  only  time  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
your  letter  of  the  15th,  and  to  transmit  the  resolves  passed 
since  my  last,  which  you  will  find  enclosed. 

That  the  all-wise  Disposer  of  events  may  crown  your 
arms  with  success,  is  the  hearty  wish  of,  sir,  your  very  hum- 
ble servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK, Jr resident. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


PHILIP  LIVINGSTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Philadelphia,  August  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Your  favour,  dated  the  22d  July,  enclosing 
copy  of  Mr.  Alsop's  letter  to  the  Convention,  and  a  resolve 
of  your  body  accepting  his  resignation  of  his  seat  in  Con- 
gress, was  received,  and  agreeable  to  your  directions  com- 
municated the  same  to  the  Congress,  and  delivered  a  copy 
to  Mr.  Alsop,  who  had  not  attended  for  some  days  before, 
though  we  did  not  then  know  the  reason  of  his  absenting 
himself. 

Your  favours  of  the  7th  instant,  with  enclosures,  we  re- 
ceived and  communicated  to  Congress.  The  spirited  be- 
haviour of  your  body,  so  very  conspicuous  in  your  resolves, 
was  very  pleasing  indeed. 

We  cannot  conceive  the  reason  that  the  Connecticut  Mi- 
litia do  not  come  forward  at  this  alarming  crisis.  Those 
from  the  Massachusetts  are,  we  suppose,  now  with  you ; 
they  passed  through  Providence  last  Monday;  their  numbers 
we  are  not  informed  of. 

There  is  not  the  least  doubt  but  your  Rangers  will  be 
taken  into  Continental  pay.  The  Southern  Colonies  are 
raising  troops  for  the  like  purpose,  and  we  intend,  in  con- 
junction with  them,  to  apply  to  Congress  on  that  head. 
The  gentlemen  representing  these  Colonies  wish  to  have  the 
application  deferred  for  some  time,  but  we  are  of  opinion 
you  ought  not  to  defer  raising  the  men.  The  people  on 
the  frontiers  most  certainly  will  not  be  easy,  nor,  we  fear, 
safe  without  such  security. 

We  are  confident  Congress  means  to  be  at  the  expense 
incurred  and  to  be  incurred  in  obstructing  the  navigation  of 
Hudson  River,  and  will  in  our  next  acquaint  you  with  their 
explicit  answer  on  that  head. 

Colonel  James  Livingston  has  orders  to  raise  a  regiment 
out  of  the  people  who  are  friendly  to  the  United  States  in 
Canada.  Will  it  not  be  best  that  Captain  James  Stewart's 
company  should  make  part  of  that  regiment?  We  have 
requested  Colonel  Livingston  to  confer  with  you  on  that 
subject. 

Under  the  greatest  anxiety  for  what  is  speedily  to  occur 
in  New-York,  we  remain,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
servants, 

rniL.  LIVINGSTON. 

The  Hon.  Convention  of  New-  York. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  CAPTAINS  JONES  AND  HALLOCK. 

Philadelphia,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR  :  You  will  find  enclosed  herein  a  paper  sent  us  by 
the  Captain  of  a  French  sloop,  that  is  now  daily  expected 
from  Martinico,  with  arms  and  ammunition,  which  we  are 
very  anxious  should  be  got  safe  in ;  therefore  we  desire  you 
to  keep  a  good  look-out  for  her,  and  if  you  fall  in  with  her 
make  such  signals  as  will  make  you  known  for  a  friend. 
She  mounts  twelve  guns,  with  sixty  men.  You  will  please 
to  deliver  this  letter  and  its  enclosure  to  Captain  Hallock, 
who  must  hire  a  pilot-boat,  and  man  her  with  an  officer  and 
four  or  five  men,  to  cruise  about  the  Capes  for  this  sloop, 
observing  to  make  the  signal  desired,  and  give  them  the 
needful  information  to  get  safe  in  here. 

When  the  Wasp  goes  down,  she  will  convey  further 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  fi 


orders  respecting  this  matter,  unless  the  sloop  arrives  safe  in 

the  mean  time. 

We  are,  sir,  your  obedient  servants, 

JOHN  HANCOCK, 
ROBERT  MORRIS, 
FRANCIS  HOPKINSON, 
FRANCIS  LEWIS, 
JOSEPH  HEWES. 

To  John  Paul  Jones,  Esq.,  of  Sloop  Providence,  and  Wil- 
liam Hallock,  Esq.,  of  the  Sloop  Hornet. 
P.  S.  Flag  of  the  Queen  of  Hungary:  Six  black  bars 
and  six  yellow  bars.    The  Captain  of  the  pilot-boat  will  put 
his  flag  in  the  foremast  head  of  the  pilot-boat. 

Carefully  recommended  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Paul  Siemen. 


PENNSYLVANIA  ASSOCIATORS. 

In  Convention  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  ) 
Friday,  August  16,  1776.      \ 

Whereas  this  Convention  hath  received  information  that 
several  Associators  of  this  State  have  deserted  the  camp  in 
the  face  of  the  enemy,  and  returned  home  before  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Flying-Carnp,  and  without  the  leave  of  their 
commanding  officers,  to  the  great  danger  of  the  publick,  and 
evil  example  to  others :  It  is  therefore, 

Resolved,  First,  That  all  such  Associators  as  shall  rejoin 
their  respective  corps  at  the  camp  from  whence  they  came, 
in  eight  days  from  this  date,  with  such  arms  and  accoutre- 
ments as  they  may  have  brought  away  with  them,  shall  be 
exempted  from  any  punishment;  and  those  who  neglect  so 
to  do,  shall  be  apprehended,  and  sent  under  a  guard  to  the 
camp,  there  to  be  tried;  and  in  case  of  absconding,  or  con- 
cealing their  arms,  that  they  be  advertised  in  the  publick 
newspapers,  and  the  reward  of  £3  offered  for  apprehending 
every  such  person.  And  every  Associator  who  shall  here- 
after desert  his  colours,  shall  be  treated  as  those  already 
deserted,  and  neglect  to  rejoin  their  respective  corps,  agree- 
able to  this  Resolve. 

Resolved,  Secondly,  That  the  Commanding  Officers  of 
the  Companies  or  Battalions  of  the  Militia  of  this  State,  who 
are  now  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  do  apprehend  all- 
deserters  they  may  meet  on  the  road,  and  convey  them  under 
a  guard  to  the  camp. 

Resolved,  Thirdly,  That  notwithstanding  the  foregoing 
Resolutions,  it  is  not  the  intention  of  this  Convention  to 
detain  the  Militia  unnecessarily  from  home;  the  Associators 
are  therefore  assured,  that  as  soon  as  the  Flying-Camp  is 
formed,  and  the  publick  safety  will  admit,  they  shall  be  per- 
mitted to  return  home. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

JOHN  MORRIS,  Jun.,  Secretary. 


CONVENTION  OF  NEW-JERSEY  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  WAR. 

In  Convention,  New- Jersey,  Brunswick,  ) 
August  16,  1776.      J 

SIR  :  Enclosed  is  the  best  list  we  can  furnish  of  the  offi- 
cers in  the  three  battalions  of  Continental  troops  raised  in 
this  State. 

Though  at  present  we  know  of  no  prisoners  of  war  in 
New-Jersey,  excepting  Lieutenant  Arthur  Wadman,  who  is 
stationed  at  Bordentown,  pursuant  to  the  late  order  of  your 
Board,  we  have  yet  directed  the  several  Committees  to 
furnish  lists  of  the  prisoners  within  their  districts,  either  now 
or  of  late. 

The  Field-Officers  of  the  battalions  will  appear  from  the 
minutes  of  Congress,  together  with  the  dates  of  their  com- 
missions. We  cannot  possibly  give  you  any  information 
respecting  them. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  the  Convention : 

SAMUEL  TUCKER,  President. 
To  the  Chairman  of  the  War  and  Ordnance  Office. 

f 

First  Battalion  of  NEW-JERSEY  Troops,  Lord  STIRLING 
Colonel. 

First  Company.  Second  Company. 

Captain Joseph  Morris,  Captain Silas  Howell, 

First  Lieut.. Daniel  Baldwin,  First  Lieut.  John  Mercer, 

Sec'd  Lieut. .Daniel  Brown,  Sec'd  Lieut.. Richard  Johnson, 

Ensign Matt.  Halsted.  Ensign Jacob  Kemper. 

1,  1775.  November  14,  1775. 


979 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


980 


Third  Company. 

Captain John  Conway, 

First  Lieut.. Lewis  J.  Cosligen, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Peter  Voorhees, 

Ensign Francis  Costigen. 

November  21,  1775. 

Fourth  Company. 

Captain John  Polhemus, 

First  Lieut. .John  Van  Anglen, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Samuel  Axford, 

Ensign William  Sickyla. 

November  22,  1776. 

Fifth  Company. 

Captain Joseph  Meeker, 

First  Lieut. .Yelles  Mead, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Archibald  Dallas, 

Ensign George  Ross,  3d. 

December  9,  1775. 


Sixth  Company. 

Captain Andrew  McMyers, 

First  Lieut. .Isaac  Morrison, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Alexander  Clough, 

Ensign Jacob  Piatt. 

December  15,  1775. 

Seventh  Company. 

Captain Daniel  Piatt, 

First  Lieut.. Hendrick  Fisher,  jr., 
Sec'd  Lieut. .John  Flnhaven, 

Ensign John  Robertson, 

Uncertain  when. 

Eighth  Company. 

Captain Elias  Longstreet, 

First  Lieut. .Hortenus  Schenck, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .John  Holmes, 

Ensign Abraham  Lane. 

February  9,  1776. 


Second  Battalion  of  NEW-JERSEY,  WILLIAM  MAXWELL 
Colonel. 


First  Company. 

Captain William  Faulkner, 

First  Lieut. .James  Dillon, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Nathaniel  Bowman, 

Ensign John  Sparks,  jun., 

November  11,  1775. 

Second  Company. 

Captain Jos.  Brearley,  Jr., 

First  Lieut. .Thomas  Yard, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Jonathan  Phillips, 

Ensign Thomas  Ryerson. 

November  20, 1775. 

Third  Company. 

Captain James  Laurie, 

First  LieuL.John  Hollingshead, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .James  Ashmore, 

Ensign Samuel  Hendvey. 

November  27,  1775. 

Fourth  Company. 

Captain William  Shute, 

First  Lieut.. Henry  Freese, 
Sec'd  Lieut.. Jeremiah  Smith, 

Ensign William  Parret. 

November  28,  1775. 


Fifth  Company. 

Captain Richard  Howell, 

First  Lieut. .John  N.  Gumming, 
Sec'd  Lieut.. Seth  Bowen, 

Ensign Samuel  Naglee. 

JVot!eni&er29,1775. 

Sixth  Company. 

Captain John  Budd  Scott, 

First  Lieut. .James  Maxwell, 
Sec'd  LieuL.John  Wiggins, 

Ensign Francis  Du  Close. 

December  9,  1775. 

Seventh  Company. 

Captain Joseph  Stout, 

First  Lieut. .Samuel  Reading, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Ephraim  Anderson, 

Ensign Aaron  Lane,  Jr. 

December  18,  1775. 

Eighth  Company. 

Captain Archibald  Shaw, 

First  Lieut. .Henry  Luce, 
Sec'd  Lieut..William  Helon, 

Ensign George  Reynolds. 

December  25,  1775. 


Third  Battalion  of  NEW-JERSEY  Troops,  ELIAS  DAYTON 
Colonel. 


First  Company. 

Captain Joseph  Bloomfield, 

First  Lieut. .Cornelius  Peck, 
Sec'd  Lieut.. William  Gifford, 

Ensign Ebenezer  Elmer, 

March  3,  1776. 

Second  Company. 

Captain Peter  Dickinson, 

First  Lieut.. David  Tuttle, 
Sec'd  Lieut.. William  Gordon, 

Ensign Joseph  Anderson. 

March  5,  1776. 

Third  Company. 

Captain Samuel  Potter, 

First  Lieut. .Rynear  Blanchard, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Josiah  Quimby, 

Ensign 

March  8,  1776. 


Fifth  Company. 

Captain Thomas  Reading, 

First  Lieut. .John  Hazen, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Jeremiah  Ballard, 

Ensign John  Reading,  Jr. 

April  2,  1776. 

Sixth  Company. 

Captain John  Ross, 

First  Lieut.. Edward  McMichael, 
Sec'd  Lieut.. Richard  Cox,  Jr., 

Ensign William  Clark. 

March  30,  1776. 

Seventh  Company. 

Captain Wm .  E.  Tomlay , 

First  Lieut. .Richard  Loyd, 
Sec'd  Lieut. .Daniel  Pierson, 

Ensign Edgar  Gallaudet. 

April  15,  1776. 


Fourth  Company.  Eighth  Company. 

Captain Thomas  Patterson,    Captain Anthony  Sharp, 

First  LieuL.John  Mott,  First  Lieut.. 

Sec'd  Lieut..Wm.  McDonald,  Sec'd  Lieut.. 

Ensign Edward  Patterson.      Ensign Nathaniel  Leonard. 

March  21,  1776.  May  18,  1776. 

Quartermaster William  Norcross,  March  16,  1776. 

Adjutant Samuel  Shepherd,  April  2,  1776. 


LORD  HOWE  TO  DR.  FRANKLIN. 

Eagle,  offStaten-Island,  August  16,  1776. 

I  am  sorry,  my  worthy  friend,  that  it  is  only  on  the  assu- 
rances you  give  me  of  my  having  still  preserved  a  place  in 
your  esteem  that  I  can  now  found  a  pretension  to  trouble  you 
with  a  reply  to  your  favour  of  the  21st  past. 

I  can  have  no  difficulty  to  acknowledge  that  the  powers 
I  am  invested  with  were  never  calculated  to  negotiate  a 
reunion  with  America  under  any  other  description  than  as 
subject  to  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain.  But  I  do  esteem 
those  powers  competent,  not  only  to  confer  and  negotiate 
with  any  gentleman  of  influence  in  the  Colonies  upon  the 
terms,  but  also  to  effect  a  lasting  peace  and  reunion  between 
the  two  countries,  were  the  temper  of  the  Colonies  such  as 
professed  in  the  last  petition  of  the  Congress  to  the  King. 
America  would  have  judged  in  the  discussion  how  far  the 
means  were  adequate  to  the  end,  both  for  engaging  her  con- 


fidence and  proving  our  integrity.  Nor  did  I  think  it  neces- 
sary to  say  more  in  my  publick  declaration,  not  conceiving 
it  could  be  understood  to  refer  to  peace  on  any  other  condi- 
tions but  those  of  mutual  interest  to  both  countries,  which 
could  alone  render  it  permanent.  But  as  I  perceive  from 
the  tenour  of  your  letter  how  little  I  am  to  reckon  upon  the 
advantage  of  your  assistance  for  restoring  that  permanent 
union  which  has  long  been  the  object  of  my  endeavours,  and 
which,  I  flattered  myself  when  1  left  England  would  be  in 
the  compass  of  my  power,  I  will  only  add,  that  as  the  dis- 
honour to  which  you  deem  me  exposed  by  my  military  situa- 
tion in  this  country  has  effected  no  change  in  your  sentiments 
of  personal  regard  to  me,  so  shall  no  difference  in  political 
points  alter  my  desire  of  proving  how  much  I  am  your  sin- 
cere and  obedient  humble  servant,  HOWE. 

GENERAL  HOWE  TO  LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

Head-Quarters,  Staten-Island,  August  16,  1776. 

MY  LORD:  The  Provincial  corps  already  raised,  and  the 
new  levies  which  may  probably  be  made  in  the  progress  of 
this  American  war,  must  necessarily  occasion  a  great  addi- 
tional expense,  and  their  various  establishments  will  of  course 
require  a  very  exact  arrangement  for  settling  accounts  of 
subsistence  and  contingencies  in  such  manner  as  to  leave  the 
least  room  for  imposition  or  confusion.  I  should,  therefore, 
humbly  propose  to  separate  them  from  all  other  extraor- 
dinaries,  by  appointing  a  Paymaster-General  to  keep  them 
distinct;  and  in  this  idea,  I  have  given  to  Captain  Robert 
Mackenzie,  my  present  Secretary,  a  commission  to  act  as 
Paymaster-General,  with  the  same  appointment  as  the  De- 
puty Paymaster-Generals  have  who  act  under  Mr.  Rigly 
in  America.  I  have  also  appointed  a  Mustermaster,  to 
certify  the  pay-bills  from  one  muster  to  another. 

Captain  Mackenzie  has  served  his  Majesty  twenty-one 
years,  is  fully  qualified  to  discharge  the  duties  required,  and 
I  beg  your  Lordship  will  do  me  the  honour  to  communicate 
his  Majesty's  pleasure  upon  the  appointment. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sic.,  WM.  HOWE. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New- York,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  I  beg  leave  to  inform  you  that  since  I  had  the  plea- 
sure of  addressing  you  yesterday  nothing  interesting  between 
the  two  armies  has  happened.  Things  remain  nearly  in  the 
same  situation  as  they  then  were. 

It  is  with  peculiar  regret  and  concern  that  I  have  an  op- 
portunity of  mentioning  to  Congress  the  sickly  condition  of 
our  troops.  In  some  regiments  there  are  not  any  of  the 
Field-Officers  capable  of  doing  duty;  in  others,  the  duty  is 
extremely  difficult  for  want  of  a  sufficient  number.  I  have 
been  obliged  to  nominate  some  till  Congress  makes  the  ap- 
pointments of  those  they  wish  to  succeed  to  the  several 
vacancies  occasioned  by  the  late  promotions.  This  being  a 
matter  of  some  consequence,  I  presume  will  -have  their  early 
attention,  and  that  they  will  fill  up  the  several  vacancies 
also  mentioned  in  the  list  1  had  the  honour  of  transmitting 
some  few  days  ago  to  the  Board  of  War. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  utmost  respect,  your  most  obedient 
servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    THE    NEW-JERSEY    CONVENTION. 

Head-Quarters,  August  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  am  informed  that,  in  consequence  of  my 
letter  acquainting  you  that  a  number  of  persons  deemed  un- 
friendly to  the  interests  of  America  were  suspected  of  holding 
a  correspondence  with  the  enemy  from  Shrewsbury  and  its 
neighbourhood,  Mr.  Isaac  Low,  late  of  this  city,  has  been 
apprehended,  and  is  now  detained  under  some  kind  of  con- 
finement. Since  that  time  I  have  received  satisfaction  with 
respect  to  this  gentleman,  who  I  find  has  also  entered  into  a 
contract  with  the  Congress  for  the  supply  of  a  great  quantity 
of  European  goods.  I  should  therefore  be  glad  that  any 
restraint  laid  upon  him,  merely  upon  my  representation, 
might  be  removed,  and  he  restored  to  his  former  liberty,  on 
such  terms  and  conditions  as  you  may  think  proper,  if  any 
are  necessary. 

I  am,  with  much  respect  and  regard,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  Samuel  Tucker,  Esq.,  President,  &c. 


981 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fac.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


982 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  obliged  to  trouble  you  with  some  more 
disaffected  persons,  whose  residence  here  was  dangerous  to 
the  American  interest.  I  trust  that  I  have  now  done  with 
them,  at  least  for  the  present,  and  hope  you  will  excuse  the 
disagreeable  necessity  I  have  been  under  of  soliciting  your 
care  and  attention  to  provide  for  them  and  dispose  of  them. 
As  the  case  of  these  differs  in  no  respect  from  that  of  those 
before  sent,  I  presume  they  will  be  put  under  the  same  regu- 
lations. 

I  am,  with  much  respect  and  regard,  your  Honour's  most 

obedient,  humble  servant. 

Oo.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Governour  Trumbull,  Connecticut. 


GENERAL,  WASHINGTON  TO  FREDERICK  JAY. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  my  orders,  the  undermentioned 
persons*  have  been  apprehended,  and  are  now  under  a  guard 
at  New-Rochelle  or  its  neighbourhood.  As  the  sending  a 
guard  through  to  Governour  Trumbull  with  them  would  be 
attended  with  much  inconvenience  to  the  publick,  and  cannot 
be  agreeable  to  the  gentlemen,  upon  their  giving  you  their 
word  and  honour  to  proceed  to  Lebanon  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull, I  am  satisfied  to  permit  them  to  go  without  any  other 
escort  than  that  of  the  officer  who  will  deliver  you  this.  I 
must  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  take  the  management  of  this 
business,  and,  as  soon  as  it  is  put  upon  a  proper  footing, 
dismiss  the  guard  now  there. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Frederick  Jay,  Esq.,  New-Rochelle. 

*  Colonel  Phillips,  James  Jauncey  and  his  two  sons,  Joseph  Bull,  Isaac 
Corsa,  John  Rodgers,  Wart  Branson. 


GENERAL  SCOTT  TO  ROBERT  BENSON. 

New-York,  August  16,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Mr.  ByvancJc  delivered  me  your  letter  en- 
closing Major  Fish's  commission,  but  not  the  resolve  of 
Convention  to  which  you  refer;  I  suppose  you  omitted 
covering  it  through  mistake.  From  the  reference  you  make 
to  it,  I  flatter  myself  it  will  stimulate  to  noble  daring.  In 
this  view,  it  must  be  of  importance ;  therefore  send  it  to 
me  without  delay,  and  I  will  issue  it  in  brigade  orders. 

The  Major  retains  his  commission  because  he  may  be 
called  to  action,  the  event  of  which  must  be  uncertain,  and 
may  terminate  in  the  necessity  of  having  a  commission  to 
produce.  It  wants  amendments  to  give  him  his  rank  from 
the  day  of  his  appointment,  which  I  propose  should  be  done 
thus:  Introduce  the  body  of  the  commission  with  a  recital, 
that  "  Whereas  the  Congress  of  the  Colony  of  New-York, 
now  the  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
New-York,  on  the  recommendation  of  Brigadier-General 
Scott,  appointed  by  the  said  Congress  to  command  certain 
detachments  of  the  Militia  of  the  Colony,  and  now  of  the 
State  of  New-York,  did,  by  an  entry  in  their  records  on  the 
day  of  last,"  (here  recite  the  substance  of 

the  entry.)  Then  go  on  with  We  reposing,  &c.;  and  then, 
after  the  words  Major  Brigade,  say,  "  of  the  said  detach- 
ments of  Militia  under  the  command  of  said  Brigadier-General 
Scott."  Then  after  the  words  the  rules  and  discipline  of 
war,  in  his  commission,  add,  "  to  be  in  full  force  and  effect  as 
from  the  said  "  (inserting  the  day  on  which  he  appears 

in  the  records  to  have  been  appointed.)  Then,  "  and  to 
continue  in  force,"  &LC.,  as  in  the  present  commission.  This 
mode  will  give  him  all  the  benefit  he  could  have  derived 
from  a  commission  dated  on  the  day  of  his  appointment,  and 
will  therefore  remove  the  difficulty  arising  from  Mr.  Presi- 
dent Woodhull's  absence. 

The  commissions  sent  down  for  the  other  officers  are 
received  for  the  present,  because  the  event  of  war  being 
uncertain,  they  would  not  choose  to  fall  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy  without  commissions  in  their  pockets.  They  ear- 
nestly entreat  that  they  may,  as  soon  as  possible,  be  pro- 
vided with  others.  The  same  mode  of  reference  back 
to  the  time  of  their  entrance  into  the  service,  as  I  have 
pointed  out  with  respect  to  Major  Fish,  will,  I  presume, 
suit  their  cases. 


Be  pleased  to  commend  me  with  all  imaginable  respect 
to  the  honourable  Convention.  Assure  them  that  nothinc 
but  the  hourly  expectation  of  an  attack  prevents  my  takin° 
my  seat,  and  that  as  I  am  fully  impressed  with  a  sense 
that  I  am  entirely  at  their  pleasure  by  the  nature  of  my 
appointment,  I  shall  have  recourse  to  them  with  pleasure, 
whenever  any  military  service  disagreeable  to  them,  and 
which  they  will  always  have  it  in  their  power  to  disqualify 
me  for,  by  a  repeal  of  my  commission,  makes  it  neces- 
sary. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  MORIN  SCOTT. 

To  Robert  Benson,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  hon- 
ourable Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State 
of  New -York. 


NICHOLAS  FISH  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  16, 1776. 

SIR:  I  this  moment,  upon  my  return  from  Head-Quar- 
ters, was  presented  by  General  Scott  with  my  commission, 
which,  though  I  think  it  exceptionable  in  not  bearing  the 
date  of  my  appointment,  I  have,  however,  (not  knowing  the 
event  of  war,)  concluded  to  take  for  the  present,  as  it  will 
secure  to  me  such  treatment  as  my  rank  entitles  me  to,  fh 
case  I  should  unfortunately  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  ene- 
my, though  I  think  the  difficulty  arising  from  the  Presi- 
dent's absence  from  the  Convention  may  be  removed  by 
adopting  the  mode  pointed  out  in  General  Scott's  letter  to 
you. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

NICH.  FISH. 

To  Robert  Benson,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  Con- 
vention of  the  State  of  New -York. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  16, 
1776. 

The  complement  of  men  expected  is  pretty  nearly  filled 
up  by  the  last  reinforcements  from  New-England  and  Penn- 
sylvania. Everything,  I  can  with  truth  assure  you,  has  the 
most  agreeable  appearance.  All  have  their  proper  stations. 
Posts  of  importance  are  strongly  manned,  while  reserves  are 
kept  for  possible  contingencies.  The  spirit  of  the  soldiery 
promises  everything.  No  levity  or  boasting  in  their  coun- 
tenances ;  but  all  the  mark  of  a  composed,  patient,  and 
determined  resolution,  that  makes  me  anticipate  either  a 
most  glorious  resistance,  or  complete  victory. 


WILLIAM  S.  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  desired  by  General  Greene  to  inform  your 
Excellency  that  Colonel  Hand  waited  upon  him  this  morn- 
ing, and  informed  him  that  the  Hessians  were  landing  again 
yesterday,  on  the  east  end  of  Staten-Island,  to  a  considerable 
number;  that  there  was  nothing  extraordinary  happened; 
that,  by  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  there  did  not  appear 
any  immediate  preparation  for  an  attack;  and  that  three  men 
of  his  regiment  last  night  deserted,  and  took  with  them  six 
rifles. 
I  am,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

WM.  S.  LIVINGSTON. 


WILLIAM  BLODGET  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  five  o'clock,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  desired  to  acquaint  your  Excellency,  by  the 
General's  order,  that  Colonel  Hand  reports  that  thirteen  or 
fourteen  vessels  entered  the  Narrows  from  the  fleet  before 
in  New-Utrecht  Bay;  that  the  officer  of  the  Ferry  guard 
says  they  were  all  transports;  that  there  were  some° red- 
coats on  board.  The  Colonel  says  he  could  not  discover 
many  on  board  those  now  below,  neither  have  they  landed 
any  there  to-day.  That  the  camps  at  the  Flag-Staff  and 
Ferry  are  pretty  extensive.  He  likewise  reports  that  two 
small  vessels  of  force  went  down  the  Narrows  this  after- 
noon. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  your  Excellency's  obedient  ser- 

WILLIAM  BLODGET,  Aid-de-Camp. 


983 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


984 


New-York,  Monday,  August  19,  1776. 

Friday  arrived  here  two  Companies  of  the  Third  Battalion 
of  the  Philadelphia  Associators,  commanded  by  Captains 
Semplc  and  Henry,  and  it  is  said  that  the  whole  battalion 
is  expected  every  hour  to  arrive.  Same  day  two  fire-ships, 
commanded  by  Captains  Fosdyke  and  Thomas,  (gentlemen 
volunteers  of  rank  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States,)  pro- 
ceeded up  the  North  River,  with  intent  to  give  a  suitable 
warning  to  those  piratical  gentry  that  have  infested  it  since 
the  12th  of  July  last.  The  night  was  dark  and  favourable 
to  the  design,  and  the  enemy  did  not  perceive  our  vessels 
till  they  were  near  aboard  them.  Captain  Fosdylce  grappled 
the  Phenijc,  hut  the  fire  not  communicating  so  soon  as  was 
expected,  she  disentangled  herself  in  about  twenty  minutes, 
after  suffering  considerable  damage  in  her  rigging.  Captain 
Thomas  fell  on  board  one  of  the  tenders,  which  was  soon 
consumed;  and  we  are  truly  sorry  to  inform  the  publick  that 
this  intrepid  commander  is  yet  missing.  This  gallant  enter- 
prise struck  so  great  a  panick  upon  the  enemy  that  they 
thought  it  prudent  to  quit  their  station ;  and  yesterday,  taking 
advantage  of  a  fresh  wind  at  southeast,  attended  with  con- 
siderable rain,  they  run  the  gauntlet  through  a  great  number 
of  well-directed  shot  from  our  batteries  in  and  near  this  city, 
which  undoubtedly  must  have  damaged  them  much.  Our 
plleys  played  smartly,  and  followed  the  ships  a  considera- 
ble distance  into  the  Bay.  The  enemy's  fire  seemed  to  be 
mostly  directed  upon  the  city,  as  the  tops  of  the  houses  were 
crowded  with  spectators ;  but  little  damage  was  done  to  the 
buildings,  nor  any  lives  lost  upon  the  occasion. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLEH  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  August  22,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  causes  of 
the  miscarriages  in  Canada.] 

Albany,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  3lst  ultimo,  covering  the  resolu- 
tions of  Congress  of  the  preceding  day,  I  had  the  honour 
to  receive  at  the  German-Flats,  on  Sunday,  the  llth  in- 
stant. I  detained  the  express  until  Tuesday,  and  then  seeing 
no  prospect  that  I  should  be  allowed  even  so  much  time  as 
barely  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  it,  I  directed  him  to 
return  to  this  place,  where  Mr.  Edwards  and  I  arrived  about 
eight  last  night,  Mr.  Douw  having  left  us  on  Sunday.  On 
my  arrival  here  I  found  some  despatches  from  General  Gates, 
which  require  to  be  forwarded  to  Congress,  through  his  Ex- 
cellency General  Washington,  without  that  delay  which 
would  be  occasioned  by  transcribing  the  proceedings  of  the 
Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs  at  the  late  treaty.  I  shall, 
however,  do  myself  the  honour  to  transmit  them  in  a  few 
days,  and  shall  only  observe  that  we  have  reason  to  believe 
that  the  savages  will  commit  no  hostilities  on  our  frontiers. 
It  is  nevertheless  probable  that  some  few  of  the  Six  Nations 
will  join  General  Carleton. 

As  my  character  has  been  so  barbarously  traduced,  and 
the  miscarriages  in  Canada  so  generally  attributed  to  mal- 
conduct  in   me,  it  somewhat  alleviates  the  chagrin  I  feel, 
that  Congress  has  appointed  a  Committee  "  to  inquire  into 
the  causes  of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada."     But  as  I  am 
confident  the  misfortunes  in  Canada  are  to  be  imputed  to 
more  causes  than  those  mentioned  in  the  resolutions  of  the 
30th  ultimo,  and  as  I  wish  my  conduct  should  undergo  the 
strictest  scrutiny,  Congress  will  therefore  permit  me  to  en- 
treat them  to  charge  the  Committee  above  mentioned,  or  to 
appoint  another,  minutely  to  inquire  how  far,  if  at  all,  any 
of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada  are  to  be  imputed  to  me.     If 
I  am  the  cause  of  them,  let  me  meet  with  the  detestation  of 
my  fellow-citizens;  if  not,  and  others  are,  let  the  publick 
resentment  be  transferred  to  the  proper  object.     For  my 
part,  I  am  amply   furnished  with   materials  to  exculpate 
myself.     I  shall  court  the  most  ordeal  trial ;  nay,  although 
conscious  of  the  mediocrity  of  my  talents,  and   that  I  am 
vastly  inadequate  to  the  important  command  lam  honoured 
with,  yet,  on  this  occasion,  I  may  be  allowed  to  say  that  I  do 
not  believe  that  I  shall  be  even  convicted  of  an  error  in  judg- 
ment.    Permit  me  to  add,  with  all  due  submission  to  Con- 
gress, that  I  conceive  they  too  are  wounded  through  my  side; 
for,  if  I  am  not  misinformed,  many  already  wonder  why  an 
officer  so  generally  charged  with  malconduct,  is  continued  in 
so  important  a  post.     This  also  makes  it  necessary  that  an 
inquiry  should  be  made  into  my  conduct.     It  is  also  of  the 
first  importance  to  the  publick  service,  whilst  I  continue  to 


command  an  army,  for  the  event  of  the  inquiry  will  be  a 
conviction  or  acquittal.  If  the  former,  I  shall  be  dismissed, 
at  least;  if  the  latter,  that  confidence  will  be  reestablished, 
which  is  so  indispensably  necessary  that  an  army  should 
have  in  the  General,  and  which  I  know  is  in  a  great  mea- 
sure now  destroyed  by  insidious  insinuations,  industriously 
propagated  by  a  set  of  miscreants. 

1  am  informed  that  Colonel  Bedel  and  Major  Butterfield 
have  both  been  tried  by  Courts-Martial,  and  that  they  are 
broke.  Such  officers  as  were  with  Major  Butterfield  and 
consented  to  the  surrender  will  be  tried.  Inquiry  shall  be 
immediately  made,  and  such  punishment  inflicted  as  a  Court- 
Martial  shall  order,  on  any  person  concerned  in  plundering 
General  Prescott's  baggage.  A  Court  of  Inquiry  shall  be 
ordered,  agreeable  to  the  resolution  of  Congress,  on  the  peti- 
tion of  Colonel  Easton  and  Major  Brown. 

No  mode  of  ascertaining  the  particulars  and  value  of  the 
stores  taken  on  board  the  vessels  on  the  Sorel,  and  by  whom, 
that  has  yet  offered  to  my  mind,  seems  so  eligible  as  that  of 
appointing  a  Court  of  Inquiry  for  the  purpose;  I  shall  there- 
fore order  one  expressly. 

Major  Brown  has  certainly,  in  the  course  of  last  year, 
done  extraordinary  services:  but  it  will  be  very  difficult  to 
ascertain  what  reward  he  ought  to  have.  I  shall,  as  nearly 
as  I  can,  point  out  what  the  extra  service  was,  and  advise 
Congress  thereof  the  soonest  possible.  Inquiry  shall  also 
be  made  into  Colonel  Hazen's  conduct  on  the  complaint  of 
de  la  Rose  and  la  Fontaine.  Every  officer  or  soldier  whose 
pay  is  stopped  on  account  of  any  charge,  shall  have  such 
charge  determined  as  speedily  as  possible  by  trial.  I  do  not 
recollect  of  a  single  instance  in  which  there  has  been  a  delay 
of  justice  on  that  account,  when  it  was  in  my  power  to  have 
brought  the  party  to  a  trial. 

I  find  by  letters  from  Mr.  Trumbutt,  the  Commissary- 
General,  to  Mr.  Livingston,  the  Deputy  Commissary-Gene- 
ral, that  I  am  blamed  by  many  officers  that  they  have  not 
had  any  allowance  for  the  rations  of  provisions  due  to  them. 
I  have  given  to  all  those  who  have  applied  to  me  orders  on 
the  Commissaries  to  pay  for  so  many  rations  as  they  declared 
upon  honour,  or  otherwise  made  appear,  were  due  to  them; 
but  I  have  constantly  refused  ordering  what  allowance  to 
make  for  a  ration.  My  reasons  are  contained  in  the  follow- 
ing extract  of  a  letter  to  Mr.  Livingston,  of  the  25th  of 
July  last,  from  the  German  Flats: 

"Please  to  inform  Mr.  Trumbull  that,  as  I  must  be  sup- 
posed not  to  know  the  price  for  which  provisions  are  bought, 
and  even  if  I  did,  that  it  is  not  my  business  to  determine 
what  ought  to  be  allowed  in  lieu  of  a  ration,  he  or  you,  or 
both  of  you,  are  to  furnish  the  Army  with  provisions.  The 
officers  are  to  receive  it  from  the  Commissaries;  if  they  do 
not,  they  are  to  look  to  the  Commissaries  for  an  equivalent, 
who  must  take  the  blame  if  they  pay  them  too  little,  or 
abide  the  consequence  if  they  allow  too  much.  1  will  not 
risk  incurring  either  the  blame  of  the  officer  or  the  disappro- 
bation of  Congress.  I  think  I  have  long  since  written  to 
Congress  on  the  subject,  and  until  I  receive  their  orders  or 
those  of  my  General  on  the  subject,  I  shall  continue  to  do 
as  I  have  hitherto  done,  which  is,  merely  to  give  an  order 
for  the  payment  of  so  many  rations  as  shall  appear  to  be  due, 
without  specifying  what  sum  is  to  be  paid." 

In  saying  that  I  long  since  wrote  to  Congress,  I  refer  to 
my  letter  of  the  ,  in  which  I  did  myself  the  honour  to 
enclose  an  estimate  of  the  value  of  a  ration  in  any  one  of 
the  articles  allowed  by  Congress.  If  that  is  ascertained, 
there  can  be  no  difficulty  in  determining  what  an  officer 
ought  to  be  allowed  for  a  ration  at  whatever  post  he  may 
be,  for  it  is  only  adding  the  cost  of  transportation  to  the 
original  cost  of  any  article. 

I  forgot  to  ask  who  is  to  appoint  the  Paymaster  to  the 
regiments,  and  to  point  out  their  line  of  duty.  They  are  much 
wanted  in  this  quarter. 

The  commission  for  Colonel  Wood  will  be  forwarded. 
The  letter  Captain  Varick  has  already  sent  to  him. 

I  am  just  now  informed,  by  good  authority,  that  some  of 
the  Militia  from  the  eastward  have  inoculated  themselves  on 
the  march  to  Skenesborough ;  that  a  number  of  carpenters 
from  Rhode-Island  have  done  the  like.  I  am  also  informed 
that  all  the  Field-Officers  of  one  regiment  have  done  the 
same  at  Skenesborough.  I  shall  instantly  write  to  General 
Gates  on  the  subject,  and  direct  that  none  of  them  be  suf- 
fered to  join  the  Army,  to  prevent  this  terrible  disorder  from 


985 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


986 


again  distressing  us.  It  is  a  matter  of  so  much  importance, 
that  if  I  did  not  labour  under  the  intermittent  fever,  I  would 
immediately  repair  to  all  the  roads  leading  to  Skencsborough 
to  remove  these  wretches.  I  shall  early  to-morrow  morning 
despatch  an  express  to  General  Waterbury,  to  send  the  most 
trusty  officer  he  can  find  to  prevent  if  possible  the  ill  effects 
of  this  wicked  conduct. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  most  respectful  sentiments,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  pH   ScHUYLER. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  President  of  Congress. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  August  16,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  About  eight  last  night  I  returned  to  this 
place,  after  a  month's  absence  on  a  business  the  most  dis- 
agreeable to  a  man  accustomed  to  civil  society  that  can 
possibly  be  conceived. 

On  the  llth  instant  I  was  honoured  with  your  Excel- 
lency's favour  of  the  7th,  but  was  unable  to  answer  it  from 
the  German  Flats,  although  I  several  times  attempted  it, 
being  ever  interrupted  by  a  crowd  of  savages. 

Last  evening  I  received  despatches  from  General  Gates, 
copies  of  which  I  enclose,  by  which  you  will  perceive  that 
General  Carleton  has  put  it  out  of  our  power  to  have  any 
intercourse  with  him  on  the  subject-matter  contained  in  the 
resolves  of  the  22d  ultimo,  or  indeed  on  any  other.  With 
what  degree  of  justice  Carleton  can  bestow  the  infamous 
epithets  he  has  so  freely  dealt  out  in  his  orders  of  the- 7th 
instant,  his  barbarous  conduct  to  Colonel  Allen,  the  infa- 
mous manner  in  which  he  engaged  the  savages  to  act  against 
us  last  year,  the  murder  of  the  officers  and  men  lately  near 
Isle-aux-Noix,  in  which  British  troops  were  joined  with 
savages,  and  other  actions  of  a  like  nature,  can  witness. 

The  works  at  Fort  Stanwix  are  going  on  with  great  expe- 
dition; anikby  the  enclosed  return,  your  Excellency  will 
observe  that  near  eighty  days'  pork  and  flour  for  the  garri- 
son is  in  store  there;  a  considerable  quantity  of  the  latter  is 
on  its  way  up  from  Schenectady;  and  as  they  had  on  Mon- 
day last  twenty-three  head  of  fat  cattle,  and  will  receive  a 
constant  supply  of  fresh  meat,  I  am  under  no  apprehensions 
that  the  garrison  will  be  under  any  difficulty  in  the  article 
of  provisions. 

The  anchors  for  the  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain  will  be 
procured  in  this  quarter,  but  we  greatly  fear  to  fall  short  in 
many  of  the  other  articles,  as  Captain  Bacon  is  returned 
without  being  able  to  procure  anything,  and  not  even  a 
sailor. 

Mr.  Edwards  returns  this  morning,  and  will  engage  all 
the  Stockbridge  Indians  he  can;  and  as  you  do  not  direct 
what  pay  is  to  be  given,  we  have  thought  it  expedient,  and 
as  what  will  best  promote  the  service  and  raise  these  people 
with  the  greatest  despatch,  that  they  should  be  officered  and 
paid  agreeable  to  the  former  resolve  of  the  Commissioners 
of  Indian  Affairs ;  and  that  such  as  were  raised  in  conse- 
quence of  that  resolution,  should  have  their  pay  continued 
fiom  the  time  they  were  discharged,  which  is  about  a  month 
ago.  They  shall  be  disposed  of  agreeable  to  your  orders. 

Colonels  Elmore  and  Nicolson's  regiments  are  here. 
They  have  refused  to  march  until  they  receive  pay  and 
necessaries.  The  former  they  will  now  have,  but  where  to 
procure  the  latter  I  know  not.  I  will  furnish  them  as  well 
as  I  can,  and  keep  them  here  until  I  receive  the  report  of 
two  scouts  that  are  sent  one  to  Oswego,  and  the  other  to- 
wards Oswegatchie. 

I  shall  immediately  order  copies  of  the  transactions  of  the 
Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs  at  the  late  treaty  to  be  made 
out,  and  transmit  them  to  you.  I  believe  the  Six  Nations 
will  not  fall  on  our  frontiers,  although  I  believe  a  few  will 
always  join  the  enemy  in  Canada. 

I  have  some  matters  that  concern  officers  in  the  Army  to 
communicate,  but  1  am  at  present  too  much  indisposed  to 
write  any  more. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excellency's 
most  obedient,  humble  servant,  ?H  ScHUYLER- 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  I  am  just  now  informed  that  Lieutenant  McMichael, 
of  Colonel  Dai/ton's  regiment,  is  deserted  to  the  enemy.  I 
had  information  of  his  intentions  the  evening  before  I  left 


the  German  Flats,  and  sent  to  have  him  brought  before  me, 
but  he  was  supposed  to  have  gone  to  the  regiment,  to  which 
I  had  ordered  him  the  day  before.  Yours,  &,c.,  &,c.,  Sic. 

PH.   SCHUYLEH. 


Tyonderoga,  August  11,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Last  night,  at  twelve  o'clock,  Major  Bigelow 
returned  with  the  flag  of  truce  from  Isle-aux-Noix.  His 
journal,  with  a  letter  "  To  George  Washington,  Esq.,"  and 
a  copy  of  the  general  orders  issued  at  Chambly,  the  7th 
instant,  are  enclosed.  The  resolve  of  Congress,  "  that  no 
letter  should  be  received  from  the  enemy,  unless  the  rank 
of  the  officer  to  whom  it  was  addressed  was  placed  upon 
the  superscription,"  was  not  received  here  when  Major  Big- 
elow went  from  hence  the  23d  ultimo;  and  as  that  was  dis- 
pensed with  last  year  at  Cambridge,  he  had  no  orders  on 
the  subject. 

You  will  be  so  obliging  as  to  forward  without  delay,  by 
express  to  New-York,  the  enclosed  papers  to  his  Excellency 
General  Washington,  and  to  the  most  honourable  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  of  America. 

All  goes  on  well  here  in  the  naval  department.  General 
Arnold  writes  to  you.  He  is  just  returned  from  Skenesbo- 
rough,  and  makes  a  cruise  in  a  few  days  down  the  Lake. 

With  every  mark  of  esteem  and  affection,  believe  me, 
dear  General,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 

P.  S.  This  letter,  with  the  enclosed  to  General  Putnam, 
you  will  also  be  so  obliging  to  send  by  the  express  to  Gene- 
ral Washington. 

Abstract  of  the  Journal  of  Major  JOHN  BIGELOW,  sent  by  the  Hon.  Major- 
General  GATES  to  transmit  despatches  from  tlte  most  honourable  Conli- 
nental  Congress  to  General  BITRGOTNE. 

Ticondcroga,  July  23,  1776. 

I  departed  from  this  place  at  sunset;  arrived  at  Crown- 
Point  at  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  where,  after  a  short  stay, 
I  proceeded  on  my  voyage,  till,  on  the  28th,  I  met  with  a 
Sergeant's  guard  of  the  British  troops;  and  having  taken 
the  Sergeant  into  our  batteau,  we  soon  reached  the  Isle-aux- 
Noix.  There  we  were  hailed  by  a  sentinel,  who  ordered 
us  to  come  on  shore.  We  saw  nine  or  ten  tents  on  the 
Island,  all  in  a  cluster.  I  had  no  sooner  landed  than  I  was 
blindfolded,  and  led  up  to  the  commanding  officer's  tent. 
About  dusk,  he  ordered  me  to  a  small  Island,  situated  to  the 
southward  of  the  Isle-aux-Noix,  The  commanding  officer, 
who,  I  understood,  was  Captain  Craig,  questioned  me  con- 
cerning my  business,  which  I  told  him  was  with  General 
Burgoyne,  to  whom  I  was  sent  with  a  letter  from  Congress, 
delivered  to  me  at  Ticonderoga  by  Major-General  Gates. 
He  answered  me,  that  he  did  not  know  whether  he  could 
receive  a  flag,  but  desired  I  would  give  him  the  letter,  which 
he  would  forward  to  the  General,  then  (as  he  said)  at  St. 
John's.  He  told  me  that  the  gentleman  to  whom  the  letter 
was  directed,  was  indeed  a  General,  but  not  the  command- 
ing officer  in  Canada.  I  answered,  that  I  supposed  the  letter 
was  directed  to  General  Burgoyne  on  account  of  General 
Thompson's  having  mentioned  him  as  being  the  command- 
ing officer  at  Three-Rivers  when  he  (General  Thompson) 
sent  up  to  Sorel  for  his  baggage. 

Captain  Craig  despatched,  about  nine  at  night,  an  officer 
with  that  and  other  letters  to  St.  John's.  I  remained  in  his 
tent,  where  I  was  civilly  treated.  Two  other  officers  supped 
with  us,  and  whether  from  politeness  or  policy,  or  both,  little 
was  said  upon  political  subjects.  I  asked  Captain  Craig 
whether  there  were  British  officers  with  those  savages  who, 
in  cold  blood,  murdered  some  of  our  people  opposite  to  that 
Isle?  He  answered  in  the  affirmative.  I  could  not  help 
replying,  that  our  Army  could  scarcely  believe  that  such 
barbarities  should  have  been  suffered  to  be  perpetrated  where 
Britons  had  the  command.  He  urged  that  they  could  not 
always  govern  the  savages,  who,  said  he,  "will  fight  in  their 
own  way."  Mr.  Craig  appeared  desirous  to  decline  any 
further  conversation  on  that  subject. 

I  believe  Captain  Craig  had  not  been  long  on  Isle-aux- 
Noix  when  I  landed  there.  I  lodged  in  his  tent.  But  I 
must  not  omit  that  the  drummer  who  landed  with  me  said 
he  observed  an  officer  whispering  to  a  Sergeant  when  the 
boat  was  near  the  shore,  and  overheard  him  ask  "  what  he 
thought  of  the  Congress." 


987 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


988 


I  understood  that  there  were  no  more  than  three  batteaus 
on  the  Island  when  I  went  on  shore,  one  of  which  formerly 
belonged  to  our  Army;  the  two  others  were  newly  built, 
and  the  number  30  was  marked  in  large  figures  upon  one 
of  them. 

On  the  29th  of  July,  Captain  Craig  sent  three  batteaus 
and  five  canoes  up  the  Lake:  two  of  the  latter  were  large, 
the  three  others  small.  At  ten  in  the  morning,  I  was  blind- 
folded again,  and  ordered  to  the  south  part  of  the  Island, 
where  a  large  tent  was  pitched  for  me.  It  appeared  to  me 
that  they  had  concerted  to  exhibit  to  me  all  the  show  of 
Indians  they  could.  They  now  and  then  ran  down  to  the 
point,  with  a  guard,  every  time  that  an  Indian  canoe  passed 
by,  and  pretended  they  were  mightily  afraid  that  the  savages 
would  come  on  shore  and  murder  them.  To  mortify  them, 
I  took  no  notice  of  this  juggling;  but  strongly  recommended 
to  my  men  that,  should  they  look  at  the  Indians,  they  would 
endeavour  to  do  it  with  the  greatest  unconcern. 

On  the  8th  of  August,  I  was  informed  that  the  express 
who,  I  was  told,  had  been  sent  to  Quebeclc,  was  come  back  ; 
that  Captain  Craig  presented  his  compliments  to  me,  and 
desired  that  I  would  be  ready  to  sail  in  the  evening. 

I  observed  during  my  stay  there  that  they  paraded  at 
different  times  their  officers  in  an  ostentatious  manner,  and 
with  the  manifest  intent  to  lead  me  into  the  belief  of  their 
being  very  numerous;  but  I  do  not  believe  that  I  saw  above 
forty  of  them  during  the  whole  time,  and  not  more  than  sixteen 
together.  They  displayed  the  very  same  pageantry  respect- 
ing five  or  six  batteaus,  appearing  exceedingly  busy  in  car- 
rying some  timber  to  the  Isle,  merely  to  show  themselves, 
and  give  their  preparations  a  formidable  appearance.  They 
have  been  employed  about  building  a  very  large  bakehouse, 
and  perhaps  for  the  same  reason.  All  the  new  batteaus  I 
could  see  about  the  Island  amounted  to  no  more  than  twelve. 
They  talk  much  of  Hessians  and  Hanoverians,  but  I  saw 
none.  It  would  be  too  tedious  minutely  to  relate  all  the 
particulars  which  discovered  their  intention  to  make  me 
believe  their  strength  was  such  as,  doubtless,  they  would 
have  been  as  anxious  to  conceal  had  it  been  real.  I  was 
told  that  their  General  had  ordered  an  escort  to  conduct 
me  to  our  own  guards — a  favour  which  I  did  not  want,  but 
could  not  refuse.  At  sunset  Captain  Craig  came  down,  with 
fourteen  officers,  and  dismissed  me,  under  convoy  of  a  birch 
canoe,  commanded  by  Captain  Alexander  Frazer  and  Mr. 
Scott.  The  canoe  had  two  officers,  a  Sergeant,  and  a  Cor- 
poral of  the  British  troops,  with  nine  Frenchmen,  on  board. 

On  the  9th,  just  at  dark,  we  came  on  shore  at  Gittiland's, 
and  next  morning,  at  seven  o'clock,  Captain  Frazer  and 
Mr.  Scott  left  us  and  went  down  the  Lake,  after  having 
showed  us  as  much  civility  as  could  be  expected  from  men 
whose  situation  sufficiently  apologized  for  their  reservedness. 
As  the  crew  I  had  with  me  consisted  of  remarkably  decent 
men,  all  natives  of  the  United  Slates,  and  of  the  corps  of 
Artillery,  as  well  as  myself,  the  British  officers,  during  my 
stay,  carefully  prevented  their  free  intercourse  with  soldiers 
who  would  be  glad  to  become  again  our  brethren. 

Paper  delivered  to  Major  BIG  BLOW  ly  Captain  CRAIG,  at 
IsLE-AUx-JVoix,  August  8,  1776. 


who  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  savages  at  the  Cedars  and 
Quinzc  Chit-ns,  purchased  from  them  at  a  great  price,  and 
restored  to  their  country  on  those  express  conditions,  be  im- 
puted to  the  Provincials  at  large,  but  to  a  few  wicked  and 
designing  men,  who  first  deceived,  then,  step  by  step,  misled 
the  credulous  multitude  to  the  brink  of  ruin,  afterwards  usurp- 
ed authority  over  them,  established  a  despotick  tyranny  not 
to  be  borne,  and  now  wantonly  and  foolishly  endeavour  to 
provoke  the  spilling  the  blood  of  our  unhappy  countrymen 
of  this  Continent,  in  hopes  of  covering  their  own  guilt,  or 
confirming  their  tyranny  by  the  general  destruction  of  their 
country.  Let  their  crimes  pursue  these  faithless,  bloody- 
minded  men,  who  assert  that  black  is  white  and  white  is 
black.  It  belongs  to  Britons  to  distinguish  themselves  not 
less  by  their  humanity  than  their  valour.  It  belongs  to  the 
King's  troops  to  save  the  blood  of  his  deluded  subjects, 
whose  greatest  fault,  perhaps,  is  having  been  deceived  by 
such  men  to  their  own  destruction.  It  belongs  to  the  Crown, 
it  is  the  duty  of  the  faithful  subjects  of  the  Crown,  to  rescue 
from  oppression  and  restore  to  liberty  the  once  happy,  free, 
and  loyal  people  of  this  Continent. 

All  prisoners  from  the  rebellious  Provinces,  who  choose 
to  return  home,  are  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  em- 
bark at  a  short  notice.  The  Commissary,  Mr.  Murray,  shall 
visit  the  transports  destined  for  them,  and  see  that  whole- 
some provisions,  necessary  clothing,  with  all  possible  con- 
veniences for  their  passage,  be  prepared  for  these  unfortunate 
men.  They  are  to  look  on  their  respective  Provinces  as 
their  prisons,  and  there  remain  till  further  enlarged,  or  sum- 
moned to  appear  before  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  this 
Province,  or  any  other  Commander-in-Chief  for  his  Majesty 
for  the  time  being,  which  summons  they  shall  obey. 

General  Howe  will  regulate  the  place  of  landing. 

One  of  these  papers  was  given  to  Major  Sigelow,  and  one  to  each  of 
his  boat's  crew.  RICHARD  VARICK,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  ORDER. 


(Parole,  St.  Jerome.) 


Chambly,  August  7,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Paris.) 

His  Excellency  General  Carkton  orders  the  commanding 
officers  of  corps  will  take  special  care  that  every  one  under 
their  command  be  informed  that  letters  or  messages  from 
rebels,  traitors  in  arms  against  their  King,  rioters,  disturbers 
of  the  publick  peace,  plunderers,  robbers,  assassins  or  mur- 
derers, are  on  no  occasion  to  be  admitted.  That  should 
emissaries  from  such  lawless  men  again  presume  to  approach 
the  Army,  whether  under  the  name  of  flag-of-truce  men  or 
ambassadors,  except  when  they  come  to  implore  the  King's 
mercy,  their  persons  shall  be  immediately  seized  and  com- 
mitted to  close  confinement,  in  order  to  be  proceeded  against 
as  the  law  directs;  their  papers  and  letters,  for  whomsoever, 
even  for  the  Commander-in-Chief,  are  to  be  delivered  to 
the  Provost  Marshal,  that,  unread  and  unopened,  they  may 
be  burned  by  the  hands  of  the  common  hangman.  At  the 
same  time,  the  Commander-in-Chief  expects  that  the  assas- 
sination of  Brigadier-General  Gordon,  nor  the  late  notorious 
breach  of  faith  in  resolving  not  to  return  the  troops  and 
Canadians  taken  at  St.  John's,  in  exchange  for  those  rebels 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  SKENESBOROUGH^DATED  AU- 
GUST 16,  1776. 

I  wish  I  could  write  you  all  you  want  to  know.  I  can 
at  present  only  say  that  our  Army  is  every  day  receiving 
reinforcements,  by  single  companies,  from  the  different  States 
of  New-England.  Five  companies  marched  from  here 
yesterday  morning  to  join  the  main  Army;  another  went 
to-day,  and  a  new  one  has  just  corne  in.  Our  Army  at 
present,  I  think,  cannot  be  less  than  five  thousand  strong, 
exclusive  of  the  sick,  who  are  more  than  one  thousand.  In 
a  few  days  we  expect  a  very  respectable  addition.  We 
are  at  present  fearless  of  the  enemy,  and  are  determined  to 
maintain  our  ground  at  all  events.  The  new  troops  are  in 
high  spirits,  and  through  the  kindly  interposing  hand  of 
Providence  we  shall  do  well. 

Our  strength  by  sea  is  as  follows:  Two  schooners,  one 
sloop,  two  row-galleys,  and  six  gondolas,  all  fit  for  action. 
At  this  place  we  have  one  gondola  launched,  and  another 
just  finished.  We  have  also  three  row-galleys  in  great  for- 
wardness, from  sixty  to  seventy  feet  in  keel  and  eighteen 
feet  beam,  which  will  mount  each  six  cannon  and  twenty 
swivels,  and  are  to  go  with  thirty-six  oars,  besides  sails. 
They  will  be  fit  for  action  in  about  three  weeks.  As  soon 
as  they  are  launched,  General  Watcrbury,  with  the  regiment 
to  which  I  belong,  are  ordered  on  board  them,  and  when 
rigged,  &.C.,  are  to  proceed  up  the  Lake  to  join  the  fleet. 

By  the  last  accounts  from  St.  John's,  we  learn  that  the 
enemy  had  not  more  than  forty  batteaus  built,  and  two  gal- 
leys or  gondolas.  If  this  is  true,  I  hardly  think  they  will  ven- 
ture down  the  Lake  this  fall.  We  are  determined,  however, 
to  be  prepared  for  them.  Five  other  galleys  are  to  be  built 
here  as  soon  as  those  which  are  on  the  stocks  are  launched. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  16, 1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  arrived  here  at  ten  o'clock  last  night  much 
as  I  left  Ticonderoga — a  little  feverish,  but  no  ague  fit.  A 
dose  of  physick  this  afternoon,  I  hope,  will  set  matters  in 
order.  I  have  applied  to  Doctor  Sparham,  who  I  believe 
cannot  be  persuaded  to  go  with  the  fleet.  I  don't  think  it 
prudent  to  go  without  a  Surgeon.  Lieutenant  Dunn  ac- 
quaints me  that  the  Surgeon's  Mate  of  Colonel  St.  Clair's 
rc'"iment  has  a  good  box  of  medicines,  and  will  incline  to 


989 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


990 


go  with  the  fleet.  I  wish  he  could  be  sent  here,  or  some 
one  who  will  answer,  to  kill  a  man  secundum  artem.  I  can 
procure  a  case  of  capital  instruments  for  him  here.  Nothing 
but  the  Surgeon,  and  some  few  articles  I  have  sent  a  boat 
for,  prevents  our  proceeding.  I  hope  the  carpenters  will  not 
be  retarded  for  want  of  smith's  work.  They  made  several 
complaints  before  I  came  away. 

I  am,  with  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  of  your  family, 
dear  sir,  your  affectionate,  obedient,  humble  servant, 

B.  ARNOLD. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  1  could  wish  the  proceedings  of  the  Court-Martial, 
letters,  &.C.,  might  pass  through  General  Schuyler's  hands, 
that  his  sentiments  mi»ht  be  known.  B.  A. 


JACOB  BAYLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Newbury,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer,  Major  Childs,  waits  on  your  Excel- 
lency, to  receive  your  instructions  relating  to  the  road  from 
this  place  to  St.  John's.  He  will  give  all  the  intelligence 
relating  thereto  required.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  good  char- 
acter, and  may  be  depended  upon  in  whatever  he  under- 
takes. I  am  sorry  to  take  up  your  time  with  my  letters,  but 
beg  to  be  excused,  as  I  really  mean  the  good  of  the  service. 

Am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant  at  command, 

JACOB  BAYLEY. 

P.  S.  Major  Childs  understands  the  cattle  trade  well. 


Instructions  for  the  Captain  appointed  to  go  to  CONNEC- 
TICUT with  Prisoners. 

SIR:  You  are  to  proceed  with  all  expedition,  as  wind 
and  tide  will  permit,  to  New-London,  or  Norwich,  in  Con- 
necticut, there  to  apply  to  the  Committee  to  assist  you  to 
dispose  of  the  prisoners  not  under  confinement,  if  they  will 
give  their  parole  not  to  escape,  until  further  direction  is  given 
respecting  them  by  Governour  Trumbull.  You  will  leave 
them  with  the  Committee,  and  return  as  soon  as  possible. 
You  may  permit  Hewlett  to  go  on  shore  with  a  careful 
officer,  to  bring  some  necessaries  for  himself. 

On  the  other  side  is  a  list  of  the  persons  intrusted  to  your 
care.  You  must  be  careful  of  expense,  and  keep  an  ac- 
count, which  will  be  paid  you  here. 

Given  at  Head-Quarters,  August  12,  1776. 

J.  REED,  Adjutant-General. 

THE  LIST. 


RICHARD  LAW  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Milford,  Friday,  August  16,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Am  just  arrived  thus  far  from  New- 
York,  and  design  to  set  out  on  Monday  morning,  and  expect 
to  wait  on  your  Honour  Tuesday  noon.  General  Washing- 
ton was  anxious  to  have  the  Militia  forwarded,  and  I  find 
they  have  gone  down  pretty  universally  from  these  western 
towns.  All  was  quiet  when  I  left  New-York  on  Tuesday 
evening.  They  had  been  expecting  an  attack  for  some 
time,  but  when  it  will  be,  is  very  uncertain.  A  number  of 
suspected  persons  are  apprehended,  and  are  now  on  their 
way  from  New-  York  to  Norwich,  to  the  care  of  your  Honour. 
Our  conference  with  General  Washington  shall  repeat  to 
your  Honour,  and  am  in  hopes  there  is  not  that  foundation 
for  jealousy  as  was  apprehended. 

Am  desired  to  forward  the  enclosed;  and  am,  sir,  your 
most  obedient,  humble  servant,  D 

KlCHARD  LiAW. 

To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Governour  of  the  State  of 
Connecticut,  Lebanon. 

Parole  of  Suspected  Persons. 

We  the  subscribers,  being  sent  from  New- York  to  Con- 
necticut, under  guard  of  a  party  commanded  by  Captain 
Eells,  as  being  persons  supposed  not  to  be  friendly  to  the 
United  States  of  America,  with  orders  not  to  be  confined 
in  jail,  if  we  give  our  parole  not  to  escape,  until  further 
directions  from  Governour  Trumbull,  as  per  order,  signed 
per  J.  Reed,  Adjutant-General, 

We  do  therefore,  upon  the  honour,  faith,  and  credit  of 
gentlemen,  each  of  us,  severally  promise  for  himself,  to  the 
Governour  and  Company  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  faith- 
fully to  abide  in  Norwich,  in  Connecticut,  and  within  the 
limits  of  the  parishes  called  the  First  Society  and  the  Society 
of  Chelsea,  in  Nonvich  aforesaid,  until  further  orders  can  be 
had  respecting  us  and  our  location  from  Governour  Trum- 
bull and  his  Council  of  Safety;  and  that  in  the  mean  time, 
we,  each  of  us,  will  refrain  from  all  correspondence  with  any 
persons  unfriendly  to  these  States,  and  abide  such  orders  and 
directions  as  shall  be  given  respecting  us,  or  any  of  us,  by 
the  Committee  of  Inspection  in  Norwich,  until  orders  shall 
be  given  by  the  Governour  and  Council  aforesaid.  Dated 
at  Norwich,  the  llth  day  of  August,  1776. 

WHITEHEAD  CORNELL,        JOHN  RAPALYE, 
JOSEPH  GRISWOLD,  THOMAS  JONES, 

DAVID  BEATTY,  JOHN  WILLETT, 

JOHN  CHOVE,  ADAM  SEABURY, 

CHARLES  HICKS,  ISAAC  SMITH, 

CHARLES  NICOLL,  BENJ.  HEWLETT, 

AUG.  V.  HORNE,  DANL.  KISSAM,  Jr., 

DAVID  BROOKS,  WILLIAM  THORNE. 


Judge  Jones, 
Daniel  Kissam,  Jr., 
Aueustus  Van  Home, 
WfMiam  Thorne, 
David  Brooks, 
Archibald  Hamilton, 


John  Willett, 
John  Rapalye, 
Adam  Seabury, 
Charles  Nicoll, 
Joseph  Griswold, 
John  Chove, 


David  Beatty, 
Benj.  Hewlett, 
Wh'itehead  Cornell, 
Charles  Hicks, 
Isaac  Smith. 


A  true  copy.     Attest:         EDWABD  EELLS,  Giptetn. 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  MESHECH  WEARE. 

Watertown,  August  16,  1776. 

SIR:  It  gives  us  the  most  sensible  concern  that  it  is  not 
in  our  power  to  supply  our  sister  State  of  New-Hampshire 
with  those  cannon  for  which  they  applied.  By  a  late  re- 
turn, it  appears  that  we  have  now  left  for  the  defence  of  the 
town  of  Boston  and  the  harbour  thereof,  but  fifty -eight,  from 
eighteen  to  forty-two-pound  cannon.  This  State  have  erect- 
ed eleven  forts  in  the  town  and  harbour  aforesaid;  many  of 
them  are  a  very  long  shot  from  the  ship-channel.  In  these 
works  small  cannon  will  be  of  little  or  no  service. 

From  this  short  view  of  the  matter,  the  Council  natter 
themselves  that  it  must  be  evident  that  it  is  not  in  our  power, 
consistent  with  our  own  safety,  to  comply  with  the  request 
of  your  State. 

In  the  name  of  the  Council,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with 
great  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JAMES  BOWDOIN,  President. 

To  the  Hon.  Meshech  Weare,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Council 
of  New-Hampshire. 

Newburyport,  August  16, 1776. 

Yesterday  Captain  Wingate  Newman  arrived  in  the  priva- 
teer named  the  Hancock,  from  Philadelphia.  She  brought 
in  a  prize,  (which  is  now  safely  anchored  before  this  town,) 
the  ship  Nancy,  from  Antigua,  Captain  Keys,  bound  to  Lon- 
don, having  on  board  about  four  hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar, 
ninety  of  rum,  and  a  few  casks  of  Madeira  wine.  A  lady 
and  several  gentlemen  were  passengers  in  the  above  ship. 
He  likewise  brought  in  with  him  the  sloop  Industry,  Cap- 
tain William  Hazen,  bound  to  St.  John's,  in  Nova-Scotia,  in 
ballast. 

A  few  days  before  taking  the  above  ship,  Captain  New- 
man had  a  smart  engagement  with  a  sloop-of-war,  of  much 
superior  force,  for  three  glasses,  but  night  coming  on,  they 
parted,  both  having  received  much  damage;  but  on  board  of 
Captain  Newman  no  lives  were  lost,  nor  any  much  hurt. 


THOMAS  FLETCHER  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Penobscot  River,  August  16,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS  :  Agreeable  to  your  in- 
structions delivered  me  in  Council,  dated  27th  July,  1776, 
to  proceed  to  the  residence  of  the  Penobscot  Indians,  to 
endeavour  to  in  list  as  many  of  them  as  I  could  to  serve  in 
the  war  under  his  Excellency  General  Washington — agree- 
able to  my  instructions,  immediately  on  my  arrival  at  Penob- 
scot, I  proceeded  up  the  river,  accompanied  with  Colonel 
Lowdf.n,  to  Mr  Jeremiah  Colburn's,  near  Penobscot  village, 
where  I  met  with  some  Indians,  and  sent  to  the  tribe  to 
acquaint  them  with  my  business;  and  in  answer  to  it,  they 
appointed  Tuesday,  13th  of  August,  to  meet  me  at  Colonel 
Loivdcn's,  at  the  falls.  Accordingly  they  met  me,  with 
eighteen  canoes,  amounting  to  about  thirty,  besides  women 
and  children.  I  read  to  them  my  instructions,  and  also  his 


991 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


992 


Excellency  General  Washington'*  request  to  inlist  Indians, 
and  the  establishment  for  the  pay  of  the  Army.  Their 
answer  is  as  follows:  That  they  don't  think  any  of  their 
young  men  can  be  spared,  for  that  they  don't  know  how 
soon  they  may  be  wanted  to  defend  themselves  against  the 
English  Army.  They  hear  by  the  Eastern  Indians  that 
there  are  a  great  many  English  ships  gone  up  Canada  river 
with  troops,  and  that  there  is  a  large  fort  built  on  Point 
Levi,  opposite  Quebeck,  and  by  whom  they  don't  know ; 
and  there  is  now  a  strong  guard  of  English  kept  at  Souco- 
mick,  a  French  settlement  on  Chaudiere  river;  which  is  the 
reason  that  their  young  men  don't  choose  to  engage  at 
present,  for  fear  that  the  English  party  may  induce  French 
and  bad  Indians  to  come  amongst  them  and  destroy  them ; 
as  otherwise  they  would  immediately  join  General  Wash- 
ington in  his  Army  at  the  southward.  They  say  they  shall 
keep  men  to  make  discoveries,  and  from  time  to  time  will 
inform  us  of  their  proceedings,  for  their  safety  and  ours,  as 
we  are  all  of  one  family.  They  were  asked,  if  the  Colony 
should  raise  a  number  of  men  as  Rangers  to  reconnoitre  the 
country  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  whether  any  of 
their  young  men  would  join  the  party?  They  replied,  they 
would  willingly.  They  desired  me  to  inform  you  that  all 
the  settlers  on  their  lands  were  present  at  this  interview,  and 
that  they  agreed  the  English  should  remain  as  far  up  the 
river  as  the  tide  flows,  and  no  farther ;  and  those  that  were 
settled  above  should  be  removed,  and  the  boundary  line 
should  be  at  the  head  of  the  tide,  and  gave  the  settlers  leave 
to  tarry  on  their  lands  until  they  got  in  their  harvest. 

There  were  a  number  of  the  young  men  that  were  desi- 
rous to  go  up  to  the  Court.  I  told  them,  unless  they  inlisted 
for  one  or  two  years  it  would  not  answer  the  intention  of  the 
Colony,  and  therefore  I  would  not  consent  to  their  going. 

I  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself  your  Honours'  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant  to  command, 

THOS.  FLKTCHER. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  the  Slate  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 


To 


INLISTING  ORDERS. 

State  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Committee  of  Safety,  ) 
August  16.  1776.      ) 


You  are  hereby  authorized  immediately  to  inlist  a  Com- 
pany to  consist  of  ninety  able-bodied  effective  men,  (officers 
included,)  well  accoutred  with  arms  and  provided  with 
blankets,  to  serve  in  a  regiment,  on  the  Continental  estab- 
lishment, ordered  by  the  Continental  Congress  to  be  raised 
in  New-Hampshire,  for  one  year  from  the  time  of  their 
passing  muster,  unless  sooner  discharged.  And  you  are 
hereby  informed,  that  when  you  have  inlisted  said  company, 
and  they  have  passed  muster,  you  and  they  will  enter  into 
the  Continental  pay  and  receive  the  same  wages  and  rations 
as  other  troops  in  that  service.  And  you  also  have  liberty 
to  nominate  three  subalterns  to  serve  under  you,  giving  the 
preference  to  the  two  now  under  you,  if  they  incline  to 
accept.  And  all  the  men  when  mustered  are  to  go  into 
service  and  be  under  the  command  of  Colonel  David  Gill- 
man  and  Major  Hercules  Mooney,  in  their  several  stations, 
until  Field-Officers  are  appointed  by  the  honourable  Conti- 
nental Congress,  to  whom  application  will  be  made  by  the 
General  Assembly  for  that  purpose. 

P.  S.  Those  lately  recruited,  if  they  inlist  again,  must 
not  expect  their  blanket  money  twice. 

WILLIAM  FINNIE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Williamsburgh,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  The  approach  of  winter,  and  the  tattered  condition 
of  the  troops  in  this  quarter,  make  it  my  duty  to  look  out  as 
early  as  possible  for  necessaries  suitable  for  the  advancing 
season,  every  article  of  which  we  are  entirely  without,  and 
I  fear,  unless  we  should  be  fortunate  enough  to  procure  an 
early  supply,  the  want  of  them  may  prove  fatal  to  the  sol- 
diers. As  the  multiplicity  of  business  in  which  my  depart- 
ment necessarily  involves  me,  will  not  admit  of  my  absence 
to  procure  those  articles  personally,  by  permission  of  Gene- 
ral Lews,  Mr.  James  Hunter,  a  gentleman  of  a  fair  and 
patnotick  character,  and  well  versed  in  commercial  matters, 
is  empowered  to  wait  on  your  honourable  body  for  further 
ordeis  on  this  important  head. 

I  hope  I  may,  without  running  the  imputation  of  pre- 


sumption, be  bold  enough  to  make  one  observation  to  you, 
the  truth  and  justness  of  which  the  duties  of  my  office  have 
frequently  evinced  to  me:  I  mean  the  expediency  of  allow- 
ing the  officers  forage.  Not  only  the  nature  of  the  service 
in  this  country  requires  such  an  indulgence  for  the  officers, 
but  really  I  think  it  would  be  a  frugal  scheme,  as  it  would 
lessen  the  immense  expense  resulting  from  wagons  to  trans- 
port their  baggage  when  on  a  march ;  and,  indeed,  our  troops 
here  are  almost  continually  in  motion. 

Very  shortly  after  my  appointment  I  wrote  to  the  Honour- 
able Brigadier-General  Mijflin,  who  was  at  that  time  Quar- 
termaster-General, relative  to  the  duties  of  my  office;  but  as 
I  have  not  yet  been  honoured  with  an  answer,  I  have  en- 
closed a  copy  for  your  perusal,  and  shall  be  happy  to  receive 
your  sentiments  thereon. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect  and 
esteem,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

WM.  FINNIE,  D.  Q.  M.,  S.  D. 

Williamsburgh,  May  2,  1776. 

SIR:  My  late  appointment  from  Congress  as  Deputy- 
Quartermaster  of  the  Southern  District,  makes  it  my  duty  to 
apply  to  you  for  such  instructions  as  you  may  think  proper 
to  give,  as  I  consider  myself  as  acting  in  subordination  to 
you.  I  shall  at  all  times  put  those  measures  into  execution, 
in  discharge  of  my  office,  which  you  may  recommend.  At 
present  I  am  much  embarrassed :  I  have  received  no  regu- 
lations whereby  I  may  know  what  officers  are  entitled  to 
forage,  and  in  what  quantities.  I  shall  esteem  it  a  favour 
if  you  will  transmit  at  your  leisure  the  necessary  information 
on  this  point. 

I  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  FINNIE, 
D.  Q.  M.,  Southern  District. 

To  Thomas  Mifflin,  Quartermaster-General  of  the  Conti- 
nental Forces. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  DEAKINS. 
[No.  146.]  Annapolis,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  yours  of  the  12th,  and  are  sorry  to  hear 
you  have  not  completed  your  company.  However,  we  think 
it  necessary  you  should  send  down  directly  to  this  city  the 
men  you  have  ready,  and  recruit  the  others  that  are  want- 
ing, with  the  greatest  expedition.  If  you  will  send  down  a 
recommendation  for  any  person  you  approve  of  for  an  Ensign, 
he  shall  have  a  commission.  The  arms  that  were  made  at 
Georgetown,  were  not  disposed  of  in  the  manner  you  men- 
tion. We  send  you  £250  to  purchase  the  guns  and  blankets 
that  are  yet  wanting,  and  hope  you  will  lay  it  out  to  the 
greatest  advantage.  We  are,  &.c. 

To  Captain  Francis  Dtakins. 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY   TO    COLONEL    HOLLINGS- 
WORTH. 

[No.  147.]  Annapolis,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR  :  It  is  thought  by  some  of  the  Delegates  from  your 
County,  that  a  sufficient  quantity  of  cloth  proper  for  tenting 
can  be  had  there  to  make  tents  for  your  two  companies  of 
Flying-Camp  Militia.  If  it  can,  we  shall  be  very  much 
obliged  to  you  to  purchase  it,  and  have  as  many  tents  made 
up  with  the  utmost  despatch,  agreeable  to  the  directions  of 
those  made  at  Baltimore,  as  will  answer.  You  will  also  be 
pleased  to  have  the  necessary  poles  got  ready,  and  the  tents 
completely  finished.  We  are,  &.C. 

To  Colonel  Henry  Hollingsworth. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  RICHARDSON. 

[No.  148.]  Annnpolis,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  already  given  orders  to  many  of  your 
Captains  in  writing.  We  have  now  only  to  add,  that  you 
are  to  inarch  all  the  companies  in  your  battalion  as  soon  as 
possible  that  can  be  armed  and  equipped.  They  are  to  go 
to  Elizabeth-Town,  in  the  Jerseys,  and  there  receive  further 
directions  from  the  Commander-in-Chief.  Should  the  hon- 
ourable Continental  Congress,  or  those  who  have  proper 
authority,  give  any  subsequent  orders,  you  are  to  obey. 

We  are,  &tc. 
To  Colonel  William  Richardson. 


993 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


994 


MARYLAND    COUNCIL    OF    SAFETY   TO    CAPTAINS  GEORGE  AND 

ALEXANDER. 
[No.  149.]  Annapolis,  August  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  You  are  to  prepare,  as  expeditiously  as 
possible,  to  march  to  the  northward.  We  have  written  to 
Colonel  Hollingsivort/i  about  tents  for  your  company.  You 
will  apply  to  him,  and  afford  him  all  the  assistance  in  your 
power  in  procuring  them.  Colonel  Richardson  is  appointed 
Colonel  to  your  battalion,  and  will  be  with  you  in  a  few 
days,  and  give  the  further  necessary  orders.  Knapsacks, 
haversacks,  and  priming-wires,  shall  be  sent  you  from  Bal- 
timore, and  cartouch-boxes  from  Kent.  We  are,  &,c. 

To  Captains  George  and  Alexander. 


DOCTOR  TOOTELL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

August  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  informed  that  the  battalion  in  this 
city,  commanded  by  Colonel  Hall,  has  received  orders  to 
march.  I  had  not  the  least  idea,  when  I  petitioned  your 
Honours  for  a  Surgeon's  commission  to  attend  that  battalion 
then  quartered  at  Annapolis,  and  which  I  presumed  was 
stationed,  and  there  to  remain  for  the  protection  of  that  city, 
that  I  should  have  been  requested  to  remove.  My  age  and 
bad  health,  particularly  at  this  season  of  the  year,  would 
have  been  a  bar  against  a  contract  of  that  kind,  and  interest 
another  impediment.  I  could  scarce  think  of  leaving  home, 
and  between  three  and  four  hundred  a  year,  arising  from  my 
practice  of  physick,  and  other  advantages,  to  move  into 
another  Province,  and  leave  my  family,  consisting  of  a  wife, 
a  daughter,  and  a  small  son,  for  whom  I  bare  the  most  ten- 
der affection,  and  who  in  my  absence  must  inevitably  suffer, 
to  embrace  a  Surgeon's  place,  which  pay  would  scarce  de- 
fray my  expenses,  as  I  should  be  obliged  to  travel  with  a 
servant  and  horses,  and  perhaps  be  ordered  by  the  Surgeon- 
General  to  what  department  he  pleased. 

I  have  attended  the  sick  soldiers  with  the  greatest  assi- 
duity and  care,  and  I  believe  I  have  given  general  satis- 
faction, both  to  the  officers  and  soldiers.  I  have  had  great 
fatigue  and  trouble  with  regulating  the  military  hospital 
shop,  and  compounding  various  medicines  from  the  gross 
materials,  which  was  acting  beyond  my  line  of  office.  It 
being  my  duty  only  to  prescribe  for  the  sick,  the  medicines 
ought  to  have  been  delivered  to  me  ready  for  prescription. 
The  Hospital  is  now  filled  with  sick  soldiers,  whom  I  am 
ready  to  attend,  and  likewise  the  train  of  Artillery,  or  any 
other  troops  that  may  be  stationed  in  this  city.  I  should  be 
sorry  that  the  battalion  should  suffer  from  my  not  marching 
with  them,  and  really,  as  I  am  circumstanced  at  present,  that 
is  impracticable.  No  man  has  the  prosperity  of  our  Army 
more  at  heart,  nor  is  more  deeply  affected  with  our  present 
distresses,  or  more  ardently  wishes  an  honourable  reconcilia- 
tion, than  your  Honour's  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

RD.  TOOTELL. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


MARYLAND  CONVENTION. 

In  Convention,  August  17,  1776. 

Agreeably  to  the  Order  of  the  Day,  the  Convention  took 
into  consideration  the  Resolution  of  Congress  declaring 
the  United  Colonies  free  and  independent  States;  and  there- 
upon 

Resolved  unanimously,  That  this  Convention  will  main- 
tain the  freedom  and  independency  of  the  United  States 
with  their  lives  and  fortunes. 

By  order  of  Convention  :  G.  DUVALL,  Clerk. 


him  into  custody,  in  order  to  secure  him  for  examination  on 
Monday  next. 

Attest:  GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  August  17, 1776,  five  o'clock,  P.  M. 
SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  16th  instant,  per  post,  this  minute 
came  to  hand,  and  shall  be  laid  before  Congress  on  Mon- 
day. 

I  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  enclose  sundry  resolves  for 
your  information,  and  likewise  to  forward  the  commissions 
ordered  by  a  resolve  of  Congress  on  the  10th  instant,  a  copy 
of  which  I  transmitted  in  my  letter  of  that  date. 

With  the  most  ardent  and  sincere  wishes  for  your  health 
and  prosperity,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  perlect  esteem, 
sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  This  morning  I  received  the  box  by  Colonel  Reed, 
and  am  directed  by  Congress  to  take  care  of  it,  which  is 
done. 


COMMODORE  HOPKINS  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Philadelphia,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  yours  of  the  16th,  this  day,  together  with 
the  resolve  of  Congress.*  Should  be  extremely  obliged  to 
you  if  you  would  communicate  the  enclosed  letter  to  that 
honourable  body,  and  shall  wait  till  I  know  if  they  have 
any  further  commands  for,  sir,  your  Honour's  most  obedient, 

humble  servant,  T,        TT 

LISEK  HOPKINS. 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Continental  Congress. 

*In  CONGRESS,  Thursday,  August  15,  1776. — Resolved,  That  the  aaid 
Commodore  Hopkins,  during  his  cruise  to  the  southward,  did  not  pay 
due  regard  to  the  tenour  of  his  instructions,  whereby  he  was  expressly 
directed  to  annoy  the  enemy's  ships  upon  the  coasts  of  the  Southern 
States;  and  that  his  reasons  for  not  going  from  Providence  immediately 
to  the  Carolina!  are  by  no  means  satisfactory. 


BALTIMORE  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Committee,  August  17,  1776 : 

Present:  S.  Purviance,  Chairman;  W.  Lux,  Vice  Chairman;  R.  Alex- 
ander, W.  Wilkinson,  B.  Griffith,  J.  Calhoun,  J.  E.  Howard,  J.  Cra- 
dock. 

Information  having  been  given  to  the  Committee  that 
Christopher  Limes  and  John  Amos  were  returned  to  town, 
after  having  endeavoured  to  get  on  board  Lord  Dunmore 
and  been  disappointed,  and  that  they  intended  to  go  away 
immediately,  and  (it  is  supposed)  endeavour  to  join  Lord 
Howe  at  New-York,  the  Committee  requested  Major  Cra- 
dock  to  despatch  a  guard  to  the  said  Limes' 's  house,  and  take 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  63 


GEORGE  STEVENSON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

In  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  Cumberland  ) 
County,  at  Carlisle,  August  17,  1776.      J 

SIR:  Enclosed  you  have  an  account  of  the  disposal  of 
the  money  which  we  have  received,  by  Messrs.  John  Boyd 
and  John  Pollock,  from  Congress.  The  vouchers  or  receipts 
of  officers  we  do  not  send  until  this  scene  or  the  season  of 
sending  Militia  to  New-Jersey  shall  be  over. 

The  twelfth  company  of  our  Militia  are  marched  to-day, 
which  companies  contain  in  the  whole  eight  hundred  and 
thirty-three  privates — with  officers,  nearly  nine  hundred 
men.  Six  companies  more  are  collecting  arms,  and  are 
preparing  to  march.  No  Commissary  having  been  ap- 
pointed in  this  County  to  provide  victuals  for  the  men,  they 
have  been  supplied  mostly  by  the  tavern-keepers,  many  of 
whom  cannot  well  wait  for  their  pay,  especially  as  beef  and 
mutton  sell  at  5d.  per  pound,  coffee  and  brown  sugar  at  Is. 
6d.  per  pound,  butter  at  8d.  per  pound;  and  it  is  difficult  to 
procure  those  articles  even  at  these  high  prices  without  cash. 
The  people  say  they  will  be  losers  if  they  are  not  allowed 
Is.  per  meal:  we  think  they  cannot  afford  it  for  much  less. 
We  are  much  pressed  to  pay  off  those  victualling  accounts, 
but  have  hitherto  declined  it,  not  from  want  of  inclination 
to  serve  our  country,  but  because  we  have  not  money  nor 
directions,  nor  do  we  know  how  much  is  allowed  for  a  meal 
of  victuals. 

A  number  of  arms  are  taken  up,  appraised,  and  now  in 
the  service,  many  of  them  repaired  by  mechanicks  who  are  in 
need  of  their  pay.  Cartouch-boxes,  pouches,  &c.,  are  made, 
and  delivered  to  the  Captains  on  credit.  The  Field-Officers 
are  absent  on  the  publick  service,  and  cannot  attend  to  draw- 
money  and  pay  those  necessary  debts.  Several  of  those  cre- 
ditors have  applied  to  us.  We  have  answered  them  with 
our  promise  to  lay  their  case  before  Congress.  The  bearer, 
Robert  Simple,  Esq.,  waits  on  you  express  with  our  draft, 
and  bearing  even  date  herewith,  for  £2,000,  part  of  it  to  be 
paid  in  advance  to  the  several  companies  now  preparing  to 
march  to  New-Jersey,  and  part  of  it  to  pay  for  their  victual- 
ling and  to  discharge  debts  contracted  for  victualling  those 
who  are  already  marched.  If  we  shall  send  men  unarmed, 


905 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


906 


are  arms  to  be  had  for  them  at  Philadelphia?  Our  drafts 
have  been  honoured,  but  we  have  not  received  any  other 
answer  to  our  former  letters.  We  earnestly  request  an  an- 
swer. Should  anything  in  our  letters  be  improper  to  trouble 
Congress  with,  we  hope  directions  will  be  given  to  those  in 
whose  department  our  business  is,  and  that  we  may  be  ex- 
cused. 

We  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servants. 
Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee : 

GEO.  STEVENSON,  Chairman. 


the  North  River.  He  says  that  they  burnt  one  tender,  and 
one  of  them  boarded  the  Phenix,  and  was  grappled  with 
her  for  near  ten  minutes,  but  she  cleared  herself.  We  lost 
both  of  ihe  vessels.  His  account  is  not  so  particular  as  I 
could  wish.  However,  I  am  certain  the  attempt  has  not 
succeeded  to  our  wishes.  In  a  little  time,  it  is  probable,  the 
matter  will  be  more  minutely  reported. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  Go  WASHINGTON. 


An  Account  of  Money  advanced  to  the  Captains  of  the 
marching  Militia  and  Flying- Camp  Companies  of  CUM- 
BERLAND County,  to  wit: 


To  Captain  John  Steel,  per  receipt 

To  Captain  Samuel  Posllethwaile,  per  receipt  ..............  100 

To  Captain  Andrew  Galbreath,  per  receipt  .................  200 

To  Captain  Samuel  McCune,  per  receipt  ..................  2 

To  Captain  Thomas  Turbelt,  per  receipt  ..................  150 

To  Mr.  John  Boyd,  our  first  express,  per  receipt  ........... 

To  Captain  Janus  McConnel,  per  receipt  ..................  240 

To  Captain  William  Huslin,  per  receipt  ..................  2 

To  Captain  Thomas  Clark,  per  receipt  ....................  1 

To  Captain  John  ttatlon,  per  receipt  .....................  100 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Frederick  Watt,  per  receipt  .........      15 


Amboy,  August  15,  1776. 

SIR:  In  the  absence  of  General  Mercer,  he  being  on  duty 
at  Elizabeth-Town  or  its  neighbourhood,  I  just  now  received 
from  one  of  our  posts  at  South-Amboy  two  prisoners  escaped 
0     from  the  English  fleet.     They  are  inhabitants  of  Philadel- 
0    phia,  and  well  known  to  many  of  us  from  thence.     Their 
examination,  which  I  forward  enclosed,  may  be  depended 
on,  according  to  their  knowledge. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

DANIEL  ROBERDEAU. 
To  General  Washington. 


. 

To  Captain  Robert  Cuthberlson,  per  receipt  ................  150 

To  Captain  Charles  Leeper,  per  receipt  ...................  108 

To  Captain  Conrad  Sclmider,  per  receipt  ..................  108 

To  four  Captains  now  preparing  to  march,  with  whom  we 

have  not  yet  settled  ..................................  270 

.lugusi  17,  1776. 


0    0 


Examination  of  Captain  ALEXANDER  HUNTER,  who  escaped  from,  on  board 
the  ROCKINGAM,  a  Transport  with  HESSIANS,  August  14, 1776. 

He  informs  that  he  was  taken  off  the  Capes  of  Virginia 
by  a  vessel  of  Lord  Dunmore's,  on  the  8th  of  February, 
1776;  that  he  was  sent  to  England,  and  put  on  board  the 
Rockingham,  which  left  St.  Helen's  26th  of  May,  in  com- 
pany with  the  Hessian  fleet.  He  arrived  at  the  Narrows 
on  Monday  last,  and  pretending  to  be  a  pilot,  was  allowed 
.  „  to  go  in  a  small  boat  towards  the  Hook,  by  which  means 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Bills  of  Credit  emitted     he  °        ed>    Tha,  al)out  e^nt  thousand  Hessians  are  arrived, 

tlio  Hrmnnrahlp  finntinpntnl   l,nnorp<;<;   nfi    a    Ipaal   tpnflpr  VT        •  .     _»    :_      .     r 


IN  CONVENTION  OF  THE  STATE  OF  NEW-JERSEY. 

Brunswick,  August  17,  1776. 


by  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress  be  a  legal  tender 
within  the  State  of  New-  Jersey  for  all  sums  of  money  due 
and  owing  from  one  person  to  another. 


and   five  thousand  more  Hessians  are  expected  in  a  few 
weeks ;  that  the  whole  force  is  supposed  to  be  about  twenty- 


id  owing  irom  one  person  t<  six  Qr  twenty-seven  thousand;  that  Lord  Dunmore  arrived 

Whereas  the  difference  of  the  several  Currencies  within  esterday_brouf,ht  but  few  men;  that  the  Hessians  which 

this  State  very  greatly  perplexes  many  of  the  good  people  ^^  £  Mon(f     are  to  land  on  the  Island  to  refresh)  and 

thereof,  and  now  especially  such  of  the  people  of  the  neigh-  the  E    Ush  were  to  embark  on   board  to  make  room  for 

bouring  States  as  have  come  hither  for  our  defence  against  th         J^  th/   he  wag  informed  of  by  a  Captain  Of  lhe 

the  common  enemy,  and  gives  occasion  for  great  impositions  Hesgian  fleet>    That  it  is  expected  an  attack  will  be  made  in 

and  deceits:  •  ht  of  {en  d        and  not  bef01.e;  that  it  is  believed  in  the 

Resolved,  unanimously    That  all  payments  and  receipts  fl£t  ^  Gm^}  Washington  is  weak,  and  has  not  above 

made  in  every  part  of  this State  in  Proclamation  Money  fifteen  thousand  men  in  New-York  and  on  Long-Island. 


be 


—     •»  7-                  f                                                                         I'll*                                 J"                                              1                J       11  IJIICCII        HI*_H-t.JlllH-J        1I4VI*                                                                                                                        '"  '  "fy      -"-' 

of  New- Jersey,  at  seven  shillings  and  six-pence  the  dollar,  That  fae  belleved  they  have  no  ganeys  or  floating-batteries; 

reckoning  the  difference  between  the  usual  prices  heretofore  hat  ,h      have  about  seven  two-decked  ships,  and  about 

taken   in   any  other  currency,  and  reducing  the  same  to     ....       J  ft-.i_* i 


Proclamation. 

Extracts  from  the  Minutes : 

WILLIAM  PATERSON,  Secretary. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  The  circumstances  of  the  two  Armies  having  under- 
gone no  material  alteration  since  I  had  the  honour  of  writing 
you  last,  I  have  nothing  particular  or  important  to  commu- 
nicate respecting  them. 

In  my  letter  of  yesterday  I  forgot  to  mention  the  arrival 
of  Lord  Dunmore  here.  By  the  examination  of  Captain 


thirteen  of  lighter  metal. 


Examination  of  ISAAC  FATIER,  a  Pilot  belonging  to  the  Port  of  PHILADEL- 
PHIA, who  was  taken  by  the  VIPER,  December  10,  1775,  and  escaped  from 
the  ENGLISH  Fleet,  in  company  with  Captain  ALEXANDER  HUNTER, 
August  14, 1776. 

That  on  the  17th  of  April,  he  was  put  on  board  the  Ad- 
miral's ship  at  Halifax,  and  continued  on  board  till  he  made 
his  escape.  He  confirms  the  account  of  Captain  Hunter  as 
to  the  number  of  the  enemy.  That  it  was  believed  in  the 
fleet  that  General  Washington  intended  making  his  stand  at 
New-York,  and  was  evacuating  Long-Island;  that  there  is 
a  great  deal  of  confidence  of  success  in  the  fleet;  that  the 
Scots  troops  are  extremely  incensed  against  us,  and  fre- 


Hunter,  who  escaped  from  the  enemy  and  came  to  Amboy    quent|y  say  they  w;n  gjve  no  quarter;  that  it  is  expected 

nn    tlio     I  At  IT      francmiftprl    mA    Kv   frpnpral     Tfntt/>rr?fflll.     T   nm  -rl  -n    •  r  i  I         •        *u_  ~r   AT" 


on  the  14th,  transmitted  me  by  General  Roberdeau,  I  am 
certainly  informed  his  Lordship  arrived  on  the  13th.  The 
examination  does  not  say  anything  about  the  ships  he  brought 


that  Burgoyne  will  in  a  few  days  be  in  the  rear  of  New- 
York,  arid  ready  to  make  a  junction  whenever  the  troops 
land.  That  he  is  certain  five  thousand  more  Hessians  are 


with  him,  and  only  extends  to  his  force,  which  it  mentions    expectedj  but  believes  the  General  will  not  wait  their  arrival 
to  be  weak.  before  the  attack;  that  the  Brune  frigate  and  the  Centurion, 

I  expected  before  now  the  enemy  would  have  made  their    of  fifty  CTUnS;  were  to  go  up  the  North  River,  and  that  it  is 
attack;  nor  can  I  account  for  their  deferring  it,  unless  the    a  principal  object  with  them  to  cut  off  the  communication 
intelligence  given  by  Captain  Hunter,  and  another  person    between  tne  city  of  New-York  and  the  country, 
who  escaped  about  the  same  time,  is  the  cause,  to  wit:  that 
they  are  waiting  the  arrival  of  another  division  of  the  Hes- 
sian troops,  which,  they  say,  is  still  out.     Whether  that  is 
the  reason  of  the  delay,  I  cannot  undertake  to  determine ; 


but  I  should  suppose  things  will  not  long  remain  in  their 
present  state.     I  have  enclosed  a  copy  of  General  Rober- 


Examination of  a  Deserter  from  STATEN-!SLAND. 

Archibald  Campbell,  of  Philadelphia,  was  pressed  on 
board  the  Roebuck,  in  Accomack,  two  months  ago ;  catne 
with  Lord  Dunmore  to  Staten-lsland  a  week  ago ;  brought 


deans  letter,  and  of  the  examination  of  these  two  persons,  the  yellow-fever  with  them,  but  the  Army  otherwise  healthy, 

which  will  show  Congress  all  the  information  they  have  Heard  them  talk  on  board  that  five  thousand  men  were  to 

given  upon  these  subjects.  land  on  Long-Island;  that  they  say  they  shall  leave  Staten- 

I  am   just  now  advised  by  Mr.  Ayres,  who  came  from  Island  on  Tuesday  next;  that  he  heard  them  say  there  were 

Philadelphia  to  build  the  row-galleys,  that  two  of  our  fire-  fifteen  thousand  foreign  troops  on  the  Island.    All  the  troops 

vessels  attempted  to  burn  the  enemy's  ships  and  tenders  up  were  arrived  which  they  expected. 


997 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


998 


Examination  of  JOHN  HAMOND,  a  soldier  in  the  Twenty-Seventh  Regiment, 
August  14,  1776. 

Left  Staten-Mand  last  night  at  eight  o'clock;  left  the 
Army  preparing  to  leave  the  Island;  the  Battalion  men  are 
all  on  board,  only  the  Grenadiers  and  Light-Infantry  left  on 
the  Island;  the  ships  are  to  be  sent  up  against  the  town; 
thinks  all  the  troops  will  be  landed  on  Long-Island;  that 
they  hope  to  cut  us  off  from  the  woods ;  their  number  sup- 
posed twenty-five  thousand;  ours  they  think  three  to  one; 
that  they  mean  to  land  their  men  under  cover  of  gondolas, 
which  have  six-pounders  in  them,  and  are  built  high  to  cover 
the  landing;  troops  in  pretty  good  health;  no  fresh  meat; 
Hessians  are  ordinary  troops — old  and  small.  They  had 
orders  on  Monday  to  cook  provisions  for  three  days  on  board 
the  ships. 

Examination  of  WILLIAM  BROOKS,  a  soldier,  August  15,  1776. 
William  Brooks,  deserter  from  the  Fanny  transport,  was 
one  of  a  new  battalion  of  Rangers  to  be  raised  out  of  a 
number  of  loose  people,  under  Captain  Stanton;  swam  over 
about  nine  o'clock  last  night  to  Bergen-Point.  They  are 
embarking  their  men,  but  there  are  a  good  many  yet  remain- 
ing on  the  Island,  and  are  waiting  for  about  fifty  sail,  which 
got  separated  from  the  fleet;  knew  nothing  of  the  crossing 
of  the  boats  last  evening,  he  being  at  another  part  of  the 
Island;  two  regiments  of  Light-Horse  on  the  Island  has 
had  no  fresh  provisions  since  he  was  there;  they  had  three 
days'  provisions  delivered  them  ready  cooked,  and  kept  in 
their  knapsacks;  thinks  they  will  come  up  in  a  day  or 
two,  and  will  attack  Long-Island  and  this  place  near  the 
same  time;  thinks  they  have  twenty  thousand  men  on  the 
Island. 


By  His  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esq.,  General 
and  Commander-in- Chief  of  the  Army  of  the  UNITED 
STATES  OF  NORTH-AMERICA. 

Whereas  a  bombardment  and  attack  upon  the  city  of 
New-York,  by  our  cruel  and  inveterate  enemy,  may  be 
hourly  expected;  and  as  there  are  great  numbers  of  women, 
children,  and  infirm  persons,  yet  remaining  in  the  city,  whose 
continuance  will  rather  be  prejudicial  than  advantageous  to 
the  Army,  and  their  persons  exposed  to  great  danger  and 
hazard :  I  do  therefore  recommend  it  to  all  such  persons,  as 
they  value  their  own  safety  and  preservation,  to  remove  with 
all  expedition  out  of  the  said  town,  at  this  critical  period, 
trusting  that,  with  the  blessing  of  Heaven  upon  the  American 
arms,  they  may  soon  return  to  it  in  perfect  security.  And  I  do 
enjoin  and  require  all  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  in  the  Army 
under  my  command  to  forward  and  assist  such  persons  in 
their  compliance  with  this  recommendation. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Head-Quarters,  New-York, 
August  17,  1776.  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

COLONEL  REED  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

New-York,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR  :  Monsieur  Martin  is  in  the  pay  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  as  an  Engineer,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel.  As  he  may  be  of  some  service  at  your  post,  and 
is  not  so  immediately  wanted  here,  his  Excellency  has  di- 
rected me  to  recommend  him  to  your  notice,  and  to  be 
employed  in  such  service  as  may  be  most  conducive  to  the 
publick  interest. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Jos.  REED,  Adjutant-General. 

To  Major-General  Heath,  Mount  Washington. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  HOWE. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  transmit  the  enclosed 
letter  from  Major  French,  and  at  the  same  time  to  inform 
you  that  his  exchange  for  Major  Meigs,  whose  parole  I  am 
advised  you  have,  will  meet  my  approbation.  1  would  take 
the  liberty  also  to  propose  an  exchange  of  any  Captain  you 
may  choose  for  Captain  Dearborn,  whose  parole  I  have 
heard  was  delivered  you  with  Major  Meigs's. 

Give  me  leave  to  assure  you,  sir,  that  I  feel  myself  greatly 
obliged  by  the  polite  conclusion  of  your  letter  of  the  1st  in- 
stant, and  have  a  high  sense  of  the  honour  and  satisfaction 
I  should  have  received  from  your  personal  acquaintance. 
The  different  state  of  the  Colonies  from  what  it  was  last 
war,  and  which  has  deprived  me  of  that  happiness,  cannot 
be  regretted  by  any  one  more  than,  sir,  your  most  obedient 


servant, 

To  Lieutenant-General  Howe. 


Go.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  17,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  When  I  consider  that  the  city  of  New-  York 
will,  in  all  human  probability,  very  soon  be  the  scene  of  a 
bloody  conflict,  I  cannot  but  view  the  great  number  of 
women,  children,  and  infirm  persons,  remaining  in  it,  with 
the  most  melancholy  concern.  When  the  men-of-war  passed 
up  the  river,  the  shrieks  and  cries  of  these  poor  creatures, 
running  every  way  with  their  children,  were  truly  distressing, 
and  I  fear  will  have  an  unhappy  effect  on  the  ears  and 
minds  of  our  young  and  inexperienced  soldiery.  Can  no 
method  be  devised  for  their  removal  ?  Many,  doubtless,  are 
of  ability  to  move  themselves;  but  there  are  others  in  a  dif- 
ferent situation.  Some  provision  for  them  afterwards  would 
also  be  a  necessary  consideration.  It  would  relieve  me  from 
great  anxiety  if  your  honourable  body  would  immediately 
deliberate  upon  it,  and  form  and  execute  some  plan  for  their 
removal  and  relief,  in  which  I  will  cooperate  and  assist  to 
the  utmost  of  my  power.  In  the  mean  time,  I  have  thought  it 
proper  to  recommend  to  persons  under  the  above  description, 
to  convey  themselves  without  delay  to  some  place  of  safety, 
with  their  most  valuable  effects. 

I  have  the  honour,  &,c.  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Honourable  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esquire,  Presi- 
dent, &tc. 


COLONEL  CARY  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

Head -Quarters,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  commanded  by  his  Excellency  to  return  you 
his  thanks  for  your  favour  of  this  morning.  He  is  much 
pleased  to  hear  of  the  good  behaviour  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  Lady  Washington  and  Independence  galleys ;  and  de- 
sires you  will  inquire  into  the  cause  of  the  inactivity  of  the 
other  galleys,  and  inform  him  thereof. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

RICHD.  GARY,  Jun.,  A.  D.  C. 
To  Major-General  Heath. 

WILLIAM  S.  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  August  17, 1776. 

SIR:  Colonel  Hand  has  this  morning  reported  to  the 
General,  that  since  yesterday  evening  four  vessels  of  war 
(one  of  them  the  Solebay)  have  sailed  from  the  fleet  at  the 
Narrows.  Two  brigs,  a  sloop,  and  schooner,  came  in  from 
sea;  and  the  man-of-war  that  lay  off  the  Hook  these  two 
days  past  came  in. 

The  morning  being  very  thick,  he  could  discern  nothing 
distinctly  at  the  Hook;  but  that  late  in  the  evening  of  yes- 
terday some  of  the  foreign  troops  landed  at  the  ferry-way  on 
Staten-Island. 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  General  Greene 
had  a  very  bad  night  of  it,  and  cannot  be  said  to  be  any  bet- 
ter this  morning  than  he  was  yesterday. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  most  obedient  servant, 

WM.  S.  LIVINGSTON. 

NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York,  ) 

Harlem,  August  17,  1776.      $ 

SIR:  Mr.  Denning  hath  made  the  Convention  acquainted 
with  your  Excellency's  sentiments  upon  obstructing  the 
navigation  of  the  East  River  between  the  Grand  Battery 
and  Governour's  Island.  We  now  take  the  liberty  of  en- 
closing the  copy  of  our  resolution  for  that  purpose,  which, 
together  with  this  letter,  will  be  handed  to  your  Excellency 
by  the  gentlemen  of  th«  Committee,  to  whom  we  make  no 
doubt,  sir,  that  you  will  afford  every  assistance  in  your  power. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  most  obedient,  humble  ser- 
vant, AB'M  YATES,  Jun.,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 
New-  York. 


999 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1000 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New- York, 

Harlem,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  im- 
mediately upon  the  receipt  of  your  favour  of  this  morning 
respecting  the  women,  children,  and  infirm  persons,  remaining 
in  the  city  of  New-York,  the  Convention  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee for  the  purpose  of  removing  and  providing  for  such 
persons.  I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  resolves  lor  that  purpose, 
and  hope  you  will  soon  be  relieved  from  the  anxiety  which 
their  continuance  in  town  has  occasioned;  and  have  the 
honour  to  be,  with  very  great  respect,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  AB>M  YATES;  Jun ^  PresidenL 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 
New-  York. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York,  > 

at  Harlem,  August  17,  1776.      $ 

Resolved,  That  the  women,  children,  and  infirm  persons, 
in  the  city  of  New-  York,  be  immediately  removed  from  the 
said  city,  agreeable  to  General  Washington's  request  of  this 
House,  in  his  letter  of  this  date. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Lott,  Mr.  James  Beekman,  Mr. 
John  Berrien,  (Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  New-York,) 
and  Mr.  John  Campbell,  (a  member  of  the  said  Committee,) 
be  empowered  to  remove  such  persons  to  such  place  or  places 
in  this  State  as  they  shall  think  proper;  and  that  this  Con- 
vention will  pay  the  expenses  incident  to  the  removal  and 
maintenance  of  such  persons  as  the  said  Committee  shall 
think  in  such  indigent  circumstances  as  not  to  be  able  to 
remove  and  subsist  themselves. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Committee  of  New-York  be 
earnestly  requested  to  give  all  possible  assistance  to  the  above 
gentlemen,  in  carrying  into  execution  the  above  Resolutions 
in  the  most  expeditious  manner  possible. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary. 

We,  the  subscribers,  being  appointed  by  the  Convention 
of  this  State,  in  the  above  Resolutions,  give  this  publick  notice 
to  all  such  poor  persons  in  this  city  who  are  proper  objects, 
that  we  will  attend  that  business  at  the  Exchange  Room, 
every  morning,  from  eight  till  twelve  o'clock,  to  give  permits 
to  them,  and  procure  vessels  to  remove  them  to  proper 
places  in  the  country,  where  they  will  be  accommodated 
agreeable  to  the  above  Resolutions. 

ABRAHAM  P.  LOTT, 
JAMES  BEEKMAN, 
JOHN  BERRIEN, 
JOHN  CAMPBELL. 


GENERAL  SCHL'YLEH  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  17,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  On  the  15th,  at  night,  I  returned  to 
this  place,  and  found  your  favours  of  the  5th  and  llth  in- 
stant. 

Carleton's  conduct  convinces  me  that  he  is  not  much  read 
in  the  law  of  nations  or  the  laws  of  war.  Most,  if  not  all  the 
great  writers  have  clearly  laid  down  the  line  of  conduct  that 
is  to  be  held  by  both  parties  in  such  a  contest  as  we  are  now 
engaged  in. 

I  intended  to  have  wrote  you  yesterday,  but  could  not 
finish  my  letters  to  Congress  and  General  Washington  until 
eight  at  night,  having  been  interrupted  by  a  fit  of  the  ague. 

1  enclose  you  copies  of  sundry  resolutions  of  Congress, 
which  1  received  at  the  German-Flats, on  Sunday,  the  llth 
instant.  You  will  please  to  carry  into  execution  such  of 
them  as  you  can.  Lest,  through  the  constant  interruption 
of  the  Indians  at  the  German-Flats,  I  should  have  omitted 
sending  you  some  of  the  resolutions  of  Congress  which  I 
received  when  there,  I  now  also  enclose  you  copies  of  the 
whole,  which  you  will  also  please  to  attend  to. 

You  will  perceive  by  the  resolutions  of  the  30th  ultimo, 
that  Congress  has  concurred  with  their  Committee  in  assign- 
ing three  causes  for  the  miscarriages  in  Canada.  My  char- 
acter has  been  so  infamously  traduced,  and  the  misfortunes 
in  that  quarter  so  generally  imputed  to  me,  that  I  have 
informed  Congress  that  the  three  causes  assigned  are  not 
the  only  ones.  And  I  have  entreated  them  to  have  the 


strictest  and  most  minute  inquiry  made  into  my  conduct; 
that,  if  I  am  in  fault,  I  may  meet  with  the  punishment  and 
detestation  due  to  me;  if  not,  that  the  publick  odium  may 
be  transferred  to  the  proper  objects.  If  I  had  continued 
any  longer  silent  on  the  subject,  it  would  have  been  construed 
as  a  tacit  avowal  of  my  guilt. 

I  have  also  written  General  Washington  on  the  subject 
of  the  outrage  the  General  Officers  in  this  department  have 
sustained  by  the  decision  of  the  Council  of  Officers  at  New- 
York,  on  the  removal  of  the  Army  to  Ticonderoga,  copy  of 
which  I  enclose  you. 

Mr.  TrumbuU,  the  Paymaster,  informs  me  that  some  of 
the  Militia  from  the  Eastern  Colonies  have  had  themselves 
inoculated  on  their  march  to  Skenesborough ;  and  also  a 
number  of  ihe  carpenters  sent  from  Rhode-Island.  If  this 
fatal  distemper  should  again  reach  the  Army,  it  will  effect- 
ually ruin  it.  I,  therefore,  by  this  conveyance  transmit  an 
order  to  General  Watcrbury  to  send  two  or  three  trusty 
officers  to  stop  all  such  as  have  inoculated  themselves,  and 
not  to  permit  them  to  join  the  Army  on  any  account. 

Be  pleased  to  order  a  return  of  the  Army  to  be  sent  me, 
specifying  at  what  time  the  Militia  of  the  different  Colonies 
have  arrived,  that  I  may  transmit  it  to  Congress  the  soonest 
possible. 

I  shall  this  day  order  a  party  from  hence,  to  repair  the 
road  as  far  as  Fort  Edward.  I  am  informed  that  it  is  almost 
impassable. 

Be  so  good  as  to  order  a  return  of  the  provisions  with 
the  Army  to  be  sent  to  me  as  expeditiously  as  possible. 

I  am  extremely  happy  to  learn  that  all  goes  well  with 
you.  I  find  it  does  so  in  the  Naval  Department ;  and  hope 
that  it  will  soon  be  so  formidable  as  effectually  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  even  attempting  to  cross  the  Lakes. 

I  enclose  you  copies  of  two  letters  just  now  received  from 
Governour  TrumbuU.  You  will  perceive  the  sail-cloth  and 
part  of  the  cordage  is  purchased,  and  I  suppose  now  on  the 
way  to  Skenesborough.  It  is  probable  that  the  Hessians 
are  arrived  at  Staten-Island ;  if  so,  we  must  soon  expect  to 
hear  of  a  battle. 

It  is  said  that  chevaux-de-frise  are  sunk  about  ten  miles 
above  New-  York,  and  that  they  so  effectually  stop  the  chan- 
nel as  to  prevent  large  vessels  from  passing.  If  so,  the  two 
on  this  side  now  will  not  be  able  to  return. 

Previous  to  our  speech  to  the  Six-Nations,  two  of  their 
chiefs  called  upon  us,  to  request  that  we  should  condole  with 
them  on  the  death  of  a  chief  warrior  killed  at  the  Cedars  or 
by  Major  Sherburne's  party.  We  resented  the  request  with 
indignation,  and  informed  them  that  we  expected  they  should 
take  the  hatchet  out  of  our  heads  and  bury  it.  They  have 
done  this,  and  made  concessions  for  their  conduct.  I  do 
not  believe  they  will  molest  our  frontier  inhabitants,  though 
some  few  may  possibly  join  Carleton. 

As  soon  as  1  have  arranged  matters  here,  I  propose  to 
pay  you  a  visit.  I  do  not  believe  that  the  ague  will  stick 
to  me  any  time.  Adieu,  my  dear  sir. 

I  am,  affectionately  and  very  sincerely,  your  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  n  <-, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates,  &ic.,  &c.,  &tc. 

P.  S.  I  enclose  a  commission  for  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Wood,  which  please  to  deliver,  and  be  so  good  as  to  con- 
gratulate him  on  the  promotion. 

Please  to  show  General  Arnold  the  extract  of  my  letter 
of  the  6th  to  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  17,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Just  after  I  had  closed  my  letter  of  this 
day's  date,  yours  of  the  1st  instant  was  delivered  me  by 
Mesnard.  I  have  not  had  time  to  speak  to  Mr.  Traverse. 

We  have  people  in  every  part  of  the  country  trying  to 
procure  the  necessary  articles  for  the  Army  and  Navy,  and 
they  shall  be  forwarded  without  delay. 

The  General's  letter  to  you  was  enclosed  in  that  to  Con- 
gress, and  a  copy  of  it  sent  to  me ;  but  as  I  judged  it  was  by 
mistake,  I  took  the  liberty  to  substitute  the  copy  for  the  ori- 
ginal, and  now  enclose  you  the  letter,  together  with  yours 
to  him. 

I  wish  you  had  sent  to  Saratoga  for  anything  you  stood 
in  need  of.  I  shall  immediately  order  my  overseer  to  send 


1001 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1002 


a  constant  supply  of  what  he  has,  and  order  Lieutenant  Van 
Vechten,  who  commands  the  party  there,  to  send  a  man  with 
it  to  St.  George,  and  Colonel  Gamevoort  another  to  deliver 
it  to  you,  otherwise  you  will  receive  very  little  of  what  is 
sent. 

Adieu,  my  dear  sir,  and  believe  me,  affectionately,  your 
obedient,  humble  servant,  PR   ScHUYLER. 

To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 


H.  GLEN  TO  WALTER  LIVINGSTON. 

Schenectady,  August  17,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Whereas  I  have  now  two  companies  of  bat- 
teau-men  come  down  from  Fort  Stanwix,  and  have  General 
Schuyler's  orders  to  load  them  with  flour,  and  find  that  I 
will  not  be  able  to  load  the  boats  at  present  unless  I  have 
the  flour  you  yesterday  engaged  from  Mr.  Tobias  Ten  Eyck, 
which  he  was  to  send  to  Fort  George.  I  have  been  with 
him.  He- tells  me  he  cannot  let  me  have  it  unless  I  pro- 
duce an  order  from  you.  Mr.  Ten  Eyck  tells  me  he  will 
expect  to  get  the  very  same  price  for  the  flour  as  the  mer- 
chants get  at  Albany.  I  shall  expect  your  answer  this 
evening. 

I  am.  sir,  your  most  humble  servant,  TT  p 

To  W.  Livingston,  Esq.,  Deputy  Commissary-General. 

P.  S.  I  would  be  glad  to  know  what  I  must  give  for 
peas. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  AT  FORT  STANWIX, 
DATED  AUGUST  17,  1776. 

Part  of  the  Third  Battalion  of  New-Jersey  troops  being 
stationed  here  about  three  weeks  ago,  it  was  thought  proper 
to  send  a  Sergeant  and  four  men  to  reconnoitre  towards 
Oswego;  but  Ensign  Isaiah  Younglove  being  desirous  to  go, 
went  in  the  room  of  the  Sergeant;  and  having  travelled  about 
sixty  miles,  the  party  was  fired  on  early  one  morning  by  a  party 
of  ten  Indians,  but  their  guns  being  wet,  (it  having  rained 
the  preceding  night,)  they  could  not  return  the  fire.  The 
Ensign  and  another,  after  repeatedly  priming,  at  length  dis- 
charged their  pieces.  They  were  then  directed  by  the  En- 
sign to  fix  their  bayonets,  who  at  that  instant  received  a  ball 
in  his  lungs  and  fell.  Notwithstanding,  he  ordered  his  men 
to  advance,  and,  laying  on  his  back,  loaded  and  shot  one  of 
the  Indians  dead.  But  two  of  his  men  being  killed,  he  de- 
sired the  others  to  flee,  telling  them  he  could  not  live  more 
than  five  minutes,  and  that  it  was  a  pity  they  should  expose 
their  own  lives.  The  surviving  two  came  off  and  gave  us 
the  above  account. 


GENERAL  WATERBUHY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  17,  1776. 

GENERAL  GATES  :  At  the  time  that  General  Arnold  was 
here  he  informed  me  that  he  thought  there  was  some  quarter- 
deck plank  seasoned,  which,  if  they  are  to  be  had,  I  wish  you 
may  send  them  to  this  as  soon  as  possible,  which  I  shall  take 
as  a  great  favour. 

Am,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  Honour's  most  obe- 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

P.  S.  I  am  informed  there  are  no  deck-nails  at  Ticonde- 
roga,  therefore  I  am  going  to  send  this  moment  an  express 
to  Albany  to  have  them  forwarded  with  all  speed. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  17,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  The  very  last  batteaus  and  oars  are 
now  going  off  with  Captain  Gray's  company  and  the  tents, 
and  if  other  companies  should  arrive  it  would  be  impossible 
to  forward  them  to  Ticonderoga.  I  should  be  extremely 
glad  your  Honour  would  order  some  forwarded  here  as  soon 
as  may  be  convenient. 

I  arn,  dear  General,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  hum- 
ble servant, 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  We  are  obliged  to  employ  twelve  boats  constantly 

*          TI7  7     /~~*  7  * 

m  Wood  Lreek. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

Tyonderoga,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  This  is  accompanied  by  twenty  batteaus,  with  one 
hundred  men,  in  order  to  bring  forward  such  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts troops  together  with  any  tents  that  may  be  already 
arrived  at  Skenesborough.  and  must  beg  you  will  not  allow 
either  the  above  troops  or  tents  to  remain  with  you  after  their 
arrival  longer  than  is  absolutely  necessary.  I  am  sorry  I 
have  it  not  in  my  power  to  forward  you  any  seasoned  plank, 
as  we  have  not  a  foot  here  at  present,  but  expect  some  daily, 
when  it  shall  be  immediately  forwarded. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  obedient,  humble  servant. 
By  order  of  the  General : 

WALTER  STEWART,  Aid-de-  Camp. 
To  the  Hon.  General  Waterbury. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  COLONEL  GANSEVOORT. 

Tyonderoga,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  You  will  order  the  Commissary  at  your  post  imme- 
diately to  receive  into  his  store  the  rum  and  brandy  brought 
there  by  the  bearer,  Mr.  Isaac  Arnott,  The  Commissary 
will  give  his  receipt  to  Mr.  Arnott  for  the  quantity  and 
quality,  and  General  Schuyler  will  settle  the  account  with 
the  bearer.  I  have  by  this  conveyance  ordered  the  Deputy 
Commissary-General  here  to  write  to  your  Commissary  to 
acquaint  him  when  it  will  be  necessary  to  send  more  rum 
here. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gansevoort. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  17,  1776 — Saturday  night,  ) 

eight  o'clock.      \ 

DEAR  GENERAL:  About  two  o'clock  this  afternoon,  Col- 
onel Hartley  acquainted  me  that  a  party  of  his  men,  who 
were  posted  seven  miles  down  the  Lake  as  a  covering  party 
to  the  oar  makers,  had  made  a  large  fire  as  a  signal  that  the 
enemy  were  approaching.  I  sent  Colonel  Hartley,  with  one 
hundred  men,  to  secure  the  retreat  of  the  party,  if  attacked, 
and  ordered  the  two  light  schooners  down  the  Lake  to  cover 
them.  They  were  no  sooner  under  weigh,  than  Commo- 
dore Wyrikoop  fired  a  shot,  and  brought  them  to,  and  soon 
after  sent  me  a  note,  (copy  of  which  I  enclose,  with  my 
order  to  the  Captains  of  the  schooners,  and  answer  to  the 
Commodore's  note.)  I  waited  some  time,  expecting  the 
vessels  to  sail;  but  finding  they  did  not,  went  on  board  the 
Commodore,  when  he  ordered  them  under  sail.  He  refuses 
to  be  commanded  by  any  one,  and  imagines  his  appoint- 
ment (which  is  by  General  Schuyler)  cannot  be  superseded. 
I  have  shown  him  such  parts  of  your  instructions  as  I  thought 
necessary,  which  has  brought  him  so  far  to  reason.  He 
says,  if  you  think  proper  to  turn  him  out,  he  will  quit  the 
vessel.  I  have  given  him  to  understand  that  I  shall  at  all 
events  pursue  your  orders,  and  that  if  he  did  not  incline  to 
remain  in  the  service,  he  would  not  be  compelled  to  it. 
Colonel  Hartley  is  not  yet  returned. 

I  am,  with  sentiments  of  respect  and  esteem,  dear  Gen- 
eral, your  obedient,  humble  servant,  ^  . 

'  }  B.  ARNOLD. 


Crown-Point,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  You  will  immediately  get  your  vessels  under  sail, 
and  proceed  down  the  Lake  seven  or  eight  miles.  If  you 
make  any  discovery  of  the  enemy,  you  will  immediately 
give  me  notice;  if  none,  return  as  soon  as  possible. 

B.  ARNOLD,  Brigadier-General. 
To  Captain  Seaman. 


On  board  the  Royal  Savage,  August  17,  1776. 
SIR:  I  find,  by  an  order  you  have  given  out,  that  the 
schooners  are  to  go  down  the  Lake.  I  know  no  orders  but 
what  shall  be  given  out  by  me,  except  sailing  orders  from 
the  Commander-in-Chief.  If  an  enemy  is  approaching,  I 
am  to  be  acquainted  with  it,  and  know  how  to  act  in  my 
station.  I  am,  sir,  yours, 

JACOBUS  WYNKOOP, 
Commander  of  Lake  Champlain. 


1003 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1004 


SIR:  I  am  surprised  that  you  pretend  to  contradict  my 
orders  to  the  Captains  of  the  schooners  at  this  time,  when 
we  are  alarmed  by  a  signal  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy; 
and  much  more  so,  as  I  acquainted  you  some  time  since  that 
the  Commander-in-Chief  had  appointed  me  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  Navy  on  the  Lake.  Had  I  not  received  this 
appointment,  from  my  rank  in  the  Army,  and  as  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  this  post,  it  is  your  duty  to  obey  my 
orders,  which  you  have  received  and  executed  for  some  time 
past.  You  surely  must  be  out  of  your  senses  to  say  no  orders 
shall  be  obeyed  but  yours.  Do  you  imagine  that  Congress 
have  given  you  a  superior  command  over  the  Commander- 
in-Chief,  or  that  you  are  not  to  be  under  his  direction  ?  If 
you  do,  give  me  leave  to  say  you  are  much  mistaken;  and 
if  you  do  not  suffer  my  orders  to  be  immediately  complied 
with  by  sending  to  the  Captains  of  the  schooners  to  obey 
them,  I  shall  be  under  the  disagreeable  necessity  of  con- 
vincing you  of  your  error,  by  immediately  arresting  you. 

B.  ARNOLD, 
Brigadier-General,  and  Commander-in-  Chief  of  the 

Fleet  on  Lake  Champlain. 
To  Commodore  /.  Wynkoop. 


COMMODORE  WYNKOOP  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  understood  that  General  Arnold  is  to  have 
the  command  of  the  Navy;  and  if  that  be  so,  he  ought  to 
have  shown  me  his  power  to  it;  but  instead  of  that,  he  sent 
an  order  for  two  of  the  schooners  to  get  under  weigh  and 
go  down  the  Lake,  upon  some  information  he  says  he  had 
of  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Was  it  not  his  duty  to  have 
communicated  it  to  me,  and  my  orders  to  have  been  given 
to  the  vessels?  I  have  contradicted  them,  till  he  acquainted 
me  with  some  accounts  of  the  enemy,  and  then  1  imme- 
diately issued  out  my  orders  for  them  to  go  down.  Sir,  if 
that  be  the  case,  I  would  be  glad  of  my  dismission  from 
the  service,  for  I  accepted  of  this  command  upon  these  con- 
ditions. Major-General  Schuyler  has  a  letter  which  I  brought 
up  to  him  from  Congress,  that  no  man  was  to  take  the  com- 
mand from  me ;  and  when  he  had  read  the  letter,  he  told 
me  I  need  not  to  fear,  that  no  one  should  have  it  but  me ; 
and  the  Congress  of  New -York  promised  me  that  if  any  one 
should  arrive  here  authorized  to  take  the  command  by  the 
honourable  Continental  Congress,  I  was  to  be  dismissed  the 
service,  and  have  the  command  of  one  of  the  frigates  building 
up  the  North  River,  for  I  am  resolved  to  go  under  command 
of  no  man.  I  will  receive  general  orders  to  sail,  and  how  far, 
and  will  obey  the  Cornrnander-in-Chief 's  orders ;  but  if  I  have 
the  command,  I  expect  to  give  orders  to  the  Captains  of  the 
fleet  when  I  receive  them  from  the  Commander-in-Chief. 
I  refer  your  Honour  to  a  copy  of  my  warrant,  a  copy  of 
Major-General  Schuyler's  letter,  and  his  orders,  here  en- 
closed. 

Sir,  if  you  find  my  grievance  well  founded,  I  hope  your 
Honour  will  be  pleased  to  redress  it. 

I  am,  sir,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Honour's  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JACOBUS  WYNKOOP,  Commander. 


days.  I  send  enclosed  the  resolve  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety  of  Williamstown,  as  also  a  line  Captain  Eddy  received 
from  Brigadier-General  Waterbury.  General  Gates'  s  orders 
per  the  express,  Mr.  Joseph  Skinner,  will  lay  a  particular 
obligation  on  Captain  Eddy  and  company,  and  much  oblige 
your  humble  servant, 


CAPTAIN  EDDY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Williamstown,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  requested  by  Captain  Eddy,  Commander  of  a 
company  of  ship  carpenters  from  Rhode-Island,  to  inform 
that  said  Captain  and  company  having  been  exposed  to  take 
the  small-pox  on  their  march  from  Rhode-Island,  (as  the 
General  will  see  by  the  enclosed,)  have  since  been  inocula- 
ted, and  are  now  sick  with  said  disorder  in  said  Williams- 
town;  and  that  he  (Captain  Eddy)  being  taken  with  a  violent 
dysentery,  despairs  of  life;  but  still  anxious  for  the  welfare 
of  his  soldiers,  desires  the  General  to  do  something  for  them. 
They  having  received  but  one  month's  advance  pay,  have 
not  money  sufficient  for  their  march  to  Skeneslorough,  in 
case  the  General,  upon  information,  should  give  orders  for 
said  march ;  neither  a  sufficiency  to  return  to  Rhode-Island 
when  discounted  with  their  doctoring  and  nursing.  Said 
carpenters'  utensils,  being  their  own  property,  are  now  at 
Skenesborough,  they  will  be  out  of  business  in  case  of  return. 
Ten  of  said  company  having  formerly  had  the  small-pox, 
are  gone  forward ;  the  remainder  may  safely  march  in  eight 


PAGE 
Per  order  Captain  Eddy. 

N.  B.  The  General  will  please  to  inquire  of  the  bearer  for 
particulars. 

Skenesborough,  August  12,  1776. 

I  have  received  a  line  from  General  Gates  concerning 
you  who  have  been  inoculated,  which  I  will  communicate 
to  you:  "The  companies  of  ship  carpenters  from  Rhode- 
Island,  who  have  been  inoculated  at  Williamstoivn,  should 
be  discharged,  and  not  suffered  to  come  forward."  The 
foregoing  are  the  words  of  the  General.  I  think  as  much  as 
to  say  you  are  not  to  come  in  the  service;  we  don't  intend 
to  let  any  one  come  into  this  place  that  has  lately  had  the 
small-pox,  (for  you  know  that  has  been  the  bane  of  our 
Northern  Army,)  and  we  have  got  it  out  of  this  place  and 
Ticonderoga,  and  we  are  determined  to  use  every  precaution 
to  keep  it  clear  ;  and  for  men  to  go  and  inoculate,  and  presume 
to  come  here  among  fresh  troops,  we  think  it  monstrous. 
DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jr., 

Brigadier-General. 
To  the  Captain  and  Company  of  Carpenters  at  Williams- 

town. 

Williamstown,  August  4,  1776. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  &tc.,  of  this 
Town, 

Resolved,  That  whereas  we  are  informed  that  Captain 
Eddy,  from  Providence,  in  the  Colony  of  Rhode-Island,  with 
thirty-nine  of  his  men,  now  in  the  Continental  service,  having 
been  exposed  to  the  small-pox,  and  having  since  then  taken 
it  by  inoculation,  without  our  knowledge,  and  said  men 
appearing  to  us  to  be  under  necessity  cf  immediate  care 
taken,  and  provision  made  for  their  sickness,  we  do  hereby 
give  orders  that  the  house  belonging  to  Ephraim  Seely,  which 
stands  near  said  Seely's  saw-mill,  shall  be  repaired  and  made 
convenient  for  their  reception;  and  that  David  Noble  be 
appointed  to  put  said  house  in  order,  and  to  make  provision 
and  provide  suitable  diet  for  said  company,  from  the  time 
they  go  into  said  house  till  they  each  of  them  shall  obtain 
certificates  from  their  Doctors  of  their  being  sufficiently 
cleansed  from  said  disorder.  And  said  company  to  depart 
to  said  pest  house  next  Wednesday  morning,  and  not  to  re- 
turn into  the  town  till  after  cleansing. 

And  for  the  further  preventing  all  inconveniences  which 
may  arise, 

It  is  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Kellogg,  and  William 
Horseford,  and  Daniel  Straiten,  be  a  Committee  to  give 
their  attendance  at  the  time  of  each  man's  cleansing,  and  be 
fully  satisfied  that  they  are  fully  and  well  cured  and  cleaned, 
and  may  safely  depart.  And  this  Committee  strictly  enjoin 
and  order  that  no  one  of  the  aforesaid  infected  persons  shall 
come  or  go  within  the  distance  of  thirty  rods  of  any  dwel- 
ling-house, or  town  or  country  road. 

Given  under  our  hands,  this  4th  day  of  August,  A.  D. 
1776. 

Per  order:  ISAAC  STRATTON,  Committee's  Clerk. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  NATHANIEL  SHAW,  JUN. 

Lebanon,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  before  me  your  letter  of  this  day.  Have 
advised  Captain  Hinman  to  go  on  a  cruise. 

The  Tories  who  are  left  prisoners  in  the  care  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  New-London,  will  be  duly  taken  care  off  till  fur- 
ther orders  are  given,  which  will  be  sent  early  next  week, 
probably  Wednesday  or  Thursday  next.  My  Council  will 
be  with  me  next  Tuesday  noon,  when  that  business  will  be 
attended  to.  They  are  not  to  be  admitted  to  correspond 
with  our  enemies.  The  instructions  sent  with  them  to  be 
observed. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JQNA  TRUMBULL. 

To  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.;  New-London. 


1005 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1006 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  9,  1776: 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez  Huntington, 
Jed.  Eiderkin,  Nath.  Wales,  Jun.,  Wm.  Hillhouse,  Benj. 
Huntington,  Esquires. 

Voted,  To  draw  on  the  Pay-Table,  for  two  months' 
billeting  for  the  Forces  in  the  Colony  service  at  Fairfield, 
under  command  of  Lieutenant  John  Mills. 

Order  delivered  Lieutenant  Mills  this  day. 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Fairfield 
have  liberty,  at  the  expense  of  the  Town,  to  take  two  of  the 
Colony's  Cannon,  now  at  the  Furnace  at  Salisbury,  for  the 
use  of  the  Fort  at  Fairfield,  viz:  one  twelve-pounder  and 
one  eighteen-pounder,  if  such  may  be  had;  if  not,  then  two 
twelve-pounders,  and  also  one  ton  of  Shot  suitable  for  the 
Cannon  in  said  Fort,  to  be  improved  in  said  Fort  till  further 
orders  of  the  General  Assembly,  or  the  Governour  and  Com- 
mittee of  Safety.  And  that  if  the  Assembly  or  Governour, 
&c.,  shall  see  fit  to  order  said  two  pieces  of  Cannon  to  any 
other  use  during  the  present  contest,  the  expense  of  trans- 
porting said  Cannon,  &tc.,  to  be  paid  by  the  Colony  to  said 
Town.  And  the  Overseers  of  said  Furnance  are  directed  to 
deliver  said  Cannon  and  Shot  accordingly. 

Copy  delivered  Lieutenant  John  Mills,  9th  August,  1776. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  10,  1776 : 

Present :  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez  Huntington, 
Jed.  Eiderkin,  Wm.  Hillhouse,  Nath.  Wales,  Jun.,  Benj. 
Huntington,  Esquires. 

Ordered  a  number  of  Prisoners  sent  here  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  Albany,  as  inimical  to  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica, to  be  confined  at  the  Jail  in  New-London,  and  none  of 
them  to  go  abroad,  excepting  under  a  trusty  guard,  and  that 
by  land,  and  to  no  more  than  one-half  mile  distance  from 
the  Jail;  and  gave  a  mittimus  to  the  Sheriff  of  New-London 
County,  with  directions  accordingly. 

Also  wrote  to  the  Convention  of  New-York,  and  to  the 
Committee  of  Albany,  on  the  subject  of  supporting  and  con- 
fining their  Prisoners  in  this  Colony. 

Drew  an  Order  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £10,  in  favour  of 
Ensign  John  Fisk,  of  Colonel  Elmer's  Battalion,  to  enable 
him  to  support  his  party  of  Prisoners,  sent  here  by  him  from 
the  Committee  of  Albany,  and  the  same  to  be  repaid  by  Mr. 
Fislc,  or  the  Committee  of  Albany,  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  Jun. 

Order  delivered  to  John  Fisk,  August  10,  1776. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  11,  1776: 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez  Huntington, 
Jed.  Eiderkin,  Wm.  Hillhouse,  Nath.  Wales,  Jun.,  Benj. 
Huntington,  Esquires. 

Voted  and  Ordered,  That  Messrs.  Doolitlle  fy  Co.,  own- 
ers of  the  Powder-Mill  in  New-Haven,  deliver  one  thousand 
pounds  weight  of  the  Colony's  Powder  in  their  hands,  to  the 
Selectmen  of  New-Haven,  as  Town  stock,  and  take  their 
receipt  to  account  for  the  same.  (Copy  delivered  Mr.  Sam- 
uel Thatcher,  August  11,  1776.) 

His  Honour  the  Governour,  by  advice  of  Council,  gave 
orders  to  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  First,  Second, 
Third,  Fourth,  Sixth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Thirteenth,  Fifteenth, 
Sixteenth,  Seventeenth,  Eighteenth,  Nineteenth,  Twenty- 
Second,  and  Twenty-Third  Regiments  of  Militia,  in  this 
State,  to  march  immediately  to  New- York,  and  there  put 
themselves  under  command  of  General  Washington,  until 
the  present  exigency  is  over. 

Voted,  That  the  Militiamen,  who  are  now  ordered  to 
New- York  to  be  under  the  command  of  General  Washing- 
ton, shall  receive  20*.  per  man,  in  advance,  towards  their 
wages,  and  the  Committee  of  Pay-Table  are  directed  imme- 
diately to  send  a  Paymaster,  to  pay  the  same  to  each  man 
accordingly. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  12,  1776: 

Present :   His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez  Huntington, 


Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Eiderkin,  Wm.  Hillhouse,  Nathl.  Wales, 
Jun.,  Benj.  Huntington,  Esquires. 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table,  in 
favour  of  Jesse  Root,  Esq.,  for  £3,600,  as  Paymaster  of 
the  advance  wages  of  the  Officers  and  Men  of  the  Second, 
Fourth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Thirteenth,  Fifteenth,  Sixteenth, 
Seventeenth,  and  Eighteenth  Regiments  of  Militia,  in  this 
Colony,  now  ordered  on  duty  to  New-York,  to  be  by  him 
paid  out  at  the  rate  of  20s.  per  man,  into  the  hands  of  the 
Commanding  Officers  of  each  Regiment.  Also,  that  an  Order 
be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table,  in  favour  of  the  Commanding 
Officers  of  the  First,  Sixth,  Nineteenth,  and  Twenty-Third 
Regiments  of  Militia,  equal  to  20*.  per  man,  that  shall 
march  with  them  to  New-York,  upon  the  application  at  the 
Pay-Table  for  the  same.  Also,  that  an  Order  be  given  to 
the  Pay-Table  to  draw  out  of  the  Treasury  £300,  and 
send  it  by  some  trusty  person  to  the  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  Twenty-Second  Regiment,  with  orders  to  pay  to  said 
Commanding  Officer,  20*.  for  each  man  in  his  Regiment, 
that  shall  march  with  him  to  New-  York.  The  above  moneys 
to  be  accounted  for  by  the  persons  who  receive  the  same  to 
pay  out  as  aforesaid. 

Orders  drawn  August  12th,  1776,  and  delivered  to  Jesse 
Root,  Esquire. 

Gave  an  Order  on  Captain  Samuel  Squire,  of  Fairfield, 
in  favour  of  Captain  Seth  Harding,  for  the  Brig  Defence, 
for  forty  barrels  of  Pork,  and  forty  barrels  of  Beef,  forty 
bushels  of  Beans  and  Peas  and  forty  bushels  of  Indian 
Corn,  for  the  use  of  the  Brig  Defence. 

Order  delivered  Captain  Harding,  August  12,  1776. 

Gave  an  order  on  Captain  Samuel  Squire,  in  favour  of 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  for  sixty  barrels  of  Pork,  for  the 
Colony's  use. 

Order  delivered  Captain  Harding. 

Orders  were  given  to  Captain  Harding,  of  the  Colony's 
Brig  Defence,  to  cruise  against  the  enemies  of  the  United 
American  States,  as  soon  as  fitted  to  sail,  for  the  space  of 
about  eight  weeks,  and  to  use  every  precaution  in  his  power 
and  discretion,  to  cause  any  prize  he  may  take  to  be  brought 
into  some  port  of  the  United  States,  and  there  secured  and 
condemned;  and  after  said  cruise  is  ended,  to  return  to  his 
place  of  rendezvous. 

Gave  an  Order  on  the  Pay-Table,  in  favour  of  Captain 
John  Me  Call,  of  the  Veteran  Guards,  of  the  Twentieth 
Regiment  of  Militia,  now  ordered  to  New-York,  on  publick 
service,  for  20*.  advance  wages,  for  each  soldier  that  shall 
march  under  his  command,  to  be  computed  agreeable  to  the 
number  of  soldiers  he  shall  certify  the  Company  which 
marches  under  his  command  to  consist  of. 

Order  given  12th  August,  1776,  and  delivered  to  Captain 
McCall. 

Gave  orders  to  Captain  McCall,  of  the  Veteran  Guards, 
in  the  Twentieth  Regiment,  to  march  immediately  with  his 
Company,  and  as  many  more  as  will  inlist,  to  the  number  of 
ninety-three,  including  Officers,  to  join  the  Nineteenth  Re- 
giment, and  put  themselves  under  General  Washington,  until 
the  present  emergency  is  over,  and  until  duly  discharged. 

Orders  delivered  Captain  McCall,  12th  August. 

Voted,  That  Oliver  Wolcott,  Esq.,  be,  and  he  is  hereby 
appointed  a  Brigadier-General  of  the  Militia  of  this  State, 
now  ordered  to  march  to  New-  York  to  reinforce  the  Army 
under  the  command  of  General  Washington;  and  his  Honour 
the  Governour  is  desired  to  commissionate  him  accordingly. 

A  Commission  given,  bearing  date  15th  August,  1776. 

Voted,  An  Order  of  £10  on  the  Pay-Table,  in  favour  of 
Daniel  Strong,  to  bear  his  expenses  with  his  Team  to  the 
northward,  with  goods  and  warlike  stores  for  the  Conti- 
nental Army  in  the  Northern  Department. 

Order  delivered  Mr.  Strong,  12th  August. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety 
August  13,  1776 : 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez  Huntington, 
Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Eiderkin,  Wm.  Hillhouse,  Nath.  Wales, 
Jun.,  Benj.  Huntington,  Esquires. 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table  for 
£180,  in  favour  of  Captain  Seth  Warner,  of  Saybrook,  to 
enable  him  to  raise  a  crew  of  forty  seamen  for  the  Naval 


1007 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1008 


service  of  the  United  States  of  America,  on  the  Lakes  to 
the  northward.  They  are  to  receive  a  hounty  of  £6  for 
Inlisting;  for  finding  themselves  Blankets,  12s.;  Guns,  6s.; 
and  Cartouch-Boxes,  and  Belts,  and  Knapsacks,  2s.;  and 
one  month's  wages,  being  48s.,  advanced,  according  to  Pro- 
clamation; said  Warner  to  lodge  a  bond  with  surety  for  his 
faithful  use  of  the  money. 

Order  drawn  13th  August,  1776,  and  delivered  Captain 
Warner. 

A  number  of  Letters  were  written  and  sent  in  answer  to 
Letters  from  General  Schuyler,  General  Gates,  the  Paymas- 
ter, fee.  Sent  by  Brown,  the  post-rider. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  14,  1776: 

Present :  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez  Huntington, 
Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Elderkin,  Nath.  Wales,  Benj.  Hunt- 
ington, Esquires. 

His  Honour  the  Governour  appointed  Mr.  Young  Led- 
yard  a  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses  in  the  Company  at  Groton, 
under  command  of  Captain  William  Ledyard,  instead  of 
who  resigned. 

Voted  and  Ordered,  That  the  pay  of  the  Officers  and 
Privates  in  the  Companies  of  Matrosses  in  Colonel  Erastus 
Wolcotfs  Regiment  shall  be  the  same  as  the  other  Officers 
and  Privates  of  the  same  Regiment,  excepting  Gunners, 
whose  pay  was  on  the  9th  of  July  last  determined  to  be  44s. 
per  month. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  on  the  Committee  of  Pay-Table 
for  the  sum  of  £150,  in  favour  of  Nathaniel  Miner,  Esq., 
Commissary  of  the  Company  at  Stonington,  and  to  be  on 
account. 

Order  drawn  and  delivered  Nathaniel  Miner,  Esquire, 
August  14. 

Captain  John  McCaU,  of  the  Company  of  Veteran  Guards 
in  Norwich,  exhibited  to  this  Board  a  Return  of  his  Officers 
and  men,  who  furnished  and  equipped  themselves  in  pursu- 
ance of  a  Proclamation  from  his  Honour  the  Governour,  by 
advice  of  his  Council  of  Safety,  on  the  6th  day  of  May  last, 
to  stand  ready  to  march  at  a  minute's  warning  to  the  defence 
of  this  and  the  neighbouring  States;  by  which  Return  there 
appears  to  be  due  to  said  Company  the  sum  of  £16  15*., 
which  is  allowed;  and  voted  to  draw  an  Order  on  the  Pay- 
Table  for  said  sum  of  £16  15s.  in  favour  of  said  Captain 
John  McCall,  as  Paymaster  to  his  Company,  for  the  same. 

Order  drawn  and  delivered  Captain  McCall  14th  August. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  15,  1776: 

Present :  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Titus  Hosmer,  Jed. 
Elderkin,  Wm.  Hillhouse,  Nath.  Wales,  Jun.,  Benj.  Hunt- 
ington, Esquires. 

The  Governour  gave  an  order  to  Doctor  Thomas  Russell, 
of  Colonel  Swift's  Regiment,  in  the  words  following,  viz : 

"Lebanon,  August  15,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  As  our  people  in  the  Northern  Army  are 
in  want  of  proper  medicines,  which  cannot  at  this  time  be  had 
there  for  the  use  of  our  troops,  I  have  judged  it  necessary 
to  furnish  Dr.  Thomas  Russell  with  a  small  quantity  of  such 
articles  as  are  needful  for  the  present,  and  desire  you  to  fur- 
nish the  Doctor  with  such  as  he  shall  apply  for,  and  send 
me  the  invoice  of  the  same;  for  which  an  order  in  your  favour 
on  the  Treasurer  will  be  sent  to  you. 

"I  am,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant, 

"  JONA.  TRUMBULL. 

"To  Messrs.  Smith  Sf  Coit,  Hartford." 

Voted,  To  draw  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £400  in  favour 
of  Doctor  Joshua  Elderkin,  to  enable  him  to  purchase  Tents 
and  Clothing  for  the  Continental  Army  in  the  Northern  De- 
partment, to  be  paid  out  of  the  moneys  lodged  in  the  Trea- 
sury by  Mr.  Sherman  for  that  purpose,  if  any  there  be,  other- 
wise to  be  paid  out  of  the  proper  Treasury  of  this  Colony, 
and  to  render  his  account. 

Order  drawn  and  delivered  Nathaniel  Wales,  Jun.,  Au- 
gust 15,  1776. 

Voted,  To  allow  26*.  on  the  account  of  Captain  Edmund 
Badger,  for  hire  of  horse  and  damage  done  him  by  John 


Van  Aulin,  an  express  from  General  Washington  to  Boston, 
July  3,  1776. 

Order  drawn  and  delivered  Mr.  Wales,  August  15,  1776. 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  John  Munro  and  Henry  Van 
Schaick,  two  of  the  prisoners  sent  into  this  State  by  the 
Committee  of  Albany  County  in  the  State  of  New-  York, 
under  accusation,  viz:  said  Munro  of  inlisting  soldiers  for 
the  Ministerial  Army  and  being  an  officer,  said  Van  Schaick 
of  being  a  disaffected  person,  corresponding  with  the  Tories 
in  Connecticut,  with  a  desire  that  they  may  be  safely  kept 
in  this  State,  be  sent  to  East  Haddam,  there  to  reside  under 
their  parole  of  honour  that  they  will  continue  in  the  place 
or  places  of  their  residence,  and  not  depart  more  than  two 
miles  from  the  same,  nor  cross  Connecticut  River  if  within 
two  miles  of  the  same;  and  that  they  will  not,  directly  or 
indirectly,  correspond  by  message,  writing,  or  otherwise, 
with  the  enemies  of  the  United  States  of  America,  or  any 
person  or  persons  within  said  States  inimical,  or  reputed  in- 
imical, to  the  liberties  of  the  same;  and  that  they  will  neither 
do  nor  say  anything  in  prejudice  of  the  interests  of  said 
United  States,  or  in  opposition  to  the  Acts  and  Resolves  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  the  General  Assembly  of  this 
State,. or  any  Provincial  Assembly,  Convention,  or  Congress, 
or  of  the  measures  pursued  or  pursuing  by  them  or  by  their 
order;  and  that  they  will  not  associate  or  hold  correspond- 
ence with  any  prisoner  or  prisoners  of  war  of  said  United 
States,  nor  send  or  receive  any  letter  or  billet  to  or  from  any 
person  or  persons  whatsoever  without  first  submitting  such 
letter  or  billet  to  the  inspection  and  observation  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Inspection  of  said  East  Haddam,  or  some  of  them, 
and  receiving  their  approbation  of  such  letter  or  billet  and 
consent  that  the  same  may  be  sent;  and  that  said  Commit- 
tee of  East  Haddam  be  desired  and  directed  to  take  the 
oversight  of  said  Munro  and  Van  Schaick,  and  observe  how 
they  keep  their  parole;  and  that  in  case  they  find  that  said 
parole  is  broken  in  any  respect  by  said  Munro  and  Van 
Schaick,  or  either  of  them,  that  they  immediately  arrest 
them,  the  said  Munro  and  Van  Schaick,  and  them  hold  in 
safe  custody  until  they  give  notice  thereof  to  his  Honour  the 
Governour  and  receive  his  further  orders  thereon. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  16,  1776 : 

Present:  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jz.  Huntington, 
Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Elderkin,  William  Hillhouse,  Nathl. 
Wales,  Jun.,  Benj.  Huntington,  Esquires. 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  in  favour  of  Captain 
James  Rice  for  £672  6s.  5d.,  on  the  Pay-Table,  in  bal- 
ance of  his  Accounts  rendered  to  this  time. 

Order  drawn  and  delivered  Captain  Rice. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  in  favour  of  Captain  David 
Hawley  for  £  180,  to  enable  him  to  raise  a  crew  of  Seamen 
for  the  Naval  service  of  the  United  States  of  America  on  the 
Lakes  to  the  northward ;  to  which  service  he  is  appointed  a 
Captain.  Said  money  to  be  disposed  of  by  him  in  the  same 
ways  and  manner  as  was  directed  to  Captain  Warner  on  the 
13th  instant. 

Order  drawn  the  16th  of  August,  and  delivered  Captain 
Hawley. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  in  favour  of  Captain  Frederick 
Chappell,  of  New-Haven,  for  the  sum  of  £  180,  to  enable  him 
to  raise  a  crew  of  Seamen  for  the  Naval  service  of  the  United 
States  of  America  on  the  Lakes  to  the  northward  ;  to  which 
service  he  is  appointed  a  Captain.  Said  money  to  be  dis- 
posed of  by  him  in  the  same  ways  and  manner  as  was 
directed  to  Captain  Warner  on  the  13th  instant. 

Order  drawn  the  16th  of  August,  and  delivered  Captain 
Chappell. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  on  the  Pay-Table  for  the  sum 
of  £50,  in  favour  of  Captain  Walter  Hyde,  of  the  Indepen- 
dent Company  under  his  command,  for  the  advance  wages 
of  20s.  per  man  before  they  march. 

Whereas  the  enemies  of  these  States  have  frequent  inter- 
course with  the  inhabitants  of  Block-Island,  and  there  is 
great  danger  of  their  giving  them  intelligence  that  may  be 
prejudicial  to  these  States :  It  is  therefore 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  from  and  after  the  20th  day 
of  August  instant,  no  Boat  from  Block-Island  be  permitted 
to  enter  into  any  creek,  inlet,  or  harbour,  in  this  State;  and 


1009 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1010 


tlmt  in  case  any  such  Boat  shall  put  into  any  such  creek, 
inlet,  or  harbour,  the  same  shall  be  seized  and  detained  in 
safe  custody,  with  the  persons  on  board  the  same.  And  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  troops  at  the  different  Forts  on 
the  sea-coast  of  this  State,  and  all  the  Captains  and  chief 
officers  of  any  armed  vessels  in  the  service  of  this  State,  are 
ordered  and  required  to  take  effectual  care  that  this  resolve 
be  carried  into  execution ;  and  in  case  of  seizure,  the  person 
or  persons  making  the  same,  are  directed  to  give  immediate 
notice  to  his  Honour  the  Governour,  and  receive  his  further 
orders  touching  the  same;  and  that  this  resolve  continue  in 
force  until  the  General  Assembly  or  this  Board  order  other- 
wise. 

A  copy  was  sent  to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Forts 
at  New-London,  August  17,  1776,  by  hand  of  N.  Hun- 
tington. 

Voted,  To  draw  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £2,168  12*.  5d., 
lawful  money,  in  favour  of  Captain  Charles  Walker,  of  New- 
Providence,  it  being  for  the  purchase  of  a  large  Bermudian 
built  Sloop,  for  the  use  of  an  armed  vessel. 

Order  drawn  and  delivered  Charles  Walker,  August  16, 
1776. 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table  in 
favour  of  Captain  Adam  Shapley  for  £63  8*.,  for  the  bounty 
and  first  month's  wages  of  his  men,  now  inlisted  into  his 
Company — he  lodging,  or  causing  to  be  lodged,  a  proper 
bond,  in  due  form,  for  his  faithful  use  and  accounting  for 
such  money  as  he  shall  draw  out  of  the  Treasury. 

Order  delivered  Nathaniel  Richards  16th  of  August. 

Voted,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  Pay-Table  for 
£50,  in  favour  of  Major  John  Ely,  to  be  accounted  for  upon 
settling  his  Accounts  with  the  Pay-Table. 

Order  drawn  and  delivered  Nathaniel  Richards  16th  of 
August. 


Providence,  August  17,  177G. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Prizes  taken  by  the  Diamond, 
Captain  William  Chase,  of  this  port,  with  their  cargoes,  viz : 

Brig  Mars,  Captain  Hammond,  from  Tortola  for  Liver- 
pool, 195  hogsheads  and  7  barrels  of  sugar,  13,000  weight 
of  cotton,  and  15  tons  of  fustick.  Ship  Jane,  Captain  Rome, 
from  Dominica  for  Bristol,  308  hogsheads  of  sugar,  3,800 
gallons  of  oil.  Snow  Portland,  Captain  Bromwell,  from 
Granada  for  Lancaster,  71  hogsheads,  1  tierce,  and  10 
barrels  of  sugar,  7,000  weight  of  cocoa,  60,000  weight  of 
coffee,  3,1 10  gallons  of  rum,  133  weight  of  indigo,  and  1,950 
weight  of  cotton.  Ship  Star  and  Garter,  Captain  Hamson, 
from  St.  Kitts  for  London,  166  hogsheads,  10  tierces,  and 
16  barrels  of  sugar,  and  4,500  gallons  of  rum.  Ship  Friend- 
ship, Captain  Jones,  from  Granada  for  London,  283  hogs- 
heads of  sugar,  8,600  weight  of  cocoa,  1,800  weight  of  cof- 
fee, 4,770  gallons  of  rum,  55  weight  of  indigo,  and  2,100 
weight  of  cotton.  Total  of  the  cargoes:  1,023 .hogsheads 
of  sugar;  11  tierces  and  33  barrels  ditto;  15,600  weight  of 
cocoa;  61,900  weight  of  coffee;  12,380  gallons  of  rum; 
115  weight  of  indigo ;  17,750  weight  of  cocoa;  25  tons  of 
fustick;  and  8,800  gallons  of  oil. 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  MESHECH  WEARE. 

Council  Chamber,  Watertown,  August  17,  1776. 
HONOURABLE  SIR:  The  enclosed  letter  came  this  day, 
under  cover  from  Major  Hawley,  of  Northampton;  and  as 
the  matter  therein  alleged,  if  pursued,  will  have  a  tendency 
entirely  to  defeat  the  important  purposes  for  which  the  North- 
ern Army  is  raised,  and  as  Charlestown  lies  within  your  State, 
we  have  no  doubt  you  will  take  such  speedy  and  effectual 
measures  for  remedying  the  mischief  complained  of  as  your 
wisdom  shall  direct. 


In  the  name  of  the  Council,  I  am,  with  great  respect,  dear 
Voted,  That  Mr.  Hosmer  is  desired  to  employ  some  suit-    sir>  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 


able  person  to  apply  to  the  Furnaces  for  a  sufficient  number 
of  Pots  and  Receivers,  of  proper  size  and  construction,  for 
making  Sulphur,  and  to  take  the  directions  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Bidwell  therein,  as  far  as  will  be  needful,  and  to  do  what 
shall  be  prudent  and  proper  in  the  procuring  such  Pots,  Sic., 
as  soon  as  possible ;  and  as  the  number  and  size  ordered  by 
the  Assembly  cannot  be  obtained,  he  is  directed  to  procure 
such  as  can  be  had,  and  send  so  many  as  to  answer  the  same 
purpose. 

Voted,  That  the  Sheriff  of  New-London  County  be,  and 
he  is  hereby,  directed  to  suffer  the  Prisoners  from  the  State 
of  New-York,  now  confined  in  Norwich  Jail,  to  take  the  air 
abroad  one  or  two  days  in  each  week  for  their  health,  under 
the  Sheriff's  own  personal  attendance  and  keeping,  and  that 
they  may  in  the  daytime  have  the  liberty  of  walking  in  the 
Jail  yard,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Sheriff. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  17,  1776: 


JAMES  BOWDOIN,  President. 
To  the  President  of  the  State  of  New- Hampshire. 


ELEAZER  RUSSELL  TO  MESHECH  WEARE. 

Portsmouth,  August  17,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  A  subject  important  to  me  now  leads 
me  to  address  you,  for  which  I  beg  your  indulgence,  and 
that  you  will  please  to  lay  the  matter  before  the  honourable 
Committee  of  Safety. 

On  the  4th  of  May  last,  Colonel  Wentworth,  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  brought  me  the  Associa- 
tion to  subscribe,  at  a  time  I  was  so  ill  as  to  be  incapable  of 
anything.  Upon  growing  better,  I  thought  largely  of  the 
matter,  and  finding  my  mind  perplexed,  wrote  to  him  on  the 
subject ;  which  letter,  at  my  request,  he  consented  to  lay 
before  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

Till  yesterday,  I  never  knew  but  the  Association  paper, 
with  my  letter,  had  been  in  the  Committee's  hands  for  more 
than  two  months,  and  now  find  myself  bound  by  every  prin- 


Present:   His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jz.  Huntington,  ciple  of  honour,  duty,  and  gratitude,  to  enlarge  upon  the  affair. 

Titus  Hosmer,  William  Hillhouse,  Nathl.  Wales,  Jun.,  Benj.  It  was  and  is  merely  to  secure  the  morality  of  my  mind 

Huntington,  Esquires.  that  I  was  reluctant  to  put  my  name  to  it.     Solemnly  to 

Voted,  That  his  Honour  the  Governour  be  desired  to  hind  myself  to  the  performance  of  what  nature  and  necessity 

order  the  Pay-Table  to  draw  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  rendered  impossible,  I  started  at  the  thought  of.     And  though 

any  one  or  two  persons  he  shall  approve  to  take  charge  of  my  health  is  mended,  so  wretched  are  my  nerves  that  I  could 

an  armed  vessel  or  vessels  on  the  Lake,  agreeable  to  the  not  do  one  hour's  military  duty  to  save  my  life.     The  article 

request  of  Major-General  Schuyler,  for  £180,  lawful  money,  of  shedding  human  blood,  in  me  is  not  a  humour,  but  a  prin- 

each,  to  enable  them  to  pay  the  Bounty,  Premium  for  Guns  c.'P'e!  not  an  evasion  but  a  fact.      It  was  received  in  early 

and  Bayonets,  and  first  month's  pay  to  the  Seamen  they  may  h'fe,  and  has  grown  with  my  growth  and  strengthened  with 

inlist.  my  strength.     Not  a  partiality  for  British  more  than  savage 

Voted,  To  allow  the  Captains  and  Recruiting  Officers  bl°°d;-  f°r'  a"  circur"stances  considered,  I  think  the  latter 

now  ordered  to  raise  crews  of  Seamen  for  the  service  on  the  m°£?  lnn(f  en.c  th.an  the  former. 

Lakes  to  the  northward,  the  sum  of  8..,  lawful  money,  for  FT  the,  ! f  'njTS  d°une  Ame™a  ty  Great  Britain,  my 

each  man  they  shall  so  inlist,  for  their  expense  in  attending  thoug^  tO°k  6re  °n  ^  SubJect'  andLhave  been  conceived  and 

said  business.                                                                           '  uttered  m  °ne  unvaried  strain,  to  the  highest  personage  and 

TT  .   ,    rr,,       „         „.„.  down  to  the  lowest  enemy,  without  hesitation  or  reserve,  so 

yoted    rhat  Henry  Billings,  of  Norwich,  be,  and  he  is,  that  I  can  challenge  all  mankind  to  impeach  me  to  my  country, 

appointed  a  Third  Lieutenant  of  the  armed  brig  Defence,  To  enlarge  on  the  matter  in  rny  own  favour  would  be  easy 

P-— Master  for  the  cruise  but  might  appear  indelicate,  and  to  be  wholly  silent  in  the 

His  wages  to  cease  case  would  be  criminal ;  therefore,  leaving  my  conduct  to  be 


on  which  said  brig  is  now  ordered. 


-condemnation  of  the  first  Prize,  or  at  the  end  of  said    julged of  Y/ pe=of  M^^^^^ 

mind,  I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect,  honourable  sir,  your 

TV  *._J     _  .•  f     i          f~t  _!_!•         .1  11     .•  r   i    i  i  i  •* 


N.  B.  This  was  voted  at  a  meeting  of  the  Governour    obliged  and  dutiful  humble  servant, 
and  Council  of  Safety,  August  20,  1776.  To  the  Honourable  Colonel  Weare. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  64 


E.  RUSSELL. 


1011 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1012 


Portsmouth,  New-Hampshire,  August  17,  1776. 

By  Captain  LaJd,  who  arrived  here  in  eighteen  days 
from  Cape  Nichola  Mole,  we  are  informed  that  the  fleet  of 
sugar  ships  was  to  sail  the  2d  of  August  from  Jamaica,  under 
convoy  of  one  twenty-gun  ship.  That  a  French  ship  con- 
voyed him  through  the  windward  passage,  and  informed  him 
France  and  Spain  had  declared  war  against  Portugal. 


SILAS  DEANE  TO  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  SECRET  CORRESPOND- 
ENCE. 

Paris,  August  18,  1776. 

I  wrote  you  every  material  occurrence  to  the  time  of  my 
leaving  Bordtrntx,  and  sent  duplicates  by  Captains  Palmer, 
Bunker,  and  Seaver,  one  of  which  you  will  undoubtedly 
have  received  before  this  comes  to  hand.  I  left  that  city 
on  the  last  of  June,  and  arrived  here  on  the  Saturday  follow- 
ing, having  carefully  attended  to  everything  in  the  manu- 
facturing or  commercial  towns  in  my  way,  which,  indeed, 
are  neither  numerous  nor  of  great  consequence.  I  spent  at 
Arifroulcme  a  day  in  viewing  what,  as  to  manufactures  alone, 
deserves  attention  on  the  journey,  the  foundry  for  cannon, 
where  the  greatest  part  of  those  used  in  the  Kingdom  are 
manufactured.  The  cannon  are  cast  solid,  after  which  they 
are  put  as  in  a  turner's  lathe,  and  bored  out,  and  the  out- 
side smoothed  and  turned  at  pleasure.  They  can  bore  and 
complete  a  twelve-pounder  in  one  day  in  each  lathe,  which 
takes  four  men  only  to  work.  The  workmen  freely  showed 
me  every  part  of  their  furnace  and  foundry. 

On  Monday  after  my  arrival  I  waited  on  my  bankers,  and 
found  that  Mr.  Bancroft  had  arrived  the  same  day  with  me, 
Mr.  Thomas  Morris  and  M.  Venzonals  about  ten  days  be- 
fore. I  waited  on  M.  Dubourg,  and  delivered  him  Dr. 
Franklin's  letter,  which  gave  the  good  gentleman  the  most 
sincere  and  real  pleasure. 

M.  Penel,  on  his  arrival  in  Paris,  waited  on  M.  Dubourg, 
showed  him  a  copy  of  his  contract  with  the  Committee  of 
Congress,  and  told  him  he  had  letters  from  Dr.  Franklin  to 
him,  but  had  left  them  on  the  road,  or  at  Rotterdam,  through 
fear  of  a  search.  He  told  M:  Dubourg,  to  whom  he  was  a 
perfect  stranger,  so  many  particular  circumstances,  that  he 
could  not  doubt  of  his  sincerity,  and  in  consequence  he  em- 
barked in  his  affairs  to  a  large  amount.  Five  or  six  weeks 
have  now  passed  without  the  arrival  of  the  letters  said  to  be 
left  on  the  road.  Arms,  powder,  &c.,  to  a  large  amount 
were  in  readiness,  when  my  arrival  gave  him  confidence  that 
I  would  take  the  burden  off  him,  as  he  doubted  not  that  my 
credentials  would  be  explicit.  I  saw  immediately  the  ar- 
rangement of  the  whole,  and  that  M.  Penet  had  returned  to 
France  (copy  of  the  contract  excepted)  almost  as  empty- 
handed  as  he  came  to  Philadelphia,  yet  had  found  means  to 
collect  a  very  considerable  quantity  of  stores,  part  of  which 
he  had  actually  shipped.  This  circumstance  gave  me  hopes; 
yet  I  found  that  it  would  now  be  expected  1  should  become 
responsible  for  the  articles,  which  embarrassed  me  much, 
since  to  detain  them  would  be  quite  disagreeable,  and  to  step 
out  of  my  own  line  and  involve  myself  with  Messrs.  Plairne 
and  Penet's  contract  would  be  equally  so. 

M.  Penet  had  somehow  got  intelligence  of  my  being  in 
France,  and  that  I  was  expected  at  Paris;  he  therefore 
waited  for  me,  and  1  saw  him  the  next  day  at  my  hotel, 
when  he  complained  of  want  of  remittances,  and  desired  me 
to  pledge  my  credit  for  the  stores,  which  I  waived  in  the  best 
manner  I  could,  for  I  saw  the  consequences  might  involve 
me  in  many  difficulties,  and  frustrate  my  greater  designs.  I 
therefore  told  him  I  would  certify  to  the  merchants,  if  ne- 
cessary, that  the  Congress  would  pay  for  whatever  stores 
they  would  credit  them  with,  and  in  the  mean  time  advised 
him  to  proceed  strictly  agreeable  to  the  letter  of  the  con- 
tract, and  1  was  positive  that  the  Congress  would  fulfil  their 
part  of  it.  I  finally  satisfied  both  him  and  M.  Dubourg,  and 
he  departed  for  Mantes,  to  ship  the  goods  the  next  day.  I 
must  do  him  the  justice  that  is  his  due :  he  has  been  inde- 
fatigable in  the  business,  his  heart  seems  to  be  entirely  in  it, 
and  I  believe  him  honest ;  but  his  connexions,  either  com- 
mercial or  political,  are  not,  of  themselves,  equal  to  such  an 
undertaking,  but  the  cause  he  was  employed  in  had  in  a 
great  measure.  I  found,  supplied  this  deficiency,  which  was 
to  me  a  favourable  appearance. 

M.  Dubourg  told  me  that  the  Ministers  would  not  see  me, 
as  they  meant  to  be  quite  secret  in  any  countenance  they 


gave  the  United  Colonies,  and  that  my  arrival  in  France 
was  already  known  in  London,  in  consequence  of  which 
Lord  Stormont  arrived  express  but  a  few  days  before,  and 
had  applied  to  the  Court  on  the  subject.  1  showed  him  my 
commission,  and  told  him  I  was  determined  to  apply,  for 
every  circumstance,  in  my  opinion,  was  favourable  instead 
of  otherwise.  On  this  he  wrote  a  letter  to  Count  de  Ver- 
gcnncs,  asking  liberty  to  introduce  me  the  Thursday  follow- 
ing; on  which  day  1  went  to  Versailles,  and  though  the  letter 
had  not  been  delivered  to  his  Excellency,  yet  he  gave  us 
immediate  admission.  Fortunately  his  chief  Secretary  spoke 
English  well,  by  which  means  I  had  an  opportunity  of  con- 
versing freely  with  him  on  the  subject  of  my  commission  for 
two  hours,  and  was  attentively  and  favourably  heard  by  him, 
and  was  asked  many  questions,  which  shows  that  the  Ame- 
rican disputes  had  been,  and  still  were,  a  principal  object  of 
attention.  I  pursued  nearly  the  line  marked  out  by  my 
instructions,  stating  the  importance  of  the  American  com- 
merce, and  the  advantages  Great  Britain  had  received  from 
a  monopoly  of  it;  that  all  intercourse  ceasing  between  the 
two  countries,  the  Colonies  had  considered  where  they  might 
dispose  of  that  produce  which  they  necessarily  had  so  large 
a  surplus  of,  and  receive  for  their  raw  or  first  materials  the 
various  manufactures  they  wanted ;  that  they  first  turned 
their  eyes  on  France,  as  the  best  country  in  Europe  for  them 
to  be  connected  with  in  commerce ;  that  I  was  purchasing 
a  large  quantity  of  manufactures  for  which  I  expected  to  pay 
the  money,  and  that  1  should  want  a  quantity  of  military 
stores,  for  which  remittances  would  be  made;  that  I  doubted 
not  the  Colonias  had  before  this  declared  Independency, 
and  that  I  should  soon  receive  instructions  in  consequence 
more  full  and  explicit;  that  in  the  mean  time  they  were 
very  anxious  to  know  how  such  a  declaration  would  be  re- 
ceived by  the  Powers  in  Europe,  particularly  by  France, 
and  whether  in  such  case  an  Ambassador  would  be  received 
from  them,  &z,c.  To  which  he  replied,  that  the  importance 
of  the  American  commerce  was  well  known,  and  that  no 
country  could  so  well  supply  the  Colonies,  and  in  return 
receive  their  produce,  as  France;  it  was,  therefore,  the  inte- 
rest of  both  to  have  the  most  free  and  uninterrupted  inter- 
course, for  which  reason  the  Court  had  ordered  their  ports  to 
be  kept  open,  and  equally  free  to  America  as  to  Britain; 
that,  considering  the  good  understanding  between  the  two 
Courts  of  Versailles  and  London,  they  could  not  openly  en- 
courage the  shipping  of  warlike  stores,  but  no  obstruction  of 
any  kind  would  be  given ;  if  there  should,  as  the  custom- 
houses were  not  fully  in  their  secrets  in  this  matter,  such 
obstructions  should  be  removed  on  the  first  application;  that 
I  must  consider  myself  perfectly  free  to  carry  on  any  kind 
of  commerce  in  the  kingdom  which  any  subject  of  any  other 
State  in  the  world  might,  as  the  Court  had  resolved  their 
ports  should  be  equally  free  to  both  parties;  that  I  was 
under  his  immediate  protection,  and  should  I  meet  with  any 
difficulty,  either  from  their  police,  with  the  rules  of  which 
he  supposed  me  unacquainted,  or  from  any  other  quarter,  I 
had  but  to  apply  to  him,  and  everything  should  be  settled ; 
that  as  to  Independency,  it  was  an  event  in  the  womb  of 
time,  and  it  would  be  highly  improper  for  him  to  say  any- 
thing on  that  subject  until  it  had  actually  taken  place;  mean- 
time he  informed  me  that  the  British  Ambassador  knew  of 
my  arrival,  and  therefore  advised  me  not  to  associate  with 
Englishmen  more  than  I  was  from  necessity  obliged,  as  he 
doubted  not  I  should  have  many  spies  on  my  conduct. 

I  then  told  him  the  precautions  I  had  taken  and  should 
persevere  in,  in  coming  from  Bermuda,  and  that  I  did  not 
mean  in  publick  to  pass  for  other  than  a  merchant  from  that 
Island,  on  speculation,  during  the  present  cessation  of  com- 
merce in  America;  but  at  the  same  time  I  told  his  Excel- 
lency that  I  was  well  assured  it  was  known  in  London  that 
I  was  coming  long  before  I  arrived  at  Paris,  and  I  doubted 
not  they  conjectured  my  errand,  but  at  the  same  time  I 
should  take  every  precaution  in  my  power;  and  most  sincerely 
thanked  him  for  his  protection  and  assistance  so  generously 
offered,  which  he  might  depend  I  would  never  abuse.  He 
was  pleased  with  my  having  come  by  Bermuda,  and  pass- 
ing as  an  inhabitant  of  that  Island,  and  said,  if  questioned, 
he  should  speak  of  me  in  that  character.  He  then  asked 
me  many  questions  with  respect  to  the  Colonies;  but  what 
he  seemed  most  to  want  to  be  assured  of,  was  their  ability 
to  subsist  without  their  fisheries,  and  under  the  interruption 
of  their  commerce.  To  this  I  replied  in  this  manner:  that 


1013 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1014 


the  fisheries  were  never  carried  on  but  by  a  part  of  the  Co- 
lonies, and  by  them,  not  so  much  as  a  means  of  subsistence 
as  of  commerce;  that  the  fishery  failing,  those  formerly 
employed  in  them  turned  part  to  agriculture  and  part  to 
the  army  and  navy;  that  our  commerce  must  for  some  time 
be  in  a  great  measure  suspended,  but  that  the  greater  part 
of  our  importations  were  far  from  being  necessaries  of  life, 
consequently  we  should  not  suffer  under  the  want  of  them, 
whilst  it  was  not  wealth  or  luxuries  that  we  were  contend- 
ing for;  that  our  commerce  ceasing,  it  would  be  out  of  the 
power  of  our  enemies  to  support  themselves  on  our  plunder, 
and  on  the  other  hand,  our  ships,  as  privateers,  might  ha- 
rass their  commerce  without  a  possibility  of  their  retaliating; 
that  I  hoped  to  see  a  considerable  marine  force  in  the 
Colonies,  and  that,  joined  to  the  impossibility  of  Britain's 
guarding  so  extensive  a  coast,  would  preserve  some  of  our 
commerce,  until  it  should  be  thought  an  object  deserving  the 
protection  of  other  Powers. 

After  many  questions  on  this  subject,  he  put  this,  in  which 
I  thought  he  seemed  interested, — whether,  if  the  Colonies 
declare  an  Independency,  they  would  not  differ  among  them- 
selves? To  this  I  replied,  that  the  greatest  harmony  had 
as  yet  subsisted,  and  I  had  no  grounds  to  doubt  it  in  future ; 
that  the  common  danger,  which  first  drove  them  into  mea- 
sures which  must  end  in  such  a  declaration,  would  subsist, 
and  that  alone  was  sufficient  to  ensure  their  union. 

He  then  desired  me  to'  give  his  Secretary  my  address, 
and  said,  though  he  should  be  glad  to  see  me  often,  yet,  as 
matters  were  circumstanced,  his  house  was  too  publick  a 
place,  but  that  I  might  put  the  same  confidence  in  his  Sec- 
retary as  himself,  to  whom  I  might  apply  for  advice  and 
direction,  but  that  whenever  anything  of  importance  occurred 
I  need  but  inform  him,  and  he  would  see  me;  but  on  common 
occasions,  I  must  address  the  Secretary,  which  would  be 
every  way  more  convenient,  as  he  understood  the  English 
language  well,  and  was  a  person  in  whom  the  greatest  con- 
fidence could  be  placed. 

Having  settled  the  mode  of  intercourse,  I  expressed  the 
sense  I  had  of  his  Excellency's  politeness,  and  the  generous 
protection  he  had  given  me;  and  on  parting  said,  if  my  com- 
mission or  the  mode  of  introducing  the  subject  were  out  of 
the  usual  course,  I  must  rely  on  his  goodness  to  make  allow- 
ances for  a  new-formed  people,  in  circumstances  altogether 
unprecedented,  and  for  their  agent  wholly  unacquainted  with 
Courts.  To  which  he  replied,  that  the  people  and  their 
cause  were  very  respectable  in  the  eyes  of  all  disinterested 
persons,  and  that  the  interview  had  been  agreeable. 

After  this  I  returned  to  Paris  with  M.  Dubourg,  whose 
zeal  for  the  American  cause  led  him  to  draw  the  most  fa- 
vourable consequences  from  this  beginning.  The  next  day, 
while  from  home,  I  was  informed  that  Count  Laureguais 
had  inquired  out  my  lodgings,  immediately  after  which  he 
asked  leave  to  go  for  England,  which  was  refused  him  by 
the  Court.  The  same  day  I  was  informed  that  Sir  Hans 
Stanley  and  Sir  Charles  Jenkinson,  who  I  knew  were  at 
Bordeaux  when  I  left  it,  were  in  France  for  the  sole  pur- 
pose of  inquiring  what  agents  were  here  from  the  Colonies, 
and  what  commerce  or  other  negotiation  between  them  and 
the  Colonies  were  carrying  on.  This  alarmed  my  friends, 
and  as  I  had  agreed  for  other  lodgings,  to  which  1  was  next 
day  to  remove,  M.  Dubourg  advised  me  to  secrete  both  my 
lodgings  and  name.  I  told  him  that  the  Count  Laureguais' s 
conduct  appeared  mysterious,  yet  I  could  never  think  of 
keeping  myself  secret,  for  though  I  should  not  seek  these 
gentlemen,  nor  throw  myself  purposely  in  their  way,  yet  I 
must  think  it  an  ill  compliment  to  Count  Vergennes  to  sup- 
pose, after  what  had  passed,  that  I  was  not  on  as  good  and 
safe  footing  in  France  as  they  or  any  other  gentleman  could 
be.  However,  his  uneasiness  made  him  write  to  the  Count 
what  he  had  advised,  who  returned  for  answer,  that  such  a 
step  was  both  unnecessary  and  impolitick,  as  it  would  only 
strengthen  suspicions  by  giving  everything  an  air  of  mystery, 
while  there  was  not  the  least  occasion  for  it. 

The  next  day  1  had  a  fresh  conference  with  M.  Dubourg, 
who  brought  me  a  number  of  memorials  from  officers  and 
engineers  offering  their  services  in  America;  some  of  whom, 
I  believe,  deserve  the  utmost  encouragement;  but  more  of 
this  hereafter.  While  I  was  casting  in  my  mind  how  best 
to  improve  the  present  favourable  crisis  for  supplying  the 
Colonies,  M.  Bcaumarchais  made  proposals  for  procuring 
whatever  should  be  wanted,  but  in  such  a  manner  as  was 


understood  by  M.  Dubourg  to  amount  to  a  monopoly,  which 
indeed  was  not  his  only  objection,  for  M.  Beaumarchais, 
though  confessedly  a  man  of  abilities,  had  always  been  a 
man  of  pleasure  and  never  of  business;  but  as  he  was  recom- 
mended by  Count  Vergennes,  M.  Dubourg  could  not  avoid 
noticing  him,  but  immediately  expostulated  with  the  Count 
in  a  letter,  which  brought  on  embarrassments  no  way  favour- 
able, and  I  saw  that  M.  Dubourg  was  so  far  from  seconding 
the  views  of  his  superior  in  this  manoeuvre,  that  he  was,  with 
the  best  intentions  in  the  world,  in  danger  of  counteracting 
his  own  wishes,  the  extent  of  which  were,  to  obtain  the  sup- 
plies of  merchants  and  manufacturers  on  the  credit  of  the 
Colonies,  in  which  the  strictest  punctuality  and  most  scru- 
pulous exactness  would  be  necessary,  and  which,  under  the 
present  difficulties  of  remittance,  I  feared  would  not  be  lived 
up  to. 

As  I  had  learned  that  in  the  late  reform  of  the  French 
Army,  they  had  shifted  their  arms  for  those  of  a  lighter  kind, 
the  heavy  ones,  most  of  which  were  the  same  as  new,  to  the 
amount  of  seventy  or  eighty  thousand,  lay  useless  in  maga- 
zines, with  other  military  stores,  in  some  such  proportion,  I 
apprehended  it  no  way  impossible  to  come  at  a  supply  from 
hence,  through  the  agency  of  some  merchant,  without  the 
Ministry  being  concerned  in  the  matter.  In  such  case  the 
merchant  would  be  accountable  to  the  Ministry,  and  the 
Colonies  to  the  merchant,  by  which  means  a  greater  time  of 
payment  might  be  given,  and  more  allowance  in  case  of  our 
being  disappointed.  With  this  in  view  I  went  to  Versailles 
on  Wednesday,  the  17th,  and  waited  on  M.  Gerard,  First 
Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs,  and  presented  to  him  the  en- 
closed memorial,  which  led  to  a  very  particular  conversation 
on  the  affairs  of  America,  and  which  I  turned  finally  on  this 
subject ;  to  which  he  would  not  then  give  me  any  immediate 
answer,  but  promised  me  one  in  a  day  or  two.  Returning 
to  town  I  found  Messrs.  Dubourg  and  Beaumarchais  had  a 
misunderstanding,  the  latter  giving  out  that  he  could  effect 
everything  we  wished  for,  and  the  former,  from  the  known 
circumstances  of  M.  Beaumarchais,  and  his  known  careless- 
ness in  money  matters,  suspecting  he  could  procure  nothing, 
and  the  more  so  as  he  promised  so  largely.  They  parted 
much  displeased  with  each  other,  and  M.  Beaumarchais 
went  directly  to  Versailles.  On  M.  Dubourg's  coming  and 
informing  me  what  had  passed,  I  immediately  wrote  to  M. 
Gerard  the  enclosed  letter,  and  in  return  was  desired  to 
come  with  M.  Dubourg  the  next  morning  to  Versailles. 

We  went,  as  desired,  and  after  explaining  many  things 
to  M.  Gerard,  had  a  conference  with  his  Excellency,  from 
whom  I  had  fresh  assurances  of  the  utmost  freedom  and  pro- 
tection in  their  ports  and  on  their  coasts ;  that,  in  one  word, 
I  might  rely  on  whatever  Monsieur  Beaumarchais  should 
engage  in  the  commercial  way*  of  supplies,  which,  indeed, 
was  all  I  wished  for,  as  I  was  on  the  safe  side  of  the  ques- 
tion, viz:  on  the  receiving  part.  I  communicated  to  his 
Excellency  that  clause  of  my  instructions  for  procuring  arms, 
&c.,  of  which  he  asked  a  copy.  I  then  informed  him,  that 
I  considered  the  present  as  a  most  critical  juncture  of  Ame- 
rican affairs,  that  the  campaign  would  undoubtedly  be  car- 
ried far  into  the  winter,  that  supplies  now  shipped  might 
arrive  very  seasonably  in  the  fall  to  enable  the  Colonies  to 
hold  out  the  present  campaign.  He  replied,  that  no  delay 
should  be  made  by  any  obstruction  of  any  officer,  or  others 
of  the  customs  or  police.  He  then  told  me  that  the  Count 
Laureguais  was,  perhaps,  a  well  meaning  man,  but  not 
sufficiently  discreet  for  such  purposes  as  this;  that  Mr.  Lee, 
(meaning  Mr.  Arthur  Lee,  of  London,)  had  confided,  he 
feared,  too  much  in  him,  and  wished  me  to  caution  him  on 
the  subject,  and  that  if  I  would  write  to  him,  he  would  en- 
close it  in  a  letter  of  his,  by  a  courier  that  evening.  I  most 
readily  embraced  this  safe  way  of  corresponding,  and  sent  a 
letter  I  had  before  written,  with  an  addition  on  this  subject,  a 
copy  of  which  is  enclosed.  I  have  thus  given  you  the  heads 
of  my  negotiation  to  this  time,  July  20th,  and  will  not  take 
up  your  time  in  making  remarks  on  it,  and  the  prospects 
before  me,  which  are  obvious;  but  inform  you  of  the  plan  I 
mean  to  pursue,  in  the  execution  of  my  commission,  and 
hint  some  methods,  by  which  I  think  I  may  be  enabled  to 
complete  every  part  of  it  to  yoursatisfaction,  and  the  relief  of 
my  country,  which  is  all  my  wish,  and  the  extent  of  my  most 
ambitious  hopes.  I  go  on  the  supposition  of  an  actual  uncon- 
ditional independency,  without  which  little  can  be  effected 
publickly;  with  it,  almost  everything  we  can  wish  for. 


1015 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1016 


It  is  by  no  means  probable  that  Europe  will  long  remain 
in  a  state  of  peace;  the  disputes  between  Portugal  and 
Spain  are  on  the  point  of  producing  an  open  rupture;  the 
former  relies  on  England;  the  latter  will  look  to  this  king- 
dom, and  has  already  applied  to  this  Court  on  the  subject. 
Nothing  but  the  division  of  Poland  has  taken  the  King  of 
Prussia's  attention  off  from  the  injustice  done  him  by  Great 
Britain  at  the  close  of  the  last  war.  He  has  now  com- 
pleted his  part  of  that  extraordinary  work,  and  I  am  well 
informed,  listens  with  pleasure  to  the  dispute  between  the 
United  Colonies  and  Great  Britain.  He  is  ambitious  of 
becoming  a  maritime  Power,  and  is  already  in  possession  of 
the  capital  ports  on  the  Baltick;  but  without  commerce  it 
is  impossible  to  effect  the  design,  and  no  commerce  can  put 
him  so  directly  in  the  road  as  the  American.  The  consump- 
tion of  coffee,  sugar,  and  other  West-India  productions,  in- 
creases fast  in  the  north  of  Europe,  and  it  must  be  his  inter- 
est, at  least,  to  supply  his  own  dominions.  In  case  of  a  war 
in  Europe,  France,  Spain  and  Prussia  might  be  brought 
into  one  interest,  and  the  Ernperor  of  Germany  is  too  closely 
connected  with  his  Majesty  of  France  to  take  part  against 
them,  after  which  Great  Britain,  having  her  whole  force 
employed  in  America,  there  could  be  nothing  on  the  one 
hand  to  prevent  Spain  and  France  from  reducing  Portugal 
to  a  submission  to  the  former,  nor  from  Prussia  and  France 
subduing  and  incorporating  into  their  own  dominions  Hano- 
ver, and  the  other  little  mercenary  Electorates,  which  lie 
between  them,  and  which  for  several  centuries  have  been 
one  principal  cause  of  every  war  that  has  happened  in  Eu- 
rope. 

With  respect  to  Russia,  it  is  as  closely  allied  to  Prussia 
as  to  Great  Britain,  and  may  be  expected  to  be  master  in 
the  contest.  Denmark  and  Sweden  are  a  balance  for  each 
other,  and  opposites.  Not  to  enlarge  on  this  plan  at  pre- 
sent, I  have  only  to  suggest,  that  an  application  to  the  King 
of  Prussia  will  do  no  harm,  and  may  be  attended  with  good 
and  great  consequences ;  the  Prussian  Ambassador  at  this 
Court  and  at  that  of  London  may  be  sounded  on  the  sub- 
ject. But  my  powers  and  instructions  are  so  limited,  that 
I  can  by  no  means  take  such  a  step;  yet  when  I  see  Great 
Britain  exerting  her  whole  force,  and  that  of  her  Allies,  and 
courting  every  Power  in  Europe  to  aid  her,  I  can  but  wish 
she  may  be  counteracted  in  her  own  system,  and  by  having 
employ  found  for  her  in  Europe,  bring  her  to  leave  America 
in  peace;  and  I  think  myself  bound  in  duty  to  hint  at  what 
to  me  seems  the  most  probable  means.  Dr.  Bancroft  was 
full  with  me  in  this  opinion.  M.  Chaumonf,  a  very  wealthy 
person,  and  Intendant  for  providing  clothes,  &.C.,  &.C.,  for 
the  French  Army,  has  offered  me  a  credit  on  account  of  the 
Colonies,  to  the  amount  of  one  million  of  livres,  which  I  have 
accepted.  I  have  in  treaty  .another  credit,  which,  joined  to 
this,  will  purchase  the  articles  directed  in  my  instructions. 
The  credit  will  be  until  May  next,  before  which  I  hope 
remittances  will  be  made.  I  have  purchased  of  said  M. 
Chaumont  a  quantity  of  saltpetre,  at  ten  sous,  or  five  and 
one-fourth  per  cent.,  in  order  that  Captain  Morgan  might 
not  return  empty.  As  soon  as  1  have  given  the  orders  for 
despatching  him,  and  settled  some  other  matters  here,  I 
design  forDmkirk,  to  ship  the  Indian  goods,  which  I  hope 
may  arrive  in  season  for  the  winter  supply:  though  I  leave 
you  to  consider  my  situation,  with  only  about  six  or  seven 
thousand  pounds  to  complete  a  contract  of  forty,  and  the 
bills  for  my  private  expenses  being  protested,  obliged  to  sup- 
port myself  out  of  that  capital,  which  I  labour  to  do  with  all 
the  economy  in  my  power. 

Dr.  Bancroft  is  returned  to  London,  and  by  him  I  wrote 
to  Monsieur  Gamier,  and  agreed  on  a  mode  of  correspond- 
ence. I  think  your  remittances  in  armed  vessels  will  be 
much  the  best  method ;  and  I  have  ordered  Captain  Mor- 
gan's sloop  to  be  armed,  and  should  she  arrive  safe,  recom- 
mend him,  as  one  I  am  confident  will  serve  the  Colonies 
with  great  zeal  and  fidelity;  and  I  have  had  some  expe- 
rience of  the  goodness  of  his  temper  and  his  abilities.  Mr. 
Seymour,  his  mate,  is  also  deserving  of  encouragement,  as  a 
good  seaman  and  of  undaunted  resolution. 

I  am  not  without  hopes  of  obtaining  liberty  for  the  armed 
vessels  of  the  United  Colonies  to  dispose  of  their  prizes  in 
the  ports  of  this  Kingdom,  and  also  for  arming  and  fitting 
out  vessels  of  war  directly  from  hence,  but  I  will  not  venture 
on  this  until  I  see  what  effect  my  last  memoir  may  have; 
the  substance  of  which  is,  to  show  the  danger  to  France  and 


Spain,  if  they  permit  Great  Britain  to  keep  so  enormous  a 
force  in  America,  and  to  recover  the  dominion  of  the  Colo- 
nies; also  how  fully  it  is  in  their  power  to  prevent  it,  and  by 
that  means  deprive  Great  Britain  of  the  principal  source  of 
her  wealth  and  force,  even  without  hazarding  a  war  of  any 
consequence  in  point  of  danger. 

Tliis  memoir,  which  takes  several  sheets,  I  am  unable  to 
send  you  a  copy  of,  as  I  have  no  one  to  assist  me,  and  must 
make  out  several  copies  for  the  persons  to  whom  they  are 
to  be  delivered.  I  was  directed  to  apply  for  arms  and 
clothes  for  twenty-five  thousand  men,  and  for  one  hundred 
field-pieces,  with  ammunition  and  stores  in  proportion.  This 
I  wished  to  get  of  the  Ministry  direct,  but  they  evaded  it, 
and  I  am  now  in  treaty  for  procuring  them  through  the 
agency  of  M.  Chaumont  and  M.  Beaumarchais,  on  a  credit 
of  eight  months,  from  the  time  of  their  delivery.  If  I  effect 
this,  as  I  undoubtedly  shall,  I  must  rely  on  the  remittances 
being  made  this  fall  and  winter  without  fail,  or  the  credit 
of  the  Colonies  must  suffer.  If  I  can  get  the  arms  out  of 
the  magazines,  and  the  field-pieces  here,  I  hope  for  a  much 
longer  credit;  but  if  we  send  to  Sweden  for  the  brass  cannon, 
the  credit  will  not  be  lengthened  beyond  that.  Some  new 
improvements  have  lately  been  made  in  this  branch,  conse- 
quently the  cannon  now  manufactured  will  be  preferable  to 
those  of  former  construction.  Some  Engineers  here  assert, 
that  iron  is  preferable  to  brass,  that  is,  wrought  iron,  out  of 
which  the  pieces  may  be  made  lighter,  and  to  a  better  pur- 
pose. Considering  the  want  of  these  pieces,  and  the  plenty 
of  iron  in  America,  the  experiment  might,  I  think,  be  made 
without  delay.  I  am  still  in  hopes  of  procuring  admission 
of  the  article  of  tobacco  directly  from  America,  but  the 
Farmers-General  will  not  offer  equivalent  to  the  risk. 

Without  intelligence  from  April  to  this  time,  leaves  me 
quite  uncertain  and  extremely  anxious  about  the  line  of  con- 
duct now  pursuing  by  Congress,  and  consequently  I  cannot, 
without  further  intelligence  and  instructions,  proceed  in  my 
negotiation  either  with  safety  or  honour.  The  resolution  of 
Congress  of  the  15th  of  May,  is  not  considered  by  the 
Ministry  as  a  Declaration  of  Independence,  but  only  a  pre- 
vious step,  and  until  this  decisive  step  is  taken,  I  can  do 
little  more  to  any  purpose.  This  taken,  I  dare  pledge 
myself,  the  United  Colonies  may  obtain  all  the  countenance 
and  assistance  they  wish  for,  in  the  most  open  and  publick 
manner,  and  the  most  unlimited  credit  with  the  merchants 
of  this  Kingdom;  I  must  therefore  urge  this  measure,  if  not 
already  taken, 'and  that  the  Declaration  be  in  the  most  full 
and  explicit  terms. 

Merchants  here  would  speculate  deeply  in  the  American 
trade,  could  they  be  insured  at  any  premium  within  bounds. 
I  wish  to  know  if  offices  are  already  open,  and  I  would 
suggest  that  if  the  Congress  would  take  the  insurance  under 
their  own  direction,  it  would  give  it  such  a  proportionably 
greater  credit,  that  supplies  would  most  certainly  be  obtained 
in  plenty.  I  shall  be  able  to  procure  a  private  interview 
with  the  Spanish  Ambassador,  and  shall  present  him  my 
memorial,  and  am  in  a  train  which  I  think  will  carry  it  quite 
to  the  fountain  head. 

Thus  I  have  in  a  minute,  possibly  a  tedious,  detail,  men- 
tioned everything  material  on  my  mind,  which  has  occurred 
since  my  arrival,  and  submit  the  whole  to  the  wisdom  and 
candour  of  the  honourable  Congress,  observing  that  I  had 
gone  to  the  extent  of  my  instructions;  and  though  I  have 
been  successful  beyond  my  expectations,  yet  I  have  but 
been  labouring  principally  to  set  certain  great  wheels  in  mo- 
tion, which  still  want  something  more  decisive  on  my  part, 
and  I  am  confident  of  all  that  is  wanting  to  set  them  so 
effectually  moving  as  to  roll  the  burden  and  calamities  of 
war  from  our  doors  back  with  aggravated  ruin  on  its  authors, 
which,  if  I  can  be  the  means  of  effecting,  the  world  may 
bestow  the  rest  of  its  honours  on  whom  it  pleases;  I  shall 
be  contented,  the  extent  of  my  most  ambitious  hopes  thus 
accomplished. 

I  have  now  to  urge  a  survey  with  respect  to  the  contents 
of  this  letter.  More  that  is  said  in  Congress  transpires  and 
crosses  the  Atlantick  than  you  conceive  of;  more  than  I  can 
account  for,  without  having  uncharitable  thoughts  of  indi- 
viduals, still  without  fixing  them  on  any  one.  1  have  writ- 
ten a  short  letter  to  Mr.  Jay  on  common  affairs,  and  have 
enclosed  one  to  M.  Longueville,  which  I  pray  may  be  for- 
warded ;  the  letter  is  from  his  friends  here,  who  have  heard 
of  his  being  a  prisoner  somewhere  in  America.  M.  Dubourg 


1017 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1018 


has  continued  to  render  me  every  assistance  in  his  power; 
to  be  particular  would  swell  this  letter  beyond  all  bounds ; 
his  abilities  and  connexions  are  of  the  first  style  in  this 
Kingdom,  and  his  zeal  for  the  cause  of  the  United  Colonies 
is  to  be  described  only  by  saying  that  at  times  it  is  in  danger 
of  urging  him  beyond  both ;  in  short,  I  am  every  way  deeply 
indebted  to  him:  personally,  for  bringing  me  acquainted  with 
agreeable  persons  of  rank  and  character;  and  on  account  of 
my  honoured  constituents,  for  assisting  me  to  make  such  a 
favourable  beginning  and  progress  in  my  business.  1  know 
not  how  affluent  he  may  be,  but  as  he  has  really  for  some 
time  devoted  himself  to  assist  in  this  negotiation,  I  am  con- 
fident something  honourable  will  be  thought  of  for  him.  I 
have  complimented  him  by  asking  of  him  his  portrait  to  be 
sent  to  his  and  my  friends  in  America,  in  my  private  capa- 
city, mentioning  our  mutual  friend  Dr.  Franklin.  This  I 
found  so  agreeable,  that  I  am  confident  some  such  distinc- 
tion would  be  more,  acceptable  than  more  lucrative  rewards. 
Dr.  B.  took  pains  to  collect  all  the  political  publications  of 
the  last  year  for  me  and  brought  them  with  him;  he  was  at 
considerable  expense  in  his  journey.  I  sent  him  from  Bor- 
deaux a  bill  of  thirty  pounds,  and  paid  his  expenses  in  my 
lodgings  here;  at  parting,  I  desired  him  to  keep  an  account, 
and  when  the  money  was  expended  to  inform  me.  This 
gentleman  is  certainly  capable  of  giving  as  good,  if  not  the 
best,  intelligence  of  any  man  in  Great  Britain,  as  he  is 
closely  connected  with  the  most  respectable  of  the  minority 
in  both  Houses,  not  particularly  obnoxious  to  the  majority, 
and  for  his  abilities,  they  are  too  well  known  to  Dr.FranMin 
to  need  any  attempt  to  do  them  justice  in  a  letter. 

I  am,  with  the  highest  esteem  and  respect  for  the  Hon- 
ourable Congress  and  their  Committee  of  Secret  Correspond- 

ence'  &C>'  SILAS  DEANE. 

August  1st. — Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I  have  been  at 
,  and  am  of  opinion  that  a  war  between  Portugal 
and  Spain  is  at  the  door;  and  I  have  had  an  interview  pro- 
posed with  the  Ambassador  of  Portugal,  who  resides  here, 
on  commercial  affairs,  which  I  have  most  readily  embraced, 
and  expect  to  see  him  again  on  Wednesday  next,  after 
which  I  will  write  you  further;  his  proposals  are  merely 
commercial,  as  is  his  station,  but  something  else  may  be 
investigated. 

August  %d. — I  should  have  sent  this  off  earlier,  but  de- 
layed on  account  of  hearing  something  more  directly,  if  I 
might  depend  on  certain  articles  for  which  I  was  in  treaty; 
I  am  now  assured  I  may,  and  the  whole  will  be  ready  to 
ship  in  all  the  month  of  October.  My  next  labour  will  be 
to  obtain  a  convoy,  which  I  do  not  despair  of,  though  it  is 
a  delicate  question,  and  I  have  only  sounded  at  a  distance, 
yet  I  have  no  doubt  of  obtaining  one,  at  least,  off  the  coast 
of  Europe,  and  the  articles  will  be  shipped  as  for  the  West- 
India  Islands.  I  propose  arming  and  well  manning  the 
vessels  in  which  these  articles  shall  be  embarked,  and  I  ad- 
vise again  the  sending  all  remittances  to  Europe  in  armed 
vessels;  the  probability  of  meeting  with  English  merchants 
is  well  worth  the  risk.  I  hope  that  it  will  be  considered  that 
one  hundred  field-pieces,  and  arms,  clothing,  and  accoutre- 
ments, with  military  stores,  for  twenty-five  thousand  men, 
is  a  large  affair ;  and  that  although  I  am  promised  any 
credit,  yet  as  they  must  be  paid  for,  the  sooner  the  better, 
if  to  be  done  without  too  great  a  risk. 

A  considerable  part  of  these  articles  are  now  on  hand, 
and  orders  are  issued  for  the  others  by  the  contractors  this 
day.  I  prefer  Bordeaux  to  any  other  port  for  shipping  them 
from  ;  but  the  remittances  must  be  made  to  several,  on  which 
I  will  give  you  my  opinion  in  my  next.  A  number  of  gen- 
tlemen of  rank  and  fortune,  who  have  seen  service,  and  have 
good  characters,  are  desirous  of  serving  the  United  Colonies, 
and  have  applied.  Pray  let  me  have  orders  on  this  sub- 
ject. If  it  be  politick  to  interest  this  Kingdom  in  the  present 
contest,  what  way  so  effectual  as  to  get  into  their  debt  for 
supplies,  and  employ  persons  of  good  family  and  connexions 
in  it,  in  our  service?  I  have  given  encouragement,  on  which 
some  are  prepared  to  embark.  One  Mons.  C.,  a  celebrated 
Engineer,  who  was  chief  in  that  way  in  the  Turkish  Army, 
is  returned,  and  is  willing  to  go  to  America ;  but  the  Ministry 
cannot  as  yet  spare  him,  as  certain  regulations  are  making 
elsewhere;  possibly  he  may  go  out  some  time  in  the  winter; 
he  is  a  first  character  in  his  profession  and  otherwise.  In- 
deed, this  contention  has  set  on  foot  such  a  spirit  of  inquiry 


in  Europe  into  the  state  of  America,  that  I  am  convinced 
that  at  the  first  close  of  tljis  war,  if,  as  I  trust  in  God,  it  will 
close  in  our  favour,  there  will  be  an  inundation  of  inhabitants 
from  this  side  of  the  globe.  Many  persons  of  capital  fortunes 
have  declared  to  me  their  resolution  of  moving  to  America 
as  soon  as  the  liberties  of  America  shall  be  established,  and 
that  many  of  their  friends  will  accompany  them. 

August  loth. — I  received  from  a  friend  at  Amsterdam,  a 
letter  informing  me  that  he  would  be  with  me  on  the  20th, 
and  as  the  vessel  could  not  be  sooner  ready  to  sail,  I  deter- 
mined not  to  risk  this  packet  by  a  private  hand,  or  by  the 
publick  post ;  he  is  now  arrived,  and  takes  charge  of  it  in 
person.  Were  it  possible,  1  would  attempt  to  paint  to  you 
the  heart-rending  anxiety  1  have  suffered  in  this  time,  through 
a  total  want  of  intelligence.  My  arrival  here,  my  name, 
my  lodgings,  and  many  other  particulars,  have  been  reported 
to  the  British  Administration,  on  which  they  sent  orders  to 
the  British  Ambassador  to  remonstrate  in  high  terms,  and, 
to  enforce  their  remonstrances,  despatched  Wedderburn  from 
London,  and  Lord  Rochford  from  Holland,  as  a  person  of 
great  interest  and  address,  here  to  counteract  me.  They  have 
been  some  time  here,  and  the  city  swarms  with  Englishmen; 
and  as  money  purchases  everything  in  this  country,  I  have 
had  and  still  have  a  most  difficult  task  to  avoid  their  machina- 
tions. Not  a  coffee-house  or  theatre,  or  other  place  of  publick 
diversion,  but  swarms  with  their  emissaries ;  but  knowing  the 
Ministry  are  my  friends,  I  attend  these  places  as  others,  but 
cautiously  avoid  saying  a  word  on  American  affairs  any- 
where, except  in  my  own  hotel,  or  those  of  my  intimate 
friends. 

I  have  seen  many  more  of  the  persons  in  power  in  this 
time,  and  had  long  conversations  with  them.  Their  inten- 
tions are  good,  and  they  appear  convinced;  but  there  is 
wanting  a  great  and  daring  genius  at  their  head,  which  the 
Count  Maurepas  is  very  far  from  being;  he  has  even  im- 
bibed a  notion  that  no  assistance  is  necessary,  as  the  Colonies 
are  too  powerful  for  Great  Britain.  All  eyes  are  turned 
on  the  Due  de  Choiseul.  I  am  convinced  the  moment  he 
comes  into  office,  an  active,  open,  and  will  be 

taken.  I  think  he  will  be  Minister  very  soon;  meantime  I 
have  nothing  to  complain  of  the 

Indeed  they  will  not  be  altered  if  he  takes  the  lead.  I  find 
M.  Beaumarchais,  as  I  before  hinted,  possesses  the  entire 
confidence  of  the  Ministry;  he  is  a  man  of  wit  and  genius, 
and  a  considerable  writer  on  comick  and  political  subjects. 
All  my  supplies  are  to  come  through  his  hands,  which  at 
first  greatly  discouraged  my  friends,  knowing  him  to  be  a 
person  of  no  interest  with  the  merchants;  but  had  I  been  as 
doubtful  as  they,  I  could  not  have  stepped  aside  from  the 
path  so  cordially  marked  out  for  me  by  those  I  depend  on. 
M.  Coudray,  the  Engineer  I  before  hinted  at,  obtained  liberty 
last  week  to  go  for  America  with  as  many  Engineers  as  he 
should  choose,  and  was  not  only  assured  of  M.  Beaumarchais 
being  able  to  procure  the  stores  he  had  stipulated  for,  but 
received  orders  for  them,  and  liberty  to  take  two  hundred 
pieces  of  brass  cannon,  lest  part  might  be  intercepted.  M. 
Coudray  has  the  character  of  the  first  Engineer  in  the  King- 
dom, and  his  manners  and  disposition  will,  I  am  confident, 
be  highly  pleasing  to  you,  as  he  is  a  plain,  modest,  active, 
sensible  man,  perfectly  averse  to  frippery  and  parade.  My 
friends  here  rejoice  at  the  acquisition  ;  and  considering  the 
character  of  the  man,  and  at  whose  hands  I  in  effect  received 
him,  I  must  congratulate  you  on  it.  Several  young  gentle- 
men of  fortune,  whose  families  are  nearly  connected  with 
the  Court,  are  preparing  to  embark  for  America,  by  each 
of  whom  I  shall,  without  disguise,  write  you  the  characters 
they  sustain  here.  I  have  told  them  that  merit  is  the  sole 
object  with  the  Congress.  The  bearer  can  give  you  some 
idea  of  the  situation  I  am  in,  should  this  packet  fail ;  and 
should  he  arrive  with  it,  he  may  explain  some  part  of  it.  I 
am  confident  his  attention  to  the  affairs  of  America  here  will 
be  considered  by  the  Congress.  I  have  found  him  in  the 
mercantile  way  active  and  intelligent. 

Mr.  Carmichael  is  now  with  me  from  Maryland,  and  I  find 
him  a  person  of  great  merit.  Respecting  the  Colonies,  he 
is  recommended  as  such  by  from  whom  he  has 

received  a  letter,  but  of  no  immediate  importance;  he  pro- 
poses seeing  me  here  this  month.  M.  Dumas  has  written 
me  two  letters  from  the  Hague,  but  so  timid  that  he  has  not 
ventured  to  sign  either,  though  he  speaks  in  the  highest 
terms  of  the  American  cause.  The  pamphlet  called  Com- 


1019 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1020 


man  Sense  has  been  translated,  and  has  a  greater  run,  if 
possible,  here  than  in  America.*  A  person  of  distinction, 
writing  to  his  noble  friend  in  office,  has  these  words:  "  Je 
pense  comme  vous,  mon  cher  Compte,  que  le  Common 
Sense  est  une  excellente  ouvrage,  et  que  son  auteur  est  un 
des  plus  grands  legislateurs  des  millions  d'ecrivains,  que  nous 
connoissions ;  il  n'est  pas  douteux,  que  si  les  Americains 
suivent  le  beau  plan,  que  leur  compatriote  leur  a  trace,  ils 
deviendront  la  nation  la  plus  florissante  et  la  plus  heureuse, 
qui  ait  jamais  existe." 

Thus  freely  do  men  think  and  write  in  a  country  long 
since  deprived  of  the  essentials  of  liberty.  As  I  was  favoured 
with  a  sight  of  the  letter,  and  permitted  to  make  this  extract, 
I  thought  it  worth  sending  you  as  a  key  to  the  sentiments 
of  some  of  the  leading  men.  I  must  again  remind  you  of 
my  situation  here;  the  bills  designed  for  my  use  are  pro- 
tested, and  expenses  rising  fast  in  consequence  of  the  busi- 
ness on  my  hands,  which  I  may  on  no  account  neglect,  and 
a  small  douceur,  (though  1  have  been  sparing  in  that  way,) 
is  sometimes  of  the  utmost  importance.  The  quantity  of 
stores  to  be  shipped  will  amount  to  a  large  sum,  the  very 
charge  on  them  will  be  great,  for  which  I  am  the  only 
responsible  person.  Five  vessels  arrived  from  America  with 
fish,  which  is  a  prohibited  article,  and  the  officers  of  the 
customs  detained  them ;  on  which  I  was  sent  to,  and  informed 
that  if  those  vessels  came  from  the  Congress  to  me,  they 
should  be  permitted  to  unload  and  sell.  Here  was  a  diffi- 
culty, indeed,  for  the  Captain  had  not  so  much  as  applied 
to  me  by  letter;  however,  I  assured  the  that  there 

could  be  no  doubt  but  they  were  designed  for  that  use,  and 
that  the  letters  to  me  must  have  miscarried;  on  which  orders 
were  issued  for  unloading  and  storing  those  cargoes  until 
further  intelligence  should  arrive.  I  mention  this  case  in 
confidence,  and  pray  that  in  future  some  regulation  may  be 
made  on  this  subject,  and  that  vessels  coming  out  may  be 
directed  to  apply  to  me  as  their  agent  or  owner  at  least,  and 
I  will  procure  in  the  different  ports  houses  of  known  repu- 
tation to  transact  their  business.  This  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary; for  by  this  means  their  articles  may  be  admitted. 
Tobacco  may  come  in  this  way,  and  every  other  article, 
deeply  indebted  ostensibly  to  M.  Beaumarchais, 
he  can  obtain  the  liberty  for  the  discharge  of  their  debts. 
M.  Coudray  will  see  that  the  articles  of  ammunition,  can- 
non, Sic.,  are  provided  in  the  best  manner  for  the  Army, 
and  will  embark  himself  by  the  1st  of  October. 

I  wrote  you  from  Bermuda  on  the  subject  of  seizing  and 
fortifying  that  Island.  1  am  well  informed  the  British  Min- 
istry have  had  it  in  contemplation,  and  propose  doing  it  next 
spring.  Mr.  Warder,  of  Philadelphia,  came  a  few  days 
since  from  Bordeaux  to  Paris,  and  called  on  me  with  some 
young  gentlemen  from  Neiv-England ;  he  brought  letters 
from  my  good  friends  Messrs.  in  consequence  of  let- 

ters to  them  from  Mr.  Alsop.  I  received  him,  as  I  do  all 
my  countrymen,  with  real  pleasure.  A  gentleman  present 
warned  him  against  conversing  with  a  particular  person  in 
Paris,  to  which  Mr.  W.  seemed  to  agree ;  yet  I  am  told  he 
went  directly  from  my  hotel  to  that  person,  and  informed 
him  of  everything  he  heard  mentioned,  and  of  every  person 
he  saw  visiting  me;  happily  he  could  inform  nothing  of  any 
consequence,  for  my  chamber  was  full  of  a  mixed  company, 
and  the  conversation  was  general,  and  in  French  and  in 
English.  But  this  conduct  of  his,  with  his  want  of  common 
complaisance  in  leaving  the  city  without  calling  on  me  to 
receive  any  letters  I  might  have  for  London,  which  he  had 
promised  to  convey,  has  given  me  some  uneasiness,  and  I 
mention  the  incident  only  as  a  caution  how  and  what  per- 
sons are  recommended.  The  pleasure  I  feel  in  seeing  one 
of  my  countrymen  is  such,  that  I  may  be  in  as  great  danger 
from  them  as  others — possibly  much  more.  I  should  be 
unhappy  if  any  suspicion  should  operate  to  the  prejudice  of 
this  pei-son  without  cause;  but  my  friends  here,  who  are 
kindly  attentive  to  everything  that  is  said  or  done  which 
respects  America,  think  very  strange  of  his  conduct. 

I  rely  on  your  indulgence  for  the  length  and  incorrectness 
of  this  letter.  I  have  had  much  on  my  hands,  and  no  one 
to  assist  me  in  copying,  Sic.  Visits  from  persons  to  whom 
I  cannot  be  denied,  or  visiting  them,  with  constant  applica- 
tions made  on  various  subjects,  take  up  rny  mornings,  and  I 
have  had  only  now  and  then  an  evening  to  write  in. 

I  have  seen  the  prime  agent,  who  proposed  something  in 
the  way  of  supplying  the  Colonies  with  military  stores  from 


Prussia.  I  shall  confer  further  on  the  subject  with  him, 
and  write  you.  I  have  drawn  up  a  memorial  on  the  com- 
merce of  America  and  its  importance  to  Europe,  and  shall 
r resent  it  to-morrow  to  the  different  personages  concerned. 
shall  send  a  copy,  if  I  can  get  one  made,  by  this  convey- 
ance. The  debt  of  the  Colonies  in  carrying  on  the  war  is 
a  common  topick  for  Ministerial  writers ;  but  permit  me  to 
assure  you  at  the  close  of  this  long  letter,  that  the  demand 
for  land  in  America,  if  its  liberties  are  established,  will  more 
than  compensate  the  whole  expense.  I  will  in  a  future 
letter  be  more  explicit  on  this  important  subject,  but  am  well 
convinced  of  the  certainty  of  this  fact,  "that  the  advance  in 
the  price  of  lands  in  America,  if  the  Colonies  are  victorious, 
will  more  than  reimburse  the  expenses  of  the  war."  I  have 
nothing  material  to  add.  Never  were  a  people  more  anxious 
for  news  than  the  people  of  this  Kingdom  are  for  news 
from  America;  and  surely  you  will  put  me  down  as  one  of 
the  first  in  the  roll  of  American  heroes,  when  you  consider 
my  situation,  plunging  into  very  important  engagements, 
which  I  can  by  no  means  avoid,  yet  without  funds  to  sup- 
port them.  But  I  will  not  enlarge  on  this  subject,  and  only 
say,  that  I  have  met  with  every  possible  encouragement 
from  every  person  I  have  seen,  whether  in  or  out  of  office, 
and  I  believe  no  person  in  the  same  space  of  time  ever 
conferred  with  more  of  both.  My  being  known  to  be  an 
American,  and  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  Congress,  and  in 
business  for  the  United  Colonies,  has  introduced  me  beyond 
what  almost  any  other  recommendation  could  have  done, 
which  I  mention  to  convince  you  of  the  attention  paid  here 
to  the  cause  of  the  United  Colonies,  and  how  very  popular 
it  has  become  in  this  country. 

I  have  repeatedly  seen  Mr.  Hopkins,  formerly  of  Mary- 
land, now  advanced  to  be  a  Brigadier-General  in  this  ser- 
vice. He  talks  of  coming  out  to  America.  Should  the  Due 
de  Choiseul,  who  is  his  friend  and  patron,  come  into  the 
lead  of  Administration,  he  might  come  out  to  advantage. 
Insurance  from  London  to  Jamaica  is  twenty  per  cent.  If 
a  few  of  our  cruisers  would  venture  on  this  coast,  they  might 
do  very  well,  as  they  would  find  protection  in  the  harbours 
of  this  Kingdom.  Coining  ostensibly  for  the  purpose  only 
of  commerce  or  otherwise,  no  questions  would  be  asked,  and 
they  might  wait  until  an  opportunity  offered,  (of  which  they 
might  be  minutely  informed,)  and  then  strike  something  to 
the  purpose.  I  give  this  hint  to  individuals  rather  than  to 
the  honourable  Congress  as  a  body.  The  bearer,  Mr.  Mc- 
Creary,  has  obliged  me  by  copying  my  memoir,  which  I 
send  herewith.  It  has  had  a  great  run  among  the  Ministers 
of  this  and  some  other  Courts  in  a  private  way.  M.  Beau- 
marchais writes  by  this  opportunity.  He  has  shown  me  his 
letter,  and  I  have  agreed  in  general  to  the  contents,  not 
understanding  any  exclusive  privilege  for  his  house.  Every- 
thing he  says,  writes,  or  does,  is  in  reality  the  action  of  the 
Ministry;  for  that  a  man  should  but  a  few  months  since 
confine  himself  from  his  creditors,  and  now  on  this  occasion 
be  able  to  advance  half  a  million,  is  so  extraordinary  that  it 
ceases  to  be  a  mystery.  M.  Coudray  was  not  in  the  Turkish 
service  as  I  was  informed;  it  was  a  gentleman  who  proposes 
accompanying  him ;  but  he  is  an  officer  of  the  first  eminence, 
an  Adjutant-General  in  the  French  service,  and  his  prospects 
here  of  rising  are  exceeding  good ;  but  he  is  dissatisfied  with 
an  idle  life.  His  proposals  in  general  have  been,  that  he 
should  be  General  of  the  Artillery,  and  subject  only  to  the 
orders  of  Congress  or  their  Committee  of  War,  or  of  their 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Army  where  he  might  be.  In 
the  next  place,  that  he  should  rank  as  Major-General,  and 
have  the  same  wages,  &tc.,  coming  in  as  youngest  Major- 
General  for  the  present,  and  rising  of  course. 

Many  other  particulars  are  not  yet  adjusted ;  but  consi- 
dering the  importance  of  having  two  hundred  pieces  of  brass 
cannon,  with  every  necessary  article  for  twenty-five  thou- 
sand men,  provided  with  an  able  and  experienced  General 
at  the  head  of  it,  warranted  by  the  Minister  of  this  Court  to 
be  an  able  and  faithful  man,  with  a  number  of  fine  and  spi- 
rited young  officers  in  his  train,  and  all  without  advancing 
one  shilling,  is  too  tempting  an  object  for  me  to  hesitate 
about,  though  I  own  there  is  a  silence  in  my  instructions. 
I  therefore  honestly  declare  I  am  at  your  mercy  in  this  case, 
and  I  have  no  uneasiness  of  mind  on  the  occasion  ;  for  should 
I  be  sacrificed,  it  will  be  in  that  cause  to  which  I  have  de- 
voted my  life  and  every  in  it.  The  terms  of  M. 
C /udray  may  be  thought  high ;  but  consider  a  person  leaving 


1021 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1022 


a  certain  and  permanent  service  and  his  native  country,  to 
go  lie  hardly  knows  where,  and  it  must  he  supposed  he  will 
ask  at  least  as  good  terms  as  he  could  have  in  his  own  coun- 
try; but  as  the  terms  have  not  been  particularly  considered, 
I  must  defer  anything  further  on  this  subject  for  the  present, 
hourly  in  hopes  of  some  explicit  intelligence  from  the  hon- 
ourable Congress.  You  have  the  good  wishes  of  every  one 
here.  Chevalier  de  Chastellier  desires  me  this  instant  to 
write  down  his  compliments  to  Dr.  Franklin;  and  with 
pleasure  I  say,  the  being  known  to  be  his  friend,  is  one  of 
the  best  recommendations  a  man  can  wish  to  have  in  France, 
and  will  introduce  him  when  titles  fail.  S.  D. 


SILAS  DEANE  TO  C.  W.  F.  DUMAS. 

Paris,  August  18,  1776.  , 

SIR  :  Your  favour  of  the  8th,  and  one  earlier,  but  without 
a  date,  are  before  me,  and  1  return  you  Ay  thanks  for  the 
attention  paid  to  mine,  and  more  especially  for  the  good 
opinion  you  entertain  of  my  countrymen,  and  your  tenders 
of  service.  The  business  before  me  is  of  such  a  nature,  that 
I  must  be  detained  some  time  in  this  city.  If  I  take  a  jour- 
ney to  Holland,  it  will  be  my  choice  to  make  it  as  a  private 
gentleman ;  as  such  I  am  in  Paris,  and  that  character  1 
shall  keep,  unless  obliged  to  alter  it.  Parade  and  pomp 
have  no  charms  in  the  eyes  of  a  patriot,  or  even  a  man  of 
common  good  sense;  but  at  the  same  time,  I  can  never  sub- 
mit to  the  changing  of  my  name,  unless  I  am  convinced  that 
so  humiliating  a  step  will  promote  the  service  of  my  country. 
I  can  pass  unnoticed  under  that  name,  as  well  as  any  other, 
whilst  I  conduct  in  every  other  step  as  a  private  gentleman. 
I  have  now  but  little  hopes  of  being  in  Holland  till  October, 
before  which,  such  intelligence  may  arrive  from  America  as 
may  alter  my  present  designs. 

The  declaration  of  Independency  made  by  the  United 
Colonies,  is  announced  in  the  English  papers,  but  I  have 
received  no  despatches  on  the  event,  though  I  am  in  daily 
expectation  of  them.  You  ask  me  two  questions  in  your 
first  letter;  to  the  former,  I  answer  at  once  affirmatively, 
that  I  have  a  certain  prospect  of  succeeding  in  my  business ; 
but  as  to  the  latter,  or  second  query,  I  cannot  so  readily 
reply,  for  I  know  not  how  far  the  knowledge  of  me  and  my 
concerns  may  have  extended.  I  am  here  as  a  private  mer- 
chant, and  appear  as  such,  whatever  suspicion  may  circulate. 
As  such,  I  can  travel,  I  trust,  in  your  country,  which  I  most 
ardently  wish  to  see,  and  the  more  so  on  account  of  the 
kind,  simple,  and  engaging  invitation  you  have  given  me.  It 
really  affected  me,  and  brought  instantaneously  to  view  those 
happy  and  peaceful  scenes  of  domestick  felicity,  to  which  I 
am  at  present  a  stranger.  You  have  all  I  can  give  you,  a 
grateful  acknowledgment  of  your  kindness,  and  depend,  that 
I  will  in  person  acknowledge  it  on  my  first  arrival  in  Holland. 
It  is  the  policy  of  the  United  Provinces  of  Holland  to  be 
neuter  to  every  attention.  The  United  Colonies  only  wish 
them  to  keep  steady  to  their  only  true  system  of  policy  in 
the  present  case;  and  give  me  leave  to  say,  that  a  reflection 
on  their  former  struggles  must  show  them  in  what  point  of 
light  the  Americans  are  to  be  considered.  The  United 
Colonies  ask  no  aid  or  alliances.  Let  Britain  court  every, 
even  the  most  petty  and  mercenary  Power  in  Europe,  the 
United  Colonies  only  ask  for  what  nature  surely  entitles  all 
men  to,  a  free  and  uninterrupted  commerce  and  exchange  of 
the  superfluities  of  one  country  for  those  of  another;  and  the 
first  Power  in  Europe,  which  takes  advantage  of  the  present 
favourable  occasion,  must  exceed  every  other  in  commerce. 

But  I  am  rambling.  I  pray  to  know  in  your  next  letter, 
what  sums  are  due  to  Holland  from  the  Government  of  Eng- 
land. Whether  the  King  of  Prussia  is  wholly  inattentive 
to  the  present  proceedings,  and  on  which  side  his  wishes  are. 
Omnia  tentanda.  I  really  hope  to  be  at  the  Hague  in  Octo- 
ber, and  promise  myself  great  pleasure  in  seeing  you  and  your 
lady,  to  whom,  though  otherwise  unknown,  since  you  have 
introduced  me,  you  cannot  refuse  presenting  my  best  respects. 
I  am,  with  great  esteem,  &c.  SILAS  DEANE. 


FHOM  BARON  DE  BEAUMARCHAIS  TO  THE  COMMITTEE  OF 
SECRET  CORRESPONDENCE. 

[Translation.] 

Paris,  August  18,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  respectful  esteem  that  I  bear  towards 
that  brave  people,  who  so  well  defend  their  liberty  under 


your  conduct,  has  induced  me  to  form  a  plan  concurring  in 
this  great  work,  by  establishing  an  extensive  commercial 
house,  solely  for  the  purpose  of  serving  you  in  Europe,  there 
to  supply  you  with  necessaries  of  every  sort,  to  furnish  you 
expeditiously  and  certainly  with  all  articles,  clothes,  linens, 
powder,  ammunition,  muskets,  cannon,  or  even  gold  for  the 
payment  of  your  troops,  and  in  general  everything  that  can 
be  useful  for  the  honourable  war  in  which  you  are  engaged. 
Your  deputies,  gentlemen,  will  find  in  me  a  sure  friend,  an 
asylum  in  my  house,  money  in  my  coffers,  and  every  means 
of  facilitating  their  operations,  whether  of  a  publick  or  secret 
nature.  I  will,  if  possible,  remove  all  obstacles  that  may 
oppose  your  wishes,  from  the  politicks  of  Europe. 

At  this  very  time,  and  without  waiting  for  any  answer  from 
you,  I  have  procured  for  you  about  two  hundred  pieces  of 
brass  cannon,  four  pounders,  which  will  be  sent  to  you  by  the 
nearest  way;  two  hundred  thousand  pounds  of  cannon  pow- 
der, twenty  thousand  excellent  fusils,  some  brass  mortars, 
bombs,  cannon  balls,  bayonets,  platines,  clothes,  linens,  &c., 
for  the  clothing  of  your  troops,  and  lead  for  musket  balls.  An 
officer  of  the  greatest  merit  for  artillery  and  genius,  accom- 
panied by  lieutenants,  officers,  artillerists,  cannoniers,  &c., 
whom  we  think  necessary  for  the  service,  will  go  for  Phila- 
delphia, even  before  you  have  received  my  first  despatches. 
This  gentleman  is  one  of  the  greatest  presents  that  my  attach- 
ment can  offer  you.  Your  deputy,  Mr.  Deanc  agrees  with 
me  in  the  treatment  which  he  thinks  suitable  to  his  office, 
and  I  have  found  the  power  of  this  deputy  sufficient,  that  I 
should  prevail  with  this  officer  to  depart,  under  the  sole 
engagement  of  the  deputy  respecting  him,  the  terms  of 
which  I  have  not  the  least  doubt  but  Congress  will  comply 
with.  The  secrecy  necessary  in  some  part  of  the  operation; 
which  I  have  undertaken  for  your  service,  requires  also,  on 
your  part,  a  formal  resolution,  that  all  the  vessels  and  their 
demands  should  be  constantly  directed  to  our  house  alone,  in 
order  that  there  may  be  no  idle  chattering  or  time  lost — two 
things  that  are  the  ruin  of  affairs.  You  will  advise  me  what 
the  vessels  contain,  which  you  shall  send  into  our  ports.  I 
shall  choose  so  much  of  their  loading,  in  return  for  what  I 
have  sent,  as  shall  be  suitable  to  me,  when  I  have  not  been 
able  beforehand  to  inform  you  of  the  cargoes  which  I  wish. 
I  shall  facilitate  to  you  the  loading,  sale,  and  disposal  of  the 
rest.  For  instance,  five  American  vessels  have  just  arrived 
in  the  port  of  Bordeaux,  laden  with  salt  fish  ;  though  this 
merchandise  coming  from  strangers  is  prohibited  in  our  ports, 
yet  as  soon  as  your  deputy  had  told  me  that  these  vessels 
were  sent  to  him  by  you,  to  raise  money  from  the  sale  for 
aiding  him  in  his  purchases  in  Europe,  I  took  so  much  care 
that  1  secretly  obtained  from  the  Farmers-General  an  order 
for  landing  it  without  any  notice  being  taken  of  it.  I  could 
even,  if  the  case  had  so  happened,  have  taken  upon  my  own 
account  these  cargoes  of  salted  fish,  though  it  is  not  very 
useful  to  me,  and  charged  myself  with  its  sale  and  disposal, 
to  simplify  the  operation  and  lessen  the  embarrassments  of 
the  merchants,  and  of  your  deputy. 

I  shall  have  a  correspondent  in  each  of  our  seaport  towns, 
who,  on  the  arrival  of  your  vessels,  shall  wait  on  the  Captains 
and  offer  every  service  in  my  power;  he  will  receive  their 
letters,  bills  of  lading,  and  transmit  the  whole  to  me;  even 
things  which  you  may  wish  to  arrive  safely  in  any  country 
in  Europe,  after  having  conferred  about  them  with  your 
deputy,  I  shall  cause  to  be  kept  in  some  secure  place;  even 
the  answers  shall  go  with  great  punctuality  through  me,  and 
this  way  will  save  much  anxiety  and  many  delays.  I  re- 
quest of  you,  gentlemen,  to  send  me  next  spring,  if  it  is 
possible  for  you,  ten  or  twelve  thousand  hogsheads,  or  more 
if  you  can,  of  tobacco  from  Virginia,  of  the  best  quality. 

You  very  well  understand  that  my  commerce  with  you 
is  carried  on  in  Europe,  that  it  is  in  the  ports  of  Europe  I 
make  and  take  returns.  However  well  bottomed  my  house 
may  be,  and  however  I  may  have  appropriated  many  mil- 
lions to  your  trade  alone,  yet  it  would  be  impossible  for  me 
to  support  it,  if  all  the  dangers  of  the  sea,  of  exports  and 
imports,  were  not  entirely  at  your  risk.  Whenever  ycju 
choose  to  receive  my  goods  in  any  of  our  Windward  or  Lee- 
ward Islands,  you  have  only  to  inform  me  of  it,  and  my  cor- 
respondents shall  be  there  according  to  your  orders,  and  then 
you  shall  have  no  augmentation  of  price,  but  of  freight  and 
insurance.  But  the  risk  of  being  taken  by  your  enemies, 
still  remains  with  you,  according  to  the  declaration  rendered 
incontestable  by  the  measures  I  shall  take  by  your  deputy 


1023 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1024 


himself.  Tills  deputy  should  receive,  as  soon  as  possible, 
full  power  and  authority  to  accept  what  I  shall  deliver  to 
him,  to  receive  my  accounts,  examine  them,  make  payments 
thereupon,  or  enter  into  engagements,  which  you  shall  be 
bound  to  ratify,  as  the  head  of  that  brave  people  to  whom  I 
am  devoted;  in  short,  always  to  treat  about  your  interests 
immediately  with  me. 

Notwithstanding  the  open  opposition  which  the  King  of 
France,  his  Ministers,  aqd  the  agents  of  Administration  show, 
and  ought  to  show  to  everything  that  carries  the  least  appear- 
ance of  violating  foreign  treaties  and  the  internal  ordinances 
of  the  Kingdom,  I  dare  promise  to  you,  gentlemen,  that  my 
indefatigable  zeal  shall  never  be  wanting  to  clear  up  difficul- 
ties, soften  prohibitions,  and,  in  short,  facilitate  all  operations 
of  a  commerce  which  my  advantage,  much  less  than  yours, 
has  made  me  undertake  with  you.  What  I  have  just  informed 
you  of  is  only  a  general  sketch,  subject  to  all  the  augmenta- 
tions and  restrictions  which  events  may  point  out  to  us. 

One  thing  can  never  vary  or  diminish:  it  is  the  avowed 
and  ardent  desire  I  have  of  serving  you  to  the  utmost  of  my 
power.  You  will  recollect  my  signature,  that  one  of  your 
friends  in  London  some  time  ago  informed  you  of  my  favour- 
able disposition  towards  you,  and  my  attachment  to  your 
interest.  Look  upon  my  house,  then,  gentlemen,  from 
henceforward  as  the  chief  of  all  useful  operations  to  you  in 
Europe,  and  my  person  as  one  of  the  most  zealous  partisans 
of  your  cause,  the  soul  of  your  success,  and  a  man  most 
deeply  impressed  with  respectful  esteem,  with  which  I  have 
the  honour  to  be,  RODERIO.UE  HORTALEZ  &,  Co.* 

P.  S.  I  add  here,  to  conclude,  that  every  American  ves- 
sel, though  not  immediately  armed  or  loaded  by  you,  will 
be  entitled  to  my  good  offices  in  this  country;  but  yours, 
particularly  addressed  to  my  house,  will  receive  a  particu- 
lar preference  from  me.  1  ought  also  to  intimate  to  you, 
gentlemen,  that  from  the  nature  of  my  connexion,  it  is  to  be 
wished  you  would  use  discretion,  even  in  the  accounts  that 
you  give  to  the  General  Congress.  Everything  that  passes 
in  your  great  assemblies  is  known,  I  cannot  tell  how,  at 
the  Court  of  Great  Britain.  Some  indiscreet  or  perfidious 
citizen  sends  an  exact  account  of  your  proceedings  to  the 
Palace  of  St.  James.  In  times  of  great  exigency,  Rome 
had  a  Dictator;  and  in  a  state  of  danger  the  more  the  execu- 
tive power  is  brought  to  a  point,  the  more  certain  will  be  its 
effect,  and  there  will  be  less  to  fear  from  indiscretion.  It 
is  to  your  wisdom,  gentlemen,  that  I  make  this  remark;  if  it 
seems  to  you  just  and  well  planned,  look  upon  it  as  a  new 
mark  of  my  ardor  for  your  rising  Republic.  R.  H.  &t  Co. 

*  This  signature  was  assumed  by  M.  Beamnarchais  for  the  purpose  of 
concealment. 


Elk,  on  their  way  to  Philadelphia,  under  the  command  of 
Major  Edin,  at  which  place  he  is  to  receive  further  orders. 

1  have  issued  orders  to  Captains  Magruder,  Hanson,  and 
Brooks,  to  march  with  the  officers  and  men  under  their 
command  here  immediately,  so  as  to  embark  for  their  sta- 
tion. You  will  please  give  me  an  order  for  what  things  I 
may  want  out  of  the  Commissary's  store  for  sending  them 
off.  I  mean  to  march  with  these  three  companies  myself. 
I  intended  ordering  Captains  Tillard  and  Bowie  to  march, 
but  from  a  letter  just  now  received  from  Captain  Tillard,  his 
and  Captain  Bowie's  company  are  stopped.  I  should  be 
glad  to  know  what  companies  your  Honours  intend  to  give 
me  in  place  of  Captains  Forrest,  Tillard,  and  Bonne.  I 
should  at  the  same  time  esteem  it  a  favour  to  be  permitted 
to  have  their  companies  with  me. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  honoured  sirs,  your  most  obe- 
dient,  humble  servant,  THQS  EWJNG< 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  THE  CAMP  NEAR  SENECA, 
DATED  AUGUST  18,  1776. 

On  the  12th  instant  Colonel  Williamson  came  to  Tomaw- 
sey,  where  he  saw  signs  of  Indians  very  fresh;  detached 
Captains  Perkins  and  Anderson,  with  sixty  men,  to  track 
them  and  reconnoitre,  and  Major  Doivnes  went  out  with 
twenty  men.  Captain  Anderson,  with  twenty-five  men, 
parted  from  Captain  Perkins,  and  crossed  a  creek;  soon 
after  Captain  Perkins  and  his  thirty-five  men  saw  two 
Indians,  and  fired  at  them;  the  Indians  set  up  the  war 
whoop  and  ran;  the  party  followed,  and  were  quickly  met 
by  a  party  of  the  enemy,  supposed  to  be  between  two  and 
three  hundred,  who  engaged  them  very  furiously.  Major 
Doivnes  fortunately  came  up  in  the  rear,  and  Captain  An- 
derson falling  on  the  back  of  the  enemy  to  the  right,  the 
firing  was  heard  at  the  town.  Colonel  Williamson  turned 
out  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  who,  coming  close  on 
the  back  of  the  enemy,  made  them  quickly  give  way;  the 
most  forward  of  their  party,  being  entirely  surrounded,  were 
mostly  cut  off.  Sixteen  were  found  dead  in  one  valley  when 
the  battle  ended;  these  our  men  scalped,  but  did  not  look 
any  further,  being  now  near  sunset  they  were  called  off  by 
beat  of  drum.  We  had  two  killed  and  sixteen  wounded  ; 
three  of  the  latter  died  next  day,  among  whom  was  Captain 
Lacey,  a  very  brave  officer  and  a  good  man. 


CAPTAIN  BOURK  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Cambridge,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  this  morning  received  your  orders,  and  will 
obey  them  with  pleasure. 

I  hope  to  set  off  for  Annapolis  on  Wednesday  or  Thurs- 
day at  farthest,  on  my  way  to  Philadelphia.  This  I  take 
to  be  the  least  expensive  mode  of  travelling. 

I  believe  I  shall  receive  fifty  guns  from  the  Committee. 
There  are  some  which  want  repair.  I  shall  omit  having 
them  repaired  till  I  get  to  Annapolis  or  Philadelphia. 

From  some  disappointments  I  met  with,  the  number  of 
blankets  is  not  completed.  I  wish  I  may  be  able  to  furnish 
myself  in  Annapolis ;  it  will  give  new  spirits  to  the  men. 

I  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble  ser- 

vant'  THOMAS  BOURK. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President,  &,c. 


MARYLAND  CONVF.NTION  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  22,  1776.] 

Annapolis,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  it  in  command  from  the  Convention  to  apply 
to  Congress  through  you  for  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars, on  account  of  disbursements  by  this  Colony  for  their 
quota  of  the  Flying-Camp,  and  other  expenses  incurred  on 
account  of  the  Continent,  which  already  amount  to  near 
fifteen  thousand.  It  is  hoped  that  Congress  will  not  hesi- 
tate to  comply  with  this  request,  when  it  is  considered  that 
this  Colony  have  exerted  in  the  present  most  critical  situ- 
ation their  utmost  force  in  the  common  defence,  having  not 
only  ordered  the  whole  of  their  regular  troops  to  march,  but 
have  also  directed  their  Council  of  Safety  to  order  our  full 
quota  of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp,  now  nearly  ready,  and 
waiting  only  for  arms  to  repair  immediately  to  the  Jerseys. 

You  would  not  have  been  troubled  on  this  occasion,  but 
from  our  apprehensions  that  none  of  our  members  are  now 
attending  in  Congress. 

Accounts  of  these  disbursements  are  making  out,  and  will 
be  speedily  transmitted. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  MATH  TlUJI)MAN>  PresicfenL 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Congress, 
at  Philadelphia. 

P.  S.  The  Council  of  Safety,  I  presume,  will  send  a  spe- 
cial messenger  for  the  money. 


COLONEL  EWING  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore,  August  18,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIRS  :  I  yesterday  forwarded  three  compa- 
nies— Captains  Posey's,  Young's,  and  Lowe's — to  Head  of 


JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  COLONEL  WHIPPLE. 

Philadelphia,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR  :  Since  you  left  this  city,  the  ship  Morris  is  arrived 
from  France.  She  has  brought  for  the  Congress  above  one 
hundred  bolts  of  sail-cloth,  which  cost  above  £3,000  sterling. 
She  has  also  brought  for  this  Colony  fifty-three  tons  of  lead 
and  fifteen  thousand  pounds  of  powder,  &c.  A  ship  has 
also  arrived  from  Lisbon,  which  place  she  left  the  latter  end 
of  June.  She  has  brought  some  necessaries  for  the  Con- 
gress. The  Master  contradicts  the  report  of  the  Portuguese 
seizing  American  vessels,  and  informs  us  of  several  of  our 
vessels  being  at  Lisbon  when  he  left  it,  and  had  free  liberty 


1025 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1026 


of  trading.  A  French  vessel  from  the  West-Indies,  and  a 
Dutch  vessel  from  St.  Eustalia,  have  arrived,  and  have 
brought  about  ten  thousand  pounds  of  powder. 

I  fear  the  Confederation  will  not  be  finished  in  time  to  be 
laid  before  our  Assembly  at  their  next  sitting.  Last  week 
passed  without  looking  at  it.  Other  affairs  have  taken  up  the 
whole  time.  Near  two  days  were  taken  up  about  Commo- 
dore Hopkins;  and  we  had  the  pleasure  to  be  for  the  greatest 
part  of  that  time  entertained  by  the  eloquence  of  some  of  our 
Southern  brethren,  particularly  that  polite  speaker.  Middle- 
ton.  The  Congress  at  last  found  Hopkins  guilty  of  not 
paying  proper  attention  to  his  orders,  and  have  ordered  him 
to  be  censured.  Thus  stands  that  affair  at  present. 

The  report  concerning  General  Wooster  is  at  length  agreed 
to.  By  General  Gates's  letters  of  the  7th  instant,  it  appears 
that  our  affairs  in  that  department  wear  a  much  more  favour- 
able aspect  than  for  some  time  past.  Six  or  seven  hundred 
of  our  Militia  had  arrived.  Colonel  Bedel  was  cashiered; 
Butterfield  cashiered,  and  rendered  incapable  to  hold  a  com- 
mission under  the  Congress. 

I  am,  sir,  your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

JOSIAH  BARTLETT. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  JOHN  ADAMS,  DATED  PHILA- 
DELPHIA, AUGUST  18,  1776. 

I  have  seen  in  this  world  but  a  little  of  that  pure  flame  of 
patriotism  which  certainly  burns  in  some  breasts.  There  is 
much  of  the  ostentation  and  affectation  of  it.  I  have  known 
a  few  who  could  not  bear  to  entertain  a  selfish  design,  nor 
to  be  suspected  by  others  of  such  a  meanness ;  but  these  are 
not  the  most  respected  by  the  world.  A  man  must  be 
selfish,  even  to  acquire  great  popularity.  He  must  grasp  for 
himself,  under  specious  pretences  for  the  publick  good,  and 
he  must  attach  himself  to  his  relations,  connexions,  and 
friends,  by  becoming  a  champion  for  their  interests,  in  order 
to  form  a  phalanx  about  him  for  his  own  defence,  to  make 
them  trumpeters  of  his  praise,  and  sticklers  for  his  fame, 
fortune,  and  honour. 

My  friend  Warren,  the  late  Governour  Ward,  and  Mr. 
Gadsden,  are  three  characters  in  which  I  have  seen  the 
most  generous  disdain  of  every  spice  and  species  of  such 
meanness.  The  two  last  had  not  great  abilities,  but  they 
had  pure  hearts.  Yet  they  had  less  influence  than  many 
others,  who  had  neither  so  considerable  parts,  nor  any  share 
at  all  of  their  purity  of  intention.  Warren  has  both  talents 
and  virtues  beyond  most  men  in  this  world;  yet  his  character 
has  never  been  in  proportion.  Thus  it  always  is,  and  has 
been,  and  will  be.  Nothing  has  ever  given  me  more  mor- 
tification than  a  suspicion  that  has  been  propagated  of  me, 
that  I  am  actuated  by  private  views,  and  have  been  aiming 
at  high  places.  The  office  of  Chief  Justice  has  occasioned 
this  jealousy,  and  it  never  will  be  allayed  until  I  resign  it. 
Let  me  have  my  farm,  family,  and  goosequill,  and  all  the 
honours  and  offices  this  world  has  to  bestow,  may  go  to 
those  who  deserve  them  better  and  desire  them  more.  I 
court  them  not. 

There  are  very  few  people  in  this  world  with  whom  I  can 
bear  to  converse.  I  can  treat  all  with  decency  and  civility, 
and  converse  with  them,  when  it  is  necessary,  on  points  of 
business.  But  I  am  never  happy  in  their  company.  This 
has  made  me  a  recluse,  and  will,  one  day,  make  me  a  her- 
mit. 1  had  rather  build  stone  wall  upon  Penn's  hill,  than 
to  be  the  first  Prince  in  Europe,  or  the  first  General  or  first 
Senator  in  America.  Our  expectations  are  very  high  of 
some  great  affair  at  New-York. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE   PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the  16th, 
with  its  enclosure,  and  am  sorry  it  is  not  in  my  power  to 
transmit  Congress  a  copy  of  the  treaty  as  they  require,  having 
sent  it  away  with  the  other  papers  that  were  in  my  hands. 

The  resolution  they  have  entered  into  respecting  the  for- 
eign troops  I  am  persuaded  would  produce  salutary  effects, 
if  it  can  be  properly  circulated  among  them.  I  fear  it  will 
be  a  matter  of  difficulty;  however,  I  will  take  every  measure 
that  shall  appear  probable  to  facilitate  the  end. 

I  have  the  honour  to  enclose,  for  the  perusal  and  considera- 
tion of  Congress,  sundry  papers,  marked  from  No.  1  to  No.  7 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  65 


inclusive,  the  whole  of  which,  except  No.  2  and  7,  (my 
answers  to  Lord  Drummond  and  General  Howe,')  I  received 
yesterday  evening  by  a  flag,  and  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer 
Congress. 

I  am  exceedingly  at  a  loss  to  know  the  motives  and  causes 
inducing  a  proceeding  of  such  a  nature  at  this  time,  and  why 
Lord  Howe  has  not  attempted  some  plan  of  negotiation  be- 
fore, as  he  seems  so  desirous  of  it.  If  I  may  be  allowed  to 
conjecture  and  guess  at  the  cause,  it  may  be  that  part  of  the 
Hessians  have  not  arrived  as  mentioned  in  the  examination 
transmitted  yesterday;  or,  that  General  Burgoyne  has  not 
made  such  progress  as  was  expected  to  form  a  junction  of 
their  two  armies;  or,  (what  I  think  equally  probable,)  they 
mean  to  procrastinate  their  operations  for  some  time,  trusting 
that  the  Militia  who  have  come  to  our  succour  will  soon  be- 
come tired  and  return  home,  as  it  is  but  too  usual  with  them. 
Congress  will  make  their  observations  upon  these  several  mat- 
ters, and  favour  me  with  the  result  as  soon  as  they  have  done. 

They  will  observe  my  answer  to  Lord  Drummond,  who 
I  am  pretty  confident  has  not  attended  to  the  terms  of  his 
parole,  but  has  violated  it  in  several  instances.  It  is  with 
the  rest  of  the  papers;  but  if  my  memory  serves  me,  he  was 
not  to  hold  any  correspondence,  directly  or  indirectly,  with 
those  in  arms  against  us,  or  to  go  into  any  port  or  harbour  in 
America  where  the  enemy  themselves  were  or  had  a  fleet, 
or  to  go  on  board  their  ships. 

The  treaty  with  the  Indians  is  in  the  box  which  Lieute- 
nant-Colonel Reed  I  presume  has  delivered  before  this.  If 
Congress  are  desirous  of  seeing  it,  they  will  be  pleased  to 
have  the  box  opened.  It  contains  a  variety  of  papers,  and 
all  the  affairs  of  the  Army  from  my  first  going  to  Cambridge 
till  it  was  sent  away. 

This  morning  the  Phenix  and  Rose,  men-of-war,  with 
two  tenders,  availing  themselves  of  a  favourable  and  brisk 
wind,  came  down  the  river,  and  have  joined  the  fleet.  Our 
several  batteries  fired  at  them  in  their  passage,  but  without 
any  good  effect  that  I  could  perceive. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  esteem,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

[No.  1.] 

Head-Quarters,  Staten-Island,  August  13,  1776. 
General  HOWE  desires  to  know  if  General  Washington 
has  any  objection  to  Mr.  Robert  Temple's  being  landed  at 
New-  York,  and  going  from  thence  to  his  family  in  the  Gov- 
ernment of  Massachusetts-Bay. 

[No.  2.] 

Head-Q.uarters,  New-York,  August  17,  1776. 
General  WASHINGTON  begs  leave  to  acquaint  Gen.  Howe 
that  he  has  not  the  least  objection  to  Mr.  Temple's  landing 
and  proceeding  to  his  family  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay;  on  the  other  hand,  he  will  meet  every  assistance  and 
convenience  for  that  purpose. 

To  Lieutenant-General  Howe. 

[No.  3.] 

August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  Being  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  America, 
I  think  it  my  duty  to  communicate  a  matter  of  intelligence 
which  I  flatter  myself  may  be  rendered  conducive  to  the 
restoration  of  a  desirable  peace;  and  in  this  view  I  request 
your  Excellency's  permission  to  land  at  New-York,  to  IQ 
directly  to  Philadelphia,  in  order  to  lay  the  same  before  the 
General  Congress. 

In  the  course  of  a  conversation  I  have  had  with  Lord 
Howe,  I  perceive  that  the  powers  he  is  invested  with,  as 
well  as  his  disposition  for  establishing  an  equitable  and  per- 
manent peace,  are  altogether  misunderstood  by  the  Colonies ; 
for,  in  consequence  of  a  sketch  of  some  propositions  being 
offered  for  his  consideration,  he  very  frankly  assured  me  he 
was  willing  to  confer  upon  those  grounds  with  any  gentle- 
men of  the  greatest  influence  in  this  country.  As  I  am 
at  liberty  to  declare  his  sentiments,  I  have  the  honour  to 
enclose  for  your  Excellency's  information  a  copy  of  my  cor- 
respondence with  his  Lordship  and  of  the  propositions  referred 
to  in  his  letter,  which  are  the  motives  of  my  present  request. 

Attending  in  the  boat  to  be  indulged  with  your  answer,  I 
have,  &tc.,  DRUMMOND. 

To  General  Washington,  Sic.,  &c. 


1027 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1028 


[No.  4.] 

Sloop  Polly,  August  12,  1776. 

MY  LORD:  I  take  the  liberty  of  sending  enclosed  the 
sketch  of  propositions  referred  to  in  my  late  conversation 
with  your  Lordship,  which  propositions,  I  have  understood, 
the  Colonies  were  disposed,  not  many  months  ago,  to  make 
the  basis  of  a  reconciliation  with  Great  Britain. 

1  have'  fcc->  DRUMMOND. 

To  Lord  Howe. 

[No.  5.] 
Sketch  of  Propositions  comnmnitated  to  Lord  HOWE  the  12th  August,  1776. 

1st.  That  it  shall  be  ascertained,  as  far  as  can  be  deter- 
mined by  calculation,  what  supply  towards  the  general 
exigency  of  the  State  each  separate  Colony  can  furnish, 
consistent  with  its  ability. 

'2d.  When  such  supply  is  thus  ascertained,  that  each 
Colony  shall,  by  acts  of  its  own  Assembly,  impose  such 
taxes  as  they  shall  find  expedient  for  the  raising  of  the  said 
supply. 

3d.  In  consideration  of  the  fluctuating  state  of  all  young 
countries,  that  such  States  may  not,  in  their  operations,  be- 
come partially  or  accidentally  burdensome  on  the  one  hand, 
nor  on  the  other  hand  gradually  become  deficient  in  produ- 
cing the  aid  intended  by  the  Colonies  towards  the  general 
exigency  of  the  State,  such  articles  shall  be  chosen  as  the 
objects  of  imposition,  as  they  shall  deem  the  most  likely  to 
keep  pace  with  the  growth  or  decline  of  the  said  Colonies. 

4th.  That  these  taxes,  so  imposed,  shall,  as  in  the  cus- 
toms, be  levied  by  officers  of  the  appointment  of  the  King, 
and  that  a  perpetual  grant  of  the  produce  of  these  taxes 
shall  be  made  by  the  respective  Assemblies  to  the  Crown 
of  Great  Britain. 

5th.  As  the  direct  means  of  removing  the  fatal  grounds 
of  this  contention,  by  establishing  a  security  against  the 
apprehended  invasion  of  property  by  Parliament,  a  formal 
relinquishment  shall  be  made,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain, 
of  all  future  claim  to  taxation  over  these  her  Colonies. 

6th.  To  remove  all  future  suspicions  from  the  minds  of 
the  Colonists,  that  under  the  appearance  of  regulating  com- 
merce duties  may  be  imposed  for  the  further  purposes  of 
revenue,  an  application  of  the  produce  of  all  duties  imposed 
on  articles  of  trade  by  the  British  Legislature  shall  be  made 
towards  defraying  the  expenses  of  collection,  and  the  sur- 
plusses  in  each  Colony  to  be  paid  into  their  separate  Treasu- 
ries, and  to  be  subject  to  the  disposal  of  the  respective 
Houses  of  Assembly. 


I  am  sorry  to  have  detained  your  Lordship  so  long,  but 
the  unavoidable  necessity  must  be  my  apology. 

I  am,  my  Lord,  your  Lordship's  most  obedient  and  very 
humble  servant,  GQ  WASHINGTON> 

To  Lord  Drummond. 


DRUMMOND. 


[No.  6.] 


Eagle,  off  Staten-Island,  August  15,  1776. 

Mr  LORD  :  I  have  received  the  honour  of  your  Lordship's 
letter  of  the  12th,  enclosing  a  sketch  of  the  propositions  men- 
tioned in  your  late  conversation,  which  1  return  herewith. 
As  I  think  they  contain  matter  that,  upon  a  conference  and 
cool  discussion,  might  be  wrought  into  a  plan  of  permanent 
union,  I  shall,  with  great  satisfaction,  embrace  the  first  op- 
portunity that  may  offer  upon  those  grounds  to  promote  so 
desirable  an  event. 

I  have,  &c.,  HOWE. 

To  Right  Hon.  the  Lord  Drummond. 

[No.  7.] 

New-York,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  your  Lordship's  favour  of  this  day,  accom- 
panied by  papers  on  subjects  of  the  greatest  moment,  and 
deserving  the  most  deliberate  consideration. 

I  can  allow  much  for  your  Lordship's  well-meant  zeal  on 
such  an  occasion,  but  I  fear  it  has  transported  you  beyond 
that  attention  to  your  parole  which  comprehends  the  cha- 
racter of  a  man  of  strict  honour.  How  your  Lordship  can 
reconcile  your  past  or  present  conduct  with  your  engage- 
ment, so  as  to  satisfy  your  own  mind,  I  must  submit  to  your 
own  feelings;  but  1  find  myself  under  the  disagreeable  neces- 
sity of  objecting  to  the  mode  of  negotiation  proposed  while 
your  Lordship's  conduct  appears  so  exceptionable. 

1  shall,  by  express,  forward  to  Congress  your  Lordship's 
letter  and  the  papers  which  accompanied  it;  the  result  will 
be  communicated  as  soon  as  possible. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  18,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  letter  of 
the  17th,  with  the  resolution  of  your  honourable  body  for 
obstructing  the  channel  between  the  Grand  Battery  and 
Nutlcn  Island.  Having  gone  into  a  considerable  expense 
for  stopping  that  of  the  North  River,  and  such  as  I  am  not 
certain  1  shall  be  justified  in,  and  the  obstructions  there  being 
far  from  complete,  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  engage  in 
the  business  you  propose,  or  undertake  to  advance  any  part 
of  the  money  which  will  be  necessarily  expended  in  the 
execution.  At  the  same  time,  give  me  leave  to  assure  you, 
gentlemen,  that  I  shall  most  readily  afford  you  such  assistance 
as  may  be  derived  from  the  labour  of  the  troops  here,  and 
that  can  be  spared  from  other  service,  to  facilitate  the  design, 
which  will  be  of  great  importance  if  it  can  be  executed. 

1  have  been  also  honoured  with  your  favour  and  resolu- 
tion of  the  same  date,  and  am  exceedingly  obliged  by  the 
ready  attention  you  have  paid  to  my  recommendation  for 
the  removal  of  the  women  and  children  and  infirm  pel-sons 
from  the  city. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  GQ  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  Abm.  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President,  Sic. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  THUMBULL. 

New- York,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  1  have  been  duly  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the 
13th  instant;  and  at  the  same  time  that  I  think  you  and 
your  honourable  Council  of  Safety  highly  deserving  of  the 
thanks  of  the  States  for  the  measures  you  have  adopted  in 
order  to  give  the  most  early  and  speedy  succour  to  this 
Army,  give  me  leave  to  return  you  mine  in  a  particular  man- 
ner. When  the  whole  of  the  reinforcements  do  arrive,  I 
natter  myself  we  shall  be  competent  to  every  exigency;  and 
with  the  smiles  of  Providence  upon  our  arms  and  vigorous 
exertions,  we  shall  baffle  the  designs  of  our  inveterate  foes, 
formidable  as  they  are.  Our  situation  was  truly  alarming  a 
little  while  since;  but,  by  the  kind  interposition  and  aid  of 
our  friends,  is  much  better.  You  may  rest  assured,  sir, 
that  due  consideration  shall  be  had  to  the  several  Militia 
regiments  that  have  come,  and  are  marching  to  our  assist- 
ance, and  that  they  shall  be  dismissed  as  soon  as  circum- 
stances will  admit  of  it.  1  trust,  as  long  as  there  is  occasion 
for  their  services,  that  the  same  spirit  and  commendable  zeal 
which  induced  them  to  come,  will  influence  their  continuance. 
I  sincerely  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  ascertain  the  particu- 
lar period  when  they  would  be  needed,  that  they  might  not 
be  detained  one  unnecessary  moment  from  their  homes  and 
common  pursuits;  but  as  this  cannot  be  done,  as  the  ap- 
proaching contest  and  trial  between  the  two  armies  will  most 
unquestionably  produce  events  of  the  utmost  importance  to 
the  States,  as  the  issue,  if  favourable,  will  put  us  on  such  a 
footing  as  to  bid  defiance  to  the  utmost  malice  of  the  liritish 
nation  and  those  in  alliance  with  her,  I  have  not  a  doubt  but 
they  will  most  readily  consent  to  stay,  and  cheerfully  undergo 
every  present  and  temporary  inconvenience,  so  long  as  they 
are  necessary. 

I  am  happy  Captain  Van  Burcn  has  succeeded  so  well 
in  the  business  he  was  upon,  it  being  of  great  consequence 
for  us  to  fit  out  and  maintain  our  vessels  on  the  Lakes. 

On  the  night  of  the  16th,  two  of  our  fire-vessels  attempted 
to  burn  the  ships  of  war  up  the  river.  One  of  these  boarded 
the  Phcnix,  of  forty-four  guns,  and  was  grappled  with  her 
for  some  minutes,  but  unluckily  she  cleared  herself.  The 
only  damage  the  enemy  sustained  was  the  destruction  of  one 
tender.  It  is  agreed  on  all  hands  that  our  people  engaged 
in  this  affair  behaved  with  great  resolution  and  intrepidity. 
One  of  the  Captains,  (Thomas,)  it  is  to  be  feared,  perished 
in  the  attempt,  or  in  making  his  escape  by  swimming,  as  he 
has  not  been  heard  of.  His  bravery  entitled  him  to  a  better 
fate.  Though  this  enterprise  did  not  succeed  to  our  wishes,  I 


1029 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  itc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1030 


incline  to  think  it  alarmed  the  enemy  greatly;  for  this  morn- 
ing the  Phenix  and  Rose,  with  their  two  remaining  tenders, 
taking  advantage  of  a  brisk  and  prosperous  gale,  with  a 
favourable  tide,  quitted  their  stations,  and  have  returned  and 
joined  the  rest  of  the  fleet.  As  they  passed  our  several  bat- 
teries they  were  fired  upon,  but  without  any  damage  that  I 
could  perceive. 

The  whole  of  the  British  forces  in  America,  except  those 
employed  in  Canada,  are  now  here,  Clinton's  arrival  being 
followed  the  last  week  by  that  of  Lord  Dunmore,  who  now 
forms  a  part  of  the  Army  we  are  to  oppose.  His  coming  has 
added  but  little  to  their  strength. 

O 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &ic., 


Go.  WASHINGTON. 


To  Governour  Trumbull,  Connecticut. 


WILLIAM  BLODGET  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  Colonel  Hand's  report  mentions  no  uncommon 
movements  of  the  enemy. 

The  General  desires  me  to  acquaint  your  Excellency  that 
he  finds  himself  considerably  better  this  morning  than  he 
was  yesterday,  and  is  in  hopes  in  a  few  days  to  be  able  to 
go  abroad,  though  still  very  weak. 

I  am,  with  respect,  your  humble  servant, 

WM.  BLODGET,  Aid-de- Camp. 
To   His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters, 

New-  York. 


GENERAL  GREENE  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  thought  proper  to  communicate  to  you  cer- 
tain intelligence  which  I  have  received  from  my  brother 
respecting  Captain  Grimes,  whose  conduct  (if  I  have  been 
rightly  informed)  does  not  entitle  him  to  that  place  in  your 
esteem  which  he  now  holds,  nor  to  that  confidence  which 
you  have  thought  proper  to  put  in  him.  His  leaving  the 
galley  at  Rhode-Island  in  the  time  of  the  attack,  to  take  con- 
voy of  the  prizes;  the  insult  which  he  afterwards  gave  said 
Captain,  who  has  ever  been  held  in  the  highest  esteem, 
whose  character  stands  fair  and  unimpeached,  and  who  has 
given  convincing  proofs  of  his  courage  and  conduct,  toge- 
ther with  the  information  that  was  given  me  of  his  refusing 
to  make  the  attack  at  the  time  the  fire-ships  went  up  the 
river,  and  the  reluctance  that  was  shown  this  morning  to 
comply  with  the  orders  given  him  by  General  Putnam, 
induce  me  to  think  that  he  is  much  more  fond  of  parade  and 
show  than  he  is  desirous  of  signalizing  himself  in  any  action 
that  may  be  of  service  to  the  country.  If  the  report  of  his 
refusal  is  founded  in  fact,  and  General  Putnam's  orders  were 
not  complied  with,  1  think  he  ought  immediately  to  be  put 
under  an  arrest,  and  instantly  removed  from  his  command. 

I  am,  your  very  humble  servant, 

NATHANAEL  GREENE. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

King's  Bridge,  August  18,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  Early  this  morning  the  Phenix  man-of- 
war,  Rose  frigate,  and  the  two  tenders,  came  to  sail  and 
stood  down  the  river,  keeping  close  under  the  east  shore,  in 
order  to  avoid  the  fire  of  our  cannon ;  but  notwithstanding 
this  precaution,  the  Phenix  was  thrice  hulled  by  our  shot 
from  Mount  Washington,  and  one  of  the  tenders  once.  The 
Rose  was  hulled  once  by  a  shot  from  Burdetl's  Ferry.  They 
kept  their  men  close,  otherwise  some  of  them  would  have 
been  picked  down  by  a  party  of  riflemen  who  were  posted 
on  the  bank.  They  fired  grape-shot  as  they  passed,  but  did 
no  damage  save  to  one  tent.  We  hope  to  hear  that  your 
batteries  have  done  the  work  for  some  of  them. 

We  shall  recover  some  swivel-guns,  gun-barrels,  shot,  &c., 
out  of  the  wreck  of  the  tender,  which  was  burnt  the  other 
night,  the  particulars  of  which  shall  be  transmitted  to  your 
Excellency  as  soon  as  I  can  obtain  them. 

General  Clinton  has  about  fourteen  hundred  men  already 
come  in,  but  their  quarters  are  so  scattered  that  it  will  be 
almost  impossible  to  collect  them  suddenly,  if  occasion  should 
require  it.  If  there  are  any  spare  tents,  I  earnestly  beg  for 


them,  if  it  were  but  for  one  regiment.  General  Clinton  has 
orders  from  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York  to 
purchase  ten  thousand  feet  of  boards,  for  erecting  sheds, 
&tc.,  but  it  is  uncertain  when  we  shall  have  them.  I  shall 
to-morrow  send  for  six  or  seven  hundred  of  tools,  being  able 
to  employ  that  number  more  than  we  have  at  present. 

The  more  I  view  this  post,  the  more  I  am  convinced  of 
its  importance.  The  ships  have  now  tried  the  practicability 
of  passing  our  works ;  they  have  explored  every  part  of  the 
shore,  as  far  as  they  have  gone  up  the  river,  and  sounded 
the  river  in  almost  every  place.  Should  the  ships  rejoin 
the  fleet  without  receiving  much  damage,  I  think  Howe 
will  be  emboldened  to  attempt  an  attack  somewhere  above 
this  place,  thinking  that  there  may  be  a  greater  probability 
of  succeeding  here  than  in  the  face  of  so  many  and  strong 
works  as  have  been  erected  in  and  around  the  city.  How- 
ever, should  his  inclination  lead  him  this  way,  nature  has 
done  much  for  us,  and  we  shall,  as  fast  as  possible,  add  the 
strength  of  art.  Our  men  are  in  good  health  and  spirits, 
and  1  dare  say  will  give  them  a  warm  reception. 

I  should  be  glad  to  have  the  carriages  for  the  four-pound- 
ers sent  forward  the  moment  they  are  done,  as  we  have  not 
as  yet  a  single  cannon  mounted  beyond  Mount  Washing- 
ton. 

I  have  just  now  received  your  Excellency's  commands  to 
inquire  into  the  cause  of  the  inactivity  of  some  of  the  row- 
galleys  in  the  late  attack  on  the  enemy's  ships;  but  as  the 
galleys  have  all  left  this  post  and  fallen  down  to  the  city,  I 
must  beg  your  Excellency  to  excuse  me  from  that  service. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 

Excellency's  most  humble  servant,  „,  TT 

W.  HEATH. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  at  New-York. 


DAVID  MATTHEWS  TO  JOHN  McKESSON. 

White-Plains,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  in  hopes  of  being  called  before  your  Com- 
mittee when  they  were  last  in  New-York,  in  order  that  I 
might  have  an  opportunity  of  acquitting  myself  of  harbour- 
ing any  dangerous  designs  against  the  liberties  of  America. 

I  would  now,  sir,  beg  the  favour  of  being  heard  before  the 
Congress,  before  they  come  to  any  final  determination  about 
me.  I  hope  they  won't  deny  me  this  favour,  as  I  should  be 
extremely  sorry  to  be  sent  away  without  having  an  oppor- 
tunity of  endeavouring  to  acquit  myself  of  those  heavy 
charges  that  have  been  exhibited  against  me. 

I  am,  sir,  with  esteem,  your  very  humble  servant, 

D.  MATTHEWS. 


COLONEL  GILBERT  DRAKE  TO  CAPTAIN  BROWN. 

Head-Quarters,  Tarrytown,  August  18,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  You  are  immediately  to  take  fifty  men  and 
proceed  to.  Cortlandt's  Manor,  and  apprehend  all  such  per- 
sons as  you  think  are  disaffected  to  the  good  of  the  States  of 
America,  and  bring  them  immediately  to  Head-Quarters,  in 
compliance  with  a  resolve  of  the  Convention  of  the  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  State  of  New-York,  which  is  in  the  words 
following,  viz  : 

"Resolved,  That  General  Morris  be  ordered  immediately 
to  apprehend  and  secure  the  persons  ordered  to  be  appre- 
hended by  this  Convention  on  yesterday,  and  that  he  be 
furnished  with  a  list  of  those  persons'  names." 

You  are  to  act  discretionary  as  to  your  orders,  and  the 
above  resolves,  and  return  with  all  convenient  speed. 

GILB'T  DRAKE,  Lieutenant-  Colonel 
To  Captain  Brown  and  Captain  Osborn. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  August  26,  1776.] 

Albany,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  As  I  cannot  possibly  find  time  to  make  two  copies 
of  the  transactions  of  the  late  treaty,  I  have  enclosed  one  to 
General  Washington  for  his  perusal,  to  be  transmitted  to 
Congress. 

The  Commissioners  thought  it  needless  to  make  entries 
of  all  the  meetings  we  had  with  the  Indians,  on  affairs  of 
very  little  or  no  moment.  Congress  will  perceive  that  we 
have  said  nothing  about  engaging  them  to  take  up  arms  for 


1031 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1032 


us,  or  to  offer  the  reward  for  prisoners ;  we  were  unanimously 
of  opinion,  founded  on  all  the  information  we  could  procure, 
that  the  attempt  would  have  essentially  injured  us,  and 
perhaps  brought  them  to  act  against  us,  as  they  might,  and 
probably  would,  have  concluded  that  we  were  too  weak  for 
the  enemy. 

Some  of  our  best,  and  I  believe  real  friends,  the  Oneidas 
and  Oc/ujitarjues,  complained  that  some  Indians  had  been 
sent  to  Maryland,  to  invite  some  Nanticokes  that  live  in 
that  Province  to  remove  into  the  interior  part  of  the  country, 
and  that  neither  those  that  were  sent  were  suffered  to  return, 
or  the  others  who  they  say  incline  to  leave  their  present 
habitations,  permitted  to  do  it.  We  promised  to  lay  the 
matter  before  Congress,  not  doubting  but  that  every  cause 
of  complaint  would  be  removed.  Please  to  give  us  some 
information  on  the  subject. 

Part  of  Livingston's,  Hazen's,  and  Duggan's  corps  of 
Canadians  are  in  this  town,  sent  down  by  General  Gates. 
They  are  naked,  and  I  have  ordered  them  a  month's  pay, 
and  shall  employ  them  in  repairing  the  road  to  Fort  George, 
which  is  exceedingly  worn,  until  I  receive  directions  from 
Congress  what  to  do  with  them,  and  whether  they  are  to  be 
paid  up  and  discharged,  or  what.  They  have  several  women 
and  children  with  them,  who  draw  provisions,  having  not  the 
means  of  subsistence  without  that  aid. 

Several  Canadians,  not  belonging  to  the  above  corps,  and 
who  have  been  obliged  to  quit  Canada  since  our  Army  left 
it,  are  now  in  this  town,  naked  and  destitute  of  every  neces- 
sary. As  their  misfortunes  are  occasioned  by  their  attach- 
ment to  our  cause,  I  cannot  avoid  giving  them  provisions; 
and  shall  order  each  of  them  a  small  matter  of  money,  to 
purchase  such  necessaries  as  may  suffice  for  the  present.  I 
wish  for  the  orders  of  Congress  on  this  subject. 

The  Committee  of  this  place  are  much  at  a  loss  for  the 
papers  relative  to  the  taking  of  Ticonderoga,  &,c.  By  the 
resolution  empowering  them  to  liquidate  those  accounts,  they 
were  led  to  believe  that  they  were  in  my  possession ;  but  I  did 
myself  the  honour  to  transmit  them  to  Congress  some  time 
last  winter. 

I  am,  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient,  humble  ser- 

vant>  PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  August  18,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Your  Excellency's  favour  of  the  13th  instant 
was  delivered  me  about  nine  last  evening. 

I  am  very  confident  that  you  have  pursued  every  measure 
in  your  power  to  relieve  our  wants  in  this  quarter,  and  to 
facilitate  the  works  going  on  to  the  northward.  We  have 
people  in  every  quarter  attempting  to  procure  the  variety  of 
articles  that  are  wanted;  but  after  all,  we  shall  fall  consider- 
ably short.  Nor  did  I  ever  doubt  but  that  your  Excellency 
had  communicated  to  Congress  the  difficulties  we  laboured 
under  for  the  want  of  money.  I  assure  you  that  I  always 
have  and  shall  continue  to  advise  them  in  time  of  the  neces- 
sity of  supplies  of  cash. 

The  resolves  you  mention  have  not  been  sent  me,  nor  any 
about  raising  troops  for  three  years,  except  that  the  officers 
are  to  have  the  same  allowance  for  recruiting. 

I  cannot,  upon  recurring  to  my  letter  of  the  6th  Instant, 
perceive  that  I  intimated  the  least  doubt  of  your  Excellen- 
cy's not  having  communicated  to  Congress  such  parts  of  my 
letters  as  were  necessary  for  them  to  know.  I  shall  strictly 
comply  with  your  order,  and  advise  you  of  any  information 
which  I  at  the  same  time  send  you  and  them. 

If  your  Excellency  will  please  re-peruse  my  letter  of  the 
6th  instant,  I  believe  you  will  find  that  it  is  in  no  part  sug- 
gested that  a  Court  of  Inquiry  or  Court-Martial  was  convened 
at  New-York,  upon  the  subject  alluded  to.  1  was  informed 
that  a  Council  of  Officers  had  convened  at  New-  York;  I  was 
advised  of  what  was  their  decision;  I  was  chagrined;  and  had 
the  information  been  true,  as  I  thought  it.  I  believe  your 
Excellency  will  do  me  the  justice  to  think  that  I  should  have 
had  too  much  reason  to  be  so. 

As  the  movement  of  the  Army  from  Crown-Point  to 
Ticonderoga  was  so  generally  condemned  at  Neiv-  York,  it 
is  more  than  probable  that  Congress  must  have  heard  it,  and 
I  therefore  wish  that  everything  I  have  said  on  the  subject 


should  be  communicated  to  them.  I  frankly  confess  that  I 
first  moved  the  matter,  and  that  were  the  question  to  be  again 
agitated,  I  should  still  continue  of  the  same  sentiments, 
unless  better  reasons  could  be  given  against  it  than  those  I 
have  adduced  in  support  of  my  opinion,  and  then  I  should 
have  most  readily  acquiesced ;  or  if  your  Excellency,  without 
having  given  any  reasons  for  it,  had  ordered  me  to  move 
the  Army  back  to  Crown-Point,  I  should  have  obeyed 
without  hesitation  or  a  murmur,  well  knowing  that  the 
orders  of  my  superior  officer  are  on  no  account  to  be  con- 
tested. 

I  assure  you,  my  dear  sir,  that  I  very  reluctantly  entered 
on  a  command  in  which  I  foresaw  as  many  difficulties  as  I 
have  experienced.  I  easily  conceived,  that  a  people  whom 
it  had  been  necessary  to  inspire  with  jealousy  of  the  men  in 
power  in  Great  Britain,  and  those  employed  by  them  in 
this  injured  country,  would  also  be  easily  induced,  by  artful 
and  designing  men,  to  transfer  part  of  that  jealousy  to  the 
servants  of  the  publick  here.  My  conjectures  were  well 
founded,  for  suspicion  and  envy  have  followed  me  from  the 
moment  I  came  to  the  command.  I  have  experienced  the 
most  illiberal  abuse  in  many  of  the  Colonies,  and  even  in 
the  Army  I  commanded;  and  if  any  accident  should  happen 
to  the  northward;  the  same  spirit  that  has  imputed  the  mis- 
fortunes in  Canada  to  me,  will  impute  that  also  to  me.  I 
have  entreated  Congress  to  cause  a  minute  inquiry  to  be 
made  into  rny  conduct,  and  1  trust  if  it  is  done,  that  I  shall 
not  only  be  honourably  acquitted,  but  that  judicious  men  will 
discover  in  me  the  honest  man  and  the  faithful  American. 
But  as  envy,  even  in  that  case,  will  not  cease,  nor  male- 
volence withhold  its  slander,  I  am  determined  to  quit  the 
Army  as  soon  as  my  conduct  has  been  inquired  into,  and 
evince  myself  in  private  life,  what  I  have  strove  to  do  in 
publick,  the  friend  of  my  injured  country. 

Soon  after  Colonel  Dayton's  regiment  marched  to  John- 
son-Hall, some  of  the  officers  broke  open  the  doors  and  car- 
ried away  a  very  considerable  quantity  of  effects,  contrary  to 
mine  and  Colonel  Dayton's  orders.  Soon  after  my  arrival 
at  the  German-Flats,  I  was  informed  of  this  by  some  of  the 
officers,  who  wished  an  inquiry,  that  the  innocent  might  not 
share  the  scandal  with  the  guilty.  I  ordered  a  Court-Martial 
on  Lieutenant  McDonald,  witnesses  with  respect  to  his  con- 
duct being  on  the  spot.  He  was  tried  and  broke.  In  the 
course  of  his  trial  it  appeared  that  a  number  of  others  were 
concerned ;  and  I  ordered  Lieutenant-Colonel  White  and 
Captains  Ross  and  Patterson  down  from  Fort  Stanwix. 
The  two  Captains  delivered  me  the  paper  No.  1,  in  answer 
to  which  I  advised  them  candidly  to  narrate  the  whole  trans- 
action. No.  2  is  their  narrative;  and  No.  3  contains  an 
account  of  what  they  took;  No.  4,  with  the  paper  enclosed 
in  it,  is  what  Colonel  White  delivered  me.  As  1  was  appre- 
hensive that  a  publick  conviction  of  so  many  officers  would 
reflect  too  much  disgrace  on  our  troops,  I  chose  to  defer 
any  further  proceedings  until  I  should  advise  with  your 
Excellency.  Permit  me,  therefore,  to  entreat  your  opinion, 
whether  it  will  be  prudent  for  me  to  accept  of  the  conces- 
sions they  offer  to  make  at  the  head  of  the  regiment,  and 
thus  to  bury  the  affair,  or  whether  I  ought  to  have  them 
tried.  Please  to  return  the  papers  above  alluded  to,  as  I 
have  not  time  to  make  copies  of  them. 

Enclose  your  Excellency  copy  of  a  letter  from  Colonel 
Dayton,  with  copy  of  a  paper  enclosed  in  it.  He  has 
changed  the  name  of  Fort  Stanwix.  The  Messesaga  In- 
dians mentioned  in  the  paper,  live  on  the  west  side  of  Lake 
Ontario,  and  of  those  the  savages  who  made  our  people 
prisoners  at  the  Cedars,  were  chiefly  composed. 

Only  five  quires  of  cartridge-paper  could  be  procured, 
which  I  have  sent  Colonel  Dayton.  We  are  greatly  in  want 
of  that  article.  Captain  Varick  informs  me  that  he  has 
written  to  your  Excellency  for  it.  It  is  not  to  be  had  any- 
where nearer  than  New-York.  General  Gates  also  presses 
me,  in  a  letter  of  the  16th  instant,  for  that  article.  Please 
to  order  it  to  be  sent  with  all  expedition.  I  also  enclose  a 
copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Arnold. 

As  I  cannot  possibly  find  time  to  make  two  copies  of  the 
transactions  at  the  late  treaty,  1  have  mentioned  to  Congress 
that  I  had  sent  one  to  you,  to  be  transmitted,  after  perusal, 
to  them.  Also  enclose  copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Arnold, 
which  gives  me  a  state  of  our  naval  force  on  Lake  Cham- 

O 

plain. 

Your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  10th  instant  to  Captain 


1033 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1034 


Varicfc,  has  just  come  to  hand,  but  not  any  of  the  articles 
mentioned  in  the  return  are  as  yet  arrived. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  unfeigned  esteem  and  respect,  your 
Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLEK. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &c. 

Skenesborough,  August  8,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Your  favour  of  the  31st  ultimo  was 
delivered  to  me  on  the  4th  instant.  I  feel  very  sensibly  for 
you  in  your  disagreeable  situation.  I  wish  the  faligue  and 
anxiety  you  undergo  may  not  impair  your  health ;  and  that 
you  may  succeed  in  your  expectation  with  the  savages,  and 
soon  give  us  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here. 

Captain  Varick  has  been  very  active  and  industrious  in 
procuring  the  articles  for  the  Navy.  Many  are  arrived  at 
Ticonderoga,  and  proper  steps  taken  to  procure  the  others. 
The  carpenters  go  on  with  great  spirit.  Eight  gondolas  will 
be  completed  in  a  few  days.  One  row-galley  is  gone  to  Ti- 
conderoga, and  will  soon  be  fitted  and  armed.  Three  others 
will  be  launched  in  ten  days  or  a  fortnight.  Four  others  will 
be  set  up  in  a  few  days,  great  part  of  the  timber  being  cut. 
Iron,  sails,  cordage,  and  anchors,  will  be  wanted  in  a  few 
days.  About  two  tons  of  the  former  is  here,  and  six  tons 
will  be  wanted  to  complete  the  galleys  in  hand;  twelve  or 
fifteen  tons  will  be  necessary  for  the  galleys  to  be  set  up.  It 
will  expedite  the  building  if  six  or  eight  tons  can  be  sent  up 
in  spikes,  from  five  to  seven  inches  long,  chiefly  about  six 
inches. 

General  Gates  transmitted  you  last  week  the  testimony  of 
two  French  Captains,  lately  from  Canada,  which  is  contra- 
dicted by  a  Lieutenant  B.  Whitcomb,  who  was  lately  sent 
from  Crown-Point  to  St.  John's,  which  place  he  left  the  31st 
ultimo.  He  went  down  on  the  east  side,  as  far  as  Charnbly, 
and  returned  on  the  west.  Says  he  observed  about  forty  bat- 
teaus  at  St.  John's,  and  some  others  building,  but  no  large 
vessels;  believes  there  were  about  two  thousand  men  there, 
and  one  thousand  between  St.  John's  and  Chambly. 

This  afternoon  I  return  to  Ticonderoga,  and  in  a  few  days 
propose  to  go  down  the  Lake  with  the  vessels  completed, 
about  ten  sail. 

The  Militia  come  in  very  slowly :  not  more  than  fifteen 
hundred  have  arrived.  Our  work  at  Ticonderoga  goes  on 
briskly;  the  line  will  be  completed  in  ten  days  or  a  fortnight. 

I  am,  with  every  sentiment  of  friendship  and  esteem,  dear 
General,  your  obedient,  humble  servant,  j>  \ 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Schuyler. 

Fort  Schuyler,  August  15,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  At  six  o'clock  last  evening,  I  received 
an  express  from  Major  Barber,  giving  me  information  respect- 
ing a  hellish  plan  laid  by  Lieutenant  McMichael  and  others, 
to  go  over  to  the  enemy.  Upon  inquiry,  I  soon  found  Lieu- 
tenant Edward  McMichael,  one  Smith,  (who  called  himself 
a  volunteer  in  my  regiment,)  and  one  Ridley,  clerk  to  Major 
Fonda,  had  been  gone  from  our  camp  about  six  hours.  In 
a  very  short  time  I  had  two  parties  marching  in  quest  of  them : 
one  took  the  road  to  the  Oneida  Castle,  the  other  to  the 
Oneida  Lake.  I  gave  them  express  orders  to  take  the  vil- 
lains if  possible,  dead  or  alive.  The  party  that  went  to  the 
Lake,  are  this  moment  returned.  At  one  o'clock  this  after- 
noon, they  saw  McMichael  and  his  party  just  got  into  the 
Oneida  Lake  in  an  Indian  canoe.  They  fired  a  number  of 
shot  after  him,  some  of  which  went  beyond  the  canoe,  but 
he  kept  on  and  never  returned  their  fire.  I  sent  an  express 
this  afternoon  to  the  Oneida  Castle,  ordering  Captain  Read- 
ing, who  commanded  the  party  I  sent  that  road,  to  march 
his  party  to  the  Lake,  and,  if  possible,  to  get  some  of  the 
Oneidas  to  go  to  the  west  end  of  the  Lake,  in  order  to  in- 
tercept them  there,  should  they  be  in  time,  so  that  I  have 
yet  some  hopes  they  may  be  taken. 

Enclosed  I  send  the  examination  of  two  of  the  party  that 
I  sent  on  a  scout  to  Oswego  this  day  se'nnight.  By  their 
account,  it  is  probable  Sergeant  Younglove,  Sergeant  Ahen, 
and  James  McGennis,  all  of  my  regiment,  are  either  killed 
or  taken  by  the  Messagauga  Indians.  The  guide  says,  he 
is  sure,  by  their  language,  the  Indians  were  of  that  nation. 
Two  of  tile  Onandagas  are  now  with  me,  that  brought  the 
two  men  that  escaped  from  the  other  side  of  the  Lake.  I 


shall  pay  them  to  their  satisfaction  for  this  friendly  act  of 
theirs. 

McMichael,  who  is  gone  to  the  enemy,  knows  our  situa- 
tion respecting  ammunition,  which  he  will  most  certainly 
discover  to  them.  We  have  now  only  two  thousand  one 
hundred  and  sixty  musket  cartridges,  and  no  paper  and 
thread  to  make  any  more. 

I  hope  cash  will  very  soon  be  sent  to  us,  as  I  wish  neither 
officers  or  soldiers  should  have  any  cause  to  complain,  as 
they  both  do  at  present,  having  near  four  months'  pay  due. 
If  a  small  matter  of  hard  cash  could  be  spared,  so  that  each 
officer  might  have  a  little,  I  know  it  would  be  very  accept- 
able; and  to  please  them  at  this  time,  in  my  opinion,  would 
not  be  amiss. 

I  am  not  sure  we  have  got  yet  to  the  bottom  of  this  cursed 
rebellion  against  the  States.  Could  wish  Captain  Bloom- 
jield  and  Dickerson's  companies  were  ordered  here;  they 
have  officers  I  can  depend  upon. 

I  have  not  heard  anything  of  Oneida  Indians  for  scouters. 
Without  them,  I  fear  difficulty  in  getting  intelligence  from 
Oswego  in  future.  I  am,  dear  General,  your  most  humble 
servant,  ELIAS  DAYTON. 

To  General  Schuyler. 

Information  given  by  RICHARD  BELL  and  SAMUEL  FREEMAN,  concerning 
the  Scout  which  icenlfrom  FORT  SCHUILER  to  OSWEGO,  consisting  of  two 
Sergeants,  two  men,  and  a  guide. 

The  scout  left  Fort  Schuyler  August  the  7th,  and  the  15th 
instant  one  man  and  the  guide  returned.  Nothing  material 
happened  on  their  march,  until  they  arrived  at  Oswego,  when 
they  saw  a  bark  canoe  and  a  small  hut,  about  three  hundred 
yards  from  the  fort;  from  which  hut  they  saw  an  Indian  run 
towards  the  fort,  and  meet  another  Indian  near  the  gate. 
They  stood,  as  the  scout  imagined,  about  a  minute,  when 
they  both  ran  into  the  fort,  occasioned,  as  they  thought,  by 
the  Indian  who  ran  from  the  hut  having  seen  them.  The 
scout  discovered  no  troops  nor  vessels  at  Oswego — not  even 
a  white  person ;  but  seeing  the  Indians  run,  imagined  they 
intended  hiding  themselves;  upon  which,  Sergeant  Young- 
love,  who  commanded  the  party,  determined  to  march  back 
as  far  as  the  place  where  they  had  tarried  the  night  before, 
(in  order  to  rest  themselves  and  clean  their  guns,  which  were 
much  out  of  order  by  reason  of  the  rain,)  which  was  about 
six  miles  from  Oswego.  They  went  on  without  any  kind 
of  molestation,  until  they  came  within  about  half  a  mile  of 
the  place  where  they  intended  to  halt,  when  they  were  fired 
upon  all  on  a  sudden  by  about  ten  Indians,  as  they  imagined ; 
upon  which  Sergeant  Younglove  ordered  each  man  to  take 
a  tree.  They  quickly  obeyed,  and  made  ready  to  engage; 
but  unluckily  their  guns  were  so  wet  that  they  could  by  no 
means  fire  them.  Sergeant  Younglove's  gun  burnt  priming 
about  ten  times;  the  other  guns  flashed  several  times;  one 
of  the  men's  guns  went  off,  but  supposed  did  no  execution, 
as  the  powder  was  much  damaged,  though  the  Indian  he 
fired  at  bawled  out.  The  Indians  fired  about  two  rounds, 
when  Sergeant  Ahen  dropped  his  gun  and  cried  out  that  he 
was  a  dead  man ;  and  at  the  same  time  he  was  heard  to  say, 
Do  not  run  boys,  but  fix  your  bayonets  if  they  come  near  you. 
When  he  had  uttered  those  words,  Mr.  Bell,  the  guide,  as 
he  thought,  saw  him  roll  down  the  bank.  Upon  that,  Mr. 
Bell  called  to  Sergeant  Younglove,  and  Maginnes,  a  soldier 
next  him,  to  come  down  the  bank,  then  they  could  stand 
them.  Sergeant  Younglove  made  him  no  answer,  but  still 
continued  clearing  the  touchhole,  in  order  to  fire  his  gun. 
Upon  that  Mr.  Bell  went  down  the  bank  himself,  upon  which 
Freeman,  a  soldier,  immediately  followed.  When  they  had 
got  out  of  sight,  they  heard  two  guns  fire;  after  which  they 
heard  nothing  more.  Then  Mr.  Bell,  and  Freeman,  the 
soldier  who  followed  him  down  the  bank,  and  had  received 
wounds,  one  in  his  head  and  another  in  his  shoulder,  imme- 
diately made  off  in  the  woods  about  six  miles,  then  returned 
to  the  river,  where  they  found  the  enemy's  track  still  in 
pursuit  of  them.  They  repeated  it  three  times,  and  every 
time  still  found  the  footsteps  of  the  enemy  in  the  inud  and 
grass.  They  then  left  the  river  and  marched  about  eighteen 
miles,  when  they  fell  in  with  two  friendly  Onondaga  Indians, 
who  conducted  them  about  twenty  miles,  where  they  met 
with  two  other  Indians  of  the  same  nation,  who  conducted 
them  on  until  they  fell  in  with  another  scouting  party  sent 
out  to  meet  them;  after  which  they  were  all  safely  con- 
ducted to  Fort  Schuyler.  What  became  of  Sergeant  Young- 


1035 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1036 


love,  and  Maginncs,  the  soldier  who  Mr.  Bell  called  to  come 
down  the  bank  with  him,  he  can  give  no  account  of,  but 
supposed  killed  when  the  two  last  guns  went  off. 

The  reader  will  please  to  take  notice,  that  the  Indians  who  fired  upon 
this  scout  were  of  the  nation  called  the  Musasaugans. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLER'S  CONFERENCE  WITH  THE  INDIANS  OF 
THE  SIX  NATIONS,  1776. 

German-Flats,  Thursday,  August  8,  1776. 

Speech  of  the  Commissioners  to  the  Sachems  and  Warriors 
of  the  Six  Nations. 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations:  With 
this  string  we  open  your  ears,  that  you  may  plainly  hear  what 
the  Independent  States  of  America  have  to  say  to  their  breth- 
ren of  the  Six  Nations.  With  it  we  wipe  away  all  mists  that 
may  interrupt  your  sight,  and  let  it  clear  your  hearts  from 
every  obstruction,  and  incline  them  to  receive  our  words 
with  brotherly  love. 

Brothers :  We  thank  God  that  he  has  been  pleased  to 
suffer  us  to  meet  you  in  health.  May  sickness  never  enter 
into  your  country,  but  may  health  and  happiness  dwell  in 
your  habitations,  and  may  the  Six  Nations  be  a  great  and 
happy  people. — (A  string.) 

The  Council-fire  which  is  now  burning  at  this  place,  has 
been  kindled  by  a  spark  taken  from  the  great  Council-fire 
at  Albany.  We  have  brought  it  here  in  our  bosoms.  We 
have  lighted  it  up  here,  because  we  were  afraid  that  the 
small-pox  might  infect  our  brethren  of  the  Six  Nations  if 
they  went  farther  down  the  river,  and  that  some  of  them 
might  go  home  with  heavy  hearts  for  the  loss  of  their  rela- 
tions; and  we  hope  this  conduct  of  the  Commissioners  meets 
with  your  approbation. — (A  belt.) 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations :  The 
United  Colonies  have  always  been  in  hopes  that  a  reconci- 
liation would  take  place  between  us  and  the  King.  To 
that  end  they  have  frequently  petitioned  the  King  for  redress 
of  the  grievances  they  laboured  under;  but  he  would  not 
listen  to  their  petitions.  He  was  deaf,  and  would  not  give 
ear  to  their  complaints;  and  instigated  by  his  evil  counsel- 
lors, he  forgot  that  we  were  his  children;  he  wanted  to  make 
us  his  slaves.  To  accomplish  this  unjust  and  cruel  purpose, 
he  has  sent  his  armies  and  fleets  to  try  to  destroy  and  dis- 
tress us;  and  therefore  the  United  Colonies — when  they  found 
that  he  had  become  a  cruel  and  oppressive  father  that  hated 
them,  and  that  he  had  not  only  given  the  hatchet  to  the 
English  on  the  other  side  of  the  water,  but  had  also  sent  it 
to  the  few  friends  he  had  amongst  us,  ordering  them  to  put 
H  into  the  hands  of  our  negroes,  and  whoever  would  accept 
it,  to  strike  us — have  unanimously  left  his  house,  and  now  no 
longer  consider  him  as  their  father  and  King,  and  have 
accordingly  proclaimed  to  all  the  world  that  they  will  never 
hereafter  acknowledge  him,  or  any  of  his  family,  to  be  their 
King,  but  that  they  will  always  be  and  remain  a  free  and 
independent  people;  and  therefore  have  called  themselves 
the  Independent  States  o(Amtrica,  and  solemnly  agreed 
always  to  remain  firmly  united.  We  must,  for  the  future, 
be  called  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  and  Independent 
States  of  America;  and  that  you  may  remember  this  great 
event,  we  now  deliver  you  this  belt. — (A  belt.) 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations:  Now 
open  your  ears,  and  listen  attentively  to  what  the  Independent 
States  of  America  have  further  to  say  to  you,  for  in  their 
names  we  speak.  Our  speech  will  be  plain,  as  it  always 
has  been;  for  as  we  have  never  been,  we  scorn  to  be  double- 
minded.  It  will  be  the  speech  of  freemen  who  will  candid- 
ly tell  you  "your  faults.  You  shall  know  all  that  is  in  our 
hearts.  We  will  hide  nothing  from  you,  that  you  may  know 
our  intentions  clearly  and  fully. 

Brothers:  You  will  remember,  that  soon  after  the  King's 
warriors  had  begun  to  spill  the  blood  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  great  Island,  the  United  Colonies  called  you  together 
at  Albany.  They  there  rekindled  the  ancient  Council-fire, 
and  brightened  up  the  covenant  chain  that  had  bound  your 
ancestors  and  ours  together  in  bands  of  the  purest  love  and 
sincerest  friendship.  It  was  last  summer  that  we,  the  Com- 
missioners, met  you  there  on  that  pleasing  business.  We 
then  gave  you  a  full,  a  fair,  and  a  candid  account  of  the 
cause  of  the  quarrel  between  us  and  the  King;  we  did  not 
do  it  in  a  dark  corner,  as  those  that  mean  evil,  but  in  the 
presence  of  all  that  would  come  to  see  and  hear,  that  they 


might  witness  the  truth  of  what  we  said.  When  we  had 
related  this,  we  informed  you,  that  as  we  were  unhappily 
engaged  in  a  family  quarrel,  in  which  the  Six  Nations  were 
not  in  the  least  concerned,  either  one  way  or  the  other,  we 
desired  and  expected  that  you  should  not  assist  the  one  or 
the  other,  but  remain  quietly  and  peaceably  at  home,  and 
mind  your  own  business.  We  confirmed  our  words  with  a 
large  belt. 

Brothers:  The  answer  you  made  was  delivered  by  Abra- 
ham, the  Mohawk  Sachem,  whom  you  had  chosen  as  your 
speaker.  These  were  his  words:  We  shall  repeat  them  ex- 
actly :  "  Now,  therefore,  attend,  and  apply  your  ears  closely. 
We  have  fully  considered  this  matter.  The  resolutions  of  the 
Six  Nations  are  not  to  be  broken  or  altered.  When  they 
resolve,  the  matter  is  fixed.  This,  then,  is  the  determina- 
tion of  the  Six  Nations:  Not  to  take  any  part,  but,  as  it  is 
a  family  quarrel,  to  sit  still  and  see  you  fight  it  out.  It  is  a 
long  time  since  we  came  to  this  resolution.  It  is  the  result 
of  mature  deliberation.  It  was  our  declaration  to  Colonel 
Johnson.  We  told  him  we  would  take  no  part  in  the  quar- 
rel, and  hoped  neither  side  would  desire  it.  Whoever  ap- 
plies first,  we  shall  think  is  in  the  wrong.  The  resolutions 
of  the  Six  Nations  are  not  to  be  shaken." 

Brothers:  These  words  and  these  resolutions  pleased  us 
well,  because  what  you  declared  was  what  we  requested — 
that  you  should  take  no  part  in  the  quarrel,  but  sit  still  and 
see  us  fight  it  out;  and  because  we  believed  that  you  were 
sincere,  and  that  you  said  nothing  with  your  tongue  but  what 
you  had  in  your  hearts.  Your  speech  was  delivered  in  full 
Council  and  in  the  presence  of  a  number  of  people.  We 
had  therefore  the  highest  reason  to  expect  that  you  would 
strictly  have  abode  by  your  resolutions.  But,  brothers,  we 
now  ask  you,  whether  you  have  abode  by  these  wise  words, 
and  adhered  to  these  prudent  resolutions  ?  It  grieves  us  to 
say  that  you  have  not ;  that  you  have  acted  directly  con- 
trary to  your  solemn  engagements,  and  broken  that  faith 
which  you  plighted  and  which  we  depended  upon,  as  we 
shall  now  plainly  make  appear,  by  repeating  a  number  of 
facts  which  are  known  to  you  all,  and  which  you  cannot 
contradict  or  deny. 

First.  When  our  Army  went  to  St.  John's  last  year, 
your  people  interfered  in  the  quarrel,  by  joining  with  our 
enemies  in  attacking  our  warriors ;  and  thus  the  resolutions 
of  the  Six  Nations  were  broken  and  altered,  although  you 
had  said  they  were  not  to  be  broken  or  altered. 

Secondly.  When  our  Great  Council  at  Philadelphia  was 
informed  that  Sir  John  Johnson  was  inlisting  men,  and  that 
he  and  the  Highlanders  who  lived  about  Johnstown  were 
preparing  to  murder  our  friends,  they  sent  some  warriors 
to  disarm  them,  and  then  you  again  interfered  in  the  quarrel. 
You  were  very  troublesome,  and  threatened  us,  although 
we  had  sent  you  word  that  no  harm  was  intended  you,  for 
that  we  had  no  quarrel  with  the  Indians;  and  thus  the  reso- 
lutions of  the  Six  Nations  were  again  broken  and  altered. 

Thirdly.  When  our  Great  Council,  in  the  month  of  May 
last,  had  received  certain  intelligence  that  Sir  John  Johnson 
was  inlisting  men,  and  preparing  to  join  the  enemy,  they 
ordered  up  a  body  of  warriors;  but  lest  you  should  be 
alarmed,  Mr.  Douw  went  up  to  the  east  end  of  the  house 
to  inform  you  that  no  evil  was  intended  you;  yet  you  never- 
theless interfered  in  the  quarrel;  Mr.  Douw  was  insulted 
with  abusive  language,  and  Mr.  Bkecker,  the  Interpreter, 
was  threatened  and  seized  by  the  breast,  contrary  to  the 
custom  of  all  nations,  (for  the  person  of  an  ambassador  and 
a  messenger  of  peace  is  always  held  sacred;)  and  thus  the 
resolutions  of  the  Six  Nations  were  a  third  time  broken  and 
altered. 

Fourthly.  Although  you  knew  that  Sir  John  Johnson 
was  inlisting  men,  and  preparing  to  go  to  the  enemy,  con- 
trary to  the  most  solemn  agreement  with  us,  yet  you  not 
only  assisted  him  in  going  to  the  enemy,  but  even  threatened 
to  kill  our  warriors,  and  actually  appeared  in  arms  for  that 
hostile  purpose ;  and  thus  you  again  interfered  in  the  quar- 
rel, and  a  fourth  time  broke  and  altered  your  resolutions. 

Fifthly.  Contrary  to  your  resolutions,  you  have  opened 
your  ears,  and  given  ear  to  the  voice  of  our  enemies,  and 
complied  with  their  desires.  Butler  has  prevailed  upon  you 
to  go  into  Canada,  and  fight  against  us  (at  Taghtagh  Quin- 
eagie.)  As  we  had  no  quarrel  with  any  Indians,  as  we  had 
even  released  those  that  we  had  taken  prisoners  in  battle, 
we  were  surprised  to  find  any  Indians  fighting  against  us ; 


1037 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1038 


but  when  we  were  told  that  some  of  the  Six  Nations  were 
there,  and  had  joined  our  enemies;  that  they  had  struck  the 
axe  in  our  heads,  and  covered  the  ground  with  the  bones 
of  our  warriors,  and  defiled  the  earth  with  their  blood,  after 
having  but  a  little  time  before  promised  to  remain  neutral, 
we  could  hardly  believe  it  at  first ;  but  upon  inquiry,  we 
found  it  was  true:  your  axe  still  sticks  in  our  heads;  and 
thus  you  again  interfered  in  the  quarrel,  and  a  fifth  time 
broke  and  altered  your  resolutions. 

Sixthly.  You  have  also  lately,  upon  this  river,  in  the  midst 
of  the  inhabitants,  wickedly  and  wilfully  fired  on,  attacked, 
and  destroyed  a  batteau  loaded  with  flour,  which  was  coming 
up  here  for  the  use  of  our  warriors,  and  to  feed  you  at  this 
treaty;  and  thereby  you  have  again  insulted  us,  and  inter- 
fered in  the  quarrel,  and  a  sixth  time  broken  and  altered  the 
resolutions  of  the  Six  Nations. 

Thus,  brothers,  we  have  mentioned  six  instances  in  which 
the  resolutions  of  the  Six  Nations  have  been  contravened, 
although  you  told  us,  in  full  council  at  Albany,  that  they 
were  not  to  be  broken  or  altered,  and  that  when  you  have 
resolved,  the  matter  was  fixed ;  and  thus,  also,  instead  of 
sitting  still,  and  seeing  us  fight  it  out,  as  you  also  told  us  you 
would  do,  you  have  actually  assisted  our  enemies,  and  taken 
an  active  part  in  the  quarrel  against  us;  thereby  opening 
your  ears  to,  and  listening  to  the  advice  of  our  enemies,  by 
complying  with  their  request,  although  you  expressly  said 
that  whoever  applied  first,  you  should  think  was  in  the 
wrong. 

Now,  brothers,  tell  us,  if  you  can,  when  we  have  asked 
you  to  interfere  in  the  quarrel?  When  and  where  have  we 
desired  your  assistance?  Have  we  given  you  a  blood  belt? 
Have  we  offered  you  the  axe?  Have  we  roasted  an  English- 
man, and  desired  you  to  drink  his  blood  ?  You  cannot  say 
that  we  have  ever  done  any  of  these  things,  and  yet  our 
enemies  have  done  all  this.  You  have  told  us  so  yourselves, 
and  you  cannot  deny  it.  We  have  always  said  that  we 
were  not  afraid  of  our  enemies;  we  say  so  still.  We  have 
never  asked  you  to  fight  for  us,  and  some  of  you  have  fought 
for  them.  Was  this  well  done?  God,  who  knows  all  things, 
knows  that  it  was  not.  You  yourselves  know  that  it  was 
not.  We  know  it  was  not.  And  although  you  have  thus 
unjustly  taken  up  arms  against  us,  and  although  we  felt  the 
blows,  and  although  the  axe  still  sticks  in  our  heads,  yet  we 
have  forborne  to  take  revenge,  because  your  ancestors  and 
ours  always  had  a  great  affection  and  friendship  for  each 
other,  and  faithfully  kept  the  covenant  they  made  with  each 
other  in  such  a  manner  that  both  were  happy,  both  were 
pleased,  and  peace  dwelt  in  their  habitations,  and  because 
we  had  resolved  to  make  our  complaint  in  full  council,  and 
lay  our  grievances  before  the  whole  Six  Nations,  as  we  now 
do,  expecting  that  you  will  speak  as  plain  as  we  do,  and 
remove  all  cause  of  complaint  for  the  future. 

Brothers:  Again  attend  to  the  voice  of  all  the  white  people 
on  this  great  Island.  They  say  that  they  have  not  injured 
you.  They  say  that  they  wish  to  live  in  friendship  with  all 
Indians,  and  in  particular  with  the  Six  Nations,  who  are  their 
near  neighbours,  and  with  whom  their  ancestors  have  always 
lived  in  peace  and  friendship.  They  say  that  you  have  un- 
justly injured  and  insulted  them.  They  say  that,  as  they 
are  freemen,  as  free  as  you  are,  and  now  fighting  to  preserve 
that  freedom,  they  will  not  suffer  themselves  to  be  affronted, 
injured,  and  insulted  with  impunity  by  you  or  any  men  on 
earth.  They  will  do  as  you  have  formerly  done,  as  you 
still  do,  and  as  you  have  a  right  to  do,  that  is,  to  guard 
themselves  against  any  enemy  whatsoever  by  any  just  means 
in  their  power. 

Brothers:  We  know  that  many  of  you  are  honest  men, 
faithful  to  your  engagements,  holding  sacred  the  faith  you 
have  plighted,  and  bearing  a  brotherly  affection  to  the  in- 
habitants of  this  great  Island.  These  we  love,  respect,  and 
honour;  and  we  call  God  to  witness  that  we  will  do  them 
every  kindness  in  our  power,  and  never  give  them  the  least 
cause  of  complaint.  We  also  know  who  are  our  enemies, 
although  we  do  not  know  why;  we  have  given  them  no 
cause  to  be  such. 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations:  We 
have  spoken  plainly;  we  will,  if  possible,  speak  more  plainly ; 
open,  therefore,  your  ears,  that  you  may  clearly  hear  and 
understand  the  declaration  of  the  Independent  States  of 
America.  It  is  this  :  that  they  mean  to  live  in  friendship, 
and  cultivate  a  good  understanding,  and  maintain  a  friendly 


intercourse  with  all  Indians;  and  that,  in  answer  to  this,  they 
do  require  that  all  Indians  should  declare  their  intentions; 
and  therefore  ask  the  Six  Nations  now  convened  around 
this  Council-fire  of  peace,  what  their  intentions  are?  If  they 
mean  to  live  in  friendship,  10  cultivate  a  good  understand- 
ing, and  maintain  a  friendly  intercourse  with  us,  we  require 
that  they  take  the  hatchet  out  of  our  heads,  and  that  none 
of  them  will  again  assist  our  enemies;  in  which  case,  we  do 
most  solemnly  promise  that  we  will  love  and  cherish  them, 
and  treat  them  with  the  greatest  kindness  and  affection,  and 
that  we  will  forever  hereafter  rather  die  than  wrong  them, 
or  suffer  others  to  do  it.  But  if  any  amongst  you  should  so 
far  forget  their  own  interest  as  now  to  become  or  continue 
our  enemies,  after  all  the  kindness  and  forbearance  we  have 
shown,  let  them  say  so,  that  all  the  white  people  of  this 
great  Island  may  know  what  they  have  to  depend  upon.  No 
person  shall  molest  them  here  or  on  their  way,  for  it  shall 
never  be  said  we  injured  or  insulted  people  with  whom  we 
were  in  treaty,  although  they  intended  to  be  our  enemies. 

Brothers:  We  have  done  our  duty;  we  have  spoken  plain- 
ly; we  request  you  will  do  the  same;  we  shall  become  open 
enemies,  or  warm  and  inviolable  friends.  We  wish  for  your 
friendship,  not  out  of  fear,  but  out  of  love,  and  that  a  good 
understanding  may  prevail  between  the  white  inhabitants  of 
this  great  Island  and  the  Six  Nations,  until  the  sun  should 
grow  dim  with  age;  and  it  will  be  your  fault  if  we  do  not 
part  as  good  friends  with  the  Six  Nations,  and  remain  so 
hereafter,  as  your  ancestprs  and  ours  were  in  the  time  of 
Queder,  when  they  fought  side  by  side  against  the  common 
enemy. 

Brothers :  We  have  now  spoken  our  minds  fully;  you  can- 
not charge  us  with  deceit.  Our  conduct  has  been  invariably 
the  same  from  the  time  we  first  met  in  Albany  to  this  day. 
We  have  not  said  one  thing  and  done  another,  as  our  enemies 
have  done;  and,  as  you  now  know  all  that  is  in  our  hearts, 
we  desire  you  to  think  seriously  of  it,  and  to  speak  your 
thoughts  fairly  and  fully,  and  not  be  double-hearted.  Do 
not  say  one  thing  and  think  another,  for  that  is  shameful  in 
a  private  man,  and  in  private  affairs;  but  scandalous  in 
publick  bodies,  and  in  publick  business. 

This  belt,  on  which  our  wishes  are  described,  and  which 
denotes  what  we  hope  will  take  place,  that  is,  a  firm  union 
between  the  Six  Nations  and  the  Thirteen  United  States  of 
America, — this  belt,  we  say,  confirms  our  words. — (The 
large  belt.) 

Friday,  August  9,  1776. 

Present:  The  Hon.  Major-General  Schuyler,  Timothy 
Edwards,  and  Volkert  P.  JJouw,  Esquires,  Commissioners, 
&c.;  Colonel  Van  Dyck,  Major  Barber,  and  several  other 
officers  and  gentlemen  from  the  Counties  of  Albany  and 
Tryon,  and  the  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations, 
the  Mohegans,  and  Delawares. 

ABRAHAM,  the  Mohawk  Sachem,  delivered  the  following 
Answer  to  the  Commissioner's  Speech : 

Brothers:  We  are  this  day  convened  at  the  place  ap- 
pointed for  the  meeting.  You  informed  us,  when  you  parted, 
that  you  had  delivered  your  whole  mind  to  us.  We  have 
had  your  words  under  consideration.  We  hope  you  will 
excuse  us  our  not  answering  before,  as  you  desired  us  to 
speak  our  minds  fully  and  freely  without  dissimulation.  We 
are  determined  to  do  it,  and  you  may  depend  that  what  the 
Six  Nations  now  say  does  not  come  only  from  their  lips. 

Brothers:  We  hope  you  will  excuse  us  if,  in  our  reply,  we 
do  not  mention  everything  that  was  delivered  to  us.  We 
will  endeavour  only  to  mention  the  principal  things.  You 
informed  us  that  the  Council-fire  which  you  had  kindled  at 
this  place,  was  kindled  from  a  spark  brought  from  the  Great 
Council-fire  anciently  kindled  by  our  ancestors  at  Albany. 
You  informed  us,  likewise,  that  the  reason  of  your  kindling 
it  here  was,  that  we  might  not  in  our  way  down  be  infected 
with  the  small-pox ;  and  that  you  hoped  that,  by  your  kin- 
dling it  here,  you  and  your  brethren  of  the  Six  Nations 
might  part  with  your  minds  at  ease,  and  not  grieved  for  the 
loss  of  any  of  their  friends. 

Brothers :  We  thank  you  for  your  prudence  in  kindling 
the  Council-fire  at  this  place,  and  the  whole  Six  Nations 
return  you  their  thanks. — (A  belt  of  seven  rows,  four  dia- 
gonal bars,  and  a  square.') 

Brothers:  You  informed  us  that  since  the  difficulties  had 
arisen  between  you  and  the  great  King,  you  had  made 


1039 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1770. 


1040 


frequent  applications  for  redress  of  your  grievances ;  that  the 
King,  instead  of  complying  with  your  requests,  had  (as  it 
were)  shut  his  ears  to  your  complaints ;  that  you  had  there- 
fore given  up  all  hopes  of  redress.  You  then  informed  us, 
that  in  consequence  of  that,  you  had  declared  yourselves 
to  be  free  and  independent  of  the  great  King ;  that  there 
were  thirteen  Provinces  united  in  this  resolution,  and  that 
you  had  determined  to  be  forever  free  and  independent;  and 
by  this  belt  (holding  up  the  belt  we  had  given  them  in  his 
hand)  you  made  us  acquainted  with  this  determination. 

Brothers :  The  whole  Six  Natiotis  take  this  opportunity 
to  thank  you  that  you  have  acquainted  us  with  your  deter- 
mination in  so  publick  a  manner;  and  we  shall  for  the  future 
consider  you  as  thirteen  independent  States. — (A  white  belt, 
eight  rows.) 

Brothers,  the  Commissioners  of  the  Independent  States, 
attend :  We  are  this  day  called  together  to  speak  of  peace. 
You  see,  brothers,  that  the  day  is  ended.  Our  ancestors 
have  forbid  us  from  treating  of  matters  of  peace  in  the  eve- 
ning. We  would  therefore  propose  it  to  your  considera- 
tion whether  it  would  not  be  best  to  defer  it  till  to-morrow 
morning? 

Deferred  till  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  August  10,  1776. 
Present  as  before. 
The  Oneida  Sachem  spoke  as  follows: 

Brothers,  the  Commissioners,-  attend:  We  have  again 
brought  our  pipes  together  at  this  place  of  publick  meeting, 
When  you  spoke  to  us,  you  informed  us  that  you  spoke  to 
us  in  the  name  of  the  Thirteen  United  Provinces.  We  hope 
you  will  excuse  us  if  we  do  not  repeat  all  you  have  said,  as 
you  have  it  all  committed  to  writing;  it  is  not,  indeed,  very 
necessary.  You  informed  us,  brethren,  in  your  speech,  that 
when  the  warriors  of  the  great  King  had  begun  to  spill  the 
blood  of  the  people  on  this  great  Island,  that  the  Thirteen 
United  Colonies  then  rekindled  the  ancient  Council-fire  which 
was  formerly  kept  burning  at  Albany.  You  also  informed 
us  that  the  quarrel  between  you  and  the  great  King  was  a 
family  quarrel,  in  which  we  were  not  concerned;  you  there- 
fore desired  that  the  Six  Nations  would  remain  quiet  at 
home,  and  mind  nothing  but  peace.  You  likewise  told  us 
that  we  had  returned  this  for  answer:  that  we  had  firmly 
agreed  not  to  take  any  part  in  the  quarrel ;  but  that  as  it 
was  a  family  quarrel,  we  would  remain  at  home  and  mind 
nothing  but  peace.  These  you  said  were  the  resolutions 
we  had  then  taken,  and  which  we  delivered  in  the  most 
publick  manner;  and  that  you  had  all  the  reason  in  the  world 
to  think  us  sincere. 

Brothers:  Attend.  We  take  this  opportunity  to  thank 
you  for  speaking  plainly,  and  telling  us  our  faults;  the  whole 
Six  Nations  thank  you  for  it.  We  will,  agreeably  to  your 
desire,  also  speak  clearly  and  plainly. — (A  belt  of  nine  rows, 
five  squares  connected  with  a  path.) 

ABRAHAM,  the  Mohawk  Sachem,  then  spoke  as  follows: 

Brothers,  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Thirteen 
United  Colonies,  attend:  You  have  desired  us  to  speak  our 
minds  with  the  greatest  plainness,  which  we  will  now  ac- 
cordingly do. 

Brothers :  It  is  your  desire  that  we  should  speak  in  par- 
ticular to  every  article  charged  against  us.  I  sliall  relate 
how  we  who  live  at  the  east  end  of  the  house  have  been 
guilty  of  a  fault  in  this  affair. 

Brothers:  At  the  Council-fire  which  was  rekindled  from 
the  ancient  Council-fire  which  had  been  kindled  by  our 
ancestors  at  Albany,  and  at  which  we  renewed  the  former 
covenant  which  had  been  made  between  our  forefathers  and 
the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  you  opened  the  path  of  peace  to 
all  the  Six  Nations  to  Albany.  You  had  before  told  us  that 
you  would  pursue  your  enemies  wherever  you  could  find  them, 
and  that  you  would,  if  they  could  not  be  reclaimed,  kill  all 
disaffected  persons  wherever  you  could  come  across  them. 
The  Six  Nations  then  thanked  you  for  what  you  had  done; 
that  you  had  opened  the  path  of  peace  and  renewed  the 
Council-fire  at  Albany.  At  the  same  time,  they  desired 
that,  as  there  were  many  persons  along  this  road  who  were 
attached  to  the  King,  you  would  not  defile  the  newly -opened 
path  of  peace  with  their  blood,  but  suffer  them  to  remain  in 
peace. 

Brothers:  You  will  attend  particularly  to  what  I  am 


going  to  relate,  as  we  will  speak  plain,  as  you  desired  us  to 
do.  The  Six  Nations,  at  the  treaty  held  at  Albany  last 
summer,  had  agreed  to  be  perfectly  neutral,  and  to  mind 
nothing  but  peace  on  both  sides.  Last  winter,  brothers,  you 
sent  up  a  message  to  inform  us  that  you  were  coming  up 
with  two  thousand  men,  to  inquire  of  and  take  care  of  the 
people  called  Tories.  You  desired  us  to  possess  our  minds 
in  peace,  as  no  evil  was  intended  us,  and  desired  that  your 
message  might  be  sent  forward  to  this  house.  We  then 
considered  the  matter;  and  as  it  was  represented  to  us  that 
these  men  came  up  only  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  matters, 
we  thought  two  or  three  men  might  have  done  that  business 
without  molestation,  as  it  would  be  beneath  men  to  injure  so 
small  a  number  sent  on  such  a  design.  We  then  sent  down 
to  meet  the  party  that  was  coining  up;  I  myself  was  one  of 
those  who  went  down  on  the  occasion  to  desire  that  the 
main  body  might  stop,  and  that  a  small  part  might  be  sent 
to  make  the  inquiry.  The  General  informed  us  that  the 
main  body  could  not  be  stopped ;  that  he  had  his  orders  for 
what  he  did,  and  that  he  was  under  a  necessity  of  proceed- 
ing. He  likewise  told  us  that  no  blood  would  be  spilt  on 
the  occasion,  if  the  people  whom  he  was  sent  to  would  com- 
ply with  certain  terms  which  he  had  directions  to  propose. 
It  is  not  necessary,  brothers,  to  repeat  over  the  whole  of  this 
affair  very  circumstantially;  but  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Council,  I  will  mention  the  principal  transactions.  After 
this  interview  at  Schenectady,  you  stopped  short  of  Major 
Fonda's,  where  we  came  over  in  the  evening  to  see  you, 
but  you  were  not  there.  Some  time  late  at  night,  you  sent 
for  us  to  come  down  to  you;  accordingly,  I  and  one  more 
went;  and  in  passing  by  Colonel  Claus's,  a  gun  was  dis- 
charged at  us,  and  there  I  had  almost  been  killed  in  pur- 
suing peace.  After  we  arrived  at  your  lodging,  Sir  John,  it 
seems,  had  just  left  you,  and  you  informed  us  of  the  conver- 
sation that  had  passed  between  you,  and  the  proposals  you 
had  made  to  him.  You  then  let  us  know  that  we  might  go 
to  Sir  John,  and  inform  ourselves  whether  such  proposals 
had  been  made  to  him ;  and  upon  our  going  out  to  him,  we 
were  convinced  of  the  truth  of  your  information,  and  we 
desired  Sir  John  to  comply  with  the  proposals  that  had  been 
made  to  him,  as  he  could  not  possibly  resist  the  body  of  men 
that  were  coming  out  against  him.  We  desired  Sir  John  to 
go  in  person  to  see  you.  He  said  he  would  consider  of  it; 
but  finally  he  sent  one  in  his  name.  At  last  things  were 
so  settled  as  to  prevent  the  shedding  of  blood.  We  were 
induced  to  be  thus  active  in  the  affair  from  a  desire  of  pre- 
venting the  shedding  of  blood  on  both  sides;  and  this,  bro- 
thers, is  the  conduct  which  you  accuse  us  for,  and  which  we 
think  excusable  on  account  of  our  intention.  Our  cousins 
of  the  Upper  Castle  were  with  those  of  the  Lower  at  the 
time. 

Brothers :  Before  the  arrival  of  Colonel  Dayton,  the  whole 
Six  Nations  had  a  Council  at  Onondaga,  wherein  they  had 
agreed  that  they  would  mind  nothing  but  peace.  Immedi- 
ately after  this  Council  at  Onondaga,  a  party  of  the  Six 
Nations  went  down  to  Albany,  and  another  to  Niagara,  as 
they  had  agreed  to  cultivate  peace.  The  Oequagues  and 
Caughnawagas  were  at  Albany  at  the  time,  when  they  re- 
peated the  agreement  which  they  had  made  at  the  Council 
at  Onondaga.  They  then  requested,  and  you  promised, 
that  there  should  be  no  fighting  near  our  house,  as  both  par- 
ties were  strong,  and  they  might  injure  the  Indians  in  the 
struggle,  and  that  you  would  confine  yourselves  to  the  sea- 
coasts.  When  our  party  that  went  to  Albany  returned 
home,  and  very  soon  after  they  had  repeated  their  transac- 
tions at  Albany,  Mr.  Douw  came  up  to  inform  them  that 
there  was  a  party  coming  up  to  Sir  John's.  Mr.  Douw, 
when  he  came  up,  desired  us  to  possess  our  minds  in  peace, 
as  the  party  coining  up  was  not  designed  against  us.  You 
say  that  Mr.  Douw  was  used  in  an  abusive  manner,  and 
Bkecktr  threatened,  which  we  confess;  for  while  they  were 
there,  one  of  our  young  warriors  came  in  diunk,  and  used 
him  in  the  manner  you  mention.  We  desired  the  warriors 
to  remain  quiet;  but  some  of  them  took  their  arms,  and, 
contrary  to  the  inclinations  of  the  Sachems,  went  down, 
while  those  that  were  obedient  remained  with  the  great  men 
who  take  care  of  the  news.  Upon  our  arrival  at  Johns- 
town, we  found  a  number  of  our  warriors  who  had  had  a 
meeting  with  Colonel  Dayton  to  inquire  his  business  there. 
Colonel  Dayton  told  them  that  he  had  no  designs  against 
the  Indians;  that  though  he  was  not  afraid  of  them,  he  was 


1041 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1042 


unwilling  to  shed  their  blood;  and  requested  that  they  would 
be  quiet.  He  spoke  much  more  in  a  friendly  manner,  which 
it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat.  Our  warriors  then  returned 
home,  and  the  Sachems  reproved  them  for  their  conduct. 
They  acknowledged  their  fault,  and  promised  not  to  be 
guilty  of  the  like  misconduct  for  the  future,  informing  them 
that  the  person  who  had  been  the  cause  of  it  was  now  gone, 
though  he  had  gone  off  without  their  assistance.  As  I  have 
authority  to  speak  for  the  warriors,  I  now  declare  that  they 
are  sorry  for  their  misconduct,  and  that  they  will  for  the 
future  obey  their  uncles  the  Sachems,  who  take  care  of  the 
news. — (A  belt  of  eleven  rows,  with  four  diagonal  bars.) 

SOSCOHOLAANA,  a  Sachem  of  the  Mohawks,  then  delivered 
the  following  Speech: 

One  of  the  articles  of  accusation  is  pointed  at  me.  I  was 
conscious  of  guilt  at  the  time  it  was  mentioned,  but  sat  still, 
as  it  was  an  improper  time  for  me  to  speak.  I  waited  to 
confess  it  in  the  most  publick  manner  in  a  meeting  of  the 
whole  Six  Nations.  The  accusation  against  me  is  just.  I 
have  destroyed  a  batteau  load  of  provisions  while  it  was 
coming  up;  and  I  may,  perhaps,  be  the  means  of  the  Six 
Nations  being  in  want  of  provisions  while  at  this  Council- 
fire.  The  warriors  are  frequently  passing  and  repassing  to 
and  from  their  hunting-ground ;  and  when  they  return  from 
hunting,  it  is  usual  for  them  to  get  liquor.  I,  with  a  party, 
was  just  then  returning,  and  we  had  procured  some  liquor, 
and  destroyed  the  flour  as  you  mention.  Some  of  our  people 
went  down  the  next  day  and  found  the  flour  destroyed,  but 
the  persons  who  had  done  it  were  gone  again  into  the  woods 
hunting.  The  generality  of  our  warriors  are  now  together; 
and  a  day  or  two  ago  we  every  one  declared  our  sentiments 
separately,  and  all  agreed  not  to  be  guilty  of  like  excesses 
for  the  future,  but  that  they  would  behave  themselves  regu- 
larly and  orderly.  What  I  have  now  said  does  not  come  only 
from  my  lips,  but  from  my  heart. — (A  belt  of  seven  rows, 
with  three  variegated  squares,  two  in  the  middle,  the  other 
at  one  of  the  ends.') 

TAYCHANU.  Brothers,  the  Commissioners,  attend :  Hike- 
wise  desire  the  attention  of  the  elder  part  of  the  Confe- 
deracy. I  who  now  speak  am  a  Sachem.  I  speak  in  the 
name  of  the  Sachems  of  the  Oneida,  Tuscarora,  and  Cayuga 
Tribes.  Our  nephews  the  warriors  are  not  included.  You 
have  desired  us,  in  your  speech,  to  speak  plainly,  whether 
we  are  for  peace,  or  for  having  our  minds  separated  from  our 
brethren  of  the  United  Provinces.  We,  therefore,  the  Sa- 
chems of  the  Oneida  and  Tuscarora  Tribes,  declare  that  we 
are  for  peace ;  that  we  have  not  the  least  inclination  to  be 
divided  from  our  ancient  brethren  the  Dutch.  We  deter- 
mine to  maintain  it  forever;  and  hope  that  our  women,  our 
children,  and  warriors,  may  always  remain  in  peace.  God, 
who  knows  and  hears  what  we  say,  and  who  disapproves  of 
those  who  break  their  covenants,  we  hope  will  enable  us  to 
persevere  in  the  resolution  which  we  now  make.  We  now 
strengthen  and  renew  our  former  covenant.  If,  brothers, 
you  are  the  least  apprehensive  that  there  is  any  deceit  in 
us,  we  desire  that  you  will  declare  it;  and  if  it  has  appeared 
either  in  the  actions  of  us  the  Sachems,  or  in  those  of  our 
warriors,  we  desire  that  you  will  tell  us.  I  speak  for  the 
Sachems  of  the  whole  Tribes  of  the  Oneidasand  Tuscaroras, 
with  our  nephews  the  Delaware!.  This  is  all  I  have  to 
say. — (Two  belts,  one  of  ten  rows  and  three  squares  on  it, 
the  other  with  six  rows,  with  seven  diagonal  bars.) 

Monday,  August  12,  1776. 

Present:  The  Hon.  Major-General  Schuylcr,  Timothy 
Edwards,  Esq.,  and  several  officers  and  gentlemen  from  the 
Counties  of  Albany  and  Tryon. 

The  COMMISSIONERS  proceeded  to  deliver  their  Reply  in 
answer  to  the  Six  Nations,  as  follows : 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations: 
Our  ears  have  been  open,  and  we  have  attentively  listened 
to  the  answers  which  you  have  jointly  and  severally  made 
to  our  speech.  We  have  fully  considered  what  you  have 
said.  Give  ear,  and  attend  to  our  reply.  You  began  your 
answer  with  the  belt  now  in  our  hands.  You  declared  that 

?ou  would  speak  your  minds  fully  and  freely,  and  that  the 
ndependent  States  of  America  might  depend  upon  what  the 
Six  Nations  should  say.     You  then  approved  the  reasons 
we  gave  for  lighting  the  Council-fire  at  this  place. 

Brothers:  The  assurance  you  give  us,  that  you  would  be 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


sincere  in  what  you  said,  pleases  us  well ;  because  both  you 
and  we  should  never  dissemble  or  deceive  each  other,  as 
such  conduct  would  be  unworthy  our  characters  as  free 
nations. 

Brothers:  With  this  belt  you  answered  the  Declaration 
of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies,  that  they  had  become  States 
independent  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain.  You  thanked 
us  for  having  acquainted  you  with  this  event,  and  that  you 
would  henceforth  consider  them  as  such.  Brothers,  it  is  well. 
Brothers:  With  this  belt  you  recapitulated  the  first  part 
of  our  speech,  with  the  large  belt,  and  you  thanked  us  for 
reminding  you  of  the  promise  and  resolutions  of  the  Six 
Nations  at  Albany,  and  for  the  justness  of  our  observations 
upon  them ;  and  you  concluded  with  declaring  that,  agree- 
able to  our  request,  you  would  speak  clearly  and  plainly. 
Brothers,  we  commend  that  declaration,  and  we  hope  both 
of  us  will  ever  hereafter  speak  plainly,  that  the  sentiments 
of  our  hearts  may  be  known  to  each  other,  for  that  will  make 
our  friendship  lasting. 

Brothers:  The  Mohawks  then  proceeded  to  answer  some 
of  the  six  particulars  in  which  we  had  charged  you  of  inter- 
fering in  the  quarrel  between  the  King  of  Great  Britain 
and  the  white  inhabitants  of  this  Island.  As  the  Mohawks 
spoke  first,  we  shall  answer  them  first,  and  after  them,  all 
the  other  Nations  in  the  order  in  which  they  spoke. 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Mohawk,  attend: 
With  the  belt  now  in  our  hands,  you  spoke  to  some  of  the 
six  charges  we  have  made  in  our  speech  to  the  Six  Nations. 
Your  answer  to  the  second  charge  we  are  not  pleased  with. 
It  is  not  satisfactory,  because  you  did  not  state  the  facts 
truly  as  they  happened.  As  you  related  the  matter,  we 
should  have  had  no  reason  to  complain.  Your  memories 
fail  you,  as  we  shall  make  appear  by  informing  you  before 
the  whole  Six  Nations  of  what  passed  on  that  occasion. 
It  is  this:  We  sent  you  a  message  last  winter  from  Albany, 
advising  you  that  we  had  intelligence  that  several  persons 
in  and  about  Johnstown  were  inlisting  men  to  cut  our 
throats,  and  were  making  other  hostile  preparations  against 
us ;  that  we  intended  to  march  our  warriors  up,  to  inquire 
into  the  truth  of  the  report,  and  act  thereupon  as  we  should 
judge  needful;  that  no  harm  was  intended  you  or  any  In- 
dians. In  your  answer  to  this,  you  desired  that  the  troops 
might  not  come  up ;  "  that  if  they  did,  it  would  create  un- 
easiness in  your  minds,  as  you  and  Sir  John  were  of  one 
blood.'7  You  also  refused  to  send  our  message  immediately 
to  the  end  of  the  house.  We  therefore  thought  it  neces- 
sary to  send  another  message  to  the  Six  Nations,  to  convince 
them  that  we  had  no  intention  to  break  the  covenant  or 
defile  the  path  of  peace  with  blood;  but  that  we  were 
resolved  to  follow  our  enemies  wherever  they  went.  Bro- 
thers, although  Sir  John  was  of  your  blood,  although  he 
had  been  a  Mohawk,  we  should  have  been  justified  in  pre- 
venting him  from  cutting  our  throats.  His  conduct  since 
has  sufficiently  convinced  all  the  world  of  his  evil  intentions, 
for  he  has  now  joined  our  enemy. 

Brothers,  at  Schenectady  you  told  us  that  Sir  John  John- 
son was  not  making  any  hostile  preparations ;  that  he  had  no 
cannon ;  that  you  would  have  known  it  if  he  had ;  and  yet 
we  found  cannon  there,  well  charged  and  mounted  upon  car- 
riages newly  made  on  purpose  for  them.  This  you  cannot 
deny,  for  you  saw  us  bring  them  away.  Brothers,  you  also 
told  us  if  we  carried  matters  to  extremity  that  your  war- 
riors would  not  be  restrained,  and  you  would  not  be  answer- 
able for  their  conduct;  and  as  a  proof  that  you  knew  that 
your  warriors  meant  to  fight,  you  asked  what  treatment 
those  that  remained  at  home  might  expect.  In  our  answer, 
we  told  you  that  we  were  not  going  to  shut  the  path  of 
peace,  but  to  open  it.  We  assured  you  that  none  of  our 
warriors  should  set  their  feet  on  your  lands  unless  our 
enemy  took  shelter  there;  for  that  we  were  resolved  to 
follow  them  wherever  they  went,  and  we  desired  you  to 
inform  your  warriors  that  if  they  joined  our  enemies  that 
we  would  do  as  we  had  done  at  St.  John's,  and  repel  force 
with  force;  and  this  we  surely  have  a  right  to  do,  and  will 
always  do. 

Brothers,  as  to  our  people's  firing  last  winter,  you  ought 
to  be  ashamed  to  mention  it.  You  very  well  know  that  a 
sled  full  of  white  people  were  passing  just  at  the  time  you 
did,  and  that  the  sentry  challenged,  and  they  would  not  stop, 
upon  which  he  fired.  He  did  his  duty;  and  you  know  very 
well  that  no  harm  was  intended  to  you. 


66 


1043 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1044 


Brothers,  we  might  say  a  great  deal  more  to  convince  the 
Six  Nations  that  we  had  the  greatest  reason  to  complain  of 
your  conduct;  and  we  could  clearly  demonstrate  that  the 
people  who  are  the  cause  of  your  misconduct,  have  never 
been  your  real  friends;  and  neither  they  nor  their  ancestors 
ever  consulted  your  true  interest,  and  this  your  children 
will  be  convinced  of.  But,  brothers,  as  the  halchet  which 
stuck  in  our  heads  is  taken  out  and  buried,  we  will  also  bury 
all  animosities.  But  that  our  friendship  may  be  lasting,  it  is 
necessary  that  your  people  should  strictly  abide  by  the  cove- 
nant you  have  now  made  with  us,  which  you  say  you  are 
empowered  to  do  by  all  the  warriors,  as  well  as  the  Sa- 
chems, and  that  they  should  know  that  we  have  a  right  to 
follow  our  enemies  wherever  they  go;  that  we  will  do  it; 
and  that  we  will  consider  all  such  as  join  them  to  be  our 
enemies,  and  will  treat  them  as  such,  and  revenge  every 
injury  after  your  own  manner.  This  belt  confirms  our 
words. — (A  belt.) 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Upper  Mohawk 
Castle :  The  candid  confession  you  made  with  this  belt  of  the 
charge  that  was  particularly  pointed  at  you,  we  will  for  this 
time  take  as  a  sufficient  satisfaction ;  but  you  must  not  here- 
after plead  drunkenness  as  an  excuse  for  such  crimes,  nor 
will  we  be  satisfied,  if  you  again  so  highly  injure  us,  with  a 
few  wampum  and  fair  promises.  Having  told  you  our 
minds,  we  are  made  perfectly  easy  by  your  honest  confes- 
sion. This  belt  confirms  our  words. — (A  belt.) 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Onondaga  and 
Seneca  Nations:  Our  ears  have  opened  to  your  speech;  we 
have  paid  due  attention  to  its  contents,  we  have  considered 
it  well.  We  shall  make  remarks  on  such  parts  as  more 
immediately  concern  the  great  business  which  we  have  con- 
vened you  for.  You  say  your  warriors  went  into  Canada 
by  the  persuasion  of  a  chief  warrior,  who  is  entirely  averse 
to  peace.  Brothers,  we  have  now  made  peace  together, 
and  we  hope  everything  is  amicably  settled ;  but  if  again 
broken,  you  must  remember  that  we  will  not  be  put.off  with 
barely  saying  that  you  are  sorry  for  it,  and  giving  a  belt  to 
confirm  your  words.  We  shall  expect  some  better  satisfac- 
tion— a  satisfaction  equal  to  the  injury  done ;  for  what  would 
you  say  if  some  of  our  warriors  were  to  go,  under  a  pretence 
of  fetching  news  and  talking  of  peace,  into  your  country, 
and  when  they  were  there  assisted  your  enemies  in  destroy- 
ing you  and  knocking  you  on  the  head  ?  If  you  complained 
to  us,  would  you  be  contented  if  we  said  there  was  a  wicked 
man  who  was  their  Captain  and  who  prevailed  on  them  to 
do  it?  We  know  that  you  would  not;  you  would  not  even 
complain ;  but  you  would  take  revenge  on  the  first  of  us 
which  you  met,  and  even  upon  our  women  and  children. 
However,  as  you  are  sorry  for  what  is  done,  we  shall  bury 
and  forget  it.  But  remember,  that  as  we  treat  with  you  as 
nations,  we  expect  that  the  treaty  shall  be  fully  complied 
with;  for  it  is  your  duty  to  consult  the  interest  of  your  na- 
tion, and  to  punish  those  that  are  the  cause  of  a  quarrel  that 
may  involve  you  in  ruin,  by  setting  you  at  variance  with 
your  best  friends;  and  as  this  is  our  resolution,  and  as  we 
mean  to  live  in  peace  and  friendship  with  you,  we  were  glad 
to  hear  that  the  sachems  and  chief  warriors  of  eleven  of  the 
Seneca  Castles  met  and  resolved  for  the  future  to  restrain 
their  warriors,  and  that  the  Onondagas  had  done  the  same, 
and  that  they  would  be  at  peace  with  us.  '  These  are  wise 
reasons,  tending  as  much  to  your  happiness  as  to  ours.  This 
belt  confirms  our  words. — (A  belt.) 

Brothers,  Sachems  of  the  Oneida  and  Tuscarora  Nations: 
The  belt  now  in  our  hands  is  that  with  which  you  addressed 
us;  with  which  you  declared  your  friendly  intentions;  with 
which  you  renewed  the  covenant  of  peace  that  has  so  long 
existed  between  our  ancestors  and  yours.  The  tree  of  peace 
which  you  planted  so  long  ago  has  greatly  flourished  of  late. 
It  has  spread  a  pleasing  shade  far  and  near.  Its  boughs 
have  grown  strong  and  its  leaves  broad.  It  has  not  been 
shaken  by  any  of  the  storms  that  have  lately  blown  with  so 
much  violence.  Not  a  leaf  has  dropped  from  it.  It  is  per- 
fect, and  be  assured  that  it  will  yield  fruits  which  will  nourish 
you  and  your  posterity  and  make  you  grow.  We  are  happy, 
brothers,  that  your  nephews,  the  Delawares,  have  taken 
shelter  under  its  shade.  They  will  also  receive  the  benefit 
and  the  comforts  of  it. 

Brothers:  We  never  thought  that  you  made  use  of  any 
deceit.  We  have  never  thought  that  you  intended  to  break 
the  covenant  you  have  made  with  us.  We  heartily  join 


with  you  in  hoping  that  God  will  enable  you  to  persevere 
in  your  good  resolutions.  We  promise  on  our  parts,  by  the 
blessing  of  that  Being,  that  you  shall  never  have  cause  to 
complain  of  us;  that  you  will  find  us  warm  and  true  friends. 
This  belt  confirms  our  words. — (A  belt.) 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Cayuga  Nation : 
In  our  speech  we  did  not  particularly  point  at  the  Cayugas. 
Our  speech  was  general,  and  calculated  for  the  whole.  The 
method  you  have  taken  to  answer  separately  has  put  it  in 
your  power  to  justify  yourselves  as  far  as  you  can.  We  are 
glad  to  hear  that  by  your  advice  the  misconduct  of  the  Six 
Nations  is  usually  rectified.  If  the  people  residing  in 
Virginia  have  at  any  time  injured  you,  we  are  sorry  for  it. 
If  they  have  done  it  since  the  quarrel  begun  between  the 
King  of  Great  Britain  and  us,  you  shall  have  the  fullest 
satislaction  given  you  whenever  you  shall  make  it  appear. 
If  before  that  time,  and  you  have  not  had  satisfaction,  it  was 
the  fault  of  the  King  of  England's  Governours,  and  his 
Governours  are  not  ours.  They  generally  attended  to  his 
interests  only.  It  is  not  our  fault,  brothers,  that  traders  have 
not  gone  amongst  you.  We  had  given  leave  to  traders  to 
go  to  Niagara,  and  others  were  making  ready  to  go  amongst 
the  Six  Nations;  but  as  soon  as  we  were  informed  that 
Butler  had  prevailed  upon  some  of  the  Six  Nations  to  go 
to  Canada,  they  (the  traders)  were  stopped,  and  would  not 
go  on  lest  they  should  be  knocked  on  the  head. 

Brothers:  You  say  that  when  the  covenants  made  in  the 
time  of  Queder  recurred  to  your  minds,  in  which  it  was 
agreed  that  if  any  difference  should  arise  between  us  and 
you  it  should  be  immediately  settled,  that  this  composed  your 
minds.  Brothers,  that  good  old  custom  we  wish  to  abide  by, 
and  we  now  give  an  instance  of  it  by  settling  all  the  differ- 
ences between  us  and  you;  and  we  hear  with  great  satisfac- 
tion that  both  the  sachems  and  the  warriors  of  the  Cayugas, 
and  their  younger  brothers,  the  Tototoes,  are  strongly  dis- 
posed to  peace,  and  that  it  has  never  entered  your  minds  to 
separate  from  us,  or  break  the  connexion  which  has  so  long 
bound  us  together  in  friendship. 

Brothers:  We  are  not  behindhand  with  you  in  these  friend- 
ly sentiments.  Brothers,  we  are  glad  that  you  have  given 
charge  to  the  Tajaghgucndy  to  bring  away  your  warriors 
from  Canada.  We  hope  they  are  by  this  time  returned  to 
their  Castles;  and  we  hope,  that  when  you  inform  them  of 
what  has  been  passed  here,  they  will  possess  their  minds  in 
peace,  and  remain  quietly  at  home. — (A  belt.) 

Brothers,  Warriors  of  the  Oneidas,  Oghquagas,  Tusca- 
roras,  and  those  of  Canassadaga:  You  have  heard  the 
declaration  we  have  made  to  your  Sachems.  As  you  have 
acted  upon  the  same  just  and  peaceable  principles,  what  we 
said  to  them  is  applicable  to  you  too,  and  we  entreat  you  to 
consider  it  as  such  We  are  greatly  pleased  that  you  avow 
that  what  was  said  in  our  first  speech  is  true,  and  that  we 
need  not  be  ashamed  of  it.  We  know,  brothers,  that  you 
are  not  to  blame;  but  as  we  were  to  speak  to  the  Six  Na- 
tions, it  was  necessary  that  the  charges  should  be  general, 
leaving  it  to  those  who  had  been  in  the  fault  to  take  it  to 
themselves,  and  to  those  who  were  innocent  to  say  so.  This 
you  have  done.  It  rejoices  us  that  you  declare,  that  as  we 
only  desire  peace  and  have  given  no  offence,  you  equally 
desire  peace,  and  that,  as  we  are  born  and  bred  together  in 
this  place,  we  ought  to  love  each  other.  These  are  good 
sentiments.  They  are  sentiments  which  show  wisdom  and 
a  friendly  disposition.  You  desire  us  to  tell  you  if  anything 
grieves  us;  that  you  will  immediately  give  satisfaction.  We 
say  you  have  done  nothing  to  grieve  us,  and  we  have  the 
fullest  confidence  in  your  perseverance.  The  youngest  of 
your  warriors  we  hope  will  not  go  astray,  as  we  imagine 
they  will  not  act  contrary  to  the  advice  of  the  Sachems  and 
the  elder  warriors.  You  say,  brothers,  that  if  anything  fatal 
should  happen,  and  any  one  should  strike  a  hatchet  into 
your  heads,  that  you  expect  it  shall  immediately  be  removed. 
Be  assured,  brothers,  that  we  shall  take  care  that  no  injury 
shall  be  committed  by  any  of  our  people.  If  any  should, 
we  will  not  only  immediately  punish  the  offenders,  but  give 
you  the  fullest  satisfaction.  If  any  one  else  should  injure  you, 
we  shall,  immediately  upon  your  request,  assist  you  to  take 
revenge,  for  we  are  always  ready  to  assist  the  injured. — 
(A  belt.) 

Brothers,  Sachems  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations: 
With  these  belts  in  our  hands  you  have  taken  hold  of  the 
covenant  of  peace.  You  have  repented  of  your  misconduct 


1045 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1046 


towards  us  in  the  articles  we  have  mentioned.  You  have 
told  us,  that  although  the  hatchet  was  stuck  in  our  heads,  it 
was  not  in  consequence  of  any  resolutions  entered  into  by 
the  Confederacy,  but  that  it  was  done  by  those  of  unsteady 
minds,  and  that  the  Six  Nations  have  taken  out  the  hatchet 
which  they  have  stuck  in  our  heads.  Brothers,  with  this 
belt,  you  say  you  have  so  deeply  buried  the  axe  that  none 
of  your  posterity  will  be  able  to  find  it  again.  Brothers,  it 
gives  us  pleasure  that  you  have  received  the  covenant  of 
peace  with  us.  It  is  your  duty,  as  well  as  ours,  that  it 
should  be  most  strictly  kept.  This  cannot  be  done  unless  the 
warriors  of  all  the  nations  keep  fast  hold  of  the  tree  of  peace 
with  our  brothers  the  warriors  of  Ontida,  Oghquaga,  Tusca- 
rora,  and  Canassadaga.  If  any  of  the  Six  Nations  join  the 
enemy  and  fight  against  us,  the  peace  will  again  be  broken. 
It  will  be  foolish  again  and  again  to  enter  into  treaty  with 
all  of  you,  for  we  shall  only  have  the  same  promises  made, 
and  they  will  be  broken  in  like  manner.  In  short,  as  we 
began  by  speaking  plain,  we  will  end  so.  Should  the 
hatchet  of  any  of  the  nations  who  have  heretofore  broke 
the  covenant,  after  this  solemn  treaty,  be  stuck  in  our  heads, 
words  and  wampum  only  will  not  be  able  to  remove  it. 

Brothers:  As  we  have,  like  honest  men,  disburdened  our 
minds  and  spoke  freely;  as  you  have  given  us  satisfaction 
for  the  injuries  we  have  sustained;  as  you  have  taken  the 
hatchet  out  of  our  heads;  as  you  have  buried  it  deep  in  the 
earth ;  as  you  have  renewed  the  covenant  of  peace;  and  as 
we  now  possess  our  minds  in  peace,  fully  relying  on  every- 
thing you  have  said,  we  shall  bury  all  animosities,  we  shall 
forget  all  injuries,  and  we  shall  proclaim  that  peace  and 
good  understanding  prevails  between  the  Independent  States 
of  America,  the  Six  Nations,  their,  nephews  the  Delawares, 
and  other  their  dependants.  This  belt  confirms  my  words. — 
(A  belt.) 

Tuesday,  August  13,  1776. 

PETER,  the  Chief  Warrior  of  the  Oneida  Nation,  made 
the  following  Speech  in  behalf  of  the  Warriors  of  the  Oneida 
and  Tuscarora  Nations: 

Brothers :  You  will  excuse  me  from  making  remarks  on 
some  passages  of  your  speech  in  reply  to  that  of  the  Six 
Nations.  You  told  us,  brothers,  after  assuring  us  of  your 
peaceable  intentions,  that  if  any  difference  should  arise  be- 
tween you  and  us,  and  we  should  again  strike  the  hatchet 
in  your  heads,  you  would  not  again  be  satisfied  with  fair 
promises  and  a  few  wampum.  This  declaration,  brothers, 
is  not  connected  with  the  covenants  of  peace  anciently  made 
between  our  ancestors  at  Albany.  When  our  ancestors 
first  met,  they  agreed  that  they  should  take  each  other  by 
the  hand,  and  that  no  storms,  nor  even  thunder,  should  be 
able  to  break  their  union.  By  this  covenant,  our  ancestors 
agreed  that  no  private  quarrels  should  be  deemed  an  infrac- 
tion of  it,  but  that  such  disputes  should  be  amicably  settled 
between  them.  The  eyes  of  all  the  neighbouring  tribes 
are  turned  to  this  Council-fire,  and  as  matters  may  be  repre- 
sented wrong,  it  would  grieve  us  if  any  difference  should  now 
arise. 

He  then  addressed  himself  to  the  elder  part  of  the  Con- 
federacy, recommending  moderation,  and  that  they  should 
not  suffer  little  matters  to  ruffle  their  minds. 

The  COMMISSIONERS  then  answered  : 

Brothers,  Warriors  of  the  Oneida  and  Tuscarora  Nations : 
We  have  deliberated  coolly;  we  have  spoken  plainly  to  you 
yesterday.  We  have  no  quarrel  with  the  Indians.  We 
would  be  glad  to  cultivate  peace  with  the  Six  Nations,  and 
our  conduct  shows  that  we  have  no  evil  intentions  against 
them.  And  we  would  also  be  glad  to  preserve  our  lives 
and  liberties.  You  say,  when  our  ancestors  first  met,  they 
agreed  to  take  each  other  by  the  hand  so  firmly  that  no 
storms  or  even  thunder  should  be  able  to  break  their  union. 
Brothers,  we  mean  to  abide  by  the  covenant  of  our  ances- 
cestors. 

ABRAHAM,  the  Mohawk  Sachem,  made  the  following 
Speech : 

Brothers,  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Thirteen 
United  Provinces,  attend  :  The  whole  Confederacy,  consist- 
ing of  the  Six  Nations,  have  this  day  taken  hold  of  the  cove- 
nant of  peace.  They  have  repented  of  their  misconduct  in 
the  articles  with  which  you  have  charged  them.  Our  ances- 
tors, when  they  settled  the  Confederacy,  ordained  that  if  any 


of  their  people  should,  without  the  consent  of  the  Sachems, 
stick  the  hatchet  in  the  heads  of  any  of  their  neighbours, 
that  those  who  take  care  of  the  news  should  make  up  the 
matter. 

Brothers:  Respecting  the  injury  that  the  Six  Nations 
have  offered  you:  they  have  stuck  the  hatchet  into  your 
heads,  but,  brothers,  it  was  not  in  consequence  of  any  pub- 
lick  resolution  entered  into,  but  it  was  done  by  those  of 
unsteady  minds.  Now,  therefore,  brothers,  we,  the  Six 
Nations,  take  out  the  hatchet  which  we  have  stuck  in  your 
heads. — (Two  belts,  eight  rows  each,  one  with  thirteen 
rhombusses,  the  other  Jive  crosses.) 

Brothers  :  Our  ancestors  likewise  further  directed,  in  order 
to  bury  the  hatchet  effectually,  that  a  pine  tree  should  be 
pulled  up  by  the  roots  and  that  the  hatchet  should  be  flung 
into  the  hole.  We,  therefore,  the  Six  Nations,  according  to 
the  directions  of  our  ancestors,  pull  up  a  pine  tree,  and  drop 
the  hatchet  in  the  hole,  under  which  runs  a  strong  stream  of 
water,  which  will  carry  the  hatchet  forever  from  the  sight  of 
our  posterity.  Now,  therefore,  brothers,  the  whole  Six  Na- 
tions, in  order  to  cover  the  hole,  bring  a  very  large  rock, 
which  they  lay  on  the  mouth  of  it,  to  cover  it  so  effectually 
that  posterity  will  never  be  able  to  find  the  hole  in  which 
the  hatchet  was  cast. — (A  belt,  seven  rows,  six  squares,  and 
one  diagonal  bar  on  it.) 

The  Speech  of  the  Onondaga  Sachem  ONWASGWINGHTE, 
on  behalf  of  his  and  the  Seneca  Tribe  : 

Brothers,  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Thirteen 
United  Colonies,  attend  :  Our  brothers,  the  Mohawks,  have 
finished  what  they  had  to  say  respecting  the  articles  of  ac- 
cusation which  you  had  against  them.  I  shall  begin  with 
what  was  transacted  at  the  Council  at  Oswego.  After  the 
business  was  over,  Colonel  Johnson  desired  the  Six  Nations 
to  send  a  deputation  of  two  or  three  of  each  tribe  with  him 
to  Caughnawaga,  where  he  was  to  kindle  up  a  Council-fire, 
that  they  might  hear  what  he  had  to  deliver,  because  they 
might  otherwise  think  that  he  had  delivered  a  speech  differ- 
ent from  the  one  he  had  delivered  at  Oswego.  When  they 
had  done  it  he  thanked  them,  but  at  the  same  time  told  them 
he  would  rather  wish  to  have  twenty  of  each  tribe  to  attend 
him.  Thus  it  happened  that  some  of  our  warriors  and  some 
of  our  uncles,  the  Sachems,  went  with  him,  without  inform- 
ing our  people  that  were  left  at  home  of  it.  After  this, 
brothers,  a  party  of  us  went  down  to  Albany  to  inform  you, 
our  brethren,  of  what  had  been  transacted  at  Oswego.  At 
this  place  we  met  Colonel  Francis  and  Mr.  Douw,  and 
informed  them  of  it,  but  told  them  we  were  unacquainted 
with  the  conduct  of  our  people  then  in  Canada,  though  we 
supposed  that  they  only  attended  the  Council-fire  of  peace. 
When  the  Sachems  and  Warriors  who  went  down  to  attend 
at  Johnson's  Council-fire  returned,  the  Sachem  brought  with 
him  the  hatchet — a  thing  entirely  unexpected,  as  we  had 
given  him  no  directions  to  do  so,  if  Johnson  should  change 
his  mind  and  make  the  offer.  We  therefore  immediately 
considered  the  matter,  and  sent  the  axe  down  to  Albany. 

Brothers :  When  those  Sachems  and  Warriors  returned,  as 
we  have  before  related,  they  left  some  of  their  party  still  in 
Canada,  and  those  that  remained  there,  brothers,  are  the 
persons  who  have  involved  us  in  the  difficulty  under  which 
we  now  labour. 

Brothers  :  After  the  affair  at  Niagara,  Colonel  Johnson, 
when  he  went  away,  sent  Colonel  Butler  to  Niagara,  at 
which  place  Colonel  Butler  called  us  together,  and  desired 
some  of  our  people  to  go  in  a  vessel  to  Oswegatchie,  that  they 
might  whenever  any  intelligence  arrived  convey  it  to  him; 
particularly  if  they  should  hear  of  Colonel  Johnson's  arrival 
at  Quebeck,  which  he  desired  they  would  acquaint  him  with 
as  soon  as  possible.  He  then  treated  them  very  plentifully, 
and  a  large  number  of  them  went  aboard;  in  which  party 
went  a  certain  Onondaga  chief  warrior,  whose  disposition 
was  such  that  he  was  entirely  averse  to  anything  of  a  peace- 
able nature.  Upon  his  arrival  at  Oswegatchie,  he,  together 
with  the  principal  warriors  of  the  Mohawks  and  Senecas, 
prevailed  on  the  younger  warriors  to  change  their  minds, 
though  Colonel  Butler  had  strictly  enjoined  them  on  their 
departure  that  they  should  not  make  him  ashamed  of  their 
behaviour  by  any  misconduct  of  theirs,  and  that  they  should 
mind  nothing  but  peace.  A  certain  Indian,  called  Aboy- 
derroy,  was  the  principal  cause  of  our  warriors  going  in  such 
numbers.  A  part  of  those  who  went  to  Oswegatchie,  being 


1047 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1048 


disgusted  at  the  proceedings  of  their  chief  warriors,  returned 
to  the  Six  Nations.  As  soon  as  the  Senecas  were  acquainted 
with  the  transactions  of  their  warriors  in  Canada,  they  kin- 
dled a  Council-fire,  at  which  the  sachems  and  principal  war- 
riors of  eleven  of  their  Castles  attended;  in  which  Council 
it  was  unanimously  agreed  that  they  would  for  the  future 
restrain  the  warriors  of  their  nation  from  committing  hostilities 
against  the  Bostoniam. 

Brothers:  We  likewise,  the  Onondagas,  have  had  a  Coun- 
cil on  the  same  occasion,  wherein  it  was  determined  to  restrain 
our  warriors,  the  principal  of  whom  solemnly  declared  that 
they  would  not  for  the  future  interfere  in  your  dispute,  and 
promised  that  they  would  be  directed  by  those  who  take 
care  of  the  news.  And  as  we  have  taken  the  same  resolu- 
tion with  our  brothers,  the  Senecas,  we  now  speak  as  well 
in  their  as  in  our  own  names. 

Brothers,  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Thirteen 
United  Provinces,  attend:  The  principal  tribes  of  the  Con- 
federacy, the  Mohawlcs  and  Oneidas,  assigned  a  very  difficult 
task  to  us,  which  is,  to  take  care  of  the  Council-fire  kindled 
by  our  ancestors  at  Onondaga,  where  the  minds  of  the  whole 
Confederacy  and  their  allies  are  concentrated.  The  minds, 
also,  of  the  Great  King  and  those  of  the  while  people  of 
this  great  Island  are  there.  We  have,  therefore,  a  difficult 
task.  We  have  your  words  at  Onondaga.  You  told  us  that 
if  any  difficulties  should  arise  between  us  and  our  brothers 
of  the  Colonies,  measures  would  be  mutually  adopted  to 
remove  these  difficulties. 

Brothers :  We,  to  whose  care  the  Council-fire  is  committed, 
will  always  pursue  and  cultivate  peace  between  you  and  us; 
and  we  are  determined,  as  long  as  we  shall  remain  a  nation, 
to  maintain  peace.  This  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  may 
depend  upon. 

Brothers :  You  desired  us  to  declare  our  sentiments  and 
intentions  freely,  which  we  have  now  done.  We  are  sorry 
we  cannot  give  you  information  what  success  Tunauquage 
lias  had,  who  is  gone  to  take  the  hatchet  from  our  disobe- 
dient warriors.  We  shall  be  extremely  glad  to  see  them 
return  home  with  him,  which,  if  they  do,  we  shall  endeavour 
to  incline  their  minds  to  peace. 

Brothers:  The  Nantuckets,  Cayugas,andDelawares,an<\ 
the  people  who  live  in  the  fields,  have  deposited  their  minds 
with  us,  and  declared  that  they  will  abide  by  our  determina- 
tions and  pursue  our  directions.  This,  brothers,  is  all  we 
have  to  say. — (Two  belts,  one  often  rows,  with  the  repre- 
sentation of  a  man  at  each  end,  a  hexagon  in  the  middle; 
the  other  eight  rows,  the  two  middlemost  white.) 

OJAGHAT,  a  Cayuga  Sachem,  spoke  as  follows: 

Brothers,  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Thirteen 
States,  attend  :  I  speak  in  the  names  of  the  Warriors  as  well 
as  Sachems,  as  their  minds  are  the  same,  as  likewise  in  the 
name  of  our  younger  brothers  the  Totodoes. 

Brothers :  I  rose  from  my  seat  with  the  same  sentiments 
as  the  Onondagas  and  Senecas.  They  had  agreed  to  restrain 
their  warriors ;  we  had  done  the  same.  Our  chief  warriors 
severally  declared  that  they  would  for  the  future  conform  to 
the  directions  of  those  who  take  care  of  the  peace. 

Brothers:  Carefully  attend  to  what  I  am  about  to  say. 
You  have  laid  our  faults  before  us;  you  have  desired  us  to 
declare  our  sentiments  fully  and  freely. 

Brothers:  We  acknowledge  we  have  been  culpable,  with 
all  the  Six  Nations;  though  the  Cayuga  Tribe  have  never 
acted  so  as  to  incur  the  displeasure  of  our  brothers  of  the 
United  States.  We  cannot  look  upon  ourselves  as  so  much 
to  blame  as  you  represent,  for  it  was  but  yesterday  (as  it 
were)  that  we  had  a  Council-fire  at  Albany,  and  the  agree- 
ments there  made  I  still  retain  fresh  in  my  memory.  The 
Six  Nations  know  that  we  are  not  usually  guilty  of  ill  con- 
duct. We  ever  used  to  rectify  the  errors  and  misconduct 
of  the  Six  Nations. 

Brothers:  I  think  we  do  not  usually  offend  our  brethren, 
and  that  our  minds  are  still  disposed  to  peace,  as  they  ever 
have  been.  In  our  wars  with  the  Southern  Indians,  when 
we  had  occasion  to  travel  through  the  territories  of  the  Great 
Knife,  we  have  been  surprised  to  see  his  hatchet  stick  in 
our  heads,  and  our  dead  warriors  covering  the  ground ;  but 
yet,  brothers,  when  we  recurred  to  mind  the  covenants  made 
by  our  ancestors  with  Queder,  at  Albany,  in  which  it  was 
agreed  if  any  difference  should  arise  between  us  and  you,  it 
should  be  immediately  settled,  we  composed  our  minds. 


Brothers:  Our  being  in  fault  is  not  so  much  owing  to 
ourselves  as  to  the  Onondaga  Kaquatanauyi,  who  induced 
our  giddy  and  foolish  people  to  go,  by  promising  that  they 
should  have  large  presents  if  they  went.  But  the  sensible 
part  of  our  warriors  could  not  be  seduced  by  his  promises, 
and  rejected  his  solicitations. 

Brothers:  We  apprehend  that  our  people  were  rather 
induced  by  the  hopes  of  procuring  clothing  for  themselves, 
than  any  malicious  motives,  as  they  had  been  informed  that 
the  Bostonians  were  unable  to  furnish  them  with  any  neces- 
saries, not  even  a  charge  of  powder.  We  think  that  it  would 
not  have  happened  if  traders  had  been  sent  up  as  usual,  with 
goods  and  ammunition,  to  supply  our  wants. 

Brothers:  You  shall  now  know  our  minds.  Both  our 
Sachems  and  Warriors  are  fully  and  strongly  disposed  to 
peace.  It  is  farthest  from  our  intentions  to  break  the  peace, 
as  our  minds,  together  with  all  our  Confederacy  to  the  west- 
ward, are  united  at  our  Central  Council-fire  at  Onondaga. 
We  have  been  anciently  intimately  acquainted,  and  it  has 
never  entered  into  our  minds  that  we  should  separate  from 
you,  or  break  that  connexion. 

Brothers:  Our  people  who  went  down  on  the  occasion 
which  you  have  mentioned,  are  now  returned  home.  They 
were  not  personally  concerned  in  those  transactions,  but  only 
looked  on.  They  would  have  returned  back  before  they 
reached  the  place  of  action,  had  not  the  Onondaga  chief 
persuaded  them  to  stay,  and  called  them  Bostonians.  When 
the  party  of  our  warriors  who  went  into  Canada  returned, 
they  left  five  of  their  party  employed  in  making  a  canoe  to 
come  off.  Apprehensive,  however,  that  Aquatanajey  would 
again  change  their  minds,  they  desired  Tehagagwangey,  the 
Onandaga  Sachem,  to  use  his  influence  in  bringing  them 
back,  which  he  promised  to  do.  We  shall  communicate  to 
you  any  intelligence  we  may  receive  from  them,  and  let  you 
know  if  they  return.  As  the  Six  Nations  always  inform 
you  of  every  material  occurrence  that  happens,  so  they  will 
still  continue  to  do.  The  Onondaga  Sachem  has  a  belt 
from  our  female  governesses,  in  charge,  with  directions  that 
if  every  other  measure  should  fail,  he  should  address  our 
warriors  in  their  names,  requesting  them  to  return. 

Brothers :  This  is  all  we  have  to  say.  You  may  depend 
that  our  minds  shall  never  be  divided  from  yours.  Both  our 
Sachems  and  Warriors  are  fully  resolved  to  cultivate  peace 
and  harmony  with  our  brethren  of  the  Provinces. — (A  belt 
of  fourteen  rows,  with  several  diagonal  bars  and  small 
pyramidical  figures.) 

PETER,  Chief  Warrior  of  the  Oneidas,  made  the  following 
Speech : 

Brothers,  Commissioners  of  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies, 
attend  :  As  the  Chiefs  and  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations  and 
their  dependencies  are  met  together  at  this  time,  we  thought 
it  a  very  good  opportunity  to  speak.  We,  the  Chiefs  of  the 
Warriors  of  the  Oneidas,  address  the  Commissioners,  as  also 
the  Oohkaugis,  and  their  brethren  the  Tuscaroras,  and  like- 
wise the  inhabitants  of  Kounosorago.  The  Warriors  of  those 
places  now  speak. 

Brothers,  Commissioners :  We  have  given  good  attention 
to  what  you  have  said  at  this  place,  and  receive  it  in  our 
hearts,  as  real  truth. 

Brothers :  We  think  it  very  right  what  you  have  said,  and 
need  not  be  ashamed  of.  You  have  told  us  all  our  faults 
very  freely,  but  we  can  tell  you  that  we  are  not  to  blame  in 
any  of  the  things  which  the  Six  Nations  are  accused  of. 
Whoever  has  done  mischief  will  endeavour  to  exculpate 
himself.  We  need  not. 

Brothers :  You  have  declared  that  you  desire  nothing  but 
peace  with  the  Six  Nations.  As  you  have  given  us  no 
offence,  why  should  we  not  equally  desire  peace  with  you? 
Say.  There  are  some  amongst  us  who  regard  you,  and  some 
who  do  not.  As  we  are  born  and  bred  together  on  this 
great  Island,  why  should  we  not  love  each  other?  Our 
ancestors  made  a  covenant  of  peace  for  us. 

Brothers :  This  speech  comes  from  our  hearts,  not  from 
our  lips  only.  We  speak  once  for  all.  We  fear  God,  who 
looks  upon  us  and  knows  our  promises,  and  if  we  do  amiss, 
we  are  willing  immediately  to  make  satisfaction.  If  we  do 
anything  that  grieves  you,  of  which  we  are  insensible,  we 
desire  that  you  will  tell  us.  We  look  to  our  chiefs ;  we  do 
not  choose  to  make  them  ashamed.  We  warriors  never  say- 
much,  we  speak  our  minds  at  once.  Our  chiefs  speak  a 


1049 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1050 


great  deal ;  they  are  acquainted  with  and  often  quote  the  in- 
stitutions of  the  ancients.  We  desired  our  chiefs  to  speak 
for  themselves  only,  and  that  we  would  speak  for  ourselves; 
that  if  anything  should  be  done  contrary  to  what  we  pro- 
mise, the  chiefs  may  not  be  the  liars,  but  we  will  be  obliged 
to  take  the  blame  on  ourselves. 

Brothers:  We  have  restricted  our  young  warriors  from 
saying  anything  but  what  tends  to  peace,  because  you  de- 
sired us  to  mind  nothing  but  the  affairs  of  peace ;  and  if  any 
of  our  young  warriors  should,  contrary  to  the  advice  we  have 
given  them,  interfere  in  your  quarrel  and  fall,  it  will  not  dis- 
turb our  minds;  neither  will  we  regard  it,  nor  will  it  break  the 
friendship  that  now  subsists  between  us.  We  will  not  desire 
you  to  take  the  axe  out  of  the  heads  of  those  that  fall;  for  our 
young  warriors  know  the  danger  of  going  to  war,  and  if  they 
fall,  ins  a  thing  not  uncommon;  what  they  have  to  expect, 
and  what  often  happens.  We  shall  think  our  young  war- 
riors are  instigated  by  the  devil  if  they  intermeddle  in  your 
dispute,  as  they  are  all  sensible  of  our  agreements  with  you, 
and  the  friendship  that  subsists  between  us.  As  we  have 
agreed  to  mind  nothing  but  peace,  we  shall  think  it  strange 
if  any  one  injures  our  warriors  while  they  remain  in  peace. 
But  if  anything  fatal  should  happen,  and  any  one  should 
strike  a  hatchet  into  their  heads,  we  expect  that  it  shall  be 
immediately  removed. 

Brothers :  Possess  your  minds  in  peace  with  regard  to  us, 
as  we  do  with  regard  to  you.  This  is  all  we  warriors  have 
got  to  say.— (.4  belt  of  eight  rows,  with  transverse  lines 
throughout  the  whole.) 

ADAM,  an  Oequaga  Sachem's  Speech  to  the  Commissioners. 

Brothers :  The  treaty  that  was  held  at  Fort  Stanwix,  when 
the  line  was  settled  between  the  Indians  and  the  white  people, 
we  supposed  was  held  as  well  in  the  names  of  the  people  of 
these  Provinces,  as  in  the  name  of  the  King,  as  they  were 
then  all  of  one  mind.  In  this  treaty  it  was  promised  us  that 
if  we  would  covenant  to  settle  the  line,  none  of  the  white 
people  would  be  permitted  to  encroach  upon  our  lands;  and 
that  if  any  should  encroach  upon  us  by  passing  the  line,  he 
should  be  punished  with  death.  This,  brothers,  is  the  pro- 
mise made  to  us  at  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  the  line;  but, 
brothers,  some  of  your  people  have  of  late  made  encroach- 
ments upon  our  lands,  by  surveying  our  hunting-grounds 
close  up  to  our  habitations. 

Brothers :  We  beg  you  will  consider  of  it,  and  hope  you 
will  give  us  redress. — (Four  strings.) 

The  COMMISSIONERS  answered : 

Brothers:  We  have  taken  into  consideration  the  informa- 
tion you  gave  us  with  this  string. 

Brothers :  Attend  to  our  answer,  and  let  all  the  Nations 
attend  thereto.  You  say  that  you  suppose  the  treaty  held 
at  Fort  Stanwix  was  as  well  in  the  names  of  the  white  peo- 
ple of  these  Provinces  as  in  the  name  of  the  King. 

Brothers:  We  must  inform  you  that  for  upwards  of  thirty 
years  past  all  lands  that  have  been  purchased  have  been 
purchased  in  the  name  of  the  King,  and  after  they  were  pur- 
chased the  King  sold  them  again  to  the  white  people.  The 
greater,  the  much  greater  part  of  the  lands  bought  of  you 
in  that  time  were  for  the  great  men  on  the  other  side  of  the 
water.  The  inhabitants  born  on  this  great  Island  have  very 
little  of  it. 

Brothers :  You  may  remember  that  you  seldom  have  held 
a  treaty  in  which  you  were  not  asked  to  sell  some  of  your 
lands.  Since  we  have  had  the  management  of  your  affairs, 
we  have  never  desired  you  to  sell  any. 

Brothers:  As  you  do  not  know  who  the  people  are  that 
have  surveyed  your  lands  beyond  the  line,  we  shall  give  you 
a  letter  to  the  Minister,  that  he  may  inform  you,  and  you 
may  be  assured  that  our  great  Council  at  Philadelphia  will 
effectually  put  a  stop  to  such  wicked  practices,  and  punish 
every  person  that  shall  offend  against  their  orders.  If  any 
person  should  come  on  your  lands,  we  desire  that  you  will 
bring  them  immediately  to  the  Minister,  that  he  may  write 
down  their  names,  and  inform  us  of  it,  and  then  we  shall 
immediately  proceed  against  them. 

Brothers:  You  may  all  rest  assured  that  no  white  people 
will  be  suffered  to  pass  the  line  settled  at  Fort  Stanwix;  for 
although  that  agreement  was  made  with  the  King,  yet  as 
you  are  satisfied  with  it,  we  shall  take  care  that  it  is  com- 
plied with. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  18, 1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Last  night  about  nine  o'clock  I  received 
some  despatches  from  General  Washington,  enclosing  a  letter 
for  you,  and  those  1  now  send  you.  I  opened  your  letter 
by  mistake,  in  the  presence  of  the  express,  my  Aid-de-Camp, 
Mr.  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Taylor,  but  finding  the  mistake, 
immediately  closed  it. 

I  enclose  you  an  extract  of  the  General's  letter  to  me,  in 
answer  to  some  animadversions  I  made  on  what  I  supposed 
had  been  done  at  New-  York. 

Captain  Varick  has  this  moment  received  yours  of  the 
16th.  Only  five  quires  of  cartridge-paper  now  to  be  found 
on  a  search  I  had  yesterday  made,  and  that  was  sent  to 
Colonel  Dayton  at  Fort  Stanwix.  A  considerable  quantity 
has  some  time  ago  been  written  for  to  New-York.  I  have 
again  mentioned  to  General  Washington  the  necessity  of 
expediting  it  to  this  place. 

Yesterday  Dr.  Barker  delivered  me  the  Adjutant-Gene- 
ral's letter  of  the  1st  instant,  directed  to  the  commanding 
officer  here.  He  is  in  custody.  Pray  order  down  the  wit- 
nesses, that  he  may  be  tried. 

Lieutenant  McMichael,  of  Colonel  Dayton's  regiment,  a 
volunteer  of  the  name  of  Smith,  and  one  Ridley,  (a  clerk 
to  Major  Fonda,)  are  deserted  to  the  enemy.  They  were 
pursued  to  Oneida  Lake,  and  had  just  got  into  a  boat  when 
the  party  pursuing  arrived  at  the  Lake. 

Three  men  out  of  five  who  went  on  a  scout  to  Oswego 
were  either  killed  or  taken  by  the  Mississaga  Indians  within 
six  miles  of  Oswego.  The  other  two,  who  were  both  wound- 
ed, are  returned  to  Fort  Stanwix,  conducted  by  some  of  the 
Six  Nations,  who  fell  in  with  them  in  the  woods. 

Adieu.  I  am  ever  most  sincerely  and  affectionately  your 
most  obedient  humble  servant,  Pff  ScHUYLER> 

To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 

P.  S.  A  letter  from  the  General,  just  received,  advises 
me  that  the  articles  in  the  enclosed  list  left  New-York  on 
the  10th  instant. 


A  Return,  made  NEW-YORK,  JULY  8,  1776,  to  His  Excel- 
lency GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esq.,  General  and  Com- 
mander-in- Chief  of  the  Forces  of  the  UNITED  COLONIES, 
of  sundry  articles  shipped  for  ALBANY,  in  good  order,  by 
HUGH  HUGHES,  Assistant  Quartermaster-General,  on 
board  the  Sloop  GENERAL  WOLF,  ANDREW  DOWN  Mas- 
ter, and  to  be  delivered  to  the  Hon.  Major-General 
SCHUYLER,  or  his  order. 

8  boxes  of  Musket-ball,  one  thousand  one  hundred  and 
thirty-five  pounds  weight. 

5  tons  of  Lead. 

20  reams  of  Cartridge-paper. 

6  Saws.  ANDREW  DOWN. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  18,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  yours  of  the  17th,  with  nine- 
teen batteaus,  which  came  safe  to  hand.  The  Massachu- 
setts troops  and  tents  were  all  sent  forward  before  the  arrival 
of  the  boats,  but  since  the  boats  came  to  hand,a  number 
more  tents  have  arrived,  which  I  immediately  forward  by 
this  conveyance. 

Your  Honour  may  depend  I  shall  immediately  forward 
the  Bay  troops  and  tents  as  fast  as  they  arrive,  according  to 
orders;  and  am  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  ser- 

vant'  DAVID  WATEHBURY,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  SCH0YLER. 

Tyonderoga,  August  18,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  The  enclosed  will  satisfy  you  as  far  as 
I  am  satisfied  in  respect  to  Mr.  Traverse.  It  may  not  be 
amiss  to  detain  him  if  an  enemy,  or  to  maintain  him  if  a 
friend.  Your  better  judgment  will  decide  the  matter. 

Last  night  another  gondola  arrived  from  Skenesborough, 
and  Colonel  Wynkoop  writes  me  word  that  a  row-galley 
and  another  gondola  will  be  finished  by  Sunday.  As  the 


1051 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1052 


carpentry  goes  on  so  brisk,  I  dare  say  you  will  take  care  our 
fleet  meets  with  no  delay  for  want  of  the  other  requisites. 

General  Arnold  assures  me  he  has  from  time  to  time  in- 
formed you  of  all  his  demands.  More  artillery  and  more 
powder  will  be  wanted,  if  our  vessels  continue  to  increase 
thus  rapidly. 

I  desire  you  will  send  me  my  letter  to  the  General,  with 
his  to  me,  which  were  both  enclosed  to  you  in  my  last.  I 
have  no  copy  of  them,  therefore  would  be  glad  you  would 
not  disappoint  me  in  sending  them. 

I  hope  your  treaty  has  concluded  to  your  satisfaction. 
My  respectful  compliments  to  Mrs.  Schuyler.  I  wish  we 
had  some  of  your  good  butter  and  vegetables,  for  a  cabbage 
or  a  turnip  has  not  been  seen  here  since  I  came. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  affectionate,  humble  servant, 

Ho.  GATES. 
To  General  Schuyler. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Tyonderoga,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  this  moment  received  your  letter  from  Crown- 
Point  of  yesterday  evening.  It  is  my  orders  you  instantly 
put  Commodore  Wyrikoop  in  arrest,  and  send  him  prisoner 
to  Head-Quarters  at  Tyonderoga.  You  will  at  the  same 
time  acquaint  the  officers  of  the  fleet  that  such  of  them  as 
do  not  pay  an  implicit  obedience  to  your  commands  are 
instantly  to  be  confined  and  sent  to  me  for  trial. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Ho.  GATES. 
To  General  Arnold. 


should  have  received  from  you  could  you  have  done  it  with 
safety. 

I  am,  with  great  regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble 


servant, 


COLONEL  STEWART  TO  GENERAL  WATERBURY. 

Ticonderoga,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  General  Gates  is  exceedingly  surprised  to  learn  from 
a  person  arrived  here  that  the  tent-poles,  after  being  brought 
such  a  great  distance  from  home,  should  be  left  within  about 
ten  or  fifteen  miles  of  Skenesborough ;  he  therefore  begs  you 
will  immediately  send  the  empty  wagons  back  for  them,  and 
by  no  means  give  the  wagoners  certificates,  or  put  them  in 
any  way  of  getting  paid,  until  they  again  return  to  you  with 
the  poles. 

I  send  you  by  the  bearer  the  two  thousand  feet  of  sea- 
soned plank  which  you  requested  in  your  former  letter,  and 
am,  &,c. 

By  order  of  the  General :  W.  STEWART,  A.  D.  C. 

To  Brigadier-General  Waterbury. 


GEORGE  PITKIN  TO  BENJAMIN  PAYNE. 

Hartford,  August  18,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  George  Burnham  desires  me  to  write  to  Go- 
vernour  Trumbull  to  get  him  released,  that  he  may  prosecute 
his  business  as  a  gunsmith.  Am  sensible  of  ttie  necessity  of 
it,  but  for  me  to  write  only  on  his  request,  cannot  do  it  in 
character.  Captain  Pitkin  came  from  his  Honour  yester- 
day, and  his  Honour  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  publick 
should  not  too  much  suffer  in  some  important  matters ;  and 
lias  promised  all  the  workmen  and  procurer  of  materials  for 
the  powder  mill  to  stop,  and  one  tanner  in  Captain  Pitkin's 
company  to  stop  and  take  care  of  two  tan-yards.  I  give  it 
as  my  individual  opinion  that  it  is  necessary  he  should  stay 
to  prosecute  his  business,  but  the  necessity  you  best  under- 
stand. Likewise  understand  (hat  Major  Newbury  gave  mar- 
tial orders  for  him  to  stay  till  further  orders;  if  so,  there  will 
be  no  need  to  apply  to  the  Governour. 

I  am,  with  esteem,  your  very  humble  servant, 

GEORGE  PITKIN. 
To  Benjamin  Payne,  Esq. 


MESHECH  WEARE  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Hampton  Falls,  August  18, 1776. 

SIR:  I  have  received  your  favours  of  the  16th  and  17th 
instant.  I  am  extremely  sorry  at  the  delay  our  troops  meet 
with  by  the  villanous  practice  of  the  Doctor  at  Number  Four. 
The  Committee  here  will  take  the  most  speedy  care  respect- 
ing that  matter.  We  are  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  your 
readiness  to  assist  us  with  cannon  were  it  in  your  power; 
it  is  an  article  we  extremely  want,  and  have  no  doubt 


MESHECH  WEARE,  President. 


To  the  Hon.  James  Bowdoin,  Esq. 


GEORGIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Tuesday,  August  19, 1776. 

General  Lee  waited  on  the  Board,  and  proposed  the  fol- 
lowing questions  for  their  consideration : 

1st.  Whether,  as  the  post  on  St.  Mary's  is  now  abandoned, 
and  the  whole  country  between  that  river  and  the  St.  John's 
broke  up,  and  as  there  is  no  possibility  of  transport  ing  cannon, 
ammunition,  provisions,  or  collecting  a  sufficient  number  of 
men  for  the  siege  and  reduction  of  Augustine,  an  irruption 
into  East-Florida  can  be  productive  of  so  great  and  im- 
portant advantages  to  the  general  cause,  or  to  this  State  of 
Georgia  in  particular,  as  to  compensate  for  the  trouble  and 
expense,  and  what  these  advantages  are?  What  are  the 
means  of  certainly  supplying  the  troops  with  grain  and  meat? 
how  their  baggage  is  to  be  transported  ?  whether  it  can  be 
safely  transported  by  water?  if  it  cannot,  whether  wagons 
can  pass  ?  if  the  road  is  practicable  only  to  horses,  how  pack- 
saddles  are  to  be  provided  ? 

Ordered,  That  Messrs.  Jonathan  Bryan  and  Nathan 
Branson  be  a  Committee  to  answer  the  questions  proposed 
by  General  Lee. 

SIR  :  The  Council  having  taken  into  consideration  your 
Excellency's  questions  this  day  laid  before  them,  are  clearly 
of  opinion  that  an  irruption  into  the  Province  of  East  Florida 
will  be  attended  with  the  most  salutary  consequences  to  this 
Province,  and  of  course  render  service  to  the  whole  Conti- 
nent. 

The  reasons  which  weigh  with  them  are  as  follow  : 

1st.  That  they  conceive  the  reduction  of  Augustine  to  be 
a  very  considerable  object  with  the  Continent  in  general,  but 
this  Province  in  particular. 

2d.  They  are  led  to  hope,  that  if  the  whole  country  around 
is  ravaged,  the  cattle  on  the  east  side  of  St.  John's  driven  off, 
and  the  inhabitants  obliged  to  evacuate  their  plantations  and 
fly  into  the  Castle,  the  scarcity  of  provisions  and  the  want 
of  fresh  supplies  of  many  articles  from  the  country,  will  of 
itself  oblige  the  garrison  to  submit  to  our  arms. 

3d.  That  supposing  this  last  consequence  not  to  happen, 
yet  the  driving  our  enemies  so  far  from  our  country  will  be 
of  infinite  advantage  in  this,  that  it  will  be  a  means  of  pre- 
venting the  loss  of  negroes,  either  by  desertion  or  otherwise 
by  land. 

4th.  That  the  country  being  in  our  possession,  will  not 
only,  from  principles  of  dread,  attach  the  Indians  to  our  inte- 
rest, but  also  put  it  in  our  power  to  prevent  our  enemies  from 
holding  any  intercourse  with  these  savages,  or  having  any 
opportunity  to  tamper  with  them,  or  supply  or  stir  them  up 
against  us.  And  we  conceive  that  after  the  Province  shall 
be  so  broke  up,  a  single  troop  of  Horse,  appointed  to  range 
on  the  west  side  of  the  river  St.  John's,  will  be  quite  sufficient 
to  cut  off  all  communication  between  the  Creek  Indians  and 
the  people  of  East-Florida. 

5th.  By  carrying  distress  and  war  into  the  country,  we 
incline  to  think  the  inhabitants  of  East-Florida  will  find 
themselves  so  much  engaged  at  home  as  not  to  be  able  to 
fit  out  privateers  against  this  Province  till  we  are  better 
prepared  for  them.  This  Province  has  been  harassed,  and 
they  expect  to  be  much  more  so,  with  privateers,  in  case 
some  vigorous  blow  is  not  struck  against  East-Florida;  and 
we  are  inclined  to  think  the  plunder  which  will  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  soldiers  will  compensate  them  for  the  difficulty 
and  toil  attending  their  march. 

As  to  the  other  question,  viz  :  What  are  the  means  of  cer- 
tainly supplying  the  troops  wiih  grain  and  meat?  how  is 
the  baggage  to  be  transported  safely  by  water? — we  are  of 
opinion,  that  while  the  troops  remain  on  this  side  of  the 
river  Alatamaha,  there  will  be  no  occasion  to  do  more  than 
send  a  commissary  ahead  to  provide  rice  and  beef  at  different 
stages,  as  the  troops  advance,  the  country  all  along  abound- 
ing with  provisions,  after  they  pass  this  river.  We  think  it 
will  be  necessary  to  send  a  quantity  of  rice  in  boats,  with 
directions  to  meet  the  troops  at  different  places;  and  we  are 


1053 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1054 


informed  that  these  boats  may  go  with  great  safety,  there    such  lists  from  the  other  battalions,  which  are  now  at  distant 

being  an  excellent  inland  passage  to  a  place  called  Picalatto    stations,  shall  send  them.    LEWIS. 

Creek,  less  than  twenty  miles  from  St.  Augustine.  We 
imagine  these  boats  must  be  procured  in  or  about  Savannah 
or  Sunbury,  and  therefore  we  would  recommend  that  the 
troops  send  such  of  their  baggage  as  they  can't  conveniently 
carry  in  these  boats.  Some  horses  will  certainly  be  neces- 
sary for  troops  upon  their  march,  which,  together  with  pack 


horses,  we  think  "may  be  got  in  this  place.     Wagons  will  be 
useless,  as  they  cannot  proceed  above  fifty  miles  from  this  town. 

GENERAL  LEWIS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  22,  1776.] 

Willinmsburgh,  August,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  ordered  the  First  and  Third  Battalions  to 
march  with  all  speed  to  the  Flying-Camp  in  the  Jerseys. 
The  Third  being  stationed  on  Potomack  at  the  time  they 
received  their  marching  orders,  may  be  expected  before  the 
other ;  and  for  another  reason  too,  the  time  for  which  the  first 
battalion  was  raised  being  nearly  expired,  it  took  several 
days  to  reinlist  them  on  Continental  establishment.  The 
numbers  at  present  are  not  complete,  but  I  hope  a  few  days 
will  make  it  nearly  so,  if  not  quite.  The  officers  of  that 
battalion  have  shown  a  noble  spirit  in  exerting  themselves 
to  the  utmost  in  engaging  the  men  on  this  occasion.  They 
are  anxiously  forward  in  joining  the  battalions  to  the  north- 
ward, hoping  they  will  have  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing 
themselves.  They  will  march  next  Monday. 

In  a  letter  I  wrote  the  honourable  Congress  by  General 
Mercer,  addressed  to  you,  I  begged  particular  instructions 
respecting  the  filling  up  such  vacancies  as  had  or  might 
happen  in  the  line  of  officers  in  this  State;  to  which  I  have 
received  no  answer.  Many  vacancies  there  are  at  present, 
which  make  me  once  more  beg  particular  instructions  on 
this  head.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  good  of  the 
service  that  it  should  be  known  whether  promotion  by  a 
regular  succession  of  the  nine  battalions  of  this  State  is  to 
take  place,  or  whether  it  be  confined  to  the  particular  bat- 
talions in  which  such  vacancies  happen.  To  me  the  former 
method  is  most  clear  of  exception,  and  bids  fairest  to  give 
seniority  the  preference;  which  I  conceive  to  be  a  rule  in  all 
armies,  where  merit  did  not  on  particular  occasions  make  it 
necessary  to  overlook  this  rule. 

Since  1  wrote  by  General  Mercer,  Colonel  William 
Christian,  who  commanded  the  First  Battalion,  and  Colonel 
William  Dangerfield,  who  commanded  the  Seventh,  have 
resigned.  We  have  at  present  four  battalions  without 
commissioned  Colonels  to  command  them,  to  wit :  the  First 
and  Third,  which  go  to  the  northward,  and  the  Fifth  and 
Seventh.  General  Mercer  wrote  me  that  Colonel  Charles 


INSTRUCTIONS   TO    DELEGATES    OF    ANNE    ARUNDEL    COUNTY, 
.IN  MARYLAND  CONVENTION. 

To  CHARLES  CARROLL,  Barrister,  SAMUEL  CHASE,  REZIN 
HAMMOND,  and  BRICE  THOMAS  BEAL  WORTHINGTON, 

Esquires,  Representatives  of  ANNE  ARUNDEL  County: 
GENTLEMEN  :  We  the  subscribers,  freemen  of  Anne  Arun- 
del  County,  taking  into  our  most  serious  consideration  the 
important  business  you  are  to  meet  upon,  the  12th  of  this 
instant,  think  it  our  indispensable  duty  to  give  you  the  fol- 
lowing Instructions : 

It  is  with  the  utmost  concern  and  displeasure  we  find  that 
the  last  Convention  excluded  all  such  of  our  countrymen 
who  did  not  possess  fifty  acres  of  land,  or  a  visible  estate  of 
£40  sterling,  in  the  election  of  Representatives;  thereby 
unjustly  depriving  near  half  of  the  free  inhabitants  of  this 
State  of  the  inestimable  right  of  free  suffrage,  nevertheless 
subjecting  them  to  all  the  pains  and  burdens  of  Government. 
This  glaring  injustice,  hateful  distinction,  and  apparent  im- 
policy, we  are  determined  to  use  our  utmost  efforts  to  get 
redressed ;  and  that  our  free,  honest,  well-affected  brethren, 
as  they  proportionably  bear  with  us  every  burden  and  brave 
every  danger,  shall  equally  share  every  privilege.    We  there- 
fore direct  and  instruct  you  to  move  for,  and  use  your  utmost 
endeavours  to  establish,  in  the  new  Government:  That  all 
freemen,  natives  of  this  State,-  above  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  and  well-affected  to  the  present  glorious  cause  in  which 
we  are  engaged,  shall  have  the  right  of  a  free  vote  in  the 
election  of  all  officers  who  are  to  be  chosen  by  the  people, 
provided  such  persons  shall  have  resided  one  year  next  pre- 
ceding the  election  in  the  County,  District,  City,  or  Town, 
where  he  shall  offer  to  vote ;  also,  that  every  foreigner  above 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  well-affected  to  the  present  glorious 
cause,  having  a  visible  estate  of  £30  currency,  or  a  freehold 
of  fifty  acres  of  land,  and  who  has  resided  as  a  freeman  two 
years  next  preceding  the  election  in  the  County,  District, 
City,  or  Town,  where  he  shall  offer  to  vote,  shall  have  the 
free  suffrage  in  the  election  of  all  officers  who  are  to  be 
chosen  by  the  people;  also,  that  all  elections  be  free,  and 
made  viva  voce,  in  the  manner  heretofore  used  in  this  State; 
also,  that  Annapolis  be  represented,  but  that  the  inhabitants 
thereof  be  not  allowed  to  vote  for  the  Representatives  for 
this  County;  that  there  be  chosen  by  the  people  an  Upper 
and  Lower  House  annually — these  two  Houses  to  be  distinct 
and  independent  of  each  other,  and  to  form  the  Legislative 
power;  and  also  that  the  persons  appointed  to  hold  the 
Executive  power,  have  no  share  or  negative  in  the  Legisla- 
ture ;  also,  that  no  person  shall  be  eligible  to  sit  in  either 
House,  or  Legislature,  or  Congress,  who  holds  any  office  of 


Scott's  commission,  (who  we  supposed  would  have  the  com-     ^ ^       ^ 

mand  of  the  Fifth,  by  the  resignation  of  Colonel  Peachy,)  profitj  'or  any 'pensioner  any  part  of  the  profit  thereof,  either 
and  other  commissions,  had  been  sent  from  Philadelphia.  Directly  or  indirectly,  or  who  holds  any  office  in  the  regular 
They  have  never  come  to  hand.  Colonel  George  Weedon  military  service,  or  marine  service,  either  Continental  or  Pro- 
has  for  the  present  the  command  of  the  Third;  Lieutenant-  v;nciai;  tnat  the  trial  by  Jury  be  held  and  kept  sacred,  and 

the  habeas  corpus  preserved;  also,  that  Justices  of  the  Peace, 
Sheriffs,  Clerks  of  Counties,  and  Surveyors,  be  chosen  by 
the  people,  annually,  of  each  County;  that  a  well-regulated 
Militia  be  established  in  this  State,  as  being  the  best  secu- 
rity for  the  preservation  of  the  lives,  liberties,  and  properties 
of  the  people;  that  every  Militia  company  choose  its  own 
officers,  and  battalions  their  Field-Officers ;  that  Adjutants, 
drummers,  and  fifers,  with  drums,  fifes,  colours,  and  cartouch- 
boxes,  be  provided  at  the  publick  expense  for  the  different 
battalions  of  Militia,  and  guns  for  such  unarmed  men  who 
are  not  able  to  purchase  the  same,  and  that  the  Colonels  of 
each  battalion  be  empowered  to  contract  for  the  above,  pro- 
cure the  same,  and  draw  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  amount; 
that  all  moneys  to  be  raised  on  the  people  be  by  a  fair  and 
equal  assessment,  in  proportion  to  every  person's  estate,  and 


Colonel  Isaac  Read  appointed  to  the  First ;  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  William  Crawford  to  the  Seventh,  they  being  the 
oldest  Lieutenant-Colonels.  In  this  way  they  will  act  until 
the  pleasure  of  Congress  be  known. 

To  the  general  list,  signed  by  the  President  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  mentioning  the  names,  ranks,  and  dates  of 
commissions,  and  sent  by  General  Mercer,  I  refer  you,  by 
which  you  will  be  able  to  give  promotion  in  any  method  the 
Congress  may  be  pleased  to  adopt.  At  present  the  officers 
of  inferior  rank  to  Lieutenant-Colonels,  where  vacancies  have 
happened,  have  risen  by  seniority  in  their  respective  regi- 
ments, and  will  continue  so  to  act  until  the  pleasure  of  Con- 
gress be  known,  which  I  wish  to  be  soon,  that  all  differences 
of  opinion  with  regard  to  rank  may  be  settled. 

Dunmore,  with  his  whole  fleet,  sailed  last  Wednesday  out 
of  our  Capes;  one  part  of  the  fleet  turned  to  the  north,  and 
the  other  steered  southwardly. 

I  am,  honourable  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  hum- 
ble servant,  ANDREW  LEWIS,  Brigadier-General. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

P.  S.  I  enclose  a  list  from  the  Second  and  Sixth  Batta- 
lions, which  may  be  of  service  in  filling' up  the  vacancies. 
The  First  and  Third  Battalions  will  produce  such  list  when 
they  reach  Philadelphia,  As  soon  as  I  am  prepared  with 


that  the  unjust  mode  of  taxation  by  the  poll,  heretofore  used, 
be  abolished,  and  that  Assessors  be  chosen  by  the  people  of 
each  district  in  each  County,  annually;  also,  that  the  votes 
and  proceedings  of  the  Assembly  be  published,  except  such 
parts  as  relate  to  military  operations  and  measures  taken 
to  procure  arms  and  ammunition,  and  that  they  sit  open, 
except  when  particular  business  requires  their  being  private; 
also  that  the  votes  and  proceedings  of  Congress  be  pub- 
lished, except  as  aforesaid. 

(Signed  by  eight  hundred  and  eighty-five  Freemen.) 


1055 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1056 


To  the  Electors  O/ANNE  ARUNDEL  County: 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  were  honoured  on  Saturday  afternoon 
with  Instructions  from  a  considerable  number  of  the  inha- 
bitants of  this  County,  on  points  of  very  great  importance, 
relative  to  the  formation  of  a  new  Government  for  this  State. 
As  your  Delegates,  we  esteem  ourselves  bound  by  yoifr 
instructions,  though  ever  so  contrary  to  our  opinions.  We 
conceive  several  of  your  last  instructions,  if  carried  into  exe- 
cution, destructive  of  a  free  Government.  We  are  reduced 
to  this  alternative:  we  must  either  endeavour  to  establish  a 
Government  without  a  proper  security  for  liberty  or  property, 
or  surrender  the  trust  we  have  received  from  you.  We  sub- 
mit to  you  the  propriety  of  reconsidering  your  instructions. 
We  would  with  pleasure  wait  on  you  at  the  most  convenient 
places  in  the  County,  to  explain  our  reasons  against  the 
restrictions  you  are  pleased  to  impose  on  us;  but  we  are 
prevented  by  our  necessary  attendance  on  the  publick  busi- 
ness. If  you  could  make  it  convenient  to  meet  at  the  city 
of  Annapolis,  on  Monday,  the  26th  instant,  we  will  attend 
you.  We  are  now  ready  (as  we  ever  have  been)  to  serve 
our  country  at  every  hazard;  but  we  cannot  submit  to  be 
instruments  for  its  destruction. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  with  sincere  respect  and  esteem,  your 
obedient  servants,  CHARLES  CARROLL, 

BRICE  T.  B.  WORTHINGTON, 

SAMUEL  CHASE. 
Annapolis,  August  19,  1776. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COL.  HOLLINGSWORTH. 


ISAAC  GRIEST  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore-Town,  August  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  been  with  the  tent-makers,  and  find 
Mr.  Johnson  has  made  up  all  the  tent-cloth  he  had.  Mr. 
Jacobs  has  two  boys  at  work,  and  has  stuff  by  him  to  make 
upwards  of  twenty  tents,  and  has  sailmakers  at  work  on 
old  sails.  He  says  he  has  orders  to  get  more  tent-cloth 
from  Elk-Ridge;  but  I  am  certain  Johnson  will  do  them  much 
sooner,  as  he  has  now  four  or  five  hands  idle.  No  tent- 
cloth  came  from  Parker.  No  brushes  or  priming-wires,  save 
one  hundred  and  fifty,  to  be  had  here  in  less  than  two  weeks. 
The  knap  and  haversacks  for  the  two  companies  are  painted 
this  day,  and  to-morrow,  if  possible,  shall  send  them  over 
the  Bay.  Shall  send  down  the  cartouch-boxes,  &tc..  by  the 
first  opportunity.  I  can  find  no  cloth  in  town  at  less  than 
25*.  per  yard,  and  it  will  take  more  than  two  yards  to  make 
a  blanket.  Colonel  Eiving  has  taken  almost  all  the  canteens 
that  are  made,  but  I  have  been  with  the  coopers  and  directed 
them  to  work  night  and  day,  and  not  take  time  to  muster 
till  they  had  served  the  Flying-Camp,  for  which  I  hope  you 
will  excuse  me. 

I  have  delivered  cartouch-boxes  and  gun-slings  to  the 
Captains  of  the  three  companies  here  and  twelve  blankets, 
which  were  all  in  the  magazine. 

I  don't  know  what  will  be  done  for  blankets.  All  our 
guns  are  in  bad  order,  and  very  few  bayonets.  The  smiths 
are  all  at  work  on  them.  I  shall  do  all  in  my  power  to 
obey  your  orders. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

I.  GRIEST. 


[No.  150.] 

SIR:  We  received  yours  of  the  14th  of  August,  and  are 
of  opinion  your  plan  for  forwarding  the  troops  is  a  very  good 
one,  and  therefore  we  approve  of  it.  Any  expenses  that 
may  be  incurred  you  will  be  pleased  to  pay,  and  send  down 
the  accounts  properly  authenticated,  and  you  shall  be  reim- 
bursed, besides  satisfaction  for  your  trouble.  When  you 
want  cash,  apply  with  the  order  enclosed  to  the  Eastern- 
Shore  Treasurer,  and  he  will  let  you  have  £300.  What 
further  may  be  expended,  let  us  know,  and  you  shall  be 
paid.  We  would  have  you  apply  with  all  diligence  to 
making  bayonets,  and  also  barrels  of  every  kind,  more  espe- 
cially the  large  ones  contracted  for.  We  are,  &,c. 

To  Colonel  Henry  Hollingsworth. 


Annapolis,  August  19, 1776.       To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  KENT  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 
[No.  151.]  Annapolis,  August  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Council  of  Safety  request  you  will 
buy  up  what  wooden  bottles  you  can,  not  exceeding  three 
hundred,  for  the  use  of  the  Province.  The  order  of  Conven- 
tion for  the  marching  of  our  troops  was  rather  unexpected, 
and  our  workmen  cannot  supply  the  bottles  so  expeditiously 
as  the  service  requires.  We  are,  &,c. 
To  the  Committee  of  Observation,  Kent  County. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  EWING. 


[No.  151.] 


Annapolis,  August  19,  1776. 


SIR:  We  received  yours  of  the  18th,  and  observed  your 
complaint,  which  arises  not  from  us,  but  a  very  different 
cause:  we  mean,  your  companies'  not  being  armed.  The 
order  of  Convention  is,  that  all  the  companies  are  to  march 
that  can  be  armed  and  equipped.  Captain  Forrest  and 
Captain  Brooks  have  no  arms  but  what  they  have  borrowed 
or  can  borrow  of  the  Militia.  We  have  therefore  ordered 
them  to  their  stations  in  Calvert  and  St.  Mary's,  to  supply 
the  place  of  Captain  Beall  and  Captain  Thomas.  Captain 
Hanson's  company  we  have  ordered  to  march  to  this  city, 
and  also  Captains  Bowie  and  Tillard,  on  their  way  to  the 
camp,  when  they  can  get  armed  and  equipped.  When  that 
can  be  done,  we  shall  give  you  the  proper  orders  on  the 
Commissary  of  Stores.  We  are  sorry  to  have  occasion  so 
often  to  repeat  what  we  had  before  told  you,  that  your  com- 
panies are  not  to  march  unarmed.  As  soon  as  they  get 
arms,  we  shall  order  them  to  march  immediately. 

We  are,  &c. 

To  Colonel  Thomas  Ewing. 


BALTIMORE  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  August  19,  1776: 

Present:  S.  Purviance,  Chairman;  W.  Lux,  Vice- Chairman;  J.  Mer- 
ry man,  A.  Buchanan,  R.  Alexander,  C.  Ridgely,  (of  Wni.,)  W.  Ais- 
quith,  J.  Calhoun,  J.  Cradock,  B.  Griffith,  W.  Tolley,  Jun.,  A.  Britton, 
T.  Sellers,  J.  Sterrett,  E.  Talbot,  J.  Cockey,  D.  Lux,  T.  Gist. 

Mr.  George  Lumley  having  produced  a  certificate  from 
Dr.  tVeisenthall  of  his  being  ineffective,  the  fine  of  40s.  im- 
posed on  him  as  a  Non-Enroller  was  remitted. 

Complaints  being  exhibited  by  Jacob  Kitsmiller,  Isaac 
Sell,  and  Isaac  Sell,  Jun.,  to  this  Committee,  that  Mr.  James 
Clarke,  of  this  town,  had  refused  to  sell  them  Salt  at  the 
price  stipulated  by  this  Committee;  whereupon  the  said 
James  Clarke,  upon  summons,  appeared,  and  confessed  that 
he  had  taken  a  higher  price  than  was  allowed,  and  alleged 
in  excuse  for  his  conduct  that  his  Salt  was  much  better  in 
quality  than  what  others  in  town  were  selling  for,  and  im- 
agined that  the  Committee  would  not  censure  him  for  a 
breach  against  their  Resolve  regulating  the  price  of  Salt, 
when,  in  his  judgment,  the  purchaser  was  benefited  by  the 
extraordinary  advance,  and  agreed  to  give  it  to  him. 

Mr.  Clarke  then  produced  a  concession,  which  was  judged 
insufficient;  and  the  following  question  was  proposed  and  put 
by  the  Chairman :  Whether  any  concession  whatever  from 
Mr.  Clarke  be  accepted  or  not  ? 

Resolved  in  the  negative. 

For  the  Negative. — Messrs.  Sollers,  Britton,  Gist,  Talbot,  Sterrett, 
Aisquith,  Ridgely,  Cockey. 

For  the  Jlffirmative. — Messrs.  Lux,  Merryman,  Tolley,  Griffith,  Cal- 
houn. 

Whereupon  it  was  Resolved,  That  Mr.  James  Clarke  be 
published  as  an  enemy  to  his  country. 

The  fines  assessed  on  John  G.  Williams  and  John  Dim- 
mett  are  remitted,  the  former  having  enrolled  with  Captain 
Garritson,  and  the  latter  with  Captain  Foster. 

A  Warrant  was  given  to  Captain  Garritson  to  distress  the 
goods  of  Samuel  Fendall,  Jun.,  Joseph  Carter,  and  William 
Huffman,  in  the  sum  of  40s.  each,  for  non-attendance  at 
eight  several  meetings  of  his  Company. 

A  Warrant  was  also  given  to  Captain  Phillips  against  two 
of  his  Company,  for  16s.  each,  on  account  of  absence  at 
four  several  meetings  of  said  Company. 

The  complaint  exhibited  against  Mr.  Christopher  Limes> 
on  Monday  last,  of  his  having  attempted  to  join  Lord  Dun- 
more  without  success,  and  declaring  that  he  would  join  Lord 
Howe ;  but  no  proper  evidence  being  produced  to  support 
the  charge,  the  said  Limes  was  reprimanded,  discharged,  and 
advised  to  behave  himself  better  in  future. 


1057 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1058 


Mr.  John  Crosier  exhibited  a  complaint  against  Mr.  Jesse 
Hollingsworth  for  offering  to  sell  Tea  at  an  exorbitant  price, 
which  is  referred  for  consideration  to  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Committee  on  Monday  next. 

Mr.  Jesse  Hollingsworth  appeared,  in  consequence  of  the 
summons  of  this  Committee,  and  acknowledged  the  truth  of 
Mr.  Crosier's  allegation  against  him. 

It  having  been  represented  to  this  Committee  that  Robert 
Alexander,  Esq.,  had  uttered  several  reprehensible  expres- 
sions in  a  speech  made  to  the  people  at  the  close  of  the  polls 
for  Delegates  for  Baltimore  County  in  the  Provincial  Con- 
vention, this  Committee  think  it  their  duty  to  take  notice  of 
the  matter,  and  summon  Dr.  Robert  Lemmon,  Messrs.  Charles 
Ridgely,  (of  Jno.,)  George  Lux,  Benjamin  Levy,  and  James 
Cox,  to  give  in  their  evidence  relating  to  it. 

Attest:  GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 

AN  ADDRESS  DELIVERED  AT  THE  OPENING  OF  THE  ELECTION 
IN  DOVER  FOR  THE  CHOICE  OF  MEMBERS  OF  CONVENTION, 
AUGUST  19,  1776. 

COUNTRYMEN,  FRIENDS  OF  LIBERTY:  Having  a  few  things 
to  mention  to  you  previous  to  your  entering  upon  the  prin- 
cipal business  of  the  day,  without  making  any  formal  apology 
for  so  doing,  which  you  would  deem  unnecessary,  for  I  know 
your  candour,  I  only  request  j  our  favourable  attention  a  little 
while.  Where  measures  relating  to  the  publick  are  founded 
on  pure,  liberal,  and  upright  principles,  they  who  take  an 
active  part  in  them,  being  properly  qualified  for  the  task, 
cannot  but  possess  a  conscious  firmness,  a  noble  self-com- 
placency; while  they  who,  in  the  more  retired  walks  of  life, 
observe  and  feel  the  salutary  effects  of  those  measures,  have 
little  more  to  do  than  give  their  approbation,  and  to  sit  down 
in  quiet:  they  earnestly  wish  and  hope  for  their  country's 
safety,  should  that  remain  yet  doubtful,  and  will  heartily 
rejoice  therein,  when  it  becomes  established.  Of  this  lat- 
ter number  I  account  myself.  With  many  others,  peaceably 
yet  very  ardently,  am  I  looking  for  the  complete  propitious 
issue  of  American  defensive  efforts;  and  though  there  be 
manifold  dangers  still  to  excite  apprehension,  and  difficulties 
not  a  few  to  be  encountered,  yet  have  we  cause  to  thank  a 
gracious  Providence  that  thus  far  our  affairs  are  tolerably 
successful.  Publick  men  and  publick  operations,  throughout 
these  rising  States,  will,  with  very  few  exceptions,  I  really  be- 
lieve, shed  on  the  American  name  conspicuous,  lasting  honour. 

In  the  course  of  human  events,  there  happen  in  every 
country,  at  one  period  or  another,  certain  distinguished  oc- 
currences, upon  which  a  great  deal  depends  with  respect  to 
the  subsequent  fortune  of  the  people.  The  resolutions  taken 
on  these  capital  occasions  and  the  plans  adopted,  do  usually 
produce  effects,  either  wholesome  or  malignant,  that  must 
require  considerable  time,  perhaps  some  ages,  before  their 
strength  can  be  exhausted  and  their  influence  spent.  A 
very  signal  era  in  the  political  affairs  of  this  Continent  we 
are  likely  to  see  fixed  in  our  day. 

The  English  colonists,  who  from  their  earliest  settlement 
till  the  present  year,  invariably  acknowledged  their  depend- 
ance  upon  the  parent  State,  and  boasted  of  it  as  their  pro- 
tection and  glory,  have  a  good  while  past  found  that  British 
claims  are  growing  so  exorbitant,  an  unconstitutional  domi- 
nation of  both  King  and  Parliament  is  gaining  ground  so 
rapidly  upon  them,  enforced  by  all  the  fury  and  desolation 
of  war,  that  in  order  to  save  themselves  and  their  posterity 
from  impending  ruin,  they  could  not  but  dissolve  the  bond  of 
their  ancient  union,  and  become  henceforth  independent. 

This  their  Delegates,  vested  with  competent  authority, 
exercising  all  the  precaution,  wisdom,  and  sagacity  which 
the  magnitude  of  the  case  demanded,  have  finally  resolved 
on  and  declared  in  General  Congress. 

In  perfect  consistency  with  this  great  plan,  that  honour- 
able body  have  recommended  to  the  several  States  the  form- 
ing such  Constitutions,  and  new-modelling  their  internal 
police,  in  such  manner  as  may  best  suit  the  genius  and 
circumstances  of  each  respectively,  and  conduce  most  to 
make  the  people  happy,  being  strictly  attentive  withal  to 
the  important  interests  of  the  Continental  Union. 

On  the  present  day,  therefore,  in  consequence  of  regular 
appointment,  the  Freemen  of  the  Delaware  State  have 
assembled  to  elect  their  Representatives  for  the  express 
purpose  of  establishing  a  system  or  charter  of  Government, 
deriving  its  spirit  and  virtue  from  the  people's  authority. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


67 


It  may  be  laid  down,  indeed,  as  a  first  principle,  (and  I 
presume  we  have  the  best  writers  on  Government  to  support 
us,)  that  all  power  resides  originally  in  the  people.  Some 
have  talked,  and  written  too,  of  a  Divine  right,  upon  a  very 
different  principle:  but  never  yet  could  they  render  their 
positions  even  plausible.  It  appears  much  more  reasonable 
to  suppose  that  the  Ruler  of  the  Universe  hath  lodged  the 
Divine  right  in  the  hands  of  the  governed. 

By  whomsoever  the  reins  of  Government  are  held — 
whether  its  forms  be  simple  or  compound — whether  the 
departments  be  few  or  many  in  the  State — it  is  the  people's 
authority  that  is  deposited  with  each;  and  to  them  the  con- 
stituted powers  are,  beyond  a  doubt,  accountable. 

The  general  welfare — the  people's  happiness — being  the 
end  or  main  object  of  all,  they  are  to  judge;  for  they  can 
discern  and  feel  how  far  that  end  is  answered,  and,  in  their 
collective  capacity,  to  act  as  exigencies  may  require,  but  ever 
through  the  m«dium  of  prudence  and  sound  discretion. 

Had  not  the  rulers  of  Great  Britain,  to  whom  we  so 
long  with  pleasure  acknowledged  ourselves  subordinate,  in- 
fringed upon  our  liberties,  and  broke  down  the  barriers  of 
publick  security;  had  they  not  made  light  of  the  most  sacred 
compacts,  and  given  repeated  wounds  to  the  good  old  Con- 
stitution, at  least  as  far  as  America  is  concerned,  we  would 
by  no  means  have  taken  those  steps  that  of  necessity  we 
'must  now  pursue.  A  fondness  for  innovation  we  have  never 
shown.  Opposition  to  Constitutional  authority  we  have 
never  given.  All  we  have  been  asking  for,  and  all  we  now 
wish  to  attain,  is  "  peace,  liberty,  and  safety;"  and  if  we 
cannot  enjoy  these  blessings  in  one  system,  we  must  try 
another.  This  is  the  footing  on  which  we  stand;  here  is  the 
ground  on  which  we  proceed;  and  we  trust  in  God  it  is  firm 
enough  to  bear  us. 

You  must  be  sensible,  then,  my  respected  countrymen,  of 
the  high  privilege  long  since  clearly  recognised,  fully  ascer- 
tained to  you:  the  privilege,  the  right  of  governing  yourselves; 
a  circumstance  absolutely  essential  to  civil  liberty.  But  as 
this  can  only  be  effected  by  delegation,  it  being  utterly 
inconvenient  and  impracticable  for  the  whole  people  per- 
sonally (for  instance,  in  such  a  body  as  attends  here  to-day, 
or  one  a  vast  deal  larger)  to  be  present  at  the  passing  of 
every  ordinance  and  law,  it  is  incumbent  on  them  to  be 
exceeding  careful  who  they  appoint  to  act  in  their  behalf. 
Want  of  proper  circumspection  in  this  particular  is  highly 
culpable;  I  scarce  know  anything  that  can  excuse  it.  And 
whether  such  infidelity  to  themselves  and  to  their  country 
proceeds  from  people's  indolence  of  temper;  from  a  supine 
indifference  about  the  matter — who  or  what  kind  of  men  are 
appointed;  or  whether  it  springs  from  venal  corrupt  views; 
or,  lastly,  from  faction  and  the  manoeuvres  of  party  business, 
the  evils  accruing  to  society  are  much  the  same;  the  conse- 
quences in  the  end  may  prove  fatal. 

Now,  brethren  convened  on  this  occasion,  you  are  well 
acquainted  with  the  purpose  of  your  meeting;  you  know  the 
importance  of  it.  There  never  was,  perhaps,  an  election 
held  in  this  County,  or  this  Government,  half  so  interesting 
as  the  present.  Be  very  cautious,  be  rational,  be  dispassion- 
ate, be  prudent,  be  just  to  yourselves  and  to  your  children. 

What  you  have  to  do  is,  to  choose  suitable  men;  men  who 
have  skill  and  integrity  equal  lo  the  business  you  are  sending 
them  upon.  The  Congress  hath  pronounced  you  indepen- 
dent and  free;  it  will  rest  with  your  Convention,  by  their 
judicious  management,  to  secure  to  you  the  happiness  and 
safety  that  may  result  from  that  declaration.  For  a  State 
may  be  free  and  independent  with  respect  to  the  impositions 
of  any  foreign  Power;  and  nevertheless,  through  the  vices  of 
its  own  policy,  or  the  arbitrary  disposition  of  its  own  Rulers, 
the  people  of  it  be  slaves,  or  at  best,  have  a  very  precarious 
security,  and  a  defective  enjoyment  of  their  privileges. 

Bare  good  meaning  in  your  Representatives,  without  capa- 
city, is  insufficient;  so  is  capacity  without  an  honest  heart. 
You  can  find  men  among  you  possessed  of  both;  men,  I  trust, 
unbiased  by  prejudice,  not  warped  by  passion,  above  the 
narrowness  and  illiberality  of  injuring  the  general  welfare 
out  of  private  resentment,  or  for  private  interest.  They  also,  ' 
in  particular,  who  have  already  conducted  themselves  well 
in  the  sphere  of  publick  usefulness  ought  not  to  be  over- 
looked now  by  a  grateful  sagacious  people. 

Be  upon  your  guard  against  a  party  spirit,  or  you  will  be 
misled.  Beware  of  those  who  would  increase  subsisting 
jealousies,  and  exasperate  you  against  each  other.  Though 


1059 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1060 


such  supporters  of  the  common  cause,  be  they  of  what  dis- 
tinction or  side  they  please,  it  matters  not,  do  assume  a 
patriotick  semblance,  or  may  address  you  under  signatures 
no  less  than  of  Roman  dignity,  listen  not  to  their  story  with 
attention  over-credulous;  think  for  yourselves;  judge  for  your- 
selves. "  They  zealously  affect  you,  but  not  well."  Their 
ways  and  means  are  quite  incompetent  to  beneficial  ends. 
The  spirit  of  patriotism  is  no  headlong  noisy  effervescence, 
nor  angry  ebullition  of  the  mind;  it  delights  not  in  tumult, 
revenge,  or  outrage.  It  is  a  pure  manly  flame,  superior  to 
the  mists  of  faction,  regarding  no  party  names,  exalting  the 
soul  to  deeds  of  diffusive  virtue.  It  is  allied  so  close  to  the 
spirit  of  Christianity  as  to  claim  these  as  its  predominant 
qualities:  an  undismayed  firmness,  a  generous  expansive 
benevolence,  with  zeal,  wisdom,  and  clearness  of  understand- 
ing; for  it,  too,  is  "a  spirit  of  power,  and  of  love,  and  of  a 
sound  mind." 

Permit  me,  then,  to  charge  you  with  an  affectionate  solici- 
tude— to  entreat  you,  as  a  brother  and  fellow-inhabitant, 
whose  hopes  and  interests  are  one  with  yours,  to  lay  divisions 
and  animosities  entirely  aside;  they  will,  unless  relinquished, 
distract  our  councils,  enervate,  retard,  and  disfigure  our 
most  useful  proceedings  at  home,  and  utterly  discredit  us 
abroad.  Let  us  be  united  and  at  peace,  by  all  means, 
among  ourselves.  If  ever  unanimity  was  a  virtue,  it  must 
be  one  at  the  present  juncture,  and  a  preeminent  virtue  it  is 
in  a  worthy  cause. 

It  is  more  than  probable  that  in  the  process  of  this  day 
there  will  be  diversity  of  opinions  amongst  you,  and  a  con- 
trariety of  endeavours;  there  will  be  planning,  no  doubt,  and 
counter-planning.  This  may  arise  from  the  nature  of  the 
business,  for  aught  I  know,  and  possibly,  in  itself,  may  not 
be  censurable  in  the  least,  or  hurtful  to  the  bond  of  peace, 
provided  men  act  from  an  upright  motive,  conducting  their 
plans  or  their  opposition,  if  they  must  oppose  one  another, 
with  humanity,  good  sense,  and  decency.  But  "  bitterness, 
and  wrath,  and  clamour,  and  evil  speaking,  and  malice," — 
O  fy !  fy  on  them !  they  are  to  be  classed  with  things  most 
"rank  and  foul  in  nature." 

At  an  election  it  is  implied  that  certain  persons,  either 
upon  their  own  motion  or  proposed  by  some  or  other  of  the 
electors,  do  stand  candidates  for  an  appointment,  whatever 
it  is.  Here,  then,  the  electors  or  constituents  have  a  right 
to  exercise  their  own  judgment;  and  people  will  differ  some- 
times in  opinion.  They  have  the  privilege  of  choosing  for 
themselves,  and  they  may  differ  in  their  choice.  But  still, 
it  is  every  one's  indispensable  duty  to  inform  his  judgment 
as  well  as  possible,  and  to  use  his  privilege  so  as  not  to 
abuse  it.  The  sure  way  is,  to  conduct  yourselves  clear  of 
prejudice  and  undue  influence. 

1  step  not  forward  as  an  advocate  for  tests,  on  occasions 
of  this  sort  especially;  yet,  perhaps,  if  every  one  who  sets 
up  at  an  election,  and  every  voter,  laying  his  hand  upon  his 
heart,  were  virtually  to  put  some  such  test  to  himself  as  the 
following:  Do  I  solemnly  think  that  I  am  a  suitable  person 
for  the  place  or  trust  I  am  soliciting?  or,  do  1  solemnly 
believe  that  the  person  or  persons  I  vote  for,  and  whose 
interest  I  am  pushing,  are  duly  qualified  ?  and  is  my  oppo- 
sition to  others  grounded  on  principle? — it  would  tend  to 
preserve  both  civil  and  moral  liberty. 

The  mention  of  this  test  brings  to  my  mind  another:  I 
mean  that  which  the  honourable  House  of  Assembly  have 
empowered  the  Judges  of  this  election  to  put,  as  they  may 
think  fit,  to  all  or  any  of  the  voters.  What  I  would  observe 
on  it  (and  I  do  it  with  great  deference)  is  no  more  than  this : 
If  it  was  only  meant  as  a  restraint  upon  those  who  may  be 
disaffected  to  the  American  cause,  it  was  meant  well;  but 
if  it  should  prove  a  bar  to  any  tender  or  scrupulous  con- 
sciences, so  that  a  considerable  class  of  men,  otherwise  good 
friends  to  their  country,  are  withheld  from  their  right,  it  is  a 
pity.  Hosvever,  you,  gentlemen,  Inspectors  and  Judges, 
have  a  discretionary  power  in  the  matter,  I  apprehend;  and 
we  need  not  doubt  your  exercising  it  in  a  manner  delicate 
and  unexceptionable. 

Now  I  conclude,  wishing  this  County  success  in  the  event 
of  this  interesting  day,  and  desiring  for  the  sister  Counties  a 
similar  felicity.  May  we  and  they  always  have  a  succes- 
sion of  able,  good  men,  to  manage  our  political  concerns, 
incorruptible  guardians  of  the  rights  of  freemen,  the  honest 
Representatives  of  an  honest  people. 

Like  another  Sparta,  may  this  little  State  be  wise,  and 


brave,  and  great;  great  in  strength,  but  greater  still  in  virtue ; 
holding  its  rank  with  unimpaired  dignity  in  the  scale  of 
American  empire. 


JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  JOHN  LANGDON. 

Philadelphia,  August  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Your  favour  of  the  5th  instant  has  come  to 
hand,  and  am  much  pleased  to  hear  of  the  success  of  the 
New-England  privateers  in  captuiing  British  ships.  May 
they  go  on  to  distress  the  British  trade,  till  they  are  taught 
wisdom  by  misfortune,  since  nothing  else  will  effect  it.  I 
opened  your  letter  to  Colonel  Whipph,  agreeaLIe  to  your 
order,  in  which  I  find  you  want  information  about  the  agency 
and  marine  affairs;  but  as  Colonel  Whipph  will  be  able  to 
satisfy  you  as  to  those  matters,  (who  will  be  with  you  before 
this,)  I  shall  say  nothing  about  them. 

Since  Colonel  Whipph  left  us  the  ship  Morris  arrived 
here  from  Havre-de-Grace,  in  France.  She  has  brought  on 
Continental  account  above  one  hundred  bolts  of  sail  cloth, 
amounting  to  between  fifty  and  sixty  thousand  yards.  She 
has  also  brought  for  this  Colony  fifty -three  tons  of  lead,  and 
seven  and  a  half  tons  of  powder,  &.C.,  &tc. 

A  ship  has  likewise  arrived  from  Lisbon,  with  necessaries 
for  the  Continent,  but  cannot  give  the  particulars.  She  left 
Lisbon  the  latter  end  of  June,  and  left  several  other  of  our 
vessels  there,  who  were  permitted  to  trade  freely,  notwith- 
standing the  report  which  lately  prevailed,  that  the  Portu- 
guese had  seized  all  American  ships  in  their  harbours. 

One  vessel  from  'Statia,  and  one  vessel  from  the.  French 
West-Indies,  have  also  arrived,  and  have  brought  in  about 
five  tons  of  powder,  &c.  By  a  letter  from  'Statia,  dated 
28th  July,  we  are  told  that  the  Dutch  have  refused  to  renew 
the  prohibition  for  sending  out  arms  and  ammunition ;  that 
the  English  have  seized  two  of  their  ships,  and  sent  them 
into  England,  under  pretence  of  their  supplying  us  with 
arms,  &.c.;  that  in  consequence,  the  Dutch  had  ordered  sixty 
ships  of  war  to  be  fitted  out,  and  to  raise  twenty  thousand 
additional  land  forces,  and  had  refused  to  lend  England  the 
Scotch  regiments,  as  they  had  before  agreed  to.  What  de- 
pendence is  to  be  placed  in  this  intelligence,  I  can't  certainly 
say,  but  believe  some  part  of  it,  at  least,  is  true,  I  hope  all. 
By  sundry  letters,  it  appears  that  both  the  French  and  Dutch 
are  very  fond  of  our  trade,  and  have  sent  and  are  sending  to 
the  West-Indies  large  quantities  of  arms,  and  every  other 
article  that  we  are  like  to  want. 

The  insolence  of  the  commanders  of  the  British  men-of- 
war  in  the  West-Indies,  is  become  intolerable.  It  seems 
that  one  of  them  some  time  since  went  into  the  harbour  at 
'Statia,  and  after  waiting  some  days,  attempted  to  take  pos- 
session of  some  American  vessels  there,  but  was  prevented 
by  the  Dutch.  She  then  left  the  harbour,  and  the  next  day 
seized  a  ship  bound  from  'Statia  to  Amsterdam,  and  carried 
her  into  one  of  the  English  Islands,  and  there  he  detains  her. 
This  has  so  exasperated  the  Dutch,  that  the  Governour  of 
'Statia  has  (it  is  said)  ordered  the  Captains  of  the  ports  to 
fire  on  any  English  man-of-war  that  comes  within  reach  of 
their  guns.  This  looks  like  kicking  up  a  dust. 

I  am,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JOSIAH  BARTLETT. 
To  Mr.  John  Langdon. 

P.  S.  August  20th. — Yesterday  a  vessel  arrived  at  Egg- 
Harbour,  that  was  sent  to  the  West-Indies  on  the  account  of 
the  Congress.  It  is  said  she  has  brought  six  hundred  stand 
of  arms  and  ten  tons  of  powder.  The  particulars  of  the 
fire-ships  attempting  the  men-of-war,  and  burning  a  tender, 
and  of  the  men-of-war  getting  down  by  New-York,  you  will 
hear  before  this  reaches  you.  Ut  sup.  J.  B. 


GENERAL  WOO5TER  TO  THE  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS. 

Philadelphia,  August  19,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Having  the  pleasure  and  satisfaction  of  your 
approbation  of  my  past  conduct  in  the  Army,  beg  leave  to 
acquaint  your  Honours,  that  I  am  still  ready  and  willing  to 
serve  in  my  proper  rank  in  the  Army,  and  attend  your  further 
orders. 

I  am,  with  due  respect,  your  Honours'  most  obedient, 

humble  servant,  T-.          ,,r 

DAVID  YVOOSTER. 

To  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress. 


1061 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1062 


WILLIAM  COX  TO  WILLIAM  ATLEE. 

Philadelphia,  August  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Your  agreeable  letter  of  the  8th  instant  came 
safe  to  hand  a  few  days  ago,  by  John  Hulley,  Esq.,  enclo- 
sing £175,  for  which  I  am  extremely  obliged  to  you.  May 
you  get  ten  thousand  per  cent,  interest  for  this  advance. 
She  is  a  fine  brig,  and  mounts  twelve  six  and  four  pounders, 
with  swivels,  cohorns,  howitzers,  muskets,  blunderbusses, 
pistols,  &tc.,  with  provisions  and  other  necessaries  for  a  four 
months'  cruise.  She  carries  ninety  men,  and  is  commanded 
by  one  of  the  most  agreeable  Captains  that  perhaps  ever 
sailed  out  of  this  port,  a  seaman  and  warrior  every  inch  of 
him:  his  name  is  Hamilton.  I  expect  he  will  sail  in  a  few 
days.  My  brother  has  been  offered  twenty-five  per  cent, 
advance  for  the  half  of  his  half,  and  would  not  take  it. 
Enclosed  is  a  letter  for  Mrs.  Atke,  to  whom  be  pleased  to 
give  my  compliments;  and  am,  your  very  humble  servant, 

WM.  Cox. 


PHILADELPHIA  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 

Philadelphia,  August  19,  1776. 

Whereas  the  Militia  of  this  County  have  bravely,  at  this 
emergency,  stepped  forth  and  pledged  their  all  in  contend- 
ing for  our  most  sacred  and  invaluable  rights,  which  are 
inalienably  derived  from  the  laws  of  God  and  nature;  and 
whereas  many  of  those  persons  have  left  families,  who  are 
destitute  of  every  means  of  acquiring  an  honest  living: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  those  poor  families,  at  this  un- 
happy situation  of  affairs,  ought  to  become  the  objects  of 
publick  compassion,  and  that  they  cannot  be  treated  with 
too  much  lenity,  as  a  recompense  for  the  inestimable  ser- 
vices that  may  be  done  by  their  husbands,  who  are  now 
subjecting  themselves  to  the  hardships  and  dangers  of  war, 
while  others  enjoy  perfect  tranquillity,  with  every  happiness 
that  their  domestick  repose  can  suggest. 

As  there  are  gentlemen  appointed  in  every  Township  to 
distribute  such  sums  of  money  to  the  families  of  the  poor 
Associators,  now  in  actual  service,  as  their  several  necessi- 
ties may  require, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  those  gen- 
tlemen to  be  actuated  purely  from  principles  of  humanity, 
and  that  they  make  an  equitable  and  frugal  distribution  of  the 
money  deposited  in  their  hands,  by  paying  proper  attention 
to  the  distressed,  at  the  same  time  avoiding  the  imposition 
of  impostors ;  and  upon  the  whole,  that  they  discharge  the 
trust  reposed  in  them  with  great  care  and  fidelity,  as  they 
will  be  accountable  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  Committee  how 
they  have  distributed  their  several  sums. 

This  day  appeared  before  the  Committee  a  certain  James 
Thomson,  of  the  Township  of  Oxford,  and  voluntarily  made 
the  following  acknowledgment: 

"  Whereas  I  have  at  sundry  times  been  guilty  of  saying 
many  imprudent  things,  inimical  to  the  natural  rights  and 
liberties  of  America,  and  have  threatened  violence  both  to 
my  neighbours'  properties  and  families  during  their  absence 
in  the  Militia:  1  do  hereby,  from  a  sense  of  my  fault,  most 
humbly  beg  the  pardon  of  all  those  whom  I  have  offended 
by  my  misconduct,  and  promise  before  this  Committee  that 
I  will  for  the  future  conduct  myself  as  an  orderly  well  dis- 
posed person.  JAMES  THOMSON." 

The  above  named  Thomson  declaring  that  he  is  afraid  to 
return  home  to  his  lawful  employment  without  this  Commit- 
tee will  interfere  with  their  protection : 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  inha- 
bitants of  the  Township  of  Oxford,  and  all  others,  that  they 
would  forgive  the  said  Thomson,  and  suffer  him  to  return 
home  unmolested,  as  he  does,  with  every  mark  of  conviction 
becoming  a  penitent,  solemnly  promise  and  declare,  that  he 
will  ever  hereafter  behave  himself  with  becoming  decency 
and  respect  to  all  ranks  of  people. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee  : 

ENOCH  EDWARDS,  Secretary. 


of  military  duty  while  under  his  command.  He  is  happy  to 
have  it  in  his  power  to  relieve  them,  agreeable  to  order  of 
Convention,  and  hopes  the  quota  of  men  to  be  furnished  by 
such  battalions  will  be  speedily  made  up,  in  proportion  to 
the  numbers  on  duty  here,  that  no  delay  may  be  given  to 
the  most  honourable  dismission  of  the  remainder. 


LANCASTER  COUNTY  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Obser- 
vation, at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart,  the  19th  August, 
1776: 

Present:  Mathias  Slough,  William  Atlee,  Henry  Dehuff,  Lodwiek 
Lowman,  John  Miller,  Eberhart  Gruber,  Christopher  Crawford. 

William  Atlee  in  the  chair. 

Resolved  by  the  Committee,  That  John  Bruce,  an  Asso- 
ciator  in  Captain  Withers's  Company  of  Militia,  in  Colonel 
Feme's  Battalion,  be  not  marched  with  the  Militia,  he 
being  a  Gunbarrel-maker,  and  it  being  contrary  to  the  Re- 
solves of  Congress  to  march  tradesmen  of  that  kind.  And  it 
is  the  opinion  of  the  Committee,  that  Alexander  Hunter,  a 
Fuller,  also  in  Captain  Withers 's  Company,  ought  to  remain 
at  home  to  pursue  his  business,  he  being  the  only  Fuller  in 
that  neighbourhood. 

William  Frenniman,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  is  per- 
mitted to  work  with  Doctor  Christian  Voght,  at  the  Salt- 
petre making  business,  he  here  in  Committee  engaging  to  be 
answerable  for  him  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  the  Com- 
mittee. 

Cuthbert  Harcope,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is 
permitted  to  work  with  Henry  Musser,  at  the  Nailer's  busi- 
ness, he  here  in  Committee  engaging  to  be  answerable  for 
him,  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  the  Committee. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  Elizabeth-Town,  August  19,  1776. 

Gen.  MERCER  desires  his  most  grateful  acknowledgments 
may  be  signified  to  the  gentlemen  Associators  of  Pennsyl- 
vania,, for  the  great  attention  they  have  paid  to  every  part 


GENERAL  ROBERDEAU  S   ADDRESS. 

The  following  Address  of  General  Roberdeau  to  the  Pennsylvania 
Associators  at  .Imhmj,  is  published  by  an  order  of  the  Convention  of 
Pennsylvania,  of  August  19,1776. 

JOHN  MORRIS,  Jun.,  Secretary. 

GENTLEMEN:  As  it  hath  pleased  Providence,  for  the 
exercise  of  our  patience,  and  for  the  defence  of  that  free- 
dom which  we  inherit  from  the  great  Giver  of  all  things, 
to  call  us  from  our  families  to  the  field ;  and  as  I  have  the 
honour  of  being  your  General  officer,  I  trust  you  will  take  it 
well  in  me  to  endeavour  to  point  out  to  you  whatever  ap- 
pears necessary,  either  for  your  own  particular  good,  or  the 
more  noble  object — the  good  of  all. 

It  is  our  unavoidable  lot  to  live  in  the  day  of  trial ;  and, 
for  my  own  part,  as  I  am  persuaded,  from  the  haughty  dis- 
position of  the  English  nabobs  towards  us,  that  a  day  of 
bloody  separation  must  one  time  or  other  have  happened; 
on  that  account,  I  say,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  rejoice,  and  to 
reckon  it  among  the  number  of  my  felicities  in  this  world, 
that  it  hath  happened  at  a  time  when  I  can  bear  my  part 
therein.  If  we  can  leave  peace  and  freedom  to  our  children 
and  posterity,  we  leave  them  a  fortune  more  valuable  than 
gold. 

As  to  our  present  condition  as  soldiers  in  camp,  I  would 
advise  you  to  reflect,  that  a  young  Army,  so  suddenly  col- 
lected, and  having  everything  to  learn  and  to  provide,  will 
unavoidably  be  put  to  many  inconveniences,  especially  at 
first.  It  is  a  new  life  to  us  all,  and  young  beginners  in  every 
state  must  expect  trouble;  but  as  we  have  taken  up  the 
sword,  so  likewise  must  we  take  up  the  cross  of  a  soldier, 
and  go  through  the  difficulties  as  well  as  the  dangers  of  the 
field.  Hardship  is  the  soldier's  fate,  and  there  is  as  much 
true  honour  in  bearing  it  with  a  manly  fortitude  as  in  facing 
the  cannon  of  an  enemy.  Patience  under  difficulties  is  one 
of  the  first  virtues  in  a  military  character,  and  without  which, 
no  man,  however  brave,  will  ever  be  a  soldier. 

A  number  of  complaints  have  been  very  justly  made 
respecting  the  provision  delivered  out  by  the  Commissaries, 
and  I  assure  you  that  no  care  or  duty  has  been  or  shall  be- 
wanting  in  me,  in  concurrence  with  my  senior  in  command, 
General  Mercer,  to  have  the  provisions  good,  and  the  quan- 
tities justly  given  out;  yet,  after  all,  we  must  not  expect  to 
have  things  about  us  with  that  order  and  economy  with 
which  we  had  them  at  home.  In  times  like  these,  some 
sacrifice  of  conveniency  must  always  be  made  to  necessity. 


1063 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1064 


And  if  any  man  among  us  is  so  lost  to  all  sense  of  virtue  in 
this  important  straggle  for  life,  liberty,  and  property,  and 
the  conservation  of  them  to  posterity — who  cannot,  for  a 
short  time,  put  up  with  a  soldier's  fare,  that  he  may  afford 
hi<  country  that  service  she  calls  for,  and  which  is  greater 
than,  in  all  probability,  will  ever  be  in  his  power,  through  his 
whole  life,  to  render  again — such  a  man  is  beneath  mine 
and  every  honest  American's  respect  or  notice.  Your 
reasonable  complaints  will  be  remedied,  and  until  that  can 
be  accomplished,  I  recommend  it  to  you  to  show  your  good 
sense  by  your  good  nature,  and  put  up  with  things  as  well 
as  your  can. 

But  I  find  myself  under  the  unpleasant  necessity  of  taking 
notice  of  a  dissatisfied  spirit  which,  somehow  or  other,  has 
crept  in  among  some  of  us.  Of  your  valour  I  have  no 
doubt,  and  I  warn  you,  as  friends  and  fellow-soldiers,  that 
you  listen  not  to  those  (should  there  be  such  among  us)  who 
would  stir  up  discontent  and  uneasiness.  "Let  us  go  home," 
has  been  the  cry  of  some.  What!  my  friends;  turn  your 
backs  on  your  enemies  in  three  or  four  weeks'  time?  Is  it 
worth  putting  the  Continent  to  the  expense  of  equipping 
and  marching  a  body  of  men  for  the  service  only  for  a  few 
days,  and  half  that  time  spent  in  going  and  coming?  Besides, 
can  you  expect  anything  less  than  that  the  enemy  will  fol- 
low you  to  your  homes,  joined  by  a  large  body  of  Tories, 
that  will  flock  to  them  the  moment  you  leave  this  spot? 
"But  we  have  wives  and  families,"  you  will  say,  "and  our 
business  is  at  stake."  The  more  reason,  then,  you  have  to 
stay.  You  are  the  very  men  whose  duty  it  is  not  to  go. 
Here  is  the  spot  to  make  your  defence.  If  you  have  a  mind 
to  keep  the  enemy  from  ravaging  your  country,  fight  them 
on  the  sea-shore.  If  you  would  preserve  your  property  and 
families  in  peace,  then  let  not  those  who  would  destroy  the 
one,  and  distress  the  other,  set  their  foot  upon  your  shores. 
And  if  any  of  you  have  wives,  connexions,  friends,  or  rela- 
tions, who  urge  you  to  return,  they  may  just  as  well  invite 
the  enemy  to  come  along  with  you.  There  is  no  difference, 
in  effect,  between  retreating  and  being  defeated.  Consider 
it  well,  gentlemen ;  think  for  your  country's  good  ;  look  but 
across  the  water,  and  for  your  honour's  sake,  never  let  it  be 
said  that  an  army  of  sixpenny  soldiers,  picked  up  from 
prisons  and  dungeons,  freed  from  transportation,  the  whip- 
ping post,  and  the  gallows,  fighting  in  the  worst  of  causes, 
and  for  the  worst  of  Kings,  bore  the  fatigue  of  war  with 
stouter  hearts  than  you. 

That  we  have  left  a  number  of  disaffected  men  behind  us, 
who  have  contributed  nothing  or  no  just  proportion  to  the 
service  of  the  country  which  gave  them  bread,  and  which 
lias  raised  them  from  poverty  to  plenty,  is  true,  and  loo 
true ;  and  that  there  are  others  who  are  meanly  seeking  to 
enrich  themselves  by  your  absence,  is  equally  true:  but  let 
not  their  vices  be  our  example.  If  they  have  failed  in  duty, 
it  is  no  reason  we  should.  And  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
informing  you,  that  the  Convention  has  taken  that  matter 
under  consideration,  as  appears  by  the  following  extract  from 

their  proceedings: 

"In  Convention,  July  23. 

"  Whereas  the  Associators  of  this  State,  on  the  requisi- 
tion of  the  honourable  Continental  Congress,  have  freely 
and  bravely  gone  into  the  field  for  the  defence  of  the  com- 
mon liberties  of  America,  while  the  Non-Associators  remain 
at  home  in  peace  and  security,  without  affording,  by  per- 
sonal service  or  otherwise,  that  just  and  necessary  assistance 
they  owe  to  the  State  for  their  protection  : 

"  Therefore,  Resolved,  That  this  Convention  will  take  the 
most  effectual  measures  to  render  the  burden  and  expense 
of  the  inhabitants  of  this  State  just  and  equal." 

1  have  now,  gentlemen,  to  remind  you  of  the  condition  on 
which  you  marched  and  engaged  in  the  present  service,  which 
was,  to  continue  therein  "until  the  Flying-Camp  of  ten  thou- 
sand men  could  be  collected  to  relieve  you,  unless  you  should 
be  sooner  discharged  by  Congress." 

These,  gentlemen,  are  the  express  words.  I  have  written 
to  the  Convention  to  hasten  the  completion  of  the  Flying- 
Camp,  and  I  need  not  point  out  to  you  the  ruin  and  destruc- 
tion that  would  follow  were  any  of  you  to  quit  your  station 
before  you  are  relieved.  The  enemy,  in  that  case,  would 
be  encouraged  to  attack,  either  those  who  were  brave  enough 
to  remain,  or  the  Army  at  New-York,  and  perhaps  a  thou- 
sand of  your  brethren  may  fall  for  every  hundred  of  you 
which  at  this  time  should  svithdraw  from  duty,  a  circum- 


stance, gentlemen,  you  would  never  through  life  he  able  to 
reconcile  to  your  consciences,  especially  as  it  is  possible 
that,  by  our  formidable  numbers  and  unanimous  spirit,  the 
enemy  may  be  disheartened  from  attacking  us. 

I  am  desirous,  gentlemen,  of  having  the  matter  plainly 
understood  among  you  all,  and  I  should  be  deficient  in  duty 
both  to  you  and  the  publick,  were  I  to  speak  a  language  that 
might  tend  to  amuse  or  deceive  you.  I  have  no  interest 
distinct  from  yours  to  make  my  entreaties  necessary;  the 
cause  is  as  much  yours  as  mine;  you  have  the  same  at  stake 
which  I  have.  1  am  ready  at  any  time  to  go  with  you 
through  every  necessary  difficulty  or  danger,  and  I  expect 
from  you  the  same  disposition.  Only  consider  the  duty 
you  owe  to  yourselves,  to  your  families,  and  to  your  country, 
and  you  need  no  other  inducements.  When  you  forget 
these,  which  I  think  it  impossible  you  should,  every  other 
will  bo  in  vain.  And,  as  a  necessary  companion  to  your 
bravery,  I  would  recommend  to  you,  gentlemen,  a  strict 
observance  of  the  discipline  and  duty  of  a  soldier;  a  true 
spirit  of  liberty  is  a  spirit  of  order;  there  can  be  no  liberty 
preserved  without  order.  The  English  Army  derive  all 
their  strength  from  a  close  attention  to  discipline;  with  them, 
it  supplies  the  want  of  virtue.  In  short,  gentlemen,  though 
our  cause  is  the  most  noble  that  man  ever  fought  to  defend, 
yet  bravery,  without  order,  will  not  be  sufficient  for  the  work 
we  have  to  do.  As  we  abound  in  the  first,  let  us  add  to  it 
the  advantages  of  the  last;  and  with  those  united,  under  the 
smiles  of  Heaven,  we  have  no  reason  to  fear  a  glorious 
issue  to  our  righteous  cause. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Newark,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  This  will  be  delivered  at  Head-Quarters  by  Mr. 
Ludwick,  whom  I  sent  for  to  Amboy,  in  consequence  of 
your  Excellency's  letter  of  yesterday.  Enclosed  is  some 
intelligence  that  may  be  of  consequence.  I  am  pushing  on 
troops  to  Bergen  to  the  amount  of  one  thousand.  I  hear 
the  Third  Virginia  Regiment  is  on  the  march  to  join  the 
Army.  Please  to  signify  your  intentions  as  to  the  disposi- 
tion of  such  Virginia  troops  as  may  arrive — whether  they 
are  to  proceed  on  to  New- York  or  remain  in  the  Flying- 
Camp. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  servant,  „  , . 

To  General  Washington. 

Jonathan  Woodman,  Isaac  Osborne,  and  Robert  Peas, 
say,  that  on  the  2d  of  June  they  were  taken  in  the  schooner 
William,  belonging  to  Salem,  in  her  passage  from  St.  Mar- 
tin's, by  the  Cerberus  frigate;  that  they  were  carried  into 
Halifax  and  shipped  on  board  the  Peggy  transport,  from 
which  they  escaped  last  night.  They  further  say,  that  the 
Phenix  man-of-war  was  grappled  by  one  of  our  fire-ships, 
and  narrowly  escaped  being  burnt;  that  the  ships,  in  their 
passage  down,  received  some  shots,  and  the  Phenix  had  one 
man  killed;  that  on  Thursday  night  last,  a  boat  came  from 
the  Phenix  down  to  the  fleet,  a  Lieutenant  in  which  re- 
ceived a  cannon-ball  through  his  thigh  from  one  of  our  bat- 
teries. The  accounts  as  to  the  number  of  the  enemy's 
troops  are  various ;  that  the  Army  is  sickly,  especially  Lord 
Dunmore's,  who  brought  but  one  hundred  and  six,  black  and 
white,  with  him;  that  General  Clinton's  conduct  at  Charles- 
town  is  much  blamed — he  is  accused  of  cowardice,  and  some 
say  he  will  be  hanged;  that  before  nine  o'clock,  boats  are 
suffered  to  pass  through  the  fleet  without  interruption;  that 
they  have  built  about  twenty  new  flat-bottom  boats,  every 
ship,  besides,  having  one;  that  last  week  several  bodies  of 
troops  were  embarked — some  yesterday,  and  the  ships  that 
received  them  all  unmoored;  that  the  Hessian  troops  appear 
old  and  indifferent;  that  the  Highlanders  seem  very  desirous 
of  deserting,  three  of  whom  have  been  lately  taken  in  the 
attempt  and  hanged,  and  one  shot. 

The  Examination  nf  Cuptain  BRITTON,  who  landed  from  on  board  a  brig 
bound  to  NANTUCKET,  belonging  to  the  whole  fishery,  which  had  been  dis- 
charged by  Lord  HOWE. 

Captain  Britton  sailed  from  Halifax  with  four  hundred 
Light-Horse.  From  the  best  intelligence  that  he  could  col- 
lect, there  are  about  seven  hundred  Light-Horse  on  Staten- 


10S5 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1066 


Island.  It  is  thought  there  are  about  twenty-five  thousand 
effective  men,  eleven  thousand  of  whom  are  Hessians.  The 
general  report  was,  that  they  intended  to  attack  Long-Island 
first,  and,  if  possible,  to  storm  the  fort  opposite  the  city,  in 
order  to  prevent  their  shipping  being  annoyed  when  the 
attack  is  made  on  Netv-York.  The  Hcssiatis  were  landing 
on  Staten-Island  as  fast  as  possible  when  he  left  it;  and, 
from  a  conversation  he  had  with  several  Hessian  officers,  he 
has  no  doubt,  from  proper  encouragement  and  opportunity, 
they  would  join  the  Americans;  that  Captain  Talbot,  of 
the  Niger,  with  two  other  frigates,  had  received  orders 
to  go  round  the  east  end  of  Long-Island  into  the  Sound,  in 
order  to  cut  off  the  communication  between  Long-Island 
and  the  main ;  that  it  is  generally  thought  they  mean  to 
attack  Long-Island  with  their  Grenadiers  and  Light-Infantry, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  send  the  remainder  of  their  Army 
up  the  North  River,  and  land  above  the  town,  by  which 
means  they  expect  to  secure  General  Washington  and  the 
Army  without  firing  a  shot.  That  Captain  Britton  believes 
the  attack  is  only  delayed  until  a  favourable  wind  and  tide 
offers,  as  they  intended  it  on  Saturday  morning  last;  that 
they  are  certain  of  success,  as  they  are  of  opinion  our  men 
will  not  stand  more  than  one  fire ;  that  the  mode  of  attack 
is,  to  give  one  fire,  and  then  rush  on  with  fixed  bayonets. 
That  a  number  of  boats  from  Long-Island  came  over  with 
fresh  provisions  and  intelligence  during  his  confinement;  and 
that  a  negro  from  Staten-Island  goes  over  to  the  Jersey  shore 
every  night  to  receive  letters  lodged  in  some  private  place; 
and  that  he  believes  they  have  daily  intelligence  of  all  our 
movements.  A  negro  escaped  from  Staten-Island  this  mor- 
ning, who  says  that  all  the  troops  from  this  quarter  were  to 
march  on  Wednesday  next,  and  to  be  replaced  by  Hessians. 
Head -Quarters  at  Amboy,  August  18,  1776,  one  o'clock. 


GENERAL  ROBERDEAU  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Newark,  August  19,  1776,  half-past  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M. 

SIR:  The  post-rider  just  passed  through  here,  with  a  very 
incredible  story,  which  he  told  with  great  confidence,  viz: 
that  you  had  received  a  flag  from  Lord  Howe,  "  proposing 
to  retire  with  the  fleet  and  army,  and  that  he  was  willing  to 
settle  the  present  dispute  on  any  terms  you  should  ask;"  for 
which  he  quoted  the  authority  of  an  officer  in  your  Army, 
who  told  him  lie  might  spread  the  news  without  the  least 
reserve,  for  that  the  officer  offered  to  swear  to  the  truth,  for 
that  he  had  it  from  you.  As  this  intelligence  might  have  a 
tendency  to  lull  the  inhabitants,  I  thought  it  my  duty  to 
make  it  the  subject  of  an  express,  without  counselling 
General  Mercer,  who  is  gone  forward  towards  Amboy. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

DANIEL  ROBERDEAU. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Commander-in- 

Chief,  Head-Quarters,  New-York. 

P.  S.  The  intelligencer  further  informed  that  the  reason 
of  this  hasty  move  from  Lord  Howe  was  news  from  England 
of  a  rumpus  with  France. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  August  20,  1776.] 

New- York,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  nothing  of  moment  to  communicate  to  Con- 
gress, as  things  are  in  the  situation  they  were  when  I  had 
last  the  honour  of  addressing  them. 

By  a  letter  from  General  Ward  of  the  12th,  I  find  that 
Whetcomb's  regiment,  on  the  8th,  and  Phinney's,  on  the  9th, 
marched  from  Boston  lor  Ticonderoga.  Governour  Trum- 
bull,  also,  in  a  letter  of  the  13th,  advises  me  that  Ward's 
regiment,  in  the  service  of  the  States,  was  on  the  march 
to  this  Army,  and  that  he  and  his  Council  of  Safety  had 
in  the  whole  ordered  fourteen  Militia  regiments  to  reinforce 
us.  Three  of  them  have  arrived,  and  amount  to  about  one 
thousand  and  twenty  men.  When  the  whole  come,  we 
shall  be  on  a  much  more  respectable  footing  than  what  we 
have  been ;  but  I  greatly  fear,  if  the  enemy  defer  their  attack 
for  any  considerable  time,  they  will  be  extremely  impatient 
to  return  home;  and  if  they  should,  we  shall  be  reduced  to 
distress  again.  He  also  adds,  that  Captain  Van  Burcn, 
who  had  been  sent  for  that  purpose,  had  procured  a  suffi- 
cient supply  of  sail-cloth  for  the  vessels  to  be  employed  in 


the  Lake,  and  a  part  of  the  cordage  in  that  State,  and  a 
prospect  of  getting  the  remainder. 

As  there  will  be  a  difficulty,  in  all  probability,  to  circulate 
the  papers  designed  for  the  foreign  troops,  and  many  mis- 
carriages may  happen  before  it  can  be  effected,  it  may  be 
proper  to  furnish  me  with  a  larger  quantity  than  what  I 
already  have. 

Enclosed  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit  you  a  general 
return  of  our  whole  force  at  this  time,  in  which  are  com- 
prehended the  three  regiments  of  Militia  above  mentioned. 
I  am  sorry  it  should  be  so  much  weakened  by  sickness. 
The  return  will  show  you  how  it  distresses  us. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  most 

obedient,  ^      *,, 

uo.  WASHINGTON. 

P.  S.  The  post  just  now  arrived  has  brought  a  further 
supply  of  papers  for  the  Hessians,  which  makes  my  requisi- 
tion unnecessary. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  ROBERDEAC. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  this  date,  and  thank  you 
for  the  intelligence  thereby  communicated. 

The  report  propagated  by  the  post-rider  is  totally  desti- 
tute of  truth  in  every  instance ;  and  as  it  may  have  the  fatal 
tendency  you  seem  but  too  justly  to  apprehend,  I  beg,  sir, 
that  you  will  take  such  steps  to  contradict  and  suppress  it 
as  you  shall  think  most  likely  to  effect  it.  I  am,  &c. 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  Brig.  Gen.  Daniel Roberdeau,  Pennsylvania  Militia. 


QUARTERMASTER  HUGHES  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

New-York,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  By  order  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington',  I 
have  the  honour  to  enclose  you  a  return  of  sundry  articles 
shipped  on  board  the  schooner  Union,  Captain  Sanford, 
which  I  wish  safe  to  hand. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  Honour's  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

HUGH  HUGHES,  A.  Q.  M.  G. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

A  Return  made,  NEW- YORK,  AUGUST  19,  1776,  to  His 
Excellency  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Esquire,  General  and 
Commander-in-Chiefofthe  Forces  of  the  UNITED  STATES 
OF  AMERICA,  by  order  of  Colonel  STEPHEN  MOYLAN,  Esq., 
Quartermaster-General,  of  the  following  articles,  shipped 
for  ALBANY,  in  good  order,  by  HUGH  HUGHES,  Assistant 
Quartermaster-General,  on  board  the  Schooner  UNION, 
PHILO  SANFORD,  Master,  and  to  be  delivered  to  the  Hon. 
Major-General  GATES,  or  his  order. 

Double-headed  Shot :  For  1 8-pounders,  60;  for  12-pound- 
ers,  80;  for  9-pounders,  80;  for  6-pounders,  100. 
30  reams  of  Musket  Cartridge-paper. 
9  Bullet-moulds. 
33  cwt.  1  qr.  and  4  Ibs.  of  Grape-shot. 

PHILO  SANFORD. 

STEPHEN  MOYLAN,  Q.  M.  G. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  19, 
1776. 

Yesterday  morning  being  cloudy  and  rainy,  the  Phenix 
and  Rose  took  the  advantage,  and  weighed  anchor,  but  kept 
on  the  eastern  shore,  which  prevented  General  Mifflin  from 
bringing  a  gun  to  bear  upon  them.  They  passed  through 
a  passage  which  we  had  left  open,  and  which  was  to  be 
stopped  in  a  day  or  two.  About  a  quarter  after  six  they 
appeared  at  Greenwich,  on  which  our  batteries  and  galleys 
prepared  to  attack.  They  passed  all  our  fortifications  (it  is 
thought)  without  much  damage.  Coming  directly  opposite 
the  city  they  fired  several  broadsides,  but  with  little  or  no 
execution.  They  had  on  board  a  deserter,  who  helped  to 
stop  the  place,  and  who  showed  them  the  way  through  which 
they  passed.  They  have  joined  their  fleet,  with  the  loss  of 
one  of  their  tenders,  which  was  burnt  the  other  night  by  the 
fire-ships,  and  the  Phenix  narrowly  escaped. 

We  have  this  day  one  whole  regiment  employed  to  load 


1067 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1068 


a  number  of  vessels  with  stones  to  sink  between  tbe  Grand 
Baltery  and  Governour's  Island,  which  they  will  effect  in  a 
day  or  two. 

A  deserter  from  the  enemy  yesterday  says,  that  five  thou- 
sand men  are  to  attack  Long-Island,  and  the  rest  New-York 
on  Tuesday  next. 

The  brig  Enterprise,  Captain  Joseph  De  White,  and  sloop 
Beaver,  Captain  Stewart  Dean,  two  letters  of  marque,  be- 
longing to  this  port,  after  an  engagement  of  two  glasses,  have 
taken  two  ships,  viz:  the  Earl  of  Errol,  a  new  vessel,  two 
hundred  and  seventy  tons  burden,  Captain  John  Bartlett, 
from  Grenada,  bound  \oLondon,  mounting  six  two-pound- 
ers, laden  with  two  hundred  and  twenty-two  hogsheads  of 
sugar,  four  hundred  and  fifty-nine  bags  of  cotton,  twenty- 
nine  hogsheads  of  coffee,  and  one  pipe  of  Madeira  wine, 
valued  at  £25,000,  has  safely  arrived  in  Boston  harbour; 
and  the  ship  Nevis,  Captain  Coffin,  laden  with  five  hundred 
hogsheads  of  sugar  and  seventy  hogsheads  of  rum,  supposed 
to  be  arrived  at  Casco  Bay;  both  taken  the  22d  of  July. 
Yesterday  arrived  thirty  sail  from  Connecticut,  with  troops 
on  board.  The  brig  Sea  Flower,  Captain  Savage,  men- 
tioned in  my  last  to  be  taken  by  the  enemy,  is  now  in  the 
Sound,  and  expected  down  next  tide,  laden  with  salt  and 
medicines. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  19, 

1776. 

A  flag  of  truce  came  up  on  Saturday  to  get  liberty  for 
Lord  Drummond  and  three  others  to  come  on  shore.  Some 
will  be  allowed,  but  not  his  Lordship;  he  broke  his  parole. 
He  wants  to  go  to  Congress  to  treat  about  reconciliation. 
The  General  sent  word,  that  if  Lord  Howe  would  send  a 
man  of  honour  to  Congress,  he  would  give  him  a  passport. 


COLONEL  HITCHCOCK  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Long-Island,  August  19,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  It  gives  me  pain  to 
trouble  your  Excellency  at  this  time,  when  concerns  the 
most  important  that  ever  filled  the  human  breast  must  lie  with 
weight  upon  your  mind;  but  when  I  see  promotions  all  around 
me,  and  am  told  that  your  Excellency  has  also  assured  Colo- 
nel Varnum  that  he  shall  be  promoted,  your  Excellency  will 
not  think  it  strange  that  it  should  sensibly  touch  me.  Colo- 
nel Varnum  and  myself  are  the  only  two  Colonels  that  at  the 
beginning  of  the  war  came  out  from  the  Colony  of  Rhode- 
Island.  Both  left  the  bar  there  together,  and  were  then  upon 
a  par.  Ambition,  then,  must  prompt  us  both  to  wish  at  least 
to  rise  alike,  because  in  that  Colony  there  will  and  must  of 
course  be  a  stigma  fixed  indellibly  on  the  character  of  him 
who  should  be  so  unhappy  as  not  to  be  promoted.  It  is 
true,  in  the  settlement  of  ranks  he  was  made  senior  Colonel ; 
Though  while  we  lay  at  Roxbury.  by  General  Greene's  orders, 
(for  we  came  from  the  Colony  without  any  rank  settled,)  we 
cast  lots  for  seniority,  which  I  then  obtained.  However, 
your  Excellency,  in  your  late  orders,  has  been  pleased  to  as- 
sure us  that  seniority  shall  not  determine  promotions.  What, 
then,  should  entitle  him  more  than  myself  to  preferment  I 
can't  conceive.  If  I  have  not  attended  to  the  cares  of  my 
regiment,  if  I  have  not  conducted  my  regiment  with  as  much 
prudence,  if  I  have  not  executed  every  order  and  command 
with  as  much  punctuality,  or  if  my  moral  as  well  as  military 
conduct  since  I  have  entered  the  service  under  your  Excel- 
lency has  not  been  as  exemplary  and  as  distinguished  as 
Colonel  Varnum's,  I  wish  not  to  be  promoted  with  him.  For 
the  determination  of  this,  I  will  appeal  to  General  Greene, 
who  intimately  knows  us  both.  Did  my  state  of  health  per- 
mit, I  should  have  waited  on  your  Excellency  in  person; 
but  as  yet  it  does  not,  though,  thank  God,  I  am  much  better, 
and  intend  in  a  few  days  to  help  drub  those  mercenary 
sons  of  tyranny. 

I  wish  not  to  detract  from  the  character  of  any  officer,  or 
to  do  an  act  to  prevent  any  from  promotion — I  know  it  is 
the  pride  and  ambition  of  every  military  person;  but  I  must, 
with  great  submission,  say,  that  if  I  am  so  unhappy  as  to  fall 
so  far  short  of  your  Excellency's  esteem  and  regard  as  not 
to  be  recommended  to  Congress  equally  with  Colonel  Var- 
num, in  justice  to  my  character,  (which  must  suffer  from 
whence  I  came,)  that  moment  that  he  shall  receive  prefer- 
ment and  myself  unnoticed,  I  shall  beg  leave  of  your  Excel- 


lency to  resign  my  commission  and  go  home,  and  at  the  end 
of  the  campaign  my  whole  regiment,  both  officers  and  sol- 
diers, will  follow  me.  I  don't  mention  this  as  hinting  that  I 
will  ever  be  instrumental  in  it,  because  God  forbid  I  should 
ever  thus  injure  my  country,  which  constantly  engages  my 
whole  attention;  but  such  has  been  and  such  is  now  the  am- 
bition that  runs  through  the  regiment,  because  the  regiment 
which  I  command  came  from  a  senior  County  than  that  which 
Colonel  Varnum  commands,  and  they  always  thought  they 
ought  to  have  been  the  oldest  regiment,  so  that  I  am  certain 
all  the  persuasion  that  can  be  used  will  not  then  prevent 
their  quitting  the  service. 

With  the  greatest  esteem,  and  a  readiness  to  execute  all 
commands,  I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most 

humble  servant, 

DAN.  HITCHCOCK. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Commander-in- 
Chiefofall  the  Forces  of  the  American  States,  New-York. 


COLONEL  McDOUGALL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Tuesday,  one  o'clock. 

SIR:  The  substance  of  the  examination  of  the  woman 
which  your  Excellency  directed  me  to  take,  is  as  follows, 
viz:  That  her  name  is  Mary  Debeau;  that  she  lived  with 
Mr.  John  Livingston  about  eighteen  months  ago,  and  resided 
two  weeks  in  New-  York  before  she  went  to  Staten-Mand 
the  day  the  man-of-war  passed  up  the  river;  that  she  em- 
barked with  seven  men,  good  livers  in  appearance,  and  eight 
or  nine  women  and  ten  children,  landed  to  the  right  of  the 
fleet  and  Army,  and  that  no  person  questioned  her  or  her  com- 
panions there  about  her  or  their  business,  or  any  other  sub- 
ject; that  her  errand  there  was  to  see  her  husband's  mother. 
She  can  give  no  account  of  the  state  of  the  Army  on  the 
Island,  nor  precisely  where  she  stayed.  That  she  left  that  on 
Sunday  last,  in  the  afternoon,  in  company  with  ten  or  eleven 
men  and  women,  and  passed  the  fleet  on  her  left,  and  landed 
at  the  foot  of  Leary's  Street,  (where  the  ferries  to  Powks- 
Hook  are  kept,)  between  seven  and  eight  last  night,  and 
that  the  boat  was  not  examined  in  crossing  the  bay,  nor  any 
of  the  passengers  questioned  when  they  landed ;  that  her 
husband,  John  Debeau,  is  in  our  service,  (she  thinks  in  the 
First  Battalion  of  Militia ;  that  she  knows  not  the  name  of 
any  of  her  companions  who  went  down  or  came  up  with  her, 
except  one  Cassens,  who  said  he  lived  lately  near  the  Ex- 
change; that  from  what  she  could  collect,  the  business  of 
her  companions  down  was  to  secure  a  place  of  retreat,  and 
those  who  came  up  to  take  their  families  out  of  town. 

She  answers  so  evasively,  that  1  am  at  a  loss  to  determine 
her  true  character.  I  have,  however,  had  her  searched  by 
matrons  for  papers,  but  found  none.  From  her  appearance 
and  deportment,  I  am  inclined  to  conclude  she  is  a  follower 
of  the  enemy's  Army.  And  as  the  Committee  of  the  town 
is  composed  of  persons  from  every  quarter  of  the  town,  I 
submit  it  to  your  Excellency  whether  they  will  not  be  most 
likely  to  search  this  matter  to  the  bottom,  and  discover  her 
fellow  passengers,  if  her  story  be  true. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Excellency's  very  humble 

servant,  -..  ^ 

ALEX.  MCDOUGALL. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  Head-Quarters. 


CAPTAIN  SUYDAM  S  REPORT. 

Camp,  Long-Island,  August  19,  1776. 

I,  the  subscriber,  went  down  to  Rockaway,  just  at  day- 
break, with  my  company  of  Light-Horse,  pursuant  to  an  order 
from  Brigadier-General  Heard,  to  take  care  of  some  boats. 
At  the  house  of  Van  Brockel  I  discovered  a  number 

of  men  issue  out  of  the  door  and  run,  some  of  them  partly 
dressed,  and  some  of  them  in  their  shirts  only.  Immediately 
I  ordered  my  men  to  pursue  them,  and  presently  overtook 
three  of  the  number  and  took  them  prisoners.  Two  of  them 
got  to  the  woods  and  hid  under  the  bushes.  On  finding 
them  I  ordered  them  to  surrender.  One  of  them  did ;  the 
other  absolutely  refused,  although  one  of  my  men  had  his 
gun  presented  to  his  breast;  on  which  my  men  alighted  and 
took  him.  The  prisoners'  names  are  as  follow:  James  Dick- 
erson,  Peter  Mills,  Richard  Lewis,  Person  Langdon,  and 
William  Newton.  After  I  had  taken  the  above  prisoners, 
I  examined  the  beach,  and  found  a  boat  and  four  oars  and  a 


1069 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1070 


paddle.     In  the  boat  were  three  sheep,  four  ducks,  and  a 
large  bottle  with  water. 

LAMBERTH  SUTDAM,  Captain  of  the  Troop. 

William  Newton  being  examined,  declares,  that  he  stood 
his  draught  at  New-York,  and  that  he  had  found  a  man  in  his 
stead,  and  accordingly  produced  a  certificate  from  Captain 
Steel,  in  Colonel  Remsen's  beat,  in  New-York,  certifying  the 
same ;  and  further  declares,  that  on  account  of  the  difficult 
times  in  New-York  he  left  the  city,  with  his  family,  about 
three  weeks  ago;  that  he  had,  since  he  came  here,  expressed 
his  desire  of  getting  off,  to  keep  out  of  the  way;  that  a  per- 
son (whom  he  did  not  know)  told  him  there  would  be  an 
opportunity  in  two  or  three  days;  that,  accordingly,  an  op- 
portunity offered,  and  he  and  five  others  (whose  names  he 
did  not  know)  embarked,  but  would  not  confess  where  they 
were  bound  for;  that  they  landed  at  the  beach  between  ten 
and  eleven  o'clock  last  night,  and  went  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
Van  Brocket,  between  one  and  two  o'clock ;  that  he  knew 
not  who  put  the  sheep  and  ducks  on  board.  Being  asked 
whether  the  prisoners  in  the  house  were  with  him,  he  thought 
it  was  not  a  question  which  he  was  bound  to  answer,  but 
intimated  they  were  ;  and  at  his  withdrawing,  desired  it  might 
not  be  discovered  that  he  had  intimated  it. 

Mr.  Van  Brocket,  who  lives  on  the  beach  at  Rockaway, 
declares,  that  very  late  last  night  two  men  came  and  knocked 
at  his  door,  and  after  he  had  let  them  in,  they  told  him  there 
were  four  more  out  of  doors,  and  he  asked  them  why  they 
kept  out  in  the  rain.  Declares  that  after  they  had  been  at 
his  house  between  two  and  three  hours  our  men  came  on 
them;  that  he  does  not  know  where  they  came  from,  nor 
where  they  were  going;  that  he  knew  none  of  them  but 
Pearson  Langdon. 

Pearson  Langdon  examined,  at  first  said  he  did  not  know 
where  the  boat  was  taken  from,  nor  where  it  was ;  but  after- 
wards confessed  it  belonged  to  one  Isaac  Denton;  that  they 
came  out  of  Mott's  Creek;  that  there  were  six  in  the  boat ; 
that  he  meant  only  to  keep  out  of  the  way  while  they  were 
draughting  men,  and  did  not  intend  to  go  further  than  the 
beach  where  he  was  taken;  he  does  not  know  who  put  the 
sheep  and  ducks  aboard.  Being  asked  if  the  prisoners  then 
in  the  house  were  in  the  boat,  he  said  they  were,  and  that 
the  person  who  made  his  escape  from  the  Troop  was  one 
Jonathan  Smith. 

Abraham  Probasket  being  examined,  declares,  that  yester- 
day afternoon  he  went  with  Mr.  Van  Brockel  from  Jamaica 
to  the  beach  at  the  house  of  Van  Brockel;  that  late  at  night 
some  men  came  and  knocked  at  the  door,  and  were  let  in ; 
that  he  knew  none  of  them  but  Peter  Mills;  that  this  morn- 
ing, when  the  Troop  came  up,  he  counted  the  men  that  were 
in  the  house — that  there  were  six. 

James  Dickerson  being  examined,  saith,  that  he  belongs 
to  Dutchess  County,  in  Phillips's  Patent,  a  trader  there ;  that 
last  winter  he  came  to  New-York  to  settle  some  accounts 
with  the  merchants;  that  while  he  was  in  York  the  river 
froze  up  so  that  he  could  not  return;  that  as  he  had  relations 
at  Oyster  Bay,  he  came  up  and  spent  two  or  three  months 
with  them;  that  at  his  return  into  Dutchess  County  it  was 
there  reported  he  had  been  on  board  the  man-of-war,  and 
that  there  was  a  person  who  had  been  on  board  of  the  man- 
of-war,  who  would  swear  it;  that  he  was  threatened  with 
being  sent  a  prisoner  to  the  fort  at  the  Highlands,  there  to 
be  obliged  to  roll  gravel,  and  that  they  pushed  their  bayo- 
nets into  his  guts  to  make  him  do  it;  that  he  went  to  the 
person  who  it  was  said  could  swear  to  his  being  on  board 
the  man-of-war;  that  he  carried  him  to  the  Committee,  and 
he  declared  before  the  Committee  on  oath  that  it  was  a  lie — 
that  he  had  never  said  Mr.  Dickerson  had  been  on  board 
of  the  man-of-war;  that  this  summer,  while  he  was  in  New- 
York,  a  person  told  him  of  a  person  he  had  seen  on  Long- 
Island  who  had  been  obliged  to  leave  his  home  with  a  wife 
and  eight  children ;  that  he  inquired  who  the  person  was,  and 
being  told,  he  knew  him,  and  determined  to  come  over,  find 
the  man  out,  and  carry  him  to  the  Committee  of  his  County 
to  make  up  the  matter,  so  that  the  man  might  stay  in  peace 
with  his  family;  that  he  has  been  on  the  Island  ever  since. 
Being  asked  where  he  was  going  in  the  boat,  and  whether 
he  put  the  sheep  and  ducks  on  board,  he  said  he  knew 
nothing  of  the  boat,  and  ducks  and  sheep  that  were  aboard; 
and  if  we  had  anything  to  charge  him  about  the  boat,  we 


must  prove  it.  Upon  being  told  that  he  knew  he  did  not 
speak  the  truth,  for  we  could  prove  by  the  confession  of 
one  or  two  of  the  prisoners  that  he  was  one  that  was  in  the 
boat,  he  seemed  struck  with  confusion.  Being  offered  his 
bundle  with  clothes,  if  he  would  tell  which  bundle  it  was, 
he  refused  to  own  that  he  had  any  clothes ;  but  after  two  or 
three  hours,  when  lie  found  it  did  not  avail  him  anything,  he 
then  owned  one  of  the  bundles. 

Peter  Mills,  of  Jamaica,  being  examined,  saith,  that  hear- 
ing that  one-half  of  the  Militia  was  to  be  draughted,  he 
intended  to  stand  his  draught,  and  go  himself  if  draughted, 
but  that  his  mother  would  not  let  him,  and  persuaded  him 
to  keep  out  of  the  way;  that  the  reason  of  his  being  on  the 
beach  was,  that  Mr.  Lewis  had  a  desire  to  see  the  beach, 
which  he  had  not  seen  for  a  great  many  years ;  that  he  went 
with  said  Lewis;  denied  his  going  in  the  boat  with  the  others, 
or  that  he  knew  anything  of  the  sheep  or  ducks;  said  that 
he  had  no  other  clothes  with  him  but  what  he  had  on  his 
body;  but  he  likewise  afterwards  owned  one  of  the  bundles. 

Mr.  Lewis  being  examined,  saith,  that  he  lives  in  West- 
chester;  that  he  came  over  here  after  a  legacy  that  was  left 
him  by  his  grandfather;  that  he  met  with  Mills  at  his  uncle 
Mott's;  that  they  two  went  alone  to  the  beach;  walked  it 
afoot;  first  said  it  was  about  eleven  at  night,  but  being  asked 
if  he  saw  anything  of  the  boat  at  the  beach,  he  said  yes, 
that  he  saw  them  when  they  first  got  to  the  beach  in  the 
evening.  Being  told  how  he  had  contradicted  himself  about 
the  time  of  night  he  arrived  at  the  beach,  and  that  it  did 
not  avail  his  denying  being  aboard  of  the  boat,  for  that  we 
had  positive  proof  he  was,  he  said  he  heard  we  could  prove 
it,  confessed  they  were  all  equally  concerned  in  the  boat. 

The  above  examinations  taken  at  the  Widow  Fosster's,  at 
Rockaway,  August  18,  1776,  before  the  Captain  of  the 

Troop  and  the  subscriber.  T  D 

JOSEPH  KOBINSON. 


GENERAL  SCHCYLEH  TO  COLONEL  SETH  REED. 

Head-Quarters,  Albany,  August  19,  1776. 
It  having  been  represented  to  General  Schuyler  that  Colo- 
nel Seth  Reed  is  much  indisposed,  and  that  it  is  probable  a 
change  of  air  would  conduce  to  the  reestablishment  of  his 
health,  the  General  grants  him  leave  to  absent  himself  from 
his  regiment  until  such  time  as  his  health  shall  be  so  far  re- 
stored as  to  enable  him  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  station. 
By  order  of  the  General : 

JOHN  LANSING,  Jun.,  A.  Sec'y. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  ALBANY,  DATED  AUGUST  19, 

1776. 

General  Schuyler  is  returned  from  the  German-Flats, 
where  he  had  to  feed  and  satisfy  nearly  fifteen  hundred 
Indians.  They  promise  a  strict  neutrality.  Some  scalps 
have  been  taken  near  Oneida  Lake.  A  scouting  party  of 
ours  were  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians,  three  killed  and 
scalped,  two  wounded  and  escaped,  and  fell  in  with  some 
of  the  Indians  that  had  been  at  the  treaty,  who  brought  them 
safe  to  Fort  Stanwix.  A  report  of  a  large  body  of  troops 
from  Canada  at  Fort  Ontario,  and  that  Claus  and  Butler 
are  there.  You  will  see  Carkton's  orders  of  the  7th  of 
August,  which  were  brought  by  Major  Bigelow,  who  went 
with  a  flag  of  truce  to  carry  the  Declaration  of  Independency 
and  the  resolutions  of  Congress  relative  to  the  affair  at  the 
Cedars.  An  officer  who  went  on  a  reconnoitre  at  St.  John's 
and  Chambly,  fell  in  with  a  regular  officer  on  horseback, 
alone,  on  the  road  between  La  Prairie  and  St.  Johns,  sum- 
moned him  to  surrender  himself  prisoner,  but  he,  clapping 
spurs  to  his  horse,  rode  off;  our  officer  fired  at  and  shot  him. 
He  appears  to  have  been  a  Brigadier-General,  of  the  name 
of  Gordon. 


H.  GLEN  TO  WALTER  LIVINGSTON. 

Schenectady,  August  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  wrote  you  on  Saturday  concerning  Mr. 
Ten  Eyck's  flour,  and  had  expected  your  answer  the  same 
day,  as  I  have  sixty  batteaumen  here  waiting  for  a  loading, 
and  unless  I  have  Mr.  TenEyck's  flour,  I  cannot  load  them. 
I  now  send  my  negro  boy  express,  and  expect  he  won't  be 
detained  long.  Mr.  Ten  Eyck  will  expect  the  price  you 
give  the  merchants  in  Albany. 


1071 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1072 


I  would  be  glad  to  know  what  I  must  give  for  peas. 
Here  are  some  peas  to  be  got.  And  should  there  be  any 
hard  soap  in  store,  Colonel  Dayton's  regiment  is  much  in 
want  of  it.  Pray  order  some  over  early  in  the  morning,  that 
it  may  go  off  in  the  boats  I  am  going  to  send. 

Mr.  Abraham  Fonda  was  with  me,  and  tells  me  he  has  a 
number  of  barrels  lie  has  made  to  send  off  to  the  West- 
Indies,  but  they  are  larger  than  common — cost  him  2*.  6rf., 
and  if  I  will  give  that  price, .lie  will  pack  them  with  flour. 

Your  answer  by  this  express  I  hope  will  be,  that  I  may 
satisfy  all  the  flour  merchants  here.  They  seem  all  to  have 
some  complaint  in  regard  to  the  flour  casks.  1  shall  have 
occasion  for  all  their  flour  before  fall. 

Mr.  Ten  Eyck  is  very  particular  in  having  as  much  now 
and  at  any  other  time  as  the  Albany  merchants ;  and  don't 
forget  to  send  me  an  order  that  I  must  have  his  one  hundred 
barrels  his  son  had  engaged  to  send  to  Fort  George. 

Yours,  &.c.,  H.  GLEN. 

To  Walter  Livingston,  Esq.,  Dcp.  Com'y  General. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  19, 1776. 

SIR:  This  day  Colonel  fVoodbridge  and  his  Major  arrived 
at  the  suburbs  of  our  encampment,  and  were  stopped  by  a 
sentinel  which  I  had  placed  there,  because  they  had  been 
lately  inoculated.  I  have  ordered  them  to  remove  to  some 
distance  back  in  the  country,  and  to  keep  themselves  pri- 
vate from  those  who  may  be  on  their  march  to  this  place, 
till  further  orders.  They  have  been  cleansed  a  little  more 
than  a  week.  I  should  be  glad  of  particular  advice  from 
your  Honour  in  this  case,  and  it  shall  be  strictly  observed. 

With  respect  to  the  tent-poles  you  mention  in  your  last, 
I  have  just  seen  the  Commissary  of  Massachusetts  State, 
and  he  informs  me  that  five  hundred  sets  of  tent-poles  were 
brought  from  Watertown  within  seventy  miles  of  this  place, 
two  hundred  of  which  will  be  delivered  at  Ticonderoga,  and 
the  remainder  are  left  at  the  distance  above  mentioned,  on 
account  of  the  badness  of  the  roads,  and  cannot  be  brought 
on  without  an  immense  expense.  This  is  the  report  of  the 
Commissary,  Mr.  Abbot,  to  me.  He  further  says  that  he 
has  desired  the  Captains  to  take  off  the  irons,  and  order  the 
soldiers  to  bring  them  on  in  their  packs.  He  says  the  re- 
mainder of  the  tents  will  certainly  be  here  to-morrow  night, 
and  they  shall  be  forwarded  to  you  with  all  expedition. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 

servant)  DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  Colonel  Mott  arrived  here  yesterday,  and  upon  in- 
quiry I  find  he  has  been  diligent  in  preparing  his  regiment 
for  their  march  to  this  place,  the  greater  part  of  which  are 
on  the  ground.  The  only  company  behind  will  be  in  in  a 
day  or  two.  He  has  just  received  the  melancholy  news  of 
his  wife's  death,  and  is  in  great  affliction,  as  he  has  left  three 
young  children  behind  him,  without  anybody  to  take  care  of 
them  but  the  servants.  On  this  account,  as  well  as  because 
a  number  of  valuable  papers  were  left  only  under  the  care 
of  his  wife,  which  require  the  immediate  protection  of  some 
faithful  person,  he  applied  to  me  for  leave  to  go  home,  and 
to  be  absent  about  three  weeks.  I  thought  proper  to  refer 
him  to  your  Honour  on  this  head,  not  doubting  but  that  you 
will  readily  comply  with  his  request.  1  would  acquaint 
your  Honour  that  1  have  met  with  a  bad  wound  in  my  leg, 
which  at  present  confines  me,  but  hope  to  be  about  in  a  day 
or  two. 

This  moment  I  have  received  a  letter  from  General  Schuy- 
ler,  fully  justifying  my  conduct  in  my  late  orders  respecting 
the  officers  referred  to  in  this,  who  are  just  come  out  of 
inoculation. 


viding  some  tents,  which  I  have  procured,  and  they  are 
coming  within  twenty  miles  of  this  place.  I  had  one  com- 
pany come  in  this  morning,  and  another  will  be  in  this 
evening  or  to-morrow  morning,  who  are  yet  destitute  of  any 
camp-kettles ;  othersvise,  I  believe,  the  regiment  will  be  pretty 
well  equipped  for  service. 

I  have  now  to  inform  your  Honour,  that  about  thirty 
miles  back  on  the  road,  I  received  a  letter  forwarded  by  his 
Honour  Governour  Trumbull,  by  which  I  am  informed  that 
my  wife,  who  I  left  in  a  perfect  state  of  health,  died  the  sixth 
day  after  I  came  from  home.  I  lost  one  child  a  few  weeks 
before  I  came  from  home,  and  an  infant  child  since,  by  which 
my  family  is  reduced  to  only  three  small  children,  the  oldest 
under  nine  years,  and  no  other  person  belonging  to  the 
family.  I  left  my  keys  and  all  my  papers  in  the  care  of  no 
other  persons  but  her  who  is  now  taken  away.  I  have 
papers  of  the  utmost  consequence,  and  notes  of  hand,  &.C., 
to  the  amount  of  near  £  1,000,  lawful  money;  and  God  only 
knows  what  will  become  of  either  my  three  small  motherless 
children  or  my  interest,  unless  I  have  liberty  for  about  fifteen 
or  twenty  days  to  go  and  take  a  little  care  of  them.  I  have 
been  hitherto  wholly  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  country, 
and  have  been  steady  in  the  business  since  the  war  began; 
but  I  have  still  remaining  some  feelings  for  those  tender  con- 
nexions of  wife  and  children;  of  the  former,  according  to  the 
Divine  decree,  I  am  deprived ;  and  unless  I  can  have  liberty 
to  go  for  a  few  days  and  attend  to  the  latter,  I  fear  my  present 
state  of  mind  will  not  admit  of  my  being  of  any  service 
here.  General  Waterbury  thought  I  had  better  write  to  jour 
Honour,  not  doubting  my  obtaining  permission.  If  I  thought 
it  were  for  the  good  of  the  service  that  I  should  resign  the 
regiment,  or  if  your  Honour  should  be  of  that  opinion,  1  shall 
readily  do  it,  rather  than  be  deprived  of  seeing  and  taking  a 
few  days'  care  of  the  remaining  small  children  I  have  left. 
The  gentleman  who  waits  on  your  Honour  with  this  is  the 
Lieutenant-Colonel  of  my  regiment,  whom  I  beg  leave  to 
recommend  to  your  favour  and  notice,  who  will  aliO  be  able 
to  inform  your  Honour  more  particularly. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  Honour's  most  obedient 
and  humble  servant,  ^m..  MOTT. 

To  the  Honourable  General  Gates. 


COLONEL  MOTT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  19,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  arrived  here  yesterday  from  Connecti- 
cut, my  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  some  other  officers  of  my 
regiment  with  me.  I  should  have  been  here  long  ago,  but 
could  not  possibly  get  my  regiment  equipped.  It  was  with 
the  utmost  difficulty,  in  that  part  of  Connecticut  where  my 
regiment  was  raised,  tlint  I  got  the  men  armed.  I  have  lost 
no  time  in  arming  and  equipping  the  regiment,  and  pro- 


FIELD-OFFICERS    AT    TICONDEROGA    TO    THE    PRESIDENT   OF 
CONGRESS. 

Ticonderoga,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  taken  the  liberty  to  enclose  to  you  some 
papers,  containing  part  of  the  proceedings  of  a  General 
Court-Martial  lately  held  here,  which  we  beg  you  will  lay 
before  Congress.  We  are  sorry  to  take  up  any  part  of  your 
time  with  them,  but  we  have  been  forced  to  it  by  General 
Arnold's  appeal;  an  appeal,  however,  which  we  believe  is 
heretofore  unheard-of,  as  it  is  from  the  sentence  of  a  Gene- 
ral Court-Martial.  We  have  sent  an  account  of  the  trans- 
actions as  they  happened,  naked  and  unadorned,  for  we  are 
under  no  apprehensions  of  censure,  conscious  that  we  had 
nothing  but  the  good  of  our  country  and  the  discipline  of  the 
Army  in  view.  If  we  deserve  censure  at  all,  we  conceive 
it  to  be  for  not  having  exercised  that  power  we  were  cer- 
tainly invested  with,  but  which  we  declined  upon  motives 
of  consideration  for  the  General,  in  hopes  he  might  thereby 
have  become  sensible  of  the  impropriety  of  his  conduct,  and 
saved  us  a  very  disagreeable  alternative.  That  it  had  not  that 
effect  was  not  our  fault.  We  will  detain  you  but  one  minute 
longer  whilst  we  make  this  remark,  viz :  there  must  be  in 
the  Army  (as  in  every  other  society)  some  supreme  court 
of  dernier  resort;  whether  a  General  Court-Martial  be  that 
court  or  not  lies  with  Congress  to  determine. 

We  have  the  honour  of  subscribing  ourselves  your  Hon- 
our's most  obedient,  humble  servants,  &tc., 

ENOCH  POOR,  ISRAEL  SHHEVE, 

WM.  MAXWELL,        THOS.  POOR, 
WILLIAM  BOND,        JOTHAM  LORING, 
Z.  P.  DE  HAAS,       ANTHO.  J.  MORRIS, 
ELISHA  PORTER,       NICHS.  HAUSSEGGER, 
FRANCIS  JOHNSTON,  JOHN  SEDGWICK. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock. 

N.  B.  The  members  of  the  Court-Martial  whose  names 
are  not  subscribed  are  on  command. 


1073 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1074 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Tyonderoga,  August  19,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Enclosed  is  an  exact  copy  of  the  orders  and 
letters  I  sent  you  yesterday  morning  at  six  o'clock,  which  I 
am  surprised  not  to  find  complied  with  by  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
Wyrikoop  at  this  post.  I  desire  that  matter  may  be  no 
longer  delayed,  and  that  he  be  sent,  as  I  have  already  or- 
dered, immediately,  under  arrest,  to  me  at  Tyonderoga. 

I  am,  sir,  &tc.,  HORATIO  GATES. 

To  General  Arnold. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Tyonderoga,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  Last  night  I  was  honoured  with  the  receipt  of  your 
Excellency's  letter  of  the  12th  instant.  Mine  of  the  llth 
must,  before  this,  have  reached  Lebanon.  Enclosed  I  send 
your  Excellency  a  list  of  the  fleet  of  the  United  States  now 
at  Crown-Point,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Briga- 
dier-General Arnold.  As  soon  as  the  three  row-galleys, 
now  almost  completed  at  Skeneslorough,  are  finished,  I  shall 
despatch  them,  with  those  equipping  here,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Brigadier  fVaterbury,  to  reinforce  the  squadron  now 
with  General  Arnold.  These  two  gentlemen  are  intimately 
acquainted  with  maritime  affairs,  and  being  also  men  of  un- 
doubted character  and  honour,  I  have  the  greatest  reason  to 
hope  for  success  from  the  united  endeavours  of  such  expe- 
rienced officers.  This  Army,  in  particular,  and  the  Con- 
tinent in  general,  are  under  the  greatest  obligations  to  your 
Excellency  for  the  care  and  attention  you  so  constantly  exert 
to  serve  them.  The  small-pox  is  the  enemy  I  now  dread 
the  most,  and  am  straining  every  nerve  to  annihilate  the 
infection.  In  this  I  fear  I  am  counteracted  by  some  atro- 
cious villains;  but  that  Providence  which  governs  and  directs 
all  things,  will,  I  trust,  preserve  this  Army,  and  finally  rescue 
America  from  the  tyranny  with  which  it  is  threatened. 

I  am,  sir,  &,c.  HORATIO  GATES. 

To  His  Excellency  Jonathan  TrumbuU. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  REV.  MR.  OLCOTT. 

Tyonderoga,  August  19,  1776. 

REVEREND  SIR  :  Being  entirely  unacquainted  at  Number 
Four,  my  respect  for  your  character  induces  me  to  send  you 
enclosed  a  copy  of  my  letter  of  the  llth  instant  to  Major 
Hawley,  and  to  request  you  will  prevail  upon  the  Chairman 
of  your  Committee  of  Safety  instantly  to  assemble  the  Com- 
mittee, and  call  before  them  a  certain  Dr.  Stevens,  whom  I 
would  have  sworn  as  to  the  number  of  the  officers  and  sol- 
diers of  the  Army  that  he  has  inoculated  as  they  passed 
through  Charlestown  upon  their  march  hither.  When  that 
is  done,  I  desire  the  Doctor,  with  his  poison,  may  be  sent  to 
close  confinement  in  some  place  remote  from  the  route  taken 
by  the  troops  in  their  march  to  Tyonderoga.  I  must  further 
entreat  you,  sir,  to  recommend  it  to  the  Committee  to  give 
strict  orders  to  have  every  officer  and  soldier  who  has  had 
the  disease  to  be  perfectly  cleansed  before  they  are  permit- 
ted to  march  to  Tyonderoga. 

You  will  most  eminently  serve  your  country  by  comply- 
ing with  this  request,  and  lay  a  lasting  obligation  upon, 
reverend  sir,  your  most  obedient, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Rev.  Mr.  Olcott,  Charlestown,  Number  Four. 


COMMISSARY  GILBERT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Charlestown,  No.  4,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  I  would  inform  your  Excellency  of  my  proceedings 
here,  and  likewise  of  the  proceedings  of  others.  I  have  used 
my  utmost  endeavours  to  forward  the  troops  through  this 
place,  with  provisions  for  their  march  to  Ticonderoga.  By 
the  order  from  the  Commissary-General,  I  have  met  with 
great  difficulty  in  getting  provisions  for  the  Army,  on  the 
account  of  the  country  being  not  well  stocked  with  provi- 
sions and  the  shortness  of  time  that  I  had  in  getting  them. 
Sir,  I  would  inform  your  Excellency  that  I  have  had  a  suffi- 
ciency to  supply  any  number  that  is  come  to  this  town  since 
I  arrived  here.  The  gentlemen  may  say  they  have  been  de- 
tained for  the  want  of  provisions,  but  I  can  make  it  appear, 
by  all  the  gentlemen  in  this  place,  that  that  is  not  the  thing 
that  detained  them.  Some  companies  were  here  seven, 
eight,  and  nine  days,  and  would  not  march,  for  the  reason 
that  their  Field-Officers  were  not  come  up.  One  company, 
(Captain  Howard's,  belonging  to  Colonel  Brewer's,)  would 
not  march  forward,  on  account  of  his  people  suffering  in  the 
woods  for  the  want  of  kettles  and  canteens,  much  fearful  of 
cooking  his  provision  on  the  road.  I  told  him  that  I  would 
let  him  have  a  barrel  of  pork  in  his  company,  in  case  he 
could  not  cook  on  the  road.  Colonel  Brewer  sent  discre- 
tionary orders  for  him  to  go  forward,  if  he  could  get  provi- 
sions here  for  his  march ;  and  in  case  he  could  not,  to  return 
back  by  the  way  of  Bennington,  where  they  have  proceeded. 
Sir,  I  have  got  enough  to  supply  .any  number  that  will  come 
this  way  this  season,  bound  to  the  Army  at  Ticonderoga. 

From  your  most  humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  GILBERT,  Dep.  Commissary. 


COLONEL  SEYMOUR  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Hartford,  August  19,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  The  general  (and  perhaps  too  severe) 
method  adopted  by  the  Militia  here,  that  none  would  go, 
unless  all  went,  to  New-York,  has  stripped  us  so  much  of 
men  and  arms,  that  the  inhabitants  feel  themselves  under 
some  apprehensions,  considering  the  number  of  prisoners 
here  and  the  guard  we  are  obliged  to  keep  every  night;  in 
short,  our  guard  has  failed  already,  principally  for  want  of 
sufficient  arms,  which,  with  some  repairing,  might  answer 
the  present  purpose.  One  George  Burnham,  of  this  place, 
one  of  the  Militia,  has  been  detained,  by  advice  of  the  gen- 
tlemen of  the  town,  till  this  time,  who  is  our  only  armourer 
left.  He  must  join  his  company  this  week,  unless  your 
Honour  can  give  orders  for  his  detention.  He  can  scarcely 
be  called  an  able-bodied  man.  It  will  undoubtedly  be  more 
for  the  publick  safety  and  advantage  to  keep  him  here,  than  let 
him  go,  especially  as  he  is  likely  to  be  constantly  employed 
in  repairing  arms.  Must  beg  your  Honour's  answer  as  soon 
as  may  be  upon  this  subject. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  your  Honour's  obedient,  humble 

servant,  „,          e 

IHOS.  SEYMOUR. 

To  the  Honourable  Governour  TrumbuU,  at  Lebanon. 

P.  S.  Major  Newbery  thought  he  might  be  excused,  but 
the  company  he  belonged  to  was  so  strenuous,  that  nothing 
would  satisfy  them — all  must  go  or  none.'  However,  they 
are  gone,  with  expectation  he  will  join,  unless  excused  by 
your  Honour. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  19,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  yours  of  yesterday,  and  have 
ordered  Commodore  Wynkoop  to  Head-Quarters.  No  other 
person  in  the  fleet  has  disrespected  my  orders.  1  believe 
the  Commodore  was  really  of  opinion  that  neither  of  us  had 
authority  to  command  him.  He  now  seems  convinced  to 
the  contrary,  and  is  sorry  for  his  disobedience  of  orders.  If 
it  can  be  done  with  propriety,  I  wish  he  may  be  permitted 
to  return  home  without  being  cashiered. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  dear  General,  your  obedient, 
humble  servant. 

r5.  ARNOLD. 

To  Major-General  Gates. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  68 


REV.  WILLIAM  GORDON  TO  GENERAL  GATES.       , 

Jamaica  Plains,  August  19,  1776. 

FRIEND  GATES  :  I  am  suspicious  lest  we  have  some  low- 
lived fellows  at  Watertown  who  open  letters  from  Ticonde- 
roga; but  as  I  can  scarcely  believe  they  will  venture  to  look 
into  one  directed  for  your  Honour,  have  therefore  written 
to  you  instead  of  Colonel  TrumbuU.  Miss  Tyler  expected 
to  hear  from  him  on  Saturday,  but  there  was  no  packet; 
however,  she  learned  from  Edcs,  the  printer,  that  there  was 
a  paper,  giving  an  account  of  Carleton's  approach,  to  the 
Congress,  letter,  &c.,  which  he  designed  to  publish  to-day, 
some  things  in  it  excepted,  which  he  said  ought  not  to  be 
published.  How  the  paper  came,  and  who  had  it,  when  he 
was  inquired  of  about  it,  he  could  not  tell.  1  am  jealous 
that  paper  was  the  Colonel's,  and  was  designed  for  Miss 
Tyler.  You  will  examine  into  that  circumstance,  and  let 
me  know.  Have  desired  one  of  the  Council  to  inquire  of 


1075 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1076 


Edes,  that  the  affair  may  be  discovered  if  possible,  mention- 
ing what  fatal  consequences  may  arise  if  letters  are  opened 
after  that  manner. 

Learn  that  the  week  before  last  our  friends  at  New-York 
were  much  in  the  same  state  as  at  the  beginning  of  last 
January.  If  our  dilatoriness  does  not  ruin  y^,  we  shall  be 
indebted  to  a  special  Providence.  A  vessel  from  Portugal 
brings  word  that  the  Empress  of  Russia  is  dead,  and  that 
the  Portuguese  expect  to  be  attacked  by  the  Spaniards, 
unless  a  match  should  prevent  it;  but  should  Portugal  and 
its  appendages  become  annexed  to  Spain  by  marriage,  that 
will  destroy  the  political  balance  of  Europe  as  fully  as  though 
effected  by  conquest.  This  way  we  have  a  deal  of  rain, 
but  are  healthy,  and  have  the  prospect  of  great  plenty. 
Could  I  get  somebody  to  preach  for  me  a  few  Lord's  days, 
would,  Heaven  permitting,  visit  you  and  our  friends  at  New- 
York;  but  the  difficulty  of  procuring  supplies  makes  my 
coming  somewhat  uncertain.  We  go  on  taking  vessels  with 
rum  and  sugar.  Not  having  had  any  flying  reports  of  the 
enemy's  attacking  New-York,  infer  there  was  nothing  of 
that  kind  on  Thursday  morning.  Wish  to  have  the  cam- 
paign wear  away  without  their  doing  anything,  unless  I  could 
be  assured  that  they  would  be  beaten  ;  but  that  must  be  left 
with  infinite  Wisdom.  We  are  poor  judges  what  will  be  best 
for  the  whole  family  of  God — I  mean  all  created  intelligen- 
ces. We  must  therefore  leave  everything  with  Him  who 
will  execute  his  own  wise  purposes.  My  respects  to  Colonel 
Trumbull  and  others. 

Your  affectionate  friend,  WILLIAM  GORDON. 

To  General  Gates,  at  Ticonderoga. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  of  the  12th  instant  I  received  on  Saturday 
evening.  I  gave  immediate  attention  to  your  orders,  and  as 
it  was  judged  extremely  difficult,  if  not  impracticable,  to  con- 
vey the  mortars  by  land,  I  gave  orders  to  the  proper  persons 
to  prepare  everything  necessary  for  conveying  them  by 
water,  and  to  work  day  and  night  until  they  were  completed. 
This  day  they  will  go  on  board  of  lighters  to  Sandwich, 
from  which  place  they  are  to  be  conveyed  over  the  narrow 
neck  of  land  to  a  place  called  Buzzard's  Bay,  where  they 
will  be  put  on  board  two  lighters,  and  conveyed  to  Rhode- 
Island,  from  thence,  keeping  near  the  land,  to  New-York. 

1  ordered  they  should  be  put  on  board  two  vessels  for  the 
greater  safety,  that  if  one  should  meet  with  any  misfortune, 
the  other  might  perhaps  go  safe.     I  have  given  Mr.  Davis, 
Deputy  Barrack  master,  the  care  of  them,  as  he  was  well 
acquainted  with  the  coast,  and  have  directed  him  to  make  all 
possible  despatch  in  conveying  the  mortars  with  their  appur- 
tenances to  New-  York. 

An  invoice  of  them  is  as  follows:  2  Sea-Mortars,  with 
upper  and  under  beds;  1  Truck-Carriage;  1  dozen  Hand- 
spikes; 4  Iron  Crows;  2  Spruce  Poles,  for  a  pair  of  Shears; 

2  Hoisting-Tackles ;   3  Guis ;  2  pair  of  Slings ;  4  Luff- 
Tackles;  2  coils  of  small  Cordage. 

I  have  ordered  Ensign  Gould  with  his  party  (who  were 
going  to  New-York  by  land)  to  go  on  board  the  vessels  as 
a  guard,  lest  the*  enemy  should  send  their  boats  from  some 
of  their  cruisers  and  attack  the  lighters. 

Great  is  our  solicitude  for  you  and  the  Army  under  your 
command  at  New-York,  as  we  are  in  constant  expectation 
of  the  enemy's  making  a  violent  attack.  May  the  God  of 
armies  give  you  success. 

I  am,  your  Excellency's  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 
To  General  Washington. 


THOMAS  W.  WALDRON  TO  MESHECH  WEARE. 

Dover,  N.  H.,  August  19,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  This  is  intended  by  Stephen  Evans, 
Esq.,  who  goes  to  Exeter  on  Mr.  Mitchell's  affair,  with  an 
inventory  of  the  goods  in  his  store  at  Dover  the  9th  of  July 
last.  It  was  thought  best  that  the  new  manoeuvre  should 
be  attended  by  the  major  part  of  our  Committee.  With  re- 
luctance I  attended  to  make  it  a  majority,  and  shuddered  to 
think  the  first  governmental  act  I  was  concerned  in  after  a 
Declaration  of  Independency  appeared  oppressive.  I  de- 
clined signing  the  inventory  as  Chairman,  at  the  same  time 


saying,  if  it  was  necessary  it  should  have  such  a  signature.  I 
was  ready  to  join  in  appointing  another,  the  rather  as  I  did 
not  mean  any  court  should  have  my  name  to  an  affair  that 
appeared  to  me  no  better  supported. 

If  the  present  struggle  is  to  preserve  the  undelegated 
rights  of  Americans  for  themselves,  posterity,  and  such  as 
have  or  shall  emigrate  hither,  and  the  McMasters  (a  sot  of 
Scotch  pedlars,  such  as  are  to  be  found  from  end  to  end  of 
the  Continent  where  a  boat  from  the  sea  can  be  waterborne,) 
are  not  friends  to  our  endeavours  for  freedom,  does  it  comport 
with  any  ideas  of  the  liberty  contended  for,  or  the  rectitude, 
justice,  and  honour  intended  by  our  liberation  from  island 
lords,  to  take  from  them  or  others,  on  slight  evidence,  their 
books,  papers,  and  effects,  without  shadow  of  trial,  and  con- 
trary to  the  practice  of  any  but  despotick  States?  and  won't 
it  sound  harsh  in  the  ears  of  those  we  have  or  may  invite  to 
a  connexion  with  us  ? 

I  suppose  the  act  excluding  the  Stuart  family  was  dis- 
agreeable to  one-third  at  least  of  the  people,  yet  I  don't 
remember  to  have  heard  of  any  coercive  steps  taken  but 
against  those  who  were  in  actual  opposition  to  the  Hanover 
succession  ;  so  if  some  few  or  many  do  not  think  our  oppo- 
sition to  Ministerial  mandates  just,  and  keep  within  the  line 
of  their  own  affairs,  how  can  it  be  avoided,  seeing  men  have 
it  no  more  in  their  power  to  think  than  look  alike?  (while  the 
Colonies  have  reason  to  joy  in  unparalleled  unanimity.)  But 
these  things  apart,  I  suppose  no  step  could  have  been  taken 
so  agreeable  to  the  Company  as  that  ordered  by  the  Colony 
Committee;  hence  they  will  avail  themselves  by  saying  their 
goods  are  confiscated,  and  they  thereby  disenabled  doing  their 
creditors  justice.  Such  ideas  I  realized  and  communicated 
to  most  of  our  Committee  before  the  order  about  the  goods 
was  sent  from  Exeter  hither. 

As  there  are  men  at  this  day  (and  clothed  with  power, 
too)  who  smell  treason  in  everything  beyond  their  ken,  as 
well  as  in  ideas  different  from  their  own,  (sublime  ones,) 
these  free  thoughts  are  sent  you,  in  full  confidence  that  they 
will  be  kept  from  the  eyes  of  such  pests  to  everything  valu- 
able from  the  cradle  to  their  coffin. 

Wishing  politeness,  justice,  and  lenity  among  the  shining 
characteristicks  of  the  American  States,  and  that  the  guides 
through  present  difficulties  may  have  Divine  direction,  I  am, 
honourable  and  dear  sir,  your  most  respectful,  humble  ser- 
vant, THOS.  W.  WALDRON. 

Hon.  Meshech  Weare,  Esq.,  at  Hampton  Falls,  or  Exeter. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  TO  A  GENTLEMAN  IN  LONDON,  DATED 
ST.  AUGUSTINE,  AUGUST  20,  1776. 

The  smallest  degree  of  sense  or  prudence  must  have  shown 
any  person  the  necessity  of  keeping  this  weak,  infant  Pro- 
vince as  much  as  possible  in  a  state  of  neutrality;  instead  of 
which  our  rulers  have  been  spiriting  up  the  Creek  and 
Cherokee  Indians  to  fall  upon  the  frontiers  of  Georgia  and 
Carolina.  The  Creeks  have  been  prudent  enough  to  re- 
main quiet,  but  the  unfortunate  Cherokces  have  been  the 
dupes  of  such  advice.  They  have  murdered  many  women 
and  children  on  the  borders  of  Carolina,  but  they  are  now 
suffering  very  severely  for  it. 

Not  content  with  this  Indian  business,  Messrs.  Moore  and 
Clarke,  at  the  head  of  a  body  of  plunderers,  have  been  sent 
into  the  Province  of  Georgia.  These  freebooters,  in  the 
most  cruel  and  wanton  manner,  destroyed  the  crops,  broke 
up  the  plantations,  drove  off  the  cattle,  and  carried  away  the 
negroes  belonging  to  several  of  the  Georgia  planters.  The 
Militia  of  that  Province  assembled  under  Colonel  Mackin- 
tosh, and  have  retaliated  on  the  miserable  Colony  of  East- 
Florida.  Every  settlement  to  the  northward  of  St.  John's 
River  is  broken  up,  particularly  Lord  Egmont's,  and  the 
planters  thrown  in  the  greatest  distress.  The  party  of  troops 
stationed  at  the  new  fort  on  St.  Mary's  River  are  made  pri- 
soners, as  are  also  Sir  James  Wright's  two  brothers,  Charles 
and  Jermyn.  We  have  not  yet  learned  what  Colonel  Mack- 
intosh intends  further — whether  he  means  to  come  here  or 
return  into  Georgia. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JESSE    HOLL1NGSWORTH. 
[No.  152.]  Annapolis,  August  20,  1776. 

SIR:  There  is  a  quantity  of  flint-stone  at  Emerson's  ware 
house,  on  Wye  River.     We  want  a  person  that  understands 
the  manufacturing  of  flints.    If  any  such  person  is  to  be  had 


1077 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1078 


in  Baltimore,  send  him  to  the  Council  of  Safety  immediately, 
and  he  will  meet  with  proper  encouragement.    We  are,  Sic. 

To  Mr.  Jesse  Hollingsworth. 

CAPTAIN  DAHNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
Queen  Anne's  County,  August  20,  1776. 

SIR:  It  is  with  pleasure  I  acquaint  you  that  my  company 
is  really  armed,  and  vastly  anxious  to  receive  their  marching 
orders.  We  are  still  unprovided  with  camp  equipage.  We 
have,  I  suppose,  twenty  blankets,  and  expect  some  brought 
in  to-d:.'y  to  our  Committee. 

There  has  a  report  prevailed  among  us,  though  not  much 
credited,  that  the  arms  in  our  hands  were  to  be  put  into  the 
hands  of  Captain  Dean's  company.  Such  an  order,  1  verily 
believe,  would  give  general  dissatisfaction  to  the  company, 
as  there  has  been  a  great  deal  of  pains  taken  by  many  in 
the  company  to  procure  arms.  Am  not  under  the  least 
doubt  but  if  camp  equipage  can  be  provided,  we  shall  be 
ready  to  march  the  first  of  next  week.  We  are  much  in  want 
of  linen,  therefore  shall  stand  in  need  of  your  assistance:  I  am 
told  the  Council  have  a  quantity  by  them.  Shall  be  glad  of 
an  order  from  you  for  two  bolts  of  osnaburgs,  and  the  camp 
equipage  necessary  for  my  company,  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant,      JQHN 

To  William  Richardson,  Esq.,  Caroline  County. 


ISAAC  GRIEST  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFF.TY. 
Baltimore-Town,  August  20,  1776,  twelve  o'clock,  P.  M. 

GENTLEMEN:  1  have  just  delivered  the  knap  and  haver- 
sacks to  Mr.  Hurtt  for  the  two  companies,  with  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  brushes  and  priming-wires,  which  is  all  we 
have  in  Baltimore,  and  these  are  but  this  hour  made  ready. 
Mr.  Hurtt  is  going  off  this  afternoon.  He  can  get  no  more 
brushes  till  they  come  from  Lancaster.  Pray  is  the  Flying- 
Camp  to  be  furnished  with  bayonet-belts  out  of  the  maga- 
zine? Colonel  Hall  wants  them  slung.  Pray  let  me  know 
by  Mr.  Johnson. 

Yours  to  command,  I.  GRIEST. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 

N.  B.  I  wrote  you  by  Mr.  Johnson  on  yesterday,'  but  he 
did  not  get  away  till  this  day.  J.  G. 


Philadelphia,  August  20,  1776. 

We  are  informed  by  the  Captain  of  a  vessel  belonging  to 
this  city,  who  escaped  a  few  days  ago  from  Staten-Island, 
that  the  German  troops  lately  arrived  from  Halifax  are 
landed  on  the  Island,  where  it  is  said  they  are  to  wait  the 
arrival  of  another  reinforcement  (which  is  hourly  expected) 
before  the  attack  will  be  made  on  New-York.  He  adds, 
that  the  British  troops  speak  with  great  contempt  of  Gene- 
ral Washington's  Army,  and  are  assured  that  they  will  have 
the  pleasure  of  soon  meeting  and  spending  the  winter  with 
General  Burgoyne  and  his  troops  in  New-York. 


EXTRACT  OF    A  LETTER  RECEIVED    IN  WILLIAMSBURGH,  VIR- 
GINIA, DATED  PHILADELPHIA,  AUGOST  20,    1776. 

We  have  been  in  hourly  expectation  of  the  great  decision 
at  New-York,  but  it  has  not  yet  happened.  About  three 
nights  ago,  an  attempt  was  made  to  burn  the  two  ships  which 
had  gone  up  the  river.  One  of  the  two  fire-rafts  prepared 
for  that  purpose  grappled  the  Phenix  ten  minutes,  but  was 
cleared  away  at  last.  A  tender,  however,  was  burnt.  The 
two  ships  came  down  on  Sunday  evening,  and  passed  all 
our  batteries  again  with  impunity.  Lord  Ditnmore  is  at 
Staten-Island;  his  sick  he  sent  to  Halifax;  his  effective  men 
he  carried  to  Staten-Island;  and  the  blacks  he  shipped  off 
to  the  West-Indies,  as  a  recompense  for  their  services.  Two 
gentlemen,  who  had  been  taken  prisoners  by  the  enemy, 
have  made  their  escape.  They  say  they  are  now  twenty 
thousand,  and  that  another  division  of  five  thousand  foreign- 
ers is  still  expected.  They  think  that  Lord  Howe  will  not 
attack  these  ten  days,  but  that  he  does  not  wait  for  his  last 
division,  being  confident  of  victory  without.  One  of  these 
informants  was  a  Captain  of  a  Continental  vessel  going  for 
ammunition,  whose  mate  and  crew  rose  and  took  her,  and, 
falling  in  with  the  division  of  the  Hessians  which  accom- 
panied their  General,  were  brought  to.  The  General,  learn- 


ing from  the  dethroned  Captain  what  had  happened,  im- 
mediately threw  the  piratical  mate  in  irons,  and  had  the 
Captain  to  dine  with  him  every  day  till  they  got  to  Halifax, 
where  he  delivered  him,  vessel,  Sic.,  over  to  the  English. 

A  gentleman  who  lived  some  time  in  this  city,  but  since 
last  winter  has  become  a  resident  of  St.  Eiistatia,  writes, 
that  by  a  Dutch  ship  from  Amsterdam,  they  have  advice 
that  the  States  of  Holland  had  refused  to  renew  the  pro- 
hibition on  the  exportation  of  powder  to  the  Colonies,  or  to 
cede  to  the  English  the  Scotch  brigade  in  their  service,  as 
also  to  furnish  some  men-of-war  asked  of  them  by  the  British 
Court.  This  refusal  so  piqued  the  Ministry,  that  they  had 
been  induced  to  take  several  Dutch  ships ;  amongst  them, 
two  that  sailed  from  St.  Emtatia,  which  were  carried  to 
London,  and  another  to  St.  Kitts;  in  consequence  whereof, 
the  Dutch  have  armed  forty  ships-of-war,  ordered  sixty  more 
to  be  built,  and  are  raising  twenty  thousand  land  forces. 

The  Governour-in-chief  of  the  French  West-Indies  has 
not  only  refused  to  permit  the  Captain  of  an  English  man- 
of-war  to  make  prize  of  our  vessels  in  their  ports,  but  forbid 
him  to  come  within  gunshot  of  them ;  and  the  enemy's  armed 
vessels  being  withdrawn  from  our  whole  coast  to  New-  York, 
shows  us  the  good  effects  of  their  absence,  by  daily  arrivals 
of  ammunition,  &c. 

The  Canadians  who  had  been  Captains  in  our  Canadian 
regiment,  and  whom  General  Gates  writes  are  known  in  the 
Army  to  be  worthy  of  good  credit,  made  their  escape  from  St. 
John's,  and  came  over  to  our  Army  from  Ticonderoga.  They 
give  the  following  intelligence,  viz :  That  the  enemy  did  not 
fortify  any  place  we  abandoned;  that  they  had  two  thousand 
men  at  Isk-aux-Noix,  under  General  Frazer,  two  thousand 
at  St.  John's,  under  Carleton,  and  some  at  Montreal — two 
hundred  and  fifty  only  being  left  at  Quebeck.  It  was  re- 
ported that  four  thousand  English  troops,  which  were  to 
have  been  a  part  of  that  Army,  had  perished  at  sea,  which 
gave  great  uneasiness.  The  fleet  brought  over  timber,  &c., 
for  fifty  boats,  which  they  attempted  to  transport  by  land 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel  to  St.  John's;  but  could  not 
for  want  of  carriages,  and  had  therefore  been  destroyed. 
Carleton,  to  make  amends  for  this,  had  employed  Canadians 
to  build  batteaus  at  St.  John's;  but  he  has  rendered  him- 
self very  odious  to  those  people,  by  levying  contributions  on 
them  in  general,  and  confiscating  the  estates  of  all  those  who 
followed  our  Army,  or  who  absconded. 

Great  numbers  of  the  Germans  desert  daily,  and  are  anx- 
iously concealed  by  the  inhabitants;  seventy  Brunswickers 
disappeared  in  one  day.  Their  officers  are  so  much  afraid 
of  bushfighting  and  ambushes,  that  they  will  not  head  any 
parties  to  pursue  the  runaways.  The  men  have  the  same 
fears,  which  prevent  them  from  deserting  in  so  great  num- 
bers as  it  is  supposed  they  will,  when  once  our  fleet  shall 
appear  cruising  on  the  Lake  to  receive  and  protect  them. 

Between  the  22d  and  24th  ultimo,  Carleton  and  the  other 
Generals  abandoned  all  their  posts  on  this  side  the  Sorel, 
except  St>  John's,  with  as  great  precipitation  as  our  poor 
sick  Army  had  done,  carrying  with  them  their  artillery  and 
provisions.  This  was  occasioned  by  the  arrival  and  mys- 
terious manoeuvres  of  a  fleet  at  Quebeck,  supposed  to  be 
French,  who  hoisted  different  colours,  and  fired  at  tenders 
sent  from  the  town  to  inquire  who  they  were.  The  enemy 
left  at  Isle-aux-Noix  two  hundred  men  to  send  intelligence 
of  our  operations,  and  it  is  said  they  will  go  down  the  river 
if  we  return  into  Canada.  For  this  event,  the  Canadians 
are  offering  up  prayers  at  the  shrines  of  all  their  saints. 
Carleton,  some  time  ago,  hearing  that  we  were  returning 
with  a  considerable  reinforcement,  was  so  terrified  that  he 
would  have  retired  immediately,  had  not  some  of  his  spies 
come  in  and  informed  him  of  the  deplorable  situation  to 
which  the  small-pox  had  reduced  our  Army.  They  are 
now,  however,  recovering  health  and  spirits. 

General  Gates  writes,  that  he  had  accounts  of  the  roads 
being  crowded  with  Militia  coming  to  his  assistance;  six 
hundred  from  New-Hampshire  came  in  while  he  was  writing 
his  letter,  being  the  first.  His  fleet  had  sailed  from  Ticon- 
deroga to  Crown-Point,  consisting  of  the  following  vessels, 
viz:  one  schooner  and  a  sloop,  of  twelve  four-pounders,  ten 
swivels,  and  fifty  men;  one  schooner,  of  four  four-pounders, 
four  two-pounders,  ten  swivels,  and  thirty-five  men ;  one 
schooner,  of  two  four-pounders,  six  two-pounders,  eight 
swivels,  and  thirty-five  men ;  two  galleys,  mounting  each 
one  twelve  and  two  nine-pounders,  eight  swivels,  and  forty- 


1079 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1080 


five  men;  two  galleys,  of  three  nine-pounders  each,  eight 
swivels,  and  forty-five  men;  besides  two  others  that  are  not 
quite  rigged.  Eight  more  galleys  would  be  ready  to  join 
them  in  a  fortnight,  when  they  were  to  proceed  down  the 
Lake;  and  General  Arnold,  who  is  said  to  be  a  good  sailor, 
had  undertaken  the  command.  We  have  two  hundred  fine 
ship-carpenters,  mostly  sent  from  hence,  at  work,  with  whose 
assistance,  I  hope,  such  a  fleet  will  soon  be  exhibited"  on 
that  Lake  as  it  never  yet  bore. 

The  Indians  have  absolutely  refused  Carleton  in  Canada, 
and  Butkr  at  Niagara,  to  have  anything  to  do  in  this 
quarrel,  and  applaud,  in  the  highest  terms,  our  wisdom  and 
candour  for  not  requiring  them  to  meddle.  Some  of  the 
most  sensible  speeches  I  ever  saw  of  theirs  are  on  this  head; 
not  spoken  to  us,  but  behind  our  backs,  in  the  Councils  of 
our  enemies.  From  very  good  intelligence',  the  Indians  of 
the  Middle  Department  will  be  quiet;  that  treaty  is  put  oft* 
till  October. 


SAMUEL  GRIFFIN  (DEPUTY  ADJUTANT-GENERAL)  TO  THE 

BOARD  OF  WAR. 

Head-Quarters,  Perth-Amboy,  August  20,  1776. 
HONOURABLE  SIR:    I  have  an  apology  to  make  to  your 
honourable  Board  for  having  delayed  transmitting  to  you  a 


general  return  of  the  Army  (under  General  Mercer)  so  long; 
but  have  confidence  to  hope  you  will  readily  excuse  me 
when  I  inform  you,  that  by  the  General's  orders  I  was 
obliged  to  attend  all  the  last  week  at  Newark  and  Powles- 
Hook,  to  forward  the  troops  sent  to  reinforce  General  Wash- 
ington. Mr.  Peters  sent  us  a  copy  of  a  return  which  he 
informed  was  such  as  you  would  wish  to  have.  I  am  sorry 
he  was  at  that  trouble,  as  we  have  (exclusive  of  blanks  and 
lines)  a  great  number  of  blank  returns  of  that  sort  by  us, 
which,  though  very  proper  for  Regular  troops,  are  by  no 
means  so  for  Militia,  at  least  for  the  Pennsylvania  Associa- 
tors,  who  have  no  fixed  number  of  either  officers  or  men 
for  any  one  battalion.  I  of  course  cannot  tell  what  they 
want  to  complete  the  different  posts;  they  have  never  had 
any  fixed  number  of  men  stationed  at  them,  but  have  been 
reinforced  and  reduced  twice  or  thrice  a  week,  as  the  Gen- 
eral thought  necessary.  Whenever  a  sufficient  number  shall 
arrive,  the  General  proposes  to  fix  a  certain  number  of  bat- 
talions at  each  post,  which  will  enable  me  to  put  the  Army 
on  a  regular  footing,  and  to  make  the  returns  regular,  and,  I 
hope,  agreeable  to  your  honourable  Board. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  GRIFFIN. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Chairman  of  the  War  Committee. 


A  General  Return  of  the  Army  in  NEW-JERSEY,  under  the  command  of  the  Hon.  HUGH  MERCER,  Esq.,  Brigadier- 
General,  in  the  service  of  the  AMERICAN  States,  PERTH-AMBOY. 


REGIMENTS. 

OFFICERS  PRESENT. 

BANK  AND  FILE. 

WHERE  STA- 
TIONED. 

FROM  WHAT  STATES 
AND  WHAT  TROOPS. 

Commissioned 
Officers. 

Staff  Officers. 

Aon- 
Com'il. 

• 

3 

e 
c 
c 

Lieut-Colonels. 

i 

at 

2 

K 

£ 
'H 

cL 

3 

First  Lieutenants. 

Sec  d  Lieutenants. 

T. 

- 
tl 
W 

w 

Chaplains. 

• 

= 

K 
^ 
-? 

< 

Quartermasters. 

Paymasters. 

Surgeons. 

*T> 
w 
H 

% 

Sergeants. 

Drums  and  Fifes. 

£, 

3 

T3 

£ 

10 

jn 

> 

£ 

jj 

c 

m 

_~ 
ti 

| 

= 
£-, 

e 

I 

~ 

Deserted. 

2 
S 

Total  Officers  and 
Privates. 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

i 
i 

i 
i 

5 

8 
G 
3 

5 
8 
(i 
3 

3 

8 
3 
1 

5 

8 

a 

3 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 
| 

I 

21 

32 
14 

22 

8 
15 

( 

r 

158 
309 
138 

74 

4 

8!) 
6 
6 

; 

162 

398 
149 
80 

214 

South-Amboy  
Perth-Amboy..  .. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

Jersey  Militia. 
Delaware  Fly  ing-Camp. 
Jersey  Militia. 
Ditto. 

Colonel  Somers's  

Told  at  .Imboy  

p 

3\  17 

171213 

1 

3 

3 

1 

3  1 

fi8 

2( 

521 

J0l|  5 

- 

627 

799 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 
] 

4 

• 

6 

4 
3 

(i 

1 

3 

4 

- 

s 

- 

1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

- 

1 

1 

- 

17 

17 

18 

6 

C 

I 

8 

207 
94 
145 

4 

1-2 

3 

2 

- 

214 
100 
159 

605 

Woodbridge  
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

Jersey  Militia. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

Colonel  Dick's  

Colonel  Seeley  's  

Total  at  Woodbridge  
Lieut.  Colonel  Lawrence's.  .  .  . 

a 

1 

3   15 

13 

4 

14 

- 

3 

3 

- 

2  - 

52 

1! 

446  22 

5 

- 

473 

i 
i 
i 

1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

f 
•  '• 

8 

"3 
4 

3 

8 
8 
5 

3 

* 
i" 

t 

!l 
30 
25 

Ir, 

« 
•' 

9 

12 
6 

98 
265 
278 
145 

- 

- 

98 
265 
278 
145 

• 

Elizabeth-Town.. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

Penn.  Flying-Camp. 
Jersey  Militia. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 

1 
1 

- 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 

Total  at  Elizabeth-Town.. 

3 

2 

3 

22 

34 

318!l 

3 

3i  -     3 

2 

79 

30 

786 

- 

- 

786   982 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

1 

1 

1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 

fi 
7 
8 
8 
7 
6 
5 

(i 
7 
7 
a 
5 
5 
7 

6 

7 
7 
8 
(j 
fi 
7 

4 

fi 
7 
8 
4 
6 
3 

1 

1 

1 

- 

1 

- 

17 
2,r 
2! 
89 

23 
.)•) 

'.) 
7 
II 

!l 
( 
7 
( 

157 
314 
310 
362 
244 
301 
289 

26 

28 
47 
101 
35 
•!( 
36 

4 

X. 

1 

4 
8 

22 
4 

li 

209   264 
348     - 
358!    - 
465i    - 
279     - 
348i    - 
343     - 

2141  2534 

Newark  

Penn  'a.  Flying-Camp. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

1 

i 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 

] 

- 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

1 

Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

Colonel  Watts's  

Colonel  Baxter's  

3! 

Total  at  Fort  Lee  

6 

C 

t. 

5 

41 

39|41 

34!2    5    5  -     4:  2 

157 

47 

1820 

28717 

17 

Total  of  Troops.. 

1711 

16  10fi!97i69  88  5  1616  1   13  5  394 

139  3888  44ol39l39  4398  5398 

Total  Flying-Camp  Militia. 

N.  B.  There  are  four  companies  of  Maryland  inlisted  Militia  just  come  in  that  are  not  in  the  returns.     They  are 
to  stay  until  the  first  of  December. 


LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee,  August  20,  1776: 

Present:  Wm.  Atlee,  Chairman;  Wm.  Bowsman,  Lodwick  Lowman, 
Wm.  Brown,  Casper  Shaffner,  Henry  Dehuft',  John  McMullen,  and 
Wm.  Clark. 

Ordered,  That  Jacob  Winter,  Jacob  Winter,  Jr.,  Philip 
Winter,  James  McElwain,  and  Henry  Hare,  give  good  free- 
hold security  in  £1,000  each,  for  their  good  behaviour  to 
all  people,  particularly  to  Thomas  Smith  and  his  family. 

Jacob  Winter,  bond  £1,000,  and  John  Messencope, 
bond  £1,000,  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  conditions 
for  the  good  behaviour  of  the  said  Jacob  Winter  to  all  the 
Subjects  and  Inhabitants  of  this  State,  and  particularly  to 
and  towards  the  family  and  estate  of  Thomas  Smith. 

Acknowledged  in  Committee,  August  20,  1776. 

Henry  Hare,  bond  £1,000,  and  John  Messencope,  bond 
£1,000,  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  conditions  for  the 


good  behaviour  of  Henry  Hare  towards  all  the  Subjects  and 
Inhabitants  of  the  State,  and  particularly  towards  the  family 
and  estate  of  Thomas  Smith. 

Acknowledged  in  Committee,  August  20,  1776. 

Philip  Winter,  bond  £1,000,  and  John  Hoover,  bond 
£1,000,  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  conditions  for  the 
good  behaviour  of  the  said  Philip  Winter  towards  all  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  State,  and  particularly  towards  the  family 
and  estate  of  Thomas  Smith. 

Jacob  Winter,  Jr.,  bond  £1,000,  and  Daniel  Rinport, 
bond  £1,000,  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  conditions  for 
the  good  behaviour  of  tlie  said  Jacob  Winter,  Jr.,  towards 
all  the  Subjects  of  the  State,  and  particularly  to  and  towards 
the  family  and  estate  of  Thomas  Smith. 

Samuel  Elliot,  on  oath,  says,  that  in  mowing-time  last,  he 
was  in  company  with  Jacob  Winter,  Jacob  Ree.s,  Samuel 
Winter,  and  James  McElwaine;  and  speaking  of  the  Militia, 


1081 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1082 


one  of  them  (lie  thinks  McEhvaine')  said  that  if  any  officer 
insisted  upon  his  going  with  the  Militia,  he  would  shoot  him 
if  ever  they  came  to  a  hattle  the  first  man;  and  if  he  insisted 
hard  upon  him,  he  would  shoot  him  before  he  marched; 
that  they  all  (to  wit:  the  said  four  persons)  agreed  to  the 
same,  and  swore  they  would  put  their  resolves  in  execution. 

James  Steel,  on  oath,  says,  that  he  was  mowing  at  the 
same  time  with  Samuel  Elliot,  and  heard  the  above  Jacob 
Winter,  Jacob  Rees,  Samuel  Winter,  and  James  McElwaine, 
say,  if  any  officer  asked  or  insisted  upon  their  marching  with 
the  Militia,  they  would  blow  a  ball  through  him,  and  swore 
to  it  most  heartily. 

William  Steel,  on  oath,  says,  that  he  was  also  mowing  at 
the  same  time  with  Elliot  and  Steel,  and  heard  the  above 
four  persons  say  and  swear  that  the  first  man  who  insisted 
upon  their  going  with  the  Militia  should  be  the  first  man 
they  would  shoot. 

James  Brooks  says  he  was  raking  at  the  time  of  mowing 
above  mentioned,  and  heard  from  the  same  four  persons,  or 
some  of  them,  expressions  the  same  as  above. 

Patrick  Kelby,  on  oath,  says,  that  on  Sunday  was  two 
weeks,  he  was  going  from  his  home  to  one  Mahaffy's.  On 
the  road,  he  met  Jacob  Winter,  Jr.,  and  Samuel  Winter; 
that  they  insisted  upon  his  alighting  from  his  horse,  which 
he  did,  and  entered  into  conversation  with  them  about  the 
present  war;  and  the  said  Jacob  Winter  and  Samuel  Winter 
both  said  that  if  Major  Smith  insisted  upon  their  going  to  the 
Camp,  he  would  be  a  dead  man ;  whether  he  went,  or  stayed 
at  home,  he  would  be  a  dead  man.  The  examinant  told 
them  it  was  dangerous  for  them  to  destroy  him ;  to  which 
they  answered,  it  was  all  one;  if  they  went  to  the  war,  they 
might  be  killed,  and  they  might  as  well  die  at  home  as 
abroad ;  that  the  said  Jacob  Winter  said  that  the  Major  had 
insisted  upon  his  going,  and  he  was  determined  not  to  go. 

Christopher  Linn  says,  that  about  a  week  before  Major 
Smith  was  shot  at,  he  heard  Jane  Cunningham,  the  wife  of 
Robert  Cunningham,  say  that  she  had  heard  there  were 
three  rifles  loaded  to  shoot  Major  Smith. 


Island  Inlet,  advising  that  five  of  the  enemy's  small  vessels 
had  appeared  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek  with  some  troops 
on  board;  also,  that  he  had  heard  two  pettiaugers  were  off 
Oyster  Bay,  the  whole  supposed  to  be  after  live  stock  ;  and 
to  prevent  their  getting  it,  he  had  detached  a  party  of  Horse 
and  two  hundred  and  twenty  men,  among  them  twenty 
Riflemen.  I  have  not  received  further  intelligence  upon  the 
subject. 

I  am  also  advised  by  the  examination  of  a  Captain  Britton, 
master  of  a  vessel  that  had  been  taken,  transmitted  me  by 
General  Mercer,  that  the  general  report  among  the  enemy's 
troops  was,  when  he  came  ofT,  that  they  were  to  attack 
Long-Island,  and  to  secure  our  works  there  if  possible,  at  the 
same  time  that  another  part  of  their  Army  was  to  land  above 
this  city.  This  information  is  corroborated  by  many  other 
accounts,  and  is  probably  true.  Nor  will  it  be  possible  to 
prevent  their  landing  on  the  Island,  as  its  great  extent  affords 
a  variety  of  places  favourable  for  that  purpose,  and  the  whole 
of  our  works  on  it  are  at  the  end  opposite  to  the  city.  How- 
ever, we  shall  attempt  to  harass  them  as  much  as  possible, 
which  will  be  all  that  we  can  do. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  greatest 
respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  22,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

New-York,  August  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  was  yesterday  morning  favoured  with  yours  of  the 
17th,  accompanied  by  several  resolutions  of  Congress,  and 
commissions  for  officers  appointed  to  the  late  vacancies  in 
this  Army. 

I  wrote  some  days  ago  to  General  Schuyler,  to  propose  to 
Generals  Carleton  and  Burgoyne  an  exchange  of  prisoners, 
in  consequence  of  a  former  resolve  of  Congress  authorizing 
their  commanders  in  each  department  to  negotiate  one. 
That  of  Major  Meigs  for  Major  French,  and  Captain  Dear- 
born for  any  officer  of  equal  rank,  I  submitted  to  General 
Howe's  consideration  by  letter  on  the  17th,  understanding 
their  paroles  had  been  sent  to  him  by  General  Carleton ;  but 
have  not  yet  received  his  answer  upon  the  subject. 

In  respect  to  the  exchange  of  the  prisoners  in  Canada,  if  a 
proposition  on  that  head  has  not  already  been  made,  (and  I 
believe  it  has  not,)  the  enclosed  copy  of  General  Carleton' s 
orders  (transmitted  me  under  seal  by  Major  Bigelow,  who 
was  sent  with  a  flag  to  General  Burgoyne  from  Ticonderoga, 
with  the  proceedings  of  Congress  on  the  breach  of  capitula- 
tion at  the  Cedars,  and  the  inhuman  treatment  of  our  people 
afterwards)  will  show  it  is  unnecessary,  as  he  has  determined 
to  send  them  to  their  own  Provinces,  there  to  remain  as  pri- 
soners; interdicting  at  the  same  time  all  kind  of  intercourse 
between  us  and  his  Army,  except  such  as  may  be  for  the 
purpose  of  imploring  the  King's  mercy.  The  assassination 
which  he  mentions,  of  Brigadier-General  Gordon,  is  a  fact 
entirely  new  to  me,  and  what  I  never  heard  of  before.  I  shall 
not  trouble  Congress  with  my  strictures  upon  this  indecent, 
illiberal,  and  scurrilous  performance,  so  highly  unbecoming 
the  character  of  a  soldier  and  a  gentleman,  only  observing 
that  its  design  is  somewhat  artful,  and  that  each  boatman 
with  Major  Jiigdow  was  furnished  with  a  copy.  I  have  also 
transmitted  Congress  a  copy  of  the  Major's  journal,  to  which 
I  beg  leave  to  refer  them  for  the  intelligence  reported  by 
him  on  his  return  from  the  truce. 

By  a  letter  from  General  Greene  yesterday  evening,  he 
informed  me  that  he  had  received  an  express  from  Hog* 


COMMISSARY  TRUMBULL  TO  COLONEL  CHESTER. 

New-York,  August  20,  1776. 

Commissary  Trumbull  presents  his  compliments  to  Colo- 
nel Chester,  and  is  necessitated  to  apply  to  him  to  release 
Captain  Isham  from  doing  duty  in  Colonel  C.'s  regiment,  to 
take  Mr.  Champion's  place,  who  supplies  the  whole  Army 
with  fresh  beef,  and  is  unhappily  taken  sick.  Captain  Isham 
is  acquainted  with  the  business,  and  no  person  that  I  can 
conceive  of  can  do  the  business  but  he,  and  it  is  of  the  last 
importance  that  it  should  be  done.  I  also  request  Colonel  C. 
to  recommend,  or  at  least  consent,  to  the  Adjutant-General 
that  Captain  Isham  be  excused  duty  till  Champion  recovers. 

Your  humble  servant,  Jos.  TRUMBULL. 

To  Colonel  Chester. 


COMMISSARY  TRUMBULL  TO  COLONEL  CHESTER. 

New-York,  August  20,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  My  beef  man  is  sick;  there  is  not  another  but 
Captain  Isham  within  my  knowledge  who  can  supply  his 
place.  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  your  regiment,  as 
well  as  the  rest  of  the  Army,  should  eat,  which  they  cannot 
do  without  him.  The  alternative  is  put:  justly  now  judge, 
Whether  it  is  best  for  one  man  to  fight  only,  or  twenty  thou- 
sand men  to  starve? 

Your  humble  servant,  Jos.  TRUMBULL. 

To  Colonel  Chester. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

King's  Bridge,  August  20,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  I  have  the  pleasure 
to  inform  you  that  we  have  taken  out  of  the  wreck  of  the 
tender  lately  burnt  up  the  North  River  the  following  cannon, 
viz  :  one  six-pounder,  two  three-pounders,  one  two-pounder, 
and  ten  swivels;  one  caboose  and  apron,  two  cutlasses,  two 
gun-barrels,  one  crow-bar,  and  four  grapplings  and  chains. 
Lieutenant  Loudon,  of  Colonel  JVicolfs  regiment,  with  two 
of  the  company  to  which  he  belongs,  went  off,  and  towed 
the  wreck  on  shore,  under  the  fire  of  the  cannon  of  the 
ships,  a  cannon  ball  passing  within  a  few  inches  of  his  head. 
He  is  an  undaunted  officer,  and  with  great  fatigue  has  taken 
these  cannon  out  of  the  water.  I  therefore  beg  leave  to 
recommend  this  service  in  particular  to  your  Excellency's 
notice,  and  if  you  should  think  some  reward  proper  to  be 
given,  it  will  be  gratefully  received  by  the  adventurers,  and 
perhaps  prompt  others  to  daring  actions. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  humble  servant,  W.  HEATH. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


COLONEL  DUBOIS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

New-Windsor,  August  20,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  I  received  your  Ex- 
cellency's letter  of  the  9th  of  August,  and,  agreeable  to  your 


1083 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1084 


order,  have  procured  returns  of  all  the  officers  of  the  regiment 
under  my  command  of  the  men  inlisted  by  them,  except 
three  Captains,  who  are  at  present  in  New-York.  The 
number  which,  as  yet,  they  have  been  able  to  inlist  consists 
of  thirty  men;  twenty-three  of  whom  are  well  armed,  and 
will  be  ready  to  march  on  Saturday  next,  agreeable  to  your 
Excellency's  order. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  officers  this  day  they  requested  me  to 
petition  your  Excellency  that  you  would  be  pleased  to  order 
them  into  immediate  service  at  New-York,  or  wherever  your 
Excellency  may  think  fit.  As  the  country  is  very  much 
drained  of  men,  every  man  that  can  any  way  be  spared  being 
already  in  the  service,  they  think  if  they  were  in  present 
service  they  might  not  only  have  an  opportunity  of  exerting 
themselves  to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  but  might  also 
complete  their  companies  out  of  the  Militia  whenever  it  is 
thought  expedient  to  grant  them  that  liberty.  They  all  ex- 
press the  most  ardent  zeal  for  the  service,  and  are  unwilling 
to  be  idle  at  this  important  crisis. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

LEWIS  DUBOIS. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  20,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Your  favour  of  the  18th  instant  is  just 
now  come  to  hand.  A  strange  infatuation  seems  to  prevail 
in  people.  How  fVynkoop  should  imagine  that  he  was 
not  to  obey  General  Arnold's  orders,  he  being  the  oldest 
officer  then  on  the  spot,  I  cannot  imagine.  As  you  are  on 
the  spot,  it  is  more  in  your  power  to  judge  of  the  propriety 
of  sending  Wynkoop  down  than  in  mine.  If  he  comes  down, 
I  shall  order  him  to  remain  here,  until  the  pleasure  of  Con- 
gress is  known,  by  whom  (and  not  by  me)  he  was  appointed, 
and  therefore  I  cannot  venture  upon  a  dismission.  I  am 
extremely  happy  that  General  Waterbury  is  to  join  General 
Arnold.  I  know  him  to  be  a  good  man,  as  well  as  a  good 
officer. 

The  sail-cloth  and  good  part  of  the  cordage  procured  in 
New-England  is  on  the  way  to  Skcnesborough,  but  none  of 
the  artillery  articles,  said  to  have  left  New-York  on  the  10th 
instant,  are  yet  arrived. 

It  is  impossible  for  me  to  judge  of  what  provisions,  &c., 
may  be  wanted  with  the  Army  and  at  the  different  posts, 
without  returns  from  the  Commissaries,  &tc.  These  must 
come  to  rne  through  the  proper  channel.  Mr.  Livingston 
is  the  Deputy  Commissary -General  in  this  department;  and 
in  the  absence  of  Mr.  Trumbull,  the  Commissary-General, 
he  is  to  furnish  me  with  a  general  return,  made  out  of  the 
returns  of  the  Commissaries  at  the  different  posts.  This  he 
cannot  do,  unless  the  Commissaries  at  those  posts  send  him 
the  returns.  Be  pleased  to  order  Mr.  Avert/  immediately 
and  weekly  to  make  returns  to  Mr.  Livingston,  that  I  may 
know  how  the  Army  is  supplied  with  provisions.  If  he 
should  refuse  this,  you  will  be  pleased  immediately  to  advise 
me  thereof,  that  1  may  take  proper  steps  to  enforce  a  com- 
pliance with  my  orders. 

I  wait  with  impatience  for  news  from  New-York.  A 
deserter,  it  is  said,  advises  that  the  enemy  had  ordered  three 
days'  victuals  to  be  dressed.  It  is  certain  that  an  attack  is 
daily  expected. 

I  am  preparing  to  remove  Elmore  and  Nicokon's  regi- 
ments to  the  westward  together ;  they  will  not  exceed  five 
hundred  effectives.  I  fear  to  be  under  the  necessity  of 
further  reinforcements  in  that  quarter;  and  where  to  procure 
them,  unless  from  the  northward,  I  know  not.  The  enemy  will 
make  every  push  they  possibly  can ;  but  if  we  can  hold  our 
ground  this  campaign,  all  will  be  well.  Adieu. 

I  am,  most  sincerely,  dear  General,  your  obedient,  humble 
servant, 

rn.  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Honourable  General  Gates. 

P.  S.  August  21. — All  the  stores  are  arrived  from  New- 
Y',rk,  and  leave  this  place  in  teams  to-day.  But  there  is 
not  quite  a  ton  of  grape-shot,  and  only  one  piece  of  blue 
bunting  for  colours. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Albany,  August  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  your  favours  of  the  12th  and 
13th  instant,  and  beg  leave  to  return  my  thanks  for  the 


advices  contained  in  them.  Although  I  hope  soon  to  be  at 
Ticonderoga,  yet  as  despatches  will  be  constantly  going 
from  hence  to  your  Colony,  it  will  be  necessary  that  a  post- 
rider  should  go  from  hence  and  exchange  packets  with  Mr. 
Brown;  but  as  I  do  not  know  what  road  he  rides,  will  you 
be  so  good  as  to  advise  the  Deputy  Paymaster-General  of 
it,  and  desire  Mr.  Brown  to  forward  your  letters  to  him  by 
express,  with  a  line  from  such  part  of  the  road  as  he  may 
find,  on  inquiry,  nearest  to  this  place,  signifying  on  what 
days  it  will  be  proper  for  the  rider  from  hence  to  meet  him 
there  on  his  way  to  and  return  from  Ticonderoga. 

I  returned  here  on  the  15th,  at  night,  from  the  German- 
Flats.  The  Indians  have  promised  to  remain  neutral ;  and 
as  the  Oneidas,  Tuscaroras,  and  Ooghquagas,  are,  I  believe, 
real  friends,  and  the  Delawares  more  immediately  dependant 
upon  them,  I  have  great  hopes  that  no  depredations  will  be 
committed  on  the  frontier  inhabitants.  I  have  given  Mr. 
Trumbull  the  proceedings  at  the  late  treaty,  to  make  such 
extracts  as  he  pleases  for  your  Honour. 

I  have  some  reason  to  believe  that  an  attack  on  Fort 
Stanwix  and  the  Mohawk  River  is  meditated  by  the  enemy 
from  Oswegatchie.  Colonel  Dayton's  regiment,  two  com- 
panies of  Colonel  Wynkoop's,  and  a  company  of  inlisted 
Militia,  are  now  in  that  quarter,  and  I  am  preparing  to  move 
Colonel  Elmore's  and  Colonel  Nicolson's  to  the  German- 
Flats;  the  latter  is  very  weak,  not  exceeding  one  hundred 
privates.  The  bounty,  premium,  and  pay,  which  you  have 
promised  the  seamen,  shall  be  fully  complied  with.  The 
terms  are  more  reasonable  than  we  had  reason  to  expect  at 
this  time,  when  seamen  are  so  scarce.  I  have  desired  Mr. 
Trumbull  to  refund  the  money  you  have  advanced  for  axes, 
&.C.;  and  as  his  chest  is  now  pretty  well  stocked,  he  will 
pay  off  what  is  still  due  to  the  troops  from  your  State. 

We  are  in  daily  expectation  to  hear  of  a  battle  at  New- 
York.  May  the  God  of  armies  strengthen  and  support  ours 
on  this  very  important  occasion,  and  confound  our  enemies. 

I  am  informed  that  the  forces  that  went  from  hence  to  Con- 
necticut are  doing  all  in  their  power  to  increase  the  jealousies 
that  so  unjustly  prevail  against  me  in  different  parts  of  the 
country.  Conscious  of  the  rectitude  of  my  conduct,  I  should 
pass  by  in  silent  contempt  every  infamous  traduction,  did  I 
not  apprehend  that  silence  would  be  construed  a  tacit  avowal 
of  my  guilt.  I  have  therefore  entreated  Congress  for  a  mi- 
nute inquiry  into  my  conduct.  If  the  misfortunes  in  Canada 
are  occasioned  by  malconduct  in  me,  or  any  other  charges 
of  a  criminal  nature  can  be  supported  against  me,  I  shall 
deserve  and  ought  to  be  held  up  to  publick  detestation  at 
least.  If  not,  if  1  clearly  exculpate  myself,  as  I  have  it  in 
my  power  to  do,  the  odium  ought  to  be  transferred  to  those 
who  are  in  fault,  and  justice  done  to  my  much-injured  cha- 
racter. 

I  have  sent  such  orders  to  General  Waterbury  as  I  hope 
will  prevent  any  evil  consequences  that  might  be  occasioned 
by  the  imprudence  of  those  soldiers  who  have  inoculated 
for  the  small-pox  on  the  route  from  the  Eastern  Colonies  to 
Skenesborough. 

I  am,  with  every  friendly  wish  and  sincere  esteem  and 
regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  the  Honourable  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


ALBANY  COMMITTEE  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Albany  Committee  Chamber,  August  20,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  A  representation  has  been  duly  laid 
before  this  Board,  setting  forth  that  Stephen  DC  Lcmcey, 
Abraham  C.  Cuyler,  John  Monicr,  Benjamin  Hilton,  and 
John  Duncan,  prisoners  formerly  sent  from  this  city  to  Con- 
necticut, have  endeavoured,  by  false  reports,  to  depreciate 
the  character  of  his  Honour  General  Schuyler'w  the  opinion 
of  the  good  people  of  Connecticut,  and  by  artful  insinuations 
to  aggravate  and  foment  jealousies  and  prejudices,  which  may 
tend  to  injure  the  general  cause;  we  have  therefore  thought 
proper  to  transmit  your  Honour  an  account  of  the  crimes  of 
those  gentlemen,  that  their  former  and  present  conduct  being 
considered  together,  they  may  be  treated  in  such  a  manner 
as  the  publick  safety  at  this  interesting  crisis  demands.  We 
would,  with  submission,  mention  to  your  Honour  that  a 
separation  at  least  would  be  proper.  Your  Honour's  wisdom 
and  prudence  will  dictate  such  other  steps  as  may  be  neces- 
sary. We  are  also  informed,  that  Lieutenant  Angus  Me- 


1085 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1086 


Donald  has  the  privilege  of  the  town  of  Hartford  and  six 
miles  around  it;  and  we  doubt  not  that  thereby  a  corre- 
spondence is  carried  on  between  the  officers  confined  at 
WeathersfiM  and  the  prisoners  from  this  city  at  Hartford, 
and  from  thence  probably  over  the  whole  Continent.  We 
think  it  would,  therefore,  be  advisable,  if  your  Honour  coin- 
cides in  opinion  with  us,  to  restrain  the  liberty  now  enjoyed 
by  Mr.  McDonald,  so  far  as  may  prevent  the  possibility  of 
his  injuring  us. 

We  are,  honoured  sir,  your  most  obedient  servants, 

JOHN  BARCLAY,  Chairman  pro  tern. 
To  the  Honourable  Governour  Trumbull. 


H.  GLEN  TO  WALTER  LIVINGSTON,  COMMISSARY-GENERAL. 

Schenectady,  August  20,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Yours  of  the  18th  and  19th  I  have  now 
before  me,  and  have  noted  the  contents.  I  have  been  with 
Mr.  Ten  Eyck,  and  delivered  him  his  letter,  and  showed 
him  mine.  He  tells  me  he  cannot  agree  to  take  16s.;  but 
the  flour  I  can  have,  on  these  conditions:  that  should  flour 
be  more  between  this  and  the  1  Oth  day  of  September  next, 
at  Albany,  he  will  expect  to  have  it;  and  if  it  is  not  more 
than  16*.  at  that  time,  then  he  will  take  16*.;  and  that  is 
the  case  with  the  rest  of  the  gentlemen.  I  must  beg  the 
favour  of  you  to  let  me  know  by  the  bearer,  immediately, 
whether  I  must  make  the  bargain  as  above,  or  what  I  must 
do  in  this  case.  The  batteaus  are  all  ready,  and  the  people 
victualled  to  go;  and  Mr.  Ten  Eyck's  flour  I  must  have,  as 
I  cannot  load  the  boats  without  his,  being  a  large  quantity. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours,  tr  p 

To  W.  Livingston,  Esq.,  Dep.  Com.  General. 


COLONELS  PETTIBONE  AND  CHAPMAN  TO  GOV.  TRUMBULL. 

New-Haven,  August  20,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR  :  We  are  here  upon  our 
march  to  New-York,  according  to  orders  received.  As  we 
had  no  Chaplain  or  Surgeon  appointed  for  either  of  our 
regiments,  and  were  credibly  informed  that  it  was  expected 
we  should  make  this  necessary  provision  at  the  expense  of 
the  publick,  we  have  engaged  the  Rev.  Joseph  Strong, 
of  Simsbury,  to  go  with  us  as  our  Chaplain,  (who  is  now 
with  us  here,)  and  Dr.  Jonathan  Bird,  of  the  same  town,  to 
be  our  Surgeon  and  Physician.  We  therefore  request,  if  it 
be  agreeable  to  your  Honour,  that  these  two  gentlemen  may 
be  favoured  with  the  usual  warrants  for  serving  our  regi- 
ments (viz:  the  Eighteenth  and  Twenty-Second)  in  their 
respective  characters,  and  that  the  warrants  may  be  for- 
warded to  one  of  us  at  New- York. 

We  are,  with  all  respect  and  duty,  your  Honour's  most 
obedient,  humble  servants, 

JONA.  PETTIBONE,  Colonel. 
SAML.  CHAPMAN,  Colonel. 
To  the  Honourable  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


DAVID  MATTHEWS  TO  JOHN  MCKESSON. 

Hartford,  August  20,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  made  so  many  fruitless  applications  lately 
that  I  am  almost  discouraged  from  putting  pen  to  paper 
again.  Is  it  not  very  hard,  Mr.  McKesson,  that  the  Con- 
vention will  not  furnish  me  with  some  resolve  or  certificate, 
in  order  to  enable  me  to  contradict  a  most  hellish  report  that 
has  been  propagated,  and  is  verily  believed  throughout  this 
Colony,  that  1  was  concerned  in  a  plot  to  assassinate  General 
Washington,  and  to  blow  up  the  Magazine  in  New-York. 
The  Convention  well  know  that  such  a  report  prevails;  they 
also  know  that  it  is  as  false  as  hell  is  false.  Solely  owing  to 
this  report  I  have  been  obliged  to  decamp  from  Litchfidd, 
where  I  was  stationed,  and  where  the  Committee  thought 
my  life  in  imminent  danger. 

I  arrived  here  yesterday,  and  find  that  the  same  infernal 
report  has  been  industriously  propagated  here,  and  that  1  am 
shunned  as  much  as  Lucifer  would  be,  and  am  only  waiting 
here  for  some  further  directions  from  Governour  Trumbull, 
to  whom  a  person  is  gone  for  that  purpose.  Surely,  my  old 
friend  John,  if  rny  life  was  to  be  made  a  sacrifice,  there  was 
a  more  gentlemanlike  way  of  doing  it  than  of  being  sent  into 
a  country  to  be  fired  at  from  behind  a  barn  or  stone  fence. 


Could  any  person  that  ever  knew  me  suppose  that  it  would 
fall  to  my  lot  to  say,  that  there  is  not  a  place  for  me  to  rest 
the  sole  of  my  foot  on.  Hard  times ;  but  so  it  is.  I  some- 
times would  willingly  hope  that  the  letters  which  I  have 
heretofore  written  have  not  come  to  hand,  or  something 
would  have  been  done  to  contradict  this  infamous  charge. 
In  short,  I  was  fully  persuaded  that  I  would  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  showing  to  the  world  that  every  charge  brought 
against  me  was  false.  I  am  now  tossed  about  to  and  fro,  and 
no  one  to  deliver  me.  May  this  never  be  the  lot  of  any  of 
my  countrymen. 

I  should  be  glad  to  hear  from  you,  whether  I  have  any- 
thing to  expect,  by  which  my  person  may  be  safe  or  not.  I 
should  not  have  wasted  so  much  paper  and  ink  were  it  not 
that  the  very  existence  of  a  wife  and  ten  children  depends 
on  my  life,  and  who  are  rendered  more  distressed  by  such 
villanous  reports  as  have  been  propagated. 

I  wish  you  health  and  happiness ;  and  am,  sir,  you  hum- 
ble servant,  -p.  n. 

D.  MATTHEWS. 

To  John  McKesson,  Esq.,  Secretary  to  the  Convention  of 
the  State  of  New- York. 

P.  S.  22rf. — I  am  now  on  my  march  back  to  Litchfield 
again,  as  I  could  not  be  suffered  to  remain  here  unless  con- 
fined in  jail.  What  horrid  treatment  is  this !  Governour 
Trumbull  would  willingly  have  done  everything  to  accom- 
modate me  here,  but  our  Convention  say  1  must  be  confined. 
It  is  too  much  for  mortal  man  to  bear.  I  am  now  to  stand 
fire  at  Litchfield.  May  God  only  spare  my  life  to  meet 
my  enemies  lace  to  face. 


JOHN  MACKAY  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Greenwich,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  ) 
August  20,  1776.      > 

SIR:  The  Authority,  Selectmen,  and  Committee  of  this 
town,  have  yesterday  received  from  his  Honour  the  Gover- 
nour of  said  State  a  requisition,  dated  the  12th  instant,  to 
imbody  all  the  householders  not  obliged  to  do  duty  in  any 
training  band,  in  order  to  march  forthwith  to  New-York,  to 
join  the  Army  under  your  Excellency's  command.  We 
thereupon  warned  all  the  able-bodied  men  in  the  town  to 
assemble  at  six  o'clock  this  morning;  but  as  the  Militia  is 
already  gone  into  the  service,  and  this  town  hath  been  pretty 
much  drained  of  men  in  the  progress  of  the  war,  we  find 
there  are  now  but  few  fit  to  go.  and  these  few  badly  equip- 
ped. The  householders  have  been  at  different  times  stripped 
of  their  fire-arms  to  supply  those  who  turned  out  in  defence 
of  their  country;  all  which  being  maturely  considered  by  the 
said  authority,  &.C.,  it  was  judged  most  proper  to  advise  your 
Excellency  of  our  difficulties,  in  order  to  know  from  your 
Excellency  whether  the  service  requires  the  whole  of  the 
few  men  retnaining  in  this  town  to  be  raised  immediately; 
and  if  so,  whether  they  can  be  supplied  with  arms  on  their 
arrival  at  New-  York. 

As  the  bearer,  Doctor  Mead,  a  member  of  the  Committee, 
will  deliver  this,  we  think  it  superfluous  to  add  any  more, 
further  than  that  we  are,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  Ex- 
cellency's obedient,  humble  servants. 

Per  order  of  the  Authority,  Sic.: 

JOHN  MACKAY,  Chairman  pro  tern. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-  York. 


MAJOR  HAWLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

»  Northampton,  August  20,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR  :  As  it  is  proper  that  you 
should  be  made  acquainted  with  the  terms  upon  which  all 
the  men  under  your  command  have  engaged  in  the  service, 
and  as  it  may  have  happened  that  our  Council,  through  the 
multiplicity  of  their  business,  may  have  neglected  to  transmit 
to  you  the  resolve  of  the  General  Assembly  upon  which  our 
first  recruits  for  your  Army  were  raised,  your  Honour  will 
not  consider  me  as  officious  in  sending  to  you  that  resolve. 
You  will  observe,  sir,  that  the  non-commissioned  officers,  as 
well  as  the  privates,  are  entitled  to  a  month's  advance  pay; 
and  I  beg  leave  to  inform  you,  that  as  in  some  companies 
which  went  from  the  County  of  Hampshire  the  non-com- 
missioned officers  were  not  appointed  when  they  marched, 
they  have  not  received  any  more  advance  pay  than  that  of 
private  soldiers.  That  was  the  case  in  Captain  Lyman's 


1087 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1088 


company,  and  I  take  it  to  have  been  so  in  Captain  Gray's. 
Pursuant  to  an  after-resolve,  (of  which  I  am  not  possessed,) 
the  commission  officers  were  to  have  a  month's  advance  pay, 
which  those  from  this  County  have  generally  received. 

I  have  many  things  on  my  mind  which  I  want  to  suggest, 
but  shall  defer  them  to  another  opportunity. 

I  most  heartily  wish  your  Honour  health,  victory,  and,  on 
every  account,  a  happy  campaign  ;  and  have  the  honour  to 
be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  obedient  and  most 
humble  servant,  JQSEPH  HAWLEY 

To  General  Gates. 

P.  S.  According  to  your  desire,  sir,  I  have  done  every- 
thing in  my  power  to  suppress  the  pernicious  and  iniquitous 
practice  of  delaying  the  march  of  officers  and  soldiers  for  the 
sake  of  taking  the  small-pox.  Yours,  J.  H. 


PETER  PENNIMAN  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Minden,  Augusi  20,  1776. 

SIR:  Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  Scotch  officers  at  this 
town,  pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  honourable  Board,  we 
wrote  a  few  lines  to  your  Honour,  requesting  a  solution  of 
certain  questions  relative  to  the  manner  of  conducting  our- 
selves with  regard  to  said  officers  and  their  servants.  One 
of  the  Selectmen  was  ordered  to  sign  said  letter  in  the  name 
of  the  rest,  but  it  seems  inadvertently  omitted  it,  which  we 
suppose  might  be  the  reason  of  our  not  being  favoured  with 
an  answer;  and,  by  way  of  excuse,  we  must  say,  that  we 
were  not  apprized  of  the  above-mentioned  omission  (at  least 
most  of  us)  till  a  few  hours  ago.  And  as  the  same  difficul- 
ties still  remain  on  our  minds,  we  are  under  a  necessity  of 
troubling  your  Honour  with  another  epistle  on  the  sulvject. 

As  we  observed  in  our  former  letter,  two  large  roads  pass 
through  this  town,  one  of  which  leads  from  Worcester  to 
Providence,  Rhode-Island,  and  the  other  from  New-York 
and  Connecticut  to  Boston.  The  latter  of  these  lias  for 
many  years  been  called  the  Middle  Post  Road.  Now,  these 
officers  (at  least  some  of  them)  are  desirous  of  boarding  in 
the  centre  of  the  town,  where  these  great  roads  intersect  each 
other ;  the  Selectmen  are  not  willing  to  gratify  them  in  this 
respect,  thinking  it  would  not  be  altogether  agreeable  to  the 
spirit  of  the  resolves  of  Congress.  The  officers  take  it  as  an 
abridgement  of  the  liberty  granted  them,  and  insist  that  they 
have  a  right  to  board  where  they  like  in  any  part  of  the 
town.  We  beg  to  be  instructed  in  this  matter. 

Another  difficulty  has  arisen  with  regard  to  these  officers' 
servants  or  waiters ;  they  have  brought  five  men  servants  and 
two  women,  wives,  they  say,  of  two  of  the  men  servants. 
The  resolve  of  Congress  makes  no  provision  for  servants ; 
nor  did  your  Honour  mention  anything  concerning  them  in 
your  letter  to  the  Selectmen.  The  officers  refuse  to  pay 
for  their  board ;  and  we  cannot  find  any  one  willing  to  trust 
to  any  pay.  A  difference  having  arisen  between  one  of  said 
officers  and  his  servant,  the  officer  has  left  the  house  where 
lie  used  to  board,  and  he  left  his  servant  behind,  refusing  to 
pay  his  board  ;  the  entertainer,  to  secure  his  pay,  detains  the 
officer's  trunk  and  part  of  his  clothing.  We  must  entreat 
your  Honour  to  explain  our  duty  to  us  in  these  matters. 

We  are,  with  great  respect,  your  Honour's  most  obedient, 
humble  servants. 

In  the  name  and  by  the  order  of  the  Selectmen  of  the 

Town  of  Minden :  r>  D 

PETER  PENNIMAN. 


COMMITTEE  OF  MIDDLESEX  COUNTY,  MASSACHUSETTS. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspec- 
tion, and  Safety,  for  the  several  Towns  in  the  County  of 
Middlesex,  assembled  at  Concord,  in  said  County,  August 
20,  1776:  Present  the  Committees  of  thirty-two  Towns,  and 
about  one  hundred  Members. 

Voted,  and  chose  the  Honourable  James  Prescott,  Esq., 
Chairman. 

Chose  Oliver  Prescott,  Esq.,  Clerk. 

Then  passed  the  following  Resolves  unanimously: 

Whereas  confederacies  are  judged  to  be  formed  or  forming 
in  many  parts  of  the  country,  and  may  be  strengthened,  and 
many  other  great  inconveniences  ensue  from  such  persons 
who  are  inimical  to  the  cause  of  American  liberty  collecting 
together:  Therefore, 


Resolved,  That  we  will  use  our  best  endeavours  to  prevent 
such  persons  assembling  together  for  such  purposes,  and 
restrain  them  from  all  intercourse  with  each  other,  or  with 
the  officers  or  privates  sent  into  this  County,  or  any  of  these 
States,  as  prisoners,  by  confining  them  to  their  towns  or  farms, 
or  laying  them  under  bonds,  or  by  committing  them  to  close 
custody,  or  otherwise,  as  may  be  judged  proper,  agreeable 
to  the  orders  of  this  State ;  and  that  all  such  as  are  noto- 
riously inimical,  (svhatever  their  pretensions  may  be,)  shall 
be  disarmed  and  confined  to  the  limits  of  their  towns  or 
farms,  until  properly  released  from  said  confinement  by  said 
Committee. 

And  whereas  divers  wicked  persons,  intending  to  defraud 
the  inhabitants  of  these  States,  and  for  the  sake  of  base  and 
unlawful  gain,  have  forged,  altered,  and  uttered  divers  Notes 
and  Bills  of  this  and  the  other  American  States,  and  have 
also  used  divers  artifices  and  much  low  cunning  to  depreciate 
the  value  of  our  Paper  currency,  to  the  great  damage  of  the 
good  people  of  these  States,  &.C.:  Therefore. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  use  our  utmost  efforts  in  discover- 
ing all  such  frauds,  and  bringing  to  condign  punishment  all 
such  wicked  persons  as  aforesaid,  agreeable  to  the  laws  of 
this  State. 

It  is  recommended  to  the  Committees  of  Safety  for  the 
several  towns  in  the  County  aforesaid,  that  such  persons  as 
are  prisoners,  and  have  hired  themselves  out  for  their  support, 
be  not  permitted  to  go  out  of  the  limits  of  such  towns,  until 
the  time  of  their  contract  be  fulfilled,  unless  some  other 
person  go  with  them,  at  the  order  of  the  Committee  of  such 
town  where  they  reside ;  that  their  respective  masters  see 
that  they  keep  good  hours,  and  conduct  themselves  well  in 
their  families;  that  the  said  prisoners  be  not  allowed  to 
frequent  publick  houses,  and  have  no  spirituous  liquors  on 
the  Sabbath,  on  any  pretence  whatsoever;  and  that  they  be 
not  permitted  to  dwell  with  any  person  judged  to  be  inimical 
to  the  American  States. 

It  is  also  recommended  to  the  several  towns  in  the  County 
aforesaid  that  may  be  defective,  that  they  procure,  as  soon 
as  may  be,  their  town-stock  of  powder,  and  furnish  such  of 
the  poor  in  their  several  towns  with  fire-arms,  as  are  not  able 
to  equip  themselves  agreeable  to  the  order  of  this  State. 

And  whereas  there  are  divers  persons  in  these  States  now 
on  parole,  who  frequently  visit  the  officers  and  privates  who 
are  prisoners  in  the  several  towns,  to  the  great  danger  and 
disquietude  of  the  good  people  of  this  State :  Therefore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Reading  be  desired  to 
acquaint  the  honourable  Board  therewith,  and  desire  that  all 
such  towns  as  have  officers  quartered  in  them  may  be  ex- 
cepted  from  said  parole,  that  so  all  such  intercourse  may  be 
prevented  for  the  future. 

It  is  also  recommended  that  the  Committees  of  the  several 
Towns  in  this  County  desire  their  Representatives  to  use 
their  utmost  influence  in  the  General  Court  to  procure  an 
order  of  this  State,  that  all  persons  travelling  through  the 
same  shall  have  passes,  denoting  their  friendliness  to  the 
American  States,  and  make  provision  for  the  taking  up  and 
examining  all  suspected  persons. 

And  we  do  hereby  bear  testimony  against  all  mobs,  riots, 
and  disorderly  proceedings;  and  will  endeavour  to  suppress 
all  vice,  immorality,  and  profaneness. 

Voted,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  call  County 
meetings  for  the  future,  if  occasion  requires,  and  that  they 
write  to  the  Committees  of  the  several  Towns,  and  inform 
them  in  said  notification  for  what  purpose  said  meeting  is 
called. 

Then  chose  Ephraim  Wood,  Esq.,  Jonas  Haywood,  Esq., 
and  James  Barrett,  Esq.,  a  Committee  for  that  purpose. 

Voted,  That  the  Clerk  be  desired  to  transmit  an  extract 
from  the  Minutes  to  the  publisher  of  the  Monday  and  Thurs- 
day paper. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

OLIVER  PKESCOTT,  Clerk. 


ORDERS  IN  COUNCIL. 

At  the  Court  at  St.  James's,  the  21st  day  of  August,  1776. 
Present:  The  King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty  in  Council. 

Whereas  the  time  limited  by  his  Majesty's  Order  in  Coun- 
cil of  the  17th  of  May  last  for  prohibiting  the  exporting  out 
of  this  Kingdom,  or  carrying  coastwise,  Gunpowder,  Salt- 


1089 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1090 


petre,  or  any  sort  of  Arms  or  Ammunition,  will  expire  on 
the  23d  of  this  instant,  August;  and  whereas  it  is  judged 
expedient  that  the  said  prohibition  should  be  continued  for 
some  time  longer,  except  in  those  cases  where  (for  the 
benefit  and  advantage  of  trade,  and  for  the  use  and  defence 
of  ships  trading  to  foreign  parts,  and  of  the  transports  and 
victualling  vessels  employed  in  his  Majesty's  service)  his 
Majesty,  by  his  several  Orders  in  Council  of  the  13th  and 
27th  of  October,  and  of  the  6th  and  22d  of  November  1775, 
and  of  the  5th  and  19th  of  February  last,  has  thought 
proper  to  permit  and  allow  the  exportation  of  and  carrying 
coastwise  Gunpowder,  Saltpetre,  Arms,  and  Ammunition, 
under  certain  conditions  and  restrictions  mentioned  in  the 
said  Orders:  His  Majesty  doth  therefore,  by  and  with  the 
advice  of  his  Privy  Council,  hereby  order,  require,  prohibit, 
and  command,  that  no  person  or  persons  whomsoever  (ex- 
cept the  Master-General,  Lieutenant-General,  or  principal 
Officers  of  the  Ordnance,  for  his  Majesty's  service)  do,  at  any 
time  during  the  space  of  three  months,  to  commence  from 
the  said  23d  day  of  this  instant,  August,  presume  to  trans- 
port into  any  parts  out  of  this  Kingdom,  or  carry  coastwise, 
any  Gunpowder,  Saltpetre,  or  any  sort  of  Arms  or  Ammu- 
nition, or  ship  or  lade  any  Gunpowder,  Saltpetre,  or  any 
sort  of  Arms  or  Ammunition,  on  board  any  ship  or  vessel, 
in  order  to  transporting  the  same  beyond  the  seas,  or  carry- 
ing the  same  coastwise,  except  in  the  cases  comprised  within 
the  aforementioned  Orders  in  Council  of  the  13th  and  27th 
of  October,  and  the  6th  and  22d  of  November,  1775,  and  of 
the  5th  and  19th  of  February  last,  without  leave  or  permis- 
sion in  that  behalf  first  obtained  from  his  Majesty  or  his 
Privy  Council,  upon  pain  of  incurring  and  suffering  the 
respective  forfeitures  and  penalties  inflicted  by  an  act  passed 
in  the  twenty-ninth  year  of  his  late  Majesty's  reign,  intituled 
"An  act  to  empower  his  Majesty  to  prohibit  the  exportation 
of  Saltpetre,  and  to  enforce  the  law  for  empowering  his 
Majesty  to  prohibit  the  exportation  of  Gunpowder,  or  any 
sort  of  Arms  and  Ammunition ;  and  also  to  empower  his 
Majesty  to  restrain  the  carrying  coastwise  of  Saltpetre,  Gun- 
powder, or  any  sort  of  Arms  or  Ammunition."  And  the 
Lords  Commissioners  of  his  Majesty's  Treasury,  the  Com- 
missioners for  executing  the  office  of  Lord  High  Admiral  of 
Great  Britain,  the  Lord  Warden  of  the  Cinque  Ports,  the 
Master-General  of  the  Ordnance,  and  his  Majesty's  Secre- 
tary at  War,  are  to  give  the  necessary  directions  herein,  as 
to  them  may  respectively  appertain. 

STEPH.  COTTRELL. 

At  the  Court  at  St.  James's,  the  21st  day  of  August,  1776. 
Present:  The  King's  Most  Excellent  Majesty  in  Council. 

Whereas  his  Majesty  was  graciously  pleased,  by  his  Royal 
Proclamation,  bearing  date  the  22d  day  of  March  last,  to 
promise  and  declare  that  the  bounties  of  £3  for  every  Able 
Seaman,  and  of  £2  for  every  Ordinary  Seaman,  fit  for  his 
Majesty's  service,  should  be  paid  in  the  manner  thereby 
directed  to  every  such  Able  and  Ordinary  Seaman,  not  above 
the  as;e  of  fifty,  nor  under  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  who 
should,  on  or  before  the  30th  day  of  April  then  following, 
enter  themselves  to  serve  in  his  Majesty's  Royal  Navy, 
either  with  the  Captains  or  Lieutenants  of  his  Majesty's 
ships,  or  the  chief  officers  on  board  such  tenders  as  should 
be  employed  for  raising  men  for  the  service  of  the  Royal 
Navy :  And  whereas  the  time  thereby  limited  was,  by 
Orders  in  Council,  prolonged  and  extended  from  the  said 
30th  day  of  April  to  the  31st  day  of  this  instant,  August; 
and  it  being  judged  expedient  for  his  Majesty's  service  that 
the  said  bounties  should  be  continued  to  be  paid  for  some 
longer  time ;  his  Majesty,  with  the  advice  of  his  Privy  Coun- 
cil, doth  therefore  order,  and  it  is  hereby  accordingly  ordered, 
that  the  time  limited  for  payment  of  the  said  bounties  be 
prolonged  and  extended  from  the  said  31st  day  of  this  in- 
stant, August,  to  the  31st  day  of  October  next,  inclusive; 
whereof  all  persons  concerned  are  to  take  notice  and  govern 
themselves  accordingly. 

STEPH.  COTTRELL. 


loose  muskets,  and  twenty  pieces  of  osnaburgs.  Mr.  Walker 
tells  me  he  received  only  four  hundred  and  thirty-one  half 
barrels  of  powder.  The  persons  I  intrusted  to  deliver  it  are 
certain  they  delivered  the  whole  quantity.  I  hope  it  will  be 
found  right. 

As  soon  as  I  was  informed  by  Captain  Conway  of  his 
arrival,  and  that  the  powder,  &c.,  was  landed  and  stored  not 
more  than  two  miles  from  navigation,  in  the  lower  end  of  the 
County,  I  thought  it  by  no  means  a  safe  place  for  so  valuable 
a  cargo,  especially  as  Lord  Dunmore's  fleet  was  lying  at  no 
great  distance  from  it;  therefore  I  directed  it  to  be  carted 
about  twelve  or  fourteen  miles  higher  up  the  country,  where 
it  might  be  more  immediately  under  my  inspection.  This, 
together  with  the  necessity  of  having  a  constant  guard,  has 
occasioned  a  considerable  expense,  but  not  more,  I  hope, 
than  will  be  thought  requisite.  The  several  accounts  were 
laid  before  the  Committee,  who  regulated  them  as  they 
thought  proper,  except  some  few  which  I  made  a  particular 
agreement  for. 

You  may  be  assured,  gentlemen,  that  I  have  acted  as 
if  it  had  been  upon  my  own  account,  and  the  trouble  I  have 
been  at  you  are  exceedingly  welcome  to.  I  think  myself 
happy  in  having  had  it  in  my  power  to  serve  the  Province 
of  Maryland,  particularly  upon  so  interesting  an  occasion. 
There  is  still  a  balance  due  to  the  Colony  of  Virginia,  of 
£3  18s.  2rf.,  which  Captain  Walker  has  promised  to  pay. 

I  am,  with  regard,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

THOS.  JONES. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of  the 
Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CECIL  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 
[No.  153.]  Annapolis,  August  21,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  approve  very  much  of  what  you  have 
done,  and  send  you  five  hundred  pounds  currency  by  Cap- 
tain George.  You  will  be  pleased  to  purchase  all  the  guns 
and  blankets  you  can  for  the  use  of  the  Province.  There 
are  not  enough  to  be  had  here,  and  are  greatly  wanting. 
Cartouch-boxes,  bayonets,  belts,  and  gun-slings,  are  sent  up 
to  Chester-Town  for  the  Eastern-shore  companies,  and  Co- 
lonel Richardson  has  orders  to  distribute  them  among  his 
battalion.  Canteens  are  high.  We  have  a  number  of 
workmen  engaged  in  making  wooden  bottles  at  2*.,  a  few  at 
2s.  Id.,  and  hope  to  supply  you  from  Kent. 

Enclosed  is  an  order  of  Convention  relative  to  the  pay 
and  rations  of  the  Flying-Camp  Militia.  Knapsacks  and 
haversacks  are  making  at  Baltimore-Town,  and  shall  be  sent 
up  for  the  companies,  and  priming-wires  and  brushes,  if  our 
contractors  furnish  them  in  time,  which  we  expect  they  will 
do.  We  are,  &.c. 
To  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Cecil  County. 


MARYLAND   COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  ISAAC  DRIEST. 
[No.  154.]  Annapolis,  August  21,  1776. 

SIR:  We  have  received  your  favours  of  the  19th  and  20th 
instant.  If  Jacobs  will  not  set  all  his  hands  to  work  on  the 
tents,  and  give  the  utmost  despatch  in  his  power  in  having 
them  completed,  he  must  deliver  the  linen  to  Johnson,  as 
the  troops  must  not  be  detained  on  their  march  to  the  north- 
ward. Cloth  at  twenty-five  shillings  is  abundantly  too  high 
for  blankets.  We  think  the  bottle-makers  should  be  exempt 
from  mustering  while  they  are  engaged  in  the  service  of  the 
publick,  and  don't  doubt  that  their  Captains  will  excuse  them 
for  not  attending.  They  must  work  day  and  night.  Bay- 
onet-belts must  be  supplied  the  Flying-Camp  out  of  the 
magazine.  We  shall  want  six  hundred  more  knapsacks  and 
haversacks,  and  desire  they  may  be  immediately  made  as 
soon  as  the  linen  arrives  from  Parker,  which  will  be  in  a 
day  or  two  at  farthest.  Deliver  it  to  Johnson  to  be  made  up 
into  tents.  We  are,  &.c. 
To  Mr.  Isaac  Griest,  Quartermaster. 


THOMAS  JONES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONfiRESS. 


Virginia,  Northumberland  County,  August  21, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  delivered  to  Mr.  Thomas  Walker, 
at  the  request  of  Captain  Nicholson,  four  hundred  and  thirty- 
two  half  barrels  of  gunpowder,  eighteen  chests  of  arms,  vanced  by  this  Province  on  account  of  this  Congress. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  69 


[No.  155.]  Annapolis,  Maryland,  August  21,  1776. 

SIR:  The  President  informs  us  that,  by  the  order  of  the 
Convention,  he  wrote  to  you  for  £10,000,  for  money  ad- 

Ifthe 


1091 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1092 


requisition  in  lhat  letter  is  complied  with,  we  shall  be  obliged 
if  you  will  order  the  money  to  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  Ste- 
phen Stewart,  who  will  convey  it  safely  to  us. 

We  are,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  hum- 
ble servants.  By  order: 

DANL.  OF  ST.  THOS.  JENIFER,  President. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Hon- 
ourable Congress,  at  Philadelphia. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  SAMUEL  DORSEY. 
[No.  156.]  Annapolis,  August  21,  1776. 

SIR:  We  approve  your  patterns  for  a  tent,  but  cannot  give 
the  price  you  ask.  One  of  the  Baltimore  tentmakers  was 
here,  and  says  he  will  make  them  with  a  round  seam  for  two 
dollars.  If  you  would  make  them  with  such  seams  on  your 
model,  we  would  have  you  proceed ;  otherwise,  be  pleased 
to  make  some  agreeable  to  the  Baltimore  pattern,  at  twelve 
shillings.  If  you  do  not  care  to  make  them  on  those  terms, 
send  the  linen  you  have  to  Baltimore-Town  to  William 
Johnson,  who  has  agreed  to  make  at  those  prices. 

The  tent-poles  we  will  pay  you  for  according  to  the  price 
given  at  Baltimore,  which  we  cannot  now  ascertain.  We 
wish  to  hear  more  fully  about  the  bayonets. 

We  are,  &c. 

To  Mr.  Samuel  Dorsey,  Anne-Arundel  County. 


CAPTAIN  DAHNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
Queen-Anne's  County,  August  21,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Yesterday  Captain  Dean  produced  an  order 
from  your  Board,  ordering  the  arms  out  of  the  hands  of  my 
company  into  that  of  Captain  Dean's,  which  I  think  exceed- 
ing hard,  as  I  myself,  the  rest  of  the  officers,  and  many  of 
the  privates,  have  taken  very  uncommon  pains  to  collect 
arms  for  the  use  of  this  company. 

I  suppose  the  situation  of  my  company  may  have  been 
misrepresented  to  you.  Mr.  Joseph  Nicholson,  one  of  your 
Board,  informs  me  it  has;  that  is,  that  there  was  not  a  pro- 
bability of  arming  my  company.  I  can  venture  to  assure 
you  that  by  Saturday  next  we  shall  be  well  armed.  I  make 
not  the  least  doubt,  gentlemen,  but  in  that  case  you  would 
prohibit  the  culling  of  my  arms. 

My  men  are  exceedingly  distressed  for  want  of  linen ;  it 
is  not  to  be  had  here.  Therefore  shall  be  much  obliged  by 
two  bolts  of  linen.  Please  despatch  it  immediately,  as  we 
are  daily  expecting  orders  to  march. 

Am,  gentlemen,  your  very  ready,  humble  servant, 

JOHN  DARNES. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


DOCTOR  WEISENTHALL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Baltimore-Town,  August  21,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  bearer,  Dr.  Finley,  is  one  of  the  can- 
didates that  has  offered  himself  several  times  for  a  Surgeon's 
place  in  one  of  the  battalions  of  Militia.  He  is  well  known 
to  Colonel  Hall,  of  whom  probably  best  inquiry  may  be 
made  concerning  his  fitness  for  the  service.  Mr.  John  Dor- 
sey, of  Frederick  County,  likewise  has  applied,  of  whom  I 
had  opportunity  to  speak  the  last  time  I  was  in  Annapolis. 
Mr.  John  Johnson  has  been  long  willing  to  accept  a  Mate's 
station,  who  is  at  present  in  Frederick-Town.  As  I  have 
not  received  your  particular  directions  concerning  Surgeons 
of  the  Militia,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  mention  only  the 
above,  as  Dr.  Finley  intended  to  go  down  personally. 

Colonel  Swing's  battalion  marched  away  without  any 
Surgeon,  though  I  furnished  them  with  some  trifling  medi- 
cines, especially  to  Captain  Posey,  who  had  the  most  sick, 
as  well  as  Captain  Young's  company. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 

humble  servant, 

C.  WEISENTHALL. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


under  my  care.  The  same  is  continued  carrying  on,  but — 
what  is  the  reason  I  can't  say — we  can't  produce  the  quan- 
tity I  have  heard  made  at  some  places.  We  are  assiduous 
at  the  business,  and  lose  no  time  from  the  work,  except  when 
employed  in  collecting  the  stock.  The  exact  quantity  made 
I  can't  justly  say,  having  not  weighed  off  for  some  time.  I 
expect  some  odds  of  two  hundred  weight.  We  daily  in- 
crease the  same  something. 

I  have  sent  down  by  this  conveyance  seventeen  bayonets 
and  seven  muskets  fixed  with  bayonets.  The  muskets  and 
bayonets  were  to  have  been  presented  to  the  Committee  of 
this  County  for  the  use  of  the  publick ;  but  this  opportunity 
offering  immediately  to  Annapolis,  and  Mr.  John  Hall, 
Lieutenant  in  Captain  Paca's  company,  informing  of  their 
being  immediately  wanted,  I  thought  it  advisable  to  send 
them  down,  and  trust  your  Honours  will  have  them  valued, 
and  allow  me  what  they  may  be  valued  at,  and  pay  the 
same,  and  of  the  bayonets,  as  per  account  enclosed,  to  Mr. 
Hall,  who  will  receive  and  transmit  it  to  me. 

There  is  also  in  the  box  a  gun  our  Committee  agreed  to 
give  a  man  forty-five  shillings  for,  which  I  paid  him.  Some 
small  repair  I  did  to  the  lock,  and  is  charged  in  the  account, 
as  also  two  bayonets  put  to  two  guns  Colonel  Carvell  Hall 
put  into  my  hands  to  repair,  and  some  charges  for  the  re- 
pairs. I  also  send  in  the  box  a  gun  sent  by  Mr.  Gabriel 
Christie,  and  one  other  Mr.  John  Hall  got  from  some  other 
person,  all  which  hope  will  get  safe  to  hand.  I  will  con- 
tinue to  make  the  bayonets ;  but  the  fitting  these  muskets 
and  repairing  some  other  old  guns  from  our  neighbours  has 
kept  my  man,  who  is  but  slow,  employed. 

I  am  your  Honours'  most  humble  servant, 

AMOS  GARRETT. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


The  Province  of  Maryland,  to  Amos  Garrett, 

To  17  bayonets,  at  7s.  6rf 

To  cash  paid  James  Brown  for  a  gun  bought  by  the  Committee 

of  Harford,  and  directed  me  to  pay  for  and  repair 

Repairing  the  screws 

To  2  bayonets  on  2  muskets  Colonel  Hall  gave  me  to  repair, 

Repairing  the  locks 

To  1  musket,  No.  1 

To  1  musket,  No.  2 

To  1  musket,  No.  3 

To  1  musket,  No.  4 

To  1  musket,  No.  5 

To  1  musket,  No.  6 

To  1  musket,  No.  7 

To  a  box  and  carting  the  guns  to  the  vessel 

To  Gabriel  Christie  1  gun 

To  Colonel  Hall  2  guns 

To  John  Hall  1  gun 


Dr. 

£  s.  d. 
676 

250 
016 
0  15  0 
050 
3  15  0 
3  15  0 
3  15  0 
3  15  0 
3  10  0 
300 
2  15  0 
076 
300 
600 
450 


.£47  11  6 

Received  24th  August,  1776,  for  Mr.  Amos  Garrett,  the  above  and  in 
full. 

EDWD.  HALL. 


AMOS  GARRETT  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Hartford  County,  August  21,  1776. 

SIRS:  I  received  by  the  hands  of  Colonel  Arjuila  Hall 
the  sum  of  £50,  to  be  applied  towards  the  Saltpetre  Works 


C.ESAR  RODNEY  TO  THOMAS  RODNEY. 

Philadelphia,  August  21,  1776. 

Last  night,  by  the  post,  I  received  an  account  of  your 
defeat  in  the  election,  and  in  which  I  was  not  disappointed, 
being  convinced  you  continued  to  be  sanguine  in  your  ex- 
pectations without  taking  the  necessary  steps  to  carry  a 
point  of  that  sort;  added  to  all  the  rest  of  your  bad  policy, 
you  suffered  CaldwelFs  company  to  march  away  just  before 
the  election,  when  there  was  no  necessity  for  it,  as  the  other 
companies  were  not  half  full  in  any  of  the  Counties.  Parkc 
tells  me  the  conduct  of  your  Light-Infantry  heretofore  had 
drawn  down  the  resentment  of  the  people,  which  put  it  in 
the  power  of  that  party  who  were  opposed  to  you  to  make 
this  use  of  it. 

As  to  the  orders  which  Hodgson  has  on  me,  he  can't 
stand  in  need  of  the  money;  for,  knowing  that  I  could  not  be 
down,  and  that  Mr.  Me  William  had  not  the  wherewithal  to 
satisfy  his  order,  the  Delegates  procured  of  Congress  three 
thousand  dollars  for  the  purpose  of  advancing  a  month's  pay 
to  the  soldiers  and  contingent  expenses,  fifteen  hundred  of 
which  have  been  sent  down  to  Colonel  Patterson.  How- 
ever, as  you  have  paid  him  forty  odd  pounds  in  part,  it  is  so 
far  well.  I  hope  you  have  taken  his  receipt,  but  cannot 
tell  how  you  ascertained  Hume's  debt,  as  you  had  not  the 
bond. 

As  Mr.  Read  will  go  to  the  Convention,  and  our  Colony 


1093 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1094 


requires  two  Delegates  to  make  a  representation,  I  shall 
come  home  next  week  if  possible;  but  if  I  should  not  be 
down  time  enough,  pray  attend  to  the  Orphan's  Court.  The 
present  Convention  is  solely  for  the  purpose  of  framing 
Government,  and  will  not  be  allowed  to  go  out  of  that  line, 
except  it  be  so  far  as  is  necessary  to  supply  the  Flying- 
Camp  with  such  things  as  may  be  heretofore  omitted.  The 
people  may  perhaps  think  better  of  this  matter  the  next  time 
they  choose.  I  am  yours,  &ic.,  CJESAR  RODNET. 

To  Mr.  Thomas  Rodney. 

P.  S.  One  Woodcock,  at  Wilmington,  has  been  speaking 
to  me  about  a  privateer  he  was  applied  to  to  build  by  Cap- 
tain Pope.  He  says  he  has  a  parcel  of  carpenters  sent  to 
him  and  cannot  go  on  for  want  of  the  iron-work,  rum,  &ic. 
Some  person  among  you  ought  to  go  immediately  and  enter 
into  a  contract  with  him  and  find  the  means  of  supplying 
him. 


PETITION   OF    THE    OFFICERS    OF    THE    FIRST    AND    SECOND 
REGIMENTS  OF  VIRGINIA. 

Presented  21st  August,  1776,  and  agreed  to  be  explained  and  sent  to  the 
Delegates  in  Congress. 

[Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 
To  the  Honourable  the  Lieutenant-Governour  and  Council 

of  State  of  the  Commonwealth  of  VIRGINIA: 

The  Petition  of  the  Captains  and  Subalterns  of  the  two 

OLD  VIRGINIA  Regiments  humbly  showeth: 

That  your  petitioners,  actuated  by  the  love  of  their  coun- 
try, were  forward  to  enter  into  military  duty,  and  promised 
to  themselves  those  advantages  of  rank  to  which  their  early 
services  would  of  right  entitle  them.  That  although  they 
were,  many  of  them,  actually  imbodied  and  encamped  near 
Williamsburgh  before  the  two  first  regiments  of  North-  Caro- 
lina Continentals  were  even  directed  to  be  raised,  as  your 
petitioners  are  informed,  yet  your  petitioners,  holding  at  that 
time  only  Colonial  commissions,  having  the  highest  respect 
for  the  authority  of  the  Congress,  cheerfully  submitted  to  the 
precedence  given  the  North- Carolinians,  although  younger 
in  the  service  than  themselves,  and  then  employed  in  the 
Colony  of  Virginia,  to  which  your  petitioners  belonged. 
That  the  same  temper,  which  prompted  your  petitioners  to 
submit  in  the  instance  above  specified,  does  also  dispose 
them  to  insist  upon  that  rank  to  which  they  are  entitled. 
That  your  petitioners  are  well  informed  that  the  two  first 
regiments  are  upon  the  Continental  establishment  from  the 
first  of  November;  they  are  therefore  much  at  a  loss  to  ac- 
count for  the  present  date  of  their  commissions,  which  are 
brought  down  as  late  as  the  middle  and  last  of  January,  by 
which  your  petitioners  will  lose  their  just  rank  in  the  Con- 
tinental line,  an  inconvenience  which  will  be  particularly 
felt  by  the  First  Regiment  in  their  junction  with  the  troops 
to  the  northward,  as  the  dates  of  commissions  will  be  the 
only  criterion  by  which  to  ascertain  the  right  of  command. 
Your  petitioners  are  also  of  opinion  that  the  Congress  proba- 
bly intended  to  give  rank  to  the  two  first  regiments  by  taking 
them  upon  their  establishment  so  early  in  the  last  fall.  Your 
petitioners  are  informed,  and  have  good  reason  to  believe,  that 
their  present  commissions  were  dated  without  a  particular 
attention  to  the  consequences,  which  will  so  materially  affect 
your  petitioners,  especially  if  succession  should  be  taken 
through  the  whole  Continental  line.  Your  petitioners  there- 
fore look  up  to  your  honourable  Board  for  redress  in  the 
premises,  and  trust  that,  if  necessary,  your  honourable  Board 
will  make  such  representation  to  the  Congress  upon  the 
subject  of  this  address  as  shall  give  it  success. 

And  your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray,  &c. 

Rank  to  commence  from  the  day  they  were  taken  into  Continental 
pay. 


MEMORIAL  OF  PREUDHOME  LA  JEUNESSE. 

[August  21,  1776,  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

To  the  Hon.  JOHN  HANCOCK,  Esq.,  President: 

The  Memorial  of  PREUDHOME  LA  JEUNESSE,  of  MONTREAL, 

in  CANADA,  humbly  showeth: 

That  by  his  great  zeal  for  the  American  cause  in  the  late 
expedition  of  Canada,  he  was  much  distinguished  by  the 
commanding  officers  of  the  Continental  Army;  but  after 
their  retreat  he  could  not  be  of  further  use,  and  was  directed 


to  offer  his  services  to  the  honourable  the  Continental  Con- 
gress. That  he  has  been  in  Philadelphia  upwards  of  six 
weeks,  inactive,  and  much  desirous  to  enter  into  the  Conti- 
nental service,  daily  pressed  upon  by  his  own  countrymen 
and  other  Frenchmen,  or  persons  who  understand  French, 
wishing  to  be  employed  under  your  memorialist,  of  whom 
he  might  have  fifty  or  more,  if  he  had  a  commission  to  inlist 
them,  and  who  will  certainly  disperse  if  they  have  not  soon 
an  answer.  That  his  said  countrymen,  and  more  especially 
your  memorialist,  can  never  return  to  their  homes  whilst  a 
King's  Governour  is  in  full  possession  thereof;  but  whenever 
it  should  be  thought  proper  for  the  Continental  Army  to 
reenter  Canada,  your  memorialist  thinks  that  a  corps  of 
Canadians,  Frenchmen,  and  others  who  speak  French,  might 
be  of  great  use  in  that  service.  Your  memorialist  once 
more  prayeth  that  his  case  may  be  considered,  and  that  the 
honourable  the  Congress  would  be  pleased  to  grant  him  a 
commission  of  Captain  of  a  corps  of  Canadians,  Acadians, 
French,  and  others  who  speak  French. 

And  your  memorialist,  as  in  duty  bound,  &ic., 

PREUDHOME  LA  JEUNESSE. 

Philadelphia,  August  21,  1776. 

At  a  Board  of  War,  August  21,  1776. 

Agreed  to  report  to  Congress,  That  the  Petition  ofPreud- 
home  la  Jeunesse  be  granted,  and  a  Commission  be  given 
him  to  be  Captain  of  a  Company  of  Canadians,  Acadians, 
and  French,  to  belong  to  Colonel  Livingston's  Regiment, 
and  to  join  the  Army  at  Ticonderoga  as  soon  as  may  be. 


PASS  FOR  SERGEANT  SUTHERLAND. 

In  Committee,  Lancaster,  August  21,  1776. 
Sergeant  Sutherland,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment  of  Royal 
Fusileers,   prisoner-of-war  at  Lancaster,  in  Pennsylvania, 
hath  permission  to  go  from  Lancaster  to  Reading,  with  letters 
from  Captain  Kinnear,  and  accounts  relative  to  that  regi- 
ment, to  be  presented  to  General  Prescott,  and  is  to  return 
to  Lancaster  on  or  before  the  24th  day  of  August  instant, 
and  deliver  up  this  passport. 
By  order  of  the  Committee : 

AViLLiAM  ATLEE,  Chairman. 

Sergeant  Sutherland,  on  his  arrival  at  Reading,  produced 
the  above  passport,  and  is  now  on  his  return,  in  which  none 
will  molest  him. 

August  22, 1776. 

J  A.MFS  READ,  Chairman  of  Committee  of  Berks. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  23, 1776.] 

New-York,  August  21,  1776. 

SIR:  Enclosed  I  have  the  honour  to  transmit  you  a  copy 
of  my  letter  to  Lord  Howe,  as  well  on  the  subject  of  a  gene- 
ral exchange  of  prisoners  in  the  Naval  line,  as  that  of  Lieut. 
Josiah  in  particular,  and  of  his  Lordship's  answer7,  which, 
from  its  matter  and  manner,  is  very  different  from  General 
Carleton's  orders  which  were  forwarded  yesterday. 

The  situation  of  the  armies  being  the  same  as  when  I  had 
the  pleasure  of  addressing  you  last,  I  have  nothing  special 
to  communicate  on  that  head,  nor  more  to  add,  than  that  I 
am,  with  all  possible  respect,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 


Head-Q.uarters,  New-York,  August  17,  1776. 

MY  LORD  :  Being  authorized  by  Congress,  as  their  com- 
manders in  every  department  are,  to  negotiate  an  exchange 
of  prisoners;  and  presuming,  as  well  from  the  nature  of  your 
Lordship's  command  as  the  information  General  Howe  has 
been  pleased  to  honour  me  with,  that  the  exchange  in  the 
Naval  line  will  be  subject  to  your  Lordship's  directions,  I 
beg  leave  to  propose  the  following  mode  of  exchange  for 
your  Lordship's  consideration,  viz:  "Officers  for  those  of 
equal  rank,  and  sailors  for  sailors." 

If  the  above  proposal  should  be  agreeable  to  your  Lord- 
ship, I  am  charged  in  a  particular  manner  to  exchange  any 
officer  belonging  to  the  British  Navy  in  our  hands  and  of 
equal  rank,  for  Lieutenant  Josiah,  who  was  lately  made 
prisoner  in  a  ship  retaken  by  the  Cerberus  frigate.  The 


1095 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1096 


reason,  my  Lord,  of  my  being  charged  to  propose  the  ex- 
change of  Lieutenant  Josiah  in  preference  to  that  of  any 
other  officer  is,  that  authentick  intelligence  has  been  received 
that,  regardless  of  his  rank  as  an  officer,  he  has  not  only 
been  subjected  to  the  duties  of  a  common  seaman,  but  has 
experienced  many  other  marks  of  indignity.  As  a  different 
line  of  conduct,  my  Lord,  has  been  ever  observed  towards 
the  officers  of  your  Navy  who  have  fallen  into  our  hands,  it 
becomes  not  only  a  matter  of  right  but  of  duty  to  mention 
this  to  your  Lordship,  to  the  end  that  an  inquiry  may  be 
made  into  the  case  above  referred  to. 

From  your  Lordship's  character  for  humanity,  I  am  led 
to  presume  the  hardships  imposed  on  Lieutenant  Josiah  are 
without  either  your  knowledge  or  concurrence,  and  therefore 
most  readily  hope  that  upon  this  representation  your  Lord- 
ship will  enjoin  all  officers  under  your  command  to  pay  such 
regard  to  the  treatment  of  those  that  may  fall  into  their  hands 
as  their  different  ranks  and  situations  require,  and  such  as 
your  Lordship  would  wish  to  see  continued  by  us  to  those 
who  are  already  in  our  power,  or  who  may  hereafter,  by  the 
chance  of  war,  be  subjected  to  it. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  my  Lord,  with  great  respect, 
your  Lordship's  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Right  Hon.  Lord  Viscount  Howe,  Admiral  and 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  British  Navy  in  America. 

Eagle,  off  Staten-Island,  August  19,  1776. 

SIR:  Concurring  with  the  proposition  you  have  been 
pleased  to  make  in  your  favour  of  the  17th,  for  an  exchange 
of  prisoners  in  my  department,  viz:  "  Officers  for  those  of 
equal  rank,  and  sailors  for  sailors,"  I  will  take  the  liberty  to 
propose  an  officer  of  the  same  rank  with  Lieutenant  Josiah 
when  he  arrives.  The  Cerberus  being  absent,  I  have  no 
other  information  respecting  the  situation  of  Mr.  Josiah, 
than  what  is  communicated  in  your  letter;  but  the  matter, 
you  may  be  assured,  shall  be  inquired  into,  and  every  atten- 
tion paid  to  the  rules  of  propriety,  as  well  as  the  dictates  of 
humanity,  on  all  such  occasions. 

Principles  and  conduct  form  the  true  distinction  of  rank 
amongst  men;  yet,  without  a  competent  habit  in  the  manners 
of  the  world,  they  are  too  liable  to  meet  with  unmerited  dis- 
regard. But  insult  and  indignities  to  persons  of  whatever 
rank,  who  are  become  parties  in  these  unhappy  disputes, 
cannot  be  justified,  and  are,  I  persuade  myself,  as  much  dis- 
approved of  by  every  officer  under  my  command,  as  they 
can  never  cease  to  be  by  me. 

I  am,  with  great  personal  respect,  sir,  your  most  humble 

servant>  HOWE. 

To  General  George  Washington. 


determine  upon  the  subject  of  it.  I  should  suppose  the  value 
of  rations  ought  to  be  settled  with  the  Commissary,  or  sub- 
mitted to  Congress  for  their  decision.  I  do  not  conceive  it  is 
with  me  to  direct  in  this  instance,  and  therefore  think  it  right 
to  give  notice  of  it  by  this  opportunity. 

Since  my  last  of  the  13th  nothing  worthy  of  mention  has 
occurred  in  this  quarter,  unless  the  ships-of-war  having  left 
their  stations  up  the  North  River  and  joined  the  fleet  again, 
is  considered  as  such.  On  Sunday  morning  they  came 
down  with  their  remaining  tenders.  It  is  more  than  proba- 
ble that  an  attempt  by  two  of  our  fire-vessels  to  destroy  them 
a  night  or  two  before  contributed  to  their  departure.  The 
enterprise,  though  conducted  with  spirit  and  resolution,  did 
not  succeed  to  our  wishes,  only  one  tender  having  been 
burnt.  The  Phe,nix  was  grappled  for  some  time,  but  cleared 
herself  without  damage. 

I  am,  sir,  &c.,  Go  WASHINGTON. 

To  Major-General  Schuyler,  Northern  Department. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

New-York,  August  21,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  On  Monday  I  received  your  favour  of  the 
16th  instant,  with  its  several  enclosures.  The  time  you 
were  in  treaty  I  can  readily  conceive  was  very  irksome  and 
disagreeable ;  however,  if  the  good  consequences  you  in- 
tended are  produced,  you  will  think  it  well  spent. 

General  Carleton's  orders,  for  their  indecent,  illiberal  scur- 
rility, are  equal,  if  not  superior,  to  anything  I  have  seen,  and 
are  such  as  I  could  not  have  expected  from  a  person  of  his 
high  rank.  He  holds  forth  a  language  very  different  from 
General  Howe,  as  you  would  perceive  by  the  copy  of  his 
letter  I  transmitted  you.  The  assassination  of  General  Gor- 
don is  a  matter  entirely  new,  having  never  heard  of  it  before. 
The  paper  made  up  as  a  letter,  and  directed  to  me,  which 
Major  Bigelow  brought  with  him,  only  contained  a  copy  of 
the  orders. 

I  am  glad  the  works  at  Fort  Stanwi-x  are  going  on  so  well, 
and  that  they  have  so  much  provision  in  store.  In  a  little 
time  I  hope  they  will  be  strong  and  complete. 

By  a  letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  I  am  informed  that 
a  Captain  Van  Buren  had  procured  a  sufficient  quantity  of 
sail-cloth  and  part  of  the  cordage  wanted  for  the  galleys  in 
Connecticut,  and  that  the  rest  would  be  probably  ohtained 
there.  Upon  the  whole,  I  hope  necessaries  to  fit  them  out 
will  be  obtained  one  way  or  another. 

The  enclosed  letter  from  Colonel  Stark  was  transmitted 
and  referred  to  me  by  General  Gates,  in  order  that  I  might 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  ON  BOARD  THE 
ROYAL  SAVAGE,  IN  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN,  DATED  AUGUST  21, 
1776. 

To-morrow,  wind  and  weather  permitting,  we  sail  to- 
wards St.  John's,  where  we  may  soon  expect  to  come  to 
action.  Our  fleet  consists  of  one  sloop,  three  schooners,  four 
galleys,  and  seven  gondolas,  the  whole  well  officered  and 
manned,  and  under  command  of  General  Arnold.  If  we 
meet  with  the  enemy,  doubt  not  but  we  shall  support  our 
charge. 

RICHARD  BRUERE  AND  OTHERS  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVEN- 
TION. 

At  the  White-Plains,  by  order  of  the  General  Committee  ) 
for  the  County,  August  21,  1776.      J 

GENTLEMEN:  On  the  6th  day  of  July  last  past,  having 
given  our  parole  to  you  at  this  place,  under  the  consideration 
of  being  allowed  a  sum  of  money  barely  sufficient  to  pay  our 
board  and  for  the  common  necessaries  of  life,  and  that  the 
said  sum  was  to  be  repaid  by  ourselves  or  friends  before  our 
departure  from  the  country,  and  as  one  of  us  has  written 
without  the  receipt  of  any  answer  or  money  to  pay  our  way, 
we  think  it  somewhat  extraordinary,  and  you  must  have 
given  the  necessary  orders  for  our  being  supplied,  which  have 
been  neglected  by  some  other  of  your  officers.  We  have 
also  been  informed  that  some  of  your  officers  imagined  the 
whole  allowance  of  two  dollars  per  week  was  to  be  paid  for 
our  board  and  washing,  little  considering  what  other  neces- 
saries are  wanting  on  these  occasions;  and  as  the  small  sum 
before  mentioned,  which  we  are  to  repay,  we  humbly  con- 
ceive to  be  our  own,  and  that  the  Committee  having  billeted 
us  to  such  houses  as  may  be  most  expedient  for  your  con- 
venience, we  are  left  at  liberty  to  bargain  for  ourselves.  We 
are  at  present  six  weeks  in  arrear  to  our  landlord ;  and  must 
beg,  gentlemen,  that  you  will  give  us  some  answer. 
From,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants, 

RICHD.  BRUERE, 
THOS.  R.  HARRIS, 
SAML.  Cox. 

To  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New-  York, 
at  Harlem. 


DUTCHESS  COUNTY  (NEW-YORK)  COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee,  Dutchess  County,  August  21,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  persons  be  appointed  to  inspect  and  take 
an  account  of  all  the  Salt  in  this  County,  except  what  may 
be  intended  for  the  private  use  of  families;  and  that  no 
person  presume  to  sell  any  Salt  in,  or  remove  it  out  of  the 
County  till  the  further  order  of  this  Committee;  and  that 
the  persons  so  to  be  appointed  be  authorized  to  send  for 
any  persons,  and  examine  them  under  oath,  touching  the 
premises. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Thomas  Storm,  a  member  of  this 
Committee,  be  authorized  to  wait  upon  the  Convention  of 
this  State,  and  inform  them  that  there  is  a  quantity  of  Salt 
in  this  County,  but  supposed  to  be  not  more  than  sufficient 
to  supply  the  inhabitants  of  the  County,  at  one  bushel  for 
each  family,  and  that  it  is  exceedingly  wanted;  and  pray 
the  advice  of  the  Convention,  whether  the  Salt  may  be  sold 


1097 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1098 


and  distributed,  or  whether,  notwithstanding  the  wants  of  the 
County,  it  ought  to  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  Army; 
and  if  the  latter,  which  will  be  the  most  prudent  and  eligible 
mode  of  keeping  and  reserving  it. 
By  order  of  the  Committee : 

EGBERT  BENSON,  Chairman. 


PETITION  OF  CADWALADER  COLDEN,  JUN. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  NEW- 
YORK,  in  Convention: 

The  Petition  of  CADWALADER  COLDEN,  Jun.,  of  ULSTER 
County,  Esq.,  humbly  showeth: 

That  your  petitioner,  impressed  with  the  most  painful  ap- 
prehensions of  the  calamities  that  would  flow  from  a  separa- 
tion of  the  American  Colonies  from  the  Government  of  Great 
Britain,  did,  in  the  beginning  of  the  present  most  unhappy 
disputes,  appear  opposed  to  such  measures  as,  he  imagined, 
would  involve  his  country  in  distress;  in  consequence  of 
which,  he  was  stigmatized  by  those  from  whom  he  differed 
in  sentiment,  with  the  odious  appellation  of  an  enemy  to  his 
country,  and  thereby  became  the  object  of  invective,  slan- 
der, and  malevolence,  and  was  often  insulted  and  frequently 
threatened  with  destruction  of  his  person  and  property.  This 
notwithstanding  your  petitioner's  attachment  to  the  rights  of 
private  judgment,  and  although  he  conceived  the  freedom  of 
disquisition  and  debate,  on  topicks  which  affected  the  pub- 
lick  weal,  to  be  the  birthright  of  Englishmen,  and  a  privilege 
which  particularly  distinguish  the  freeman  from  the  slave. 
Nevertheless  your  petitioner,  willina;  to  avoid  the  giving  the 
least  cause  of  offence,  determined  no  longer  in  vain  to  op- 
pose the  prevailing  current  opinion,  of  which,  his  determina- 
tion, he,  by  letter,  acquainted  some  of  the  Committee  in  the 
County  so  long  since  as  the  3d  of  May  last  was  a  twelve- 
month, and  in  a  few  days  after  was  among  the  first  that 
signed  the  General  Association.  Since  which  time,  your 
petitioner  doth  aver,  that  he  hath  in  no  way  whatsoever 
opposed  or  obstructed  any  publick  measures,  nor  hath  he, 
in  any  one  instance,  either  persuaded  or  dissuaded  any  man 
from  pursuing  the  propensity  of  his  own  inclinations.  In 
testimony  whereof  your  petitioner  hath  publickly  called 
upon  his  accusers  and  persecutors  to  adduce  any  proof  to 
the  contrary.  Notwithstanding  which,  and  without  the  least 
cause,  your  petitioner's  house  was  surrounded  by  an  armed 
body  of  men,  commanded  by  Colonel  Palmer,  in  the  dead 
of  the  night  of  the  24th  of  June  last,  and  on  being  granted 
admission,  he,  the  said  Palmer,  and  divers  others,  proceeded 
to  search  every  part  of  the  house  of  your  petitioner  for  arms 
and  ammunition,  &c.,  and  also  examined  his  desk  and  chest 
of  papers;  and  though  said  Palmer  declared  himself  per- 
fectly satisfied  that  your- petitioner  was  destitute  of  all  offen- 
sive weapons,  &.C.,  he  nevertheless  seized  on  the  person  of 
your  petitioner,  and  sent  him  under  strong  guard  to  New- 
fVindsor,  and  the  next  day  he  was  conveyed  as  a  prisoner  to 
Newburgh ;  whereupon,  being  called  before  the  Commit- 
tee, he  excepted  to  their  jurisdiction,  alleging  its  locality  to 
their  own  Precinct,  and  that  he  lived  in  the  Precinct  of 
Hanover,  and  if  guilty  of  any  offence,  the  Committee  of 
said  Precinct  was  of  competent  authority  to  take  cognizance 
thereof,  and  therefore  desired  that  any  matter  he  might 
stand  charged  with  might  be  referred  to  the  Committee  of 
Hanover.  But  this  being  overruled,  your  petitioner  ap- 
pealed to  the  County  Committee  or  Convention.  Upon 
which,  he  was  then  discharged,  giving  his  parole  to  appear 
before  them  when  notified  by  a  letter  from  the  Chairman  of 
that  Board.  That  the  next  day  your  petitioner  heard  that 
Colonel  Palmer,  and  some  of  the  party  who  had  surrounded 
his  house  in  the  night,  had  in  the  neighbourhood  pretended 
to  be  in  pursuit  of  a  man  said  to  be  come  from  on  board  the 
man-of-war;  that  at  the  house  of  one  Mary  Knap  they  had 
actually  overtaken  and  seized  a  man,  (one  of  their  own 
party,)  who  was  made  to  confess  or  say,  that  he  had  made 
his  escape  out  of  your  petitioner's  house  when  he  heard  the 
party  coming  to  it  in  the  night;  and  that  he  had  delivered  to 
your  petitioner  letters  or  messages  from  on  board  the  man- 
of-war,  and  had  also  brought  a  letter  to  said  Mary  Knap 
from  her  husband,  who  was  on  board  the  man-of-war.  That, 
considering  the  temper  of  the  times,  your  petitioner  thought 
such  a  report,  if  believed  in  his  neighbourhood,  might  be  of 
dangerous  consequence  to  him,  therefore  immediately  wrote 
a  letter  to  the  Chairman  of  the  County  Committee,  (not 


knowing  him  to  be  one  of  the  Committee  he  had  already 
seen  before,)  acquainting  him  of  the  circumstances  of  this 
affair,  and  desiring  a  hearing  before  the  County  Committee. 
But  before  this  letter  got  to  the  hands  of  the  Chairman,  the 
Committee  had  sat,  and  ordered  your  petitioner  to  appear 
before  them  on  the  9th  day  of  July,  to  answer  the  charges 
that  then  might  appear  against  him  touching  his  being  an 
enemy  to  the  American  cause.  A  copy  of  which  order  was 
served  on  your  petitioner.  That  accordingly,  on  the  9th 
day  of  July,  your  petitioner  appeared  before  the  County 
Committee ;  and  that  though  no  charge  was  even  adduced 
against  your  petitioner,  much  less  supported,  of  his  acting 
inimical  to  the  liberties  of  his  country,  or  that  he  in  any 
manner  whatsoever  opposed,  obstructed,  or  counteracted 
publick  measures,  and  that  the  story  concerning  the  man 
from  on  board  the  man-of-war  escaping  out  of  your  petition- 
er's house  was  acknowledged  by  Colonel  Palmer  and  some 
of  his  party  to  be  only  a  piece  of  fun,  (as  he  called  it,)  or 
contrivance  formed  to  impose  on  the  said  Mary  Knap;  yet, 
to  the  surprise  of  your  petitioner  and  the  astonishment  of 
the  County,  your  petitioner  was  ordered  to  the  common  Jail 
of  the  County,  in  close  confinement,  under  every  circum- 
stance of  indignity  and  disrespect.  From  whence  your  peti- 
tioner took  the  liberty  to  inform  your  honourable  Board  of 
his  grievances,  and  to  pray  for  relief. 

And  your  petitioner  further  showeth,  that  though  the  Pre- 
sident of  your  honourable  Board  was  pleased  to  answer  his 
letter  the  16th  of  July,  in  which  he  informed  him  that  your 
Board  was  pleased  to  refer  the  matter  back  to  the  County 
Committee,  yet  he  did  not  receive  the  letter  till  the  31st; 
neither  did  the  Chairman  of  the  County  Committee  give 
notice  to  your  petitioner  of  the  matter  being  referred  back 
to  the  Committee,  nor  send  him  the  President's  letter,  till 
applied  to  for  it.  That  your  petitioner,  upon  the  receipt  of 
said  letter,  hearing  that  the  County  Committee  was  to  meet 
the  6th  instant,  and  not  knowing  whether  they  would  please 
to  call  him  before  them,  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Committee,  and 
also  made  application  to  them  through  his  friends,  desiring 
their  reconsideration  of  the  rigorous  treatment  he  had  received 
by  a  close  confinement  in  a  Jail,  for  near  five  weeks,  without 
any  charge  against  him,  (as  has  been  already  shown,)  and 
soliciting  his  discharge.  Notwithstanding  which,  all  the  in- 
dulgence your  petitioner  was  able  to  procure  has  been  a 
release  from  the  common  Jail,  upon  giving  security  in  the 
exorbitant  sum  of  £2,000,  not  to  go  off  his  farm  until  fully 
discharged  by  your  honourable  Board. 

Your  petitioner,  therefore,  relying  on  the  equity  and  hu- 
manity of  your  honourable  Board,  doubts  not  but  that,  as 
you  are  the  advocates  of  freedom,  you  will  show  yourselves 
equally  the  patrons  and  protectors  of  the  innocent  and  op- 
pressed, and  speedily  grant  him  an  ample  release  from  the 
unmerited  and  arbitrary  restraint  he  at  present  labours  under. 
And  your  petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

CADWALADER  COLDEN,  Jun. 

Coldenham,  August  21,  1776. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  SULLIVAN. 

Crown-Point,  August  21,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  When  I  parted  with  you  to  go  on  com- 
mand to  Cumberland  Head,  1  little  expected  you  would  so 
soon  leave  us.  My  surprise  was  great  on  my  return  to  find 
you  were  gone.  Part  of  the  troops  marched  away,  and  the 
rest  were  ordered  to  Ticonderoga.  I  have  always  consider- 
ed this  as  a  post  of  great  importance.  The  works  were  in 
ruins,  but  they  might  have  been  repaired  before  this.  Five 
thousand  men,  in  my  opinion,  would  have  manned  them, 
and  stopped  the  enemy  here  had  they  attempted  to  advance. 
Wiser  councils  have  fixed  on  Ticonderoga.  That  place  is 
made  very  strong.  Great  attention  has  been  paid  to  the 
fleet.  It  is  now  truly  respectable.  It  goes  down  the  Lake 
to-morrow  under  General  Arnold.  I  make  no  doubt  it  will 
prevent  the  enemy  from  coming  up  this  year,  unless  some 
extraordinary  disaster  should  happen  to  it. 

There  is  a  considerable  number  of  Indians  and  Canadians 
with  the  Regulars  at  the  Isle-aux-Noix.  I  expect  some  of 
them  will  be  paying  me  a  visit  here  in  a  few  days.  I  am 
preparing  to  entertain  them. 

The  Sixth  Battalion  has  always  remained  here.  We  ex- 
pected almost  every  day  to  go  up  to  Ticonderoga.  As  the 
whole  Army  was  to  be  removed  there,  I  did  not  throw  up 


1099 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1100 


any  works  till  a  few  days  ago.  I  thought  it  very  necessary 
that  my  camp  should  be  secured.  I  fixed  on  an  eminence 
on  the  east  side  of  the  Point,  and  .have  made  some  strong 
intrenchments  on  the  land  side,  and  shall  throw  up  some 
works  on  the  side  next  the  water,  which  will  secure  us 
against  surprise;  and  a  few  pieces  of  artillery,  if  I  can  find 
them,  would  cover  our  retreat,  should  the  main  body  of  the 
enemy  approach.  The  General  has  been  pleased  to  approve 
of  my  intrenching,  and  directed  me  to  stay  here.  My  men 
have  got  in  good  spirits,  and  seem  very  well  contented  at 
their  present  station. 

I  should  apprehend  that  some  troops  should  be  continued 
on  this  Point  till  spring,  when  the  place  should  be  fortified 
strongly.  Should  the  enemy  get  possession  of  it,  very  bad 
consequences  will  follow.  A  regiment  of  the  Eastern  troops 
might  come  here  when  my  regiment  leaves  it. 

General  Gates  is  reforming  the  Arrny,  and  is  very  suc- 
cessful. He  pursues  the  same  plan  I  have  heard  you  speak 
of  to  keep  off  the  small-pox.  Should  anything  extraordi- 
nary happen  in  this  quarter  you  may  expect  that  I  shall 
trouble  you,  now  and  then,  unless  I  find  it  disagreeable  to 
you. 

I  am,  honoured,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 
humble  and  obedient  servant,  THOS  HARTL£Y> 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  20,  1776: 

Present:   His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez Huntington, 
Wm.  Hillhouse,  Jed.  Elderkin,  Nathaniel  Wales,  and  ^Ben- 
jamin Huntington,  Esquires. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order,  on  the  Pay -Table  in  favour  of 
Cjiptain  James  Chamberlain,  for  Advance-Wages  of  20*.  per 
man  for  his  Company,  now  ordered  to  New -York. 

Order  delivered  Captain  Chamberlain  20th  August. 

Voted,  That  his  Honour  the  Governour  is  authorized  and 
desired  to  furnish  Captain  McCall  and  Lieutenant  Jacob 
Dewit  of  Norwich  with  as  many  Fire-Arms  and  Bayonets 
as  they  shall  want  to  supply  their  men,  out  of  the  Colony 
Arms,  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  David  Trumbull. 

A  Return  of  Officers  for  a  Company,  formed  out  of  the 
Gentlemen  of  the  Horse,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
James  Chamberlain,  being  made  to  his  Honour  the  Gover- 
nour and  his  Council  of  Safety,  by  which  it  appears  that 
said  Company  have  chosen  James  Chamberlain  for  their 
Captain,  Noah  Chapin,  Jun.,  their  Lieutenant,  and  Simeon 
C/iapman  for  their  Ensign,  which  is  approved ;  and  it  is 
thereupon 

Voted,  To  accept  and  approve  said  Officers;  and  they 
are  hereby  established  in  their  several  Offices  to  which  they 
are  chosen,  to  serve  in  said  Company,  as  a  Foot  Company 
of  Militia  in  defence  of  these  States,  until  the  present  exi- 
gency is  over;  and  his  Honour  is  desired  to  commissionate 
them. 

Commissions  granted  August  20,  1776. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  21,  1776: 

Present :  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabcz  Huntington, 
Richard  Lay,  Titus  Hosmer,  Jed.  Elderkin,  Wm.  Hill- 
house,  Nathaniel  Wales,  Jun.,  and  Benjamin  Huntington, 
Esquires. 

An  Account  exhibited  by  Mr.  John  Leffingwcll,  of  Nor- 
wich, for  sundry  repairs  of  Fire-Arms  and  stocking  six  Guns, 
amounting  to  £  12  11*.  11  d.;  said  Gun-Stocks  were  charged 
at  12s.  each,  out  of  which,  2s.  on  each  Gun-Stock  is  deduct- 
ed, which  amounts  to  12s.  out  of  said  sum  of  £12  11s.  lid., 
which  leaves  the  sum  of  £  1 1  19*.  1  Id.,  which  is  granted  to 
said  Mr.  John  Leffingwell  on  said  Account,  and  an  Order 
is  to  be  drawn  for  the  same  accordingly. 

Order  drawn  2 1st  August,  delivered  Colonel  Hunting- 
ton. 

Mr.  Jepson,  of  Hartford,  applied  to  this  Board  for  the 
purchase  of  four  Cannon,  six-pounders,  at  the  Furnace  at 
Salisbury,  for  the  use  of  a  Privateer;  which  being  consi- 
dered, and  the  question  put,  whether  this  Board  will  at 
present  admit  the  sale  of  said  Cannon,  and  passed  in  the 
negative. 


Voted,  That  a  Lieutenant,  one  Sergeant,  and  fifteen 
Privates,  be  detached  from  the  Company  under  command  of 
Captain  Thompson,  at  Black-Rock,  in  New-Haven,  and  go 
to  Milford,  and  there  assist  the  inhabitants  in  building  a 
Fortification  at  the  Harbour  in  that  place.  And  that  the 
Selectmen  of  Milford  have  liberty,  at  the  expense  of  said 
Town,  to  take  four  of  the  Colony  Cannon  from  the  Fur- 
nace at  Salisbury,  (viz:  three  nine-pounders  and  one  twelve- 
pounder,  if  such  are  on  hand,  or  as  soon  as  they  can  be 
obtained,)  and  also  one  ton  of  Shot,  suitable  for  said  Cannon, 
to  be  used  in  the  Fort,  till  further  orders  from  the  General 
Assembly,  or  the  Governour  and  this  Council.  And  if  the 
General  Assembly,  or  Governour  and  Council  aforesaid, 
shall  order  said  four  Cannon  to  any  other  place  during  the 
present  contest,  the  expense  of  transporting  said  Cannon, 
&&c.,  to  be  repaid  to  said  Town  by  the  Colony.  And  the 
Overseers  of  said  Furnace  are  hereby  directed  to  deliver  said 
Cannon  and  Shot  accordingly. 

Copy  delivered  Mr.  John  Harpin,  August  21,  1776. 

Voted  and  Ordered,  That  Isaac  Doolittle  fy  Co.,  owners 
of  the  Powder-Mill  at  New-Haven,  deliver  three  hundred 
weight  of  Powder  into  the  hands  of  the  Selectmen  of  Mil- 
ford,  taking  their  receipt  to  account  with  the  Colony  for  the 
same. 

Order  delivered  John  Harpin,  August  21,  1776. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  order  on  Colonel  William  Pitkin,  for 
three  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder,  in  favour  of  the  Select- 
men of  Chatham,  taking  their  receipt  to  account  for  the 
same. 

Order  delivered  Mr.  Hosmer,  August  21.  1776. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  order  on  Colonel  William  Pitkin,  for 
five  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder,  in  favour  of  the  Select- 
men of  Middlctown,  taking  their  receipt  to  account  for  the 
same. 

Order  delivered  Mr.  Hosmer,  August  21,  1776. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  on  Colonel  William  Pitkin, 
for  three  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder,  in  favour  of  Jabez 
Hamlin  and  Titus  Hosmer,  Esquires,  and  the  rest  of  the 
Committee,  for  overseeing  the  Lead  Works  at  Middletown, 
&c.,  keeping  a  proper  account  thereof. 

Order  delivered  Mr.  Hosmer,  August  21,  1776. 

Voted,  To  appoint  Mr.  Bela  Elderkin,  of  Windham,  and 
he  is  hereby  appointed,  Second  Lieutenant  of  Marines  on 
board  the  ship-of-war  belonging  to  this  State. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Lebanon,  August  21,  1776. 

SIR:  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose  the  copy  of  a 
letter  from  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates,  [of  August  11,] 
with  General  Carleton's  orders,  and  the  letter  to  Major 
Hawley  therein  mentioned. 

Permit  me  to  add,  that  the  practice  of  inoculating  for  the 
small- pox,  which  has  been  fallen  into  by  the  troops  from 
your  State,  (as  well  Captain  Ferguson's  company  at  Glas- 
gow, as  others  at  Number  Four,)  every  way  hurts  the  publick 
service,  and  exposes  the  other  troops  anew  to  that  infection, 
which  has  already  rendered  abortive  the  hopes  of  the  Army, 
proved  fatal  to  many,  ruined  the  health  of  more,  and  exposed 
the  whole  to  destruction.  I  have  full  confidence  that  this 
practice  will  appear  in  the  same  dangerous  point  of  view  to 
you  as  it  does  to  General  Gates,  and  that  you  will  use  such 
measures  as  your  wisdom  shall  dictate  to  prevent  any  ill 
consequence  from  the  past,  and  any  future  practice  of  the 
like  nature.  At  the  same  time,  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you 
that  every  precaution  will  be  taken  in  this  State  to  prevent 
that  fatal  infection  from  being  carried  into  the  Army  by  the 
troops  or  others  going  from  hence. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  your  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JQNA  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  President  of  the  Council  of  the  State  of  Mas- 
sachusetts-Bay. 

MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

In  Council,  August  21,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committees  of  Correspondence,  In- 
spection, and  Safety,  of  the  several  Towns  and  Plantations  in 
this  State  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  empowered  and  directed  to 


1101 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1102 


take  effectual  care  to  keep  within  the  limits  of  their  respective 
Towns  and  Plantations  all  Prisoners  of  War  who  now  are 
or  shall  hereafter  be  committed  to  their  care,  and  agreeable 
to  an  order  of  Congress,  the  21st  May,  to  superintend  their 
conduct ;  and  in  cases  of  gross  misbehaviour,  or  refusing  to 
labour  for  their  support,  (excepting  such  Officers  as  are  on 
parole,)  to  confine  them  in  the  County  Jail.  And  the  Sheriff 
of  the  said  County  is  hereby  ordered  and  directed  to  receive 
into  his  custody  any  such  Prisoners  as  the  Committee  or 
Committees  may  send  them  for  their  misbehaviour.  And 
the  said  Committees  are  herey  directed  to  report  their  doings 
to  the  Council  as  soon  as  may  be.  And  further,  any  Pri- 
soners of  War  strolling  from  the  Town  to  which  they  have 
been  destined  to  other  Towns,  be  by  the  Committee  of  said 
Town  sent  to  the  common  Jail.  And  the  Secretary  is  directed 
immediately  to  publish  this  order  in  the  several  News- 
papers. 

A  true  copy.    Attest :  JOHN  AVERY,  Dep.  Sec. 

In  Council,  August  22,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Sic., 
in  the  several  Towns  in  this  State,  do  forthwith  transmit  to 
the  Sheriff  of  the  County  whereunto  they  respectively  be- 
long, an  accurate  list  of  all  Prisoners  of  War  in  their  respec- 
tive Towns,  expressing  their  names,  and  to  what  Company 
or  Corps  they  did  belong;  to  the  end  that  the  several  Sheriffs 
may  be  able  to  make  a  true  return  thereof  to  this  Board  as 
soon  as  may  be,  and,  as  the  Congress  have  requested,  an 
immediate  Return  of  all  Prisoners  of  War  within  this  State 
be  made  to  them. 

A  true  copy.     Attest :  JOHN  AVERT,  Dep.  Sec. 

In  Council,  August  22,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriffs  of  the  several  Counties  within 
this  State  do  make  a  Return  of  the  names  of  all  the  Prison- 
ers of  War  that  shall  be  returned  to  them  by  the  several 
Committees  in  their  respective  Counties,  together  with  such 
as  may  be  confined  in  the  several  Jails  within  their  respec- 
tive Precincts,  to  the  Council,  that  a  Return  thereof  may  be 
made  to  Congress  as  soon  as  may  be. 

A  true  copy.    Attest:  JOHN  AVERT,  Dep.  Sec. 

Council  Chamber,  Watertown,  August  21,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  Committees  appointed  by  a 
Resolve  of  the  Great  and  General  Court,  on  June  25,  1776, 
to  inlist  five  thousand  of  the  Militia  in  their  respective 
Counties  for  the  reinforcement  of  the  Continental  Army  in 
Canada  and  New-York,  do  forthwith  make  Returns  to  the 
Council  of  the  number  of  men  inlisted  in  each  County,  and 
what  Companies  have  actually  marched  to  each  of  those 
departments,  with  the  number  of  men  there  is  in  each  Com- 
pany, and  when  they  marched,  and,  in  general,  of  all  their 
proceedings  relative  to  the  said  inlistment;  and  that  the 
Committees  appointed  by  a  Resolve  of  July  10,  1776,  to 
raise  two  other  Regiments  for  the  Northern  or  Canada  De- 
partment, do  forthwith  make  the  like  Return ;  and  that  the 
foregoing  Orders  be  published  in  the  Boston  and  Watertown 
Newspapers. 

By  order  of  the  major  part  of  the  Council : 

JOHN  AVERY,  Dep:  Sec. 


filled  up  here  and  also  by  you,  I  am  to  inform  you  that  the 
Secretary  of  War,  having  taken  his  Majesty's  pleasure  there- 
upon, and  written  to  you  fully  on  that  head,  I  flatter  myself 
all  those  difficulties  are  removed,  and  that  for  the  future  you 
will  have  none  of  the  like  nature  to  complain  of. 

I  am,  &,c.  GEO.  GERMAINE. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  TO  MAJOR  GAINS. 


State  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Committee  of  Safety, 
August  21,  1776. 


I 

SIR  :  You  are  hereby  appointed  Mustermaster,  to  muster 
the  following  companies  of  soldiers,  raising  for  the  Conti- 
nental service,  under  the  command  of  Captains  Hodgdon, 
Calfe,  Brown,  Clements,  and  Dearing,  passing  ninety  in 
each  company,  officers  included,  receiving  none  but  good 
able-bodied,  effective  men,  well  equipped;  and  make  return 
of  muster-rolls  as  soon  as  may  be. 

MESHECH  WEARE. 
To  Major  George  Gains. 


LORD  GEORGE  GEHMAINE  TO  GENERAL  HOWE. 

Whitehall,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  In  answer  to  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  3d  of 
June,  relative  to  the  embarrassment  and  confusion  which 
had  been  occasioned  in  the  Army  by  vacancies  having  been 


LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GENERAMBOWE. 

Whitehall,  ™ust  22,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  the  favour  of  your  letter  of  the  4th  of  June 
last,  with  two  enclosures;  the  one,  a  state  of  the  goods 
removed  from  Boston,  and  the  other,  a  plan  on  which  the 
corps  of  Loyal  Nova-Scotia  Volunteers  was  then  formed;  and 
as  your  plan  holds  forth  encouragement  to  those  who  have 
success  in  recruiting,  I  trust  the  officers,  by  their  activity 
and  attention,  may  be  able  soon  to  complete  the  corps. 

I  am,  &,c.,  GEO.  GERMAINE. 

LOHD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GENERAL  HOWE. 

Whitehall,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letters  of  the  7th  and  8th  July,  from  Staten- 
Island,  were  delivered  to  me  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Blunt, 
of  the  Fourth  Regiment,  and  I  had  the  honour  of  laying 
them  before  the  King.  His  Majesty  entirely  approves  of  your 
prudence  in  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  one  of  the  expected 
reinforcements;  nor  is  this,  your  discretion,  the  sole  object 
of  his  royal  approbation ;  it  has  been  graciously  extended  to 
the  whole  of  your  conduct  and  plan ;  in  both  of  which  you 
have  exhibited  such  wisdom,  zeal,  and  attention  to  the  ser- 
vice, as  deservedly  reflects  the  highest  honour  upon  you,  and 
must  contribute  most  effectually  to  the  support  and  advance- 
ment of  the  honour  of  Government. 

As  his  Majesty  had  reason  to  imagine  that  Vice-Admiral 
Lord  Shuldham  had  stationed  a  proper  number  of  ships  off 
the  harbour  of  Boston,  in  order  to  thwart  all  designs  which 
the  Rebels  might  have  of  seizing  any  of  the  succours  which 
might  be  sent  to  you,  he  has  been  much  hurt  and  surprised 
to  find  that  so  many  of  the  Highland  corps  have  had  the 
misfortune  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  And  I  am 
to  inform  you  that  orders  will^»e  sent  to  Lord  Howe  to  make 
inquiries  into  that  matter. 

His  Majesty  expressed  great  satisfaction  at  the  account 
which  you  give  of  the  coming  in  of  so  many  of  his  subjects. 
Such  a  step,  whilst  it  proves  that  they  are  impressed  with  a 
grateful  sense  of  their  situation,  in  obeying  the  mildest  and 
best  of  Kings,  will,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  when  they  find  them- 
selves sure  of  receiving  protection,  induce  others  to  give 
similar  proofs  of  their  loyalty  and  zeal  for  Government. 

I  have  sent  to  the  Lords  Commissioners  of  his  Majesty's 
Treasury  the  particulars  of  your  request  respecting  an  early 
supply  of  woollens,  linen,  and  shoes,  for  the  Provincial 
troops,  and  have  no  doubt  but  a  due  and  speedy  attention 
will  be  paid  to  it. 

The  behaviour  of  Captains  Reynor  and  Curtis,  in  their 
respective  commands,  has  given  the  King  great  satisfaction. 

I  am,  &tc.,  GEO.  GERMAINE. 


LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GENERAL  HOWE. 

Whitehall,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  I  had  the  honour  of  receiving  and  laying  before  his 
Majesty  your  letter,  dated  Halifax,  June  1,  1776,  wherein 
you  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  my  despatches  of  the  1st 
and  7th  February  and  28th  March. 

Sensible  as  you  were  that  the  interests  of  your  King  and 
country  required  your  presence  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
New-York,  I  am  not  at  all  surprised  at  the  lively  mortifica- 
tion which  you  suffered  on  account  of  your  tedious  detention 
at  Halifax,  and  in  being  so  long  prevented  from  executing 
those  plans  which  your  zeal  and  wisdom  had  projected,  and 
to  which  the  high  order  of  the  troops  was  likely  to  ensure 
success.  It  must  at  that  time  have  been  some  alleviation 
of  your  uneasiness,  to  know  that  the  delay  was  not  occa- 
sioned by  any  neglect;  and  it  will  afford  you  no  small  degree 
of  present  satisfaction  to  be  informed  that  the  King,  having 
read  and  considered  the  reasons  which  you  assign  for  your 
detention  at  Halifax,  is  of  opinion  that  an  earlier  removal 
from  there  was  impracticable.  His  Majesty  was  also  pleased 
to  express  his  entire  approbation  of  your  idea  respecting  the 
intended  motions  and  employment  of  the  Army. 


1103 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1104 


I  herewith  transmit  you  a  copy  of  a  despatch  sent  to 
General  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  which  I  think  makes  it  unneces- 
sary for  me  to  enter  into  a  discussion  of  that  part  of  your 
letter  which  relates  to  the  difficulties  that  might  arise  upon 
a  junction  of  your  respective  armies.  A  duplicate  of  this 
despatch  is  sent  herewith,  which,  for  fear  any  accident  should 
happen  to  the  original,  you  will  transmit  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton 
by  the  first  opportunity.  And  as  Lord  Howe  has  the  com- 
mand of  the  fleet,  and  there  happily  subsists  the  most  perfect 
harmony  between  you,  I  flatter  myself  that  there  is  no  occa- 
sion for  me  to  say  anything  about  the  disposal  of  the  trans- 
ports. With  regard  to  the  Forty-Seventh  Regiment,  I  must 
beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  my  former  letter  of  the  2lst  of 
June. 

The  loss  of  the  ordnance  store-ship  in  Boston  Say  is  an 
unlucky  and  very  mortifying  circumstance;  and  I  am  to 
acquaint  you  that  orders  are  given  for  a  strict  inquiry  to  be 
made  into  that  affair. 

I  am,  &tc.,  GEO.  GERMAINE. 

LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRYON. 

Whitehall  August  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  am  very  glad  to  find  by  your  letters  of  the  8th  of 
July,  which  I  received  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Blunt,  that 
your  information  of  the  disposition  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Province  continues  to  give  you  ground  to  expect  that  when 
the  presence  of  the  Rebel  force  is  removed,  and  protection 
held  forth  by  the  King's  troops,  they  will  in  general  give 
testimony  of  their  fidelity  to  his  Majesty  and  attachment  to 
the  Constitution. 

The  steady  loyalty  of  the  people  of  Staten-Island  cannot 
be  too  much  commended,  and  their  affectionate  reception  of 
the  troops  under  General  Howe  cannot  fail  to  recommend 
them  to  the  particular  favour  of  Government;  and  I  have  the 
pleasure  to  acquaint  you  that  it  is  his  Majesty's  command 
that  you  do  signify  to  them,  in  the  most  publick  manner, 
his  Majesty's  very  great  satisfaction  in  their  conduct,  and  in 
the  proofs  they  have  given  of  their  loyalty  and  affection, 
ind  to  assure  them  of  his  Majesty's  paternal  regard  and  con- 
stant protection. 

The  next  advices  we  receive  from  General  Howe  will,  I 
trust,  make  it  necessary  for  me  to  give  you  some  instruc- 
tions respecting  your  government.  In  the  mean  time  I  have 
the  satisfaction  to  repeat  the  assurances  I  have  been  before 
authorized  to  give  you,  that  your  perseverance  in  the  line  of 
conduct  you  have  adopted,  upon  such  laudable  motives,  is 
very  much  approved  by  the  King. 

I  am,  &c.,  GEO.  GERMAINE. 

To  Governour  Tryon. 

P.  S.  Mr.  Knox  having,  by  my  directions,  transmitted  to 
the  War  Office  that  part  of  your  letter,  No.  7,  respecting 
Lieutenants  Grant  and  Campbell,  enclosed  I  send  you  a  copy 
of  the  answer  thereto. 


LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GOVERNOUR  CARLETON. 

Whitehall,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  had  the  honour  of  laying  before  the  King 
your  letter,  dated  Montreal,  20th  June,  1776,  wherein  you 
transmitted  to  me  the  agreeable  news  of  the  repulse  of  the 
Rebels  at  Trois  Rivieres,  and  of  the  precipitate  manner  in 
which  they  had  evacuated  Canadal;  and  I  have  the  satis- 
faction to  inform  you  that  his  Majesty  much  approves  of 
your  conduct,  and  that  of  the  officers  and  forces  under  your 
command. 

The  zeal  manifested  by  his  Majesty's  national  and  for- 
eign troops  is  very  commendable;  and  although  the  hasty 
retreat  of  the  enemy  deprived  them  of  an  opportunity  of  dis- 
tinguishing themselves  in  action,  I  am  thoroughly  persuaded 
that  the  high  opinion  which  you  entertain  of  them  is  well 
founded,  and  that  you  will  upon  no  occasion  find  yourself 
disappointed  in  depending  upon  their  fidelity  and  valour. 

The  very  particular  and  disagreeable  situation  that  you 
have,  in  your  letter  of  the  2d  June,  described  Captain  F brs- 
ter  to  have  been  in,  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  enter  into 
the  agreement  concerning  his  prisoners  that  you  have  sent 
me  a  copy  of;  the  reasons  he  has  given  for  his  conduct  are 
solid,  and  show  the  humane  feelings  of  a  brave  officer. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  prisoners  you  will  have  been  able  to 
take,  will  be  the  means  of  procuring  the  release  of  such  of 


his  Majesty's  officers  and  loyal  subjects  as  are  in  the  dis- 
graceful situation  of  being  prisoners  to  the  Rebels;  for 
although  it  cannot  be  that  you  should  enter  into  any  agree- 
ment or  treaty  with  Rebels  for  a  regular  cartel  for  the  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  yet  I  doubt  not  but  your  own  discretion 
will  suggest  to  you  the  means  of  effecting  such  exchange, 
without  the  King's  dignity  and  honour  being  committed,  or 
his  Majesty's  name  used  in  any  negotiation  for  that  purpose; 
and  I  am  the  more  strongly  urged  to  point  out  to  you  the 
expediency  of  such  a  measure,  on  account  of  the  possible 
difficulties  which  may  otherwise  occur  in  the  case  of  foreign 
troops  serving  in  North-America. 

I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  finding  Captain  Le  Maitre  (who 
brought  your  despatches)  a  very  intelligent  person,  and  I  had 
a  particular  satisfaction  in  recommending  him  to  his  Majes- 
ty's favour,  as  an  officer  of  merit,  and  one  for  whom  you 
interest  yourself. 

I  am,  &ic.,  GEO.  GERMAINE. 


LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GOVERNOUR  CARLETON. 

Whitehall,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  had  the  honour  to  lay  before  the  King  your  letter 
of  the  22d  of  June,  wherein  you  acquaint  me  that  you  had 
formed  the  Army  under  your  command  into  four  Brigades, 
and  given  the  command  of  them  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
NesUtt  of  the  Forty -Seventh  Regiment,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Frazer  of  the  24th  Regiment,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Powel 
of  the  Fifty-Third,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gordon  of  the 
Twenty-Ninth;  and  his  Majasty  was  pleased  to  observe 
thereupon,  that  those  officers  might  continue  to  act  as  Briga- 
diers until  part  of  your  Army  should  be  ordered  to  join  the 
troops  under  the  command  of  General  Howe,  and  that  then 
their  rank  of  Brigadiers  must  cease,  in  order  to  prevent  the 
impropriety  of  their  having  higher  rank  and  pay  than  several 
of  the  Lieutenant-Colonels  who  are  their  seniors  in  that 
Army. 

You  will  here  permit  me  to  inform  you  that  the  King, 
upon  reading  that  part  of  your  letter  of  the  20th  June,  where 
you  take  notice  of  the  troops  under  the  command  of  Major- 
General  Phillips,  was  pleased  to  observe,  that  although  offi- 
cers of  Artillery,  when  ordered  on  duty,  certainly  command 
according  to  their  rank  and  the  dates  of  their  commissions, 
yet  that  it  never  has  been  the  custom  of  the  British  service, 
nor,  as  it  is  apprehended,  of  any  other  in  Europe,  that  either 
General  officers  or  others  of  Artillery,  should  roll  in  duty 
with  the  officers  of  the  line ;  and  that  Major-General  Phil- 
lips having  acted  under  you  in  that  predicament,  must  not 
in  future  be  considered  as  a  precedent.  , 

I  am,  &tc.,  Sic.,  GEO.  GERMAINE. 


LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE  TO  GOVERNOUR  CARLETON. 

Whitehall,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  The  rapid  success  of  his  Majesty's  arms  in  driving 
the  Rebels  out  of  Canada  does  great  honour  to  your  conduct, 
and  I  hope  soon  to  hear  that  you  have  been  able  to  pursue 
them  across  the  Lakes,  and  to  possess  those  posts  upon  the 
frontiers  which  may  more  effectually  secure  your  Province 
from  any  future  insult. 

His  Majesty,  in  appointing  you  Commander-in-Chief  of 
his  forces  in  Canada,  was  pleased  to  extend  your  commis- 
sion to  the  frontiers  of  his  Provinces  bordering  thereupon, 
wisely  foreseeing  that  it  might  be  necessary  for  the  com- 
pleting your  plan  of  operations,  that  you  should  march  your 
Army  beyond  the  limits  of  your  own  Government.  I  trust 
before  this  letter  reaches  you  that  you  will,  by  your  spirit 
and  activity,  have  cleared  the  frontiers  of  Canada  of  all  the 
Rebel  forces,  and  will  have  taken  the  proper  measures  for 
keeping  possession  of  the  Lakes.  That  service  being  per- 
formed, his  Majesty  commands  me  to  acquaint  you  that 
there  still  remains  another  part  of  your  duty  to  be  under- 
taken, which  will  require  all  your  abilities  and  the  strictest 
application — the  restoring  peace,  and  the  establishing  good 
order  and  legal  Government  in  Canada.  ,  It  is  an  object  of 
the  greatest  importance  to  this  country;  the  difficulties 
attending  it  are  immense;  but  his  Majesty  depends  upon 
your  zeal  and  upon  your  experience  for  carrying  it  into  exe- 
cution. The  rewarding  those  who  have  preserved  their 
loyalty,  and  the  punishing  those  who  have  forsaken  their 
allegiance,  will  tend  to  the  future  safety  of  your  Province, 


1105 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1106 


by  convincing  the  inhabitants  that  the  laws  can  be  executed 
for  the  protection  of  the  innocent  and  the  punishment  of 
delinquents.  His  Majesty,  ever  anxious  for  the  happiness 
of  his  subjects,  commands  me  to  inform  you  that  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  beginning  so  important  a  work,  and  that 
you  do  therefore  return  to  Quebcck,  detaching  Lieutenant- 
General  Burgoyne,  or  such  other  officer  as  you  shall  think 
most  proper,  with  that  part  of  your  forces  which  can  be 
spared  from  the  immediate  defence  of  your  Province,  to 

i  .•  . 


C.  STEVENSON  TO  DOCTOR  FRANKLIN. 


St.  Eustatia,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  some  days  past  a  packet  from  Amsterdam, 
to  my  address,  for  you,  which  I  forwarded  by  Mr.  Russell 
via  Virginia,  whose  confidence  and  care  I  could  safely  rely 
on. 

Yesterday  I  received  a  second,  (marked  B,)  which  will 
be  handed  you  by  Mr.  Forbes,  bound  for  Philadelphia.  I 


carry  on  such  operations  as  shall  be  most  conducive  to  the    'lave  n's  assurance  of  his  particular  attention,  and  hope  it 

success  of  the  Army  acting  on  the  side  of  New-  York;  and     w'"  De  received  in  safety. 

I  sna"  at  all  times  be  ready  to  render  you  my  services 
tms  or  anv  other  kind  without  reserve. 


And  am,  with  every  respectful  attention,  sir,  your  most 

CORNS.  STEVENSON. 


that  you  direct  the  officer  so  detached  to  communicate  with, 

and  put  himself  as  soon  as  possible  under  the  command  of, 

General  Howe.     You  will  order  such  artillery  as  you  will 

judge  necessary  to  proceed  with  this  detachment.     And  as    obedient,  humble  servant, 

a  great  quantity  of  heavy  cannon  and  military  stores  were    rr>    T\          n     • 

sent,  upon  the  supposition  that  QuebecJc  might  have  been     T°  Doctor  BenJamm  FraiMm. 

in  the  hands  of  the  Rebels,  you  will,  upon  requisition  from 

General  Howe,  supply  him  with  such  cannon  and  stores  as 

may  not  be  wanted  for  the  protection  of  Canada. 

I  cannot  finish  this  despatch  without  repeating  to  you  the 
confidence  which  his  Majesty  places  in  your  duty,  your  zeal, 
and  your  attachment  to  his  service;  and  that  you  cannot 

_  /*•_      .,11  i  if  »•**. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  COMMODORE  HOPKINS. 

In  Marine  Committee,  Philadelphia,  August  22,  1776. 
SIR:  As  you  are  now  about  to  return  to  Rhode-Island, 
where  we  understand  the  Alfred  and  Cabot  remain  inactive 


more  effectually  recommend  yourself  to  his  loyal  approba-    we  think  proper  you  should  exert  your  utmost  endeavours', 


tion  and  favour  than  by  exerting  yourself  as  successfully  in 
your  civil  capacity  as  you  have  already  done  in  your  mili- 
tary command. 

I  am,  &:c.,  &c.,  GEO.  GERMAINE. 


in  conjunction  with  the  commanders  of  those  vessels,  to  get 
them  equipped  and  manned  with  all  possible  expedition  for 
a  six  months'  cruise. 

We  think  a  most  important  service  may  be  performed  by 
the  Alfred,  Columbus,  Cabot,  and  Hampden,  by  despatching 
them  for  Newfoundland,  with  orders  to  destroy  the  British 
fishery  there.  They  must  make  prize  of  every  British  ship 
or  vessel  they  meet  with;  they  must  seize  and  destroy  their 
fishing  boats  and  stages,  and  make  prisoners  of  all  their  fisher- 
given  of  their  zeal  and  fidelity,  and  the  manifest  utility  which  me">  or.such  of  them  as  will  not  freely  enter  into  our  service. 


LORD  GEORGE  GEHMAINE  TO  GOVERNOUR  CARLETON. 

Whitehall,  August  22,  1776. 
SIR:  The  proofs  which  many  of  the  Indians  have  already 

_/*.!_*  1  i    /•    i      i •  11  .      T 


And  as  it  is  highly  probable  they  may  take  more  prizes  than 
they  can  conveniently  spare  men  to  bring  into  port,  it  may 
-  proper  in  such  case  to  destroy  them.     The  season  is  now 


large  parties  of  them  must  be  of  to  the  Army,  leaves  no 
room  to  doubt  but  you  will  have  exerted  every  means  in 

your  power  to  induce  them  to  a  general  declaration  in  our  uc  J"UI'CI  '"  BUU"  uas«  lo  uesiroy  mem.  me  season  is  now 
favour;  and  the  better  to  enable  you  to  prevail  on  them  to  come  when  the  Newfoundland  men  begin  to  load  their  fish 
do  so,  a  considerable  supply  of  goods,  suitable  for  presents  cargoes,  consequently  no  time  must  be  lost;  and  if  the  Go- 
to them,  has  been  provi'ded;  the  greatest  part  of  which  is  ^um^us  is  not  m  Port  when  you  reach  Rhode-Island,  you'll 
sent  out  on  board  the  Lord  Shuldham,  armed  victualler,  despatch  the  Alfred,  Cabot,  and  Hampden,  immediately,  ap- 
now  at  Cork,  in  her  way  to  Quebeck,  and  the  remainder  P°'nt'ng  such  place  of  rendezvous  and  such  signals  as  will 
will  be  sent  by  one  of  the  victuallers  which  are  to  sail  from  en^e  them  to  meet  again  in  case  of  separation,  and  also 
hence.  enable  the  Columbus  to  follow  and  join  them;  and  whenever 

Mr.  Hey  not  choosing  to  return  to  Quebeck,  his  Majesty  s^.e  retur.ns  ^ro.m.  her  present  cruise,  you  must  order  her  on 
has  been  pleased  to  promote  Mr.  Livius  to  the  office  of  Plls  8e™ce>  g'v'ng  the  commander  of  her  a  copy  of  the 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Province  in  his  room.  Mr.  Southowe,  ^tf"^1'0"5,  signals,  &,c.  We  doubt  not  there  are  some 
who  had  lately  been  appointed  Attorney -General,  is  made' 
a  Judge  of  the  Common  Pleas  for  the  District  of  Montreal, 
and  Mr.  Monck,  Solicitor-General  of  Nova-Scotia,  succeeds 
Mr.  Southouse  as  Attorney-General. 

A  mistake  appearing  to  have  been  made  in  Mr.  Owen's 
warrant,  by  appointing  him  a  Judge  for  the  District  of  De- 
troit instead  of  Montreal,  a  new  warrant  has  been  made  out 
which  rectifies  that  mistake,  and  the  Receiver-General  will 
have  orders  from  the  Treasury  to  pay  him  the  salary  for  the 
past  year,  according  to  his  present  appointment. 

Enclosed  I  send  you  two  intercepted  letters  of  Benefield 
ff  Company,  merchants  at  Montreal,  which  will  inform  you 
of  their  connexion  with  the  Rebels,  and  the  servicewhich  they 
proposed  rendering  them  if  they  had  been  suffered  to  con- 
tinue in  the  possession  of  the  Province. 

I  am,  &c.,  &,c.,  GEO.  GERMAINE. 


SILAS  DEANE  TO  COUNT  VERGENNES. 

Paris,  August  22,  1776. 

,  ujjuu — we  IIUMH   uic  uauiurc  01  fitiason 

SIR:  I  was  this  morning  informed  of  the  arrival  of  Mr.  in  their  return,  must  be  very  valuable.  aptans 

Arthur  Lee,  and  that  he  would  be  m  Pant  to-morrow,  should  be  of  opinion  that  by  dividin*  their  force  they  can 

Ihis  was  surprising  to  me,  as  I  knew  of  no  particular  affair  accomplish  both  these  services,  we  would  submit  that  point 

it  might  call  him  here;  and  considering  the  extreme  jeal-  to  your  and  their  determination.     ™    L-  '     '     ' 


7  O —  J  uw*i_n,       nvsi        i  i  iv    i  \j       OI  C       oUIIlt? 

ships  of  war  on  the  Newfoundland  station  to  protect 
fishery,  and  of  course  our  Commanders  may  act  with 
such  caution  as  to  avoid  being  taken  themselves;  but  we 
hope  this  will  not  prevent  a  spirited  and  resolute  conduct  in 
the  execution  of  this  expedition,  which  we  flatter  ourselves 

will  in  the  event  prove  highly  detrimental  to  our  enemies 

honourable  and  beneficial  to  the  United  States  of  America. 
These  being  the  objects  we  have  in  view,  we  desire  that 
your  orders  to  the  Commanders  may  be  adapted  in  the  best 
manner  your  knowledge  and  experience  can  devise  to  obtain 
the  ends  proposed. 

When  this  small  squadron  have  done  the  enemy  as  much 
mischief  as  they  can  in  that  quarter,  they  must  proceed  into 
the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  there  take  cruising  ground  as 
may  be  most  likely  to  intercept  the  supplies  of  Indian  goods 
and  other  stores  that  we  suppose  will  be  sent  from  England 
for  Canada  when  they  know  that  our  troops  have  evacuated 
that  country. 

There  is  another  object  well  worthy  of  their  attention,  but 
we  fear  the  acquisition  of  it  is  too  uncertain  to  found  a  cruise 
upon — we  mean  the  capture  of  Hudson  Bay  ships,  which, 

If  the  Captains 


r" ,       rj  .  .  — »  — •""  j^"'~     >•«  juui  aim  men  ueieriiiiuuiujii.     We  have  no  doubt  but 

oiisy  Of  the  British  Ministry  at  this  time,  and  that  Mr.  Lee     they  will  take  valuable  prizes  in  the  Gulf  of  St  Lawrence 

Was  tllfi  airp.nt  nf  tbf   TTnlteJ  rjilnnif,  ,n   /7™«/    n~;i~:~ 1       -r<l  J    •  n       l  J^UWIC1U,e, 

if  the  cruising  ground  is  well  chosen;  and  they  must  send 
their  prizes  for  such  of  our  ports  as  they  will  be  most  likely 
to  reach  with  safety. 


was  the  agent  of  the  United  Colonies  in  Great  Britain,  and 
known  to  be  such,  I  could  wish,  unless  he  had  received  some 
particular  intelligence  from  the  United  Colonies,  that  he  had 
suspended  his  visit,  as  I  know  not  otherwise  how  he  can 


We  deliver  you  herewith  some  of  the  Marine  books,  list 


rr  •  .  .  .  311101  yuu  iicicwiui  suniK  oi  me  iviaruie  honk'!  hst 
servemeormyaffa1rs,n0w(w,ththemostgrateftdsensel  of  Continental  Agents  in  every  State  and  several  of  he 
mention  in  in  as  favourah  P  -.,  ™nr«.  n=  ti,0  <,;.„.,.:„„  ~r  .1.,.  _  • i  r>  i -°  ,-T  ,  ';  '  .  s«veidi  oi  me 


mention  it)  in  as  favourable  a  course  as  the  situation  of  the 
times  will  admit. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.,  SILAS  DEANE. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


70 


printed  Declarations  of  Independence.  They  may  do  well 
to  notify  the  inhabitants  of  the  French  Islands  of  St.  Pierre 
and  Miquelon  of  this  Declaration,  and  sound  how  the  inhabi- 


1107 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1108 


tants  stand  affected  towards  us,  assuring  them  the  French 
Government  favour  our  cause,  and  will  probably  become 
our  allies  by  treaty.  Perhaps  our  ships  may  find  shelter  and 
protection  in  these  Islands,  if  the  enemy  have  ships  in  that 
quarter  too  strong  for  us. 

Should  this  fleet  take  any  prizes  whose  cargoes  might  be 
particularly  useful  to  the  inhabitants  of  these  States,  they 
may  do  well  to  convoy  such  into  port ;  and  if  they  gain  any 
intelligence  that  the  Commanders  think  important,  they  must 
despatch  one  of  the  small  vessels  with  the  account  to  us, 
putting  into  the  first  port,  and  sending  an  express  with  it  to 
the  General  or  to  us. 

You  will  instruct  the  Commander  of  each  vessel  to  write 
us,  by  all  opportunities,  of  their  proceedings,  and  of  the 
occurrences  they  meet  with.  They  must  make  us  monthly 
returns  of  their  crews,  of  the  supplies  made  to  them,  of  the 
provisions,  and  make  copies  of  their  log-books  and  journals, 
to  be  transmitted  to  us  at  their  return.  They  must  be  care- 
ful of  their  ships'  stores  and  materials;  use  their  officers  and 
men  in  such  a  manner  as  will  recommend  the  service,  and 
at  the  same  time  preserve  strict  discipline.  They  will  no 
doubt,  from  principles  of  humanity  and  generosity,  treat  their 
prisoners  with  all  kindness  and  attention  their  respective 
situations  and  circumstances  will  admit  of ;  and  we  hope  their 
conduct  will  in  all  things  be  such  as  to  merit  the  continuance 
of  our  confidence. 

You  will  direct  the  Commanders  of  each  vessel  to  be  very 
exact  in  keeping  a  list  of  all  persons  on  board  that  are 
entitled  to  prize-money,  mentioning  their  names,  stations, 
and  shares,  copies  of  which  they  must  furnish  the  Agent 
or  Agents,  that  receive  the  prizes,  in  order  that  just  and 
equitable  distribution  of  prize-money  may  in  due  lime  be 
made. 

We  also  wish  to  have  a  full  and  just  valuation  of  all  the 
cannon,  stores,  &.C.,  which  you  brought  from  Providence  that 
have  been  appropriated  to  publick  use,  or  that  remain  for  that 
purpose;  and  we  desire  you  would  have  the  vessels  you  took 
and  the  property  in  them  libelled  and  tried,  in  order  that 
such  part  as  is  condemned  may  be  sold,  the  accounts  settled, 
and  distribution  of  the  prize-money  made. 
We  are,  sir,  your  very  humble  servants, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,       GEO.  WALTON, 
ROBT.  MORRIS,         SAML.  HUNTINGTON, 
STEP.  HOPKINS,        FRA.  LEWIS, 
JOSEPH  HEWES,       GEO.  READ. 

To  Esek  Hopkins,  Esq.,  Commodore  Continental  service. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  CAPTAIN  HACKER. 

Philadelphia,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Since  the  dates  of  those  orders  we  have  already 
addressed  to  John  Paul  Jones  and  you,  as  Commanders  of 
the  Brigantine  Hampden,  we  have,  in  consultation  with 
Commodore  Hopkins,  altered  your  destination,  as  you  will 
learn  from  him.  You  are,  therefore,  to  receive  fresh  orders 
from  the  Commodore,  and  obey  them  as  if  from,  sir,  your 
very  humble  servants. 
To  Hoysted  Hacker,  Esq. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  NATHANIEL  SHAW,  JUN. 

Philadelphia,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  Commodore  Hopkins  recommends  the  purchase  of 
the  armed  schooner  his  fleet  lately  carried  into  Neiv-London 
as  an  advisable  measure  for  this  Committee  to  adopt;  and 
in  hopes  to  promote  the  publick  service  thereby,  we  now 
request  you  will  purchase  said  schooner  on  the  best  terms  in 
your  power,  and  assist  the  Commodore  to  fit,  equip  and  man 
her  with  all  possible  expedition  as  a  Continental  cruiser. 
He  is  ordered  to  offer  the  command  to  Captain  Chew,  of 
P*ew-London,  and  we  hope  he  may  accept  it,  as  he  is  so 
well  recommended  by  your  Committee.  You  will  supply 
this  vessel  with  all  necessary  provisions  and  stores  for  a  six 
months'  cruise,  providing  the  whole  on  the  best  terms,  and 
in  due  time  rendering  us  an  account  thereof. 

If  you  have  not  money  sufficient  for  his  purpose,  your 
draught  on  us  will  be  duly  honoured,  by,  sir,  your  very  hum- 
ble servants. 

To  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  Esq. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  NATHANIEL  SHAW,  JUN. 

Philadelphia,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Secret  Committee  have  directed  Mr.  Barnabas 
Deane,  of  Whethcrsfield,  Connecticut,  to  deliver  you  sundry 
articles  he  has  imported  on  Continental  account,  which  you 
are  to  receive  for  use  of  the  American  Navy,  granting 
Mr.  Deane  a  receipt  for  the  whole,  in  order  to  answer  the 
accounts  of  the  said  Secret  Committee;  but  as  Mr.  Deane  is 
in  want  of  some  of  those  very  articles,  as  well  as  others,  for 
the  frigate  built  under  his  direction,  you  are  to  supply  any 
of  these,  and  assist  him  in  procuring  any  other  articles  wanted 
for  that  ship,  charging  the  same  to  his  account,  or  to  the 
ship's,  as  you  shall  judge  most  proper. 

You  are  hereafter  to  render  us  an  account  of  the  expen- 
diture of  all  stores  you  receive  or  buy  on  account  of  the 
Continent. 

The  salt  you  will  keep  for  the  purpose  of  putting  up  pork 
the  ensuing  season  for  the  use  of  the  Navy. 

We  are,  sir,  your  humble  servants. 
To  Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,  Esq. 


MEMORIAL  OF  REDMOND  BURKE. 

[Read  August  22,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.     Postponed 
for  further  consideration.] 

To  His  Excellency  the  President  and  the  Honourable  Mem- 
bers of  Congress  : 

The  Memorial  of  REDMOND  BURKE: 
GENTLEMEN:  Your  memorialist  having  set  forth  in  a  for- 
mer memorial  to  his  Excellency  the  President,  which  he 
begs  leave  to  refer  to,  that  on  account  of  his  health  and 
other  motives,  not  necessary  to  mention,  he  had  obtained 
leave  from  General  Lincoln  to  withdraw  from  the  Army  in 
the  Southern  Department,  in  order  to  serve  in  a  more  favour- 
able clime,  is  sorry  now  to  be  under  the  disagreeable  neces- 
sity to  declare  some  of  these  motives,  which,  for  very  obvious 
reasons,  besides  trespassing  on  your  time,  might  far  better 
be  buried  in  oblivion.     They  were  gross  indignities,  added 
to  flagrant  injuries.     A  considerable  part  of  the  pay  and 
rations  granted  by  Congress  being  withheld  from  him  for 
above  a  year,  during  the  Presidency  of  Rawlins  Lowndes, 
Esquire,  in  South- Carolina,  and  the  command  of  General 
Howe,  notwithstanding  repeated  applications  to  his  Colonel 
and  these  two  gentlemen,  as  will  appear  from  indubitable 
vouchers;  and  having  applied  to  General  Lincoln*  for  redress 
some  time  after  the  fall  of  Savannah,  the  defeat  of  Briar 
Creek,  and  the  loss  of  our  galleys  at  Purisburgh,  your  me- 
morialist was  first  desired  to  attest  his  claim  before  a  magis- 
trate, though  'twas  sufficiently  evident,  from  the  date  of  his 
commission  and  the  resolve  of  Congress,  together  with  the 
certificates  of  the  Paymasters  and  Commissaries,  which  were 
adduced;  and  having  accordingly  attested  his  claim,  was  then 
required  to  get  a  certificate  from  his  Colonel,  then  in  camp, 
that  he  believed  the  oath  to  be  true.     Your  memorialist  was 
then  at  length  induced  to  do  what  nothing  but  the  vicinity 
of  the  enemy  could  have  prevented  his  doing  long  before, 
namely,  to  gratify  his  Colonel's  ardent  desire,  which  he  had 
often  evinced,  by  withdrawing  from  the  Army  in  that  depart- 
ment, in  order  to  try  the  service  elsewhere.     The  Colonel 
being  in  other  respects  a  man  of  worth,  and  for  a  long  time 
particularly  friendly  to  your  memorialist,  and  being  since 
killed  in  action,  'twould  be  a  painful   task  to  unfold  the 
motives  of  his  pique,  or  enumerate  the  many  little  injustices 
that  proceeded  from  it;  suffice  it  to  say,  that  to  put  an  end 
to  animosity,  he  obtained  the  General's  leave  at  Purisburgh 
to  withdraw,  and  informed  him  of  his  intention  of  serving  to 
the  northward.     And  now,  gentlemen,  he  begs  to  refer  you 
again  to  his  former  memorial,  which  was  presented  to  his 
Excellency  the  President  of  Congress,  and  which  he  desired 
should  be  laid  before  the  Board  of  War.     The  Board  have 
determined  upon  it  in  a  manner  that,  'tis  hoped,  will  appear 
very  injurious  and  unworthy  that  fidelity  and  perseverance 
with  which  your  memorialist  flatters  himself  he  has  acted  in 
struggling  through  innumerable  difficulties  to  rejoin  those 
whom  he  esteemed  his  friends,  in  rejecting  overtures  made 
to  him  both  on  the  Continent  and  in  the  Isles,  in  neglecting 
very  flattering  opportunities  of  comfortably  settling  amongst 

"The  memorialist  does  not  mean,  in  enumerating  losses,  to  reflect  on 
General  Lincoln,  who  is  well  known  to  be  a  brave  and  faithful  servant 
of  the  publick. 


1109 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1110 


opulent  relations  in  Jamaica,  to  say  nothing  of  his  service 
since  the  very  commencement  of  hostilities,  and  his  having 
lost,  in  General  Provost's  ravage  of  South- Carolina,  what- 
ever little  property  he  had  by  his  own  industry  acquired,  his 
house  being  pillaged  and  burned  at  that  time,  nor  of  what 
is  of  far  greater  consequence  to  him,  his  having  forfeited  by 
his  attachment  to  the  American  interest  whatever  claims  he 
might  have  in  the  British  dominions.  He  has  only  further 
to  relate,  that  since  his  arrival  here,  while  waiting  for  the 
determination  of  the  Board  of  War,  his  necessaries  were 
seized  on  for  diet  and  lodging,  and  to  the  liberality  of  the 
Freemasons  only  'tis  owing  that  lie  is  not  now  languishing 
in  a  prison  for  debt.  The  memorialist  submits  the  premises 
to  the  candour,  justice,  and  humanity  of  Congress. 


In  Committee  of  Safety,  August  26,  1776. 

Allowed  to  pass  to  Bristol  for  the  purpose  above-men- 

SAML.  MORRIS,  Chairman. 


Philadelphia,  August  22,  1776. 

On  Monday  last  Captain  Alexander  Hunter  came  to  town, 
who  was  taken  last  January  by  Lord  Dunmore,  and  returned 
to  Great  Britain,  from  whence  he  got  a  passage  in  one  of 
the  fleet  which  brought  out  the  second  division  of  Hessians, 
from  which  he  made  his  escape  in  a  boat  yesterday  week. 
By  him  we  learn  that  the  first  division  of  foreign  troops  sailed 
the  beginning  of  May;  and  the  second,  consisting  of  twenty- 
seven  sail,  the  26th ;  that  they  fell  in  with  each  other  off 
Sandy-Hook,  and  came  in  together  on  Monday,  the  1 2th 
instant;  that  made  up  about  one  hundred  and  ten  sail,  and 
contained  eight  thousand  Hessians  and  Waldeckers,  and  one 
hundred  of  the  English  Guards.  They  were  in  general 
healthy,  except  a  little  of  the  scurvy  and  itch.  The  Eng- 
lish troops  on  Staten-Island  were  embarking  when  he  left 
the  fleet,  and  the  foreigners  were  disembarking  to  encamp 
on  Staten-Island.  He  also  informs  that  there  were  five 
thousand  foreigners  more  to  follow  in  a  third  division. 

From  the  best  accounts,  we  find  the  force  at  Staten-Island 
to  be — 

General  Howe,  from  Halifax,  with   -----     8,000 
The  Scotch,  who  embarked  at  Glasgow  for  Boston, 

3,400,  out  of  which   850  were  taken  by  our 

cruisers,    ------------     2,350 

The  defeated  troops  under  Cornwallis  and  Clinton 

from  South- Carolina,  supposed  not  more  than   -     2,500 
The  two  divisions  of  Hessians,  Waldeckers,  and 

English  Guards,  which  arrived  on  Monday,  the 

12th  instant, 9,000 

Lord  Dunmore's  scrubby  fleet,  about  fifty  fighting 

men,  but  with  negroes,  Tories,  &,c.,  -     -     -     -        150 

Total, 22,000 


Number  of  Marines  unknown. 

Ships  Asia  and  Eagle,  of  sixty-four  guns,  theRoebuck  and 
Phenix,  of  forty-four,  one  bomb,  and  about  twenty  frigates 
and  sloops-of-war.  They  have  also  about  three  hundred 
sail  of  transports,  store-ships  and  prizes. 

Some  persons,  in  calculating  the  above,  add  fifteen  hun- 
dred, as  part  of  the  Army  destined  for  Carolina,  of  whose 
arrival  we  have  not  had  any  account,  either  at  South-Caro- 
lina or  Staten-Island. 

BERKS  COUNTY  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  for  Berks  ) 
County,  at  Reading,  August  22,1776.      $ 

Mr.  Berie  Hertel  de  Rouville,  and  his  son  Mr.  JeanBap- 
tiste  de  Rouville,  having  represented  to  this  Committee  that 
they  are  in  great  want  of  money  for  their  support  during 
their  stay  at  Reading,  and  that  if  one  of  them  could  go  to 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  he  could  negotiate  business  with 
Monsieur  Picotte  de  Bellestre,  in  Bucks  County,  and  procure 
from  him  a  necessary  supply  of  money  for  the  support  of 
them,  the  said  Messieurs  de  Rouville,  and  therefore  praying 
the  permission  of  this  Committee  for  one  of  them  to  go  to 
Philadelphia  on  the  business  aforesaid,  the  Committee  grant 
permission  to  the  said  Mr.  Jean  Baptiste  de  Rouville  to  go 
directly  to  the  said  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  to  be  absent 
on  the  business  aforesaid  for  the  space  of  ten  days  from  his 
departure  to-morrow  evening,  under  an  engagement  to  pre- 
sent himself  to  the  honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  to  exhibit  to  them  this  passport  immediately 
on  his  arrival  in  the  city. 

By  order  of  the  said  Committee : 

JAMES  READ,  Chairman. 


COLONEL  WILSON  TO   THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  August  26,  1776.    Referred  to  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Franklin,  Mr. 
J.  Adams.] 

Amboy,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  A  number  of  copies  of  the  resolutions  of  Congress 
offering  rewards  to  the  foreign  troops  who  will  desert  the 
service  of  Great  Britain,  have  been  transmitted  here.  Per- 
mit rne  to  express  my  surprise  that  no  distinction  is  made 
between  officers  and  privates.  Several  other  gentlemen — 
one  of  them  a  German,  well  acquainted  with  the  manner 
and  disposition  of  his  countrymen — have  signified  their  con- 
cern on  this  account.  I  am  informed  that  a  Colonel  in  the 
Hessian  Army  has  given  intimations  that  he  would  willingly 
listen  to  overtures.  Perhaps  it  is  not  yet  too  late  to  offer 
additional  rewards  to  officers  in  proportion  to  their  rank  and 
pay. 

I  am,  with  much  esteem,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JAMES  WILSON. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Con- 
gress. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  26,  1776.] 

New-York,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  transmit  Congress  a  copy 
of  a  letter  I  received  yesterday  evening  by  express  from 
General  Livingston;  also,  copies  of  three  reports  from  Co- 
lonel Hand. 

Though  the  intelligence  reported  by  the  spy  on  his  return 
to  General  Livingston  has  not  been  confirmed  by  the  event 
he  mentions,  (an  attack  last  night,)  there  is  every  reason  to 
believe  that  one  is  shortly  designed.  The  falling  down  of 
several  ships  yesterday  evening  to  the  Narrows,  crowded 
with  men,  those  succeeded  by  many  more  this  morning,  and 
a  great  number  of  boats  parading  around  them,  as  I  was  just 
now  informed,  with  troops,  are  all  circumstances  indicating 
an  attack,  and  it  is  not  improbable  it  will  be  made  to-day. 
It  could  not  have  happened  last  night,  by  reason  of  a  most 
violent  gust.  We  are  making  every  preparation  to  receive 
them ;  and  I  trust,  under  the  smiles  of  Providence,  with 
our  own  exertions,  that  my  next,  if  they  do  attack,  will 
transmit  an  account  that  will  be  pleasing  to  every  friend  of 
America  and  to  the  rights  of  humanity. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  all  possible  respect,  sir, 

your  most  obedient  servant,  ^      llr 

(jo.  WASHINGTON. 

Elizabeth-Town,  August  21,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  In  the  utmost  haste 
I  must  inform  you,  that  very  providentially  I  sent  a  spy  last 
night  on  Staten-Island  to  obtain  intelligence  of  the  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  as  many  things,  apparently  new,  were 
seen  from  our  lines.  He  has  this  moment  returned  in  safety. 
The  substance  of  his  information  I  must  give  you  in  short. 
He  went  on  the  Island  about  midnight,  and  got,  undiscovered, 
to  the  house  of  the  person  to  whom  he  was  sent,  who  in- 
formed him  that  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy,  of  every  kind, 
was  thirty-five  thousand  men,  fifteen  thousand  of  whom  were 
left  on  the  Island,  but  all  the  rest  embarked;  that  they  ex- 
pected to  attack  every  hour,  he  thinks  this  nijht  at  farthest. 
It  was  to  be  on  Long-Island  and  up  the  North  River.  That 
the  fifteen  thousand  men  were  to  land  and  attack  at  Bergen 
Point,  Elizabeth-Town  Point,  and  at  Amboy.  He  has 
heard  the  orders  read,  and  heard  the  Generals  talk  of  it. 
The  wagons  are  all  laid  out  and  ready;  that  they  appear 
very  determined,  and  will  put  all  to  the  sword.  They  are 
in  great  want  of  provisions;  pork  tolerably  good,  but  flour 
exceedingly  bad.  They  have  eat  up  all  the  cattle,  and 
are  now  killing  and  barrelling  up  all  the  horses  they  meet 
with.  All  the  field-pieces  are  taken  on  board  except  two. 
The  informant  may  be  depended  on,  being  employed  by  the 
General,  and  carries  his  baggage.  He  has  been  employed 
in  purchasing  cattle ;  he  has  given  ten  pounds  for  a  cow,  and 
ten  dollars  for  a  sheep.  That  the  Tories  on  the  Island  are 
very  illy  treated  lately,  so  that  the  inhabitants,  who  at  first 


1111 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1112 


were  so  pleased,  would  now  be  willing  to  poison  them  all  ;. 
they  take  from  them  everything  they  choose,  and  no  one 
has  anything  they  can  call  their  own. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  humble 

servant>  WILL.  LIVINGSTON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  at  Mew-York. 

The  Bearer  is  to  pass  all  ferries  and  posts,  and  to  be 
hastened  with  all  speed.  WJLL>  LlvINCSTONt 


Narrows,  August  21,  1776. 

SIR:  Twelve  small  vessels  and  two  men-of-war  came  in 
from  sea  late  yesterday  evening.  The  small  craft  and  one 
of  the  men-of-war  joined  the  fleet  at  the  watering  place. 
Some  of  the  blue-coated  gentry  embarked  yesterday  after- 
noon below  the  Narrows,  and  then  moved  up.  The  Admi- 
ral had  a  large  company  on  board  in  the  evening;  his  ship 
was  ornamented  by  displaying  a  variety  of  colours  on  the 
occasion. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

EDWD.  HAND. 
To  General  Nixon. 

Narrows,  August  21, 1776,  nine  o'clock. 

SIR:  Since  I  reported  this  morning,  nineteen  transports 
have  been  filled  with  men,  and  they  still  continue  to  em- 
bark. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &c.,  EDWD.  HAND. 

To  General  Nixon. 

Narrows,  August  21,  1776,  five  o'clock,  P.  M. 

SIR:  There  are  at  least  fourteen  sail  of  transports,  some 
of  them  crowded  with  men,  now  under  sail ;  and  more,  from 
the  noise,  are  hoisting  anchor.  Those  under  sail  move  down 
as  fast  as  they  get  from  among  the  fleet. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &c.,  EDWD.  HAND. 

To  General  Nixon. 


they  had  brought  their  churns,  ploughs,  &.C.;  being  deceived, 
they  had  refused  fighting,  upon  which  account  General  Howe 
had  shot  one,  hung  five  or  six,  and  flogged  many. 

Last  evening,  in  a  violent  thunder-storm,  Mr.  (a 

very  intelligent  person)  ventured  over.  He  brings  much  the 
same  account  as  the  above  lad,  with  this  addition,  that  all 
the  horses  on  the  Island  were,  by  Howe's  orders,  killed,  bar- 
relled up,  and  put  on  board,  the  wretches  thinking  that  they 
could  get  no  landing  here,  and  of  consequence  be  soon  out 
of  provision.  That  the  Tories  were  used  cruelly,  and  with 
the  Highlanders  were  compelled  to  go  on  board  the  ships  to 
fight  in  the  character  of  common  soldiers  against  us.  The 
British  Army  are  prodigiously  incensed  against  the  Tories, 
and  curse  them  as  the  instruments  of  the  war  now  raging. 
Mr.  further  informs,  that  last  night  the  fleet  were  to 

come  up,  but  that  the  thunder-storm  prevented.  The  truth 
of  this  appears,  from  the  circumstance  of  about  three  thou- 
sand red-coats  landing  at  ten  o'clock  this  morning  on  Long- 
Island,  where,  by  this  time,  it  is  supposed  our  people  are 
hard  at  it.  There  is  an  abundance  of  smoke  to-day  on 
Long-Island,  our  folks  having  set  fire  to  stacks  of  hay,  &c., 
to  prevent  the  enemy's  being  benefited  in  case  they  get  any 
advantage  against  us.  All  the  troops  in  the  city  are  in  high 
spirits,  and  have  been  under  arms  most  of  the  day,  as  the 
fleet  have  been  in  motion,  and  are  now,  as  is  generally 
thought,  only  waiting  for  a  change  of  tide.  Forty-eight 
hours  or  less,  I  believe,  will  determine  it  as  to  New-York, 
one  way  or  the  other. 

The  thunder-storm  of  last  evening  was  one  of  the  most 
dreadful  I  ever  heard;  it  lasted  from  seven  to  ten  o'clock. 
Several  claps  struck  in  and  about  the  city;  many  houses 
damaged;  several  lives  lost.  Three  officers,  a  Captain  and 
two  Lieutenants,  belonging  to  Colonel  McDougalFs  regi- 
ment, encamped  opposite  to  us,  were  struck  instantly  dead, 
the  points  of  their  swords  for  several  inches  melted,  with  a 
few  silver  dollars  they  had  in  their  pockets;  they  (the  per- 
sons) were  seemingly  roasted.  A  dog  in  the  same  tent  was 
also  killed ;  a  soldier  near  it  struck  blind,  deaf,  and  dumb. 
One  in  the  main  street  was  killed,  as  likewise  ten  on  Long- 
Island;  two  or  three  were  much  burnt  and  greatly  hurt. 
When  God  speaks,  who  can  but  fear? 


LORD  STIRLING  TO  COLONEL  NIXON. 

August,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  taken  the  earliest  opportunity  of  com- 
municating your  letter  of  this  day,  with  the  paper  enclosed, 
to  the  General.  He  has  ordered  me  to  tell  you,  that  while 
one  regiment  only  was  on  Governour's  Island,  he  never  had 
an  application  of  the  like  kind;  that  since  he  has  reinforced 
it  with  another  regiment,  several  of  those  applications  have 
been  made;  that  in  our  present  situation  Governour's  Island 
is  more  strong  and  better  guarded  than  any  other  post  of  the 
Army;  that  when  the  expected  reinforcements  arrive,  your 
post  will  have  a  proportional  reinforcement ;  and  that  in  the 
mean  time  it  is  your  duty  to  make  the  best  defence  you  can 
with  the  force  under  your  command,  ever  relying  that  the 
General  will  pay  the  highest  attention  to  every  post,  and 
particularly  to  so  important  a  one  as  that  which  is  under 
your  immediate  command. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &tc., 

STIRLING,  Brigadier-General. 

To  Colonel  John  Nixon. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST 

22,  1776. 

This  night  we  have  reason  to  expect  the  grand  attack 
from  our  barbarian  enemies;  the  reasons  why, follow:  The 
night  before  last,  a  lad  went  over  to  Staten- -Island,  supped 
there  with  a  friend,  and  got  safe  back  again  undiscovered ; 
soon  after  he  went  to  General  Washington,  and  upon  good 
authority  reported,  that  the  English  Army,  amounting  to 
fifteen  or  twenty  thousand,  had  embarked,  and  were  in  readi- 
ness for  an  engagement;  that  seven  ships  of  the  line,  and  a 
number  of  other  vessels  of  war,  were  to  surround  this  city, 
and  cover  their  landing;  that  the  Hessians,  being  fifteen 
thousand,  were  to  remain  on  the  Island,  and  attack  Perth- 
Amboy,  Elizabeth-Town  Point,  and  Bergen,  while  the  main 
body  were  doing  their  best  here;  that  the  Highlanders  ex- 
pected America  was  already  conquered,  and  that  they  were 
only  to  come  over  and  settle  on  our  lands,  for  which  reason 


PETITION  OF  ABEL  NOBLE  AND  PETER  TOWNSEND. 

To  the  Honourable  House  of  Convention  of  the  Represen- 
tatives of  the  State  q/"NEW-YoRic: 

The  Petition  O/"ABEL  NOBLE  and  PETER  TOWNSEND,  Pro- 
prietors of  STIRLING  Iron  Works,  humbly  showeth : 

That  your  petitioners  having  contracted  to  make  about 
sixteen  tons  of  large  anchors,  eighteen  tons  of  bar  iron,  and 
five  tons  of  steel,  for  the  Continental  service,  have,  for  the 
making  the  said  anchors,  constructed  a  new  anchor  work, 
as  the  bellows  and  cranes  of  the  old  works  were  not  sufficient 
for  the  wroughting  of  anchors  of  twenty-seven  and  thirty 
hundred  weight;  but  forasmuch  as  the  artificers  and  labour- 
ers have  been  and  still  are  liable  to  be  draughted  out  of  the 
Militia,  your  petitioners  will  not  be  able  to  perform  their  con- 
tract unless  the  said  artificers  and  labourers  are  protected 
from  serving  in  the  said  Militia  :  Your  petitioners  therefore 
most  humbly  pray  that  your  Honours  will  be  pleased  to 
grant  a  protection  to  so  many  artificers  and  labourers  as  are 
mentioned  in  the  schedule  hereto  annexed,  from  serving  in 
the  said  Militia,  until  the  said  contract  shall  be  performed, 
and  also  to  the  number  of  hands  mentioned  in  the  said 
schedule  for  carrying  on  the  furnace,  which  is  now  under 
blast,  and  which  must  unavoidably  stop  unless  such  protec- 
tion be  granted.  And  your  petitioners  shall  ever  pray,  &tc. 

ABEL  NOBLE, 
PETER  TOWNSEND. 

SCHEDULE. 

For  the  Jinchor  Work. 

5  Firemen,  that  is,  one  to  each  f.re,      2  Tenders,  with  coal   and   other 
10  Sledgemen,  needfuls. 

for  the  Steel  Works— Six  Fires. 


6  Firemen, 

6  Assistants, 

1  Stock  taker, 

1  Carpenter, 

]  Clerk  for  the  above  steel, 


1  Smith, 

2  Colliers, 

10  Colliers'  hands, 
4  Coal  carters, 
Likewise  1  Carpenter. 


1113 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1114 


Forge  for  making  Jlnchor  and  Bar  Iron. 


5  Firemen,  to  work  at  the  fires, 

5        do.        Assistants, 

1  Stock  taker, 

1  Carpenter, 

1  Blacksmith, 

1  Teamsman,  to  cart  pigs  from  the 

furnace  to  the  forge, 
1  Turner, 
1  Founder, 

1  Keeper, 

2  Fillers  of  the  furnace, 
2  Pounders  of  ore, 

1  Mine  burner, 
1  Stock  taker, 

1  Gutterman, 

2  Carpenters, 

1  Wagon-maker  and  mender. 


3  Head  colliers, 

15  hands,  labourers  for  the  colliers, 
6  Coal  carters,  for  the  forge   and 

anchor  work, 
1  Clerk,  for  the  forge  and  anchor 

work, 
1  Overseer,  for  the  forge  and  anchor 

work, 

1  Smith, 

4  Miners, 

2  Mine  carters, 
10  Coal  carters, 

5  Master  colliers, 

25  Colliers'  labourers, 

J  Furnace  clerk, 

1  Overseer  or  chief  manager. 

ABEL  NOBLE, 
PETER  TOWNSEND. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  MIFFLIN. 

King's  Bridge,  August  22,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  As  his  Excellency  the  Commander-in-Chief 
has  thought  fit  to  appoint  a  Court  to  inquire  into  the  conduct 
'of  the  Captain  of  the  row-galleys  in  the  late  action  up  the 
river,  and  seems  desirous  that  all  the  information  possible 
should  be  obtained  from  home,  and  that  you,  in  particular, 
should  attend,  if  you  could  be  spared — if  nothing  extraordi- 
nary should  happen  in  the  morning,  I  would  have  you  ride 
to  the  city  and  attend  the  Court,  which  is  to  sit  at  ten  o'clock. 
I  think  it  would  be  best  also  to  take  two  or  three  gentlemen 
with  you  who  seem  to  be  best  acquainted  with  the  affair. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

W.  HEATH. 
To  General  Mifflin. 

CADWALLADER  COLDEN,  JUN.,  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Coldenham,  August  22, 1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  16th  of  July  I  had  not 
the  honour  to  receive  till  the  evening  of  the  31st,  and  am 
sorry  that  I  am  still  under  the  necessity  of  troubling  you  again 
on  the  same  subject,  though  not  from  the  same  disagreeable 
place.  Upon  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  I  wrote  to  the 
County  Committee,  which  I  heard  was  to  sit  the  6th  of  Au- 
gust, desiring  them  to  reconsider  my  case,  anfl  also  got  some 
of  my  friends  to  attend  their  meeting,  who  inform  me  that 
the  Committee  was  about  coming  to  a  resolve  that,  as  I  had 
appealed  to  the  Congress,  (now  the  Convention  of  the  Re- 
presentatives of  the  State  of  New-  York,)  I  should  remain  in 
jail  till  discharged  by  them;  but,  with  much  difficulty,  my 
friends  prevailed  with  them  to  accept  of  security  for  my 
abiding  on  my  own  farm  until  fully  discharged  by  your 
honourable  Board ;  upon  which  I  was  sent  for,  and  gave 
security  accordingly.  I  then  desired  to  have  a  copy  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  County  Committee  in  my  case,  in  order 
to  lay  before  your  Board,  which  was  refused;  but  they 
resolved  to  send  a  copy  to  you.  I  sent  to  the  Chairman,  ten 
days  ago,  to  know  if  he  had  sent  them,  and  informed  him 
that  I  wanted  to  apply  to  your  Board  for  my  discharge,  and 
that  it  was  necessary  you  should  be  furnished  with  what  the 
Committee  had  to  allege  against  me,  and  the  minutes  of  their 
proceedings  thereon.  He  said  he  could  not  get  ready  the 
copy  of  those  papers  in  less  than  eight  days.  Yesterday  I 
sent  to  him  again,  and  the  papers  were  not  yet  made  out, 
but  Mr.  Boyd  said  they  should  be  ready  by  this  morning. 

I  think  it  hard  that  I  am  not  allowed  a  sight  of  those  pa- 
pers. However,  am  confident,  if  they  have  the  least  regard 
to  decency  and  truth,  they  can't  contradict  one  assertion 
contained  in  my  petition  to  your  honourable  Board.  Per- 
haps they  may  not  send  a  copy  of  my  last  letter  to  the  Com- 
mittee ;  therefore  shall  send  a  copy  of  it  by  the  bearer,  for 
your  perusal,  as  it  contains  an  explanation  of  a  sentence 
that  passed  from  me  when  before  the  Committee  the  first 
time,  which  1  have  not  touched  upon  in  my  petition,  but 
they  may  perhaps  have  made  use  of  it  against  me. 

Since  I  wrote  that  letter,  it  has  occurred  to  me  that 
perhaps  the  reason  of  my  being  disappointed  in  meeting 
with  that  relief  I  so  confidently  expected  from  your  Board, 
was  owing  to  the  mode  of  application,  which  I  did  not  advert 
to  when  1  first  applied  to  you.  I  hope  the  enclosed  petition 
will  be  more  unexceptionable,  and  that  you  will  please  to 
lay  it  before  the  honourable  Convention,  and  use  your  good 


offices  that  the  prayer  thereof  may  be  granted,  to,  sir,  your 
most  obedient,  most  humble  servant, 

CAD'H  COLDEN,  Jun. 

To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Convention 
of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 
P.  S.  One  great  reason  that  I  am  so  solicitous  to  have 
my  discharge  is,  that  I  want  to  be  at  liberty  to  go  to  see  my 
honoured  ancient  father  once  more,  who,  I  am  sure,  must 
be  overwhelmed  with  grief  and  anxiety,  at  this  critical  mo-' 
ment,  for  the  fate  of  a  country  in  which  he  must  soon  leave 
all  that  is  dear  to  him. 

GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  22,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  You  may  rely  upon  my  diligence  in  for- 
warding the  galleys  as  fast  as  possible.  The  business  has  been 
much  retarded  by  so  many  of  the  carpenters  being  sick,  and 
the  misfortune  I  met  with  in  hurting  my  leg,  which  for  some 
days  has  rendered  me  incapable  of  attending  upon  the  busi- 
ness ;  but  my  leg  is  growing  better  fast,  and  shall  endeavour 
to  forward  the  business  with  all  possible  despatch.  I  have 
been  very  uneasy  myself  that  the  galleys  are  not  completed 
before  now. 

I  sent  an  express  to  Albany  some  days  ago  for  deck  nails 
and  other  necessaries,  for  the  galleys,  which  will  be  here  to- 
morrow, without  fail.  In  compliance  with  the  General's 
request,  1  shall  send  to  Albany  to  General  Schuyler  for  what 
necessaries  we  shall  want  for  the  shipping. 

Instead  of  a  thousand  axes  his  Honour  Governour  Trum- 
bull  mentioned  in  his  letter,  there  was  but  eight  hundred  and 
two  came  to  hand.  I  shall  send  the  remainder  by  this  con- 
veyance. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  hum- 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 


ble  servant, 

To  General  Gates. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  EGBERT  BENSON. 

Tyonderoga,  August  22,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  The  29th  ultimo  I  granted  Doctor  Stringer, 
at  his  earnest  request,  a  permission  to  go  to  New-  York  with 
all  expedition,  to  procure  medicines  for  the  General  Hospital 
and  Army  in  this  department.  He  made  me  a  solemn  pro- 
mise he  would  not  delay  an  instant  in  returning  to  his  duty, 
with  the  medicinal  stores  so  much  wanted,  and  which  the 
troops  here  are  almost  ready  to  mutiny  to  obtain.  I  am  this 
day  informed  that  Doctor  Stringer,  instead  of  fulfilling  his 
promises  and  returning  with  all  imaginable  despatch  to  his 
duty,  is  gone  a  preferment  hunting  to  the  Congress  at  Phila- 
delphia, while  the  troops  here  are  suffering  inexpressible 
distress  for  want  of  medicines.  I  entreat,  sir,  you  will 
instantly  lay  this  letter  before  General  Washington,  and  re- 
ceive his  commands  for  sending  a  supply  of  medicines  to 
Doctor  Potts,  at  Lake  George.  Not  one  of  the  Jen  chests 
of  medicines,  which  you  told  me  at  New-York  were  sent  to 
the  ten  regiments  that  marched  in  the  spring  from  thence, 
have  ever  been  received  by  either  of  those  regiments;  there- 
fore be  sure  you  send  the  supply  now  demanded  by  some 
person  whose  particular  duty  it  will  be  to  see  it  delivered  to 
Doctor  Potts.  Many  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons  here  have 
not  any  medicines,  nor  do  I  believe  there  is  a  pound  of  bark 
in  the  whole  camp.  I  cannot  be  long  answerable  for  the 
consequences  of  the  shameful  neglect  of  the  Army  in  this 
department.  The  United  States  expect  the  same  good  ser- 
vice from  their  troops  here  as  everywhere  else.  This  they 
cannot  have,  unless  they  command  the  same  attention  to  be 
paid  the  health  of  their  soldiers  here  as  elsewhere. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

Ho.  GATES. 

[Copy  to  Dr.  John  Morgan,  Director-General  of  the  Hospitals.] 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  22,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  A  small  reconnoitring  party  which  I  sent 
down  towards  Gilliland's  is  just  now  returned.  The  Cor- 
poral tells  me  all  is  very  quiet  there;  that  Gilliland  and  the 
few  other  inhabitants  there  had  informed  him  that  there  had 
been  no  appearance  of  an  enemy  since  the  flag  of  truce 
came  up;  that  Gilliland  seemed  very  friendly,  and  was  very 


1115 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1116 


anxious  to  know  our  operations,  but  received  very  little  satis- 
faction from  the  party. 

Gilliland  also  mentioned,  that  Captain  Frazicr  had  told 
him  that  there  were  no  parties  of  Regulars  out,  but  forty 
liuliiins  had,  contrary  to  the  desire  of  the  officers  at  the 
Islc-inix-Noix,  passed  the  sentries  and  insisted  upon  going  to 
war;  and  that  that  party  of  Indians  were  out  when  Frazicr 
was  at  McCauky's.  The  Indians  may  have  returned  back, 
but  it  is  possible  they  still  may  be  up  this  way.  The  scout- 
ing parties  ought  to  be  very  careful. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

Tuos.  HARTLEY. 


Newport,  August  22,  1776. 

By  a  gentleman  from  Dartmouth  we  are  assured  that  a 
privateer  belonging  to  Fair-Haven  had  taken  a  very  large 
Jamaica  ship,  with  seven  hundred  hogsheads  of  sugar,  two 
hundred  hogsheads  of  rum,  and  a  large  quantity  of  cotton. 
This  ship  was  so  valuable  that  the  Captain  of  the  privateer, 
who  was  the  best  pilot  for  the  Eastern-Shore  of  any  on 
board,  went  on  board  the  ship  to  carry  her  in,  and  was 
parted  with  by  the  privateer  last  Sunday  week.  The  pri- 
vateer is  arrived  with  more  prisoners  than  men  belonging 
to  her. 


In  obedience  to  orders  from  Congress,  I  have  appointed 
the  Regimental  Paymasters  to  the  regiments  from  this  Co- 
lony. I  think  the  measure  a  good  one,,  but  am  told  that 
Congress  has  never  marked  out  their  duty,  nor  given  any 
instructions  on  that  head. 

I  flatter  myself  it  is  now  in  your  power  to  discharge  the 
balance  due  to  us  on  last  year's  account.  With  that  hope, 
the  bearer,  one  of  our  Committee  of  Pay-Table,  waits  on 
you,  and  by  him  shall  likewise  hope  to  receive  the  sums 
due  on  the  account  for  axes  and  cash  advanced  to  carpenters 
and  seamen,  now  enclosed  to  you. 

Yours,  &c.,  &.C.,  J.  TRUMBULL. 

To  Major-General  Schuyler. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Lebanon,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Yesterday  I  received  your  favour  of  the  7th  instant, 
and  make  no  doubt  you  have  received  mine  of  the  12th  and 
13th  instant,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer.  I  find,  by  my 
son's  letter  of  the  17th,  you  have  returned  to  Albany,  and 
was  so  full  of  business  you  had  not  time  to  write  me.  Shall 
be  obliged  to  you  for  such  particulars  of  the  treaty  with  the 
Indians  as  may  be  communicated,  when  your  leisure  will 
permit. 

The  axes  and  clothing  are  already  sent  by  the  same 
route  you  direct  in  your  last  to  Skenesborough.  1  am  in- 
formed the  last  ten  or  fifteen  miles  of  that  road  are  difficult 
to  pass;  and  as  a  ready  communication  with  the  Army  is  of 
importance,  I  hope  it  may  be  mended  and  made  passable. 
I  now  enclose  you  an  account  of  the  cost  of  the  axes  and 
estimate  of  the  cost  of  transportation,  also  an  account  of  the 
sums  advanced  to  the  head  carpenters,  and  also  to  the  sea 
Captains,  to  enable  them  to  raise  men  for  the  Lake  service. 

Since  my  last,  Captain  David  Hawhy,  of  Fairfield,  and 
Captain  Frederick  Chappel,  of  New-Haven,  have  been  with 
me,  and  have  undertaken,  each  of  them,  to  raise  a. company 
of  seamen,  and  proceed  to  Ticonderoga  with  all  expedition. 
I  have  recommended  them  to  General  Washington,  and 
requested  him  to  permit  them  to  inlist  seamen  out  of  our 
Militia  now  at  New-York.  I  have  advanced  to  each  of 
them  £100,  being  the  same  sum  advanced  Captain  Warner 
before,  making  £540  in  the  whole.  It  is  agreed  to  allow 
said  Captains  six  shillings  for  each  seaman  they  shall  inlist, 
for  their  trouble  and  expenses. 

I  likewise  enclose  you  invoices  of  clothing  already  sent 
forward  for  the  use  of  the  Northern  Army;  more  is  providing 
and  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  possible,  with  tents  lor  our 
troops  serving  there,  of  which  I  have  to  request  you  to  advise 
Congress,  belbre  whom  1  shall  lay  the  accounts  for  pay- 
ment. I  send  the  clothing  to  you  without  their  particular 
orders  for  that  purpose,  but  not  without  thinking  it  absolutely 
necessary. 

Our  furnace  at  Salisbury  continues  in  blast.  I  have  given 
the  overseer  orders  to  prepare  the  swivels  you  request  as  fast 
as  can  be  done  conveniently  without  putting  a  stop  to  cast- 
ing cannon.  Six,  nine,  and  twelve-pounders  are  cast  there. 
Should  any  of  them  be  wanted  at  the  northward,  shall  be 
willing  to  supply  you  as  far  as  in  our  power.  The  bearer 
will  stop  at  the  furnace,  and  procure  a  more  full  and  particu- 
lar account  when  the  swivels  will  be  ready,  and  inform  you. 
Would  you  have  them  sent  out  by  the  way  of  Skenesborough, 
or  to  the  North  River  as  before  proposed  ? 

Inoculation  for  the  small-pox,  I  find,  has  been  practised 
by  troops  on  their  march  to  join  your  Army.  1  hope  a 
practice  so  pernicious  in  every  respect  will  be  discouraged. 
I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  suggest  my  fears  and  sentiments 
to  General  Gates  on  this  subject.  Indeed,  sir,  if  it  is  not 
timely  restrained,  it  appears  to  me  it  must  prove  fatal  to  all 
our  operations,  and  may  ruin  the  country. 


Boston,  August  22,  1776. 

Last  Thursday  was  sent  into  Marblehead,  by  the  Franklin 
vessel-of-war,  Captain  Skimmer,  and  on  Saturday  last  was 
conveyed  round  to  this  harbour,  a  brig  from  St.  Augustine, 
bound  for  Bristol,  with  five  thousand  raw  and  half-dressed 
deer  skins,  and  about  two  tons  of  indigo.  There  were  on 
board  of  said  brig  a  Lieutenant,  a  Sergeant,  and  a  Drummer, 
of  the  Fourteenth  Regiment,  going  on  the  recruiting  service. 

Monday  last  arrived  at  Portsmouth  a  vessel  from  Holland, 
laden  with  dry  goods,  drugs,  spices,  &tc. 


GENERAL  WARD  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Boston,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  13th  instant  came 
to  hand  last  evening,  and,  agreeable  to  your  directions,  I 
shall  order  Captain  Burbeck,  with  his  company  of  Artillery 
and  the  company  of  Artificers,  to  march  as  soon  as  possible 
for  Norwich,  and  from  thence  to  go  by  water  to  Norwalk 
and  New-York. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ARTEMAS  WARD. 
To  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  Major  Wadsworth  was  appointed  Major  of  Brigade  , 
to  this  division  of  the  Army  the  22d  day  of  April;  and  when 
the  Continental  regiments  were  ordered  to  New-York  and 
Ticonderoga,  as  the  brigade  was  divided,  I  directed  him  to 
do  duty  as  Brigade-Major  to  the  regiments  that  are  ordered 
in  to  take  the  place  of  the  Continental  regiments,  until  further 
orders. 


THOMAS  RICE  TO  JAMES  WARREN. 

Pownalborough,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR:  In  obedience  to  the  recommendations  of  the  General 
Court,  I  have  obtained  what  subscriptions  I  could  in  the  east 
Precinct  in  said  town  for  the  exchanging  hard  money  for 
Continental  bills,  and  herewith  transmit  the  same.  I  found 
in  general  a  ready  mind  amongst  the  people,  but  they  had 
not  ability.  Our  means  of  getting  money,  not  only  in  this 
town  but  County,  is  at  an  end;  and  what  little  the  people 
had,  they  were  obliged  to  part  with  for  the  necessaries  of  life. 
Everything  the  people  have  in  their  power  to  do  for  the 
publick  weal  they  are  in  general  ready  to  perform,  and  hope 
impossibilities  are  not  expected. 

I  am,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  &c., 
your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

THOS.  RICE. 
To  Hon.  James  Warren,  Esq. 


We  whose  names  are  hereunto  subscribed,  not  only  in 
obedience  to  the  recommendation  of  the  General  Court,  but 
from  an  earnest  and  sincere  desire  to  promote  the  liberty 
and  happiness  of  America,  do  voluntarily  offer  to  exchange 
hard  money  for  Continental  hills,  when  called  upon  therefor, 
to  the  amount  of  the  number  of  dollars  affixed  to  our  respec- 
tive names,  to  be  applied  to  carrying  on  the  war  in  Canada. 

Ebcnezer  Whittier $40     John  Barber $30 

John  Langdon.  Jun 35     Thos.  Rice 4 

o  ' 


MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL  TO  PETER  PENNIMAN. 

In  Council,  August  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Council  have  received  yours  of  the 
20th  instant,  and  have  ordered  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of 


1117 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1118 


Worcester  to  remove  all  the  prisoners  in  the  town  of  Mendon 
to  the  town  of  Grafton.  Every  officer  that  has  had  a  ser- 
vant allowed  him  is  to  support  his  servant  so  long  as  he 
retains  as  such ;  and  if  any  officer  refuses  to  do  it,  he  is  not 
to  be  allowed  any  servant  for  the  future.  And  that  the 
servant  who  has  been  dismissed  be  sent  to  the  Sheriff  of  the 
County  of  Worcester,  to  be  by  him  confined  in  jail,  unless 
he  will  consent  to  go  to  labour  for  his  support  in  such  town, 
and  to  continue  within  the  limits  thereof  as  you  shall  appoint 
him. 

To  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  in  the  Town  of  Men- 
don. 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE    OF    SAFETY   TO    ELIJAH  GROUT 
AND  SELECTMEN  OF  CHARLESTOWN,  NO.  4. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  August  22,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN:  A  letter  from  General  Gates  complains 
loudly  of  the  conduct  of  some  persons  acting  as  physicians 
in  your  town,  inoculating  soldiers  for  the  small-pox,  thereby 
hindering  them  from  joining  the  Army  where  there  is  no 
danger  of  the  infection ;  and  that  he  fears  by  their  means  the 
disorder  will  be  spread  in  the  new  Army.  We  are  of  opi- 
nion, that  there  is  great  danger  that  the  small-pox  may  be 
carried  from  Number  Four  to  the  Army,  which,  if  it  should 
happen,  will  be  of  the  most  destructive  consequence;  there- 
fore recommend  it  to  you  to  put  an  immediate  stop  to  inocu- 
lation in  your  town,  and  take  the  most  strict  care  to  have 
all  infection  cleansed,  which  will  ease  the  minds  of  our  bre- 
thren in  the  Army,  and  probably  prevent  much  damage  to 
them. 
To  Elijah  Grout,  Esq.,  and  Selectmen  of  Charlestown. 


BENJAMIN  HARRISON,  JUN.,  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
Virginia,  Williamsburgh,  August  23,  1776. 
HONOURABLE  SIR  :  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  transmit  you 
an  account  of  the  state  of  my  office  at  this  day.     Balance 
on  hand,  $140,856f|.    The  20th  instant  is  pay-day  again 
to  the  whole  Army,  and  after  the  warrants  are  discharged, 
I  shall  send  another  account,  that  the  honourable  Congress 
may  judge  when  I  shall  want  money  again. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  very  obedient  servant, 
BENJ.  HARRISON,  Jun., 

Deputy  Paymaster-General. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  DARNES. 

[No.  155.]  Annapolis,  August  23,  1776. 

SIR  :  It  was  represented  to  our  Board  that  your  company 
had  but  about  forty  muskets,  those  very  indifferent,  and  that 
there  was  not  any  probability  of  your  getting  a  sufficient 
number  to  make  up  the  deficiency.  Upon  this  information, 
as  the  Convention  has  directed  us  to  despatch  all  the  compa- 
nies of  Flying-Camp  Militia  that  could  be  armed  with  the 
utmost  despatch,  and  as  Captain  Deans  wanted  but  a  few 
effective  arms  to  complete  his  company,  we  issued  the  orders, 
which  we  should  not  have  done  had  we  been  truly  informed 
of  your  circumstances.  Advise  us  of  the  number  you  have 
delivered  to  Captain  Deans,  and  we  will  replace  them  as 
soon  as  possible,  that  your  company  may  march.  We  have 
not  any  linen.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  Captain  Darnes. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  EDWARD  PARKER. 

[No.  156.]  Annapolis,  August  23,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  will  take  the  blankets  you  told  Captain  Nor- 
wood you  could  procure  for  the  publick,  fifty  for  his  com- 
pany, and  the  remainder  you  will  keep  till  further  orders. 
Be  pleased  to  have  them  valued  by  two  gentlemen  who  may 
be  indifferent,  and  the  price  shall  be  paid  to  you  or  your 
order,  on  transmitting  the  account.  We  are,  &.c. 
To  Mr.  Edward  Parker. 


J.  NICHOLSON,  JUN.,  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Queen  Anne's  County,  August  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Captain  Darnes   has   been  exceedingly  active  in 
endeavouring  to  arm  his  company  of  the  Flying-Camp,  to 


march  to  the  northward.  He  has  nearly  got  them  equipped 
for  that  purpose.  He  only  wants  thirty  fire-locks,  which  he 
can  procure  from  Winters,  provided  he  can  obtain  the  con- 
sent of  the  Council  of  Safety;  without  which,  he  will  not 
spare  them,  as  he  looks  upon  them  to  belong  to  the  publick, 
in  consequence  of  his  contract.  Captain  Darnes  has  been 
encouraged  by  rne  to  make  application  to  you  for  them,  upon 
a  supposition  that  that  part  of  the  Flying-Camp  which  be- 
longs to  the  Western  Shore  will  be  armed  there.  Indeed,  if 
Captain  Darnes  obtains  the  consent  of  the  Council  to  get 
Winters's  arms,  it  will  be  the  means  of  getting  off  Captain 
Fiddiman's  company  likewise,  because  Captain  Darnes  will 
then  be  able  to  spare  some  guns  from  his  company,  which 
are  inferior  to  Winters's  arms,  but  at  the  same  time  are  so 
much  superior  to  any  Fiddiman  is  likely  to  procure  for  his 
company,  that  he  will  gladly  accept  of  them,  and  inarch  off 
early  next  week. 

I  shall  do  myself  the  pleasure  of  waiting  upon  the  Council 
next  week,  as  soon  as  Mr.  Johnson  is  elected  for  Caroline, 
which  will  immediately  be  the  case,  without  opposition.  I 
speak  thus,  from  assurances  made  me  by  every  man  of  in- 
terest and  note  in  the  County,  every  one  of  whom  I  have 
had  personal  interviews  with.  I  congratulate  you  on  the 
favourable  turn  our  affairs  are  likely  to  take  in  Canada. 

I  am,  with  much  respect,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

J.  NICHOLSON,  Jun. 
To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President.  &tc. 


APPOINTMENT   OF    JAMES    WHITE  AS  DEPUTY-COMMISSARY  OF 
THE  STATE  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Philadelphia,  August  23,  1776. 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern  :  Be  it  known,  that  Colonel 
Joseph  Trumbull,  Commissary-General,  has  thought  proper 
to  appoint  me  Commissary  for  the  States  of  New-Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania;  and  in  consequence  thereof,  I  have  thought 
proper  to  appoint  James  White  Deputy-Commissary  for  the 
Province  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  allowance  for  the  troops  marching  through  to  Head- 
Quarters,  is  one  pound  of  beef  per  man  per  day,  one  pound 
of  bread  per  man  per  day,  and  one  gill  of  rum  per  man  per 
day,  or  three  pence  in  lieu  thereof,  six  pounds  of  candles  per 
week  for  one  hundred  men  for  guards,  and  eight  pounds  of 
soap  for  one  hundred  men  per  week. 

I  do  certify,  that  the  above  allowance  is  issued  at  Amboy 
and  the  other  posts  in  New-Jersey,  agreeable  to  my  instruc- 
tions from  Colonel  Trumbull,  Commissary-General. 

CARPENTER  WHAHTON. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  LIEUTENANT  BALDWIN. 

Philadelphia,  August  23,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Continental  schooner  Wasp,  under  your  com- 
mand, being  now  thoroughly  repaired,  well  fitted,  equipped, 
and  manned,  you  are  immediately  to  proceed  in  said  schooner 
on  a  cruise  against  the  enemies  of  these  States.  We  deliver 
you  herewith  a  Marine  book,  by  which  you  will  know  who 
are  our  enemies,  and  also  how  to  conduct  yourself  in  con- 
formity to  the  Continental  Rules  and  Regulations.  You 
have  likewise  a  list  of  the  Agents  in  the  several  States,  to 
some  of  whom  you  must  address  the  prizes  you  take. 

We  deliver  you  herewith  a  letter  for  a  gentleman  in  Ber- 
muda, which  is  of  much  consequence  to  America.  You  are 
therefore  to  proceed  with  the  utmost  expedition  to  Port 
Ellis,  at  the  east  end  of  that  Island,  and  deliver  the  said 
letter  as  quickly  as  possible;  receive  from  him  any  others  he 
may  send  in  return ;  and  as  you  will  then  be  near  the  best 
cruising  ground  for  West-India  ships,  you  may  make  a  cruise 
about  that  latitude,  for  such  length  of  time  as  your  provi- 
sions will  enable  you  to  keep  the  sea,  unless  success  should 
tempt  you  to  return  much  sooner  with  a  good  prize. 

Use  your  people  well,  but  preserve  strict  discipline  ;  treat 
prisoners,  if  any  you  make,  with  humanity,  and  in  all  things 
be  duly  attentive  to  the  honour  and  interests  of  America.  If 
you  can  get  any  seamen  at  Bermuda,  ship  as  many  as  you 
can  accommodate,  and  bring  us  the  best  account  you  can 
obtain  of  the  state  and  condition  of  that  Island  with  respect 
to  provisions,  number  of  inhabitants,  what  cannon,  arms, 
&.C.,  they  have  there,  and  inquire  particularly  after  any 
British  men-of-war  that  have  been  there,  that  are  there,  or 


1119 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1120 


that  are  expected.  Should  you  be  unfortunately  taken, 
either  going  to  or  after  you  leave  Bermuda,  be  sure  to 
destroy  all  letters  you  may  have  for  us  from  that  Island. 
Should  you  gain  any  intelligence  you  may  think  important, 
you  must  quit  all  other  pursuits  to  inform  us  thereof  as  soon 
as  possible. 

Wishing  you  success,  we  are,  sir,  your  humble  servants. 

To  Lieutenant  John  Baldwin,  commanding  the  Schooner 
Wasp. 


PHILADELPHIA  COMMITTEE. 

"  In  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  for  the  City 
and  Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  June  1,  1776: 

"  Whereas  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress,  by  their 
Resolve  of  the  30th  of  May,  empowered  the  said  Commit- 
tee to  regulate  the  price  of  Salt : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  said  article  of  Salt  shall 
not  exceed  the  following  prices,  viz:  coarse  Salt,  7*.  6d. 
per  bushel,  3*.  9d.  the  half  bushel,  and  2*.  per  peck;  fine 
Salt,  8s.  per  bushel,  4s.  the  half  bushel,  and  2s.  2rf.  per 
peck." 

And  whereas  Stephen  Shewell  and  Joseph  Shewell,  in- 
habitants of  this  City,  have  knowingly  counteracted  said 
Resolution  of  the  1st  of  June,  by  selling  coarse  Salt  at  12s. 
per  bushel,  and  Is.  6d.  the  half  peck,  and  fine  Salt  at  2s. 
the  half  peck;  and  being  charged  with  a  breach  of  said  Re- 
solve before  this  Committee,  Joseph  Shewell,  being  present, 
acknowledged  the  charge  to  be  just: 

Therefore  this  Committee,  in  discharge  of  the  duty  they 
owe  to  the  publick,  and  in  order  to  show  to  the  world  their 
resolution  to  support  their  limitations,  which  they  are  of 
opinion  are  founded  on  just  and  generous  principles,  after 
giving  them  previous  notice,  do  declare  and  hold  up  to  the 
world  the  aforesaid  Stephen  Shewell  and  Joseph  Shewell  as 
enemies  to  their  country,  and  preclude  them  from  all  trade 
or  intercourse  with  the  inhabitants  of  these  States. 

Committee-Chamber,  August  23,  1776. 

NATHANIEL  DONNELL,  Sec.  pro  tempore. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF   CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  26,  1776.] 

New-York,  August  23,  177fi. 

SIR:  I  beg  leave  to  inform  Congress,  that  yesterday 
morning,  and  in  the  course  of  the  preceding  night,  a  con- 
siderable body  of  the  enemy,  amounting  by  report  to  eight 
or  nine  thousand,  and  these  all  British,  landed  from  the 
transport  ships  mentioned  in  my  last,  at  Gravcsend-Bay,  on 
Long-Island,  and  have  approached  within  three  miles  of 
our  lines,  having  marched  across  the  low  cleared  grounds 
near  the  woods  at  Flatbush,  where  they  are  halted,  from  my 
last  intelligence. 

I  have  detached  from  hence  six  battalions,  as  a  reinforce- 
ment to  our  troops  there,  which  are  all  that  I  can  spare  at 
this  time,  not  knowing  but  the  fleet  may  move  up  with  the 
remainder  of  their  Army,  and  make  an  attack  here,  on  the 
next  flood  tide.  If  they  do  not,  1  shall  send  a  further  rein- 
forcement, should  it  be  necessary,  and  have  ordered  five 
battalions  more  to  be  in  readiness  for  that  purpose.  I  have 
no  doubt  but  a  little  time  will  produce  some  important  events. 
I  hope  they  will  be  happy.  The  reinforcement  detached 
yesterday  went  off  in  high  spirits ;  and  I  have  the  pleasure 
to  inform  you,  that  the  whole  of  the  Army,  that  are  effective 
and  capable  of  duty,  discover  the  same,  and  great  cheerful- 
ness. I  have  been  obliged  to  appoint  Major-General  Sullivan 
to  the  command  on  the  Island,  owing  to  General  Greene's 
indisposition.  He  has  been  extremely  ill  for  several  days, 
and  still  continues  bad. 

By  yesterday  evening's  post  I  received  a  letter  from  Ge- 
neral Ward,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  invoice  of  ordnance 
stores  taken  by  Captain  Manley,  with  the  appraisement  of 
the  same,  made  in  pursuance  of  my  direction  founded  on  the 
order  of  Congress,  which  I  do  myself  the  honour  of  trans- 
mitting. 

You  will  also  receive  the  treaty  between  the  Commis- 
sioners and  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  and  others  at 
the  German-Flats,  which  General  Schuyler  requested  me 
to  forward,  by  his  letter  of  the  18th  instant. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  ^  WASHINOTON. 


ORDERS. 


Head-Quarters,  Woodljridge,  August  23,  1776. 

The  Battalions  of  Associators  from  the  City  of  Philadel- 
phia having  completed  six  weeks'  military  service  for  the 
defence  of  the  Colony  of  New-Jersey,  are  hereby,  agreeable 
to  orders  of  Convention,  relieved  from  further  duty  on  this 
station,  and  directed  to  proceed  to  Philadelphia  as  soon  as 
the  necessary  accommodations  for  their  march  can  be  pro- 
cured. General  Mercer  takes  this  opportunity  to  return  his 
hearty  thanks  to  those  gentlemen  for  the  readiness  with  which 
they  have,  on  every  occasion,  executed  such  parts  of  the 
military  service  as  their  stations  required. 

H.  MERCER,  Brig.  Gen. 


EXTRACT    OF    A    LETTER    DATED    ELIZABETH-TOWN,    AUGUST 

23,  1776. 

Last  week  I  left  the  Army  upon  the  Mohawk  River,  at 
the  breaking  up  of  the  treaty  with  the  Indians.  We  had 
present  nineteen  hundred  and  sixty-six,  including  men,  wo- 
men, and  children,  of  the  Indians,  who  have  solemnly 
engaged  for  a  strict  neutrality.  Both  the  passes  into  Canada 
are  now  so  well  fortified  that  I  think  we  have  no  reason  to 
apprehend  the  enemy  will  enter  that  way. 

The  fort  on  the  pass  from  the  Mohawk  River  to  Wood 
Creek,  called  Fort  Stamvix,  has  been  repaired  by  Colonel 
Dayton's  regiment,  by  the  order  of  General  Schuyler.  It 
is  a  very  important  station,  and  I  believe,  without  exception, 
the  strongest  fort  on  the  Continent.  A  wide  ditch  is  sunk 
round  it,  about  ten  feet  deep,  the  glaces  on  the  outside  are 
raised  six  feet  above  the  surface,  and  the  wall  of  the  fort 
within  the  ditch  ten  feet,  and  that  is  picketed  upon  the  top. 
We  have  several  pieces  of  cannon,  from  six  to  twelve- 
pounders,  and  the  passes  up  Wood  Creek  can  be  stopped 
in  a  few  hours,  so  that  no  artillery  or  baggage  can  be  brought 
from  the  Lakes,  and  small-arms  cannot  hurt  us.  This  fort 
upon  the  5th  instant  we  honoured  with  the  name  of  our 
worthy  General — Fort  Schuykr. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Yesterday  morning  the  enemy  landed  at  Gravesend 
Bay,  upon  Long-Island,  from  the  best  information  I  can 
obtain,  to  the  number  of  about  eight  thousand.  Colonel 
Hand  retreated  before  them,  burning,  as  he  came  along,  seve- 
ral parcels  of  wheat,  and  such  other  matters  as  he  judged 
would  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands.  Our  first  accounts  were, 
that  they  intended,  by  a  forced  march,  to  surprise  General 
Sullivan's  (who  commands  during  the  illness  of  General 
Greene)  lines;  whereupon  I  immediately  reinforced  that  post 
with  six  regiments.  But  they  halted  last  night  at  Flatbush. 
If  they  should  attack  General  Sullivan  this  day,  and  should 
show  no  disposition  to  attack  me  likewise,  at  the  making  of 
the  next  flood,  I  shall  send  such  reinforcements  to  Long- 
Island  as  I  may  judge  expedient,  not  choosing  to  weaken 
this  post  too  much,  before  I  am  certain  that  the  enemy  are 
not  making  a  feint  upon  Long-Island,  to  draw  our  force  to 
that  quarter,  when  their  real  design  may  perhaps  be  upon 
this. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Heath,  at  King's  Bridge. 

P.  S.  The  flood  tide  will  begin  to  make  about  eleven 
o'clock,  at  which  time,  if  the  detachment  ordered  yesterday 
were  to  move  to  the  high  and  open  grounds  about  Mr.  O.  De 
Lanccy's  and  Bloomingdale,  they  would  be  ready  to  come 
forward,  or  return  back,  as  occasion  should  require;  it  will 
give  them  a  little  exercise,  and  show  them  wherein  they  are 
wanting  in  any  matter. 

COLONEL  COOKE  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New- York,  August  23,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Upon  the  recommendation  of  your  Ho- 
nour of  the  12th  instant,  a  number  of  able-bodied  effective 
men,  not  obliged  to  do  duty  in  any  train-band,  with  sundry 
gentlemen  of  the  Horse,  within  the  limits  of  my  regiment, 


1121 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fac.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1122 


amounting  in  all  to  fifty-two  men,  among  which  are  a  very  GENERAL  HEATH  TO  COLONEL  NICOLL. 

considerable  number  of  old  commission  officers,  voluntarily  King's  Bridge,  August  23, 1776. 

engaged  in  the  publick  service  for  this  present  important        COLONEL  NICOLL:  You  are  forthwith  to  march  with  the 

emergency,  and  yesterday  I  here  led  them  to  the  choice  of  detachment  lately  put  under  your  command  to  Fort  Wash- 

officers;  and  by  a  major  vote  they  nominated  the  following  ington,  where  you  are  to  halt  (unless  there  should  be  an 

persons,  viz:  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  for  their  Captain ;   John  a]arm)  until  evening,  and  then  return  here;   but  if  there 

Trowbridge,  Jun.,  Lieutenant ;  and  Eleazer  Hubbee,  En-  s|,0uld  be  an  alarm,  you  are  to  march  on  towards  Blooming- 


sign;  and  have  joined  themselves  to  my  regiment  as  a 
distinct  company.  I  therefore  desire  your  Honour  to  send 
them  commissions.  With  them  came  Major  Starr,  of  the 
Light-Horse,  who  was  very  active  in  procuring  them  to  en- 
gage in  this  service;  and  as  both  my  Field-Officers  were  in 
the  service,  I  desired  him  to  officiate  as  Major  of  my  regi- 
ment, which  he  cheerfully  accepted  of,  and  which  I  doubt  after  you,  as  fast  as  they  come  on  the  parade, 
not  will  meet  with  your  Honour's  approbation. 

As  the  Militia  regiments  from  the  County  of  Fairfield 
were  destitute  of  any  Chaplains,  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Baldwin 
generously  offered  his  services,  and  is  now  here  officiating  in 
that  capacity  for  my  regiment  and  for  the  Fourth ;  and  if  it 
be  agreeable  to  your  Honour,  I  desire  he  may  have  a  warrant 
for  that  purpose.  And  as  my  regiment  came  also  without 


dale  and  join  General  Mifflin,  who  is  gone  forward,  and  under 
whose  command  you'll  be. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,         w   HEATH  M.  G. 

P.  S.  As  soon  as  two  companies  are  paraded,  you  will 
march  them  forward,  leaving  an  officer  to  order  the  others 


GENERAL   HEATH  TO  COMMISSARY  OF  PROVISIONS. 

King's  Bridge,  August  23,  1776. 

SIR:  A  number  of  Militia  belonging  to  Captains  Pitkin, 
Lomas,  Cheney,  Forbes,  and  Grant,  of  Colonel  fVolcott's 
regiment,  on  their  march  from  Connecticut  to  New-  York,  are 


any  Doctor,  and  several  of  the  men  were  taken 'ill  soon  after    destitute  of  provisions,  and  cannot  obtain  any  at  the  publick 

houses;  their  number  is  something  short  of  two  hundred. 
Upon  their  application  to  you,  you  are  to  supply  them  with 


our  arrival,  and  help  of  that  kind  very  difficult  to  be  obtained 
here,  I  desired  Dr.  Charles  Peck  (who  has  been  improved 


many  years  as  a  Physician,  and  who  came  down  with  the    on°  day's  provisions  to  carry  them  to  the  city, 
company  above  mentioned)  to  officiate  in  that  character,        *  am'  Slr>  >"ours>  &tc-'  WM-  HEA 

and  trust  he  will  be  of  great  service;  and  would  therefore    To  the  Assistant  Commissary  of  Provisions  at  Mount  Wash- 


WM.  HEATH,  M.  G. 


desire  that  he  also  may  have  a  warrant,  either  for  a  Surgeon 
or  a  Surgeon's  Mate. 

I  am,  sir,  with  all  due  respect,  your  Honour's  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  JOSEPH  P.  COOKE. 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

By  His  Excellency  the  Honourable  WILLIAM  HOWE,  Gene- 
ral and  Commander-in- Chief  of  all  His  Majesty's  Forces 
urithin  the  Colonies  lying  on  the  ATLANTICK  OCEAN  from 
NOVA-SCOTIA  to  WEST-FLORIDA,  inclusive,  SfC.,  &/-C.,  fyc. 

Whereas  it  is  represented  that  many  of  the  loyal  inhabit- 
ants of  this  Island  have  been  compelled  by  the  leaders  in 
rebellion  to  take  up  arms  against  his  Majesty's  Government: 
Notice  is  hereby  given  to  all  persons  so  forced  into  rebellion, 
that  on  delivering  themselves  at  Head-Quarters  of  the  Army, 
they  will  be  received  as  faithful  subjects,  have  permits  to 
return  peacefully  to  their  respective  dwellings,  and  meet 
with  full  protection  for  their  persons  and  property.  All 
those  who  choose  to  take  up  arms  for  the  restoration  of  order 
and  good  government  within  this  Island,  shall  be  disposed  of 
in  the  best  manner,  and  have  every  encouragement  that  can 
be  expected. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Head-Quarters  on  Long-Island, 
this  23d  day  of  August,  1776.  WM.  HOWE. 

By  his  Excellency's  command: 

ROBERT  MACKENZIE,  Secretary. 


mgton. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  MIFFLIN. 

King's  Bridge,  August  23,  1776— two  o'clock  P.  M. 

DEAR  SIR:  Being  out  with  the  Engineer  I  did  not  receive 
the  enclosed  until  just  now.  I  have  ordered  the  detachment 
here  to  parade  immediately,  and  march  as  far  down  as  your 
post.  You  will  immediately  march  the  detachment  at  your 
post  forward  as  far  as  you  may  think  proper,  agreeable  to 
his  Excellency's  direction.  Colonel  Nicoll,  who  commands 
the  detachment  here,  will  halt  at  your  post  unless  there 
should  be  an  alarm,  when  he  will  follow  as  fast  as  possible. 
If  all  should  be  quiet  he  is  to  return  before  evening. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  your  humble  servant,         ry     u 

To  General  Mifflin. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

King's  Bridge,  half-past  one  o'clock,  P.  M., 
August  23,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  am  so  unhappy  as  not  to  have  received 
your  letter  until  this  moment,  having  been  all  this  forenoon 
with  the  Engineers,  viewing  the  ground  and  laying  out  the 
works;  but  upon  sight  of  your  letter,  I  have  ordered  the 
detachment  here  to  parade  and  march  for  Mount  Washing- 
ton as  soon  as  possible,  and  the  detachment  at  that  place, 
which  consists  of  near  eight  hundred,  to  march  forward 
agreeable  to  your  Excellency's  direction. 

I  hope  soon  to  hear  good  news  from  Long-Island.  I 
have  never  been  afraid  of  the  force  of  the  enemy:  I  am 
more  so  of  their  arts.  They  must  be  well  watched.  They, 
like  the  Frenchman,  look  one  way  and  row  the  other.  How- 
ever, I  trust  they  will  not  find  Americans  deficient  either  in 
fortitude  or  policy. 

A  floating  bridge,  or  number  of  boats,  seems  to  be  highly 
necessary  for  a  communication  on  Harlem  River.  I  submit 
to  your  Excellency's  consideration,  whether  some  of  the  fire 
rafts  (us  they  are  called)  might  not  be  employed  to  advan- 
tage for  this  purpose. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  Excel- 
lency's humble  servant,  W.  HEATH. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  71 


GENERAL  TEN  BROECK  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

August  23,  177G. 

SIR  :  As  the  necessities  of  the  service  at  this  present  time 
require  all  the  regiments  to  be  completely  filled  with  their 
proper  officers,  I  must  acquaint  you  the  North  Regiment, 
which  was  Colonel  Graham's,  is  deficient  of  two  Colonels, 
and  of  several  other  officers,  who  are  gone  in  the  service. 
I  beg  you  lay  this  before  the  Convention,  and  pray  the 
following  persons  may  be  promoted  as  Field-Officers  in  the 
regiment:  Robert  G.  Livingston,  Jun.,  Colonel;  Major  Simon 
Westfield,  to  be  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  Major  London,  to  be 
the  first  Major;  and  Captain  David  Van  Ness  to  be  second 
Major.  Staff  Officers:  Henry  Van  Howenberg,  Adjutant; 
Cornelius  Schormerhom ,  Quartermaster.  As  for  the  Cap- 
tains and  subalterns,  1  cannot  make  a  proper  arrangement. 
If  they  must  be  elected  in  by  the  companies,  as  has  been 
customary,  the  precedent  is  bad,  and  we  get  unfit  persons 
for  officers,  who  have  no  command  over  the  men.  I  shall 
wait  your  directions  to  me  in  the  same,  and  act  accordingly. 
Ask  only  for  blank  commissions  for  three  companies,  and 
shall  fill  them  as  you  direct. 

I  am,  your  very  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

PETRUS  TEN  BROECK. 

To  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York. 


COLONEL  CORTLANDT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  23,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  have  received  your  favour  of  yester- 
day, and  have  made  the  contents  known  to  General  tVater- 
bury,  Colonel  Wynkoop  being  absent.  He  left  this  in  order 
to  recover  his  health,  which  was  greatly  impaired.  I  found 
him  very  unwell  on  my  arrival.  Hope  his  departure  may 
be  agreeable,  as  he  desired  me  to  acquaint  the  General  that 
he  would  return  as  soon  as  his  health  would  permit. 


1123 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1124 


General  IVatcrbury  was  thinking  to  have  sent  me  up  to 
Cheshire's,  but  is  now  resolved  that  I  shall  stay.  I  atn  in- 
formed the  road  from  Cheshire's  to  Fort  Edward  is  still  very 
bad,  and  Wood-Creek  wants  more  clearing  out. 

Many  of  the  carpenters  are  sick,  so  that  the  carpenters 
go  on  but  slowly.  There  are  several  carpenters  among  the 
troops,  I  am  informed,  and  have  advised  General  Waterbvry 
to  draught  them  for  that  purpose.  Give  me  leave,  dear  sir, 
to  assure  you  that  nothing  shall  be  wanting  on  my  part  to 
execute  whatever  commands  the  General  thinks  proper  to 
order,  and  will  do  my  endeavours  to  forward  on  the  works, 
which  go  on  better  for  being  well  looked  to.  The  General 
will  please  further  to  advise  me;  who  am,  with  respect,  your 
obedient,  humble  servant,  pmLip  CORTLANDT> 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  September  2,  1776.] 

Tyonderoga,  August  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Having  an  opportunity  by  a  safe  hand  going  imme- 
diately to  Philadelphia,  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose 
your  Excellency  a  list  of  the  Naval  force  of  the  United  Slates 
now  at  Crown-Point,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Bri- 
gadier-General Arnold.  I  also  transmit  your  Excellency  my 
orders  and  instructions  to  General  Arnold,  which  I  earnestly 
wish  to  merit  the  approbation  of  Congress.  I  have  lately 
reported  all  extraordinary  occurrences  in  this  department  to 
General  Schuyler,  and  doubt  not  but  he  has  constantly  for- 
warded them  to  your  Excellency.  Saturday  se'nnight,  I 
expect  the  whole  of  the  Militia  of  the  different  States,  with 
the  two  established  regiments  from  Boston,  will  be  arrived 
here.  I  shall  thereupon  send  your  Excellency  a  general 
return  of  this  Army.  I  have  that  confidence  in  Congress, 
that  I  am  persuaded  no  supplies  wanted  in  this  Army  will  be 
withheld  from  it  longer  than  the  time  that  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  prepare  and  send  them. 

The  enclosed  letter,  signed  by  myself,  and  in  the  name  of 
all  the  officers  of  the  regiments  from  Jersey  and  Pennsylva- 
nia, I  beg  leave  to  present  to  your  Excellency,  and  to  entreat 
your  recommendation  of  their  request  to  Congress. 

With  great  respect,  I  am,  sir,  your  Excellency's  most 
faithful  and  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  His  Excellency  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

List  of  Armed  Vessels  on  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN,  August  22, 

1776. 


JS 

V 

= 

•{• 

a 

NAMES  OF  VESSELS  AND  COMMANDER! 

. 

6 

Size  of  Guns. 

£ 

| 

i= 

•  =* 

«? 

1° 

4-lbs  

in 

KA 

Schr.  Royal  Savage,  Hon.  Gen.  Jlrnold. 

12 

4   6-lbs.  8  4-lbs. 

10 

50 

Schooner  Revenge  Seaman  

8 

4  4-lbs.  42-lbs. 

10 

35 

Schooner  Liberty  Premier  
Gondola  New-Haven  Mansfield.... 

•^ 
9 

8 
3 

2  4-lbs.  62-lbs. 
112-lb.    29-Ibs. 

8 
8 

35 
45 

Gondola  Providence  Simnumds..., 

'rt 

3 

Ditto. 

8 

45 

Gondola  Boston  Stunner  

X 

S 

Ditto. 

s 

45 

Gondola  Spitfire  Ulmer  

3 

Ditto. 

8 

45 

Gondola  Philadelphia  Rue  
Gondola  Connecticut  Grant  

3 
3 

Ditto. 
Ditto. 

8 
R 

45 

45 

Gondola  Jersey  Grimes  

•,*» 

3 

Ditto. 

8 

45 

Galley  Lee  Davis  

,iL 
£ 

6 

112,  19,  4  4-lbs. 

10 

50 

Total  

67 

104 

535 

The  two  last  will  sail  in  three  days  for  Crown-Point. 
Three  large  row-galleys,  and  one  more  gondola  will  be  finish- 
ed in  ten  days  at  Sfcenesboroilgh,  and  I  think  will,  under 
the  command  of  General  Waterbury,  join  the  fleet  under 
General  Arnold  in  a  fortnight  from  this  day. 

HORATIO  GATES,  Major-Gcneral. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  &ic.,  Sic. 

Ticonderoga,  August  22,  1776. 

SIR  :  In  justice  to  our  country  and  ourselves,  we  cannot 
help  informing  you,  that  attempts  have  been  made  (and 
nearly  effected)  to  intercept  all  intelligence  to  and  from  the 
gentlemen  of  the  Army.  Not  only  letters  of  a  publick 
nature,  as  well  to  General  Officers  as  others,  have  been 
opened  and  detained,  but  even  letters  of  private  and  domes- 
tick  concern  exposed  to  the  malevolent  eye  of  men  evidently 


inimical  to  our  cause.  Under  these  circumstances,  we  can- 
not possibly  be  possessed  of  that  intelligence  our  situation 
and  the  importance  of  our  cause  require.  The  Eastern 
troops  receive  letters  free  of  postage  twice  every  week,  from 
their  respective  Provinces,  in  consequence  of  resolves  passed 
by  their  Conventions,  whereby  no  less  than  two  post-riders 
are  constantly  employed.  The  same  respect  and  indulgence 
we  conceive  ourselves  equally  entitled  to;  as  gentlemen  and 
as  officers  we  expect  it.  We  would,  therefore,  wish  to  see 
a  regular  post  established  upon  the  same  principles,  who 
should  constantly  ride  between  Philadelphia  and  this  place. 
Unless  this  scheme  be  immediately  adopted,  we  shall  con- 
ceive ourselves  slighted;  in  short,  we  shall  consider  it  a  mani- 
fest injury  to  our  country,  as  the  enemy  will  still  continue  to 
receive  information  of  all  our  motions,  and  we  remain  totally 
ignorant  of  theirs.  However,  your  known  zeal  in  the  cause, 
as  well  as  your  regard  for  the  Southern  troops,  will,  we  trust, 
induce  you  to  use  every  necessary  precaution  in  conveying 
intelligence  to  us.  We  write  to  you  as  President  of  the  Con- 
gress, therefore  beg  you  will  lay  this  letter  before  them. 

We  have  the  honour  to  subscribe  ourselves  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servants, 

HORATIO  GATES,  Major-General. 

A.  ST.  CLAIR,  Colonel. 

MATT.  OGDEN,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 

JAMES  IRVINE,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 

ANTHY.  JAS.  MORRIS,  Major. 

ISRAEL  SHREVE,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 

ANTHY.  WAYNE,  Colonel. 

J.  P.  DE  HAAS,  Colonel. 

WM.  DE  HART,  Major. 

FRANCIS  JOHNSTON,  Lieut.  Colonel. 

NICH.  HAUSSEGGER,  Major. 

WM.  MAXWELL,  Colonel. 

DAVID  RHEA,  Major. 

GENERAL  ORDERS BY  GENERAL  GATES. 

Head-Quarters,  (Ticonderoga,)  August  6,  1776. 


(Parole,  London.) 


(Countersign,  Dresden.)   . 


The  following  promotions  are  ordered  to  take  place  in 
Colonel  De  Haas's  Battalion,  viz  :  Ensign  Robert  Allison, 
Second  Lieutenant,  vice  Christopher  Staddle,  promoted; 
George  Archer,  Third  Lieutenant,  vice  R.  McCullum  re- 
signed; John  P.  De  Haas,  Jun.,  Ensign,  vice  John  Low, 
deceased;  Jacob  Shallus,  Ensign,  vice  Benjamin  Rice,  pro- 
moted. 

Head-Quarters,  August  7,  1776. 
(Parole,  Amsterdam.)  (Countersign,  Camden.) 

Colonel  Moses  Hazen,  tried  at  a  General  Court-Martial, 
of  which  Colonel  Poor  is  President,  and  charged  with 
neglect  of  duty  in  general,  and  in  particular  for  refusing  to 
receive  into  the  store  the  goods  General  Arnold  sent  to 
Cliamblee  by  Major  Scott,  and  not  placing  proper  guards, 
and  suffering  them  to  be  plundered.  The  Court  having  deli- 
berately weighed  and  considered  the  charge  against  Colonel 
Hazen,  are  clearly  of  opinion  it  is  without  foundation;  they 
do  therefore  adjudge  him  "not  guilty,"  and  unanimously 
acquit  him  with  honour.  The  General  confirms  the  sen- 
tence of  the  General  Court-Martial,  and  orders  Colonel 
Hazen  to  be  released  from  his  arrest. 


(Parole,  Switzerland.) 


Head-Quarters,  August  8,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Berne.) 


Head-Quarters,  August  9,  1776. 
(Parole,  Uxbridge.)  (Countersign,  Bergen.) 

Captain  Carlisle,  of  Colonel  BecleTs  Regiment,  tried  by 
the  General  Court-Martial  of  which  Colonel  Poor  is  Presi- 
dent, for  behaving  unbecoming  to  the  character  of  an  officer, 
in  attempting  to  fire  upon  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wait,  and 
abusing  him.  Upon  due  consideration  of  the  evidence,  the 
Court  unanimously  find  the  prisoner  guilty,  and  sentence 
him  to  be  cashiered.  The  General  approves  the  sentence, 
and  orders  Mr.  Carlisle  to  adjust  what  accounts  he  may  have 
in  camp,  and  then  immediately  to  leave  the  Army. 


(Parole,  Portsmouth.) 


Head-Quarters,  August  10,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Salem.) 


Lieutenant-Colonel  Cortlandt,  with  the  officers  and  sol- 
diers of  Colonel  JVynkoop's  Regiment,  and  the  Companies 


1125 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  he.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1126 


of  New-York  Militia,  to  go  in  balteaus  to-morrow  morning, 
early,  to  Skenesbomtgh.  They  are  to  take  as  many  boats 
as  possible.  The  Batteau-Master  to  deliver  them  the  boats 
this  morning. 

The  Batteau-Master  is  immediately  to  send  to  the  differ- 
ent encampments,  and  collect  all  the  oars.  Neither  officer 
nor  soldier  is  for  the  future  to  use  any  of  the  oars  for  any 
other  purpose  than  that  they  were  designed  for.  Proper 
poles  must  be  cut,  to  carry  provisions  and  baggage. 

Colonel  Wingate's  and  Colonel  Wyman's  Regiments  to 
furnish  twelve  Subalterns,  twelve  Sergeants,  twelve  Corpo- 
rals, five  Drums,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty-nine  Privates,  to 
assist  in  manning  the  Fleet.  They  must  be  sent  to  Briga- 
dier-General Arnold,  at  Head-Quarters,  at  six  o'clock  this 
evening.  They  will  have  the  same  extra  allowance  as  the 
other  troops  serving  in  the  Fleet.  The  General  desires  that 
as  many  seamen  as  those  corps  can  furnish  may  be  sent 
with  the  above  command. 

Lieutenant  Brown,  of  Colonel  Winds's  Regiment,  tried  by 
the  General  Court-Martial  of  which  Colonel  Poor  is  Presi- 
dent, for  ungentlemanlike  behaviour  in  general,  disobedience 
of  orders  in  not  coming  on  from  New-  York  with  the  regi- 
ment, for  discharging  soldiers  from  the  Continental  service, 
and  receiving  money  from  the  soldiers  for  their  dismission. 
The  Court  having  considered  the  evidence  in  this  cause,  do 
adjudge  Lieutenant  Brown  is  not  guilty,  and  do  acquit  him. 

Ensign  Ross,  tried  at  a  General  Court-Martial,  of  which 
Colonel  Poor  is  President,  for  leaving  the  Army,  and  going 
on  to  Crown-Point  with  a  batteau  and  men,  contrary  to 
orders.  The  Court,  considering  the  evidence  on  this  charge, 
find  him  guilty;  but,  from  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  his 
case,  and  the  apparent  necessity  of  his  proceeding  to  Crown- 
Point,  do  therefore  adjudge  him  only  to  be  reprimanded  by 
the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Regiment. 

The  General  approves  both  the  above  sentences,  and 
orders  Lieutenant  Brown  to  be  released  from  his  arrest, 
and  the  sentence  on  Ensign  Ross  to  be  executed  immedi- 
ately. 

One  Field-Officer,  three  Captains,  six  Subalterns,  six 
Sergeants,  six  Corporals,  two  Drums,  and  one  hundred  and 
forty-four  Privates,  to  march  to-morrow  morning  at  daybreak 
to  the  landing,  to  take  thirty  batteaus  across  to  Fort  George. 
The  Field-Officer  will  return  with  his  party  directly  upon 
his  delivering  the  boats  at  the  Fort,  and  halt  for  that  evening 
at  some  miles  distant  to  the  northward,  and  proceed  the 
next  morning  at  daylight  to  the  landing  at  the  end  of  the 
Lake.  This  command  to  be  furnished  entirely  from  the 
Fourth  Brigade. 


(Parole,  Btc.Hnwn.) 


Head-Quarters,  August  11,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Philttdclpltia.) 


The  Guard  in  the  Fort,  formerly  kept  by  Colonel  Wyn- 
koop,  is  to  be  relieved  by  the  Fourth  Brigade. 

Colonel  Wingate's  and  Colonel  Wyman's  Regiments,  of 
the  New-Hampshire  Militia,  are  to  be  considered  as  part  of 
Colonel  Stark's  Brigade,  and  to  obey  his  orders. 

Colonel  Patterson  is  to  take  the  command  of  the  Second 
Brigade  during  the  absence  of  Colonel  Reed. 


Head-Quarters,  August  12,  1776. 
(Parole,  Mams.)  (Countersign,  Willum.) 

Inquiry  to  be  made  if  there  are  any  Blockmakers  in  any 
of  the  Corps.  Their  names,  regiments,  and  companies,  to 
be  reported  to  the  Deputy  Adjutant-General  this  evening. 

When  the  weather  clears  up,  the  General  hopes  the  troops 
will  turn  out  in  a  spirited  manner  to  finish  the  works.  The 
honour  of  the  Army,  and  the  preservation  of  the  liberties  of 
America,  depend  upon  their  animated  exertions  this  cam- 
paign; that  happily  finished,  freedom  will  be  restored  to 
America,  and  every  inhabitant,  under  his  own  vine  and  fig 
tree,  may  enjoy  the  inestimable  blessings  thereof. 

After  Orders. — The  Court-Martial,  of  which  Colonel 
Poor  was  President,  is  dissolved. 


Head-Quarters,  August  13,  1776. 
(Parole,  tVillwn.)  (Countersign,  Harrison.) 

The  Brigade  of  the  Massachusetts  Militia  commanded 
by  Brigadier-General  Bricket  is  to  encamp  upon  the  high 
ground  to  the  westward  of  the  old  fort  of  Ticomleroga. 


General  Bricket  and  Colonel  St.  Clair  will  agree  upon  the 
spot,  and  mark  out  the  camp  accordingly. 

The  General  observes  that  cooking  in  the  streets  of  some 
of  the  encampments  has  been  permitted.  The  Officers  com- 
manding Brigades  will  in  their  Brigade  Orders  positively 
forbid  such  an  unsoldierlike  and  pernicious  custom  to  be  con- 
tinued. If  the  Commanding  Officers  of  Corps  are  at  any 
time  remiss  in  their  duty,  the  Commandants  of  Brigades  will, 
without  reserve,  take  notice  of  it. 

Mr.  William  McCalla,  tried  by  the  late  General  Court- 
Martial  of  which  Colonel  Poor  was  President,  for  selling  a 
batteau,  the  sails  and  part  of  the  rigging  of  a  schooner,  and 
four  barrels  of  pork,  belonging  to  the  Continent,  at  Chamblce. 
The  Court,  on  examination,  do  adjudge  Mr.  McCalla  guilty; 
but,  from  the  appearance  of  the  testimony,  are  of  opinion 
that  it  is  rather  on  account  of  great  imprudence  than  fraud. 
They  do  therefore  adjudge  him  to  be  publickly  and  severely 
reprimanded  at  the  head  of  Colonel  St.  Clair's  Brigade. 

The  General  confirms  this  sentence  of  the  General  Court- 
Martial,  and  orders  the  execution  immediately. 

The  Majors  of  Brigades  are  to  attend  punctually  at  eleven 
o'clock  for  orders.  Those  who  are  at  a  distance  may  send 
an  Adjutant  in  bad  weather,  but  the  orders  will  at  no  time 
be  given  to  a  Sergeant. 

Lieutenant  Robert  Pearsly,  of  Colonel  Wingate's  Regi- 
ment, is  appointed  Wagonmaster-General,  in  the  room  of 
Lieutenant  Doty,  who  has  resigned  on  account  of  sickness. 


Head-Quarters,  August  14,  1776. 
(Parole,  Johnston.)  (Countersign,  Marrit.) 

Two  Captains,  six  Subalterns,  eight  Sergeants,  eight  Cor- 
porals, four  Drums  and  Fifes,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Privates,  are  to  be  draughted  from  the  Brigade  of  Massa- 
chusetts Troops  commanded  by  Brigadier-General  Bricket, 
to  join  and  do  duty  with  the  Corps  of  Artillery.  General 
Bricket  will  direct  that  the  Corps  furnish  only  active,  able- 
bodied  men  for  this  service. 

The  following  promotions  are  ordered  to  take  place  in 
Colonel  Stark's  Regiment: 

Ensign  C.  Stark,  Second  Lieutenant,  Adjutant,  vice  Lieu- 
tenant Chandler,  deceased. 

Ensign  Timothy  Blake,  Second  Lieutenant,  vice  Lieu- 
tenant Baffin,  deceased. 

Ensign  Thomas  Pritchard,  Second  Lieutenant,  vice  Lieu- 
tenant Carr,  deceased. 

Mr.  Patrick  Cogan,  Second  Lieutenant,  vice  Lieutenant 
Pritchard,  promoted. 

Mr.  Al.  Center,  Ensign,  vice  Lieutenant  Stark,  advanced. 

The  Commanding  Officers  of  Corps  are  directed  to  see 
that  all  the  sails  belonging  to  the  publick,  which  have  been 
used  as  tents,  be  immediately  delivered  in  to  Mr.  Lane,  as 
Conductor  of  Naval  Stores.  A  number  of  oilcloths  belong- 
ing to  the  Artillery  have  been  used  as  covers  of  tents; 
these  are  likewise  to  be  immediately  delivered  to  Major  Bad- 
lam,  Commanding  Officer  of  Artillery. 

Head-Quarters,  August  15,  1776. 
(Parole,  JUen.)  (Countersign,  Mifflin.) 

All  persons  possessed  of  any  whited  brown  or  white  paper 
may  have  ready  money  for  it  at  Head-Quarters,  or  the  like 
quantity  and  quality  immediately  returned  upon  its  arrival 
from  Lake  George. 

The  Commanding  Officers  of  Brigades  will,  Regiment  by 
Regiment,  examine  the  men's  arms  and  ammunition,  and 
report  all  deficiencies  to  the  General. 

A  return  of  the  powder-horns  and  shot-bags  now  in  each 
Corps  to  be  sent  to-morrow,  at  orderly  time,  to  the  Adju- 
tant-General. 

When  more  salt  arrives  from  Albany,  the  Commissary  is 
to  issue  weekly  eight  quarts  to  one  hundred  men  until  further 
orders. 

Thomas  McCoy  is  appointed  an  Ensign  in  the  Sixth  Bat- 
talion of  the  Pennsylvanians;  he  is  to  be  obeyed  as  such. 

After  Orders. — A  General  Court-Martial,  taken  from  the 
Regiments  in  the  First  Brigade,  consisting  of  one  Colonel, 
one  Lieutenant-Colonel,  one  Major,  and  ten  Captains,  to  sit 
to-morrow  morning,  at  ten  o'clock,  at  or  near  the  President's 
tent,  to  try  such  prisoners  as  shall  be  brought  before  them; 
all  evidences  and  persons  concerned  to  attend  the  Court. 
Colonel  Greaton  President. 


1127 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1128 


(Parole,  Gerry.) 


Head-Quarters,  August  16,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Rush-) 


All  the  brass  blunderbusses  in  camp  belonging  to  the 
publick  or  taken  from  the  enemy  are  to  be  delivered  in  im: 
mediately  to  Mr.  Lane,  Conductor  of  Naval  Stores. 

The  Majors  of  Brigades  are  to  see  that  the  weekly  returns 
are  delivered  in  correct  and  punctually  at  orderly  time  to- 
morrow. 

The  Chief  Engineer  to  see  all  the  spades  and  axes  in 
store  helved,  and  a  party  are  to  be  constantly  kept  grinding 
axes.  When  men  are  brought  to  the  parade  of  a  morning 
for  work,  the  General  expects  their  tools  to  be  ready  ibr 

them. 

The  Massachusetts  Brigade  to  furnish  three  hundred  men, 
with  officers  in  proportion,  for  fatigue  to-morrow. 

Strayed  yesterday  from  Head-Quarters  a  fat  sheep  belong- 
in"  to  the  General.  He  has  that  opinion  of  the  soldiers 
under  his  command  that  they  will  return  him  his  sheep 
whenever  they  6nd  it. 

Head-Quarters,  August  17,  1776. 
(Parole,  Brazlon.)  (Countersign,  H'ythe.) 

The  First,  Second,  and  Third  Brigades,  to  mount  the  two 
following  Guards  for  the  security  of  the  encampment  upon 
Mount  Independence:  one  main  Guard  at  the  Isthmus, con- 
sisting of  one  Field-Officer,  two  Captains,  six  Subalterns, 
six  Sergeants,  six  Corporals,  four  Drums  and  Fifes,  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty  Privates.  The  other  Guard  is  to  mount 
upon  the  hill  above  the  lines  upon  the  west  point,  where  the 
redoubt  is  marked  out,  and  is  to  consist  of  one  Captain,  three 
Subalterns,  three  Sergeants,  three  Corporals,  two  Drums,  and 
sixty  Privates.  Colonel  Wayne,  who  surveyed  the  mount, 
with  the  officers  commanding  Brigades,  will  station  the 
Guard  at  the  Isthmus.  The  Guard  in  the  rear  of  the  re- 
doubt above  the  lines  will  be  stationed  by  the  Adjutant- 
General,  the  Chief  Engineer,  and  the  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  Artillery. 

The  Chief  Engineer  to  deliver  fifteen  axes  to  the  Field- 
Officer  of  the  main  Guard,  and  ten  to  the  Captain  of  the 
redoubt  Guard,  to-morrow  morning  at  guard  mounting.  They 
are  to  be  answerable  for  these  axes  to  the  Officers  who 
relieve  them,  and  those  Guards  are  not  to  be  relieved  until 
the  axes  are  in  good  order  delivered  to  the  relieving  Officers. 

One  Captain,  three  Subalterns,  three  Sergeants,  three  Cor- 
porals, two  Drums,  and  one  hundred  Privates,  from  the  Bri- 
gade commanded  by  General  Bricket,  to  parade  at  Head- 
Quarters  at  twelve  o'clock,  to  take  twenty  batteaus  to 
Skenesborough.  Captain  Williamson  will  deliver  the  bat- 
teaus to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  party. 

Forty  Seamen  from  the  same  Brigade,  to  be  draughted 
and  paraded  at  Head-Quarters  to-morrow  morning  at  seven 
o'clock,  to  go  on  board  the  fleet  at  Crown-Point.  They 
will  go  down  in  two  batteaus.  The  Officer  commanding 
them  will  apply  to  General  Arnold  for  his  orders. 

Colonel  Greaton  is  to  take  the  command  of  the  First  Bri- 
gade during  the  absence  of  General  Arnold. 

Head-Quarters,  August  18,  1776. 
(Parole,  Jefferson.)  (Countersign,  Lee.) 

In  every  duty,  whether  guard,  detachment,  or  fatigue,  the 
Officers  are  to  be  proportioned  to  the  number  of  men,  accord- 
ing to  the  establishment  of  the  Army.  A  Field-Officer  is  to 
command  any  number  above  two  hundred. 

A  General  Court-Martial,  taken  from  the  Regiments  of 
the  Fourth  Brigade,  consisting  of  one  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
two  Majors,  and  ten  Captains,  to  sit  to-morrow  morning  at 
nine  o'clock,  to  try  such  prisoners  as  may  be  brought  before 
them.  All  evidences  and  persons  concerned,  are  to  attend 
the  Court.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ogdcn,  President;  Captain 
Joseph  Morris  to  attend  the  Court  as  Judge  Advocate. 

Head-Quarters,  August  19,  1776. 
(Parole,  Rutledgc.)  (Countersign,  Deanc.) 

The  Commanding  Officers  of  Regiments  and  Corps  are 
to  be  answerable  that  every  officer,  non-commissioned  offi- 
cer and  soldier,  who  shall  hereafter  be  infected  with  the 
small-pox,  be  immediately  sent  to  the  General  Hospital  at 
Lake  George;  but  previous  to  their  being  sent  they  are  to 
make  oath  as  follows : 

I,  A.  B.,  do  solemnly  swear,  by  the  ever-living  God,  that 
I  have  not  received  the  infection  of  the  small-pox  by  inocu- 


lation, or  by  any  application  internal  or  external,  but  have 
taken  the  same  in  a  manner  entirely  unknown  to  me,  and 
as  I  firmly  believe,  by  the  oath  I  now  take,  in  the  natural 
way,  and  no  other.  So  help  me  God. 

In  case  any  man  refuses  to  take  the  above  oath,  his  con- 
science accusing  him  that  it  would  be  perjury  so  to  do,  he  is 
to  declare  the  name  of  the  person  who  inoculated  him,  and 
the  place  where  it  was  done,  that  the  perpetrators  of  so  vil- 
lanous  an  act  may  be  instantly  brought  to  condign  punish- 
ment. 

After  Orders. — A  General  Court-Martial  in  the  Second 
Brigade,  consisting  of  three  Field-Officers  and  ten  Captains, 
to  sit  to-morrow  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  at  the  President's 
tent,  to  try  such  prisoners  as  shall  be  brought  before  them. 


(Parole,  miiiamt.) 


Head-Quarters,  August  20,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Gerry.) 


Edmund  Monro  is  appointed  Quartermaster  of  Colonel 
Reed's  Regiment,  of  Brigadier-General  Briclcefs  Brigade, 
in  the  room  of  Mr.  Brett. 

The  General  Court-Martial,  of  which  Colonel  Greaton  is 
President,  is  dissolved. 

Head-Quarters,  August  21,  1776. 
(Parole,  Henry.'!  (Countersign,  Carroll.) 

Marauding  is  become  so  frequent  that  the  General  ex- 
pects every  officer  will  in  a  spirited  manner  exert  himself  to 
prevent  it,  and  bring  the  perpetrators  to  exemplary  punish- 
ment. Last  night  a  poor  inhabitant  was  robbed  of  all  him- 
self and  distressed  family  had  to  depend  upon  for  their  winter 
support,  by  certain  villains,  who  said  they  belonged  to  the 
Jersey  Regiment.  There  are  more  villains  that  wear  blue, 
than  those  suspected  in  the  Jersey  Regiment.  The  Gene- 
ral recommends  it  to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Fourth 
Brigade  to  endeavour  by  every  means  in  his  power  to  dis- 
cover and  bring  to  justice  all  persons  suspected  of  pillaging 
and  marauding.  The  Army  is  paid  to  protect,  not  pilfer  the 
inhabitants. 

The  Colonels  of  the  Regiments  of  Militia  are  forthwith 
to  bring  in  their  demands  for  mileage  and  billeting,  that  they 
may  be  discharged  without  delay. 

Mr.  Ryan,  Adjutant  of  Colonel  WTayneJs  Battalion,  of 
Pennsylvania,  tried  at  a  General  Court-Martial,  of  which 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Ogden  was  President,  on  an  accusation 
of  assaulting  and  abusing  Major  Haussegger,  is  found  guilty 
by  the  Court,  and  sentenced  to  be  severely  reprimanded  by 
Colonel  St.  Clair,  at  the  head  of  the  Fourth  Brigade. 

The  General  approves  the  sentence,  and  orders  it  to  be 
put  in  execution,  at  such  time  and  place  as  Colonel  St.  Clair 
shall  think  proper. 

The  General  Court-Martial,  of  which  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Ogden  was  President,  is  dissolved. 

Head-Quarters,  August  22,  1776. 
(Parole,  Richmond.)  (Countersign,  Catnlen.) 

The  following  Resolves  of  the  most  honourable  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  Stales  of  America,  are  to  be  strictly 
observed  by  the  Surgeons  and  Surgeons'  Mates  of  this 
Army: 

"Resolved,  That  the  several  Regimental  Chests  of  Me- 
dicines and  Surgical  Instruments,  which  now  are  or  shall 
hereafter  be  in  the  possession  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons, 
be  subject  to  the  inspection  and  inquiry  of  the  respective 
Directors  of  Hospitals,  and  the  Director-General ;  and  that 
the  Regimental  Surgeons  shall,  from  time  to  time,  when 
thereto  required,  render  account  of  the  said  Medicines  and 
Instruments,  to  the  said  Director,  and  if  there  be  no  Direc- 
tor in  any  particular  departments,  to  the  Director-General. 
The  said  accounts  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Director-General, 
and  by  him  to  the  Congress,  and  the  Medicines  and  Instru- 
ments not  used  by  any  Regimental  Surgeon,  to  be  returned 
when  the  Regiment  is  reduced,  to  the  respective  Directors, 
and  an  account  thereof  by  them  rendered  to  the  Director- 
General,  and  by  him  to  the  Congress. 

"  That  the  Regimental  and  Hospital  Surgeons  in  the 
several  departments  make  Weekly  Returns  of  their  sick  to 
their  respective  Directors  in  the  said  departments. 

"That  all  extra  expenses  for  bandages,  old  linen,  and 
other  articles  necessary  for  this  service,  incurred  by  any  Re- 
gimental Surgeons,  be  paid  by  the  Director  of  the  depart- 
ment, with  the  approbation  of  the  commander  thereof." 


1129 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1130 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  ARNOLD. 

Tyonderoga,  August  23,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Doc- 
tor M'Crca,  whom,  at  the  recommendation  of  Doctor  Potts, 
I  have  appointed  First  Surgeon  to  the  fleet  under  your 
command ;  he  has  instruments  and  medicines,  two  things 
much  in  request  with  you.  Mr.  Francis  Hagan  accom- 
panies Mr.  M-Crea  as  his  Assistant  Surgeon.  I  cannot 
procure  any  instruments  for  him  here,  but  wish  you  could 
hire  Doctor  Spiram's  for  the  voyage.  You  are,  I  am  told, 
acquainted  with  Doctor  M'Crea.  I  am  assured  his  abilities 
are  their  own  recommendation.  Another  gondola  sails  from 
hence  this  morning,  and  the  row-galley  will  sail  to-morrow. 
Yesterday  Mr.  Tilcomb,  master-carpenter  from  Skcntsbo- 
rough,  returned  thither  from  hence;  he  got  a  good  recruit 
of  ship-carpenters,  twelve  of  his  gang  being  now  sick;  he  is 
a  fine-looking  fellow,  and  seems  desirous  to  command  the 
row-galley  he  has  just  finished;  he  professes  himself  a  sea- 
man. From  the  sense  and  manly  appearance  of  Mr.  Tit- 
comb,  I  think  you  would  do  well  to  appoint  him;  but  I  shall 
not  interfere  further  than  to  recommend  him.  I  wrote  yes- 
terday to  General  Waterbury,  to  spur  him  up  to  reinforce  you 
with  all  speed  with  the  row-galleys.  I  am  confident  he  will 
exert  himself  to  join  you  as  expeditiously  as  possible. 

The  rumour  we  heard  of  an  action  at  New-York  proves 
premature.  The  enemy  had  embarked  from  Staten- Island, 
but  not  landed  again,  when  the  last  accounts  came  from 
thence.  It  is  positively  asserted  that  the  Hessian  General 
had  sent  to  General  Washington  to  know  what  treatment 
the  prisoners  of  that  Principality  were  to  expect,  and  was 
answered  that  they  must  expect  to  be  treated  as  hirelings. 
May  health,  honour,  and  success  attend  you. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  affectionate,  humble  servant, 

HORATTO  GATES. 
To  Brigadier-General  Arnold. 

P.  S.  Captain  Thatcher,  of  Colonel  Swiff 's  regiment,  is 
just  come  from  Governour  Trumbull,  where  I  sent  him 
express.  He  says  you  had  consented  to  his  commanding  a 
row-galley.  He  seems  very  fit  to  do  it. 


CAPTAIN  NELSON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  September  2,  1776.] 

Ticonderoga,  August  23,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  beg  leave  to  acquaint  you  of  my  having 
received  information  that  a  number  of  troops  are  raised 
and  still  raising  in  Westmoreland  County,  and  being  myself 
desirous  of  serving  my  country  in  that  quarter,  if  approved 
of  by  your  Honour,  where  I  might  be  of  service  to  the  pub- 
lick  and  my  family;  at  the  same  time,  I  do  not  mean  by 
this  to  insinuate  that  I  am  tired  of  the  service  to  the  north- 
ward, as  I  am  ready  and  willing  at  all  times  to  march  where- 
ever  oidered  ;  but  having,  agreeable  to  resolve  of  Congress, 
joined  a  regiment  (Colonel  I)e  Haas's)  by  order  of  General 
Arnold,  in  Canada,  which  in  all  probability  will  march  home 
in  the  fall,  was  the  reason  of  my  making  this  request.  Your 
Honour,  I  hope,  will  consider  my  request,  and,  if  approved 
of,  permit  rne  to  march  my  company  to  the  westward  when 
the  regiment  arrives  in  Philadelphia. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  your  Honour's  most  humble  ser- 

JOHN  NELSON, 

Captain  of  the  Rifle  Company. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


have  the  desired  effect.  I  think  it  very  proper.  I  thank 
you  for  your  good  wishes,  and  am,  with  every  sentiment  of 
friendship  and  esteem,  dear  General,  your  obedient,  humble 

servant,  0    . 

iJ.  ARNOLD. 

To  General  Gates. 

COLONEL  BREWER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Bennington,  August  23,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  am  now  on  my  march  from  this  place 
with  part  of  my  regiment  or  battalion.  The  Council  of  this 
State,  or  the  Committee  appointed  to  provide  my  regi- 
ment with  camp  utensils,  have  not  yet  sent  them,  by  reason 
of  which  my  men  are  entirely  destitute.  My  marching  orders 
are  urgent  from  them ;  likewise  I  find  the  same  from  you 
to  the  Commissary  here.  I  am  determined  to  push  as  far  as 
I  can  find  any1  kind  of  pot  or  kettle  to  look  in.  Have  sent 
my  Adjutant  with  this  to  your  Honour,  begging  your  advice 
and  instructions  in  that  matter;  also,  where  you  would  have 
me  repair  to  with  my  regiment.  The  other  part  of  my 
regiment  will  be  on  their  march  next  week;  by  them  I 
expect  the  camp  utensils  will  come,  as  I  have  sent  two 
expresses  to  Number  Four,  and  one  to  Watertown,  now  after 
them.  Upon  seeing  a  letter  from  you  to  Major  Hawley 
relative  to  the  conduct  of  inoculation  at  Number  Four,  I 
find  that  a  damn'd  puppy  of  a  quack  has  carried  on  the 
diabolical  practice  at  Williamstown,  about  twelve  miles  from 
this.  I  have  made  bold  to  send  your  sentiment  in  that 
matter  to  the  Committee  of  that  town  this  morning,  and 
make  no  doubt  they  will  either  do  him  justice,  or  send 
him  to  you  to  receive  his  reward. 

I  am,  sir,  your  Honour's  most  obedient  and  very  humble 

servant,  c          „  „  7      , 

OAML.  BREWER,  Lolonel. 

To  General  Gates. 

New-London,  August  23,  1776. 

Last  Saturday  a  French  sloop  arrived  here  from  the  West- 
Indies,  loaded  with  sugar,  molasses,  and  coffee,  and  a  few 
articles  of  European  goods. 

Three  vessels  have  arrived  here  from  New-York  with 
Tories,  collected  from  that  city  and  Long-Island,  who  are 
sent  into  the  country  towns. 

By  means  of  the  great  number  of  prizes  carried  into  dif- 
ferent ports  at  the  eastward,  Jamaica  ruin  is  sold  at  4s.  4rf. 
per  gallon  by  the  hogshead,  and  sugar  at  five  dollars  per 
one  hundred  weight  in  Boston. 

Three  of  our  people  (soldiers)  who  were  prisoners  at 
Quebeck  have  made  their  escape,  and  arrived  at  Rhode- 
Island.  They  report  that  the  officers  who  are  prisoners  in 
Quebeck  meet  with  hard  usage. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  23,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  this  minute  received  yours  by 
Doctor  McCrea,  and  am  very  happy  at  his  arrival,  as  I  was 
determined  to  have  sailed  the  first  fair  wind,  even  without 
a  Surgeon.  I  believe  him  to  be  a  very  good  one.  I  have 
borrowed  Doctor  Sparham's  instruments.  I  am  glad  to 
hear  the  gondola  and  galley  are  likely  to  join  me  so  soon. 
I  have  not  the  least  objection  to  Captain  Titcomb's  com- 
manding one  of  the  galleys.  I  think  he  had  better  take  the 
second  he  is  building,  as  taking  him  from  his  gang  before 
she  is  finished  will  retard  the  business.  I  believe  Captain 
Thatcher  a  very  good  officer,  and  could  wish  he  might  take 
the  command  of  one  of  the  galleys  which  is  done.  General 
Washington's  answer  to  the  Hessian  General,  I  hope,  will 


JOHN  A  VERY  TO  RICHARD  PETERS. 

State  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  Council  Chamber,  ) 
August  23,  1776. 

SIR:  Yours  of  the  6th  instant  has  been  received,  and  such 
steps  are  taken  as  'tis  presumed  will  enable  the  Council 
speedily  to  furnish  you  with  a  particular  list  of  prisoners  in 
this  State.  In  the  mean  time  they  would  observe  that  there 
have  been  upwards  of  four  hundred  privates  and  twenty-one 
officers,  being  Highlanders,  but  lately  dispersed  into  different 
towns  in  this  State,  besides  twenty-one  other  officers  and 
many  more  privates.  Many,  and  perhaps  the  largest  part 
of  the  privates,  are,  by  their  osvn  consent,  at  labour  for  their 
subsistence. 

The  list  of  officers  of  the  troops  raised  here,  the  date  of 
their  commissions,  &,c.,  will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  the 
Council  can  have  the  proper  returns  made  to  them. 

By  order  of  the  Council  : 

JOHN  AVERT,  Deputy  Secretary. 
To  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  Secretary  Board  of  War. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

Savannah,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  letter  will)  the  thanks  of  the  Congress  reached 
me  at  Purisburgh.  The  approbation  of  the  freely-chosen 
Delegates  of  a  free  and  uncorrupt  people  is  certainly  the 
highest  honour  that  a  man  of  any  sentiment  can  be  ambi- 
tious of,  and  I  shall  consider  it  as  a  fresh  stimulus  to  excite 


1131 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1132 


my  zeal  and  ardour  in  the  glorious  cause  in  which  I  am 
engaged.  May  the  God  of  righteousness  prosper  your  arms 
in  every  part  of  the  empire  in  proportion  to  the  justice  with 
which  they  were  taken  up!  Once  more,  let  me  express  the 
high  satisfaction  and  happiness  I  feel  in  this  honourable  testi- 
mony, and,  once  more,  let  me  assure  the  United  States  of 
America  that  they  cannot  meet  with  a  servant  (whatever 
may  be  his  abilities)  animated  with  a  greater  degree  of  ardour 
and  enthusiasm  for  their  safety,  prosperity,  and  glory. 

The  present  state  of  this  Province,  its  strength  and  weak- 
ness, I  shall  transmit  to  the  Board  of  War,  according  to  the 
directions  I  have  received. 

Be  persuaded,  sir,  that  I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect, 
your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

CHARLES  LEE. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Continental 
Congress. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  BOARD  OF  WAR  AND  ORDNANCE. 

Savannah,  August  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Any  irregularity  of  returns  of  the  forces 
under  my  command  will  not,  I  hope,  be  imputed  to  me ;  the 
extensive  business  of  superintending  the  safety  of  so  vast  a 
territory  as  that  which  the  Congress  have  committed  to  my 
charge,  renders  it  impossible  for  me  to  attend  to  the  detail  of 
the  regiments,  or,  in  any  reasonable  time,  to  collect  and  digest 
the  various  returns;  but  I  have  given  orders  to  the  Brigadiers 
to  be  as  accurate  as  possible  on  this  subject  in  their  respec- 
tive districts,  and  have  no  reason,  from  my  knowledge  of  the 
men,  to  think  they  will  be  deficient.  As  a  thorough  know- 
ledge of  the  present  condition  of  this  Colony,  of  its  strength 
and  weakness,  is  certainly  a  matter  of  very  serious  considera- 
tion, I  shall  lay  before  the  Board  the  best  and  most  accurate 
information  I  am  able. 

Georgia  is  a  State  of  much  greater  importance  to  the 
empire  of  America  than  is  generally  supposed,  at  least  than 
what  I  myself  imagined  before  I  visited  it.  The  variety  of 
navigable  rivers,  commodious  harbours,  and  fine  inlets;  the 
prodigious  quantities  of  rice,  and  immense  stocks  of  cattle, 
both  on  the  islands  and  on  the  main ;  but,  above  all,  the 
gentleness  and  salubrity  of  the  winter  seasons,  with  the  con- 
veniency  of  its  situation  for  commerce  with  the  West-India 
Islands,  would  render  it  a  most  valuable  possession  to  the 
enemy.  The  Altamaha,  a  very  noble  river,  already  fur- 
nishes a  considerable  quantity,  and  may,  in  time,  furnish 
any  quantity  of  lumber.  The  garrison  of  St.  Augustine, 
and,  indeed,  the  whole  Province  of  East-Florida,  draw  their 
subsistence  from  Georgia;  and  if  all  intercourse  with  her 
were  cut  off,  that  nest  of  robbers  and  pirates  would  probably 
fall  to  the  ground,  and  of  course  the  empire  of  the  United 
States  become  more  round  and  entire.  These  circumstances, 
summed  up  together,  must  evince  the  importance  of  keeping 
Georgia,  or  any  part  of  it,  out  of  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
The  means  of  doing  it  demands  the  utmost  attention.  I  have 
turned  my  thoughts  to  the  subject,  and  shall  beg  leave  to 
submit  the  result  to  the  consideration  of  the  Congress.  The 
present  state  of  the  strength  of  this  Colony  consists  of 
Colonel  Mclntosh's  battalion,  (a  return  of  which  is  here 
enclosed,)  a  company  of  independent  Artillery,  consisting  of 
three  officers  and  twenty-three  privates,  with  about  twenty- 
five  hundred  Militia  of  all  sorts;  but  in  a  very  great  part  of 
these  (as  I  learn  from  the  authority  of  their  own  Captains) 
very  little  confidence  can  be  placed,  their  principles  being 
extremely  contaminated  by  a  most  pernicious  banditti  of 
enemies  to  the  common  liberty.  Mclntosh's  battalion  is 
really  a  very  fine  one,  (one  of  the  best,  I  think,  oi>  the  Con- 
tinent;) but  as,  perhaps,  it  might  appear  a  hard  task  to  insist 
on  this  battalion's  acting  with  the  necessary  rigour  against 
some  of  their  nearest  connexions  and  relations,  accused  of 
being  concerned  in  treasonable  practices,  it  is  my  intention 
to  remove  them  either  into  South  or  North-Carolina,  where 
they  can  be  more  serviceable,  and  have  an  opportunity  of 
completing  themselves,  which,  in  this  State,  from  the  dearth 
of  men,  is  impossible,  and  replace  them  with  an  equal  or 
greater  number  from  South -Carolina. 

Such  is  the  present  condition  of  the  strength  of  Georgia; 
very  far  from  being  adequate  to  its  defence.  My  scheme 
for  its  security  is,  as  row-galleys  and  armed  boats  are  so 
well  calculated  for  what  is  called  the  inland  navigation  as  to 
give  them  an  infinite  advantage  over  vessels  merely  sailing, 


(which,  in  these  strait, confined  waters,  have  no  room  for 
manoeuvring.)  to  depend  upon  them  ;  they  will  secure  the  rivers 
against  the  predatory  incursions  of  the  enemy,  prevent  the  de- 
sertion of  negroes,  sweep  thecoastsclearof  tenders;  but,  above 
all,  facilitate  the  means  of  the  different  States  mutually  assist- 
ing each  other  with  troops,  cannon,  provision,  and  other  requi- 
sites, which  is  now  effected  with  difficulties,  slowness,  and 
monstrous  expense.  Three  galleys  are  already  on  the  stocks 
in  this  port,  and  we  have  armed  and  equipped  several  boats 
with  swivels,  and  one  gun  on  the  bow  of  each ;  the  least  of 
them  capable  of  containing  thirty  men,  and  rowed  with 
fourteen  oars.  Sailors,  of  whom  we  find  so  great  a  scarcity, 
are  not  necessary  for  this  species  of  vessels ;  the  soldiers  are 
competent  to  the  business.  Besides  the  equipment  of  these 
galleys  and  boats,  I  proposed  establishing  little  forts  or 
redoubts  in  certain  situations  on  the  rivers  St.  Mary's,  Sa- 
tilla,  Sapello,  and  Altamaha,  which  may  enable  us  to  make 
incursions  from  time  to  lime,  when  circumstances  require  it, 
into  East-Florida,  and  render  it  dangerous  for  them  to  make 
attempts  of  a  similar  nature  into  Georgia.  These  redoubts 
or  little  forts  will  likewise  serve  as  places  of  rendezvous, 
refreshment,  and  retreat,  for  bodies  of  horse  rangers,  which 
ought  continually  to  be  patrolling  on  the  frontier.  Such  are 
the  best  methods,  after  having  consulted  the  most  intelligent 
people,  which,  in  my  opinion,  can  be  devised  for  the  defence 
and  security  of  this  State,  unless,  indeed,  we  could  prevail 
on  the  Province  to  contract  their  frontier,  by  breaking  up 
all  their  settlements  on  the  other  side  of  the  Altamaha, 
which,  to  me,  I  confess,  appears  a  wiser  and  more  economi- 
cal measure;  but  this,  1  am  afraid,  is  not  to  be  accom- 
plished. 

I  must  now  beg  leave  to  lay  before  the  Board  a  matter 
of  the  highest  concern,  and  which  certainly  demands  the 
most  serious  attention  of  Congress,  as,  unless  remedied,  it 
may  not  only  distress  the  circumstances  of  the  publick,  but 
bring  a  disgrace  on  the  American  character — I  mean  the 
unconscionable  advantages  which  individuals,  merchants, 
mechanicks,  farmers,  and  planters,  are  suffered  to  take  of 
the  publick  necessities.  If  boats,  wagons,  horses,  drugs, 
clothing,  skins,  necessaries,  even  little  refreshments,  such  as 
fruit  or  garden  stuff,  are  wanting  for  the  soldiers,  no  price 
being  regulated,  the  extortion  is  monstrous;  the  expenses 
of  the  war  must  not  only  be  prodigiously  swelled  by  this 
want  of  regulation,  but  the  officers  and  soldiers  are  disgusted 
to  the  service  by  the  toleration  of  such  impositions;  for 
instance,  the  Virginians  and  North- Carolinians  are  so  much 
out  of  temper  with  Charlestown  on  this  head,  that  should  it 
again  be  attacked,  and  the  assistance  of  these  troops  again 
be  requisite,  I  am  afraid  we  shall  find  a  dangerous  repug- 
nance in  them  to  march,  when  ordered.  I  most  devoutly 
wish,  therefore,  that  Congress  will  make  it  an  object  to 
remedy  this  evil.  Might  they  not  recommend  or  enjoin 
the  Legislatures  of  the  different  States  to  appoint  a  Com- 
mittee of  Assessors  from  their  respective  bodies  to  fix  the 
prices  of  the  different  articles  in  their  Provinces?  Whether 
this  method  is  or  is  not  proper,  I  cannot  pretend  to  say;  but 
something,  1  must  repeat,  should  be  done. 

The  waste,  difficulty,  and  expense  arising  from  a  want  of 
method  in  provisioning  the  troops,  when  assembled  in  any 
particular  spot,  upon  an  emergency,  are  so  great,  that  maga- 
zines ought  to  be  established  in  every  Province,  more  par- 
ticularly in  those  which  have  the  greatest  probability  of 
being  attacked ;  by  these  means,  the  troops  will  not  only  be 
better  fed,  but  be  an  immense  saving  to  the  Continent;  for 
the  contractors,  not  being  pressed  for  time,  can,  at  their 
leisure,  purchase  every  species  of  necessaries  in  these  parts, 
where  they  are  best  and  cheapest;  but,  when  a  great  and 
sudden  demand  is  made,  either  for  cattle,  corn,  spirits,  &c., 
they  are  under  a  necessity  of  taking  that  which  is  next  at 
hand,  and  giving  the  sellers  their  own  price.  On  this  con- 
sideration, in  concurrence  with  the  President  and  Council 
of  South- Carolina,  I  have  thought  it  expedient  to  establish 
some  magazines,  in  South- Carolina,  of  pork,  beef,  corn,  &z,c., 
besides  straw  and  whiskey,  which,  in  these  low,  damp 
countries,  are  absolutely  necessary;  at  all  events,  this  esta- 
blishment can  be  no  loss  to  the  Continent,  as  the  beef  and 
pork,  at  least,  can  always  with  advantage  be  exported  to 
the  West-Indies.  Were  I  at  a  less  distance  from  the  Con- 
gress, I  should  not  take  the  liberty  of  laying  out  a  single 
dollar  without  having  obtained  their  approbation ;  but,  at 
this  distance,  I  must  assume  such  a  power,  or  let  the  publick 


1133 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1134 


affairs  go  to  wreck,  and  of  course  prove  myself  totally  un- 
worthy of  the  great  trust  the  Congress  have  reposed  in  me. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant,  ^  T 

To  the  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL   OF    SAFETY   TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 
[No.  156.]  In  Council  of  Safety,  Annapolis,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  This  letter  will  be  handed  to  your  Excellency  by 
Mons.  Pelieirson  D'huge,  who  came  passenger  in  an 
armed  brig,  purchased  for  the  Province  of  Maryland  by 
Messrs.  Vanbibber  and  Harrison,  our  Agents  in  'Statia  and 
Martinique,  who  inform  that  he  was  warmly  recommended 
to  them  as  a  "  gentleman  of  character  and  experience  in  the 
management  of  artillery."  We  should  have  employed  him 
in  our  Province,  had  he  been  desirous  of  entering  into  its 
service. 

For,  and  on  behalf  of  the  Council,  I  have  the  honour  to 
be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

DAN.  OF  ST.  THOS.  JENIFER,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  DARNES. 

[No.  157.]  Annapolis,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  We  wrote  you  yesterday  the  reason  of  our  ordering 
the  deficiency  of  arms  in  Captain  Dean's  company  to  be 
supplied  out  of  yours.  Enclosed  is  an  order  on  Winters  for 
forty  muskets  fitted.  You  will  be  furnished  with  cartouch- 
boxes,  knapsacks  with  haversacks,  bayonet-belts,  gun-slings, 
and  wooden  bottles,  at  Chestertown.  Colonel  Richardson 
will  give  you  marching  orders.  A  small  quantity  of  osna- 
burgs  arrived  this  morning,  and  we  send  you  two  pieces  for 
the  use  of  your  company.  We  are,  &c. 

To  Captain  Darnes. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  BALTIMORE  COUNTY  COM- 
MITTEE. 

[No.  158.]  Annapolis,  August  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  send  up  by  Captain  Walker  a  quantity 
of  powder  imported  in  Captain  Conway.  Our  Commissary 
has  orders  to  receive  and  have  the  same  stored  in  or  near 
Baltimore-Town,  until  the  magazine  building  under  your 
directions  can  be  completed.  We  should  be  obliged  to  you 
for  your  assistance  in  seeing  the  powder  landed  and  pro- 
perly secured,  and  should  be  glad  to  hear  the  magazine  is 
finished,  so  that  it  may  be  removed  there  for  greater  safety. 

We  are,  &c. 
To  the  Committee  of  Observation,  Baltimore  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY   TO  STEPHEN  STEWARD. 

[No.  159.]  Annapolis,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  We  request  the  favour  of  you  to  purchase  the  ne- 
cessaries for  the  Military  Hospital  in  Annapolis,  according 
to  the  enclosed  memorandum  given  in  by  Dr.  Tootell. 

We  are,  &c. 
To  Mr.  Stephen  Steward,  Anne  Arundel  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  GERARD  HOPKINS. 
[No.  160.]  Annapolis,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  We  send  you  up  by  Captain  Walker,  who  com- 
mands the  small  tender  belonging  to  the  Defence,  some 
powder  he  has  brought  up  from  Virginia.  The  quantity 
you  will  be  pleased  to  take  a  particular  account  of,  and  give 
Captain  Walker  a  receipt  for.  The  powder  is  to  be  stored 
in  some  convenient  place  in  or  near  Baltimore-Town,  until 
the  magazine  can  be  completed.  You  are  to  send  down 
forty  half-barrels  of  tnusket  powder  by  the  schooner  Reso- 
lution; also  send  by  her  whatever  has  been  heretofore  ordered 
to  be  sent,  and  not  already  complied  with. 

VVe  desire  you  would  apply  to  Captain  Nathaniel  Smyth, 
and  inquire  whether  there  be  any  cannon  at  Whetstone  Point 
not  mounted,  that  can  be  spared.  If  there  should  be,  send 
them  down  here  by  the  schooner  Resolution;  also  the  scow 
purchased  by  Jesse  Hollingsworth.  We  are  informed  there 


are  some  nine  and  eighteen-pounders  not  mounted,  lately- 
brought  down.     We  are,  &tc. 

To  Mr.  Gerard  Hopkins,  Commissary  of  Stores,  Baltimore. 
P.  S.  Send  also  any  shot  that  may  be  ready. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  COLONEL  RICHARDSON. 
[No.  161.]  Annapolis,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  Captain  Darnes  has  an  order  on  Mr.  Winters  for 
forty  muskets,  which  will  completely  furnish  his  company, 
and  enable  him  to  supply  Captain  Dean  with  some.  Cap- 
tain Bourke's  company  is  now  here,  but  will  leave  us  for 
the  head  of  Elk  this  afternoon. 

We  have  appointed  Mr.  Potter  Surgeon  Assistant,  and 
we  enclose  you  his  warrant.  Medicines  must  be  furnished 
at  Philadelphia  by  the  Congress. 

We  approve  of  your  having  the  arms  repaired  in  Phila- 
delphia, and  desire  you  will  give  the  necessary  orders  for 
that  purpose  to  your  companies  as  they  march. 

Tents,  we  are  informed,  may  be  had  at  New-York;  they 
cannot  be  got  here;  perhaps  they  may  be  got  at  Philadel- 
phia; if  they  can,  you  will  get  what  will  be  necessary  for 
your  battalion.  This  Province  must  defray  the  expense  in 
the  first  instance,  but  the  charge  will  be  Continental. 

We  are,  &c. 

To  Colonel  William  Richardson. 


JOHN  HANSON,  JUN.,  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Frederick-Town,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  By  direction  of  the  Committee,  1  wrote  you  a  few 
days  ago,  acquainting  you  that  the  money  sent  here  for  the 
support  of  the  prisoners  was  all  expended,  and  to  request 
you  would  be  pleased  to  order  more  to  be  sent  up,  which  I 
now  repeat.  That  you  may  know  what  sum  may  be  neces- 
sary, have  enclosed  you  an  account  of  the  expenses  attend- 
ing the  prisoners  per  week;  and  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient, 

humble  servant,  „,    . 

JOHN  HANSON,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

To  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  President  of 
the  Council  of  Safety. 

£  s.  d. 

15  prisoners  in  the  Tory  jail,  prisoners  per  week 6    26 

15  officers  from  Savannah,  at  15s.  allowed  by  Congress 11     50 

20  soldiers,  their  servants,  at  8Jrf.  a  day 5    21 

A  guard  of  12  men,  at  3s.  day  and  night,  finding  themselves  12  12  0 

Captain  of  the  guard,  at  6s.                         do 220 

Sergeant  of  the  guard,  at  4s.  Gd.                do 1116 

.£38  15  T 


N.  B.  The  expense  will  be  increased  in  the  winter,  on 
account  of  firing,  &LC. 


COL.  HOLLINGSWORTH  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Head  of  Elk,  August  24,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Captain  Alexander,  of  the  Flying-Camp, 
having  had  his  company  completed  for  a  considerable  time 
past,  and  hearing  nothing  from  his  Field-Officers,  hath  re- 
quested me  to  inform  your  Honours  that  he  only  waits  your 
orders  to  march.  The  guns,  bayonets,  and  cartouch-boxes, 
are  ready,  as  also  the  blankets.  Cloth  might  have  been  had 
for  tents,  but  as  no  orders  were  received  on  that  head,  there 
is  no  one  prepared  here.  There  are  about  twenty  canteens 
prepared,  and  I  believe  the  rest  may  be  had  here  if  thought 
necessary.  If  anything  further  is  wanted  please  to  command, 
gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

H.  HOLLINGSWORTH. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety,  at  Annapolis. 

P.  S.  My  bayonet-forgers  have  been  two  of  them  sick  for 
some  time,  but  yesterday  began  to  work  again. 


CAPTAIN  DEAN  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Head  of  Elk,  August  24,  1776, 

GENTLEMEN:  Just  arrived  at  the  head  of  Elk,  and  ex- 
pected to  have  been  furnished  with  bayonets  and  knapsacks 
and  canteens,  but  find  there  is  nothing  provided  for  me  here, 
nor  a  Field-Officer  to  direct  me.  I  purpose  continuing  my 
march  to  Philadelphia,  where  I  hope  your  Honours  will  have 
me  provided  for.  As  I  am  anxious  to  serve  my  country,  I 
hope  those  necessaries  may  not  be  forgot.  I  engaged  Mr. 


1135 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1136 


Price's  boats  for  £10,  who  wouia  not  go  under  that  sum, 
but  think  it  was  rather  much. 

I  am,  in  haste,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant, 

JNO.  DEAN. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  The  late  conduct  of  Lord  Drummond  is  as  extra- 
ordinary as  his  motives  are  dark  and  mysterious.  To  judge 
the  most  favourably  of  his  intentions,  it  should  seem  that  an 
overweening  vanity  has  betrayed  him  into  a  criminal  breach 
of  honour.  But  whether  his  views  were  upright,  or  in- 
tended only  to  mislead  and  deceive,  cannot  at  present  be  a 
matter  of  any  importance.  In  the  mean  time  I  have  the 
pleasure  to  acquaint  you  that  Congress  highly  approve  of 
the  manner  in  which  you  have  checked  the  officious  and 
intemperate  zeal  of  his  Lordship.  Whether  his  designs  were 
hostile  or  friendly,  he  equally  merited  the  reproof  you  have 
given  him ;  and  I  hope  for  the  future  he  will  be  convinced 
that  it  is  highly  imprudent  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
publick  to  a  character  which  will  only  pass  without  censure 
when  it  passes  without  notice. 

The  Congress  having  considered  the  matter  thoroughly, 
are  of  opinion  to  decline  taking  any  publick  or  further  notice 
of  his  Lordship  or  his  letters,  and  particularly  as  you  have 
so  fully  expressed  their  sentiments  on  the  subject  in  your 
letter  to  him.  It  was  the  consideration  of  this  point  that 
induced  Congress  to  detain  the  express  till  now. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  perfect  esteem  and  regard, 
sir,  jour  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
To  General  Washington. 


LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)   COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  and  In- 
spection, at  the  house  of  Adam  Reigart,  the  24th  August, 
1776: 

Present:  William  Atlee,  Lodwick  Lowman,  William  Bowsman,  Cas- 
per Shaffner,  Christopher  Crawford,  Eberhart  Gruber,  John  Miller. 

William  Atlee  in  the  chair. 

Thomas  Bridges,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment,  is  per- 
mitted to  work  with  Henry  Rankin,  Caleb  Johnson,  here  in 
Committee,  agreeing  to  be  answerable  for  him  agreeable  to 
the  resolves  of  the  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  an  addition  is  necessary  to  be  immedi- 
ately made  to  the  Barracks;  and  the  Congress  and  Conven- 
tion having  left  it  to  the  Committee  to  make  such  addition  as 
we  shall  judge  necessary,  it  is  agreed  that  the  addition  be 
made  of  brick,  by  extending  the  wings  so  as  to  have  four 
rooms  in  length  on  each  side  added,  whereby  there  will  be 
twelve  rooms  on  each  side  more  than  at  present. 

William  Henry,  Esq.,  is  requested  to  assist  the  Committee 
in  superintending  and  directing  this  work;  and  Mr.  George 
Burkhart  and  Frederick  Mann  it  is  agreed  shall  be  em- 
ployed as  the  Carpenters,  and  are  desired  to  furnish  the  bills 
for  scantling,  &.C.,  for  the  building  with  all  expedition. 


JOHN  FRASER  TO  DOCTOR  FRANKLIN. 

Reading,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  I  took  the  liberty  of  addressing  some  lines  to  you 
about  two  months  ago.  As  I  never  was  favoured  with  an 
answer,  perhaps  they  did  not  reach  you;  even  if  they  had, 
I  am  not  surprised  that  matters  of  importance  should  prevent 
any  attention  to  them;  however,  as  it  was  about  business 
of  the  utmost  consequence  to  myself  and  the  peace  of  my 
family,  I  hope  you  will  excuse  me  if  I  intrude  once  more. 
When  I'll  have  tried  every  possible  chance,  I'll  have  no 
neglect  to  reproach  myself  with.  From  such  considera- 
tions, I  have  wrote  sundry  letters  to  Mr.  Clinton,  whom  I 
personally  knew  at  Esopus ;  I  even  wrote  about  four  weeks 
ago  to  Messrs.  McKean  and  Samuel  Adams,  but  without  so 
much  as  an  answer.  I  write  this,  however,  with  confidence, 
yet  would  be  extremely  sorry  to  be  deemed  troublesome. 
1  will  certainly  not  be  so  after  this,  even  if  unsuccessful  now, 
but  quietly  trust  to  fate.  The  cause  of  my  writing  the  first 
time  was  (mm  my  receiving  a  letter  from  Montreal,  dated 


the  6th  of  May,  wherein  I  was  informed  that  you  were  so 
good  as  to  agree  to  my  return  to  Canada;  the  letter,  how- 
ever, had  scarcely  come  to  hand,  when  I  learned  that  you 
were  come  back  from  Montreal,  and  was  on  your  way  to 
Philadelphia.  I  therefore  begged  you  would  let  me  know 
whether  I  had  been  misinformed  or  not;  if  I  was  not,  I 
willingly  hoped  there  was  no  impropriety  in  my  getting  even 
then  my  passport.  In  my  first  letter  I  said  very  little  about 
my  case;  I  will  say  as  little  now,  because  I  must  suppose 
you  acquainted  with  the  merits  thereof.  I  will  only  observe, 
that  I  was  treated  with  such  rigour  in  Canada,  that  it  was 
with  pleasure  I  learned  the  order  for  Albany,  although  at 
the  very  worst  and  most  inclement  time  of  the  winter  season. 
I  looked  on  the  cause  of  my  apprehension  to  be  so  trivial  and 
insufficient,  that  I  never  entertained  the  least  doubt  of  pro- 
curing liberty  to  return  to  Canada  as  soon  as  I  would  be 
heard  here.  To  demand  papers  that  chanced  to  be  in  my 
custody  in  a  publick  and  judicial  capacity,  and  which  papers 
related  to  transactions  prior  to  any  footing  in  Canada,  I  thought 
there  was  no  right  to  ask,  therefore  the  greatest  impropriety 
to  grant ;  and  I  have  had  the  satisfaction  of  never  meeting 
with  any,  whatever  his  politicks,  that  has  differed  with  me  in 
opinion.  As  to  the  papers,  in  themselves  they  are  not  of 
the  smallest  consequence ;  they  relate  to  private  persons ; 
and  were  these  papers  in  ashes,  there  would  be  just  the  same 
hold  of  the  persons  concerned  had  they  remained  in  Canada. 
These  papers,  however,  are  the  cause  of  my  being  now 
eight  long  months  torn  from  my  family — sufferings,  to  be 
sure,  of  a  private  nature,  and  nothing  in  the  scales  of  pub- 
lick  matters;  but  for  that  very  reason  I  would  fain  expect 
not  to  be  made  to  suffer  any  longer  for  a  supposed  private 
injury,  but  be  redressed  and  let  go  by  the  gentlemen  who 
are  at  the  head  of  publick  affairs.  I  am  really  sensible  this 
is  perhaps  the  worst  time  for  an  individual  to  expect  any 
attention  ;  but,  sir,  I  have  already  given  my  reasons,  and  I 
hope  you  will  easily  Ibrgive  my  being  so  full  of  my  own 
personal  affairs.  The  obligation  would  be  greater  than  I 
can  express,  would  you  procure  relief,  were  it  even  to  go  to 
Canada  on  my  parole,  to  return  when  required,  or  at  least 
to  get  leave  to  go  to  Philadelphia.  I  beg  pardon  for  being 
so  troublesome. 

1  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  humble  and  obe- 
dient servant,  p, 

JOHN  I1  RASER. 

To  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esq. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  August  26,  1776.] 

New-York,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  irregularity  of  the  posts  prevents  your  receiving 
the  early  and  constant  intelligence  it  is  my  wish  to  commu- 
nicate. This  is  the  third  letter  which  you  will  probably 
receive  from  me  by  the  same  post.  The  first  was  of  little 
or  no  consequence,  but  that  of  yesterday  gave  you  the  best 
information  I  had  been  able  to  obtain  of  the  enemy's  hind- 
ing  and  movements  upon  Long-Island.  Having  occasion 
to  go  over  thither  yesterday,  I  sent  my  letter  to  the  post 
office  at  the  usual  hour,  (being  informed  that  the  rider  was 
expected  every  moment,  and  would  go  out  again  directly,) 
but  in  the  evening,  when  I  sent  to  inquire,  none  had  come 
in. 

I  now  enclose  you  a  report  made  to  me  by  General  Sul- 
livan after  I  left  Long -Island  yesterday.  I  do  not  conceive 
that  the  enemy's  whole  force  was  in  motion,  but  a  detached 
party  rather.  I  have  sent  over  four  more  regiments,  with 
boats,  to  be  ready  either  to  reinforce  the  troops  under  Ge- 
neral Sullivan,  or  to  return  to  this  place  if  the  remainder  of 
the  fleet  at  the  watering  place  should  push  up  to  the  city, 
which  hitherto  (I  mean  since  the  landing  upon  Long-Island) 
they  have  not  had  in  their  power  to  do,  on  account  of  the 
wind,  which  has  either  been  ahead,  or  too  small,  when  the 
tide  has  served.  I  have  nothing  further  to  trouble  the  Con- 
gress with  at  present,  than  that  I  am  their  and  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  Go  WASHINGTON> 

Long-Island,  August  23,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  This  afternoon  the  enemy  formed,  and 
attempted  to  pass  the  road  by  Bedford.  A  smart  fire  be- 
tween them  and  the  Riflemen  ensued.  The  officer  sent  off 


1137 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1138 


for  a  reinforcement,  which  I  ordered  immediately.  A  num- 
ber of  Musketry  came  up  to  the  assistance  of  the  Riflemen, 
whose  fire,  with  that  of  our  field-pieces,  caused  a  retreat  of 
the  enemy.  Our  men  followed  them  to  the  house  of  Judge 
Lefferts,  (where  a  number  of  them  had  taken  lodgings,)  drove 
them  out,  and  burnt  the  house  and  a  number  of  other  build- 
ings contiguous.  They  think  they  killed  a  number;  and, 
as  evidence  of  it,  they  produce  three  officers'  hangers,  a 
carbine,  and  one  dead  body,  with  a  considerable  sum  of 
money  in  pocket.  1  have  ordered  a  party  out  for  prisoners 
to-night.  We  have  driven  them  half  a  mile  from  their 
former  station.  These  things  argue  well  for  us,  and  I  hope 
are  so  many  preludes  to  a  general  victory. 

Dear  General,  I  am,  with  much  esteem,  your  very  humble 
servant,  JNO.  SULLIVAN. 

To  General  Washington. 

GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  16,  1776. 
(Parole,  Er.fiM.)  (Countersign,  Dancers.) 

In  recommending  Paymasters,  it  is  to  be  observed  that  no 
officer  can  be  appointed  unless  he  resigns  his  former  com- 
mission, which  he  is  to  do  in  person  at  Head-Quarters. 

Major  Livingston  and  William  Blodget  are  appointed 
Aids-de-Camp  to  Major-General  Greene;  they  are  to  be 
obeyed  and  respected  accordingly. 

David  Astin,  of  Colonel  Silliman's  Regiment,  and  Cap- 
tain Mead's  Company,  convicted  by  a  General  Court- 
Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Wyllys  was  President,  of  "  breaking 
open  a  store  and  stealing  rum,  molasses,  and  fish;"  sentenced 
to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes. 

John  McAlpine  and  John  Hopper,  of  Captain  Smith's 
Company,  Colonel  Malcolm's  Regiment,  convicted  by  the 
same  Court-Martial  of  "being  drunk  on  their  posts;"  sen- 
tenced to  receive  thirty  lashes  each. 

The  General  approves  the  above  sentences,  and  orders 
them  to  be  put  in  execution  at  the  usual  times  and  places. 

The  Orders  of  the  6th  instant,  respecting  soldiers  abusing 
people  at  market,  and  taking  their  things,  not  being  known 
to  the  troops  who  have  come  in  since,  it  is  now  repeated 
that  the  General  will  punish  such  offenders  severely;  and  he 
requires  of  the  officers  who  visit  the  Guards  to  see  whether 
the  former  order  is  put  up  in  each  Guard-house,  and  whether 
an  officer  attends  at  the  market  agreeable  to  former  orders, 
and  report  thereon  to  their  Brigadiers. 

Captain  Andrew  Billings  to  do  duty  as  Major  to  Colonel 
Ritzema's  Regiment  till  further  orders. 

Unless  orders  are  attended  to  and  executed,  they  are  of 
no  consequence,  and  the  greatest  disorders  will  ensue;  the 
General  therefore  requests  that  the  officers  would  be  very 
careful  not  only  that  the  orders  be  made  known  to  the  men, 
but  that  they  see  themselves  that  they  are  executed.  If 
every  one  in  his  own  department  would  exert  himself  for 
this  purpose,  it  would  have  the  most  happy  effect. 

The  badness  of  the  weather  has  undoubtedly  prevented 
an  attack,  as  the  enemy's  troops  have  been  embarked  some 
time.  The  General  therefore  directs  that  two  days'  victuals 
be  kept  ready  dressed  by  the  troops,  and  their  canteens 
filled  with  water,  so  that  the  men  may  be  prepared;  other- 
wise, in  case  of  an  attack,  they  will  suffer  very  much. 

All  tents  to  be  struck  immediately  on  the  alarm  beino- 
given,  viz :  two  guns  at  Fort  George,  three  from  Bayard's  or 
Bunker's  Hill,  with  a  flag  in  the  day,  and  a  light  at  night. 

The  divisions  of  the  Army,  or  Brigades  doing  separate 
duty,  proving  very  inconvenient,  the  whole  are  to  be  brought 
into  the  general  detail  to-morrow.  The  Brigade-Majors  are 
to  be  at  Head-Quarters  at  six  o'clock  to  settle  the  detail, 
and  the  Major  and  Brigadier  Generals  are  requested  to  send 
at  the  same  time  a  note  of  the  number  of  men  each  may 
want  for  fatigue,  or  direct  the  Engineer  having  the  care  of 
their  works  respectively  so  to  do. 

Head-Quartera,  New-York,  August  17,  1776. 
(Parole,  FalmoM.)  (Countersign,  Essex.) 

Benjamin  Durant,  of  Captain  Wadsworth's  Company,  and 
Colonel  Bailey's  Regiment,  convicted  by  a  General  Court- 
Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Wyllys  was  President,  of  "getting 
drunk  on  Guard  ;"  sentenced  to  receive  thirty  lashes. 

Patrick  Lion,  of  Captain  Curtis's  Company,  Regiment 
late  Learned' 's,  convicted  by  the  same  Court  of  "sleeping 
on  his  post ;"  sentenced  to  receive  twenty-five  lashes. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  7< 


Benjamin  Wallace,  of  Captain  Stetvarfs  Independent 
Company  of  New-  York  Forces,  convicted  by  the  same  Court 
of  "desertion,  and  inlisting  into  another  Company ;"  sen- 
tenced to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes. 

The  General  approves  the  above  sentences,  and  orders 
them  to  be  executed  at  the  usual  time  and  place. 

The  General  recommends  to  all  Commanding  Officers  of 
Divisions,  Brigades,  and  Regiments,  in  issuing  their  several 
orders,  to  be  careful  they  do  not  interfere  with  General  Orders 
which  have  been,  or  may  be  issued;  and  those  gentlemen 
who  have  not  had  an  opportunity,  from  their  late  arrival  in 
camp,  to  know  what  have  been  issued,  will  do  well  to  inform 
themselves,  and  more  especially  before  any  special  order  is 
issued  which  may  have  a  general  effect. 

The  Guard  ordered  to  mount  at  Lispenard's  Brewery  in 
the  evening,  to  mount  in  the  day  also,  and  march  off  the 
parade  with  the  other  Guards. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  18,  1776. 
(Parole,  Grantlmm.)  (Countersign,  Fnirficld.) 

As  nothing  contributes  so  much  to  the  good  order  and 
government  of  troops  as  an  exactness  in  discipline  and  a 
strict  observance  of  orders,  and  as  the  Army  is  now  arranged 
into  different  Divisions,  those  divisions  formed  into  Brigades, 
and  the  Brigades  composed  of  Regiments,  the  General  hopes 
and  expects  that  the  several  duties  of  the  Army  will  go  on 
with  regularity,  cheerfulness,  and  alacrity.  As  one  means 
of  accomplishing  this,  he  desires  that  no  Regiment,  Brigade, 
or  Division,  will  interfere  with  the  duties  of  another,  but 
walk  in  their  own  proper  line,  the  Colonels  taking  care  not 
to  contravene  the  orders  of  their  Brigadiers,  the  Brigadiers 
of  their  Major-Generals,  and  that  the  whole  pay  due  atten- 
tion to  the  General  Orders;  which  can  only  be  set  aside  or 
be  dispensed  with  by  orders  of  equal  dignity.  The  Army, 
under  such  a  regulation,  will  soon  become  respectable  in 
itself  and  formidable  to  the  foe.  It  is  an  incumbent  duty, 
therefore,  upon  every  officer  of  every  rank  to  be  alert  and 
attentive  in  the  discharge  of  the  several  duties  annexed  to  his 
office;  his  honour,  his  own  personal  safety,  and,  for  aught  he 
knows,  the  salvation  of  his  country  and  its  dearest  privileges, 
may  depend  upon  his  exertions.  Particular  causes  may,  and 
doubtless  will  happen,  to  render  it  necessary  (for  the  good 
of  the  service)  that  a  change  of  officers,  &,c.,  should  be  made 
from  one  Brigade  to  another;  but  whenever  there  appears 
cause  for  this,  it  will  be  notified  by  general  or  special 
orders. 

The  General  cannot  quit  the  subject,  as  this  may  possibly 
be  the  last  opportunity  previous  to  an  attack,  without  ad- 
dressing the  private  men,  and  exhorting  the  troops  in  gener 
ral,  to  be  profoundly  silent,  and  strictly  obedient  to  orders, 
before  they  come  to,  and  also  while  they  are  in,  action,  as 
nothing  can  contribute  more  to  their  success  than  a  cool  and 
deliberate  behaviour,  nor  nothing  add  more  to  the  discou- 
ragement of  the  enemy  than  to  find  new  troops  calm  and 
determined  in  their  manner.  The  General  has  no  doubt 
but  that  every  good  soldier  and  all  the  officers  are  suffi- 
ciently impressed  with  the  necessity  of  examining  the  state 
and  condition  of  their  arms;  but  his  own  anxiety  on  this 
head  impels  him  to  remind  them  of  it  after  every  spell  of 
wet  weather,  lest  we  should  at  any  time  be  caught  with 
arms  unfit  for  immediate  use. 

The  Regiments  of  Militia  from  Connecticut  are  to  be 
formed  into  a  Brigade,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier- 
General  Wolcott,  who  is  hourly  expected,  and  in  the  mean- 
time to  be  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Hitman,  the  eldest 
Colonel  of  the  Militia. 

Though  the  fire-ships  which  went  up  the  North  River 
last  Friday  evening  were  not  so  successful  as  to  destroy 
either  of  the  men-of-war,  yet  the  General  thanks  the  offi- 
cers and  men  for  the  spirit  and  resolution  which  they  showed 
in  grappling  the  vessels  before  they  quitted  the  fire-ships. 
And  as  a  reward  of  their  merit,  presents  each  of  those  who 
stayed  last,  and  were  somewhat  burnt,  fifty  dollars,  and  forty 
to  each  of  the  others.  And  had  the  enterprise  succeeded,  so 
as  to  have  destroyed  either  of  the  ships-of-war,  the  General 
could  have  been  generous  in  proportion  to  the  service. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  19,  1776. 
(Parole,  Georgia.)  (Countersign,  Hertford.) 

John  Green,  of  Captain  Johnson's  Company,  and  late 
Colonel  McDougall's  Regiment,  convicted  by  a  General 


1139 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1140 


Court-Martial,  whereof  Colonel  IVyllys  is  President,  of 
"breaking  out  of  his  quarter-guard  and  being  absent  two 
days;"  ordered  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes.  The  General 
approves  the  sentence,  and  orders  it  to  be  executed  at  the 
usual  time  and  place,  and  the  prisoner  to  be  then  returned 
to  his  quarter-guard. 

The  Court-Martial  to  sit  to-morrow,  for  the  trial  of  Lieu- 
tenant Hubbcl,  of  the  Regiment  late  Colonel  McDougall's. 
The  Judge  Advocate  will  be  informed  of  the  witnesses  by 
General  Putnam. 

A  Subaltern's  Guard  to  go  over  to-morrow,  to  relieve  the 
Guard  at  Hocbuck  Ferry. 

Colonel  Hitchcock's  Regiment  to  move  to-morrow  to  Bur- 
Lett's  Ferry,  and  relieve  the  party  now  there;  they  are  to 
join  General  Mifflin's  Brigade,  and  receive  orders  from 
Major-General  Heath,  agreeable  to  General  Orders  of  the 
12th  instant.  General  Putnam  will  order  boats. 

The  Adjutants  of  such  Regiments  as  have  lately  come,  to 
apply  at  the  Adjutant-General's  Office  for  blank  returns, 
which  they  are  to  fill  up  and  bring  in  at  Orderly  time,  viz : 
eleven  o'clock  every  Saturday. 

After  this  day,  a  Major  to  mount  at  the  main  guard,  at 
the  Grand  Battery,  instead  of  a  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Head-CXuarters,  New- York,  August  20, 1776. 
(Parole,  Hampton. )  (Countersign,  Gates.) 

Nathaniel  Mun,  of  Captain  Pettrs's  Company,  Colonel 
Read's  Regiment,  convicted  by  a  General  Court-Martial, 
whereof  Colonel  Wyllys  is  President,  of  "  desertion  and 
reinlistment  into  another  corps." 

James  Mumford,  of  Captain  Ledyard's  Company,  Regi- 
ment late  Colonel  McDougalFs,  convicted  by  the  same 
Court-Martial  of  the  same  crime. 

Alexander  Moore,  Sergeant  in  Captain  Comvay's  Com- 
pany, Colonel  Winds's  Battalion,  convicted  by  the  same 
Court-Martial,  of  "desertion." 

Christopher  Harper,  of  the  same  Company  and  Battalion, 
convicted  by  the  same  Court-Martial  of  the  same  crime. 

Each  of  the  above  prisoners  were  sentenced  to  receive 
thirty-nine  lashes.  The  General  approves  the  sentences, 
and  orders  them  to  be  executed  at  guard-mounting  to-mor- 
row morning,  at  the  usual  place. 

The  troops  lately  arrived  are  informed,  that  it  is  contrary 
to  General  Orders  to  fire  in  camp.  Such  fire-locks  as  are 
loaded,  and  the  charges  cannot  be  drawn,  are  to  be  dis- 
charged at  retreat-beating,  in  a  valley,  under  the  inspection 
of  an*  officer.  The  officers  of  such  troops  are  desired  and 
required  to  prevent  all  the  firing  in  the  camp,  as  it  tends  to 
great  disorder. 

The  Regiments  of  Militia,  now  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Hinman,  from  Connecticut,  are,  in  case  of  an  alarm, 
to  parade  on  the  grand  parade,  and  there  wait  for  orders. 

The  officers  who  have  lately  come  into  camp  are  also 
informed  that  it  has  been  found  necessary,  amidst  such  fre- 
quent changes  of  troops,  to  introduce  some  distinctions  by 
which  their  several  ranks  may  be  known,  viz :  Field-Officers 
wear  a  pink  or  red  cockade;  Captains,  white  or  buff;  Subal- 
terns, green.  The  General  flatters  himself  every  gentleman 
will  conform  to  a  regulation  which  he  has  found  essentially 
necessary  to  prevent  mistakes  and  confusion. 

The  trial  of  Lieutenant  Hubbel  is  postponed  till  to-morrow. 

The  General  Court-Martial  to  sit  on  Thursday,  as  a  Court 
of  Inquiry  into  the  conduct  of  Adjutant  Brice,  of  Colonel 
Smallwood's  Battalion,  charged  with  "  disobedience  of  orders 
and  disrespectful  behaviour  to  his  Commanding  Officer." 

The  General  being  informed,  to  his  great  surprise,  that  a 
report  prevails,  and  is  industriously  spread  far  and  wide,  that 
Lord  Howe  has  made  propositions  of  peace,  calculated  by 
designing  persons  more  probably  to  lull  us  into  a  fatal  security, 
his  duty  obliges  him  to  declare  that  no  such  offer  has  been 
made  by  Lord  Howe ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  from  the  best 
intelligence  he  can  procure,  the  Army  may  expect  an  attack 
as  soon  as  the  wind  and  tide  shall  prove  favourable.  He 
hopes,  therefore,  every  man's  mind  and  arms  will  be  pre- 
pared for  action,  and  when  called  to  it,  show  our  enemies 
and  the  whole  world  that  freemen  contending  on  their  own 
land  are  superior  to  any  mercenaries  on  earth. 

The  Brigadiers  are  to  see  the  spears  in  the  different  works 
under  their  command  kept  greased  and  clean. 

General  Sullivan  is  to  take  the  command  upon  Long- 
Island  till  General  Greene's  state  of  health  will  permit  him 


to  resume  it,  and  Brigadier  Lord  Stirling  is  to  take  charge 
of  General  Sullivan's  division  till  he  returns  to  it  again. 

Edward  Tilghmun,  Esq.,is  appointed  as  an  Assistant  Bri- 
gade-Major to  Lord  Stirling,  the  duty  of  the  whole  division 
being  too  great  for  one  officer.  He  is  to  be  respected  and 
obeyed  accordingly. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  21,  1776. 
(Parole,  King's  BrUge.)  (Countersign,  Jersey.} 

Adjutant  Taylor  to  do  the  duty  of  Brigade-Major  to  Gene- 
ral McDougall's  Brigade  during  Major  Platt's  illness.  He 
is  to  be  obeyed  and  respected  accordingly. 

Lieutenant  Hobbie,  of  Captain  Hyatt's  Company,  Regi- 
ment late  General  McDougalfs,  tried  by  a  General  Court- 
Martial,  whereof  Colonel  Wyllys  was  President,  for  misbe- 
haviour in  leaving  one  of  the  hulks  in  the  North  River,  was 
acquitted,  and  the  complaint  reported  groundless.  Ordered 
that  he  be  discharged  from  his  arrest. 

A  Court  of  Inquiry  to  sit  on  Friday  at  Mrs.  Montagnie's 
upon  Captains  McCleave,  Stanton,  and  Tinker,  charged 
with  backwardness  in  duty  up  the  North  River  last  week, 
and  misbehaviour  on  Sunday  last  when  the  men-of-war  came 
down  the  river.  Court  to  consist  of  the  following  persons, 
and  to  meet  at  ten  o'clock :  General  McDougall,  President; 
Colonel  Malcolm,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wesson,  Captain  Pe- 
ters, Lieutenant-Colonel  Shepard,  Major  Brooks,  Captain 
Van  Dyck,  Members.  The  Judge- Advocate  to  attend,  and 
all  witnesses. 

Fifty  men,  properly  officered,  to  parade  every  morning, 
at  six  o'clock,  at  General  Putnam's,  there  to  take  orders  from 
him.  Not  to  bring  arms.  These  to  be  continued  every 
day  till  further  orders. 

Fifty  men,  also  for  fatigue,  to  parade  to-morrow  morning, 
properly  officered,  on  the  grand  parade,  without  arms. 
Take  orders  from  Captain  Post. 

Ten  men,  with  one  subaltern,  who  have  been  used  to 
the  sea,  to  parade  at  General  Putnam's  this  afternoon,  two 
o'clock,  to  proceed  to  King's  Bridge,  up  the  North  River. 
Take  three  days'  provisions.  The  like  number,  for  the  same 
service,  to  parade  to-morrow  morning,  six  o'clock,  at  General 
Putnam's  quarters;  take  three  days'  provision.  Both  parties 
to  parade  without  arms. 

Twenty  men,  with  a  subaltern,  to  parade  for  fatigue  to- 
morrow morning,  without  arms,  on  the  grand  parade,  to 
proceed  to  Bayard's  Hill,  and  work  upon  the  well.  Take 
orders  from  the  person  who  has  the  direction  of  digging  the 
well. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  22,  1776. 
(Parole,  Johnstown.)  (Countersign,  Kingston.) 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  23,  1776. 
(Parole,  Charlestoicn.)  (Countersign,  Lee.) 

The  Commissary-General  is  directed  to  have  five  days' 
bread  baked  and  ready  to  be  delivered.  If  the  Commissary 
should  apply  to  the  commanding  officers  of  regiments  for 
any  bakers,  they  are  to  furnish  them  without  waiting  for  a 
special  order. 

The  General  was  sorry  yesterday  to  find  that  when  some 
troops  were  ordered  to  march,  they  had  no  provisions,  not- 
withstanding the  orders  that  have  been  issued.  The  men 
must  march  if  the  service  requires  it,  and  will  suffer  very 
much  if  not  provided.  The  General  therefore  directs  all 
the  troops  to  have  two  days'  hard  bread  and  pork  ready  by 
them,  and  desires  the  officers  will  go  through  the  encamp- 
ment and  quarters  to  see  that  it  be  got  and  kept. 

The  General  would  be  obliged  to  any  officer  to  recom- 
mend to  him  a  careful,  sober  person,  who  understands  taking 
care  of  horses  and  waiting  occasionally.  Such  person  being 
a  soldier,  will  have  his  pay  continued,  and  receive  additional 
wages  of  twenty  shillings  per  month.  He  must  be  neat 
in  his  person,  and  to  be  depended  on  for  his  honesty  and 
sobriety. 

The  officers  of  the  Militia  are  informed  that  twenty-four 
rounds  are  allowed  to  a  man,  and  two  flints;  that  the  Cap- 
tains of  each  company  should  see  that  the  cartridges  fit  the 
bore  of  the  gun.  They  then  are  to  be  put  up  in  small 
bundles  all  the  cartridges  except  six,  writing  each  man's 
name  on  his  bundle,  and  keep  them  safely  till  the  alarm  is 
given,  then  deliver  to  each  man  his  bundle — the  other  six 
to  be  kept  for  common  use.  In  drawing  for  ammunition, 


1141 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1142 


the  commanding  officers  should,  upon  the  regimental  parade, 
examine  the  state  of  their  regiments,  and  then  draw  for 
cartridges  and  flints,  agreeable  to  the  above  regulation.  Cap- 
tain Tilton  will  assist  them  in  their  business,  and,  unless  in 
case  of  alarm,  (hey  are  desired  not  to  draw  for  every  small 
number  of  men  who  may  be  coming  in. 

The  enemy  have  now  landed  on  Long-Island,  and  the 
hour  is  fast  approaching  on  which  the  honour  and  success 
of  this  Army  and  the  safety  of  our  bleeding  country  depend. 
Remember,  officers  and  soldiers,  that  you  are  freemen,  fight- 
ing for  the  blessings  of  liberty;  that  slavery  will  be  your 
portion  and  that  of  your  posterity  if  you  do  not  acquit 
yourselves  like  men.  Remember  how  your  courage  and 
spirit  have  been  despised  and  traduced  by  your  cruel  inva- 
ders, though  they  have  found  by  dear  experience  at  Boston, 
Charlestoivn,  and  other  places,  what  a  few  brave  men,  con- 
tending in  their  own  land  and  in  the  best  of  causes,  can  do 
against  base  hirelings  and  mercenaries.  Be  cool,  but  deter- 
mined. Do  not  fire  at  a  distance,  but  wait  for  orders  from 
your  officers.  It  is  the  General's  express  orders,  that  if  any 
man  attempt  to  skulk,  lay  down,  or  retreat,  without  orders, 
he  be  instantly  shot  down  as  an  example.  He  hopes  no 
such  scoundrel  will  be  found  in  this  Army;  but,  on  the  con- 
trary, every  one  for  himself  resolving  to  conquer  or  die,  and, 
trusting  to  the  smiles  of  Heaven  upon  so  just  a  cause,  will 
behave  with  bravery  and  resolution.  Those  who  are  dis- 
tinguished for  their  gallantry  and  good  conduct  may  depend 
upon  being  honourably  noticed  and  suitably  rewarded. 
And  if  this  Army  will  but  emulate  and  imitate  their  brave 
countrymen  in  other  parts  of  America,  he  has  no  doubt  they 
will,  by  a  glorious  victory,  save  their  country,  and  acquire 
to  themselves  immortal  honour. 

The  Brigade-Majors  are  immediately  to  relieve  the  Guards 
out  of  the  Regiments  ordered  to  Long-Island  from  other 
Regiments  of  the  Brigade,  and  forward  such  Guards  to  the 
Regiments. 

Major  Newbury's,  Colonel  Hinman's,  Major  Smith's,  Colo- 
nel Cook's,  Colonel  Takot's,  Colonel  Baldwin's,  and  Major 
Strong's  Regiments  of  Connecticut  Militia  to  parade  this 
evening,  precisely  at  five  o'clock,  on  the  grand  parade. 
Major  Henly  will  attend,  and  show  them  their  alarm  posts, 
and  direct  them  in  manning  the  lines. 

When  any  of  the  Field-Officers  for  picket  or  main  guard 
are  sick,  or  otherwise  incapable  of  the  duty,  they  are  imme- 
diately to  signify  it  to  their  Brigade-Major.  But  the  Ge- 
neral hopes  that  trifling  excuses  will  not  be  made,  as  there 
is  too  much  reason  to  believe  has  been  the  case. 

Head-auarters,  New-York,  August  24,  1776. 
(Parole,  Jumuico.)  (Countersign,  London.) 

All  the  intrenching  tools  are  to  be  collected  and  delivered 
in  to  the  store.  Officers  who  have  given  receipts  will  be 
called  upon,  as  they  are  answerable  for  them,  if  there  should 
be  any  deficiency. 

The  General  has  appointed  William  Grayson,  Esq.,  one 
of  his  Aids-de-Camp;  he  is  to  be  obeyed  and  respected 
accordingly. 

In  case  of  action,  any  orders  delivered  by  Colonel  Moy- 
lan,  Quartermaster-General,  as  from  the  General,  to  be 
considered  as  coming  from  him,  or  as  delivered  by  an  Aid- 
de-Camp. 

The  Adjutants  of  the  Connecticut  Militia  are  directed  to 
make  themselves  acquainted  with  parapet  firing;  and  the 
other  officers  of  those  corps  would  do  well  to  attend  to  it 
and  practise  their  men  every  day.  Their  honour  and  safety 
will  much  depend  upon  their  avoiding  any  confusion  in  man- 
ning the  lines. 

The  Court-Martial  of  which  Colonel  Wyllys  was  Presi- 
dent, is  dissolved.  The  Brigade-Majors,  in  forming  the  new 
one,  to  be  careful  to  have  it  full,  and  officers  who  can  attend. 

The  Court-Martial  to  proceed,  at  their  first  sitting,  to  the 
trial  of  Adjutant  Brice,  of  Colonel  Smallwood's  Battalion, 
charged  with  "  disobedience  of  orders." 

The  changing  of  the  Regiments  occasioning  some  diffi- 
culties in  the  duty,  the  Brigade-Majors  are  to  send  by  the 
Orderly  Sergeant  every  morning  a  duty  return  of  the  officers 
and  men  in  their  respective  Brigades. 

The  passage  of  the  East  River  being  obstructed  in  such 
a  manner,  with  chevaux-de-frise,  &ic.,  as  to  render  it  danger- 
ous for  any  vessels  to  attempt  to  pass;  the  sentinels  along 
the  river  contiguous  to  where  the  obstructions  are  placed 


are  to  hail  and  prevent  any  vessels  attempting  to  pass,  other- 
wise than  between  the  Albany  pier  and  a  mast  in  the  river 
which  appears  above  water  nearly  opposite. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

New-York,  August  24,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  received  your  favour  of  the  18th,  with  its 
several  enclosures,  on  Thursday,  by  Mr.  Allen. 

My  letter  of  the  13th  does  not,  nor  was  it  meant  to  con- 
tain the  most  distant  hint,  of  your  entertaining  doubts  or 
suspicions  of  my  not  having  communicated  to  Congress  such 
parts  of  your  letters  as  were  material.  It  was  only  designed 
to  answer  yours,  where  you  say,  since  my  arrival  here  you 
had  not  written  to  them  on  military  affairs,  supposing  what- 
ever information  you  might  give,  and  which  was  necessary 
for  them  to  know,  would  be  communicated  by  me.  My 
request  to  be  advised  of  the  information  you  might  give  Con- 
gress of  any  matters  of  which  you  wrote  me  at  the  same 
time,  was  to  prevent  my  sending  them  unnecessary  intelli- 
gence, and  the  trouble  of  having  needless  copies  and  extracts 
made  out. 

I  am  in  hopes  the  articles  mentioned  in  the  letter  to  Cap- 
tain Varick  will  have  come  to  hand  before  this;  also  those 
contained  in  the  enclosed  list,  shipped  on  board  the  schooner 
Union,  Philip  Sandford,  master,  the  19th  insiant,  as  the 
Quartermaster-General  has  reported  to  me. 

The  treaty  with  the  Indians,  agreeable  to  your  request,  I 
have  transmitted  Congress. 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  find  the  vessels  for  the  Lakes  are 
in  such  forwardness,  and  going  on  with  so  much  industry. 
I  yet  hope  we  shall  have  a  Navy  there  equal  to  every  exi- 
gency, and  that  will  be  superior  to  those  the  enemy  can 
build. 

Captains  Hanly  and  Chappel  are  now  here,  with  permis- 
sion from  Governour  Trumbull  and  myselr*to  inlist,  if  they 
can,  two  hundred  seamen  out  of  the  Militia  just  sent  from 
the  State  of  Connecticut.  How  they  will  succeed,  I  cannot 
determine. 

I  wish  you  had  proceeded  as  your  own  judgment  and 
inclination  led  in  the  case  referred  to  me  for  my  advice, 
respecting  Colonel  Dayton's  officers.  I  am  sorry  that  per- 
sons of  their  rank  and  of  their  connexions  should  have  given 
in  to  such  dishonourable  and  disgraceful  practices;  and  I  feel 
myself  much  concerned  for  themselves  and  friends.  But  as 
the  matter  is  with  me  to  determine;  as  their  making  conces- 
sions at  the  head  of  the  regiment  would  not  answer  any 
purpose  but  that  of  rendering  them  objects  of  ridicule  and 
contempt;  as  they  could  never  after  claim  and  support  that 
authority  over  their  inferiors  that  is  necessary  to  good  go- 
vernment and  discipline ;  as  publick  justice  and  a  regard  to 
our  military  character  require  that  matters  of  such  a  nature 
should  meet  every  possible  discouragement;  as  my  conduct 
might  otherwise  be  deemed  reprehensible ;  and  to  deter  others 
from  the  like  conduct,  which  is  but  too  prevalent,  I  cannot 
but  advise  that  the  several  persons  concerned  be  subjected 
to  the  trial  of  a  Court-Martial.  If  the  Court  should  be 
of  opinion  that  they  ought  to  be  broke  and  dismissed  the 
service,  Colonel  Dayton,  his  Major,  and  other  officers,  will 
recommend  such  as  will  be  proper  persons  to  fill  the  vacan- 
cies occasioned  by  their  removal. 

On  Wednesday  night  and  Thursday  morning  a  consider- 
able body  of  the  enemy,  said  to  be  eight  or  nine  thousand, 
landed  at  Gravesend  Bay,  on  Long-Island.  They  have 
approached  within  about  three  miles  of  our  lines;  and  yes- 
terday there  was  some  skirmishing  between  a  detachment 
of  them  and  a  party  from  our  troops.  Their  detachment 
were  obliged  to  give  ground,  and  were  pursued  as  far  as 
where  they  had  a  post  at  a  Judge  Lefferts's.  His  house 
and  outhouses  served  as  quarters  for  them,  and  were  burnt 
by  our  people.  We  sustained  no  loss  in  this  affair,  that  I 
have  heard  of,  except  having  two  men  slightly  wounded. 
Our  people  say  the  enemy  met  with  more:  they  found 
one  dead  body,  in  the  habit  of  a  soldier,  with  a  good  deal 
of  money  in  his  pocket,  and  got  three  hangers  and  a  fusee. 
They  fired  a  shell  from  a  howitz,  which  fell  on  and  burst  in 
a  house  where  some  of  the  enemy  were;  but  whether  they 
were  injured  by  it,  I  have  not  learned.  A  firing  has  been 
heard  this  morning,  but  know  nothing  of  the  event. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  &c.,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Major-General  Schuyler,  Northern  Department. 


1143 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1144 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

New-York,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  On  Thursday  last  the  enemy  landed  a  body  of 
troops,  supposed  to  amount  (from  the  best  accounts  I  have 
been  able  to  obtain)  to  eight  or  nine  thousand  men,  at 
Gravesend  Bay,  on  Long-Island,  ten  miles  distance  from 
our  works  on  the  Island,  and  immediately  marched  through 
the  level  and  open  lands  to  Flatbush,  where  they  are  now 
encamped.  They  are  distant  about  three  miles  from  our 
lines,  and  have  woods  and  broken  grounds  to  pass  (which 
we  have  lined)  before  they  can  get  to  them.  Some  skir- 
mishing has  happened  between  their  advanced  parties  and 
ours,  in  which  we  have  always  obtained  an  advantage. 
What  the  real  designs  of  the  enemy  are,  I  am  not  yet  able 
to  determine.  My  opinion  of  the  matter  is,  that  they  mean 
to  attack  our  works  on  the  Island  and  this  city  at  the  same 
time,  and  that  the  troops  at  Flatbush  are  waiting  in  those 
plains  till  the  wind  and  tide  (which  have  not  yet  served 
together)  will  favour  the  movement  of  the  shipping  to  this 
place:  others  think  they  will  bend  their  principal  force  against 
our  lines  on  the  Island,  which,  if  carried,  will  greatly  facili- 
tate their  designs  upon  this  city.  This  also  being  very  pro- 
bable, I  have  thrown  what  force  I  can  over,  without  leaving 
myself  too  much  exposed  here;  for  our  whole  number  (if 
the  intelligence  we  get  from  deserters,  inc.,  be  true)  falls 
short  of  that  of  the  enemy  ;  consequently  the  defence  of 
our  own  works,  and  the  approaches  to  them,  is  all  we  can 
aim  at.  This,  then,  in  a  manner,  leaves  the  whole  Island 
in  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  of  course  of  the  supplies  it 
is  capable  of  affording  them.  Under  these  circumstances, 
would  it  be  practicable  for  your  Government  to  throw  a 
body  of  about  one  thousand  or  more  men  across  the  Sound, 
to  harass  the  enemy  in  their  rear  or  upon  their  flanks? 
This  would  annoy  them  exceedingly,  at  the  same  time  that 
a  valuable  end,  to  wit,  that  of  preventing  their  parties  secu- 
ring the  stocks  of  cattle,  &c.,  would  be  answered  by  it: 
the  cattle  to  be  removed  or  killed.  The  knowledge  I  have 
of  the  extraordinary  exertions  of  your  State  upon  all  occa- 
sions, does  not  permit  me  to  require  this,  not  knowing  how 
far  it  is  practicable;  I  only  offer  it,  therefore,  as  a  matter 
for  your  consideration,  and  of  great  publick  utility,  if  it  can 
be  accomplished. 

The  enemy,  if  my  intelligence  from  Staten-Island  be  true, 
are  at  this  time  rather  distressed  on  account  of  provisions: 
if,  then,  we  can  deprive  them  of  what  this  Island  affords, 
much  good  will  follow  from  it. 

The  foreigners  are  yet  upon  Staten-Island,  the  British 
troops  are  upon  Long-Island  and  on  ship-board. 

With  great  respect  and  esteem,  I  remain,  sir,  your  most 

obedient,  humble  servant, 

(jo.  WASHINGTON. 

To  Governour  Trumbull,  Connecticut. 


COLONEL  KNOX  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

New-York,  August  24,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  send  you  Lieutenant  Preston,  of  the  Artil- 
lery, to  mount  the  guns  and  get  the  implements  and  ammu- 
nition to  the  post  at  King's  Bridge.  You  will  please  to 
give  him  such  directions  as  you  think  proper.  You  must 
give 'him  men,  as  it  is  utterly  impossible  for  us  to  spare  one 
from  this  place.  You  must  also  find  a  boat  for  the  carriages, 
&c.,  as  General  Putnam  refuses  to  let  one  go  from  this.  I 
wish  you  the  greatest  good  fortune ;  and  am,  dear  sir,  yours 

affectionately, 

H.  KNOX. 

To  Major-General  Heath,  King's  Bridge. 

JAMES  LIVINGSTON  TO  JOHN  JAT. 

New- York,  August  24,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  just  now  informed  by  Captain  Wright 
that  lie  can  raise  a  company  of  men  in  this  town  and  suburbs. 
Should  take  it  as  a  particular  favour  you'd  mention  the 
matter  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  Provincial  Congress;  and 
if  approved  of,  beg  you'll  furnish  him  with  money  for  that 
purpose.  He  is  a  good  recruiting  officer,  and  I  believe 
he'll  soon  raise  his  company.  I  "shall  settle  the  matter 
respecting  the  rank  of  the  officers  with  General  Schuykr, 
agreeable  to  orders  from  Congress.  As  soon  as  these  two 
companies  of  Wright  and  Steivart  are  filled,  General 
Washington  will  order  them  to  the  northward,  where  I  pro- 


pose going  to-morrow,  or  next  day  at  farthest,  if  not  wanted 
here. 

The  enemy  are  at  Flatbush — their  numbers  not  knosvn; 
though  we  every  moment  expect  an  attack.  I  shall  wait 
your  answer  this  evening. 

I  am,  with  respect,  yours,  &c.,          JAS.  LIVINGSTON. 
To  the  Hon.  John  Jay,  Esq.,  at  Harlem. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK.  DATED  AUGUST  24, 

1776. 

The  day  before  yesterday  a  detachment  of  the  enemy 
landed  at  New-Utrecht,  on  Long-Island;  they  are  said  to 
be  about  nine  thousand.  Two  or  three  skirmishes  happened 
yesterday  between  their  advanced  guards  and  ours,  in  each 
of  which  we  were  victorious;  we  lost  not  a  man,  but  killed 
several  of  the  enemy — among  the  rest,  one  British  and  one 
Hessian  officer;  the  former  had  a  good  deal  of  gold  in  his 
pocket;  cannot  get  fairly  at  particulars;  the  Hessian  had  a 
rifle.  We  have  got  several  neat  cutteaus  and  fusees,  such 
as  officers  use,  from  which  we  suppose  the  officers  were 
killed  or  very  badly  wounded,  and  carried  off  the  field  by 
the  enemy.  The  enemy  (the  advanced  guard  said  to  be 
three  thousand)  attempted  getting  to  Bedford,  on  the  Ja- 
maica road,  but  were  driven  a  mile  and  a  half  farther  back 
than  where  they  set  out  from.  There  is  firing  on  the  Island 
now. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

King's  Bridge,  August  24,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  In  order  to  ease  Head-Quarters  as 
much  as  possible,  and  on  account  of  our  distance  from  thence, 
General  or  Garrison  Court-Martials  have  been  appointed  at 
this  post  for  the  trial  of  offenders.  Brigadier-General  Mifflin 
has  sent  me  the  enclosed  this  day,  but  I  pause  until  I  know 
your  Excellency's  pleasure,  (which  I  desire  you  would  be 
pleased  to  signify  as  soon  as  convenient,)  whether  the  before 
mentioned  offender  and  all  others,  except  in  very  extraordi- 
nary cases  indeed,  are  to  be  tried  by  Court-Martials  appointed 
here,  or  referred  to  those  appointed  from  Head-Quarters. 

A  very  considerable  quantity  of  sails  and  rigging,  stripped 
off  the  vessels  lately  sunk  near  Mount  Washington,  at  present 
remain  there.  I  submit  to  your  Excellency's  determination 
if  it  would  not  be  well  to  send  them  farther  up  the  river, 
where  they  might  be  safely  stored,  as  it  cannot  be  done 
here,  the  stores  being  wanted  for  other  uses. 

On  the  21st  instant  the  body  of  a  man  was  taken  up  at 
Burdett's  Ferry.  The  commanding  officer  there  not  being 
able  to  find  any  civil  authority,  appointed  a  court  of  inquiry 
to  consider  the  cause  of  his  death,  who  reported  the  enclosed. 
The  body  was  afterwards  buried,  and  the  money  and  effects 
are  in  the  hands  of  Colonel  Ward.  It  since  appears  that 
Hardcnbrook  (for  that  was  his  name)  was  by  occupation  a 
carpenter,  belonging  to  the  city  of  New-York,  who  had 
been  heretofore  employed  by  Dunmore  and  Tryon,  and  for 
whom  he  retained  an  affection ;  that  upon  the  day  of  the 
ships  falling  down  the  river,  he  attempted  to  get  on  board 
of  them,  but  found  a  watery  grave,  the  reward  of  such  un- 
righteousness. I  am  told  that  he  has  a  brother  in  the  city, 
who  is  a  staunch  friend  to  American  liberty,  and  who  I  sup- 
pose is  as  yet  unacquainted  with  the  fate  of  his  brother. 

The  detachment  from  the  two  brigades,  amounting  to  ten 
or  eleven  hundred  men,  with  surprising  alertness,  almost 
instantly  turned  out  on  yesterday,  and  inarched  some  miles 
towards  the  city,  and  this  day,  upon  the  flood  tide,  formed 
upon  their  parade.  The  officers  and  men  appeared  greatly 
disappointed  on  yesterday,  when  they  were  told  that  the 
enemy  were  not  moving,  and  that  they  might  return  to  their 
quarters.  The  men  grow  more  sickly,  as  your  Excellency 
will  see  by  the  returns. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  humble  servant,  W.  HEATH. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  at  Netv-York. 


GENERAL  MIFF LIN  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  request  you  to  appoint  a  General 
Court-Martial  as  soon  as  possible  for  the  trial  of  Lieutenant 
Priestly,  of  Colonel  Magaw's  battalion,  Captain  Beatty's 
company,  who  is  charged  by  his  Captain  with  making  use 


1145 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1146 


of  indecent,  abusive,  and  traitorous  expressions  against  his 
brother  officers  and  his  country. 

I  have  ordered  the  two  battalions  to  parade  at  eleven 
o'clock,  the  time  of  low  water,  that  we  may  be  ready  to 
march  if  necessary.  Captain  Horton  gave  the  alarm  yes- 
terday through  misinformation.  If  we  discover  any  move- 
ments of  the  enemy  you  will  hear  three  cannon.  A  heavy 
firing  was  seen  and  heard  from  our  post  last  night,  supposed 
to  have  happened  at  Long-Island;  fifty  cannon,  besides 
small-arms,  were  heard. 

Yours,  affectionately,  T.  MIFFLIN. 

To  Major-General  Heath. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  MIFFLIN. 

King's  Bridge,  August  24,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Lieutenant  Priestly  being  charged  not  only 
of  making  use  of  indecent  and  abusive,  but  also  of  traitorous 
expressions  against  his  country,  I  think  it  advisable  to  take 
the  opinion  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington  on  the 
affair,  whether  he  shall  approve  of  a  General  Court-Martial 
to  be  appointed  here,  or  that  he  should  be  tried  by  a  General 
Court-Martial  appointed  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  him- 
self: his  determination  I  will  obtain  to-morrow.  I  much 
approve  the  vigilant  steps  you  have  taken  this  day,  in  order 
to  be  ready  to  aid  our  friends  below,  should  there  be  occa- 
sion for  it.  Your  alertness  on  yesterday  does  honour  to 
yourself  and  corps. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours,  affectionately,  W.  HEATH. 

To  General  Mifflin. 

JOHN  THOMAS,  JUN.,  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

In  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  County  of  Westchestcr,  ) 

August  24,  1776.      $ 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  have  heretofore  informed  your  honour- 
able House  that,  in  consequence  of  your  orders,  we  had 
caused  a  numtfer  of  disaffected  persons  to  be  apprehended 
and  confined  in  our  jail;  since  which  many  more  have  been 
confined.  We  must  acquaint  your  honourable  House  that 
these  persons  are  chiefly  considerable  farmers,  and  this  pre- 
sent season  loudly  calls  upon  them  to  attend  the  putting  their 
seed  in  the  ground,  if  they  could  be  released  from  imprison- 
ment with  safety  to  our  country.  In  consideration  of  which, 
we  are  now  induced  to  apply  to  your  honourable  House  for 
your  orders  respecting  these  persons:  whether  (as  this  Com- 
mittee are  very  well  acquainted  with  their  respective  con- 
duct, and  capable  of  judging  which  of  them  are  dangerously 
disaffected  and  which  are  not)  your  honourable  House  will 
think  proper  to  invest  this  Committee  with  power  to  ex- 
amine, release,  or  confine  those  persons,  as  to  them  shall  seem 
just  and  consistent  with  the  good  of  our  cause.  We  have 
undermentioned  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  persons  for  your 
further  information. 

By  order  of  the  Committee : 

JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 


JOHANNES   SLEGHT  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Committee  Chamber,  Kingston,  August  24,  1776. 

SIR:  The  report  of  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  Re- 
presentatives of  the  State  of  New-York,  in  Convention  at 
Harlem,  together  with  your  letter,  &c.,  we  this  day  received, 
by  which  we  find  that  the  prisoners  now  at  Kingston  are  to 
be  removed  to  Morristown,  and  that  the  old  paroles  are  to 
be  cancelled,  &.C.;  but  we  beg  leave  to  remark,  that  although 
we  would  be  very  glad  to  be  rid  of  these  guests,  we  are  ap- 
prehensive it  will  be  difficult  to  get  them  removed,  because 
they  are  not  able,  and  we  suppose  not  willing,  to  pay  the 
cost  of  their  removal.  Nor  can  we  see  how  it  is  possible 
for  us  to  cancel  their  old  paroles,  as  they  never  were  in  our 
possession;  a  copy  of  them  only  was  sent  to  us,  the  origi- 
nals we  suppose  remain  in  Congress.  Your  further  direc- 
tions about  these  matters  with  all  possible  speed  will  much 
oblige  your  most  humble  servants. 

By  order:  JOHANNES  SLEGHT,  Chairman. 

To  Abm.  Yates,  Jim.,  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress 

of  the  State  of  New-York,  at  Harlem. 


Nathnn  Whitney, 
Peter  Huggeford, 
Jeremiah  Travis, 
Isaac  Hatfield, 
Peter  Corney, 
Peter  Drake, 
Lewis  Palmer, 
Samuel  Merrill, 
Jeremiah  Travis,  jun., 
Tunis  Post, 
William  Rady, 


Tories. 

Gabriel  Purdy, 
John  Beasley, 
John  McCord, 
Monmouth  Hart, 
Edmund  Ward, 
Caleb  Morgan, 
John  Belts, 
Joseph  Gidney, 
John  Gidney, 
Jos.  Purdy, 


William  Barker,  jun., 
William  Barker, 
Gilbert  Horton, 
Captain  Jos.  Purdy, 
Josiah  and  Isaac  Brown, 
Barlhotomew  Haines, 
Joseph  Haviland, 
Adam  Seaman, 
John  Reed, 
John  McCullum. 


COLONEL  SAMUEL  DRAKE  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  24,  1776. 

The  members  of  the  honourable  Congress  of  the  State  of 
New-York  are  informed  that  the  officers  of  the  Third  Bat- 
talion in  General  Scott's  brigade  have  made  choice  of  Mr. 
John  Eliot  as  Chaplain  for  said  regiment.  The  Congress 
is  requested  by  their  signature  to  establish  Mr.  Eliot  in 
that  office,  in  which  he  has  served  from  the  7th  of  this 
instant. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant, 

»AML.  DRAKE,  Lolonel. 

To  the  Members  of  the  Congress  of  the  State  of  New-York. 


DR.  POTTS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Fort  George,  August  24,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  Your  Honour's  favour  of  the  23d  instant, 
by  Mr.  Watson,  I  received  this  morning.  I  assure  your 
Honour  I  have  spared  him  from  our  huckster's  shop  every 
article  in  my  power.  What  keeps  Mr.  Henry  with  the  me- 
dicines I  am  at  a  loss  to  know.  I  sent  one  of  my  mates  three 
days  since  to  Albany  to  expedite  his  coming,  and  to  purchase 
if  possible  some  articles  we  are  wholly  out  of.  I  have  also 
wrote  to  the  Committee  of  Albany  and  to  Salisbury  to  send 
me  as  soon  as  possible  all  the  old  linen  or  rags  they  can  p,ro- 
cure,  as  well  as  to  recommend  to  the  farmers  and  others  to 
cure  a  quantity  of  herbs  for  the  use  of  the  Hospital.  It 
pains  me  much  to  think  of  our  destitute  situation,  for  should 
your  Honour  be  attacked,  we  have  not  bandages  or  lint  to 
dress  fifty  men.  I  can  with  confidence  assure  your  Honour 
nothing  shall  be  left  undone  in  my  power  to  procure 
every  necessary  for  the  good  of  the  Army  in  my  line  of 
duty. 

I  heartily  thank  your  Honour  for  your  orders  respecting 
the  returns  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons,  as  well  as  your  ap- 
proving of  my  sentiments  in  regard  to  Dr.  McCrea.  1  was 
greatly  surprised  in  having  some  patients  sent  here  in  the 
small-pox  from  among  the  new  levies.  I  have  strictly  ex- 
amined them.  I  cannot  as  yet  find  they  have  been  inocu- 
lated. Should  I  discover  such  a  thing,  shall  be  careful  to 
transmit  to  your  Honour  every  matter  relative  to  it,  as  well 
as  effectually  secure  the  patients.  One  thing  I  would  recom- 
mend to  your  Honour's  notice,  which  I  hope  you  will  not 
think  foreign  to  my  duty:  as  the  Army  is  greatly  exposed  to 
intermittents  and  bilious  complaints  from  their  situation,  I 
am  humbly  of  opinion  it  would  conduce  to  their  health  if 
every  man  was  allowed  half  a  gill  of  bitter  rum  per  day.  It 
can  be  made  with  four  pounds  of  gentian  root  and  two 
pounds  of  orange-peel  to  a  hogshead.  If  these  articles  are 
not  to  be  had,  the  Regimental  Surgeons  can  readily  procure 
some  snakeroot,  centaury,  or  dogwood-bark,  which  will  an- 
swer nearly  as  well. 

Enclosed  have  sent  your  Honour  the  returns  of  the  Hos- 
pital, on  which  I  have  only  to  observe,  that  we  have  a  greater 
number  than  appears,  from  the  return,  owing  to  the  names 
being  struck  out  of  the  Hospital  book,  but  I  still  detain  them 
under  the  name  of  convalescents,  who  will  be  sent  forward 
in  a  day  or  two. 

I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  send  your  Honour  a  tolerably 
good  wether,  and  a  cask  with  some  beans,  squashes,  cucum- 
bers, and  a  few  small  melons.  The  moment  I  can  procure 
any  good  vinegar  it  shall  be  forwarded  to  you. 

I  am  your  Honour's  most  obedient  and  very  humble  ser- 
vant, 

JONA.  POTTS. 


ELBRIDGE  GERRY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Hartford,  August  24,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL  :  I  am  here  on  my  journey  to  Phila- 
delphia, from  which  I  have  beer;  absent  about  a  month  for 
health,  and  by  a  gentleman  for  Albany  enclose  you  a  Con- 
necticut paper.  The  Army  at  New-  York,  by  the  last  ad- 


1147 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1148 


vices,  were  in  statu  quo,  and  by  a  line  from  General  Wash-  CLAUDE  CRESPIGNY  TO  RALPH  IZARD. 

ington,  of  the  6th  instant,  "  the  Militia  from  Connecticut  were  Teignmouth,  Devonshire,  England,  August  25, 1776. 

coming  in  fast,  and  they  had  received  aid  from  Philadelphia        DEAR  SIR:  I  was  favoured  with  yours  of  the  12th,  and 

and  that  Government;"  also,  "  the  troops  in  health  were  in  though  I  have  neither  information  nor  entertainment  to  send 

high  spirits,  and  not  at  all  backward  in  making  the  last  vou  jn  return  for  it,  I  am  at  least  bound  to  send  you  my  best 

ap°peal."    At  Lebanon  I  was  informed  by  Governour  Trim-  thanks ;  this,  indeed,  I  should  have  done  sooner,  if  I  had  not 

butt,  that  fourteen  regiments  of  the  Connecticut  Militia,  in  for  some  days  past  been  rambling  about  the  country;  among 

addition  to  their  levies,  were  on  the  march  to  join  the  Army,  other  places  to  Mount  Edgecombe,  which,  for  its  views,  is,  I 

i  .    £  l_  . .  _  J     _  J    ._.  i  •         n         J          i 


and  would  contain  on  an  average  about  five  hundred  men 
each,  and  that  as  many  more  were  in  readiness  to  relieve 
these  when  it  should  be  found  necessary ;  so  that  I  think 
New-York  will.be  well  prepared  for  defence. 


think,  much  the  finest  place  in  England. 

Mrs.  C.  is  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  good  wishes.  The 
benefit  she  receives  from  bathing  is  really  wonderful.  All 
the  symptoms  of  weakness  and  relaxation  which  she  brought 


We  have  seen  Carleton's  general  orders.     What  a  brute  with 'her  entirely  vanished  within  a  week,  and  have  not  since 

they  discover  him  to  be.      He  is  angry  that  your  reconnoi-  appeared. 
tering  parties  have  taken  off  one  of  his  General  Officers;  but        we  siiall  remain  till  the  13th  September,  when  I  hope  to 

is  it  not  justifiable  upon  the  principle  of  retaliation?  and  will  return  toBath.    This  place  is  exceedingly  private,  (not  even 

the  Continent  do  justice  to  their  frontier  inhabitants,  who  are  a  pUDlick  room  or  coffee-house,)  and  would,  of  course,  be 

indiscriminately  murdered  by  Indians  in  the  service  of  his  (ju|i)  \(  jt  were  llot  for  our  own  society.     Two  of  them  are 

Britannick  Majesty,  unless  they  continue  to  repay  them  in  wen  known  to  you,  and  send  their  compliments — C.  Town- 

their  own  coin?     For  my  own  part,  I  think  that,  until  they  snena  and  Ley, 

recall  their  Indians,  we  shall  be  guilty  of  unpardonable  ne-        \ye  find  all  our  Ministerial  acquaintance  very  happy  with 

gleet,  unless  we  employ  our  scouts  to  take  off  their  officers  the  contents  of  the  Gazette  of  the  10th.     I  confess  I  do  not 

and  men  in  this  way,  although  the  General  himself  may  be  see  anv  great  cause  for  exultation.     It  seems  fortunate,  in- 

in  danger,  when  parading  for  his  pleasure.  deed,  that  General  Howe  had  attempted  nothing  without  his 

We  want  very  much  to  see  you  with  the  sole  command  reinforcements;  but  it  by  no  means  seems  clear  that  with 

in  the  Northern  Department,  but  hope  that  you  will  not  tilese  reinforcements  he  will  be  able  to  act  to  any  effectual 

relinquish  your  exertions  till  a  favourable  opportunity  shall  pUrpOse.     From  what  I  have  heard,  it  is  probable,  that 

effect  it.  instead  of  making  an  attempt  against  New-  York,  as  was 

At  Dorchester,  I  saw  Miss  Tyler  and  friends:  she  desires  intended,  all  his  force  will  be  bent  against  Philadelphia. 
to  be  remembered  to  General  Gates  and  the  Deputy  Pay-        The  hopes  from  Lord  Howe's  negotiation  are,  I  find,  en- 

master-General.     I  expect,  and  indeed  hope,  to  see  action  tirely  vanished  before  the  opening  of  his  commission.     In 

at  New-York;  and  remain,  with  esteem,  sir,  your  assured  short,  I  believe  that  at  St.  James's  they  have  only  now  the 


friend  and  humble  servant, 
To  Major-General  Gates 


GERRY. 


wicked  hopes  of  being  able  to  protract  the  war;  and  this,  I 
believe  in  my  conscience,  they  will  do,  so  long  as  fleets  and 
armies  can  be  paid  for.  They  laugh  at  the  Declaration  of 
Independence;  and  though  cool  and  serious  people  must 
think  it  the  worst  piece  of  intelligence  that  was  ever  com- 
municated to  this  country,  I  have  no  doubt  but  it  will  be 

SIR  :  I  enclose  you  returns  of  those  men  who  have  desert-  made  a  matter  of  triumph  with  the  Government  as  fulfilling 
ed  from  the  regiments  raised  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts-  the  Ministerial  prophecies  of  that*  event.  In  their  exulta- 
Bay,  now  serving  in  the  Northern  Army.  tion,  they  will  not  choose  to  remember,  that  Independence 

It  is  the  earnest  request  of  the  Honourable  Major-General  was  not  predetermined  in  America,  but  is  only  the  imme- 
Gates,  that  measures  be  taken  for  returning  them  as  speedily  diate  and  necessary  consequence  of  their  own  acts.  I  can 
as  may  be  to  the  corps  to  which  they  belong.  only  say,  as  Lord  Chatham  did  upon  some  such  occasion: 

v     .   i       11      «  G0d  may  perhaps  forgive  them,  but  their  country  never 

will." 

By  the  post  of  to-day,  we  have  just  heard  that  Sir  Peter 
Parker  and  General  Clinton  have  been  but  indifferently 
received  at  South- Carolina.  I  suppose  the  Gazette  will  not 
give  any  particular  accounts  of  this  expedition ;  but  if  the 
experiment  is  lost,  some  notice  must  be  taken  of  it. 

COLONEL    MOULTON   TO    NEW-HAMPSHIRE    COMMITTEE    OF 
SAFETY. 

Hampton,  August  24,  1776. 
State  O/NEW-HAMPSHIRE,  ROCKINGHAM,  ss. 

Pursuant  to  orders  directing  me  to  raise  and  equip  fifty- 
nine  men  out  of  the  regiment  under  my  command,  in  order 
to  join  and  assist  our  Army  at  New-York  at  this  important 
crisis,  I  have,  with  the  greatest  despatch  in  my  power,  caused 
said  number  of  men  to  be  raised  and  equipped,  (saving  two,) 
and  have  also  mustered  said  men,  and  paid  to  each  commis- 


J.  TRUMBDLL  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Head-Quarters,  Ticonderoga,  August  24,  1776. 


speedily 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 

servant>  J.  TRUMBITLL, 

Deputy  Adjutant-General. 

To  the  Honourable  President  of  the  Convention  of  Massa- 
chusetts-Bay. 


1  have  not  at  present  a  single  correspondent  in  London, 
so  that  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  any  particulars 
that  may  arrive  upon  the  interesting  subject  of  America, 
especially  such  as  are  not  likely  to  make  their  appearance 
in  the  Gazette. 

Mrs.  C.  unites  with  me  in  sincerest  regards  and  wishes  to 
you  and  Mrs.  hard. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  very  heartily  yours,  C.  C. 


sion  officer  one  month's  pay  advance,  and  to  each  non-com- 
missioned officer  and  private  their  bounty,  besides  £2  10s. 
to  each  officer  and  soldier  for  their  travelling  expenses  from 
their  homes  to  Head-Quarters,  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of  the 
Council  and  Assembly  of  said  State.  And  havin  formed 


Charlestown,  South-Carolina,  September  4,  1776. 

Advices  from  the  camp  near  Seneca,  of  August  25th, 
inform  us,  that  Colonel  Williamson  had  returned  from  the 
expedition  through  the  Cherokee  lower  settlements.  He 
had  an  engagement  on  the  12th  near  Tcmawsey,  with  about 
three  hundred  of  the  enemy,  when  they  were  routed,  leaving 


said  men  into  a  company,  and  appointed  a  Captain  and  sjxteen  men  dead  on  the  field  of  battle.  Our  loss  was, 
two  subalterns  to  the  same,  (a  list  of  which  is  enclosed,)  I  killed,  Lieutenant  Rogers  and  one  private;  wounded,  Ma- 
have  ordered  said  Captain  to  march  off  with  his  company,  on  jor  Downs,  Captain  Lacey,  Captain  Andrew  Neal,  Lieu- 
Thursday,  the  25th  instant,  and  to  continue  the  same  with  tenant  Hargrove,  and  ten  privates.  Captains  Lacey  and 
all  possible  despatch  towards  New-York,  by  the  way  of  Neal,  Lieutenant  Hargrove,  and  one  private,  are  since  dead. 
Hartford,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  where  I  have  direct-  -phe  ]oss  of  the  enemy,  in  killed  and  wounded,  was  thought 


ed  him  to  stop,  to  receive  directions  for  his  further  regula-  to  ^e  sixty  or  seventy  men.  As  desolation  was  spread 
tion.  I  have  also  furnished  him  with  such  copies  and  certi-  throughout  the  lower  towns,  the  Colonel's  next  objecj  was 
ficates  as  I  apprehended  would  be  necessary  that  he  should 
have  committed  to  his  care. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JONA.  MOULTON. 


the  middle  settlements,  where  he  expected  to  meet,  about 
this  time,  Brigadier-General  Rutherford,  with  two  thousand 
Carolinians.  Accounts  were  received  at  the  camp,  that  Colo- 
nel Lewis  was  preparing  to  march,  with  a  considerable  body 
To  the  Honourable  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  State    of  men  from  Virginia,  in  order  to  attack  the  Overkill  settle- 
aforesaid,  ments,  so  that  there  is  little  doubt  but  these  faithless  savages 


1149 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1150 


will  soon  be  effectually  chastised.     Mr.  James  Holmes,  and    in  or  near  their  respective  camps  or  quarters,  that  they  may 
several  others  who  were  prisoners  among  the  Cherokees,  have    turn  out  at  a  moment's  warning,  nothing  being  more  probable 

•11         11  i*..l  1       .  * 


made  their  escape,  and  got  to  Fort  James,  in  Georgia.  They 
say  the  Indians  despair  of  being  able  to  withstand  Colonel 
Williamson's  Army,  and  that  Cameron  and  one  Hugh  Ham- 


than  that  the  enemy  will  allow  little  enough  time  to  prepare 
for  the  attack. 

The  officers  also  are  to  exert  themselves  to  the  utmost  to 


ilton  had  gone  over  the  Hills,  from  whence  they  intend  to    prevent  every  kind  of  abuse  to  private  property,  or  to  bring 

proceed  for  Mobile.  every  offender  to  the  punishment  he  deserves.     Shameful  it 

is  to  find  that  those  men  who  have  come  hither  in  defence 
of  the  rights  of  mankind,  should  turn  invaders  of  it,  by  de- 
stroying the  substance  of  their  friends. 

The  burning  of  houses,  where  the  apparent  good  of  the 
service  is  not  promoted  by  it,  and  the  pillaging  of  them,  at 
all  times  and  upon  all  occasions,  is  to  be  discountenanced, 
and  punished  with  the  utmost  severity.  In  short,  it  is  to 

Major,  and  desired  I  should  act  in  that  capacity  until  further    be  hoped  that  men  who  have  property  of  their  own,  and  a 

order  from  the  honourable  Council  of  Safety,  whom  I  expect    regard  for  the  rights  of  others,  will  shudder  at  the  thought  of 

will  give  me  the  preference,  as  I  raised  the  first  company  in    rendering  any  man's  situation,  to  whose  protection  he  had 

this  battalion,  and  I  believe  that  I  am  one  of  the  first  in  the 

Province  of  the  Flying-Camp.     If  the  honourable  Council 

will  please  to  commission  me  to  act  as  Major,  I  would  be 

highly  obliged  to  you  to  forward  it  as  quick  as  possible ;  and 

remain,  with  gratitude,  your  humble  servant, 


CAPTAIN  MANTZ  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Philadelphia,  August  25,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  arrived  at  this  city  on  the  23d  instant,  to 
join  our  respective  battalions,  commanded  by  Colonel  Charles 
G.  Griffith,  by  whom  I  understand  we  are  at  the  loss  of  a 


PETER  MANTZ. 
To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


TO  MAJOR-GENERAL   PUTNAM ORDERS. 

SIR:  It  was  with  no  small  degree  of  concern  I  perceived 
yesterday  a  scattering,  unmeaning,  and  wasteful  fire,  from  our 
people  at  the  enemy;  a  kind  of  fire  that  tended  to  disgrace 
our  own  men  as  soldiers,  and  to  render  our  defence  contempt- 
ible in  the  eyes  of  the  enemy.  No  one  good  consequence 
can  attend  such  irregularities,  but  several  bad  ones  will  in- 
evitably follow  from  it.  Had  it  not  been  for  this  unsoldier- 
like  and  disorderly  practice,  we  have  the  greatest  reason 
imaginable  to  believe  that  numbers  of  deserters  would  have 
left  the  enemy's  Army  last  year;  but  fear  prevented  them 
from  approaching  our  lines  then,  and  must  forever  continue 


come,  more  insufferable  than  his  open  and  avowed  enemy 
would  make  it,  when,  by  duty  and  every  rule  of  humanity, 
they  ought  to  aid,  and  not  oppress,  the  distressed  in  their 
habitations. 

The  distinction  between  a  well-regulated  army  and  a  mob, 
is  the  good  order  and  discipline  of  the  first,  and  the  licentious 
and  disorderly  behaviour  of  the  latter.  Men,  therefore,  who 
are  not  employed  as  mere  hirelings,  but  have  stepped  forth 
in  defence  of  everything  that  is  dear  and  valuable,  not  only 
to  themselves  but  to  posterity,  should  take  uncommon  pains 
to  conduct  themselves  with  uncommon  propriety  and  good 
order,  as  their  honour,  reputation,  &,c.,  call  loudly  upon 
them  for  it. 

The  wood  next  Red-Hook  should  be  well  attended  to. 
Put  some  of  the  most  disorderly  riflemen  into  it.  The  Militia, 
or  the  most  indifferent  troops,  (those  I  mean  least  tutored 
and  seen  least  service,)  will  do  for  the  interior  works; 
whilst  your  best  men  should  at  all  hazards  prevent  the 
enemy's  passing  the  wood  and  approaching  your  works. 
The  woods  should  be  secured  by  abatis,  &tc.,  where  neces- 
sary, to  make  the  enemy's  approach  as  difficult  as  possible. 


to  operate  in  like  manner  whilst  every  soldier  conceives  him-    Traps  and  ambuscades  should  be  laid  for  their  parlies,  if  you 
self  at  liberty  to  fire  when  and  at  what  he  pleases.     This  is    find  they  are  sent  out  after  cattle,  fee. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Head-Quarters,  this  25th  day 
of  August,  1776.  Go>  WASHINGTON<  ' 


not  the  only  nor  the  greatest  evil  resulting  from  the  practice: 
for,  as  we  do  not  know  the  hour  of  the  enemy's  approach 
to  our  lines,  but  have  every  reason  to  apprehend  that  it  will 
be  sudden  and  violent  whenever  attempted,  we  shall  have 
our  men  so  scattered,  and,  more  than  probable,  without 
ammunition,  that  the  consequences  must  prove  fatal  to  us; 
besides  this,  there  will  be  no  possibility  of  distinguishing 
between  a  real  and  false  alarm. 

I  must,  therefore,  sir,  in  earnest  terms,  desire  you  to  call 
the  Colonels  and  Commanding  Officers  of  corps,  without  loss 
of  time,  before  you,  and  let  them  afterwards  do  the  same  by 
their  respective  officers ;  and  charge  them,  in  express  and 
positive  terms,  to  stop  these  irregularities,  as  they  value  the 
good  of  the  service,  their  own  honour,  arid  the  safety  of  the 
Army,  which,  under  God,  depends  wholly  upon  the  good 
order  and  government  that  is  observed  in  it. 

At  the  same  time  I  would  have  you  form  a  proper  line  of 
defence  round  your  encampment  and  works,  on  the  most 
advantageous  ground.  Your  guards  which  compose  this, 
are  to  be  particularly  instructed  in  their  duty;  and  a  Brigadier 
of  the  day  to  remain  constantly  upon  the  lines,  that  he  may 
be  upon  the  spot  to  command,  and  see  that  orders  are 
executed.  Field-Officers  should  also  be  appointed  to  go  the 
rounds  and  report  the  situation  of  the  guards.  No  person 
to  be  allowed  to  pass  beyond  the  guards  without  special 
order  in  writing. 

By  restraining  the  loose,  disorderly,  and  unsoldier-like 
firing  before  mentioned,  I  do  not  mean  to  discourage  partisan 
and  scouting  parties ;  on  the  contrary,  I  wish  to  see  a  spirit 
of  this  sort  prevailing,  under  proper  regulations,  and  officers, 
either  commissioned  or  non-commissioned,  (as  cases  shall 
require,)  to  be  directed  by  yourself,  or  licensed  by  the  Briga- 
dier of  the  day,  upon  the  spet,  to  be  sent  upon  this  service. 
Such  skirmishing  as  may  be  effected  in  this  manner  will  be 
agreeable  to  the  rules  of  propriety,  and  may  be  attended  with 
salutary  effects,  inasmuch  as  it  will  inure  the  troops  to  fatigue 
and  danger;  will  harass  the  enemy;  may  make  prisoners, 
and  prevent  their  parties  from  getting  the  horses  and  cattle 
from  the  interior  parts  of  the  Island,  which  are  objects  of 
infinite  importance  to  us,  especially  the  two  last. 

All  the  men  not  upon  duty  are  to  be  compelled  to  remain 


COLONEL  KNOX  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

New-York,  August  25,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  seen  your  letter  to  Major  Henly  requir- 
ing him  to  come  to  you  immediately.  I  thought  it  was  agreed 
upon  between  you  and  me  that  he  was  to  stay  till  after  the 
expected  action,  and  am  very  sorry  that  you  thought  other- 
wise. I  should  be  unhappy  to  oppose  his  promotion,  for 
whom  I  have  so  good  an  opinion,  and  must  beg  the  favour 
of  you  to  appoint  an  Aid-de-Camp  as  pro  tempore,  and  when 
the  capital  affair  is  past  1  shall  have  the  pleasure  to  present 
you  with  as  deserving  an  officer  as  is  in  the  Army. 

In  the  interim,  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

H.  KNOX. 

To  Major-General  Heath,  commanding  the  division  of  the 
Army  at  King's  Bridge. 


COLONEL  VARNDM  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Red-Hook,  August  25,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  very  sensible  the  important  concerns  which 
engross  your  Excellency's  attention  at  this  critical  period 
must  render  particular  applications  very  disagreeable.  But 
the  same  benevolence  and  philanthropy  which  characterize 
you  the  father  and  the  friend  of  the  Army  in  general,  will 
cause  the  distresses  of  an  individual  to  find  a  place  in  your 
compassionate  breast.  Ever  since  I  waited  upon  your  Ex- 
cellency, the  expectation  of  a  battle  hath  continued  me  in 
my  present  command.  New  difficulties  arising,  I  can  derive 
no  satisfaction  from  that  quarter.  A  letter  from  Mr.  Ellery 
(enclosed)  convinces  me  that  promotions  in  the  Army  are 
not  designed  for  those  whose  principles  are  disinterested 
enough  to  serve  the  Continent  without.  My  disgrace  is 
unalterably  fixed,  by  conferring  the  "  detur  digniori"  upon 
those  of  inferior  standing,  without  the  least  competition  of 
superior  merit.  Was  promotion  in  the  Army  a  favour,  my 
tongue  and  my  pen  should  be  silent ;  but  it  is  the  just  reward 


1151 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1152 


of  merit  and  rank.  I  do  not  esteem  myself  obligated  to  the 
publick  for  the  commission  I  hold,  nor  for  the  greatness  of 
the  pay  annexed  to  it.  They  can  challenge  no  further 
services  from  me,  whose  every  effort  to  deserve  their  good 
opinion  has  been  discountenanced.  My  continuance  here 
can  be  of  no  possible  advantage.  The  variety  of  incidents 
that  may  happen  in  an  engagement  will  possibly  demand 
my  submission  to  the  orders  of  a  Brigadier-General,  whose 
standing,  till  lately,  hath  been  subordinate  to  mine.  Dis- 
obedience at  a  critical  moment  may  lose  a  victory  which  is 
courting  our  embrace.  My  pride  is  too  great  ever  to  bend 
to  reasons  of  policy  to  the  wounding  of  my  honour.  How 
cruel  the  alternative,  to  be  obliged  either  to  submit  to  my 
own  infamy,  or,  by  refusing,  incur  the  penalties  of  death ! 
However,  I  remember  a  saying  of  Sertorius:  "  A  just  man 
will  receive  victory,  when  it  kindly  offers,  but  will  not  seek 
or  defend  his  own  life  upon  dishonourable  terms." 

If  my  conduct  hath  hitherto  gained  your  Excellency's 
approbation,  and  if  my  complaint  is  well  founded,  how  can 
you  deny  me,  the  only  consolation  left,  your  permission  to 
retire  from  a  service  no  longer  eligible?  My  philosophy  is 
at  an  end.  I  can  no  longer  command  myself,  much  less  can 
I  command  others.  Disappointment,  shame,  grief,  resent- 
ment, all  harrow  up  my  soul  at  once,  and  force  me  to  adopt 
the  language  of  Young: 

"  The  day  too  short  for  my  distress;  and  night, 
E'en  in  the  zenith  of  her  dark  domain, 
Is  sunshine  to  the  colour  of  my  fate." 

The  enclosed  answer  to  Mr.  Elkry's  letter,  with  the  other 
to  Mr.  Hancock,  I  could  wish  to  send  to  Philadelphia  as 
they  are;  but,  while  acting  under  a  commission  from  the 
Congress,  cannot. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

J.  VARNDM. 
To  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  MAJOR  HENLY. 

King's  Bridge,  August  25,  1776. 

DEAR  HENLY:  The  business  of  this  division  daily  increas- 
ing, and  ten  regiments  distantly  posted  frequently  requiring 
orders,  &.C.,  and  Major  Keith's  time  almost  entirely  taken 
up  in  writing,  I  find  myself  necessitated  to  call  upon  you  to 
attend  your  duty  here.  By  this  time,  I  presume,  you  have 
been  able  to  afford  Mr.  Shaw  so  much  assistance  as  to  make 
him  fully  acquainted  with  everything  necessary  from  you ; 
and,  as  I  consented  to  your  stay  but  for  a  week,  I  hope  there 
will  be  no  objections  to  your  coming;  if  there  should  be, 
although  with  reluctance,  I  shall  be  constrained  to  name 
another  Aid-de-Camp  in  your  room,  being  determined  to  have 
my  own  officers,  according  to  established  practice. 

I  am,  dear  Henly,  yours,  &c.,  w   HpATH 

To  Major  Henly. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  31,  1776.] 

Albany,  August  25,  1776. 

SIR:  Yesterday  I  was  honoured  with  a  letter  from  his 
Excellency  General  Washington,  enclosing  one  from  Colonel 
Stark,  transmitted  to  him  by  General  Gates,  [5th  August,] 
written  in  behalf  of  all  the  Field-Cfficers  in  the  Army,  copy 
whereof  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  enclose. 

Colonel  Stark's  letter  convinces  me  that  the  reasons  I 
suggested  for  not  determining  what  money  ought  to  be  given 
in  lieu  of  a  ration  were  well  founded;  for  if  I  had  done  it,  I 
should  have  differed  in  opinion  with  all  the  Field-Officers  in 
the  Army,  and  with  the  Commissary;  for  although  I  do  not 
presume  to  say,  in  contradiction  to  those  gentlemen,  espe- 
cially to  the  Commissary,  (who  t  should  suppose  to  be  well 
informed,)  that  a  ration  does  not  cost  the  publick  one  shil- 
ling lawful  money  of  New-England,  yet  I  will  venture  to 
say  that  it  ought  not  to  cost  the  publick  so  much  by  at  least 
fifty  thousand  dollars  a  year  on  ten  thousand  men,  or  five 
dollars  for  each  man,  and  that  it  can  be  furnished  equally 
good  and  equally  well  for  that  sum  less,  and  that  without 
the  least  impeachment  of  either  Mr.  Trnmbull,  Mr.  Liv- 
ingston, or  any  other  furnishing  Commissary,  as  men  of 
integrity  and  ability ;  for  every  man  acquainted  with  publick 
business  must  allow  that  it  cannot  be  carried  on,  fora  variety 
of  reasons,  with  that  economy  which  prevails  in  private 


affairs.  Some  of  those  reasons  may  be  found  by  a  retrospect 
of  my  letters  to  Congress  during  last  campaign.  To  save  a 
sum  so  very  considerable,  is,  however,  well  worthy  of  atten- 
tion, and  1  assure  Congress  that  it  has  claimed  much  of  mine, 
and  that  I  have  given  such  orders  as  I  hoped  would,  in  a 
great  measure,  remedy  the  evil.  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  they 
have  not  had  the  desired  effect;  and  I  can  suggest  but  one 
way  more  in  which  it  may  be  done,  and  that  is  by  contract; 
for  although  I  am  far  from  being  a  friend  to  contracts,  on 
account  of  the  chicane  that  usually  attends  them,  yet  of 
two  evils  it  is  most  eligible  to  choose  the  least ;  and  a  con- 
tract well  guarded  appeals  to  me  such.  A  contract,  if 
entered  into,  should,  I  think,  in  the  first  place,  specify  every 
article  allowed  for  a  ration. 

2dly.  It  should  determine  what  ought  to  be  given  in  other 
species,  or  in  money,  in  lieu  of  such  articles  as  it  may  be 
impossible  for  the  contractor  to  furnish  in  the  present  situa- 
tion of  affairs — such  as  milk,  molasses,  and  rice. 

3dly.  The  contract  should  specify  what  is  to  be  given  for 
a  ration  at  Albany,  and  what  at  Ticonderoga  and  Fort 
Stamvix,  that  from  the  difference  between  the  price  allowed 
at  Albany  and  those  two  places,  the  price  for  any  interme- 
diate post  may  be  ascertained  according  to  the  distance  from 
Albany. 

4thly.  The  contractor  should  transport  the  provisions  to 
Ticonderoga  and  Fort  Stanwix,  and  every  intermediate 
post,  at  his  own  risk,  excepting  only  what  may  be  destroyed 
by  the  enemy. 

Sthly.  The  publick  Commissaries  at  the  different  posts 
should  receive  it,  and  pass  their  receipts  to  the  contractor 
for  the  quantity  delivered,  for  his  voucher.  Here  the  Com- 
missary can  have  no  inducement  to  give  a  receipt  for  more 
than  he  receives,  as  he  must  be  accountable  for  all  he  re- 
ceives, as  hereafter  directed. 

Gthly.  The  contractor,  when  he  delivers  any  barrelled 
pork  or  beef,  and  the  Commissary,  before  he  passes  a  receipt 
for  the  same,  should  each  take  two  or  more  barrels  out  of 
the  parcel,  and  these  being  opened,  and  the  meat  taken  out 
and  weighed,  the  mean  weight  shall  be  allowed  as  the  weight 
in  each  barrel  in  that  parcel,  and  the  contractor  shall,  if  the 
pork  or  beef  be  found  in  good  order,  have  his  receipt  there- 
for, and  the  Commissary  shall  stand  charged  therewith. 

7thly.  As  flour  casks  have  always  the  tare  marked  on 
them,  the  neat  weight  may  be  ascertained  at  the  place  of 
delivery  by  weighing  them,  which  will  always  be  less  than 
when  they  left  Albany,  occasioned  by  the  waste  in  trans- 
porting them  in  carriages. 

Sthly.  The  quantity  of  peas,  Indian  corn,  rice,  and  the 
other  articles,  to  be  determined  by  measurement  or  weight. 

9thly.  Every  barrel  of  pork  or  beef,  when  delivered  at 
any  post,  to  be  tapped,  that  if  there  should  be  any  deficiency 
of  brine  the  contractor  may  fill  it  up,  or  the  pork  or  beef  to 
remain  in  store  until  issued,  at  his  risk.  The  starting  of 
hoops  by  accident,  and  the  tapping  of  barrels  by  wagoners 
and  teamsters  to  lighten  the  load,  have  been  the  cause  of  great 
loss,  for  which  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  provide  a  remedy. 

lOthly.  All  flour  to  be  bored,  as  is  done  at  New- York 
or  Philadelphia,  to  discover  whether  it  is  sound  and  mer- 
chantable. Such  as  is  found  otherwise,  to  be  returned  to  the 
contractor.  In  case  of  a  difference  in  opinion  between  the 
Commissary  and  contractor  on  this  and  the  foregoing  article, 
the  same  to  be  determined  by  two  arbitrators  taken  by  the 
parties,  who  may  choose  another  if  they  do  not  agree. 

llthly.  When  fresh  beef  is  furnished,  the  contractor  to 
have  it  killed  at  or  near  the  post  where  it  is  to  be  issued, 
and  the  quarters  weighed  and  delivered  to  the  Commissary, 
the  Commissary  to  determine  the  quantity  he  chooses  to 
have  killed  each  day,  and  to  pass  his  receipts  for  what  he 
receives. 

12thly.  The  contractor  obliged  to  furnish  a  stipulated 
proportion  of  fresh  and  salt  meat. 

13thly.  The  Commissary-General  to  charge  every  Com- 
missary with  the  provisions  delivered  to  him  by  the  contract- 
or, and  no  person  employed  that  cannot  give  three  thousand 
pounds  good  security. 

14thly.  Every  Commissary  employed  in  issuing  provisions 
to  take  receipts  from  the  troops,  not  for  so  many  rations,  but 
for  such  a  quantity  of  each  article  as  may  be  delivered, 
thence  to  determine  what  may  be  due  to  any  corps  for  de- 
ficiencies, if  any  there  shall  be,  and  whether  any  corps  has 
at  any  time  drawn  more  provisions  than  it  ought. 


1153 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1154 


This  is  what  has  occurred  to  my  mind  on  the  subject.  If 
it  in  any  way  tends  to  promote  the  interest  of  my  country, 
I  shall  be  fully  satisfied. 

The  Paymaster  informs  me  that  our  military  chest  is  again 
so  much  reduced  that  a  speedy  supply  will  be  necessary.  I 
hope  the  Treasury  Board  will  be  ordered  to  send  a  supply. 
I  suppose  something  more  than  one  hundred  and  twenty 
thousand  dollars  per  month  is  expended  in  this  department. 

On  my  way  to  the  German-Flats,  Mr.  Duane  informed 
me  that  Congress  had  ordered  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the 
treaty  to  be  held  with  the  Indians.  As  the  publick's  credit- 
ors on  account  of  the  Indian  department  were  very  pressing 
for  their  money,  I  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  drawing 
on  the  Paymaster  for  part  of  what  is  due.  I  should  be  glad 
to  know  if  Congress  approves  that  I  should  pay  off  all  the 
debts  in  that  manner  that  are  already  accrued,  and  those 
that  daily  accrue. 

Colonel  Nicolson's  and  Colonel  Elmore's  Regiments  (the 
former  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  present  fit 
for  duty,  and  the  latter  of  three  hundred  and  forty-four, 
officers  included)  are  to  march  to-day  into  Tryon  County. 
As  the  enemy,  by  our  last  accounts,  were  not  constructing 
any  vessels  of  force  at  St.  John's,  I  begin  to  apprehend  that 
they  will  attempt  to  penetrate  by  the  way  of  Oswego,  as 
the  Indians  suggest.  The  batteaus  they  build  at  St.  John's 
may  be  in  order  to  amuse  us,  as  they  may  easily  convey 
them  down  the  Sorel  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  to  be  employed 
to  the  westward.  I  have  ordered  scouts  to  be  continually 
kept  out  towards  Oswego  and  Osivegatchie,  and  have  desired 
General  Gates  to  send  others  to  the  north  end  of  the  Lake 
St.  Francois,  or  to  any  part  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence  above 
Montreal,  that  we  may  have  the  earliest  intelligence  possible 
of  their  intentions,  and  prepare  ourselves  accordingly. 

Our  naval  force  on  Champlain  is  increasing  rapidly.  Three 
stout  galleys  and  some  gondolas  1  believe  are  finished  since 
the  date  of  the  enclosed  return. 

If  Colonel  Campbell  is  not  to  return  to  the  Army,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  appoint  another  Deputy  Quartermaster-General. 

The  line  of  duty  for  the  Regimental  Paymasters  should 
be  minutely  pointed  out,  as  also  that  of  the  Muster-Masters  ; 
and  I  should  be  happy  to  be  furnished  with  it  the  soonest 
possible. 

I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect  and  esteem,  your  most  obe- 
dient and  most  humble  servant, 


PH.  SCHUYLER. 


To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock. 


and  Oswegatchie.  I  wish  two  or  three  trusty  hands  could 
be  sent  across  to  the  north  end  of  Lake  St.  Franfois,  or  to 
any  place  above  Montreal,  to  see  if  any  batteaus  and  troops 
are  passing  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  that  we  may  have  the  most 
early  intelligence. 

If  you  are  not  properly  supplied  with  vegetables  from 
Saratoga,  would  it  not  be  best  to  send  a  soldier  whom  you 
can  depend  on,  every  week,  on  purpose?  I  am  informed 
you  have  no  mutton  at  Tyonderoga:  a  good  number  of 
sheep  are  at  Fort  George,  from  whence  you  could  be  from 
time  to  time  supplied. 

I  find  the  jealousies  with  respect  to  me  have  not  subsided 
in  the  country.  I  am  informed  that  some  Committees  to 
the  eastward,  in  this  and  the  adjacent  States,  are  trying  me. 
I  wish  Congress  may  at  last  comply  with  my  entreaties,  and 
order  an  inquiry  on  the  many  charges  made  against  me,  that 
I  may  not  any  longer  be  insulted.  I  assure  you  that  I  am 
so  sincerely  tired  of  abuse,  that  I  will  let  my  enemies  arrive 
at  the  completion  of  their  wishes,  by  retiring  as  soon  as  I 
shall  have  been  tried,  and  attempt  to  serve  my 

GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  25,  1776. 

SIR:  Captain  Titcomb's  company  of  carpenters  are  all 
sick,  except  four,  and  applied  for  discharges.  The  tools 
they  brought  with  them  are  private  property,  and  they  mean 
to  carry  them  off.  And  I  should  be  glad  to  know  your 
Honour's  mind,  whether  I  shall  stop  the  tools  or  not,  as  we 
shall  of  necessity  want  them  for  the  mechanicks  that  are 
draughted  out  of  the  companies. 

Your  Honour  thought  I  should  do  well  to  discharge  the 
carpenters  as  they  should  apply;  but  they  make  such  fre- 
quent applications  that  I  don't  choose  to  discharge  so  many 
of  them  without  further  instructions,  for  it  will  entirely  ruin 
our  business  as  to  the  shipping.  We  supply  the  carpenters 
with  all  the  help  we  can  possibly  get  them  out  of  the  regi- 
ments. 

I  am,  dear  General,  in  the  utmost  haste,  your  Honour's 
most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

DAVID  WATERBUHY,  Jun. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  I  have  now  got  so  well  of  my  lameness  that  I  am 
able  to  go  among  the  workmen. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  25,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Your  favour  of  the  20th  instant  was 
yesterday  delivered  me  by  Captain  Wyrikoop;  he  is  to  re- 
main at  this  place.  The  want  of  subordination  and  disci- 
pline in  an  army  cannot  be  too  much  lamented;  it  is  the 
source  whence  all  disorder  and  misfortune  arise. 

The  sail-cloth  is  just  arrived  from  New-England,  and  will 
be  forwarded  immediately. 

The  Paymaster  has  sent  Mr.  Winslow  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars.  He  could  not  spare  more.  I  shall  immedi- 
ately write  for  a  further  supply. 

Enclose  you  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  General  Wash- 
ington, of  the  21st  instant,  received  yesterday. 

I  momentarily  expect  to  learn  from  Congress  what  money 
is  to  be  allowed  in  lieu  of  a  ration  of  provisions.  As  it  was 
the  Commissaries'  business,  I  have  constantly  refused  to 
determine  what  should  be  allowed  for  a  ration,  certain  that 
I  should  incur  the  blame  of  the  officers  or  Congress,  and 
therefore  I  have  informed  the  latter  that  I  never  will  do  it, 
unless  they  or  General  Washington  order  me. 

Elmore's  and  Nicolson's  corps  march  to-day  to  Tryon 
County.  As  a  few  of  each  of  these  corps  are  to  the  north- 
ward, I  wish  you  to  send  them  down,  unless  they  are  appro- 
priated to  any  particular  service  from  which  you  cannot 
spare  them. 

As  we  do  not  learn  that  the  enemy  are  building  any  large 
vessels  at  St.  John's,  I  begin  to  apprehend  that  there  is  too 
much  truth  in  the  Indian  account  that  a  large  army  will 
attempt  to  penetrate  by  the  way  of  Fort  Stanwix.  The 
building  of  batteaus  at  St.  John's  may  be  only  done  with  a 
design  to  amuse  us,  as  they  can  easily  be  conveyed  into  the 
St.  Lawrence.  Scouts  are  out  constantly  towards  Oswego 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  25,  1776,  7  o'clock,  A.  M. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  Yesterday  evening  the  signal  was  given 
for  sailing  by  the  General.  The  vessels  moved  a  little  ways 
down,  but  the  wind  was  so  trifling  that  they  came  to,  after 
going  about  a  mile.  This  morning  they  seem  under  way, 
but  not  much  wind. 

Besides  our  complement  of  marines  which  was  ordered, 
yesterday  General  Arnold  sent  me  an  order  for  sixty  men, 
besides  officers,  to  go  in  batteaus  along  with  the  fleet,  and  in 
a  few  days,  he  informed  me,  he  would  probably  send  for 
more  of  my  regiment. 

I  would  have  understood  by  your  last  letter  to  me,  I 
should  remain  at  this  post  with  the  regiment;  but  if  this  plan 
of  General  Arnold's  is  carried  into  execution,  I  shall  have 
soon  but  a  small  number  of  them  left  here;  perhaps  a  few 
may  be  thought  sufficient  for  this  place. 

The  greater  part  of  the  men  of  this  regiment  would  incline 
to  engage  in  the  service  again  after  the  present  year,  but  if 
General  Arnold  is  to  make  detachments  upon  fatiguing  and 
dangerous  parties  from  this  regiment  alone,  I  fear  few  would 
remain  after  the  end  of  the  campaign  to  show  their  attach- 
ment to  the  cause.  The  Lake  is  now  sickly.  Men  in  open 
baiteaus  will  be  much  exposed  to  agues,  &.c.  If  an  expe- 
dition were  necessary  down  the  Lake,  my  whole  regiment 
would  cheerfully  engage  in  it;  but  to  be  on  the  Lake  for  any 
time,  as  they  are  no  watermen,  is  disagreeable  to  them. 

I  will  send  out  (if  I  am  permitted)  continual  parties  down 
towards  the  fleet,  as  well  as  upon  land,  and  will  be  able  to 
give  the  earliest  intelligence  of  the  approach  of  an  enemy, 
and  will  maintain  the  works  I  am  completing  till  a  reinforce- 
ment can  arrive,  or  till  prudence  may  make  it  necessary  to 
retreat  before  a  very  superior  enemy,  if  I  am  not  weakened 
by  an  over  proportion  of  detachments. 

Our  men  are  on  fatigue  daily,  besides  mounting  strong 


73 


1155 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &tc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1156 


guards,  so  that  their  duty  is  perhaps  equal  to  any  other  regi- 
ment in  the  Army  for  the  present,  and  are  ever  ready  for 
any  commands.  I  would  beg  leave  to  mention  to  you,  as 
this  duty  is  equal  to  that  of  any  other  regiment,  that  if  men 
are  to  go  down  the  Lake,  the  parties  which  should  join  Gen- 
eral Arnold  in  his  cruising  should  be  composed  from  the 
Army,  in  the  usual  course  of  detail,  when  my  contingency 
of  men  will  be  prepared. 

Should  you  think  it  necessary  upon  any  occasion  that  I 
should  go  down  the  Lake  with  the  regiment,  on  an  expedition, 
I  will  go  with  cheerfulness,  because  it  would  be  my  duty, 
and  would  at  the  same  time  give  me  and  my  men  an  oppor- 
tunity, perhaps,  of  revenging  ourselves  upon  the  enemy  for 
part  of  the  injuries  this  regiment  has  suffered. 

I  would  not  be  understood  to  reason  upon  the  propriety 
of  any  order  which  should  issue  from  you  ;  nay,  the  execu- 
tion would  be  the  first  reasoning.  It  is  for  you  to  command; 
it  is  for  your  officers  to  obey.  As  I  understood,  from  your 
last  orders  that  I  was  to  stay  here  with  the  regiment,  and  as 
we  were  likely  to  suffer  more  than  any  other  regiment,  I 
have  used  the  freedom  to  address  you  on  the  subject. 

I  have  nearly  completed  a  good  intrenchment  round  my 
camp,  and  am  forming  an  interior  work  which  will  further 
add  to  our  security.  I  have  been  searching  rubbish  and 
water  for  some  pieces  of  artillery.  We  have  got  two  good 
small  guns,  and  expect  to  discover  some  more.  I  have 
wrote  to  Colonel  Balding  and  Major  Hay  for  some  stuff 
for  carriages;  I  hope  it  will  be  sent.  I  will  endeavour  to 
have  the  artillery  properly  mounted.  The  guns  may  be 
useful  to  the  Army  in  future.  I  have  had  a  canoe  down 
below  the  Split  Rock  these  two  days.  All  is  well  there. 

I  am,  honoured  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most 
humble  servant,  THOS.  HARTLEY. 

To  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  I  have  sent  a  party  for  batteaus.  The  fleet  and 
others  have  carried  away  almost  all  our  boats.  I  have  sent 
up  three  bad  ones  to  be  repaired. 


JAMES  BOWDOIN  TO  GOVERNOUR  COOKE. 

Boston,  August  25,  1776. 

SIR:  One  of  the  enemy's  ships-of-war,  said  to  be  the 
Milford,  of  twenty-eight  guns,  has,  at  different  times  within 
a  month  past,  been  cruising  in  our  bay,  and  has  taken  seve- 
ral prizes.  She  now  again  makes  her  appearance,  and  has 
chased  several  vessels  into  port.  It  is  a  misfortune  that  the 
Continental  ships-of-war  lately  built  in  this  State  could  not 
be  sent  out  for  want  of  guns;  but  as  it  is  said  those  built  at 
Providence  are  provided  with  guns,  it  is  probable  that  one 
or  all  of  them  can  with  some  exertion  be  got  ready  in  two 
or  three  days  for  our  bay,  and,  in  case  of  meeting  with  the 
Milford,  give  a  good  account  of  her.  It  is  supposed  that 
some  of  Admiral  Hopkins1*  ships  are  also  at  Providence, 
and  that  they  can  join  the  others  in  this  service.  As  we 
know  your  Honour's  zeal  and  the  zeal  of  your  State  to  ren- 
der every  possible  service  to  the  general  cause,  which  can- 
not be  better  promoted  than  by  taking  the  enemy's  ships- 
of-war,  we  doubt  not  that  it  will  be  exerted  upon  this 
occasion  in  a  way  effectual  to  answer  the  end  proposed. 
We  shall  endeavour  to  procure  the  loan  of  guns,  and  get 
fitted  one  of  the  Continental  ships  at  Newburyport,  pierced 
for  twenty-four  guns;  and  shall  order  one  of  our  armed 
brigs  belonging  to  this  State,  now  in  this  port,  and  several 
others  of  them,  if  within  the  reach  of  orders,  to  join  the  said 
ships  as  soon  as  they  appear  here.  In  order  thereto,  you 
will  please  to  inform  us  of  the  signals  you  shall  agree  upon, 
by  which  those  ships  may  be  distinguished.  This  is  wiote 
by  the  instance  of  several  gentlemen  of  the  Council,  all  of 
whom  (could  they  have  been  convened)  would  have  con- 
curred with  it. 

With  every  sentiment  of  respect,  I  am,  your  Honour's 
most  obedient,  humble  servant,  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Hon.  Nicholas  Cooke,  Esq.,  Governour  of  Rhode-Inland. 


Containing  sixty- 
five  Privates. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CAPTAIN  NICHOLSON. 

Annapolis,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  It  will  be  uncertain  whether  we  can  meet  with  a 
vessel  here  to  go  to  Janet  River  for  the  coal ;  we  shall  be 
glad,  therefore,  if  you  will  procure  for  us  three  that  will 


bring  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  each,  and  despatch 
them  down  to  us  with  the  greatest  expedition.  The  Reso- 
lution must  go  with  them  for  their  protection.  She  must  call 
here  in  her  way,  as  we  shall  send  a  person  in  her,  with  cash, 
to  contract  for  the  coal.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  Captain  James  Nicholson. 

MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY  TO  SAMUEL  DORSEY. 
[No.  163.]  Annapolis,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Council  of  Safety  request  you  will  immediately 
send  down  what  tents  you  have  made;  they  are  much  want- 
ing, as  all  our  troops  are  under  marching  orders. 

We  are,  &,c. 

To  Mr.  Samuel  Dorsey. 

BALTIMORE  COUNTY  COMMITTEE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  August  26,  1776: 

Present:  S.  Purviance,  Chairman;  W.  Lux,  Vice-Chairman;  R.  Alex- 
ander, W.  Buchanan,  J.  Merryman,  C.  Ridgely,  (of  Wm.,)  W.  Wil- 
kinson, B.  Griffith,  J.  Calhoun,  J.  Cradock,  W.  Aisquith,  A.  Britton, 
J.  Gittings,  T.  Sellers,  J.  Cockey,  D.  Shaw,  T.  Gist,  J.  Boyd. 

In  Committee,  Baltimore,  August  26,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY:    The  follow- 
ing is  the  list  of  Companies  recommended  by  this  Commit- 
tee to  form  a  Battalion : 

1.  John  Cockey Captain 1 

John  Robert  Holliday First  Lieutenant. .  I   Containing    sixty- 
Nathaniel  Britain Second  Lieutenant  j       four  Privates. 

Benjamin  Talbot Ensign J 

2.  Edward  Cockey Captain 

BealeOwings First  Lieutenant. . 

William  Harvey Second  Lieutenant 

William  Scarf Ensign , 

3.  Gist  Vaughan Captain 1 

Thomas  Moore First  Lieutenant. .  I    Containing    fifty- 
Nicholas  Merryman,  jun Second  Lieutenant  |      three  Privates. 

Humphrey  Chilcoat Ensign J 

4.  Henry  Howard Captain 1 

John  Wilson First  Lieutenant. .  I  Containing   sixty- 
William  Ensor Second  Lieutenant  f      nine  Privates. 

Joshua  Welsh Ensign j 

5.  John  Talbot Captain 1 

John  Dunnock First  Lieutenant. .  1    Containing  sixty 

James  Norris Second  Lieutenant  f          Privates. 

Joshua  Anderson Ensign J 

6.  John  Hall  (of  Joshua) Captain 1 

Thomas  Marshall First  Lieutenant. .  I   Containing   forty- 
Philip  Stilts Second  Lieutenant  |      eight  Privates. 

William  Davis Ensign J 

7.  Daniel  Shaw Captain 1 

John  Sharp First  Lieutenant. .  I  Containing  ninety- 
Abraham  Cox Second  Lieutenant  |        five  Privates. 

John  Wiley Ensign J 

8.  Stephen  Gill,  jun Captain 1 

Thomas  Bond First  Lieutenant. .  I  Containing  seventy 

AquilaTipton Second  Lieutenant  |  Privates. 

Nicholas  Gill Ensign J 

The  Committee  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  com- 
plaint exhibited  against  Jesse  Hollingsworth  for  selling  Tea 
above  the  limited  price,  who,  being  called  in,  confessed  the 
fact;  but  alleged,  in  excuse,  that  he  had  opened  the  chests 
at  the  earnest  request  and  solicitation  of  several  persons,  who 
voluntarily  offered  him  the  price  he  sold  it  for,  which  was 
offered  to  him  for  the  whole  chest  at  Philadelphia,  where 
he  had  determined  to  send  it;  that  he  had  not  sold  one-half 
of  the  chest  at  10s.  He  then  produced  letters  which  proved 
that  price  to  have  been  offered  to  him  for  the  whole,  and 
that  it  was  selling  there  at  16*.  by  the  chest.  He  acknow- 
ledged he  had  done  wrong,  but  was  sorry  for  it.  He  declared 
that  he  had  never  done  any  other  act  to  contravene  the 
Resolutions  of  Congress  or  Convention;  but,  on  the  con- 

O  '  ' 

trary,  had  on  every  occasion  exerted  his  utmost  for  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country;  therefore  he  hoped  that  his  countrymen, 
with  whom  he  wished  to  live  in  union  and  harmony,  would 
forgive  this  first  offence,  and  he  should  be  very  careful  to 
avoid  any  other;  and  that  he  would  very  willingly  return  to 
every  person  who  had  bought  Tea  of  him  the  overplus  price, 
provided  he  or  she  made  an  affidavit  of  the  quantity  bought 
within  six  weeks  from  this  date,  or  would  pay  it  to  any 
charitable  use  that  the  publick  may  direct. 

Attest:  GEO.  Lux,  Secretary. 

PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS  TO  GENERAL  WARD. 

Philadelphia,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  The  service  in  the  Eastern  Department  requiring 
an  officer  of  rank  and  experience,  and  Colonel  Whitcomb 


1157 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1158 


having  declined  accepting  his  commission,  the  Congress  have 
been  induced,  both  from  a  regard  to  your  merit  while  in  the 
Army,  and  your  zeal  and  attention  since  you  left  it,  to 
request  you  will,  if  consistent  with  your  health,  take  the 
command  of  the  forces  in  that  quarter.  As  soon  as  Con- 
gress can  fix  on  some  officer  to  relieve  you,  they  will  do  it, 
and  only  desire  you  in  the  mean  time  to  continue  in  com- 
mand until  such  appointment.  Your  readiness  to  comply 
with  the  wishes  of  your  country,  gives  me  the  strongest 
reason  to  believe  you  will  not  resist  their  application  at  this 
juncture. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 


humble  servant, 

To  General  Ward,  Boston. 


JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 


PETITION  FROM  GEORGE  MEASAM. 

[Read  August  26,  1776.    Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Members  of  Congress  of  the  UNITED 
STATES  OF  AMERICA: 

The  Memorial  of  GEORGE  MEASAM,  late  of  MONTREAL, 
humbly  showeth: 

That  your  memorialist  was  well  known  by  the  late  Brig- 
adier-General Montgomery  to  be  a  true  friend  to  the  Ameri- 
can cause,  by  sundry  circumstances,  both  before  and  after 
the  capitulation  of  Montreal.  And  in  consequence  thereof, 
the  General  thought  fit  to  recommend  him  as  a  proper  per- 
son to  intrust  the  care  and  management  of  the  Post-Office 
for  that  Province,  and  was  honoured  with  a  commission  from 
the  Postmaster-General  for  that  purpose,  and  did  direct  the 
same  and  support  it  with  his  own  proper  moneys  until  the 
American  Army  was  obliged  to  retreat  from  thence. 

That  the  General  was  further  pleased  to  desire  your  me- 
morialist (with  Major Lodcwood)  to  superintend  the  landing 
of  the  stores  taken  by  Colonel  Easton,  commencing  the  20th 
day  of  November,  1775.  And  on  the  10th  day  of  Decem- 
ber following,  your  memorialist  was  put  in  publick  orders  to 
superintend  the  publick  stores  at  Montreal,  and  did  super- 
intend the  same,  and  also  the  Commissary  of  Provision's 
Department,  and  flatters  himself  that  he  has  been  the  cause 
of  saving  a  large  sum  of  money  to  the  United  States,  by  being 
a  check  over  the  Commissary,  and  obliging  him  to  keep  his 
accounts  in  such  manner  as  to  show  an  exact  weight  of  all 
provisions  received  and  issued,  and  not  accounting  for  them 
by  rations  only,  as  is  generally  the  case;  for  in  the  confused 
manner  the  orders  were  given  for  provisions,  the  Commis- 
sary's accounts  plainly  prove  they  far  exceed  the  quantity 
of  provisions  actually  issued  by  a  very  large  amount  during 
the  time  there  was  no  Commissary-General  to  superintend 
that  department  in  Canada.  Your  memorialist  now  pre- 
sumes that  department  is  quite  regular,  as  it  is  under  the 
care  of  the  Commissary-General. 

That  your  memorialist  continued  to  direct  and  superintend 
the  other  publick  stores  at  Montreal,  till  the  retreat  of  the 
Army  from  thence,  and  the  stores  were,  by  order  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  issued  to  the  Army  for  publick  ser- 
vice. 

That  hitherto  your  memorialist  has  had  no  rank,  rate,  or 
salary  affixed  to  his  said  office,  and  has  a  very  small  account 
still  unsettled.  Prays  to  know  where  he  is  to  be  referred 
to  for  a  settlement. 

That  at  present  there  is  no  superintendent  Storekeeper  of 
all  the  other  garrison  stores  at  Ticondtroga ;  and  that  your 
memorialist  humbly  conceives  it  is  highly  necessary  such  an 
officer  should  be  appointed  for  that  garrison  and  the  Northern 
Army. 

Therefore,  as  your  memorialist  was  concerned  pretty  large- 
ly in  the  Indian  trade  at  four  different  posts  above  Montreal, 
and  was  possessed  of  other  property — land,  trade,  and  deal- 
ings in  the  said  Province — and  has  been  obliged  to  abandon 
all  upon  the  retreat  of  the  Army  from  thence,  finds  himself, 
under  these  circumstances,  necessitated  to  pray  your  Ho- 
nours will  be  pleased  to  confirm  him  in  his  appointment  as 
Superintendent  and  Storekeeper  for  the  Northern  Army,  or 
elsewhere,  with  such  rank,  rate,  or  salary,  as  your  Honours 
shall  judge  proper. 

And  your  memorialist  shall  pray,  &tc. 

GEO.  MEASAM. 

Philadelphia,  August  25,  1776. 


JAMES  WORK  TO  WILLIAM  ATLEE. 

Donegal,  Pennsylvania,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  understand  this  morning  that  this  man  I  here 
send  you,  William  Davis,  is  one  of  the  regular  prisoners  be- 
longing to  the  companies  confined  now  in  Lancaster.  I  just 
understand  he  has  been  working  about  this  good  while,  and 
han't  been  much  in  town.  I  understand  he  got  in  drink 
yesterday,  and  behaved  ill ;  and  as  the  most  of  our  men  are 
gone  to  the  Army,  the  poor  women  and  children  are  afraid 
to  see  such  a  man  amongst  them,  and  going  at  large  these 
distressing  times.  So  that  whoever  in  town  has  the  care 
and  oversight  of  said  prisoners,  will  take  notice  that  this  man 
by  no  means  be  permitted  to  come  into  this  neighbourhood 
again,  &tc. 

From  your  humble  servant,  JAS.  WORK. 

To  William  Atlee,  Esq.,  Chairman,  or  to  whom  it  may  con- 
cern. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  28,  1776.] 

New- York,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  been  duly  honoured  with  your  favours  of  the 
20th  and  24th,  and  am  happy  to  find  my  answer  to  Lord 
Drummond  has  met  the  approbation  of  Congress.  What- 
ever his  views  were,  most  certainly  his  conduct  respecting 
his  parole  is  highly  reprehensible. 

Since  my  letter  of  the  24th,  almost  the  whole  of  the  ene- 
my's fleet  have  fallen  down  to  the  Narrows ;  and  from  this 
circumstance,  and  the  striking  of  their  tents  at  their  several 
encampments  on  Staten-Island  from  time  to  time  previous  to 
the  departure  of  the  ships  from  thence,  we  are  led  to  think 
they  mean  to  land  the  main  body  of  their  Army  on  Lony- 
Island,  and  to  make  their  grand  push  there.  I  have  ordered 
over  considerable  reinforcements  to  our  troops  there,  and  shall 
continue  to  send  more  as  circumstances  may  require.  There 
has  been  a  little  skirmishing  and  irregular  firing  kept  up 
between  their  and  our  advanced  guards,  in  which  Colonel 
Martin,  of  the  Jersey  levies,  has  received  a  wound  in  his 
breast,  which  it  is  apprehended  will  prove  mortal.  A  pri- 
vate has  had  his  leg  broken  by  a  cannon  ball,  and  another 
has  received  a  shot  in  the  groin  from  their  musketry.  This 
is  all  the  damage  they  have  yet  done  us;  what  they  have 
sustained  is  not  known. 

The  shifting  and  changing  the  regiments  have  undergone 
of  late,  has  prevented  their  making  proper  returns,  and  of 
course  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  transmit  a  general  one  of 
the  Army.  However,  1  believe  our  strength  is  much  the 
same  that  it  was  when  the  last  was  made,  with  the  addition 
of  nine  Militia  regiments  more  from  the  State  of  Connecticut, 
averaging  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  each.  These 
are  nine  of  the  fourteen  regiments  mentioned  in  my  letter  of 
19th.  Our  people  still  continue  to  be  very  sickly. 

The  papers  designed  for  the  foreign  troops  have  been  put 
into  several  channels,  in  order  that  they  might  be  conveyed 
to  'em;  and  from  the  information  I  had  yesterday,  I  have 
reason  to  believe  many  have  fallen  into  their  hands. 

I  have  enclosed  a  copy  of  Lord  Drummond's  second  letter 
in  answer  to  mine,  which  I  received  since  I  transmitted  his 
first,  and  which  I  have  thought  necessary  to  lay  before  Con- 
gress, that  they  may  possess  the  whole  of  the  correspondence 
between  us,  and  see  how  far  he  has  exculpated  himself  from 
the  charge  alleged  against  him.  The  log-book  he  mentions 
to  have  sent  Colonel  Moylan,  proves  nothing  in  his  favour: 
that  shows  he  had  been  at  Bermuda,  and  from  thence  to 
some  other  Island,  and  on  his  passage  from  which  to  this 
place,  the  vessel  he  was  in  was  boarded  by  a  pilot,  who. 
brought  her  into  the  Hook,  where  he  found  the  British  fleet 
which  his  Lordship  avers  he  did  not  expect  were  there,  havin<* 
understood  their  destination  was  to  the  southward. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 

Sloop  Polly,  August  19t  1776. 

SIR:  While  attending  in  the  boat  on  the  17th  instant,  I 
was  favoured  with  yours  of  that  date,  and  in  answer  to  those 
points  it  seemed  to  allude  to,  I  could  then  only  return  a 
verbal  message  by  Mr.  Tilghman,  which  I  flatter  myself 
would  remove  the  suspicions  you  entertained.  As  my  first 


1159 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1160 


motive  for  asking  Lord  Howe's  permission  to  land  at  New- 
York  was  to  give  me  an  opportunity  of  explaining  myself 
to  your  Excellency  on  the  subject  of  my  parole  in  relation 
to  my  return  to  this  place,  so  the  hope  I  entertained  of 
effecting  it  in  this  way  made  me  perhaps  too  negligent  in 
not  saying  anything  on  that  subject  in  my  letter  to  you. 
Aware,  however,  of  the  possibility  of  not  being  able  to  obtain 
an  interview  with  your  Excellency,  1  had  taken  the  precau- 
tion to  prepare  a  letter  to  Colonel  Moylan  on  that  subject, 
which  I  read  to  Mr.  Tilghman  on  his  delivering  me  that 
from  your  Excellency,  but  which  I  forbore  delivering,  as  not 
thinking  it  sufficiently  explicit.  But  should  suspicions  on 
any  other  point  in  the  parole  have  arisen,  I  have  only  to  beg 
that  your  Excellency  will  have  the  goodness  to  permit  me 
to  a  personal  interview,  which  will  either  afford  me  an  op- 
portunity of  exculpating  myself,  or  will  place  me  in  a  situa- 
tion to  suffer  that  treatment  which  must  follow  an  infraction 
of  parole. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most 
humble  servant,  DKUMMOND. 

P.  S.  I  enclose  my  letter  to  Colonel  Moylan,  which  I 
have  alluded  to,  together  with  the  log-book. 


COURT-MARTIAL  ON  COLONEL  ZEDTW1TZ. 

Proceedings  of  a  General  Court-Martial  of  the  Line,  held  at  Head-Quarters, 
in  the  city  of  NEW- YORK,  by  order  of  His  Excellency  GEORGE  WASHING- 
TON, Esq.,  General  and  Commander -in-Chief  of  the  Forces  of  the  UNITED 
STATES  OF  AMERICA,  for  the  trial  of  HERMAN  ZEDTWITZ,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  in  the  Jlrmy  of  said  States,  AUGUST  25,  1776. 

Brigadier-General  JAMES  WADSWORTH,  President. 

Colonel  John  Bailey,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Johonnot, 

Colonel  Smallwood,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ware, 

Colonel  Haslett,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bedford, 

Colonel  Carey,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Beldin, 

Colonel  Cook,  Major  Hayden, 

Lieut.  Col.  Sheppard,  Major  Sherman. 
Wm.  Tudor,  Judge-Advocate. 

The  Court  being  duly  sworn,  proceeded  to  the  trial  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Zedtwitz,  brought  prisoner  before  the 
Court,  and  accused  of  "  holding  a  treacherous  correspond- 
ence with,  and  giving  intelligence  to,  the  enemies  of  the 
United  States." 

The  prisoner  being  called  upon  to  plead  to  said  charge, 
moves  the  Court  that  he  may  be  allowed  time  till  to-morrow 
to  plead  and  prepare  for  his  defence.  The  Court  grant  the 
request  of  the  prisoner,  and  the  Court  adjourned  lo  Monday 
morning,  26th  of  August,  at  ten  o'clock. 

August  26th. — The  Court  met  according  to  adjournment, 
and  proceeded  to  the  trial  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Zedtwitz, 
adjourned  from  yesterday. 

The  prisoner  being  arraigned  on  the  aforementioned  com- 
plaint, pleads  not  guilty. 

The  Judge-Advocate  laid  before  the  Court  the  letter 
hereto  annexed;  which  being  shown  to  the  prisoner,  he 
concedes  to  be  his  handwriting;  which  letter  is  read  to  the 
Court,  as  follows: — (See  the  paper  marked  A.) 

Augustus  Stein  was  sworn,  and  deposes  as  follows : — 
(See  the  Deposition  marked  B.) 

The  evidence  being  gone  through  in  support  of  the  com- 
plaint, the  prisoner  is  called  upon  to  make  his  defence,  and 
produces  the  paper  marked  C,  which  is  read  to  the  Court. 

The  prisoner  produced  Brigadier  Lord  Stirling  as  a  witness, 
who,  being  sworn,  deposes: 

Lord  STIRLING.  In  the  spring  of  the  year,  when  the 
talk  was  of  the  Hessians  coming  out,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Zedtwitz  told  me  that  if  he  could  be  permitted  to  write  or 
communicate  with  them  by  the  authority  of  the  General  or 
the  Congress,  he  could  bring  over  a  number  of  them.  At 
my  request  he  wrote  a  letter  in  Hess,  which,  he  said,  was  on 
the  subject,  but  I  had  no  translation  of  it,  and  no  use  was  ever 
made  of  it.  About  a  fortnight  ago  he  said  to  me,  well,  they 
are  now  come,  my  Lord,  and  I  will  get  my  two  thousand 
pounds  which  the  English  Government  cheated  him  out  of; 
and  went  on  to  tell  me  how,  but  I  paid  but  little  attention 
to  the  story.  He  never  shew  me  any  letter,  nor  pointed 
out  any  method  he  intended  to  take  to  obtain  the  two  thou- 
sand pounds,  nor  have  I  ever  exchanged  a  word  with  him 
since. 


The  Court,  being  cleared,  are  of  opinion  that  the  prisoner 
is  guilty  of  concerting  a  plan,  and  attempting  to  treacherously 
correspond  with,  and  give  intelligence,  to  the  enemy;  and 
the  Court  sentence  and  adjudge  that  the  prisoner  be  cashiered 
and  rendered  incapable,  and  he  is  hereby  cashiered  and 
rendered  incapable  of  ever  holding  a  commission  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  American  States. 

JAMES  WADSWORTH,  Brig.  Gen.,  President. 

[A.] 
New-York,  August  the  24th,  1776. 

HONORABLE  SIR:  As  I  have  not  the  honor  to  be  aquainted 
with  his  Lordshipp,  the  Admiral  How,  I  Therefore  thake 
the  Liberty  to  bag  your  Eccillency  humly  to  Explain  the 
contents  of  this  broke  English  To  the  Admiral,  wich  I  be- 
lieve will  not  be  displeasing  to  his  Lordshipp?  By  giving 
you  this  inteligence  de  World  will  ardenly  Blame  my  carac- 
ter,  by  serving  in  an  Armee  and  giving  the  Enemy  Intelli- 
gence, but  I  apiel  to  your  Eccellency,  wich  knows  that  I 
was  Forced  to  accepd  or  to  be  a  Ruined  man,  with  my  wife 
and  Children,  bysids  this  I  baged  your  Eccellcy's  Councell 
&  promised  to  do  all  in  my  power  for  his  Majesty,  as  I  luked 
on  myself  as  a  forced  man  of  a  Rebellion  Mop  p. 

Since  1  Came  from  Canada  I  should  have  done  some  Ser- 
vice To  your  Armee,  but  one  Forbuch  and  The  Major  was 
tharken,  this  Spoiled  all  my  plans,  Forbusch  in  his  Trial  said 
that  your  Eccellency  ordered  him  to  tell  me  if  I  will  Eccu!e 
a  certain  Comission  my  fortune  shall  be  made,  the  Const 
asked  If  he  has  told  me  the  Same  he  said  no,  because  he 
was  afraid  I  was  to  goeal  a  week,  This  Vilain  had  not  the 
least  Reson  to  tell  any  thing  of,  because  nobody  thoth  of  it 
and  nobody  asked  him.  from  this  moment  I  was  Suspected ; 
They  lucked  Sharp  after  me,  but  3  days  Ego,  gen.  Washing- 
ton Send  for  me  &,  If  I  would  Translate  a  paper  of  great 
consequenc  in  god  Hy  german,  I  promised  to  do  it,  he  Dic- 
tated himselff  the  Contents  ar  as  follow. 

The  Continental  Congress  promises  Every  men  of  the  Hes- 
sien  Trops  wich  Comes  to  this  Armee  200  Akers  of  land  and 
a  Horse  &i  a  Kow,  and  if  he  has  no  mynd  to  Serve  he  Shall 
recieve  the  sam  and  go  to  thake  possession  of  these  planta- 
tions— only  they  must  leave  there  Fireloks  &.  Acoutremens 
wich  will  be  payd  For,bysieds  a  heapeof  Scourilious  Ecpres- 
sions  aiginst  the  Governement  and  the  King  &,  &.  This  paper 
was  send  to  Philadelphia  to  be  printed  both  in  Englisch  &, 
german,  and  distributed  in  your  Armee. 

The  20th  of  this  I  Found  4  Fellows  at  the  generals  House 
wich  proposed  to  Spoil  the  Watering  place,  they  brought 
along  14  Botles  of  Stof  as  Black  as  an  Ink  it  was  Tried  and 
Found  good  as  they.  The  gen:  promised  Every  one  £1000 
if  it  Stands  6  weeks,  pleas  to  keep  a  good  luk  out.  This  is 
at  present  all  I  am  abel  with  Truth  to  Write. 

The  Last  what  I  can  Tell  is:  I  found  a  gentelman  wich 
is  allways  near  the  general  and  has  the  opportunity  To  See 
all  the  general  Returns  of  the  Strenght  of  the  Armee,  where 

and  how  Strong  the  detachments  are  Comanded he  is  a 

friend  to  his  Majesty  but  an  Interested  one,  he  askd  £4000 
Sterling  in  hard  gold  for  delivering  the  Acurat  state  of  the 
Armee  as  above  mentj :  till  the  First  of  december  Every  week 
to  me,  the  money  must  be  paid  before  hand,  and  I  must 
Swear  an  oath  in  case  1  Should  be  thaken  and  Even  Ececu- 
ted,  never  to  mention  his  name :  I  Told  him  If  he  will  accepd 
of  half  The  sume,  1  will  propos  it,  but  I  myself  Can  do 
nothing  without  orders,  he  agreed  to  it.  I  bag  for  an  anwer 
in  this  case,  beare  of  this  1  humbly  bag  to  give  Something, 
he  is  poor  but  Truly  atasched  to  his  King,  has  served  9  years 
in  Royale  America,  and  Refused  a  Lieutenants  comission. 

Trugh  gen.  Hashing/on  Recomendation  I  Ecpect  every 
day  rny  Comission  as  full  Colonel  and  comander  of  the  3 
forts  on  the  Aort  River  65  miles  from  beer,  this  is  given 
to  me  for  a  havy  wound  I  Reiceved  a  the  Storm  of  quebec, 
wich  disables  me  from  doing  Field  Service. 

Your  Eccell :  most  obedient  &  humble  Servant, 

H.  ZEDTWITZ,  Lt:  Coll. 

[B.  ] 

Wednesday,  August  21sf. — Colonel  Zedtwitz  came  to 
the  house  of  Captain  Bauman,  and,  among  other  discourses, 
asked  me  whether  I  was  engaged  in  the  service.  1  answered 
him,  no.  Upon  which  he  observed,  then  I  could  go  whither 
I  pleased,  and  that  he  wanted  much  to  speak  to  me.  I 


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1161 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1162 


conjectured  he  had  some  writing  to  do  for  me  with  respect 
to  the  regiment. 

Thursday,  22</. — Said  Zedtwitz  called  again,  asking 
sundry  questions,  such  as,  whether  I  would  not  be  glad  to 
return  to  my  native  country,  and  what  a  person  should  com- 
mence to  enrich  himself.  I  told  him  I  could  not  tell :  that 
I  was  poor,  but  had  always  found  a  good  living  in  the  coun- 
try, or  words  to  that  purpose ;  on  which  he  went  out  of  the 
house  in  my  company.  Near  the  same  he  told  me  he  should 
have  liked  to  have  communicated  something  10  me,  had 
Captain  Bauman  not  been  in  the  way — asking,  on  my  cross- 
ing the  street  to  part  with  him,  whether  I  would  be  silent; 
and  answering  him  with  yes,  he  said,  for  the  rest  let  me 
alone,  I  shall  be  the  making  of  your  fortune.  I  answered, 
I  would  wait  on  him  at  his  house ;  but  received  for  answer, 
that  would  not  do;  and  we  parted. 

Friday,  23rf. — He  sent  a  man  for  me  to  wait  on  him  in 
the  camp ;  when,  after  entering  the  tent,  he  told  me  that  he 
must  divulge  what  he  had  to  say  shortly;  which  was,  that 
he  believed  we  were  all  lost.  I  answered  that  this  was  my 
opinion  also.  That  he  wanted  me  to  go  to  Long-Island  with 
a  letter  to  Governour  Tryon;  that  he  had  intelligence  from 
him  by  the  means  of  a  woman ;  that  he  would  strongly 
recommend  me  to  the  Governour,  and  that  I  should  receive 
part  of  the  reward  at  my  arrival,  and  whether  I  was  ready 
to  set  off  the  next  day.  I  answered  yes;  and  Saturday,  the 
24th,  he  accordingly  called  on  me,  but  having  no  opportu- 
nity, as  I  supposed,  to  deliver  his  letter,  Captain  Bauman 
being  present,  he  looked  at  me,  and  I  give  him  the  wink, 
that  I  would  see  him  in  the  camp,  which  I  did,  as  near  as 
I  can  guess,  about  one  o'clock,  when  he  delivered  me  the 
letter  directed  to  Governour  Tryon,  now  before  the  Court, 
and  desired  me  to  deliver  it  to  Governour  Tryon,  which  I 
promised  to  do. 

N.  B.  I  suspected  him  already  on  Thursday,  the  22d, 
which  caused  me  to  give  him  the  foregoing  answers,  in  order 
to  discover  his  plan.  AUGUSTUS  STEIN. 

The  Deponent  adds:  I  took  the  letter.  I  went  immedi- 
ately to  Captain  Bowman's  house,  and  broke  the  letter  open 
and  read  it.  Soon  after,  Captain  Bowman  came  in,  and  I 
told  him  I  had  something  to  communicate  to  the  General. 
We  sent  to  Captain  Hamilton,  and  he  went  to  the  General's, 
to  whom  the  letter  was  delivered. 

Question.  Is  the  letter  which  has  now  been  read  the  letter 
delivered  you  by  the  prisoner? 

Answer.  It  is  the  same. 

[C.] 

Self-defence  of  Lieutenant- Colonel  ZEDTWITZ. 
In  the  last  war  I  was  detached  from  the  King  of  Prussia's 
grand  Army  as  Captain  of  a  squadron  of  Light-Horse  to  join 
the  English  Cavalry.  The  Marquis  of  Granby  was  my 
commander.  In  a  short  time  he  was  so  pleased  with  my 
behaviour,  that  I  dined  every  day  at  table  with  him.  In 
five  months  I  received  orders  to  join  my  regiment.  When' I 
parted  with  my  Lord  Granby,  he  said  if  1  lived  longer  he 
would  promote  me  in  the  English  Army.  I  thanked  him, 
and  said  I  was  unfit  for  the  English  service  on  account  of  the 
tongue.  I  heard  nothing  more  of  him  till  when  the  disputes 
between  England  and  Spain  about  the  Falkland  Islands 
began.  He  wrote  me  a  letter  to  Germany,  contracting  to 
inlist  one  thousand  Riflemen,  fully  equipped  and  fit  for  ser- 
vice, for  which  he  would  pay  me  £24  sterling  per  man. 
He  gave  immediate  orders  to  inlist  twenty  of  them,  and  trans- 
port them  myself  to  England,  and  if  they  answered  the  end, 
1  should  be  full  Colonel  of  the  regiment,  and  my  advance 
money  should  be  paid  immediately,  and  the  rest  of  the  whole 
payment  should  be  paid  at  the  same  time  in  letters  of  credit 
in  Hanover.  I  marched  off  with  my  recruits  to  London. 
They  were  tried  and  approved  of.  I  delivered  the  Marquis 
my  accounts,  but,  to  rny  misfortune,  after  nine  or  ten  days  he 
died.  I  applied  to  his  father  the  Duke  of  Rutland.  He 
gave  me  an  indifferent  answer,  and  said  he  had  no  business 
with  his  son's  military  affairs.  I  went  to  General  Conway, 
who  served  with  me  in  Germany  as  Colonel  of  a  regiment 
of  Dragoons.  He  went  with  me  to  Lord  North  for  my  mo- 
ney, but  my  Lord  told  us  he  knew  well  that  1  advanced  this 
money,  and  as  soon  as  the  papers  were  found  I  should  be 
paid  ;  if  not  found,  I  must  wait  till  next  meeting  of  Parlia- 
ment. I  sent  my  men,  upon  my  own  expense,  home ;  because 


the  English  had  settled  the  difference  with  Spain.  I  then 
came  with  my  wife  and  family  to  America.  Lord  North 
gave  me  (perhaps  for  my  money)  two  good  letters  of  recom- 
mendation, one  to  Quebeck  to  General  Carleton,  the  other 
to  Governour  Tryon.  This  is  the  cruel  fate  to  be  ruined  by 
an  English  Government  for  having  done  it  all  the  service  in 
my  power. 

After  two  years  residing  here,  the  dispute  between  Eng- 
land and  America  began.  I  was  one  of  the  first  that  en- 
tered the  service  as  a  Major,  and  thought  to  study  how  to 
get  my  money  which  was  robbed  from  me,  and  pay  my  debts 
which  I  was  obliged  to  contract  in  this  service.  About  three 
weeks  ago  I  went  to  Lord  Stirling,  and  told  him  of  my  loss 
in  England,  and  told  him  further  that  I  had  formed  a  plan 
to  get  it  again  at  all  events.  His  Lordship  answered,  that  it 
would  be  a  difficult  matter.  After  this,  I  wrote  the  letter 
now  in  the  possession  of  the  Court,  and  stood  it  to  write  to 
Governour  Tryon  such  stories  as  he  might  believe,  without 
any  intention  on  my  part  of  performing. 

1st.  My  plan  and  meaning  when  I  wrote  about  "spoiling 
the  waters,"  was  a  mere  fallacy  to  deceive  them,  as  I  knew 
it  impossible,  as  the  waters  of  the  city  are  daily  guarded. 

2d.  What  I  wrote  about  Forbes,  my  intent  was  to  make 
the  Governour  believe  that  he  might  expect  great  service 
from  me. 

3d.  For  telling  the  Governour  about  sending  £2,000 
sterling,  my  meaning  was  to  take  that  money  for  myself  as 
my  property,  and  showing  the  answer  to  the  letter  to  your 
Excellency,  and  sending  a  receipt  back  again. 

4th.  I  said  in  my  letter  that  I  wrote  a  plan  to  draw  the 
Hessians  over  to  us.  I  never  would  have  done  it.  That  they 
(the  enemy)  must  have  been  long  since  informed  of  it,  and 
particularly  as  the  orders  have  been  given  in  publick  to  me, 
which  was  in  a  very  short  time  all  over  the  city. 

5th.  For  writing  the  Governour  that  I  expected  to  be 
commander  of  the  forts  up  the  North  River  was  done  on 
purpose,  because,  had  the  Governour  dined  with  me,  instead 
of  delivering  him  the  forts,  should  have  informed  your  Ex- 
cellency, and  confined  the  Governour. 

H.  ZEDTWITZ,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 


MAJOR  HENLEY  TO  GENERAL,  HEATH. 

New-York,  August  26,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  It  would  afford  me  the  highest  pleasure  could 
I,  consistent  with  my  own  reason  for  my  country's  service, 
conform  to  your  letter  Major  Keith  has  just  delivered  me. 
But  (as  Colonel  Knox  is  pleased  to  do  me  the  honour  to  say 
that  he  cannot  nor  will  not  be  answerable  for  the  conduct 
of  his  regiment  in  case  I  leave  him  before  the  action — 
that  I  should  be  ungenerous  to  him  and  unjust  to  myself,) 
I  am  sorry  cases  are  so  circumstanced  as  occasions  me  to 
beg  you'll  be  pleased  to  appoint  some  person  to  take  my 
place ;  at  the  same  time  do  assure  you  I  shall  ever  think  my- 
self under  the  greatest  obligations  to  you ;  and  am,  with  all 
respect,  your  most  obliged,  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  HENLY. 
To  Major-General  Heath,  King's  Bridge. 

P.  S.  I  cannot  seal  this  without  praying  you'll  put  the 
most  favourable  constructions  on  my  conduct.  My  situation 
is  exceedingly  delicate. 

Yours,  as  above,  THOMAS  HENLF. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  26, 

1776. 

Skirmishing  continues,  but  little  execution  done  on  either 
side.  A  Lieutenant  and  four  of  our  men  were  taken  pri- 
soners, being  deceived  by  the  enemy's  rifle-shirts,  and  mis- 
taking them  for  our  men. 

On  Saturday  a  letter  was  discovered  which  was  written 
by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Zedtwitz  to  Tryon.  He  says,  that 
having  consulted  him,  he  had  accepted  a  commission  through 
necessity,  and  now  commands  part  of  the  Rebel  mob;  that 
the  discovery  of  Forbes  and  the  Mayor  had  like  to  have 
ruined  his  scheme ;  that  he  had  been  at  General  Washing- 
ton's, who  wanted  him  to  transcribe  an  advertisement,  to  be 
distributed  among  the  Hessians,  the  purport  of  which  was, 
that  he  would  give  each  deserter  among  them,  if  they  would 
join  our  Army,  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  a  horse  and  a  cow, 
and  the  land  only  if  they  did  not  join  our  Army;  that  a  per- 


1163 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1164 


son  at  Head-Quarters  could  be  prevailed  on  to  give  a  weekly 
return  of  the  number  and  state  of  our  Army  for  £4,000  in 
hard  money,  and  he  was  not  to  be  discovered  even  if  Zedt- 
witz  lost  his  life  in  the  scheme;  that  he  said  he  did  not 
think  £4,000  would  be  given,  but  he  would  promise  him 
£2,000;  that  he  (Zedtwitz)  was  now  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
but  daily  expected  a  full  commission,  when  he  was  to  go  and 
have  the  command  of  the  forts  up  the  North  River,  &LC. 
He  was  tried  this  morning,  and  confessed  the  writing;  said 
he  did  it  to  deceive  Tryon,  and  get  some  money  which  was 
due  to  him  from  the  Crown  for  services  performed  in  Ger- 
many. Sentence  is  not  pronounced. 

Our  people  at  Elizabeth-Town  and  the  enemy  on  Staten- 
Island  cannonaded  each  other  yesterday  afternoon,  without 
doing  any  damage  except  disturbing  the  congregation. 

New-York,  Monday,  August  26,  1776. 

Tuesday  last  two  of  our  privateers,  commanded  by  the 
Captains  Rogers  and  Pond,  fell  in  with  three  vessels  from 
Halifax,  and  took  them ;  the  first  and  second  loaded  with 
hay  and  wood,  a  third  loaded  with  Sutler's  stores  for  the 
Army  at  Staten-Island.  They  also  took  a  fourth  prize, 
loaded  with  oil,  bound  for  Halifax;  that  are  all  carried 
safe  into  port. 

Wednesday  evening  last  we  had  here  as  violent  a  thunder 
gust  as  has  been  remembered  by  the  oldest  man  now  living 
amongst  us.  The  lightning  struck  a  markee  in  General 
McDougall's  camp,  near  the  Bull's  Head  in  the  Bowery, 
and  instantly  killed  Captain  Van  Wyck  and  his  two  Lieu- 
tenants, Vtrstre.au  and  Depyster.  A  soldier  named  Ephraim 
Bartlet  was  also  killed  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Joseph  HalJet, 
in  Hanover  Square,  and  several  others  much  hurt.  We 
also  hear  four  men  were  killed  on  Long-Island,  and  some 
houses  and  barns  burnt  near  Tappan. 

Tuesday  last  a  number  of  ships,  with  troops  on  board, 
sailed  from  Staten-Island  out  of  the  Narrows;  next  day  they 
were  followed  by  many  more,  and  about  ten  o'clock  Thurs- 
day morning  about  ten  thousand  men  landed  between  New- 
Utrecht  and  Gravesend,  on  Long-Island.  Friday  a  party 
of  them  came  and  took  possession  of  Flatbush,  which  im- 
mediately brought  on  a  very  heavy  fire  from  our  troops,  who 
are  advantageously  posted  in  the  woods  and  on  every  emi- 
nence round  that  place. 

An  advanced  party  of  the  Regulars  are  encamped  a  little 
to  the  northwest  of  Flatbush  Church,  and  have  a  battery 
somewhat  to  the  westward  of  Mr.  Jeremiah  Vanderbilt's, 
from  whence  they  continue  to  fire  briskly  on  our  people, 
who  often  approach  and  discharge  their  rifles  within  two 
hundred  yards  of  their  works.  We  have  had  only  four  men 
wounded  since  the  enemy  landed;  but  we  are  certain  many 
of  them  fell;  one,  a  Hessian,  was  killed  last  Friday — seve- 
ral dollars  were  found  in  his  pocket,  and  he  had  an  excellent 
rifle;  and  many  of  the  Regulars  are  in  rifle  dresses. 


PETITION   OF  GEORGE   HARRIS. 

To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  the  State  of  NEW-YORK, 
now  sitting  at  HAERLEM,  in  the  County  of  NEW- YORK: 
The  Petition  of  GEORGE  HARRIS  most  humbly  shoiveth: 
That  your  petitioner  has  lived  in  Rye,  in  the  County  of 
Westchcster,  these  fourteen  years  last  past,  in  the  capacity 
of  a  school  master,  during  which  term  in  that  toilsome  occu- 
pation he  acquired  a  small  estate,  between  five  and  six  hun- 
dred pounds  in  value,  and  that  with  the  approbation  of  his 
employers,  till  the  unhappy  dispute  commenced  between 
the  Colonies  and  Great  Britain.  The  cause  of  the  former 
being  warmly  espoused  by  him,  and  arguments  in  support 
of  the  liberties  of  America  strenuously  maintained  against 
his  neighbours,  in  hopes  that  their  minds  would  be  turned  so 
as  to  set  a  true  estimate  on  the  great  and  valuable  blessings 
of  freedom  they  enjoyed  in  this  once  most  happy  and  gene- 
rous land,  that  was  the  receptacle  of  the  industrious  poor 
emigrating  from  subjugated  countries  where  slavery  and 
poverty  was  entailed  on  them  and  their  posterity — the 
people  of  Rye,  being  wholly  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the 
Crown,  shut  their  eyes  and  ears  against  reason  and  know- 
ledge, and  every  day  grew  more  and  more  disgusted  with 
your  petitioner  on  account  of  his  political  principles,  till  at 
last  a  scheme  was  set  afoot  to  effect  his  ruin,  which  was 
thus:  On  the  27th  day  of  July  last  past  your  petitioner  was, 
in  the  night,  robbed  of  a  silver  watch  and  four  dollars  in 


cash  by  a  person  whom  he  thinks  and  takes  to  be  Izariah 
Wetmore,  of  Rye,  whose  father  was  competitor  with  your 
petitioner  for  the  school,  and  did  what  he  could  to  injure  him 
in  his  business.  The  next  day  a  certain  Mrs.  Budd,  who 
keeps  a  disorderly  and  base  tavern  in  Rye,  whose  husband 
is  a  man  of  ill  fame  and  now  in  arms  against  his  country 
with  the  British  forces  near  New-York,  entered  a  complaint 
against  your  petitioner,  saying  that  she  found  his  watch  near 
her  bed,  or  in  her  house,  and  that  he  opened  her  window  to 
disturb  her;  upon  which  your  petitioner  was  committed  to 
jail  without  being  examined  by  any  magistrate;  upon  which 
the  people  of  Rye,  or  some  of  them  who  favoured  the  school- 
master, (Wetmore,)  broke  open  the  school-house  that  I  occu- 
pied so  many  years,  in  which  at  that  time  was  upwards  of 
one  hundred  and  forty-four  pounds  in  cash,  of  which  they 
have  robbed  your  petitioner  to  the  amount  of  more  than 
twenty-six  pounds,  which  he  can  get  no  account  of.  After 
a  confinement  of  almost  three  weeks,  your  petitioner  was 
enlarged,  upon  his  verbal  promise  of  giving  security  to  appear 
when  called  upon.  Two  days  after  your  petitioner  was  let 
out  of  jail,  he  deposited  into  the  hands  of  John  Thomas,  Esq., 
bonds,  exceeding  the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds,  to  appear 
as  above.  Now  he  is  out  of  business,  and  the  fruits  of  his 
long  and  steady  labour  wasting  amazingly,  as  it  hath  been 
this  month  past,  his  school  taken  away,  and  the  school-house 
denied  him  by  James  Wetmore,  the  brother  of  that  arch-Tory 
or  enemy  to  his  country,  Timothy  Wetmore,  who  has  and 
does  yet  keep  up  the  spirit  of  toryism  in  Rye,  he  being  their 
grand  Moloch  whom  they  adore  and  worship,  and,  indeed, 
who  justly  has  deserved  to  have  been  removed  before  now  to 
some  distant  place,  where  his  influence  would  not  reach  or 
be  able  to  debase  the  people  with  his  pernicious  doctrines 
which  he  is  so  fond  of  inculcating  daily,  though  he  now 
might  spare  himself  the  trouble  of  further  preaching,  as  he 
has  so  well  grounded  the  whole  neighbourhood  in  princi- 
ples most  inimical  to  American  freedom  and  liberty.  Your 
petitioner  having  given  a  true  and  faithful  narrative  of  his 
grievous  and  unfortunate  case,  and  he  being  very  near-sight- 
ed, and  now  in  years  advanced,  having  for  a  series  of  years 
served  to  the  utmost  of  his  power  that  base  people  of  Rye, 
who  after  his  services  seek  his  ruin  unmerited,  prays  you,  in 
your  wisdom,  tenderness,  and  compassion,  to  take  his  deplo- 
rable case  into  your  consideration,  and  grant  him  relief,  as 
his  destruction  is  sought  by  persons  that  are  as  great  enemies 
to  the  State  of  New-  York  as  the  forces  under  the  command 
of  Lord  Howe,  and  as  he  alone  is  the  person  who  is  a  real 
friend  to  America  in  the  foolish  and  simple  town  of  Rye. 
The  relief  your  petitioner  prays  is,  that  your  Honours  will 
grant  him  a  line  to  John  Thomas,  Esq.,  ordering  that  his 
bonds  and  watch  may  be  delivered  to  him,  which  would 
enable  him  to  prosecute  those  that  have  robbed  him  and 
recover  his  money.  Should  your  Honours  think  proper  at 
any  time  to  call  upon  your  petitioner  to  answer  the  charge 
of  that  vile  woman  Mrs.  Budd,  (whose  house  is  only  fre- 
quented by  persons  that  discourse  about  the  hanging  the 
leading  gentlemen  that  stand  gloriously  for  their  country, 
and  the  straggling  or  strolling  persons  that  fall  in  her  way, 
who  can  be  entertained  till  debauched  to  the  last  degree,) 
he  will  directly  obey  and  attend,  as  well  as  he  did  perform 
his  promise  to  Mr.  Thomas  two  days  after  being  out  of  pri- 
son, when  he  might  go  away  with  his  substance  where  he 
pleased ;  but  his  character  being  so  well  established  for  pro- 
bity, and  his  innocence  such  that  he  could  not  harbour  the 
most  distant  thought  of  running  away,  which,  were  he  to  do, 
his  enemies  would  be  the  most  rejoiced.  The  said  Timothy 
Wetmore  purposes  to  prosecute  your  petitioner  as  soon  as 
the  clay  is  carried  by  Great  Britain,  which  he  thinks  is  now 
at  the  eve,  for  being,  as  he  supposes,  the  author  of  a  letter 
written  against  him  and  his  principles,  and  publickly'read  at 
the  White  Plains  last  spring  in  the  midst  of  a  concourse  of 
people.  These  are  the  causes  of  malice  and  rancour  against 
your  petitioner,  who  hopes  to  be  relieved  by  your  honourable 
House;  and,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  ever  pray,  &tc. 

GEORGE  HARRIS. 

Haerlem,  August  26,  1776. 

GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  August  26,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  am  honoured  with  your  Excellency's  favour 
of  the  21st  instant,  enclosing  Colonel  Stork's  letter  to  Gene- 
ral Gales. 


1165 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1166 


On  the  16th  instant  I  wrote  to  Congress,  desiring  that  the 
money  to  be  allowed  for  rations  in  this  department  might  be 
determined;  that  I  had  refused  to  do  it  until  ordered  by  your 
Excellency  or  by  Congress,  and  gave  my  reasons  for  it.  I 
have  not  yet  been  honoured  with  their  answer.  I  was  per- 
fectly right  in  my  conjecture  that  if  I  did  it  I  should  either 
incur  the  censure  of  Congress  or  the  blame  of  the  Army. 
The  latter  would  have  happened,  for  I  should  not  have  esti- 
mated a  ration  so  high  as  the  Field-Officers  and  the  Com- 
missary have  done,  conceiving  that  it  may  be  furnished  at  a 
rate  considerably  less. 

The  sail-cloth  and  part  of  the  cordage  from  Connecticut 
passed  this  yesterday,  on  its  way  to  Tyconderoga.  Colonel 
Nicolson's  and  Colonel  Elmore's  regiments  (copies  of  whose 
returns  I  enclose)  are  to  march  to-day  into  Tryon  County. 

As  by  our  latest  accounts  the  enemy  are  not  constructing 
any  vessels  of  force  at  St.  John's,  I  begin  to  apprehend  that 
they  build  batteaus  merely  to  amuse  us,  as  they  can  easily 
convey  them  into  the  St.  Lawrence  to  transport  troops,  &.C., 
to  the  westward,  and  that  they  will  attempt,  as  the  Indians 
suggest,  to  penetrate  by  the  way  of  Oswego.  I  have  order- 
ed scouts  to  be  kept  out  continually  towards  that  place,  and 
also  towards  Oswegatchie,  and  have  desired  General  Gates 
to  send  others  to  that  part  of  the  St.  Lawrence  above  Mon- 
treal, that  we  may  have  the  earliest  intelligence  if  any  troops 
should  be  filing  off  to  the  westward. 

We  are  greatly  distressed  for  musket  ball  and  cartridge 
paper,  that  lately  come  up  being  all  for  cannon  cartridges. 
Please  to  order  up  what  can  be  spared  from  your  quarter, 
as  also  forty  horn-lanterns,  and  what  bullet-moulds  can  be 
procured. 

Enclose  your  Excellency  copy  of  a  return  of  our  Naval 
force,  which,  since  the  date  of  that  return,  is,  I  believe,  aug- 
mented with  three  stout  galleys,  of  seventy-three  feet  keel, 
and  one  or  more  gondolas.  . 

General  Gates  has  promised  me  a  return  of  the  Army, 
and  in  the  mean  time  has  sent  me  the  Commissary's  return 
of  issues,  copy  of  which  I  enclose.  General  Gates  advises 
me,  that  since  the  13th  about  three  hundred  Massachusetts 
Militia  have  joined,  and  that  there  are  between  twelve  and 
fifteen  hundred  Connecticut  Militia  at  Skenesborough,  and 
the  Sixth  Battalion  of  Penmyloanians  at  Crown-Point;  and 
that  those  are  not  included  in  the  return. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  every  respectful  sentiment,  your  Ex- 
cellency's most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  SCHCYLER. 

Tyonderoga,  August  26,  1776. 

DKAR  GENERAL:  Enclosed  you  will  find  some  letters  that 
were  brought  to  me  yesterday  by  three  inhabitants  from  Mr. 
GUUland's,  thirty-four  miles  north  from  Crown-Point,  upon 
the  west  side  of  the  Lake.  An  inhabitant,  with  his  family, 
who  were  taken  (rom  their  plantation  by  the  Indians  about 
;i  month  ago,  and  carried  to  St.  John's,  was  released  from 
thence  by  order  of  General  Carleton,  and  had  a  canoe  given 
him  to  return  home,  and  the  «ithin  letters  put  into  his  hands; 
he  delivered  them  to  the  men  who  brought  them  to  me,  as 
they  were  going  into  New-England  to  fetch  their  families, 
and  he  wanted  to  go  home  with  his,  to  look  after  his  cattle 
and  plantation.  He  told  Gilliland  that  he  had  it  in  com- 
mand from  General  Burgoyne  to  assure  the  inhabitants  upon 
both  sides  of  the  Lake  that  they  should  not  for  the  future  be 
molested  ;  that  they  might  all  continue  to  live  peaceably  upon 
their  farms,  and  recommended  it  to  all  those  who  had  fled 
to  return. 

The  enclosed  letters  are  all  (General  Thompson's  ex- 
cepted)  wrote  in  so  extraordinary  a  style  and  manner,  that 
I  think  the  authors  must  be  either  suborned  by  the  enemy, 
or  the  letters  themselves  a  forgery;  for  I  can  no  other  way 
account  for  officers  writing  such  letters.  They  ought  to  be 
sent  without  delay  to  Congress,  which  no  doubt  you  will 
immediately  do.  When  I  inquired  of  the  messengers  what  the 
inhabitant  who  brought  the  letters  to  Gi/liland's  said  of  the 
strength  and  proceedings  of  the  enemy,  they  informed  me  he 
had  told  them  that  the  enemy  were  straining  every  nerve  to 
come  and  attack  us;  that  they  had  large  boats,  or  gondolas, 
which  carried  each  a  brass  twenty-four-pounder,  and  that 
they  made  no  doubt  of  being  an  overmatch  for  us  upon  the 


Lake.  The  messengers  were  to  all  appearances  very  undis- 
cerning,  ignorant  men,  and  could  give  me  no  further  intelli- 
gence worth  communicating.  They  seemed  happy  at  being 
assured  the  inhabitants  were  not  to  be  molested,  and  anxious 
to  set  off  to  fetch  their  wives  and  family,  and  to  replace  them 
upon  their  farms.  They  say  it  will  be  more  than  a  fort- 
night before  they  can  get  back  here  in  their  way  home.  By 
that  time  I  may  know  the  determination  of  Congress  about 
them. 

I  am  astonished  at  not  receiving  the  musket-cartridge 
paper,  which  I  wrote  for  so  repeatedly  and  so  long  ago.  I 
desire  you  will  spare  neither  pains  nor  cost  to  send  it  here. 
Grindstones  are  also  excessively  in  request;  we  have  not 
one  left  fit  to  grind  an  axe.  One  hundred  reams  of  musket 
cartridge  paper  is  as  little  as  should  be  sent  immediately. 
By  a  letter  this  moment  received  from  General  Waterbury, 
I  am  informed  that  the  ship-carpenters  fall  sick  so  fast  at 
Skenesborough  that  the  vessels  are  much  retarded.  I  shall 
pick  up  all  I  can  from  the  troops  here,  and  send  them  with- 
out delay  to  Skenesborough.  The  day  before  yesterday  I 
despatched  twelve.  General  Arnold  sailed  with  ten  of  the 
fleet  yesterday  morning  from  Crown-Point.  A  sloop  and  a 
gondola  will  follow  from  hence  to-morrow.  In  my  last  I 
enclosed  you  a  victualling  return  and  the  Commissary's 
return  of  provisions  at  this  post;  those  from  Lake  George 
and  Skenesborough  should  be  every  week  sent  you  from 
those  posts.  I  cannot  think  there  will  be  any  attack  made 
upon  the  side  of  the  Mohawk  River,  as  your  Indian  intelli- 
gence declares.  Depend  upon  it,  the  blow,  when  it  falls, 
will  fall  here.  Very  few  of  the  Militia  have  arrived  here 
since  my  last.  I  understand  two  of  the  Continental  regi- 
ments from  Boston  are  between  Number  Four  and  Skenes- 
borough. Two  of  the  Connecticut  regiments  of  Militia  are 
got  to  that  post,  and  the  last  two  regiments  of  Massachusetts 
Militia  are,  I  am  told,  upon  their  march  up.  A  very  cor- 
rect general  return  is  preparing,  but  cannot  be  finished  to  go 
by  this  conveyance.  I  am  just  now  told  that  the  two  Con- 
tinental regiments  are  stopped  by  your  order  on  their  march 
from  Number  Four  hither.  As  I  am  assured  by  the  autho- 
rity of  the  Massachusetts  Government  that  they  were  per- 
fectly cleansed  at  Boston  from  all  infection,  after  inoculation, 
I  have  ordered  them  to  march  here  without  delay;  for  not- 
withstanding the  number  victualled,  we  want  men.  More 
than  one-half  that  eat  do  not  act.  The  sick,  the  lame,  and 
lazy,  you  well  know,  make  an  unreasonable  proportion  in 
our  Army. 

August  21th. — The  excessive  bad  weather  yesterday 
obliged  me  to  delay  this  despatch  until  this  morning,  which 
has  given  time  to  send  you  the  enclosed  general  return.  As 
I  have  not  frequently  a  convenient  opportunity  to  forward 
letters  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington  and  the  most 
honourable  the  Congress,  I  take  it  for  granted  you  imme- 
diately send  all  those  with  the  returns  I  send  you,  or  exact 
copies  thereof,  to  the  General,  who,  I  am  certain,  will  directly 
transmit  them  to  Mr.  Hancock. 

The  bearer  and  his  companion  are  sent  from  Dartmouth 
College  upon  business  that  materially  concerns  that  Semi- 
nary. You  will  give  them  your  attention,  and  such  answer 
to  their  requests  as  you  shall  think  for  the  publick  interest. 

I  am,  dear  General,  &c.,  HORATIQ 


Quebeck  Harbour,  August  5,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Through  the  great  humanity  of  his  Excel- 
lency General  Carleton,  all  the  prisoners  in  Canada  are 
allowed  to  return  to  the  Colonies  on  their  parole,  and  will 
embark  for  New- York  this  day  or  to-morrow.  If  you  can 
obtain  leave  of  the  commanding  officer,  I  would  be  glad  you 
would  meet  me  at  New-York,  with  my  papers,  that  I  may 
get  all  my  accounts  settled  on  my  arrival  there.  You'll 
please  to  take  the  first  opportunity  of  writing  to  Mr.  Biddle, 
and  inform  him  of  our  having  obtained  liberty  to  return  home ; 
and  request  him  to  acquaint  our  friends  at  Carlisle,  by 
express,  if  the  post  does  not  immediately  set  out  after  the 
receipt  of  your  letter.  If  you  cannot  be  permitted  to  go 
down  to  New-  York,  please  to  send  my  horses  by  some  careful 
person,  and  give  him  directions  to  take  Dr.  McKenzie's  horse 
from  Captain  Van  Burcn's.  The  Doctor  will  pay  the  keeping 
of  him  to  any  person  Van  Buren  sends  his  account  to,  at 
New-  York. 

The  gentlemen  with  me  are  all  well.     My  best  compli- 


1167 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  H76. 


1168 


ments  wait  on  my  friends  at  your  camp  ;  and  am,  dear  Major, 
your  affectionate,  humble  servant,  «TM  f 


Montreal  August  14th,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR.  I  am  permitted  by  his  Excellency  which  I 
did  not  expect  to  optain  to  inform  you  that  I  am  well  as 
are  the  other  hostages  that  are  with  me. 

I  am  much  surprised  to  hear  that  the  Congress  instead  of 
redeeming  us  according  to  the  cartail  have  not  only  refused 
to  do  it  but  have  demanded  Captain  Forstcr  to  be  delivered 
up  to  answer  his  conduct  in  what  they  are  pleased  to  term 
the  massacreeof  the  Ceadars.  I  would  fain  flatter  myself  that 
the  Congress  would  never  have  thought  of  such  unheard  of 
proceedings,  had  they  not  had  a  false  representation  of  the 
matter.  Do  not  think  I  am  under  any  constraint  when  I 
say  and  call  that  God  who  must  judge  of  the  truth  to  wit- 
ness that  not  a  man  living  could  have  used  more  humanity 
than  Capt.  Forster  did  after  the  surrender  of  the  party  I 
belonged  to,  and  whoever  says  to  the  contrary,  let  his  station 
in  life  be  what  it  will  he's  an  enemy  to  peace  and  a  fala- 
cious  disturber  of  mankind. 

What  reason  they  can  give  for  not  redeeming  us  I  can  not 
conceive  if  they  are  wrongly  informed  that  the  affair  of 
the  Ceadars  was  a  massacree  why  dont  they  rather  fulfill  the 
cartail  than  let  their  hostages  remain  in  the  hands  of  a  mer- 
ciless enemy  ;  or  do  they  regard  their  troops  only  while  the 
Heavens  make  them  victorious.  Were  we  in  the  hands  of  a 
rigorous  power  (as  they  would  intemate)  have  they  not 
every  colour  of  justice,  after  so  enormious  a  breach  of  faith 
loadened  with  chains,  to  cast  us  into  some  horred  place  and 
tell  us  to  languish  out  our  days  under  a  sentance  past  by  our 
own  people.  If  they  say  there  is  some  hidden  reason  in  the 
system  of  politics,  why  we  should  not  be  redeemed,  I 
answer  that  it  is  a  hidden  reason  far  beyond  the  reach  of 
policy  to  find  out.  For  could  they  suppose  it  policy  to 
distress  his  Majesty's  troops  by  retaining  such  a  number  of 
men,  from  them  it  would  not  only  be  the  breach  of  their 
faith  that  would  threaten  them  for  consider  the  number  of 
prisoners  already  in  the  hands  of  the  British  Army,  and  also 
consider  the  chance  of  war  that  may  yet  throw  greater 
numbers  into  their  hands;  and  will  people  rest  content 
when  they  find  their  own  rulers  willing  to  let  them  remain 
prisoners  in  the  hands  of  what  themselves  term  (tho' 
unjustly)  a  merciless  people?  or  will  they  not,  fired  with 
resentment  for  such  inhumane  treatment,  take  arms  to  sup- 
press the  power  that  regards  them  no  longer  than  while  their 
blood  is  spilling  in  their  service.  If  this  which  appears  too 
probable  should  happen,  consider  whether  those  persons 
will  not  be  followed  by  a  number  of  their  friends  which  must 
naturelly  make  a  great  devision  in  the  Colonies  then  take  a 
view  of  Great  Britain  and  her  allies  pouring  on  you  and 
let  the  most  sanguine  expecter  of  America  then  judge  how 
long  the  Colonies  then  divided  can  stand  the  fury  of  the 
combat.  I  know  your  influence  has  been  great  and  for  that 
reason  have  wrote  that  you  may  if  possiable  yet  prevent 
America  from  being  branded  with  the  name  of  injustice. 

If  you  suspect  I  write  this  for  the  sake  of  getting  my  own 
liberty  your  suspicion  wrongs  me  'tis  not  my  own  confine- 
ment but  the  breach  of  a  treaty  (which  even  Savages  have 
ever  held  sacred)  that  causes  me  to  write. 

You'll  be  so  kind  as  to  convey  the  enclosed  to  my  wife 
and  if  ever  I  had  so  much  of  your  love  as  to  demand  any 
favor  of  you  let  this  be  the  time  that  I  may  implore  your 
assistance  for  my  distressed  wife  &t  helpless  orphan's,  may 
God  grant  that  I  may  once  more  see  them,  till  when,  I  am 

your  affectionate  brother,  »-,          c 

}  EBEN.  SULLIVAN. 

The  Hon.  General  John  Sullivan  at  Dover,  Colony  of  ^lew- 
Hampshire,  near  Portsmouth. 

Montreal  August  14th,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR,  I  am  permitted  by  General  Burgoine  once 
more  to  writ,  &.  I  embrace  it  with  a  worde  or  two  to  a 
friend,  not  to  me  only,  but  to  ye  whole  world  of  mankind, 
and  as  such  and  as  a  brother  let  me  writ,  we  y'  are 
hostages  here  for  ye  fulfilling  of  a  cartail  made  ye  28th  of 
May  between  Captain  Foster  &,  Genii  Arnold,  have 
heard  y'  ye  Congress  are  determind  in  no  wise  to  fulfill  ; 
ye  reasons  they  have  for  not  doing  it;  is  known  perhaps 
to  none  but  God.  and  themselves,  Perhaps  they  say  Cap- 
tain Foster  has  broak  it  on  his  side,  as  I  have  heard  our 


people  were  fired  upon  by  ye  Savages,  &  y'  those  people 
were  plundered  y'  surrendered  (by  ye  Savages)  contrary 
to  ye  capitulation  made  by  Capt.  Foster  &,  Major  Butter- 
field;  allowing  it  to  be;  was  it  in  Capt.  Foster's  power 
with  about  20  men  of  his  own  to  stop  or  in  ye  least  to  hinder 
ye  outrages  of  above  three  hundred  Savages;  No!  neither 
do  I  conceive  with  what  propriety  that  they  have  made  a 
demand  of  Capt.  Foster  Si  his  comny,  They  may  as  well 
demand  ye  sun  from  ye  firmament;  it  is  not  my  friend  and 
brother  because  I  am  here  a  prisoner,  &  am  keapt  from 
my  family  &.  friends  y'  I  write  thus;  no  such  thing,  1  am 
with  a  humain,  kind  benevolent  people.  But  where  oh, 
where  is  ye  justness  of  the  case,  as  I  said  before,  unless 
they  have  some  reasons  in  the  cystem  of  pollicy  unknown 
to  all  worlds  except  God  &t  themselves;  none  knows  ye  for- 
tune of  war;  We  have  now  a  large  number  of  prisoners  in 
their  hands;  methinks  I  foresee  nothing  but  misery  &,  de- 
struction attending  such  a  people  who  pay  no  more  respect 
to  sacred  contracts;  in  yc  most  heathenest  parts  of  ye  globe 
have  they  not  been  most  punctually  fullfilled;  &,  shall  we 
who  call  ourselves  Christians  be  less  careful ;  forbid  it  Hea- 
ven ;  your  influence  over  the  people  at  Concord  as  well  as 
elswhere  I  know  is  great,  I  therefore  as  a  prisoner  earnestly 
desire  you  would  use  your  utmost  endeavours  towards  yc  ex- 
change of  prisoners;  if  the  Congress  exchanges  prisoners  it 
may  go  well;  if  not  it  may  prove  their  fatal  overthrow ;  who- 
ver  supposes  Capt.  Foster  to  be  blameworthy  &  not  to  have 
done  his  utmost  to  rescue  all  y'  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Savages;  their  suppossitions  are  groundless,  &,  he  blameless. 
For  1  know  not  how  soon  I  may  be  called  out  of  time  into 
eternity,  he  behaved  as  an  officer,  as  a  Christian.  I  must 
leave  you  dear  sir,  not  doubting  but  you  have  been  for  a 
long  time  in  ye  armes  of  his  love  before  whom  we  must  shortly 
app°ear,  &i  to  whom  I  earnestly  beg  your  prayers  for  me  &t  my 
dear  family,  y'  we  may  each  one  of  us  be  found  alt  his  coming 
not  haveing  on  our  own  but  his  righteousness.  I  am  your 
friend  &.  brother.  THEQ  BLISS 

To  the  Revd.  William  Emerson,  att  Concord,  near  Boston. 

P.  S.  Duty  &;  love  where  due.  All  communication  be- 
tween armes  this  way  is  stopt,  so  to  here  from  you  at  present, 
I  can't  expect.  Excuse  ye  freedom  of  this ;  a  gentleman 
from  Quebeck  tells  me  our  brother  &t  family  are  all  well  & 
have  had  the  small-pox.  rp  gLISS- 

Montreal  August  14th  1776. 
To  Col.  Israel  Morey,  at  Orford,  New-Hampshire,  in  the 

County  of  Grafton. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  leave  by  his  Exelency  to  right  to  my 
friends,  which  I  take  as  a  grate  favor,  to  inform  you  that  I 
am  at  present  well  and  have  ben  yused  so  ever  since  I  have 
ben  a  prisnor.  I  am  informd  that  the  Congrass  dus  Refuse 
to  Fulfil  the  Cartail  Made  Betwene  Capt.  Foster  and  Gen. 
Arnel,  which  I  was  left  as  one  of  hostedgges  of  that  preform- 
rnence,  are  sold  to  our  Enemies  and  Lie  intieley  to  thair 
marcy,  to  deel  with  me  so  and  the  orther  3  gentelmen  as 
thay  think  propper,  the  Congrass  make  a  handel,  1  hear, 
that  Capt.  Foster  aloude  the  Indein  to  masacree  after  thay 
had  taken  us ;  But  he  Did  Not,  he  saved  nombers  of  lives 
to  my  sartain  knowledge,  and  the  Indein  carred  of  13  men 
to  thare  homes.  Capt.  Foster  bought  ten  at  16  Dollars 
apece  not  long  sence.  I  cant  form  a  idee  which  shuld  the 
reson  the  Congrass  can  give,  why  thay  did  not  fulfil  the 
Cartail,  they  ca'nt  but  know  that  twas  a  seacred  thing  made 
by  one  of  thare  Genl.  Officers,  and  think  all  Nation  must 
condem  it,  for  in  old  times,  the  hethen  loock  on  Cartail  to  be 
biden.  The  Colonys  cant  expect  that  the  kings  troops  will 
lay  aney  constrant  on  the  Indein  aney  longer,  when  thay 
wont  fulful  sacret  contrats.  But  I  resine  not  without  resent- 
ment, to  my  hard  fate  as  Joseph  did  when  his  brotheren  sold 
him  into  Egypt.  When  I  shall  return  god  only  knows: 
remember  me  to  all  frends  fairwell. 

EBED  GREENE. 

N.  B.  My  complement  to  Mre.  Rogers  and  his  family, 
and  Majr  Child  and  family.  E.  G. 

PAKOLE  OF  AMERICAN  PRISONERS  TO  GENERAL  CARLETON. 

We,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  do  hereby  solemnly 
promise  and  engage  to  his  Excellency  General  Carleton  not 
to  say  or  to  do"  anything  against  his  Majesty's  person  and 


1169 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1170 


Government,  and  to  repair,  whenever  required  so  to  do, 
wherever  his  Excellency,  or  any  other  his  Majesty's  Com- 
mander-in-Chief  in  America,  shall  please  to  direct.  In  tes- 
timony whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  names,  at  Quebeck, 
this  9(h  day  of  August,  1776. 


Men's  I'iniif. 

Province. 

County. 

Town. 

Matthew  Butler  
Judiah  Marsh  
Asa  Ladd  
Samuel  Merry  

Mass.  Bay  .... 
do  
do  
do  

N.  Hampshire. 

Hampshire.  .  .  . 
do.  /.  .  .  . 
Essex  
Berkshire  
Portsmouth...  . 

Conway. 
New-Salem. 
Haverhill. 
Pittsfield. 
Dover. 
Westmoreland. 
New-Market. 
Tamworth. 
Hollis. 
Rochester. 
Kent. 
New-  Windsor. 
New-York  city. 
Springfield. 
Maidenhead. 
New-Barbadoes. 
New-German- 
town. 
Princeton. 
Pilesgrove. 
Milstone. 
Woodbury. 
Brunswick. 
Maidenhead. 
Salem. 
Greenwich. 
Philadelphia. 
Wilmington. 
Philadelphia. 
Londonderry. 
Peters. 
Philadelphia. 
Nottingham. 
Brandywine 
Hundred. 
Max  field. 
Philadelphia. 
Allen. 
Edgemont. 
Nordon. 
Goshen. 
Brandywine 
Hundred. 
Milltown. 
Monaghan. 
Philadelphia, 
do. 
Londonderry. 
Rockhill. 
Philadelphia. 
Frederick. 
New-Market, 
left  at  Uuebeck. 
Salem. 
Barnes. 
Naisborough. 
Norwich. 
Tower-Hill. 
Froome. 
Risely. 
Uptown. 
Drumore. 
Glasgow. 
Finger. 
Diepmond. 
Switzenburgh. 
Bordeaux. 
Copenhagen. 
Killan. 
Glentobury. 
Enniskillen. 
do. 
Billy. 
Moneymore. 
Lushen. 
Carrickkeel 
Billy. 
Durrow. 
Mullingar. 
Granard  . 
City  of  Dublin. 
Fermananagh. 
Raphoe. 
Glenarm. 
Kilwater. 
Gcalway. 
Benburb. 
Bellemena. 
City  of  Dublin. 
Youghal. 
Granard. 
Clady. 
Londonderry. 
Rathmelton. 
Tubaugh. 
Loughbrickland. 
Clanakilty. 
Killygordon. 
Ballimasa. 
Bullindary. 
Tammimore. 
P 

Daniel  Romack  

do  

do 

Rockingham  .  .  . 
Strafford 

Samuel  Lowell  
John  Bigford  
Daniel  Beeman  
Ezekiel  Johnston  ... 
David  Valleau  

do  
do  

Connecticut...  . 
New-  York  
do  
West  N.  Jersey 
do  

Hillsborough  .  . 
Strafford  
Litchfield  

New-  York 
Burlington 
Hunterdon 

Jacob  Bennet  
John  White  

do  

do 

Hunterdon  .  .  < 

William  King  
John  Lloyd  

.do  
do  
East  N.  Jersey 
West  N.  Jersey 
East  N.  Jersey 
West  N.  Jersey 
do  
......do  
Pennsylvania  .  . 
do  
do  
do  
.....  .do  
do 

Salem  

Thomas  Hamilton  .  . 

Hunterdon 
Salem  

Frederick  Bamston.  . 
Samuel  Burke  
William  Vaughan.  .  . 
Thomas  Howell 
Hugh  Thompson  ..  . 
Francis  Harbison  .  .  . 
Robert  Creghead.  .  .  . 
Benj.  Bartholomew.  . 

Philadelphia..  . 
New-Castle  
Philadelphia..  . 
Chester  

Cumberland  ..  . 
Philadelphia..  . 

John  Clendinin  

Benjamin  Flach  
Edward  Cottor  
Moses  McCurdy.  .  .  . 

do  

do  
do  
do 

New-Castle.,  j 

Bucks  
Philadelphia..  . 
Cumberland  ... 
Chester 

Jacob  Lambert  

do 

Peter  Huff  

do 

Philadelphia... 
Chester  

Abraham  Chapman.  . 
Samuel  Wood  
John  Johnston  

do  
do  
.....  .do.  ..... 

New-Castle.,  j 
....do  

George  Taylor  
John  Hoffenbergcr  .  . 
Thomas  Nilson  
George  Miller  
Samuel  Overhulsur  .  . 
Christopher  Whoe  .  . 

Ed  ward  Pritchard  .  .  . 
Bohan  Watts  

do  
.....  .do.  ..... 
do  
do  
do  
Maryland  

Philadelphia..  . 
....do  
Chester  

Philadelphia... 
.  ..  .do  
Frederick  

j 

William  Mason  

York  

Richard  Simpson.  .  .  . 
Joseph  Smith;  

Old  England., 
do 

Norfolk 

Solomon  Isaacs  
Robert  Quill  
William  Westwood  . 
John  Wilkes  

do  
do  
do  
....  do 

Somerset  
Bedfordshire..  . 
Gloucestershire 
Down  

William  Jordan  
James  Henderson  .  .  . 
Peter  Haus  

Ireland  

High  Germany 

John  Wickhanham.  . 

Michael  Williams..  . 

do 

Pierre  Millere  

Peter  F.  Freets  

Richard  Branin  

Linster,  Ireland 
Ulster  
do  
do  

Meed 

John  Davison  
John  Reily  
John  Fausst  

Monaghan  .... 
Fermanagh.  .  .  . 

do.  .  .  . 

William  Blear  
Adam  Martin  
Patrick  McGlaughlin 
Isaac  Martin  
Samuel  Hughes  

do  
do  
Connaught  .... 
Ulster  

Derry  
.  ...do  
Sligo  
Antrim  

John  Motong  
Thomas  Curren  
George  Hudson  

do  
do  
Dublin  

West  Meed  

Dublin 

Felix  McElhenan.... 
Lowry  Mealy  
Abraham  Boyd  
Robert  Agnew  
John  Connolly  
Robert  Lee  
Henry  Scott  

Ulster  
do  
do  
do  
Connaught  .... 
Ulster  
do  

Derry  
Donegal  
Antrim  
....do  

Antrim  

Hill,  KM 

Thomas  Pratt  

Munster  jCork  

John  Curren  

Robert  Hazlett  
Weal  Harlin  
Edward  Demy  
John  Hogseed  
James  Dixon  
Terrey  Dawson  
William  Docherty... 
Hugh  McClean  
Thomas  Johnston  .  .  . 
William  Macdonald. 

FIFTH  SERIES. 

Ulster  
do  
do  
do  
do  
Munster  
Ulster  
do  
do  
do  

-VOL.  I. 

Derry  
do  

.  .  ..do  
Down  
Cork  
Donegal  
.  .  .  .do  
Tyrone  
Derry  

.Men's  names. 

Province. 

County, 

Town. 

Thomas  Davis  

Ulster  

Down  
Waterford  

Bellymoney. 

Slieo.  .  . 

John  Cooe.  

Ulster  
do  

Down  j 

Farmanagh.  .  .  . 

Gmyboure;  left 
at  Q,uebeck. 

.  .  .  .do  

Thomas  Mitchell  

do  

Ken  tire,  Scotl'd 

Derry  

Hurry  free. 

Rickale 

William  Wilson  .... 

John  Armagh  

do  

James  Kennedy  •  •  •  • 

do  

do  

William  Campbell... 

do  
do  

Londonderry  .  . 

Mac  rath. 

Michael  McConnell,  . 

do  

Connau^ht 

Galway;  left  at 

Patt  Hays...,  

Munster..  

Cork  

Quebeck. 
Cork. 

Adan  Rex  

Mass.  Bay  

John  Penton  

George  Kilpatrick..  . 

Ulster  
Old  England..  . 

Down  
Essex  

Ballinahinch. 

Francis  Paine  
Samuel  Hubbard.  .  .  . 

Mass.  Bay  
do  

Worcester  

Worcester. 

do  

Benjamin  Wiggins  .  . 

do  

Worcester  

Samuel  Seaban  

Rhode-Island  .  . 

Bristol  

Bristol 

York  

New  Salem.  .  .  . 

Ritchfield. 

Jabez  Rogers  

East  Jersey.  .  .  . 

Morris  Town.  , 

Morris  Town. 

William  McQ,uown. 

Pennsylvania  .  . 

Hanover. 

West  Bradford 

Ephraim  Damely.  .  .  . 
Henry  Weaver  
Felix  Mellon  
William  Haleddy.... 

John  Dagley  

do  
do. 
Ulster  
do  

Philadelphia..  . 
York  
Tyrone  
Derry  

Waterford...  $ 

Upper  Marrain. 
Germany. 
Glaslough. 
McKaskie. 
Waterford;  left 

Sam  Finharty    

Kildare   

at  Quebeck. 

do  

Strad  bally 

Daniel  McCornall..  . 
Michael  AVhelon.  .  . 

Ulster  

Cavan  

Bailieborough. 

Hugh  Sweney  
William  Boyd  

Ulster  
do  

Derry  

Derry. 
Ballimenagh. 

Samuel  Heslet  

do  
Munster  

Derry  
Cork  

Derry. 
Cofk. 

Michael  Barker  

Ulster  

Monaghan.. 

Waterford,. 

Tidavenny. 
Talla°-h. 

Humph.  Richardson. 
Leonard  Metcalfe.... 
Alexander  Thomas.  . 

Connecticut.  .  .  . 
Old  England... 
Pennsylvania  .  . 

Wyndham  . 
Middlesex.. 
Cumberland.     . 

Coventry. 
Wapping. 
Carlisle. 

N.  B.  Five  of  the  foregoing  were  left  at  Quetecfc. 


REV.  MR.  OLCOTT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Charlestown,  No.  4,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  the  favour  of  yours  of  the  19th  instant, 
and  agreeable  to  your  Honour's  directions  immediately  notified 
the  Chairman  of  our  Committee  of  Safety,  who  immediately 
summonsed  the  Committee,  and  took  under  consideration  the 
conduct  of  Doctor  Stevens  in  inoculating  the  troops.  As  the 
Doctor's  conduct,  on  examination,  appeared  to  them  much 
less  aggravated  than  was  represented,  they  thought  it  suffi- 
cient for  the  present  absolutely  to  forbid  the  Doctor's  inocu- 
lating any  more,  either  the  marching  troops  or  others,  till 
further  orders,  and  to  take  all  possible  precautions  that  no 
infection  be  communicated  from  any  here  to  the  Army. 

Death  has  saved  Colonel  Fuller  the  trouble  of  a  Court- 
Martial,  and  another  of  his  company  is,  I  hear,  at  the  point 
of  death;  so  that  they  are  like  to  pay  dear  for  their  impru- 
dence and  breach  of  orders. 

Your  Honour's  zeal  and  activity  for  the  health  and  safety 
of  the  Army  is  highly  commendable,  and  very  pleasing  to  us 
all.  We  all  very  sincerely  and  ardently  wish  you  success, 
and,  particularly,  any  commands  which  shall  be  conducive 
to  the  publick  service  shall  be  readily  and  cheerfully  per- 
formed by  your  Honour's  unknown  friend  and  very  humble 

servant, 

riuLKLEY  OLCOTT. 

To  the  Hon.  Horatio  Gates. 


74 


SAMUEL  HUNT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Charlestown,  No.  4,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR  :  We  have  received  the  favour  of  your  Honour's 
request  of  the  19th  instant,  directed  to  the  Committee  of 
Safety  for  the  town  of  Charlestown,  and  communicated  to 
us  through  the  hands  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Olcott,  desiring  of 
us  to  examine  into  the  conduct  of  Doctor  Stevens,  in  inocu- 
lating the  troops  on  their  march  through  this  place  to  Ticon- 
As  we  may  presume  to  say  we  have  the  publick 


deroga. 


1171 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  inc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1172 


service  of  the  Army,  and  the  deliverance,  freedom,  and  safety 
of  our  country,  as  truly  at  heart  as  any  can  pretend  to,  so 
we  cannot  but  join  with  your  Honour  in  condemning  a  prac- 
tice that  must  have  the  most  pernicious  effects  in  regard  to 
the  health  and  success  of  the  Army;  and  had  your  Honour's 
information  respecting  Doctor  Stevcns's  conduct,  "that  he 
has  inoculated  the  Militia  as  fast  as  they  arrived  at  Number 
Four,"  been  founded  on  the  truth  of  fact,  we  truly  acknow- 
ledge it  would  justly  have  merited  the  high  resentment  your 
Honour  has  expressed. 

Pursuant  to  your  Honour's  request,  we  have  called  Doctor 
Stevens  before  us,  and  had  him  under  examination.  We 
are  sorry  to  observe  that  we  are  under  the  necessity  and  dis- 
advantage of  examining  the  Doctor  without  his  being  under 
the  solemnity  of  an  oath,  by  reason  that  no  qualified  Magis- 
trate could  be  obtained  to  administer  it;  yet  the  Doctor  has 
made  such  solemn  declarations  before  us,  which,  together  with 
collateral  evidence  from  other  quarters,  is  to  us  satisfactory  as 
to  the  true  state  of  the  matter  relative  to  his  conduct  in  inocu- 
lating. Indeed,  sir,  we  cannot  pretend,  after  due  examination, 
wholly  to  exculpate  the  Doctor;  all  that  we  think  necessary 
to  take  upon  us  at  present  is,  to  give  your  Honour  an  exact 
account  of  what  we  find  to  be  the  true  state  of  the  Doctor's 
conduct,  and  our  doings  relative  thereto,  and  then  your 
Honour  will  be  capable  of  judging  how  far  the  Doctor  is 
culpable,  and  whether  or  not  we  have  done  the  duty  that 
might  be  expected  of  us  in  the  case. 

When  Captain  Wetherbee  began  toinlist  his  company,  the 
small-pox  was  brief  in  the  Army  at  Crown-Point.  Some 
who  had  intended  to  inlist,  and  others  who  had  inlisted,  in 
the  whole  to  the  number  of  about  twenty-five,  applied  to 
Doctor  Stevens,  and  were  by  him  inoculated.  Three  or  four 
weeks  after  this.  Colonel  Wingate,  with  a  number  of  other 
officers  on  their  march  to  Ticonderoga,  applied  to  Doctor 
Stevens  to  be  inoculated,  and  were  by  him  refused,  and  on 
this  ground,  that  he  had  lately  understood  it  was  contrary  to 
general  orders  that  any  of  the  marching  troops  should  be 
inoculated.  A  short  time  after  this,  being  applied  to  by 
Colonel  Fuller  and  Doctor  Merriam,  partly  through  their 
importunity,  and  partly  through  their  signifying  that  they 
had  applied  to  a  General  Officer  for  liberty,  who  had  not 
forbidden  them,  Doctor  Stevens  was  prevailed  upon  to  inocu- 
late them  and  their  servants  and  Lieutenant  Mooney,  to  the 
number  of  five.  And  this  is  the  whole  number  of  the  march- 
ing troops  that  Doctor  Stevens  has  inoculated,  though  great 
numbers  have  applied  to  him  and  been  refused.  We  trust, 
your  Honour,  from  this  representation,  will  view  the  matter 
in  something  of  a  different  light  from  what  it  seems  your  in- 
formant has  exhibited. 

We  only  beg  leave  further  to  assure  your  Honour  that  we 
will  take  all  possible  care  that  no  other  of  the  troops  shall 
be  inoculated  here,  and  that  all,  whether  officers  or  others, 
now  under  inoculation  here,  shall  be  perfectly  cleansed  be- 
fore they  march  to  join  the  Army  at  Ticonderoga.  We 
conclude  by  assuring  your  Honour  that  we  shall  be  ever 
ready  to  serve  you  and  the  Army  in  this  or  any  other  busi- 
ness that  may  come  before  us. 

SAMUEL  HUNT,  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Charkstotm. 

To  the  Hon.  Horatio  Gates. 


DOCTOR  STEVENS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Charlestown,  No.  4,  August  26,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR:  I  was  on  the  23d  instant 
summoned  before  the  Committee  of  this  town,  in  consequence 
of  a  letter  addressed  by  your  Honour  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Olcott; 
which  letter,  together  with  the  copy  of  one  to  Major  Haw- 
ley,  enclosed  in  it,  were  read  to  me.  The  proceedings  of 
the  Committee,  and  an  account  of  my  conduct,  so  far  as  it 
respects  the  crime  whereof  I  have  been  accused,  will  be  by 
them  communicated.  I  should  not,  therefore,  at  this  time 
trouble  you  in  this  manner,  were  it  not  the  undoubted  right, 
and  I  think  I  may  add,  the  duty  of  every  individual,  when 
injured  in  his  character  or  property,  to  speak  in  his  own  de- 
fence, that  the  offending  party  may  be  brought  to  justice. 
You  are  pleased  to  say,  in  your  letter  to  Major  Hawley, 
that  "  a  villain  of  a  Surgeon  (or  what  is  commonly  called  a 
Doctor)  is  inoculating  the  Militia  as  fast  as  they  arrive  at 
Number  Four."  As  I  know  of  no  person  who  answers  your 
description,  I  must  think  you  have  been  grossly  deceived 


and  imposed  on  by  some  ill-minded  person,  from  sinister 
views.  You  are  pleased  to  add  further,  that  "were  he" 
(viz:  the  Surgeon)  "within  my  reach,  it  would  not  be  many 
minutes  before  he  should  feel  the  weight  of  my  resentment." 
I  can  therefore  make  no  doubt  but  some  part,  at  least, 
of  that  resentment  will  be  felt  by  the  person  who  hath  so 
greatly  discomposed  you  by  his  false  information.  I  think 
I  have  a  right  to  expect  (I  had  almost  said,  to  demand)  that 
the  informer  be  pointed  out  to  me,  that  I  may  know  where 
to  seek  a  reparation  of  the  injury  done  me,  which  can't 
be  considered  as  trifling,  since  it  has,  for  a  time  (at  least) 
brought  on  me  the  displeasure  of  a  person  of  your  rank.  I 
can  say,  with  truth,  that  the  bad  effects  of  the  small-pox  in 
the  Army  is  an  evil  which  I  feel  in  common  with  my  coun- 
trymen, and  no  one  has  better  wishes  for  the  prosperity  of 
your  Honour  and  the  Army  under  your  command  than 
your  Honour's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

PHINEAS  STEVENS. 
To  General  Gates. 


GOVERNOUR  COOKE  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Providence,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  favoured  with  yours  of  yesterday,  and  most 
sincerely  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  comply  with  your 
request.  Of  the  two  Continental  ships  built  here,  neither 
can  be  got  ready  in  anything  like  the  time  you  mention; 
one  of  them  having  such  damage  in  her  masts  as  hath  dis- 
abled them,  and  the  other  not  having  a  Captain  appointed  for 
her. 

The  Alfred  is  now  in  the  river,  but  not  a  quarter  part 
manned,  nor  hath  she  any  orders  for  sailing;  so  that  no 
assistance  can  be  depended  upon  from  this  quarter. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  .T 

JNicHS.  COOKE. 

To  the  Hon.  James  Bowdoin,  Esq. 


Hartford,  Monday,  August  26,  1776. 

Last  Saturday,  a  number  of  gentlemen  were  brought  to 
this  town  from  New-York,  where  they  were  lately  taken  up 
on  suspicion  of  entertaining  sentiments  unfriendly  to  the 
American  States.  We  hear  they  are  soon  to  set  out  for 
Norwich,  where  (for  the  present)  they  are  desired  to  re- 
main. 

Last  Monday,  David  Matthews,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  the  City 
of  New -York,  was  brought  to  this  town  from  Litchfield, 
and  on  Friday  returned,  having  obtained  liberty  to  remain 
there,  under  the  care  of  Captain  Moses  Seymour. 

Watertown,  August  26,  1776. 

The  Selectmen  of  Boston,  in  the  last  Thursday's  Paper, 
have  advertised  the  publick  "  that  only  seventy-eight  per- 
sons are  now  under  the  distemper  of  the  small-pox  in  that 
town ;"  so  that,  in  all  probability,  the  town  will  be  clear  of 
that  infection  in  the  course  of  a  fortnight,  or  three  weeks  at 
farthest. 

The  Hon.  Samuel  Adams,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Delegates  for 
this  State,  and  Colonel  William  Tudor,  set  off  from  Phila- 
delphia for  Boston  the  12th  instant. 

Last  week  arrived  at  Newbury  a  ship  of  about  three 
hundred  and  fifty  tons  burden,  taken  by  Captain  Newman. 
She  was  bound  from  Antigua  for  Liverpool.  Her  cargo 
consists  of  four  hundred  and  fifty  hogsheads  of  sugar,  fifty 
hogsheads  of  rum,  &ic. 

Last  Wednesday  arrived  at  Portsmouth  a  prize  ship  of 
about  two  hundred  tons  burden,  mounting  twenty  guns, 
twelve  of  which  were  wood;  she  was  bound  from  the  Bay 
of  Honduras  for  London,  laden  with  mahogany  and  log- 
wood, and  taken  by  the  Hancock  and  Franklin  privateers. 

By  the  Eastern  post,  we  are  informed  that  on  Monday 
last  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  New-Hampshire,  a  vessel  from 
Holland,  with  dry-goods,  drugs,  spices,  Sic. 

The  post  from  Number  Four  informs  us  of  a  gondola, 
with  about  twenty-five  men,  being  taken  by  the  enemy  in 
Lake  Champlain. 

Yesterday  morning  arrived  safe  in  Marblehead  a  prize 
ship  from  Jamaica,  laden  with  sugar,  cotton,  &tc.  She  was 
chased  in  by  the  Milford  frigate  and  another  cruiser,  so 
near,  that  one  of  their  forts  hulled  one  of  the  enemy's  ves- 
sels. We  have  not  heard  by  whom  she  was  taken. 


1173 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1174 


AMHERST  (MASSACHUSETTS)  COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Amherst,  Massachusetts-Bay, 

August  26,  1776. 

Whereas  Isaac  Chauncey,  of  said  Amherst,  convicted  of 
being  notoriously  inimical  to  the  American  States,  and  con- 
fined within  certain  limits,  hath,  in  defiance  of  authority, 
disregarded  the  injunctions  laid  on  him,  and  clandestinely 
departed  ('tis  supposed)  to  some  part  of  Connecticut,  on  no 
good  design: 

This  is  therefore  to  desire  the  good  people  of  that  State,  or 
of  other  States  where  he  may  be  found,  to  secure  him  in  such 
manner  that  he  may  not  have  it  in  his  power  to  Injure  America. 

Also,  whereas  Lieutenant  Robert  Boltwood,  of  said  Am- 
herst, convicted  and  confined  as  aforesaid,  having  obtained 
liberty  to  journey  to  New-Haven  on  account  of  his  health, 
hath  absented  himself  much  longer  than  was  expected: 

It  is  therefore  desired  that  he  may  be  carefully  inspected 
where  he  is,  or  be  sent  to  his  own  home. 

Per  order:  NATHANIEL  DICKINSON,  Jun. 


raised  in  this  Province,  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your 
notice  Major  DanielJ.  Adams,  who,  as  an  officer  under  me, 
has  always  discharged  his  duty  with  the  greatest  alacrity  and 
spirit,  both  in  and  out  of  action. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  respect,  your  most  obedient,  hum- 
ble servant,  REZIN  BEALL. 
To  the  Hon.  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  at  Annapolis. 


CAPTAIN  PERKINS  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
Kent  County,  Maryland,  August  27,  1776. 

SIR  :  Please  to  send  me  as  much  money  as  will  defray 
the  expenses  of  the  company  under  my  command  to  New- 
York.  The  bearer.  Mr.  Joseph  Earle,  will  receive  it  for 
me.  Your  compliance  will  oblige  yours,  &.C., 

ISAAC  PERKINS. 


J.  WENTWOHTH  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Portsmouth,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  the  pleasure  to  advise  the  arrival  at  this  port 
of  a  prize  ship,  named  the  Nelly  Frigate,  LyonelBradstreet, 
master,  from  the  Bay  of  Honduras,  for  London,  laden  with 
a  cargo  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  feet  mahogany 
logs,  and  forty  tons  chipped  and  unchipped  logwood,  sent  in 
by  the  Hancock,  Captain  Tucker,  and  the  Franklin,  Captain 
Skimmer,  in  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies;  the  vessel 
and  cargo  the  property  of  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain.  I 
have  libelled  her,  and  shall  pursue  to  trial,  &c. 

The  trial  on  the  recapture  of  the  brig  Elizabeth,  taken  by 
Commodore  Manley  and  others,  in  the  service  of  the  Conti- 
nent, and  bound  for  Halifax,  ended  the  22d  instant.  The 
Jury  acquitted  her  and  cargo,  which  appearing  so  directly 
contrary  to  the  resolves  of  Congress  and  the  law  of  this 
Colony,  that  I  conceived  it  my  duty  to  appeal,  in  justice  to 
the  Continent  and  captors;  which  I  hope  your  Excellency 
will  approbate.  Part  of  the  claimants  (notwithstanding  the 
verdict  is  in  their  favour)  are  desirous  of  compromising  with 
the  captors,  and  offer  them  their  full  quota  of  salvage,  which 
is  the  one-third  of  half  the  value  of  the  vessel  and  cargo,  we 
having  established  that  the  enemy  were  in  possession  more 
than  ninety-six  hours ;  but  the  flagrant  error  in  the  Jury  for- 
bid my  conceding  to  any  compromise  for  the  captors,  as  in 
that  case  I  must  have  surrendered  the  just  claim  of  the 
Continent.  Added  to  which,  there  was  taken  with  the  said 
brigantine  a  Mr.  Jackson,  a  Mr.  Keighley,  and  a  Mr.  Newton, 
passengers,  with  their  effects;  and  those  effects  are  intended, 
as  the  resolves  of  Congress  express,  to  supply  the  enemy, 
and  become  forfeited.  Yet  they  were  released  with  the  rest 
of  the  cargo.  Each  claim  is  separate.  Should  your  Excel- 
lency recommend  my  compromising  with  those  claimants, 
who  are  esteemed  friendly,  I  shall  comport  with  it;  but  as 
your  last  favour  desired  my  pursuing  the  line  of  duty  pointed 
out  by  the  laws  of  the  Continent,  I  shall  steadily  attend  to 
them,  unless  otherwise  directed.  From  a  principle  of  hu- 
manity I  could  wish  the  suffering  claimants  could  be  relieved; 
but  I  think  it  out  of  the  line  of  my  duty  to  help  them.  In 
a  few  days  I  shall  forward  the  appeal  to  the  Secretary  of 
Congress,  and  fully  advise  him  thereon;  and  should  he  think 
it  necessary,  shall  attend  the  trial  at  Philadelphia,  or  else- 
where that  may  be  appointed. 

The  Nelly  Frigate  is  a  ship  of  three  hundred  and  five  tons, 
mounts  two  three-pounders  and  four  two-pounders. 

This  Eastern  country  are  anxiously  concerned  for  your 
Excellency's  success  in  the  important  battle  expected  to 
have  taken  place  ere  this ;  which  God  grant  has  terminated 
in  favour  of  this  distressed  country. 

Remaining  with  due  respect  your  Excellency's  most  obe- 
dient and  very  humble  servant,  T  •,-,, 

JOSH.  WENTWOHTH. 

P.  S.  I  should  not  have  troubled  your  Excellency  with 
this  business,  could  I  divine  where  my  friend  Mr.  Moylan's 
residence  is;  until  which  your  Excellency  will  excuse  me. 


MOSES  CHAILLE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Worcester  County,  August  27,  J776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  enclosed  commission  the  honourable 
Convention  were  pleased  to  honour  me  with  in  January  last. 
I  have  since  that  time  altered  my  situation  in  life,  which 
makes  it  inconvenient  for  me  to  keep  the  same.  I  hope  the 
above  reason  will  be  satisfactory  for  my  resigning. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  obliged,  humble 
servant,  MOSES  CHAILLE. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 


E.  JOHNSON  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Observation,  August  27,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN:  We  have  received  your  letter  requesting 
our  furnishing  Captain  Brooke's  company  with  arms.  We 
are  to  inform  you  that,  agreeable  to  your  order  of  16th  July 
last,  we  have  purchased  a  few  arms,  which,  together  with 
those  taken  from  the  Non-Associators,  were  delivered  to 
such  of  the  Militia  as  went  to  St.  Mary's,  but  shall  now  be 
called  in,  and  we  will  procure  all  the  arms  we  can,  but  are 
in  doubt  it  will  not  be  in  our  power  to  get  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity for  Captain  Brooke's  company.  You'll  please  to  send 
some  cash  to  pay  for  them,  and  also  the  sum  of  £20  10*. 
current  money,  to  pay  the  constables  of  the  different  Hun- 
dreds for  their  collecting  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the 
County,  agreeable  to  your  order,  which  are  to  be  returned  on 
Monday  next,  and  shall  be  sent  to  you  per  next  post. 
Signed  per  order :  E.  JOHNSON,  Clerk. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  of  Safety. 


GENERAL  BEALL  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Annapolis,  August  27, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:    In  case  the  Independent  companies  are 
incorporated  into  a  battalion,  or  any  more  Regular  troops 


DELAWARE  CONVENTION. 

In  Convention  at  NEW-CASTLE,  for  the  DELAWARE  State, 
begun  the  27  *A  day  of  AUGUST,  1776,  and  continued  by 
adjournment  to  the  %lst  day  of  SEPTEMBER  following: 

The  Oath  and  Affirmation,  with  the  Declaration  taken, 
made  and  subscribed  by  the  Members  respectively: 

I, ,  will,  to  the  utmost  of  my  power, 

support  and  maintain  the  independence  of  this  State,  as 
declared  by  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congress ;  and 
I  will,  to  the  utmost  of  my  ability,  endeavour  to  form  such 
a  system  of  Government  for  the  people  of  this  State  as,  in 
my  opinion,  may  be  best  adapted  to  promote  their  happiness, 
and  secure  to  them  the  enjoyment  of  their  natural,  civil,  and 
religious  rights  and  privileges. 

I, ,  do  profess  faith  in  God  the  Father, 

and  in  Jesus  Christ  his  only  Son,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  one 
God  blessed  forevermore;  and  I  do  acknowledge  the  Holy 
Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  to  be  given  by 
Divine  inspiration. 

The  Constitution  or  system  of  Government  agreed  to  and 
resohed  upon  by  the  Representatives  in  full  Convention 
of  the  DELAWARE  State,  formerly  styled  the  Government 
of  the  Counties  of  NEW-CASTLE,  KENT,  and  SUSSEX, 
upon  DELAWARE,  the  said  Representatives  being  chosen  by 
the  Freemen  of  the  said  State  for  that  express  purpose. 

ARTICLE  1.  The  Government  of  the  Counties  of  New- 
Castle,  Kent,  and  Sussex,  upon  Delaware,  shall  hereafter,  in 
all  puhlick  and  other  writings,  be  called  The  Delaware 
State. 


1175 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1176 


•  2.  The  Legislature  shall  be  formed  of  two  distinct  branches; 
they  shall  meet  once  or  oftener  in  every  year,  and  shall  be 
called  The  General  Assembly  of  Delaware. 

3.  One  of  the  branches  of  the  Legislature  shall  be  called 
The  House  of  Assembly,  and  shall  consist  of  seven  Repre- 
sentatives to  be  chosen  for  each  County  annually,  of  such 
persons  as  are  freeholders  of  the  same. 

4.  The  other  branch  shall  be  called  The  Council,  and  con- 
sist of  nine  members,  three  to  be  chosen  for  each  County  at 
the  time  of  the  first  election  of  the  Assembly,  who  shall  be 
freeholders  of  the  County  for  which  they  are  chosen,  and  be 
upwards  of  twenty-five  years  of  age.     At  the  end  of  one 
year  after  the  general  election,  the  Counsellor  who  had  the 
smallest  number  of  votes  in  each  County  shall  be  displaced, 
and  the  vacancies  thereby  occasioned  supplied  by  the  free- 
men of  each  County  choosing  the  same  or  another  person  at 
a  new  election  in  manner  aforesaid.     At  the  end  of  two 
years  after  the  first  general  election,  the  Counsellor  who 
stood  second  in  number  of  votes  in  each  County  shall  be 
displaced,  and  the  vacancies  thereby  occasioned  supplied  by 
a  new  election  in  manner  aforesaid.    And  at  the  end  of  three 
years  from  the  first  general  election,  the  Counsellor  who  had 
the  greatest  number  of  votes  in  each  County  shall  be  dis- 
placed, and  the  vacancies  thereby  occasioned  supplied  by  a 
new  election  in  manner  aforesaid.     And  this  rotation  of  a 
Counsellor  being  displaced  at  the  end  of  three  years  in  each 
County,  and  his  office  supplied  by  a  new  choice,  shall  be 
continued  afterwards  in  due  order  annually  forever,  whereby, 
after  the  first  general  election,  a  Counsellor  will  remain  in 
trust  for  three  years  from  the  time  of  his  being  elected,  and 
a  Counsellor  will   be  displaced  and   the  same  or  another 
chosen  in  each  County  at  every  election. 

5.  The  right  of  suffrage  in  the  election  of  members  for 
both  Houses  shall  remain  as  exercised  by  law  at  present; 
and  each  House  shall  choose  its  own  Speaker,  appoint  its 
own  officers,  judge  of  the  qualifications  and  elections  of  its 
own  members,  settle  its  own  rule  of  proceedings,  and  direct 
writs  of  election  for  supplying  intermediate  vacancies.     They 
may  also  severally  expel  any  of  their  own   members  for 
misbehaviour,  but  not  a  second  time  in  the  same  Sessions  for 
the  same  offence,  if  reelected;  and  they  shall  have  all  other 
powers  necessary  for  the  Legislature  of  a  free  and  indepen- 
dent State. 

6.  All  money  bills  for  the  support  of  Government  shall 
originate  in  the  House  of  Assembly,  and  may  be  altered, 
amended,  or  rejected  by  the  Legislative  Council.     All  other 
bills  and  ordinances  may  take  rise  in  the  House  of  Assembly 
or  Legislative  Council,  and  may  be  altered,  amended,  or 
rejected  by  either. 

7.  A  President  or  Chief  Magistrate  shall  be  chosen  by 
joint  ballot  of  both  Houses,  to  be  taken  in  the  House  of 
Assembly,  and  the  box  examined  by  the  Speakers  of  each 
House,  in  the  presence  of  the  other  members.     And  in  case 
the  numbers  for  the  two  highest  in  votes  should  be  equal, 
then  the  Speaker  of  the  Council  shall  have  an  additional 
casting  voice;  and  the  appointment  of  the  person  who  has 
the  majority  of  votes  shall  be  entered  at  large  on  the  Minutes 
and  Journals  of  each  House,  and  a  copy  thereof  on  parch- 
ment, certified  and  signed  by  the  Speakers  respectively,  and 
sealed  with  the  great  seal  of  the  State,  which  they  are  hereby 
authorized  to  affix,  shall  be  delivered  to  the  person  so  chosen 
President,  who  shall  continue  in  that  office  three  years,  and 
until  the  sitting  of  the  next  General  Assembly,  and  no  longer, 
nor  be  eligible  until  the  expiration  of  three  years  after  he 
shall  have  been  out  of  that  office.     An  adequate  but  mode- 
rate salary  shall  be  settled  on  him  during  his  continuance  in 
office.     He  may  draw  for  such  sums  of  money  as  shall  be 
appropriated  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  be  accountable 
to  them  for  the  same.     He  may,  by  and  with  the  advice  of 
the  Privy  Council,  lay  embargoes,  or  prohibit  the  exportation 
of  any  commodity  for  any  time  not  exceeding  thirty  days, 
in  the  recess  of  the  General  Assembly.     He  shall  have  the 
power  of  granting  pardons  or  reprieves,  except  where  the 
prosecution  shall  be  carried  on  by  the  House  of  Assembly, 
or  the  law  shall  otherwise  direct,  in  which  cases  no  pardon 
or  reprieve  shall  be  granted  but  by  a  resolve  of  the  House  of 
Assembly;  and  may  exercise  all  the  other  Executive  powers 
of  Government,  limited  and  restrained  as  by  this  Constitution 
is  mentioned,  and  according  to  the  laws  of  the  State.     And 
on  his  death,  inability, or  absence  from  the  State,  the  Speaker 
of  the  Legislative  Council  for  the  time  being  shall  be  Vice 


President ;  and  in  case  of  his  death,  inability,  or  absence  from 
the  State,  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly  shall  have 
the  powers  of  a  President,  until  a  new  nomination  is  made 
by  the  General  Assembly. 

8.  A  Privy  Council,  consisting  of  four  members,  shall  be 
chosen  by  ballot,  two  by  the  Legislative  Council,  and  two 
by  the  House  of  Assembly:  Provided,  That  no  regular  offi- 
cer of  the  Army  or  Navy  in  the  service  and  pay  of  the  Con- 
tinent or  of  this  or  of  any  other  State  shall  be  eligible.    And 
a  member  of  the  Legislative  Council  or  of  the  House  of 
Assembly  being  chosen  of  the  Privy  Council,  and  accepting 
thereof,  shall  thereby  lose  his  seat.     Three  members  shall 
be  a  quorum,  and  their  advice  and  proceedings  shall  be  en- 
tered on  record  and  signed  by  the  members  present,  (to  any 
part  of  which  any  member  may  enter  his  dissent,)  to  be  laid 
before  the  General  Assembly  when  called  for  by  them.    Two 
members  shall  be  removed  by  ballot,  one  by  the  Legislative 
Council  and  one  by  the  House  of  Assembly,  at  the  end  of 
two  years,  and  those  who  remain  the  next  year  after,  who 
shall  severally  be  ineligible  for  the  three  next  years.    These 
vacancies,  as  well  as  those  occasioned  by  death  or  incapa- 
city, shall  be  supplied  by  new  elections  in  the  same  manner. 
And  this  rotation  of  a  Privy  Counsellor  shall  be  continued 
afterwards  in  due  order  annually  forever.     The  President 
may  by  summons  convene  the  Privy  Council  at  any  time 
when  the  publick  exigencies  may  require,  and  at  such  place 
as  he  shall  think  most  convenient,  when  and  where  they  are 
to  attend  accordingly. 

9.  The  President,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Privy  Council,  may  imbody  the  Militia,  and  act  as  Captain- 
General  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  them  and  the  other 
military  force  of  this  State,  under  the  laws  of  the  same. 

10.  Either  House  of  the  General  Assembly  may  adjourn 
themselves  respectively.    The  President  shall  not  prorogue, 
adjourn,  or  dissolve  the  General  Assembly,  but  he  may,  with 
the  advice  of  the  Privy  Council,  or  on  the  application  of  a 
majority  of  either  House,  call  them  before  the  time  they  shall 
stand  adjourned,  and  the  two  Houses  shall  always  sit  at  the 
same  time  and  place;  for  which  purpose,  immediately  after 
every  adjournment  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly 
shall  give  notice  to  the  Speaker  of  the  other  House  of  the 
time  to  which  the  House  of  Assembly  stands  adjourned. 

11.  The  Delegates  for  Delaware  to  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States  of  America  shall  be  chosen  annually,  or  su- 
perseded in  the  mean  time  by  joint  ballot  of  both  Houses  in 
the  General  Assembly. 

12.  The  President  and  General  Assembly  shall  by  joint 
ballot  appoint  three  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  for  the 
State,  one  of  whom  shall  be  Chief  Justice,  and  a  Judge  of 
Admiralty,  and  also  four  Justices  of  the  Courts  of  Common 
Pleas  and  Orphans'  Courts  for  each  County,  one  of  whom 
in  each  Court  shall  be  styled  Chief 'Justice,  (and  in  case  of 
division  on  the  ballot  the  President  shall  have  an  additional 
casting  voice,)  to  be  commissioned  by  the  President  under 
the  great   seal,  who  shall  continue  in  office   during  good 
behaviour;  and  during  the  time  the  Justices  of  the  said  Su- 
preme Court  and  Courts  of  Common  Pleas  remain  in  office 
they  shall  hold  none  other  except  in  the  Militia.     Any  one 
of  the  Justices  of  either  of  said  Courts  shall  have  power,  in 
case  of  the  non-coming  of  his  brethren,  to  open  and  adjourn 
the  Court.     An  adequate  fixed  but  moderate  salary  shall  be 
settled  on  them  during  their  continuance  in  office.     The 
President  and  Privy  Council  shall  appoint  the  Secretary, 
the  Attorney -General,  Registers  for  the  Probate  of  Wills 
and  granting  Letters  of  Administration,  Registers  in  Chan- 
cery, Clerks  of  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  Orphans' 
Courts,  and  Clerks  of  the  Peace,  who  shall  be  commissioned 
as  aforesaid,  and  remain  in  office  during  five  years,  if  they 
behave  themselves  well ;  during  which  time  the  said  Regis- 
ters in  Chancery  and  Clerks  shall  not  be  Justices  of  either 
of  the  said  Courts  of  which  they  are  officers,  but  they  shall 
have  authority  to  sign  all  writs  by  them  issued,  and  take 
recognizances  of  bail.     The  Justices  of  the  Peace  shall  he 
nominated  by  the  House  of  Assembly,  that  is  to  say,  they 
shall  name  twenty-four  persons  for  each  County,  of  whom 
the  President,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Privy  Council, 
shall  appoint  twelve,  who  shall  be  commissioned  as  afore- 
said, and  continue  in  office  during  seven  years,  if  they  behave 
themselves  well ;  and  in  case  of  vacancies,  or  if  the  Legis- 
lature shall  think  proper  to  increase  the  number,  they  shall 
be  nominated  and  appointed  in  like  manner.     The  mem- 


1177 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1178 


bers  of  the  Legislative  and  Privy  Council  shall  be  Justices 
of  the  Peace  for  the  whole  State  during  their  continuance 
in  trust;  and  the  Justices  of  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas 
shall  be  conservators  of  the  peace  in  their  respective  Coun- 
ties. 

13.  The  Justices  of  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas  and 
Orphans'  Courts  shall  have  the  power  of  holding  inferior 
Courts  of  Chancery,  as  heretofore,  unless  the  Legislature 
shall  otherwise  direct. 

14.  The  Clerks  of  the  Supreme  Court  shall  be  appointed 
by  the  Chief  Justice  thereof,  and  the  Recorders  of  Deeds 
by  the  Justices  of  the  Courts  of  Common   Pleas  for  each 
County  severally,  and  commissioned  by  the  President  under 
the   great  seal,  and   continue  in  office  five  years,  if  they 
behave  themselves  well. 

15.  The  Sheriffs  and  Coroners  of  the  respective  Counties 
shall   be  chosen   annually  as  heretofore;   and   any   person 
having  served  three  years  as  Sheriff  shall  be  ineligible  for 
three  years  after ;  and  the  President  and  Privy  Council  shall 
have  the  appointment  of  such  of  the  two  candidates  returned 
for  said  offices  of  Sheriff  and  Coroner  as  they  shall  think  best 
qualified,  in  the  same  manner  that  the  Governour  heretofore 
enjoyed  this  power. 

16.  The  General  Assembly,  by  joint  ballot,  shall  appoint 
the  Generals  and  Field-Officers,  and  all  other  officers  in  the 
Army  or  Navy  of  this  State.     And  the  President  may  ap- 
point during  pleasure,  until  otherwise  directed  by  the  Legis- 
lature, all   necessary  civil   officers   not    hereinbefore   men- 
tioned. 

17.  There  shall  be  an  appeal  from  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Delaware  in  matters  of  law  and  equity  to  a  Court  of  seven 
persons,  to  consist  of  the  President  for  the  time  being,  who 
shall  preside  therein,  and  six  others,  to  be  appointed,  three 
by  the  Legislative  Council,  and  three  by  the  House  of  As- 
sembly, who  shall  continue  in  office  during  good  behaviour, 
and  be  commissioned  by  the  President  under  the  great  seal; 
which  Court  shall  be  styled  The  Court  of  Appeals,  and  have 
all  the  authority  and  powers  heretofore  given  by  law  in  the 
last  resort  to  the  King  in  Council  under  the  old  Govern- 
ment.    The  Secretary  shall  be  the  Clerk  of  this  Court,  and 
vacancies  therein  occasioned  by  death  or  incapacity  shall  be 
supplied  by  new  elections  in  manner  aforesaid. 

18.  The  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  and  Courts  of 
Common  Pleas,  the  Members  of  the  Privy  Council,  the  Se- 
cretary, the  Trustees  of  the  Loan  Office,  and  Clerks  of  the 
Courts  of  Common  Pleas,  during  their  continuance  in  office, 
and  all  persons  concerned  in  any  army  or  navy  contracts, 
shall  be  ineligible  to  either  House  of  Assembly;  and  any 
member  of  either  House  accepting  of  any  other  of  the  offices 
hereinbefore  mentioned  (excepting  the  office  of  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace)  shall  have  his  seat  thereby  vacated,  and  a  new 
election  shall  be  ordered. 

19.  The  Legislative  Council  and  Assembly  shall  have 
the  power  of  making  the  great  seal  of  this  State,  which  shall 
be  kept  by  the  President,  or  in  his  absence  by  the  Vice- 
President,  to  be  used  by  them  as  occasion  may  require.     It 
shall  be  called  The  Great  Seal  of  the  Delaware  Slate,  and 
shall  be  affixed  to  all  laws  and  commissions. 

20.  Commissions  shall  run  in  the  name  of  The  Delaware 
State,  and  bear  test  by  the  President.     Writs  shall  run  in 
the  same  manner,  and  bear  test  in  the  name  of  the  Chief 
Justices  or  Justice  first  named  in  the  commissions  for  the 
several  Courts,  and  be  sealed  with  the  publick  seals  of  such 
Courts.     Indictments  shall  conclude,  against  the  peace  and 
dignity  of  the  State. 

21.  In  case  of  vacancy  of  the  offices  above  directed  to 
be  filled  by  the  President  and  General  Assembly,  the  Pre- 
sident and  Privy  Council  may  appoint  others  in  their  stead 
until  there  shall  be  a  new  election. 

22.  Every  person  who  shall  be  chosen  a  member  of  either 
House,  or  appointed  to  any  office  or  place  of  trust,  before 
taking  his  seat,  or  entering  upon  the  execution  of  his  office, 
shall  take  the  following  oath,  or  affirmation  if  conscientiously 
scrupulous  of  taking  an  oath,  to  wit: 

"  I,  A  B,  will  bear  true  allegiance  to  the  Delaware  State, 
submit  to  its  Constitution  and  laws,  and  do  no  act  wittingly 
whereby  the  freedom  thereof  may  be  prejudiced." 

And  also  make  and  subscribe  the  following  Declaration, 
to  wit: 

"I,  A  B,  do  profess  faith  in  God  the  Father,  and  in 
Jesus  Christ,  His  only  Son,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost — one 


God  blessed  forevermore;  and  I  do  acknowledge  the  Holy 
Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  to  be  given  by 
Divine  inspiration." 

And  all  officers  shall  also  take  an  oath  of  office. 

23.  The  President,  when  he  is  out  of  office,  and  within 
eighteen  months  after,  and  all  others  offending  against  the 
State,  either  by   mal-administration,   corruption,  or  other 
means,  by  which  the  safety  of  the  Commonwealth  may  be 
endangered,  within  eighteen  months  after  the  offence  com- 
mitted, shall   be   impeachable  by  the  House  of  Assembly 
before  the  Legislative  Council ;  such  impeachment  to  be 
prosecuted  by  the  Attorney-General,  or  such  other  person 
or  persons  as  the  House  of  Assembly  may  appoint,  accord- 
ing to  the  laws  of  the  land.     If  found  guilty,  he  or  they 
shall  be  either  forever  disabled  to  hold  any  office  under 
Government,  or  removed  from  office  pro  tempore,  or  sub- 
jected to  such  pains  and  penalties  as  the  laws  shall  direct. 
And  all  officers  shall  be  removed  on  conviction  of  misbe- 
haviour at  common  law,  or  on  impeachment,  or  upon  the 
address  of  the  General  Assembly. 

24.  All  Acts  of  Assembly  in  force  in  this  State  on  the 
15th  day  of  May  last,  and  not  hereby  altered,  or  contrary 
to  the  Resolutions  of  Congress,  or  of  the  late  House  of 
Assembly  of  this  State,  shall  so  continue  until  altered  or 
repealed   by  the  Legislature   of  this  State,   unless  where 
they  are  temporary,  in  which  case  they  shall  expire  at  the 
times  respectively  limited  for  their  duration. 

25.  The  common  law  of  England,  as  well  as  so  much 
of  the  statute  law  as  have  been  heretofore  adopted  in  prac- 
tice in  this  State,  shall  remain  in  force,  unless  they  shall  be 
altered  by  a  future  law  of  the  Legislature;  such  parts  only 
excepted  as  are  repugnant  to  the  rights  and  privileges  con- 
tained in  this  Constitution  and  the  Declaration  of  Rights, 
&c.,  agreed  to  by  this  Convention. 

26.  No  person  hereafter  imported  into  this  State  from 
Africa  ought  to  be  held  in  slavery  on  any  pretence  what- 
ever; and  no  Negro,  Indian,  or  Mulatto  slave  ought  to  be 
brought  into  this  State,  for  sale,  from  any  part  of  the  world. 

27.  The  first  election  for  the  General  Assembly  of  this 
State  shall  be  held  on  the  25th  day  of  October  next,  at  the 
Court-Houses  in  the  several  Counties,  in  the  manner  here- 
tofore used  in  the  election  of  the  Assembly,  except  as  to 
the  choice  of  Inspectors  and  Assessors,  where  Assessors 
have  not  been  chosen  on  the  16th  day  of  September  instant, 
which  shall  be  made  on  the  morning  of  the  day  of  election 
by  the  electors,  inhabitants  of  the  respective  Hundreds  in 
each  County;  at  which  time  the  Sheriffs  and  Coroners  for 
the  said  Counties  respectively  are  to  be  elected.     And  the 
present  Sheriffs  of  the  Counties  of  New- Castle  and  Kent 
may  be  rechosen  to  that  office  until  the  first  day  of  October, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
seventy-nine;  and   the   present  Sheriff  for  the  County  of 
Sussex  may  be  rechosen  to  that  office  until  the  1st  day  of 
October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  seventy-eight,  provided  the  freemen  think  proper  to 
reeled  them  at  every  general  election;  and  the  present  Sheriffs 
and  Coroners  respectively  shall  continue  to  exercise  their 
offices  as  heretofore  until  the  Sheriffs  and  Coroners  to  be 
elected  on  the  said  21st  day  of  October  shall  be  commis- 
sioned  and  sworn   into  office.     The  members  of  the  Le- 
gislative Council  and  Assembly  shall  meet  for  transacting 
the  business  of  the  State  on  the  28th  day  of  October  next, 
and  continue  in  office  until  the  1st  day  of  October,  which 
will  be  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven;  on  which  day,  and  on  the  1st  day  of  October  in 
each  year  forever  after,  the  Legislative  Council,  Assembly, 
Sheriffs,  and  Coroners,  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot  in  manner 
directed  by  the  several  laws  of  this  State  for  regulating 
elections  of  members  of  Assembly  and  Sheriffs  and  Coro- 
ners, and  the  General  Assembly  shall  meet  on   the  20th 
day  of  the  same  month  for  the  transacting  the  business  of 
the  State;  and  if  any  of  the  said  1st  and  20th  days  of  Oc- 
tober should  be  Sunday,  then,  and  in  such  case,  the  elections 
shall  be  held,  and  the  General  Assembly  meet  the  next  day 
following. 

28.  To  prevent  any  violence  or  force  being  used  at  the 
said  elections,  no  person  shall  come  armed  to  any  of  them, 
and  no  muster  of  the  Militia  shall  be  made  on  that  day, 
nor  shall  any  battalion   or   company  give   in    their  votes 
immediately  succeeding  each  other,  if  any  other  voter  who 
offers   to  vote  objects   thereto;  nor  shall  any  battalion  or 


1179 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1180 


company  in  the  pay  of  the  Continent,  or  of  this  or  any 
other  State,  be  suffered  to  remain  at  the  time  and  place  of 
holding  the  said  elections,  or  within  one  mile  of  the  said 
places  respectively  for  twenty-four  hours  before  the  opening 
said  elections,  nor  within  twenty-four  hours  after  the  same 
are  closed,  so  as  in  any  manner  to  impede  the  freely  and 
conveniently  carrying  on  the  said  election.  Provided 
always,  That  every  elector  may,  in  a  peaceable  and  order- 
ly manner,  give  in  his  vote  on  the  said  day  of  election. 

29.  There  shall  be  no  establishment  of  any  one  religious 
sect  in  this  State  in  preference  to  another;  and  no  clergy- 
man or  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  of  any  denomination,  shall 
be  capable  of  holding  any  civil  office  in  this  State,  or  of 
being  a  member  of  either  of  the  branches  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, while  they  continue  in  the  exercise  of  the  pastoral 
function. 

30.  No  Article  of  the  Declaration  of  Rights  and  funda- 
mental rules  of  this  State,  agreed  to  by  this  Convention, 
nor  the  first,  second,  fifth,  (except  that  part  thereof  that 
relates  to  the  right  of  suffrage,)  twenty-sixth,  and  twenty- 
ninth  Articles  of  this  Constitution  ought  ever  to  be  violated, 
on  any  pretence  whatever.     No  other  parts  of  this  Consti- 
tution shall  be  altered,  changed,  or  diminished,  without  the 
consent  of  five  parts  in  seven  of  the  Assembly,  and  seven 
members  of  the  Legislative  Council. 

GEORGE  READ,  President. 
Extract  from  the  Journals.     Attest: 

JAMES  BOOTH,  Clerk. 


JOSIAH  BARTLETT  TO  COLONEL  WHIFFLE. 

Philadelphia,  August  27,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Last  week  the  Articles  of  Confederation  were 
finished  by  the  .Committee  of  the  Whole  House.  They 
are  again  printed  as  now  amended  by  the  Committee,  and 
are  delivered  to  the  members  in  the  same  manner  as  before, 
and  are  to  undergo  one  operation  through  Congress  more 
before  they  are  sent  to  the  several  States  for  confirmation. 
What  alterations  will  be  made  in  them  I  know  not;  but  am 
afraid  none  for  the  better.  This  will  occasion  such  a  delay 
that  there  is  no  probability  it  will  be  sent  in  time  to  be  laid 
before  our  Assembly  before  your  return  here:  so  I  would 
not  have  you  wait  for  it,  but  return  as  soon  as  convenient. 
The  new  Articles  of  War  have  passed  Congress.  The 
plan  of  a  treaty  of  foreign  alliance  has  passed  in  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole. 

By  the  leave  of  Lord  Howe,  the  famous  Lord  Drum- 
mond  has,  by  a  flag  to  General  Washington,  proposed 
sundry  articles  as  the  basis  of  a  negotiation  or  conference, 
(they  are  nearly  the  same  as  those  proposed  by  Lord 
North,  called  Lord  North's  Conciliatory  Propositions;) 
and  he  requested  leave  of  General  Washington  for  him- 
self and  one  or  two  more  to  repair  to  this  city  to  propose 
those  terms,  which  he  had  the  impudence  to  say  would 
have  been  accepted  by  the  Colonies  a  few  months  ago. 
The  General  did  not  think  proper  to  give  him  leave  to  come 
here,  but  in  his  answer  told  him  he  should  send  the  papers 
to  the  Congress  and  wait  their  answer.  He  severely  repri- 
manded Lord  Drummond  for  his  officiousness  in  meddling 
with  the  business,  but  especially  for  his  going  to  the  Army 
under  General  Howe,  contrary  to  his  parole  of  honour 
which  he  gave  when  he  was  permitted  to  leave  the  Conti- 
nent. I  need  not  tell  you  the  Congress  have  not  accepted 
the  proposed  conference  with  his  Lordship. 

Lord  Howe  has  wrote  an  answer  to  Dr.  Franklin's  letter 
to  him  which  you  saw.  It  is  full  of  professions  of  friend- 
ship for  America,  and  of  esteem  and  regard  for  the  Doctor — 
very  polite,  but  very  artful. 

By  a  letter  from  the  Agent  who  was  sent  in  the  Reprisal, 
Captain  Wickt,  to  Martinico,  he  informs  us  that  the  Go- 
vernour  (or  General,  as  they  call  him)  told  him  that  he  had 
lately  received  orders  by  a  frigate  from  France  to  give  all 
possible  assistance  and  protection  to  the  American  vessels, 
and  that  he  was  ordered  to  send  out  some  ships  of  war  to 
cruise  round  the  Island  for  their  defence,  and  that  the  same 
orders  had  been  sent  to  the  other  French  Islands.  He  also 
told  the  Agent,  that  if  the  American  cruisers  should  bring 
any  prizes  into  the  ports  of  Martinico,  he  should  not  prevent 
their  selling  or  disposing  of  them  as  they  should  think  pro- 
per. This  is  in  confidence. 

We  have  just  received  the  account  of  the  enemy  landing 


on  Long-Island.  By  the  General's  account,  our  men  are 
in  good  spirits,  seem  firm  and  ready  for  action.  From  this 
and  from  some  other  circumstances,  I  hope  I  shall  soon  hear 
of  the  enemy's  defeat  and  quitting  the  country,  never  more 
to  return  as  enemies ;  which  will  give  the  greatest  pleasure 
and  satisfaction  to  your  friend  and  humble  servant, 

JOSIAH  BARTLETT. 

P.  S.  Mr.  William  Barril  is  sick  with  a  fever.  Dr. 
Rush  says  he  is  very  dangerous.  Please  to  give  my  regards 
to  our  friend  Colonel  Langdon,  as  I  have  not  time  to  write 
to  him.  Tell  him  I  have  not  received  his  letter  last  week 
as  usual.  I  have  received  yours  of  the  20th  from  Milford's. 
Yours,  ut  sup.,  J.  B. 

FRANCIS  LEWIS  TO  MRS.  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  August  27,  1776. 

DEAR  MADAM:  I  was  yesterday  honoured  with  your  let- 
ter dated  the  20th  instant,  and  happy  to  find  you  enjoyed 
your  health. 

Your  son,  after  a  few  days'  stay  in  this  city,  went  to 
Princetown,  where  he  is  at  present,  and  in  as  perfect  health 
as  ever  he  enjoyed.  I  conversed  with  Dr.  Witherspoon 
yesterday,  who  informed  me  that  your  son  applied  closely  to 
his  books,  and  highly  extolled  his  abilities;  this  he  spoke 
sincerely,  and  without  flattery.  As  I  purpose  in  a  few  days 
going  to  Elizabeth-Town,  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing 
Bob,  and,  at  my  return,  shall  advise  you. 

I  can  assure  you  that  General  Gates  and  the  Army  under 
his  command  at  Ticonderoga  are  well  and  in  high  spirits. 
We  have  frequent  advices  from  that  quarter  through  the 
medium  of  General  Washington.  There  is  little  expecta- 
tion of  seeing  enemies  upon  the  Lakes  this  summer,  what- 
ever may  happen  the  next.  General  Gates  commands  at 
Ticonderoga.  General  Schuyler  is  treating  with  the  Indians 
at  the  German-Flats.  They  will  always  be  on  separate 
commands.  But  we  are  in  pain  for  New-York.  I  fear  that 
city  is  devoted  to  destruction.  Lord  and  General  Howe, 
Cornwallis,  Clinton,  and  Dunmore,  upon  Staten-Island, 
with  about  twenty-six  thousand  troops,  of  which  they  landed 
eight  or  nine  thousand  last  Friday,  and,  by  what  we  can 
learn,  intend  in  a  day  or  two  attacking  New-York.  I  feel 
for  the  distress  of  my  family,  who  are  still  at  White  Stone, 
except  Morgan,  who,  the  next  day  after  his  return  home, 
set  off  for  Ticonderoga.  His  mother  could  not  restrain  him. 
We  have  about  twenty  thousand  troops  (say  Militia)  lining 
the  coast  of  East-Jersey  from  Powles  Hook  to  Amboy,  and 
upwards  of  thirty  thousand  on  York  and  Long-Island.  The 
fate  of  this  campaign  a  few  days  must  determine. 

I  have  not  time  at  present  to  say  more  than  that  I  am. 
and  ever  shall  be,  dear  Madam,  your  sincere  friend  and  very 
humble  servant,  F  LEWIS> 

P.  S.  It  is  said  that  General  Carleton  has  drawn  off  the 
major  part  of  his  Army  from  the  neighbourhood  of  the  Lakes, 
and  are  filed  off  for  Quebeck;  from  which  it  is  conjectured 
they  are  to  be  brought  round  to  reinforce  General  Howe,  as 
General  Burgoyne  cannot  penetrate  the  upper  country  by 
the  Lakes. 


RESOLUTION  OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  August  27, 1776. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Peters  be  requested  to  appoint 
double  guards  of  the  Associators  this  night,  as  a  number  of 
the  Militia  in  the  Barracks  have  been  very  riotous  this  day; 
and  if  they  should  discover  any  persons  together  in  a  disor- 
derly manner,  that  they  be  confined  until  morning,  and  that 
a  report  be  made  of  them  to  this  Board  by  the  Commanding 
Officer  to-morrow  morning. 

By  order  of  Council: 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  Vice  President. 


MEMORIAL  OF  THE  CHEVALIER  SAURALLE. 

[Read  August  27,  1776.     Referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Delegates  of  the  UNITED  STATES 

OF  AMERICA,  in  Congress  assembled: 
The  Me7norial  of  the  Chevalier  SAURALLE,  humbly  showeth  : 
That  your  memorialist  is  a   young  officer,   who,  after 
serving  two  years  as  a   volunteer  in  the  Artillery  at  St. 


1181 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  itc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1182 


Domingo,  obtained  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  in  that  corps,  to 
which  he  has  preferred  offering  his  services  to  the  honour- 
able Congress,  as  a  letter  from  Mr.  De  la  Valletiere,  Gov- 
ernour  of  St.  Nichola  Mole,  shows:  which  letter,  intended  for 
the  honourable  Congress  or  General  Washington,  is  without  a 
direction,  owing  to  the  Governour's  being  unacquainted  with 
the  proper  form  of  address.  Which  is  humbly  submitted  to 

the  honourable  Congress.       •,     ^ 

LA  CHEVALIER  OAURALLE. 


MARINE  COMMITTEE  TO  CAPTAIN  STONE. 

Philadelphia,  August  27,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Marine  Committee  have  directed  me  to  inform 
you  that  the  Hornet  sloop  is  now  returned  from  her  cruise, 
during  which  she  has  been  extremely  leaky,  as  Captain 
Hallock,  the  bearer  hereof,  will  inform  you. 

The  Committee  have  come  to  a  resolution  either  to  pur- 
chase, the  sloop  or  deliver  her  up  to  you,  as  they  will  not  any 
longer  hire  her;  but  as  the  greatest  part  of  the  materials  she 
now  has  on  board  belong  to  the  publick,  they  would  prefer 
buying  her  at  the  valuation,  to  stripping  her;  and  when  you 
consider  that  she  will  be  a  mere  wreck  when  so  stripped, 
and  that  the  hull  is  old  and  shattered,  I  should  imagine  you 
would  readily  see  that  it  is  more  your  interest  to  sell  than  to 
receive  her  back  in  such  bad  condition,  as  you  will  have  the 
hire  to  this  time,  in  addition  to  the  price.  You  will,  upon 
the  whole,  receive  a  great  sum  for  her. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,          ROBERT  MORRIS. 
To  Captain  William  Stone,  owner  of  the  Sloop  Hurnet. 

P.  S.  If  you  will  not  sell,  pray  appoint  some  person  to 
receive  her. 


Philadelphia,  August  27,  1776. 

Since  the  departure  of  the  able-bodied  men  from  the 
forks  of  Brandyivine,  in  Chester  County,  on  the  service  of 
their  country,  the  patriotick  young  women,  to  prevent  the 
evil  that  would  follow  the  neglect  of  putting  in  the  fall  crop 
in  season,  have  joined  the  ploughs,  and  are  preparing  the 
fallows  for  the  seed ;  and  should  their  fathers,  brothers  and 
lovers  be  detained  abroad  in  defence  of  the  liberties  of  these 
States,  they  are  determined  to  put  in  the  crop  themselves — 
a  very  laudable  example,  and  highly  worthy  of  imitation. 

The  Colonels  Ross,  Matlack,  and  Schlegel,  are  appoint- 
ed by  the  Convention  of  this  State,  Commissioners  for  form- 
ing the  Flying-Camp  in  New-Jersey. 


JOHN  HARRIS  TO  LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)   COMMITTEE. 

Paxton,  August  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  bearer,  Mr.  Brails,  and  Lieutenant 
John  Houfman,  a  First  Lieutenant  in  Paxton  township, 
did  last  week  apply  to  me  for  ammunition  to  be  in  order 
to  suppress  Tory  riots,  &tc.,  that  might  happen  in  their  neigh- 
bourhood, which  they  have  great  reason  to  apprehend,  from 
some  evil-disposed  persons  lately  appearing  among  them, 
who  rob  spring-houses  and  other  houses,  (it's  said,)  fright- 
ening women,  children,  &tc.,  in  said  township,  and  Hanover 
township,  above  the  mountains,  as  their  men  are,  in  general, 
gone  in  the  service.  I  think  one  quarter-cask  of  the  gun- 
powder at  Lancaster,  with  about  sixty  pounds  of  the  lead  at 
Mr.  William  Carson's,  to  save  carriage,  might  be  ordered,  and 
delivered  said  Bratts  by  our  Committee,  (the  demand  is  not 
greater,  and  may  be  of  service,)  said  Bratts  or  the  Commit- 
tee or  military  officers  of  said  township,  being  accountable 
for  said  ammunition,  and  that  it  may  not  be  expended  or 
wasted,  but  applied  to  the  use  given.  For  the  small  quan- 
tity of  powder  and  lead  of  my  own,  I  shall  at  any  time  our 
frontiers  may  appear  to  be  in  danger  assist  them  with  it,  on 
application.  As  I  know  of  not  any  powder  but  mine  here, 
do  not  intend  to  send  it  to  Lancaster  till  we  have  a  prospect 
of  better  times.  The  Indians  to  the  northward,  southward, 
and  westward,  are  for  war  against  us,  as  I  arn  informed  by  a 
letter  from  Northumberland  County,  by  their  post,  two  days 
ago.  The  Susquehannah  Indians  are,  only,  for  peace  with 
us.  About  twenty  Indians,  (enemies,)  men,  women  and 
children,  have  been  many  days  past  at  Sunbury,  and  make 
said  report.  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHN  HARRIS. 
To  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  and 

Correspondence,  in  Lancaster. 


LIST  OF  PRISONERS,  AUGUST  27,   1776. 

Tfwmas  Dcason,  brought  to  Jail  with  Mr.  Barrington, 
and  now  confined,  since  the  17th  of  June;  discharged. 

James  Campbell,  sent  by  the  Committee;  discharged. 

Philip  Stone,  sent  by  the  Committee;  discharged. 

James  Ford,  sent  by  the  Committee. 

William  Poor,  sent  by  the  Committee,  suspected  of  assist- 
ing the  officers  in  their  escape  from  Lebanon. 

Thomas  Redmund  and  John  White,  accused  of  the  same. 

Jemmy  the  Rover,  sent  by  the  Committee,  accused  of 
threatening  women. 

James  Mansfield,  sent  by  Squire  Gruber,  and  has  since 
attempted  to  break  Jail. 

Peggy  King,  brought  by  Captain  Henry;  discharged. 

John  Allen,  Corporal  Kate  and  Stemple,  sent  by  the  Com- 
mittee; discharged. 

John  Vincent,  sent  by  the  Committee;  discharged. 

John  Fitzgerald,  sent  by  the  Committee  as  a  deserter 
from  the  Continental  forces. 

John  Tiffidale,  sent  by  the  Committee  for  threatening  the 
inhabitants. 

Mary  Mitchell,  Mambo,  a  Negro,  Dinah,  a  Negro  wench, 
sent  by  the  Committee  for  conspiring  the  death  of  Clenden- 
in's  wife. 

Joseph  Boon,  discharged  by  order  of  the  Convention, 
inlisted  the  next  day,  and  after  receiving  40*.,  deserted  and 
stole  a  piece  of  cloth,  for  which  he  has  since  been  con- 
fined. 

Jacob  Rese,  a  deserter  from  Captain  Peter  Grubb's  Com- 
pany. 

James  Mcllvain,  sent  by  the  Committee,  with  Philip  and 
Jacob  Winter;  discharged  on  bail. 

Nancy  Brown,  brought  by  the  guard  for  stealing. 

Richard,  a  Negro,  brought  by  the  guard ;  says  he  is  free. 

Robert  Ritchie,  sent  by  Squire  Gruber  as  a  regular  pri- 
soner of  war;  says  he  belongs  to  Captain  Doyle's  Com- 
pany. 

John  Dead,  kept  in  Jail  by  John  Kelly. 


ROBERT  G.  LIVINGSTON  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Newark,  August  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  At  this  moment,  so  important  to  the  gene- 
ral welfare  of  America,  it  becomes  every  well-wisher  of  his 
country  to  discourage  everything  that  has  a  tendency  to 
weaken  our  present  struggles;  and  as  nothing  can  more 
effectually  injure  us  in  that  way  than  a  depreciation  of  the 
Continental  currency,  I  was  greatly  surprised  at  the  conduct 
of  a  gentleman  of  New-York  in  refusing  a  sum  of  money 
in  that  currency.  The  circumstances  are  these:  I  was 
bound  with  Mr.  Samuel  Hake  to  Captain  Anthony  Rutgers 
in  a  bond  of  £900.  The  last  Saturday  I  sent  the  princi- 
pal and  interest  due  upon  that  bond  by  Robert  Hyslop  to 
Mr.  Rutgers  to  discharge  the  same,  but  he  absolutely 
refused  to  receive,  the  money  offered  him,  which  was  in 
Continental  money. 

1  thought  it  my  duty  to  inform  you  of  this  matter,  as  it 
may  be  attended  with  the  most  dangerous  consequences  to 
the  publick  interest;  for  if  such  a  person  as  Mr.  Rutgers 
may  refuse  it,  who  may  not  do  the  same,  and  where  will  it 
end?  For  my  part,  I  have  received  lately  very  large  sums 
in  that  money,  with  as  great  a  readiness  as  1  would  gold  or 
silver.  But  if  I  cannot  pass  it  again,  it  will  be  dead  and 
useless  to  me,  and  I  must  of  course  refuse  it  from  my  debt- 
ors, which  must  inevitably  introduce  the  greatest  confusion 
in  the  country,  and  which  no  friend  of  his  country  can 
think  of  without  trembling. 

I  lay  this  matter  before  you,  gentlemen,  as  being  thorough- 
ly convinced  you  will  do  everything  in  your  power  to  put  a 
stop  to  such  practices. 

I  am,  with  great  esteem,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble 

ROBERT  G.  LIVINGSTON. 

To  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  and  Coun- 
ty of  New-York. 


JOSEPH  TRUMBULL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

New-York,  August  27,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  drawn  on  you  this  day  in  favour  of  Colonel 
Thomas  Lowrey  for  thirty  thousand  dollars,  to  be  improved 


1183 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1184 


in  supplying  the  troops  of  the  United  States  in  Pennsylva- 
nia and  New-Jersey  with  provisions.  You'll  please  to  pay 
the  same,  and  charge  them  to  my  account  accordingly. 

I  am,  most  respectfully,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble 
servant  J°s-  TRUMBULL. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq..  President  of  Congress. 


COLONEL  HARRISON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
New- York,  August  27,  1776,  eight  o'clock,  P.  M. 
SIR  :  I  this  minute  returned  from  our  lines  on  Long-Island, 
where  I  left  his  Excellency  the  General.  From  him  I  have 
it  in  command  to  inform  Congress  that  yesterday  he  went 
there,  and  continued  till  evening,  when,  from  the  enemy's 
having  landed  a  considerable  part  of  their  forces  and  many 
of  their  movements,  there  was  reason  to  apprehend  they 
would  make,  in  a  little  time,  a  general  attack.  As  they 
would  have  a  wood  to  pass  through  before  they  could  ap- 
proach the  lines,  it  was  thought  expedient  to  place  a  num- 
ber of  men  there,  on  the  different  roads  leading  from  whence 
they  were  stationed,  in  order  to  harass  and  annoy  them  in 
their  inarch.  This  being  done,  early  this  morning  a  smart 
engagement  ensued  between  the  enemy  and  our  detach- 
ments, which  being  unequal  to  the  force  they  had  to  contend 
with,  have  sustained  a  pretty  considerable  loss:  at  least 
many  of  our  men  are  missing.  Among  those  that  have  not 
returned,  are  General  Sullivan  and  Lord  Stirling.  The 
enemy's  loss  is  not  known  certainly;  but  we  are  told  by  such 
of  our  troops  that  were  in  the  engagement  and  that  have 
come  in,  that  they  had  many  killed  and  wounded.  Our 
party  brought  off  a  Lieutenant,  Sergeant,  and  Corporal,  with 
twenty  privates,  prisoners.  While  these  detachments  were 
engaged,  a  column  of  the  enemy  descended  from  the  woods 
and  marched  towards  the  centre  of  our  lines,  with  a  design 
to  make  an  impression,  but  were  repulsed.  This  evening 
they  appeared  very  numerous  about  the  skirts  of  the  woods, 
where  they  have  pitched  several  tents;  and  his  Excellency 
inclines  to  think  they  mean  to  attack  and  force  us  from  our 
lines  by  way  of  regular  approaches,  rather  than  in  any  other 
manner. 

To-day  five  ships  of  the  line  came  up  towards  the  town, 
where  they  seemed  desirous  of  getting,  as  they  turned  a  long 
time  against  an  unfavourable  wind.  And  on  my  return  this 
evening,  I  found  a  deserter  from  the  Twenty-Third  Regi- 
ment, who  informed  rne  that  they  design,  as  soon  as  the  wind 
will  permit  'em  to  come  up,  to  give  us  a  severe  cannonade 
and  to  silence  our  batteries,  if  possible. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  in  great  haste,  sir,  your  most 
obedient,  ROB.  H.  HARRISON. 

[Same  to  General  Mercer.} 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  IN  COL.  ATLEE's 
BATTALION,  OF  PENNSYLVANIA,  DATED  NEW-YORK,  AUGUST 
27,  1776. 

Yesterday  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  of  our  men  went 
as  a  guard  to  a  place  called  Red  Lion,  on  Long-Island. 
About  eleven  o'clock  at  night  the  sentries  descried  two  men 
coming  up  a  watermelon  patch,  upon  which  our  men  fired 
upon  them  ;  the  enemy  then  retreated,  and  about  one  o'clock 
advanced  with  about  two  or  three  hundred  men,  and  en- 
deavoured to  surround  our  guard ;  but  they  being  watchful, 
gave  them  two  or  three  fires,  and  retreated  to  alarm  the 
remainder  of  the  battalion,  except  one  Lieutenant  and  about 
fifteen  men,  who  have  not  been  heard  of  as  yet.  About 
four  o'clock  this  morning  the  alarm  was  given  by  beating  to 
arms,  when  the  remainder  of  our  battalion,  accompanied  by 
the  Delaware  and  Mart/land  battalions,  went  to  the  place 
where  our  men  retreated  from.  About  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
on  this  side,  we  saw  the  enemy  when  we  got  into  the  woods 
(our  battalion  being  the  advance  guard)  amidst  the  incessant 
fire  of  their  field-pieces,  loaded  with  grape-shot,  which  con- 
tinued till  ten  o'clock.  The  Marylanders  on  their  left  flank, 
and  we  on  their  right,  kept  up  a  constant  fire  amidst  all  their 
cannon,  and  saw  several  of  them  fall ;  but  they  being  too 
many  for  us,  we  retreated  a  little,  and  then  made  a  stand. 
Our  Lieutenant-Colonel,  fWry,  was  shot  through  the  head, 
and  I  was  under  the  necessity  of  retreating  with  him  to  this 
place,  in  order  to  secure  his  effects.  Since  which  I  have 
heard  the  enemy  are  within  six  hundred  yards  of  our  lines; 
which  I  think  will  cost  them  some  number  of  men  before 
they  gain  them. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST 

27,  1776. 

I  sit  down,  in  the  midst  of  confusion,  to  tell  you  that  our 
people  have  been  engaged  with  the  enemy  on  Long-Island 
all  this  morning,  and  are  at  it  yet.  We  cannot  get  at  par- 
ticulars. Those  who  have  come  over  say  the  enemy  have 
lost  the  most  men.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Parry,  of  one  of  the 
Pennsylvania  battalions,  is  killed;  he  died  heroically,  urging 
his  men  on  against  the  enemy.  Your  kinsman,  Hermanns 
Rutgers,  was  killed  yesterday.  Several  of  the  enemy's  ships 
have  attempted  coming  up  this  morning,  but  both  wind  and 
tide  are  ahead,  and  they  are  hitherto  baffled.  Our  men  on 
the  Island  behave  bravely.  Heaven  send  them  victory. 

Thirty-Jive  minutes  past  twelve,  P.  M. — Firing  still  con- 
tinues, with  intermissions.  A  man-of-war  coming  up,  said 
to  be  the  Roebuck,  has  just  lost,  by  a  flaw,  all  she  gained 
last  tack.  Several  fires  have  been  kindled  on  the  Island. 
I  believe  our  people  set  fire  to  hay,  grain,  fcc.,  to  prevent 
the  enemy's  getting  possession  of  them.  Captain  Farmer,  of 
Colonel  Miles's  Regiment,  is  slightly  wounded,  and  brought 
to  this  city.  I  think  some  men-of-war  will  be  up  next  tide. 

P.  S.  The  First  Battalion  of  New-York,  Colonel  Lasher, 
and  the  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  battalions,  behaved  with 
the  greatest  bravery,  even  to  a  fault.  They  were  command- 
ed by  Lord  Stirling.  I  fear  some  of  the  bravest  officers 
from  the  southward  are  among  the  slain.  We  forced  the 
enemy  into  their  lines.  Parry  is  killed,  and  Major  Abed, 
of  New-York,  killed. 

GENERAL  WOODHULL  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

West  end  of  Glueen's  County,  August  27,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Enclosed  I  send  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  from 
Colonel  Potter,  who  left  me  yesterday  at  eleven  o'clock,  after 
bringing  about  one  hundred  men  to  me  at  Jamaica.  Major 
Smith  has,  I  expect,  all  the  rest  that  were  to  come  from 
Suffolk  County.  There  have  about  forty  of  the  Militia 
joined  me  from  the  regiments  in  Queen's  County,  and  about 
fifty  of  the  troops  belonging  to  Queen's  and  King's  Counties, 
which  are  near  all  I  expect. 

I  have  got  all  the  cattle  southward  of  the  hills  in  King's 
County  driven  to  the  eastward  of  the  cross-road  between 
the  two  Counties,  and  have  placed  guards  and  sentries  from 
the  north  road  to  the  south  side  of  the  Island,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  cattle's  going  back,  and  to  prevent  the  commu- 
nication of  the  Tories  with  the  enemy.  I  am  within  about 
six  miles  of  the  enemy's  camp.  Their  Light-Horse  have 
been  within  two  miles;  and  unless  I  have  more  men,  our 
stay  here  will  answer  no  purpose.  We  shall  soon  want  to 
be  supplied  with  provision,  if  we  tarry  here. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

NATHL.  WOODHULL. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York,  at  Harlem. 

Huntington,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  I  had  not  arrived  at  my  house  half  an  hour  before  I 
received  by  express  from  Captain  Thomson,  of  Brookhavcn, 
that  two  ships,  one  brig,  and  three  tenders,  had  landed  a 
number  of  Regular  troops  in  a  place  between  the  Old  Mans 
and  Wading  River;  and  that  at  one  of  the  clock  they  were 
shooting  the  cattle.  Major  Smith  has  ordered  the  detach- 
ment designed  for  your  party,  to  the  eastward ;  and  as  our 
men  are  gone,  and  the  wind  fresh  to  the  eastward,  well 
know  they  cannot  lie  there.  I  expect  them  in  our  bay 
before  morning,  the  only  harbour  in  the  Sound.  Have  not 
ordered  any  men  from  here  as  yet,  but  am  mustering  them, 
to  make  as  good  opposition  as  possible.  We  must  have  help 
here.  Everything  possible  for  me,  shall  be  clone.  I  think 
General  Washington  should  be  acquainted.  Our  women 
are  in  great  tumult. 

In  great  haste,  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

GILBERT  POTTER. 
To  Brigadier-General  Woodhull. 

GENERAL  HEATH  TO  GENERAL  MIFFLIN. 

King's  Bridge,  August  27,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  By  express  this  moment  I  am  informed  that 
three  ships  have  just  come  to  Anchor  Point,  above  Frog 
Point.  1  have  detached  a  regiment  to  prevent  their  land- 


1185 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1186 


ing  to  pillage  or  burn.     You  will  immediately  order  two  of    from  the  Minutes  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  New-  York 
the  brass  field-pieces,  with  ammunition,  &.C.,  complete,  to    aforesaid,  a  copy  of  which  follows: 
this  post. 


Three  or  four  Artillerists  at  least  must  attend 


them. 


"  In  Committee  of  Safety,  New-York,  April  13,  1776. 

"Ordered,  That  Captain  Jacobus  Wynkoop  do  inlist  the 


I  have  applied  to  General  Washington  for  the  fire-rafts,  number  of  Mariners  desired  by  Major-General  Schuykr,  for 

for  the  purpose  of  constructing  a  floating-bridge  over  Harlem  tne  service  at  the  Lakes,  with  all  possible  despatch.  That 

River.  He  approves  of  it  if  they  will  answer  the  purpose.  Captain  Wynkoop  proceed  to  Albany  with  the  said  Mariners 

I  should  be  glad  of  your  opinion  per  the  bearer.  to  General  Schuykr,  and  take  his  directions  as  to  the  Vessels 

You  will  please  to  send  the  express  to  General  Washing-  on  tne  Lakes,  until  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congress 

ton  immediately.  We  have  not  a  single  horse  here.  I  have  shall  have  appointed  him  to  that  command,  or  some  other 

written  to  the  General  for  two  or  three.  gentleman  shall  arrive  at  the  Lake  authorized  to  take  the 

I  shall  appoint  a  Court-Martial  for  the  trial  of  Lieutenant  command. 


Priestly  this  day. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours  affectionately, 

To  General  Mifflin. 


W.  HEATH. 


"  Extract  from  the  Minutes : 

"  JOHN  MCKESSON,  Secretary." 

That  in  consequence  of  the  aforesaid  letter  and  order, 
your  memorialist  immediately  inlisted  a  number  of  sailors, 
and  proceeded  up  to  Fort  George,  when  he  received  from 
the  Honourable  Major-General  Schuyler  an  order,  in  the 
words  following : 

"  Fort  George,  May  7,  1776. 
"  SIR:  You  are  immediately  to  repair  to  Tyonderoga,  and 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  COLONEL  GRAHAM. 

King's  Bridge,  August  27,  1776. 

SIR:  By  express  this  moment  I  am  informed  that  three 
ships  are  just  come  to  anchor  above  Frog  Point,  near  the 

New  City;  you  will,  therefore,  without  the  least  delay,  march    take  command  of  all  the  vessels  on  Lake  CAarop/aiw"  which 
your  regiment  to  that  neighbourhood,  and  prevent  their  land-    you  will  with  the  greatest  expedition  put  in  the  best  condition 
ing  or  pillaging  the  stock.     You  will  post  your  regiment  in    possible  for  immediate  service, 
such  manner  as  most  effectually  to  answer  the  purpose  of        « I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 
defeating  the  designs  of  the  enemy. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &.C., 


To  Colonel  Morris  Graham. 


W.  HEATH,  M.  G. 


"Pa.   SCHUYLER. 

"  To  Captain  Wynkoop." 

That  your  memorialist,  expecting  the   appointment  of 


,->  0    -ir         .,,        ,        .      ...  r  , .        Commodore  of  the  Lakes,  and  not  being  willing  to  act  in  a 

P.  S.   You  will  send  me  intelligence  as  often  as  anything       t     A-  ,-,  .,°     , 

i         '    subordinate  capacity,  did,  agreeable  to  the  said  order,  take 


of  importance  transpires. 


upon  him  the  command  of  the  vessels  on  the  Lakes  afore- 
said, and  has  since  continued  in  that  department,  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  said  Continental  Congress  and  of  these  United 
States,  acting  and  exerting  his  abilities  for  the  publick  ad- 
vantage. That  on  the  17th  day  of  August,  instant,  your 
memorialist,  being  on  his  station,  was  alarmed  by  the  report 
of  a  swivel  from  one  of  the  schooners  under  his  command, 


PETITION  OF  COMMODORE  WYNKOOP  TO  THE  CONGRESS. 

To  the  Honourable  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA  in 
Congress  assembled: 

The  Memorial  of  JACOBUS  WYNKOOP  showeth: 

That  your  memorialist  has  been  employed  and  served  in  which  was  succeeded  by  a  similar  signal  from  another  of  the 
the  Continental  service,  and  in  the  service  of  the  United  said  schooners,  which  were  making  ready  to  get  under  sail; 
States  of  America,  from  the  28th  day  of  June,  1775,  until  and  conceiving  that  they  ought  not  to  move  without  his  imme- 
the  18th  day  of  August,  instant.  That  your  memorialist,  diate  orders,  (unless  in  cases  of  alarm,  when  a  boat  should 
by  his  first  appointment  was  a  Captain  in  the  Eighth  Com-  be  instantly  despatched  to  inform  him  of  the  occasion,)  and 
pany  and  Fourth  Regiment  of  Continental  forces,  raised  fearing  that  some  design  had  been  formed  by  the  Captains 
in  the  Province  of  New-  York.  That  his  Honour  Major-  of  the  said  schooners  or  their  crews  to  go  over  to  the  enemy, 
General  Schuykr,  Commander-in-Chief  in  the  Northern  by  the  command  of  your  memorialist  a  swivel  was  fired  to 
Department,  did,  some  time  after  the  appointment  of  your  bring  to  the  said  schooners.  That  upon  firing  of  the  said 
memorialist  to  the  Captaincy  aforesaid,  offer  to  your  me-  swivel,  they  came  to  an  anchor  again,  and  your  memorialist 
morialist  the  command  of  the  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain,  ordered  the  Mate  to  go  in  a  boat  and  bring  the  Captains  on 
and  signified  to  your  memorialist  that  his  Honour  would  board  the  Commodore's  schooner.  All  preparations  for  sail- 
recommend  your  memorialist  to  the  honourable  Continental  ing  were  stopped,  and  Captain  Premier,  commander  of  one 
Congress  as  a  person  fit  for  the  said  station.  That  your  of  the  said  schooners,  (the  other  Captain  being  on  shore,) 
memorialist  being  at  Fort  George,  did,  in  the  month  of  Jan-  came  on  board  the  Royal  Savage,  then  under  your  memori- 
uary,  in  the  present  year,  receive  a  letter  from  his  Honour  alist's  immediate  command.  That  your  memorialist  then 
Major-General  Schuyler,  informing  your  memorialist  that  his  desired  to  know  from  the  said  Captain  for  what  reason  those 
Honour  expected  momently  to  hear  from  Congress  on  the  guns  were  fired  and  preparations  made  for  sailing,  who  in- 
subject  of  his  appointment.  That  in  the  month  of  April  formed  your  memorialist  that  he  had  received  from  his 
last,  your  memorialist,  at  the  city  of  New-York,  did  receive  Honour  Brigadier-General  Arnold  orders  to  get  his  schooner 
from  the  honourable  the  Provincial  Congress  for  the  Pro-  immediately  under  way,  and  beat  down  the  Lake  about 
vince  of  New-York  a  certified  copy  of  a  letter  written  by  his  eight  or  ten  miles,  and  if  he  made  any  discovery  of  the  ene- 
Honour  Major-General  Schuyler  to  the  President  of  the  said 
Provincial  Congress,  which  is  in  the  words  following: 


"  Albany,  March  8,  1776. 

"  SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  yours  of  the  4th  instant.    The      ,.  .    -»         •  -  ,     ,«• 

/~i  .  i  /-,  I  I     j  .u  .  r>     »  •    M/    ?  of  the  Army  in  the  Northern  Department,  or 

Continental  Congress  have  resolved  that  Captain  Wynkoop  .        a-  r   T    n  fr> 

should  be  employed   upon  the  Lakes,  under  Commodore  m*  °.fficer  at  Lake  George  or  Tyonderoga 

Douglass.     Whether  the  latter  gentleman  means  to  engage  V6SSel*  °n  the  LakeS'  ?h°uld  b*  dlre,C       and  firstu 

T   i         .   .  c  .1  •     /-.  nicated  to  your  memorialist,  and  to  be  given  out  bv  him  to 

in  that  service  1  do  not  know;  of  this.  Congress  can  very  •      r<     .  •          j      u-         &  >  •»/  • 

,-.    •  c       -.    ir      u  -\T      v   7      ou     /i  the  respective  Captains  under  his  command,  your  memo- 

speedily  inform  itself,  as  he  resides  near  New-York.    Should      •  ,.  >J 

»  '  rinhst   alert   npin(r    hpttpr    iioniinmrpn    \irifh    tho    ctofo    o*->*l    ...,,. 


my,  to  send  a  boat  and  acquaint  him  of  the  particulars. 
That  your  memorialist,  not  having  received  any  intimation 
of  being  superseded  in  the  command  aforesaid,  and  con- 
ceiving that  any  orders  even  from  the  Commander-in-Chief 

the  command- 
respecting  the 


he  not  engage,  there  is  no  person  1  would  more  willingly 
have  to  command  the  vessels  than  Captain  Wynkoop.  At 
any  rate,  I  wish  you  to  send  him  up  the  soonest  possible, 
with  a  sufficient  number  of  sailors  for  the  two  schooners  and 
sloop. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

"  PH.  SCHUYLER. 
"  To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq." 

"  The  foregoing  is  a  true  copy  of  the  original,  examined 
and  compared  by  ROBERT  BENSON." 

Your  memorialist  received  at  the  same  time  an  extract 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


75 


rialist  also  being  better  acquainted  with  the  state  and  con- 
dition of  the  said  vessels,  your  memorialist  did  transmit  to 
his  Honour  the  said  Brigadier-General  Arnold  a  letter,  in 
the  words  following : 

"  On  board  the  Royal  Savage,  August  17,  1776. 
"8m:  I  find  by  an  order  you  have  given  out  that  the 
schooners  are  to  go  down  the  Lake.     I  know  no  orders  but 
what  shall  be  given  out  by  me,  except  sailing  orders  from 
the  Commander-in-Chief.    If  an  enemy  is  approaching,  I  am 
to  be  acquainted  with  it,  and  know  how  to  act  in  my  station. 
.  "  I  am,  sir,  yours,  JACOBUS  WYNKOOP, 

"  Commander  of  Lake  Champlain." 


1187 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1188 


That  your  memorialist  soon  after  received  a  letter  from 
his  Honour  the  said  Brigadier-General  Arnold,  informing 
your  memorialist  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  and  inti- 
mating that  the  Commander-in-Chief  had  appointed  him  to 
take  the  command  of  the  Navy  on  the  Lake,  and  threaten- 
ing your  memorialist  with  an  arrest.  That  your  memorialist 
having  thus  received  information  of  the  approach  of  the 
enemy,  that  the  service  might  not  suffer  by  the  dispute  of 
the  officers,  issued  out  an  order  to  the  Captains  of  the  said 
schooners,  in  the  words  following : 

"  On  board  the  Royal  Savage,  August  17,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN:  You  will  immediately  get  under  way  and 
go  down  the  Lake  about  eight  or  ten  miles.  If  you  make 
any  discovery  of  the  enemy,  send  a  boat  to  acquaint  me  of 
the  particulars.  If  none  of  the  enemy  appear,  you  are 
directly  to  return. 

"  Yours,  JACOBUS  WYNKOOP,  Commander. 

"  To  Captain  Seaman  and  Captain  Premier." 

That  immediately  after  your  memorialist  had  received  the 
letter  aforesaid  from  his  Honour  the  said  Brigadier-General 
Arnold,  his  Honour  the  said  Brigadier-General  Arnold  came 
on  board  the  Royal  Savage,  and  asked  your  memorialist  how 
he  dared  to  countermand  his  orders,  and  acquainted  your 
memorialist  that  he  had  power  to  take  the  command  of  the 
fleet,  and  showed  a  paper  containing  written  orders  from  his 
Honour  Major-General  Gates  to  that  purport.  That  your 
memorialist,  conceiving  that  no  officer  could  be  placed  over 
him  in  the  naval  department  unless  by  appointment  from 
the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  or  the  Provincial 
Congress  for  the  Province  of  Neiv-  York,  except  in  causes 
of  misdemeanour,  and  your  memorialist  being  conscious  of 
having  done  his  duty,  did  acquaint  the  said  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral Arnold  that  he  would  receive  no  orders  from  him  as  a 
naval  officer,  under  his  present  appointment,  and  that  all 
orders  from  the  commanders  of  the  several  posts  on  the  Lake 
ought  regularly  to  be  first  communicated  to  your  memorial- 
ist. That  his  Honour  the  said  Brigadier-General  Arnold 
then  despatched  a  letter  to  his  Honour  Major-General  Gates, 
acquainting  him  with  the  above  particulars,  and  on  the  18th 
day  of  August,  instant,  your  memorialist  received  a  letter  from 
the  said  Brigadier-General  Arnold,  in  the  words  following: 

"  Crown-Point,  August  18,  1776. 

"  SIR  :  The  following  is  a  paragraph  of  a  letter  and  orders 
I  have  just  received  from  the  Honourable  Major-General 
Gates,  viz: 

"  '  It  is  my  orders  you  immediately  put  Commodore  Wyn- 
'  hoop  in  arrest,  and  send  him  prisoner  to  Head-Quarters  at 
'  Tyonderoga.  HORATIO  GATES.' 

"  In  consequence  of  the  above  order,  I  do  hereby  put  you 
in  arrest,  of  which  you  will  take  notice  and  govern  yourself 
accordingly.  A  boat  and  hands  shall  be  ordered  this  eve- 
ning or  to-morrow  morning  to  attend  you  to  Tyonderoga. 
Please  to  let  me  know  what  time  will  be  most  agreeable. 

"  I  am  your  humble  servant, 

"  B.  ARNOLD,  Brigadier-General." 

That  agreeable  to  the  above  order  your  memorialist  im- 
mediately repaired  to  Tyonderoga,  and  was  ordered  from 
thence  by  his  Honour  Major-General  Gates  to  the  honour- 
able Major-General  Philip  Schuyler,  and  was  informed  by 
his  Honour  the  said  Major-General  Gates  that  he  had  sent 
his  crime  forward. 

That  your  memorialist  humbly  imagines  if  he  had  suffered 
the  said  schooners  to  go  off  unmolested,  and  the  design  of  the 
Captains  or  crews  of  the  said  schooners  had  been  to  go  over 
to  the  enemy,  and  such  design  carried  into  execution,  that 
your  memorialist  would  not  have  been  suffered  to  escape 
with  impunity;  and  that  therefore  it  was  his  duty,  when 
signals  and  preparations  were  made  by  them  for  sailing,  to 
know  their  destination  and  issue  out  the  necessary  orders. 

Your  memorialist  therefore  humbly  requests  these  United 
States  in  Congress  assembled  to  take  this  memorial  into  their 
wise  consideration,  and  grant  him  such  relief  as  he  is  in  jus- 
tice entitled  to.  JACOBUS  WYNKOOP. 
Albany,  August  27,  1776. 

GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  27,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  In  answer  to  your  favour  of  yesterday, 
with  this  I  transmit  you  the  original  letter  I  received  from 


General  Schuyler  relative  to  the  small-pox,  by  the  hands  of 
Captain  Thatcher,  who  now  goes  down  to  receive  the  rig- 
ging, &ic.,  for  the  galleys,  and  you  will  oblige  me  to  return 
it  by  him.  In  consequence  of  the  above  letter,  I  immedi- 
ately despatched  several  officers,  and  gave  each  of  them  a 
copy  of  it,  certifying  that  the  above  mentioned  officers  were 
sent  by  me  to  see  that  the  orders  of  General  Schuyler  were 
faithfully  to  be  executed.  You  will  readily  see  that  the 
general  design  of  his  Honour's  letter  was  to  prevent  the  in- 
fection of  the  small-pox  from  coming  among  us  from  any 
quarter,  and  it  may  be  that  the  Continental  Regiments,  in 
consequence  of  the  declaration  of  said  letter,  have  stopped. 
Lest  this  should  be  the  case,  I  shall  send  off  immediately  to 
meet  them  and  hasten  them  on. 

As  the  seamen  were  draughted  from  here  to  go  with  Ge- 
neral Arnold,  I  shall  be  glad,  sir,  if  you  would  give  Captain 
Thatcher  the  liberty  of  bringing  with  him  a  few  from  your 
place,  if  any  there  be,  to  help  rig  the  galleys.  You  cannot 
be  more  anxious  than  I  am  to  have  them  completed.  '  The 
business  is  pushed  on  with  all  might,  and  nothing  shall  be 
wanting  to  fit  them  for  action.  We  are  remarkably  kept 
back  by  sickness,  but  I  think  it  will  be  a  great  advantage  to 
rig  them  while  the  carpenter  work  is  doing.  Diligent  search 
shall  be  made  for  the  fellows  mentioned  in  Colonel  Trum- 
bull's  letter,  and  if  they  are  found  I  shall  send  them  to  Ticon- 
deroga. 

I  would  mention  to  your  Honour  that  there  are  some  of 
Captain  Wetherbee's  company  that  were  inoculated,  that  were 
ordered  to  keep  back,  came  to  this  place  before  I  knew  of 
their  being  in.  I  have  sent  them  back  a  little  distance,  and 
shall  wait  your  Honour's  orders  concerning  the  matter.  And 
am,  dear  General,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your  most  obe- 


dient, humble  servant, 


DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun. 


To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  The  rain  has  been  so  great  at  this  place,  and  the 
land  so  overflowed,  there  is  hardly  any  passing  from  this  to 
any  part  of  the  inhabitants  or  country. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  CROWN-POINT,  DATED  AUGUST 

27,  1776. 

Our  fleet,  consisting  of  three  schooners,  one  large  sloop, 
four  gondolas,  and  four  galleys,  now  lie  in  Lake  Champlain, 
near  Crown-Point,  and  expect  to  sail  in  three  days  and  lay 
in  a  narrow  passage  of  the  Lake  to  prevent  the  enemy  from 
passing.  We  have  information  that  the  enemy  are  on  their 
way  to  this  place  from  St.  John's — they  have  no  other 
craft  than  batteaus.  If  they  come,  I  trust  we  shall  give 
them  a  warm  reception,  as  our  fleet  is  well  fitted  and  man- 
ned. We  have  now  at  Ticonderoga  about  three  thousand 
five  hundred  effective  men,  and  more  coming  in  daily.  The 
Fort,  and  every  height  and  point  about  it,  is  well  fortified; 
besides  we  have  the  command  of  the  Lakes. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Lebanon,  August  27,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  the  19th,  as  also  that  of  the  llth 
instant,  have  been  duly  received,  and  it  gives  me  much  satis- 
faction to  learn  that  our  affairs  under  your  department  begin 
to  wear  so  favourable  an  aspect,  and  that  there  is  so  great  a 
prospect  of  our  being  able  to  preserve  our  superiority  on  the 
Lakes.  Your  attention  and  assiduity  to  prevent  the  spreading 
of  that  contagious  disease,  which  has  proved  the  bane  of  our 
Northern  Army  heretofore,  I  can't  but  think  most  season- 
able, judicious,  and  salutary. 

Am  obliged  for  the  kind  mention  you  are  pleased  to  make 
of  my  exertions,  which  shall  not  be  wanting,  and  shall 
esteem  myself  happy  if  any  endeavours  of  mine  can  serve 
the  just  and  glorious  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged. 

The  tents  and  clothing  are  forwarding  with  all  expedition. 
We  expected  medicine  chests  and  everything  necessary 
would  have  been  provided  by  the  Continent ;  however,  we 
have  sent  one  chest  of  medicines  forward,  and  whatever  is 
further  wanted  should  be  glad  to  have  the  earliest  intimation 
of,  that  we  may  afford  all  the  needful  supplies  in  our  power. 
And  am,  sir,  with  esteem,  your  most  obedient,  humble  ser- 
vant, 


To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


JONA.  TRUMBULL. 


1189 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1190 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Lebanon,  August  27,  1776. 

SIR:  Yours  of  the  25th  instant  have  just  received,  and 
in  answer  thereto,  can  only  say  that  I  wish  it  was  in  our 
power  to  afford  you  that  assistance  you  request.  But  our 
armed  vessel,  as  also  the  Continental  brig  which  lay  in 
our  port,  are  all  gone  out  on  a  cruise ;  they  sailed  last 
Sunday. 

Two  ships  and  two  brigs  have  gone  up  our  Sound  to  the 
westward,  in  order,  as  is  supposed,  to  block  the  communi- 
cation. Two  are  also  cruising  off  Block-Island  and  Man- 
tauge  Point. 

The  last  intelligence  from  our  Army  at  New-York  is,  that 
the  enemy  have  landed  about  ten  or  twelve  thousand  troops 
on  Long-Island,  and  sundry  skirmishes  have  ensued,  in  all 
which  we  have  had  the  better.  They  still  continue  under 
the  protection  of  their  ships.  When  the  last  express  came 
away,  Saturday  last,  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  they  were  then 
engaged.  May  God  grant  us  success. 

From,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JONA.  TRUMBULL. 
To  the  Hon.  James  Bowdoin,  Esq. 


CONNECTICUT  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  27,  1776: 

Present,  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez  Huntington, 
Richard  Law,  Jed.  Elderkin,  William  Hillhouse,  Nathan- 
iel Wales,  Jun.,  Benjamin  Huntington,  Esquires. 

James  Jauncey,  Esq.,  of  New- York,  being  in  this  State 
by  order  of  General  Washington,  and  on  his  parole  to  con- 
tinue in  Middletown,  applies  for  liberty  to  repair  to  West- 
chester,  in  the  State  of  New-York,  and  from  thence  to 
bring  his  and  his  son's  families  to  Middletown.  Where- 
upon it  is 

Voted,  That  the  said  James  Jauncey,  Esq.,  has  liberty 
to  take  with  him  such  person  or  persons  as  shall  be  advised 
to  by  Jabez  Hamlin,  Esq.,  and  repair  to  Westchester,  and 
from  thence  bring  his  wife  and  family,  and  also  the  wife  and 
family  of  James  Jauncey,  Jun.,  Esq.,  to  Middletown  afore- 
said, making  as  little  stay  in  the  State  of  New-York  as  may 
be,  in  doing  the  business  aforesaid. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £110 
14s.,  in  favour  of  Isaac  Doolittle  and  Jeremiah  Atwater,  of 
New-Haven,  owners  of  the  Powder-Mill  there,  for  making 
Gunpowder  for  this  State,  and  to  be  in  account,  they  stand- 
ing accountable  for  what  Powder  they  have  made,  which 
they  say  is  forty -one  hundred  weight,  as  well  as  for  what  they 
shall  hereafter  make. 

Order  given  August  27, 1776 ;  delivered  Isaac  Doolittle. 

Voted,  To  draw  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £300,  in  favour 
of  Colonel  Jonathan  Fitch,  of  New-Haven,  to  enable  him 
to  purchase  Clothing  and  Tents  for  the  Northern  Army, 
and  to  render  his  account,  to  be  paid  in  Continental  Bills, 
lodged  in  the  Treasury  by  Mr.  Sherman,  if  any  such  in  the 
Treasury,  or  otherwise  out  of  the  proper  Treasury. 

Order  drawn  27th  August,  and  delivered  Mr.  Doolittle. 

Voted,  That  Captain  Michael  Melally  be,  and  he  is  here- 
by, appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  the  armed  Ship  Oliver 
Cromwell,  belonging  to  this  State,  and  that  his  Honour  the 
Governour  be  desired  to  commissionate  him  accordingly. 

Commission  sent  him  per  Thomas  Winthrop. 

Voted,  That  John  Smith,  of  East-Hartford  be,  and  he 
is  hereby,  appointed  Third  Lieutenant  of  the  armed  Ship 
Oliver  Cromwell,  and  his  Honour  the  Governour  is  desired 
to  commissionate  him  accordingly. 

Commission  sent  per  Thomas  Winthrop. 

Memorandum:  Orders  to  be  given  to  forward  Camp-Ket- 
tles to  the  Northward,  as  they  are  much  wanted. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Governour  and  Council  of  Safety, 
August  28,  1776 : 

Present,  His  Honour  the  Governour,  Jabez  Huntington, 
Richard  Law,  Jed.  Elderkin,  William  Hillhouse,  Nathan- 
iel Wales,  Jun.,  Benjamin  Huntington,  Esquires. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £1000, 
in  favour  of  Ebenezer  Ledyard,  Esq.,  Commissary  of  the 


Troops  of  the  Fort  in  Groton,  for  Supplies  and  Buildings 
at  that  place,  and  to  be  in  account. 

Order  drawn  August  28,  1776,  and  delivered  Ebenezer 
Ledyard,  Esq. 

Voted,  To  draw  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £625  4s.,  in  favour 
of  Nathaniel  Shaiv,  Jun.,  for  Money  advanced  by  him  to 
Captain  Harding,  of  the  Brig  Defence,  in  finishing  and 
fixing  said  Brig  for  a  cruise,  to  be  in  account  for  Brig  De- 
fence. 

Order  drawn  28th  August,  and  delivered  E.  Ledyard, 
Esq. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  on  the  Pay-Table  for  the  sum 
of  £600,  in  favour  of  Andrew  Huntington,  to  enable  him 
to  purchase  Tents  and  Clothing  for  the  Northern  Army,  to 
be  paid  in  Continental  Money,  lodged  by  Mr.  Sherman,  and 
to  be  in  account. 

Order  given  28th  August,  1776;  delivered  Ebenezer 
Ledyard,  Esq. 

Voted,  To  draw  an  Order  on  the  Pay-Table  for  £500,  in 
favour  of  Josiah  Elderkin,  for  supplies  of  Tents  and  Cloth- 
ing for  the  Northern  Army,  to  be  paid  out  of  money  lodged 
by  Mr.  Sherman,  if  any  such,  otherwise  to  be  paid  in  the 
proper  money  of  this  State,  and  to  be  in  account. 

Order  given  28th  August,  1776;  delivered  to  E.  Led- 
yard, Esq. 

Voted,  To  order  the  Sheriff  of  Neiv-London  County  to 
transport  all  the  Prisoners  from  Albany,  now  confined  in 
New-London  Jail,  to  Preston,  there  to  be  delivered  into  the 
care  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection  of  Preston,  and  to  be 
kept  ore  their  parole,  viz:  William  Pemberton,  Alexander 
Campbell,  Thomas  Swords,  Samuel  Anderson,  to  be  sup- 
ported at  their  own  expense,  and  Walter  Scott,  John  Scott, 
Jacob  Zimmerman,  Nicholas  Weaver,  Ralph  Watson,  John 
Duzenbury,  Frederick  Williams,  Henry  Wytenhouse,  Du- 
gal  Campbell,  Benjamin  Grinman,  Owen  Conner,  William 
McMullen,  Israel  Osborne,  and  Samuel  Messenger,  to  be 
allowed  to  labour  for  their  support,  under  the  inspection  of 
the  Committee  of  Preston. 

Order  given  to  the  Sheriff  and  to  the  Committee  August 
28,  1776.  « 

Memorandum:  August  31,  1776,  Colonel  Huntington, 
Colonel  Elderkin,  Major  Hillhouse,  and  Mr.  Wales,  attend-  * 
ed  on  business  with  his  Honour  the  Governour. 


COLONEL  BAYLEY  TO  THE   NEW-HAMPSHIRE  COMMITTEE  OF 
SAFETY. 

Newbury,  August  27,  1776. 

.  GENTLEMEN  :  According  to  your  desire  the  Continental 
men  under  my  inspection  have  tarried,  and  about  twenty- 
five  have  inlisted  to  tarry  until  the  1st  of  December,  to  be 
under  the  command  of  Samuel  Atkinson,  Captain,  Jonathan 
Robbins,  Lieutenant,  and  Peter  Dustin,  Ensign,  and  will 
wait  upon  you  for  the  bounty,  marching  money,  and  further 
orders,  as  I  did  not  think  best  to  inlist  the  inhabitants,  and 
have  sent  Mr.  Atkinson  and  the  other  two  to  inlist  the  re- 
mainder. The  men  will  certainly  be  wanted.  If  our  Army 
should  proceed  over  the  Lake,  we  shall  employ  them  in 
that  service,  to  make  the  road,  drive  the  cattle,  &ic. ;  if  not, 
the  enemy  will  certainly  come  to  us.  I  have  sent  to  Gene- 
ral Gates,  and  doubtless  shall  in  two  days  know  the  cer- 
tainty, and  shall  transmit  to  you.  Colonel  Hand  will  inform 
of  other  matters. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  regard,  your  most 
humble  servant,  JACQB 

To  the  Honourable  Committee  of  Safety. 


MARYLAND   COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  JOHN  HANSON. 
[No.  164.]  Annapolis,  August  28,  1776. 

SIR  :  In  consequence  of  your  requests  contained  in  your 
letter  of  the  24th  instant,  we  have  ordered  the  Treasurer  of 
the  Western-Shore  to  pay  to  Mr.  Edelin  £250,  to  be  ap- 
plied by  the  Committee  towards  the  support  of  the  prisoners 
in  Frederick-Town.  When  this  sum  is  nearly  expended, 
you  will  be  pleased  to  inform  the  Council  of  Safety  thereof, 
that  a  further  supply  may  be  ordered.  We  are,  Sic. 

To  John  Hanson,  Esq. 


1191 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1192 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  CHARLES  COUNTY  COMMIT- 
TEE. 
[No.  165.]  Annapolis,  August  28,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Captain  Conway  is  just  ready  to  sail,  and 
wants  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  cannon  powder.     Be 
pleased  to  let  him  have  it,  and  we  will  cause  it  to   be 
replaced.     We  are,  &tc. 
To  the  Committee  of  Observation  of  Charles  County. 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  ROBERT  BERRY. 
[No.  166.]  Annapolis,  August  28,  1776. 

SIR:  You  are  to  proceed  from  hence  to  the  coal  mine  in 
Virginia,  and  there  endeavour  to  purchase  five  or  six  thou- 
sand bushels  of  coal.  If  you  can  hire  vessels  to  bring  the 
same  up,  the  freight,  as  also  the  value  of  the  vessels,  if  taken 
by  the  enemy,  will  be  paid  by  the  State  of  Maryland. 

We  are,  &ic. 

To  Mr.  Robert  Berry. 


CAPTAIN  DARNES  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 
Chester-town,  Kent  County,  August  28,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  take  this  opportunity,  by  Mr.  Smith,  to 
inform  you  my  company  is  now  on  their  march.  Have 
received  knapsacks,  haversacks,  cartouch-boxes,  bayonet- 
belts,  and  gun-slings;  but  are  at  a  loss  for  camp-kettles, 
tent-cloth,  and  blankets,  not  having  more  than  about  forty 
blankets:  the  men  complain  for  the  want  of  them.  If  we 
could  be  furnished  with  cloth,  we  could  now  have  tents 
made  here.  Captains  Smith's  and  Perkins's  companies  are 
exceedingly  well  fitted  with  tents.  It  seems,  from  the  num- 
ber of  troops  that  have  marched  for  the  northward,  it  would 
be  almost  impossible  to  be  supplied  there. 

Gentlemen,  if  your  Board  should  think  proper  to  supply 
me  with  tent-cloth,  camp-kettles,  and  more  blankets,  shall 
think  myself  infinitely  obliged.  The  things  might  be  put  on 
board  a  Rockhall  boat,  where  we  may  get  them  very  hand- 
ily. 

I  have  had  no  cash  for  the  support  of  my  company,  which 
I  am  much  in  want  of. 

Mr.  Winters  has  not  returned  from  Annapolis,  therefore 
have  not  got  our  arms  from  him  yet. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

JOHN  DARNES. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland-. 


PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS   TO  COMMANDING  OFFICER  OF  VIR- 
GINIA  BATTALION. 

Philadelphia,  August  28,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Congress  being  informed  that  you  are  on  your 
march  to  New-Jersey,  with  intention  to  pass  through  York- 
town  and  Philadelphia,  I  have  it  in  charge  to  direct  that 
you  continue  your  march  from  Yorktown  by  the  nearest 
route  to  New-Jersey,  (avoiding  Philadelphia  on  account  of 
the  small-pox,)  where,  on  your  arrival,  you  will  execute 
such  orders  as  General  Washington  shall  think  proper  to 
give  you. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 
JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 

To  Colonel  ,  Commanding  Officer  of  one  of  the 

Virginia  Battalions. 


PETITION  OF  JEAN  LAUGEAY,  ARTIFICIAL  FIREWORKER. 

[August  28,  1776,  read  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Continental  Congress: 
HONOURABLE  SIRS  :  Your  petitioner,  Jean  Laugeay, 
Frenchman,  has  been  brought  up  to  the  art  of  artificial  fire- 
works in  France,  an  art  so  necessary  to  make  signals  and 
render  lights,  both  to  the  navies  and  armies  in  camp,  at  the 
time  of  night,  as  to  be  looked  upon  by  most  nations  in  Europe 
as  a  considerable  branch  of  the  art  of  war;  the  importance 
whereof  being  so  little  known  in  this  part  of  the  world,  has 
induced  the  petitioner  to  offer  his  service  to  the  honourable 
the  Continental  Congress  of  America  to  be  employed  by 
them  in  the  art  of  fireworks,  and  in  such  a  station  as  they 
may,  on  inquiring  into  his  character  and  abilities,  judge  him 
most  capable  of. 


Should  this  honourable  House  think  proper  to  employ  the 
petitioner  in  their  service,  he  shall  by  every  means  in  his 
power  endeavour  to  discharge  the  duty  intrusted  to  him  with 
every  mark  of  honesty  and  fidelity. 

I  am,  honourable  sirs,  with  the  utmost  duty  and  respect, 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

JEAN  LAUGEAY. 


PETITION  OF  PAUL  FOOKS. 

[Referred  to  the  Board  of  War,  1776.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Continental  Congress,  fyc.: 

The  humble  Petition  O/PAUL  FOOKS  respectfully  showelh: 

That  your  petitioner,  having  served  under  the  former,  and 

having  been  continued  under  the  present  Government  of  this 

State,  in  the  office  of  Notary  Publick  and  Interpreter  of  the 

French  and  Spanish  languages,  and  being  zealous  to  serve 

the  righteous  cause  of  American  liberty  to  the  utmost  of  his 

abilities,  he  presumes  to  offer  his  services  to  this  honourable 

House  as  their  Interpreter  for  the  said  languages.    If  he  has 

the  honour  to  be  employed  in  this  station,  he  flatters  himself 

he  may  be  useful,  as  many  foreigners  who  daily  arrive  here 

are  at  a  loss  for  such  assistance. 

And  your  petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

PAUL  FOOKS. 


War  Office,  Philadelphia,  August  28,  1776. 
As  there  is  the  most  pressing  necessity  for  all  the  troops, 
without  exception,  who  are  now  in  Philadelphia  on  their 
way  to  the  camp,  to  march  to  Amboy,  in  the  State  of  New- 
Jersey,  it  is  hereby  most  earnestly  requested  that  they  do 
immediately  proceed,  without  waiting  for  further  supplies  of 
arms  or  any  other  matter  or  thing,  as  care  will  be  taken  to 
furnish  them  when  they  arrive  at  camp. 

RICHARD  PETERS,  Secretary. 


C/ESAR  RODNEY  TO  THOMAS  RODNEY. 

Philadelphia,  August  28,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  at  last  got  from  the  shoemaker  and  sent  down 
by  the  post  Betsy's  and  Sally's  shoes.  I  don't  know  which 
pair  is  Betsy's  or  which  is  Sally's;  this  they  must  find  out 
themselves,  if  they  ever  come  safe  to  hand.  However,  I 
know  they  are  very  dear,  to  wit:  14*.  6d.  a  pair. 

I  intended  to  come  down,  but  have  been  prevailed  on  by 
the  other  Delegates  to  stay  and  attend  Congress  during  their 
absence,  the  business  in  Congress  being  important  to  each 
Colony,  especially  ours.  They  proposed  that  the  Conven- 
tion should  give  the  power  of  voting  for  the  Colony  to  one 
Delegate,  to  prevent  our  Colony  suffering  while  they  were 
engaged  in  other  business.  This  I  consented  to,  being 
determined  that  the  folly  and  ingratitude  of  the  people 
shall  not  divert  my  attention  from  the  publick  good.  I 
have  seen  Independence  declared,  and  when  I  see  this 
campaign  well  ended,  (as  I  hope  it  will,)  and  regular 
Government  established,  then  I  intend  to  leave  the  publick 
and  take  the  private  paths  of  life.  Future  generations 
will  honour  these  names,  that  are  neglected  by  the  present 
race. 

As  soon  as  I  received  the  accounts  from  Kent  and  New-  Cas- 
tle of  the  elections,  I  wrote  to  Mr.  McKean  at  Amboy,  and  de- 
sired he  would  give  immediate  attendance  at  the  Convention. 
He  got  my  letter,  and  in  consequence  thereof  came  to  Phila- 
delphia on  Sunday  night  last,  and  set  out  yesterday  morning 
very  early  to  New-Castle.  While  he  was  here  I  mentioned 
to  him  the  circumstance  of  vesting  the  power  of  voting  (in 
Congress)  in  one  Delegate.  He  liked  much  to  have  the 
power  in  one,  but  was  so  averse  to,  and  determined  against, 
the  Convention  taking  upon  them  or  concerning  with  the 
least  iota,  except  the  barely  framing  a  plan  of  Government, 
that  he  was  of  opinion  he  should  never  consent  to  their  ap- 
pointing Delegates,  or  even  altering  their  power,  lest  they 
should  afterwards  be  inclined  to  hold  it  out  as  a  precedent  for 
their  taking  upon  themselves  some  other  matters  which  he 
thinks  they  would  willingly  be  at.  He  says,  for  his  part  he 
is  tired  of  attending  the  Congress,  but  is  determined  they 
shall  turn  him  nor  no  one  else  out ;  that  if  they  are  deter- 
mined to  do  those  things  by  the  strength  of  their  majority, 


1193 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1194 


he  will  try  the  strength  of  the  country  with  them,  even  at 
the  risk  of  the  Court-House. 

In  the  opinion  of  many  people,  the  Convention  of  this 
Province  are  making  such  strides  as  will  effectually  knock 
up  both  them  and  their  plan.  When  our  Delegates  return, 
I  am  to  go  home  for  the  remainder  of  the  fall.  I  am  by  pro- 
mise to  hear  by  every  opportunity  how  they  go  on  at  New- 
Castle. 

About  ten  thousand  of  the  enemy  are  landed  on  Long- 
Island.  They  have  been  skirmishing  every  day  since,  and 
we  are  constantly  looking  for  something  important.  Wash- 
ington is  in  high  spirits;  says  they  have  overstayed  their 
time,  and  that  he  is  now  ready  for  them ;  the  sooner  the 
better. 

Putnam  commands  on  Long-Island,  and  has  with  him 
Major-General  Sullivan,  Brigadier-General  Lord  Stirling, 
and  three  other  Brigadiers.  Remember  me  kindly  to  my 
relations  and  friends. 

I  am  yours,  &c.,  CjESAR  RODNEY 

To  Thomas  Rodney. 

P.  S.  I  wrote  to  Colonel  Haslet  since  the  battalion  went 
to  New-York,  but  have  not  yet  got  an  answer;  therefore 
don't  know  how  they  are  there. 


amounts  to  eight  thousand  and  three  hundred.  I  have  directed 
fifteen  hundred  to  be  left  at  Arnboy,  four  hundred  at  Wood- 
bridge,  and  five  hundred  at  Elizabeth-Town.  Many  of  the 
Pennsylvania™  have  joined  us  with  arms  unfit  for  service, 
and  some  have  refused  to  march  on.  What  I  can  collect 
of  the  operations  of  yesterday  is,  that  early  in  the  morning 
the  enemy  advanced  within  forty  yards  of  our  lines;  they 
received  so  well-directed  fire  of  cannon  and  musketry,  which 
obliged  them  to  retreat,  that  a  considerable  body  from  our 
works  sallied  out  and  attacked  them,  but  were  repulsed,  and 
obliged  to  give  way  to  superior  numbers. 

Some  men-of-war  tried  to  get  up  to  New-York,  but  the 
tide  failed  them;  one  was  as  high  as  Red,  Hook.  It  was 
believed  that  next  tide,  which  makes  early  this  morning, 
would  bring  them  up.  General  Washington,  with  the  greater 
part  of  the  Army,  was  on  Long-Island  yesterday;  and  the 
action  continued  at  two  o'clock,  when  the  note  from  General 
Wooster  was  sent  off.  Considerable  firing  has  been  heard 
this  morning,  which  still  continues.  What  troops  are  here 
I  am  pushing  on  to  Bergen,  and  shall  be  with  them  imme- 
diately. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

HUGH  MERCER. 
To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


DOCTOR  FRANKLIN  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Philadelphia,  August  28,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  The  Congress  being  advised  that  there  was 
a  probability  that  the  Hessians  might  be  induced  to  quit  the 
British  service  by  offers  of  land,  came  to  two  resolves  for 
this  purpose,  which,  being  translated  into  German  and 
printed,  are  sent  to  Staten-Island,  to  be  distributed,  if  prac- 
ticable, among  those  people.  Some  of  them  have  tobacco 
marks  on  the  back,  that  so  tobacco  being  put  up  in  them  in 
small  quantities,  as  the  tobacconists  use,  and  suffered  to  fall 
into  the  hands  of  these  people,  they  might  divide  the  papers 
as  plunder  before  their  officers  could  come  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  contents,  and  prevent  their  being  read  by  the  men. 
That  was  the  first  resolve.  A  second  has  since  been  made 
.for  the  officers  themselves.  I  am  desired  to  send  some  of 
"**  both  sorts  to  you,  that,  if  you  find  it  practicable,  you  may 
convey  them  among  the  Germans  that  shall  come  against 
you. 

The  Congress  continue  firmly  united,  and  we  begin  to 
distress  the  enemy's  trade  very  much,  many  valuable  prizes 
being  continually  brought  in.  Arms  and  ammunition  are  also 
continually  arriving,  the  French  having  resolved  to  permit 
the  exportation  to  us,  as  they  heartily  wish  us  success;  so 
that  in  another  year  we  shall  be  well  provided. 

As  you  may  not  have  seen  Dr.  Price's  excellent  pamphlet, 
for  writing  which  the  city  of  London  presented  him  a  free- 
dom in  a  gold  box  of  fifty  pounds'  value,  I  send  you  one  of 
them. 

My  last  advices  from  England  say  that  the  Ministry  have 
done  tlieir  utmost  in  fitting  out  this  armament;  and  that,  if 
it  fails,  they  cannot  find  means  next  year  to  go  on  with  the 
war.  While  I  am  writing  comes  an  account  that  the  armies 
were  engaged  on  Long-Island,  the  event  unknown,  which 
throws  us  into  anxious  suspense.  God  grant  success. 

I  am,  &ic.,  B.  FRANKLIN. 

To  Horatio  Gates. 


GENERAL  MERCER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  August  29,  1776.] 
Newark,  August  28,  1776,  five  o'clock  A.  M. 
SIR:  General  Washington  had  wrote  me  that  some  re- 
inforcements would  be  necessary  at  New-York  and  Powles 
Hook;  such  troops  as  composed  or  were  inlisted  for  the 
Flying-Camp  were  ordered  to  proceed  immediately  for  this 
place.  On  the  way  yesterday  evening,  General  Wooster's 
Aid-de-Camp  met  me,  with  a  few  lines  from  the  General, 
signifying  it  was  General  Washington's  orders  that  I  should 
march,  with  all  our  Army  under  rny  command,  immediately 
to  Powles  Hook.  The  necessary  orders  were  sent  to  Amboy, 
Woodbridge,  and  Elizabeth-Town,  last  night,  and  I  hope  to 
ha  ve  on  Bergen,  ready  to  pass  over  to  New-  York,  if  required, 
from  throe  to  four  thousand  men.  Our  whole  force,  including 
the  New-Jersey  Militia,  from  Powles  Hook  to  Shrewsbury, 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  28, 

1776. 

Yesterday  morning  the  enemy  stole  through  the  woods  I 
mentioned  to  you  in  my  last  our  men  were  posted  in ;  it  is 
so  extensive  we  could  not  sufficiently  guard  it.  They  have 
gained  a  little  ground,  but  have  bought  it  almost  as  dear  as 
they  did  Bunker's  Hill.  Our  Army,  at  least  the  small  part 
that  was  engaged,  behaved  most  manfully;  they,  as  it  were, 
surrounded  our  people,  and  we  were  obliged  to  fight  our  way 
through  them.  Colonel  Smallwood's  battalion  has  gained 
immortal  honour.  He  was  not  with  it  himself;  Lord  Stirling 
commanded  it,  and  the  Delaware  battalion,  as  part  of  his 
brigade.  They  fought  the  enemy,  treble  in  number,  in  open 
field,  several  hours,  till  at  last,  surrounded  on  the  side  of  a 
small  creek,  they  were  obliged  to  make  the  best  retreat  they 
could.  Most  of  them  swam  the  creek.  Lord  Stirling,  at  the 
head  of  three  companies,  attempted  to  force  his  way  through 
the  enemy.  Captains  Bowie,  Veazey,  Lieutenants  Sterret, 
Wright,  Coursey,  Dent,  Butkr,  Praul,  Ensigns  Furnandcs, 
Courts,  are  missing,  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  of 
Smallwood's  battalion.  The  officers  gave  Lord  Stirling  the 
character  of  as  brave  a  man  as  ever  lived.  We  are  very 
sorry  for  his  loss,  and  are  fearful  that  he  is  killed,  from  the 
danger  he  was  seen  in.  General  Sullivan  is  likewise  miss- 
ing, and  many  other  officers,  with  about  three  hundred  men  ; 
however,  we  are  still  in  hopes  of  seeing  many  of  them,  as 
they  are  constantly  coming  in,  having  got  round  through  the 
country;  General  Parsons  has  come  in  in  the  same  way,  after 
being  out  all  this  morning.  I  assure  you  there  has  been 
severe  work  on  both  sides.  Our  people  who  have  come  in 
say  the  fields  and  woods  are  covered  with  dead  bodies ;  and 
a  deserter  informs  the  enemy  have  lost  near  six  hundred 
men.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  among  their  slain 
is  General  Grant,  lately  Colonel  Grant,  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  who  gave  the  Americans  the  character  of  cow- 
ards. General  Parsons  saw  his  body;  but  the  soldier  who 
killed  him  and  got  his  papers,  &,c.,  is  missing.  The  enemy 
once  attempted  to  force  our  lines,  but  were  repulsed,  and 
are  now  encamped  about  a  mile  from  us. 

Colonel  Smallwood  and  Colonel  Ware  were  necessarily 
detained  here  on  a  Court-Martial  for  the  trial  of  Colonel 
Zedtwitz,  who  is  sentenced  to  be  broke,  and  rendered  inca- 
pable of  ever  holding  any  military  office. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST 

28,  1776. 

We  yesterday  had  a  severe  engagement  with  the  enemy 
on  Long-Island;  they  came  through  a  wood  where  we  were 
posted,  in  order  to  come  to  our  lines;  they  did  make  an 
attempt  to  force  them,  but  were  repulsed;  they  gained  a 
little  ground,  but  at  as  great  a  price  almost  as  they  did 
Bunker's  Hill.  We  have  missing  on.  our  part  General 
Sullivan,  and  about  three  hundred  others.  The  Island  is 
so  extensive,  and  the  enemy  having  got  round  our  people, 


1195 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1196 


that  many  of  our  men  made  their  way  through  into  the 
country,  and  are  constantly  coming  in;  General  Parsons  was 
missing  in  the  same  way.  but  came  in  this  morning.  From 
our  people  who  have  come  in,  we  learn  the  enemy  have  lost 
great  numbers;  a  deserter  informs  near  six  hundred. 


EXTRACT     OF    A     LETTER    DATED    HEAD-QUARTERS,    LONG- 
ISLAND,  AUGUST  28,   1776. 

Yesterday  General  Washington  and  his  suite  came  over 
to  this  place  upon  receiving  intelligence  that  Generals  Howe 
and  Clinton  had  landed  with  all  the  troops,  except  a  few  to 
guard  Stolen- Island.  Immediately  on  our  arrival  we  heard 
the  noise  of  a  very  smart  engagement  with  musketry  and 
field-pieces;  it  proved  to  be  Lord  Stirling's  brigade,  con- 
sisting of  Smallwood's  regiment  from  Maryland,  the  Dela- 
ware regiment  commanded  by  Haslet,  and  Pennsylvania 
regiment  commanded  by  Atlee,  besides  some  others,  who 
behaved  like  heroes.  They  were  surrounded  by  the  enemy, 
who  received  constant  and  large  reinforcements,  whilst  our 
brave  men  could  not  get  the  least  assistance  from  their 
friends,  as  there  were  not  men  sufficient  to  fill  our  lines,  and 
we  expected  an  attack  every  minute.  There  were  several 
other  smart  and  pitched  battles  till  evening,  when  Lord 
Stirling's  men  began  to  retreat.  We  have  about  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  missing  at  present.  This  morning  General 
Parsons  came  in  with  a  few  men ;  he  brings  an  account  that 
the  enemy  have  lost  five  hundred  men,  and  a  hat,  with  two 
bullet  holes,  marked  Colonel  Grant,  and  his  watch.  I  wish 
it  was  General  Grant,  but  their  great  officers  don't  like  ven- 
turing. In  the  evening  the  enemy  had  a  number  of  tents 
pitched  about  a  mile  distance.  This  morning  about  four 
o'clock  I  accompanied  the  General  around  the  works,  and 
we  saw  very  large  encampments:  by  these  appearances,  and 
information,  the  enemy  are  twenty  thousand  strong.  Our 
sentries  are  very  near  theirs,  who  are  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  distance. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  IN  THE  MARYLAND 
BATTALION,  DATED  LONG-ISLAND,  WEDNESDAY  MORNING, 
DAYBREAK,  AUGUST  28,  1776. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  I  have  survived  a  very 
warm  engagement  yesterday.  Our  battalion  has  suffered 
much;  a  great  number  of  both  officers  and  men  are  killed 
and  missing.  We  retreated  through  a  very  heavy  fire,  and 
escaped  by  swimming  over  a  river,  or  creek  rather.  My 
height  was  of  use  to  me,  as  I  touched  almost  all  the  way. 
A  number  of  men  got  drowned.  I  have  lost  no  officers  and 
but  few  men.  Captain  Veazey  and  Lieutenant  Butler  fell 
early  in  the  engagement.  We  are  now  all  safe  in  our  lines 
and  forts. 

The  affair  yesterday  was  only  a  skirmish  on  the  Island, 
about  three  miles  from  our  works.  The  particulars  I  can- 
not now  give  you,  but  we  were  deceived,  and  at  one  time 
surrounded  with,  I  am  convinced,  ten  thousand  men.  'Our 
General,  Lord  Stirling,  is  missing. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  LONG-ISLAND.  DATED  AUGUST 


28,  1776. 

Yesterday's  occurrences,  no  doubt,  will  be  described  to 
you  in  various  ways.  I  embrace  this  leisure  moment  to  give 
as  satisfactory  an  account  as  I  am  able.  A  large  body  of 
the  enemy  that  landed  some  time  since  on  Long-Island,  at 
the  end  of  a  beautiful  plain,  had  extended  their  troops  about 
six  miles  from  the  place  of  their  first  landing.  There  were 
at  this  time  eleven  regiments  of  our  troops  posted  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  woods,  between  our  lines  and  the  enemy, 
through  which  they  must  pass  if  they  attempted  anything 
against  us. 

Early  in  the  morning  our  scouting  parties  discovered  a 
large  body  of  the  enemy,  both  horse  and  foot,  advancing  on 
the  Jamaica  road  towards  us.  I  was  despatched  to  Gene- 
ral Putnam  to  inform  him  of  it.  On  my  way  back  I  dis- 
covered, as  I  thought,  our  battalion  on  a  hill  coming  in, 
dressed  in  hunting-shirts,  and  was  going  on  to  join  them,  but 
was  stopped  by  a  number  of  our  soldiers,  who  told  me  they 
were  the  enemy  in  our  dress;  on  this  I  prevailed  on  a  Ser- 
geant and  two  men  to  halt  and  fire  on  them,  which  produced 
a  shower  of  bullets,  and  we  were  obliged  to  retire. 


In  the  mean  time  the  enemy,  with  a  large  body,  penetra- 
ted through  the  woods  on  our  right  and  centre,  or  front,  and 
about  nine  o'clock  landed  another  body  on  their  right,  the 
whole  stretching  across  the  fields  and  woods  between  our 
works  and  our  troops,  and  sending  out  parties  accompanied 
with  Light-Horse,  which  harassed  our  surrounded  and  sur- 
prised new  troops,  who,  however,  sold  their  lives  dear.  Our 
forces  then  made  towards  our  lines,  but  the  enemy  had  taken 
possession  of  the  ground  before  them  by  stolen  marches. 
Our  men  broke  through  parties  after  parties,  but  still  found 
the  enemy's  thousands  before  them.  Colonel  Smallwood's, 
Atlee's,  and  Haslet's  battalions,  with  General  Stirling  at 
their  head,  had  collected  on  an  eminence  and  made  a  good 
stand,  but  the  enemy  fired  a  field-piece  on  them,  and  being 
greatly  superior  in  number,  obliged  them  to  retreat  into  a 
marsh,  and  finding  it  out  of  their  power  to  withstand  about 
six  thousand  men,  they  waded  through  the  mud  and  water 
to  a  mill  opposite  them.  Their  retreat  was  covered  by  the 
Second  Battalion  which  had  got  into  our  lines.  Colonel 
Lutz's  and  the  New-England  regiments  after  this  made 
some  resistance  in  the  woods,  but  were  obliged  by  superior 
numbers  to  retire. 

Colonel  Miles's  and  Colonel  Broadhead's  battalions, 
finding  themselves  surrounded,  determined  to  fight  and  run ; 
they  did  so,  and  broke  through  English,  Hessians,  &ic.,  and 
dispersed  Horse,  and  at  last  came  in  with  considerable  loss. 
Colonel  Parry  was  early  in  the  day  shot  through  the  head, 
encouraging  his  men.  Eighty  of  our  battalion  came  in  this 
morning,  having  forced  their  way  through  the  enemy's  rear, 
and  came  round  by  way  of  Hell-Gate;  and  we  expect  more, 
who  are  missing,  will  come  in  the  same  way. 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  at  Haerlem,  August  28,  1776.      J 

SIR  :  I  am  commanded  by  the  Convention  to  enclose  to 
your  Excellency  the  copy  of  a  letter  they  received  last  eve- 
ning from  General  Woodhull. 

The  Convention  are  of  opinion  that  the  enemy  may  be 
prevented  from  getting  the  stock  and  grain  on  Long-Island, 
if  the  regiments  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Smith  and 
Colonel  JRemsen  be  sent  to  join  General  Woodkutt.  That 
this  junction  may  be  effected,  and  how,  Major  Lawrence 
(who  is  a  member  of  this  Convention  and  the  bearer  hereof) 
will  inform  your  Excellency. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obedi- 
ent and  most  humble  servant, 

By  order :  ABM.  YATES,  Jun.,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of ) 
New-York,  at  Haerlem,  August  28,  1776.     $ 

SIR:  Enclosed  you  have  a  copy  of  a  letter  which  the 
Convention  of  this  State  have  directed  to  several  of  the  Com- 
mittees of  your  State,  requesting  their  assistance  in  removing 
the  inhabitants  and  stock  from  Long-Island.  The  Con- 
vention are  sensible  that  the  first  application  should  have  been 
to  your  Excellency,  but  necessity  has  obliged  them  to  dis- 
pense with  form,  which  they  doubt  not  you  will  consider  a 
sufficient  apology. 

The  Militia  of  Long-Island  are  for  the  most  part  shut  up 
within  the  lines,  so  that  nothing  can  be  done  for  its  defence 
without  your  assistance.  The  Convention  therefore  find 
themselves  under  a  necessity  of  applying  to  your  Excellency 
for  one  thousand  men,  or  any  greater  force  which  can  speed- 
ily be  obtained,  who  they  conceive  may  greatly  contribute 
to  the  security  of  the  Island,  and  at  the  same  time,  in  some 
measure,  cooperate  with  our  Army  in  the  lines,  or  at  least 
greatly  weaken  the  attack  of  the  enemy. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servant, 

By  order :  ABM.  YATES,  Jun.,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  Governour  Trumbull. 

In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  at  Haerlem,  August  28,  1776.      ) 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York 
are  under  the  melancholy  necessity  of  calling  again  upon 


1197 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1198 


their  sister  States  for  their  assistance,  in  a  matter  in  which  not 
only  they  but  the  whole  Continent  are  interested.  The  ene- 
my, who  have  landed  upon  Long-Island,  will,  we  fear,  have 
it  in  their  power  shortly  to  possess  themselves  of  the  whole 
stock,  which  amounts  to  between  eighty  and  one  hundred 
thousand  head  of  cattle  and  as  many  sheep,  as  our  forces 
are  confined  to  their  lines.  These  articles  will  doubtless 
be  of  the  greatest  use  to  the  enemy:  for  the  want  of  some 
of  them  we  know  they  are  already  distressed.  We  must 
therefore  request  you  immediately  to  afford  all  the  assist- 
ance in  your  power  to  forward  the  removal  of  the  stock 
from  the  Island,  and  to  provide  for  them  in  your  State  till 
some  further  directions  can  be  given  with  respect  to  them, 
and  to  lend  your  aid  to  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  may  wish 
to  remove. 

The  importance  of  these  objects  need  not  be  enlarged  upon, 
nor  need  any  arguments  be  urged  to  induce  you  to  every 
necessary  exertion.  The  readiness  and  publick  spirit  which 
the  Committees  in  Connecticut  have  ever  shown  in  carrying 
into  execution  all  measures  of  publick  utility,  leave  us  no 
room  to  doubt  but  that  they  will  exert  themselves  on  this 
occasion,  which  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  general 
cause  of  America. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  &.c. 

To  the  Chairmen  of  the  Committees  of  Horseneck,  Stamford,  Mrwalk, 
Fairfield,  Stratford,  Milford,  New-Haven,  Guilford,  Seabrook,  Lynie, 
Grolon,  New-London,  and  Stonington,  in  Connecticut. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Tyonderoga,  August  28,  1776. 

SIR  :  Yesterday  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  your  Excel- 
lency's letter  of  the  14th  instant,  which  is  all  I  have  been 
favoured  with  since  that  of  the  19lhof  July. 

I  have  at  length  the  satisfaction  to  send  a  pretty  correct 
General  Return  of  the  Army  in  this  part  of  the  northern 
district  of  America.  A  copy  of  my  last  letter  to  General 
Schuyler,  which  is  in  the  packet,  will  explain  the  return  to 
your  Excellency.  I  also  enclose  my  Orders  and  Instruc- 
tions to  Lieutenant  Whitcomb,  who  went  from  hence  the  20th 
instant,  upon  a  scout  towards  St.  John's,  Chamblee,  &.c. 
The  report  of  his  last  scout,  which  General  Sullivan  sent  him 
upon,  has  already  been  sent  to  General  Schuyler,  who  has 
doubtless  transmitted  it  to  your  Excellency. 

As  the  small-pox  is  now  perfectly  removed  from  the  Army, 
I  shall,  in  consequence  of  the  intelligence  received  of  the 
motions  of  the  enemy,  immediately  assemble  my  principal 
strength  to  maintain  this  important  pass,  and  hope  General 
Waterbury,  in  a  week  at  farthest,  will  be  able  to  come  with 
the  three  row-galleys  to  Tyonderoga,  and  proceed,  the  in- 


stant they  arrive  and  are  fitted,  to  join  General  Arnold  upon 
the  Lake.  In  the  mean  time,  we  are  exerting  our  utmost  in- 
dustry to  fortify  this  post,  a  plan  of  which  is  enclosed.  The 
weather  of  late  has  been  so  uncommonly  wet  and  stormy  for 
the  season,  that  we  are  much  retarded  in  our  works.  As 
the  enemy  feel  alike  the  inclemency  of  the  season,  I  hope 
we  shall  be  prepared  for  them  when  they  come. 

My  orders  to  Brigadier-General  Arnold  your  Excellency 
will  find  in  the  packet.  He  read  and  entirely  approved 
them  before  he  left  Tyonderoga.  I  hope  they  are  the  sen- 
timents of  your  Excellency  and  the  most  honourable  the 
Congress  upon  that  momentous  command. 

As  the  New-Hampshire  and  Connecticut  Militia  have  come 
without  tents,  much  time  is  lost  by  those  regiments  in  cover- 
ing themselves.  It  happens  very  fortunately  that  Mount 
Independence  affords  an  ample  supply  of  materials  for  huts, 
otherwise  those  corps  must  soon  have  felt  great  distress. 
The  Massachusetts  Militia  are  arrived,  well  supplied  with 
excellent  tents  and  a  sufficiency  of  good  camp  utensils. 
This,  in  our  present  circumstances,  is  a  great  help  to  us,  and 
does  that  Province  much  honour. 

Governour  Trumbull  acquaints  me  he  has  forwarded  one 
thousand  felling  axes  and  two  loads  of  clothing.  His  Ex- 
cellency has,  from  the  beginning  of  the  misfortunes  of  this 
Army,  done  everything  in  his  power  to  reestablish  it  in  health 
and  power.  Too  much  cannot  be  said  in  his  praise. 

Your  Excellency  must  long  ere  this  have  received  from 
General  Schuyler  the  report  of  Major  Bigelow,  who  returned 
with  the  flag  of  truce  from  Isle-aux-Noix.  As  I  constantly 
report  every  extraordinary  occurrence  to  General  Schuyler, 
I  take  it  for  granted  there  is  no  delay  with  him  in  forward- 
ing them  to  your  Excellency  and  the  Congress.  I  have 
ordered  Commissary  Avery  to  forward  to  Colonel  Trumbull 
the  returns  and  reports  that  are  proper  to  be  made  in  his 
department,  and  Doctor  Morgan  has  before  this  shown  your 
Excellency  my  letter  to  him  of  the  22d  instant. 

I  am  pleased  at  the  account  General  Schuyler  gives  me 
of  five  hundred  and  thirteen  thousand  dollars  being  arrived 
at  Albany,  from  Philadelphia;  it  is  much  wanted,  both  there 
and  here,  as  the  Militia  were  promised  their  mileage  and 
billeting  money  at  Number  Four;  but  no  money  was  sent 
there  to  pay  them.  This  neglect  caused  much  murmuring 
amongst  them,  and  was  very  near  stopping  their  march  from 
thence.  I  wish  good  care  was  taken  not  to  make  any  pro- 
mises to  troops  but  such  as  are  punctually  performed.  I 
apprehend  this  promise  was  made  by  the  Legislature  at 
Watertown. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 

humble  servant,  „ 

HORATIO  GATES. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


Return  of  the  Regiment  of  Foot,  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED  COLONIES,  commanded  by  Colonel  SAMUEL  ELMORE. 


COMPANIES. 

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Captain  Israel  Spencer,  absent. 
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»erters,  belonging  to  Captain  CAopm 
n  Thatcher's  Company,  in  Colonel  Sio 
Two  of  Captain  Par-melee's  Compa 
th  Captain  John  Tillman,  in  the  Ball 
ging  to  the  said  Company,  listed  in  A 

SAML.  ELMORE,  Colonel. 


1199 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1200 


A  Return  of  the  state  of  Colonel  JOHN  NICHOLSON'S  Regiment,  in  the  service  of  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

ALBANY,  August  26,  1776. 


Commissioned  Officers. 

Staff  Officers. 

fianfc  and  File. 

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Lieutenant-Colonel  Frederick  Weisenfels,  appointed  to  the  Third  Regi- 

Lieutenant  TAomos^cAolson,  j  Qn  command  at  ^m(rm(,. 

Captain  Gershom  Molt,  recruiting  at  Aete-Yorfc. 
Lieutenant  Benjamin  Pelton,  joined  Colonel  Rilzema,  New-York. 

Ensign  jTAomos  Lenanton,  taken  prisoner  at  Que&ecfc,  7th  May. 
Captain  Benjnmin  Evans,  )  On  command  at  Ticonderoga,  with  thirty- 

Ensign  Charles  han  Weisenfels,  recruiting  at  JVeto-  York. 
Ensign  Francis  Shaw,  sick  in  Trenton,  in  the  Jerseys. 
Lieutenant  John  G.  Lansing,  absent,  with  leave,  at  Schenectady. 

Ensign  Samuel  Fribble,     $      nine  men. 
Lieut.  William  Tapp,  joined  Colonel  McDovgall's  Regiment,  New-York. 
Captain  John  Copp,  recruiting  at  New-York. 

Ensign  ^—  —  Holmes,  on  command  at  Ticonderoga. 

Lieutenant  Jsaoc  Guion,  recruiting  at  New-York. 

Lieutenant  William  Martin,  on  command  at  Haverstraw. 

Lieutenant  WiHiom  Calbrath,  gone  on  command  to  Poughkeepiie. 

*  The  six  Prisoners  taken  at  Que&ecfc  and  Staten-Island.  t  The  two  Prisoners  taken  at  Staten-Island. 

JNO.  BROGDEN,  Adjutant. 

General  Return  of  the  Forces  of  the.  UNITED  STATES  or  AMERICA,  serving  in  the  Northern  Department,  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  Hon.  Major-General  GATES,  TICONDEROGA,  August  24,  1776. 


CORPS. 

OFFICERS  PRESENT. 

EFFECTIVE  RANK  AND 
FILE. 

Wanting 
ocomplete. 

Since  last 
Return. 

Commissioned. 

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381 
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274 
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344 
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208 
212 
292 
258 
221 
286 
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Second   '  paterson>8                     

Brigade.  J  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wait's  

Third     I  jyiaxweii's                                

Brigade,  j  \vino-aie's                  

O 

( 

1  Wy  man's                           

De  Haas's                   

Fourth.  1  Winds»s          

Brigade.  1  \yayne's                                          

95 
118 
291 
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Woodbridge's               

- 

73  - 

. 

. 

2 

Total  

14 

12!17 

in 

106 

118'l04 

5ll8 

i: 

13il2 

476 

2154899 

1514 

913 

1646 

9157|l9l623543!6  605213 

Corps  on  command  at  different  Posts. 

I 

1 

1 
1 

1 
1 

1 

2 

1 
1 

5 

a 

3 
7 

6 

9 

a 

5 

6 
2 
7 
4 
3 
2 

6 
5 
3 
7 
3 
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2 
1 
4 
4 
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28 
23 
10 
27 
20 
11 
7 
2 

14 
10 
4 
16 
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3 
1 

297 
183 
93 
355 
245 
78 
55 
194 

97 
45 
23 
45 
30 
35 
10 
56 

40 
2 

9 
3 

12 
6 

68 
51 
26 
32 
4 
16 
7 

7 
4 
4 
2 

502 
288 
142 
445 
282 
145 
78 
252 

4 
1 
2 
5 
1 

2 
3 
4 

1 
1 

1 

138 
165 
162 
213 
176 
89 
82 

8 

4 
2 

1 

i 

7 
4 

1 

5 

2 

Pt  V   Dyck's       (at  Fort  George)..  . 

Pt  Swift  s    (at  Skenesborough) 

- 

- 

l 

1 

1 

Artificers  (at  Skenesborough) 

. 

. 

. 

. 

- 

Total  3 

S 

4 

37 

29 

29 

22 

1 

4 

5 

5 

3 

128 

59  1500  341 

72 

204 

17I21341311J1025 

el7  12 

B 

N   B    The  above  Returns  of  Corps  on  command  (except  those  from  Fort  George)  are  copied  from  the  Returns  of  the  last  week,  the  Returns 
from  Stenes6oro»fffc  and  Croicn-Point  not  having  arrived     is  week.                                                       HoRATIO  GATES,  Major-General. 

CORPS  OF  ARTILLERY  COMMANDED  BY 
S.  BADLAM,  ESO. 

OFFICERS  PRESENT,  FOR  DUTY. 

MATROSSES. 

Commissioned. 

SfaJ. 

^on-Commissioned. 

B 

J 

O. 

5 

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6 

3 

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Total  

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- 

8 

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4 

13      5      48 

21 

13 

96 

All  Dayton's,  Elmore's,  and  A'icAobon's  Regiments,  with  the  most  of  Wynkoop'i  and  V.  Dyck's,  and  two  Companies  of  V.  Schaick's,  are  at 
Albany  and  upon  the  Mohawk  river.     As  we  never  get  Returns  from  those  places,  they  are  not  included  in  the  above  General  Return. 

JOHN  TRUMBULL,  Deputy  Adjutant-General. 


1201 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1202 


A  Return  of  Provisions  now  on  hand  at  SKENESBOKOUGH, 
a*  given  to  me  by  the  Commissary. 


70  barrels  of  Pork. 
103  barrels  of  Flour 

14  barrels  of  Rum. 
3  barrels  of  Molasses. 

1J  box  of  Chocolate. 
240  head  of  Cattle. 

Skenesborough,  August  19,  1776. 

DAVID  WATERBURY,  Jun.,  Brigadier-General 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Schuyler. 

A  Return  of  the  number  of  Men  who  drew  Provisions  on 
the  I2t/i  and  13th  August,  1776. 


A  Return  of  the  number  of  Men  who  drew  Provisions  on 
24iA  August,  1776,  at  TICONDEROGA,  agreeable  to  the 
several  Provision  Returns. 


Effective. 
405 
430 
544 
260 
292 
343 
255 
279 
263 
361 
325 
188 
463 
313 
46 
40 
42 
17 
8 
110 
284 
547 
606 
629 
152 

Sick. 

39 
81 
24 

13 
61 

7,202 

218 

ELISHA  AVERY,  Deputy  Commissary. 

650  barrels  Pork. 
20  barrels  Sugar. 
35  bushels  Wheat. 
3  tierces  Peas. 
32  barrels  and  2  hogsheads 

Molasses. 
80  barrels  Rum. 
55  barrels  Spirits,  of  different 
kinds. 


50  barrels  Flour. 
400  pounds  Coffee. 
300  pounds  Loaf  Sugar. 
900  pounds  Coffee. 

7  boxes  mould  Candles. 

5  boxes  common  Candles. 
400  pounds  Soap. 
100  bushels  Salt. 


ELISHA  AVERY,  Deputy- Commissary. 

Since  the  above,  have  received  300  barrels  Flour;  at  Tyonderoga  about 
150  head  of  Cattle;  at  Skenesborough  about  150  head  of  Cattle. 


List  of  Continental  Armed  Vessels  on  LAKE  CHAMPLAIN, 
August  18,  1776. 


NAMES  OF  VESSELS  AND  COMMANDERS. 

i 

Size  of  Guns. 

1 

i 

o 

1° 

4-lbs  

10 

"iOl 

Schooner  Royal  Savage....  Wynkoop.. 
Schooner  Revenge  Seaman.... 
Schooner  Liberty  Premier  

12 
8 

R 

4   6-lbs.  8  4-lbs. 
4   4-lbs.   42-lbs. 
2  4-lbs.   62-lbs. 

10 
10 

8 

50 
35 

Gondola  New-Haven  Mansfield.. 
Gondola  Providence  Simmons... 
Gondola  Boston  Sumner.... 
Gondola  Spitfire  Ulmer  
Gondola  Philadelphia  Rice  
Gondola  Connecticut  Grant  

3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 

112-lb.    29-lbs. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 
Ditto. 

8 
8 
8 
8 
8 
8 
g 

45 
45 
45 
45 
45 
45 
45 

£ 

I 

Row-GalleyLee,  Spanish  )  ^     . 
construction  J     ' 

6 

1  12,  1  9,  4  4-lbs. 

8 

45 

* 

Total  

67 

94 

485 

*  Not  entirely  rigged. 


HORATIO  GATES. 


Provisions,  be.,  in  the  Magazine  at  TYONDEROGA,  August 
13,  1776. 


Well. 
404 
494 
560 
637 
371 
294 
583 
207 
268 
596 
353 
430 
368 
270 
463 
307 
259 
729 
582 
36 
47 
321 
166 
20 

Sick. 

46 
104 

Total  

8,765 
8,915 

150 

Colonel  Hartley's  Regiment  at  Crown-Point  about  500. 

On  board  armed  vessels  down  the  Lake,  who  are  supplied  with  three 
weeks'  provisions,  475. 

At  Skenesborough,  as  per  return  of  Mr.  Taylor,  between  1,000  and 
1,500. 

ELISHA  AVERY,  Deputy  Commissary. 


Provisions  on  hand  in  the  Magazine  at  TICONDEROGA, 
August  23,  1776. 


565  barrels  Pork. 
30  barrels  Sugar. 

6  tierces  Peas. 
46  barrels  Molasses. 
60  barrels  Rum. 
10  hogsheads  Rum. 
50  barrels  Spirits,  of  different 

kinds. 
509  barrels  Flour. 


300  pounds  Coffee. 
800  pounds  Chocolate. 
300  pounds  Loaf  Sugar. 
7  boxes  mould  Candles. 
50  bushels  Salt. 
5  tierces  Indian  Meal. 
4  barrels  soft  Soap. 
1  barrel  Pearlash,  and  a  pot- 
ash Kettle,  cracked. 


N.  B.  The  first  nine  are  fit  for  action,  and  now  under  the 
command  of  Brigadier-General  Arnold,  at  Crown-Point. 
The  last  three  will  sail  in  a  few  days,  and  the  row-galleys 
and  one  more  gondola  will  be  down  from  Skenesborough  in 
a  week. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


Cattle  don't  come  in  quite  so  fast  as  they  are  wanted  from  day  to  day. 
One-and-a-half  pound  of  beef  is  issued  per  man  per  day  six  days  in  a 
week,  and  one  pound  of  flour  per  man  per  day. 

ELISHA  AVERY,  Deputy  Commissary. 


Instructions  for  Lieutenant  WHITCOMB,  going  on  a  party 
of  Observation  into  CANADA. 

From  the  verbal  instructions  which  you  have  received 
you  know,  sir,  the  design  of  the  enterprise  on  which  you 
are  sent.  It  is  to  gain  intelligence  of  the  present  situation 
and  intended  future  movements  of  the  enemy  in  Canada. 
This  is  the  important  errand  on  which  you  are  sent.  To 
effect  this,  you  will  immediately  proceed,  with  the  party 
committed  to  your  care,  to  the  posts  occupied  by  the  troops 
of  the  British  King  in  that  country.  You  will  view  with 
the  utmost  attention  the  posts  which  you  may  approach;  and 
if  it  can  be  effected,  you  will  take  some  prisoner,  an  officer 
if  possible,  and  if  of  rank,  the  more  valuable. 

You  are  not  restricted  as  to  the  particular  posts  which 
you  may  visit.  As  far  as  your  courage  will  lead,  as  far  as 
your  conduct  and  prudence  will  permit  you  to  follow,  so  far 
you  may  advance  into  the  enemy's  country — always  keep- 
ing in  view  the  design  with  which  you  are  sent,  and  avoiding 
any  conduct  by  which  you  may  be  exposed  to  be  discovered 
by  the  outposts,  the  parties,  or  sentries  of  the  camps  which 
you  may  think  proper  to  reconnoitre. 

You  are  positively  forbid  to  fire  upon,  to  kill,  to  wound, 
to  scalp,  or  in  any  way  to  injure  the  life  or  person  of  any 
one  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  enemy,  except  in  your 
own  defence,  and  where  the  preservation  of  your  own  per- 
son or  party  may  require  it.  'Tis  not  by  sacrificing  a  few 
unhappy  victims  who  may  fall  into  our  hands  that  the  im- 
portant controversy  between  Great  Britain  and  this  country 
is  to  be  settled.  Regard  particularly  tiiis  part  of  your  orders, 
and  of  all  things  avoid  a  conduct  which  can  be  of  no  service 
to  us,  and  will  only  put  us  on  a  level  with  our  enemies,  who 
have  not  been  content  with  permitting,  but  have  even  en- 
couraged, this  practice,  so  repugnant  to  humanity  and  sound 


76 


1203 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1204 


policy.  In  this  only  you  are  restricted.  For  the  rest,  an 
entire  confidence  is  reposed  on  your  prudence  and  experience. 

I  expect  that  when  you  have  accomplished  the  design  on 
which  you  are  sent,  you  will  return  as  speedily  as  may  be 
to  Head-Quarters,  and  report  the  success  of  your  enterprise. 
The  Commissary  has  my  orders  to  supply  you  with  every- 
thing necessary  for  you  on  your  expedition. 

Wishing  you  success  in  your  enterprise,  and  a  safe  return, 
and  recommending  you  to  the  care  of  Heaven,  I  am  your 
affectionate,  fac.  HORATIO  GATES,  Major-Gcneral. 

Tyonderoga,  August  19,  1776. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  the  lion.  Major-General  SCHCYLER  to  the.  Hon. 
Brigadier-General  WATERBURY,  dated  ALBANY,  .iugust  17, 1776. 

Yesterday  Mr.  Trumbull  informed  me  that  he  was  advised, 
from  good  authority,  that  some  of  the  Militia  had  caused 
themselves  to  be  inoculated  on  their  march  to  Skenesborough, 
as  had  also  a  number  of  Rhode-Island  carpenters.  A  con- 
duct so  wicked,  and  so  evidently  destructive  to  the  Army, 
merits  the  severest  animadversions,  and  the  utmost  exertions 
to  prevent  the  dangerous  consequences.  You  will  therefore 
please  to  despatch  three  or  four  trusty  officers  to  the  different 
roads  which  the  Militia  take  in  their  way  to  Skenesborough, 
with  positive  orders  to  remove  all  officers  and  soldiers  infect- 
ed with  the  small-pox  to  a  distance  from  the  roads;  no  ex- 
cuse is  to  be  taken;  no  plea  of  danger  to  the  infected  is  to 
be  attended  to.  The  life  of  individuals  is  not  to  be  put  into 
competition  with  that  of  the  States.  If  any  of  the  inhabi- 
tants are  infected,  the  officers  now  may,  and  are  to  apply 
to  the  Committees  or  Selectmen  of  the  town  to  have  them 
removed  to  such  places  that  the  troops  may  not  be  endangered 
in  their  march.  Those  officers  are  also  to  take  the  name  of 
every  officer  and  soldier  that  has  been  inoculated  on  the 
march  to  or  at  Skenesborough,  specifying  to  what  corps  they 
belong.  They  are  also  strictly  to  forbid  any  officer  or  soldier, 
or  any  other  person  whatsoever,  that  has  lately  had  the  small- 
pox, from  joining  the  Army,  unless  such  person  can  produce 
a  certificate  from  some  surgeon  or  physician,  countersigned 
by  the  Committee  or  Magistracy  of  the  town  in  which 
such  surgeon  or  physician  resides,  and  sworn  to  by  the 
party  himself,  that  there  is  no  danger  of  communicating  the 
infection. 

This  is  a  matter  of  so  much  importance,  that  if  I  was  not 
indisposed  I  would  hasten  to  the  Eastern  country  and  try  to 
put  away  this  worst  of  evils. 

A  true  copy,  per  HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  COLONEL  HARTLEY. 

Tyonderoga,  August  28, 1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  favour  by  the  bearer.  I  apprehend, 
by  the  extreme  bad  weather  and  contrary  wind,  that  General 
Arnold  has  not  got  far  from  Crown-Point.  I  did  not 
apprehend  he  would  think  it  necessary  to  take  any  of  your 
men  with  him  down  the  Lake,  as  the  vessels  had  all  their 
full  complement  of  men  from  hence.  As  he  has  done  it,  I 
suppose  he  will  acquaint  me  by  the  first  boat  with  his  inten- 
tion in  so  doing.  In  the  mean  time,  if  you  think  you  are  in 
want  of  a  reinforcement,  I  will,  as  soon  as  the  Continental 
regiments  arrive,  send  a  detachment  from  them.  They  are 
expected  in  a  day  or  two.  I  recommend  it  to  you  to  be 
exceedingly  vigilant  and  alert  during  the  absence  of  the 
fleet,  and  that  you  will  constantly  send  an  express  boat  with 
intelligence  of  every  extraordinary  circumstance  that  comes 
to  your  knowledge. 

There  is  no  news  from  New-York  since  I  wrote  to  you 
last. 

1  am, .dear  sir,  your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

HOR.  GATES. 
To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hartley. 

P.  S.  A  sloop  and  a  gondola  will  be  with  you  this  even- 
ing or  to-morrow  mornint;. 


if  it  is  possible,  I  make  no  doubt  you  will  now  be  more  so. 
I  therefore  thought  proper  to  enclose  you  the  within  Memo- 
rial, and  beg  you  will  present  it  to  your  honourable  House 
for  their  perusal ;  and  you  will  much  oblige,  sir,  your  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  WM  MAXW£LL 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  President  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Continental  Congress:  the  Memorial 
of  Colonel  WILLIAM  MAXWELL  humbly  showeth: 

That  your  memorialist,  in  October  last,  was,  by  the  una- 
nimous vote  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  chosen  and  recom- 
mended to  your  honourable  House  to  be  a  Colonel  in  the 
Continental  service,  which  you  were  pleased  to  approve  of. 
He  has,  since  that  time,  served  his  country  to  the  utmost  of 
his  power,  and  hopes  with  some  good  effect,  which  he  can 
make  appear  if  requisite;  notwithstanding,  he  finds  himself 
much  aggrieved  by  having  a  younger  officer,  viz:  Colonel 
St.  Clair,  promoted  over  him.  He  presumes  that  Colonel 
St.  Clair's  friends  will  not  pretend  to  say  he  has  served  his 
country  with  more  zeal  than  your  memorialist  has  done.  But 
what  will  the  Continent  think,  where  a  younger  officer  is  pre- 
ferred, but  that  the  older  is  not  fit  for  it?  Your  memorialist 
has  served  under  five  Generals  this  campaign  in  Canada,  viz: 
Arnold,  Wooster,  Thomas,  Thompson,  and  Sullivan,  and 
hopes  to  their  satisfaction  ;  and  does  not  doubt  but  he  might 
have  had,  or  could  have  still,  as  good  recommendations  as 
any  officer  there,  but  did  not  think  he  needed  it,  as  he  could 
not  suspect  a  younger  officer  would  be  put  over  him  without 
some  fault;  and  he  thought  he  had  a  tolerable  right  to  be 
acquainted  with  his  duty,  from  a  constant  service  in  the 
Army  of  fifteen  years  since  the  spring  of  1758. 

Gentlemen,  he  assures  you  he  would  have  quitted  the 
service  immediately,  but  that  the  present  alarming  state  of 
his  country  requires  his  presence  in  the  field ;  therefore  he 
takes  this  method  to  inform  you  wherein  he  thinks  himself 
aggrieved,  that  your  honourable  House  may  redress  it  if  you 
find  his  complaint  well  founded. 

He  is,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

THE  MEMORIALIST. 


COLONEL  MAXWELL  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  September  6,  1776.] 

Ticonderoga,  August  28,  1776. 

SIR:  The  honourable  station  you  fill  at  present  gives  me 
reason  to  believe  you  have  ever  been  a  lover  of  justice;  and, 


COLONEL  PHINNEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Rutland,  August  28,  1776. 

SIR:  I  this  minute  received  yours,  and  shall  make  the 
best  of  my  way  to  Ticonderoga  the  way  ypu  have  directed. 
I  was  stopped  in  consequence  of  orders  from  General  Schuyler, 
three  miles  this  side  the  river,  but  took  such  steps  to  forward 
my  regiment,  without  disobedience  of  orders,  as  I  imagine 
you  will  approve  of  when  I  acquaint  you  with  them,  having 
my  orders  from  Number  Four  in  writing. 

From  your  Honour's  humble  servant, 

EM.  PHINNEY. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 

GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  SCHUYLER. 

Lebanon,  August  28,  1776. 

Siu:  Your  agreeable  favour  of  the  20th  instant  came  duly 
to  hand,  and  is  before  me.  Your  assiduous  attention  to  the 
great  concerns  of  the  publick  at  this  important  period  is,  in 
the  minds  of  the  considerate,  a  most  undissembled  declaration 
of  your  hearty  attachment  to  the  interest  of  the  United  States 
of  America.  Whatever  reports  may  have  been  spread  by  the 
disaffected,  or  opinions  had  by  the  mistaken  or  ill-informed, 
I  hope  neither  your  character  nor  the  cause  of  our  country  will 
eventually  suffer  thereby.  Your  painful  industry  and  substan- 
tial services  to  the  publick,  cannot  fail  to  remove  all  jealousy 
from  the  well-affected.  As  to  Tories,  no  very  good  offices  to 
one  in  your  place  can  be  expected  from  them.  1  flatter  myself 
that  no  misrepresentations  of  theirs  will  have  credit  enough 
in  this  State  greatly  to  wound  your  character  or  prevent 
your  usefulness.  It  requires  the  wisdom  of  a  Solomon  and 
the  patience  of  a  Job  to  endure  Induction,  or  regard  a  slan- 
der with  the  contempt  it  deserves.  I  heartily  wish  the  in- 
jury may  not  give  too  much  anxiety  to  a  mind  possessed  of 
a  conscious  rectitude  of  intention. 

Your  account  of  Indian  affairs  affords  some  pleasing  hopes 
that  the  frontiers  will  remain  without  depredations  from  them, 
though  little  dependance  ought. to  be  had  on  Indian  faith. 


1205 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1206 


I  have  ordered  Mr.  Brown  to  find  the  place  on  his  road 
from  whence  the  most  direct  conveyance  may  be  had  to 
Albany,  and  from  thence  to  send  some  trusty  person  to  carry 
the  letters  directed  there  and  return  with  the  answers.  The 
cash  for  axes,  &ic.,  as  well  as  what  was  advanced  to  the 
troops,  will  be  very  acceptable.  A  suitable  person  will  wait 
on  the  Paymaster  with  the  accounts  in  order  for  the  balance. 

About  ten  thousand  of  the  enemy's  troops  were  landed 
on  the  west  end  of  Long-Island  on  Thursday  and  Friday 
last.  Several  skirmishes  have  happened  between  parties 
from  the  different  armies,  and  the  event  hitherto  in  our  favour, 
but  no  general  engagement  had  come  on  before  Saturday, 
when  the  last  intelligence  came  from  thence.  May  the  ex- 
ertion of  these  injured  States,  under  the  apparent  smiles  and 
protection  of  Heaven,  be  sufficient  to  retort  the  blow  on  the 
heads  of  those  who  give  it,  and  the  justice  of  a  Divine  Pro- 
vidence be  magnified  in  the  sight  of  all  nations. 

I  have  great  confidence  that  the  utmost  care  will  be  taken 
to  prevent  the  spreading  of  the  small-pox;  that  the  impru- 
dence of  such  as  have  promoted  inoculation  will  be  duly 
noticed. 

I  am,  with  sentiments  of  esteem  and  regard,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  JONA>  TRUMBULL> 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Schuykr. 


New-Haven,  August  28,  1776. 

Last  Monday  passed  our  harbour,  standing  to  the  west- 
ward, two  frigates — the  Niger,  of  thirty-two  guns,  Captain 
Talbot,  the  other  is  said  to  carry  twenty-eight  guns;  also  a 
large  brig  of  sixteen  or  eighteen  guns,  who  had  in  company 
two  small  vessels  supposed  to  be  prizes.  They  left  the 
English  fleet  near  New-  York  last  Friday  sevennight,  and  it 
is  probable  will  remain  in  the  Sound  to  interrupt  our  com- 
munication with  the  Army  at  New-York. 


COL.   STICKNEY  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE   COMMITTEE  OF   SAFETY. 

Concord,  August  28,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Pursuant  to  orders  received  from  Major- 
General  Folsom,  dated  the  3d  of  July  last,  requiring  me 
forthwith  to  raise  and  equip  one  hundred  and  sixteen  men 
out  of  the  regiment  under  my  command,  in  order  to  rein- 
force the  Army  under  General  Sullivan,  supposed  to  be  at 
Crown-Point,  and  to  make  return  of  my  doings  thereon  to 
you,  I  immediately  issued  my  orders  to  the  several  Cap- 
tains in  my  regiment  to  forthwith  raise  their  respective  quo- 
tas. And  by  the  returns  they  have  made  me  of  their  doings 
therein,  it  appears  that  the  whole  number  of  said  men  are 
raised,  equipped,  and  marched  to  the  place  of  their  desti- 
nation. 

I  am  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  STICKNEY, 
Colonel  of  the  13th  Regiment  of  the 

Colony  of  New-Hampshire. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Colony  of 
New-Hampshire. 


MAJOR  DANIEL  ILSLEY  S  COMPLAINT  AGAINST  COL.  MITCHELL. 

Falmouth,  August  28,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  sorry  to  trouble  you  with  an  account 
of  the  disagreeable  situation  of  our  troops  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Mitchell.  The  Colonel  has  all  along  shown  him- 
self more  unlike  a  soldier  or  a  gentleman  than  anything  else. 
The  task  is  disagreeable  to  show  to  the  publick  the  deserts 
of  a  superior.  I  am  sensible  of  the  disadvantage  I  am  under 
when  speaking  of  such.  If  it  was  only  the  personal  ill  treat- 
ment received  myself,  knowing  my  obligation  to  my  superior, 
I  might  have  borne  with  such  usage.  When  the  Colonel 
took  the  command,  it  was  my  greatest  ambition  (knowing 
him  utterly  unacquainted  with  the  business  he  had  engaged 
in)  to  inform  him,  as  far  as  my  small  abilities  would  admit  of. 
It  was  by  the  Colonel's  desire  I  kept  the  Orderly  Book  in 
the  same  manner  as  whilst  I  commanded.  He  never,  in 
the  least,  controlled  me.  All  he  had  to  do  with  the  matter 
was,  to  sign  his  name  to  the  orders.  Yet  I  was  often  abused 
in  other  matters.  As  to  his  giving  any  instructions  concern- 
ing the  lines,  forts,  batteries,  or  preparing  tools,  timber,  plank, 
wood,  or  iron,  for  gun-carriages,  he  did  not  choose  to  con- 


cern himself  with.  The  reason,  I  suppose,  is,  there  was  a 
possibility  of  marking  the  latter,  provided  the  General  Court 
should  disapprove  such  proceedings.  By  this  time  the 
new  arrangement  came  to  Falmouth  for  ranking  the  Cap- 
tains; at  which  time  I  requested  the  Colonel  to  give  gene- 
ral orders  to  the  regiment  in  his  own  name,  that  they  might 
know  their  alarm-post  and  their  duty  in  case  of  an  alarm, 
and  the  duty  of  guards,  and  to  establish  the  rank  of  Cap- 
tains. The  Colonel  refused  giving  any  orders  of  the  kind 
to  anybody,  except  Captains  Morton  and  Lowell;  which 
the  Colonel  asked  me  to  write.  I  declined,  telling  him  I 
could  not  think  it  proper  to  give  orders'  to  two  Captains 
only,  when  the  whole  regiment  was  neglected.  I  then  de- 
sired the  Colonel  to  call  the  regiment  together,  and  let  them 
know  their  ranks.  The  Colonel  replied,  he  should  not  med- 
dle with  the  matter.  I  told  him  I  was  informed  the  Coun- 
cil had  ranked  the  regiment.  He  said  it  was  the  first  he 
had  heard  of  it.  I  told  him  I  was  well  informed  there  was 
an  order  of  Council  in  Falmouth  for  ranking  the  Captains. 
He  replied,  it  was  the  first  he  had  heard  of  it;  the  matter 
was  entirely  new  to  him.  I  replied  the  third  time  in  these 
words:  Colonel,  I  am  well  informed  that  an  order  of  Coun- 
cil has  been  delivered  into  your  hand  for  that  purpose,  and 
I  am  surprised  to  hear  you  say  you  never  heard  of  it.  The 
Colonel,  in  passion,  said,  if  the  Council  had  done  any  such 
thing,  it  was  the  most  astonishing  proceeding  he  ever  heard 
of;  the  Council  had  taken  that  upon  them  that  did  not 
belong  to  them;  that  he  did  not  believe  the  Council  con- 
cerned with  it,  for  he  had  no  letters  with  it;  and  talked  with 
Colonel  Powell,  and  Colonel  Powell  said  he  had  never  heard 
a  word  of  it,  and  did  not  believe  the  Council  ever  concerned 
with  ranking  the  Captains;  and  if  he  (Colonel  Mitchell') 
executed  that  order,  Captains  Hooper  and  Lithgow  would 
leave  the  service;  that  the  rank  was  only  the  Falmouth 
Representatives,  without  his  desire ;  that  he  only  asked  them 
to  get  Captain  Morton  ranked.  I  told  the  Colonel  that  was 
not  the  case,  for  I  was  present ;  that  he  would  be  glad  to 
have  them  ranked,  and  made  no  dissensions  who  should  be 
put  on  last  in  rank;  and  the  Colonel  well  knew  that  the 
regiment  was  at  that  time  without  rank,  from  the  day  that 
he  first  mentioned  them,  which  was  on  the  19th  of  May. 
As  to  the  two  companies  leaving  the  service,  I  arn  sorry 
such  things  should  be  mentioned.  We  have  six  companies: 
five  of  them  are  agreed  to  a  man,  if  I  am  not  deceived.  I 
am  sorry  it  should  be  said  by  the  Colonel  that  Captain  Lith- 
gow would  leave  for  such  reasons.  It  is  far  from  it.  He 
is  a  gentleman  well  attached  to  the  cause  of  his  country, 
studies  for  the  peace  of  the  regiment,  and  is  willing  to  con- 
tinue in  Falmouth,  or  march  into  any  part  of  America,  if 
called  upon.  Colonel  Mitchell  has  not  reviewed  the  regi- 
ment since  the  19th  of  May,  or  ordered  them  together  since 
the  29th.  I  have  often  plead  with  the  Colonel,  and  urged 
the  necessity  of  the  regiment  being  well  disciplined.  I  have 
attempted  to  call  the  regiment  together  for  exercise  and  re- 
view, and  the  Colonel  has  forbade  any  such  thing  more  than 
once  or  twice  to  myself;  and  he  has  forbade  Captains  Lith 
gow,  Lord,  and  Lowell,  of  meeting  together  at  the  parade, 
or  exercising  together,  and  told  them  it  was  contrary  to  his 
orders  for  any  regimental  parade  whatever,  and  he  would 
allow  of  no  such  thing.  If  he  would  permit  as  many  com- 
panies as  have  a  desire  of  exercising  together,  they  should 
take  it  as  a  favour.  But  the  Colonel  refused  them,  as  they 
informed  me,  saying  it  might  be  considered  as  a  regimental 
parade,  which  he  did  not  allow  of.  The  four  Captains  have 
been  reprimanded  for  marching  to  the  Meeting-House  with 
four  companies  together  on  the  Sabbath,  though  agreeable 
to  his  own  orders  of  August  1 1th  and  18th ;  yet  so  contrary 
to  his  mind,  that  he  sent  a  new  order  for  all  the  Captains  to 
march  separate,  dated  at  twelve  o'clock.  The  enclosed  is 
a  copy.  Is  it  possible  for  officers  and  soldiers,  who  are  well 
attached  to  the  cause  of  their  country,  to  bear  this  from  a 
man  who  has  not  the  least  idea  of  a  soldier  or  his  duty  ? 
Neither  will  he  be  advised  by  his  officers,  but  compels  his 
regiment  to  live  in  the  neglect  of  their  duty.  I  see  no  part 
of  his  conduct  as  a  soldier  but  what  is  arbitrary,  and  depend- 
ing entirely  upon  his  own  will.  That  man  who  will  be 
compelled  to  live  in  the  neglect  of  his  duty,  is  unworthy  the 
name  of  a  soldier.  You  will  find  by  the  Colonel's  orders 
of  August  llth  and  18th,  that  I  am  ordered  to  see  them 
complied  with;  that  the  regiment  go  to  meeting  in  order; 
the  drums  give  the  time  of  day  as  they  march.  I  know  of 


1207 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1208 


no  order  but  the  drums  and  companies  going  together.  The 
Colonel  was  so  displeased  to  see  four  companies  march  agree- 
able to  his  own  orders,  though  not  to  his  mind,  that  he  sent 
out  the  new  order,  dated  August  18,  twelve  o'clock,  which 
you  have  enclosed.  The  officers  were  surprised;  some  of 
whom  appealed  to  me  to  know  my  mind  concerning  the 
orders.  1  told  them  it  was  the  Sabbath ;  I  was  loth  to 
advise;  but  as  I  had  the  Colonel's  order  for  the  duty  of 
the  day,  I  should  be  on  the  parade  at  the  usual  times ;  if  the 
companies  were  there,  I  should  lead  them  to  the  Meeting- 
House,  which  was  accordingly  done.  The  Colonel,  it  seems, 
was  very  angry  to  see  that  the  regiment  were  like  to  be  uni- 
ted. The  officers  were  reprimanded  for  disobeying  orders. 
The  Colonel  will  not  talk  with  me,  on  the  subject,  but  a 
great  deal  about  me.  It  is  true  the  soldiers  have  done  a 
great  deal  of  work  in  fortifying,  and  with  cheerfulness,  which 
is  not  common  amongst  soldiers;  and  could  we  be  permitted 
to  qualify  ourselves  for  their  defence,  it  might  be  the  means, 
under  God,  of  saving  part  of  the  country  from  the  ravages  of 
our  enemies.  I  would  not  be  understood  that  I  am  clear  of 
all  blame.  Neither  do  I  contend  on  my  own  account.  It 
cost  me  many  a  wearisome  hour,  when  I  might  be  at  rest, 
could  I  be  content  to  live  in  the  neglect  of  my  duty.  The 
post  we  hold  is  of  the  greatest  importance  to  this  State;  and 
should  the  enemy  attack  us,  whilst  Colonel  Mitchell  will  not 
suffer  the  regiment  to  be  reviewed,  regulated,  or  exercised, 
or  give  any  orders  for  that  purpose,  the  consequence  must 
be  shocking.  The  Militia  that  would  probably  come  to  our 
assistance,  might  expect  to  see  us  in  some  order.  I  wish  it 
might  prove  so. 

I  shall  take  it  as  a  favour  if  you  will  lay  my  letter  before 
the  honourable  Court,  or  before  the  honourable  Council  for 
this  State,  as  soon  as  it  conveniently  can  be  done.  I  think 
it  is  a  duty  which  has  too  long  been  neglected. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  respect,  your  dutiful  servant  at 


command, 


DANIEL  ILSLEY. 


To  the  Gentlemen  Representatives  for  the  Town  of  Fal- 
mouth. 

We,  the  subscribers,  commissioned  officers  of  five  compa- 
nies stationed  at  Falmouth,  do  hereby  certify  to  all  whom  it 
may  concern,  that  Major  Daniel  Ihley,  second  in  command 
at  this  place,  has  invariably  discovered  a  disposition  to  sup- 
port the  order  and  promote  the  discipline  of  the  corps  in  this 
regiment,  a  laudable  zeal  in  planning  and  forwarding  the 
fortifications  carrying  on  here,  and  we  believe  always  aimed 
at  preserving  union  and  establishing  harmony  among  the 
troops,  and  it  is  our  opinion  deserves  the  approbation  of  the 
officers  as  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier. 

WILLIAM  CROCKER,  GEORGE  WHITE, 

WILLIAM  LITHGOW,  Jun.      JOHN  GOODWIN, 
TOBIAS  LORD,  ISAAC  BATTLE, 

BRIANT  MORTEN,  NATHL.  COUSONS, 

ABNER  LOWELL,  JOSIAH  DAVIS, 

RICHD.  HARNDEN,  JOHN  SKILLIN, 

EBENEZER  MOTT,  AMOS  ANDREWS. 

FaJmouth,  October  4,  1776. 


DANIEL  ILSLEY  S  PETITION. 

To  the  Honourable  Council  for  the  State  O/MASSACHTJSETTS- 
B AY  :  the  Petition  of  DANIEL  ILSLEY  humbly  showeth  : 
That  your  petitioner  being  appointed  by  your  Honours' 
commission  second  in  command  at  Falmouth,  which  office 
he  has  endeavoured  to  honour  by  a  faithful  discharge  of  the 
obligation  I  was  under  for  the  honour  done  me  in  my  ap- 
pointment; but  being  prevented  by  Colonel  Mitchell,  my 
superior  in  command,  whose  conduct,  as  an  officer,  has  been 
laid  before  your  Honours  by  a  letter  or  petition  from  the 
Committees  of  the  several  towns  for  the  County  of  Cumber- 
land, who  must  be  better  acquainted  with  the  Colonel's  pro- 
ceedings as  a  soldier  than  others  who  are  only  acquainted 
with  the  Colonel's  character  as  a  private  gentleman.  The 
principal  officers  in  the  regiment  being  present  at  the  time 
the  Colonel  was  with  the  County  Committee,  their  proceed- 
ings must  be  impartial,  and  their  account  of  the  Colonel's 
neglect  is  undoubtedly  true.  But  the  Colonel,  on  his  return 
from  IVatertown,  shew  myself  and  the  Captains  an»  order 
from  your  Honours,  laying  aside  all  regimental  parade, 
and  rank  of  the  regiment  unknown;  which  has  alarmed 


the  officers  of  the  companies  with  a  suspicion  that  we  have 
been  represented  to  your  Honours  as  being  disloyal — that 
our  meeting  together  for  exercise  was  attended  with  evils 
such  as  endangered  the  State.  Your  petitioner  is  of  opinion, 
that  should  the  enemy  attack  the  sea-coast  men  whilst  in 
such  an  unsettled  state,  many  good  soldiers  must  fall  a  sacri- 
fice, or  abandon  their  post  with  shame.  Therefore  pray  your 
Honours  would  appoint  a  Committee  from  the  honourable 
Board  to  examine  the  papers  which  have  come  to  your 
Honours'  knowledge  concerning  the  neglect  of  Colonel 
Jonathan  Mitchell. 

And  your  petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

DANIEL  ILSLEY. 
Watertown,  October  11,  1776. 

In  Council,  October  11,  1776. 

Read,  and  committed  to  John  Whitcomb,  Esq.,  to  take 
the  said  Petition  into  consideration,  and  report. 

JOHN  AVEHY,  Deputy  Secretary. 


FRANCIS  SHAW,  JUN.,  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Machias,  August  28,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  After  removing  many  diffi- 
culties started  by  the  crew  of  the  Diligent,  and  laying  wind- 
bound  several  days,  we  sailed  from  Piscataqua  the  14th 
instant,  and  arrived  here  the  25th,  after  being  confined  in 
Gouldsborough  six  days  by  the  Viper  man-of-war,  who  took 
sloops  from  this  place  within  about  five  miles  of  us,  as  we 
run  into  Gouldsborough,  and  lay  offand  on  that  harbour  most 
of  the  time.  As  we  had  not  more  than  half  our  complement 
of  men,  and  them  but  very  indifferent,  Captain  Lambert 
thought  proper  to  let  the  ship  remove  before  we  should  pro- 
ceed. By  persons  that  have  been  taken  and  released,  we 
find  that  she  has  but  ten  carriage-guns,  eighteen  swivels, 
and  about  one  hundred  men — one  half  of  them  disaffected, 
and  only  want  an  opportunity  of  being  properly  engaged  to 
rise  on  their  officers.  Her  present  station  is  between  Grand 
Menan  and  Seguin.  Should  she  fall  in  with  two  of  your 
Honours'  sloops-of-war,  I  dare  say  they  would  clear  this 
coast  of  the  greatest  scourge  they  have  had  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  war.  Should  I  succeed  in  getting 
a  number  of  Indians,  it  would  be  impossible  to  get  them  to 
the  westward  unless  the  Viper  is  removed  from  her  station ; 
add  to  that  the  distress  this  country  must  be  in,  as  they  get 
no  provision  from  the  westward  past  her,  and  the  advantage 
our  enemy  has  by  supplying  the  British  West-India  Islands 
with  lumber  and  fish  they  take.  I  would  further  add,  that 
one  or  more  ships  are  loading  at  Annapolis;  that  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Nova- Scotia  come  to  Passamaquoddy  for  lumber  for 
them;  and  as  several  of  them  have  been  taken  and  after- 
wards cleared  by  your  Honours,  our  armed  vessels  are 
entirely  discouraged  from  taking  them;  and  unless  some  stop 
is  put  to  that  trade,  and  the  Viper  removed,  the  acts  of  the 
honourable  Continental  Congress  against  the  English  Islands 
being  supplied  will  be  frustrated,  and  the  country  ruined. 

Captain  Smith  informs  me  that  the  Indians  that  have  been 
in  lately  are  very  desirous  of  going  to  Cumberland ;  that  some 
have  offered  to  bring  the  Field-Officers  of  that  regiment 
away;  and  from  letters  lately  received  from  there,  the  gen- 
tlemen agree  in  opinion  that  the  conquest  of  that  Fort  may 
be  easily  effected  by  our  friends  there  and  a  few  Indians. 
However,  as  your  Honours  would  not  give  me  liberty  to 
go  there,  I  shall  not  presume  to  do  it,  unless  the  prospect 
be  so  clear  that  I  should  think  it  a  neglect  of  duty  not  to 
attempt  it. 

August  30th.  Since  I  wrote  you  the  foregoing,  Mr.  Gard- 
ner and  several  others  taken  in  the  sloops  from  this  place, 
have  arrived  here.  As  Mr.  Gardner  takes  passage  in  the 
Diligent,  he  can  inform  you  that  they  have  received  accounts 
of  my  coming  down,  and  both  ships  being  sent  to  St.  John's 
after  us.  Concluding  it  would  not  be  prudent  for  the  Dili- 
gent to  proceed  to  St.  John's,  we  have  thought  best  for  her 
to-return  to  your  Honours. 

I  shall  just  mention  that  the  schooner's  people  complained 
of  not  being  paid  for  past  services,  and  were  afraid  it  might 
be  the  same  for  this  trip;  therefore  I  was  obliged  to  promise 
them  that  this  muster  roll  would  be  paid  them  immediately 
on  their  return;  and  they  now  expect  that  your  Honours  will 
make  my  promise  good. 

Several  bales  of  goods  broke  open  on  board  the  schooner, 


1209 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1210 


and  one  piece  oflinen  and  several  small  articles  are  missing; 
no  doubt  the  Captain  is  accountable,  for  I  often  cautioned 
him  against  leaving  the  cabin  door  open  when  absent. 

If  the  Diligent  should  be  sold,  the  Captain  has  expressed 
a  desire  to  serve  your  Honours  in  any  other  vessel  that  may 
be  sent  this  way.  As  I  can't  pretend  to  be  a  suitable  judge 
of  the  qualifications  necessary  for  a  commander,  I  shan't 
pretend  to  say  than  that  he  has  brought  us  thus  far  safe,  and  I 
suppose  would  have  gone  farther  if  1  had  thought  it  prudent. 

I  met  Mr.  Preble  at  Piscataqua,  and  engaged  him  as  In- 
terpreter, which  was  very  lucky,  as  the  person  I  expected  to 
get  here  is  absent. 

The  reason  I  did  not  let  the  Diligent  lay  here,  it  was  so 
uncertain  when  I  should  return,  and  the  expense  would  have 
been  much  greater  than  proceeding  in  two  boats  with  our 
provisions. 

I  have  been  two  days  waiting  a  fair  wind;  I  shall  embrace 
the  first,  and  make  all  possible  despatch,  informing  you  of 
my  proceedings  by  every  favourable  opportunity. 

I  remain,  with  much  esteem,  gentlemen,  your  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  FRAS.  SHAW,  Jun. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  the  Honourable  House 
of  Assembly  of  Massachusetts-Bay, 

P.  S.  If  I  don't  meet  any  vessel  to  take  the  Indians,  I 
shall  be  moving  westward  in  boats  and  canoes  as  far  as 
G ouldsborough ;  there  and  at  this  place  they  may  hear  from 
me. 


Halifax,  August  28,  1776. 

To  secure  us  from  any  attacks  that  might  be  made  by  the 
Provincials,  ten  block-houses  have  been  built,  which  mount 
sixteen  guns  each,  and  the  troops  in  garrison  here  amount  to 
about  fifteen  hundred;  they  consist  of  Marines,  part  of  the 
Fourteenth  Regiment,  the  Royal  Emigrants,  Nova-Scotia 
Volunteers,  and  Goreham's  corps;  we  have  also  our  Militia, 
and  that  of  the  dock-yard. 

Some  time  since  the  dock-yard  was  set  on  fire,  but  happily 
extinguished  without  much  damage;  a  like  accident  has  since 
happened,  and  the  Governour  offered  a  reward  of  five  hun- 
dred Spanish  dollars  to  find  out  the  persons  concerned  in 
setting  fire  to  the  same,  as  it  was  supposed  to  be  wilfully 
done.  'Tis  believed  that  the  Provincials,  by  their  spies, 
were  at  the  bottom  of  it;  some  suspected  persons  were  taken 
up,  but  discharged  after  examination,  as  no  proof  could  be 
produced. 

We  hear  that  the  Rebels  have  forbid,  on  pain  of  death, 
any  person  or  persons  holding  correspondence  or  trading 
with  the  people  of  this  Colony. 

The  troops  that  went  from  hence  under  convoy  of  the 
Tamar  sloop-of-war,  up  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  were  landed  at 
Fort  St.  John's,  where  they  are  to  do  duty  in  case  of  any 
attack  on  that  side. 


MEMORIAL  OF  THE   CHEVALIER  SAURALLE. 

[Read  August  29,  1776.] 

To  the  Honourable  the  Delegates  of  the  UNITED  STATES  OF 
AMERICA  in  Congress  assembled: 

The  Memorial  of  the  Chevalier  SAURALLE  humbly  showeth: 
That  your  memorialist  is  a  young  officer,  who,  after  serving 
two  years  as  a  volunteer  in  the  Artillery  at  St.  Domingo, 
obtained  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  of  that  corps;  to  which  he 
has  preferred  offering  his  services  to  the  honourable  Con- 
gress, as  a  letter  from  Mr.  De.  la  Valletiere,  Governour  of 
St.  Nicholas  Mole,  shows;  which  letter,  intended  for  the 
honourable  Congress  or  General  Washington,  is  without  a 
direction,  owing  to  the  Governour's  being  unacquainted  with 
the  proper  form  of  address;  which  is  humbly  submitted  to 
the  honourable  Congress.  LE  CHEV.  SAURALLE. 

August  29,  1776. 

MONSIEUR:  Un  jeune  homme  bien  ne,  dont  le  frere  est 
Officier  Major  dans  ma  Dependance,  desire  de  preference  a 
une  place  d'officier  dans  le  quartier  d'aller  servir  sous  vos  or- 
dres.  Son  activite  et  son  intelligence  me  font  presumer  que 
vous  1'emploirez  avec  plaisir.  J'espere  que  vous  en  serez 
satisfait.  Je  m'interesse  a  ce  qu'il  reussisse. 

Je  suis,  avec  un  respectueuse  attachement,  votre  tres  hum- 
ble et  tres  obeissant  serviteur, 

JACS.  ALTIERE. 

Mole  ce  12  Juillet,  1776. 


ORDINANCE    PROPOSED    FOR    CONSIDERATION,  BY    THE    CON- 
VENTION OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

A  proposed  Ordinance  of  the  State  of  PENNSYLVANIA, 
declaring  what  shall  be  Treason,  and  for  punishing  the 
same  and  other  crimes  and  practices  against  the  State. 

Whereas  it  ought  at  all  times  to  be  the  particular  care  of 
Government  to  take  the  most  effectual  measures  for  the 
safety  and  security  of  the  State,  Be  it  therefore  Ordained 
and  Declared,  and  it  is  hereby  Ordained  and  Declared  by 
the  Representatives  of  the  Freemen  of  the  State  O/PENNSYL- 
VANIA  in  General  Convention  met,  That  all  and  every  person 
and  persons  (except  prisoners  of  war)  now  inhabiting  or  resi- 
ding within  the  limits  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  or  that 
shall  voluntarily  come  into  the  same  hereafter  to  inhabit  or 
sojourn,  do,  and  shall,  owe  and  pay  allegiance  to  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania. 

And  be  it  further  Ordained,  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
That  all  and  every  such  person  and  persons  so  owing  alle- 
giance to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  who,  from  and  after 
the  publication  hereof,  shall  levy  war  against  this  State,  or 
be  adherent  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  or  others  the 
enemies  of  this  State,  or  to  the  enemies  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  by  giving  him  or  them  aid  or  assistance  within 
the  limits  of  this  State,  or  elsewhere,  and  shall  be  thereof 
duly  convicted  in  any  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terrniner  hereafter 
to  be  erected,  according  to  law,  shall  be1  judged  guilty  of 
high  treason,  and  suffer  death,  and  forfeit  one  moiety  or  half 
part  of  his  lands,  tenements,  goods,  and  chattels,  to  the  use 
of  the  State. 

And  be  it  further  Ordained  and  Declared  by  the  autho- 
rity aforesaid,  That  any  person  or  persons  (except  as  before 
excepted)  residing,  inhabiting,  or  sojourning  in  this  State, 
who  shall  hereafter  know  of  such  treason  and  conceal  the 
same,  or  that  shall  receive  or  assist  such  traitor,  knowing 
him  to  be  such,  and  shall  be  thereof  duly  convicted  as  afore- 
said, shall  be  adjudged  guilty  of  misprision  of  treason,  and 
suffer  the  forfeiture  of  two-thirds  of  his  goods,  lands,  chat- 
tels, and  tenements,  to  the  use  of  the  State,  and  be  impri- 
soned any  term  not  exceeding  one  year. 

Published  by  order  of  Convention : 

JOHN  MORRIS,  Jun.,  Secretary. 


WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON  TO  WILLIAM  HOOPER. 

Camp  at  Elizabeth  town  Point,  August  29,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  received  yours  of  yesterday's  date,  just  after 
I  had  got  into  my  new  habitation,  which  is  a  fharkee  tent 
in  our  encampment  here.  You  would  really  be  astonished 
to  see  how  grand  I  look,  while  at  the  same  time  I  can  assure 
you  I  was  never  more  sensible  (to  use  a  New-England 
phrase)  of  my  own  nothingness  in  military  affairs.  I  re- 
moved my  qbarters  from  the  town  hither,  to  be  with  the 
men,  and  to  enure  them  to  discipline,  which,  by  my  distance 
from  the  camp  before,  considering  what  scurvy  subaltern 
officers  we  are  like  ever  to  have  while  they  are  in  the  ap- 
pointment of  the  mobility,  I  found  it  impossible  to  introduce. 
And  the  worst  men  (was  there  a  degree  above  the  superla- 
tive) would  be  still  pejorated,  by  having  been  fellow  soldiers 
with  that  discipline-hating,  good-living  loving,  "  to  eternal 
fame  damned,"  coxcombical  crew  we  lately  had  here  from 
Philadelphia. 

My  ancient  corporeal  fabrick  is  almost  tottering  under 
the  fatigue  I  have  lately  undergone:  constantly  rising  at 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  examine  our  lines,  which  are 
and  very  extensive,  till  daybreak,  and  from  that 
time  perpetually  till  eleven  in  giving  orders,  sending  de- 
spatches, and  doing  the  proper  business  of  Quartermasters, 
Colonels,  Commissaries,  and  I  know  not  what. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  learn  the  particulars  of  Colonel 
Zedtivitz's  crime.  The  report  here  is,  that  he  was  bribed 
by  Governour  Tryon  to  poison  the  well  in  the  fortress  he 
commanded,  and  that  the  letters  were  intercepted,  and  the 
poison  was  actually  found  in  his  chest;  but  it  is  folly  to  de- 
pend upon  reports.  When  I  can  learn  the  particulars  in  a 
manner  authentick,  I  shall  be  happy  in  finding  an  excuse 
for  troubling  my  friend  with  another  letter  from  your  most 

hurnbl*  servant, 

WIL.  LIVINGSTON. 

To  ll'illiam  Hooper,  in  Congress. 


1211 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1212 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  September  30,  1776.] 

Long-Island,  August  29,  1776,  half-after-four  ) 
o'clock,  A.M.      $ 

SIR:  I  was  last  night  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the 
27th,  accompanied  by  sundry  resolutions  of  Congress. 
Those  respecting  the  officers,  &.C.,  that  may  be  wounded  in 
the  service  of  the  States,  are  founded  much  in  justice,  and 
I  should  hope  may  be  productive  of  many  salutary  conse- 
quences ;  as  to  the  encouragement  to  the  Hessian  officers, 
1  wish  it  may  have  the  desired  effect.  Perhaps  it  might 
have  been  better  had  the  offer  been  sooner  made. 

Before  this,  you  will  probably  have  received  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Harrison,  of  the  27th,  advising  of  the  engagement  be- 
tween a  detachment  of  our  men  and  the  enemy  on  that  day. 
I  am  sorry  to  inform  Congress  that  I  have  not  yet  heard 
either  of  General  Sullivan  or  Lord  Stirling,  who,  they  would 
observe,  were  amongst  the  missing  after  the  engagement; 
nor  can  I  ascertain  our  loss.  I  am  hopeful  part  of  our  men 
will  yet  get  in:  several  did  yesterday  morning.  That  of 
the  enemy  is  also  uncertain :  the  accounts  are  various.  I 
incline  to  think  they  suffered  a  good  deal ;  some  deserters 
say  five  hundred  men  were  killed  and  wounded.  There 
was  some  skirmishing  the  greatest  part  of  yesterday  between 
parties  from  the  enemy  and  our  people.  In  the  evening  it 
was  pretty  smart.  The  event  I  have  not  yet  learned. 

The  weather  of  late  has  been  extremely  wet.  Yesterday 
it  rained  severely  the  whole  afternoon,  which  distressed  our 
people  much,  not  having  a  sufficiency  of  tents  to  cover  them ; 
and  what  we  have,  not  got  over  yet.  I  am  in  hopes  they 
will  all  be  got  to-day,  and  that  they  will  be  more  comfort- 
ably provided,  though  the  great  scarcity  of  these  articles  dis- 
tresses us  beyond  measure,  not  having  anything  like  a  suffi- 
cient number  to  protect  our  people  from  the  inclemency  of 
the  weather,  and  which  has  occasioned  much  sickness,  and 
the  men  to  be  almost  broke  down. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  Go  WASHINGTON. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


GENERAL  MIFFLIN  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

Long-Island,  August  29,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  We  have  many  battalions  from  New- 
Jersey,  which  are  coming  over  this  evening  to  relieve  others 
here.  You  will  please,  therefore,  to  order  every  flat-bot- 
tomed boat  and  other  craft,  at  your  ports,  fit  for  transporting 
troops,  down  to  New-  York  as  soon  as  possible.  They  must 
be  manned  by  some  of  Colonel  Hutchinson's  men,  and  sent 
without  the  least  delay.  1  write  by  order  of  the  General. 

I  am  affectionately  yours,  T  MlFFLIN 

To  Major-General  Heath. 

COLONEL  JOSIAH   SMITH  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Camp  at  Brookland,  August  29,  1776. 

I  just  now  received  orders  from  the  General  to  march  my 
regiment  over  to  New-York,  and  there  to  receive  orders  from 
the  Convention  of  New-  York,  which  I  desire  you  to  send 
me  by  the  bearer,  Colonel  Phineas  Fanning. 

JOSIAH  SMITH,  Colonel. 

To  the  President  of  the  Convention. 


GENERAL  ERSKINE  TO  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  THE  COUNTY  OF 

SUFFOLK. 

Head-Quarters,  in  Queen's  County,  August  29,  1776. 
His  Excellency  General  Howe  having  appointed  me 
commanding  officer  for  the  eastern  part  of  this  Island,  I  do 
hereby  strictly  order  and  enjoin  all  persons  whatsoever  in 
your  County  of  Suffolk,  upon  their  peril,  to  use  their  utmost 
efforts  to  preserve  the  peace  of  said  County ;  that  all 
Committee-men,  and  others  acting  under  the  authority  of  the 
Rebels,  immediately  to  cease  and  remain  at  their  respective 
homes ;  that  every  man  in  arms  lay  them  down  forthwith, 
and  surrender  themselves,  on  pain  of  being  treated  as  Rebels. 
And  I  hereby  exhort  all  persons  to  be  aiding  and  assisting 
his  Majesty's  forces,  by  furnishing  them  with  whatever  lays 
in  their  power;  in  particular,  that  they  bring  in  their  cattle 
(excepting  milch  cows  and  calves)  for  their  supply,  and 


their  wagons  and  horses  for  transporting  their  baggage,  &c., 
for  all  which  they  shall  be  fully  paid,  his  Majesty  having 
sent  his  Army  not  for  the  oppression,  but  for  the  protection 
of  the  inhabitants.  But  I  must  also  signify,  that  unless  they 
show  a  dutiful  submission  in  all  respects,  and  an  immediate 
compliance  with  these  orders  respecting  the  cattle  and  wagons, 
I  shall  be  under  the  necessity  of  marching  the  forces  under 
my  command  without  delay  into  the  country,  and  laying 
waste  the  property  of  the  disobedient,  as  persons  unworthy 
his  Majesty's  clemency. 

WILLIAM  ERSKINE,  Brigadier-General. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICF.R  IN  COLONEL  ATLEE  S 
BATTALION,  DATED  NEW-YORK,  AUGUST  29,  1776. 

I  have  just  now  come  over  to  this  place  about  some  busi- 
ness, and  embrace  the  opportunity  of  letting  you  know  that 
I  wrote  you  on  the  27th  instant,  giving  you  some  particulars 
of  our  engagement.  I  now  have  to  acquaint  you  that  the 
enemy,  endeavouring  to  force  our  lines,  met  with  a  warmer 
reception  than  they  thought  of;  for  the  batteries  began  to 
play,  and  mowed  them  down  like  grass,  when  they  retreated, 
and  our  Army  cried  out,  the  day  is  our  own ;  but  am  sorry 
to  inform  you  that  Generals  Sullivan  and  Stirling  are  taken 
prisoners,  and  that  we  have  missing  (which  I  apprehend  are 
also  taken)  Colonel  Atlee,  Captain  Howcll,  Captain  Her- 
bert, Captain  Murray,  and  Captain  Nice,  Lieutenant  Finney, 
Ensign  Hustin,  and  Dr.  Davis,  with  eighty  privates;  so  you 
may  juds;e  what  a  miserable  battalion  we  must  have.  There 
is  also  missing  from  the  Rifle  battalion  Colonel  Miles  and 
Colonel  Piper,  with  several  other  officers,  whose  names  I 
have  not  as  yet  heard,  and  a  number  of  privates.  The 
enemy,  by  accounts  which  we  have  received,  have  lost 
(killed,  wounded,  and  taken  prisoners)  about  eight  hundred 
men,  among  whom  is  General  Grant  killed.  We  expect 
every  hour  a  second  engagement,  which  I  pray  God  may 
be  more  prosperous  on  our  side  than  the  last;  for  besides 
what  I  have  mentioned,  the  Delaware  and  Maryland  bat- 
talions suffered  much. 


New- York,  Thursday,  August  29,  1776. 

On  Monday,  by  express,  and  by  several  other  messengers 
since,  we  hear  an  armed  brig  of  the  enemy,  with  two  sloops 
and  some  smaller  vessels,  are  in  the  Sound,  near  White- 
Stone,  a  little  above  Hell-Gate. 

Wednesday,  in  the  afternoon,  a  great  hail  and  rain  storm 
came  on,  attended  with  thunder  and  lightning;  at  which 
time  the  Ministerial  Army  attacked  our  lines  on  Long-Island, 
at  three  different  places,  with  their  utmost  force;  but  the 
intrepidity  of  the  soldiers  of  the  United  States,  joined  with 
that  vigour  becoming  a  free  people,  repulsed  them;  that 
they  were  obliged  immediately  to  retreat  precipitately,  with 
great  loss,  the  particulars  of  which  we  have  not  as  yet  been 
able  to  learn.  At  the  same  time,  some  of  the  British  men- 
of-war  made  an  attempt  to  come  up  to  the  city,  as  they 
also  did  the  day  before,  but  the  wind  at  both  times  entirely 
obstructed  them;  all  their  attempts  we  hope  Heaven  will 
still  continue  to  render  abortive. 

The  great,  the  important  day,  big  with  the  fate  of  America 
and  liberty,  seems  to  draw  near.  The  British  troops  began 
to  land  on  Long-Island  last  Thursday,  nearly  their  whole 
force,  supposed  to  be  more  than  twenty  thousand  British  and 
foreign  troops.  They  marched  through  the  small  town  of 
New-Utrecht,  in  their  way  to  Flatbush,  another  town  about 
five  miles  from  this  city,  near  which  they  encamped,  but  were 
much  harassed  by  our  Riflemen.  Scouting  parties  were  sent 
from  our  Army  to  the  adjoining  woods,  but  were  rather 
scanty  in  their  numbers,  considering  the  extent  of  ground 
they  had  to  guard.  The  British  forces,  in  three  divisions, 
taking  three  different  roads,  and  the  advantage  of  the  night, 
almost  surrounded  the  whole  of  our  out-parties,  who,  though 
encircled  with  more  than  treble  (heir  number,  bravely  fought 
their  way  through  the  enemy,  killing  great  numbers  of  them, 
and  brought  off  some  prisoners.  The  New-  York  First  Bat- 
talion behaved  with  great  bravery.  Lord  Stirling's  brigade 
sustained  the  hottest  of  the  enemy's  fire;  it  consisted  of 
Colonel  Miles's  two  battalions,  Colonel  Atlee's,  Colonel 
Small-wood's,  and  Colonel  Hatch's  regiments  ;  they  were  all 
surrounded  by  the  enemy,  and  had  to  fight  their  way  through 
the  blaze  of  their  fire.  They  fought  and  fell  like  Romans. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Parry,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Musketry, 


1213 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &o.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1214 


was  shot  through  the  head  as  he  was  giving  orders  to  and 
animating  his  men.  The  major  part  of  Colonel  Atlee's  and 
Colonel  Piper's  regiments  are  missing.  Dr.  Davis  and  his 
Mate  were  both  taken  prisoners  as  they  were  dressing  a 
wounded  person  in  the  woods.  Colonel  Miles  is  missing, 

g.  truly  amiable  character,)  and  supposed  to  be  slain, 
enerals  Stirling  and  Sullivan  are  thought  to  be  killed. 
General  Parsons,  with  seven  men,  came  in  yesterday  morn- 
ing, much  fatigued,  being  for  ten  hours  in  the  utmost  danger 
of  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands.  Our  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing,  are  imagined  to  be  about  one  thousand ;  but, 
for  our  encouragement,  the  missing  are  hourly  corning  in. 
General  Grant,  of  the  British  troops,  from  good  intelligence, 
is  among  the  killed ;  his  hat,  with  his  name  on  it,  was  found 
lying  near  the  dead  body;  the  bullet  had  gone  through  the 
hat,  and  carried  some  of  his  grey  hairs  with  it.  Thus  fell 
the  hero  who  boasted  in  the  British  House  of  Commons-he 
would  march  through  America  with  five  thousand  men, 
having  only  marched  five  miles  on  Long-Island,  with  an 
Army  of  more  than  four  times  the  number.  Our  out-guards 
have  retreated  to  the  main  body  of  the  Army  within  the 
lines.  The  British  Army  have  two  encampments  about  a 
mile  from  our  lines;  and,  by  their  manoeuvres,  'tis  plain  they 
mean  to  attack  us  by  surprise,  and  storm  our  intrenchments. 
Our  men  show  the  greatest  bravery,  and  wish  them  to  come 
to  action.  The  firing  continued  yesterday  all  the  day. 

On  Tuesday  twenty-two  prisoners  of  the  Regulars,  among 
whom  is  a  Captain,  a  Lieutenant,  and  an  Ensign,  were 
brought  over;  yesterday  another,  and  the  same  day  thirty- 
seven  prisoners  more  were  taken  by  one  of  our  detached 
parties.  On  Tuesday  five  or  six  ships  stood  almost  within 
reach  of  our  grand  battery,  but  came  to  an  anchor,  and 
yesterday  morning  dropped  down  again  to  the  fleet. 

The  alarm  was  so  great  last  Tuesday,  (occasioned  by  the 
attack  of  the  British  troops,)  the  day  appointed  for  fasting, 
humiliation,  and  prayer,  in  this  State,  for  imploring  Divine 
assistance  in  forming  the  new  Government,  that  the  churches 
were  not  opened,  nor  publick  worship  performed. 

New-York,  August  29,  1776. 

On  Tuesday,  August  20,  a  number  of  ships,  with  troops 
on  board,  sailed  from  the  British  fleet  at  Staten-Island, 
through  the  Narrows,  and  next  day  were  followed  by  many 
more.  Next  morning,  (the  22d,)  a  number  of  troops,  sup- 
posed to  be  about  ten  thousand  men,  landed  between  New- 
Utrecht  and  Gravesend,  on  Long-Island.  On  Friday,  an 
advanced  party  took  possession  of  Flatbush,  where  our 
people,  having  possession  of  the  surrounding  heights,  kept  a 
continual,  though  irregular,  fire  upon  them,  but  at  too  great 
a  distance  to  do  much  execution;  however,  some  were  killed 
and  wounded  on  both  sides;  the  enemy  keeping  up  an  almost 
constant  fire  upon  our  people  from  their  mortai-s  and  field- 
pieces,  loaded  with  grape-shot,  &ic.  On  Sunday,  some  of 
their  men-of-war  and  transports  got  under  sail,  and  it  was 
supposed,  were  coming  up;  but  it  soon  appeared  they  only 
went  to  cover  the  landing  of  more  of  their  men  on  Long- 
Island,  when  great  numbers  of  our  men  went  over  to 
strengthen  our  posts,  and  oppose  the  enemy.  On  Monday, 
it  was  observed  that  a  large  body  of  them,  supposed  to  be 
near  four  thousand,  were  marching  from  their  main  body 
to  their  advanced  posts.  That  night  our  people  began  to 
throw  up  intrenchments  on  the  highest  hill  near  Flatbush, 
which  would  have  commanded  the  town;  but  the  enemy 
having  the  same  night  formed  a  design  to  gain  possession  of 
the  hill,  it  is  said,  both  parties  met,  and  a  smart  engagement 
between  them  began  about  four  in  the  morning,  and  con- 
tinued, together  with  severe  skirmishes  between  many  de- 
tached parties,  all  Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  during  which 
many  were  killed,  wounded,  and  taken  prisoners  on  both 
sides,  and  several  are  missing.  Who  kept  possession  of  the 
hill  at  Flatbush,  where  the  flag  is  still  flying,  we  have  not 
heard,  nor  which  party  has  upon  the  whole  the  advantage. 
Many  of  our  wounded  people  have  been  brought  over.  On 
Tuesday,  twenty-two  prisoners  of  the  Regulars,  among 
whom  is  a  Captain,  a  Lieutenant,  and  an  Ensign,  were 
brought  over;  yesterday  another,  and  the  same  day  fifty- 
seven  prisoners  more  were  taken  by  one  of  our  detached 
parties.  The  enemy  attempted  several  times  to  force  our 
lines,  but  were  always  repulsed  with  considerable  slaughter, 
notwithstanding  their  superiority  in  point  of  discipline,  and 
an  extended  front.  m  On  Tuesday,  five  or  six  ships  stood 


almost  within  reach  of  our  grand  battery,  but  came  to  an 
anchor,  and  yesterday  morning  dropped  down  again  to  the 
fleet. 

From  the  best  accounts,  we  learn  that  the  force  of  the 
Ministerial  Army  at  Staten  and  Long  Islands -is  about 
twenty-three  thousand  five  hundred  men;  marines  unknown. 
The  fleet  consists  of  the  following:  Ships  Asia  and  Eagle, 
of  sixty-four  guns,  the  Roebuck  and  Phcenix,  of  forty-four, 
one  bomb,  and  about  twenty  frigates  and  sloops-of-war. 
They  have  also  about  three  hundred  sail  of  transports,  store- 
ships,  and  prizes. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  DATED  NEW-YORK,  AUGUST  29,  1776, 

FIVE  O'CLOCK,  p.  M. 

I  am  told  the  Court-Martial  divided  about  Zedtuntz,  and 
have  sentenced  him  to  be  broke,  and  rendered  forever  in- 
capable of  holding  any  military  office ;  but  I  do  not  learn 
that  the  sentence  has  been  confirmed  by  the  General.  It 
is  a  hard  matter  to  get  general  intelligence  from  Long- 
Island.  Every  man's  attention  seems  confined  solely  to  his 
own  regiment.  I  have  a  line  from  Head-Quarters  this  morn- 
ing, informing  me  that  nothing  of  moment  has  turned  up. 
The/e  was  a  constant  firing  all  yesterday  afternoon,  and  till 
I  went  to  bed  last  night;  it  appeared  to  be  platoon  firing, 
and  now  and  then  a  field-piece. 


EBENEZER  HAZARD  TO  ROBERT  LIVINGSTON. 

New-York,  August  29,  1776. 

SIR:  If  it  is  possible,  do  keep  a  corps  de  reserve  of  the 
Congress's  order  for  us.  Mr.  Samuel  Broome  is  to  go  to 
Connecticut  this  week  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  saltpetre; 
but  if  none  can  be  had,  we  shall  want  your  friendly  assist- 
ance. Perhaps  a  letter  from  you  to  Congress  mentioning 
the  state  of  the  case,  would  procure  an  order  for  the  twelve 
hundred  weight  of  powder,  which  would  answer  the  same 
end.  Nothing  new  this  morning.  Mr.  Schenck  carried  a 
letter  for  you  to  Harlem. 

In  haste,  your  very  humble  servant, 

EBEN.  HAZARD. 
To  Robert  Livingston,  Esq.,  at  Harlem. 


COMFORT  SANDS  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-Rochelle,  August  29,  1776. 

SIR:  The  bearer,  Mr.  Daniel  Redjield,  was  taken  last 
Monday  morning  in  the  Sound  by  the  ships  of  war,  and  has 
been  detained  on  board  till  yesterday.  He  has  just  come 
to  my  house,  and  has  given  me  such  information  as  I  thought 
proper  for  you  to  know.  I  have  immediately  despatched 
him  to  you,  that  you  might  take  the  information  from  his  own, 
mouth.  As  he  wants  much  to  get  home,  I  beg  you  will  take 
his  examination  as  soon  as  possible,  and  discharge  him.  What 
information  he  gives  you  may  be  depended  on,  as  I  have 
known  him  a  number  of  years,  and  know  him  to  be  a  very 
honest  man.  You  will  please  also  to  give  him  a  permit,  so 
that  he  can  pass  the  bridge  without  being  detained. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  „  0 

COMFORT  SANDS. 

To  Abraham  Yates,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Convention  of 
New-  York,  at  Harlem. 


JOSEPH  DRAKE  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-Rochelle,  August  29,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  bearer  hereof,  Mr.  Redjield,  of  Killingsworth, 
in  the  State  of  Connecticut,  having,  on  the  26th  instant,  had 
the  misfortune  lo  fall  into  the  hands  of  our  cruel  enemies, 
who  burnt  his  sloop  and  made  him  prisoner,  with  one  Ste- 
vens, his  partner,  until  yesterday,  when  he  was  discharged 
and  sent  on  shore  by  himself:  the  Committee  for  the  district 
of  New-Rochelle,  where  he  came  on  shore,  has  had  him  in 
examination,  who  thought  he  might  give  some  little  informa- 
tion of  the  enemy's  intercourse  with  the  people  in  Queen's 
County,  has  sent  him  to  you  for  his  further  examination.  He 
is  a  man  of  good  character. 

By  order  of  the  Committee: 

•  JOSEPH  DRAKE,  Chairman. 

To  the  President  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  State 
of  New-  York. 


1215 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1216 


In  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  New-York,  ) 
August  29,  1776.      $ 

Daniel  Redfield,  of  Killingsworth,  in  Connecticut,  being 
duly  examined,  says  :  That  about  four  o'clock  on  Monday 
morning  last,  he  was  taken  in  a  sloop  going  from  New- 1  ork, 
by  the  brig  Halifax,  belonging  to  the  King  of  Great  Brit- 
ain, mounting  ten  four-pounders,  Quorate  commander. 
That  about  twelve  o'clock  the  same  day  they  burnt  the  hull 
of  his  vessel,  after  having  secured  the  rigging,  cable,  an- 
chors, &ic.  That  there  were  two  frigates  in  company,  viz: 
Le  Brun  and  the  Niger,  both  of  thirty-six  guns.  That 
the  pilot's  name  was  Reed,  a  man  who  formerly  lived  at 
New-York,  a  notorious  Tory.  That  from  this  man's  con- 
versation he  understood  that  these  vessels  were  to  anchor  in 
Flushing  Bay,  and  that  the  enemy's  design  was  to  land  part 
of  their  forces  from  Long-Island,  and  that  some  ships  of  war, 
&c.,  were  to  run  up  the  North  River,  and  to  land  another 
body  of  men  at  or  near  King's  Bridge.  That  they  intended 
to  make  a  junction  of  their  forces,  and  did  not  doubt  by  these 
means  to  cut  off  all  communication  with  our  Army  both  by 
land  and  water,  and  oblige  them  to  surrender  for  want  of 
provisions.  That  the  said  Reed  said  "  he  wishe"d  all  the 
damn'd  Rebels  on  the  Continent  were  there,  for  that  they 
would  be  taken  in  a  net."  And  the  said  Redfeld  further 
says,  that  he  understood  they  did  not  intend  to  make  an 
attack  upon  the  city.  That  those  vessels  had  plundered 
Hart  and  City-Island,  in  the  Sound,  from  whence  he  thinks 
they  procured  about  twelve  or  fourteen  head  of  cattle,  be- 
sides sheep,  &.c.  That  whilst  he  was  on  board  several 
persons  came  on  board  from  Queen's  County,  Long-Island, 
who,  as  he  understood,  brought  intelligence  from  General 
Howe's  Army.  That  on  Tuesday  a  man  came  on  board 
who  said  that  we  had  lost  thirteen  hundred  men  in  an  en- 
gagement, and  that  the  English  Army  had  gained  the  ground. 
That  his  partner,  Stephens,  they  detained  aboard  as  a  hos- 
tage, but  that  they  released  him,  being  an  old  man,  and  that 
he  might  inquire  for  the  mate  of  the  ffiger,  who  had  been 
taken  on  board  a  prize  by  the  sloop  Beverly,  and  sent  into 
Amboy.  That  they  promised  to  exchange  his  partner  for 
this  man,  whose  name  they  gave  him  in  writing.  He  says 
he  was  not  used  ill  on  board,  but  that  the  ship's  crew  were 
very  inveterate  against  us. 

The  said  Daniel  Redjicld  produced  to  the  Committee 
of  Safety  undoubted  testimonials  of  his  veracity  and  good 
character. 

The  above  examination  taken  in  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
and  transmitted  by  order.  ^y  T)UER 


John  Morton,  Privates, — you  are  to  escort  them  with  all  pos- 
sible expedition  to  Fairficld,  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut, 
where  you  are  to  deliver  them  to  the  Committee  of  that 
place,  and  then  without  delay  return  to  this  post. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &,c.,        •,,,   -,,  •*,  .      ~, 

"  W.  HEATH,  Major-General. 

To  Lieutenant  Nathan  Umstcad. 


We,  the  subscribers,  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection  for 
the  townof  Fairfield,  hereby  certify  that  Lieutenant  Nathan 
L'mstead  hath  delivered  to  us  the  within  named  prisoners. 

THAD.  BURH,  7  r<        -^ 
T   <-.  '  }.  Committee. 

J.  OTURGES,       3 
Fairfield,  September  1,  1776. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  FAIRFIELD  (CONNECTICUT)  COMMITTEE. 

King's  Bridge,  August  29,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  send  to  your  care  and  safe  keeping  the 
following  prisoners  of  war,  taken  on  Long-Island  on  the  27th 
instant,  viz :  Lieutenant  John  Ragg,  of  the  Marines,  Ser- 
geant David  Wallace,  Corporal  Thomas  Pike,  and  Edward 
Gibbon,  William  Smith,  Isaac  Hughs,  Thomas  Haraman, 
John  Woodard,  Edward  Cavil,  William  Williams,  William 
Coortney,  Stephen  Weber,  John  Smith,  Samuel  Morral, 
Thomas  Sarral,  Joseph  Distant,  Benjamin  Jones,  William 
Jones,  William  Pearce,  John  Hopkins,  Henry  Weston,  Evan 
Evans,  and  John  Morten,  Privates. 

You  will  please  to  secure  them  in  such  manner  as  to  pre- 
vent their  escape,  observing  the  order  of  Congress  in  this 
respect. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  esteem,  your  humble  servant, 

W.  HEATH,  Major-Gencral. 

To  the  Committee  of  the  Town  of  Fairfield. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  LIEUTENANT  UMSTEAD. 

King's  Bridge,  August  29,  1776. 

SIR:  With  the  detachment  under  your  command,  taking 
into  your  custody  and  safe  keeping  the  following  prisoners  of 
war,  viz:  Lieutenant  John  Ragg,  of  the  Marines,  Sergeant 
David  Wallace,  Corporal  Thomas  Pike,  and  Edward  Gib- 
bon, William  Smith,  Isaac  Hughs,  Thomas  Haraman,  John 
Woodard,  Edward  Cavil,  William  Williams,  Wm.  Coortney, 
Sn-jihi  n  ll'eber,  John  Smith,  Samuel  Morral,  Thomas  Sorral, 
Joseph  Distant.  Benjamin  Jones,  William  Jones,  William 
Pearce,  John  Hopkins,  Henry  Weston,  Evan  Evans,  and 


COLONEL  GRAHAM  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

August  29,  1776. 

SIR:  This  comes  by  a  gentleman  who  has  fled  from  Long- 
Island,  where,  he  says,  General  Howe's  Light-Horse  are  pil- 
laging the  inhabitants.  He  thinks  that  about  one  hundred 
men  would  be  sufficient  to  repulse  them. 

My  regiment  has  full  employ,  as  the  enemy's  ships  are 
this  instant  mooring  the  brig  moved  down  to  Hunt's  Point 
about  two  hours  ago;  the  rest  are  now  under  sail.  If  it 
should  be  thought  expedient  that  any  of  my  regiment  should 
go  on  to  Long-Island,  I  would  think  it  highly  necessary 
that  some  other  force  should  be  sent  here,  as  there  are  many 
points  to  guard  that  we  are  now  hardly  able  to  defend  with- 
out distributing  our  men  too  much.  However,  we  are  ready 
to  obey. 

I  am,  your  very  humble  servant, 

MORRIS  GRAHAM,  Colonel. 
To  Major-General  Heath,  at  King's  Bridge. 


COUNCIL  OF  WAR. 

King's  Bridge,  August  29,  1776. 

Information  being  brought  that  the  enemy's  Light-Horse, 
to  the  number  of  about  one  hundred,  are  pillaging  at  Flush- 
ing, on  Long-Island,  and  that  there  is  a  great  probability 
that  if  one  hundred  men  should  be  sent  over  this  night,  they 
may  be  surprised  and  taken :  Upon  which,  Council  being 
called:  Present:  Major-General  Heath,  Brigadier-General 
Clinton,  Colonel  Pawling,  and  Colonel  Thomas  : 

The  question  being  put,  Whether  the  measure  be  advis- 
able? Colonel  Thomas,  yea ;  Colonel  Pawling,  yea;  General 
Clinton,?^.  ISRAEL  KEITH,  ^.  P.  C. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  COLONEL  GRAHAM. 

King's  Bridge,  August  29,  1776. 

SIR:  Information  has  just  been  given  that  a  number  of 
the  enemy's  Light-Horse  are  pillaging  at  Flushing,  and  that 
a  party  of  about  one  hundred  men  would  disperse  them.  If, 
therefore,  upon  receipt  hereof,  and  conference  with  Messrs. 
Eagle  and  Pen/old,  two  of  the  Committee  of  that  place, 
you  should  be  satisfied  that  the  number  of  the  enemy  are 
not  more  than  one  hundred,  and  that  you  can  convey  that 
number  of  men  over  this  night,  and  get  them  back  by  to- 
morrow morning,  I  would  have  you  make  the  attempt,  and 
surprise  the  enemy,  if  possible.  You  are  strictly  to  forbid 
the  party  pursuing  Tories,  except  in  arms,  or  in  any  case  to 
burn  any  buildings.  I  am,  sir,  yours,  &c., 

W.  HEATH,  M.  G. 
To  Colonel  Morris  Graham. 


ABRAHAM  KING  TO  PETER  LIVINGSTON. 

The  Manor  of  Cortlandt,  August  29,  1776. 
I  beg  the  favour  of  you,  sir,  that  you  will  be  so  good  as 
to  send  me  an  order  to  James  Clinton,  Brigadier-General 
at  the  Fort  Montgomery  for  my  ferry-boat  belonging  to 
me;  want  of  this,  a  great  damage  to  the  country.  A  great 
calling  for  the  ferry-boat ;  without  this,  great  damage  to  our 
troops"  We  are  detained  very  much  for  the  want  of  the 
ferry-boat  for  to  go  across  the  ferry.  There  will  be  no  fear; 
there  is  guard  kept  at  my  house.  ABRAHAM  KlNG. 

To  Mr.  Peter  Livingston,  President. 


1217 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1218 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  September  6,  1776.    November  6,  1776,  referred  to  the  Board  of 
Treasury.] 

Albany,  August  29,  1776. 

SIR:  I  had  the  honour  to  have  your  letter  of  the  16th 
instant,  enclosing  the  resolutions  of  Congress  of  the  10th, 
delivered  to  me  this  morning  by  Mr.  Price.  The  resolutions 
mention,  "  to  pay  all  the  specie  General  Gates  or  I  may 
have  in  hands  belonging  to  the  American  States."  I  have 
construed  this  to  mean  any  specie  that  the  Paymaster  in 
this  department  might  have  in  the  military  chest,  and  have 
accordingly  given  my  warrant  in  favour  of  Mr.  Price  for 
twenty-four  thousand  dollars,  leaving  the  remainder  for  exi- 
gencies here.  Congress  will  see,  by  the  enclosed  account 
from  Mr.  TrumbuJl,  that  I  have  drawn  seven  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars  in  specie,  which  was  to  replace  what  I  had 
borrowed  and  transmitted  to  Canada  last  fall  and  winter. 
There  are  about  two  thousand  dollars  which  are  still  due  to 
me  on  that  account,  but  as  paper  money  equally  serves  my 
purpose,  I  shall  draw  for  no  more  specie.  I  believe  there 
are  about  six  thousand  dollars  more  with  the  Army. 

Captain  Wynkoop,  who  has  been  sent  down  to  me  by 
General  Gates,  has  this  morning  delivered  me  the  enclosed 
memorial,  with  a  request  that  I  should  transmit  it  to  Con- 
gress. As  I  cannot  refuse  complying  with  his  request,  I 
have  thought  it  incumbent  on  me  to  let  it  be  accompanied 
with  General  Gates's  and  General  Arnold's  letters  on  the 
subject.  Although  I  believed  Wynkoop  to  be  brave  and 
industrious,  and  equal  to  the  command  of  what  vessels  we 
had  when  I  recommended  him,  yet  I  was  so  far  from  being 
sufficiently  acquainted  whether  he  was  equal  to  the  com- 
mand of  such  a  number  of  vessels  as  we  have  now  there, 
that  I  learned  General  Arnold's  appointment  with  great 
satisfaction,  and  very  much  approved  of  it. 

From  the  resolution  of  Congress  of  the  30th  ultimo,  allow- 
ing one  and  one-third  dollar  per  man  to  the  officers  who  are 
to  inlist  men  for  three  years,  I  am  led  to  believe  that  recruit- 
ing officers  are  already  appointed.  As  it  is  of  the  utmost 
importance  that  a  body  of  troops  should  be  engaged  before  the 
time  of  those  now  serving  is  expired,  1  beg  leave  to  suggest 
to  Congress  if  it  would  not  be  proper  to  appoint  recruiting 
officers  for  every  regiment  in  the  Army,  to  recruit  imme- 
diately out  of  the  Army  in  general.  Many  that  will  now 
engage  to  serve  three  years  longer,  provided  any  bounty 
Congress  may  have  ordered  is  immediately  paid,  will  not  do 
it  when  their  time  of  service  is  expired,  or  nearly  so,  nor 
even  about  the  middle  of  October,  for  then  that  terrible  dis- 
order the  home-sickness  begins  to  prevail,  and,  increasing  as 
the  winter  season  advances,  becomes  so  stubborn  and  uncon- 
querable, that  every  consideration  must  yield  to  its  superior 
influence.  The  men  thus  engaged  might  be  left  with  the 
corps  they  now  belong  to  until  towards  the  end  of  the  cam- 
paign, and  then  formed  into  different  corps. 

In  obedience  to  the  orders  of  Congress,  I  directed  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Brown  to  lay  before  me  an  account  of  his 
extra  services,  copy  of  which  I  do  myself  the  honour  to 
enclose  you.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  ascertain  what  allow- 
ance ou<'ht  to  be  made  him. 

O 

Our  carpenters  sicken  very  fast.  Captain  Titcomb,  of 
the  Massachusetts-Bay,  had  only  ten  at  work  on  the  25th, 
out  of  fifty,  and  many  of  the  other  companies  were  also  down. 
We  are,  however,  so  much  ahead  of  the  enemy  in  our  naval 
foree,  that  I  do  not  apprehend  they  will  be  able  to  equal 
our  strength  this  campaign,  notwithstanding  the  indisposition 
of  our  carpenters.  I  have  ordered  a  physician  to  Skenet- 
borough,  to  examine  the  sick  carpenters,  that  such  might  be 
discharged  as  are  not  likely  to  be  of  future  service,  the 
expense  being  very  high. 

If  the  enemy  should  find  themselves  unable  to  make  an 
attempt  to  penetrate  into  the  Colonies  this  campaign,  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  they  will  assiduously  employ  them- 
selves in  the  course  of  next  winter  to  procure  materials  for 
building  as  large  vessels  as  the  Lake  will  bear,  in  order  to 
get  a  superiority  next  campaign ;  and  although  I  am  under 
no  apprehensions  that  they  will  ever  be  able  to  penetrate  into 
the  Colonies  from  the  northward,  as  there  is  such  a  variety 
of  difficulties  to  be  surmounted  before  they  can  reach  any 
part  where  they  can  be  subsisted,  yet,  if  they  should  obtain 
a  superiority  on  the  Lake,  they  might  in  another  campaign 
possess  themselves  of  Ticonderoga,  and  thus  complete  part 
of  their  plan  by  surrounding  us  with  a  chain  of  forts,  and 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  77 


greatly  harass  our  frontiers;  would  it  not,  therefore,  be  pru- 
dent to  provide  every  material  this  fall  and  winter  for  the 
construction  of  as  large  vessels  as  any  that  can  be  borne  on 
the  Lake? 

Mr.  Taylor,  whom  I  have  employed  to  purchase  clothing 
for  the  Army,  has  collected  near  if  not  quite  to  the  value  of 
fifty  thousand  dollars  ;  very  little  of  which  has  been  expended, 
(except  what  was  fit  for  shirts  and  what  was  given  to  the 
Indians,')  the  remainder,  especially  the  woollens,  I  have 
ordered  to  be  kept  in  this  place,  that  we  may  have  some- 
thing for  the  winter  service.  Would  it  not  be  well  to  try  to 
get  them  made  up? 

I  am,  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  obedient  and  most  hum- 
ble servant,  0 

rn.  bcHUYLER. 

From  General  GATES  to  Mnjor- General  SCHUYLER. 

Ticonderoga,  August  18,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  Thursday  Gen.  Arnold  went  to  Crown- 
Point  to  take  the  command  of  the  fleet  collected  there. 
Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  my  orders  to  him,  which  he  read  and 
much  approved  before  his  departure  from  hence.  Late  last 
night  I  received  the  within  letter  from  the  General,  with 
an  extract  of  what  passed  between  him  and  Mr.  Wynkoop, 
which  you  will  also  find  in  the  packet,  together  with  my 
letter.  At  daylight  this  morning,  in  consequence  of  General 
Arnold's  letter  to  me,  I  shall  send  Mr.  Wynkoop  to  Albany 
immediately  on  his  arrival  here,  and  I  dare  say  you  will  with- 
out scruple  forthwith  dismiss  him  the  service.  He  ought 
upon  no  account  to  be  again  employed.  Many  officers  of 
rank  in  this  department  say  he  is  totally  unfit  to  command 
a  single  vessel  at  this  important  hour  of  business.  I  would- 
not  submit  this  affair  to  a  General  Court-Martial  here,  lest 
they  should  have  doubts  how  to  decide  upon  it,  as  the  Con- 
tinental Articles  of  War  make  no  provision  for  so  extraordi- 
nary a  circumstance.  The  times  will  not  admit  .of  trifling ; 
decision  alone  must  govern  on  these  occasions. 

1  expect  General  Waterbury  by  Saturday  night  with  the 
row-galleys.  As  he  is  an  able  seaman  and  a  brave  officer, 
I  intend  he  shall  join  General  Arnold  with  the  rest  of  the 
squadron  the  instant  they  can  be  armed  and  equipped.  As 
General  Arnold  and  he  are  upon  the  best  terms,  I  am  satis- 
fied no  dispute  about  command  or  want  of  confidence  in 
each  other  will  retard  the  publick  service. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  most  obedient,  jiumble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
«  — 

From  Lieutenant- Colonel  BROWN  to  General  SCHCYLER. 

Albany,  August  27,  1776. 

SIR:  Agreeable  to  your  order,  I  send  you  a  memorandum 
of  extra  service  done  by  me  during  the  last  summer  cam- 
paign in  Canada. 

Soon  after  my  arrival  at  Crown-Point,  I  was  despatched 
with  Captain  Cochran  and  a  small  scout,  with  orders  to 
penetrate  Canada,  and,  if  possible,  to  search  out  the  situa- 
tion of  that  country,  the  disposition  of  the  Canadians  in  case 
our  Army  should  advance  into  that  Province,  the  numbers 
of  King's  troops,  the  strength  of  St.  John's  and  vessels  then 
fitting  out  at  that  place,  the  disposition  and  designs  of  the 
Savages,  &tc.  This  tour  was  made  in  seventeen  days,  partly 
by  water  and  partly  land,  with  the  loss  of  two  men  taken 
prisoners.  I  returned  by  land  from  some  miles  below 
Chamblee,  by  the  Bay  of  Missisque,  being  pursued  to  that 
place  by  the  Savages.  I  established  a  correspondence  with 
Mr.  Livingston,  (who  I  found  at  Chamblee  at  this  time,)  of 
whom  I  obtained  all  necessary  intelligence  respecting  the 
state  of  Canada.  Mr.  Livingston,  in  consequence  of  this, 
sent  several  messengers  to  our  Army  with  further  intelligence. 
The  second  scout  was  to  the  Isle-aux-Noix,  at  which  time 
I  had  the  command  of  the  Lake;  from  thence  I  sent  messen- 
gers to  Mr.  Livingston,  and  had  return.  The  two  next  tours 
into  Canada  were  made  from  the  Isle-aux-Noix,  the  last  of 
which  was  with  one  hundred  men,  half  of  which  I  left  at 
Chamblee,  and  with  the  remainder  cut  off  the  communication 
between  St.  John's  and  the  country,  where  I  took  several 
prisoners  and  a  number  of  teams  with  stores,  &c.  The 
next  week  I  surprised  La  Prairie,  and  took  it,  with  a  num- 
ber of  prisoners  and  a  quantity  of  stores.  Soon  after  I  took 
Chamblee,  passing  by  St.  John's  myself  in  a  boat,  with  can- 
non, &sc.,  for  the  purpose.  I  was  then  ordered  to  contract 
for  beef  and  flour  for  the  Army,  which  I  did  for  a  short  time, 


1219 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1220 


and  was  then  ordered  down  the  river  Sorel  to  meet  Colonel 
McClin,  &.c.  Indeed  there  was  not  a  day  during  the  whole 
campaign  but  I  was  on  fatigue,  and  most  of  the  time  by 
night  as  well  as  day. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted  by  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant, 


Officers'  Certificate. 

This  certifies,  that  during  the  last  year's  campaign  in 
Canada,  Captain  John  Brown  was  the  most  active  man  in 
the  Army,  being  employed  in  the  beginning  of  the  campaign 
in  long  tedious  scouts  from  Ticondcroga  into  Canada,  and 
the  latter  part  before  the  Army  with  a  detachment.  Colonel 
Brown  was  scarcely  off  duty,  day  or  night,  during  the  cam- 
paign. 

JAMES  LIVINGSTON,  Colonel. 

GERSHOM  MOTT,  Captain. 

ROBERT  COCHRAN,  Major. 

WM.  SATTEKLEE,  Captain. 

TIM.  BEDEL,  Colonel. 
Albany,  October  11,  1776. 

In  Congress,  July  30,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  so  much  of  Major  Brown's  Petition  as 
prays  an  allowance  for  extraordinary  services  be  referred  to 
General  Schuyler,  who  is  desired  to  certify  Congress  whether 
any  and  what  reward  may  with  justice  be  demanded  by 
him. 

That  Major  Brown's  Accounts  be  settled  by  the  Com- 
missioners appointed  to  adjust  Accounts  in  the  Northern 
Department. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  : 

CHAS.  THOMSON,  Secretary. 

Captain  BROWN'S  Petition. 

[Referred  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the 
miscarriages  in  Canada.] 

To  the  Honourable  Continental  Congress: 

The  Petition  and  Memorial  of  JOHN  BROWN,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  Regiment  where  SAMUEL  ELMER,  Esq.,  is 
Colonel,  humbly  showeth: 

That  whereas,  by  a  proclamation  made  by  General  Mont- 
gomery at  Montreal,  at  the  commencement  of  the  last  winter 
campaign  in  Canada,  it  was  promised  and  engaged  that  all 
the  troops  who  should  reengage  in  service  and  go  forward  to 
Quebeck,  should  be  entitled  to  one  complete  suit  of  clothes, 
as  may  fully  appear  by  said  proclamation:  And  whereas 
your  petitioner,  at  time  and  place  aforesaid,  was  appointed 
by  General  Montgomery  to  take  the  command  of  a  regiment 
which  should  reengage  as  aforesaid,  which  regiment  did 
actually  reengage,  and  went  forward  to  Quebeck,  and  then 
at  the  publick  expense  were  clothed  as  well  as  might  be 
agreeable  to  said  proclamation  :  Your  petitioner  further 
showeth,  that  long  after  the  time  for  which  the  troops  afore- 
said engaged  was  expired,  the  Paymaster-General,  or  his 
Deputy  for  the  Northern  Department,  being  applied  to  for 
payment,  informed  your  petitioner  that  he  had  strict  orders 
to  allow  to  each  man  engaged  as  aforesaid,  officers  excepted, 
the  sum  of  four  pounds,  lawful  money,  and  no  more,  which 
renders  it  absolutely  impossible  for  the  Captains  or  com- 
manding officers  of  companies  raised  as  aforesaid  to  settle 
with  their  men  :  Your  petitioner  therefore  prays  that  an 
order  may  be  immediately  made  out  confirming  the  procla- 
mation made  as  aforesaid,  with  such  other  instructions  as 
may  be  thought  proper,  that  the  regiment  may  be  immedi- 
ately settled  with  ;  which  your  petitioner  humbly  conceives 
may  greatly  benefit  the  service.  Your  petitioner  further 
showeth,  that  he  was  appointed  to  take  the  command  of  the 
regiment  aforesaid,  with  the  rank  of  full  Colonel,  by  the 
express  order  of  General  Montgomery,  as  he  will  fully 
demonstrate  and  prove  from  the  best  evidence  and  authority; 
yet  after  the  death  of  General  Montgomery  he  was  denied 
his  rank,  and  put  to  the  necessity  of  serving  in  an  inferior 
rank,  or  deserting  the  service  at  a  time  when  nothing  could 
justify  such  a  measure,  although  the  indignity  was  too  great 
to  be  suffered  by  a  man  of  spirit  or  an  officer  of  the  Conti- 
nental Army,  and  that  which  nothing  could  justify  in  him 
but  absolute  and  strict  necessity,  in  point  of  keeping  up  the 
blockade  at  Quebeck.  And  many  other  abuses  did  your  peti- 


tioner then  and  there  suffer;  all  which  he  prays  may  be 
examined  into,  and  justice  done  concerning  the  premises. 
Your  petitioner  further  begs  leave  to  observe,  that  he  has 
been  intrusted  with  the  disposition  of  a  considerable  sum  of 
publick  moneys  in  Canada,  for  which  he  stands  ready  to 
account;  but  that  he  is  informed  that  there  is  no  proper 
Board  established  yet  for  that  purpose;  he  therefore  prays 
that  he  may  be  directed  where  and  to  whom  he  is  to  account, 
as  his  accounts  are  of  such  a  nature  as  'tis  impossible  (in  his 
opinion)  for  any  man  except  himself  to  settle  and  properly 
adjust  the  same.  Your  petitioner  further  showeth,  ihat, 
exclusive  of  the  duty  by  him  done  during  the  last  summer 
campaign  as  a  Major  and  second  in  command  in  Colonel 
Easton's  regiment,  he  was  almost  constantly  employed  by 
Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery  in  long,  tedious,  hazard- 
ous scouts  or  marches  from  Ticonderoga  into  Canada,  to 
discover  the  motions  and  intentions  of  the  enemy,  as  also  to 
engage  the  Canadians  and  Savages  in  the  interest  of  the 
Colonies,  which  was  effected  during  the  last  year's  campaign, 
by  which  means  only  the  Continental  Army  was  able  to 
penetrate  into  Canada.  The  returns  made  to  Congress  by 
Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery  will  fully  evince  the 
truths  of  these  facts.  Your  petitioner  therefore  humbly  con- 
ceives, that  for  these  and  other  extraordinary  services  done 
in  Canada,  he  ought  to  be  considered,  and  prays  to  be  heard 
on  the  subject.  Your  petitioner,  being  this  minute  possessed 
of  a  report  of  a  Committee  of  Congress  of  the  26th  of  April 
last,  on  a  petition  before  that  time  to  Congress,  prepared  by 
Colonel  James  Easton,  in  which,  among  other  things,  it  is 
observed,  that  Brigadier-General  Arnold,  in  his  letter  of  the 
1st  of  February  last,  alleged  that  your  petitioner  and  Colonel 
James  Easton  had  been  publickly  accused  of  plundering  the 
officers'  baggage  taken  at  Sorel,  contrary  to  the  articles  of 
capitulation;  to  which  your  petitioner  answers,  that  he 
knows  no  man  more  the  author  of  this  charge  than  General 
Arnold  and  his  adherents;  and  that  it'  is  false,  scandalous, 
and  malicious;  and  your  petitioner  desires  men  and  angels, 
as  well  as  the  informer,  to  prove  any  part  of  it.  Your  peti- 
tioner, at  the  time  of  his  6rst  hearing  of  said  accusation  at 
Quebeck,  challenged  General  Arnold  to  prove  it,  and  de- 
manded, which  was  his  right,  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  to  be  called 
immediately,  which  was  peremptorily  refused  by  General 
Arnold.  He  did  the  same  of  General  Wooster,  at  his  arrival 
at  Quebeck,  who  likewise  refused.  He  did  the  same  of  the 
honourable  Committee  sent  to  Canada  from  the  Congress, 
who  refused.  He  did  the  same  of  General  Schuyler,  at  Fort 
George,  but  the  General  thought  it  inexpedient.  He  now 
appeals  to  Congress  for  satisfaction,  with  the  highest  assu- 
rance of  obtaining  the  same,  conceiving  that  he  has  been 
injured  in  the  highest  manner  and  in  the  nicest  point  of 
honour. 

And  as  in  duty  bound  shall  pray.  JNO.  BROWN. 

June  26,  1776. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  August  29,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Yesterday  I  was  honoured  with  your  Excel- 
lency's favour  of  the  24th  instant. 

The  articles  mentioned  in  your  letter  to  Captain  Varick, 
are  arrived  and  forwarded  to  Tyonderoga.  Those  sent  by 
Phil.  Sandford,  are  not  yet  arrived,  detained  I  suppose  by 
northerly  winds,  which  have  prevailed  for  some  days. 

Our  carpenters  at  Skenesborough  sicken  very  fast.  Cap- 
tain Titcomb's  company  from  the  Massachusetts-Bay,  con- 
sisting of  fifty,  had  only  ten  at  work  on  the  25th  instant,  and 
many  of  the  others  were  also  incapable  of  duty.  We  have, 
however,  got  so  far  ahead  of  the  enemy  in  our  naval  force, 
that  I  hope  they  will  not  be  able  to  equal  it  this  campaign, 
notwithstanding  the  indisposition  of  our  carpenters. 

The  reasons  your  Excellency  assigns  for  proceedings 
against  the  officers  of  Colonel  Dayton's  regiment  by  Court- 
Martial  are  incontrovertible. 

I  am  happy  to  learn  that  our  troops  had  the  advantage  in 
the  skirmish  on  Long-Island.  Indecisive  as  these  little  ren- 
counters are,  they  are,  however,  attended  with  good  conse- 
quences. The  express  advises  us  that  before  he  left  New- 
York,  and  after  he  had  received  the  letter  for  me,  accounts 
arrived  that  we  had  killed  and  taken  sixty  of  the  enemy,  with 
six  field-pieces.  I  hope  it  may  be  confirmed. 

Congress  have  ordered  me  to  make  inquiry  of,  and  bring 


1221 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1222 


to  trial  the  persons  concerned  in  the  plunder  of  General  Pres- 
cott's  and  Captain  Anstruther's  baggage.  I  am  informed 
by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown  that  Lieutenant  Johnson,  last 
year  of  Captain  Lamb's  artillery  company,  and  now  in  some 
corps  at  New-York,  was  principally  concerned  in  taking 
Anstruther's.  As  the  evidences  are  in  this  quarter,  your 
Excellency  will  judge  of  the  propriety  of  sending  Johnson 
up,  or  ordering  the  witnesses  down. 

Most  of  the  Stockbridge  Indians  inclined  to  go  to  New- 
York.  I  ordered  them  provisions,  and  I  believe  they  are 
now  on  their  passage. 

The  Committee  of  this  place  did  not  choose  to  send  the 
boards  Mr.  Hughes  wrote  for  on  their  risk.  They  informed 
me  of  this,  and  I  did  not  hesitate  to  assure  them  that  they 
would  be  considered  as  shipped  on  the  publick  account. 
This  day  they  informed  me  that  not  more  than  ten  thousand 
boards  were  as  yet  gone,  and  that  they  could  not  prevail  on 
any  more  masters  of  sloops  to  carry  them  farther  than  Peek's 
Kill.  Apprehensive  that  you  would  be  greatly  distressed  for 
shelter  for  the  men,  I  have  requested  them,  if  they  cannot 
do  otherwise,  to  send  them  to  Peek's  Kill,  and  to  advise 
Colonel  Moylan  of  the  number  that  will  be  landed  there,  by 
this  express. 

I  perceive  that  Congress  has  resolved  on  inlisting  men 
to  serve  three  years.  I  fear  very  few  recruits  will  be  ob- 
tained in  the  country  at  this  time,  and  very  few  out  of  the 
Army,  if  the  inlistments  are  not  attempted  until  the  time  of 
those  now  engaged  is  nearly  expired.  Would  it  not  be  well 
immediately  to  appoint  recruiting  officers  in  every  corps,  to 
inlist  those  for  three  years  who  are  now  engaged  until  the 
fall  or  winter  only?  In  the  course  of  three  months  an  alert 
officer  will  have  it  in  his  power,  with  the  bounty  he  may  be 
authorized  to  give,  to  engage  a  good  number.  The  home- 
sickness begins  to  prevail  about  the  middle  of  October,  and 
when  that  unconquerable  distemper  once  takes  place  every 
consideration  gives  way  to  it.  I  shall  communicate  my  ideas 
on  this  subject  to  Congress  in  a  letter  I  have  occasion  to 
write  them  to-day. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  with  every  affectionate  wish,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient,  humble  servant,  p  c 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &c.,  &.C.,  Sic. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Albany,  August  29,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  Yesterday  I  was  honoured  with  a  line 
from  General  Washington,  of  the  24th  instant,  of  which  the 
following  is  ai»  extract:  "On  Wednesday  and  Thursday 
morning  a  considerable  body  of  the  enemy,  said  to  be  eight 
or  nine  thousand,  landed  atGravesend-Bayon  Long-Island. 
They  have  approached  within  about  three  miles  of  our  lines, 
and  yesterday  there  was  some  skirmishing  between  a  detach- 
ment from  them  and  a  party  from  our  troops.  Their  detach- 
ment were  obliged  to  give  ground,  and  were  pursued  as  far 
as  where  they  had  a  post  at  Judge  Lefferts's.  His  house 
and  outhouses  served  as  quarters  for  them,  and  were  burnt 
by  our  people.  We  sustained  no  loss  in  this  affair  that  I 
have  heard  of,  except  having  two  men  slightly  wounded. 
Our  people  say  the  enemy  met  with  more.  They  found 
one  dead  body  in  the  habit  of  a  soldier,  with  a  good  deal  of 
money  in  his  pockets,  and  got  three  hangers  and  a  fusee. 
Our  party  threw  a  shell  from  a  howitz,  which  fell  on  and 
bursted  in  a  house  where  several  of  them  were.  Whether 
they  were  injured  by  it,  we  have  not  learned.  A  firing  has 
been  heard  this  morning,  but  know  nothing  of  the  event." 
The  express  who  brought  me  the  General's  letter  reports, 
that  after  he  had  received  it,  intelligence  was  brought  that 
in  the  rencounter  on  Saturday  morning,  our  people  killed 
and  took  sixty  of  the  enemy,  and  six  field-pieces.  If  so,  it 
will  be  soon  confirmed.  . 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown,  who  will  deliver  you  this,  is 
the  officer  alluded  to  in  some  of  the  resolutions  of  Congress 
of  the  30th  ultimo.  He  wishes  for  a  Court  of  Inquiry  on  the 
charge  against  him  of  being  concerned  in  the  plundering  of 
Genernl  Prescott's  baggage.  You  will  please  to  order  one. 

Captain  Wynkoop  has  presented  me  a  memorial  to  Con- 
gress, with  a  request  to  have  it  forwarded  to  them,  copy  of 
which  I  enclos».  When  I  recommended  him  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain,  they  were  few  and 
the  Army  in  Canada;  and  although  I  believe  him  brave,  yet 


I  do  not  think  him  equal  to  the  command  of  such  a  fleet  as 
we  now  have  there.  His  appointment  by  the  New-York 
Congress  you  will  perceive  is  only  temporary,  until  another 
should  be  appointed ;  he  could,  therefore,  have  no  reason 
to  complain,  even  if  an  officer  of  inferior  rank  to  General 
Arnold  had  been  ordered  to  take  the  command. 

General  Washington  has  ordered  up  a  few  more  military 
stores,  as  per  enclosed  list.  They  are  not  yet  arrived  here; 
shall  be  forwarded  the  moment  they  do,  except  part  of  the 
cartridge  paper,  which  must  go  to  Fort  Stanwix. 

The  Stockbridge  Indians  inlisted  in  our  service  had  it  at 
their  option,  by  General  Washington's  orders,  to  go  to  New- 
York  or  to  the  northward.  They  have  chosen  the  former, 
and  are  gone  down. 

Mr.  Schuyler,  the  Assistant  Deputy  Quartermaster-Gene- 
ral at  Skenesborough,  writes  me  that  the  carpenters  sicken 
so  fast  that  Captain  Titcomb  had  but  ten  men  out  of  fifty 
at  work  on  the  25th,  and  that  Captains  Winslow  and  Eas- 
dorp  had  also  a  great  many  sick.  I  wish  you  could  send  a 
physician  to  report  such  as  are  not  likely  to  be  of  any  further 
service,  tlyjt  they  may  be  discharged,  and  the  expense  of 
their  wages  saved  to  the  publick. 

General  Lee  was  daily  expected  at  Philadelphia  on  the 
18th  instant.  The  express  from  New-York  advises  that  he 
arrived  there  on  Saturday,  after  General  Washington's  let- 
ter to  me  was  delivered. 

Two  Captains  are  now  engaging  two  hundred  seamen  out 
of  the  Army  at  New-  York,  for  the  northern  service. 

I  am,  dear  General,  with  every  friendly  wish,  your  most 

obedient,  humble  servant,  D      0 

rn.  SCHUYLEH. 

To  the  Hon.  General  Gates. 


CAPTAIN  FASSETT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Jerico,  Onion  River,  August  29,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOUR:  As  I  came  here,  expect- 
ing with  my  company  to  assist  the  inhabitants  (what  is  left 
of  them)  in  moving  off;  as  I  cannot  think  so  small  a  party 
can  be  safe  in  guarding  so  remote  a  situation  from  our  Army; 
as  signs  of  the  enemy  have  been  frequently  seen,  and  some 
of  the  scouting  parties  have  seen  the  enemy  on  the  river, — 
therefore  desire  that  Deacon  Reede  may  be  assisted  by  your 
Honour  with  boats  to  carry  off  these  families  now  on  the 
river. 

I  have  discoursed  with  a  large  number  of  the  Committee 
and  some  of  the  officers  of  this  detachment,  and  the  whole 
I  have  discoursed  with  think  best  to  make  Head-Quarters 
about  fifteen  miles  northeast  from  Crown  Point,  at  a  place 
called  Middleborough  Falls,  on  Otter  Creek,  under  the 
present  situation,  and  to  keep  scouting  parties  out  to  the 
north,  as  far  as  our  strength  shall  permit.  These  from  your 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

JONA.  FASSETT,  Captain, 

To  the  Hon.  Horatio  Gates,  Major-General. 

P.  S.  I  determine  all  that  can  be  done  in  saving  crops, 
shall  be  done.  I  pray  your  Honour  to  send  by  the  bearer, 
Deacon  Reede,  for  my  company,  seven  guns,  light  and 
handy,  if  can  be.  I  pray  your  Honour  to  send  by  Deacon 
Reede  one  barrel  of  flour. 


GOVERNOUR  COOKE  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  COUNCIL. 

Providence,  August  29,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  Naval  Committee  here  some  little  time 
agone  informed  your  Honours  that  they  had  appointed  Mr. 
John  Grannis  Captain  of  Marines  for  the  Continental  ship 
Warren,  fitting  here;  arid  as  he  has  a  commission  under  the 
authority  of  your  State,  we  request  that  he  may  be  dismissed 
from  that  service;  also,  that  he  may  be  permitted  to  inlist  a 
complement  of  Marines  out  of  the  troops  now  in  your  pay. 
As  we  look  on  the  sending  out  these  ships  of  the  greatest 
consequence  to  these  United  States,  we  doubt  not  but  you 
will  grant  us  the  favour  we  ask. 

I  am,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee,  your  Honours'  most 


humble  servant, 


NICHS.  COOKE, 


Chairman  of  the  Marine  Committee,  at  Providence. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  the  State  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts-Bay. 


1223 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  he.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1224 


MESSAGES  FROM  THE  COUNCIL  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

..  Message  to  the  House,  August  29,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES:  The 
important  period  has  at  length  arrived.  The  honourable 
Congress  have  declared  the  L'nitcd  American  Colonies  free 
and  independent  States.  This  declaration  we  have  ordered 
to  be  made  publick,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  Congress, 
through  every  part  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay,  and  we  shall 
readily  concur  with  you  in  expressing  our  approbation  of  the 
measure,  and  readiness  to  risk  our  lives  and  fortunes  in 
defence  and  support  of  it. 

Since  the  prorogation  of  the  Court,  the  treaty  of  alliance 
with  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmack  Tribes  of  Indians,  wherein 
they  have  engaged  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  present  war 
against  our  unnatural  enemies,  has  been  duly  ratified.  Four 
of  the  Chiefs  that  were  here  have  actually  arrived  at  New- 
York,  and  the  residue  have  sailed  to  the  river  St.  John's, 
under  the  direction  of  Major  Shaw,  to  procure  a  number  of 
companies  from  those  tribes  to  join  the  Continental  Army 
under  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  agreeable  to  his 
request;  and  we  have  reason  to  expect  that  a  body  of  them 
will  speedily  arrive  here  on  the  service;  and  we  are  also 
persuaded,  from  their  friendly  professions  while  here,  and 
the  good  temper  they  departed  with,  there  will  be  no  dan- 
ger from  them  to  our  eastern  settlements.  We  have  like- 
wise had  a  conference  with  two  of  the  Sachems  of  the  Pe- 
nobscot  Indians,  in  which  they  request  a  French  priest  to 
dwell  among  them,  such  a  regulation  of  the  French  trade 
as  to  prevent  its  being  exposed  to  abuses,  and  that  a  bound- 
ary'line  between  such  lands  as  are  left  for  their  use  and 
other  lands,  may  be  fixed,  and  steps  taken  to  prevent  en- 
croachment. We  did  not  conceive  ourselves  authorized 
fully  to  adjust  these  matters  without  your  aid;  and  we  have 
promised  to  lay  their  requests  before  the  General  Court  at 
this  session. 

General  Washington  having,  by  the  direction  of  Congress, 
ordered  the  Continental  Regiments -in  this  State  to  join  the 
Continental  Army,  which,  though  a  necessary  measure  for 
the  general  service,  has  left  the  fortresses  here  in  a  manner 
defenceless,  we  have,  for  our  common  safety,  given  orders 
for  every  twenty-fifth  man  of  the  Alarm  and  Train  Band 
Lists  in  the  several  Counties  (except  Berkshire,  Lincoln, 
Nantuclfet,  and  Duke's  County)  to  march  to  the  Heights 
at  Dorchester.  This  detachment,  we  conceive,  will  make 
between  two  and  three  regiments;  and  we  have  the  assu- 
rance of  Congress  they  are  to  he  in  the  Continental  pay  and 
establishment.  A  great  part  of  the  men  are  already  arrived, 
and  do  now  receive  rations  from  the  Continental  Commis- 
sary-General. They  are  to  be  retained  in  service  till  the 
first  day  of  December  next,  unless  sooner  discharged.  The 
mileage  usual  on  such  occasions,  we  expect,  will  be  paid  by 
the  Continent,  together  with  their  wages. 

The  troops  levied  for  the  Northern  and  Southern  Depart- 
ments, it  is  probable,  are  by  this  time  principally  at  their 
respective  places  of  destination.  Whether  the  regiments  are 
so  full  as  intended  or  expected,  we  cannot  as  yet  determine, 
for  want  of  proper  returns  being  made,  which  we  may  soon 
expect,  as  orders  for  them  have  been  given. 

The  moneys  expended  in  these  and  other  exigencies  of 
the  State,  we  are  sorry  to  acquaint  you,  have  quite  or  near 
exhausted  the  Treasury.  You  will  therefore,  gentlemen, 
take  this  matter  early  in  the  session  into  your  consideration ; 
and  as  we  apprehend  there  may  be  upwards  of  £100,000 
due  to  this  State  from  the  Continent,  for  services  done  and 
moneys  advanced,  if  proper  accounts  thereof  were  forthwith 
transmitted  to  Congress,  the  Treasury  might  be  supplied 
from  thence  as  soon  as  in  any  other  way.  The  complaint 
against  the  last  emission  of  Mils  of  credit,  on  account  of  the 
ungraceful  appearance  they  make,  and  the  danger  and  dis- 
grace the  Government  suffers  therefrom,  induces  the  Coun- 
cil seriously  to  recommend  the  speedy  redemption  thereof; 
and  although  we  are  sensible  it  is  exceeding  the  line  of  our 
proper  department,  yet  we  have  taken  some  steps  towards 
the  cutting  elegant  copper  plates,  which,  in  case  the  honour- 
able House  should  think  proper,  might  be  speedily  executed 
for  that  purpose;  or  the  plates  might  serve  for  a  future 
emission,  whenever  the  House  should  judge  it  necessary. 

From  a  representation  of  the  Treasurer,  there  will  be 
£75,000,  or  thereabouts,  besides  the  interest  thereof,  due 
from  the  State  in  June  next,  exclusive  of  £50,000,  for 


which  the  moneys  due  from  the  Continent  before  the  last 
session  were  mortgaged  as  a  fund.  You  will  doubtless  be 
convinced  that  a  tax  for  the  whole,  or  the  greater  part  of 
this  will  be  necessary  to  be  assessed  during  this  session. 

One  of  our  Members  of  Congress  has  requested  a  dismis- 
sion from  that  important  service,  and  proposes  the  appoint- 
ing a  larger  number  of  Delegates,  who  may  attend  alter- 
nately; ;he  expediency  of  which  you  will  doubtless  pay  due 
attention  unto.  The  several  papers  referred  to  in  this  Mes- 
sage we  shall  direct  the  Secretary  to  lay  before  you. 

Gentlemen,  there  are  several  other  matters  which  will  be 
laid  before  you  during  the  session.  You  may  depend  upon 
our  concurrence  in  every  measure  conducive  to  the  safety, 
peace,  and  happiness  of  this  State. 

JAMES  BOWDOIN,  RICHD.  DERBY,  Jr., 

WALTER  SPOONER,  MOSES  GILL, 

CALEB  GUSHING,  JOHN  TAYLOR, 

JOHN  WINTHROP,  BENJN.  WHITE, 

BENJ.  CHADBOUHN,  WM.  PHILLIPS, 

THOMAS  GUSHING,  BENJN.  AUSTIN, 

JOHN  WHETCOMB,  Jos.  GUSHING, 

BENJAMIN  LINCOLN,  DAVID  SEWELL, 

SAML.  HOLTEN,  D.  HOPKINS. 
JABEZ  FISHER, 
Council  Chamber,  August  28,  177IJ. 

Message  from  the  major  part  of  the  Council. 

GENTLEMEN  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  :  The 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Hull  were,  in  July,  A.  D.  1775, 
removed  by  orders  from  General  Ward,  and  a  guard  placed 
at  the  entrance  of  the  beach  leading  to  that  town,  to  pre- 
vent the  enemy  being  supplied  and  a  correspondence  kept 
up  between  them  and  the  few  disaffected  people  among  us. 
Some  of  the  Connecticut  troops  were  on  this  command. 
The  time  for  which  they  inlisted  expired  in  December  last, 
and  they  retired  to  their  homes.  Upon  the  passage  way 
being  left  unguarded,  and  several  persons  seen  to  pass  the 
town  of  Hull,  but  none  observed  to  return,  information 
thereof  was  given  to  Colonel  Lincoln,  who  thereupon  order- 
ed a  guard  of  the  Militia  to  take  that  post,  and  continue  on 
it  till  further  orders,  and  immediately  laid  the  matter  before 
the  Council,  who  sent  a  message  to  his  Excellency  General 
Washington,  requesting  that  he  would  place  a  guard  there 
and  relieve  the  Militia.  The  General  gave  encouragement 
that  he  would  order  one;  but  such  was  the  state  of  the  Army 
soon  after,  as  to  put  it  out  of  his  power  to  comply  with  the 
request  of  Council,  of  which  they  had  notice,  and  advised 
to  keep  up  the  guard,  and  laid  the  whole  rrtatter  before  the 
honourable  House,  but  no  order  was  by  them  taken  in  the 
matter;  and  the  Militia  guard,  consisting  of  one  Subaltern, 
one  Sergeant,  one  Corporal,  and  sixteen  privates,  were  con- 
tinued till  the  spring.  We  recommend  that  provision  be 
made  for  their  pay  and  billeting  as  the  sea-coast  men  are 
paid  and  billeted.  Their  roll  the  Secretary  will  lay  on  your 
table. 

Among  the  Continental  troops  lately  ordered  from  this 
State  by  Congress  were  a  number  of  the  regiment  of  Artil- 
lery. Troops  have  been  called  in  to  supply  the  place  of 
the  battalion  men,  but  the  deficiency  caused  by  the  removal 
of  the  Train  hath  not  been  provided  for.  Six  men  to  a  can- 
non, aided  by  some  of  the  battalion,  are  the  number  gene- 
rally assigned.  At  present,  we  have  not  half  that  proportion; 
and  such  is  the  state  of  our  fortifications  that  we  cannot  de- 
pend upon  reinforcing  any  one  of  them  by  detachments  of 
the  Train  from  another.  You  will  therefore,  gentlemen, 
immediately  take  this  into  consideration,  and  adopt  some 
measures  for  augmenting  the  regiment  of  Artillery  in  this 
State. 

The  three  regiments  in  the  pay  of  this  State,  when  raised, 
were  promised  their  wages  at  the  end  of  July.  Although 
no  provision  was  made  for  this  before  the  close  of  the  last 
session,  the  men  have  been -quieted,  from  an  expectation  that 
on  the  first  meeting  of  the  Court  they  should  be  relieved  in 
that  respect.  This  engagement  to  them  demands  your 
attention. 

The  Militia  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  and  elsewhere  have, 
since  March  last,  at  different  times,  been  called  to  do  duty 
at  the  lines  and  as  guards  to  the  sea-coast'.  No  provision 
hath  been  made  for  the  payment  of  them.  You  will  give 
this  matter  the  attention  it  deserves. 


1225 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1226 


We  thought  it  necessary  to  appoint  a  General  Officer  to 
take  the  command  of  troops  in  the  pay  of  this  State  doing 
duty  at  and  ahout  the  Harbour  of  Boston,  and  to  command 
them  during  the  recess  of  the  General  Court.  His  autho- 
rity is  now  expired.  The  expense  attending  this  appoint- 
ment, and  the  expediency  of  renewing  it,  you  will  deter- 
mine upon. 

During  the  recess  a  packet  was  transmitted  hither  hy 
Governour  Cooke,  of  Rhode-Island,  containing  a  letter  from 
Lord  Howe,  directed  to  Thomas  Oliver,  Esq.,  Lieutenant- 
Governour,  or,  in  his  absence,  to  the  Chief  Magistrate  of 
the  Massachusetts-Bay,  enclosing  a  declaration  made  hy 
his  Lordship.  Governour  Cooke  also  sent  a  copy  of  his 
letter  in  answer  to  a  similar  letter  and  declaration  which  he 
had  received.  These  several  papers  the  Secretary  will  lay 
before  you. 

JAMES  BOWDOIN,          SAML.  HOLTEN, 
W.  SPOONER,  JABEZ  FISHER, 

CALEB  GUSHING,          MOSES  GILL, 
J.  WINTHROP,  JOHN  TAYLOR, 

B.  CHADBOURN,  BENJA.  WHITE, 

THOMAS  GUSHING,       BENJA.  AUSTIN, 
JOHN  WHETCOMB,        Jos.  GUSHING, 
BENJA.  LINCOLN,          DAVID  SEWALL. 
Council-Chamber,  August  29,  1776. 

Answer  to  the  Message  of  the  Honourable  a  major  part  of 
the  Council. 

The  Honourable  the  major  part  of  the  Council 

of  the  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY: 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  HONOURS:  The  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives have  given  all  due  attention  to  the  Message  from 
your  Honours  of  the  28th  instant,  and  are  desirous  of  ex- 
pressing, with  manly  fortitude,  their  entire  satisfaction  in  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  made  by  the  honourable  Con- 
gress, and  published  by  your  Honours'  order  in  this  State. 
They  with  great  cheerfulness  congratulate  the  honourable 
Board  on  the  very  general  approbation  that  measure  has 
met  with  through  all  ranks  of  people' in  the  United  States 
of  America,  and  are  ready  to  pledge  their  fortunes,  lives, 
and  sacred  honour,  to  support  it. 

This  House  cannot  but  rejoice  that  our  brethren  of  the 
eastern  frontiers  have  so  much  reason  to  expect  security 
in  the  enjoyment  of  their  possessions,  and  that  the  neigh- 
bouring Indians  appear  so  friendly  in  this  and  all  the 
United  States;  and  the  House  highly  approves  of  the  treaty 
of  alliance  made  with  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmack  Tribes. 
With  respect  to  the  Penobscot  Indians,  this  House  is  very 
desirous  of  cultivating  their  friendship,  and  ready  to  afford 
all  the  aid  in  their  power  towards  gratifying  them  in  their 
reasonable  requests.  The  House  will  endeavour  to  prevent 
any  abuses  in  the  truck  trade,  and  apprehend  a  boundary 
line  may  be  established  and  encroachments  prevented,  so 
as  to  give  satisfaction  to  that  tribe;  and  no  steps  shall  be 
wanting  on  the  part  of  the  House  for  accomplishing  those 
desirable  purposes. 

The  honourable  Board,  we  trust,  will  always  be  pleased 
when  they  find  the  House  careful  to  preserve  their  own  and 
their  constituents'  rights  and  liberties. 

The  House  recognises  the  right  of  the  honourable  Board 
to  raise,  at  their  discretion,  such  part  of  the  Militia  as  they 
shall  judge  necessary  for  the  defence  of  this  State,  and  are 
sensible,  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  Continental  regiments  by 
his  Excellency  General  Washington1 1  order,  the  State  was 
left  very  defenceless,  and  some  considerable  force  was  neces- 
sary for  its  safety.  But  still,  this  House  apprehends  the 
draughting  every  twenty-fifth  man  of  the  Alarm  and  Train 
Band  List,  and  forming  them  into  detachments,  appointing 
and  cominissionating  officers  for  the  same,  separate  and  dis- 
tinct from  the  common  Militia  of  the  State,  is  the  exercise  of 
a  power  in  the  Council  without  precedent,  and  unconstitu- 
tional. It  is  with  regret,  and  merely  from  fidelity  to  their 
constituents,  that  this  House  have  taken  notice  of  that  mea- 
sure, and  they  assure  the  honourable  Board  that  they  will 
cheerfully  establish  those  proceedings. 

The  state  of  the  publick  Treasury,  and  the  furnishing  of 
U  at  this  juncture  with  supplies  adequate  to  the  publick  exi- 
gencies, is  a  matter  that  this  House  is  very  sensible  claims 
its  earliest  and  most  diligent  attention.  And  the  House 
will,  to  the  utmost  of  its  power,  endeavour  to  support  the 


credit  of  the  State  by  a  sufficient  and  respectable  cur- 
rency. 

It  would  have  given  this  House  great  satisfaction  to  have 
heard  that  our  proportion  of  the  levies  for  the  Northern  and 
Southern  Departments  had  been  complete  and  had  arrived 
at  their  respective  places  of  destination,  and  the  House  must 
be  very  anxious  for  the  publick  safety  until  that  matter  is 
properly  ascertained  to  them. 

This  House  with  regret  receives  the  information  that  one 
of  the  worthy  and  respectable  members  of  Congress  of  this 
State  finds  himself  under  the  necessity  of  asking  a  dismis- 
sion from  that  important  service.  This  House  will  consider 
of  his  request  with  a  proper  degree  of  tenderness  for  his 
person.  And  if  any  other  mode  of  delegation  in  Congress 
can  be  'devised  for  the  ease  and  benefit  of  those  respectable 
persons  attending  that  duty,  consistent  with  the  publick 
service,  the  House  will  very-  readily  adopt  it. 

All  other  matters  that  shall  by  your  Honours'  order  be 
laid  before  the  House  during  this  session  shall  be  fully  con- 
sidered. 

Your  Honours'  constant  and  diligent  application  to  the 
publick  business,  your  unremitted  exertions  for  the  safety 
and  preservation  of  this  State,  since  the  prorogation  of  the 
General  Court,  merits  the  grateful  acknowledgments  of  this 
House  and  all  their  constituents. 


Boston,  August  29,  1776. 

Yesterday  the  Honourable  Samuel  Adams,  one  of  the  Dele- 
gates from  this  State  to  the  Continental  Congress,  arrived  in 
town  from  Philadelphia. 

Last  Saturday  afternoon  was  chased  into  Marblehead,  by 
the  Milford  frigate,  the  prize  ship  Isaac,  from  Tortola,  bound 
to  London,  three  hundred  and  fifty  tons  burden,  commanded 
by  Captain  Ashburn,  laden  with  five  hundred  hogsheads  of 
sugar,  forty-four  puncheons  of  rum,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
bags  of  cotton,  a  considerable  quantity  of  old  copper,  and  a 
number  of  turtle.  She  was  taken  by  the  privateer  sloop 
Warren,  commanded  by  Captain  Phillips;  and  had  it  not 
been  for  the  fort  at  Marblehead,  which  fired  at  the  Milford 
several  times,  she  would  have  been  inevitably  retaken.  And 
on  Sunday  the  above  frigate  took,  off  Cape  Ann,  a  prize 
brigantine  coming  into  port,  said  to  be  one  of  Captain  Whit's, 
of  Salem,  laden  with  rum,  from  Grenada;  also  a  large 
sloop,  which  our  informant  could  not  tell  where  from,  nor 
who  commanded  her. 

The  privateer  sloop  Broome,  Captain  William  Nott  com- 
mander, belonging  to  New-Haven,  arrived  at  Dartmouth  on 
Monday  last,  from  a  cruise,  and  has  taken  the  four  following 
valuable  prizes,  viz:  On  the  3d  of  August,  in  latitude  32° 
25'  and  longitude  59°  46',  the  ship  Charming  Sally,  John 
Stell  commander,  bound  to  Europe  from  Dominica.  She 
had  ori  board  four  hundred  and  sixty -five  hogsheads  of  sugar, 
thirty-one  tierces  ditto,  thirty-five  barrels  ditto,  and  twenty- 
five  tons  offustick.  On  the  4th  of  August,  in  latitude  32° 
25'  and  longitude  59°  46',  the  snow  Ann,  John  Bowes  Cap- 
tain, from  Tobago,  bound  to  Lancaster,  and  had  on  board 
one  hundred  and  sixty-nine  hogsheads  of  sugar,  twenty 
tierces  ditto,  twenty-six  barrels  ditto,  forty  bags  of  ginger, 
and  one  hundred  and  eighteen  bales  of  cotton.  On  the  5th 
of  August,  in  latitude  33°  37'  and  longitude  60°  16',  the 
brig  Carolina  Packet,  Mark  Towell  Captain,  bound  from 
Antigua  to  London;  had  on  board  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
one  hogsheads  of  sugar,  twelve  tierces  ditto,  ten  barrels 
ditto,  two  hogsheads  of  rum,  and  fourteen  tons  of  lignum  vitae 
and  fustick.  On  the  7th  of  August,  in  latitude  34°  25'  and 
longitude  60°  18',  the  brig  John,  Captain  Daniel  McKay, 
bound  from  Grenada  to  Dublin;  had  on  board  ninety  hogs- 
heads and  two  tierces  of  rum. 

Yesterday  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State  convened 
at  Watertown,  agreeable  to  adjournment. 


DR.  BRACKETT  TO  NEW-HAMPSHIRE    COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Portsmouth,  August  29,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  ship  Prince  George,  commanded  by 
Captain  Emms,  had  her  trial  last  week.  The  jury  brought 
in  their  verdict  and  condemned  three-quarters  of  ship  and 
cargo'  to  the  use  of  the  Colony,  the  other  quarter  to  the 
Matross  company  stationed  at  Fort  Washington,  to  be  equally 
divided  between  officers  and  privates;  though  both  the  re- 


1227 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1228 


solves  of  Congress  and  law  of  the  Colony  say  the  captors 
shall  have  one-third  and  the  Colony  two.  Tuere  was  also 
a  trial  of  the  masts,  &.C.,  which  were  claimed  by  Mr.  Perry; 
the  jury  thought  the  claim  was  not  good,  and  condemned 
them  to  the  use  of  the  Colony  likewise.  I  shall,  in  a  day 
or  two,  decree  according  to  the  jury's  verdict,  and  issue  a 
precept  to  the  Sheriff  to  sell  and  make  distribution  according 
to  said  verdicts,  and  should  be  glad  you  would  appoint  Pierce 
Long,  Esq.,  agent  for  the  Colony,  that  there  may  be  some- 
body here  to  take  care  of  its  interest,  fee. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

J.  BRACKETT. 

To  the  Hon.  Meshech  Weare,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  at  Exeter. 


GENERAL  LEE  TO  THE  GOVERNOUR  OF  CAPE  FRANCOIS. 

Savannah,  August  30, 1776. 

SIR  :  It  will  be  necessary,  in  addressing  a  letter  of  this 
nature  so  abruptly  to  your  Excellency,  that  I  should  inform 
you  who  the  writer  is.  I  have  served  as  Lieutenant-Colonel 
in  the  English  service,  Colonel  in  the  Portuguese,  after- 
wards as  Aid-de-Camp  to  his  Polish  Majesty,  with  the  rank 
of  Major-General.  Having  purchased  a  small  estate  in 
America,  I  had  determined  to  retire  for  the  remainder  of  my 
days  to  a  peaceful  asylum.  When  the  tyranny  of  the  Min- 
istry and  Court  of  Great  Britain  forced  this  Continent  to 
arms  for  the  preservation  of  their  liberties,  I  was  called  by  the 
voice  of  the  people  to  the  rank  of  second  in  command. 

I  make  no  doubt  of  this  letter's  being  kindly  received  by 
your  Excellency,  both  in  the  character  of  a  good  Frenchman 
and  friend  to  humanity.  The  present  conjuncture  of  affairs 
renders  the  interest  of  France  and  of  this  Continent  one  and 
the  same  thing.  Every  observation  drawn  from  history  must 
evince  that  it  was  the  exclusive  commerce  of  these  Colonies 
which  enabled  Great  Britain  to  cope  with  France,  gave  to 
her  a  decided  superiority  in  marine,  and  of  course  enabled 
her,  in  the  frequent  wars  betwixt  the  two  nations,  to  reduce 
her  rival  to  the  last  extremity.  This  was  the  case  so  pecu- 
liarly in  the  last  war,  that  had  the  British  Ministry  perse- 
vered, Heaven  knows  what  would  have  been  the  fate  of 
France.  It  follows,  that  if  France  can  obtain  the  monopoly, 
or  the  greater  part  of  this  commerce,  her  opulence^  strength, 
and  prosperity,  must  grow  to  a  prodigious  height;  and  nothing 
can  be  more  certain  than  that  if  America  is  enabled  to  pre- 
serve the  independence  she  has  now  declared,  the  greater 
part  of  this  commerce,  if  not  the  monopoly,  must  fall  to  the 
share  of  France. 

The  imaginary  plans  of  conquest  of  Louis  the  Fourteenth, 
had  they  been  realized,  would  not  have  established  the  power 
of  that  Monarchy  on  so  solid  and  permanent  a  basis  as  the 
simple  assistance,  or  rather  friendly  intercourse,  with  this 
Continent,  will  inevitably  give.  Without  injustice,  or  the 
colour  of  injustice,  but,  on  the  contrary,  only  assuming  the 
patronage  of  the  rights  of  mankind,  France  has  now  in  her 
power  to  become  not  only  the  greatest,  but  the  most,  truly 
glorious  Monarchy  which  has  appeared  on  the  stage  of  the 
world.  In  the  first  place,  her  possessions  in  the  Islands  will 
be  secured  against  all  possibility  of  attack,  the  royal  reve- 
nues immensely  increased,  her  people  eased  of  their  present 
burdens,  an  eternal  incitement  be  presented  to  their  indus- 
try, and  the  means  of  increase,  by  the  facility  of  providing 
sustenance  for  their  families,  multiplied.  In  short,  there  is 
no  saying  what  degree  of  eminence,  happiness,  and  glory, 
she  may  derive  from  the  independence  of  this  Continent. 
Some  visionary  writers  have  indeed  asserted,  that  could  this 
country  once  shake  off  her  European  trammels,  it  would  soon 
become  more  formidable  alone,  from  the  virtue  and  energy 
natural  to  a  young  people,  than  Great  Britain  with  her  Colo- 
nies united  in  a  state  of  dependency.  But  the  men  who  have 
built  such  hypotheses  must  be  utter  strangers  to  the  manners, 
genius,  disposition,  turn  of  mind,  and  circumstances,  of  the 
Continent.  Their  disposition  is  manifestly  to  agriculture  and 
the  simple  life  of  shepherds.  As  long  as  vast  tracts  of  land 
remain  unoccupied,  to  which  they  can  send  colonies  (if  I 
may  so  express  it)  of  their  offspring,  they  will  never  enter- 
tain a  thought  of  marine  or  manufactures.  .  Their  ideas  are 
solely  confined  to  labour  and  to  planting,  for  those  nations 
who  can,  on  the  cheapest  terms,  furnish  them  with  the 
necessary  utensils  for  labouring  and  planting  and  clothes  for 


their  families;  and  till  the  whole  vast  extent  of  continent  is 
fully  stocked  with  people,  they  will  never  entertain  another 
idea.  This  cannot  be  effected  for  ages,  and  what  then  may 
happen  it  is  out  of  the  line  of  politicians  to  lay  any  stress 
upon  ;  most  probably  they  will  be  employed  in  wars  amongst 
themselves  before  they  aim  at  foreign  conquests.  In  short, 
the  apprehension  is  too  remote  to  rouse  the  jealousy  of  any 
reasonable  citizen  of  a  foreign  State. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  worihy  your  Excellency's  atten- 
tion to  consider  what  will  be  the  consequences  should  Great 
Britain  succeed  in  the  present  contest.  America,  it  is  true, 
will  be  wretched  and  enslaved;  but  a  number  of  slaves  may 
compose  a  formidable  army  and  fleet.  The  proximity  of 
situation,  with  so  great  a  force,  entirely  at  the  disposal  of 
Great,  Britain,  will  put  it  in  her  power  to  take  possession  of 
your  Islands  on  the  first  rupture.  Without  pretending  to 
the  spirit  of  prophecy,  such,  I  can  assert,  will  be  the  event 
of  the  next  war. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  must  repeat,  that  it  is  for  the  interest 
as  well  as  glory  of  France,  to  furnish  us  with  every  means  of 
supporting  our  liberties,  to  effect  which  we  only  demand  a 
constant,  systematick  supply  of  the  necessaries  of  war.  We 
do  not  require  any  aid  of  men;  we  have  numbers,  and  I 
believe  courage,  sufficient  to  carry  us  triumphantly  through 
the  struggle.  We  require  small-arms,  powder,  field-pieces, 
woollen  and  linen  to  clothe  our  troops ;  also  drugs,  particu- 
larly bark.  In  return  for  which,  every  necessary  provision 
for  your  Islands  may  be  expected,  as  rice,  corn,  lumber,  &c. 
If,  indeed,  you  could  spare  us  a  few  able  Engineers  and 
Artillery  officers,  they  may  depend  upon  an  honourable 
reception  and  comfortable  establishment. 

The  Sieur  De  la  Plain,  one  of  your  countrymen,  now 
engaged  in  the  cause  of  the  United  States  of  America,  will 
have  the  honour  of  delivering  this  letter  to  your  Excellency. 
I  have  no  doubt  of  his  being  received  with  that  politeness 
and  kindness  to  be  expected  from  a  gentleman  of  your  rank 
and  character. 

I  am,  with  the  highest  respect,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient  servant,  CHARLES  LEE. 

To  His  Excellency  the  Governour  of  Cape  Francois. 


Williamsburgh,  August  30,  1776. 

By  Mr.  WilKam  Harrison,  in  nine  days  from  Fort  Pitt, 
we  have  advice  that  Captain  John  Hingston,  with  a  number 
of  settlers,  arrived  from  Licking  Creek,  near  the  Kentucky, 
the  very  day  he  left  home.  Captain  Hingston  gave  the  fol- 
lowing account:  that  one  James  Cooper  and  another  person, 
a  Dutchman,  being  on  their  way  to  a  buffalo-lick,  were  fired 
upon  by  a  couple  of  Indians,  who  shot  down  Cooper,  and 
frightened  the  Dutchman's  horse  so  that  he  flung  him.  His 
foot  hanging  in  the  stirrup,  one  of  the  Indians  made  up  to 
him  to  tomahawk  him ;  but,  although  in  that  disadvantageous 
situation,  he  found  means  to  aim  his  gun  so  well  (which  he 
never  quitted)  as  to  shoot  the  Savage  dead  on  the  spot,  and 
seeing  the  other  Indian  making  up  to  him,  he  disengaged 
himself  from  his  own  horse,  mounted  Cooper's,  and  got  clear 
off  to  the  inhabitants.  Upon  his  arrival,  many  of  the  Ken- 
tucky settlers  immediately  went  about  forting  themselves  at 
Boonsborough  and  Harwood's  Town,  and  numbers  agreed 
to  come  into  the  neighbourhood  of  Fort  Pitt  with  Captain 
Hingston. 

Mr.  Harrison  likewise  informs,  that  Mr.  Jacob  Hitc,  who 
lately  removed  from  Berkeley  County  to  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  Cherokee  country  with  his  family  and  a  large  parcel 
of  negroes,  was  murdered  at  his  own  house  by  those  Savages, 
with  most  of  his  slaves,  and  his  wife  and  children  carried  off 
prisoners;  his  son,  who  was  in  the  Cherokee  country,  was 
likewise  murdered.  The  Shaivanese,  Delawares,  and  Min- 
goes,  had  not  met  our  Commissioners,  although  two  expresses 
had  been  sent  to  them  for  that  purpose,  and  returned  with- 
out any  answer.  A  third  express  was  sent  off,  but  had  not 
returned. 


THOMAS  RODNEY  TO  CJESAR  RODNEY. 

Dover,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR:  I  received  your  letters  by  last  post,  and  the  one 
preceding,  and  one  mentioned  in  that.  I  am  pleased  with 
your  resolution  mentioned  in  your  last,  as  I  should  be  sorry 
to  hear  that  the  unsteady  passions  which  govern  the  peo- 


1229 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1230 


pie  should  at  any  time  give  the  least  shock  to  that  virtue 
which  hath  so  long  and  necessarily  supported  American 
liberty.  Though  the  people  in  a  popular  Government  often 
put  away  good  men  for  bad  ones,  and  though  such  a  change 
could  not  be  more  dangerous  at  any  time  than  the  present, 
yet  I  look  on  the  present  change  with  us  as  an  example 
which  favours  liberty.  If  the  people  will  not  continually 
support  those  men  who  have  served  them  faithfully  at  all 
hazards,  it  cannot  be  supposed  that  they  will  long  support 
those  men  who,  in  opposition  to  the  publick  weal,  have  pur- 
sued their  own  private  interest  only.  These  men,  by  a 
violent  exertion  of  the  influence  of  the  Magistracy,  and  de- 
scending to  assert  the  most  base,  low,  and  infamous  false- 
hoods, have  succeeded  for  once,  because  the  people  were 
blinded  that  they  could  not  see  their  true  interest.  But 
be  assured  they  that  set  them  up  will  pull  them  down 
again. 

After  devoting  ten  years  to  the  service  of  your  country 
and  publick  business,  to  the  great  prejudice  of  your  own  pri- 
vate interest,  you  certainly  deserve  to  enjoy  the  sweets  of 
retirement,  which  is  the  happiest  life  in  this  state;  and  you 
will  have  this  reflection,  that  after  the  time  you  mention,  that 
you  have  accomplished  the  establishment  of  American  liberty, 
and  that  you  could  not  do  anything  that  would  add  to  the 
honour  already  acquired :  but  I  believe  the  people  will  not 
let  you  execute  this  design — they  will  soon  be  tired  of  those 
whom  they  have  now  set  up — and  will  begin  to  call  again 
upon  those  men  whose  virtue  hath  been  proved  to  the  utmost. 
When  the  great  matters  which  you  mention  are  completed, 
I  shall  be  content,  nor  shall  desire  to  have  any  hand  in 
politicks,  unless  at  any  time  liberty  be  encroached  upon. 
Nothing  but  the  great  cause  of  liberty  which  we  have  been 
embarked  in  could  have  induced  me  (who  have  an  increasing 
family  and  so  little  for  them)  to  have  spent  so  much  of  my 
time  and  money  in  publick  services. 

THOMAS  RODNEY. 

To  the  Hon.  Casar  Rodney,  in  Congress. 


LANCASTER  (PENNSYLVANIA)  COMMITTEE  TO  THE  PRESIDENT 
OF  CONGRESS. 

Lancaster,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  express,  with  the  letters  directed  to  the  officers 
commanding  the  Virginia  battalion  of  Continental  troops 
on  their  march  on  the  road  between  Philadelphia  and  Lan- 
caster, arrived  here  yesterday  evening.  As  those  troops 
were  not  arrived  among  us,  nor  any  officer  or  other  person 
from  them,  and  the  Committee  had  received  no  intelligence 
from  them,  (except  some  flying  reports  a  few  days  past,  that 
some  troops  were  intended  to  march  this  way  from  Virginia,) 
we  thought  best  to  detain  the  express  until  the  arrival  of  the 
Yorktown  post  this  morning,  in  hopes  by  him  to  have  some 
account  of  them.  As  we  hear  nothing  of  them  by  the  York 
post,  I  have  some  reason  to  think,  from  expressions  of  gen- 
tlemen who  met  your  express,  that  those  troops  have  taken 
the  lower  road  through  Baltimore;  have  directed  the  express 
to  return  to  Philadelphia  with  the  letters,  especially  as  there 
were  no  orders  to  him  or  the  Committee  for  his  proceeding 
farther  westward.  The  Committee  hope  they  have  not 
'acted  improperly. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble 
servant.  By  order  of  the  Committee: 

WILLIAM  ATLEE,  Chairman. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


ADMIRALTY  COURT,  PHILADELPHIA. 

Port  of  PHILADELPHIA,  PENNSYLVANIA,  tt: 

To  all  whom  it  may  concern :  Notice  is  hereby  given,  that 
a  Court  of  Admiralty  for  taking  cognizance  of  and  trying 
the  justice  of  captures  of  Vessels  made  pursuant  to  the  re- 
solves of  the  honourable  Continental  Congress,  and  brought 
into  this  Port  of  Philadelphia,  will  be  held  at  the  Court- 
House,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  on  Wednesday,  the  18th 
day  of  September  next,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of 
the  same  day,  then  and  there  to  try  the  truth  of  the  facts 
alleged  in  the  bill  of  James  Campbell,  commander  of  the 
schooner-of-war  called  the  Enterprise,  (who  as  well,  &.c.,) 
against  the  ship  or  vessel  called  Black  River,  burden  about 
one  hundred  and  eighty  tons,  with  her  tackle,  apparel,  fur- 
niture, and  cargo,  lately  commanded  by  George  Corrie:  to 
the  end  and  intent  that  the  owner  or  owners  of  the  said 
ship  and  her  cargo,  or  any  person  concerned  therein,  may 
appear  and  show  cause,  if  any  they  have,  why  the  same 
should  not  be  condemned  according  to  the  prayer  of  the  said 
bill. 

By  order  of  the  Judge : 

ANDREW  ROBESON,  Register. 

August  30,  1776. 

COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  TO  THE  ASSOCIjtrORS  OF  THE   STATE  OF 
PENNSYLVANIA. 

In  Council  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  ) 
Philadelphia,  August  30,  1776.      $ 

Whereas  some  designing,  ill-disposed  persons  have  spread 
false  reports  that  the  number  of  troops  now  in  New-Jersey 
is  too  great,  that  many  are  in  consequence  discharged  by  the 
Generals,  and  that  there  is  not  any  occasion  to  forward  the 
troops  who  have  not  yet  been  at  camp:  the  Council, 
therefore,  to  frustrate  the  designs  of  such  persons,  and  to 
hasten  the  march  of  the  Associators  to  the  camp  in  Jersey, 
make  known,  that  there  is  an  immediate  necessity  for  the 
Associators  to  hasten  their  march  to  the  said  camp  with  all 
expedition,  and  pay  no  regard  to  any  reports  which  do  not 
come  from  this  Council  or  other  proper  authority. 

By  order  of  the  Council : 

SAMUEL  MORRIS,  Chairman. 


CAPTAIN  LOWE  TO  MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF   SAFETY. 

Trent  Town,  August  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  understand  that  there  are  two  battalions 
of  Regulars  to  be  raised  in  Mart/land  for  the  Continental 
service;  and  as  we  are  now  in  the  Flying-Camp  in  said  ser- 
vice, the  whole  of  our  people  as  well  as  ourselves  have  a 
desire  of  standing  as  Regulars  in  the  aforesaid  service.  We 
therefore  beg  your  Honours  to  have  said  company  constitu- 
ted Regulars,  or  give  us  an  equal  chance  to  raise  a  company 
for  that  purpose  ;  which  will  much  oblige  your  obedient, 
humble  servants,  JOHN  HAWKINS  LOWE, 

JOHN  M.  BURGESS. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  of  Safety. 

Horatio  Clagett  will  thankfully  accept  a  Lieutenant's 
commission,  and  no  other.  WILLJAM 


N1.  B.  I  should  be  glad  Mr.  Clagett  could  be  continued 
in  my  company.  J.  H.  L. 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

New-York,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR:  Your  favour  of  this  date  is  just  come  to  hand.  Cir- 
cumstanced as  this  Army  was,  in  respect  to  situation,  strength, 
&tc.,  it  was  the  unanimous  advice  of  a  council  of  General 
Officers  to  give  up  Long-Island,  and  not,  by  dividing  our 
force,  be  unable  to  resist  the  enemy  in  any  one  point  of 
attack.  This  reason,  added' to  some  others,  particularly  the 
fear  of  having  our  communication  cut  off  from  the  main,  (of 
which  there  seemed  to  be  no  small  probability,)  and  the 
extreme  fatigue  our  troops  were  laid  under  in  guarding  such 
extensive  lines  without  proper  shelter  from  the  weather, 
induced  the  above  resolution. 

It  is  the  most  intricate  thing  in  the  world,  sir,  to  know  in 
what  manner  to  conduct  one's  self  with  respect  to  the  Mili- 
tia: if  you  do  not  begin  many  days  before  they  are  wanted, 
to  raise  them,  you  cannot  have  them  in  time;  if  you  do, 
tney  get  tired  and  return,  besides  being  under  but  very  little 
order  or  government  whilst  in  service.  However,  if  the 
enemy  have  a  design  of  serving  us  at  this  place  as  we  ap- 
prehend they  meant  to  do  on  Long-Island,  it  might  not  be 
improper  to  have  a  body  in  readiness  to  prevent  or  retard  a 
landing  of  them,  on  the  east  of  Harlem  River,  if  need  be. 

In  haste,  and  not  a  little  fatigued,  I  remain,  with  great 
respect  and  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
To  the  Hon.  Aim.  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President,  &ic. 


COLONEL  REED  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

New-York,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  General  desires  you  will  detain  the  powder  you 
have  received  till  further  orders  at  King's  Bridge,  except 


1231 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1232 


one  ton  to  be  sent  down — the  remainder  to  be  produced 
occasionally. 

The  report  of  the  evacuation  of  Long-Island  last  night  is 
true;  it  was  a  measure  founded  on  the  fullest  necessity,  alter 
the  surprise  of  our  troops  last  Tuesday  [27th,]  by  which  the 
flower  of  our  Army  and  some  of  our  best  officers  were  lost; 
add  to  this,  that  the  constant  rains  upon  troops  without  cover 
has  so  spoiled  the  ammunition  and  enfeebled  the  men,  that 
had  the  enemy  attempted  to  force  our  lines,  they  must  have 
done  it  with  great  ease.  The  ships  have  also  been  trying  to 
get  up  the  whole  week,  which,  if  they  could  effect,  our 
communication  would  have  been  cut  off,  and  the  whole 
Army  must  have  surrendered  at  discretion.  Under  these 
circumstances  the  remaining  General  Officers  were  unani- 
mously of  opinion,  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  retreat, 
which  was  clone  so  as  to  bring  off  all  our  ammunition  and 
artillery,  except  the  heavy  pieces,  and  most  of  our  provi- 
sions. Our  situation  is  in  all  respects  critical.  Lord  Stir- 
ling and  General  Sullivan  are  both  prisoners;  the  latter  was 
permitted  to  come  out  this  morning  on  his  parole  with  a 
message  from  Lord  Howe.  This  is  the  substance  of  what 
has  passed  in  this  important  week. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Jos.  REED. 
To  Major-General  Heath. 


COLONEL  REED  TO  GENERAL  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 

New-York,  August  30,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Though  I  am  much  fatigued,  not  having  had 
my  clothes  off  since  Monday  evening,  and  no  sleep  for  two 
nights,  I  sit  down  cheerfully  to  comply  with  your  request. 
On  General  Greene's  being  sick,  Sullivan  took  the  command, 
who  was  wholly  unacquainted  with  the  ground  or  country. 
Some  movements  being  made  which  the  General  did  not 
approve  entirely,  and  finding  a  great  force  going  to  Long- 
Island,  he  sent  over  Putnam,  who  had  been  over  occasionally; 
this  gave  some  disgust,  so  that  Putnam  was  directed  to  soothe 
and  soften  as  much  as  possible.  In  this  condition  things 
were,  and  growing  more  critical.  Lord  Stirling  went  over; 
some  regiments  were  also  sent;  they  were  ordered  to  lay  in 
a  wood  near  Flatbush,  but  the  road  from  Jamaica  having 
been  neglected,  they  were  surprised  on  Tuesday  morning. 
The  picket  of  eight  hundred  men,  I  fear,  mostly  ran  off  at 
the  first  fire,  but  several  regiments  being  ordered  out,  and 
ignofant  of  the  Jamaica  rout,  as  soon  as  they  engaged  they 
found  themselves  surrounded,  so  that  they  were  obliged  to 
cut  their  way  through.  Many  of  them  behaved  well,  and 
have  suffered  accordingly.  Our  loss  I  compute  at  seven 
hundred  men,  two  General  Officers,  (Sullivan  and  Stirling,) 
nine  Colonels  and  Lieutenant-Colonels,  two  or  three  Majors, 
and  several  other  officers.  The  two  first  are  prisoners,  and 
well  used.  We  had  a  letter  from  Sullivan  yesterday.  Colo- 
nels killed  and  missing  are  Atke,  Miles,  Piper,  Parry, 
(killed ;)  Lieutenant-Colonel  Johnson,  Lutz,  Kacklin,  Clark, 
Major  Burd,  and  one  or  two  I  don't 

The  principal  loss  has  fallen  on  First  Pennsylvania  Bat- 
talion, Atlee,  Smallwood,  Huntington,  and  Haslett's;  all 
of  whom  behaved  so  as  to  command  the  admiration  of  all 
those  who  beheld  the  engagement.  My  Lord,  who  loved 
discipline,  made  a  mistake,  which  probably  affected  us  a  great 
deal;  he  would  not  suffer  his  regiments  to  break,  but  kept 
them  in  lines  and  on  open  ground.  The  enemy,  on  the  other 
hand,  possessed  themselves  of  the  woods,  fences,  &,c.,  and 
having  the  advantage  of  numbers,  perhaps  ten  to  one,  our 
troops  lost  everything  but  honour.  His  personal  bravery 
was  very  conspicuous.  As  this  wood  made  a  capital  part 
of  the  Long-Island  defence,  and  Lord  Howe  was  every 
day  attempting,  with  the  wind  ahead,  to  get  up  to  town,  it 
became  a  serious  consideration  whether  we  ought  to  risk  the 
fate  of  the  Army,  and  perhaps  America,  on  defending  the 
circle  of  about  three  miles,  fortified  with  a  few  strong  redoubts, 
but  chiefly  open  lines.  When  the  heavy  rains  came  on  not 
half  of  the  men  had  tents;  they  lay  out  in  the  lines,  their 
arms,  ammunition,  Sic.,  all  got  wet;  they  began  to  sink  under 
the  fatigues  and  hardships.  The  enemy  at  the  same  time 
possessed  themselves  of  a  piece  of  ground  very  advantageous, 
and  of  which  they  had  .  We  were  therefore 

reduced  to  the  alternative  of  retiring  to  this  place,  or  going 
out  with  to  drive  them  off;  it  was  unanimously 

agreed  to  retire,  and  measures  taken  to  execute  it,  which  was 


done  in  the  face  of  their  Army,  so  effectually  that  between 
sunset  and  sunrise  our  men,  ammunition,  all  our  artillery, 
(except  five  pieces  of  heavy  cannon,)  the  greatest  part  of 
our  prisoners,  were  got  off  undiscovered  and  safely  landed 
here.  We  shall  now  therefore  have  our  whole  strength  col- 
lected together,  and  govern  ourselves  accordingly.  We  took 
thirty  prisoners  and  one  officer  from  the  enemy,  and  have 
reason  to  think  their  loss  also  considerable.  In  General 
Sullivan's  note,  he  says  Lord  Stirling  will  be  exchanged 
for  either  of  their  Brigadiers,  from  which  we  suppose  two 
are  killed,  as  they  are  not  in  our  hands.  A  Sergeant  brought 
in  a  laced  hat,  shot  through,  and  the  name  of  Colonel  Grant 
wrote  in  it,  from  which  we  suppose  he  is  certainly  killed,  and 
may  be  General  Grant  since  promoted. 

I  have  given  you  the  substance,  and  I  believe  it  is  pretty 
exact. 

I  am,  with  great  truth  and  esteem,  &c.,  your  most  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  T       D 

Jos.  KEED. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  A  MARYLANDER,  DATED  NEW- 
YORK,  AUGUST  30,  1776. 

I  have  just  time  to  give  you  a  short  account  of  our  late 
engagement  at  Long-Island.  On  Tuesday  we  received  in- 
telligence that  the  enemy  had  landed  their  troops  about  five 
miles  below  our  lines  ;  in  consequence  of  which,  General 
Stirling  was  ordered  to  march  to  the  right  and  General  Par- 
sons to  the  left,  with  the  Brigades  under  their  commands,  to 
take  possession  of  some  rising  grounds,  in  order  to  flank  the 
enemy  and  retard  their  march,  until  a  sufficient  reinforce- 
ment should  be  sent  from  this  place  to  man  the  lines. 

We  began  our  march  to  the  right,  at  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  with  about  thirteen  hundred  men,  and  about  sun- 
rise, on  our  near  approach  to  the  ground,  discovered  the 
enemy  making  up  to  it,  and  in  a  few  minutes  our  advanced 
parties  began  the  attack;  we  immediately  advanced,  and 
took  possession  of  the  ground  and  formed  the  line  of  battle, 
when  our  parties  retreated  to  the  main  body  and  formed  in 
a  line  with  us.  In  the  mean  time  they  began  a  warm  fire 
with  their  Artillery  and  Light  Infantry,  from  their  left,  while 
the  main  body  was  forming  in  columns  to  attack  us  in  front. 
Our  men  behaved  well,  and  maintained  their  ground  until 
ten  o'clock,  when  the  enemy  retreated  about  two  hundred 
yards  and  halted,  and  the  firing  on  each  side  ceased,  at  which 
time  we  heard  Generals  Sullivan  and  Parsons  engaged  on 
our  left.  About  eleven  an  express  came  to  his  Lordship,  on 
which  one  battalion  of  Riflemen  was  immediately  despatch- 
ed to  their  assistance,  which  left  us  with  no  more  than  nine 
hundred  and  fifty  men.  We  soon  heard  the  fire  continue 
round  on  our  left,  and  in  a  short  time  discovered  part  of  the 
enemy  in  our  rear,  going  on  to  our  lines,  in  order  to  cut  off 
the  communication  between  us.  Being  thus  surrounded,  and 
no  probability  of  a  reinforcement,  his  Lordship  ordered  me 
to  retreat  with  the  remaining  part  of  our  men,  and  force  our 
way  through  to  our  camp.  We  soon  fell  in  with  a  party 
of  the  enemy,  who  clubbed  their  firelocks,  and  waved  their 
hats  to  us,  as  if  they  meant  to  surrender  as  prisoners;  but  on 
our  advancing  within  sixty  yards,  they  presented  their  pieces 
and  fired,  which  we  returned  with  so  much  warmth  that 
they  soon  quitted  their  post  and  retired  to  a  large  body  that 
was  lying  in  ambuscade.  During  this  interval  the  main 
part  of  our  force  retreated  from  the  left  through  a  marsh, 
with  twenty-three  prisoners,  and  got  in  safe,  with  the  loss 
of  one  man  killed  and  three  drowned  crossing  the  creek. 
We  were  then  left  with  only  five  companies  of  our  batta- 
lion, when  the  enemy  returned,  and  after  a  warm  and  close 
engagement  for  near  ten  minutes,  our  little  line  became  so 
disordered  we  were  under  the  necessity  of  retreating  to  a 
piece  of  woods  on  our  right,  where  we  formed  and  made  a 
second  attack,  but  being  overpowered  with  numbers,  and 
surrounded  on  all  sides,  by  at  least  twenty  thousand  men, 
we  were  drove  with  much  precipitation  and  confusion. 
General  Stirling  on  this  retreat  was  missing,  whose  brave 
example  had  encouraged  and  animated  our  young  soldiers 
with  almost  invincible  resolution. 

The  impracticability  of  forcing  through  such  a  formidable 
body  of  troops,  rendered  it  the  height  of  rashness  and  im- 
prudence to  risk  the  lives  of  our  remaining  party  in  a  third 
attempt,  and  it  became  necessary  for  us  to  endeavour  to 
effect  our  escape  in  the  best  manner  we  possibly  could.  A 


1233 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1234 


party  immediately  retreated  to  the  right  through  the  woods,    which  will  answer  for  the  present.     We  hope  the  Conven- 


and  Captain  Ford  and  myself,  with  twenty  others,  to  the 
left,  through  a  marsh;  nine  only  of  whom  got  safe  in.  The 
principal  loss  sustained  in  our  battalion  fell  on  Captains 
Veazcy,  Adams,  Lucas,  Ford,  and  Bowie's  companies.  The 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing  amount  to  two  hundred  and 
fifty-nine;  our  whole  loss  that  day  supposed  to  be  near  one 
thousand,  chief  part  of  whom  are  prisoners,  among  whom 
are  Generals  Sullivan  and  Stirling.  The  above  is  as  cir- 
cumstantial an  account  as  the  hurry  and  want  of  time  will 
admit  of. 

A  list  of  the  killed  and  missing  in  the  Maryland  Batta- 
lion: Captain  Veazey,  killed;  Lieutenant  Butler,  said  to  be 
killed;  Ensign  Fcrncmdes,  Lieutenant  Dent,  Captain  Bowie, 
Lieutenant  Sttrret,  Coursey,  and  Wright,  Ensign 


tion  will  order  a  further  sum  for  the  Commissary.  We  find 
the  people  determined  to  make  a  resolute  stand;  and  should 
any  marauders  attempt  to  penetrate  this  County,  we  trust 
they  will  pay  for  their  temerity. 

Nothing  but  the  necessity  of  the  case  can  be  urged  as  an 
excuse  for  the  power  we  have  assumed;  and  being  sensible 
that  our  conduct  cannot  be  strictly  justified,  we  humbly 
submit  whether  it  will  not  be  proper  for  the  Convention  to 
send  us  an  indemnification,  and  such  further  powers  as  may 
be  sufficient  to  enable  us  to  exert  the  whole  force  of  this 
brigade  to  oppose  the  enemy.  As  General  Woodhull's 
papers  have  very  probably  been  taken  by  the  enemy,  we 
beg  we  may  have  copies  from  the  minutes  of  such  resolves 
as  are  necessary  for  carrying  on  the  operations  in  this  part. 


Ridge,  thirteen  Sergeants,  and  two  hundred  and  thirty-five    We  are  informed  that  there  are  one  hundred  stand  of  arms 
privates.  in  a  prize  lately  brought  in  by  Captain  Rogers.     We  pur- 

pose  to  take  and  distribute  them  among  the  Militia.     We 

must  urge  to  the  Convention  the  necessity  of  sending  rein- 
forcement, or  we  may  not  perhaps  be  able  to  make  an 
effectual  stand.  We  beg  leave  to  submit  to  Convention 
the  propriety  of  appointing  an  officer  of  activity  and  discre- 
tion to  command  in  the  room  of  General  Woodhull;  and  are, 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  FRIDAY 
MORNING,  AUGUST  30,  1776. 

On  Monday  we  were  ordered  here,  and  next  morning 
were  sent  over  to  Long-Island,  where  our  battalion  occupied 


the  lines  opposite  the  left  of  the  enemy;  the  works  we  had    with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble  ser- 


were  very  weak,  and  but  few  cannon  to  defend  them.  The 
General  Officers  held  a  Council  yesterday  afternoon,  and 
thought  it  necessary  to  abandon  the  Island,  for  fear  of  the 
men-of-war  getting  into  the  East  River,  and  cutting  off  the 
communication  with  this  place,  which  they  would  have  done 
the  first  fair  wind  that  served.  Our  battalion,  with  the  other 
Pennsylvania  troops  and  the  Maryland  Regiment,  were 
ordered  to  cover  the  retreat  of  our  Army,  which  must  have 
consisted  of  ten  thousand  men.  Our  Army  began  to  em- 
bark in  boats  about  ten  o'clock,  and  continued  till  daylight. 
We  received  orders  to  quit  our  station  about  two  o'clock 
this  morning,  and  had  made  our  retreat  almost  to  the  ferry, 


vants, 


JOHN  SLOSS  HOBART, 
JAMES  TOWNSEND. 


EBENEZER  DAYTON  S  NARRATIVE. 

A  Narrative  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Officers  and  Men  of  part  of  the 
First  Regiment  in  Suffolk  County,  required  of  Ebeneier  Dayton,  Quar- 
termaster of  the  Minute  Regiment,  by  Mr.  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Esq.,  of 
their  Proceeding  of  the  30th  August,  1776,  at  Brookharen  and  Smilh- 
loicn. 

On  the  29th  August,  Major  Jeffrey  Smith  sent  an  order 
to  Philip  Roe,  Adjutant,  to  order  the   four  companies  in 


when  General  Washington  ordered  us  back  to  that  part  of    Brookhaven  to  march  immediately  to  Platt  Carls,  in  Hunt- 


the  lines  we  were  first  at,  which  was  reckoned  to  be  the 
most  dangerous  post.  We  got  back  undiscovered  by  the 
enemy,  and  continued  there  until  daylight.  Providentially 
for  us,  a  great  fog  arose,  which  prevented  the  enemy  from 
seeing  our  retreat  from  their  works,  which  was  not  more 
than  musket-shot  from  us.  Had  we  been  discovered,  we 
must  have  been  unavoidably  cut  off,  as  we  were  on  a  neck 
of  land  which  could  have  been  taken  possession  of  by  them 
before  we  could  have  got  out.  We  have  got  all  our  regi- 
ment over  safe,  except  our  sentinels,  which  we  were  obliged 
to  leave ;  but  gave  them  notice  to  retreat  in  time ;  therefore 
expect  they  will  all  get  safe  over.  The  first  fair  wind,  it  is 
expected  the  men-of-war  will  come  up  and  bombard  the 
town,  and  from  the  heights  on  Long-Island  it  may  easily 
be  done.  It  is  the  general  opinion  we  cannot  be  able  to 
keep  it;  therefore  expect  we  shall  be  obliged  to  retreat  to 
Mount  Washington  and  King's  Bridge.  Since  I  have  been 
on  Long-Island,  I  have  had  no  sleep,  nor  anything  to  eat 
but  what  I  plundered ;  therefore  travelled  very  light  when 
we  were  obliged  to  scamper  off  this  morning.  By  a  flag 
received  yesterday  from  the  enemy,  we  are  informed  Lord 
Stirling  and  General  Sullivan  were  made  prisoners. 


JOHN  SLOSS  HOBART  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

Huntington,  August  30,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  To  our  unspeakable  mortification,  we  found, 
when  we  arrived  in  Queen's  County,  that  the  Militia  had 
dispersed,  and  General  Woodhull  had  fallen  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy.  We  then  proceeded  with  all  despatch  to 
this  town,  as  the  only  place  where  we  could  have  any 


ington,  and  there  wait  further  orders.  The  said  Adjutant 
gave  orders  to  the  four  Captains  of  said  companies  without 
loss  of  time,  and  there  appeared  a  very  high  spirit  among 
the  men  in  general,  insomuch  that,  about  the  middle  of  the 
day  following,  (August  30,)  three  of  those  companies  arrived 
to  the  house  of  Epenetus  Smith,  at  Smithtown,  and  the  other 
(being  Captain  Nicholas  Rose's  company)  was  coming  up. 
It  was  reported  at  said  Smith's  that  the  Major  was  gone  to 
Huntington,  to  see  Messrs.  Hubbard  and  Townsend,  and 
desired  these  companies  to  wait  there  until  his  return,  which 
was  not  until'  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  during  which  time 
there  was  great  uneasiness  among  the  men  that  they  should 
be  prevented  from  inarching  westward,  and  were  very  eager 
to  march  <  to  Hempstead  Plains  to  bring  off  the  stock,  and 
make  a  stand  in  the  woods  to  the  east  of  said  Plains ;  but 
at  evening  Major  Jeffrey  Smith  came  to  them  from  Hunting- 
ton,  and  called  the  officers  into  a  room,  and  told  them  that 
he  thought  it  dangerous  to  march  farther  west,  as  their  forces 
would  not  be  sufficient  to  oppose  the  enemy,  and  that,  for  his 
part,  he  very  much  gave  up  the  Island,  and  that  he  saw  no 
way  but  that  we  must  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands,  and  that  it 
would  not  be  good  policy  to  incense  a  cruel  enemy  by  being 
taken  under  arms,  and  that  he  supposed,  if  remained  quiet  at 
home,  we  should  fare  the  better,  and  that  he  was  so  dis- 
couraged that  he  intended  to  resign  his  commission.  He  said 
Col.  Potter  was  gone  off,  and  left  him  alone,  and  that  Major 
Brush  had  judged  it  unsafe  to  proceed  with  what  forces  we 
could  raise  in  this  County  against  the  enemy,  unless  a  large 
reinforcement  should  arrive  very  speedily,  which  he  judged 
improbable;  and  Captain  Thompson  appeared  in  a  panick, 
and  was  for  rushing  out  of  the  room,  saying  he  would  give 


prospect  of  making  an  effectual  stand,  as  the  enemy  were    orders  for  his  company  to  return  home  immediately,  and 
in  full  possession  of  the  western  parts  of  that  County  as  far    would  go  himself  also,  and  would  not  be  prevailed  upon  to 


as  Jamaica,  and  the  disaffected  from  east  were  gone  in  to 
them.  Tho'  we  were  not  authorized  for  the  purpose  by 
Convention,  we  have  taken  upon  ourselves  to  order  out  the 
Militia  of  the  County,  to  rendezvous  here,  and  have  wrote  to 
Colonel  Mulford,  at  Easthampton,tocome  up  and  take  the 
command,  as  he  is  now  the  senior  officer  in  the  brigade. 

We  shall  direct  the  Commissary  to  furnish  the  Militia 
with  provisions.  If  we  should  succeed  in  collecting  a  con- 
siderable body  of  men  together,  money  for  their  subsistence 
will  be  wanting.  We  have  borrowed,  on  the  publick  credit, 


let  his  men  stay  until  the  morning,  and  also  refused  to  be 
prevailed  upon  to  conceal  the  motives  for  dismissing  them. 
Major  Smith  said  he  would  not  give  any  orders,  as  he  de- 
signed to  decline  his  commission;  but,  as  an  individual,  he 
would  advise  them  to  continue  there  until  they  could  have 
orders  from  Messrs.  Hubbard  and  Townsend,  and  did  advise 
the  officers  to  send  off  immediately  to  them  for  orders;  but 
Captain  Thompson  rushed  out  of  the  room  amongst  the  men, 
and  expressed  his  fears,  and  dismissed  his  company,  and 
hurried  homewards;  upon  which  the  men,  who  before  were 


from   the  County   Treasurer  of  Queen's  County,   £320,    in  high  spirits  and  eager  to  press  forward,  were  in  a  panick 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  78 


1235 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  SEC.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1236 


of  fear,  and  saw  that  if  their  officers  ran  away,  and  declined 
their  offices,  and  feared  to  command  them,  they  thought 
proper  also  to  return  home,  but  not  without  a  clamour 
against  their  officers,  Sic.,  &tc.  The  men  returned  home 
accordingly.  In  the  whole  affair,  Adjutant  Roc  discovered 
firmness,  and  urged  the  officers  to  exert  themselves,  and  so 
did  a  number  of  subalterns.  Ebenezer  Dayton  was  much 
censured  for  urging  a  speedy  march,  accusing  him  of  want- 
ing to  sacrifice  the  troops  without  a  chance  of  doing  good, 
or  even  a  probability  of  success.  EBENEZER  DA¥TON> 

Sworn  this  31st  August,  before  us: 

JNO.  SLOSS  HOBART, 
JAMES  TOWNSEND. 


COLONEL  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Sag-Harbour,  August  30,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  On  Thursday  last 
I  received  an  express  from  Captain  Davis,  stationed  atMon- 
tauk-Point,  notifying  me  that  he  had  discovered  three  sail 
of  the  enemy  making  for  the  Point;  that  they  had  hoisted 
out  tlieir  boats  to  the  number  of  ten  or  twelve,  he  supposed 
with  design  to  land  and  carry  off  stock.  After  giving  the 
orders  I  thought  necessary  to  Captains  Roe  and  Griffin,  I 
set  out  for  the  Point.  On  my  arrival  in  the  evening  at 
Captain  Davis's  station,  I  found  three  vessels,  which  I  took 
to  be  frigates  from  twenty  to  thirty  guns,  a  brig  we  imagined 
to  be  a  prize,  and  a  small  sloop,  close  in  with  the  land.  .  At 
seven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  one  of  the  frigates,  the  brig, 
and  the  sloop,  made  for  the  continent  southwest  of  New- 
London,  where  they  anchored  under  the  shore;  the  other 
two  ships  bore  away  for  Block-Island.  On  Saturday  morn- 
ing the  three  vessels  under  the  eastern  shore,  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  tide  of  flood  and  a  fair  wind,  sailed  up  the 
Sound  as  far  as  Huntington,  about  sixty  miles  from  hence. 
The  tide  and  wind  making  against  them,  they  were  obliged 
to  come  to  an  anchor ;  how  far  they  have  since  proceeded 
is  uncertain,  but  suppose  the  communication  by  water  be- 
tween this  and  New-York  is  now  cut  off.  The  ships  off 
Block-Island'  still  continue  to  cruise  there.  We  imagine  by 
their  movements  that  they  wait  the  arrival  of  a  fleet. 

I  have  just  received  an  account  of  my  Colonel's  promo- 
tion to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General.  As  next  in  rank  to 
him  in  the  regiment,  I  should  have  transmitted  your  Excel- 
lency a  general  return  of  the  whole;  but  my  remote  distance 
from  the  major  part  of  the  regiment,  together  with  the  un- 
certainty whether  it  is  your  Excellency's  intention  I  should 
succeed  him,  has  prevented  me. 

The  enclosed  is  a  true  state  of  the  detachment  your  Excel- 
lency was  pleased  to  honour  me  with  the  command  of. 

My  respects  wait  on  Mrs.  Washington.  I  remain,  sir, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

P.  S.  Any  command  your  Excellency  pleases  to  honour 
me  with  will  be  forwarded  by  the  bearer,  Lieutenant  Smith, 
of  Captain  Roe's  company. 

My  dear  General,  I  have  just  received  an  account,  by 
express,  that  the  communication  between  us  and  New- York 
is  cut  off,  and  that  your  Excellency's  attempts  to  dislodge 
the  enemy  have  hitherto  been  successless.  I  have  despatched 
an  account  of  this  matter  to  his  Excellency  Governour  Trum- 
bull,  of  Connecticut.  If  it  meets  with  your  Excellency's 
approbation,  I  should  think,  notwithstanding  the  ships  in  the 
Sound,  we  shall  be  able  in  a  few  days  to  get  a  body  of  men 
from  Connecticut,  whose  attack  on  the  back  of  our  enemies 
from  this  way  may  be  a  means  of  distressing  them  much. 
They  have  now  possession  of  Jamaica  and  Hempstead  Plains, 
consequently  this  country  is  exposed  to  their  ravages.  The 
communication  at  Hell-Gate  is  not  yet  cut  off.  I  wait  with 
impatience  for  your  Excellency's  commands.  The  publick 
spirit  of  this  County  has  reduced  its  Militia  to  nothing. 

Yours,  affectionately,  HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  commanding  in 

the  United  States  of  America,  New- York. 


having  possessed  themselves  of  so  much  of  Long-Island  as 
to  destroy  the  communication  between  this  end  of  it  and  the 
city  of  New-  York.  I  am  honoured  by  General  Washington 
with  the  command  of  a  detachment  of  two  hundred  men, 
for  the  protection  of  the  inhabitants,  stocks.  &,c.  This 
detachment  I  think  in  danger,  also  insufficient  for  the  pur- 
poses mentioned;  but  am  resolved,  notwithstanding,  to  keep 
our  reputations  clear  and  unsullied,  and  with  our  feeble  force 
to  endeavour  to  distress  our  enemies  all  in  our  power. 

I  have  prevailed  upon  the  Rev.  Mr.  Buell  to  transcribe 
the  account  he  received  from  the  express  relative  to  the 
communication  being  cut  off,  and  to  direct  it  to  your  Excel- 
lency, that,  if  you  should  think  it  advisable,  you  might  order 
a  number  of  men  to  cross  the  Sound  at  night,  which  I  con- 
ceive they  might  do  without  danger  from  the  shipping  sta- 
tioned there.  I  have  endeavoured  to  transmit  his  Excellency 
General  Washington  an  account  of  my  having  wrote  to  your 
Honour  concerning  this  matter,  and  sent  him  my  returns,  a 
duplicate  of  which  I  transmit  to  your  Honour,  that  if  mine 
should  miscarry,  this  should  not. 

I  am,  with  all  imaginable  respect,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient,  humble  servant, 

HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON,  Lt.  Col.  and  Com.  Officer. 
To  His  Excellency  Governour  Trumbull. 


COLONEL  LIVINGSTON  TO  GOVEHNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Sag-Harbour,  August  30,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  I  have  just  received 
an  account  of  our  cruel  and  unnatural  enemy,  the  English, 


REV.  S.  BUELL  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Sag-Harbour,  August  30, 1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  I  have  this  hour 
direct  intelligence  from  the  west  end  of  this  Island,  by  a 
post,  that  the  Ministerial  Army  (supposed  to  be  about  six- 
teen thousand)  are  on  this  side  our  Army  upon  the  Island; 
have  lined  across  the  Island,  from  the  Sound  to  the  south 
side,  so  that  we  on  the  east  end  can  have  no  access  to  our 
Army.  Upon  Tuesday  last  General  Washington  came  over 
from  New-York  upon  this  Island  with  six  thousand  men. 
There  have  been  several  engagements ;  four  or  five  thousand, 
it  is  supposed,  have  fallen,  inclusive  of  both  armies.  The 
armies  are  within  half  a  mile  of  each  other.  A  constant 
fire  is  kept  up;  'tis  supposed  the  grand  battle  will  be  to- 
morrow or  next  day.  We  have  lost,  killed  and  taken,  as 
the  post  says,  near  three  hundred  Riflemen.  The  enemy 
have  two  hundred  Horse ;  their  riders  were  to  dine  the  day 
before  yesterday  at  Hempstead.  They  have  command  of  the 
west  end  of  the  Island  entirely.  The  post  relates,  that  upon 
Tuesday  about  five  thousand  Regulars  attempted  to  land  a 
little  below  York  ferry.  Our  people  met  them,  and  the 
post  says  killed  about  two  thousand,  and  drove  the  residue 
back.  We  learn  by  the  post  the  Hessians  fight  terribly. 
I  am  now.  sir,  present  with  Colonel  Livingston,  who  advises 
to  write,  in  conjunction  with  himself,  to  your  Honour,  as 
proposing  and  submitting  of  it  to  your  Honour's  wisdom  to 
determine  whether  it  will  not  be  conducive  to  the  general 
good  and  for  the  preservation  of  this  end  of  the  Island,  to 
throw  a  number  of  troops  over  to  our  assistance  at  the  pre- 
sent time. 

Confiding  in  your  Excellency's  patriotick  spirit  and  supe- 
rior wisdom,  in  all  possible  haste,  I  am,  with  great  esteem, 
your  Excellency's  most  humble,  most  obedient,  friend  and 

servant>  SOL.  BUELL. 

To  Governour  Trumbull. 


WILLIAM  DUER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Convention  of  Safety,  Harlem,  August  30,  1776. 
SIR:  By  order  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  State, 
I  transmit  to  your  Excellency  the  examination  of  Daniel 
Redfield,  in  order  that  such  measures  may  be  pursued  for 
baffling  the  enemy's  operations  as  your  prudence  shall  dic- 
tate. I  have  likewise  to  inform  your  Excellency,  that  on 
yesterday  morning  one  Loumbery,  in  Westchester  County, 
who  had  headed  a  body  of  about  fourteen  Tories,  was  killed 
by  an  officer  named  Flood,  on  his  refusal  to  surrender  him- 
self prisoner;  that  in  his  pocket-book  was  found  a  com- 
mission signed  by  General  Howe  to  Major  Rogers,  empow- 
ering him  to  raise  a  battalion  of  Rangers,  with  the  rank  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  commandant ;  that  annexed  to  this  was 
a  warrant  to  this  Lounsbcrry,  signed  by  Major  Rogers, 
appointing  him  a  Captain  of  one  of  these  companies,  as  like- 
wise a  muster-roll  of  the  men  already  inlisted.  The  Com- 


1237 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1238 


mittee  of  Safety  will  transmit  to  your  Excellency  certified 
copies  of  all  these  papers  as  early  as  possible. 

I  am,  sir,  by  order,  your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

WM.  DDER. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


ABRAHAM  TATES,  JUN.,  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  at  King's  Bridge, ) 
August  30,  1776.     ) 

SIR  :  Iii  our  way  to  FishJatt,  agreeable  to  an  adjournment 
of  the  Convention,  we  are  informed  that  the  Army  is  re- 
moved from  Long-Island  to  the  city  of  New-  York.  An 
anxiety  to  know  the  fact,  as  well  as  to  be  informed  whether 
you  think  any  measures  necessary  for  us  to  take,  induces  us 
to  trouble  your  Excellency  at  this  time  for  an  answer  hereto. 
We  have  ordered  last  night  all  the  Militia  of  the  Counties 
of  Ulster,  Dutchess,  Orange,  and  Westchester,  to  be  ready 
at  a  minute's  warning,  with  five  days'  provisions. 

We  shall  wait  the  return  of  our  messenger  at  this  place; 
and  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servants, 
ABM.  YATES,  Jun.,  President. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

PETITION  OF  JONATHAN  PURDY,  JUN. 

To  the  Honourable  the  President  and  Members  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress  of  NEW-YORK  : 

The  Petition  of  JONATHAN  PURDT,  Jun.,  of  WESTCHESTER 
County,  humbly  showeth  : 

That  your  petitioner  hath  been  confined  in  this  place  for 
a  considerable  time  merely  on  suspicion  of  being  an  enemy 
to  the  country,  when  your  petitioner  was  inlisted  into  his 
Majesty's  service,  and  received  his  bounty,  upwards  of  six 
months  ago,  before  there  was  any  thought  or  even  the  least 
suspicion  of  an  alteration  of  Government.  And  as  your  peti- 
tioner humbly  conceives  that  he  acted  agreeable  to  the  dic- 
tates of  conscience  in  the  affair,  as  he  can  see  no  reason 
offered  that  can  invalidate  his  oath  of  allegiance,  he  humbly 
begs  of  your  Honours  to  consider  his  case,  and  to  allow  him 
the  same  privileges  as  other  prisoners  of  war  in  the  service 
of  his  Majesty,  by  being  allowed  his  liberty  on  parole  to 
any  certain  boundary  your  Honours  may  think  proper;  and 
your  petitioner  hereby  promises  and  engages  never  to  inter- 
fere on  one  part  or  the  other  during  the  present  unhappy 
troubles,  but  will  behave  himself  as  becomes  a  faithful  sub- 
ject and  prisoner  belonging  to  his  Majesty,  till  such  time  as 
there  may  be  an  exchange  of  prisoners  or  that  matters  may 
be  otherwise  settled.  Your  petitioner  humbly  submits  his 
case  to  this  honourable  House,  and  begs  that  they  would 
consider  your  petitioner's  unhappy  case,  and  order  him  such 
relief  as  to  this  honourable  House  shall  seem  meet;  and  your 
petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

JONATHAN  PUHDY,  Jun. 

White  Plains  Jail,  August  30,  1776. 

GENERAL  HEATH  TO  THE   COMMISSARY  OF  PROVISIONS. 

King's  Bridge,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR  :  Lieutenant  Umstead,  with  twenty-two  men  besides 
himself,  are  ordered  as  a  guard  to  conduct  to  Fairjield,  in 
Connecticut,  Lieutenant  John  Ragg,  and  twenty-two  other 
prisoners  of  war,  taken  the  27th  instant  on  Long-Island. 
You  will  immediately  furnish  the  Lieutenant  of  the  guard 
with  provisions  sufficient  for  the  journey  and  return,  or  the 
value  thereof  in  money  agreeable  to  the  establishment  of  the 
Continental  rations. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &.C.,  WM.  HEATH. 

To  the  Commissary  of  Provisions. 

P.  S.  You  will  also  deliver  for  the  guard  the  daily  allow- 
ance of  rum  as  when  fatiguing. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  GUARD. 

King's  Bridge,  August  30,  1776,  almost ) 
ten  o'clock  at  night.      \ 

SIR:  In  consequence  of  orders  this  moment  received  from 
his  Excellency  General  Washington,  you  are  to  stop  all 
soldiers  coming  from  the  city,  except  such  as  have  proper 
discharges;  you  are  to  post  two  sentries  on  the  bridge,  that 
none  may  escape. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &tc.,  W.  HEATH,  M.  G. 

To  the  Captain  of  the  main  Guard. 


JAMES  W.  PAYNE  TO  GENERAL  HEATH. 

Frog  Point,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR:  In  obedience  to  your  Honour's  request,  I  herewith 
send  you  an  account  of  the  enemy's  Light-Horse,  who  are 
pillaging  the  country  in  parties  of  eight  and  ten  all  along  on 
the  opposite  shore.  As  it  was  impossible  to  convey  the 
troops  over  last  night  in  the  rain,  they  have  found  no  oppo- 
sition, which  may  induce  them  to  continue  their  route.  Had 
there  been  one  hundred  good  men  on  Long-Island  last  night, 
I  am  of  opinion  we  could  have  taken  them  all.  I  am  this 
instant  going  over;  if  they  are  yet  there,  I  shall  immediately 
inform  your  Honour  of  every  particular. 

From  your  Honour's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

JAMES  WM.  PAYNE. 

To  the  Hon.  General  Heath,  at  King's  Bridge. 

P.  S.  I  have  just  heard  that  Major  Bourne  was  seen  bound 
in  the  possession  of  the  Light-Horse. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR:  I  find  there  are  a  few  carpenters  in  Colonel  WhilcomVs 
regiment,  and  I  thought  it  best  to  stop  a  few  of  them,  in 
order  to  get  off  the  galleys  as  soon  as  possible.  I  never  saw 
so  much  fever  and  ague  in  my  life  as  there  is  at  this  post. 
There  are  but  very  few  carpenters  at  this  place  fit  for  duty, 
and.it  makes  me  very  uneasy.  1  cannot  get  the  galleys  off 
according  to  your  Honour's  expectation;  there  is  one  to  be 
launched  to-morrow,  and  I  hope  the  others  will  soon  be  in 
the  water.  I  hope  I  shall  soon  be  on  the  lake  with  the 
galleys,  as  it  would  be  very  agreeable  to  me.  If  it  should  not 
be  disagreeable  to  your  Honour  my  stopping  the  carpenters 
out  of  the  above  regiment,  I  should  be  glad  to  do  it,  as  I  may 
send  them  forward ;  and  am,  with  the  greatest  esteem,  your 
Honour's  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

DAVID  WATERBURY. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 

COLONEL  FRASER  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR:  I  arrived  at  this  place  last  evening  with  Colonel 
WhitcornVs  regiment  from  Boston,  and  expect  to  embark 
this  afternoon  or  to-morrow  morning  early  for  Ticonderoga. 
The  roads,  or  rather  woods,  that  we  marched  through  were 
so  exceeding  bad,  occasioned  by  the  vast  quantity  of  rain . 
that  we  have  had  lately,  retarded  our  march  much.  We 
had  rafts  to  build  to  cross  the  rivers  with  our  baggage,  &c., 
and  swam  across  several  creeks.  This,  with  the  worst 
ground  I  ever  travelled  over,  detained  us  a  little.  I  have 
lost  not  one  minute  of  time,  or  staid  at  anything.  Our 
baggage  was  a  little  in  the  rear,  but  will  be  all  up  to-day. 
Colonel  Phinney  with  his  regiment  will  be  here  to-morrow. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant, 

JNO.  G.  FRASER. 


COLONEL  HARTLEY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Crown-Point,  August  30,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR:  I  received  your  obliging  letter  of  the 
28th  instant,  and  am  glad  to  understand  that  it  is  your  de- 
sign rather  to  increase  than  diminish  the  number  of  troops 
at  this  post.  Were  the  detachment  under  General  Arnold 
returned  to  the  regiment,  I  could  then  conduct  my  opera- 
tions here  agreeable  to  a  plan  which  I  have  laid  down  to 
myself.  I  think  my  party  would  be  secure  against  the  Sav- 
ages or  light  troops  of  the  enemy,  or  perhaps  I  might  say 
more ;  and  I  could  always  afford  to  have  some  parties  in 
the  woods,  and  a  boat  on  the  Lake,  so  that  the  main  Army 
might  be  informed  of  the  approach  of  an  enemy.  You  will 
see  by  my  return  of  this  day,  that  we  are  but  weak  at 
present ;  but  if  you  were  pleased  to  order  a  subaltern  and 
thirty  eastern  men  to  Raymond's  Mill,  as  a  covering  party 
to  the  oar-makers  there,  I  could  perhaps  make  out  till  the 
return  of  my  men  who  went  with  General  Arnold.  I  pro- 
pose, if  you  would  send  the  covering  party  to  the  Mill  to- 
morrow, to  despatch  to-morrow  afternoon  two  boats  down 
the  Lake — one  to  Gilliland's,  the  other  to  the  fleet — with 
some  military  stores  that  were  sent  here  since  the  General 
sailed.  At  Raymond's  Mill  I  would  keep  a  corporal  and 
four  woodsmen;  two  of  them  should  still  be  out  to  discover 


1239 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1240 


if  any  Indians  should  come  up  on  the  west  side  of  the  Lake 
near  that  place. 

If,  from  any  intelligence  I  may  receive,  I  should  stand  in 
need  of  a  further  reinforcement,  I  shall  make  application  to 
you  immediately.  1  have  collected  three  rusty  cannon  from 
the  ruins  of  the  works  near  here.  I  have  prepared  a  place 
to  mount  them.  I  would  be  glad  of  a  couple  of  Artillery- 
men for  a  few  days,  to  teach  some  of  my  men  who  have  had 
a  little  experience. 

I  am  really  convinced  tlTat  this  is  a  place  of  the  last 
consequence.  Should  the  enemy,  by  any  accident,  get  pos- 
session of  it  this  fall  or  next  spring,  they  could  effectually 
destroy  our  navigation,  or  render  it  useless.  It  is  too  late 
to  think  of  repairing  the  old  works  this  fall,  perhaps;  but  as 
nature  seems  to  have  intended  this  spot  to  command  the 
pass  of  this  country,  I  presume  it  will  not  be  neglected  in 
the  spring,  as  there  will  be  no  scarcity  of  men.  The  forti- 
fications could  be  much  sooner  repaired,  I  think,  than  is 
generally  imagined.  [( the  occupying  all  the  redoubts  would 
require  many  men,  only  such  of  them  should  be  repaired  as 
were  absolutely  necessary,  and  the  rest  be  entirely  destroyed. 
You  will,  perhaps,  think  it  necessary  to  keep  troops  here 
during  the  winter:  if  so,  some  of  the  barracks  in  the  fort 
might  be  handily  repaired,  if  a  dozen  or  two  carpenters  were 
set  to  work  at  any  time.  If  I  survive  this  campaign,  it  is 
probable  I  may  not  come  into  this  quarter  again;  yet  it 
would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  it  was  determined  to 
fortify  and  maintain  tins  point,  even  distinct  from  the  pro- 
tection of  the  fleet. 

I  have  so  little  experience  that  you  may  consider  me 
impertinent  in  these  observations.  I  hope  you  will  not,  as 
they  really  proceed  from  the  best  of  motives. 

The  increase  of  your  Army  effectually  secures  Ticonde- 
roga  against  any  attempts  from  our  enemy;  nay,  even  tho' 
the  American  arms  were  unsuccessful  at  New-  York. 

The  fleet  got  down  on  Saturday  evening,  opposite  Gilli- 
land's.  How  far  they  afterwards  proceeded,  I  have  not 
learnt,  but  apprehend  it  could  have  been  no  great  distance, 
as  the  storm  came  on  so  soon.  The  party  from  this  regi- 
ment preceded  the  fleet.  They  must  have  had  a  hard  time 
of  it. 

I  shall  carefully  attend  to  your  instructions,  and  shall 
always  consider  it  as  a  great  reward  when  my  small  services 
receive  your  approbation. 

I  am,  honoured  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

THOS.  HARTLEY. 
To  Major-General  Gates. 


STEPHEN  BADGER  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Natick,  August  30,  1776. 

SIR:  When  I  waited  upon  you  at  Boston  last  week,  I 
had  some  conversation  with  your  Honour  relating  to  Colo- 
nel Jones,  of  Dedham,  who  was  in  the  list  of  Justices  under 
the  late  establishment,  but  has  hitherto  been  taken  no  notice 
of  under  the  present.  This  he  is  at  a  loss  rationally  to 
account  for,  not  being  conscious  of  having  done  anything  to 
forfeit  the  confidence  of  the  publick,  or  to  disqualify  himself 
for  any  employment  which  his  talents  and  abilities  may  be 
equal  to.  From  a  particular  acquaintance  with  him,  I  know 
him  to  be  a  worthy  man,  of  a  fair  character,  and  of  good 
understanding,  and  have  reason  to  believe  he  has  taken  as 
much  pains  and  been  at  as  much  expense  to  inform  and 
furnish  himself,  with  respect  to  the  nature  and  duties  of  a 
Magistrate's  oflice,  as  most  of  those  that  were  upon  the 
bench  with  him.  He  is  also  a  man  of  so  much  firmness 
and  resolution,  as  well  as  capacity  and  integrity,  that  when 
difficulties  have  arisen  in  some  of  the  remote  parts  of  the 
county  to  which  he  belongs,  he  has  divers  times  been  called 
to  officiate  as  a  Justice,  and  has  terminated  matters  in  such 
a  manner  as  derived  credit  to  himself,  dignity  to  his  office, 
and  at  the  same  time  produced  beneficial  effects  to  society; 
and,  I  am  well  informed,  has  been  applied  to  for  advice  by 
some  that  have  lately  been  appointed  to  office,  who  know 
him  to  be  well  versed  in  the  nature  and  business  of  it.  But 
it  seems  not  a  little  hard  that  the  result  of  that  pains  and 
expense  he  has  been  at,  should  be  only  made  use  of  as  a 
medium  by  others,  and  he  be  entirely  excluded  from  impro- 
ving them  in  an  immediate  way  himself.  As  to  politicks, 
from  the  beginning  he  has  not  merely  disapproved  of,  but 
condemned  the  measures  of  the  British  Administration  rela- 


tive to  these  Colonies;  but  he  has  uniformly  and  strenuously 
bore  testimony  against  mobs  and  riot,  and  been  a  warm  and 
zealous  friend  to  order  and  a  due  subordination  in  the  com- 
munity, and  when  in  office  exerted  himself  to  promote  them 
as  occasion  required,  by  which  he  incurred  the  censure  and 
ill  will  of  some  of  the  baser  sort,  especially  of  those  of  them 
that  felt  the  effects  of  his  spirited  but  prudent  decisions. 
Men  of  this  cast,  taking  advantage  of  the  temper  and  the 
enthusiasm  of  the  times,  and  the  relaxation,  if  not  dormancy, 
of  the  laws,  loaded  him  with  insult  and  abuse  without  mea- 
sure, which  might  draw  from  him  some  expressions  that  had 
a  personal  reference  only,  but  which  might  look  unfavour- 
able to  the  cause  of  freedom,  although  they  were  far  from 
being  intended  to  injure  what  is  properly  such.  He  entirely 
concurs  with  the  Declaration  of  Independency,  and  will  exert 
himself  in  defence  of  it  upon  every  proper  occasion.  As 
the  temper  of  the  people  is  now  in  a  great  measure  subsi- 
ded, I  doubt  not  there  would  be  a  general  concurrence  with 
his  appointment  to  office,  and  a  universal  acquiescence,  espe- 
cially as  it  is  known  that  he  has  not  been  wanting  in  dona- 
tions to  the  distressed  poor  of  Boston,  or  in  contributing  more 
than  his  proportion  to  raising  men  for  the  Continental  ser- 
vice, besides  having  a  son  of  great  hopes,  who  was  a  worthy 
officer  in  it,  who  was  at  Charlestons,  and  acquitted  himself 
well  in  the  engagement  there,  but  who  lately  died  of  the 
small-pox  in  the  Northern  Army,  to  the  great  grief  of  his 
parents  and  friends,  as  well  as  to  the  loss  of  his  country. 

These  things  being  considered,  with  others  that  might  be 
mentioned,  I  cannot  but  presume  the  honourable  Board  will 
think  it  expedient  and  proper  to  enable  him  to  be  further 
useful  to  the  community,  and  to  support  his  rank  in  life,  by 
reappointing  him  to  that  department  which  he  but  lately 
filled  up,  with  reputation  to  himself  and  advantage  to  the 
publick;  which  is  humbly  submitted  to  your  Honour,  with 
the  rest  of  the  honourable  Board,  by  your  and  their  very 

humble  servant,  c  r> 

STEPHEN  BADGER. 

To  the  Hon.  James  Bowdoin,  Esq. 


RECOMMENDATION  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  TO  THE 
COMMITTEE  OF  POPLIN,  RESPECTING  ZACHEUS  CLOUGH. 

State  of  New-Hampshire,  in  Committee  of  Safety,  )- 
August  30,  1776.      \ 

Whereas  this  Committee  did,  on  the  20th  July,  recom- 
mend to  the  Committee  of  Poplin  to  call  in  to  their  aid  the 
Committees  of  two  of  the  nearest  towns  or  parishes  to  them, 
jointly  to  sit  and  hear  all  accusations  against  Zachem  Clough, 
Esq.,  of  said  Poplin,  relative  to  a  donation  he  was  intrusted 
with  for  the  poor  of  Boston,  it  being  represented  to  this  Com- 
mittee that  the  Committees  were  not  called  agreeable  to  the 
said  recommendation,  it  is  now  further  recommended  that  all 
proceedings  be  stayed  thereon,  respecting  those  matters,  until 
Thursday,  the  5th  September  next,  at  which  time  the  parties, 
if  they  see  cause,  may  have  an  opportunity  of  being  heard 
thereon  before  the  General  Assembly. 


GUY  CARLETON,  Captain-General  and  Governour-in- Chief 
of  the  Province  O/QUEBECK,  Vice-Admiral  of  the  same, 
General  and  Commander-in-  Chief  of  His  Majesty's  Forces 
in  the  said  Province,  and  the  Frontiers,  fyc.,  fyc.  : 

A  PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  there  remains  on  hand  a  great  quantity  of  the 
last  year's  Wheat,  and  the  crops  of  this  year  are  very  abun- 
dant, a  considerable  part  of  which  is  already  got  in,  and  it 
is  conceived  that  it  will  not  be  detrimental  to  the  Province, 
nor  to  his  Majesty's  troops  therein,  to  suffer  an  exportation 
thereof,  1  hereby  make  known  to  all  his  Majesty's  subjects  in 
this  Province,  that  I  do  allow  a  general  exportation  of  Wheat. 
But  inasmuch  as  the  exportation  of  any  Cattle  or  Live  Stock 
out  of  the  Province,  or  of  Flour  and  Biscuit,  elsewhere  than 
to  the  Fisheries,  Nova-Scotia,  and  the  West-Indies,  may  at 
this  time  be  greatly  prejudicial  to  the  Province  and  his 
Majesty's  troops  therein,  I  have  thought  proper  to  order, 
and  I  do  hereby  strictly  order,  that  no  person  or  persons 
whatsoever,  at  any  time  after  the  publication  hereof,  and 
before  the  first  day  of  December  next,  shall,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, export  or  cause  to  be  exported  out  of  this  Province 
any  Cattle  or  Live  Stock  to  any  place  whatsoever,  or  any 


1241 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1242 


Flouror  Biscuit,  elsewhere  than  to  the  Fisheries,  J 
or  the  West-Indies. 

And  1  do  hereby  forbid  all  the  officers  of  his  Majesty's 
Customs,  within  this  Province,  to  make  any  entries  or  clear- 
ances of  any  vessel  or  vessels  which  shall  have  on  board 
any  Cattle  or  Live  Stock,  or  any  Flour  and  Biscuit,  other  than 
for  the  Fisheries,  Nova-Scotia,  or  the  West-Indies;  excepting 
only  such  and  so  much  of  the  said  commodities  as  shall  be 
necessary  to  be  carried  for  the  sustenance,  diet,  and  support 
of  the  commanders,  masters,  mariners,  passengers,  or  others, 
in  the  same  vessels,  for  their  respective  voyages. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  of  arms,  at  Montreal,  the 
30th  day  o(  August,  1776,  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  the  reign 
of  our  Sovereign  Lord  George  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of 
God  of  Great  Britain,  France,  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender 

of  the  Faith,  and  so  forth.  .-,       ^ 

OUY  CAHLETON. 

By  His  Excellency's  command  :  p,    p, 

God  save  the  King. 


ing  monument  to  their  honour,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped,  the 
example  of  their  courage  and  resolution  will  inspire  the  un- 
happy sufferers  in  the  other  Colonies  with  similar  virtue  now 
to  rescue  themselves  from  the  miseries  which  their  credulity 
prevented  them  from  guarding  against  at  the  first. 

GUY  CARLETON. 


ADDRESS  OF  THE  CITY  OF  MONTREAL  TO  GENERAL  CARLE- 
TON. 

To  His  Excellency  GUY  CARLETON,  Captain-General  and 
Govcmour-in- Chief  of  the  Province  of  QUEBECK,  and 
the  Territories  thereon  depending,  General  and  Com- 
mand er-in- Chief  of  His  Majesty's  Forces  in  the  said 
Province,  and  the  Frontiers  thereof,  fyc.,  Sfc. 

We,  his  Majesty's  faithful  subjects  of  the  City  of  Mon- 
treal, most  respectfully  congratulate  your  Excellency  on  the 
victory  which,  with  a  handful  of  his  Majesty's  troops  and 
seamen,  aided  by  the  brave  and  loyal  citizens  of  Quebeck, 
you  have  so  gloriously  obtained  over  the  rebellious  invaders 
of  this  Province.  How  pleasing  to  your  Excellency,  how 
happy  for  us,  to  see  you  thus  victorious,  and  now  at  the 
head  of  an  Army  arduous  to  distinguish  themselves,  not  less 
by  their  humanity  than  by  their  valour. 

Before  rebellion  (the  source  of  crimes  and  misery)  made 
,  us  feel  its  fatal  effects,  we  were  fully  convinced  that  our  hap- 
piness entirely  depended  on  our  deference  to  the  authority 
of  our  King  in  Parliament,  and  we  needed  not  the  scourge 
of  invading  tyrants  to  persuade  us  that  the  welfare  of  a 
nation  is  inseparably  connected  with  loyalty  and  attachment 
to  the  Sovereign. 

To  relate  the  acts  of  injustice  and  cruelty  committed  under 
the  sacred  name  of  liberty,  would  be  changing  our  congra- 
tulations and  joy  into  lamentations  and  complaints :  happy 
in  our  deliverance,  and  in  the  prospect  of  again  flourishing 
under  your  Excellency's  Administration,  we  ardently  pray 
the  Divine  Providence  to  prosper  his  Majesty's  arms  under 
your  command,  and  to  make  you  the  happy  instrument  for 
restoring  peace  and  tranquillity  between  Great  Britain  and 
her  distracted  Colonies. 

We  humbly  pray  your  Excellency  to  make  known  to 
our  most  gracious  Monarch  the  satisfaction  we  feel  on  being 
restored  to  peace  and  good  Government,  and  to  assure  the 
best  of  Kings  of  our  unshaken  fidelity  to  his  royal  person, 
his  family,  and  his  Government, 

GENERAL  CARLETON's  ANSWER. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  thank  you  for  this  very  loyal  Address, 
which  shall  be  transmitted  home  in  order  to  be  laid  before 
the  Throne. 

It  is  with  the  greatest  satisfaction  I  see  you  delivered  from 
the  tyranny  of  lawless  men,  and  again  under  the  protection  of 
the  laws  and  government  of  your  Sovereign,  whose  strength 
is  the  security  of  his  subjects,  his  power  destined  to  promote 
their  happiness,  and  guard  their  rights  and  liberties:  those 
who  assnil  it,  though,  under  the  varnish  of  a  flattering  and 
perverted  use  of  words,  they  may  deceive  the  thoughtless 
multitude,  are  in  truth  the  people's  greatest  enemies,  would 
strip  them  of  their  sole  defence  upon  earth,  and  expose  them 
a  prey  to  violence  and  wrong,  perhaps  to  their  own  unbound- 
ed and  unjust  ambition. 

It  would  complete  my  satisfaction  should  I  he  fortunate 
enough  to  assist  in  restoring  to  the  same  peace  and  tranquillity 
you  now  enjoy,  the  distracted  Provinces  in  our  neighbour- 
hood, and  to  convince  them  without  severity  how  strangely 
they  have  been  led  aside  from  their  true  interests.  The 
manly  conduct  of  the  citizens  of  Queleck  will  prove  a  last- 


RALPH  IZARD  TO  CLAUDE  CRESPIGNY. 

Richmond,  (England,)  August  31,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR  :  We  are  very  happy  to  hear  of  the  favourable 
change  in  Mrs.  Crcspigny. 

They  laugh,  you  say,  at  St.  James's  at  the  Declaration 
of  Independence.  I  do  not  know  that  they  have  much  cause 
to  do  so.  When  the  Duke  of  Braganza  declared  Portugal 
independent  of  Spain,  and  himself  King  of  it,  the  Count- 
Duke  Olivarez  affected  likewise  to  laugh.  Philip  the 
Fourth  was  persuaded  to  think  it  a  very  pleasant  and  comi- 
cal circumstance.  This  Minister  mad%faim  believe  that  there 
would  be  such  confiscations  as  would  abundantly  recompense 
him  for  the  trouble  these  few  factious  people  would  give  him. 
The  King,  however,  was  deceived,  and  the  Spanish  Mo- 
narchy dismembered.  Perhaps  some  historian  may  find  a 
parallel  to  this  Spanish  story. 

I  believe  the  history  of  Europe  does  not  furnish  so  extra- 
ordinary an  affair  as  the  late  defeat  at  Charlestown.  Last 
year's  Algerine  expedition  is  not  to  be  compared  to  it.  The 
Ministry  must  have  great  confidence  in  the  passive  tempers 
of  the  nation  to  impose  such  an  account  on  them  as  appeared 
in  last  Saturday's  Gazette.  There  must  certainly  have  been 
a  misunderstanding  between  the  two  departments,  which, 
however  pleasing  it  may  be  to  those  who  are  enemies  to  the 
doctrine  of  passive  obedience  and  unconditional  submission, 
much  behooves  the  supporters  of  the  measures  to  inquire  into. 

Clinton  has  always  borne  the  character  of  a  brave  and 
good  officer;  it  is  therefore  the  more  extraordinary  that  he 
should  have  been  landed  on  a  sand  bank,  (Long-Island  and 
Sullivan's  Island  are  nothing  ejse,)  from  the  9th  to  the  28th, 
without  sounding  the  water,  and  knowing  that  it  was  too 
deep  to  walk  across. 

Sir  Peter  Parker  tells  us  that  he  drove  large  parties  seve- 
ral times  out  of  the  fort,  which  were  replaced  by  others  from 
the  main.  This  fort  was  a  temporary  thing,  built  to  annoy 
the  shipping  in  their  passage  to  the  town.  It  was  not  ex- 
pected that  it  would  have  been  necessary  to  defend  it  for 
upwards  of  ten  hours  against  a  bomb  vessel  and  eight  or  nine 
men-of-war.  The  powder,  I  dare  say,  was  very  near  ex- 
hausted, and  the  men  whom  Sir  Peter  supposes  he  had 
driven  out  might  probably  have  been  messengers  for  a  fresh 
supply.  The  large  parties  might  have  been  small  ones. 
We  know  that  the  Provincial  numbers  at  Bunker's  Hill 
were,  by  the  Gazette,  multiplied  at  least  by  five.  Objects 
seen  through  the  medium  of  smoke  and  fire  are  always  con- 
siderably magnified.  If  the  fort  was  evacuated  for  an  hour 
and  a  half,  as  he  writes,  why  did  he  not  take  possession  of 
it?  He  would,  I  believe,  have  found  himself  mistaken  if  he 
had  attempted  it.  But  the  fort  was  totally  silenced :  very 
likely,  and  for  the  reason  just  assigned.  It  requires  a  great 
quantity  of  powder  to  fire  cannon.  While  this  was  bringing, 
1  cannot  help  thinking  that  my  countrymen  had  sagacity 
enough  to  lie  perdu  behind  the  parapet — to  defend  them- 
selves against  the  boasted  coup  de  main  with  their  small- 
arms. 

The  Gazette  does  not  announce  the  actual  departure  of 
any  of  the  ships  from  Charlestown  harbour.  The  want  of 
water  will  oblige  them  to  be  as  expeditious  as  possible. 
They  may  accommodate  themselves  with  that  article  at 
Staten-Island,  and  nowhere  else  with  safety,  that  I  know 
of,  to  the  southward  of  that.  If  Mrs.  Crespigny  will  lend 
you  her  plan,  you  will  see  that  they  must  pass  within  the 
reach  of  two  batteries,  which  may  give  them  a  pretty  warm 
salute  at  taking  leave. 

Very  important  news  may  be  expected  every  day  from 
New- York.  The  Ministry,  I  hear,  are  fully  persuaded  that 
Mr.  Howe  will  winter  in  Philadelphia.  This  is  possible, 
but  I  have  not  the  least  idea  that  it  will  happen. 

You  know  my  opinion  on  the  probable  event  of  this  cruel 
and  unfortunate  business.  I  have  had  no  reason  to  change 
it  since  I  saw  you. 

Pray  give  my  compliments  to  Mr.  Totcnshend  and  Mr. 
Ley. 


1243 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1244 


VIRGINIA  COUNCIL  TO  THE  BOARD  OF  WAR. 

Williamsburgh,  August  31,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  received  your  letter,  requiring  a  return 
of  the  prisoners  of  war  in  this  Commonwealth  and  a  list  of 
the  officers  on  the  Continental  establishment,  so  late  that  it 
is  not  in  our  power  to  be  so  accurate  as  we  could  wish.  At 
present  we  can  only  transmit  a  list  of  the  prisoners,  and  shall 
send  an  accurate  list  of  the  officers  by  the  next  post ;  refer- 
ring you  in  the  mean  time,  however,  to  a  list  which  we  very 
lately  sent  to  the  Virginia  Delegates  at  Congress. 

By  order  of  Council : 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  PAGE,  President. 
To  Richard  Peters,  Esquire,  Secretary  to  the  War  Office, 

Philadelphia. 

GENERAL  LEWIS  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  September  16,  1776.] 

WilHamsburg,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR:  I  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  you  a  letter  -to  me 
directed  by  John  Rickman,  Esq.,  Director-General  of  the 
Hospital.  The  different  articles  mentioned  in  his  list  are 
much  wanted,  and  not  to  be  had  in  this  State.  The  num- 
ber of  sick  are  great,  as  will  appear  by  a  general  return  made 
to  the  War  Office. 

I  have  heard  nothing  from  General  Lee  since  the  3d  of 
this  month.  The  letter  from  Congress  to  him  I  sent  off 
with  all  possible  despatch. 

By  a  resolve  of  Congress.  I  observe  that  the  Continental 
troops  who  inlist  to  serve  three  years,  are  to  receive  ten  dol- 
lars each.  The  most  of  the  troops  raised  in  this  State  are 
to  serve  two  years,  commencing  last  April.  I  wish  for  the 
particular  direction  of  Congress  in  this  case,  that  I  may 
know  with  certainty  whether  they  would  have  them  reinlist- 
ed  to  serve  three  years  after  the  expiration  of  their  present 
inlistment,  or  whether  the  reinlistment  of  them  is  to  be  de- 
ferred until  the  time  for  which  they  were  engaged  is  nearly 
expired.  By  another  resolve  of  Congress,  I  observe  that  a 
Paymaster  is  allowed  to  each  regiment :  by  whom,  and  in 
what  manner,  are  those  Paymasters  to  be  appointed  ? 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  honourable  sir,  your  most  obedi- 
ent and  very  humble  servant, 

ANDREW  LEWIS,  Brigadier-General. 

To  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


five  hundred,  some  say  three.  By  deserters,  the  enemy  had 
killed  and  wounded  five  hundred.  Generals  Stirling  and 
Sullivan  were  both  missing  when  we  last  heard  from  General 
Washington.  Tliursday  morning,  fouro'clock,  Colonels  Miles 
and  Atlee  were  also  missing,  when  our  last  intelligence  was 
sent.  A  Colonel  Grant,  of  the  enemy,  was  killed;  who  else  of 
distinction,  we  have  not  heard.  The  enemy,  upon  the  retreat 
of  our  brigade,  took  possession  of  a  very  advantageous  wood, 
near  our  out  intrenchment.  Smallwood's  Battalion  of  Mary- 
landers  were  distinguished  in  the  field  by  the  most  intrepid 
courage,  the  most  regular  use  of  the  musket,  and  judicious 
movements  of  the  body.  All  the  other  battalions  behaved 
as  became  Americans  and  men  of  honour,  fighting  for  their 
rights  of  freemen.  When  our  party  was  overcome  and 
broken,  by  superior  numbers  surrounding  them  on  all  sides, 
three  companies  of  the  Maryland  broke  the  enemy's  lines, 
and  fought  their  way  through ;  the  others  attempted  to  cross 
a  small  creek,  which  proved  fatal  to  several  of  them.  I  have 
not  heard  their  loss,  but  presume  it  is  very  heavy,  they  being 
in  a  situation  very  much  exposed,  facing  the  enemy's  can- 
non, in  the  open  field  for  a  considerable  time.  Captain  Veazey 
and  Lieutenant  Butler  are  among  the  honourable  slain.  I 
don't  hear  of  any  other  officers  of  that  battalion  being  killed 
or  taken.  There  is  a  report  in  town  that  Lord  Stirling  got 
into  the  camp  safe,  but  I  fear  it  is  not  true.  Since  this  en- 
gagement, there  have  been  frequent  skirmishes  between  our 
troops  and  the  enemy,  the  result  of  which  we  have  not  heard. 
Our  posts  are  now  very  near  to  each  other,  and  we  expect 
hourly  to  hear  of  a  very  general  engagement. 

SATURDAY,  three  o'clock,  P.  M. — By  the  post  arrived  just 
now,  we  are  certainly  informed,  that  our  whole  Army,  the 
night  before  last,  retreated  from  Long-Island  to  New-York, 
bringing  away  the  most  of  their  cannon,  and  spiking  what 
was  left.  The  enemy  were  taking  measures  to  cut  off  the 
communication  between  the  island  and  the  main,  and  had 
also  got  possession  of  a  post  from  which  they  could  distress 
our  camp  at  Long-Island.  Lord  Stirling  and  General  Sul- 
livan are  both  prisoners.  The  enemy  it  is  said  have  lost  one 
thousand  men;  two  Generals  of  theirs  are  also  killed;  they 
sent  a  flag  to  exchange  Sullivan  and  Stirling  for  two  missing 
Generals  of  theirs,  but  we  had  them  not,  so  that  they  must 
have  fell.  The  Maryland  Battalion  lost  two  hundred  men 
and  twelve  officers.  Severe  fate  !  It  is  said  our  whole  loss 
is  five  or  six  hundred. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  PHILADELPHIA,  DATED  AUGUST 
31,  1776,  SATURDAY,  TWO  O'CLOCK,  P.  M. 

You  will  no  doubt  be  very  anxious  to  receive  a  particular 
account  of  the  late  engagement  between  our  troops  and  the 
enemy  on  Long-Island.  I  wish  our  information  enabled  me 
to  relieve  you,  but  at  present  we  are  in  the  most  painful  state 
of  suspense,  the  post  not  having  yet  arrived,  by  which  we 
expect  full  intelligence.  From  the  letters  we  have  received, 
with  what  I  can  collect  of  others  sent  to  inhabitants  of  this 
city,  it  appears  that  the  enemy,  having  landed  a  number  of 
troops  on  the  night  of  the  26th,  and  posted  them  advanta- 
geously, without  being  discovered  by  our  people,  and  having 
also  posted  a  part  of  their  Army  in  a  wood,  some  distance 
from  the  main  body,  proceeded  in  a  heavy  column  towards 
our  intrenchments.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  27th,  a 
firing  began  between  our  advanced  guard  and  theirs;  the 
enemy,  with  their  middle  column,  made  a  feint  at  our  works, 
and  having  received  a  fire,  retreated.  A  brigade  of  our  troops, 
consisting  of  the  First  New-York  Battalion,  two  Pennsylva- 
nia, one  Delaware,  and  the  Maryland  Battalion,  under  the 
command  of  Generals  Sullivan  and  Stirling,  followed  the 
enemy.  A  very  hot  fire  was  kept  up.  When  the  enemy  had 
retreated,  our  troops  advanced  upon  them  some  distance. 
The  troops  of  the  enemy,  posted  for  that  purpose,  surrounded 
our  friends,  and  a  most  savage  engagement  ensued;  no  relief 
could  be  given  from  the  fort  to  our  troops,  without  hazarding 
tlie  post  at  Long-Island.  Thus  surrounded  with  thrice  their 
numbers,  galled  on  one  side  by  Light-Horse,  and  torn  with 
artillery  in  front,  they  bravely  fought  for  several  hours;  how- 
ever, after  having  given  the  most  convincing  proofs  of  their 
bravery  and  skill,  and  having  sustained  considerable  loss, 
they  were  obliged  to  yield  to  superior  numbers;  they  were 
broken,  and  retreated  as  well  as  they  could.  Many  fell  by 
the  bayonet,  which  was  pushed  with  equal  obstinacy  by  the 
two  adverse  parties.  Our  loss  is  not  ascertained — some  say 


GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 
[Read  September  2,  1776.] 

New-Yorfc,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR  :  Inclination  as  well  as  duty  would  have  induced  me 
to  give  Congress  the  earliest  information  of  my  removal,  and 
that  of  the  troops,  from  Long-Island  and  its  dependencies  to 
this  city  the  night  before  last;  but  the  extreme  fatigue  which 
myself  and  family  have  undergone,  as  much  from  the  weather 
since  as  the  engagement  on  the  27th,  rendered  me  and  them 
entirely  unfit  to  take  pen  in  hand.  Since  Monday,  scarce 
any  of  us  have  been  out  of  the  lines  till  our  passage  across 
the  East  River  was  effected  yesterday  morning;  and  for 
forty-eight  hours  preceding  that,  I  had  hardly  been  off  my 
horse,  and  never  closed  my  eyes,  so  that  I  was  quite  unfit  to 
write  or  dictate  till  this  morning. 

Our  retreat  was  made  without  any  loss  of  men  or  ammu- 
nition, and  in  better  order  than  I  expected  from  the  troops 
in  the  situation  ours  were.  We  brought  off  our  cannon  and 
stores,  except  a  few  heavy  pieces,  which,  in  the  condition 
the  earth  was,  by  a  long-continued  rain,  we  found,  upon  trial, 
impracticable;  the  wheels  of  the  carriages  sinking  up  to  the 
hubs,  rendered  it  impossible  for  our  whole  force  to  drag  them. 
We  left  but  little  provisions  on  the  Island,  except  some 
cattle,  which  had  been  driven  within  our  lines,  and  which, 
after  many  attempts  to  force  across  the  water,  we  found 
impossible  to  effect,  circumstanced  as  we  were. 

I  have  enclosed  a  copy  of  the  Council  of  War,  held  pre- 
vious to  the  retreat,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer  Congress 
for  the  reasons,  or  many  of  them,  that  led  to  the  adoption  of 
that  measure. 

Yesterday  evening  and  last  night  a  party  of  our  men  were 
employed  in  bringing  our  horses,  cannon,  tents,  &.C.,  from 
Govcrnour's  Island,  which  they  nearly  completed.  Some 
of  the  heavy  cannon  remain  there  still,  but  I  expect  will  be 
got  away  to-day. 


1245 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1246 


In  the  engagement  on  the  27th  Generals  Sullivan  and 
Stirling  were  made  prisoners ;  the  former  has  been  permit- 
ted, on  his  parole,  to  return  for  a  little  time.  From  my  Lord 
Stirling  I  had  a  letter  by  General  Sullivan,  a  copy  of  which 
I  have  the  honour  to  transmit.  That  contains  his  information 
of  the  engagement  with  his  brigade.  It  is  not  so  full  and 
certain  as  I  could  wish;  he  was  hurried  most  probably,  as 
his  letter  was  unfinished.  Nor  have  1  been  yet  able  to 
obtain  an  exact  account  of  our  loss;  we  suppose  it  from  seven 
hundred  to  one  thousand  killed  and  taken. 

General  Sullivan  says  Lord  Howe  is  extrehiely  desirous 
of  seeing  some  of  the  members  of  Congress;  for  which  purpose 
he  was  allowed  to  come  out,  and  to  communicate  to  them 
what  has  passed  between  him  and  his  Lordship.  I  have 
consented  to  his  going  to  Philadelphia,  as  I  did  not  mean, 
or  conceive  it  right,  to  withhold  or  prevent  him  from  giving 
such  information  as  he  possesses  in  this  instance. 

I  am  much  hurried,  and  engaged  in  arranging  and  making 
new  dispositions  of  our  forces;  the  movement  of  the  enemy 
requiring  them  to  be  immediately  had;  and  therefore  have 
only  time  to  add,  that  I  am,  with  my  best  regards  to  Con- 
gress, their  and  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

Go.  WASHINGTON. 
• 

LORD  STIRLING  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Eagle,  August  29,  1776. 

MY  DEAR  GENERAL:  I  have  now  an  opportunity  of  in- 
forming you  of  what  has  happened  to  me  since  I  had  last 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  you.  About  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning  of  the  27th  I  was  called  up,  and  informed  by  Gen- 
eral Putnam  that  the  enemy  were  advancing  by  the  road 
from  Flatbush  to  the  Red  Lyon,  and  ordered  me  to  march 
with  the  two  regiments  nearest  at  hand'  to  meet  them;  these 
happened  to  be  Haslet's  and  Smallwood's,  with  which  I 
accordingly  marched-,  and  was  on  the  road  to  the  Narrows 
just  as  the  daylight  began  to  appear.  We  proceeded  to  within 
about  half  a  mile  of  the  Red  Lyon,  and  there  met  Colonel 
Atlee  with  his  regiment,  who  informed  me  that  the  enemy 
were  in  sight:  indeed  I  then  saw  their  front  between  us  and 
the  Red  Lyon.  I  desired  Colonel  Atlee  to  place  his  regi- 
ment on  the  left  of  the  road,  and  to  wait  their  coming  up, 
while  I  went  to  form  the  two  regiments  I  had  brought  with 
me,  along  a  ridge  from  the  road  up  to  a  piece  of  wood  on 
the  top  of  the  hill ;  this  was  done  instantly  on  very  advan- 
tageous ground.  Our  opponents  advanced,  and  were  fired 
upon  in  the  road  by  Atke's,  who,  after  two  or  three  rounds, 
retreated  to  the  wood  on  my  left,  and  there  formed.  By  this 
time  Kichline's  Riflemen  arrived;  part  of  them  I  placed  along 
a  hedge  under  the  front  of  the  hill,  and  the  rest  in  the  front  of 
the  wood.  The  troops  opposed  to  me  were  two  brigades,  of 
four  regiments  each,  under  the  command  of  General  Grant, 
who  advanced  their  light  troops  to  within  one  hundred  and 
fifty  yards  of  our  right  front,  and  took  possession  of  an  orchard 
there,  and  some  hedges  which  extended  towards  our  left; 
this  brought  on  an  exchange  of  fire  between  those  troops  and 
our  Riflemen,  which  continued  for  about  two  hours,  and  then 
ceased  by  those  light  troops  retiring  to  their  main  body.  In 
the  mean  time  Captain  Carpenter  brought  up  two  field- 
pieces,  which  were  placed  on  the  side  of  the  hill  so  as  to 
command  the  road,  and  the  only  approach  for  some  hundred 
yards.  On  the  part  of  General  Grant  there  were  two  field- 
pieces;  one  howitz  advanced  to  within  three  hundred  yards 
of  the  front  of  our  right,  and  a  like  detachment  of  artillery 
to  the  front  of  our  left,  on  a  rising  ground,  at  about  six  hun- 
dred yards  distance.  One  of  their  brigades  formed  in  two 
lines  opposite  to  our  right,  and  the  others  extended  in  one 
line  to  top  of  the  hills  in  the  front  of  our  left;  in  this  position 
we  stood  cannonading  each  other  till  near  eleven  o'clock, 
when  I  found  that  General  Howe,  with  the  main  body  of 
the  Army,  was  between  me  and  our  lines,  and  saw  that  the 
only  chance  of  escaping  being  all  made  prisoners  was  to  pass 
the  creek  near  the  Yellow  Mitts;  and,  in  order  to  render 
this  the  more  practicable,  I  found  it  absolutely  necessary  to 
attack  a  body  of  troops  commanded  by  Lord  Cornwattis, 
posted  at  the  house  near  the  Upper  Mills;  this  I  instantly 
did,  with  about  half  of  Smallwood's,  first  ordering  all  the 
other  troops  to  make  the  best  of  their  way  through  the  creek. 
We  continued  the  attack  a  considerable  time,  the  men  having 
been  rallied  and  the  attack  renewed  five  or  six  several  times, 
and  were  on  the  point  of  driving  Lord  Cornwallis  from  his 
station,  but  large  succours  arriving  rendered  it  impossible  to 


do  more  than  to  provide  for  safety.  I  endeavoured  to  get  in 
between  that  house  and  Fort  Box,  but  on  attempting  it  I 
found  a  considerable  body  of  troops  in  my  front,  and  several 
in  pursuit  of  me  on  the  right  and  left,  and  a  constant  firing 
on  me.  I  immediately  turned  the  point  of  a  hill  which 
covered  me  from  their  fire,  and  I  was  soon  out  of  the  reach 
of  my  pursuers.  I  soon  found  it  would  be  in  vain  to  attempt 
to  make  my  escape,  and  therefore  went  to  surrender  myself  to 
General  De  JHewter,  commander-in -chief  of  the  Hessians. 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  A  COUNCIL    OF  GENERAL  OFFICERS. 

At  a  Council  of  War,  held  at  Long-Island,  August  29, 
1776: 

Present:  His  Excellency  General  Washington;  Major- 
Generals :  Putnam,  Spencer;  Brigadier-Generals:  Mifflin, 
McDougall,  Parsons,  Scott,  Wadsworth,  Fellows. 

It  was  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  Council, 
whether,  under  all  circumstances,  it  would  not  be  eligible  to 
leave  Long-Island  and  its  dependencies,  and  remove  the 
Army  to  New-York.  Unanimously  agreed  in  the  affirma- 
tive, for  the  following  reasons : 

1st.  Because  our  advanced  party  had  met  with  a  defeat, 
and  the  wood  was  lost  where  we  expected  to  make  a  prin- 
cipal stand. 

2d.  The  great  loss  sustained  in  the  death  or  captivity  of 
several  valuable  officers  and  their  battalions,  or  a  large  part 
of  them,  had  occasioned  great  confusion  and  discouragement 
among  the  troops. 

3d.  The  heavy  rains,  which  fell  two  days  and  nights  with 
but  little  intermission,  had  injured  the  arms  and  spoiled  a 
great  part  of  the  ammunition,  and  the  soldiery  being  without 
cover  and  obliged  to  lay  in  the  lines,  were  worn  out,  and,  it 
was  to  be  feared,  would  not  be  retained  in  them  by  any 
order. 

4th.  From  the  time  the  enemy  moved  from  Flatbush, 
several  large  ships  had  attempted  to  get  up,  as  supposed,  in 
the  FMst  River,  to  cut  off  our  communication,  by  which  the 
whole  Army  would  have  been  destroyed,  but  the  wind  being 
northeast  could  not  effect  it. 

5th.  Upon  consulting  with  persons  of  knowledge  of  the 
harbour,  they  were  of  opinion  that  small  ships  might  come 
between  Long-Island  and  Governour's  Island,  where  there 
are  no  obstructions,  and  which  would  cut  off  the  communi- 
cation effectually;  and  who  were  also  of  opinion,  the  hulks 
sunk  between  Governour's  Island  and  the  city  of  New-  York 
were  no  sufficient  security  for  obstructing  that  passage. 

6th.  Though  our  lines  were  fortified  with  some  strong 
redoubts,  yet  a  great  part  of  them  were  weak,  being  abattied 
with  brush,  and  affording  no  strong  cover 0so  that  there  was 
reason  to  apprehend  they  might  be  forced,  which  would  have 
put  our  troops  in  confusion,  and  having  no  retreat,  they  must 
have  been  cut  to  pieces  or  made  prisoners. 

7th.  The  divided  state  of  the  troops  render  our  defence 
very  precarious,  and  the  duty  of  defending  long  and  exten- 
sive lines  at  so  many  different  places,  without  proper  con- 
veniencies  and  cover,  so  very  fatiguing,  that  the  troops  had 
become  dispirited  by  their  incessant  duty  and  watching. 

8th.  Because  the  enemy  had  sent  several  ships-of-war 
into  the  Sound,  to  a  place  called  Flushing  Bay;  and  from 
the  information  received  that  a  part  of  their  troops  were 
moving  across  Long-Island  that  way,  there  was  reason  to 
apprehend  they  meant  to  pass  over  land,  and  form  an  en- 
campment above  King's  Bridge,  in  order  to  cut  off  and  pre- 
vent all  communication  between  our  Army  and  the  country 
beyond  them,  to  get  in  our  rear. 

DETERMINATION  OF  A  COUNCIL  OF  GENERAL  OFFICERS. 

At  a  Council  of  War,  held  at  Long-Island,  August  29, 
1776: 

Present:  His  Excellency  General  Washington;  Major- 
Generals:  Putnam,  Spencer;  Brigadier-Generals:  Mifflin, 
McDougall,  Parsons,  Scott,  Wadsworth,  Fellows. 

It  was  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  (he  Council, 
whether,  under  all  circumstances,  it  is  not  eligible  to  leave 
Long-Island  and  its  dependencies,  and  remove  to  New- 
York.  Unanimously  agreed  in  the  affirmative. 

ISRAEL  PUTNAM,  SAML.  H.  PARSONS, 

THOS.  SPENCER,          JNO.  MORIN  SCOTT, 
THOS.  MIFFLIN,  JAMES  WADSVVOHTH. 

ALEXR.  McDouoALL, 


1247 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1248 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  25,  1776. 
(Parole,  MarUarough.)  (Countersign,  Ifewtoim.) 

A  special  Court-Martial  to  sit  this  day,  at  twelve  o'clock, 
at  Mrs.  Montagnie's,  for  the  trial  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Zedtwitz,  charged  with  "carrying  on  a  treasonable  corre- 
spondence willi  the  enemy;"  to  be  composed  of  a  Brigadier- 
General  and  twelve  Field-Officers :  General  Wadsworlh  to 
preside. 

The  General  Order  against  working  on  Sunday  is  revoked, 
the  time  not  admitting  of  any  delay.  The  same  number  of 
fatigue-men  to  turn  out,  as  yesterday,  this  afternoon,  at  three 
o'clock,  as  well  Militia  as  other  troops. 

Colonel  Smallwood  to  command  Lord  Stirling's  Brigade 
during  his  absence  on  Long-Island. 


(Parole,  Newcastle.) 


Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  26,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Pom.) 


Six  hundred  men,  properly  officered,  from  General  Wol- 
cotfs  Brigade,  to  parade  to-morrow  morning,  at  six  o'clock, 
on  the  grand  parade,  without  arms,  for  fatigue :  four  hun- 
dred to  take  directions  from  General  McDougaU,  and  two 
hundred  from  Lieutenant  Fish;  and  the  same  number  to  be 
continued  till  the  works  are  completed.  To  leave  work  at 
young  flood,  and  go  on  again  at  the  ebb. 

The  General  is  very  anxious  for  the  state  of  the  arms  and 
ammunition — the  frequent  rains  giving  too  much  reason  to 
fear  they  may  suffer.  He  therefore  earnestly  enjoins  officers 
and  men  to  be  particularly  attentive  to  it,  and  have  them  in 
the  best  order. 


Head-Quarters,  New- York,' August  27,  1776. 
(Parole,          .)  (Countersign,          .) 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  28,  1776. 
(Parole,  Sullivan.)  (Countersign,  Sltrling.) 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  29,  1776. 
(Parole,  .)  (Countersign,  .) 

One  Orderly  Sergeant  from  each  regiment  in  General 
Wadsworth's,  General  Wokotfs,  and  General  Fellows' 's  Bri- 
gades, and  one  from  Colonel  Knox's  command,  to  attend 
daily  at  Head-Quarters  until  further  orders. 

The  commanding  officers  of  each  company  in  the  several 
regiments  in  this  post  are  strictly  required  to  attend  to  the 
orders  that  have  been  given  by  the  Commander-in-Chief 
from  time  to  time,  to  see  that  their  respective  rolls  are  looked 
over,  and  the  orders  of  the  day  published  to  their  whole 
company.  And  as  it  is  the  pleasure  of  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Continental  Forces  that  all  soldiers  that  pass 
from  Long-Island  here  without  passes  should  immediately 
be  sent  back,  all  the  guards  especially,  and  all  others  be- 
longing to  the  Army  in  this  post,  are  .required  to  take  up  all 
soldiers  coming  from  Long-Island  without  passes  signed  by 
a  proper  officer,  and  send  them  immediately  back  to  Long- 
Island. 

The  Colonels,  or  commanding  officers  of  each  regiment, 
must  take  care  that  the  arms  and  ammunition  of  each  sol- 
dier be  in  good  order,  that  they  be  equipped  and  constantly 
ready  for  action.  They  must  be  particularly  attentive  to 
see  that  the  cartridges  suit  their  pieces. 

All  the  guards,  and  also  all  others  belonging  to  the  Army, 
are  to  be  vigilant  in  taking  up  and  confining  all  persons 
guilty  of  disorderly  firing,  or  firing  without  leave.  All  the 
guards  supplied  by  general  detail  are  to  be  punctually  on 
the  grand  parade  by  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning;  and  in 
case  any  Brigade-Major  does  not  punctually  bring  on  the 
men  he  is  to  furnish,  the  Brigadier  of  the  day  is  to  report 
him  immediately;  and  if  such  Brigade-Major  is  delayed  by 
the  negligence  of  an  Adjutant,  he  is  to  put  such  Adjutant 
immediately  under  an  arrest. 

It  is  hoped  that  every  officer  and  soldier  in  this  post  will 
exert  himself  for  the  good  of  the  service  to  the  utmost;  and 
as  there  are  many  intrenchments  now  begun  that  are  un- 
finished that  necessity  requires  should  be  immediately  com- 
pleted, it  is  justly  expected  that  every  brave  man  will  exert 
himself  to  complete  every  needful  fortification. 

Head-Quarters,  New-York,  August  30,  1776. 
(Parole,  itterty.)  (Countersign,  Hancock.) 

All  commanding  officers  of  regiments  are  to  parade  on 
their  rpgimerital  parade  this  evening  at  five  o'clock,  examine 


the  state  of  their  men's  ammunition  and  arms,  and  get  them 
in  the  best  order.  All  damaged  cartridges  are  to  be  re- 
turned, and  in  this  case  fresh  ones  drawn  without  further 
orders.  The  returns  of  the  regiments  are  to  be  made  as 
soon  and  as  exact  as  possible.  No  arguments  can  be  neces- 
sary, at  such  a  time  as  this,  to  induce  all  officers  to  a  strict 
attention  to  this  duty. 

The  constant  firing  in  the  camp,  notwithstanding  repeated 
orders  to  the  contrary,  is  very  scandalous,  and  seldom  a  day 
passes  but  some  persons  are  shot  by  their  friends.  Once 
more,  therefore,  the  General  entreats  the  officers  to  prevent 
it,  and  calls  upon  the  soldiers  to  forbear  this  practice. 
Pieces  that  cannot  be  drawn  are  to  be  discharged  in  a  vol- 
ley at  retreat  beating,  and  not  otherwise,  and  then  by  com- 
mand of  the  officer. 

The  loss  of  two  General  Officers  by  the  late  action'having 
occasioned  a  necessary  change  in  the  brigades,  the  Brigade- 
Majors  are  to  attend  at  ten  o'clock  to-morrow,  to  receive  a 
new  arrangement. 

As  the  tents  are  wet,  and  weather  unfavourable,  the 
troops  are  to  remain  in  the  city  till  further  orders ;  those 
not  supplied  with  barracks  to  apply  to  Mr.  Roorback,  Bar- 
rack-Master. Officers  and  men  are  charged  to  see  as  little 

O 

damage  as  possible  done  to  houses  where  they  are  quar- 
tered. 

General  Wadsworth  to  send  two  regiments  from  his  bri- 
gade, to  reinforce  Colonel  Sergeant,  at  Horn's  Hook,  as 
soon  as  possible. 

In  case  of  an  alarm  this  evening,  which  may  be  expected, 
from  the  nearness  of  the  enemy,  and  their  expectation  of 
taking  advantage  of  the  late  rains  and  last  night's  fatigue, 
the  following  disposition  is  to  take  place,  and  the  regiments 
are  to  parade  accordingly:  General  Mifflin' s  to  parade  on 
the  grand  parade;  they  are  then  to  join  the  regiments  lately 
composing  Lord  Stirling's  Brigade,  and  the  whole  to  parade 
on  the  parade  lately  assigned  by  him  to  them :  these  are  to 
act  under  General  Mifflin  as  a  reserve  corps.  The  regi- 
ments of  General  Nixon's  Brigade  are  to  join  General  Spen- 
cer's division,  who  will  assign  them  their  alarm  posts.  The 
Jersey  troops  to  join  General  McDougalFs  Brigade,  and 
parade  at  or  near  said  ground. 

Head-Quarters,  New- York,  August  31,  1776. 
(Parole,  Harlem.)  (Countersign,  Fluking.) 

Major  Livingston,  charged  with  having  ordered  a  negro 
to  fire  on  a  soldier  of  Captain  NewcomVs  Regiment,  is  or- 
dered to  be  confined  and  brought  to  trial.  But  the  General 
is  sorry  to  see  soldiers,  defending  their  country,  in  time  of 
imminent  danger,  noting  and  attempting  to  do  themselves 
justice. 

The  plunderers  of  Lord  Stirling's  house  are  ordered  to 
restore  to  the  Quartermaster-General  what  they  have  taken ; 
in  failure  whereof,  they  will  certainly  be  hanged. 

It  is  the  General's  orders  that  the  remainder  of  Lutz's  and 
Kachlein's  Battalions  be  joined  to  Hand's  Battalion;  that 
Major  Hays  be  also  under  the  special  command  of  Colonel 
Hand;  that  then  those  battalions,  with  Shee's,  Colonel 
Magaw's,  Colonel  Hutchinson's,  Colonel  Atlee's,  Colonel 
Miles' s,  and  Colonel  Ward's  Regiments,  be  brigaded  under 
General  Mifflin,  and  those  now  here  march  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible to  King's  Bridge.  The  Quartermaster  will  supply 
wagons,  if  to  be  spared;  if  not,  to  apply  to  Lieutenant 
Achbolt,  on  the  North  River  boat  station,  or  Ensign  Allen 
on  the  East,  who  will  supply  boats.  A  careful  officer,  with 
a  small  guard,  to  attend  them.  Major  Lord  will  supply, 
from  General  JVolcott's  Brigade,  an  officer  and  six  men  to 
each  boat,  to  bring  boats  back,  except  those  that  are  ordered 
to  stay. 

Both  officers  and  soldiers  are  informed  that  the  retreat 
from  Long-Island  was  made  by  the  unanimous  advice  of  all 
the  General  Officers,  not  from  any  doubts  of  the  spirit  of 
the  troops,  but  because  they  found  the  troops  very  much 
fatigued  with  hard  duty,  and  divided  into  many  detachments, 
while  the  enemy  had  their  main  body  on  the  Island,  and 
capable  of  receiving  assistance  from  the  shipping.  In  these 
circumstances  it  was  thought  unsafe  to  transport  the  whole 
of  an  Army  on  an  Island,  or  to  engage  them  with  a  part,  and 
therefore  unequal  numbers;  whereas  now  one  whole  Army 
is  collected  together,  without  water  intervening,  while  the 
enemy  can  receive  little  assistance  from  their  ships.  Their 
Army  is,  and  must  be,  divided  into  many  bodies,  and  fatigued 


1249 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1250 


with  keeping  up  a  communication  with  their  ships;  whereas 
ours  is  connected,  and  can  act  together.  They  must  effect 
a  landing  under  so  many  disadvantages,  that  if  officers  and 
soldiers  are  vigilant,  and  alert  to  prevent  surprise,  and  add 
spirit  when  they  approach,  there  is  no  doubt  of  our  success. 

Ebenezer  Gray  is  appointed  Brigade-Major  to  General 
Parsons. 

The  following  disposition  is  made  of  the  several  Regi- 
ments, so  as  to  form  Brigades  under  the  commanding  offi- 
cers respectively  mentioned: 


fHuntington, 
Prescott, 

fCortlandt, 
I  Johnson, 

Gen.  Parsons  i  Ward, 

Gen.  Heard  J  Newcomb, 

Durkee, 

Freeman, 

I  Tyler. 

[Martin. 

f  McDougall, 
1  Ritzema, 

f  Holman, 
Gen.  Fellows  i  Gary, 

Gen.  McDougall.  I  Smallwood, 

[Smith. 

Webb, 

Silliman, 

[Artificers. 

Thompson, 

f  Lasher, 

Com'dr.  Silliman 

Lewis, 

f~,        y    .,               Malcolm, 
Gen-Sco"  i  Drake, 

Mead, 
Hinman. 

Humphrey. 
Chapman, 

f  Sergeant, 
Com'dr.  Sergeant\  Sheldon, 

Sage, 

I  Talcot. 

Gen.  Wadsworth. 

Selden, 

Douglass, 

Gay, 

Pettibone, 

Bradley. 

Com'dr.  Douglass 

Cook, 

Varnum, 

Talcott, 

Little, 

Chapman. 

Gen.  Nixon  

Hitchcock, 

Chester, 

Nixon, 

Pitkin, 

Bailey. 

Com'dr.CAester... 

Baldwin, 

f  Glover, 

Strong, 

Gen.  Clinton  {  nS^'  • 

Newbury. 

I  Learned. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  31, 

1776. 

Captain  Veazey,  Ensign  Fernandez,  Sergeant  Sands, 
killed.  Captain  Bowie,  Lieutenants  Butler,  Sterret,  Ridge- 
ley,  Dent,  Ensign  Coats,  missing.  Mr.  Coursey  taken 
prisoner. 

Adjutant  Brice  was  taken  prisoner  by  two  officers  of 
Light- Horse,  and  was  delivered  to  a  private,  who  told  him 
he  was  his  prisoner,  which  Brice  denied,  and  immediately 
shot  him  and  got  clear. 


Serg. 

Drum. 

Priv. 

Farmer's... 

2.. 

..!.. 

..26 

Brown  's.  .  . 

2.. 

..!.. 

..18 

Long's.  ... 

0.. 

..2.. 

...9 

Albright's  . 

2.. 

..0.. 

..26 

Shade's... 

1.. 

.  .0.. 

..13 

Weitzell's  . 

2.. 

..0.. 

..15 

9 

4 

107 

They  are  to  choose  out  capable,  active,  and  spirited  per- 
sons to  act  as  Brigade-Majors,  who  will  be  allowed  for  their 
service. 

The  General  hopes  the  several  officers,  both  superior  and 
inferior,  will  now  exert  themselves,  and  gloriously  determine 
to  conquer  or  die.  From  the  justice  of  our  cause,  the  situ- 
ation of  the  harbour,  and  the  bravery  of  her  sons,  America 
can  only  expect  success.  Now  is  the  time  for  every  man 
to  exert  himself,  and  make  our  country  glorious,  or  it  will 
become  contemptible. 

Commanding  Officers  of  Regiments  are  to  take  care  to 
have  hard  bread  and  pork  for  two  days  kept  by  them  con- 
stantly. The  neglect  of  former  orders  in  this  respect  has 
occasioned  some  of  the  hardships  the  troops  have  lately  sus- 
tained. If  there  is  any  delay  at  the  Commissary's,  good 
officers  will  compose  and  quiet  their  men,  and  mention  it  by 
way  of  letter  to  the  General. 


List  of  the  Names  of  such  Officers  of  the  three  PENNSYL- 
VANIA Battalions  as  are  Prisoners  and.  Missing  the  27  th 
of  August,  after  the  Battle  on  LONG-ISLAND. 

First  Battalion  of  Rifle  Regiment, 

Samuel  Miles,  Esq.,  Colonel  Com- 
mandant, prisoner. 

James  Piper,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Colonel, 
prisoner. 

Capt.  Richard  Brown pris. 

1st  Lieut.  William  Gray do. 

1st  Lieut.  John  Spear do. 

1st  Lieut.  John  Davis do. 

1st  Lieut.  George  Wert do. 

2d  Lieut.  Joseph  Triesbach..  .do. 

2d  Lieut.  Wm.  McPherson..  .do. 

2d  Lt.  Joseph  Jacquet. .  ..missing. 

3d  Lt.  Luke  Broadhead pris. 

Doctor  John  Davis do. 

Doctor  Joseph  Davis do . 

Second  Battalion  of  Rifle  Regiment. 

Capt.  Wm.  Peebles pris. 

1st  Lieut.  Matthew  Scott do . 

1st  Lieut.  Daniel  Topham. . .  .do. 
2d  Lieut.  Jas.  Carnagan.  .missing. 

2d  Lieut.  David  Sloan do. 

3d  Lieut.  Charles  Taylor  ..killed. 
3d  Lieut.  Joseph  Brownlee..  .pris. 

J      J        40 

Battalion  of  Musketry. 

Samuel  J.  Atlee,  Esq.,  Colonel, 

prisoner. 
Caleb  Parry,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Colonel, 

killed.     " 

Capt.  Francis  Murray pris. 

Capt.  Thomas  Herbert do . 

Capt.  John  Nice do . 

Capt.  Joseph  Howell .do . 

Lieut.  Walter  Finney .do. 

Lieut.  Joseph  Moore killed. 

Ensign  W.  Henderson pris. 

Ensign  Atex.  Huston do. 

Ensign  Michael  App missing. 

Ensign  Septimus  Davis pris. 

Prisoners:   3  Colonels,  6  Captains,  11  Lieutenants,  3  Ensigns,  2 
Doctors. 


Murray's  
Peebles  's  
Marshall's  
Erwin's  
Grubb's  
Christ's  

Serg.    Drum.    Priv. 
...0....0  4 
.  ..!....!..  ..12 
...0....0  2 
...3   lvol.&16 
...0  0  4 
...2  0  2 

Serg. 

Drum 

Priv. 

Anderson's..  .  . 

.  .1.  . 

..0.. 

9 

Murray's  

..0.. 

..0.. 

...10 

Herbert's  

..0.. 

..0.. 

8 

DehofTs  

..0.. 

..0.. 

6 

Nice's  

..0.. 

.  .0.. 

9 

HowelPs  

..0.. 

..0.. 

7 

McClelland  's... 

..0.. 

..0.. 

...12 

Late  Lloyd  'a... 

..0.. 

..!.. 

...14 

1 

1 

75 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  31, 

I  n"7£* 

Killed  and  Missing:  1  Colonel,  5 Lieutenants,  1  Ensign,  16  Sergeants, 
You  are  no  doubt  surprised  to  hear  of  our  sudden  retreat    6  Drum  and  Fife,  i  Volunteer,  222  Privates. 

from  Long-Island,  but    it  was    thought  absolutely  essential         Total:  4  Col°nels>  6  Captains,  16  Lieutenants,  4  Ensigns,  2  Doctors, 
Tir  i  16  Sergeants,  6  Drum  and  Fife,  1  Volunteer.  222  Privates. 

from  our  situation.     We  were  under  a  necessity  of  marching 

out  and  attacking  them  upon  their  own  ground,  or  suffering         This  account  is  taken  from  a  muster  of  the  three  battalions 

ourselves  to  have  been  starved  into  a  surrender:  first,  be-    before  mentioned,  and  afterwards  carefully  compared  with 

cause  they  were  intrenching  within  five  hundred  yards  of    tne  accounts  which  came  by  a  flag  of  truce  from  the  enemy 

our  lines,  which  were  very  weak,  and  incapable  of  withstand-    to  h's  Excellency  General  Washington,  the  5th  instant,  by 

ing  their  heavy  cannon,  and  our  men,  from  their  situation, 

began  to  grow  very  uneasy;  and,  secondly,  because  their 

shipping  might  have  run  up  the  East  River,  and  cut  off 

our  resources  of  provision  and  every  other  necessary.     The 

retreat  was  conducted  with  the  greatest  secrecy,  and  by  six 

o'clock  in  the  morning  we  had  everything  embarked.    There 

never  was  a  man  that  behaved  .better  upon  the  occasion 

than  General  Washington;  he  was  on  horseback  the  whole 

night,  and  never  left  the  ferry  stairs  till  he  had  seen  the 

whole  of  his  troops  embarked. 


LOD.  SPROGELL, 
M.  M.  G.  to  the  Pennsylvania  Regulars. 
Philadelphia,  September  8,  1776. 


[  list  of  the  Names  of  such  Officers  as  are  Prisoners  with 
the  Enemy,  and  have,  by  a  flag  of  truce,  sent  for  their 
Baggage  and  Cash. 

PENNSYLVANIA  Rifle  Battalions. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  NEW-YORK,  DATED  AUGUST  31, 

1776. 

General  Sullivan  came  here  yesterday  upon  his  parole, 
and  informs  us  that  Lord  Stirling,  himself,  Colonels  Miles 
and  Atlee,  were  all  taken  by  the  enemy.  Immediately 
after  the  engagement,  the  enemy  began  to  throw  up  works 
within  musket-shot  of  Fort  Putnam ;  and  as  we  had  no 
heavy  cannon  to  prevent  them,  we  were  obliged,  the  night 
before  last,  to  retreat,  and  leave  the  Island.  In  retreating, 
we  have  not  lost  ten  men  at  most. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  79 


Colonel  Miles, 
Colonel  Piper, 
Captain  Brown, 
Captain  Peebles, 
Lieutenant  Scott, 
Lieutenant  Gray, 
Lieutenant  Spear, 
Lieutenant  Drasbach, 
Lieutenant  Macpherson, 
Lieutenant  Lee, 


Lieutenant  Broadhead, 
Lieutenant  John  Davis, 
Lieutenant  Wert, 
Lieutenant  Topham, 
Doctor  John  Davies, 
Doctor  Joseph  Davies, 
Colonel  Lutz, 
Captain  Crawl, 
Mr.  David  Duncan, 
Mr.  Young. 


PENNSYLVANIA  Musket  Battalion. 


Colonel  Atlee, 
Captain  Murray, 
Captain  Herbert, 
Captain  Nice, 
Captain  Howell, 


Lieutenant  Finney, 
Ensign  Davis, 
Ensign  Henderson, 
Ensign  Huston. 


1251 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1252 


Colonel  SMALLWOOD'S  Battalion. 


Mr.  Wright, 
Mr.  Bowie, 
Lieutenant  Butler, 
Lieutenant  Muse, 
Lieutenant  Ridgely, 


Lieutenant  Sterrit, 
William  Cort, 
James  Fernandez, 
Lieutenant  Dent. 


Doctor  Young,  Volunteer. 

John  Toms,  of  Col.  Johnson's 
Regiment. 

Mr.  Callender,  Cadet  of  Ar- 
tillery. 

Colond  KIECHLEIN'S  Regiment. 


Mr.  Kearns,  Delaware  Batta- 
lion. 

Major  Burd, 
Captain  Hurst. 


Captain  Graf, 
Lieutenant  Lewis, 


Lieutenant  Medow, 
Lieutenant  Shoemaker. 


Colonel  LASHER'S  Battalion. 


Adjutant  Hoogland, 
Lieutenant  Troop, 
Lieutenant  Dunscomb, 


Mr.  Van  Waggenen,  a  Volun- 
teer. 
Mr.  Gillilan,  a  Volunteer. 


Colonel  HUNTINGTON'S  Regiment. 


Lieutenant  Makepeace,  j 
Captain  Brewster, 
Ensign  Lyman, 
Ensign  Chapman, 
Ensign  Hinsman, 
Ensign  Bradford, 
Lieutenant  Orentt, 
Ensign  Higgins, 

NEW-YORK,  September  5, 1776. 


Captain  Bissell, 
Lieutenant  Gillet, 
Lieutenant  Gae, 
Adjutant  Hopkins, 
Doctor  Holmes, 
Colonel  Clerk, 
Major  Wells  Wyllys. 


Philadelphia,  September  11,  1776. 

We  hear  that  in  the  late  action  on  Long-Island,  Colonel 
Philip  Johnston,  of  New-Jersey,  behaved  with  remarkable 
intrepidity  and  fortitude.  By  the  well-directed  fire  from  his 
battalion  the  enemy  were  several  times  repulsed,  and  lanes 
were  made  through  them,  until  he  received  a  ball  in  his 
breast,  which  put  an  end  to  the  life  of  as  brave  an  officer  as 
ever  commanded  a  battalion.  General  Sullivan,  who  was 
close  to  him  when  he  fell,  says,  that  no  man  could  behave 
with  more  firmness  during  the  whole  action.  As  he  sacrificed 
his  life  in  defence  of  the  invaded  rights  and  liberties  of  his 
country,  his  memory  must  be  dear  to  every  American  who 
is  not  insensible  to  the  sufferings  of  his  injured  country,  and 
as  long  as  the  same  uncorrupted  spirit  of  liberty  which  led 
him  to  the  field  shall  continue  to  actuate  the  sons  of  freedom 
in  America. 


JOURNAL  OF  THE  TRANSACTIONS  OF  AUGUST  27,  1776,  UPON 
LONG-ISLAND  ;    BY  COLONEL  SAMUEL  J.  ATLEE. 

August  27,  1776. 

This  morning,  before  day,  the  camp  was  alarmed  by  an 
attack  made  upon  that  part  of  our  picket  guard  upon  the 
lower  road  leading  to  the  Narrows,  commanded  by  Major 
Burd,  of  the  Pennsylvania  Flying-Camp.  About  daylight 
a  part  of  General  Lord  Stirling's  Brigade  then  in  camp,  viz: 
the  Battalion  of  Maryland,  Colonel  Smallwood ;  the  Dela- 
ware, Colonel  Haslett;  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  of 
my  battalion,  Pennsylvania  Musketry;  and  part  of  Lutz  and 
Kiechlein's  Battalions,  Pennsylvania  Militia;  containing  in 
the  whole  about  two  thousand  three  hundred  men,  under 
the  command  of  Major-General  Sullivan,  and  the  Brigadiers 
Stirling  and  Parsons,  were  ordered  to  march  out  and  sup- 
port the  picket  attacked  by  the  enemy. 

About  half  after  seven  the  enemy,  consisting  of  the  Fourth 
and  Sixth  Brigades  of  the  British  Army,  composed  of  the 
Seventeenth,  Fortieth,  Forty-Sixth,  Fifty-Fifth,  Twenty- 
Third,  Forty-Fourth,  Fifty-Seventh,  Sixty-Fourth,  and 
Forty-Second  Regiments,  were  observed  advancing  about 
two  and  a  half  miles  from  our  lines  at  Brookline  in  regular 
order,  their  field  artillery  in  front. 

I  then  received  orders  from  Lord  Stirling  to  advance  with 
my  battalion,  and  oppose  the  enemy's  passing  a  morass  or 
swamp,  at  the  foot  of  a  fine  rising  ground,  upon  which  they 
were  first  discovered,  and  thereby  give  time  to  our  brigade  to 
form  upon  the  height.  This  order  I  immediately  obeyed, 
notwithstanding  we  must  be  exposed,  without  any  kind  of 
cover,  to  the  great  fire  of  the  enemy's  musketry  and  field- 
pieces,  charged  with  round  and  grape  shot,  and  finely  situated 
upon  the  eminence  above  mentioned,  having  the  entire  com- 
mand of  the  ground  I  was  ordered  to  occupy.  My  battalion, 
although  new  and  never  before  having  the  opportunity  of 
facing  an  enemy,  sustained  their  fire  until  the  brigade  had 
formed ;  but  finding  we  could  not  possibly  prevent  their  cross- 
ing the  swamp,  I  ordered  my  detachment  to  file  off  to  the 


left,  and  take  post  in  a  wood  upon  the  left  of  the  brigade. 
Here  I  looked  upon  myself  advantageously  situated,  and 
might  be  enabled,  upon  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  to  give 
him  a  warm  reception.  In  this  affair  I  lost  but  one  soldier, 
shot  with  a  grape  shot  through  his  throat.  1  had  not  taken 
post  in  the  above  mentioned  wood  but  a  few  minutes,  when 
I  received  a  reinforcement  of  two  companies  of  the  Dela- 
wares,  under  Captain  Stedman,  with  orders  from  Lord  Stir- 
ling to  file  off  farther  to  the  left,  and  prevent,  if  possible,  a 
body  of  the  enemy  observed  advancing  to  flank  the  brigade. 

The  enemy's  troops  by  this  time  had  passed  the  swamp, 
and  formed  in  line  of  battle  opposite  ours.  A  heavy  fire,  as 
well  from  small-arms  as  artillery,  ensued,  with  very  little 
damage  on  our  side;  what  the  enemy  sustained  we  could  not 
judge.  Upon  filing  off  to  the  left,  according  to  the  orders  I 
had  received,  I  espied  at  the  distance  of  about  three  hundred 
yards  a  hill  of  clear  ground,  which  I  judged  to  be  a  proper 
situation  to  oppose  the  troops  ordered  to  flank  us,  and  which 
I  determined,  if  possible,  to  gain  before  them.  At  the  foot 
of  this  hill  a  few  of  Huntington's  Connecticut  Regiment,  that 
had  been  upon  the  picket,  joined  me.  In  order  to  gain  and 
secure  the  hill,  I  ordered  the  troops  to  wheel  to  the  right  and 
march  up  the  hill  abreast.  When  within  about  forty  yards 
of  the  summit,  we  very  unexpectedly  received  a  very  heavy 
fire  from  the  enemy  taken  post  there  before  us,  notwithstand- 
ing the  forced  march  I  made.  The  enemy's  situation  was 
so  very  advantageous,  the  back  of  the  hill  where  they  had 
taken  post  being  formed  by  nature  into  a  breastwork,  that 
had  they  directed  their  fire  properly  or  been  marksmen,  they 
must  have  cut  off  the  greatest  part  of  my  detachment.  I 
having,  before  I  advanced  the  hill,  posted  a  part  of  my  small 
number  along  the  skirt  of  a  wood  upon  my  right,  and  left  a 
guard  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  to  prevent  my  being  surrounded, 
and  my  retreat  to  the  brigade  in  case  of  necessity,  being 
cut  off,  the  enemy  being  vastly  superior  in  numbers,  their 
detachment  consisting  of  the  Twenty-Third  and  Forty- 
Fourth  Regiments,  and  part  of  the  Seventeenth.  Upon 
receiving  the  above  heavy  fire,  which  continued  very  warm 
and  they  secure  behind  the  hill,  a  small  halt  was  made,  and 
the  detachment  fell  back  a  few  paces.  Here  Captain  Sted- 
man, with  all  the  Delawares,  except  the  Lieutenants  Stewart 
and  Harney,  with  about  sixteen  privates,  left  me,  and  drew 
after  them  some  of  my  own.  The  remainder,  after  recover- 
ing a  little  from  this,  their  first  shock,  I  ordered  to  advance, 
at  the  same  time  desiring  them  to  preserve  their  fire  and  aim 
aright.  They  immediately,  with  the  resolution  of  veteran 
soldiers,  obeyed  the  order.  The  enemy,  finding  their  oppo- 
nents fast  advancing,  and  determined  to  dispute  the  ground 
with  them,  fled  with  precipitation,  leaving  behind  them 
twelve  killed  upon  the  spot,  and  a  Lieutenant  and  four  pri- 
vates wounded.  In  this  engagement  I  lost  my  worthy  friend 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  (Parry)  shot  through  the  head,  who 
fell  without  a  groan,  fighting  in  defence  of  his  much  injured 
country.  In  the  midst  of  the  action  I  ordered  four  soldiers 
to  carry  him  as  speedily  as  possible  within  the  lines  at 
Broolcline. 

My  brave  fellows,  flushed  with  this  advantage,  were  for 
pushing  forward  after  the  flying  enemy;  but  perceiving  at 
about  sixty  yards  from  the  hill  we  had  gained,  across  a  hol- 
low way,  a  stone  fence  lined  with  wood,  from  behind  which 
we  might  be  greatly  annoyed,  and  fearing  an  ambuscade 
might  be  there  placed,  I  ordered  not  to  advance  farther,  but 
to  maintain  the  possession  of  the  hill,  where  kind  nature  had 
formed  a  breastwork  nearly  semicircular.  They  halted,  and 
found,  by  a  heavy  fire  from  the  fence,  it  was  lined  as  I  sus- 
pected. The  fire  was  a»  briskly  returned ;  but  the  enemy 
finding  it  too  hot,  and  losing  a  number  of  men,  retreated  to 
and  joined  the  right  of  this  wing  of  their  Army. 

After  this  first  attack,  which  continued  from  the  first  fire 
about  half  an  hour,  we  brought  from  the  field  six  wounded 
soldiers  and  about  twenty  muskets.  The  wounded  I  placed 
in  my  rear,  under  the  shade  of  some  bushes ;  the  arms  I  dis- 
tributed to  such  of  the  soldiers  as  were  most  indifferently 
armed.  The  wounded  Lieutenant  I  sent,  with  two  soldiers, 
to  Lord  Stirling. 

After  placing  some  sentinels  to  observe  the  further  move- 
ments of  the  enemy,  if  any  should  be  made,  I  ordered  my 
men,  greatly  fatigued,  to  rest  themselves.  In  about  twenty 
minutes  the  enemy  was  observed  marching  down  to  make 
a  second  attempt  for  the  hill.  The  sentinels  gave  the  alarm. 
Officers  and  men  immediately  flew  to  arms,  and  with  re- 


1253 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sic.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1254 


markable  coolness  and  resolution  sustained  and  returned  their 
fire  for  about  fifteen  minutes,  when  the  enemy  were  obliged 
once  more  to  a  precipitate  flight,  leaving  behind  them  killed 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Grant,  (a  person,  as  I  afterwards  under- 
stood, much  valued  in  ihe  British  Army,)  besides  a  number 
of  privates,  and  some  wounded.  Such  of  the  wounded  as  I 
thought  might  be  assisted  I  had  brought  in  and  placed  with 
the  rest  in  my  rear;  one  slightly  through  the  leg  I  sent  with 
a  soldier  to  Lord  Stirling.  1  had  in  this  attack  but  one 
private  wounded,  with  two  balls  through  his  body. 

I  now  sent  my  Adjutant,  Mr.  Mentgis,  to  his  Lordship, 
with  an  account  of  the  successive  advantages  I  had  gained, 
and  to  request  a  reinforcement,  and  such  further  orders  as 
his  Lordship  should  judge  necessary.  Two  companies  of 
Riflemen,  from  Keichlien's  Flying-Camp,  soon  after  joined 
me,  but  were  very  soon  ordered  to  rejoin  their  regiment,  the 
reason  for  which  I  could  not  imagine,  as  I  stood  in  such 
need  of  them.  Very  luckily,  after  our  second  engagement 
our  ammunition  cart,  belonging  to  Colonel  Huntington's 
regiment,  arrived  at  my  post,  of  which  we  stood  in  great 
need,  having  entirely  emptied  our  cartridge-boxes,  and  had 
used  several  rounds  of  the  enemy's  ammunition,  of  which  I 
stripped  the  dead  and  wounded  every  time  we  had  the  good 
fortune  to  beat  them  off  the  field.  The  officers  were  ex- 
tremely alert,  and  from  the  ammunition  so  opportunely 
arrived,  soon  supplied  their  men  with  a  sufficient  stock  to 
sustain  another  attack,  if  the  enemy  should  think  proper  to 
make  it. 

They  did  not  suffer  us  to  wait  long,  for  in  about  half  an 
hour  we  were  alarmed  by  our  sentinels  of  their  approach  the 
third  time.  The  eagerness  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  to 
receive  them  deserve  my  warmest  acknowledgments.  They 
were  received  as  usual,  and  as  usual  fled,  after  another  con- 
flict of  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  I  then  was  determined 
to  pursue;  but  observing  a  regiment  making  down  to  sustain 
them,  which  proved  to  be  the  Forty-Second,  or  Royal  High- 
landers, I  thought  best  to  halt  and  prepare  to  receive  them, 
should  they  advance  upon  me;  but  the  drubbing  their  friends 
had  so  repeatedly  received,  I  believe,  prevented  them,  and 
they  seemed  fully  satisfied  to  have  protected  the  fugitives, 
and  of  conducting  what  was  left,  with  such  of  the  wounded 
as  could  crawl  to  them,  to  the  Army.  In  these  three 
attacks  Major  Burd,  who  was  then  a  prisoner  at  General 
Grant's  quarters,  informed  me  at  New-York  a  great  num- 
ber, both  officers  and  privates,  were  brought  to  the  Hospital 
wounded. 

I  fully  expected,  as  did  most  of  my  officers,  that  the 
strength  of  the  British  Army  was  advancing  in  this  quarter 
to  our  lines.  But  how  greatly  were  we  deceived  when  intel- 
ligence was  received  by  some  scattering  soldiers  that  the 
right  wing  and  centre  of  the  Army,  amongst  whom  were  the 
Hessians,  were  advancing  to  surround  us.  This  we  were 
soon  convinced  of  by  an  exceeding  heavy  fire  in  our  rear. 
No  troops  having  been  posted  to  oppose  the  march  of  this 
grand  body  of  the  enemy's  Army  but  Colonel  Miles's  two 
battalions  of  Rifles,  Colonel  Willis's  battalion  of  Connecticut, 
and  a  part  of  Lutz  and  Keichlien's  battalions  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Flying-Camp,  I  once  more  sent  my  Adjutant  to 
Lord  Stirling,  to  acquaint  him  with  the  last  success  obtained 
by  my  party,  and  to  request  his  further  orders;  but  receiving 
no  answer,  the  Adjutant  not  returning,  and  waiting  near 
three-quarters  of  an  hour  for  the  enemy,  they  not  approach- 
ing in  front,  but  those  in  the  rear  drawing  near,  I  thought  it 
most  prudent  to  join  the  Brigade,  where  I  might  be  of  more 
advantage  than  in  my  present  situation.  I  therefore  ordered 
a  march,  leaving  upon  the  field  killed  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Grant  and  about  fifty  others,  and  a  number  wounded,  and 
ten  privates  wounded  which  I  had  brought  at  sundry  times 
into  my  rear,  who  I  suppose  were  soon  after  found  by  their 
friends.  What  other  officers  were  killed  or  wounded  here 
I  know  not,  except  a  Captain  Kennedy,  of  the  Forty-Fourth, 
and  the  Lieutenant  sent  to  Lord  Stirling. 

How  great  was  my  surprise  I  leave  any  one  to  judge,  when, 
upon  coming  to  the  ground  occupied  by  our  troops,  to  find  it 
evacuated  and  the  troops  gone  off,  without  my  receiving  the 
least  intelligence  of  the  movement,  or  order  what  to  do, 
although  I  had  so  shortly  before  sent  my  Adjutant  to  the 
General  for  that  purpose.  The  General  must  have  known, 
that  by  my  continuing  in  my  post  at  the  hill,  I  must,  with  all 
my  party,  inevitably  fall  a  sacrifice  to  the  enemy.  An  op- 
portunity yet  afforded,  with  risking  the  lives  of  some  of  us, 


of  getting  off.  But  perceiving  a  body  of  the  enemy  ad- 
vancing, which  proved  to  be  the  English  Grenadiers,  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Monckton,  to  fall  upon  the  rear  of  our 
brigade,  which  I  could  see  at  a  distance,  I  ordered  my  party 
once  more  to  advance  and  support  a  few  brave  fellows,  en- 
deavouring to  prevent,  but  without  success,  the  destruction 
of  their  countrymen.  The  timely  assistance  of  a  number 
often  tried,  and  as  often  victorious,  encouraged  those  already 
engaged,  and  obliged  the  enemy  to  quit  the  ground  they  had 
gained  and  retire  to  a  fence  lined  with  trees.  Here  we  kept 
up  a  close  fire,  until  the  brigade  had  retreated  out  of  our 
sight,  when,  not  being  able,  through  the  weakness  of  my 
party,  already  greatly  fatigued,  and  once  more  destitute  of 
ammunition,  to  break  through  the  enemy,  and  finding  my 
retreat  after  the  brigade  cut  off",  I  filed  off"  to  the  right,  to 
endeavour,  if  possible,  to  escape  through  that  quarter.  Lieu- 
tenant Caldwell,  in  this  last  attack,  received  a  slight  wound 
in  the  hand ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Monckton,  of  the  Grena- 
diers, received  a  wound  through  the  body. 

After  marching  about  half  a  mile  to  the  right,  fell  in  with 
General  Parsons  and  a  small  number  by  him  collected.  In 
consultation  with  the  General  it  was  determined  to  break 
through  the  enemy,  who  were  here  within  a  little  way  of  us, 
and  endeavour  to  make  up  the  Island.  I  then  pushed  off, 
with  such  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  that  were  willing  to 
run  this  hazard.  What  became  of  General  Parsons  I  know 
not,  never  having  seen  him  since.  1  had  not  gone  above 
two  hundred  yards  when  a  Highlander  made  his  appearance 
in  the  edge  of  a  wood.  I  instantly  presented,  as  did  some 
of  those  with  me.  The  fellow  clubbed  his  firelock  and 
begged  for  quarter.  I  had  hardly  time  to  assure  him  of  it, 
when  I  found  him  to  be  a  decoy  sent  from  a  party  of  High- 
landers within  fifty  yards  of  our  right.  I  immediately  jumped 
forward,  ordering  the  party  to  follow,  taking  with  me  the 
Highlander's  musket,  which  I  had,  fortunately  for  me,  de- 
prived him  of.  We  received  in  our  flight  the  fire  of  this 
party,  and  sundry  others  through  which  we  were  obliged  to 
run  for  near  two  miles.  What  of  my  party,  or  if  any,  in 
this  flight  were  killed,  wounded,  or  taken,  I  cannot  tell,  as 
it  is  uncertain  how  many,  or  who  they  were,  that  followed 
me.  I  imagined  that  if  I  could  cross  the  Flatbush  road,  I 
could  then  make  my  escape  by  Hell-Gate,  but  coming  to  the 
road  found  it  everywhere  strictly  guarded.  After  trying  the 
road  in  several  places,  both  to  the  right  and  left,  and  finding 
no  passage,  we  retired  to  an  eminence  about  sixty  perches 
from  the  road,  to  consult  whether  best  to  conceal  ourselves 
in  the  adjacent  swamps  or  divide  into  small  parties,  when  we 
espied  a  party  of  Hessians,  who  had  discovered  and  were 
endeavouring  to  surround  us.  The  opinion  we  had  formed 
of  these  troops  determined  us  to  run  any  risk  rather  than  fall 
into  their  hands;  and  finding  after  all  our  struggles  no  pros- 
pect of  escaping,  we  determined  to  throw  ourselves  into  the 
mercy  of  a  battalion  of  Highlanders  posted  upon  an  eminence 
near  the  Flatbush  road,  not  far  from  where  we  had  last  sat. 
This  we  did  about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  to  the  num- 
ber of  twenty-three,  thereby  escaping  the  pursuit  of  a  party 
of  Hessians,  who  came  to  the  Highlanders  immediately  after 
our  surrender.  We  had  remained  with  this  regiment  above 
twenty  minutes,  during  which  time  the  officers  and  men  be- 
haved very  civil,  when  we  were  conducted,  under  a  strong 
guard,  through  the  right  wing  of  the  enemy's  Army  to  the 
Head-Quarters  of  General  Howe  at  Bedford;  receiving,  as 
we  passed,  the  most  scurrilous  and  abusive  language,  both 
from  the  officers,  soldiers,  and  camp  ladies,  every  one  at  that 
time  turning  hangman,  and  demanding  of  the  guard  why  we 
were  taken,  why  we  were  not  put  to  the  bayonet,  and  hanged, 

&.C.,  &C.,  &£C.,  &.C. 

Serenaded  thus  by  the  musical  tongues  of  Britons,  we 
arrived  at  Bedford,  where,  for  sixteen  beside  myself,  we 
were  favoured  with  a  soldier's  tent,  in  which  we  had  not 
room  to  lie  down,  and  nothing  allowed  us  for  covering.  To 
sum  up  the  whole,  we  were  consigned  to  the  care  of  the  most 
infamous  of  mankind,  the  Provost-Marshal,  one  Cunning- 
ham. 

Thus  ended  this  most  unfortunate  27th  of  August,  1776, 
during  which  myself  and  my  detachment  underwent  great 
fatigue,  and  escaped  death  in  a  variety  of  instances.  And 
I  am  happy  to  reflect  that  during  the  whole  of  this  perilous 
day,  one  and  all,  to  the  utmost  of  their  powers  and  abili- 
ties, exerted  themselves  in  performing  their  several  duties, 
for  which  I  shall  ever  retain  a  grateful  sense,  and  do,  for 


1255 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1256 


and  in  behalf  of  my  country,  return  them  my  sincere  ac- 
knowledgments, as  I  flatter  myself,  under  God,  they  were 
the  means  of  twice  preserving  the  brigade  from  being  cut 
to  pieces:  first,  in  preventing  the  troops  in  which  Grant 
bore  a  command  from  falling  upon  the  left  flank;  and  lastly, 
in  so  truly  bravely  attacking  the  Grenadiers,  where  Monclc- 
ton  commanded,  and  thereby  preventing  the  destruction  of 
the  rear.  In  the  first  Grant  fell,  in  the  latter  was  Monckton 
wounded.  What  followed  since  the  27th,  I  have  not  now 
time  to  insert;  shall  leave  it  till  I  have  the  pleasure  of  see- 

inS  >'ou-  S.  J.  ATLEE. 

Of  the  Grenadiers,  I  hear  there  were,  besides  officers, 
near  sixty  killed  and  wounded. 


only  ship  that  could  fetch  high  enough  to  the  northward 
to  exchange  a  few  random  shot  with  the  battery  on  Red- 
Hook  ;  and  the  ebb  making  strongly  down  the  river  soon 
after,  I  ordered  the  signal  to  be  shown  for  the  squadron  to 
anchor. 

It  was  observed,  that  as  soon  as  the  centre  column  of  the 
Army  was  seen  to  have  turned  the  flank  of  the  enemy's 
line  opposed  to  General  Grant,  they  immediately  attempt- 
ed to  make  their  retreat  within  their  works,  but  that  they 
suffered  great  loss  both  in  the  number  killed  and  made 
prisoners. 

On  the  night  of  the  29th  the  Rebels  abandoned  all  their 
posts  and  works  on  Long-Island,  and  retired  with  great 
precipitation  across  the  East-River  to  the  town  of 
York. 


ADMIRALTY  OFFICE,  October  10,  1776. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Lord  Viscount  Howe,  Vice-Admiral  of  the 
White,  and  Commniider-in-Chief  of  his  Majesty's  ships  and  vessels  in 
North- America,  to  Mr.  Stephens,  dated  on  board  the  Eagle,  off  Bedlow's 
Island,  Jftw-York,  the  31st  of  August,  1776. 

On  the  19th  instant,  Captain  Parker,  in  the  Phasnix, 
with  the  Rose,  Captain  Wallace,  and  Tryal  armed  schoo- 
ner, Lieutenant  Brown,  taking  advantage  of  a  fresh  easterly 
wind,  returned  from  the  North  River,  through  the  fire  of 
the  enemy's  several  batteries,  and  joined  the  fleet  ofF  Sta- 
ten-Island,  without  any  loss.  The  spirit  and  perseverance 
of  this  small  squadron  will  be  explained  to  their  Lordships 
by  Captain  Parker's  Journal. 

General  Howe  giving  me  notice  of  his  intention  to  make 
a  descent  in  Gravesend-Bay,  on  Long-Island,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  22d,  the  necessary  disposition  was  made,  and 
seventy-live  flat-boats,  with  eleven  batteaus  and  two  gal- 
leys, built  for  the  occasion,  were  prepared  for  that  service. 
The  command  of  the  whole  remained  with  Commodore 
Hotham.  The  Captains  Walker,  Wallace,  and  Dickson, 
in  the  Phoenix,  Rose,  and  Greyhound,  with  the  Thunder 
and  Carcass  bombs,  under  the  direction  of  Colonel  James, 
were  appointed  to  cover  the  landing.  The  flat-boats,  gal- 
leys, and  three  batteaus  manned  from  the  ships-of-war,  were 
formed  into  divisions,  commanded  respectively  by  the  Cap- 
tains Vandeput,  Mason,  Curtis,  Caldwell,  Phipps,  Caul- 
field,  Uppleby,  and  Duncan,  and  Lieutenant  Reeve,  of  the 
Eagle.  The  rest  of  the  batteaus,  making  a  tenth  division, 
manned  from  the  transports,  were  under  the  conduct  of 
Lieutenant  Bristow,  an  assistant  agent. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  22d,  the  covering  ships  took 
their  stations  in  Gravesend-Bay.  The  Light-Infantry,  with 
the  reserve,  to  be  first  landed,  forming  a  corps  together 
of  four  thousand  men,  entered  the  boats  at  Staten-Lland 
the  same  time.  The  transports  in  which  the  several  bri- 
gades composing  the  second  debarkation  (about  five  thou- 
sand men)  had  been  before  embarked,  were  moved  down 
and  suitably  arranged  without  the  covering  ships  by  eight 
o'clock.  The  first  debarkation  not  meeting  with  any  oppo- 
sition, the  second  succeeded  immediately  after;  and  the  other 
transports,  carrying  the  rest  of  the  troops,  following  the  former 
in  proper  succession.  The  whole  force  then  destined  for 
this  service,  consisting  of  about  fifteen  thousand  men.  was 
landed  before  noon.  On  the  diligence  and  utility  of  Captain 
Bourmaster,  and  the  other  agents  of  the  transports,  on  that 
occasion,  too  much  commendation  cannot  be  bestowed. 

On  the  25th,  an  additional  corps  of  Hessian  troops  under 
General  Heister,  with  their  field  artillery  and  baggage,  were 
conveyed  to  Gravesend-Bay. 

Being  informed  the  next  day,  by  General  Howe,  of  his 
intentions  to  advance  with  the  Army  that  night  to  the  ene- 
my's lines,  and  of  his  wishes  that  some  diversion  might  be 
attempted  by  the  ships  on  this  side,  I  gave  direction  to 
Sir  Peter  Parker  for  proceeding  higher  up  in  the  channel 
towards  the  town  of  New-York  next  morning,  with  the 
Asia,  Renoum,  Preston,  (Commodore  Hotham  embarked 
in  the  Phcenix,  having  been  left  to  carry  on  the  service  in 
Gravesend-Bay,)  Roebuck,  and  Repulse,  and  to  keep  those 
ships  in  readiness  for  being  employed  as  occasion  might 
require ;  but  the  wind  veering  to  the  northward  soon  after 
the  break  of  day,  the  ships  could  not  be  moved  up  to  the 
distance  proposed ;  therefore,  when  the  troops  under  General 
Grant,  forming  the  left  column  of  the  Army,  were  seen  to 
be  engaged  with  the  enemy  in  the  morning,  the  Roebuck, 
Captain  Hammond,  leading  the  detached  squadron,  was  the 


GENERAL  HOWE  TO  LORD  GEORGE  GERMAINE. 

Camp  at  Newtown,  Long-Island,  September  3,  1776. 
MY  LORD:  On  the  22d  of  last  month,  in  the  morning, 
the  British,  with  Colonel  Donop's  corps  of  Chasseurs  and 
Hessian  Grenadiers,  disembarked  near  Utrecht,  on  Long- 
Island,  without  opposition,  the  whole  being  landed,  with 
forty  pieces  of  cannon,  in  two  hours  and  a  half,  under  the 
direction  of  Commodore  Hotham — Lieutenant-General  Clin- 
ton commanding  the  first  division  of  the  troops. 

The  enemy  had  only  small  parties  on  the  coast,  who, 
upon  the  approach  of  the  boats,  retired  to  the  woody  heights, 
commanding  a  principal  pass  on  the  road  from  Flatbush  to 
their  works  at  Brooklyn.  Lord  Cornwallis  was  immediately 
detached  to  Flatbush  with  the  reserve,  (two  battalions  of 
Light-Infantry,  and  Colonel  Donop's  corps,  with  six  field- 
pieces,)  having  orders  not  to  risk  an  attack  upon  the  pass  if 
he  should  find  it  occupied;  which  proving  to  be  the  case, 
his  Lordship  took  post  in  the  village,  and  the  Army  extend- 
ed from  the  ferry  at  the  Narrows,  through  Utrecht  and 
Gravesend,  to  the  village  of  Flatland. 

On  the  25th,  Lieutenant-General  De  Heister,  with  two 
brigades  of  Hessians  from  Staten-Island,  joined  the  Army, 
leaving  one  brigade  of  his  troops,  a  detachment  of  the 
Fourteenth  Regiment  from  Virginia,  some  convalescents 
and  recruits,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Dalrymple,  for  the  security  of  that  Island. 

On  the  26th,  Lieutenant-General  De  Heister  took  post  at 
Flatbush,  and  in  the  evening  Lord  Cornwallis  with  the 
British  drew  off  to  Flatland.  About  nine  o'clock  the  same 
night,  the  van  of  the  Army,  commanded  by  Lieutenant- 
General  Clinton,  consisting  of  the  Light-Dragoons  and  bri- 
gade of  Light-Infantry,  the  reserve  under  the  command  of 
Lord  Cormvallis,  excepting  the  Forty-Second  Regiment, 
which  was  posted  to  the  left  of  the  Hessians,  the  First 
Brigade,  and  the  Seventy-First  Regiment,  with  fourteen 
field-pieces,  began  to  move  from  Flatland  across  the  coun- 
try through  the  new  lots,  to  seize  a  path  in  the  heights,  ex- 
tending from  east  to  west,  along  the  middle  of  the  Island, 
and  about  three  miles  from  Bedford,  on  the  road  to  Jamaica, 
in  order  to  turn  the  enemy's  left  posted  at  Flalbush. 

August  27. — General  Clinton  being  arrived  within  half 
a  mile  of  the  pass  about  two  hours  before  daybreak,  halted, 
and  settled  his  disposition  for  the  attack.  One  of  his  patrols 
falling  in  with  a  patrol  of  the  enemy's  officers,  took  them ; 
and  the  General,  learning  from  their  information  that  the 
Rebels  had  not  occupied  the  pass,  detached  a  battalion  of 
Light-Infantry  to  secure  it;  and  advancing  with  his  corps 
upon  the  first  appearance  of  day,  possessed  himself  of  the 
heights  with  such  a  disposition  as  must  have  insured  suc- 
cess, had  he  found  the  enemy  in  force  to  oppose  him. 

The  main  body  of  the  Army,  consisting  of  the  Guards, 
Second,  Third,  and  Fifth  Brigades,  with  ten  field-pieces,  led 
by  Lord  Percy,  marched  soon  after  General  Clinton,  and 
halted  an  hour  before  day  in  his  rear.  This  column  (the 
country  not  admitting  of  two  columns  of  march)  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  Forty-Ninth  Regiment,  with  four  medium 
twelve-pounders,  and  the  baggage  closed  the  rear  with 
separate  guard. 

As  soon  as  these  corps  had  passed  the  heights,  they  halted 
for  the  soldiers  to  take  a  little  refreshment,  after  which  the 
march  was  continued,  and  about  half  an  hour  past  eight 
o'clock,  having  got  to  Bedford,  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy's 
left,  the  attack  was  commenced  by  the  Light-Infantry  and 
Light-Dragoons  upon  large  bodies  of  the  Rebels,  having  can- 


1257 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1258 


non,  who  were  quitting  the  woody  heights  before  mentioned 
to  return  to  their  lines,  upon  discovering  the  march  of  the 
Army;  instead  of  which  they  were  drove  back,  and  the 
Army  still  moving  on  to  gain  the  enemy's  rear,  the  Grena- 
diers and  Thirty-Third  Regiment,  being  in  front  of  the 
column,  soon  approached  within  musket-shot  of  the  enemy's 
lines  at  Brooklyn,  from  whence  these  battalions,  without 
regarding  the  fire  of  cannon  and  small-arms  upon  them, 
pursued  numbers  of  the  Rebels  that  were  retiring  from  the 
heights  so  close  to  their  principal  redoubt,  and  with  such 
eagerness  to  attack  it  by  storm,  that  it  required  repeated 
orders  to  prevail  upon  them  to  desist  from  the  attempt.  Had 
they  been  permitted  to  go  on,  it  is  my  opinion  they  would 
have  carried  the  redoubt;  but  as  it  was  apparent  the  lines 
must  have  been  ours  at  a  very  cheap  rate  by  regular 
approaches,  I  would  not  risk  the  loss  that  might  have 
been  sustained  in  the  assault,  and  ordered  them  back  to  a 
hollow  way  in  the  front  of  the  works,  out  of  the  reach  of 
musketry. 

Lieutenant-General  De  Heisterbegan  soon  after  daybreak 
to  cannonade  the  enemy  in  the  front,  and,  upon  the  approach 
of  our  right,  ordered  Colonel  Donop's  corps  to  advance  to 
the  attack  of  the  hill,  following  himself  at  the  head  of  the 
brigades.  The  Light-Infantry,  about  that  time  having  been 
reinforced  by  the  light  company,  the  Grenadier  company, 
and  two  other  companies  of  the  Guards,  who  joined  them 
with  the  greatest  activity  and  spirit,  had  taken  three  pieces 
of  cannon,  and  were  warmly  engaged  with  very  superior 
numbers  in  the  woods,  when,  on  the  Hessians  advancing,  the 
enemy  gave  way,  and  was  entirely  routed  in  that  quarter. 
On  the  left,  Major-General  Grant,  having  the  Fourth  and 
Sixth  Brigades,  the  Forty-Second  Regiment,  and  two  com- 
panies of  New-York  Provincials,  raised  by  Governour  Tryon 
in  the  spring,  advanced  along  the  coast  with  ten  pieces  of 
cannon,  to  divert  the  enemy's  attention  from  their  left.  About 
midnight,  he  fell  in  with  their  advanced  parties,  and  at  day- 
break, with  a  large  corps,  having  cannon,  and  advantage- 
ously posted,  with  whom  there  was  skirmishing  and  a  can- 
nonade for  some  hours,  until,  by  the  firing  at  Brooklyn,  the 
Rebels,  suspecting  their  retreat  would  be  cut  ofT,  made  a 
movement  to  the  right,  in  order  to  secure  it  across  a  swamp 
and  creek  that  covered  the  right  of  their  works;  but  being 
met  in  their  way  by  a  part  of  the  Second  Grenadiers,  who 
were  soon  after  supported  by  the  Seventy-First  Regiment, 
and  General  Grant's  left  corning  up,  they  suffered  consider- 
ably: numbers  of  them,  however,  did  get  into  the  morass, 
where  many  were  suffocated  or  drowned. 

The  force  of  the  enemy  detached  from  the  lines  where 
General  Putnam  commanded  was  not  less,  from  the  best 
accounts  I  have  had,  than  ten  thousand  men,  who  were 
under  the  orders  of  Major-General  Sullivan,  Brigadier- 
Generals  Lord  Stirling  and  Udell.  Their  loss  is  computed 
to  be  about  three  thousand  three  hundred  killed,  wounded, 
prisoners,  and  drowned,  with  five  field-pieces  and  one  how- 
itzer taken.  A  return  of  the  prisoners  is  enclosed. 

On  the  part  of  the  King's  troops,  five  officers  and  fifty- 
six  non-commissioned  officers  and  rank  and  file  killed;  twelve 
officers  and  two  hundred  and  forty-five  non-commissioned 
officers  and  rank  and  file  wounded ;  one  officer  and  twenty 
Grenadiers  of  the  Marines  taken  by  mistaking  the  enemy  for 
the  Hessians. 

The  Hessians  had  two  privates  killed,  three  officers  and 
twenty-three  rank  and  file  wounded.  The  wounds  are  in 
general  very  slight.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Monckton  is  shot 
through  the  body,  but  there  are  the  greatest  hopes  of  his 
recovery. 

The  behaviour  of  both  officers  and  soldiers,  British  and 
Hessians,  was  highly  to  their  honour.  More  determined 
courage  and  steadiness  in  troops  have  never  been  expe- 
rienced, or  a  greater  ardour  to  distinguish  themselves,  as 
all  those  who  had  an  opportunity  have  amply  evinced  by 
their  actions. 

In  the  evening  of  the  27th,  the  Army  encamped  in  front 
of  the  enemy's  works.  On  the  28th,  at  night,  broke  ground 
six  hundred  yards  distant  from  a  redoubt  upon  their  left,  and 
on  the  29th,  at  night,  the  Rebels  evacuated  their  intrench- 
ments  and  Red-Hook,  with  the  utmost  silence,  and  quitted 
Governour's  Island  the  following  evening,  leaving  their  can- 

o  O'  o 

non  and  a  quantity  of  stores  in  all  their  works.  At  clay- 
break  on  the  30th,  their  flight  was  discovered,  the  piquets 
of  the  line  took  possession,  and  those  most  advanced  reached 


the  shore  opposite  to  New-  York  as  their  rear  guard  was  going 
over,  and  fired  some  shot  among  them. 

The  enemy  is  still  in  possession  of  the  town  and  island  of 
New-York,  in  force,  and  making  demonstration  of  opposing 
us  in  their  works  on  both  sides  of  King's  Bridge.  The  in- 
habitants of  this  Island,  many  of  whom  had  been  forced  into 
rebellion,  have  all  submitted,  and  are  ready  to  take  the  oaths 
of  allegiance. 

This  despatch  will  be  delivered  to  your  Lordship  by 
Major  Cuyler,  my  first  Aid-de-camp,  who,  I  trust,  will  be 
able  to  give  your  Lordship  such  further  information  as  may 
be  required. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sic.,  WILL.  HOWE. 

P.  S.  I  have  omitted  to  take  notice,  in  its  proper  place, 
of  a  movement  made  by  the  King's  ships  towards  the  town 
on  the  27th,  at  daybreak,  with  a  view  of  drawing  off  the 
attention  of  the  enemy  from  our  real  design,  which,  I  believe, 
effectually  answered  the  intended  purpose. 

Return  of  the  Prisoners  taken  on  LONG-ISLAND,  August 
27,  1776. 

COMMISSIONED  OFFICERS. 


Three  Generals. 

Major-General  Sullivan, 
Brigadier-General  Lord  Stirling, 
Brigadier-General  Udell. 
Three  Colonels. 

Pennsylvania  Rifle  Regiment.  1 
Pennsylvania  Musketeers. ...  1 
New-Jersey  Militia 1 

Four  Lieutenant-Colonels. 

Pennsylvania  Rifle  Regiment.       1 

Pennsylvania  Militia 2 

17th  Continental  Regiment.. .       1 

Three  Majors. 

Pennsylvania  Militia 1 

17th  Continental  Regiment.. .  1 

22(1  Continental  Regiment... .  1 

Eighteen  Captains. 

Pennsylvania  Rifle  Regiment.  2 

Pennsylvania  Musketeers... .  4 

Pennsylvania  Militia 5 

17th  Continental  Regiment. . .  4 

Train  of  Artillery 1 

Maryland  Provincials 2 


Forty-three  Lieutenants. 

Provincial  Rifle  Regiments.. .  11 

Pennsylvania  Musketeers. ...  1 

Pennsylvania  Militia...  „.  ..  6 

17th  Continental  Regiment...  6 

Delaware  Battalion 2 

1st  Battalion  New  York  Con- 
tinental   5 

llth  Battalion  Continental.. .  1 

New-Jersey  Militia 1 

1st  Battalion  Maryland  Inde- 
pendents   2 

Long-Island  Militia 2 

Train  of  Artillery 1 

Maryland  Provincials 5 

Eleven  Ensigns. 

Pennsylvania  Musketeers... .  4 

17th  Continental  Regiment...  5 

Maryland  Provincials 2 

Staff. 

Adjutant 1 

Surgeons 3 

Volunteers 2 

Privates 1006 

Total .1097 


N.  B.  Nine  Officers  and  fifty-eight  Privates  of  the  above  wounded. 
Jos.  LOBINQ,  Commis.  of  Prisoners. 

Return  of  Brass  and  Iron  Ordnance  taken  from  the  enemy 
in  the  engagement  on  the  Qlth  of  AUGUST,  1776,  and 
found  in  their  different  Redoubts  on  LONG-ISLAND  and 
GOVERNOUR'S  ISLAND. 

CAMP  AT  NEWTOWK,  September  3,  1776. 
Brass  Ordnance  taken  in  the  engagement  21th  AUGUST,  1776. 

One  five  and  half-inch  howitzer,  four  6-pounders,  one  3-pounder. 
Total  of  Brass  Ordnance,  6. 

Iron  Ordnance  found  in  the  different  Forts  on  LONG-ISLAND  and  GOVER- 
NOUR'S ISLAND. 

Six  32-pounders,  one  24-pounder,  four  18-pounders,  two  12-pounders, 
two  9-pounders,  eight  6-pounders,  three  3-pounders.  Total  of  Iron 
Ordnance,  26. 

A  quantity  of  shot,  shells,  ammunition,  intrenching  tools,  small-arms, 
a  number  of  long  pikes,  ammunition  carts,  and  many  other  articles  not 
at  present  ascertained. 

W.  HOWE,  Commander-in- Chief. 


Return  of  the  Killed,  Wounded,  and  Missing,  of  the  follow- 
ing Corps,  AUGUST  27,  1776. 

First  Battalion  of  Light- Infantry. — Four  Rank  and  File,  killed;  two 
Sergeants,  one  Drummer,  twenty -one  Rank  and  File,  wounded,  one 
Rank  and  File,  missing. 

Second  Battalion  of  Light- Infantry. — Four  Rank  and  File,  killed;  one 
Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  one  Sergeant,  twenty-seven  Rank  and  File, 
wounded. 

Third  Battalion  of  Light-Infantry. — Three  Rank  and  File,  killed;  six 
Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

First  Battalion  of  Grenadiers. — One  Rank  and  File,  killed;  four 
Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

Second  Battalion  of  Grenadiers. — Two  Captains,  one  Sergeant,  nine 
Rank  and  File,  killed;  one  Lieutenant-Colonel,  one  Captain,  three 
Lieutenants,  one  Drummer,  thirty-two  Rank  and  File,  wounded; 
one  Lieutenant,  one  Sergeant,  twenty  Rank  and  File,  missing. 

Third  Battalion  of  Grenadiers. — One  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

Fourth  Battalion  of  Grenadiers. — One  Rank  and  File,  killed;  one 
Sergeant,  eleven  Rank  and  File,  wounded;  one  Rank  and  File, 
missing. 

33d  Regiment. — Four  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

42<i  Regiment. — One  Lieutenant,  nine  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 


1259 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1260 


FIRST  BRIGADE. 

4(/i  Regiment. — None  killed,  wounded,  or  missing.   t 
]5(ft  Regiment. — Two  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 
27|A  Regimtnt. — None  killed,  wounded,  or  missing. 
45/A  Regiment. — None  killed,  wounded,  or  missing. 

SECOND  BRIGADE. 

5th  Regiment. — None  killed,  wounded,  or  missing. 
28lA    ditto.  ditto.  ditto. 

35th   ditto.  ditto.  ditto. 

49tA    ditto.  ditto.  ditto. 

THIRD  BRIGADE. 

lOlfc  Regiment. — None  killed,  wounded,  or  missing. 
31th    ditto.         One  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 
38iA    ditto.          Three  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 
52rf     ditto.          One  Rank  and  File,  killed;  seven  Rank  and  File 
wounded;  one  Rank  and  File,  missing. 

FOURTH  BRIGADE. 

17tA  Regiment. — One  Captain,  two  Rank  and  File,  killed;  one  Lieute- 
nant, one  Sergeant,  nineteen  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

40th  Regiment. — One  Lieutenant-Colonel,  one  Rank  and  File,  killed; 
five  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

46IA  Regiment. — Four  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

55th  Regiment. — One  Rank  and  File,  killed;  three  Rank  and  File, 
wounded. 

FIFTH  BRIGADE. 

22o"  Regiment. — One  Rank  and  File,  killed;  one  Rank  and  File, 
wounded. 

43ii  Regiment. — One  Rank  and  File,  killed. 
54IA  Regiment. — None  killed,  wounded,  or  missing. 
63<J  Regiment. — None  killed,  wounded,  or  missing. 

SIXTH  BRIGADE. 

23rf  Regiment. — One  Sergeant,  six  Rank  and  File,  killed;  one  Captain, 
one  Sergeant,  twenty-six  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

44f/i  Regiment. — Ten  Rank  and  File,  killed;  one  Lieutenant,  one  Ser- 
geant, seventeen  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

57tft  Regiment.— One  Rank  and  File,  killed. 

64t/>  Regiment. — None  killed,  wounded,  or  missing. 

SEVENTH  BRIGADE. 

71st  Regiment. — Three  Rank  and  File,  killed;  two  Sergeants,  nine 
Rank  and  File,  wounded;  six  Rank  and  File,  missing. 

New-York  Companies. — Four  Rank  and  File,  killed;  two  Sergeants, 
one  Drummer,  fourteen  Rank  and  File,  wounded. 

Royal  Artillery.— One  Lieutenant,  one  Sergeant,  killed;  five  Rank  and 
File,  wounded. 

»  Total:  One  Lieutenant-Colonel,  three  Captains,  one  Lieutenant,  three 
Sergeants,  fifty-three  Rank  and  File,  killed;  one  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
three  Captains,  eight  Lieutenants,  eleven  Sergeants,  three  Drummers, 
two  hundred  and  thirty-one  Rank  and  File,  wounded;  one  Lieutenant, 
one  Sergeant,  twenty-nine  Rank  and  File,  missing. 

Li-si  of  Officers  kitted,  wounded,  and  missing. 

Killed. — Captain  Sir  Alexander  Murray 17th  Regiment. 

"          Lieutenant-Colonel  Grant 40th    ditto. 

Captain  Nelson, 52d     ditto. 

Captain  Logan 3d  Regiment  Marines. 

"          Second  Lieutenant  Lovell Royal  Artillery. 

Wounded. — Lieutenant  Morgan 17th  Regiment. 

Captain  Grove 23d      ditto. 

Lieutenant  Crammond 42d      ditto. 

Lieutenant  Mair 43d      ditto. 

Lieutenant  Weir 43d      ditto. 

Captain  Brown 44th    ditto. 

Captain  Kennedy 44th     ditto. 

Lieutenant  Brown 44th    ditto. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Monckton..45th    ditto. 

Lieutenant  Powell 49th    ditto. 

Lieutenant  Addison 52d      ditto. 

Lieutenant  Nugent 1st  Regiment  Marines. 

.Missing. — Lieutenant  Ragg,  2d  Regiment  Marines,  prisoner. 
Hessian  Troops. — Two  Rank  and  File,  killed;  twenty-three  Rank 
and  File,  wounded. 
Major  Paoli,  Captain  O'Reilly,  Lieutenant  Donop,  wounded. 


W.  HOWE,  Commander-in-  Chief. 


EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  AN  OFFICER  IN  GENERAL  FRA- 
ZIER'S  BATTALION,  DATED  SEPTEMBER  3,   1776. 

Rejoice,  my  friend,  that  we  have  given  the  Rebels  a 

d- d  crush.     We  landed  on  Long-Island  the  22d  ult., 

without  opposition.  On  the  27th  we  had  a  very  warm 
action,  in  which  the  Scots  regiments  behaved  with  the 
greatest  bravery,  and  carried  the  day  after  an  obstinate  re- 
sistance on  the  Rebel  side.  But  we  flanked  and  overpow- 
ered them  with  numbers.  The  Hessians  and  our  brave 
Highlanders  gave  no  quarters;  and  it  was  a  fine  sight  to  see 
with  what  alacrity  they  despatched  the  Rebels  with  their 
bayonets  after  we  had  surrounded  them  so  that  they  could 
not  resist.  Multitudes  were  drowned  and  suffocated  in  mo- 
rasses—a proper  punishment  for  all  Rebels.  Our  battalion 
outmarched  all  the  rest,  and  was  always  first  up  with  the 
Rebel  fugitives.  A  fellow  they  call  Lord  Stirling,  one  of 
their  Generals,  with  two  others,  is  prisoner,  and  a  great 
many  of  their  officers,  men,  artillery,  and  stores.  It  was  a 
glorious  achievement,  my  friend,  and  will  immortalize  us 


and  crush  the  Rebel  Colonies.  Our  loss  was  nothing.  We 
took  care  to  tell  the  Hessians  that  the  Rebels  had  resolved 
to  give  no  quarters  to  them  in  particular,  which  made  them 
fight  desperately,  and  put  all  to  death  that  fell  into  their 
hands.  You  know  all  stratagems  are  lawful  in  war,  espe- 
cially against  such  vile  enemies  to  their  King  and  country. 
The  Island  is  all  ours,  and  we  shall  soon  take  New-York, 
for  the  Rebels  dare  not  look  us  in  the  face.  I  expect  the 
affair  will  be  over  this  campaign,  and  we  shall  all  return 
covered  with  American  laurels,  and  have  the  cream  of 
American  lands  allotted  us  for  our  services. 

[Lest  any  of  those  persons  who  affect  not  to  believe  anything  against 
the  British  soldiers,  and  will  pretend  to  say  that  the  above  letter,  which 
exactly  tallies  with  their  conduct  as  heretofore  represented,  is  an  Ameri- 
can forgery,  we  would  inform  them  that  the  English  paper  from  whence 
the  above  is  taken  may  be  seen  in  the  hands  of  the  printers  in  Hartford. 
— Mass.  Spy.} 


JOHN  SLOSS  HOBART  TO  NEW-YORK  .CONVENTION. 

Huntington,  August  31,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Our  express  of  yesterday  not  being  able  to 
cross  the  Sound  at  Sand's  Ferry,  has  returned  to  us,  which 
gives  us  an  opportunity  to  acquaint  you  with  the  present 
situation  of  our  affairs.  We  have  this  morning  received  a 
letter  from  Major  Smith,  declining  the  office  of  Major,  in 
which  he  has  "  heretofore  acted  with  faithfulness,"  a  copy  of 
which  we  have  the  honour  to  enclose,  together  with  a  copy 
of  Ebenezer  Dayton's  narrative  of  the  transactions  yesterday 
at  Smith-Town. 

A  number  of  the  Militia  of  this  town  are  now  under  arms, 
and  we  are  in  hopes  that  most  of  them  will  turn  out ;  but  a 
general  complaint  among  them  is,  that  their  officers  have 
deserted  them,  and  if  the  enemy  should  find  them  in  arms, 
they  will  meet  with  worse  treatment  than  if  they  peaceably 
wait  their  fate.  We  have  exerted  ourselves  to  recover  the 
people  from  the  consternation  into  which  they  were  thrown 
by  the  precipitate  retreat  of  General  Woodhull's  party.  We 
have  in  some  measure  succeeded;  and  could  we  assure  them 
of  being  supported,  and  that  the  Island  was  not  abandoned 
to  the  enemy,  we  doubt  not  but  the  people  might  be  brought 
to  act  with  vigour;  but  such  a  total  depression  prevailed 
upon  our  arrival,  that  twenty  horsemen  would  have  ravaged 
the  whole  country.  A  number  of  the  King's  County  Horse- 
men have  crossed  the  Sound  from  this  place,  leaving  their 
horses  to  follow  them  in  another  boat.  We  have  taken  the 
liberty  to  stop  the  horses,  and  shall  send  for  the  men  back. 
We  purpose,  after  the  party  who  were  with  General  Wood- 
hull  are  rallied,  to  form  the  rest  into  companies  and  appoint 
the  officers.  As  to  field-officers,  we  shall  be  at  a  loss,  as 
Colonel  Floyd,  who  commands  the  regiment,  is  at  Congress  ; 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Potter  is  gone  off  with  himself,  and  First 
Major  Smith  has  resigned;  Second  Major  Brush  is  with  us, 
and  begins  to  be  in  spirits.  Should  we  be  able  to  rouse  a 
considerable  number  of  this  regiment,  more  Field-Officers  will 
be  necessary.  We  wish  the  direction  of  Convention  on  the 
subject.  We  beg  the  favour  of  copies  of  the  late  resolves 
respecting  officers  and  men  who  refuse  to  do  duty  in  time  of 
an  invasion.  You  will  see  that  we  could  do  nothing  with- 
out assuming  power  not  given  us  by  Convention,  and  hope 
the  necessity  of  the  case-  will  plead  our  excuse.  We  pro- 
pose, as  soon  as  matters  are  regulated  here,  to  proceed  east- 
ward, and  endeavour  to  prevent  the  evils  that  are  to  be 
apprehended  from  the  indiscreet  conduct  of  Major  Smith 
and  Captain  Thompson. 

We  have  the  honour  to  be  your  most  obedient  servants, 

JNO.  SLOSS  HOBART, 
JAMES  TOWNSEND. 

To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  New-York. 


COLONEL  LIVINGSTON  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Southold,  August  31,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY  :  I  have,  since  I  wrote 
to  you  yesterday,  received  by  express  an  account,  which  may 
be  depended  upon,  that  General  Woodhull  was  taken  a  pri- 
soner by  our  enemies  on  Wednesday  last.  Their  Troop  of 
Horse  is  considered  by  the  inhabitants  to  the  westward  of 
Huntington  as  an  insurmountable  obstacle  to  their  ever  ob- 
taining their  freedom,  independent  of  Great  Britain.  Many 
have  been  prevailed  with  by  the  disaffected  to  us  to  solicit 


1261 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1262 


pardons  from  Lord  Howe,  and  they  are  circulating  at  a  great 
rate.  Our  communication  is  cut  off  from  New-York  by 
land,  and  there  are  three  ships,  a  brig,  and  a  sloop,  that 
endeavour  to  intercept  it  by  water.  So  many  reports  daily 
circulate  here  with  respect  to  the  strength  and  advantageous 
situation  of  our  enemies,  that  it  is  very  difficult  to  give  your 
Excellency  a  distinct  account.  They  are  now  possessed  of 
Hempstead  Plains;  their  Horse  are  continually  employed 
in  disarming  the  inhabitants,  but  do  them  no  other  injury. 
General  Woodhull  was  taken  a  prisoner  and  treated  cruelly 
by  them.  After  he  was  taken  he  received  a  wound  in  his 
head,  and  much  uncivil  language,  and  finally  committed  close 
prisoner  to  Jamaica  jail. 

Our  enemies  are  plentifully  supplied  with  fresh  provisions, 
which,  together  with  the  precarious  situation  I  am  in,  has 
induced  me  to  march  my  detachment  to  the  westward,  in 
order  to  harass  their  foraging  parties.  I  have  endeavoured 
to  prevail  upon  the  Committees  of  the  different  towns  to 
raise  their  Militia,  and  have  also  sent  an  express  to  Governour 
Trumbull,  requesting  his  aid;  for  if  some  encouragement  is 
not  given  to  the  country  people,  they  will  be  entirely  passive. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON. 
To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  New-York. 

P.  S.  I  expect  to  be  at  Huntington  in  about  three  days. 
We  begin  our  march  to-morrow  morning.  I  hope  for  your 
Excellency's  approbation. 


tremely  need  some  assistance.  Without  any  hyperbole,  there 
are  ten  thousand  people,  with  all  the  stock  in  this  County, 
which  will  probably  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  King's  troops, 
unless  we  have  some  assistance.  Your  Honour  will  take  a 
full  view  of  such  shocking  consequences,  and  doubtless  be 
assured  it  will  greatly  tend  to  intimidate  the  enemy  to  hear 
there  is  an  Army  marching  against  them  from  the  eastward, 
and  much  befriend  your  Honour's  great  confidant,  the  excel- 
lent General  Washington.  But  I  need  not  multiply  words. 
Your  Honour  well  knows  all  possible  expedition  is  necessary 
in  the  present  case. 

In  utmost  haste,  with  great  esteem,  I  am  your  Honour's 
much  obliged  humble  friend  and  servant,      ~       r> 

To  His  Excellency  Governour  Trumbull. 


CORNELIUS  C.  ROOSEVELT  TO  NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

August  31,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  twenty -six  muskets  of  Mr.  Noble  have 
received,  with  the  contract  and  order;  agreeable  to  which, 
I  applied  to  four  Gunsmiths,  in  order  to  view  them,  and 
advised  them  of  the  contract;  upon  which  they  examined 
said  muskets,  and  gave  the  enclosed  certificate. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Peter  T.  Curtenius, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

CORNS.  C.  ROOSEVELT. 
To  the  Hon.  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 


SUFFOLK   COUNTY   (NEW-YORK)    COMMITTEE    TO    GOVERNOUR 

TRUMBULL. 
Suffolk  County,  Southold,  August  31,  1776. 

HONOURED  SIR  :  We  are  sorry  to  acquaint  you  that  we 
have  received  several  expresses  from  the  middle  of  this 
Island,  acquainting  us  of  the  Regular  troops  having  sur- 
rounded our  lines  at  the  west  end,  and  stopped  our  commu- 
nications to  the  Army  and  Provincial  Congress.  Their 
scouting  party  consists  of  about  three  hundred  Light-Horse 
and  four  hundred  Foot,  together  with  a  number  of  Tory 
recruits,  and  to  all  appearances  are  about  penetrating  into 
this  County,  as  they  have  already  marched  as  far  as  the 
western  part  of  Hempstead  Plains,  where  they  took  prison- 
er Brigadier-General  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Comrnander-in- 
Chief  of  the  Militia  of  this  Island.  We  must  beg  the  favour 
of  you  to  aid  and  assist  us  with  men  and  ammunition,  as  our 
men  are  chiefly  drawn  off  and  are  now  in  .the  Army,  so  that 
we  are  not  able  to  raise  more  than  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
men  in  the  whole  County  that  are  capable  to  bear  arms. 
If  you  think  proper  to  send  us  men,  which  we  think  we 
really  need,  we  must  beg  you  would  send  what  provisions 
you  think  they  will  want,  all  but  fresh,  which  we  can  make 
out  to  supply  them  with.  By  the  best  accounts  we  can  learn 
of  the  strength  of  the  Regular  Army  now  landed  on  this 
Island,  they  consist  of  about  fifteen  or  twenty  thousand  men. 

At  a  Committee  meeting,  signed  per  order. 

ROBERT  HEMPSTEAD,  Chairman. 

REV.  S.  BUELL  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Sag-Harbour,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR:  I  wrote  you  yesterday  from  this  place,  since  which 
we  hear  per  express  General  Woodhull  is  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  King's  troops ;  that  two  days  since  they  drove 
fifteen  hundred  head  of  cattle  from  Hempstead  Plain  to 
their  Army.  The  western  Counties  upon  this  Isle  are 
already  in  their  possession.  With  about  three  hundred 
Horse  and  a  Foot  company,  they  are  about  to  penetrate  into 
this  County.  I  this  hour  came  from  our  Committee,  who 
have  desired  me  to  second  their  request  to  your  Honour,  that 
if  possible  you  throw  a  number  of  troops  upon  this  Island  as 
soon  as  possible.  We  are  the  rather  encouraged  to  hope 
for  this  favour,  in  our  present  extreme  exigency  and  peril, 
in  that  your  Honour  sent  Messrs.  Huntington  and  Ely  to  us 
yesterday  relative  to  the  important  design.  We  have  three 
companies  stationed  here,  consisting  of  ninety  men  each, 
together  with  a  third  part  of  our  Militia,  who  are  ordered  to 
march  immediately  up  the  Island.  About  fifteen  miles  from 
hence  our  people  are  erecting  a  strong  breastwork,  where 
that  part  of  the  Island  is  but  about  fifty  rods  wide,  which, 
well  effected,  two  hundred  men  may  oppose  two  thousand. 
As  one-half  of  our  Militia  is  already  in  the  Army,  we  ex- 


COLONEL  HOPKINS  TO  GENERAL  GEORGE  CLINTON. 

Frog's  Neck,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR  :  Agreeable  to  orders  this  day  received  from  Colonel 
Graham,  I  herewith  send  you,  to  the  care  of  the  main  guard, 
one  John  Wooly,  who  was  taken  by  Captain  Paine  on  Long- 
Island  shore,  with  his  boat,  for  having  been  two  or  three  times 
on  board  the  men-of-war  in  the  Sound,  and  supplying  them 
with  provisions.  He  denies  supplying  them,  but  confesses 
he  hath  been  on  board. 

The  brig  of  war  and  her  tender  are  come  back  just  now, 
and  lay  close  to  Francis  Lewis,  Esquire's,  house,  and  the 
people  are  gone  ashore  and  driving  up  the  cattle,  &c. 

There  was  one  Hewlet  taken  with  Wooly,  but  in  the  hurry 
of  affairs  when  the  brig  was  going  by,  he  hath  escaped,  but 
I  know  of  no  crime  he  is  guilty  of.  The  people  here  pray 
for  a  reinforcement,  fearing  the  enemy  will  land  here  from 
the  Island  with  a  large  number  of  troops.' 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

ROSWELL  HOPKINS,  Lieutenant- Colonel. 
To  General  Clinton,  King's  Bridge. 


GENERAL  HEATH  TO  LIEUTENANT  LANGDON. 

Mount  Washington,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR  :  You  are  immediately  to  proceed  to  the  town  of  Har- 
lem, with  the  detachment  under  your  command,  and  take 
post  near  the  landing  place.  You  are  to  post  sentinels  in 
the  daytime,  so  as  to  prevent  the  soldiers  of  the  Army  who 
have  not  proper  passes  going  over  the  ferry;  and,  also,  both 
day  and  night  to  be  very  alert  in  discovering  any  movement 
or  advance  of  the  enemy,  of  which  you  are  to  give  imme- 
diate notice  to  the  commanding  officer  at  this  post. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  &c.,        w   HEATH  Major.GeneraL 

To  Lieutenant  Langdon. 

GEN.  HEATH  TO  OFFICER  COMMANDING  AT  MOUNT  WASHINGTON. 

King's  Bridge,  August  31,  1776,  half  past  seven  ) 
o'clock  in  the  evening.      J 

DEAR  SIR  :  I  have  just  received  information  that  a  large 
party  of  the  enemy  just  before  sunset  appeared  nearly  oppo- 
site to  Morisannia,  or  Hunt's  Point,  where  they  pitched  their 
tents,  and  it  is  apprehended  intended  to  pass.  I  have  order- 
ed the  regiments  here  to  lie  on  their  arms  this  night.  If  the 
troops  have  returned  from  New-York,  I  would  have  Colonel 
Nicolls  return  with  his  detachment  to  his  post,  and  some  other 
troops  held  in  readiness,  should  they  be  wanted — a  detach- 
ment of  the  Artillery,  with  two  brass  three-pounders,  which 
are  to  be  well  found  with  ammunition,  &,c.;  one  to  be  sent 
to  this  post  immediately. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  yours,  Sic.,  WM.  HEATH. 

To  the  Commanding  Officer  at  Mount  Washington. 


1263 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1264 


A  Pay-Roll  of  the  Officers  on  board  the  Armed  Galley  LADY  WASHINGTON,  from  the  time  of  their  entry  to  the  last  of 
AUGUST,  1776,  inclusively,  according  to  a  Resolve  of  Congress;  and  as  said  Officers  were  advanced  out  of  the  Conti- 
nental Army,  a  subduction  is  made  of  what  they  receive  in  the  Company  or  Regiment  to  which  they  belong,  viz : 


OFFICERS'  NAMES. 

Pay  per  month 
in  dollars. 

Time  of  entry  on 
board. 

Tine  of  service  to 
the  last  of  Jiu°ust. 

Jtmoitnt  of  traces  to 
the  first  ofduguit. 

Suhduction  at 
abore. 

Total  dut  after  mk- 
duction. 

32 
20 
20 
20 
15 
15 
15 

io| 
io| 

13| 
12 
6! 

13th  July, 
14th  July, 
14th  August, 
26th  July, 
26th  July, 
14th  July, 
26th  July, 
26th  July, 
14th  July, 
26th  July, 
26th  July, 
5th  August, 

M.        D. 
1        19 

1      18 
0      27 
1        6 
1        6 
1      18 
1        6 
1        6 
1      18 
1        6 
1        6 
0      25 

£         >.       d. 

20    18    li 
12    16    0 
5     17    4 
9    12    0 
740 
9    12    0 
740 
5      2    4J 
6    16    6J 
6    11    2i 
5    15    2i 
2      4    5i 

£      s.       it. 
9    16    1J 

4    18     1' 

£         i.      t. 
11        2      11 

7     17  IQi 
5    17    4. 
600 
400 
4     16    0 
400 
1     18    4} 
206' 
3      7    2| 
2    11    2i 
2      4    5J 

o    o  o2 

3    12    0 
340 
4    16    0 
340 
340 
4    16    0 
340 
340 
000 

George  Bermaine  

^55    15    0} 
168 

14251-72  dollars.     The  footing  of  the  right  hand  column,  viz:  ^57  Is.  $*d.  Aew-YorA;  currency  

.£57      1    8} 

*26s.  8d.  too  little. 

ROBERT  COOK,  Captain. 

Examined  for  William  Palfrey  >  Paymaster-General: 

JOHN  LAWRENCE. 

To  William  Palfrey,  Esq.,  Paymaster-General  of  the  Forces  of  the  United  States  of  America : 

Pay  to  Captain  Robert  Cook,  one  hundred  and  forty-two  dollars  and  fifty-one  seventy-second  parts  of  a  dollar,  ($142  51-72,)  being  in  full  for 
the  pay  of  the  Officers  on  board  the  armed  Galley  Lady  Washington,  to  the  thirty-first  day  of  August  last,  agreeable  to  the  within  abstract,  for  which 
this  shall  be  your  warrant. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Head-Quarters,  Harlem  Heights,  the  day  of  October,  A.  D.  1776. 

By  His  Excellency's  command. 

September  29(A,  Jl.  D.,  1776. — I  have  examined  the  within  abstract,  and  can  find  no  exceptionable  error. 

BENJAMIN  TUPPER,  Lieutenant- Colonel  and  Commander. 


To  the  Honourable  GEORGE  CLINTON,  Esq.,  Brigadier- 
General  in  the  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA: 

The  Petition  of  Colonel  MORRIS  GRAHAM  and  the  Officers 
of  the  Regiment  under  his  command,  in  your  Honour's 
Brigade,  humbly  showeth : 

That  William  Forman  hath  been  appointed  a  Surgeon  in 
this  regiment  without  the  knowledge  or  recommendation  of 
the  Colonel  of  said  regiment  or  any  of  the  other  officers;  in 
which  appointment  your  petitioners  think  themselves  much 
imposed  upon  by  an  unskilful  Physician;  neither  are  they 
willing  to  trust  their  lives  in  his  hands  or  employ  him  in  any 
case  whatever.  Your  petitioners  would  also  observe  to  your 
Honour,  that  even  the  privates  will  not  employ  him,  but  seve- 
ral of  them  have  been  at  considerable  expense  out  of  their 
own  pockets  in  applying  to  other  physicians.  We  would 
beg  leave  to  recommend  Doctor  Abraham  Teller  as  a  suit- 
able person  for  a  Surgeon,  Sic.,  to  the  said  regiment,  who 
would  be  very  agreeable  to  it,  should  he  be  appointed  as 
such.  Therefore  your  petitioners  most  humbly  pray  your 
Honour  to  take  our  case  into  consideration,  and  order  the 
said  William  Forman  to  be  discharged  from  the  service,  and 
appoint  the  said  Abraham  Teller,  or  some  other  skilful  Sur- 
geon, for  our  regiment;  and  your  Honour's  petitioners,  in 
duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 


Morris  Graham,  Colonel. 
Roswell  Hopkins,  Lieut.  Col. 
William  Barker,  Major. 
William  Stewart,  Captain. 


John  Seton,  Lieutenant. 

Andrew  Hearmanse,  Captain. 

John  Van  Steenbergh,  Captain. 

Benjamin  Bogardus,  Lieutenant. 

Jno.  L.  Hardenberg,  Lieutenant.  Samuel  Waters,  Lieutenant. 
Reuben  Hopkins,  Mjutant- Lieut.  Stephen  Edgert,  Lieutenant. 
Peter  Stoutenberg,  Captain.  William  Mead,  Lieutenant. 

Ebenezer  Mott,  Lieutenant.  Elisha  Barlow,  Captain. 

William  Denniston,  Lieutenant.      Ezra  St.  John,  Limtenanl. 
Harman  J.  Knykerbacker,  Lieut.  Ebenezer  Carter,  Lieutenant. 
George  Sharpe,  Lieutenant.  James  Teller,  Captain. 


RETURN  OF  ELKANAH  DAY  S  COMPANY. 

A  Return  of  the  men  inlisted  in  a  Company  of  which  I  am 
expected  to  take  the  command : 

)  Sergeants, 


Uriah  Carpenter, 

Daniel  Ranny.  >  Jtug.  8,  '76. 

Bildad  Easton, 

Abner  Wright,  \Jiugust  16. 

John  Wise.  j 

Joseph  Willard, 

John  Morse, 

Fairbank  Moore, 

Lemuel  Cone, 

Nathaniel  Ketridge, 

Daniel  Hogins, 

Nathan  Robinson, 

Calvin  Chaffee. 

John  Sternes,  } 

Abraham  Dicker'son,  YJiugust  14. 

Jonathan  Fuller,         J 


August  12. 


James  Williamson,    ] 

John  Johnson,  ^Jlugustll. 

Fairbank  Moore,  jr.,  j 

John  Smith, 

Tim.  Parker. 

Elijah  Parker, 

Nehemiah  Gould, 

Moses  Gould, 

James  Hickson, 

John  French, 

John  Abby, 

Saml.  Averill, 

Joseph  Phippan, 

James  Crefford, 

Jacob  Abby. 


August  15. 
\Jlugust  17. 


1 


August  19. 


August  21. 


N.  B.  One  of  the  Lieutenants  has  not  made  return.  I 
understand  a  Sergeant  has  inlisted  six  men,  but  not  made 
return.  We  have  about  fifty  inlisted,  but  in  this  haste  can't 
ascertain  their  names  for  want  of  the  return  being  made. 

E.  DAY. 


Muster-Roll  of  Captain  JOSEPH    HATCH'S   Company  of 
Rangers,  under  the  command  of  Major  JOAB  HOISINGTON, 


Men's  Names. 

When  Inlisted. 

£  s.d. 

August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  20,  1776. 
August  20,  1776. 
August  26,  1776. 
August  26,  1776. 
August  2,  1776. 
August  21,  1776. 
August  25,  1776. 
August  13,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  15,  1776. 
August  15,  1776. 
August  20,  1776. 
August  23,  1776. 
August  24,  1776. 
August  27,  1776. 
August  28,  1776. 
August  15,  1776. 
August  30,  1776. 
August  14,  1776. 
August  7,  1776. 
August  12,  1776. 

rst  month's  wages 

800 
580 
580 
280 
280 
280 
240 
240 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200' 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 
200 

Seth  Bilding  

Elijah  Balding  

William  Chapley  

Jesse  Heath  

Fi 

^94  8  0 

Test: 


JOSEPH  HATCH,  Captain. 


ELKANAH  DAY. 


GENERAL  SCHUYLER  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Albany,  August  31,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  am  this  moment  favoured  with  a  letter  from 
General  Gates,  copy  of  which  I  do  myself  the  honour  to 
enclose  you,  together  with  copy  of  a  return  and  sundry  ori- 
ginal letters  from  officers  of  our  Army  prisoners  in  Canada. 


1265 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  Sec.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1266 


The  musket  cartridge-paper,  mentioned  in  your  Ex- 
cellency's last,  is  not  yet  arrived.  Everything  that  can 
be  procured  here,  or  anywhere  in  the  country,  is  instantly 
sent. 

I  am  so  accustomed  to  ill  usage,  that  I  am  not  surprised 
that  General  Gates  should  be  informed  that  I  had  ordered 
the  regiments  he  mentions,  to  be  stopped  on  their  march. 
This  report  is  only  a  perversion  of  an  order  of  mine  of  the 
17th  instant,  sent  to  General  Waterbury,  copy  of  which 
now  enclose.  The  information  on  which  it  was  founded 
is  corroborated  by  a  letter  of  the  22d  August,  with  which 
Governour  Trumbutt  has  honoured  me,  and  which  was  deli- 
vered me  after  I  had  begun  this  letter,  in  which  he  says : 
"Inoculation  for  the  small-pox,  I  find,  has  been  practised 
by  troops  on  the  march  to  join  your  Army.  I  hope  a  prac- 
tice so  pernicious  in  every  respect  will  be  discouraged.  I 
have  taken  the  liberty  to  suggest  my  fears  and  sentiments 
to  General  Gates  on  this  subject.  Indeed,  sir,  if  it  is  not 
timely  restrained,  it  appears  to  me  it  must  prove  fatal  to  all 
our  operations,  and  may  ruin  the  country." 

I  never  neglect  laying  all  letters  and  papers  which  I  re- 
ceive from  General  Gates,  or  from  any  other  quarter,  that 
ought  to  be  transmitted,  before  your  Excellency  or  Con- 
gress. 

The  two  persons  mentioned  in  General  Gates' 's  letter  to 
have  come  from  Dartmouth  College,  have  not  yet  informed 
me  of  their  business. 

As  I  could  not  procure  any  regular  returns  of  what  pro- 
vision was  with  the  Army  and  on  the  communication,  and 
as  it  was  necessary  that  I  should  be  informed  of  it,  on  the 
20th  instant  I  wrote  to  General  Gates  on  the  subject.  Ex- 
tract of  my  letter  your  Excellency  will  see  in  the  enclosed 
to  Mr.  Trumbull,  as  well  as  what  answer  has  been  given  to 
it  by  Mr.  Avery,  and  my  resolutions  thereon,  which  I  trust 
will  meet  with  your  approbation.  Your  Excellency  will 
please,  after  perusal,  to  order  the  letter  to  be  sealed  and 
delivered. 

In  my  last,  I  informed  your  Excellency  that  the  Stock- 
bridge  Indians  had  determined  to  go  to  New-York.  Many 
of  them  have  changed  their  resolutions,  and  arrived  here 
yesterday  on  their  way  to  Ticonderoga. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  most  respectfully,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient,  humble  servant,  pH  SCHUYLER. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington,  &.c. 


GENERAL  WATERBURY  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Skenesborough,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR:  Colonel  Woodbridge  and  his  Major  have  been  detain- 
ed in  this  neighbourhood  fourteen  days,  in  consequence  their 
having  lately  been  inoculated  and  not  bringing  certificates  that 
they  were  properly  cleansed ;  and  they. grow  uneasy  that 
they  are  kept  back ;  and  I  should  be  glad  to  know  whether 
your  Honour  intends  I  shall  let  them  go  forward  to  Ticon- 
deroga; if  not,  I  should  be  glad  to  have  some  instructions 
how  to  act  concerning  them. 

I  am,  dear  General,  your  Honour's  most  obedient,  hum- 
ble  servant,  WATERBURYj  Jun. 


DR.  KENNEDY  AND  OTHERS  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Ticonderoga,  August  31,  1776. 

In  conformity  to  certain  orders,  given  by  the  Honourable 
General  Gates,  the  following  Surgeons  met  at  Head-Quar- 
ters, viz:  Messrs.  Barntt,  Holmes,  Waterman, Metcalf, Par- 
ker, Chase,  Emmerson,  Child,  Swift,  Kennedy,  Wingate, 
Allison,  Watson,  Green,  Holbrook.  And  having  taken 
into  their  most  serious  consideration  the  sundry  matters  given 
in  charge,  do  report :  That  the  diseases  most  prevalent  in 
camp  at  present  are  bilious,  remitting,  and  intermitting 
fevers,  with  some  of  the  putrid  kind;  dysenteries,  diarrhoeas, 
with  rheumatick  complaints;  and,  on  examination,  find  the 
medical  chests  destitute  of  a  number  of  very  necessary  medi- 
cines, a  catalogue  of  which  is  enclosed,  to  which  they  have 
subjoined  a  list*  of  the  necessary  comforts,  &tc.  They  also 
beg  leave  to  recommend  to  his  Honour  that  the  commanding 
officers  be  enjoined  to  keep  their  several  regiments  clean ; 
that  the  necessary  vaults  be  covered  twice  a  day;  that  every 
infectious  material  which  tends  to  putrefy  the  air  be  imme- 
diately removed  from  camp. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  faculty.         SAM.  KENNEDY, 

WM.  BARNET, 
AMOS  HOLBROOK. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

*Jl  catalogue  of  Medicines  most  necessary  for  the  Jlrmy. — Acet.  Com., 
six  barrels;  Alo.  Hepat.,  Ib.  iij;  Calomel,  Ib.  ij;  Emp.  Diachyl.,  Ib.  x; 
Cantharid.,  Ib.  ij;  Gm.  Guaiac.,  Ib.  j;Gm.Opii,  Ib.  ij;  Gm.  Camph.,  Ib. 
iiij; Myrrh. ,lb.j;Hord.  Com. ,lb.  100;  Merc.  Precip.  Rub., lb.ss.;Merc. 
Cor.  Sublim.,  Ib.  j;  Pul.  Cort.  Peruv.,  Ib.  xx;  Pul.  Ipecac.,  Ib.  iij;  Pul. 
Jalap,  Ib.  iiij;  Pul.  Rhei.lb.  ij;  Rad.  Serpent.  Virg.,  Ib.  iij;  Sal.  Epsom, 
Ib.  xv;  Sal.  Nit.,  Ib.  v;  Spirit.  Sal.  Ammo.,  Ib.  iiij;  Tart.  Emet.,  Ib.  iij; 
Ung.  Diath.,lb.  v;Elix.  Asthmnt.,lb.  T.;Elix.  Vitriol,  Ib.  x.  Six  gross 
Vials  and  Corks;  Wrapping  Paper,  three  reams. 

A  list  of  the  necessary  comforts. — Barley,  Coffee,  Chocolate,  Ginger, 
Oatmeal,  Rice,  Sugar,  Mutton,  Baum,  Sage, &c. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  COLONEL  HARTLEY. 

Tyonderoga,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  received  your  letter  of  yesterday  by  Lieutenant 
John  Brooks,  and  have  only  a  moment  to  acquaint  you  that 
I  shall  select  a  party  of  fifty  men  and  officers  to  go  to-mor- 
row morning  to  cover  the  oar-cutters,  and  to  perform  another 
piece  of  service  in  that  neighbourhood.  The  officer  will 
bring  you  a  letter  from  me,  and  show  you  his  orders.  I 
must  desire  you  will  not  fail  to  be  very  alert  in  acquainting 
me  with  even  the  most  minute  circumstance  relative  to  the 
fleet  that  comes  to  your  knowledge.  A  galley  and  a  gon- 
dola will  be  with  you  to-day.  The  commanding  officer  has 
my  directions  to  show  his  orders.  I  would  not  have  them 
delay  an  hour  at  your  post. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hartley. 

P.  S.  The  artillery  stores,  &tc.,  which  you  have  wrote  for 
shall  be  sent  you  immediately. 


COLONEL  GANSEVOORT  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Fort  George,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR:  Agreeable  to  General  Schuyler's  orders,  I  apply  to 
your  Honour  for  a  reinforcement.  The  following  is  a  copy 
taken  from  an  original  letter  of  General  Schuyler: 

"Immediately  on  receipt  of  this,  you  are  to  order  Cap- 
tains McCracken  and  Hicks,  with  their  respective  com- 
panies, to  march  to  this  place  with  all  possible  expedition ; 
and  as  your  garrison  will  be  too  weak  unless  these  are  re- 
placed by  others,  you  will  apply  to  General  Gates  for  a 
reinforcement." 

I  beg,  if  your  Honour  thinks  proper,  that  we  may  be 
reinforced  as  soon  as  possible. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

P.  GANSEVOORT,  Lieutenant-  Colonel. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

N.  B.  One  Captain,  one  Sub,  and  one  Ensign,  arrested 
at  the  garrison,  who  are  very  anxious  to  have  their  trial.  I 
beg  your  Honour  will  send  me  orders  that  a  General  Court  - 
Martial  may  be  called  for  their  trial.  P.  G. 

COLONEL  TRUMBULL  TO  JAMES  BOWDOIN. 

Head -Quarters,  Ticonderoga,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  ordered  to  acquaint  you  that  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Reed,  of  Colonel  Patterson's,  has  left  this  Army  without 
proper  leave  of  absence.  As  he  had  appeared  delirious 
some  time  before  he  went  into  the  country,  the  General 
would  willingly  impute  an  action  unjustifiable  on  any  other 
grounds  to  the  continuance  of  his  disorder.  You  will  please 
to  cause  inquiry  to  be  made  into  the  cause  of  his  stay  in  the 
country,  and  likewise  to  inform  Colonel  Reed  that  the  Ge- 
neral expects  he  will  either  immediately  return  to  his  duty 
with  the  Army,  where  his  character  suffers  daily,  or  resign 
his  commission,  that  the  service  may  not  suffer  for  the  want 
of  an  officer  in  the  post  which  he  has  been  pleased  to  desert. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  highest  respect,  your  most  obedient, 


humble  servant, 


JOHN  TRUMBULL,  Dep.  Adj.  Gen. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


GENERAL  ARNOLD  TO  GENERAL  GATES. 

Button-Mould  Bay,  August  31,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  The  24th  instant  I  left  Crown-Point; 
the  25th  at  night  anchored  at  Willsborough ;  the  same 
night  came  on  a  violent  storm  at  northeast;  the  next  day, 
at  two  P.  M.,  was  obliged  to  weigh  anchor  and  return  to 


80 


1267 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fcc.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1268 


this  place,  where  the  whole  fleet  arrived  the  same  evening, 
except  the  Spitfire,  Captain  Ulmcr,  who  could  not  clear  the 
shore,  and  was  obliged  to  come  to  an  anchor  again,  and  rode 
out  the  storm,  though  exposed  to  the  rake  of  Cumberland 
Bay,  fifty  miles  long.  The  hard  gale  made  an  amazing 
sea,  and  when  I  expected  to  hear  the  gondola  was  foun- 
dered or  drove  on  shore,  she  joined  us,  having  received  no 
damage,  though  a  light  batteau  veered  astern  of  her  was 
sunk  with  the  sea  breaking  over  her.  The  severe  weather 
prevented  my  despatching  Lieutenant  JVhitcomb  before  yes- 
terday morning.  The  first  fair  wind  I  will  follow  him.  I 
should  have  gone  this  evening,  but  the  breeze  is  so  light 
ni"ht  would  have  come  on  before  we  could  have  reached  a 
safe  place  of  anchorage. 

I  have  had  no  advice  from  the  St.  John's  or  Isle-aux- 
Noix.  The  earliest  intelligence  I  receive  shall  be  commu- 
nicated to  you  immediately.  I  am  very  anxious  to  hear  from 
New-York,  and  make  no  doubt  when  you  receive  any  mate- 
rial advices  I  shall  soon  be  acquainted  with  it. 

Enclosed  is  a  return  of  the  strength  of  the  fleet,  by  which 
you  will  observe  that  seventy-four  men  are  wanting  to  com- 
plete the  numbers  proposed  for  the  vessels,  which  are  barely 
sufficient  when  complete.  I  should  be  extremely  glad  they 
were  sent  to  us  soon.  If  you  think  proper  to  send  them,  the 
bearer,  Lieutenant  Caldenvood,  will  take  charge  of  them. 

Mr.  Gilliland  has  the  only  good  draught  I  know  of  Lake 
Champlain,  which,  he  says,  was  delivered  Captain  Bush  for 
you.  It  will  be  of  great  service  to  me,  as  I  have  no  draught 
of  the  Lake. 

If  a  good  officer  can  be  procured  to  act  as  Captain  of  the 
Royal  Savage,  I  think  he  might  be  of  service  in  case  any 
accident  should  happen  to  me.  The  present  Master  is  not 
fit  for  the  command  in  chief,  though  a  good  man  in  his  pre- 
sent station. 

I  suppose  by  this  time  General  Schuyler  has  paid  you  a 
visit.  Please  to  make  my  respectful  compliments  to  him  if 
arrived,  and  let  him  know  I  will  write  him  very  particularly 
as  soon  as  I  arrive  at  the  other  end  of  the  Lake. 

I  am,  with  real  affection  and  esteem,  dear  General,  your 
obedient,  humble  servant,  B.  ARNOLD. 

Willsborough,  September  2, 1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  intended  sending  the  foregoing  from 
Button-Mould  Bay,  but  waited  for  a  boat  that  I  had  sent  to 
this  place  for  a  barrel  of  fresh  salmon,  which  I  had  designed 
for  you.  The  late  freshets  have  broke  the  dam  so  that  none 
can  be  caught  till  it  is  mended.  Mr.  Gilliland  sent  you 
a  few  salted  ones,  very  indifferent,  which  we  have  eat,  ex- 
pecting to  send  you- some  fresh  ones. 

Yesterday  at  noon  we  left  Button-Mould  Bay,  and  arrived 
here  last  night.  Before  we  passed  the  Split-Rock  we  saw 
two  sail  astern,  which  we  supposed  were  the  Lee  and  a  gon- 
dola. They  have  not  yet  joined  us.  We  are  now  under 
way  with  a  fresh  southerly  breeze,  and  expect  to  be  at  the 
Isle  Tetes  before  night.  I  hope  soon  to  have  it  in  my  power 
to  send  you  a  very  full  account  of  the  strength  of  the  ene- 
my, by  sea  and  land.  I  hope  no  time  will  be  lost  in  for- 
warding the  three  galleys.  When  they  have  joined  us,  I  am 
very  confident  the  enemy  will  not  dare  attempt  crossing  the 
Lake. 

I  beg  my  congratulatory  compliments  to  General  St.  Clair 
on  his  promotion.  When  the  enemy  drive  us  back  to  Ticon- 
deroga,  I  have  some  thoughts  of  going  to  Congress  and  beg- 
ging leave  to  resign.  Do  you  think  they  will  make  me  a 
Major-General  ? 

Entre  nous,  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Samuel  Chase, 
Esq.,  in  which  he  mentions  your  letter  to  John  Adams,  Esq., 
and  desires  an  explanation.  I  will  send  it  you  when  I  have 
time  to  answer  it. 

I  am,  with  every  friendly  wish,  very  respectfully,  dear 

General,  your  obedient,  humble  servant. 

B.  ARNOLD. 


GENERAL  GATES  TO  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

[Read  September  16,  1776.] 

Ticonderoga,  Septembers,  1776. 

SIR:  As  I  conclude  my  letter  to  Major-General  Schuyler 
of  the  27th,  and  that  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington 
of  the  28th  of  last  month,  have  been  transmitted  to  the  most 
honourable  Congress,  I  shall  not  repeat  any  of  the  contents 
of  those  letters  to  your  Excellency. 


General  Arnold  sailed  Saturday,  the  24th  of  August,  with 
ten  sail  of  the  fleet  of  the  United  States  under  his  command. 
Two  gondolas,  one  of  which  is  fitted  as  a  galley,  sailed  from 
here  yesterday  to  join  the  General.  An  exact  return  of  the 
whole  is  enclosed.  One  row-galley  was  launched  Saturday 
at  Skenesborough.  and  the  two  others  will,  1  am  told,  be 
launched  this  week.  The  excessive  sickness  of  that  place 
has  greatly  retarded  the  finishing  of  the  galleys.  Very  few 
of  the  ship-carpenters  your  Excellency  sent  thither  by  order 
of  Congress  are  able  to  work.  The  constant  rain  in  that 
district  has  raised  the  waters  of  the  Wood  Creek  so  much, 
and  so  deluged  the  surrounding  country,  that  the  fever  and 
ague  rages  there  with  unremitted  violence. 

Your  Excellency  will  find  in  the  packet  my  reasons  for 
removing  Captain  fVynkoop  from  the  command  he  assumed 
over  all  the  armed  vessels  employed  upon  this  Lake.  A 
little  of  the  dictatorial  power  was  exerted,  but  perhaps  it 
never  was  more  necessary  than  on  that  occasion.  My  letters 
to  Generals  Schuyler  arid  Arnold,  with  that  of  Captain  Wyn- 
koop,  will,  upon  perusal,  convince  your  Excellency  of  the 
propriety  thereof. 

By  this  conveyance  your  Excellency  will  receive  a  large 
packet,containing  the  proceedings  of  a  General  Court-Martial 
held  by  my  order,  upon  Colonel  Hazen,  on  a  complaint 
exhibited  by  Brig.  General  Arnold.  The  warmth  of  General 
Arnold's  temper  might  possibly  lead  him  a  little  farther  than 
is  marked  by  the  precise  line  of  decorum  to  be  observed  be- 
fore and  towards  a  Court-Martial.  Seeing  and  knowing  all 
circumstances,  I  am  convinced,  if  there  was  a  fault  on  one 
side,  there  was  too  much  acrimony  on  the  other.  Here  again 
I  was  obliged  to  act  dictatorially,  and  dissolve  the  Court- 
Martial  the  instant  they  demanded  General  Arnold  to  be  put 
in  arrest.  The  United  States  must  not  be  deprived  of  that 
excellent  officer's  service  at  this  important  moment.  1  wish 
your  Excellency  would  represent  this  affair  in  the  most 
favourable  light  to  Congress.  Upon  such  occasions  there  is 
a  way  to  satisfy  complainants  without  publickly  disgracing 
those  complained  of,  especially  when  a  General  Officer  of 
acknowledged  merit  is  a  party  concerned. 

Enclosed  is  a  general  return  of  the  Army  of  the  most 
honourable  the  United  States  of  America  immediately  under 
my  command.  General  Schuyler  will,  I  take  for  granted, 
transmit  to  your  Excellency  a  return  of  the  corps  on  the 
Mohawk  River,  and  the  posts  and  communication  in  that 
district,  as  likewise  those  immediately  under  his  own  eye. 
Thank  Heaven,  the  small-pox  is  totally  eradicated  from 
amongst  us,  not,  I  can  assure  you,  without  much  vigilance 
and  authority  being  previously  exerted. 

I  did  not  receive  the  resolve  of  Congress  relative  to  Colo- 
nel Hazen's  behaviour  to  the  Captains  Cuillet,  De  la  Rosse, 
and  De  la  Fontaine,  until  a  fortnight  after  I  had  sent  him, 
with  his  Canadians,  to  Albany.  I  suppose  General  Schuyler 
will  see  them  obeyed.  Mr.  Bedel  had  also  left  the  camp 
when  I  received,  in  the  same  resolve,  what  related  to  Gene- 
ral Prescott's  baggage. 

Colonel  William  Bond,  of  the  Twenty-Fifth  Regiment, 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  died  the  day  before  yes- 
terday of  a  putrid  fever.  Brigadier-General  James  Reed 
remains  so  very  ill  at  Fort  George  that  he  will  not,  I  ima- 
gine, be  again  fit  for  service  this  campaign. 

As  1  have  received  only  one  short  letter  from  your  Ex- 
cellency since  I  left  New-  York,  I  am  anxious  to  know  whe- 
ther my  endeavours  to  serve  the  United  States  merit  the 
approbation  or  blame  of  Congress.  Your  Excellency  may 
believe  me  when  I  assure  you,  sir,  that  their  applause  will 
ever  be  esteemed  by  me  as  the  highest  honour  I  can  possi- 
bly receive  in  this  world. 

With  every  sentiment  of  esteem  and  respect,  I  am,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  His  Excellency  John  Hancock,  Esq. 


GENERAL  ORDERS. 

Head-Quarters,  Ticonderoga,  August  23,  1776. 

(Parole,  HaiVcy.)  (Countersign,  JliLims.) 

The  Regiments  to  be  very  exact  in  sending  in  their  re- 
turns at  Orderly  time  to-morrow.  The  Adjutants  will  take 
care  that  there  are  no  more  returned  sick  present  than  are 
really  sick.  'Tis  suspected  that  many  lazy,  idle  fellows, 
feign  themselves  sick  with  design  to  avoid  duty.  Blank 


1269 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1270 


returns  will  be  delivered.  The  Adjutants  will  rule  those 
which  are  delivered  incomplete. 

After  Orders. — The  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Regi- 
ment is  to  send  a  subaltern  officer  to-rnorrow  morning,  at 
sunrise,  to  Fort  George,  to  bring  the  arms  of  their  dead  and 
discharged  of  their  respective  Regiments  to  this  place. 
These  officers  will  give  receipts  to  the  Director  of  the  Hos- 
pital at  Fort  George  for  the  arms  they  receive,  and  on  their 
arrival  at  this  place  deliver  them  to  the  commanding  officer 
of  their  respective  corps. 

The  Court-Martial  in  the  Second  Brigade,  of  which  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Gilman  was  President,  is  dissolved. 

A  General  Court-Martial,  taken  from  the  two  Brigades 
commanded  by  General  Bricket  and  Colonel  St.  Clair,  com- 
posed of  a  Field-Officer,  (President,)  four  Captains,  and  eight 
Subalterns,  to  sit  to-morrow  morning,  at  the  President's  tent, 
at  nine  o'clock,  for  the  trial  of  "such  prisoners  as  may  be 
brought  before  them. 

Four  hundred  and  eighty-nine  shirts  have  been  received 
in  store.  The  General  orders  them  to  be  delivered  to-mor- 
row, in  proportion  to  the  number  of  men  fit  for  duty  in  each 
Regiment,  except  the  late  arrived  recruits. 

Head -Quarters,  August  24,  1776. 
(Parole,  Gordon.)  (Countersign,  Harrington.} 

The  Chief  Engineer,  with  Colonel  St.  Clair  and  Colonel 
Wayne,  will,  to-morrow  morning  at  ten  o'clock,  take  a  review 
of  the  ground  near  the  Saw-Mill,  fix  upon  the  proper  spot 
for  the  encampment  of  two  Continental  Regiments,  and  the 
best  situation  for  throwing  up  a  redoubt  to  command  the 
pass.  The  Deputy-Adjutant  and  Assistant  Deputy  Quar- 
termaster-General will  also  attend  Colonel  Baldwin. 

Nicholas  Nock,  of  Colonel  Reed's  Regiment,  tried  by  the 
late  General  Court-Martial  for  desertion  and  inlisting  into 
another  Regiment,  and  receiving  £9  18*.  bounty.  The 
prisoner  plead  guilty.  The  Court  sentence  him  to  receive 
thirty-nine  lashes  on  his  bare  back  for  the  first  offence,  and 
thirty-nine  for  the  second,  then  to  return  to  his  duty  in  Colo- 
nel Reed's  Regiment.  The  money  to  be  stopped  out  of  his 
wages  and  repaid  to  the  Committee. 

Jonathan  Wright,  of  Captain  Sullivan's  Company,  in 
Colonel  Patterson's  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  General 
Court-Martial  for  desertion.  The  prisoner  pleading  guilty, 
is  sentenced  by  the  Court  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes  on 
his  bare  back,  and  then  to  return  to  his  duty. 

Ensign  Lee,  of  Captain  Spalding's  Company,  in  Colonel 
Reed's  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  General  Court-Martial, 
for  buying  a  gun  belonging  to  Colonel  MaxweWs  Regiment, 
and  defacing  the  name,  New-Jersey,  and  the  number  which 
was  marked  on  her,  plead  guilty.  The  Court  sentence  him 
to  return  the  gun  to  Colonel  Maxwell,  and  to  be  reprimanded 
by  the  commanding  officer  of  his  Regiment,  at  the  head  of 
his  Regiment. 

Richard  Roach,  of  Colonel  Patterson's  Regiment,  tried 
by  the  same  General  Court-Martial,  for  refusing  his  duty 
and  striking  his  officer.  The  Court  find  him  guilty,  and 
sentence  him  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes  on  his  bare  back 
for  each  several  crime. 

Jonathan  Small,  of  Colonel  Reed's  Regiment,  tried  by  the 
same  General  Court-Martial,  for  breach  of  orders,  in  selling 
spirituous  liquors,  when  repeatedly  forbid  by  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  Regiment,  is  found  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  re- 
ceive thirty-nine  lashes  on  his  bare  back,  and  return  to  his  duty. 

James  Carney,  of  Captain  Osgood's  Company,  in  the 
Regiment  commanded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Wait,  tried 
by  the  same  General  Court-Martial,  for  desertion ;  plead 
guilty,  and  is  sentenced  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes  on  his 
bare  back,  and  to  wear  a  withe  round  his  neck  for  fourteen 
days,  as  a  mark  of  ignominy,  and  if  he  is  found  without  it 
he  is  to  receive  one  hundred  lashes.  He  is  to  return  to  his 
duty  in  his  Battalion. 

The  General  approves  all  the  above  sentences,  and  orders 
the  execution  of  them  to-morrow  morning,  at  guard  mount- 
ing, at  the  head  of  the  Regiments  to  which  the  prisoners 
severally  belong.  • 

Mr.  Samuel  Shvte  is  appointed  an  Ensign  in  Colonel 
Maxwell's  Regiment,  in  place  of  an  Ensign  preferred. 

Head-Quarters,  August  25,  1776. 
(Parole,  Litbon.)  (Countersign,  Cadiz.) 

The  honourable  the  Continental  Congress  have  been 
pleased  to  appoint  Colonel  James  Reed  and  Colonel  Arthur 


St.  Clair  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-Generals  in  the  Army  of 
the  United  States  of  America.  They  are  to  be  considered 
and  obeyed  as  such. 

Colonel  Morgan  Lewis  is  appointed  Deputy  Quarter- 
master-General of  the  Northern  Army,  and  is  to  be  obeyed 
as  such. 


(Parole,  Madrid.) 


Head-Quarters,  August  26,  1776. 

(Countersign,  Spfiin.) 


Benjamin  Willy,  of  Captain  Tilton's  Company,  Colonel 
Poor's  Regiment;  Josiah  Burnham,  of  Captain  Adams's 
Company;  William  Adams,  of  the  same  Company;  JVilliam 
Crown,  of  the  same;  John  Poivdl,  of  the  same;  James  Mor- 
ton, of  Captain  Tilton's  Company,  and  all  of  Colonel  Poor's 
Regiment,  and  all  tried  by  a  General  Court-Martial  of  the 
Third  Brigade,  of  which  Lieutenant-Colonel  McDuffie  is 
President,  for  desertion,  plead  guilty,  and  are  sentenced  to 
be  whipped,  each  thirty-nine  lashes  on  the  bare  back. 

David  Rand,  from  Captain  Adams's  Company,  Colonel 
Poor's  Regiment,  for  deserting  from  said  Company,  then 
inlisting  with  the  Militia,  and  afterwards  deserting  again. 
Plead  guilty,  and  is  sentenced  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes. 

Benjamin  Holt,  of  late  Captain  Wentworth's  Company, 
Colonel  Poor's  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  General  Court- 
Martial,  for  desertion,  plead  guilty.  The  Court,  on  account 
of  several  circumstances  which  appeared  in  his  favour,  sen- 
tence him  only  to  be  stripped  at  the  post,  as  if  to  be  whipped, 
and  then  severely  reprimanded  by  the  Colonel  of  the  Regi- 
ment. 

Josiah  Henderson,  Corporal  in  Captain  Bill's  Company, 
Colonel  Poor's  Regiment,  tried  for  neglect  of  duty  when 
Corporal  of  a  guard,  in  suffering  the  prisoners  confined  in 
his  guard  to  go  at  large,  and  permitting  one  Samuel Rowell, 
confined  for  desertion,  to  make  his  escape.  The  Court, 
having  examined  the  evidences,  find  him  guilty,  and  sen- 
tence him  to  be  severely  reprimanded  by  his  Colonel,  at  the 
head  of  the  Regiment,  and  reduced  to  a  private.  • 

John  Kelly,  of  Captain  Walker's  Company,  Colonel 
Stark's  Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  General  Court-Martial 
for  mutinous  conduct  and  threatening  to  shoot  Captain  Rich- 
ards, pleads  guilty.  The  Court  sentence  him  to  receive 
thirty-nine  lashes,  and  be  reprimanded  by  the  Colonel  at  the 
head  of  the  Regiment. 

Daniel  Coss,  of  Captain  Reed's  Company,  Colonel  Stark's 
Regiment,  tried  by  the  same  General  Court-Martial,  for 
leaving  his  post,  when  placed  as  sentinel,  before  he  was 
relieved,  is  found  guilty;  but,  from  many  circumstances 
which  appear  in  his  favour,  the  Court  only  sentence  him  to 
be  severely  reprimanded  by  the  Colonel  at  the  head  of  the 
Regiment. 

As  the  weather  is  so  very  wet,  the  Commissary  is  directed 
to  deliver  an  half  gill  of  rum  to  every  non-commissioned  offi- 
cer and  soldier  now  fit  for  duty  in  camp. 

After  Orders. — All  the  sentences  of  the  Court  inserted 
in  the  Orders  of  this  day  are  approved  by  the  General,  and 
are  to  be  put  in  execution  at  such  time  and  place  as  the 
commanding  officers  of  the  respective  Regiments  shall  direct. 

Head-Quarters,  August  27,  1776. 
(Parole,  Philadelphia.)  (Countersign,  Fort.) 

The  weather  continuing  extremely  cold  and  stormy,  the 
General  orders  the  Commissary  to  issue  one  half  gill  of  rum 
to  every  non-commissioned  officer  and  soldier  now  in  camp. 

The  Commissary  has  received  four  hundred  pairs  of  leather 
breeches.  They  are  ready  to  be  delivered  to  the  different 
established  Regiments,  according  to  their  number  returned 
for  duty. 

The  General  is  determined  not  to  grant  discharges  or  fur- 
loughs, unless  the  commanding  officers  of  Regiments  send 
their  desire  in  writing,  setting  forth  the  reasons  why  such 
furlough  or  discharge  is  requested. 

Head-Quarters,  August  28,  1776. 
(Parole,  Annapolis.)  (Countersign,  Baltimore) 

The  bad  weather  still  continuing,  the  Commissary  to  issue 
one-half  gill  of  rum  to  each  non-commissioned  officer  and 
soldier,  as  before. 

During  this  recess  from  work,  occasioned  by  the  rain,  the 
Chief  Engineer  will  order  as  many  axes  to  be  ground  as 
possible.  As  soon  as  the  weather  clears  up,  the  command- 
ing officer  of  each  Regiment  may  receive  from  Colonel 


1271 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  fee.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1272 


Baldwin  twenty-four  axes,  giving  his  receipt  for  the  same. 
These  axes  are  to  be  distributed  to  three  of  the  most  expert 
axe-men  in  each  company,  who  are  to  keep  them  constantly 
in  good  order,  and  to  be  ready  to  turn  out  when  called 
upon. 

One  Captain,  two  Subalterns,  two  Sergeants,  two  Drum- 
mers, and  fifty  rank  and  file,  from  General  Brickefs  Bri- 
gade, to  parade  as  soon  as  possible,  to  take  twelve  batteaus 
to  Skenesborongh.  The  Captain  to  wait  on  the  Adjutant- 
General  for  orders  before  he  sets  out.  The  Batteau-Master 
will  provide  the  batteaus  immediately. 

Lieutenant  Nahum  Powers,  of  Colonel  Woodbridge's 
Regiment,  tried  by  a  General  Court-Martial,  of  which  Lieut. 
Colonel  Irvine  is  President,  for  stealing  a  blanket,  is  found 
not  guilty;  therefore  acquitted.  The  General  approves  the 
sentence,  and  orders  Lieutenant  Powers  to  be  released  from 
his  arrest. 

The  Batteau-Master  is  ordered  to  take  a  fatigue  party,  and 
proceed  immediately  to  collect  all  the  oars  from  the  different 
encampments  and  places  where  they  are  scattered. 


Head-Quarters,  August  29,  1776. 
(Parole,  Frederick.)  (Countersign,  Berkeley.) 

The  Field  Officers  who  command  the  guard  upon  the 
isthmus  of  Mount  Independence,  and  the  Captains  who 
command  the  guard  upon  the  redoubt  above  the  lines,  are 
to  see  tbat  those  under  them  are  vigilant  in  finishing  the  two 
guard-rooms  directed  by  former  orders  to  be  built  by  those 
guards. 

The  Chief  Engineer  will  order  the  broken  handbarrows 
to  be  repaired,  and  as  many  new  ones  made  as  are  imme- 
diately wanted. 

The  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Old  Corps  will,  at 
Orderly  time,  next  Saturday,  give  in  to  the  Deputy  Adjutant- 
General,  a  signed  return  of  the  names,  rank,  and  dates  of 
commissions,  of  the  Field,  Commissioned,  and  Staff  Officers, 
in  their  respective  corps.  The  Majors  of  Brigade  will 
receive  the  form  in  which  these  returns  are  to  be  made.- 

As  the  weather  promises  to  be  fair,  the  fatigue  parties  are 
to  make  an  early  dinner,  and  parade  at  one  o'clock  for 
work. 

Head-Quarters,  August  30,  1776. 
(Parole.  WeatherifieU.)  (Countersign,  Springfield.) 

Zerah  Beach,  Quartermaster  of  Colonel  Burrell's  Regi- 
ment, is  appointed  an  Ensign  in  the  same  Regiment,  in 
place  of  Ensign  Wright,  discharged. 

The  Majors  of  Brigade  will  be  particularly  careful  that 
the  weekly  returns  are  correct  and  complete  this  week,  as 
they  are  to  be  sent  to  Congress.  The  absencies  and  vacan- 
cies, &tc.,'are  to  be  carefully  noted.  Every  officer  in  camp, 
whether  sick  or  well,  is  to  be  returned  present.  This  would 
not  be  ordered,  but  that  some  Regiments  are  particularly 
fond  of  making  mistakes  of  this  kind. 

Ensign  Frothingham,  of  Colonel  Wheelock's  Regiment,  is 
appointed  Adjutant  of  the  same  Regiment,  in  place  of  Adju- 
tant Allen,  promoted. 

After  Orders. — The  Surgeons  of  the  different  Regiments 
of  this  Army  are  to  meet  at  Head-Quarters  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, ten  o'clock.  • 


we  have  appealed,  will,  if  we  trust  in  Him,  preserve  us  from 
slavery  and  death. 

The  General  recommends  it  to  the  Surgeons  of  the  differ- 
ent Regiments  to  communicate  to  each  other  the  state  of 
the  sick  in  their  respective  corps,  the  various  diseases,  the 
remedies  principally  wanted,  and  the  comforts  most  in  re- 
quest ;  for  he  will  leave  nothing  unattempted  in  his  power  to 
provide  whatever  he  can  command  for  their  recovery. 

The  General  also  desires  the  Medical  Gentlemen  will 
consult  upon  and  adopt  the  most  proper  measures  for  ob- 
taining those  salutary  purposes. 

Head-Quarters,  September  1,  1776. 
(Parole,  Peniacala.)  (Countersign,  Georgia.) 

A  General  Court-Martial  to  sit  to-morrow  morning  at 
ten  o'clock,  at  the  President's  tent,  upon  Mount  Independ- 
ence, for  the  trial  of  Colonel  Wyman  and  such  prisoners  as 
shall  be  brought  before  them;  all  evidences  and  persons  con- 
cerned to  attend  the  Court. 

When  there  is  no  beef,  the  Commissary  is  to  issue  one- 
half  pound  of  pork  and  one  pound  and  a  half  of  flour  per 
day  to  each  man,  until  further  orders. 

Philip  Morrell,  of  Captain  Stow's  Company,  Colonel 
Wheelock's  Regiment,  tried  at  a  General  Court-Martial,  of 
which  Lieutenant-Colonel  Irvine  is  President,  for  refusing 
to  do  duty,  and  threatening  the  life  of  a  Sergeant,  plead 
guilty,  and  is  sentenced  to  receive  thirty-nine  lashes  on  his 
bare  back  for  refusing  his  duty,  and  thirty-nine  lashes  for 
threatening  the  life  of  the  Sergeant. 

Allen  Kissaday,  of  Captain  Moore's  Company,  in  the 
Second  Pennsylvania  Regiment,  and  John  Purdy,  of  Cap- 
tain Harmar's  Company,  of  the  First  Pennsylvania  Regi- 
ment, tried  for  getting  drunk  on  their  post,  plead  guilty. 
The  Court  sentence  them  to  receive  each  twenty  lashes  on 
his  bare  back. 

Benjamin  Butterbee,  of  Captain  Polhemus's  Company, 
in  Colonel  Winds's  Regiment,  tried  for  desertion,  and  inlist- 
ing  into  another  Regiment,  plead  guilty.  Is  sentenced  to 
receive  thirty-nine  lashes  for  desertion,  and  thirty-nine  lashes 
for  inlisting  into  another  Regiment,  to  forfeit  his  pay  due  in 
each  Regiment  to  be  appropriated  to  the  payment  of  the 
bounty  received  at  his  inlistment,  to  be  drummed  out  of  the 
Army  with  a  halter  round  his  neck,  and  sent  over  Lake 
George. 

The  General  approves  all  the  above  sentences,  except 
that  part  of  the  last  of  B.  Butterbee's  relating  to  his  being 
drummed  out  of  the  Army,  and  orders  the  execution  of  them 
at  such  time  and  place  as  the  respective  commanding  offi- 
cers shall  think  proper. 

The  General  Court-Martial,  of  which  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Irvine  was  President,  is  dissolved. 


(Parole,  America.) 


Head-Quarters,  August  31,  1776. 
(Countersign,  Liberty.) 


The  officers  and  soldiers  may  be  satisfied  that  the  General 
has  left  no  means  in  his  power  unattempted  to  procure 
medicine  and  every  comfort  for  the  sick. 

The  Director  of  the  General  Hospital  in  this  department, 
Doctor  Stringer,  was  sent  to  New-  York  three  and  thirty 
days  ago,  with  positive  orders  to  return  the  instant  he  had 
provided  the  drugs  and  medicines  so  much  wanted.  Since 
then,  repeated  letters  have  been  wrote  to  New-York  and 
Philadelphia,  setting  forth,  in  the  strongest  terms,  the  press- 
ing necessity  of  an  immediate  supply  of  these  articles. 

The  General  is  credibly  informed  that  a  Principal  Sur- 
geon from  the  General  Hospital  at  New-York,  has  been 
despatched  from  thence  above  a  fortnight  ago,  with  a  supply 
of  medicines,  and  apprehends  that  the  badness  of  the  weather 
and  roads  has  alone  prevented  his  arrival. 

It  is  the  soldier's  duty  to  maintain  the  post  he  is  ordered 
to  defend.  The  same  climate  and  season  that  affects  us 
affects  our  enemies;  and  the  favour  of  the  Almighty,  to  whom 


Head-Quarters,  September  2,  1776. 
(Parole,  Ftatlush.)  (Countersign,  Hand.) 

The  Commissary  will  deliver  one  sheep  to  the  order  of 
the  commanding  officer  of  each  Brigade,  to  make  broth  for 
the  sick. 

Colonel  WhitcomVs  Regiment  to  encamp  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible in  the  vacant  space  in  the  Pennsylvania  Brigade  that 
was  left  for  the  Sixth  Battalion,  commanded  by  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hartley. 

The  General  Court-Martial  in  the  Third  Brigade,  of 
which  Lieutenant-Colonel  McDuffee  was  President,  is  dis- 
solved. 

All  the  spades,  pickaxes,  and  bill-hooks  now  in  pos- 
session of  the  respective  Regiments,  except  four  spades  and 
four  pickaxes  to  each  Regiment,  are  to  be  immediately 
brought  in  to  the  Chief  Engineer :  those  on  Mount  Inde- 
pendence to  be  brought  to  the  Landing;  those  on  the  west 
side  to  be  brought  to  Head-Quarters. 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

General  ARNOLD'S  Protest. 

As  the  Court  have  refused  accepting  my  principal  evi- 
dence,  Major  Scott,  after  my  having  declared  to  them,  on 
honour,  that  he  had  punctually  obeyed  my  orders  respecting 
the  goods  he  had  in  charge  from  Montreal  to  Chambke,  and 
of  course  is  not  in  the  least  interested  in  the  event  of  Colonel 
Hazen's  trial,  I  do  solemnly  protest  against  their  proceedings 
and  refusal  as  unprecedented,  and  I  think  unjust. 

B.  ARNOLD,  Brig.  Gen. 


1273 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1274 


Minute  of  the  Court. 

General  Arnold  having  offered  a  Protest  to  the  Court,  for 
the  entry  of  it  on  their  Minutes,  which  appears  to  them 
illegal,  illiberal,  and  ungentlemanlike,  for  these  reasons  they 
have  objected  to  its  entry  and  refuse  the  same. 

The  Court  likewise  directed  the  President  to  demand 
satisfaction  of  the  General ;  which  he  accordingly  did,  in  the 
following  words: 

"Sin:  As  you  have  evidently  called  in  question,  not  only 
the  honour,  but  the  justice  likewise,  of  this  Court,  by  the 
illiberal  Protest  you  exhibited,  the  Court  have  directed  me, 
and  as  President  of  this  Court  I  esteem  it  my  duty,  to  inform 
you  that  you  have  drawn  upon  yourself  their  just  resentment, 
and  that  nothing  but  an  open  acknowledgment  of  your  error 
will  be  conceived  as  satisfactory." 

To  which  General  Arnold  returned  the  following  Letter : 

"Ticonderoga,  August  1,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  The  very  extraordinary  vote  of  the  Court, 
and  directions  given  to  the  President,  .and  his  still  more 
extraordinary  demand,  are,  in  my  opinion,  ungenteel  and 
indecent  reflections  on  a  superior  officer,  which  the  nature 
and  words  of  my  protest  will  by  no  means  justify;  nor  was 
it  designed  as  you  have  construed  it.  I  am  not  very  con- 
versant with  Courts-Martial,  but  this  I  may  venture  to  say, 
they  are  composed  of  men  noi  infallible.  Even  you  may 
have  erred.  Congress  will  judge  between  us;  to  whom  I 
will  desire  the  General  to  transmit  the  proceedings  of  this 
Court.  This  I  can  assure  you,  I  shall  ever,  in  publick 
or  private,  be  ready  to  support  the  character  of  a  man  of 
honour;  and,  as  your  very  nice  and  delicate  honour,  in  your 
apprehension,  is  injured,  you  may  depend,  as  soon  as  this 
disagreeable  service  is  at  an  end,  (which  God  grant  may  soon 
be  the  case,)  I  will  by  no  means  withhold  from  any  gen- 
tleman of  the  Court  the  satisfaction  his  nice  honour  may 
require. 

"  Your  demand  I  shall  not  comply  with. 

"B.  ARNOLD. 
"  To  the  Court-Martial." 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES  "s  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Ticonderoga,  August  6,  1776. 

SIR:  The  Court-Martial,  ever  desirous  of  rendering  their 
proceedings  clear  and  intelligible,  have  thought  proper  to 
mention  to  your  Honour  the  principles  on  which  their  deter- 
mination was  grounded,  in  regard  to  the  testimony  of  Major 
Scott,  which,  if  your  Honour  should  esteem  necessary,  may 
be  transmitted  to  Congress. 

From  Major  Scott's  overstrained  zeal  to  serve  as  Judge 
Advocate  during  the  course  of  the  trial;  from  his  own  ac- 
knowledgment in  the  face  of  the  Court  that  he  had  never 
furnished  Colonel  Hazen  with  any  written  orders  from  Gen- 
eral Arnold ;  from  his  appearing  extremely  solicitous  to  give 
evidence  in  the  cause;  from  his  application  to  the  Court  to 
cross-examine  a  witness;  and  lastly,  from  the  purport  of  the 
testimony  of  divers  witnesses,  proving  that  the  goods  were 
delivered  to  Major  Scott,  and,  while  under  his  care,  con- 
ducted in  such  a  disorderly  manner  that  part  of  them  must 
unavoidably  have  been  damaged  or  lost  previous  to  their 
arrival  at  Chamblee;  that  Colonel  Hazen  never  had  the  pos- 
session of  the  goods,  and  that  he  could  not  possibly  have 
taken  them,  (granting  he  had  been  authorized  so  to  do,)  not 
having  sufficient  store  room;  from  these  concurring  circum- 
stances, we  beg  leave  to  assure  your  Honour  that  we  were 
constrained  to  believe  Major  Scott  so  far  interested  in  the 
event  of  Colonel  Hazen's  trial,  as  to  render  his  testimony 
inadmissible. 

We  are  your  Honour's  most  obedient  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  Court:         ENQCH  POOK)  pntidettt. 

To  Major-General  Gates. 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES 's  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

August  6,  1776. 

SIR:  We  do  not  make  a  doubt  of  your  having  heard  that 
this  Court  has  taken  umbrage  at  some  part  of  General 
Arnold" t  behaviour  in  the  course  of  his  prosecution  of  Colo- 
nel Hazen.  We  are  sensible  men  of  rank  should  be  treated 
with  delicacy.  We  are  also  sensible  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
maintain  the  dignity  and  authority  of  the  Court-Martial,  and 
that  an  attempt  to  lessen  the  one,  or  render  the  other  con- 


temptible, is  proportionally  a  greater  offence,  as  the  person 
who  makes  the  attempt  is  in  a  station  more  elevated ;  and 
that  the  passing  over  such  attempts  must  have  the  worst 
effects  in  the  discipline  of  the  Army  We  know  we  have 
power  to  compel  parties  before  us  to  decent  behaviour,  and 
to  punish  insults  offered  to  us.  'Tis  a  power  incident  to 
Courts,  and  without  which  they  would  be  ridiculous  and 
nugatory.  'Tis  a  power,  however,  we  wish  not  to  exercise 
in  the  case  of  General  Arnold  especially;  a  power,  however, 
we  must  use  in  his  case  unless  he  gives  this  Court  the  satis- 
faction they  have  demanded ;  justice  to  the  Army  and  to  our 
country  requires  it  of  us. 

The  case  is  shortly  this :  A  witness  was  offered  to  the 
Court  to  support  the  charge  brought  by  General  Arnold 
against  Colonel  Hazen,  to  whom  exception  was  taken,  that 
he  was  interested  in  the  event  of  the  trial,  and  therefore  not 
admissible.  The  Court,  after  hearing  the  allegations  of  both 
parties,  adjudged  that  he  was  interested,  and  rejected  him. 
Other  witnesses  were  called,  and  the  trial  went  on.  After 
some  time  General  Arnold  again  pressed  for  the  admission 
of  the  above  witness,  at  the  same  time  observing  to  the 
Court,  that  he  would  enter  a  protest  on  their  Minutes  unless 
his  request  should  be  granted.  He  was  refused ;  he  then 
offered  his  protest  against  our  proceedings,  couched,  as  we 
think,  in  indecent  terms,  and  directly  impeaching  the  justice 
of  the  Court.  If  he  thought  by  his  protest  to  stop  the 
proceedings,  he  certainly  has  not  considered  how  far  that 
practice  would  lead.  If  either  party  has  a  right  to  stop  the 
proceedings  by  protest,  both  parties  must  have  the  right, 
and  then  there  needs  nothing  more  to  screen  every  offender 
from  punishment;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  it  would  expose 
a  person  who  might  have  the  misfortune  to  be  obnoxious 
to  his  superior  officer  to  perpetual  persecution;  however 
conscious  of  his  innocence,  in  vain  would  he  expect  redress 
from  a  General  Court-Martial,  for  in  the  very  moment  when 
he  has  a  well-grounded  expectation  of  an  honourable  acquit- 
tal, a  protest  appears  and  blasts  it  all,  and  sends  him  back  to 
his  room  a  melancholy  prisoner.  But,  on  the  contrary,  if  his 
design  was  no  more  than,  by  an  entry  of  his  protest  upon 
our  Minutes,  to  operate  against  the  justice  and  equity  of  our 
proceedings,  we  must  and  do  consider  ourselves  as  an  im- 
proper conveyance  to  our  superiors  of  that  protest  which 
was  so  replete  with  crimination  and  abuse.  We  would  add, 
that  the  illiberal  sentiments  ofthe  protest  was  not  the  only 
injury  offered  us;  the  whole  of  the  General's  conduct  during 
the  course  of  the  trial  was  marked  with  contempt  and  dis- 
respect towards  the  Court,  and  by  his  extraordinary  answer 
he  has  added  insult  to  injury. 

We  mention  these  things  that  you  may  know  what  were 
our  motives  in  this  matter;  and  our  principal  design  in  this 
is,  that  through  you  General  Arnold  may  know  the  light  in 
which  we  have  seen  the  matter,  which,  we  flatter  ourselves, 
you  will  readily  see  the  propriety  of;  and,  from  the  regard 
you  have  lor  the  honour,  the  discipline,  and  the  subordi- 
nation of  the  Army,  you  will  not,  by  a  sudden  dissolution, 
put  it  out  of  our  power  to  obtain  that  satisfaction  we  are 
entitled  to. 
To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 


Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Ticonderogn,  August  7,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  now  before  me  Colonel  Poor's  letter 
of  the  6th  instant,  signed  by  order,  and  as  President  of  the 
Court-Martial,  couched  in  the  most  artful  terms,  to  deceive 
and  gloss  over  their  private  resentment,  under  an  appear- 
ance of  the  greatest  concern  to  keep  up  discipline,  &LC.  In 
regard  to  the  power  of  the  Court-Martial,  I  know  of  none 
they  have  to  vilify  and  abuse  any  officer,  as  a  Court,  much 
less  as  private  men,  under  the  idea  of  being  a  Court,  which 
in  fact  has  been  the  case.  And  I  appeal  to  every  private 
gentleman  present  at  the  Court,  whether  there  was  not  the 
grossest  abuse  offered  me  by  Colonel  Hazen,  who  claimed 
the  protection  of  the  Court,  and  was  by  them  countenanced. 
The  gentlemen  say  that  the  illiberal  sentiments  of  the 
protest  was  not  the  only  injury  offered,  for  that  my  whole 
conduct  during  the  course  of  the  trial  was  marked  with 
contempt  and  disrespect  toward  the  Court.  Had  that  been 
the  case,  those  gentlemen,  who  are  so  very  quick  of  appre- 
hension, would  have  pointed  out  at  least  one  instance  of 
it,  which  they  have  not  done,  and  I  defy  them  to  do  it.  I 


1275 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1276 


wish  not  to  have  the  Court  dissolved,  but  that  they  may 
have  every  satisfaction  they  ave  entitled  to  as  a  Court  or 
gentlemen.  I  beg  the  whole  proceedings  may  be  laid  before 
Congress.  Their  decision  will  ever  be  a  law  to  me. 

I  am,  with  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem,  dear  sir,  your 
obedient,  humble  servant,  g  ARNOLD 

To  Major-General  Gates. 

P.  S.  Enclosed  is  Major  Scott's  evidence,  which  I  beg 
may  be  transmitted  with  the  other  papers. 

From  Central  ARNOLD  to  General  GATES. — Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S 
letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Crown-Point,  August  17,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL  :  About  two  o'clock  this  afternoon,  Colo- 
nel Hartley  acquainted  me  that  a  party  of  his  men,  who  were 
posted  seven  miles  down  the  Lake,  as  a  covering  party  to 
the  oar-makers,  had  made  a  large  fire  as  a  signal  that  the 
enemy  were  approaching.  I  sent  Colonel  Hartley  with  one 
hundred  men  in  batteaus  to  secure  the  retreat  of  the  party, 
if  attacked,  and  ordered  the  two  light  schooners  down  the 
Lake  to  cover  them.  They  were  no  soon  under  way  than 
Commodore  Wynkoop  fired  a  shot  and  brought  them  to,  and 
soon  after  sent  me  a  note,  (copy  of  which  I  enclose,  with  my 
order  to  the  Captains  of  the  schooners,  and  answer  to  the 
Commodore's  note.)  1  waited  some  time  expecting  the 
vessels  to  sail,  but  finding  they  did  not,  I  went  on  board  the 
Commodore,  when  he  ordered  them  under  sail.  He  refuses 
to  be  commanded  by  any  one,  and  imagines  his  appointment, 
which  is  by  General  Schuyler,  cannot  be  superseded.  I 
have  shown  him  such  parts  of  your  instructions  as  I  thought 
necessary,  which  has  brought  him  so  far  to  reason.  He 
says  if  you  think  proper  to  turn  him  out,  he  will  quit  the 
vessel.  1  have  given  him  to  understand  that  I  shall  at  all 
events  pursue  your  orders,  and  that  if  he  did  not  incline  to 
remain  in  the  service,  he  would  not  be  compelled  to  it. 
Colonel  Hartley  is  not  yet  returned. 

I  am,  with  sentiments  of  respect  and  esteem,  dear  Gene- 
ral, your  obedient,  humble  servant,  g  ARNOLD 

Saturday  night,  eight  o'clock. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates. 

Sunday  noon. — I  am  this%moment  acquainted  by  a  mes- 
senger from  Crown-Point  that  the  oar-makers  made  a  false 
alarm.  H.  GATES. 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S  Letter  O/SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Crown-Point,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR  :  You  will  immediately  get  your  vessels  under  sail, 
and  proceed  down  the  Lake  seven  or  eight  miles.  If  you 
make  any  discovery  of  the  enemy,' you  will  immediately 
give  me  notice ;  if  none,  return  as  soon  as  possible. 

B.  ARNOLD,  Brig.  General. 

To  Captains  Seaman  and  Premier. 

Enclosed  in  Central  GATES'S  Letter  O/SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

On  board  the  Royal  Savage,  August  17,  1776. 
SIR:  I  find,  by  an  order  you  have  given  out,  that  the 
schooners  are  to  go  down  the  Lake.  I  know  no  orders  but 
what  shall  be  given  out  by  me,  except  sailing  orders  from 
the  Commander-in-Chief.  If  an  enemy  is  approaching,  1 
am  to  be  acquainted  with  it,  and  know  how  to  act  in  my 
station. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  JACOBUS  WYNKOOP, 

Commander  of  Lake  Champlain. 

To  B.  Arnold,  Brigadier-General. 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S  Letter  O/SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  surprised  you  should  pretend  to  contradict  my 
orders  to  the  Captains  of  the  schooners,  at  this  time,  when 
we  are  alarmed  by  a  signal  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy; 
and  much  more  so,  as  I  acquainted  you  some  time  since  that 
the  Commander-in-Chief  had  appointed  me  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  Navy  on  the  Lake.  Had  I  not  received  this  ap- 
pointment, from  my  rank  in  the  Army,  and  as  Commander- 
in-Chief  of  this  post,  it  is  your  duty  to  obey  my  orders,  which 
you  have  received  and  executed  for  some  time  past.  You 
surely  must  be  out  of  your  senses  to  say  no  orders  shall  be 
obeyed  but  yours.  Do  you  imagine  that  Congress  have  given 


you  a  superior  command  over  the  Commander-in-Chief,  or 
that  you  are  not  to  be  under  his  direction?  If  you  do,  give 
me  leave  to  say  you  are  much  mistaken;  and  if  you  do  not 
suffer  my  orders  to  be  immediately  complied  with,  by  send- 
ing to  the  Captains  of  the  schooners  to  obey  them,  I  shall 
be  under  the  disagreeable  necessity  of  convincing  you  of 
your  error  by  immediately  arresting  you. 

B.  ARNOLD, 

Brigadier-General  and  Commander-in-Chief 
of  the  Fleet  on  Lake  Champlain. 

To  Commodore  J.  Wi/nkoop. 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S  Letter  O/SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Crown-Point,  August  17,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  understood  that  General  Arnold  is  to  have 
the  command  of  the  Navy;  and  if  that  be  so,  he  ought  to 
have  shown  me  his  power  to  it;  but  instead  of  that,  he  sent 
an  order  for  two  of  the  schooners  to  get  under  way  and  go 
down  the  Lake,  upon  some  information,  he  says,  he  had  of 
the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Was  it  not  his  duty  to  have 
communicated  it  to  me,  and  my  orders  to  have  been  given 
to  the  vessels  ?  I  have  contradicted  them  till  he  acquainted 
me  with  some  accounts  of  the  enemy,  and  then  1  imme- 
diately issued  out  my  orders  for  them  to  go  down.  Sir,  if 
that  be  the  case,  I  would  be  glad  of  my  dismission  from  the 
service,  for  I  accepted  of  this  command  upon  these  condi- 
tions. Major-General  Schuyler  has  a  letter,  which  I  brought 
up  to  him  from  Congress,  that  no  man  was  to  take  the  com- 
mand from  me;  and  when  he  had  read  the  letter,  he  told 
me  that  I  need  not  to  fear,  that  no  one  should  have  it  but 
me;  and  the  Congress  of  -New- York  promised  me  that  if  any 
one  should  arrive  here  authorized  to  take  the  command  by 
the  honourable  Continental  Congress,  I  was  to  be  dismissed 
the  service,  and  have  the  command  of  one  of  the  frigates 
building  up  the  North  River;  for  I  am  resolved  to  go  under 
command  of  no  man.  I  will  receive  general  orders  to  sail, 
and  how  far,  and  will  obey  the  Commander-in-Chief 's  orders; 
but  if  I  have  the  command,  I  expect  to  give  the  orders  to  the 
Captains  of  the  fleet,  when  I  receive  them  from  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief. I  refer  your  Honour  to  a  copy  of  my 
warrant,  a  copy  of  Major-General  Schuyler's  letter,  and  his 
orders,  here  enclosed.  Sir,  if  you  find  my  grievance  well 
founded,  I  hope  your  Honour  will  be  pleased  to  redress  it. 

I  am,  sir,  with  all  due  respect  your  Honour's  most  obe- 
dient and  very  humble  servant, 

JACOBUS  WYNKOOP,  Comd. 

To  the  Hon.  Major-General  Gates,  Ticonderoga. 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  New- York,  April  13,  1776. 
Ordered,  That  Captain  Jacobus  Wynkoop  do  inlist  the 
number  of  Mariners  desired  by  Major-General  Schuyler  for 
the  service  of  the  Lakes,  with  all  possible  despatch.  That 
Captain  Wynkoop  proceed  to  Albany  with  said  Mariners  to 
General  Schuyler,  and  take  his  directions  as  to  the  vessels 
on  the  Lakes,  until  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congress 
shall  have  appointed  him  to  that  command,  or  some  other 
gentleman  shall  arrive  at  the  Lakes  authorized  to  take  the 
command. 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  : 

JOHN  MCKESSON,  Secretary. 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Albany,  March  8,  1770. 

SIR:  I  am  honoured  with  yours  of  the  4th  instant.  The 
Continental  Congress  have  resolved  that  Captain  Wynkoop 
should  be  employed  upon  the  Lakes  under  Commodore 
Douglass.  Whether  the  latter  gentleman  means  to  engage 
in  that  service,  I  do  not  know.  Of  this  Congress  can  very 
speedily  inform  itself,  as  he  resides  near  New-York.  Should 
he  not  engage,  there  is  no  person  I  would  more  willingly 
have  to  command  the  vessels  than  Captain  Wynkoop.  At 
any  rate,  I  wish  you  to  send  him  up  the  soonest  possible, 
with  a  sufficient  number  of  sailors  for  the  two  schooners  and 
sloop. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

PH.  SCHUYLER. 
To  Nathaniel  Woodliull,  Esq.,  Sic.,  &c. 


1277 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1278 


Enclosed  in  General  GATES  's  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Fort  George,  May  7,  1776. 

SIR  :  You  are  immediately  to  repair  to  Ticondcroga,  and 
take  the  command  of  all  the  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain, 
which  you  will,  with  the  greatest  expedition,  put  into  the 
best  condition  possible  for  immediate  service. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  PH   SCHUYLER. 

To  Captain  Wynkoop. 

Enclosed  in  General  GATES 's  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Ticonderogn,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR:  I  have  this  moment  received  your  letter  from  Crown- 
Point,  of  yesterday  evening.  It  is  my  orders  you  instantly 
put  Commodore  Wynkoop  in  arrest,  and  send  him  prisoner 
to  Head-Quarters,  at  Ticonderoga.  You  will,  at  the  same 
time,  acquaint  the  officers  of  the  fleet  that  such  of  them  as 
do  not  pay  an  implicit  obedience  to  your  commands  are  in- 
stantly to  be  confined  and  sent  to  me  for  trial. 

I  arn,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
To  Brigadier-General  Arnold. 


Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S  Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Crown-Point,  August  19,  1776. 

DEAR  GENERAL:  I  received  yours  of  yesterday,  and  have 
ordered  Commodore  Wynkoop  to  Head-Quarters.  No  other 
person  in  the  fleet  has  disputed  my  orders.  I  believe  the 
Commodore  was  really  of  opinion  that  neither  of  us  had 
authority  to  command  him.  He  now  seems  convinced  to 
the  contrary,  and  sorry  for  his  disobedience  of  orders.  If 
it  can  be  done  with  propriety,  I  wish  he  may  be  permitted 
to  return  home  without  being  cashiered. 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  fee.,  &c,  R  ARNOLD 

To  Major-General  Gates. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Major-General  GATES  to  Major-  General  SCHUYLER, 
dated  AUGUST  20, 1776, «(  TICONDEROGA.  Enclosedin  General  GATES  's 
Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Captain  Wynkoop's  letter  to  me  of  the  17th  instant  you 
will  find  in  the  packet.  I  am  happy  in  having  discover- 
ed so  early,  and  upon  so  unimportant  an  occasion,  the 
refractory  disposition  of  Mr.  Wynkoop.  It  might  have  ope- 
rated, in  some  serious  moment,  to  the  entire  ruin  of  our 
maritime  affairs.  As  General  Arnold  has  requested  I 
would  not  send  him  off  in  arrest,  he  has  my  pass  to  go  at 
liberty  to  Albany ;  but  he  must,  on  no  account,  be  sent  back 
here. 

Jlnother  extract  from  Major-General  SCHUTLER  to  Major-General  GATES, 
dated  at  ALBANY,  AUGUST  25,  1776.  Enclosed  in  General  GATES'S 
Letter  of  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 

Your  favour  of  the  20th  instant  was  yesterday  delivered 
me  by  Captain  Wynkoop.  He  is  to  remain  at  this  place. 
The  want  of  subordination  and  discipline  in  an  army  can- 
not be  too  much  lamented.  It  is  the  Source  whence  all 
disorder  and  misfortune  arise. 


GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Lebanon,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR:  Adjutant-General  Reed's  letter  of  the  24th  instant 
came  to  hand  Tuesday  morning,  the  27th;  yours  of  the 
same  date,  yesterday.  On  receiving  the  former,  I  advised 
with  my  Council.  We  concluded  to  send  Benjamin  Hun- 
tington,  Esq.,  one  of  my  Council,  with  direction  to  take 
with  him  Major  Ely,  at  New-London,  or  officer  there  well 
acquainted  with  the  people_on  Long-Island,  to  proceed  there, 
and  to  consult  and  agree  with  some'of  the  sure  friends  of 
our  cause,  with  secrecy  as  far  as  the  circumstances  would 
admit,  for  a  number  of  their  men,  assured  friends  and  well 
acquainted  on  the  Island,  to  join  with  a  body  from  this 
State,  if  possible  to  accomplish  your  wishes,  to  cause  a 
diversion  to  the  enemy,  to  harass  them  on  their  rear,  and 
to  prevent  their  excursions  in  pursuit  of  the  provisions  the 
Island  jtffords.  I  hear  they  sailed  for  the  Island  yesterday. 
His  return  is  expected  the  beginning  of  next  week.  If  he 
succeeds  according  to  our  hopes,  no  exertions  of  this  State, 
I  trust,  will  be  wanting  at  this  critical  conjuncture  to  harass 


and  to  keep  the  enemy  at  bay,  to  gain  time  and  every 
advantage  the  case  may  admit. 

Shall  give  the  earliest  intelligence  of  our  proceedings,  that 
you  may  cooperate  with  our  designs.  The  race  is  not  to  the 
swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong.  It  is  nothing  with  God 
to  help,  whether  many,  or  with  those  that  have  no  power. 
He  hath  so  ordered  things,  in  the  administration  of  the  affairs 
of  this  world,  as  to  encourage  the  use  of  means,  and  yet  so 
as  to  keep  men  in  continual  dependance  upon  him  for  the 
efficacy  and  success  of  them;  to  make  Kings  and  all  men 
to  know  the  reins  of  the  world  are  not  in  their  hands,  but 
that  there  is  One  above  who  sways  and  governs  all  things 
here  below. 

I  am  closing.  A  post  comes  in,  and  brings  the  letters, 
copies  of  which  are  enclosed.  Now  expect  Mr.  Hunting- 
ton's  speedy  return.  Have  sent  for  my  Council.  My  own 
thoughts,  and  such  as  come  to  me,  are,  to  send  forward  four 
or  five  of  the  companies  now  stationed  at  New-London,  with 
four  field-pieces,  I  hope  six  pieces,  to  join  those  men  which 
may  be  ready  for  the  service  on  Long-Island;  four  or  five 
companies  to  follow  from  New-London  as  soon  as  they  can 
be  marched  down;  and  also  to  order  on  other  companies  to 
take  the  places  of  such  as  are  removed  from  thence. 

I  arn  inclined  to  think  we  shall  fall  upon  some  measure 
similar  to  what  is  mentioned.  No  delay  can  be  admitted  at 
this  critical  moment.  Please  to  give  me  the  earliest  intelli- 
gence how  we  may  best  serve  agreeable  to  your  desires. 
Shall  send  in  the  morning  this  intelligence  to  Governour 
Cooke,  of  Providence,  and  ask  his  assistance  in  the  best 
way  he  shall  think  the  circumstances  of  that  State  will 
admit. 

September  1st. — Enclosed  is  copy  of  another  letter,  dated 
yesterday,  from  Southold,  that  you  may  observe  the  con- 
tents. I  hope  to  pursue  our  measures  so  as  to  stop  the 
enemy  getting  into  Suffolk  County. 

I  am,  with  esteem  and  regard,  your  Excellency's  most 

obedient,  humble  servant,  m 

JONTH.  IHUMBULL. 

To  His  Excellency  General  Washington. 


Sag  Harbour,  August  30,  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  I  have  just  received 
an  account  of  our  cruel  and  unnatural  enemy,  the  English, 
having  possessed  themselves  of  so  much  of  Long-Island  as 
to  destroy  the  communication  between  this  end  of  it  and  the 
city  of  New-York. 

I  am  honoured  by  General  Washington  with  the  command 
of  a  detachment  of  two  hundred  men,  for  the  protection  of 
the  inhabitants,  stock,  &.c.  This  detachment  I  think  is  in 
danger;  also  insufficient  for  the  purposes  mentioned;  but 
am  resolved,  notwithstanding,  to  keep  our  reputations  clear 
and  unsullied,  and,  with  our  feeble  force,  to  endeavour  to 
distress  our  enemies  all  in  our  power. 

I  have  prevailed  upon  the  Rev.  Mr.  Buell  to  transcribe 
the  account  he  received  from  the  express  relative  to  the 
communications  being  cut  off",  and  to  direct  it  to  your  Ex- 
cellency, that,  if  you  should  think  it  advisable,  you  might 
order  a  number  of  men  to  cross  the  Sound  at  night,  which 
I  conceive  they  might  do  without  danger  from  the  shipping 
stationed  there. 

I  have  endeavoured  to  transmit  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  an  account  of  my  having  wrote  to  your  Honour 
concerning  this  matter,  and  sent  him  my  returns,  a  duplicate 
of  which  I  transmit  to  your  Honour,  that  if  mine  should  mis- 
carry, this  not. 

I  am,  with  all  imaginable  respect,  your  Excellency's  most 
obedient,  humble  servant, 

HENRY  B.  LIVINGSTON, 
Lieut.  Col.  and  Commanding  Officer. 

To  His  Excellency  Governour  Trumbull. 

Sag  Harbour,  August  30,  A.  D.  1776. 

MAY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY — SIR:  I  have  this 
hour  direct  intelligence  from  the  west  end  of  this  Island  per 
a  post,  that  the  Ministerial  Army  (supposed  to  be  about 
sixteen  thousand)  are  on  this  side  our  Army  upon  the  Island; 
have  lined  across  the  Island  from  the  Sound  to  the  south 
side,  so  that  we  on  the  east  end  can  have  no  access  to  cur 
Army.  Upon  Tuesday  last  General  Washington  came  over 
from  New-York,  upon  this  Island,  with  six  thousand  men. 


1279 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  be.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1280 


There  have  been  several  engagements.  Four  or  five  thou- 
sand 'tis  supposed  have  fallen,  inclusive  of  both  armies. 
The  armies  are  within  half  a  mile  of  each  other.  A  con- 
stant fire  is  kept  up.  It's  supposed  the  grand  battle  will  be 
upon  the  morrow  or  next  day.  We  have  lost,  killed  and 
taken,  (as  the  post  says,)  near  three  hundred  Riflemen; 
the  enemy  have  two  hundred  Horse.  Their  riders  were  to 
dine  the  day  before  yesterday  at  Hempstead.  They  have 
the  command  of  the  west  end  of  the  Island  entirely. 

The  post  relates,  that  upon  Tuesday  about  five  thousand 
Regulars  attempted  to  land  a  little  below  York  Ferry;  our 
people  met  them,  and  the  post  says  killed  about  two  thou- 
sand, and  drove  the  residue  back.  We  learn  by  the  post 
the  Hessians  fight  terribly. 

I  am  now,  sir,  present  with  Colonel  Livingston,  who  ad- 
vises to  write,  in  conjunction  with  himself,  to  your  Honour, 
as  proposing  and  submitting  of  it  to  your  Honour's  wisdom 
to  determine  whether  it  will  not  be  conducive  to  the  gene- 
ral good,  and  for  the  preservation  of  this  end  of  the  Island, 
to  throw  a  number  of  troops  over  to  our  assistance  at  the 
present  time. 

Confiding  in  your  Excellency's  patriotick  spirit  and  supe- 
rior wisdom,  in  all  possible  haste,  I  am,  with  great  esteem, 
your  Excellency's  most  humble,  most  obedient  friend  and 

servant>  SOL.  BUELL. 


Suffolk  County,  Southold,  August  31,  177G. 

HONOURABLE  SIR:  We  are  sorry  to  acquaint  you  that 
we  have  received  several  expresses  from  the  middle  of  this 
Island,  acquainting  us  of  the  Regular  troops  having  surround- 
ed our  lines  at  the  west  end,  and  stopped  our  communica- 
tion to  the  Army  and  Provincial  Congress.  Their  scouting 
party  consists  of  about  three  hundred  Light- Horse  and  four 
hundred  Foot,  together  with  a  number  of  Tory  recruits,  and 
to  all  appearance  are  about  penetrating  into  this  County,  as 
they  have  already  marched  as  far  as  the  western  post,  or 
Hempstead  Plains,  where  they  took  prisoner  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Militia 
of  this  Island.  We  must  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  aid  and 
assist  us  with  men  and  ammunition,  as  our  men  are  chiefly 
drawn  off,  and  are  now  in  the  Army,  so  that  we  are  not 
able  to  raise  more  than  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  in  the 
whole  County  that  are  capable  to  bear  arms.  If  you  think 
proper  to  send  us  men,  which  we  think  we  really  need,  we 
must  beg  you  would  send  what  provisions  you  think  they 
will  want,  all  but  fresh,  which  we  can  make  out  to  supply 
them  with.  By  the  best  account  we  can  learn  of  the 
strength  of  the  regular  Army  now  landed  on  this  Island, 
they  consist  of  about  fifteen  thousand  or  twenty  thousand 
men. 

At  a  Committee  meeting : 
Signed  per  order : 

ROBERT  HAMPSTEAD,  Chairman. 

Original  come  to  hand  September  1st,  nine  o'clock,  P.  M. 

JONTH.  TRUMBULL. 


and  East-Hampton  request  that  your  Honour  will  immedi- 
ately put  your  purpose  in  execution,  as  our  danger  is  ex- 
tremely great,  having  just  received  information  that  a  large 
number  of  Horse  and  Foot  of  the  Ministerial  Army  are  pro- 
bably marching  into  this  County,  and  are  now  in  possession 
of  the  two  western  Counties  on  this  Island.  Sir,  should 
your  Honour  comply  with  the  above  request,  it  is  probable 
we  can  save  the  inhabitants  and  stock  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  our  enemies ;  and  unless  we  have  some  speedy 
relief,  we  must  fall  a  sacrifice  to  our  cruel  enemies.  With 
regard  to  provision  for  your  troops,  we  can  supply  them  with 
plenty  of  fresh  meat.  For  further  intelligence,  the  express 
will  inform  your  Honour. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee: 

MALTBY  GELSTON,  Chairman. 

To  His  Excellency  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq. 


COLONEL  REED  TO  COLONEL  SEYMOUR. 

Camp  at  Cambridge,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  directed  by  his  Excellency  General  Washing- 
ton to  inform  you  that  he  has  given  orders  that  Major  French, 
and  some  other  prisoners  at  Philadelphia,  should  remain  at 
Hartford,  instead  of  proceeding  to  this  camp,  as  was  pro- 
posed. Should  there  be  any  doubt  of  their  parole  of  honour 
given  at  Philadelphia  being  vacated  by  this  change  of  their 
destination,  you  will  require  them  to  renew  it  before  they 
are  allowed  the  same  indulgences  with  the  other  gentlemen 
now  under  the  care  of  the  Committee  over  wjiich  you  pre- 
side. Should  they  have  advanced  beyond  Hartford  before 
this  letter  reaches  you,  his  Excellency  requests  you  will 
immediately  despatch  an  express  for  their  return,  as  their 
coming  to  this  place  will  be  attended  with  many  inconve- 
niences both  to  the  service  and  themselves. 

I  am.  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient,  humble 

servant>  Jos.  REED. 

To  Col.  Seymour,  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  Hartford. 


GUILFORD  (CONNECTICUT)  COMMITTEE. 

In  Committee  Meeting  of  Inspection, 
Guilford,  August  31,  1776. 

This  meeting  being  called  on  account  of  a  letter  received 
from  the  Congress  of  Neiv*  York,  dated  Harlem,  August  28, 
1776,  desiring  the  Committee  of  Guilford  would  assist  in 
removing  the  stock  from  Long-Island,  and  also  the  people 
that  were  desirous  of  removing;  whereupon  it  is  considered 
and  voted,  that  this  Committee  will  comply  with  the  above 
request,  and  that  Nathaniel  Ruggles,  Esq.,  Samuel  Brown, 
Esq.,  Solomon  Leek,  Nathaniel  Stone,  and  Samuel  Lee, 
Jun.,  be  a  Committee  to  carry  the  same  into  execution. 

A  true  copy  of  record.     Test : 

SAML.  BROWN, 
Clerk  of  Committee  of  Inspection  for  said  Guilford. 


MALTBY  GELSTON  TO  GOVERNOUR  TRUMBULL. 

Bridgehampton,  August  31,  1776. 

SIR:  Having  received  intelligence  by  Benjamin  Huntington, 
Esq.,  and  Major  Ely,  that  your  Honour  has  proposed  send- 
ing a  number  of  troops  to  our  assistance  on  the  east  end  of 
Long-Island;  pursuant  thereto  the  Joint  Committee  of  South 


Boston,  September  26,  1776. 

On  the  31st  of  August  last  was  taken  by  the  schooner 
Hannah  and  Molly  and  the  Dolphin  privateers,  and  carried 
into  Frenchman's  Bay,  the  brigantine  Royal  George,  com- 
manded by  Dennis  Doyle,  having  on  board  the  following 
articles,  viz:  two  hundred  tierces  of  pork,  two  hundred  and 
thirty-one  barrels  of  beef,  two  hundred  and  seventy  firkins 
of  butter,  one  hundred  and  sixty-nine  barrels  of  oatmeal, 
eleven  tierces  of  beef,  one  crock  of  butter,  twenty -five  sacks 
of  split  peas,  twenty-five  boxes  of  candles,  thirty  boxes  of 
soap,  twenty  barrels  of  pork.  She  was  bound  from  Water- 
ford,  in  Ireland,  to  Halifax;  out  ten  weeks;  brings  no  news, 
excepting  that  they  had  an  account  in  Ireland  that  the 
British  troops  had  taken  possession  of  the  greatest  part  of 
Philadelphia,  and  had  taken  the  Continental  Congress  pri- 
soners. 

Yesterday  Captain  Odiorne,  in  the  Washington  privateer, 
carried  into  Newburyport  a  barque  from  New-York  bound 
to  St.  Vincent's,  with  provisions  for  one  hundred  and  twenty 
men  for  six  months.  She  sailed  in  company  with  five  or 
six  transports,  under  convoy  of  the  Solebay  frigate,  in  order 
to  fetch  troops  from  thence. 

A  French  schooner,  which  sailed  from  Newburyport  about 
a  month  ago,  was  taken  by  one  of  the  Ministerial  pirates, 
retaken  by  the  Washington  privateer  from  hence,  and  is  now 
safe  arrived  there. 

^V  letter  from  Providence  of  23d  instant,  says :  "  The 
Columbus  vessel  of  war  has  sent  a  prize  brig  into  Newport, 
loaded  with  lumber,  bound  for  Europe." 


JAMES  LYON  TO  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY. 

Machias,  August  28,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  I  have  often  troubled  the 
Court  with  my  scribbling,  and  once  with  my  presence,  but 
neither  known  nor  regarded,  because  I  did  not  approach  in 
a  parliamentary  way,  though  supported,  or  rather  sent,  by 
the  most  respectable  men  in  this  place.  Do  your  Honours 
expect  all  the  formalities  of  a  Court  from  loggers  and  mill- 
men?  I  once  more  beg  leave  to  approach,  with  due  respect, 
and  to  speak  with  freedom,  without  offence.  My  subject  is 


1281 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1282 


the  country  which  lies  between  Penolscot  and  Nova-Scotia; 
and  should  I  appear  to  express  myself  with  too  much  energy 
and  pathos,  I  hope  it  will  be  imputed  to  my  exquisite  sensi- 
bility of  my  subject;  I  feel  what  I  say,  and  mean,  if  possi- 
ble, that  your  Honours  should  feel  it  likewise. 

It  has  often  been  asserted,  if  we  may  credit  human  testi- 
mony, by  members  of  this  honourable  Court,  that  the  eastern 
country  is  a  moth ;  that  it  has  cost  more  than  it  is  worth  ; 
and  that  it  would  be  wisdom  in  the  Government  to  neglect 
it  utterly,  and  suffer  it  to  sink.  1  suppose  that  part  of  the 
country  east  of  the  Penobscot  is  meant,  for  the  other  part  is 
in  some  measure  represented,  better  known,  and  surely  worth 
saving.  I  shall,  therefore,  take  it  for  granted  that  the  part 
only  where  I  live  is  the  moth  to  Government.  I  readily 
grant  that  your  Honours  are  competent  judges  of  the  qualifi- 
cations of  your  own  members;  but  since  you  never  yet  pre- 
tended to  infallibility,  it  is  not  impossible  that  ignorant  and 
illiterate  men  have,  by  some  means  or  other,  crept  in  among 
you.  But  whenever  this  happens,  I  blame  not  this  honour- 
able Court,  but  those  who  sent  them.  Were  I  permitted 
even  to  name  what  I  think  the  necessary  qualifications  in  a 
good  statesman,  I  should  say,  he  ought  to  be  a  gentleman  of 
enlarged  mind,  well  furnished  with  historical  facts,  and  an 
extensive  acquaintance  with  men  and  things,  and  the  Con- 
stitution of  his  own  country  in  particular,  and  with  every 
part  of  his  dominions ;  he  ought  also  to  be  a  gentleman  of 
established  integrity  and  extensive  benevolence,  who  esteems 
the  happiness  of  every  part  of  the  State  his  own  highest 
happiness  and  glory.  Such  a  person  will  do  honour  to  a 
publick  station,  and  diffuse  peace  and  joy  through  the  State; 
while  the  person  destitute  of  these  qualifications  is  really  a 
nuisance  and  a  curse  to  the  publick  in  any  exalted  sphere. 
Have  these  gentlemen,  therefore,  who  speak  and  think  so 
lightly  of  this  eastern  country,  all  these  necessary  qualifica- 
tions? Have  they  any  of  them?  Not  to  mention  their 
profound  acquaintance  with  history,  ancient  and  modern, 
and  the  grand  and  interesting  occasions  of  the  rise  and  fall 
of  the  States,  Kingdoms,  and  Empires,  do  they  know  any 
more  of  a  valuable  part  of  their  own  dominions  than  they 
know  of  the  extent  of  country  and  the  nature  of  the  soil  in 
the  moon?  And  are  not  their  integrity  and  benevolence 
strongly  to  be  suspected,  when  they  openly  oppose  every- 
thing that  is  motioned  for  the  benefit  of  this  infant  country, 
if  attended  with  a  trifling  expense,  and  publickly  declare 
their  willingness  that  thousands  of  wholesome  inhabitants, 
and  as  brave  a  people  as  any  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  should 
perish  in  all  the  horrours  of  famine  and  war?  But  they  are 
my  superiors.  Our  situation  is  far  more  deplorable  than  the 
situation  of  the, Boston  people  ever  was,  till  the  town  was 
shut  up ;  and  perhaps  we  are  as  useful  members  of  the  Sta,te. 
Yet  donations  were  generously  heaped  upon  them  from 
almost  every  quarter.  But  did  we  ever  ask  for  charity? 
Some  of  the  principal  inhabitants  of  this  place,  it  is  true, 
petitioned  for  a  scanty  pittance  for  their  Minister;  and  the 
ostensible  reason  assigned  for  not  granting  it  was,  the  peti- 
tion does  not  come  before  us  in  a  parliamentary  way.  The 
sums  asked  for,  with  this  single  exception,  have  always  been 
requested  as  a  loan,  which  we  think  we  shall  be  able  to  pay, 
with  interest,  when  the  times  are  settled.  I  suspect,  how- 
ever, that  this  honourable  Court,  in  general,  have  too  con- 
temptible an  opinion  of  this  part  of  the  eastern  country.  I 
beg  leave,  therefore,  to  speak  a  few  words  in  its  commenda- 
tion. I  have  travelled  over  a  great  part  of  Pennsylvania, 
New- Jersey,  New-York,  Connecticut,  Rhode-Island, Boston 
Government,  and  Nova-Scotia,  and  been  an  inhabitant  of 
all  these  States,  except  Connecticut  and  Rhode-Island,  and 
call  myself  something  of  a  judge  of  lands ;  and  I  must  say, 
that  this  eastern. country,  in  my  opinion,  is  equal  to  any  I 
ever  saw.  The  climate,  if  not  so  pleasant  as  some  others,  is 
more  healthy,  and  the  natural  increase  of  inhabitants  greater; 
the  soil  is  exceedingly  natural  to  grass,  and  when  properly 
subdued,  will  produce  quantities  of  beef,  butter,  cheese,  &c. 
It  produces  excellent  wheat,  rye,  barley,  oats,  peas,  beans, 
hemp,  flax,  and  some  Indian  corn  in  the  internal  parts,  and 
almost  all  kinds  of  roots.  The  proportion  of  barren  lands  is 
probably  less  than  in  most  other  countries.  To  these  things 
I  must  add  the  fishing  on  the  coasts,  which  will  in  time  sup- 
port an  incredible  number  of  people,  and  furnish  our  navy 
with  able  seamen.  However  meanly,  therefore,  people  may 
think  of  this  eastern  and  extensive  portion  of  the  Continent, 
I  assert,  without  claiming  the  spirit  of  prophecy,  that  it  will 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  81 


one  day  vie  with  the  other  States  of  America  in  greatness 
and  glory,  if  not  give  them  laws.  Your  settlements  here 
are  promising  children  in  their  minority,  who  must  be  ten- 
derly nursed,  and  when  grown  to  manhood  will  become  the 
support  and  consolation  of  their  aged  parents.  Should  your 
Honours,  notsvithstanding,  think  them  a  moth,  and  not  worth 
keeping,  I  beg  you  dispose  of  the  country,  together  with  the 
right  of  dominion,  and  give  us,  the  inhabitants,  the  offer. 
We  will  engage  to  procure  purchasers,  who  will  give  you 
fifteen  times  as  much  as  it  has  cost  you.  We  shall  then 
soon  become  a  free  and  independent  State  ourselves.  And 
I  assure  you  we  shall  think  Nova-Scotia  worth  annexing  to 
our  dominions.  But  if  your  Honours  think  us  worth  keep- 
ing, I  beseech  you,  by  all  the  tender  emotions  of  the  human 
heart,  and  by  everything  sacred,  to  take  some  care  of  us. 
The  coast  would  be  worthy  of  a  guard  were  there  not  an 
inhabitant  upon  it;  but  the  inhabitants  amount  to  thousands, 
who  are  a  hardy,  brave  people,  and  acquainted  with  the 
climate  and  the  nature  of  the  soil,  and  therefore  are  better 
than  twice  the  number  that  could  be  sent  here,  for  such 
would  have  everything  to  learn.  But — pardon  my  free- 
dom— instead  of  encouraging  and  supporting  us  hitherto,  as 
we  ought  to  have  been,  this  honourable  Court  has  neglected 
us,  and  taken  our  privateers,  our  principal  strength,  which 
cost  us  our  blood,  frorn  us.  And  in  consequence  of  this, 
a  number  of  industrious  fishermen,  and  all  on  which  we 
depended  for  present  subsistence,  have  been  taken  by  British 
robbers,  and  a  number  of  our  respectable  people — men, 
women,  and  children — carried  into  captivity.  If  any  of 
our  people  have  represented  these  two  privateers  as  useless 
while  here,  they  certainly  mistook  our  true  interest.  They 
were  a  terrour  to  our  enemies,  and,  under  God,  if  I  mistake 
not,  our  salvation  last  summer.  Now  they  are  gone  our 
enemy's  barges  infest  our  harbours  and  take  our  vessels. 
Should  your  Honours  now  ask  what  I  mean  by  all  this,  I 
reply,  I  earnestly  request  you  to  send  one  of  your  frigates, 
or  two  or  three  of  your  ablest  privateers,  to  take  the  ship 
that  infests  our  coast,  and  clear  the  way  for  fishermen  and 
coasters;  and  then,  perhaps,  some  generous  persons  may  be 
disposed  to  send  us  bread,  and  take  some  of  our  lumber.  I 
ask  for  a  small  army,  to  subdue  Nova-Scotia,  or  at  least 
that  some  person  or  persons  may  have  leave  to  raise  men, 
and  to  go  against  that  Province  at  their  own  risk.  I  believe 
men  enough  might  be  found  in  this  country  who  would 
cheerfully  undertake  it  without  any  assistance  from  Govern- 
ment. The  people  this  way  are  so  very  anxious  about  this 
matter,  that  they  would  go  in  whale-boats  rather  than  not 
go,  provided  they  might  call  what  they  take  their  own,  in 
common  with  the  good  people  of  that  Province.  I  confess 
I  am  so  avaricious,  that  I  would  go  with  the  utmost  cheer- 
fulness. I  hope,  however,  I  should  have  some  noble  views, 
for  I  think  it  our  duty  to  relieve  our  distressed  brethren,  and 
bestow  upon  them  the  same  glorious  privileges  which  we 
enjoy,  if  possible,  and  to  deprive  our  enemies,  especially 
those  on  this  Continent,  of  their  power  to  hurt  us. 

With  these  views,  the  Committee  of  this  place  once  peti- 
tioned for  leave  to  go  against  that  Province.  And  had  our 
request  been  granted,  in  all  probability  that  country  had 
now  been  entirely  ours,  and  vast  quantities  of  provision 
would  have  been  cut  off  from  our  enemies.  Messrs.  Shaw, 
Foster,  and  Smith,  would  now  do  the  business.  But  were 
our  General  Court,  at  their  own  expense,  to  take  Nova- 
Scotia,  the  other  States  of  America  would  have  no  preten- 
sions to  any  part  of  it;  and  the  acquisition  would  be  un- 
speakably great.  That  Province  is  invaluable,  and  would 
make  ample  amends  for  the  expense,  and  we  must  have  it, 
or  our  fishing  is  lost.  Now  it  is  nearly  defenceless,  and 
nearly  nine-tenths  of  its  inhabitants  would  bid  us  a  hearty 
welcome;  and  now  it  may  be  taken  without  much  loss  of 
blood,  if  any,  but  hereafter  it  may  cost  us  very  dear. 

I  highly  approve  of  the  noble  spirit  and  resolution  of 
Captain  Eddy,  and  heartily  wish  him  success,  and  all  the 
honour  of  reducing  Nova-Scotia,  provided  our  General 
Court  do  not  see  fit  that  any  of  their  own  subjects  should 
share  it  with  him.  The  reduction  of  that  Province  is  a 
matter  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  this  place,  and  would 
relieve  us  of  many  of  our  distresses. 

Should  it  be  thought  that  I  meddle  with  matters  which 
do  not  belong  to  me,  and  that  the  Committee  of  Machias 
ought  to  have  written,  I  acknowledge  that  their  writing 
would  have  been  the  parliamentary  way;  but  at  present, 


1283 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1284 


this  is  almost  impracticable,  for  they  are  much  distressed 
and  broken  to  pieces:  two  of  them  are  taken  by  the  enemy, 
and  one  at  the  westward.  Indeed,  we  are  all  in  a  poor, 
broken  situation.  If,  therefore,  the  Committee  cannot  \\  rite, 
why  may  not  I — especially  when  I  write  nearly  the  sense 
of  all  the  members  of  the  Committee  whom  I  have  seen, 
and  the  sense  of  almost  every  inhabitant?  The  meanest 
subject  of  a  free  State  may  complain,  when  aggrieved,  to  the 
highest  Court,  and  draw  near  to  the  supreme  authority  with 
filial  confidence  and  freedom.  I  mean  to  do  no  more.  This 
is  my  birthright;  and  should  feel,  if  I  neglect  to  improve  it 
when  confidence  and  the  distresses  of  all  around  me  com- 
mand, your  Honours  yourselves  would  blame  me.  But  I 
forget  myself,  and  intrude  too  far. 

I  am,  with  great  deference  and  respect,  your  Honours' 
most  faithful  but  distressed  servant  and  subject, 

JAS.  LYON. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Council  and  House  of  Commons  of 
the  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay. 

P.  S.  I  am  heartily  sorry  that  the  officer  I  recommended 
to  this  honourable  Court  has  not  acted  with  all  that  dignity 
and  honour  that  could  be  wished.  When  I  wrote  in  his 
favour,  I  had  no  knowledge  of  his  inclinations  to  impose  on 
the  publick. 

The  vessels  lately  taken  going  out  of  this  place  were  a 
brig  from  St.  Croix,  John  Coulson  master,  the  sloop  Unity, 
formerly  belonging  to  Captain  Ichabod  Jones,  and  a  sloop 
belonging  to  Mr.  Jonathan  Pierson,  of  Newbury. 


RESOLVE  OF  THE    GENERAL   COURT  OF  MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, 
AUGUST  31,   1776. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  suitable  persons  be  ap- 
pointed immediately  to  repair  to  the  State  of  New-Hamp- 
shire, and  apply  to  the  Government  there,  and,  if  practicable, 
with  the  loan  of  as  many  Cannon  as  can  be  spared  from  this 
State,  to  effect  the  fixing  out  the  Continental  Ship  now  under 
the  direction  of  Mr.  Langdon ;  and  to  take  immediate  mea- 
sures that  such  number  of  Cannon  and  other  necessaries,  as 
without  distressing  the  State  may  be  lent  to  the  Continent, 
may  be  safely  and  expeditiously  transported  to  Portsmouth. 
This  Ship  to  be  fixed  out  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  the 
Milford,  or  other  ships  of  war  distressing  our  coasts. 

And  in  case  said  Ship  can  within  any  reasonable  time  be 
equipped  for  the  sea, 

Resolved,  That  two  or  more  Colony  armed  Vessels  be 
directed  to  act  in  concert  with  her;  and  that  the  Committee 
be,  and  hereby  are,  empowered  to  engage  as  many  sea-coast 
Soldjers  east  of  Boston  as  may  incline,  to  enter  for  said  ser- 
vice, and  in  general  to  do  everything  necessary  for  effecting 
the  aforesaid  purpose;  and  that  the  pay  of  the  sea-coast 
men  continue,  in  addition  to  emoluments  of  the  sea  service. 
The  said  Cannon  and  other  articles,  that  may  be  lent  as 
aforesaid,  to  be  returned  as  soon  as  the  cruise  shall  be  over, 
or  as  soon  as  they  shall  be  called  for  by  this  Government. 

In  Council,  September  2,  1776. 

Whereas  Benjamin  Greenleafand  Oliver  Wendell,  Esqs., 
and  Captain  George  Williams,  are  appointed  a  Committee 
to  repair  to  Portsmouth,  in  the  State  of  New- Hampshire,  to 
.procure  the  Continental  Frigate  to  cruise  after  the  Milford 
and  other  Frigates  of  the  enemy,  that  are  infesting  the  sea- 
•eoast  of  these  United  States: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Committee  be  directed  to  repre- 
sent to  the  Legislative  authority  of  the  State  of  New-Hamp- 
shire the  expediency  of  forthwith  passing  an  act  to  prohibit 
the  exportation  of  Lumber,  for  a  limited  time,  similar  to  that 
passed  by  this  State  for  that  purpose. 

Sent  down  for  concurrence. 

JOHN  AVERY,  Dep.  Secretary. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  September  2,  1776. 

Read  and  concurred.  J.  WARREN,  Speaker. 

A  true  copy.  Attest :      JOHN  AVERT,  Dep.  Secretary. 


AMERICAN  PRISONERS  IN  HALIFAX. 

The  following  Prisoners  are  still  confined  in  one  room,  at 
Halifax,  among  felons,  thieves,  robbers,  negroes,  soldiers, 


Sic:,  which  we  here  publish  for  the  satisfaction  of  their 
anxious  friends : 

James  .Love// and  Richard  Carpenter,  of  Boston. 

Consider  Howland,  Master,  and  Jacob  Taylor,  Mate,  of 
the  privateer  brig  Washington. 

Bigelow,  Kemp,  Peak,  and  Sestions,  Bunker-Hill. 

Corporal  Cruise,  and  Cornelius  Turner,  Riflemen. 

David  Wells,  Dorchester-Neck. 

Captain  Francis  Proctor,  of  Philadelphia. 

Corporal  Jeremiah  Low,  of  Fredericksburg. 

Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  of  Bennington. 

John  Gray,  Arlington. 

Barnabas  Castle,  Saratoga. 

Preston  Denton,  Stillwater. 

Belonging  to  the  State  O/*CONNECTICUT. 

Sergeant  Levi  Munson,  Wallingford. 

Sergeant  Zachariah  Brinsmade,  Woodbury. 

Corporal  Charles  Steward,  Stamford. 

Corporal  Roger  Moore,  Salisbury. 

Corporal  Samuel  Lewis,  William  Gray,  David  Goss,  and 

Adonyah  Maxutn,  of  Sharon. 
Ebenczer  Mac  and  Levi  Barnum,  of  Norfolk. 
Flowers,  New-Hartford. 

In  the  Hospital. 

Amos  Green,  Norwich. 
Jonathan  Matthews,  Goshen. 
William  Drinkwater,  New-Milford. 

In  the  King's  Yard. 

John  James  Burkie,  (a  Swiss,)  New-York. 
Twelve  Canadians. 

Not  one  of  Colonel  Allen's  men  died  until  after  their 
return  from  England;  then  Anthony  Belisle,  a  Canadian, 
died  off  Cape  Fear. 

All  in  the  Jail,  but  Sessions,  are  well  and  in  good  spirits, 
but  wishing  greatly  for  an  exchange. 


LETTER  I. TO  THE  INHABITANTS  OF  THE  MASSACHUSETTS- 
BAY. 

GENTLEMEN:  Conscious  of  an  upright  design  to  promote 
and  perpetuate  the  liberties  of  the  State,  and  that  I  have 
given  you  no  just  occasion  to  suspect  my  patriotism  while 
I  have  had  the  happiness  of  residing  among  you,  I  promise 
myself  that  you  will  hear  with  candour  what  I  have  now  to 
offer. 

The  peculiarity  of  the  times  hath  made  it  necessary  to 
al^er  the  forms  of  Government  in  almost  every  Colony  upon 
the  Continent,  and  hath  afforded  an  opportunity  of  moulding 
them  so  as  to  favour  the  original  rights  of  human  nature. 
In  some  these  rights  are  more  fully  and  better  secured  than 
in  others ;  this  we  may  ascribe  to  the  different  manners  and 
usages  of  the  inhabitants  which  must  be  consulted,  that  so 
confusion  may  be  prevented,  and  invincible  prejudices  be 
gratified;  though  it  is  your  felicity  to  have  enjoyed  from  the 
beginning  a  form  of  Government  that  contained  the  leading 
principles  of  liberty,  so  that  you  want  not,  in  this  important 
crisis  of  America,  to  establish  a  form  absolutely  and  entirely 
new,  but  to  have  the  present  corrected  and  improved,  in 
order  to  its  being  perfect.  Your  Legislature  always  con- 
sisted of  more  than  one  branch;  and  it  is  of  the  highest 
consequence  that  it  should  continue  to  do  so.  A  gentleman, 
(to  whom  you  are  under  great  obligations,  and  whose  name, 
was  I  to  mention  it,  would  meet  with  universal  respect,)  in 
a  letter  to  his  friend,  containing  Thoughts  on  Government, 
printed  at  Philadelphia,  thus  expresses  himself  from  page 
the  10th  to  the  14th: 

"  A  representation  of  the  people  in  one  Assembly  being 
obtained,  a  question  arises,  whether  all  the  powers  of  Go- 
vernment, legislative,  executive,  and  judicial,  shall  be  left  in 
this  body?  I  think  a  people  cannot  be  long  free,  nor  ever 
happy,  whose  Government  is  in  one  Assembly.  My  reasons 
for  this  opinion  are  as  follow : 

"I.  A  single  Assembly  is  liable  to  all  the  vices,  follies, 
and  frailties  of  an  individual;  subject  to  fits  of  humour,  starts 
of  passion,  flights  of  enthusiasm,  partialities  of  prejudice,  and 
consequently  productive  of  hasty  results  and  absurd  judg- 
ments; and  all  these  errors  ought  to  be  corrected  and  de- 
fects supplied  by  some  controlling  power. 


1285 


CORRESPONDENCE,  PROCEEDINGS,  &c.,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1286 


"2.  A  singh  Assembly  is  apt  to  be  avaricious,  and  in 
time  will  not  scruple  to  exempt  itself  from  burdens  which  it 
will  lay  without  compunction  on  its  constituents. 

"3.  A  single  Assembly  is  apt  to  grow  ambitious,  and 
after  a  time  will  not  hesitate  to  vote  itself  perpetual.  This 
was  one  fault  of  the  Long  Parliament;  but  more  particu- 
larly of  Holland,  whose  Assembly  first  voted  themselves 
from  annual  to  septennial,  then  for  life,  and  after  a  course 
of  years,  that  all  vacancies  happening  by  death  or  otherwise 
should  be  filled  by  themselves,  without  any  application  to 
constituents  at  all. 

"  4.  A  Representative  Assembly,  although  extremely  well 
qualified,  and  absolutely  necessary  as  a  branch  of  the  Legis- 
lature, is  unfit  to  exercise  the  Executive  power,  for  want  of 
two  essential  properties,  secrecy  and  despatch. 

"5.  A  Representative  Assembly  is  still  less  qualified  for 
the  Judicial  power,  because  it  is  too  numerous,  too  slow,  and 
too  little  skilled  in  the  laws. 

"  6.  Because  a  single  Assembly,  possessed  of  all  the 
powers  of  Government,  would  make  arbitrary  laws  for  iheir 
own  interest,  execute  all  laws  arbitrarily  for  their  own  inte- 
rest, and  adjudge  all  controversies  in  their  own  favour. 

"  But  shall  the  whole  power  of  legislation  rest  in  one 
Assembly  ?  Most  of  the  foregoing  reasons  apply  equally  to 
prove  that  the  Legislative  power  ought  to  be  more  complex; 
to  which  we  may  add,  that  if  the  Legislative  power  is  wholly 
in  one  Assembly,  and  the  Executive  in  another,  or  in  a  sin- 
gle person,  these  two  powers  will  oppose  and  encroach 
upon  each  other,  until  the  contest  shall  end  in  war,  and  the 
whole  power,  Legislative  and  Executive,  be  usurped  by  the 
strongest." 

The  wisdom  of  the  Continent,  so  far  as  it  can  be  collected 
from  the  forms  that  have  been  already  established,  hath  given 
it  in  favour  of  a  complex  Legislature,  against  its  consisting 
of  one  branch  only.  From  his  Excellency  Archibald  Bul- 
lock's speech  to  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Georgia,  it  seems 
that  the  whole  Legislature  rested  in  that  one  representative 
body;  but  no  publication,  that  I  have  been  able  to  get  the 
sight  of,  has  informed  us  whether  the  Georgians  have  yet 
agreed  upon  and  fixed  their  form  of  Government.  It  may 
be  only  the  original  temporary  expedient  continued.  South- 
Carolina  was  the  first  that  resolved  upon  a  fixed  plan,  and 
concluded  that  the  Legislative  authority  should  be  vested  in 
the  President  and  Commander-in-Chief,  the  General  Assem- 
bly, and  Legislative  Council.  I  do  not  object  to  the  Legis- 
lature's consisting  of  more  than  two  branches,  though  these, 
well  modelled,  might  suffice,  but  to  a  single  person's  making 
the  third  branch.  The  author  of  that  celebrated  pamphlet 
Common  Sense,  judiciously  observed,  in  that  or  one  of  his 
letters  signed  Forester,  that  it  was  too  much  for  any  one 
man  whatsoever  to  be  intrusted  with  the  power  of  negativing 
the  acts  of  two  large  legislating  bodies.  I  have  not  his 
words,  and  can  only  give  you  his  meaning,  which  is  so  level 
to  the  understanding  of  every  mortal,  that  when  once  men- 
tioned it  is  a  wonder  that  it  is  not  universally  assented  to. 
The  abilities  and  good  qualities  of  a  Rutlcdge  may  prevent 
the  South- Carolinians  finding  a  speedy  disadvantage  from 
their  having  invested  ihe  President  with  so  great  a  power; 
but  while  men  are  fallible,  changeable,  and  mortal,  the  rights 
of  a  people  should  not  depend  upon  the  abilities  and  good 
qualities  of  a  President ;  no,  not  for  a  year. 

The  Virginians,  in  their  plan  of  Government,  declare: 
"  The  Legislative  department  shall  be  formed  of  two  distinct 
branches,  who,  together,  shall  be  a  complete  Legislature. 
They  shall  meet  once,  or  oftener,  every  year,  and  shall  be 
called  the  General  Assembly  of  Virginia.  One  of  these 
shall  be  called  the  House  of  Delegates;  the  other  shall  be 
called  the  Senate." 

New-Jersey  have  agreed  that  the  Government  of  that 
Province  should  be  vested  in  a  Governour,  Legislative 
Council,  and  General  Assembly;  but  legislation  is  confined 
to  the  Council  and  Assembly  unitedly,  and  the  Governour 
has  no  further  concern  therein  other  than  as  constant  Presi- 
dent of  the  Council,  and  having  a  casting  vote  in  their  pro- 
ceedings. 

The  rest  of  the  Colonies  that  had  their  forms  of  Govern- 
ment to  settle,  have  not  yet  agreed  upon,  or  published  the 
same.  However,  it  is  extremely  probable  that  they  will  in 
general  determine  upon  having  more  than  a  single  branch 
for  the  Legislature.  Could  I  suppose  that  this  Colony  would 
consent  to  set  aside  the  Council,  and  to  intrust  an  Assembly 


with  the  sole  power  of  legislating,  I  should  dread  the  con- 
sequences— not  for  myself  as  an  individual,  for  having  been 
already  transplanted,  I  am  not  strongly  rooted  to  a  par- 
ticular spot,  and  can  easily  remove  to  a  free  soil  wherever 
to  be  met  with.  I  should  dread  the  consequences  on  account 
of  the  publick ;  for  such  Assembly  would  soon  give  us  as 
great  a  cause  for  complaining  as  ever  the  British  Legisla- 
ture has  done,  would  be  full  as  arbitrary  and  tyrannical,  and 
far  more  dangerous,  from  their  being  in  the  midst  of  us, 
instead  of  three  thousand  miles  distant.  We  are  fighting 
against  a  tyranny  without  us;  let  us  guard  against  a  tyranny 
within  us;  or  the  only  difference  in  our  case  will  be,  that 
instead  of  being  devoured  by  aliens,  we  shall  be  devoured 
one  of  another.  Gentlemen,  let  us  retain  a  Council  as  an 
essential  branch  of  the  Legislature,  that  so  our  laws,  by 
being  subject  to  the  revisal  of  that  Board,  may  be  the  more 
matured  ior  publick  service,  and  that  so,  should  the  Assem- 
bly fall  into  the  vices,  follies,  and  frailties  of  individuals, 
they  may  have  the  assistance  of  the  Council  to  recover 
them  before  they  have  rendered  themselves  ridiculous,  or 
have  thrown  the  State  into  a  convulsion.  But  while  I  am 
arguing  for  the  continuance  of  a  Council  as  one  branch  of 
the  Legislature,  I  would  not  be  thought  to  approve  of  its 
continuing  upon  the  usual  footing.  It  should  upon  no  ac- 
count whatsoever  have  a  vote  in  its  own  election,  and  I  am 
glad  to  find  that  that  absurdity  is  more  attended  to  than  for- 
merly. It  should  also  be  so  independent  of  the  House,  as 
that  its  members  may  be  in  nowise  under  any  undue  in- 
fluence from  that.  The  Council  hath  only  the  name  of  a 
separate  branch  of  the  Legislature,  unless  they  are  entirely 
free  to  act  their  own  judgments.  Wherein  one  branch 
sways  the  other  to  go  against  its  own  opinion,  it  therein 
engrosses  the  whole  power.  It  is  upon  this  principle  that 
the  King  of  Great  Britain  is  absolute ;  for  though  he  doth 
not  act  without  the  Parliament,  by  places,  pensions,  honours, 
and  promises,  he  obtains  the  sanction  of  the  Parliament  for 
doing  as  he  pleases.  The  ancient  form  is  preserved,  but 
the  spirit  of  the  Constitution  is  evaporated.  Whether  it 
would  be  best  that  the  choice  of  the  Council  should  remain 
with  the  House,  or  be  taken  up  by  the  publick,  who  are 
the  fountain  of  all  civil  power,  and  may  resume  the  exercise 
of  it  as  oft  as  they  judge  necessary  or  expedient,  I  am  at  a 
loss  to  determine.  But  however  chosen,  the  Board  should 
certainly  be  considered  as  much  the  Representatives  of  the 
people  as  the  House.  In  South- Carolina,  the  General 
Assembly  choose  the  Legislative  Council.  In  Virginia, 
the  electors  at  large  choose  the  Senate,  (or  Council,)  voting 
for  them  at  the  same  time  that  they  vote  for  the  House  of 
Delegates.  'Tis  after  the  same  manner  in  the  Jerseys.  The 
Senate  or  Council  of  Virginia  consists  of  twenty- four  mem- 
bers, which  are  changed  by  rotation,  six  new  ones  being 
chosen  annually  in  the  room  of  six  that  go  out,  till  the  whole 
are  changed.  And  it  is  so  settled  that  the  same  individuals 
cannot  be  rechosen  till  they  have  been  out  of  the  Senate  four 
years;  but  then,  after  the  first  rotation,  each  set  will  con- 
tinue in  as  long.  When  Councillors  are  chosen  by  the  peo- 
ple annually,  and  can  be  displaced,  or  rather  passed  by,  at 
pleasure,  it  seems  unnecessary  to  insist  upon  a  change;  but 
it  may  be  prudent  for  the  electors  to  make  it  once  in  a  while, 
that  so  the  legislative  power  may  not  continue  almost  in- 
variably among  a  certain  set.  Should  the  Council  be  chosen 
by  the  House,  then,  I  apprehend,  a  settled  change  by  rota- 
tion becomes  requisite,  and  it  might  be  effected  after  some 
such  manner  as  the  following:  Let  us  suppose  the  number 
of  the  Council  thirty.  Let  it  be  agreed  that  none  of  these 
shall  serve  more  than  three  years  successively,  while  they 
depend  solely  upon  the  annual  election  of  the  House  for 
serving  longer  than  the  first,  and  that  ten  of  them  shall  be 
dropped  every  year  to  make  room  for  the  admission  of  new 
ones.  After  the  Council  hath  been  chosen,  let  the  House 
immediately  determine  upon  the  ten  who  shall  not  be  eligi- 
ble on  the  following  election.  By  this  means  the  people, 
if  they  approve  of  it,  will  have  the  opportunity  of  concluding 
upon  returning  them  the  next  year  to  the  House,  and  of 
enjoying  their  assistance  among  the  Representatives,  and 
they  themselves  will  be  under  no  temptation  to  deviate  from 
their  own  sentiments,  or  to  alter  their  own  opinion,  that  they 
may  secure  an  election  the  ensuing  year.  Let  no  one  that 
is  thus  declared  ineligible,  and  so  left  out,  be  eligible  again 
till  he  has  been  out  of  the  Council  as  long  as  he  was  suc- 
cessively in  it.  This  mode  of  rotation  is  nearly  the  same 


1287 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1288 


with  what  was  proposed  by  a  writer  in  the  New-York  paper 
some  months  since,  and  I  have  used  his  expressions  wherein 
they  would  serve.  The  said  writer,  in  support  of  his  plan, 
observes:  "  These  kinds  of  rotation  would  be  an  hinderance 
to  individuals  conspiring  to  engross  the  management  of  pub- 
lick  affairs  into  their  own  hands,  to  the  exclusion  of  others 
equally  deserving;  would  excite  a  laudable  ambition  in  the 
rising  generation  to  qualify  themselves  for  the  first  posts  of 
honour  and  importance  in  the  State,  while  the  door  of  ad- 
mittance was  kept  open  by  the  Constitution,  and  not  secured 
by  a  party:  would  disconcert  the  plans  of  any  dark,  deep, 
designing  knave  (such  there  will  be  in  America  as  well  as 
in  the  rest  of  the  world)  that  might  mean  to  exalt  himself 
into  a  degree  of  power  dangerous  to  the  publick,  while  he 
was  making  himself  popular,  and  deceiving  the  generality, 
by  bawling  out  and  stunning  every  one  near  him  with  the 
cry  of  liberty,  and  would  increase  the  number  of  persons 
qualified  for  business  in  any  of  the  upper  departments  of 
the  State."  I  shall  beg  the  liberty  of  troubling  you  further 
in  some  following  letters,  with  more  of  my  thoughts  on  a 
plan  of  Government.  Before  I  close  the  present,  would 
repeat  the  fifth  article  in  the  Declaration  of  Rights  made  by 


the  Representatives  of  the  good  people  of  Virginia,  assem- 
bled in  full  and  free  Convention,  wherein  it  is  asserted  "  that 
the  Legislative  and  Executive  powers  of  the  State  should  be 
distinct  from  the  Judicative;  and  that  the  members  of  the 
two  first  may  be  restrained  from  oppression  by  feeling  and 
participating  the  burdens  of  the  people,  they  should,  at 
fixed  periods,  be  reduced  to  a  private  station,  return  into  that 
body  from  which  they  were  originally  taken,  and  the  vacan- 
cies be  supplied  by  frequent,  certain,  and  regular  elections." 
The  same  arguments  that  weigh  for  their  being  reduced  to 
a  private  station,  weigh  also  for  their  being  kept  for  a  time 
in  that  private  station.  The  reasons,  gentlemen,  why  I 
shall  sign  my  real  name,  are,  an  apprehension  that  you 
ought  to  know  every  man  that  proposes  a  plan  of  Govern- 
ment, that  so  from  their  characters  you  may  judge  whether 
they  have  interested  views  and  are  biassed,  and  that  I  may 
be  at  liberty  to  pass  by  unnoticed  any  writers  I  please,  to 
avoid  altercation  about  what  I  advance,  for  it  is  not  disputa- 
tion or  victory,  but  the  good  of  the  State,  that  is  proposed 
by  your  very  humble  servant,  WotUM  GORDON. 

Roxbury,  August  31,  1776. 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 

Present :  George  Clymer,  Chairman,  Joseph  Parker,  James 
Biddle,  George  Gray,  John  Cadwaladcr,  Owen  Biddle, 
John  Nixon,  David  Ritienhouse. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  James  Dunlap  be  employed  as  Sur- 
geon of  the  Naval  Armament  (the  ship  excepted)  and  Ar- 
tillery and  superintendence  of  the  Hospital,  and  that  he  be 
allowed  10s.  per  day  and  three  rations. 

The  Fly  armed  vessel  having  arrived  at  New-York  with 
six  Cannon  for  the  use  of  this  Province,  being  a  part  of  the 
twenty  ordered  by  Congress, 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Levi  Hollingsworth  and  Thomas 
Richardson  be  requested  to  go  to  New-  York,  and  endeavour 
to  convey  the  said  Cannon  to  this  city  in  the  most  expedi- 
tious manner;  that  they  be  authorized  to  hire  carriages  for 
that  purpose,  either  in  this  city  or  any  other  place,  as  they 
may  judge  most  proper. 

Upon  application  of  Congress  for  a  quantity  of  Flints  for 
the  use  of  the  Army  under  General  Washington,  by  order 
of  the  Board  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to 
deliver  thirty  thousand  of  them;  and  in  order  to  their  being 
conveyed  to  New-York  with  the  greatest  expedition,  four 
chaises  were  employed  for  that  purpose,  two  of  which  set 
off  yesterday  evening,  and  the  other  two  four  o'clock  this 
morning,  with  a  request  to  the  different  Committees  to  aid 
and  assist  with  fresh  horses,  if  found  necessary. 

Adjourned  to  five  o'clock;  when  the  following  Members 
met:  George  Clymer,  Chairman,  Owen  Bidd/e,  George 
Gray,  John  Nixon,  Joseph  Parker, David  Rittcnhouse,  John 
Cadwalader. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael 
Hillegas,  Esq.,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Samuel  Miles,  for  £  1 ,000, 
for  the  use  of  the  Battalion  under  his  command. 

Captain  Joseph  Moulder  having  exhibited  a  list  of  neces- 
saries to  equip  his  military  Company  for  service, 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  supply  such 
articles  of  said  list  as  he  has  in  store. 

That  Captain  Moulder  procure  such  articles  as  the  Com- 
missary can't  furnish,  on  the  most  reasonable  terms,  and  bring 
in  a  bill  for  cost,  for  payment. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Palmer  and  Mr.  Nicholson  be  re- 
quested to  examine  and  value  the  Arms  collected  from  the 
Non-Associators  in  this  city,  and  make  report  of  such  valua- 
tion to  this  Board,  and  that  they  be  paid  a  reasonable  allow- 
ance for  their  trouble. 

Captain  Alexander  was  desired  to  deliver  Robert  Towers, 
Commissary,  all  the  Powder  and  Arms  taken  out  of  the  Brig 
Nancy  near  Cape  May. 

As  the  Militia  of  this  Province  is  immediately  to  be  called 
into  service,  it  will  be  necessary  to  collect  a  considerable 
quantity  of  old  Linen  for  Bandages  and  Lint ;  the  Committee 
therefore  most  earnestly  requests  the  good  women  of  this 
City  to  furnish  as  much  as  they  can  spare.  The  bearer, 
,  is  empowered  to  receive  the  same,  and  such 


charitable  ladies  as  will  take  the  trouble  to  make  Lint  and 
furnish  it  svill  merit  particular  thanks  from  the  publiek. 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Eastbourne  and  be 

employed  to  collect  the  old  Linen,  &tc.,  as  mentioned  in  the 
above  address. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Thomas  Bond,  jun.,  be  requested  to 
procure  all  the  Rags  in  the  Commissary's  store  to  be  made 
into  Bandages  and  Lint,  and  this  Committee  will  defray  the 
expense. 

It  being  reported  to  this  Committee  that  there  is  at  present 
scarcity  of  suitable  Linen  for  making  Tents  to  accommodate 
the  Associators  who  are  about  to  march  to  the  assistance  of 
our  brethren  of  the  Colony  of  New-Jersey,  and  that  there  is 
a  number  of  Awnings  in  this  city  suitable  for  that  purpose, 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Ob- 
servation be  requested  to  apply  to  all  such  persons  who  are 
possessed  of  the  same,  to  spare  them  to  the  publick  upon  this 
pressing  emergency,  allowing  them  a  reasonable  price  for  the 
same;  and  it  is  hoped  that  no  persons  will  be  so  lost  to  all 
regard  to  the  publick  welfare  to  refuse  to  spare  the  same. 
If  any  such  there  be,  they  are  to  return  their  names  to  this 
Committee,  that  a  proper  estimate  may  be  made  of  their 
attachment  to  their  country. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  6,  1776. 

Present :  George  Cli/mer.  Chairman,  Joseph  Parker, 
Samuel  Howell,  James  Biddle,  Samuel  Morris,  Jun.,  Tho- 
mas JVharton,  Jun.,  George  Gray,  Samuel  Miles,  Owen 
Biddle,  Daniel  Roberdeau. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Thomas  Palmer  was  directed  to 
deliver  to  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  the  whole  number  of 
Rifles  made  by  him  by  order  of  this  Board. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  to  Colonel  Timothy  Matlack,  for  the  use 
of  his  Battalion,  forty  Rifles,  made  by  Mr.  Palmer,  taking  a 
receipt  to  be  accountable  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Dunlap  be  authorized  to  employ  a 
Surgeon's  Mate,  whose  pay  shall  be  ,f>  18  per  month,  and 
two  rations  per  day. 

Resolved,  That  the  pay  of  the  following  Officers  employed 
on  board  the  armed  Boats  in  the  service  of  this  Province  be 
as  follows,  and  to  commence  the  1st  day  of  June  last: 

Boatswain <£3  10  per  month. 

Carpenter 4    0      do. 

Gunner 4    0      do. 

That  the  offices  of  Steward  and  Clerk  be  held  by  one 
person,  whose  pay  shall  be  £4  10s.  per  month. 

That  the  pay  of  the  following  Officers  employed  on  board 
the  Provincial  Ship  and  Floating-Battery  be  as  follows,  and 
to  commence  the  1st  clay  of  June  last,  viz : 

Boatswain's  Mate £3  10  0  per  month. 

Gunner's  Mate 3  10  0        do. 

Quartermasters 3     76        do. 

Q.uurter-Gunnei'3 3     7  6        do. 

Steward 4     00        do. 

Steward 's  Mate 3     50        do. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq..  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  for 


1289 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1290 


£1,400,  in  favour  of  Captain  Joseph  Cowperthwaite  and  Mr. 
Clement  Biddk,  being  for  account  of  Continental  Powder- 
Mill. 

Congress  having  requested  this  Board  to  recommend  four 
gentlemen  as  suitable  persons  as  Captains  to  four  Companies 
of  Germans  to  be  raised  in  this  Province  for  the  Continental 
service, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be  recommended 
to  Congress  as  proper  persons  to  be  appointed  Captains  to 
the  four  Companies  aforesaid,  viz :  Daniel  Burkhard,  Gco. 
Hubley,  Jacob  Banner,  Benjamin  Weiser. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael 
Hillegas,  Esq.,  in  favour  of  John  Maxwell  Ncsbitt,  Pay- 
master to  the  Provincial  Forces,  for  £5,000. 

The  President  of  the  Congress  this  day  sent  the  following 
Resolve  of  Congress,  which  is  directed  to  be  entered  on  the 
Minutes,  to  this  Board: 

"  In  Congress,  July  5,  1776. 

"  Resolved,  That  copies  of  the  Declaration  be  sent  to  the 
several  Assemblies,  Conventions,  and  Councils  of  Safety, 
and  to  the  several  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Continental 
Troops,  that  it  be  proclaimed  in  each  of  the  United  States, 
and  at  the  head  of  the  Army. 

"  By  order  of  Congress: 

"  JOHN  HANCOCK,  President." 

In  consequence  of  the  above  Resolve,  Letters  were  wrote 
to  the  Counties  of  Bucks,  Chester,  Northumberland,  Lan- 
caster, and  Berks,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  said  Declaration, 
requesting  the  same  to  be  published  on  Monday  next  at  the 
places  where  the  election  of  Delegates  are  to  be  held. 

Adjourned  to  five  o'clock;  when  the  following  Members 
met:  George  Clymer,  Chairman,  Samuel  Howell,  Owen  Bid- 
die,  James  Biddle,  John  Nixon,  John  Cadu-alader,  Joseph 
Parker,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Maurice  Rogers,  Cashier  and  Clerk 
of  Accounts  to  the  Committee  of  Accounts  of  this  Board,  be 
allowed  for  his  services  £  1 1 0  per  year.  . 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael 
Hillegas,  Esquire,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Samuel  Miles,  for 
£1,000,  being  for  the  use  of  the  Troops  under  his  com- 
mand. 

Ordered,  That  the  Sheriff  of  Philadelphia  read,  or  cause 
to  be  read  and  proclaimed  at  the  State-House  in  the  City 
of  Philadelphia,  on  Monday,  the  8th  day  of  July  instant,  at 
twelve  o'clock  at  noon  of  the  same  day,  the  Declaration  of 
the  Representatives  of  the  United  Colonies  of  America,  and 
that  he  cause  all  his  Officers  and  the  Constables  of  the  said 
city  to  attend  the  reading  thereof. 

Resolved,  That  every  Member  of  this  Committee  in  or 
near  the  city  be  ordered  to  meet  at  the  Committee  Cham- 
ber before  twelve  o'clock  on  Monday,  to  proceed  to  the 
State-House,  where  the  Declaration  of  Independence  is  to 
be  proclaimed. 

The  Committee  of  Inspection  of  this  City  and  Liberties 
were  requested  to  attend  the  proclamation  of  Independency 
at  the  State-House  on  Monday  next,  at  twelve  o'clock. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  8,  1776. 

Present :  George  Clymer,  Chairman,  Joseph  Parker,  John 
Nixon,  Owen  Biddle,  Michael  Hillegas,  George  Gray,  James 
Biddle,  David  Ritlenhouse,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  John 
Cadwaladcr,  Samuel  Morris,  James  Mease,  Samuel  Howell. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael 
Hillegas,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  for  £10,000,  in  favour  of  John 
Nixon  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  deliver 
out  as  much  Powder  to  each  Battalion  of  Associators  as  will 
make  eight  rounds,  to  be  used  in  training  them;  and  it  is 
recommended  to  the  Officers  to  have  the  Cartridges  for  that 
purpose  made  up  at  the  rate  of  eighty  to  the  pound,  which 
Mr.  Towers  will  acquaint  them  of. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Dunlap  print  three  hundred 
copies  of  the  Rules  and  Regulations  for  the  government  of 
the  Continental  Army,  for  the  use  of  the  Associators  going 
into  the  Continental  service. 

Resolved,  That  the  Iron-Masters  employed  in  casting 
Cannon  or  Shot  for  the  publick  service  in  the  Counties  of 
Chester,  Lancaster,  and  Berks,  be  permitted  to  employ  any 


of  the  Soldiers,  prisoners  of  war  at  Lancaster  and  Reading, 
as  labourers  in  the  said  business,  giving  an  account  to  the 
Committees  of  Lancaster  and  Reading  of  the  times  of  such 
Soldiers  as  they  shall  employ. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Boyce  be  requested  to  give  leave 
of  absence  for  one  week  to  Thomas  Prudden,  now  belonging 
to  this  Board,  to  assist  Captain  Delaney  in  preparing  neces- 
saries for  the  Battalions. 

Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver  Colo- 
nel Samuel  Miles  as  many  Knapsacks  and  Canteens  as  he 
may  have  occasion  for,  for  the  use  of  the  Provincial  Batta- 
lions under  his  command. 

Resolved,  That  Doctor  Adam  Kuhn  be  appointed  Phy- 
sician and  Director-General  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Provin- 
cial Troop?,  under  orders  for  New-Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  Doctor  Kuhn  be  requested  to  adjust  a 
plan  for  the  establishment  of  said  Hospital. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that 
no  persons  employed  by,  or  by  order  of  this  Committee,  in 
making  Guns,  Gunlocks,  Chevaux-de-Frise,  Piers,  or  any 
other  work  for  the  account  of  the  publick,  should  quit  their 
employments  to  march  with  the  Militia  now  to  be  drawn  out, 
without  special  leave  of  this  Board. 

Adjourned  to  five  o'clock;  when  the  following  Members 
met :  Owen  Biddle,  Chairman,  Samuel  Howell,  Joseph  Par- 
ker, David  Rittenhouse,  George  Gray,  Thomas  Wharton, 
Jun.,  James  Biddle,  Samuel  Miles. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  Colonel  Samuel  Miles,  or  his  order,  two 
hundred  weight  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  Troops  under  his 
command. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Assembly  for  superin- 
tending the  printing  the  emission  of  Eighty-Five  Thousand 
Pounds,  by  the  Resolve  of  Assembly,  be  authorized  to 
employ  those  persons  appointed  by  Assembly  to  sign  said 
money  that  will  best  expedite  the  signing  of  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Doctor  Charles  Bensel,  Joseph  Ferree, 
and  Leonard  Stoneburner,  be  appointed  to  collect  all  the 
Leaden  Window  Weights,  and  other  Lead,  in  Germantown 
and  its  neighbourhood,  for  which  the  liberal  price  of  six 
pence  per  pound  will  be  allowed;  and  they  are  authorized 
to  draw  on  this  Board  for  the  same. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  9,  1776. 
Present :  James  Mease,  Chairman,  David  Rittenhouse, 
Joseph  Parker,  George  Gray,  Samuel  Morris,  John  Cad-, 
walader,  George  Clymer,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  to  Colonel  John  Cadwalader,  nine  Pro- 
vincial Firelocks,  for  the  use  of  the  Associators  of  his  Bat- 
talion. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  to  Colonel  Homes,  for  the  use  of  an  Artil- 
lery Company  of  New-Jersey,  two  hundred  pounds  of  Lead, 
receiving  six  pence  per  pound  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Doctor  Dunlap  be  empowered  to  pur- 
chase all  such  Drugs,  Medicines,  Chirurgical  Instruments, 
and  necessaries  for  the  use  of  the  Hospital  under  his  care, 
as  shall  be  requisite  for  that  service,  upon  the  best  terms  he 
is  able,  and  send  in  the  accounts  to  this  Board  for  payment. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael 
Hillegas,  Esq.,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Samuel  Miles,  for  £500, 
for  the  use  of  the  Troops  under  his  command. 

Upon  application  to  Congress  by  this  Board,  for  the  loan 
of  a  sum  of  Money  for  the  service  of  this  Board,  the  fol- 
lowing Order  was  sent  to  this  Committee  by  Robert  Morris, 
Esq.,  viz  : 

"  In  Congress,  June  28,  1776. 

"Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers  be  empowered  to  advance 
to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  a  sum  not 
exceeding  $100,000,  the  Colony  of  Pmnsylcania  to  be 
accountable. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes  : 

"CaAs.  THOMSON,  Secretary." 

Resolved,  That  the  above  Order  of  Congress  for  $'  100,000 
be  put  into  the  hands  of  John  Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the 
Committee  of  Accounts  of  this  Board. 


1291 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1292 


Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Committee  of 
Inspection  of  the  County  of  Bucks,  immediately  to  appoint 
some  fit  and  trusty  person  to  cause  all  the  Fire-Arms  col- 
lected from  the  Associators  to  be  repaired  and  made  fit  for 
service,  with  all  despatch,  and  the  accounts  of  such  repairs, 
certified  by  such  person,  and  countersigned  by  the  Chairman 
of  the  said  Committee,  with  the  reasonable  charge  of  such 
person  so  employed,  shall  be  paid  by  this  Board. 

Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  furnish  Colo- 
nel Miles  with  samples  of  Powder,  that  he  may  make  choice 
of  that  that  will  best  suit  the  Rifles,  and  five  hundred  Flints. 

Resolved,  That  Doctor  John  Davis,  of  the  Rifle  Batta- 
lion, in  the  service  of  this  Province,  be  authorized  to  pur- 
chase a  case  of  Surgeon's  pocket  Instruments. 

Resolved,  That  such  Prisoners  from  North- Carolina  as 
choose,  may  be  permitted  to  write  to  their  friends  there; 
such  Letters  to  be  inspected  by  this  Committee;  and  the 
Jailer  is  to  take  care  that  all  the  paper  delivered  in  to  the 
Prisoners,  be  used  in  such  Letters,  or  returned  him. 

The  Memorial  of  Ludwick  Kargher,  agent,  Victualler  for 
the  three  Battalions  in  the  pay  of  this  Province,  being  read 
and  considered,  this  Committee,  recommended  him  to  the 
Delegates  of  this  Province  in  Congress,  to  apply  to  the 
honourable  Congress  for  redress. 

Adjourned  to  five  o'clock ;  when  the  following  Members 
met:  James  Mease,  Chairman,  Samuel  Howell,  John  Nixon, 
Samuel  Morris,  Jun.,  George  Gray,  Joseph  Parker,  David 
Ritlenhouse,  James  Biddle. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  Clement  Biddle,  Esq.,  Deputy  Quarter- 
master-General, the  following  articles,  for  the  use  of  the 
Continent,  taking  a  receipt  for  the  same,  viz:  fifty  Picks, 
fifty  Spades,  one  hundred  Shovels,  fifty  Handbarrows,  thirty 
Wheelbarrows,  fifty  Hatchets,  fifty  Pitching- Axes. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  to  Colonel  Thomas  McKean,  of  the  Fourth 
Battalion,  the  following  articles  :  twelve  hundred  Flints,  one 
quarter  cask  of  Powder,  (to  be  made  into  small  cartridges 
for  training,)  sixty  Pikes,  Powder  and  Lead  to  supply  sixty 
Riflemen. 

The  honourable  Congress  sent  the  following  Resolve  to  this 
Board,  which  is  directed  to  be  entered  on  the  Minutes: 

"Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylva- 
nia be  directed  to  take  the  parole  of  Allan  McDonald,  of 
Kingsborough,  who  is  now  confined  in  the  Jail  of  this  city, 
and  upon  his  signing  his  parole,  that  they  assign  him  his 
place  of  residence,  and  treat  him  agreeable  to  resolutions  of 
Congress. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes  : 

"  CHAS.  THOMSON,  Secretary." 

Agreeable  to  the  above  Resolve  of  Congress,  the  said 
Allan  McDonald  gave  his  parole  and  word  of  honour  to  go 
to  Reading,  in  Berks  County,  and  other  matters,  as  will 
appear  by  his  parole. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  10,  1776. 
Present:  Owen  Biddle.  Chairman,  Joseph  Parker,  John 
Nixon,  Alexander  fVikocks,  Samuel  Howell,  James  Biddle, 
George  Gray,  George  Clymer,  Samuel  Morris,  Jun. 

Resolved,  That  Doctor  Dunlap  be  desired  to  receive  the 
Bandages  and  Rags  that  Doctor  Bond  received,  and  had 
made  by  order  of  this  Board. 

Yesterday  ten  of  the  men  confined  in  Jail,  that  were  taken 
with  Captain  Campbell,  some  time  past,  were  discharged,  they 
having  been  qualified  to  proceed  to  Yorktoim,  and  reside 
there,  or  within  such  distance  as  the  Committee  of  Inspec- 
tion of  that  town  shall  limit. 

Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver  Cap- 
tain Cowpcrthwaite  four  Fire-locks,  with  the  Accoutrements, 
for  the  use  of  his  Light-Infantry  Company. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Joseph  Moulder,  for  £'25,  to  be  charged  to  his 
account  for  purchasing  Tin  for  the  use  of  the  Province. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will  pay  £50  to  any  per- 
son or  persons  who  shall  apprehend  Major  Rogers  and  deli- 
ver him  to  this  Board. 


By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Captain  Francis  Wade,  for  £70,  which  is  direct- 
ed to  be  charged  to  his  account. 

o 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Towers  be  directed  to  deliver  to  Gene- 
ral Roberdeau's  order,  all  the  Provincial  Arms  in  his  pos- 
session, that  a  just  distribution  be  made  of  them  amongst  the 
four  Musket  Battalions  of  Associators  in  this  city. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in  favour  of 
George  Spangler,  for  £10,  for  the  defraying  the  expenses 
of  Captain  Campbell's  men  discharged  from  confinement  and 
ordered  to  Yorktown,  which  is  directed  to  be  charged  to  his 
account. 

Resolved,  That  George  Spangler  conduct  the  Prisoners 
of  War  from  this  city  to  Yorktown,  there  to  be  stationed 
under  the  care  of  the  Committee  of  that  town. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  11,  1776. 

Present :  Alexander  Wilcocks,  Chairman,  George  Clymer, 
James  Mease,  Samuel  Howell,  Joseph  Parker,  Owen  Bid- 
die,  Samuel  Miles,  Thomas  fVharton,  Jun.,  David  Ritten- 
house,  John  Nixon,  George  Gray. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  Mr.  Clement  Biddle,  Quartermaster-Gene- 
ral, the  following  articles,  taking  a  receipt  for  the  same:  three 
hundred  and  fifty  Knapsacks,  nine  hundred  Cartouch-Boxes, 
nine  hundred  Bayonet  Belts,  one  thousand  Brushes  and 
Wires,  six  hampers  Tent  Pins,  twelve  Awnings,  Intrench- 
ing Tools  to  make  up  one  half  of  the  whole  quantity  in 
store. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  John  Pollard,  for  £23  12*.  6d.,  the  amount  of 
five  Rifles  purchased  by  Colonel  Timothy  Matlack,  for  the 
use  of  his  Battalion. 

By«  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Messrs.  B.  Smith,  William  Ball,  and  B.  Harbi- 
son, for  £25,  for  purchasing  Awnings  for  making  Tents. 

Captain  Loxley  and  Mr.  Daniel  King  are  hereby  ordered 
to  take  immediate  possession  of  Morgan  Bustead's  Air  Fur- 
nace, for  the  publick  use,  and  this  Committee  will  be  answer- 
able to  the  said  Bustead. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Robert  Smith,  Sailmaker,  be  request- 
ed to  attend  Messrs.  Smith,  Ball,  and  Harbison,  to  inspect 
and  value  such  Awnings  as  they  may  show  him,  for  which 
they  are  to  pay  the  several  owners  agreeable  to  the  valua- 
tion, and  which  he  is  desired  to  make  up  with  all  possible 
speed  into  Tents. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  'Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  for 
£250.  in  favour  of  Mr.  Abraham  Mason,  for  the  purchase 
of  Canvass  for  Tents. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Kimble  and  John  Young,  Jun.,  be 
desired  immediately  to  deliver  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commis- 
sary, such  Fire-Arms  as  are  in  their  possession ;  and  such  as 
are  fit  for  use,  or  may  conveniently  be  made  so,  be  valued 
by  him,  and  this  Committee  will  pay  for  them. 

The  Board  understanding  that  Captain  Loxley  and  Mr. 
King  are  about  to  erect  a  Boring  Mill  near  the  city,  it  is 
recommended  to  them  to  complete  the  work  without  loss  of 
time,  as  it  may  be  immediately  employed  greatly  to  the 
publick  service. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Owen  Biddle  procure,  for  the  use  of 
this  Province,  double  the  quantity  of  IntrenchingTools  already 
provided. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  12,  1776. 

Present :  Samuel  Howell,  Chairman,  Michael  Hillegas, 
Owen  Biddle,  Joseph  Parker,  James  Biddle,  David  Ritten- 
housc,  Samuel  Miles,  Thomas  fVharton,  Jr.,  Samuel  Morris, 
Jun.,  George  Clymer,  John  Nixon,  John  Cadwalader. 

This  Committee  some  time  past  freighted  and  hired  the 
Brigantine  Nancy,  Captain  Montgomery,  on  a  voyage  for  pro- 
curing Arms  and  Ammunition  on  account  of  this  Province; 
and  having  engaged  to  secure  the  value  of  the  said  vessel  to 
the  owners  in  case  of  loss ;  and  whereas  the  said  Brigantine 


1293 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1294 


Nancy,  on  her  return  from  St.  Thomas's  with  Powder  and 
other  goods,  was  run  on  shore  near  Cape-May  and  lost;  in 
consequence  thereof  the  owners  of  said  vessel  exhibited  an 
account  against  this  Committee  for  the  value  of  the  said 
brigantine,  and  other  matters  therein  mentioned: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  Robert  Morris,  Thomas  Whar- 
ton,  Jun.,  and  Robert  Whyte,  Esquires,  the  Committee  for 
importing  Powder,  Arms,  &c.,  be  authorized  to  settle  the 
above-mentioned  Account,  and  make  report  to  this  Board. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  George  Gray,  James  Biddle, 
George  Clymer,  and  Owen  Biddle,  be,  a  Committee  to  draw 
up  a  plan  for  the  support  of  the  families  of  the  poor  Asso- 
ciators  that  are  gone  and  now  going  upon  the  present  expe- 
dition into  the  Jerseys,  and  make  report  of  their  proceedings 
to-morrow. 

The  Powder  Committee  report,  that  they  have  examined 
the  Accounts  exhibited  by  Joseph  Shallcross  &/•  Co.,  respecting 
the  loss  of  the  Brigantine  Nancy,  amounting  to  £  1 ,457  10*., 
and  find  it  reasonable  and  just.  In  consequence  thereof  an 
Order  was  drawn  on  John  Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the 
Committee  of  Accounts,  in  favour  of  said  Joseph  Shallcross 
fy  Co.,  for  the  said  sum  of  £1,457  10s. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Henry  McKeever,  for  £4  15s.,  being  the  price  of 
a  Rifle  sold  Colonel  Matlack  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion. 

Upon  application  of  General  Roberdeau  for  the  following 
articles,  for  the  use  of  the  armed  Brigantine  Venus,  going  on 
a  voyage  for  Arms  and  Ammunition,  Robert  Towers,  Com- 
missary, is  directed  to  deliver  them;  and  are  as  follows:  half 
a  hundred  of  Gun  powder;  sixty  pounds  of  Musket  Shot,  sixty 
Swivel  Shot,  twelve  two-pound  Shot. 

Resolved,  That  the  pay  of  the  Artillery  Company  of  this 
Province,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Proctor,  be  in- 
creased to  Continental  pay. 

A  Letter  was  this  day  received  from  James  Potts,  Esq., 
enclosing  his  Commission  as  Major  in  the  Musket  Battalion 
in  the  service  of  this  Province,  desiring  leave  to  resign  his 
appointment. 

Resolved,  That  Major  James  Potts  have  leave  to  resign 
his  Commission. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock ;  when  the  following  Members 
met:  Samuel Howell,  Chairman,  George  Clymer,  Owen  Bid- 
die,  James  Biddle,  Thomas  Wharton,  Junior,  George  Gray, 
Samuel  Miles. 

Lieutenant  Webb,  of  the  armed  boat  Butt  Dog,  having 
been  suspended  from  duty  by  a  Court-Martial  during  the 
pleasure  of  the  Commodore,  who  has  resigned  his  appoint- 
ment as  commander  of  the  fleet, 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  said  Lieutenant  John  Webb 
be  restored  to  his  command  as  Lieutenant. 

The  honourable  Congress  having  requested  this  Board  to 
recommend  proper  persons  as  Lieutenants  and  Ensigns  to 
the  four  Companies  of  Germans  to  be  raised  in  this  Province 
for  the  Continental  service, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be  recommended 
to  Congress  as  proper  persons  to  be  appointed  as  aforesaid: 

As  First  Lieutenants :  Frederick  Rowlwagon,  Peter 
Boyer,  William  Rice,  Jacob  Bower. 

As  Second  Lieutenants:  George  Hawbeckcr,  John  Lau- 
denberger,  George  Schaeffer,  Frederick  Yeiser. 

As  Ensigns :  John  Weidman,  Christian  Helm,  Jacob  Cra- 
mer, Christian  Godfried  Sivartz. 

The  following  Representation  was  this  day  drawn  up,  ap- 
proved, and  copies  directed  to  be  sent  to  the  Committees  of 
Inspection  and  Observation  of  the  different  Counties  of  this 
State: 

Whereas  the  Assembly,  in  one  of  their  late  Sessions,  did 
authorize  and  direct  the  Committees  of  Inspection  and 
Observation  to  collect  all  the  Arms  from  Non-Associators 
within  the  Province,  which,  there  is  great  reason  to  believe, 
has  not  in  many  places  been  executed  with  sufficient  care 
and  diligence:  And  as  there  is  a  pressing  and  immediate 
necessity  of  arming  all  the  Associators  in  the  Province,  our 
lives,  our  fortunes,  and  liberties  depending  probably  on  the 
efforts  made  this  campaign ;  the  respective  Committees  of 
Inspection  and  Observation  are  reminded  of  this  important 
part  of  their  duty;  and  the  Committee  of  Safety  most  ear- 


nestly recommend  to  them  a  vigorous  exertion  of  all  their 
power  to  accomplish  the  views  and  intentions  of  the  As- 
sembly in  this  respect. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  13,  1776. 

Present :  George  Clymer,  Alexander  Wilcocks,  Owen  Bid- 
die,  Joseph  Parker,  Samuel  Morris. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  John  Cobourne,  for  £250,  which  is  directed  to  be 
charged  to  his  Account. 


In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  15,  1776. 

Present :  James  Mease,  Chairman,  George  Clymer,  David 
Rittenhouse,  Samuel  Morris,  Samuel  Howell,  Joseph  Parker, 
John  Nixon,  George  Ross. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  to  Colonel  George  Ross  fifteen  Rifles,  for 
the  use  of  his  Battalion  of  Associators,  taking  receipts  for 
the  same. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Doctor  Harris,  for  £100,  to  be  charged  to  his 
Account,  for  manufacturing  Gunpowder. 

At  a  Board  held  yesterday  evening  at  the  Coffee- House, 
the  following  Resolve  was  entered  into: 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Towers  be  directed  to  put  up  in  boxes 
one  hundred  thousand  Musket  Cartridges,  to  be  sent  to  Jersey, 
agreeably  to  a  requisition  of  Congress,  to  be  replaced  imme- 
diately by  the  Marine  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  no  person  at  present  employed  in  any 
branch  of  the  manufactory  of  Small  Arms  should  be  suffered 
to  leave  that  necessary  business,  and  every  officer  of  the 
Militia  is  requested  to  pay  proper  attention  to  this  resolve. 

By  order  of  the  Board  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Messrs.  Wilcocks,  De  fZia«en,and  Peters,  for  £500, 
to  be  charged  to  their  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Samuel  Moms,  Esq.,  for  £650,  towards  the  pay- 
ment of  Timber  for  Chevaux-de-Frise  at  JSillingsport. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Robert  Smith,  for  £500,  to  be  charged  to  his  ac- 
count, for  building  Chevaux-de-Frise,  &c.,  at  Bittingsport. 

Abraham  Marshall  having  applied  to  this  Board  for  leave 
to  resign  his  commission  as  Captain  of  a  Company  in  the 
Musket'Battalion  in  the  service  of  this  Province, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Abraham  Marshall  have  leave 
to  resign. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Joseph  McClellan,  at  present  a  Lieu- 
tenant in  the  Battalion  of  Musketry,  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
appointed  a  Captain  in  said  Battalion,  in  the  room  of  Cap- 
tain Marshall,  resigned. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  James  Lang,  at  present  an  Ensign  in 
the  Musket  Battalion,  be.  and  he  is  hereby,  appointed  a 
Lieutenant  in  said  Battalion, in  the  room  ofJoscphMcClellan, 
promoted. 

This  Board  being  informed  that  Mr.  John  Baker,  of  Nor- 
rington,  has  a  number  of  Provincial  Fire-Arms  in  his  posses- 
sion, by  order  of  the  Board  he  was  directed  to  deliver  them 
to  Colonel  Hill,  taking  a  receipt  for  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  inquire  into  the  value  of 
the  Musket  lost  by  Jasper  Carpenter,  in  the  service,  and 
supply  him  with  one  of  equal  value  out  of  the  publick  store. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Benjamin  fVctherby,  for  £50,  being  for  the  pay- 
ment of  a  House  purchased  of  him,  on  the  Land  purchased 
for  account  of  Congress  for  erecting  Fortifications  at  Billings- 
port,  which  sum  is  directed  to  be  charged  to  account  of  Con- 
gress. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esquire,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Captain  James  Sterling,  for  $100,  being  towards 


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PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1296 


the  payment  of  the  expenses  of  thirteen  Men,  applied  for  as 
an  escort  to  the  Prisoners  from  Burlington,  going,  by  order 
of  Congress,  to  Yorktoien,  in  this  Province. 

Resolved,  That,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  General  Rob- 
erdeau,  the  thirteen  Men  that  go  as  a  Guard  with  the  party 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Sterling,  with  the  Prisoners 
from  Burlington,  be  allowed  Horses  at  the  expense  of  the 
Continent. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Reuben  Hains  was  directed  to 
furnish  Jacob  Miers  with  ten  shilling  Beer,  as  he  may  want 
it. 

In  pursuance  of  a  requisition  from  Congress  to  this  Com- 
mittee, to  order  all  the  British  Officers  prisoners  in  this  city, 
immediately  to  the  respective  places  of  their  destination, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Officers  be  required  to  leave  this 
city  within  twenty-four  hours,  and  repair  straightway  to  the 
places  where  they  are  ordered  to  reside ;  and  that  a  copy  of 
this  resolve  be  served  on  each  of  them,  to  the  end  it  may  be 
strictly  complied  with. 

Whereas  the  Assembly  of  this  Province  did,  in  a  former 
Session,  resolve  "That  if  any  Associator  called  into  actual 
service  shall  have  a  family  not  of  ability  to  maintain  them- 
selves in  his  absence,  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  with  the 
concurrence  of  one  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  City  or 
County  where  such  Associator  did  reside,  shall  immediately 
make  provision,  by  way  of  out-pension,  for  the  maintenance 
of  such  family;  and  a  true  and  proper  account  being  kept 
thereof,  shall  be  returned  to  the  Assembly,  in  order  that  the 
same  may  be  made  a  Provincial  expense,  and  paid  accord- 
ingly;" and  as  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee  that  the 
funds  of  the  said  Overseers  will  prove  greatly  insufficient 
whenever  any  considerable  number  of  Associators  shall  be 
drawn  into  actual  service,  and  that  the  administering  to  the 
wants  of  such  families  by  the  hands  of  the  Overseers  will 
not  be  satisfactory  to  the  Associators,  or  be  likely  to  answer 
the  good  ends  proposed, 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will,  out  of 
the  funds  of  which  they  have  the  disposition,  make  such 
provision  as  shall  be  thought  necessary  to  answer  the  said 
purposes,  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Committees  of 
Inspection  and  Observation  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  and 
the  several  Counties  in  the  Province,  to  nominate  and  ap- 
point a  proper  number  of  judicious  persons,  residing  in  the 
said  City  and  Counties  respectively,  to  distribute  to  such 
distressed  families  the  allowance  they  shall  judge  reasonable ; 
and  that  the  said  Committees  be  empowered  to  draw,  as 
they  shall  see  occasion,  on  this  Board,  for  the  necessary  sums 
of  money,  to  be  by  them  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  persons 
so  nominated  and  appointed,  to  be  applied  as  is  above  direct- 
ed ;  the  said  Committees  to  return  accounts  to  this  Board 
of  the  expenditure  of  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  the  above  be  published  in  the  'different 
Newspapers  of  this  City. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

Present:  OwenBiddle,  Chairman,  George  Clymer,  Sam- 
mi  Howell,  Robert  Morris,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  James 
Biddle,  Alex.  Wilcocks,  James  Mease. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq..  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Adam  Zantzinger,  for  £163  15*.,  which,  with 
one  other  order  on  Robert  Towers  to  deliver  two  hundred 
pounds  Gunpowder,  is  in  full  for  eight  hundred  and  fifty-five 
pounds  of  Saltpetre  manufactured  at  Lancaster,  and  received 
by  the  Commissary  for  account  of  this  Board. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  John  Morton,  for  £310,  being  the  balance  of  the 
Brig  Dolphin's  freight,  a  bill  having  been  drawn  for  said 
sum  by  Stephen  Ceronia  on  this  Committee,  in  favour  of 
said  Morton,  which  bill  has  not  yet  appeared,  and  this  is  in 
full  discharge  of  it. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Robert  Ritchie,  for  £48  5s.  6d.,  for  an  old  Snow 
for  a  Hulk,  an  Anchor,  Caboose,  Sic. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael 
Hillegas,  Esq.,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Samuel  Miles,  for  £500, 
for  the  use  of  the  Troops  under  his  command. 


In  consequence  of  the  following  Resolve  of  Congress,  Mr. 
McDonald  was  discharged  from  his  confinement,  and  his 
parole  taken: 

"  In  Congress,  July  15,  1776. 

"Resolved,  That  Alexander  McDonald,  son  of  Captain 
Allan  McDonald,  be  liberated  on  his  parole  and  allowed  to 
reside  with  his  father. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

"CHAS.  THOMSON,  Secretary." 

By  order  of  the  Board,  and  in  consequence  of  the  request 
of  the  Marine  Committee  of  Congress,  an  Order  was  drawn 
on  John  Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts, 
in  favour  of  Captain  James  Sterling,  for  £252  10*.,  which, 
with  the  Order  drawn  yesterday  in  his  favour,  is  £300,  the 
amount  of  the  Requisition  of  the  said  Committee. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Joshua  Tomlinson,  for  £200,  being  so  much  ad- 
vanced him  towards  Gun-barrel  making. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Thomas  Penrose  and  Mr.  Arthur 
Donaldson  be  requested,  and  they  are  hereby  authorized,  to 
fix  the  two  piers  at  their  proper  stations  in  the  line  of  the 
upper  Chevaux-de-Frise,  near  Port  Island,  and  also  to  fasten 
the  Boom  thereto. 

The  Committee  taking  into  consideration  the  extraordi- 
nary trouble  of  Captain  Whyte  in  attending  and  directing 
the  building  and  sinking  Chevaux-de-Frise,  and  other  publick 
services  out  of  doors,  are  of  opinion  he  is  entitled  to  receive 
£150  for  such  services,  and  an  order  is  drawn  in  his  favour 
on  John  Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts, 
for  that  sum. 

The  honourable  Continental  Congress  having  desired 
this  Board  to  settle  an  allowance  for  the  maintenance  of 
Mrs.  Co/io%,  and  the  Board  taking  the  same  into  conside- 
ration, do  resolve,  That  Mrs.  Conolly  be  allowed  30*.  per 
week  for  the  time  she  has  been  detained  by  Congress,  and 
that  in  future  she  be  allowed  25*.  per  week,  until  otherwise 
directed  by  Congress. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  17,  1776. 

Present:  James  Biddle,  Chairman,  Joseph  Parker,  Tho- 
mas Wharton,  Jun.,  George  Gray,  Michael  Hillegas,  Sam- 
uel Morris,  Jun. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Thomas  Nevill,  for  £200,  and  charge  the  same 
to  the  account  of  Nevill,  Roe,  Derry,  fy  Kinsley,  for  purcha- 
sing Lead  for  the  use  of  the  Province. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  William  McHenry,  for  £24,  being  the  amount  of 
eight  Muskets  purchased  by  Colonel  Thomas  McKean  for 
the  use  of  the  Associators  of  his  Battalion. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Mr.  Allan  McDonald,  for  £7  10s.,  being  so  much 
allowed  for  taking  him  and  his  son  to  Reading,  which  is 
directed  to  be  charged  to  account  of  Congress,  they  being 
two  of  the  North- Carolina  prisoners  released  from  confine- 
ment by  order  of  Congress. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael 
Hilksas,  Esq.,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Samuel  Atlee,  for  the 
use  of  the  Battalion  under  his  command,  for  £600. 

The  families  who  have  Leaden  Window  or  Clock  Weights 
are  earnestly  requested  to  give  them  up  immediately  to  the 
persons  appointed  to  collect  them.  Such  families  may  be 
assured  that  they  will  be  supplied  as  soon  as  possible  with 
Weights  of  Iron,  and  it  is  hoped  the  trifling  inconvenience  of 
being  for  a  few  days  without  them  will  not  be  put  in  com- 
petition with  the  danger  that  may  arise  to  this  country  from 
the  want  of  a  sufficient  quantity  of  Lead  for  our  defence. 

It  being  recommended  to  this  Committee  by  the  Conven- 
tion to  take  the  necessary  steps  respecting  the  Guard  direct- 
ed by  Congress  to  be  kept  in  this  City  : 

Resolved,  That  the  four  Companies  of  Militia  in  this  City 
and  Liberties  detained  by  General  Roberdeau  as  Guards  for 
this  City,  viz:  Captain  Smyther's  of  the  First  Battalion, 
Captain  Peters' 's  of  the  Second,  Captain  Wharton 's  of  the 


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PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1298 


Third,  and  the  Company  hie  commanded  by  Captain  Burk- 
hard  of  the  Fourth,  be  required  to  attend  their  duty  regu- 
larly and  punctually  under  the  orders  and  command  of  Cap- 
tain Peters.  And  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  said 
Companies  are  required  to  enroll  into  the  same  all  such 
Associutors  as.  from  particular  circumstances,  cannot  march 
with  the  Militia  now  called  into  service  for  the  Flying-Camp. 
And  all  such  Associators  are  earnestly  exhorted  to  enroll 
themselves  in  some  one  of  the  said  Companies  for  this  ne- 
cessary and  important  service,  in  which  they  are  to  continue 
during  the  absence  of  the  Companies  to  which  they  respec- 
tively belong. 

Resolved,  That  the  baggage  taken  on  board  the  Trans- 
port, and  now  in  the  care  of  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commis- 
sary, be  valued  by  some  indifferent  person,  and  such  part  of 
it  as  is  needful  for  the  publick  service  be  delivered  to  Clem- 
ent Biddle,  Deputy  Quartermaster-General,  on  his  order  or 
application  for  that  purpose. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  18,  1776. 

Present:  James  Biddle,  Chairman,  Michael  Hillegas, 
James  Mease,  Samuel  Howell,  George  Gray,  Samuel  Mor- 
ris, Jun.,  James  Parker. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  to  Clement  Biddle,  Deputy  Quartermas- 
ter-General, half  a  ton  of  Buck  and  Swan  Shot  for  the  use 
of  the  Flying-Camp  in  the  Jerseys,  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Resolved,  That  the  Marines  on  board  the  Ship  and  Float- 
ing Battery  be  allowed  50s.  per  month,  to  commence  the  1st 
day  of  June  last. 

The  Committee  agree  with  John  Kerlin  for  fifty  Muskets 
and  Bayonets,  to  be  made  according  to  pattern,  at  85s.  each. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Hocklcy  be  requested  to  prove 
such  Guns  as  shall  be  made  by  John  Kerlin  for  the  use  of 
this  Committee. 

In  Committee  of  Safely,  Philadelphia,  July  19,  1776. 

Present:  Alexander  JVilcocks,  Chairman,  John  Nixon, 
Samuel  Howell,  Joseph  Parker,  George  Gray,  Michael 
Hillegas,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
directed  to  deliver  to  Peter  De  Haven  one  hundred  pounds 
of  Copper  for  mounting  of  Firelocks  for  the  use  of  this  Pro- 
vince. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  for 
£46  11s.  3d.,  being  in  favour  of  Mr.  Peter  De  Haven  for 
one  hundred  and  eighty-six  pounds  four  ounces  of  Saltpetre 
manufactured  at  the  Provincial  Works. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  James  Carter  be  appointed  one  of 
the  Committee  for  superintending  the  making  of  Firelocks, 
and  the  Gun-lock  Manufactory,  for  the  use  of  this  Province. 

The  Committee,  taking  into  consideration  the  extraordi- 
nary trouble  of  Mr.  Samuel  Morris,  Jim.,  in  attending  and 
directing  the  building  of  Chevaux-de-Frise,  procuring  logs, 
and  other  publick  services  out  of  doors,  are  of  opinion  he  is 
entitled  to  receive  £150. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  for 
the  above  sum  of  £150,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Morris,  for  the 
purpose  aforesaid. 

The  order  of  this  Board  placing  the  Guard  to  be  kept  in 
this  City,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Peters,  being  made 
under  the  apprehension  that  Captain  Peters  was  the  officer 
of  highest  rank  now  in  Town,  the  said  Order  is  now  altered, 
and  the  Guard  will  receive  the  command  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Nixon. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Mr.  Thomas  Savadge,  for  £400,  to  be  charged  to 
his  account,  for  the  Salt  Works  to  be  erected  at  the  charge 
of  this  Province. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Howell,  Mr.  Hillegas,  and  Mr.  Gray, 
be  a  Committee  to  settle  all  the  Accounts  of  Mr.  Arthur 
Donaldson,  and  pass  them  for  payment. 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  be  autho- 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  82 


rized  to  exchange  the  thin  plate  Copper  that  he  has  belong- 
ing to  this  Province  for  other  good  Copper  to  any  trades- 
man that  may  apply  for  the  same. 

WM.  GOVETT,  Secretary. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  July  20,  1776. 

Present:  Alexander  Wilcocks,  Chairman,  George  Clijmcr, 
John  Nixon,  Michael  Hillegas,  Oiven  Biddle,  Joseph  Par- 
ker, Samuel  Howell,  Samuel  Morris,  Jun. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  John  Mitchell,  Commissary  of  Provisions,  for 
£1500;  which  is  directed  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  McKinlcy  have  per- 
mission to  purchase  in  Lancaster  fifty  Rifles. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Gray  and  Mr.  Parker  be  a  Com- 
mittee for  settling  the  Account  of  George  Kitts,  for  furnish- 
ing the  Troops  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Atlce  with 
Provisions,  and  that  the  said  Committee  be  authorized  to 
draw  on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  for  the  balance. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Mitchell  be  requested  to  settle 
the  Account  of  Provisions  furnished  the  Boats  under  the 
command  of  Commodore  Caldwell  by  sundry  persons  at 
Wilmington,  at  the  time  they  were  going  down  the  Bay 
where  the  Roebuck  was  on  shore  on  the  Brandywine. 

Resolved,  That  the  Directors  of  the  Provincial  Lock 
Manufactory  be  requested  to  direct  to  be  repaired  at  said 
Works  the  Arms  belonging  to  the  Associators  of  Colonel 

Lewis's  Battalion.  *,r     ^ 

WM.  CJOVETT,  Secretary. 

In  Committee  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 
Present:  Samuel  Howell,  George  Clymer,  Samuel  Morris, 
George    Gray,  Joseph   Parker,  Michael  Hillegas,  John 
Nixon. 

Agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  the  20th,  Mr.  Gray  and  Mr. 
Parker,  a  Committee  to  settle  the  Accounts  of  George  Kitts, 
report  that  they  have  settled  the  same  and  find  a  balance  of 
£418  15s.  8Jd.  due  him,  for  which  they  have  drawn  an 
Order  in  his  favour  on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq.,  Treasurer. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  for 
£600,  in  favour  of  Michael  Bright;  which  is  directed  to 
be  charged  to  the  Commissioners  and  Assessors  of  Berks 
County,  for  the  payment  of  Firelocks  made  in  that  County 
for  the  use  of  this  Province. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
Nixon,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  Accounts,  in 
favour  of  Maurice  Rogers,  for  £73  6s.  8d.,  being  his  salary 
for  eight  months  as  Clerk  to  the  Committee  of  Accounts. 

The  Convention  this  day  sent  the  following  Resolve  to 
this  Board,  viz: 

"In  Convention  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, ) 
Monday,  July  22,  1776,  A.  M.      \ 

"  Moved  and  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety 
for  this  State  lay  their  Accounts  and  Proceedings  before  this 
Convention. 

"Ordered,  That  Mr.  Clymer  communicate  this  Resolve 
to  the  said  Committee. 

"Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

"  JOHN  MORRIS,  Secretary." 

Resolved,  That  the  Minutes  of  this  Board  be  laid  before 
the  Convention,  and  that  this  Committee  furnish  the  state 
of  their  Accounts  relative  to  the  expenditure  of  all  moneys  for 
the  service  of  this  Colony. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Parker  and  Mr.  Samuel  Morris  be 
a  Committee  to  examine  and  settle  the  Accounts  of  Captain 
Richardson,  Captain  Falconer,  and  Captain  Simmons,  and 
when  adjusted  be  authorized  to  pass  the  same. 

WM.  GOVETT,  Secretary. 


Council  of  Safety  Chamber,  July  24,  1776. 

Present :  David  Rittenhouse,  Owen  Biddle,  James  Can- 
non, Joseph  Bleiver,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Colonel  John  Bull, 
and  Timothy  Matlack,  a  quorum  of  gentlemen  appointed  by 
the  Convention  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  George 
Ross,  Esq.,  Vice-President  of  Convention. 


1299 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1300 


The  following  Resolution  of  Convention  was  read: 

"  In  Convention  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, ) 
July  24,  1776,  A.  M.      $ 

"Resolved,  That  the  Members  of  the  Council  of  Safety, 
before  they  enter  upon  the  execution  of  their  office,  shall 
take  and  subscribe  the  following  Oath  or  Affirmation,  viz: 

"  '  I,  ,  do  declare  that  I  do  not  hold  myself  hound 

to  bear  allegiance  to  George  the  Third,  King  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, and  that  I  will,  steadily  and  firmly,  at  all  times,  pro- 
mote the  most  effectual  means,  according  to  the  best  of  my 
skill  and  knowledge,  to  oppose  the  tyrannical  proceedings 
of  the  King  and  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  against  the 
American  States,  and  that  I  will,  according  to  the  best  of 
my  judgment,  execute  with  fidelity  the  trust  reposed  in  me 
as  a  Member  of  the  Council  of  Safety.' 

"And  that  the  Vice-President  of  this  Convention  admin- 
ister the  said  oath  or  affirmation  to  such  a  number  of  the 
said  Council  of  Safety  as  may  be  sufficient  to  make  a  quo- 
rum, and  then  that  the  President  of  the  said  Board  for  the 
time  being  qualify  the  rest. 

"  JOHN  MORRIS.  Secretary." 

Thereupon  the  said  Declaration  was- taken  and  subscribed 
accordingly,  and  Mr.  Ross  withdrew. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  requested  to  take  the  Chair  for  the 
day. 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Esq.,  appeared  and  took  the  quali- 
fication directed  by  the  Convention. 

Dr.  Thomas.  Young,  of  Philadelphia  Rifle  Battalion,  laid 
an  Account  before  the  Board  for  necessaries  supplied  by  him 
for  the  said  Battalion,  amounting  to  £  12  19s.  5J.,  and  cer- 
tified bv  William  Shippen,  Jun.,  Surgeon-General  and  Di- 
rector of  the  Hospital. 

Ordered,  That  Michael  Hiflegas,  Esq.,  be  requested  to 
pay  the  said  Account,  and  charge  it  to  Congress. 

It  being  represented  to  this  Board  that  a  number  of  Colo- 
nel Miles's  men  were  sick  in  the  Barracks,  and  stood  in 
need  of  better  accommodations  and  necessaries  for  their 
recovery, 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Thomas  Parks,  be  directed  to  attend 
them,  and  have  the  necessary  provision  for  their  accommo- 
dation made. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Peters  be  authorized  to  have  the 
stage  in  the  State-House  yard  fitted  up  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  Guard,  and  that  he  provide  a  sufficient  number 
of  Carnp-Kettles  for  their  use. 

On  motion,  Agreed.  That  an  order  be  issued  to  Thomas 
Palmer  to  deliver  Mr.  Roltr.rt  Towers,  Commissary  of  Stores, 
the  seventeen  Rifles,  and  to  Mr.  Bahvin  to  deliver  Mr.  Tow- 
ers eight  Rifles,  and  that  Mr.  Towers  deliver  them  to  Captain 
John  Douglass. 

Agreed,  That  Sachcvercll  Wood  be  appointed  Door- 
Keeper. 

An  order  was  drawn  in  favour  of  John  Willis  for  £4,  for 
a  Rifle  delivered  Colonel  Matlack;  and  that  the  same  be 
charged  to  him. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Bull  be  empowered  to  procure 
sixty  Pikes  and  a  sufficient  number  of  Tomahawks  for  the 
use  of  the  Battalion,  and  that  the  arms  of  his  Battalion  be 
repaired  at  the  Provincial  Factory. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  July  24,  1776,  P.  M. 

Present :  David  Rittenhouse,  Owen  Biddle,  James  Can- 
non, Frederick  Kuhl,  Edward  Bartholomew,  Timothy  Mat- 
lack,  John  Bull. 

A  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Berks  County  was  laid 
before  the  Board ;  and  the  same  being  considered,  and  it 
being  therein  represented  to  the  Board  that  some  misrepre- 
sentation of  the  intention  of  Congress  has  arisen  among  the 
Associators  of  this  State  and  the  Officers  who  were  ap- 
pointed to  form  the  Flying-Camp,  with  respect  to  the  march 
and  arrangement  of  the  Associators  and  Militia  who  were  to 
compose  the  said  Camp;  and  in  order  that  it  may  be  better 
understood,  it  is 

Resolved,  That  all  the  Militia  who  may  be  furnished  and 
equipped  agreeable  to  the  Resolve  of  Congress,  do  march  to 
such  place  as  they  have-been  respectively  ordered  by  Con- 
gress; and  that  the  persons  who  have  been  appointed  Cap- 
tains in  the  Flying-Camp  and  have  not  inlisted  twenty-five 
men  for  the  service,  do  return  them  to  their  respective  corps 


of  Associators  to  which  they  formerly  belonged,  and  con- 
tinue with  them  ;  the  appointment  of  the  Officers  for  the 
Flying-Camp  still  to  continue,  and  the  men  already  inlisted 
to  he  considered  as  bound  by  their  inlistment,  and  to  be  con- 
tinued in  service  when  the  Militia  may  be  permitted  to 
return,  and  subject  to  the  further  orders  of  the  Convention 
or  of  this  Board.  And  it  is  further  recommended  that  those 
Companies  which  have  been  raised  to  form  the  Flying- 
Camp,  which  already  consist  of  twenty-five  Privates  and 
upwards,  do  immediately  proceed  to  Trenton  or  Brunswick, 
as  heretofore  directed. 

Resolved,  That  this  Board  will  allow  the  Officers  who 
were  appointed  to  command  the  Flying-Camp  all  such  rea- 
sonable expenses  as  have  accrued  in  the  recruiting  service. 

The  following  Letter  was  wrote  to  the  Committee  of 
Berks  County,  and  signed  by  the  Chairman  : 

"GENTLEMEN:  Your  Letter  of  the  22d  instant  to  the 
Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion, was  referred  by  the  honourable  Convention  to  the 
Council  of  Safety.  They  must  acknowledge  the  laudable 
zeal  with  which  your  Committee  has  at  all  times  carried  into 
execution  the  recommendation  of  such  powers  acted  under 
the  people,  but  particularly  your  ready  and  cheerful  obe- 
dience to  the  ordinance  of  Convention  for  disarming  of 
Non-Associators.  The  embarrassments  you  labour  under  in 
consequence  of  resolves  of  Congress,  and  others,  which,  from 
the  confused  state  of  the  times,  appeared  somewhat  contra- 
dictory, appear  to  be  excusable.  In  order  to  render  the 
intention  of  Congress  more  plain  and  comprehensive,  and  to 
answer  their  expectations,  the  Council  of  Safety  have  en- 
closed you  their  Resolution  upon  that  matter,  requesting  that 
you  will  take  such  measures  to  publish  it  through  your  dis- 
trict as  will  be  most  effectual  and  expeditious,  and  that  you 
would  encourage  the  Associators  to  turn  out  upon  this  very 
important  emergency. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety." 

In  Council  of  Safety,  July  25,  1776. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  Timothy  Mat  - 
lack,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Joseph  Blcwcr,  Owen  Biddle, 
Frederick  Kuhl,  James  Cannon,  B.  Bartholomew,  John 
Moore. 

Mr.  Bartholomew  and  Mr.  Moore  took  and  subscribed 
the  qualification  directed  by  Convention. 

Moved  and  Agreed,  That  Jacob  S.  Hwvell  be  appointed 
Secretary  to  this  Board  until  further  order  be  taken  herein. 

Henry  Keppile  appeared,  and  took  and  subscribed  the 
qualification  directed  by  Convention. 

A  Resolve  of  Convention  was  read,  which  is  as  follows: 

"  In  Convention  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  ) 
July  24,  1776,  A.  M.      $ 

On  motion,  Resoloed,  That  the  two  Companies  of  fifty 
men  each  now  raising  by  the  Committee  of  Westmoreland, 
for  the  defence  of  the  frontiers,  be  considered  as  Militia  in 
actual  service  from  the  time  of  their  inlistment  to  the  5th  day 
of  August  next;  and  also,  that  it  be  referred  to  the  Council 
of  Safety  to  consider  whether  they  will  keep  the  same  in 
pay  until  the  loth  day  of  Septembef  next,  provided  the  offi- 
cers or  any  of  them  should  not  be  sooner  appointed  in,  or 
any  of  the  men  before  that  time  enter  into  the  Continental 
Battalion  now  to  be  raised  in  Bedford  and  Westmoreland 
Counties. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

"  JOHN  MORRIS,  Secretary." 

The  above  being  considered, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  two  Companies  be  continued  in 

:ay  until  the  15th  of  September  next,  and  that  application 
e  made  to  Congress  to  defray  the  expense  thereof. 

Mr.  Wharton  appeared,  and  took  and  subscribed  the  quali- 
fication directed  by  Convention. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  July  2fi,  1776. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  Samuel  Morris, 
Sen.,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Timothy  Matlack,  Joseph  Blcwer, 
James  Cannon,  Henry  Keppely,  Owen  Biddle,  Thomas 
Wharton. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  and  Mr.  Morris  were  appointed  to  wait 
on  Mr.  Samuel  Howdl  and  Mr.  Samuel  Morris,  Jun.,  to 


1301 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1302 


know  whether  they  will  serve  in  this  Council;  whoTeport, 
that  they  both  decline  serving  for  the  present. 

A  Petition  was  presented  from  Charles  Lawrence,  Wil- 
liam Watkins,  and  Robert  Tatnall,  Captains  of  Guard  Boats 
stationed  at  Darby  Creek,  setting  forth  the  inconvenience  of 
taking  their  Provisions  from  the  Fort,  and  praying  that 
Mr.  Sketchly  Morton  may  be  appointed  to  supply  them  in 
future. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Skctchly  Morton  do  supply  the  said 
Boats  with  Provisions  until  further  orders. 

Two  Orders  were  drawn  on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq.,  in 
favour  of  Benjamin  Davis — one  for  £79  15s.  for  Colours, 
Drums,  &c.,  supplied  Colonel  Milcs's  Battalion;  the  other 
for  £60  11s.  9d.,  for  Colours  and  Drums  supplied  Colonel 
Atlce's  Battalion. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  M.  Hillegas,  Esq.,  in  favour  of 
John  Messersmith  for  £12  10s. 

On  a  Petition  from  John  Peal,  Boatswain  of  the  Ranger, 
setting  forth  that  he  was  in  confinement,  and  prays  to  be 
released  and  removed  to  another  boat, 

Ordered,  That  a  Court-Martial  be  held  on  the  said  Peal, 
and  a  Court  of  Inquiry  on  the  officer  who  confined  him,  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  report  the  sentence  to  this  Board. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  Robert  Lewis  fifty  Muskets  and  Bayo- 
nets. 

In  consequence  of  an  application  made  by  Daniel  King 
to  have  Captain  Loxley  returned  to  this  city,  the  following 
Letter  was  wrote  to  General  Roberdeau,  signed  by  the  Chair- 
man: 

"Sin:  As  you  are  not  unacquainted  with  the  resolutions 
of  the  late  Committee  of  Safety  to  have  a  number  of  brass 
field-pieces  cast,  and  the  necessity  which  gave  rise  to  it,  it 
will  be  needless  to  enlarge  thereon:  but  as  the  Board  have 
not  had  the  success  they  wish  in  their  attempt  to  cast'  iron 
cannon,  it  becomes  more  necessary  for  this  Board  to  pro- 
mote and  forward  the  said  intention  to  the  utmost  of  their 
power;  but  the  absence  of  Captain  Loxley  with  his  artil- 
lery company,  who  has  the  chief  management  and  superin- 
tendence of  the  foundry,  has  .occasioned  almost  the  entire 
stoppage  of  that  important  business.  The  Council  of  Safety 
have  therefore  to  request  you  to  return  Captain  Loxley  to 
the  cannon  foundry,  as  he  will  be  likely  to  serve  his  country 
more  effectually  in  that  station  than  any  other.  A  day's4de- 
lay  in  this  business  may  be  attended  with  the  most  serious 
consequences  ;  we  do  therefore  hope  it  will  be  done  as  soon 
as  possible." 


In  Council  of  Safety,  July  27,  1776. 

Present:  Samuel  Morris,  Chairman,  David  Rittenhouse, 
Frederick  Kuhl,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jan.,  Joseph  JBlewer, 
Owen  Riddle,  Henry  Ktpple,  James  Cannon,  Colonel  John 
Bull. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers  was  ordered  to 
deliver  to  Colonel  Porter  seven  Muskets,  taking  his  receipt. 

Resolved,  That  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  be  appoint- 
ed Treasurer  to  this  Board,  and  that  he  enter  into  bond  with 
two  respectable  Freeholders  for  £5,000,  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  his  office. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Marshall  Edwards  for 
£2  5s. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Edward  Bartholomew, 
for  £500,  towards  Haversacks,  &ic.,  purchased  for  the  use 
of  the  Militia,  and  directed  the  same  to  be  charged  to  his 
Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers  was  ordered  to 
deliver  Colonel  Clement  Biddle,  Deputy  Quartermaster- 
General,  or  his  Assistants  here,  two  tons  of  Lead  and  two 
tons  of  Powder,  made  into  Cartridges,  for  the  use  of  the 
Army  under  General  Mercer;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Colonel  George  Ross, 
for  £63  16s.,  being  for  Arms  purchased  for  the  use  of  his 
Battalion ;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 


By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers  was  ordered  to  deli- 
ver Peter  Dehaven  fy  Co.,  one  hundred  weight  of  Brass,  for 
the  use  of  the  Gun  Factory. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  - 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Peter  Dehuven  fy  Co., 
for  £500,  for  the  use  of  the  Gun  Factory. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael 
Hillegas,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the  Province,  in  favour  of  John 
M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer  to  this  Board,  for  £10,000,  to 
be  charged  to  Mr.  NesbitCs  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers  was  ordered  to 
deliver  Colonel  Thomas  Smith  and  the  other  Members  of 
Convention,  for  Bedford  County,  five-hundred  weight  of 
Powder  and  half  a  ton  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  Associa- 
tors,  to  be  delivered  to  the  Committee  of  Inspection  for  said 
County,  and  by  them  distributed. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Toivers  was  ordered  to 
deliver  Major  Swoop  forty  Muskets  for  the  use  of  the  First 
Battalion  of  York  County,  and  eight  for  the  use  of  the  Third 
Battalion  of  said  County. 

Mr.  Wharton,  Mr.  Morris,  and  Mr.  Keppele,  being  a  Com- 
mittee to  examine  the  Accounts  of  Jos.  Fox,  Esq.,  do  report 
that  they  have  inspected  said  Accounts  and  vouchers,  and 
find  the. same  right. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  July  29,  1776,  P.  M. 

Present:  David,  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  Thomas  Whar- 
ton, Jun.,  James  Cannon,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Joseph  Blewer, 
Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  H.  Keppele,  Jun.,  John  Moore,  Owen 
Biddle,  Timothy  Matlack,  John  Weitzel. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to 
deliver  Major  Bell  twenty  stand  of  Anns  for  the  use  of  Colo- 
nel Montgomery's  Battalion. 

Mr.  John  Weitzel  appeared,  and  took  and  subscribed  the 
qualification  directed  by  Convention. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Resolve  of  the  15th  instant, 
July,  of  the  late  Committee  of  Safety,  recommending  to  the 
Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  this  City  and 
the  several  County  Committees  of  this  Province,  to  nominate 
and  appoint  a  proper  number  of  judicious  persons  residing  in 
the  said  City  and  Counties,  respectively,  to  distribute  to  dis- 
tressed families,  whose  husbands  are  now  in  actual  service, 
the  allowance  they  may  think  reasonable;  and  that  the  said 
Committees  be  empowered  to  draw,  as  they  shall  see  occa- 
sion, on  the  Board  for  the  necessary  sums  of  money,  to  be 
by  them  lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  persons  so  nominated,  to 
be  applied  as  above  directed,  the  said  Committee  to  return 
accounts  to  this  Board  of  the  expenditure  of  the  same,  be 
and  hereby  is  agreed  to  and  confirmed. 

Ordered,  That  Messrs.  Peter  Dehaven  If  Co.  do  in  future 
superintend  the  contract  made  by  Joseph  Fox,  Esq.,  with 
John  Nicholson,  for  Arms. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Captain  William  Richards  was 
directed  to  deliver  Mr.  John  Colburn  two  new  Cables  and 
a?  much  small  rigging  as  he  may  want  for  sinking  the  pier 
for  fixing  a  Boom  at  Fort  Island. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary 
of  Stores,  was  directed  to  deliver  Mr.  Thomas  Hazlewood 
two  hundred  pounds  Brimstone  for  the  use  of  the  Fire-Rafts. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Wharton,  and  Mr.  Kep- 
pele, be  a  Committee  to  inspect  and  pass  Accounts  relative 
to  the  Flying-Camp  and  Militia. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  James  Moore,  of  Chester  County,  fifty 
Muskets,  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Mr.  Kuhl,  and  Mr. 
Biddle,  be  a  Committee  to  superintend  the  work  at  Fort 
Island,  and  to  audit  and  settle  the  Accounts  respecting  the 
same. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Captain  John  Hazle- 
wood, or  his  son,  for  £20,  to  be  charged  to  Captain  Hazlc- 
ivood's  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  jR.  Towers  was  directed  to 
deliver  Colonel  Rankin,  of  York  County,  eight  Muskets  for 
the  use  of  his  Battalion. 


1303 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1304 


In  Council  of  Safety,  July  29,  1776,  P.  M. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  Owen  Riddle' 
James  Cannon,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Thomas  Wharton,  Timothy 
Mattnck,  Joseph  Blewer,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  Runkin  thirty  stand  of  Arms,  or  as  many 
as  may  be  fit  for  service,  not  exceeding  that  number. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Bridges  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  Clement  Biddle,  Deputy  Quartermaster- 
General,  all  the  Tents  in  his  possession  belonging  to  the 
late  Committee  of  Safety. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  Jonathan  Paschall  sixty  stand  of  Arms 
for  the  use  of  his  Battalion. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  an  application  be  made  to 
Convention  to  determine  the  matter  respecting  the  command 
of  the  Fleet  of  this  State. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  July  30,  1776. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  Owen  Biddle, 
Joseph  Bkwer,  Frederick  Kuhl,  S.  Morris,  Sen.,  Timothy 
Matlack,  James  Cannon,  Henry  Keppele,  Jun. 

Captain  Joseph  Blcwer  was  directed  to  purchase  a  quan- 
tity of  Powder  from  Mr.  Joseph  Carson.  • 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  be 
desired  to  make  a  return  to  this  Board  of  all  the  Military 
Stores  under  his  care  immediately. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Biddle  and  Colonel  Matlack  be  a 
Committee  to  inquire  of  the  Board  of  War  whether  steps 
have  been  taken  by  that  honourable  Board  to  erect  a  Re- 
doubt at  Billingsport ;  and  'if  they  have  not,  to  inquire 
whether  Congress  expect  the  direction  of  the  erecting  of 
that  Fortification  to  be  in  the  present  Council  of  Safety  of 
this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  William  Richards  be  desired  to 
make  a  Return  to  this  Board  of  all  the  Stores  under  his 
care  immediately. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  July  31,  1776,  A.  M. 
Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  Timothy  Mat- 
lack,  Samuel  Morris,  John  Moore,  Henry  Keppele,  Jun., 
Frederick  Kuhl,  Joseph  Blewcr,  John  Weitzel,  James  Can- 
non, John  Bull,  Owen  Biddle. 

Ordered,  That  George  Fetterman  and  James  M.  Daniel 
be  detained  from  proceeding  with  the  Associators  to  New- 
Jersey,  and  that  they  be  desired  to  use  the  utmost  diligence 
in  procuring  Timber  for  making  Gun  Carriages. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Joseph  Ferrce  was  desired  to 
deliver  Mr.  John  Mitch-el,  Commissary  for  victualling  the 
Navy,  twenty-five  bushels  of  Salt  out  of  the  stores  at  Ger- 
mantown. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
J'iesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Jesse  Roe,  for  £50, 
towards  Lead  purchased  for  this  State;  to  be  charged  to  his 
Account. 

A  Letter  from  the  honourable  President  of  the  Congress 
was  read,  requesting  this  Board  immediately  to  send  to 
General  Mercer,  for  the  service  of  the  Flying-Camp,  ten 
six-pounders  and  an  equal  number  of  four-pounders,  out  of 
the  stores  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Joseph  Blewcr  procure  and  for- 
ward the  Guns  to  General  Mercer. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Captain  Hazelwood  was  directed 
to  deliver  Mr.  James  Mease  fifty  barrels  of  Combustibles, 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

o  o 

Information  being  lodged,  upon  oath,  with  this  Board, by 
John  Walker,  that  John  Hale  and  Martha  Ash,  Arthur 
Thomas  and  his  two  sons,  John  and  Arthur,  were  con- 
cerned in  or  privy  to  the  escape  of  Colonel  Kirkland  out 
of  the  Prison  of  this  State,  the  follosving  Warrants  were  is- 
sued: 

"  In  Council  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  31,  1776. 

"To  Captain  RICHARD  PETERS,  or  the  Officer  of  Guard: 

li  SIR  :  You  are  directed  forthwith  to  seize  the  persons  of 
John  Hale  and  Martha  Ash,  as  persons  charged  upon  oath 
with  a  conspiracy  against  the  State,  and  confine  them,  one 
in  the  Jail  and  the  other  in  the  Workhouse  of  this  City, 


and  take  proper  care  that  they  do  not  converse  with  each 
other. 

"By  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety: 

"  DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  Chairman." 

"  In  Council  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  July  31,  177(i. 

"State,  of  PENNSYLVANIA,  ss. 

"  You  are  authorized  and  required  to  seize  the  bodies  of 
Arthur  Thomas,  his  two  sons,  Arthur  Thomas  and  John 
Thomas,  or  either  of  them,  and  to  secure  their  papers,  they 
standing  suspected,  by  evidence  taken  on  oath,  of  having 
conspired  against  the  State;  and  in  so  doing  this  shall  be 
your  sufficient  warrant. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety: 

"  DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  Chairman. 

"To  Joseph  M.  Lane,  present." 

In  Council  of  Safety,  July  31,  1776,  P.  M. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  Timothy  Mat- 
lack,  James  Cannon,  Given  BidJle,  John  Weitzel,  Henri/ 
Keppele,  Jun.,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Joseph  Blewer. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commis- 
sary, was  desired  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Robert  Martin  and  others, 
Delegates  in  Convention  for  Northumberland  County,  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  weight  of  Powder,  and  fifteen  hundred 
weight  of  Lead,  to  be  delivered  to  the  Committee  of  Inspec- 
tion for  that  County,  and  by  them  distributed  to  the  Militia 
in  such  quantities  as  they  may  stand  in  need  of  for  the  de- 
fence of  said  County. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  all  such  workmen  as  are 
necessary  to  be  employed  at  the  Iron  Works  in  casting  of 
Cannon  or  Shot  for  the  pubiick,  be  ordered  not  to  leave 
their  respective  works,  norto march  with  the  Militia,  unless 
by  special  direction  of  the  Convention  or  this  Board. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  R.  Towers  was  directed  to 
deliver  Captain  Joseph  Blewer  a  sufficient  quantity  of  Am- 
munition to  prove  ten  six-pound  and  ten  four-pound  Can- 
non. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Towers  was  desired  to  deliver 
Captain  James  Hindman,  of  the  Mart/land   Independent. 
Company,  twenty-three  rounds  of  Ammunition   for  each 
man  in  his  Company,  and  twenty  Hatchets;  to  he  charged 
to  Congress. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  all  such  workmen  as  are 
necessary  to  be  employed  at  the  Iron  Works  in  casting  of 
Cannon  or  Shot  for  the  pubiick,  be  ordered  not  to  leave 
their  respective  works  nor  to  march  with  the  Militia  of  this 
State,  unless  by  special  direction  of  the  Convention  or  this 
Board. 

Deposition  of  JOHN  WALKER. 

"On  the  31st  day  of  July,  1776,  before  the  Council  of 
Safety  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  came  John  Walker,  of 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  being  sworn  on  the  Holy 
Evangelists  of  Almighty  God,  did  depose  and  say,  that 
about  six  or  eight  days  after  the  time  of  Colonel  Kirkland's 
escape  from  the  Jail,  John  Hale  ordered  this  deponent  to 
fill  a  pair  of  new  saddle-bags  with  oats,  and  John  Hale 
himself  put  into  the  saddle-bags  a  bottle,  (which  this  depo- 
nent apprehended  to  be  a  bottle  of  brandy  or  other  spirits,) 
and  put  a  cloth  over  it;  that  the  saddle-bags,  thus  filled, 
were  put  on  a  horse  belonging  to  John  Hale,  and  the  horse 
delivered  to  a  son  of  Arthur  Thomas,  and  the  horse  was  in 
the  evening,  about  four  or  five  o'clock,  taken  away  by  Mr. 
Thomas's  oldest  apprentice;  that  some  time  afterwards,  the 
deponent  heard  Arthur  Thomas,  Jr.,  say,  that  he  had  assisted 
Colonel  Kirkland  in  his  escape;  and  also  that  the  deponent 
did  hear  the  said  Arthur  Thomas,  Jr.,  say  to  John  Hale, 
that  Colonel  Kirkland  rode  the  first  night  after  his  escape 
forty  miles  to  the  house  of  a  man  in  Net»- Jersey,  who,  Mr. 
Thomas  said,  had  been  taken  up  the  day  before  for  having 
entertained  a  soldier  at  his  house;  that  Mr.  Kirkland  made 
his  escape,  through  some  surprise,  out  of  a  window;  that 
Mr.  Kirkland  was  lost  for  several  days,  and  when  he  was 
found  he  did  not  know  the  person  who  found  him,  and  drew 
his  knife,  charging  him  to  keep  off,  hut  that  on  his  giving 
the  watchword,  Kirkland  went  with  him;  that  Colonel 
Kirkland  had  attempted  to  go  on  board  the  man-of-war  by 
means  of  a  boat,  but  that  the  man-of-war  was  gone  too  far 
off,  and  the  boat  was  obliged  to  return ;  that  he  also  heard 
the  said  Arthur  Thomas  tell  Mr.  Hale  that  Captain  Bauger 


1305 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1306 


refused  to  break  his  word  of  honour,  which  he  had  pledged 
for  the  liberty  lie  enjoyed  ;  that  the  said  Thomas  damned 
him  for  talking  of  honour  to  or  among  thieves  and  rogues ; 
and  that  the  said  Arthur  Thomas  said  to  Mr.  Hale,  that  it 
was  not  the  thing  for  him  (meaning  Captain  Hanger)  not 
to  go  off  after  the  trouble  they  had  taken  to  send  him  a 
horse;  that  Mrs.  Ash  told  this  deponent  that  she  had  heard 
one  of  the  Thomases  say  to  Mr.  Hale  that  he  (Mr.  Thomas) 
had  furnished  Colonel  Kirkland  with  a  rope  for  the  purpose 
of  making  his  escape  from  jail;  that  this  deponent  under- 
stood the  horse  above-mentioned  was  intended  for  the  use 
of  Colonel  Kirkland  to  facilitate  his  escape:  and  further  this 
deponent  saith  not. 

"  JOHN  WALKER,  his  |x|  mark." 

Martha  Ash  was  brought  before  the  Board  by  order,  and 
being  examined,  made  and  subscribed  the  following  Deposi- 
tion: 

"In  Council  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

"PENNSYLVANIA,  ss: 

"On  the  31st  day  of  July,  1776,  appeared  personally 
before  the  Council  of  Safety  lor  the  said  State  Martha  Ash, 
who,  being  duly  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty 
God,  did  depose  and  say,  that  some  time  after  the  escape  of 
Colonel  Kirldand  she  heard  one  of  Arthur  Thomas's  sons 
inform  John  Hale  that  he  had  assisted  Colonel  Kirldand 
with  a  ladder  of  rope  to  make  his  escape  from  the  Jail,  but 
which  of  the  said  Thomas's  sons  it  was  she  cannot  recol- 
lect; and  she  doth  further  depose  and  say,  that  some  time 
after  the  escape  a  boy  returned  a  horse  to  the  said  Hale, 
which  had  been  obtained  from  him,  with  a  pair  of  saddle- 
bags that  contained  some  oats  and  biscuit,  and  that  this 
deponent  believed  that  the  said  Kirkland  made  his  escape 
with  the  same  horse;  that  this  deponent  mentioned  such  her 
suspicion  to  the  said  Hale,  who  replied,  that  he  believed  he 
had.  MARTHA  ASH. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  1,  1776. 

Present :  Samuel  Morris,  Chairman,  David  Rittcnhouse, 
Henry  Kcppele,  Jun.,  Fred.  KM,  Owen  Diddle,  James 
Cannon,  Timothy  Mutlack,  Joseph  Bhwer,  John  Moore, 
John  Bull,  Thos.  Wharton,  Sen. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary, 
was  desired  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Henry  Wynkoop,  of  Bucks 
County,  a  quarter  cask  of  Powder,  to  be  by  him  delivered 
to  the  Associators  as  lie  shall  see  convenient. 

Moved,  That  Jacob  Barge  be  requested  to  attend  this 
Board  to-morrow  morning  at  seven  o'clock;  otherwise  Mary 
Hullon  may  remove  her  goods  to  such  place  as  she  may 
think  proper  within  the  city,  &c.,  subject  to  the  claims  of 
rent  as  if  the  same  were  not  removed. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Council  of  Safety 
that  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  late  House  of  Assem- 
bly respecting  the  Associators  ought  to  be  complied  with, 
and  that  no  Company  or  Companies  ought  to  be  permitted 
to  leave  a  Battalion  so  as  to  leave  less  than  six  Companies 
in  a  Battalion,  nor  be  permitted  to  leave  their  respective 
Battalions  until  at  least  six  Companies  of  Supernumeraries 
can  agree  to  form  a  new  Battalion. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq., 
Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay  an  Order  drawn  on  this 
Board  by  James  Pollock  and  Samuel  Laird,  Commissioners 
of  Cumberland  County,  in  favour  o(John  Pollock,  for  £600, 
towards  purchasing  Muskets ;  to  be  charged  to  their  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  R.  Towers,  Commissary,  was 
desired  to  deliver  to  Daniel  King  one  of  the  old  Cannon  in, 
the  State-House  yard  to  bore. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Commodore  Damson  was  desired 
to  deliver  to  Colonel  Matlack  twelve  Rifles  from  on  board 
the  ship  Montgomery. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  Clement  Bidtlle,  Deputy  Quartermaster- 
General,  or  his  Assistants  here,  one  ton  of  Grape  Shot  and 
one  ton  of  Buck  Shot,  to  be  forwarded  to  th£  camp  in  Jersey, 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Colonel  James  Moore,  of  Chester  County,  made  applica- 
tion for  fifty  Bayonets  or  Tomahawks,  thirty  Hatchets,  one 
hundred  Screws,  and  one  hundred  Worms,  for  the  use  of  the 
Battalion.  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  desired 


to  supply  Colonel  Moore  with  the  above  articles,  taking  his 
receipt. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Joseph  Ferree,  Esq.,  of  German- 
town,  was  desired  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Carpenter  Wharlon 
twenty  bushels  of  the  Salt  stored  under  his  direction,  on 
Mr.  Wharton's  producing  John  M.  NesUtt,  Esq.'s,  certifi- 
cate of  his  having  accounted  with  him  for  the  same,  at  Is.  6d. 
per  bushel  for  the  Salt,  and  6d.  per  bushel  for  carriage  and 
storage. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer, 
was  desired  to  pay  to  Colonel  Kirkbride,  £138  15s.  6d., 
for  seventy-two  Arms  purchased  for  the  use  of  his  Batta- 
lion. 

Resolved,  That  an  application  be  made  to  Congress  for 
eleven  hundred  stand  of  Arms  for  the  service  of  the  Flying- 
Camp. 

A  Letter  was  received  from  Captain  John  Hamilton,  of 
the  Congress,  and  Captain  James  Montgomery,  of  the  Chat- 
ham, armed-boats,  resigning  their  commissions  in  the  service 
of  this  State,  as  they  expected  to  serve  in  a  larger  sphere  of 
action,  whereby  they  may  have  an  opportunity  of  rendering 
their  country  some  more  essential  service  than  they  have 
any  prospect  of  here. 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  their  resignations  be  accepted; 
and  they  are  hereby  discharged  from  the  service  of  this 
State. 

The  Board  then  adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  afternoon, 
when  the  following  Members  met: 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Chairman,  James  Cannon,  David 
Rittenhouae.  John  Moore,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Owen  Biddle, 
Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  Timothy  Matlack,  Joseph  B/ewer, 
Henry  Keppele,  Jun.,  John  Bull. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Matlack  be  desired  to  make  the 
necessary  inquiry  of  Congress  respecting  the  authority  this 
Board  has  over  the  State  Prison,  &,c. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Jacob  Miers,  for  £24 
13s.  2|-rf.,  for  men's  wages,  for  work  done  at  Fort  Island, 
for  which  he  is  to  be  accountable  to  the  workmen,  and  the 
sum  charged  to  his  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Joseph  Ferree,  Esq.,  of  German- 
town,  was  desired  to  deliver  to  Henry  Huber,  one  ton  of 
Saltpetre  out  of  the  stores  in  Germantown  under  his  direc- 
tion. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  desired 
to  deliver  Henry  Huber  three  hundred  weight  of  Sulphur; 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  2,  1776. 

Present:  Thomas  Wharton,  Junior,  Chairman.  James 
Cannon,  Timothy  Matlack,  John  Weitzel,  Owen  Biddle, 
Frederick  Kuhl,  John  Moore,  John  Bull,  H.  Keppele,  Jun., 
Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  David  Rittenhouse. 

The  following  Accounts  were  passed,  and  J.  M.  Nesbitt, 
Esq.,  Treasurer,  desired  to  pay  them : 

One  Account  of  Bard-am  Gabreathfor ,£4  11  3 

One  Account        do.        do 171310 

Robert  Towers's  Account 60    9  4£ 

Benjamin  Wallace's  Account 9    3  0 

Jliulrem  Boyd's  Account 7    4  0 

Sketclily  Morton's  Account 3  14  7 

John  Kirk's  Account 5    0  0 

Do.  do 415  0 

Peter  Henderson's  Account 30    0  0 

Daniel  Erans's  Account 315  0 

Jlndreio  Gyer's  Account 9  17  6 

By  order  of  the  Board,  the  following  Warrant  was  issued 
for  apprehending  John  Thomas  and  Arthur  Thomas,  Jun.: 

"In  Council  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  August  2,  177(i. 

"Sin:  You  are  hereby  authorized,  empowered,  and  re- 
quired, to  go  in  search  of,  and  seize,  the  persons  of  John 
Thomas  and  Arthur  Thomas,  Jun.,  or  either  of  them,  and 
to  deliver  them  to  the  keeper  of  the  State  Prison  of  the  city 
of  Philadelphia;  and  make  return  to  this  Council;  and  for 
so  doing  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council : 

"THOS.  WHARTON,  Jun.,  Chairman. 
"  To  Mr.  Mains." 

A  Warrant  was  issued  for  apprehending  John  Hatton, 
Sen.,  and  John  Hatton,  Jun.,  in  form  following: 


1307 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  177G. 


1308 


"  In  Council  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  August  2,  1776. 

"  SIR:  You  are  hereby  directed  to  go  to  the  Committee 
of  Inspection  of  Salem  County,  in  the  State  of  New-Jersey, 
and  to  apply  to  them  for  proper  powers  and  assistance  to  go 
in  searcli  of,  and  take,  the  persons  of  John  Hatton,  Sen., 
and  John  Hatton,  Jun.,  and  bring  them  before  the  Council, 
unless  the  Committee  of  Inspection  should  object  to  their 
being  brought  out  of  that  State;  in  such  case  you  are  to 
leave  them  in  the  custody  of  the  said  Committee,  they  being 
charged  with  treasonable  practices  against  the  States  of 
America.  And  you  are  further  desired  to  use  your  best 
endeavours  to  seize  Colonel  Kirkland,  whom  this  Board  has 
reason  to  suspect  is  still  in  Jersey;  and  in  so  doing  this  shall 
be  your  sufficient  warrant. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council : 

"Tuos.  W BARTON,  Jun.,  Chairman. 
"To  Mr.  James  Read." 

"  N.  B.  The  more  secrecy  you  observe,  the  more  likely 
to  effect  your  purpose." 

With  the  above  Warrant  the  following  Letter  was  sent  to 
the  Committee  of  Inspection  of  Salem  County: 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  In  the  course  of  our  inquiry  into  the  case 
of  Kirkland's  escape  from  the  jail  of  the  city,  evidence 
appears  against  John  Hatton,  of  your  County,  and  his  son, 
sufficient  to  induce  us  to  request  you  will  exert  your  utmost 
endeavours  to  secure  them.  We  have  sent  you  an  officer 
in  whom  we  can  confide,  who  will  assist  in  taking  him,  and 
also  bring  him  to  this  city,  if  you  shall  think  it  proper  to 
send  him  here. 

"  We  apprehend  that  Colonel  Kirkland  is  still  in  your 
County,  somewhere  about  Morris's  River,  as  it  appears 
probable,  from  circumstances  given  in  evidence  before  us, 
that  he  failed  in  his  attempt  to  get  on  board  of  the  men-of- 
war.  We  make  no  doubt  but  that  you  will  use  every  means 
in  your  power  to  secure  a  man  so  dangerous  to  the  liberty 
of  this  country.  The  reward  which  is  offered  for  taking  him 
is  considerable,  and  perhaps  may  excite  some,  who  would  not 
from  other  motives,  tot endeavour  by  all  means  to  secure  him. 
From  your  attachment  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  we  expect 
exertions  of  a  more  extended  kind,  and  on  more  generous 
principles,  and  firmly  hope  your  endeavours  will  meet  with 
success  in  securing  two  men  who  are  enemies  to  our  country 
and  dangerous  spies  upon  our  actions. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council : 
»  "Tnos.  W BARTON.  Jun.,  Chairman." 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer, for  £10,  in  favour  of  Henry  Huber,  Powder-Maker; 
to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  August  5,  1776. 

Present :  David  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  Samuel  Morris, 
Joseph  Blewer,  John  Weitzel,  James  Cannon,  Henry  Kep- 
pele,  Jun.,  Fred.Kuhl,  Thos.  Wharton,  Jun.,  OwenBiddle. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  the  following  Accounts  were  passed, 
and  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  desired  to  pay  them : 

John  Druse's  Account,  amounting  to <£12  10    0 

Daniel  Evans's       do do 538 

Jeremiah  Baker's  do do 19    3    2 

Henry  Litman's    do do..... 12  11     0 

William  Perkins,  one  Account 5  17     6 

Do.          do.  do 91110 

George  Hoofnagle,  one  Account 0  12    0 

Do.          do.  do 26    6    8 

John  Burke 's  Account 126 

Jer.  Smith's          do 25     0     0 

William  Dewees's  do 300 

John  Winter's       do 5     9     3 

William  Ball's       do 01810 

Wm.  Waltman's  do 336 

William  Rush,  one  Account 33  15     6j 

Do.       do.        do 916     6 

Do.      do.        do 128    1    OJ 

HeiirySmith 3  10     0 

Mary  Hunter '. 3  10     0 

Benjamin  Wallace 117     6 

John  Shupert 450 

Stacy  Hepburn 143     3     41 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Abm.  Mason  was  directed  to  de- 
liver to  Thomas  Hazelwood  as  much  old  Sail-cloth  as  he 
may  want  to  cover  Fire-rafts. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Peter  Dchaven  fy  Co., 
for  £500;  to  be  charged  to  their  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  John  Hanlon  was  directed  to 


deliver  Colonel  Paschal,  of  Philadelphia  County,  seventeen 
Rifles,  which  Mr.  Dehavcn  was  desired  to  repair. 

Mr.  John  Hubly  appeared,  took  and  subscribed  the  quali- 
fication directed  by  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  be  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in 
favour  of  Mr.  Lodoivick  Lowman,  for  £200,  to  be  delivered 
to  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  Lancas- 
ter County,  and  by  them  distributed  to  the  Wives  and  Fami- 
lies of  poor  Associators,  who  are  now  in  actual  service;  and 
an  Order  was  drawn  accordingly. 

A  Letter  was  received  from  John  McKinley,  Esq.,  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  of  Newcastle  County,  dated  August 
2,  1776,  from  Colonel  Bedford,  informing  this  Board  that 
they  had  sent  a  certain  Alexander  Morris  to  this  city,  under 
Colonel  Bedford's  care,  he  being  a  person  strongly  suspect- 
ed of  practices  inimical  to  the  States  of  America.  Whereupon 
the  Board  ordered  the  said  Maurice  to  be  committed  to  the 
State  Prison. 

The  following  Order  was  sent  to  Colonel  Bedford  for  that 
purpose : 

"  In  Council  of  Safety,  August  5,  1776. 

"Sin:  You  are  hereby  required  and  empowered  to  send 
the  body  of  Alexander  Maurice,  in  your  custody,  to  the  State 
Jail  in  the  city,  he  being  inimical  to  the  American  States, 
for  which  he  is  to  answer;  and  for  so  doing  this  shall  be 
your  sufficient  warrant;  And  the  said  Jailer  is  hereby  re- 
quired to  receive  the  body  of  the  said  Alexander  Maurice, 
and  keep  him  in  safe  custody  until  properly  discharged. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council : 

"  DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  Chairman. 

"  To  Colonel  Bedford,  at  the  Barracks." 

The  following  Letter  was  sent  to  the  Delegates  of  this 
State  in  Congress : 

"  In  Council  of  Safety,  August  5,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  The  Militia  of  this  State  having  been  all 
ordered  out  by  the  honourable  Congress,  this  Board  finds  it 
impossible  to  supply  them  with  arms  as  fast  as  they  come 
in,  and  they  seem  uneasy  at  being  detained.  You  will 
oblige  this  Board  by  applying  to  Congress  on  behalf  of  this 
Board  for  as  many  of  the  arms  lately  brought  in  as  they 
possibly  can  spare,  to  be  returned  when  the  Militia  is  dis- 
charged, or  as  fast  as  they  can  be  made  by  the  workmen 
employed  by  this  Board. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council : 

"  DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  Chairman. 

"  To  the  Delegates  in  Congress  for  the  State  of  Pcnnsylva- 
„  •    j) 


ma. 


The  Board  adjourned  till  five  o'clock,  afternoon. 

When  the  following  Members  met :  David  Rittenhouse, 
Chairman,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Joseph  Blewer,  John 
Hubly,  John  Bull,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  Frederick  Kuhl, 
Owen  Biddle,  John  Moore,  James  Cannon. 

In  consequence  of  a  Warrant  issued  by  this  Board,  Lieu- 
tenant James  Read  brought  John  Hatton;  whereupon,  the 
Board  committed  said  Hatton  to  the  State  Prison,  for  ex- 
amination. 

"  In  Council  of  Safety. 

"Whereupon,  John  Hatton,  Sen.,  stands  charged  before 
the  Council  of  Safety  aforesaid,  of  practices  inimical  to  the 
States  of  America;  you  are  therefore  hereby  required  and 
enjoined  to  receive  into  your  custody  the  body  of  the  said 
John  Hatton,  and  him  safely  keep,  until  he  be  duly  dis- 
charged by  the  said  Council,  or  by  order  of  Congress;  and 
for  your  so  doing,  this  shall  be  your  warrant.  Given  under 
my  hand  this  fifth  day  of  August,  1776. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council : 

"  D.  RITTENHOUSE,  Chairman. 

"  To  Mr.  Robert  Jewell,  Keeper  of  the  State  Prison." 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  R.  Towers,  Commissary, 
was  directed  to  deliver  Major  Fullcrton  twenty-five  stand 
of  Arms  for  the  use  of  Colonel  James  Crawford's  Battalion, 
of  Lancaster  County,  taking  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

Major  Aaron  Levcrin's  Account,  amounting  to  £26  6s. 
6d.,  for  nine  Muskets,  was  passed  by  the  Board,  and  J.  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  desired  to  pay  it. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  R.  Towers  was  desired  to 
deliver  Major  Aaron  Lcverin  the  nine  Muskets  above  men- 
tioned, for  the  use  of  Colonel  IlilTs  Battalion. 


1309 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1310 


The  following  Accounts  were  passed  by  the  Board,  and 
directed  to  John  M,  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  order  for 
payment: 

James  Fennel's  Account  for  £4  6s.  3d.,  for  Wood  deliv- 
ered at  Chester,  for  the  use  of  the  Pennsylvania  Musketry. 

Roland  Harris's  Account  for  £5  15s.  Id.,  for  Provisions 
supplied  a  Company  of  Continental  Troops;  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  6,  1776. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Chairman,  John  Moore, 
Owen  Biddle,  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun..  Samuel  Morris, 
John  Bull,  James  Cannon,  Frederick  Kuhl,  John  Hubly, 
Joseph  Blewer. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  the  following  Accounts  were 
passed,  and  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  directed  to  pay 
them,  to  wit: 

James  McCkland's  Account,  amounting  to  £2  12s.;  to% 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

Robert  Thomson's  Account,  amounting  to  £2  6s.  8d.;  to 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

Colonel  James  Moore's  Account,  amounting  to  £41  13s. 
8d.,  for  necessaries  for  his  Battalion. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary 
of  Stores,  was  directed  to  deliver  Colonel  John  Bull  thirty- 
five  stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion,  taking  his 
receipt. 

In  consequence  of  a  request  of  this  Board  to  the  Com- 
mittees of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  the  different  Coun- 
ties to  appoint  suitable  persons  to  hear  the  complaints  of  the 
Families  of  those  Associators  that  have  gone  lo  Camp,  and 
to  supply  them  with  such  necessaries  as  they  may  stand  in 
need  of,  the  Committee  of  this  City  and  Liberties  have 
recommended  the  following  gentlemen  for  that  purpose,  viz: 

For  the  First  Battalion:  Isaac  Coats,  William  Moulder, 
Jacob  Schriner. 

For  the  Second  Battalion :  Moses  Bartram,  Gasper 
Guyer,  Ephraim  Bonham. 

For  the  Third  Battalion :  George  Meade,  Richard  De- 
mois,  Robert  Baily. 

For  the  Fourth  Battalion:  George  Greene,  Frederick 
Dushon,  Peter  Knight. 

For  the  Fifth  Battalion:  John  Hart,  John  Tittermary 
William  Drewry. 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  they  be,  and  are  hereby  ap- 
pointed accordingly. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  James  Smith,  of  York  County,  twenty- 
four  stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use  of  Captain  McDonald's 
Company,  in  his  Battalion,  taking  his  receipt. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  Richard  Thomas,  of  Chester  County, 
one  hundred  stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion, 
taking  his  receipt. 

The  Board  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  a  President  and 
'Vice-President,  by  'ballot;  when  Mr.  Thomas  Wharton, 
Jun.,  was  chosen  President,  and  Mr.  David  Rittcnhouse, 
Vice-President;  and  Mr.  Wharton  took  the  chair  accord- 
ingly. 

Resolved,  That  the  Town  of  Lancaster  shall  be  supplied 
with  sixty  stand  of  Arms,  as  soon  as  it  is  in  the  power  of  this 
Council. 

Resolved,  That  twenty-three  bundles  of  Blankets,  which 
Colonel  Miles  left  at  Chester,  in  the  Publick  Stores,  under 
the  care  of  Mr.  Nicholas  Fairlamb,  be  delivered  to  Clement 
Biddle,  D.  Q.  M.  G.  of  the  Flying-Camp,  for  the  use  of 
the  Pciinsylvanians  in  Ncw-Jersty,  to  be  forwarded  to  him 
by  his  Assistant  immediately. 

In  Council  of  Safely,  August  7,  1776. 

Present:  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun..  President,  David  Rit- 
tcnhouse, Vice-President,  Samuel  Morris,  Frederick  Kuhl, 
James  Cannon,  Henry  Wynkoop,  Owen  Biddle,  John 
Hubly,  Timothy  Matlack,  Joseph  Blewer,  John  Bull. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary, 
was  directed  to  deliver  Colonel  Matthew  Dill,  of  York 
County,  twenty-three  stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use  of  his  Bat- 
talion, taking  his  receipt.  Signed  by  Mr.  S.  Morris. 


By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  R.  Towers  was  directed  to 
deliver  Colonel  James  Moore,  of  Chester  County,  thirty 
stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion,  taking  his 
receipt. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  order  was  drawn  on  J.  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Thomas  Smith, 
for  £13  7*.  6d.,  for  carriage  of  Ammunition  to  Bedford 
County. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  R.  Toicers  was  directed  to 
Deliver  Major  Fullerton  twenty  stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use 
of  Colonel  Crawford's  Battalion,  of  Lancaster  County, 
taking  his  receipt. 

Resolved,  That  the  Mustertnaster  do  pass  Colonel  Rich- 
ard Thomas's  Battalion  of  Chester  County,  with  the  present 
number  of  Officers  and  Men. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  J.  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Mr.  John  Brit/on,  for 
'  £662  1  Os.,  being  for  fifty  thousand  feet  of  three-inch  Plank, 
purchased  by  order  of  the  late  Committee  of  Safety,  per 
resolve  of  the  21st  June  last,  for  the  Fortification  at  Billings- 
port;  to  charge  to  Congress. 

An  application  from  Colonel  Richard  Thomas,  of  Chester 
County,  for  Accoutrements,  was  laid  before  the  Board. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  ordered  to  supply  him,  if  in  his 
possession ;  if  not,  Colonel  Thomas  was  desired  to  purchase 
them,  and  bring  his  Account  to  this  Board. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  sixty  stand  of  Arms  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion. 

Resolved,  That  so  many  Workmen,  employed  by  Colonel 
William  Dewees,  as  will  keep  one  fire  at  work  in  the  making 
Gun-Scalps  for  the-publick  service,  be  detained  from  inarch- 
ing to  Camp  in  New-Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  the  Deputy  Quartermaster  General's 
Assistants  be  authorized  to  quarter  Troops  in  the  several 
places  of  worship  in  this  city,  in  turn,  provided  they  cannot 
procure  suitable  Quarters  elsewhere. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Assistants  furnish  the  Wardens 
or  Elders  of  the  several  places  of  worship  with  a  copy  of 
the  above  Resolve. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Matlack  lay  before  the  Con- 
vention the  necessity  of  raising  the  Flying-Camp,  and  to 
request  them  to  take  the  most  effectual  measures  to  en- 
courage, the  same  by  allowing  what  may  be  esteemed  a 
sufficient  bounty. 

As  any  delay  to  the  marching  of  the  Associators  of  the 
State  now  in  the  city  will  be  attended  with  great  incon- 
veniences to  the  publick  service,  be  it  therefore 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  John  Bull  be  requested  to  ex- 
amine into  the  state  of  all  the  Companies  of  the  said  Asso- 
ciators, and  that  all  such  as  are  sufficiently  provided  are 
hereby  ordered  to  proceed  forward  to  the  Camp  without 
delay. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Captain  William  Richards  was 
directed  to  deliver  Mr.  John  Coburn  what  Rope  he  may 
have  occasion  for  on  account  of  the  State. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Wcrt  was  ordered  to  assist 
Mr.  John  Coburn  with  the  Sloop  under  his  command  in  any 
matters  he  may  be  required  for  the  advantage  of  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Owen  Biddlt  be  desired  to  procure 
the  necessary  Clothing  for  Colonel  Atlee's  Battalion,  and 
forward  them  to  him  with  all  despatch. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Captain  William  Richards  was 
directed  to  deliver  Mr.  Wade,  a  Rigger,  such  Tackle,  Ropes, 
Blocks,  and  Anchors,  as  he  may  apply  for,  for  the  use  of 
the  Fortifications  at  BUtingsport,  and  charge  the  same  to 
Congress. 

A  Letter  was  received  from  John  Kirk,  resigning  his 
Commission  as  an  Ensign  in  the  Battalion  of  Musketry  in 
the  pay  of  this  State;  which  resignation  was  accepted  by 
the  Board. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  J.  M- 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Mr.  William  Hays, 
for  £500,  for  the  use  of  Mark  Bird.,  Esq.;  to  be  charged  to 
Mr.  Bird's  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Colonel  Bartram  Galbraith,  of  Lancaster  Coun- 
ty, fifty  stand  of  Arms,  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion. 


1311 


PENNSYLVANIA  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1312 


Mr.  Henry  Wynkoop  appeared,  took  and  subscribed  the 
qualification  directed  by  Convention. 

By  an  order  of  the  Board,  J.  M.  Ncslilt,  Esq..  was  de- 
sired to  pay  Peter  Hewes  £3  6s.,  and  John  Traxlcr  £3 
13*.  lid.,  and  charge  the  same  to  Congress. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Messrs. 
John  Nixon,  James  Mease,  and  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun., 
the  Committee  of  Accounts  of  the  late  Committee  of  Safe- 
ty, in  favour  of  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer  to 
the  Board,  for  £29  5s.  6d.,  being  die  balance  in  their 
hands  belonging  to  the  late  Committee. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Messrs. 
John  Nixon  and  others.  Committee  of  Accounts  for  the 
late  Committee  of  Safety,  in  favour  of  John  M.  Nesbilt, 
Esq.,  Treasurer  to  this  Board,  for  £3  2s.  8W.,  being  the 
balance  of  Money  put  into  their  hands  by  the  late  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  by  the  honourable  Congress  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  Arms. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer, 
was  desired  to  pay  the  following  Accounts,  viz: 

Samuel  Pugh's  Account,  amounting  to  £11  19s.  3d.; 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Peter  Mather's  Account,  amounting  to  £4  11s.  6d.;  to 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

John  Wager  twenty  shillings,  for  going  express  to  Wil- 


mington. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  Mr. 
Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Owen  Diddle,  for  £250,  towards 
purchasing  Clothing  for  Colonel  Alice's  Battalion;  to  be 
charged  to  Mr.  Biddle's  Account. 

John  Conner  was  brought  before  the  Board,  and  charged 
with  stealing  a  Jacket  from  John  Mackcy.  He  was  commit- 
ted to  the  Workhouse ;  and  the  following  Warrant  signed  by 
the  President: 

"  You  are  hereby  required  to  receive  the  body  of  John 
Conner,  and  keep  him  in  custody  until  he  is  discharged  by 
this  Board,  or  a  due  course  of  law,  he  being  charged  with 
theft;  and  in  so  doing,  this  shall  be  your  Warrant. 

"To  Mr.  Thomas  Apty,  Keeper  of  the  Workhouse." 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  8,  1776. 

Present:  Thomas  Wharton,  President,  David  Ritten- 
house,  Vice-President,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  John  Bull, 
John  Hubley,  Given  Biddle,  John  Moore,  Joseph  Blewer, 
Fred.  Kuhl,  Henry  Wynkoop,  James  Cannon,  John  Weitzel. 

Resolved,  That  the  Mustermaster  do  pass  Colonel  John 
Bull's  Battalion,  of  Philadelphia  County,  with  the  present 
number  of  Officers  and  Men. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  was  de- 
sired to  pay  the  following  Accounts: 

Josiah  Wood  fy  Son's  Account,  amounting  to  £19  5s., 
for  Hatchets. 

Stephen  Sutton's  Account,  amounting  to  £9  7s.  6d.,  for 
two  Rifles. 

Alexander  Rutherford's  Account,  amounting  to  £77  Is., 
for  Cartouch-Boxes. 

James  Webb's  Account,  amounting  to  £6  Os.  9d.,  for 
stocking  Rifles,  &,c. 

Resolved,  That  the  Deputy  Quartermaster  General,  or 
his  Assistants,  do  forward  the  marching  of  such  parts  of 
Companies  now  in  this  city  as  are  completely  armed  and 
accoutred  to  the  Camp  in  New-Jersey,  and  that  such  men 
as  are  not  yet  armed  be  permitted  to  remain,  under  such 
Officer  as  the  Commanding  Officer  shall  direct,  until  they 
can  be  properly  equipped. 

Colonel  Bull  requested  to  see  the  above  Resolve  put 
into  execution. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  R.  Towers  was  directed  to 
deliver  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brian  a  quarter  cask  of  Pow- 
der, for  the  use  of  Colonel  Keichlin's  Battalion,  of  Bucks 
County. 

Resolved,  That  the  Wagons  employed  by  Colonel  Bull 
for  the  carriage  of  the  Baggage  of  his  Battalion  to  Camp  be 
permitted  to  go,  unless  the  persons  to  whom  they  belong  are 
willing  to  return. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Isaac  Coats, 
William  Moulder,  and  Jacob  Schriner,  for  £50,  towards 


supplying  the  families  of  such  poor  Associators  of  the  First 
Battalion  of  this  City  and  Liberties  as  are  now  in  actual 
service. 

Resolved,  That  the  Mustermaster  do  pass  Captain  Tho- 
mas Hcslip's  Company  of  the  First  Battalion  of  Chester 
County,  commanded  by  Colonel  James  Moore,  with  the 
present  number  of  Officers  and  Men. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Kirkbride, 
for  £86  3s.  9d.;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account.  Also  an 
Order  in  favour  of  Francis  Clarke  for  £37  10s. 

Resolved,  That  Henry  Bingham  be  discharged  from  the 
Militia  now  inarching  to  the  Carnp  in  Neiv-Jersey,  he  being 
employed  in  making  Gun-Barrels  for  this  State. 

A  Letter  was  received  from  the  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  State  of  New-  York,  acquainting  this  Board  that 
they  had  sent  to  this  City  William  Sutton,  to  be  confined 
'  liere  as  a  person  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  America.  He 
was  therefore  committed  to  the  State  Prison,  and  the  follow- 
ing is  a  copy  of  his  Mittimus: 

"  In  Council  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  Whereas  William  Sutton  being  sent  by  the  Convention 
of  the  State  of  New-York  to  this  Council,  to  be  confined  in 
the  Jail  of  this  City,  upon  a  charge  of  being  an  enemy  to  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  America,  you  are,  therefore,  hereby 
required  and  enjoined  to  receive  into  your  custody  the  body 
of  the  said  William  Sutton,  and  him  safely  keep,  at  his  own 
expense,  until  he  be  duly  discharged  by  this  Board  or  by 
order  of  Congress;  and  for  your  so  doing  this  shall  be  your 
warrant. 

"  Given  under  my  hand  this  8th  day  of  August,  1776. 
"  By  order  of  the  Council : 
(Signed  by  the  President.) 

"  To  Robert  Jewell,  Keeper  of  the  State  Prison." 

By  an  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Arthur  Donald- 
son, for  £200,  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Captain  James  McConnell  four  Rifles,  taking  his 
receipt. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  for  £250,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Henry 
Wynkoop,  to  be  by  him  paid  to  the  gentlemen  appointed  by 
the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  Bucks 
County,  to  be  distributed  amongst  the  families  of  poor  Asso- 
ciators of  that  County  who  are  now  in  actual  service. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  for  £250,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Henry 
Wynkoop,  for  the  purpose  of  equipping  the  Militia  of  Bucks 
County. 

By  an  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John 
M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  in  favour  of  Jane  Taplin;  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

A  Letter  was  received  from  the  Committee  of  Inspection 
of  Chester  County,  informing  this  Board  that  a  certain  James 
McConnaughy,  with  several  others,  had  greatly  abused  and 
insulted  several  persons  and  their  families,  whereby  many  of 
the  Militia  were  discouraged  from  marching,  and  therefore 
had  ordered  said  McConnaughy  to  be  apprehended  and  sent 
to  the  city;  and  he  being  brought  before  the  Board,  and 
several  witnesses  appearing,  who,  upon  oath,  charged  him 
with  committing  violent  breaches  of  the  peace,  he  was  there- 
fore ordered  to  be  confined  in  the  common  Jail  of  this  city, 
and  the  following  Mittimus  granted: 

"  In  Council  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

"Whereas  James  Me  Connaughy  stands  charged  before  this 
Council  of  breaking  open  the  house  of  Paul  McKnight  in 
the  dead  of  the  night,  committing  violent  breaches  of  the 
peace,  and  appears  to  be  a  very  dangerous  person :  You  are 
therefore  hereby  required  and  enjoined  to  receive  into  your 
custody  the  body  of  the  said  James  McConnaughy,  and  him 
safely  keep  until  he  be  discharged  by  the  authority  of  this 
State ;  and  for  your  so  doing  this  shall  be  your  Warrant. 

"  Given  under  my  hand  this  8th  day  of  August,  1776. 
"  By  order  of  the  Council : 

"  THOS.  WHARTON,  Jun.,  President. 

"  To  Mr.7%os.  Dewees,  Keeper  of  the  Jail  of  Philadelphia." 


1313 


PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1314 


The  Council  then  adjourned  to  four  o'clock  afternoon, 
when  the  following  Members  met :  David  Rittenhouse,  Vice- 
President,  Owen  Biddle,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Joseph 
Blewer,  George  Gray,  Frederick  Kuhl,  John  Moore,  John 
Hubly,  Henry  Wynkoop. 

Resolved,  That  the  Deputy  Quartermaster-General,  or 
his  Assistants  here,  be  empowered  to  quarter  the  Militia  now 
on  their  march  towards  the  Camp  in  New-Jersey  in  such 
private  houses  as  are  empty,  and  this  Board  will  make  a 
reasonable  allowance  to  the  owners.  The  Commanding 
Officers  are  strictly  enjoined  to  prevent  injury  being  done  to 
such  houses. 

Mr.  George  Gray  appeared,  and  took  and  subscribed  the 
qualification  directed  by  Convention. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esquire,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Messrs.  Ephraim 
Boneham,  Moses  Bartram,  and  Jasper  Guyer,  for  £50,  for 
the  purpose  of  supplying  the  families  of  poor  Associators  of  the 
Second  Battalion  of  this  city,  who  are  now  in  actual  service. 

Resolved,  That  the  Mustermaster  do  pass  Colonel  Jona- 
than Paschall's  Battalion,  of  Philadelphia  County,  with  the 
present  number  of  Officers  and  Men. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer, 

'  was  directed  to  pay  James  Robinson  £425,  for  one  hundred 

stand  of  Arms,  bought  by  Mr.  Robert  Towers  for  this  State. 

Council  of  Safety,  August  9,  1776. 

Present :  Thomas  Wharton,  President,  David  Ritten- 
house, Vice-President,  Samuel  Morris,  James  Cannon,  John 
Hubly,  Owen  Biddle,  John  Bull,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Timothy 
Matlack,  John  Moore,  Joseph  Blewer,  Henry  Wynkoop. 

Resolved,  That  the  President,  Mr.  Morris,  and  Mr.  Kep- 
pele, be  appointed  a  Committee  to  examine  and  settle  Ac- 
counts. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Biddle,  and  Mr.  Kuhl, 
be  appointed  a  Committee  for  carrying  on  the  Salt  Works, 
erected  by  the  late  Committee  of  Safety  in  New-Jersey, 
under  the  care  of  Mr.  Savage. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Captain  John  Hazle- 
wood,  or  his  son,  for  £20;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  Mr.  Abraham  Mason  twelve  pieces  of  Duck,  for 
sails  for  one  of  the  Armed  Boats. 

The  following  Commissions  were  filled  up,  agreeable  to 
recommendation  of  Colonel  Samuel  Miles,  in  his  Battalion  : 
John  Carpenter,  First  Lieutenant ;  David  Sloan,  Second 
Lieutenant;  Thomas  Boyd,  Second  Lieutenant;  Septimus 
Davis,  Ensign — Commissions  dated  August  9, 1776.  James 
Holmes,  Third  Lieutenant ;  Joseph  Brown  Lee,  Third  Lieu- 
tenant— Commissions  dated  April  15,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  Adjutant  Francis  Mentges,  of  Colonel 
Atlee's  Battalion  of  Musketry,  have  a  Lieutenancy,  in  con- 
sequence of  General  Mercer's  recommendation,  and  of  Mr. 
Mentges's  merit. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  John  McGoiven  have  a  Commission 
as  Third  Lieutenant  in  Colonel  Miles' s  Battalion. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Mr.  Biddle,  Colonel 
Matlack,  Captain  Blewer,  and  George  Clymer,  Esquire,  be 
appointed  a  Committee  to  fix  upon  a  plan  for  the  Fortifica- 
tion at  Billingsport,  and  to  employ  suitable  Engineers  and 
workmen  to  carry  the  same  into  execution. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer, 
was  directed  to  pay  the  following  Accounts,  viz: 

Captain  Pelers's  Account,  amounting  to  =£23  5s.  3d. — <£17  Os.  lOrf.  charged 
to  this  State;  and  .£6  4s.  5rf.  charged  to  Congress. 

Captain  Ptterman's  Account,  amounting  to .£5  14    9"!   c 

Captain  Wiintz't  Account,  amounting  to 3  10    0 

Captain  Joseph  Me  Clean's  Account,  amounting  to 3  10    3 

Captain  Henry  Pauling's  Account,  amounting  to 3    9    9 

Captain  John  Edwards  s  Account,  amounting  to 4  16    0 

Captain  Steink't  Account,  amounting  to 1  19    6 

Captain  Thomas  Heslip's  Account,  amounting  to 323 

Captain  John  Read's  Account,  amounting  to 12    7    9 

Captain  Green's  Account,  amounting  to 7  13    3 

Valentine  irinhall's  Account,  amounting  to 6  18    4 

Richard  Reily's  Account,  amounting  to  .£13  3s.  5d.,  for  Provision  for 
supplying  sick  soldiers. 

John  Willis's  Account,  amounting  to  .£4  5s.,  for  a  Rifle. 

Colonel  Hugh  Lloyd's  Account,  amounting  to  ,£53  9s.  l\d.,  for  main- 
tenance of  his  Battalion  during  engagements  with  the  Roebuck. 


Samuel  Rain's  Account,  amounting  to  «£1  3s.  GJ. 

Captain  Israel  IfTteatmi's  Account,  for  Arms,  &c.,  purchased,  amount- 
ing to  =£47  16s.  lOii. — £3  13s.  4</.  charged  to  Congress;  ,£44  3s.  6rf.  charged 
to  this  State. 

Colonel  Hvgh  TJnyd's  Account  for  Arms  purchased  of  Non-Associators, 
amounting  to  £  102  7s.  6d. 

The  honourable  Congress  having  requested  this  Board  to 
recommend  two  proper  persons  for  Lieutenants  to  a  fifth 
Company  of  Germans  to  be  raised  in  the  State  for  the  Con- 
tinental service, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be  recommended 
to  Congress  as  proper  persons  to  be  appointed  as  aforesaid : 
as  First  Lieutenant,  Lewis  Van  Lindcnsdorf;  as  Second 
Lieutenant,  Philip  Schrawder. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  J.  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  in  favour  of  Captain  James  McConncll,  for 
£50,  for  the  use  of  a  Company  of  Militia  for  the  Flying- 
Camp  under  his  command,  to  be  charged  to  his  Account; 
and  an  Order  in  favour  of  Captain  William  Hastin  for  £50, 
for  like  purpose,  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

Mr.  John  Woolsey,  a  Canadian  prisoner,  appeared,  and 
produced  his  permission  to  come  to  this  city  from  Reading, 
and  signed  a  parole  not  to  go  more  than  eight  miles  from 
hence. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Mr.  Gray,  and  Mr. 
Michael  Hillcgas,  be  appointed  a  Committee  to  examine 
and  pass  the  Accounts  of  Mr.  Kercher,  Commissary. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Thomas  HocMey  be  requested 
to  get  the  Arms  of  his  Battalion  repaired  in  the  best  and 
most  expeditious  manner. 

Resolved,  That  Henry  Tredor  be  appointed  Pilot  of  the 
Ship  Montgomery. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  David  Rittenhouse  be  requested  to 
have  the  new  Cannon  proved,  annealing  them  first,  if  he 
Shall  think  proper. 

Resolved,  That  two  pieces  of  heavy  Cannon,  with  Car- 
riages, Furniture,  Shot,  and  Cartridge-Paper,  be  sent  to 
Camp  in  New- Jersey,  agreeable  to  a  requisition  made  in 
behalf  of  General  Mercer. 

The  honourable  Congress  having  resolved  that  the  Paper- 
Makers  in  Pennsylvania  be  detained  from  proceeding  with 
the  Associators  to  New-Jersey,  all  officers  of  the  State  are 
required  to  pay  a  strict  regard  to  the  same. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  August  10,  1776. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Vice-President,  Timothy 
Matlack,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Fred.  Kuhl,  Henry  Keppele, 
John  Hubly,  James  Cannon,  Joseph  Blewer,  John  Moore, 
Owen  Biddle,  John  Butt. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
the  following  Accounts: 

Wm.  Morris's  Account,  amounting  to .£11  12  2"j 

Bachael  Ingram 1     0  3  I  TQ  be  ch         , 

Jacob  Wyley  .    \     to  CongreSss. 

George  Wright 2  15  6 

Rachael  Davis 1     0  OJ 

Christian  Dull 21     86 

Captain  Lawrence 37  19  0 

Doctor  James  Dunlop 19  19  6 

Ordered,  That  the  case  of  the  Deserters  from  the  Con- 
tinental Army,  which  are  in  the  custody  of  Colonel  Haslett, 
be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Peter  Dehaven  ^-  Co.  were 
directed  to  deliver  to  Colonel  Bull,  of  Philadelphia  County, 
twenty  stand  of  Arms  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board  that  the 
present  dissatisfaction  which  prevails  in  the  Naval  Depart- 
ment of  this  State,  arising  from  a  disputed  command,  will 
greatly  weaken  the  defence  provided  for  the  River  Delaware, 
and  that  a  hearing  of  the  Officers  before  Convention,  and  a 
speedy  determination  of  that  matter,  would  be  conducive  to 
the  security  of  this  State. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  an  Order  was  drawn  on  J.  M. 
Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Joseph  Mather,  Trea- 
surer to  the  Committee  of  Inspection  of  Philadelphia  Coun- 
ty, for  £200,  to  be  applied  to  the  relief  of  families  of  poor 
Associators,  of  Philadelphia  County,  now  in  actual  service; 
Mr.  Mather  being  empowered  by  the  Committee  of  Phila- 
delphia County  for  that  purpose,  per  their  Minutes  of  the 
1st  August,  instant. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


83 


1319 


PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1320 


Nathaniel  Porter,  for  Arms  bought,  £22 14s.;  tobecharged 
to  Colonel  Hockley. 

William  Brown's  Account,  amounting  to  £13  10*.  lOfrf., 
Boat  hire. 

JoAn-Dawi'scm,  for  Cartridge-Boxes,  &c.,  £27  19s.  Gd.;  to 
be  charged  to  Captain  William  Smith,  of  York  County. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Messrs.  Mease  $•  Caldwell  were 
desired  to  pay  a  month's  advance  to  Morris  Cunningham, 
of  Colonel  McPhcrson's  Battalion. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
Thomas  Me  Kiiisfy  £16  12s.  Gd.,  for  Cartouch-Boxes — £8 
lls.  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  William  Smith,  and  £H  Is. 
6d.  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Dill. 

By  an  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to 
deliver  Mr.  Thomas  Mendenhall  three  quarter-casks  of  Pow- 
der, and  charge  to  his  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
Mr.  Thomas  Mendenhall  £57  3s.  9c/.,  which,  with  the 
above  Powder,  is  in  full  for  three  hundred  and  three  and 
three-quarter  pounds  Saltpetre  delivered  Robert  Towers. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
Robert  Porter  £4  5s.  Gd.,  for  Cartouch-Boxes,  for  the  use 
of  Colonel  William  Smith's  Battalion,  of  York  County. 

Permission  was  given  to  one  Officer  belonging  to  each 
of  the  Battalions  of  prisoners  confined  at  Lancaster,  now 
on  parole  at  Carlisle,  to  go  to  Lancaster,  and  continue  for 
such  space  of  time  as  is  sufficient  to  muster  the  prisoners 
belonging  to  their  respective  Battalions,  and  directed  to  the 
Committee  of  Inspection  of  Cumberland. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed 
to  deliver  the  Quartermaster-General's  Assistant  four  thou- 
sand Priming-Wires  and  Brushes,  twenty  thousand  Flints, 
two  hundred  Ramrods,  one  ton  of  Rifle  Powder,  cannon  Car- 
tridge-Paper,  and  a  number  of  Musket  Cartridges,  leaving  a 
sufficient  number  for  this  State;  tobecharged  to  Congress. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
Mr.  James  Old  £1,500,  on  account  of  Cannon  and  Shot, 
cast  for  the  use  of  this  State ;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
Mr.  John  Baker  £60,  on  account  of  repairs  done  to  Arms 
of  Associators  going  into  service ;  to  be  charged  to  his  Ac- 
count. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
Major  Benjamin  Loxly  £100  towards  the  Cannon  Foun- 
dery  and  Boring  Mill  erected  for  this  State;  to  be  charged 
to  his  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay 
to  Thomas  Porter  £50;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  10  pay 
Captain  William.  Brown  £35  8s.  llrf.,  being  the  balance 
of  his  Account. 

Messrs.  Mease  Sf  Caldwell  were  requested  to  advance 
Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Clark  £150,  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Frederick  Watts  £10,  in  order  to  assist  the  Offi- 
cers of  their  Battalion,  as  it  will  promote  the  service  in 
forwarding  men  to  camp. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Obser- 
vation of  Lancaster  County  be  requested  to  assist  Captain 
Matthew  Smith  in  procuring  one  hundred  and  sixty  Rifles, 
and  that  they  direct  the  Gunsmith  in  their  County  to  make 
that  quantity  of  Rifles  with  all  convenient  despatch,  so  as 
not  to  hinder  them  from  repairing  the  Arms  of  the  Militia 
now  on  their  march  to  Head-Quarters  in  Jersey. 

By  order  of  the  Board,  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  requested  to  pay 
Lieutenant  Leivan  £2  19s.  9d.,  for  repairing  Arms,  Stc.;  to 
be  charged  to  Colonel  William  Smith. 

The  Board  then  adjourned  to  seven  o'clock  afternoon, 
•when  the  following  Members  met:  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun., 
President,  Owen  Biddle,  John  Bull,  Henry  Keppele,  John 
Hubly,  James  Cannon,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen. 

Captain  Ayrcs,  of  the  armed  boat  Camdin,  was  directed 
to  pay  Hugh  Whitcford  the  wages  due  to  his  slave  Jacob 
Kdly,  and  discharge  said  Kelly  from  the  service  of  this 
State. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  JohnM.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasu- 
rer, in  favour  of  Mr.  Owen  Biddle,  for  £250,  towards 
clothing  purchased  for  Colonel  Atlee's  Battalion;  to  be 
charged  to  his  Account. 


In  Council  of  Safely,  August  17,  1776. 

Present:  Thomas  Wharton,  Junior,  President,  Samuel 
Morris,  Sen.,  John  Hubly,  James  Cannon,  Owen  Bid- 
die,  Joseph  Bkwcr',  John  Bull,  Frederick  KM,  George 
Gray. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of 
Mr.  A'lam  Zanlzinger,  for  £75,  and  an  Order  on  Mr. 
Robert  Towers  for  four  quarter-casks  Powder,  being  for  four 
hundred  weight  Saltpetre. 

The  following  Accounts  were  passed,  and  Mr.  Nesbitt 
directed  to  pay  them : 

Captain  Nathaniel  Porter's  Account,  £1  2s.,  for  repair- 
ing Arms  belonging  to  Colonel  Hockley's  Battalion. 

An  Account  for  mileage  of  six  Companies  of  Colonel 
Hockley' 's  Battalion,  viz :  Captain  Wheakon's  Company, 
£8  12s.  IQiL;  Ca  ptain  R  alston's  Company,  £10  12s.  lid.; 
Captain  Hartman's  Company,  £  10 ;  Captain  Scott's,  £7  6s. 
3d.;  Captain  Miller's,  £6  9s.;  Captain  Porter's,  £6  12s.; 
making  in  the  whole  £49  13s.  5d.;  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Captain  Joseph  Blewcr's  Account  for  a  Gun  delivered 
Robert  Towers,  £3. 

Thomas  Tuft's  Account  £21,  for  Medicine-Chests,  &c., 
made  for  Drs.  Dufficld  and  Dc/any  for  publick  service;  to 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

Major  John  Boyd's  Account,  for  Arms  purchased,  £54; 
to  be  charged  to  Colonel  John  Ferree. 

Henry  Debearer  for  £1  Is.,  for  six  Bullet-Moulds;  to  be 
charged  to  Colonel  Timothy  Matlack. 

Captain  Samuel  Holstcin  for  Arms  taken  from  Non-As- 
sociators,  amount  £39  13s.;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Jona- 
than Paschall. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver 
to  Major  Evans  one  Musket  and  Cartouch-Box. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Major  John 
Boyd  one  Rifle,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Ferree. 

An  order  was  drawn  on  Messrs.  Mease  fy  Caldwell  for 
£38  Os.,  Gd.,  for  Blankets  purchased  by  Captain  Padon; 
to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Bartram  Galbreath,  and  to  be  de- 
ducted out  of  men's  wages. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Samuel  Johnston  £3  Os. 
9d.,  for  breakfasts  for  eighty-one  men  of  Captain  Peeble's 
Company  of  Riflemen,  and  4s.  2rf.  for  breakfast  for  five  men 
on  guard. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  William 
Kennard  for  £5,  on  account  of  Sails  he  is  making  for  one 
of  the  Galleys;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  George 
Taylor  for  £1,000  towards  Shot  cast  by  him  for  the  service 
of  this  State  ;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Captain 
Valentine  Opp,  of  Bucks  County,  for  £228,  to  enable  him 
to  pay  a  bounty  of  £3  to  each  person  who  shall  inlist  him- 
self in  his  Company  for  the  Flying-Camp;  to  be  charged  to 
his  Account.  (To  inform  Committee.) 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Colonel  Robert  Lewis, 
of  Philadelphia  County,  £251  17s.  3d.,  for  Arms  taken 
from  Non-Associators  ;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Lewis. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Capcnhave 
£1  3s.  4d.,  for  two  meals  of  victuals  for  twenty-four  men; 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Also,  to  pay  Peter  Holsten  £2  7s.  3d.,  for  Dinners  for 
sixty -three  men  of  Captain  Nicholas  Buttinger's  Company; 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Valentine  Opp's  Company  do 
march  to  Camp  in  Jersey  immediately  on  their  receiving  the 
Bounty  of  £3  each,  with  such  Arms  as  they  may  have,  and 
such  as  have  no  Arms  will  be  furnished  at  Camp :  they  are 
also  to  march. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  19,  1776. 

Present:  David  Rittcnhouse,  Vice-President,  James  Can- 
non, Joseph  Blewer,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Samuel  Morris,  John 
Hubly. 

There  not  being  a  quorum  met,  it  was  agreed  that  the 
Vice-President  should  call  a  meeting  at  five  o'clock,  after- 
noon, when  the  following  Members  met:  David  Ritten- 
house,  Vice-President,  Joseph  Blewer,  James  Camion,  F. 


1321 


PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1322 


Kuhl,  Henry  Keppele,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  John  Weitzel,    rifling  a  Gun  and  mending  a  Lock  belonging  to  Captain 
ohn  Thomas  Turbet's  Company,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  James 

Wilson,  Cumberland  County. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Philip  Shilling  £5  5»., 


John  Moore. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Colonel  Marie 
Bird  thirty  stand  of  Arms,  taking  his  receipt.  ., 

Mr.  Peter  Dehaven  was  directed  to  deliver  Captain  Paul-    for  twenty-eight  Powder-Horns  delivered  for  the  use  of  Col. 
ing  four  Rifles,  taking  his  receipt.  William  Smith's  Battalion,  of  York  County. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  was  directed  to  pay  Hugh  Cun-      _  M 
ningham  £14  10,  for  six  Guns  purchased  for  the  use  of    V1Z: 


Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  following  Accounts, 


Captain  James  Barber's  Company,  of  Colonel  BartramGal-  Captain  McNary's  Account  for  Meals  for  his  Company 

breath's  Battalion;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Galbreath.  °f  the  Fourth  Battalion,  of  York  County,  commanded  by 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Captain  Ca-  £°lonel  Smith?  "mounting  to  £10  4*.,  to  be  charged  to 

penhaver,  of  Colonel  Timothy  Green'*  Battalion,  three  Mus-  V°n§r<;ss;  and>6  \ls-j  »  Drahre,  fee.,  to  be  charged  to 


kets,  and  take  his  receipt. 


the  Colonel.    Captain  Lepptr's  mileage  of  seven  men  of  his 


r   i  •    n-  Company  of  Third  Battalion,  of  Cumberland  County,  £3 

Information  being  given  that  the  Guards  of  this  City  are     \QS  ] 


weakly  manned,  and  that  the  duty  has  fallen  heavy  upon  a 
few  in  consequence  of  the  neglect  of  some  Associators  to 
enrol  themselves.in  the  Companies  stationed  here  by  order 


Agreeable  to  the  determination  of  the  Board  yesterday, 
ommodore  Davison  and  the  Captains  of  Galleys  were 

ofGenerarRoberdeau,  Ig^bleta^K^^mm&fonor  summonfd  to  attend  the  Board  on  Thursday  next,  precisely 

the  late  Committee  of  Safety,  and  that  uneasiness  has  arisen  at  two  °  clock>  ^ernoon. 

amongst  those  who  have  done  the  duty  of  Guards,  from  a  James  Me  Conneaughy  was  brought  before  the  Board,  and 
misapprehension  of  the  proper  authority  to  be  exercised  by  was  permitted  to  be  enlarged  from  his  confinement,  upon 
the  Commanding  Officer:  the  Council  having  made  in-  giving  security  that  he  would  appear  at  the  next  Court  of 
quiry  into  the  matter,  are  of  opinion  that  the  Captain  of  the  Judicature  that  may  be  held  in  the  County  of  Chester  for 
Guards  has  acted  in  the  line  of  his  duty,  and  has  duly  dis-  the  trying  of  offences  and  misdemeanours;  and,  in  the  mean 
charged  the  part  of  an  active  and  prudent  officer.  And  to  time,  to  march  to  the  Camp  in  New-Jersey,  and  there  re- 
prevent  any  future  complaint  arising  from  the  causes  afore-  main  until  the  return  of  said  Army;  which  was  done  accord- 
said,  ingly,  himself  bound  in  the  sum  of  £1,000,  and  William 
Resolved,  That  every  Associator  belonging  to  this  City  Graham  in  £500,  for  the  performance  thereof. 


and  Liberties,  capable  of  doing  duty,  who  has  not  marched 
with  the  Militia  to  the  Camp  in  New-Jersey,  and  who 
neglects  to  enrol  himself  in  some  of  the  four  Companies  of 
Guards,  and  to  attend  the  service  in  his  turn,  shall  be  deemed 
a  Non-Associator,  and  be  subject  to  all  the  fines  and  penalties 
of  such. 


The  Board  then  adjourned  to  five  o'clock,  afternoon. 

August  20,  1776,  five  o'clock  afternoon. 

Present:  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  President,  Owen  Bid- 
die,  George  Gray,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  John  Hubly,  John 


That  the  Associators  on  duty  as  Guards  in  this  city  are  Moore>  John  Weitzel. 
actually  in  Continental  service,  entitled  to  the  same  pay  and         Information   being  given   by  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq., 

rations  and  subject  to  the  same  rules  and  regulations  as  the  that  a  certain  George  Craws  had  fraudulently  obtained  large 

Militia  of  this  State  now  in  New-Jersey.  sums  of  money  from  divers  persons  by  means  of  Deeds  for 

The  following  Accounts  were  passed,  and  Mr    Nesbitt  Lands  for°ed  by  him  and  a  certain  Anthony  Sypher;  where- 
directed  to  pay  them,  and  charge  the  same  to  Congress,  uPon  the  following  Warrant  was  issued : 

viz :  "In  Council  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  ) 

August  20,  1776.     5 


Captain  Robert  McKee,  for  mileage  of  two  Men  of  his 
Company,  belonging  to  Colonel  Ferree's  Battalion,  Lancas- 


"  You  are  hereby  required  to  cause  George  Crates  to  be 


V  "  Go  W»V»MM*  .*.  1,1  i  v^/  a   -a^uiiaiiuu,  j_/Mfii,lti3-  •'  ,     ,  1          1       /•  I         /~t  '1 

ter  County,  (seventy-seven  miles  each,  at  Id.,)   £0  12  10    ta,e".     ,     brouSht  .bel°re  ,the  Councl1  to  an*wer  a  charge 

T,-    7       .•          T7-       7      7.1  '  OYnmifrAn     pnraincr     mm     lr*r    iXfrrorv      Ktr    Wrttn/"to    ITrmlffnorvn 


Valentine  Vanhalt's  Accounts  for  Meals: 
Captain  John  Rowland's  Company,  of  Colonel 

Ferree's  Battalion,  of  Lancaster  County,  2     9     6 

Captain  Jacob  Carpenter's  Company,  of  Col. 

Ferree's  Battalion,  -  -         -         -      2  12     6 

Captain  Bauman's  Company,  of  Col.  Ferree's 

Battalion,        -  -         -         -     3     4     6 

Captain  Alexander  Martin's  Company,  -         -     2     4     3 
Captain  Cappenhaven's  Company,  of  Colonel 

Green's  Battalion,  Lancaster  County,          -     4  15     0 


In  Council  of  Safety,  August  20,  1776. 


exhibited  against  him  for  forgery,  by  Francis  Hopkinson, 
Esq.;  and  for  your  so  doing  this  shall  be  your  order. 

"THOMAS  WHARTON,  Jun., President. 
"To  Captain  Richard  Peters." 

A  similar  Order  was  given  to  cause  Anthony  Sypher  to 
be  brought  before  the  Council. 

John  Hutton,  of  New-Jersey,  was  before  the  Council,  he 
being  suspected  of  facilitating  the  escape  of  Colonel  Kirk- 
land  from  his  confinement  in  this  city ;  and  after  examina- 
tion, he  was  admitted  to  be  enlarged  from  the  State  Prison 
on  his  entering  into  a  recognizance  of  £500  for  his  good 
behaviour.  At  the  same  time  John  Hales  was  brought  be- 
fore the  Council,  and  was  admitted  to  bail  for  his  good  and 


Present:    Thomas   Wharton,  President,  David  Ritten-    peaceable  behaviour,  under  a  penalty  of  £1,000,  and  suffi- 
house,  Vice-President,    Frederick  Kuhl,   James    Cannon,    cient  surety. 
Joseph  Blewer,  John  Hubly,  Henry  Keppele,  Samuel  Morris, 
Sen.,  John  Moore,  George  Gray,  Owen  Biddle. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  was  directed  to   pay  Captain 

T7mii*          Tkr  n.t    TJ         r»>^^v    •  «•'«••«  '    f 


In  Council  of  Safety,  August  21,  1776. 

,    .,          —        Present:  Thomas  Wharton, Jun.,  President, DavidRitten- 
mUutm  McMullen  £62  16*.  6A,  for  Arms  purchased  from    fouse,  J0hn  Hubly,  Frederick  Kuhl,  James  Cannon,  Samuel 


Non-Associators,  and  account  to  Mr.  Towers. 


Morris,  Sen.,  Owen  Riddle,  Henry  Keppele,  Joseph  Rlewer, 


Mr.   Nesbitt    was    directed   to    pay  Captain   Archibald  John  Moore. 

Thomson  £18  7*.,  for  Arms  purchased  for  Colonel  Thomas,  john  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay 

of  1  hiladelphw  County,  and  Shippen  Sf  Way  £29  16s.  3d.,  Benjamin  Gibbs  £8  1 1*.  Id.,  for  an  Anchor  and  Block  de- 

for  work  delivered  to  Captain  Richards.  live/ed  Captain  White. 

f  Mr.  Netbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Charles  Stultz,  for  work  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Either  Burk  £2  3*.  6d., 
for  Artillery  Companies,  £3  8s.,  and  James  Davison,  for  for  nursin°-  sick  Soldiers  belonging  to  Colonel  Miles' s  Bat- 
nursing  a  sick  man  belonging  to  the  Congress  galley,  talion 

,.     ™  Lieutenant  Benjamin  Broomback  and   Ensign  Michael 

directed  to  deliver  Colonel  Galbreath  Cypher  were  summoned  to  attend  the  Board  on  Saturday 


fifteen  Cartouch-Boxes,  taking  his  receipt. 


morning  next,  the  24th  instant,  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  fore- 


Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Lewis  Trimble  £8  8s.,  noon,  to  answer  for  leaving  their  Colours  without  leave  of 

for  Wood  delivered  at  Chester,  for  the  use  of  Colonel  Milcs's  their  Commanding  Officer. 

Battallon<  Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Colonel  Bartram  Gal- 
Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Thomas  Mies  20s.,  for  breath  £12,  for  Blankets  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion,  to  be 


1323 


PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1324 


charged  to  Colonel  Galbrcath's  Account;  and  £1  Us.  6d., 
for  Bayonet-Scabbards ;  also,  £6  17*.  for  Cartouch-Boxes 
and  Powder-Horns. 

A  Petition  from  Joseph  Greenway,  Third  Lieutenant  of 
the  Ship  Montgomery,  in  the  service  of  this  Slate,  was  laid 
before  the  Board,  praying  that  he  may  have  leave  to  resign 
his  commission,  as  he  has  an  opportunity  of  serving  his  coun- 
try in  a  more  essential  manner  than  he  is  now  able  to  do; 
which  request  was  granted,  and  he  is  discharged  from  the 
service  aforesaid. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Dr.  Frederick  Olio  for 
attending  on  a  man  wounded  at  Cape  May,  in  the  service  of 
this  State,  £6  1  Is.  3d. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Richard  Chew  £19  16s. 
8d.,  for  thirty-five  barrels  of  Tar  delivered  William  Rich- 
ards. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  John  Paschall 
18s.  6d.,  for  altering  Colours  belonging  to  his  Battalion;  to 
be  charged  to  his  Account. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Dr.  Samuel  Duffield  for 
attending  a  man  wounded  in  working  a  Chevaux-de-Frise, 
£25*. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  £12  10s.  for  mileage  for 
two  men  for  Colonel  Galbreath's  Battalion ;  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel  David  Thomas, 
for  a  meal's  victuals  for  Captain  Pauling  and  Captain  How- 
elTs  Companies  of  Associators,  of  his  Battalion  of  Philadel- 
phia County,  £6  1 1*.  9d.;  to  be  charged  to  Congress:  and 
£l  4s.  for  Shot-Pouches  bought  by  him  for  the  use  of  his 
Battalien;  to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  22, 1776. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Vice-President,  Mr.  Samuel 
Morris,  Sen.,  John  Hubly,  Frederick  KM,  James  Cannon, 
Henry  Keppele,  Joseph  Blewer. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  was  directed  to  pay  Colonel 
Thomas  Hockley  £  191  16s.  6d.,  for  Arms,  Blankets,  &c.,  for 
the  use  of  his  Battalion;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Hockley. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver 
Benjamin  Segur  four  Grubbing-Hoes  and  four  Falling-Axes; 
to  be  delivered  by  him  to  Mr.  Nicholas  Hicks,  at  Billings- 
port. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Colonel  Hugh  Lloyd, 
of  Chester  County,  eighty-three  Cartouch  Boxes;  taking  his 
receipt. 

The  Vice-President  being  under  a  necessity  of  attending 
the  Convention,  Mr.  Owen  Biddle  was  requested  to  take 
the  Chair. 

In  consequence  of  an  Order,  granted  the  20th  instant, 
George  Craws  was  brought  before  the  Board,  with  his  trunk, 
in  which  was  found,  among  a  number  of  papers,  the  sum  of 
£498  Os.  8d.,  in  four  bundles,  viz:  One  bundle  £102,  one 
bundle  £46  Os.  8d.,  one  bundle  £50,  two  bundles  of  $400 
each,  (£300) — £498  Os.  3d.;  which  was  delivered  to  Mr. 
Frederick  KM,  by  order  of  the  Board,  and  he  requested  to 
keep  in  his  possession. 

Mr.  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Major  Laxly  one  ton 
of  Copper  and  four  hundred  weight  of  Block-Tin. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esquire, 
for  £200,  in  favour  of  Robert  Semple,  Esq.,  to  be  charged 
to  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  of  Cumber- 
land County,  it  being  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  the  fami- 
lies of  poor  Associators  who  are  now  in  actual  service. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt  in  favour  of  Mark 
Bird,  Esq.,  for  £107  2s.  6d.,  being  for  Anns  taken  from 
Non- Associators,  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion:  to  be  charged 
to  his  Account. 

Messrs.  Dehavcn  &f  Carter  were  directed  to  deliver  Cap- 
tain Alexander  Martin,  of  Colonel  Peter  Grub's  Battalion, 


of  Lancaster  County,  eleven  stand  of  Arms,  and  twenty 
Cartouch  Boxes. 

Mr.  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  to  Mrs.  Connolly  £6  5s., 
for  five  weeks'  allowance,  at  25s.  per  week,  from  16th  July 
to  21st  instant,  agreeable  to  Resolve  of  the  late  Committee 
of  Safety,  16th  July  last. 

After  examination  of  George  Crams,  it  appeared  from 


his  own  confession,  and  papers  found  in  his  chest,  that  he 
was  guilty  of  forgery  and  fraud ;  he  was,  therefore,  sent  to 
the  State  Prison,  and  the  following  Warrant  of  commitment 
was  granted : 

"  In  Council  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  ) 

August  22,  1776.      $ 

"  You  are  hereby  authorized,  empowered,  and  required, 
to  confine  George  Craus  in  a  room  by  himself  in  the  State 
Prison,  without  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  and  feed  him  on  bread 
and  water,  and  permit  no  person  to  hold  any  intercourse 
with  him,  except  by  special  order  from  this  Board,  he  being 
guilty,  by  his  own  confession,  of  forgery  and  fraud. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council: 

(Signed  by  the  President.) 

"  To  Robert  Jewell,  Esq.,  Keeper  of  the  State  Prison." 

The  Council  then  adjourned  to  two  o'clock,  P.  M., 

When  the  following  Members  met :   Thomas  Wharton, 

Jun.,  President,  Owen  Biddle,  George  Gray.  John  Hubly, 

James  Cannon,  Frederick  KM,  John  Moore,  John  Weitzel, 

Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Henry  Keppele,  Jun.,  Joseph  Blewer. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  was  directed  to  pay  Captain  Reese 
Johns,  of  Colonel  Hockley' s  Battalion,  of  Chester  County, 
£7  2s.  6d.,  for  mileage  for  thirty-eight  men ;  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

According  to  a  Summons  of  the  20th  instant,  Commo- 
dore Davison  and  the  Captains  of  the  Galleys  appeared 
before  the  Board,  and  after  hearing  the  Captains'  reasons 
why  Commodore  Damson  should  not  be  continued  in  the 
command,  and  the  Commodore's  answer  thereto,  it  was 
agreed  that  the  determination  should  be  referred  to  a  future 
day. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  23,  1776. 

Present:  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  President,  Frederick 
KM,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Owen  Biddle,  John  Hubly, 
Joseph  Blewer,  James  Cannon,  David  Rittenhouse,  Henry 
Keppele. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver 
to  Captain  Conrad  Sneider  four  Guns  and  four  Cartouch^ 
Boxes,  for  the  use  of  his  Company,  of  Colonel  Joseph 
Armstrong's  Battalion,  Cumberland  County. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver 
George  Gerber  eighty-four  pounds  of  Powder.  An  Order 
was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  in  favour 
of  George  Gerber,  for  £63  15s.,  which,  with  the  above 
eighty-four  pounds  of  Powder,  is  in  full  for  three  hundred 
and  thirty -nine  pounds  of  Saltpetre. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt  was  directed  to  pay  the  following 
Accounts,  viz: 

Captain  James  Young's  Account  for  a  Musket  delivered 
Captain  James  McDonald,  of  the  Flying-Camp,  £4  16s. 

Major  Caleb  Davis,  for  necessaries  for  the  Chester  County 
quota  for  the  Flying-Camp,  purchased  under  the  direction 
of  the  Committee  of  Inspection,  to  be  charged  to  his  Ac- 
count, £202  10s. 

Baldwin  &f  Taylor,  for  repairing  Arms  belonging  to 
Colonel  Hockky's  Battalion,  to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel, 
£28  13s.  9d. 

Samuel  Raine,  for  two  weeks'  Board  of  a  sick  soldier, 
belonging  to  Farmer's  Company,  of  Colonel  Miles's  Regi- 
ment, £1  10s. 

Captain  James  Me  Candle's,  for  Diet  of  his  Company,  of 
Colonel  William  Smith's  Battalion,  York  County,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress,  £35  11s.  9d. 

Captain  James's  Account  for  Mileage  twenty-one  men 
belonging  to  Colonel  Hockky's  Battalion,  £3  10s.,  to  be 
charged  to  Congress,  and  £2  13s.,  for  Sundries,  to  be 
charged  to  Colonel  Hockley. 

Captain  John  Hart,  Mileage,  Sic.,  his  Company,  of 
Colonel  Lloyd's  Battalion,  Chester  County,  £5  14s.  3d.; 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Colonel  Bird,  of  Berks  County,  for  Rations  for  his  Bat- 
talion, to  be  charged  to  Congress,  £145  5s.  lOd. 

Captain  Price,  for  Mileage,  &c.,  of  Colonel  Lloyd's  Bat- 
talion, Chester  County,  to  be  charged  to  Congress,  £6  8s. 
Id. 

Major  John  Jones,  for  Diet  of  Captain  Alexander  Mar- 
tin's Company,  Colonel  Grub's  Battalion,  £2  3s.  3d.;  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 


1325 


PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1326 


Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  Colonel  Hugh 
Lloyd,  of  Chester  County,  forty-eight  Muskets  and  one 
hundred  and  twenty-seven  Bayonets,  for  the  use  of  his  Bat- 
talion, taking  his  receipt. 

Adjourned  to  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  the  following 
Members  met:  Thomas  Wharton,  President,  George  Gray, 
Owen  Biddle,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Joseph  Blewer,  Fred- 
erick Kuhl,  Henry  Keppele,  Jun. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay 
the  following  Accounts,  viz  : 

George  Gray,  Esq.,  for  Arms  taken  from  Non-Associa- 
tors,  &c.,  delivered  to  Colonel  Jonathan  Parshall,  to  be 
charged  to  the  Colonel,  £171  6s. 

Leonard  Creamer,  for  two  Rifles  delivered  Captain  Jacob 
Carpenter,  for  the  use  of  his  Company,  of  Colonel  John 
Feme's  Battalion,  (to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel,)  £7  18s. 

Captain  Jacob  Snyder,  for  Bread  and  other  Provisions 
for  his  Company,  the  Commissary  refusing  to  serve  them, 
£3  Os.  8d.;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Leave  was  given  to  Mr.  Robert  Jewell  to  suffer  George 
Craws  to  have  the  liberty  of  the  State  Prison. 

An  Order  was  given  to  Mr.  Owen  Biddle  to  deliver  Mr. 
James  White  forty  bushels  of  Salt  out  of  the  Stores  at  Ger- 
mantown. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanding-Officers  of  the  several 
Batialions  and  Companies  now  in  quarters,  or  that  may 
arrive  here,  be  directed  to  order  proper  persons  to  attend  at 
the  Commissary  of  Provisions'  Office,  in  Fifth  Street,  near 
Market  Street,  with  Returns,  to  receive  their  Provision,  every 
morning,  between  the  hours  of  six  and  nine  o'clock. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  24,  1776. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Vice-President,  Owen  Bid- 
die,  Fred.  Kuhl,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  John  Moore,  John 
Hubly,  James  Cannon. 

Mr.  Hubly  was  directed  to  write  to  Lancaster,  and  give 
direction  to  the  Committee  of  Inspection  to  allow  Mr. 
Brooks,  confined  in  Jail  there,  to  the  liberty  of  the  Prison 
yard,  if  the  Committee  think  Mr.  Brooks  will  not  thereby 
make  his  escape.  Likewise,  that  the  Committee  take  Bar- 
rington's  parole  of  honour,  and  send  him  to  his  brother 
officers  at  York  or  Cumberland  County. 

Resolved,  That  application  be  made  to  the  Board  of  War 
for  sixty  stand  of  Arms,  to  supply  the  Militia  now  on  their 
way  to  Camp. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  was  directed  to  pay  Captain 
Hazlewood  £20,  for  the  use  of  Fire-Rafts ;  to  be  charged 
to  Captain  Hazelwood. 

Peter  Dehaven  fy  Co.  £500,  for  the  use  of  Gun-Lock 
Factory;  to  be  charged  to  their  Account. 

Captain  Andrew  Boon,  of  Second  Battalion,  of  Chester 
County,  for  Drums,  Fifes,  &.C.,  for  his  Company,  £6  2s.  6d. 

Robert  Jewell,  for  Board  of  John  Hatton,  £2  3s.  4d.;  to 
be  charged  to  Congress. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  26,  1776. 

Present:  David  Rittenhouse,  Vice-President,  Samuel 
Morris,  Sen.,  Henry  Keppele,  Jun.,  John  Hubly,  John 
Moore,  Fred.  Kuhl,  John  Weitzel,  George  Gray,  Owen 
Biddle. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to 
pay  the  following  Accounts,  viz: 

Thomas  Apty,  for  Fees  of  State  Prisoners  confined  in  the 
Workhouse,  to  be  charged  to  Congress,  £  1  9s. 

Thomas  Webber,  for  fourteen  and  a  half  cords  of  Wood, 
delivered  at  Fort-Island,  £12  16s.  6d. 

Captain  Cowden,  of  Colonel  Bird's  Battalion,  £9  3s., 
for  Canteens,  to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel ;  and  £5  10s.  for 
support  of  his  men,  to  be  charged  to  Congress;  also  £3  11s. 
8d.,  for  repairing  Arms,  to  be  charged  to  this  State. 

George  Houston,  for  repairing  Drums,  Sic.,  £3  17s. 

John  Gamble,  for  twenty-four  Cartouch-Boxes  for  Cap- 
tain Robert  Culberson's  Company,  of  Colonel  William 
dork's  Battalion,  Cumberland  County;  to  be  charged  to 
the  Colonel. 

William  Pollard,  for  expenses  of  himself  and  three  others, 
of  the  Light-Horse,  escorting  Ammunition  to  Camp  in  New- 
Jersey;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 


Thomas  M.  Waters,  for  Stone  delivered  at  Fort-Island, 
for  sinking  the  Piers. 

Colonel  John  Ferree,  of  Lancaster  County,  for  Arms, 
&,c.,  purchased  for  his  Battalion,  to  be  charged  to  his  Ac- 
count, £79  18s.  6d. 

Jeremiah  Baker,  for  Wood  delivered  to  the  Barracks  of 
this  city,  £62  19s.  5d.;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Captain  Rowland,  5s.,  for  mending  a  Drum. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Robert 
Smith,  for  £500,  for  the  purpose  of  building  Chevaux-de- 
Frise  and  other  works  at  Billingsport ;  to  be  charged  to  his 
Account. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  J.  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer, 
in  favour  of  Samuel  Morris ,  Esq.,  for  £500,  for  the  purpose 
of  purchasing  Logs,  &c.,  for  building  Chevaux-de-Frise  at 
Billingsport;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

Joseph  Ferree,  Esq.,  Germantown,  was  directed  to  deliver 
Doctor  Harris  one  ton  of  Saltpetre,  out  of  the  Store  under 
his  care. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  Mr.  Nesbitt,  in  favour  of  Doctor 
Harris,  for  £50;  to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

Captain  William  Richards  was  directed  to  deliver  Mr. 
Robert  Smith,  for  the  use  of  the  Works  at  Billings- 

port, to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary  of  Stores,  was  directed 
to  deliver  Captain  David  Howell  five  Muskets,  and  Messrs. 
Dehaven  fy  Co.  to  deliver  Captain  Howell  six  Rifles,  for  the 
use  of  his  Company,  of  Colonel  Thomas's  Battalion,  Phila- 
delphia County. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  27,  1776. 

Present:  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  President,  David  Rit- 
tenhouse, John  Moore,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Owen  Biddle, 
George  Gray,  Joseph  Blewer,  Henry  Keppele,  Jun.,  Sam- 
uel Morris,  Sen.,  John  Weitzel,  John  Hubly. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay 
the  following  Accounts,  viz : 

Captain  Joseph  Blewer,  £23  6s.,  for  repairing  a  Shallop 
damaged  in  sinking  the  Piers  at  Fort-Island. 

John  Stacy,  for  Flat  hire,  £5  5s. 

Colonel  Joseph  Armstrong,  of  Cumberland  County,  for 
repairing  Arms,  £6  5s.  6d. 

Captain  Robert  Culberson,  £1  14s.,  for  repairing  Arms 
belonging  to  his  Company,  of  Colonel  Armstrong's  Bat- 
talion. 

George  Capehart,  for  seven  days'  Flat  hire. 

Colonel  Robert  Peebles,  for  an  Order  drawn  by  James 
Pollock  and  Samuel  Laird,  Esqs.,  Commissioners  of  Cum- 
berland County,  for  £200,  being  in  part  for  one  hundred 
Muskets  made  by  Colonel  Peebles;  to  be  charged  to  said 
Commissioners. 

Captain  Peter  Hoffnagle,  £58  10s.,  for  Arms  purchased 
for  the  use  of  his  Company,  of  Colonel  George  Ross's  Bat- 
talion, of  Lancaster  County,  and  to  be  charged  to  the 
Colonel. 

Mr.  John  Stelwell,  £23  11s.  6d.,  being  for  expenses  in 
saving  Powder  out  of  the  Brig  Nancy,  paid  by  Captain 
William  Pollock. 

Captain  Thomas  Bell,  £399  18s.,  for  freight  for  one 
hundred  and  forty-two  barrels  of  Powder  and  fifty-three 
tons  of  Lead. 

Francis  Clark,  £9,  for  twelve  Cutlasses  delivered  to  Mr. 
Towers. 

Jacob  Zoll,  for  dieting  Captain  Richards's  Company,  of 
Colonel  Thomas  Potts's  Battalion,  £2  18s.  6d.  For  diet- 
ing Captain  Weaver's  Company,  of  Colonel  Bull's  Battalion, 
£1  16s.  9d.  To  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Rittenhouse  make  application  to  the 
Paper-Makers  to  supply  the  Commissary  with  a  quantity  of 
Musket  Cartridge  Paper. 

A  present  scarcity  of  Cartridge  Paper  makes  it  neces- 
sary for  this  Board  to  recommend  to  the  Printers  in  this  State 
to  spare  a  quantity  of  Paper  to  our  Commissary,  Robert 
Towers,  Esq.,  for  the  purpose  of  making  Cartridges. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer, in  favour  of  Thomas  Savage,  for  £400,  towards 
erecting  and  carrying  on  the  Salt  Works  on  Tom's  River,  in 
New-Jersey,  for  the  service  of  this  State. 


1327 


PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1328 


The  Board  adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  P.  M.;  at  which 
time  the  following  Members  met:  David  Rittcnhouxc, Vice- 
President,  John  Hubly,  Joseph  Blcwcr,  John  Moore,  Owen 
Biddle,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Frederick  Kuhl,  John  It'tit- 
zel,  Henry  Kcppely,  Jun.,  James  Cannon. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  was  directed  to  pay  the  fol- 
lowing Accounts,  viz: 

James  Bringhurst,  for  Sash  Weights,  &tc.,  £94  1*.  \\d. 

John  Ebulte,  for  Shot  Moulds,  &c.,  £11  8*.  4rf. 

Captain  James  Murry  £6  6s.,  for  Canteens,  &c.,  for  his 
Company,  of  Colonel  Bird's  Battalion,  of  Lancaster  County; 
to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel. 

The  Council  having  heard  the  complaints  made  against 
Commodore  Samuel  Damson,  with  the  proofs  brought  to 
support  them,  and  taking  into  consideration  the  situation  of 
the  Naval  Armaments  belonging  to  this  State,  are  of  opin- 
ion, that  most  of  the  charges  made  against  the  said  Samuel 
Davison  are  frivolous,  and  discover  a  dangerous  spirit  of 
licentiousness  amongst  the  other  officers,  inconsistent  with 
the  duty  they  owe  their  country,  and  not  to  be  justified  on 
military  principles,  which  exacts  a  due  obedience  at  all 
times  to  the  orders  of  superiors.  But  as  it  appears  to  the 
Council  that  the  officers  of  the  fleet  in  general  have  not  that 
respect  for,  nor  confidence  in,  the  said  Samuel  Davison 
which  is  absolutely  necessary  to  give  vigour  and  efficacy  to 
the  command,  and  that  notwithstanding  the  known  merit  of 
said  Davison,  yet  the  charge  of  incompetency  to  so  impor- 
tant a  trust  is  not  altogether  without  foundation  :  It  is  there- 
fore 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Samuel  Davison,  Esq.,  be  no 
longer  continued  in  the  command  of  the  Naval  Armament 
of  this  State,  and  he  is  accordingly  dismissed  from' the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Henry  Dougherty  be  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  Galley  building  at  Kensington  by 
Mr.  Williams,  and  that  she  be  called  the  Delaware. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  John  Rice  be  appointed  to  the 
command  of  the  Galley  called  the  Convention. 

Agreeable  to  a  Resolve  of  the  honourable  Congress  and 
by  direction  of  the  Board,  the  following  Commissions  for  Pri- 
vateers were  granted,  viz : 

To  John  Hamilton,  of  the  Brig  General  MMin,  of  twelve 
carriage  guns  and  ninety  men,  owned  by  John  Cox,  John 
Chaloner  Sf  Co. 

To  Charles  Furgeson,  commander  of  the  Brig  General 
Putnam,  of  twelve  carriage  guns  and  ninety  men,  owned  by 
Matthew  Irwin,  Benjamin  Harbeson  $•  Co. 

"  In  Council  of  Safety,  Philadelphia,  August  27,  1776. 

"Fifty  Dollars  Reward. 

"Whereas  a  dangerous  riot  was  excited  this  day,  at  or 
near  the  barracks  of  this  city,  and  at  the  same  time  a  great 
violence  and  abuse  offered  to  the  family  of  Mr.  Lawrence 
Fegan,  whereby  his  wife  was  wounded,  his  house  robbed, 
and  his  property  destroyed  to  a  great  amount :  In  order  to 
discourage  such  wicked  and  mischievous  practices  for  the 
future,  and  to  bring  the  offenders  to  condign  punishment, 
the  Council  of  Safety  hereby  offer  a  reward  of  fifty  dollars 
to  any  person  who  shall  apprehend  and  convict  the  ring- 
leaders and  perpetrators  of  the  above-mentioned  riot  and 
robbery. 

"  By  order  of  the  Council : 

"  DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  Vice  President." 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  28,  1776. 

Present:  Tfiomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  President,  David  Rit- 
tenhouse,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Owen  Biddle,  John  Moore, 
John  Hubly,  Frederick  Kuhl,  Joseph  Bleiver,  George 
Gray. 

John  Maxwell  Neslitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  directed  to  pay 
the  following  Accounts,  viz: 

Samuel  Culberson,  £7  2s.  6d.,  for  three  Muskets  deliver- 
ed to  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary. 

John  Kerlin,  for  dieting  twenty-eight  Companies  of  Mili- 
tia, on  their  march  towards  the  Camp  in  Neio-Jertey;  to  be 
charged  to  Congress. 

Thomas  McIIenry,  £35  14s.,  for  Cartouch-Boxes  and 
Bayonet  Belts  delivered  Mr.  Commissary  Towers. 

Captain  Benjamin  Savage,  the  balance  of  mileage  for 
his  Company,  £5  9s.  3d.,  he  having  left  order  for  £2  13s. 
6d.  on  the  road ;  to  be  charged  to  Congress.  Also  £8  9s. 


6d.,  for  Arms  for  his  Company,  of  Colonel  Smith's  Bat- 
talion; to  be  charged  to  said  Colonel. 

Captain  McCandess,  14s.  Id.,  for  mileage  for  two  men 
of  his  Company,  distance  eighty-five  miles;  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

John  Martin,  for  dieting  three  Companies  of  Militia,  on 
their  march  to  Camp,  £7  7s.  9</.;  to  be  charged  to  Con- 


gress. 


Michael  Holman,  £5  4s.,  for  repairing  Arms,  &c.,  be- 
longing to  Captain  Elijah  Davis's  Company,  of  Colonel 
David  Thomas's  Battalion;  to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel. 

Mr.  Robert  Jewell,  £2  12s.  6rf.,  for  support  of  three 
Prisoners  in  the  State  Prison. 

Conrad  Pegeon,  £9  Os.  9d.,  for  Repairs  at  the  Barracks. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  Michael  Hillegas,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer to  the  Congress,  in  favour  of  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq., 
Treasurer  to  this  Board,  for  $70,000,  being  the  residue  of 
$  100,000  lent  by  Congress  to  this  State. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Neslitt,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer, in  favour  of  Mr.  Owen  Biddle,  for  £100;  to  be 
charged  to  his  Account. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Messrs. 
Jos.  Sherer,  George  Dollingcr,  and  Casper  Stocver,  Jun., 
for  the  use  of  the  Frontiers  of  Lancaster  County,  three 
hundred  pounds  of  Powder  and  nine  hundred  pounds  of 
Lead;  and  to  deliver  to  Peter  Spiker,  Esq.,  Messrs.  Charles 
Shoemaker, am\  HieronymoiuHerming,  three  hundred  weight 
of  Powder,  and  nine  hundred  pounds  of  Lead,  for  the  use 
of  the  Frontiers  of  Berks  County. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Neslitt,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer, in  favour  of  Captain  Hazlewood,  or  his  Son,  for  £20, 
on  account  of  the  Fire-Rafts;  to  be  charged  to  Captain 
Haslewood. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver 
Mr.  Gustavus  Rcslerg,  Assistant  Deputy  Quartermaster 
General,  for  the  Flying-Camp,  one  ton  Rifle  Powder,  one 
ton  of  Cannon  Powder,  and  Lead  in  proportion;  to  be  for- 
warded to  General  Washington,  at  New -York. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay 
John  Jones  £9  18s.  3d.,  for  dieting  Troops  on  their  march 
towards  Camp;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Messrs.  Dchaven  fy  Carter  were  directed  to  deliver  Col. 
Bird,  of  Lancaster  County,  twelve  stand  of  Arms. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers  was  directed  to  deliver  to  Colonel 
Bird,  of  Lancaster  County,  fifteen  Cartouch-Boxes. 

Directions  were  given  to  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  to  send 
a  number  of  Arms  and  a  quantity  of  Powder  belonging  to 
him,  now  at  Egg-Harbour,  by  wagons,  to  the  Camp  at 
Amboy;  and  this  Board  engage  to  pay  the  amount,  and 
expenses  incurred. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Troops 
now  in  the  city  be  directed  to  proceed  with  all  their  men  to 
Amboy,  either  by  land  or  water,  to-morrow  morning,  with- 
out any  exception,  and  not  to  wait  for  any  Arms  or  Accou- 
trements, as  care  will  be  taken  to  supply  them  when  they 
arrive  at  camp.  The  necessity  which  gives  occasion  to  the 
present  orders  is  such  that  nothing  will  detain  any  men  that 
are  properly  attached  to  the  cause. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer, in  favour  of  Arthur  Donaldson,  for  £200,  towards  the 
Floating  Battery  now  building  under  his  direction;  to  be 
charged  to  his  Account. 

In  Council  of  Safety,  August  29,  1776. 

Present :  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  President,  David  Rit- 
tenhouse.  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Oiecn  Biddle,  Joseph  Blewer, 
James  Cannon,  Frederick  Kuhl,  John  Hubly,  John  Weitzel, 
George  Gray. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Harbeson  was  ordered  to  deliver  to  Colo- 
nel Ferree,  of  Lancaster  County,  eight  Camp  Kettles  for 
the  use  of  his  Battalion,  and  to  deliver  Major  Ewcn  twenty 
Camp  Kettles  for  Colonel  Porter's  Battalion. 

Commissions  were  filled  up  for  James  Whitchcad  and 
George  Shajfner,  Gentlemen,  as  Ensigns  in  Colonel  Samuel 
John  Atlee's  Battalion  of  Musketry,  and  dated  the  19th 
instant,  August. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq., 


1329 


PENNSYLVANIA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1330 


Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Captain  William  Richards,  for  £400; 
to  be  charged  to  his  Account. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer, in  favour  of  Lieutenant  Matthew  Hand,  for  £30,  for 
the  purpose  of  inlisting  men  for  Flying-Camp ;  to  be  charged 
to  his  Account. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Trea- 
surer, in  favour  of  Samuel  High,  one  of  the  Commissioners 
of  Berks  County,  for  £600,  on  account  of  Arms  making 
in  that  County;  to  be  charged  to  the  Commissioners. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  was  directed  to  deliver 
Major  Ewen  one  hundred  stand  of  Arms  for  the  use  of  Colo- 
nel Porter's  Battalion,  of  Lancaster  County. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to 
pay  the  following  Accounts,  viz : 

Captain  John  Withers,  of  Colonel  John  Feme's  Battalion, 
Lancaster  County,  for  Arms  purchased  for  the  use 

of  his  Company ;  to  be  charged  to  the  Colonel. 

Captain  Andrew  Bean,  £103  15*.,  for  Arms  purchased 
for  his  Company;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Ferree. 

Valentine  VarikhoU,  for  dieting  five  Companies  of  Militia, 
on  their  march  towards  the  Camp,  £13  4s.  9d.;  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Major  John  Jones,  for  dieting  three  Companies  of  Militia, 
£7  15s.  3d.;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Michael  Holman,  for  a  Rifle,  Sic.,  for  Captain  David 
Howcll's  Company ;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  David 
Thomas. 

John  Britton,  for  Boards,  Scantling,  Sic.,  delivered  to 
Mr.  Robert  Smith,  at  Billingsport,  for  building  Barracks, 
&c.,  £216  19s.  2</.;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Woo/cry  Meng-jforsevenCartouch-Boxes  delivered  to  Cap- 
tain Thomas  Duncan,  £3  3s.;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel 
Hill. 

Sebastian  Graeff,  for  Arms  and  Accoutrements  delivered 
to  General  Roberdeau,  £19  4s.  6d.;  to  be  charged  to  Colo- 
nel Matlack. 

Lieutenant  George  Moore,  for  five  stand  of  Arms  left  at 
Camp,  £20;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Matlack. 

Captain  Paul  Zantzinger,  for  Arms  left  at  Camp,  £74 
lls.;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Mallack. 

Jacob  Bruiser,  for  repairing  Arms  belonging  to  Colonel 
Peter  Grub's  Battalion,  £1  9s.  9d. 

Samuel  High,  for  two  Rifles  delivered  to  Captain  Jacob 
Graul,  £7  2s.  6d.;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Henry 
Holler. 

Captain  Samuel  Patton,  for  expenses  procuring  Provi- 
sions for  his  Company,  £1  7s.  6^.;  to  be  charged  to  Con- 
gress. 

Captain  Morrison,  mileage  for  sixty-seven  men,  ninety 
miles,  £25  2s.  6d.,  to  be  charged  to  Congress;  and  £6  10s. 
for  a  Rifle,  to  be  charged  to  Colonel  Porter. 


In  Council  of  Safety,  August  30,  1776. 

Present:  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Chairman,  Owen  Biddle, 
John  Hubly,  John  Moore,  Frederick  Kuhl,  John  H'eitzel, 
James  Cannon,  George  Gray. 

John  Maxwell  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to 
pay  the  following  Accounts,  viz: 

Benjamin  Marshall,  for  sundries  for  the  use  of  the  Fleet 
of  this  State  £58  9s.  2rf. 

Christian  West  &f  Co.,  for  victualling  four  Companies  of 
Colonel  Ross's  Battalion,  Lancaster  County,  £l  10  3s.  9d.; 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Benjamin  Brooks,  £18  16s.  10c/.,  and  Peter  Gauber, 
£1  lls.;  for  repairing  Arms  belonging  to  Colonel  Potts' s 
Battalion. 

Benjamin  Broomback,  for  fifty-five  breakfasts  for  Captain 
Adams's  Company,  Colonel  Grub's  Battalion,  £2  Is.  3d.; 
to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Thomas  Miks,  for  two  Rifles,  for  Captain  Elijah  Davis's 
Company,  (to  be  charged  to  Colonel  David  Thomas,) 
£12. 

James  Brooks,  £4  12s.  3d.,  for  stocking  Guns  belonging 
to  Colonel  Potts' s  Battalion. 

Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary,  £87  5s.  2rf.,  for  Salt- 
petre purchased,  making  Cartridges,  &c. 

Martha  McAllen,  20s.;  to  be  charged  to  this  State. 


Tobias  Rudolph,  £2  10s.,  for  Horse  hire  going  in  search 
of  Arthur  Thomas;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

To  pay  for  Wagon  hire  £6  15s.,  for  service  of  this 
State. 

Captain  Jacob  Towns,  £75,  for  Bounty  money  for  his 
Company,  who  have  entered  the  Flying  Carnp;  to  be  charged 
to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  Militia 
who  have  returned  from  Camp  with  their  Troops  be  required 
to  deliver  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Robert  Towers,  Commissary, 
all  such  Arms  and  Accoutrements  belonging  to  this  State  as 
may  be  in  their  possession,  in  order  that  the  same  may  be 
put  into  the  hands  of  such  Associators  as  are  not  provided 
and  ready  to  march  to  New-Jersey.  The  expenses  of  such 
collection  will  be  discharged  by  this  Board. 

Thomas  Haney,  a  Mulatto,  was  brought  before  the 
Board,  and  charged  by  Captain  Charles  Stuart  with  theft ; 
whereupon  he  was  committed  to  the  common  Jail. 

Agreeably  to  Resolve  of  the  honourable  Congress,  and  by 
direction  of  the  Board,  a  Commission  was  granted  for  the 
privateer  Brig  called  the  General  Montgomery,  commanded 
by  James  Montgomery,  mounting  twelve  carnage  guns,  navi- 
gated by  one  hundred  men. 

Whereas  some  designing,  ill-disposed  persons  have  spread 
false  reports  that  the  number  of  Troops  now  in  New-Jersey 
is  too  great;  that  many,  in  consequence,  have  been  discharged 
by  the  Generals ;  and  that  there  is  not  any  occasion  to  for- 
ward the  Troops  who  have  not  yet  been  at  Camp:  the 
Council  therefore,  to  frustrate  the  designs  of  such  persons,  and 
to  (jasten  the  march  of  the  Associators  to  Camp  in  Jersey, 
make  known,  that  there  is  an  immediate  necessity  for  the 
Associators  to  hasten  their  march  to  the  said  Camp  with  all 
expedition,  and  pay  no  regard  to  any  reports  which  do  not 
come  from  this  Council  or  other  proper  authority. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  be  published  in  handbills,  and 
distributed  about  this  city. 

.  In  Council  of  Safety,  August  31,  1776. 

Present:  Thomas  Wharton,  Jun.,  President,  David  Rit- 
tenhouse,  Owen  Biddle,  Samuel  Morris,  Sen.,  Joseph  Blewer, 
John  Moore,  Frederick  Kuhl,  John  Hubly. 

John  M.  Nesbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  was  directed  to  pay  the 
following  Accounts,  viz : 

Colonel  David  Thomas,  for  incidental  charges  in  march- 
ing his  men  to  this  city  on  their  way  to  Camp  in  New-Jer- 
sey, £4  Os.  9d.;  to  be  charged  to  Congress. 

Jacob  Bakerstce,  £103  Is.  4d.,  for  Cartouch-Boxes, 
&c.,  delivered  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Lancaster  and 
Cumberland  Counties ;  to  be  charged  to  the  Colonels. 

To  pay  an  Account  for  rifling  and  stocking  Guns,  &.C., 
£9  6s. 

Thomas  Cli/ord  $•  Sons,  £15  Is.  Wd.,  for  Sash  Weights 
delivered  to  Mr.  Thomas  Nevill. 

Mr.  John  Hublcy,  £82  7s.  4d.,  Linen  bought  by  him ; 
to  be  charged  to  Mr.  Owen  Biddle. 

Thomas  Miles,  £  12,  for  two  Rifles  for  the  use  of  Captain 
Thomas  Morrison's  Company;  to  be  charged  to  Colonel 
Porter. 

Josiah  Wood,  £30,  for  one  hundred  Pikes  delivered  to 
Mr.  Towers. 

Captain  Nicholas  Dean,  25s.,  for  mending  a  Drum. 

Resolved,  That  William  Farley,  Michael  Purviance, 
Arthur  Canaday,  and  Edward  Reily,  belonging  to  our 
Fleet,  be  allowed  leave  of  absence  from  the  vessels  they 
belong  to  for  four  weeks  from  this  date,  for  the  only  pur- 
pose of  working  at  Mr.  James  Wharton's  Ropewalk,  on 
cordage  for  the  Continental  Frigates;  to  be  at  all  times 
subject  to  Mr.  Wharton's  orders;  and  in  case  of  any  alarm, 
that  they  do  immediately  repair  on  board  of  their  respective 
boats  or  vessels. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  IMiarton  and  Mr.  Biddle  be  appointed 
to  employ  proper  persons  to  bring  the  Coal  from  Virginia, 
contracted  for  by  the  late  Committee  of  Safety. 

An  Order  was  drawn  on  John  M.  Ncsbitt,  Esq.,  Treasurer, 
in  favour  of  Captain  Joseph  Coppcrthwaite,  or  his  order,  for 
£800 ;  to  be  charged  to  his  and  Colonel  Clement  Biddle's 
Account. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


84 


1331 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1332 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Council  of  Safety  for  the  Province 
of  Maryland,  at  the  City  of  Annapolis,  on  Saturday,  the 
6th  day  of  July,  1776: 

Were  present :  The  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Tfwmas  Jenifer, 
Esq.,  Charles  Carroll,  Barrister,  Benjamin  Rumsey,  and 
James  Tilghman,  Esquires. 

The  above  Members  were  qualified  before  Mr.  Allen 
Qrtynn,  by  taking  the  oath  prescribed  by  the  Convention. 

Mr.  Richard  Riilgely,  Assistant  Clerk,  was  qualified  be- 
fore Mr.  Quynn,  by  taking  the  oath  prescribed  by  the  Con- 
vention. 

The  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Esq.,  was  ap- 
pointed President,  and  the  Hon.  Charles  Carroll  Vice- 
President. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  1  was  sent  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Itenry  Ilollingsivorth. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Sunday,  July  7,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Ordered.  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  George  Strieker  45s.  for  the  carriage  of  Powder 
from  Frederick-Town  to  Skipton  District,  in  Frederick 
County. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  2  was  sent  to  Brigadier-General 
Buchanan,  and  copy  of  No.  3  to  Colonel  John  IVeems  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Rezin  Hammond,  respectively. 

The  Council  contracted  with  John  Yost  for  the  making 
of  three  hundred  Muskets,  at  £4  5s.  each,  and  one  hundred 
Rifles,  at  £4  15s.  each,  to  be  delivered  at  the  times  and  in 
the  proportions  expressed  in  his  bond. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  the  said  John  Yost  £150,  common  money,  to  enable  him 
to  comply  with  his  contract. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Rezin 
Beall  £387  5s.  %d,.  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  4  was  sent  to  Captain  James  Hind- 
man  and  Lieutenant  William  Harrison,  respectively,  and 
copy  of  No.  5  to  Captain  Edward  Veazey. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Patrick  Sim  £6  16s.  3d.,  for  sundries  furnished 
his  Company. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  6  was  sent  to  Mr.  Archibald  Bu- 
chanan. 

Council  adjourns  till  to-morrow  morning,  ten  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  8,  177R. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  7  was  sent  to  Mr.  Matthias  Ham- 
mond. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Mr. 
William  Niven  two  bars  of  Steel. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  8  was  sent  to  Mr.  Stephen  Steward. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Dr.  Weiscnthal,  for  the  use  of  John  Hart,  £72,  common 
money,  for  leather  Breeches  for  the  Troops. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  9  was  sent  to  Colonel  Thomas  Dor- 
sey. 

Ordered,  That  Michael  Hart  and  Lawrence  Ket-.nan,  of 
Captain  John  Fulford's  Company  of  Artillery,  be  discharged 
from  the  service  of  this  Colony. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  William  Thomas  £6,  currency,  for  two  Muskets. 

Ordered,  That  half  a  month's  pay  be  advanced  by  the 
Paymaster  to  Colonel  Smallwood's  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Peter  Adams,  £65  4s.  I0d.,  on  account  of  his 
Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  John 
H.  Stone,  £30  2s.  lid.,  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Pa- 
trick Sim  £20  9s.  5d.,  on  account  of  his  Company. 


Ordered,  That  Lieutenant  Nicholas  Button  Moore  be 
empowered  to  hire  any  number  of  men,  not  exceeding  fifty, 
to  assist  in  throwing  up  liitrenchments  for  the  protection  of 
this  City. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Dr.  Charles  F.  Wcisenthal  £35,  for  a  journey  to  Vir- 
ginia, in  consequence  of  a  Resolution  of  Convention  of  May 
last. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  10  was  sent  to  Thomas  Smyth,  Esq.; 
copy  of  Letter  No.  1 1  to  Charles  Rid/rely,  Sen..  John  //(.•>•- 
ton,  and  John  Skinner,  respectively;  No.  12  to  the  Depu- 
ties in  Congress,  and  No.  13  to  Mr.  Alexander. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  render  an  exact 
account  of  all  the  Stores,  of  what  kind  soever,  now  in  the 
Magazine  at  Baltimore-Town. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Oliver  Whidduii  £3  15s.,  currency,  for  stocking  six 
Muskets. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Patrick 
Sim  £34  Is.,  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Dr.  Michael 
Wallace  £31  10s.,  on  account  of  the  Hospital. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  9,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Daniel  Grant,  of  Baltimore-Town,  £3  for  Expresses. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Advertisement  be  inserted 
in  the  Maryland  Gazette: 

"  Wanted  immediately,  for  the  use  of  the  Province,  three 
thousand  four  hundred  Canteens,  Wooden  Bottles,  or  Kegs,  to 
hold  one  quart  each,  three  thousand  four  hundred  Knapsacks 
with  Haversacks,  and  five  hundred  small  iron  Pots,  or  Ket- 
tles, with  bales  to  supply  the  place  of  Camp-Kettles.  Any 
person  or  persons  willing  to  contract  for  supplying  the  same 
are  desired  to  send  their  proposals  to  the  Council  of  Safety 
as  soon  as  possible. 

'•By  order:  R.  RIDGELY,  Clerk." 

Dr.  Richard  Tootell  was  appointed  Surgeon  to  the  Bat- 
talion of  Militia  to  be  stationed  in  the  City  of  Annapolis 
and  Baltimore- Town,  to  supply  the  place  of  Colonel  Small- 
wood's  Battalion  ;  Thomas  Henry  Howard  Surgeon's  Mate 
to  the  said  Battalion. 

Commissions  issued  to  Mr.  Robert  Tyler,  appointed  Colo- 
nel, Thomas  Williams  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Thomas  Snow- 
den  First  Major,  and  John  Macgill  Second  Major  of  the 
Upper  Battalion  of  Militia  in  Prince  George's  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Share  pay 
to  Henry  Gaither  29s.  4rf.,  currency,  for  Thread  for  the  pub- 
lick  service. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Smallwood  furnish  the  Council  of 
Safety  with  a  Roll  of  the  Troops  of  his  Battalion  which 
marched  under  a  Resolve  of  the  last  session  of  the  Convention 
to  Philadelphia;  also,  an  account  of  their  Arms,  Accoutre- 
ments, Camp  Utensils,  and  Baggage. 

That  the  Captains  James  Hindman,  John  Allen  Thomas, 
and  Edward  Veazcy,  do  the  like  with  respect  to  their  Com- 
panies. 

That  Dr.  Michael  Wallace  furnish  the  Council,  as  soon  as 
possible,  with  a  list  of  the  Medicine  he  takes  with  him  for 
the  use  of  Colonel  Smallwood' s  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Barton  Lucas  £37  12s.  9rf.,  on  account  of  his 
Company. 

Ordered,  That  Thomas  Yates  be  appointed  Captain  of 
a  Company  of  Militia  to  be  raised  in  Baltimore  County,  for 
the  Flying-Camp,  in  the  room  of  Captain  Stephcnson.  who 
resigned. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Yates  £69  15s.,  his  First  Lieutenant,  Edward 
Ogleby,  £46  10s.,  Second  Lieutenant,  John  Oglcby,  £46 
10s.,  and  Ensign  Joseph  Lewis  £37  5s. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Charles  Wal- 
lace, Esq.,  Paymaster,  £1,000. 


1333 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1334 


Commissions  issued  to  John  Kidd,  John  Havcock  Beams, 
and  Alexander  lioxburgh,  appointed  First  Lieutenants  in 
Colonel  Smallivood's  Battalion  of  Regular  Forces. 

To  Hatch  Dent,  Benjamin  Chambers,  Henry  Cheiv  Gai- 
ther,  William  Ridgely.  and  Edward  Praul,  appointed  Se- 
cond Lieutenants. 

To  Milker  Muse,  appointed  Third  Lieutenant. 

Arid  to  Walter  Brooks  Coxe,  James  Furnandis,  Peter 
Brown,  John  Gassaway,  and  William  Courts,  appointed 
Ensigns  of  said  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  the  Resolve  of  Convention  regulating  the 
rank  of  Officers  in  the  Flying-Camp  be  immediately  pub- 
lished in  the  Maryland  Gazette,  and  two  hundred  Hand- 
bills of  the  same  printed,  to  be  circulated  through  the  Pro- 
vince. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  10,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Lieutenant  William  Sterctt,  for  the  extra  subsistence  of 
Captain  Samuel  Smith's  Company,  £58  2s.  Id.,  common 
money. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Colonel  William  Smallwood  £500,  on  account  of  the 
Continent. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  Notice  be  given  in  the 
Maryland  Gazette : 

"  Wanted,  immediately,  a  number  of  Labourers.  Per- 
sons applying  to  the  Commander  of  the  Artillery,  at  An- 
napolis, for  that  purpose,  will  meet  with  encouragement. 

"  By  order :  R.  RIDGELV,  Clerk  Ass't." 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  John  Day  Scott  £10  17s.  Wd.,  on  account  of 
his  Company. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Patrick  Sim 
£5  13s.  lid.,  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  14  was  sent  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hollings- 
worth;  copy  of  No.  15  to  Thomas  Smyth,  Thomas  Bed- 
ingfield  Hands,  and  Joseph  Nicholson,  Esqs. ;  copy  of  No. 
16  to  Brigadier-General  Buchanan,  and  Colonels  Thomas 
Dorsey,  Aquila  Hall,  and  William  Buchanan;  copy  of 
No.  17  to  Ediuard  Parker,  of  Cecil  County;  copy  of  No. 
18  to  Mr.  Amos  Garret;  copy  of  No.  19  to  Mr.  Stephen 
Steward;  and  copy  of  No.  20  to  Messrs.  Archer  and  Har- 
ris, of  Harford  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Mr.  Beriah  Maybury  £5  12s.  6d.,  for  Boat  hire,  to 
transport  the  Troops  to  the  Head  of  Elk. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  21  was  sent  to  Mr.  Richard  Dai- 
lam;  copy  of  No.  22  to  Mr.  William  Whctcroft ;  and  copy 
of  No.  23  to  Colonel  Thomas  Dorsey. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Lieutenant  William  Harrison  £200,  currency,  on  ac- 
count of  Captain  Veazey's  Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Robert  Rey- 
nolds, for  the  use  ofJohnAnnis,  21s.  Id.,  for  repairing  the 
Guard-House  in  Annapolis. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  Francis 
Smith  £31  10s.,  for  Leather  Breeches. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday,  July  11,1776. 
Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Bennet  Bussey,  ------  £69  15 

To  First  Lieutenant  Joshua  Mills,  -     -     -       46  10 
To  Second  Lieutenant  Azel  Hitchcock,      -       46  10 
To  Ensign  Aquila  Amos,      -----       37     5 
To  advance  to  their  Recruits. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  24  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Harford  County;  copy  of  Letter  No.  25 
to  Colonel  Josiah  CarvellHall;  copy  of  No.  26  to  Captain 
Edward  Tillard,  and  copy  of  No.  27  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Baltimore  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 


tain William  Brogden  twelve  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  and 
Anns  and  Accoutrements  to  equip  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  James  Brice  detach  a  Sergeant 
and  twelve  Privates  of  his  Company  to  relieve  the  Guard 
at  the  Magazine,  near  Captain  James  Tootell's. 

Ordered,  That  the  Contractors  for  Provisions  furnish 
Rations  for  such  of  Colonel  Josiah  Carvcll  Halts  Battalion 
of  Militia  as  shall  have  passed  inspection,  and  are  at  the 
City  of  Annapolis  and  Baltimore-Town. 

Several  Resolutions  of  the  Associators  of  the  City  of 
Annapolis,  of  this  day,  were  presented  to  the  Council  of 
Safety,  by  a  Committee  for  that  purpose  appointed,  and 
read. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Committee  be  informed  that 
Captain  Fulford  has  received  orders  to  employ  as  many 
men  for  the  protection  of  the  City  as  can,  conveniently 
work  at  the  Intrenchments. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  12,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day, except  Mr.  Rumsey. 

Joseph  Nicholson,  Jun.,  Esq.,  a  Member  of  the  Council, 
attended,  and  was  qualified  before  Mr.  Jenifer,  by  taking 
the  oath  prescribed  by  the  Convention. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Colonel  Thomas  Ewing  £60  on  account  of  Captain 
Daniel  Bowie's  Company,  £40  on  account  of  Captain 
Nathaniel  Ramsey's  Company,  and  £10  on  account  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Francis  Ware. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  28  was  sent  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Henry  Hollingsivorth,  and  copy  of  No.  29  to  Mr.  Elisha 
Winters,  of  Chestertown,  enclosing  the  following  Order: 

"  That  Colonel  Henry  Hollingsworth  deliver  to  Mr. 
Elisha  Winters  four  hundred  Bayonets,  of  different  size 
sockets." 


Copy  of  Letter  No.  30  was  sent  to  Mr.  Jesse 
worth,  and  copy  of  No.  31  to  Mr.  Charles  Ridgely,  Sen. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Lieutenant  Daniel  Jenifer  Adams  £390,  to  purchase 
Clothing  for  Captain  Rezin  BeaWs  Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  James 
Nicholson  £250,  for  the  use  of  Mr.  Jesse  Hollingsworth. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  Daniel  Hughes 
£500,  on  account  of  his  contract  for  Cannon. 

Commission  issued  to  Alexander  F  urnival,  appointed  First 
Lieutenant  of  Captain  Nathaniel  Smith's  Company  of  Ma- 
trosses. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Nathaniel  Smith  £50,  on  account  of  his  Com- 
pany. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  the  Clerk  £20,  for  Expresses,  and  other  purposes. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  Stephen 
Steward  £600,  on  account  of  the  Row-Galleys. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Kilty  and  Mr.  John  Ball 
be  requested  to  examine  into  the  state  and  condition  of  any 
Vessels  which  they  can  learn  on  the  Eastern-Shore  are  for 
sale,  and  report  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  their  opinion  of 
them  respectively,  their  value  and  burden,  what  the  owners 
will  take  for  them,  whether  they  are  fast  sailers,  and  suf- 
ficiently substantial  for  armed  vessels. 

Commission  issued  to  Nicholas  Buxton  Moore,  appointed 
Second  Lieutenant  of  Captain  Nathaniel  Smith's  Company 
of  Matrosses. 

Ordered,  That  Warrants  issue,  agreeable  to  a  recom- 
mendation from  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Baltimore 
County,  to  Philip  Graybill  as  Captain,  John  Lhora  First 
Lieutenant,  Christian  Myers  Second  Lieutenant,  and  Martin 
Stugart  Ensign;  also  to  George  Peter  Kcephart  Captain, 
Samuel  Gerrock  First  Lieutenant,  William  Ritter  Second 
Lieutenant,  and  John  Lindcnbcrger  Ensign,  of  the  two 
Companies  of  Germans  to  be  raised  in  Baltimore  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  the  Officers  of  each  of  the  said  Companies  $860,  for 


1335 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1336 


Bounty  money,  for  their  respective  Companies,  in  the  fol- 
lowing proportion,  to  wit:  To  each  Captain  three  hundred 
dollars,  to  each  Lieutenant  two  hundred  dollars,  and  to  each 
Ensign  one  hundred  and  sixty  dollars. 
Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Saturday,  July  13,  1776. 

Council  met.     Present  as  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  copies  of  the  Letters  received  from  the 
President  of  the  Congress,  of  the  8th  instant,  be  sent  to  the 
several  Committees  of  Observation  in  each  County  and  Dis- 
trict in  this  Province  respectively. 

Ordered,  That  Warrants  issue,  agreeable  to  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Harford 
County,  to  the  following  persons,  to  command  the  Rifle 
Company  to  be  raised  there,  to  wit :  Alexander  Lawson 
Smith  Captain,  James  White  Hall  First  Lieutenant^,  Wil- 
'  Ham  Bradford  Second  Lieutenant,  Josias  C.  Hall  Second 
Lieutenant. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Smith  three  hundred  dollars,  to  the  First  and 
Second  Lieutenant  two  hundred  dollars  each,  and  to  the 
Ensign  one  hundred  and  sixty  dollars,  to  be  advanced  as  a 
Bounty  to  the  said  Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  Captain  John 
Allen  Thomas  £50,  Continental  currency,  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  his  march  to  Philadelphia. 

Ordered,  That  the  Paymaster  advance  to  Captain  Tho- 
mas's Company  half  a  month's  pay. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  32  was  sent  to  the  Deputies  of  this 
Province  in  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Robert  Tyler  march  a  Company 
out  of  his  Battalion  of  Militia,  to  the  City  of  Annapolis,  by 
Tuesday  evening  next,  and  take  care  that  they  come  well 
armed. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Cotenel  Thomas  Ewing  £200,  on  account  of  the  lower 
Battalion  of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp. 

Copies  of  Letter  No.  33,  was  sent  to  the  Committees  of 
Observation  for  St.  Mary's,  Charles,  Culvert,  and  Prince 
George's  Counties. 

Ordered,  That  the  proprietor  of  Poplar-Island  immedi- 
ately remove  from  thence  the  whole  of  the  Stock,  except 
such  part  thereof  as  are  used  for  the  purpose  of  tillage. 

That  the  proprietors  of  Tilghman's,  Sharp's,  Baron,  and 
James  Islands,  and  also  of  the  Islands  from  Hooper's  to 
Cagre's  Straits,  immediately  remove  from  them  all  the 
Stock,  except  such  part  thereof  as  are  used  for  the  purpose 
of  tillage. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  ten  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  15,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  Satur- 
day. 

John  Hall,  Esq.,  a  Member  of  the  Council,  attended, 
and  was  qualified  before  Mr.  Jenifer,  by  taking  the  oath 
prescribed  by  the  Convention. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  34  was  sent  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Alexander  Somerville;  a  copy  of  No.  35  to  Captain  Rezin 
Beall;  a  copy  of  No.  36  to  Brigadier-General  Dent;  and 
copy  of  No.  37  to  Colonel  Richard  Barnes. 

The  Council  contracted  with  William  Jacob,  of  Baltimore- 
Town,  (or  the  making  of  double-seamed  Tents  at  Us.  each, 
and  single-seamed  Tents  at  12s.  each. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Wil- 
liam Jacob  all  the  Tenting  Linen  which  was  delivered  into 
the  Magazine  by  Mr.  Edward  Parker,  of  Cecil  County. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  30  was  sent  to  Captain  John  Allen 
Thomas,  and  copy  of  No.  39  to  Captain  James  Hindman. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  John  Hammond  be  requested  imme- 
diately to  furnish  three  thousand  feet  of  Plank;  and  that  the 
same,  if  oak,  be  two  and  a  half  inches  thick,  if  pine,  three 
inches  thick,  for  the  use  of  the  Province. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Charles  Carroll,  Esq.,  Barrister,  £6  10s.,  for  so  much 


advanced  to  discharge  James  Byn's  Account  against  the 
Province. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Oliver  Whiddon  £5,  for 
a  Rifle. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  40  was  sent  to  Brigadier-General 
Hooper. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain Elisha  Riggs,  for  the  use  of  his  Company,  six  Mus- 
kets, thirty  Gun-Flints,  seventy-two  Cartouch- Boxes,  and 
a  quantity  of  Ammunition,  sufficient  for  his  Company. 

That  the  said  Commissary  deliver  to  Edward  Timmons 
six  Muskets,  to  be  repaired. 

That  the  said  Commissary  deliver  to  George  Gordon 
twelve  Muskets,  to  be  repaired. 

Ordered,  That  the  Contractor  for  Provisions  furnish  such 
of  the  Militia  of  the  Flying-Camp  with  Rations  as  shall  be 
stationed  in  or  march  to  Annapolis. 

The  Council  contract  with  Messrs.  Charles  Ridgely  and 
Howard  for  three  hundred  Kettles,  for  the  prices  and  on  the 
conditions  mentioned  in  an  agreement  of  this  day. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  James  Young's  Company  of  Mi- 
litia for  the  Flying-Camp  march  immediately  to  Baltimore- 
Town. 

Ordered,  That  the  Contractor  for  Provisions  supply  the 
said  Company  with  Rations. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Messrs.  Selby  &f  Howard  £3  11s.  9d.,  for  Bayonet 
Sheaths  furnished  Captain  Sims' s  Company.  Also,  £38 
5s.,  for  Leather  Caps  furnished  Captain  Thomas's  Com- 
pany. 

William  Campbell  was  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  of 
Captain  Fulford's  Company  of  Artillery. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  William  Niven  £10  of  common  money  on  account. 

Ordered,  That  James  Taylor  be  requested  to  go  to  Bal- 
timore-Town and  take  the  dimensions  of  the  Carriages  of 
the  Eighteen-Pounders. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Major  Price  £17  Is.  Id. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Major  Price  £48  8s.  9d., 
being  the  difference  of  pay  directed  to  be  paid  by  a  Reso- 
lution of  Convention  on  the  third  day  of  this  instant. 

That  the  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Clayton  12s.,  the 
amount  of  his  Account. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  Patrick  Burk  34s., 
the  amount  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Price  continue  at  Annapolis  till 
the  further  orders  of  the  Council. 

Ordered,  That  Warrants  issue,  agreeable  to  the  Recom- 
mendation of  the  Committee  of  Frederick  County,  to  the 
following  persons,  to  raise  and  command  the  two  German 
Companies  to  be  raised  there,  to  wit:  William Heiser,  Cap- 
tain; Jacob  Cotz,  First  Lieutenant;  Adam  Smith,  Second 
Lieutenant ;  Paul  Christman,  Ensign.  Henry  Fisher,  Cap- 
tain ;  Charles  Balsall,  First  Lieutenant ;  Michael  Bayer, 
Second  Lieutenant;  Jacob  Crummith,  Ensign. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  each  of  the  said  Captains  three  hundred  dollars,  each 
Lieutenant  two  hundred  dollars,  and  each  Ensign  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  dollars,  for  Bounty  money  for  their  respective 
Companies. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  16,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  John  Hurt  £4  10s.  for  Boat  hire,  in  transporting  Troops 
to  the  Head  of  Elk. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  41  was  sent  to  Captain  Nathaniel 
Smith ;  copy  of  No.  42  to  Colonel  James  Johnson;  and  copy 
of  No.  43  to  the  several  Committees  of  Observation  in  this 
Province. 

The  Hon.  George  Plater,  Esq.,  Member  of  the  Council, 
attended,  and  was  qualified  before  Mr.  Jenifer,  by  taking  the 
oath  prescribed  by  the  Convention. 


1337 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1338 


Ordered,  That  Messrs.  James  Brice,  John  Bullen,  Charles 
Wallace,  William  Wilkins,  Beriah  Maybury,  John  Brice, 
John  Campbell,  Joshua  Fraizer,  and  Allen  Quynn,  or  any 
two  of  them,  be  requested  to  direct  from  time  to  time,  under 
the  Commanding  Officer  for  the  time  being,  at  the  City  of 
Annapolis,  the  labourers  working  on  the  Fortifications  and 
Breastworks  in  the  City  of  Annapolis,  and  to  engage  and 
employ  such  others  as  they  shall  apprehend  necessary,  upon 
sucli  terms  as  they  may  agree. 

Ordered,  That  the  Contractor  for  Provisions  furnish  Cap- 
tain Yales's  Company  of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp  with 
Rations. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Mr.  Cornelius  Garrelson  £4  1 1*.,  for  tipping  seventy- 
eight  Bayonets. 

That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay  to  Mr. 
Thomas  Pryse  £39  12s.  I0d.,  the  amount  of  his  Account. 

Richard  Dorsey  was  appointed  Third  Lieutenant  of  Cap- 
tain Nathaniel  Smith's  Company  of  Matrosses. 

Ordered,  That  the  Matrosses  and  Militia  who  assist  in 
throwing  up  Intrenchments  in  the  City  of  Annapolis,  be 
allowed  an  addition  to  their  pay  of  9d.  per  day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Slores  deliver  to  Isaac 
Hams  half  a  faggot  of  Steel;  also,  eighty-four  Muskets,  to 
be  repaired. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  44  was  sent  to  Benton  Harris,  Esq., 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Worcester 
County,  and  No.  45  to  the  several  Committees  of  Observa- 
tion on  the  Eastern-Shore. 

Ordered,  That  a  Warrant  be  made  out,  agreeable  to  a 
Resolution  of  Convention,  to  Lemuel  Barret,  Esquire,  ap- 
pointed Captain  of  the  Rifle  Company  to  be  raised  in  Fred- 
erick County;  and  that  Warrants  be  made  out,  agreeable  to 
a  recommendation  from  the  Committee  of  Observation  for 
Frederick  County,  to  Ptter  Contee  Hanson,  First  Lieute- 
nant; James  Lingan,  Second  Lieutenant;  and  Richard 
Dorsey,  Third  Lieutenant,  of  said  Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  the  Officers  of  the  said  Company  eight  hundred  and 
sixty  dollars,  in  the  proportions  herein  before  mentioned,  for 
Bounty  for  the  said  Company. 

That  the  Treasurer  of  the  said  Shore  pay  to  William 
Smyly,  for  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Worcester 
County,  £150,  common  money. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Brice  £10  currency; 
the  same  to  be  deducted  out  of  William  Nivens's  Account 
against  the  publick,  for  not  enrolling  agreeable  to  the  Reso- 
lutions of  Convention. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Brice  £10,  on 
account  of  Thomas  Wilson. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  John  Boone 
45s.  8d.,  for  a  Guard  out  of  his  Company  to  watch  the 
motions  of  the  Fowey. 

Mr.  Carroll  has  leave  of  absence. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  James  Tilghman,  Esq.,  £301),  for  the  purchase  of  Fire- 
Arrns,  and  £100  for  the  purchase  of  Blankets;  the  same  to 
be  lodged  with  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Queen 
Ann's  County  for  those  purposes. 

Ordered,  That  the  Company  of  Militia  belonging  to  the 
South-River  Battalion,  now  on  duty  in  the  City  of  Anna- 
polis, be  discharged. 

Copies  of  Letter  No.  46  were  sent  to  the  several  Com- 
mittees of  Observation  for  the  Counties  on  the  Western- 
Shore,  respectively. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  17,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day, except  Mr.  Carroll. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Allen  Quynn  £3  7*.  6d.,  for  six  and  three-quarter  cords 
of  Wood  for  .the  Breastworks  in  the  City  of  Annapolis. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  Daniel  Coulter  46s.,  on 
account  of  the  Hospital. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  47  was  sent  to  Captain  David  Craw- 


ford; copy  of  No.  48  to  Brigadier-General  Dent,  or  the 
Commanding  Officer  in  Saint  Mary's  County;  and  copy  of 
No.  49  to  Mr.  Thomas  Ringgold,  Mr.  Aquila  Brown,  and 
Dr.  Ringgold,  on  Kent  Island. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  George  Plater,  Esq.,  £  14  2s.  8d.,  for  expenses  attending 
his  journey  to  Somerset  County. 

Abraham  Berthand  was  appointed  Third  Lieutenant  of 
Captain  Fulford's  Matrass  Company. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Queen 
Ann's  County  be  requested  immediately  to  provide  Barracks 
on  Kent  Island  for  Captain  Dean's  Company. 

That  Captain  Dean's  Company  of  Flying-Camp  Militia, 
as  soon  as  they  can  be  provided  with  Arms,  march  down  to 
Kent  Island  for  the  protection  thereof. 

That  a  barrel  of  Gunpowder  and  four  hundred  pounds  of 
Lead  be  immediately  sent  over  to  Kent  Island,  to  the  care 
of  Thomas  Ringgold,  Aquila  Brown,  and  Dr.  Ringgold, 
for  the  use  thereof. 

That  Major  Price  detach  a  Guard  to  Kent  Island  with 
the  said  Powder. 

Christopher  Rabreck,  of  Baltimore-Town,  agrees  with 
the  Council  to  supply  the  Province  with  one  thousand  Pri- 
ming-Wires and  Brushes  at  7s.  6d.  per  dozen,  to  be  delivered 
in  two  weeks  from  this  day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Queen 
Ann's  County  be  requested  to  deliver  all  the  publick  Arms 
in  their  possession  to  Captain  Deans. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Thomas  Smyth,  Esq.,  £400,  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
the  carriage  of  warlike  stores  from  Chinkoteque  to  Chester- 
town. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  Samuel  Morris  £4  6s.  4d. 
That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Samuel  Messersmith  £7 
Is.  9d.,  for  mending  Muskets. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  50  was  sent  to  Thomas  Smyth,  Esq., 
and  No.  51  to  Captains  Barnes  and  Elliott,  Kent  Island. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Henry  Hall  be  paid  by  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  £35  14*.  8d.,  to  discharge 
the  pay  of  his  Company  of  Militia. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday,  July  18,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day, except  Mr.  Hall. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  send  from  the 
Magazine  near  Captain  Tootell's,  to  the  City  of  Annapolis, 
four  barrels  of  Gunpowder. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Septimus  Noel  £7  10s.,  for  Boat  hire,  to  transport  the 
Troops  to  Head  of  Elk. 

Ordered,  That  three  Four- Pounders, mounted  on  carriages, 
with  their  necessary  apparatus,  and  a  sufficient  quantity  of 
Powder  and  Ball,  be  sent  down  to  St.  Mary's  County, 
and  that  Major  Price  be  requested  to  provide  the  neces- 
sary carriages  to  transport  the  same  with  all  convenient 
speed. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Mr.  Hugh  Hopewell  £300,  for  the  use  of  the  Command- 
ing Officer  in  St.  Mary's  County,  to  supply  the  Militia  on 
duty  there  with  Provisions. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Dr.  Charles  Troope  £4 
4s.  6d. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  Hugh  Hopewell,  for 
the  use  of  Colonel  Somerville,  £50  currency. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  Taylor  £11  19*. 
2d.,  on  account  of  Gun-Carriages. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  52  was  sent  to  Colonel  Thomas 
Ewing;  copy  of  No.  53  to  the  Commanding  Officer  in  St. 
Mary's  County;  copy  of  No.  54  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Somerville;  copy  of  No.  55  to  Charles  Ridgely,  Sen.;  and 
copy  of  No.  56  to  Captain  Nathaniel  Smith. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  in  St.  Mary's 
County  take  under  his  charge  the  Schooner  lately  taken 
from  the  enemy,  unload  her,  and  put  her  to  what  use  he 


1339 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1340 


may  think  best  for  the  puhlick  service;  likewise  the  Sloop 
which  is  now  aground,  if  it  can  be  done  with  safety. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Josias  Ctnril  Hall  be  requested 
to  command  such  of  the  Officers  in  his  Battalion  who  have 
enrolled  tlie  number  of  men  expressed  in  their  respective 
Warrants,  to  march  with  their  several  divisions  immediately 
to  the  City  of  Annapolis. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Benjamin  Nicholson  be  requested 
immediately  to  deliver  the  Province  Arms  in  his  possession 
to  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Flying-Camp  Militia  at 
Baltimore-Town,  or  his  order. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Richard  Sprigg  £250,  for  a  Schooner. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Price  immediately  proceed  to  St. 
Mary's  County  and  take  the  command  of  the  Regular  Troops 
and  Militia. 

Ordered,  That  all  persons  between  Annapolis  and  St. 
Mary's  County  be  requested  to  give  their  aid  and  assistance 
in  getting  down  the  Cannon,  Ammunition,  &LC.,  to  St. 
George's  Island,  in  the  County  aforesaid. 

Commissions  issued  to  John  Bullcn,  appointed  Captain, 
and  Benjamin  Harwood  First  Lieutenant,  of  an  Indepen- 
dent Company  of  Militia,  in  Anne-Arundel  County. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Bullcn  detach  a  Sergeant  and 
twelve  Men  of  his  Company  to  relieve  the  Guard  at  the 
Magazine,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Captain  James  Tootcll. 

Ordered,  That  tlie  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Samuel  Price  £5  5*.,  for  three  reams  of  Writing  Paper. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  19,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  yesterday, 
except  Mr.  Tilghman. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain Bullen  twelve  Muskets  and  Accoutrements,  with  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  Powder  and  Ball  for  the  same. 

Mr.  Hall  attended. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  William  Wilkins  £300,  to  be  applied  towards  defraying 
the  expense  of  the  Breastworks. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Philip  Merony 
£500,  common  money,  to  be  lodged  with  Messrs.  John 
Hanson,  Jun.,  and  Christopher  Edelen,  for  the  purchase  of 
Fire-Arms. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Philip  Meroney 
£12,  for  two  months'  services  as  Adjutant  to  Colonel  Baker 
Johnson's  Battalion  of  Militia. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  57  was  sent  to  Colonel  Tfwmas 
Dorsey,  and  copy  of  No.  58  to  the  Honourable  John 
Page,  Esquire,  President  of  the  Council  of  the  Colony  of 
Virginia. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Ed- 
ward Timmons  eighteen  Muskets,  to  be  repaired. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Edward  Timmons  22s.,  for  repairing  Arms  for  the 
Militia. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  59  was  sent  to  Doctor  Charles  Fred- 
erick Wcisenthal;  copy  of  No.  60  to  John  West,  Esq., 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  at  Alexandria; 
and  copy  of  No.  61  to  Mr.  Stephen  Steward. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Thomas  immediately  proceed 
with  his  Company  to  St.  Mary's  County,  and  put  himself 
under  the  direction  of  the  Commanding  Officer  there. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  furnish  each 
Non-C.om  missioned  Officer  and  Private  of  Captain  Thomas's 
Company  with  twenty -three  rounds  of  Cartridge  with  Ball. 

Ordered.  That  the  Contractor  of  Provisions  furnish  Cap- 
tain Thomases  Company  with  two  days'  Rations. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to 
George  Gordon  twenty-four  Muskets  to  be  repaired. 

Ordered,  That  the  Defence's  small  tender  convey  Cap- 
tain Thomas's  Company  to  the  mouth  of  Patuxent,  in  St. 
Mary's  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 


to  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Charles  County  £200, 
on  account  of  Captain  Rczin  Bead's  Company. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  62  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Charles  County;  and  copy  of  No.  63  to  the 
Deputies  of  this  Province  in  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Saturday,  July  20,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Patrick  Burk  23s.  9d.,  for  cartage. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  Hodges  £3  15s. 
for  expenses. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissaries  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain James  Ilindman  as  much  Osnaburgs  as  will  make 
Splatterdashes  for  his  Company;  also  some  Cutteau  Knives 
and  Cartridges,  to  fill  his  Cartouch-Boxes. 

Ordered,  That  Isaac  Harris  deliver  the  publick  Arms  in 
his  possession  to  Captain  James  Disney,  to  be  used  by  said 
Disney's  Company  during  their  station  in  Annapolis,  or 
until  the  further  order  of  the  Council. 

That  Isaac  Harris  take  Captain  Disney's  receipt  for  the 
same,  and  return  it  to  be  filed  here. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  George  Gordon  £5  6s.  6d.,  for  repairing  twenty-four 
Muskets. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Man  £  10, 
for  the  rent  of  her  House  for  Barracks. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Kent 
County  deliver  to  the  bearer  thereof,  Richard  Berry,  ten 
swivel  Guns,  also  four  brass  Blunderbusses,  and  all  the 
Muskets  and  Broadswords  belonging  to  the  publick  at  Ches- 
tertoim  that  have  been  brought  up  Indian  River  or  Chinko- 
teaque;  also  all  the  Powder  and  Arms  of  every  kind  im- 
ported in  the  Brig  Friendship,  Captain  Martin  commander. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Lieutenant  Philemon  Warfield,  £22  18*.  2rf.,  on  ac- 
count of  Captain  Henry  Hall's  Militia  Company. 

Ordered,  That  £500  be  lodged  in  the  hands  of  Messrs. 
John  Hanson,  Jun.,  and  Christopher  Edelen,  of  Frederick- 
Town,  for  the  purchasing  Arms,  fee.,  for  the  Flying-Camp; 
and  that  they  be  requested  to  lay  out  and  expend  the  same 
agreeable  to  the  instructions  heretofore  sent  to  the  Commit- 
tee of  Frederick  County  on  that  subject. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  64  was  sent  to  Major  Henry  Shryock. 

Adjourned  to  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  Militia  Companies  now  on 
duty  in  the  City  of  Annapolis,  be  discharged  for  the  pre- 
sent. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Samuel  Harris  £13,  for  transporting  Troops  to  the  Head 

of  Elk. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Oliver  Wheddon  £3  15*. 

for  a  Musket. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Ehsha  Riggs 

£85  Is.  3d.,  to  discharge  the  pay  of  his  Militia  Company. 
That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Joshua  Wilson 

Seloy  £67  16s.  6d.,  to  discharge  the  pay  of  his  Militia  Corn- 
That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Vachel  Gaither 

£23  Os.  8d.,  to  discharge  the  pay  of  his  Militia  Company. 
Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  ten  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  22,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present,  the  same  Members  as  on  Satur- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  the  Clerk  £30,  for  Expresses,  and  other  purposes. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Johnson  £12 
2s.  6d.,  for  making  Tents. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Uenwood  £3< 
for  the  use  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Somerset 

That'  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  George  Woolscy  £406 
15s.  8d.,  for  demurrage  of  the  Brig  Rogers. 


1341 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1342 


Copy  of  Letter  No.  65  was  sent  to  Brigadier-General 
Dent;  copy  of  No.  66  to  Captain  Isaac  Perkins ;  and  copy 
of  No.  67  to  Brigadier-General  Hooper. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  John  Ball  36s., 
for  the  use  of  his  ,House  for  Barracks. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  West  24*.  9d.  for 
three  hundred  and  ninety-six  Flints. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  68  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Kent  County,  and  copy  of  No.  69  to  Mr. 
Thomas  Ringgold,  Mr.  Aquila  Brown,  and  Dr.  Ringgold, 
Kent  Island. 

Denu-ood  Turpin  and  Solomon  Ward  having  been  ordered 
up  under  a  Guard  from  Somerset  County,  by  the  Committee 
of  the  Council  of  Safety,  and  being  brought  before  this 
Board,  and  the  Depositions  taken  against  them  having  been 
read,  and  the  prisoners  heard  in  their  own  defence.;  and 
alleging  they  had  offended  through  ignorance  of  the  true 
state  of  publick  affairs,  and  promising  to  conduct  themselves 
better  for  the  future,  it  was  ordered  and  adjudged,  that  the 
said  Demvood  Turpin  and  Solomon  Ward  be  conducted 
back  again,  under  a  Guard,  to  Somerset  County,  and  remain 
in  custody  until  they  give  bond  in  the  sum  of  £300,  currency, 
each,  with  good  security,  to  be  approved  of  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  Observation  for  said  County,  with  condition  that 
they  do  not  correspond  with  the  enemies  of  American  liberty; 
and  further,  that  they  obey  all  orders  of  the  honourable 
Congress  and  Convention;  and  that  on  giving  bond,  with 
such  security,  and  paying  all  charges,  they  be  severally 
discharged. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Uneas  Campbell,  for  the  use  of  the  Committee 
of  Observation  for  the  Lower  District  of  Frederick  County, 
£300,  common  money. 

Whereas  it  hath  been  represented  to  the  Council  of 
Safety,  by  Physicians  and  others,  that  the  intolerable 
stench  arising  from  Slaughter-Houses,  and  spreading  Green 
Hides  to  dry  in  the  City  of  Annapolis,  may  be  productive  of 
pestilential  disorders,  and  ill  consequence  to  the  Troops,  and 
others  residing  in  the  said  city: 

Therefore,  Ordered,  That  no  Butcher,  or  other  person, 
shall,  after  the  26th  day  of  this  instant,  presume  to  slaughter 
Bullocks,  Muttons,  or  any  kind  of  Meat,  or  put  up  Green 
Hides  to  cure,  within  the  limits  of  said  city,  for  and  during 
the  term  of  three  months  thence  next  ensuing. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  23,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  William  Niven,  for  the  use  of  Mrs.  Priscilla  Pinkney, 
£10  Qs.  3</.,  for  the  use  of  her  House  for  Barracks. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  furnish  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel William  Hyde  with  what  Arms  and  Accou- 
trements may  be  necessary  to  arm  one  Battalion  of  the  Fly- 
ing-Camp. 

Alexander  McGee,  of  Baltimore  County,  having  been 
brought  before  this  Board,  in  consequence  of  a  charge  ex- 
hibited against  him,  and  a  Letter  written  by  the  Committee 
of  Observation  for  Baltimore  County;  and  Mr.  William 
Buchanan  having  been  examined  on  oath,  in  support  of  the 
said  charze.  and  fully  proving  the  same,  and  the  said  Alex- 
ander McGee  having  been  heard  in  his  own  defence,  and 
alleging  nothing  material,  it  is  ordered  and  adjudged,  that 
the  said  Alexander  McGee  be  conducted  back  to  Bnltimorc- 
Town  under  a  Guard,  and  there  remain  in  custody  until  he 
give  bond  in  the  sum  of  £300  currency,  with  good  security, 
to  be  approved  by  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  said 
County,  with  condition  that  he  do  not  in  any  mariner  cor- 
respond with  or  give  intelligence  to  the  enemies  of  America ; 
and  further,  that  he  obey  all  orders  of  the  honourable  Con- 
gress and  Convention;  and  that  on  giving  such  bond  and 
payin<$  all  expenses  of  conveying  him  to  Annapolis  and 
back  again,  he  be  discharged  from  custody. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  70  was  sent  to  John  Yost,  of  George- 
town. 


Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  send  in  a  Wagon 
to  be  procured  for  that  purpose,  to  the  Committee  of  Obser- 
vation for  Skipton  District,  in  Frederick  County,  eight  hun- 
dred pounds  of  Lead,  and  to  the  Committee  of  Observation 
for  the  Middle  District  of  Frederick  County,  eight  barrels  of 
Gunpowder. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  James  Hindman  detach  a  Guard 
with  said  Powder  and  Lead. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Doctor  Charles  Alexander  Warfield  £400,  to  enable  him 
to  carry  on  a  Crude  Nitre  Manufactory. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  Captain  Good  £500,  for  the 
purchase  of  Arms  and  Blankets. 

Ordered,  That  as  soon  as  the  enemy,  which  are  now  in 
Potomack  River,  leave  the  Colony  of  Maryland,  or  there 
appears  to  the  Commanding  Officer  at  St.  George's,  in  St. 
Mary's  County,  no  further  occasion  for  detaining  the  Fifih 
Independent  Company  now  there,  that  Captain  Jo/in  Allen 
Thomas  march  the  said  Company  to  the  northward  and  join 
the  Troops  already  sent  from  hence. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  24,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. Mr.  Rumsey  attended.  . 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  William  Grayble  £100,  to  subsist  his  Company 
of  Germans. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  71  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Skipton  District. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  James  Hindman  £20,  to  defray  the  expense  of 
the  carriage  of  eight  barrels  of  Gunpowder  and  eight  hundred 
pounds  of  Lead  from  Annapolis  to  Frederick  County. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Niven  £26  12* 
Id.,  the  amount  of  his  Account. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Walter  Wright  £3,  for 
six  cords  of  Wood. 

That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Thomas  Yates  £40, 
to  be  accounted  for. 

That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  McFadon  £400,  to 
enable  him  to  carry  on  a  Linen  Manufactory. 

Warrant  issued  to  James  Howard,  appointed  Second  Lieu- 
tenant to  Captain  Daniel  Dorsey's  Company  of  Militia,  in 
the  room  of  John  Lhora,  who  resigned. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday,  July  25,  1776. 

Council  met.    Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yesterday. 
Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern-Shore  pay 
to  Robert  Lloyd  Nichols,  Esq.,  Paymaster  of  the  Regular 
Troops  on  the  Eastern- Shore,  £1000  currency. 

Ordered,  That  no  person  whatever  be  permitted  to  em- 
bark on  board  any  Man-of-War,  Tender,  or  other  Vessel,  in 
order  to  remove  out  of  this  Colony  to  Great  Britain;  and 
that  the  Committees  of  Observation  and  Military  Command- 
ers see  that  this  order  be  strictly  executed  until  the  meeting 
of  the  next  Convention. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Gunby  march  with  his  In- 
dependent Company  to  Cambridge,  in  Dorchester  County, 
and  be  stationed  there  according  to  the  directions  of  the 
Committee  of  Observation  for  said  County. 

Also,  further  Ordered,  That  Captain  Thomas  Woolford 
march  with  his  Independent  Company  to  Princess  Ann,  in 
Somerset  County,  and  be  stationed  there  according  to  the 
directions  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  said  County. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  72  was  sent  to  Brigadier-General 
Johnson;  copy  of  No.  73  to  Major  Price;  copies  of  No.  74 
to  the  Committees  of  Dorchester  and  Somerset  Counties,  re- 
spectively; copy  of  No.  75  to  the  Hon.  Matthew  Tilghrnan, 
Esq.;  and  copy  of  No.  76  to  Colonel  Richard  Barnes. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Mr.  Samuel  Barber  £12,  for  two  months'  service  as  Ad- 
jutant to  Colonel  John  Hall's  Battalion  of  Militia. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mount  joy  Bailey  £18  for 
three  months'  services  as  Adjutant  to  Colonel  Murdock's 
Battalion. 


1343 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1344 


That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Vincent  Price  £12  for 
two  months'  services  as  Adjutant  to  Colonel  Richardson's 
Battalion. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Oliver  Whiddon  £3  15s. 
for  a  Musket  and  Bayonet. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Wil- 
liam Johnson  fifteen  pieces  of  Cruder,  to  be  made  into  Tents. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  the  Trustees,  for  building  the  new  Church  in  the  City  of 
Annapolis,  £42  2s.  6d.,  for  Plank. 

Ordered,  That  the  Soldiers  in  this  Colony  who  may  work 
at  the  Intrenchments  in  the  City  of  Annapolis  be  allowed 
the  additional  pay  of  14d.  per  day. 

Warrant  issued  to  Mr.  Thomas  Beall,  appointed  Captain 
of  the  Rifle  Company  to  be  raised  in  Frederick  County ,  in 
the  room  of  Lemuel  Barrett,  who  has  never  acted  agreeable 
to  his  warrant. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  26,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Baltimore  County 
£  1 ,000  currency,  for  the  purchase  of  Arms  and  Blankets. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Hindman  detach  one  Sergeant 
and  twelve  Men  to  relieve  the  Guard  at  the  Magazine  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Captain  James  Tootell. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Richard  Willis  45s. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  Royston  £4  10s.  6d. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Thomas  Delahay  £3  15s. 

That  the  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  James  Hindman  £  1 00, 
Continental  money. 

The  Rev.  John  Scott  having  appeared  before  the  Council, 
agreeable  to  his  Recognizance  entered  into  before  George 
Plater  and  John  Hall,  Esq.,  in  Somerset  County, 

The  Memorial  ofJosiah  Polke,  Esq.,  of  the  County  afore- 
said, against  the  said  John  Scott,  together  with  sundry  Depo- 
sitions taken  at  the  request  of  each  party,  were  read,  and 
the  allegations  of  both  of  them  heard;  and  thereupon,  the 
Council  taking  the  same  into  consideration, 

Ordered,  That  the  Reverend  John  Scott  repair  to  Kent 
County,  on  the  Eastern-Shore  of  this  Colony,  and  there 
remain  until  the  next  Convention,  and  that  he  have  posses- 
sion of  the  Sloop  Liberty,  purchased  by  him  of  Peter  Hub- 
bert,  for  the  purpose  of  recovering  his  family  and  effects,  if 
he  think  proper. 

And  further  Ordered,  That  he  appear  at  the  next  Con- 
vention to  be  held  at  the  City  of  Annapolis,  there  to  answer 
such  matters  as  may  be  objected  against  him,  and  that  he 
give  security  in  the  sum  of  £500  currency  to  pay  due  obe- 
dience to  this  order:  And  further,  that  he  be  permitted  to 
pass  through  Talbot  County  to  take  his  family  from  thence, 
and  that  he  repair  to  Chestertown  in  eight  days  from  this 
time. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  78  was  sent  to  the  Deputies  in  Con- 
gress ;  copy  of  No.  79  to  Josias  Beall,  Esq.;  copy  of  No. 
80  to  John  Hanson,  Jun.,  Esq.;  copy  of  No.  81  to  James 
Tilghman,  Esq.;  and  copy  of  No.  82  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Baltimore  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern-Shore  pay 
to  Colonel  William  Richardson  £300  currency,  to  be  lodged 
with  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Caroline  County,  for 
the  purchase  of  Arms  and  Blankets. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Saturday,  July  27,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Dr.  Thomas  Bowk  £28  6s.  8d.,  the  amount  of  his  Ac- 
count for  Medicine. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  David  Russell  13s.  6d. 
for  carting. 

That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern-Shore  pay  to  James 
Murray,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Observation 
for  Dorchester  County,  £100  currency,  for  the  purchase  of 
Arms  and  Blankets. 


Ordered,  That  the  Petition  of  Andrew  Beall  and  Wil- 
liam Hamilton,  of  Prince  George's  County,  be  taken  into 
consideration  on  Monday,  the  5th  of  August  next,  and  that 
a  copy  of  the  above  order  be  sent  to  each  party. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  83  was  sent  to  Mr.  Richard  Dallam; 
copy  of  No.  84  to  Messrs.  Gordon  and  Patten,  of  Baltimore- 
Town;  and  copy  of  No.  85  to  Mr.  Gerard  Hopkins,  son  of 
Richard. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Mr.  Gerard  Hopkins,  son  of  Richard,  £50,  to  be  ac- 
counted for. 

Ordered,  That  Commissions  issue  to  the  following  per- 
sons, appointed  Officers  of  Militia  Companies  in  Skipton 
District,  in  Frederick  County,  to  wit:  Daniel  Cresap,  Cap- 
tain; Samuel Hobbs,  First  Lieutenant;  John  Hench,  Second 
Lieutenant;  Jacob  Hagle,  Ensign.  Andrew  Hynes,  Cap- 
tain ;  Isaac  Mekrakin,  First  Lieutenant ;  Ezekiel  Cox,  Se- 
cond*Lieutenant;  Robert  Floory,  Ensign.  Charles  Clinton, 
Captain ;  Dickinson  Simkins,  First  Lieutenant ;  John  House, 
Second  Lieutenant;  John  Hays,  Ensign. 

And  to  the  following  persons  in  Caroline  County,  to  wit: 
John  Thomas,  Captain ;  John  Gardiner,  First  Lieutenant ; 
Henry  Lyon,  Second  Lieutenant;  Richard  Estep,  Ensign. 
Richard  B.  Mitchell,  Captain;  Peter  Fernandis,  First  Lieu- 
tenant; William  Barnes,  Second  Lieutenant;  Charles  Gar- 
diner, Ensign. 

Caleb  Jones  appearing  before  this  Board,  in  consequence 
of  a  charge  exhibited  against  him  before  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Somerset  County,  and  of  the  security  there 
given  for  his  appearance,  and  the  said  Committee  not  having 
transmitted  the  proofs  on  which  said  charge  was  founded, 

Ordered,  That  said  Caleb  Jones  recognize  in  the  sum  of 
£1,000  currency  for  his  appearance  before  the  Council  of 
Safety  on  Friday,  the  16th  day  of  August  next.  Which 
recognizance  was  accordingly  taken. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay  to 
Captain  Bennet  Bussey  £  10  on  account  of  his  Company. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  Isaac  Griest  £50 
for  the  purchase  of  Camp  Utensils  for  Colonel  Josias  C. 
Hall's  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Mr. 
Griest  ninety-two  Iron  Pots,  seven  Frying  Pans,  three  Iron 
Kettles,  four  Skillets,  and  sixty  Wooden  Dishes. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Mr.  George  Weltz  £500,  to  be  lodged  with  the  Com- 
mittee of  Observation  for  the  Upper  District  of  Frederick 
County,  for  the  purchase  of  Arms  and  Blankets. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  ten  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  29,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  Satur- 
day, except  Mr.  Plater. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
Captain  Peter  Mantz  £28  15s.  on  account  of  his  Com- 
pany. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Henry  Massey  Hanson 
£150,  for  the  use  of  Colonel  Josias  Hawkins. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  86  was  sent  to  Brigadier-General 
Dent ;  copy  of  Letter  No.  87  to  the  Deputies  of  this  Pro- 
vince in  Congress ;  copy  of  No.  88  to  Colonel  Alexander 
Somcrville;  copy  of  No.  89  to  Colonel  James  Kent;  and 
copy  of  No.  90  to  Colonel  George  Dashiell. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Nathan  Smith  send  to  the  City 
of  Annapolis,  in  the  Ship  Defence,  five  Eighteen-Pounders 
mounted  on  carriages,  and  all  the  Eighteen  and  Nineleen- 
Pounders  not  mounted. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  David  Kecr  £10  2s.  6d.,  for  Vinegar  for  the  Hospital. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  James  Nicholson 
£764,  on  account  of  the  Ship  Defence. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Messrs.  John  Hanson, 
Jun.,  and. Christopher  Edclcn,  for  the  purchase  of  Arms 
and  Blankets,  £400. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Howard  £4,  for 
a  Musket. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Walter  Alexan- 
der £500,  to  be  lodged  with  the  Committee  of  Observation 
for  Cecil  County,  for  the  purchase  of  Arms  and  Blankets. 


1345 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1346 


That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Michael  Coxhcndcrfer, 
of  Frederick  County,  £300,  to  enable  him  to  carry  on  a 
Stocking  Manufactory. 

That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern-Shore  pay  to  Levi 
Hitch  £750,  for  the  use  of  Colonel  George  Dashiell. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Brooke  march  such  of  his 
Company  as  are  already  raised  to  Drum  Point,  in  Culvert 
County. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  30,  177fi. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Edward  Burgess  £400,  for  the  purchase  of 
Arms  and  Blankets. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Messrs.  Charles  Ridgely 
and  Howard  £100,  on  account  of  their  contract. 

Ordered,  That  John  Yost  deliver  to  Captain  Edward 
Burgess  all  the  Muskets  he  has  made  for  the  publick. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  91  was  sent  to  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Henry  Hollingsworth ;  copy  of  No.  92  to  Archibald  Bu- 
chanan; copy  of  No.  93  to  Mr.  Jacob  Schley;  copy  of  No. 
94  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  Gunlock  Manufactory,  in 
Frederick-Town;  copy  of  No.  95  to  Major  Thomas  Price ; 
and  copy  of  No.  96  to  Brigadier-General  Chamberlaine. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  at  the  City  of 
Annapolis  be  requested  to  take  into  his  custody  the  body  of 
William  Warren  Clayten,  and  him  safely  bring  immediately 
before  the  Council.  * 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Peter  Mantz  immediately  march 
to  Leonard-Town,  in  St.  Mary's  County,  and  be  stationed 
in  that  County,  to  supply  the  place  of  Captain  John  Allen 
Thomas's  Company,  who  are  to  march  to  the  northward. 

Also  Ordered,  That  he  take  such  station  in  said  County 
as  may  be  directed  by  Major  Thomas  Price,  or  in  his  ab- 
sence by  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  said  County. 

And  further  Ordered,  That  the  said  Captain  Mantz  and 
his  Company  be  furnished  with  Rations  by  the  Contractor 
at  the  publick  expense,  and  that  he  remain  in  St.  Mary's 
County  until  the  further  order  of  this  Board. 

Commission  issued  to  Charles  Greenbury  Griffith,  ap- 
pointed Colonel  of  the  Battalion  of  Militia  to  be  raised  in 
Frederick  County  for  the  Flying-Camp,  in  the  room  of 
Otho  Holland  Williams,  who  resigned. 

Commissions  issued  to  the  following  persons,  to  command 
a  Company  for  the  Flying-Camp,  to  wit: 

Belain  Posey,  Captain,  dated  July  5,  1776. 

Henry  Boarman,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  16,  1776. 

John  Forbes,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  17,  1776. 

Gerard  Fowke,  Ensign,  dated  July  27,  1776. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  John 
Dean  thirty -one  Cartouch-Boxes,  sixty  Gun-Slings,  fourteen 
Iron  Pots  or  Kettles,  one  bolt  of  Osnaburg,  and  one  quire 
of  Cartridge-Paper. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  the  Clerk  £20,  for  Expenses. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  98  was  sent  to  Mr.  Isaac  Griest. 
Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  31,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  99  was  sent  to  Major  Thomas  Price; 
copy  of  No.  100  to  Thomas  Jones,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Observation  for  Northumberland  County,  Vir- 
ginia; and  copy  of  No.  101  to  Captain  Thomas  Conway. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  at  the  City  of 
Annapolis  be  requested  to  take  into  his  custody  the  bodies 
of  William  Ycldel  and  a  servant  man  at  Whitehall,  a  Cooper 
by  trade,  and  them  safely  bring  before  the  Council. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Robert  Collett  30*.,  for  painting  Gun-Carriages. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  102  sent  to  Mr.  Joshua  Gilpin,  and 
copy  of  No.  103  to  Mr.  Alexander  McFadon. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western- Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Peter  Mantz  £50,  to  be  accounted  for. 

That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Gordon  and  Matthew 
Patten  £400,  on  account  of  their  contract. 

The  Council  contracted  with  John  Gordon  and  Matthew 
Patten  for  the  making  two  thousand  six  hundred  Knapsacks 
and  Haversacks,  on  the  terms  specified  in  an  agreement  of 
this  day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Schooner 
Resolution  immediately  proceed  to  Indian  Landing  with 
the  Powder  in  her,  and  there  land  the  same. 

That  Captain  James  Tootell  be  requested  to  receive  at 
Indian  Landing,  from  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Schoo- 
ner Resolution,  fifty  barrels  and  nine  half-barrels  of  Gun- 
powder, and  procure  Carts  at  the  publick  expense  to  convey 
the  same  to  the  Magazine,  near  his  house. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday,  August  1,  1776. 

Council  met.    Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yesterday. 
Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Joseph  Nicholson,  Jun.,  Esq.,  £16  16*.,  for  twenty-four 
days'  attendance  as  a  Member  of  the  Council. 

Commissions  issued  to  the  following  Officers  of  Compa- 
nies belonging  to  Colonel  James  Kent's  Battalion  of  Militia 
for  the  Flying-Camp,  to  wit: 

Isaac  Perkins,  Captain,  dated  July  5. 

Abraham  Falconer,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  5. 

Jesse  Cossen,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  4. 

James  Henry,  Ensign,  dated  July  11,  1776. 

Greenbury  Goldsborough,  Captain,  dated  July  19. 
Woolman  Gibson,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  27. 
John  Thomas,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  27. 
Perry  Benson,  Ensign,  dated  July  27. 

Joshua  George,  Captain,  dated  July  23. 
William  Veazey,  third,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  16. 
John  Stockton,  Jun.,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  20. 
Richard  Bird,  Ensign,  dated  July  29. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  104  was  sent  to  Captain  George 
Woolsey. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain Peter  Mantz  twenty-five  pounds  of  Powder,  and  Lead 
in  proportion;  also  three  Cartouch-Boxes. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  John  Hall,  Esq.,  £16  2*.  6d.,  the  amount  of  his  Account 
for  expenses  incurred  in  Somerset  County,  and  £17  10s.,  for 
twenty-five  days'  attendance  as  a  Member  of  the  Council, 
to  this  day  inclusive. 

That  the  Treasurer  aforesaid  pay  to  Walter  Wright  £3, 
for  guarding  six  men  from  Cambridge  to  Annapolis. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Ser- 
geant Chalmers  two  barrels  of  Musket  Powder,  for  the 
Committee  of  Observation  for  Dorchester  County. 

Council  contracted  with  Mr.  Archibald  Buchanan  for  the 
making  two  Row-Galleys  on  the  like  terms  of  the  contract 
with  Messrs.  Galloivay  and  Stewart. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Friday,  August  2,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day, except  Mr.  Nicholson. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  305  was  sent  to  Brigadier-General 
Hooper;  copy  of  No.  106  to  Committee  of  Observation  for 
Dorchester  County;  and  copy  of  No.  107  to  the  Deputies 
of  this  Province  in  Congress. 

The  Council  appointed  Christopher  Richmond,  Esquire* 
Paymaster  to  Colonel  Smalhvood's  Battalion  of  Regular 
Troops. 

Ordered,  That  the.  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Benjamin  Ogle,  Esq.,  £25  5*.,  for  one  thousand  and  ten 
pounds  of  Lead. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Grace  £22  9*.,  for 
the  carriage  of  Powder  and  Arms  from  Philadelphia  to  the 
Magazine  near  Captain  Tootelfs. 

Commissions  issued  to  the  following  Officers  of  a  Com- 
pany in  Kent  County,  belonging  to  the  Eastern-Shore  Bat- 
talion of  Militia,  for  the  Flying-Camp,  to  wit: 


85 


1347 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1348 


Thomas  Smyth,  Jun.,  Captain,  dated  July  9,  1776. 

James  If'illiamson,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  10,  1776. 

Nathaniel  Rinnard,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  20,  1776. 

Josiah  Johnson,  Ensign,  dated  July  22,  1776. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  108  was  sent  to  Brigadier-General 
Dent. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Messrs.  Jenifer  fy  Ilooe  £500,  common  money. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Saturday,  Auguat  3,  1776. 
Council  met.    Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yesterday. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  109  was  sent  to  Thomas  Smyth  and 
Thomas  Ringgold,  Esqs.,  and  copy  of  No.  1 10  to  Mr. 
George  Scott. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Thomas  Smyth  £350,  for  the  purchase  of  Mus- 
kets, and  £150  for  the  purchase  of  Blankets,  to  be  expended 
for  those  purposes  by  the  Committee  of  Observation  for 
Kent  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain Thomas  Smyth  twenty  pieces  of  Cruder,  400  Cartouch- 
Boxes  and  Slings,  688  Bayonet-Belts,  and  688  Gun- 
Slings. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Francis  Sanderson  deliver  to  Captain 
Thomas  Smyth  thirty  Camp-Kettles. 

William  Bartlett  Townscnd  was  brought  before  the  Coun- 
cil, and  the  Depositions  transmitted  thither  by  the  Commit- 
tee of  Observation  for  Worcester  County,  as  well  as  sundry 
Depositions  produced  by  said  Townsend,  were  read;  and, 
after  consideration  of  the  same, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  William  Bartlett  Townscnd  be 
committed  to  the  custody  of  a  Guard  until  the  next  Con- 
vention shall  take  order  in  the  premises. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  James  Tootell  be  requested  to 
send  to  the  City  of  Annapolis  the  fifty-four  Muskets  re- 
ceived from  Philadelphia  into  the  Magazine  near  his  house 
on  Thursday,  the  1st  instant. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  George  Gordon  40*.,  for  repairing  Fire-Arms. 

Ordered,  That  Francis  Sanderson  deliver  to  Colonel 
Thomas  Eiving  thirty  Camp-Kettles  for  the  use  of  Captain 
Posey's  and  Captain  Lowe's  Companies  of  Militia  for  the 
Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Col- 
onel Thomas  Ewing  one  hundred  and  seventy-two  Haver- 
sacks for  said  Companies. 

That  Mr.  Isaac  Griest  deliver  to  Colonel  Ewing  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-two  wooden  Bottles  for  said  Companies. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Thomas  Ewing  march  his  Bat- 
talion in  detachments  or  Companies,  as  they  shall  be  armed 
and  accoutred,  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  subject  to  the 
orders  of  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Captain  Alexander  H.  Magruder  £300,  for  the  purchase 
of  Arms. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Observation  of  Balti- 
more County  deliver  to  Colonel  Ewing  eighty-four  Muskets, 
out  of  those  collected  by  them  for  the  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  each 
Captain  of  Colonel  Eu-ing's  Battalion,  when  ready  to  march, 
ten  pounds  of  Powder,  and  Ball  in  proportion. 

Basil  Clarkson,  Joseph  Wheland,  John  Evans,  and  Ro- 
bert Howith,  were  brought  before  the  Council,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  charge  exhibited  against  them  by  the  Commit- 
tee of  Observation  for  Dorchester  County,  and  the  several 
Depositions  transmitted  by  the  said  Committee  to  this  Board 
were  read,  and  the  said  prisoners  heard. 

Thereupon,  it  is  Ordered,  That  the  said  Basil  Clarkson, 
Joseph  Wheland,  John  Evans,  and  Robert  Howith,  be  com- 
mitted to  the  Jail  of  this  County,  under  a  Guard,  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  Colonel  Josias  Carvel  Hall,  till  the  further  order 
of  this  Board,  or  until  the  next  Convention  shall  take  order 
in  the  premises. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Mr.  John  Bullen  £110,  for  two  Horses  and  a  Team. 


That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  Frederick  Green 
£600,  for  printing  Bills  of  Credit. 

Adjourned  till  Monday,  5th  August,  1776. 

Monday,  August  5,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present,  the  same  Members  as  on  Satur- 
day. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  Ill  was  sent  to  Jesse  Hollingsioorth; 
copy  of  Letter  No.  112  to  Messrs.  Vanbibber  fy  Harrison; 
and  copy  of  No.  113  to  Captain  James  Tootell. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Iffilliam  Stone  £312,  for  Cannon. 

That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Hugh  Hopewell  £8,  for  ex- 
penses. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Lieutenant  George  Dent, 
for  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Charles  County,  for 
the  purchase  of  Arms.  £200. 

Commissions  issued  to  the  Officers  of  Colonel  HaWs  Bat- 
talion of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp,  dated  as  follows : 

John  Disney,  Captain,  dated  July  13. 

Henry  Ridgely,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  13. 

Jonathan  Sellman,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  13. 

Edward  Spurrier,  Ensign,  dated  July  13. 

John  E.  Howard,  Captain,  dated  July  16. 
Thomas  Lansdale,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  6. 
William  Riley,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  24. 
Robert  Morrow,  Ensign,  dated  July  12. 
Zachariah  Maccubbin,  Captain,  dated  July  20. 
John  Christie,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  24. 
Thomas  Lingan,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  5. 
William  Wilmot,  Ensign,  dated  August  5. 

Bennct  Bussey,  Captain,  dated  July  20. 
Jos'a  Mills,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  26. 
Azel  Hitchcock,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  24. 
Aq.  Amos,  Ensign,  dated  July  19. 
Aquila  Paca,  Captain,  dated  July  24. 
J.  B.  Hall,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  August  5. 
Michael  Gilbert,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  5. 
John  Patterson,  Ensign,  dated  August  5. 

Daniel  Dorsey,  Captain. 
Joseph  Burgess,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  6. 
Joseph  Howard,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  5. 
Michael  Burgess,  Ensign,  dated  July  23. 

Edward  Norwood,  Captain,  dated  August  5. 
Samuel  Goodman,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  15. 
J.  W.  Dorsey,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  18. 
Richard  Talbott,  Ensign,  dated  July  12. 

Thomas  Hammond,  Captain,  dated  August  5. 
Thomas  Mayo,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  August  26. 
Jos'a  Meriken,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  5. 
Andrew  Hammond,  Ensign,  dated  August  5. 

Thomas  Yates,  Captain,  dated  July  19. 
Edward  Oldham,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  20. 
James  Ogleby,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  5. 
Joseph  Lewis,  Ensign,  dated  July  26. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Yatcs  rank  as  youngest  Captain 
of  the  said  Battalion. 

Commissions  issued  to  John  Hawkins,  First  Lieutenant, 
John  Nevile,  Second  Lieutenant,  and  Samuel  Earle,  Ensign, 
of  Captain  Dean's  Company  of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp, 
dated  as  follows:  First  Lieutenant,  July  7,  Second  Lieuten- 
ant, July  18,  Ensign,  July  16. 

Also,  to  the  following  Officers  of  Colonel  Swing's  Bat- 
talion : 

James  Young,  Captain,  dated  July  7;  James  Bond,  1st 
Lieutenant,  dated  July  12;  John  Smith,  2d  Lieutenant, 
dated  July  15;  James  Took,  Ensign,  dated  July  5. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  August  6,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Commissions  issued  to  the  following  Officers  of  a  Com- 
pany of  Militia,  for  the  Flying-Camp,  of  Colonel  Charles 
Greenbury  Griffith's  Battalion : 

Jacob  Good,  Captain,  dated  July  4. 

John  B.  Thompson,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  15. 


1349 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1350 


John  Ghiselin,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  15. 
John  Smith,  Ensign,  dated  July  15. 
And  to  the  following  Officers  of  a  Company  belonging 
to  the  Eastern-Shore  Battalion  : 

Walter  Alexander,  Captain,  dated  July  24. 
Andrew  Porter,  1st  Lieutenant. 
Harman  Anant,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  3. 
George  Hamilton,  Ensign,  dated  July  25. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Mr. 
Samuel  Earle  one  bolt  of  Osnaburghs,  for  Captain  Dean's 
Company. 

That  the  same  Commissary  deliver  to  Doctor  Richard 
Tootell,  a  quantity  of  Brown  Rolls  sufficient  to  make  twenty 
Beds  for  the  Hospital. 

Ordered,  That  William  Jacob,  of  Baltimore-Town,  de- 
liver to  Samuel  Dorsey  one  Tent  with  polls,  completely 
finished. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  James  Taylor  £4  5s.,  for  a  Musket. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Robert  Wood,  of  Frede- 
rick County,  £300,  to  enable  him  to  erect  a  Slitting  Mill. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Young,  Captain  Howard,  Cap- 
tain Bussey,  and  Captain  Yates,  immediately  march  their 
Companies  to  Baltimore-Town,  the  three  last  to  be  station- 
ed there  as  part  of  Colonel  Josias  Carvil  Plall's  Battalion,  and 
Captain  Young  to  be  subject  to  the  order  of  Colonel  Ewing. 

That  Captain  Good's  Company  proceed  immediately  up 
the  Bay  to  the  Head  of  Elk,  and  from  thence  to  the  City  of 
Philadelphia,  to  join  the  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Armstrong  deliver  to  Henry 
Carey  the  effects  belonging  to  said  Carey  in  his  possession, 
that  he  may  have  an  opportunity  of  making  sale  thereof,  and 
that  the  Schooner,  together  with  the  boy,  be  retained,  sub- 
ject to  the  further  order  of  this  Board ;  and  that  the  said 
Carey  return  thither  to  receive  the  same. 

The  Council  contract  with  Samuel  Dorsey,  of  Elkridge, 
for  the  making  of  Tents,  double  seamed,  at  17s.  each,  and 
single  Tents  at  12s.  each. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to 
Samuel  Dorsey  thirty  pieces  of  Cruder  and  two  pounds  of 
Thread,  to  be  made  into  Tents. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  114  was  sent  to  Edward  Parker, 
and  copy  of  No.  1 15  to  Messrs.  Archer  fy  Harris. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly.  Mr. 
Carroll  attended. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Benjamin  Ramsey,  Esq.,  £17  10*.,  for  twenty-five  days' 
attendance  as  a  Member  of  the  Council. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  Zachariah  Gaither  £6,  for 
two  Muskets. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  Josias  Carvil 
Hall  £,  1,125,  to  provide  necessaries  for  his  Battalion;  the 
same  to  be  deducted  out  of  their  pay. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Young  £125, 
on  account  of  his  Company. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Wilkins  £300, 
on  account  of  the  Fortifications. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Jacob  Good  £75, 
on  account  of  his  Company. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Henry  Ovelman  £15,  for 
Wagonage. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  116  was  sent  to  Colonel  Ewing,  and 
copy  of  No.  1 17  to  Mr.  Isaac  Griest. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Jacob 
Good  ten  pounds  of  Powder,  and  Ball  in  proportion. 

Ordered,  That  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hyde  have  Arms  de- 
livered him  by  said  Commissary,  for  the  three  Companies 
to  be  retained  at  Baltimore-Town,  in  proportion  to  what 
may  be  left  for  the  remaining  six  Companies. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hyde  £150,  on  account. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  August  7,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day, except  Mr.  Ramsey. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 


to  Charles  Wallace,  Esq.,  Paymaster,  half  a  month's  pay, 
Continental  currency,  for  Captain  John  Allen  Thomas't 
Company. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Thomas  £41 
3s.  Id.,  the  amount  of  his  Account  filed. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Major  Thomas  Price  £54 
4s.  6d. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Joseph  Hobbs,  Jun.,  £3 
10s.,  for  a  Musket. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Henry  Griffith  £9  10*., 
for  fourteen  Muskets. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  Charles  Green- 
bury  Griffith  £600,  to  answer  contingent  expenses  in  march- 
ing his  Battalion  to  Philadelphia. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  1 1 8  was  sent  to  the  Deputies  of  this 
Province  in  Congress;  copy  of  No.  119  to  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Henry  Hollingsworth ;  copy  of  No.  120  to  Captain 
John  Brook;  copy  of  No.  121  to  the  Deputies  in  Congress; 
copy  of  No.  122  to  Captain  James  Nicholson;  copy  of  No. 

123  to  Messrs. •  Samuel  and  Daniel  Hughes ;  copy  of  No. 

124  to  Captain   Edward   Tillard;  copy  of   No.  125  to 
George  Scott,  Esq.;  and  copy  of  No.  126  to  Mr.  Nicoh, 
Talbot  County. 

The  Council  appointed  Henry  Shryock  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel of  the  Frederick  Battalion  of  Militia  for  the  Flying- 
Camp. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Charles  Greenbury  Griffith  march 
his  Battalion,  in  detachments -or  companies,  as  they  shall  be 
armed  and  accoutred,  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  subject 
to  the  orders  of  Congress. 

Commissions  issued  to  the  following  Officers  of  Compa- 
nies in  Colonel  Griffith's  Battalion  : 

John  Reynolds,  Captain,  dated  July  18. 

Moses  Chapline,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  24. 

Christopher  Orndorf,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  20. 

Nathan  Williams,  Ensign,  dated  July  22. 

Henry  Hardman,  Captain,  dated  July  19. 
Daniel  Shell,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  19. 
Jonathan  Morris,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  19. 
John  Rench,  Ensign,  dated  July  19. 

Philip  Meroney,  Captain,  dated 

Elisha  Beall,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  27. 

John  Hellen,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  20. 

William  Beatty,  Jun.,  Ensign,  dated  July  10. 

And  the  following  Officers  of  a  Company  in  the  Eastern- 
Shore  Battalion  of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp: 

John  Darnes,  Captain,  dated  July  12. 

Thomas  Lane  Emory,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  23. 

Samuel  W.  Thomas,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  July  23. 

John  Jackson,  Ensign,  dated  July  23. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain Jacob  Good  one  Rifle. 

That  the  said  Commissary  deliver  to  Captain  Thomas 
18  Camp-Kettles  and  104  Canteens. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Commissary  deliver  to  Colonel 
Griffith  588  Knapsacks  and  Haversacks,  110  Camp-Ket- 
tles, 105  Tents,  678  Priming-Wires  with  Brushes,  658 
Canteens,  50  pounds  Gunpowder  and  Lead  in  proportion, 
100  Gun-Flints,  and  as  many  Cartouch-Boxes,  with  Slings, 
Bayonet-Belts,  and  Gun-Slings,  not  exceeding  588  of  each, 
as  may  be  necessary  for  his  Corps. 

Ordered,  That  William  Jacob  and  William  Johnson,  of 
Baltimore-Town,  or  either  of  them,  deliver  to  Captain  Tho- 
mas eighteen  Tents. 

The  Council  appointed  Samuel  Griffith  Quartermaster, 
and  Mountjoy  Bailey  Adjutant,  to  Colonel  Griffith's  Bat- 
talion. 

Commissions  issued  to  John  Davidson  appointed  First 
Lieutenant,  Henry  Neale  Second  Lieutenant,  and  Robert 
Chesley  Third  Lieutenant,  of  Captain  Thomas's  Independent 
Company  of  Regular  Troops. 

Ordered,  That  Lieutenant  William  Campbell  deliver  to 
Captain  Thomas  the  Rifle  in  his  possession  belonging  to  the 
publick. 

William  Warren  Clayten  having  been  called  before  the 
Council  and  examined, 

Ordered,  That  he  recognize  in  the  sum  of  £150,  cur- 
rency, for  his  good  behaviour,  and  conforming  himself  to 


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1352 


the  Resolves  of  the  honourable  the  Congress  and  Conven- 
tion. 

Ordered,  also,  That  he  deliver  to  the  Commissary  of 
Stores  a  Musket,  Bayonet,  and  Cartouch-Box,  in  his  pos- 
session, belonging  to  the  publick. 

The  Recognizance  was  accordingly  taken,  James  Mawe 
security.  Thereupon,  it  is 

Ordered,  That  he  be  discharged. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 


Thursday,  August  8,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  127  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  the  Middle  District  of  Frederick  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Major  Price  £300,  to  be  lodged  with  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  the  Middle  District  of  Frederick  County,  for 
the  purchase  of  Arms  and  Blankets. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Lavtly  £5  1 1*. 
Id.,  for  one  thousand  and  ten  pounds  of  Bread  furnished  to 
the  Hospital  in  Baltimore-Town. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Leypold  45*.,  for 
three  days'  services  in  examining  Flour  in  Baltimore- 
Town. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mr.  Robert  Cummins 
£1,000. 

Adjourned  till  three  o'clock,  and  met  accordingly. 

Commissions  issued  to  the  following  Officers  of  a  Com- 
pany in  Colonel  Griffith's  Battalion: 

Benjamin  Spyker,  Captain,  dated  July  26. 

Greenbury  Gaither,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  July  26. 

Richard  Anderson,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  5. 

Nicholas  Seybert,  Ensign,  dated  August  5. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  the  Hon.  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Esq.,  £23  2s., 
for  thirty-three  days'  attendance  as  a  Member  of  the  Coun- 
cil, including  this  day. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 


Friday,  August  9,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Eastern-Shore  pay 

to   Lieutenant  Berkit  Falcon  £300,  to  be  expended  in 

purchasing  Arms  by  the  Committee  of  Dorchester  County. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  128  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 

Observation  for  St.  Mary's  County. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Peter  Mantz  march  immediately 
from  Si.  Mary's  to  Annapolis,  on  his  way  to  Philadelphia, 
and  that  he  leave  his  Baggage  at  the  mouth  of  Patuxent, 
where  a  Pilot-Boat  is  to  be  sent  for  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Uriah  Forrest  remain  in  St.-Ma- 
ry's  County,  subject  to  the  direction  of  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  said  County,  until  the  further  orders  of  the 
Council. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Richard  Berry  proceed  with  the 
Pilot-Boat  under  his  command  to  the  mouth  of  Patuxent, 
and  there  take  on  board  the  Baggage  belonging  to  Captain 
Peter  Mantz's  Company ;  and  that  he  bring  with  him  a 
Nine-Pounder  belonging  to  the  publick,  now  at  the  mouth  of 
Patuxent  River. 

Commissions  issued  to  the  following  Officers  of  a  Com- 
pany of  Militia  for  the  Flying-Camp,  to  wit: 

Thomas  Bourk,  Captain,  dated  August  2. 

Berkit  Falcon,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated  August  2. 

John  Lynch,  2d  Lieutenant. 

James  W.  Gray,  3d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  2. 

AUo,  to  Thomas  Wyn  Lockerman,  1st  Lieutenant,  dated 
July  17,  and  Levin  Handy,  2d  Lieutenant,  dated  August  2, 
of  Captain  Potter's  Company  of  Militia  for  the  Flying- 
Camp. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  129  was  sent  to  the  Deputies  of  Ma- 
ryland in  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 


Saturday,  August  10,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Commissions  issued  to  Benjamin  Galloway,  appointed 
Captain,  and  Aaron  Welch,  First  Lieutenant,  of  a  Company 
of  Militia  in  Colonel  John  Wcems's  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  John  Yost  £50,  common  money,  being  the  balance  due 
him  on  his  contract  with  the  Council  of  Safety  in  November 
last. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  said  John  Yost 
£400,  to  enable  him  to  manufacture  good  substantial  Mus- 
kets for  the  publick. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Uriah  Forrest 
£80,  on  account  of  his  Company. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Joseph  Eastman  £4  10s., 
for  a  Musket. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Christopher  Rabreck  £34 
19*.  2rf.,  for  ninety-three  and  a  third  dozen  Priming-Wires 
and  Brushes. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Jacob  £14  17*. 
3d.,  for  Tent  making. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,' ten  o'clock. 

Monday,  August  12,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  Satur- 
day. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  John  Parker  £3  5s.,  for  a  Musket. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  David  £13  10s.,  for 
nine  days'  hire  of  his  Schooner,  to  transport  Captain  John 
Allen  Thomas's  Company  from  St.  Mary's  County  to  An- 
napolis. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  John  Dean  £30, 
to  provide  subsistence  for  his  Company;  the  same  to  be 
charged  the  Contractor. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Colo- 
nel Thomas  Ewing,  for  Captain  Young's  Company,  15 
Camp-Kettles,  86  Knapsacks  and  Haversacks,  and  86 
wooden  Bottles. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  130  was  sent  to  Colonel  Thomas 
Ewing,  and  copy  of  No.  131  to  Mr.  Gerrard  Hopkins,  of 
Baltimore-  Town. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  the  Western-Shore  pay 
to  Edward  Timmons  £3  12s.  6d.,  (or  a  Musket. 

That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Belain  Posey 
£76  6s.  6d.,  for  Arms  and  Blankets,  and  £  125  on  account 
of  his  Company. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  August  ]3,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  132  was  sent  to  Colonel  William 
Hyde. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Har- 
ford  County  deliver  to  Colonel  William  Hyde  all  the  Mus- 
kets and  Blankets  in  their  possession  belonging  to  the 
publick. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Daniel 
and  Samuel  Hughes  £2,000,  on  account  of  contract,  for  a 
Cannon- Foundry. 

Commission  issued  to  William  Perry,  appointed  Quarter- 
master to  the  Fourth  Battalion  of  Militia,  in  the  room  of 
Nicholas  Thomas,  who  resigned. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Samuel 
Edmondson  £70,  currency. 

Ordered,  That  the  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Isaac 
Simmons  £5,  for  two  Guns. 

Captain  Campbelfs  Company  was  commissioned. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Henry 
Ridgely,  Jun.,  £4  10s.,  for  a  Musket  and  Bayonet. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
William  Waters  £175,  for  a  Boat. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Ste- 
phen Steward  ten  Swivel-Guns,  with  Furniture,  one-half 


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MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1354 


barrel  of  Cannon  Powder,  and  six  pounds  Musket  Pow- 
dfer. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  August  14,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. Mr.  Nicholson  attended. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  133  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Northumberland  County,  in  Virginia. 

Ordered,  That  the  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to 
Charles  Wallace  £5,000,  currency,  on  account  of  Salt 
contract. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
James  Nicholson  £100,  currency,  to  defray  the  expenses 
of  Powder  imported  in  Virginia. 

Captains  Tillard,  Hanson,  Forrest,  and  DeaJcins's  Com- 
panies, for  the  Flying-Camp,  commissioned.  « 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday,  August  15,  1776. 

Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  Captain 
John  Deale  £7  3*.  4d.,  currency,  for  Militia  on  duty  on 
Foivey  alarm. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Abraham 
Simmons  £7  17s.  4rf.,  on  same  alarm. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Thomas 
Watkins  £53  17s.  6d.,  for  his  Company  on  duty  in  Anna- 
polis. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Richard 
Weems  £3  11s.  4rf.,  for  his  Company  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Belwood 
£11  10s.,  for  Boat  hire. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  the  Committee  of 
Observation  for  Prince  George's  County  £50,  for  Arms  and 
Blankets. 

Ordered,  That  the  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Jo- 
siah  Dorsey  £12  5s.,  for  Boat  hire. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  George  Gough  £11 
7s.  6d.,  for  Boat  hire. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  Tootell  £31 
16s.  Id.,  for  finding  Rations  for  Guard  at  Magazine. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Thomas 
£12  5s.,  for  Boat  hire. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  David  Crawford 
£6  Is.  8d.,  for  carriage  of  Powder. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Dr.  Smith  Bishop 
£71,  for  Medical  attendance  on  Captain  Watkins' s  Com- 
pany of  Regular  Troops. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Richard  Bryan 
£13  18s.,  for  amount  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Daniel 
Dorsey  £  14  3s.,  for  Arms  and  Blankets. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  James 
Young  £75,  for  pay  of  his  Company  of  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  Thomas 
Ewing  £500,  on  account  of  his  Battalion. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  134  was  sent  to  Colonel  Henry  Hol- 
lingsworth. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Cap- 
tain John  Hammond  £4  10s.,  for  Provision,  on  Otter 
alarm. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  said  Hammond.  16s. 
8d.,  balance  of  Account  of  his  Company  on  duty,  on  Otter 
alarm. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Friday,  August  16,  1776. 
Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
John  Gunly  £4  54s.  3d.,  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Peter 
Mantz  £125,  currency,  for  advance  for  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Brice  £20, 
for  Horse  hire. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Pitt  £  16  12s. 
6d.,  for  Boat  hire  for  Flying-Camp. 


Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  JohnPitt  £73  15s., 
for  his  Look-out  Boat. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Mantz  £2 
4s.  Id.,  for  balance  of  Account  filed. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Worcester  County  de- 
liver to  Captain  John  Watkins  all  the  Muskets  belonging  to 
the  publick  in  their  possession. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  135  was  sent  to  Captain  John  Wat- 
kins;  No.  136  to  Tent-Makers  respectively;  No.  137  to 
Captain  Dean;  No.  138  to  Captain  BourJce. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Darnes  deliver,  out  of  the  Arms 
in  his  Company,  to  Captain  Dean,  so  many  as  will  make 
up  the  deficiency  in  his  Company  which  may  be  occasioned 
by  the  return  of  Arms  to  those  who  lent  them  upon  condition 
that  they  did  not  march  out  of  the  County. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  139  sent  to  Committee  of  Dorchester 
County;  No.  140  sent  to  Edward  Parker;  No.  141  to  the 
Linen  Manufactories;  No.  142  to  Jesse  Hollingsworth ;  No. 
143  to  Deputies  in  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Major 
Lodowick  Weltmer  eight  hundred  dollars,  on  account  of  his 
German  Battalion. 

No.  144  to  Captains  Smyth  and  Ringgold. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Fulford  be  empowered  to 
purchase  and  provide  a  Scow,  Boats,  and  Intrenching  Tools, 
sufficient  to  carry  on,  prosecute,  and  complete  the  Fortifica- 
tions at  Annapolis. 

No.  145  to  Mr.  John  Gordon,  of  Baltimore-  Town. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Hanson  immediately  march 
his  Company  to  the  City  of  Annapolis,  and  there  apply  for 
the  further  orders  of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  John  Brooke  immediately  march 
his  Company  to  Drum-Point,  and  there  take  his  station  till 
further  orders  from  the  Council  of  Safety.  And  the  Com- 
mittee of  Observation  are  requested  to  assist  in  borrowing 
Arms  from  the  Militia,  to  be  used  by  said  Company  whilst 
at  that  station. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Robert  Bowie,  for  use  of  the  Committee  of  Prince  George's 
County,  £300,  currency,  for  Arms  and  Blankets. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Saturday,  August  17,  1776. 
Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Messrs. 
Shaw  &f  Chisholme,  £72  12s.  lid.,  for  repairing  and  stock- 
ing Guns. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  Taylor  £9, 
for  Carriage  Wheels  for  Cannon. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  William 
Richardson  £259  15s.  8d..  for  pay  of  Fourteenth  Battalion 
of  Militia,  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Patrick  Hanan 
£43  16s.,  for  Tent  Poles. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Lieu- 
tenant James  Williamson,  for  use  of  Captain  Thomas  Smyth, 
£135,  for  pay  and  subsistence  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Isaac  Harris  £95 
11s.,  for  his  services  as  Armourer. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Thomas  Ringgold  pay  to  Lieutenant 
James  Williamson,  for  the  use  of  Captain  Thomas  Smyth, 
£30,  Continental  currency,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  his 
march  to  the  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel 
Hyde,  for  the  use  of — 

Thomas  Jones, £23     9  9 

Captain  Rutter, 60182 

Captain  Teams, 56148 

Lieutenant  Parker, 48150 

for  amount  of  their  several  Accounts. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  William 
Hyde  £4  5s.  lid.,  currency,  for  expenses  of  Guard  escort- 
ing Wagons. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Joshua  Frizzy 
£6,  for  carrying  Troops  to  Head  of  Elk. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Tillard 
£200,  on  account  of  Arms  and  Blankets. 


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MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1356 


Ordered,  That  Western- Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Simon 
Nicok,  for  the  use  of  Captain  Spykcr,  £143  15s.  l$d.,  for 
Arms  and  Blankets. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Clayton 
£20,  for  Cart  hire. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  John  Tho- 
mas, for  the  use  of  Captain  Edward  Plowden,  £53  7s.  \0d., 
for  his  Company,  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  John  Tho- 
mas, £39  16s.  4d.,  for  his  Company  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Simon  Nicols,  for 
use  of  Captain  Deakins,  £250,  for  Arms  and  Blankets. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Henry  Sibell  £5, 
4s.,  for  boarding  sick  Soldiers. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  146  was  sent  to  Captain  Francis 
Deakins. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colo- 
nel William  Richardson  £15  8s.,  for  his  attendance  as  a 
Member  of  the  Board  of  Accounts. 

John  Millington,  of  Captain  Hindman's  Company,  per- 
mitted to  go  to  his  home,  in  Talbot  County,  for  the  recovery 
of  his  health. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  147  was  sent  to  Colonel  Henry  Hol- 
lingsworlh. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Isaac 
Griest,  Quartermaster,  £100,  for  procuring  necessaries  for 
Colonel  Hairs  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Kent 
County,  be  requested  to  deliver  to  Colonel  Richardson  such 
of  the  Military  Stores  belonging  to  this  Province  under  their 
care,  as  he  may  require  from  them. 

Ordered,  That  Western- Sliore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel 
William  Richardson  £500,  on  account  of  his  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Mary  Dorscy  52s. 
6d.,  for  Wood,  for  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer 'pay  to  Captain  John  Ham- 
mond £4  10s.,  for  expenses  in  marching  his  Company  to 
station. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Cornelius  Mills 
£37s.  6rf.,  for  three  cords  of  Wood. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  149  was  sent  to  Captains  George 
and  Alexander. 

Captain  Burgess's  Company  commissioned. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Bur- 
gess £125,  currency,  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain Burgess  ten  pounds  Powder,  and  Lead  equivalent,  and 
twenty-five  Gun-Flints. 

Adjourned  till  Monday,  ten  o'clock. 


Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Charles  Carroll, 
Esq.,  £5  15s.,  for  Provisions  for  Captain  Thomas's  Corn- 


Monday,  August  19,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  as  on  Saturday,  except  Mr.  Ni- 
cholson. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  James 
Hopkins  £10,  currency. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Colonel 
Hall  what  Linen  he  may  want  to  clothe  his  Battalion. 

Permit  granted  to  John  Pullen,  of  Sloop  Dolphin,  to  go 
to  the  Virginia  side  of  the  PotomacJc,  and  take  in  Tobacco 
or  other  produce,  and  transport  the  same  to  Maryland. 

Commissions  issued  to  John  Phillips,  appointed  Captain, 
Arthur  Dashiell  First  Lieutenant,  Michael  Jones  Second 
Lieutenant,  Jonathan  Huffington  Ensign,  of  a  Company  in 
the  First  Battalion  of  Militia.  Also,  to  John  Dashiell, 
Second  Lieutenant,  William  Dommick,  Ensign,  of  a  Com- 
pany in  the  First  Battalion  of  Militia. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
John  Dean  £37  8s.  Gd.,  currency,  for  subsistence  of  his 
Company. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Captain 
John  Dean  eighty-six  Priming  Wires  and  Brushes,  and  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  Country  Linen. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
John  Dean  £125,  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Daniel  Coulter 
40s.,  for  attending  the  Hospital. 


pany. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain John  Dean  eighty-six  Gun-Slings  and  Bayonet  Belts. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  150  was  sent  to  Colonel  Henry 
Hollingsworth;  £300  for  subsistence  for  Flying-Camp. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  151  was  sent  to  Committee  of  Kent 
County. 

James  Layfald  being  brought  before  this  Board,  and  the 
Depositions  taken  before  the  Committee  being  read,  and  he 
being  heard  in  his  own  defence: 

Ordered,  That  he  give  security  for  his  good  behaviour 
and  obeying  all  orders  of  Congress  and  Convention,  himself 
in  £100,  and  two  securities  in  £50  each,  or  one  good  secu- 
rity in  £100. 

And  not  being  able  to  give  such  security  here, 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Somerset  County  be 
requested  to  take  the  security;  and  that  on  giving  the  same, 
he  be  discharged. 

Ordered,  That  he  recognize  in  the  sum  of  £100,  cur- 
rency, for  his  appearance  before  the  Committee  of  Somerset 
County,  on  or  before  the  10th  day  of  September  next. 

Which  was  accordingly  done. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  151  was  sent  to  Colonel  Thomas 
Ewing. 

Adjourned  till  next  day. 

Tuesday,  August  20,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  152  was  sent  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hollings- 
icorth. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Richard 
Harwood,  Jun.,  £3,  for  Militia  duty  of  his  Company. 

Caleb  Jones  having  appeared  before  the  Council  of  Safety, 
and  producing  several  Depositions  in  his  favour,  which  being 
read  and  considered  : 

Ordered,  That  he  enter  into  recognizance,  with  good 
security,  in  the  sum  of  £200,  currency,  each,  for  his  good 
behaviour,  and  his  paying  due  obedience  to  the  orders  of 
the  honourable  Continental  Congress  and  Convention. 

And  the  said  Caleb  Jones  not  having  any  security  present, 

Ordered,  That  he  be  recognized  in  the  sum  of  £100, 
currency,  for  his  appearance  before  the  Committee  of  Som- 
erset County,  and  that  they  be  requested  to  take  bond,  with 
security  and  condition  as  above;  and  that  on  giving  such 
bond,  the  said  Caleb  Jones  be  discharged. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Wil- 
liam Nevin  &f  Company  £20,  for  advance  on  account  here- 
after. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Lieutenant  John 
Dorsey  £4  10s.,  for  a  Musket  and  Bayonet. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Richard  Fleming 
£3  5s.,  for  a  Gun. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  Richard 
Barnes  £311  6s.  lO^d.,  for  pay  of  his  Battalion. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  August  21,  1776. 

Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Fortifi- 
cations in  Annapolis  get  the  turf  necessary  for  the  work  from 
ground  belonging  to  the  publick,  and  not  injure  private  pro- 
perty, if  it  can  possibly  be  avoided. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Thomas  Hammond  £34  2s.  3d.,  currency,  for  Muskets. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Joshua 
George,  for  use  of  Committee  of  Cecil  County,  £500,  for 
Arms  and  Blankets. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  153  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 
Kent  County;  No.  154  to  Isaac  Griest;  No.  155  to  John 
Hancock,  Esq. 

Mr.  Steward  was  authorized  to  lay  out  any  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding £3,000  of  the  money  he  may  receive  from  Congress, 
for  the°purchase  of  Marine  necessaries  for  the  use  of  this 
State. 


1357 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1358 


Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Joseph 
Brown  50s.  for  a  Musket. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern- Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
John  Walkins  £900. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  James 
McKenzie  £3  10s.,  for  a  Musket. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  156  was  sent  to  Mr.  Samuel  Dorsey. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Bri- 
gadier-General Chamberlaine  £100  on  account  of  Maga- 
zine. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  William 
Shirelcff  24s.,  for  Barracks  for  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  John  Ad- 
dison  £14  Is.  Id.,  for  subsistence  of  a  Company  of  Flying- 
Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Thomas  Rose  £3 
16s.  9d.,  for  subsistence  of  part  of  the  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Johnson 
£53  I  Is.  4Jrf.,  for  Tent-making. 

Adjournnd  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

•  Thursday,  August  22,  1776. 

Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Mat- 
thew Tilghman,  Esq.,  £7  10s.,  for  Boat  hire  for  part  of 
Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Major 
Ignatius  Fenwick  £131  6s.  Id.,  for  Militia  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Johnson 
£35  19s.  ll|d.,  for  amount  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Peter  Rambo,  for 
use  of  John  Young,  £287  6s.  6d.,  for  Knapsacks  and  Guns. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Pollard  Edmond- 
son,  for  use  of  Delahay  and  Robinson,  £13,  for  Boat  hire 
for  Flying-Camp. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Friday,  August  23,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Cap- 
tain Uriah  Forrest  £64  14s.  Id.,  for  subsistence  of  his  Com- 
pany. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Uriah  For- 
rest, for  the  use  of  Doctor  Reeder,  £10  9s*.  6d.,  for  attending 
Captain  Thomas's  Company. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Cap- 
tain Uriah  Forrest,  for  use  of  Elias  Smith,  £2  6s.  8d.,  for 
Barracks  for  Captain  J.  A.  Thomas's  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Forrest,  for 
use  of  Henry  Sewell,  33s.,  for  travelling  expenses  for  part  of 
the  Artillery  Company  going  to  St.  George's. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Forrest, 
for  the  use  of  Doctor  Robinson,  £5  6s.  6d.,  for  attendance 
of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Forrest, 
for  use  of  Francis  Brooke,  20s.,  for  services  at  the  Camp  at 
St.  George's. 

Ordered,  That  William  Jacob  and  William  Johnson,  as 
soon  as  they  have  a  sufficient  quantity  of  Tents  for  a  Com- 
pany, immediately  send  the  same  to  Annapolis,  and  to  con- 
tinue to  send  the  same  in  such  quantities  until  the  further 
orders  of  this  Board. 

Commissions  issued  to  Andrew  Beall,  Jun.,  appointed 
Captain;  Josias  Shaw,  appointed  First  Lieutenant;  William 
Ferguson,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant;  Joshua  Wilson, 
appointed  Ensign,  of  a  Company  in  Colonel  Tyler's  Batta- 
lion of  Militia. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  William 
Belwood  £7,  for  Boat  hire  for  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Jacob 
Kenpots  40s.,  for  House  rent  for  Soldiers. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Samuel  Howard, 
for  use  of  Captain  Brice,  £7  Is.  4d.,  for  attendance  at  Mag- 
azine. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Thomas 
£5  13s.  9d.,  for  Boat  hire  for  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Josiah  Dorsey  £5 
13s.  9d.,  for  Boat  hire  for  Flying-Camp. 


Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  William 
Brogden  £23  2s.  3d.,  for  his  Company  on  duty. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  155  was  sent  to  Captain  Darnes; 
No.  1 56  was  sent  to  Edward  Parker. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  send  to  Captain 
Deans  eighty-six  Knapsacks  with  Haversacks,  to  be  returned 
in  case  Captain  Deans  has  already  marched. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Talbot  County  £500,  for  the  purchase  of  Arms 
and  Blankets. 

Ordered,  That  a  Court-Martial  be  held  for  the  trial  of 
Captain  Richard  Bennett  Hall,  and  Lieutenants  Wright, 
Ryley,  and  Mulliken. 

That  Major  Snoivden  be  President  of  said  Court,  and  the 
following  persons  Members  of  the  said  Court:  Captains 
David  Crawford,  Thomas  Skinner,  R.  Bead,  Hend.  Ma- 
gruder,  Josh.  Selby,  Thomas  Richardson ;  Lieutenants  John 
S.  Brooke  and  Humphry  Belt. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Edward 
Timmons  £3,  for  repairing  Arms.* 
Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Saturday,  August  24,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Mary 
Tiplutt  £60,  for  Barracks. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Benedict  Edward 
Hall,  for  use  of  Amos  Garrett,  £47  11s.  6d.,  for  Bayonets 
and  Arms. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  156  was  sent  to  General  Washington. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  Monsieur 
Pelissitr  Dhugc  £7,  Continental  currency,  for  his  services 
as  a  French  Engineer. 

o 

Ordered,  That  Elisha  Winters  be  requested  to  deliver 
to  Captain  Darnes  forty  Muskets. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Captain 
Darnes  two  pieces  Osnaburgs. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  157  was  sent  to  Captain  Darnes; 
No.  158  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Bal- 
timore County. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Captain 
Bourke  two  pieces  Osnaburgs. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores,  at  Baltimore- 
Town,  deliver  to  Captain  Bourke  100  Cartouch-Boxes, 
Gun-slings,  and  Bayonet-Belts,  100  Knapsacks  with  Haver- 
sacks, 10  pounds  Powder,  and  Lead  equivalent,  6  Camp 
Kettles,  18  Tents,  100  Wooden  Bottles,  and  25  Gun- 
flints. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  John 
Hammond,  Esq.,  £30  3s.,  for  Plank. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  159  was  sent  to  Mr.  Stephen  Steward. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Darnes  have  the  Knapsacks 
with  Haversacks  sent  to  Kent  Island,  for  the  use  of  Captain 
Dean. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Ben- 
jamin Bradford  Norris,  for  the  use  of  the  Committee  of 
Harford  County,  £300,  for  Guns  and  Blankets. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Captain 
Gunby  two  pieces  Check  Linen. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel 
Samuel  Beall  £105  2s.,  for  amount  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Cap- 
tain Gunby  16  Camp  Kettles,  16  Tents,  90  Knapsacks  with 
Haversacks,  and  90  wooden  Bottles. 

Zabdael  Potter  was  appointed  Surgeon  Assistant  to  Colo- 
nel William  Richardson's  Battalion  for  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  Western- Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Cap- 
tain Edward  Norwood  £20  15s.  9d.,  for  Mileage  of  his 
Company. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  160  was  sent  to  Commissary's  Deputy 
at  Baltimore-Town. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Cap- 
tain Gunby  £95  16s.  2rf.,  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  Paymaster  advance  to  Captain  Gunby 
one  month's  pay,  ending  the  3d  day  of  September,  1776. 


1359 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1360 


Copy  bf  Letter  No.  161  was  sent  to  Colonel  William 
Richardson. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Daniel Dorsey  30*.  6d.,  for  cooking  for  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  at  Baltimore-Town 
deliver  to  Captain  Bracco  40  Bayonet-Belts,  42  Cartouch- 
Boxes,  20  Gun-Slings,  and  104  Canteens,  for  use  of  his 
Company.  Also  one  bolt  of  Osnaburgs. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Daniel  Dorsey  £5  10s.,  for  two  Guns. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Disney 
£99  16s.  3d.,  for  balance  of  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Gunby 
£22  2*.  3d.,  for  and  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel 
Ennalls  £365  19*.  Id.,  on  account  of  Militia. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Thomas  Harwood  £100,  on  contract  for  a  Linen  Manufac- 
tory. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Monday,  August  26,  1776. 

Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  at  Baltimore-Town 
deliver  to  Captain  Bennett  Bracco  fifteen  Tents  and  six 
Camp  Kettles. 

Ordered,  That  said  Commissary  immediately  send  to  An- 
napolis whatever  Stores  have  been  heretofore  ordered  to  be 
sent  to  this  place. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Major 
Philip  Fenwicke  £119  2s.  6d.,  for  Militia  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  Paymaster  advance  to  Captain  Bracco's 
Company  one  month's  pay,  ending  on  the  3d  day  of  Sep- 
tember next,  and  half  a  month's  pay  besides. 

Ordered,  That  the  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  James 
Steward  £10,  for  Baggage-Wagon  for  the  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  the  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Wil- 
liam Jacobs  £43  2s.,  for  Tent  making. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  at  Annapolis 
deliver  to  William  Jacob  all  the  tenting  Linen  now  in  the 
Magazine,  one-half-  whereof  to  be  delivered  to  William 
Johnson. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  162  was  sent  to  Captain  Nicholson; 
No.  163  was  sent  to  Mr.  Samuel  Dorsey. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Disney  33s.,  for  ten  Iron  Pots. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  James  Dis- 
ney £9,  for  two  Guns. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Edward  Edgarly 
£7  10s.,  for  one  month's  pay  as  Adjutant. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Edward 
Norwood  £69  3s.,  for  pay  and  account. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  at  Baltimore  deliver 
to  Colonel  Hyde  what  Hunting-Shirts  he  may  want  for  his 
Company,  and  send  the  residue  to  Annapolis. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Nathaniel  Smyth  be  requested 
to  deliver  to  Colonel  Hyde  forty  Muskets. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Bracco  £61  12s.  6d.,  for  amount  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Joshua  Merriken 
£5  14s.,  for  duty  of  his  Militia  Company. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  at  Baltimore  deliver 
toCaptain  Woolford  98  Canteens,  98  Knapsacks  with  Haver- 
sacks, 18  Tents,  18  Camp-Kettles,  and  98  Priming-Wires 
and  Brushes. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  William 
Jenkins  £4  10s.,  for  Wagon  hire. 

Ordered,  That  Paymaster  advance  to  Captain  Woolford 
one  month's  pay,  ending  the  3d  September. 

Ordered,  That  Western- Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Woolford  half  a  month's  pay,  Continental  currency. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Abel  Hill 
18s.,  for  duty  in  Militia. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  Weems  £5 
11*.  6d.,  for  Militia  on  duty. 


Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Lindsay 
£7  10s.  6d.,  for  Militia  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Brigadier-General 
Beall  £  1 1 2  4s.  1  Id.,  for  and  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Major  Thomas 
Snowden  £75  16s.  3d.,  for  Gun-Carriages. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  August  27,  1776. 
Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

John  Hanson  Briscoe  appointed  Surgeon  to  the  seven 
Independent  Companies. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Abraham 
Bonham  £21  19*.,  on  account  of  subsistence  of  Flying- 
Camp. 

Daniel  Jenifer  appointed  Surgeon  Assistant  to  Doctor 
Briscoe. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  John  C. 
Lindsay  £  14  11*.  3d.,  for  subsistence  of  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Lieuten- 
ant John  Watlcins  £6  3*.  2d.,  for  Militia  duty. 

Daniel  Jenifer  Adams  was  commissioned  as  Brigade- 
Major  to  General  Beall. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Dr. 
Briscoe  £20,  to  purchase  a  set  of  Surgical  Instruments. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Norwood  £4  12s.  6d.,  for  Drum  and  Fife. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  Jos.  C.  Hall 
£77  10*.,  for  pay  of  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Colonel 
Hall  twenty  Tents ;  and  the  Committees  of  the  several 
Counties  are  requested  to  deliver  all  the  Blankets  they  have 
purchased  for  the  use  of  the  publick. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel 
Hyde  £45,  for  pay. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Park  £3  10s., 
for  a  Gun. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  General  Beall  £45 
Os.  Id.,  for  balance  of  Account. 

Ordered,  That  the  Board  of  Accounts  allow  and  pass 
General  BealTs  Account. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Thomas 
Howard  £  1 1  2*.  1  Id.,  for  pay  and  subsistence  as  Surgeon's 
Assistant. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Thomas 
Woolford  £47  6*.,  currency. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  exchange  with 
Captain  Hanson  40  Guns,  86  Cartouch-Boxes,  Belts,  and 
Slings,  Priming-Wires  and  Knapsacks,  16  Tents,  and  16 
Camp-Kettles. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Thomas 
Mayo  £3  18*.  6d.,  for  Militia  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Daniel 
Dorsey  £80  13*.  1  Id.,  for  and  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Aquila 
Paca  £93  4s.  9d.,  for  and  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel  J.  C.  Hall 
£5,  for  a  Rifle. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Robert 
Bowie  £19  15*.  lOrf.,  on  account  of  Company. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Hall  be  requested  to  march  his 
Battalion  with  all  convenient  speed  to  Philadelphia,  subject 
to  the  orders  of  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  August  28,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  as  on  yesterday.  Mr.  Nicholson 
attended. 

Ordered,  That  Elisha  Winters  be  requested  to  deliver 
to  Captain  Greenbury  Goldsborough  twenty  Muskets. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Charles 
Carroll,  Esq.,  for  use  and  by  order  of  William  Nevin,  £27, 
currency. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  John 
Shellman  £6  17*.,  for  subsistence  of  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Green  £6  2*. 
4rf.,  for  Sponges  and  other  things  for  Cannon. 


1361 


MARYLAND  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1362 


Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Messrs.  Craik  fy 
Jenifer  £96  16s.,  for  attendance  on  Captain  BealFs  Com- 
pany. 

Ordered,  That  if  Mr.  Bniffczn  repair  and  make  fit  for 
service  seventy  of  the  hest  Guns  deposited  in  his  hands  for 
that  purpose  by  the  Committee  of  Talbot  County,  within 
eight  clays  after  the  receipt  of  this  order,  he  do  the  same; 
but  in  case  he  cannot  repair  and  render  them  fit  for  service 
by  that  time,  he  deliver  them  immediately  to  Captain  Golds- 
borough,  who  will  have  them  expeditiously  repaired  by 
Elishn  Winters,  in  Chester-Town. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Greenbury  Goldsborough  £40,  for  subsistence  of  his  Com- 
pany. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Thomas  Hammond  £88  4s.  9d.,  for  Guns. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Christopher  Edelin, 
for  the  use  of  the  Committee  of  Observation  for  Frederick 
County,  £250,  for  use  of  Prisoners. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  deliver  to  Captain 
Goldsborough,  for  use  of  Flying-Camp  Militia  on  the  East- 
ern-Shore, two  hundred  and  fifty  Knapsacks  with  Haver- 
sacks. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  164  was  sent  to  John  Hanson,  Esq. 

Ordered,  That  Western- Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Major 
Elijah  Robinson  £8  18*.  9d.,  for  Provisions  at  Otter  alarm. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Allen  Quynn  13s. 
9d.,  for  Cartage  of  Wood  for  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Benjamin  Ogle, 
Esq.,  £35  5*.,  for  Cartage. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Thomas  Parran 
£3  15s.,  for  Boat  hire. 

Ordered,  That  Messrs.  Shaio  Sf  Chisholme  deliver  to 
Elisha  Winters  six  pounds  wrought  Wire  for  Gunstocking. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Christian 
Librant  50s.,  for  Wagonage. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Tuck  £3 
10s.,  for  a  Gun. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  the  Clerk  £20,  for 
Expresses. 

David  Murrow  appointed  Surgeon  to  Colonel  Hall's  Bat- 
talion, and  William  Annin  Assistant  Surgeon. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Z.  Mac- 
cubbin  £76  14s.,  for  amount  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Joseph  Earle,  Esq., 
for  use  of  Captain  Isaac  Perkins,  £100,  on  account  of  his 
Company. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Elenor  Kirby  15s., 
for  attending  at  the  Hospital. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Thursday,  August  29,  1776. 

Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Jacob 
Bond  £3  10s.,  for  a  Blunderbuss. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Maybury  and  Joseph  Middleton 
be  requested  to  value  the  Vessels  engaged  to  go  for  Coal  to 
Virginia,  and  report  to  the  Council  of  Safety  an  estimate 
of  their  real  value. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  John 
Kilty  and  John  Ball  £22  9s.  6d.,  for  going  to  the  Eastern- 
Shore. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel 
John  Ennalls  £106  7s.  6d.,  for  Militia  duty. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel 
John  Ennalls  £16  2s.,  for  Militia  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Lieuten- 
ant John  Deaver,  for  use  of  Mr.  Goldsmith,  £55  5s.  6d.,  for 
Militia  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  Manyard 
18s.  6d.,  for  Barracks  for  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Cornelius  Mills 
£7  10s.,  for  one  month's  pay  as  Adjutant. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Belwood 
£5,  for  Boat  hire. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Zachariah 
Maccubbin  £7  17s.,  for  two  Muskets  and  Bayonets. 


FIFTH  SERIES — VOL.  I. 


Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Thomas 
Hanson  £119  13s.  \0d.,  for  balance  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Hugh  Hopewell 
£6,  for  Boatage. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Thomas 
Hammond  £138  3s.  4d.,  for  balance  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Hugh  Hopewell 
£6  15s.,  for  Boatage. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  Tilghman, 
Esq.,  £21  14s.,  for  thirty-one  days'  attendance  in  Council 
of  Safety. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock.  , 

Friday,  August  30,  1776. 
Council  met.     Present  as  on  yesterday. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Daniel 
Richardson  £20,  for  Boatage. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Major  John 
Cradock  £25,  for  pay  and  subsistence. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  William  Thomas 
£4  10s.,  for  Boatage. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Alexander  Howard 
Magruder  £35  Is.  \d.,  for  and  on  account  of  his  Com- 
pany. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Oliver  Whiddon 
£2  17s.  8d.,  for  repairing  Guns. 

Ordered,  That  Commissary  of  Stores  at  Annapolis  deli- 
ver to  Captain  Magruder  64  Cartouch-Boxes,  62  Gun- 
Slings,  53  Knapsacks,  with  Haversacks,  8  Camp-Kettles, 
and  20  Hunting-Shirts. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Richard 
Berry  £150,  Continental  currency,  to  procure  Coals  from 
Virginia. 

Permit  was  granted  to  Mr.  Richard  Berry  to  go  to  the 
Commonwealth  of  Virginia  for  Coal  for  the  use  of  this 
State. 

Ordered,  That  Western- Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  John 
King  £4  7s.  6d.,  for  Expresses  for  Congress. 

Copy  of  Letter  No.  165  was  sent  to  the  Committee  of 
Charles  County ;  No.  166  to  Mr.  Robert  Berry. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  William 
Wilkins  £300,  on  account  of  the  Fortifications  at  Anna- 
polis. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Henry  Dennis  £8, 
for  being  Adjutant  to  the  Twenty-Eighth  Battalion. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Messrs.  Jenifer  and 
Hooe  £1,074  6s.  9d.,  for  amount  of  their  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  John  E. 
Howard.  £53  19s.  5d.,  for  balance  of  his  Account  to  this 
day. 

Adjourned  till  next  day,  ten  o'clock. 

Saturday,  August  31,  1776. 

Council  met.  Present  the  same  Members  as  on  yester- 
day, except  Mr.  Carroll. 

Ordered,  That  Eastern-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Dr. 
John  Hindman  £3  1  Is.  6d.,  for  attending  Captain  Golds- 
borough's  Company  of  Flying-Camp. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Dr.  Hindman  £12 
13s.  6d.,  for  attending  Captain  Hindman's  Company. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  Captain 
Alexander  H.  Magruder  £100,  on  account  of  his  Com- 
pany. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain 
Robert  Martin  £12  7s.  6d.,  for  Boat  hire. 

Ordered,  That  Brigadier-General  Chamberlaine  be  re- 
quested, and  he  is  hereby  empowered,  to  hire  a  Sergeant 
and  eight  Men  for  guarding  the  Magazine  on  the  Eastern- 
Shore. 

Ordered,  That  Western-Shore  Treasurer  pay  to  Colonel 
Jeremiah  Jordan  £353  7s.  Id.,  for  Militia  on  duty. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Timothy  Bowes 
£2  13s.,  for  amount  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  James  Boyd  £8 
2s.  6d.,  for  Bayonets. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Darnes 
£345  Is.  6d.,  for  and  on  account  of  his  Company. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Nicholas  Har- 


86 


1363 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1364 


wood  28s.,  for  two  days'  attendance  as  Assistant  Clerk  in 
the  Council  of  Safety. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  John  Johnson  £9 
2s.,  for  thirteen  days'  attendance  in  Council  of  Safety  as 
Assistant  Clerk. 


Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Tlwmas 
Yates  £85  4s.  9d.,  for  balance  of  his  Account. 

Ordered,  That  said  Treasurer  pay  to  Captain  Busscy 
31s.  6d.,  balance  of  his  Account. 

Adjourned  till  Monday,  ten  o'clock. 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY. 

Monday,  July  8,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment  on  the  5th  instant. 

Thomas  Jones,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Members  for  the  District 
of  Edenton,  appeared,  subscribed  the  Test,  and  took  his  seat 
accordingly. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  9,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  three  tons  of  Powder  be  sent  from  the 
Brigades  of  Edenton,  Halifax,  and  Newbern^  to  Wilming- 
ton, to  be  sent  from  thence  to  Charlcstown;  and  that  Gen- 
eral Vail  and  General  Jones  see  the  two  tons  ordered  from 
their  Brigades  sent  off,  and  that  the  Committee  of  the  Town 
of  Newbcrn  send  the  ton  from  that  Brigade  to  Wilmington. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  10,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Judges  of  the  Courts  of  Justice  for 
hearing  and  determining  Maritime  matters,  at  the  Ports  of 
Edenton,  Bath,  Newbern,  and  Wilmington,  shall,  before 
they  enter  upon  the  execution  of  their  respective  offices,  take 
the  following  Oath,  to  wit: 

"  I,  A  B,  do  swear,  upon  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty 
God,  that  I  will,  in  all  cases  which  may  come  before  me  as 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Justice  for  hearing  and  determining 
maritime  matters,  at  the  Port  of  ,  execute  the  said 

office  with  integrity,  impartially,  and  according  to  the  best 
of  my  skill  and  ability.  So  help  me  God." 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday,  July  1],  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  this  Council  have  received  certain  information 
that  many  persons  within  this  Province,  inimical  to  the 
liberties  of  America,  have  offered  larger  sums  of  the  Bills  of 
Credit  emitted  by  the  Congresses  held  at  Hilhborough  and 
Halifax,  than  at  the  rate  of  eight  Shillings  in  exchange  for 
Spanish  milled  Dollars ;  and  also  that  many  persons,  equally 
disaffected,  have  asked  and  demanded  in  payment  for  article's 
of  merchandise,  higher  prices  when  to  be  paid  in  said  Bills 
of  Credit  than  they  have  for  the  same  articles  when  to  be 
paid  for  in  Proclamation  Money,  debenture  Bills, or  in  Gold  or 
Silver,  with  a  manifest  intention  to  depreciate  and  undervalue 
the  said  Dollar  Bills  of  Credit,  emitted  for  the  express 
purpose  of  securing  and  defending  the  lives,  liberties,  and 
properties  of  the  good  people  of  this  Province : 

It  is  therefore  Resolved,  That  the  Committees  of  the 
several  Counties  and  Towns  in  this  Province  do  immediately 
call  on  every  such  person  within  their  respective  Towns  and 
Counties,  and  on  proper  proof  being  made  thereof,  to  cause 
such  person  or  persons  to  render  an  inventory,  on  oath,  of 
all  and  singular  their  Real  and  Personal  Estate  ;  and  in  case 
of  neglect  or  refusal,  they  do  direct  the  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  County  forthwith  to  cause  such  suspected  person  or 
persons  to  be  apprehended  and  sent  to  this  Board. 

Whereas  it  appears  that  the  Salt  Works  directed  by  the 
Congress  to  be  established  in  this  Province  will  not  furnish 
a  sufficient  quantity  of  that  necessary  article  for  the  con- 
sumption of  the  inhabitants  thereof;  and  it  being  requisite 
that  other  Works  be  erected  for  that  purpose,°and  Mr. 
Richard  Blacldedge  being  willing  and  desirous  of  under- 
taking a  Salt  Work,  exclusive  of  the  other  Commissioners : 

Resokcd,  That  Mr.  Richard  Blackledge  be  allowed  at 
the  rate  of  20s.  per  day  for  every  day  he  shall  attend  the 
said  Works  himself,  or  by  some  skillful  person,  to  com- 
mence from  the  time  he  shall  begin  to  erect  said  Works. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
the  said  Richard  Blackkdge  the  sum  of  £500,  to  enable 


him  to  erect  and  carry  on  said  Salt  Works,  he  first  giving 
bond  with  security  in  the  sum  of  £1,000  for  the  faithful 
discharge  of  the  trust  hereby  reposed  in  him,  and  for  the  due 
application  of  the  money  hereby  granted ;  and  be  allowed 
the  same  in  their  accounts  with  the  publick. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  12,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  James  Middleton,  Captain  James 
Nixon,  Captain  John  Robinson,  Captain  William  Evans, 
and  Captain  Henry  Toomer,  who  lately  commanded  Com- 
panies of  Militia  in  the  County  of  New-Hanover,  do,  within 
two  months  from  the  date  hereof,  return,  on  oath,  to  this 
Board,  lists  of  their  respective  Companies,  containing  the 
number  of  Officers  and  Men  under  their  command,  together 
with  the  time  each  continued  in  service. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 
into  the  hands  of  John  Simpson,  Esq.,  for  the  use  of  the 
publick,  £3,000,  to  be  applied  by  this  Board  in  defraying 
such  publick  contingencies  as  may  happen  during  the  sitting 
of  the  Council  of  Safety  at  Halifax;  and  be  allowed  in  their 
Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  12,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  July  13,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Sunday,  July  14,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  15,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

It  appearing  to  the  Council  that  the  Rev.  George  Mickle- 
john,  of  Orange  County,  has  not,  agreeable  to  the  Resolve 
of  the  Provincial  Congress,  removed  himself  into  the  County 
of  Perquimans,  in  that  part  of  the  said  County  on  the  south 
side  of  the  river,  which  he  ought  to  have  done,  in  pursuance 
of  the  said  resolve,  within  fourteen  days  after  the  passing 
thereof;  for  which  disobedience, 

It  is  Resolved,  That  the  said  George  Micklcjohn  be  im- 
mediately removed  into  the  said  County,  at  his  own  expense, 
in  order  to  carry  into  execution  the  said  resolve  of  Congress ; 
and  that  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Second  Regiment 
of  the  County  of  Orange  see  this  resolve  carried  into 
effect. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be  appointed  Com- 
missioners, viz :  Mr.  Francis  Brice,  at  the  Town  of  Wilming- 
ton; Mr.  John  Green,  at  the  Town  of  Newbcrn;  Robert 
Hardy,  Esq.,  at  the  Town  of  Edenton;  Thomas  Respess, 
Sen.,  Esq.,  at  the  Town  of  Bath :  to  purchase  within  their 
several  districts  Gunpowder,  Lead,  and  Cannon  Ball,  Sail 
Duck,  Osnaburgs,  coarse  Linens,  coarse  Cloths,  Blankets, 
Shoes,  and  Leather,  for  the  use  of  the  Continental  Troops 
stationed  in  this  Province,  and  make  a  just  return  of  the 
purchases  made  by  them  to  this  Council ;  and  that  each  of 
the  said  Commissioners  are  hereby  empowered  to  draw  on 
either  of  the  Treasurers  for  the  sum  of  £1,000,  first  giving 
bond,  with  good  and  sufficient  security,  in  the  sum  of  £2,000, 
to  the  Hon.  Samuel  Johnston,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Con- 
gress, and  his  successors  in  office,  for  the  faithful  application 
of  such  moneys;  and  that  they  render  a  true  and  just  ac- 
count to  the  Provincial  Congress;  and  also,  that  they  pro- 
duce to  such  Treasurer  the  bond,  properly  executed,  before 
any  money  is  advanced  by  him. 

Adjourned  till  to-rnorrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


1365 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1366 


Tuesday,  July  16,  177G. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
Captain  John  Forster  the  sum  of  £500,  for  so  much  by  him 
advanced  for  the  use  of  the  publick,  to  be  accounted  for  in 
the  settlement  of  his  Accounts;  and  be  allowed  in  their 
Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
Nicholas  Long,  Esq.,  Deputy  Quartermaster-General,  the 
sum  of  £600,  for  so  much  by  him  advanced  for  the  use  of 
the  publick ,  to  be.  accounted  for  in  the  settlement  of  his 
Accounts;  and  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts  with  the  pub- 
lick. 

The  Council  adjourned  to  the  Town  of  Halifax,  in  the 
County  of  Halifax. 

Halifax,  July  21,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

It  appearing  to  the  Council  that  there  is  an  absolute 
necessity  for  placing  in  the  hands  of  Matthew  Lock,  Esq.,  a 
sum  of  money,  to  pay  off  the  Militia  in  the  Salisbury  Bri- 
gade, 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
Matthew  Lock,  Esq.,  Paymaster  to  the  Salisbury  Brigade, 
the  sum  of  £3,000,  to  be  hereafter  accounted  for ;  and  that 
they  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
Matthew  Lock,  Esq.,  Paymaster  to  the  Salisbury  Brigade, 
a  further  sum  of  £2,000,  to  be  hereafter  accounted  for  ;  and 
that  they  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Robert  Rowan  or  Mr.  Peter  Mallet, 
or  either  of  them,  their  factors,  agents,  or  clerks,  at  Cross 
Creek,  do  deliver  to  the  Commissaries  of  the  Salisbury  Dis- 
trict, three  hundred  bushels  of  Salt,  such  Commissaries  first 
producing  an  order  from  under  the  hand  of  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral Rutherford,  before  any  of  the  said  Salt  is  delivered  to 
them. 

Brigadier-General  Person,  one  of  the  Members  of  the 
Council  of  Safety,  appeared,  and  took  his  seat. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  22,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Continental  Congress  having,  on  the  4th  day  of  July 
last,  declared  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  free  and  inde- 
pendent Slates : 

Resolved,  That  the  Committees  of  the  respective  Towns 
and  Counties  in  this  Colony,  on  receiving  the  said  Declara- 
tion, do  cause  the  same  to  be  proclaimed  in  the  most  publick 
manner,  in  order  that  the  good  people  of  this  Colony  may 
be  fully  informed  thereof. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  23,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  Person  immediately 
furnish  forth  five  hundred  Men,  properly  armed  and  accou- 
tred, from  the  Hilhborough  Brigade,  and  that  Colonel  Jo- 
seph Taylor  have  the  command  of  the  same;  and  that  he 
march  with  the  Troops  with  all  expedition  to  the  Western 
frontiers,  and  join  Brigadier-General  Rutherford. 

The  Council  being  informed  that  William  Miller  and 
Andrew  Wilson,  (the  former  in  close  confinement,  the  latter 
on  his  parole,)  in  Halifax,  are  dangerous  persons  to  the 
liberties  of  this  country;  and  it  being  necessary  that  they 
should  be  immediately  separated: 

Resolved,  That  William  Miller  be  sent  to  the  County  of 
Johnston  on  his  parole,  within  three  miles  of  the  Court- 
House,  and  that  he  appear  at  the  house  of  Mr.  John  Smith 
once  every  day ;  Andrew  Wilson  to  the  Town  of  Hillsbo- 
rough,  on  his  parole,  within  the  limits  of  that  Town ;  and 
that  he  appear  once  every  day  at  the  house  of  Mr.  William 
Courtney;  and  that  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  County 
of  Halifax  see  this  resolution  faithfully  carried  into  execu- 
tion. 

Resolved,  That  William  Clarke,  who  was  ordered  by  the 
Congress  to  remove  himself  to  the  Town  of  Nixonton,  and 
remain  on  his  parole  within  the  limits  of  the  said  Town,  have 
his  parole  extended  to  the  County  of  Pasquotank,  and  there 


to  remain,  unless  it  shall  be  otherwise  ordered  by  this  Council 
or  the  Congress. 

The  Council  received  from  James  Pamplin,  in  three 
wagons  from  Virginia,  two  tons  of  Gunpowder  and  one 
barrel  of  Jesuits'  Bark-. 

Resolved,  That  twelve  hundred  arid  twenty-two  weight 
of  Gunpowder  be  immediately  sent  off  from  this  place  for 
the  District  of  Salisbury;  that  two  hundred  ai;d  twenty-two 
weight  of  which  be  left  at  Hillsborough,  to  replace  that 
quantity  sent  by  Doctor  Burk  to  General  RutherfoiJ',  the 
remaining  one  thousand  weight  to  be  forwarded  by  Central 
Person  to  the  District  of  Salisbury;  and  that  four  hundred 
weight  be  also  sent  to  Hillsborough,  for  the  use  of  that  Dis- 
trict, to  be  disposed  of  as  Brigadier-General  Person  may; 
direct. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  24,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday,  July  25,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas-  the  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  in  Congress  assembled,  at  Philadelphia,  on  the  4th 
day  of  Julij  last,  declared  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  free 
and  independent  States,  and  that  the  good  people  thereof 
were  absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  Crown ;  and 
that  the  said  Declaration  renders  the  Test,  as  directed  to  be 
subscribed  by  the  late  Congress  at  Halifax,  improper  and 
nugatory: 

Resolved,  That  a  Test,  as  follows,  be  substituted  in  lieu 
thereof,  and  subscribed  by  the  Members  of  this  Board: 

We,  the  subscribers,  do  solemnly  profess,  testify,  and  de- 
clare, that  we  do  absolutely  believe  that  neither  the  Parlia- 
ment of  Great  Britain,  nor  any  member  or  constituent 
branch  thereof,  hath  a  right  to  impose  taxes  upon  these 
Colonies,  to  regulate  the  internal  police  thereof;  and  that  all 
attempts,  by  fraud  or  force,  to  establish  and  exercise  such 
claims  and  powers  are  violations  of  the  peace  and  security 
of  the  people,  and  ought  to  be  resisted  to  the  utmost ;  and 
that  the  people  of  this  Province,  singly  and  collectively,  are 
bound  by  tha  Acts  and  Resolutions  of  the  Continental  and 
Provincial  Congresses,  because  in  both  they  are  freely  repre- 
sented by  persons  chosen  by  themselves;  and  we  do  solemnly 
and  sincerely  promise  and  engage,  under  the  sanction  of 
virtue,  honour,  and  the  sacred  love  of  liberty  and  our  coun- 
try, to  maintain  and  support  all  and  every  the  Acts,  Reso- 
lutions, and  Regulations,  of  the  said  Continental  and  Pro- 
vincial Congresses,  to  the  utmost  of  our  power  and  abilities. 
In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  hereto  set  our  hands,  at 
Halifax,  this  24th  day  of  July,  1776. 

CORNS.  HARNETT,     JOHN  SIMPSON, 
WILLIE  JONES,         Jos.  JNO.  WILLIAMS, 
THOS.  PERSON,         THOS.  JONES, 
WHITMILL  HILL,       JAMES  COOR. 
THOMAS  EATON, 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Board  be  given  to 
Brigadier-General  Ashe  and  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  under 
his  command,  who  so  readily  and  spiritedly  assisted  in  quel- 
ling the  late  unhappy  mutiny  among  the  Regular  Troops  in 
Wilmington. 

Resolved,  That  John  Hunter,  Jun.,  be  immediately  sent 
off"  to  the  Town  of  Martinborough,  there  to  remain  on  his 
parole  within  the  limits  of  the  said  Town,  and  that  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  County  of  Halifax  see  this 
Resolution  carried  into  execution. 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  said  Hunter  appear  once 
every  day  at  the  house  of  Mr.  George  Falconer,  between 
the  hours  of  six  and  twelve  o'clock,  in  the  Town  aforesaid; 
in  default  of  which,  (sickness  excepted,)  and  in  case  he  shall 
break  the  limits  aforesaid,  Mr.  George  Falconer  is  hereby 
required  to  send  the  said  Hunter  immediately  to  Halifax 
Jail. 

In  order  to  encourage  the  importation  of  common  Salt, 
an  article,  essentially  necessary  and  greatly  wanted  in  this 
Colony: 

Resolved,  That  all  known  friends  to  the  American  Inde- 
pendency will,  on  application  to  this  Board,  be  permitted  to 


1367 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  JULY,  1776. 


1368 


export  any  kind  of  Staves  or  Heading,  first  entering  into 
bond,  with  sufficient  security,  to  import  in  return  Salt,  Arms, 
Ammunition,  and  other  warlike  stores,  to  the  full  amount  of 
the  net  proceeds  of  such  Staves  and  Heading. 

Whereas  it  is  absolutely  necessary  to  prevent,  as  far  as 
possible,  all  kinds  of  forestalling  and  imposition  on  the  inha- 
bitants of  this  Colony  in  the  article  of  common  Salt : 

Resolved,  That  for  the  future  no  retailer  of  bait  shall 
permitted  to  receive  more  than  twenty-five  per  cent,  on  the 
prime  cost  for  any  Salt  purchased  in  this  Colony,  and  that 
the  Committees  of  the  respective  Counties  and  Towns  see 
that  this  Resolve  be  strictly  observed,  and  send  under  guard 
to  this  Board  every  person  who  shall  presume  to  take  or 
receive  a  greater  advance  than  is  hereby  allowed  and  per- 
mitted for  Salt  purchased  in  this  Colony  as  aforesaid. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  July  26,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  it  is  necessary  that  the  directions  of  the  Congress 
respecting  Exportation,  be  fully  and  strictly  observed: 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  of  the  different  Ports 
do  receive  from  the  Captains  of  all  Vessels,  on  oath,  a  Mani- 
fest of  their  Cargo,  before  they  grant  any  clearance  or  per- 
mit to  leave  this  Colony;  and  that  the  Commanders  of  the 
Armed  Vessels,  the  Companies  of  Militia  on  the  sea-coast, 
and  of  the  different  Forts  in  this  Colony,  are  hereby  em- 
powered and  required  to  stop  and  detain  all  Vessels,  and 
prevent  their  leaving  this  Colony  until  they  produce  proper 
clearances  from  the  Commissioners  of  the  Ports  of  Edenton, 
Bath,  Newbern,  or  Wilmington. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Folsome  deliver  to  Brigadier- 
General  Person  one  hundred  bushels  of  Salt  from  Cross- 
Creek,  out  of  the  quantity  intended  for  Granville  County. 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Neilson,  master  and  owner  of  the 
Brigantine  Polly,  be  permitted  to  export  to  some  Port  in 
Spain  and  Portugal  the  following  articles,  to  wit:  sixty 
thousand  pipe  Staves,  four  thousand  6ve  hundred  hogshead 
Staves,  three  thousand  weight  of  Beeswax,  and  twenty  bar- 
rels of  Turpentine,  he  having  entered  into  bond,  with  security, 
n  the  sum  of  £5,000,  to  import  into  this  Province  the  net 
proceeds  of  the  Staves  above  mentioned,  in  Salt,  Arms, 
Ammunition,  and  other  warlike  stores. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  July  27,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  Robert  Neilson,  master  and  owner  of  the  Brig 
Polly,  in  the  Port  of  Edenton,  hath  agreed  to  import  into 
this  Colony  a  quantity  of  Salt,  Arms,  and  Ammunition,  and 
hath  given  bond  and  sufficient  security  to  perform  the  same 
within  eight  months  from  the  date  hereof: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Commissioners 
of  the  Port  of  Edenton  to  suffer  the  said  Brig  Polly,  with 
her  cargo,  consisting  of  sixty  thousand  pipe,  and  four  thou- 
sand five  hundred  hogshead  Staves,  three  thousand  weight 
of  Beeswax,  and  twenty  barrels  of  Turpentine,  to  depart 
this  Province  for  some  of  the  Ports  belonging  10  the  King- 
dom of  Portugal  or  Spain,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid. 

Brigadier-General  Person,  one  of  the  Managers  of  the 
Iron  Works  in  this  Colony,  produced  to  this  Council  their 
Report  on  the  same;  also,  a  Deed  and  Trust  in  behalf  of 
the  publick,  and  a  Bond  from  Wikocks  and  England;  which 
were  approved,  and  ordered  to  be  filed. 

Ordered,  That  William  Turner  be  immediately  commit- 
ted to  Jail  for  passing  Counterfeit  Money. 

Ordered,  That  Jonathan  Carpenter,  JVilliam  Carpenter, 
and  Benjamin  Carpenter,  be  committed  to  Jail  till  further 
orders  from  this  Council,  they  being  strongly  suspected  of 
passing  Counterfeit  Money. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Commissioners 
for  superintending  the  Iron  Works  in  this  Province,  to  pay 
to  Mr.  James  Mills  £6  15s.,  for  his  expenses  nine  days  in 
attending  the  Council  and  making  report  with  respect  to  the 
said  Works. 

Whereas  there  appears  to  have  been  no  Paymaster  ap- 
pointed to  the  Independent  Companies  on  the  sea-coast  in 
this  Colony: 


Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Easton,  of  Carteret  County,  is 
hereby  appointed  Paymaster  to  the  two  Independent  Com- 
panies commanded  by  Captain  James  Anderson  and  Captain 
Enoch  Ward,  in  the  District  of  Newbern;  and  that  Richard 
Caswell,  Esq.,  Treasurer  for  the  Southern  District  in  this 
Colony,  do,  on  receiving  bond  and  security  in  the  sum  of 
£5,000,  payable  to  the  Hon.  Samuel  Johnston,  Esq.,  Presi- 
dent, and  his  successors,  pay  into  the  hands  of  the  said  John 
Easton,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  £  1 ,000,  Proclamation  Money,  for 
the  purposes  aforesaid. 

Resolved,  That  Richard  Caswell,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the 
Southern  District,  do,  on  receiving  bond  and  security  for 
faithfully  accounting  for  the  same,  pay  into  the  hands  of 
Captain  James  Anderson  the  sum  of  £200,  for  the  purpose 
of  procuring  good  and  sufficient  Guns,  Drums,  and  Colours, 
for  the  use  of  his  Independent  Company,  on  the  sea-coast 
in  this  Colony. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Richard  Cogdell  do  furnish  from  the 
Magazine  in  Newbern,  to  Captain  James  Anderson,  fifty 
weight  of  Gunpowder,  and  one  hundred  weight  of  Lead,  for 
the  use  of  his  Independent  Company. . 

Resolved,  That  Captain  James  Anderson,  who  commands 
the  Independent  Company  stationed  at  Occacock,  do,  as  soon 
as  possible,  send  an  Officer,  with  a  sufficient  number  of  men 
under  his  command,  to  Cape  Hatteras  Banks,  and  to  remove 
three  pieces  of  iron  Ordnance  over  the  said  Banks  to  Pam- 
lico  Sound,  and  to  transport  the  Cannon  from  thence  to 
South  Key,  on  Black  Water,  and  there  deliver  the  same  to 
the  Virginia  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Convention 
of  that  Colony  to  build  and  fit  out  two  Galleys  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  trade  of  Occacock ;  and  that  all  the  expense 
attending  the  hiring  of  carriages,  &c.,  will  be  paid  by  this 
Colony. 

The  Continental  Congress  having,  on  the  fourth  day  of 
this  instant.  July,  declared  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  of 
America  free  and  independent  States: 

Resolved,  That  Thursday,  the  first  day  of  August  next, 
be  set  apart  for  proclaiming  the  said  Declaration,  at  the  Court- 
House  in  the  Town  of  Halifax.  The  Freeholders  and  In- 
habitants of  the  County  of  Halifax  are  requested  to  give 
their  attendance  at  the  time  and  place  aforesaid. 

Ordered,  That  the  Council  of  Safety  leave  this  Town 
next  Friday  week,  for  some  interior  part  of  this  Colony. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Sunday,  July  28, 1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  July  29,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Christopher  Dudley  do  immedi- 
ately deliver,  out  of  the  Magazine  in  the  Town  of  Halifax, 
to  William  Sheppard,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
the  County  of  Surry,  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  Gun- 
powder, for  the  use  of  the  said  County,  and  take  his  receipt 
for  the  same;  and  which  the  said  Committee  must  account 
for  to  the  next  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Matthew  Lock,  Esq.,  do  furnish  the  Com- 
mittee of  Surry  County  with  five  hundred  weight  of  Lead, 
out  of  the  quantity  he  may  receive  from  the  Managers  of 
ChisweWs  Mines;  to  be  accounted  for  to  the  publick  by  the 
said  Committee. 

Whereas,  by  a  Resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
entered  into  on  the  24th  day  of  June  last,  with  respect  to 
Treason,  as  also  one  other  Resolution,  entered  into  on  the 
26th  day  of  the  same  month,  giving  a  Bounty  to  non-com- 
missioned Officers  and  Soldiers  who  may  be  willing  to  inlist 
into  the  Continental  service  for  the  term  of  three  years,  have 
been  transmitted  to  this  Council: 

Resolved,  That  copies  of  the  same  be  immediately  sent 
to  the  respective  Counties  and  Towns  in  this  Colony,  to  be 
made  publick. 

Stephen  Scarborough,  of  Wake  County,  being  brought 
before  this  Council  for  passing  Counterfeit  Money,  was  ex- 
amined, and  committed  to  Halifax  Jail. 

Stephen  Scarborough  having  deposed  on  oath  that  he 
received  a  quantity  of  Counterfeit  Money,  which  was  found 


1369 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1370 


upon  him,  of  a  certain  William  Harrel,  living  in  Wake 
County, 

Resolved,  That  John  Cook,  of  Bute  County,  be,  and  he 
is  hereby,  directed  to  apprehend  and  bring  the  said  William 
Harrel  immediately  before  this  Board ;  and  the  said  John 
Cook  is  hereby  empowered  to  take  with  him  such  assistance 
as  he  may  think  necessary  to  carry  this  order  into  execution. 

Resolved,  also,  That  the  said  John  Cook  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  directed  to  search  the  said  Barrel's  house,  his  desks, 
chests,  Sic.,  for  Counterfeit  Money. 

The  Council,  taking  into  consideration  the  requisition  of 
John  Page,  President  of  the  Council  of  State  in  the  Colony 
of  Virginia,  of  three  hundred  Men  to  join  the  Virginia 
armament,  destined  against  the  Overkill  Cherokees  : 

Resolved,  That  General  Rutherford  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
directed  to  order  three  hundred  Men,  from  the  District  of 
Salisbury,  to  march  with  all  possible  expedition  to  Stal- 
nacker's,  on  Holstein  River,  to  act  in  concert  with  the  Vir- 
ginia forces  against  the  Overkill  Cherokees. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  July  30,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  That  Benjamin  Sherwood  be  immediately  sent 
for  and  brought  before  this  Board,  to  give  testimony  against 
sundry  persons  to  be  examined  respectingCounterfeitMoney; 
and  that  John  Geddy  see  this  resolve  carried  into  execution. 

The  Council  being  of  opinion  that  Shadrach  Kennebrew, 
on  his  examination  respecting  persons  concerned  in  making 
and  passing  Counterfeit  Money,  has  given  testimony  of  the 
greatest  importance,  and  with  great  candour  and  ingenuity 
discovered  all  he  knew: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Kennebrew,  for  the  reasons  above 
mentioned,  ought  not  to  be  prosecuted  for  the  part  which 
he  has  taken  in  passing  Counterfeit  Money,  but  that  it  be 
recommended  to  the  Congress  to  admit  him  an  evidence  for 
the  Province  against  other  offenders. 

Resolved,  That  Lewis  Williamson,  Ananias  Randale, 
Howel  Edmunds,  Michael  Harris,  Benjamin  De  Berry, 
Benjamin  Branch,  James  Sikes,  and  Jacob  Kinnebrew,  be 
immediately  committed  to  the  Jail  of  Halifax  for  further 
examination. 

Resolved,  That  the  Colonel  of  Dobbs  County  do  take  an 
inventory  of  the  Estate  of  Tfwmas  Harrison,  who  has  been 
suspected  of  being  an  enemy  to  this  Colony;  and  that  he 
keep  the  said  Harrison  in  custody  until  he  pay  the  expense 
of  bringing  him  to  this  Council,  and  give  security  in  the  sum 
of  £500,  payable  to  the  President  of  the  Congress  and  his 
successors,  for  his  future  good  behaviour. 

Resolved,  That  the  Colonel  of  the  County  of  Dobbs  do 
take  an  inventory  of  the  Estate  of  William  Taylor,  who  has 
been  an  enemy  to  this  Colony,  and  that  he  keep  the  said 
Taylor  in  custody  until  he  pay  the  expense  of  bringing  him 
to  this  Council,  and  give  security  in  the  sum  of  £150,  pay- 
able to  the  President  of  the  Congress  and  his  successors,  for 
his  future  good  behaviour. 

This  Council  having  received  information  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  of  Surry  that  Michael  Henderson,  pres- 
ent Ranger,  has  been  guilty  of  malpractices  in  that  office, 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Snead,  Major  Joseph  Winston, 
and  Mr.  Paul  Patrick,  be  appointed  Rangers  in  the  said 
County  of  Surry,  in  the  room  and  stead  of  the  said  Michael 
Henderson. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  July  31,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Joel  Lane,  Commissioner  for  the 
County  of  Wake,  be  empowered  to  receive  one  hundred 
bushels  of  Salt  out  of  that  taken  by  the  Court-Martial  here- 
tofore held  at  Cross  Creek,  and  the  Commissioners,  or  in 
their  absence  Colonel  Folesome,  deliver  the  same,  and  that 
Colonel  Lane  distribute  the  same  in  the  most  equitable  man- 
ner amongst  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  who  turned  out  in  the 
late  expedition  to  Moore's  Creek;  and  that  Samuel  Smith, 
of  Granville  County,  be  empowered  to  receive  one  hundred 
bushels,  and  distribute  the  same  in  like  manner. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Thursday,  August  1,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Gale  or  William  Calvert  be  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  of  the  Brigantine  Betsey,  now  lying 
in  Edenton  Bay,  and  laden  with  a  cargo  of  Tobacco  on  the 
Continental  account,  and  bound  on  a  voyage  to  Europe;  and 
should  they  both  refuse  to  take  the  command  of  the  said 
Brigantine,  in  that  case  the  Committee  of  the  Town  of  Eden- 
ton  be  empowered  to  appoint  some  person  well  skilled  in  the 
art  of  navigation,  and  who  is  a  known  friend  to  the  Ameri- 
can independency,  to  the  command  of  the  said  Brigantine 
Betsey. 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Smith,  Esq.,  of  Ed.enton,  be  per- 
mitted to  export  to  any  of  the  French  or  Neutral  Islands  in 
the  Sloop  Betsey,  James  Ferguson,  master,  the  following 
articles,  to  wit:  twenty  thousand  hogshead  Staves  and 
Heading,  he  having'  entered  into  bond,  with  security,  in  the 
sum  of  £1,000,  to  import  into  this  Province  the  net  pro- 
ceeds of  the  Staves  above-mentioned  in  Salt,  Arms,  Ammu- 
nition, and  other  warlike  stores. 

Resolved,  That  Henry  Montfort  be  allowed  an  additional 
sum  of  £80,  for  four  hundred  weight  of  Powder  imported 
into  this  Province  and  sold  to  Samuel  Johnston,  Esq.,  for 
the  use  of  this  Province;  that  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of 
them,  pay  him  the  same,  and  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts 
with  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  the  Sheriff  of  Halifax  County  do,  on 
receiving  a  certificate  from  Mr.  Willie  Jones  or  Joseph  John 
Williams,  that  James  Lowe,  now  a  prisoner  in  the  Jail  of  the 
said  County,  hath  given  bond  and  security  in  the  sum  of 
£100  for  his  future  good  behaviour,  release  and  discharge 
him  from  the  said  Jail. 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Collins,  now  confined  to  Halifax 
Town  on  parole,  be  discharged  therefrom,  on  giving  security 
in  the  sum  of  £500  to  the  Council  for  his  future  good  be- 
haviour; and  to  this  end  that  he  have  leave  to  go  home,  on 
condition  that  he  appear  before  this  Board  in  thirty  days  from 
this  time,  with  his  securities,  or  failing  thereof,  return  again 
to  Halifax  on  parole  as  before. 

Whereas  there  appears  to  have  been  no  Paymaster  ap- 
pointed to  the  Independent  Companies  on  the  sea-coast  in 
this  Colony: 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Samuel  Jarvis,  of  Currituck 
County,  is  hereby  appointed  Paymaster  to  the  Independent 
Company  commanded  by  Captain  Dennis  Dauge,  in  the 
District  of  Edenton,  and  William  Wilkinson  Paymaster  to 
the  two  Independent  Companies  commanded  by  Captain 
William  Purviance  and  Captain  Selby  Harney;  and  that  the 
Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  do,  on  receiving  bonds  and 
security,  the  former  in  the  sum  of  £2,500,  the  latter  in  the 
sum  of  £5,000,  payable  to  the  Hon.  Samuel  Johnston,  Esq., 
President,  and  his  successors,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
their  offices,  pay  into  the  hands  of  the  said  Samuel  Jarvis 
the  sum  of  £750,  and  into  the  hands  of  William  Wilkinson 
the  sum  of  £  1 ,000,  for  the  purposes  aforesaid. 

Hezekiah  Alexander,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Members  of  this 
Board,  appeared. 

Resolved,  That  Samuel  Jarvis,  Esq.,  be  appointed  Com- 
missioner for  the  Port  of  Currituck,  in  this  Province,  and 
that  he  enter  into  bond  with  security  in  the  sum  of  £5,000 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  office. 

Resolved,  That  Daniel  Fisher  be  immediately  brought 
before  this  Council  to  answer  such  complaints  as  may  be 
exhibited  against  him,  and  that  Mr.  Chappel  Gee  be  -ap- 
pointed to  execute  this  Resolve. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  August  2,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  the  three  Wagons  now  at  Whitfield's  Fer- 
ry, on  Neiise  River,  be  directed  by  Quartermaster-General 
Long  to  proceed  to  Captain  Stephen  Cobb's,  on  Cotentnea 
Creek,  and  there  to  receive  from  said  Stephen  Cobb  a  full 
load  of  Bacon  and  Pork  belonging  to  the  publick,  and  pro- 
ceed with  the  same  to  Wilmington,  and  deliver  it  to  the  said 
Quartermaster-General  Long,  or  his  order,  and  that  he  so 
dispose  of  the  said  Bacon  and  Pork  either  to  the  Commis- 
saries, or  to  private  persons,  as  he  may  judge  most  for  the 
benefit  of  the  publick. 


1371 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1372 


Resolved,  That  Mr. Charles  Bonfield,  ofEdenton,  deliver 
out  of  the  Publick  Magazine  in  that  Town  to  Captain  Den- 
nis Dauge  twenty-five  weight  of  Gunpowder,  for  the  use 
of  his  Independent  Company  on  the  sea-coast  in  this  Pro- 
vince. 

Resolved,  That  John  Smith,  of  Halifax  County,  be  im- 
mediately brought  before  this  Council  for  passing  Counter- 
feit Money;  that  Mr.  Philip  Harney  and  Mr.  William  Har- 
ris be  summoned  to  appear  as  witnesses  at  the  same  time; 
and  that  the  Commanding  Officer  of  said  County  see  'this 
resolution  carried  into  execution. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  August  3,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  it  appears  to  the  Council,  by  the  oath  of  James 
Williams,  of  the  County  of  Perquimans,  that  a  certain  John 
Pitts  did,  on  the  night  of  the -twenty-fifth  day  of  July  last 
past,  in  a  clandestine  manner,  take  from  this  deponent,  and 
carry  out  of  the  said  County  of  Perquimans,  the  following 
Negro  slaves,  to  wit :  Abb,  Toby,  Martin,  and  Sail,  as  also 
four  Horses,  being  part  of  the  estate  of  Joseph  Williams, 
deceased ;  and  in  order  to  do  justice  to  the  legal  representa- 
tives of  the  said  Joseph  Williams,  these  are  therefore  to  em- 
power you,  or  either  of  you,  to  make  diligent  search  within 
the  limits  of  this  State  for  the  said  Negro  slaves  and  Horses, 
and  when  found,  take  the  same  into  your  possession,  as  also 
the  body  of  the  said  John  Pitts,  and  them  bring  before  the 
Council ;  and  should  the  said  John  Pitts  make  resistance,  in 
that  case  you  must  call  to  your  aid  sufficient  force  in  order 
that  this  order  may  be  carried  into  execution. 

Whereas  this  Board,  anxious  to  detect  all  persons  con- 
cerned in  counterfeiting  the  currency  of  this  State,  and  influ- 
enced by  reports  injurious  to  Mr.  William  Edwards's  cha- 
racter, and  by  misinformation,  ordered  Mr.  Edwards  to  be 
brought  before  us  for  examination,  and  he  was  brought  and 
examined  accordingly,  we,  in  justice  to  injured  innocence,1 
and  to  prevent  that  imputation  of  guilt  which  might  arise 
from  the  circumstance  of  apprehending  Mr.  Edwards,  do, 
with  infinite  pleasure,  declare,  that,  after  the  strictest  scrutiny 
into  his  conduct,  the  charge  was  found  totally  groundless, 
and  he  was  most  honourably  acquitted. 

Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  Person  and  Mr.  Joseph 
John  Williams  do  each  of  them  agree  with  a  proper  person 
for  the  purpose  of  instructing  the  inhabitants  of  Anson 
County,  and  other  the  western  parts  of  this  Colony,  in  their 
duty  to  Almighty  God,  and  for  explaining  to  them  the  jus- 
tice and  necessity  of  the  measures  pursued  by  the  United 
States  of  America,  as  the  only  means  under  God  of  sup- 
porting and  maintaining  our  civil  and  religious  liberties,  and 
thereby  induce  the  good  people  of  this  Colony  firmly  to  unite 
in  supporting  their  just  rights  and  privileges ;  and  that  the 
persons  who  may  be  intrusted  with  the  execution  of  this 
important  service  be  by  the  said  General  Person  and  Mr. 
Joseph  John  Williams,  supplied  with  the  sum  of  £25  each, 
in  order  to  defray  their  travelling  expenses,  and  that  the 
Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  the  same,  and  be  allowed 
in  their  Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  James  Mills,  of  Bute  County,  be 
employed  immediately  to  proceed  to  the  Northern  States, 
there  to  contract  in  behalf  of  this  State  with  one  or  more 
persons  well  skilled  in  the  art  of  casting  Pig  Iron,  Cannon, 
Cannon-Ball,  and  Hollow  Ware,  and  that  it  be  recommended 
to  the  Delegates  in  Congress  for  this  State  to  give  Mr.  Mills 
such  aid  as  may  be  necessary,  by  advice  and  a  proper  supply 
of  money. 

Resolved,  That  either  of  the  Treasurers  pay  into  the 
hands  of  Brigadier-General  Person  the  sum  of  £  1 ,000,  for 
the  use  of  the  Commissary  who  may  be  appointed  to  furnish 
with  Provisions  the  Detachment  ordered  from  the  District  of 
Hillsborough  to  reinforce  General  Rutherford,  and  that  he 
take  bond  and  security  from  the  said  Commissary  to  account 
with  the  next  Congress  for  the  due  application  of  the  said 
sum. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Sunday,  August  4,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Monday,  August  5,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  John  Webb,  of  Halifax,  be  permitted  to 
export  to  any  of  the  French  or  Dutch  Islands,  in  the  Sloop 
King-Fisher,  James  Ducaine  Master,  eighteen  thousand 
Hogshead  Staves,  he  having  entered  into  bond  and  security 
in  the  sum  of  £2,000  to  import  into  this  Province  the  net 
proceeds  of  the  Staves  above  mentioned  in  Salt,  Arms,  Am- 
munition, and  other  warlike  stores. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  August  6,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 
into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Waller  Gibson,  Commissary  to  the 
Newbern  and  Wilmington  Brigades  of  Militia  at  Wilmington, 
the  sum  of  £1,000,  it  appearing  to  the  Council  the  said 
Walter  Gibson  is  in  advance  that  sum  to  the  publick,  and 
be  allowed  the  same  in  the  settlement  of  their  Accounts 
with  the  publick. 

The  Continental  Congress,  on  the  4th  day  of  July  last, 
declared  the  Thirteen  United  Colonies  of  America  free  and 
independent  States;  and  as  it  appears  that  there  is  no  Com- 
mittee in  the  County  of  Cumberland: 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Ebenezer  Folesome  and  Colonel 
David  Smith,  or  either  of  them,  on  receiving  the  said  Decla- 
ration, call  a  general  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
County,  and  that  they,  or  either  of  them,  cause  the  same  to 
be  read  and  proclaimed  in  the  most  publick  manner,  in  order 
that  the  good  people  of  this  State  may  be  informed  thereof; 
and  that  at  the  same  time  the  Resolve  of  the  said  Congress 
respecting  Treason  be  published,  and  that  he  proclaim  the 
same  to  the  Regiment  stationed  at  Cross  Creek. 

Resolved,  That  John  Croolc  be  allowed  the  sum  of  £  1 6 
for  himself,  William  Wood,  and  Edmund  Dinson,  for  bring- 
ing under  guard  to  this  Council  a  certain  William  Harrard, 
of  Wake  County;  that  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them, 
pay  him  the  same,  and  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts  with  the 
publick. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  August  7,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Captain  Hardy,  owner  of  the  Brig  Betsey,  bound  on  a 
voyage  to  Hamburg,  on  Continental  service,  having  repre- 
sented to  this  Board  that  he  himself  risks  the  vessel  against 
the  danger  of  the  seas  and  the  barratry  of  the  masters,  and 
that  Gale  and  Colvert,  nominated  by  this  Board  as  proper 
persons  to  take  the  command  of  her,  are  strangers  to  him, 
and  he  apprehends  unacquainted  with  those  seas  to  which 
she  is  bound, 

Resolved,  That  the  former  Resolution  respecting  this 
matter,  so  far  as  it  relates  to  Gak  and  Colvert,  be  rescinded, 
and  that  the  Committee  of  Edenton  do  appoint  any  known 
friend  of  American  Independence  to  the  command  of  the 
said  Brig. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 
unto  Mr.  James  Davis  the  sum  of  £125,  being  for  the  half 
year's  Salary  due  him  the  1st  day  of  June  last,  agreeable  to 
an  Act  of  Assembly,  and  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts  with 
the  publick. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday,  August  8,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 
into  the  hands  of  Captain  Thomas  Bloodworth  the  sum  of 
£300,  to  enable  him  to  pay  off"  his  Minute  Company,  and 
that  he  account  for  the  same  with  the  next  Provincial  Con- 
gress, and  be  allowed  the  same  in  the  settlement  of  their 
Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  Henry  Buford  be  allowed  the  sum  of 
£40,  for  six  months'  rent  of  the  northeast  Bridge,  from  the 
18th  February,  1776,  to  the  18th  August,  inclusive,  for 
sundry  Troops,  Wagons,  Horses,  &tc.,  passing  and  repassing 
the  same,  and  that  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 
him  the  same,  and  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts  with  the 
publick. 


1373 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1374 


Resolved,  That  Austin  Parrot  and  Michael  Henry  be 
discharged  from  custody,  they  first  entering  into  bond  for 
their  personal  appearance  at  the  next  Congress,  and  that 
Francis  Roberts  be  committed  to  Jail,  there  to  remain  until 
further  orders. 

Ordered,  That  Benjamin  Branch  and  Jacob  Kennebrew 
be  discharged  from  custody,  they  entering  into  bond  for  their 
appearance  at  the  next  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  August  9,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of  America,  in 
General  Congress  assembled,  at  Philadelphia,  the  4th  day 
of  July,  1776,  having  determined  that  the  Thirteen  United 
Colonies  are  free  and  independent  States,  and  in  consequence 
thereof  have  published  a  Declaration  of  Independence: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  good  people 
of  this  now  independent  State  of  North-  Carolina  to  pay  the 
greatest  attention  to  the  Election,  to  be  held  on  the  15th 
day  of  October  next,  of  Delegates  to  represent  them  in  Con- 
gress, and  to  have  particularly  in  view  this  important  con- 
sideration :  that  it  will  be  the  business  of  the  Delegates  then 
chosen  not  only  to  make  laws  for  the  good  government  of, 
but  also  to  form  a  Constitution  for  this  State ;  that  this  last, 
as  it  is  the  corner-stone  of  all  law,  so  it  ought  to  be  fixed 
and  permanent;  and  that,  according  as  it  is  well  or  ill 
ordered,  it  must  tend  in  the  first  degree  to  promote  the  hap- 
piness or  misery  of  the  State. 

Resolved,  also,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  State  to  elect  five  Delegates,  properly  qualified, 
for  each  County,  to  sit  and  vote  in  the  next  Congress,  as 
business  of  the  last  importance  will  come  before  them. 

Whereas  the  Provincial  Council,  heretofore  held  at  John 
Smith's,  on  Neuse  River,  did  order  and  direct  by  Resolve 
that  the  Books,  Papers,  and  Accounts  belonging  to  Anthony 
Warwick  ty-  Co.,  in  the  possession  of  Lewis  Williamson, 
should  be  delivered  to  the  said  Anthony  Warwick  $f  Co., 
and  it  now  appearing  to  this  Council  that  the  carrying  the 
said  Order  and  Resolution  into  effect  would  be  injurious  to 
many  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  State, 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  said  Resolution  be  rescind- 
ed, and  that  the  said  Lewis  Williamson  keep  in  his  posses- 
sion the  said  Books  and  Papers  till  further  orders. 

Richard  Dunnivan,  lately  belonging  to  the  Syren  man- 
of-war,  a  prisoner  on  parole  in  Halifax,  came  before  the 
Council  and  moved  that  he  might  be  naturalized  and  admit- 
ted to  the  privileges  of  a  free  citizen  of  this  State,  and  to  this 
end  declared  that  he  was  willing  to  take  an  oath  of  alle- 
giance to  the  State;  which  being  granted,  and  behaving 
taken  and  subscribed  to  an  oath  for  that  purpose, 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  said  Richard  Dunnivan  be 
discharged  from  his  parole,  and  that  he  be  henceforward 
considered  as  a  member  and  free  citizen  of  this  State. 

William  Miller,  a  prisoner  on  parole  in  Halifax,  but  late 
of  Wilmington,  came  before  the  Council,  and  moved  that 
he  might  be  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  a  free  citizen;  and 
to  this  end  declared  he  was  willing  to  take  an  oath  of  alle- 
giance to  this  State;  which  being  granted,  and  he  having 
taken  and  subscribed  to  an  oath  for  that  purpose, 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  said  William  Miller  be  dis- 
charged from  his  parole,  and  that  he  be  henceforward  con- 
sidered as  a  member  and  free  citizen  of  this  State. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  August  10,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Samuel  Ashe,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Members  of  the  Council 
of  Safety  for  the  District  of  Wilmington,  appeared. 

Whereas  there  is  now  on  hand  in  the  Town  of  Halifax  a 
large  quantity  of  Beef  and  Pork  purchased  by  John  Webb 
for  the  use  of  the  publick,  a  great  proportion  of  which,  for 
want  of  due  management  and  care,  is  much  damaged  and 
unfit  for  the  use  of  the  Army,  and  as  there  is  also  a  con- 
siderable quantity  of  Provisions  belonging  to  the  publick  in 
the  Town  of  Tarborough,  under  the  care  of  Colonel  Irwin, 
part  of  which  is  also  damaged  :  in  order,  therefore,  t<5  pre- 
vent the  total  loss  thereof, 


Resolved,  That  Colonel  Nicholas  Long  be  empowered 
and  required  to  dispose  of  the  said  Beef  and  Pork  in  the 
best  and  most  advantageous  manner  he  may  think  proper, 
either  at  publick  or  private  sale,  and  may,  if  he  judge  it  ne- 
cessary, give  three  months'  credit  to  the  purchasers,  and 
make  return  of  such  sale  to  the  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Willis  Alston  do  procure  Wa- 
gons and  Team  and  a  guard  of  twelve  good  and  trusty  men, 
properly  armed,  with  an  Officer  to  command  them,  in  order 
to  transport  a  quantity  of  Ammunition  and  other  articles 
from  the  Town  of  Halifax  to  Wilmington. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Sunday,  August  11,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  August  12,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

This  Board  being  informed  there  is  in  the  County  of 
Halifax,  on  a  place  called  Great  Fishing  Creek,  a  Lead 
Mine,  and  some  of  the  Ore  having  been  produced  and  tried, 
from  which  it  appears  there  is  a  probability  of  procuring 
Lead  for  the  use  of  this  State;  therefore,  for  employing  pro- 
per persons  to  examine  and  make  a  more  full  discovery  of 
the  quality  and  quantity  of  the  said  Ore, 

Resolved,  That  either  of  the  Treasurers  pay  into  the 
hands  of  Francis  Ward  or  John  Williams  the  sum  of  £50, 
Proclamation  money,  and  that  they  do  account  for  the  due 
application  of  the  same  to  the  next  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Nicholas  Long  deliver  to  Fran- 
cis Ward  and  John  Williams  five  pounds  of  Gunpowder,  for 
the  use  of  blowing  rocks  in  exploring  the  Lead  Mines  on 
Fishing  Creek. 

Resolved,  That  Richard  Dunnovan,  lately  a  prisoner  on 
parole  at  Halifax,  be  allowed  £1  IGs.,  for  three  weeks' 
bonrd,  and  that  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  him 
the  same,  and  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts  with  the  pub- 
lick. 

It  appearing  to  this  Board,  by  the  oath  of  Frances  Pitts, 
wife  of  John  Pitts,  that  on  or  about  the  fourth  of  this  instant 
August,  that  as  the  said  John  Pitts  was  travelling  the  high- 
road through  the  County  of  Halifax,  he  was  assaulted  and 
inhumanly  beat  by  a  certain  James  Sweeny,  and  by  him 
robbed  of  a  Horse,  one  Watch,  nine  Dollars  in  Bills,  one 
Gold  Ring,  one  Trunk,  one  Dutch  Blanket,  one  Tobacco- 
Box,  and  one  Tickler: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  Bottom  Stegall  be  hereby  au- 
thorized and  empowered  to  take  with  him  such  aid  and 
assistance  as1  he  may  judge  necessary  to  apprehend  the  said 
Sweeney,  and  bring  him  before  this  Board,  or  a  Committee 
of  the  County  of  Halifax,  to  answer  the  above  charge. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  James  Williams  and  Mr.  Joseph  Tur- 
ner do  take  into  their  possession  three  Negroes,  now  in  the 
Town  of  Halifax,  and  one  at  the  Plantation  of  Mr.  James 
Colton,  the  property  of  the  Heirs  of  Mr.  Joseph  Williams,  of 
Perquimans  County,  deceased,  and  deliver  them  into  the 
hands  of  Colonel  William  Skinner,  to  be  by  him  secured 
for  the  use  of  the  Orphans,  agreeable  to  the  Will  of  the  said 
Williams,  until  the  further  order  of  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock 

Tuesday,  August  13, 1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

It  appearing  that  Nicholas  Long,  Esq.,  Quartermaster- 
General  of  the  Continental  Troops,  hath  advanced  large 
sums  of  money  for  Supplies  for  the  said  Troops,  as  also  for 
Colonel  Muhlenberg's  Virginia  Regiment: 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 
into  the  hands  of  Nicholas  Long  the  sum  of  £1,000,  to  be 
accounted  for  by  him  at  the  next  Provincial  Congress,  and 
that  they  be  allowed  the  same  in  their  Accounts  with  the 
publick. 

It  appearing  that  Henry  Giffard,  Commissary  of  the 
Militia  stationed  at  Cross  Creek,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Folesome,  hath  advanced  a  large  sum  of  money  for 
Supplies  for  the  said  Militia: 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 


1375 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1376 


into  the  hands  of  the  said  Henry  Giffard  the  sum  of  £400, 
to  be  accounted  for  by  him  at  the  next  Provincial  Con- 
gress, and  be  allowed  the  same  in  their  Accounts  with  the 
publick. 

James  Childs,  of  Anson  County,  charged  on  oath  with 


Wake  County,  Wednesday,  August  21, .1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Council  proceeded  to  make  choice  of  a  President,  in 
the  room  of  Cornelius  Harriett,  Esq.,  who  has  leave  of  ab- 
sence ;  when  Samuel  Aslie,  Esq.,  was  unanimously  chosen, 


practices  inimical  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  was  brought  before  and  placed  in  the  Chair  accordingly, 
the  Council,  and  being  examined,  declared  that  he  was  a  It  being  represented  to  the  Council  by  Captain  John 
preacher  of  the  New-Light  Baptist  persuasion  ;  that  one  of  Jones  that  he,  at  the  request  of  Richard  Blackledge,  applied 
the  tenets  of  his  church  was  not  to  bear  arms,  either  offen-  to  Richard  Nassau  Stevens,  of  Bath-Town,  for  certain  Ket- 
sively  or  defensively,  and  that  he  had  preached  this  doctrine  t)es  to  the  said  Stevens  belonging,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
not  only  in  his  particular  church,  but  in  all  the  churches  of  gait  by  boiling;  that  he  (John  Jones')  agreed  to  give  the  price 
his  communion,  and  that  he  had  inculcated  it  by  the  terrors  demanded  by  Stevens,  but  that  Stevens  refused  to  take  it, 

unless  paid  in  old  Proclamation  or  Continental  money: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  John  Jones  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
empowered  to  apply  again  to  the  said  Stevens  for  the  Kettles 
above-mentioned;  and  if  he  shall  refuse  to  receive  payment 
for  the  same  in  the  Dollar  Bills  of  this  State,  then,  and  in 


Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday,  August  22,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Petition  of  the  Committee  of  the  Settlements  of 
Watauga  and  Holstein,  called  by  them  Washington  District, 
and  of  the  inhabitants  thereof,  was  read,  setting  forth  the 
manner  in  which  they  first  settled  that  country,  and  the 
nature  of  their  title,  showing,  that  from  the  commencement 
of  the  present  dispute  between  Great  Britain  and  the  Colo- 


of  excommunication.  And  the  said  James  Childs,  being 
required  to  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  this  State,  re- 
fused : 

Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  doctrine,  especially  at  this 
crisis,  has  an   evil   tendency,  and   that  James  Childs,  by 

preaching  the  same,  and  by  excommunicating  such  of  his    SUch  case,  to  take  them  unpaid  for,  and  refer  the  said  Stevens 
followers  as  did  not  implicitly  subscribe  to  this  doctrine,  and    to  tnjs  Council  for  remedy. 
by  refusing  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  deserves  to  be  con- 
sidered as  an  enemy  to  this  State;  therefore,  that  he  be  sent 
to  the  Town  of  Edenton,  on  his  parole,  within  the  limits  of 
the  same,  not  to  depart  therefrom  without  permission  of  this 
Council  or  the  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Ebenezer  Folesome  take  into  his 
possession  and  keep  safe  all  the  Salt  which  he  rendered  an 
account  of  to  this  Board;  except  such  as  has  been  otherwise 
ordered,  subject  to  the  further  order  of  this'Council. 
On  the  application  of  Mr.  Wyriot,  from  Georgia, 

Resolved,  That  the  Officers  from  that  State  be  permitted  njeS)  they  have  adhered  to  the  Association  and  Resolutions 
to  recruit  Soldiers  in  this  State,  provided  they  do  not  inlist  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  promoted  as  far  as  they 
any  Regular  Soldiers  or  Marines,  already  engaged  here  in  the  COuld  the  common  cause  of  liberty ;  that  the  said  Settle- 
Continental  service  or  the  service  of  this  State,  or  indented  ments  are  within  the  bounds  of  this  State,  and  praying  that 

they  may  be  received  into  and  considered  as  part  thereof. 
The  said  Petition  being  considered, 

Resolved,  That  the  Council  do  approve  of  the  conduct  of 
the  Committee  and  inhabitants  of  the  above-mentioned  Settle- 
ments in  regard  to  the  present  disputes;  and  that  it  be,  and 
is  hereby,  recommended  to  the  freemen  of  the  said  Settle- 
ments to  hold  a  free  and  impartial  election  at  some  con- 
venient place  in  the  said  District,  on  the  1 5th  day  of  October 
next,  then  and  there  to  elect  five  Delegates  to  represent  the 
said  District;  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Delegates 
so  elected  to  attend  at  Halifax-Town,  in  this  State,  on  the 
10th  day  of  November  next,  then  and  there  to  lay  their  case 
before  the  Congress  of  this  State. 

Whereas  the  Cherokees,  unprovoked  by  the  inhabitants 
of  Watauga  and  Holstein,  and  instigated  under  the  influence 
of  Cameron,  Stewart,  and  other  emissaries  of  the  British 
Government,  by  the  refusal  of  the  said  inhabitants  to  join 

John  Campbell,  a  prisoner  on  parole  in  Halifax,  came  ™*  cooperate  with  the  enemies  of  Amerka  have  attacked 
fore  the  Council,  and  moved  that  he  might  be  admitted  to  the  sa.d  inhab.tants  of  Watauga  and \Holstein  murdered 
privileges  of  a  free  citizen,  and  to  this  end  declared  that  some  of  them,  ravaged  the,r  country,  destroyed  their  crops 
lie  was  wifling  to  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  this  State;  and  driven  off  their  stocks  of  Cattle  and  Horses,  and  earned 
which  being  granted,  and  he  having  taken  and  subscribed  to  oft  other  effects: 

th  for  that  numose-  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  gentlemen, 

'  Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  said  John  Campbell  be  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  armaments  which  have  marched 
discharged  from  his  parole,  and  that  he  be  henceforward  or  may  march  from  Virginia  and  this  State  against  the 
^n.;^  ^  ,  ™mhp.r  and  free  citizen  of  this  State.  Cherokees,  to  restore  to  the  owners  on  recapture  all  such 

Cattle,  Horses,  and  other  effects,  sufficient  prool  being  first 


Servants  or  Apprentices,  without  first  obtaining  leave  from 
their  masters.  And  it  is  recommended  to  the  several  County 
and  Town  Committees  to  afford  them  all  possible  assistance, 
as  the  Soldiers  about  to  be  inlisted  are  to  be  on  the  Conti- 
nental establishment. 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Erskin,  now  a  prisoner  at  Hali- 
fax, be  removed  to  Harrisburg,  in  the  County  of  Granville, 
there  to  remain  on  his  parole,  within  one  mile  of  the  said 
Town,  until  further  orders  of  this  Council  or  the  Provincial 
Congress. 
"  To  the  Jaikr  of  HALIFAX  County: 

"  Herewith  you  will  receive  the  body  of  James  Sweeny, 
charged  on  the  oath  of  Frances  Pitts,  wife  of  John  Pitts, 
of  having  feloniously  stolen  from  the  said  John  Pitts  one 
Horse,  one  Watch,  nine  Dollars  in  bills,  one  Gold  Ring, 
one  Trunk,  one  Dutch  Blanket,  one  Tobacco-box,  and  one 
Tickler." 

Johi 
before ' 


considered  as  a  member  and  free  citizen  of  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 
into  the  hands  of  Willis  Alston,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  £50,  for 
the  purpose  of  employing  Guards  for  the  Town  of  Halifax, 
to  be  accounted  for  at  the  next  Congress,  and  be  allowed 
the  same  in  their  Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Malcom  McNiel  and  Joseph  Smith,  prisoners  on  parole  at 
Halifax,  came  before  this  Council,  and  being  desirous  to 

take  an  oath  not  to  take  up  or  bear  Arms,  on  any  pretence, 

.  .  ,  f     rr  .,    ,  ,-,,    .        j.   :   '    .  sum  ui   jwiuu   J.U3.  v»2"->  mi"  «"-   .j"..v.o   «, 

against  the  inhabitants  of  the  Untied  Sta tes  of  America,  nor    Treasurer;  and  take  his  receipt  for  the  same. 


made  of  the  property. 

Christopher  Neal,  Esq.,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Justice 
for  Port  Neivbern,  exhibited  his  Account  against  the  Brig 
William,  Captain  Drew  commander,  lately  condemned  in 
the  said  Court,  whereby  it  appears  there  is  a  balance  due  to 
the  publick  of  £108  18*.  6^: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Christopher  Ncal  pay  the  said 
sum  of  £108  18s.  6^d.,  into  the  hands  of  the  Southern 


carry  out  more  than  £50  of  Gold  and  Silver,  equal  in  value 
to  £50  Carolina  currency,  and  they  having  subscribed  to 
an  oath  for  that  purpose : 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Malcom  McNiel  and  Joseph 
Smith  be  permitted  to  leave  this  State,  and  proceed  to  any 
of  the  French  or  Neutral  Islands  in  the  West-Indies,  and 
that  they  have  leave  from  this  Board  to  take  shipping 


Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Friday,  August  23,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas  the  Council  have  received  information  that  John 
Cowper,  of  Beaufort  County,  Merchant,  has  at  this  time 

from  any  Port  in  this  State  where  they  can  obtain   the    by  him  a  large  quantity  of  common  Salt,  which  he  refuses  to 
same.  dispose  of,  pretending,  as  it  is  said,  that  he  keeps  the  same 

The  Council  adjourned  to  Wake  County,  at  the  house  of   for  the  use  of  two  of  the  Independent  Companies  on  the  sea 
Mr.  Joel  Lane.  board;  and  whereas  the  numerous  armaments  now  in  the 


1377 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1378 


service  of  this  State  on  the  frontiers  arc  in  the  greatest  want 
of  Salt : 

It  is  therefore,  Resolved,  That  James  Banner,  Esq.,  do 
immediately  call  on  the  said  John  Cowper,  requiring  him 


and  an  Inventory  of  the  various  articles,  and  with  whom 
lodged,  to  this  Board. 

And   whereas  the  Council  are  informed  that  a  certain 
William  Campbell,  late  owner  of  the  Ship  Alexander,  a 


to  deliver,  upon  oath,  an  exact  account  of  the  quantity  of  vessel  sunk  for  the  purpose  above-mentioned,  refuses  to  de- 
Salt  he  has  now  in  his  possession,  and  that  the  same  remain  liver  up  the  Sails,  &tc.,  to  her  belonging,  detaining  them  until 
in  the  care  of  the  said  John  Cowper  for  the  use  of  the  pub-  he  shall  be  allowed  for  sundry  materials  prepared  for  the 

1!1_         _.*!!_  •  .1  /•          i  i  /•     .  i    •        T-»  i  i  •  f      i  •  _I    C*l    *  A  I 

repair  ol  the  said  Ship  Alexander: 

Resolved,  That  Nicholas  Longca\\  on  said  William  Camp- 
bell for  delivery  of  the  Sails  and  other  articles  aforesaid,  and 
on  his  refusal  to  deliver  them,  summon  sufficient  aid  and 
take  them  by  force,  and  proceed  to  take  care  of  them  as 
above  directed. 

Resolved,  also,  That  the  Committee  of  Wilmington  be, 
and  they  are  hereby,  directed  to  appoint  five  indifferent  per- 
sons to  value  and  appraise  the.  materials  prepared  for  the 
repairs  of  the  Ship  Alexander,  lately  belonging  to  William 
Campbell,  the  said  Campbell  first  deposing  on  oath  that  they 
were  actually  prepared  for  that  purpose,  and  render  an  In- 
ventory and  Appraisement  thereof  to  next  Congress,  that 
they  may  determine  of  said  Campbell's  claim  for  the  said 
materials. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  or  Colonel  Folesome 
deliver  to  Mr.  James  Williams  sixty  bushels  of  Salt,  out  of 
that  taken  at  Cross  Creek,  for  the  use  of  the  County  of 
Chatham,  he  or  they  complying  with  the  Resolution  of 
Congress  respecting  the  same. 

It  appearing  on  examination  of  Major  James  Moore's 
Account,  rendered  to,  and  allowed  by,  the  last  Congress, 
that  there  was  an  error  in  extending  the  pay  of  fifty-two 
Privates  in  the  Minute-service,  for  twenty-eight  days,  at 
1*.  lOgrf.,  of  £26  Os.  Id.,  it  being  carried  out  £112  Os.  3d,, 
instead  of  £1380*.  4d.: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  James  Moore  be  allowed  the  sum 
of  £26  Os.  \d.,  for  said  error;  that  the  Treasurers,  or  either 
of  them,  pay  him  the  same,  and  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts 
with  the  publick. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  August  27,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

William  Crawford  having  applied  to  this  Board' for  leave 
to  depart  this  State  for  the  Island  of  Bermuda: 
Resolved,  He  have  leave  accordingly. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  August  28,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Reneca  Julian  and  James  Walker  be  sent 
to  the  Jail  of  Halifax,  it  appearing  to  this  Council  that  they 
are  both  inimical  to  this  State ;  and  that  Messrs.  William  Bell, 
Richardson  Owen,  and  Francis  Harper,  Commissioners 
appointed  by  Congress  to  take  care  of  the  estate  of  Prisoners 
put  out  of  this  State  from  the  County  of  Guilford,  take  an 
inventory  of  the  Estate  of  the  said  Reneca  Julian,  and  to 
take  all  the  care  in  their  power  to  prevent  waste  and  em- 
bezzlement; and  to  make  return  thereof  to  next  Congress, 
but  at  the  same  time  pay  particular  attention  to  his  wife  and 
children,  to  see  that  they  do  not  want  the  common  neces- 


lick,  until  he  receives  the  further  order  of  this  Board  ;  and 
that  the  said  James  Banner  immediately  certify  to  this  Board 
the  exact  quantity  of  said  Salt. 

Whereas  this  Board  have  had  information  that  the  Cher- 
okees  of  the  Lower,  Middle,  and  Valley  Settlements  have 
abandoned  their  Towns,  and  that  the  force  already  collected 
under  General  Rutherford,  with  the  three  hundred  men 
marched  from  Hillsborough  District  is  fully  adequate  to  the 
protection  and  security  of  the  frontiers: 

Resolved,  That  the  Brigadier-General  of  Hillsborough 
District  be  directed  to  countermand  the  raising  or  marching 
of  the  remaining  two  hundred  ordered  from  the  said  District, 
until  further  orders  from  the  Council. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Ebcnezcr  F olesome  furnish  to  the 
Commissioners  appointed  to  manage  and  superintend  the 
Iron  Works,  fifteen  bushels  of  the  publick  Salt  in  his  pos- 
session, for  the  use  of  the  labourers  at  said  Works. 

Whereas  sundry  persons  of  the  Militia  in  Hillsborough 
District,  disregarding  the  Resolutions  of  Congress  relative 
to  the  Militia,  and  also  in  contempt  of  an  Order  of  this 
Council,  lately  issued,  directing  the  raising  and  marching  of 
five  hundred  men  to  the  assistance  of  General  Rutherford, 
have  failed  to  attend  the  Musters  in  their  respective  Coun- 
ties, and  when  draughted  have  refused  or  neglected  to  march, 
and  by  such  conduct  incurred  the  penalties  by  the  Resolu- 
tions of  Congress  inflicted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Colonels  in  the  respective  Counties 
be,  and  they  are  hereby,  directed  to  hold  Courts-Martial  for 
the  trial  of  such  delinquents ;  that  they  administer  the  fol- 
lowing Oath  to  the  Members  thereof,  to  wit :  "  You  shall 
swear  well  and  truly  to  try  and  determine,  according  to  the 
evidence  in  the  matter  now  before  you,  between  the  inde- 
pendent State  of  North- Carolina  and  the  prisoner  to  be 
tried ;"  that  they  inquire  into  facts  and  pass  sentence,  and 
return  their  proceedings  to  this  Board,  deferring  execution 
until  further  orders  of  the  Council  or  the  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Conner  Doud  be  directed  to  sell  the  Salt 
in  his  possession,  being  about  one  hundred  and  ten  bushels, 
to  the  Whigs  who  bore  arms  in  the  late  expedition  against 
the  Tories  at  Moore's  Creek,  at  10s.  per  bushel,  not  selling 
more  than  half  a  bushel  to  each  man. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Archibald  Simpson  be  directed  to 
sell  ten  bushels  of  his  Salt  to  Henry  Giffard,  Commissary 
for  the  Horse  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Folesome,  at 
10s.  per  bushel. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  August  24,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Read  the  Petition  of  a  number  of  inhabitants  of  Cumber- 
land County,  complaining  of  many  abuses  committed  by 
Colonel  Ebenezer  Folesome;  which  was  ordered  to  be  filed, 


and  that  notice  be  given  at  a  future  day  for  a  hearing  of  the    saries  of  life ;  and  that  his  Estate  shall  remain  where  it  was, 

except  Arms  and  Ammunition,  under  the  protection  of  this 
Council,  until  some  future  order  of  this  Board  or  the  Con- 
gress; and  that  the  Colonel  of  Wake  County  do  see  the  first 
part  of  this  Resolve  carried  into  execution. 

Jacob  Elliot,  Abraham  Woodward,  James  fVilson,  Wil- 
liam Draper,  John  Underbill,  and  Reneca  Julian,  being 
brought  before  this  Board  from  Guilford  County  as  persons 
inimical  to  the  cause  of  America. 

Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  persons,  by  equal  propor- 
tions, pay  to  Thomas  Jenkins,  Captain  of  the  Guard,  for 
himself  and  seven  others,  the  sum  of  £20  8s.  6d.,  for  their 
expense  in  bringing  them  before  this  Council. 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Jenkins  be  allowed  the  sum  of 
£3  8s.  Id.  for  himself  and  Guard  bringing  to  this  Board 
James  Walker,  of  Guilford  County.  That  the  Treasurers, 
or  either  of  them,  pay  him  the  same,  and  be  allowed  in  their 
Accounts  with  the  publick. 

John  Hamilton  appearing  before  this  Board  in  behalf  of 
John  Hamilton  fy  Company;  and  suggesting  that  they  had 


parties 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Sunday,  August  25,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  August  26,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  Valuation  and  Appraisement 
of  sundry  Vessels  some  time  since  sunk  to  obstruct  the  navi- 
gation of  Cape  Fear  River,  be  transmitted  to  Nicholas  Long, 
Esq.;  that  he  apply  to  the  Committee  of  Wilmington  for  the 
Inventories  therein  mentioned,  and  take  into  his  possession 
the  Masts,  Yards,  Sails,  Rigging,  Cables,  Anchors,  and  other 
apparel  to  the  said  Vessels  belonging,  and  deposite  them  in 
the  care  of  one  or  more  trusty  person  or  persons,  there  to 
remain  subject  to  the  further  orders  of  the  Council  or  Con- 
gress, and  that  he  transmit  an  account  of  his  doing  herein, 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


87 


1379 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  SEPTEMBER,  1776. 


1380 


been  aggrieved  by  the  determination  of  this  Board  relative 
to  the  Brigantine  William,  directed  by  the  Congress  held  at 
Halifax,  in  April  last,  to  be  seized  as  British  property,  and 
praying  an  appeal  from  the  determination  of  this  Board  to 
the  next  Congress,  and  that  all  further  proceedings  be  stayed 
until  the  direction  of  Congress  be  had  thereon : 

Resolced,  That  the  said  John  Hamilton,  in  behalf  of  the 
Company,  be  permitted  to  appeal  to  the  next  Congress;  and 
that  the  said  John  Hamilton  Sf  Company,  and  all  other 
persons,  the.  Officers  of  the  Courts  of  Justice  excepted,  who 
have  received  any  moneys  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  said 
Brigantine  William,  replace  the  same  in  the  hands  of  Chris- 
topher Neale,  Esq.,  until  the  resolution  of  the  next  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Francis  Price  and  George  Merrick 
be  appointed  Commissioners  for  the  Port  of  Wilmington,  in 
this  Province,  and  that  they  enter  into  bond,  with  security, 
in  the  sum  of  £5,000,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their 
office. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  appointed  at  the  Ports 
ofEdenton,  Bath,  Newbern,  and  Wilmington,  be  empowered 
to  give  permits  to  Vessels  to  load  with  Staves  and  Heading 
for  any  of  the  French,  Spanish,  Dutch,  or  Danish  Islands, 
in  the  West-Indies,  the  owner  or  owners  of  such  Vessels  first 
giving  bond,  with  a  good  and  sufficient  security  in  the  sum 
of  £2,000,  which  bond  must  be  made  payable  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Congress  of  this  State,  and  his  successors,  that 
Salt,  Arms,  Ammunition,  and  other  warlike  stores,  shall 
only  be  imported,  in  return  for  the  net  proceeds  of  such 
Staves  and  Heading;  and  that  no  person  or  persons  shall  be 
entitled  to  this  privilege  but  known  friends  to  the  American 
independency. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  William  Brown  be  appointed  Com- 
missioner for  the  Port  of  Bath,  and  that  he  enter  into  bond, 
with  security,  in  the  sum  of  £2,000,  for  the  faithful  discharge 
of  his  office ;  which  bond  is  to  be  lodged  with  the  President 
of  the  Provincial  Congress. 

the  Council  adjourned  to  Salisbury,  in  the  County  of 
Rowan. 

Salisbury,  September  6,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

James  Hunter  and  Joseph  Dobson,  both  of  Guilford 
County,  voluntarily  came  before  the  Council,  moved  that 
they  might  be  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  free  citizens,  and 
declared  that  they  were  willing  to  take  an  oatli  of  allegiance 
to  this  State;  which  being  granted,  and  they  having  taken 
and  subscribed  to  an  oath  for  that  purpose, 

Resolved,  That  they  henceforward  be  considered  as  free 
citizens  and  members  of  this  State. 

Jacob  Williams,  ofAnson  County,  being  brought  before 
this  Council  for  having  spoken  some  words  inimical  to  the 
cause  of  liberty,  and  regardless  of  a  solemn  declaration  by 
him  signed  at  the  Congress  at  Hillsborough, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Williams  enter  into  bond,  with 
security,  in  the  sum  of  £300,  conditioned  that  he  appear  at 
the  next  Congress  to  be  held  at  Halifax,  and  not  depart 
without  leave ;  otherwise  to  be  committed  to  the  common 
Jail  of  Salisbury,  there  to  remain  until  further  orders  of  this 
Council  or  Congress. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  September  7,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Troops  stationed  on  the  frontiers  of 
Tryon  County,  by  order  of  General  Rutherford,  for  the  pro- 
tection of  this  State,  be  continued  till  further  orders  of  this 
Board,  General  Rutherford,  or  the  Congress. 

Ambrose  Mills  and  John  Austin,  of  Tryon  County,  having 
been  brought  before  this  Board,  for  acting  inimical  to  the 
cause  of  American  freedom,  and  after  examination,  it  was 
thought  proper  to  discharge  them,  the  first  having  entered 
into  bond  and  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  this  State,  the 
other  having  aUo  taken  the  said  oath  of  allegiance. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  September  9,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

.On  the  Petition  of  Mary  Hughs,  wife  of  Joseph  Hughs, 


for  leave  for  her  husband  to  appear  before  this  Board,  to  be 
admitted  as  a  free  citizen  of  this  State, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Joseph  Hughs  be  permitted  to 
appear  before  this  Council,  on  or  before  the  llth  of  this 
instant,  September,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

Read  in  Council,  the  Petition  of  James  Hepburn,  on 
parole  to  Mecklenburgh  -County,  and  a  Certificate  from 
Waightstill  Avery,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Committee  of  the  said 
County,  showing  that  the  said  James  Hepburn  cannot  pro- 
cure a  house  within  the  limits  of  his  said  parole: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  James  Hepburn  have  leave  to 
remove  himself  to  the  Town  of  Salisbury,  there  to  be  on 
parole,  within  the  limits  and  bounds  of  the  said  Town,  and 
within  two  miles  thereof. 

Read,  the  Petition  of  Michael  Holt,  late  of  Orange 
County,  at  present  under  confinement  in  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia, praying  releasement,  &c.;  also  a  Petition  from  the 
Committee  of  said  County,  setting  forth,  that,  in  their  opinion, 
the  releasement  of  the  said  Michael  Holt  would  not  in  any- 
wise injure  the  cause  of  liberty  in  this  State.  This  Board, 
taking  the  said  Petition  into  consideration,  and  having  collect- 
ed all  the  evidence  for  and  against  the  said  Holt,  with  respect 
to  his  march  in  order  to  join  McDonald's  Army,  find  many 
circumstances  in  his  favour;  inasmuch,  when  he  was  fully 
acquainted  with  the  intention  of  the  Tories,  he  did  actually 
return  home,  and  was  the  means  of  inducing  a  number  of 
others  to  follow  his  example,  without  a  junction  with  the 
Scotch  Army: 

Resolved,  That  he  be  recommended  to  the  Continental 
Congress  as  an  object  of  compassion,  and  that  the  Delegates 
from  this  State  use  their  utmost  endeavour  to  get  him  dis- 
charged from  his  present  imprisonment,  in  order  that  he  may 
return  home  to  his  family;  he  first  taking  an  oath  to  this 
State,  a  copy  of  which  is  ordered  to  be  enclosed  to  the  said 
Delegates. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  September  10,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas,  in  February  last,  James  McCoy,  with  a  number 
of  men,  was  employed  in  disarming  the  Tories  for  some  time, 
and  was  allowed  at  Congress  the  sum  of  £  102,  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  men  in  that  department;  and  whereas  a  certain 
controversy  has  arisen  among  the  men,  concerning  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  money,  and  application  having  been  made 
to  this  Board  concerning  the  same:  It  is  the  opinion  of  this 
Council  that  the  said  James  McCoy,  in  order  that  equal  jus- 
tice be  done,  pay  each  man  according  to  the  time  of  his 
being  in  actual  service. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Elcnezcr  Folesome,  or,  in  his 
absence,  the  Commissioners  at  Cross  Creek,  deliver  thirty 
bushels  of  the  publick  Salt  to  Captain  John  Hamlin,  to  be 
by  him  distributed  in  the  following  proportions,  to  wit : 
eighteen  bushels  among  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the 
Company  in  the  late  expedition,  and  twelve  bushels  among 
the  families  of  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  in  the  present  expe- 
dition against  the  Indians. 

Benjamin  Booth  Bootc,  lately  a  prisoner  in  South-  Caro- 
lina, from  this  State,  permitted  to  return  on  parole, 
came  before  this  Board,  and  took  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  the 
State: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  he  be  discharged  from  such 
parole,  and  that  he  be  henceforward  considered  as  a  friend 
and  free  citizen  of  this  State. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


Wednesday,  September  11,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  John  Dunn  be  paroled  to  the  Town  of 
Salisbury,  there  to  remain  until  further  orders  of  this  Council 
or  Congress,  and  to  appear  once  a  day  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Maxwell  Chambers;  and  further,  that  he  enter  into  bond, 
with  security,  in  the  sum  of  £1,000,  for  his  future  good 
behaviour,  and  in  case  of  breach  of  his  parole,  to  be 
committed,  by  the  Committee  of  the  Town,  to  close 
prison. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 


1381 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  OCTOBER,  1776. 


1382 


Thursday,  September  12,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

George  Wolfcndon,  Thomas  Ferguson,  James  Morgan, 
and  James  Gibson,  offered  to  the  Council  sundry  pieces  of 
Linen,  claiming  the  several  bounties,  pursuant  to  a  Resolve 
of  the  Congress  held  at  Hillsborough,  on  the  tenth  day  of 
September,  1775.  The  Board,  examining  into  the  premises, 
and  finding  that  the  said  several  pieces  of  Linen  were  manu- 
factured in  this  State,  pursuant  to  the  said  Resolve  of  Con- 
gress, and  that  they  are  so  near  in  quality  that  a  determination 
cannot  be  had  with  precision,  but  that  they  are  entitled  to 
the  several  bouniies  in  the  said  Resolve: 

It  is  Resolved.  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay 
unto  the  said  George  Wolfendon,  Thomas  Ferguson,  James 
Morgan,  and  James  Gibson,  £23  15s.,  each,  it  being  their 
equal  part  of  the  several  bounties  allowed  by  the  said  Resolve; 
and  that  the  same  shall  be  allowed  the  Treasurers  in  their 
Accounts  with  the  publick — the  parlies  being  present,  and 
consenting  to  an  equal  dividend  of  the  aforesaid  bounties. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  September  13,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Joseph  Hughs  came  before  this  Board  according  to  the 
prayer  of  a  Petition  exhibited  by  his  wife  Mary.  The  Coun- 
cil taking  the  same  into  consideralion, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Joseph  Hughs  be  paroled  to  the 
limits  of  the  Town  of  Salisbury,  there  to  remain  until  further 
orders  of  this  Council  or  Congress,  and  to  appear  once  a 
day  at  the  house  of  Maxwell  Chambers;  and  in  case  of  a 
breach  of  parole,  to  be  committed  by  the  Committee  of  the 
Town  to  close  prison ;  and  further,  that  he  enter  into  bond 
with  security  in  the  sum  of  £500,  for  his  future  good  beha- 
viour. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Militia  Officers  and  Captains 
of  the  Forts  and  Garrisons  on  the  frontiers  of  Rowan  and 
Tryon  furnish  Mr.  Avery  with  a  sufficient  escort  of  men  for 
a  guard  on  his  way  to  General  Rutherford,  and  also  to  give 
the  said  Avery  all  the  necessary  aid  and  assistance  in  their 
power. 

Resolved,  That  Abel  Armstrong,  or  any  other  officer  of 
the  Militia  of  the  District  of  Salisbury,  furnish  Joseph 
Thompson  and  James  Gallaspee,  Wagoners  in  the  service 
of  this  State,  on  their  way  to  and  from  ChisweWs  Mines, 
with  a  guard  of  four  men  to  escort  them  to  and  from  the 
same. 

Resolved,  That  Jesse  Nighton  pay  unto  James  Hacket, 
for  himself,  James  Kerr,  and  Robert  Gricr,  the  sum  of  £1 
10s.,  for  bringing  the  said  Nighton  before  this  Board  pursu- 
ant to  its  order. 

The  Council  adjourned  to  the  Town  of  Halifax,  in  the 
County  of  Halifax. 

Halifax,  September,  27,  1776.f 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Council  proceeded  to  make  choice  of  a  President  in 
the  room  of  Samuel  Ashe,  Esq.,  who  has  leave  of  absence ; 
when  Willie  Jones,  Esq.,  was  unanimously  chosen,  and 
placed  in  the  chair  accordingly. 

James  Walker,  who  -was  imprisoned  by  order  of  this 
Board,  for  acting  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  America,  was 
brought  before  the  Council  and  discharged,  on  taking  and 
subscribing  to  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  State. 

Whereas  it  appears,  from  the  oath  of  William  Alston, 
that  Hance  Hamilton,  of  Granville  County,  is  a  person 
inimical  to  the  liberties  of  America: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  his  Honour  the  President  issue 
a  Warrant  to  bring  the  said  Hamilton  before  the  Congress, 
to  be  examined  concerning  the  premises. 

It  appearing  that  James  Walker,  who  was  imprisoned  on 
suspicion  of  his  being  an  enemy  to  the  States,  is  a  pauper, 

Resolved,  That  the  expenses  and  fees  attending  the 
conveyance  and  imprisonment  of  the  said  James  Walker  be 
paid  by  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Sheriffs  and  Collectors  of 
Duties  in  this  Slate  do  attend  the  next  Congress,  to  be  held 
at  Halifax,  on  the  10th  day  of  November  next,  then  and 
there  to  settle  their  accounts  of  Taxes  and  Duties  received, 


and  prepare  themselves  to  pay  at  that  time  all  sums  of 
money  which  may  be  due  from  them  to  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Officers  of  the 
Continental  Forces  in  this  State,  and  the  Officers  of  the 
Provincials,  not  to  suffer  any  Soldiers  to  be  or  appear  at  the 
ensuing  election  of  Delegates  for  the  various  Counties  and 
Towns  in  this  State,  such  only  excepted  as  have  a  right  to 
vote  upon  the  occasion. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  September  28,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
Philip  Perry  the  sum  of  £3,  for  apprehending  Elijah  King, 
a  deserter  from  Captain  Brinkley's  Company,  in  the  Third 
Regiment  of  Continental  Troops  in  this  Province. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  September  30,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
John  Daves,  Quartermaster  to  the  Second  Regiment  of 
Continental  Troops  in  this  State,  £200,  to  enable  him  to 
procure  Forage,  &c.,  for  the  Horses  in  the  said  Regiment, 
and  be  allowed  in  their  Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  John  Daves  be  appointed  Ensign  in  Cap- 
tain Crawford's  Company,  in  the  Second  Regiment  of  Con- 
tinental Troops  in  this  State. 

Adjourned  (ill  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  October  1,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved.  That  John  Plummer,  Messenger  and  Door- 
Keeper  to  this  Board,  be  allowed  £27  12s.  2d.,  for  his  ser- 
vices, and  that  Richard  Canwell,  Esq.,  Treasurer  of  the 
Southern  District  in  this  Sta.te,  pay  the  same,  and  be  allowed 
in  his  Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  the  Horses  now  in  possession  of  sundry- 
persons  in  Bute  and  Granville  Counties,  the  property  of 
Josiah  Martin,  late  Governour.  be  brought  to  the  next  Con- 
gress in  as  good  order  as  they  received  them  of  the  Com- 
mitlee  of  Bute  County. 

William  Stuart,  a  prisoner,  who  was  committed  on  sus- 
picion of  being  a  confidential  emissary  and  spy  of  Josiah 
Martin,  was  brought  before  this  Board,  and  on  examination 
the  allegations  not  appearing  true,  the  said  William  Stuart  was 
discharged  on  taking  the  State  oath,  wiihout  payment  of  fees. 
It  appearing  that  the  said  William  Stuart  is  very  poor: 

Resolved,  That  the  Prison  fees  due  from  said  Stuart  be 
paid  by  the  publick. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissary  of  Stores,  or  his  Deputy, 
or  Captain  Forster,  at  Wilmington,  do  deliver  to  the  Com- 
missioners at  Edenton,  appointed  to  fit  out  the  armed  vessel 
King  Taminy,  out  of  the  publick  stores  at  Wilmington,  such 
materials  as  the  said  Commissioners  may  apply  for,  taking  a 
receipt  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Sylvanus  Pendleton,  Esq.,  Commander 
of  the  armed  Brig  King  Taminy,  filled  out  by  this  State, 
do,  with  all  possible  expedition,  proceed  to  Occacock  Bar, 
and  there  lie  for  the  protection  of  the  trade  until  the  return 
of  the  Pennsylvania  Farmer  from  her  intended  cruise  ;  and 
then  that  the  said  Sylvanus  Pendleton  shall  immediately 
proceed  to  sea  on  a  cruise  for  the  term  of  one  month,  against 
the  enemies  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  to  take 
as  many  of  the  merchant  ships,  the  property  of  the  subjects 
of  Great  Britain,  as  may  be  in  his  power,  and  for  that  pur- 
pose to  cruise  between  the  latitudes  of  thirty-two  and  thirty- 
five  and  ten,  and  to  keep  within  the  distance  of  eighty 
leagues  of  the  American  shore ;  and  that  after  the  expiration 
of  the  one  month's  cruise,  the  said  Sylvanus  Pendleton  shall 
return  to  Occacock  Bar;  and  should  he  take  any  prizes,  the 
same  must  be  sent  to  Occacock,  or  some  other  convenient 
Port. 

Resolved,  That  Joshua  Hampstead,  Esq.,  Commander  of 
the  armed  vessel  Pennsylvania  Farmer,  fitted  out  by  this 
State,  do  immediately  proceed  to  sea,  and  cruise  for  the  term 
of  one  month,  against  the  enemies  of  the  United  States  of 


1383 


NORTH-CAROLINA  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY,  OCTOBER,  1776. 


1384 


America,  and  to  take  as  many  of  the  British  ships,  the 
property  of  the  subjects  of  Great  Britain,  as  may  be  in  his 
power;  and  for  that  purpose  to  cruise  between  the  latitudes 
of  thirty-two  and  thirty-five  and  ten,  and  to  keep  within  the 
distance  of  eighty  leagues  of  the  American  shore;  and  that 
after  the  expiration  of  the  one  month's  cruise,  the  said  Joshua 
Hampstead  shall  return  to  Occacock,  and  should  he  take  any 
prizes,  the  same  must  be  sent  to  Occacock,  or  some  other 
convenient  Port. 

Samuel  Andrews  and  Thomas  Kersey,  who  were  com- 
mitted to  the  Jail  in  Halifax,  were  brought  before  this  Board, 
and  discharged  on  taking  the  State  oath,  and  entering  into 
recognizance  for  their  appearance  at  next  Congress. 

The  Council  adjourned  to  meet  at  this  Town  of  Halifax, 
on  the  17th  of  October  instant. 

Thursday,  October  17,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  October  18,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Saturday,  October  19,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  General  Moore  be  desired  to  lay  before 
this  Board  on  Monday  morning  a  state  of  the  Continental 
Forces  in  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  Ambrose  Knox  fy  Company,  William 
Brown,  John  Chace,  and  Daniel  Cartwright,  be  permitted 
to  send  to  sea  the  Sloop  Polly,  taken  into  possession  by 
Andrew  Little  and  Robert  Hardy,  in  consequence  of  a  Re- 
solve of  this  Board,  on  the  said  Ambrose  Knox  fy  Company, 
William  Brown  and  John  Chace's  giving  bond  and  security 
to  the  President  of  the  Congress  of  this  State,  and  his  suc- 
cessor, in  the  sum  of  £  135,  being  the  value  of  Daniel  Cart- 
wright's  part  of  said  Sloop,  and  on  leaving  one-third  part  of 
the  debts  left  in  the  hands  of  William  Skinner,  subject  to  the 
payment  of  such  demands  as  may  be  due  this  State  from  the 
said  Daniel  Cartwright,  on  account  of  a  cargo  shipped  by 
this  State  on  board  the.  said  Sloop  commanded  by  the  said 
Daniel  Cartwright. 

Resolved,  That  Andrew  Little  and  Robert  Hardy  be 
directed  to  attend  the  execution  of  the  above  Resolve,  and 
on  the  said  Resolve's  being  complied  with,  to  grant  a  cer- 
tificate thereof  to  the  Commissioner  of  the  Port  of  Edenton. 

Adjourned  till  Monday  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Monday,  October  21,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Mr.  John  Chase  made  application  for  Letters  of  Marque 
and  Reprisal  for  the  Sloop  Polly,  belonging  to  Ambrose  fy 
Company,  William  Brown,  John  Chase,  and  Daniel  Cart- 
wright, of  this  State,  and  hath  also  delivered  in  a  schedule 
of  the  number  of  guns,  the  names  of  the  officers,  the  pro- 
visions and  warlike  stores  on  board,  and  hath  given  bond 
and  security  agreeable  to  the  Resolutions  of  the  Continental 
Congress : 

Resolved,  That  Commissions  issue  for  the  said  Sloop 
Polly,  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
Henry  Giffard,  Commissary  to  the  detachment  of  Militia 
in  service  under  Colonel  Folesome,  the  sum  of  £500,  to 
enable  him  to  pay  in  part  for  the  Provisions  purchased  for 
said  Companies. 

Whereas  it  hath  been  represented  that  the  armed  Brig 
Pennsylvania  Farmer,  ordered  by  this  Board  on  a  cruise,  is 
not  at  this  time  fit  to  proceed  to  sea,  and  that  the  Jamaica 
Fleet,  the  object  in  view,  may  pass  our  latitudes  before  the 
said  Brig  can  be  in  readiness,  and  thereby  defeat  the  pur- 
pose of  said  cruise: 

Resolved,  That  Sylvanus  Pendlelon,  Esq.,  Commander 
of  the  armed  vessel  King  Taminy,  fitted  out  by  this  State, 
do  immediately  proceed  to  sea,  and  cruise  the  term  of  six 
weeks  against  the  enemies  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  to  take  as  many  of  the  British  ships  as  may  be  in  his 
power,  sending  the  same  as  soon  as  possible  into  some  of 
the  ports  in  this  State  for  trial  and  condemnation;  and  for 


that  purpose  to  cruise  between  the  latitudes  of  thirty  and 
thirty-six,  and  that  after  the  expiration  of  the  said  term  of 
six  weeks  the  said  Sylvanus  Pendleton  shall  return  with  the 
said  vessel  to  Occacock,  or  some  other  convenient  Port  within 
the  limits  of  this  State. 

The  armed  vessels  King  Taminy  and  Pennsylvania 
Fanner  being  ordered  on  a  cruise  against  the  enemies  of  the 
United  States  of  America, 

Resolved,  That  Captain  John  Forster,  Commander  of  the 
armed  Brig  the  General  Washington,  now  lying  at  Wilming- 
ton, do  proceed  with  all  possible  despatch  to  Occacock  Bar, 
and  to  remain  within  the  said  Bar,  in  order  to  protect  the 
trading  vessels  which  may  be  coming  into  or  going  out  of  that 
port,  until  one  of  the  aforesaid  armed  vessels  shall  return 
there,  or  he  shall  be  otherwise  ordered. 

Whereas  it  is  represented  by  the  Commissioners  for  esta- 
blishing a  Manufactory  of  Guns  in  the  District  of  Hillsbo- 
rough  that  proper  iron  for  that  purpose  cannot  be  obtained 
in  this  State,  and  that  our  currency  will  not  purchase  it  in 
any  other: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  Samuel  Johnston,  Esquire,  be 
directed  and  empowered  to  draw  on  the  Continental  Trea- 
sury in  favour  of  the  said  Commissioners,  or  either  of  them, 
or  their  order,  for  £  100,  to  be  considered  as  part  of  the.  sum 
of  £1,000  voted  by  Congress  for  the  above-mentioned  pur- 
pose. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  October  22,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 
Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  October  23,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Whereas,  by  a  Resolve  of  this  Board  of  the  30th  of  Sep- 
tember last,  Joshua  Hampstead,  Esq.,  Commander  of  the 
armed  Brig  Pennsylvania  Farmer,  was  directed  to  proceed 
to  sea,  and  cruise  for  the  term  of  one  month  within  eight 
leagues  of  the  American  shore ;  and  whereas  the  time  and 
distance  prescribed  in  the  aforesaid  Resolve  may  in  a  mea- 
sure frustrate  the  intentions  of  the  said  voyage: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Joshua  Hampstead  be  permit- 
ted to  cruise  for  the  term  of  six  weeks  between  the  latitudes  of 
thirty  and  thirty-six,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 

A  Resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress  of  the  16th  of 
September  last,  leaving  it  to  the  Council  of  State  to  suspend 
or  execute  a  former  order  of  Congress,  dated  the  3d  of  the 
said  month,  directing  Brigadier-General  Moore  to  march  two 
North- Carolina  Continental  Battalions  to  New-  York,  being 
read  and  considered,  and  it  appearing  from  General  Moore's 
return  that  the  Continental  Battalions  in  this  State  are  far 
from  being  complete,  that  they  are  sickly,  and  ill-provided 
with  clothing,  and  by  no  means  prepared  to  march  to  a 
northern  climate ;  and  further,  that  if  two  Battalions  should 
inarch  to  New-York,  the  remainder  would  not  be  adequate 
to  the  defence  of  the  State  in  case  of  an  attack: 

Resolved,  That  the  execution  of  the  said  Resolution  be 
suspended. 

Resolved,  also,  That  General  Moore  be  required  to  sta- 
tion for  the  present  the  Continental  Forces  in  this  State  in 
the  District  of  Newbern  and  Wilmington  at  such  places  as 
he  may  think  best  for  the  recovery  of  their  health,  and  to 
use  every  means  in  his  power  to  have  them  immediately 
recruited  to  their  full  complement. 

Resolved,  That  Nathaniel  Rochester,  Commissary  of 
Stores,  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  deliver  to  General 
Moore's  order  as  much  Osnaburgs  as  may  be  necessary  to 
make  Tents  for  the  Continental  Battalions  in  this  State,  and 
Bell-Tents  for  securing  their  Arms,  and  one  Bell-Tent  to 
every  Company,  allowing  thirty  yards  for  a  Tent  for  every 
eight  men,  and" twenty  yards  for  each  Bell-Tent,  thirty-five 
yards  for  a  tent  for  the  Non-Commissioned  Officers  of  each 
Company,  and  one  hundred  yards  for  a  Hospital  Tent  for 
each  Battalion. 

Whereas  Samuel  Johnston,  Esq.,  on  the  application  of 
Mr.  Peter  Mallet,  Acting  Commissary  of  the  Fourth,  Fifth, 
and  Sixth  Regiments,  and  at  the  instance  of  Mr.  Willie 
Jones,  paid  to  the  said  Peter  Malkt  £3,000  during  the  recess 
of  the  Council: 


3    85 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1386 


Resolved,  That  the  Council  do  approve  of  the  said  pay- 
ment, and  that  Mr.  Johnston  be  allowed  for  the  same  in  his 
Account  against  the  State,  in  like  manner  as  if  a  Warrant 
for  the  money  had  issued  previous  to  the  payment  thereof. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurers,  or  either  of  them,  pay  to 
Mr.  Peter  Mallet,  Commissary  to  the  Sixth  Regiment  of 
Continental  Forces  in  this  State,  the  sum  of  £1,000,  and 
be  allowed  the  same  in  their  Accounts  with  the  publick. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Thursday,  October  24,  1776. 

Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Nathaniel  Rochester,  Commissary 
of  Stores,  send  to  Tarborough  for  sundry  Woollens  pur- 
chased of  Colonel  Iricin  for  the  publick,  and  convey  them 
to  Wilmington,  and  that  he  employ  Tailors  to  cut  out  and 
make  up  the  same  and  all  other  publick  Cloths  in  his  pos- 
session, such  6ner  Cloths  as  are  intended  for  Officers  ex- 
cepted,  into  short  Coats  and  Breeches,  and  dispose  of  them 
to  the  Soldiers,  taking  care  that  no  one  man  have  more  than 
one  short  Coat  and  one  pair  of  Breeches. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Friday,  October  25,  1776. 
Met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Richard  Caswell,  Esq.,  publick  Trea- 
surer of  the  Southern  District,  pay  into  the  hands  of  Colo- 
nel James  Thackston  the  sum  of  £248,  for  the  purpose  of 
recruiting  men  in  this  State  according  to  the  new  system, 
and  that  lie  debit  the  Paymaster  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  said  Colonel  James  Thack- 
ston  account  with  the  Paymaster  for  the  aforesaid  sum. 

Whereas  this  Council  are  well  informed  that  certain  Offi- 
cers in  the  service  of  the  State  of  South- Carolina  have 
inlisted  sundry  Regulars  of  this  State  out  of  the  North- 
Carolina  Continental  Troops  now  in  Georgia: 

Resolved,  That  this  Board  do  utterly  disapprove  of  such 
measure;  that  it  is  unjustifiable,  and  has  an  obvious  ten- 
dency to  obstruct  the  regular  service  in  this  State,  and  to 
endanger  the  common  defence  of  North  and  South-Caro- 
lina; and  therefore  that  General  Howe  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
directed  to  reclaim  the  Soldiers  so  as  above-mentioned  in- 


listed  by  the  South- Carolina  Officers;  and  he  is  also  further 
directed  to  remand  the  whole  of  the  North-Carolina  Troops 
now  in  Georgia  immediately  to  this  State. 

Whereas  the  Council  are  informed  that  many  things  be- 
longing to  the  State,  such  as  tory  Horses  and  Wagons, 
condemned  by  last  Congress,  and  also  Horses  which  have 
been  purchased  by  the  publick,  and  have  strayed  away,  are 
now  dispersed  about  in  different  parts,  so  that  they  will  pro- 
bably be  lost  i I  longer  unattended  to: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  Nicholas  Long,  Esq.,  be,  and 
he  is  hereby,  directed  and  empowered  to  take  into  his  pos- 
session all  such  Wagons  and  Horses;  and  for  the  disposition 
thereof  he  is  directed  to  employ  in  the  service  such  of  the 
Wagons  and  Horses  as  are  fit  for  the  same,  and  to  sell  such 
as  are  not,  rendering  an  account  of  his  proceedings  to  the 
Council  or  the  Congress. 

Thomas  Erskine,  a  prisoner  on  parole  in  Halifax  County, 
having  represented  to  the  Council  that  his  constitution  is  so 
impaired  by  sickness  and  the  effects  of  the  climate,  that 
death  must  probably  be  the  consequence  unless  he  is  allowed 
to  remov  out  of  this  State,  and  that  in  leaving  it  he  has 
no  intentions  adverse  to  the  United  Slates;  and  having  also 
made  oath  that  he  will  not,  directly  nor  indirectly,  commu- 
nicate to  the  enemies  of  the  free  and  independent  States  of 
America  any  intelligence  whatever  which  may  tend  to  their 
prejudice : 

Resolved,  That  he  be  permitted  to  leave  this  State,  and 
that  he  immediately  go  to  Edenton,  and  depart  from  thence 
in  the  first  vessel  that  sails  for  the  West-Indies. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Board  that  the 
Commissioners  appointed  in  Cumberland  County  to  inven- 
'tory  the  effects  of  the  Tories,  deliver  to  Mr.  Alexander 
Stewart's  order  the  Cloths  of  the  said  Stewart  taken  out  of 
the  possession  of  Mr.  Gilless,  upon  the  said  Gilless  or  some 
persons  proving  that  the  same  were  lodged  with  him  as  the 
property  of  the  said  Stewart. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Dudley  be  directed  to  deliver  to 
the  Colonel  of  each  Battalion  of  Continental  Forces  in  this 
State  eleven  sets  of  Simms's  Military  Guide,  and  two  sets 
of  the  New  System  of  Military  Discipline,  they  giving  a 
receipt  for  the  same. 

By  order :  WILLIE  JONES,  President. 

1.  GLASGOW,  Secretary. 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION. 

At  a  meeting  of  a  Provincial  Congress  for  the  Province 
of  New-  York,  at  the  Court-House  in  the  Town  of  White- 
Plains,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  on  Tuesday,  July  9, 
1776: 

The  Deputies  from  a  majority  of  the  Counties  appeared, 
and  they  produced  their  Credentials,  and  proceeded  to  the 
choice  of  the  following  Officers,  to  wit : 

General  NATHANIEL  WOODHULL,  President. 

JOHN  McKfissoN,  and  )  0 

T>  D  t  secretaries. 

ROBERT  BENSON,  ^ 

Doorkeeper. 

The  Deputies  from  the  City  and  County  of  New-York 
not  producing  their  Credentials,  the  Secretaries  informed  the 
House  that  soon  after  the  late  election  for  Deputies  to  repre- 
sent the  City  and  County  of  New-York,  Colonel  Remsen 
delivered  in  to  Congress  a  certified  extract  of  the  Minutes  of 
the  General  Committee  of  the  City  and  County  of  New- 
York,  whereby  it  appeared  that  an  election  was  held,  and 
twenty-one  Members  were  chosen,  pursuant  and  agreeable 
to  the  Resolutions  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  this  Colony, 
to  represent  the  said  City  and  County,  and  that  five  of  them 
be  a  quorum ;  that  the  said  extract  is  mislaid,  and  cannot  be 
found  at  present. 

Ordered,  That  the  Deputies  present  from  New-York 
take  their  seats,  and  that  they  take  measures  to  procure  a 
copy  of  their  Credentials. 

The  Deputies  from  the  City  and  County  of  Albany  ap- 
peared, but  have  omitted  or  forgotten  to  procure  and  bring 
with  them  a  copy  of  their  Credentials. 

The  Deputies  from  the  County  of  Orange  produced  their 
Credentials  in  due  form,  whereby  it  appeared  that  at  an  elec- 
tion for  choosing  of  Delegates,  conformable  to  the  Resolutions 


of  the  late  Provincial  Congress,  Colonel  William  Allison, 
Mr.  Little,  John  Herring,  David  Pye,  and  Mr.  Outwater, 
were  chosen,  with  full  powers  to  represent  said  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  Deputies  present  take  their  seats. 

The  Deputies  from  the  County  of  Suffolk  produced  a 
Certificate  from  the  Committee  of  said  County,  dated  the 
27th  of  June,  1776,  and  signed  by  William  Smith,  Chair- 
man, whereby  it  appears  that  General  Nathaniel  Woodhull, 
Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Burnet  Miller, 
Thomas  Dearing,  David  Gilston,  Wm.  Smith,  and  Thomas 
Tredwell,  Esquires,  or  any  three  of  them,  were  duly  elected 
to  represent  said  County  in  this  Congress,  with  powers  to 
establish  a  new  form  of  Government. 

Ordered,  That  the  Deputies  from  Suffolk  take  their  seats. 

The  Deputies  from  the  County  of  Dutchess  produced 
their  Credentials,  by  which  it  appears  that  Zcphaniah  Platt, 
Esq.,  Mr.  Sackett,  Gilbert  Livingston,  Esq.,  Dr.  Crane, 
and  Henry  Schenck,  were  duly  elected,  and  constituted  with 
full  powers  to  represent  said  County  in  this  Congress. 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  the  said  Deputies  from  Dutch- 
ess  County  take  their  seats. 

The  Deputies  from  Westchester,  attending,  produced  their 
Credentials,  whereby  it  appeared  that  Colonel  Lewis  Gra- 
ham,  Colonel  Pitrre  Van  Cortlandt,  Major  Lockwood,  Wil- 
liam Paulding,  Jonathan  Plait,  Mr.  Haviland,  Mr.  Mills, 
Gilbert  Drake,  Jonathan  G.  Tompkins,  General  Morris,  and 
Gouverneur  Morris,  were  duly  elected,  with  full  powers  to 
represent  the  said  County  in  this  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  the  Deputies  present  from  Westchester 
County  take  their  seats. 

The  Deputies  from  the  County  of  Queen's,  attending,  pro- 
duced a  Certificate  of  the  Committee  of  said  County,  whereby 
it  appeared  that  at  an  election  held  on  the  24lh  ult.,  Colonel 
Jacob  Blackwell,  Cax  tain  Jonathan  Lawrence,  Waters  Smith, 


1387 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1388 


Samuel  Totcnscnd,  Cornelius  Van  Wyck,  James  ToivnsenH, 
and  the  Rev.  Abraham  Ketletas,  and  Benjamin  Sands,  were 
elected  to  represent  said  County,  until  the  second  Tuesday 
in  May  next,  with  power  to  determine  of  the  subject  of  erect- 
ing and  constituting  a  new  form  of  Government,  to  the  exclu- 
sion of  all  foreign.jurisdiciion,  was  read  and  filed. 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  the  said  Deputies  from  Queen's 
County  take  their  seats. 

The  Deputies  from  Charlotte  County  did  not  produce 
any  Credentials. 

The  Deputies  from  Cumberland  County,  attending,  pro- 
duced a  Certificate,  signed  by  James  Clay,  Chairman  of  the 
County  Committee,  and  dated  at  Westminster,  the  28th  June 
last,  whereby  it  appears  that  Colonel  Joseph  Marsh,  Simon 
Stevens,  and  John  Scsscins,  have  been  duly  elected  to  repre- 
sent said  County  in  this  Congress,  and  invested  with  full 
powers  of  legislation,  &c. 

Ordered,  That  the  Deputies  from  Cumberland  County 
take  their  seats. 

Ordered,  That  the  Resolution  empowering  the  General 
to  call  out  the  Militia  be  published. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  draw  up  the  Resolutions 
lately  passed,  relative  to  the  Stock  on  Nassau  and  Staten 
Islands,  into  form,  so  that  they  may  be  published. 

All  the  new  Members  present,  that  is  to  say,  Colonel  Van 
Cortlandt,  Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Kelletas,  Mr.  Mills,  Mr.  Sachet, 
Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Plait,  Mr.  Sessins,  Mr.  Crane,  Mr.  Jona- 
than Platt,  Mr.  W.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Adgate,  and  such 
of  the  old  Members  who  had  not  been  sworn,  took  the  gene- 
ral oath  of  secrecy. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Smith  refused  to  take  the  oath  of  secrecy, 
and  was  therefore  desired  to  withdraw  and  consider  the  mat- 
ter maturely,  and  he  accordingly  withdrew. 

Mr.  Jay,  seconded  by  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  moved  that, 

Whereas  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ketletas,  one  of  the  Deputies  from 
Queen's  County,  has  been  solemnly  devoted  to  the  service 
of  God  and  the  care  of  souls,  has  good  right  to  expect  and 
claim  an  exemption  from  all  such  employments  as  would 
divert  his  attention  from  the  affairs  of  that  Kingdom  which 
is  not  of  this  world: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Mr.  Ketletas  be  at  liberty  to 
attend  this  House  at  such  times  only  as  he  may  think  proper, 
and  that  his  absence  be  not  considered  as  a  neglect  of  his 
duty. 

Debates  arose  thereon,  and  the  question  being  put,  it  was 
carried  in  the  affirmative,  in  manner  following,  that  is  to  say: 

For  the  Motion.  Against  the  Motion. 

8  New-York,  3  Orange, 

4  Queen's,  4  Suffolk, 

6  Albany,  5  Dutchess, 

3  Tryon,  2  Cumberland, 

2  Charlotte.  4  Westchester. 

23  votes.  18  rotes. 

A  Letter  from  the  Delegates  of  this  Colony  at  Conti- 
nental Congress,  of  the  2d  July,  instant,  on  the  subject  of 
Independence,  and  requesting  Instructions  from  this  Congress, 
was  received  and  read. 

A  Letter  from  the  Delegates  of  this  Colony  at  Conti- 
nental Congress,  enclosing  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

[The  Letter  not  inserted  in  the  Minutes.] 

The  Declaration  of  Independence,  enclosed  in  the  above- 
mentioned  Letter,  was  then  read,  and  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, that  is  to  say: 

"A  Declaration  by  the  Representatives  0/YAeUuiTED  STATES 
or  AMERICA  in  general  Congress  assembled. 

"When,  in  the  course  of  human  Events,  it  becomes  neces- 
sary for  one  People  to  dissolve  the  political  bands  which 
have  connected  them  with  another,  and  to  assume  among 
the  Powers  of  the  Earth  the  separate  and  equal  Station  to 
which  the  Laws  of  Nature  and  of  Nature's  God  entitle  them, 
a  decent  Respect  to  the  Opinions  of  Mankind  requires  that 
they  should  declare  the  causes  which  impel  them  to  the 
Separation. 

"  We  hold  these  Truths  to  be  self-evident,  that  all  Men 
are  created  Equal,  that  they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator 
with  certain  unalienable  Rights,  that  among  these  are  Life, 
Liberty,  and  the  Pursuit  of  Happiness — That  to  secure 
these  Rights,  Governments  arc  instituted  among  men,  de- 
riving their  just  Powers  from  the  Consent  of  the  Governed, 


that  whenever  any  Form  of  Government  becomes  destruc- 
tive of  these  Ends,  it  is  the  Right  of  the  People  to  alter  or 
to  abolish  it,  and  to  institute  new  Government,  layin"  its 
Foundations  on  such  Principles,  and  organizing  its  Powers 
in  such  Form,  as  to  them  shall  seem  most  likely  to  effect 
their  Safety  and  Happiness.  Prudence,  indeed,  will  dictate 
that  Governments  long  established  should  not  be  changed 
for  light  and  transient  Causes ;  and  accordingly  all  Expe- 
rience hath  shown,  that  Mankind  are  more  disposed  to  suffer, 
while  Evils  are  sufferable,  than  to  right  themselves  by  abol- 
ishing the  Forms  to  which  they  are  accustomed.  But  when 
a  long  train  of  Abuses  and  Usurpations,  pursuing  invariably 
the  same  Object,  evinces  a  Design  to  reduce  them  under 
absolute  Despotism,  it  is  their  Right,  it  is  their  Duty,  to 
throw  off  such  Government,  and  to  provide  new  Guards  for 
their  future  Security.  Such  has  been  the  patient  Sufferance 
of  these  Colonies;  and  such  is  now  the  Necessity  which 
constrains  them  to  alter  their  former  Systems  of  Govern- 
ment. The  history  of  the  present  King  of  Great  Britain 
is  a  history  of  repeated  Injuries  and  Usurpations,  all  having 
in  direct  object  the  establishment  of  an  absolute  Tyranny 
over  these  States.  To  prove  this,  let  Facts  be  submitted 
to  a  candid  World. 

"  He  has  refused  his  assent  to  Laws  the  most  wholesome 
and  necessary  for  the  publick  Good. 

"  He  has  forbidden  his  Governours  to  pass  Laws  of  im- 
mediate and  pressing  Importance,  unless  suspended  in  their 
Operation  till  his  Assent  should  be  obtained ;  and  when  so 
suspended,  he  has  utterly  neglected  to  attend  to  them. 

"  He  has  refused  to  pass  other  Laws  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  large  Districts  of  People,  unless  those  People  would 
relinquish  the  Right  of  Representation  in  the  Legislature,  a 
Right  inestimable  to  them,  and  formidable  to  Tyrants  only. 

"  He  has  called  together  Legislative  Bodies  at  places 
unusual,  uncomfortable,  and  distant  from  the  depository  of 
their  publick  Records,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  fatiguing  them 
into  compliance  with  his  measures. 

"  He  has  dissolved  Representative  Houses  repeatedly,  for 
opposing  with  manly  firmness  his  invasions  on  the  rights  of 
the  People. 

"  He  has  refused  for  a  long  time,  after  such  Dissolutions, 
to  cause  others  to  be  elected  ;  whereby  the  Legislative  Pow- 
ers, incapable  of  annihilation,  have  returned  to  the  People 
at  large  for  their  exercise;  the  State  remaining  in  the  mean 
time  exposed  to  all  the  dangers  of  Invasion  from  without, 
and  Convulsions  within. 

"  He  has  endeavoured  to  prevent  the  Population  of  these 
States;  for  that  purpose  obstructing  the  Laws  for  Naturali- 
zation of  Foreigners;  refusing  to  pass  others  to  encourage 
their  migrations  hither,  and  raising  the  conditions  of  new 
appropriations  of  Lands. 

"  He  has  obstructed  the  Administration  of  Justice,  by  re- 
fusing his  assent  to  Laws  for  establishing  Judiciary  Powers. 

"  He  has  made  Judges  dependent  on  his  Will  alone  for 
the  tenure  of  their  Offices,  and  the  amount  and  payment  of 
their  Salaries. 

"  He  has  erected  a  multitude  of  new  Offices,  and  sent 
hither  swarms  of  Officers  to  harass  our  People,  and  eat  out 
their  substance. 

"  He  has  kept  among  us,  in  times  of  Peace,  Standing 
Armies,  without  the  consent  of  our  Legislatures. 

"'He  has  affected  to  render  the  Military  independent  of 
and  superior  to  the  Civil  Power. 

"  He  has  combined  with  others  to  subject  us  to  a  Juris- 
diction foreign  to  our  Constitution,  and  unacknowledged  by 
our  Laws :  giving  his  assent  to  their  Acts  of  pretended  Le- 
gislation : 

"  For  quartering  large  bodies  of  Armed  Troops  among 
us: 

"  For  protecting  them,  by  a  mock  Trial,  from  Punishment 
for  any  Murders  which  they  should  commit  on  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  these  States: 

"  For  cutting  off  our  Trade  with  all  parts  of  the  World: 

"  For  imposing  Taxes  on  us  without  our  consent: 

"  For  depriving  us,  in  many  cases,  of  the  benefits  of  Trial 
by  Jury: 

"For  transporting  us  beyond  Seas  to  be  tried  for  pre- 
tended offences: 

"  For  abolishing  the  free  system  of  English  Laws  in  a 
neighbouring  Province,  establishing  therein  an  arbitrary  Gov- 
ernment, and  enlarging  its  Boundaries,  so  as  to  render  it  at 


1389 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1390 


once  an  example  and  fit  instrument  for  introducing  the  same 
absolute  rule  into  these  Colonies: 

"  For  taking  away  our  Charters,  abolishing  our  most  valu- 
able Laws,  and  altering  fundamentally  the  Forms  of  our 
Governments: 

"  For  suspending  our  own  Legislatures,  and  declaring 
themselves  invested  with  power  to  legislate  for  us  in  all  cases 
whatsoever. 

"  He  has  abdicated  Government  here,  by  declaring  us 
out  of  his  protection,  and  waging  war  against  us. 

"He  has  plundered  our  Seas,  ravaged  our  Coasts,  burnt 
our  Towns,  and  destroyed  the  Lives  of  our  People. 

"  He  is,  at  this  time,  transporting  large  Armies  of  foreign 
Mercenaries  to  complete  the  works  of  Death,  Desolation, 
and  Tyranny,  already  begun  with  circumstances  of  cruelty 
and  perfidy  scarcely  paralleled  in  the  most  barbarous  Ages, 
and  totally  unworthy  the  Head  of  a  civilized  Nation. 

"  He  has  constrained  our  fellow-citizens  taken  captive  on 
the  high  seas  to  bear  arms  against  their  country,  to  become 
the  executioners  of  their  friends  and  brethren,  or  to  fall 
themselves  by  their  hands. 

"  He  has  excited  dornestick  Insurrections  amongst  us,  and 
lias  endeavoured  to  bring  on  the  inhabitants  of  our  Frontiers 
the  merciless  Indian  Savages,  whose  known  rule  of  warfare 
is  an  undistinguished  destruction  of  all  ages,  sexes,  and 
conditions. 

"  In  every  stage  of  these  Oppressions  we  have  petitioned 
for  redress  in  the  most  humble  terms:  our  repeated  Petitions 
have  been  answered  only  by  repeated  Injury.  A  Prince, 
whose  character  is  thus  marked  by  every  act  which  may 
define  a  Tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be  the  Ruler  of  a  free  People. 

"Nor  have  we  been  wanting  in  attentions  to  our  British 
brethren.  We  have  warned  them,  from  time  to  time,  of 
attempts  by  their  Legislature  to  extend  an  unwarrantable 
Jurisdiction  over  us.  We  have  reminded  them  of  the  cir- 
cumstances of  our  emigration  and  settlement  here.  We 
have  appealed  to  their  native  justice  and  magnanimity,  and 
we  have  conjured  them  by  the  ties  of  our  common  kindred 
to  disavow  these  usurpations,  which  would  inevitably  inter- 
rupt our  connections  and  correspondence.  They,  too,  have 
been  deaf  to  the  voice  of  justice  and  of  consanguinity.  We 
must,  therefore,  acquiesce  in  the  necessity  which  denounces 
our  separation,  and  hold  them,  as  we  hold  the  rest  of  man- 
kind, Enemies  in  war,  in  peace,  Friends. 

"  We,  therefore,  the  Representatives  of  the  UNITED 
STATES  OF  AMERICA,  in  GENERAL  CONGRESS  As- 
sembled, appealing  to  the  Supreme  Judge  of  the  World  for 
the  Rectitude  of  our  Intentions,  do,  in  the  Name,  and  by 
the  Authority  of  the  good  People  of  these  Colonies,  solemnly 
Publish  and  Declare,  That  these  United  Colonies  are,  and 
of  Right  ought  to  be,  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT  STATES  ; 
that  they  are  absolved  from  all  Allegiance  to  the  British 
Crown,  and  that  all  political  Connection  between  them  and 
the  State  of  Great  Britain  is,  and  ought  to  be,  totally  dis- 
solved; and  that  as  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT  STATES,  they 
have  full  power  to  levy  War,  conclude  Peace,  contract 
Alliances,  establish  Commerce,  and  to  do  all  other  Acts  and 
Things  which  INDEPENDENT  STATES  may  of  right  do.  And 
for  the  support  of  this  Declaration,  with  a  firm  Reliance  on 
the  Protection  of  divine  Providence,  we  mutually  pledge  to 
each  other  our  Lives,- our  Fortunes,  and  our  sacred  Honour." 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  and  Declaration  be  re- 
ferred to  a  Committee,  to  consist  of  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Yates,  Mr. 
Hobart,  Mr.  Brasher,  and  Mr.  William  Smith. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed,  Adjutant-General  of 
the  American  Army,  was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  that  is  to  say : 

"  Head-dunrters,  New- York,  July  5,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  I  am  directed  by  the  General  to  solicit 
the  attention  of  your  honourable  body  to  the  Resolve  of  the 
Continental  Congress  touching  the  prisoners-of-war.  By 
that  resolve  they  are  put  wholly  in  the  disposition  of  the 
Legislature  of  the  respective  Colonies,  who  are  authorized 
to  appoint  a  Commissary  to  make  provision  for  them,  and 
they  are  to  be  taken  to  such  places  as  shall  be  deemed  the 
most  secure. 

"There  are  now  a  number  of  prisoners  in  the  Jail,  some 
of  them  of  some  rank  ;  their  expenses  run  much  higher  than 
if  in  the  country,  and  in  our  present  situation  extremely  dan- 
gerous. His  Excellency  requests  no  time  may  be  lost  in 


removing  not  only  those  who  have  been  taken  prisoners-of- 
war,  but  those  committed  for  practices  against  the  State;  and 
if  some  direction  was  taken  with  respect  to  the  prisoners  for 
debt,  it  would  be  proper,  as  there  is  too  much  reason  to  fear 
that,  in  case  of  an  attack,  if  the  doors  were  not  opened  by 
the  Jailer,  the  whole  would  rise  and  force  them  open.  Any 
assistance  that  may  be  wanted  for  this  purpose,  the  General 
begs  leave  to  tender.  I  have  also  in  charge  to  mention  to 
you  the  impropriety  of  suffering  Burrows  to  continue  in  the 
care  of  the  Jail,  as  from  his  connections,  his  appointment, 
and  other  circumstances,  there  is  the  utmost  reason  to  sus- 
pect him. 

"  The  distance  to  which  the  Congress  has  removed  will 
make  it  very  difficult  to  have  their  advice  and  assistance  on 
occasions  which  frequently  present.  The  General  would 
suggest  the  propriety  of  their  appointing  a  small  Committee 
in  the  City  to  regulate  such  matters  of  internal  concern  as 
daily  present  themselves. 

"  The  great  hurry  and  engagements  of  the  General  pre- 
vent his  writing  personally;  but  he  begs  his  respectful  com- 
pliments may  be  made  to  your  honourable  body. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant, 

"  JOSEPH  REED,  Adjutant-General." 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  be  referred  to  a  Commit- 
tee, to  consist  of  Mr.  John  Van  Cortlandt,  Mr.  Gamevoort, 
and  Colonel  L.  Graham. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Jay,  and  Colonel  Ren- 
selaer,  be  a  Committee  to  take  into  consideration  and  report 
on  all  the  Letters  received  from  Congress  and  our  Delegates 
on  the  subject  of  the  new  Regiment  to  be  raised  in  this 
Colony,  and  also  Colonel  Fleming's  Letter,  and  the  Letter  of 
William  Goforth*  of  the  6th  instant,  complaining  of  being 
superseded  in  his  rank,  and  resigning  his  commission  as 
Major. 


The  Convention  met. 


White-Plains,  P.  M.,  July  9,  1776. 


Present :  General  WoodhuU,  President. 

NEW- YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Van  Cortlandt,  Mr.  Jay, 
Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Rutgers. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Gansevort,  Colonel  Renselaer, 
Mr.  Adgate. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Miller, 
Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  William  Smith. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  W.  Harper. 

ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Little. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sesscins. 

DUTCHESS. — ,Mr.  Platt,  Mr.  Crane,  Mr.  Sachet. 

WESTCHESTER. — Colonel  L.  Graham,  Colonel  Van  Cort- 
landt^ Major  Lockwood,  Mr.  Paulding,  Captain  J.  Platt, 
Mr.  Haviland,  Mr.  Mills,  Colonel  G.  Drake,  Mr.  Tomp- 
kins,  General  Morris,  Gouverneur  Morris. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  »S.  Townsend,  Mr.  J.  Townsend,  Mr.  Van 
Wyck,  Mr.  Ketletas. 

A  Letter  from  P.  T.  Curtenius,  of  the  3d  instant,  request- 
ing an  advance  of  £5,000,  on  account;  and  mentioning  that 

•NEW-YORK,  July  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Having,  in  the  course  of  the  last  year,  been  called  by 
you  from  private  life,  without  any  solicitation,  to  the  most  honourable 
of  all  services,  that  of  my  country,  I  obeyed  the  call,  and  have,  to  the 
utmost  of  my  poor  abilities,  exerted  myself  for  the  general  good;  and 
having,  on  my  return  home,  found  my  toil  amply  rewarded,  inasmuch 
as  I  had  so  far  fallen  under  your  notice  as  to  be  appointed  to  a  Majority, 
which  promotion  I  view  as  great  as  I  could  reasonably  expect,  or  even 
have  desired.  Nevertheless,  when  I  look  over  the  arrangement  which 
you  were  pleased  to  make  the  last  year,  and  call  to  mind  that  you  then 
determined  that  the  First  Regiment  should  take  rank  of  the  Second,  and 
find  that  I  had  the  rank  of  fourth  Captain  in  the  First,  and  that  Lewis  Du- 
bols,  Esq.,  had  the  rank  of  fourth  Captain,  and  Jacobus  Bniyn,  Esq.,  that 
of  seventh  in  the  Third  Regiment,  I  view  my  appointment  as  speaking 
two  things:  first,  that  you  have  found  men  of  greater  merit  than  myself, 
and  men  who  are  better  qualified  for  the  publick  service,  of  which  I  am 
extremely  glad;  and,  secondly,  that  your  now  appointing  me  to  serve 
under  two  junior  officers,  is  no  more  than  taking  the  most  genteel  way 
of  discharging  me  from  the  publick  service  as  an  officer.  Perhaps  it 
may  be  said  this  is  no  time  to  dispute  about  rank.  If  so,  I  would  just 
beg  leave  to  inform  you  that,  when  in  Canada  last  winter,  I  viewed  this 
argument  to  be  of  great  force,  but  at  present  conceive  myself  to  be  in 
the  state  in  which  1  was  when  I  left  home,  and  beg  leave  to  decline  the 
service,  and  with  the  utmost  deference  to  subscribe  myself,  as  in  reality 
I  am,  a  true  friend  to  the  free  and  risin";  States  of  America,  and  at  the 
same  time  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  GOFORTH. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Provincial  Congress  of  the  Colony  of  New-York. 


1391 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1392 


the  British  had  landed  on  Staten-Island  without  opposition, 
and  detachments  had  advanced  towards  Bergen-Point  and 
Elizabethtown, 

Thereupon,  On/cm/, That  Peter  Van  IB.  Livingston.  Esq., 
as  Treasurer  of  this  Congress,  advance  to  Colonel  Peter  T. 
Curtenius  the  sum  of  £5,000,  on  account,  and  take  his 
receipt  for  the  same. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Malcom,  enclosing  a  Certificate 
from  Doctor  John  Jones,  of  the  qualifications  of  William 
Adams,  as  a  Surgeon,  and  requesting  the  said  Adams  be 
appointed  Surgeon  to  his  Regiment,  was  read: 

Ordered,  That  William  Adams  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
appointed  Surgeon  to  the  Second  Regiment  of  Militia,  (laised 
for  reinforcing  the  Continental  Army  at  New-  York,)  whereof 
William  Malcom,  Esq.,  is  Colonel. 

Mr.  Robert  Yates,  Mr.  Veeder,  Mr.  Newhurst,  Mr.  Pom, 
Mr.  H.  Schenck,  and  Mr.  Harper,  took  the  general  oath  of 
secrecy. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the 
Letter  from  our  Delegates  in  Continental  Congress,  and  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  reported  the  following,  which 
was  unanimously  agreed  to,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
that  is  to  say : 

"In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
Nexv-York,  White-Plains,  July  9,  1776.      $ 

"  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  reasons  assigned  by 
the  Continental  Congress  for  declaring  the  United  Colonies 
free  and  independent  States,  are  cogent  and  conclusive;  and 
that  while  we  lament  the  cruel  necessity  which  has  rendered 
that  measure  unavoidable,  we  approve  the  same,  and  will, 
at  the  risk  of  our  lives  and  fortunes,  join  with  the  other 
Colonies  in  supporting  it. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Declaration,  and  the 
aforegoing  Resolution,  be  sent  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  of  Westchester,  with  orders  to  publish 
the  same  with  beat  of  drum,  at  this  place,  on  Thursday 
next,  and  to  give  directions  that  it  be  published  with  all 
convenient  speed  in  the  several  Districts  within  the  said 
County,  and  that  copies  thereof  be  forthwith  transmitted  to 
the  other  County  Committees  within  the  State  of  New- 
York,  with  orders  to  cause  the  same  to  be  published  in  the 
several  Districts  of  their  respective  Counties. 

"Resolved,  That  five  hundred  copies  of  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  with  the  two  last-mentioned  Resolutions 
of  this  Congress  lor  approving  and  proclaiming  the  same,  be 
published  in  handbills,  and  sent  to  all  the  County  Com- 
mittees in  this  State. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Delegates  of  this  State  in  Conti- 
nental Congress,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  authorized  to 
consent  to  and  adopt  all  such  measures  as  they  may  deem 
conducive  to  the  happiness  and  welfare  of  the  United 
States  of  America." 

Ordered,  That  copies  of  the  aforesaid  Resolutions  be 
transmitted  to  the  Continental  Congress. 

General  Morris's  daughter  being  extremely  ill,  he  re- 
quested and  obtained  leave  of  absence. 

Resolved,  That  the  Sheriffs  of  this  State  do,  and  they 
are  hereby  respectively  authorized  and  directed  to  retain  and 
keep  in  their  custody  all  persons  of  whatever  kind  which 
are  or  may  be  in  their  custody,  until  the  further  order  of  this 
Convention;  or  until  such  of  them  as  may  be  confined  for 
debt  on  civil  process  shall  be  released  by  the  plaintiffs  so 
brought  against  them. 

Ordered,  That  the  above-mentioned  Resolution  be  pub- 
lished. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Brasher,  and  Mr.  Paul- 
ding  be  a  Committee  to  consider  of  and  report  the  proper 
places  for  the  reception  and  means  of  support  of  the  poor 
inhabitants  of  the  City  and  County  of  New-York. 

The  Committee  appointed  this  morning  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  Letter  of  Adjutant-General  Reed,  reported 
several  Resolutions,  which,  being  amended,  were  agreed  to, 
and  are  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to  carry  into 
execution  certain  Resolves  of  this  Congress  with  respect  to 
disaffected  persons,  and  the  Committee  appointed  to  confer 
with  General  Washington,  and  examine  into  the  conspiracy 
lately^discovered,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  united  and  made 
one  Committee. 


Resolved,  That  the  following  powers  be,  and  they  are 
hereby,  given  to  them,  in  addition  to  those  before  vested  in 
the  said  Committee,  to  wit: 

A  power  to  dispose  of  all  Prisoners  that  shall  be  taken  in, 
or  brought  to,  the  City  of  New-  York ,  other  than  Prisoners 
of  War. 

A  power  to  appoint  a  Commissary  to  provide  for  the  said 
Prisoners. 

A  power  to  remove,  if  they  should  think  necessary,  all 
Prisoners  confined  in  the  City  of  New-  York,  other  than 
Prisoners  of  War  as  aforesaid,  to  such  place  or  places  of 
safety  as  they  shall  think  proper. 

A  power  to  inquire  into  the  conduct  of  Burrows,  the 
Jailer  of  the  Jail  in  the  City  and  County  of  New-York; 
and,  if  they  should  think  it  necessary  that  he  should  be  re- 
moved from  his  office,  to  request  the  Sheriff  to  appoint  a 
more  suitable  person  in  his  stead. 

And  whereas  this  Congress,  on  the  30th  June  last,  being 
then  about  to  adjourn  to  this  place,  were  under  the  neces- 
sity of  giving  General  Washington  the  trouble  of  appre- 
hending and  securing  such  dangerous  and  disaffected  persons 
as  he  should  think  necessary  for  the  security  of  this  Colony 
and  the  liberties  of  America;  and  whereas  that  business  may 
now  be  conveniently  executed  by  the  above-mentioned  Com- 
mittee : 

Resolved,  That  it  would  he  unreasonable  longer  to  burden 
the  General  with  matters  for  which  this  Congress  ought  to 
provide;  and,  therefore,  that  the  said  business  be,  and  it  is 
hereby,  referred  to  the  said  Committee,  and  that  they  be, 
and  hereby  are,  authorized  and  directed  to  execute  the  same; 
and  further,  that  they  carry  into  execution  all  such  resolves 
of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  comply  with  all  such 
necessary  requisitions  of  the  General,  as  require  so  much 
despatch  as  to  render  an  application  to  this  Congress  im- 
practicable, or  attended  with  dangerous  delay. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons,  to  wit,  Mr.  Holart, 
Mr.  Morris,  Colonel  L.  Graham,  Mr.  Gansevort,  Mr.  Ran- 
dall, and  Colonel  Remsen,  or  any  three  of  them,  constitute 
the  aforesaid  Committee.  That  Mr.  Tredwell  and  Mr.  Jay 
be,  and  they  are  hereby,  discharged  from  the  said  Commit- 
tee, and  that  the  said  Committee  be,  and  they  hereby  are, 
authorized  and  empowered  to  administer  to  Colonel  Remsen 
an  oath  similar  to  that  taken  by  the  other  Members  of  the 
said  Committee  on  their  former  appointment. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  said  Committee  be,  and 
they  hereby  are,  permitted  to  proceed  in  the  business  unto 
them  committed,  in  such  manner  as  to  them  shall  appear  to 
be  most  agreeable  to  the  dictates  of  justice  and  humanity, 
and  most  advancive  of  the  publick  good,  the  oath  which 
they  have  taken  notwithstanding. 

White-Plains,  Wednesday  Morning,  July  10,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Jay,  Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Rutgers,  Mr. 

Harper. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham   Yates,  Mr.  Robert   Yates,  Mr. 

Gansevort,  Colonel  Rensselaer,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General    Woodhull.  Mr.  Hvbart,  Mr.  Milkr, 

Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Gelston. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Platt,  Mr.  Sackett,  Dr.  Crane,  Mr.  H. 

Schenck. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  G.  Morris,  General  Morris,  Major 

Lockwood,  Mr.  Mills,  Captain  Platt,  Mr.  Paulding. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Ketlelas,  Mr.  S.  Townsend,  Mr.  J.  Town- 

send,  Mr.  Van  Wyck. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  New- 
kirk,  Mr.  Hader. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 

The  Deputies  from  Tryon  County  delivered  in  the  Cre- 
dentials of  their  election,  but  the  same  not  being  signed  by 
their  Chairman,  or  attested  by  the  Clerk,  one  of  the  said 
Deputies,  to  wit,  Mr.  Benjamin  Ncwkirk,  informed  the 
Congress  that  the  said  Credentials  were  by  him  copied  from 
the  Minutes  of  the  Proceedings  of  Tryon  County  Commit- 
tee, and  that  he  neglected  to  have  the  same  signed  by  the 
Chairman  and  •attested  by  the  Clerk.  Whereupon  the  said 
Mr.  Newkirk  was  examined  on  oath;  and  it  appearing  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  Congress  that  Mr.  Isaac  Paris,  John 


1393 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1394 


Moore,  William  Harper,  Volkert  Vador,  and  Benjamin 
Newkirk,  were  duly  elected  and  empowered  to  represent 
the  said  County  of  Tryon  in  this  Congress,  and  instructed 
to  give  their  vote  in  favour  of  a  new  Government  wholly 
independent  of  all  foreign  jurisdiction, 
Ordered,  That  they  take  their  seats. 

Mr.  Robert  Harper,  one  of  the  Deputies  from  New-York, 
delivered  in  a  Certificate  of  a  Sub-Committee  appointed  by 
the  General  Committee  for  the  City  and  County  of  ^few- 
York  to  superintend  the  election  of  Deputies,  bearing  date 
the  20th  of  June  last,  and  signed  by  Garret  Abcel,  Chair- 
man, and  others,  the  said  Sub-Committee,  and  attested  by 
Joseph  Winter,  Secretary,  whereby  it  appears  that  at  an 
election  held  in  and  for  said  Cily  and  County,  on  the 
19th  day  of  June  last,  John  Jay,  James  Duane,  Philip 
Livingston,  Robert  Harper,  Francis  Lewis,  Garret  Abeel, 
Isaac  Stoutenburgh,  Daniel  Dunscomb,  William  Denting, 
Abraham  Brasher,  Henry  Remsen,  John  Morin  Scott, 
James  Beekman,  Evart  Banker,  Isaac  Roosevelt,  John 
Broome,  Abraham  P.  Lott,  Peter  V.  Zandt,  John  Van 
Cortlandt,  Anthony  Rutgers,  and  Thomas  Randall,  were, 
by  a  majority  of  votes,  elected  Deputies  for  the  City  and 
County  of  New-York,  until  the  second  Tuesday  of  May 
next,  unless  dissolved  by  their  own  power,  or  a  new  form  of 
Government  shall  render  their  attendance  unnecessary. 

Mr.  Hopkins,  General  Morris,  Mr.  Dcaring,  and  Mr. 
L'Hommedieu,  took  the  general  oath  of  secrecy. 

Mr.  Yates  moved  that  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  be  raised 
and  paid  by  this  State,  to  guard  the  frontiers  of  the  County 
of  Albany.  Thereupon, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Mr.  W.  Smith, 
Mr.  L.  Platt,  Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Ste- 
phens, and  Mr.  Webster,  be  a  Committee  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  propriety  of  raising  and  imbodying  an  armed 
force  to  guard  and  protect  the  frontiers  of  this  State,  and 
that  they  report  with  all  convenient  speed. 

Mr.  Morris  delivered  in  a  number  of  Depositions  and 
Examinations  (taken  by  the  Secret  Committee)  relative  to 
the  conspiracy  lately  discovered;  which  were  read. 

The  President,  by  order,  gave  the  charge  of  secrecy  to 
the  Members  on  the  matters  contained  in  the  said  Deposi- 
tions and  Examinations,  until  further  order. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  style  or  title  of  this 
House  be  changed  from  that  of  "The  Provincial  Congress 
of  the  Colony  of  New-York,"  to  that  of  "The  Convention 
of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New- York." 

Whereupon, 

White-Plains,  Wednesday  Afternoon,  July  10,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President,  and  the  same 
Members  as  in  the  forenoon,  except  Colonel  Brasher,  of 
New-  York. 

Mr.  Jay,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  Letters  and  Resolutions  received  from  Con- 
gress on  the  subject  of  raising  another  Regiment  in  this 
Colony,  delivered  in  the  Report  of  the  said  Committee ;  which 
being  read,  was  taken  into  consideration,  and  ordered  to  be 
recommitted. 

And  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hobart  and  Mr.  Morris  be 
added  to  said  Committee. 

A  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Kingston,  in  Ulster 
County,  dated  July  1,  1776,  requesting  that  .some  Gunpow- 
der may  be  sent  to  them,  as  their  County  stands  much  in 
need  of  that  article. 

A  draft  of  an  Answer  to  the  aforegoing  Letter,  inform- 
ing them  that  a  Member  of  this  House  is  sent  to  Newport, 
in  Rhode-Island,  to  conduct  the  conveying  a  quantity  of 
Gunpowder  belonging  to  this  Colony  from  thence  to  Red- 
Hook,  in  Dutchess  County,  a  part  of  which  is  intended  for 
the  use  of  Ulster  County. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Ketletas,  Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  and 
Colonel  Broome,  or  any  two  of  them,  be  a  Committee  to 
confer  with  his  Excellency  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
Continental  Troops,  concerning  the  preservation  of  the 
Horses,  Cattle,  and  all  other  live  stock,  of  the  Counties  of 
King's  and  Queen's,  as  well  from  unnecessary  distress  as  from 
the  hands  of  our  enemies;  and  after  such  conference,  that 
the  said  Committee  be  empowered  to  take  such  steps  in 


regard  to  the  premises  as  they,  in  conjunction  with  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, may  think  proper. 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  Tuesday  next,  the  16th  instant,  be  ap- 
pointed to  take  into  consideration  the  Resolve  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  recommending  to  the  several  Assemblies 
and  Conventions  to  form  such  Constitutions  (where  the  same 
was  not  already  done)  for  the  government  of  their  respective 
Colonies  as  the  Representatives  of  the  people  shall  judge 
most  conducive  to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  the  same, 
and  that  all  the  Members  do  attend  on  that  day. 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis  be  requested  to  open 
the  deliberations  of  this  Convention  every  morning  with 
prayer. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Socket  wait  upon  Mr.  Lewis  and 
communicate  to  him  the  aforegoing  Resolution. 

A  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  East  and  South  Hamp- 
ton, relative  to  the  stock  of  Cattle,  was  read.* 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  William  Smith  and  Mr.  Miller  pre- 
pare a  draft  of  an  Answer  to  the  said  Letter. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Egbert  Benson,  Esq.,  Chairman 
of  the  Dutchess  County  Committee,  relative  to  the  Powder 
from  Rhode-Island,  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  that  is  to  say : 

"  White-Plains,  in  Convention  of  the  State  of ) 
New-York,  July  10,  1776.      J 

"Sm:  By  the  enclosed  Resolve  you  will  see  that  a 
quantity  of  Gunpowder  is  consigned  to  your  care  for  the 
use  and  in  the  proportions  of  the  Counties  therein  men- 
tioned. Such  part  of  it  as  is  intended  for  the  Counties 
northward  of  Dutchess,  (except  Cumberland  and  Gloucester,) 
you  will  send  up  to  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Albany, 
together  with  a  copy  of  the  before-mentioned  resolve.  The 
remainder  you  will  keep  in  store  until  the  respective  County 
Committees,  who  are  entitled  to  it  by  the  said  resolve,  shall 
send  for  the  same.  Yours,  &,c. 
"  By  order. 

"  P.  S.  The  Powder  for  Cumberland  and  Gloucester, 
Colonel  Marsh  takes  with  him  via  Connecticut  River,  for 
their  use,  and  perhaps  the  proportion  for  Charlotte. 

"  To  Egbert  Benson,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  Dutchess  County 
Committee." 

Thursday  morning,  July  11,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Opened  with  prayers  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 

NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Rutgers,  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Harper. 

ALBANY. — Col.  Renselaer,  Mr.  Gansevort,  Mr.  R.  Yates, 
Mr.  Abraham  Yates. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  L'Homme- 
dieu, Mr.  Dearing,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Smith. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  H.  Schenck,  Mr.  Socket,  Dr.  Crane,  Mr. 
Hopkins. 

ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Little. 

QUEEN'S. — Captain  Lawrence,  Mr.  J.  Townsend,  Colonel 
Blackwell,  Mr.  Van  Wyck. 

TKYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk,  Mr.  Vader,  Mr.  Paris, 
Mr.  Moore. 

WEST/CHESTER. — General  Morris,  Mr.  Morris,  Major  Lock- 
wood,  Colonel  Cortlandt,  Colonel  L.  Graham,  Captain 
Platt,  Mr.  Mills,  Mr.  Paulding,  Mr.  Tompkins. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stephens. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 

The  House  took  into  consideration  the  arrangement  of  the 
Treasury  of  this  State. 

*  EAST-HAMPTOK,  July  5,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  At  a  meeting  of  the  joint  Committees  of  South  and  East- 
Hampton,  taking  under  our  most  serious  consideration  the  situation  of 
the  stock  now  on  Montock,  at  the  east  end  of  Long-Island,  we  look  upon 
it  that  there  is  danger  of  said  stock  falling  into  the  hands  of  our  enemies, 
unless  some  speedy  measures  are  taken  to  prevent  the  same.  We, 
therefore,  request  that  some  effectual  measures  may  be  taken,  which 
shall  be  thought  most  beneficial  to  the  owners  of  said  stock  in  particular, 
and  America  in  general.  We  look  upon  it,  that  the  stock  at  Monlock 
might  be  of  great  service  for  the  support  of  our  armies,  if  they  should  be 
protected  there.  Gentlemen,  we  IOOK  upon  it  as  a  matter  of  great  im- 
portance; therefore  beg  your  speedy  direction. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants. 
Signed  by  order_of  the  meeting: 

MALTBT  GELSTON,  CAoinnait. 

To  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New-  York. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


88 


1395 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


139G 


Resolved,  That  the  same  be  postponed,  and  that  next 
Tliursdayhe.  appointed  to  take  the  same  into  consideration. 

Mr.  Morris,  from  the  Committee  to  whom  was  recom- 
mitted the  Report  on  the  Letters  and  Resolutions  of  Conti- 
nental Congress  relative  to  the  raising  another  Regiment  in 
this  Slate,  reported  the  draft  of  a  Letter  to  he  written  to 
the  Continental  Congress;  which  being  read,  was  unani- 
mously taken  into  consideration,  and  the  same  being  again 
read,  paragraph  by  paragraph,  and  some  amendments  made 
therein,  was  unanimously  agreed  to,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  that  is  to  say: 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York, ) 
White-Plains,  Westchester  County,  July  11,  1776.      $ 

"SiR:  In  pursuance  of  a  Resolution  of  your  honourable 

House,  of  the  17 ih  of  June  last,  we  have  passed  a  resolve 

to  authorize  the  Commander-in-Chiel  to  call  out  all  or  any 

part  of  our  Militia  whenever  he  might  think  it  necessary;  of 

.which  we  enclose  you  a  copy,  marked  No.  1. 

"We  have  also  taken  into  consideration  the  recommend- 
ation of  the  Congress  relative  to  the  providing  of  clothing 
for  the  troops,  and  passed  the  resolution  of  which  we  en- 
close you  a  copy,  marked  No.  2. 

"  As  soon  as  we  had  received  the  resolution  of  Congress 
for  raising  a  Regiment  in  this  Colony,  in  order  to  provide 
for  those  officers  who  had  served  in  Canada,  we  referred  it 
to  a  Committee,  expecting  from  them  an  arrangement  which 
would  preserve  the  rank  of  those  officers,  and  thereby  pre- 
vent all  disgusts  and  just  grounds  of  resignation,  it  being  our 
opinion  that  inferior  officers  should  not  be  raised  over  their 
superiors,  unless  in  cases  of  extraordinary  and  distinguished 
merit.  And  although  we  could  not  forbear  observing  that  the 
recommendation  of  Mr.  Dubois  tended  in  some  measure  to 
impair  that  liberty  of  nomination,  without  which  the  privi- 
lege would  be  ineffectual,  yet,  as  we  conceived  that  such 
instances  were  not  frequent,  we  had  determined  to  comply 
with  the  request. 

"  But,  sir,  we  are  much  surprised  and  most  deeply  affected 
by  the  resolution  of  Congress  of  the  26th  June,  by  which 
it  appears  that  your  honourable  House  had  taken  from  us  the 
right  of  nominating  not  only  the  Field-Officers,  but  also  the 
Captains  and  Lieutenants  of  that  Regiment — a  measure  so 
contrary  to  the  common  usage  hitherto  observed  and  prac- 
tised upon  in  all  similar  cases,  as  to  raise  a  discrimination 
highly  invidious  to  this  State ;  and  it  is  our  great  misfortune 
not  to  perceive  the  force  of  those  three  reasons  which  your 
honourable  House  had  thought  fit  to  assign  to  us. 

"  The  first,  sir,  is,  that  the  Congress  was  furnished  with  a 
list  of  the  officers  who  had  served  in  Canada,  and  were 
therefore  enabled  to  appoint  without  our  interposition.  We 
shall  readily  admit  that  the  Congress  may  in  this,  and  in 
other  cases,  have  sufficient  information  to  enable  them  to 
make  such  appointments;  yet  we  submit  it  to  their  superior 
wisdom,  whether  the  ability  they  may  thence  derive  to  per- 
form an  act,  can  constitute  a  right  of  doing  it.  And  if  we 
suppose  those  appointments  did  (by  the  common  usages) 
appertain  to  us,  then  how  far  the  mere  capacity  of  making 
them,  could  vest  the  right  in  any  other  body  whatsoever. 

"The  second  reason,  sir,  is,  that  the  Congress  have 
appointed  only  such  officers  as  were  originally  appointed 
and  recommended  by  us,  and  that  we  should  probably  have 
fixed  our  choice  on  the  same  persons.  We  shall  acknow- 
ledge it  to  be  merely  possible  that  in  the  course  of  human 
affairs,  we  might  by  some  chance  have  fixed  upon  those 
persons  which  are  agreeable  to  your  honourable  House,  and 
it  is  strictly  true,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  officers  were 
appointed  and  recommended  by  us  the  last  year,  although 
not  to  the  same  rank  and  commissions  which  your  honour- 
able body  have  thought  fit  to  confer  upon  them;  but  it  is 
equally  true  that  several  of  them  have  never  been  recom- 
mended or  appointed  by  us,  and  one  of  them,  if  not  more, 
has  never  been  in  the  service  at  all ;  and  we  are  really  at  a 
loss  to  conceive  that  our  nomination  of  officers  in  a  Regi- 
ment disbanded  after  the  term  of  its  inlistment  was  expired, 
can,  upon  the  raising  of  a  new  regiment,  deprive  us  of  that 
right  of  nomination,  and  vest  it  in  the  Congress;  nor  can  we 
be  of  opinion  that  another  body  ought  to  claim  the  right  of 
choosing  for  us,  from  the  mere  conjecture  that  their  choice 
would  be  similar  to  ours,  even  if  that  conjecture  should  be 
well-founded;  but  we  are  sorry  to  observe,  sir,  that  the 
arrangement  made  by  your  honourable  House  is  materially 
different  from  that  which  we  had  prepared. 


"The  third  reason  for  depriving  us  in  this  instance  of  the 
right  of  nomination  is,  the  good  of  the  service  and  the  danger 
of  delay. 

"  We  are  deeply  impressed  with  the  idea  that  your  respect- 
able body  were  actuated  by  the  purest  intentions  of  serving 
their  country,  and  we  entertain  so  well-founded  an  opinion 
of  their  wisdom  and  integrity,  that  we  shall  not  presume  to 
apologize  for  that  plainness  of  speech  which  distinguishes  free- 
men, and  which  can  never  give  offence  to  those  who,  from 
the  dignity  of  their  private  characters,  impart  lustre  to  the 
offices  they  hold.  We  shall  observe,  therefore,  that  although 
the  necessity  of  the  case  has  in  all  ages  and  nations  been  the 
fruitful  source  of  extraordinary  power,  yet  it  has  but  too 
frequently  sown  with  tares  the  fertile  fields  of  liberty,  and 
blasted  the  fair  fruits  of  patriotism  and  publick  spirit.  The 
whole  history  of  mankind  bears  testimony  against  the  pro- 
priety of  considering  this  principle  as  the  parent  of  civil 
rights,  and,  therefore,  a  people  jealous  of  their  liberties  must 
forever  reprobate  it.  At  the  same  time  we  take  leave  to 
assure  you,  sir,  that,  however  we  may  be  calumniated  by 
individuals,  whose  censure  we  consider  as  praise,  we  shall 
ever  continue  ready,  with  our  lives  and  fortunes,  to  support 
the  cause  and  rights  of  America. 

"  We  are  extremely  sorry  to  inform  the  Congress  that  the 
good  of  the  service  will  not  be  promoted,  nor  the  danger  of 
delay  prevented,  by  the  measures  which  they  have  taken,  as 
many  spirited  and  good  officers  have  been  so  disgusted  that 
some  have  resigned;  and  we  have  but  too  much  reason  to 
apprehend  that  others  will  refuse  to  accept  of  their  commis- 
sions. We  beg,  therefore,  that  your  honourable  House  will 
excuse  us  from  interfering  in  the  further  arrangement  of  this 
Regiment,  and  make  out  the  few  appointments  which  remain. 

"  We  have  received  from  William  Goforth,  a  brave  and 
good  officer,  who  served  the  last  campaign  in  Canada,  a 
letter  containing  his  reasons  for  quitting  the  service,  of  which 
we  enclose  you  a  copy,  marked  No.  3,  and  also  the  copy  of 
a  letter  from  Colonel  Fleming,  on  the  same  subject,  marked 
No.  4. 

"  We  daily  expect  other  resignations,  and  pray  leave  to 
observe,  that  we  think  the  case  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Cort- 
landt  is  attended  with  singular  hardships.  .He  is  a  young 
gentleman  of  affluent  circumstances,  good  family  and  exten- 
sive connections;  he  entered  the  service  last  year  as  a  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, and  served  with  spirit  and  fidelity,  and  has 
done  the  like  this  year;  he  is  now  inferior  in  rank  to  Mr. 
Dubois,  who  entered  the  service  last  year  as  a  Captain.  If 
by  such  neglect,  many  respectable  inhabitants  among  us, 
with  their  numerous  and  extensive  connections,  be  cligusled 
and  remain  inactive,  we  flatter  ourselves  that  this  Colony 
will  not  be  censured  for  the  ill  consequences  which  may 
result  from  it. 

"  The  day  before  yesterday  we  took  into  consideration 
the  Declaration  of  your  honourable  House,  proclaiming  the 
United  Colonies  free  and  independent  States,  and  thereupon 
came  to  a  resolution,  of  which  we  enclose  you  a  copy, 
marked  No.  5. 

"  Governour  Tryon  has  inlisted  into  the  service  of  the 
King  of  Great  Britain  certain  disaffected  persons  belonging 
to  this  Colony,  New-Jersey,  &tc.,  some  of  whom  are  now  in 
custody.  We  are  really  at  a  loss  what  to  do  with  them, 
there  being  no  laws  according  to  which  they  can  be  tried 
and  punished,  and  ex  post  facto  laws  are  liable  to  many  ob- 
jections. We  unanimously  join  in  requesting  the  favour  of 
your  honourable  House  to  advise  us  what  would  be  proper 
to  do  in  this  case. 

"  We  take  the  liberty  of  suggesting  to  your  consideration 
also,  the  propriety  of  taking  some  measures  for  expunging 
from  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  such  parts,  and  discon- 
tinuing in  the  congregations  of  all  other  denominations  all 
such  prayers  as  interfere  with  the  interest  of  the  American 
cause.  It  is  a  subject  we  are  afraid  to  meddle  with,  the 
enemies  of  America  having  taken  great  pains  to  insinuate 
into  the  minds  of  the  Episcopalians  that  the  Church  was  in 
danger.  We  would  wish  the  Congress  would  pass  some 
resolve  to  quiet  their  fears,  and  we  are  confident  it  would  do 
essential  service  to  the  cause  of  America,  at  least  in  this  State. 

"  We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect, 
sir,  your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servants. 

':  By  order. 

"To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress." 


1397 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1398 


Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and,  together  with  copies  of  the  Letters 
and  Resolutions  therein  referred  to,  be  transmitted. 

A  Letter  from  Samuel  Tucker,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
New-Jersey  Congress,  enclosing  a  Resolution  of  the  said 
Congress,  dated  July  3d,  authorizing  this  State  to  apprehend 
any  of  the  inhabitants  thereof  at  present  residing  in  New- 
Jersey,  and  ordering  the  inhabitants  thereof  to  aid  those  at 
New-  York  in  the  premises ;  and  that  a  Committee  of  Secrecy 
is  appointed  to  correspond  with  the  Committee  of  Secrecy 
of  this  State,  was  read  and  filed. 

Thursday  afternoon,  July  11,  1776. 

Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper, 
ALBANS. — Mr.  Abm.    Yates,  Mr.  Robert   Yatcs,  Colonel 

Rensclaer,  Mr.  AJgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  L'Homme- 

dieu,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Gekton,  Mr.  Bearing. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Platt,   Mr.  Schenck,   Mr.  Socket,  Mr. 

Hopkins,  Dr.  Crane. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.    Tompkim,    Major  Lockwood,  Mr. 

Paulding,  Captain  Platt,  Mr. Mills,  Co\.Van  Cortlandt. 
TnvoN. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  Vadtr, 

Mr.  Newkirk. 

ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Little. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  J.  Townsend,  Captain  Lawrence,  Colonel 

Blackwell,  Mr.  Van  Wyck.  ' 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  General  Committee  of  the. 
County  of  Tryon  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  authorized,  and  re- 
quested to  employ  proper  persons  to  take  the  Leaden  Weights 
out  of  all  the  windows  in  the  said  County,  and  apply  so 
much  thereof  as  may  be  immediately  necessary  to  the  use 
of  the  Militia  of  the  said  County;  that  an  exact  account  be 
kept  of  the  quantity  taken  from  each  house,  to  the  end  that 
payment  may  be  hereafter  made  for  the  same;  and  that  the 
said  Committee  do  transmit  an  account  thereof  to  this  Con- 
vention, with  all  convenient  speed. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenim  deliver  to  Major  Web- 
ster, (one  of  the  Deputies  from  Charlotte  County,)  or  his 
order,  1,500  Ibs.  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Charlotte,  and  to  Mr.  John  Sessions,  one  of  the 
Deputies  from  Cumberland  County,  3.000  Ibs.  for  the  use  of 
the  County  of  Gloucester,  and  4,500  Ibs.  for  the  use  of  the 
County  of  Cumberland. 

And  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenim  charge  the  same 
to  the  said  Counties  respectively,  to  the  end  that  the  same 
may  be  paid  for  by  the  said  Counties  respectively,  when  they 
shall  be  thereunto  required. 

And  Ordered,  That  Major  Webster  do  forward,  in  the 
most  safe  and  expeditious  manner,  the  said  1,500  Ibs.  of  Lead 
to  the  General  Committee  of  CViar/o^eCounty;  that  Mr.  Ses- 
sions forward,  in  the  same  manner,  the  said  3,(JOO  Ibs.  of  Lead 
to  the  General  Committee  of  Gloucester  County,  and  the  said 
4,500  Ibs.  to  the  General  Committee  of  Cumberland  County. 

And  Ordered,  further,  That  the  said  Committees  be,  and 
they  hereby  are,  respectively  required  to  attend  carefully  to 
the  disposition  of  the  said  Lead  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of 
the  said  Counties  respectively. 

Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  this  Convention  that 
the  Troop  of  Horse  of  the  County  of  Wcstchester  have  re- 
fused to  furnish  their  quota  of  men  lately  directed  to  be  raised 
to  reinforce  the  Continental  Army  of  New-  York : 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Harper,  Major  Lockwood,  Mr.  Tom- 
kins,  and  Mr.  Lawrence,  be  a  Committee  to  inquire  into  the 
truth  of  the  said  representation. 

A  Letter  from  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  enclosing 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  was  read  and  filed,  and 
is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

"  Philadelphia,  July  6,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  Although  it  is  not  possible  to  foresee  the 
consequences  of  human  actions,  yet  it  is  nevertheless  a  duty 
we  owe  ourselves  and  posterity  in  all  our  publick  councils 
to  decide  in  the  best  manner  we  are  able,  and  to  trust  the 
event  to  that  Being  who  controls  both  causes  and  events  so 
as  to  bring  about  his  own  determinations.  Impressed  with 
this  sentiment,  and  at  the  same  time  fully  convinced  that  our 


affairs  may  take  a  more  favourable  turn,  the  Congress  have 
judged  it  necessary  to  dissolve  all  connection  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  American  Colonies,  and  to  declare  them 
free  and  independent  States,  as  you  will  perceive  by  the 
enclosed  Declaration,  which  I  am  directed  to  transmit  to 
you,  and  to  request  you  will  have  it  proclaimed  in  your 
Colony  in  the  way  you  shall  think  most  proper. 

"The  important  consequences  to  the  American  States 
from  this  Declaration  of  Independence,  considered  as  the 
ground  and  foundation  of  a  future  Government,  will  natu- 
rally suggest  the  propriety  of  having  it  proclaimed  in  such  a 
manner  as  that  the  people  may  be  universally  informed  of  it. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 
and  very  humble  servant, 

"  JOHN  HANCOCK,  President. 
"To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  New-  York." 

A  draft  of  an  Answer  to  the  same  was  read  and  approved 
of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say : 

"July  11, 1776. 

"Sm:  Your  letter  of  the  6th  July  instant,  enclosing  a 
copy  of  the  Declaration  of  Congress  proclaiming  the  United 
Colonies  free  and  independent  States,  and  requesting  us  to  pro- 
claim and  publish  the  same  in  this  Colony,  has  been  received. 

"  It  gives  us  pleasure  to  inform  you  that,  having  been 
informed  of  that  Declaration  by  our  Delegates,  we  have  an- 
ticipated the  request  of  Congress,  by  our  Resolutions  of  the 
9th  instant,  a  copy  of  which  was  enclosed  in  a  letter  we  did 
ourselves  the  honour  of  writing  you  this  morning. 

"  We  have  the  honour  to  be,  &.c.,  Sic.     By  order. 
"  To  the  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq." 

• 

White-Plains,  July  12,  1776. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committees  of  East  and  South 
Hampton,  in  answer  to  theirs  received  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  10th  instant,  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  that  is  to  say : 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  ) 
New-York.  White-Plains,  July  12,  1776.     5 

"GENTLEMEN:  Taking  into  consideration  your  letter  of 
the  5th  instant,  applying  to  us  for  directions  relative  to  the 
preservation  of  the  stock  at  Montavck, — since  the  date  of 
your  letter  you  must  have  understood  that  Colonel  Living- 
ston, the  commander  in  that  quarter,  has  applied  to  the 
County  Committee  for  their  advice  and  assistance  respecting 
the  preservation  of  the  stock  and  making  necessary  defence 
in  your  quarter.  We  also  understand,  from  Messrs.  Dearing 
and  L'Hommedieu,  that  persons  are  appointed  by  the  Com- 
missary-General to  lay  up  all  the  stock  in  those  parts  fit  for 
use,  and  also  boats  to  be  provided  to  remove  the  rest  in  case 
of  danger.  Viewing  things  in  this  light,  we  hope  your  fears 
are  subsided.  In  case  they  are  not,  from  the  measures  already 
taken,  we  shall  expect  to  hear  from  you,  and  shall  not  be 
wanting  in  supporting  all  the  friends  of  the  common  cause 
of  America.  We  are,  &tc. 
"  To  the  Committees  of  East  and  South  Hampton." 

A  Memorial  of  several  Officers,  complaining  of  improper 
appointments  by  Congress,  and  that  they  have  been  super- 
seded in  rank  by  the  late  appointments  in  the  Third  Regi- 
ment to  be  commanded  by  Colonel  Dubois,  was  read.* 

•WHITE-PLAINS,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Whereas  we  have  had  the  honour  to  serve  in  the  Con- 
tinental Army  by  your  appointment  last  year,  we  beg  leave  to  mention 
to  you  a  state  of  facts',  which  we  esteem  as  real  grievances,  and  look  up 
to  you  for  direction  or  redress. 

When  first  the  dire  alarm  of  war  was  sounded  in  our  land  we  willingly 
stepped  forth  and  offered  our  services  to  our  bleeding  country,  and  were 
much  pleased  with  the  appointments  which  you  honoured  us  with. 
Urged  on  by  the  same  motives  which  first  induced  us  to  engage,  we 
endured  all  the  hardships  of  a  most  severe  campaign  with  a  pleasing  for- 
titude, not  doubting  but  whilst  we  were  doing  our  duty  we  should  meet 
with  the  applause  of  our  country,  and  that  an  equal  distribution  of  honour 
would  have  been  conferred  on  those  who  had  not  merited  the  reverse. 
But  this  has  not  been  the  case;  a  few  have  been  promoted  to  high  rank, 
while  others  of  equal  standing  and  merit  are  superseded  or  entirely 
neglected. 

Among  the  many  instances  of  this  procedure  that  might  be  given,  the 
most  recent  is  the  late  arrangement  of  the  officers  of  a  regiment  to  be 
commanded  by  Lewis  Dubois,  Esq.,  the  injustice  of  which  will,  we  hope, 
fully  appear  to  your  honourable  House,  if  you  will  please  to  look  over  the 
copy  of  the  arrangement  itself,  which  we  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  to 
you. 

We  humbly  desire  you,  gentlemen,  to  take  this  matter  into  considera- 
tion; and  are,  with  due  respect,  (in  behalf  of  the  disbanded  officers  that 
served  in  Canada,)  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servants, 

SAML.  SACKET, 
AARON  AORSON, 
RICHARD  PLATT. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York. 


1399 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1400 


The  Resignation  of  Lieutenants  Aorson,  Pearsee,  Plat, 
Gano,  and  Van  Wagener,  on  account  of  younger  Lieute- 
nants being  appointed  to  a  Captaincy  in  Colonel  Dubois's 
Regiment,  was  read. 

Mr.  Jay  reported  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  President  of  the 
Continental  Congress  on  the  subject  of  these  Resignations, 
which  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, that  is  to  say: 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  White-Plains,  July  12,  177G.      ) 

"  SIR:  Nothing  but  regard  to  their  duty  could  induce  the 
Convention  of  New-  York  again  to  call  your  attention  to  a  sub- 
ject so  disagreeable  as  complaints  against  the  arrangements  of 
the  Canada  Regiment  formed  by  your  honourable  House. 

"They  this  day  received  certain  papers  relative  to  that 
business  from  a  number  of  officers  who  think  themselves 
deeply  affected  by  it,  of  which  papers  the  enclosed  are 
copies;  from  thence  it  appears  that,  besides  oilier  appoint- 
ments out  of  the  line  of  rank,  three  Sergeants,  a  Corporal, 
and*  a  Lieutenant  fire-worker  have  been  raised  over  the  heads 
of  commissioned  officers. 

"  We  have  the  honour  to  be,  &.C., 

"  NATHL.  WOODHULL,  President. 

"  The  Hon.  John  Hancock,  Esq.,  President  of  Continental 
Congress." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted,  together  with  copies  of 
the  Memorial  and  Resignation  of  the  Officers. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenius  deliver  to  Nathaniel 
Sacket,  Esq.,  or  his  owler,  six  thousand  pounds  of  Lead,  for 
the  use  of  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Dutchess,  and  that 
he  charge  the  same  to  the  said  County. 

Mr.  Sampson  Duyckinck  came  from  the  City  of  New- 
York,  and  informed  the  Congress  that  three  Ships-of-War 
had  passed  the  Fort  and  Battery  at  New-York,  and  sailed 
up  Hudson's  River;  that  they  were  fired  upon  from  all  the 
Batteries  along  the  banks  of  the  river;  that  he  believes 
they  have  already  passed  King's  Bridge: 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Jay,  Major  Lockwood, 
Mr.  Mills,  Colonel  Drake,  and  Mr.  Schenck,  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  take  such  measures  on  this  occasion  as  to  calling  out 
such  parts  of  the  Militia,  sending  Expresses  to  the  Forts  in 
the  Highlands,  and  all  such  other  measures  as  they  shall 
think  necessary. 

Saturday  morning,  July  13,  1776. 
Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 

NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Rutgers,  Mr.  Jay,  Colonel  Brasher. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  R.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Smith. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Wisner. 

DDTCHESS. — Mr.  Plait,  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  G.  Livingston, 
Mr.  Schenck. 

ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Little. 

WESTCHESTEH. — Major  Lockwood,  Captain  Plait,  Colonel 

.    G.  Drake. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  James  Townsend,  Colonel  Blackwell,  Cap- 
tain Lawrence. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Vader,  Mr.  Paris. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 

Mr.  Gilbert  Livingston  and  Mr.  Wisner  took  the  general 
oath  of  secrecy. 

The  Deputies  for  Queen's  County  represented  to  the 
Convention  that  the  Militia  of  the  said  County  are  destitute 
of  Ammunition,  and  therefore  request  that  a  supply  may  be 
immediately  ordered  for  them. 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Norwood,  the  Commis- 
sary of  Military  Stores,  deliver  to  Captain  Jonathan  Law- 
rence, or  his  order,  ten  thousand  Cartridges,  of  different 
sizes,  filled  with  Powder  and  Ball,  and  one  thousand  Flints, 
for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Queen's  County,  and  charge 
the  same  to  the  said  County. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenius  deliver  to  Captain  J. 
Platt,  or  his  order,  fifteen  hundred  pounds  of  Lead — one 
half  thereof  in  Ball;  and  if  Colonel  Curtenius  has  no  Ball 
in  store,  that  he  call  on  Mr.  Norwood,  who  in  such  case  is 
ordered  to  deliver  to  Colonel  Curtenius,  or  his  order,  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  Ball,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid ; 


and  that  Colonel  Curtenius  charge  the  same  to  the  said 
County,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  thereof. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  was 
read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is 
to  say: 

"  White-Plains,  July  13,  1776. 

"  SIR:  Be  pleased  to  order  such  a  number  of  your  Regi- 
ment to  guard  the  stores  in  which  provision  and  other  effects 
belonging  to  the  publick  are  lodged,  at  and  near  Peekskill,  as 
you  may  think  necessary.  Colonel  Drake  will  afford  them 
the  necessary  supplies  of  bread  and  pork. 

"As  it  would  not  be  prudent,  on  every  little  alarm,  to  call 
great  numbers  of  the  inhabitants  from  their  farms,  we  hope 
the  detachments  you  may  order  on  service  will  not  be  greater 
than  the  exigency  of  affairs  may  require. 

"  We  are,  sir,  your  most^obedient  servants.     By  order. 

"To  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted  immediately. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammond 
was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
that  is  to  say: 

"White-Plains,  July  13,  1776. 

"SiR:  We  last  evening  ordered  Colonel  Thomas  to  send 
you  a  reinforcement  of  forty  or  fifty  men,  together  with  one 
hundred  pounds  of  lead  and  two  quarter  casks  of  gunpowder, 
all  of  which  we  hope  you  have  received. 

"  There  is  no  great  reason  to  apprehend  that  any  consider- 
able incursions  into  the  country  will  be  made  by  parties  from 
ships  in  the  river,  and  therefore  are  of  opinion  it  would  not 
be  expedient  for  great  numbers  of  the  Militia  to  leave  their 
farms  at  this  busy  season  of  the  year. 

"Great  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  conduct  of  the  dis- 
affected among  us,  and  care  taken  to  prevent  any  unusual 
gatherings  of  them ;  and  let  all  such  of  them  be  apprehended 
and  secured  as  may  give  any  aid  to  the  enemy,  or  threaten 
to  give  you  any  molestation. 

"Colonel  Drake  will  give  the  necessary  orders  for  provi- 
sions, and  we  hope  the  Whigs  of  this  County  will  distinguish 
themselves  by  their  zeal  and  alacrity  on  this  occasion. 

"  We  are,  sir,  your  very  obedient  servants. 
"To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammond." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  be  engrossed  and  signed  by  the 
President,  and  immediately  transmitted. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington 
was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
that  is  to  say : 

"  Saturday  morning,  July  13,  1776. 

"SiR:  On  being  informed  yesterday  afternoon  that  two 
ships-of-war  had  gone  into  the  North-Rivtr  and  passed  by 
all  the  fortifications  on  York-Island,  the  Convention  imme- 
diately sent  an  express  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
fort  at  the  Highlands,  advising  him  thereof.  Last  evening, 
advice  arrived  that  two  frigates  and  two  or  three  tenders 
were  at  anchor  at  Tarrytown;  whereupon,  the  Convention 
sent  the  inhabitants  a  supply  of  powder  and  ball,  and  took 
immediate  measures  for  reinforcing  the  inhabitants  along 
that  shore.  This  morning  the  Convention  were  informed 
that  the  frigates  and  tenders  still  lay  there  at  anchor,  and 
that  several  barges  were  busy  in  sounding  the  river.  Ano- 
ther detachment  of  the  Militia  has  been  directed  to  guard 
the  stores  in  that  neighbourhood,  in  which  are  sundry  effects 
belonging  to  the  publick.  The  Convention  will  endeavour 
to  prevent  their  making  incursions  into  the  country,  and  beg 
leave  to  suggest  to  your  Excellency  the  propriety  of  keeping 
a.  strong  guard  at  King's  Bridge,  the  destruction  of  which 
they  apprehend  to  be  an  object  with  the  enemy. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  esteem,  your  Excellency's 
most  obedient  servant.     By  order. 
"  To  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Saturday  afternoon,  July  13,  1776. 

The  following  Members  met,  and  for  want  of  a  sufficient 
number  of  Members,  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  to  wit: 
NEW-YORK. — Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Jay. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  R.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Platt,  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  G.  Livingston. 


1401 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1402 


TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  Vader. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Wisner. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 

Sunday  morning,  July  14,  1776. 

The  same  Members  met,  and  adjourned  till  to-morrow 
morning. 

Monday  morning,  July  15,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Opened 
with  prayer. 

Present :  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW- YORK. — Colonel  Broome. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  R.  Yates,  Mr.iAdgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  G.  Livingston,  Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston, 

Dr.  Crane,  Mr.  Plait,  Mr.  Socket,  Mr.  Schenck. 
THYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Vader,  Mr.  Paris. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Hamland. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Ketletas. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Wisner. 

Mr.  Duer  and  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston  took  the  gene- 
ral oath  of  secrecy. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curteniusor  Mr.  Norwood  deliver 
to  Henry  Wisner,  3un,  Esq.,  six  thousand  pounds  weight  of 
Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Ulster  County,  and  four 
thousand  pounds  weight  of  Lead  for  the  use  of  the  Militia 
of  Orange  County,  and  charge  the  same  to  those  Counties 
respectively. 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington,  dated  yesterday,  by 
express,  was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  following 
words,  to  wit : 

"New-York,  Head-Quarters,  July  14,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  The  passage  of  the  enemy  up  the  North 
River  is  an  event  big  with  many  consequences  to  the  pub- 
lick  interest.  One  particularly  occurs  to  me,  well  deserving 
your  attention,  and  to  prevent  which  I  shall  gladly  give  every 
assistance  in  my  power  consistent  with  the  safety  of  the  Army. 

"  I  am  informed  there  are  several  passes  on  each  side  of 
the  river,  upon  which  the  communication  with  Albany  de- 
pends, of  so  commanding  a  nature,  that  an  inconsiderable 
body  of  men  may  defend  them  against  the  largest  numbers. 
It  may  be  that  on  board  these  ships  there  may  be  troops  for 
this  purpose,  who,  expecting  to  be  joined  by  the  disaffected 
in  that  quarter,  or  confiding  in  their  own  strength,  may  en- 
deavour to  seize  those  defiles.  In  which  case,  the  inter- 
course between  the  two  Armies,  both  by  land  and  water, 
will  be  wholly  cut  off,  than  which  a  greater  misfortune  could 
hardly  befall  the  State  and  Army.  I  must  entreat  you  to 
take  the  measure  into  consideration,  and,  if  possible,  provide 
against  an  evil  so  much  to  be  apprehended.  1  should  hope 
the  Militia  of  these  Counties  might  be  used  on  such  an 
emergence  until  further  provision  was  made. 

"  I  have  also  thought  it  very  probable  these  ships  may 
have  carried  up  arms  and  ammunition  to  be  dealt  out  to 
those  who  may  favour  their  cause,  and  cooperate,  with  them 
at  a  fixed  time.  I  would,  to  guard  against  this,  submit  to 
your  consideration  the  propriety  of  writing  to  the  leading 
men  on  our  side,  in  those  Counties,  to  be  very  vigilant  in  ob- 
serving any  movement  of  that  kind,  in  order  that  so  danger- 
ous a  scheme  may  be  nipped  in  the  bud :  for  that  purpose 
to  keep  the  utmost  attention  to  the  conduct  of  the  principal 
Tories  in  those  parts;  any  attempts  of  intercourse  with  the 
ships ;  and  all  other  circumstances  which  may  lead  to  a  dis- 
covery of  their  scheme  and  the  destruction  of  their  measures. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  and 
humble  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

"  To  the  Hon.  the  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of 
New-  York." 

A  draft  of  an  Answer  to  the  Letter  just  received  from 
General  Washington,  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  a  copy 
transmitted  by  the  same  express,  and  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, that  is  to  say : 

"  White-Plains,  July  15,  1776. 

"SiR:  Your  letter  of  the  14th  instant  was  read  in  Con- 
vention. They  see  the  importance  of  securing  the  passes 


your  Excellency  mentions,  and  will  immediately  take  the 
measures  you  are  pleased  to  recommend,  and  every  other 
which  they  conceive  will  tend  most  to  the  security  of  this 
State.  Your  Excellency  was  informed  by  our  letter  of  the 
13th,  of  the  precautions  we  had  used  in  order  to  prevent  any 
intercourse  between  the  disaffected  people  of  our  State  and 
the  ships  of  the  enemy,  and  to  repel  any  attempts  they  might 
make  to  land.  They  see  the  necessity  of  watching  with  the 
utmost  vigilance  the  steps  of  the  Tories  in  this  and  the  neigh- 
bouring Counties,  and  shall  give  your  Excellency  the  earliest 
notice  of  any  resolutions  that  they  may  form  for  this  purpose. 

"  We  have  the  honour  to  be,  &ic. 
"  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Ordered,  That  Peter  V.  B.  Livingston,  Esq.,  advance 
to  Henry  Wisner,  Jun.,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  £50,  to  be  by 
him  disposed  of  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  transporting  a 
quantity  of  Lead  to  the  Counties  of  Orange  and  Ulster,  Mr. 
Wisner  to  render  an  account  of  the  expenditure  thereof. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Van  B.  Livingston,  Esq.,  advance 
to  Nathaniel  Socket,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  £40,  to  be  by  him 
disposed  of  in  defraying  the  expenses  of  transporting  a  quan- 
tity of  Lead  to  Dutchess  County,  Mr.  Socket  to  render  an 
account  of  the  expenditure  thereof. 

Die  Luna:,  P.  M.,  July  15,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Broome,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Jay. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  R.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Smith. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit,  Major  Tappen,  Mr.  Confine, 

Colonel  Paulding,  Mr.  Wisner. 
DUTCHESS. — Dr.  Crane,  Mr.  G.  Livingston,  Mr.  R.  R. 

Livingston,  Mr.  Platt,  Mr.  Hopkins. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Hamland,  Mr.  Tompkins,  Mr.  Paul- 
ding,  Mr.  Mills. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Vader,  Mr.  Paris. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 

Credentials  of  the  Deputies  for  Ulster  County  were  read, 
approved,  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  the  Deputies  for  Ulster  County  take  their 
seats. 

William  Duer,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Deputies  from  Charlotte 
County,  delivered  in  Convention  a  Certificate  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  said  County,  dated  the  28th  ultimo,  subscribed 
by  John  Williams,  Chairman,  and  attested  by  John  Gibson, 
Clerk,  of  the  election  of  Deputies  for  the  said  County,  to  serve 
in  this  Convention.  The  said  Certificate  was  read  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  the  Deputies  from  Charlotte  County  take 
their  seats. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Robert  Yates,  Mr.  Duer, 
Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  and  Colonel  De  Wit,  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  take  into  consideration  General  Washington's  Let- 
ter received  and  read  this  morning,  and  that  they  report 
thereon  with  all  possible  speed. 

Two  Letters  from  Colonel  Hammond,*  at  Tarrytown,  in- 

*July  14,  .0.  D.  1776. 

These  lines  are  to  inform  the  honourable  Congress  that  Captain  Wil- 
liam Dutcher  is  willing  to  raise  a  Company  of  forty  men,  to  protect  the 
inhabitants  along  the  shore  of  the  North  River  from  the  mischievous 
attempts  of  the  Ministerial  ships  now  lying  in  the  river  near  Tarry- 
town,  in  compliance  with  the  requisitions  of  Congress  yesterday,  on  sup- 
position that  the  honourable  Congress  will  immediately  put  the  men 
under  pay,  so  that  the  multitude  may  return  to  their  respective  habita- 
tions to  secure  their  harvests. 

From  your  friend  and  servant  in  the  common  cause, 

JAMES  HAMMON,  U.  Col. 
To  the  Hon.  Provincial  Congress,  now  sitting  at  the  Whitt-Plains. 

P.  S.  We  have  taken  one  John  Fowler  returning  from  on  board  of  one 
of  the  men-of-war,  whom  we  are  soon  going  to  send  under  guard  to  the 
Plains. 

N.  B.  Pray,  sir,  send  an  answer  to  the  above  as  soon  as  is  any  ways 
consistent.  Yours,  as  above,  J.  HAMMON. 

TARRYTOWN,  July  15,  1776. 

SIR  :  The  men  who  came  down  with  Captain  Hunter  from  Bedford,  for 
the  sake  of  expedition  came  on  horseback.  Their  horses  have  been 
kept  here,  as  they  expected  to  be  immediately  relieved.  As  they  have 
been  very  serviceable  to  us,  would  beg  that  the  Congress  would  be 
pleased  to  make  them  an  allowance  for  the  extraordinary  expense  they 
have  been  at  in  this  emergency. 

I  much  fear  that  without  a  reinforcement  we  shall  be  put  to  it  for  our 
complement  of  men  to-night,  as  some  are  continually  going  away  without 
leave,  to  take  care  of  their  harvests.  From  your  most  humble  servant, 

JAMES  HAMMOND,  Lt.  Col. 
To  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State 

of  JVew-Korfc. 


1403 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1404 


forming  the  Convention  that  the  men  posted  there  are  very 
desirous  of  being  relieved,  in  order  to  attend  their  harvests, 
were  read : 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Thomas  relieve,  by 
detachments  from  his  Regiment,  such  of  the  Militia  stationed 
at  Tarrytown  as  may  incline  to  return  home ;  and  that  the 
number  of  Militia  to  be  stationed  there  be  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  exclusive  of  Captain  Townsend's  Company. 

A  Letter  was  wrote  and  sent  to  Colonel  Hammond,  in- 
forming him  that  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  are  sufficient 
to  be  stationed  at  Tarrytown,  for  the  present,  and  that  such 
further  aid  will  be  afforded  them  as  the  Convention  may 
think  necessary;  and  that  they  be  relieved,  so  that  the  bur- 
den be  equally  borne  by  all  the  Militia. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammond  was 
read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  that 
is  to  say : 

"  In  Convention  for  the  State  of  New-York, ) 
White-Plains,  July  15,  1776.      $ 

"  SIR :  We  are  surprised  to  find  that  any  of  the  men  under 
your  command  at  Tarrytown  have  left  their  station  without 
permission  from  the  commanding  officer.  We  flattered  our- 
selves that  no  part  of  the  Militia  of  this  State  would  have 
forsaken  their  duty  from  pecuniary  considerations,  especially 
at  a  season  when  everything  dear  to  a  freeman  is  at  stake. 
Assure  such  of  the  officers  and  men  as  have  done  their  duty 
that  they,  and  all  others  of  the  Militia  who  may  be  called 
into  service,  shall  receive  the  like  pay  and  rations  as  Conti- 
nental troops,  and  that  those  now  at  Tarrytown  shall  speedily 
be  relieved. 

"  We  are,  sir,  your  very  humble  servants.     By  order. 

"To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammond." 

Resohed  and  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Tompkins  and  Mr.  Ha- 
viland  be  a  Committee  to  have  the  staircase  of  the  room  in 
which  this  Convention  sits,  closed;  and  also  that  they  be  a 
Committee  to  procure  Guard  to  be  stationed  at  the  Jail. 

Resohed,  unanimously,  That  if  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  should  think  it  expedient,  for  the  preservation 
of  this  State  and  the  general  interest  of  America,  to  abandon 
the  City  of  New-  York,  and  withdraw  the  Troops  to  the  north 
side  of  King's  Bridge,  that  this  Convention  will  cheerfully 
cooperate  with  him  in  every  measure  that  may  be  necessary 
for  that  purpose. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington, 
to  enclose  the  above  Resolution,  was  read  and  approved  of, 
and  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

"  In  Convention,  July  15,  1776. 

"  SIR  :  One  or  two  pettiaugers  have  been  observed  going 
to  and  from  the  ships-of-war  at  Tarrytown.  Had  the  detach- 
ment of  Militia  stationed  there  been  supplied  with  boats, 
they  would  certainly  have  taken  them.  The  Convention 
take  the  liberty,  therefore,  of  requesting  your  Excellency  to 
send  them  four  whale  boats,  which  they  will  take  care  to  man. 

"  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  transmit  the  enclosed 
resolution  to  your  Excellency;  and  have  the  honour  to  be, 
with  the  greatest  respect,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
servant.     By  order. 
"  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Colonel  DeWit,  Major  Christopher  Tappen,  Colonel  Levi 
Pawling,  and  Major  Garret  Abeel,  took  the  general  oath  of 
secrecy. 

Friday  Morning,  July  16,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Jay,  Colonel  Broome,  Colonel  Lott,  Mr. 

Buncker,  Major  Abed,  Mr.  Dunscomb,  Mr.  Harper. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  R.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Colo- 
nel Renselaer. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Webster. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr. 

Dearing,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu,  Mr.  Gelston. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit,  Major  Tappen,  Col.  Pawling, 

Mr.  Confine. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  JR.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  G.  Livingston,  Dr. 

Crane,  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Plait,  Mr.  Schenck. 
TRYON.— Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  Veder, 

Mr.  Ncwkirk. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 


ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Ilamland,  Mr.  Pawling,  Mr.  Mitts, 
Colonel  G.  Drake,  Major  Lockwood. 

A  Letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammond*  with  a 
Return  of  the  men  under  his  command,  posted  at  Tarry- 
toivn, and  requesting  that  some  person  be  appointed  to  fur- 
nish them  with  Provisions: 

Resolved,  That  George  Coombe  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
appointed  Commissary  of  Provisions,  to  such  of  the  Militia 
as  now  are  or  may  be  stationed  at  and  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Tarrytown;  that  he  supply  the  said  Militia  with  fresh 
Provisions  one  half  of  the  time,  and  the  other  half  with 
salt  Provisions,  out  of  the  Provincial  Store. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Colonel  ffammon,  acknowledging 
the  receipt  of  his,  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

"  White-Plains,  July  16,  1776. 

"  SIR  :  The  Congress  duly  received  your  letter  of  this  day, 
and,  pursuant  to  your  request,  have  come  to  the  enclosed 
resolution,  by  which  you  will  see  they  have  appointed  George 
Coombe  Commissary,  and  that  suitable  measures  are  taken 
for  the  regulating  of  the  supplies  of  provision  for  the  Militia, 
both  fresh  and  salt.  Yours,  &e.  By  order. 
"  Colonel  Hammon." 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  copied,  and,  together  with 
the  Resolution  appointing  Mr.  Coombe  Commissary  of  Pro- 
visions, he  immediately  transmitted. 

A  Letter  from  Joseph  Travis,^  dated  at  Peek 'skill,  yesterday, 
in  substance  complaining  that  the  harvest  is  great  and  the 
labourers  few,  they  expect  to  be  attacked  every  moment  by 
the  Regulars  and  Tories,  and  are  obliged  to  keep  something 
of  a  guard  over  the  stores,  was  read  and  filed. 

A  Petition  from  Samuel  Smith,  as  also  the  Petition  of 
Cadwallader  Colden.^  Jun.,  Esq.,  both  confined  in  Ulster 

*  HEAD-QUARTERS,  TARRYTOWN,  July  16,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  having  no  proper  orders  from  you  in  what  manner 
the  Militia  shall  be  found  with  provision,  the  men  have  eat  nothing  but 
salt  provision  as  yet.  They  find  much  fault,  as  there  has  been  no  per- 
son appointed  by  you  as  Commissary.  I  desire  that  there  may  be  a 
person  appointed  for  that  purpose.  George  Combe  has  done  this  business, 
but  he  is  unwilling  to  buy  cattle  without  proper  orders. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant, 

JAMES  HAMMOND,  Lt.  Col. 
To  the  Honourable  Provincial  Congress. 

TARRYTOWN,  July  16,  1776. — Return  of  the  state  of  the  forces  under 
Colonel  Hammond's  command.  Upon  mustering  the  Regiment,  at  five 
o'clock  this  morning,  agreeable  to  the  Colonel's  orders — 

Appeared  upon  parade,  fit  for  duty 129  men. 

Upon  guard 10 

Total v 139 

JOHN  G.  GRAHAM,  2d  Major. 

f  PEEKSKILL,  July  15,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We,  the  inhabitants  of  Cortlandt's  J\Ianor,  are  very  desi- 
rous to  have  your  approbation  what  is  best  for  us  to  do.  The  harvest 
is  considerable  great,  and  the  labourers  but  few,  and  as  we  expect  to  be 
attacked  every  moment  by  the  Regulars  and  Tories,  we  are  obliged  to 
keep  something  of  a  guard,  on  the  account  of  the  stores  at  our  place,  as 
well  as  our  preservation.  1  should  be  very  desirous  to  have  a  few  lines 
from  the  honourable  House,  concerning  matters  of  encouragement  what 
is  best  to  be  done  in  these  matters.  I  have  written  in  haste,  alone,  because 
just  had  this  immediate  opportunity. 

From  your  friend  and  well  wisher,  JOSEPH  TRAVIS. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Congress  of  the  Province  of  JVetc-  York. 

I  ULSTER  COUNTY  JAIL,  July  6,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  which  I  wrote  to  the  General 
Committee  of  this  County,  [dated  Hanover  Precinct,  June  27, 1776,]  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  you  to,  as  it  contains  a  true  relation  (to  that  time)  of  a  most 
arbitrary,  cruel  treatment  to  me;  and  as,  instead  of  meeting  redress  where 
I  applied  for  it,  I  was  most  unexpectedly  sent  here,  where  I  am  now  con- 
fineu  in  the  common  jail  with  a  criminal,  &c.,  1  shall  now  relate  the  truth 
of  what  passed  in  the  County  Committee  when  I  appeared  before  them 
pursuant  to  their  order,  a  copy  of  which  1  also  enclose.  No  evidence  or 
proof  in  any  shape  appeared  to  contradict  what  I  had  set  forth  in  my  letter 
to  the  Committee,  nor  did  any  new  matter  appear  against  me,  only  that 
the  officers  who  had  searched  my  house  declared  they  could  find  no  arms 
at  all,  which  gave  suspicion  that  I  must  have  secreted  them.  When  they 
searched  my  house,  and  asked  me  for  arms,  I  told  them  that  there  were 
but  two  guiis  in  the  house,  the  one  a  left-handed  one  for  my  own  use, 
which  was  broke  in  the  stock,  and  at  these  times  did  not  think  worth  while 
to  have  it  mended :  the  other,  a  fowling-piece,  belonging  to  Dr.  Jlntill, 
which  my  youngest  son  appeared  with  at  the  training;  that  all  the  spare 
arms  that  had  been  in  the  house  I  had  caused  to  be  disposed  of  to  the 
soldiery.  I  did  not  show  them  these  guns,  as  I  made  no  doubt  they  had 
seen  them  standing  in  the  common  room;  likewise,  my  son's  pistols  and 
sword  hung  up  in  my  best  bedroom,  where  some  of  these  officers  lodged 
the  remainder  of  the  night;  and  if  they  did  not  see  them,  I  could  not 
help  it.  It  is  true,  my  own  pistols  I  forgot  to  tell  them  of,  as  they  lay 
on  a  shelf  of  a  closet  in  my  bedroom,  where  they  had  been  out  of  sight 
for  a  year  or  two,  and  one  of  them  has  the  cock  broke.  I  have  been 
the  more  particular  about  this  trifling  circumstance,  as  it  seemed  to  be 
the  only  matter  before  the  Committee  that  they  hinged  upon.  They 


1405 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1406 


Jail,  with  copy  of  Mr.  Colden's  Letter  to  the  Committee  of 
Ulster  County,  and  the  Warrant  for  his  commitment,  were 
respectively  read. 

Ordered,  That  both  Petitions  and  Papers  be  referred  to 
the  General  Committee  of  Ulster  County,  and  that  a  Letter 
be  wrote  to  the  Committee,  enclosing  the  said  Petitions. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committee,  informing  them  of 
this  reference,  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  that  is  to  say: 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  White-Plains,  July  16,  1776.      $ 

"SiR:  Enclosed  you  have  a  petition  from  Samuel  Smith, 
a  prisoner  confined  in  Kingston  Jail;  also  a  letter  and  peti- 
tion of  Cadwallader  Golden,  Jun. 

"This  Convention  have  taken  the  petitions  under  con- 
sideration, and  thought  most  expedient  to  refer  the  prayers 
thereof  to  your  Committee,  whom  we  doubt  not  will  take 
such  proper  steps  as  the  present  times  will  admit  of. 

"  We  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servants.     By  order. 
"  Robt.  Boyd,  Jun.,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  General  Commit- 
tee of  Ulster  County." 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Mr.  Colden,  informing  him  of  the 
same,  was  also  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  that  is  to  say: 

"In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New- York,  White-Plains,  July  16,  1776.      $ 

"SiR:  The  Congress  received  your  letter  to  them  respect- 
ing your  confinement,  and  have  directed  me  to  inform  you 
that  they  have  transmitted  all  the  papers  relative  to  your 
case  to  the  Committees  of  Ulster  County,  to  whom  it  is 
referred. 

"I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant.     By  order. 
"To  Cad.  Colden,  Jun.,  Esq." 

Ordered,  That  copies  of  the  aforegoing  Letters  be  en- 
grossed, and  signed  by  the  President,  and  transmitted  imme- 
diately. 

It  being  represented  to  the  Convention  that  considerable 
quantities  of  salt  Pork  is  stored  in  different  places  at  and  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Peekskill,  where  the  same  is  much 
exposed  to  the  enemy :  . 

Resolved,  That  the  Sub-Committee  at  Peekskill  be,  and 
they  hereby  are,  authorized  and  directed  immediately  to 
cause  all  Provisions  and  other  stores,  as  well  private  as 
publick  property,  which  are  stored  in  places  within  their  dis- 
trict, and  so  situated  as  to  be  in  danger  of  being  taken  by 
the  enemy,  to  be  removed  to  such  places  of  safety  as  the 
said  Committee  shall  think  proper. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  issue  to  Cornelius  J.  Du- 
bois,  as  Second  Lieutenant  in  John  L.  De  Wit's  Company, 
in  Colonel  Humphrey's  Regiment,  of  Dutchess  County. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Hammond*  at  Tarrytown,  was 
read.  The  Colonel  therein  informs  the  Convention  that  the 
ships-of-war  have  left  that  harbour,  and  are  sailing  up  the 
river,  with  a  fair  wind,  towards  the  Highlands: 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and 

had  indeed  a  letter,  dated  last  January,  said  to  be  written  by  one  Hamil- 
ton to  his  brother,  in  which  my  name  was  mentioned;  but  this  letter  was 
found  to  be  the  same  that  had  been  handed  to  several  committees  last 
winter,  and  which  by  them  had  been  judged  to  be  forged  by  some  ma- 
licious person,  on  purpose  to  make  mischief. 

The  Committee  then  asked  me  if  I  would  sign  the  Association  agreed 
upon  in  Provincial  Congress,  the  20th  of  June.  I  told  them  that  I  was 
willing  to  take  the  oath  prescribed  by  the  resolve  of  that  day,  relating 
to  the  secreting  of  arms;  but  as  to  signing  the  Association,  1  desired 
some  days  to  consider  of  it.  But  that  not  being  granted,  I  said,  rather 
than  go  to  jail,  which  I  found  was  like  to  be  the  case,  I  would  sign  it. 
But  then  they  were  for  adding  another  clause  to  it,  of  their  own  forming, 
upon  which  I  positively  refused  to  sign  it;  whereupon  I  was  committed 
to  this  jail,  as  I  have  already  said,  and  here  to  remain  till  discharged  by 
them,  or  the  Provincial  Congress.  Now,  as  the  County  Committee 
have  adjourned  not  to  meet  till  summoned,  and  as  they  are  so  dispersed 
that  they  cannot  be  soon  called,  if  they  inclined  to  take  the  matter  of  my 
discharge  under  consideration,  but  more  especially  as  I  have  little  reason 
to  expe'ct  any  favour  or  indulgence  from  men  who  have  acted  thus  arbi- 
trary, obliges  me  to  appeal  to  your  honourable  House,  where  I  doubt 
not  I  shall  meet  with  that  speedy  relief  my  situation  and  the  justice  of  my 
case  merits  at  your  hands;  and  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  ser- 
vant, CAD'R  COLDEN,  Jun. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress  of  the  Province  of  Ntw-York. 

•TARRYTOWV,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR:  The  shipping  have  all  left  this  harbour,  and  are  now  sailing  up 
the  river,  with  a  fair  wind.  I  likewise  have  marched  my  men  up  the 
river.  The  number  of  my  men  one  hundred  and  twenty. 

I  am  your  humble  servant,  JAMES  HAMMOND,  Lt.  Col. 

To  the  Chairman  of  the  Provincial  Congress. 


Mr.  Z.  Plait  be  directed  to  repair  immediately  to  the  High- 
lands, in  order  to  call  out  such  Militia  as  they  may  think 
necessary  for  the  defence  and  security  of  this  State;  to  direct 
their  stations,  to  reinforce  the  garrisons  of  the  Forts  Mont- 
gomery and  Constitution,  if  expedient,  and  to  supply  such 
forces  as  may  be  called  out,  or  to  appotnt  proper  persons 
for  that  purpose. 

And  Resolved,  That  the  Militia  so  employed  shall  receive 
Continental  Pay  and  Rations. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  V.  B.  Livingston,  Esq.,  advance 
to  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and  Mr.  Z.  Platt  the  sum  of  five 
hundred  Dollars,  to  be  disposed  of  by  them  in  procuring 
Provisions  for  the  forces  which  may  be  called  out  to  service 
in  the  Highlands. 

Whereas  this  Convention  have  the  greatest  reason  to 
believe  that  the  British  Armies  in  New-York  and  Canada 
will  endeavour,  by  means  of  Hudson's  River,  to  effect  a 
junction,  and  thereby  cut  off  all  intercourse  between  the 
Eastern  and  Southern  States;  and  whereas  the  country  con- 
tiguous to  the  Sound  and  Hudson's  River  will  be  greatly 
exposed  to  the  ravages  and  invasions  of  a  cruel  and  unnatu- 
ral enemy,  which,  if  not  prevented,  will  render  them  a  scene 
of  ruin  and  desolation;  and  whereas,  from  the  situation  of 
said  country,  intersected  with  defiles  and  narrow  passes,  it 
will  be  extremely  practicable  to  repel  the  hostile  attempts 
of  the  enemy,  provided  the  inhabitants  exert  themselves  in 
its  defence  with  the  union,  spirit,  and  alacrity  of  men  de- 
termined to  defend  their  rights  and  transmit  the  blessings  of 
freedom  to  posterity ;  -and  whereas  it  is  the  indispensable 
duty  of  this  Convention,  by  every  means  in  their  power,  to 
provide  for  the  happiness  and  security  of  their  constituents, 
reposing  the  highest  confidence  in  their  virtue  and  publick 
spirit : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  one-fourth  part  of  the  Militia 
of  the  Counties  of  Westchester,  Dutchess,  Ulster,  and  Orange, 
be  forthwith  drawn  out  for  the  defence  of  the  liberties,  pro- 
perty, wives  and  children,  of  the  good  people  of  this  State. 

And  as  at  this  busy  season  of  the  year  the  service  may  be 
inconvenient  to  many  of  them, 

Resolved,  That  each  man  be  allowed  twenty  dollars  as  a 
bounty,  with  Continental  pay  and  subsistence,  and  be  con- 
tinued in  the  service  until  the  last  day  of  December  next, 
unless  sooner  discharged. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  such  of  the  inha- 
bitants who  remain  at  home  to  give  all  possible  assistance  to 
the  families  of  those  spirited  persons  who  step  forth  in  defence 
of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  this  invaded  country,  and  that 
the  Sub-Committees  of  the  several  Districts  in  those  Coun- 
ties pay  particular  attention  to  see  that  this  recommendation 
be  complied  with. 

Resolved,  That  the  Brigadier-Generals  and  the  Field- 
Officers  of  the  Militia  of  each  County  be  directed  to  adopt 
the  most  equitable  and  expeditious  mode  of  raising  the  levies 
and  of  furnishing  with  Arms  those  who  are  not  supplied,  the 
price  of  the  Arms  to  be  deducted  out  of  each  man's  pay, 
and  that  they  be  authorized  to  call  on  the  Committee  of 
each  County  for  their  assistance. 

Resolved,  That  these  levies  be  formed  into  Companies, 
to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  three  Sergeants, 
three  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  one  Fifer,  and  fifty  Privates, 
and  that  the  Captains  and  Subalterns  be  appointed  by  the 
Field-Officers  of  each  Regiment  of  Militia  from  which  the 
quotas  are  to  be  raised  out  of  the  Militia  Officers,  having  in 
such  appointments  a  regard  to  their  respective  ranks  and  the 
dates  of  their  commissions,  if  a  sufficient  number  of  such  are 
willing  to  serve;  if  not,  that  they  be  at  liberty  to  appoint 
such  others  as  they  may  think  properly  qualified. 

Resolved,  That  each  Regiment  shall  consist  of  ten  Cap- 
tains and  one  Surgeon,  under  the  command  of  one  Colonel, 
one  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  one  Major,  and  to  have  one 
Adjutant  and  one  Quartermaster;  that  the  Field-Officers 
and  Surgeon  be  appointed  by  this  Convention,  and  the 
Quartermaster  and  Adjutant  in  each  Regiment  by  the  Colo- 
nel thereof,  and  the  Non-Commissioned  Officers  by  the 
Captains  of  each  Company  under  whom  they  go  into  ser-v 


vice. 


Resolved,  That  each  man  furnish  himself  with  a  Blanket 
and  Knapsack,  and  every  six  men  with  a  Pot  or  Camp- 
Kettle. 

Resolved,  That  two  Deputy  Commissaries  be  appointed 


1407 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1408 


to  provide  four  months'  Provisions  for  six  thousand  men,  to 
be  deposited  in  two  Magazines,  one  on  each  side  of  the 
river,  at  such  places  as  his  Excellency  General  Washington 
shall  think  proper  to  appoint. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  men  now  raised  in  the  Counties 
of  Ulster  and  Orange  be  stationed  in  the  Highlands,  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Hudson  River,  to  guard  those  defiles  the 
possession  of  which  Brigadier-General  Clinton  shall  think 
most  conducive  to  the  safety  of  the  State. 

Resolved,  That  the  men  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Wcst- 
chester  and  Dutchess  repair  immediately  to  Peekskill,  and 
that  General  Washington  be  requested  to  appoint  an  Officer 
to  take  the  command  of  all  the  levies,  on  both  sides  the 
river,  to  fix  upon  what  station  they  shall  occupy,  and  to 
nominate  the  two  Deputy  Commissaries  for  the  Troops  on 
each  side  the  river. 

Resolved,  That  all  the  Troops  raised  in  the  above  Coun- 
ties shall  be  subject  to  the  Articles  of  War  established  by 
the  Continental  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  Brigadier-Generals  and  Committees 
of  the  respective  Counties  be  immediately  furnished  with 
copies  of  those  Resolutions. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be,  and  they 
hereby  are,  appointed  Field-Officers  of  the  Regiments  of 
the  Militia  to  go  into  immediate  service,  viz:  in  Westchester 
County,  Thomas  Thomas,  Colonel ;  ,  Lieu- 

tenant-Colonel ;  Ebenezer  Purdy,  Major. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  was  read 
and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to 
say: 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New- York,  White-Plains,  July  16,  1776.      $ 

«Sm:  In  our  letter  of  the  13th  instant  you  were  requested 
to  order  a  sufficient  guard  at  the  stores  of  publick  provisions 
at  or  near  Peekskill.  We  understand  by  a  letter  from  Mr. 
Joseph  Travis,  of  yesterday,  and  a  person  from  Peekskill, 
that  there  are  about  fifty  men  svho  are  very  anxious  to  be 
relieved.  We  likewise  understand  that  fifty  men  in  that 
neighbourhood  are  willing  to  be  engaged  to  continue  in  that 
service  during  the  present  necessity.  We  think  this  the 
most  eligible  method,  and  that  they  shall  be  engaged  on  the 
like  terms  that  the  Continental  Troops  are,  with  respect  to 
pay  and  rations ;  and  further,  leave  to  you  the  appointment 
of  a  Commissary  to  supply  the  men  on  that  station  with 
provisions,  half  salt  and  half  fresh,  the  salt  to  be  taken  out 
of  the  publick  stores.  If  a  sufficient  number  of  men  cannot 
be  obtained  to  remain  on  the  spot,  we  wish  you  would  see 
that  those  on  that  service  be  frequently  relieved.  The 
Militia  who  have  been  or  may  be  on  that  service  to  be 
allowed  the  like  pay  and  rations. 

"  We  are,  sir,  your  very  humble  servants.     By  order. 

"  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt." 

The  Convention  took  into  consideration  the  danger  to 
which  the  Continental  Ships  building  at  Poughkeepsie,  to- 
gether with  the  stores  belonging  to  them,  will  be  exposed, 
should  the  enemy's  ships  pass  the  fortifications  in  the  High- 
lands. 

Resolved,  That  a  Letter  be  immediately  despatched  to 
the  Commissioners  for  superintending  the  building  of  those 
Ships. 

Thereupon  a  draft  of  a  Letter  was  read  and  approved 
of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

"GENTLEMEN:  The  enemy's  ships  have  left  Tarrytown, 
about  ten  o'clock  this  morning,  with  an  intention,  as  we 
conceive,  to  destroy  the  Continental  ships.  We  have  there- 
fore to  request  that  you  will  exert  your  utmost  abilities  and 
attention  to  defend  those  ships  from  the  hostile  attempts  of 
the  enemy;  but  should  you  be  of  opinion  that  their  preser- 
vation is  not  practicable,  you  will  use  your  utmost  endea- 
vours to  preserve  the  plank,  rigging,  and  other  stores,  from 
falling  into  their  power.  We  recommend  particularly  to 
your  attention  the  security  of  the  plank,  which  may  here- 
after be  made  a  beneficial  use  of.  for  the  safety  of  the  State. 
Should  you  stand  in  need  of  assistance,  you  must  apply  to 
the  nearest  Field-Officer  or  Committee  in  your  District. 
"  Yours,  &.c.  By  order. 

"To  Jacobus  VanZandt,  Esq.;  in  his  absence,  to  the  Cap- 
tains Lawrence  and  Tuder,  or  either  of  them,  at  Pough- 
keepsie." 


Tuesday  afternoon,  July  16,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  General  Woodhull,  PresJHent. 
NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Lott,  Colonel  Broome,  Mr.  Duns- 
comb,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Bancker. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Colonel  Renselaer. 
SUFFOLK. — General    Woodhull,    Mr.    L'Hommedieu,  Mr. 

Smith,  Mr.  Bearing,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Gehton. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  Pawling,  Major  Tappen,  Mr.  Confine. 

Colonel  De  Wit,  Mr.  Wisner. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  G.  Livingston,  Mr.  London,  Dr.  Crane, 

Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Schenck. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Mills,  Colonel  Drake,  Major  Lock- 
wood. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 
THYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  Vader, 

Mr.  Newkirk. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Sessions. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 

A  Resolution*  of  the  General  Committee  of  Dutchesi 
County,  whereby  it  is  resolved,  that  any  five  of  the  Depu- 
ties from  said  County,  met  in  Convention,  be  a  quorum  to 
represent  the  said  County,  was  read  and  filed. 

A  Letter  from  Egbert  Benson,  Esq.,f  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Dutchess  County,  was  read  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  De  Wit,  Mr.  Gilbert  Livingston, 
Mr.  Miller,  and  Colonel  Renselaer,  be  a  Committee  to  take 
the  said  Letter  into  consideration,  and  report  on  the  same  as 
soon  as  possible. 

A  Certificate  from  the  Committee  of  Westchester  County 
recommending  and  appointing  Elijah  Miller  First  Lieuten- 
ant in  Captain  Thomas's  Company,  in  Colonel  Drake's 
Regiment  of  Militia,  now  in  service  at  New-York. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  issue  immediately. 

Colonel  Lewis  Dubois  attending,  produced  his  Accounts 
for  billeting  his  Company  of  Troops  in  Colonel  Clinton's 
Regiment  last  year:  requested  the  Convention  to  direct  some 
mode  by  which  the  same  may  be  audited,  (as  not  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  audit  Accounts 

*!N  GENERAL  COMMITTEE,  DUTCHESS  COUNTY,  July  13,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  five  of  the  Representatives  elected  for  this  County  be 
a  quorum  to  represent  the  same  in  the  Convention  of  the  Representatives 
of  the  State  of  New-York. 

An  extract  from  the  Minutes  :  REUBEN  HOPKINS,  Secretory. 

f  DUTCHESS  CODNTY,  July  12,  1776. 

Sm:  I  am  now,  by  the  direction  of  the  Committee,  to  acquaint  you  with 
a  dangerous  insurrection  that  has  happened  in  this  County,  but  which, 
through  the  extraordinary  exertions  of  our  friends,  is  now  happily  sup- 
pressed. We  have  not  been  able  as  yet,  with  any  tolerable  degree  of 
precision,  to  discover  how  many  persons  were  engaged,  though  we  have 
reason  to  believe  that  the  number  was  great;  and  had  they  not  been 
opposed  with  spirit  and  in  season,  they  would  in  a  few  days  have  become 
formidable.  There  were  about  two  hundred  imbodied  and  actually  in 
arms.  They  had  furnished  themselves  with  arms  by  previously  going 
about  in  small  parties  the  night  before  and  disarming  the  friends  of 
liberty.  We  have  apprehended  several.  The  rest  are  skulking  in  the 
woods;  however,  we  shall  endeavour  to  have  them  all  taken.  The 
number  of  delinquents  in  this  affair  is  so  great  that  we  are  at  a  loss  how 
to  proceed;  and,  for  that  reason,  must  entreat  the  advice  of  Congress 
respecting  the  matter  as  soon  as  possible.  Our  own  jail,  with  safety, 
will  not  contain  above  twenty  persons,  considering  the  number  of  debtors 
already  in  confinement,  and  therefore  we  have  sent  those  actually  taken 
in  arms  to  Connecticut;  a  few  to  be  closely  confined,  and  the  others  to 
be  disposed  of  in  the  Towns  till  the  pleasure  of  Congress  can  be  known. 
About  five  hundred  of  the  Militia  of  Connecticut,  upon  a  report  that  the 
insurgents  were  very  numerous,  and  were  collecting  fast,  came  to  our 
assistance,  and  have  left  bills  for  subsistence  unpaid  to  a  considerable 
amount,  and  applications  have  already  been  made  to  the  Committee  for 
payment.  You  will  please  to  lay  this  matter  also  before  Congress,  and 
that  we  maybe  directed  how  these  bills  are  to  be  discharged.  We 
would  observe,  that  should  they  not  be  paid,  our  warmest  friends  will  in 
many  instances  be  suft'erers,  as  the  troops  were  obliged  to  quarter  them- 
selves wherever  it  was  most  convenient.  Indeed,  the  Committee  con- 
ceive this  expense  ought  by  all  means  to  be  borne  by  the  country. 

We  are  now  confirmed  in  a  sentiment  I  mentioned  when  I  appeared 
last  before  Congress,  namely:  that  it  will  be  impossible  to  preserve  peace 
in  the  County  and  effectually  to  carry  into  execution  the  Resolutions  of 
Congress,  without  a  standing  military  force  equal  to  what  we  requested 
at  that  time;  and  therefore  must  beg  that  we  may  still  be  indulged  in 
raising  another  company  for  the  service  of  the  County.  We  are  confi- 
dent that  the  Colony  might  rather  have  maintained  a  regiment  for  six 
months  than  have  suffered  the  loss  it  will  sustain  by  the  Militia's  being 
called  out  to  quell  this  insurrection  at  this  critical  season  of  the  year.  A 
future  call  may  be  prevented  by  a  sufficient  military  force  to  overawe 
the  disaffected. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  many  inhabitants  of  the  County, 
upon  this  alarming  occasion,  behaved  with  becoming  resolution;  and 
testified  a  spirit  and  zeal  worthy  of  men  engaged  in  the  cause  of  free- 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  (by  order  of  the  Committee)  your  most  obe- 
dient servant,  EGBERT  BENSON,  Chairman. 
To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq. 


1409 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1410 


are  now  present,)  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  receive  pay- 
ment for  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Broome  and  Mr.  Bancker  be  a 
Committee  to  examine  and  audit  those  Accounts,  and  that 
a  Certificate  of  such  examination,  and  their  approbation  of 
the  said  Accounts,  be  a  sufficient  voucher  to  the  Treasurer 
for  the  payment  thereof. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Duer, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  a  Secret  Committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  devise  and  carry  into  execution  such  measures  as 
to  them  shall  appear  most  effectual  for  obstructing  the  Chan- 
nel of  Hudson's  River,  or  annoying  the  enemy's  ships  in 
their  navigation  up  the  said  River;  and  that  this  Convention 
pledge  themselves  for  defraying  the  charges  incident  thereto. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Robert  Yates,  Major  Tap- 
pen,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Gilbert  Livingston, 
and  Mr.  Paulding,  be  the  said  Committee. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Duer  and  Colonel  Broome  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  wait  upon  Governour  Trumbull  for  the  purposes 
mentioned  in  the  Resolutions  of  this  Committee,  of  the 
instant. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washing- 
ton was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
that  is  to  say: 

"  White-Plains,  July  16,  1776. 

"Sin:  We  cannot  but  express  our  satisfaction  at  the  un- 
remitted  attention  which  your  Excellency  manifests  to  the 
interests  of  this  State.  We  see  the  force  of  your  observa- 
tions, and  have  taken  and  shall  continue  to  take  every 
measure  which  we  conceive  most  conducive  to  defeat  the 
designs  of  our  enemy.  This  will  in  part  appear  from  the 
enclosed  Resolutions. 

"  We  are  extremely  sorry  that  the  low  state  of  our  finances 
reduces  us  to  the  necessity  of  applying  to  your  Excellency 
fora  loan,  which  it  may  perhaps  be  inconvenient  for  you  to 
make,  but  we  shall  take  the  earliest  care  to  replace  what 
nothing  but  urgent  necessity  would  have  induced  us  to 
borrow. 

"  As  our  Troops  are  but  ill  supplied  with  ammunition, 
we  hope  that  your  Excellency  will  order  them  an  immediate 
supply,  as  part  of  them  are  already  in  motion,  as  well  as 
direct  the  Commissary-General  to  take  the  necessary  steps 
for  their  subsistence.  New  levies,  who  have  never  seen 
service,  will,  without  doubt,  require  a  commander  of  some 
experience;  such  a  one  we  trust  your  Excellency  will  sup- 
ply as  soon  as  possible. 

"Our  apprehensions  of  an  attempt  on  the  part  of  our 
enemies  to  cut  off  the  communication  between  the  city  and 
country,  by  landing  above  King's  Bridge,  makes  us  wish 
to  have  some  force  ready  to  hang  on  their  rear,  in  case  such 
a  step  should  be  taken ;  for  which  reason  we  have  not  only 
called  out  all  the  force  we  could  possibly  collect,  (exclusive 
of  that  which  may  probably  be  wanted  in  the  frontier  Coun- 
ties,) but  would  take  the  liberty,  if  it  should  meet  your 
Excellency's  approbation,  to  suggest  the  same  idea  to  Gov- 
ernour Trumbull,  who,  by  forming  a  camp  at  Byram  River, 
of  six  thousand  men,  might  render  any  designs  which  the 
enemy  may  have  to  land  above  King's  Bridge  extremely 
hazardous. 

"  We  have  just  been  informed  that  the  ships  which  sailed 
this  morning,  have  anchored  about  ten  or  twelve  miles  below 
Fort  Montgomery;  we  have  great  reason  to  believe  that 
they  design  to  pass  it,  and  burn  our  shipping  at  Poughkeep- 
sie.  We  shall  be  happy  to  cooperate  with  your  Excellency 
in  every  measure  which  may  tend  to  secure  the  liberty  of 
America,  which  we  conceive  to  be  nearly  connected  with 
the  preservation  of  this  State. 

"  We  remain,  with  the  greatest  respect;  your  Excellency's 
most  obedient  servant.     By  order. 
"  To  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

"  P.  S.  We  have  this  moment  heard  that  the  Phoenix  is 
aground  in  Huverstraw  Bay,  and  have  some  reason  to  be- 
lieve it." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  signed  by 
the  President,  and,  together  with  a  copy  of  the  Resolutions 
for  calling  out  one-fourth  of  the  Militia  of  the  Counties  of 
Westchester,  Dutchess,  Ulster,  and  Orange,  be  immediately 
transmitted. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Duer  and  Colonel  Broome,  or  either 
of  them,  be  authorized  to  receive  the  Money  requested  by 


this  Convention  on  loan  from  his  Excellency  General  Wash- 
ington, and  that  they  cause  the  same  to  be  conveyed  to  this 
Convention  with  all  possible  safety  and  despatch. 

Whereas  the  present  dangerous  situation  of  this  State  de- 
mands the  unremitted  attention  of  every  Member  of  this 
Convention: 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  consideration  of  the  ne- 
cessity and  propriety  of  establishing  an  independent  civil 
Government  be  postponed  until  the  1st  day  of  August  next; 
and  that  in  the  mean  time, 

Resohed,  unanimously,  That  all  Magistrates  and  other 
officers  of  justice  in  this  State,  who  are  well  affected  to  the 
liberties  of  America,  be  requested,  until  further  orders,  to  ex- 
ercise their  respective  offices:  Provided,  That  all  processes 
and  other  their  proceedings  be  under  the  authority  and  in  the 
name  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  all  persons  abiding  within 
the  State  of  New-  York,  and  deriving  protection  from  the 
laws  of  the  same,  owe  allegiance  to  the  said  laws,  and  are 
members  of  the  State;  and  that  all  persons  passing  through, 
visiting,  or  making  a  temporary  stay  in  the  said  State,  being 
entitled  to  the  protection  of  the  laws  during  the  time  of  such 
passage,  visitation,  or  temporary  stay,  owe  during  the  same 
time  allegiance  thereto. 

That  all  persons  members  of,  or  owing  allegiance  to,  this 
State,  as  before  described,  who  shall  levy  war  against  the 
said  State  within  the  same,  or  be  adherent  to  the  King  of 
Great  Britain,  or  others,  the  enemies  of  the  said  State,  within 
the  same,  giving  to  him  or  them  aid  and  comfort,  are  guilty 
of  treason  against  the  State ;  and  being  thereof  convicted, 
shall  suffer  the  pains  and  penalties  of  DEATH. 

Ordered,  That  the  Chairman  of  the  Central  Committee  of 
the  City  and  County  of  New-  York  cause  the  aforegoing  Re- 
solution to  be  publickly  read  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  said  city  as 
soon  as  possible,  giving  due  notice,  by  ringing  of  the  bells,  to 
all  the  inhabitants,  that  none  hereafter  may  plead  ignorance. 

And  Ordered,  That  the  same,  together  with  the  Resolu- 
tion relative  to  Magistrates,  &ic.,  exercising  their  respective 
offices,  be  published  in  the  newspapers. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  Ge- 
neral Committees  of  the  Counties  and  the  Sub-Committees 
in  the  Districts  of  the  several  Counties  in  this  State  imme- 
diately to  apprehend  and  secure  all  such  persons  whose  going 
at  large  at  this  critical  time  they  shall  deem  dangerous  to 
the  liberties  of  this  State :  Provided,  always,  That  the  par- 
ties arrested  by  the  Sub-Committees  have  a  right  of  appeal 
to  the  General  County  Committee,  who  may  recommit  or 
discharge  them  as  to  them  shall  seem  meet,  and  that  the 
County  Committees  report  the  steps  they  have  taken  in  con- 
sequence of  this  Resolution. 

Mr.  Dunscomb,  Colonel  Lott,  Mr.  Sands,  and  Mr.  Low 
don,  appeared  and  took  the  general  oath  of  secrecy. 

Wednesday  morning,  July  17,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 

NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Broome,  Colonel  Lott,  Mr.  Duns- 
comb,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Bancker,  Colonel  Remsen. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  R.  Yates,  Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Dearing,  Mr.  Gelston, 
Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Miller. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit,  Major  Tappen,  Mr.  Confine, 
Mr.  Wisner. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Schenck,  Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Hop- 
kins, Dr.  Crane,  Mr.  Landon,  Mr.  G.  Livingston. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Mills,  Colonel  Drake,  Mr.  Paulding, 
Major  Lockwood,  Colonel  Graham. 

TKYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Neivkirk,  Mr.  Fa- 
der, Mr.  Paris. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Captain  Lawrence. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stephens. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Webster. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Malcomb*  of  General  Scott's  Bri- 

*  Colonel  MALCOM  requests  that  the  honourable  the  Congress  will 
oblige  him  with  orders  on  P.  T.  Curtenim  and  Commissary  Norwood  for 
Arms  and  Pouches.  There  are  of  both  in  store,  and  his  Regiment  are 
destitute.  He  hopes  to  receive  it  by  Lieutenant  Cole.  About  seventy 
Firelocks  and  one  hundred  Pouches. 

CAMP  AT  GREENWICH,  July  16,  1776. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


89 


1411 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1412 


gade,  was  read  and  filed.  The  Colonel  informs  the  Con- 
vention that  many  men  in  his  Regiment  are  without  Arms 
and  Pouches,  and  requests  an  order  on  the  Commissary  for 
those  articles. 

Colonel  Hoffman  and  Mr.  Outvoter  took  the  general  oath 
of  secrecy. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  who  superintend  the 
building  of  the  Ships  at  Poughkeepsie  would  be  justified  in 
suspending  that  work,  and  suffering  the  Carpenters  and  others 
employed  thereon  to  labour  under  the  direction  of  the  Secret 
Committee  of  this  Convention  on  such  vessels  or  works  as 
they  may  think  proper  to  build  and  erect  for  the  defence  of 
Hudson's  River. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  would  be  justified  in 
suffering  the  materials  intended  for  the  purpose  of  building 
the  Continental  Ships  to  be  employed  by  the  Secret  Com- 
mittee in  such  a  manner  as  to  them  shall  seem  best  calcu- 
lated for  exercising  the  trust  reposed  in  them. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  will  immediately  apply 
to  the  honourable  the  Congress  for  their  approbation  of  this 
measure. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  of  the  Continental 
Ships  and  Captains  Lawrence  and  Tudor  be  immediately 
furnished  with  a  copy  of  these  Resolutions. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  have  power  to  im- 
press Boats,  Vessels,  Teams,  Wagons,  Horses,  and  Drivers, 
when  they  shall  find  it  necessary  for  the  publick  service,  as 
well  as  to  call  out  the  Militia,  if  occasion  should  require. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  be  ordered  to 
furnish  the  gentlemen  of  the  Secret  Committee  with  the  sum 
of  £5,000  in  advance,  in  order  to  enable  them  to  expedite 
the  important  business  with  which  they  are  intrusted. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston,  Esq.,  ad- 
vance to  Messrs.  Jay,  Robert  Yates,  Tappen,  Robert  R. 
Livingston,  Gilbert  Livingston,  and  Paulding,  the  Secret 
Committee,  or  either  of  them,  the  sum  of  £5,000,  to  enable 
them  to  expedite  the  important  business  with  which  they  are 
intrusted. 

Wednesday  afternoon,  July  17,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present :  General  Wood/lull,  President. 

NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Remsen,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Bancker, 
Colonel  Lott. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stephens. 

ALBANY. — Colonel  Renselaer,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Gansevort, 
Mr.  A.  Yates. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Landon,  Mr.  R.  R.  Living- 
ston, Mr.  Schenck,  Dr.  Crane,  Colonel  Hoffman. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhutt,  Mr.  Gclston,  Mr.  Dearing, 
Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Hobart. 

WESTCHF.STER. — Major  Lockwood,   Colonel  Drake,  Mr. 
Mills,  Colonel  Graham. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  JVisner,  Major  Tappen,  Mr.  Confine. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Captain  Lawrence. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Vader,  Mr.  New- 
kirk,  Mr.  Paris. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Renselaer  have  leave  of  absence, 
to  go  home,  and  to  return  as  soon  as  possible. 

Ordered,  That  Leonard  Gansevort,  Esq.,  of  Albany, 
have  leave  of  absence,  to  return  home,  and  that  he  send 
down  some  other  Deputy  or  Deputies  from  that  County,  with 
all  possible  despatch. 

Mr.  Thomas  Outwater,  from  Orange  County,  appeared  in 
Congress,  and  produced  his  Credentials,  signed  by  John 
Cole,  Deputy  Chairman,  and  attested  by  John  Colcman, 
Clerk,  which  were  read  and  filed.  It  is  thereby  certified 
that  Colonel  Isaac  Sherwood,  Joshua  Smith,  and  Thomas 
Outwater,  were  duly  elected  to  represent  the  Precincts  of 
Orange-Town  arid  Haverstraw,  in  Orange  County,  in  this 
Convention;  and  that  any  two  of  the  Deputies  attending 
for  the  County  of  Orange,  shall  represent  the  whole  County, 
as  if  all  their  Deputies  were  present. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Outwater  take  his  seat. 

Whereas,  the  Committee  of  the  Wiite-Plains  have  in- 
formed this  Convention  that  James  Horton,  Jun.,  William 


Sutton,  and  John  Sutton,  are  engaged  in  schemes  and  prac- 
tices against  the  peace  of  this  State  and  liberties  of  the 
inhabitants  thereof,  and  are  persons  so  dangerous  that  they 
ought  not  to  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  :* 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  Lieutenant  Alexander  Hunt 
do  immediately  take  the  bodies  of  James  Horton,  Jun.,  Wil- 
liam Sutton,  and  John  Sutton,  and  commit  them  severally 
to  close  confinement,  in  safe  custody,  in  the  Jail  at  the  White- 
Plains. 

And  Ordered,  That  Albert  Ogden,  the  Keeper  of  the  said 
Jail,  do  receive  them,  the  said  James  Horton,  Jun.,  William 
Sutton,  and  John  Sutton,  respectively,  and  keep  them  in  safe 
custody  until  further  order. 

The  Letters  from  General  Scott  f  and  Colonel  Malcom, 
which  were  received  and  read  this  morning,  were  again  read. 

"JOHN  JAY  TO  NEW-YORK  CONGRESS. 

WHITE-PLAINS,  July  13,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  enclosed  is  a  copy  of  an  examination  taken  by  the 
Committee  of  Safety  of  this  County,  of  which  you  will  be  pleased  to  make 
the  proper  use.  It  appears  to  me  expedient  that  Robert  Sutton  should 
be  apprehended. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant,  JOHN  JAY. 

To  John  Sloss  Hobart,  Esq.,  and  others,  the  Committee  of  the  Convention 
of  the  State  of Weic-  York,  now  in  the  City  otWeie-York. 

IN  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  12,  1776. 

Mr.  ,  being  duly  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangelist  of 

Almighty  God,  deposelh  and  says :  That  some  time  after  William  Stilton 
returned  home  from  Governuur  Tryon's  ship,  he  (this  deponent)  was 
informed  by  said  Snlton  as  follows :  That  our  people  were  to  be  cut  off 
from  War-York,  and  that  the  Kind's  forces  were  to  land  about  ten  miles 
from  Mamaroneck;  that  Hudson's  Bicerwas  to  be  occupied  by  them;  .that 
the  fleet  was  to  be  drawn  up  in  a  line  before  AVic-ForA',  wjth  intent  to 
keep  the  forces  there  in  action,  in  order  to  give  the  transports  a  better 
opportunity  of  running  up  the  Mirth-River,  with  intent  to  cut  off  the  com- 
munication between  the  country  and  city;  that  the  King's  standard  was 
to  be  hoisted,  and  that  then  the  Tories  would  have  a  chance.  That  said 
Sutton  further  informed  this  deponent  that  Robert  Sulton,  of  Long- Island, 
would  join  the  Regulars,  with  seven  hundred  men,  well  equipped;  that 
a  proclamation  would  be  issued  out  by  the  King's  party;  that  then  the 
people  would  know  what  they  had  to  expect;  and  that  there  would  be 
forty-five  thousand  troops  sent  over  to  America  this  summer.  And  this 
deponent  says  that  he  heard  John  Sulton,  son  of  the  aforesaid  William, 
declare  (hat  the  Regulars  would  land  between  Jllamaroneck  and  Horse- 
Week,  and  that  he  would  join  them.  And  this  deponent  further  says, 
that  he  heard  Jamts  Morton  say  that  he  was  sure  the  Ministerial  Army 
would  conquer  us,  and  that  matters  would  soon  be  settled.  And  further 
says  not. 

By  order  of  the  Committee:  JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

The  Committee  is  of  opinion  that  the  within  deponent  is  a  person 
whose  evidence  may  be  relied  upon;  they  never  hearing  of  anything 
that  might  give  them  a  contrary  opinion.  By  order  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety:  JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

COMMITTEE  CHAMBER,  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  12, 1776. 

Mr.  ,  being  duly  sworn  on  the  Holy  Evangelists  of 

Almighty  God,  deposeth  and  says:  That  some  time  after  William  Sutton 
returned  home  from  Governour  Tryon's  ship,  he  (this  deponent)  was 
informed  by  said  Sutlon  as  follows :  That  our  people  were  to  be  cut  off 
from  Nile-York,  and  that  the  King's  troops  were  to  land  about  ten  miles 
from  Mamaroneck;  that  Hudson 's River  was  to  be  occupied  by  them;  that 
the  fleet  was  to  be  drawn  up  in  a  line  before  Wen-York,  with  intent  to 
keep  the  forces  there  in  action,  in  order  to  give  the  transports  a  better 
opportunity  of  running  up  the  Worth-Rimr,  with  intent  to  cut  off  the 
communication  between  the  country  and  city;  that  the  King's  standard 
was  to  be  hoisted,  and  that  the  Tories  would  then  have  a  chance.  That 
said  Sutton  further  informed  this  deponent,  that  Robert  Sutton,  of  Long- 
Island,  would  join  the  Regulars,  with  seven  hundred  men,  well  equipped; 
that  a  proclamation  would  be  issued  out  by  the  King's  party;  tluit  the 
people  would  then  know  what  they  had  to  expect;  and  that  there  would 
be  forty-five  thousand  troops  sent  over  io  America  this  summer.  And  this 
deponent  says,  that  he  heard  John  Sutton,  son  of  the  aforesaid  William, 
declare  that  the  Regulars  would  land  between  Mamaroneck  and  Horse- 
Week,  and  that  he  would  join  them.  And  this  deponent  further  says,  that 
lie  heard  James  Horton  say  that  lie  wns  sure  the  Ministerial  Army  would 
conquer,  and  that  matters  would  soon  be  settled.  And  further  says  not. 

By  order  of  the  Committee:  JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

IN  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  WHITE-PLAINS,  ./u/i/ 13,  1776. 

The  within  deponent  came  before  this  Committee,  iind  made  oath  that 
he  saw  Joshua  Gidney,  of  Dutchess  County,  have  a  long  list  of  men's  names 
who  would  join  the  Ministerial  Army;  that  said  list  of  names  was 
delivered  to  Governour  Tryon,  by  said  Gidney,  in  the  presence  of  this 
deponent.  And  this  deponent  further  says,  that  he  heard  Caleb  Foicler, 
Jun. ,  of  Worthcaslle,  degrade  the  service  he  had  been  in,  and  that  if  he  went 
again,  he  would  go  like  a  man  and  join  the  Ministerial  Army. 

By  order  of  the  Committee:  JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

f  NEW-YORK,  July  16,  1776. 

SIR  :  This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Lieutenant  Cole,  of  my  brigade. 
He  is  from  Queen's,  and  should  nave  been  under  the  command  of  the 
Richmond  Captain,  had  he  not  proved  a  villain,  and  joined  the  enemy.  I 
do  not  know  what  to  do  with  him  in  the  present  situation  of  things.  He 
has  twelve  men  with  him,  now  in  camp;  he  expects,  by  the  evening,  to 
be  made  up  to  twenty-five.  It  would  be  a  great  pity  to  lose  so  stout  and 
handsome  a  young  fellow.  I  could  provide  him  with  a  Second  Lieute- 
nancy, but  he  has  too  much  spirit  to  be  degraded.  I  like  him  well,  and 
wish  something  may  be  done  for  him  by  Congress. 

Is  it  possible,  sir,  that  the  Congress  can  sustain  the  clamours  of  the 
Army  and  the  murmuring  of  the  inhabitants,  occasioned  by  their  retreat  ? 
For  God's  sake,  for  the  honour  of  the  State  of  Weio- York,  and  for  their 
own  honour,  bring  them  bach,  if  possible. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant,  JOHN  MORIN  SCOTT. 

To  the  President  of  the  Congress  of  the  State  of  Wew-York. 


1413 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1414 


Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtcnius  immediately  deliver 
such  Arms  as  are  in  store,  fit  for  use,  and  not  appraised  at 
a  higher  value  than  £4  10s.,  to  Colonel  McDougall  and 
Colonel  Ritzema,  for  the  use  of  their  respective  Regiments, 
until  they  are  supplied  with  Arms  for  the  men  they  now 
have;  and  that  he  deliver  the  residue  of  all  Arms,  now  in 
store,  fit  for  use,  and  not  of  a  higher  value  than  aforesaid,  to 
Colonel  Lasher  and  Colonel  Malcom,  for  the  use  of  such  men 
in  their  respective  Regiments  as  are  destitute  of  Arms,  and 
in  proportion  to  the  number  of  men  in  each  of  those  last- 
mentioned  Regiments  who  are  destitute  of  Arms. 

And  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Richard  Norwood  deliver  to 
Colonel  Malcom  seventy  Pouches  and  Belts,  for  the  use  of 
his  Regiment,  taking  Colonel  Malcom' 's  receipt  for  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Rcmsen  and  Major  Abeel,  to- 
gether with  Mr.  Bancker,  be  a  Committee  to  examine  and 
audit  all  special  Accounts  which  cannot  be  delayed  until  an 
Auditor-General  is  appointed;  and  that  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Convention  of  this  State  do  pay,  on  such  Accounts  as  they  may 
audit,  the  sum  or  sums  by  them  certified  to  be  due  thereon. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen  be,  and  are 
hereby,  appointed  Field-Officers  of  the  Regiments  of  Militia 
to  go  into  immediate  service,  viz: 

In  Ulster  County :  Levi  Pawling  Colonel,  Thomas  Jan- 
sen,  Jun.,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Samuel  Logan  Major. 

In  Dutchess  County,  First  Regiment:  Jacobus  Swart- 
wout  Colonel,  Reuben  Ferris  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Israel 
Thompson  Major.  Second  Regiment:  Morris  Graham 
Colonel,  Roswell  Hopkins  Lieutenant-Colonel,  William 
Barker  Major. 

In  Weslchester  County :  Thomas  Thomas  Colonel, 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  Ebenezer  Purdy  Major. 

In  Orange  County:  Isaac Nicoll Colonel,  Gilbert  Cooper 
Lieutenam-Colonel,  Hendrick  Vande  Linden  Van  Bruyck 
Major. 

A  Letter,  or  Report,*  dated  the  16th  July  instant,  from 
John  McDonald,  Miner,  was  read  and  filed.  He  thereby 
informs  the  Convention  that  he  has  already  cleared  out  two 
pits  at  the  Lead  Mine  in  Nine  Partners;  he  informs  the 
state  or  appearances  of  the  said  Mine,  and  he  is  to  proceed 
to  clear  out  other  two  pits,  and  will  report  thereon. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Report  be  filed. 

A  Letter  from  Egbert  Benson,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Dutchess  County,  dated  the  12th  instant,  was 
again  read. 

Mr.  Gilbert  Livingston,  from  the  Committee  appointed 
to  report  on  the  said  Letter,  brought  in  their  Report  ;f  which 

"LITTLE  NINE  PARTNERS  MINE,  July  16,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  In  compliance  with  your  directions  have 
used  the  utmost  of  my  endeavours  in  clearing  two  pits,  or  shafts,  at  the 
northeast  end  of  the  mine  hill,  and  met  with  great  difficulties  in  them, 
owing  to  the  water;  Jonathan  Landon  and  Ezra  Thompson,  Esquires,  being 
very  punctual  from  time  to  time  inspecting  the  same.  Tliis  day  Mr. 
Landon  have  with  sincerity  taken  inspection  of  the  appearances,  and 
thereby  he  ordered  me  to  make  up  a  report  of  the  circumstances  thereof, 
as  he  was  intending  going  to  New-York.  In  the  first  pit  discovered  a 
small  quantity  of  lead,  in  three  different  places,  about  two  inches  diame- 
ter, lying  about  five  foot  distant,  not  in  a  continued  vein;  the  bottom  is 
free  from  any  prospect.  The  second  pit  is  more  likely,  by  the  appear- 
ances of  the  spar,  and  found  lead  in  four  places,  about  two  or  three 
inches  diameter,  six  foot  distant,  not  containing  in  a  continued  vein;  the 
bottom  is  entirely  void  of  the  appearances  of  mines.  Both  pits  are  not 
worthy  of  pursuing  at  present  unless  further  promising  discoveries  be 
made.  To-morrow  am  going  to  clear  the  pit  of  fifty  foot  deep,  and  an- 
other small  pit,  by  order  of  Mr.  Thompson,  which  I  shall  finish  with  all 
convenient  speed,  and  immediately  thereafter  shall  repair  for  N/ne-Yvrk, 
and  transmit  the  full  account  of  my  proceedings,  unless  1  receive  further 
instructions.  The  truth  of  this  small  report,  &:.,  London  will  describe 
more  at  large  to  you.  I  am,  honourable  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JOHN  MCDONALD,  Miner. 

t  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Dutchess  County  be  directed  to  keep 
the  disaffected  persons  that  are  or  may  be  taken  prisoners,  in  the  County 
in  some  convenient  place,  under  guard,  (the  most  dangerous  to  be  closely 
confined,)  till  the  further  direction  of  this  Convention. 

And  in  order  to  carry  the  same  more  effectually  into  execution: 

Be  it  further  Resolmd,  That  an  additional  Company,  consisting  of  one 
Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  two  Sergeants,  two  Corporals,  one  Drum,  one 
Fife,  and  fifty  Privates,  be  immediately  raised  in  said  County,  on  the 
same  footing  that  the  two  Companies  lately  raised  in  said  County  are; 
and  that  the  command  of  the  Company  be  given  to  as 

Captain,  and  as  Lieutenant;  the  Captain  to  appoint  the 

Sergeants  and  Corporals;  to  be  under  the  command  and  direction  of 
Captain  Commandant  Metancthon  Smith. 

llesolved.  That  the  Committee  of  Dutchess  County,  after  carefully  ex- 
amining all  and  every  account  that  may  be  brought  to  them  by  any  per- 
son that  has  furnished  provisions  or  other  comfort  to  any  of  the  Militia 
of  the  sister  State  of  Connecticut,  which  so  generously  gave  their  assist- 
ance to  the  friends  of  liberty  in  said  County,  to  quiet  the  dangerous  in- 
surrection lately  existing  there,  certifies  the  same  to  be  reasonable  and 
just,  and  on  being  endorsed  by  the  Auditors  of  Accounts,  the  Treasurer 
of  this  State  is  hereby  directed  to  pay  the  same. 


he  read  in  his  place,  and  delivered  in  to  the  Chair,  when  the 
same  was  again  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  thereof  be  post- 
poned till  to-morrow. 

Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  report 
on  the  Letter  from  the  Committee*  who  conferred  with  his 
Excellency  General  Washington,  relative  to  the  Horned 
Cattle  and  Sheep  on  Nassau-Island,  brought  in  their  Report, 
which  he  read  in  his  place  and  delivered  in  at  the  table, 
where  the  same  was  again  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  thereof  be  post- 
poned till  to-morrow. 

A  Letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  James  Hammond,^ 
dated  this  day,  was  read  and  filed.  He  thereby  informs  the 
Convention  that  he  had  then  mustered  his  Regiment  and 
only  forty-six  men  appeared;  that  his  men  are  very  much 
fatigued;  that  one  of  his  Companies  are  gone  off;  that  the 
Ministerial  fleet  is  now  in  Haverstraw-Bay,  and  that  he 
would  be  thankful  for  a  speedy  relief. 

Thursday  morning,  July  18,  1776. 

'  The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment,  and  opened 
with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 

NEW-YOKK. — Mr.  Harper,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Bancker, 
Colonel  Lott. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Wisner,  Colonel  Pawling,  Colonel  De  Wit, 
Mr.  Conline. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Landon,  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Schenck,  Dr. 
Crane,  Colonel  Hoffman. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu,  Mr. 
Smith,  Mr.  Dealing,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Gelston. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  New- 
kirk.  Mr.  Veder. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Captain  Lawrence,  Mr.  Ben. 
Sands,  Mr.  S.  Townsend. 

WESTCHESTER. — Colonel  Graham,  Colonel  G.  Drake, 
Major  Lockwood,  Mr.  Mills,  Mr.  Tompkins,  Mr.  Ham- 
land. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 

Mr.  Richard  Norwood  returns  about  twenty-three  thou- 
sand Flints  in  store  at  New-  York. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Richard  Norwood,  Commissary  of 
Colony  Stores,  deliver  to  Henry  Wisner,  Jun.,  Esq.,  two 
thousand  Flints  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Ulster  County, 
and  one  thousand  Flints  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Orange 
County,  and  that  Mr.  Norwood  take  Mr.  Wisner's  receipt 
for  the  same. 

The  President  informed  the  Convention  that  two  prison- 
ers, said  to  be  named  George  Davy  and  William  Tucker, 
have  been  apprehended  by  Major  Graham,  and  are  now  in 
prison ;  that  they  produced  some  paper  purporting  to  be  a 
pass  from  John  Dennis,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee 

".NEW-YORK,  July  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  conferred  with  the  General  concerning  the 
removal  of  the  stock  back  again  to  the  pastures  from  whence  they  were 
driven.  He  was  much  chagrined  at  the  proposal,  and  absolutely  refused 
his  consent,  mentioning  the  unhappy  consequences  of  not  seasonably 
removing  the  stock  from  Stolen- Island.  He  is  of  opinion  that  all  means 
should  be  used  with  the  utmost  expedition  to  remove  the  stock  from 
Long  Island,  for  which  promised  to  give  all  necessary  assistance.  We 
are  of  the  same  opinion,  and  hope  your  House  will  not  lose  a  moment  in 
giving  peremptory  orders  concerning  a  matter  of  such  vast  importance. 

We  are  just  informed  by  General  Putnam  that  one  of  Lord  Howe's 
fleet  arrived!  yesterday.  The  utmost  despatch  is  necessary:  we  need  use 
no  arguments,  the  affair  of  Stalen- Island  being  fresh  in  our  minds. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servants, 

ABM.  KETELTAS,       JNO.  BROOME. 
SA.ML.  TOWNSEND, 
To  the  Provincial  Congress. 

f  MANOR  OF  CORTLANDT,  CROTON  FERRY,  July  17,  1776. 
This  morning  mustered  the  Regiment,  and  upon  parade  appeared  forty- 
six  men.  Our  men  are  at  present  very  much  fatigued.  Captain  Ledue's 
company,  in  defiance  of  us  all,  waded  through  the  ferry  and  are  gone  off. 
The  Ministerial  ships  are  still  riding  in  Haverstraic-Bay.  We  have  been 
very  peaceable  last  night.  We  should  be  very  thankful  for  a  speedy 
relief.  From  your  humble  servant,  JAMES  HAMMOND,  Lt.  Col. 

To  the  Hon.  Gentlemen  of  the  Provincial  Congress. 

I  this  minute  received  intelligence  from  a  man  on  Cortlandt  's  Manor, 
that  the  Tories  told  him,  before  the  shipping  came  up,  when  they  would 
come;  and  that  when  they  came  the  Tories  were  to  collect  to  assist  them. 
To  Brig.  Gen.  Woodlmtt,  President  of  the  Provincial  Congress. 


1415 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1416 


at  New-Brunswick,  but  that  they  are  represented  as  suspi- 
cious persons. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Hoffman  and  Mr.  Lockwood  be 
a  Committee  to  hear  and  examine  the  said  prisoners,  and 
report  thereon  with  all  convenient  speed. 

Colonel  Levi  Pawling  informed  the  Congress  of  sundry 
difficulties  which  had  arisen  in  the  Company  whereof  Petrus 
Schoonmaker  had  been  elected  Captain,  in  the  Town  of 
Rochester,  in  his  Regiment.  The  same  were  considered. 

Thereupon  a  drait  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committee  of 
Rochester  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  that  is  to  say : 

"GENTLEMEN:  The  •  Convention  being  informed  that 
Captain  Petrus  Schoonmaker  still  declines  taking  the  com- 
mand of  his  Company,  and  as  it  may  be  necessary  for  the 
Cotnmander-in-Chief  to  call  out  the  whole  Militia  of  this 
State,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  officers  for  that  Com- 
pany should  be  appointed. 

"  I  am  therefore  directed  by  this  Convention  to  acquaint 
you  that  they  expect  you  will  once  more  desire  Captain 
Schoonmaker  and  his  subalterns  to  take  the  charge  of  the 
Company;  and  if  they  should  refuse,  immediately  to  call 
the  Company  to  a  new  election,  and  if  the  choice  shall  fall 
upon  the  same  persons,  and  they  still  decline  to  accept,  and 
the  Company  refuse  to  elect  others,  the  Convention  are  of 
opinion  that  the  Company,  by  such  conduct,  will  forfeit 
their  right  of  election,  and  in  that  case  request  you  imme- 
diately to  appoint  proper  officers  for  them,  who  have  by 
their  uniform  conduct  shown  themselves  friends  to  the  inter- 
ests of  their  invaded  country. 

"  Blank  commissions  are  enclosed,  which  you  will  please 
fill  up  as  soon  as  the  appointments  are  made.  I  am  directed 
to  urge  you  to  use  all  possible  despatch  in  the  execution  of 
this  business. 

"  I  am,  very  respectfully,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble 
servant.  By  order. 

''  To  Committee  of  the  Town  of  Rochester,  Ulster  County." 

Resolved,  That  the  President  be  authorized  and  ordered, 
and  he  is  hereby  authorized  and  ordered,  to  absolve  all  the 
Members  and  the  Secretaries  of  this  Convention  from  their 
oath  of  secrecy,  relative  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  carry 
into  execution  resolutions  of  the  Congress  of  this  Colony  of 
the  5th  day  of  June  last,  relative  to  persons  dangerous  and 
disaffected  to  the  American  cause,  and  those  of  equivocal 
character,  and  all  the  proceedings  of  that  Committee,  except 
so  much  thereof  as  relates  to  the  names  of  persons  not  already 
apprehended  or  summoned. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Horned  Cattle 
and  other  Live  Stock  on  Nassavrlsland,  was  again  read; 
and,  being  read, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  recommended  that  the  following 
gentlemen  be  added  to  the  Committee  who  brought  in  that 
Report,  viz  :  Colonel  De  Wit,  Colonel  Lott,  Mr.  Lawrence, 
Samuel  Townsend,  Mr.  Miller,  Colonel  Drake,  Mr.  Tornp- 
Tcins,  Colonel  Blackwell,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Dearing,  Mr. 
Gelston,  and  M  r.  Hobart.  That  every  Member  of  this  Con- 
gress have  a  right  to  attend  this  Committee,  and  every  Mem- 
ber who  attends  shall  have  a  vote;  and  the  said  Committee 
reconsider  the  said  Report,  and  report  thereon  with  all  con- 
venient speed. 

A  Letter  from  David  Mathews,  Esq.,  a  prisoner,  now  at 
the  White-Plains,  was  read.  He  therein  desires  to  be  heard 
before  this  Convention.  A  Member  informed  the  Conven- 
tion that  this  request  is  made  by  Mr.  Mathews  with  the 
design  to  exculpate  himself  from  a  charge  of  having  sup- 
ported some  disaffected  persons  now  in  custody,  and  of 
having  sent  them  on  board  of  the  ships-of-war. 

Another  Member  informed  the  Convention  that  John  L. 
C.  Roome  requests  that  he  may  be  sent  a  prisoner  on  his 
parole  to  Shrewsbury. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  and  Applications  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee  appointed  to  deal  with  dangerous 
and  disaffected  persons,  and  those  of  equivocal  character. 

Mr.  Yates,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  report  of  the 
number  of  Rangers  proposed  or  necessary  to  be  raised  in  and 
for  the  defence  of  the  frontier  Counties,  delivered  in  their 
Report,  which  was  read.  The  same  being  read  a  second 
time,  Mr.  De  Wit  moved,  and  was  seconded,  that  Rangers 


be  also  raised  and  stationed  in  Ulster  County,  or  that  the 
Report  be  recommitted. 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  said  Report  be  recommitted 
to  Mr.  De  Wit,  Mr.  Little,  and  the  Committee  who  brought 
in  the  said  Report,  and  that  they  report  with  all  convenient 
speed. 

Whereas  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River  is  become 
obstructed  so  that  the  fifteen  hundred  pounds  weight  of 
Lead  lately  ordered  to  be  sent  from  New-York  to  Charlotte 
County,  cannot  be  transported  up  that  river: 

Therefore,  Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  the  County 
of  Albany  supply  to  Major  Alexander  Jfebster  fifteen  hun- 
dred pounds  weight  of  Lead,  if  that  quantity  can  be  spared 
by  the  said  Committee;  and  if  so  much  cannot  be  spared 
from  the  City  arid  County  of  Albany,  that  then  the  said 
Committee  be,  and  hereby  are,  requested  to  cause  so  much 
Lead  to  be  taken  out  of  the  windows  of  the  houses  in  Albany 
as  to  supply  that  quantity  of  Lead  to  the  Committee  of 
Charlotte  County ;  that  a  particular  account  be  kept  of  any 
Lead  taken  or  received  from  any  person  for  the  purpose 
above-mentioned,  that  a  compensation  may  hereafter  be 
made  for  the  same,  and  that  the  said  Lead  be  charged  to 
Charlotte  County,  to  the  end  that  the  same  may  be  fully 
paid  for  by  Charlotte  County,  when  thereunto  required. 

Die  Jovis,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  July  18,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 

NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Remscn,  Colonel  Brasher,  Colonel 
Lott,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr. 
Dunscomb. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  hlr.Adgate. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu,  Mr. 
Smith,  Mr.  Dearing,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Gel- 
ston. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit,  Mr.  Contine. 

WESTCHESTER. — Colonel  L.  Graham,  Colonel  G.  Drake, 
Major  Lockwood,  Mr.  Mills,  Mr.  Tompkins,  Mr.  Havi- 
land. 

DUTCH  ESS. — Mr.  London,  Mr.  Schenck,  Dr.  Crane,  Colo- 
nel Hoffman. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Captain  Lawrence,  Mr.  J. 
Townshend,  Mr.  Ben.  Sands. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  New- 
kirk,  Mr.  Veder. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  and  Cap- 
tain Z.  Platt,  dated  this  day,  at  Peekskill,  was  read  and 
filed.  They  thereby  inform  the  Convention  of  the  station 
of  the  enemy  at  Haverstraw  Bay;  the  number  of  the  Militia 
already  come  and  coming  in  from  the  different  Counties; 
that  General  Clinton  had  six  hundred  men  at  Fort  Mont- 
gomery, and  sent  home  a  considerable  number  of  the  Militia; 
that  one  of  the  tenders  had  beat  up  the  river  within  two 
miles  of  Fort  Montgomery,  and  has  been  obliged  to  return; 
that  the  Militia  have  had  a  skirmish  with  one  of  the  tenders, 
and  obliged  her  to  remove ;  that  General  Ten  Broeck,  from 
Dutchcss  County,  and  General  Fellows,  from  Massachusetts, 
conclude  they  have  six  hundred  men,  and  expect  to  have 
twelve  hundred  men  by  the  evening. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  said  Letter  be  sent  to  General 
Washington. 

Thereupon,  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  was  read  and  approved  of;  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  that  is  to  say: 

"SiR:  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  a  copy  of  a  letter 
this  moment  received  from  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and  Cap- 
tain %.  Platt,  who  were  sent  from  this  Convention  for  the 
purpose  of  providing  for  and  stationing  the  Militia  that  might 
come  down  from  the  country  to  guard  the  river,  and  assist 
the  other  Militia  at  the  forts  in  the  Highlands. 

"  I  am,  respectfully,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant. 

"  By  order. 
"  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted  by  Sampson  Dyckman. 
The  Committee  appointed  this  morning  to  report  what  is 


1417 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1418 


necessary  to  be  done  with  Horned  Cattle  and  Live  Stock  on 
Nassau-Island,  delivered  in  their  Report,  which  was  read; 
and,  being  again  read  by  paragraphs,  and  many  amendments 
made, on  reading  the  fourth  paragraph, Mr.  Dunscomb  moved, 
and  was  seconded  by  Colonel  Lott,  that  the  words  "  with  a 
bounty"  be  obliterated.  Debates  arose  thereon,  and  the 
question  being  put,  it  was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  in  man- 
ner following,  that  is  to  say: 


For  the  affirmative. 
4  Suffolk. 
2  Cumberland. 
4  Queen's. 

2  Charlotte. 

3  Orange. 
3  Tryon. 

18  votes. 


Negative. 
5  Dutchess. 
4  Ulster. 
8  New-York. 
4  Westchester. 

21  votes. — Mr.  Drake  and  Mr. 
Graham  dissenting. 


Ordered,  That  the  words  be  not  obliterated;  and  the  fur- 
ther consideration  of  the  Report  postponed  till  to-rnorrow. 

Mr.  Hobart,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  carry  into 
execution  the  Resolutions  of  this  Congress,  9f  the  5th  June 
last,  as  to  dangerous  and  disaffected  persons,  reported  their 
determination  as  to  the  following  Prisoners,  that  is  to  say : 


Prisoners'  names. 

Nature  of  their  crimes. 

Place  of  destination  and 
nature  of  confinement. 

David    Mathews, 
Esq  

Treasonable         practices 
against    the    States   of 

'Mchfield  jail,  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  'Litchfield,  in  the 
Colony  of  Connecticut, 
to  be  put  in  safe  custody. 

The  same  jail  and  same 
confinement. 

The  same  jail  and  same 
confinement. 
The  same  jail  and  confine- 
ment. 
The  same  jail  and  confine- 
ment. 
The  same. 
The  same. 
The  same. 
The  same. 
The  same. 

The  same. 
The  same. 

The  same. 

Albany  jail,   and   in   safe 
custody. 
Albany,  to  be  supported  at 
the     publick    expense, 
under  the  directions  oi 
the  .Illimni  Committee. 
Those   two    persons,   the 
Committee  are  of  opin- 
ion that  they  be  permit- 
ted to  inlist  in  the  Regi- 
ments, which  they  are 
ready  to  do. 

rohnL.C.Roome, 
Esq  

Notoriously  disaffected  to 

Gilbert  Forbes... 

William  Forbes.  . 
James  Mason.  .  .  . 

Thomas  Coyne  .  . 
John  Clark  

the  rights  and  cause  of 

Treasonable         practices 
against    the    States   of 

Mathan  Gy  re  .... 
Lazarus  Gyre.  .  .  . 
Jonathan  Baker.  . 
Isaac  Youngs.  .  .  . 

Israel  Youngs.  .  .  . 
Thomas  Vernon.  . 

Henry  Dawkins.  . 
RynerVanHoesen 

Jacob   Losee   anc 
George  Watts.  . 

Counterfeiting  the  bills  of 
credit  of  the  States  of 

Corresponding   with   and 
supplying  the   enemies 
with  provisions,  &c.  .  .  . 
Counterfeiting  the  bills  of 
credit  of  the  United  States 

Too   good  a  pilot   to   be 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  does  agree  with  their 
Committee  in  their  said  Report,  and  that  the  said  Prisoners 
be  disposed  of  agreeable  to  the  determinations  mentioned  in 
the  said  Report.  That  the  Committee  prepare  the  draft  of 
a  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Litchfield,  respecting  the  case 
and  imprisonment  of  those  Prisoners,  agreeable  to  the  direc- 
tions now  given  or  mentioned;  that  the  Committee  request 
Captain  Moses  Seymour,  of  the  Connecticut  Horsemen,  if  he 
should  arrive  with  his  party  this  evening,  or  early  to-morrow 
morning,  to  take  the  care  and  guard  of  those  Prisoners  to 
Litchfield.  That  if  Captain  Seymour  should  consent  to 
take  the  charge  of  those  Prisoners,  and  be  ready  to  depart 
before  the  meeting  of  this  Convention  in  the  morning,  that 
the  President  sign  such  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Litch- 
field concerning  those  persons,  and  to  be  sent  with  them,  as 
the  said  Committee  shall  prepare  and  the  President  approve 
of. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Committee  prepare  a  draft  of  a 
Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Albany,  to  attend  the  Prisoners 
who  are  to  be  sent  to  Albany,  and  that  they  report  the  same 
with  all  convenient  speed. 

The  order  of  the  day,  for  taking  into  consideration  the  ap- 
pointment of  an  Auditor-General  of  Accounts,  being  read, 
Ordered,  That  the  same  be  deferred  till  to-morrow. 


Friday  morning,  July  19, 1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Opened 
with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-*YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Dunscomb, 

Col.  Lott,  Major  Abeel,  Col.  Hcmsen,  Col.  Brasher. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Dcaring,  Mr.  Gelston, 

Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu,  Mr.  Hobart. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit,  Mr.  Confine. 
ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Schenck,  Mr.  Landon,  Colonel  Hoffman. 
TRYON. — Mr.   Moore,   Mr.    Harper,   Mr.  Newkirk,  Mr. 

Vader,  Mr.  Paris. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Haviland,  Colonel  Drake. 
QUEEN'S. — Colonel   Blackwell,    Captain   Lawrence,   Mr. 

Toumsend,  Mr.  Sands. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 

Colonel  Allison  brought  in  the  joint  and  several  Bond  of 
John  Carpenter*  of  the  Precinct  of  Cornwall,  in  Orange 
County,  and  Colvill  Carpenter,  of  the  Precinct  of  Goshen, 
in  Orange  County,  Yeomen,  unto  Isaac  Roosevelt,  Natha- 
niel Woodhull,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  John  Thomas,  Jun., 
Petrus  Ten  Broeck,  John  Herring,  and  Jacobus  Bruyn, 
Esq.,  in  the  sum  of  £400,  New-York  money,  with  condi- 
tion to  pay  £200  to  the  obligees  on  the  8th  of  July,  1778; 
which  was  read  and  filed.  Also,  a  Certificate  of  William 
Allison-^  and  Israel  Seelyjf.  that  the  said  John  Carpenter  has 
erected'a  good  Powder-Mill  in  Orange  County,  which  those 
gentlemen  had  seen  going  with  eighteen  stampers.  The 
said  John  Carpenter  and  his  co-partner  having  applied  for 
the  loan  of  money  without  interest,  for  the  erecting  of  a 
Powder-Mill,  agreeable  to  the  resolution  of  the  Congress  of 
the  Colony  of  New-York,  of  the  9th  day  of  March  last, 
which  was  then  agreed  to,  and  he  having  since  erected  the 
said  Powder-Mili, 

Therefore,  Ordered,  That  Peter  Van  B.  Livingston, 
Esq.,  as  Treasurer  of  this  Convention,  deliver  or  pay  to  the 
said  John  Carpenter  the  sum  of  £200,  in  part  of  the  money 
to  the  loan  of  which  he  is  entitled  by  the  said  resolution, 
taking  the  receipt  of  the  said  John  Carpenter  for  the  same. 

The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Report 
of  the  Committee  relative  to  Horned  Cattle  and  other  Live 
Stock  on  Nassau-Island.  On  reading  the  fourth  paragraph, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hobart, 

Ordered,  unanimously,  That  the  fourth  paragraph  be 
obliterated. 

*Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  That  we,  John  Carpenter,  of  the 
Precinct  of  Cornwall,  in  the  County  of  Orange,  and  Province  of  New- 
York,  Yeoman,  and  Colmll  Carpenter,  of  the  Precinct  of  Goshen,  County 
and  Province  aforesaid,  Yeoman,  are  held  and  firmly  bound  unto  Isaac 
Roosevelt,  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  .tbru/iam  Yates,  Jun.,  John  Thomas,  Jun., 
Petrus  Ten  Broeck,  John  Harring,  and  Jacobus  Bruyn,  in  the  just  and  full 
sum  of  four  hundred  Pounds,  current  money  o{  New-York,  to  be  paid  to 
the  said  Isaac  Roosevelt,  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  John 
Thomas,  Jun.,  Petrus  Ten  Broeck,  John  Harring,  and  Jacobus  Bruyn,  or 
to  their  survivor  or  survivors,  or  any  future  Congress;  to  which  pay- 
ment well  and  truly  to  be  made,  we  bind  ourselves,  our  heirs,  executors, 
and  administrators,  jointly  and  severally,  firmly  by  these  presents. 

Sealed  with  our  seals,  dated  the  eighth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-six. 

The  condition  of  this  obligation  is  such ,  that  if  the  above  bounden  John 
Carpenter  and  Colmll  Carpenter,  them  or  either  of  them,  their  or  either  of 
their  heirs,  executors,  administrators,  or  any  of  them,  shall  well  and 
truly  pay,  or  cause  to  be  paid,  unto  the  above-mentioned  Isaac  Roosevelt, 
Nathaniel  Woodhnll,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  John  Thomas,  Jun.,  Petrus  Ten 
Broeck,  John  Harring,  and  Jacobus  Bruyn,  or  either  of  them,  or  either  of 
their  survivor  or  survivors,  or  any  future  Congress,  the  just  and  full  sum 
of  two  hundred  Pounds,  current  money  aforesaid,  on  the  eighth  day  of 
July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
eight,  without  any  fraud  or  other  delays,  then  this  obligation  to  be  void, 
or  else  to  remain  in  full  force  and  virtue.  JOHN  CARPENTER, 

COLVILL  CARPENTER. 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of 
HENRY  WISNER,  Jun., 
WILLIAM  JACKSON. 

t  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  19,  1776. 

These  are  to  certify,  that  at  the  request  of  John  Carpenter,  of  Goshen, 
Orange  County,  I  have  been  to  see  his  Powder-Mill,  built  in  said  County, 
and  that  she  was  set  agoing  while  I  was  present,  and,  in  my  opinion, 
went  exceeding  well  with  eighteen  stampers,  a  good  stone  house  and 
yard,  and  many  other  things  necessary  for  drying  and  securing  the 
powder.  Witness  my  hand.  WILLIAM  ALLISON. 

}  GOSHEN,  July  15,  1776. 

These  are  to  certify,  that  I  was  called  on  by  John  Carpenter  some  time 
before  the  tenth  day  of  June  last,  to  see  that  his  Powder-Mill  was  built 
and  finished.  I  went  the  same  day  and  saw  her  agoing;  and,  as  far  as  I 
am  a  judge,  I  think  she  went  exceeding  well,  everything  appearing  to 
me  to  be  in  good  order.  Witness  my  hand.  ISRAEL  SEELY. 


1419 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1420 


The  fifth  paragraph  being  read,  was  entirely  obliterated, 
and  another  substituted  in  its  stead,  and  marked  No.  4. 

Mr.  Hobart  moved,  and  was  seconded,  that  a  Bounty  be 
allowed  to  the  said  Troops. 

Objections  were  made  against  the  said  motion,  as»being 
contrary  to  the  sixth  rule,  because  that  matter  was  deter- 
mined yesterday. 

Debates  arose  whether  Mr.  Hobarl's  motion  is  disorderly 
and  against  the  said  rule.  It  was  determined  to  be  disor- 
der!}', in  manner  follosving,  that  is  to  say : 


That  the  motion  is  disorderly. 
6  Albany. 
5  Dutchess. 
8  New-York. 
4  Westchester — Colonel  Drake 


4  Ulster. 

3  Oranee. 

2  Cumberland. 

32  votes. 


[dissenting. 

13  votes. 


That  tht  motion  is  not  disorderly. 
4  Suffolk. 

3  Try  on. 

4  Queen's. 
2  Charlotte. 


Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  said  motion  is  disorderly, 
and  that  it  be  rejected. 

Mr.  L'Hommedieu  moved,  and  was  seconded,  that  the 
Continental  Troops  now  stationed  in  Suffolk  County,  which 
were  raised  out  of  the  Militia  of  said  County,  be  considered 
as  part  of  the  one-fourth  of  the  Militia  now  ordered  to  be 
draughted  from  the  Militia  in  Suffolk  County. 

Some  debates  arose  thereon." 

Ordered,  That  it  be  deferred  till  the  afternoon. 

The  Committee  for  carrying  into  execution  the  Resolu- 
tions of  the  Congress  of  this  Colony  of  the  5th  of  July, 
reported,  that,  agreeable  to  the  order  of  yesterday,  they 
had  prepared  a  Letter,  which  was  signed  by  the  President, 
and  transmitted  with  the  Prisoners  to  Litchfield;  the  draft 
whereof  was  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is 
to  say: 

"  White-Plains,  July  19,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  As  this  State  is  now  attacked  by  the  com- 
mon enemy,  and  our  jails  are  in  general  so  near  to  the 
sea-coast  and  the  banks  of  Hudson's  River  as  to  render  it 
extremely  imprudent  to  continue  prisoners  of  a  certain  cast 
any  longer  in  them,  the  Convention  have  therefore  come  to 
a  resolution  to  send  thirteen  prisoners,  who  are  accused  of 
notorious  disaffection  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  Ame- 
rican States,  of  counterfeiting  the  currency  of  the  States,  of 
corresponding  with  the  enemy,  or  of  engaging  in  treasonable 
conspiracies,  to  be  confined  in  your  jail  till  we  shall  have 
formed  a  civil  constitution  and  established  courts  of  justice, 
that  they  may  be  brought  to  trial,  which  cannot  be  done 
while  our  whole  attention  is  engaged  about  the  means  of 
resisting  the  enemy. 

"The  Convention  have  observed  such  a  zeal  in  our 
brethren  of  Connecticut,  upon  every  occasion,  to  give  all 
assistance  to  their  neighbours,  that  it  is  scarce  necessary  to 
.mention  to  you  that  his  Excellency  General  Washington 
has  recommended  them  to  send  all  our  prisoners,  whose 
remaining  in  this  State  would  be  attended  with  dangerous 
consequences,  to  Connecticut. 

"  I  am  directed  to  request  that  you  will  cause  all  the  pri- 
soners, except  David  Mathews,  John  L.  C.  Roome,  Israel 
and  Isaac  Youngs,  to  be  furnished  with  provisions,  at  the 
same  rate  that  the  Continental  troops  receive;  but  if  you 
should  judge  it  improper  for  them  to  cook  their  own  provi- 
sions in  jail,  you  will  please  to  take  such  other  methods  as 
you  shall  judge  best  for  supplying  them,  only  observing  to 
have  it  done  at  the  cheapest  rate,  and  the  Convention  will, 
with  the  utmost  pleasure,  repay  the  expense. 

"  It  has  given  me  great  pain  to  observe  that  Mr.  Mathews, 
the  Mayor  of  the  city  of  New-  York,  is  among  those  accused 
of  treasonable  practices;  but  I  must  observe  to  you,  that 
though  the  evidence  against  him  renders  it  necessary  that  ho 
should  be  confined  till  he  can  be  tried,  yet  they  are  by  no 
means  of  so  black  a  dye  as  those  against  the  other  conspira- 
tors, and  therefore  I  trust  he  will  receive  from  you  every 
indulgence  consistent  with  his  safe  confinement. 

"  This  will  be  handed  td  you  by  Abraham  De  Peyster, 
Esq.,  the  Commissary  who  has  the  charge  of  subsisting  the 
prisoners  on  the  road ;  to  him  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  for 
further  particulars;  and  am,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  servant. 

By  order. 

"  To  the  Committee  at  Litchfield,  Connecticut." 


Friday  Afternoon,  July  19,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:   General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Dunscomb, 

Colonel  Retnsen,  Mr.  Harper,  Colonel  Lott. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yatcs,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr. 

L'Hommedieu,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Dealing,  Mr.  Gelston. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit,  Mr.  Confine. 
WESTCHESTER. — Colonel  Drake,  Major  Lockwood,  Mr. 

Haviland. 
QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Captain  Lawrence,  Mr.  S. 

Townshend,    Mr.  Benjamin  Sands,   Mr.  James  Toivn- 

shend. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  London,  Mr.  Schenck,  Colonel  Hoffman. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater.  Colonel  Allison. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Veder,  Mr.  New- 
kirk,  Mr.  Paris. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Webster. 

A  Letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammen*  of  the  Mi- 
litia now  stationed  at  the  banks  of  Hudson's  River,  at  Cort- 
landt's  Ferry,  dated  this  day.  Colonel  Hammond  informs 
Congress  that  a  Member  of  this  Convention  has  informed 
him  that  a  complaint  is  exhibited  against  him  to  this  Con- 
vention, charging  him  with  deficiency  of  duty  on  the  night 
the  enemy's  ships  came  up  to  Tarrytown,  as  also  a  charge 
relative  to  some  pork.  The  Colonel  requests  an  opportunity 
of  vindicating  himself  before  this  Convention. 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammen 
attend  this  Convention  to-morrow  afternoon,  at  five  o'clock, 
with  his  witnesses,  to  answer  to  a  complaint  exhibited 
against  him  of  neglect  of  duty  as  an  officer,  and  a  com- 
plaint relative  to  some  pork. 

And  Ordered,  That  Major  Graham  take  the  command 
of  the  Militia  now  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Hammen,  until  further  orders,  or  until  a  superior  officer 
of  his  Regiment  shall  attend  to  command  them. 

Ordered,  That  the  following  persons  attend  this  Conven- 
tion to-morrow  afternoon,  at  five  o'clock,  as  witnesses  on  a 
complaint  exhibited  against  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammen, 
relative  to  some  pork,  to  wit:  Martinus  Van  Wart,  Joseph 
Legget,  Saml.  Purdy,  Jun.,  Thomas  Deane,  and  Jacob 
Buckhont;  and  that  the  following  persons  attend,  at  the 
same  time,  as  witnesses  on  a  complaint  exhibited  against 
the  said  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hammen,  for  neglect  of  duty 
as  an  officer,  to  wit:  Daniel  Martling,  Wm.  Fo'rshe,  Sen., 
Lieutenant  Wm.  Hunt,  Jon'n  G.  Tompkinsj  Isaac  Buys, 
Abm.  Acker,  James  Requau,  Cors.  Van  Tessel,  Thomas 

Buys,  John  Paulding,  Danl.  Requaw, Weaver,  and 

John  Hammen. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  of  Westchester  County 
be  requested  to  meet  on  Monday  next,  for  the  trial  of  the 
Prisoners  now  confined  in  the  Jail  of  Westchester  County. 

The  Convention  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Horned  Cattle  and  Live 
Stock  on  Nassau-Island.  The  fourth  paragraph  being  again 
read,  several  amendments  were  then  made. 

Mr.  L'Hommedieu 's  motion  of  this  day  was  again  resumed, 
and  being  again  read,  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  I  move  that  the  Troops  now  stationed  in  Suffolk  Coun- 
ty, which  were  raised  out  of  the  Militia  of  said  County,  be 
considered  as  part  of  the  one-fourth  of  the  Militia  now 
ordered  to  be  draughted  from  the  Militia  in  Suffolk  Coun- 
ty." 

Debates  arose  on  the  said  motion,  and  the  question  being 

•CORTLANDT'S  FERRY,  July  19,  1776. 

SIR:  I  am  informed  by  a  member  of  the  Convention  that  a  complaint 
is  made  against  me  by  one  of  the  House,  that  I  was  deficient  in  per- 
forming my  duty  on  the  night  that  the  enemy's  ships  came  to  Tamj- 
toicn,  and  also  that  there  is  a  charge  exhibited  against  me  relative  to 
some  pork  sent  by  me  to  New-York  for  the  use  of  the  troops. 

I  confide,  sir,  in  the  justice  of  your  honourable  House,  that  no  senti- 
ments prejudicial  to  my  reputation  will  be  entertained  until  I  have  an 
opportunity  of  vindicating  myself,  when  I  doubt  not  I  shall  prove  to  the 
honourable  Convention  that  the  charges  are  entirely  groundless.  I 
should,  sir,  have  immediately  waited  on  the  Convention  upon  receiving 
notice  of  the  complaints,  hau  I  not  been  stationed  here,  and  been  fearful 
that  my  leaving  this  post  without  orders  would  be  detrimental  to  the 
service  and  injurious  to  my  reputation.  But,  sir,  whenever  the  Conven- 
tion will  be  pleased  to  order  my  attendance  upon  them,  I  shall  gladly 
embrace  the  opportunity  of  showing  that  I  have  endeavoured  to  serve 
them  to  the  utmost  of  my  abilities.  So  no  more  at  present,  but  remain, 
sir,  your  very  humble  servant,  JAMES  HAMMAN,  Lt.  Col. 

To  General  Nathaniel  WoodhM. 


1421 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1422 


put  thereon,  it  was  determined  in  the  negative,  in  manner 
following,  that  is  to  say : 


For  the  Negative. 
5  Dutchess. 
4  dueen's. 
8  New-York. 
4  Westchester. 
3  Tryon. 
2  Charlotte. 

26  votes. 


For  the  Affirmative. 
6  Albany. 
4  Ulster. 
4  Suffolk. 

2  Cumberland. 

3  Orange. 

19  votes. 


Therefore,  Ordered,  That  the  said  motion  be  rejected. 

Mr.  Hobart  then  moved  for  leave  to  give  notice  of  a  mo- 
tion to  be  made  to-morrow,  for  reconsidering  of  some  Bounty 
to  be  allowed  to  the  Troops,  to  be  raised  by  this  draught  of 
the  Militia,  agreeable  to  the  sixth  rule  of  this  Convention. 

Debates  arose  thereon,  and  the  question  being  put,  it  was 
carried  in  the  affirmative,  in  manner  following,  that  is  to  say: 

For  the  Jljfirmittive.  For  the  Negative. 

2  Cumberland.  4  Ulster. 

2  Charlotte. 

4  Suffolk  New-  York  and  Albany  equally 

4  Westchester.  divided. 

3  Orange. 

3  Tryon. 

5  Dutchesa. 

4  dueen's. 

27  votes. 

The  Convention  then  gave  permission  to  Mr.  Hobart  to 
move  that  matter  immediately. 

Thereupon  Mr.  Hobart  moved  that  ten  dollars  Bounty  be 
allowed  to  each  Non-Commissioned  Officer  and  Private  of 
the  Militia  of  Suffolk,  King's  and  Queen's  Counties,  who 
will  be  draughted  into  the  present  service. 

Debates  arose  thereon,  and  the  question  being  put  there- 
on, it  was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  in  manner  following, 
that  is  to  say : 

For  the  Affirmative.  For  the  Negative. 
4  Suffolk.  5  Dutchess. 

2  Charlotte.  8  New-York. 

3  Tryon.  4  Ulster. 

4  Westchester. 

4  dueen's  17  votes. 

2  Cumberland. 

3  Orange. 

22  votes. 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  Non-Commissioned  Officers 
and  Privates  of  the  said  Troops  be  allowed  ten  dollars 
Bounty  to  each  man. 

The  fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh  *  paragraphs  of  the  said 
Report  were  then  severally  read,  and  being  separately 
amended  and  corrected,  were  approved  of. 

Colonel  Lott  had  leave  of  absence  for  a  few  days. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  prepare  a  set  of  Resolu- 
tions agreeable  to  the  said  Report. 

Ordered,  That  the  appointment  of  an  Auditor-General 
of  Accounts  for  this  State  be  deferred  till  to-morrow. 

Die  Sabbati,  9  ho.,  A.  M.,  July  20,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Opened 
with  prayer. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Colonel  Remscn,  Colonel 

Brasher,  Mr.  Harper,  Major  Abeel. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Abm.  Yates. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  L'Homme- 

dieu,  Mr.  Bearing,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Smith. 
DUTCHESS. — Major  Schenck,  Mr.  London,  Colonel  Hoff- 
man, Nalhl.  Sackett. 

FOR  ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Colonel  De  Wit. 
WESTCHESTER. — Colonel    G.  Drake,  Major   Lockwood, 

Colonel  L.  Graham,  Jno.  Tompkins. 
ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Little. 
TRYOX. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Paris. 
CHARLOTTE. — Major  Webster. 
QUEEN'S. — Colonel    Blackwdl,   Captain   Lawrence,   Mr. 

Ben.  Sands,  Mr.  Saml.  Townshcnd,  Mr.  James  Town- 

shend. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stephens. 

*  Major  Meet  moved,  and  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Harper,  that  those 
Troops  to  be  raised  on  Nassau- Island  be  allowed  10|</.  per  day  for  their 
rations. 

For  the  ./iffirmativc:  2  Cumberland,  4  dueen's,  4  Suffolk,  6  Albany, 
2  Charlotte,  4  Westchester,  3  Tryon— 25. 

For  the  Negative:  4  Ulster,  3  Orange,  5  Dutchess,  8  New- York— 20. 


Resolved,  That  the  President  have  power,  and  is  hereby 
authorized,  to  forward  any  Letters  by  express,  and  of  sending 
any  Messengers,  without  delaying  for  the  directions  of  this 
Convention. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Henry  Ludenton,*  of  Dutchess 
County,  dated  the  19th  instant,  was  read  and  filed.  He 
hereby  informs  that  there  are  many  vacancies  of  Captains 
and  Subalterns  in  his  Regiment,  besides  that  the  offices  of 
First  and  Second  Major  are  also  vacant.  He  recommends, 
with  the  advice  of  the  Precinct  Committee,  Mr.  Robinson 
and  Mr.  Gee  for  Majors,  and  requests  twenty  blank  Com- 
missions by  the  bearer,  who  says  part  of  the  Regiment  is  to 
march  to-morrow,  and  that  they  have  delayed  for  Commis- 
sions. 

On  reading  the  said  Letter  from  Colonel  Ludenton,  of 
Dutchess  County,  and  considering  the  state  of  his  Regiment 
at  this  critical  time, 

Resolved,  That  Commissions  be  issued  to  the  two  gentle-  « 
men  therein  named,  as  Majors  of  that  Regiment,  in  the  order 
they  are  named  in  the  said  Letter,  and  that  twenty  other 
Commissions  be  signed  by  the  President  and  countersigned 
by  one  of  the  Secretaries,  and  transmitted  to  Colonel  Luden- 
ton, to  be  filled  up  for  the  Captains  and  Subalterns  of  his 
Regiment,  when  necessary,  by  the  Precinct  Committee  and 
himself;  that  the  said  Precinct  Committee  and  Colonel  Lu- 
denton do  return  to  this  Convention  an  exact  list  of  the 
names,  rank,  and  dates  of  the  Officers  commissioned,  which 
they  shall  fill  up  and  deliver. 

And  Resolved,  That  the  sending  blank  Commissions  to 
a  Precinct  Committee  shall  not  from  this  instance  be  drawn 
into  precedent. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Colonel  Ludenton  was  read  and 
approved,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

''Sin:  Agreeable  to  your  request,  in  your  letter  of  yes- 
terday, we  now  send  you  twenty  blank  commissions,  to  be 
filled  up  by  you,  in  conjunction  with  the  Committee  of  the 
precinct,  for  the  Captains  and  Subalterns  wanted  in  your 
regiment,  and  have  likewise  enclosed  two  commissions  ap- 
pointing Mr.  Robinson  and  Mr.  Gee  Majors.  As  the  Con- 
gress were  not  informed  of  Mr.  Gee's  Christian  name,  you, 
together  with  the  Committee  of  the  precinct,  are  requested 
to  insert  it. 

"  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant.     By  order. 
"  To  Colonel  Henry  Ludenton." 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington  was  received  and 
read,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  Head-duarters,  New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN:  By  Messrs.  Broome  and  Duer  I  was  yes- 
terday favoured  with  your  several  resolves  of  the  16th  instant. 
The  spirit  of  decision  in  which  they  are  formed  will,  I  doubt 
not,  appear  in  their  execution,  and  as  far  as  I  can  cooperate, 
I  shall  most  cheerfully  contribute  all  my  aid  and  assist- 
ance. 

"  The  state  of  this  Army  would  make  it  improper  for  me 
to  send  up  any  General  officer  in  the  Continental  service  to 
take  the  command  of  the  levies  proposed  to  be  raised ;  and 
from  the  nature  of  the  service,  I  should  apprehend  a  knowledge 
of  the  country  and  its  inhabitants  would  be  very  necessary. 
General  Clinton,  on  all  accounts,  appears  to  me  the  most 
suitable  person;  and  as  the  appointment  is  made  dependent 
on  me,  I  shall  nominate  him,  unless  some  objection  should 
be  madfe  or  difficulty  arise  which  I  do  not  now  know. 

"  The  Deputy  Commissaries  I  will  take  advice  upon,  and 
have  them  appointed  as  soon  as  possible. 

•FREDERICKSBURGH,  July  19,  1776. 

These  may  inform  your  Honours  that  I  meet  with  some  difficulty  in 
furnish  ing  my  quota  of  men  for  the  present  emergency,  for  want  of  com- 
missions in  the  regiment  which  I  nave  the  honour  to  command.  We 
have  a  number  of  officers  chosen  already  that  have  no  commissions,  and 
several  more  must  be  chosen  in  order  to  have  the  regiment  properly 
officered.  And  whereas  I  have  applied  to  the  County  Committee  for 
blanks  to  be  filled  up,  and  there  are  none  to  be  had,  therefore  I,  in  con- 
junction with  the  Committee  of  this  precinct,  would  desire  that  there 
might  be  about  twenty  blank  commissions  sent  up  by  Mr.  JMyrick,  the 
bearer  hereof. 

I  would  further  acquaint  your  Honours  that  the  regiment  is  destitute 
of  Majors,  and  would  be  glad  if  your  Honours  would  appoint  two  gen- 
tlemen to  that  office,  and  fill  up  commissions  for  them.  There  are  two 
gentlemen  that  I  do,  with  the  advice  of  the  Committee,  nominate,  viz: 
Mr.  Gee — his  Christian  name  I  am  not  able  to  tell — of  Philip's  Precinct, 
and  Captain  Ebeneser  Robinson,  of  this  Precinct.  These  gentlemen  are 
doubtless  known  by  several  of  the  members  of  the  honourable  House. 

From  your  humble  servant,  HENRT  LUDENTON,  Colonel. 

To  the  Hon.  Provincial  Congress. 


1423 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1424 


"  The  state  of  the  Pay  Office  here  did  not  admit  a  full 
compliance  with  your  request  of  the  loan  of  £20,000,  there 
not  being  so  much  in  the  Paymaster's  hands  at  this  time. 
However,  that  so  good  a  work  might  not  be  delayed,  I  imme- 
diately gave  a  warrant  for  $20,000,  and  as  circumstances 
will  admit  shall  make  up  the  remainder. 

"  I  have  enclosed  the  resolution  to  Governour  Trumbull 
on  the  subject  of  forming  a  camp  at  Byram  River,  for  the 
security  of  the  communication  with  New-York,  but  at  the 
same  time  I  very  much  doubt  his  ability  to  carry  it  into 
execution. 

"  The  quota  of  troops  to  be  furnished  by  Connecticut  for 
the  assistance  of  this  Army  is  not  half  completed,  notwith- 
standing the  most  urgent  and  pressing  instances  on  the  sub- 
ject, which  affords  a  very  dull  prospect  of  fixing  a  new  camp 
adequate  to  the  intended  design ;  and  I  very  much  fear  the 
attempt  would  obstruct  the  raising  the  levies  now  ordered, 
and  in  the  end  prove  ineffectual ;  at  the  same  time  I  most 
heartily  approve  the  measure,  and  should  rejoice  to  see  it 
carried  into  execution  in  the  completest  manner. 

"  Since  writing  the  above,  your  favour  of  the  18th  instant, 
enclosing  Colonel  Cortlandt  s  and  Captain  Platfs  report,  is 
come  to  hand.  The  spirit  and  alacrity  of  the  Militia  in  so 
readily  turning  out  at  this  trying  season  is  a  very  encouraging 
circumstance,  and  does  them  great  honour. 

"  I  observe  Colonel  Fellows,  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  men- 
tioned as  having  marched  in.  If  his  troops  compose  a  part 
of  those  destined  for  this  Army,  it  is  my  intention  that  all, 
under  that  circumstance,  should  come  immediately  down,  and 
be  properly  arranged.  And  I  observe  there  will  be  the  less 
inconvenience,  as  Messrs.  Cortlandt  and  Platt  observe  that 
they  had  such  a  surplus  of  men  as  to  enable  them  to  dis- 
charge a  number. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect  and  esteem, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

"  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

"  P.  S.  With  respect  to  ammunition,  I  had  flattered  my- 
self that  the  Provincial  stock  would  not  only  have  been  suffi- 
cient for  the  purposes  of  its  immediate  defence,  but  in  case 
of  necessity  have  assisted  us.  I  shall  endeavour,  under  a 
late  direction  of  Congress,  to  procure  what  is  to  be  had  from 
the  adjoining  mills." 

An  Order  for  Gunpowder  from  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  was  enclosed,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"  New-York,  July  19,  1776. 

"  SIR:  Please  deliver  to  the  order  of  the  Convention  of 
the  State  of  New- York  fifteen  hundred  weight  of  Powder, 
for  which  this  shall  be  your  sufficient  warrant. 

"  Go.  WASHINGTON. 
"  To  John  Livingston,  Esq." 

Mr.  Miller,  of  Suffolk  County,  had  leave  of  absence,  and 
Certificate  that  he  is  a  Member  given  to  him,  to  prevent  his 
being  delayed  or  obstructed  by  Sentinels  in  his  passage 
through  the  City. 

A  Certificate  and  Pass  was  given  to  Mr.  John  Franks,  of 
Suffolk  County,  Merchant,  at  the  request  of  the  Members 
of  this  Convention  from  that  County. 

Ordered,  That  Sa.  Dyckman  proceed  immediately,  as 
Express,  with  General  Washington's  Letter  to  the  Secret 
Committee,  and  that  he  take  a  private  Letter  for  Colonel 
Cortlandt,  which  is  now  in  this  Hall. 

Colonel  Remsen  produced  a  Letter  from  Daniel  Tilling- 
hast  to  Jacobus  V.  Zandt,  Hen.  Remsen,  and  f^ewis  Pin- 
tard,  informing  that  he  had  received  by  Captain  Jauncey, 
and  stored,  one  hundred  and  forty-three  casks  of  Gunpowder 
and  eighty-one  bales  Merchandise  for  this  Colony.  Colonel 
Remsen  informs  the  state  of  the  Merchandise,  and  that  he 
expects  it  to  arrive  at  New-  York,  and  desires  the  direction  of 
Convention  as  to  its  disposition. 

The  Convention  directed  Colonel  Remsen  to  store  the 
said  bales  of  Merchandise  until  the  further  order  of  this  Con- 
vention. 

The  Resolutions  formed  on  the  Report  of  the  Committee 
appointed  to  consider  of  General  Washington's  answer  rela- 
ting to  Horned  Cattle  on  Nassau-Island,  and  to  devise  means 
to  preserve  them  from  the  enemy,  were  read ;  and  being  again 
read  by  paragraphs,  and  agreed  to,  and  approved  of,°are  in 
the  words  following,  to  wit : 


"In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  July  20,  1776.      $ 

"This  Convention  having  taken  into  consideration  the 
expediency  of  removing  the  stock  from  Nassau-Island, 

"Resolved,  That  it  will  not  be  for  the  publick  good,  pro- 
vided it  were  practicable,  to  remove  the  Stock  from  the 
Island,  except  such  Cattle,  Sheep,  and  Hogs  as  are  fit  for 
the  use  of  the  Army. 

"  2d.  That  the  common  Stock  in  Suffolk,  King's,  and 
Queen's  Counties,  be  put  in  such  convenient  and  secure 
places  in  each  County  as  may  be  most  convenient  to  be 
guarded  by  a  sufficient  number  of  Troops,  and  to  be  drove 
off  into  the  interior  parts  of  Nassau-Island,  whenever  the 
Commanding  Officer  or  Officers  of  the  said  Troops  shall 
order,  to  prevent  such  Stock  from  falling  into  the  enemy's 
hands ;  leaving,  if  he  shall  judge  it  safe  and  necessary,  with 
each  large  family  three  milch  Cows,  two  Cows  to  a  middling 
family,  and  one  to  a  small  family:  and  if  the  said  Command- 
ing Officer  finds  that  he  cannot  prevent  the  Stocks  falling 
into  the  enemy's  hands,  he  may  order  them  to  be  killed  or 
destroyed. 

"  3d.  And  ^o  the  intent  that  no  person  may  be  a  loser  by 
said  Stock  being  so  killed  or  destroyed, 

"Resolved,  That  the  oath  or -affirmation  of  the  owner  of 
Cattle,  describing  the  number,  age,  and  qualities,  shall  be 
a  direction  for  the  valuation  of  such  Cattle  drove  from  his 
possession :  Provided,  That  no  person  who  has  joined,  or 
shall  go  over  to  arid  join  the  enemy,  or  who  has  been,  or 
shall  be  in  anywise  aiding  or  assisting  to  the  enemy,  shall, 
in  consequence  of  this  Resolve,  be  entitled  to  a  compensa- 
tion for  any  loss  he  shall  or  may  sustain. 

"4th.  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each  Battalion 
of  Minute-men  and  Militia  in  Suffolk,  King's,  and  Queen's 
Counties,  be  ordered  immediately  to  draught  out  one-fourth 
part  of  the  Minute-men  and  Militia  of  said  Counties  to  carry 
these  Resolves  into  execution ;  and  that  the  Field-Officers 
of  the  Minute  and  Militia  Regiments  in  each  County  do 
appoint  Captains  and  Subalterns  to  command  such  draughts 
out  of  the  Minute  and  Militia  Officers  as  they  shall  judge 
most  proper;  and  that  the  draughts  be  formed  into  Compa- 
nies, to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  three  Ser- 
geants, three  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  one  Fifer,  and  fifty 
Privates.  And  in  case  any  draught  shall  be  left  after  the 
Companies  are  completed,  and  not  sufficient  to  form  another 
Company,  Officers  shall  be  appointed  for  them  in  the  follow- 
ing proportion :  one  Captain  and  one  Lieutenant,  two  Ser- 
geants and  two  Corporals  for  forty  Privates ;  two  Lieuten- 
ants, two  Sergeants,  and  two  Corporals  for  thirty  Privates; 
and  one  Lieutenant,  one  Sergeant,  and  one  Corporal  for 
twenty  Privates ;  each  man  to  find  his  own  arms  and  accou- 
trements. That  the  Field-Officers  of  the  said  Militia  so  to 
be  draughted  be  appointed  by  this  Convention;  the  Troops 
so  raised  to  have  Continental  pay  and  rations,  and  to  con- 
tinue in  service  until  the  last  day  of  December  next,  unless 
they  shall  be  sooner  discharged.  That  the  Non-Commis- 
sioned Officers  and  Privates  of  the  said  Troops  who  shall 
furnish  themselves  with  a  good  and  sufficient  Musket  or 
Firelock,  Cartouch-Box  and  Belt,  and  Bayonet  or  Hatchet, 
shall  be  allowed  ten  dollars  bounty  to  each  man. 

"  5th.  Resolved,  That  the  Brigadier-General  of  Suffolk 
and  Queen's  Counties  be  directed  to  order  the  Militia  of 
those  Counties  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  into 
either  of  the  said  Counties,  or  any  other  part  of  Nassau- 
Island,  on  the  shortest  notice,  with  five  days'  provisions: 
and  that  the  President  of  this  Convention  be,  and  is  hereby, 
directed  to  write  a  Letter  to  the  Colonel  of  the  Militia  of 
King's  County,  ordering  that  he  hold  his  Regiment  in  the 
like  readiness  to  march  to  any  part  of  Nassau-Island,  with 
five  days'  provisions. 

"  6th.  Resolved,  That  Colonel  Josiah  Smith,  of  Suffolk 
County,  be  First  Colonel  of  the  Troops  to  be  raised  by 
draughts  from  the  Militia  on  Nassau-Island;  that  Colonel 
John  Sands  be  Second  Colonel  of  those  Troops,  with  the 
rank  of  Colonel,  but  with  the  pay  of  a  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and  that  Abraham  Remsen  be  Major;  that  Colonel  Benj. 
Birdsall,  at  south  side  of  Queen's  County,  take  the  com- 
mand of  one  Company  of  those  draughts,  with  Captain's  pay, 
saving  his  rank. 

"  7th.  Resolved,  That  the  Rations  of  the  said  Troops  be 
estimated  at  the  rate  of  lOJrf.  each,  which  they  are  to  receive 
in  Monev  in  lieu  of  Provisions. 


1425 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1426 


"  8th.  And  whereas  the  protection  of  Nassau-Island  is  of 
vast  importance  to  these  States,  there  being  one  hundred 
thousand  Horned  Cattle,  a  much  larger  number  of  Sheep, 
besides  other  Stock  and  Provisions,  on  the  same;  and  if  the 
Stock  be  all  removed,  the  inhabitants,  amounting  to  about 
thirty  thousand,  must  remove  or  perish: 

"Resolved,  That  the  necessity  of  the  protection  and  secu- 
rity of  the  said  Island  be  stated  in  a  Letter  to  the  Congress, 
enclosing  a  copy  of  the  aforegoing  Resolutions,  and  request- 
ing their  directions  what  further  measures  may  be  necessary 
for  the  security  and  protection  of  the  said  Island. 

"  9th.  Resolved,  That  his  Excellency  General  Washing- 
ton be  made  acquainted  with  these  Resolutions,  and  be 
informed  that  there  are  on  Nassau-Island  great  numbers  of 
Horned  Cattle  and  Sheep  fit  for  the  use  of  the  Army,  and 
that  it  be  submitted  to  his  Excellency  wheiher  it  would  not 
be  proper  that  the  Commissary-General  should  be  requested 
to  give  a  preference  in  purchasing  at  present  those  Cattle  and 
Sheep  on  account  of  their  exposed  situation." 

Colonel  Rcmsen  (according  to  order)  brought  in  the  draft 
of  a  Letter  to  the  Delegates  of  this  Colony  in  Congress; 
which  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, to  wit: 

"GENTLEMEN:  The  Convention,  after  the  most  mature 
deliberation,  have  agreed  to  sundry  resolutions  for  the  pre- 
servation of  the  stock  on  Nassau-Island  and  the  protection 
of  the  inhabitants;  a  copy  of  them  I  am  directed  to  enclose. 
These  resolves  are  to  be  carried  into  execution  without 
delay. 

"  The  draughts,  we  expect,  will  compose  a  corps  of  be- 
tween seven  and  nine  hundred  men,  and  is  the  only  measure 
that  promises  (with  such  aid  as  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  has  already  or  may  hereafter  grant  for  the  same 
purpose)  to  be  effectual  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  procur- 
ing a  supply  of  fresh  provisions  from  that  Island.  We  hope 
the  same  will  be  approved  of  by  Congress. 

"  An  attempt  for  a  total  removal  of  the  stock,  computed 
to  be  near  one  hundred  thousand  head  of  horned  cattle,  be- 
sides a  much  greater  number  of  sheep  and  hogs,  &c.,  would 
take  up  much  time,  and  be  attended  with  very  great  if  not 
insurmountable  difficulties.  And  were  it  possible  to  remove 
all  the  stock  and  to  find  pastures  and  provender  for  the  same, 
it  necessarily  follows  that  the  inhabitants,  supposed  to  be 
from  twenty-five  to  thirty  thousand  in  number,  must  imme- 
diately abandon  their  habitations  to  find  shelter  and  subsist- 
ence elsewhere,  which  cannot  be  procured  in  this  and  the 
nearest  sister  States,  the  inhabitants  of  New-York  having 
removed  their  families  into  every  part  where  they  could  find 
accommodations. 

"  These  considerations  have  induced  the  Convention  to 
relinquish  the  thoughts  of  removing  the  stock  from  the  Island, 
and  to  the  utmost  of  their  power  to  protect  them  there,  and 
to  prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  If 
Congress  should  be  of  opinion  lhat  any  further  steps  are 
necessary  for  the  defence  of  the  Island,  we  beg  their  direc- 
tions. 

"  I  am,  most  respectfully,  gentlemen,  £tc. 
"  To  the  Delegates  in  Congress  for  the  State  of  New-York." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President  and  transmitted. 

Mr.  Hobart,  according  to  order,  brought  in  a  draft  of  a 
Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  to  attend  the 
last  aforegoing  Resolutions;  which  draft  was  read  and  ap- 
proved of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  viz: 

"  SIR:  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  your  Excellency,  by 
order  of  the  Convention,  a  copy  of  sundry  resolves  which 
were  yesterday  agreed  to  for  the  defence  of  the  inhabitants 
and  protection  of  the  slock  upon  Nassau-Island,  and  beg 
leave  to  submit  to  your  consideration  a  short  statement  of 
the  situation  and  circumstances  of  that  Island  and  its  inhabi- 
tants, from  which  you  will  see  the  inutility  of  any  attempts 
for  a  total  removal  of  the  stock  from  thence. 

"  It  is  supposed  there  are  near  one  hundred  thousand  head 
of  horned  cattle,  besides  a  much  larger  number  of  sheep  and 
other  stock,  the  removal  of  which  would  necessarily  consume 
the  greater  part  of  the  campaign.  But  supposing  the  same 
could  be  effected  in  a  short  time,  vast  numbers  of  the  stock 
must  inevitably  perish  for  want  of  subsistence,  as  it  could 
not  be  procured  within  any  reasonable  distance;  besides, 


such  a  measure  would  reduce  the  inhabitants,  computed  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  thousand,  to  the  most  deplorable  and 
insupportable  difficulties  and  distresses. 

<:  These  considerations  have  induced  the  Convention  to 
give  over  the  thoughts  of  removing  the  stock  from  the  Island 

0  o 

as  not  only  impracticable,  but  not  advancive  of  the  publick 
service,  especially  as  the  waste  and  common  lands  in  the 
eastern  part  of  Queen's  and  in  Suffolk  Counties  are  so 
covered  with  thickets  of  wood  as  to  render  it  too  dangerous 
for  foraging  parties  to  attempt  to  penetrate. 

"  I  trust  that  the  Militia  now  to  be  raised,  which  is  ex- 
pected to  form  a  corps  of  between  seven  and  nine  hundred 
men,  with  the  troops  already  stationed  at  the  east  end  of 
the  Island,  may  be  sufficient  to  remove  the  stock  from  those 
places  which  are  most  exposed,  and  prevent  the  depreda- 
tions of  small  detachments;  and  should  the  enemy  attempt, 
with  their  main  army,  to  fix  themselves  on  any  part  of  the 
Island,  I  doubt  not  but  your  Excellency  will  give  a  good 
account  of  them. 

"  The  Convention  have  received  information  that  there 
are  a  considerable  number  of  fatted  cattle  and  sheep  on  the 
Island  ;  they  submit  whether  it  would  not  be  proper  that  the 
Commissary-General  should  be  requested  to  give  the  prefer- 
ence in  purchasing  those  cattle. 

"  I  cannot  conclude  without  expressing  rny  wishes  that  the 
detachment  under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Livingston  may  be 
continued  at  their  present  post,  for  that  part  of  the  Island  is 
so  much  exposed  to  be  insulted  by  the  enemy's  cruisers  that 

1  fear  the  inhabitants  would  totally  abandon  the  country 
should  those  troops  be  drawn  off. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &ic., 
"  To  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Die  Sabbati,  5  ho.  P.  M.,  July  20,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Col.  Remsen,  Mr.  Bancker, 

Major  Abed. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Aim.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bkecker. 
SUFFOLK. — General   Woodhull,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Gelston, 

Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Dearing. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Moore. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit,  Mr.  Confine. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Henry  Schenck,  Mr.  Socket. 
WESTCHESTER. — Colonel  Gilbert  Drake,  Mr.  Haviland. 
CHARLOTTE. — Major  Webster. 
ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Little. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,  Mr.  James  Townshcnd, 

Mr.  Benjamin  Sands,  Captain  Laurence. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 

Colonel  Remsen  had  leave  of  absence  to  go  to  New-York. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  consideration 
of  the  number  of  Rangers  in  and  for  the  northern  Counties, 
delivered  in  their  Report,  which  was  read ;  and  being  again 
read,  much  time  was  spent  therein  until  night,  and  the  fur- 
ther consideration  thereof  postponed  till  Monday. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  and  five  or  more  Members 
be  a  Committee  to  receive  and  answer  Letters,  and  do  any 
other  necessary  business  during  the  adjournment  of  the 
House,  until  their  next  meeting. 

A  Letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Weisenfels,  dated  the 
14th  instant,  was  again  read.*  He  thereby  informs  that 

•NEW-YORK,  July  14,  1776. 

SIR  :  Mr.  Jonathan  Holmes  not  having  been  able  to  perform  the  con- 
dition of  the  resolves  of  the  honourable  House,  dated  June  27,  and 
obtained  another  resolve  otJuly  12,  which  certificate,  required  in  said 
resolve,  cannot  be  granted  by  Captain  fitter,  because  he  can  produce 
but  eleven  able-bodied  men  and  a  little  boy,  which  number  has  always, 
according  to  former  resolves,  entitled  a  person  only  to  an  Ensigncy;  and, 
inasmuch  as  Mr.  Pelton  can  produce  a  certificate  from  his  Captain  for 
having  inlisted  nineteen  men,  I  would  humbly  recommend  him  for  a 
Lieutenant's  commission.  He  is  a  good  officer,  and  already  experienced 
in  military  discipline. 

Please  to  allow  me  to  make  another  observation  in  Mr.  Pelton's  favour: 
that  he  has  inlisted  his  men  during  the  contest,  and  Mr.  Holmes  only 
during  the  term  of  six  months  and  nine  months;  which,  in  my  humble 
opinion,  ought  not  to  meet  with  the  encouragement  that  the  former 
deserves.  Mr.  Holmes,  therefore,  will  be  glad,  1  fancy,  to  accept  of  an 
Ensign's  commission. 

I  leave  these  premises  to  your  Honour's  consideration,  and  humbly 
entreat  the  favour,  that,  for  the  good  of  the  service,  you  will  be  pleased 
to  grant  my  request. 

I  am,  with  much  respect,  sir,  your  most  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

FRED.  WEISSENFELS. 

To  the  President  of  the  Honourable  Provincial  Congress  of  New-  York. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


90 


1427 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1428 


Jonathan  Holmes  had  not  complied  with  either  of  the  reso- 
lutions of  the  Congress  of  this  State,  of  the  27th  of  June  or 
12th  instan! ;  that  he  had  only  brought  to  the  Regiment 
eleven  men, and  a  hoy  \vho\vould  not  pass  muster;  that  his 
men  were  inlisted,  some  for  the  term  of  six,  and  others  nine 
months ;  that  P.  Pelton  had  inlisted  nineteen  men,  and 
during  the  present  contest. 

A  Certificate  of  Captain  Riker*  was  also  read,  certifying 
that  Mr.  Daniel  Pelton  had  inlisted  nineteen  men. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Daniel  Pellon  he  appointed 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  Jonathan  Holmes  Ensign,  of  Cap- 
tain Riker's  Company,  and  that  their  Commissions  issue 
accordingly. 

Die  Solis,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  July  21, 1776. 

The  Convention  met,  pursuant  to  the  call  of  the  Presi- 
dent, agreeable  to  the  order  of  yesterday. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW- YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Colonel  Brasher,  Major  Abed, 

Mr.  Harper. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yatcs,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — General    Woodhull,  Mr.  Hnbart,  Mr.  Gelston, 

Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  L'Hommcdieu,  Mr.  Dearing. 
ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Little. 
ULSTK.R. — Colonel  DC  Wit,  Mr.  f.'ontine. 
DUTCHF.SS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Captain  Plait.  Mr.  Sackett, 

Mr.  Henry  Schcnck. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Paris. 
CHARLOTTE. — Major  Webster.  Mr.  Duer. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Tou-nshend,  Mr.  James  Toimshcnd, 

Mr.  Lawrence. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stephens. 


WESTCHESTER. — Colonel  Drake,  Mr.  Haviland,  Mr.  Paul- 
ding,  Mr.  G.  Morris,  Major  Lockwood. 
ORANGE. — Colonel  Allison,  Mr.  Little. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,  Mr.  James  Townshend, 

Mr.  Jona.  Lawrence. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Paris,  Mr.  Volkcrt 

Voder. 

CHARLOTTE. — Major  Webster,  Mr.  Duer. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Colonel  Marsh,Nr.  Stephens. 
Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Colonels  of  each  Regi- 
ment of  Troops  to  be  draughted  from  the  Militia  of  the  Coun- 
ties of  Dutchcss,  Westchester,  Ulster,  Orange,  Suffolk, 
Queen's,  and  King's,  be  each  of  them  respectively  a  Muster- 
master  of  the  several  Regiments  draughted  or  inlisted  in  the 
said  Counties;  and  that  each  of  the  said  Colopels  do  return 
upon  oalh  to  this  Convention  a  Muster-Roll  of  the  Regiment 
by  him  so  mustered  as  aforesaid ;  and  that  no  person  so 
draughted  or  inlisted  receive  his  Bounty  until  he  shall  have 

muster. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  one-half  of  the  Bounty  to  be 
given  to  the  draughts  from  the  Militia  in  the  said  Counties  be 
sent  to  the  Committee  of  each  County,  to  be  paid  unto  the 
said  Troops  immediately  upon  and  after  their  passing  muster 
as  aforesaid,  and  that  the  remainder  of  the  Bounty  be  paid 
when  the  said  Troops  shall  be  mustered  by  the  Continental 
Muslermaster  at  their  respective  places  of  rendezvous;  and 
that  his  Excellency  General  Washington  be  requested  to 
cause  the  said  musters  to  be  completed  with  all  possible 
despatch. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  do  pay  into 
the  hands  of  the  gentlemen  hereafter  named,  (Members  of 
this  Convention,)  on  the  behalf  of  the  Committees  of  the 
Counties  hereinafter  mentioned,  the  following  sums  of  money, 


Captain  Platt,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  repair    to  be  by  the  County  Committees  applied  in  payment  of  the 
to  the  Highlands,  and  take  measures  for  the  protection  of  the    Troops  to  be  draughted  from  the  Militia  of  the  said  Coun- 
country,  informed  Convention  that  a  number  of  men  from    ties,  and  that  the  said  Committees  respectively  do  render  an 
the  neighbouring  States  are  now  doing  duty  on  Hudson's    account  to  this  Convention  of  the  disposition  of  the  said 
River,  and  that  many  of  them  have  left  their  affairs  in  such    sums  of  money,  viz: 
a  situation  at  home  that  their  continuance  for  any  consider- 
able time  must  be  attended  with  very  great  inconveniences, 
asking  the  direction  of  Convention  on  the  subject. 

The  President,  with  a  number  of  Members,  being  there- 
unto authorized  by  Convention,  are  of  opinion  that  it  would 
be  improper  to  give  the  Committee  any  direction  in  the 
premises,  but  do  advise  that  the  matter  be  considered  by  a 
Council  of  War,  and  conceive  it  would  be  advisable,  if  con- 
sistent with  the  good  of  the  service,  that  at  least  a  part  of 
the  men  should  be  dismissed,  and  their  places  supplied  by 
draughts  from  the  neighbouring  Militia  of  this  State. 


In  Dulchess  County,  Colonel  Jlnthonij  Huffman §10,000 

In  Weslchesler  County,  General  Morris 5,000 

In  Ulster  County,  Colonel  De  Wil 5,000 

In  Orange  County,  Colonel  JHlison 4,000 

In  Suffolk  County,  Mr.  Gelston 2,000 

In  Quren'j  County,  Mr.  Townshend 2,000 

In  King's 600 


$28,600 


General  Morris  informed  this  Convention  that  Colonel 
Joseph  Drake*  is  Colonel  of  the  First  Regiment  of  West- 
chestcr  County;  that  as  such  he  conceives  it  was  his  right, 

Captain  Platt  further  informs  that  the  men  have  gene-  in  a  tour  of  duty,  to  have  taken  the  command  of  the  one- 
rally  come  on  horseback,  and  that  many  of  them  are  with-  <™lrtl1  Part  ol"  l'le  Militia  now  ordered  on  service,  and  that 
out  money  to  carry  themselves  home,  and  requesting  direc-  Colonel  Drake  and  many  other  officers  conceive  themselves 

injured  by  the  preference  given  to  Colonel  Thomas  Thomas 
and  the  other  Field-Officers  -nominated  by  this  Convention 
for  that  service. 

Ordered,   That    General  Morris,  Mr.  Duer,  and  Mr. 


tions  in  the  premises. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  do  provide  for  the  Horses, 
as  well  as  the  Men,  and  that  when  any  of  the  Men  are 
ordered  home,  the  Committee,  at  their  discretion,  do  appoint 
a  Commissary  to  make  provision  for  them  on  the  road,  or 


Gouvcrneur  Morris,  be  a  Committee  to  confer  with  Colonel 


give  them  a  reasonable  allowance  for  their  subsistence  on    Drake  and  Colonel  Thomas,  and  endeavour  to  accommo- 

date  and  settle  this  matter,  so  as  to  prevent  inconveniences 
and  tlle  ™™<™  of  Colonel  Drake,  and  that  they  report 


their  return. 

Resolved,  That  whenever  any  Officers  of  the  Militia  of 

this  Slate  shall  do  duty  with  any  Militia  Officers  from  the    '  IS  Pos 

neighbouring  States,  they  submit  themselves  to  the  orders  of       A  Letter  from  John  Alsop,  Esq.,  dated  the  16th  instant, 

resigning  his  seat  in  the  Continental  Congress,  which  had 
been  received  and  read  some  days  ago,  was  again  read,  and 
is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 

"HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  Yesterday   our   President 


all  Officers  of  superior  rank,  in  the  same  manner  as  if  the 
whole  belonged  to  this  State. 


Die  Luna;,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  July  22,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 

FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Major  Abed,  Mr.  E.  Banc- 
ker, Colonel  Broome,  Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Dunscomb. 

FOR  ALBANY. — Mr.  Ab.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleccker. 

SUFFOLK. — Major  Smith,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  L'Hommcdieu, 
Mr.  Dearing. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Colonel  De  Wit. 

DUTCHESS. — Col.  Hoffman,  Mr.  H.  Schenck,  Mr.  Socket. 

•WEDNESDAY,  July  11,  177C. 

GENTLEMEN:  This  is  to  certify  that  Mr.  Jonathan  Holmes  brought  into 
my  Company  eleven  able-bodied  men,  and  one  small  boy  that  is  loo 
small  to  pass  muster.  From  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

ABRAHAM  RIKER,  Captain. 
To  the  Honourable  Provincial  Congress  of  New- York. 


read  in  Congress  a  resolve  of  your  honourable  body,  dated 
the  9th  instant,  in  which  you  declare  New-York  a  free  and 

•WHITE-PLAINS,  July  22,  1776. 

SIR:  I  last  Friday  received  orders  from  General  Morris  to  call  my 
Regiment  together,  in  order  to  select  every  fourth  man  out  for  imme- 
diate service,  according  to  a  resolve  of  the  Convention  fur  the  Stale  of 
JVeio-Vorfc.  Have  since  understood  that  ihose  men  were  to  be  com- 
manded by  the  Field-Officers  of  the  County  Mili'.ia.  And  being  further 
informed,  by  a  resolve  of  Convention,  thai  Colonel  Thomas  is  appointed 
to  ihe  command,  as  1  look  upon  myself  slighted,  or  rather  superseded, 
I  beg  Ihe  Convenlion  will  lake  the  matter  into  consideration.  If  it 
should  be  my  commission  thai  is  wanted,  I  am  free  and  willing  to  give 
it  up.  The  dilemma  that  I  am  now  in,  1  cannot  act  and  save  my 
honour. 

From,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant,  JOSEPH  DRAKE. 

To  the  Honourable  the  President  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
Aim-  York. 


1429 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1430 


independent  State.  I  can't  help  saying  that  I  was  much 
surprised  to  find  it  come  through  that  channel.  The  usual 
method  hitherto  practised  has  hecn  for  the  Convention  of 
eacli  Colony  to  give  their  Delegates  instructions  to  act  and 
vote  upon  all  and  any  important  question.  And  from  the 
last  letter  we  were  favoured  with  from  your  body,  you  told 
us  that  you  were  not  competent  or  authorized  to  give  us  in- 
structions on  that  grand  question;  nor  have  you  been  pleased 
to  answer  our  letter  of  the  2d  instant,  any  otherwise  than 
by  your  said  resolve  transmitted  to  the  President.  I  think 
we  were  entitled  to  an  answer. 

"  I  am  compelled,  therefore,  to  declare,  that  it  is  against 
my  judgment  and  inclination.  As  long  as  a  door  was  left 
open  for  a  reconciliation  with  Great  Britain  upon  honour- 
able and  just  terms,  1  was  willing  and  ready  to  render  my 
country  all  the  service  in  my  power,  and  for  which  purpose 
1  was  appointed  and  sent  to  this  Congress;  but  as  you  have, 
I  presume,  by  that  declaration,  closed  the  door  of  reconcili- 
ation, I  must  beg  leave  to  resign  my  seat  as  a  Delegate  from 
New-  York,  and  that  1  may  be  favoured  with  an  answer  and 
my  dismission. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  esteem,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient,  humble  servant,  JOHN  ALSOP." 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Convention  do  cheer- 
fully accept  of  Mr.  Al.iop's  resignation  of  his  seat  in  the 
Continental  Congress,  and  that  Mr.  Alsop  be  furnished  with 
a  copy  of  this  resolution. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Duer  and  Mr.  Morris  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  prepare  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Delegates  of  this 
Colony,  to  cover  a  copy  of  the  last  above  resolution  or  dis- 
mission of  Mr.  Alsop,  and  that  they  report  with  all  conve- 
nient speed. 

The  Convention  then  proceeded  to  take  into  further  con- 
sideration the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  raising  and 
appointment  of  Rangers  in  the  northern  Counties  of  this 
State.*  The  same  was  read,  and  being  again  read  by  para- 

*  Your  Committee,  to  whom  is  referred  the  appointment  of  Rangers  in 
the  northern  Counties  of  the  State  of  New- York,  report:  That  from  the 
best  information  they  can  obtain,  the  inhabitants  in  the  western  and 
northern  parts  of  the  County  of  Jllbany,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  Coun- 
ties of  Tryon,  Charlotte,  Cumberland,  Gloucester,  Orange,  and  Ulster,  are 
more  immediately  exposed  to  the  Indians,  and  that  several  families  in 
some  of  the  above-mentioned  Counties,  in  consequence  of  the  danger 
they  apprehend,  have  moved,  and  others,  it  is  probable,  will  move  into 
the  interior  parts  of  this  State,  to  the  inevitable  ruin  of  many,  and  the 
great  distress  of  the  publick. 

Your  Committee  do  further  report,  in  order  to  induce  those  inhabit- 
ants to  remain  on  their  possessions,  and  to  afford  them  a  protection 
against  the  occasional  inroads  of  the  Indians: 

Resolved,  That  five  hundred  and  fifty  men,  officers  included,  be  raised 
in  the  Counties  aforesaid,  and  taken  into  the  pay  and  service  of  this 
Convention,  and  confined  to  the  service  of  these  Counties,  unless  called 
forth  to  the  defence  of  a  neighbouring  County  or  State,  by  the  consent 
of  the  County  Committees  of  the  respective  Stales. 

That  in  like  manner  two  hundred  men  be  raised  in  the  County  of 
Tryon,  to  be  employed  as  scouting  parties  to  range  the  woods,  as  the 
Committee  of  the  said  County  shall  think  proper. 

That  in  like  manner  two  hundred  and  fifty  men  be  raised  in  the 
Counties  of  Gloucester  and  Cumberland,  to  be  under  the  command  of  a 
Major,  to  be  appointed  by  this  Convention. 

That  also  in  like  manner  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  to  be  divided 
into  two  Companies,  be  raised  in  the  County  of  fharlotte. 

That  in  like  manner  fifty-five  men  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Orange. 

That  the  said  Rangers  be  formed  into  Companies,  each  consisting  of 
one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  three  Sergeants,  three  Corporals,  and  forty- 
two  Privates,  except  in  the  Counties  of  Charlotte,  Orange,  and  Albany. 

That  the  officers  be  nominated,  for  approbation  and  appointment,  by 
the  respective  County  Committees,  and  that  they  issue  warrants  for 
levying  their  troops,  and  that  it  be  strongly  recommended  to  them  to  nomi- 
nate persons  of  sober  and  active  dispositions  for  these  appointments. 

That  the  pay  of  the  officers  and  privates  be  the  same  as  the  pay  of  the 
Continental  troops. 

That  a  bounty  be  allowed  to  each  non-commissioned  officer  and  pri- 
vate of  twenty-five  dollars,  upon  his  passing  muster. 

That  to  each  Captain  there  be  allowed  16s.,  to  each  Lieutenant  12s., 
and  to  every  non-commissioned  officer  and  private  10s.  per  week,  in  lieu 
and  in  stead  of  all  rations  and  provisions. 

That  the  officers  and  privates  furnish  themselves  each  with  a  good 
musket  or  firelock,  powder-horn,  bullet-pouch,  and  tomahawk. 

That  the  said  Companies  be  under  the  order  and  direction  of  the 
authoriiies  before-mentioned,  or  such  other  person  or  persons,  as  this  or 
a  future  Convention  or  other  Legislature  of  this  State  shall  direct. 

That  each  officer  of  the  respective  Companies  of  Rangers  do,  before 
he  receives  his  commission,  take  an  oath  before  the  Chairman  of  the 
County  Committee,  where  he  shall  receive  his  recommendation,  that  he 
will  once  in  every  month,  or  as  soon  after  as  possible,  transmit  to  the 
Convention  or  Legislature  of  this  State,  a  muster-roll  of  the  names  and 
rank  of  every  officer  or  private  under  his  command,  and  that  any  officer 
who  shall  return  a  false  muster-roll  of  the  officers  or  privates  under  his 
command,  shall,  on  conviction  thereof,  be  cashiered  and  lose  his  pay, 
and  be  forever  thereafter  rendered  incapable  of  holding  any  office,  civil 
or  military,  in  this  State. 

That  certified  copies  of  the  foregoing  resolves  be  transmitted  to  the 
respective  General  Committees  of  the  said  Counties. 

That  the  said  Rangers  continue  in  such  service  until  they  bediacharged 
by  this  or  some  future  Convention  or  other  Legislature  of  this  State. 

July  20,  1776. 


graphs,  on  reading  the  paragraph  ascertaining  the  number  of 
Hangers  for  Albany  County,  Mr.  Yates  moved  that  it  be 
obliterated,  and  the  following  inserted  in  its  stead,  viz: 

"  That  there  be  raised  in  the  City  and  County  of  Albany 
two  hundred  men,  officers  included,  to  be  at  the  disposal  of 
the  Committee  of  the  said  County;  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  to  be  employed  as  scouting  parties  to  range  the  woods, 
and  the  remainder  to  guard  the  stores,  provisions,  ammuni- 
tion, and  vessels,  in  and  about  the  said  City,  in  conjunction 
with  the  Militia  of  that  City." 

Debates  arose  thereon,  and  the  question  being  put  on  said 
motion,  it  was  carried  in  the  affirmative,  in  manner  following, 
to  wit: 


For  the  Affirmative. 
6  Albany. 
5  Dutchess. 

2  Charlotte. 

3  Tryon. 

4  Ulster. 

4  Queen's. 
3  Orange. 


For  Hie  Negative. 
4  Suffolk. 
8  New-York. 
2  Cumberland. 

14  votes. 
Weslchester  divided. 


27  votes. 

The  further  consideration  thereof  postponed  till  the  after- 
noon. 

Die  Lunae,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  July  22,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
FOR  NEW- YORK. — Colonel  Broome,  Colonel  Brasher,  Mr. 

Dunscomb,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.Bancker,  Mr.  Harper. 
FOR   ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr. 

Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — Major  Smith,  Mr.  Gclston,  M r.  Dearing,  Mr. 

Hobart,  Mr.  Woodhull,  Mr.  L' Hommedieu. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Colonel  De  Wit. 
DUTCHESS. — Col.  Hoffman,  Mr.  H.  Schenck,  Mr.  Sackett. 
WESTC HESTER. — Major  Lockivood,  Colonel  G.  Drake,  Mr. 

Haviland,  Mr.  Morris,  General  Morris. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Colonel  Allison. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Tuwnshend,  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  Mr. 

James  Townshend,  Captain  Lawrence. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer,  Major  Webster. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Veder,  Mr.  Paris. 

Colonel  Broome  informed  the  Congress  that  he  had  fully 
inquired  into  the  character  of  Chnstopht.r  Templer,  and  finds 
that  he  bears  the  character  of  a  hearty  friend  to  the  Ameri- 
can cause. 

Ordered,  That  he  be  discharged,  and  that  he  be  allowed 
6s.  a  day  for  his  loss  of  time  since  he  was  committed, 
amounting  to  48s. 

And  Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  pay  to 
the  said  Christopher  Templer  the  said  sum  of  48s.,  for  his 
loss  of  time,  and  take  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Broome  give  a  Pass  to  the  said 
Christopher  Templer  to  return  to  New-  York. 

The  Convention  then  resumed  the  consideration  of  the 
Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  raising  and  appointment  of 
Rangers  in  the  northern  Counties  of  this  State. 

On  reading  the  paragraph  relating  to  the  nominations  of 
Officers,  Mr.  Morris  moved  (and  was  seconded  by  Mr. 
Duer)  that  "  the  Officers  of  the  Rangers  be  appointed  by 
this  Convention." 

Debates  arose  thereon ;  and  the  question  being  put  thereon, 
it  was  carried  in  the  negative,  in  manner  following,  to  wit: 

For  the  Negative.  For  the  Affirmative. 

6  Albany.  4  Queen's. 

5  Dutchess.  4  Westchester. 
2  Cumberland. 

4  Ulster.  8  votes. 
8  New-York. 
4  Suffolk.                         Tryon  and  Charlotte  equally  divided. 

29  votes. 
Therefore  the  said  motion  was  rejected. 

Mr.  Duer  then  moved  a  new  amendment  to  the  said  para- 
graph, which  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

The  whole  of  the  said  Report  being  read,  amended,  and 
agreed  to,  was  delivered  to  Mr.  Duer  and  the  former  Com- 
mittee, to  be  converted  into  Resolutions. 

Mr.  Morris,  from  the  Committee  for  that  purpose,  reported 
the  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Delegates  of  this  State  at  Con- 
gress, on  the  subject  of  the  dismission  of  John  Alsop,  Esq., 


1431 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1432 


as  a  Delegate ;  which  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  viz: 

"  GENTLEMEN:  1  am  directed  by  this  Convention  to  en- 
close you  the  copy  of  a  letter  which  they  received  fioin  John 
Alsop,  Esquire,  together  with  two  copies  of  their  resolution 
on  that  subject,  one  of  which  they  request  you  to  deliver  to 
him. 

"The  Convention  are  much  surprised  to  learn  that  a 
measure  which  they  conceived  necessary  in  this  State,  to 
show  their  warm  approbation  of  the  measures  of  Congress 
and  to  strengthen  the  bands  of  Continental  union,  should 
disgust  any  gentleman;  nor  can  they  discover  how  their 
approbation  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  can  be 
construed  an  instruction  to  you  to  act  or  vote  upon  an  occa- 
sion where  every  act  was  already  performed,  and  every  vote 
received.  And  they  are  equally  astonished  to  find  them- 
selves censured  for  declaring  at  one  time  that  they  were  not 
competent  or  authorized  to  give  instructions  on  that  grand 
question,  when,  in  fact,  they  had  no  such  authority;  and  for 
making  such  declaration  at  another  time,  when  they  had 
received  from  their  constituents  a  full  authority  for  the 
purpose. 

"  I  am  further  directed,  gentlemen,  to  assure  you,  that  if 
the  measure  of  Independency  had  originated  with  this  Con- 
vention, they  would  gladly  bear  whatever  measure  of  blarne 
Mr.  Alsop  should  in  his  wisdom  think  meet  to  confer  upon 
them;  as,  on  the  other  hand,  they  take  care  that  all  persons 
who  avow  sentiments  inimical  to  the  cause  and  rights  of 
America  shall  be  prevented  from  affording  aid  or  assistance 
to  the  common  enemy.  But  as  this  grand  step  in  American 
affairs  has  been  taken  by  that  honourable  body  of  which 
Mr.  Alsop  was  once  a  member,  the  Convention  are  of 
opinion  that  it  belongs  to  them,  and  to  them  only,  to  deter- 
mine upon  the  little  cavils  of  those  who  wish  to  keep  open 
a  door  for  their  reconciliation. 

"  I  am  directed,  therefore,  to  desire  that  you  will  lay  this 
letter,  together  with  the  copy  of  that  gentleman's  favour,  and 
the  resolution  of  the  Convention  in  consequence  of  it,  before 
the  Congress,  since  they  will  best  be  able  to  investigate  the 
meaning  of  the  writer,  and  determine  how  far  his  knowledge 
of  the  publick  transactions  may  or  may  not  be  safely  trusted 
in  his  custody. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect, 
your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant. 
"  To  the  Delegates  of  the  State  of  JVeto-  York  at  Congress." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Letter  be  engrossed, 
and  signed  by  the  President,  and  transmitted,  with  a  copy 
of  the  Letter  of  John  Alsop,  Esq.,  of  the  16th  ins-tant,  and 
two  certified  copies  of  the  Resolution  of  this  Convention 
thereon,  of  the  22d  instant,  therein  enclosed. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  General 
Gates,  requesting  the  favour  of  him  to  communicate  to  this 
Convention  a  candid  state  of  our  military  operations  in  the 
Northern  Department ;  particularly  with  respect  to  the  number 
of  our  forces,  the  state  of  health  in  which  they  are,  and  the 
intelligence  he  has  received  of  the  strength  and  designs  of 
General  Burgoyne's  Army;  and  assuring  him  of  every  possi- 
ble exertion  in  this  Convention  to  repel  an  invasion  of  the 
enemy  in  that  quarter. 

Resolved.  That  Leonard  Ganscvort  and  Jacob  Cwjler, 
Esqs.,  be  a  Committee  from  this  Convention  to  wait  on  Ge- 
neral Gates  with  the  said  Letter,  and  that  they  be  directed  to 
transmit  to  this  Convention,  as  soon  as  possible,  the  General's 
answer;  and  to  make  every  observation  which  they  may 
think  will  give  to  this  Convention  a  full  insight  into  the  state 
of  our  Northern  Army. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Robert  Harper  be 
a  Committee  to  prepare  a  draft  of  such  Letter,  as  above 
mentioned,  to  General  Gates,  and  also  to  prepare  a  draft  of 
a  Letter  to  Leonard  Ganscvort  and  Jacob  Cuylcr,  Esqs.,  on 
the  subject  mentioned  in  the  above  Resolutions. 

Whereas  this  Convention,  upon  an  opinion  that  Thomas 
Thomas,  Esquire,  was  the  first  Colonel  of  the  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Westchester,  did  tender  unto  him  (the  said  Thomas 
Thomas)  the  command  of  the  Regiment  draughted  from  the 
said  Militia,  which  he  did  accept  of;  and  whereas  this  Con- 
vention are  now  assured  that  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  is  the 
first  Colonel  of  the  said  County;  and  whereas  it  has  been 
represented  to  this  Convention,  on  the  part  of  the  said  Joseph 
Drake,  that  his  reputation  may  be  materially  injured,  from  a 


suggestion  that  the  appointment  of  the  said  Thomas  Thomas 
proceeded  from  an  opinion  that  the  said  Joseph  Drake  was 
unfit  to  hold  the  said  commission :  In  justice,  therefore,  to  him, 
the  said  Joseph  Drake, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  Convention  have  a  high 
opinion  of  the  integrity,  talents,  and  military  virtue,  of  the 
said  Joseph  Drake ;  and  that  the  preference  given  to  him, 
the  said  Thomas  Thomas,  in  the  aforesaid  appointment,  was 
merely  owing  to  the  mistake  above  mentioned. 

Ordered,  That  a  certified  copy  hereof  be  sent  to  Colonel 
Drake,  without  delay. 


Die  Martis,  8  ho.  A.  M.,  July  23,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Opened 
with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis. 

Present :  Brigadier-General  WoodhnU,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Duns- 
comb,  Mr.  Harper,  Colonel  Broome,  Colonel  Brasher. 
FOR  ALBANY. — \\<c.Abm.  Yates,  Mr.Adgate,  Mr.  Bleccker. 
FOR  SUFFOLK. — General    Woodhull,  Mr.    Gelston,   Major 
Smith,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu,  Mr.  Dearing,  Mr.  Hobart, 
Mr.  Miller. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  Henry  Schenck,  Mr.  Hoff- 
man. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Hen.  Winner,  Mr.  Little,  Colonel  Allison. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townshcnd,  Mr.  Van  Wi/ck,  Mr. 

James  Townshcnd,  Captain  Lawrence. 
WEST-CHESTER. — Colonel  Gilb.  Drake,  Mr.  Morris,  Gene- 
ral Morris,  Mr.  Haviland. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Veder,  Mr.  Paris, 

Mr.  Newkirk. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer,  Major  Webster. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.   Sessions,  Colonel   Marsh,  Mr.   Ste- 
phens. 

Mr.  Diicr  informed  the  Convention  that  on  the  account 
of  sundry  matters  now  before  the  Convention,  and  yet  to  be 
considered,  he  desires  to  continue  his  attendance  at  present 
in  the  Convention  ;  that  he  was  appointed  to  wait  on  Gover- 
nour  Trumbull  with  Colonel  Broome  with  the  despatches  from 
this  Congress,  and  that  they  are  intrusted  with  very  imporr 
tant  despatches  from  General  Washington  to  Governour 
Trumbull;  that  Mr.  Hobart  has  consented  to  go  with  Colo- 
nel Broome  on  that  service,  if  agreeable  to  this  Convention, 
instead  of  Mr.  Duer: 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Hobart  and  Colonel  Broome  be  a 
Committee  to  wait  on  his  Honour  Governour  Trumbull,  of 
the  State  of  Connecticut,  for  the  purposes  mentioned  in  the 
Resolutions  of  this  Convention  on  the  16th  instant. 

The  Convention  were  informed  that  Provisions  are  very 
scarce  and  dear  in  the  City  of  New-York;  that  Provisions 
have  notwithstanding  been  shipped  for  exportation,  and  fallen 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  no  Provisions  whatever  shall 
be  laden  for  exportation  on  board  of  any  Ship  or  Vessel  at 
the  Port  of  New-  York,  or  from  any  other  part  of  this  State, 
unless  for  the  use  of  the  crew  of  such  Ship  or  Vessel,  or  for 
the  necessary  supply  of  any  of  the  United  States  of  Ame- 
rica, until  further  order;  and  that  the  City  and  County  of 
New-York  shall  be  first  applied  to  for  their  permission  to 
export  any  Provisions  for  the  purposes  aforesaid,  which  said 
Committee  are  hereby  empowered  to  judge  and  determine 
upon  the  propriety  of  granting  such  supplies. 

Resolved,  That  in  all  cases  where  a  breach  shall  be  made 
in  the  above  Resolution,  the  Vessel  and  Cargo  shall  be  for- 
feited to  the  use  of  this  State,  and  the  persons  guilty  of  in- 
fringing it  shall  be  held  up  as  enemies  to  the  United  States 
of  America. 

Mr.  Morris,  from  the  Committee  for  that  purpose,  reported 
the  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Major-General  Gates,  which  was 
read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"July  23. 

"SiR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  of  this  State  to 
make  it  their  earnest  request  that  you  will  do  them  the  ho- 
nour of  communicating  a  full  state  of  the  military  operations 
which  you  now  superintend.  It  is  by  no  means  an  idle 
curiosity  which  prompts  the  Convention  to  inquire  into  the 
number  of  forces  under  your  command,  and  their  situation 
as  to  arms,  health,  provisions,  and  other  necessaries,  as  also 
what  intelligence  your  Honour  may  have  obtained  of  the 


1433 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1434 


strength  and  design  of  General  Burgoyne.  But  as  the  war 
is  now  brought  to  our  doors,  and  this  State  invaded  at  each 
extremity,  the  utmost  atteniion  and  strictest  inquiry  are 
necessary  in  the  Legislature,  that  they  may  be  enabled  to 
give  all  the  assistance  in  their  power  to  the  several  armies 
employed  in  our  defence. 

"  1  am  further  directed  to  inform  your  Honour  that  this 
letter  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Leonard  Gansevort  and 
Jacob  Cuykr,  Esquires,  a  Committee  of  this  Convention, 
who  are  sent  to  receive  such  intelligence  as  you  may  think 
necessary  to  give  a  complete  idea  of  the  situation  of  our 
Northern  Army,  and  to  assure  your  Honour  that  the  Con- 
vention will  make  the  most  strenuous  exertions  to  repel  any 
invasion  which  may  be  meditated  against  us  in  your  depart- 
ment. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir, 
your  most  obedient,  humble  servant. 
"Major-General  Gates." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Letter  be  engrossed, 
and  signed  by  the  President,  and  transmitted  to  Messrs. 
Gansevort  and  Cuykr  unsealed  ;  that  a  copy  of  the  Resolu- 
tion of  this  Convention  to  write  to  General  Gates  be  therein 
enclosed.  . 

Mr.  Morris,  from  the  Committee  for  that  purpose,  reported 
the  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Messr^.  Gansevort  and  Cuyler,  which 
was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to 
wit: 

"GENTLEMEN:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  en- 
close you  a  copy  of  two  resolutions  of  this  date,  together 
with  a  letter  to  Brigadier-General  Gates,  at  Ticonderoga, 
which  we  leave  open  for  your  perusal. 

"  It  is  the  wish  of  the  Convention  that  you  should  imme- 
diately wait  on  General  Gates  with  his  letter,  and  that  you 
should  likewise  exert  yourselves  in  obtaining  every  intelli- 
gence, from  your  own  observation,  which  you  think  will  tend 
to  give  this  House  a  full  insight  into  the  state  of  our  North- 
ern Army. 

"  In  the  letter  which  this  Convention  has  ordered  to  be 
wrote  to  General  Gates,  they  have  chiefly  confined  their 
inquiries  to  the  number  of  our  forces,  the  state  of  health  they 
are  in,  and  General  Burgoyne's  designs. 

"  From  motives  of  delicacy,  this  Convention  has  not 
thought  proper  to  inquire  of  General  Gates  whether  proper 
harmony  prevails  amongst  the  officers,  and  subordination 
amongst  the  troops.  These  are  objects  of  infinite  conse- 
quence, and  on  which  the  fate  of  a  battle  has  often  depended. 
The  Convention,  therefore,  wish  you  will  pay  particular 
attention  to  obtain  proper  information  on  these  points.  Your 
own  prudence  and  knowledge  of  the  world  will  lead  you  to 
obtain  these  inquiries  in  the  most  delicate  manner  possible. 

"  You  will  be  pleased  to  transmit  General  Gates's  answer 
by  express,  together  with  your  own  observations,  in  writing, 
in  case  you  should  be  detained  in  joining  the  Convention. 

"  I  am,  &c. 

"  To  Jacob  Cuyler  and  Leond.  Gansevort,  Esqs.,  Albany. 

"July  23." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Letter  be  engrossed, 
and  signed  by  the  President  and  transmitted,  with  copies  of 
the  Resolutions  relating  to  their  going  to  the  Northern  Army 
therein  enclosed. 

Mr.  Duer,  according  to  order,  brought  in  a  set  of  Reso- 
lutions formed  on  the  Report  of  the  Committee  for  the  raising 
and  appointment  of  Rangers  in  the  northern  Counties ; 
which,  being  read,  were  again  read  by  paragraphs,  and 
amended,  and  the  same  being  read  the  third  time,  were 
unanimously  agreed  to,  and  are  as  follows,  to  wit : 

Whereas,  from  the  best  information  this  Convention  has 
obtained,  the  inhabitants  in  the  western  and  northern  parts 
of  the  County  o(  Albany  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  Counties 
of  Tryon,  Charlotte,  Gloucester,  Cumberland,  Ulster,  and 
Orange,  are  greatly  exposed  to  the  Indians,  and  several 
families  in  some  of  the  above-mentioned  Counties,  from  the 
dangers  they  apprehend,  have  already  removed,  and  it  is 
probable  others  will  remove  into  the  interior  parts  of  this 
State,  to  the  inevitable  destruction  of  many,  and  to  the  great 
distress  of  the  publick:  In  order,  therefore,  to  induce  those 
inhabitants  to  remain  in  their  possessions,  and  to  afford  them 
a  protection  against  the  inroads  of  the  Indians, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  there  be  raised  in  the  Coun- 


ty of  Albany  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  men,  officers  in- 
cluded, to  be  employed  as  scouting  parties  to  range  the 
woods;  and  that  the  same  be  divided  into  two  Companies, 
each  Company  to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants, 
three  Sergeants,  three  Corporals,  and  fifty-four  Privates. 

That  in  like  manner,  and  for  the  same  service,  two  hun- 
dred and  one  men  he  raised -in  the  County  of  Tryon,  to  be 
divided  into  three  Companies,  each  to  consist  of  one  Cap- 
tain, two  Lieutenants,  three  Sergeants,  three  Corporals,  and 
fifty-eight  Privates. 

That  in  like  manner,  and  for  the  same  service,  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty-two  men  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Glou- 
cester and  Cumberland,  for  the  joint  defence  of  both  Counties; 
and  that  those  men  be  divided  into  four  Companies,  each 
Company  to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  three 
Sergeants,  three  Corporals,  and  fifty -four  Privates. 

That  in  like  manner,  and  for  the  same  service,  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  men  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Charlotte, 
to  be  divided  in  the  following  manner,  viz:  two  Companies, 
each  to  consist  of  one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  three  Ser- 
geants, three  Corporals,  and  forty-two  Privates;  and  one 
party  to  consist  of  one  Lieutenant,  one  Sergeant,  one  Cor- 
poral, and  seventeen  Privates. 

That  in  like  manner,  and  for  the  same  service,  two  hun- 
dred and  one  men  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Ulster,  to  be 
divided  into  three  Companies,  similar  to  those  of  the  County 
of  Tryon. 

That  one  Company  be  raised  for  the  County  of  Orange, 
to  consist  of  one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  three  Sergeants, 
three  Corporals,  and  forty-seven  Privates. 

That  the  Commissioned  Officers  of  the  Companies  of  the 
Counties  of  Albany,  Tryon,  Charlotte,  Ulster,  and  Orange, 
be  nominated,  for  approbation  and  appointment  of  this  Con- 
vention, by  the  respective  County  Committees;  and  that  the 
said  County  Committees  issue  Warrants  for  levying  those 
Troops  to  such  persons  whom  they  propose  to  nominate  for 
Companies;  and  it  hereby  is  strongly  recommended  to  them 
to  nominate  persons  of  sober  and  active  dispositions  for  these 
appointments. 

That  the  Commissioned  Officers  of  the  Counties  of  Cum- 
berland and  Gloucester  be  nominated  by  the  mutual  consent 
of  the  Committees  of  both  Counties,  and  that  Warrants  issue 
to  the  Captains  of  each  Company  in  the  same  manner  as 
before  directed. 

That  the  Pay  of  the  Officers  and  Privates  be  the  same 
as  the  pay  of  the  Continental  Troops. 

That  a  Bounty  be  allowed  to  each  Non-Commissioned 
Officer  and  Private  of  twenty-five  dollars  upon  his  passing 
muster. 

That  to  each  Captain  be  allowed  sixteen  shillings;  to 
each  Lieutenant,  fourteen  shillings ;  and  to  each  Non-Com- 
missioned Officer  and  Private,  ten  shillings  per  week,  in  lieu 
of  all  rations. 

That  the  Officers  and  Privates  furnish  themselves  each 
with  a  good  Musket  or  Firelock,  Powder- Horn,  Bullet-Pouch, 
and  Tomahawk,  Blanket,  and  Knapsack. 

That  the  Companies  in  the  Counties  of  Albany,  Tryon, 
Charlotte,  Ulster,  and  Orange,  be  confined  to  the  service  of 
those  Counties,  unless  called  forth  to  the  defence  of  a  neigh- 
bouring County  or  State  by  the  mutual  consent  of  the 
bordering  County  Committees  of  the  respective  Counties 
or  States. 

That  the  Companies  in  the  Counties  of  Cumberland  and 
Gloucester  be  under  the  command  of  a  Major,  to  be  appoint- 
ed by  this  Convention. 

That  the  Major  commanding  the  Rangers  in  the  Counties 
of  Gloucester  and  Cumberland  shall  inarch  to  the  relief  of 
any  of  the  neighbouring  Counties  or  States,  upon  a  mutual 
application  from  the  County  Committees  of  such  respective 
Counties  or  States,  or  upon  an  application  from  the  Conti- 
nental Officer  commanding  in  the  Northern  Department, 
provided  that  such  Continental  Officer  do  not  call  these 
Companies  out  of  the  said  three  Counties  of  Cumberland, 
Gloucester,  and  Charlotte. 

That  each  Officer  of  the  respective  Companies  of  Rangers 
shall,  before  he  receives  his  Warrant,  take  an  oath  before  the 
Chairman  of  the  County  Committee  from  whence  he  is  to  be 
recommended,  that  he  will  once  in  every  month,  or  as  soon 
after  the  expiration  of  any  month  as  possible,  transmit  to 
the  Convention  or  Legislature  of  this  State  a  muster-roll  of 
the  names  of  every  Officer  or  Private  under  his  command, 


1435 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1436 


and  their  respective  times  of  inlistment  and  service;  and 
that  any  Officer  who  shall  return  a  false  muster-roll  shall, 
on  conviction  thereof,  lose  his  pay,  and  be  cashiered,  and 
forever  thereafter  rendered  incapable  of  holding  any  office, 
civil  or  military,  in  this  State. 

That  all  the  Companies  of  Rangers  shall,  at  any  future 
time,  be  under  the  direction  and  command  of  such  person  or 
persons,  and  be  continued  so  long  in  the  service,  as  this 
Convention  or  a  future  Legislature  of  this  State  shall  please 
to  appoint,  not  exceeding  the  duration  of  the  present  war, 
and  that  all  these  Troops  be  subject  to  the  Continental 
Rules  of  War,  till  further  orders  from  this  Convention,  or  a 
future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

Resolved,  That  one-half  of  the  Bounty  be  paid  by  the 
Captain  of  each  Company  to  every  able-bodied  man  when 
he  shall  pass  muster,  and  that  so  soon  as  the  first  muster- 
roll  of  every  Company  shall  be  received  by  this  Convention, 
the  other  half  shall  be  remitted  by  this  Convention  to  the 
respective  County  Committees  of  Albany,  Tryon,  Orange, 
Ulster,  and  Charlotte  Counties,  and  to  the  Major  command- 
in"  the  Gloucester  and  Cumberland  Rangers,  to  be  by  them 
issued  to  the  Captains  of  their  respective  Companies,  and 
immediately  disbursed  to  the  men. 

Ordered,  That  certified  copies  of  the  aforegoing  Reso- 
lutions be  transmitted,  with  all  despatch,  to  the  respective 
Committees  of  the  Counties  afore-mentioned. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the 
expediency  of  raising  a  Company  of  men  to  guard  the  Stores 
and  Vessels  with  Provisions  and  Ammunition  in  the  City  of 
Albany,  delivered  in  their  Report,  which  was  read;  and  the 
same  being  again  read  and  amended,  was  unanimously 
agreed  to,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

Resolved,  That  seventy-five  men,  officers  included,  be 
raised,  to  guard  the  Stores  and  Vessels  with  Provisions  and 
Ammunition  in  and  about  the  City  of  Albany;  that  they 
be  under  the  pay  of  this  State  ;  that  they  be  unbodied  into 
one  Company,  to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants, 
four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  and  one  Fifer, 
and  sixty-two  Privates;  that  they  furnish  themselves  each 
with  a  Gun  or  Musket,  one  Pouch  or  Cartouch-box,  one 
Tomahawk  or  Cutlass;  that  they  be  allowed  Continental 


the  name  of  Youngs,  at  or  near  Cold  Spring;  and  also  the 
papers  taken  in  like  manner  from  Isaac  Kctchum. 

Mr.  LHommedicu,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to 
report  such  amendments  as  are  necessary  further  to  encour- 
age the  manufacture  of  Saltpetre,*  brought  in  the  Report  of 
the  said  Committee,  which  he  read  in  bis  place,  and  delivered 
in  at  the  table,  when  the  same  was  again  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  thereof  be  post- 
poned till  the  afternoon. 

A  Letter  from  the  Chiefs  of  the  Onenhoghkuage  and 
Tuscarora  Nations  of  Indians,  to  Henry  Wisner,  Jun.,  Esq., 
of  Ulster  County,  dated  the  4th  of  June  instant,  was  read 
and  filed.  They  thereby  request  a  supply  of  Gunpowder, 
Lead,  and  Flints;  give  assurance  of  their  peaceable  dispo- 
sition and  neutrality,  and  invite  the  inhabitants  to  trade  with 
them  in  Gunpowder  and  Goods. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  two  hundred  weight  of  Gun- 
powder, with  an  adequate  supply  of  Lead  and  Flints,  be 
sent  as  a  present  to  those  Indian  Nations  by  this  State;  that 
Henry  Wisner,  Jun.,  Esq.,  be,  and  is  hereby,  authorized  to 
forward  the  said  Gunpowder,  Lead,  and  Flints,  to  the  said 
Indian  Chiefs. 

Colonel  De  Witt  informed  the  Convention  that  there  are 
a  number  of  Indians  in  some  parts  of  the  County  of  Ulster 
to  whom  it  would  be  good  policy  to  distribute  a  small  supply 
of  Gunpowder.  That  there  are  also  a  few  very  indigent 
persons  on  the  Delaware  who  are  very  hearty  friends  of  the 
American  cause,  but  that  they  are  destitute  of  Gunpowder, 
and  have  applied  to  the  Committee  of  Rochester,  and  to  the 
County  Committee  of  Ulster  County,  for  a  small  supply  of 
that  article,  which  could  not  there  be  furnished  to  them. 

Ordered,  That  seventy  weight  of  Gunpowder  be  delivered 
by  Henry  Wisner,  Jun., Esq.,  to  Na'pr  Arthur  Parks,  Dirck 
Wynkoop,  William  Peck,  and  Andrew  Stewart,  Esqs.,  or 
either  ol  them,  to  be  distributed  gratis  to  the  said  Indians  in 
Ulster  County,  and  to  such  indigent  friendly  inhabitants  of 
Ulster  County,  near  the  Susquehannah,  as  they  may  think 
proper. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wisner  and  Mr.  Gouverneur  Morris 
be,  a  Committee  to  prepare  and  report  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to 


War;  and  that  instead- of  Rations,  the  Captain  be  allowed 
sixteen  shillings,  the  Lieutenants  twelve  shillings,  and  the 
Non-Commissioned  Officers  and  Privates  seven  shillings  per 
week.  That  they  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Committee 
of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany,  and  in  their  absence 
the  Sub-Committee  of  the  City  of  Albany;  that  they  be  con- 
tinued in  the  said  service  until  the  first  day  of  December next, 
unless  sooner  discharged  by  this  or  a  future  Convention  or 
Legislature  of  this  State. 

Die  Mercurii,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  July  24,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Colonel   Brasher,   Mr. 

Dunscombe. 

ALBANY.— Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Blceckcr. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Tredwcll,  Mr.  Miller, 
Major  Smith,  Mr.  L'Hommcdieu,  Mr.  Dcaring,  Mr.  Gel- 
ston. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Major  Parks,  Colonel  De  Witt. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  London,  Mr.  Sackctt,  Mr.  H.  Schenck, 

Colonel  Hoffman. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Haviland,  Colonel  Gil. 

Drake,  General  Morris. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Van  Wyck,  Mr.  Samuel  Townshcnd,  Mr. 

James  Townshend,  Major  Lawrence,  Mr.  Wat.  Smith. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outivatcr,  Mr.  Wisner. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens. 
CHARLOTTE. — Major  Webster,  Mr.  Duer. 

On  reading  the  Report  of  the  Committee  of  Westchcster 
County,  which  was  read  and  filed, 

Ordered,  That  the  Keeper  of  the  Jail  of  Westchester 
County  do  discharge  Robert  Sutton  out  of  custody  on  ac- 
count of  any  order  of  detention  by  this  Convention. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Jeremiah  Wool  be  requested  to 
send,  by  the  first  safe  and  convenient  opportunity,  to  John 
McKesson,  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  this  Convention,  all  the 
papers  by  him  seized  and  taken  from  the  several  persons  of 


acquainting  them  of  the  said  presents,  and  of  the  i 
of  this  State  towards  them. 

And  also  a  Committee  to  report  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the 
Superintendents  of  Indian  Affairs,  to  cover  a  copy  of  the 
said  Letter  from  the  Indians,  and  of  the  Letter  in  answer 
thereto,  and  to  acquaint  them  of  what  has  been  ordered  by 
this  Convention. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  a  Committee  be 
appointed  to  inquire  into  and  report  what  Officers  were  in 
the  service  of  this  State  last  year  who  merit  the  further 
patronage  of  this  Convention,  and  to  devise  modes  of  pro- 
viding for  all  such  deserving  Officers  who  stood  forth  in 
defence  of  the  liberties  of  America  in  the  dawn  of  this 
dispute. 

Ordered,  That  General  Morris,  Colonel  Hoffman,  and 
Abraham  Yates,  Esq.,  be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  above 
mentioned. 

The  Convention  took  into  consideration  the  state  of  the 
Treasury.  After  sometime  spent  therein, 

•Your  Committee,  to  whom  the  consideration  of  making  such  amend- 
ments as  should  be  necessary  to  the  resolutions  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety  of  this  State,  of  the  17th  ol '  Jlpril  last,  for  encouraging  the  manu- 
facturing of  Saltpetre,  are  of  opinion,  that,  for  the  further  encouragement 
of  setting  up  that  necessary  manufacture  in  this  State,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  prolong  the  time  mentioned  in  the  said  resolution,  and  that  the 
several  Committees  appointed  by  the  said  resolution  be  empowered  and 
authorized  to  purchase,  on  account  of  this  Convention,  all  well  refined 
Saltpetre  that  shall  be  made  in  this  State,  and  offered  to  them  for  sale 
before  the  first  day  of  July  next,  at  the  rate  of  7s.  per  pound. 

That  the  several  Committees  appointed  to  purchase  Saltpetre  have 
liberty,  from  time  to  time,  to  draw  on  the  Treasurer  of  this  Stale  for 
such  sum  or  sums  of  money  as  they  stand  in  need  of  for  the  purpose  of 
purchasing  Saltpetre;  and  the  Saltpetre  so  purchased  be  sent  by  the  said 
Committees  to  any  Powder-Mill  or  Mills  in  this  State,  to  be  manufac- 
tured into  Powder,  taking  a  receipt  of  the  manufacturer,  or  his  agent,  for 


,.,  be  added  to  the  Committee  for  the  encour- 

n?ing  die  manufacturing  Saltpetre,  and  for  purchasing  the  same  in  Orange 

County. 

That  Ilmry  Wimer,  Jun.,  Esq.,  be  added  to  the  Committee  for  the 
encouragement  of  the  manufacture  of  Saltpetre,  and  for  purchasing  the 


^  R  ^^ 
miuee  for  lh='e  er,COMragement  of  the  manufacture  of  Saltpetre,  and  for 

purchasing  the  same  in  the  County  of  Dutches:. 


1437 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1438 


Resolved,  unanimously,  That  £200,000,  in  Bills  of  Credit, 
be  immediately  struck,  and  issued  for  the  pubiick  exigencies 
of  this  State.  And  that  Mr.Roosevc.lt,  Mr.  Bancker,  Colonel 
Brasher,  Mr.  Trcdwe.ll,  and  Mr.  Harper  be  a  Committee 
to  report  the  most  expeditious  and  useful  ways  and  means 
for  carrying  the  same  into  execution. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Comfort  Sands,  Esq.,  be, 
and  he  is  hereby,  appointed  Auditor-General  of  the  Publick 
Accounts  of  this  State  during  the  pleasure  of  this  Conven- 
tion ;  and 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Auditor-General  be  allowed  a 
salary  at  and  afler  the  rate  of  £300  per  annum  ;  to  be  paid 
to  him  quarterly. 

Resoloed,  That  Mr.  Gouvcrneur  Morris,  Mr.  Duer,  and 
Mr.  L' Hommedicu,  be  a  Committee  to  report  upon  the  mode 
of  auditing  and  passing  the  publick  Accounts  of  this  State, 
and  such  other  matters  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  regula- 
tion of  the  Treasury  of  this  State. 

Mr.  Diier  gave  notice  that  he  intended  to-morrow  to  move 
this  Convention  that  the  order  for  furnishing  two  hundred 
weight  of  Gunpowder  to  the  Indians  at  Onenhoghkwaga 
and  Tuscarora  be  reconsidered,  if  a  majority  of  the  Con- 
vention, pursuant  to  the  sixth  standing  rule,  consent  to  such 
motion;  and  he  moved,  secojided  by  Mr.  Abraham  Yates, 
that  the  sense  of  the  Convention  be  taken,  whether  he  .-hull 
be  permitted  to  make  such  motion.  Debates  arose  thereon, 
and  the  question  being  put,  it  was  determined  in  the  affirm- 
ative, in  manner  following,  to  wit: 


For  the  Affirmative. 
6  Albany. 
5  Duti'hess. 
2  Cumberland. 
8  New- York. 
2  Charlotte. 
4  UUter. 


For  the  Negative. 
4  Westcliester. 

3  Orange. 

4  Queen's. 
4  Suffolk. 

15  votes. 


27  votes. 

Therefore,  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Duer  have  leave  to  make 
such  motion  for  the  reconsideration  of  the  said  order. 

On  the  recommendation  of  the  Members  from  Cumberland 
County,  the  Convention  unanimously  agreed  10  appoint  Joab 
Hoisington,  Esq.,  to  be  Major  of  the  Rangers  to  be  raised 
in  the  Counties  of  Gloucester  and  Cumberland. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  prepare  a  draft  of  a  Com- 
mission for  him. 

Die  Mercurii,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  July  24,  1776. 
Present:  Brigadier-Genenil  Woodhull,  President. 

FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Duns- 
combe,  Colonel  Brasher. 

DUTCHESS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Mr.Landon. 

TRYON. — Mr. Moore, Mr. Harper,  Mr.Newkirk, Mr.  Veder. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates. 

WESTCH ESTER. — Colonel  Gil.  Drake,  Mr.  Haviland,  Mr. 
Tompkins.  Mr.  Mills. 

CHARLOTTE. — Major  Webster,  Mr.  Duer. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessio7is,  Colonel  Marsh,Mr.  Stevens. 

SUFFOLK. — Gen.  Woodhull,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  L'Homme- 
dicu,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Gelston. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Wisner,  Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Little. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Major  Parks,  Colonel  De  Witt. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,Mr.  James  Townshend, 
Mr.  Wat.  Smith. 
Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  do  advance 

the  following  sums  to  the  Deputies  of  the  different  Counties 

where  the  Rangers  are  to  be  raised — being  one-half  of  the 

Bounty  resolved  on  by  this  Convention  for  those  forces — 

taking  a  receipt  of  the  several  Deputies  of  each  County 

for  the  respective  sums  undermentioned,  to  wit: 

To  the  Deputies  ofMliany  County £  600 

To  the  Deputies  of  Tn/mi  County 960 

To  the  Depuiies  of  Cumberland  Connly,  for  the  Rangers,  to  )    j  OQQ 

be  raised  in  Gloucester  arid  Cumberland  Counties J 

To  the  Deputies  of  Ulster  County 9GO 

To  the  Deputies  at  Orange  County 2G5 

To  the  Deputies  of  Charlotte  County •     575 

£  4,560 


The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  into  two  charges 
against  Lieutenant-Colonel  James  Hammon — the  first,  that 
he  had  not  acted  uprightly  in  the  purchase  of  some  pork,  on 
account  of  this  State ;  and  the  other,  of  a  neglect  of  duty,  in 
that  evening  when  the  enemy's  ships  lately  proceeded  up 
Hudson's  River — reported  that  they  had  examined  all  the 


witnesses  which  appeared  or  were  brought  before  them,  as  to 
each  of  the  said  charges,  the  substance  of  whose  testimony 
they  reported. 

The  said  Committee  further  reported,  that  it  appears  to 
them  that  the  charges  exhibited  against  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Hamman  are  entirely  groundless;  and  that,  therefore,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel James  Hamman  ought  to  be  acquitted  from 
all  further  trouble  in  the  premises,  that  he  may  immediately 
return  to  his  duty. 

The  Evidence  given  to  that  Committee,  whereon  they 
founded  their  Report,  was  read  and  filed.* 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  agrees  with  their  Com- 
mittee in  the  said  Report. 

A  Petition  of  William  Eagles,  of  the  City  of  New-York, 
Carpenter,  setting  forth  his  services  to  his  country,  and  his 
skill  as  a  mechanick,  was  read;  he  thereby  prays  for  employ- 
ment. 

Resoloed,  That  Messrs.  Jay,  Robert  Livingston,  Yates, 
Tappen,  Gilbert  Livingston,  and  Paulding,  be  requested  to 
employ  the  said  William  Eagles,  agreeable  to  the  prayer  of 
his  petition,  or  in  any  other  way  wherein  they  may  find  him 
most  useful  to  this  State. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  devise  means  for  employing 
Mr.  James  Steuart  in  the  service  of  this  State,  delivered  in 
their  new  Report,  which  was  read ;  and  being  read  a  second 
time,  the  Convention  proceeded  to  hear  the  same  read  by 
paragraphs.  Several  paragraphs  were  read  and  amended. 
The  whole  afternoon  being  spent,  for  want  of  light  the 
further  consideration  thereof  is  deferred  till  to-morrow. 

The  Convention  having  this  day  appointed  Joab  Hoising- 

"The  Examination  of  the  Evidences  against  Colonel  HAMMAN,  t'n  respect  to 
his  behaviour  as  an  officer  on  the  evening  of  the  day  on  which  the  enemy's 
ships  came  to  anchor  iff  TAKRYTOWN,  in  this  County,  and  as  a  buyer  of 
pork  for  this  State. 

Lieutenant  Daniel  Martin,  being  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith,  That  upon 
seeing  the  fleet  drawing  near  Tairylown ,  the  12th  instant,  ordered  his 
Sergeant  to  warn  the  men — this  was  about  seven  o'clock;  that  said  Ser- 
geant afterwards  told  the  deponent  he  had  been  with  Colonel  Hammond 
to  warn  him,  and  that  thereupon  the  said  Colonel  mounted  Ins  horse 
and  set  out  directly  to  warn  Captain  Vermille;  that  the  said  Colonel  and 
a  brother  of  this  deponent  had  some  words,  as  the  deponent  heard  from 
some  of  the  men,  but  cannot  recollect  from  whom;  and  that  the  said  Colo- 
nel arrived  at  Tarrylown  between  twelve  and  one  o'clock  the  next  morn- 
ing, as  his  sai3  brother  informed  him.  And  further  this  deponent  saith 
not. 

Kitmuel  Purdie,  Jan.,  being  sworn,  deposeth,  That  Colonel  Hammond 
agreed  with  him  for  four  barrels  pork  at  £ 4  5s.  per  barrel.  That  after- 
wards the  said  Colonel  told  him  that  Colonel  Drake  was  dissatisfied  with 
the  bargain,  and  asked  him,  the  said  Colonel  Hammond,  if  he  did  not 
think  the  people  would  take  the  pork  again.  That  Hammond  said  he 
told  the  said  Drake  that  he  did  not  choose  to  go  about  to  countermand 
what  he  had  done,  for  that  he  knew  that  some  of  the  people  wanled  the 
money;  that  he  would  sooner  take  it  him-elf  than  do  so.  That  he,  the 
deponent,  afler  this,  delivered  the  said  pork  to  the  said  Colonel  Hammond. 
That  either  at  that  time,  or  some  time  before,  the  said  Colonel  told  the 
deponent  that  the  said  Colonel  Drake  had  wrote  to  him,  the  said  Ham- 
mond, for  a  number  of  prime  barrels  of  pork,  which  the  deponent  thinks 
he,  the  said  Hammond,  said  were  about  eight  in  number.  That  the  next 
day  after  the  said  Hammond  had  received  the  said  four  barrels  pork  from 
the  deponent,  he  told  the  said  deponent,  it  having  been  repacked,  that  he 
had  made  three  barrels  of  prime  pork  out  of  the  four  barrels  aforesaid, 
and  that  he  did  allow  the  deponent  but  £1  for  the  remaining  barrel. 
That  the  deponent  heard  others  call  the  said  repacker  of  the  said 
pork  by  the  name  of  Thomas  Hunt,  and  heard  him  say  that  he  was  au- 
thorized by  the  Congress  to  that  employment.  The  deponent  further 
saith,  that  he  was  present  when  the  said  repacker  was  repacking  the 
pork  of  James  Requaio,  and  that  he  saw  several  pieces  of  the  said  pork 
rejected  by  the  said  repacker,  and  that  afterwards  he,  the  deponent,  saw 
the  said  Requtiw  carrying  back  several  pieces  of  the  said  rejected  pork  in 
his  cart.  And  the  deponent  saith  that  he  heard  the  said  Colonel  Hammond 
say  to  the  said  Requaio,  that  he  would  as  soon  see  his  pork  repacked  as 
any  of  his  neighbours,  if  the  repacker  thought  it  would  do.  The  depo- 
nent further  saith,  that  he  saw  several  prime  pieces  of  pork  taken  by 
Joseph  Leggett,  while  the  said  Hunt  was  repacking  pork,  which  he,  the 
said  L'ggett,  had  sold  the  said  Hammond,  and  that"  the  deponent  did  not 
hear  the  said  Leggett,  or  any  other  person,  desire  the  said  packer  to  put 
in  any  pieces  into  the  barrels  but  whut  he  thought  proper;  nor  doth  he 
know  that  any  pieces  were  taken  out  of  any  of  the  said  barrels  after 
having  been  repacked. 

Jonathan  G.  Tompkins,  Esq.,  being  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith.That 
near  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  12th  instant,  he  called  at  Colonel 
Hammond's,  and  found  a  man  advising  him  to  warn  his  men  to  muster, 
for  the  enemy's  ships  were  coming  up  the  river.  The  said  Colonel 
asked  the  deponent  whether  ihe  report  was  a  matter  of  fact;  this  depo- 
nent told  him  it  was,  and  desired  said  Colonel  to  warn  his  officers  imme- 
diately. That  (he  Colonel  turned  to  a  certain  Justice  Deane,  and  bor- 
rowed his  horse,  and  set  off  directly  with  the  deponent,  without  so  much 
as  goin;  into  his  own  house  first,  to  warn  Captain  FermUier;  and  he, 
the  said  Colonel,  also  desired  the  aforesaid  man  to  warn  all  he  camo 
across,  and  that  they  should  influence  others  to  do  the  same.  That  the 
said  Colonel  informed  the  deponent  that  he  was  under  the  necessity  of 
ordering  the  people  to  meet  at  his  house,  as  he  had  the  ammunition  there; 
that  Captain  Rtquaw  was  sufficiently  warned,  being  in  a  field  from  which 
he  could  see  the  vessels  as  they  came  up.  That  the  deponent  parted  with 
the  said  Colonel  about  two  miles  from  the  river  where  the  road  strikes 
ofTto  Captain  Vermilier't.  That  the  said  Colonel  went  towards  the  said 
Captain's,  and  the  deponent  to  the  river  at  Tarrylown.  That  about  ten 


1439 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1440 


ton,  Esq.,  Major  of  the  Rangers  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties 
of  Gloucester  and  Cumberland,  a'  draft  of  a  Commission  for 
him  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
to  wit: 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York. 
"  To  JOAB  HOISINGTON,  Esq.,  greeting: 

"Whereas  this  Convention  did,  on  the  23d  day  of  July, 
instant,  direct  and  order  the  raising  and  imhodying  two 
hundred  and  fifty-two  men,  officers  included,  in  the  Counties 
of  Gloucester  and  Cumberland,  for  the  joint  defence  of  both 
Counties  and  of  the  neighbouring  Counties  and  States,  to  be 
divided  into  four  Companies,  to  be  under  the  command  of 
a  Major :  Now,  therefore,  we,  the  Representatives  of  the 
State  of  Aez<>-  York,  reposing  especial  trust  and  confidence 
in  your  patriotism,  martial  valour,  vigilance,  conduct,  and 
fidelity,  do,  by  these  presents,  constitute  and  appoint  you  to 
be  Major  of  the  said  four  Companies  of  Rangers,  so  to  be 
raised  as  aforesaid,  for  the  defence  of  American  liberty,  and 
for  repelling  every  hostile  invasion  thereof.  You  are,  there- 
fore, carefully  and  diligently  to  discharge  the  duty  of  Major, 
by  doing  and  performing  all  manner  of  things  thereunto 
belonging;  and  we  do  strictly  charge  and  require  all  officers 
and  soldiers  under  your  command  to  be  obedient  to  your 
orders  as  Major.  And  you  are  to  observe  and  follow  such 
orders  and  directions,  from  time  to  time,  as  you  shall  receive 
from  this  or  a  future  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York, 
or  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America,  or  Cotn- 
mander-in-Chief  for  the  time  being  of  the  Army  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  or  any  other  your  superior  officer,  accord- 
ing to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  war,  in  pursuance  of  the 
trust  reposed  in  you.  This  commission  to  continue  in  force 

o'clock  the  deponent  returned  to  the  said  Colonel's,  and  was  told  that  he 
hod  not  returned  since  he  had  set  out  with  the  said  deponent;  and  the 
deponent  believes  that  the  said  Colonel  was  active  in  collecting  his  men; 
and  further  saith  not. 

Captain  Bfnjamin  Vermilie  being  sworn,  deposeth  and  sailh,  That  on 
the  evening  of  the  12th  instant  Colonel  Hammond  came  to  his  house, 
early  in  the  evening,  and  gave  him  orders  to  warn  the  men  as  fast  as  he 
could.  After  the  said  deponent  had  warned  the  Corporal  to  acquaint 
the  Sergeants  to  come  down  to  Tarrytown,  this  deponent  went  to  Mr. 
rantassel'a,  and  found  the  Colonel  there  ;  that  scarcely  an  hour  afier  the 
deponent  with  the  Colonel  went  down  to  the  river;  but  the  hour  of  the 
night  he  could  not  tell,  as  he  had  no  watch. 

Pt ler  Jlllair,  clerk  to  Colonel  Hammond's  Regiment,  being  sworn,  de- 
poseth and  saith,  That  Colonel  Hammond's  son-in-law,  about  nine  o'clock, 
warned  him  to  turn  out  on  the  alarm;  that  he  went  to  alarm  some  men, 
then  returned  to  the  Colonel  and  charged  all  the  guns  there;  that  he  after- 
wards went  to  Vantassel's,  and  that  the  Colonel  was  there  before  him. 
And  the  deponent  believes  that  the  said  Colonel  made  no  unnecessary 
delay  in  going  down  to  Tarnjtoion;  the  time  of  night  he  knew  not. 

Lieutenant  Cornelius  Vanlasstl  being  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith,  That 
on  the  aforesaid  evening  he  went  to  the  house  of  Lieutenant  Martin, 
where  he  found  Colonel  Hammond,  about  one  or  two  o'clock,  and  found 
him  doing  his  best  to  prepare  and  forward  the  men  to  the  shore;  that  he, 
the  Colonel,  got  the  deponent  a  hat-full  of  cartridges  for  his  men,  who 
had  before  but  three  or  four  rounds  a  man;  and  that  said  Colonel  was 
busy  in  furnishing  others  with  cartridges  also. 

Joseph  Youngs  being  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith,  That  WMiam  Paul- 
ding,  Esq.,  told  the  Committee  of  this  place,  ( tf'estchtster,)  that  Colonel 
Hammond  had  been  warned  at  ten  o'clock  on  the  evening  the  enemy  ap- 
peared off  Tarrytown,  and  did  not  go  to  Tarrytown  till  ten  o'clock  the 
next  day;  but  the  deponent  going  down  to  the  said  town  found,  by  the 
information  of  credible  persons,  that  Colonel  Hammond  had  been  down 
at  about  one  in  the  morning;  and  further  saith  not  as  to  that  matter. 
That  he  was  present  when  Joseph  ]>rake  asked  Hammond  if  he  could 
purchase  him  some  pork;  the  Colonel  replied  he  could;  that  Hammond 
bought  some  by  Drake's  order,  who  told  him  he  allowed  him  to  give  £4 
and  £\  5s.  per  barrel  for  prime  pork.  After  he  had  bought  it,  Drake 
told  Hammond  the  Congress  would  not  allow  so  much,  and  asked  him 
whether  he  could  not  return  it  to  the  people  again.  Hammond  told  him 
he  could  not,  for  that  he  would  rather  lose  the  five  shillings,  young;  then 
advised  Hammond  to  keep  the  pork,  for  that  he  would  not  lose  by  it. 

Joseph  Leggett  doth  affirm,  That  he  was  present  when  Requato's  pork 
was  repacked  by  the  aforesaid  Hunt,  and  told  the  company,  of  which 
Colonel  Hammond  and  the  repacker  Hunt  were  two,  that  the  pork  was 
very  much  moulded;  and  that  lie  saw  the  said  repacker  put  several  pieces 
to  his  nose,  and  throw  them  aside;  but  did  not  see  or  learn  that  Colonel 
Hammond  gave  the  repacker  any  orders  or  instructions  about  the  said 
pork.  The  affirmant  further  saith,  that  in  his  opinion  the  said  pork  was 
not  merchantable;  that  he,  the  affirmant,  saw  Colonel  Hammond  cull  one 
barrel  of  pork  out  of  four  or  five,  but  that  the  remaining  three  were  good 
pork  and  merchantable. 

Martinvs  Van  Woart  being  sworn,  deposeth  and  saith,  That  he  sold 
Colonel  Hammond  five  barrels  pork;  that  he  was  present  at  repacking 
the  same;  that  the  said  Colonel  Hammond,  upon  a  door  which  he  had 
laid  down,  took  and  laid  the  prime  pieces  of  the  said  five  barrels;  that 
four  barrels  were  filled  by  the  repacker  Hunt;  and  that  a  barrel  was  filled 
with  part  of  the  prime  pork,  and  marked  by  the  repacker;  the  remainder 
of  the,  said  prime  pieces  of  pork  the  deponent  took  back;  and  also  that 
he,  the  deponent,  heard  the  repacker  commend  the  whole  of  the  said 
pork  as  he  was  repacking  it;  and  that  he  does  not  know  whether  Ham- 
mond took  the  said  barrel  prime  pork  to  himself  or  not. 

From  the  foregoing  evidences  it  appears  to  this  Committee  that  the 
charges  exhibited  against  Colonel  Hamman,  both  in  regard  to  the  affair 
of  the  pork  and  neglect  of  duty  as  an  officer,  are  entirely  groundless; 
and  that  therefore  the  said  Colonel  ought  to  be  acquitted  from  all  further 
trouble  on  these  accounts,  and  returned  to  his  Regiment  immediately. 
July  24,  177C. 


until  the  end  of  the  present  war,  unless  sooner  revoked  by 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America,  or  the  Con- 
vention or  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New-York. 

"  Dated  at  White-Plains,  in  Westchcster  County,  the 
twenty-fourth  day  of  July,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
seventy-six. 

"  By  order  of  the  Convention." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Commission  be  engrossed 
and  signed  by  the  President,  and  countersigned  by  one  or 
both  of  the  Secretaries,  and  delivered  to  the  said  Major  Joab 
Hoisington. 

Thursday  Morning,  July  25,  1776. 

The  Congress  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Brigadier-General  JVoodhuU,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancktr,  Mr.  Dunscomb,  Mr.  Rut- 
gers, Mr.  Harper,  Colonel  Brasher. 
FOR  ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yatcs,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
FOR  SUFFOLK. — Gen.  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  L'Homme- 

dieu,  Mr.  Gelston.  Mr.  Trcdivell. 
FOR  ULSTER. — Mr.  Contine,  Major  Parks. 
FOR  QUEEN'S. — Mr.  James  Townscnd,  Mr.  Samuel  Town- 

shend,  Mr.  Smith. 
FOR   DUTCHESS. — Colonel    Hoffman,   Mr.    London,   Mr. 

Socket. 

FOR  ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Wisner. 
FOR  WEST-CHESTER. — General  Morris,  Mr.  Morris,  Mr. 

Mills,  Mr.  Haviland,  Mr.  Tompkins. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Newkirk,  Mr.  Harper. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Ducr,  Mr.  Webster. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Marsh,  Mr.  Sessions. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  and  Zepha- 
niah  Plait,  Esq.,  dated  at  Peekskill,  on  the  23d  instant,  was 
read  and  filed. 

They  thereby  inform,  that  by  a  Council  of  War  held  at 
Fort  Montgomery,  it  was  agreed  that  three  hundred  men 
wijl  be  a  sufficient  guard  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  River, 
from  Anthony's  Nose  to  Croton.  That  the  New-England 
forces  will  depart  on  Saturday  next,  and  request  that  such 
of  the  new  levies  as  are  raised  may  be  on  the  ground  by  that 
time.  That  in  order  to  discharge  the  subsistence  of  the  men 
and  horses  and  other  necessary  expenses,  they  want  immedi- 
ately £600,  and  request  that  sum  to  be  paid  to  the  bearer, 
John  Levinus. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  do  pay  to 
John  Levinus  the  sum  of  £600,  for  the  use  of  Colonel 
Pierre  V.  Cortlandt  and  Captain  Zephaniah  Platt,  agree- 
able to  their  request,  for  discharging  the  subsistence  of  the 
Troops  who  have  been  attending  on  duty  on  the  east  side 
of  Hudson's  River  with  their  horses,  and  such  other  expenses 
as  have  accrued  and  they  choose  to  discharge  in  that  ser- 
vice ;  and  that  the  Treasurer  take  a  receipt  of  the  said  John 
Levinus  for  that  sum. 

Ordered,  That  Brigadier-General  Morris  command  that 
the  men  draughted  from  the  Militia  in  his  Brigade  be  marched 
immediately  to  the  mouth  of  Croton  River,  to  perform  duty 
and  be  under  the  command  of  the  officer  or  officers  com- 
manding the  American  troops  and  Militia  there. 

And  Ordered,  That  Captain  Townshend,  of  Ji'estchester 
County,  return  to  duty  with  his  Company,  at  the  mouth  of 
Croton  River,  and  such  places  adjacent,  as  such  Command- 
ing Officer  as  aforesaid  shall  direct. 

A  draft  of  an  Answer  to  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and 
Captain  Platt  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  to  wit: 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  I  am  directed  to  inform  you,  that,  agree- 
able to  the  request  of  your  letter  of  the  23d  instant,  which 
was  this  day  delivered,  the  Convention  have  issued  an  order 
upon  the  Treasury  for  the  sum  of  £600,  to  be  paid  to  John 
Levinus,  and  to  be  accounted  for  by  you;  and  that  they 
have  further  given  orders  to  General  Morris  for  marching 
those  men  draughted  from  his  Brigade,  and  also  that  Cap- 
tain Townshend  march  with  his  Company  to  the  mouth  of 
Croton  River  immediately. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient 
servant. 
"  To  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  and  Zephaniah  Platt,  Esq." 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  Balthazar  De  Hart  was  read  and 
filed.  He  therein  sets  forth,  that  he  had  served  his  country 


1441 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1442 


last  campaign  as^an  officer,  with  much  fatigue  and  diligence ;    Livingston's  Regiment,  delivered  in  their  Report,  which  was 

read ;  and  the  same  being  read,  paragraph  by  paragraph,  and 
amended,  was  agreed  to,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Jame.s  Stewart  is  deserving  a 
Captain's  Commission  in  the  service  of  this  State,  and  that 
a  Warrant  be  immediately  given  to  him  to  raise  a  Company 
with  all  possible  despatch. 

That  the  said  Company  ought  to  consist  of  Scotch  High- 
landers, or  as  many  of  them  as  possible,  and  that  they  serve 
during  the  war,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  this  Convention, 
or  a  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

That  the  said  Company  shall  consist  of  one  Captain,  one 
Lieutenant,  one  Ensign,  four  Sergeants,  four  Corporals,  one 
Drum,  one  Fife,  and  not  less  than  sixty-two  Private?. 

That  a  Bounty  of  fifteen  dollars  be  allowed  to  each  Non- 
Commissioned  Officer  and  Private. 

That  they  be  entitled  to  Continental  Pay  and  Rations,  and 
subject  to  the  Continental  Articles  of  War,  till  further  orders 
from  this  Convention  or  a  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

That  the  said  James  Stewart  shall  not  receive  pay  as  a 
Captain  until  he  shall  have  returned  to  this  Convention,  or 
a  future  Legislatare  of  this  State,  a  regular  muster-roll,  upon 
oath,  of  thirty  able-bodied  men,  duly  inlisted. 

That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention  be  ordered  to 
advance  to  the  said  James  Stewart  £144,  in  order  to  enable 
him  to  advance  the  bounty  to  those  he  may  inlist,  taking  his 
receipt  to  account  for  the  same  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  State. 

That  as  soon  as  the  said  James  Stewart  shall  have  re- 
turned to  this  Convention,  or  a  future  Legislature  of  this 
State,  a  regular  muster-roll  of  thirty  able-bodied  men,  duly 
inlisted,  certifying  that  the  said  men  have  been  mustered, 
in  the  presence  of  a  person  to  be  appointed  by  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany, 
or  of  a  person  to  be  appointed  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  the 'City  and  County  of  New-York,  that  then,  and 
not  before,  the  said  James  Stewart  shall  be  authorized  to 
draw  upon  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  and 
County  of  Albany  for  the  further  sum  of  £100,  in  order 
that  he  may  be  enabled  to  proceed  in  his  inlistment,  giving 
his  receipt  to  account  for  the  same  to  the  Treasurer  of  this 
State ;  and  that  when  the  said  James  Stewart  shall  have 
duly  inlisted  and  mustered,  in  the  presence  of  a  person  to  be 
appointed  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  City 
and  County  of  Albany,  the  whole  of  his  Company,  or  as 
many  as  he  can  inlist,  that  then  he  shall  be  entitled  to  re- 
ceive of  the  said  Chairman  of  the  County  Committee  the 
remaining  proportion  of  bounty  due  to  the  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  privates  which  he  shall  have  inlisted. 

That  if  the  said  James  Stewart  shall  not  be  able  to  com- 
plete the  inlistment  of  this  Company,  that  he  shall  make  a 
report  of  the  same,  with  all  despatch,  to  the  President  of 
this  Convention,  or  to  a  future  Legislature,  who  will  either 
order  his  Commission  to  issue,  or  make  such  further  provision 
for  his  trouble  in  recruiting  as  the  equity  of  the  case  shall 
require. 

That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention  be  ordered  to  remit 
into  the  hands  of  John  Barclay,  Esquire,  of  the  City  of 
Albany,  the  sum  of  £288,  on  or  before  the  last  day  of 
December  next,  in  order  to  enable  him  to  make  unto  the 
said  James  Stewart  the  disbursements  aforesaid. 

That  the  said  James  Stewart  shall  be  authorized  to  engage 
to  each  man  the  sum  of  7*.  per  week,  billeting  money,  till 
such  time  as  further  provision  is  made  for  the  subsistence  of 
his  recruits. 

That  the  said  Company,  when  raised,  shall  be  either 
employed  as  an  independent  Company,  or  incorporated  into 
any  Battalion  as  to  this  Convention,  or  to  a  future  proper 
authority  of  this  State,  shall  appear  advisable. 


that  he  is  ready  to  continue  his  services  to  his  country,  and 
requests  to  be  further  em  ployed  in  some  military  department. 
Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  be  referred  and  delivered 
to  the  Committee  appointed  to  report  a  method  of  employ- 
ing the  Officers  who  served  with  reputation  last  year  and 
are  now  unemployed. 

A  Member  informed  the  Convention  that  Balthazar  DC 
Hart  could  give  useful  information  as  to  many  disaffected 
persons  at  Shrewsbury,  who  keep  up  a  communication  with 
the  enemy : 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wisner  and  Mr.  L'Hommedieu  be  a 
Committee  to  examine  Mr.  Balthazar  De  Hart  as  to  such 
disaffected  persons  and  communication  with  the  enemy  as 
he  knows  or  can  give  information  of. 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  Andrew  Adams,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Litchfield,  dated  the  22d  instant,  was  read 
and  filed,  and  is  as  follows : 

"Litchfield,  July  22,  1776. 

"Sin:  The  Committee  of  this  town  have  duly  received, 
by  the  hand  of  Abraham  Depeyster,  Esq.,  your  letter  of 
18th  instant,  together  with  twelve  prisoners  sent  here  to  be 
confined  in  our  jail.  The  Committee,  sensible  of  the  situa- 
tion of  the  State  of  New-York,  and  grateful  for  the  good 
opinion  you  express  of  our  zeal  in  the  common  cause,  are 
entirely  willing  to  give  all  possible  aid  in  our  power  to  a 
neighbour  State.  But  the  situation  of  our  jail  in  this  town 
is  such  at  present,  having  on  hand  near  forty  prisoners  of 
war,  a  number  of  which  we  are  obliged  to  keep  confined, 
besides  six  other  prisoners  sent  here  from  Fairfield  and 
Dutchess  Counties  to  close  confinement,  for  disaffection  to 
the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
corresponding  with  the  enemy,  &ic.,  together  with  a  number 
of  other  criminals  for  various  crimes,  all  to  be  confined 
in  two  very  uncomfortable  rooms — the  whole  jail  consist- 
ing of  but  three,  one  of  which  is  occupied  by  a  woman, 
confined  for  murder, — that  renders  the  confinement  of  those 
prisoners  in  this  jail  incompatible  either  with  the  publick 
safety,  or  even  with  the  safety  of  the  prisoners'  lives,  some 
of  whom  are  now  sick.  We  have,  however,  received  them 
for  the  present,  trusting  that,  upon  the  above  information, 
your  Convention  would  think  their  immediate  removal  abso- 
lutely necessary,  to  which  their  earliest  attention  is  requested, 
as  our  jail  is  not  sufficient  for  the  prisoners  we  before  had, 
besides  others  expected  from  within  this  County.  For  the 
above  reasons,  Mr.  Depeyster  has  not  committed  to  our  care 
the  Mayor  of  your  city,  hut  has  taken  for  him  private  lodg- 
ings, under  the  care  of  a  particular  gentleman,  for  his  safe 
custody,  until  he  can  know  your  pleasure  in  the  premises. 
To  him  we  beg  leave  to  refer  you  for  further  particulars ;  and 
are,  with  great  respect,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servants. 

"  Signed  by  order.          ANDREW  ADAMS,  Chairman." 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  London,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu,  and 
Mr.  Wisner,  be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  state  of  the 
Prisoners  lately  sent  to  Litchfield,  and  to  report  what  may 
be  necessary  to  be  done  in  their  case. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Hoffman  and  Captain  Rutgers 
proceed  to  Harlem,  and  make  proper  inquiry  whether  this 
Convention  can  be  there  properly  accommodated  with  con- 
venient lodgings. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  William 
Harper,  Mr.  Wisner,  and  Mr.  Contine,  be  a  Committee  to 
reconsider  whether  any  and  what  quantity  of  Gunpowder 
shall  be  sent  to  the  Indians  at  Onenhoghkwaga  and  Tusca- 
rora,  and  in  what  manner. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Gelston  and  Mr.  Smith  of  Suffolk 
County,  be  added  to  the  late  Committee  appointed  to  report 
the  best  method  for  encouraging  the  manufacture  and  import- 
ation of  Salt. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Robert  Harper  and  Colonel  Brasher 
be  a  Committee  to  prepare  and  report  a  draft  of  a  peremptory 
Resolution,  that  the  Committee  of  Albany  return  to  this  Con- 
vention a  copy  of  their  Proceedings  against  Abraham  Cuyler, 
Henry  Cuyler,  Stephen  DeLancey,  John  Duncan,  Benjamin 
Hilton,  and  John  Monier,  whom  the  said  Committee  have 
sent  prisoners  to  Hartford,  in  Connecticut. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  and 


Die  Jovis,  5  ho.  P.  M.,  July  25,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Bancker. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Aim.  Yates. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,   Mr.   Gelston,  Mr.  Smith, 

Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer,  Major  Webster. 
DDTCHESS. — Mr.  Landon. 


report  the  most  proper  mode  for  employing  in  the  service  of   WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Gen.  Morris,  Mr.  Tompkins. 
this  State  Mr.  James  Stewart,  late  Lieutenant  in  Colonel    QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Wat.  Smith. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


91 


1443 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1444 


ORANGE. — Mr.  JVisner,  Mr.  Outvoter. 
THYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper. 

Mr.  Gomerneur  Morris  informed  the  Convention  that 
sundry  Pilots  have  lately  gone  off  and  disappeared. 

Sundry  Affidavits,*  with  respect  to  inimical  declarations 
and  threats  used  by  William  Sutlon  and  his  son  John  Sut- 

*!N  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  15,  1776. 

Mr.  came  before  this  Committee,  and  made  oath  that  H'iitinm 

Button  did,  about  fourteen  days  ago,  at  the  house  of  Mcholas  Morrell,  at 
Jtfomoi-onecfc,  declare,  in  the  presence  of  this  deponent  and  James  Reynolds, 
cabinet-maker,  of  Wete- Fork,  and  several  others,  whose  names  this  depo- 
nent docs  not  at  present  recollect,  that,  in  case  independency  was  declared 
by  the  Continental  Congress,  there  were  three  Colonels  in  the  service  that 
would  join  the  Ministerial  Army;  and  further  says  not. 

By  order  of  the  Committee:  JOHN  THOMAS,  Chairman. 

William  Sutton,  being  examined  by  the  Committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  says:  That  he  wns  at  first  for  choosing  a  Congress,  &c.,  and 
afterwards  opposed  it,  and  protested  against  it;  that  his  reasons  for  his 
change  of  conduct  was,  his  hearing  that  the  Assembly  had  taken,  or  was 
about  to  take,  the  matter  into  consideration.  That  he  had  received  several 
letters  from  Judge  Jones,  but  that  there  was  not  a  word  of  politicks  in 
either  of  them;  that  he  had  never  received  any  letter  from  any  of  the  I)e- 
lanceys,  except  one  from  James  Delancey,  enclosing  the  Protest  against 
choosing  Deputies.  That  several  people  went  on  board  the  Governour's 
ship,  while  he  (the  said  Sutton)  was  there  with  his  boat,  amongst  whom 
were  Janus  Horton,  Esq. ,  Captain  Ebenezer  Shield,  one  Holmes,  of  Cort- 
landl's  Manor,  Gabriel  Punhj,  Isaac  Gidney,  and  several  of  the  Haineses. 

That  Governour  Tryon  said,  from  what  he  heard,  he  expected  that 
there  would  be  friends  of  Government  enough,  with  the  forces  that  would 
come;  that  the  friends  of  Government  would  be  protected.  That  he  never 
received  any  letter  from  Wilkins  or  Seabury;  that  none  of  the  Velanceys 
have  ever  endeavoured  to  influence  him  to  take  the  part  he  has  done. 

Captain  Richie,  being  asked,  says  he  never  saw  a  letter  from  Wilkins 
and  Seabury  to  William  Sutton. 

IN  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  23,  1776. 

William  Sutton,  being  examined  before  this  Committee  relative  to  the 
charge  laid  against  him,  (dated  12th  instant,)  utterly  denies  the  same, 
.excepting  that  Governour  Tryon  told  him  that  when  the  fleet  arrived 
there  would  be  a  proclamation  published,  declaring  all  those  Rebels  who 
would  oppose  their  measures,  and  all  those  who  would  come  into  them 
should  have  a  pardon;  that  the  Governour  further  told  him  that  there 
would  be  some  shipping  sent  into  the  Sound. 

In  respect  to  the  second  charge,  he  says  that  he  might  have  said  that 
there  would  be  three  or  four  Colonels  that  would  revolt  and  oppose  inde- 
pendency in  case  it  was  declared,  but  does  not  know  their  names.  But 
it  appears  to  this  Committee  that  said  Sulton  either  knows  who  they  are, 
or  the  person  who  gave  him  the  information,  but  declines  to  discover 
them.  By  order  of  the  Committee: 

JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Quintan. 

IN  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  23,  1776. 
Mr.  appeared  before  this  Committee,  and  maketh  oath  that 

William  Sutton  did,  about  fourteen  days  ago,  at  the  house  of  Nicholas 
Morrel,  declare,  in  the  presence  of  this  deponent,  James  Reynolds,  and 
several  others,  whose  names  this  deponent  does  not  at  present  recollect, 
that  in  case  independency  was  declared  by  the  Continental  Congress, 
there  were  three  Colonels  in  the  service  who  would  join  the  Ministerial 
party.  By  order  of  the  Committee: 

JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

The  above  deponent  is  a  man  of  good  character,  and  well  known  to 
this  Committee;  and  if  the  Congress  requests  to  have  him  before  them, 
his  name  shall  be  given  up  to  them.  By  order  of  the  Committee  of 
Safety:  JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

IN  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  23,  1776. 
John  Sutton,  being  examined  before  this  Committee,  declares  that  the 
charge  alleged  against  him  is  groundless;  that  he  might  have  said  the 
Regulars  would  land  between  Mamaroneck  and  Horseneck;  but  if  he  did 
say  it,  that  was  only  an  opinion  of  his  own.  By  order  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  Safety:  JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

IN  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  23,  1776. 
James  Horton,  being  called  before  this  Committee,  by  order  of  the 
Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York,  and  being  examined  respecting 
his  saying  "that  he  was  sure  that  the  Ministerial  Army  would  conquer 
us,  and  that  matters  would  soon  be  settled,"  says,  that  he  might  have 
made  use  of  such  words,  but  does  not  recollect,  that  he  did;  that  he  had 
no  design  or  reason  for  saying  so,  only  that  the  fate  of  war  was  uncer- 
tain; and  further  says,  that  he  never  knew  of  any  conspiracy  whatever 
against  the  United  Stales  of  America.  And  whereas  it  has  been  reported 
that  he  went  on  board  of  the  Governour's  ship  and  swore  a  new  alle- 
giance to  the  King:  voluntarily  declares,  under  oath,  that  he  never 
swore  allegiance  since  he  was  first  qualified  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace; 
and  the  only  reason  he  had  for  going  on  board  the  Governour's  ship 
was,  that  he  heard  William  Sutton  (who  was  then  on  board)  was  going 
to  England,  and  that  he  had  business  of  a  private  nature  to  settle  with 
said  BUtto*.  By  order  of  the  Committee: 

JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 

This  Committee  prays  that  the  Congress  would  take  Mr.  Morion's 
case  into  consideration  as  soon  as  possible. 

IN  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  FOR  THE  COUNTY  OF  ] 

WESTCHESTER,  July  24,  1776. 

Benjamin  Lyons,  of  the  \Vhite-Plain,  being  a  man  of  repute,  and  a  mem- 
ber of  this  Committee,  being  sworn  on  the  lioly  Evangelist  of  Almighty 
God,  deposeth  and  saith,  that  he  was  coming  from  JVew-  Fork  in  a  boat, 
some  time  last  March,  as  near  as  the  deponent  can  recollect  the  time, 
•when  Joseph  Bull  was  in  company  at  the  same  time;  and  a  dispute  arising 
between  the  deponent  and  said  Bull  respecting  the  propriety  or  impro- 
priety of  independency,  when  the  said  Bull  declared  to  the  deponent 
that  when  independency  was  set  up,  he  (the  said  Bull)  would  meet  the 
deponent  in  the  field  of  death;  and  further  the  deponent  saith  not. 

BENJN.  LYON. 

•    Sworn  before  this  Committee  the  day  and  year  as  above. 

By  order  of  the  Committee:          JOHN  THOMAS,  Jun.,  Chairman. 


ton,  taken  before  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Westchenter 
County,  together  with  the  Examinations  of  the  said  Jl'illinm 
Sutton  and  John  Sutton,  were  received  from  the  said  Com- 
mittee, and  read  and  filed. 

It  thereby  appearing  to  this  Convention  that  the  said 
William  Sutton  and  John  Sutton  are  boll)  persons  whose 
goin<r  at  lar|re  mi<>ht  endanger  the  liberties  of  America: 

O  O  O  Of  PI 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety  of 
71  'cstchestcr  County  be  requested  to  have  them,  respectively, 
confined  in  safe  custody. 

Major  Webster  mentioned  to  the  Convention  sundry  cir- 
cumstances relating  to  the  forsvarding  of  money  for  the 
raising  of  Rangers  in  Charlotte  County,  and  other  matters 
relating  to  the  publick  service,  which  require  his  going  to 
that  County ;  that  he  will  return  speedily,  or  send  clown 
another  Member  to  this  Convention,  and  requested  leave  of 
absence. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Webster  have  leave  of  absence, 
and  that  in  the  mean  time  Charlotte  County  be  considered 
as  represented  by  Mr.  Duer,  and  have  a  voice  in  this  Con- 
vention as  usual. 

The  Convention  were  informed  that  a  certain  Henry 
Chase*  has  been  committed  to  the  Jail  at  White-Plains,  by 
an  order  from  the  Mayor. 

Die  Veneris,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  July  26,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhutl,  President. 

FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Bancker,  Col.  Bra- 
sher, Mr.  Dunscomb. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  L'Homme- 
dieu,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  Dealing. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  DC  Wit,  Mr.  Routine,  Major  Park. 

DCTCHESS. — Mr.  London. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Mills,  Mr.  Morris. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Wisner,  Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Little. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Toivnshend,  Mr.  James  Townshcnd, 
Mr.  Wat.  Smith. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens. 

TKYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

Ordered,  That  seven  thousand  five  hundred  weight  of 
Lead  be  supplied  and  delivered  by  Colonel  Gurtenau  to 
Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens,  and  Mr.  Sessions,  or  either  of 
them,  for  the  use  of  the  Rangers  and  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Counties  of  Gloucester  and  Cumberland,  and  that  Mr.  Rich- 
ard Norwood,  Commissary  to  deliver  stores,  deliver  to  the 
said  Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens,  and  Mr.  Sessions,  or  either 
of  them,  two  thousand  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the  same 
Rangers  and  inhabitants. 

And  Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  pay  to  the  said  Colo- 
nel Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens,  and  Mr.  Sessions,  on  their  receipt, 
the  sum  of  £70,  to  enable  them  to  transport  the  said  Lead 
and  Flints  to  the  Committees  of  the  Counties  of  Gloucester 
and  Cumberland,  and  th;it  Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens,  and 
Mr.  Sessions,  the  Deputies  in  this  Convention  from  Cumber- 
land County,  be  accountable  for  the  expenditure  of  that 
money. 

Mr.  Wisncr  brought  in  (according  to  order)  the  Testimony 
of  Balthazar  De  Hart,\  Esq.,  which  was  read  and  filed. 

It  thereby  appears  that  the  inhabitants  at  Deal,  Monmouth, 

*  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  25,  1776. 

We,  the  humble  petitioners,  now  are  confined  in  Jail  upon  suspicion, 
without  money  or  friends.  We  beg  you  will  bestow  your  charity  upon 
US-  HENRY  CHASE,  JOHN  SMITH, 

JOHN  CAMERON,    JOHN  THOMAS. 
To  the  Honourable  Congress. 

\The  Examination  of  BALTHAZAR  DE  HAERT,  of  the  County  O/OHANGE, 
Attorney  at  Law,  who  has  for  some  time  past  been  in  SHREWSBURY,  in 
MONMOUTH  County,  in  NEW-JERSEY. 

He  saith,  that  when  he  left  Shrncsbtiry,  as  he  conceives,  far  the  greatest 
part  of  that  place  was  inhabited,  or  rather  infested,  with  Tories  or  per- 
sons disaffected  to  the  common  cause  of  America,  and  lhai  he  has  under- 
stood, from  information,  that  their  disaffection  has  been  greatly  increased 
by  a  number  of  persons  who  have  gone  from  the  city  of  Aim- Fork  there, 
and,  us  he  has  understood,  secretly  labour  to  deceive  the  lower  set  of 
people,  the  higher  being  almost  all  disaffected ;  that  he  knows  that  Joseph 
Warden,  John  Corlie3,  and  George  Mien,  went  the  week  before  last,  or 
last  week,  to  General  Howe's  camp,  on  Stolen- Island,  after,  as  they  pre- 
tended, two  negroes  who  had  run  away  from  William  Kipping  and  the 
said  John  Corltes;  that  they  slaid  some  time  there;  that  this  examinant 
has  been  informed,  and  indeed  believes,  that  those  three  persons  are  dis- 


1445 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1446 


County,  of  New-Jersey,  are  disaffected  ;  that  sundry  persons 
therein  named  have  had  some  correspondence  with  the  enemy 
as  therein  mentioned,  and  that  several  suspicious  characters 
from  New-York  are  in  Monmouth  County: 

Ordered,  That  three  copies  thereof  be  prepared,  one  to 
be  sent  to  General  Washington,  another  to  the  Convention 
of  New-Jersey,  and  a  third  to  the  Committee  of  Monmnuth 
County,  and  that  Mr.  Ducr  and  Mr.  Morris  report  Letters 
to  accompany  the  same. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Letter  from  the  Ouenhogh- 
kuaga  and  Tuscarora  Indians  to  Mr.  Wisner  was  referred, 
reported,  that  it  is  their  opinion  that  Mr.  Wisner  be  required 
to  answer  said  Letter,  and  in  his  answer  to  inform  them  that 
he  makes  them  a  present  of  seventy  pounds  of  Gunpowder, 
one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  Lead,  and  one  hundred  and 
fifty  Flints,  and  that  he  hopes  it  will  not  be  long  before  we 
will  be  enabled  to  supply  them  in  a  way  of  trade  with  any- 
thing they  may  stand  in  need  of;  and  that  Mr.  Wisner  charge 
this  Convention  with  the  said  Gunpowder,  Lead,  and  Flints, 
and  the  expense  of  necessary  transportation. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  Convention  agrees  with 
their  Committee  in  the  said  Report. 

The  President  informed  the  Convention  that  Mr.  Fred- 
erick Jay,  from  the  Committee  of  the  White-Plains,  has 
applied  to  him,  and  says  that  Captain  Townshcnd's  Com- 
pany has  always  been  considered  as  under  the  direction  of 
the  said  Committee,  and  that  they  have  speedy  occasion  for 
them. 

The  Convention  took  the  same  into  consideration,  and 
are  of  opinion  that  Captain  Townshend  should  leave  a  Ser- 
geant and  six  men  to  guard  the  Court-House,  and  the  residue 
of  the  Company,  on  account  of  the  present  danger  from  the 
enemy  in  Hudson's  River,  proceed  to  Hudson's  River. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  state  of  the 
Prisoners  lately  sent  to  Litchfield,  and  to  report  what  may 
be  necessary  to  be  done  in  their  case,  brought  in  their  Report, 
which  consisted  of  a  Letter  of  request  to  Governour  Trum- 
bull,  which  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  to  wit: 

"Sin:  I  am  directed  to  acquaint  you  that  this  Conven- 
tion lately  sent  thirteen  prisoners  from  New-  York  to  Litch- 
Jield,  in  your  Colony,  with  a  request  to  the  Committee  of 
that  County  to  secure  them  in  close  confinement.  We  were 
induced  to  take  this  measure,  as  we  esteemed  it  unsafe  to 
venture  such  persons  in  any  parts  of  this  State,  now  attacked 
by  the  enemy.  The  crimes  alleged  against  those  prisoners, 
and  the  disposition  we  requested  to.  be  made  of  them,  you 
will  see  by  the  enclosed  copy  of  our  letter  to  the  Committee 
of  Litchfield. 

"  The  Committee  of  Litchfield,  by  their  letter  of  the  22d 
instant,  the  copy  of  which  we  enclose,  informs  us  that,  from 
the  number  of  prisoners  already  confined  in  their  Jail,  it  is 
incompatible  with  the  publick  safety,  and  with  the  safety  of 
the  lives  of  those  prisoners,  to  keep  them  any  time  in  that 
Jail  where  they  are  now  confined,  and  desire  measures  may 
be  taken  for  their  immediate  removal. 

"  We  make  no  doubt  of  the  readiness  of  the  people  of 
your  Government  to  give  this  State  all  necessary  assistance 
in  securing  those  persons;  but  as  we  are  unacquainted  in 
what  proper  places  they  may  be  secured,  take  the  liberty  to 
request  your  Honour  that  you  will  be  pleased  to  give  orders 

affected,  and  heard  that,  for  that  very  reason,  the  negroes  were  delivered 
to  them  by  Howe's  order;  that  he  has  heard  that  they  had  a  long  conver- 
sation with  some  of  Howe's  officers.  And  further,  lie  saith,  that  he  was 
informed  by  Captain  Jacob  Dennis,  a  Militia  officer  that  had  been  ordered 
to  guard  Deal  shore  in  that  township,  that  he  could  scarce  persuade  a 
man  logo  there  with  him,  and  that  the  examinant  knows  that  his  brother, 
who  is  another  Militia  officer  there,  could  by  no  means  prevail  on  his 
men  to  go  to  defend  that  shore — (the  Whigs  telling  him  they  expected 
that,  if  they  went  there,  they  would  be  delivered  by  the  Tories  to  the 
enemy  on  their  landing;)  and  that  he  was  informed  by  the  said  Captain 
Dennis,  that  the  inhabitants  along  Deal  shore  told  him  they  did  by  no 
means  thank  him  for  guarding  them,  and  that  they  would  much  rather 
have  the  Regulars  than  the  Yankees  there.  And  he  (this  examinant) 
was  further  informed  by  the  said  Captain  Dennis,  that  there  were  some 
vessels  offeree  lying  off  Shark  River,  which,  he  supposed,  were  landing 
some  men  there  to  get  provisions,  as  he  observed  flat-bottomed  boats 
with  them.  And  further  this  examinant  saith,  that  he  saw  some  armed 
vessels  off  Deal  shore  last  Saturday,  and  observed  some  boats  which 
seemed  to  be  going  on  board  said  vessels,  and  that  he  verily  believes 
that  the  inhabitants  along  that  shore  have  communication  with  the  enemy. 
And  that  this  examinant  further  saith,  that  Isaac  Low,  William  Walton, 
Anthony  Van  Dam,  John  Roome,  William  Kipping,  Hulet,  a  dancing-master, 
with  a  number  of  other  persons  from  Ntw-  York,  are  there,  whoae  names 
this  examinant  does  not  recollect.  And  further,  this  examinant  saith 
not. 


for  the  removal  of  those  prisoners  to  such  secure  and  conve- 
nient places  in  your  Government  as  you  shall  judge  best. 

"  This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Abraham  Depeyster, 
Esq.,  who  will  give  you  a  particular  account  of  the  state  of 
the  prisoners,  and  will  be  ready  to  obey  any  orders  you  shall 
give  respecting  their  removal. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sic. 

"  His  Honour  Governour  Trumbull." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  (together  with  the  copies  of  the  Letters 
therein  mentioned)  transmitted  by  Mr.  Depeyster. 

The  same  Committee,  by  order,  prepared  at  the  table  a 
draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committee  at  Litchfield.  Being 
read  and  approved  of,  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  In  Convention,  &c. 

"GENTLEMEN:  Your  favour  of  the  22d  day  of  this  in- 
stant, informing  us  that  the  prisoners  sent  to  your  care  can- 
not be  confined  in  your  Jail  with  any  degree  of  safety  to 
their  lives,  has  been  duly  received. 

"  In  order  that  they  may  be  removed  as  soon  as  possible, 
this  Convention  have  requested  Governour  Trumbull  that 
he  will  give  orders  for  their  removal  to  such  places  in  your 
Government  as  he  shall  judge  safe  and  convenient. 

"  Mr.  Depeyster  will  hand  you  this,  who  has  orders  to 
settle  with  your  Committee  for  your  charge  of  subsisting 
those  prisoners  while  in  your  care. 

"I  am,  most  respectfully, &tc. 
"  To  Andrew  Adams,  Chairman,  and  the  Members  of  the 

Committee  of  Litchfield." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted  by  Mr.  Depeyster. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  advance  to 
Abraham  Depeyster,  Esq.,  as  Commissary  for  prisoners  sent 
into  Connecticut,  the  sum  of  £20,  on  his  receipt ;  the  said 
Abraham  Depeyster  to  be  accountable  for  the  same. 

Mr.  Duer,  according  to  order,  reported  the  two  following 
Letters,  which  were  read  and  approved,  viz: 

"A.  M.,  July  26, 1776. 

"  SIR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  transmit  to 
your  Excellency  a  copy  of  the  Examination  of  Balthazar 
De  Hardt,  relative  to  the  conduct  of  the  Tories  in  Mon- 
mouth County,  in  New-Jersey,  and  to  acquaint  you  that  we 
have  likewise  sent  duplicates  to  the  President  of  the  Con- 
vention of  the  State  of  New-Jersey,  and  to  the  Chairman  of 
the  Committee  of  Monmouth,  in  order  that  measures  may  be 
taken  for  preventing  the  pernicious  practices  of  such  parri- 
cides to  their  country.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
"  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

"  A.  M.,  July  26,  1776. 

"Sin:  I  am  directed,  by  the  Convention  of  this  State,  to 
transmit  to  the  Committee  of  your  County  the  Examination 
of  Balthazar  De  Hardt.  It  is  with  great  concern  that  they 
find  any  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Monmouth  so  lost  to 
every  principle  of  virtue  and  patriotism  as  to  aid  and  assist 
the  forces  of  the  tyrant  of  Great  Britain,  who  is  aiming  to 
stab  to  the  vitals  the  liberties  of  America.  As  yours  is  a 
maritime  County,  such  practices  will  be  peculiarly  perni- 
cious to  the  publick  cause.  We  doubt  not,  from  the  char- 
acter you  bear,  you  will  exert  yourselves  in  putting  a  stop 
to  all  communication  with  the  enemy,  and  in  punishing  such 
offenders.  I  am,  sir. 

"  To  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Monmouth  County, 
New-Jersty." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  each  of  the  said  Letters  be  en- 
grossed, and  signed  by  the  President,  and  transmitted,  with 
a  copy  of  the  Examination  of  Balthazar  De  Hart  enclosed 
in  each. 

Mr.  Duer,  from  the  same  Committee,  further  reported 
(according  to  order)  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  President  of 
the  Convention  of  New- Jersey,  to  cover  a  copy  of  the 
Examination  of  Balthazar  De  Hart;  which  was  read  and 
approved,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  viz: 

"A.M.,  July  26,  1776. 

"  SIR  :  I  am  directed,  by  the  Convention  of  this  State,  to 
transmit  to  the  honourable  body  over  which  you  preside,  the 
Examination  of  Balthazar  De  Hart.  We  have  sent  du- 
plicates to  General  Washington  and  the  Chairman  of  the 


1447 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1448 


Committee  of  the  County  of  Monmouth,  in  order  that  the 
most  effectual  measures  may  be  passed  for  preventing  any 
communication  with  our  tyrannical  enemy. 

"  The  Convention  are  sorry  to  observe  several  inhabitants 
of  this  State  hinted  at  in  this  examination.  Unfortunately 
for  the  safety  and  reputation  of  this  State,  too  many  of  its 
inhabitants  have  been  seduced  from  that  sacred  duty  which 
they  owe  to  their  country,  by  either  giving  countenance  and 
aid  to  our  enemies,  or  by  deserting  its  defence  at  this  dan- 
gerous crisis. 

"The  characters  of  these  persons,  we  confess,  are  equi- 
vocal ;  but  as  we  conceive  them  to  owe  allegiance  to  your 
State,  during  their  temporary  stay,  we  therefore  submit  to 
your  Convention  what  measures  it  will  be  most  proper  to 
pursue,  so  as  to  ensure  the  publick  safety.  I  am,  &z.c. 
"  To  the  Hon.  Samuel  Tucker,  Esq.,  President  of  the  New- 
Jersey  Convention." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted,  with  a  copy  of  the  Exami- 
nation of  Balthazar  De  Hart  therein  enclosed. 

Mr.  Robert  Harper,  from  the  Committee  appointed  for 
that  purpose,  delivered  in  their  Report*  relating  to  the  Troop 
of  Horse  of  Westchester  County,  which  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  thereof  be  postponed  till 
the  afternoon. 

Mr.  Robert  Harper,  from  the  Committee,  also  reported 
(according  to  order)  the  draft  of  a  Resolution,  to  be  sent  to 
the  Committee  of  Albany,  relating  to  Henry  Cuyler  and 
others,  by  them  sent  prisoners  to  Connecticut,  which  was 
read  and  filed.f  After  sundry  debates  thereon, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  deferred  till  to-morrow  se'nnight. 

Mr.  Harper  also  delivered  in  the  Report  of  the  Commit- 
tee for  preparing  a  plan  for  the  emission  of  Bills  of  Credit 
of  this  Colony,  to  the  amount  of  £200,000,  which  was  read, 
and  again  read  paragraph  by  paragraph. 

Ordered,  That  it  remain  for  further  consideration. 

William  Sutton  sent  in  a  Petition,  setting  forth  his  ill  state 
of  health,  and  requesting  a  release  from  confinement  in 
Prison.  J 

•WHITE-PLAINS,  July  26, 1776. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  present  state  of  the  Troop 
of  Horse  belonging  to  the  County  of  Wtslchesler ,  do  report,  that,  accord- 
ing to  the  evidence  they  have  had,  Samuel  Tredictll,  Captain  of  the  said 
Troop,  by  order  of  General  Morris,  was  applied  to  by  Colonel  Thomas 
to  furnish  five  men  for  reinforcing  the  Army  at  New-York,. which  number 
of  men  were,  by  order  of  Congress,  the  complement  required  from  the 
eaid  Troop,  ana  the  said  Tredwell  utterly  refused  to  comply  therewith, 
but  said  he  was  willing  to  march  with  his  whole  company  when  called 
upon : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  this  Convention  do  forthwith  cite  the  said 
Captain  Tredwell  to  appear  before  them  to-morrow  morning,  at  ten 
o'clock,  in  order  to  answer  for  his  said  conduct  as  aforesaid. 

And  Resolved  secondly,  That  if  the  said  Captain  Tredwell  doth  not  give 
full  satisfaction  to  this  Convention,  with  respect  to  his  conduct  as  above, 
that  the  said  Captain  be  immediately  cashiered. 

ROBERT  HARPUR,  CAoinnon. 

t  Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  of 
Jllbany  do,  upon  receipt  hereof,  send  to  this  Convention  a  copy  of  their 
proceedings  against  .//6m.  Cuyler,  Henry  Cuyler,  Stephen  Delancy,  John 
Duncan,  Benjamin  Hilton,  and  John  Monier,  and  also  of  the  misdemea- 
nors with  which  those  persons  stand  charged,  agreeable  to  a  resolve  of 
this  House  bearing  date  the  26th  of  June  last,  of  which  an  authentick 
copy  was  sent  to  the  said  Chairman,  but  to  which  no  answer  has  yet 
been  received  by  this  Convention. 

[This  did  not  pass.] 

J  The  Petition  of  WILLIAM  SUTTON,  now  confined  in  Jail.  To  the  honour- 
able Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  NEW-YORK,  most 
humbly  ahoweth : 

That  the  intelligence  or  report  spread  abroad  by  him  he  received  from 
the  Governour  at  the  time  he  was  down  with  the  shipping,  some  time 
last  fall;  that  he  has  not,  since  that  time,  received  any  letter  or  any  intel- 
ligence from  the  Governour,  of  any  kind,  on  any  subject  whatever;  that 
he  has  not  corresponded  with  any  person  or  persons  belonging  to  the 
Ministerial  Army,  either  before  or  since  that  time;  that  your  petitioner 
did  not  convey  to  the  honourable  Committee  his  meaning,  if  he  said,  on 
the  Declaration  of  Independency,  three  or  four  Colonels  would  revolt, 
as  he  only  meant  to  be  understood  they  would  lay  down  their  arms. 
Your  petitioner  begs  leave  to  mention  that  his  present  situation  is  ren- 
dered very  miserable  by  the  ill  state  of  body  he  labours  under,  having  for 
some  weeks  past  been  severely  handled  with  a  very  bad  cough,  and  for 
the  greatest  part  of  the  time  attended  with  a  fever;  and  as  it  produces 
something  of  the  phthisical  kind,  the  want  of  air  is  very  distressing. 
Your  petitioner,  therefore,  humbly  prays  that  the  honourable  Conven- 
tion would  indulge  him  to  return  to  his  family  and  business,  as  the  gen- 
tlemen of  the  Convention  must  be  very  sensible  how  inconvenient  it 
must  be  for  a  farmer  to  be  absent  at  this  busy  season.  Your  petitioner 
would  be  willing  to  give  any  security  for  his  remaining  on  his  own  (arm 
as  well  as  that  he  will  not  hold  any  correspondence  with  the  Ministerial 
Army,  their  aiders  or  abettors ;  that  he  will  not  influence,  or  endeavour 
to  influence  any  person  or  persons  to  aij  the  Ministerial  or  discourage 
the  American  arms.  Your  petitioner  humbly  prays  that  he  might  not 


Ordered,  That  Doctor  Graham  be  requested  to  visit  him, 
and  report  his  state  of  health  to  this  Convention  in  the  after- 


noon." 

Colonel  De  Witt,  with  consent  of  a  majority  of  the  votes 
of  the  Counties  here  represented,  gave  notice  that  he  in- 
tended to  move  for  a  reconsideration  of  the  order  for  draught- 
ing one-fourth  part  of  the  Militia  of  Ulster;  and  that  the 
Rangers  to  be  raised  in  that  County  may  be  considered  as 
a  part  of  the  said  one-fourth  part  of  the  Militia  of  the  said 
County. 

Die  Veneris,  3  ho.  P.  M.,  July  26,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhvll,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.Bancker,  Mr. Brasher, 

Mr.  Dunscombe. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleeckcr,  Mr.  Adgate. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stevens. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Mills,  Mr.  Ilaviland. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt.  Major  Parks,  Mr.  Contine. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  London. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Smith, 

Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  L' Hommedieu,  Mr.  Dearing. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Wisner,  Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,  Mr.  James  Townshend, 

Mr.  Wat.  Smith. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

Colonel  De  Witt  moved,  and  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Wis- 
ner,  that  the  Resolutions  passed  on  the  17th  instant,  relative 
to  the  draught  of  one-fourth  part  of  the  Militia,  and  the 
Resolution  relative  to  raising  Rangers,  so  far  as  it  respects 
the  Counties  of  Ulster  and  Orange,  be  reconsidered. 

Debates  arose  thereon,  and  after  much  time  spent  there- 
on, Mr.  DC  Witt,  with  leave  of  the  House,  withdrew  his 
motion,  as  being  inconsistent  with  the  sixth  Rule  of  this 
Convention. 

Mr.  Wisner  then  moved,  and  was  seconded,  that  the  Con- 
vention proceed  to  lake  into  consideration  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  for  making  amendments  to  the  Resolutions  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety  .for  making  Saltpetre,  which  passed 
27th  April  last. 

Debates  arose  thereon,  and  the  question  being  put,  it  was 
carried  in  the  negative,  in  the  manner  following,  to  wit: 

Fur  the  Affirmative.  For  the  Negative. 

3  Orange.  8  New-York. 

4  Suffolk.  2  Charlotte. 
4  Ulster.  4  Queen's. 
6  Albany.                                              3  Tryon. 

2  Cumberland. 
17  votes. 

19  votes. 
Dutchess  equally  divided. 

Therefore  the  said  motion  was  rejected. 

The  Memorial  of  Alexander  Stewart,^  praying  to  be  re- 
lieved from  service  in  the  Troops  in  which  he  has  been 
draughted,  was  read. 

be  farther  removed  from  his  family,  as  it  would  increase  his  anxiety  of 
mind,  and  naturally  retard  his  getting  rid  of  a  disorder  which,  if  not 
speedily  removed,  will  prove  fatal.  He  further  begs  leave  to  request 
the  honourable  House  would  take  into  consideration  the  extreme  youth 
of  his  son,  now  confined  with  him,  as  well  as  that  the  time  when  he  is 
charged  with  making  the  expression,  was  when  he  saw  his  father's  sub- 
stance wantonly  destroyed  by  flames,  and  grant  such  relief  as  they,  in 
their  wisdom,  shall  think  fit.  And,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

WILLIAM  SUTTON. 

•WHITE-PLAINS,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  According  to  the  desire  of  the  honourable  Convention,  I  have 
duly  examined  with  respect  to  the  indisposition  of  Mr.  William  Sutton. 
I  find  that  he  labours  under  a  violent  harassing  cough,  phthisick,  and 
disorder  of  his  lungs,  attended  with  universal  decay;  for  the  cure  of 
which,  or  even  to  preserve  him  from  imminent  danger  of  a  supervening 
consumption,  I  should  judge  it  necessary  that  he  have  a  free  air,  proper 
diet  and  exercise,  which,  in  the  present  situation  he  is  now  in,  cannot 
be  exhibited.  From,  gemlemen,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JNO.  AUGUSTUS  GRAHAM,  M.  D. 

To  Brigadier-General  Woodhull. 

]  To  the  honourable  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Stale  of  NEW- 
YORK:  The  Memorial  of  ALEXANER  STEWART  most  humbly  showeth: 
That  your  memorialist  came  to  New-York  in  December,  1774,  a  passen- 
ger, recommended  to  Messrs.  Mercer  Sf  Ramsay,  to  take  charge  of  a  ship  in 
the  Mediterranean  trade.  The  disturbance  then  being  so  great  between 
Great  Britain  and  the  Colonies,  your  memorialist  could  not  accomplish  his 
desires;  he  still  continuing  in  expectation  of  a  reconciliation,  waited  until 
an  opportunity  to  leave  the  Continent  and  return  to  his  country  and 
friends  was  cut  off,  except  by  stealth.  In  this  situation  your  memorialist 
remained,  without  pursuing  or  attempting  to  pursue  any  business,  except 
an  offer  made  by  Mr.  Grigg,  of  Horse-Neck,  who  was  about  to  employ 


1449 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1450 


Ordered,  That  the  said  Memorial  be  referred  to  Mr.  Duer, 
Mr.  BLecker,  and  Mr.  Wisner,  to  report  thereon. 

Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  Morris  be  requested 
immediately  to  furnish  this  Convention  with  a  report  of  the 
number  of  draughts  made  from  his  Brigade,  together  with 
the  number  and  condition  of  their  arms. 

Ordered,  That  General  Morris  be  immediately  furnished 
with  a  copy  of  the  aforegoing  Resolution. 

John  Thomas,  a  prisoner  in  Westchester  Jail,  who  says  he 
deserted  from  the  ship-of-war  named  the  Lively,  was  brought 
up  into  the  Convention  and  examined,  and  the  substance  of 
his  examination  is  as  follows,  viz: 

John  Thomas,  born  in  Old  England,  came  over  two  years 
ago;  that  he  was  pressed  on  board  a  ship-of-war, and  turned 
over  to  the  Lively;  was  at  the  battle  of  Bunker's  Hill;  that 
he  deserted  from  the  ship  Lively,  at  the  southeast  side  of 
Long-Island,  opposite  New-England,  about  eight  weeks 
ago;  that  he  has  not  been  on  board  the  ships  in  Hudson's 
River,  or  on  board  of  the  fleet  at  the  Hook,  or  Staten- Island; 
that  he  has  been  at  work  on  shore;  that  he  was  wounded  at 
Bunker-Hill,  and  does  not  choose  to  fight  again ;  that  he 
will  work  on  forts  or  batteries,  but  will  not  go  in  battle,  for 
if  taken  he  will  die  an  ignominious  death;  that  he  landed 
at  Killingsworth;  that  he  worked  with  John  Cromwell,  three 
miles  from  hence. 

Ordered,  That  John  Thomas  be  recommitted. 

William  Sutton,  Esq.,  examined,  says  he  was  on  board 
Governour  Tryon's  ship  in  November  last;  that  he  was  on 
board  his  boat,  near  the  ship,  six  weeks;  was  on  board 
Governour  Tryon's  ship  several  times;  that  he  knew  Go- 
vernour Tryon  was  an  enemy  to  his  country;  that  he  was 
obliged  to  go  on  board,  to  save  his  life;  that  Governour 
Tryon  said  there  would  be  some  ships  in  the  Sound;  that 
he  thinks  Governour  Tryon  said  the  King's  standard  should 
be  erected,  but  he  does  not  recollect  that  he  fixed  the  place; 
that  the  Governour  said  there  would  be  troops  enough;  that 
Kempc  and  Holland  were  on  board,  and  the  Council  fre- 
quently on  board. 

Ordered,  That  William  Sutton  be  recommitted. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Lieutenant  Peter  Graham* 
be  confined  as  a  prisoner,  upon  his  parole,  to  his  own  house 
and  within  a  mile  of  the  same,  with  permission  to  go  to  the 
City  of  New-  York  when  the  health  or  sustenance  of  his 
family  may  require ;  and  that  Mr.  Morris  be  ordered  to  take 
his  said  parole. 

Die  Sabbati,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  July  27,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  Esquire. 

FOR  NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr. 
Dunscombe. 

FOR  ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wilt,  Mr.  Confine,  Major  Parks. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Mills. 

FOR  ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr. 
Bleecker. 

FOR  DUTCHESS. — Mr.  London,  Mr.  Sackett,  Colonel  Hoff- 
man. 

FOR  QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,  Mr. 
James  Townshend. 

him,  but  the  vessel  being  purchased  for  a  privateer,  put  a  stop  to  that 
employ.  This  week,  when  adraught  was  made  for  troops  logo  into  the 
Continental  service  your  memorialist  was  among  the  number  draughted 
in  the  company  of  Captain  Bloomer,  of  Mamarontck.  Your  memorialist 
being  a  A'orth-Rritoner,  and  having  all  his  property  there,  and  having  a 
number  of  relations  engaged  in  the  regular  Army,  conceives  it  extremely 
hard  that  he  should  be  called  forth  to  the  field,  under  these  circumstances, 
to  meet  the  near  connexions  he  has  there;  although  his  sincere  wishes 
are  that  the  country  may  avoid  the  slavery  with  which  they  are  threat- 
ened. Your  memorialist  therefore  humbly  prays  that  the  honourable 
Convention  would  take  his  case  into  consideration,  and  give  him  such 
relief  as  they  in  their  wisdom  shall  think  fit,  and,  as  in  duty  bound,  he 
will  ever  pray,  &c.  ALEXANDER  STEWART. 

I  certify  the  honourable  Convention  that  the  within  matter  is  true,  to 
the  best  of  my  knowledge,  and  that  what  is  related  since  Mr.  Stewart's 
being  in  Jlmerica  has  come  within  the  compass  of  my  knowledge. 

CHARLES  DUNCAN. 

•I,  Lieutenant  Peter  Graham,  do  hereby  solemnly  promise,  upon  my 
word  of  honour,  to  Gouverneur  Morris,  on  behalf  of  the  State  of-Afao- 
York,  that  I  will  not  depart  from  within  a  mile  of  my  own  house,  unless 
to  the  City  of  New- York,  when  the  health  or  sustenance  of  my  family 
may  require  it,  according  to  a  resolution  of  the  Convention  of  the  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  State  aforesaid,  in  that  case  made  and  provided. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Harlem,  the  31st  day  of  July,  1776. 

P.  GRAHAM,  Lieut.  60th  Rest. 


FOR   SUFFOLK. — General   Woodhull,    Mr.   Tredwell,  Mr. 

Smith,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu. 

FOR  ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Wisner. 
FOR  TRYON. — Mr.  Newkirk,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Sessions. 
CHARLOTTF.. — Mr.  Duer. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Richard  Norwood  deliver  to  Major 
Arthur  Parks,  Dirck  Wynkoop,  William  Peek,  and  Andrus 
De  Witt,  Esqs.,  or  either  of  their  order,  two  hundred  Flints, 
to  be  by  them  distributed  gratis  to  such  Indians  in  Ulster 
County,  and  to  such  indigent  friendly  inhabitants  of  the  said 
County,  near  the  Delaware,  as  they  may  think  proper. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenius  deliver  to  Ma }or  Parks, 
Dirck  Wynkoop,  William  Peek,  and  Andrus  De  Witt,  Esqs., 
or  either  of  them,  or  their  or  either  of  their  order,  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  pounds  weight  of  Lead,  to  be  by  them  distribu- 
ted gratis  to  such  Indians  in  Ulster  County,  and  to  such 
indigent  friendly  inhabitants  of  the  said  County,  near  the 
Delaware,  as  they  may  think  proper. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston,  Esq.,  as 
Treasurer,  pay  to  Colonel  De  Witt  twenty  dollars,  to  be  by 
him  delivered  to  the  Rev.  William  Lewis,  for  attending  and 
praying  with  this  Convention,  and  that  Colonel  De  Witt 
return  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  to  Mr.  Lewis,  for  such 
attendance. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston,  as  Treasu- 
rer, pay  to  Colonel  Joseph  Marsh  the  sum  of  £61  Is.  8d., 
on  account,  for  sundry  disbursements  by  him  made,  in  trans- 
porting a  quantity  of  Gunpowder  from  Newport,  in  Rhode- 
Island,  to  Red-Hook,  in  Dutchess  County,  and  take  Colonel 
Marsh's  receipt  to*account  for  the  same. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Isaac  Nicoll,  dated  at  Goshen,  on 
the  22d  instant,  was  read  and  filed.*  He  thereby  recom- 
mends Mr.  Henry  White  for  Surgeon  to  his  Regiment. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Jacobus  Sioartwout,  dated  at  Fish- 
kill,  the  25th  instant,  was  read  and  filed.f  He  thereby 
recommends  Dr.  Osborn  for  Surgeon  to  his  Regiment. 

A  Letter  from  Dr.  Samuel  Cook$  to  Mr.  Zeph.  Platt, 
dated  at  Poughkeepsie,  the  24th  instant,  was  read  and  filed. 
He  thereby  highly  recommends  Dr.  Forman  as  a  proper  per- 
son, and  well  qualified  to  be  Surgeon  to  a  Regiment. 

Ordered,  That  those  gentlemen  respectively  be  examined 
by  Dr.  John  Jones  and  Dr.  Bard,  if  they  choose  to  be  em- 
ployed in  the  Army,  and  bring  Certificates  that  they  are 
duly  qualified. 

"  New- York,  July  24,  1776. 

"Sin:  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  favour  of  the 
20th,  with  its  several  enclosures.  I  observe  the  statements 
of  your  honourable  body  on  the  impracticability  of  removing 

•GOSHEN,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  understand  that  a  Surgeon  is  wanting  to  the  Regiment 
which  I  am  to  have  the  command  of ;  would  therefore  recommend  Dr. 
Henry  White,  of  this  County,  as  a  proper  person  for  that  station,  and 
should  be  glad,  if  consistent,  that  he  might  be  appointed. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  yours,  &c.,  ISAAC  NICOLL. 

To  the  President  of  the  Honourable  Convention  of  the  independent  State 

of  New- York,  at  White-Plains. 

f  FISHKILL,  July  25, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  In  these  times  of  distress  and  danger,  when  the  lives  and 
health  of  the  soldiers  are  daily  exposed,  and,  for  want  of  good  doctors, 
are  often  rendered  incapable  of  doing  the  publick  services,  loudly  calls 
upon  every  well-wisher  to  the  cause  now  embarked  in,  to  recommend 
such  persons  whose  skill  and  abilities  are  known  and  can  be  depended 
upon;  and  as  the  bearer  hereof,  Dr.  Osborn,  hath  for  many  years  resided 
near  me,  and  hath  been  respected  as  a  person  having  skill  and  abilities 
in  that  profession,  I  humbly  pray  the  honourable  Convention  of  the  State 
of  New-York  will  take  the  matter  into  their  consideration,  and  if  they 
think  Dr.  Oiborn  capable,  that  they  will  appoint  him  Doctor  to  my 
Regiment. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JACOBUS  SWARTWODT. 
To  the  Hon.  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York. 

I  POUGHKEEPSIE,  July  24,  1776. 

SiR:  I  understand  the  Provincial  Congress  have  ordered  two  regiments 
raised  from  the  Militia  of  this  County  for  our  common  defence,  and  I 
am  informed  that  the  Congress  have  the  appointment  of  the  Surgeons. 
Dr.  Forman  has  a  desire  observing  in  one  of  them,  if  the  Congress  would 
think  proper  to  appoint  him.  He  has  served  the  last  war  as  Surgeon's 
Mate,  by  which  means  he  has  had  an  opportunity  of  being  acquainted 
with  disorders  incident  to  an  Army;  and  as  he  has  ever  been  engaged 
in  the  cause  of  his  country,  and  is  desirous  to  serve  them  in  that  capa- 
city, would  be  glad  of  your  assistance  in  a  particular  mnnner.  I  am 
informed  that  Colonel  Graliam  has  promised  him  his  assistance  to  pro- 
cure him  a  surgeoncy  in  his  regiment. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  SAMUEL  COOKE. 

To  Captain  Zephaniah  Platt,  in  Provincial  Congress. 

P.  S.  All  your  family  and  friends  are  well. 


1451 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1452 


the  stock  from  Nassau-Island,  and  the  measures  they  have 
adopted  for  securing  them  there,  and  protecting  the  inhabi- 
tants, and  sincerely  wish  they  may  prove  adequate. 

"  I  have  long  since  and  frequently  requested  the  Commis- 
sary to  purchase  all  the  fatted  cattle  and  sheep  from  the 
Island  that  he  possibly  could,  in  preference  to  any  other.  He 
informs  me  that  he  has  had  many  from  thence,  and  that  he 
now  has  persons  employed  in  different  parts  for  that  pur- 
pose. The  expediency  of  the  measure  strikes  me  so  forci- 
bly, that  you  may  depend  every  means  in  my  power  will  be 
directed  to  its  execution. 

"  Agreeable  to  your  request,  I  shall  continue  Colonel 
Livingston  at  his  present  post,  for  the  protection  of  the  in- 
habitants against  the  insults  of  the  enemy's  cruisers,  unless 
something  should  happen  to  make  his  removal  necessary. 

"  When  the  several  regiments  are  raised,  and  I  am  cer- 
tified thereof,  and  of  the  places  of  rendezvous,  I  will  direct  the 
Mustermaster-General  to  attend  and  complete  the  musters. 

"Governour  Trumbull  having  informed  me  by  letter  yes- 
terday, that  since  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  at  the  Hook  many 
of  the  enemy's  frigates  and  ships  have  been  stationed  be- 
tween Montauk-Point  and  Block-Island,  to  intercept  the 
trade  from  the  Sound,  (and  in  which  they  had  been  but  too 
successful  in  taking  several  provision  vessels,)  and  of  the  im- 
possibility that  any  should  escape  falling  into  their  hands, 
he  had  ordered  the  armed  vessels  in  the  service  of  Con- 
necticut to  stop  and  detain  all  vessels  going  down  the  Sound, 
with  provisions,  till  the  Continental  Congress  or  the  Conven- 
tions of  the  States  to  which  they  belong  could  be  apprized 
of  the  hazards  attending  their  proceeding  in  their  voyages, 
and  give  orders  thereon, — I  beg  leave  to  recommend  the 
matter  to  the  consideration  of  your  honourable  body,  and 
submit  it  to  them,  whether  it  may  not  be  expedient  to  lay 
a  general  embargo  or  prohibition  upon  all  exports  of  this 
kind  from  your  State,  except  such  as  the  Congress  or  your- 
selves may  order.  The  propriety  of  keeping  the  enemy 
from  supplies  of  this  sort  and  providing  a  sufficiency  for  our 
own  Army,  is  so  evident,  that  words  are  unnecessary  upon 
the  subject.  However,  I  cannot  but  observe,  as  my  opinion, 
that  the  former  will  be  impossible  to  effect  unless  some  gene- 
ral restraining  regulation  is  come  into.  No  care,  nor  indus- 
try, nor  honesty  on  the  part  of  the  exporters,  will  be  able  to 
elude  the  vigilance  and  activity  of  their  almost  innumerable 
cruisers.  But  when  it  is  considered  that  as  long  as  a  free 
export  of  any  articles  of  this  nature  is  tolerated,  disaffected 
persons  may  easily  fall  into  their  hands  with  impunity,  nor 
any  means  be  left  us  to  ascertain  their  guilt;  when  there 
is  strong  reason  to  believe  that  some  have  designedly  done 
so,  and  almost  incontestable  proof,  from  sundry  depositions  of 
deserters  and  others,  that  a  ship  that  went  from  hence  sailed 
with  no  other  view  and  joined  the  enemy  at  the  Hook, — I 
incline  to  think  the  measure  not  only  advisable,  but  neces- 
sary, especially  as  the  large  consumption  of  provisions  by 
our  Army  affords,  and  will  afford,  a  ready  cash  market  for 
all  that  individuals  may  have  to  disposa  of,  and  take  away 
every  objection  of  injury  on  that  head.  Were  it  otherwise, 
private  advantages  and  emoluments  must  always  give  place 
to  the  publick  good,  when  they  are  incompatible. 

"  The  last  deserters  from  the  enemy  inform  us,  since  they 
have  heard  of  our  forming  a  camp  at  Amboy,  they  have 
talked  much  of  turning  their  views  to  Long-Island,  and 
regaling  themselves  with  large  supplies  of  provisions  they 
intend  to  get  from  thence.  This  is  an  additional  circum- 
stance to  induce  the  Commissary  to  purchase  the  cattle  there 
before  any  other. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

"  P.  S.  When  the  ships-of-war,  Sic.,  run  up  the  river,  I 
wrote  Governours  Trumbull  and  Cooke  for  some  of  their 
row-galleys,  supposing  they  might  be  of  service  in  attempt- 
ing something  against  the  ships.  I  expect  three  or  four  every 
hour,  besides  one  I  have.  If  the  Secret  Committee  are  form- 
ing any  plan  against  the  ships,  in  which  they  think  they  may 
be  usefully  employed,  if  they  will  let  me  know,  I  shall  be 
glad  to  cooperate  with  them,  and  furnish  every  assistance 
the  galleys  can  give,  if  not  otherwise  materially  engaged. 

"  I  arn  just  now  informed  that  the  ship  mentioned  above 
to  have  gone  to  the  enemy,  was  fitted  out  by  the  Congress, 
under  the  command  of  a  Captain  Hilton,  who  has  acted  this 
base  part." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  postcript  of  the  aforegoing 


Letter  be  immediately  transmitted  to  the  Secret  Committee 
of  this  Convention  now  at  Poughkcepsie. 

The  following  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  was  re- 
ceived and  read : 

"  Lebanon,  July  17,  1776. 

"  SIR:  I  have  received  credible  information  that  there  has 
lately  been  intercepted  and  taken  several  provision  vessels 
bound  to  or  from  your  Colony  through  the  Sound;  that 
there  are  three  or  four  men-of-war,  frigates,  and  cutters, 
cruising  off  Block-Island,  and  that  it  is  scarcely  possible  for 
any  vessel  bound  to  sea  to  escape  them.  I  have  kept  out 
the  armed  sloop  the  Spy,  Captain  Niles,  cruising  off  Block 
Island,  to  give  notice  of  danger  to  vessels  passing  that  way, 
and  merely  for  the  publick  service  have  been  obliged  to  give 
him  orders  to  stop  any  provision  vessels  bound  to  sea  when 
danger  is  apparent.  In  consequence  whereof,  he  has  detained 
a  ship  laden  with  wheat  and  flour  from  New-York,  which, 
if  she  had  proceeded,  must  undoubtedly  have  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  of  which  I  understand  the  Cap- 
tain is  fully  persuaded.  I  trust  you  will  think  that  nothing 
but  the  common  good  would  have  induced  me  to  have  taken 
this  step,  and  that  you  will  readily  approve  the  measure 
when  you  consider  the  reason  and  motives  of  my  conduct 
therein.  Whenever  there  is  a  fair  prospect  of  the  ship's  sail- 
ing with  safety  and  avoiding  the  enemy,  no  objection  arises 
to  her  or  any  other  vessel's  sailing,  if  within  the  rules  of  the 
Continental  Congress.  1  have  acquainted  the  Congress  and 
General  Washington  with  my  proceedings,  and  furnished 
them  with  a  number  of  affidavits  supporting  the  above  informa- 
tion. The  General,  I  dare  say,  will  show  you  them,  if  desired. 

"  I  am,  with  great  truth  and  regard,  sir,  your  obedient, 
humble  servant,  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL. 

"  Hon.  President  Woodhull." 

A  draft  of  an  Answer  to  Governour  Trumbull  was  read 
and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York, ) 
at  the  White-Plains,  July  27,  1776.      \ 

"Sin:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  return  you 
their  thanks  for  your  prudent  care  and  attention  in  prevent- 
ing the  enemy  from  making  capture  of  vessels  laden  with 
provisions.  The  reasons  which  influenced  your  Honour's 
conduct  have  had  their  full  weight  upon  the  councils  of  this 
Convention,  which  you  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  copy 
of  a  resolution,  which  I  am  also  directed  to  send  you. 

"  I  am,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  Honour's  most  obe- 
dient and  humble  servant. 
"  To  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq.,  Governour,  &tc." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted,  with  a  copy  of  the  Reso- 
lution of  this  Convention  of  the  23d  day  of  July,  to  prevent 
the  exportation  of  Provisions,  therein  enclosed. 

A  Certificate  signed  by  William  Cross,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Hanover  Precinct,  in  Ulster  County,  was  read 
and  filed.  It  is  thereby  certified  that  on  the  27th  day  of 
June  last,  at  an  election  held  in  the  presence  of  John  Barkley 
and  John  Houston,  two  members  of  the  Committee,  James 
Monnel,  Sen.,  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant,  and  John 
Barber  elected  Ensign,  of  Captain  Henry  Van  Keuren's 
Company  of  Militia,  agreeable  to  the  rules  and  orders  of  the 
late  Provincial  Congress  of  this  State. 
Ordered,  That  Commissions  issue  for  the  said  two  gentlemen. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Henry  Rcmsen,  *  one  of  the  Mem- 

«  NEW-YORK,  July  24,  1776. 

SIR:  I  beg  you  will  be  pleased  to  represent  to  the  honourable  Conven- 
tion the  absolute  necessity  of  instituting  a  Court  of  Admiralty  for  the 
State  of  New- York,  as  several  cargoes  that  are  perishable  now  wait  a 
determination  or  decision  of  such  a  Court,  viz: 

A  sloop  retaken  by  Captain  Rogers,  in  company  with  a  Continental 
armed  vessel,  laden  with  flour  and  lumber,  owned  in  Newport.  The 
Hour,  if  not  disposed  of  soon,  must  perish. 

Two  vessels  with  oil,  and  one  with  molasses.  The  oil  is  wasting 
daily,  and  it  is  necessary  the  whole  should  be  sold,  in  order  that  the 
original  owners  should  have  their  proportion,  as  well  as  to  prevent  too 
great  a  loss  that  will  arise  from  the  goods  lying  in  store. 

I  further  beg  leave,  by  your  means,  to  apply  to  Convention  in  behalf 
of  the  poor  and  necessitous  families  in  this  city,  who  have  not  been  able 
to  procure  lodgings  and  shelter  in  the  country  for  want  of  money;  and 
also  for  the  poor  of  the  city  in  our  alms-house.  I  am  confident  the  Con- 
vention will  not  suffer  the  real  poor  to  perish  for  want  of  support,  but 
cheerfully  grant  them  a  subsistence,  in  some  way  the  least  burdensome 
to  the  Slate — a  maintenance  it  is  our  indispensable  duty,  as  Christians, 
to  grant  them.  No  more  is  desired;  and  I  trust  the  Representatives  of 
the  State  will  readily  enter  into  measures  necessary  to  feed  the  hungry 
and  clothe  the  naked.  1  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  and 
humble  servant,  HENRY  REMSEN. 

To  General  Woodhull. 


1453 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1454 


bers  for  the  City  of  Neiv-  York,  was  read  and  filed;  it  bears 
date  the  24th  instant.  He  thereby  mentions  that  several 
cargoes  that  are  perishable  wait  the  determination  or  decision 
of  a  Court  of  Admiralty;  that  three  vessels  have  been  re- 
taken ;  that  the  owners  are  delayed,  and  want  their  propor- 
tions. 

Colonel  Remsen  further  presses  the  necessity  of  the  Con- 
vention making  some  provision  for  the  Poor  in  the  Aims- 
House  at  the  City  of  New-York. 

Ordered,  That  the  institution  of  a  Court  of  Admiralty  in 
this  State  be  taken  up  on  Wednesday  next. 

A  Letter  from  Henry  Wilmot,  *  Deputy  Chairman  of  the 
General  Committee  of  New-York,  dated  the  26th  instant, 
was  read  and  filed.  He  therein  mentions,  that  the  Com- 
mittee had  taken  separate  Bonds  of  Henry  Durland  and 
Thomas  Fleet  to  the  President  of  this  Convention,  for  their 
respective  good  behaviour  to  the  State,  and  abiding  by  the 
determinations  of  Congress. 

The  said  Bonds,  viz:  one  of  Henry  Durland  and  the 
other  of  Thomas  Fleet,  f  which  were  received  in  Mr.  Wil- 
mofs  Letter,  were  also  read  and  filed. 

A  Letter  from  Robert  Yates,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  obstructing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River, 
dated  at  PoughJceepsie,  on  the  22d  instant,  directed  to  the 
General  Committee  at  New-York,  and  by  them  sent  to  this 
Convention,  was  read  and  filed. 

They  thereby  inform,  that  they  have  determined  to  fit 
out  two  armed  Vessels  at  Albany ;  J  that  they  want  Gunners 
and  persons  used  to  cannon  on  board  of  ships;  they  request 
such  to  be  sent  to  them,  and  mention  Alexander  Dean  and 
Wessels  as  having  been  recommended  to  them. 
They  also  request  combustible  materials,  to  make  fire- 
arrows,  and  that  money  be  advanced  to  such  persons  as 
may  be  sent  to  them,  to  defray  their  expenses. 

•NEW-YORK,  July  26,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  have  it  in  charge  from  the  General  Committee  of  this 
City  and  County  to  enclose  you  Henry  Durland  and  Thomas  Fleet's  sepa- 
rate bonds,  for  .£100  each.  On  a  close  examination,  it  appeared  to  the 
Committee  that  Durland  might  at  times  have  made  some  unfriendly  ex- 
pressions to  some  people,  which  he  declared  were  only  for  argument's 
sake;  and  he  readily  complied  with  every  requisition  that  has  been  taken 
from  suspected  persons. 

Fleet  also  satisfied  the  Committee  in  that  respect,  but  was  unwilling  to 
si<*n  the  bond,  which  he  at  last  complied  with,  rather  than  go  back  to 
jail. 

The  Committee  thought  it  better  to  let  these  men  go  to  their  families 
than  to  keep  them  any  longer  in  confinement;  and  they  make  no  doubt 
but  their  conduct  will  meet  with  your  approbation. 

lam,  with  due  esteem,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 
servant,  HENRY  WILMOT,  Dep.  Ch'n.  of  the  Gen.  Committee. 

The  Honourable  Convention. 

t  Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  That  I,  Thomas  Fleet,  of  Oyster- 
Bay,  am  held  and  firmly  bound  unto  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  President  of 
the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York,  in  the  sum  of  five  hundred 
Pounds,  lawful  money  of  New-York,  to  be  paid  to  the  said  Nathaniel 
Woodhull,  or  to  his  executors,  administrators,  or  assigns,  for  the  payment 
of  which  sum  I  do  bind  myself,  my  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators, 
jointly  and  severally,  firmly  by  these  presents. 

Sealed  with  my  seal,  dated  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  July,  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  seventy-six. 

The  condition  of  the  above  obligation  is  such,  that  if  the  above  bounden 
Thomas  Fleet  shall,  on  reasonable  notice  to  him  given,  or  left  at  the  usual 
place  of  his  abode,  attend  the  Convention  of  the  said  State  for  the  time 
being,  or  a  Committee  thereof  thereunto  duly  authorized  and  appointed, 
and  answer  such  matters  as  may  be  alleged  against  him,  and  in  the  mean 
time,  shall,  neither  directly  or  indirectly,  contravene  or  oppose  the  mea- 
sures of  the  Continental  Congress,  or  of  the  said  State  of  New-  York,  but, 
on  the  contrary,  shall  approve  himself  a  good  friend  to  the  American 
cause,  then  the  above  obligation  shall  be  void;  otherwise,  to  remain  in 
full  force  and  virtue.  THOMAS  FLEET. 

Sealed  aiid  delivered  in  the  presence  of  . 

I  POUGHKEEPSIE,  July  22,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  Secret  Committee  appointed  by  the  Convention  of 
this  State  for  the  purpose  of  devising  ways  and  means  to  protect  the 
navigation  of  Hudson's  River,  have  determined  to  fit  out  two  armed  ves- 
sels at  Albany.  In  order  to  effect  this  matter,  persons  are  wanting  to  act 
as  gunners,  or  who  are  in  anywise  used  to  the  management  of  cannon 
on  board  of  ships.  You  will  therefore  please  to  procure  as  many  men 
as  possible  qualified  for  this  business,  and  let  them  proceed  immediately 
to  this  place,  and  bring  with  them  combustible  materials  for  fire-arrows. 
You  will  advance  the  money  necessary  to  defray  the  expense  of  the  men 
on  their  journey  and  to  purchase  the  materials;  and  by  drawing  on  Mr. 
G.  Livingston  here,  you  will  be  immediately  reimbursed.  The  necessity 
and  importance  of  this  business,  we  trust,  will  induce  you  to  exert  your- 
selves upon  this  occasion;  and  we  conceive  that  it  would  conduce  more 
to  the  publick  cause  if  the  fitting  out  of  privateers  was  neglected,  that  we 
might  have  the  service  of  the  seamen  on  the  river. 

By  order  of  the  Committee:  ROBT.  YATES,  Chairman. 

To  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New-York. 

N.  B.  Two  persons  are  mentioned  to  us,  Mexander  Dean,  who  may 
be  found  by  applying  to  Captain  Ten  Wyck,  in  McDovgall's  Regiment, 
and  Wessels. 


A  Letter  from  Henry  Wilmot,*  covering  the  above,  and 
sent  by  express,  to  be  paid  by  this  Convention,  was  also 
read  and  filed;  it  is  dated  July  26,  1776. 

Thereupon,  a  Letter  to  Captain  Hazelwood  was  read  and 
approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"Sin:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  of  the  State  of 
New-York  to  desire  the  favour  of  you  immediately  to  repair 
to  Poughkeepsie,  with  the  combustible  materials  necessary 
for  charging  fire-ships  and  making  fire-arrows. 

"When  you  arrive  at  that  place,  you  will  inquire  for  Mr. 
Jay  and  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Members  of  a  Secret 
Committee,  appointed  by  this  House  to  annoy  the  enemy's 
ships  in  Hudson's  River,  and  concert  with  them  the  most 
effectual  measures  for  carrying  their  designs  into  execution. 
If  these  gentlemen  are  not  at  that  place,  you  will  be  pleased 
to  inquire  of  Captains  Lawrence  and  Tudor,  who  live  at  that 
place,  where  they  are,  and  make  the  utmost  despatch  in 
joining  them. 

"  It  will,  however,  be  necessary  that  you  should  wait  on 
General  Washington,  and  obtain  his  permission  for  coming 
up;  which,  from  Mr.  Duer's  representation,  we  doubt  not 
you  will  effect. 

"  Should  you  stand  in  need  of  any  money  or  assistance, 
in  order  to  forward  the  materials,  be  pleased  to  apply  to 
General  Washington,  who,  we  flatter  ourselves,  will  give 
every  necessary  direction  to  the  Quartermaster-General. 

"  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  of  this  State  to  enjoin 
to  you  the  most  profound  secrecy  in  conducting  this  matter. 

"  I  am,  most  respectfully,  &tc. 

"  Captain  Hazelwood." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted  by  the  Messenger. 

John  Thomas,  a  Mariner,  who  says  he  deserted  from  the 
Ship  Lively,  into  which  he  had  inlisted  as  a  Marine,  now  a 
prisoner  in  the  Jail  at  this  place,  was  brought  before  the 
Convention  and  examined.  He  gave  no  material  intelli- 
gence. He  was  discharged,  and  a  certificate  given  to  him 
to  permit  him  to  go  through  the  country  to  the  eastward  of 
Hudson's  River,  to  acquire  his  living  by  labour  and  indus- 
try. _ 

Die  Sabbati,  P.  M.,  July  27,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 

FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Dunscombe,  Mr. 
Bancker,  Colonel  Brasher. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Aim.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,  Mr.  James  Townshend, 
Mr.  Wat.  Smith. 

WESTCHESTER. — General  Morris,  Mr.  Tompkins,  Mr.  Mor- 
ris. 

LESTER. — Mr.  Contine. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Hoffman,  Mr.  London,  Mr.  Socket. 

CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Sessions. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Gclston. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  William  Sutton 
reported,  that  they  had  carefully  examined  him,  but  cannot 
obtain  any  further  intelligence,  information,  or  satisfaction 
from  him. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  William  Sutton  be  imme- 
diately sent,  under  safe  and  proper  guard,  at  his  own  expense, 
to  the  Jail  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania; 
that  he  there  subsist  himself;  and  that  a  Letter  be  wrote 
to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  and  County 
of  Philadelphia,  mentioning  his  state  of  health,  and  enclosing 
a  copy  of  the  evidence  against  him;  and  that  General  Morris 
be  requested  to  see  this  resolution  carried  into  execution. 

•NEW-YORK,  July  26,  1776. 

SIR:  This  enclosed  letter  is  conceived  by  Mr.  John  Ray,  Jun.,  and 
myself  to  be  of  so  much  consequence  to  the  State  as  to  forward  it  by 
express,  who  has  agreed  to  go  at  the  same  price  you  pay  Mr.  Dyckman, 
if  he  goes  to  the  White-Plains,  and  he  should  not  find  your  honourable 
House  removed  to  Harlem.  The  other  letters  1  have  taken  out  of  the 
post  office,  as  they  have  lain  there  several  days  and  no  opportunity 
offered.  I  have  told  the  express  you  would  order  him  to  be  paid  the 
customary  charge. 

I  remain,  with  due  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble 
servant,  HENRY  WILMOT,  Dep.  Chairman  of  Gen.  Com. 

To  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  President  of  Mew-York  Convention. 


1455 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1456 


General  Morris  informed  the  Convention  that  he  should 
direct  the  said  William  Sutton  to  be  delivered  into  the  care 
and  charge  of  Lieutenant  Alexander  Hunt,  to  be  conveyed 
to  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  at  his  own 
expense;  and  requested  the  Convention  to  determine  what 
allowance  shall  be  made  to  Lieutenant  Hunt  for  his  trouble 
in  the  premises. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  William  Sutton  do  pay  to  Alex- 
ander Hunt  twelve  shillings  per  day  (exclusive  of  his  neces- 
sary expenses)  for  every  day  he  shall  be  employed  in  pro- 
ceeding to  Philadelphia  with  the  said  William  Sutton,  and 
returning. 

Ordered,  That  the  Jailer  of  the  Jail  of  the  County  of 
Westchesler  do  deliver  the  body  of  William  Sutton  to  Lieu- 
tenant Alexander  Hunt. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Philadelphia,  to  attend  William  Sutton,  was  read  and  ap- 
proved of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  In  Convention,  &c.,  White-Plains,  &c. 

"SiR:  From  information,  received  upon  oath,  respecting 
the  publick  character  of  a  certain  William  Sutton,  of  this 
County,  of  which  we  send  you  copies,  we  have  reason  to 
believe  him  an  enemy  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  America, 
and  therefore  have  some  time  past  confined  .him  to  the  Jail 
here ;  but  on  account  of  his  infirm  state  of  health,  which  he 
conceives  to  be  under  peculiar  bad  circumstances,  and  also 
the  probability  of  his  corresponding  with  the  enemy,  we  have 
resolved  to  send  him,  at  his  own  expense,  to  the  Jail  of  your 
city,  where  he  is  to  be  maintained  at  his  own  charge.  Of 
this,  sir,  I  am  ordered  by  the  Convention  of  this  State  to 
acquaint  you,  and  to  request  that  you  may  give  such  assist- 
ance as  may  be  required. 

"  I  am,  respectfully,  &c. 

"To  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and,  with  certified  copies  of  the  evidence 
against  William  Sutton,  delivered  to  Lieutenant  Alexander 
Hunt,  to  be  delivered  at  Philadelphia. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  case  of  Alex- 
ander Stewart,  and  his  Petition  or  Memorial,  delivered  in 
their  Report ;  which  was  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
to  wit : 

"  Your  Committee  appointed  to  examine  into  the  case  of 
Mr.  Alexander  Stewart,  report : 

"  That,  according  to  the  best  information  they  have  been 
able  to  obtain,  the  said  Alexander  Stewart  arrived  at  New- 
York  in  the  latter  end  of  December,  1774,  with  an  intent  to 
take  the  command  of  a  vessel,  in  the  employ  of  Mercer  fy 
Ramsey. 

"That  on  account  of  the  dispute  between  the  United 
States  of  America  and  Great  Britain,  the  owners  of  the 
vessel  which  he  was  intended  to  command,  did  not  think 
proper  to  send  the  ship  to  sea. 

"That  on  this  account  he  retired  into  the  County  of 
Westchester,  where  he  has  since  lived  a  private  life  at  the 
house  of  his  relative  Mr.  Charles  Duncan,  formerly  a  Lieu- 
tenant in  the  service  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain.  That 
Mr.  Charles  Duncan  has  not  signed  the  General  Association, 
but  that  in  other  respects  his  conduct  has  been  inoffensive. 

"  That  Mr.  Alexander  Stewart  refused  to  sign  the  Gene- 
ral Association,  assigning  for  reason  that,  as  he  had  no  interest 
to  induce  him  to  stay  in  the  country,  and,  as  he  only  waited 
for  a  passage  to  return  to  Scotland,  his  native  country,  such 
a  measure  might  prove  fatal  to  him. 

"That  the  said  Alexander  Stewart  was  draughted  on  the 
24th  day  of  this  present  month  as  a  private  soldier  to  rein- 
force the  Continental  Army.  That  the  Convention  of  the 
State  of  New-  York,  on  the  16th  instant,  unanimously  came 
to  a  resolution,  in  which  it  was  enacted,  that  all  persons 
abiding  within  the  State  of  New-York,t  and  all  persons 
deriving  protection  from  tire  laws  of  the  same,  owe  allegiance 
to  the  said  laws,  and  are  members  of  the  said  State ;  and 
that  all  persons  passing  through,  visiting,  and  making  a  tem- 
porary stay  in  the  said  State,  being  entitled  to  the  protection 
of  the  said  laws,  during  the  time  of  such  passage,  visitation, 
or  temporary  stay,  owe,  during  the  same  time,  allegiance 
thereto. 

"  That  under  this  description,  the  said  Alexander  Stewart 


is  a  member  of  this  State ;  but  how  far  it  will  apply  to  the 
making  him  subject  to  our  military  laws,  the  Committee 
leave  it  to  the  wisdom  of  your  House  to  determine. 

"  That  the  said  Alexander  Stewart  acknowledges  himself 
a  subject  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  and  claims  the  pro- 
tection of  the,  law  of  nations,  by  which  the  subject  of  one 
nation  is  not  compelled,  by  the  State  in  which  he  makes  a 
temporary  stay;  to  bear  arms  against  the  Sovereign  to  whom 
he  owes  allegiance. 

"  Your  Committee  have  thought  proper  to  confine  them- 
selves to  a  mere  state  of  facts,  thinking  the  case  of  Mr. 
Stewart  so  peculiarly  nice,  as  to  merit  the  mature  considera- 
tion of  the  whole  House.  W.  DUER." 

On  reading  and  considering  the  said  Report,  the  Conven- 
tion came  to  a  determination  thereon,  in  the  words  following, 
to  wit: 

Whereas  a  certain  Alexander  Stewart,  of  Dundee,  in 
North  Britain,  Mariner,  having  been  draughted  as  one  of 
the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Westchester,  hath  claimed  an 
exemption  from  serving  in  the  said  draughts  as  a  subject  of 
the  King  of  Great  Britain,  which  he  declareth  himself  to 
be: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Alexander  Stewart  is  entitled  to 
such  exemption. 

Resolved,  That  Alexander  Stewart  having  declared  him- 
self to  be  a  subject  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  with  whom 
this  State  is  now  at  open  war,  therefore  the  said  Alexander 
Stewart  is  to  be  treated  according  to  the  law  of  nations,  of 
which  he  hath  claimed  the  benefit. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Alexander  Stewart  ought  to  be 
taken  prisoner,  and  kept  in  .custody  until  such  further  order 
as  this  Convention  may,  upon  examining  more  fully  into  the 
peculiar  circumstances  of  his  case,  establish. 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  Alexander  Stewart,  late  of 
Dundee,  in  North  Britain,  Mariner,  at  present  of  Rye,  in 
Westchester  County,  in  the  State  of  New-York,  who  hath 
declared  himself  a  subject  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
with  whom  this  State  is  now  at  open  war,  be  immediately 
taken  into  custody,  a  prisoner,  by  Albert  Ogden,  the  keeper 
of  the  Jail  in  Westchester  County,  who  is  hereby  commanded 
to  keep  him  safe  in  custody  until  the  further  order  of  this 
Convention. 

A  Certificate  of  Dr.  SamuelBard*  dated  this  day,  was  read 
and  filed.  He  thereby  certifies  that  he  has  examined  Dr. 
Cornelius  Osborne,  respecting  his  knowledge  in  Physick  and 
Surgery,  and  thinks  him  qualified  for  the  office  of  Surgeon 
to  a  Regiment. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Cornelius  Osborne  be,  and  is 
hereby,  appointed  Surgeon  to  the  Regiment  of  Militia  now 
in  Continental  service  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Cor- 
nelius Swartwout,  of  Dutchess  County. 

Another  Certificate  of  Dr.  Samuel  Bard,^  dated  this  day, 
was  read  and  filed.  He  thereby  certifies  that  he  has  ex- 
amined Dr.  William  Mead,  respecting  his  knowledge  in  Phy- 
sick and  Surgery,  and  that  he  finds  him  qualified  for  the 
office  of  Surgeon  to  a  Regiment. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  William  Mead  be,  and  is  hereby, 
appointed  Surgeon  to  the  Regiment  of  Militia  now  in  Con- 
tinental service  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Thomas 
Thomas,  of  Westchester  County. 

John  Sutton,  (son  of  William  Sutton,)  by  order,  was 
brought  to  the  bar  of  the  House  to  be  discharged. 

The  President,  by  order,  gave  him  an  admonition  in  the 
words  following,  to  wit: 

"  MR.  SUTTON  :  You  stand  charged  before  the  Convention 
of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-  York  with  being 
inimical  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  America.  In  pity  to 
your  youth  and  in  hopes  of  your  amendment,  you  are  dis- 
charged. Learn  to  revere  the  lenity  of  that  Government 
which  hath  dealt  so  kindly  with  their  avowed  enemy,  and 
henceforth  respect  that  attention  to  the  rights  and  liberties 
of  mankind  which  hath  now  befriended  you. 

"In  the  name  of  this  Convention  I  admonish  you  to  beware 

•WHITE-PLAINS,  JulyUl,  1776. 

I  hereby  certify  that  I  have  examined  Dr.  Cornelius  Osborne  respecting 
his  knowledge  in  Physick  and  Surgery,  and  that  I  think  him  qualified  for 
the  office  of  Surgeon  to  a  Regiment.  SAMUEL  BARD,  M.  D. 

t  WHITE-PLAINS,  July  27,  1776. 

I  hereby  certify  that  I  have  examined  Dr.  William  Mead  respecting  his 
knowledge  in  Physick  and  Surgery,  and  that  I  find  him  qualified  for  the 
office  of  Surgeon  to  a  Regiment.  SAMUEL  BARD,  M.  D. 


1457 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1458 


in  future  how  you  shall  dare  to  offend  the  majesty  of  the 
people  of  this  State,  and  in  this  solemn  manner  warn  you 
that  any  future  transgression  shall  not  pass  unpunished." 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Du-er, 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries,  with  all  their  records, 
files,  and  papers,  and  the  Treasurer,  with  the  treasury  and 
his  books,  files,  and  papers,  belonging  or  appertaining  to  the 
Treasury,  do  respectively  attend  this  Convention  at  Harlem, 
on  Monday  next,  at  nine  of  the  clock,  in  the  forenoon. 

Die  Luna;,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  July  29,  1776. 

The  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
New-York  met  in  the  Church  at  Harlem. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Blcecker. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Gelslon,  Mr.  Smith. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt. 
DOTCHESS. — Mr.  Landon,  Colonel  Hoffman. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Toumshend,  Mr.  James  Townshend, 

Mr.  Ben.  Sands. 
KING'S. — Colonel  Covenhoven. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore. 

The  Convention  of  this  State  having  adjourned  on  Satur- 
day last  from  the  Court-House  at  the  White-Plains,  in  West- 
chester  County,  to  meet  at  this  place,  at  nine  o'clock  this 
morning,  the  Members  above-mentioned  having  from  time 
to  time  arrived,  and  now  assembled,  for  want  of  a  sufficient 
number  to  proceed  to  business,  they  adjourned  till  nine  o'clock 
to-morrow  morning,  to  meet  in  this  Church. 

Die  Martis,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  July  30,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Beekman,  Col.  Brasher. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Bltecker. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  Smith. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit. 
DUTCHESS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Mr.  Landon. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Gouverneur  Morris,  General  Morris. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,  Mr.  Sands,  Mr.  James 

Townshend. 

KING'S. — Mr.  Covenhoven. 

TRYON. — Mr.  William  Harper,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
CHARLOTTE. — Colonel  Williams,  Mr.  Du.tr. 
GLOUCF.STER. — Mr.  Olcott.  . 

Peter  Olcott,  Esq.,  one  of  the  Deputies  from  Gloucester 
County,  produced  his  Credentials,  dated  at  Newbury,  the 
28th  June,  ultimo,  subscribed  by  Jacob  Baylcy,  Esq.,  as 
Chairman,  by  himself  as  Clerk,  and  six  other  principal 
inhabitants,  members  of  the  Committee  of  the  said  County, 
whereby  it  appears  that  he  is  elected  and  returned  a  Member 
of  this  Convention  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  County, 
(only  three  dissenting,)  and  that  the  inhabitants  are  forward 
for  having  a  form  of  Government,  Sic.  The  said  Creden- 
tials were  read  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Okott  take  his  seat. 

Colonel  Williams  and  Mr.  Okott  were  severally  sworn, 
and  took  the  general  oath  of  secrecy. 

The  Petition  of  Richard  Cantillon*  of  Amenia  Precinct, 

*  To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Stale  of 

NEW-YORK: 

The  petition  of  Richard  Cantillon  and  John  Parkinson,  of  Dutches! 
County,  humbly  showeth:  That  your  petitioners  conceive  themselves 
acquainted  with  the  various  branches  of  the  Linen  Manufactory;  that 
your  petitioners  find,  from  the  great  scarcity  of  linen,  that  it  is  exceed- 
ingly necessary  to  have  some  manufactories  of  that  kind  set  up  in  this 
State  to  supply  the  necessities  of  the  inhabitants  thereof,  and  of  the 
Army;  that  your  petitioners  intend  to  set  up  a  very  extensive  Linen 
Manufactory  in  Dutchess  County  in  this  State,  if  they  may  be  favoured 
with  a  resolution  and  order  of  this  Convention ,  to  exempt  themselves  and 
their  labourers  and  manufacturers  from  being  draughted  into  the  Militia, 
when  called  out  into  actual  service;  that  your  petitioners  will  always 
cheerfully  give  a  preference  to  the  Convention  of  this  State,  by  reserving 
for  their  use,  on  their  order,  such  manufactures  as  they  may  from  time 
to  time  have  made,  and  may  be  fit  for  or  wanted  for  the  use  of  this  State. 
Your  petitioners,  therefore,  humbly  pray  that  your  petitioners  and  the 
manufacturers  and  labourers  which  tney  shall  employ  in  the  said  busi- 
ness (not  to  exceed  the  number  of  twelve,  exclusive  of  your  petitioners) 
may,  by  order  or  resolution  of  the  Convention  of  this  State,  be  exempted 
from  being  subject  to  be  draughted  or  called  out  into  actual  service  in  the 
Militia  of  the  said  County  of  Dutchess.  And  your  petitioners,  ns  in  duty 
bound,  shall  ever  pray.  RICHARD  CANTILLON, 

NEW-YORK,  My  29,  1776.  •  JoHN 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


and  John  Parkinson,  of  Charlotte  Precinct,  in  Dutchess 
County,  was  read.  They  therein  set  forth  their  acquaint- 
ance with  several  branches  of  the  Linen  Manufactories  in 
this  State,  the  necessities  of  setting  up  such  Manufactories 
in  this  State,  their  intentions  to  set  up  a  Linen  Manufactory, 
and  they  thereby  offer  a  preference  of  their  manufactures 
for  the  use  of  the  State,  and  praying  for  such  resolution  of 
this  Convention  as  may  exempt  their  manufacturers  (to  the 
number  of  twelve)  from  being  draughted  into  the  publick 
service. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Richard  Cantillon  and  John 
Parkinson,  together  with  such  manufacturers  and  labourers 
as  they  may  statedly  employ  in  the  business  of  the  Linen 
Manufactory  in  that  County,  (not  to  exceed  the  number  of 
twelve  men,  besides  the  said  petitioners,)  shall,  while  so 
employed  in  the  said  manufactory,  be  exempted  from  being 
subject  to  be  draughted  or  called  out  into  actual  service  in 
the  Militia  of  the  said  County  of  Dutchess. 

As  the  Doorkeeper  is  necessarily  in  such  a  situation  as  to 
hear  many  of  the  debates  of  this  Convention, 

Ordered,  That  he  be  sworn  to  secrecy. 

Thereupon  he  was  sworn,  in  the  words  following:  "I 
do  solemnly  swear,  on  the  Holy  Evangelists,  that  I  will  not 
divulge  any  matter  or  thing  which  I  may  hear  agitated, 
moved,  or  debated,  in  this  Convention,  unless  by  leave  of 
the  President,  or  upon  publication  thereof  in  the  newspapers. 
So  help  me  God." 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  reconsideration  of 
ways  and  means  for  supplying  the  good  people  of  this  State 
with  Salt,  reported  the  following  Resolutions,  which  were 
read ;  and  the  same  being  again  read,  paragraph  by  para- 
graph, and  amended,  were  unanimously  agreed  to,  and  are 
as  follows: 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  Convention  will,  upon 
good  security,  lend  to  the  first  five  persons  skilled  in  the 
process  of  extracting  Salt  from  sea  water,  who  shall  apply 
for  the  same,  a  sum  of  money  not  exceeding  £500  to  each 
person,  for  the  term  of  two  years  from  this  date,  without 
interest,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  Salt  Works  within  this 
State. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  such  Works  be  erected  at 
such  place  or  places  as,  in  the  opinion  of  the  respective 
County  Committees  where  such  Works  shall  be  erected,  shall 
be  most  proper:  Provided  always,  that  the  said  Works  be 
not  erected  within  less  than  fifteen  miles  of  each  other,  on  the 
sea-coast. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  this  Convention  will  receive 
Salt  at  8s.  per  bushel,  in  payment  of  the  respective  sums 
advanced  to  the  different  adventurers:  Provided,  the  said 
Salt  be  manufactured  by  the  person  who  shall  offer  it  in 
payment,  and  that  the  same  be  tendered  for  payment  before 
the  expiration  of  two  years  after  the  loan  of  the  money. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  if  any  of  the  said  Works 
should  be  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  this  State  will  lose  one- 
half  of  the  money  which  has  been  appropriated  for  the 
purpose  of  erecting  such  Works,  out  of  the  money  advanced 
on  loan  by  this  State  to  the  proprietor. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  nothing  in  the  aforegoing 
Resolves  shall  extend  to  the  loan  of  any  sum  of  money  to  any 
person  who  shall  not  apply  before  the  first  day  of  October 
next,  nor  then,  unless  upon  condition  that  the  Works  shall 
be  completed  within  three  months  of  the  said  loan. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gouverneur  Morris, 

Resolved,  That  whereas  Dr.  Samuel  Bard  hath  under- 
taken to  erect  a  Salt  Work  in  this  State,  and  is  about  to  go 
to  Philadelphia  for  the  completion  thereof,  it  be  recom- 
mended to  the  Committee  of  the  City  and  County  of  New- 
York,  that  during  the  absence  of  the  said  Samuel  Bard  his 
house  be  not  taken  up  for  the  use  of  the  Troops  which  are 
or  may  be  stationed  in  the  said  City. 

A  Letter  or  Certificate  of  Colonel  Samuel  Drake,  dated 
the  26th  instant,  was  read  and  filed.*  He  thereby  certifies 
that  Mr.  Stephen  Halsey,  the  Surgeon  of  his  Regiment,  has 
done  the  duty  of  Surgeon  to  that  Regiment  since  the  eighth 
day  o(July,  instant. 

The  Certificate  of  Dr.  John  Jones,  dated  the  fifteenth  day 

*  CAMP  AT  GREENWICH,  July  26,  1776. 

I  do  hereby  certify  that  Dr.  Stephen  Halsey  has  done  the  duty  of  a 
Surgeon  for  my  Regiment  since  the  8th  of  instant;  and  1  desire  his 
warrant  may  be  made  out  accordingly.  SAMUEL  DRAKE,  Colonel. 

To  the  Provincial  Congress,  at  the  IVhite-Plitins. 


92 


1459 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1460 


of  July,  instant,*  certifying  that  he  had  examined  Dr.  Stephen 
Halsey,  and  finds  him  competently  qualified  to  act  as  Sur- 
geon, of  a  Regiment,  was  again  read,  and  was  now  filed. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Dr.  Stephen  HaJsey  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  appointed  Surgeon  to  the  Regiment  whereof  Samuel 
Drake,  Esq.,  is  Colonel,  and  that  his  pay  commence  from 
the  eighth  day  of  July,  instant. 

An  Affidavit  of  Abraham  Fort,  taken  before  Johannes 
Sleght,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Kingston,  in  Ulster 
County,  on  the  16th  instant,  was  read  and  filed.  Informa- 
tion is  therein  contained  that  a  number  of  disaffected  persons 
who  had  inlisted  in  the  Continental  service,  and  as  such 
received  the  money  of  the  Continent,  have  deserted  from 
Lunenburgh,  and  gone  back  of  the  mountains,  behind  Cock- 
sackie ;  that  Butler  was  at  the  Susquchannah,  with  such 
number  of  Indians  as  he  thought  sufficient,  and  they  intended 
to  come  through  the  woods  and  attack  Hurley-Town. 

A  Letter  from  Johannes  Sleght,  Esq.,f  Chairman  of  the 
said  Committee  at  Kingston,  dated  the  23d  day  of  July, 
instant,  was  received  by  Mr.  Beekman,  and  read.  They 
thereby  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  sundry  Prisoners  on 
parole,  with  a  Letter  from  this  Convention  dated  the  19th 
June. 

Another  Letter,  of  the  24th  of  July,  from  the  same  Com- 
mittee, was  also  read.  They  therein  request  an  explanation 
of  the  parole  of  the  said  Prisoners,  as  to  the  limits  within 
which  they  are  to  be  circumscribed;  and  also  therein  declare 
that  it  will  oblige  them  and  the  inhabitants  to  have  those 
Prisoners  removed. 

Ordered,  That  those  Letters  and  the  Affidavit  be  referred 
to  Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Beekman,  and  Mr.  Duer,  to  consider 
thereof,  and  report  thereon  with  all  convenient  speed. 

Die  iMartis,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  July  30,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW- YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Beekman,  Colonel  Brasher, 

General  Scott,  Mr.  Van  Cortlandt. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Contine. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Ab.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 
DUTCHESS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Mr.  London. 
KING'S. — Mr.  Covenhoven. 
GLOUCESTER. — Mr.  Okott. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Jonathan  Lawrence,  Mr.  Sam.  Townshend, 

Mr.  Jos.  Townshend,  Mr.  Ben.  Sands. 
CHARLOTTE. — Colonel  Williams,  Mr.  Duer. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  Smith. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk,  Mr.  Moore. 

Dr.  Joseph  Gerreau,  a  Frenchman,  with  Hyam  Solomon, 
the  Distiller,  as  his  interpreter,  applied  to  the  Convention  for 
encouragement  for  making  Salt,  or  imparting  the  knowledge 
of  that  art,  which  the  said  Joseph  Gerreau  professes  to 
understand. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Harper,  and  Mr.  Morris, 
be  a  Committee  to  treat  with  Monsieur  Gerreau,  concerning 
the  process  of  manufacturing  Salt,  in  a  cheap  and  expeditious 
manner,  which  he  professes  to  understand,  with  power  to 
engage  to  give  him  any  sum  not  exceeding  £200,  for  commu- 

"This  is  to  certify  that  I  have  this  day  examined  Dr.  Stephen  Halsey. 
I  find  him  competently  qualified  to  act  as  Surgeon  of  a  Regiment. 
Dated  in Xeic-York,  July  15,  1776.  JOHN  JONES,  M.  D. 

t  KINGSTON,  July  23,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Your  letter  of  the  19th  June,  together  with  the  prisoners 
therein  mentioned,  we  have  received.  We  understand,  by  their  parole, 
that  the  said  prisoners  are  to  reside  in  this  town,  or  anywhere  within-six 
miles  thereof,  and  that  they  are  not  at  liberty  to  pass  and  repass,  when 
and  where  they  please,  within  six  miles  of  said  town.  Understanding 
their  parole  in  this  sense,  we  have  confined  them  to  the  town  spot  only, 
and  to  their  respective  lodgings  after  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The 
gentlemen  officers  understand  that  they  are  allowed  by  their  parole  to 
pass  and  repass,  when  and  where  they  think  proper,  within  the  distance 
of  six  miles  of  this  town;  and  that  our  confining  them  to  any  less  space 
than  that  of  six  miles,  is  a  breach  of  the  parole;  and  that  they,  in  point 
of  honour,  are  not  bound  any  longer  by  said  parole.  Notwithstanding, 
they  have  agreed  and  promised  to  abide  by  said  parole  in  everything, 
strictly,  until  the  sense  of  Congress  can  be  had  in  this  matter;  but  at  the 
same  time  do  request  that  (if  the  Congress  should  be  of  opinion  that  they 
cannot  have  the  liberty  of  recreating  themselves  when  and  where  they 
think  proper,  in  the  full  extent  of  six  miles  round  this  town)  their  parole 
may  be  returned  them,  and  themselves  sent  to  some  other  part  of  the 
country,  where,  upon  their  parole,  they  can  be  admitted  to  more  liberty. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee.        JOHANNIS  SLEGHT,  Chairman. 
To  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State 

of  .Veto-  York,  or  to  the  Committee  of  Safety. 


nicating  the  same ;  and  to  call  to  their  assistance  such  person 
of  chemical  knowledge  as  they  may  think  proper,  in  order  to 
ascertain  the  utility  of  Mr.  Gerrcau's  process. 

A  Letter  from  several  Captains  of  the  respective  Compa" 
nies  of  Militia  in  King's  County  was  rend.*  They  thereby 
request  that  the  Militia  of  their  respective  Companies  may 
be  excused  from  being  draughted,  agreeable  to  the  Resolu- 
tions of  this  Convention  of  the  twentieth  day  of  July  instant, 
and  mentioning  that  their  whole  Militia  engage  to  turn  out 
whenever  necessary  for  the  purposes  mentioned  in  the  said 
Resolutions. 

The  said  Letter  was  taken  into  consideration,  and  the 
question  put,  whether  this  Convention  will  grant  the  request 
contained  therein. 

Resolved  and  Agreed,  unanimously,  That  the  request  of 
the  said  Captains,  by  their  said  Letter,  be  not  granted;  and 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Covenhoven  inform  those  gentle- 
men of  this  determination. 

A  Member  informed  the  Convention  that  the  Sloop  Non- 
such and  her  cargo,  which  had  been  taken  by  the  enemy, 
and  afterwards  retaken,  is  in  a  perishing  condition — in  a  dan- 
gerous situation  on  the  south  side  of  Nassau-Island,  for  want 
of  a  proper  Court  of  Admiralty  in  this  State. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Colonel  Henry  Remsen  and 
Mr.  Robert  Ray,  or  either  of  them,  be,  and  they  hereby  are, 
empowered  by  this  Convention  to  treat  with  Mr.  Isacher 
Poluck  upon  the  sale  of  the  Sloop  Nonsuch  and  her  cargo, 
William  Heffcrman  Master,  and  to  take  from  the  said  Isa- 
cher Poluck  good  and  sufficient  security  to  the  President  of 
this  Convention  for  the  payment  of  such  moneys  as  may  be 
decreed  for  the  salvage  of  the  said  sloop  and  cargo  to  the 
captors,  and  for  the  fees  upon  the  libelling  and  adjudication 
thereof,  &tc. 

Die  Mercurii,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  July  31,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Brasher,  Captain  Rutgers,  Mr.  Ro- 
bert Harper,  Mr.  Beekman.  Mr.  John  Van  Cortlandt. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  Smith. 
ULSTER.— Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Contine. 
DUTCHESS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Mr.  Landon. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Colonel  Graham,  General 

Morris. 

ORANGE. — Doctor  Outwater,  Mr.  Little. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,  Mr.  James  Townshend, 

Mr.  Sands. 

KING'S. — Mr.  Covenhoven. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
CHARLOTTE. — Colonel  Williams,  Mr.  Duer. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Colonel  Marsh. 
GLOUCESTER. — Colonel  Alcott. 

The  Letter  of  the  Committee  for  devising  ways  and  means 
to  protect  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River,  subscribed  by 
Robert  Yates,  their  Chairman,  and  dated  22d  July,  was  again 
read. 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Alexander  Dean,  of  the 
City  of  New-  York,  be  requested  forthwith  to  proceed  to 
Poughkeepsie,  in  Dutchess  County,  and  on  his  arrival  there 
that  he  wait  upon  Messrs.  John  Jay,  Robert  R.  Livingston, 
Robert  Yates,  Gilbert  Livingston,  Christopher  Tappan,  and 
William  Paulding,  or  either  of  them,  and  that  he  observe 
such  directions  as  shall  be  given  him  by  them,  or  either  of 
them. 

Ordered,  further,  That  all  officers,  civil  and  military,  be, 
and  they  hereby  are,  requested  to  aid  and  assist  the  said 

"July  26,  1776. 

Whereas  Colonel  Rutgers  Van  Brunt,  agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  the 
said  State,  has  demanded  every  fourth  man  of  our  Companies,  we,  the 
Captains  of  the  King's  County  Militia,  pray  the  Congress  to  indulge  us 
with  the  men  under  our  command  as  Militia  to  execute  the  said  resolves 
of  the  20th  instant,  relating  to  King's  County  stock,  without  being  paid, 
provided  it  be  in  the  said  County  of  King's;  and  we  promise  to  be  ready, 
with  the  men  under  our  command,  whenever  called  on  by  the  command- 
ing officers,  think  it  necessary  to  drive  the  stock  into  an  interior  part  of 
the  Island,  we  are  also  ready  to  perform  the  same;  and  also  are  ready  to 
guard  the  coast,  agreeable  to  the  said  resolves,  and  protect  the  inhabi- 

JNO.  VAN  DERBILT,  Captain,  CORS.  VAN  DEBEER,  Captain, 

LAMBERTH  SUYDAM,  Captain,  REM.  WILLIAMSON,  Coploin, 

BARENT  JOHNSON,  Captain,  BARNARDOS  SUYDAM,  Captain, 

JOHN  TITUS,  Captain,  ADRIAN  VAN  BRUNT,  Captain. 


1461 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  JULY,  1776. 


1462 


Alexander  Deane,  that  lie  be  not  interrupted  in  his  journey 
to  Poughkeepsie  as  aforesaid. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  several  Brigadier-Gene- 
rals in  this  State  do  make  return  to  the  Convention,  or  future 
Executive  power  thereof,  on  or  hefore  the  first  day  of  Sep- 
tember next,  of  the  state  of  the  Militia  of  their  several  Bri- 
gades— containing  in  such  state  the  names  and  rank  of  the 
officers,  the  number  of  men,  the  condition  of  their  arms, 
the  draughts  from  time  to  time  made,  and  the  number  of 
men  now  actually  serving  as  draughts  as  aforesaid ;  or  in  de- 
fault of  such  return,  that  the  said  Generals  do  show  good 
cause  why  the  same  could  not  by  them  be  made. 

Ordered,  That  certified  copies  of  this  Resolution  be  im- 
mediately transmitted  to  the  respective  Brigadier-Generals 
of  the  Militia  in  this  State. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  to  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral Morris,  dated  at  Ncw-Rochelle,  on  the  24th  July  instant, 
relating  to  his  Regiment  refusing  to  be  draughted,  and  his 
intention  to  resign  his  commission,  was  read.* 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Hoffman,  and  General 
Morris,  be  a  Committee  to  take  the  said  Letter  into  con- 
sideration, and  report  thereon  as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Letter  was  delivered  to  the  said  Committee. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Richard  Morris,  Esq.,  be 
appointed  Judge  of  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty  of  this 
State. 

And  Ordered,  That  John  Van  Cortlandt,  Esq.,  wait  on 
Mr.  Morris,  and  request  his  acceptance  of  that  office. 

Resolved,  unanimously.  That  John  McKesson,  Esq.,  be, 
and  he  is  hereby,  appointed  Register  of  the  High  Court  of 
Admiralty  of  this  State. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Robert  Benson,  Esq.,  be, 
and  he  is  hereby,  appointed  Marshal  and  Provost-Marshal 
of  the  said  High  Court  of  Admiralty  in  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Morris,  Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Yates, 
Mr.  Samuel  Townshend,  and  Mr.  William  Smith,  be  a  Com- 
mittee, to  whom  Mr.  McKesson  is  directed  to  deliver  tables 
or  bills  of  such  fees  as  have  been  heretofore  established  or 
usually  taxed  or  taken  in  the  former  Court  or  Courts  of 
Admiralty  in  this  State.  That  the  said  Committee  take 
such  fees  into  consideration,  and  report  what  fees  may  be 
proper  to  be  established  by  this  State,  to  be  taken  and  re- 
ceived by  the  officers  of  the  Court  of  Admiralty  to  be  esta- 
blished in  the  same. 

A  Letter  from  Cornelius  C.  Roosevelt,  f  who  has  for  some 

•NEW-ROCHELLE,  July  24,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favour  of  yesterday  I  received,  enclosing  the  resolu- 
tions of  Convention.  I  met  the  south  part  of  my  Regiment  yesterday, 
according  to  your  request  of  last  Friday.  I  first  proceeded  to  the  nomi- 
nation of  Captains  (in  the  manner  we  did  the  last  time  we  raised  men) 
to  turn  out  as  volunteers  to  command  the  Companies  now  to  be  raised; 
but  they  as  one  man  peremptorily  denied  going,  at  any  rate  at  present. 
I  then,  as  before,  proposed  to  the  Lieutenanls,  who  also,  with  one  voice, 
positively  refused.  They  all  as  one  man  determined  not  to  go  under 
any  person  to  degrade  their  Colonel,  whose  right  it  was.  I  must  tell 
you  that  I  never  saw  so  much  spirit  of  resentment  as  there  seemed  to  be 
running  through  the  Regiment,  even  from  the  Captains  down  to  the 
lowest  private.  I  am  well  pprsuaded  that  I  cannot  get  five  men  out  of 
this  part  of  the  Regiment,  without  dragging  them  along  like  criminals, 
which  disagreeable  task  I  hovpe  you  will  excuse  me  from,  their  refusal 
being  on  my  account,  which  makes  it  the  worse  for  me  to  do.  What 
will  be  done  I  cannot  tell.  This  I  can  say,  that  I  am  sorry  from  my 
heart  that  the  service  should  suffer  on  my  account;  but  at  the  same  time 
am  happy  in  the  thought  of  having  a  conscience  void  of  offence  in 
bringing  about  this  matter. 

From,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant,  JOSEPH  DRAKE. 

To  Brigadier-General  Morris,  at  White-Plains. 

t  NEW-YORK,  July  26, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  The  contract  Mr.  Curtenius  made  for  supplying  the 
Artillery  Company  with  provisions  in  my  behalf,  I  did  by  no  means  ex- 
pect to  deviate  from;  but  Captain  Hamilton  demanding  one  and  a  half 
pound  of  beef,  or  eighteen  ounces  pork,  which  was  half  a  pound  of  beef 
or  six  ounces  pork  more  than  my  contract  stipulated,  therefore  could 
not  grant  the  extraordinary  supply  without  the  price  being  raised  equi- 
valent thereto.  As  I  was  confident  what  I  had  hitherto  received  would 
by  no  means  compensate  for  what  it  cost,  which  is  evident  by  the  fol- 
lowing accurate  detail,  what  a  ration  stands  me  in  agreeable  to  the  allow- 
ance demanded,  to  wit:  one  and  a  half  pound  of  beef,  or  eighteen  ounces 
pork,  Id.;  one  pound  of  bread,  2irf.;  one  quart  of  beer,  Id.;  peas,  meal, 
candles,  soap,&c.,  2</. — 12jrf.;  and  which  1  granted  upon  Captain  Hamil- 
ton's most  sanguine  assurances  of  my  being  recompensed  for  the  same. 
Enclosed  is,  therefore,  gentlemen,  my  account,  with  vouchers,  agreeable 
to  which  I  expect  to  be  paid,  and  at  that  rate  will  continue  supplying  the 
said  Company.  For  less,  no  person  can,  without  sinking  money,  on 
account  of  the  exorbitant  price  of  beef,  pork,  and  flour,  is  enhanced  to. 
Should  therefore  be  glad  the  honourable  Convention  would  favour  me 
with  an  answer  per  the  first  conveyance,  in  order  that  I  might  provide 
myself  accordingly. 

I  am,  in  the  interim,  with  the  greatest  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant,  CORNS.  C.  ROOSEVELT. 


time  past  acted  as  Commissary  for  Captain  Hamilton's  troops, 
dated  the  26th  instant,  was  read.  He  therein  sets  forth  that 
he  had  been  obliged  to  supply  Captain  Hamilton's  Company 
with  a  much  larger  quantity  of  Provisions  than  the  rations 
stipulated  for,  which  has  enhanced  the  prices  so  that  each 
ration,  as  'ay  him  delivered,  cost  him  12£c/.  His  Accounts 
were  enclosed. 

A  Letter  from  Captain  Hamilton,*  of  the  same  date,  on 
the  same  subject,  and  a  Certificate  of  John  Pollard,  Quar- 
termaster of  the  Army,  certifying  the  allowances  of  Provi- 
sions delivered  to  each  man  as  a  ration,  were  also  read. 

Ordered,  That  as  Captain  Hamilton's  Company  was 
formerly  made  a  part  of  General  Scott's  Brigade,  that  they 
be  henceforth  supplied  with  Provisions  as  a  part  of  that 
Brigade. 

^That  Mr.  Robert  Harper,  Mr.  London,  and  Colonel 
Graham,  be  a  Committee  to  take  the  said  Letters  and  Ac- 
counts into  consideration,  and  report  thereon.  And  the 
sense  of  the  Convention  was  signified  to  that  Committee  that 
it  is  necessary  to  make  compensation  to  Cornelius  C.  Roose- 
velt for  the  extraordinary  quantity  of  Provisions  which  have 
issued  to  that  Company  beyond  his  contract. 

The  Convention  were  informed  that  Thaddeus  Noble, 
from  King's  District,  is  attending  with  thirty  Muskets,  pur- 
suant to  his  contract  made  on  the  26th  day  of  April  last 
with  Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  on  behalf  of  the  State ;  that  he 
has  not  furnished  them  with  steel  ramrods,  according  to  con- 
tract ;  and  that  Mr.  Jacobus  Van  Zandt,  with  whom  he  had 
contracted  on  behalf  of  this  State,  is  in  Dulchess  County. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Thaddeus  Noble  deliver  the  said 
Arms  to  Colonel  Peter  T.  Curtenius,  as  Commissary.  That 
Colonel  Curtenius  view  and  examine  the  said  Arms,  or  cause 
them  to  be  viewed  and  examined,  so  as  to  determine  whether 
they  are  made  according  to  contract,  (the  ramrods  excepted,) 
and  that  Colonel  Curtenius  send  to  this  Convention  a  certi- 
ficate how  far  the  said  Arms  are  made  according  to  contract, 
and  how  much  should  be  deducted  on  each  for  the  defect  of 
steel  ramrods. 

A  Letter  from  Joseph  Robinson,  Esq.,  Deputy  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  of  Queen's  County,  and  Noah  Smith,  was 
read  and  filed.f  They  thereby  certify  that  William  Ludlam, 
Jun.,  had  been  duly  elected  Captain  of  the  Minute  Com- 
pany of  the  Township  of  Jamaica,  in  the  stead  of  John  J. 
Skidmore,  Esq.,  promoted  to  a  Majority. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  issue  to  Captain  William 
Ludlam  as  Captain  of  that  Company. 

Die  Mercurii,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  July  31,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Brigadier  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. —  Mr.  Robert  Harper,  Mr.  Rutger,  Mr.  Beelc- 

man,  Mr.  Dunscomb,  General  Scott. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  Smith. 

•GENTLEMEN:  lam  obliged  to  trouble  you  to  remove  a  difficulty  which 
arises  respecting  the  quantity  of  subsistence  which  is  to  be  allowed  my 
men.  Enclosed  you  have  the  rate  of  rations  which  is  the  standard  allow- 
ance of  the  whole  Continental  and  even  the  Provincial  Army;  but  it 
seems  Mr.  Curtenius  cannot  afford  to  supply  us  with  more  than  his  con- 
tract stipulates;  which,  by  comparison,  you  will  perceive  is  considerably 
less  than  the  forementioned  rate.  My  men,  you  are  sensible,  are,  by 
their  articles,  entitled  to  the  same  subsistence  with  the  Continental  troops; 
and  it  would  be  to  them  an  insupportable  discrimination,  as  well  as  a 
breach  of  the  terms  of  their  inlistment,  to  give  them  almost  a  third  less 
provisions  than  the  whole  Army  besides  receives.  I  doubt  not  you  will 
speedily  put  this  matter  upon  a  proper  footing.  Hitherto  we  have  drawn 
our  full  allowance  from  Mr.  Curtenius,  but  he  did  it  upon  the  supposi- 
tion that  he  should  have  a  further  consideration  for  the  extraordinary 
supply.  At  present,  however,  he  scruples  to  proceed  in  the  same  way 
until  it  can  be  put  upon  a  more  certain  foundation. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  utmost  esteem  and  respect,  your  most  obe- 
dient and  most  humble  servant,  » 

A.  HAMILTON,  Captain  of  Mew-York  Artillery. 
The  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress. 

July  26,  1776. 

1  JAMAICA,  July  26, 1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  By  the  appointment  of  John  J.  Skidmore  to  a  Majority, 
the  Captain's  berth  to  our  Minute  Company  became  vacant.  We  there- 
fore desire  to  inform  you  that  the  said  Company  have  chosen  (agreeable 
to  the  recommendation  of  the  Congress  before  us,  two  of  the  members 
of  the  Committee  for  the  Township  of  Jamaica)  William  Ludlam,  Jun., 
for  their  Captain.  We  therefore  pray  you  would  send  up  as  soon  as 
possible  a  commission  for  the  said  William  Ludlam,  Jun.,  as  Captain  in 
our  first  Regiment. 

We  are,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants, 
JOSEPH  ROBINSON,  Dep .  Chairman, 
NOAH  SMITH. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress. 


1463 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1464 


ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Confine. 
DUTCHESS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Mr.  London. 
WESTCHESTEK. — Mr.  Morris,  Colonel  L.  Graham,  General 

Morris. 

ORANGE. — Dr.  Outvoter,  Mr.  Little.  • 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Mr.  James- Townsend, 

Mr.  Benjamin  Sands,  Major  Laurence. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Kewkirk. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Williams. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Colonel  Marsh. 
GLOUCESTER. — Mr.  Olcott. 

A  Memorial  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Stockholm  and  Major 
Livingston,  in  Colonel  Lasher's  Regiment,  to  General  Scott, 
was  read.  They  therein  set  forth  that  a  Committee  of  the 
late  Provincial  Congress,  \vho  treated  with  them  on  the  sub- 
ject of  going  into  service,  had  engaged  that  they  should  not 
be  called  out  of  the  city,  and  assign  that  reason  for  the 
unwillingness  of  the  Companies  of  that  Regiment  to  encamp 
with  the  Brigade. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  prepare  a  copy  of  the 
appointment  of  the  Committee  referred  to  in  that  Memorial, 
and  such  other  entries  as  relate  thereto ;  and  that  the  said 
Committee  endorse  such  certificate  thereon  as  may  prevent 
any  apprehension  of  the  assurances  by  them  given  to  the 
officers  of  Colonel  Lasher's  Regiment,  when  they  conversed 
on  the  subject  of.entering  into  the  service  of  this  State 
only. 

On  motion,  Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  General 
Committee  of  Dutchess  County,  or  their  Sub-Committee  of 
Safety,  be  requested  to  cause  the  Powder  Mill  of  Mr.  John 
R.  Livingston,  (with  the  Stores  and  Magazines  thereunto 
appertaining,)  in  the  said  County,  to  be  guarded;  and  for 
that  purpose  that  they  order  Captain  Melancton  Smith  to 
detach  a  Sergeant  and  six  Privates  out  of  one  of  the  two 
Companies  under  his  command  in  the  said  County  to  guard 
the  same. 

A  Letter  wrote  and  handed  to  a  Member  by  Mr.  Richard 
Hetfield,  signed  William  Dutcher,  Captain,  Daniel  Martling, 
(by  order,)  First  Lieutenant,  George  Monson,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, was  read.  They  thereby  offer  to  raise  a  Company 
out  of  Colonel  Joseph  Drake's  Regiment,  to  serve  under 
Colonel  Thomas.* 

Mr.  Morris  moved,  and  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Duer,  that, 
by  a  resolve  of  this  Convention,  the  Officers  whose  names 
are  subscribed  to  that  Letter,  be  ordered  to  raise  a  Company 
out  of  Colonel  Joseph  Drake's  Regiment,  and  immediately 
to  join  Colonel  Thomas's  Regiment: 

Debates  arose  thereon.  General  Scott  offered  some  rea- 
sons for  deferring  such  resolution  at  present,  lest  it  might 
injure  the  service,  by  placing  Officers  in  service  out  of  their 
proper  tour  of  duty  or  rank. 

Mr.  Morris  opposed  Mr.  Scott's  being  permitted  to  speak 
or  interfere  in  the  debates  of  this  Convention,  and  assigned 
for  reason,  that  as,  by  the  resolution  of  the  late  Congress  of 
the  15th  June  that  no  officer  in  the  pay  of  this  Colony  or 
of  the  Continent  should  be  elected,  General  Scott  was  ineli- 
gible, and  therefore  not  entitled  to  a  seat  or  voice.  General 
Scott  claimed  his  seat  on  behalf  of  his  constituents.  Debates 
ensued  thereon. 

Thereupon,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Morris,  seconded  by  Mr. 
Duer, 

Rtsolved,  That  on  next  Tuesday  this  Convention  will  take 
into  consideration  the  case  of  General  Scott's  election,  and 
the  said  resolution  above-mentioned,  and  the  propriety  of  his 
taking  his  seat  as  a  Member  of  this  Convention. 

A  Letter  from  George  Townsend,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Queen's  County,  requesting  the  loan  of  money 

•As  an  evidence  of  our  inclination  of  raising  a  Company  in  the  Regi- 
ment under  Colonel  Thomas  Thomas,  pursuant  to  a  late  resolve  of  Con- 
gress for  the  State  of  New-York,  \ve  hereby  certify  to  the  honourable 
Members  of  the  said  Congress,  that  we  are  willing  to  turn  out  as  Militia 
officers  for  that  purpose,  and  to  go  in  the  service  under  him,  notwith- 
standing the  Congress  has  omitted  appointing  Joseph  Drake,  Esq.,  Colo- 
nel of  the  above-mentioned  Regiment,  and  that  we  are  humbly  of  opinion, 
from  the  conversation  we  have  had  with  the  men  in  our  Company,  and 
others,  that  we  can,  without  the  least  difficulty,  raise  a  full  Company  for 
the  purpose  aforesaid;  and  we  pray  that  some  plan  may  be  adopted  for 
the  purpose  of  completing  the  Regiment,  in  case  Colonel  Joseph  Drake 
should  refuse  appointing  Militia  officers,  pursuant  to  the  resolve  afore- 
said. WILLIAM  DCTCIIER,  Captain. 

DAXIEL  MARTLIVG,  1st  Lieutenant,  (by  order.) 
GEORGE  MONSON,  2rf  Lieutenant. 
30th  day  of  July,  177C. 


for  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  County,  was  read,  and  is 
in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"  In  Committee,  Queen's  County,  July  24, 1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  This  County  being  under  a  necessity  of 
an  immediate  sum  of  money  for  defraying  the  necessary 
expenses  of  the  County,  we  desire  that  you  will  make  appli- 
cation to  Congress  for  the  sum  of  £400,  for  the  use  of  this 
County,  and  transmit  the  same  to  Joseph  Robison,  Esq., 
who  is  chosen  our  Treasurer. 

"  Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee. 

"Attested:  GEORGE  TOWNSEND,  Chairman. 

"  JEROMS.  REMSEN,  Jun.,  Clerk. 

"To  Colonel  Blackwcll,  Captain  Jonathan  Lawrence, 
Benjamin  Sands,  Samuel  Townsend,  James  Townsend, 
Abraham  Keteltas,  Cornelius  Van  Wyck,  Walter  Smith, 
Esqs.,  or  either  of  them." 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention,  pursuant  to  the  request 
of  the  County  Committee  of  Queen's  County,  by  their  Letter 
of  the  24th  instant,  subscribed,  by  their  order,  by  George 
Townsend,  their  Chairman,  will  lend  to  the  said  Committee 
of  Queen's  County  the  sum  of  £400,  for  defraying  the 
necessary  expenses  of  the  County,  to  be  charged  to  and  paid 
by  the  said  County  of  Queen's  County,  in  the  like  manner 
as  the  sums  of  money  lent  to  other  Counties  in  this  State  for 
the  like  purposes. 

And  Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State,  do  pay 
the  said  sum  of  £400  to  Samuel  Townsend,  Esq.,  one  of  the 
Members  of  this  Convention  from  Queen's  County,  for  the 
use  of  the  said  County  Committee,  to  defray  the  necessary 
expenses  of  the  said  County,  taking  the  said  Samuel  Town- 
send's  receipt  for  the  same. 

Application  was  made  to  the  Convention,  on  behalf  of  the 
Troop  of  Horse  in  Queen's  County,  that  they  conceive  it 
hard  to  be  draughted  with  the  common  Militia  or  Foot,  on 
the  late  resolution  of  this  Convention  for  draughting  one- 
fourth  part  of  the  Militia  into  actual  service,  as  they  have 
been  at  the  expense  to  equip  themselves  as  Troopers  under 
the  authority  of  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Brigadier-General  Woodhull  determine  as 
he  shall  think  proper  on  this  application,  and  give  his  direc- 
tions accordingly. 

Ordered,  That  Sa.  Dyckman,  the  Messenger,  be  called 
on  to  take  the  following  oath,  viz: 

"  I  do  swear  on  the  Holy  Evangelist  of  Almighty  God 
that  I  will  diligently  and  faithfully  execute  the  office  of  an 
express  to  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  Neiv-York;  that 
I  will  keep  all  the  secrets  with  which  I  am  or  shall  be 
intrusted ;  and  that  I  will  not  suffer  any  papers  committed 
to  my  charge  to  be  examined  by  any  other  person  or  persons 
than  such  as,  by  this  Convention  or  a  future  Legislature  of 
the  State,  may  be  authorized  to  examine  the  same." 

Adjourned  to  eight  o'clock. 

Die  Jovis,  8  ho.  A.  M.,  August  1,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull.  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Rutgers,  Mr.  Dunscombc, 

Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Beekman,  Colonel  Lott. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  William  Smith,  Mr.  Gel- 

ston,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Miller. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Cantine. 
DUTCHESS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Major  London. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Smith.  General  Morris,  Mr.  Morris, 

Colonel  Graham,  Mr.  Milk. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Outwater. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Mr.  James  Towtisend, 

Mr.  Benjamin  Sands,  Mr.  Walter  Smith,  Colonel  Black- 
well,  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  Major  Lawrence. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  William  Harper. 
CHARLOTTE. — Colonel  Williams,  Mr.  Duer. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Sessions. 
GLOUCESTER. — Mr.  Olcott. 

Sampson  Dyckman,  attending,  was  called  in  and  sworn 
as  the  Messenger  of  this  Convention,  by  the  form  of  the 
oath  for  that  purpose  agreed  to  and  entered  in  the  Minutes 
yesterday. 

Resolved,  That  the  Militia  of  the  Counties  of  Charlotte, 
Cumberland,  and  Gloucester,  in  this  State,  be  formed  into 


1465 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1466 


two  separate  Brigades,  anything  in  the  resolution  of  the 
Provincial  Congress  of  this  Colony,  on  the  22d  day  of  Au- 
gust last  past  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

That  the  Militia  of  the  County  of  Charlotte  compose  one 
Brigade,  and  the  Militia  of  the  Counties  of  Gloucester  and 
Cumberland  the  other  Brigade. 

And  Resolved,  That  Jacob  Bayley,  Esq.,  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Newbury,  in  Gloucester  County,  be  appointed  Brig- 
adier-General of  the  Militia  of  the  Counties  of  Gloucester 
and  Cumberland.  That  Simon  Stevens,  Esq.,  of  the  Town- 
ship of  Springfield,  in  the  County  of  Cumberland,  be  ap- 
pointed Major  of  Brigade  of  the  said  Brigade;  and  that 
Commissions  issue  for  those  gentlemen  immediately. 

Resolved,  That  Lieutenant-Colonel  James  Hamman  be 
the  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Militia  of  Westchester  County, 
draughted  or"  to  be  draughted  into  actual  service  under  Col- 
onel Thomas  Thomas. 

On  two  Returns  delivered  in  and  read,  though  very  im- 
perfect and  not  worth  preserving,  on  motion  of  Colonel 
De  Witt,  who  explained  the  said  Returns, 

Ordered,  That  Abraham  Smedes,  who  has  been  duly 
elected  First  Lieutenant  in  Captain  Matthew  Janse's  Com- 
pany of  Shawangunk  Precinct,  in  Colonel  Jonathan  Has- 
brouclc's  Regiment  of  the  Militia  of  Ulster  County,  receive 
a  Commission  for  that  office. 

And  Ordered,  That  Cornelius  Dubois,  who  has  been  an 
officer  of  Horse,  had  been  duly  elected  Second  Lieutenant 
in  Captain  John  De  Witfs  Company  from  Ulster  County, 
in  service  as  a  part  of  the  Continental  Army,  in  General 
Scott's  Brigade,  to  continue  an  officer  of  Foot  while  in  that 
service,  have  a  Second  Lieutenant's  Commission  issued  to 
him. 

The  said  Commissions  were  issued  accordingly,  and  de- 
livered to  Colonel  De  Witt.  x" 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  for  issuing  a  second  emis- 
sion of  Bills  of  Credit  in  this  Colony  was  read ;  and  being 
again  in  part  read  by  paragraphs,  debates  arose  thereon,  and 
it  was  recommitted  to  the  former  Committee,  and  Mr.  Duer, 
to  report  again  with  all  convenient  speed. 

Mr.  Morris  moved,  and  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Duer,  that 
a  Committee  be  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  and 
report  a  plan  for  instituting  and  framing  a  new  form  of  Gov- 
ernment. The  same  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Mr.  Adgate  moved,  and  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Moore,  in 
the  words  following,  viz:  "I  move  that  the  Committee  to 
be  appointed  by  this  Convention  to  report  a  form  of  Gov- 
ernment, be  directed  first  to  prepare  and  report  a  Bill  of 
Rights,  ascertaining  and  declaring  the  essential  rights  and 
privileges  of  the  good  people  of  this  State  as  the  foundation 
for  such  form  of  Government." 

Debates  arose  thereon.  Mr.  Morris  moved  for  the  pre- 
vious question,  which  was  carried  in  the  negative. 

Mr.  Duer  moved  that  the  words  "be  directed  first  to 
prepare  and"  be  obliterated,  and  the  words  "  do  report  the 
same  time"  there  inserted;  which  being  debated,  was  car- 
ried in  the  affirmative  by  a  great  majority. 

The  question  being  then  put  on  Mr.  Adgate' s  motion,  as 
thus  amended,  it  was  unanimously  carried  in  the  affirmative 
and  agreed  to. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  then  named  by  different 
Members  to  be  of  that  Committee,  viz:  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Ho- 
bart,  Mr.  Wm.  Smith,  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Robert 
R.  Livingston,  Colonel  Broome. 

General  Scott  having  been  named,  Mr.  Robt.  Harper 
moved  that  he  be  appointed  one  of  that  Committee. 

Mr.  Morris  opposed,  and  assigned  for  reason  the  resolu- 
tion of  the  late  Congress,  on  the  15th  day  of  June  last,  and 
that  next  Tuesday  is  fixed  to  consider  whether  Mr.  Scott  is 
entitled  to  a  seat. 

Debates  arose,  and  the  question  being  put  on  the  said 
motion,  it  was  carried  in  th«  affirmative,  in  manner  follow- 


ing, viz: 

For  the  Affirmative. 
8  New-York. 
6  Albany. 

3  Tryon. 

4  Ulster. 

21  votes. 


For  the  Negative. 
5  Dutchess. 
4  Westehester. 
4  Suffolk. 
2  Cumberland. 
1  Gloucester. 
4  dueen's. 


The  other  members  of  the  Committee  being  named, 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Wm.  Smith, 
Mr.  Duer,  M  r.  Morris,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Colonel 
Broome,  General  Scott,  Mr.  Abraham  Tates,  Mr.  Wisner, 
Sen.,  Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Colonel  De  Witt,  and  Mr. 
Robert  Yates'be  a  Committee  to  take  into  consideration 
and  report  a  plan  for  instituting  and  framing  a  fortn  of  Gov- 
ernment. 

That  the  said  Committee  do  prepare  and  report,  at  the 
same  time,  a  Bill  of  Rights,  ascertaining  and  declaring  the 
essential  rights  and  privileges  of  the  good  people  of  this 
State,  as  the  foundation  for  such  form  of  Government. 

Arid  Ordered,  That  the  said  Committee  report  on  the 
26th  day  of  August  instant. 

Die  Jovis,-4  ho.  P.  M.,  August  1,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW- YORK. — Colonel  Lott,  General  Scott,  Mr.  Van  Cort- 

landt,  Major  Abccl,  Mr.  Beekman,  Mr.  Rutgers,  Mr. 

Robt.  Harper. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr. 

Tredwell. 
WEST-CHESTER. — General  Morris,  Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Mills, 

Colonel  Graham. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Wisner,  Jun.,  Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Can- 
tine. 

DUTCHESS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Mr.  Saclcett,  Mr.  London. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Sands,  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Jas. 

Townsend,  Mr.  Saml.  Toimsend. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newlcirk. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Outioater,  Mr.  Little. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Williams. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stephens. 

A  Petition  of  Alexander  Robertson,  Marinus  Willett,  and 
Symes,  was  read.  They  thereby  set  forth  that  Symes 
is  well  skilled  in  the  art  of  extracting  Salt  from  sea  water; 
that  they  are  desirous  of  setting  on  foot  a  proper  work  for 
that  purpose,  and  request  the  encouragement  of  this  Con- 
vention, agreeable  to  their  resolution  for  that  purpose. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Harper  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  examine  Mr.  Symes  relative  to  his  knowledge  in 
the  art  of  extracting  Salt  from  sea  water,  and  that  they  .re- 
port with  all  convenient  speed. 

A  Letter  from  George  Townsend,  Esq.,*  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Queen's  County,  dated  the  31st  instant,  was" 
read  and  filed.  Therein  was  enclosed  a  copy  of  the  late 

*!N  COMMITTEE,  QUEEN'S  COUNTY,  July  31,  1776. 
SIR:  Enclosed  we  send  you  a  Declaration  published  by  Governour 
Tryon,  and  set  up  by  Sheriff  Willett,  in  this  County.     We  desire  you 
will  lay  the  matter  before  the  Congress,  and  have  their  direction  in  the 
affair.     Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee: 

GEORGE  TOWNSEND,  Chairman. 
To  Captain  Jonathan  Lawrence. 

P.  S.  We  beg  that  you  will  take  the  sense  of  the  Congress  what  shall 
be  done  with  the  County  records,  in  order  to  secure  them. 


in  NORTH-AMERICA,  Sfc.,  S(c.     Declaration. 

Whereas,  by  an  act  passed  in  the  last  session  of  Parliament  to  pro- 
hibit all  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  Colonies  of  New- Hampshire, 
Massachusetts-Bay,  Rhode-Island,  Connecticut,  New-York,  Neio-Jersey, 
Pennsylvania,  the  three  lower  Counties  on  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia, 
North-Carolina,  South- Carolina,  and  Georgia,  and  for  other  purposes 
therein  mentioned,  it  is  enacted,  that  "  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and 
for  any  person  or  persons  appointed  and  authorized  by  his  Majesty  to 
grant  a  pardon  or  pardons  to  any  number  or  description  of  persons,  by 
proclamation  in  his  Majesty's  name,  to  declare  any  Colony  or  Province, 
Colonies  or  Provinces,  or  any  County,  Town,  Port,  District,  or  place,  in 
any  Colony  or  Province,  to  be  at  the  peace  of  his  Majesty;  and"  that 
;  from  and  after  the  issuing  any  such  Proclamation  in  any  of  the  afore- 

T-» : ._  '.?  U^n   l\rt.,;«c.tTT  ^li'ill    l-in   o-rnrMmtclir  nlpndorl 


issuing 


or  Province,  Colonies  or  Provinces,  County,  Town,  Port,  District,  or 
place,  shall  cease,  determine,  and  be  utterly  void:'' 

And  whereas  the  King,  desirous  to  deliver  all  his 
calamities  of  war  and  other  oppressions,  which  they  now  undergo,  and 
to  restore  the  said  Colonies  to  his  protection  and  peace,  as  soon  as  the 
constitutional  authority  therein  may  be  replaced,  hath  been  graciously 


20  votes. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Scott  be  one  of  that  Committee. 


Howe  Esquire,  General  of  his  Forces  in  North-.imerica,  and  each  of  us, 
jointly  and  severally,  to  be  his  Majesty's  Commissioner  and  Commis- 
sioners for  granting  his  free  and  general  pardons  to  all  those  who,  in  the 
tumult  and  disorder  of  the  times,  may  have  deviated  from  their  jusl 
giance,  and  who  are  willing,  by  a  speedy  return  to  their  duty,  to  reap  tl 


1467 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1468 


Declaration  of  Richard  Viscount  Hotvc  and  William  Howe, 
attested  by  William  Tryon,  certified  as  a  true  copy  and 
subscribed  Thomas  Willelt,  Sheriff;  which  was  also  read 
and  filed. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Thomas  Wilktt,  late  Sheriff  of 
Queen'*  County,  be  taken  into  custody,  and  brought  imme- 
diately before  this  Convention,  to  answer  for  his  conduct  in 
having  certified,  subscribed,  and  published  the  late  Declara- 
tion of  Richard  Viscount  Howe  and  William  Howe,  attested 
by  William  Tryon,  late  Governour  of  New-  York,  contrary 
to  the  resolutions  of  Congress  and  the  Convention  of  the 
Representatives  of  this  State  in  such  cases  lately  made  and 
provided. 

And  Ordered,  That  General  Scott  be  requested  to  direct 
that  the  above  Resolution  be  duly  executed. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  of  and  report  on 
the  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Kingston,  relative  to  the 
Scotch  Prisoners  from  the  Royal  Army  placed  at  Kingston, 
brought  in  their  Report. 

The  same  being  read,  it  was  postponed  until  further 
inquiry  can  be  made  and  information  obtained. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Ritzema  to  Mr.  McKesson*  one 
of  the  Secretaries,  dated  this  day,  was  read.  He  therein 
mentions  that  his  Regiment  is  without  a  Major;  that  a  Major 
is  a  useful  officer;  that  Captain  Hillings  is  at  present  doing 
Major  duty;  and  that  Colonel  Ritzema  requests  that  a  Major 
may  be  appointed. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  be  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  to  inquire  what  Officers,  who  served  last 
campaign,  remain  unprovided  for. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Hoffman  and  Mr.  Abm.  Yates 
be  discharged,  at  their  request,  from  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed to  inquire  and  report  the  names  of  the  Officers  who 
served  last  campaign  and  are  not  provided  for;  and  that 
Colonel  Lott  and  Mr.  Bleecker  be  of  that  Committee,  in- 
stead of  the  Members  hereby  discharged. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Hoffman  and  Mr.  Tredwcll  have 
leave  of  absence. 

A  Letter  from  Corns.  C.  Roosevelt,  Clerk  to  Colonel  Cur- 
tenius,  was  read  and  filed.  He  thereby  acknowledges  the 
receipt  of  twenty-six  Muskets  from  Thads.  Noble. 

A  Certificate,  f  signed  by  William  Allen,  William  Els- 

benefits  of  the  royal  favour;  and  also  for  declaring  in  his  Majesty's 
name,  any  Colony,  Province,  County,  Town,  Port,  District,  or  place,  to 
be  at  the  peace  of  his  Majesty: 

We  do  therefore  hereby  declare,  that  due  consideration  shall  be  had 
to  the  meritorious  services  of  all  persons  who  shall  aid  and  assist  in  re- 
storing the  publick  tranquillity  in  the  said  Colonies,  or  in  any  part  or  parts 
thereof;  that  pardons  shall  be  granted,  dutiful  representations  received, 
and  every  suitable  encouragement  given,  for  promoting  such  measures  as 
shall  be  conducive  to  the  establishment  of  legal  Government  and  peace, 
in  pursuance  of  his  Majesty's  most  gracious  purposes  aforesaid. 

Uriven  at  Statin- Island  the  fourteenth  day  of  July,  1776. 

HOWE. 
WM.  HOWE. 

The  above  is  a  true  copy  of  the  original  Declaration. 

WM.  TRYON. 


The  above  is  a  true  copy. 


THOS.  WILLETT,  Sheriff. 


•NEW-YORK,  August  1,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  I  have  long  waited,  with  the  utmost  impatience,  for  the  de- 
termination of  the  Convention  of  our  State,  for  the  filling  up  the  vacant 
Majority  in  my  Regiment,  and  can  hardly  conceive  why  it  has  so  long 
been  delayed.  The  office  is  of  so  much  importance  thata  Regimentcan't 
exist  without  its  being  filled,  for  which  reason  the  eldest  Captain  in  the 
Regiment  (Billings)  has  been  appointed,  in  general  orders,  to  act  as  Ma- 
jor to  the  Regiment  till  further  orders,  and  will,  in  all  probability,  soon 
be  appointed  to  that  office,  for  no  other  reason  but  his  being  the  eldest 
Captain.  This  gentleman  is  no  ways  equal  to  that  station, nor  do  I  think 
entitled  to  it,  as  there  are  several  elder  Captains  than  himself  of  the  old 
establishment.  Let  me,  therefore,  beg  of  you,  sir,  to  urge  this  matter 
with  the  Committee  who  has  the  regulation  of  the  arrangement  of  the 
military  officers  in  hand,  that  a  Major  be  immediately  appointed  to  the 
Regiment,  and  his  commission  be  sent  to  me.  Captain  Gofurlh  told  me 
he  would  not  accept  of  it.  If  I  am  not  mistaken,  I  think  Captain  Griffin 
comes  next  in  turn.  However,  I  don't  pretend  to  dictate,  but  only  to 
refresh  your  memory.  All  I  want  is,  that  the  Majority  be  well  filled: 
it  is  matter  of  indifference  to  me  who  is  the  person. 

Your  good  offices  herein  will  much  oblige  your  humble  servant, 

RUDS.  RITZEMA. 
To  Jnhn  McKesson,  Esq.,  at  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York, 

Harlem. 

P. 
signcy 


worth,  GuiHiam  Varick,  and  Michael  Ganter,  Gunsmiths, 
enclosed  in  said  Letter,  was  also  read  and  filed.  They 
thereby  certify  that  the  Muskets  which  Mr.  Nobk  contracted 
to  deliver  in  complete  order,  like  unto  King's  Muskets,  are 
deficient  at  least  10s.  each  of  being  equal  to  the  contract. 
They  have  examined  the  said  Muskets  attentively,  and  do 
upon  honour  declare,  that  they  are  worth  no  more  than  54s. 
each. 

The  Convention  being  informed  that  said  Noble  had 
been  put  to  great  expense  in  bringing  the  said  Muskets  by 
land,  on  account  of  the  ships-of-war  in  Hudson's  River,  by 
which  means  the  Muskets  were  also  injured  in  their  appear- 
ance, 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  Mr.  Nobk  be  allowed  10s.  on 
each  Musket  for  his  extraordinary  expenses  in  bringing  them 
down  by  land,  and  for  the  injury  they  have  received  there- 
by, and  that  he  be  paid  54s.  for  each  Musket,  agreeable  to 
the  valuation  of  the  said  William  Allen  and  others. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Van  Rrugh  Livingston,  Esq.,  pay 
to  Thads.  Noble  the  sum  of  £53  4s.,  in  full  for  twenty-six 
Muskets  by  him  made  on  contract  with  the  Congress  of  this 
State  made  in  April  last,  and  in  full  for  the  allowance  made 
to  him  by  this  Convention  for  extraordinary  expenses  in 
bringing  down  the  said  Muskets  by  land,  and  take  his  receipt 
for  the  same. 

Mr.  Robert  Harper  and  Gouverneur  Morris  reported  that 
they  have  examined  Peter  Sim  as  to  his  skill  and  knowledge 
in  the  art  of  extracting  Salt  from  sea  water,  and  think  him 
well  skilled  in  that  art;  and  that  in  their  opinion  the  appli- 
cation of  the  said  Sim  and  his  copartners  in  every  respect 
comes  within  the  resolutions  of  this  Convention  for  encou- 
raging the  manufacturing  of  Salt. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Alexander  Robertson,  Marinus 
Willet,  and  Peter  Sim,  and  their  copartners,  shall  have  the 
sum  of  £500  on  loan,  on  their  joint  and  several  bond  or 
obligation,  conditioned  for  the  payment  thereof  to  the  Trea- 
surer, according  to  the  said  Resolutions. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  do  prepare  such  Bond ;  * 
and  that  on  the  receipt  thereof  by  the  Treasurer,  duly  exe- 
cuted by  the  said  Alexander  Robertson,  Marinus  U'il/et, 
and  Peter  Sim,  and  their  copartners,  and  conditioned  for  the 
payment  of  £500,  he  do  advance  to  them  that  sum,  taking 
a  receipt  for  the  same. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Duer, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Colonels  of  the  respect- 
ive Regiments  in  the  County  of  Charlotte  do  make  return 
to  this  Convention,  or  to  a  future  Executive  power  of  this 
State,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  September  next,  of  the 
number  of  men  in  their  respective  Regiments,  the  state  of 
their  arms,  and  the-  number  of  the  levies  which  have  been 
draughted  from  each  Battalion;  and  that  Colonel  Williams  be 
directed  to  send  copies  of  this  order  to  the  respective  Colo- 
nels. 

John  Van  Cortlandt,  Esq.,  reported  that  he  had  waited 
on  Richard  Morris,  Esq.,  to  inform  him  of  the  unanimous 
vote  of  this  Convention  to  appoint  him  Judge  of  the  Court 
of  Admiralty  in  this  State;  that  Mr.  Morris  declines  to 

*  Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  That  we,  ,  are  held  and 

firmly  bound  unto  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York,  in  the  sum  of  one 
thousand  pounds,  lawful  money,  of  the  said  State;  for  the  payment 
whereof,  we  bind  ourselves,  our  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators, 
jointly  and  severally,  firmly  by  these  presents. 

Sealed  with  our  seals,  dated  the  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of 

our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  seventy-six. 

Whereas  the  above  bounden  hath  received  on  loan  from  the 

honourable  the  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New- 
York,  for  the  term  of  two  years  from  the  thirtieth  day  of  July  last,  the 
sum  of  five  hundred  pounds,  lawful  money  aforesaid,  as  an  encourage- 
ment to  erect  works  within  this  State,  for  extracting  salt  from  sea  water, 
agieeable  to  certain  resolutions  of  the  said  Convention  made  and  passed 
on  the  thirtieth  day  of  July: 

Now,  therefore,  the  conditions  of  the  above  obligation  are  such,  that 
if  the  above  bounden  shall  and  do,  on  or  before  the  day 

of  next,  erect  and  complete  works  within  this  Stale  for  the 

extracting  of  salt  out  of  sea  water,  at  such  place  or  places  as  the  County 
Committee  of  the  County  where  such  works  are  to  be  erected  shall  deem 
most  proper,  and  at  least  fifteen  miles  distant  on  the  sea-coast  from  any 
other  works  of  the  like  kind,  and  also  that  if  the  said  ,  his  heirs, 


T  ;,.,,t  ,  .,,  ,   urn    >          „•    •      •      .-II-  11        m,     n         omcr  worKs  or  me  line  hiiiu.anua  so  mat  ii  me  saiu  ,  nis  neira, 

nant  IWfer  .  commission  is  still  in  my  hands.     The  En-     executora   or  administrators  shall  and  do,  well  and  truly,  pay,  or  cause 
m  Captain  Horton  ,  Company  vacant,  as  also  in  Deirfon',.  to  bc      j^  unto  lhe  sai(J  ^alitaniel  WoodhM,  his  executors,  administra- 


•f  This  is  to  certify,  that  Ihe  muskets  which  Mr.  Nolle  contracted  for,  to 
deliver  in  complete  order,  like  unto  King's  muskets,  is  deficient  at  least 
ten  shillings  to  be  equal  to  the  contract,  as  we  have  examined  the  said 
muskets  attentively,  and  do  upon  honour  declare  that  they  are  worth 
no  more  than  fifty-four  shillings. 

WILLIAM  ALLEN,  GUILLIAM  VARICK, 

WILLIAM  ELSWORTH,     MICHAEL  GANTER. 


tors,  or  assigns,  for  the  use  of  the  Representatives  or  future  Legislature 
of  this  State,  the  said  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds,  lawful  money  of 
Mett-York,  or  twelve  hundred  and  fifty  bushels  of  good  white  merchant- 
able salt,  manufactured  by  the  said  as  aforesaid,  on  or  before 
the  thirtieth  day  of  July  which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  seventy-eight,  then  the  above  obligation  to  be 
void;  but  on  failure  of  either  of  the  above  conditions,  to  be  and  remain 
in  full  force  and  virtue. 


1469 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1470 


accept  that  office,  and  will  wait  on  this  Convention  to  thank 
them  for  the  honourable  testimony  they  have  given  him  of 
their  esteem;  that  he  assigns  for  the  reason  of  his  declining 
the  office  his  intention  to  decline  all  publick  business,  and 
devote  his  time  to  settle  his  affairs  and  arrange  them  for  the 
benefit  of  his  children ;  and  that  he  had  requested  Mr.  Cort- 
landt  in  his  behalf  to  return  his  sincere  thanks  to  this  Con- 
vention, and  to  assure  them  that  he  will  always  be  ready  to 
support  his  country  with  his  life  and  fortune. 

Friday  morning,  August  2,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 

FOR  NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Remsen,  Mr.  Van  Zandt,  Colo- 
nel Lott,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr. 
Harper,  Mr.  Beekman,  Mr.  Dunscombe,  Colonel  Brasher. 

FOR  ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 

FOR  SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller. 

FOR  ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Cantine,  Mr.  Wisner, 
Jun. 

FOR  QUEEN'S. — Mr.  James  Townsend,  Mr.  Samuel  Town- 
send,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  Mr.  Sands. 

FOR  DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackett. 

FOR  ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Doctor  Outwater. 

FOR  WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Mills,  Mr.  Platt, 
General  Morris. 

FOR  THYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

FOR  CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stephens. 

FOR  CHARLOTTE. — Colonel  Williams. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Henry  Remsen  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  empowered  to  dispose  of  Julius  Casar  Thomson,  and  also 
with  ,  both  of  them  now  confined  in  the  Jail 

of  the  City  of  New-  York,  in  such  manner  as  the  said  Henry 
Remsen  shall  think  proper. 

Messrs.  Wm.  Smith  and  Rutgers,  who  were  appointed 
yesterday  for  the  purpose,  reported  that  Thads.  Noble,  of 
King's  District,  in  the  County  of  Albany,  agrees  to  contract 
with  such  persons  as  this  Convention  shall  direct,  to  make 
one  hundred  good  Muskets,  as  near  as  he  can  in  imitation 
of  the  arms  called  King's  Muskets,  with  steel  ramrods,  to 
be  delivered  at  the  price  of  £3  10*.  each,  within  six  months 
from  the  time  of  such  contract.  The  Committee  also  report 
that  the  said  Noble  requests  the  loan  of  £100  from  the 
Treasury  to  enable  him  to  perform  such  contract. 

Ordered,  That  those  two  gentlemen  be  a  Committee  to 
carry  such  contract  into  execution  with  the  said  Thaddeus 
Noble. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretaries  do  examine  the  Minutes 
of  this  Convention,  and  do  select  therefrom  the  several  Con- 
.tracts  made  by  and  on  behalf  of  this  State,  and  do  deliver 
the  same  to  the  Auditor-General  to  be  filed  with  the  Trea- 
sury Bond. 

A  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New-  York, 
dated  the  1st  instant,  and  signed  by  John  Berrien,  Esquire, 
their  Chairman,  was  read  and  filed.  They  thereby  inform 
that  they  are  reduced  to  great  difficulties  by  the  frequent 
sales  of  Boliea  Tea  at  higher  prices  than  that  limited  by  the 
Congress;  that  the  growing  evil  is  so  great  that  it  requires 
speedy  redress. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  be  committed  to  Colonel 
Remsen,  Mr.  Harper,  and  Mr.  Abeel,  to  take  the  same  into 
consideration  and  report  thereon. 

A  Letter  from  John  Berrien,  Henry  Wilmot,  Fras.  Bas- 
sett,  and  eight  others  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New- 
York,*  dated  the  30th  day  of  July  last,  was  read  and  filed. 
They  thereby  inform  that  the  Police  of  the  City  is  neglect- 
ed, the  Magistrates  absent,  their  time  entirely  engrossed  by 
matters  which  ought  to  be  determined  by  Magistrates,  and 
requesting  the  Convention  to  provide  relief  in  the  premises. 

•NEW-YORK,  July  30,  1776. 

We,  the  subscribers,  members  of  the  General  Committee  for  this  City 
and  County,  beg  leave  to  lay  before  you  the  particular  situation  and  diffi- 
culties we  have  for  some  time  past  and  do  now  labour  under.  Not  one 
Magistrate  being  in  the  city,  occasions  every  complaint,  both  criminal  as 
well  as  of  civil  nature,  to  be  brought  before  the  Committee.  The  busi- 
ness for  which  the  Committee  was  appointed  would  alone  take  up  their 
whole  attention  at  any  time;  notwithstanding  which,  we  have  cheerfully 
undertaken,  and,  to  the  best  of  our  power  and  abilities,  faithfully  execu- 
ted every  business  that  has  been  brought  before  us,  though  this  burden 
has  fallen  upon  only  a  few,  sometimes  ten,  twelve,  and  never  more  than 
sixteen  or  eighteen  members,  who  have  given  their  constant  attendance 
to  the  publick  service.  The  time  the  Committee  was  elected  for  will 
expire  the  8th  day  of  next  month,  and  we  conceive  the  publick  or  the 


Ordered,  That  Colonel  Remsen,  Colonel  Brasher,  and 
Mr.  Roosevelt,  be  a  Committee  to  take  the  said  Letter  into 
consideration,  and  to  examine  the  Charter  of  the  City  of 
New-York,  and  report  what  may  be  necessary  and  right  to 
be  done  in  the  premises. 

And  Ordered,  That  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  said  Com- 
mittee, informing  them  of  the  steps  this  Convention  have 
taken  relative  to  the  said  Letter,  and  requesting  them  to 
exert  themselves  with  that  zeal  they  have  heretofore  shown 
in  keeping  the  peace  and  good  order  of  the  City. 

Colonel  Remsen  informed  the  Convention  that  the  Books 
of  Account  of  the  Receiver-General  of  Quit  Rents,  which 
have  been  paid  in  this  State,  remain  in  the  City  of  New- 
York,  that  they  can  be  obtained  and  lodged  in  any  such 
place  of  safety  as  the  Convention  may  think  proper. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  'of  the  General  Committee 
of  the  City  of  New-  York,  or,  in  his  absence,  the  Deputy 
Chairman,  take  with  him  such  guard  of  armed  men  as  he 
may  deem  sufficient,  together  with  Mr.  James  Moran,  and 
proceed  to  the  late  Custom  House  in  the  said  City,  and 
there  seize  and  take  into  his  custody  all  the  Books  of  the 
late  Receiver-General  of  New-  York  which  in  any  wise  re- 
late to  the  Quit  Rents  of  this  State,  and  transmit  the  same 
by  the  first  conveyance  or  opportunity,  safely  locked  up  or 
secured  in  a  proper  box  or  chest  for  that  purpose,  to  the 
Secretaries  of  this  Convention  at  Harlem. 

And  Ordered,  further,  That  Mr.  James  Moran  do  faith- 
fully show  unto  the  said  Chairman,  or  Deputy  Chairman, 
all  such  Books  and  Papers  as  he  may  know  to  relate  to  or 
concern  the  Quit  Rents  of  this  State  of  New-  York,  or  any 
moneys  heretofore  received  on  account  thereof. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  all  Quit  Rents  formerly  due 
and  payable  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain  within  this  State, 
are  now  due  and  owing  unto  this  Convention,  or  such  future 
Government  as  may  be  hereafter  established  in  this  State. 

The  Agent  of  the  Commissary-General  of  American  Army 
applied  for  leave  to  export  Salt  to  Connecticut  to  preserve 
Provisions  for  the  Army. 

Ordered,  That  the  Commissary -General  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  permitted  to  export  two  thousand  four  hundred  bushels  of 
Salt  to  Connecticut. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  twenty-seventh  day  of 
August  instant  be  kept  throughout  this  State  as  a-  day  of 
Fasting,  Humiliation,  and  Prayer  to  Almighty  God,  for  the 
imploring  of  His  Divine  assistance  in  the  organization  and 
establishment  of  a  form  of  Government  for  the  security  and 
perpetuation  of  the  Civil  and  Religious  Rights  and  Liberties 
of  Mankind,  and  to  supplicate  his  further  protection  in  the 
war  which  now  rages  throughout  America. 

Ordered,  That  the  aforegoing  Resolution  be  published  in 
all  the  publick  Newspapers  throughout  this  State. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  three  Sermons  suitable  to  the 
occasion  be  preached  on  that  day  before  this  Convention; 
and  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Schoonmaker  of  Harlem,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Provost*  of  the  County  of  Albany,  and  the  Rev.  Dr. 

Convention  will  not  desire  us,  such  a  few  individuals,  to  sacrifice  our 
whole  time  to  the  publick  service,  and  at  this  sickly  season  our  constitu- 
tions also,  when  so  many  of  our  fellow-citizens,  men  of  large  property, 
are  enjoying  all  the  advantages  of  a  rural  life  much  in  the  same  manner 
as  if  this  Continent  was  in  a  state  of  peace.  We  therefore  wish  the 
Convention  would  devise  any  measure  that  would  in  any  ways  ease  us  of 
o"ur  present  difficulties;'  for  be  assured  we  are,  with  all  due  esteem  and 
respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  and  very  humble  servants, 

JOHN  BERRIEN,  SIMON  SCHERMERHORN, 

HENRY  WILMOT,  LEWIS  THIBOU, 

FRANS.  BASSETT,  WILLIAM  LAWSOV, 

SAML.  COWPERTHWAIT,    JOHN  CAMPBELL, 
VICTOR  BICKER,  JOHN  STAGG. 

SAML.  JOHNSON, 

To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York. 


*CAMP  MANOR  OF  LIVINGSTON,  Jlugust  11,  1776. 

SIR:  I  lately  received  the  resolve  of  the  honourable  Convention,  in 
which  I  am  requested  to  preach  before  them  on  the  27th  of  this  month. 
As  I  am  convinced  of  the  justice  of  the  cause  they  are  engaged  in,  and 
duly  sensible  of  the  honour  intended  me  by  their  appointment,  if  I  fol- 
lowed my  own  inclination  I  should  very  readily  comply  with  their 
request.  But  so  many  things  occur  which  would  render  it  highly  incon- 
venient for  me  to  officiate  upon  this  occasion,  that  I  must  rely  upon  their 
goodness  to  excuse  me.  I  can't  presume  to  take  up  your  time  with  so 
inconsiderable  a  subject,  therefore  shall  mention  my  reasons  for  desiring 
this  indulgence  to  James  Dunne,  Esq., and  Colonel  Hoffman,  two  worthy 
members  of  the  Convention,  and  flatter  myself  they  will  prove  satisfac- 
tory to  that  respectable  assembly. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant,  SAML.  PROVOOST. 

To  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State 
of  JVeto-  York. 


1471 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1472 


Rodgers  of  the  City  of  Netv-  York,  be  requested  to  officiate 
on  this  occasion. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Bancker  and  Colonel  Brasher  wait 
on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Schoonmaker  and  some  of  his  Consistory,  to 
request  the  use  of  the  Church  at  Harlem  on  this  occasion. 

The  Worshipful  Richard  Morris,  Esq.,  waited  on  this 
Convention,  and  was  introduced.  He  declines  accepting 
the  office  of  Judge  of  the  Admiralty  in  the  most  polite  man- 
ner; assured  the  Convention  that  he  most  heartily  joined 
with  his  countrymen,  and  was  ready  to  support  them  with 
his  life  and  fortune;  but  from  the  situation  of  his  family 
and  property,  the  remainder  of  his  life  was  necessary  for 
attention  to  his  own  affairs,  and  that  therefore  he  declined 
the  office. 


Die  Veneris,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  August  2,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 

NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Beekman,  Mr.  Dunscombe,  Mr.  Bancker, 
Mr.  P.  Van  Zandt,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Rut- 
gers, Colonel  Lott,  Colonel  Brasher. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Aclgate,  Mr.  Bleecker, 
Colonel  Livingston. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Ben.  Sands,  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  Mr.  Watt 
Smith. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Cantine,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  London,  Mr.  Sackett. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Newkirk,  Mr.  Harper. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Mills,  Captain  Platt,  Col.  Graham. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Little. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 

CHARLOTTE. — Colonel  Williams. 

Ordered,  That  Daniel  Shaw*  Commander  of  the  private 
sloop-of-war  called  the  Harlequin,  be,  and  he  hereby  is,  per- 
mitted to  purchase  from  James  and  Alexander  Stewart,  or 
any  other  person,  twelve  hundred  weight  of  Gunpowder  for 
the  use  of  the  said  sloop. 

A  Letter  from  Frederick  Jay,}  Esq.,  Deputy  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  at  the  White-Plains,  dated  yesterday,  was 
read  and  filed.  The  Committee  mention  their  great  want 
of  Captain  Townsend's  Company,  now  stationed  at  Hud- 
son's River,  by  order  of  this  Convention,  and  request  orders 
to  recall  them. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Committee  recall  Captain  Town- 
send's Company  as  soon  as  the  Committee  shall  judge  that 
the  said  Company  can,  with  safety,  be  spared  from  their 
present  station. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committee  at  Kingston,  rela- 
tive to  the  Prisoners  there  on  parole,  and  in  answer  to  their 
Letter,  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, to  wit : 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  The  Member  who  is  possessed  of  the 
paroles  granted  to  the  Prisoners  in  your  care  is  absent,  so 
that  it  is  out  of  the  power  of  this  Convention  to  judge  of  the 
differences  of  opinion  with  regard  thereto.  As  soon  as  we 

*  To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  Ike  Stale  O/NEW-YORK  in  Con- 
vention assembled : 

The  memorial  of  Daniel  Shaw,  commander  of  the  private  sloop-of-wnr 
called  the  Harlequin,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  the  owners  of  the  said 
sloop,  humbly  showeth:  That  your  memorialists  have,  at  a  great  ex- 
pense, purchased  and  fitted  out  the  said  sloop  for  the  purpose  of  cruising 
against  and  annoying  the  enemies  of  the  United  States  of  America;  that 
the  said  sloop  is  now  ready  to  proceed  to  sea  in  every  respect,  excepting 
the  want  of  powder,  but  that  your  memorialists  are  unable  to  furnish 
themselves  with  that  article,  notwithstanding  they  have  diligently  exerted 
themselves  for  that  purpose;  and  they  are  apprehensive  their  intentions 
will  be  defeated,  unless  they  shortly  procure  a  supply;  that  your  memo- 
rialists are,  therefore,  under  a  necessity  of  applying  to  your  Honours, 
and  do  not  doubt  attention  will  be  paid  to  their  petition,  as  the  Conven- 
tion were  pleased  to  recommend  and  encourage  the  fitting  out  of  priva- 
teers to  cruise  against  the  enemies  of  America.  Your  petitioners,  there- 
fore, pray  your  Honours  to  furnish  them  with  twelve  hundred  weight 
of  powder,  out  of  the  publick  stock,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid.  And 
your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray,  &c. 

DANIEL  SHAW, 
In  behalf  of  himself  and  the  owners. 

NEW-YORK,  July  30,  1776. 


1  WHITE-PLAINS,  August  1,  1776. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  being  in  great  want  of  Captain  Townsend's 
Company,  now  stationed  at  the  North  River,  by  order  of  the  Conven- 
tion, they  therefore  request  that  you  would  lay  the  same  before  the 
Convention,  and  give  the  Committee  orders  to  recall  them 

I  am  your  very  humble  servant,         FREDERICK  JAY,  D.  Chairman. 


receive  them,  the  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  for 
that  purpose  will  be  considered  and  immediately  transmitted 
to  you.  In  the  mean  time,  you  may  keep  them  to  their 
paroles  in  the  manner  you  conceive  to  be  right;  and  should 
you  be  apprehensive  of  any  danger  from  them  before  you 
receive  directions  for  their  removal,  the  Convention  has 
directed  me  to  order  them  to  close  confinement,  which  is 
left  to  your  discretion.  I  am,  gentlemen,  &,c. 

"  P.  S.  Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  relative  to  Prisoners,  for  your  direction." 

Colonel  John  Williams  lias  leave  of  absence  until  the  26th 
instant,  and  Charlotte  County  .is  to  be  represented  by  Mr. 
Ducr. 

Saturday  morning,  August  3,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Col.  Remsen,  Major  Abcel,  Mr.  Harper, 

Mr.  Dunscombe,  Mr.  Van  Zandt,  Colonel  Brasher,  Mr. 

Rutgers. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  AJgate,  Mr.  Bleecker, 

Colonel  Livingston. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Smith. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  London. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Mitts,  Captain  Platt, 

Colonel  Graham,  General  Morris. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little,  Dr.  Outwater. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Sands,  Mr.  Van  Wyck. 

William  Smith,  Esq.,  and  Captain  Rutgers,*  reported 
that  they  had  contracted  with  Thaddeus  Noble,  of  King's 
District,  in  the  County  of  Albany,  to  make  and  deliver  to 
them  on  or  before  the  3d  day  of  February  next,  on  behalf 
of  this  Convention,  one  hundred  good  Muskets,  at  the  price 
of  £3  10s.  each;  and  that  £100  be  advanced  to  him  out 
of  the  Treasury,  to  enable  him  to  perform  that  contract. 
For  the  security  whereof,  the  said  Thaddeus  Noble  and 
Matthew  Adgatc,  Esq.,  have  executed  their  joint  and  several 
bond  to  Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston,  Esq.,  Treasurer. 
The  said  Contract  and  Bond  being  approved  of, 
Ordered,  That  they  be  filed  with  the  Treasurer,  and  that 
he  advance  to  the  said  Thaddeus  Noble  the  said  sum  of 
£100,  taking  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Messrs.  Jay,  Livingston,  and  Yates, 
three  of  the  Members  of  the  Committee  to  report  the  organi- 
zation of  a  new  Government,  was  read  and  approved,  and 
is  in  the  words  following;,  to  wit : 

O' 

"GENTLEMEN:  I  am  directed  to  inform  you  that  a  Com- 
mittee, of  which  you  are  members,  is  formed  for  the  organi- 
zation of  a  new  Government;  that  this  Committee  is  ordered 
to  report  on  the  26th  instant.  You  are  therefore  desired  to 
meet  upon  this  important  business  as  early  as  possible,  and 
to  inform  those  gentlemen  who  are  with  you  of  the  Secret 
Committee,  of  the  time  when  such  Report  will  be  made,  as 
the  Congress  will  then  expect  their  attendance. 

"lam,  &z,c.     By  order. 

'•'  To  Messrs.  Jay.  Livingston,  Yates,  and  the  other  gentle- 
men of  the  Secret  Committee." 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  do  digest  the  Minutes  of 
this  Convention  with  all  the  despatch  possible,  and  that  they 
be  empowered  to  employ  such  Clerks  as  they  may  think 
necessary  for  that  purpose. 

A  Letter  from  Abm.  Cuyler  and  others,  dated  29th  ult., 
at  Hartford,  was  read  and  filed,  and  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing, to  wit : 

"Hartford,  July  29,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  We  have  heretofore,  by  Colonel  VanCort- 
landt,  applied  to  you  to  be  released  from  our  banishment,  and 
by  him  we  are  informed,  a  few  days  past,  that  you  had  not 
yet,  then,  been  furnished  by  the  Committee  of  Albany  with 

•Your  Committee,  who  was  ordered  to  contract  with  Mr.  Thaddeus 
Noble  for  fire-arms,  do  report,  that  Mr.  Noble  agrees  to  moke  for  this 
Convention  one  hundred  guns,  at  the  rate  of  =£3  10s.  each,  to  be  delivered 
in  good  order,  with  steel  ramrods,  and  engageth  to  make  the  guns,  as 
near  as  he  can,  in  imitation  of  the  King's  arms. 

WILLIAM  SMITH, 
ANTHONY  RUTGERS. 
N   B.  He  prays  to  have  advanced  o 


1473 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1474 


the  proceedings  of  the  cause  of  our  removal.  We  conceive 
their  delay  much  to  our  disadvantage.  Permit  us,  therefore, 
again  to  call  your  attention  to  our  unhappy  situation,  separate 
from  our  respective  business,  wives,  and  families,  supporting 
ourselves  at  an  expense  which  must  eventually  injure  our- 
selves and  families;  suspected  to  be  inimical  to  our  country, 
which  opinion  we  hope  in  the  course  of  time  to  remove  from 
our  unfriendly  brethren,  by  our  future  deportment  and  con- 
duct. Notwithstanding  the  inference  that  might  have  here- 
tofore been  drawn  to  our  disadvantage,  from  the  freedom 
with  which  we  have  either  approved  or  condemned  publick 
measures,  we  make  no  doubt  of  convincing  every  real  friend 
to  America  that  we  are  sincerely  so;  for  the  observance  of 
which  we  are  ready  to  give  security.  We  therefore  rely 
that  you  will  do  us  the  justice  to  grant  us  speedy  relief,  in 
ordering  us  to  return  to  our  respective  homes,  there  to  pursue 
our  business  unmolested,  by  which  you'll  oblige,  gentlemen, 
your  obedient,  humble  servants, 

"  ABM.  C.  CUYLER,         BENJ.  HILTON, 
"  JOHN  DUNCAN,  JNO.  MONIER." 

"  STEP.  DE  LANCEY, 

Mr.  Morris  moved,  and  was  seconded  by  Mr.  Duer,  that 
"  a  peremptory  order  issue  to  the  Committee  of  Albany  to 
return  their  proceedings  against  the  said  Abm.  Cuyler  and 
others,  without  delay." 

Debates  arose  on  the  said  motion,  and  the  question  being 
put  thereon,  it  was  carried  in  the  negative,  in  manner  fol- 
lowing, viz: 

For  the  .Affirmative.  For  the  Negative. 

2  Charlotte.  5  Dulchess. 

3  Orange.  3  Tryon. 

4  dueen's.  6  Albany.  , 
4  Suffolk                                        2  Cumberland. 

4  Wcstchester.  4  Ulster. 

8  New-York. 
17  votes. 

28  votes. 

Therefore  the  said  motion  was  rejected. 

On  motion  of  Colonel  Remsen,  seconded  by  Colonel 
Lott, 

Ordered,  That  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Committee  of 
Albany,  enclosing  a  copy  of  the  former  Order  of  this  Con- 
vention, and  of  the  said  Letter  from  the  Committee,  and 
desiring  to  know  the  reason  of  their  delay. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Remsen  and  Major  Abeel  be  a 
Committee  for  that  purpose. 

A  Letter  from  Silvester  Salsbury,  Esq.,  Captain  of  the 
Troop  of  Horse  in  Ulster  County,  dated  the  first  instant, 
was  read  and  filed.  He  therein  mentions  that  Colonel  Johs. 
Snyder,  in  consequence  of  the  late  resolution  of  this  Con- 
vention for  draughting  one-fourth  part  of  the  Militia  of  Ulster 
County,  had  directed  that  the  said  Troop  of  Horse  (whereof 
he  is  Captain)  should  be  draughted ;  that  the  Troopers  are 
ready  to  serve  as  Horsemen,  but  refuse  to  serve  on  foot,  and 
he  requests  directions  in  the  premises. 

The  Convention  took  the  same  into  consideration;  and 
thereupon, 


standing  our  utmost  exertions,  some  infamous  rascals  must 
have  given  them  information  that  the  New-England  troops 
went  off  on  Saturday  last,  and  not  a  sufficient  number 
coming  in  to  guard  the  shore.  They  landed  at  one  Bailey's, 
on  Sunday  night,  and  went  back  half  a  mile,  and  drove  off 
one  pair  of  oxen,  two  cows,  one  calf,  one  heifer,  and  eleven 
sfieep;  no  doubt  had  the  assistance  of  some  Tories  on  shore. 
We  have  since  got  some  assistance  from  General  Clinton's 
Brigade,  and  several  companies  came  in,  and  more  hourly 
expected,  that  we  are  in  hopes  soon  to  have  such  an  arrange- 
ment as  will  effectually  cut  off  all  kind  of  communication. 
Hope  there  maybe  soon  some  discreet,  smart  officer  appointed 
to  take  the  command,  and  a  proper  Commissary,  that  the 
business  may  be  conducted  with  spirit  and  regularity. 

"  We  must  confess,  gentlemen,  that  as  yet  things  have 
pot  been  so  well  regulated  as  we  should  have  been  glad  to 
have  seen;  but  the  many  difficulties  and  disadvantages  we 
had  to  encounter  must  only  apologize.  We  consider  our 
appointment  as  merely  pro  tempore;  and  cautious  of  assuming 
too  much  authority  to  ourselves,  lest  it  might  give  disgust  to 
some  of  the  military  corps;  and  having  such  an  extensive 
shore,  and  frequent  movements,  were  obliged  to  deal  out 
provisions  in  different  places ;  and  not  being  able  to  give  any 
man  assurance  that  he  should  continue  any  considerable 
time  in  office,  has  made  it  difficult  to  get  proper  persons  to 
act  in  different  departments.  Add  to  this,  having  to  deal 
with  new,  raw  troops,  every  few  days,  by  reason  of  their 
frequent  changes — and,  sorry  to  say,  many  of  them  very 
refractory — that  on  the  whole,  our  station  has  not  been  the 
most  desirable.  However,  are  willing  to  serve  in  any  depart- 
ment that  may  be  for  the  good  of  our  country.  Remain, 
gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants, 

"  PIERRE  VAN  CORTLANDT, 
"  ZEPHA.  PLATT. 

"To  the  Representatives  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of 
New-York." 

Die  Lunse,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  5,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Col.  Brasher,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Vun&andt, 

Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Dunscombe,  Mr.  Beekman. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  P.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Abm. 

Yates. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Cantine,  Major  Parks,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Colonel  Marsh.  ' 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
GLOUCESTER. — Mr.  Olcott. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller. 
WESTCHESTER. — Colonel  Gil.  Drake,  Mr.  Gouv.  Morris. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper. 

Mr.  Sackett,  a  Member  for  Dutchess  County,  requested 
an  order  on  the  Commissary  of  Provincial  Stores;  for  three 


__      *    j        j      f  1 1  r  i          m  •         t_  1     rri  /*     **»'   wt«wj    \jn    mv->    v_x \-nn 

Resolved,  That  the  Troopers  in  the  several  Troops  of   thousand  Flints,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  the  said  County- 


Horse  in  the  Militia  of  this  State,  imbodied  by,  and  under 
the  authority  of  the  said  State,  who  have  provided  them- 
selves with  proper  horses  and  accoutrements  as  Troopers, 
be  not  compelled  to  serve  as  foot  soldiers. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  De  Witt  transmit  a  copy  of  this 
Resolution  to  Captain  Salsbury. 


Thereupon.  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Norwood  deliver  to  Na- 
thaniel Sackett,  Esq.,  or  his  order,  three  thousand  Flints,  for 
the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Dutchess  County,  and  that  Mr.  Nor- 
wood take  a  receipt,  and  charge  the  same  to  the  said  County. 

Resohed,  unanimously,  That  Lewis  Graham,  Esq.,  be 


„   appointed  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Admiralty  of  this  State, 
The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  regulation  of   and  that  a  draft  of  a  Commission  to  him  for  that  purpose  be 


the  Treasury,  delivered  their  Report,  which  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  that  Report  be  post- 
poned till  Wednesday  next. 

Mr.  Harper,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  take  into 
consideration  Letters  of  Cornelius  C.  Roosevelt  and  Captain 


purpose 
prepared  as  soon  as  possible. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Morris,  Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Yates, 
Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  and  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  be  a 
Committee  to  prepare  and  report  a  draft  of  such  Commission; 
and  that  the  same  Committee  (exclusive  of  Mr.  Win.  Smith, 


A.  Hamilton,  respectively,  bearing  date  on  the  26th  day  of   who  desires  to  be  excused)  do  report  such  Fees  as  they  may 


July  last,  and  the  Accounts  which  accompany  the  same, 
delivered  in  the  Report  of  the  said  Committee,  which  was 
read. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  thereof  be  post- 
poned till  Monday  next. 

A  Letter  from  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  and  Zeph.  Platt, 
Esqs.,  was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
to  wit : 

"  Head-duarters,  mouth  of  Croton,  August  2,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  The  enemy's  ships  lie  off  here,  and  their 
barges  row  up  and  down  the  river  o'nights;  and  notwith- 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  93 


think  proper  to  be  established,  to  be  taken  by  the  Officers  of 
the  Court  of  Admiralty  of  this  State. 

Robert  R.  Livingston,  Esq.,  a  member  of  the  Secret 
Committee  for  obstructing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River, 
and  who  is  also  since  appointed  a  member  of  the  Committee 
for  preparing  a  form  of  Government,  informed  the  Conven- 
tion that  he  has  it  in  charge  to  purchase  anchors  and  cables, 
and  other  matters,  for  the  use  of  that  Committee;  and  must 
proceed  to  the  stores  and  wharves  of  the  City  of  New-  York 
for  that  purpose,  unless  the  Convention  think  proper  to  ap- 
point some  other  fit  person  for  the  purpose. 


1475 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1476 


Resolved,  That  John  Berrien,  Esq.,  be,  and  is  hereby, 
appointed  Agent  at  New-York,  for  the  said  Secret  Commit- 
tee, to  purchase  and  forward  such  articles  as  that  Committee 
may  direct;  and  that  this  Convention  will  allow  him  a  com- 
pensation for  his  trouble  in  the  premises;  and  that  Mr.  Liv- 
ingston send  proper  directions  to  Mr.  Berrien  for  whatever, 
may  be  at  present  necessary. 

On  application  of  Colonel  Remsen,  and  reasons  by  him 
assigned  to  the  Convention,  a  Certificate  was  made  and  issued 
for  Mr.  Joseph  Ilallett,  in  the  words  following,  viz: 

'•  Mr.  Joseph  Hallett,  the  bearer  hereof,  late  a  member 
of  the  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  this  State,  and 
a  gentleman  attached  to  the  cause  and  interest  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  having  frequent  occasion  to  pass  and 
repass  to  and  from  New-  York  to  Newark,  in  New-Jersey, 
on  the  business  of  this  State,  he  is,  therefore,  hereby  per- 
mitted to  pass  and  repass  to  and  from  the  City  of  New-  York 
to  Newark,  in  New-Jersey,  on  all  occasions,  without  delay 
or  interruption,  whereof  all  officers,  civil  and  military,  within 
this  State  are  requested  to  take  notice. 

"By  order  of  the  Convention." 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Certificate  be  signed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, and  countersigned  by  one  of  the  Secretaries. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  will  not  in  future  grant 
Passes  to  any  person  whatsoever,  unless  to  Members  and 
Officers  of  this  Convention,  or  to  such  persons  who  may 
be  by  them  employed  during  the  time  of  their  actual  ser- 
vice. 

Resolved,  That  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  General  Washington, 
requesting  him  to  issue  general  orders  that  every  Member  or 
Officer,  or  other  person  having  a  Pass  from  this  Convention, 
may  be  permitted  to  pass  without  interruption;  and  that  Mr. 
Morris  and  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston  be  a  Committee  to 
prepare  and  report  a  draft  of  such  Letter. 

The  application  of  Captain  William  Goforth  and  John 
Houston,  dated  the  3d  instant,  was  read  and  filed.*  They 
thereby  make  application  for  such  encouragement,  and  on 
such  terms  for  the  erecting  a  Salt  Work  as  has  been  granted 
to  others  by  this  State. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Gouverneur  Morris  and  Mr.  William 
Smith  be  a  Committee  to  examine  Captain  Goforth  relative 
to  his  skill  in  the  art  of  extracting  Salt  from  sea  water. 

Whereas  his  Excellency  General  Washington  is  in  want 
of  the  use  of  a  good  Telescope;  and  whereas  a  good  Tel- 
escope is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  Commander-in-Chief 
of  the  Continental  Army,  to  discover  the  arrangements  and 
operations  of  the  enemy : 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  the  General  Committee 
of  the  City  of  New-  York,  with  such  other  members  of  that 
Committee  as  he  may  think  proper,  take  and  deliver  to  his 
Excellency  General  Washington,  for  his  use,  the  Telescope 
which  belongs  to,  and  is  a  part  of  the  apparatus  of  the 
College  at  New-York. 

No.  2.  Resolved,  That  the  Convention  of  this  State  of 
New-York  will  indemnify  the  governours  of  the  College  at 
New-  York,  for  any  injury,  loss,  or  damage,  that  may  happen 
to  the  Telescope  belonging  to  the  said  College,  from  the  time 
of  its  being  delivered  to  the  Chairman  of  the  General  Com- 
mittee of  the  City  of  New-York,  for  the  use  of  his  Excel- 
lency General  Washington,  until  the  redelivery  thereof  to  the 
said  College,  the  governours  thereof,  or  their  order. 

General  Morris  informed  the  Convention  that  Colonel 
Joseph  Drake  has  resigned  his  commission;  that  no  levies 
have  yet  been  made  out  of  that  Regiment. 

Colonel  Drake's  late  Letter  to  General  Morris,  dated  the 
24th  July,  and  his  Letter  to  the  Convention  of  the  22d  July, 
were  respectively  read. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  accept  of  Colonel  Joseph 
Drake's  resignation.  That  Mr.  William  Smith  be  appointed 
instead  of  Colonel  Hoffman  (now  absent)  one  of  the  Coin- 

*To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress  of  the  Stale  o/ NEW- YORK  : 

GENTLEMEN  :  Having  been  informed  that  your  honourable  body,  after 
taking  into  consideration  the  great  distress  which  the  good  people  of  this 
Province  must  shortly  be  reduced  to  for  the  want  of  Salt,  have  deter- 
mined to  advance  moneys  to  certain  companies  for  the  purpose  of 
encouraging  the  manufacturing  so  essential  an  article,  therefore,  we  the 
subscribers  are  influenced  to  make  application  to  your  Board  for  such 
encouragement,  and  on  such  terms  as  have  been  granted  to  others. 

WILLIAM  GOFORTH,  )  ,    ,   .   ,,  ,.. 

Juo.  HOUSTON,          (  7"  behalf  of  themselves. 
August  3, 1776. 


mittee  to  examine  into  and  report  on  the  conduct  of  Colonel 
Joseph  Drake. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to  examine  into 
the  conduct  of  Colonel  Drake,  do  report  on  Friday  next, 
and  that  they  be  empowered  to  send  for  Colonel  Drake, 
and  such  evidences  as  they  shall  think  necessary  for  that 
purpose. 

A  Letter  from  William  Dutcher,  Captain,  Daniel  Mart- 
ling,  First  Lieutenant,  and  George  Munson,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, dated  the  30ih  day  of  July  last,  and  received  on  the 
31st  July,  was  read  and  filed.  They  therein  set  forth  their 
willingness  to  raise  a  Company  and  serve  under  Colonel 
Thomas,  and  that  they  are  of  opinion  that  they  can  raise  a 
Company  without  difficulty. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  William  Dutcher,  Lieutenant 
Daniel  Martling,  and  George  Munson,  be,  and  they  hereby 
are,  authorized  to  raise  one  Company  of  Volunteers,  to  serve 
in  the  Regiment  of  Militia  of  Westchester  County,  com- 
manded by  Colonel  Thomas;  and  that  so  many  of  the  said 
Company  as  do  now  belong  to  the  Militia  of  Westchester 
County  be  considered  as  a  part  of  the  number  ordered  to  be 
raised  by  draught  from  the  respective  Regiments  of  the  said 
Militia  to  which  they  do  belong. 

Ordered,  That  General  Moms  write  a  Letter  to  Captain 
Dutcher,  directing  him  to  call  on  Colonel  Thomas  for  a  pro- 
portion of  the  Bounty  Money  for  his  men. 

A  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New-  York 
was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  viz: 
"  Committee-Chamber,  New-York,  August  3,  1776. 

"Sia:  This  Committee  have  lately  received  information 
of  a  motion  now  depending  before  your  honourable  House 
respecting  the  rights  of  this  City  and  County  to  say  who 
shall  represent  them  in  the  General  Convention  of  this  State; 
a  motion  which  has  greatly  alarmed  their  fears,  and  \\  liich 
they  conceive  is  big  with  absurdity  and  ruin  (should  it  be 
drawn  into  precedent)  to  the  future  freedom  and  happiness 
of  this  State;  nor  could  they  have  believed  at  this  early 
dawn  of  establishing  a  free  community  and  settling  its  con- 
stitution, any  member  of  your  honourable  Convention  could 
have  so  soon  lost  sight  of  the  natural  rights  of  men,  and  of 
that  power  by  which  alone  he  is  entitled  to  a  seat  in  your 
honourable  House.  The  Committee  lament  the  forlorn  and 
deserted  situation  of  this  place  by  its  inhabitants,  or  they 
would  have  pleaded  with  you  by  petition,  and  instructed 
their  own  members  on  this  threatened  violation  of  their 
undoubted  rights  ;  but  as  that  cannot  be  done,  they  should 
think  themselves  inexcusable  should  they  rest  in  silence 
without  using  the  only  means  in  their  power  to  prevent  the 
introduction  of  a  principle  so  dangerous  and  unjust — a  prin- 
ciple which  has  been  combated  (though  unsuccessfully)  by 
all  the  worthy  members  of  a  tyrannick  State,  with  whom  we 
are  now  at  war,  viz:  to  pray  that  your  honourable  House 
would  be  pleased  to  order  the  motion  erased  from  your 
Journals,  and  buried  in  eternal  oblivion.  The  Committee 
beg  you  will  lay  these  their  sentiments  and  prayer  before 
the  honourable  Convention,  requesting  that  the  most  favour- 
able construction  may  be  given  both  to  the  mode  and  matter 
of  this  address,  as  flowing  from  hearts  zealously  attached  to 
the  happiness  of  the  State. 

"  I  am,  by  order,  and  on  behalf  of  the  Committee,  very 
respectfully,  your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

"  JOHN-  BERRIEN,  Chairman." 

Tuesday  Morning,  August  6,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Remsen,  Mr.  Banckcr,  Major 

Abed,  Mr.  Beckman,  Mr.  Dunscombe,  Colonel  Lott,  Mr. 

Roosevelt. 
FOR  ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Colonel 

Livingston. 

FOR  SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller. 
FOR  ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Contine,  Major  Parks, 

Mr.  Williams. 

FOR  TRVON. — Mr.  Harper. 
FOR  Du TCHESS. — Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Sackctt,  Mr. 

London. 

FOR  ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 
FOR  WEST-CHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  General  Morris,  Colonel 

Drake,  Colonel  Graham. 


1477 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1478 


FOR  CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

FOR  CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 

GLOUCESTER. — Mr.  Olcott. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Snydcr,  of  Kingston,  in  Ulster 
County,  dated  August  1 ,  1776,  on  the  subject  of  the  Militia, 
and  whether  the  Troop  of  Horse  ought  to  be  draughted  with 
the  Militia  of  Foot,  the  Company  of  Troop  refusing  to  be 
draughted,  which  gives  great  uneasiness,  and  probably  will 
cause  a  mutiny : 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  De  Witt,  Major  Parks,  Mr.  Lit- 
tle, Colonel  Drake,  and  Mr.  Morris,  be  a  Committee  to  take 
into  consideration  the  several  resolutions  which  respect  the 
Militia,  and  report  on  the  subject  with  all  possible  speed. 

A  Certificate  of  Dr.  Malachi  Treat,  *  dated  yesterday, 
was  read  and  filed.  He  thereby  certifies,  that  he  has  care- 
fully examined  Mr.  Henry  White,  both  in  physick  and  sur- 
gery, and  has  the  pleasure  to  inform  all  whom  it  may 
concern,  that  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  principles  and 
practice  of  both,  and  qualified  for  discharging  his  duty  in 
either. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Henry  White  be,  and  is  hereby, 
appointed  Surgeon  to  Colonel  Isaac  NicolFs  Regiment  of 
Militia  now  called  into  the  Continental  service  for  a  limited 
time. 

Mr.  Morris  reported  that  Mr.  William  Smith  and  himself 
have  examined  Dr.  Samuel  Bard,  and  find  him  skilled  in 
the  process  of  extracting  Salt  from  sea  water;  that  Dr.  Samuel 
Bard  will  give  his  Bond  for  the  money  to  be  lent  to  him, 
or  will  give  other  security  if  the  Convention  shall  think 
proper. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Samuel  Bard  must  give  security  for 
the  money  which  shall  be  lent  him  by  this  Convention,  and 
that  the  Treasurer  of  this  State,  on  receiving  the  Bond  of 
Dr.  Samuel  Bard,  with  such  security  as  this  Convention 
shall  approve  of,  conditioned  for  the  payment  of  £500,  do 
advance  to  him  that  sum,  taking  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

The  said  Committee  further  report,  that  they  have  also 
examined  Captain  William  Goforth,  and  find  him  skilled  in 
the  process  of  extracting  Salt  from  sea  water,  and  in  the 
method  of  erecting  a  work  for  that  purpose ;  that  Aaron 
Oarson.  Jonathan  Piercy,  John  Houston,  and  Richard  Plait, 
are  to  be  his  copartners,  and  are  ready  to  become  bound 
with  him  for  the  money  which  may  be  lent  to  them  agree- 
able to  the  Resolutions  of  this  Convention  of  the  29th  day  of 
June  last  for  encouraging  the  erecting  of  Salt  Works. 

Resolved,  That  the  joint  and  several  Bond  of  the  said 
William  Goforth  and  his  copartners  will  be  sufficient  secu- 
rity for  the  sum  of  £500,  and  that  the  Treasurer  of  this 
State,  on  receiving  the  joint  and  several  Bond  of  William 
Goforth,  Aaron  Oarson,  Jonathan  Piercy,  John  Houston, 
and  Richard  Platt,  conditioned  for  the  sum  of  £500,  do 
advance  to  them  that  sum,  taking  their  receipt  for  the  same. 

Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston  (according  to  order)  reported 
the  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  'Washington, 
which  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
to  wit : 

"  A.  M.,  August  6,  1776. 

"Sin:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  make  their 
apology  to  your  Excellency  for  not  sooner  expressing  their 
approbation  of  the  appointment  which  you  have  made  to  the 
command  on  Hudson's  River.  It  gives  them  great  pleasure 
to  find  that  your  Excellency  hath  chosen  for  this  important 
post  a  gentleman  whose  good  sense  and  tried  resolution  do 
honour  to  the  choice,  which,  united  with  his  intimate  know- 
ledge of  the  country,  cannot  fail  of  rendering  him  useful  to 
the  publick.  They  have,  however,  some  reason  to  fear  that 
either  from  delay  or  misapprehension,  General  Clinton  hath 
not  that  evidence  of  his  authority  which  he  ought  to  have, 
or  else  that  he  doth  not  conceive  of  it  in  its  full  latitude. 
The  Convention  would  therefore  esteem  it  a  particular 
favour,  if,  sir,  you  would  transmit  to  him  his  appointment, 
with  the  resolution  which  subjects  the  levies  on  both  sides  of 
the  river  to  his  command. 

"  By  the  removal  of  General  Clinton  from  the  fortifica- 
tions in  the  Highlands,  the  command  of  one  of  these  forts 

*  These  are  to  certify,  that  I  have  carefully  examined  Mr.  Henry  ViliHe, 
both  in  Physick  and  Surgery,  and  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  all  whom 
it  may  concern,  that  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  principles  and  prac- 
tice of  both,  and  qualified  for  discharging  his  duty  in  either. 

,  Jlvgusi  5, 1776.  MALACBT  TREAT. 


hath  devolved  on  Major  Schuylcr,  a  very  young  officer,  and 
new  to  the  service.  Your  Excellency  will  best  be  able  to 
determine  whether  the  fort  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  be  in- 
trusted with  this  young  gentleman  alone,  or  whether  it  would 
be  proper  to  send  thither  a  more  experienced  officer. 

"  The  Convention  beg  leave  to  inform  your  Excellency, 
that  till  Commissaries  are  appointed,'  the  Convention  are 
deprived  of  two  of  their  members,  who  are  directed  to  sup- 
ply this  post  till  your  Excellency  shall  send  proper  officers 
to  supply  their  place,  which  they  flatter  themselves  will  be 
done  as  early  as  possible. 

"  Upon  a  suggestion  that  the  telescope  belonging  to  King's 
College  would  be  of  use  in  discovering  the  arrangements  and 
operations  of  the  enemy,  the  Convention  have  made  an  order 
for  delivering  it  to  your  Excellency,  of  which  I  am  also 
directed  to  enclose  you  a  copy,  and  hope  that  it  may  in  some 
measure  contribute  to  the  furthering  your  designs.  The 
Convention  have  further  directed  me  to  inform  your  Excel- 
lency, that  their  own  members  and  persons  employed  by 
them  in  the  publick  service  have  frequent  occasion  to  pass 
and  repass  where  guards  are  placed,  are  often  impeded; 
they  do  therefore  submit  it  to  your  Excellency's  considera- 
tion, whether  it  would  not  be  proper  to  give  orders  that  those 
persons  who  shall  appear  to  be  members  of  the  Convention, 
and  those  who  shall  have  permission  signed  by  the  President, 
be  suffered  to  pass  without  interruption.  At  the  same  time, 
that  no  imposition  may  happen,  I  take  leave  to  enclose  the 
copy  of  a  resolution  restricting  the  issuing  of  all  such  per- 
missions, except  to  those  who  are  actually  engaged  in  the 
publick  service;  and  lest  mistakes  should  arise  with  respect 
to  members,  it  is  intended  that  each  one  shall  have  a  certifi- 
cate thereof  signed  by  the  President. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 
Excellency's  most  obedient,  humble  servant." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  this  Letter  be  engrossed,  and 
signed  by  the  President,  and  transmitted. 

Thomas  Willett,  being  brought  here  by  a  guard,  was 
ordered  in  and  examined. 

The  State  of  New- York  )  Examination  before  the  Convention  of  the 
agt.  >      Representatives  of  the  said  State,  August  6, 

Thomas  Willett,  Esq.     )      1776. 

That  he  did  publish,  according  to  the  order  of  William 
Tryon,  Esq.,  late  Governour  of  the  Colony  of  New-  York, 
the  Declaration  of  Richard  Viscount  Howe  and  General 
Hou-e,  of  which  he  acknowledges  that  paper  shown  to  him, 
and  attested  under  his  own  hand,  to  be  a  true  copy;  that 
his  brother,  Edward  Willett,  being  requested  by  Edward 
Wilktt,  Sen.,  to  call  at  his  house,  he  did  so  call,  and  then 
received  the  Declaration,  of  which  the  aforesaid  paper  is  a 
copy,  and  delivered  it  to  the  examinant ;  that  examinant 
received  it  last  Monday  fortnight ;  that  he  first  published  it 
last  Friday  week;  that  with  the  aforesaid  Declaration  he 
received  a  letter  from  the  said  William  Tryon,  purporting 
that  the  paper  enclosed  in  the  said  letter  was  a  true  copy 
of  the  Declaration  of  Lord  Howe  and  General  Howe,  his 
Majesty's  Commissioners,  who  had  requested  him,  said 
William  Tryon,  to  publish  the  same  throughout  his  Govern- 
ment, and  therefore  desiring  examinant  to  make  the  same 
known  throughout  his  County;  that  examinant  had  not, 
previous  to  the  said  publication,  seen  or  heard  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  the  Congress  proclaiming  these  States  independent; 
that  examinant  doth  not  remember  to  have  seen  or  heard  of 
a  resolution  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New-York  pro- 
hibiting all  intercourse  between  the  inhabitants  of  this  State 
and  the  King's  ships  or  the  said  William  Tryon;  that 
examinant  conceives  himself  to  owe  a  duty  to  the  said  Wil- 
liam Tryon,  because  of  the  commission  of  Sheriff  which 
examinant  holds  under  the  King  of  Great.  Britain;  that  he 
had  heard  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence;  that  exami- 
nant does  not  remember  that  he  ever  saw  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  aforesaid  until  very  lately;  that  examinant 
did  know,  at  the  time  of  publishing  Lord  Howe  and  General 
Howe's  Proclamation  aforesaid,  that  this  State  was  at  war 
with  the  King  of  Great  Britain;  that  at  the  time  of  pub- 
lishing the  Proclamation  last  mentioned,  examinant  had  good 
reason  to  believe  that  the  Continental  Congress  had  declared 
independency ;  that  examinant  did  really  believe  the  said 
Congress  had  made  such  Declaration ;  that  examinant  con- 
ceived that  when  the  several  Colonies  in  America  had 
acceded  to  the  Declaration  of  the  Congress,  the  same  would 


1479 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1480 


so  operate  as  to  make  them  independent  States ;  that  lie  doth 
not  know  that  the  Committee  of  Queen's  County  published 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  in  the  said  County,  nor 
hath  he  ever  heard  that  they  did ;  that  shortly  after  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  publickly  made  at  the  City 
Hall  of  the  City  of  New-  York,  a  report  thereof  prevailed, 
at  which  time,  or  about  that  time,  examinant  heard  of  the 
same  from  divers  persons.  The  examinant  being  asked 
whether  he  did  at  that  time  consider  himself  Sheriff  under 
the  King  of  Great  Britain,  declines  answering  the  same. 
Being  asked  whether  he  made  the  said  publication  in  pur- 
suance of  any  duty  he  owed  to  the  said  William  Tryon, 
declines  answering  the  same.  Being  asked  whether  he  did 
consider  himself  as  owing  allegiance  to  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  declines  answering  the  same.  Being  asked  whether, 
as  Sheriff  as  aforesaid,  he  conceived  himself  bound  to  exe- 
cute any  process  which  he  might  receive  in  the  name  and 
by  the  authority  of  the  State  of  New-York,  declines  answer- 
ing the  same.  That  at  the  time  of  publishing  the  said 
Declaration,  he  considered  himself  as  acting  in  the  character 
of  a  Sheriff,  or  of  a  private  person  ;  and  being  asked  whe- 
ther, upon  the  receipt  of  any  Declaration  from  this  Congress, 
he  would  publish  the  same,  declines  giving  an  answer.  That 
the  paper  shown  to  him  as  aforesaid  is  in  the  handwriting  of 
one  Lawson,  a  schoolmaster  in  Flushing.  That  he  doth  not 
know  of  any  person  or  persons  in  Queen's  County  who  have 
applied  for  or  received  any  pardon  or  pardons  from  the  afore- 
said Commissioners;  that  the  name  of  the  Attorney  with 
whom  he  conversed  on  the  subject  of  the  Declaration  was 
Thomas  Hicks,  of  Queen's  County,  on  Long-Island,  who 
told  him,  that  as  it  was  published  by  the  Congress,  he  did 
not  think  there  was  any  harm  in  publishing  it;  that  the 
more  publick  it  was  made  the  better. 

THOS.  WILLETT. 

The  State  of  New-York  ) 

agt.  \  Interrogatories  by  W.  Duer. 

Thomas  Willett,  Esq.      ) 

Question.  The  superscription  of  the  Letter  expresses 
itself  to  be  on  His  Majesty's  service.  Did  you  conceive 
yourself  in  the  service  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain  when 
you  complied  with  the  order  contained  in  it? 

Answer.  He  does  not  choose  to  answer  this  question. 
Question.  The  Declaration  of  Lord  Howe  and  General 
Howe  promises  due  consideration  to  the  meritorious  services 
of  those  who  aid  and  assist  in  restoring  the  publick  tranquil- 
lity. Do  you  think  the  publishing  this  Declaration  a  merit- 
orious service? 

Answer.  He  does  not  choose  to  answer. 
Question.  Did  you  ever  see  or  hear  of  the  Resolution  of 
this  Convention,  July  16,  requiring  all  Officers  to  issue  Pro- 
cess, &.C.,  in  the  name  of  the  State  of  New-York? 

Answer.  I  have  seen  it  after  I  had  published  Lord  Howe's 
Declaration. 

Question.  How  many  of  Lord  Howe's  Declaration  have 
you  published? 

Answer.  Five ;  one  in  each  Town  of  the  County. 
Question.  Did  you  conceive,  when  you  published  this 
Declaration,  that  you  was  aiding  and  assisting  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  or  his  adherents  ? 
Answer.  He  did  not. 

Question.  Do  you  conceive  Governour  Tryon  an  adhe- 
rent of  the  King  of  Great  Britain? 
Answer.  Declines  answering. 

Qu.  Do  you  conceive  Governour  Tryon  an  enemy  to  the 
State  of  New-  York? 

Ansr.  Declines  answering. 

Qu.  Have  you  signed  any  of  the  Associations  recom- 
mended by  this  Convention. 
Answer.  No. 

Question.  Do  you  at  this  day  consider  yourself  as  a  sub- 
ject of  the  State  of  New-York,  and  that  you  owe  allegiance 
to  said  State? 

Ansr.  Declines  answering. 

Qu.  Do  you  look  up  to  the  State  of  New-York  for  the  pro- 
tection of  the  laws,  or  do  you  look  up  to  any  other  authority  ? 
Declines  answering. 

Qu.  As  the  Continental  Congress  have  published  a  De- 
claration of  Independency  which  has  been  acceded  to  by 
the  other  States,  do  you  conceive  that  all  the  inhabitants  of 
America  are  bound  by  such  Declaration  ? 
Declines  answering. 


Qu.  Do  you  think  Lord  Howe's  Declaration  implies  that 
he  has  power  to  treat  with  the  Colonies  for  an  accommo- 
dation ? 

Answer.   No.  THOS.  WILLETT. 

Question.  Did  you  conceive  the  Declaration  of  Lord 
Howe  favourable  or  unfavourable  to  the  liberties  of  Ame- 
rica? 

Declines  answering.  THOS.  WILLETT. 

The  foregoing  is  the  Examination  of  Thomas  Willett,  Esq., 
taken  before  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York,  on 
the  6th  day  of  August,  1776. 

Thomas  Willett,  by  order,  withdrew. 

Resolved,  That  Edward  Willett,  brother  of  the  said  Tho- 
mas Willett,  and  Edward  Willett,  Sen.,  Lawson,  a  School- 
master at  Flushing,  and  Thomas  Hicks,  Esq.,  Attorney  at 
Law,  be  immediately  apprehended  and  brought  before  this 
Convention  ;  that  they  be  apprehended  by  separate  parties, 
and  kept  separate  till  brought  before  this  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  Woodhull  direct  the 
Captain  of  the  Troop  of  Horse  in  Queen's  County  to  appre- 
hend the  said  persons  separately,  and  bring  them  separately 
before  this  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Willett,  late  Sheriff  of  Queen's 
County,  be  conveyed  by  his  present  Guard  to  the  Jail  of 
the  City  and  County  of  Nciv-  York,  and  there  confined  until 
the  further  order  of  this  Convention. 

And  Ordered,  That  Smith,  Corporal  of  the  Guard, 

having  the  care  of  the  said  Thomas  Willett,  be,  and  he 
hereby  is,  directed  and  requested  to  convey  the  said  Thomas 
Willett  to  the  Jail  of  the  City  of  New-  York,  and  there  de- 
liver him  to  Daniel  Goldsmith,  the  Keeper  of  the  said  Jail, 
who  is  hereby  required  to  receive  the  said  Thomas  Willett 
into  his  custody,  and  him  safely  keep  until  the  further  order 
of  this  Convention. 

A  Memorial  of  Daniel  Hauxhurst,  on  behalf  of  Townsend 
Sf  Noble,  proprietors  of  an  Anchor  Forge,  was  read.  The 
Memorial  sets  forth  that  they  had  contracted  with  the  Con- 
tinent to  supply  Anchors  for  the  American  Ships  now  build- 
ing; that  the  Militia  on  the  west  side  of  Hudson's  River 
had  taken  out  of  their  store  about  fifty  barrels  of  Pork,  a 
quantity  of  Peas,  and  three  hogsheads  of  Tobacco,  which 
will  speedily  render  them  unable  to  proceed  with  their  works. 
He  prays  restitution,  and  that  the  workmen  who  have  left 
the  works,  as  part  of  the  Militia,  may  be  ordered  to  return ; 
and  that  they  may  be  further  supplied  with  twelve  sledge- 
men. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Graham,  Colonel  Livingston,  and 
Mr.  Wisner,  Sen.,  be  a  Committee  to  take  and  consider  of 
the  said  Memorial,  and  report  thereon. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  De  Witt  write  a  Letter  to  Colonel 
Johannes  Snyder,  informing  him  that  his  Letter  has  been 
received,  and  is  committed  to  a  Committee,  who  will  report 
some  general  regulations  relating  to  the  Troops,  which  may 
probably  be  adopted ;  and  that  in  the  mean  time  Colonel 
Snyder  proceed  to  draught  and  forward  one-fourth  part  of 
the  other  Militia  of  his  Regiment,  as  soon  as  possible. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  the  City  of  New- 
York  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
to  wit : 

"  SIR  :  I  herewith  enclose  you  copies  of  two  resolutions 
of  the  Convention  of  this  State,  for  obtaining  the  telescope 
belonging  to  the  College  of  New-  York,  for  the  use  of  his 
Excellency  General  Washington.  The  Convention  request 
you  to  call  on  Mr.  Moore,  the  President  for  the  time  being, 
or  such  governour  of  the  College  as  may  have  the  care  of 
that  telescope,  and  produce  the  resolve  marked  No.  2,  and 
request  the  delivery  of  that  telescope  for  the  use  of  his 
Excellency,  which  we  presume  will  procure  it  without  diffi- 
culty. If  by  that  means  you  do  not  obtain  the  said  tele- 
scope, then  \ve  desire  that,  in  pursuance  of  the  resolution 
No  1,  you  cause  the  said  telescope  to  be  taken  out  of  the 
City-Hall  of  the  City,  in  the  presence  of  yourself  and  some 
others  of  the  Committee;  and  when,  by  either  means,  you 
have  obtained  the  said  telescope,  please  to  have  it  safely 
delivered  to  his  Excellency  the  General. 

"  I  am,  respectfully,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant. 
"  By  order. 

To  John  Berricn,  Esq.,  Chairman,  &ic." 


1481 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1482 


Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  the  propriety  of  Mr. 
Scotfs  taking  his  seat  as  a  Member  in  this  Convention,  be 
deferred  till  to-morrow. 


Die  Mercurii,  8  ho.  A.  M.,  August  7,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present:  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 

FOR  NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Remsen,  Major  Abed,  Colonel 
Lott,  Mr.  P.  P.  Van  Zandt,  Mr.  Dunscombe,  Mr.  Roose- 
velt. Mr.  Bancker,  Captain  Rutgers,  Mr.  Beekman,  Colo- 
nel Brasher. 

FOR  ALBANY. — Mr.  Ab.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bkecker, 
Colonel  P.  Livingston. 

FOR  SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Wm.  Smith,  Mr. 
Miller. 

FOR  DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  London,  Mr.  R.  R. 
Livingston. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Contine,  Major  Parks,  Mr. 
Wisner,  Jun. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Colonel  Gil.  Drake,  Mr. 
Haviland. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Wisner,  Mr.  Little. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Captain  Lawrence. 

TRYON. — Mr.  William  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gouverneitr  Morris, 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston, 
and  Mr.  Roosevelt,  be  a  Committee  to  report  proper  regula- 
tions for  establishing  a  Fund  in  this  State,  and  that  they 
report  with  all  convenient  speed. 

A  Certificate  of  Dr.  Malachi  Treat*  was  read  and  filed. 
He  thereby  certifies  that  he  has  examined  Mr.  William  Fore- 
man upon  the  practice  of  Physick  and  Surgery,  and  has 
found  his  experience  in  both  such  as  recommends  him  to 
the  attention  of  the  publick,  and  qualifies  him  for  the  duties 
of  a  Surgeon  of  a  Regiment. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  William  Foreman  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
appointed  Surgeon  to  Colonel  Morris  Graham's  Regiment, 
now  in  actual  service. 

The  Memorial  of  Abel  Noble  and  Peter  Townsend  was 
again  read.f 

Colonel  P.  Livingston,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to 
take  into  consideration  the  Memorial  of  Abel  Noble  and  Peter 
Townsend,  by  their  agent  William  Hauxhurst,  do  report,  as 
their  opinion,  that  so  much  of  the  Pork  and  Peas  as  have  been 
taken  from  the  said  Noble  and  Townsend  by  the  Militia,  upon 
due  proof  being  made  that  the  same  was  expended  for  the  use 
of  the  said  Militia  stationed  on  Hudson's  River,  ought  to  be 
replaced  by  the  Commissary  appointed  to  furnish  provisions 
for  that  department;  that  the  Tobacco,  said  to  be  taken  by 
the  Militia,  ought  to  be  paid  for  by  the  officer  commanding 
the  party  at  that  station,  on  due  proof  being  made  that  the 

*I  hereby  certify  that  I  have  examined  Mr.  William  Forman  upon  the 
practice  of  Physick  and  Surgery,  and  have  found  his  experience  in  both 
such  as  recommends  him  to  the  attention  of  the  publick  and  qualify  him 
for  the  duties  of  a  Surgeon  of  a  Regiment.  MALACHY  TREAT. 

NEW- YORK,  JIugust'6,  1776. 

\To  the  Honourable  House  of  Contention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Stale 

of  NEW-YORK: 

The  memorial  of  Mel  Noble  and  Peter  Townsend,  proprietors  of  Stir- 
ling Iron  Works,  Anchor  Works,  &c.,  by  William  Hawxhurst,  their  agent, 
humbly  showeth:  That  your  memorialists  have  made  a  contract  for 
making  anchors,  steel,  and  broad-bar,  and  large  square  iron,  to  a  con- 
siderable amount,  for  the  Continental  service,  which  were  to  be  made 
with  all  possible  expedition;  that  your  memorialists  have  already  con- 
structed a  new  work  for  wroughting  the  said  anchors,  and  have  made  a 
considerable  progress  therein;  but  unfortunately  for  your  memorialists, 
the  men-of-war's  arrival  up  the  North  River  have  occasioned  the  country 
to  raise  the  Militia,  whereby  the  workmen  and  labourers  are  taken  from 
the  said  works;  that  your  memorialists  had,  just  before  the  arrival  of 
said  men-of-war,  lodged  at  Case's  store,  at  Haverstraw  Landing,  fifty-eight 
barrels  of  pork,  one  hundred  bushels  of  peas,  five  hogsheads  of  tobacco, 
and  sundry  other  necessaries  for  the  use  of  the  people  employed  at  the 
said  works;  of  which  said  provisions,  &c.,  the  Militia  have  taken  forty 
barrels  of  pork,  seventy-five  bushels  of  peas,  and  three  hogsheads  of 
tobacco;  by  means  of  all  which,  and  the  loss  of  time  already  sustained, 
your  memorialists  are  unable  to  perform  their  contract  this  season,  unless 
your  Honours  shall  give  them  relief  by  discharging  the  workmen  and 
labourers  from  the  said  Militia,  and  supplying  them  with  the  like  quan- 
tity of  pork,  peas,  and  tobacco,  as  have  been  taken  from  them  as  afore- 
said, and  also  with  ten  or  twelve  sledgemen;  which  your  memorialists 
humbly  pray  your  Honours  will  do  as  speedily  as  possible. 

WILLIAM  HAWXHURST. 


same  was  expended  by  the  Militia  under  his  command,  to 
be  by  him  deducted  out  of  the  pay  of  the  said  party. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Report  be  filed. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  does  agree  with  their 
Committee  in  the  said  Report. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Peter  R.  Livingston,  Colonel 
R.  R.  Livingston,  and  Mr.  Wisner,  Sen.,  be  a  Committee 
to  report  what  and  how  many  Artificers  shall  be  exetnpted 
from  being  draughted  into  the  Militia  from  the  different 
manufactories  in  this  State,  and  that  they  report  on  or  before 
Saturday  next. 

A  Letter  from  Richard  Speaight,*  dated  the  first  day  of 
August,  instant,  was  read.  He  therein  sets  forth  that  he  is 
at  Goshen,  where  he  has  been  sent  a  prisoner-of-war  by  the 
Committee  of  the  City  of  New-  York,  as  a  person  disaffected 
to  the  American  cause ;  that  he  is  ready  to  accept  of  em- 
ployment as  a  Chemist  or  Surgeon  to  a  Regiment  in  the 
Army,  and  therefore  requests  a  discharge. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  members  of  the  Committee 
for  carrying  into  execution  the  Resolutions  of  the  Congress 
of  this  State,  on  the  5th  day  of  June  last,  with  respect  to  dan- 
gerous and  disaffected  persons  and  those  of  equivocal  cha- 
racters, be  absolved,  and  they  are  hereby  absolved  from  their 
oath  of  office  to  carry  those  Resolutions  into  execution, 
and  from  all  further  duty  required  of  them  by  those  Resolu- 
tions. 

And  Ordered,  That  the  President  do  absolve  all  the 
Members  of  this  Convention  and  the  Secretaries  from  their 
oath  of  secrecy  as  to  the  matters  contained  in  those  Reso- 
lutions. And  that  he  further  absolve  all  the  Members  of 
this  Convention  and  the  Secretaries  from  the  oath  of  secrecy 
by  them  respectively  taken,  and  everything  thereon  charged, 
so  that  the  same  from  henceforth  be  null  and  void. 
Which  was  done  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  henceforth,  until  further  order  of  this  Con- 
vention, all  matters  charged  on  the  Members  as  matters  of 
secrecy,  be  charged  to  them  to  be  kept  secret  upon  their 
honour  respectively. 

Isaac  Roosevelt,  Esq.,  to  whom  was  committed  the  care 
and  management  of  getting  Plates  engraved f  for  issuing 
the  Bills  of  Credit  of  this  State,  framing  the  devices  of  those 
Plates,  getting  the  said  Bills  of  Credit  printed  and  signed  by 
the  respective  signers,  and  delivered  to  the  Treasurer,  made 
report  of  his  proceedings  in  the  premises,  in  writing,  which 
is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"Mr.  PRESIDENT:  In  pursuance  of  the  resolutions  of  the 
5th  March  and  8th  May,  1776,  of  the  then  Provincial  Con- 
gress for  the  emission  of  a  Paper  currency,  to  amount  of 

*  GOSHEN,  dugust  1,  1776. 

HONOURED  FRIENDS — GENTLEMEN:  Know,  that  through  malice  and 
enmity  after  seven  months'  imprisonment,  and  just  opened  shop  in  town, 
( York,)  and  getting  into  a  good  living  trade,  I  was,  through  misinforma- 
tion, sent  to  this  place,  (by  the  Committee,)  a  prisoner  on  parole,  from 
my  family  and  business,  and,  without  doubt,  unless  soon  relieved,  the 
whole  of  my  substance  (which  is  but  little)  must  be  spent,  and  my  wife 
and  two  children  suffer  for  want  of  bread  as  well  as  myself,  as  I  have 
no  allowance  made  me  here  to  live  upon,  nor  had  I  any  to  bring  me  up, 
which  cost  me  upwards  of .five  pounds,  and  am  now  at  great  expense, 
that  soon  will  sink  all  I  have  got.  Whatever  accusation  can  be  laid 
against  me,  I  am  willing  to  clear  myself  before  your  honourable  body. 
I°must  own  I  have  never  signed  the  Association.  For  why?  Because 
it  was  never  presented  to  me,  neither  do  I  know  the  contents. 

To  be  short,  gentlemen:  So  far  I  am  a  friend  to  America;  (let  any 


assist  the  Army  in  my  business,  which  I  flatter  myself,  as  many  things 
are  much  wanting  in  the  Army,  I  would  be  of  service  in  preparing  many 
chemical  medicines  that  are  now  not  to  be  got.  I  would  even  enter  in 
the  service  as  a  Doctor  to  any  one  of  the  Regiments  where  a  vacancy 
might  offer,  as  well  as  prepare  medicines  for  the  rest  of  the  Army,  as  I 
believe  my  abilities  are  well  known  in  the  chemical  business. 

If  the  honourable  Congress  will  consider  me  in  the  above  particulars, 
and  grant  me  relief,  which  may  be  the  saving  of  a  wife  and  two  small 
children  from  distress,  the  thanks  and  prayers  will  ever  be  for  your  wel- 
fare, and  all  assistance  wanting  will  be  given  by  your  Honours'  most 
obedient  servant,  RICHARD  SPEAIGHT. 

To  the  Hon.  Provincial  Congress  of  the  Province  of  New-York. 

f  IN  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  CONVENTION  OF  THE  STATE  OF  ) 
NEW-YORK,  July  14,  1776.      $ 

Ordered,  That  John  McKesson,  as  Secretary  of  the  Convention  of  the 
said  State,  receive  from  Isaac  Roosevelt,  Esq.,  all  the  Plates,  Borders,  and 
Engravings  made  for  printing  the  emission  of  Money  or  Bills  of  Credit 
issued  by  order  of  the  late  Congress  of  this  Colony,  and  that  the  said 
John  McKesson  get  those  Plates,  Borders,  and  Engravings  conveyed  to 
the  White-Plains  by  the  best  conveyance  he  can  readily  obtain. 

HENRY  REMSEN,      GOUVERNEUR  MORRIS, 
LEWIS  GRAHAM,      LEONARD  GANSEVOORT. 


1483 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1484 


£55,000,  I  now  report  that  I  have  executed  the  said  reso- 
lution in  manner  following,  to  wit: 


2  3r>0 

.Bills  of 

10  Dollars  ca( 
5  do. 
3  do. 
2  do. 

1     .An. 

•h  jg  23  500 

Dollars, 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 
do. 

Dollars, 

2,350. 
2,350, 
2,350. 
30,000, 
30,000. 
30,000. 
30,000. 
30  000 

do.. 
do.. 
do.. 
do.. 

11,750 
7,050 
'.  .  .  .     4,700 
30,000 

do.. 
do.. 
do.. 
do.. 

2-3.. 
1-2.. 
1-3.. 
1-4    . 

...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 

20,000 
15,000 
10,000 
7,  500 

30,000. 
30,000. 

do.. 
do.. 

1-6.. 

1-8  .. 

...do. 
...do. 

5,000 
3,750 

138,250 

"  That  the  said  overplus  of  £300  arises  from  the  last- 
mentioned  denomination  of  one-eighth  of  a  dollar,  which  in 
the  above  recited  resolution,  of  the  5th  of  March,  was  stipu- 
lated to  be  twenty-four  thousand  Bills.  That  I  could  not 
conveniently  comply  with  the  resolution  in  that  respect,  as 
the  plates  were  all  set  for  striking  off  the  lower  denomina- 
tions together  on  one  sheet,  and  the  arrival  of  the  British 
fleet  and  army  renders  it  necessary  to  finish  the  striking  them 
off  speedily,  it  did  therefore  not  admit  of  taking  the  printing 
press  down  to  make  an  alteration.  And  as  that  denomina- 
tion is  very  useful  in  small  change,  I  judged  it  would  meet 
with  the  approbation  of  this  Convention.  I  have  therefore 
paid  the  said  Bills  into  the  Treasury  of  this  Convention, 
amounting  to  the  said  sum  of  £55,300,  as  per  receipt." 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  does  fully  approve  of 
the  conduct  of  Isaac  Roosevelt,  Esq.,  and  the  signers  of  the 
late  emission  of  the  Bills  of  Credit  of  this  Colony  or  State,  in 
having  issued  £300  more  than  was  ordered  to  be  issued  by 
the  resolution  of  the  late  Provincial  Congress,  of  the  8th 
day  of  March  and  the  5th  day  of  May  last  past;  that  the 
same  shall  pass  current  as  the  other  money  of  this  State,  and 
be  of  equal  credit,  and  that  the  said  sum  of  £300  be  con- 
sidered as  a  part  of  the  sum  mentioned  in  the  bill  for  a  fur- 
ther emission  of  Bills  of  Credit  of  this  State  now  before  this 
Convention,  and  that  provision  be  therein  made  for  the  can- 
celling thereof  by  this  State  by  issuing  £300  less  than  the 
sum  mentioned  in  the  said  bill  now  under  consideration. 

Mr.  Isaac  Roosevelt  also  produced  the  Receipt  of  Gerard 
Bancker,  Deputy  Treasurer,  on  behalf  of  Peter  V.  Brugh 
Livingston,  Esq.,  the  Treasurer  of  this  State,  for  the  said  sum 
of  £55,300,  which  was  read,  and  is  hereunto  annexed: 

"  Received  at  different  times,  from  Mr.  Isaac  Roosevelt, 
sundry  parcels  of  money,  amounting  to  £55,300,  which  was 
emitted  by  orders  of  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York, 
and  which  Mr.  Roosevelt  had  printed  and  signed  by  order  of 
said  Convention.  Received  for  P.  V.  B.  Livingston,  Trea- 
surer. GERARD  BANCKER. 

"  Harlem,  August  3,  1776." 

Robert  R.  Livingston,  Esq.,  according  to  order,  reported 
a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Delegates  of  this  State  at  Congress 
on  the  subject  of  having  resolved  that  the  City  of  New-York 
be  deserted  if  necessary,  and  on  different  arrangements  of 
Militia  and  Rangers  ordered  to  be  raised  for  actual  service ; 
which  was  read,  amended,  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  to  wit: 

"  Harlem,  August  7,  1776,  A.  M. 

"GENTLEMEN:  As  the  defence  of  this  State  is  intimately 
connected  with  the  safety  of  America,  this  Convention  have 
not  only  exerted  their  utmost  strength,  but  cheerfully  agreed 
to  sacrifice  local  attachments  and  a  great  share  of  their  pro- 
perty to  the  attainment  of  these  desirable  ends.  This  will 
fully  appear  by  the  paper  No.  1,  and  the  other  enclosures. 
We  regret  an  unfortunate  mistake  which  prevented  your 
receiving  them  much  earlier,  since  we  cannot  but  flatter  our- 
selves that  a  communication  of  them  to  the  Congress  would 
at  the  same  time  have  afforded  pleasure  to  that  honourable 
body,  and  called  forth  every  aid  which  they  could  render 
to  the  cause  of  liberty  and  a  sister  State  in  our  critical  situa- 
tion. 

"  We  can  with  pleasure  assure  you,  that  by  far  the  greater 
part  of  the  levies  ordered  by  the  Congress  to  be  raised  from 
our  Militia  are  completed  and  at  their  several  stations;  that 
almost  the  whole  of  those  draughted  in  consequence  of  the 
enclosed  resolution  will,  by  the  time  this  reaches  you,  be  at 
those  posts  which  it  is  thought  necessary  to  occupy,  lest  the 
enemy  should  cut  off  the  communication  between  the  Army 
at  New- York  and  the  country.  The  whole  number  of 


draughts  from  the  Militia  of  this  State,  exclusive  of  the  Con- 
tinental Battalion  raised  therein,  will  amount,  as  we  con- 
ceive, when  completed,  to  about  nine  thousand  men.  The 
stations  the  last  levies  will  occupy  on  our  frontiers  in  the 
Highlands  and  on  Long-Island  prevent  their  adding  to  the 
strength  of  the  Army  at  New-York,  much  as  it  needs  their 
assistance. 

"  It  gives  us  great  pain  to  inform  you  that  the  aid  received 
from  our  sister  States  is  very  inadequate  to  our  expectation, 
none  of  them  having  yet  completed  the  levies  directed  by 
Congress;  which  leaves  us  reason  to  fear  that  instead  of  using 
every  means  that  human  wisdom  dictates  for  insuring  suc- 
cess, we  shall,  (with  inferior  numbers,)  on  the  doubtful  issue 
of  a  single  battle,  hazard  the  glorious  cause  for  which  we 
have  hitherto  struggled. 

"  A  considerable  detachment  from  the  Flying-Camp  might 
supply  their  defect,  and  afford  us  a  speedy  succour,  without 
the  least  danger  to  the  Middle  Colonies,  since  it  is  now 
evident  that  the  blow  is  aimed  at  New-York,  and  may  per- 
haps be  struck  while  you  are  deliberating  on  this  measure. 
The  season  of  the  year,  and  the  immediate  demand  for 
troops,  obliged  us  to  give  very  considerable  bounties;  we 
flatter  ourselves,  therefore,  that  our  burdens  will  not  be 
increased  by  any  delay  to  take  into  the  pay  of  the  Conti- 
nent all  but  those  ordered  to  be  raised  for  the  defence  of  the 
city  of  Albany.  Such  as  are  to  be  employed  on  the  frontiers 
are  doubtless  of  general  utility,  and  rendered  necessary  by 
the  extreme  weakness  of  the  Northern  Army.  Should  the 
Congress  think  otherwise,  we  propose  to  retain  them  at  our 
own  expense,  since  we  are  determined  to  neglect  no  measure, 
(however  burdensome,)  if  within  our  reach,  which  we  con- 
ceive necessary  for  the  safety  of  America, 

"  You  will  see,  from  one  of  the  enclosures,  that  a  Secret 
Committee  were  appointed  for  obstructing  the  navigation 
of  Hudson's  River.  In  the  execution  of  this  design  they 
must  necessarily  run  into  some  expense,  as  the  forts  in  the 
Highlands  were  not  properly  furnished  with  cannon,  boats, 
fire-ships,  booms,  &ic.  This  has  hitherto  been  a  Continental 
object,  and  under  the  immediate  direction  of  Congress;  we 
hope,  therefore,  our  endeavours  to  render  their  work  effectual 
will  meet  the  approbation  of  that  honourable  body,  and  be 
considered  as  a  Continental  charge.  Your  prudence  will 
suggest  the  use  to  which  this  letter  and  the  enclosures  ought 
to  be  applied,  to  which  we  submit  it;  and  are,  &c. 
"  To  the  Delegates  for  the  State  of  New-  York  at  Congress." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Letter  be  engrossed, 
and  signed  by  the  President,  and  transmitted  to  the  Dele- 
gates of  this  State  at  Congress,  with  copies  of  all  the  Reso- 
lutions and  Orders  therein  mentioned. 

Major  Abeel,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  report  on 
the  Letter  of  the  General  Committee  of  the  City  of  New- 
York,  relative  to  Prisoners  apprehended  in  Bergen  woods, 
and  now  in  Jail,  brought  in  their  Report.  Which  Report 
was  read. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  General  Committee  of  the 
City  of  New-  York  do  order  the  persons  mentioned  in  their 
Letter  of  the  2d  instant*  to  have  been  taken  up  by  order 
of  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  to  be  detained  in  the 
Jail  of  the  said  city  until  the  further  order  of  this  Convention, 
and  that  the  said  Committee  order  a  reasonable  daily  subsist- 
ence to  such  of  them  as  are  in  indigent  circumstances;  and 
also  to  all  such  persons  as  may  hereafter  be  there  confined 
for  the  safety  of  this  State,  and  who  are  unable  to  support 
themselves. 

And  Resolved,  That  this  Convention  will  provide  for  the 

'COMMITTEE  CHAMBER,  NEW-YORK,  August  2,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Agreeable  to  your  resolution  of  the  ]6ih  instant,  we 
herewith  transmit  you  the  names  of  sundry  persons  taken  up  in  Bergen 
woods,  near  Bu-Ws  Ferry,  by  order  of  the  General,  and  brought  before 
this  Committee  as  disaffected  persons  to  these  States.  On  examination, 
each  of  them  declared  they  considered  themselves  bound  in  allegiance  to 
George  the  Third,  King  of  Great  Britain,  and  were  not  pleased  with  the 
independence  of  this  country,  though  they  offered  to  swear  they  would 
not  take  arms  for  or  against  these  States.  Some  of  them,  we  are  informed, 
are  in  indigent  circumstances,  and  have  large  families.  We  conceived 
ourselves  under  the  necessity  of  committing  them  to  jail  as  prisoners  of 
the  State,  and  doubt  not,  as  they  were  members  of  this  State,  you  will 
speedily  give  such  orders  respecting  them,  and  make  such  provision  as 
you  shall  think  their  circumstances  require. 

1  am,  gentlemen,  by  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  Committee,  your  obe- 
dient, humble  servant,  JOHN  BERRIEN,  Chairman. 

TORIES — James  Holilen,  James  Holaen,  Jun.,  Robert  Crannell,  James 
Potter,  Edward  Dntry,  David  Purdy — this  person 's  pettiauger  was  sent  on 
board  the  Phitnix  since  she  went  up  the  North  River:  with  what  cargo 
unknown. 


1485 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1486 


payment  of  such  subsistence,  when  the  accounts  thereof  are 
presented  properly  authenticated. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  consideration 
of  the  state  of  the  Troopers  in  the  Militia,  reported  the  fol- 
lowing Resolutions,  which  were  unanimously  resolved  and 
agreed  to : 

Whereas  the  service  of  Troopers  does  materially  differ 
from  that  of  others  in  the  Militia,  whereby  it  may  frequently 
happen  that  Horse  may  not  be  necessary  for  the  defence  of 
the  State  at  the  same  time  with  Foot,  and,  on  the  contrary, 
Foot  may  not  be  necessary  at  the  same  time  with  Horse;  or 
when  both  are  necessary,  yet  not  in  equal  proportions: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  establishment 
of  the  Troopers  shall  be  considered  as  totally  different  from 
that  of  the  other  Militia  in  this  State,  so  that  any  general 
order  for  draughting  the  Militia  shall  apply  only  to  the  Foot 
soldiers,  and  every  general  order  for  the  Troops  of  Horse 
shall  apply  only  to  them. 

Whereas  the  defence  of  this  State  may  require  the  imme- 
diate service  of  the  several  Troops  of  Horse  in  the  Counties 
of  Ulster,  Orange,  Dutchess,  and  Westchester  : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  General  Clinton 
be,  and  he  hereby  is  empowered  to  order  out  the  whole  or 
any  part  or  detachment  of  the  said  Troops,  or  either  of  them, 
for  such  time  or  times  as  he  may  think  necessary,  until  the 
last  day  of  December  next,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  this 
Convention  or  future  Executive  power  of  this  State;  and  that 
provision  shall  be  made  for  their  pay  and  subsistence. 

Ordered,  That  the  former  of  the  above  two  Resolutions 
be  printed  in  the  publick  Newspapers,  and  that  the  latter  of 
the  said  Resolutions  be  served  on  General  Clinton,  and  on 
the  several  Brigadier-Generals  of  the  Counties  therein  men- 
tioned, with  directions  to  communicate  the  same  to  the 
several  Colonels  commanding  the  said  Troops. 

Resolved,  That  the  consideration  of  the  propriety  of  Gen- 
eral Scott's  being  admitted  to  a  seat  in  this  Convention  be 
further  postponed  till  Friday  next. 

Die  Jovis,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  8,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 

NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Remsen,  Major  Abeel,  Col.  Broome, 
Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  P.  Van  Zandt,  Mr.  Beekman,  Mr. 
Roosevelt. 

ALBANV. — Mr.  Aim.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate, 
Colonel  Livingston. 

SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Smith. 

CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Contine.  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  London,  Mr.  Robert  Liv- 
ingston. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Little. 

QUEKN'S, — Colonel  Blackwell,  Major  Lawrence. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Tompkins,  Mr.  Havi- 
land. 

A  Letter  from  John  Berrien  and  Henry  Wilmot,  Esquires, 
dated  and  received  yesterday,  was  read  and  filed.  They 
therein  mention  that  they  had.  by  application  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Inglis,  obtained  the  Telescope  belonging  to  the  College 
for  the  use  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  and 
delivered  it  to  his  Aid-de-Camp,  whom  the  General  had 
sent  to  receive  it;  that  Mr.  Inglis  readily  consented  to  the 
delivery  of  it,  and  the  General  had  been  anxious  to  obtain  it. 
That  they  had  procured  all  the  Books  and  Papers  belonging 
to  the  Receiver-General's  office,  and  sent  them,  under  a 
guard,  by  Lieutenant  Thomas  Lawrence. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  take  the  care  and  charge 
of  all  the  Books  and  Papers  taken  from  the  Receiver-Gen- 
eral's office  until  further  order. 

The  Convention  was  informed  that  Thomas  Hicks,  Esq., 
Edward  Willett,  Sen.,  and  Edward  Willett,  Jun.,  brought 
in  custody  by  a  guard  of  the  Troopers  of  Queen's  County, 
were  attending: 

State  of  NEW- YORK  vs.  EDWARD  WILLETT: 

Edward  Willett,  Sen.,  being  brought  in  and  examined, 
says,  that  he  (the  examinant)  delivered  to  Edward  Wilktt 
a  letter  for  the  Sheriff  of  Queen's  County,  but  does  not 
know  whether  it  was  from  Governour  Tryon;  that  he  got 
said  letter  at  Jamaica,  from  Nathaniel  Mills ;  thinks  Mills 


said  he  got  it  from  Livingston  or  Depeyster,  but  does  not 
know  exactly ;  that  Mills  said  he  had  received  that  letter 
the  same  morning  he  had  delivered  it  to  the  examinant,  but 
declared  he  did  not  know  the  contents ;  that  he  never  con- 
versed with  the  Sheriff  since  he  received  the  said  letter. 
,  The  Examination  of  the  said  Edward  Willett,  Sen.,  by 
him  subscribed,  is  on  file. 

Edward  Willett,  Jr.,  brother  of  Thomas  Willett,  examined, 
says,  that  he  did  deliver  to  his  brother  (Sheriff  Willett)  a 
letter  from  Governour  Tryon,  enclosing  a  Proclamation  from 
Lord  Howe  and  General  Howe;  that  Mr.  Edward  Willett, 
of  Flushing,  give  said  letter  to  the  examinant ;  that  he  did 
not  ask  Edward  Willett  where  he  got  it,  nor  did  said  Edward 
tell  him;  that  he  hath  never  read  said  letter;  that  he  heard 
his  brother  say  it  was  from  Governour  Tryon,  and  saw  the 
Proclamation  contained  in  the  said  letter ;  that  he  does  not 
know  whether  his  brother  intended  to  publish  the  said  letter 
upon  the  receipt  thereof;  that  no  conversation  passed  between 
them  relating  to  the  said  Proclamation  ;  that  he  hath  had  no 
conversation  upon  the  Declaration  of  Independence  with  his 
said  brother;  that  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was 
read  off  at  the  head  of  the  Companies  in  Queen's  County, 
nearly  about  the  time  the  said  letter  was  received ;  that  he 
had  heard  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  frequently 
before  the  said  publication  thereof. 

The  Examination  of  the  said  Edward  WiUett,  Jun.,  by 
him  subscribed,  is  on  file. 

State  of  New-York  )  „       .     ,  . 

f  Jucamined  before  the  Convention,  tfc.,  Jlugust  8, 

Thomas  Hicks,  Esq.  $  1776- 

Believes  he  saw  a  letter  from  Governour  Tryon,  enclosing 
a  Declaration  of  Lord  Howe  and  General  Howe,  which  was 
sent  to  Sheriff  Willett;  does  not  remember  that  the  Sheriff 
asked  him  how  far  he  would  or  would  not  be  safe  in  publish- 
ing that  Declaration.  That  examinant,  upon  conversing 
with  the  said  Sheriff,  did  at  first  consider  the  publishing  of 
the  said  Declaration  as  trifling;  but  upon  adverting  to  a  reso- 
lution of  the  Convention,  did  tell  him  "  that  examinant  did 
not  know  how  far  the  said  publication  might,  under  that 
resolution,  be  considered  as  adhering  to  the  enemy,  and 
consequenlly  treason,  wherefore  examinant  was  of  opinion 
that  the  publishing  said  Declaration  was  dangerous."  That 
said  Sheriff  declared  to  examinant  that  he  was  determined 
to  publish  the  same,  for  that  he  would  do  his  duty  let  the 
consequences  be  what  they  would,  or  something  to  that 
effect;  which  declaration  was  made,  as  examinant  thinks, 
posterior  to  the  delivery  of  his  opinion  as  aforesaid,  but  is 
not  certain.  Does  not  remember  that  the  Sheriff  gave  as  a 
reason  for  publishing  said  Declaration  that  the  Congress  had 
published  it  themselves,  although  he  may  have  given  the 
same  as  a  reason ;  and  does  not  think,  from  the  general  tenor 
of  the  conversation,  that  the  Sheriff  meant  to  ask  his  advice 
or  to  be  guided  by  it,  but  that  it  was  a  mere  matter  of  chat 
or  news  between  them.  That  examinant  does  not  believe 
he  should  have  had  any  conversation  with  the  said  Sheriff 
upon  the  subject,  had  he  not  asked  to  see  the  said  Declara- 
tion, being  curious  to  know  what  terms  were  offered,  and 
having  heard  from  Doctor  Johnson  that  the  Sheriff  had  re- 
ceived it.  Examinant  may  have  told  the  Sheriff  during  the 
course  of  the  conversation,  that  as  the  Congress  had  published 
it  there  could  be  no  harm  for  him  to  do  it,  but  does  not  recol- 
lect that  he  did.  Does  not  recollect  whether  he  had  any 
conversation  with  the  Sheriff  upon  the  subject  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence:  they  possibly  might  have  had. 

THOS.  HICKS. 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Hicks,  Esq.,  Edward  Willett, 
and  Edward  Willett  the  younger,  be  discharged,  the  evi- 
dence which  had  been  given  against  them  not  appearing 
sufficient  for  their  detention. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Samuel  Riker,  Joseph  Robinson, 
and  William  Furman,  or  any  two  of  them,  be,  and  are  here- 
by, authorized  and  required  to  call  before  them  Nathaniel 
Mills,  of  Jamaica,  and  examine  him  from  whom  and  when 
and  where  he  received  a  letter  or  packet  directed  to  the 
Sheriff  of  Queen's  County,  and  which  he  lately  delivered  to 
Edward  iVillett.  That  they,  or  any  two  of  them,  do  like- 
wise call  before  them  and  examine  all  such  other  persons 
as  they  may  think  necessary  to  discover  by  what  means  or 
communication  that  letter  was  brought  from  the  enemy. 
That  they  be,  and  are  hereby,  authorized  to  command  to 
their  assistance  from  time  to  time  any  number  of  the  Troop- 


1487 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1488 


ers  or  Militia  which  they  may  think  necessary,  and  to  send 
for,  search  for,  and  secure  persons  and  papers;  and,  if  they 
shall  think  proper,  to  send  them  to  this  Convention;  and 
that  they  report  their  proceedings  in  the  premises  to  this 
Convention  with  all  convenient  speed. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  yesterday  to 
report  Regulations  for  establishing  a  Fund  in  this  State,  be, 
and  is  hereby,  dissolved. 

Whereas  there  might  probably  be  a  want  of  Cash  in  the 
Treasury  of  this  State  before  more  can  be  obtained  other- 
.  wise  than  by  loan  : 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Bancker,  and  Mr. 
Beekman  be  a  Committee  to  borrow  and  procure  on  loan 
for  this  State,  any  sum  not  exceeding  in  the  whole  the  sum 
of  £10,000,  to  be  repaid  in  a  short  time,  without  interest; 
for  payment  whereof  [this  Convention]  shall  be  liable,  and 
will  fully  indemnify  the  said  Committee  and  each  of  them. 

Die  Jovis,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  August  8,  1776. 

Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Colonel    Broome,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.   Van 

Zandt,  Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Dunscombe,  Mr.  Beekman. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgrtte,  Mr. 

P.  R.  Livingston. 

SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Trcdwell. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.    Sackett,   Mr.   Livingston,   Mr.  Henry 

Schenck. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris. 
THYON. — Mr.  NewTcirk,  Mr.  Harper. 
QUEEN'S. — Major  Lawrence,  Colonel  Blackwett. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens. 

A  Letter  from  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  dated 
this  day,  giving  the  intelligence  received  by  two  deserters 
from  the  Solebay  man-of-war,  was  read,  and  is  hereinafter 
inserted,  viz : 

"  New-York,  August  8,  1776. 

"  SIR  :  By  this  I  mean  to  communicate  to  your  honour- 
able body  the  substance  of  the  intelligence  I  received  yester- 
day from  two  deserters  that  came  from  the  Solebay  man-of- 
war  the  evening  before.  They  inform  that  they  were  in 
the  engagement  at  Sullivan's  Island,  and  give  nearly  the 
same  account  that  was  transmitted  by  General  Lee,  which 
you  would  see  published  by  Congress.  They  add  that  they 
left  South- Carolina  about  three  weeks  ago,  with  General 
Clinton  and  his  whole  army,  who  are  now  arrived  and  landed 
on  Staten-Island.  They  also  say  that  part  of  Lord  Howe's 
fleet,  with  Hessian  and  Highland  troops  on  board,  have  got 
in,  and  that  the  remainder,  with  a  considerable  body,  is  hourly 
expected,  which  those  that  have  come  in  parted  from  in  a 
gale  of  wind  off  the  banks  of  Newfoundland. 

"As  the  accounts  given  by  those  men  are  direct  and  circum- 
stantial, and  their  authenticity  corroborated  by  many  other 
things  that  have  occurred,  it  is  not  to  be  doubted  but  the 
number  of  the  enemy's  army  will  greatly  exceed  ours.  Their 
force,  which  was  generally  expected  would  be  considerable 
of  itself,  the  unexpected  augmentation  of  General  Clinton's 
army,  makes  it  more  so.  On  the  other  hand,  ours  does  not 
come  up  to  the  intended  establishment.  Under  those  cir- 
cumstances, and  as  we  may  expect  the  period  just  at  hand 
when  they  will  make  their  vigorous  push,  I  submit  it  to  the 
consideration  of  your  honourable  Body  whether  it  may  not 
be  necessary  for  your  exertions  to  be  employed  in  calling 
in  the  most  expeditious  manner  such  reinforements  as  you 
can  obtain  to  the  aid  of  this  Army. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"Go.  WASHINGTON." 

A  Letter  of  this  date  from  his  Excellency  General  Wash- 
ington, relative  to  the  Militia  called  forth  from  the  Counties 
of  Dutchess,  Ulster,  Westchester,  and  Orange,  was  read,  and 
hereafter  follows;  viz : 

"  New- York,  August  8,  1776. 

'Sin:  I  have  been  favoured  with  your  letter  of  the  6th 
instant,  and  am  happy  to  find  the  nomination  I  made  of 
General  Clinton,  in  consequence  of  your  request  to  appoint 
an  officer  to  the  command  of  the  levies  on  both  sides  of 
Hudson's  River,  has  met  the  approbation  of  your  honour- 
abJeJwdy..  His  acquaintance  with  the  country,  abilities,  and 


zeal  for  the  cause,  were  the  motives  that  induced  me  to  make 
choice  of  him.  However,  I  am  led  to  conclude  i'rom  that 
part  of  your  letter  which  desires  me  to  transmit  him  his  ap- 
pointment, with  the  resolution  subjecting  the  levies  on  both 
sides  of  the  river  to  his  command,  that  your  honourable 
body  entertain  ideas  of  the  matter  somewhat  different  from 
what  I  do  or  ever  did. 

"When  I  was  honoured  with  your  letter  of  the  16th  ult., 
with  the  resolves  of  Convention  upon  this  subject,  the  state 
of  the  Army  under  my  command  would  not  allow  me  to 
send  a  General  Officer  in  the  Continental  service  to  com- 
mand the  levies  you  then  proposed  to  raise,  supposing  I  had 
been  authorized  to  do  it;  but  considering  myself  without 
power  in  this  instance — the  levies  altogether  of  a  Provincial 
nature,  to  be  raised  by  you,  and  subject  to  your  direction — • 
I  esteemed  the  nomination  of  a  General  Officer  over  them 
intrusted  to  my  choice,  a  matter  of  favour  and  of  compli- 
ment, and  as  such  I  gratefully  felt  it.  I  am  persuaded  I 
expressed  myself  in  this  manner  to  the  gentlemen  who  were 
pleased  to  attend  me  on  the  occasion,  and  that  they  had  the 
same  ideas.  Under  the  influence  of  this  opinion,  all  I 
expected  was,  that  an  appointment  would  be  made,  in  con- 
formity to  my  nomination,  if  there  was  no  objection  to  the 
gentleman  1  proposed;  conceiving  then,  as  1  do  now,  if  he 
was  approved  by  Convention  he  was  their  officer,  and  deri- 
ving his  appointment  and  authority  from  them.  In  this  light, 
I  presume,  General  Clinton  must  be  viewed,  and  his  power 
over  the  levies  you  alluded  to  flow  from  you.  Lest  acci- 
dent may  have  mislaid  the  letter  I  wrote  you  on  the  subject, 
I  have  enclosed  an  extract  of  it,  so  far  as  it  had  related  to 
it:  'It  is  not  in  my  power  to  send  an  experienced  officer  at 
this  time  to  the  post  you  mention.  I  trust  that  Colonel 
Clinton  will  be  equal  to  the  command  of  both  the  Highland 
fortifications.  They  are  under  his  direction  at  present.' 

"  In  respect  to  the  two  Commissaries,  I  thought  the  matter 
had  been  fixed;  but  as  it  is  not,  I  have  requested  Mr.  Trum- 
bull,  who  has  the  charge  of  this,  to  wail  upon  and  agree  with 
the  Convention  on  proper  persons  to  conduct  the  business  in 
such  a  way  that  their  purchases  and  his  may  not  clash;  to 
him,  therefore,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  upon  this  subject. 

"  I  am  extremely  obliged  by  the  order  for  the  telescope. 
I  have  obtained  it,  and  will  try  to  employ  it  for  the  valuable 
purposes  you  designated  it. 

"  I  shall  pay  proper  attention  to  your  members,  and 
persons  employed  in  their  service,  and  give  it  in  general 
orders  that  they  be  permitted  to  pass  our  guards  without 
interruption. 

"  Before  I  conclude,  I  cannot  but  express  my  fears  that 
the  enemy's  Army,  so  largely  augmented,  should  possess 
themselves  of  the  whole  stock  on  Long-Island.  When  the 
further  reinforcement  arrives, which  they  hourly  expect,  they 
may  do  it  without  a  possibility  on  our  part  of  preventing 
them.  I  wish  the  Convention  may  not  see  cause  to  regret 
that  they  were  not  removed. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON." 

The  Convention  having  taken  General  Washington's 
Letter  into  consideration, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Brigadier-General  Clinton 
be,  and  he  hereby  is,  appointed  to  the  command  of  all  the 
levies  raised  and  to  be  raised  in  the  Counties  of  Ulster, 
Orange,  and  Westchester,  agreeable  to  the  Resolution  of 
this  Convention,  of  the  day  of  July  last. 

Resolved,  That  General  Clinton  be  informed  of  this 
appointment,  and  directed  immediately  to  send  express  to 
the  Counties  of  Ulster,  Dutchess,  Orange,  and  Westchester, 
and  order  them  to  hasten  their  levies,  and  to  march  them 
down  to  the  fort  now  erected  on  the  north  side  of  King's 
Bridge,  leaving  two  hundred  men,  under  the  command  of  a 
brave  and  alert  officer,  to  take  possession  of  and  throw  up 
works  at  the  pass  of  Anthony's  Nose. 

Resolved,  That  General  Clinton  be  requested  to  order 
the  Troops  of  Horse  belonging  to  the  Counties  of  Ulster, 
Orange,  and  Westchester,  immediately  to  march  to  such 
posts  as  he  may  think  proper  that  they  should  occupy,  in 
order  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy's  ships-of-war, 
now  in  Hudson's  River. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  General  Clinton,  to  accompany  the 
above  Resolutions,  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  to  wit ; 


1489 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1490 


"  In  Convention,  &c. 

"Sin:  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  with  the 
approbation  of  General  Washington,  you  are  appointed  to 
the  command  of  the  levies  last  raised  by  order  of  the  Con- 
vention of  this  State,  which  the  Convention  hope  will  be 
agreeable  to  you. 

"The  accounts  received  of  General  Washington  are  of  a 
very  alarming  nature,  and  require  our  utmost  exertions  ;  you 
are,  therefore,  lo  send  express  to  Dutchess,  Ulster,  Orange, 
and  Westchesler  Counties,  and  order  the  new  levies  to  march 
with  the  utmost  expedition  to  the  post  erected  on  the  north 
side  of  King's  Bridge,  since  it  is  of  the  last  importance  to 
prevent  the  enemy  occupying  that  post,  and  cutting  off  the 
communication  between  the  Army  in  town,  and  the  country. 
You  will  observe  that  the  Convention  direct  two  hundred 
men  to  be  left  to  guard  the  pass  on  Anthony's  J\'osc;  you 
cannot  be  ignorant  of  its  importance.  They  therefore  doubt 
not  that  you  will  take  care  to  order  works  to  be  thrown  up, 
and  supplied,  if  possible,  with  a  couple  of  cannon,  which  we 
suppose  may  be  obtained  from  Kingston.  The  guarding  the 
coasts  against  any  attempts  from  the  shipping,  is  submitted 
to  your  discretion,  in  which  the  Convention  repose  the  utmost 
confidence. 

"  I  would  just  add,  that  it  is  the  intention  of  the  Conven- 
tion that  you  should  march  yourself  with  those  levies  that 
are  nearest  at  hand,  and  leave  orders  for  the  remainder  to 
follow  you  as  soon  as  they  can  be  collected. 

"  I  am,  respectfully,  &ic. 
"  To  Brigadier  Clinton." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted,  with  a  certified  copy  of 
the  Resolutions  relating  to  Brigadier-General  Clinton,  and 
the  Militia  put  under  his  command,  therein  enclosed. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Josiah  Smith  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  ordered  immediately  to  march  all  his  new  levies  to  the 
western  end  of  Nassau-Island,  and  within  two  miles  of 
Brigadier-General  Greene's  encampment;  and  that  he  obey 
such  orders  as  he  may  receive  from  time  to  time  from 
Brigadier-General  Greene. 

Ordered,  That  General  Woodhull  forward  the  last  pre- 
ceding Resolution  to  Colonel  Josiah  Smith,  by  express;  or 
that  he  direct  the  Captain  of  the  Troop  of  Queen's  County 
to  forward  it  by  one  of  his  Troopers,  with  a  letter  of  direc- 
tions to  Colonel  Smith. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washing- 
ton, to  cover  copies  of  the  Resolutions  lor  calling  the  Militia 
to  the  fortification  beyond  King's  Bridge,  and  Col.  Smith's 
Regiment  to  General  Greene's  Brigade,  was  read  and  ap- 
proved of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"Sm:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  of  the  State  of 
New-York  to  enclose  to  your  Excellency  sundry  resolutions 
which  they  have  entered  into,  in  consequence  of  part  of  your 
letter  of  this  date.  The  Convention  have  further  measures 
in  contemplation  for  the  security  of  this  State,  which  they 
conceive  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  general  cause  of 
America.  So  soon  as  they  are  determined  on,  I  shall  give 
your  Excellency  immediate  notice ;  and  at  the  same  time 
answer  your  two  letters  of  this  date  in  a  more  particular 
manner  than  the  hurry  of  business  will  at  present  admit  of. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  most  respectfully,  Sic. 

"  To  his  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Letter  be  engrossed, 
and  signed  by  the  President,  and,  together  with  copies  of  the 
Resolutions  above-mentioned,  transmitted  to  the  General 
immediately. 

A  Letter  from  Captain  Abraham  Le  Dieu,*  of  We$tches- 

•TARRYTOWN,  August  8,  1776. 

Sm  :  I  would  beg  leave  to  represent  to  the  honourable  Convention  for 
the  State  of  New-York  the  disagreeable  situation  of  part  of  the  Regiment 
I  belong  to  is  in,  for  want  of  the  complement  of  men  to  fill  up  the  Regi- 
ment under  Colonel  Thomas.  The  Militia  Companies,  near  this  place 
in  particular,  are  under  the  necessity  of  turning  out  to  guard  the  shore 
against  any  inroads  of  the  enemy,  now  in  Hudson's  River.  The  men 
under  my  command,  as  Captain  of  a  Militia  Company,  think  it  very  hard 
that  they  must  turn  out  and  do  duty  for  Continental  pay  only,  when  those 
that  are  raised  by  a  resolve  of  your  Convention  are  entitled  to  a  bounty, 
with  Continental  pay,  &,c. 

As  I,  nor  the  officers  under  me,  never  have  had  any  offers  or  orders 
to  raise  a  Company  to  join  Colonel  Thomas's  Regiment,  think  it  my  duty 
to  give  this  information;  and  that  I,  and  the  men  under  me,  think  ithaid, 
for  the  above-mentioned  reasons,  not  to  be  put  upon  an  equal  footing  with 
the  Militia  in  the  Second  Regiment. 

I  think  I  could  raise  a  Company  in  a  short  time,  if  I  had  orders  for 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


ter  County,  offering  to  raise  a  Company  of  Volunteers,  as 
a  part  of  Colonel  Thomas's  Regiment,  was  read  and  con- 
sidered. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  Captain  Abraham  Le  Dieu 
be,  and  is  hereby,  authorized  to  raise  one  Company  of  Vol- 
unteers to  serve  in  the  Regiment  of  Militia  of  Wcstchcstcr 
County,  called  into  service  and  commanded  by  Colonel 
Thomas;  and  that  so  many  of  the  said  Company  as  do  now 
belong  lo  the  Militia  of  Westchester  County  be  considered 
as  part  of  the  number  ordered  to  be  raised  by  draughts  from 
the  respective  Regiments  of  the  said  Militia  to  which  they 
do  belong. 

And  Ordered,  That  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hamman  and 
the  Major  of  the  said  Regiment  do  determine  on  the  Sub- 
alterns who  shall  be  called  into  service  in  that  Company, 
having  regard  to  the  rank  of  the  Officers  of  the  Regiment  to 
which  they  belong,  agreeable  to  the  resolutions  of  this  Con- 
vention for  calling  out  part  of  that  Regiment  into  actual 
service. 

And  Ordered,  further,  That  the  said  Captain  Le  Dieu 
apply  to  Colonel  Thomas  for  a  proportion  of  bounty  mo- 
ney for  his  men,  and  show  him  this  copy  of  our  Resolution; 
and  that  Captain  Le  Dieupm  Colonel  Thomas's  Regiment 
with  his  said  Company  as  soon  as  possible. 

Friday  Morning,  August  9,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Dunscombe,  Captain  Rut- 
gers, Major  Abeel,  Mr.   Roosevelt,  Mr.  Brasher,  Mr. 

Beckman,  General  Scott. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Blcecker,  Colonel  Livingston, 

Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwett, 

Mr.  Hobart. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Colonel  De  Witt. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 
DUTCHF.SS. — Major  Schenck,  Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  London,  Mr. 

R.  R.  Livingston. 

ORANGE. — Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Wisner. 
WESTCHESTER. — General   Morris,    Colonel   Drake,   Mr. 

Morris,  Colonel  Graham,  Mr.  Haviland. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Smith,  Major  Lawrence. 

The  Examination  of  Jacob  Hoisted*  of  Orange  County, 
Farmer,  taken  before  A.  H.  Hay,  Esq.,  the  7th  August, 

that  purpose;  and,  should  the  Convention  be  of  opinion  that  it  would  be 
for  the  good  of  the  State  to  order  a  Company  raised  to  join  the  Regiment 
now  in  service,  would  beg  the  liberty  of  offering  myself  as  Captain 
thereof,  and  that  the  subaltern  officers  under  me  may  be  appointed  by 
Colonel  Mammon  and  self.  I  should  be  very  glad  of  an  answer  by  the 
bearer;  and  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  ABRAHAM  LE  DIEU. 

To  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  at  Harlem. 

*  The  Examination  of  JACOB  HALSTEED,  of  ORANGE  County,  Farmer. 

The  examinant  saith:  That  he  lived  lately  on  the  west  bank  of  Hud- 
son's River,  near  the  Donderberg,  on  the  south  moiety  of  a  farm  bought 
by  himself  and  Caleb  Seaman,  of  James  Lilly,  until  his  house  was  burnt, 
in  the  manner  hereinafter  mentioned.  That  on  the  seventeenth  of  July 
last,  a  sloop  passed  his  house  to  the  Donderberg,  and  he  went  to  drive  off 
his  cattle  into  the  woods,  and  did  not  return  till  the  sloop  had  gone  down 
the  river,  when  he  learned  from  the  said  Seaman  that  a  barge  had  been 
ashore,  and  carried  off  one  of  the  examinant's  calves,  which  he  believes 
to  be  true,  because  on  going  to  the  place  where  he  understood  they  landed, 
he  found  several  musket  cartridges,  and  ever  since  has  not  been  able  to 
discover  the  calf.  That  the  next  day  he  observed  one  of  the  ships-of- 
war  (the  smallest  of  the  two)  and  a  schooner  anchor  in  the  river,  nearly 
opposite  to  his  house;  that  two  boats  came  off  from  the  ship-of-war, 
and  landed  a  little  above  his  house,  upon  which  he  retired  to  the  distance 
of  about  three  hundred  yards  to  the  side  of  the  mountain,  out  of  sight  of 
his  house;  that  he  heard  a  knocking  at  his  house,  and  directions  to  the 
men  who  had  the  care  of  the  barges  to  come  along,  for  there  was  nobody- 
there,  upon  which  the  examinant  fired  upon  the  barges;  that  the  compa- 
ny then  ran  from  the  house  to  the  barges,  some  up  to  their  waists  in  the 
water,  and  rowed  off  till  the  schooner  came  more  in  shore,  and  then  three 
barges  came  on  shore,  appearing  to  be  fuller  of  men,  to  the  southward  of 
the  house  about  two  hundred  yards,  where  he  observed  them  shoot  several 
hogs;  that  some  of  the  company  went  to  his  house,  and  soon  after  the  ex- 
aminant discovered  his  house  on  fire;  upon  which  he  retired  to  take  care  of 
his  children  at  Stephen  Parr's,  a  mile  off,  leaving  the  crews  on  shore  at  his 
departure.  That  he  has  since  missed  nine  of  his  hogs;  that  he  had  re- 
moved some  of  his  effects  before  the  burning  of  his  house,  but  he  has  lost, 
besides  the  house,  which  was  totally  consumed,  as  well  as  he  can  recollect, 
a  cupboard  that  cost  three  pounds;  a  case,  with  bottles,  that  cost  twelve 
shillings;  an  old  one,  with  two  bottles  in,  and  some  deeds,  bonds,  and 
writings  in  it;  six  common  sitting  straw-bottomed  chairs,  a  churn,  two 
pails,  a  flax  hatchcl  that  cost  ten  slxillings,  two  half-worn  saddles,  two 
or  three  pounds  of  flax,  two  or  three  pounds  of  wool,  an  iron  pot,  five 
bushels  of  Indian  corn,  three  bushels  of  salt,  a  linen  and  a  woollen 
spinning-wheel,  with  a  quantity  of  lumber,  such  as  barrels,  and  some 
stockings  and  cloths.  That  the  house  was  a  framed  one,  of  about  thirty 


94 


1491 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1492 


1776,  wherein  he  gives  a  particular  account  of  the  burning 
of  his  house  near  the  Dondtrbcrg,  by  some  of  the  crew  be- 
longing to  the  ships-of-war  now  in  Hudson's  River. 

Ordered,  To  be  Sled,  and  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Petition  of  James  Cargill*  Saltpetre  maker,  pray- 
ing to  be  exempted  from  military  duty.  Referred  to  the 
Committee  appointed  to  consider  and  report  what  Manu- 
facturers ought  to  be  exempted  from  military  duty. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  take  into 
consideration  and  report  on  the  Letters  from  Cornelius  C. 
Roosevelt  and  Captain  Hamilton,  was  read. 

Whereupon  the  Convention  came  to  the  follow  ing  Reso- 
lutions: 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Company  of  Artillery 
formerly  raised  by  Captain  Hamilton,  under  the  authority 
of  this  State,  be,  according  to  a  resolution  of  the  late  Con- 
vention, of  the  17th  clay  of  June  last,  considered  as  a  part 
of  the  number  ordered  to  be  raised  by  the  Continental  Con- 
gress from  the  Militia  of  this  State,  and  therefore  that  the 
.said  Company  be,  and  hereby  is,  incorporated  into  General 
Scott's  Brigade. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Cornelius  C.  Roosevelt  be 
allowed  a  reasonable  compensation  for  the  Beef  and  Pork 
which  he  has  furnished  to  Captain  Hamilton's  Company  of 
Artillery  since  the  27th  day  of  June  last,  beyond  the  con- 
tract by  him  made  with  this  Convention,  and  that  such 
compensation  be  adjusted  by  the  Auditor-General  of  this 
Sfate,  and  that  the  said  Cornelius  C.  Roosevelt  do  no  longer 
supply  the  said  Company  with  Provisions. 

Ordered,  That  General  Scott,  Captain  Hamilton,  and 
Cornelius  C.  Roosevelt,  be,  each  of  them,  furnished  with  a 
copy  thereof. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Ogden,  the  Keeper  of  the  Jail  of 
JVestchester  County,  furnish  Rinier  Van  Hoitsen  and  Henry 
Daivkins,  now  in  his  custody,  with  Provisions  for  their  sub- 
sistence, and  that  he  be  allowed  14rf.  per  day  for  each  of 
them  till  further  order. 

Sundry  Resolutions,  relative  to  persons  who  have  or  may 
hereafter  join  or  assist  the  Army  or  Navy  of  Great  Britain, 
were  moved  by  Mr.  Duer,  and  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  taken  into  consideration 
to-morrow  morning. 

Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  according  to  order,  reported 
the  draft  of  a  Letter  to  General  Washington,  which  was  read 
and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"Sin:  We  received  your  Excellency's  favours  of  yester- 
day, and  have,  agreeable  to  your  request,  made  out  General 
Clinton's  appointment. 

"  As  your  Excellency  seemed  to  think  the  Militia  neces- 
sary, and  had  accordingly  called  them  out,  both  from  this 
and  the  New-England  States,  we,  upon  finding  that  they 
served  with  great  reluctance  at  this  busy  season  of  the  year, 
and  were  constantly  quitting  their  posts  to  return  to  their 
farms,  raised  troops  at  great  expense,  in  order  to  supply  their 
place,  conceiving  that  they  would  be  considered  in  the  same 
point  of  view,  and  entitled  (agreeable  to  the  resolutions  of 
Congress  with  respect  to  the  Militia  called  out  in  time  of 
actual  invasion)  to  Continental  pay  and  subsistence.  If  in 

feet  long  and  twenty  wide,  with  four  sash  windows,  a  few  of  which  were 
broken.  Tliat  he  thinks  he  can't  get  such  another  house  for  less  than  a 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds;  and  the  value  of  the  rest  of  his  loss  he  esti- 
mates at  twenty  pounds  more.  That  the  exnminant  has  no  estate  but 
that  farm,  a  few  household  goods  saved  by  concealment,  and  outstanding 
debts  of  about  twenty  pounds.  That  he  has  one  blind  eye,  occasioned 
by  an  indisposition  in  his  head,  with  which  he  is  still  affected;  sees  badly 
with  the  other;  is  forty-one  years  old,  and  has  nine  children,  one  of 
whom  is  a  soldier  in  Captain  Blauvelt's  Company,  of  General  Scott's 
Brigade.  That  he  and  his  family  would  now  be  out  of  doors,  if  they 
were  not  taken  in  by  their  friends.  JACOB  HALLSTEO. 

Sworn  before  me  this  7th  day  of  August,  1776.      A.  HAWKES  HAT. 

This  is  to  certify,  that  the  bearer,  Jacob  Halsted,  is  the  person  who  had 
his  house  burnt  by  Captain  Wallis,  and  from  the  character  he  bears,  credit 
may  be  given  to  his  deposition,  and  that  he  has  always  been  friendly  to 
the  American  cause.  A.  HAWKES  HAT. 

GILBT.  COOPER,  Colonel. 
E.  W.  KIERS. 


*The  Petition  of  Joints  Cargill  humbly  showeth:  That  your  petitioner 
finds  the  tending  of  military  duty  greatly  breaks  in  on  his  time  of  manu- 
facturing saltpetre,  which  he  is  beginning  in  Orange  County,  and  there- 
fore would  humbly  entreat  this  honourable  body  to  clear  him  of  all  such 
duty,  that  he  may  properly  attend  the  above  business  without  losing  so 
much  time;  and  your  petitioner  shall  ever  pray.  JAMES  CARGILL. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  Wan-York. 


this  we  have  been  mistaken,  we  only  lament  the  error  so  far 
as  it  may  have  given  your  Excellency  some -trouble,  since 
no  pecuniary  consideration  shall  mal<e  us  relax  those  mea- 
sures that  are  necessary  to  add  strength  to  the  great  cause 
in  which  we  are  now  engaged.  We  shall,  therefore,  retain 
the  levies  in  our  pay,  subjecting  them,  however,  implicitly 
to  your  Excellency's  command,  till  you  shall  think  them 
unnecessary.  In  the  mean  while,  the  duty  we  owe  our 
constituents,  obliges  us  to  request  that  your  Excellency  will 
be  pleased  to  hint  the  utility  of  this  measure  to  the  Con- 
gress, in  which  case  we  dare  safely  rely  upon  their  justice 
for  reimbursing  our  expenses,  except  as  to  the  bounty,  for 
which,  considerable  as  it  is,  we  expect  no  compensation. 
In  order  to  avoid  the  confusion  that  will  arise  from  the  ap- 
pointment of  officers  who  may  afterwards  be  removed,  if  our 
levies  should  be  placed  on  the  Continental  establishment, 
we  shall  appoint,  as  Commissaries,  the  persons  Colonel 
Truiiibull  nominated,  especially  as  their  characters  are  unex- 
ceptionable ;  and  we  beg  that  he  will  take  the  direction  of 
them  till  we  are  informed  by  Congress  of  the  light  in  which 
they  are  to  be  considered. 

"  We  consider  the  order  mentioned  in  your  letter  as  an 
additional  proof  of  that  attention  to  the  members  of  this 
Convention  which  your  Excellency  has  before  so  frequently 
manifested,  and  which  they  conceive  themselves  bound 
gratefully  to  acknowledge.  We  see  in  the  same  point  of 
view  the  communication  of  that  interesting  intelligence  re- 
ceived from  the  deserters. 

"  It  is  our  great  misfortune  that  at  this  important  crisis 
this  State  is  unable  to  make  those  exertions  which  the  cause 
of  America  requires.  From  the  disaffection  of  some  amongst 
us;  from  the  want  of  arms;  from  the  exposed  situation  of 
Long-Island  and  our  frontiers;  from  the  possession  of  one 
County  by  the  enemy,  and  the  probability  of  our  being  soon 
called  upon  to  reinforce  the  Northern  Army,  we  are  unable 
to  add  much  strength  to  the  troops  under  your  Excellency's 
command,  being,  by  the  several  reasons  above-mentioned, 
deprived  of  the  assistance  of  nine  Counties  out  of  fourteen 
which  compose  this  State.  Notwithstanding  all  these  diffi- 
culties, we  are  determined  to  combat  every  obstacle  and  to 
strain  every  nerve  in  defence  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of 
America,  which  we  conceive  to  be  most  materially  inte- 
rested in  the  safety  of  this  State.  By  our  resolution  for 
ordering  the  several  draughts  made  in  the  Counties  of  Suf- 
folk, Queen's,  King's,  JVestchester,  Dutchess,  Ulster,  and 
Orange,  to  the  environs  of  New-  York,  we  hope  in  about 
six  days  to  add  near  three  thousand  men  to  your  Army. 
We  lament  exceedingly  that  we  should  have  occasion  to 
complain  of  the  languid  efforts  which  the  neighbouring  States 
have  made  for  our  assistance.  From  the  zeal  they  professed 
for  the  publick  cause,  from  the  vicinity  of  some  of  them  to 
this  invaded  country,  and  from  the  dangerous  situation  in 
which  Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  Pennsylvania  and  Jersey 
must  be  in,  should  the  enemy  succeed  in  their  designs  against 
this  State,  we  expect  the  most  strenuous  and  expeditious 
exertions.  How  great  our  concern  at  finding  so  consider- 
able deficiency  in  the  establishment  for  this  Army,  your 
Excellency  may  easily  judge  from  the  feelings  of  a  patriotick 
bosom  on  the  importance  of  the  cause  and  the  dangers  to 
which  it  is  by  this  means  exposed.  We  flatter  ourselves, 
however,  that  this  supinene«s  will  not  be  of  any  duration, 
and  that  the  Continental  Congress  svill  devise  means  of 
affording  the  most  expeditious  and  effectual  assistance  to 
preserve  a  State,  the  loss  of  which,  from  its  geographical 
situation  and  the  political  character  of  too  many  of  its 
inhabitants,  would  be  almost  fatal  to  the  cause  of  American 
liberty. 

"  We  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great   esteem  and 
regard,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servants. 
"By  order." 

Friday  Afternoon,  August  9,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  General  Woodhull,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Beekman, 

Captain  Rutgers,  Major  Abeel,  General  Scott. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgatv,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — General  Woodhull,  Mr.  Trcdwdl,  Mr.  Hobart, 

Mr.  Smith. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  J)e  Witt,  Mr.  Confine. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Smith,  Major  Lawrence. 


1493 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1494 


DUTCHESS. — Mr.   R.  R.  Livingston,    Mr.  Landon,    Mr. 

Sackett,  Major  Schenck. 
ORANGE. — Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  fVisner. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Colonel  Graham,  Mr.  Havi- 

land. 

CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Neakirk. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  J.  Hardcnbrook,  of  Brigadier- 
General  Scott's  Brigade,  dated  this  day,  complaining  of  a 
deficiency  of  Arms  and  Accoutrements  in  the  Companies 
under  his  command. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtcnius  deliver  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Johannes  Hardenbergh  seventy-two  Guns,  Muskets 
or  Firelocks,  for  the  use  of  such  of  his  men  as  are  unprovi- 
ded, taking  Colonel  Hardenbergh 's  receipt  to  be  accountable 
for  the  payment  of  the  value  of  those  Arms,  and  for  that 
purpose  stoppage  be  made  out  of  their  pay. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Norwood  deliver  to  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hardenbergh  one  hundred  and  sixty-two  Cartouch- 
Boxes  or  Pouches,  for  the  use  of  such  of  his  men  as  have 
none,  taking  Colonel  Hardcnbergh's  receipt  to  be  account- 
able for  the  payment  of  the  value  of  the  same,  and  for  that 
purpose  that  their  proper  stoppages  be  made  out  of  their 
pay. 

A  Letter  from  Joseph  Drake,  late  Colonel  of  the  First 
Regiment  of  Militia  in  Westchester  County,  dated  at  New- 
Rochel.  August  6,  1776,  wherein  he  sets  forth  his  conduct 
relative  to  draughting  men  out  of  his  Regiment,  together 
with  his  reasons  for  his  resignation,  was  read  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Committee 
appointed  to  inquire  into  and  report  on  the  cause  of  the  delay 
m'ade  by  Colonel  Drake  in  draughting  the  men  out  of  his 
Regiment,  agreeable  to  the  Resolutions  of  this  Convention. 

Saturday  Morning,  August  10,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present:  General  WoodhuJl,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  P.  Van  Zandt,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Roose- 
velt, Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Beelcman. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleeckcr,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwdl,  General  IVoodhull, 

Mr.  Hobart. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Contine,  Mr.  Wisner,  jun. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Smith,  Major  Lawrence. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  IVisner,  Dr.  Outwater. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Haviland,  Judge  Gra- 
ham, General  Morris. 
DUTCHESS. — Major  Schenck,  Mr.  Sacltelt,  Mr.  Landon,  Mr. 

R.  R.  Livingston. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Colonel  Marsh. 

Whereas  certain  machines  now  in  the  City  of  New-  York, 
said  to  be  the  property  of  Captain  Foy,  and  left  in  the  care 
of  John  H.  Cruger,  Esq.,  are  found  to  be  immediately  neces- 
sary in  the  manufacturing  of  iron  for  the  publick  service;  and 
whereas  the  said  John  H.  Cruger  is  not  now  in  the  'said 
City,  whereby  any  application  to  him  for  the  sale  of  the  said 
machines  is  become  impracticable : 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  Anthony  Jelang  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  empowered  to  take,  for  the  use  of  Samuel  Ogden, 
Esq.,  of  Boonton,  all  and  singular  the  said  machines,  upon 
the  especial  trust  and  confidence,  to  be  signified  by  the 
execution  of  the  power  unto  the  said  Anthony  as  aforesaid, 
given,  that  he  (the  said  Samuel)  shall  well  and  truly  pay  and 
satisfy  unto  the  said  John  H.  Cruger  the  just  and  full  value 
of  the  several  matters  and  things  by  the  said  Anthony,  as 
Clerk  or  Agent  to  him  the  said  Samuel  taken  as  aforesaid, 
the  said  value  to  be  adjusted  by  the  said  John  H.  Cruger 
and  the  said  Samuel  Ogden,  and  in  case  of  dispute  between 
them,  by  a  Committee  of  this  Convention  or  some  future 
representative  body  of  this  State,  thereunto  to  be  appointed  ; 
and  that  the  said  Anthony  do,  upon  his  corporal  oath,  make 
return  unto  this  Convention  immediately  of  the  several  things 
by  him  taken  as  aforesaid. 

A  Certificate,  dated  at  Mamacotting  Precinct,  the  19th 
June  last,  signed  by  J.  R.  DC  Witt,  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  that  Precinct,  was  read  and  filed.  He  thereby 
certified  that  the  men  of  the  train  band  of  the  northeast 


district  of  the  said  Precinct  had  duly  elected  the  following 
Officers,  under  the  inspection  of  five  members  of  that  Com- 
mittee, viz:  John  Newkirk  Captain,  William  Rose  First 
Lieutenant,  Matthew  Nccly  Second  Lieutenant,  and  Moses 
Miller  Ensign. 

A  Letter  subjoined  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Claughry, 
dated  the  10th  day  of  July  last,  was  also  read.  He  informs 
that  the  inhabitants  there  are  exposed,  and  have  not  any 
officers,  and  requesting  the  Commissions  to  be  issued  imme- 
diately. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Commissions  be  issued  imme- 
diately. 

The  Committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  reported  a 
draft  of  Coinmission  to  the  Judge  of  the  High  Court  of 
Admiralty  of  this  State;  which  was  read  and  approved,  and 
is  in  the  words  following : 

"  To  Lewis  Graham,  Esq.,  greeting : 

"  We,  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  Neio-  York  in 
Convention  met,  reposing  especial  confidence  and  trust  in 
your  judgment,  learning,  and  integrity,  do  hereby  commis- 
sionate  you,  during  the  good  pleasure  of  the  said  Convention, 
to  be  Judge  of  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty,  in  the  said 
State,  giving  and  granting  unto  you,  the  said  Lewis  Graham, 
by  these  presents,  all  and  singular  the  rights,  liberties,  privi- 
leges, powers,  and  emoluments,  to  such  Judge  of  the  Court 
aforesaid,  within  the  said  State  belonging  or  in  anywiso 
appertaining. 

"Given  at  Harlem,  the  day  of  August,  in  the  year 

of  our  Lord  1776. 

<;By  order:          NATHANIEL  WOODHULL,  President. 

"Attest:  JOHN  McKr.ssoN,  /  r,  •     ,, 

r>  t>  t  Secngtanes. 

4  ROBERT  BENSON,  ^ 

A.  M.,  Saturday,  August  10,  1776. 

Whereas  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  State,  by 
removing  from  one  County  to  another,  have,  by  that  means, 
avoided  military  duty  in  either,  to  the  great  injury  of  this 
State : 

Therefore,  Be  it  resolved,  and  it  is  hereby  Resolved,  That 
every  person  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  fifty,  abiding 
and  continuing  in  any  County  for  the  space  of  fourteen 
days,  be  enrolled  and  appear  in  the  Militia  of  the  County 
in  which  he  so  abided,  under  the  penalty  of  40s.  for  every 
day's  difference  on  which  he  or  they  shall  not  be  so  en- 
rolled, and  after,  notice  is  given  him  or  them  by  the  officer 
of  the  beat  in  which  they  shall  reside :  Provided  always, 
That  this  Resolution  shall  not  extend  to  such  persons  as  are 
in  the  service  of  this  State  or  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Die  Sabbati,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  August  10,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.    Present: 

NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Beckman, 
Major  Abeel. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker. 

SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Hobart. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Plait,  Mr.  Sackett, 
Major  Schenck. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Contine,  Mr.  JVisner,  Jun. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Haviland,  General  Morris,  Mr.  Mor- 
ris, Judge  Graham. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Harper. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  W.  Smith,  Major  Lawrence. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

ORANGE. — Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Wisner. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 

Brigadier-General  Woodhull  being  necessarily  absent,  with 
the  consent  of  the  Convention,  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq., 
was  unanimously  chosen  Presiden  t  pro  tcmpore,  and  accord- 
ingly took  the  chair. 

The  Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Resolu- 
tions which  were  debated  this  morning,  and  adjourned  over, 
and  the  same  being  agreed  to,  are  in  the  words  following, 
to  wit : 

Resolved,  That  one-fifth  part  of  the  Militia  of  the  County 
of  Albany  be  immediately  draughted,  and  marched  with  the 
utmost  expedition  to  the  encampment  to  the  northward  of 
King's  Bridge,  to  continue  in  service  one  month  after  their 
arrival  at  the  said  encampment,  unless  sooner  discharged, 
and  that  the  officers  commanding  this  reinforcement  be 


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NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1496 


appointed  by  tlie  Brigadier-General  or  Cominander-in-Chief 
of  the  Militia  of  that  Brigade,  who  is  desired  to  pay  all  proper 
attention  to  the  rank  of  the  respective  officers. 

Resolved,  That  one-half  of  the  Militia  of  King's  and 
Queen's  Counties  be  immediately  ordered  to  march  and  put 
themselves  under  ihe  command  of  the  officer  commanding 
the  Continental  Troops  on  Nassau- Island,  to  be  continued 
in  service  until  the  1st  day  of  September  next,  unless  sooner 
discharged  by  order  of  this  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  the  above  levies  be  formed  into  Compa- 
nies, to  consist  of  one  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  three  Ser- 
geants, three  Corporals,  one  Drummer,  one  Fifcr,  and  fifty 
Privates;  and  that  the  Captains  and  Subalterns  be  appointed 
by  the  Field -Officers  of  each  Regiment  of  the  Militia  from 
which  the  quotas  are  to  be  raised,  out  of  the  Militia  officers, 
having,  in  such  appointments,  regard  to  their  rank  and  the 
dates  of  their  commissions,  if  a  sufficient  number  of  such  are 
willing  to  serve;  if  not,  th:it  they  be  at  liberty  to  appoint 
such  others  as  they  may  think  properly  qualified,  and  that 
the  non-commissioned  officers  be  appointed  by  the  Captains 
of  each  Company  under  whom  they  are  to  serve. 

Resolved,  That  those  Troops  to  be  raised  in  the  County 
of  Albany  shall  be  under  the  command  of  one  Colonel,  one 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  one  Major,  and  have  one  Adjutant, 
one  Quartermaster,  and  one  Surgeon.  The  Field-Officers 
of  the  levies  to  be  raised  in  the  County  of  Albany  to  be 
appointed  by  the  Brigadier-General  and  the  County  Com- 
mittee of  the  said  County.  The  Troops  or  levies  to  be 
raised  in  King's  and  Queen's  Counties  to  be  formed  into 
one  Regiment,  under  the  command  of  one  Colonel,  one 
Lieutenant-Colonel  and  one  Major,  and  have  one  Adjutant 
and  one  Quartermaster.  The  Field-Officers  of  those  to  be 
raised  in  the  Counties  of  King's  and  Queen's  to  be  appointed 
by  this  Convention,  and  the  Adjutant  and  Quartermaster  of 
each  Regiment  to  be  appointed  by  the  Colonel  of  such 
Regiment. 

Resolved,  That  each  man  be  furnished  with  a  good  Mus- 
ket or  Firelock,  Bayonet  or  Tomahawk,  a  Blanket  and 
Knapsack,  and  every  six  men  with  a  Pot  or  Camp-Kettle. 
And  to  the  intent  that  the  levies  so  raised  may  not  be  unfur- 
nished with  Arms,  the  Committees  in  the  different  Town- 
ships and  Districts  in  the  said  Counties,  and  the  Colonels  of 
the  Regiments,  are  hereby  empowered  to  furnish  all  such 
as  have  no  Arms,  by  taking  them  from  those  who  are  not 
draughted,  and  such  other  persons  in  the  Districts  as  have 
Arms,  the  same  being  valued  by  the  Committees  of  each 
District,  the  amount  of  such  valuation  hereafter  to  be  paid 
to  the  proprietors  of  said  Arms  by  this  Convention,  or  the 
Arms  restored  in  the  same  order  to  their  former  proprietors, 
and  that  one  penny  per  mile  be  allowed  during  their  march 
for  subsistence  money,  and  one  day's  pay  for  every  twenty 
miles  between  home  and  rendezvous,  going  and  coming. 

Resolved,  That  the  officers  and  men  who  compose  this 
Regiment  shall  receive  Continental  pay  and  rations  during 
the  time  they  are  in  service,  agreeable  to  their  several 
ranks. 

Resolved.  That  the  Resolutions  of  this  Convention  rela- 
tive to  calling  out  every  fifth  man  from  the  Militia  of  the 
County  of  Albany,  be  submitted  to  General  Washington, 
and  if  he  shall  think  them  necessary,  be  sent  to  the  Briga- 
dier-General of  the  County  of  Albany  by  express. 

Resolved,  That  General  Morris  be  desired  to  order  out 
the  whole  Brigade,  with  five  days'  provisions,  to  take  pos- 
session of  such  parts  of  the  Sound  and  Hudson's  River  as 
he  thinks  most  exposed  to  the  enemy;  and  that  the  said 
Militia  continue  in  service,  and  under  Continental  pay  and 
subsistence,  for  ten  days,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  this 
Convention  ;  that  each  man  who  shall  not  have  arms,  bring 
with  him  a  shovel,  spade,  or -pickaxe,  or  a  scythe,  straight- 
ened, and  fixed  on  a  pole. 

Resolved,  That  General  Clintoji  be  empowered  to  call  in 
such  part  of  his  forces  as  he  may  think  necessary  to  reinforce 
the  post  to  the  northward  of  King's  Bridge. 

Resolved,  That  General  Morris  be  ordered  immediately 
to  apprehend  and  secure  the  persons  ordered  to  be  appre- 
hended by  this  Convention  yesterday,  and  that  he  be  fur- 
nished with  a  list  of  these  persons'  names. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Militia 
in  the  Counties  of  Orange,  Dutchess,  and  Ulster,  be  imme- 
diately ordered  to  hold  their  whole  Militia  in  readiness  to 
inarch,  with  five  days'  provisions,  on  the  earliest  notice ; 


and  that  when  they  march,  they  leave  a  sufficient  qtiard  to 
prevent  insurrections  of  slaves,  and  to  guard  the  prisoners  in 
the  respective  Counties. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  whenever  the  whole  Militia 
of  any  County  in  this  State  shall  be  ordered  to  march,  that 
they  bring  with  them  all  the  disarmed  and  disaffected  male 
inhabitants  from  sixteen  to  fifty-five  years  of  age,  who  shall 
serve  as  fatigue-men  to  the  respective  Regiments. 

Resolved,  That  whenever  the  whole  or  any  part  of  the 
Militia  of  this  State  shall  be  ordered  out  on  actual  service 
by  this  Convention  or  any  future  Legislature  of  the  State, 
and  any  Colonel,  or  other  commanding  officer  of  a  Regi- 
ment, or  any  Captain,  or  other  commanding  officer  of  a 
Company,  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  comply  with  such  orders, 
the  Brigadier-General  of  the  Brigade  to  which  such  officer 
shall  belong,  shall  immediately  suspend  him  from  his  office, 
and  with  all  convenient  speed  order  a  General  Court-Mar- 
tial for  his  trial;  and  he  being  thereof  duly  convicted  before 
such  Court  by  the  oath  or  affirmation  of  two  or  more 
credible  witnesses,  shall  be  cashiered  and  rendered  incapa- 
ble of  thereafter  holding  any  military  office  within  this 
State. 

Resolved,  That  when  any  man  who  shall  have  been 
draughted  in  pursuance  of  the  orders  of  this  Convention, 
shall  absent  himself  and  neglect  to  appear,  after  being  duly 
notified,  the  Field-Officer  of  the  Regiment  to  which  such 
offender  shall  belong,  shall,  upon  due  proof  of  the  same,  by 
the  oath  or  affirmation  of  two  or  more  credible  witnesses, 
raise  from  the  estate  of  the  offender,  by  distress  and  sale,  so 
much  money  as  shall  be  sufficient  to  hire  a  man  to  serve 
in  his  stead,  and  apply  the  same  to  that  purpose,  provided 
the  same  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  £30,  and  provided, 
also,  that  nothing  in  this  resolution  shall  be  construed  to 
excuse  the  said  absentees  from  serving  with  the  other  draughts 
from  the  Militia. 

Resolved,  That  if  any  Militia  officer  in  the  service  of 
this  State  shall,  during  the  present  invasion,  resign  his  com- 
mission, after  having  received  orders  to  proceed  upon  duty 
from  this  Convention  or  his  superior  officer,  without  the 
permission  of  the  Convention  of  this  State,  or  shall  not  repair 
with  all  possible  despatch  to  such  place  or  places  as  he  or 
they  may  be  ordered  by  the  Convention  of  this  State  or  by 
his  superior  officer,  shall,  upon  good  proof  before  a  General 
Courl-Martial,  be  rendered  incapable  of  hereafter  holding 
any  military  employment  under  this  State;  and  that  the 
name  of  such  officer  shall  be  held  up  in  all  the  publick 
newspapers  as  a  deserter  of  his  country's  cause. 

Ordered,  That  the  foregoing  Resolves  relative  to  the 
neglect  of  duty  or  resignation  of  Officers  of  the  Militia,  be 
published  in  the  newspapers. 

Resolved,  That  William  Paulding,  Esq.,  be,  and  he  here- 
by is,  appointed  Commissary  of  the  Militia  raised  and  to 
be  raised  in  this  State  to  the  northward  of  King's  Bridge, 
while  in  service  on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  River,  under 
the  command  of  Brigadier-General  Clinton.  That  he  sup- 
ply them  with  rations,  agreeable  to  the  Continental  esta- 
blishment, and  that  he  make  provision  for  continuing  that 
supply;  that  he  advise  with  Colonel  Trumbull,  the  Com- 
missary-General, on  the  mode  of  purchasing  provisions  and 
keeping  his  accounts,  so  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  keep  his 
accounts  in  the  same  method  with  the  Continental  accounts 
of  provisions,  and  that  he  take  his  future  directions  on  this 
subject  from  Colonel  Trumbull  till  further  orders ;  and  also 
that  for  this  purpose  he  be,  and  hereby  is,  authorized  to 
purchase,  on  the  account  of  this  State,  any  such  provisions 
as  may  be  necessary;  for  payment  whereof,  this  Convention 
will  provide  means. 

Thereupon,  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Mr.  Paulding ^  was  read 
and  approved,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"Sin:  General  Clinton  has  been  appointed  to  command 
the  levies  lately  raised  and  draughted,  or  to  be  draughted, 
from  the  Militia  to  the  northward  of  King's  Bridge,  and  is 
ordered,  with  the  greatest  part  of  his  troops,  to  the  fortifica- 
tions a  little  to  the  northward  of  King's  Bridge.  You  will 
see  by  the  copy  of  the  enclosed  resolution,  that  you  are 
appointed  Commissary  for  those  troops  while  in  service  on 
the  east  side  of  Hudson's  River,  under  General  Clinton's 
command,  until  further  orders,  and  that  you  are  to  take  your 
further  directions  on  this  head  from  Colonel  Trumbull,  the 
Commissary-General.  We  desire  your  immediate  attendance 


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NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1498 


to  this  business,  and  doubt  not  but  you  will  exert  your  utmost 
endeavours  to  perform  the  same  in  the  best  manner. 
"  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant.     By  order. 

"To  William  Paulding,  Esq." 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  (together  with  Mr.  Paul- 
ding's  appointment)  copied,  signed  by  the  President,  and 
transmuted. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Cortlandt  and  Captain  Platt  be 
empowered  to  act  as  Commissaries  in  supplying  the  Troops 
under  the  command  of  General  Clinton  with  Provisions  till 
Mr.  Paulding,  who  is  appointed  Commissary,  shall  join 
those  forces. 

Resolved,  That  the  first  above-mentioned  gentleman  be 
empowered  to  purchase,  on  account  of  this  State,  six  hundred 
barrels  of  Flour,  and  as  many  pine  Boards  as  they  can  pro- 
cure, not  exceeding  ten  thousand — the  Flour  and  Boards  to 
be  delivered  as  near  to  King's  Bridge  as  possible  by  water 
carriage. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  gentlemen  be  empowered  to 
impress  Wagons,  Carts,  &tc.,  in  order  to  enable  them  to 
carry  into  execution  these  Resolutions,  paying  a  reasonable 
price  for  the  same. 

Resolved.  That  the  above  gentlemen  transport,  as  quick 
as  possible,  fifteen  hundred  pounds  weight  of  the  Powder  at 
Mr.  Livingston's  powder-mills,  belonging  to  this  State,  to 
General  Clinton's  encampment  at  King's  Bridge.  For 
which  purpose, 

Resolved,  That  the  order  from  General  Washington,  in 
favour  of  this  Convention,  on  John  Livingston,  for  fifteen 
hundred  pounds  weight  of  Powder,  be  endorsed  by  the  Pre- 
sident, ordering  the  said  Powder  to  be  delivered  to  Colonel 
Van  Cortlandt  and  Captain  Z.  Platt,  or  their  order. 

An  attack  upon  the  City  of  New-York  being  daily  ex- 
pected, in  which  case  the  stores  belonging  to  this  State  in 
the  custody  of  Colonel  Curtenius  and  Mr.  Norwood  will  be 
in  danger  of  being  destroyed  : 

Therefore,  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenius  be,  and  he 
is  hereby,  directed  to  dispose  of  the  Lead  belonging  to  this 
State,  and  now  in  his  possession,  in  the  following  manner, 
to  wit :  That  he  send  thereof  to  Stamford,  in  Connecticut, 
twenty  tons;  to  General  Clinton's  encampment,  near  King's 
Bridge,  ten  tons;  and  the  residue  thereof  to  Orange-Town, 
in  Orange  County;  and  that  Colonel  Curtenius  send  to 
General  Clinton's  encampment  as  many  Bullet-Moulds  and 
Ladles  as  Mr.  Duer  shall  please  to  direct ;  and  that  Colonel 
Curtenius  use  the  utmost  despatch  in  executing  this  order. 

And  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Norwood,  the  Commissary, 
cause  to  be  conveyed  to  General  Clinton's  encampment,  on 
the  north  side  of  King's  Bridge,  five  hundred  Pouches  with 
Belts,  sixty  thousand  Cartridges,  of  different  sizes,  filled  with 
Powder  and  Ball,  and  five  hundred  Flints. 

Whereas  this  Convention  has  received  information  that 
the  inhabitants  of  King's  County  have  determined  not  to 
oppose  the  enemy: 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed 
to  repair  forthwith  to  the  said  County,  and  inquire  concern- 
ing the  authenticity  of  such  report;  and  in  case  they  find  it 
well  founded,  that  they  be  empowered  to  disarm  and  secure 
the  disaffected  inhabitants,  to  remove  or  destroy  the  stock  of 
grain,  and  if  they  shall  judge  it  necessary,  to  lay  the  whole 
County  waste;  and  for  the  execution  of  these  purposes  they 
be  directed  to  apply  to  General  Greene,  or  the  commander  of 
the  Continental  Troops  in  that  County,  for  such  assistance 
as  they  shall  want. 

And  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Remscn,  Mr. 
Hobart.  and  Colonel  De  Witt,  be  the  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  A.  H.  Hay,  Esq.,  be  appointed  Com- 
missary for  the  Militia  raised  and  to  be  raised  in  this  State 
to  the  northward  of  King's  Bridge,  while  in  service,  on  the 
west  side  of  Hudson's  River,  below  the  Highlands,  under 
the  command  of  General  Clinton;  that  he  supply  them  with 
rations,  agreeable  to  the  Continental  establishment ;  that  he 
advise  with  Colonel  Trumbull,  the  Commissary-General,  on 
the  mode  of  purchasing  provisions  and  keeping  his  accounts, 
so  that  he  may  be  enabled  to  keep  his  accounts  in  the  same 
method  with  the  Continental  accounts  of  provisions,  and  that 
he  take  his  future  directions  on  this  subject  from  Colonel 
Trumlull  until  further  orders;  and  for  this  purpose  Colonel 
Hay  is  hereby  authorized  to  purchase  on  account  of  this 


Slate  such  provisions  as  he  shall  find  necessary  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  said  Militia  while  in  service  as  aforesaid,  for  pay- 
ment whereof  this  Convention  will  provide  means. 

Sunday  Morning,  August  11,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Abm.  Yates,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 
NEW- YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Roosevelt,  Major  Abeel. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Bhecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Wisner,  Jan.,  Mr.  Confine. 
WEST/CHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  General  Morris. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Landon,  Mr.  Schenck,  Mr.  Sackett. 
ORANGE. — Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Wisner,  Mr.  Smith. 

A  sufficient  number  of  Members  not  appearing,  adjourned 
till  to-morrow  morning,  at  nine  o'clock. 


Monday  Morning,  August  12, 1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abm.  Yates,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Roosevelt. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell;  Mr.  Hobart  on 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Sackett. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Wisner,  Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Joseph  Smith. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris. 
QUF.EN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer  on  duty. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Messrs.  John  Jay  and  R.  R.  Living- 
ston, requesting  their  attendance,  was  read  and  approved,  and 
is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"GENTLEMEN:  As  you  are  both  of  the  Committee  for 
the  forming  of  a  new  Government,  the  Convention  think  it 
highly  proper  that  you  should  attend  upon  that  business 
immediately,  unless  your  presence  is  absolutely  necessary  in 
th6  Secret  Committee,  of  which  I  am  directed  to  inform  you ; 
and  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted. 

Tuesday  Morning,  August  13,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abm.  Yates,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Captain  Lawrence. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Colonel  Marsh. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Wisner,  Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Smith. 

NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Beekman,  Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Bancker, 
Colonel  Broome,  Major  Abeel,  Colonel  Brasher,  Captain 
Denning. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Colonel  Living- 
ston, Mr.  Adgate. 

WESTCHESTEH. — Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Haviland,  Judge  Gra- 
ham, Major  Lockwood. 

SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell;  Mr.  Hobart  on  ser- 
vice. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  Major  Schenck,  Mr. 
Landon. 

Resolved,  That  from  the  information  received  by  General 
Clinton  of  the  business  in  which  the  Secret  Committee  are 
engaged,  it  will  be  improper  to  call  Mr.  Jay  and  Mr.  Yates 
from  that  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston  have  leave  of 
absence,  in  order  to  attend  on  that  Committee. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Jeromtis  Remsen,  of 
Queen's  County,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Nicholas  Covenhoven, 
of  King's  County,  and  Major  Richard  Thorne,  of  Queen's 
County,  be,  and  hereby  are,  appointed  Field-Officers  of  the 
Militia  ordered  to  be  draughted  from  King's  and  Queen's 
Counties,  and  put  under  the  command  of  the  officer  com- 
manding the  Continental  Troops  on  Nassau-Island,  pursu- 
ant to  the  Resolutions  of  the  Convention  of  this  State  on 
the  10th  instant. 


1499 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1500 


Doctor  John  Morgan,  Director-General  of  the  Hospital, 
attending,  \v»s  admitted.  He  informed  the  Convention  that 
General  H'ashington  had  directed  him  to  have  all  the  sick 
removed  to  proper  places  out  of  such  parts  of  the  City  as 
are  closely  huilt  and  inhabited ;  that  a  list  of  houses  had 
been  handed  to  him  for  the  purpose  by  private  persons,  but 
that  as  he  is  a  stranger,  and  does  not  know  what  particular 
houses  might  be  proper  to  be  exempted,  and  therefore  re- 
quests the  directions  of  this  Convention  in  the  premises: 

Resolved,  That  his  Excellency  General  Washington  be, 
and  lie  is  hereby,  empowered  to  apply  the  following  houses, 
to  wit:  Mr.  Apthorpe 's ;  Oliver  Dclancy's  and  Robert  Bay- 
ard's, at  Jihomingdnlc ;  IVUlian  Bayard's,  at  Greenwich; 
M  r.  ll'attss,  near  Kepp's  Bay ;  Robert  Murray's,  on  Jncklain 
Bergh;  Mr.  William  Me  Adam's,  and  the  houses  and  build- 
ings occupied  by  Mr.  Watson,  near  the  old  Glass-House; 
Nicholas  Stnyvesant's ;  Peter  Stuyvesant's ;  Mr.  Elliot's; 
Mr.  Hortemanden't,  commonly  called  Frog  Hall;  Widow 
Leake's,  near  Kepp's  Bay;  for  the  use  of  the  General  Hos- 
pital of  the  American  Army. 

Ordered,  That  the  General  Committee  of  the  City  of 
Neiv-  York  do,  on  application  by  Dr.  John  Morgan.  Director- 
General  of  the  Hospital  of  the  Continental  Army,  appoint  a 
proper  Committee  of  their  body  to  ascertain  and  designate 
to  him  such  houses  on  Nassau-Island,  to  be  by  him  used  as 
a  General  Hospital,  as  he  may  from  time  to  time  have  occa- 
sion of  for  that  purpose. 

A  Petition  or  Memorial  of  Captain  Jacobus  Roos  was 
read.*  He  therein  complains  that  his  late  appointment  to 
be  one  of  the  Captains  of  the  detachments  of  Militia  in1 
Ulster  County  was  superseded.  The  copy  of  that  appoint- 
ment, therein  contained,  was  also  read;  and  General  Clin- 
ton, now  present,  gave  some  information  to  the  Convention 
on  that  subject. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Captain  Jacobus  Roos  have 
leave  to  raise  a  Company  for  immediate  service;  that  lie 
may  choose  any  two  Lieutenants  who  have  commissions  in 
Colonel  /.  Hasbrouck's  Regiment,  of  the  Militia  of  Ulster 
County,  and  are  desirous  to  go  into  service;  that  from  time 
to  time,  as  soon  as  he  shall  have  inlisted  two  or  more  men, 
he  send  them  to  join  the  Troops  at  Ptekskitt,  until  further 
orders;  that  if  he  shall  inlist  and  bring  into  the  service  a 
full  Company,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  the  like  pay  and  the 
same  rank  in  the  Regiment  as  if  he  had  raised  a  Company 
when  he  was  first  appointed. 

*  To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the  State  o/NEW-Yomc,  now  convened 

in  the  Toion  of  HARLEM. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  am  extremely  sorry  mailers  are  so  conducted  in 
raising  the  new  levies  in  Colonel  Jonathan  Hasbrowck's  Regiment,  in 
Ulster  County,  (in  which  Regiment  1  have  the  honour  to  command  a 
Company,)  that  I  am  obliged  and  bound  by  the  principles  of  honour  to 
represent  the  state  thereof  to  '.his  honourable  Convention,  and  pray  they 
may  take  the  same  into  consideration,  and  grant  me  such  relief  in  the 
premises  as  to  them  shall  seem  meet;  which  is  as  follows,  viz  :  That  on 
the  evening  of  the  24lh  of  July,  I  received  notice  to  appear,  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  next  day,  at  ten  o'clock,  at  the  house  of  Colonel  Hasbrovck. 
1  then  asked  the  messenger  whether  I  should  notify  my  subalterns  to 
attend  also;  to  which  I  was  answered,  no.  Agreeable  to  the  aforesaid 
notice,  I  did  appear  at  the  time  and  place  already  mentioned.  On  my 
appearance  there  1  found  it  was  for  the  purpose  of  arranging;  the  officers 
to  command  the  new  levies  aforementioned,  and  that  neither  Captain  Rea 
nor  Captain  Ttarpenning  were  there  present,  who  were  both  superior 
to  me  in  command  in  the  Regiment;  and  have,  since  that  time,  had  such 
information  as  will  amount  to  full  proof  that  neither  of  the  aforesaid 
gentlemen  had  any  notice  thereof.  1  being  next  in  rani;  in  the  Regiment 
to  these  gentlemen,  1  wns  appointed  by  Colonel  liasurouck,  Major  .limn  » , 
and  Major  Dnbois,  (which  will  more  fully  appear  to  this  honourable 
House  by  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  certificate  from  the  aforenamed  gentle- 
men,) to  be  a  Captain,  to  commond  one  of  the  companies.  On  my 
return  home  I  found  great  uneasiness  prevailing  among  my  subalterns, 
as  also  among  sundry  other  officers  belonging  to  the  Regiment;  com- 
plaining loudly  that  they  were  unfairly  dealt  with,  not  being  notified  of 
the  arrangement  aforesaid,  and  sundry  persons  being  appointed  over 
them;  particularly  Lieutenants  who  never  had  any  commission,  either 
civil  or  military.  However,  I,  from  a  due  sense  of  the  importance  of 
the  milter,  immediately  proceeded  to  raising  the  men,  but  found  such 
difficulties  as  could  not  possibly  be  surmounted  without  absolutely  pro- 
ceeding to  a  draught;  which  appeared  to  be  wholly  owing  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  Lieutenants  who  had  never  been  their  choice.  All  this  hap- 
pened on  the  2d  instant,  August.  Immediately  on  this,  there  was  un 
express  despatched  from  Lieu icnan t-Colonel  Janscn  to  Brigadier-General 
Clinton,  then  at  Fort  Montgomery,  informing  him  of  the  bad  success  we 
had  in  raising  men;  to  which  the  General  answered  that  it  was  out  of 
his  power  to  remedy  the  matter;  also,  that  if  the  Field-Officers  had  com- 
mitted an  error,  they  only  must  rectify  it,  in  the  best  manner  they  could. 
The  express  who  went  to  Gcner^C/infon  met  with  Colonel  Hasbroucl;, 
O(.  Fort  Montgomery,  who  then  wrnlt:  a  letter  to  Major  Jnnsen,  informing 
him  that  he  (Colonel  ffasbrowk)  was  informed  the  principal  objection 
the  men  had  to  turning  out  as  volunteers  was,  their  objection  to  me  being 
appointed  n  Captain;  which  I  believe  to  be  an  absolute  falsehood.  The 
only  reason,  (as  before  mentioned,)  by  all  that  I  could  learn  among  the 
men,  was,  that  their  own  officers  had  no  chance;  which  they  thought 
was  their  indubitable  right,  agreeable  to  the  resolves  of  the  State  of  .Veir- 


A  Letter  from  General  Washington,  dated  the  llth  instant, 
relative  to  Troops  called  out,  was  read,  and  is  as  follows, 
to  wit : 

"New-York,  August  11,  1776. 

"  GKNTLKMEN  :  In  answer  to  your  favour  of  the  9th,  with 
which  I  have  been  honoured,  I  beg  leave  to  inform  you  that 
I  neither  wish  or  expect  anything  more  than  that  the  levies 
raised  by  you  will  be  in  Continental  pay  from  the  time  they 
were  called  into  service;  that  troops  employed  in  a  general 
cause  should  be  supported  at  the  general  expense,  is  so  evi- 
dently just,  that  I  cannot  see  any  objection  to  it.  It  is  true, 
when  the  proceedings  of  your  honourable  body  for  raising 
those  levies  were  first  communicated  to  me,  and  it  was  men- 
tioned by  the  Committee  who  brought  them,  that  it  was 
expected  they  would  be  paid  by  the  States,  I  did  not  con- 
ceive myself  authorized  to  take  into  service  so  large  a  num- 
ber of  men,  and  therefore  could  not  say  the  States  would 
pay  them.  But  the  situation  of  our  affairs  being  much 
changed  and  requiring  their  service,  1  cannot  but  consider 
them  as  much  entitled  to  Continental  pay  as  any  troops  in 
this  Army.  In  this  light  I  am  persuaded  Congress  will  view 
them.  It  is  so  obvious  and  so  equitable,  that  no  application 
from  me  can  be  necessary.  The  bounty,  I  imagine,  as  you 
yourselves  do,  will  be  the  expense  of  the  State,  for  which 
indemnification  will  not  be  made  by  the  publick.  My  letter 
of  the  8th  was  not  meant  to  comprehend  this  subject,  it  was 
particularly  designed  to  explain  my  ideas  of  the  authority 
from  whence  General  Clinton's  powers  were  derived. 

"I  have  requested  Mr.  Trumbull  to  take  the  direction  of 
the  Commissaries,  and  to  see  that  the  levies  are  properly 
supplied  with  provisions.  I  am  extremely  concerned  that 
the  quotas  of  men  to  be  furnished  by  the  neighbouring  States 
have  proved  so  deficient.  The  busy  season  and  harvest,  to 
which  it  has  been  ascribed,  being  now  over  in  a  great  de- 
gree, I  flatter  myself,  from  the  zeal  they  have  heretofore 
manifested,  they  will  afford  every  possible  assistance.  They 
are  well  apprized  of  the  importance  of  this  State  in  the  pre- 
sent contest,  and  the  necessity  of  maintaining  it  against  the 
attempts  of  the  enemy. 

"In  respect  to  the  Militia  of  Albany  County,  as  you  are 
pleased  in  your  proceedings  of  the  10th  instant  to  submit 
the  propriety  of  calling  them  out  to  rny  determination,  I 
would  advise  that  they  should  not,  unless  the  necessity  for 
bringing  them  here  should  be  extremely  great.  They  oilier- 
wise  should  remain  in  their  County,  to  afford  succour  to  the 
frontier  parts  of  the  Government,  if  it  should  be  necessary. 

"  I  have  enclosed  a  copy  of  Lieutenant  McMichaeFs  report 
transmitted  me  by  General  ScJiuyler,  from  whence  it  will 

York.  In  this  letter  from  Colonel  Hasbrmick  to  Major  Jansen,  he  desired 
the  said  Major  Jansen  should  call  the  five  Companies  in  that  quarter  toge- 
ther, and  consult  the  officers  of  said  Companies,  and  raise  the  men  in 
the  best  manner  they  could.  On  which  Major  Jansen  called  the  Companies 
together,  accordingly,  on  the  6th  of  August,  and  made  an  offer  to  all  the 
Captains  of  said  Companies  who  choose  to  turn  out,  and  try  their  success 
in  raising  men,  promising  at  the  same  time  the  Captain  who  should  raise 
the  most  volunteers  should  be  the  officer  who  should  have  the  command; 
to  which  measure  I  was  opposed,  as  being,  in  my  opinion,  contrary  to 
the  resolves  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York,  and  my  appoint- 
ment in  consequence  thereof;  therefore  would  not  submit  the  matter. 
However,  my  remonstrance  in  this  particular  did  not  succeed,  being 
answered  by  Major  Jansen  that  he  was  not  bound  by  the  resolves  of  the 
State,  and  acted  as  he  thought  proper  in  the  afiair.  On  this,  about 
twenty-six  men  turned  out  under  Captain  John  Graham,  three  of  which 
number  formerly  turned  out  under  me.  After  which  some  of  the  fore- 
said  companies  were  obliged  to  draught  the  men,  and  as  yet  I  do  not 
know  whether  the  whole  is  completed. 

Now,  gentlemen,  you'll  easily  perceive,  by  the  above  narrative,  how 
inconsistent  theconductof  my  Field-Officers  hath  been  with  your  resolves. 
I  humbly  conceive  that  if  the  whole  of  the  men  could  not  be  obtained  as 
volunteers,  but  that  a  part  must  be  draughted,  with  equal  propriety  the 
whole  might,  to  be  put  under  me;  but  there  was  no  necessity  for  this, 
more  than  in  the  other  case,  as  I  had  inlisted  ten  men,  and  had  a  number 
more  promised  to  inlist,  and  am  full  of  the  opinion  that  the  grand  obsta- 
cle was  owing  to  the  appointment  of  Lieutenants,  as  before  recited.  To 
make  yon,  gentlemen,  clear  in  this  matter,  you  must  understand  that  the 
Colonel's  son  is  one  of  them  whom  he  hath  long  been  anxious  about 
getting  in  to  commission;  another  is  a  brother-in-law  to  Major  Ditbois,  and 
Major  Jansen's  cousin,  and  the  third  is  a  cousin  to  Col.  Hasbrovck. 

Gentlemen,  in  this  matter  1  view  my  reputation  and  honour  as  sensibly 
touched,  therefore  pray  that  in  your  great  wisdom  you'll  be  favourably 
pleased  to  grant  me  such  relief  in  the  premises  as  to  you  shall  seem  meet. 
And  thereon  I  shall,  as  in  duty  bound,  forever  pray. 

SHAWANGONK  PRECINCT,  Jlugust  7,  1776.  JACOBUS  Roos. 

This  is  to  certify,  to  whom  it  may  come,  that  Captain  Jacfibus  Roose, 
Lieutenant. luhannis  Jansen, and  Lieutenant  Johannis  Jimyn ,  are  appointed 
as  officers,  agreeable  to  a  resolve  of  Provincial  Congress,  dated  July  the 
IGlh,  1776.  In  witness  whereof,  we,  the  Field-Officers  of  Colonel  Has- 
branch's  Regiment,  have  hereunto  set  our  hands. 

JONATHAN  HASBROUCK,  Colonel. 

JOHANNIS  JANSF.N,  Major. 

LEWIS  DUBOIS,  Major. 

,11  NEWBVRGH,  Has  25(/i  day  of  July,  1776. 


1501 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1502 


appear,  if  the  intelligence  contained  in  it  be  true,  that  their 
aid  may  be  required  there. 

"  I  have  desired  General  Greene,  on  the  application  of 
the  Committee  sent  to  King's  County,  to  afford  them  any 
assistance  he  conveniently  can  for  executing  the  business 
they  are  upon. 

"  Before  I  conclude  I  would  observe,  the  letter  of  the  9th, 
which  I  acknowledged  to  have  received,  is  without  any  sig- 
nature ;  I  presume  it  has  been  omitted  through  the  hurry  of 
business. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON." 

The  Intelligence  of  Lieutenant  McMichael  was  read,  and 
is  as  follows : 

Intelligence  brought  from  OSWEGO  by  Lieut.  McMicHAEL. 

"  Was  informed  at  Oswego  that  three  Regiments  of  Min- 
isterial troops  had  arrived  at  Oswego  Lake,  at  which  place 
they  were  joined  by  a  number  of  Tories  and  Indians,  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Johnson,  and  was  to  embark  imme- 
diately on  board  two  armed  vessels,  batteaus,  and  canoes, 
and  proceed  to  Oswego,  at  which  place  they  were  to  be 
joined  by  Colonel  Butler,  with  all  the  Indians  under  his 
command,  and  likewise  by  Colonel  Caldwell,  with  what 
Regulars  could  be  spared  from  Niagara.  They  intend  re- 
pairing Oswego  fort  as  quick'  as  possible,  in  order  that  they 
might  hold  a  treaty  with  the  Indians,  and  be  able  to  defend 
themselves  against  any  attack ;  immediately  after  the  treaty, 
they  are  to  march  with  all  their  forces  against  Fort  Stanwix 
and  the  German  Flatts,  at  the  latter  of  which  places  they 
intend  to  fortify  at  Johnstown,  and  to  secure  all  the  provis- 
ions they  can.  Was  likewise  informed  that  the  main  arrny, 
under  the  command  of  General  Burgoyne,  was  marching  to 
Crown-Point  and  Ticonderoga.  to  besiege  those  places. 
Was  further  informed  that  an  Indian  man,  named  Thomas 
Davis,  was  sent  from  Niagara  by  Colonel  Butler  (as  a  spy) 
to  the  German  Flatts,  and  he  is  to  inform  said  Butler  of  the 
particulars  that  pass  at  the  German  Flatts  during  the  treaty. 
This  intelligence  came  from  a  person  that  resides  at  Oswego 
that  was  a  Sergeant  in  the  Regulars  last  war,  and  likewise 
from  a  party  of  Indians  which  I  conversed  with,  that  had  left 
Colonel  Johnston  four  days  before,  and  had  come  as  spies. 

"  EDWARD  McMicHAEL." 

A  Letter  from  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  dated 
the  12th  instant,  relative  to  his  having  apprehended  danger- 
ous and  disaffected  persons,  was  received  and  read,  and  is 
as  follows,  viz: 

"  Head-Gluarters,  New-York,  August  12,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN:  As  the  time  is  certainly  near  at  hand,  and 
may  be  hourly  expected,  which  is  to  decide  the  fate  of  this 
City  and  the  issue  of  this  campaign,  I  thought  it  highly  im- 
proper that  persons  of  suspected  character  should  remain  in 
places  where  their  opportunities  of  doing  mischief  were  much 
greater  than  in  the  enemy's  camp;  I  therefore  have  caused 
a  number  of  them  to  be  apprehended  and  removed  to  some 
distance,  there  to  remain  until  this  crisis  is  passed.  Having 
formerly  mentioned  this  subject  to  your  honourable  body,  I 
would  not  again  trouble  them  in  a  business  which  former 
connections,  obligations,  and  interests,  must  make  very  un- 
pleasant, and  which,  I  apprehend,  must  have  been  in  danger 
of  failing  in  the  execution,  unless  done  with  all  possible 
secrecy  and  despatch.  I  postponed  this  most  disagreeable 
duty  till  the  last  moment;  but  the  claims  of  the  Army  upon 
me,  an  application  from  a  number  of  well-affected  inhabitants 
concurring  with  my  own  opinion,  oblige  me  to  enter  upon  it 
while  time  and  circumstances  would  admit.  I  have  ordered 
a  very  strict  attention  to  be  paid  to  the  necessities  of  the 
gentlemen  apprehended,  and  to  their  comfortable  accommo- 
dation in  every  respect,  boih  here  and  at  the  places  of  their 
destination.  1  have  also  wrote  to  the  Committee  of  Queen's 
County  that  this  step  is  not  to  be  construed  as  making  their 
property  liable  to  any  injury  or  appropriation,  unless  they 
should  receive  directions  from  your  honourable  body,  to 
whom  I  have  referred  them  on  this  subject,  being  resolved, 
in  all  cases  where  the  most  absolute  necessity  does  not  re- 
quire it,  to  confine  myself  wholly  to  that  line  which  will 
exclude  every  idea  of  interfering  with  the  authority  of  the 
Slate.  Some  of  those  gentlemen  have  expressed  doubts  and 
raised  difficulties  from  engagements  they  lay  under  to  your 
honourable  body,  or  some  Committees.  They  do  not  appear 
to  me  to  deserve  much  attention,  as  they  cannot  with  any 


propriety  be  charged  with  a  breach  of  any  part  under  their 
present  circumstances ;  but  I  beg  leave  to  submit  to  your 
consideration  the  propriety  of  removing  the  pretence. 

"I  am,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect  and  regard,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

"Go.  WASHINGTON. 
"To  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York." 

The  Convention,  having  taken  the  said  Letter  into  consi- 
deration, came  to  the  following  determination,  that  is  to  say : 

Whereas  certain  Members  of  the  Convention,  by  autho- 
rity from  the  same,  did  take  the  parole  of  sundry  persons, 
inhabitants  of  (his  Stale;  and  whereas  his  Excellency  Gene- 
ral Washington  hath  since  found  it  necessary  to  cause  some 
of  the  said  persons  to  be  made  prisoners : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  said  several 
Paroles  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  declared  totally  void  as  to 
any  obligations  thereby  laid  upon  those  who  have  been,  since 
the  giving  of  the  said  Parole,  made  prisoners  as  aforesaid. 

Ordered,  That  a  certified  copy  of  the  preceding  Resolu- 
tion be  enclosed  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington. 

A  Letter  from  Brigadier-General  Scott  to  the  Conven- 
tion, dated  this  day,  was  read  and  filed.  He  therein  sub- 
mits to  their  determination  whether  it  might  not  be  the  most 
politick,  considering  Willett  Taylor's  connection  with  a  large 
family  of  well-attached  warm  Whigs,  to  accept  of  such  secu- 
rity as  he  offers,  to  wit:  his  voluntary  oath  that  he  will  not, 
directly  or  indirectly,  injure  the  American  cause,  or  commu- 
nicate any  intelligence  to  the  enemy;  and  a  security  in  a 
heavy  penalty  from  himself  and  John  Bogert. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  General  Scott  be  empowered, 
with  the  pefmHsion  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington, 
to  dispose  of  Willett  Taylor,  Esq.,  within  this  State. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washing- 
ton, was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
viz: 

"Tuesday,  A.  M.,  August  13,  1776. 

"Sin:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  return  their 
thanks  to  your  Excellency  for  the  attention  you  have  paid 
to  the  removal  of  suspicious  and  dangerous  persons  from  the 
environs  of  the  City  of  New-  York.  Deeply  sensible,  with 
your  Excellency,  of  the  importance  and  necessity  of  this 
measure,  the  Convention  had  entered  into  a  resolution  for 
that  purpose  previous  to  their  arrival  at  this  place;  but  the 
difficulty  of  preparing  proper  lists,  the  danger  of  giving  the 
alarm  to  some  by  the  apprehension  of  others,  and  the  dila- 
toriness  of  proceedings  inseparable  from  a  large  body,  to- 
gether with  the  great  urgency  of  our  other  publick  affairs, 
delayed  the  completion  of  this  business  until  your  Excel- 
lency had  taken  it  under  your  immediate  cognizance. 

"  The  delicate  state  of  the  present  juncture  did,  in  the 
opinion  of  this  Convention,  from  the  nature  of  the  case,  fully 
vest  your  Excellency  with  all  the  civil  power  necessary  for 
the  immediate  safety  of  the  Army  under  your  command, 
and  consequently  of  the  American  cause;  and  considering 
the  great  divisions  which  have  prevailed  among  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  State  of  New-York,  by  sparing  this  House  that 
disagreeable  task,  you  have  conferred  upon  them  a  conside7 
rable  obligation. 

"  The  Convention,  sir,  are  at  a  loss  to  conceive  on  what 
foundation  those  gentlemen  who  had  given  their  paroles  to 
a  Committee  of  this  House  could  assume  the  opinion  that 
any  danger  would,  after  their  caption,  result  from  it,  since 
evidently  the  parole  is  by  that  effectually  destroyed;  but 
as  doubts  may  remain  in  their  minds,  a  resolution  is  enclosed 
to  your  Excellency,  which,  when  you  shall  have  made  it 
known  to  them,  must  certainly  obliterate  all  their  scruples. 

<:  I  am  further  directed  to  inform  your  Excellency  that 
the  intelligence  with  which  you  have  honoured  them  from 
the  Northern  Department  fully  convinces  them  of  the  pro- 
priety of  preserving  as  much  force  as  possible  in  the  upper 
Counties,  at  the  same  time  we  hope  that  the  assistance  given 
to  us  by  the  neighbouring  States  will  be  sufficient  to  defeat 
the  designs  of  our  foes  in  this  quarter. 

"  General  Clinton  will  give  your  Excellency  full  informa- 
tion with  respect  to  the  troops  under  his  command,  seven 
hundred  of  which  are  now  at  the  fort  to  the  northward  of 
Kind's  Bridge,  and  more  of  them  would  have  been  there  if 
the  essential  service  of  depriving  the  enemy  of  water  did 
not  demand  considerable  detachments  along  the  banks  of 
Hudson's  River. 


1503 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1504 


"The  Convention  are  very  happy  that  your  Excellency 
hath  attributed  to  its  proper  cause  the  omission  of  a  signature 
to  the  letter  which  we  had  the  honour  of  svritirjg  to  you  on  the 
9th  instant.  The  fault  lay  with  the  Secretaries,  who,  in  a 
great  hurry  of  business,  neglected  the  presenting  of  it  to 
the  President,  for  which  we  must  pray  your  Excellency's 
excuse. 

"  I  am  further  directed  to  enclose  you  the  copy  of  a  letter 
from  General  Scott,  with  relation  to  one  of  the  prisoners  who 
hath  lately  been  taken  by  your  order,  and  the  copy  of  our 
resolution  upon  that  subject. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your 
Excellency's  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant. 

"  By  order. 

"  To  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  &.c." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Letter  be  engrossed, 
and  signed  by  the  President,  and  transmitted. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Blauvelt,*  of  the  south  side  of 
the  Mountains,  in  Orange  County,  mentioning  the  exposed 
situation  of  that  part  of  the  County,  and  requesting  aid,  was 
received  and  read. 

Thereupon  General  George  Clinton  informed  the  Con- 
vention, in  substance,  that  there  are  at  King's  Bridge,  and 
from  thence  to  Croton  River,  fourteen  Companies,  consist- 
ing of  about  seven  hundred  men,  officers  included,  besides 
some  of  the  Westchester  Militia;  that  he  has  been  informed 
and  believes  that  the  men-of-war  are  scarce  of  water,  having 
no  more  than  a  supply  for  ten  days ;  that  it  is  therefore 
necessary  to  keep  a  vigilant  and  numerous  guard,  so  as  to 
prevent  their  obtaining  a  supply  of  fresh  water;  that  he  has 
left  about  three  hundred  men,  besides  a  few'of  the  new 
Continental  troops  raised  in  this  State,  on  and  along  the 
shores  near  Tappan,  three  hundred  to  guard  the. Eastern- 
Shore,  and  near  two  hundred  at  Peekskill,  but  the  last 
mostly  unarmed;  that  he  expects  his  Brigade  will  consist  of 
about  seventeen  hundred  men ;  that  he  finds  he  can  expect 
but  few  men  from  Westchester  County;  that  he  has  ordered 
in  the  Troops  of  Horse  from  Kingston  and  Blooming-Grove, 
and  directed  Colonel  Cooper  to  order  one  of  those  Troops  to 
King's  Bridge  as  soon  as  they  arrive  at  Tappan.  General 
Clinton  also  requested  to  be  informed  how  his  Brigade  will 
be  supplied  with  ammunition,  tents,  and  provisions.  Gene- 
ral Clinton  was  then  informed  of  the  resolution  of  this  Con- 
vention, of  the  10th  instant,  appointing  Commissaries,  &tc., 
and  ammunition  shall  be  sent  to  him. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Outivater  inform  Colonel  Blauvelt  of 
the  measures  taken  by  General  Clinton  for  the  security  of 
Orange  County. 

Major  Lawrence  informed  the  Convention  that  the  Letter 
from  Governour  Tryon  to  Willett,  the  Sheriff  of  Queen's 
County,  was  conveyed  through  the  hands  of  Colonel  Mar- 
tin, and  that  the  inhabitants  of  Queen's  are  satisfied  that 
Colonel  Martin,  and  his  son  Dr.  Martin,  should  be  appre- 
hended. 

*ORANGETOWN,  Jlvgust  10,  1776. 

SIR:  Some  days  since  I  received  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  of  your 
House  for  drawing  out  a  fourth  part  of  the  Militia  of  the  Counties  of 
Weslchester,  Dutchess,  Ulster,  and  Orange,  for  the  defence  of  this  country. 
Whereupon,  I  immediately  gave  orders  to  the  Captains  of  this  Battalion 
to  call  their  Companies  together,  and  endeavour  to  get  their  proportion, 
which  was  immediately  complied  with;  and  though  the  officers  have  made 
repealed  trials,  they  have  not  been  able  to  furnish  their  quota.  The  men, 
it  seems,  would  not  be  unwilling  to  inlist,  if  they  knew  that  they  would 
have  to  guard  their  own  shore,  until  an  attack  should  be  made  somewhere 
else  in  this  State,  and  then  to  march  to  the  assistance  of  the  place  attacked. 
It  may  not  be  amiss  to  inform  you  that  I  have  but  about  one  hundred  pri- 
vates left  in  my  Battalion,  and  am  obliged  to  guard  the  shore  for  about 
•even  miles,  to  prevent  those  from  on  board  the  British  ships-of-war  from 
landing  in  this  place,  which  duty  keeps  about  theone-halfof  my  Battalion 
in  constant  motion.  Indeed,  they  have  not  time  to  take  the  necessary 
care  of  their  farms.  One  of  the  Companies  that  was  raised  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  this  County  has  been  a  day  or  two  among  us;  but  it  is  now 
ordered  to  King's  Bridge.  Should  we  be  obliged  to  raise  our  quota,  and 
have  them  taken  away,  we  shall  not  only  find  it  difficult  to  get  grain  in 
the  ground,  but  shall  also  be  too  weak  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  land- 
ing. This  much  I  have  thought  it  my  duty  to  say,  thai  the  honourable 
Convention  might  know  the  situation;  and  if  it  is  fully  considered,  I 
think  no  one  will  be  surprised  to  find  our  men  backward' in  inlisting,  as 
no  one  who  has  the  feelings  of  a  man  would  choose  to  leave  his  parents, 
his  wife,  and  his  children,  exposed  to  the  fury  of  a  cruel  enemy.  But  if, 
after  all  that  has  been  said,  the  Convention  should  be  of  opinion  that  I 
must  raise  or  draw  out  the  quarter  part  of  my  Battalion,  1  shall  readily 
obey  orders,  let  the  consequence  be  what  it  will.  Only  beg  that  I  may 
be  informed  how  to  proceed,  where  volunteers  do  not  offer;  for  I  am  at 
a  loss  what  construction  to  put  upon  some  paragraphs  in  the  resolution. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOHANNIS  D.  BLACVELT,  Colonel. 

To  Brigadier-General  Wooilhull,  President  of  the  honourable  Convention 
of  the  State  of  Aiw-  York. 


Richard  Norwood,  Commissary  of  Arms,  fee.,  for  this 
State,  made  returns  of  the  stores  in  his  custody,  which  was 
read. 

Therefore,  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Richard  Norwood,  Com- 
missary, deliver  so  many  of  the  Arms  fit  for  use  now  in  his 
store,  or  which  he  first  may  obtain,  to  Captain  James  Stewart, 
as  will  be  sufficient  to  arm  the  men  inlisted  in  his  Company. 

The  Convention  were  informed  that  oneBurga  is  brought 
here  a  prisoner  from  Long-Island. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Landon  and  Judge  Graham  be  a 
Committee  to  take  his  examination,  and  report  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  this  Convention,  with  so 
many  of  the  Members  as  may  be  able  to  assemble  imme- 
diately, be,  and  they  hereby  are,  empowered,  in  case  of 
urgent  necessity,  to  cause  the  Treasury  and  publick  Papers 
of  this  State  to  be  removed  to  such  place  of  safety  as  they 
may  think  proper. 

Die  Martis,  5  ho.  P.  M.,  August  13,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Beekman, 

Major  Abeel,  Colonel  Broome,  Captain  Denning. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate, 

Colonel  Livingston. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell;  Mr.  Ilobart  absent 

by  order. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Mr.  Wisncr,  Jun. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  Schenck,  Mr.  Landon. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.   Haviland,    Major  Lockwood,    Mr. 

Morris. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Smith. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackivcll,  Major  Laivrence. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 

The  House  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  appointed  to  form  a  plan  for  the  emission  of 
Bills  of  Credit,  to  the  amount  of  £200,000,  agreeable  to  the 
Resolution  of  the  Convention.  The  same  being  again  read 
by  paragraphs  and  amended,  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  Bills  of  Credit  to  the  said 
amount  of  £200,000,  or  $500,000,  be  immediately  printed, 
and  of  the  following  denominations,  viz: 

20,000 Bills  of  10  Dollars  each 200,000  Dollars. 

20,000 do...  5 do 100,000  do. 

20,000 do...  3 do 60,000  do. 

20,000 do...  2 do 40,000  do. 

105,866 do...  1-2.. ..do 52,933  do. 

105,867 do...  1-4. ...do 26.466J  do. 

105,867 do...   1-8. ...do 13,233'  do. 

105,868 do...  1-16.. .do 6.616J  do. 

6,000 do...  1-8 do. emitted, extra-) 

ordinary  in  the  last  emission <j . 


750      do. 


#500,000      do. 


On  the  face  of  each  of  the  said  Bills  shall  be  impressed 
the  Arms  of  the  City  of  New-York;  and  underneath,  the 
words  "  'Tis  death  to  counterfeit,"  with  the  same  devices  of 
those  of  a  like  denomination  of  the  last  Bills  emitted  by  the 
Congress  of  this  Colony. 

And  Resolved,  That  the  Plates  now  in  possession  of  this 
Convention,  corresponding  with  the  above  respective  de- 
nominations of  Bills,  be  altered  so  far  only  as  to  make  them 
agree  with  the  style  of  this  State ;  and  the  said  Bills  shall 
be  in  form  following: 

"This  Bill  shall  pass  current  in  all  payments  in  this  State 
for  Spanish  milled  dollars,  or  the  value  thereof,  in 

gold  or  silver,  according  to  the  resolution  of  the  Convention 
of  New-  York  on  the  13th  day  of  August,  1776." 

Excepting  those  of  the  denomination  of  one-quarter  dol- 
lars, which  shall  be  in  form  following : 

"  This  Bill  shall  pass  current  in  all  payments  in  this  State 
for  two  Shillings,  being  equal  to  one-fourth  of  a  Spanish 
milled  dollar,  or  the  value  thereof,  in  gold  or  silver,  accord- 
ing to  the  resolution  of  the  Convention  of  New-  York  on  the 
I'M)  day  of  August,  1776." 

Also,  excepting  those  of  one-eighth  of  a  dollar,  which 
shall  be  in  the  words  following: 

"  This  Bill  shall  pass  current  in  all  payments  in  this  State 
for  one  Shilling,  being  equal  to  one-eighth  of  a  Spanish  milled 
dollar,  or  the  value  thereof,  in  gold  or  silver,  according  to  the 
resolution  of  the  Convention  of  New-  York  on  the  13th  day 
of.  August,  1776." 


1505 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1506 


Also,  excepting  those  of  one-sixteenth  of  a  dollar,  which 
shall  be  in  form  following: 

"  This  Bill  shall  pass  current  in  all  payments  in  this  State 
for  six  Pence,  being  equal  to  one-sixteenth  of  a  Spanish 
milled  dollar,  or  the  value  thereof,  in  gold  or  silver,  according 
to  the  resolution  of  the  Convention  of  New-  York  on  the  13th 
day  of  August,  1776." 

And  that  on  the  face  of  the  Bills  of  the  last-mentioned 
denomination  of  the  one-sixteenth  of  a  dollar,  be  impressed 
the  Arms  of  the  City  of  New-York;  and  underneath,  the 
words  "  'Tis  death  to  counterfeit,"  together  with  such  other 
devices  as  Isaac  Roosevelt,  Esq.,  hereby  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  shall  direct. 

That  all  the  said  Bills  shall  be  numbered  by 
and  signed  by  any  two  of  them,  the  said  signers,  respectively, 
to  be  delivered  by  them  to  the  said  Isaac  Roosevelt,  and  to 
be  by  him  delivered  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  Stale  as  soon 
as  finished. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Isaac  Roosevelt  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  directed  and  requested,  upon  the  delivery  of  the  said 
Bills  to  him  by  the  Printer  of  the  same,  to  cause  to  be 
administered  to  him,  by  the  President  of  this  Convention, 
the  following  Oath : 

"I,  A  B,  do  solemnly  swear,  by  the  Holy  Evangelist 
of  Almighty  God,  that  from  the  time  that  the  letters  were 
set  and  fit  to  be  put  in  the  press  for  printing  the  Bills 
of  Credit  now  by  me  delivered  to  you,  until  the  Bills  were 
printed  and  the  letters  afterwards  distributed  into  the  boxes, 
I  went  at  no  time  out  of  the  room  in  which  the  said  let- 
ters were,  without  locking  them  up  so  that  they  could  not 
be  come  at  without  violence  or  a  false  key,  or  other  art 
unknown  to  me;  and  therefore  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge 
no  copies  were  printed  off  but  in  my  presence,  and  that  all 
the  blotters  and  other  papers  whatsoever  impressed  by  the 
said  letters  whilst  set  for  printing  the  said  Bills,  to  the  best 
of  my  knowledge  were  here  delivered  to  you,  together  with 
the  stamps;  and  in  all  things  relating  to  this  affair  I  have 
demeaned  myself  honestly  and  faithfully  to  the  best  of  my 
knowledge  and  understanding.  So  help  me  God." 

Resolved,  That  such  person  as  the  said  Isaac  Roosevelt 
shall  agree  with  to  alter  and  engrave  the  said  plates  shall 
take  the  following  oath : 

"  I,  A  B,  do  solemnly  swear,  by  the  Almighty  God,  that 
I  have  not  engraved  or  altered  more  plates  than  I  delivered 
to  Isaac  Roosevelt,  as  directed  by  this  Convention  of  New- 
York,  of  the  like  kind,  or  in  imitation  of  the  same,  neither 
have  I  kept  a  copy  or  copies,  draft  or  drafts  of  the  said  plates, 
neither  will  I  engrave  more  of  the  like  kind,  without  the 
order  of  the  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  this 
State." 

And  shall  deliver  them  to  the  said  Isaac  Roosevelt,  who 
shall  deliver  them  unto  Samuel  Lowden,  Printer,  or  such 
other  Printer  as  shall  be  directed  by  this  Convention,  and 
take  his  receipt  for  the  same;  and  when  the  said  Samuel 
Lowden,  or  such  other  Printer  as  shall  be  employed,  has 
completed  and  finished  the  printing  the  quantity  and  sorts 
of  Bills  hereby  directed  to  be  struck,  he  shall  redeliver  the 
said  stamps  to  the  said  I.  Roosevelt,  which  shall  be  sealed 
with  the  several  seals  of  the  said  Isaac  Roosevelt  and  the 
President  of  the  Convention  of  this  State,  and  deposited  in 
the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  this  Convention,  until  the  further 
order  of  this  or  some  future  Convention  or  Legislature  ol 
this  State ;  the  receipt  of  the  said  Isaac  Roosevelt  to  the 
said  Samuel  Lowden,  or  such  other  Printer,  shall  be  a  suffi- 
cient voucher  for  such  delivery. 

Resolved,  That  the  publick  faith  of  this  State  be  pledged 
for  the  redemption  of  the  said  Bills  of  Credit,  and  that  this 
Convention,  or  some  future  Legislature  of  this  State,  will 
make  effectual  provision  for  that  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  if  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  State  shall, 
after  the  1st  day  of  November  next,  within  or  without  this 
State,  or  any  person  whatsoever  shall,  within  this  State,  after 
the  said  1st  of  November,  forge  or  counterfeit  any  of  the 
Bills  of  Credit  issued  by  the  Continental  Congress,  by  the 
Assembly  or  Convention  of  any  of  the  United  States,  or 
alter  the  sum  expressed  in  any  of  the  said  Bills  of  Credit, 
or  shall  offer  or  cause  to  be  offered  in  payment  any  such 
counterfeit,  forged,  or  altered  Bill  of  Credit,  knowing  the 
same  to  be  counterfeit,  forged,  or  altered,  and  shall  be  thereof 
convicted  by  a  petit  jury,  after  a  presentment  by  a  grand 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  95 


jury,  in  a  Court  to  be  erected  in  this  State  by  this  Con- 
vention, or  any  future  Legislature,  or  shall  stand  mute,  or 
peremptorily  challenge  above  the  number  of  twenty  of  the 
panel,  shall  suffer  death  as  a  felon. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Isaac  Itoosevclt  be,  and  he  is 
hereby,  authorized  and  desired  to  apply  to  and  contract  with 
proper  persons  to  sign  the  said  Bills  of  Credit,  and  to  report 
their  names  to  this  Convention,  to  be  inserted  in  the  bill  or 
resolution  now  before  this  Convention  for  issuing  such  Bills 
of  Credit. 

Colonel  Livingston,  from  the  Committee  appointed  for 
that  purpose,  delivered  in  their  Report  relative  to  the  exemp- 
tion of  certain  Artificers  and  Manufacturers  in  this  State  from 
military  duty;  which  was  read,  and  deferred  for  further  con- 
sideration. 

Mr.  Wisncr,  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  state  and  quan- 
tity of  Military  stores  in  the  City  belonging  to  this  State,  and 
of  a  proper  place  of  safety  to  which  they  may  be  sent, 
made  his  Report. 

Ordered,  To  remain  till  further  inquiry  may  be  made. 

Mr.  Landon,  according  to  order,  reported  the  examination 
of  Burga,*  taken  by  Judge  Graham  and  himself,  wherein 
the  examinant  states  that  Captain  Samuel  Hallet,  of  Queen's 
County,  his  son  Joseph  Hallet,  John  Greenock,  Jun.,  Samuel 
Ryder,  and  a  negro  of  Captain  Hallet,  went,  on  the  9th, 
from  the  mill  of  Mr.  Vandevcere  to  Barren-Island,  in  Jamaica 
Bay,  and  from  thence  to  the  British,on  Staten- Island,  where 
they  yet  remain,  was  read  and  filed. 

Whereas  certain  Members  of  this  Convention,  by  autho- 
rity from  the  same,  did  take  the  parole  of  sundry  persons, 
inhabitants  of  this  State ;  and  whereas  his  Excellency  Gene- 
ral Washington  hath  since  found  it  necessary  to  cause  some 
of  the  said  persons  to  be  made  prisoners : 

Resolved,  therefore,  unanimously,  That  the  said  several 
paroles  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  declared  totally  void,  as  to 
any  obligations  thereby  laid  upon  those  who  have  been  since 
the  giving  the  said  paroles  made  prisoners  as  aforesaid. 


Die  Mercurii,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  14,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present:  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern, 

NEW-YORK. — Colonel  Broome,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Beek- 
man,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Jay,  (on  duty,)  Mr.  Roosevelt. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Aim.  Yates,  Col.  Livingston,  Mr.  Bleecker, 
Mr.  Adgate. 

SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith;  Mr.  Hobart  on  duty. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Haviland,  Judge  Graham,  Mr.  Mor- 
ris, Mr.  Lockwood. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

DDTCHESS. — Mr.  H.  Schenck,  Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  Landon. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  J.  H.  Smith. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 

KING'S. — Mr.  Polhemus. 

King's  County  not  having  elected  any  Deputies  since  May 
last,  [Kir.  Polhemus]  declared  that  the  County  Committee 
had  met  and  directed  him  to  attend  as  a  member,  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  last  election  in  May,  until  another  election  is  had. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Polhemus  take  his  seat,  and  represent 
King's  County,  except  in  matters  which  relate  to  the  for- 
mation of  Government. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Jeromus  Remscn,  Jun.,  of  Queen's 

*  Isaac  Bragm,  of  Queen's  County ,  being  examined,  says,  that  on  Friday, 
the  9th  instant,  Captain  Samuel  Hubbel  asked  the  examinant  to  go  with 
him  to  Jamaica  Bay  a-clamming ;  that  the  day  following,  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  examinant,  together  with  Joseph  Hallet,  the  son  of  Captain  Hallet, 
John  Greenock,  Jun.,  Samuel  Ryder,  and  a  negro  man  belonging  to  Cap- 
tain Hallet,  went  from  the  mill  of  Mrs.  Yandevere  to  Barn-Island,  in 
Jamaica  Bay,  where  they  arrived  about  twelve  o'clock.  About  half  an 
hour  after,  Captain  Hallet  called  to  a  man  fishing  in  a  canoe,  and  desired 
him  to  take  the  examinant  and  /Samuel  Ryder  to  shore,  and  told  the 
examinant  that  now  was  his  time  (Captain  Hallel's  meaning)  to  push; 
by  which  expression  the  examinant  thought  he  meant  to  go  to  the  fleet 
at  Staten- Island,  as  Captain  Hallet  told  the  examinant  the  day  before  he 
would  go  there  if  he  had  an  opportunity,  and  as  he  and  the  other  three 
persons  went  out  at  the  Gut,  and  have  not  since  returned;  but  that  Cap- 
tain Hallet  did  not  tell  the  examinant  where  he  was  going  at  that  time; 
and  that  all  the  baggage  Captain  Hallet  had  with  him  was  one  loaf  of 
bread,  half  pound  butter,  and  a  small  piece  of  smoked  beef. 

ISAAC  BRAGAU. 


1507 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1508 


County,  dated  the  10th  instant,  was  road  and  filed.*  lie 
therein  mentions  the  election  of  William  Lawrence,  late 
Lieutenant,  to  be  Captain  in  a  Company  of  Militia  of  New- 
town,  in  the  stead  of  Jonathan  Lawrence,  now  Brigade 
Major,  and  requests,  for  the  good  of  the  American  cause,  that 
his  commission  issue. 

A  Certificate,  signed  by  Philip  Ethall,  Deputy  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  at  Newtown,  by  order  of  the  Committee, 
dated  the  10th  instant,  was  also  read.  They  thereby 
certify  that  on  the  9th  instant  the  Company  whereof  Major 
Lawrence  was  late  Captain,  had  duly  elected  William 
Lawrence  to  be  Captain,  in  the  presence  of  Captain  Samuel 
Moore  and  Colonel  Jcromus  Rcmsen,  two  of  the  Committee, 
and  they  thereby  recommend  him  for  a  Commission. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  issue  to  the  said  William 
Lawrence,  as  Captain,  and  that  it  be  tested  the  9th  instant. 

The  Convention  were  informed  that  by  the  election  of 
William  Lawrence  to  be  Captain,  a  Lieutenancy  is  become 
vacant  in  the  said  Company,  and  that  they  have  elected  a 
Lieutenant. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  be  signed  by  the  President, 
and  countersigned  by  one  of  the  Secretaries,  and  delivered 
blank,  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Committee  at  New-Town,  for 
a  Lieutenant  in  Captain  Lawrence's  Company,  and  that  the 
Committee,  of  New-Town  report  to  this  Convention  the  gen- 
tleman whose  name  they  insert  in  that  Commission  as  Lieu- 
tenant. 

A  Letter  from  Messrs.  William  Fnrrman,  Joseph  Robin- 
son, and  Samuel  Riker,  dated  10th  instant,  was  read  and 
filed.f  They  thereby  inform  that  in  pursuance  of  the  order 
of  this  Convention  of  the  8th  instant,  to  examine  Nathaniel 
Mills,  of  Jamaica,  and  any  other  persons  whom  they  should 
think  necessary,  respecting  a  Letter  which  passed  through 
the  hands  of  Mills  to  the  late  Sheriff  of  Queen's  County, 
they  had  traced  the  said  Letter  down  to  Elizabeth  Hides,  a 
young  lady  of  Rockaway,  as  appears  by  the  Examination 
therein  enclosed  ;  that  the  said  Elizabeth  Hicks  refused  to 
give  her  affirmation  to  what  she  had  declared,  or  even  to 
sign  her  name  to  her  Examination. 

The  Examination  of  Nathaniel  Mills,  Caleb  Mills,  and 
Joshua  Mills,  and  the  notes  of  the  Declaration  of  the  said 
Elizabeth  Hicks,  were  read  and  filed.  J 

Ordered,  That  Messrs.  William  Furman,  Joseph  Robin- 
son, and  Samuel  Riker,  the  Committee  who  examined 
Elizabeth  Hicks,  of  Rockaway,  respecting  the  Letter  or 
paper  which  she  acknowledged  to  halve  received  and  de- 
livered to  Joshua  Mills  on  a  first  day,  be,  and  hereby  are, 
authorized  and  requested  to  cause  the  said  Elizabeth  Hicks 
to  be  apprehended  and  kept  in  safe  custody  until  she  dis- 
cover on  oath  (or  affirmation,  if  she  is  one  of  the  people 
called  Quakers)  from  whom  she  received  the  said  paper, 
or  subscribe  a  declaration  on  her  oath  or  affirmation  that  she 
does  not  know  or  has  not  any  reason  to  suspect  of  whom 
she  received  the  same ;  and  if  the  said  Elizabeth  Hicks  shall 
refuse  to  make  such  discovery  or  to  make  and  subscribe  such 
declaration  on  oath  or  affirmation  as  aforesaid,  that  she  be 

*NEWTOWN,  Jugwl  10,  1776. 

SIR  :  By  the  enclosed  you  will  see  that  Lieutenant  William  Lawrance 
ig-choeen  Captain,  in  the  room  of  Jonathan  Laicrence,  Esq.,  now  Brigade 
Major,  and  also  that  he  is  recommended  by  the  Committee  of  Newtown 
to  tlie  honourable  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York  for  a  commission; 
and  us  a  Captain  is  much  wanted  in  that  Company  at  this  time,  I  hope, 
for  the  good  of  the  American  cause,  he  will  be  speedily  furnished  with  a 
commission.  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JERONS.  REMSEN,  Jun.,  Colonel. 

t  JAMAICA,  August  10,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  We  being  appointed  by  your  honourable  House  to  ex- 
amine Nathaniel  Mills,  of  Jamaica,  and  any  other  person  or  persons  which 
we  should  think  necessary,  respecting  a  letter  which  passed  through  the 
hands  of  Mills,  directed  to  the  Sheriff  of  Queen's  County,  which  order 
we  have  executed  to  the  best  of  our  ability,  and  traced  it  down  to  FM:n- 
betk  Hicks,  a  young  lady  of  Rockaway,  as  will  appear  by  the  several 
enclosed  examinations.  As  our  inquiry  of  course  must  stop  there,  we 
thought  proper  to  require  her  affirmation  on  what  she  had  declared, 
which  she  refused  to  comply  with,  or  even  sign  her  name  to  her  exami- 
nation. We  are,  gentlemen,  with  respect,  your  very  humble  servants, 

WM.  FURMAN, 
JOSEPH  ROBINSON, 
SAML.  RIKER. 
To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 

J  Slate  of  NEW-YORK  ) 

»»•  >  Examination  taken,  JAMAICA,  August  9,  1776. 

NATHANIEL  MILLS.   ) 

Examinant  says  he  received  of  his  son,  Caleb  Mills,  a  packet  of  letters, 
directed  to  Thomas  WilleU,  Esq.,  Sheriff  of  Queen's  County,  and  that  he 
.knew  nothing  of  the  contents  thereof,  and  that  he  never  conversed  with 


confined  in  the  Jail  of  Queen's  County,  there  to  remain  until 
she  make  discovery  or  such  declaration  as  aforesaid. 

Whereas  the  manufacture  of  Saltpetre  is  highly  worthy  of 
ptiblick  encouragement,  not  only  as  it  is  an  article  imme- 
diately necessary  for  the  defence  and  preservation  of  every- 
thing we  hold  dear,  and  may  be  hereafter  of  considerable 
importance  to  our  commerce,  but  likewise  as  it  is  at  all  limes 
the  soundest  policy  and  essential  to  the  safety  of  a  State 
never  to  be  dependant  upon  foreign  supplies,  which  are  ever 
precarious,  for  the  means  of  defence  and  self-preservation; 
and  as  the  expiration  of  the  time  limited  for  the  publick 
encouragement  of  the  manufacture  of  that  article  in  this 
State  is  so  near  at  hand  that  no  one  is  likely  to  be  induced 
thereby  to  set  up  new  works  for  that  purpose: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  formerly  ap- 
pointed for  encouraging  the  manufacture  of  Saltpetre  in  this 
State,  and  purchasing  the  same,  and  the  members  thereof, 
severally,  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  empowered  and  autho- 
rized to  purchase,  on  account  of  this  Convention,  all  well- 
refined  Saltpetre  made  in  this  State  that  shall  be  offered  to 
them  for  sale  before  the  1st  day  of  July  next,  at  the  rate  of 
six  shillings  per  pound. 

And  that  the  said  Committees  and  the  members  thereof, 
severally,  be  empowered  to  send,  from  time  to  time,  the  Salt- 
petre so  purchased,  by  the  most  expeditious  and  safe  con- 
veyance, at  the  publick  expense,  to  any  manufacturer  or 
manufacturers  of  Gunpowder  in  this  State,  his  or  their  agent 
or  agents,  taking  a  receipt  of  the  person  to  whom  it  shall  bp 
so  sent  for  the  quantity  delivered;  which  receipt  shall  be  a 
sufficient  voucher  to  the  Auditor-General  of  this  State  for 
passing  and  allowing  their  accounts. 

And  that  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  be  advanced  to  the 
said  Committees  from  time  to  time  as  the  Convention  or 
Legislature  of  this  State  for  the  time  being  shall  think  neces- 
sary to  enable  them  to  execute  the  above  Resolutions. 

And  that  Henry  Wisner,  Henry  Wisner,  Jun.,  Henry 
Schenck,  Peter  R.  Livingston,  and  Samuel  Haviland,  Esqs., 
be  added  to  the  Committees  already  appointed  for  encour- 
aging the  manufacture  of  Saltpetre,  and  purchasing  the  same 
in  the  Counties  to  which  they  respectively  belong. 

A  Letter  from  Richard  Peters,  Esquire,  Secretary  to  the 
Continental  Board  of  War,  dated  at  Philadelphia,  the  6th 
instant,  requesting  a  list  of  all  the  Prisoners  of  War  now  in 
this  State,  and  also  requesting  a  list  of  the  Officers  and  Troops 
raised  in  this  State,  the  dates  of  their  commissions  and  times 
for  which  their  men  were  inlisted,  was  read,  and  referred  to 
Judge  Graham  and  Mr.  Tredwell. 

Comfort  Sands,  Esq.,  the  Auditor-General,  communicated 
an  Account  of  Mr.  Abraham  Livingston*  of  the  number 
of  Rations  which,  as  Commissary,  he  had  furnished  to  the 
Troops  in  the  State  of  New-York;  at  the  foot  of  which 
Account,  there  are  a  number  of  charges  which  he,  the  Au- 
ditor-General, does  not  think  himself  authorized  to  allow, 
without  the  direction  of  Congress,  and  praying  that  he  may 
have  some  direction  accordingly;  which,  being  read,  was 

the  said  Sheriff  anything  about  the  same;  that  he  can't  tell  by  what 
means  the  letter  came  amongst  us.  NATHANIEL  MILLS. 

Slate  of  NEW-YORK  ) 

vs.  >  Examination  taken,  JAMAICA,  August  9,  1776. 

CALEB  MILLS.      ) 

Examinant  says  he  received  the  above  letter  of  Joshua  J\Iill>,  son  of 
Ames  Mills,  of  Hempstead,  on  Sunday,  the  21st  day  of  July  last,  and  the 
same  day  delivered  it  to  his  father,  not  knowing  any  thing  of  the  content* 
of  said  letter,  or  from  whence  it  came.  CALEB  MILLS. 

State  cf  NEW-YORK  } 

(!"•(.  >  Examination  taken,  HEMPSTEAD,  August  9,  1776. 

JOSHUA  MILLS,  Jun.  ) 

The  exaniinant  saith  that  he  received  the  letter  above  mentioned  of 
Elizabeth  Hicks  on  the  highway,  that  he  did  not  know  the  conlenls,  and 
that  it  was  only  delivered  to  him  with  a  request  to  forward  it  to  the 
Sheriff.  JOSHUA  MILLS. 

State  «f  NEW-YORK  ) 

agt.  >  Examination  taken,  HEMPSTEAD,  Jlvgust  9,  1776. 

ELIZABETH  HICKS.  ) 

The  examinant  says  that  a  stranger  gave  a  paper  to  her  last  first  day  a 
fortnight;  whether  there  wns  anything  wrote  on  the  outside  she  does  not 
knnw;  that  it  was  given  to  her  with  a  request  to  give  it  to  Nathaniel 
Mills;  and  further  saith  that  she  had  not  the  least  knowledge  of  the  per- 
son that  delivered  it,  from  whence  it  came,  nor  by  whom  sent,  nor  nothing 
more  relating  to  said  paper. 

*Mr.  Abraham  f.imngslon  has  lately  delivered  in  an  account  of  the 
number  of  Rations  which  he,  as  Commissary,  furnished  to  the  Troops 
in  the  State  of  New-York.  At  the  foot  of  the  account  there  are  a  number 


1509 


NEW. YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1510 


referred  to  a  Committee,  consisting  of  Colonel  Broome  and 
Mr.  Bancker. 

A  Letter  from  Captain  Alexander  Hamilton,  of  the  Artil- 
lery Company,  informing  that  the  First  Lieutenancy  in  his 
Company  is  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Lieutenant  John- 
son, and  recommends  a  promotion  of  the  inferior  officers,  was 
received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to 
say: 

"GENTLEMEN:  It  is  necessary  I  should  inform  you  that 
there  is  at  present  a  vacancy  in  rny  Company,  arising  from 
the  promotion  of  Lieutenant  Johnson  to  a  Captaincy  in  one 
of  the    row-galleys,   (which    command,    however,   he  has 
since  resigned  for  a  very  particular  reason.)     As  Artillery 
officers  are  scarce,  in  proportion  to  the  call  for  them,  and  as 
myself  and  my  remaining  officers  sustain  an  extraordinary 
weight  of  duty  on  account  of  the  present  vacancy,  I  shall 
esteem  it  a  favour  if  you  will  be  pleased  as  soon  as  possible 
to  make  up  my  deficiency  by  a  new  appointment.     It  would 
be  productive  of  much  inconveniency  should  not  the  inferior 
officers  succeed  in  course;  and  from  this  consideration,  I 
doubt  not  you  will  think  it  proper  to  advance  Mr.  Gilliland 
and  Mr.  Bean,  and  fill  up  the  Third  Lieutenancy  with  some 
other  person.     I  would  beg  the  liberty  warmly  to  recom- 
mend to  your  attention  Thomas  Thompson,  now  First  Ser- 
geant in  my  Company,  a  man  highly  deserving  of  notice 
and  preferment.     He  has  discharged  his  duty  in  his  present 
station  with  uncommon  felicity,  assiduity,  and  expertness. 
He  is  a  very  good  disciplinarian,  possesses  the  advantage  of 
having  seen  a  good  deal  of  service  in  Germany,  has  a  tole- 
rable share  of  common  sense,  and  is  well  calculated  not  to 
disgrace  the  rank  of  an  officer  and  gentleman  ;  in  a  word,  I 
verily  believe  he  will  make  an  excellent  Lieutenant,  and  his 
advancement  will  be  a  great  encouragement  and  benefit  to 
my  Company  in  particular,  and  will  be  an  animating  ex- 
ample to  all  men  of  merit  to  whose  knowledge  it  comes. 

"  Myself  and  rny  officers  will  be  much  obliged  to  the 
honourable  Convention  to  favour  us  with  our  commissions 
with  all  convenient  speed,  as  they  may  be  highly  requisite 
under  some  circumstances  that  may  possibly  hereafter  arise. 

"  I  am,  with  the  utmost  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most 
obedient  and  most  humble  servant,  A.  HAMILTON, 

"  Captain  of  New-  York  Artillery. 

"  To  the  Hon.  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 
"August  12,  1776." 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Livingston  call  on  Captain  Ham- 
ilton and  inquire  into  this  matter,  and  report  to  this  House. 

A  Letter  from  the  Auditor-General,*  requesting  to  know 
whether  the  publick  are  to  pay  Mr.  Pettit  (the  Doorkeeper's) 
board  and  diet,  was  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  charge  brought  against  this  Conven- 
tion in  Thomas  Pettit's  account  for  his  Board  be  disallowed, 
and  that  the  Auditor-General  be  informed  thereof. 


The  Report  of  the  Committee  for  exempting  certain 
Manufacturers  from  military  duty  was  read,  amended,  and 
agreed  to,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

As  every  possible  encouragement  ought  to  be  given  to 
such  Manufacturers  as  are  necessary  to  enable  us  to  carry  on 
our  military  operations  with  effect, 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  be  ex- 
empt from  military  duty  in  this  State  while  actually  employ- 
ed m^the  several  Manufactories  hereafter  mentioned,  to  wit: 
one  Founder,  two  Keepers,  one  Stock-jobber,  one  Mould- 
er, two  Fillers,  one  Ore-Burner,  one  Ore-Breaker,   four 
Miners,  and  four  master  Colliers,  at  each  Furnace  for  melting 
iron-ore  into  pigs  and  castings;  two  men  at  each  fire,  and 
two  attendants  to  supply  the  same  with  coal,  at  every  forgo 
for  making  of  bar-iron ;  two  Firemen  and  one  Coal-carrier 
to  each  fire  at  the  several  Steel  Manufactories ;  ten  Anchor- 
Makers,  four  Carriers,  and  one  Bellows-Man  to  each  bellows, 
at  the  Anchor-Forge  in  the  County  of  Orange;  the  Master 
Workman  and  six  Labourers  at  each  Salt  Works  set  up  in  this 
State  by  contract  with  this  Convention  ;  the  Master  Work- 
man and  two-Attendants  at  each  Paper  Mill,*  and  the  Master 
Workman  or  Overseer  of  each  Powder-Mill,  together  with 
three  Labourers  to  every  twenty  Mortars  used  in  such  Mills, 
and  so  in  proportion  when  they  exceed  or  fall  short  of  that 
number.     Provided,  always,  That  the  several  proprietors 
of  the  above-men i ioned  works  do  give  in  a  list  of  the  names 
of  all  the  persons  at  their  respective  works  entitled  to  the 
benefit  of  this  exemption,  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
district  in  which  they  reside,  who  shall  keep  a  register  there- 
of; and  that  no  person  be  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  such 
exemption  until  his  name  be  so  registered.     Provided,  also, 
That  nothing  in   the  above  resolutions  contained  be  con- 
strued to  exempt  any  person  from  military  duty,  when,  in 
case  of  alarm  or  invasion,  the  whole  military  force  of  the 
County  in  which  they  reside  shall  be  called  out  into  actual 
service. 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  published  in  the  newspapers. 

A  Letter  from  John  Schenck,  Secretary,  to  the  Committee 
of  Poughkcepsie,  dated  the  9th  instant,  enclosing  sundry 
Accounts  for  Arms  purchased  and  hired  by  said  Committee 
for  the  use  of  the  State,  were  read,  and  committed  to  Mr. 
Schenck,  Mr.  Bleecker,  and  Mr.  Tredwell. 

A  Letter  from  Robert  Boyd,  Chairman  of  Ulster  Com- 
mittee, to  the  Deputies  of  Ulster  County,  was  read.  They 
have  chosen  a  new  Treasurer  for  said  Committee.  Their 
former  Treasurer,  Colonel  Hardenbergh,  refuses  to  deliver 
up  the  cash  in  his  custody.  Committed  to  Mr.  Confine, 
Mr.  Adgate,  and  Mr.  Eacker. 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Remsen  to  Mr.  John  McKesson,^ 


of  charges  which  the  Auditor-General  does  not  think  himself  authorized 
to  allow,  wilhnut  the  direction  of  Congress,  and  prays  that  he  may  have 
some  directions  accordingly.     The  exceptionable  charges  are — 
James  //ontiam's  and  Nehemiah  Carpenter's  salaries  as  Deputy-Commis- 
saries at  Fort  Constitution £31    2  101 

John  King,  Jun.,  ninety  days  pay  as  Clerk,  at  8s 36    0    o' 

William  Hodge,  six  months  pay  as  Clerk 35    0    0 

James  Cock's  assistance  at  Horn's  Hook 11     0    0 

Burnt  and  Mm  Sebriiig,  for  fifty-five  days  attendance  for 

two  hands,  at  5s 27  10    0 

Abraham  Morris,  one  month  and  ten  days  work 968 

Isaac  Ball,  Jun.,  four  and  three-quarter  months  Clerk  hire, 

at<£G4 25    6    8 

Mall/iew  Daniel,  three  and  a  half  months  boat  hire,  at  £ 20,     70    0    0 

John  Henry,  Clerk  hire 48    0    0 

My  service  as  Commissary  two  months,  at  $125  per  month, 
one-halfis 50    0    0 

^343    6    2i 


.Ibraham  Livingston  has  received  per  order  of  Congress..  .£9, 600    0  0 

He  returned  to  the  Treasurer  at  Wldtt-Plains 1,324  16  0 

Remains .£8,275    4  0 

The  amount  of  his  accounts  as  he  furnishes  them 8,324    2  4 

Due  to  him  as  the  accounts  stand i'48  18  4~ 

But  he  is  still  to  credit  some  provisions  he  omitted. 
August  12, 1776. 

*  HARLEM,  August  13,  1776.  ' 

SIR:  Mr.  Ptttit,  the  Doorkeeper  of  the  State,  in  his  account  brought 
in  to  me  to  audit,  has  charged  for  his  board  since  he  came  from  New- 
York,  which  1  have  not  as  yet  allowed.  Will  you  please  to  direct  me 
whether  I  am  to  make  an  allowance  for  his  board,  and  if  so,  how  much. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant,  COMFORT  SANDS. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York. 


*J1  Memorial  humbly  recommended  to  the  consideration  of  the  Honourable 

Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Slate  of  NEW- YORK,   held  at 

HARLEM,  August,  1776. 

Your  Memorialists  humbly  propose  that  an  immediate  order  of  this 
honourable  Convention  be  issued  to  prevent  the  paper-makers  from  being 
compelled  or  permitted  to  go  upon  military  service,  since,  in  the  present 
infant  state  of  that  necessary  manufactory,  the  check  it  would  receive  in 
either  of  these  cases  would,  in  all  human  probability,  entirely  suppress 
the  manufactory,  which  has  been  for  many  months  past,  and  is  at  present, 
the  only  means  of  supply  of  paper  to  every  department  and  business  in 
the  State,  which,  without  it,  would  be  laid  in  the  most  distressing  and 
extensive  difficulties,  which  will  be  obvious  to  every  one  upon  the  least 
consideration.  The  Continental  Congress,  sensible  of  this,  have  lately 
passed  an  order  respecting  the  paper-makers  of  Pennsylvania,  similar  to 
this  now  requisite  in  this  Slate,  where  it  is  hoped  the  same  reasons  will 
have  a  similar  effect. 

If  this  matter  should  be  thought  deserving  the  notice  of  this  honour- 
able House,  it  is  humbly  requested  that  they  would,  as  speedily  as  pos- 
sible, issue  their  orders,  since  the  least  delay  may  irretrievably  ruin  some 
paper  manufactories  which  have  supplied  the  Continental  stor.es  with 
great  quantities  of  stores  absolutely  necessary  for  publick  service,  have 
supplied  several  other  necessary  businesses,  and  are  now,  by  being  com- 
pelled into  military  service,  upon  the  very  point  of  dissolution. 

The  inaccuracies  in  this  hasty  expression  of  our  sentiments  will  be 
excused  it  is  hoped,  by,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servants, 

JOHN  HOLT,  Printer. 


CHARLES  LOOFLEY,  )  „ 

THOS.  ELMS,  \  P«P'™aken. 


\Jlugust  11,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  Colonel  Nicholas  Covenhoten,  from  King's  County,  called 
on  me  to  request  I  would  apply  for  commissions  for  the  following  per- 
sons, to  command  the  troops  draughted  from  his  Regiment,  viz:  John 
Lane  Captain,  Nicholas  Van  Brunt  First  Lieutenant,  Michael  Van  Klerf 
Second  ditto — for  one  Company.  Hannanus  Caspar,  Lieutenant,  to  com- 
mand twenty  men,  but  to  be  under  the  command  of  Captain  Lane. 

Colonel  Covenlwven  informed  me  that  the  men  are  all  raised,  and  now 
at  Jacques'  Bay,  and  ready  for  any  duty  they  may  be  ordered  upon. 
Be  so  good  to  deliver  the  enclosed  to  Major  *1beel. 
I  am,  respectfully,  sir,  your  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

HENRT  REMSEW. 
To  John  McKesson,  Esq. 


1511 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1512 


informing  that  Colonel  Covenhoven,  of  King's  County  Militia, 
requests  Commissions  for  the  following  Officers,  to  command 
the  draughts  of  the  Militia  in  the  said  County,  pursuant  to 
the  Resolves  of  the  Convention  of  10th  instant,  to  wit: 
Thomas  Lane  Captain,  Nicholas  Van  Brunt  First  Lieute- 
nant, Michael  J'an  Clcef  Second  Lieutenant,  for  one  Com- 
pany; Harmanus  Casper  Lieutenant,  to  command  twenty 
men,  hut  to  be  under  the  command  of  Captain  Lane — 
these  not  being  Officers  of  the  Militia,  was  read,  and  com- 
mitted to  Colonel  Blackwcll,  Mr.  Harper,  and  Mr.  //'/*/(/ r. 
Jun. 

A  Letter  from  General  Scott, of  the  13th  instant,  addressed 
to  John  McKesson,  Esq.,  stating  some  difficulties  in  having 
Taylor  Jlillctt  committed  to  his  disposal,  and  also  requiring 
that  the  Commissions  of  the  Officers  of  his  Brigade  be  dated 
previous  to  the  14th  June,  otherwise  they  will  lose  their 
proper  rank,  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  McKesson  inform  General  Scott  that, 
in  consequence  of  the  absence  of  the  President,  new  Com- 
missions cannot  at  present  be  issued,  and  that  the  Convention 
do  not  conceive  that  they  can  properly  further  interfere  in 
regard  to  Willett  Taylor. 

A  Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull,  Commissary-General, 
was  received  and  read.* 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  this  Convention  will  furnish 
Joseph  Trumbull  with  the  whole  or  such  part  of  the  salted 
Pork  belonging  to  this  Convention,  and  which  is  now  stored 
in  fVcstchcsler  County,  as  he  shall  stand  in  need  of  for  the 
immediate  use  of  the  Continental  Army  now  at  New-  York 
and  its  neighbourhood,  agreeable  to  the  request  of  his  Letter 
of  this  day. 

And  Ordered,  That  the  persons  who  have  the  whole  or 
any  part  of  the  said  salted  Pork  in  their  possession  do  deliver 
to  the  bearer  hereof,  Mr.  Daniel  Gray,  the  whole  or  such  part 
of  the  said  Pork  as  he  shall  think  proper  to  take,  for  the 
use  aforesaid,  and  his  receipt  fpr  the  same  shall  be  to  them 
a  sufficient  voucher  for  such  delivery. 

Thursday,  A.  M.,  August  15,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 

NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Major  Abeel,  Colonel  Broome, 
Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Jay,  (the  two  last  on  duty.) 

TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Colonel  Liv- 
ingston, Mr.  Bleecker. 

KING'S. — Mr.  Polhemus. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer, 

SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Wm.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwett,  Mr.  Hobart. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Jno.  Smith,  Mr.  Wisner. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris. 

ULSTER. — Mr.  Wisner,  Jun.,  Mr.  Contine,  Col.  DC  Witt. 

DJUTCHESS. — Mr.  H.  Schenck,  Mr.  Socket t,  Mr.  London. 

The  Member  for  King's  departed  before  sundry  of  the 
other  Members  came  in  whereby  there  was  a  representa- 
tion of  the  Colony. 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington,  of  the  14th  instant, 
was  received  and  read,  and  is  as  follows,  to  wit: 

"  New-York,  August  14,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  I  have  no  objection  to  your  taking  Willet 
Taylor,  Esq.'s  parole,  or  such  other  security  as  you  may 

*  NEW-YORK,  .Jugvst  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  have  been  informed  that  you  have,  in  Westchesler 
County,  about  one  thousand  barrels  pork,  which  you  had  purchased 
and  stored  for  the  use  of  the  Slate  otNcic-Yark,  to  lie  by  till  occasion 
should  call  for  the  use  of  it.  Large  numbers  of  men  are  now  coming 
into  this  city  and  its  neighbourhood,  in  defence  of  the  liberties  of  run- 
country.  I  have  been  disappointed  of  some  pork  which  I  expected,  and 
have  sent  into  Massachusetts-Bay  for  about  three  thousand  barrels  from 
thence,  which  are  now  on  their  way,  but  not  arrived,  and  I  have  not  now 
on  hand  so  much  as  I  could  wish.  Some  of  yours  is  in  such  situation 
that  it  may  soon  be  had.  I  must  therefore  request  the  favour  of  you 
to  give  Mr.  Daniel  Gray,  the  bearer,  an  order  on  the  persons  who  are 
[possessed  of  your  pork,  for  the  whole  or  such  part  thereof  as  you  shall 
judge  proper,  that  he  may  take  immediate  and  effectual  care  to  get  it  to 
this  city  and  its  neighbourhood.  His  receipts  shall  be  your  vouchers 
against  me  for  it,  and  I  will  pay  the  cash  for  the  pork  on  demand,  or 
replace  it  when  my  pork  arrives,  or  return  the  same  if  we  have  not 
occasion  to  use  it;  or  settle  the  whole  matter  in  such  way  and  manner  as 
.shall  be  most  agreeable  to  you.  I  hope  you'll  not  deny  my  request,  in 
the  present  situation— it  is  of  importance  to  the  general  service. 

1  am, gentlemen,  with  respect  and  esteem,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Jos.  TRUMBULL. 
•To  tne  Honourable  Congress  of  the  State  of  Aeic- York. 


esteem  sufficient  to  prevent  him  from  taking  an  unfriendly 
part  against  the  United  States  of  America. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  Go.  WASHINGTON." 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  taken  into  consideration  to- 
morrow morning,  at  which  time  Mr.  Taylor  is  requested  to 
attend. 

And  it  is  also  Ordered,  That  Mr.  TrediceU  notify  the 
witnesses  also  to  attend. 

A  Letter  from  Rd.  Benger,  of  the  27th  July,  was  read 
and  committed  to  Colonel  Broome. 

A  Letter  from  Henry  Wilmot,*  of  the  14th  instant,  en- 
closing the  examination  of  John  Sloane  and  Thomas  Clarke, 
committed  by  General  Putnam,  and  requesting  directions 
relative  to  them,  was  read,  and  referred  to  Mr.  Tredwett,  Mr. 
Abed,  and  Colonel  Livingston. 

Colonel  Livingston,  who  was  directed  to  inquire  into  the 
facts  stated  by  Captain  Alexander  Hamilton's  Letter,  read 
yesterday,  reported  that  the  facts  stated  by  Captain  Hamil- 
ton are  correct. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  whereas  Thomas  Thompson, 
late  a  Sergeant  in  Captain  Hamilton's  Company  of  Artillery, 
has  been  represented  to  this  Convention  as  a  person  who 
has  discharged  his  duty  in  his  office  as  aforesaid  with  un- 
common fidelity,  assiduity,  and  expertness: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  said  Thomas  Thompson 
be  promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  Lieutenant  in  the  said  Com- 
pany, and  that  this  Convention  will  exert  themselves  in  pro- 
moting from  time  to  time  such  privates  and  non-commis- 
sioned officers  in  the  service  of  this  State  as  shall  distinguish 
themselves  by  their  sobriety,  valour,  and  subordination  to 
their  officers. 

Ordered,  That  this  Resolution  be  published  in  the  news- 
papers of  this  State. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Duer, 

Ordered,  That  copies  of  the  last  Resolution  be  transmit^ 
ted  to  the  Officers  commanding  the  New-  York  Regiments, 
to  be  by  thern-communicated  to  their  Regiments. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Morris  be  added  to  the  Committee 
with  Colonel  Broome,  on  the  Letter  from  R.  Benger,  read 
yesterday. 

A  Letter  from  Jacob  Cuyler  and  Leonard  Gansevoort, 

*  NEW-YORK,  August  14,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  you  have  the  examination  taken  after  the  com- 
mitment of  John  Sloane  and  Thomas  Clarke.  They  were  first  examined 
by  General  Putnam,  on  which  I  was  sent  for;  and,  with  his  approbation, 
they  were  committed  to  jail,  which  the  Committee  approved  of,  and  now 
wait  for  your  further  directions,  or  to  send  them  to  the  Convention,  as 
the  General  thinks  something  further  with  them  ought  to  be  done  imme- 
diately. 

The  Committee  received  from  Rye  an  account  that  information  had 
been  given  the  Committee  there,  that  Benjamin  Clapf  had  purchased  a 
box  of  tea  at  .Veto- York ,  and  that  the  vender  would  not  lake  any  other 
but  hard  money  for  the  same;  that,  on  Clapp's  examination  before  them, 
he  declared  he  did  not  know  the  person  from  whom  it  was  purchased; 
that  John  Hitchcock,  a  carman,  had  sent  it  to  him.  Hitchcock  was  sent 
for  by  this  Committee,  but  he  would  give  no  answer  to  any  proper  ques- 
tion put  to  him,  and  only  said,  if  he  had  done  wrong,  he  must  suffer  for 
it.  Without  taking  notice  of  the  great  contempt  he  showed  to  the  Com- 
mittee, they  were  unanimously  of  opinion,  that  he  was  a  person  whose 
going  at  large  might  be  of  dangerous  consequences  to  this  State,  and 
therefore  ordered  him  to  jail.  The  Committee  would  be  glad  to  receive 
some  instructions  from  the  Convention,  as  it  clearly  appears  lo  them  he 
has  violated  the  resolves  of  the  Congress,  both  with  respect  to  the  price 
and  money  he  paid  for  it,  and  that  he  has  done  it  to  screen  a  person  of 
much  more  consequence  to  the  publick  than  a  carman. 

George  King,  a  lad,  apprentice  to  McLean,  the  shoemaker,  was  com- 
mitted for  breaking  open  and  robbing  the  house  that  Benjamin  Darin 
lived  in  of  £5  10s.  .Ibraliam  Jones,  another  apprentice,  was  concerned 
with  him,  but  he  has  not  yet  been  taken. 

If  this  mode  of  application  to  the  Convention,  to  obtain  their  answer 
as  soon  as  possible,  is  most  agreeable  to  the  Representatives  of  this  City 
and  County,  what  other  instructions  the  General  Committee  may  from 
time  to  time  want,  shall  be  applied  for  in  this  way,  by,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient,  humble  servant,  HENRY  WILMOT. 

To  the  Representatives  of  .New-York,  t 

John  Sloane  says  he  worked  at  Hobitck  for  Mr.  Bayard.  He  stopped 
work  after  Mr.  Bayard  went  away,  for  fear  he  should  not  get  paid;  that 
he  afterwards  went  in  the  ferry-boat,  had  some  encouragement  given 
him  from  Mr.  Murray  to  work  in  his  salt  works  at  the  back  of  Long- 
Island,  and  got  a  boat  to  go  there;  was  on  his  way,  off  Red-Hook,  betwixt 
Gibbet-Island  and  Long-Island,  when  taken.  One  Thomas  Clarke  was  with 
him.  Sloane  says  he  did  not  know  where  Mr.  Murray's  salt  works 
stood,  but  was  going  to  Red-Hook  to  inquire.  It  is  better  than  two 
months  since  applied  to  to  work  with  Mr.  Murray. 

Thomas  Clarke  says  he  left  Hobitck  to  go  to  Long-Island,  with  an  inten- 
tion to  so  to  Mr.  Murray's  salt  works,  but  was  taken  off  Red- Hook,  near 
eleven  o'clock  at  night;  was  in  a  boat,  which  he  believes  belongs  to  Mr. 
Bayard.  The  reason  of  his  going  away  was,  he  was  afraid  of  being 
taken  by  Captain  Johnson  on  a  suspicion  of  carrying  some  persons  on 
board  the  rnen-of-war;  confesses  he  carried  Captain  Benson  to  Slaten- 
Island  some  time  ago;  it  was  before  the  fleet  arrived. 


1513 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1514 


Esqs.,  Commissioners  sent  to  the  Northern  Army,  was  re- 
ceived and  read,  and  is  in  die  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  Albany,  August  9, 1776. 

"Sm:  On  Sunday,  the  27th  July,  about  ten  o'clock,  A. 
M.,  we  received  your  letter  covering  two  resolutions  and  a 
letter  to  Major-Genera!  Gates,  and  at  about  two,  P.  M.,  we 
set  out  for  Ticonderoga,  in  obedience  to  your  requisition, 
from  whence  we  returned  last  night,  and  now,  by  express, 
transmit  you  the  enclosed  papers.  The  General  has  been 
so  very  particular  with  respect  to  some  matters,  that  it  would 
be  trespassing  on  your  patience  to  repeat  them.  The  letter 
from  the  General,  and  the  papers  therein  referred  to,  will 
give  a  full  and  explicit  idea  of  the  state  of  our  Army  in  that 
quarter  and  their  operations.  You  will  find  among  the 
papers  a  list  of  the  vessels  now  lying  at  Crown-Point  with 
one  month's  provisions  on  board,  and  they  propose  by  the 
middle  of  next  week  to  proceed  down  Lake  Champlain  to 
some  narrow  pass  in  the  Lake,  to  annoy  the  enemy,  should 
they  come  out ;  and  also  another  list  of  those  on  the  stocks 
and  intended  to  be  built,  from  which  you  will  be  enabled  to 
judge  whether  any  and  what  dependance  can  be  made  on 
that  part  of  our  defence. 

"  It  appears  to  us  that  the  enemy  will  not  be  able  to  get 
a  fleet  superior  in  number  to  ours,  nor  officers  better  skilled 
to  command  them  than  Brigadier-General  Arnold  and  Com- 
modore Wynkoop;  we  conceive,  therefore,  that  the  com- 
mand of  the  Lakes  cannot  be  taken  from  us  this  year,  and 
that  the  greatest  dependance  can  be  made  upon  that  de- 
fence. 

"  We  are  extremely  happy  to  inform  you  that  the  unhappy 
differences  which  have  subsisted  between  the  New-England 
and  Southern  troops  are  more  or  less  subsided,  and  that  there 
seems  to  be  more  harmony  and  concord  between  them  than 
there  has  been  from  report;  but  we  are  apt  to  think  that  it 
has  been  greatly  exaggerated  by  persons  who  perhaps  would 
wish  it  to  be  so. 

"  You  will  observe  in  the  map  the  full  extent  of  the  old 
French  lines  which  are  now  repairing ;  and  we  do  assure 
you,  that  from  their  appearance  and  the  character  of  the 
Pennsylvania  and  Jersey  troops  that  are  stationed  there, 
we  have  the  greatest  expectations  that,  should  the  enemy 
attempt  to  force  them,  they  will  receive  as  bloody  a  repulse 
as  that  of  General  Abercrombie  in  the  last  war. 

"  The  fortifications  on  the  heights  of  Mount  Independence 
are  exceedingly  well  calculated,  in  our  opinion ;  but  as  we 
cannot  be  persuaded  that  the  enemy  will  ever  come  up  so 
high  to  land  as  to  c6me  within  the  reach  of  cannon-shot 
from  that  battery,  we  conceive  it  unnecessary  to  expatiate 
on  its  utility.  Besides  the  redoubts  marked  out  upon  the 
map,  there  are  to  be  three  others  erected — one  upon  an  emi- 
nence to  the  northeast  corner  of  the  old  French  lines,  and 
two  between  that  and  the  redoubt  marked  "  old  redoubt," 
being  the  second  from  the  fort.  These  redoubts,  together 
with  those  marked  out  upon  the  plan  or  map,  will,  we  con- 
ceive, be  sufficient  to  oppose  the  landing  of  the  enemy  at 
the  place  the  most  advantageous  to  them,  and,  indeed,  the 
only  one  where  it  will  be  possible  for  them  ever  to  effect  it. 

"That  we  might  inform  ourselves  of  everything  that  was 
carried  on  above,  we  took  our  tour  by  the  way  of  Lake 
George,  and  returned  by  the  way  of  Skenesborough ;  hence 
we  have  received  all  the  intelligence  that  was  to  be  obtained 
at  those  posts  and  upon  the  communication,  and  it  is  with 
great  satisfaction  we  inform  you  that  everything  flows  through 
a  proper  channel,  and  the  whole  well  organized.  There  is 
nothing  so  much  wanted  as  medicine  and  artillery:  the 
want  of  the  former  is  so  great,  that  it  is  shocking  to  behold 
the  number  of  sick  that  die  daily  for  the  mere  want  of  that 
article;  but  as  we  suppose  that  Dr.  Samuel  Stringer  has 
been  with  you,  and  has  given  you  a  state  of  the  hospital 
at  Fort  George,  we  shall  say  no  more  on  that  subject. 

"  We  enclose  you  a  copy  of  the  examination  of  two 
French  officers,  who  were  examined  by  Major-General  Gates 
and  sent  down  to  this  place,  as  also  the  examination  of  one 
Lieutenant  Whitcomb,  of  our  Army,  who  has  been  out  on  a 
scouting  party.  From  them  you  will  collect  all  the  intelli- 
gence with  respect  to  the  movements  of  the  enemy  that  is 
in  our  power  to  communicate. 

"  Major  Bigelow,  who  went  out  with  the  flag  from  Gene- 
ral Gates  to  St.  John's,  is  not  yet  returned  ;  what  detains  him 
we  know  not ;  he  has  now  been  out  twenty-two  days. 
"  We  hear  from  the  German-Flats  that  General  Schuyler 


and  Mr.  Douw  have  not  yet  finished  the  treaty  with  the 
Indians,  and  that  there  are  between  sixteen  hundred  and 
seventeen  hundred  Indians  there,  and  it  is  expected  that 
they  will  finish  by  Monday;  that  the  Indians  show  very 
friendly  dispositions,  and  extremely  lament  perfidy  of  indi- 
viduals who  have  been  so  base  as  to  take  up  the  hatchet 
against  their  American  brethren. 

"  General  Gates  requested  of  us  to  forward  his  despatches 
by  our  express,  and  to  beg  the  Convention  to  forward  them, 
without  a  moment's  loss  of  time,  to  Congress. 

"  We  are,  sir,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  most  obedient 
and  most  humble  servants, 

"  JACOB  CUTLER, 

"  LEONARD  GANSEVOORT. 

"To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  State  of  New-  York. 

"  P.  S.  General  Waterbury  has  about  twelve  hundred 
men  with  him  at  Skenesborough,  and  were  daily  coming  in 
there  from  every  quarter  from  the  eastward." 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  and  Papers  therein  en- 
closed be  referred  to  the  consideration  of  a  Committee,  to 
consist  of  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Tredwell,  and  Mr.  Marsh. 

Die  Veneris,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  16,  1776. 
Present:  Abm.  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 

NEW-YORK. — Colonel    Broome,   Mr.    Beekman,    Captain 
Denning,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Dunscomb,  Colonel  Lott. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bkecker. 

SUFFOLK. — Mt.  W.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Hobart. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Confine. 

QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Mr.  J.  Toumsend,  Mr.  W. 
Smith. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  H.  Schenck,  Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  London. 

WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  General  Morris,  Mr.  Ham- 
land,  Judge  Graham. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Wisner,  Mr.  Jos.  Smith. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 

•  Captain  Denning  informed  the  Convention  that  William 
Tundran,  the  Pilot,  had  informed  him  that  the  navigation  of 
the  East  River  may  be  very  easily  obstructed  between  the 
Battery  and  Nutten-Island  •  that  Tundran  further  informed 
him  that  the  depth  of  water  at  a  particular  place  which  he 
could  point  out,  did  not  exceed  five  fathoms,  and  that  the 
navigation  could  be  obstructed  in  four  hours  after  proper 
vessels  are  prepared  for  that  purpose. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Denning  wait  on  his  Excellency 
General  Washington  and  give  him  the  above  information, 
and  that  William  Tundran  is  one  of  our  best  pilots.  And 
that  Captain  Denning  further  inform  his  Excellency  that  it 
will  be  agreeable  to  the  wishes  of  this  Convention  that  the 
navigation  of  the  East  River  should  be  there  obstructed,  if 
he  shall  think  it  advantageous  for  the  defence  of  this  State. 

The  Convention  were  informed  that  a  number  of  Cannon 
are  yet  lying  beyond  the  King's  Bridge,  and  so  exposed 
that  they  may  be  taken  by  the  enemy,  should  an  attempt  of 
that  kind  be  made;  at  the  same  time,  that  they  are  neces- 
sary for  the  defence  of  the  Works  at  General  Clinton's 
Encampment. 

Resolved,  That  General  Clinton  be  requested  with  all 
possible  despatch  to  remove  all  the  Cannon  fit  for  use, 
which  lie  near  the  road  to  New-Rochelle,  to  his  Encamp- 
ment, and  that  this  Convention  will  defray  the  contingent 
charges. 

Resolved,  That  General  Clinton  be  requested  to  employ 
as  many  Carpenters  as  possible,  to  make  Carriages  for  such 
Guns  as  he  thinks  necessary  for  the  defence  of  the  Works  to 
the  northward  of  King's  Bridge. 

A  Certificate  of  William  Miller,  Deputy  Chairman  of  the 
General  Committee  of  Wcstchester  County,  was  read  and 
filed.*  He  thereby  certifies  that  Zephaniah  Miller  is  ap- 

*This  is  to  certify  that  Zephaniali  Miller  is  appointed  a  Lieutenant  to 
Captain  Micah  Totcnsend,  upon  his  First  Lieutenant  Samuel  Toicmend 
bein"  promoted  to  a  Captaincy,  which  said  appointment  has  received 
the  universal  approbation  of  the  General  Committee  for  the  County  of 
WtHchater. 

By  order  of  Committee:  WM.  MILLER,  Deputy  Chairmnn, 

To  the  Honourable  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of 
A'etc-Forfc. 


1515 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1516 


pointed  a  Lieutenant  to  Captain  Micha  Townscnd,  upon 
his  First  Lieutenant  Samuel  Townscnd  having  been  promo- 
ted to  a  Captaincy;  which  said  appointment  had  received 
the  universal  approbation  of  the  General  Committee  for  the 
County  of  Westchester. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  be  issued  for  the  said  Z. 
Miller,  as  Lfeutenant  of  Captain  Micha  Townsend's  Com- 
pany. 

Two  Letters  from  David  Matthews,  E«q.,  one  to  Gene- 
ral WoodhuU,  the  other  to  his  wife,  with  a  Mittimus  enclosed  ; 
also  a  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Litchjield,  and  another 
from  Moses  Seymour,  were  respectively  read,  and  referred  to 
Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Hobart. 

Two  Letters  from  the  Secret  Committee  at  Poughkeepsie, 
by  Captain  Henry  Benson,  were  read,  and  are  in  the  words- 
following,  to  wit: 

"  Poughkeepsie,  August  13,  1776. 

"Sin:  Among  other  measures  devised  for  the  defence  of 
Hudson's  River,  we  have  purchased  and  are  fitting  out  two 
sloops,  eacli  of  them  more  than  a  match  for  a  tender.  We 
have  given  Captain  Benson  the  command  of  one,  Captain 
Caswell  of  the  other.  It  will  be  impracticable  to  get  a 
sufficient  number  of  men  for  them  here,  or,  in  our  opinion, 
elsewhere,  unless  permission  be  given  to  the  Captains  to 
inlist  them  from  among  the  new  levies.  We  have  written 
to  General  Washington  on  tbe  subject,  and  hope  this  expe- 
dient will  meet  with  the  approbation  of  the  Convention. 

"  The  State  of  Connecticut  has  sent  us  twenty  cannon — 
ten  twelves  and  ten  six-pounders — with  fifty  rounds  of  shot 
to  each  cannon.  > 

"  Business  grows  upon  our  hands,  and  if  Messrs.  Yates, 
Jay,  and  Livingston,  are  recalled,  a  quorum  will  not  be  left, 
and  consequently  nothing  further  can  be  done.  We  beg  the 
direction  of  the  Congress  on  this  point,  for  we  have  not  the 
least  reason  to  expect  that  the  state  of  our  affairs  here  will 
admit  of  our  return  to  the  Convention  by  the  26th  instant. 

"  We  are,  sir,  your  humble  servants. 
"  By  order  of  the  Secret  Committee: 

"  ROBT.  YATES,  Chairman. 

"To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion of  the  State  of  New-  York." 

"  Poughkeepsie,  August  14,  1776. 

"  SIR:  We  find  it  necessary  to  direct  Captain  Benson  to 
endeavour  to  purchase  at  New-York  a  number  of  articles 
for  the  armed  vessels  now  fitting  out  here,  which  we  cannot 
procure  at  this  place,  and  beg  that  all  possible  assistance 
may  be  given  him.  As  the  Convention  now  sit  at  Harlem, 
and  the  moneys  advanced  to  us  will  not  be  more  than  ade- 
quate to  the  expenses  already  incurred,  we  do  not  think  it 
advisable  to  give  Captain  Benson  any  money  to  carry  with 
him,  but  request  the  favour  of  your  honourable  House  to 
supply  him  with  as  much  money  as  may  be  necessary  for 
the  purpose  above  mentioned.  As  we  may  be  shortly  under 
the  necessity  of  requesting  further  supplies,  we  hope  care  has 
been  taken  to  put  the  treasury  in  such  a  condition  as  that 
no  delays  in  a  matter  so  important  may  be  occasioned. 

"We  have  applied  to  General  Washington  for  an  order- 
on  John  B.  Livingston  for  as  much  powder  as  may  be 
necessary  for  both  vessels,  and  we  think  it  would  not  be 
improper  that  the  General  should  be  properly  informed  of 
the  state  of  your  Magazines,  and  thereby  be  led  to  perceive 
the  propriety  of  our  applying  for  Continental  powder. 

"  We  are  your  most  humble  servants. 
"  By  order  of  the  Committee: 

"  ROBT.  YATES,  Chairman." 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letters  be  referred  to  Mr.  Duer 
and  Colonel  De  Wilt. 

Mr.  Duer,  from  the  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the 
Letters  from  the  Secret  Committee  at  Poughkeepsie,  having 
reported  thereon,  the  Convention  agreed  to  a  recital,  in  the 
words  following,  namely: 

Whereas  the  Secret  Committee,  appointed  by  this  Con- 
vention to  devise  means  for  annoying  the  enemy's  ships, 
and  obstructing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River,  having, 
by  their  letter  received  this  day,  informed  the  Convention 
of  their  fitting  out  two  armed  vessels  at  Poughkeepsie,  and 
giving  the  command  of  one  of  them  to  Captain  Henry  Ben- 
son, who  they  have  sent  down  to  New-  York  to  procure  and 
purchase  sundry  articles  necessarily  required  in  filling  out 


said  vessels,  and  requesting  the  Convention  to  supply  Cap- 
tain Benson  with  money  for  that  purpose: 

Ordered,  That  Peter  V.  B.  Livingston,  Esq.,  as  Trea- 
surer of  this  Convention,  advance  to  Captain  Henry  Benson 
the  sum  of  £500,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  and  take  his 
receipt  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Eccun  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  di- 
rected to  deliver  the  Continental  Salt*  now  on  board  of  his 
Vessel,  at  Fire-Island  Inlet,  to  the  Commissary-General  or 
his  order. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  Resolution  be 
served  on  Captain  Eccun,  and  that  one  other  copy  thereof, 
with  a  copy  of  Captain  Dcnning's  Letter  to  this  Conven- 
tion, be  immediately  sent  by  Captain  Eccun  to  Joseph  Tmm- 
bull,  Esq.,  the  Commissary-General. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Mr.  Thomas  Grant  be  re- 
quested to  furnish  this  Convention  with  an  inventory  of  the 
Medicine  which  he  has  lately  received  by  Captain  Eccun, 
with. the  price  of  each  article,  in  order  that  this  Convention 
may  have  the  preference  of  purchasing  such  articles  as  they 
think  necessary  for  the  use  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  State.f 

•SIR:  The  bearer  of  this  is  Captain  Excecn,  of  the  brig  Friendship, 
loaded  by  me  in  Jipril  last,  by  direction  of  a  Committee  of  Continental 
Congress,  with  wheat  and  flour  for  Lisbon.  He  is  returned  with  his  brig 
to  Fire-Island  Inlet  with  a  load  of  salt.  He  had  orders  to  apply  to  the 
Convention  of  whatever  Stale  he  arrived  at,  on  his  return  to  this  Conti- 
nent. He  now  waits  your  directions. 

Your  most  humble  servant,  WM.  DENNING. 

Friday  morning. 

He  left  Lisbon  seven  weeks  and  four  days  ago  this  day.  Captain 
Excecn  says  his  cargo  consists  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  moys  of 
salt  on  board,  on  account  of  the  Continental  Congress;  that  he  had  medi- 
cines on  board,  (three  or  four  hogsheads)  belonging  to  Thomas  Grant, 
shipped  by  Long,  about  or  between  .£300  or  .£400  sterling. 

To  .'36m.  Yales,  Jun.,  Esq. 

|  NEWARK  MOUNTAIN,  Jltigust  19,  1776. 

HONOURABLE  GENTLEMEN:  On  Saturday  last,  being  in  the  city,  though 
very  lame,  and  an  inflammation  to  my  wound  succeeding  my  travel,  and 
necessity  required  my  being  home  that  evening,  was  obliged  hastily  to 
answer  your  resolve  of  the  16th,  or  leave  it  undone,  on  such  paper  and 
in  such  order  I  should  otherwise  be  ashamed  of,  for  which  I  craved  your 
indulgence;  the  substance  of  which  1  shall  repeat,  though  I  have  no  copy, 
neither  can  I  be  certain  if  I  mentioned  what  1  was  determined  on  at 
writing,  to  have  the  privilege  of  exportation  as  if  the  whole  had  been, 
military  stores,  as  part  of  it  with  much  propriety  falls  under  that  denomi- 
nation. This  is  a  material  article  for  me  to  insist  upon,  as  otherwise 
my  vessel  may  be  unemployed. 

If  the  Convention  or  either  of  the  gentlemen  of  that  body  have  an  incli- 
nation to  employ  the  brig  Friendship,  (a  swift  sailer,)  wholly  or  in  part, 

1  shall  be  glad  to  know  their  proposals  soon. 

You  shall  be  welcome  to  take  all  the  medicines,  and  drugs  for  medi- 
cines in  particular,  and  the  few  other  articles  contained  in  the  invoice, 
such  as  pepper,  paper,  raisins,  and  currants.  If  you  think  proper,  all  the 
rest  must  go  together.  Copy  of  invoice  herewith  send  you.  Amount, 
with  charges  at  foot,  about  =£340  sterling,  of  which  the  medicines  is  the 
belter  half.  I  shall  be  fully  content  to  lake  the  generous  price  the  Con- 
gress published  should  be  given  for  military  stores.  As  an  example  of 
which,  =£30  currency  was  given  for  powder,  cost  in  Europe  =£4  sterling, 
or  thereabouts.  1  mean  to  have  =£30  for  every  .£4  sterling  at  foot  of 
invoice,  or  in  that  proportion  for  what  you  take.  When  I  receive  your 
answer  in  the  affirmative,  I  will  send  you  the  original  invoice.  1  sup- 
pose them  to  be  well  laid  in,  as  they  were  bought  for  ready  money. 

That  no  time  may  be  lost,  you  may  send  order  to  Captain  Alexander 
Exceen,  now  at  Long-Island,  for  the  delivery  of  them  to  your  order. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  honourable  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  THOS.  GRANT. 

To  the  Hon.  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 

Invoice,  Sfc.,  per  Friendship,  viz: 

LISBON,  June  20,  1776. 

8  bags,  containing  911  Ibs.  pepper at  250  per  Ib..  227,750 

2  barrels,  containing    alqrs.  prunes at  300  per  A. .  5,250 

4  bales,  containing  96  reams  paper at  880  per  R. .  84,480 

10  barrels  raisins,  at 4,400 44,000 

4  barrels  currants,  228  Ibs.  net,  at 45perlb..  32,760 

No.    2.  1  cask,  632  Ibs.  saltpetre,  at 200perlb..  126,400 

No.    4.  1  cask,  85  Ibs.  gum  Arabic,  at 240 20,400 

No.    7.  1  bottle,  130  Ibs.  oil  vitriol,  at ISOperlb..  19,500 

No.  10.  1  barrel,  94  Ibs.  crem.  tart.,  at ISOperlb..  14,100 

No.  11.  1  cask,  434  Ibs.  sulphur,  at 60perlb..  26,040 

No.  12.  1  barrel,  66  Ibs.  liquorice  ball,  at 150 9,900 

No.  13.  1  barrel,  50  Ibs.  camphor,  at 1,200 60,000 

No.  14.  1  tin  canister,  in  a  box,  64  Ibs.  oil 

capa,  at 360 23,040 

No.  15.  1  barrel,  62  Ibs.  raddish,  at 200 12,400 

No.  16.  1  cask,  185  juniper-berry,  at 150 27,750 

In  same,  cask  56  Ibs.  magnes.,  at..  320 17,920 

No.  17.  1  bottle,  in  a  barrel,  71  Ibs.  argent 

vivum,  at 750... 53,250 

No.  18.  1  tin  canister,  in  a  box,  61  Ibs.  oil 

almonds,  at 300 18,300 

No.  20.  1  cask,  920  Ibs.  magnes.,  at 320 294,400 

No.  22.  1  box,  12  reams  fine  paper,  at 2,400 28,800 


1,146,440 
Charges 86,882 

Rials 1,233,322 


1517 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1518 


A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Ulster  County,  in 
answer  to  theirs  of  the  4th  instant,  was  read  and  approved, 
and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  Harlem,  August  16, 1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN:  Your  letter  of  the  4th  instant,  directed  to 
the  Members  of  Ulster  County,  has  been  laid  before  this 
Convention,  in  answer  to  part  of  which  the  enclosed  resolu- 
tions have  been  passed,  and  are  now  sent  for  your  direc- 
tion. 

"  The  Convention  has  further  directed  me  to  acquaint 
you  that  no  fees  have  been  ordered  by  the  Convention  for 
the  Treasurers  appointed  by  the  County  Committees,  and, 
as  far  as  hath  come  to  our  knowledge,  no  fees  have  been 
demanded  by  the  Treasurers  in  the  other  Counties.  It  is 
therefore  hoped  that  the  Treasurer  of  Ulster  County  will 
not  be  singular  in  demanding  fees  for  the  payment  of  so 
small  a  sum. 

"  The  intention  of  the  Convention  on  passing  the  Resolu- 
tions for  raising  the  Rangers  was  that  they  should  be  mus- 
tered by  each  commissioned  officer  of  the  Company,  and 
each  of  the  said  officers  to  return  a  muster-roll  of  the  Com- 
pany to  which  he  belongs,  on  his  oath  of  office,  and  under 
the  penalty  in  the  said  resolutions  mentioned. 

"  1  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant. 

"  By  order. 

"  To  the  Chairman  and  Members  of  Committee  of  Ulster." 

Die  Sabbati,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  17,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present:  Abraham  Yate.i,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Colonel  Scott,  Captain  Den- 
ning, Mr.  Dunscomb,  Mr.  Beekman. 
ALB  AN  v. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  William  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Hobart. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Schenck,  Mr.  Sackett,  Mr.  Platt. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Wisner,  Mr.  Jo.  Smith. 
WESTCHESTEK. — Mr.  Morris,  General  Morris. 
QUEEN'S. — Colonel  Blackwell,  Mr.  James  Townsend,  Mr. 

William  Smith,  Colonel  Lawrence. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Contine,  Mr.  De  Witt. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens. 

Captain  Platt  informed  the  Convention  that  Colonel  Van 
Cortlandt  and  himself  are  much  in  want  of  cash  to  defray 
charges  accrued  for  the  support  of  the  Militia  which  have 
been  called  to  service  on  the  banks  of  Hudson's  River,  and 
also  to  supply  Brigadier-General  Clinton's  Brigade  with 
tents,  huts,  provisions,  and  other  necessaries. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  V.  B.  Livingston,  Esq.,  as  Trea- 
surer of  the  Convention  of  this  State,  advance  to  Colonel 
Van  Cortlandt  and  Captain  Platt  the  sum  of  £1,000  on 
account,  for  the  purposes  above-mentioned,  taking  the  receipt 
of  either  of  those  gentlemen  for  that  sum. 

General  Morris  informed  the  Convention  that  Mr.  David 
Dan,  under  his  direction,  has  raised  the  greater  part  of  a 
Company,  to  serve  in  Colonel  Thomas's  Regiment,  and  he, 
with  Mr.  Morris,  recommended  the  said  David,  Dan  as  a 
very  fit  person  to  be  appointed  Captain  of  a  Company,  and 
requested  that  a  Captain's  Commission  be  issued  to  the  said 
David  Dan,  as  a  Captain  in  that  Regiment. 

Ordered,  That  a  Commission  be  issued  to  him  imme- 
diately. 

General  Morris  further  informed  the  Convention  that  his 
present  Brigade-Major  is  now  employed  as  an  Aid-de-Camp 
to  a  General  Officer,  and  is  now  in  actual  service,  and  the 
General  recommended  Captain  Pell  to  be  the  Bri- 

gade-Major of  the  Militia  of  Westchester  County. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  said  Captain  Pell 

be  appointed  a  Major  of  Brigade  of  the  Militia  of  Westches- 
ter County,  and  that  a  Commission  issue  to  him  for  that 
purpose. 

Your  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  consideration 
of  the  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Kingston,  report,  that 
they  are  of  opinion  that  it  will  conduce  much  to  the  relief  of 
the  inhabitants,  as  well  as  to  the  safety  of  the  prisoners  of 
war  now  at  Kingston,  to  remove  the  said  prisoners  with  all 
possible  despatch  to  Morris-Town,  in  the  County  of  Morris, 
New- Jersey ;  that  the  Committee  of  the  Township  of  Kings- 


ton be  directed  to  cancel  the  old  paroles  given  by  the  said 
prisoners,  and  to  engage  them  under  new  paroles  to  pro- 
ceed to  said  place;  that  blank  printed  powers  be  sent  to  the 
Corrjiiiittee  of  Kingston  for  this  purpose,  that  they  may  be 
taken  with  more  accuracy,  and  that  the  said  Committee  be 
directed  to  send  a  guard  with  the  said  prisoners  to  Morris- 
Town  aforesaid,  and  to  enclose  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Morris-Town  aforesaid  a  certified  copy  of  the 
paroles  given  by  these  prisoners;  that  the  Committee  of  the 
Township  of  Kingston  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  authorized 
to  remove  the  Tories  now  in  their  Jail,  or  those  whom  they 
conceive  the  most  dangerous,  to  such  place  of  safety  as  they 
shall  think,  proper;  that  a  letter  be  wrote  to  the  Committee 
of  Kingston,  enclosing  those  resolutions. 

WM.  DUER,  Chairman. 

Which  said  Report,  being  read  and  changed  in  the  form 
of  Resolutions,  was  agreed  to. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Ulster  County 
was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to 
wit: 

"In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  Harlem,  August  17,  1776.      \  , 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  You'll  perceive  by  the  enclosed  resolu- 
tions that  the  prisoners  residing  among  you  are  to  be  sent  to 
Morris  County.  With  regard  to  the  difference  of  construc- 
tion to  that  part  of  their  paroles  which  respects  the  latitude 
intended  to  be  given  them  therein,  the  Convention  give  it  as 
their  opinion  that  the  prisoners  are  entitled  to  the  privilege 
of  passing  and  repassing  within  six  miles  in  every  direction 
from  your  Court-House;  which  I  am  directed  to  request  you 
to  communicate  to  the  prisoners,  and  also  to  transmit  a  copy 
of  this  letter,  with  the  other  papers,  to  the  Committee  of 
Morris  County. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant.    By  order. 

"The  Chairman  and  Members  of  the  Committee  of  Ulster 
County." 

Whereas  it  is  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  the  safety  of 
the  City  of  New-York  and  the  security  of  the  Continental 
Army  now  on  Long-Island  that  the  communication  between 
that  City  and  Island  should  not  be  obstructed  by  the  ene- 
my's ships: 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Rutgers  and  Patrick  Dennis  be 
requested  and  empowered  by  this  Convention  to  stop  up  the 
channel  between  the  Grand  Battery  and  Governour's  Island, 
in  case  they  shall  deem  the  same  practicable,  and  that  this 
Convention  will  defray  all  the  charges  incident  to  the  exe- 
cution of  this  design. 

Resolved,  That  General  Morris  be  empowered  to  pur- 
chase a  Sloop  belonging  to  Jesse  Hunt,  at  New-Rochelle, 
and  to  order  the  same  to  be  immediately  delivered  to  the 
above-named  gentlemen  at  New-  York,  loaded-  with  Stone. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  General  Washington,  to  enclose  the 
above  Resolution,  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  to  wit : 

"  Harlem,  August  17,  1776. 

.  "  SIR :  Mr.  Denning  hath  made  the  Convention  acquaint- 
ed with  your  Excellency's  sentiments  upon  obstructing  the 
navigation  of  the  East-River,  between  the  Grand  Battery 
and  Governour's  Island.  We  now  take  the  liberty  of  en- 
closing the  copy  of  our  resolution  for  that  purpose,  which, 
together  with  the  letter,  will  be  handed  to  your  Excellency 
by  the  gentlemen  of  the  Committee,  to  whom,  we  make 
no  doubt,  sir,  that  you  will  afford  every  assistance  in  your 
power. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c." 

Ordered,  That  Captain  James  Stewart,  with  such  part 
of  his  Company  as  is  already  inlisted,  join  Colonel  Malcom's 
Regiment,  as  a  part  thereof,  until  further  order;  and  that 
Colonel  Makom  be  requested  to  exert  his  usual  care  and 
diligence  in  having  that  Company  properly  provided  and 
trained  in  the  military  art. 

The  Petition  of  several  inhabitants  of  Queen's  County,- 
respecting  the  release  of  Doctor  David  Brooks,  was  read. 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  said  Petition  be  referred 
to  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  in  consequence  of 
whose  orders  the  said  David  Brooks  was  apprehended. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Lawrence  and  Mr.  Js.  Townsmd 
wait  upon  his  Excellency  with  the  said  Petition. 


1519 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1520 


Ordered,  That  Reuben  Weed  be  First  Lieutenant  of 
Captain  Dennis's  Company. 

An  Account  of  John  Dunlap  against  the  Secret  Com- 
mittee and  the  Committee  for  trying  disaffected  persons  and 
those  of  equivocal  characters,  Sic.,  as  their  Doorkeeper,  from 
19th  June  to  19th  August,  was  read  and  examined,  in  which 
lie  states  his  whole  account  .................................    £24    8 

And  credits  by  cash  of  John  McKesson....  £2  16 

by  cash  of  John  McKesson,  at 

another  time  .................      6  00 

by    cash    received    of  Abm. 


Depeyster  .........................      4  16 


,„ 


Balance  due  ........................................................    £10  16 


Ordered,  That  the  said  Account  of  John  Dunlap  be  de- 
livered to  the  Auditor-General,  to  audit  the  same  to  this  17th 
day  of  August  only,  and  that  the  said  John  Dunlap  be,  and 
he  is  hereby,  discharged  from  the  service  of  the  said  Com- 
mittee and  of  this  Convention. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Wm.  Smith,  Mr.  Harper,  and  Mr. 
Tredwell,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Socket,  Mr.  Stephens,  and  Mr. 
Confine,  or  any  five  of  them,  be  a  Committee  of  Safety  for 
this  State  from  the  adjournment  of  this  Convention  on  this 
day  until  their  next  meeting ;  that  every  member  who  shall 
attend  have  a  vote  or  voice,  and  that  the  said  Committee  be, 
and  are  hereby,  empowered  to  take  such  measures  and  ex- 
ercise such  powers  during  that  time  as  shall  appear  to  them 
necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  State. 

The  Report  of  John  McDonald,*  of  the  progress  he  had 
made  in  opening  the  Lead  Mine  at  Nine-Partners,  in  Dutch- 
ess  County,  and  the  accounts  and  papers  accompanying  the 
same,  were  read. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  Committee  of  Safety  take  into 
consideration  the  accounts  and  other  papers  delivered  in 
by  Mr.  John  McDonald,  and  that  they  report  on  Monday 
morning. 

Mr.  Hobart  and  Mr.  Duer,  a  Committee  to  consider  the 
case  of  Lieutenant  Bleecker,  and  others  in  like  circum- 
stances. 

Mr.  Harper  to  be  furnished  with  £25,  on  account  of  Tryon 
County,  on  his  receipt,  on  behalf  of  Tryon  County,  the 
County  to  be  accountable  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Peter  Van  B.  Livingston,  Esquire,  as 
Treasurer  of  this  Convention,  advance  to  Wm.  Harper,  a 
member  of  this  Convention,  for  the  County  of  Tryon,  the 
sum  of  £25 ;  and  that  the  said  sum  be  charged  to  the  said 
Wm.  Harper  and  the  said  County,  to  be  repaid  to  the  said 
Treasurer  by  the  said  Wm.  Harper,  or  the  said  County,  when 
either  shall  be  thereunto  required. 

•GENTLEMEN:  In  compliance  with  the  commands  of  the  honourable 
Provincial  Congress,  on  the  13th  June,  1776, 1  repaired,  with  all  possible 
diligence,  to  the  Great  Nine -Partners,  in  Dutchess  County,  and  there  con- 
ducted myself  and  labourers  with  all  endeavouring  to  work  and  open 
the  pits  or  shafts  of  the  mine.  After  concluding  the  repairing  and  clear- 
ing out  the  rubbish,  considered  on  Mr.  Moses  Harris's  information  rela- 
tive to  this  mine,  which  at  large  is  in  report  drawn  by  me  in  March  last, 
under  the  declaration  of  Jonathan  Landon,  Esq.,  to  which  may  compare 
this  report  of  its  circumstances,  as  in  the  manner  following: 

Beginning  at  the  northeast  end  of  the  hill,  where  have  cleared  two 
pits,  and  discovered  in  the  first  a  small  quantity  of  lead  ore,  lying  in 
three  different  places,  about  three  inches  diameter;  and  in  the  second 
pit  found  ore  in  four  sundry  spots,  in  proportion  equally  to  the  first  pit, 
about  four  foot  distant  from  one  appearance  to  another,  their  bottoms 
being  examined,  and  appeared  disagreeable  to  the  least  prospect.  Third- 
ly, beginning  to  the  southwest,  about  the  middle  ol  said  hill,  there 
cleared  two  pits  which  appeared  equally  in  quantity  and  quality  agree- 
able to  the  situation  of  the  first  and  last  pit  cleared  at  the  foresaid  north- 
east end  of  the  hill.  The  vein  of  sparr  appears  three  inches  broad; 
and  where  Mr.  Harriss  undertook  to  make  an  advantageous  discovery, 
have  digged  eighteen  foot  length,  and  about  three  foot  deep;  there  1  found 
a  vein  of  ore  containing  two  inches  broad,  at  which  spent  four  days,  and 
raised  near  three  or  four  hundred  weight  of  lead  ore;  but  it  appears  to 
be  sometimes  decreasing  and  increasing,  which  being  the  usual  case  in 
the  former  trials  done,  I  remarked  that  it  is  possible  to  procure  a  little 
quantity  of  ore  in  east  vein  or  branches  in  this  bounds;  therefore,  if 
your  Honours  incline  to  prosecute,  peradventure  in  expectation  to  face 
into  a  body,  the  method  is,  to  open  and  search  the  ground  where  sup- 
posed such  do  most  frequently  lie.  As  1  have  in  my  former  report 
described  at  large  the  dimension  and  situation  of  the  mine  hill,  I'll 
proceed  no  farther  concerning  adventuring  for  the  pubiick  purpose,  but 
leave  it  to  your  Honours'  serious  consideration. 

Gentlemen,  I  am  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

JOHN  Me  DONALD,  Miner. 

GENTLEMEN:  Ezra  Thomson,  Esq.,  was  very  punctual  looking  and  pro- 
riding  anything  wanted  to  the  mine.  He  surveyed  four  times  each  week, 
sometimes  inspected  three  times  in  a  day,  when  occasion  offered,  and 
assisted  us  with  his  horses,  by  which  attendance  spent  much  of  his  har- 
vest employment.  I  am  yours,  <fcc.,  JOHN  McDovALD,  Miner. 

GENTLEMEN:  In  compliance  with  the  desire  of  the  Congress,  I  super- 


,  That  the  papers  belonging  to  Isaac  Ketcham, 
now  in  the  hands  of  the  Secretary  of  this  Convention  be 
delivered  to  the  said  Isaac  Ketcham;  and  that  Captnin 
Jeremiah  Wool  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to  obtain  and 
transmit  to  this  Convention,  with  all  convenient  speed,  the 
whole  expense  which  has  occurred,  by  apprehending, 
securing,  and  keeping,  and  maintaining,  Israel  Youngs,  Isaac 
Youngs,  Philip  Youngs,  Isaac  Ketcham,  and  Henry  Daw- 
kins,  and  the  summoning  witnesses  against  them,  rendering 
the  said  accounts  as  particular  as  possible.  That  Captain 
Wool  therewith  transmit  an  account  of  the  moneys  by  him 
taken  or  received  from  the  said  Isaac  Ketcham,  and  what 
disposition  has  been  made  thereof,  together  with  any  part  of 
such  money  as  remain  in  his  hands. 

A  Letter  from  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  re- 
commending the  removal  of  the  women  and  children  from 
New-York,  was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing, to  wit : 

"  Head -Quarters,  New-York,  August  17,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN:  When  I  consider  that  the  City  of  New- 
York  will,  in  all  human  probability,  very  soon  be  the  scene 
of  a  bloody  conflict,  I  cannot  but  view  the  great  number  of 
women  and  children  and  infirm  persons  remaining  in  it  with 
the  most  melancholy  concern.  When  the  men-of-war 
passed  up  the  river  the  shrieks  and  cries  of  those  poor  crea- 
tures running  every  way  with  their  children,  was  truly  dis- 
tressing, and  I  fear  will  have  an  unhappy  effect  on  the  ears 
and  minds  of  our  young  and  inexperienced  soldiery.  Can 
no  method  be  devised  for  their  removal?  Many,  doubtless, 
are  able  to  remove  themselves,  but  there  are  others  in  a 
different  situation.  Some  provision  for  them  afterwards 
would  also  be  a  necessary  consideration.  It  would  relieve 
me  from  great  anxiety  if  your  honourable  body  would  imme- 
diately deliberate  upon  it,  and  form  and  execute  some  plan 
for  their  removal  and  relief,  in  which  I  will  cooperate  and 
assist,  to  the  utmost  in  my  power.  In  the  mean  time,  I  have 
thought  it  proper  to  recommend  to  persons  under  the  above 
description  to  convey  themselves  without  delay  to  some 
place  of  safety,  with  their  most  valuable  effects. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  much  regard,  gentlemen, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant. 

"Go.  WASHINGTON." 

The  same  being  read  and  considered, 

Resolved,  That  the  women,  children,  and  infirm  persons, 
in  the  City  of  Nr.w-  York,  be  immediately  removed  from  the 
said  city,  agreeable  to  General  Washington's  request  of  this 
House,  in  his  Letter  of  this  date. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Lott,  Mr.  James  Beekman,  Mr. 
Berrian,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  and  County 
of  New-  York,  and  Mr.  John  Campbell,  a  member  of  the 

intend  Mr.  John  McDonald's  proceedings  of  the  mines,  and  he  carefully 
conducted  himself  and  labourers  in  working  to  satisfaction,  and  that, 
preceding  to  the  13th  of  Jlugual,  1776,  and  keeped  regular  accounts  of 
the  same,  and  has  drawn  a  report  of  the  appearances,  the  truth  of  which, 
as  far  as  I  could  judge,  may  be  depended  on.  As  to  the  old  Irishman, 
one  Higgins,  who,  1  understand,  formerly  applied  to  your  Honours 
several  times,  with  a  sample  of  lead  ore,  proposing  to  be  from  an  advan- 
tageous prospect  discovered  by  himself,  which  sample  of  ore  I  found,  by 
examination,  he  got  from  other  persons,  and  that  he  had  no  discovery 
of  his  own,  therefore  do  not  give  the  least  dependance  to  what  he  says 
relative  to  mines,  &c.;  also,  he  is  very  disagreeable  to  the  neighbours. 
I  was  under  the  necessity  to  employ  him  as  a  labourer,  owing  to  the 
scarcity  of  workmen  here. 

I  also  send  the  account  of  the  labourers'  work,  which  is  one  hundred 
and  nine  days.  Also  what  money  I  have  advanced,  which  is  £  7  lls.  6d. 
I  also  advanced  £Z  to  Mr.  McDonald. 

I  have  taken  all  the  tools  and  ore,  for  which  I  gave  my  receipt,  and 
shall  wait  your  order  for  the  delivery  of  them.  Mr.  McDonald's  be- 
haviour was  very  agreeable  to  all  the  neighbours. 

Gentlemen,  I  am,  with  respect,  your  very  humble  servant, 

EZRA  THOMSON. 

I,  Ezra  Thomson,  Esq.,  at  the  Great  Nine-Partners,  Dutchess  County, 
do  hereby  acknowledge  to  have  received  from  the  honourable  Pro- 
vincial Congress  for  the  Colony  of  New-  York,  by  the  hands  of  John 
McDonald,  inspector  and  accountant  of  the  mine,  the  following  inventory 
of  mining  tools  which  hath  been  used  in  clearing  and  repairing  the  pits 
or  shafts,  &c.,  of  the  mines  here,  from  the  25th  June,  1776,  and  preceding 
the  13th  of  August  thereafter,  1776,  for  which  tools  I  become  under  the 
obligation  to  keep  safe  in  my  possession,  waiting  their  further  instruc- 
tion relative  to  this  mine,  or  until  the  same  is  delivered  to  any  having 
their  punctual  orders,  as  witness  my  hand  this  day  of  Jlugust,  1776. 

EZRA  THOMSON. 

Viz:  1  iron  maul,  hammer  or  sledge,  weighing  ;  2 spades  or  sho- 

vels; 2  iron  picks;  4  iron  wedges;  1  broad-raced  axe;  1  womble  or  auger, 
of  one  inch  diameter;  1  hand-saw;  10  fathom  rope,  with  one  iron  hook; 
1  windlass  wheel,  for  the  use  of  drawing  rubbish  from  pits  or  shafts;  2 
buckets,  eighteen  inches  deep,  with  iron  hoops  and  handles,  and  which 
are  left  full  of  lead-ore,  supposed  to  weigh  about  three  or  four  hundred 
weight;  and  after  it  is  well  dressed,  supposing  to  be  three  hundred 
weight. 


1521 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1522 


said  Committee,  be  empowered  to  remove  such  persons  to 
such  place  or  places  in  this  State  as  they  shall  think  proper, 
and  that  this  Convention  will  pay  the  expense  incurred  by 
such  removal  and  maintenance  of  such  pcissons  as  the  said 
Committee  shall  think  in  such  indigent  circumstances  as  not 
to  be  able  to  remove  and  subsist  themselves. 

Resolved,  That  the  General  Committee  of  the  City  of 
New-York  be  earnestly  requested  to  give  all  possible  assist- 
ance to  the  above  gentlemen  in  carrying  into  execution  the 
above  resolutions  in  the  most  humane  and  expeditious  man- 
ner possible. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  Van  B.  Livingston,  Esq.,  as  Trea- 
surer of  this  Convention,  advance  to  Colonel  I.,ott  and  Mr. 
James  Beekman,  or  either  of  them,  the  sum  of  £200,  to 
enable  them  to  carry  into  execution  certain  resolves  of  this 
Convention,  of  this  day,  for  removing  the  women  and  children 
and  infirm  persons  out  of  the  City  of  New-York,  and  take  a 
receipt  to  account  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Committee  appointed 
this  day  for  the  removal  of  the  women,  children,  and  infirm 
persons  from  the  City  of  New-  York,  do  immediately  report 
to  this  Convention  the  names  of  all  such  indigent  and  infirm 
persons  whom  they  think  entitled  to  the  charitable  exertions 
of  this  State,  together  with  the  number  of  each  family,  the 
maladies  under  which  they  may  labour,  and  the  place  or 
places  to  which  they  are  removed,  to  the  end  that  this  Con- 
vention may  discharge  the  duty  of  faithful  guardians  of  the 
publick  interest  and  happiness,  by  relieving  the  complaints 
of  the  infirm  and  the  wants  of  the  indigent  in  the  most 
humane  and  economical  manner  possible. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington, 
communicating  the  preceding  Resolution,  was  read  and  ap- 
proved, and  is  as  follows: 

"Harlem,  August  17,  1776. 

"Sia:  I  am  directed  to  inform  your  Excellency  that 
immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  your  favour  of  this  morning, 
respecting  the  women  and  children  and  infirm  persons 
remaining  in  the  City  at  New-York,  the  Convention  appoint- 
ed a  Committee  for  the  purpose  of  removing  and  providing* 
for  such  persons.  I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  Resolves  for  that 
purpose,  and  hope  you  will  soon  be  relieved  from  the  anxiety 
which  their  continuance  in  town  has  occasioned;  and  have 
the  honour  to  be,  with  very  great  respect,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant.  By  order. 
"  To  General  Washington." 

A  Letter  from  his  Excellency  General  George  Washing- 
ton, in  answer  to  the  Letter  respecting  the  obstructing  the 
navigation  of  the  East  River,  was  received  and  read,  and  is 
in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

"  New-York,  August  18,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  letter  of 
the  17th,  with  the  resolution  of  your  honourable  body  for 
obstructing  the  channel  betwixt  the  Grand  Battery  and 
Nutten-Island.  Having  gone  into  a  considerable  expense 
for  stopping  that  of  the  North  River,  and  such  as  I  am  not 
certain  I  shall  be  justified  in,  and  the  obstructions  there  being 
far  from  complete,  it  will  not  be  in  rny  power  to  engage  in 
the  business  you  propose,  or  undertake  to  advance  any  part 
of  the  money  which  will  be  necessarily  expended  in  the 
execution.  At  the  same  time  give  me  leave  to  assure  you, 
gentlemen,  that  I  shall  most  readily  afford  you  such  assist- 
ance as  may  be  derived  from  the  labour  of  the  troops  here, 
that  can  be  spared  from  other  service,  to  facilitate  the  design, 
which  will  be  of  great  importance,  if  it  can  be  executed.  I 
have  been  also  honoured  with  your  favour  and  resolution  of 
the  same  date,  and  am  exceedingly  obliged  by  the  ready 
attention  you  have  paid  to  rny  recommendation  for  the 
removal  of  the  women  and  children  and  infirm  persons  from 
this  city. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  gentle- 
men, your  most  humble  servant,  QQ  WASAINCTON." 

COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Die  Lunce,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  19,  1776. 
The  Committee  of  Safety  met :  Present :  William  Smith, 
Esq.,  Chairman ;  Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Thomas  Tredwell,  Mr. 
Adgate,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Jos.  Smith,  Mr.  Sackett,  Mr. 
Stephens,  Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr. 
Robert  Harper,  Mr.  Fan  Zandl,  Mr.  Sands. 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  96 


Captain  Woodhull,  of  the  Orange  County  Troo|j,  ap- 
pearing in  the  Committee  for  a  line  to  General  Clinton, 
signifying  their  approbation  of  discharging  that  Troop: 

Thereupon,  n  draft  of  a  Letter  to  General  Clinton  was  read 
and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"Sm:  Application  has  been  made,  to  us  as  a  Committee 
of  the  Convention,  in  their  adjournment  from  Saturday  last, 
by  Captain  Woodhull,  of  the  Orange  Troop,  with  your 
permission,  as  he  says,  to  request  a  dismission  from  present 
service  at  Hudson's  River.  If  you  should  be  of  opinion 
that  they  may  return  home,  consistent  with  the  publick 
safety,  you  will  no  doubt  give  them  permission,  as  it  will 
certainly  be  a  benefit  both  to  them  and  the  Stale  if  they  can 
be  allowed  to  give  some  attention  to  their  farms  even  for  a 
short  time.  This  matter  we,  however,  submit  entirely  to 
your  judgment,  as  you  can  form  the  best  opinion  what  men 
you  can  relieve  from  duty,  and  at  what  time  their  services 
may  be  dispensed  with.  We  are,  &tc. 
"To  General  Clinton." 

The  case  of  Captain  John  Wisner,  stated,  is  as  follows, 
to  wit: 

•  That  he  had  inlisted  about  twenty  Riflemen  in  Orange 
County,  and  about  twenty  at  Susquehannah ;  that  the  men 
in  Orange  County,  through  means  of  the  Committee,  have 
inlisted  in  the  Militia;  that  he  has  been  ordered  by  the  Field* 
Officers  of  the  Militia  of  Orange  County,  with  a  Lieutenant, 
to  raise  thirty-eight  men  of  the  Militia  for  the  present  ser- 
vice; that  he  has  inlisted  upwards  of  forty  men;  that  by  a 
letter  from  II.  Wisner,  Esq.,  he  has  permission  to  fill  up 
that  Company,  but  that  without  part  of  the  bounty  he  can- 
not supply  his  men  with  arms. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Socket  and  Mr.  Tredwell  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  report  thereon,  with  all  convenient  speed. 

The  Committee  took  into  consideration  Accounts  and 
papers  of  John  McDonald,  presented  on  Saturday  last;  and 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee  that 
John  McDonald,  Miner,  should  be  authorized  to  prosecute 
the  exploring  the  Lead  Mine  in  the  Great  Nine-Partners 
of  Ezra  Thomson,  Esq.,  till  further  orders  from  this  Con- 
vention or  a  future  Legislature  of  this  State,  on  the  same 
condition  he  was  before  employed  to  work  in  said  Mine; 
and  that  he 'report  his  proceedings  monthly  to  the  Conven- 
tion or  Legislature  of  this  State. 

The  Committee  took  into  consideration  the  apparent  ad" 
vantage  to  the  safety  of  this  State  to  have  the  obstruction3 
of  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River  fully  completed. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Duer  be,  and  is  hereby,  authorized 
and  requested  immediately  to  consult  with  his  Excellency 
General  Washington  on  the  subject  of  aiding  him  to  obstruct 
the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River,  opposite  to  Mount  Wash- 
ington, and,  if  the  General  shall  approve  of  the  measure,  that 
he  be  authorized  to  cooperate  with  his  Excellency,  and  pur- 
sue such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  for  that  purpose;  and 
if  Mr.  Duer  think  it  necessary,  he  may  despatch  S.  Dyckman, 
the  Messenger,  to  any  place  where  he  shall  think  proper. 

A  Letter  from  General  Morris,  dated  yesterday,  at  New- 
Rochclle,  was  read.*  He  signifies  his  opinion  that  it  would 
be  most  prudent  to  discharge  the  Militia  of  his  Brigade  at 
present,  with  orders  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march 
on  the  first  notice. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Jos.  Smith  inquire  of  his  Excellency- 
General  Washington  whether  the  discharge  of  that  Brigade 
at  present  will  interfere  with  any  plan  which  he  has  laid,  or 
directions  which  he  may  have  given,  for  the  defence  of  that 

•NEW-ROCHELLE,  August  18,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  that,  agreeable  to  direction  of 
Congress,  the  Militia  of  the  County  have  turned  out  with  great  cheer- 
fulness. As  there  is  no  enemy  in  the  Sonnd,  and  considering  the  present 
season  to  the  farmer,  I  take  the  liberty  to  recommend  the  dismissing  the 
Militia  for  the  present,  ordering  the  Captains  to  parade  and  discipline 
their  men  once  a  week,  and  that  they  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
march  on  the  shortest  notice.  I  am  particularly  inclined  to  the  measure, 
as  the  five  days'  provision  will  be  out  to-morrow,  and  no  Commissary 
of  Provisions  provided.  The  nrms  have  been  examined — the  greatest 
part  in  good  repair,  and  such  as  wanted  arc  put  in  the  hands  of  armour- 
ers, so  that  1  am  in  hopes  the  major  part  of  the  Militia  will  be  tolerably 
well  armed. 

A  soldier  having  misbehaved,  is  confined,  and  I  shall  order  a  Court- 
Martial  for  his  trial  to-morrow.  An  officer  is  also  charged  with  miabe- 
liaviour,  and  I  shall  direct  an  inquiry  into  that  matter;  being  determined, 
while  I  am  honoured  with  the  command,  to  use  my  best  endeavours  to 
preserve  strict  discipline.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient 
servant,  LEWIS  MORRIS, 

To  Abraham  Yates,  Esq. 


1523 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1524 


part  of  tlie  County,  and  if  their  discharge  will  not  interfere 
with  such  plan  or  direction,  that  they  he  discharged. 


CONVENTION. 
Tuesday  Afternoon,  August  20,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:'  Abraham  Yules,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 
NEW-YORK. — Col.  Broome,  Mr.  Dunscomb,  Mr.  Banckcr; 

Mr.  Jay  and  Mr.  Roosevelt  absent  on  duty. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sachet,  Mr.  Schcnck,  Mr.  Land  on. 
ALBANY.— Mr.  Aim.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker.  Mr.  Atlgate. 
Qr  KEN'S. — Mr.  Sands,  Mr.  Townscnd,  Major  Lawrence, 

Colonel  BlackwcU,  Mr.  Samuel  Townscnd. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Trcdwell. 
W  E  STC  H  E  STER. — G  en  eral  Morris. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

KING'S. — Mr.  Pulhemus.     TRYON. — Mr.  Neu-kirk. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Confine,  Col.  Paulding. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  John  Crcgicr  be  authorized  to  act  as- 
Surgeon  to  Colonel  Levy  Paulding' s  Regiment,  in  General 
Clinton's  Brigade,  until  another  Surgeon  shall  be  appointed 
to  said  Regiment  by  this  Convention. 

Colonel  Jacobus  Swarlwout,  attending,  was  admitted.  He 
brought  in  the  Muster-Rolls  of  ten  Companies  of  his  Regi- 
ment now  in  service  near  King's  Bridge,  in  General  Clin- 
ton's Brigade.  The  said  ten  Muster-Roils  were  annexed 
together,  under  seal,  in  the  Convention ;  and  thereupon  the 
said  Jacobus  Swartwout.  Esq.,  being  duly  sworn  on  the  Holy 
Evangelists,  did  depose  and  swear,  that  he  hath,  according  to 
the  best  of  his  knowledge,  truly  mustered  the  ten  Companies, 
now  in  service  under  his  command  as  Colonel ;  that  the  said 
ten  Muster-Roils  contain  the  names  and  rank  of  the  Officers, 
non-commissioned  Officers  and  Privates  of  the  said  Regi- 
ment, as  the  different  Companies  appeared  at  the  time  of 
mustering  each  Company  respectively;  and  that  the  said 
Regiment  is  near  King's  Bridge,  as  a  part  of  General  Clin- 
ton's Brigade.  Colonel  Swartivout's  affidavit  is  endorsed 
on  the  back  of  the  said  Muster-Rolls,  subscribed  by  himself, 
and  by  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tempore. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Josiah  Smith  be,  and  he  is  here- 
by, authorized  to  provide  a  Surgeon  for  his  Regiment,  and 
to  procure  a  Hospital  for  the  reception  of  the  sick. 

A  Letter  from  William  Miller,*  Deputy  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety  for  Westchester  County,  dated  August 
17,  1776,  concerning  some  Prisoners  of  War  brought  from 
Bedford  to  White-Plains,  and  Tories  lately  confined  in 
their  Jail,  was  read ;  and  also  a  Letter  from  said  Prisoners, 
requesting  subsistence  money. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  John  McKesson  and  Robert 
Benson  be  the  Commissioners  in  this  State  to  dispose  of  and 
provide  for  all  Prisoners  of  War  within  the  same,  agreeable 

*I>j  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY  FOR  THE  COUNTY  OF  ) 
WESTCIIESTER,  August  17,  1776.      $ 

GENTLEMEN  :  The  officers  who  were  confined  to  Bedford  as  prisoners 
of  war,  upon  the  Militia  of  that  place  being  called  away,  have  been  sent 
to  this  Committee,  mid  this  Committee  have  limited  them  within  the 
.  White-Plains.  As  they  came  from  Bedford  indebted  for  their  subsistence 
there,  and  must  become  indebted  here  also,  they  are  solicitous  that  the 
money  engaged  to  them  by  the  Convention  be  paid,  in  order  to  defray 
their  expenses. 

We  further  inform  you,  that  a  large  number  of  dangerous  and  disaf- 
fected persons  are  apprehended  and  now  in  jail,  and  many  more  will 
soon  be  brought  to  us.  We  find  our  jail  greatly  burdened,  and  beg 
that  your  honourable  House  will  take  them  under  consideration,  and 
direct  what  must  be  done  with  them. 

As  we  are  frequently  at  a  loss  for  the  resolutions  of  Convention  to 
proceed  upon,  we  earnestly  desire  your  honourable  House  will  order 
your  Secretary  to  furnish  us  with  the  same,  which  will  greatly  advance 
the  good  of  the  country  and  our  safe  conduct.  Be  pleased  to  let  Mr. 
Frederick  Jay  have  them,  who  is  one  of  our  Committee. 

By  order  of  Committee:  WM.  MILLER,  Deputy  Chairman. 

To  his  Excellency  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  at  Huerlem. 

WHITE-PLAINS  JAIL,  Jxgust  18,  1776. 

GF.NTI.EMF.N  :  Our  confinement  at  present  is  the  cause  of  our  troubling 
your  honourable  House  with  this  our  imperfect  petition.  We  have  con- 
versed with  the  Deputy  Chairman  of  the  General  Committee  of  this  our 
County,  who  we  have  desired  to  wait  on  you,  and  will,  it'  railed  on, 
deliver  our  sentiments  fuller  than  we  are  uble  to  sefforth  with  ink  and 
paper.  Gentlemen,  as  we  are  convinced  we  are  confined  on  no  other 
principle  than  for  the  safety  of  the  States  of  America,  we  rather  applaud 
than  blame  you  for  it;  we  have  not  been  wise  enough  to  associate  with 
you,  still  we  are  not  unwise  enough  not  to  consider  that  self-preservation 
is  the  first  law  of  nature.  Still, gentlemen,  we  flatter  ourselves  that  what 
W3  say  here  (joined  to  what  the  person  we  send  will  add)  will  convince 
your  honourable  House  that  our  enlargement  will  in  niwise  endanger 
the  States  of  America,  which  being  done  to  the  full  satisfaction  of  your 
House,  we  doubt  not  (trusting  in  the  goodness  of  the  members  that  com- 


to  the  Resolutions  of  the  honourable  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, of  21st  May  last,  in  that  case  made  and  provided ;  and 
also  to  dispose  of  and  provide  for  such  other  Prisoners  within 
this  State  as  may  from  time  to  time  be  committed  to  their 
care;  that  the  said  Commissioners  do  keep  a  regular  account 
or  journal  of  their  transactions  and  disbursements;  and  that 
this  Convention  will  make  them,  the  said  Commissioners,  a 
reasonable  compensation  for  their  trouble  and  services  in 
that  department. 

A  Letter  from  Jonathan  G.  Tompkins*  dated  August 
18,  1776,  relating  to  Josiah  and  Isaac  Brown,  imprisoned 
at  White-Plains,  was  received  and  read. 

The  Petition  of  fifteen  Prisoners  confined  in  the  Jail  at 
II  /lite-Plains,  presented  by  Mr.  Miller,  Deputy  Chairman 
of  Wcstchester  County,  wherein  they  represent  that  they  are 
confined  as  persons  dangerous  to  the  safety  of  the  State,  and 
being  desirous  of  being  enlarged,  they  are  willing  to  bind 
themselves  either  to  aid  in  repelling  the  enemies  of  the  State 
when  necessary,  or  surrender  themselves  into  the  custody  of 
any  Jailer,  as  this  or  any  future  Convention  or  Legislature 
may  direct,  was  read. 

Whereupon  Mr.  Miller  was  called  in  and  examined  as  to 
the  said  fifteen  Prisoners,  and  testified  in  regard  to  them 
respectively,  as  follows,  viz:  Joshua  Purdy  has  never  been 
friendly  to  the  American  cause,  is  a  man  of  influence,  and 
towards  whom  lenity  would  be  advisable.  Gabriel  Purdy 
has  acted  unfriendly  to  the  cause  of  America.  Caleb  Mor- 
gan he  does  not  know,  but  has  heard  he  is  a  Tory.  Of 
Wm.  Barker,  John  McCord,  John  Bailey,  Bartw.  Haynes, 
and  Joseph  Purdy,  he  knows  nothing  favourable.  Gilbert 
Horton  is  a  man  of  no  influence.  Isaac  Browne  has  been 
neutral.  Josiah  Browne  says  he  will  join  in  the  defence  of 
the  State,  and  has  generally  understood  that  he  was  a  Whig. 
Edmund  Ward  he  don't  know.  Samuel  Mcrrit  has  been 
active  against,  and  Jonathan  Purdy  has  been  publickly  in- 
citing others  to  act  against  us.  And  as  to  Philip  Fowler,  he 
is  reputed  a  bad  man.  Which  information  being  considered, 
the  question  was  put,  "  Shall  any  of  the  Prisoners  be  re- 
leased?" and  passed  in  the  negative,  in  manner  following, 
that  is  to  say : 

For  the  Affirmative. 


For  ttic  Negative. 

4  Ulster.  4  Westchester. 

2  Charlotte.  4  Uueen's. 

6  Albany. 

8  New-York.  8  votes. 

2  Cumberland. 

Suffolk  only  2  Members,  no  vote. 
22  votes. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Westchester 
County  be  empowered,  if  they  shall  think  it  consistent  with 
the  safety,  or  conducive  to  the  advantage  of  the  State,  to 
release  Joshua  Purdy,  Isaac  Browne,  and  Josiah  Browne. 

The  Credentials  of  King's  County  \vas  again  taken  into 
consideration  and  read,  and  the  further  consideration  thereof 
deferred  till  the  morning. 

pose  your  body,  and  that  the  safety  of  the  State  is  the  only  motive  of 
your  confining  us)  but  that  we  may  have  our  enlargements.  Our  pro- 
posal is,  first,  that  we  will  in  nowise  resist  or  oppose  the  authority  of 
the  States  of  .Imerica  ;  secondly,  that  whenever  an  attack  shall  be  made 
on  the  said  States,  if  we  cannot  find  a  resolution  sufficient  to  join  our 
brethren  and  neighbours  in  repelling  force  by  force,  then  and  in  such 
cnsc  we  will  repair  immediately  to  the  common  jail  of  our  County,  or  to 
such  other  place  as  you  in  your  wisdom  shall  think  proper;  and  thirdly, 
for  the  performance  of  said  propositions  we  are  willing  to  bind  ourselves 
under  the  ties  of  bonds  or  solemn  oaths.  So,  gentlemen,  we  rest  it  here, 
only  referring  you  to  Mr.  .Miller,  and  desiring  you  to  take  our  case  into 
mature  consideration;  and  your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever 
pray,  &c. 

EDMUND  WARD, 

JOSEPH  PURDY, 

SAMUEL  MERITT, 

JONATHAN  PITRDY, 

PHILIP  FOWLER, 

JOHN  BESLEY, 

GILBERT  HORTON, 

ISAAC  BROWN, 


JOSIAH  BROWN, 
BARTIIW.  HAINS, 
JOSHUA  PURDY, 
GABRIEL  PURDY, 
CALEB  MORGAN, 
WILLIAM  BARKER,  Jun., 
JOHN  McCoRD. 


•HEAD-QUARTERS,  MAMARONECK,  diiffust  18,  1776. 
GENTLEMEN  :  I  having  been  informed  that  a  petition  has  or  is  likely 
to  be  sent  to  your  Board  by  a  number  of  persons  now  confined  in  this 
County  jail  as  suspected  persons,  many  of  which  I  shall  not  take  upon 
me  to  say  anything  in  favour  of,  but  only  in  two  of  the  Browns,  the 
n.iinr.^of  which  are  Josiah  and  ham  Brown,  1  having  had  some  oppor- 
tunity'of  knowing  their  political  sentiments,  and  am  fully  of  the  opinion 
that  they  may  have  their  liberty;  and  I  make  no  doubt  that  if  they  have 
an  opportunity,  will  be  able  to  convince  the  publick  they  are  not  enemies 
to  this  State.  Anil  I  flatter  myself  that  I  am  such  a  well-wisher  to  the 
United  States  nf  ,,/lmerica,  that  1  would  not  speak  well  of  one  who  did  not 
deserve  it.  From  your  very  humble  servant, 

JONATHAN  G.  TOMFKINS. 

To  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York. 


1525 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1526 


Die  Mercurii,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  21,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Abraham  Yatcs,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 
NEW-YORK. — Col.  Broome,  Mr.  Dunscomb,  Mr.  Bancker, 

Major  Van  Zandt. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgatc,  Mr.  Bleeckcr. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  W.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Hobart. 
WESTCHESTER. — Judge  Graham,  Mr.  Morris,  Gen.  Morris, 

Mr.  Haviland. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Socket.  Mr.  Schcnck. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Confine. 
ORANGE. — Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Jo.  Smith. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  James  Townsend. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Newkirk.     CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

Mr.  Tredwell  informed  the  Convention  that  Captain  John 
Wisner,  of  Orange  County,  appointed  to  command  a  Com- 
pany of  the  Militia  of  that  County,  ordered  into  actual  ser- 
vice, has  been,  and  now  is.  attending  for  money  to  discharge 
the  bounty  of  his  men,  in  order  to  enable  them  to  purchase 
arms. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  V.  B.  Livingston,  Esq.,  as  Trea- 
surer, advance  to  Captain  John  Wisner  £580,  to  enable  him" 
to  pay  one-half  of  the  bounty  to  the  Non-Commissioned 
Officers  and  Privates  of  his  Company,  as  part  of  the  Militia 
of  Orange  County,  raised,  or  to  be  raised,  agreeable  to  the 
Resolutions  of  this  Convention  of  the  day  of  July  last. 
Captain  Wisner  to  be  accountable  to  this  Convention  or  their 
order,  and  to  the  Colonel  of  the  Regiment  to  which  he 
belongs,  for  the  disposition  of  that  money. 

And  whereas  the  Colonel  of  the  Regiment  to  which 
Captain  Wisner  belongs  is  at  present  on  duty  in  General 
Clinton's  Brigade : 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Allison  and  Colonel  Haiuthorne, 
or  either  of  them,  be,  and  are  hereby,  empowered,  autho- 
rized, and  requested,  to  muster  the  men  of  Captain  Wisncr's 
Company  previous  to  their  receiving  one-half  of  their  bounty. 

The  Credentials  of  the  Member  from  King's  County  were 
read  and  considered,  and  the  question  put,  Whether  the  said 
Credentials  are  sufficient ;  which  was  decided  unanimously 
in  the  negative. 

Thereupon.  Resolved,  Whereas  it  appears  by  the  Cre- 
dentials produced  from  the  Committee  of  King's  County  to 
this  Convention  that  the  election  for  Representatives  in 
Convention  was  not  held  at  the  time  mentioned  in  the  Reso- 
lution of  the  late  Congress  for  holding  such  election,  nor  in 
conformity  to  the  said  Resolutions: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  said  election  was  unlawful, 
and  all  and  singular  the  matters  and  things  thereby  tran- 
scribed, merely  void. 

Whereas  it  is  just  and  necessary  that  all  the  inhabitants 
of  this  State  should  be  represented  in  this  Convention  at 
this  very  important  crisis,  when  matters  of  the  greatest  mo- 
ment to  the  present  generation  and  to  all  posterity  are  now 
immediately  in  agitation ;  and  whereas  by  reason  of  the 
irregularity  of  holding  the  election  in  King's  County,  and 
of  sundry  defects  in  the  Credentials  of  the  Representatives 
of  the  said  County  chosen,  the  said  Representatives  could 
not  be  received  into  this  Convention : 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  the  Committee  of  the  said 
County  be  required  to  hold  an  election  according  to  the 
true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  Resolution  of  the  31st  day 
of  May  last,  on  Saturday  next,  the  24th  instant. 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  Committee  of  King's  County 
be  informed  that  the  Credentials,  by  them  made  and  de- 
livered to  this  Convention,  bearing  date  19th  instant,  are 
materially  defective,  in  that  it  does  not  appear  from  the  said 
Credentials  whether  any  or  what  powers  are  given  to  the 
Representatives  therein  named,  when,  in  fact,  the  said  Re- 
presentatives ought  to  be  expressly  authorized  to  assist  in 
forming  and  establishing  a  new  form  of  Government,  and 
consequently  of  agreeing,  on  the  part  of  their  constituents,  to 
the  general  independency  of  America. 

Ordered,  That  the  foregoing  Resolves  be  immediately 
transmitted  to  the  Committee  of  King's  County. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  papers  pre- 
sented by  John  McDonald,  on  the  subject  of  the  Lead  Mine 
in  Dutches*  County,  reported;  which  being  considered,  was 
recommitted  to  the  same  Committee,  with  the  addition  of 
Mr.  Landon. 


The  Committee  to  whom  the  Report  on  the  paper*  of 
John  McDonald  was  recommitted,  reported  the  follow  in" 
Resolution,  which  was  agreed  to: 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Slate 
do  advance  to  John  McDonald,  Miner,  the  sum  of  £G,  to 
rnalile  him  to  advance  to  Donald  Morrison  12s.  a  week,  for 
the  term  of  ten  weeks,  unless  the  said  Donald  Morrison 
shall  sooner  be  able  to  labour ;  that  the  said  Donald  Mor- 
rison  do  repay  the  money  so  lent  to  him,  either  in  money  or 
labour,  to  the  said  McDonald,  and  the  said  John  McDonald 
to  be  accountable  to  this  Convention  for  the  said  sum  of 
£6,  provided  the  said  Donald  Morrison  does  not  decease 
before  he  shall  be  able  by  his  labour  to  earn  or  pay  the  whole 
or  any  part  of  that  money;  in  which  case,  the  said  John 
McDonald  shall  be  liable  to  refund  so  much  only  of  the  suid 
money  as  the  said  Donald  Morrison  has  or  might  have  earned 
by  his  labour.  * 

Mr.  Duer  moved  a  resolution  as  to  the  Prisoners  in  West- 
chester.  After  many  debates,  Mr.  Jay  moved  for  the  pre- 
vious question,  which  was  carried. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Morris,  and 
Mr.  Duer,  be  a  Committee  to  report  upon  the  mode  of  con- 
fining, securing,  or  otherwise  disposing  of  the  Prisoners  now 
taken  up  and  confined  in  the  Jail  of  Westchester  by  order  of 
this  Convention. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Duer, 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenius,  as  Commissary  of  this 
State,  be  ordered  to  pay  to  Colonel  William  Malcom,  or  his 
order,  the  sum  of  £60  5*.,  being  the  purchase  money  of 
sixteen  Muskets  and  five  Bayonets,  disbursed  by  Captain 
Jonathan  Blake  for  the  use  of  his  Company  in  Colonel  Mal- 
com! s  Battalion ;  and  the  said  Colonel  Malcom  do,  on  the 
receipt  of  this  money,  give  a  receipt  to  Colonel  Curtenius 
for  sixteen  Muskets  and  five  Bayonets,  specifying  their  marks 
and  quality,  that  the  said  Guns  and  Bayonets  may  hereafter 
be  paid  for  or  returned  to  the  publick  store  of  this  State  by 
the  said  Colonel  Makom. 

Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  this  Convention  that 
Colonel  Josiah  Smith's  Regiment,  lately  ordered  to  General 
Greene's  encampment  on  Nassau-Island,  are  destitute  of 
camp  equipage: 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hubbard  and  Mr.  James  Townsend 
be  a  Committee  to  inform  the  Continental  Quartermaster  of 
the  state  of  that  Regiment,  and  to  request  of  him,  without 
delay,  to  furnish  them  with  proper  camp  equipage;  and  in 
case  the  said  Quartermaster  should  not  be  able  or  willing  to 
afford  them  the  said  necessary  supplies,  that  then  the  said 
Committee  take  the  most  speedy  and  effectual  means  for 
obtaining  them,  and  this  Convention  will  defray  the  expense 
thereof,  and  add  it  to  their  Account  against  the  General 
Congress. 

Ordered.  That  the  said  Colonel  Smith  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  authorized  to  appoint  an  Adjutant  and  Quartermaster  to 
his  Regiment,  and  that  he  recommend  to  this  Convention  a 
Surgeon  for  the  same. 

A  Letter,  dated  the  12th  instant,  from  Abraham  C.  Cuy- 
ler,  John  Duncan,  Stephen  De  Lancey,  John  Monier,  and 
Benjamin  Hilton,^  prisoners  sent  and  confined  in  Hartford 

*I  have  received  of  Mr.  Bancker  .£54  6s.,  the  amount  expense  of 
cleaning  the  pita  or  shafts,  (fee.,  of  the  mine  in  the  Great  Nine-Partners, 
Dutchess  County,  including  this  day,  Jlvgust  21,  1776. 

To  John  McKesson,  Esq.,  Secretary. 

fHARTFORD,  August  12,  177fi. 

GENTLEMEN:  On  our  arrival  here  the  19th  of  June  last,  we  requested 
our  friend  Colonel  V.  Cortlandl  to  lay  our  very  disagreeable  situation 
before  you,  and  in  consequence  requesting  relief;  but  learning  from  him 
that  the  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Albany  had  not  been  transmit- 
ted to  Congress,  notwithstanding  that  Board  had  been  wrote  to  for  that 
purpose,  an  answer  not  being  received,  has  caused  this  delay.  We 
then  furnished  Mr.  Cortlandt  with  a  letter  containing  our  accusation  from 
that  Board  to  his  Honour  Governour  Tmmbull,  which  we  beg  leave  to 
observe  is  couched  in  general  terms,  without  anything  specific.  Never- 
theless finding  no  relief,  we,  on  the  29th  ultimo,  renewed  our  request  to 
you  by  letter  through  Colonel  CorUtmdl,  who  informs  us  a  further  refer- 
ence to  the  Committee  ofJIlbany  is  yet  thought  needful,  which  causes  a 
further  delay  to  our  relief.  We  could  hope  this  reference  might  be 
dispensed  with,  as  our  respective  cases  must  be  well  known,  as  some 
members  of  your  House  were  in  the  Committee  at  the  time  we  suffered 
transportation,  unheard  and  unquestioned;  therefore  earnestly  request 
your  giving  us  such  relief  as  you  judge  our  disagreeable  situation  re- 
quires. And  are,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants, 

ABRM.  C.  CUTLER,    STEPHEN  DE  LANCET, 
JOHN  DUNCAN,  JNO.  MONIER, 

JNO.  MONIER  for  BENJN.  HILTON. 

To  the  Hon.  John  Wotdhvll,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Convention  of  the 
State  of  New-York,  at  Harlem. 


JOHN  MCDONALD. 


1527 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1176. 


1528 


Jail,  liy  order  of  the  Committee  of  Albany,  praying  to  be 
released  from  their  disagreeable  situation,  was  read. 

Also,  a  Letter  from  the  said  A.  C.  Cvyler,*  of  the  same 
date,  requesting  permission  to  return  home  to  visit  his  sick 
wife,  \\liom  he  represents  as  unable  to  take  care  of  his  chil- 
dren and  large  family,  and  in  the  mean  time  to  settle  some 
of  his  private  affairs,  was  read. 

Also,  a  Letter  from  Henry  Van  Schaack,  another  prisoner, 
sent  lo  and  confined  at  Hartford,  declaring  his  innocence, 
and  complaining  of  the  inju-tice  of  his  being  transported 
thither  under  appearances  of  guilt,  and  praying  to  be  suffered 
to  appear  before  the  Convention  to  be  heard,  and  condemned 
or  acquitted,  was  read.f 

A  copy  of  a  Letter  from  the  said  Henry  Van  Schaack, 
Andrew,  and  MM/I  TO,  to  the  Committee  of  Albany,  referred  to 
in  the  preceding  Letter,  was  read.J 

•HARTFORD,  Jlvgust  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  Should  your  House  not  lliink  proper  (o  grant  us  inime- 
diaie  mil-foil  our  application  of  lliisduy,  I  beg  leave  further  to  trouble 
yon  with  a  request  lo  return  home  for  a  few  days,  to  visit  a  sick  wife, 
who  is  al  present  unable  to  lake  care  of  my  children  and  large  family, 
and  in  the  mean  lime  to  settle  some  of  my  private  affairs,  which,  on  my 
sudden  removal,  were  left  unsettled,  where  1  also  may  have  an  opportu- 
nity of  removing  that  jealousy  which  is  now  entertained  against  me.  1 
flatter  myself  that  when  you  consider  the  many  inconveniences  myself 
and  friends  sull'cr,  and  that  only  on  a  supposiiion  of  guilt,  of  which  I  am 
at  any  time  ready  to  exculpate  myself,  you'll  at  least  grant  this  re- 
quest. 

1  remain,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servant,       A.  C.  CUTLER. 

To  the  Hon.  Members  of  the  Convention  of  the  Slate  of  JV'eic- York. 

f  HARTFORD,  .flugvst  12,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  As  you  preside  over  the  Stale  of  A'cu-York  at  this 
critical  anil  very  alarming  juncture,  for  the  safety  and  welfare  of  its 
inhabitants,  it  gives  me  a  right  to  inform  you  thai  1  have  been  trans- 
ported hither  unheard,  unquestioned,  and  contrary  to  the  principles  of 
the  Bill  of  Rights  published  by  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congress 
in  February,  1776,  as  well  as  subsequent  resolves  by  that  Board.  As  the 
post  is  in  this  moment  going  off,  I  have  no  time,  to  state  at  large  the  griev- 
ances 1  labour  under.  I  shall,  therefore,  be  brief,  and  acquaint  you  that 
I  am  conscious  to  myself  that  I  have  neither  said  or  acted  in  opposition 
to  the  measures  pursued  by  the  United  Councils  of  the  Coniinenl,  or 
those  recommended  by  the  Provincial  Councils.  It  therefore  appears 
hard  that  the  most  sacred  rights  1  hold  in  society  should  be  violated.  I 
have  been  sent  hither  under  every  appearance  of  guilt,  without  being 
allowed  an  opportunity  of  knowing  the  crimes  for  which  I  have  suffered 
transportation.  That  I  may  not  be  charged  with  neglecting  to  apply  for 
a  knowledge  of  my  supposed  crimes  to  that  power  which  inflicted  the 
punishment,  1  take  the  liberty  of  enclosing  a  copy  of  a  letter  wrote  to 
the  .'llbuny  Committee,  signed  by  myself  and  others  in  the  same  situa- 
tion. 

As  I  have  suffered  a  long  confinement,  torn  from  my  family  and 
friends,  my  affairs  going  to  ruin,  and  obliged  to  maintain  myself  at  a 
very  great  expense  in  this  Slate,  and  now  under  order  to  go  lo  Aetc- 
London,  what  punishments  will  follow  them  God  knows;  but  proceedings 
so  vague  and  loose  promise  nothing  but  indefinite  punishments.  To  you, 
gentlemen,  as  the  guardians  of  those  rights  whir.h  are  held  valuable  in 
society,  1  now  appeal  fora  stop  to  further  punishment,  by  suffering  me 
to  appear  before  you,  there  to  be  condemned  or  acquitted.  As  I  am 
known  among  many  of  you,  gentlemen,  I  hope  this  can  be  granted  with- 
out any  apprehensions  of  my  deviating  from  my  parole.  Should  there, 
however,  be  any  doubts,  I  will  readily  be  at  the  expense  of  a  guard  to 
conduct  me  to  you. 

1  remain,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen,  in  haste,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant,  HENRY  VAN  SCHAACK. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Members  of  Convention  for  the  State  of  JWtc- 
York.  _ 

{ALBANY  TORY  JAIL,  Jlvgust  1,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  We  have  just  now  received  your  letter  of  this  date,  by 
which  we  find  that,  contrary  to  the  most  reasonable  expectations,  we  are 
forced  to  go  off  to-morrow  morning.  The  reasons  for  our  expectations 
arc  so  forcibly  pointed  out  in  our  former  letters,  that  we  shall  forbear  to 
recapitulate  them  now;  and  only  observe,  that  although  we  are  forced  to 
leave  this  in  the  morning,  the  same  severities  are  still  exercised  respect- 
ing admittance  of  those  who  have  business  with  us,  so  that  at  this  hour 
we  are  in  no  situation  to  do  anything.  As  this  probably  will  be  the  last 
time  you  will  be  troubled  with  letters  from  us,  we  hope  you'll  excuse 
Ms  for  requesting  to  know  whether  we  are  to  go  wilh  or  without  a  guard 
from  here  to  Colonel  Hoffman's  Landing,  as  we  purpose  to  go  by  land 
from  here,  provided  there  is  no  objection.  Should  there  be  any,  on 
account  of  sending  a  guard  with  us,  and  you  are  disposed  to  take  suffi- 
cient security,  (we  conceive,  as  we  are  to  maintain  ourselves,)  the  Board 
will  have  no  objections  to  our  transporting  ourselves  in  the  cheapest 
manner,  so  that  our  persons  are  delivered  according  to  the  tenor  of  your 
orders.  If  this  be  refused,  can  we  have  a  pass  for  a  couple  of  men  to 
take  our  horses  down  to  Rcdhook? 

As  we  have  been  confined  for  a  long  time,  and,  for  some  time  past, 
treated  like  malefactors,  Christian  charity  obliges  us  to  believe  that  your 
Board  have  received  information  concerning  us  of  a  very  criminal  nature 
indeed;  and  as  we  are  entirely  to  guess  from  whence  such  information 
proceeded,  we  now  request  our  crimes  may  be  staled,  the  accusers' 
names  mentioned,  that  we  may  have  opportunily,  as  well  in  Connecticut 
as  here,  to  clear  our  characters  of  any  aspersions  that  may  be  before 
your  Board.  Should  the  crimes  of  which  we  are  supposed  to  be  guilty 
or  stand  accused  of  justify  the  unremitting  severities  with  which  wu 
have  been  treated  in  our  confinement,  we  dread  ihe  reception  we  arc  lo 
meet  with  in  a  country  where  we  are  slrangers  and  friendless:  we  mean 
should  we  be  transported  unheard  and  unquestioned. 

Weare,&c.,  H.  VAN  SCHAACK, 

JOSEPH  ANDERSON, 
'JoiiN  MUNRO. 


Ordered,  That  the  three  Letters  last  mentioned  lie  on  the 
table  for  the' perusal  of  the  Members. 

By  a  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Newtoum,  in  Queen's 
County,  it  appears  that  Captain  Richard  Lawrence,  Com- 
mander of  the  Troop  of  Horse  in  said  Town,  has,  through 
infirmity,  resigned. 

Thereupon,  Ordered,  That  Commissions  be  immediately 
sent  to  Daniel  Lawrence  as  Captain,  Samuel  Riker  as  First 
Lieutenant,  Jonathan  Lawrence  Second  Lieutenant,  Thomas 
Bells  Cornet,  pursuant  to  the  recommendation  of  said  Com- 
mittee. 

Thursday  Morning,  August  22,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment,  and  at 
ring  of  bell. 

Present:  Abm.  Yatcs,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President. 
Nuw-YoiiK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Colonel  Broome,  Major  Van 

Zandt,  Colonel  Brasher;  Colonel  Lotl  on  service,  Mr. 

Beekman  on  service. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgale,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell;  Mr.  Hobart  on  ser- 
vice. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wilt,  Mr.  Conline. 
CUMBF.RLAND. — Colonel  Mitrsh. 
DCTCHESS. — Mr.  Landon,  Mr.  Sacket,  Mr.  SchcncJc. 
WEST-CHESTER. — Mr.  Haviland,  Judge  Graham,  General 

Morris. 

ORANGE. — Dr.  Oulwater,  Mr.  Joseph  Smith. 
THYON. — Mr.  hewkirk. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.   &    Townsend,  Mri   Sands;    Mr.   Joseph 

Townsend  on  service. 

A  Letter  from  Adjutant-General  Reed,  dated  yesterday,* 
enclosing,  by  direction  of  General  Washington,  for  the  peru- 
sal and  advice  of  the  Convention,  a  Letter  from  Governour 
Martin  to  the  General,  dated  on  hoard  the  Sovereign  trans- 
port, on  the  IGlh  instant,  wherein  he  requests  that  his  wife 
and  children,  and  all  or  any  of  his  father-in-law's  family, 
with  whom  they  reside  at  Rockaway,  may  be  permitted  to 
go  on  board  the  fleet,  and  with  great  confidence  expects  a 
favourable  answer,  with  such  passports  as  General  Washing- 
ton shall  judge  expedient  to  enable  him  to  open  an  immediate 
intercourse  with  his  family,  and  to  provide  them  the  necessary 
facilities  for  going  on  board,  were  respectively  read. 

Thereupon  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Colonel  Reed,  in  answer 
to  his  of  yesterday,  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  viz : 

"  August  22,  1776. 

"SiR:  I  have  laid  your  letter  of  21st  instant,  enclosing 
another  from  the  late  Governour  Martin,  before  the  Con- 
vention of  this  State.  The  Convention  are  of  opinion  that 
no  great  detriment  can  arise  to  the  puhlick  cause  in  suffering 
the  late  GoverDourMorttn'j  wife  and  children  to  go  to  Stolen- 
Island,  and  therefore  cheerfully  concur  with  his  Excellency's 
inclination  to  grant  this  indulgence.  With  respect  to  his 
father-in-law  and  family,  they  do  not  conceive  them  entitled 
to  the  same  favour,  unless  Lord  Howe  should  be  disposed 
to  liberate  Mr.  Bancker,  late  a  Member  of  this  Convention, 
and  at  present  a  prisoner  upon  his  parole  at  Slatcn- Island, 
together  with  his  family  and  Dr.  Martin,  a  brother-in-law  to  it, 
particularly,  as  the  gentleman  who  has  made  the  application 
is  at  present  a  prisoner  of  this  State,  upon  his  parole  at  Rocka- 
way. 1  am,  therefore,  desired  to  entreat  the  favour  of  you 
to  lay  this  matter  before  General  Washington,  and  to  entreat 
the  favour  of  him  to  propose  this  exchange  to  Lord  Howe. 
Should  a  refusal  be  given  to  this  exchange,  the  Convention 
are  of  opinion  that  none  of  the  family  should  be  permitted 
to  depart,  as  they  may  be  exchanged  hereafter  for  more 
valuable  citizens,  whom  the  fortune  of  war  may  deliver  into 
the  enemy's  power. 

"  1  am,  sir,  your  very  obedient  servant.     Per  order. 
"  To  General  Reed." 

*  HEAD-QUARTERS,  NEW-YORK,  Jugusl  21,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  directed  by  his  Excellency  General  Washington 
to  forward  the  enclosed  letter  for  your  perusal  and  advice.  The  General 
is  inclined  to  grant  the  request  it  contains,  if  it  shall  not  appear  lo  you, 
who,  from  your  situation,  must  be  better  able  to  judge  what  consequences 
will  follow  it,  do  not  advise  him  against  it.  The  messenger  will  go  on 
to  King's  Bridge,  and  has  orders  to  call  on  return,  and  wail  for  an  answer. 
You  will  please  to  return  the  letter  at  the  same  time. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  and  very 
humble  servant,  Jos.  REED. 


1529 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1530 


The  Letter  or  Report  of  Aim.  W.  De  Peyster,  Esq., 
relative  lo  the  disposition  of  the  Prisoners  in  Connecticut, 
was  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"Harlem,  August  21,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  In  obedience  to  the  orders  received  from 
the  President  of  the  honourable  Convention,  I  waited  upon 
Governour  Trumbull,  at  Lebanon,  to  take  his  directions  for 
the  disposition  of  the  thirteen  prisoners  left  at  Litchfield; 
when  his  Honour  was  pleased  to  order  that  Gilbert  Forbes 
and  William  Forbes  should  remain  in  Litchficld  Jail,  in  the 
custody  of  Lynde  Lord,  Esq.,  the  Sheriff  of  that  County; 
that  D.  Mathews,  Esq.,  should  be  removed  from  thence  to 
Hartford  Jail,  to  the  care  of  Williams,  Esq.,  Sheriff 
of  Hartford  County;  and  that  John  L.  C.  Brcome,  Esq., 
Nathl.  Gyre,  Lazarus  Gyre,  Jonathan  Baker,  James  Mason, 
Isaac  Young,  Israel  Young,  Thomas  Coyne,  John  Clark,  and 
Thomas  Ve.rnon,  be  committed  to  the  County,  (say  custody 
of  Prosper  Whetmore,  Esq.,  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  New- 
London,)  to  be  confined  in  the  Jail  in  the  town  of  Norwich, 
in  the  said  County.  The  Governour,  at  same  time,  wrote 
letters  of  instruction  to  the  Sheriffs,  respectively,  advising 
them  of  the  manner  in  which  the  prisoners  were  to  be  treated. 
The  one  to  the  Sheriff  of  Hartford  County,  respecting  Mr. 
Mathews,  the  Governour  informed  me  contained  a  permission 
to  let  Mr.  Mathews  walk  about  the  town  in  the  daytime,  with 
some  person  as  his  guard,  who  he  was  to  be  at  the  expense 
of,  and  who  was  every  evening  to  see  hint  safely  in  his  lodg- 
ings in  Jail,  where,  I  understand,  he  was  to  have  his  quarters. 

"  As  soon  as  the  Governour  dismissed  me,  1  set  out  for  Litch- 
field.   When  I  arrived  there  1  found  that  the  Committee  of 
that  town,  in  my  absence,  had  permitted  all  the  prisoners, 
who  had  been   put  in  close  confinement,  (except  Gilbert 
Forbes.)  to  go  ai  large  about  the  town,  as  the  keeping  them 
shut  up  in  jail  would  have  endangered  their  lives.     The 
Sheriff  had  taken  the  two  Youngs  at  his  own  house.    Broome 
had  his  quarters  in  the  Jailer's  apartments,  adjoining  the  Jail. 
The  others  were  at  work  in  different  places,  some  in  harvest, 
and  others  at  their  respective  trades,  as  journeymen.     Mr. 
Mathews,  during  my  absence,  I  understand,  had,  agreeable 
to  his  promise,  strictly  confined  himself  to  Captain  Scamour's 
house,  in  which  I  had  left  him.    This  change  in  the  prisoners' 
situation  from  that  in  which,  they  were  when  I  left  Litc.hf.eld, 
made  the  account  I  brought  them  of  their  removal  very  un- 
welcome; and  they  now,  to  a  man.  solicit  as  much  to  remain 
at  Litchficld  as  they  had  before  to  be  conveyed  to  some 
other  place.    The  Mayor  was  very  desirous  indeed  to  remain 
at  Litchficld,  and  urged  as  a  reason,  among  many  others,  for 
his  being  left  there,  that  he  was  not  in  very  affluent  circum- 
stances, and  he  was  apprehensive  that  living  at  Hartford 
would  be  very  expensive;  that  he  boarded  at  Captain  Sea- 
mour's  at  a  moderate  rate ;  that  the  expense  of  travelling 
was  very  high;  that  he  did  not  know  how  long  he  would 
remain  a  prisoner,  and  therefore  he  was  desirous  to  live  at  as 
little  expense  as  possible;  and  as  the  Convention  had  been 
pleased  to  order  that  he  should  maintain  himself  at  his  own 
expense,  he  thought  it  not  unreasonable  that  he  should  have 
liberty  to  live  where  he  would  be  at  the  least  expense;  that 
Captain  Seamour  would  be  his  security,  and  undertake  to 
keep  him  safe  in  his  own  house.     Broome  was  equally  anx- 
ious to  remain  at  Litchfield,  and  offered  the  same  reasons. 
At  length,  at  the  request  of  Captain  Seamour,  and  by  con- 
sent of  the  Committee  of  that  place,  I  agreed  to  leave  the 
above  two  gentlemen  in  the  custody  of  Captain  Seamour, 
who  engaged  to  be  security  for  their  safe  custody,  and  to  see 
them  safe,  at  their  own  expense,  to  the  places  respectively 
assigned  them  by  the  Governour.  in  case  either  the  Gover- 
nour or  the  Convention,  upon  their  being  informed  of  what 
I  had  done,  disapproved  of  their  remaining  at  Litchfield; 
for  which  purpose  I  left  in  Captain  Scamour's  hands  Mr. 
Mathews' 's  warrant  of  commitment,  together  with  the  above- 
mentioned  letter  to  the  Sheriff  of  Hartford,  to  be  delivered 
by  him  to  the  said  Sheriff,  in  case  the  Mayor  should  be 
ordered  to  Hartford.     As  the  two  Youngs  were  likewise  to 
live  ut  their  own  expense,  the  Sheriff  of  Litchfield,  at  whose 
house  1  found  them,  thought  it  not  amiss  that  they  be  also 
left,  especially  as  they  would  be  immediately  under  his  eye, 
and  kept  by  him  confined  within  the  walls  of  his  house, 
unless  when  he  (the  Sheriff)  thought  proper  to  let  them  take 
a  little  air  in  the  streets,  when  he  would  attend  to  them  him- 
self.    Upon  this,  and  with  approbation  of  the  Committee,  I 
agreed  to  leave  the  two  Youngs  also,  upon  the  same  con- 


dition as  above-mentioned,  that  they  repair  loNoru-ich,  under 
a  guard,  at  their  own  expense,  in  case  the  Governour  or 
Convention  insisted  on  their  removal;  which  the  Sheriff 
promised  me  to  see  performed  by  them.  I  however  directed 
Sheriff  Lord  to  take  bond  for  them  in  the  penalty  of  £500, 
to  be  executed  by  them  and  their  brother  Joseph,  who  was 
expected  at  Litclifield  the  next  day,  with  condition  that 
they  repair  to  Norwich,  as  aforesaid,  as  soon  as  advised 
thereof;  that  they,  in  the  mean  time,  demean  themselves  as 
good  subjects  of  the  States;  and,  lastly,  that  they  strictly 
conform  themselves  to  the  directions  of  the  said  Sheriff  as 
to  their  behaviour;  which  bond  I  prepared  before  I  left 
Litchficld.  As  a  further  security,  I  caused  the  Youngs  to 
deposite  into  the  hands  of  the  Sheriff  all  the  money  they  had 
with  them,  which,  I  was  told  by  the  Sheriff,  amounted  to 
about  £200. 

"  Soon  after  this  I  set  out  for  Norwich,  with  Nathan  Gyre, 
Lazarus  Gyre,  James  Mason,  Jonathan  Baker,  Thomas 
Coyne,  John  Clarke,  and  Thomas  Vernon,  under  a  guard  of 
three  men  besides  an  officer;  but  we  had  not  proceeded 
more  than  two  miles  from  the  town  of  Litchfield,  before  I 
was  under  a  necessity  to  leave  old  Gyre  upon  the  road,  so 
very  sick  that  had  1  conveyed  him  a  mile  farther  the  jolting 
of  the  wagon,  over  such  rough  and  stony  roads  as  we  had  to 
travel,  would  inevitably  have  deprived  him  of  what  little  life 
he  had  left.  The  other  six  I  conveyed  safe  to  Norwich, 
and  delivered  into  the  custody  of  the  Sheriff  of  the  County 
of  New-London. 

"  In  my  way  down  to  Norwich  I  again  called  on  the 
Governour,  and  acquainted  him  with  my  leaving  the  Mayor, 
Broome,  and  the  two  Youngs,  at  Litchfield.  He  replied, 
it  was  very  well;  for  his  part,  he  had  no  objections,  provided 
the  Convention  of  this  State  approved  of  it.  He  added, 
that  the  Jails  at  Hartford  and  Norwich  were  small.  Indeed, 
1  found  the  Jail  at  Hartford  pretty  full  of  prisoners,  and 
Norwich  but  barely  large  enough  to  contain  the  six  I  left 
there. 

"Upon  my  return  again  through  Lebanon,  the  Governour 
made  out  a  new  warrant  for  old  Gyre  to  be  kept  in  custody 
of  the  Sheriff  of  Litchfield,  which  was  delivered  to  the  said 
Sheriff  on  my  arrival  there,  and  he  accordingly  took  charge 
of  him ;  so  very  ill,  however,  that  it  is  more  than  probable 
he  is  now  dead. 

"  Before  I  left  Litchfield  the  last  time,  I  discharged  the 
Sheriff's  demands  against  the  Convention  for  the  support  of 
the  prisoners  up  to  August  6th,  for  which  I  took  his  Jailer's 
receipt.  I  have  only  to  add.  that  the  Sheriff  of  New-London 
begged  I  would  request  the  Convention  of  this  State  to  send 
some  money  to  Norwich  for  the  support  of  the  six  prisoners 
I  left  with  him,  as  soon  as  they  conveniently  could. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  utmost  respect,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

"A.  W.  DE  PEYSTER. 

"To  the  Hon.  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York." 
Ordered,  That  the  said  Report  be  referred  to  the  same 
Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Letter  of  David  Ma- 
thews to  his  wife,  and  the  Letter  of  the  Committee  of  Litch- 
field. 

A  Letter  from  Andrew  Bostwick*  dated  at  Goshen,  the 

*GOSHEN,  Jlng\ut  15,  1776. 

DEAR  SIR:  In  consequence  of  my  unfortunate  situation,  I  have  enclosed 
a  petition  to  the  President  of  the  Convention,  praying  for  that  relief  which 
the  tumults  and  convulsions  of  the  times  have  hitherto  prevented  me  from 
getting.  Suffer  me,  therefore,  my  friend,  to  request  your  influence  with 
the  members,  that  I  may  have  redress.  1  request  no  more  than  that 
freedom  which  will  enable  me  to  be  serviceable  to  my  creditors,  my  family, 
and  my  country.  I  doubt  not  your  willingness  to  assist  me,  in  doing 
which  you'll  ever  oblige,  dear  sir,  your  most  unfortunate  friend, 

AtJDW.  BOSTWICK. 

Robt.  Benson,  Esquire,  at  Harlem. 

To  the  Honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  State  o/NEW-YoRK  in  Conven- 
tion assembled:  The  Petition  of  ANDREW  BOSTWICK,  an  insolvent  debtor, 
now  confined  in  the  Jail  of  the  County  O/ORANGE,  hunMy  shovieth: 
That  your  petitioner,  through  sundry  losses  and  disappointments  in 
trade,  is  rendered  incapable  of  making  full  payment  to  his  creditors,  by 
which  means  he  has  been  in  actual  confinement  for  near  seventeen  months; 
that  your  petitioner  has  no  desire  to  be  discharged  from  the  payment  of 
his  just  debts,  without  making  nil  the  satisfaction  to  his  creditors  that  is 
in  his  power;  and  is  apprehensive  that  a  resolve  of  the  honourable  Con- 
vention, permitting  the  Sheriff  to  release  him  from  confinement  on  such 
conditions  as  they  shall  deem  meet  and  proper,  cannot,  in  the  least,  injure 
the  creditors,  but,  on  the  contrary,  will  better  enable  him  to  settle  his 
affairs  with  them  more  to  their  mutual  advantage  than  he  could  do  while 
continued  in  confinement.  Your  petitioner,  therefore,  most  humbly  prays 
this  honourable  Convention  that  they  would  take  his  case  into  their  con- 
sideration, and  grant  such  speedy  relief  as  the  nature  and  necessity  of 
the  case  requires.  And  your  petitioner,  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever 
pray,  &c.  ANDW.  BOSTWICK. 


1531 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,.  1776. 


1532 


]  5th  instant,  enclosing  a  Petition  to  the  Convention  "  pray-  sent,  who  informed  him  that  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy, 

inf  for  that  relief  which  the  tumults  and  convulsions  of  the  of  every  kind,  was  thirty-five  thousand  men,  fifteen  thousand 

times  had  hitherto  prevented  him  from  getting,"  was  receiv-  of  whom  were  left^on  the  Island,  but  all   beMt  embarked ; 
ed,  and  the  Petition  read. 


Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Committee  appointed 
for  the  relief  of  Prisoners  imprisoned  for  Debt. 

The  Petition  of  Abel  Noble  and  Peter  Townsend,  pro- 
prietors of  Sterling  Iron  Works,  praying  that  one  hundred 
and  fifty  workmen  employed  at  their  Works  may  be  exempt 
from  serving  in  the  Militia,  was  read. 

Mr.  Outwater,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  confer 
with  Captain  Benson,  reported,  that  Captain  Benson  says 
he  has  made  a  thorough  search  for  the  articles  ordered  by 
the  Committee  of  Safety  for  fitting  out  the  vessels  preparing 


that  they  expected  to  attack  every  hour,  he  thinks  this  night 
at  farthest ;  it  was  to  be  on  Long-Island  and  up  the  North- 
River;  that  the  fifteen  thousand  men  were  to  land  and  attack 
on  Bergen-Point,  Elizabethtoivn- Point,  and  at  Amboy.  He 
has  heard  the  orders  read,  and  heard  the  Generals  talk  of 
it.  The  wagons  are  all  laid  out  and  ready ;  that  they  appear 
very  determined,  and  will  put  all  to  the  sword.  They  are  in 
great  want  of  provisions;  pork  tolerably  good,  but  flour  ex- 
ceedingly bad.  They  have  eat  up  all  the  cattle,  and  are 
now  killing  and  barrelling  up  all  the  horses  they  meet  with. 
All  the  field-pieces  are  taken  on  board  except  two.  The 
information  may  be  depended  on.  Ten  pounds  havejjeen 


*  .  |  |  •  111  [IJl  [11(1  LIU  II     I  III*  J       uyj     *-««-  I 

for  Hudson's  River;  that  he  requested  to  borrow  the  art.-      .       fora  COW)  ancl  ten  donars  for  a  sheep.  That  the  Tories 


cles  directed  to  be  bought  out  of  the  Continental  store  at 
P oughkeepsie ;  that  the  sloops  will  be  of  no  use  but  in  the 
river,  the  beams  of  their  decks  not  being  substantial  or  strong 
enough  to  go  to  sea. 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  of  said  Report  be  de- 
ferred until  Mr.  John  Jay  is  present. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  his  Excellency  General  Washing- 
ton, relative  to  a  report  that  the  City  of  New- York  was  to 
be  burnt  if  the  Troops  left  it,  was  read  and  approved,  and 
is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of) 
New-York,  Haerlem,  August  22,  1776.      $ 

"  SIR  :  The  Convention  of  this  State  have  received  infor- 
mation from  one  of  the  Deputies  of  the  City  and  County 
of  New-York  of  a  report  prevailing  amongst  the  Army, 
'  that  if  the  fortune  of  war  should  oblige  our  troops  to  aban- 
don that  city,  it  should  be  immediately  burnt  by  the  retreating 
soldiery,  and  that  any  man  is  authorized  to  set  it  on  fire.' 

"  The  Convention  will  cheerfully  submit  to  the  fatal  neces- 
sity of  destroying  that  valuable  city  whenever  your  Ex- 
cellency shall  deem  it  essential  to  the  safety  of  this  State  or 
the  general  interest  of  America.  Yet  the  duty  which  they 


the  Island  are  very  ill-treated  lately,  so  that  the  inhabi- 
,  who  at  first  were  so  pleased,  would  now  be  willing  to 
poison  them  all.     They  take  from  them  everything  they 
choose,  and  no  one  has  anything  they  can  call  their  own. 

"  I  am,  with  great  respect,  &.C.,  &ic., 

"  WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 
«'  Elizabethtown,  August  21,  1776." 

Mr.  Hobart  further  informed  the  Convention  that  the 
enemy  are  landed  on  Nassau-Island;  that  the  Rifle  Regi- 
ment are  retreated  to  the  lines;  that  the  enemy  have  landed 
a  party  of  Light-Horse,  and  between  thirty  and  forty  pieces 
of  Artillery. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Jay,  Mr. 
Morris,  General  Morris,  and  Mr.  Benjamin  Sands,  be  a 
Committee  to  take  the  said  Letter  and  intelligence  into  con- 
sideration, and  report  thereon  to-morrow  morning,  and  to 
write  to  General  Washington  to  know  whether  he  desires 
General  Morris's  Brigade  to  be  called  out. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  remove  the  Treasury  and 
Papers  and  Accounts  near  to  the  Church  in  Harlem  to-mor- 
morning. 

Ordered,   That  Mr.   Gerard  Bancker  remove  all  the 


owe  to  their  constituents  obliges  them  to  take  every  possible  Books  and  Papers  of  the  late  General  Assembly  of  this 
precaution  that  twenty  thousand  inhabitants  may  not  be  re- 
duced to  misery  by  the  wanton  act  of  an  individual.  They 
therefore  entreat  your  Excellency  to  take  such  measures  in 
preventing  the  evil  tendency  of  such  a  report  as  you  shall 
deem  most  expedient. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
and  very  humble  servant.     By  order : 

"AsM.  YATES,  President. 
"  His  Excellency  General  Washington."          , 


State  to  Harlem  to-morrow  morning. 

Die  Veneris,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  23,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker, .Colonel  Broome,  Major  Van 

Zandt,  Mr.  Dunscomb,  Colonel  Brasher. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwell. 
DUTCHESS. — Major  Schenck,  Mr.  Socket,  Mr.  London. 

CUMBERLAND Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 

The  Convention  met  on  a  summons  of  the  Members  and     QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Mr.  James  Townsend. 


Die  Jovis,  8  ho.  P.  M.,  August  22,  1776. 


ring  of  the  bell.     Present : 

NEW- YORK. — Colonel  Broome,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Jay; 

Colonel  Lott,  Captain  Rutgers,  Captain  Denning,  Mr. 

Roosevelt,  on  duty. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Adgate. 

SUFFOLK. — Mr.  W.  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwett,  Mr.  Hobart. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Mr.  De  Witt. 
DCTCHESS. — Mr.  Socket,  Mr.  Schenck. 
QUF.EN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Mr.   Jos.  Townsend, 

Mr.  Ben.  Sands. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.    Zeb.  Mills,  General   Morris,  Mr. 

Gout).  Morris. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Jos.  Smith. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  being  absent,  and  the  Con- 
vention suddenly  and  unexpectedly  convened,  William 
Smith,  Esq.,  was  chosen  President  for  the  evening. 

Mr.  James  Townsend  and  Mr.  Hobart  delivered  a  copy 
of  a  Letter  from  Brigadier-General  Livingston,  of  New-Jer- 
sey, to  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  which  was  read, 
and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  M-AY  IT  PLEASE  YOUR  EXCELLENCY:  In  the  utmost 
haste  I  must  inform  you  that  very  providentially  I  sent  a  spy 
last  night  on  Staten-Mand,  to  obtain  intelligence  of  the 
movements  of  the  enemy,  as  many  things,  apparently  new, 
were  seen  from  our  lines.  He  has  this  moment  returned  in 
safety.  The  substance  of  his  information  I  must  give  you 
in  short :  He  went  on  Statcn-Island  about  midnight,  and  got, 
undiscovered,  to  the  house  of  the  person  to  whom  he  was 


ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Confine. 
WESTCHESTER. — Judge  Graham,  Mr.  Haviland. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Jos.  Smith. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Newkirk. 

Die  Veneris,  3  ho.  P.  M.,  August  23,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Colonel   Broome,   Mr.  Dunscomb,   Colonel 

Brasher,  Mr.  Bancker. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  William  Smith,  Mr.  Tredwdl,  Mr.  Hobart. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Schenck,  Mr.  Socket,  Mr.  London. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Mr.  James  Townsend, 

Mr.  Benjamin  Sands,  Major  Lawrence. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Haviland,  Judge  Graham. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Confine,  Colonel  De  Witt. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Outu-ater,  Mr.  Jos.  Smith. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

Mr.  Duer,  from  the  Committee  appointed  to  consider  of 
and  report  on  the  Letter  from  Brigadier-General  Livingston 
to  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  brought  in  the  Report 
of  the  said  Committee,  which  was  read. 

The  same  being  read  a  second  time,  and  some  time  spent 

therein, 

Mr.  William  Smith  moved,  and  was  seconded  by  Mr. 
James  Townsend,  that  the  said  Report  of  the  Committee  on 
the  said  Letter  be  postponed  for  further  consideration. 


1533 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1534 


Debates  arose  thereon,  and  the  question  being  put,  it  was 
carried  in  the  negative,  in  manner  following,  to  wit: 

Fur  the  Negative.  For  the  Affirmative. 

6  Alljany.  4  Queen's. 

2  Cumberland. 
8  New-York. 

3  Orange. 

2  Charlotte. 

5  Dutchcss. 

4  Ulster. 
4  Suffolk. 

34  votes. 

Therefore  the  said  motion  was  rejected. 

After  much  time  spent  on  said  Report, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  William  Smith, 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Report  be  committed  to  the 
Deputies  from  Suffolk  and  Queen's,  and  that  they  report 
to-morrow  morning. 

Mr.  Duer,  for  Charlotte  County,  dissented. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Dunscomb  and  Mr.  Robert  Harper 
be  added  to  the  Committee  for  removing  the  women,  chil- 
dren, and  infirm  persons,  out  of  the  City  of  New-  York. 

Die  Sabbati,  9  ho.  A.  M.,  August  24,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  R.  Harper,  Mr.  Bancker,  Col.  Broome ; 

Mr.  Roosevelt,  Mr.  Dunscomb,  Colonel  Lott,  Captain 

Rutgers,  Captain  Denning,  on  duty. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  W.  Smith. 
ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Contine. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Newkirk,  Mr.  Harper. 
WF.STCHESTER. — Mr.  Gouverneur  Morris,  Mr.  Haviland, 

Judge  Graham. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Wisner. 
DUTCHESS. — Major  Schenck,  Mr.  Socket,  Mr.  London. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens,  Colonel  Marsh. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  S.  Townsend,  Mr.  James  Townsend,  Mr. 

Benjamin  Sands. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Hobart, 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  Members  of  Suffolk  and 
Queen's  Counties  now  present  join  the  other  Members  from 
those  two  Counties,  now  sitting  as  a  Committee  to  reconsi- 
der the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Letter  of  Brigadier- 
General  Livingston  to  his  Excellency  General  Washington; 
and  the  President  and  other  Members  proceed  as  a  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  on  all  business  relating  to  this  State,  or  on 
which  this  Convention  might  proceed,  until  Members  suffi- 
cient to  form  a  Convention  come  in. 

The  Committee  consisting  of  the  Members  of  Queen's 
and  Suffolk,  came  into  the  Convention  without  delay,  and 
reported,  in  substance,  the  following  Resolutions ;  which 
being  read,  and  unanimously  agreed  to,  are  in  the  words 
following : 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Brigadier-General  Woodhutt, 
or,  in  his  absence,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Potter,  march  without 
delay  one-half  of  the  western  Regiment  of  Militia  of  Suffolk 
County,  with  five  days'  provisions,  into  the  western  part  of 
Queen's  County,  and  that  the  officers  of  the  Militia  in 
Queen's  County  immediately  order  out  the  whole  Militia  of 
that  County,  together  with  their  Troop  of  Horse,  and  that 
the  said  officers  of  Militia  and  Troop  of  Horse  use  all  pos- 
sible diligence  to  prevent  the  stock  and  other  provisions  in 
Queen's  County  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
either  by  removing  them  out  of  their  way,  or  if  that  cannot 
be  effected,  by  destroying  them,  until  they  shall  receive  more 
particular  directions  from  this  Convention. 

And  Ordered,  further,  That  the  Captain  of  the  Troop 
of  Horse  in  King's  County,  with  his  Troop,  join  the  said 
Militia,  and  that  the  inhabitants  of  Queen's  County,  not  of 
the  Militia,  do  assist  in  executing  the  above  orders  whenever 
they  shall  have  notice  from  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
Militia  that  their  assistance  is  necessary. 

Ordtred,  That  the  Secretaries  prepare  several  copies  of 
these  Resolutions,  and  send  them  to  Brigade-Major  Law- 
rence, in  Queen's  County,  and  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Potter 
and  General  Wood/mil,  in  Suffolk  County,  by  Samuel  Dyck- 
man,  the  Messenger. 

The  Members,  of  Westchester  and    Charlotte  Counties 


having  come  into  the  Convention  while  the  last  resolutions 
were  considering,  there  were  Members  sufficient  to  form  a 
Convention,  which  prevented  the  necessity  of  proceeding  as 
a  Committee  of  Safety,  and  abrogated  their  power. 

The  President  informed  the  Convention  that  Dr.  Treat  * 
has  sent  a  quantity  of  Medicines  and  Hospital  Stores  belong- 
ing to  the  publick  to  his  (the  President's)  chamber  in  Har- 
lem. 

Thereupon,  one  of  the  Members  informed  the  Conven- 
tion, that  four  of  the  Members  had  directed  them  to  be  sent 
to  the  President  at  Harlem,  as  Dr.  Treat  thought  they  were 
not  safe  in  the  City,  and  a  justification  of  their  conduct  in 
this  matter.  The  Convention  approves  and  justifies  their 
conduct  in  this  matter. 

A  Letter  from  the  Committee  at  Monmouth  County,  in 
the  State  of  New-Jersey,  in  answer  to  one  addressed  to 
them  by  this  Convention,  was  received  and  read,  and  is  in 
the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  In  Committee,  Monmouth  County,  Freehold,  August  17,  1776. 

"SiR:  We  have  received  yours  of  the  26th  ultimo,  en- 
closing the  examination  of  Balthazar  De  Hart,  and  have 
much  reason  to  expect  and  believe  the  contents  truly  stated. 
It  has  been,  and  still  continues  our  misfortune,  that  many 
parts  of  this  County  are  exceedingly  infested  with  Tories  of 
the  most  inveterate  disposition,  owing,  we  suspect,  in  a  great 
measure,  to  the  malign  influence  of  our  late  Attorney-Gene- 
ral and  his  execrable  junto. 

"  The  township  of  Shrewsbury,  from  the  bad  disposition  of 
a  great  proportion  of  its  inhabitants,  from  its  vicinity  to  the 
shore,  and  consequent  aptitude  for  dealing  and  correspond- 
ing with  the  enemy,  and  all  this  under  the  patronage  of  such 
a  Committee  as  you  may  justly  suppose  a  disaffected  major- 
ity would  naturally  constitute,  must  as  naturally  offer  itself 
as  an  asylum  to  refugee  Tories  from  any  other  quarter,  and 
hence  you  will  easily  account  for  so  many  disaffected  per- 
sons from  your  city  having  seated  themselves  there,  who  by 
means  of  a  kind  of  stage  or  post  established  between  that 
town  and  New-York,  have,  we  fear,  given  the  enemy  intel- 
ligence of  all  your  measures,  and  may,  perhaps,  continue  to 
do  so,  if  passes  from  that  Committee  are  admitted  at  or  near 
your  city. 

"  We  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that,  having  had 
a  notification  of  almost  every  article  contained  in  Mr.  De 
Hart's  examination,  we  had,  previous  to  the  receipt  of  your 
letter,  entered  fully  into  the  affair,  and  taken  such  steps  as 
we  hope  will  cut  off  the  communication  with  the  enemy, 
bring  some  offenders  to  justice,  and  perhaps  return  you  some 
of  your  late  inhabitants.  Particularly  a  guard  had  been 
already  posted,  by  order  of  General  Mercer,  upon  the  whole 
Shrewsbury  and  Middlctown  shores,  who  have  orders  to 
seize  and  detain  all  craft  belonging  to  said  shores,  and  to 
apprehend  every  suspicious  person  who  may  be  found  within 
their  respective  districts.  There  had  been  also  apprehended 
a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Shrewsbury,  against  whom 
proofs  of  disaffection  were  proffered,  some  of  whom  we  have 
bound  in  heavy  bonds,  and  another,  a  person  of  first  property 
in  the  town,  is  now  under  confinement,  and  we  expect  will 
take  his  trial  upon  the  Treason  Act,  as  soon  as  our  new 
Legislature  shall  be  established. 

"  Persons,  by  order  of  your  Convention,  and  under  ap- 
pointment of  this  Committee,  have  inventoried  and  appraised 
a  number  of  estates  in  that  and  our  other  townships,  which 
lately  belonged  to  a  set  of  refugees  who,  finding  the  country 
too  hot  for  them,  have  fled  and  joined  the  Ministerial  Army, 
which  wicked  and  traitorous  step,  some  scores  of  our  inhabit- 
ants have  taken,  though  they  were  chiefly  persons  of  the 
most  abandoned  characters  and  desperate  fortunes. 

"  We  have  cited  the  three  persons  mentioned  in  your 
letter  to  have  been  at  General  Howe's  camp,  and  although 
they  went  by  Colonel  Taylor's  permission,  who  granted 
them  a  Hag,  yet,  as  they  had  not  been  qualified,  we  have 
put  them  under  oath,  but  have  not  been  able  to  make  any 
very  important  discoveries.  Not  choosing  to  trust  the  busi- 
ness to  the  Town  Committee,  for  reasons  before  hinted,  we 

•New- YORK,  Jlt(g\vst  19,  1776. 

SIR:  By  order  from  Messrs.  William  Denning,  Charles  De  Witt,  James 
Beekman,  and  John  Sloss  Hobart,  1  send  to  your  care  all  ilie  medicines, 
sheets,  lint,  &c.,  now  in  my  possession  belonging  to  tlie  Congress  of  the 
State  of  J*'eic-York,  which  you  will  receive  by  one  Demerer,  a  carman. 

I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant,  MALACHY  TREAT. 

To  the  Hon.  Abraham  Yates,  Jr.,  Esq. 


1535 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1536 


had  also,  before  the  receipt  of  your  favour,  constituted  a 
Sub-Committee  from  our  own  body,  who  were  authorized 
to  cite  every  inhabitant  of  New-York  then  within  the  town- 
ship of  Shrewsbury,  to  appear  before  them,  and  show  cause 
why  they  should  not  be  immediately  removed  whence  they 
came,  agreeable  to  a  late  requisition  from  your  State,  and  an 
express  ordinance  of  our  own,  respecting  persons  deserting 
the  place  of  their  abode,  when  in  danger  of  being  attacked ; 
who  have  cited  them  accordingly,  and  give  them  till  the 
24th  instant  to  procure,  if  practicable,  from  Ncic-  York,  such 
certificates  as  may  satisfy  the  friends  of  freedom  here. 

"  A  number  of  armed  vessels  have  frequently  been,  for 
days  together,  at  anchor  and  hovering  near  the  coast,  and 
we  doubt  not  have  had  frequent  intercourse  with,  and  re- 
ceived some  supplies  from,  the  disaffected  in  this  County. 
But  they  have  not  as  yet  been  able  to  effect  anything  to 
purpose;  and  as  our  guards  are  now  on  the  spot,  and  we 
have  given  peremptory  orders  that  all  the  stock  be  imme- 
diately driven  from  all  the  beaches  and  adjacent  meadows, 
we  flatter  ourselves  that  the  en< -my  will  be  disappointed  in 
any  future  attempt  they  may  make  to  procure  provisions. 

"  Our  maritime  situation,  at  the  same  time  that  it  has  been 
favourable  to  the  pernicious  designs  of  our  inveterate  ene- 
mies, has  subjected  the  Committee  of  this  County  to  almost 
innumerable  difficulties  from  the  beginning  of  these  troubles, 
and  we  believe  we  may  justly  say  we  have  spent  more  time 
and  undergone  more  vexation  and  fatigue  than  any  other 
Committee  in  this  State,  as  on  every  extraordinary  occasion 
our  members  were  to  be  convened  from  an  extent  of  seventy 
or  eighty  miles.  However,  blessed  be  God,  we  hope  we 
have  almost  completed  a  victory  over  them,  and  we  humbly 
confide  on  his  Almighty  aid  for  a  universal  conquest  over 
every  other  enemy  to  American  freedom. 

"  We  heartily  thank  you  for  your  friendly  communica- 
tions, and  shall,  with  the  utmost  cheerfulness,  concur  with 
you  in  every  measure  for  the  publick  safety. 

"  And  now,  that  the  same  all-wise  Director  and  powerful 
supporter  of  true  civil  and  religious  liberty  may  bless  the 
Convention  of  the  State  of  New- York  with  unanimity,  wis- 
dom, and  fortitude,  in  the  arduous  task  assigned  them,  and 
that  they  may  speedily  obtain  the  desirable  end  of  all  their 
patriotick  exertions,  is  in  sincerity  and  truth  the  most  ardent 
wish  of  their  friends,  brethren,  and  humble  servants,  the 
Committee  of  Monmouth  County. 

"Signed  by  order:  JOHN  HOLMES,  Chairman. 

"  To  the  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
Yorlc." 

Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  Committee  to  consist 
of  Colonel  Broomc  and  Colonel  De  Witt. 

A  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Cumber- 
land was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
that  is  to  say : 

Province  of  .Yew-  York,  ) 
Cumberland  County,  J 

To  the  Honourable  Gentlemen  of  the 

Provincial  Congress  of  this  Province : 

"  Upon  the  handbills  from  you  sent  to  us,  purporting 
the  expediency  of  instituting  civil  government  according  to 
the  exigencies  of  the  County,  the  major  part  of  whom  have 
agreed  thereto  and  elected  their  Delegates,  and  empowered 
them  with  their  authority  to  agree  with  you  in  forming  a 
mode  of  government  independent  of  the  Crown,  in  the  most 
mild,  just,  and  equitable  manner  possible,  for  the  regulating 
their  internal  police,  and  the  preservation  of  the  rights,  liber- 
ties and  property  of  the  people;  all  which  subjected,  never- 
theless, to  those  regulations,  conditions,  and  restraints,  here- 
with transmitted  you  by  the  hands  of  the  Delegates  of  this 
County;  to  all  which  they  are,  by  their  constituents  in  the 
premises,  limited  and  restrained  in  such  manner,  that  if  they 
break  over  and  violate  those  sacred  instructions  herewith 
sent  you,  in  behalf  of  us  and  our  constituents,  in  matters  of 
such  infinite  importance  and  delicacy,  the  County  Commit- 
tee declare,  in  behalf  of  the  few  patriotick  people  thereof, 
that  they  mean  to,  and  hereby  resolve  to  reserve  to  them- 
selves the  full  liberty  of  an  absolute  disavowance  thereof, 
and  of  every  clause,  article,  and  paragraph,  of  such  an  insti- 
tution. 

"  Also,  it  is  hereby  acceded  to,  and  fully  meant  and  in- 
tended by  the  good  people  of  this  County,  that  they,  not- 
withstanding this  compliance  with  the  requisition  of  the  said 


handbills  above-mentioned,  so  directed  to  us  for  the  pur- 
poses aforesaid,  have  fully  and  absolutely  reserved  to  them- 
selves and  their  heirs,  &tc.,  the  full  liberty  of  pursuing  their 
former  petition  in  behalf  of  the  people  included  and  specified 
therein  some  years  ago,  and  referred  to  the  Great  and  Ge- 
neral Assembly  of  the  ancient,  ever-respect;ible,  and  most 
patriotick  Government  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay  Province, 
that  the  whole  district  described  in  said  petition  may  be 
hereafter  remitted  to  that  Province,  and  reserving  to  them- 
selves also  the  right  of  offering  their  pleas,  arguments  and 
proofs  in  full,  to  induce  a  reunion  thereof  to  that  ancient 
jurisdiction,  for  those  important  reasons  to  be  adduced,  when, 
where,  and  before  whom  the  parties  concerned  shall  be 
admitted  to  offer  the  same.  As  in  duty  bound  shall  ever 
pray. 

"  The  whole  whereof,  so  as  offered  to  your  ever-respect- 
able gentlemen,  submitted  with  due  congratulation  of  all  the 
good  people  of  said  County. 

"  By  order  of  the  County  Committee : 

"JAMES  CLAY,  Chairman  of  said  Committee. 

"  Copy  compared  with  the  original,  and  extracted  there- 
from. 

"  Attest:  ELK.  DAY,  Clerk  of  said  Committee. 

"Protests  instantly  entered. "J 

"  ELKANAH  DAY,  I  Test :  ELK.  DAY,  Clerk  to 

"  JOHN  BRIDONOR,  Esq.,       J  said  Committee. 

"  JOHN  NORTON. 
"Westminster,  June  21,  A.  D.  1776." 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  be  referred  to  a  Commit- 
tee, to  consist  of  Mr.  Morris,  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Hobart,  and 
Mr.  Schenck. 


Die  Sabbati,  4  ho.  P.  M.,  August  24,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present:  Abm.  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President. 

NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  ft.  Harper.     Five  mem- 
bers absent  on  business. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yatcs,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Blecclccr. 

SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Tredwett,  Mr.  W.  Smith,  Mr.  Hobart. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sackct,  Mr.  Schenck,  Mr.  R.  R.  Living- 
ston. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

WESTCHESTER. — Gouverneur  Morris,  Mr.  Haviland,  Gene- 
ral Morris. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  £  Townsend,  Mr.  J.  Townsend,  Mr.  Ben. 
Sands. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Newkirk. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Wisncr. 

CUMBERLAND. — Mr.  Stephens.  Colonel  Marsh. 

Hugh  Doyle,  late  a  soldier  in  Captain  Palmer's  Compa- 
ny, in  one  of  the  Regiments  of  this  Colony,  attending,  was 
admitted.  He  informed  the  Convention  that  he  had  lately 
been  taken  by  the  enemy  on  Staten-Island,  and  detained  a 
prisoner  in  irons  twenty-five  days;  that  by  inlisting  in  the 
enemy's  regiment  of  volunteers,  he  had  a  dangerous  oppor- 
tunity, and  made  his  escape  on  Wednesday  last.  He  gave 
such  information  as  he  had  to  communicate. 

Ordered,  That  Peter  V.  B.  Livingston,  Esq.,  as  Trea- 
surer of  this  Convention,  'advance  to  Hugh  Doyle  eight 
Dollars,  to  support  him  in  his  return  to  his  family  at  New- 
Haven. 

Resolved,  and  Ordered,  That  Peter  Van  B.  Livingston, 
Esq.,  as  Treasurer  of  this  Convention,  advance  to  Colonel 
Isaac  Nicoll  £72,  to  enable  him  to  pay  the  one  moiety  of 
the  bounty  due  to  eighteen  Privates  of  his  Regiment,  and 
muster  the  said  men ;  Colonel  Nicoll  to  be  accountable  to 
this  Convention  for  the  disposition  of  that  money.* 

And  Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  Clinton  be,  and 
is  hereby,  requested  to  give  out  in  orders,  that  the  Colonels 

*  GENTLEMEN:  There  is  great  complaints  among  the  troops  concern- 
ing their  bounty,  many  of  them  having  no  money  to  purchase  necessa- 
ries, having  left  at  home  what  little  they  had  for  the  use  of  their  families, 
expecting  to  have  received  the  remainder  of  their  bounty  agreeable  to 
your  first  resolution.  I  can  but  think  the  good  of  the  service  and  honour 
of  the  Convention  is  concerned.  Hope  you  will  take  it  into  considera- 
tion, and  afford  speedy  relief  in  the  premises.  Am,  gentlemen,  your 
very  humble  servant,  ZEPHA.  PLATT. 

To  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  JVeic-  York. 

[An  order  was  made  immediately  (in  pursuance  of  this  letter)  that  the 
Colonels  return  their  Muster-Rolls;  but  no  notice  is  taken  of  this  letter  in 
the  Minutes.] 


1537 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1538 


of  the  respective  Regiments  in  his  Brigade,  who  have  not 
returned  the  Muster- Rolls  of  their  Regiments  to  this  Con- 
vention, do  return  the  same  immediately,  in  order  that  they 
may  be  mustered  by  a  Continental  Mustermaster,  and  receive 
the  other  moiety  of  their  bounty  money. 

Captain  Benson  having  attempted,  by  order  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  the  obstructing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River, 
to  purchase  Sails  and  Rigging  for  two  armed  Sloops,  which 
cannot  be  purchased, 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  for  stopping  the  channel 
in  the  East  River  be  requested  to  furnish  Captain  Henry 
Benson,  on  account  of  this  State,  with  such  Rigging  and  other 
articles  as  he  may  want,  and  which  are  now  in  their  posses- 
sion, taken  from  the  Vessels  by  them  employed  in  stopping 
the  channel  aforesaid. 

A  Request  of  Major  Hendrick  Van  De  Linde  Verbryck* 
to  Brigadier-General  Clinton,  requesting  a  dismission  from 
the  present  service,  on  account  of  his  ill  state  of  health,  was 
read  and  filed. 

General  Clinton's  Letter  to  Major  VanBryck,-\  submitting 
his  application  to  this  Convention,  was  also  read  and  filed. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  consent  to  the  dismission 
of  Major  Van  Bryck  from  the  present  service,  on  account  of 
his  ill  state  of  health,  agreeable  to  his  request. 

Barrcnt  Miller,  Esq.,  came  into  the  Convention  and  took 
his  seat,  as  a  Deputy  for  Suffolk  County. 

The  Committee,  consisting  of  the  Deputies  from  Suffolk 
and  Queen's  Counties,  appointed  yesterday  evening,  to  re- 
consider the  Report  of  the  former  Committee  on  the  Letter 
of  General  Livingston  to  his  Excellency  General  Washing- 
'ton,  brought  in  their  Report.  Eight  paragraphs  thereof,  with 
the  recital,  being  read,  amended,  and  agreed  to,  paragraph 
by  paragraph,  is  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to  say : 

Whereas  the  enemy's  troops  have  landed  on  the  west- 
ern shore  of  Nassau-Island  and  penetrated  into  the  heart  of 
King's' County,  and  this  Convention  have  received  intelli- 
gence that  they  are  in  extreme  want  of  provisions  and  re- 
freshments; and  whereas  it  will  be  extremely  difficult,  if  not 
impracticable,  to  prevent  them  from  ravaging  and  plunder- 
ing the  southern  part  of  the  said  Island,  whereby  their  pre- 
sent necessities  may  be  greatly  relieved:  Inasmuch,  therefore, 
as  it  is  the  duty  of  this  Convention  to  prefer  the  general  cause 
of  America  to  the  interest  and  convenience  of  individuals: 

1st.  Resolved,  That  all  the  Horses,  Horned  Cattle,  and 
Sheep,  belonging  to  the  south  side  of  the  ridge  of  hills  in 
Queen's  County,  be  forthwith  removed,  and  put  into  the 
fields  at  the  east  end  of  Hempstead  Plains,  there  to  be  and 
remain,  under  a  sufficient  number  of  keepers,  at  the  discre.- 
tion  of  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  until  he  shall  judge  it 
necessary  to  remove  them  farther  eastward ;  and  when  he 
shall  think  the  same  necessary,  that  he  do  direct  them  to  be 
drove  into  such  part  of  Suffolk  County  as  he  shall  think 
proper:  Provided,  notwithstanding,  That  nothing  in  this 
resolve  shall  extend  to  prevent  each  large  family  from 
retaining  four  milch  Cows,  each  middling  family  three,  and 
each  small  family  two;  nor  each  farmer  from  retaining  one 
pair  of  Horses. 

2d.  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  inhabitants 
of  Queen's  County,  residing  to  the  south  of  the  ridge  of 
hills,  immediately  to  remove  all  their  Grain  now  in  the 
barns  and  barracks,  to  some  convenient  place,  at  a  distance 

*  KING'S  BRIDGE,  August  23,  1776. 
To  GEORGE  CLINTON,  Esq.,  showeth: 

That  whereas  1  was  appointed  by  the  State  of  New-  York  a  Major  in 
Colonel  Isaac  Jt'icolt's  Regiment,  at  which  lime  I  was  not  well,  and 
should  have  declined  accepting  had  I  not  been  persuaded  to  it.  And  as  I 
still  continue  unwell,  and  think  myself  not  able  for  the  service,  hope 
your  Honour  will  be  so  good  as  to  get  me  a  dismission;  and  by  so  doing 
you  will  greatly  oblige  your  petitioner. 

H.  V.  D.  L.  VERBRTCK,  Major. 

t  KING'S  BRIDGE,  Jlvgttst  24,  1776. 

SIR:  It  would  be  a  high  piece  of  presumption  in  me  to  dismiss  any 
gentleman  from  the  service  of  the  State  who  is  intrusted  with  an  office 
in  my  Brigade  by  the  Convention,  especially  one  of  such  importance  as 
that  of  a  Major  of  a  regiment.  Your  application,  therefore,  ought  to  be 
to  that  body  who  gave  you  your  appointment.  And  I  doubt  not,  upon 
a  representation  of  the  state  of  your  health,  which  I  am  convinced  is 
really  such  as  to  render  you  unfit  for  service,  they  will  readily  grant  you 
a  dismission  from  the  same.  I  could  wish  it  suited  you  to  continue  with  ' 
us,  in  which  case  I  would  endeavour  to  make  your  duty  as  easy  as  the 
nature  of  your  office  and  the  times  would  admit  of.  At  the  same  time  I 
cannot  advise  you  in  a  matter  of  so  delicate  nature. 

I  am  your  most  obedient  servant,  GEO.  CLINTON. 

To  Major  Verbryck. 


from  the  buildings,  that  the  same,  without  endangering  the 
buildings,  may  be  burnt,  whenever  it  shall  be  impracticable 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting  possession  of  it. 

3d.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  whenever  Brigadier- 
General  Woodhull,  or  the  commanding  officer  for  the  time 
being,  shall  judge  that  it  is  the  design  of  the  enemy  to 
possess  themselves  of  such  Grain,  he  do  send  a  sufficient 
number  of  men  to  burn  and  destroy  the  same;  and  that  the 
said  General  or  commanding  officer  at  the  same  time  cause 
all  the  Horses  and  Cows  which  were  left  with  the  different 
families  to  be  driven  away  or  killed  ;  and  that  all  the  Mills 
at  the  same  time  be  dismantled  by  taking  and  carrying  away 
the  upper  stone. 

4th.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Brigadier-General 
Woodhull,  with  the  Troops  under  his  command,  take  post 
on  the  high  ground  running  through  Nassau-Island,  as  near 
the  enemy  as  he  may  think  expedient,  for  the  purpose  of 
opposing  their  incursions;  and  that  whenever  it  shall  appear 
probable  to  him  that  the  enemy  will  gain  possession  of  those 
heights,  and  of  the  country  to  the  northward  and  eastward  of 
the  same,  he  retreat,  removing  or  destroying  the  stock  and  the 
grain,  and  dismantling  the  Mills,  in  manner  above  directed. 

5th.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  such  of  the  Militia  of 
General  Woodhull's  Brigade  as  are,  or  shall  be,  in  actual  ser- 
vice, shall  be  entitled  to  Continental  pay  and  rations  agreeable 
to  their  respective  ranks. 

6th.  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Robert  Townsend  be 
a  Commissary  to  supply  the  Brigade  with  Provisions,  till 
such  time  as  General  Washington  shall  give  further  orders 
for  that  purpose;  and  that  Mr.  William  Smith  and  Mr. 
Samuel  Townsend  be  a  Committee  to  wait  on  General 
Washington  with  a  copy  of  these  Resolutions,  and  submit 
the  expediency  and  necessity  of  the  same  to  his  considera- 
tion and  advice. 

And  whereas  it  will  be  extremely  difficult,  if  not  im- 
practicable to  effect  the  good  purposes  of  these  Resolutions 
without  an  additional  force  to  the  Militia,  ordered  out  by  a 
Resolve  of  this  morning  for  calling  out  a  part  of  General 
WoodhulTs  Brigade  : 

Ordered,  That  said  Committee  submit  to  his  Excellency's 
consideration  the  propriety  of  ordering  Col.  Smith's  and  Col. 
Remsen's  Regiments  of  Militia  to  join  the  said  Brigade. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Committee  do  request  General 
Washington's  opinion  relative  to  the  propriety  of  calling 
forth  further  detachments  of  the  Militia  of  this  State  into 
action;  and»if  called  out,  to  what  place. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  aforegoing  Resolutions  be 
immediately  transmitted  to  the  Delegates  of  this  State  in  the 
General  Congress. 

A  Letter  from  his  Excellency  General  Washington,  con- 
tradicting the  report  that  New-  York  *was  to  be  abandoned 
and  burnt,  was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing, to  wit : 

"  New-York,  August  23,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  I  am  favoured  with  yours  of  the  22d, 
acquainting  me  with  a  report  now  circulating  'that  if  the 
American  Army  should  be  obliged  to  retreat  from  this  city, 
any  individual  may  set  it  on  fire.'  I  can  assure  you,  gen- 
tlemen, this  report  is  not  founded  upon  the  least  authority 
from  me ;  on  the  other  hand,  I  am  so  sensible  of  the  value  of 
such  a  city,  and  the  consequences  of  its  destruction  to  many 
worthy  citizens  and  their  families,  that  nothing  but  the  last 
necessity,  and  that  such  as  should  justify  me  to  the  whole 
world,  would  induce  me  to  give  orders  for  that  purpose. 

"  The  unwillingness  shown  by  many  families  to  remove, 
notwithstanding  your  and  my  recommendation,  may,  perhaps, 
have  led  some  persons  to  propagate  the  report  with  honest 
and  innocent  intentions;  but  as  your  letter  first  informed  me 
of  it,  I  cannot  pretend  to  say  by  whom  or  for  what  purpose 
it  has  been  done.  As  my  views  with  regard  to  the  removal 
of  the  women  and  children  have  happily  coincided  with  your 
sentiments,  and  a  Committee  appointed  to  carry  them  into 
execution,  I  submit  it  to  your  judgment  whether  it  would 
not  be  proper  for  the  Committee  to  meet  immediately  in  this 
city,  and  give  notice  of  their  attendance  on  this  business. 
There  are  many  who  anxiously  wish  to  remove,  but  have 
not  the  means. 

"  I  am,  with  much  respect  and  regard,  gentlemen,  your 
most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

"  Go.  WASHINGTON. 
"  To  the  Hon.  Convention  of  the  State  of  Neu>-  York." 


FIFTH  SERIES.— VOL.  I. 


97 


1539 


NEW- YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1540 


Die  Soils,  8  ho.  A.  M.,  August  25, 1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abm.  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President, pro  tern. 
NF.VV-YOUK. — Mr.  Ranckcr.  Mr.  /?.  Harper;  Mr.  Roosevelt, 

Mr.  Dunscomb,  Colonel  Lott,  Captain  Denning,  Captain 

Rutgers,  on  duty. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yatcs,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker. 
SUFFOLK.— Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Trcdwell,  Mr.  Hobart. 
WESTCHESTEK. — G.  Morris,  Mr. Haviland,Gen.  Morris. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Newkirk,  Mr.  Harper. 
ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Wisner. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Contine. 

DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Schcnck,  Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  J.  Toivnsend,  Mr.  Benjamin  Sands. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stevens. 

The  Committee,  consisting  of  the  Members  of  Queen's 
and  Suffolk  Counties,  brought  in  the  residue  of  the  Report 
of  the  Committee  on  the  Letter  of  Brigadier-General  Living- 
ston, of  the  21st  instant,  to  General  Washington,  which  was 
adjourned  over  last  evening  for  want  of  time.  The  Con- 
vention took  the  same  into  consideration,  and  the  following 
paragraphs  thereof  being  read,  amended,  agreed  to,  and 
resolved  on,  are  as  follows,  to  wit: 

Whereas  by  reason  of  the  cruel  and  unnatural  invasion 
now  made  upon  this  State,  many  of  the  inhabitants  thereof 
may  be  compelled  to  abandon  their  peaceful  habitations,  and 
be  exposed  to  all  the  miseries  of  want  and  the  horrors  of 
war;  and  whereas  the  same  regard  to  the  rights  of  human 
nature  which  leads  mankind  to  brave  every  danger  an'l 
endure  every  distress  in  the  great  cause  of  freedom,  teaches 
them  to  behold  with  pity,  and  with  geneiosity  to  relieve  the 
distresses  of  their  fellow-creatures;  and  since  it  is  most  (say 
more)  especially  the  duty  of  those  who  are  called  on  to 
superintend  the  general  welfare  of  the  State,  to  lighten  as 
far  as  possible  the  burden  of  calamity  which  oppresses  their 
constituents: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  several  Committees  through- 
out this  State  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  authorized  and 
required  to  quarter  upon  the  inhabitants  of  their  respective 
Counties  and  Districts  all  such  unfortunate  persons  as  may, 
in  consequence  of  the  aforesaid  invasion,  be  driven  away 
from  their  places  of  abode,  paying  all  possible  regard  to  the 
conveniences  of  such  inhabitants,  and  that  they  do  assess 
moderate  prices  to  be  paid  to  such  inhabitants,  for  the  per- 
sons so  quartered  on  them. 

Resolved,  also,  That  such  persons  whom  circumstances 
will  admit,  do  maintain  themselves  and  their  families;  and 
that  this  Convention  will  provide  ways  and  means  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  maintaining  the  indigent:  Provided  always, 
That  no  person  shall  be  deemed  entitled  to  the  publick 
benevolence  for  more  than  ten  days,  unless  he  or  she  shall 
within  that  time  produce  a  certificate  of  indigence  from  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  County  or  District  where 
he  or  she  formerly  resided.  And  also,  that  no  person,  by 
virtue  of  their  removal  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  construed  to 
gain  a  residence  in  the  place  to  which  they  shall  remove. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Committees  above  mentioned 
do  return  monthly  to  this  Convention  an  exact  account  of 
such  indigent  persons  as  shall  appear  te  be  entitled  to  the 
publick  benevolence,  together  with  the  names  of  the  per- 
sons on  whom  they  are  quartered,  and  the  contracts  made  for 
their  maintenance,  in  order  that  this  Convention,  or  a  future 
Legislature,  may  make  immediate  provision  for  fulfilling  such 
agreements. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  prepare  a  copy  of  these 
Resolutions,  to  be  immediately  despatched  to  the  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  of  Flushing. 

Monday  Morning,  August  26,  1776 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abm.  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 
NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Bancker.  Mr.  Harper,  General  Scott, 

Colonel  Remsen,  Mr.  Beekman. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Adgate. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.   Tredtvell,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr. 

Bearing,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  L'Hommedieu. 
WESTCHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Judge  Graham,  Mr.  Havi- 

land,  General  Morris. 
ULSTER. — Mr.  Contine,  Colonel  Paulding. 


DUTCHESS. — Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  London,  M  ijor 

Schenck. 

TKYON. — Mr.  Harper,  M r.  Moore,  M r.  Vedcr,  Mr.  Newkirk. 
ORANGE. — Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  JVisner. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Mr.  James  Toivnsend, 

Colonel  Blackwell. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Trcdwell,  Mr.  William  Smith,  and 
Mr.  James  Toivnsend.  be  a  Committee  to  draw  up  and  report 
Instructions  for  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  and  that  they 
report  with  all  convenient  speed. 

Mr.  Gouvcrneur  Morris,  from  the  Committee  appointed 
on  the  ,  brought  in  their  Report,  which,  being  read 

and  amended,  and  unanimously  agreed  to,  is  in  the  words 
following,  that  is  to  say: 

Whereas  divers  persons  who  had  been  represented  to  this 
Convention  as  notoriously  disaffected  to  the  American  cause, 
and  whose  going  at  large  ought  to  be  restrained,  have,  by  order 
of  this  Convention,  been  arrested,  and  now  remain  confined 
in  the  Jails  of  some  of  the  Counties  of  this  State: 

And  whereas  justice  and  the  publick  safety  demand  that 
the  degrees  of  restraint  should  be  proportionate  to  the  dan- 
ger arising  from  the  disaffection,  evil  disposition,  and  influence 
of  the  said  Prisoners : 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  General  Committees  of 
the  Counties  in  which  they  are  so  confined,  being  possessed 
of  more  knowledge  of  the  characters  and  principles  of  each 
of  the  said  Prisoners  than  this  Convention  can  readily  ac- 
quire, be,  and  they  hereby  are,  authorized  and  directed  so 
to  dispose  of  the  said  Prisoners  as  that  no  undue  and  unne- 
cessary severity  be  shown  them  on  the  one  hand,  and  the 
safety  of  the  publick  against  their  machinations  provided  for 
on  the  other :  Provided,  always,  That  the  said  Committees 
shall  not  have  power  to  tolerate  any  person  or  persons  who 
already  have  been,  or  may  hereafter  be,  confined  in  Jail  for 
treasonable  practices  against  the  State. 

Ordered,  That  copies  thereof  be  sent  to  the  County  Com- 
mittees, and  published  in  all  the  newspapers. 

On  the  application  of  Samuel  Mabbit,  of  Dutchcss  Coun- 
ty, who  assures  that  he  is  about  to  erect  a  Flaxseed  Mill  in 
that  County: 

Resolved,  That  an  exemption  from  military  duty  be 
granted  to  six  persons,  who  shall  be  employed  in  erecting  a 
Flaxseed  Mjll  and  carrying  on  the  business  of  said  Mill  when 
the  same  shall  be  erected :  Provided,  That  the  names  of 
such  persons  be  registered  with  the  Brigadier-General  of  the 
County  of  Dutchess,  and  that  he  be  furnished  with  a  copy 
of  this  Resolution. 

On  reading  the  Petition  of  Charles  Shaw,*  the  Conven- 
tion came  to  the  following  determination  : 

*To  the  Honourable  the  gentlemen  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  NEW- 
YORK,  in  Convention  assembled :  The  Memorial  O/CHARLES  SHAW,  hum- 
bit/  showeth : 

That  your  memorialist  has,  in  conjunction  with  his  partner,  an  in- 
surance made  in  England  to  the  amount  of  £ 2,100  sterling  now  depend- 
ing umecovercd,  owing  to  the  present  unhappy  disputes,  as  he  is  unable 
to  transmit  the  necessary  proofs;  that  lie  is  also  equally  interested  with 
his  partner  in  bills  of  exchange  to  the  amount  of  =£1,100  sterling,  now 
in  litigation  before  the  Court  of  Chancery  in  England;  that  he  has  also 
an  inheritance  in  England  to  the  value  of  •£  1,200  or  upwards;  that  your 
memorialist  is  a  native  of  Great  Britain ;  that  he  left  there  numerous  con- 
nexions; that  he  is  married  in  this  country,  and  has  children,  which  he 
sincerely  wishes,  with  their  posterity,  may  remain  freemen,  and  in  order 
thereto,  he  has  with  cheerfulness  contributed,  and  never,  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, either  by  act  or  deed,  given  aid  or  comfort  to  the  enemies  of  Ame- 
rica; that  he  acted  as  a  committee-man  for  the  City  and  County  of  New- 
York,  in  which  capacity  he  flatters  himself  he  gave  satisfaction  to  his 
constituents — he  is  confident  he  acted  honestly;  that  he  loves  this  coun- 
try, and  wishes  to  spend  his  days  in  it,  and  hopes  to  see  his  offspring 
huppy  in  it;  that  he  has  stood  clear  even  of  the  suspicion  of  being  un- 
friendly to  it  in  any  instance  whatsoever,  and  flatters  himself  the  above 
reasons  will  justify  him  in  the  minds  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  Convention, 
when  he  prays  they  will  exempt  him  from  appearing  with  the  sword 
drawn  and  in  the  field  of  action,  and  therefore  begs  the  honourable  gen- 
tlemen of  the  Convention  will  exempt  him  from  the  militia  duty  that 
may  be  exacted  from  him  by  the  Captain  of  the  district  in  which  he  now 
resides;  that  your  memorialist  has  hired  a  small  house  and  eight  or  ten 
acres  of  land  in  the  borough-town  of  Weslchester,  where  he  has  placed 
his  family;  that  he  should  wish  to  remain  there,  but  that  nevertheless  if 
his  being  an  Englishman  should  create  any  fears  of  the  members  of  the 
community  in  which  he  resides,  (confident  they  have  no  other,)  he  is 
ready  to  go  to  such  place  as  tlic  gentlemen  of  the  Convention  shall  direct, 
though  should  prefer  Claverack,  where  his  wife  has  some  connexions  ; 
'  and  hereby  solemnly  declares  to  the  gentlemen  of  the  Convention  that  he 
loves  this  country  and  the  freedom  of  its  inhabitants;  that  he  never  has, 
directly  or  indirectly,  by  act  or  deed,  taken  any  step  to  injure  either,  and 
never  will,  and  is  ready  to  ratify  this  declaration  in  whatever  solemn 
manner  the  Convention  shall  think  proper.  CHAS.  SHAW. 

WESTCHESTER,  Jlvgust  22,  1776. 


1541 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1542 


Whereas  Charles  Shaw  1'alh,  by  his  Memorial  presented 
to  this  Convention,  averring  his  attachment  to  the  American 
cause,  shown  sufficient  cause  why  he  ought  not  be  compel- 
led to  actual  service  in  the  Militia:  Upon  consideration  of  the 
said  Memorial : 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Charles  Shaw  be  exempted  from 
said  service. 

General  Morris  suggested  sundry  reasons  to  the  Conven- 
tion for  his  attendance  at  Philadelphia. 

Ordered,  That  General  Morris  attend  at  Congress  at 
Philadelphia,  and  return  with  all  possible  despatch. 

The  Convention  were  informed  that  the  Committee,  who 
were  appointed  for  that  purpose,  cannot  proceed  in  the  re- 
moval of  the  Poor  from  the  City  of  New-  York  without  a 
supply  of  cash. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  advance  to 
James  Bcckman,  Esq.,  one  of  the  members  of  the  Commit- 
tee appointed  to  remove  the  indigent  women  and  children 
and  infirm  persons  out  of  the  City  of  New-  York,  the  sum  of 
£1,000,  to  enable  the  said  Committee  to  complete  the 
business  for  which  they  were  appointed. 

A  Letter  from  General  Woodhull,  dated  at  Jamaica,  25th 
August,  was  read. 

Ordered,  To  be  referred  to  the  Committee  for  drawing 
Instructions  for  General  Woodhull. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  wait  on  General  Washing- 
ton with  the  Resolutions  for  calling  out  the  western  Suf- 
folk Regiment  and  Queen's  County  Militia,  to  prevent  the 
stock  falling  in  the  epemy's  hands,  do  report,  that,  accord- 
ing to  order,  they  waited  on  his  Excellency,  and  conferred 
with  him  on  the  subject  above-mentioned,  and  that  he  seemed 
well  pleased,  but  said  he  was  afraid  it  was  too  late.  Your 
Committee  told  him  the  Convention  had  sent  an  express  to 
General  Woodhull,  on  Saturday  morning,  to  imbody  the 
western  Regiment  of  Suffolk,  and  all  the  remaining  part  of 
the  Militia  of  Queen's,  and  march  to  the  high  grounds  on 
the  western  part  of  said  Counties ;  but  as  the  said  Conven- 
tion was  apprehensive  that  General  Woodhull  would  not 
have  a  sufficient  force  to  drive  off  the  stock  and  repel  the 
ravaging  parties  of  the  enemy,  thought  it  most  conducive  to 
the  publick  welfare  that  the  Regiments  above-mentioned 
should  be  applied  for,  that  he  might  thereby  be  enabled 
more  effectually  to  carry  the  resolves  of  the  Convention  into 
execution  ;  upon  which  General  Washington  appeared  well 
satisfied  with  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention,  and  said 
that  he  should  at  all  times,  when  he  had  it  in  his  power,  be 
ready  to  give  them  any  assistance  consistent  with  the  pub- 
lick  good,  and  that  he  would  immediately  give  orders  that 
Colonels  Smith's  and  Remscn's  Regiments  should  march  into 
Queen's  County,  to  join  General  Woodhull;  and  as  to  call- 
ing out  any  more  of  the  Militia,  he  asked  what  time  we 
thought  it  would  take  to  have  the  Militia  of  Westchester 
County  imbodied;  we  told  him  we  thought  at  least  four  or 
five  days;  upon  which  he  made  no  reply.  Your  Commit- 
tee do  further  report,  it  was  the  General's  opinion,  that  our 
Commissary  should  continue  to  supply  the  troops  under 
Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  and  that  he  consult  with  the 
Commissary -General,  that  they  might  not  interfere  with  one 
another  in  purchasing  provisions.  ^m  TOWNSEND, 

WILLIAM  SMITH. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Curtenius  be,  and  he  hereby  is, 
requested  to  contract  with  proper  persons  for  making  two 
thousand  Pouches  with  Belts,  without  delay,  and  at  the 
cheapest  rate  he  can  procure  the  same,  and  that  he  send 
five  hundred  of  them,  as  soon  as  finished,  to  General  Clin- 
ton's encampment,  for  the  use  of  his  Brigade. 

A  Letter  from  Gilbert  Livingston  and  Christopher  Tap- 
pen,*  Commissioners  for  building  vessels  at  Poughkeepsie, 

•POUGHKEEPSIE,  Jlugusl  24,  1776. 

SIR:  Mr.  Van  Zandt,  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  building  ships  for 
the  Continental  Congress,  now  carrying  on  in  this  place,  is  unwilling  to 
take  the  blacksmiths  oft'  from  their  work  at  the  snips,  unless  he  has  a 
warrant  from  the  Continental  Congress.  As  our  Convention,  before  we 
left  it,  had  resolved  to  apply  to  Congress  for  such  warrant,  we  have  long 
expected  it;  and  if  it  is  come  to  hand,  beg  it  may  be  sent  us  by  this 
conveyance,  as  our  stay  here  will  be  fruitless,  unless  we  can  have  the 
assistance  of  the  smiths  at  the  ship-yard. 

We  find,  by  a  resolve  of  your  honourable  House,  that  the  26th  current 
is  appointed  for  the  day  on  which  a  Committee  of  the  House  is  to  report 
a  form  of  Government  for  this  State,  and  that  three  of  our  Committee  are 
members  of  the  same',  and  as  Mr.  Pauliling  has  lately  been  appointed  to 
a  post  which  requires  his  presence  at  a  distance  from  us,  we  wish  your 


dated  the  24th  instant,  wishing  to  be  permitted  to  take  their 
seats  in  Convention  before  the  Committee  report  a  form  of 
Government,  and  suggest,  as  their  opinion,  that  it  would  he 
well  to  secure  a  State  to  govern,  before  they  discussed  a 
form  to  govern  it  by,  was  read,  and  committed  to  Mr.  R.  R. 
Livingston  and  Mr.  L' Hommedicu. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  L'Hommedieu  be  added  to  the  Com- 
mittee to  draw  Instructions  to  General  Woodhull. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Joseph  Treat  continue  his 
services  as  Chaplain  to  Colonel  Lasher's  and  Colonel  Mal- 
com's  Battalions,  in  Brigadier-General  Scott's  Brigade,  and 
that  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Eliot  be  Chaplain  to  Colonel  Samuel 
Drake's  and  Colonel  Humphrey's  Regiments — Mr.  Treat's 
pay  to  commence  from  the  time  of  calling  the  said  Brigade 
into, service,  and  Mr.  Eliot's  pay  from  the  7th  instant. 

Ordered,  That  General  Scott  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  au- 
thorized to  receive,  out  of  the  store  of  this  State,  such  Cots 
and  half  Cots  now  in  store  as  he  may  find  necessary  for  the 
use  of  the  Surgeons  for  dressing  the  wounded  of  his  Brigade, 
or  as  he  may  find  otherwise  necessary  for  the  use  of  the  sick, 
General  Scott  giving  a  receipt  for  the  same ;  and  that  General 
Scott  make  such  disposition  of  those  Cots  in  his  Brigade  as 
he  may  think  proper.* 

Ordered,  That  fifty  blank  Commissions  be  sent  to  the 
Committee  of  the  County  of  Albany. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Bleecker,  and  Mr.  Ducr, 
be  a  Committee  to  nominate  a  suitable  character  for  Major 
of  a  Regiment  of  the  Militia  in  the  County  of  Albany. 

Ordered,  That  the  nomination  of  the  Officers  for  the 
Albany  Rangers  be  committed  to  the  same  Committee. 

It  was  moved  that  three  hundred  stand  of  Arms  be  for- 
warded for  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Gloucester.  Being 
considered,  it  was  referred  to  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  Hobart,  and  the 
others  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  hear  their  Govern- 
ment application. 

A  Letter  from  John  Sleght,  Chairman  of  Kingston,  was 
received  and  read,  stating  that  the  women  surround  the 
Committee  Chamber,  and  say  if  they  cannot  have  tea  their 
husbands  and  sons  shall  fight  no  more,  was  received,  and 
referred  to  the  Members  attending  from  Ulster  County. 

Whereas  the  Convention  have  reason  to  suspect  that  a 
correspondence  is  carried  on  between  the  enemy's  Army, 
now  on  Nassau-Island,  and  the  family  of  Colonel  Josiah 
Martin,  atRockaway,on  said  Island;  and  whereas  it  is  the 
duty  of  this  Convention  diligently  to  watch  over  and  sup- 
press every  intercourse  which  may  endanger  the  publick 
good  or  safety: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  Woodhull 
be,  and  he  is  hereby,  requested  and  authorized  to  cause  the 
house  of  the  said  Colonel  Josiah  Martin  immediately  to  be 
searched  for  papers,  by  a  discreet  and  spirited  officer,  who 
shall  engage,  upon  his  word  of  honour,  to  General  Wood- 
hull,  not  to  divulge  any  matters  which  may  be  contained  in 
letters  of  a  private  nature,  and  to  transmit  to  the  Convention 
of  this  Stale  every  paper  which  may  concern  the  publick 
weal. 

And  whereas  Dr.  Samuel  Martin,  son  of  the  said  Colo- 
nel Martin,  is  at  present  a  prisoner  upon  his  parole  at  Rock- 
away,  on  Nassau-Island;  and  whereas,  on  account  of  the 
vicinity  of  the  enemy's  Army  in  which  the  said  Dr.  Martin 
has  frequent  and  intimate  connection,  it  would  be  inconsistent 

honourable  House  would  give  ua  leave  to  take  our  seats  in  Convention, 
(though  we  are'  convinced  the  works  carrying  on  here  are  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  this  State,)  as  it  gives  us  great  pain  to  think,  that  notwith- 
standing the  sense  of  the  House  appeared  to  be,  at  the  time  we  left  it, 
first  to  endeavour  to  secure  a  State  to  govern,  before  we  established  a 
form  to  govern  it  by,  yet  that  a  day  is  fixed  to  take  up  this  important 
business,  when  a  part  of  its  body  is  absent  by  the  command  of  the 
House. 

We  are,  sir,  with  great  respect,  your  very  humble  servants, 

CHRISTOPHER  TAPPEN, 
GILBERT  LIVINGSTON. 
To  Nathaniel  Woodhull,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State 

of  New-York. 

•NEW-YORK,  August  2fi,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  I  am  under  the  necessity  of  applying  to  you,  that  I  may 
have  the  privilege  of  drawing  some  cots  for  the  use  of  the  sick  of  my 
Regiment,  as  I  find  there  is  a  number  in  store  belonging  to  this  Stale 
which  cannot  be  delivered  without  your  particular  order;  therefore,  muat 
request  the  favour  that  the  necessary  order  may  be  sent,  as  the  sick  suffer 
much  for  the  want  of  them,  and  they  are  not  to  be  had  elsewhere  «t 
present,  &c.  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  humble  servant, 

SAMUEL  DRAKE,  Colonel. 
To  the  Provincial  Congress. 


1543 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1544 


with  good  policy  to  suffer  the  said  Samuel  Martin  to  remain 
any  longer  on  his  parole  at  said  place: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  said  Brigadier-General 
Woodhull  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  requested  and  authorized  to 
cause  the  said  Dr.  Samuel  Martin  immediately  to  be  appre- 
hended and  conveyed  to  this  Convention,  in  order  that  he 
may  be  sent  to  reside  in  some  more  secure  and  distant  place. 

Whereas  considerable  expenses  have  accrued  to  this  State 
in  suppressing  the  designs  of  evil-minded  and  disaffected 
persons  against  the  liberties  of  America;  and  whereas  the 
publick  economy  requires  that  such  expenses  should  be 
ascertained  in  the  most  exact  manner,  in  order  that  such 
means  may  be  devised  for  reimbursing  the  same  as  justice 
and  sound  policy  may  hereafter  diciate: 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention  do  keep 
a  distinct  and  accurate  account  of  all  sums  of  money  which 
already  have  been,  and  may  hereafter  be,  disbursed  by  order 
of  the  Convention  for  the  purpose  of  apprehending,  secu- 
ring, and  subsisting  disaffected  persons,  and  of  quelling 
insurrections  within  this  State. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  General  Woodhull,  in  answer  to  his 
received  yesterday,  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  to  wit :  .« August  26>  1776 

"Sin:  Yours  of  yesterday  is  just  come  to  hand;  in  an- 
swer to  which,  we  would  inform  you  that  Robert  Townsend, 
the  son  of  Samuel  Townsend,  Esq.,  is  appointed  Commissary 
for  (he  troops  under  your  command,  of  which  we  beg  you 
would  give  him  the  earliest  notice;  and  that  we  have  made 
application  to  General  Washington  for  the  Regiments  under 
the  command  of  Colonels  Smith  and  Remsen  to  join  you. 
He  assured  our  Committee  that  he  would  issue  out  orders 
immediately  for  that  purpose,  and  we  expect  that  they  are 
upon  the  spot  by  this  time. 

"  You  have  enclosed  some  resolutions  and  orders  for  your 
more  particular  direction.  Confiding  in  your  known  pru- 
dence and  zeal  in  the  common  cause,  and  wishing  you  the 
protection  and  blessing  of  Heaven,  we  are,  with  respect, 
your  very  humble  servants. 
"  To  Brigadier-General  Woodhull. 

"  P.  S.  General  Washington  desires  that  Mr.  Townsend 
may  consult  with  the  Commissary-General,  that  they  may 
not  interfere  in  their  purchases." 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draw  Instructions  to  General 
Woodhull  reported  a  draft  which  was  agreed  to,  and  are  in 
the  words  following,  that  is  to  say : 

"  You  are  hereby  ordered,  with  the  troops  under  your 
command,  to  take  post  on  the  heights,  near  the  western 
boundaries  of  Queen's  County,  or  in  such  other  place  or 
places  in  the  Counties  of  Queen's,  King's,  or  Suffolk,  as  you 
shall  think  most  convenient  for  preventing  the  incursions  and 
depredations  of  the  enemy.  And  you  are  hereby  empow- 
ered and  directed  to  order  out  the  whole  or  any  further  part 
of  the  Militia,  and  other  inhabitants  of  said  Counties,  when 
and  where  you  shall  think  them  necessary,  to  protect  the 
inhabitants,  removing  or  destroying  the  stock  and  other  pro- 
visions, and  for  the  other  purposes  mentioned  in  the  resolu- 
tions herewith  sent  you.  You  are  also  to  do  all  in  your  power 
to  prevent  all  intercourse  with  the  enemy,  by  securing  and 
sending  to  this  Convention  all  such  persons  as  shall  be  any 
way  aiding  or  assisting  them,  or  opposing  any  measures  which 
have  been,  or  shall  hereafter  be,  directed  by  this  Convention  ; 
and  to  search  the  houses  of  such  persons  for  papers,  as  you 
shall  suspect  to  have  had  intelligence  from  the  enemy;  and 
you  are  also  at  liberty  to  mount  on  horseback  any  number 
of  the  Militia  that  you  may  think  necessary." 

COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Tuesday  Morning,  August  27,  1776. 
The  Committee  of  Safety  met. 

Present :  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Wm.  Smith,  Mr. 
Dearing,  Mr.  James  Townsend,  Mr.  Duer,  and  Mr.  R.  R. 
Livingston. 

Mr.  Hobart  was  unanimously  chosen  Chairman. 

Present:  Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Stephens,  Mr. 
Wm.  Harper,  Major  Parks, Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Wisner,3\:, 
Mr.  Bleecker,  Mr.  Yates,  who  went  to  Church,  Mr.  Mills, 
Mr.  Lockwood,  and  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt. 

A  Letter  from  General  Woodhull  was  received  and  read, 
and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit  : 


"Jamaica,  August 27,  1776. 

"  GENTLEMEN:  I  am  now  at  Jamaica,  with  less  than  one 
hundred  men,  having  brought  all  the  cattle  from  the  west- 
ward and  southward  of  the  hills,  and  have  sent  them  off 
with  the  Troops  of  Horse,  with  orders  to  take  all  the  rest 
eastward  of  this  place  to  the  eastward  of  Hempstead  Plains, 
and  to  put  them  into  the  fields,  and  set  a  guard  over  them. 
The  enemy,  I  am  informed,  are  intrenching  from  the  heights, 
near  Howard's,  southward. 

"I  have  now  received  yours,  with  several  resolutions, which 
I  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  put  in  execution,  but  unless 
Colonels  Smith  and  Remsen  (mentioned  in  yours)  join  me 
with  their  Regiments,  or  some  other  assistance,  immediately, 
I  shall  not  be  able,  for  the  people  are  all  moving  east,  and 
I  cannot  get  any  assistance  from  them. 

"I  shall  continue  here  as  long  as  I  can,  in  hopes  of  a  re- 
inforcement, but  if  none  comes  soon  I  shall  retreat,  and  drive 
the  stock  before  me  into  the  woods.  Colonels  Smith  and 
Remsen,  I  think,  cannot  join  me.  Unless  you  can  send  me 
some  other  assistance,  1  fear  I  shall  soon  be  obliged  to  quit 
this  place.  I  hope  soon  to  hear  from  you. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

"  NATHL.  WOODHULL. 
"To  the  Hon.  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York.'' 

Major  Lockwood  informed  the  Committee  that  the  ene- 
my's ships  are  at  White-Stone. 

Thereupon,  Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hobart  and 
Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston  be  a  Committee  to  wait  on  his  Ex- 
cellency General  Washington,  and  confer  with  him  rela- 
tive to  the  state  of  Nassau-Island,  and  what  measures  may 
be  necessary  for  distressing  the  enemy  thereon,  or  defending 
or  removing  the  inhabitants;  and  that  they  report  the  result 
of  their  deliberations  thereon  to  this  Committee  or  the  Con- 
vention of  this  State. 

A  Letter  from  Captain  Denning  was  read,  dated  this  day. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Rutgers  be  requested  immediately 
to  proceed  to  the  City  of  New-York,  and  afford  all  possible 
aid,  attention,  direction,  and  assistance,  in  stopping  or  im- 
peding the  navigation  of  the  East-River,  and  that  he  employ 
all  such  persons  as  he  shall  think  proper,  to  give  him  aid. 

Mr.  Dearing  chosen  Chairman  unanimously,  in  the  room 
of  Mr.  Hobart. 

Ordered,  That  copies  of  the  Resolution  and  Letter  of 
yesterday,  to  General  Woodhull,  be  made  and  sent  by  the 
express  going  to  Long-Island. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Duer, 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Colonel  Drake,*  or  the  next 
commanding  officer  of  the  Wcstchester  Militia,  do  immedi- 
ately call  out  as  many  of  the  Militia,  with  five  days'  provi- 
sions, as  he  shall  think  sufficient  to  watch  the  motions  of  the 
enemy's  ships  now  in  the  Sound,  and  to  prevent  all  commu- 
nication with  the  disaffected  inhabitants  in  said  County; 
and  that  he  send  notice,  from  time  to  time,  to  the  Conven- 
tion of  every  remarkable  occurrence;  and  for  that  purpose, 
that  he  is  hereby  empowered  to  press  Horses  when  he  shall 
think  it  necessary. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  enclose  a  copy  thereof  in  a 
Letter  to  Colonel  Drake. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Newkirk  take  that  Letter  and  show 
it  to  the  Commanding  Officer  at  Horn's  Hook. 

The  application  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Platt,  for  some  Commis- 
sions for  Officers  in  Colonel  Thomas's  Regiment,  was  read. 

An  Express  arrived  from  New-London,  and  communica- 
ted a  copy  of  a  Letter  from  Erastus  Wolcott  to  the  Committee 
of  Saybrook,  and  is  in  the  words  following  : 

"  New-London,  August  24,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  Yesterday  in  the  morning  appeared  at 
the  east  end  of  Fisher's  Island  two  of  the  enemy's  armed 
frigates  and  a  brig,  and  this  morning  they  passed  by  this 
harbour,  standing  to  the  westward.  I  thought  it  best  to  give 
you  this  intelligence  by  express,  that  you  may  keep  a  good 
look-out,  and  take  what  measures  your  prudence  will  suggest, 

*NEW-ROCHELLE,  .Qugust  27,  1776. 

SIR  :  I  have  but  just  time  to  inform  you  that  two  men-of-war  are  now 
anchored  between  Hart  and  City  Islands;  they  have  but  just  come  loan 
anchor.  I  thought  best  first  to  rally  as  many  of  the  Militia  as  possible; 
there  is  one  more  that  is  gone  past  Frog's  Point.  In  a  hurry,  from 
yours,  JOSEPH  DRAKE. 

To  Brigadier-General  Morris. 


1545 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1546 


and  must  leave  to  you  whether  or  not  to  forward  this  from 
town  to  town  by  express,  if  no  direct  opportunity  offers; 
this  tnay  much  depend  on  what  is  already  known  of  their 
being  in  the  Sound,  and  by  observing  their  motions. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  with  esteem  and  regard,  your  obedi- 
ent humble  servant,  ERASTUS  WOLCOTT. 

"  To  the  Committee  at  Saybrook." 

Mr.  L'Hommedieu  moved,  and  was  seconded,  that  his 
Excellency  General  Washington  be  acquainted  that  the 
Committee  of  Southold,  at  the  east  end  of  Nassau-Island, 
have  mounted  four  cannon*  as  field-pieces,  viz:  three  six- 
pounders  and  one  three-pounder,  to  prevent  depredations  of 
the  enemy  along  the  Sound,  and  to  enable  the  inhabitants 
to  make  a  stand  at  certain  passes;  and  that  his  Excellency 
be  requested  to  send  a  sufficiency  of  powder,  ball,  and  car- 
tridge-paper, for  the  said  cannon,  to  the  care  of  Colonel 
Livingston;  and  that  Colonel  Teircy  be  directed  to  except 
sucb  number  of  men  from  the  common  militia  duty  as  will 
be  sufficient  to  manage  said  cannon,  they  keeping  a  number 
of  horses  ready  to  remove  the  said  cannon  to  such  places 
as  shall  be  necessary. 

The  said  motion  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Schenck,  Colo- 
nel Broome,  Colonel  Remsen,  and  Mr.  Duer,  be  added  to 
the  Committee  of  this  morning,  to  whom  was  referred  the 
Letter  from  Kingston,  received  and  read  this  morning. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Dearing,  Mr.  L'Homme- 
dieu, Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  W.  Smith,  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  and  Mr. 
Samuel  Townsend,  be  a  Committee  to  report  ways  and 
means  for  the  sale  of  fat  Cattle  on  Nassau  and  Shelter 
Islands. 

A  Letter  from  Captain  Crigier,  dated  the  23d  instant, 
about  his  Privateer,  was  read. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  Letter  from  Erasing  Wol- 
cott,  dated  New-London,  August  24,  1776,  be  immediately 
transmitted  by  express  to  Brigadier-General  Woodhull,  and 
that  he  be  requested  to  cause  all  the  Stock  on  the  sea-coast 
of  Long-Island,  which  are  most  exposed  to  the  enemy's 
depredations,  to  be  drove  with  all  possible  despatch  so  far 
into  the  interior  part  of  the  country  as  to  be  out  of  danger 
•  from  the  enemy. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Duer,  Mr.  jR.  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  W. 
Smith,  Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  James  Townsend,  Mr.  Dearing,  and 
Mr.  Tredwell,  or  any  five  of  them,  be  a  Committee  of  Safety 
until  the  next  adjournment,  or  until  there  shall  be  members 
sufficient  to  form  a  Convention,  and  that  all  members  who 
attend  be  members  and  have  votes. 

Ordered,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to  report  a  form 
of  Government  postpone  their  Report  until  Wednesday  next. 

Tuesday  Afternoon,  August  27,  1776. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  met. 

Present  :  Mr.  Dearing,  Chairman.  Mr.  Duer,  Major 
Parks,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Yates,  'Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Adgate, 
Col.  Hoffman,  Major  Lockwood,  Mr.  Mills,  Mr.  L'Homme- 
dieu, Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Gelston,  Mr.  Robert  Harper,  Mr. 
Miller. 

Mr.  Abraham  Van  Rants,  of  Brunswick,  from  whence 
he  is  just  arrived  in  a  boat,  with  his  family,  says  that  he 
understood  that  last  night  fifteen  hundred  men  surrounded 
the  house  of  Mr.  Duryee,  (who  lives  about  a  mile  to  the 
southward  of  his  house  ;)  that  they  took  his  arms,  horses, 
and  wagon  ;  that  two  Captains  (say  Companies)  of  the 
Militia  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Bedford  were  disarmed  and 
perhaps  taken  prisoners. 

Mr.  Berrien,  Chairman  of  the  New-York  Committee,  and 
Mr.  Campbell,  applied  for  more  money  to  enable  them  to 
remove  the  Women,  Sic.  ;  and  also  for  money  to  be  sent 
to  the  places  where  they  are  sent,  to  wit:  New-Windsor, 
Mamaroneck,  New-Rochel,  Rye,  - 

It  being  suggested  that  it  would  be  proper  to  have  a  guard 
over  the  Records  this  night, 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Sampson  Dyckman  be  requested 
to  attend  the  Convention  immediately. 


*!N  COMMITTEE,  SOUTHOLD,  .tf«giis(  19,  1776. 

These  certify  that  the  Committee  of  Sovtliold  have  expended  .£24  17s. 
4d.  in  mounting  four  cannon  as  field-pieces,  for  the  protection  of  the  east 
end  of  Lnng-hland. 

By  order:  ROBERT  HEMPSTED,  CAoirmon. 


Resolved,  That  the  Records  and  Papers  belonging  to  the 
Convention  of  this  State,  as  also  the  Chest  belonging  to 
the  Receiver-General's  Office,  be  immediately  conveyed  to 
General  Clinton's  encampment  at  or  near  King's  Bridge. 

And  Ordered,  That  one  of  the  Secretaries  do  see  them 
safely  conveyed  to  the  said  encampment,  and  remain  with 
them  till  further  orders. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Isaac  Willet  be,  and  hereby  is, 
authorized  and  empowered  to  procure  and  impress  as  many 
Boats  as  he  possibly  can,  and  proceed  with  them  up  the 
Sound  to  General  Clinton,  and  put  them  under  his  direction ; 
and  this  Committee  does  hereby  engage  that  the  Convention 
of  this  State  will  bear  and  defray  any  expense  or  damage 
that  may  accrue  thereby. 

Ordered,  That  Colonel  Hoffman  and  Mr.  L'Hommedieu 
call  on  Captain  Shaw  and  request  him  to  spare  as  many  men 
as  he  can,  to  assist  in  taking  the  Boats  up  to  General  Clinton. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Benson  procure  a  guard  of 
twenty  men  of  his  Company  to  guard  the  Store,  and  to 
watch  if  any  of  the  enemy's  Boats  should  attempt  to  land  at 
Harlem,  and  that  he  post  a  proper  guard  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Bogart,  wherein  the  Records  of  the  Convention  of  the 
said  State  are  kept. 

Whereas  the  Committee  of  Safety  have  reason  to  suspect 
that  Nicholas  Covenhoven,  Esq.,  has  given  intelligence  to 
the  enemy  of  the  Resolutions  of  this  Convention  : 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Benson  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
authorized  immediately  to  apprehend  the  said  Nicholas 
Covenhoven,  and  him  safely  convey  to  the  Convention  of 
this  State,  in  order  that  he  may  be  examined  on  such  mat- 
ters as  to  them  shall  appear  necessary. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt  be,  and  he 
is  hereby  requested  and  authorized  to  examine  all  papers  in 
the  custody  of  Nicholas  Covenhoven,  Esq.,  and  to  transmit 
to  the  Convention  of  this  State  all  such  papers  as  may  in 
anywise  concern  the  publick  weal. 

A  Letter  from  General  Woodhull  was  received  and  read, 
and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"  Westward  of  Queen's  County,  August  27,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  Enclosed  I  send  you  a  copy  of  a  letter 
from  Colonel  Potter,  dated  the  26th  instant,  who  left  me 
yesterday  at  eleven  o'clock,  after  bringing  about  one  hundred 
men  to  me  at  Jamaica.  Major  Smith  has,  I  expect,  all  the 
rest  that  was  to  come  from  Suffolk  County.  There  has  about 
forty  of  the  Militia  joined  me  from  the  Regiment  in  Queen's 
County,  and  about  fifty  of  the  Troop  belonging  to  King  and 
Queen's  County,  which  is  near  all  I  expect.  I  have  got  all 
the  cattle  southward  of  the  hills,  in  King's  County,  drove  to 
the  eastward  of  the  cross-road  between  the  two  Counties, 
and  have  placed  guards  and  sentries  from  the  north  side  to 
the  south  side  of  the  Island,  in  order  to  prevent  the  cattle 
going  back,  and  to  prevent  the  communication  of  the  Tories 
with  the  enemy.  I  am  within  about  six  miles  of  the  enemy's 
camp ;  their  Light-Horse  has  been  within  about  two  miles, 
and  unless  I  have  more  men,  our  stay  here  will  answer  no 
purpose.  We  shall  soon  want  to  be  supplied  with  provision 
if  we  tarry  here. 

"  1  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  NATH'L  WOODHCLL. 
"To  the  Hon.  Convention  of  the  State  of  New-  York." 

CONVENTION. 

Wednesday  Morning,  August  28,  1776. 

The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present:  Abm.  Yates,  Jan.,  Esq.,  President  pro  tern. 

NEW- YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Major  Abeel,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr. 
Jay,  Colonel  Brasher,  Mr.  Beekman* 

ALBANY. — Mr.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate. 

SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Hobart,  Mr.  Tredwell,   Mr.  Miller,  Mr. 
L'Hommedieu,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Dearing,  Mr.  Gelston. 

ULSTER. — Col.  De  Witt,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun.,  Major  Parks. 

WESTC HESTER. — Colonel  Drake,,  Mr.  Mills,  Major  Lock- 
wood,  Colonel  Cortlandt,  Mr.  Morris. 

ORANGE. — Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Wisner,  Mr.  Little. 

CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 

TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  fader. 

QUEEN'S. — Mr.  Van   Wyck,  Mr.  Samuel  Townsend,  Mr. 
James  Townsend,  Major  Lawrence. 

CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 


1547 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1543 


The  Convention  were  informed  that  Mr.  Z.  Milk  stands 
in  need  of  a  further  supply  of  cash,  to  enable  him  to  remove 
the  Military  Stores  of  the  State,  agreeable  to  a  late  order  of 
this  Convention. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention  advance 
to  Zcbcdiah  Mills,  Esq.,  the  further  sum  of  ten  Dollars,  to 
enable  him  to  complete  the  order  of  this  Convention  for 
removing  the  Military  Stores  belonging  to  this  Convention 
from  the  City  of  New-York  to  Wcstchesler  County,  and 
take  his  receipt,  to  be  accountable  for  the  same. 

The  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  on  yesterday 
were  read  to  the  Convention,  approved  of,  and  confirmed. 

Robert  Harper  returned  from  Flushing,  and  produced  a 
receipt*  from  John  Talman,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  Flushing, 
for  £'200,  for  supporting  the  poor  and  indigent  persons  sent 
thither  from  the  City  of  New-  York. 

Ordered,  To  be  filed. 

General  WoodhuWs  Letter  received  yesterday  afternoon 
by  the  Committee  of  Safety,  was  again  read  and  taken  into 
consideration. 

Major  Lawrence  gave  the  following  intelligence :  that  Dr. 
Riker  told  him  that  a  number  of  scattering  troops  had  posted 
themselves  on  the  ridge  of  hills  between  New-Town  and 
Jamaica;  that  they  had  been  in  many  of  the  houses,  had 
taken  victuals  and  drink,  but  had  not  plundered,  as  he  under- 
stood. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Lawrence  wait  on  General  Wash- 
ington, with  a  copy  of  General  WoodhuWs  Letter,  and 
inform  him  that  Colonels  Smith  and  Remsen's  Regiments 
may  be  sent  to  join  General  Woodhull,  by  the  way  of  Flush- 
ing, and  by  what  means. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  General  Washington,  to  be  sent  by 
Major  Lawrence,  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the 
words  following,  that  is  to  say: 

"  Wednesday  Morning,  August  28,  1776. 

"Sin:  I  am  commanded  by  the  Convention  to  enclose  to 
your  Excellency  the  copy  of  a  letter  they  received  last  even- 
ing from  General  Woodhull.  The  Convention  are  of  opinion 
that  the  enemy  may  be  prevented  from  getting  the  stock 
and  grain  on  Long-Island,  if  the  Regiments  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonels  Smith  and  Remsen  be  sent  to  join  General 
Woodhull.  That  this  junction  may  be  effected,  and  how, 
Major  Lawrence  (who  is  a  member  of  this  Convention,  and 
the  bearer  hereof)  will  inform  your  Excellency. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect,  your  Excel- 
lency's most  obedient,  humble  servant.     By  order. 
"  To  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Van  Wyck  do  repair  immediately  to 
Flushing,  to  gain  intelligence  of  the  situation  of  the  enemy, 
and  what  places  are  now  occupied  by  General  Woodhull; 
that  he  do,  with  all  possible  expedition,  despatch  a  boat  to 
the  Convention  with  the  information  he  can  collect,  at  the 
same  time  pointing  out  the  most  suitable  place  for  the  rein- 
forcement to  join  General  Woodhull  lo  land,  and  that  he  be 
empowered  to  impress  boats,  men,  and  horses,  for  carrying 
this  order  into  execution. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Van  Wyck  and  Major  Lawrence 
have  leave  to  employ  Sa.  Dyckman,  the  express,  for  a  few 
hours. 

Whereas  the  Convention  has  received  information  that 
John  Rogers,  a  servant  of  Brigadier-General  Morris,  has 
manifested  a  disposition  extremely  inimical  to  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  America,  and  that  there  is  room  to  suspect  that 
he  will  take  the  first  opportunity  to  join  the  enemy: 

Ordered,  therefore,  That  Captain  Benson,  of  Harlem,  be 
requested  and  directed  to  apprehend  the  said  John  Rogers, 
or  cause  him  to  be  apprehended  and  brought  before  this 
Convention. 

The  Committee  to  consider  the  Letter  from  Robert  Yates 
and  Gilbert  Livingston*  members  of  the  Committee  to 
obstruct  Hudson's  River,  dated  at  the  instant, 

reported  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  Delegates  of  this  State  at 


"  Harlem,  August  28,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  The  Convention  of  this  State  consider 
the  fortification  of  Hudson's  River  and  the  obstructing  of  its 
passage  in  the  Highlands,  of  the  last  importance,  and  have 
reason  to  believe  that  the  Congress  view  it  in  the  same 
light.  They  have  appointed  a  Committee  to  superintend 
that  work,  who  inform  them  that  they  are  greatly  delayed 
for  the  want  of  smiths,  unless  they  may  be  permitted  to 
employ  those  that  are  now  engaged  in  building  the  Conti- 
nental frigate  at  Poughkeepsie,  which  therefore  they  desire 
you  immediately  to  request  of  them.  The  Convention  hope 
that  you  will  succeed  in  your  application,  since  the  finishing 
of  the  ships  is  of  far  inferior  importance  to  the  security  of 
the  river;  and  even  were  it  otherwise  in  itself,  then  it  must 
doubtless  be  so  now,  when  the  former  will,  in  all  probability, 
depend  upon  the  latter.  They  beg  that  you  will  urge  this 
matter  as  soon  as  possible,  since  you  need  not  be  informed 
that  delay  will  work  the  same  effect  as  a  refusal. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient, 
humble  servant.  By  order. 

"To  the  Delegates  of  the  State  of  New-  York,  at  Con- 
gress." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  and  signed 
by  the  President,  and  transmitted. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  L'Hommedieu,  Colonel  De  Witt, 
and  Mr.  Wisner,  be  a  Committee  further  to  consider  and 
report  on  the  said  Letter  from  the  said  Committee  at  Pough- 
keepsie. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Rutgers  and  Mr.  London  be, 
and  they  are  hereby,  requested  and  authorized  to  direct  and 
manage  the  transportation  of  Colonel  Smith's  and  Colonel 
Remsen's  Regiments  in  the  best  and  most  convenient  man- 
ner, to  join  Brigadier-General  Woodhull;  and  for  that  pur- 
pose that  they  be  hereby  authorized  to  impress  Boats  and 
Craft  of  any  kind  which  they  shall  think  proper. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Wisner,  and  Mr.  John 
Moore,  be  a  Committee  to  consider  and  report  whether  any 
and  what  further  means  can  be  devised  for  supplying  the 
Troops  raised  in  this  State  with  Clothing  and  Blankets. 

A  Letter  from  General  Woodhull,  dated  this  day,  was 
received  and  read,  and  is  as  follows,  that  is  to  say: 

"  Jamaica,  August  28,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  I  wrote  two  letters  to  you  yesterday,  one 
by  express  and  another  by  Mr.  Harper,  and  also  sent  my 
Brigade-Major  to  you  to  let  you  know  my  situation;  and  I 
expected  an  answer  to  some  of  them  last  night,  but  my 
express  informed  me  he  was  detained  till  last  night  for  an 
answer.  I  have  now  received  yours  of  the  26th,  which  is 
only  a  copy  of  the  last,  without  a  single  word  of  an  answer 
to  my  letters,  or  the  message  of  my  Brigade-Major. 

"  I  must  again  let  you  know  my  situation.  I  hnve  about 
seventy  men,  and  about  twenty  of  the  Troop,  which  is  all 
the  force  I  have  or  can  expect,  and  I  am  daily  growing  less 
in  number.  The  people  are  so  alarmed  in  Suffolk,  that 
they  will  not,  any  more  of  them,  march;  and  as  to  Colonels 
Smith's  and  Remsen's  Regiments,  they  cannot  join  me,  for 
the  communication  is  cut  off  between  us. 

"  I  have  sent  about  eleven  hundred  cattle  to  the  great 
fields  of  the  plains  yesterday.  About  three  hundred  more 
are  gone  off  this  morning  to  the  same  place,  and  have  ordered 
a  guard  of  an  officer  and.  seven  privates.  They  can  get  no 
water  in  those  fields.  My  men  and  horses  are  worn  out  with 
fatigue.  The  cattle  are  not  all  gone  off  towards  Hcmpstead. 
I  ordered  them  yesterday,  but  they  were  not  able  to  take 
them  along.  1  brought  yesterday  about  three  hundred  from 
New-Town.  I  think  the  cattle  are  in  as  much  danger  on  the 
north  as  on  the  south  side,  and  have  ordered  the  inhabitants 


*  POUGHKEEPSIE,  August  26,  1776. 

SIR:  Captain  //oielirood,  who  came  up  to  us  by  request  of  Conven- 
tion, has  fitted  a  fire-vessel,  as  we  conceive,  in  a  masterly  manner,  and 
given  such  instructions  to  some  persons  we  have  here  employed,  with 
respect  to  mixing  fire  combustible,  &c.,  that  we  think  we  can  now  carry 
on  our  works  without  farther  assistance.  He  has,  in  general,  been  very 
assiduous,  and  of  very  much  use  to  us.  We  are  unhappy  at  this  time 

p,-  .     .  not  to  have  a  quorum  of  our  Committee  present;   therefore  must  beg 

t-/OngresS,  Which  was   read    and   approved  of,   and   IS  in  the     leave  to  submit  to  your  honourable  House  the  consideration  of  any 
Words  following,  that  is  to  say  :  reward  this  gentleman  may  have  reason  to  expect  from  this  State  for  his 


•FLUSHING,  Jlvgvsl  26,  1776. 

Received  from  Robert  Harper  the  sum  of  .£200,  ordered  by  the  honour- 
able Convention  of  the  State  of  New-York  to  defray  the  expenses  of  such 
poor  families  as  have  been  sent  here  from  JViio-  York  by  order  of  the 
laid  Convention.  JOHN  TALMAN. 


extraordinary  expense  and  trouble  in  this  business. 
We  are,  with  respect,  your  very  humble  servants, 

CHRIS 'R  TAPPEN, 
GILBERT  LIVINGSTON. 

To  Abraham  Yales,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  Stale 
of  New-York. 


1549 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1550 


to  remove  them.  If  you  cannot  send  me  an  immediate 
reinforcement,  I  am  afraid  I  shall  have  no  men  with  me  by 
to-morrow  night,  for  they  consider  themselves  in  an  enemy's 
country ;  and  if  I  can  have  no  reinforcement.  I  beg  you  will 
send  very  particular  directions  what  I  shall  do  with  the 
stock :  whether  I  shall  kill  them  or  leave  them,  for  I  shall 
not  be  able  to  get  them  all  together,  and  tend  them,  if  the 
men  I  have  will  all  stay  with  me.  1  beg  you  would  imme- 
diately send  at  least  two  members,  as  a  Committee,  that  I 
may  have  their  advice,  for  unless  you  do,  I  must  quit,  for  I 
hope  the  Convention  does  not  expect  me  to  make  brick 
without  straw. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  NATHL.  WOODHULL." 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Hobart  and  Mr.  James  Townsend, 
as  a  Committee  of  this  Convention,  be,  and  hereby  are, 
directed  to  repair  to  General  Woodhidl  with  such  instruc- 
tions as  the  Convention  shall  think  proper  to  give,  and  to 
assist  him  with  their  advice. 

And  Orderctl,  That  General  JVoodhutt&nd  the  said  Com- 
mittee be,  and  hereby  are,  instructed  that  they  cause  all  such 
Stock  and  all  such  Grain  in  Queen's  County  and  the  west- 
ern part  of  Suffolk  County  as  may  be  in  danger  of  falling 
into  the  enemy's  hands,  and  cannot  be  removed  to  places  of 
safety,  to  be  destroyed. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Committee  be,  and  they  hereby 
are,  empowered  to  impress  horses,  boats,  and  persons  to  con- 
vey themselves  to  General  Woodhidl  with  the  utmost  de- 
spatch. 

And  Resolved,  That  the  Convention  will  defray  the  ex- 
penses of  the  said  Committee  in  the  premises. 

A  Letter  from  D.  Mathews,  received  by  Mr.  De  Peyster, 
was  read,  and  is  as  follows: 

"  Litchfield,  August  12,  1776. 

"Sta:  I  did  myself  the  honour  of  addressing  you  by  let- 
ter when  I  was  brought  to  the  White-Plains,  and  have  since 
taken  the  liberty  of  writing  to  Mr.  Morris  relative  to  my 
treatment,  the  answer  to  both  which  letters  I  now  enclose 
you,  it  being  a  commitment  issued  by  Mr.  Trumbull.  If 
this  is  to  "b&  my  treatment,  the  Lord  deliver  me.  I  have 
been  a  Crown  officer  upwards  of  twenty  years,  and  was 
Chief  Magistrate  of  the  city  of  New-  York,  and  a  subject  of 
the  King  of  Great  Britain  when  I  was  taken,  (independence 
not  being  then  declared,)  and  I  am  thought  to  believe  that 
my  rank  was  equal  to  any  prisoner  taken  by  the  King's 
troops  during  this  unhappy  contest,  and  I  believe  you  will 
not  find  such  a  commitment  issued  against  any  one  of  them 
that  sustained  the  character  of  a  gentleman.  I  had  some 
hopes  that  the  acquaintance  you  had  in  the  family  would  at 
least  have  obtained  here  the  treatment  of  a  gentleman, 
but  it  seems  I  have  nothing  to  expect  but  what  is  due  to 
the  worst  of  felons,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  kind  inter- 
position of  Mr.  De  Peyster,  (for  whom  I  shall  ever  entertain 
the  highest  esteem,)  I  should  in  all  probability  have  been  in 
the  land  of  spirits  ere  this. 

"It  amazes  me  to  think  that  the  State  of  New-York 
should  send  me  to  be  dealt  with  as  Mr.  Trumbull  should 
think  proper.  I  was  in  hopes  after  independence  was  de- 
clared, that  nothing  savouring  of  the  extension  of  that  ancient 
statute,  so  justly  complained  of,  would  have  found  the  least 
footing  in  America.  I  conceive  I  was  as  much  entitled  to 
bail  in  the  State  of  New-York  as  Mr.  Sayre  lately  was  in 
London,  for  I  believe  his  crime,  and  the  witnesses  to  prove 
them  were  much  alike.  I  offered  any  security;  even  some  of 
the  warmest  Whigs  would  have  been  bail  for  my  appearance 
whenever  demanded.  But  it  seems  prison  was  the  word, 
and  every  commitment  sticks  close  to  it. 

"  I  assure  you.  sir,  if  I  could  have  entertained  the  least 
idea  of  receiving  the  treatment  I  have  received,  I  should 
have  embraced  the  opportunity  of  giving  that  kind  of  bail 
which  is  commonly  called  leg-bail,  which  I  had  frequent 
opportunities  of  doing  after  I  was  seized ;  but  as  I  never 
could  reconcile  it  to  myself  either  to  leave  my  family  or  join 
the  King's  Army,  and  knowing  at  the  same  time  that  my 
departure  would  give  my  enemies  every  advantage  they 
wished  for,  I  rejected  every  proposal  of  that  kind,  in  full  ex- 
pectation that  1  should  be  done  by  as  those  gentlemen  would 
wish  to  be  done  by  were  they  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  taken 
prisoners ;  but  it  seems  I  expected  too  much.  I  have  only 
now  to  make  myself  as  contented  as  possible,  for  it  would 


seem  that  I  am  fixed  here  for  life,  as  I  am  only  to  be  de- 
livered by  due  course  of  law. 

"  1  should  not  have  troubled  you,  sir,  with  another  letter, 
had  I  not  been  requested  to  inform  you  of  my  treatment; 
and  as  this  will  be  the  last  I  shall  presume  to  trouble  you 
with,  I  shall  ask  one  favour,  which  is,  that  if  I  am  not  suf- 
fered to  go  to  my  family,  I  may  be  permitted  to  reside  at 
Hartford,  on  giving  security  (for  my  word  of  honour,  it 
seems,  is  of  no  validity  in  my  own  State,)  to  remain  there, 
as  I  have  some  friends  there  who  would  accommodate  me 
with  the  comforts  of  life,  and  I  might  there  have  an  oppor-' 
tunity  of  seeing  Mrs.  Mathews.  If  this  is  thought  unrea- 
sonable I  shall  say  no  more  about  it,  and  shall  still  remain 
one  of  those  who  wish  that  America  may  never  lose  her 
liberties,  nor  her  sons  meet  with  oppression. 

"  Am,  sir,  your  very  humble,  obedient  servant, 

"D.  MATHEWS. 
"General  Woodhull." 

The  copies  of  his  Commitment,  a  Letter  to  Mrs.  Mathews, 
and  a  Letter  from  Moses  Seymour,  Sheriff  of  Litchfield 
County,  therein  enclosed,  were  also  read.* 

Thereupon  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  the  said  David,  Mathewt 
was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to 
wit: 

"To  the  Keeper  of  the  common  Jail  in  HARTFORD,  in  the  County  of  HART- 
FORD, greeting: 

Whereas  David  Mathews,  Esq.,  of  the  City,  County,  and  State  of 
New-York,  is  sent  into  this  Government  by  the  Provincial  Convention  of 
the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New-York,  being  accused  in  that  State 
of  treasonable  practices  against  the  States  of  Jfaurica,  with  request  that 
he  may  be  safely  kept  and  confined  in  this  State  until  he  may  be  brought 
to  trial  for  said  crime,  which,  from  the  particular  circumstances  of  said 
State  of  Neio-  York,  cannot  at  present  be  done : 

These  are,  therefore,  in  the  name  of  the  Governour  and  Company  of 
the  State  of  Connecticut,  to  command  and  require  you  to  receive  the  said 
David  Mathews,  Esq.,  of  the  hands  ofJlbraham  De  Peyster,  Esq.,  of  said 
State  of  New-York,  within  said  prison,  and  him  safely  to  keep  until  de- 
livered in  due  course  of  law.  Hereof  you  may  not  fail. 

Dated  in  Lebanon,  the  1st  day  of  August,  A.  D.  1776. 

JONTH.  TRUMBDLL,  Governow. 

LITCHFIELD,  August  12,  1776. 

DEAR  SALLY:  I  received  yours  by  Mr.  Chapman,  who  was  so  kind  as 
to  come  and  see  me,  and  I  never  was  more  rejoiced  to  see  a  friend,  he 
being  the  only  person  I  have  seen  since  my  arrival  here  that  I  had  seen 
before.  I  shall  always  esteem  him  for  his  great  goodness.  He  stayed 
with  me  the  greatest  part  of  the  day,  although  the  Committee  here  wanted 
to  have  sent  him  away  immediately;  and  if  1  had  not  told  them  I  would 
leave  their  town  instantly,  if  I  was  denied  the  pleasure  of  conversing  with 
a  friend,  they  would  have  taken  him  away.  He  has  given  me  an  invi- 
tation to  his  house,  at  Stratford,  and  I  have  wrote  to  the  Congress  for 
leave  to  reside  there,  but  don't  expect  they  will  comply  with  it,  as  they 
don't  seem  inclined  to  deal  by  me  as  I  would  wish  to  deal  with  all  men. 
I  was  extremely  glad  to  hear  that  you  and  children  were  well,  and  that 
Mr.  Chapman  had  seen  you. 

When  I  first  came  to  this  place  I  was  very  much  dissatisfied,  and  wrote 
to  the  Congress  that  they  had  fixed  me  in  a  place  where  I  never  could 
hear  from  my  family,  and  that  I  was  also  deceived  in  my  expectations; 
for  I  was  told  by  some  of  the  Congress  that,  on  my  arrival  here,  1  was 
to  be  indulged  with  my  liberty  as  far  as  the  town  extended.  The  letter 
was  addressed  to  Gouverneur  Morris.  On  their  receipt  of  that  letter  they 
were  pleased  to  deliver  me  over  to  the  Governour  of  this  Colony,  to  whom 
they  sent  Mr.  De  Peyster  for  orders  what  was  to  be  done  with  me. 

On  Mr.  De  Peyster's  arrival  here  from  the  Governour,  and  showing  me 
the  enclosed  commitment,  I  found  that  I  had  no  favour  to  expect  from 
the  Congress.  I  therefore  prevailed  on  him  to  let  me  remain  here,  until 
he  could  go  back  to  the  Governour  and  get  his  consent  for  that  purpose, 
and  this  day  he  returned  with  the  Governour's  leave  for  me  to  remain 
here.  Mr.  De  Peyster  has  behaved  to  me  like  a  gentleman  and  a  Chris- 
tian, and  I  beg  if  ever  you  meet  with  him  you  will  show  him  every 
civility,  and  recommend  him  to  all  my  friends.  He  has  done  more  than 
I  could  have  expected.  May  God  reward  him! 

Ever  since  my  arrival  here  I  have  been  at  the  house  of  Captain  Mosei 
Seymour,  who,  together  with  his  wife,  have  behaved  in  the  most  genteel, 
kind  manner,  and  have  done  everything  in  their  power  to  make  my  time 
as  agreeable  as  possible.  They  have  nothing  of  the  Yankee  about  them. 
He  is  a  fine,  merry  fellow,  and  she  is  a  warm  Protestant,  and  if  it  was 
not  that  the  thoughts  of  home  were  continually  in  my  mind,  1  might  be 
happy  with  my  good  landlord  and  his  family,  to  whom  I  wish  you  could 
send  some  tea,  if  it  were  possible,  as  there  is  none  to  be  bought  here. 

1  have  sent  you  the  enclosed  commitment,  in  order  that  you  may  for- 
ward it  by  the  first  opportunity,  to  let  some  folks  see  how  I  am  treated, 
and  that  the  very  thing  which  the  Congress  complained  of  as  a  grievance, 
which  was  that  of  sending  persons  abroad  for  trial,  is  now  put  in  execu- 
tion by  themselves. 

Tell  my  good  friend  Mr.  jBac/ie,  I  received  his  letter,  by  the  hands  of 
Mr.  Sheldon,  who  desired  to  know  the  contents,  which  being  read  to  him, 
he  took  up  his  bed  and  walked,  and  1  never  expect  to  see  him  again.  1 
only  mention  this  for  his  diversion,  for  I  am  under  the  same  obligations  to 
him,  but  he  little  knows  how  times  have  altered  men  here,  for  if  he  had 
wrote  in  favour  of  the  angel  Gabriel,  it  would  have  been  the  same  thing. 
If  I  should  be  so  happy  as  to  get  to  Stratford,  I  shall  immediately  let  you 
know  of  it.  Give  my  love  to  Messrs.  Itache,  Sherry,  and  Cortlandt,  and 
their  wives.  Kiss  all  the  children  for  me,  and  be  of  good  cheer,  for  I 
hope  my  deliverance  is  at  hand. 

I  am,  dear  Sally,  yours,  affectionately,  D.  MATHEWS. 

To  Mrs.  Matliews,  at  Flatbvsh. 

The  Congress  were  much  afraid  I  should  run  away  if  I  had  my  liber- 
ty; but  this  good  man,  with  whom  I  lodge,  and  who  never  heard  of  me 


1551 


NEW-YORK  CONVENTION,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1552 


"  Wednesday  Morning,  August  28,  1776. 

"  SIR:  The  Convention  direct  me  to  inform  you  that  they 
have  received  yours  to  the  President,  and  that  they  have 
examined  also  your  letter  to  Mrs.  Mathews;  that  you  never 
was  taken  up  as  a  British  subject,  nor  to  be  considered  as 
a  prisoner  of  war.  Your  rank,  therefore,  is  immaterial ;  you 
well  know  the  cause  of  that  treatment  which  you  deem  so 
cruel.  You  well  know  that  you  stand  charged  with  being 
concerned  in  a  deep  conspiracy  against  the  rights  and  liber- 
ties of  America ;  and  however  innocent  you  may  be,  it  is 
the  duty  of  the  Convention  that  you  be  secured  for  trial : 
that  you  were  privy  to  it,  in  a  .great  measure,  your  own 
examination  evinces.  The  Convention  direct  me  to  remind 
you,  that  you  are  not  sent  to  Connecticut  for  trial,  but  for 
security;  that  they  never  heard  of  bail  being  taken  in  similar 
cases;  that  your  fellow-citizens  would,  most  probably,  upon 
your  going  at  large,  have  been  their  own  avengers  ;  that  you 
shall  have  a  fair  and  candid  trial,  when  the  exigencies  of 
the  State  will  permit,  and  that  they  have  too  great  respect 
for  the  liberties  of  mankind  to  make  any  unnecessary  inroads 
upon  that  sacred  ground.  What  opportunities  you  may 
have  had  to  escape,  and  what  reasons  to  stay,  the  Conven- 
tion do  not  know;  but  they  know  the  charges  against  you, 
and  their  duty  to  the  publick. 

"The  Convention  do  further  direct  me  to  assure  you,  sir, 
that  they  have  not  the  least  objection  to  inform  not  only  the 
British  Government,  (say  Governours  and  Generals,)  but 
all  mankind,  that  they  have  taken  precautions  for  their  own 
safety,  and  confined  persons  accused  of  treasonable  designs 
and  conspiracies ;  and  they  do  sincerely  wish  with  you,  that 
America  may  never  lose  her  liberties,  nor  her  sons  meet 
with  oppression.  By  order. 

"  To  D.  Mathews,  Esq." 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  engrossed,  and  signed  by  the 
President,  and  transmitted. 

A  Letter  to  Governour  Trumbull,  on  the  same  subject, 
was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  following, 
viz: 

"Wednesday  Morning,  August  28,  1776. 

"Sin:  The  Convention  direct  me  to  return  your  Honour 
their  sincere  thanks  for  the  attention  you  have  been  pleased 
to  pay  to  the  prisoners  we  have  been  under  the  necessity  of 
sending  into  your  State.  We  now  take  the  liberty  of  en- 
closing to  your  Honour  the  copy  of  an  intercepted  letter 
from  D.  Mathtws,  Esq.,  to  his  wife,  from  which  it  appears 
that  he  deeply  resents  the  treatment  he  received  from  the  Con- 
vention. It  is  with  the  utmost  regret  that  we  feel  ourselves 
under  the  necessity  of  requesting  your  Honour  to  secure 
that  gentleman  in  such  manner  as  to  prevent  his  escape  and 
all  improper  correspondence.  The  troubling  you  with  our 
prisoners  is  a  matter  for  which  necessity  alone  can  apologize. 
This  State  has  suffered  so  much  from  disaffected  persons, 
that  a  greater  degree  of  severity  towards  them  would  be 
justifiable,  especially  as  all  lenity  hath  been  by  them  attri- 
buted to  fear.  Notwithstanding  such  high  provocation,  we 
have  in  no  instance  invaded  the  rights  of  humanity,  it 
might  therefore  be  expected  that  we  should  be  surprised  to 
see  such  a  designed  misrepresentation  of  our  conduct,  but 
nothing  of  this  kind  is  new.  The  crime  of  which  Mr. 

before,  has  such  an  opinion  of  me  that  he  has  wrote  to  them  he  will  be 
answerable  for  me  whenever  they  shall  call  for  me.  A  prophet  has  no 
honour  in  his  own  country.  It  is  possible  times  may  change. 

LITCHFIELD,  Jlugust  12,  1776. 

SIR:  Upon  the  second  arrival  of  Mr.  Dt  Peysler  here,  Messrs.  Mnilmrs 
and  Roome,  upon  finding  that  they  could  not  be  suffered  to  be  nearer 
home,  were  so  desirous  of  remaining  prisoners  in  this  town,  that  1  pre- 
vailed upon  Mr.  De  Peysler  to  consent  to  leave  them  in  my  custody,  pro- 
vided our  Committee  had  no  objection,  and  it  should  not  be  disapproved 
of  by  Governour  Trumbull.  The  Committee's  consent  was  accordingly 
obtained  before  Mr.  De  Peyster  left  town  with  the  other  prisoners,  and 
since  his  return  from  Lebanon  he  tells  me  the  Governour  has  no  objec- 
tion to  their  remaining  here.  For  the  satisfaction,  therefore,  of  the 
honourable  Convention  of  your  State,  I  take  this  opportunity  to  assure 
you,  sir,  that  I  shall  keep  the  above-mentioned  gentlemen  safe  within 
certain  limits  in  this  town,  under  my  particular  direction;  and  shall  either 
surrender  them  to  the  respective  places  assigned  by  Governour  Trum- 
bull at  any  time  whenever  your  honourable  Convention  demand  their 
appearance,  either  before  them,  or  before  any  other  court,  have  them 
forthcoming  and  ready  to  be  delivered  into  the  custody  of  such  person 
as  shall  be  sent  for  them  by  the  said  Convention.  1  hope,  sir,  what  I 
have  done  will  meet  with  your  approbation  and  the  approbation  of  the 
other  membtrs  of  your  House,  who,  I  suppose,  meant,  no  more  by  send- 
ing the  above  gentlemen  into  Connecticut  than  their  being  put  into  safe 
custody,  and  at  a  distance  from  Niw-  York,  the  present  seat  of  war. 

I  am,  sir,  your  humble  servant,  MOSES  SEYMOUR. 

To  Nathaniel  WootOiull,  Esq. 


Mathews  stands  charged,  is  no  less  than  treason  against 
the  rights  of  America,  and  yet  it  seems  he  considers  his  con- 
finement as  unjust.  We  are  confident,  sir,  that  in  com- 
mitting him  to  prison,  you  will  avoid  every  circumstance 
of  unnecessary  rigour;  but  the  instance  we  enclose  you  of 
his  unfriendly  intentions  demands  that  great  care  should  be 
taken  to  prevent  the  character  of  these  States  from  being 
unjustly  stigmatized  by  such  willful  misrepresentations. 
"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  sir,  &tc.  By  order. 

"  To  Governour  Trumbull,"  &c. 

A  Letter  from  Joseph  Drake,  at  New-Rochell,  dated 
this  day,  was  received  and  read,  in  the  words  following,  to 
wit: 

"  New-Rochell,  August  28,  1776. 

"SiR:  I  received  the  resolve  of  the  Committee  of  Safety 
yesterday,  enclosed  to  me  by  John  McKesson,  Esq.  Pur- 
suant to  my  directions,  I  have  ordered  a  party  to  guard  from 
Rye-Neck  to  Rodman's  Neck,  of  the  Militia  of  this  County. 
Colonel  Graham's  Regiment  is  at  present  stationed  at  .Frog1'* 
Neck.  The  enemy  lay  yesterday  and  all  last  night  by 
Hart-Island;  this  morning  they  removed  a  little  to  the 
southward  of  Miniford's  Island,  where  they  at  present  lay. 
They  have  not  been  able  to  plunder  much.  They  got  from 
Mineford's  Island  four  horned  cattle  and  some  poultry,  which 
is  all  we  have  been  able  to  learn  they  have  plundered.  I 
immediately  sent  Captain  Hunt,  with  about  fifty  men,  from 
New-Rochel,  who,  with  the  help  of  a  part  of  Colonel 
Graham's  Regiment,  drove  off  all  the  cattle  from  the  Island, 
to  the  amount  of  thirty-odd  head.  I  should  be  glad  to  be 
informed  if  Colonel  Graham's  Regiment  is  to  remain  on 
Frog-Neck,  if  that  is  not  improper  it  will  be  a  very  great 
ease  to  the  County  at  this  season,  especially  as  it  will  take 
almost  all  the  Militia  to  guard  the  whole.  I  conceive  it  will 
take  nigh  half  of  my  Regiment  to  guard  from  Rodman's 
Point  to  the  snuff  mills.  Colonel  Budd  is  to  send  one 
hundred  men,  and  to  guard  from  there  to  Rye-Neck.  I  find 
it  very  difficult  for  the  men  to  provide  five  days'  provisions 
at  this  time  of  the  year;  therefore,  I  thought  it  proper  to 
appoint  Theophilus  Barlow  Commissary  for  the  time  being. 
1  am  apprehensive,  if  ever  I  should  come  to  an  engagement 
with  the  enemy,  we  should  be  in  great  want  of  powder,  as 
we  have  not  above  six  rounds  a  man  for  all  the  Militia. 
You  may  rely  on  my  utmost  vigilance  to  frustrate  the  inten- 
tions of  the  enemy  in  all  their  motions  while  here. 

"  From  your  very  humble  servant, 

JOSEPH  DRAKE." 

Ordered,  To  be  referred  to  Mr.  Morris  and  Mr.  Jay. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Governour  of  Connecticut 
be  requested  to  send  into  Suffolk  County  one  thousand 
Troops  for  the  protection  of  the  Inhabitants  and  security  of 
the  Stock  on  Nassau-Island,  as  the  strength  of  Long-Island 
is  now  within  his  Excellency  General  Washington's  lines, 
and  cannot  be  had. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  several  Towns  in  Connecticut,  re- 
questing their  assistance  in  removing  the  Stock  from  Long- 
Island,  was  read  and  approved  of,  and  is  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing, to  wit: 

"  Wednesday  Morning,  August  28, 1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  The  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York  are  under  the  melancholy  necessity  of  again  calling 
upon  their  sister  States  for  their  assistance,  in  a  matter  in 
which  not  only  they,  but  the  whole  continent,  are  interested. 
The  enemy,  who  have  landed  upon  Long-Island,  will,  we 
fear,  have  it  in  their  power  to  possess  themselves  of  the 
whole  stock,  which  amounts  to  between  eighty  and  one  hun- 
dred thousand  of  cattle  and  as  many  sheep,  as  our  forces  are 
confined  to  their  lines.  These  articles  will  doubtless  be  of 
the  greatest  use  to  the  enemy ;  for  the  want  of  some  of  them 
we  know  they  are  already  distressed.  We  must  therefore 
request  you  immediately  to  afford  all  the  assistance  in  your 
power  to  forward  the  removal  of  the  stock  from  the  Island, 
and  to  provide  for  them  in  your  State,  till  some  further  direc- 
tion can  be  given  with  respect  to  them,  and  to  lend  your  aid 
to  each  of  the  inhabitants  that  may  wish  to  remove.  The 
importance  of  these  objects  need  not  be  enlarged  upon,  nor 
need  arguments  be  urged  to  induce  you  to  every  necessary 
exertion.  The  readiness  and  publick  spirit  which  the  Com- 
mittees in  Connecticut  have  ever  shown  in  carrying  into 
execution  all  measures  of  publick  utility,  leave  us  no  room 
to  doubt  but  that  they  will  exert  themselves  on  this  occa- 


1553 


NEW-YORK  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1554 


sion,  which  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  general  cause  Ordered,  That  the  Treasurerof  this  Convention  advance 

of  America.  to  Theodosius  Bartow,  Esq.,  the  sum  of  one  thousand  Dol- 

"To  the  Chairman  of  Stoning  ton,  Mw-Lon<lon,  Groton,  Lyme,  Seabrook,  lars,  to  enable  him  to  execute  the  order  of  this  day  appoint- 

GuilforA,  New-Haven,  Stratford,  FairfiM,  Miford,  Nbrwalk,  Stanford,  ing  him  to  act  as  Commissary  to  the  Militia  employed  to 

and  Horsentck,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut;  who  are  directed  to  forward  defend  the  coast  of  Westchestcr  County,  and  take  his  receipt 

the  same."  to  be  accountable  for  the  same. 


A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  Governour  Trumbull,  on  the  same 
subject,  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  as  follows,  to  wit: 

"  Harlem,  Wednesday  morningj  August  28,  1776. 

"Sin:  I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  which  the  Con- 
vention of  this  State  have  directed  to  the  several  Committees 
of  your  State,  requesting  their  assistance  in  removing  the 
inhabitants  and  stock  from  Long-Island.  The  Convention 
are  sensible  that  their  first  application  should  have  been  to 
your  Excellency,  but  necessity  has  obliged  them  to  dispense 
with  form,  which  they  doubt  not  you  will  consider  as  a  suf- 
ficient apology.  The  Convention,  therefore,  find  themselves 
under  a  necessity  of  applying  to  your  Excellency  for  one 
thousand  men,  or  any  greater  force  which  can  be  speedily 
obtained,  who,  they  conceive,  may  greatly  contribute  to  the 
security  of  the  Island,  and  at  the  same  time,  in  some  mea- 
sure, cooperate  with  our  Army  in  the  lines,  or  at  least  greatly 
weaken  the  attack  of  the  enemy.  The  Militia  of  Long- 
Island  are,  for  the  most  part,  shut  up  within  the  lines,  so 
that  nothing  can  be  done  for  its  defence  without  your  assist- 
ance. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c.     By  order. 

"  To  His  Excellency  Governour  Trumbutt,  of  the  State  of 
Connecticut." 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Gelston  proceed  to  Connecticut,  with 
the  Letter  to  Governour  Trumbutt  and  the  Committees,  and 
that  this  Convention  will  bear  his  expenses. 

Wednesday,  5  o'clock,  P.  M.,  August  28,  1776. 

Present:  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President. 
FOR  NEW-YORK. — Mr.  Beekman,  Mr.  Robert  Harper,  Mr. 

Jay,  Mr.  Bancker,  Major  Abeel. 

ALBANY. — Mr.  A.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Colonel  Rensselaer. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  Tredwell,  Mr.  Bearing,  Mr. 

Gelston. 

ULSTER. — Col.De  Witt,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun.,  Major  Parks. 
QUEEN'S. — Mr.  S.  Townsend. 
DUTCHESS. — Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston. 
WEST-CHESTER. — Mr.  Morris,  Col.  Van  Cortlandt,  Major 

Lockwood,  Colonel  Drake. 

ORANGE. — Mr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Wisner. 
CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Veder. 

Mr.  Jay  and  Mr.  Morris  reported  two  Resolutions  and  the 
draft  of  a  Letter  to  Colonel  Drake,  relative  to  the  Militia, 
and  the  appointment  of  Theodosius  Bartow  as  Commissary 
pro  tern.;  were  read,  and  are  in  the  words  following,  that  is  to 
say : 

"  Thursday  morning,  August  29,  1776. 

"SiR:  I  am  directed  by  the  Convention  to  inform  you 
that  they  approve  of  your  conduct  relative  to  the  defence  of 
the  coast,  and  refer  the  whole  of  that  business  (in  General 
Morris's  absence)  to  your  discretion.  They  confirm  your 
appointment  of  Mr.  Bartow  as  Commissary,  and  have  en- 
closed an  order  on  the  Treasurer  for  one  thousand  dollars. 
As  to  powder,  they  are  much  at  a  loss,  but  have  ordered 
General  Clinton  to  afford  you  all  the  supply  which  the  store 
of  this  State  will  admit  of. 

"  I  am,  very  respectfully,  sir,  yours,  &tc.     By  order. 

"  To  Colonel  Joseph  Drake." 

"  Resolved,  That  Theos.  Bartoiv,  Esq.,  be  empowered  to 
act  as  Commissary,  till  further  order,  to  the  Militia  employed 
to  defend  the  coast  of  Westchester  County,  on  the  Sound; 
that  he  have  an  order  on  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention 
for  one  thousand  Dollars,  and  that  he  account  for  the  same 
to  this  Convention,  or  the  Legislature  of  this  State  for  the 
time  being. 

"Resolved,  That  General  Clinton  do  furnish  Col.  Joseph 
Drake  with  such  a  quantity  of  Cartridges,  or  Powder  and 
Lead,  out  of  the  store  of  this  State,  in  his  possession,  as  he 
may  think  necessary  to  the  defence  of  the  coast  of  West- 
chester." 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


The  Examination  of  Colonel  Covenhoven  was  read,  as 
follows : 

"  Harlem,  August  28,  1776. 

"  Left  Long-Island  on  Sunday  morning ;  came  last  from 
Welpelmus  Stothoof's  Island.  On  the  day  that  the  enemy 
landed,  as  he  was  returning  from  the  lines,  he  was  taken  by 
a  party  of  the  enemy;  they  treated  him  roughly,  took  from 
him  his  sword  and  cockade,  and  carried  him  to  Head-Quar- 
ters; was  politely  received  by  General  Howe,  who  asked 
him  if  he  would  stay  home  and  send  his  produce,  which  he 
promised  to  do.  He  understood  from  the  officers  that  eight 
thousand  men  had  landed  the  first  day.  They  sent  for  him 
the  second  time  on  the  same  day;  ordered  him  to  get  fowls, 
&c.;  under  pretence  of  which  he  went  off,  got  a  horse,  and 
went  to  General  Washington;  asked  him  what  part  he  should 
take;  who  directed  him  to  go  back,  and  he  was  to  collect 
information,  and  send  it  to  General  Washington;  which  he 
did,  and  got  back  without  having  been  missed ;  they  never 
questioned  him  further.  He  afterwards  met  with  some  Hes- 
sians, who  took  him  with  them  to  get  cows,  and  aoreed 
among  themselves  to  put  him  to  death  after  he  had  showed 
them  the  cows,  as  they  were  forbid  to  kill  any  cattle ;  they 
spoke  this  in  the  Hessian  language;  showed  them  a  cow, 
and  he  left  them;  most  of  the  stock  had  been  driven  off 
before.  He  then  went  to  the  Flatlands,  where  he  saw  many- 
Regulars;  saw  Governour  Tryon,  but  did  not  speak  to  him; 
Generals  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Pecket,  were  on  the  Island; 
the  enemy  were  joined  by  few  people  from  the  Island;  saw 
many  people  from  Staten-Island,  not  armed.  Left  it  on 
Sunday,  with  design  to  come  to  Congress;  when  got  to 
McGowen's  was  arrested.  Does  not  think  it  safe  Congress 
should  continue  here;  they  talked  in  the  camp  of  landing 
above  this.  The  party  that  carried  him  to  General  Howe 
carried  also  his  sword  and  cockade,  but  it  was  not  noticed 
by  the  General.  Heard  at  the  Flatlands  that  seventeen  sail 
of  transports  were  going  round  in  order  to  land  at  Morisania; 
the  enemy  proposed  to  attack  the  line  the  day  after  thej 
landed,  but  were  repulsed,  and  seventeen  Hessians  killed." 

Mr.  Morris  read  two  Letters,  whereby  the  Convention  is 
informed  that  Captain  Berrien  refused  to  pay  any  attention 
to  the  order  of  this  Convention  exempting  Mr.  Chs.  Shaw 
from  military  service,  or  the  order  which  in  like  manner 
exempts  R.  Morris,  Esq. 

Ordered,  That  Captain  Berrien  do  attend  this  Conven- 
tion immediately,  to  show  the  cause  of  his  conduct  in  the 
premises. 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington,  received  by  Major 
Lawrence,  was  read,  and  is  as  follows: 

"  Long-Island,  August  28, 1776. 

"  SIR  :  I  was  just  now  honoured  with  your  favour  of  this 
date,  with  General  WoodhuWs  letter,  and  should  esteem 
myself  happy  were  it  in  my  power  to  afford  the  assistance 
required:  but  the  enemy  having  landed  a  considerable  part 
of  their  force  here,  and  at  the  same  time  may  have  reserved 
some  to  attack  New -York,  it  is  the  opinion  not  only  of 
myself,  but  of  all  my  General  Officers  I  have  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  consulting  with,  that  the  men  we  have  are  not 
more  than  competent  to  the  defence  of  these  lines,  and  the 
several  posts  which  must  be  defended.  This  reason,  and  this 
only,  prevents  my  complying  with  your  request. 

"I  shall  beg  leave  to  mention,  in  confidence,  that  a  few 
days  ago,  upon  the  enemy's  first  landing  here,  I  wrote  to 
Governour  Trumbull,  recommending  him  to  throw  over  a 
body  of  one  thousand  men  on  the  Island,  to  annoy  the 
enemy  in  their  rear,  if  the  state  of  the  Colony  would  admit 
of  it.  Whether  it  will  be  done,  I  cannot  determine.  That 
Colony  having  furnished  a  large  proportion  of  men,  I  was, 
and  still  am  doubtful  whether  it  could  be  done.  If  it  could, 
I  am  satisfied  it  will,  from  the  zeal  and  readiness  they  have 
ever  shown  to  give  every  possible  succour.  I  am  hopeful 
they  will  be  in  a  condition  to  do  it,  and,  if  they  are,  those 
troops  I  doubt  not  will  be  ready  and  willing  to  give  General 
Woodhull  any  assistance  he  may  want.  But  cannot  the 


98 


1555 


NEW-YORK  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1556 


Militia  effect  what  he  wished  to  do?     They,  I  believe,  must 
be  depended  on  in  the  present  instance  for  relief. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  in  great  haste,  sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

"  The  Hon.  Abraham  Yates." 

Mr.  Ducr  moved  the  following  Resolution,  that  is  to  say  : 

Resolved,  That  whereas,  from  the  vicinity  of  the  enemy's 
Ships  of  War  now  in  the  Sound,  and  the  situation  of  their 
Army  on  Nassau-Island,  it  would  be  very  practicable  for  a 
small  party  of  men  to  surprise  this  defenceless  town,  and  to 
remove  all  its  inhabitants;  and  whereas,  from  the  present 
invasion  of  this  State,  thereby  cause  the  communication 
between  this  Convention  and  their  constituents  to  be  cut 
off: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  Convention  of  this  State 
will  forthwith  adjourn  from  hence  to 

Mr.  Jay  moved  that  it  be  postponed  until  to-morrow. 

The  previous  question  being  put,  (whether  it  be  postponed 
until  to-morrow,)  it  was  carried  in  the  negative,  in  manner 
following,  to  wit  : 


For. 

2  Cumberland. 
4  Westchester. 

6  votes. 


Against. 


4  Ulster. 

2  Charlotte. 

3  Orange. 
6  Albany. 
3  Tryon. 


8  New-York. 
4  Queen's. 
4  Suffolk. 


34  votes. 


Mr.  Livingston  then  moved  that  they  would  adjourn,  to 
meet  at  Fishkitt;  and  the  question  being  put,  it  was  carried 
in  the  affirmative,  in  manner  following,  to  wit  : 


For  the  JJfirmative. 

6  Albany. 

3  Orange. 

4  Ulster. 
3  Tryon. 


8  New-  York.  Mr.  Jay  dissenting.   2  Cumberland. 


For  the  Negative. 

4  Westchester.     Mr.  Morris  dis- 
4  Suffolk.  [senting. 

4  Queen  "3. 
2  Charlotte. 


24  votes. 


16  votes. 


Thurday  Morning,  August  29,  1776. 
The  Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present .  Abm.  Yatcs,  Esq.,  President. 
NEW- YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Abeel. 
ALBANY. — Mr.  Abm.  Yates,  Mr.  Adgate,  Colonel  Rensse- 

laer. 

ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Wisner,  Major  Parks. 
SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Miller,  Mr.  L! Hommedieu,  Mr. 

Dearing,  Mr.  Tredwell. 

ORANGE. — Dr.  Outwater,  Mr.  Little,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun. 
WESTCHESTER. — Major  Lockwood,  Mr.  Tompkins,  Colonel 

Cortlandt,  Colonel  Drake,  Mr.  Morris. 
QUEEN'S. — Major  Lawrence,  Mr.  Samuel  Townsend. 
DUTCHESS. — Colonel  Hoffman,  Mr.  R.  R.  Livingston,  Mr. 

London,  Major  Schenck. 

CUMBERLAND. — Colonel  Marsh,  Mr.  Sessions,  Mr.  Stephens. 
CHARLOTTE. — Mr.  Duer. 
TRYON. — Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Veder. 

A  Letter  from  Mr.  Van  Wyck,*  at  Flushing,  who  was 
sent  yesterday  from  Congress  to  inquire  whether  the  com- 
munication between  this  and  Jamaica  is  open  and  safe  by 
the  way  of  Flushing,  was  received.  He  mentions  that  the 
Troops  may  pass  safely  that  way,  if  they  can  be  got  there 
this  evening;  that  the  enemy's  ships  lie  between  Thome's 
Point  and  Great-Neck.  Referred  to  Mr.  Smith,  Colonel 
Hoffman,  and  Mr.  Tredwell. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention  advance 
to  Z.  Platt,  Esq.,  the  further  sum  of  £700,  to  enable  him 
to  execute  the  order  of  this  Convention,  appointing  him 
Commissary  for  the  time  being,  to  provide  Provisions  for  the 
Troops  under  the  command  of  Brigadier-General  Clinton, 
and  to  pay  for  a  quantity  of  Boards  purchased  by  virtue  of 
said  order,  and  take  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

•FLUSHING,  August  28,  1776. 

GENTLEMEN:  1  am  informed  by  Thomas  Thomas,  a  member  of  the 
Committee,  who  just  came  from  General  Woodhull,  that  he  was  at 
Jamaica,  and  that  lie  just  came  from  Whight  Stone.  The  ships  of  war  lay 
between  Thorne's  Point  and  Great-Neck;  that  there  can  be  no  danger  of 
bringing  up  our  men  to  this  place,  if  can  get  them  up  this  evening.  I 
think  it  will  be  proper  to  send  this  intelligence  off  as  soon  as  possible 
by  the  same  boat,  as  I  cannot  get  any  other. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

CORNS.  VAN  WYCK. 

P.  S.  I  am  just  going  to  Jamaica  to  the  General. 

To  Henry  Yates,  Esq.,  Member  of  Convention  of  the  State  of  Aeie-  York. 


Mr.  Tompkins  came  into  Convention,  and  informed  that 
Mr.  Lounsbury  was  come  into  Westchester  County  with  a 
commission  from  General  Howe  to  raise  Rangers ;  that  a 
party  of  Rangers  (say  Militia)  went  in  pursuit  of  him,  and 
were  under  the  necessity  of  killing  him,  as  he  would  not 
surrender;  another  was  wounded  and  four  were  taken  pri- 
soners, all  his  recruits.  The  commission  from  Lord  Howe, 
and  other  papers  found  on  him,  were  read  and  Sled. 

Committed  to  .Colonel  De  Witt,  Mr.  Livingston,  and  Mr. 
Tompkins. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  Mr.  John  Mc- 
Donald,  employed  as  a  Miner  by  this  Convention,  be  directed 
to  proceed  upon  a  further  discovery,  for  the  space  of  twenty 
days,  in  exploring  the  Lead  Mines  in  the  Nine  Partners,  in 
Dtitchess  County,  then  to  return  and  report  to  this  House; 
and  that  he  be  allowed  eight  shillings  per  day  while  so 
employed;  and  that  he  be  allowed  to  employ  two  men 
besides  himself;  and  that  he  be  furnished  with  one-quarter 
hundred  weight  of  Powder. 

Carried  unanimously. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Letter  from 
Mr.  Van  Wyck,  brought  in  their  Report,  as  follows: 

"  Your  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  considera- 
tion of  the  letter  from  Mr.  Van  Wyck,  and  several  letters 
from  General  Woodhull,  do  report,  that  there  would  be 
danger  of  a  letter  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands,  and  there- 
fore they  think  it  best  that  a  member  be  sent  to  him  to  give 
him  an  account  of  our  proceedings  upon  the  subject  of  his 
letters,  and  in  confidence  of  the  substance  of  the  letter  we 
received  from  General  Washington." 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Townsend.  be  requested  to 
proceed  to  Long-Island  on  the  above  business. 

The  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  Papers,  &.c., 
received  from  Mr.  Tompkins,  found  upon  Mr.  Lounsbury, 
killed  by  a  party  of  Militia  in  Westchester  County,  report 
as  follows: 

"  That  the  prisoners  be  kept  in  close  custody  lill  they  are 
examined.  That  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  West- 
chester  County  be  requested  to  take  the  examination  of  the 
prisoners,  and  transmit  them  to  the  Convention  of  this 
State." 

Ordered,  That  Bloomer  Nelson,  Samuel  Haines,  Josiah 
Disberry,  and  Jacob  Schureman,  be  committed  to  the  Jail  at 
Kingston,  in  Ulster  County,  and  there  kept  in  close  and 
secure  custody  till  further  orders. 

And,  Ordered  further,  That  Colonel  Joseph  Drake  be 
directed  to  provide  a  proper  Guard,  and  to  see  this  order 
executed. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention  pay  to 
Jonathan  Tompkins.  Esq.,  the  sum  of  twenty  Dollars,  to  be 
by  him  delivered  to  Mr.  Flood,  as  a  reward  for  his  spirited 
conduct  in  apprehending  William  Lounsbury,  (a  notorious 
enemy  to  the  cause  of  America,)  in  Westchesler  County. 

Mr.  Harper,  agreeable  to  notice  given  last  night,  moved 
for  a  reconsideration  of  the  determination  of  the  House  last 
night  for  removing  the  Convention  to  Fiahkill. 

Debates  arose,  and  the  question  being  put,  it  was  as  fol- 
lows, that  is  to  say  : 

For  reconsidering1.  Jlgainsl  it. 

4  Suffolk.  6  Albany. 

4  Westchcster.  2  Charlotte. 

4  Queen's.  4  Westchcster. 

2  Cumberland.  8  New-York. 

3  Tryon. 

14  votes.  3  Orange. 

26  votes. 

Resolved,  That  the  Convention  will  meet  in  the  English 
Church  at  Fishkill,  on  Monday  next,  at  nine  o'clock  ;  that 
a  Committee  of  Safety,  to  consist  of  Mr.  Duer,  Colonel 
Cortlandt,  Colonel  Van  Rensselaer,  Mr.  Robert  Living- 
ston, and  Major  Schenck,  with  Mr.  Yates,  the  President, 
be  appointed  to  act  for  this  State  till  the  Convention 
meet. 

The  Convention  having  been  informed  by  their  Secret 
Committee  of  the  services  of  Captain  Hazlewood,  in  pre- 
paring Fire-Rafts  and  giving  useful  information  relative  to 
the  obstructing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River,  think  him 
entitled  to  the  thanks  of  this  House;  and,  as  a  compensation 
for  his  expenses  and  trouble, 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention  pay  to 


557 


NEW- YORK  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  1776. 


1558 


?  said  Captain  Hazlewood  the  sum  of  £300,  out  of  the 
1  I'easury  of  this  State,  for  his  services  as  aforesaid. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  consider 
what  number  of  the  Militia  can  be  speedily  called  out  for 
the  defence,  of  this  State. 

Colonel  Hoffman,  Mr.  Wisner,  Jun.,  Colonel  De  Witt, 
Colonel  Cortlandt,  and  Mr.  Duer,  were  appointed  the  said 
Committee. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Long-Island  to  remove  as  many  of  their  Women,  Children, 
and  Slaves,  and  as  much  of  their  Stock  and  Grain,  to  the 
Main,  as  they  can,  and  that  this  Convention  will  pay  the 
expenses  of  removing  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  John  Rogers,  a  servant  man  of  General 
Morris,  apprehended  by  order  of  this  Convention  as  being 
notoriously  disaffected,  be  conveyed  under  a  proper  guard  to 
the  Jail  in  Westchester  County,  to  be  kept  in  close  custody 
till  further  orders;  and  that  Captain  Benson  cause  this  order 
to  be  duly  executed. 

A  Letter  from  Peter  T.  Curtenius,  with  a  list  of  articles 
such  as  he  contracted  for  by  order  of  this  Convention, 
was  received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to 
wit: 

"Harlem,  August  28,  1776. 

"GENTLEMEN:  I  am  in  advance,  on  account  of  the  Con- 
vention, above  £4,000,  and  have  engaged  clothing  and  other 
articles  to  the  amount  of  at  least  as  much  more.  Should  be 
glad  this  honourable  House  would  be  pleased  to  give  an 
order  on  the  Treasurer  for  £10,000,  that  I  may  be  enabled 
to  make  good  my  engagements. 

"  I  am,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"  PETER  T.  CURTENIUS. 

"  P.  S.  Mr.  Roosevelt  has  about  £2,800,  which  he  told 
me  I  could  have,  if  the  Convention  would  give  me  an  order 
on  him. 

"«!  list  of  Articles  which  I  hme  contracted  for,  and  have  in  store,  viz : 
"  1500  pair  buckskin  breeches,  3000  shirts,  and  200  dozen  Germantoicn 
stockings,  at  Philadelphia;  the  last  article  something  doubtful  whether 
the  whole  quantity  will  be  got. 

'  1000  yards  linen,  given  out  to  be  made  in  shirts  at  Hackensack. 

'  45  pieces  osnaburgsatold  Mr. /"auWino-'s,  about  three  thousand  yards; 
may  do  to  make  shirts. 

1 150  pair  leather  breeches  in  my  store. 

'  600  pair  shoes  in  ditto,  and  can  get  about  2000  pair  more. 

'348  dressed  deer-skins  at  Hackensack;  about  500  pair  buckskin 
breeches  engaged  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  and  believe  I  can  get 
more  at  Bethlehem." 

Resolved,  That  Peter  T.  Curtenius  be  empowered  to 
borrow  the  sum  of  £10,000,  and  that  the  Convention  of 
this  State  pledge  the  publick  faith  to  the  persons  of  whom 
he  may  borrow  this  sum  for  the  repayment  of  the  same,  and 
that  the  receipt  or  receipts  of  the  said  Peter  T.  Curtenius 
shall  be  vouchers  to  the  person  or  persons  of  whom  the 
whole  or  any  part  of  this  sum  may  be  borrowed,  and  to  the 
Treasurer  of  this  Convention  for  payment  of  the  same. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State,  and  the  Secre- 
taries of  the  Convention,  do  immediately  remove,  with  the 
Treasury  and  Records  of  this  State,  to  Fishkill,  in  Dutchess 
County,  and  that  they  there  join  the  Convention  at  nine 
o'clock,  on  Monday  next. 

COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY. 

Harlem,  August  29,  J776. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  met.  Present :  Abraham 
fates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President,  Colonel  Cortlandt,  Colonel 
Van  Renselaer,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Duer,  Mr. 
Bleecker. 

Colonel  Phinehas  Fanning  waited  on  the  Committee 
with  a  Letter  from  Colonel  Josiah  Smith,  Colonel  of  the 
Draughts  of  the  Militia  of  Suffolk,  Qtieen's,  and  King's 
Counties,  stationed  at  Brookland,  in  King's  County,  in- 
forming the  Committee  that  his  Regiment  is  ordered  by 
General  Washington  to  withdraw  from  Long-Island  and 
wait  the  further  orders  of  the  Convention  of  this  State. 

Thereupon,  it  was  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Josiah  Smith 
do,  with  all  possible  despatch,  march  his  Regiment  to  Horn's 
Hook,  there  to  receive  further  orders  from  Mr.  Samuel 
Townsend  and  Major  Lawrence,  and  that  he  apply  to  the 
Commissary-General  for  five  days'  provisions,  and  to  the 
Quartermaster-General  for  baggage-wagons,  it  being  of  the 


utmost  consequence  that  this  Regiment  should  march  with- 
out delay. 

And  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Townsend  and  Major 
Lawrence  be  requested  and  authorized  to  attend  the  Regi- 
ment commanded  by  Colonel  Smith,  in  order  to  supply  the 
said  Regiment  with  provisions,  and  to  devise  the  most  safe 
and  expeditious  means  of  transporting  the  said  Regiment 
from  Long-Island;  and  that  they  be  authorized  and  em- 
powered to  impress  horses,  wagons,  boats,  vessels,  &ic.,  for 
that  purpose;  for  the  payment  of  which,  and  every  other 
necessary  expense,  this  Committee  pledge  the  publick 
faith. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  pay  to  Mr. 
Samuel  Townsend  and  Major  Lawrence  the  sum  of  £  100, 
to  be  by  them  accounted  for  to  the  Convention  of  this 
State. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  Brigadier-General  or 
Commanding  Officers  of  the  Militia  in  the  Counties  of 
Orange,  Ulster,  Westchester,  and  Dutchess,  do  hold  their 
Militia  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning,  with 
five  days'  provisions,  and  as  much  ammunition  as  possible; 
there  being  the  greatest  reason  to  imagine  that  the  whole 
force  of  this  State  may  in  a  few  days  be  wanted  to  repel  the 
invasion  of  our  merciless  and  tyrannical  enemy. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  transmit  certified  copies 
of  the  aforegoing  Resolution  to  the  Brigadiers  of  the  Counties 
therein  mentioned,  with  the  utmost  despatch. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Captain  Sickles  and  twelve 
men  keep  guard  this  night  at  such  places  as  the  motions  of 
the  enemy  can  be  best  watched,  and  that  he  make  return 
to  this  Committee  of  all  such  persons  who  shall  refuse  to 
obey. 

King's  Bridge,  August  30,  1776.   . 

The  Committee  of  Safety  met.  Present:  Abraham 
Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  Chairman,  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt,  Colo- 
nel Renselaer,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Duer,  Mr. 
Rleecker. 

The  Committee  were  informed  that  the  Continental 
Troops,  with  all  the  Militia,  had,  by  order  of  General  Wash- 
ington, left  Long-Island  and  come  over  to  the  city. 

Thereupon  a  draft  of  a  Letter  to  General  Washington 
was  read,  approved,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to 
wit: 

"Sin:  In  our  way  to  Fishkill,  agreeable  to  an  adjourn- 
ment of  the  Convention,  we  are  informed  that  the  Army 
on  Long-Island  is  removed  to  the  City  of  New-  York ;  and 
anxiety  to  know  the  fact,  as  well  as  to  be  informed  whether 
you  think  any  measures  necessary  for  us  to  take,  induces  us 
to  trouble  your  Excellency  at  this  time  for  an  answer  hereto. 
We  have  ordered,  last  night,  all  the  Militia  of  the  Counties 
of  Ulster,  Dutchess,  Orange,  and  Westchester,  to  be  ready 
on  a  minute's  warning,  with  five  days'  provisions.  We  shall 
wait  the  return  of  our  messenger  at  this  place;  and  are,  sir, 
your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant.  By  order. 

"  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  copied,  and  transmitted  by 
express. 

A  Letter  from  Brigadier-General  Clinton,  dated  at  King's 
Bridge,  August  30,  1776,  was  read,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  to  wit: 

"  GENTLEMEN  :  The  Brigade  under  my  command  mur- 
mur extremely  for  want  of  the  remaining  bounty  due  to 
them.  It  is  my  opinion  that  when  they  are  mustered  by 
the  Continental  Mustermaster,  that  there  will  be  no  defi- 
ciency in  the  Muster-Rolls  sworn  to  by  the  Colonels  of  the 
respective  Regiments,  and  returned  to  your  Convention.  I 
therefore  wish  most  earnestly  that  the  Convention  would 
dispense  with  that  part  of  the  resolution  with  respect  to  the 
levies  that  relate  to  the  mode  of  mustering  my  Brigade,  as 
it  is  very  uncertain  when  they  can  be  mustered  agreeable  to 
the  manner  therein  prescribed.  As,  from  the  present  situ- 
ation of  our  military  operations,  it  is  extremely  probable  that 
our  Army  will  make  the  grand  stand  at  the  post  I  occupy, 
and  as  it  is  of  the  utmost  consequence  that  harmony  should 
prevail  amongst  the  troops,  I  flatter  myself  the  Convention 
will  have  no  scruple  in  complying  with  my  request.  I  shall 
desire  General  Washington  to  have  my  Brigade  mustered  as 


1559 


NEW-YORK  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  AUGUST,  J776. 


1560 


soon  as  possible,  and  shall  make  a  regular  return  to  the 
Convention  of  the  whole  Brigade. 

"I  arn,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"GEO.  CLINTON,  Brigadier-General. 

"To  the  Honourable  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New- 
York." 

The  said  Letter  being  immediately  taken  into  consider- 
ation, 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State 
pay  to  General  Clinton,  or  his  Order,  the  sum  of  £7,000; 
and  that  General  Clinton  account  for  the  same  to  the  Con- 
vention or  a  future  Legislature  of  this  State. 

Colonel  Thomas  informed  the  Committee  that  he  had  in 
his  hands  the  sum  of  £251  12s.,  being  part  of  the  interest 
of  the  Loan-Office  money  due  from  the  County  of  West- 
chester,  and  prays  to  know  the  opinion  of  the  Committee 
with  respect  to  the  disposal  of  it. 

Thereupon,  Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  said  Colonel 
Thomas  pay  the  above  sum  into  the  hands  of  the  President 
of  this  Committee,  and  that  the  President  give  his  receipt 
and  pay  the  same  to  the  Treasurer  of  this  State;  and  that 
this  order  shall  be  considered  by  the  Supervisors  of  West- 
chcster  County  as  a  voucher  for  the  sum  so  paid,  in  as  full 
and  ample  manner  as  if  the  same  had  been  paid  to  Abraham 
Lott,  Esq.,  the  late  Treasurer  of  this  State. 

General  Clinton  informed  the  Committee  that  a  consi- 
derable number  of  the  Cartridges  which  were  lately  ordered 
from  Norwood's  Store,  in  New-York,  to  his  encampment, 
were  damaged  by  the  rain  in  coming  up  the  river  to  King's 
Bridge,  and  prayed  to  know  the  sense  of  the  Committee 
with  respect  to  the  disposal  of  them. 

Ordered,  That  General  Clinton  be  requested  to  send  the 
damaged  Powder  contained  in  the  said  Cartridges  to  the 
Powder-Mills  of  John  R.  Livingston,  Esq.,  in  Dutchess 
County,  who  is  desired  to  remanufacture  the  same,  and  that 
this  Committee  pledge  the  publick  faith  for  the  defraying 
the  contingent  expenses. 

Captain  Brinton  Payne's  Examination  relative  to  John 
Woolly  being  taken,  is  as  follows,  to  wit: 

"  The  examinant  having  observed  that  a  boat  went  from 
the  house  of  one  Woolly,  on  Long-Island,  to  the  ships  of 
the  enemy,  took  with  him  a  party  of  men  on  the  night  of  the 
29th  of  August  instant,  and  crossed  the  Sound  to  the  house 
of  the  said  Woolly;  that  having  paraded  his  men,  as  they 
were  going  toward  the  river  they  were  met  by  John  Woolly, 
who  is  the  owner  of  the  above-mentioned  boat,  as  this  ex- 
aminant has  been  informed,  and  another  person,  whose  name 
he  has  forgot;  that  he  imagines  from  their  conduct  they  mis- 
took him  for  persons  belonging  to  the  ships ;  that  he  charged 
him  with  having  been  on  board ;  that  Woolly  owned  he  had 
been  on  board,  but  alleged  that  he  had  been  taken  by  the 
barge  of  the  enemy's  ships;  that  they  refused  to  give  to  this 
examinant  any  information  of  the  state  of  the  shipping. 

"  BRINTON  PAYNE." 

Resolved,  That  General  Clinton  be  requested  to  cause 
further  examinations  to  be  taken  relative  to  the  capture  of 
John  Woolly  and  his  companions;  and  that  he  cause  the  said 
John  Woolly,  and  the  person  apprehended  with  him,  to  be 
sent  under  a  sufficient  guard  to  Poughkeepsie  Jail,  in  Dutchess 
County;  and  that  a  copy  of  this  Order,  sent  by  General 
Clinton,  shall  be  a  sufficient  mittimus  to  the  Jailer  of  the 
said  County. 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Hazard,  Deputy  Postmaster  for  the  New- 
York  Department,  waited  on  the  Committee,  and  requested 
their  opinion  on  the  most  proper  place  of  safety  and  con- 
venience to  the  publick  to  which  he  should  remove  his 
office,  as  an  invasion  of  the  City  of  New-York  is  hourly 
expected: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  that  Mr.  Hazard,  Postmaster  for  the  Dis- 
trict of  New-York,  should  immediately  remove  his  office  to 
some  convenient  place  near  Dobbs's  Ferry  till  further  orders 
from  the  Postmaster-General. 

Whereas  the  Convention  have  granted  an  exemption  from 
military  duty  to  Mr.  Charles  Shaw;  and  whereas  Richard 
Morris,  Esq.,  is  exempt  therefrom  by  his  commission,  agree- 
able to  the  regulation  of  the  Militia  of  this  State;  notwith- 
standing which,  as  this  Committee  are  informed,  Captain 
Varian  insists  on  their  serving  in  the  Militia,  this  Commit- 


tee are  of  opinion  that  Captain  Varian  should,  agreeable  to 
the  Resolution  of  the  Convention  of  this  State,  consider  the 
said  Charles  Shaw  and  Richard  Morris  as  exempt  from 
military  duty,  and  that  a  contrary  conduct  will  be  considered 
as  a  high  contempt  of  the  authority  of  this  State,  and  punish- 
ed as  such. 

At  the  House  of  Mr.  Odell,  in  Philipse's  Manor,  ) 
August  31,  1776.      J 

The  Committee  met.  Present :  Abraham  Yates,  Jun., 
Esq.,  Mr.  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Cort- 
landt,  Colonel  Renselaer. 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington,  dated  yesterday,  was 
received  and  read,  and  is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"August  30,  1776. 

"Sin:  Your  favour  of  this  date  is  just  come  to  hand. 
Circumstanced  as  this  Army  was  in  respect  to  situation, 
strength,  &c.,  it  was  the  unanimous  advice  of  a  council  of 
General  Officers  to  give  up  the  Long-Island  and  not,  by 
dividing  our  force,  be  unable  to  resist  the  enemy  in  any  one 
point  of  attack.  This  reason,  added  to  some  others,  par- 
ticularly the  fear  of  having  our  communication  cut  off  from 
the  main  body,  (of  which  there  seemed  to  be  no  small  pro- 
bability,) and  the  extreme  fatigue  our  troops  were  laid  under 
in  guarding  such  extensive  lines,  without  proper  shelter  from 
the  weather,  induced  the  above  resolution. 

"  It  is  the  most  intricate  thing  in  the  world,  sir,  to  know 
in  what  manner  to  conduct  one's  self  with  respect  to  the  Mili- 
tia. If  you  do  not  begin  many  days  before  they  are  wanted, 
to  raise  them,  you  cannot  have  them  in  time;  if  you  do,  they 
get  tired  and  return,  besides  being  under  very  little  order  or 
government  whilst  in  service.  However,  if  the  enemy  have 
a  design  of  serving  us  at  this  place,  as  we  apprehend  they 
meant  to  do  on  Long-Island,  it  might  not  be  improper  to 
have  a  botly  in  readiness  to  prevent  or  retard  a  landing  of 
them  on  the  east  of  Harlem  River,  if  need  be. 

"  In  haste,  and  not  a  little  fatigued,  I  remain,  with  great 
respect  and  esteem,  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

"  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

"The  Hon.  Abraham  Yates,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Con- 
gress of  the  State  of  New-  York." 

The  said  Letter  was  immediately  taken  into  consideration, 
and  the  Committee  came  to  the  following  Resolution,  to  wit : 

Whereas,  from  the  operations  of  the  enemy  and  the  intel- 
ligence received,  there  is  strong  reason  to  think  that  their 
Army  intend  to  make  a  landing  at  or  near  King's  Bridge, 
in  order  to  cut  off  the  communication  betwixt  New-York 
Island  and  the  Main: 

Resolved,  That  the  inhabitants  of  New-York  Island  and 
those  parts  of  Westchester  County  which  are  most  exposed 
to  the  depredations  of  the  enemy,  do  forthwith  drive  their 
Horned  Cattle,  Horses,  Hogs,  and  Sheep  into  the  interior  part 
of  this  State,  and  that  General  Washington  be  requested  to 
make  this  order  publick,  and  to  give  all  possible  assistance 
in  carrying  it  into  execution  when  he  shall  think  neces- 
sary. 

A  draft  of  a  Letter  to  General  Washington,  in  answer  to 
his  received  this  day,  was  read  and  approved,  and  is  in  the 

words  following,  to  wit : 

"August  31 ,1776. 

"Sin:  We  had  the  honour  of  your  Excellency's  letter  of 
yesterday,  and  see. the  weight  of  the  reasons  which  induced 
you  to  quit  the  lines  on  Long-Island.  We  acknowledge  the 
difficulty  of  managing  the  Militia  so  as  to  render  them  use- 
ful, which  is  in  some  measure  owing  to  their  being  ill-ap- 
pointed and  unused  to  camps,  and  of  consequence  suffering 
more  than  those  who  have  got  into  a  regular  way  of  pro- 
viding against  inconveniences.  We  are  so  fully  satisfied  of 
the  enemy's  design  to  land  above  New-  York,  and  of  the 
mischiefs  that  will  result  therefrom,  that  we  cannot,  by  any 
means,  advise  your  Excellency  to  trust  for  its  prevention 
to  any  Militia  which  we  can  at  this  time  call  out,  who,  after 
the  great  draughts  we  have  already  made,  cannot  be  expe- 
ditiously  collected  well,  ill  armed,  and  we  fear  some  of  them 
not  so  well  affected  as  we  would  wish.  We  know  no  coun- 
try so  capable  of  being  defended  as  that  above  the  bridge. 
Should  the  enemy  once  occupy  it,  we  have  reason  to  dread 
the  consequences.  We  take  the  liberty  to  hint  these  things 
to  your  Excellency,  though  we  are  persuaded  they  have  not 


1561 


NEW- YORK  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  SEPTEMBER,  1776. 


1562 


escaped  your  observation,  in  order  to  convince  our  constitu- 
ents and  the  rest  of  the  Continent  engaged  in  the  same  cause 
that  we  are  willing  to  make  any  sacrifices  which  the  general 
interest  demands. 

"  We  enclose  a  resolution  for  the  removal  of  the  cattle 
from  the  Island  of  New-York,  which  your  Excellency  will 
cause  to  be  executed  if  you  think  it  necessary,  as  we  have 
no  force  that  we  can  trust  with  its  execution.  We  cannot 
but  hope  that  the  Commissary  will  give  every  relief  to  the 
inhabitants  by  purchasing  from  them  all  the  stock  that  are 
fit  for  the  use  of  the  Army 

"  We  have  directed  Colonel  Smith  to  go  to  Long-Island, 
in  order  to  destroy  the  cattle,  which  will  otherwise  serve  as 
a  supply  to  the  enemy. 

"  If  by  calling  in  the  outposts  the  force  of  an  Army  is  so 
much  concentred  that  any  part  of  them  could  safely  be 
spared,  we  are  fully  persuaded  that  three  thousand  Rangers 
could  be  very  usefully  employed  on  Long-Island,  and  not 
only  harass  the  enemy  but  prevent  their  foraging  parties  from 
ever  getting  beyond  the  Cross-Plains,  which  extend  quite 
across  the  Island,  and  by  that  means  save  at  least  two-thirds 
of  it  from  the  enemy.  Your  Excellency  knows  how  to 
pardon,  on  the  score  of  our  sincerity  for  the  general  welfare, 
our  stepping  somewhat  out  of  the  regular  line,  and  suggesting 
such  ideas  as  our  knowledge  of  the  country  induces  us  to 
believe  useful.  We  have  the  honour  to  be. 

"  His  Excellency  General  Washington." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  thereof  be  engrossed,  signed  by 
the  President,  and,  together  with  the  aforegoing  Resolutions 
relative  to  the  driving  the  Cattle  from  New-  York  Island,  be 
immediately  transmitted  by  express. 

Colonel  Jeromus  Remsen  followed  the  Committee  from 
Harlem,  and  requested  to  know  the  sense  of  the  Committee 
relative  to  the  disposition  of  the  Regiment  of  Militia  under 
his  command,  and  lately  come  from  Long-Island. 

After  mature  deliberation,  the  Committee  came  to  the 
following  Resolutions,  to  wit: 

Whereas  Colonel  Remsen's  Regiment  is  composed  of  the 
inhabitants  of  King's  and  Queen's  Counties,  which  said 
Counties  are  at  present  occupied  by  the  enemy;  and  whereas 
it  is  the  duty  of  the  Representatives  of  this  State  diligently 
to  watch  over  the  safely  of  their  constituents,  and  to  prevent 
their  falling  into  the  hands  of-a  tyrannical  enemy,  who  may 
compel  them  to  bear  arms  against  their  country : 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended 
to  such  of  the  said  Militia  who  are  attached  to  the  cause  of 
this  invaded  country,  to  form  themselves  into  Companies, 
consisting  of  one  Captain,  one  Lieutenant,  one  Ensign,  three 
Sergeants,  three  Corporals,  one  Drum,  one  Fife,  and  fifty 
Privates. 

Resolved,  That  these  Companies  be  commanded  by  the 
same  Colonel,  Captains,  and  Subalterns,  under  whom  they 
have  hitherto  served;  and  in  case  any  Officer  or  Officers 
should  decline  accepting  his  or  their  commissions,  the  same 
should  be  tendered  to  the  next  commissioned  Officers  in 
rank,  till  the  whole  Companies  are  properly  officered;  and 
that  in  case,  from  the  decline  of  a  sufficient  number  of  Offi- 
cers to  accept  commissions,  there  should  be  any  vacancies, 
the  Company  where  such  vacancy  may  be  shall  nominate 
an  Officer,  to  whom  the  Convention  of  this  State  will  grant 
a  commission,  whenever  the  said  nomination  shall  be  ap- 
proved of  by  Brigadier-General  Woodhull  and  Colonel 
Remsen. 

-  Resolved,  That  these  Troops,  when  raised,  shall  be  enti- 
tled to  Continental  pay  and  rations,  with  a  bounty  of  £4 
to  each  man  on  passing  muster,  and  that  they  continue  in 
service  till  the  last  day  of  December  next;  and  that  if  any 
men  should  choose  to  inlist  for  the  space  of  three  years,  or 
during  the  war,  they  shall  receive  a  bounty  of  twenty  dollars 
per  man  on  passing  muster. 

Resolved,  That  each  man  furnish  himself  with  a  good 
Gun  or  Musket,  Cartouch-Box  or  Bullet-Pouch,  a  Blanket 
or  Knapsack,  and  every  six  men  with  a  Pot  or  Camp- 
Kettle. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Colonel  Remsen,  with  his 
Regiment  of  Militia,  join  General  Clinton,  at  King's  Bridge, 
till  further  order  from  the  Convention  or  Committee  of  Safety 
of  this  State;  and  that  he  be  authorized  to  grant  furloughs 
to  such  of  his  Militia  of  whose  attachment  to  the  American 
cause  he  is  well  assured,  to  visit  or  remove  their  families  from 


Long-Island:  Provided  always,  That  no  man  obtaining 
such  furlough  be  permitted  to  carry  his  arms  with  him. 

Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  the  President  pay  to  Colonel 
Remsen  the  sum  of  £251  12*.,  in  payment  of  the  pay  due 
to  his  Regiment  of  Militia,  taking  his  receipt  for  the  same. 

Which  said  sum  the  President  immediately  paid  to  Colo- 
nel Remsf.n,  in  presence  of  the  Committee. 

A  Letter  from  Robert  G.  Livingston,  dated  at  Newark, 
August  the  27th,  1776,  setting  forth  that  Captain  Anthony 
Rutgers  refuses  to  receive  from  him  in  payment  Continental 
money,  was  read  and  filed. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Letter  be  referred  to  the  Con- 
vention. 

The  Committee  proceeded  to  Croton  River. 

Croton  River,  at  the  house  of  Jno.  Blagge. 

The  Committee,  taking  into  consideration  the  necessity 
of  having  the  earliest  intelligence,  came  to  the  following 
Resolution,  to  wit: 

As,  in  the  present  alarming  situation  of  affairs,  it  is  neces- 
sary that  the  Convention  of  this  State  should  have  the  earliest 
intelligence  from  the  Northern  and  Southern  Armies: 

Be  it  Resolved,  That  Mr.  Hazard,  Postmaster  for  the 
New-York  Department,  be  requested  to  direct  the  Post, 
between  New- York  and  Albany,  to  ride  for  the  present  time 
on  the  east  side  of  Hudson's  River  weekly ;  and  that  a  Letter 
be  written  to  the  Postmaster-General  on  this  subject,  inform- 
ing him  of  the  reasons  on  which  this  Resolution  is  founded. 

Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  introduced  a  Letter  from  James 
Teller,  which  was  read. 

Thereupon,  it  was  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this 
Committee  that  Mr.  James  Teller  is  entitled  to  the  rank  of 
Captain ;  and 

Ordered,  That  he  join  General  Clinton's  Brigade,  with 
all  possible  despatch ;  and  that  he  apply  to  Colonel  Thomas 
for  the  first  moiety  of  bounty  due  to  his  men,  showing  him 
this  Resolution. 

Fishkill,  in  Dutchesa  County,  September  2,  1776. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  met. 

Present :  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  the  President. 

Colonel  Van  Cortlandt,  Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Renselaer, 
Committee  members.  Mr.  Duane,  Colonel  Livingston,  Mr. 
Cuyler,  General  Ten  Broeck. 

Colonel  Renselaer  informed  the  Committee  that  he  had 
received  intelligence  that  the  garrisons  in  Forts  Constitution 
and  Montgomerie  were  ill  armed,  and  otherwise  in  a  situa- 
tion ill  calculated  to  annoy  the  enemy.  The  Committee 
taking  the  same  into  consideration,  came  to  the  following 
Resolution : 

Resolved,  That  General  Ten  Broeck,  Mr.  Duane,  Mr. 
Cuyler,  and  Colonel  Livingston,  be  a  Committee  to  visit 
Forts  Constitution  and  Montgomerie,  and  that  they  report 
with  all  possible  despatch  the  state  of  the  works,  the  number 
and  health  of  the  soldiers,  the  condition  and  number  of  their 
arms,  the  quantity  of  ammunition,  ball,  &tc.,  the  number  of 
gunners,  matrosses,  &.C.,  and  every  other  matter  which  may 
tend  to  give  to  the  Convention  of  this  State  a  full  and  clear 
view  of  these  important  fortresses. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Committee  show  General  Clinton 
a  copy  of  the  above  Resolution ;  and  that  they  request  him 
to  give  all  possible  assistance  in  carrying  the  same  into  exe- 
cution. 

Fishkill,  P.  M.,  September  2,  1776. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  met. 

Present :  Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President. 

Colonel  Van  Cortlandt,  Colonel  Renselaer,  Mr.  Duer,  of 
the  Committee :  Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions,  members  for 
Cumberland  County  ;  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Veder, 
for  Tryon  County ;  Mr.  Tenbroeck,  Mr.  Adgate,  for  Albany 
County;  Colonel  Williams,  Mr.  Webster,  for  Charlotte 
County. 

A  member  informed  the  Committee  that  a  number  of 
indigent  infirm  persons,  who  had  been  sent  out  of  the  City 
of  New-York  by  the  Committee  for  that  purpose  appointed, 
have  been  on  board  a  sloop  at  Fishkill  Landing  eight  or 
nine  days,  and  that  they  complained  much  of  their  distressed 
situation. 

Whereupon,  it  was  Resolved  and  Ordered,  That  Mr. 


1563 


NEW- YORK  COMMITTEE  OF  SAFETY,  SEPTEMBER,  1776. 


1564 


Peter  Murford,  acting  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Riim- 
bout  Precinct,  be  requested  to  attend  this  Committee  at  nine 
o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  furnish  him  with  a  copy 
of  this  order. 

Fishkill,  Tuesday,  A.  M.,  September  3,  1776. 

The  Committee  met. 

Present :  Abraham  Yatcs,  Jun.,  Esq.,  President. 

Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Rcnselaer,  Colonel  Cortlandt,  Mr. 
Schenck,  of  the  Committee.  Mr.  Robert  Harper,  Mr. 
Confine,  Colonel  Williams,  Mr.  Adgate,  Mr.  Harper,  Mr. 
Webster,  Mr.  Ten  Broeck,  Mr.  Sessions,  Major  Lockwood, 
Mr.  Socket,  Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Veder,  Mr.  Smith,  Colonel 
De  Wit. 

Mr.  Murford,  the  Deputy  Chairman  of  Rumbout  Precinct, 
pursuant  to  the  order  of  yesterday,  attended.  He  informed 
the  Committee  of  Safety  that  by  reason  of  his  absence,  the 
said  Committee  had  not  met  till  yesterday;  that  they  have 
proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  devising  means  to  provide 
for  the  indigent  persons  now  at  Captain  Bush's  Landing, 
and  lately  sent  from  New-York  by  order  of  that  Committee, 
and  that  some  part  of  the  Committee  of  Rumbout  are  to 
meet  this  afternoon  on  that  service. 

Ordered,  That  Major  Schenck  give  his  aid  to  the  said 
Committee  in  placing  the  said  Poor,  agreeable  to  their  merits, 
and  a  maintenance  supplied  to  them. 

Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  pay  to  Peter 
Montfort,  Esquire,  Deputy  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of 
Rumbout  Precinct,  on  his  receipt,  the  sum  of  £100,  on 
account,  to  be  applied  to  the  maintenance  of  the  Poor  lately 
sent  from  the  City  of  New-York  to  Fishkill  Landing,  the 
Committee  to  be  accountable,  and  render  an  account  of  the 
disposition  and  expenditure  of  that  money. 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington  was  received  and  read, 
to  wit: 

"  New- York,  September  1,  1776. 

"  SIR  :  I  was  yesterday  honoured  with  your  favour  of  that 
date,  and  should  have  answered  it  by  the  return  of  the  per- 
son who  brought,  it  had  I  not  been  engaged  then  in  a  multi- 
plicity of  business,  which  occasioned  me  to  forget  it  till  he 
was  gone. 

"  In  respect  to  the  cattle  on  this  Island,  I  shall  desire  the 
Commissary  to  purchase  as  many  of  them  from  the  inhabi- 
tants as  he  can  conveniently,  and  will  afford  every  assistance 
the  situation  of  affairs  will  admit  of  to  have  the  remainder 
secured ;  but  as  to  those  on  Long-Island,  it  is  impossible  for 
me  to  take  any  measures  or  give  any  assistance  to  prevent 
their  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands.  I  am  persuaded  the 
number  of  Rangers  you  mention,  were  they  to  exert  them- 
selves, might  be  of  service,  and  annoy  the  foraging  parties  of 
the  enemy  not  a  little ;  but,  sir,  I  cannot  spare  any  men  for 
that  purpose.  Though  our  force  is  called  in  from  the  out- 
posts, and  collected  upon  this  Island,  yet  it  will  not  be  more 
than  competent  to  the  defence  of  the  several  kinds  necessary 
to  be  maintained ;  nor  is  it  perhaps  so  great  by  any  means 
as  common  estimation  and  report  make  it. 

"  I  am  extremely  obliged  by  your  opinion  on  the  defen- 
sible state  of  the  grounds  above  King's  Bridge,  though  they 
had  not  escaped  my  observation.  Their  importance  I  am 
fully  sensible  of;  and,  as  far  as  the  critical  situation  of  things 
will  allow,  their  defence  shall  be  attended  to,  to  prevent,  if 
possible,  the  enemy  from  possessing  them. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  very  respectfully,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servant,  Go.  WASHINGTON. 

"  P.  S.  As  the  posts  at  King's  Bridge  are  of  such  great 
importance,  I  think  it  will  be  well  and  extremely  necessary 
to  be  favoured  with  your  friendly  exertions,  in  affording 
every  aid  in  your  power  for  their  defence.  Cannot  some 
more  Militia  be  prevailed  on  to  give  their  assistance,  and  in 
whom  you  can  confide?  I  will  not  enlarge,  being  fully 
assured  you  will  do  all  you  can." 

Ordered,  That  Major  Lockwood  proceed  immediately  to 
Wcstchester  County,  or  elsewhere,  and  endeavour  to  see 
Colonel  Smith  and  Colonel  Remsen,  in  order  to  obtain  intel- 
ligence from  them  of  the  state  of  their  respective  Regiments, 
and  that  he  be  empowered  to  order  the  said  Regiments  to 
repair  to  General  Clinton's  encampment,  at  King's  Bridge, 
in  case  Colonel  Smith  finds  it  impracticable,  from  the  dispo- 
sition of  his  troops  or  other  circumstances,  to  transport  them 


to  Ijong-Island ;  and  that  he  inform  Colonel  Smith,  in  con- 
fidence, that  means  have  been  devised,  and  are  now  actunlly 
carrying  into  execution,  to  give  him  assistance  in  opposing 
the  enemy  on  Long-Island. 

And  Resolved,  That  Major  Lockwood  be  empowered  to 
impress  Horses,  wherever  he  may  have  occasion  for  the 
same,  to  expedite  his  journey. 

Whereas  the  Committee  of  Safety  have  received  informa- 
tion that  the  Regiments  of 'levies  commanded  by  Colonel 
Smith  are  either  dispersed  or  have  been  disbanded  without 
the  permission  of  this  State,  and  that  sundry  men  in  Colonel 
Remsen' s  Regiment  of  King's  and  Queen's  County  Militia 
have  been  suffered  to  disperse  and  take  their  arms  with  them, 
contrary  to  an  express  order  from  this  Committee: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  General  Clinton 
be  requested  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  such  intelligence, 
and  that  in  case  he  finds  the  same  true,  that  he  be  authorized 
to  use  the  most  effectual  means  of  apprehending  and  detain- 
ing as  many  of  the  said  levies  and  Militia  as  possible,  even 
if  they  produce  passes,  till  further  order  of  the  Convention 
or  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  State ;  it  being  of  the 
utmost  consequence  to  the  publick  safety  that  so  large  a 
number  of  armed  men  should  not  be  added  to  the  enemy's 
power  on  Long-Island. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the 
Committees  of  Westchester,  Horse-Neck,  Stamford,  and 
Norwalk,  diligently  to  watch  all  boats  passing  from  the  main 
to  Long-Island,  and  to  suffer  no  soldier  belonging  to  any 
Regiment  in  the  service  of  this  State  to  pass  over  to  Long- 
Island  armed,  even  though  he  should  produce  an  officer's 
pass ;  and  that  Major  Lockwnod  be  requested  and  autho- 
rized to  forward  copies  of  this  Resolve  to  the  said  Commit- 
tees respectively,  by  express,  if  he  finds  that  Colonels  Smith's 
and  Remsen's  Regiments  are  either  dispersed  or  disbanded, 
and  have  received  no  orders  to  rendezvous  on  Long-Island. 

Mr.  Gerardus  Bancker  informed  a  Member  of  the  Con- 
vention that  on  Saturday  last,  at  the  White-Plains,  he  heard 
Manning  Bull  say  that  Brigadier-General  WooJhull  was 
taken  prisoner  on  Long-Island,  and  that  soon  after,  on  the 
same  day,  he  heard  Dr.  Robert  Graham  say  the  same.  In 
consequence  of  the  said  information,  suspicion  arose  in  the 
minds  of  the  Members  whether  a  correspondence  is  not  kept 
up  between  some  person  or  persons  in  Wcstchester  County 
and  the  enemy  on  Long-Islartd. 

Thereupon,  a  Letter  was  written  to  the  Committee  of 
Westchester  County,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

"Sin:  This  Committee  have  been  informed  that  Doctor 
Graham  and  Manning  Bull  had  very  early  intelligence  of 
General  WoodhuWs  being  taken  prisoner  on  Long-Island. 
We  are  apprehensive  that  a  correspondence  is  kept  up  be- 
tween those  persons,  or  some  other  in  your  County,  and  the 
enemy.  You  are  therefore  earnestly  requested  to  make  strict 
inquiry  into  this  matter,  by  inquiring  of  whom  they  had  their 
information,  and  report  your  proceedings  with  all  possible 
despatch.  You'll  be  pleased  likewise  to  transmit  to  this 
Committee  or  the  Convention  your  proceedings  in  the  affair 
of  Lownsbury,  as  also  the  commission  and  other  papers 
found  upon  him.  We  are,  Sic. 

"  To  the  Chairman  of  Committee  of  Westchester  County." 

A  Letter  (mm  Philip  Livingston,  Esq.,  one  of  our  Dele- 
gates at  Continental  Congress,  was  received  and  read,  and 
is  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  Philadelphia,  August  30,  1776. 

"Sin:  Your  favour,  dated  28th,  came  to  hand  by  the' 
post,  who  returned  before  we  had  any  opportunity  to  apply 
to  Congress,  as  you  desired.  The  application  was  imme- 
diately agreed  to,  and  their  resolve  to  employ  the  black- 
smiths (who  are  now  engaged  in  building  the  frigates)  for 
the  purpose  of  obstructing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River, 
is  here  enclosed.  We  wish  much  to  hear  from  you  what  is 
done  in  that  affair,  and  what  more  is  proposed  to  be  done. 
The  advices  from  New-York  respecting  the  attack  of  the 
British  troops  on  our  Army  on  Long-Island  are  very  various 
and  uncertain.  We  could  wish  to  hear  from  you  as  often 
as  time  will  permit;  our  anxiety,  as  you  may  easily  judge, 
is  not  small,  and  particular  accounts,  as  often  as  possible, 
would  be  very  agreeable.  Many  particulars  that  most  chiefly 
concern  us,  as  Members  of  your  State,  and  are  more  inter- 
esting now  than  ever,  we  are  not  informed  of.  We  know 
you  are  much  engaged  in  affairs  of  the  greatest  moment,  but 


1565 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  5,  1776. 


1566 


perhaps  one  of  your  Secretaries  may  find  time  to  despatch 
us  a  few  lines  every  day  or  two.  A  considerable  number 
of  troops  have,  since  Tuesday,  marched  from  here  loAmboy, 
say  about  three  thousand,  and  as  many  more  will  probably 
be  despatched  within  one  week  more.  Mr.  Lewis  and 
Colonel  Floyd  beg  to  assure  you  that  they  are  as  well  as 
the  subscriber.  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

"PHIL.  LIVINGSTON. 

"  Mr.  Abraham  Yates,  Jun." 

A  Resolution  of  Congress,  enclosed  in  and  of  the  same 
date  with  the  aforegoing,  was  also  read,  and  is  in  the  words 
following,  to  wit: 

"Continental  Congress,  August  30,  1776. 

"The  Convention  of  New-  York  having  represented  that 
for  want  of  Blacksmiths  they  are  greatly  delayed  in  obstruct- 
ing the  passage  of  Hudson's  River,  which  is  an  object  of 
great  importance: 

"Resolved,  That  the  Convention  of  New-York  be  em- 
powered to  employ,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  the  Black- 
smiths that  are  now  engaged  in  building  the  Continental 
Frigates  at  Poughkeepsie. 

"Ordered,  That  the  Secretaries  transmit  a  copy  of  the 
said  Resolution  to  the  Secret  Committee  without  delay." 

P.  M.,  September  3,  1776. 

The  Committee  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present:  Abm.  Yates,  Esq.,  President. 
Mr.  Duer,  Colonel  Cortlandt,  Colonel  Rensselaer,  Major 

Schenck,  of  the  Committee  of  Safety. 
FOR  NEW- YORK. — Mr.  Bancker,  Mr.  Harper. 
FOR  ALBANY. —  Mr.  Yates,  Mr.Adgate,  Mr.  Ten  Broeck. 
FOR  SUFFOLK. — Mr.  Smith. 
FOR  DUTCHESS. — Mr.  Sacketl,  Colonel  Hoffman. 
FOR  WESTCHESTER. — Judge  Graham. 


FOR  TRYON. — Mr.  Harper,  Mr.  Moore,  Mr.  Veder. 
FOR  ULSTER. — Colonel  De  Wit. 
FOR  CHARLOTTE. — Major  Webster,  Colonel  Williams. 
FOR  CUMBERLAND. — !Vf r.  Stephens,  Mr.  Sessions. 

It  being  suggested  that  the  Military  Stores  of  Lead,  Sic., 
belonging  to  this  State,  and  which  wen;  lately,  by  order  of 
the  Convention,  sent  to  the  White-Plains,  in  Westchester 
County,  are  in  danger,  from  the  number  of  disaffected  per- 
sons in  that  County,  of  being  destroyed: 

Thereupon,  the  Committee  came  to  the  following  deter- 
mination, to  wit : 

Whereas  this  Committee  have  reason  to  think  that  the 
Stores  belonging  to  this  State,  which  are  stored  in  West- 
Chester  County,  are  by  no  means  secure  from  the  designs  of 
our  open  or  secret  enemies: 

Therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  Westchester  County  deliver  to  the  bearer  hereof,  Mr. 
John  Cregicr,  all  the  Stores  belonging  to  this  State,  and 
lately  sent  to  be  stored  in  the  said  County  by  order  of  the 
Convention  of  this  State;  and  Mr.  Cregier  is  lierebv  re- 
quested and  authorized  to  convey  the  same  to  the  landing 
at  Tarry-Town,  and  from  thence  by  water  to  the  Fishkill- 
Landing. 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  said  Committee  be  requested 
to  furnisli  a  proper  guard  over  the  said  Stores  until  the  arrival 
thereof  to  the  Fishkills  as  aforesaid  ;  and  also  that  they 
afford  Mr.  Cregier  all  the  aid  in  their  power  in  the  execu- 
tion of  this  business. 

And  Ordered,  That  the  Treasurer  of  this  Convention 
advance  to  Mr.  John  Cregier  the  sum  of  sixty  Dollars,  to 
enable  him  to  pay  (he  expenses  of  transporting  the  Stores 
belonging'  to  this  State  from  Westchester  County  to  the 
Fishkiil-Landing,  and  take  his  receipt  to  account  for  the 
same. 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS. 

Friday,  July  5, 1776. 

A  Letter  from  Captain  Crawford,  a  prisoner  of  the  26th 
Regiment,  was  read,  requesting  leave  to  visit  the  Prisoners 
in  the  several  places  where  they  are  confined. 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  present  situation  of  affairs,  such 
leave  be  not  granted. 

The  Committee  on  Ways  and  Means  brought  in  a  Report, 
which  was  read. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Account  and  Vouchers  of  Mr.  Price  being  laid  before 
Congress, 

Resolved,  That  they  be  referred  for  adjustment  to  the 
Board  of  Treasury. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  a  Regiment  be  raised  out  of 
the  Officers  who  served  in  Canada,  on  the  same  terms  on 
which  the  Regiment  to  be  commanded  by  Colonel  Dubois 
is  to  be  raised  ;  and  that  the  following  persons  be  appointed 
Officers  of  the  said  Regiment:  Seth  Earner  Colonel,  Samuel 
Safford  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Elisha  Painter  Major.  Wait 
Hopkins,  John  Grant,  Gideon  Brownson,  Abia'ther  Angel, 

Simeon  Smith,  Joshua  Stanton, Seely,  Jacob  Vors- 

boroug,  Captains;  John  Allen,  Fusset, Wai- 
bridge,  Deane,  James  Gold, Sill,  Ebenezer  Hide, 

Gamaliel  Painter,  First  Lieutenants  ;  FJtenezer  Beaumont 
Adjutant. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  write  to  Governour  Cooke, 
requesting  him  to  order  fifty  Ship-Carpenters  to  be  engaged, 
on  the  best  terms,  at  the  expense  of  the  Continent,  and  sent 
to  General  Scliuyler,  at  Albany,  as  soon  as  possible,  in  order 
to  build  Vessels  for  the  defence  of  the  Lakes. 

The  Committee  of  Congress,  appointed  to  confer  with 
the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  the  Committee  of 
Inspection  and  Observation  for  the  City  and  Liberties  of 
Philadelphia,  and  the  Field  Officers  of  the  five  Battalions 
of  the  said  City,  reported,  that  they  have  had  a  meeting 
with  the  Committees  and  Officers  aforesaid,  and  have  agreed 
to  the  following  Resolutions,  viz: 

That  all  the  Associated  Militia  of  Pennsylvania,  (excepting 
the  Counties  of  Westmoreland,  Bedford,  and  Northumber- 
land.) who  can  be  furnished  with  arms  and  accoutrements, 
be  forthwith  requested  to  march,  with  the  utmost  expedition, 
to  Trenton,  (except  the  Militia  of  Northampton  County,  who 


are  to  march  directly  for  New- Brunswick,)  in  New-Jersey; 
and  that  the  said  Militia  continue  in  service  until  the  Flying- 
Camp  of  ten  thousand  men  can  be  collected  to  relieve  them, 
unless  they  shall  be  sooner  discharged  by  Congress: 

That  the  Militia  march  by  Companies  to  the  place  of 
rendezvous: 

That  the  said  Militia  be  taken  into  the  Continental  pay, 
and  receive  the  same  pay,  allowances  and  rations  with  the 
Continental  Troops,  from  the  time  they  begin  their  march 
until  they  return  to  their  respective  homes: 

That  those  of  the  three  Battalions  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Troops  now  remaining  in  the  Province,  be  ordered  to  inarch 
immediately  for  New- Brunswick,  in  New- Jersey: 

That  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  provide 
as  many  tents  as  they  can  for  said  Militia : 

That  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  in  the 
several  Counties  furnish  a  good  kettle  to  every  six  men,  and 
give  all  the  assistance  in  their  power,  that  the  said  Militia 
be  well  armed  and  equipped,  and  march  with  the  greatest 
expedition: 

That  the  Committees  of  Inspection  for  the  several  Coun- 
ties of  Pennsylvania  be  desired  to  order  such  Troops  as  they 
may  raise  for  the  Flying-Camp  to  be  marched  to  Trenton; 
the  Resolve  of  Congress  passed  yesterday  to  march  them 
to  Philadelphia  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 
•  Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  this  Congress  highly  ap- 
prove the  foregoing  Resolutions,  and  recommend  it  to  the 
good  people  of  Pennsylvania  to  carry  the  same  into  execu- 
tion with  the  same  laudable  readiness  which  they  have 
hitherto  manifested  in  supporting  the  injured  rights  of  their 
country. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Haslet,  of  the  Battalion  in  Del- 
aware Government,  be  ordered  to  station  one  Company  at 
Lewistoivn,  and  to  march  the  remaining  seven  to  Wilming- 
ton, and  there  remain  until  further  order  of  this  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs  in 
the  Southern  Department,  while  on  actual  service,  receive 
four  Dollars  a  day. 

The  Committee  on  the  Treasury  reported  that  there  is 
due  to  John  Walker,  Esquire,  one  of  the  Commissioners  of 
Indian  Affairs  in  the  Southern  Department,  the  sum  of 
869  67-90  Dollars,  for  several  Horses,  a  Wagon  and  Geers, 
and  expenses  in  travelling  two  thousand  five  hundred  miles. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Account  be  paid. 


1567 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  8,  1776. 


1568 


The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  state  of  Geor- 
gia, brought  in  their  Report,  which  was  taken  into  consi- 
deration; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  for  the  defence  of  Georgia 
there  be  an  addition  of  two  Battalions,  (one  of  them  to  con- 
sist of  Riflemen,)  to  be  raised  on  the  same  terms  on  which 
other  Continental  Battalions  are  now  ordered  to  be  raised : 

That  blank  Commissions  for  the  Field-Officers  be  sent  to 
the  Convention  of  Georgia,  to  be  filled  up  with  the  names 
of  such  persons  as  the  said  Convention  shall  judge  proper: 

That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Assemblies,  Conventions, 
or  Councils  of  Safety,  of  Virginia,  North  and  South- Caro- 
lina, to  permit  the  raising  Troops,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid, 
within  their  respective  States;  and,  if  requested,  to  afford 
their  advice  and  assistance  with  regard  to  suitable  persons 
for  Captains  and  Subalterns,  and  that  blank  Commissions  be 
delivered  to  the  Delegates: 

That  four  Galleys  be  built  at  the  expense  of  the  United 
States,  under  the  direction  of  the  Convention  of  Georgia, 
for  the  further  defence  of  the  said  State. 

And  whereas  the  Delegates  of  Georgia  have  represented 
the  necessity  of  erecting  two  Forts,  one  at  Savannah  and 
the  other  at  Sunbury;. 

Resolved,  That  two  Companies  of  Artillery  be  raised, 
consisting  of  fifty  men  each,  Officers  included,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  garrisoning  such  Forts,  in  case  they  shall  be  erected, 
by  and  at  the  expense  of  Georgia;  and  that  blank  Commis- 
sions be  delivered  to  the  Delegates,  for  the  Officers,  to  be 
filled  up  by  the  Assembly  or  Convention  of  the  said  State. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  empowered,  if 
he  shall  judge  it  advisable,  to  order  three  of  the  fullest 
Regiments,  stationed  in  Massachusetts-Bay,  to  be  immedi- 
ately marched  to  Ticonderoga;  and  that  an  equal  .number 
of  the  Militia  of  that  State  be  taken  into  pay,  and  imbodied 
for  its  defence,  if  the  Government  of  Massachusetts-Bay 
judge  it  necessary. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Coburne,  who  has 
acted  as  an  Assistant  Conductor  of  Military  Stores  in  Canada, 
and  has  produced  certificates  of  his  having  done  his  duty  in 
that  station,  be  allowed  Lieutenant's  pay,  from  the  first  day 
of  March  to  the  first  day  of  June  last  : 

That  a  Chaplain  be  appointed  to  each  Regiment  in  the 
Continental  Army,  and  that  their  allowance  be  increased 
to  thirty -three  Dollars  and  one-third  of  a  Dollar  a  month  : 

That  immediate  steps  be  taken  in  the  several  Colonies  to 
procure  Lead : 

That  the  Postmaster-General  be  directed  immediately  to 
have  Expresses  established  between  this  City  and  New- 
York;  and  that  General  Washington  be  desired  to  send  off 
Despatches  to  Congress  every  day. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be 
directed  to  send  forthwith  to  General  Lewis,  at  Williams- 
burgh,  five  tons  of  Powder,  for  the  use  of  the  Troops  in  the 
Southern  Department,  part  of  which  is  to  be  forwarded  to 
South-  Carolina  : 

That  the  British  Officers  and  Soldiers  who  are  Prisoners, 
and  now  in  New-Jersey,  be  sent  from  thence  to  the  Towp 
of  York,  in  Pennsylvania;  and  that  the  Convention  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  of 'New- Jersey  be  requested  to  carry  this 
Resolve  into  immediate  execution  : 

That  four  Companies  of  the  Militia  be  directed  to  remain 
in  Philadelphia,  to  guard  the  Continental  Stores  in  that 
City. 

The  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  July  6,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  5th,  from  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey, 
was  received  and  read. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Carpenter  Wharton  be  ap- 
pointed Commissary  to  supply  with  Rations  the  Militia  who 
are  immediately  to  march  from  Pennsylvania  to  New- Jersey, 
until  the  Commissary-General  shall  order  otherwise: 


That  William  Sherman,  Jun.,  be  appointed  Paymaster  of 
Colonel  Warner's  Regiment: 

That  Major  Rogers  be  sent  to  New- Hampshire,  to  be  dis- 
posed of  as  the  Government  of  that  State  shall  judge  best. 

Sundry  Letters  were  received  and  read,  viz: 

One  from  General  Washington,  of  the  4th  and  5th  July; 

One  of  the  1st,  from  General  Schuyler  to  General  Wash- 
ington; and 

One  of  the  24th  of  June,  from  Brigadier-General  Sullivan 
to  General  Schuyler: 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Resolved,  That  the  Agents  in  Massachusetts-Bay  and 
Rhode-Island  be  directed  to  send  the  Arms  taken  out  of  the 
Scotch  Transports  to  General  Washington,  at  New-York. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  a  Letter  received  from  T.  Green 
be  forwarded  to  General  Washington,  and  that  he  be  desired 
to  send  for  such  parts  of  the  Stores  therein  mentioned,  as  he 
shall  think  proper. 

Application  being  made  by  William  Kelsay,who  has  raised 
a  Company  in  New-Jersey,  for  a  sum  of  Money  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  said  Company  to  New-  York  : 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Mease  advance  one  month's  Pay  to 
Captain  Kelsay,  for  the  use  of  his  Company ;  he  to  be  ac- 
countable. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  Members  for 
the  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs,  in  the  room  of  those  ab- 
sent; and,  the  ballots  being  taken,  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  P. 
Livingston,  and  Mr.  Huntingdon,  were  chosen. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Floyd,  Mr.  Rodney,  and  Mr.  Clark, 
be  added  to  the  Committee  to  inquire  into  the  miscarriages 
in  Canada. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to 
deliver  one  ton  of  Powder  to  the  Convention  of  New-York; 
they  to  be  accountable: 

That  General  Schuyler  be  directed  to  collect  and  audit  the 
publick  Accounts  of  the  late  General  Montgomery,  and  to 
include  his  pay  and  the  allowance  for  his  table  in  the  ad- 
justment. 

The  Board  of  Treasury  laid  before  Congress  an  Account 
of  James  Warren,  Esq.,  late  Paymaster-General  of  the  United 
Colonies: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  following  allowances  be 
made,  viz: 

For  Assistants  from  27th  July,  1775,  to  4th  May,  1776, 
the  sum  of  276  Dollars: 

For  sundry  articles  purchased  for  the  use  of  the  Office  in 
New-York,  3  Dollars  and  49-72  parts  of  a  Dollar: 

For  Horse  hire  to  William  Wynthrop,  Esq.,  and  for  his 
attendance  and  expenses  in  Philadelphia,  100  Dollars. 

Ordered,  That  Mr.  Warren  pay  the  balance  in  his  hands 
to  Ebenezer  Hancock,  Esq.,  Deputy  Paymaster-General  for 
the  Eastern  Department. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  on  Monday. 

Monday,  July  8,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  4th,  from  General  Washington,  and  one 
of  the  6th,  from  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey,  were  laid 
before  Congress,  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  send 
four  tons  of  Powder,  and  a  sufficient  quantity  of  Cartridge- 
Paper,  to  General  Mercer,  for  the  use  of  the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  20,000  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  James  Mease;  he  to  be 
accountable. 

A  Letter  of  this  day,  from  Mrs.  Connolly,  was  laid  before 
Congress  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Safety 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  said  Com- 
mittee to  make  proper  provision  for  Mrs.  Connolly  till  further 
order  of  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Military 
Associators  of  Philadelphia  be  directed  not  to  order  Captain 
Peters  out  of  the  City,  as  his  service  and  attendance  is  ne- 
cessary in  the  War  Office. 

Resolved,  That  the  Postmasters,  while  in  office,  be  ex- 
cused from  all  military  duty. 


1589 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  10,  1776. 


1570 


A  Letter  of  the  4th,  from  the  Convention  of  Maryland, 
enclosing  Resolutions  for  raising  three  thousand  four  hundred 
men  for  the  Flying-Camp,  was  received  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  Major-General  Gates  be  informed  that  it 
was  the  intention  of  Congress  to  give  him  the  command  of 
the  Troops  whilst  in  Canada,  but  that  they  had  no  design 
to  vest  him  with  a  superior  command  to  General  Schuyler 
whilst  the  Troops  should  be  on  this  side  Canada;  and  that 
the  President  write  to  Major-General  Schuyhr  and  Major- 
General  Gates,  stating  this  matter,  and  recommending  to 
them  to  carry  on  the  military  operations  with  harmony,  and  in 
such  a  manner  as  shall  best  promote  the  publick  service. 

That  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  Resolution  be  transmitted  to 
General  Washington. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  having  recom- 
mended Daniel  Burkhard,  George  Hiibley,  Jacob  Bunner, 
and  Benjamin  Weiser,  to  be  Captains  of  the  four  Companies 
of  Germans  to  be  raised  in  tbat  State  : 

Resolved,  That  they  be  approved,  and  that  Commissions 
be  granted  to  them  accordingly. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  .General  Washington  be 
vested  with  discretionary  power  to  call  to  his  assistance,  at 
New-  York,  such  of  the  Continental  Regiments  in  the  Mas- 
sachusetts-Bay as  have  not  already  received  orders  to  march 
to  Ticonderoga,  and  that  the  General  Court  of  that  State  be 
requested  to  supply  their  places  with  Militia,  if  they  think  it 
expedient: 

That  General  Washington  have  permission  to  call  forth 
and  engage  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  so  many 
Indians  of  the  St.  John's,  Nova-Scotia,  and  Penobscot  Tribes 
as  he  shall  judge  necessary;  and  that  he  be  desired  to  write 
to  the  General  Court  of  the  Massachusetts-Bay,  requesting 
their  aid  in  this  business,  and  informing  them  that  Congress 
will  reimburse  such  expenses  as  may  be  necessarily  incurred 
in  consequence  of  the  foregoing  Resolution: 

That  the  Commissary-General  have  full  power  to  supply 
both  Armies,  that  upon  the  Lakes  as  well  as  that  at  New- 
York,  and  also  to  appoint  and  employ  such  persons  under  him 
and  to  remove  any  Deputy-Commissary  as  he  shall  judge 
proper  and  expedient,  it  being  absolutely  necessary  that  the 
supply  of  both  Armies  should  be  under  one  direction. 

The  Congress  then  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Deputy 
Quartermaster-General  for  the  Flying-Camp ;  and,  the  bal- 
lots being  taken,  Clement  Biddle  was  elected  Deputy  Quar- 
termaster-General for  the  Flying-Camp  and  for  the  Militia 
of  Pennsylvania  and  New-Jersey,  ordered  to  rendezvous  at 
Trenton. 

Resolved,  That  to-morrow  be  assigned  for  the  election  of 
a  Deputy  Mustermaster-General  for  the  Flying-Camp  and 
Militia  aforesaid. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  for  providing  Medicines 
be  directed  to  supply  the  Militia  aforesaid  with  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  suitable  Medicines. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  60,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  the  Delegates  of  Georgia,  for 
the  use  of  the  Continental  Battalions,  the  State  of  Georgia 
to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  empowered  to 
appoint  suitable  places  of  rendezvous  for  the  new  Battalions 
raising  for  Canada,  and  communicate  the  same  to  the  As- 
semblies of  New-Hampshire,  Massachusetts-Buy,  Connecti- 
cut, and  New-York;  also,  to  issue  his  orders  for  supplying 
the  men  with  Rations,  Tents,  a  month's  Pay  advance,  and 
other  necessaries. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Mease  be  directed  to  advance  one 
month's  Pay  to  such  of  the  Militia  as  will  engage  to  serve  in 
the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  5,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers  in  favour  of  Mr.  George  Evans,  Contractor 
for  supplying  the  Delaware  Battalion,  he  to  be  accountable. 

A  Letter  of  the  5th,  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of 
Sussex,  in  Delaware  Government,  with  sundry  papers  en- 
closed, was  laid  before  Congress  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Delegates  of 
Maryland  and  Delaware. 


Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 
FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


Tuesday,  July  9,  1770. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Abraham  Shcppard  be  ap- 
pointed Captain,  Samuel  Finley  First  Lieutenant,  William 
Kelly  Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  Bedhiger  Third  Lieuten- 
ant, of  the  Virginia  Rifle  Company;  and  that  the  Delegates 
of  Virginia  be  empowered  to  write  to  the  several  County 
Committees  in  that  State  where  they  think  it  most  proper 
and  probable  for  the  men  to  be  raised,  requesting  the  said 
Committees  to  recommend  Officers  for  the  appointment  of 
Congress,  to  fill  up  Colonel  Stevenson's  Regiment,  the  Offi- 
cers so  recommended  to  have  power  immediately  to  inlist 
their  men,  and  Commissions  be  sent  them  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible, and  that  7,000  Dollars  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  Col- 
onel Stevenson,  for  bounty  money  and  other  regimental 
expenses: 

That  a  further  sum  of  5,000  Dollars  be  paid  into  the 
hands  of  said  Colonel  Stevenson,  and  2,500  Dollars  to  the 
Delegates  of  Maryland,  for/  the  use  of  the  said  Regiment, 
they  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Palfrey,  late  Aid-de-Camp  of  Gene- 
ral Washington,  have  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the 
Continental  Army. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Deputy  Mus- 
termaster-General for  the  Flying-Camp  and  Militia  ordered 
to  rendezvous  at  Trenton;  and,  the  ballots  being  taken, 
Jonathan  B.  Smith  was  elected. 

Resolved.  That  an  Order  for  10,000  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurers  in  favour  of  the  Committee  of  Secret  Cor- 
respondence, for  the  purchase  of  two  Vessels,  they  to  be 
accountable. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Petition  of  William  Poole 
was  referred  brought  in  their  Report : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  20  Dollars  be  paid  to  the 
said  William  Poole  for  his  present  support,  till  regulations 
are  made  for  the  relief  of  disabled  Soldiers. 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Duchc  be  appointed  Chap- 
lain to  Congress,  and  that  he  be  desired  to  attend  every 
morning,  at  nine  o'clock. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylva- 
nia release  Allan  McDonald,  of  Kingsborough,  a  prisoner, 
in  the  Jail  of  Philadelphia,  on  his  parole,  and  that  upon 
signing  the  parole  he  be  treated  agreeable  to  former  Resolu- 
tions of  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  settle  a 
cartel  for  exchange  of  Prisoners. 

The  Members  chosen:  Mr.  Braxton,  Mr.  Wilson,  and 
Mr.  Harrison. 

Resolved,  That  such  of  the  Militia  as  are  employed  in 
making  Gun-Locks,  and  such  as  are  employed  in  making 
Cannon  and  Powder,  be  detained  from  marching  on  the  pre- 
sent occasion  to  New-Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  five  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  inquire 
into  the  causes  of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada  be  a  quorum 
to  proceed  to  business. 

The  Committee  on  the  Treasury,  to  whom  the  claims  of 
John  Walker  and  Willie  Jones,  Esqs.,  Commissioners  for 
Indian  Affairs  in  the  Southern  Department,  were  referred, 
reported  that  there  is  due — 

To  John  Walker,  Esq.,  for  one  hundred  and  thirty-nine 
days  he  was  employed  in  the  Southern  Department,  at  the 
rate  of  4  Dollars  a  day,  556  Dollars: 

To  Willie  Jones,  Esq.,  for  his  expenses  attending  Indian 
affairs  at  Salisbury,  and  travelling  to  sundry  places,  250 
Dollars ;  and  for  ninety-five  days  on  duty,  at  4  Dollars  a 
day,  380  Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

A  Memorial  from  Ludwick  Karcher  was  presented  to 
Congress  and  read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 
Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  July  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  one  month's  Pay  be  advanced  to  the 
Militia  of  Pennsylvania  ordered  to  march  to  Trenton;  the 
same  to  be  paid  after  the  men  are  mustered. 

That  Mr.  J.  Mease  be  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr.  C.  Bid- 


99 


1571 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  10,  1776. 


1572 


die,  the  Deputy-Quartermaster-General  for  the  Flying-Camp 
and  Mililia,  such  Tents  and  oilier  article-;  as  he  has  belong- 
ing to  the  Continent,  and  which  may  be  wanted  for  the 
Militia  and  Flying-Camp. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Lancaster 
be  empowered  and  directed  to  keep  a  guard  over  the  Pri- 
soners in  the  Barracks  of  that  Borough,  and  to  surround  the 
said  Barracks  with  a  stockade  fort: 

That  the  Privates,  who  are  prisoners  in  the  Town  of 
Reading,  be  removed  to  the  Borough  of  Lancaster. 

A  Letter  from  Ephraim  Anderson  was  laid  before  Con- 
gress and  read : 

Resolved,  That  the  President  write  to  General  Washing- 
ton on  the  subject,  enclosing  Mr.  Anderson's  Letter,  and 
that  Mr.  Anderson  be  referred  to  the  General. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draw  up  Rules  and  Orders 
for  the  government  of  the  House,  brought  in  their  Report, 
which  was  read  :* 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Standing  Committee  for  Indian  Affairs  brought  in  a 
Report,  which  was  read  : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  for  providing  Medicines 
be  directed  to  furnish  Dr.  Allison  with  a  set  of  Instruments, 
and  that  the  Director-General  be  directed  to  supply  him 
with  proper  Medicines. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Cartel  between  Brigadier- 
General  Arnold  and  Captain  Forsttr,  and  the  several  papers 
thereto  relating,  were  recommitted,  brought  in  their  Report, 
which  was  read,  as  follows : 

That,  having  made  diligent  inquiry  into  the  facts,  they 
find  that  a  parly  of  three  hundred  and  ninety  Continental 
troops,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Bedel,  was  posted  at 
the  Cedars,  about  forty-three  miles  above  Montreal;  that 
they  had  there  formed  some  works  of  defence,  the  greater 
part  of  them  picketed  lines,  the  rest  a  breastwork  of  earth, 
with  two  field-pieces  mounted: 

That  on  Wednesday,  the  15th  of  May,  Colonel  Bedel 
received  intelligence  that  a  party  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of 
i  about  six  hundred  Regulars,  Canadians,  and  Indians,  were 
on  their  way  to  attack  his  post,  and  were  then  within  nine 
miles  of  it;  that  Colonel  Bedel  thereon  set  out  himself  for 
Montreal,  to  procure  a  reinforcement;  whereupon,  the  com- 
mand of  the  Cedars  devolved  on  Major  Butttrfield: 

That  on  Thursday,  a  reinforcement,  under  the  command 
of  Major  Sherburne,  inarched  from  Montreal  for  the  Cedars, 
while  a  larger  detachment  should  be  getting  ready  to  pro- 
ceed thither  with  Brigadier-General  Arnold: 

That  on  Friday,  the  17th,  the  enemy,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Forster,  invested  the  post  at  the  Cedars,  and  for 
two  days  kept  up  a  loose,  scattering  fire ;  that  Major  Butter- 
Jield  proposed,  from  the  very  first,  to  surrender  the  post,  and 
refused  repeated  solicitations  from  his  officers  and  men  to 
permit  them  to  sally  out  on  the  enemy: 

•  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Rules  and  Orders  of  the  House,  brought  in 
JULY  10,  1776.      Ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Cnmmitlee  appointed  to  draw  up  Rules  and  Orders  for  the  govern- 
ment of  this  House,  have  agreed  to  the  following  Report: 

1st.  No  Member  shall  read  any  printed  paper  in  the  House  during 
the  sitting  thereof,  without  leave  of  Congress. 

2il.  No  Member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  in  any  one  debate,  with- 
out leave  of  the  House. 

No  motion  shall  be  debated  until  the  same  be  seconded.  When  a 
motion  shnll  be  made  and  seconded,  it  shall  be  reduced  to  writing,  if 
desired  by  the  President  or  any  Member,  delivered  in  at  the  table,  and 
read  by  the  President,  before  the  same  shall  be  allowed  to  be  debated. 

When  a  motion  is  made  and  seconded,  the  malter  of  the  motion  shall 
receive  a  determination  by  ihe  question,  or  be  laid  aside  by  general  cnn- 
•cnt,  or  postponed  by  the  previous  question,  before  any  other  motion  be 
received. 

.  When  the  House  is  sitting,  no  Member  shall  speak  (or  whisper)  to 
another  so  as  to  interrupt  any  Member  who  may  be  speakme  in  the 
debate. 

When  two  Members  rise  together,  the  President  shall  name  the  person 
to  sneak. 

No  Member  shall  depart  from  the  service  of  the  House  without  per- 
mission or  order  from  his  constituents. 

No  person  shall  be  appointed  to  any  office  of  profit,  unless  he  shall 
ic  consent  of  seven  Colonies,  nor  shall  any  ballot  be  counted 
he  person  for  whom  the  ballot  shall  be  given  be  first  named  to 
the  House  before  the  balloting  be  gone  into 

•'ion  in  a  debate  coniain  more  parts  than  one,  any  Member 
may  have  the  same  divided  into  as  many  questions  as  narls 

proceed  1°o  CO'°nieS  ""  P"""1  in  lhe  Hol"*> l 


That  on  Sunday  afternoon,  a  flag  being  sent  in  by  the 
enemy,  Major  Btttlcrfield  agreed  to  surrender  the  fort  and 
garrison  to  Captain  Forster,  capitulating  with  him,  whether 
verbally  or  in  writing  does  not  appear,  that  the  garrison 
should  not  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Savages,  and  that 
their  baggage  should  not  be  plundered : 

Thai  at  the  time  of  ihe  surrender,  the  enemy  consisted  of 
about  forty  Regulars,  one  hundred  Canadians,  and  five  hun- 
dred Indians,  and  no  cannon;  the  garrison  had  sustained  no 
injury  from  their  fire,  but  the  having  one  man  wounded  ;  they 
had  twenty  rounds  of  cartridges  a  man,  thirty  rounds  for  one 
field-piece,  five  for  another,  half  a  barrel  of  gunpowder, 
fifteen  pounds  of  musket-ball,  and  provisions  sufficient  to 
have  lasted  them  twenty  or  thirty  days :  Major  Butterjield 
knew  that  a  reinforcement  was  on  its  way,  and  moreover, 
was  so  near  the  main  body  of  the  army  that  he  could  not 
doubt  of  being  supported  by  that: 

That  immediately  on  the  surrender,  the  garrison  was  put 
into  the  custody  of  the  Savages,  who  plundered  them  of  their 
baggage,  and  even  stripped  them  of  their  clothes: 

That  Major  Sherburne,  having  landed  on  Monday,  the 
20th,  at  Quinze  Cheiies,  about  nine  miles  fiom  the  Cedars, 
and  marched  on  with  his  party,  consisting  then  of  one  hun- 
dred men,  to  within  four  miles  thereof,  was  there  attacked 
by  about  five  hundred  of  the  enemy:  that  he  maintained  his 
ground  about  an  hour,  and  then,  being  constrained  to  retreat, 
performed  the  same  in  good  order,  receiving  and  returning 
a  constant  fire  for  about  forty  minutes,  when  the  enemy, 
finding  means  to  post  advanced  parties  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  intercept  his  farther  retreat,  they  also  were  made  prison- 
ers of  war: 

That  they  were  immediately  put  into  the  custody  of  the 
Savages,  carried  to  where  Major  Butterfield  and  his  party 
were,  and  stripped  of  their  baggage  and  wearing  apparel: 

That  two  of  them  were  put  to  death  that  evening,  four  or 
five  others  at  different  limes  afterwards,  one  of  whom  was 
of  those  who  surrendered  on  capitulation  at  the  Cedars,  and 
was  killed  on  the  eighth  day  after  that  surrender ;  that  one  was 
first  shot,  and,  while  retaining  life  and  sensation,  was  roasted, 
as  was  related  by  his  companion  now  in  possession  of  the 
Savages,  who  himself  saw  the  fact;  and  that  several  others, 
being  worn  down  by  famine  and  cruelty,  were  lelt  exposed 
in  an  island  naked,  and  perishing  with  cold  and  hunger: 

That  while  Major  Sherburne  was  in  custody  of  the  enemy, 
Captain  Forster  required  of  him  and  the  other  officers  to  sign 
a  cartel,  stipulating  the  exchange  of  themselves  and  their 
men  for  as  many  of  equal  condition  of  the  British  troops  in 
our  possession;  further,  that  notwithstanding  the  exchange, 
neither  themselves  nor  men  should  ever  again  bear  arms 
against  the  British  Government ;  and  for  the  performance 
of  this,  four  hostages  were  to  be  delivered,  which  they,  being 
under  the  absolute  power  of  the  enemy,  did  sign: 

That  on  Sunday,  the  26th,  the  prisoners  were  carried  to 
Quinze  Chenes,  when  it  was  discovered  that  General  Arnold 
was  approaching,  and  making  dispositions  to  attack  them: 

That  Captain  Forster,  having  desired  Major  Sherburne  to 
attend  a  flag,  which  he  was  about  to  send  to  General  Arnold, 
for  confirmation  of  the  cartel,  carried  him  into  the  council 
of  Indians,  then  silting,  who  told  him  that  it  was  a  mercy 
never  before  shown  in  their  wars,  th;it  they  had  put  to  death 
so  few  of  the  prisoners;  but  that  he  must  expect,  and  so 
inform  Genera!  Arnold,  that  they  should  certainly  kill  every 
man  who  should  thereafter  fall  into  their  hands: 

That  Captain  Forster  joined  in  desiring  that  this  bloody 
message  should  be  delivered  to  General  Arnold ;  and 


more- 


over, that  he  should  be  notified,  that  if  he  rejectc  d  the  cartel, 
and  attacked  him,  every  man  of  the  prisoners  would  be  put 
to  instant  death: 

That  General  Arnold  was  extremely  averse  from  entering 
into  any  agreement,  and  was  at  length  induced  to  do  it  by 
no  other  motive  than  that  of  saving  the  prisoners  from  cruel 
and  inhuman  death,  threatened  in  such  terms  as  left  no  doubt 
it  was  to  be  perpetrated,  and  that  he  did  in  the  end  conclude 
it,  after  several  flags  received  from  Captain  Forster,  and  a 
relinquishment  by  him  of  ihe  unequal  article  restraining  our 
soldiers  from  again  bearing  arms:  < 

That  the  prisoners,  so  slipulated  to  be  given  up  to  the 
enemy,  were  not  in  the  possession  of  General  Arnold,  nor 
under  his  direction,  but  were,  at  that  time,  distributed  in 
various  parts  of  the  Continent,  under  the  orders  of  this 
House: 


1573 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  11,  1776. 


1574 


That  four  hostages  were  accordingly  delivered  to  Captain 
Forster,  who  were  immediately  plundered  and  stripped  by 
the  Savages;  and  on  his-part  were  delivered  one  Major,  four 
Captains,  sixteen  Subalterns,  and  three  hundred  and  fifty-five 
Privates,  as  specified  in  a  certificate  of  Captain  James  Osgood 
and  others,  of  whom  no  specification  by  their  names  or  num- 
bers has  yet  been  transmitted  ;  that  he  retained  twelve  Cana- 
dians, alleging,  in  his  justification,  express  orders  so  to  do; 
and  that,  living  in  a  military  Government,  they  were  to  be 
considered  even  in  a  worse  light  than  deserters  from  his 
Majesty's  armies;  these  he  carried  away  in  irons,  but  after- 
wards released:  that  he  permitted  the  Indians  to  carry  into 
their  countries  several  other  natives  of  the  United  States,  for 
purposes  unknown: 

That,  during  the  time  of  their  captivity,  not  half  food  was 
allowed  the  prisoners;  they  were  continually  insulted,  buf- 
feted, and  ill  treated  by  the  Savages;  and  when  the  first 
parties  of  them  were  carried  off  from  the  shore  to  be  de- 
livered to  General  Arnold,  balls  of  mud  were  fired  at  them, 
and  at  the  last  parties,  musket  balls. 

The  Congress,  taking  into  consideration  the  foregoing 
Report,  came  to  the  following  Resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  all  acts  contrary  to  good  faith,  the  laws 
of  nature,  or  the  customs  of  civilized  nations,  done  by  the 
officers  or  soldiers  of  his  Britannick  Majesty,  or  by  foreigners 
or  Savages  taken  into  his  service,  are  to  be  considered  as 
done  by  his  orders,  unless  indemnification  be  made,  in  cases 
which  admit  indemnification,  and  in  all  other  cases,  unless 
immediate  and  effective  measures  be  taken  by  him,  or  by 
his  officers,  for  bringing  to  condign  punishment  the  authors, 
abetters,  and  perpetrators  of  the  act : 

That  the  plundering  the  baggage  of  the  garrison  at  the 
Cedars,  stripping  them  of  their  clothes,  and  delivering  them 
into  the  hands  of  the  Savages,  was  a  breach  of  the  capitu- 
lation on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  for  which  indemnification 
ought  to  be  demanded: 

That  the  murder  of  the  prisoners-of-war  was  a  gross  and 
inhuman  violation  of  the  laws  of  nature  and  nations ;  that 
condign  punishment  should  be  inflicted  on  the  authors, 
abetters,  and  perpetrators  of  the  same;  and  that,  for  this 
purpose,  it  be  required  that  they  be  delivered  into  our 
hands: 

That  the  agreement  entered  into  by  General  Arnold  was 
a  mere  sponsion  on  his  part,  he  not  being  invested  with 
powers  for  the  disposal  of  prisoners  not  in  his  possession,  nor 
under  his  direction ;  and  that,  therefore,  it  is  subject  to  be 
ratified  or  annulled,  at  the  discretion  of  this  House : 

That  the  shameful  surrender  of  the  post  at  the  Cedars  is 
chargeable  on  the  Commanding  Officer ;  that  such  other  of 
the  prisoners  as  were  taken  there,  showed  a  willingness  and 
desire  to  fight  the  enemy;  and  that  Major  Sherburne,  and 
the  prisoners  taken  with  him,  though  their  disparity  of  num- 
bers was  great,  fought  the  enemy  bravely  for  a  considerable 
time,  and  surrendered  at  last,  but  on  absolute  necessity;  on 
which  consideration,  and  on  which  alone,  it  is  resolved,  that 
the  said  sponsion  be  ratified ;  and  that  an  equal  number  of 
captives  from  the  enemy,  of  the  same  rank  and  condition, 
be  restored  to  them,  as  stipulated  by  the  said  sponsion: 

That,  previous  to  the  delivery  of  the  prisoners  to  be 
returned  on  our  part,  the  British  Commander  in  Canada  be 
required  to  deliver  into  our  hands  the  authors,  abetters,  and 
perpetrators  of  the  horrid  murder  committed  on  the  prisoners, 
to  suffer  such  punishment  as  their  crime  deserves ;  and  also 
to  make  indemnification  for  the  plunder  at  the  Cedars,  taken 
contrary  to  the  faith  of  the  capitulation  ;  and  that,  until  such 
delivery  and  indemnification  be  made,  the  said  prisoners  be 
not  delivered : 

That,  if  the  enemy  shall  commit  any  further  violences,  by 
putting  to  death,  torturing,  or  otherwise  ill  treating  the  pri- 
soners retained  by  them,  or  any  of  the  hostages  put  into 
their  hands,  recourse  be  had  to  retaliation,  as  the  sole  means 
of  stopping  the  progress  of  human  butchery;  and  that,  for 
that  purpose,  punishments  of  the  same  kind  and  degree  be 
inflicted  on  an  equal  number  of  the  captives  from  them  in 
our  possession,  till  they  shall  be  taught  to  respect  the  violated 
rights  of  nations : 

That  a  copy  of  the  above  Report  and  Resolutions  be 
transmitted  to  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Continen- 
tal Forces,  to  be  by  him  sent  to  Generals  Howe  and  Bur- 
goyne. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 


Thursday,  July  11,  17T6. 

Sundry  Letters  were  received  and  read,  viz: 

One  of  the  9t!i,  from  the  Convention  of  New- Jersey ; 

One  of  the  same  date,  from  the  Committee  of  Easton ; 
three  from  Officers,  (prisoners,)  desiring  leave  to  come  to 
Philadelphia. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New- 
Jersey  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War,  who  are  desired  to 
report  thereon  as  soon  as  possible. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  T.Matlack  be  directed  to  deliver  to 
Mr.  C.  Biddle,  Deputy  Quartermaster-General  for  the  Fly- 
ing-Camp, such  of  the  Continental  stores  in  his  possession 
as  may  be  necessary  for  said  Flying-Camp. 

The  General  having  recommended  the  following  gentle- 
men to  be  Officers  of  the  two  remaining  Rifle  Companies  of 
Colonel  Stevenson's  Battalion  at  Neiv-  York,  viz:  Philemon 
Griffith  Captain,  Thomas  Hussey  Lucket  First  Lieutenant, 
Adamson  Tanne.hill  Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  Hardman 
Third  Lieutenant;  Richard  Davis  Captain,  Daniel  Cres- 
sop  First  Lieutenant,  Nieman  Tannehili 'Second  Lieutenant, 
Henri/  Hardman  Third  Lieutenant: 

Resohed,  That  they  be  accepted,  and  Commissions  grant- 
ed to  them  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  213  Dollars  and  one-third 
be  drawn  on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  the  Delegates  for 
Maryland,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  transporting  Powder  to 
Maryland,  they  to  be  accountable. 

Three  Petitions,  one  from  Major  Mekhior,  one  from  John 
Doyle,  and  one  from  Benjamin  Flower,  were  presented  to 
Congress,  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  they  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

A  Petition  from  John  Cox  was  presented  to  Congress,  and 
read. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be 
directed  to  sell  Mr.  Cox  half  a  ton  of  Powder,  for  the  use  of 
the  private  vessel  of  war  by  him  fitted  out. 

A  Petition  from  Cox,  Ferman.  and  others,  was  presented 
to  Congress,  and  read,  together  with  a  Memorial  from  the 
Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  for  the  City  and 
Liberties  of  Philadelphia,  recommending  their  case  to  the 
notice  of  Congress. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Petitioners  have  leave 
to  dispose  of  the  goods  mentioned  in  their  Petition. 

A  Letter  of  the  10th,  from  General  Washington,  and  five 
Letters,  of  the  5th  and  6th,  from  Governour  Trumbull,  were 
laid  before  Congress,  and  read. 

The  Board  of  War,  to  whom  the  Letter  from  the  Con- 
vention of  New-Jersey  was  referred,  brought  in  a  Report, 
which  was  taken  into  consideration.  Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  a  Letter  be  written  to  the  Convention  of 
Netv-Jersey,  informing  them,  that  as  they  have  not  enclosed 
to  Congress  copies  of  General  Washington's  and  Brigadier- 
General  Livingston's  Letters,  no  judgment  can  be  formed 
by  Congress  concerning  the  contents  of  them,  until  copies 
are  sent;  that  measures  are  taking  in  Pennsylvania  and 
Maryland  for  forming  the  Flying-Camp;  that,  in  the  mean 
while,  the  associated  Militia  are  marching,  in  great  numbers, 
from  Pennsylvania,  for  the  defence  of  New-  Jersey ;  that  am- 
munition has  been,  and  will  be,  supplied  by  this  Congress, 
for  the  defence  of  New-Jersey;  that,  with  regard  to  the  pay 
of  the  Militia,  Congress  will  observe  the  same  rule  of  con- 
duct towards  New-Jersey  as  towards  other  Colonies. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Report 
from  the  Standing  Committee  for  Indian  Affairs,  and  there- 
upon came  to  the  following  Resolutions: 

The  Congress  are  so  fully  persuaded  of  the  necessity  of 
protecting  the  frontiers  of  New-  York  from  the  incursions  of 
the  enemy,  that  they  recommend   that  business  to  General. 
Schuyler's  immediate  attention,  and  direct  that  if  the  situa- 
tion of  affairs  will  admit  of  it,  he  take  proper  steps  for  erect- 
ing a  Fort  at  Oswego,  and  building  Galleys  on  Lake  Ontario, 
and  pursue  such  other  measures  as  may  be  best  fitted  to 
answer  the  views  of  Congress. 

That  Posts  be  taken  and  Forts  erected  at  Presque  Me, 
Le  Bcuf,  and  Kittaning,  and  a  Battalion  be  raised  to  erect 
and  garrison  the  same. 

That  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs  in  the  Middle 
Department  be  directed  to  inquire  what  Naval  force  on 
Lake  Erie  will  be  necessary  to  secure  to  the  United  States 


1575 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  14,  1776. 


1576 


the  command  of  the  navigation  of  that  Lake,  and  report  the 
result  of  their  inquiry  as  soon  as  possible  to  Congress. 

That  it  be  notified  to  the  Convention  of  Jlrginia  that 
the  Congress  are  willing  to  take  into  Continental  possession 
the  Forts  at  the  mouths  of  11'ln'i'ling  and  the  Great  Kan- 
halt-ay,  and  the  Fort  at  Pittsburgh,  now  in  possession  of 
that  Colony;  and  also  to  receive,  on  the  Continental  Estab- 
lishment, the  Garrisons  in  these  Forts,  if  the  said  Conven- 
tion shall  desire  it. 

The  Marine  Committee  reported  that,  in  pursuance  of 
the  order  of  Congress,  they  have  called  before  them  divers 
of  the  inferior  officers  belonging  to  the  ships  Alfred  and 
Columbus,  and  having  heard  their  complaints  against  the 
Captains,  Saltonstal  and  11' hippie,  in  their  presence,  are  of 
opinion  that  the  charge  against  Captain  Saltonstal  does  not 
appear  to  the  Committee  to  be  well-founded,  and  that  the 
charge  against  Captain  H  hippie  amounts  to  nothing  more 
than  a  rough,  indelicate  mode  of  behaviour  to  his  Marine 
officers : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Marine  Committee  be 
directed  to  order  the  Captains,  Saltonstal  and  Whippk,  to 
repair  to  their  respective  commands ;  and  that  it  be  recom- 
mended to  Captain  IV hippie  to  cultivate  harmony  with  his 
officers. 

Doctor  Franklin,  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  Canada, 
laid  before  Congress  an  account  of  his  expenditures. 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Board  of 
Treasury. 

The  President  acquainted  Congress  that  last  evening 
information  was  given  to  him  of  a  conspiracy  or  plot  carrying 
on  for  liberating  the  Prisoners  in  the  Jail  of  Philadelphia, 
and  other  evil  designs ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  five  be 
appointed,  and  that  they,  together  with  the  President,  be 
directed  to  make  strict  inquiry  into  the  truth  of  the  matter; 
and,  if  they  find  the  information  well  grounded,  to  take  such 
steps  as  they  shall  judge  prudent  and  effectual  for  defeating 
the  machinations  of  the  conspirators ;  and,  in  case  of  neces- 
sity, to  call  upon  the  Brigadier-General,  or  Commanding 
Officer  of  the  Associators,  for  the  aid  of  the  Military. 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Stockton,  Mr. 
Gwinnett,  Mr.  Morris,  and  Mr.  Wilton. 
A  Letter  from  Mr.  Mease  was  laid  before  Congress  and  read . 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  40.000  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Mease,  to  enable  him  to 
advance  a  month's  Pay  to  the  Military  Associators  of  Penn- 
sylvania, ordered  into  New-Jersey,  and  to  those  who  engage 
to  form  the  Flying-Camp;  he  to  be  accountable. 

The  Committee  of  Claims  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Thomas  Amor,  for  boarding  General  Lee's  Guard  the 
sum  of  34  22-90  Dollars : 

To  Colonel  Nelson,  for  expenses  of  an  Express,  the  sum 
of  4  84-90  Dollars: 

To  Casper  Miller,  for  Provisions,  &c.,  for  General  Lee's 
Guard,  the  sum  of  33  27-90  Dollars: 

To  Thomas  Dundas,  for  Rifles  supplied  Colonel  Irwine's 
Battalion,  the  sum  of  313  78-90  Dollars,  and  that  the  same 
ought  to  be  charged  to  said  Battalion : 

To  Joseph  Hewes,  Esq.,  for  expenses  paid  for  the  carriage, 
guard,  &ic.,  of  Gunpowder  to  North- Carolina,  the  sum  of 
66034-90  Dollars: 

To  Timothy  Matlack,  on  account,  200  Dollars : 

To  William  Trickett,  for  Stationery,  the  sum  of  204 
5 1-90  Dollars; 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  Committee,  to  whom  the  Letter  from  John  Macpher- 
son,  of  the  31st  of  May,  was  referred,  reported,  that  they 
have  examined  Mr.  Macphcrson  respecting  the  contents  of 
his  Letter,  who  alleged,  that  he  had  a  promise  of  being 
appointed  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  American  Navy,  by 
Messrs.  Randolph,  IJopkins,  and  J.  Rutledge,  a  Committee 
of  Congress  to  whom  he  communicated  an  important  secret, 
but  that  he  produced  no  evidence  in  support  of  such  allega- 
tion ;  that  they  inquired  of  Mr.  Hopkins  about  this  promise, 
in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Macphcrson,  and  that  Mr.  Hopkins 
declared  he  recollected  nothing  of  the  kind  : 

Whereupon,  Resolved, -Tint  the  application  and  request 
of  Mr.  Macpherson  is  unreasonable. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 


Friday,  July  12,  1776. 

Sundry  Letters  were  laid  before.  Congress  and  read,  viz: 
One  of  the  llth  from  Brigadier-General  Wooster;  one 
from  Mrs.  Conolly ;  and  one  of  the  10th,  from  the  Conven- 
tion of  Nciv-Jerscy. 

Resolved,  That  the  last  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  on  the  8th  of 
May  last,  on  the  Instructions  given  to  Commodore  Hopkins, 
be  discharged;  and  that  the  matters  to  them  referred  be 
committed  to  the  Marine  Committee,  who  are  invested  with 
the  same  powers  as  the  Committee  now  discharged  were  at 
their  appointment ;  and  that  the  said  Marine  Committee  be 
directed  to  proceed  to  inquire,  as  well  how  far  the  said 
Commodore  has  complied  with  the  instructions  given  him 
by  the  Naval  Committee,  as  into  the  complaints  reported 
by  the  Marine  Committee  on  the  13th  of  June,  to  have 
been  exhibited  against  him. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  the  claims  of  Mr. 
Charles  Walker,  for  the  hire  and  expenses  of  his  Sloop 
Endeavour,  and  the  damages  he  has  sustained  in  consequence 
of  her  being  taken  into  the  service  of  the  United  Colonies, 
and  brought  from  Neiv-Providence  to  New-London  by  Com- 
modore Hopkins,  brought  in  their  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration  ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  said  Sloop  Endeavour 
be  restored  to  the  said  Charles  Walker,  with  all  her  Stores 
and  Materials,  as  she  came  from  sea,  and  now  lies  at  New- 
London  : 

That  the  sum  of  2,000  Dollars  be  paid  to  the  said 
Charles  Walker,  for  the  hire  of  her,  and  in  lieu  of  all  losses, 
damages,  premiums  of  insurance,  and  expenses  whatever : 

That  the  said  Charles  Walker  be  permitted  to  invest  the 
balance  .of  the  said  2,000  Dollars,  or  what  remains,  after 
defraying  his  expenses,  and  paying  for  the  repairs  of  the 
outfit  of  his  vessel,  in  produce,  and  export  the  same. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  articles  of  Confede- 
ration brought  in  a  draft,  which  was  read : 

Ordered,  That  eighty  copies,  and  no  more,  of  the  Con- 
federation, as  brought  in  by  the  Committee,  be  immediately 
printed  and  deposited  with  the  Secretary,  who  shall  deliver 
one  copy  to  each  Member: 

That  the  Printer  be  under  oath  to  deliver  all  the  copies 
which  he  shall  print,  together  with  the  copy  sheet,  to  the 
Secretary,  and  not  to  disclose,  either  directly  or  indirectly, 
the  contents  of  the  said  Confederation: 

That  no  Member  furnish  any  person  with  his  copy,  or 
take  any  steps  by  which  the  said  Confederation  may  be 
reprinted;  and  that  the  Secretary  be  under  the  like  injunc- 
tion. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the 
Memorial  of  the  Director-General  of  the  American  Hospital, 
brought  in  their  Report,  which  was  read. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Hopkinson  be  added  to  the  Marine 
Committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be  empowered  to  employ 
an  Assistant  Clerk. 

The  Committee  on  the  Treasury,  to  whom  the  Account 
of  Dr.  Franklin,  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  Canada,  was 
referred,  reported,  that  there  is  due  to  said  Dr.  Franklin  the 
sum  of  1221  18-90  Dollars;  of  which— 

560  Dollars  to  be  charged  to  Brigadier-General  Arnold; 

124  Dollars  advanced  to  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton, 
Esq.; 

164  Dollars  and  78-90ths,  paid  for  Bedding,  &c.,  for  the 
use  of  the  Commissioners,  and  which  now  remain  deposited 
with  the  Commissary  of  Stores  at  Albany ;  and 

372  Dollars  and  30-90ths,  expended  by  Messrs.  Frank- 
lin and  J.  Carroll,  in  their  journey  to,  and  from,  and  in, 
Canada : 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  on  Monday  next. 

The  Congress  being  called  together  on 

•  Sunday,  July  14,  1776. 

Two  Letters  from  General  Washington,  dated  llth  and 
12th,  were  laid  before  Congress,  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  20,000  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Clement  Biddle, 


1577 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  15, 


1578 


Deputy  Quartermaster-General,  for  the  use  of  the  Flying- 
Camp  and  Militia  ordered  to  the  Jerseys,  he  to  be  account- 
able: 

That  Colonel  Biddk  be  directed  to  use  every  method 
to  forward  the  Flour  at  Trenton,  to  the  places  where  it  is 
wanted : 

That  he  be  empowered  to  appoint  an  Assistant: 

That  he  be  directed  to  furnish  Tents,  Camp-Kettles,  and 
Canteens,  for  an  Army  of  twenty  thousand  men,  including 
such  of  those  articles  as  he  has  received  from  Mr.  James 
Mease : 

That  Colonel  Biddk  be  directed  to  employ  one  or  more 
Armourers  for  the  Army  in  New-Jersey: 

That  application  be  made  to  the  Convention  of  New- 
Jersey  to  supply  all  the  Lead  they  possibly  can  for  the 
Flying-Camp  and  Militia: 

That  application  be  made  to  the  Committee  of  Safety  of 
Pennsylvania,  desiring  them  to  supply  the  Flying-Camp  and 
Militia,  in  the  Jerseys,  with  as  many  Musket  Cartridges,  well 
balled,  as  they  can  possibly  spare: 

That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  supply  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  with  a  quantity  of  Powder, 
equal  to  that  spared  to  the  Continent  in  Cartridges. 

That  an  Express  be  sent  to  overtake  the  Powder-Wagons 
gone  to  Virginia,  with  a  Letter  to  Colonel  F.  Lewis,  desiring 
him  to  send  in  the  return  Wagons  all  the  Lead  he  can  collect 
at  Fredericksburgh  : 

That  the  Committee,  or  Council  of  Safety  of  Virginia, 
be  requested  to  send  to  Philadelphia,  by  the  return  of  the 
Wagons,  as  much  of  the  Lead  they  now  have  at  Williams- 
burgh  as  they  can  spare,  and  to  order  from  the  Mines  fifteen 
or  twenty  tons  more  of  Lead  to  Philadelphia,  as  soon  as 
possible: 

That  a  Letter  be  written  to  the  Commanding  Officer  in 
the  Jerseys  to  march  such  of  the  Militia  and  Flying-Camp 
to  Brunswick,  or  other  places  in  the  Jerseys,  as  he  may 
judge  necessary,  and  most  conducive  to  the  publick  service; 
provided  that  this  does  not  interfere  with  any  .prior  direc- 
tions of  General  Washington: 

That  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  be  request- 
ed, immediately,  to  order  to  the  several  places  of  their  desti- 
nation all  the  British  Officers,  prisoners  in  this  City;  their 
wives  not  to  be  desired  to  go  until  the  weather  is  more 
suitable : 

That  the  Commanding  Officer  in  Pennsylvania  be  desired 
to  issue  fresh  orders,  and  exert  himself,  to  ibiward  the  imme- 
diate march  of  the  Militia  to  New-Jersey;  the  service  re- 
quiring their  being  immediately  imbodied,  as  appears  by  the 
advices  received  by  express  from  General  Washington: 

That  the  Deputy  Quartermaster-General  be  directed  to 
request  the  use  of  some  house  of  publick  worship,  to  cover 
the  Troops  during  their  short  stay  in  this  City. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Monday,  July  15,  1776. 

Sundry  Letters  were  laid  before  Congress,  and  read,  viz : 
One  from  Mr.  J.  Jay,  of  the  6th,  enclosing  a  Memorial 
from  Samuel  Tredwell  Pell,  of  the  Manor  of  Pelham ; 
One  from  the  Committee  of  Lancaster,  of  the  llth; 
One  from  the  Committee  of  Reading,  of  the  13th ;  and 
Two  from  the  Convention  of  New-York,  of  the  llth, 
with  sundry  Papers  enclosed;  among  which  were  the  follow- 
ing Resolutions: 

"  In  Convention  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State  of  New- York, ) 

White-Plains,  July  9,  1776.      \ 

"  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  reasons  assigned  by 
the  Continental  Congress  for  declaring  the  United  Colonies 
Free  and  Independent  States  are  cogent  and  conclusive; 
and,  that  while  we  lament  the  cruel  necessity  which  has 
rendered  that  measure  unavoidable,  we  approve  the  same, 
and  will,  at  the  risk  of  our  lives  and  fortunes,  join  with  the 
other  Colonies  in  supporting  it. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  said  Declaration  and  the 
aforegoing  Resolution  be  sent  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  County  of  Westchester,  with  orders  to  publish 
the  same,  with  beat  of  drum,  at  this  place,  on  Thursday 
next,  and  to  give  directions  that  it  be  published  with  all 
convenient  speed  in  the  several  Districts  of  the  County; 
that  copies  also  be  sent  to  the  Chairman  of  the  several  Coun- 
ties within  the  State  of  New-York,  with  orders  to  cause  the 


same  to  be  published  in  the  several  Districts  of  their  respect- 
ive Counties. 

"  Resolved,  unanimously,  That  the  Delegates  of  this  State, 
in  the  Continental  Congress,  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  author- 
ized to  concert  and  adopt  all  such  measures  as  they  may 
deem  conducive  to  the  happiness  and  welfare  of  the  United 
States  of  America. 

"Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

"  ROBERT  BENSON,  Secretary." 

Resolved,  That  the  Letters  from  the  Convention  of  New- 
York,  with  the  papers  enclosed,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of 
War: 

That  the  General's  Letters,  of  the  10th,  llth,  and  12th, 
be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania 
be  empowered  to  pay  to  the  Officers  ordered  from  New- 
Jersey  to  Pennsylvania  the  money  ordered  by  Congress  to 
be  advanced  for  Subsistence. 

Resolved,  That  the  case  of  the  Officers  ordered  from  New- 
Jersey  to  Pennsylvania,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War,  and 
that  they  be  directed  to  examine  into  the  conduct  of  said 
Officers  and  their  Servants;  and  to  order  them  to  such  places, 
and  to  be  disposed  of  in  such  manner,  as  they  shall  think 
proper. 

Resolved.  That  the  sum  of  55  Dollars  be  paid  to  Major 
Henry  Sherburne,  for  his  expenses  from  the  6th  of  June,  the 
time  he  left  Canada,  to  this  day;  with  a  further  allowance 
of  eight  days'  expenses  to  join  his  Regiment. 

Resolved,  That  two  Members  be  elected  for  the  Board 
of  Treasury,  in  the  room  of  two  who  are  absent. 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  P.  Livingston  and  Mr.  Read. 

A  Letter  from  an  Officer  of  Colonel  Hazen's  Battalion 
was  laid  before  Congress,  and  read: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Committee  appointed 
to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada. 

A  Petition  and  Memorial  of  Captain  James  Ross  was 
received  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Claims. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Patrick  Henry, 
Esq.,  Governour  of  Virginia,  to  give  orders  for  manning  and 
sending  to  sea,  under  convoy,  the  Brigantine  Fanny,  Captain 
Tokely,  which  is  loaded  on  account  of  the  Continent. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee,  to  consist  of  a  Member  from 
Virginia,  Maryland,  Delaware,  Pennsylvania,  and  New- 
Jersey,  be  appointed  to  consider  the  propriety  and  means 
of  augmenting  the  Flying-Camp: 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Stone,  Mr. 
Read,  Mr.  Morton,  and  Mr.  Stockton. 

Resolved,  That  the  Battalion  which  is  to  garrison  the 
Posts  of  Presgue  Isle,  Le  Beuf,  and  Kittaning,  be  raised  in 
the  Counties  of  Westmoreland  and  Bedford,  in  Pennsylvania, 
in  the  following  proportions,  to  wit:  seven  Companies  in 
Westmoreland,  and  one  Company  in  Bedford: 

That  the  Commissioned  Officers  of  the  several  Companies 
be  appointed  by  the  Committee  of  the  County  in  which 
they  are  to  be  raised. 

Resolved,  That  to-morrow  be  assigned  for  electing  the 
Field  Officers  of  the  German  Battalion. 

Resolved,  That  a  Chief  Physician  be  appointed  for  the 
Flying-Camp,  and  that  his  pay  be  four  Dollars  a  day. 

The  ballots  being  taken  and  examined,  Doctor  William 
Shippen,  Jun.,  was  elected. 

Resolved,  That  to-morrow  be  assigned  for  electing  a  Com- 
missary of  Military  Stores,  and  a  Deputy  Adjutant-General 
for  the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  That  Thursday  morning  be  assigned  for  taking 
into  consideration  the  Report  of  the  Committee  of  Ways  and 
Means. 

Resolved,  That  Alexander  McDonnald,  son  of  Captain 
McDonnald,  be  liberated  on  his  parole,  and  allowed  to  re- 
side with  his  father. 

A  Petition  from  John  Hannwn  was  presented  to  Congress 
and  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  same,  together  with  the  papers  ac- 
companying it,  be  referred  to  the  Secret  Committee. 
Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  to-morrow. 


1579 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  17,  1776. 


1580 


Tuesday,  July  16,  1776. 

Sundry  Letters  wore  lair!  before  Congress  and  read,  viz : 

One  from  General  Washington,  of  the  14th; 

One  from  Brigadier-General  Sullivan,  of  the  2d,  from 
Crown-Point ; 

One  from  the  Committee  of  Lancaster,  of  the  13th  ; 

One  from  Samuel  Blackden,  of  the  16th  ; 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  General  Washington  be 
referred  to  the  Board  of  War: 

That  Samuel  Blackden  be  referred  to  the  Deputy  Pay- 
master and  Deputy  Commissary-General  in  the  Northern 
Department. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  desired  to  lodge 
Powder  with  such  persons  as  lie  may  think  proper,  for  the 
use  of  such  parts  of  the  State  of  New-  York  as  he  may 
apprehend  exposed  to  danger,  and  that  the  Commanding, 
Officer  in  New-Jersey  do  the  same  in  that  Colony ;  and  that 
General  Washington  and  the  said  Commanding  Oflicer  in 
New-Jersey  be  empowered  to  draw  from  the  Mills  of  Messrs. 
ft  isner,  Livingston,  and  Ford,  any  Powder  which  may  be 
•requisite  for  these  purposes,  or  for  the  use  of  their  respective 
Camps. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  there  be  appointed,  by  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  each  Regiment  in  the  Continental 
Army,  a  Sergeant-Major,  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  Drum- 
Major  and  Fife-Major,  who  shall  respectively  hold  no  other 
appointment  but  those  before-mentioned,  and  that  their  pay 
be  one  Dollar  a  month  each  more  than  that  allowed  to  a 
Sergeant,  Drum,  or  Fife,  in  said  Regiment : 

That  a  Beating  Warrant  be  made  out  to  John  Doyle,  to 
be  a  Captain  of  a  Company  of  Riflemen,  to  be  raised  for 
three  years,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  Congress;  his  com- 
mission to  be  given  him  as  soon  as  his  Company  is  full: 

That  a  Paymaster  be  appointed  to  each  Regiment  in  the 
Army  of  the  United  States,  with  a  salary  of  26  Dollars  and 
two-thirds  a  month : 

That  the  application  to  Congress  from  Mr.  Rowland 
Chambers,  desiring  to  be  appointed  Paymaster  to  the  New- 
Jersey  Troops  at  New-York,  cannot  be  complied  with,  as 
such  an  appointment  would  interfere  with  the  duty  of  the 
Paymaster-General,  within  whose  department  it  properly  lies: 

That  half  a  Dollar  a  week  be  allowed  to  each  of  the 
Connecticut  Light-Horse,  who  have  joined  the  Army  at  New- 
York,  for  the  maintenance  of  his  Horse,  for  so  long  time, 
only,  as  the  General  shall  think  it  necessary  for  such  Horse 
to  continue  in  the  service : 

That  General  Schuyler  be  directed  to  take  every  possible 
precaution  to  cleanse  the  Army  under  his  command  from  the 
infection  of  the  small-pox  : 

That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Convention  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, now  sitting,  to  take  such  measures  as  they  may  judge 
proper  and  necessary  for  procuring  as  much  Lead,  within 
that  State,  as  can  be  obtained  for  the  supply  of  the  Flying- 
Camp: 

That  three  Commissioners  be  appointed  by  Congress  to 
repair,  as  soon  as  may  be,  to  New-York,  there  to  audit  the 
Accounts  of  the  Commissary-General,  Quartermaster-Gene- 
ral, and  Director-General  of  the  Hospital,  and  all  other 
Accounts  of  the  Army;  the  said  Commissioners  to  take  an 
oath  for  the  faithful  execution  of  their  trust : 

That  three  Commissioners  be  appointed,  for  the  like  pur- 
poses, in  the  Northern  Army  : 

That  General  Washington  be  informed  that  the  Bounty 
granted  by  the  Resolution  of  Congress,  of  the  26lh  of  June, 
was  intended  as  a  general  regulation,  and  to  extend  to  all 
such  men,  now  in  the  Continental  service,  and  all  others 
who  will  inlist  for  the  term  of  three  years,  to  be  computed 
from  and  after  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  their  present 
inlistment. 

Resolved,  That   Monsieur  Kirmovan   be  appointed  an 
igineer  in  the  Continental  service,  with  the  pay  of  sixty- 
Dollars  per  month,  and  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel : 

That  he  be  ordered  immediately  to  repair  to  New-  Jersey 
and  put  himself  under  the  command  of  the  Officer  command- 
ing the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  That  Richard  Humpton  be  employed  in  the 
Continental  service,  with  the  rank  and  pay  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  : 


That  Samuel  Daivson  be  employed  in  the  Continental 
service,  with  the  rank  and  pay  of  Captain: 

That  they  be  ordered  to  repair  immediately  to  New- 
Jersey,  and  put  themselves  under  the  command  of  the  Officer 
commanding  the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  desired  to  call  to 
his  assistance,  at  New-  York,  two  thousand  of  the  men  who 
have  marched  into  New-Jersey  to  form  the  Flying-Camp  ; 
and  that  the  Convention  of  New- Jersey  be  requested  imme- 
diately to  supply  their  places  with  an  equal  number  of  the 
Militia  of  that  State :  that  Letters  be  written  to  the  States 
of  Massachusetts-Bay,  Connecticut,  and  New- Jersey,  setting 
forth  the  situation  of  our  affairs  in  the  New-York  Depart- 
ment, and  pressing  them  immediately  to  comply  with  the 
requisition  of  Congress  of  the  3d  of  June: 

That  the  situation  of  our  Army  at  NcwYork  be  pointed 
out  to  the  State  of  Connecticut ;  and  that  it  be  earnestly 
recommended  to  that  State  immediately  to  send  all  the 
Militia  thereof  which  can  be  spared  into  Neio-  York,  to 
reinforce  the  Army  there,  and  continue  in  service  until  the 
proportions  requested  of  the  several  States  shall  arrive. 

The  Congress  proceeded  10  the  election  of  a  Commissary 
of  Military  Stores  for  the  Flying-Camp;  and,  the  ballots 
being  taken,  Benjamin  Flower,  Esq.,  was  elected. 

A  Letter  from  £  Chase,  Esq.,  of  the  8th,  was  laid  before 
Congress  and  read : 

Resolved,  That  the  same,  together  with  the  Petition  of 
Mr.  Mentges,  read  the  12th,  be  referred  to  the  Delegates  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Maryland. 

A  Petition  from  Captain  Benedict  was  presented  to  Con- 
gress and  read ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  said  Petition  be 
sent  to  General  Schuyler,  and  that  he  be  desired  to  order 
the  Accounts  of  Captain  Benedict  to  be  settled  and  paid,  or 
to  inform  Congress  of  the  reasons  why  payment  ought  to  be 
withheld. 

Resolved',  That  Mr.  Wisncr  be  empowered  to  employ  a 
proper  person  to  manufacture  Gun-Flints. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  July  17,  177C. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  imme- 
diately to  deliver  to  Mr.  J.  Mease  half  a  ton  of  Saltpetre,  to 
be  by  him  forwarded  to  Colonel  Moylan,  Quartermaster- 
General. 

Sundry  Letters  were  laid  before  Congress,  and  read,  viz: 
One  from  the  Convention  of  New-York,  dated  the  12th, 

with  sundry  papers  enclosed:  which  were  referred  to  the 

Board  of  War ; 

One  from  Brigadier-General  Wooster; 
One,  of  the  llth,  from  Richard  Ellis;  and 
One,  of  the  15th,  from  Carpenter  Wharton. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  15,000  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Carpenter  Wharton;  he  to 
be  accountable. 

The  Board  of  War,  to  whom  the  Letter  of  General 
Washington,  of  the  14th,  was  referred,  brought  in  their 
Report,  which  was  taken  into  consideration  ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  General  Washington,  in  re- 
fusing to  receive  a  Letier  said  to  be  sent  from  Lord  Howe, 
addressed  to  "  George  Washington,  Esq.,"  acted  with  a 
dignity  becoming  his  station ;  and  therefore  this  Congress 
do  highly  approve  the  same,  and  do  direct  that  no  letter  or 
message  be  received,  on  any  occasion  whatsoever,  from  the 
enemy,  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  or  others  the  command- 
ers of  the  American  Army,  but  such  as  shall  be  directed  to 
them  in  the  characters  they  respectively  sustain. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  be  published. 

The  President  informed  Congress  that  he  had  been  under 
the  disagreeable  necessity  of  committing  Captain  Gamble  to 
prison,  on  account  of  his  ill  behaviour; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  di- 
rected to  inquire  into  the  conduct  of  Captain  Gamble,  since 
he  was  made  prisoner  of  war,  and  report  specially  to  Con- 
gress. 

The  Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  on  the  Memorial  of  the  Director-General  of  the 
American  Hospital ; 


1581 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  17,  1776. 


1582 


Whereupon,  Resolved.  That  the  number  of  Hospital  Sur- 
geons and  Mates  be  increased  in  proportion  to  the  augment- 
ation of  the  Army,  not  exceeding  one  Surgeon  and  five 
Mates  to  every  five  thousand  men,  to  be  reduced  when  the 
Army  is  reduced,  or  when  there  is  no  further  occasion  for 
so  great  a  number: 

That  as  many  persons  be  employed  in  the  several  Hospi- 
tals, in  quality  of  Storekeepers,  Stewards,  Managers,  and 
Nurses,  as  are  necessary  for  the  good  of  the  service,  for  the 
time  being,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Directors  of  the  respect- 
ive Hospitals: 

That  the  several  Regimental  chests  of  Medicines  and  Chi- 
rurgical  Instruments  which  now  are  or  hereafter  shall  be  in 
the  possession  of  the  Regimental  Surgeons,  be  subject  to  the 
inspection  and  inquiry  of  the  respective  Directors  of  Hospi- 
tals and  the  Director-General ;  and  that  the  said  Regimental 
Surgeons  shall,  from  time  to  time,  when  thereto  required, 
render  account  of  the  said  Medicines  and  Instruments  to  the 
said  Directors,  or  if  there  be  no  Director  in  any  particular 
department,  to  the  Director-General ;  the  said  accounts  to 
be  transmitted  to  the  Director-General,  and  by  him  to  this 
Congress;  and  the  Medicines  and  Instruments  not  used  by 
any  Regimental  Surgeon  to  be  returned  when  the  Regiment 
is  reduced  to  the  respective  Directors,  and  an  account  thereof 
by  them  rendered  to  the  Director-General,  and  by  him  to 
this  Congress: 

That  the  several  Directors  of  Hospitals  in  the  several 
departments,  and  the  Regimental  Surgeons,  where  there  is 
no  Director,  shall  transmit  to  the  Director-General  regular 
returns  of  the  number  of  Surgeons'  Mates  and  other  Officers 
employed  under  them,  their  names  and  pay;  also,  an  ac- 
count of  the  expenses  and  furniture  of  the  Hospital  under 
their  direction  ;  and  that  the  Director-General  make  report 
of  the  same,  from  time  to  time,  to  the  Commander-in-Chief 
and  this  Congress: 

That  the  several  Regimental  and  Hospital  Surgeons,  in 
the  several  departments,  make  weekly  returns  of  the  sick  to 
the  respective  Directors  in  their  departments: 

That  no  Regimental  Surgeon  be  allowed  to  draw  upon 
the  Hospital  of  his  department  for  any  stores  except  Medi- 
cines and  Instruments ;  and  that  when  any  sick  person  shall 
require  other  stores,  they  shall  be  received  into  the  said 
Hospital,  and  the  rations  of  the  said  sick  persons  be  stopped, 
so  long  as  they  are  in  the  said  Hospital ;  and  that  the  Di- 
rectors of  the  several  Hospitals  report  to  the  Commissary 
the  names  of  the  sick,  when  received  into,  and  when  dis- 
charged from  the  Hospital,  and  make  a  like  return  to  the 
Board  of  Treasury: 

That  all  extra  expenses  for  Bandages,  old  Linen,  and 
other  articles  necessary  for  the  service,  incurred  by  any 
Regimental  Surgeon,  be  paid  by  the  Director  of  that  depart- 
ment, with  the  approbation  of  the  commander  thereof: 

That  no  more  Medicines  belonging  to  the  Continent  be 
disposed  of  till  further  order  of  Congress: 

That  the  pay  of  the  Hospital  Surgeons  be  increased  to 
one  dollar  and  two-thirds  of  a  dollar  by  the  day;  the  pay 
of  the  Hospital  Mates  to  one  dollar  by  the  day;  and  the 
pay  of  the  Hospital  Apothecary  to  one  dollar  and  two-thirds 
of  a  dollar  by  the  day  ;  and  that  the  Hospital  Surgeons  and 
Mates  lake  rank  of  Regimental  Surgeons  and  Mates: 

That  the  Director-General  and  the  several  Directors  of 
Hospitals  be  empowered  to  purchase,  with  the  approbation 
of  the  Commander  of  the  respective  departments,  Medicines 
and  Instruments,  for  the  use  of  their  respective  Hospitals, 
and  draw  upon  the  Paymaster  for  the  same,  and  make  report 
of  such  purchases  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  second  paragraph  in  the  third  page 
of  the  Report  be  recommitted. 

Resolved,  That  Nicholas  Ilauseigger  be  Colonel,  George 
Strieker  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Ludowick  Weltner  Major,  of 
the  German  Battalion. 

Resolved,  That  another  Company  be  added  to  the  Ger- 
man Battalion  : 
ThatDfliu'd  fVelperbe  appointed  Captain  of  said  Company. 

Resolved,  That  Samuel.  Brady  be  First  Lieutenant,  Wil- 
liam McMurray  Second  Lieutenant,  Henry  Fortney  Third 
Lieutenant,  of  Captain  Doyle 's  Independent  Rifle  Company. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Deputy  Pay- 
master-General for  the  Flying-Camp;  and  the  ballots  being 
taken, 


Richard  Dallam,  Esq.,  was  elected. 

R-esolued,  That  Colonel  Smattwood,  from  Maryland,  be 
ordered  to  repair,  as  soon  as  possible,  with  the  Troops  uniler 
his  command,  to  New-York,  and  put  himself  under  the 
command  of  the  General : 

That  the  General  be  informed  that  these  Troops  are  to  be 
considered  as  part  of  the  two  thousand  which  he  was  em- 
powered to  call  to  his  assistance  from  the  Flying-Camp,  by 
the  Resolution  passed  yesterday. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the  Con- 
vention of  New-Jersey  to  cause  all  the  Stock  on  the  sea- 
coast,  which  they  shall  apprehend  to  be  in  danger  of  falling 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  to  be  immediately  removed, 
and  driven  back  into  the  country  to  a  place  of  security. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
revise  the  Journals,  and  direct  what  parts  ought  to  be  pub- 
lished : 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Lynch,  Jun., 
and  Mr.  Hopkinson. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  on  the  llth  of 
this  month,  to  make  strict  inquiry,  &.C.,  be  directed  to  apply 
to  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania,  now  sitting,  and  request 
them  to  appoint  a  Select  Committee  of  their  body  to  confer 
with  them  on  a  matter  of  importance  relating  to  that  State. 

A  Petition  from  Jean  Baptista  de  Vidal,  of  Canada,  was 
presented  to  Congress,  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of  five,  and 
that  they  be  directed  to  inquire  into  the  character  of  the 
Petitioner,  and  all  others  in  similar  circumstances,  applying 
for  relief,  and  report  thereon  to  Congress : 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Rush,  Mr.  Paca,  Mr.  Hey- 
ward,  Mr.  Chase,  and  Mr.  Walton. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  J.  Adams,  Mr.  Harrison,  and  Mr. 
Morris,  be  a  Committee  to  bring  in  a  Resolution  for  subject- 
ing to  confiscation  the  property  of  the  subjects  of  the  Crown 
of  Great  Britain,  and  particularly  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
British  Wtsi- Indies,  taken  on  the  high  seas,  or  between  high 
and  low  water  mark. 

The  Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  on  the  Rules  and  Orders  for  the  government  of 
the  House; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  following  Rules  be  ob- 
served : 

1.  So  soon  as  nine  States  are  present,  the  Congress  pro- 
ceed to  business. 

2.  No  Member  shall  depart  from  the  service  of  the  House, 
without  permission  of  the  Congress,  or  order  from  his  con- 
stituents. 

3.  No  Member  shall  read  any  printed  paper  in  the  House, 
during  the  sitting  thereof,  without  leave  of  the  Congress. 

4.  When  the  House  is  sitting,  no  Member  shall  speak  to 
another,  so  as  to  interrupt  any  Member  who  may  be  speaking 
in  the  debate. 

5.  Every  Member,  when  he  speaks,  shall  rise  from  his 
seat,  and  address  himself  to  the  Chair,  and  when  he  has 
finished,  shall  sit  down  again. 

6.  No  Member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  in  any  one 
debate,  without  leave  of  the  House. 

7.  When  two  Members  rise  together,  the  President  shall 
name  the  person  to  speak. 

8.  No  motion  shall  be  debated,  until  the  same  be  sec- 
onded. 

9.  When  a  motion  shall  be  made,  and  seconded,  it  shall 
be  reduced  to  writing,  if  desired  by  the  President  or  any 
Member,  delivered  in  at  the  table,  and  read  by  the  President, 
before  the  same  shall  be  allowed  to  be  debated. 

10.  When  a  motion  is  made  and  seconded,  the  matter  of 
the  motion  shall  receive  a  determination  by  the  question,  or  be 
laid  aside,  by  general  consent,  or  postponed  by  the  previous 
question,  before  any  other  motion  be  received. 

11.  If  a  question  in  a  debate  contain  more  parts  than 
one,  any  Member  may  have  the  same  divided  into  as  many 
questions  as  parts. 

12.  No  person  shall  be  appointed  to  any  office  of  profit, 
unless  he  shall  have  the  consent  of  seven  States,  nor  shall 
any  ballots  be  counted,  unless  the  person  for  whom  the  bal- 
lots shall  be  given  be  first  named  to  the  House  before  the 
balloting  be  gone  into. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 


1583 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  19,  1776. 


1584 


Thursday,  July  18,  1776. 

The  Delegates  from  Maryland  laid  before  Congress  the 
Credentials  of  a  new  appointment  made  by  their  Convention, 
which  were  read,  as  follows: 

"  In  Convention,  Annapolis,  July  4,  1776. 

"Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  Matthew  Tilghman,  Esq.,  and 
Thomas  Johnson,  Jun.,  William  Paca,  Samuel  Chase,  Tho- 
mas Stone,  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  and  Robert  Alex- 
ander, Esqs.,  or  a  majority  of  them,  or  of  any  three  or  more 
of  them,  be  Deputies  to  represent  this  Colony  in  Congress, 
in  as  full  and  ample  manner  as  the  Deputies  of  this  Colony 
might  have  done  under  any  appointment  heretofore  made, 
until  the  next  Convention  shall  make  further  order  therein. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes:          G.  DUVALL,  Clerk." 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington,  of  the  15th,  was  laid 
before  Congress,  and  read;  also,  sundry  intercepted  Letters 
from  Lord  Howe  to  Governours  Franklin,  Penn,  Eden, 
Diuimore,  Martin,  and  Wright,  together  with  sundry  Letters 
to  several  private  persons. 

The  several  Letters  being  opened  by  order  of  Congress: 

Resolved,  That  the  Letters  from  Lord  Howe,  with  the 
Proclamations  enclosed,  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of  three, 
and  that  they  be  directed  to  examine  the  private  Letters,  and 
deliver  to  the  persons  to  whom  directed,  such  of  said  Letters 
as  contain  nothing  but  private  matters. 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Payne,  and  Mr. 
Carroll. 

A  Letter  of  the  17th,  from  General  Washington,  enclosing 
sundry  Despatches  from  General  Schuykr;  also,  a  Letter  of 
the  16th,  from  Brigadier-General  Mercer:  were  received  and 
read: 

Resolved,  That  these  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

A  Letter  of  the  14th,  from  the  Committee  of  Inspection 
for  the  County  of  Cumberland,  was  read: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  2,600  Dollars  be 
sent  to  the  Committee  of  Inspection  and  Observation  for  the 
County  of  Cumberland,  for  the  use  of  the  Troops  raising  in 
that  County  for  the  Flying-Camp;  the  said  Committee  to 
be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  a  Member  be  added  to  the  Board  of  War. 

The  Member  chosen,  Mr.  Carroll. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  plan  of  Treaties 
to  be  entered  into  with  Foreign  States  or  Kingdoms,  brought 
in  their  Report,  which  was  read: 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  That  the  draft  of  Ephraim  Blaine,  for  two 
thousand  Dollars,  on  account  of  Blankets,  purchased  by 
order  of  Congress  for  the  Continental  Troops  in  Virginia,  be 
paid,  and  charged  to  the  account  of  said  Ephraim  Blaine. 

Resolved,  That  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania  be  in- 
formed that  the  Congress  have  agreed  to  the  raising  a  Bat- 
talion in  the  Counties  of  Westmoreland  and  Bedford,  for 
the  defence  of  the  Western  Frontiers,  and  that  they  be 
requested  immediately  to  recommend  proper  persons  to  Con- 
gress for  Field  Officers  for  said  Battalion. 

Resolved,  That  two  Members  be  added  to  the  Committee 
appointed  to  contract  for  the  making  Cannon: 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Chase  and  Mr.  Heyward. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Friday,  July  19,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  two  months'  Pay  be  advanced  to  Colonel 
Kirmovan;  he  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  400  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  David  S.Franks,  in  full  of  Briga- 
dier-General D.  Wooster's  draft,  in  his  favour,  on  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  dated  at  Chambly,  the  30th  o(May,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Subaltern  Officers  of  the  German 
Battalion  do  not  rank  from  the  dates  of  their  Commissions, 
but  that  their  ranks  be  established  hereafter  by  Congress. 

The  Committee  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  having  recom- 
mended Frederick  Rowlwagen,  Peter  Boyer,  William  Rice, 
and  Jacob  Bower,  for  First  Lieutenants;  George  Shaffer, 
George  Hawbecker,  John  Landcnberger,  and  Frederick  Yei- 
ser,  for  Second  Lieutenants;  John  Wddman,  Christian  Helm, 
Christian  Godfried  Swartz,  and  Jacob  Cramer,  for  Ensigns, 
of  the  four  German  Companies  raising  in  Pennsylvania;0 

Resolved,  That  they  be  accepted,  and  that  Commissions 
be  granted  to  them  accordingly. 


Resolved,  That  the  Declaration,  passed  on  the  4th,  be 
fairly  engrossed  on  parchment,  with  the  title  and  style  of 
"  The  Unanimous  Declaration  of  the  Thirteen  Unitei  States 
of  America,"  and  that  the  same,  when  engrossed,  be  signed 
by  every  Member  of  Congress. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  General  Schuyler  be  desired 
to  inquire  into  the  complaints  of  the  Soldiers  under  his  com- 
mand, and  give  strict  orders  that  no  higher  price  be  charged 
for  the  goods  furnished  to  the  Soldiers,  than  the  first  cost  of 
them,  and  five  per  cent,  for  charges : 

That  the  Resolution  of  Congress  prohibiting  any  officer 
from  holding  more  offices  than  one  be  sent  to  General 
Schuyler: 

That  a  Letter  be  written  to  General  Schuyler  requesting 
him  to  recommend,  in  the  strongest  terms,  harmony  between 
the  Officers  and  Troops  of  the  different  States;  to  discounte- 
nance and  suppress  all  Provincial  reflections  and  ungenerous 
jealousies' of  every  kind,  and  to  promote,  by  every  possible 
means,  discipline,  order,  and  zeal,  in  the  publick  service. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  the 
Convention  of  Pennsylvania  to  hasten,  with  all  possible 
expedition,  the  march  of  the  Associators  into  New-Jersey, 
agreeable  to  a  former  request  of  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  Delegates  of  Maryland  be  directed 
to  inform  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  Maryland  Troops 
that  Congress  expect  he  will  immediately  march  with  his 
Troops  to  New- York. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  Resolution  for 
subjecting  to  confiscation  the  Property  of  the  Subjects  of 
Great  Britain,  Sic.,  brought  in  the  same,  which  was  read : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table,  and  that  the  same  be  taken 
into  consideration  on  Monday  next. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Deputy 
Adjutant-General  for  the  Flying-Carnp;  and  the  ballots 
being  taken,  Samuel  Griffin,  Esq.,  was  elected. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Griffin,  as  Deputy  Adjutant-General, 
have  the  rank  of  Colonel. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  empowered  to 
contract  with  Mr.  Mirth  for  the  importation  of  goods  to  the 
amount  of  £30,000  sterling,  at  his  risk,  and  £  15,000  sterling 
at  the  risk  of  the  United  States  of  America,  for  the  publick 
service: 

That  the  Marine  Committee  be  empowered  to  purchase 
a  swift  sailing  Vessel,  to  be  employed  by  the  Secret  Com- 
mittee in  importing  said  goods. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of 
the  miscarriages  in  Canada,  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was 
read : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  have  leave  to  sit  again. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Letters  from  Lord  Howe 
to  Mr.  Franklin,  Sic.,  were  referred,  brought  in  a  Report, 
which  was  taken  into  consideration  : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  Circular  Let- 
ters, and  the  Declarations  enclosed  from  Lord  Howe  to  Mr. 
William  Franklin,  Mr.  Penn,  Mr.  Eden,  Lord  Dunmore, 
Mr.  Martin,  and  Sir  James  Wright,  late  Governours,  which 
were  sent  to  Amboy  by  a  flag,  and  forwarded  to  Congress 
by  General  Washington,  be  published  in  the  several  Gazettes, 
that  the  good  people  of  these  United  States  may  be  informed 
of  what  nature  are  the  Commissioners,  and  what  the  terms, 
with  the  expectation  of  which  the  insidious  Court  of  Britain 
has  endeavoured  to  amuse  and  disarm  them,  and  that  the 
few  who  still  remain  suspended  by  a  hope  founded  either  in 
the  justice  or  moderation  of  their  late  King,  may  now,  at 
length,  be  convinced,  that  the  valor  alone  of  their  country 
is  to  save  its  liberties. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  Commissioners 
for  settling  the  Accounts  at  New-York;  and,  the  ballots 
being  taken,  Mr.  William  Denning,  Mr.  Thomas  Smith,  and 
Mr.  James  Stevenson,  were  elected. 

A  Letter  of  the  2d,  from  General  Lee,  at  Charleston,  enclo- 
sing sundry  papers,  was  laid  before  Congress  and  read  : 

Ordered,  That  an  extract  of  General  Lee's  Letter  be 
published. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to  contract  for 


1585 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  20,  1776. 


1586 


tlio  making  Cannon,  be  empowered  to  contract  with  Messrs. 
Hughes  for  one  thousand  tons  of  Cannon,  on  the  terms  by 
them  proposed. 

Resolved,  That  the  Paper-makers  in  Pennsylvania  be 
excused  from  proceeding  with  the  Associators  to  New- 
Jersey. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  July  20, 1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  General  Lee,  with  the 
papers  enclosed,  which  were  received  and  read  yesterday, 
be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  United  States  of  America 
be  given  to  Major-General  Lee,  Colonel  William  Moultrie, 
Colonel  William  Thompson,  and  the  Officers  and  Soldiers 
under  their  command,  who,  on  the  28th  of  June  last,  repulsed, 
will)  so  much  valor,  the  attack  which  was  that  day  made  on 
the  State  of  South- Carolina  by  the  Fleet  and  Army  of  his 
Britannick  Majesty : 

That  Mr.  President  transmit  the  foregoing  Resolution 
to  General  Lee,  Colonel  Moultrie,  and  Colonel  William 
Thompson. 

A  Petition  and  Memorial  of  Monsieur  Pclissier  was  pre- 
sented to  Congress  and  read  : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  settle  a  Cartel  for  the 
exchange  of  Prisoners,  brought  in  their  Report,  which  was 
read: 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table,  and  that  the  same  be  taken 
into  consideration  on  Monday  next. 

The  Convention  of  Pennsylvania  having  directed  the 
common  Prisoners  to  be  removed  from  the  new  Jail  to  the 
old,  and  the  said  new  Jail  to  be  given  up  to  the  Congress 
for  the  use  of  the  State  Prisoners, 

Resolved,  That  Robert  Jewel  be  appointed  Keeper  of  the 
said  new  Jail,  and  that  he  take  the  custody  of  ihe  Prisoners 
committed  to  his  charge. 

Resolved,  That  the  plan  of  Treaties  be  printed  for  the  use 
of  the  Members,  under  the  restrictions  and  regulations  pre- 
scribed for  printing  the  plan  of  Confederation;  and  that  in 
the  printed  copy,  the  names  of  persons,  places,  and  States, 
be  omitted. 

Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  Lewis  be  directed  to 
forward  to  South-  Carolina  the  whole  five  tons  of  Powder 
sent  to  him  for  the  use  of  Virginia  and  South- Carolina. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  3;000  Dollars,  part  of  the 
10,000  Dollars  voted  for  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs 
in  the  Middle  Department,  be  advanced  to  Mr.  J.  Wilson, 
to  be  by  him  forwarded  to  the  Commissioners  appointed  to 
attend  the  treaty  at  Pittsburgh. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  210  Dollars  be  advanced  to 
the  Captain  of  the  Guard  who  is  to  escort  the  Prisoners  from 
New-Jersey  to  the  place  of  their  destination,  in  order  to 
defray  expenses ;  he  to  be  accountable. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration  : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  a  Brevet  commission  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel be  granted  to  Monsieur  Jaque  Antoine  de 
Franchessin,  a  Knight  of  the  order  of  St.  Louis,  an  ex- 
perienced officer  in  the  French  service,  and  who  is  well 
recommended  in  letters  from  abroad ;  and  that  he  be  ordered 
to  join  the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  That  Doctor  Senter  be  recommended  to  Doctor 
Morgan,  who  is  desired  to  examine  him,  and  if,  upon  ex- 
amination, he  be  found  qualified,  to  employ  him  in  the  Hos- 
pital as  a  Surgeon. 

A  Letter  of  the  19th  from  General  Washington,  enclosing 
sundry  papers;  and 

A  Letter  of  the  13th  from  Governour  Trumbull,  with  a 
list  of  the  Cannon  at  New-London,  were  laid  before  Con- 
gress and  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Deputy  Quartermaster-General  for 
the  Flying-Camp  be  directed  to  deliver  to  Colonel  Small- 
wood,  for  the  use  of  the  Maryland  Troops,  such  necessaries 
in  his  possession,  belonging  to  the  Continent,  as  the  said 
Troops  may  want. 

The  Delegates  of  Pennsylvania  produced  Credentials  of 
a  new  appointment,  which  were  read,  as  follows : 


"  In  Convention  for  tlie  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
Saturday,  July  20,  177G. 

"The  House  met  according  to  adjournment;  when,  ac- 
cording to  the  order  of  the  day.  they  immediately  proceeded 
to  the  election  of  Delegates  to  serve  in  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, and  chose  for  that  service  Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin, 
Colonel  George  Ross,  George  Clymer,  Esq.,  Robert  Morris, 
Esq.,  Colonel  James  Wilson,  John  Morton,  Esq.,  Doctor 
Benjamin  Rush,  Colonel  James  Smith,  and  George  Taylor, 
Esq. 

"  True  extract  from  the  Minutes  : 

"  JOHN  MORRIS,  Secretary." 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Haslet  be  ordered  to  march  im- 
mediately with  his  Battalion  to  Philadelphia,  and  there  wait 
the  further  orders  of  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  200,000  Dollars  be  sent  to 
the  Deputy  Paymaster-General  for  Virginia;  he  to  be 
accountable. 

The  Convention  of  Pennsylvania  having  recommended 
gentlemen  for  Field-Officers  of  the  Battalion  ordered  to  be 
raised  for  the  defence  of  the  Western  Frontiers,  Congress 
proceeded  to  the  election;  when, 

Eneas M'  Coy  was  elected  Colonel ;  George  Wilson,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel; Richard  Butler,  Major. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  r2.500  Dollars  be  advanced 
to  Colonel  M'Coy,  for  the  Bounty  and  expense  of  raising 
said  Battalion;  he  to  be  accountable. 

John  Boyd  was  elected  Paymaster  to  said  Battalion. 

The  Committee  of  Chums  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Captain  Dundee,  for  his  Subsistence,  to  the  19th  in- 
stant, and  for  carriage  of  Baggage,  86  Dollars: 

To  Dr.  Beaumont,  to  the  same  date,  85  22-90  Dollars: 

To  Ensign  McLeod,  to  the  20th  instant,  110  6-90  Dol- 
lars: 

To  Finley  Miller,  Surgeon's  Mate  of  the  Twenty-Sixth 
Regiment,  to  the  19th  of  July,  instant,  79  Dollars: 

"To  Arthur  Wadman,  Lieutenant  of  thuETwenty-Sixth  Re- 
giment, to  the  22d  of  July,  instant,  162  60-90  Dollars: 

To  James  Gill,  Surgeon  of  Artillery,  to  the  19th  of  July, 
instant,  74  Dollars: 

To  Jacob  Shalets,  Lieutenant  of  Artillery,  to  the  19th  of 
July,  instant,  74  Dollars: 

To  Lieutenant  Ibbetson  Hamar,  to  the  19th  of  July,  in- 
stant, 40  Dollars: 

To  Captain  Hesket,  for  carriage,  75  30-90  Dollars;  and 
that  the  same  ought  to  be  paid,  agreeable  to  their  request, 
to  Peter  Dundee,  Captain  of  the  Royal  Fusileers: 

That  there  is  due  to  Michael  Brecht,  for  Provisions  and 
attendance  of  sick  Soldiers  at  Reading,  the  sum  of  17  42-90 
Dollars: 

To  Bryan  Lefferty,  a  hostage  sent  by  General  Schuyler, 
from  Tryon  County,  for  his  subsistence  and  expenses  from 
thence  to  Philadelphia,  41  30-90  Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Franklin  may,  if  he  thinks  proper, 
return  an  answer  to  the  Letter  he  received  from  Lord  Howe. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  devise  ways  and  means  for 
increasing  the  Flying-Camp,  brought  in  their  Report,  which 
was  taken  into  consideration: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  Lewis  be 
directed  to  order  two  Battalions  of  the  Continental  Troops, 
in  Virginia,  to  march,  with  all  possible  despatch,  to  the 
Flying-Camp,  in  New- Jersey,  under  the  command  of  Briga- 
dier-General Mercer;  and  that  if  the  Governour  and  Privy- 
Council  of  Virginia  shall  have  reason  to  apprehend  an 
invasion  of  that  State,  ami  shall  call  to  its  defence  an  equal 
number  of  Minute-Men  or  Militia,  the  same,  while  in  service, 
shall  be  on  the  pay  and  support  of  the  Continent: 

That  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania  be  requested  to 
augment  their  quota  for  the  Flying-Camp,  with  four  Batta- 
lions of  Militia;  and  the  Convention  of  New- Jersey  to  raise, 
for  the  said  Flying-Camp,  three  Battalions  of  Militia,  in 
addition  to  those  formerly  desired  by  Congress,  and  to  send 
the  same,  with  all  possible  despatch,  to  the  said  Flying- 
Camp.  And  that  these  several  Battalions  be  officered,  paid, 
and  provided,  as  directed  by  the  former  Resolutions  for 
forming  the  Flying-Camp. 

Resolved,  That  in  case  Mr.  Heyman  Levy  order  any 
Money  to  be  paid  in  Albany  to  the  Deputy  Paymaster- 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


100 


1587 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  23,  1776. 


1588 


General  for  the  Northern  Department,  the  same  shall,  upon 
advice  of  such  money  so  paid,  be  repaid  to  him  or  his  order 
in  Philadelphia. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  on  Monday. 

Monday,  July  22,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  20th,  from  the  Convention  of  New- 
Jersey,  and  one  of  the  19th,  from  Ephraim  Anderson,  and 
a  Petition  from  Levy  Allen,  were  laid  before  Congress,  and 
read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  General  Washington, 
revived  and  read  on  Saturday  last,  be  referred  to  the  Board 
of  War. 

The  Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  respecting  an  exchange  of  Prisoners; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Commander-in-Chief  in 
each  department  be  empowered  to  negotiate  an  exchange 
of  Prisoners,  in  the  following  manner:  one  Continental  offi- 
cer for  one  of  the  enemy  of  equal  rank,  either  in  the  land 
or  sea  service;  soldier  for  soldier,  sailor  for  sailor,  and  one 
citizen  for  another  citizen: 

That  each  Stale  hath  a  right  to  make  any  exchange  they 
think  proper  for  Prisoners  taken  from  them,  or  by  them. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  Commanders-in-Chief  in  each 
department  be  directed  to  exchange  any  Officer  in  the 
British  service,  now  a  prisoner  in  any  of  these  States,  of 
or  under  the  rank  of  Colonel,  for  Colonel  Ethan  Allen. 

Resolved.  That  the  persons  taken  prisoners  with  Colonel 
Ethan  Allen,  be  put  upon  the  same  footing  as  those  in  the 
Continental  service,  and  exchanged  accordingly,  as  opportu- 
nity presents. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  on  Ways  and  Means;  and,  after  debate,  the 
same  was  disagreed  to. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  contract  with  Messrs. 
Hughes,  for  one  thousand  tons  of  Cannon,  for  the  use  of 
the  United  States,  reported  that  they  have  executed  the 
contract,  in  which  is  a  covenant  to  advance  the  said  Messrs. 
Hughes  8,000  Dollars. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  8,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Daniel  and  Samuel  Hughes, 
they  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Treasury  be  directed  to 
make  immediate  preparation  for  striking  a  further  sum  of  five 
millions  of  Dollars,  in  Bills  of  Credit. 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confede- 
ration. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Joy  have  liberty  to  employ  eight 
of  the  Prisoners  in  the  business  of  casting  Cannon. 

The  Board  of  Treasury  reported,  that  they  have  examined 
the  Account  of  the  Committee  of  Lancaster,  for  preserving 
the  peace  of  the  Borough,  keeping  the  Prisoners  in  order, 
and  for  the  protection  of  the  Magazines,  and  find,  that  there 
is  due,  for  the  pay  of  the  Guard,  as  follows: 

39  days  to  Captains,  at  26  2-3  Dollars  per  month,  34 
60-90ths  Dollars ; 

76  days  to  Lieutenants,  at  18  Dollars  per  month,  45  54- 
90ths  Dollars; 

27  days  to  Ensigns,  at  13  1-3  Dollars  per  month,  12 
Dollars ; 

143  days  to  Sergeants,  at  8  Dollars  per.  month,  38  12- 
90ths  Dollars ; 

421  days  to  Corporals,  Fifers,  and  Drums,  at  7  1-3  Dol- 
lars per  month,  102  60»90ths  Dollars; 

M70  days  to  Privates,  at  6  2-3  Dollars  per  month,  326 
60-90ths  Dollars;  the  whole  amounting  to  559  66-90ths 
Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  paid. 

The  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
hole,  to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion; and,  alter  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair, 
and  Mr.  Harrison  reported,  that  the  Committee  have  made 
some  progress  in  the  matter  to  them  referred;  but,  not 
having  come  to  a  conclusion,  desire  leave  to  sit  a^ain. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  again  re- 
solve itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  their 
further  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation 


The  Marine  Committee  having  recommended  the  follow- 
ing gentlemen  for  Officers  of  the  Rawleigh,  namely, 

Peter  Shores,  John  Wheelwright,  Josiah  Shackford,  Lieu- 
tenants; George  Jerry  Osborne,  Captain  of  Marines;  Ste- 
phen Meads,  First  Lieutenant;  Nathaniel  Thiving,  Second 
Lieutenant; 

Resolved,  That  they  be  accepted,  and  that  Commissions 
be  granted  them  accordingly. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Tuesday,  July  23,  1776. 

Sundry  Letters  were  received  and  read,  viz: 

Two  from  General  Washington,  of  the  21st  and  22d,  with 
three  papers  enclosed  in  the  latter: 

One  of  the  16th,  from  Governour  Cooke: 

Two  from  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  of  the  20th  and  22d, 
with  two  papers  enclosed  in  the  latter: 

Resolved,  That  the  Letters  from  General  Washington 
and  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of 
War. 

Resolved,  That  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Cartel  entered  into  between  Brigadier-General  Arnold  and 
Captain  Forster,  and  the  Resolutions  passed  thereon,  be  pub- 
lished. 

Resolved,  That  twenty  Dollars  be  advanced  to  Isaac 
Manes,  a  wounded  soldier,  of  Captain  Cheeseman's  Com- 
pany, and  that  he  be  sent  to  the  General  Hospital. 

The  Board  of  War  reported,  that  they  have  heard  and 
considered  the  several  matters  alleged  against  the  arrange- 
ment made  in  the  Regiment  ordered  to  be  raised  under 
Colonel  Dubois,  and  are  of  opinion,  that  no  good  purpose 
would  be  answered  by  making  any  alteration  therein;  and 
although  many  worthy  Officers  who  served  in  Canada  are 
yet  unemployed,  the  Board  can  only  lament  that  they  are 
not  in  the  service,  but  hope  something  will,  in  future,  turn 
up  to  enable  Congress  to  place  them  in  stations  equal  to 
their  merit: 

The  same  being  again  read,  was  agreed  to. 

On  the  remainder  of  the  Report  from  the  Board  of  War, 
the  Congress  came  to  the  following  Resolutions : 

That  General  Washington  be  informed  that  Congress  have 
such  an  entire  confidence  in  his  judgment,  that  they  will 
give  him  no  particular  directions  about  the  disposition  of  the 
Troops,  but  desire  that  he  will  dispose  of  those  at  New- 
York,  the  Flying-Camp,  and  Ticonderoga,  as  to  him  shall 
seem  most  conducive  to  the  publick  good: 

That  the  Congress  approve  of  General  Washington's 
having  lent  to  the  Convention  of  New-  York,  the  sum  of 
Money  mentioned  in  his  Letter  of  the  19th  instant: 

That  Monsieur  St.  Martin  be  appointed  an  Engineer,  with 
the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  that  he  be  directed  to 
repair  to  New-  York,  and  put  himself  under  the  command  of 
General  Washington. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  David  Griffith  be  appointed  to  the 
stations  of  Chaplain  and  Surgeon  in  the  Third  Virginia  Bat- 
talion, he  being  a  person  of  uncommon  merit,  and  there  being 
very  few  Surgeons  of  abilities  who  will  enter  into  the  Army 
in  that  State :  this  appointment  not  to  be  drawn  into  prece- 
dent: 

That  Mr.  Griffith  draw  pay  in  both  these  capacities,  for 
the  time  he  has  served  in  the  Regiment. 

The  Committee  of  Claims  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Dennis  Le/erty,  for  26  weeks'  Board,  the  sum  of 
52  Dollars,  and  that  the  same  ought  to  be  paid  to  Timothy 
Matlack: 

To  William  White,  for  boarding  General  Lee's  Guard,  the 
sum  of  40  60-90  Dollars: 

To  George  Haas,  for  carrying  Money  to  New-York,  the 
sum  of  26  60-90  Dollars: 

To  William  Bradford,  for  the  expenses  of  a  Guard  escort- 
ing Money  to  New-  York,  the  sum  of  88  57-90  Dollars: 

To  Rachel  Evans,  for  boarding  a  sick  Soldier,  the  sum  of 
3  Dollars: 

To  Robert  Owen,  Jun.,  for  Provisions  furnished  several 
Rifle  Companies,  64  86-90  Dollars: 

To  Peter  Grosels,  for  Provisions  to  several  Rifle  Compa- 
nies, the  sum  of  61  46-90  Dollars;  and  that  this  ought  to  be 
paid  to  Robert  Owen,  Jun. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 


1589 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  24,  1776. 


1590 


Resolved,  That  in  order  to  hasten  the  march  of  the 
Troops,  the  several  Committees  of  Lancaster,  York,  Cum- 
berland, Berks,  and  Northampton  Counties,  in  Pennsylvania, 
be  empowered  to  muster  the  Troops  that  shall  march  from 
their  respective  Counties,  and  to  draw  for  one  month's  Pay 
on  Mr.  James  Mease,  Paymaster;  and  that  they  certify  the 
Muster-Rolls,  and  send  to  the  Paymaster  the  Receipts  for 
the  Moneys  that  shall  be  so  advanced. 

Resolved,  That  a  Memher  be  added  to  the  Board  of  Trea- 
sury, in  the  room  of  one  absent: 

The  Member  chosen,  Mr.  G.  Clyrner. 

Agreeable  to  the  Order  of  the  Day,  the  Congress  resolved 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  their 
further  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation;  and,  after 
some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Har- 
rison reported,  that  the  Committee  have  made  further  pro- 
gress in  the  matter  to  them  referred,  but  not  having  come  to 
a  conclusion,  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  again  re- 
solve itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  their 
further  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

A  Petition  from  a  number  of  inhabitants  of  Chester  County, 
in  Pennsylvania,  was  presented  to  Congress  and  read,  pray- 
ing that  John  Griffith,  a  soldier  in  the  Continental  Army,  an 
experienced  artificer  in  making  and  dressing  fullers'  shears, 
may  be  released  from  the  Army,  and  ordered  to  return  home, 
to  follow  his  trade: 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  be  granted. 

A  Petition  from  sundry  Canadians  was  presented  to  Con- 
gress, and  read ; 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Canada  Committee. 

The  Marine  Committee  having  recommended  Richard 
Palmes  to  be  Captain  of  Marines : 

Resolved,  That  he  be  accepted,  and  that  a  Commission 
be  granted  to  him  accordingly. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  July  24,  1776. 

A  Letter  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Allen  was  laid 
before  Congress,  and  read,  requesting  leave  to  resign  his 
Commission : 

Resolved,  That  leave  be  granted. 

The  Marine  Committee  having  recommended  Benjamin 
Thompson  to  be  a  Lieutenant  of  Marines  in  Captain  Palmes' 's 
Company: 

Resolved,  That  he  be  accepted,  and  that  a  Commission 
be  granted  to  him  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  to  revise  the 
Journal  be  empowered  to  employ  a  proper  person  to  make 
an  Index  thereto. 

The  Board  of  Treasury  reported,  that  the  pay  of  Briga- 
dier-General Wooster,  commencing  the  22d  day  of  June, 
1775,  and  calculated  to  the  22d  day  of  July,  1776,  being 
thirteen  months,  at  125  Dollars  per  month,  amounts  1,625 
Dollars;  out  of  which  is  to  be  deducted  173  Dollars  and 
24-72  parts  of  a  Dollar,  paid  him  by  John  Window,  Esq., 
the  Paymaster;  the  residue  due  to  the  General  is  1,451 
Dollars,  and  48-72  parts  of  a  Dollar: 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  paid. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  100  Dollars  be  advanced  to 
Captain  Robert  Johnson,  to  be  deducted  out  of  his  pay  on 
the  settlement  of  his  Account. 

A  Petition  from  George  Kitts  was  presented  to  Congress 
and  read  : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

The  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  Resolution  for  con- 
fiscating the  Property  of  the  Subjects  of  the  Crown  of  Great 
Britain : 

Whereas  the  United.  States  have,  by  a  long  series  of 
oppressions,  been  drawn  into  a  war  with  Great  Britain,  and 
at  last  to  the  necessity  of  declaring  themselves  free  and 
independent  States ;  and,  as  it  is  impossible  to  distinguish 
among  the  Subjects  of  the  same  Sovereign  between  those 
who  are  friends  and  such  as  are  enemies  to  the  rights  of 
America  and  mankind,  it  is  become  necessary  to  consider  as 
enemies  all  the  Subjects  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain  and 


all  others  who  aid,  abet,  adhere  to  or  in  anywise  assist  him 
in  his  unjust  and  cruel  designs  against  these'States; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  all  the  Resolutions  of  this 
Congress,  passed  on  the  23d  day  of  March  last,  and  on  the 
3d  day  of  April  last,  relating  to  Ships  and  other  Vessels, 
their  Tackle,  Apparel,  and  Furniture,  and  all  Goods,  Wares, 
and  Merchandises,  belonging  to  any  inhabitant  or  inhabitants 
of  Great  Britain,  taken  on  the  high  seas,  or  between  high 
and  low  water  mark,  be  extended  to  all  Ships  and  other 
Vessels,  their  Tackle,  Apparel,  and  Furniture,  and  to  all 
Goods,  Wares,  and  Merchandises,  belonging  to  any  subject 
or  subjects  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  except  the  inha- 
bitants of  the  Bermudas  and  Providence  or  Bahama  Islands, 
or  to  any  other  person  or  persons  who  adhere  to  him,  or 
in  anywise  aid  or  abet  him  in  his  unjust  war  against  these 
States. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  -That  the  Regiment  of  Rangers, 
now  in  the  pay  of  the  State  of  South-  Carolina,  be  placed 
upon  Continental  establishment,  and  that  it  consist  of  a 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Commandant,  a  Major,  ten  Captains, 
twenty  Lieutenants,  a  Surgeon,  a  Paymaster,  twenty  Ser- 
geants, and  five  hundred  Privates : 

That  the  pay  of  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  Commandant  of 
Rangers,  be  the  same  as  that  of  a  Colonel  of  Foot;  the 
Major's  pay,  that  of  a  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  a  Captain's  that 
of  a  Major;  the  Lieutenant's  that  of  a  Captain;  and  the 
Sergeant's  that  of  an  Ensign  of  Foot  of  the  Continental 
Forces:  that  the  Surgeon  be  allowed  33  Dollars  and  l-3d 
a  month;  the  Paymaster  26  Dollars  and  2-3ds;  and  the 
Privates  12£  Dollars  per  month,  to  provide  themselves  with 
Horses,  Guns,  and  Provisions,  for  themselves  and  Horses: 

That  the  said  Rangers  be  liable  to  act  on  horseback  or 
foot,  as  occasion  may  require: 

That  the  like  number  of  Rangers  be  raised  in  the  State 
of  Georgia,  and  put  upon  Continental  establishment: 

That  these  be  entitled  to  the  same  pay,  and  subject  to 
the  same  duties  as  the  Carolina  Rangers : 

That  the  Rangers  raised  in  the  State  of  South-  Carolina 
be  subject  to  the  articles  formed  by  the  Convention  of  that 
State  for  the  government  of  the  forces  raised  therein. 

Resolved,  That  Colonel  Knox's  plan  for  raising  another 
Battalion  of  Artillery  be  approved,  and  carried  into  execu- 
tion as  soon  as  possible : 

That  General  Washington  be  desired  to  recommend  proper 
Officers  to  compose  this  Corps. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  empowered  to 
agree  to  the  exchange  of  Governour  Skene  for  Mr.  Jamet 
Lovett  : 

That  General  Washington  be  authorized  to  take  into  Con- 
tinental pay  the  Horse  proposed  by  Mr.  Lary,  upon  the 
terms  by  him  mentioned. 

On  motion,  Resolved,  That  the  Report  of  the  Committee 
on  Gold  and  Silver  Coins  be  recommitted : 

That  Mr.  Jefferson  be  added  to  that  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
take  into  consideration,  and  report  their  opinion,  on  the 
proposal  made  by  the  President  of  South- Carolina,  and 
communicated  to  the  House  by  a  Delegate  of  that  State, 
respecting  General  Lee: 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  S.  Adams,  Mr.  Rutledge,  and 
Mr.  Hall. 

Agreeable  to  order,  the  Congress  then  resolved  itself  into 
a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  their  further  con- 
sideration the  Articles  of  Confederation ;  and,  after  some  time, 
the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Harrison  reported, 
that  the  Committee  have  made  further  progress  in  the  matter 
to  them  referred ;  but,  not  having  finished,  desire  leave  to 
sit  again : 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  again 
resolve  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into 
their  further  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington,  of  the  23d,  with 
sundry  Papers  enclosed,  among  which  was  a  Letter  from 
Mr.  Fraesh  to  Lord  Stirling;  also, 

A  Letter  from  the  Council  of  Safety  of  North- Carolina, 
being  received,  were  laid  before  Congress  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  Mr.  Fraesh  to  Lord 


1591 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  29,  1776. 


1592 


Stirling  be  referred  to  the  Committee  appointed  to  contract 
for  cabling  Cannon: 

That  the  General's  Letter,  with  the  other  papers  enclosed, 
be  referred  to  (lie  Board  of  War. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-rnorro\v. 

Thursday,  July  25,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  two  months'  Pay  be  advanced  to  Mons. 
Jat/uc  Antoine  de  Franchessin;  lie  to  be  accountable. 

A  Memorial  of  Samuel  Jloldcn  Parsons,  of  Lyme,  in 
Connecticut,  was  presented  to  Congress  and  read: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of  three: 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Wilson,  and  Mr. 
Sherman. 

A  Memorial  from  sundry  Officers  who  served  in  Canada, 
and  are  now  unemployed,  was  laid  before  Congress  and 
read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Agreeable  to  order,  the  Congress  resolved  itself  into  a 
Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  their  further  consider- 
ation the  Articles  of  Confederation ;  after  some  time,  the 
President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr.  Harrison  reported 
that  the  Committee  have  made  further  progress  in  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Articles  of  Confederation ;  but,  not  having 
gone  through,  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

A  Letter  of  the  23d,  from  General  Washington,  enclosing 
a  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull  to  the  General;  also, 

A  Letter  from  Governour  Trumbull,  of  the  19th,  with 
sundry  Depositions;  and, 

One  of  the  16th,  from  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  New- 
Htimpshire,  were  laid  before  Congress  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  General  Washington  be 
referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

The  Committee  of  Claims  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Francis  Gurney,  for  expenses  of  himself  and  others, 
escorting  Money  to  Cambridge,  in  Fibruary  last,  the  sum 
of  162  Dollars  and  84-90lhs,  over  and  beside  the  moneys 
advanced  to  him : 

To  Henry  Wisner,  Esq.,  for  the  expenses  of  an  Express 
paid  by  him,  the  sum  of  20  Dollars: 

To  Thomas  Dewees,  for  boarding  Prisoners  of  State,  437 
Dollars  and  68-90ths : 

To  David  Lennox,  for  expenses  in  going  after  Deserters, 
the  sum  of  31  Dollars  and  86-90ths,  to  be  paid  to  David 
Sproat : 

To  William  Trickett,  for  Stationery,  the  sum  of  43  Dol- 
lars and  76-90ths : 

To  Philip  Nolan,  for  ferriages  of  General  Lee's  Guards, 
4  Dollars  and  12-90ths: 

To  Elizabeth  Slaving,  for  boarding  and  nursing  a  sick 
Soldier,  4  Dollars: 

To  John  Piling,  for  Chairs  for  the  War  Office,  the  sum 
of  12  Dollars: 

To  John  Ke.rling,  for  Provisions  for  General  Lee's  Guards, 
4  Dollars  and  54-90ths. 

To  Isaac  Cooper,  for  his  attendance  as  a  guard  over 
Powder,  the  sum  of  1 1  Dollars: 

To  Furman  and  Hunt,  for  necessaries  furnished  the 
Prisoners  at  Trenton,  the  sum  of  47  Dollars  and  87-90ths: 

To  John  Bates,  for  Camp-Kettles,  the  sum  of  98  Dollars 
and  60-90ths. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  also  reported,  that  there  is 
due — 

To  Elijah  Bennct,  Post-Rider  in  the  service  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  from  Hartford,  in  Connecticut,  to  various  places, 
the  sum  of  1,331  Dollars  and  66-90ths,  deducting  819  Dol- 
lars and  86-DOths,  which  he  has  received  from  the  Colony  of 
Connecticut,  the  balance  being  51 1  Dollars  and  70-90ths : 

To  Michael  Philips,  employed  by  Brigadier-General 
Wooster'm  making  sundry  repairs  in  the  Citadel  and  Hospi- 
tal in  Montreal,  carting,  &c.,  397  Dollars  and  75-90ths, 
deducting  the  sum  of  96  Dollars  and  7-90ths,  which  he  re- 
ceived from  Major  Nicholson,  the  balance  being  301  Dollars 
and  68-90ths : 

To  James  Budden,  for  the  expense  of  a  detachment  of 
the  Troop  of  Light-Horse  escorting  300,000  Dollars  to 
New-York,  the  sum  of  82  Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve 


itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  further 
consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Friday,  July  26,  1776. 

Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  three  Commission- 
ers to  liquidate  and  settle  the  Accounts  in  the  Northern  De- 
partment; and  the  ballots  being  taken, 

Mr.  James  Milligan,  Mr.  John  Carter,  and  Mr.  Wells, 
were  elected. 

The  Committee  on  the  Treasury  laid  before  Congress  the 
Account  of  Messrs.  Price  and  Haywood,  with  the  balance 
due  to  them: 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. ' 

Resolved,  That  the  substance  of  the  conference  between 
General  Washington  and  Adjutant-General  Patterson,  which 
was  transmitted  to  Congress  by  General  Washington,  be 
published. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  take  into  further  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion; and,  after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair, 
and  Mr.  Morton  reported,  that  the  Committee  have  made 
further  progress;  but,  not  having  concluded,  desire  leave  to 
sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  on  Monday  next,  re- 
solve itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into 
further  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

A  Letter  from  Brigadier-General  Sullivan,  with  sundry 
Papers  enclosed,  were  laid  before  Congress,  and  read: 
Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  lor  2.000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Dr.  W.  Shippen;  he  to  be  ac- 
countable. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  on  Monday. 

Monday,  July  29,  1776. 

Sundry  Letters  were  laid  before  Congress,  and  read,  viz: 

Three  from  General  Washington,  of  the  22d,  25th,  and 
27ih: 

One  from  General  Schuyler,  of  the  17th,  and  one  from 
General  Gates,  of  the  16th; 

One,  of  the  25th,  from  J.  Reed,  Adjutant-General,  and 
one  from  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  of  the  26th  ; 

One,  of  the  20th,  from  Governour  Trumbull; 

One,  of  the  25ih,  from  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey, 
and  one  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts-Bay; 

One  from  Mons.  Kirmovan,  Engineer,  with  a  plan  and 
draughts,  and  one,  in  Latin,  without  signature; 

One  from  Brigadier-General  Sullivan,  of  the  29th,  de- 
siring to  recall  his  Petition  for  leave  to  resign  his  commis- 
sion : 

Also,  two  Petitions,  one  from  George  Nicholson,  and  one 
from  James  Livingston. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  empowered  to 
appoint  another  Aid-de-Camp: 

That  the  Letters  from  General  Washington,  General 
Schuyler,  and  General  Gates,  and  the  Letter  from  Mons. 
Kirmovan,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

That  the  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey  be 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  ways  and  means  of  aug- 
menting the  Flying-Camp;  and  that  Mr.  Clark  be  added 
to  the  said  Committee: 

That  the  Letter  from  the  Adjutant-General  be  referred 
to  the  Committee  appointed  to  revise  the  Articles  of  War: 

That  the  Petition  of  James  Nicholson  be  referred  to  the 
Commissioners  who  went  to  Canada: 

That  the  Petition  from  George  Nicholson  be  referred  to 
the  Committee  on  Canada  Affairs: 

That  the  Latin  Letter  be  referred  to  the  Marine  Com- 
mittee. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  47  Dollars  be  drawn  on  the 
Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Josiah  Fessenden,  in  full  for  ser- 
vices, expenses,  and  horse-hire. 

A  Letter,  of  the  20th,  from  the  Council  of  Virginia,  was 
received  and  read. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration ; 


1593 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  JULY  30,  1776. 


1594 


Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  em- 
powered to  order  tha  Regiment  lately  raised  in  Connecticut, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Ward,  wheresoever  he  shall 
think  the  service  requires  it: 

Th;it  Mons.  Jean  Artur  de  Virmonet,  who  appears  to  be 
a  young  gentleman  of  merit,  and  has  held  a  Lieutenant's 
commission  in  the  service  of  France,  be  appointed  a  Brevet 
Captain;  and  that  Mons.  Marie  Fidel  Dorre  be  sent  as  a 
volunteer,  to  be  employed  by  General  Washington  as  he 
shall  think  proper: 

That  Mons.  Christopher  Pelliser,  who  has  suffered  con- 
siderably by  warmly  espousing  and  taking  an  active  part  in 
the  cause  of  America,  in  Canada,  be  appointed  an  Engineer 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  with  the  pay  of  60  Dol- 
lars a  month,  and  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel;  and  that  he 
be  directed  to  repair  to  New-York: 

That  the  Returns  of  Colonel  Elmore's  Regiment,  made 
into  the  War  Office  by  Brigadier-General  Wooster,  be  trans- 
mitted to  General  Washington,  with  blank  Commissions  for 
the  Officers;  and  that  General  Washington  be  directed  to 
order  the  said  Regiment  to  join  him,  and  that  he  fill  up  the 
said  Commissions  with  the  names  of  such  Officers  as  appear 
with  their  respective  Companies  in  the  said  Regiment. 

That  John  Brown  be  commissioned  as  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel, and  that  Robert  Cockran,  now  acting  as  eldest  Captain 
in  the  said  Regiment,  be  commissioned  as  Major  of  the  same, 
in  the  room  of  Major  Israel  Curtis,  deceased. 

Resolved,  That  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  be  appointed  for 
the  Second  Pennsylvania  Battalion,  in  the  room  of  William 
Allen,  who  has  resigned  : 

The  ballots  being  taken,  Joseph  Wood,  Esq.,  was  elected. 

Congress  then  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  to  take  into  their  consideration  the  Articles  of  Con- 
federation; and  after  some  time,  tlie  President  resumed  the 
chair,  and  Mr.  Morton  reported,  that  the  Committee  have 
made  further  progress  in  the  Articles  of  Confederation;  but 
not  having  finished,  desire  leave  to  sit  again. 

A  Petition  from  Samuel  Morris  was  presented  to  Con- 
gress, and  read. 

The  Committee  on  Spies  brought  in  a  further  Report, 
which  was  read: 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  That  the  Jailer  be  directed  to  allow  the  Pri- 
soners from  North- Carolina  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  yard, 
under  the  inspection  of  the  Guard,  provided  it  may  be  done 
with  safety. 

Resolved,  .That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  their  fur- 
ther consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Tuesday,  July  30,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  28th,  from  Brigadier-General  Mercer, 
was  laid  before  Congress  and  read,  requesting  six  Light- 
Horse  may  be  sent  to  him : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  President  write  to  S, 
Morris,  Esq.,  Captain  of  the  Light-Horse,  and  request  him  to 
send  six  of  his  Company  to  Brigadier-General  Mercer. 

Congress  being  informed,  by  a  Letter  from  the  President 
of  South- Carolina,  that  the  Cherokees  have  commenced  hos- 
tilities against  that  State,  and  that  he  has  ordered  a  body  of 
men  to  march  against  them,  and  has  applied  for  assistance  to 
the  neighbouring  States  of  North-Carolina  and  Virginia: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  States  of  Vir- 
ginia, North- Carolina,  and  Georgia,  to  afford  all  necessary 
assistance  to  the  State  of  South- Carolina,  and  to  cooperate 
with  that  State  in  prosecuting  the  war  against  the  Indians 
with  the  utmost  vigor: 

That  the  President  write  to  the  Governour  and  Council 
of  Virginia,  the  Council  of  Safety  of  North-  Carolina,  and 
the  President  of  Georgia,  relative  to  the  above  subjects. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  take 
into  consideration  the  State  of  North- Carolina,  and  report 
thereon  to  Congress. 

The  Members  chosen :  Mr.  Harrison,  Mr.  S.  Adams,  and 
Mr.  Lynch. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee appointed  to  inquire  into  the  miscarriages  in  Canada, 
wherein  they  represent  as  their  opinion — 


"  That  the  short  inlistments  of  the  Continental  Troops  in 
Canada  have  been  one  great  cause  of  the  miscarriages  there, 
by  rendering  unstable  the  number  of  men  engaged  in  mili- 
tary enterprises,  by  making  them  disorderly  and  disobedient 
to  their  officers,  and  by  precipitating  the  commanding  offi- 
cers into  measures  which  their  prudence  might  have  post- 
poned could  they  have  relied  on  a  longer  continuance  of  their 
troops  in  service: 

"  That  the  want  of  hard  money  has  been  one  other  great 
source  of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada,  rendering  the  supplies  of 
necessaries  difficult  and  precarious,  the  establishment  of  pro- 
per magazines  absolutely  impracticable,  and  the  pay  of  the 
Troops  of  little  use  to  them : 

"  That  a  still  greater  and  more  fatal  source  of  misfortunes 
has  been  the  prevalence  of  the  small-pox  in  that  Army,  a 
great  proportion  whereof  has  thereby  been  usually  kept  unfit 
for  duty." 

With  this  the  Congress  concurred. 

On  the  further  consideration  of  the  Report,  Congress  came 
to  the  following  Resolutions: 

That  Col.  Bedel  be  tried  by  a  Court-Martial  for  leaving 
his  command  at  the  Cedars,  and  for  declining  to  return  to 
the  same  with  Major  Shcrburne's  reinforcement: 

That  Major  Butterficld  be  tried  by  a  Court- Martial  for 
surrendering  to  the  enemy  the  post  at  the  Cedars,  and  also 
such  other  Officers  as  were  with  him  and  consented  to  that 
surrender. 

The  Committee  having  further  reported,  that  in  the  course 
of  their  inquiries  they  had  reason  to  believe  that  General 
Prescott's  Baggage  was  plundered  by  some  licentious  per- 
sons, in  violation  of  the  faith  of  the  capitulation: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  General  Schuyler  be  desired 
to  make  strict  inquiry  into  the  same,  that  the  persons  guilty 
thereof  may  receive  due  punishment,  and  ample  indemnifi- 
cation be  made  to  General  Prescott: 

That  Colonel  Bedel,  Dr.  Fay,  and  Lieutenant  House,  be 
subjected  to  this  inquiry. 

That  so  much  of  the  Petitions  of  Colonel  Easton  and 
MajorBrou>n  as  prays  that  the  charges  against  them  of  having 
been  concerned  in  plundering  the  Officers'  Baggage  taken 
at  Sorel,  be  submitted  to  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  is  reasonable, 
and  that  General  Schuyler  be  desired  to  order  Courts  of  In- 
quiry on  them  as  soon  as  possible. 

Resolved,  That  Genera!  Montgomery's  promise,  to  give  to 
the  Troops  concerned  in  taking  the  Vessels  on  the  Sorel, 
"  all  the  publick  Stores,  except  Ammunition  and  Provisions, 
on  board  thereof,"  be  confirmed,  and  that  General  Schuyler 
be  directed  to  cause  an  inquiry  to  be  made  into  the  particu- 
lars and  value  of  the  said  publick  Stores,  (Ammunition  and 
Provision  excepted,)  and  to  certify  the  same  to  Congress, 
with  the  names  of  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  entitled  thereto: 

That  so  much  of  Major  Brown's  Petition  as  prays  that 
an  allowance  be  made  to  him  for  extraordinary  services,  be 
referred  to  General  Schuyler,  who  is  desired  to  certify  Con- 
gress whether  any  and  what  reward  may,  with  justice,  be 
demanded  by  him: 

That  Major  Brown's  Accounts  be  settled  by  the  Com- 
missioners appointed  to  adjust  Accounts  in  the  Northern 
Department. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  be  discharged  from  pro- 
ceeding on  so  much  of  the  Petition  of  Colonel  Easton  as 
Srays  a  continuance  of  his  rank  and  pay;  and  so  much  of 
lajor  Brown's  Petition  as  prays  an  examination  into  his 
rank  and  pay,  and  that  they  be  referred  to  the  Board  of 
War. 

That  General  Schuyler  be  desired  to  inquire  into  the  con- 
duct of  Colonel  Hazen.  who  is  charged  with  having  beaten 
and  ill-treated  Francois  Guilot  de  la  Rose,  a  Continental 
Captain  of  Canadian  Militia,  and  also  to  have  ill-treated 
Charles  Robert  de  la  Fontaine,  a  Canadian,  at  Chambly, 
and  put  such  conduct  into  a  proper  channel  for  trial  and 
punishment. 

That  it  be  recommended  to  General  Schuyler,  whenever 
the  pay  of  Officers  or  Soldiers  is  stopped  on  account  of  any 
charge  against  them,  to  have  such  charge  determined  by  trial 
as  speedily  as  possible,  that  there  may  be  no  delay  of  justice. 

Resolved,  That  General  Wooster  acted  properly  in  stop- 
ping the  Goods  of  Bernard  Sf  Waddcn,  who  were  carrying 
the  same,  without  permission,  to  the  Indians  in  the  upper 
country.  • 


1595 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  1,  1776. 


1596 


Resolved,  That  the  Committee  have  leave  to  sit  again, 
and  that  they  be  instructed  to  inquire  in  what  manner  the 
Goods  of  Bernard  fy  Wadden  were  disposed  of. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  sup- 
ply the  three  Rifle  Companies,  now  in  town  from  Lancas- 
ter, with  eleven  pounds  of  Powder  and  forty -four  pounds  of 
Lead. 

Resolved,  That  500,000  Dollars  be  sent  to  the  Pay- 
master-General. 

That  60,000  Dollars  be  sent  .to  R.  Dallam,  Deputy  Pay- 
master-General, for  the  use  of  the  Flying-Camp. 

Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Clerk  or  Assistant 
to  the  Auditor-General,  when  William  Govet  was  elected. 

Resolved,  That  William  Govet  be  allowed  the  salary  of 
533  Dollars  and  l-3d  per  annum. 

Resolved,  That  all  pnblick  Claims  and  Accounts  that  are 
at  this  time  unsettled  be  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Trea- 
sury, and  that  the  Committee  of  Claims  be  discharged  from 
proceeding  further  upon  any  Claims  or  Accounts,  and  that 
all  ihe  Books  and  Papers  in  the  hands  of  the  Committee  of 
Cla'ms  be  delivered  to  the  Auditor-General. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Resolution  of  the  17th 
of  January  last,  allowing  to  Officers  1  Dollar  and  l-3d  for 
every  man  they  inlist,  be  extended  to  Officers  who  inlist  for 
the  new  Army  for  three  years: 

That  General  Mercer's  Letter,  relative  to  the  building  of 
Boats,  be  referred  to  General  Washington,  with  direction  to 
give  such  orders  therein  as  he  shall  judge  necessary,  and  that 
he  be  desired  to  avail  himself  of  the  Shipwrights  and  other 
Artificers  now  in  the  Flying-Camp. 

That  General  Mercer  be  allowed  a  Secretary  while  he 
has  a  separate  command : 

That  a  number  of  Four  and  Six-pounders,  not  exceeding 
ten  of  each,  be  immediately  sent  to  General  Mercer,  to  be 
mounted  on  the  Works  he  is  now  erecting;  and  that  the 
Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  be  requested  to  forward 
them  to  Amboy,  in  New-Jersey: 

That  Congress  approve  of  General  Schuyler's  intention 
to  publish  such  parts  of  the  Treaty  with  the  Six-Nations  as 
may  have  a  tendency  to  dispel  the  apprehensions  of  the 
frontier  inhabitants: 

That  the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs,  in  the  Middle 
Department,  be  instructed  to  thank  Cayashuta,  in  the  name 
of  the  great  Council-fire,  for  his  friendly  conduct  at  Niagara, 
communicated  by  Peter  Richman,  (whose  Indian  name  is 
Qwet/a,)  and  to  inform  him  that  it  would  be  very  agreeable 
to  Congress  to  receive  a  visit  from  him. 

A  Letter  of  the  29th,  from  General  Washington,  and 
one  from  the  Council  of  Massachusetts-Bay ;  also,  a  Letter 
of  the  23d,  from  Governour  Cooke,  with  sundry  Papers 
enclosed  ;  being  received,  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  two  first  be  referred  to  the  Board  of 
War. 

The  Board  of  War  laid  before  Congress  a  Letter  received 
from  General  Washington. 

Ordered,  That  they  return  an  answer. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation  ; 
and,  after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and 
Mr.  Morton  reported  that  the  Committee,  not  having  yet 
finished,  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  consider- 
ation the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  July  31,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  20,000  Dollars  be  advanced  to  Mr.  Mease, 
he  to  be  accountable : 

That  Mr.  J.  Mease  be  directed  to  pay  John  Pollock 
2,666  Dollnrs  and  two-thirds,  and  that  the  same  be  charged 
to  the  Account  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection  of  Cumber- 
land, who  are  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  the  Medical  Committee  be  directed  to 
provide  and  send  forward  such  a  quantity  of  Medicines  as 
may  be  necessary  for  the  Hospital  in  the  Northern  Army: 


That  the  said  Committee  be  directed  to  procure  and  for- 
ward such  a  quantity  of  Medicines  as  may  be  necessary  for 
the  Hospital  in  the  Southern  Department. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  five  tons  of  Muskot  Powder 
be  sent  immediately  to  General  Washington,  at  New-  York: 

That  the  Commissary-General  be  directed  to  furnish  with 
Rations,  and  the  Deputy  Paymaster-General,  in  the  State  of 
Massachusetts-Bay,  be  ordered  to  pay,  any  Militia  which 
the  General  Assembly  of  that  State  shall  think  proper  to 
call  in,  to  replace  the  Continental  Troops  ordered  from 
thence. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of 
the  miscarriages  in  Canada,  brought  in  a  further  Report, 
which  was  taken  into  consideration  : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  conduct  of  Colonel  Ni- 
cholson, who  commanded  the  post  at  Point  Levi,  and  who, 
after  the  determination  of  the  Council  of  War  to  retire  from 
before  Quebeck,  is  said  to  have  deserted  his  said  command, 
and  left  the  party  to  shift  for  themselves,  be  submitted  to  a 
Court  of  Inquiry : 

That  the  Committee  be  discharged  from  so  much  of  Colo- 
nel Easton's  Petition  as  prays  a  settlement  of  his  Accounts, 
and  that  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Treasury. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the 
State  of  North-Carolina,  brought  in  their  Report,  which  was 
taken  into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  four  tons  of  Gunpowder  and 
six  Four-pounders,  or  such  others  as  can  be  procured,  of  the 
weight  proper  for  Field-pieces,  be  immediately  sent  to  North- 
Carolina  : 

That  the  Delegates  of  that  State  employ  some  proper 
person,  as  a  Commissary,  to  purchase  in  this  City  or  the 
neighbourhood  thereof,  Clothing  for  the  Troops  raised  in  that 
State  for  the  Continental  service: 

That  the  three  Independent  Companies  of  Rangers  raised 
in  that  State,  be  taken  upon  the  Continental  pay  and  esta- 
blishment, and  that  their  pay  and  appointment  be  as  already 
resolved  by  the  Convention  of  that  State,  and  that  they  rank 
as  the  Rangers  raised  in  South- Carolina  and  Georgia. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  266  2-3  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Colonel  James  Easton,  to  be 
accounted  for  by  him  on  the  final  settlement  of  his  Ac- 
counts: 

That  two  months'  Pay  be  advanced  to  Monsieur  St.  Mar- 
tin, he  to  be  accountable. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation ;  and, 
after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Morton  reported  that  the  Committee,  not  having  come  to  a 
conclusion,  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  consider- 
ation" the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 


Thursday,  August  1,  1776. 

A  Letter,  of  the  30th  of  July,  from  Brigadier-General 
Mercer,  and  one  of  the  same  date,  from  Brigadier-General 
Roberdeau,  and  sundry  others,  were  laid  before  Congress, 
and  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  two  first  be  referred  to  the  Board  of 
War. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation ;  and, 
after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Morton  reported  that  the  Committee  have  made  further 
progress,  but,  not  having  come  to  a  conclusion,  desired  leave 
to  sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  consider- 
ation the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

A  Letter  of  the  30th  of  July,  from  General  Washington, 
with  sundry  Papers  enclosed;  also,  one  from  General  Schuy- 
ler,  of  the  20th,  and  one  from  Colonel  Dubois,  of  the  17th, 
were  laid  before  Congress,  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  they  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 


1597 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  5,  1776. 


1598 


The  Board  of  War  reported  the  draft  of  a  Letter  to 
General  Washington,  in  answer  to  his  directed  to  them;  and 
the  same  being  agreed  to, 

Ordered,  That  it  be  transcribed,  signed  by  the  President, 
and  forwarded. 

The  said  Board  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Colonel  John  Brown  be 
allowed  the  rank  and  pay  of  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the 
Continental  Army,  from  the  20th  day  of  November  last,  to 
this  time: 

That  James  Easton  is  entitled  to  the  rank  of  a  Colonel  in 
the  Continental  Army,  from  the  first  day  of  July,  1775,  and 
to  the  pay  of  a  Colonel  from  that  day  until  he  shall  be  dis- 
charged, which  ought  to  be  done  as  soon  as  a  Court  of 
Inquiry  shall  report  in  his  favour,  or  a  Court-Martial  shall 
determine  upon  his  conduct,  and  their  sentence  is  carried 
into  execution,  there  being  no  vacancy  to  which  he  can  be 
appointed;  but  should  he  be  honorably  acquitted,  his  past 
services  will  recommend  him  to  the  confidence  of  Congress 
for  future  employment. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  2,666  2-3  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  ofLudwick  Karcher,  for  victual- 
ling the  Militia  passing  through  Philadelphia  to  the  Flying- 
Camp,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Adjourned  to  nine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Friday,  August  2,  1776. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  being  engrossed  and 
compared  at  the  table,  was  signed  by  the  Members. 

Resolved,  That  two  months'  Pay  be  advanced  to  Mon- 
sieur Pellisier,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  and  Marine  Com- 
mittee be  discharged  from  fitting  out  Vessels  with  Cargoes 
to  Bermudas. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  200,000  Dollars  be  sent  to 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq.,  Deputy  Paymaster-General  in 
the  Northern  Department : 

That  General  Washington  be  instructed  to  employ  in  the 
service  of  the  States  as  many  of  the  Stockbridge  Indians  as 
he  shall  judge  proper: 

That  one  hundred  old  Arms,  belonging  to  Congress,  be 
delivered  to  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  to  be 
repaired  at  the  Continental  expense,  and  put  into  the  hands 
of  the  soldiers  destined  for  the  Flying-Camp,  the  said  Coun- 
cil to  be  accountable: 

That  the  Paymaster-General,  and  the  several  Deputy 
Paymasters-General,  in  the  service  of  these  States,  be  di- 
rected to  make  Weekly  Returns  to  Congress  of  the  state  of 
the  Military  Chests  under  their  direction : 

That  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Esq.,  Deputy  Paymaster-Gene- 
ral in  the  Northern  Army,  be  directed  to  transmit  to  Con- 
gress, as  soon  as  possible,  an  account  of  all  the  Moneys 
which  have  passed  through  his  hands  since  his  appointment 
to  that  office: 

That  the  Commissary-General  and  Deputy-Commissaries 
in  the  several  departments,  be  directed  to  transmit  to  Con- 
gress, weekly,  an  account  of  the  sums  of  Money  they  may 
respectively  receive  from  the  Paymasters: 

That  the  Quartermaster-General,  and  Deputy  Quarter- 
masters-General, in  the  several  departments,  be  directed  to 
transmit,  weekly,  to  Congress,  an  account  of  the  Moneys 
they  respectively  receive  from  the  Paymaster-General,  or 
Deputy  Paymasters-General : 

That  the  Commissary-General,  Quartermaster-General, 
Deputy-Commissaries,  and  Deputy  Quartermasters-Gene- 
ral, be  directed  to  make  Monthly  Returns,  at  least,  of  the 
stores  under  their  direction,  and  the  distribution  of  them: 

That  the  Commanding  Officer  in  each  department  be 
directed  to  make  Returns,  once  a  month,  to  Congress,  of 
the  drafts  made  by  him  upon  the  Paymaster  in  his  depart- 
ment. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Walton  be  appointed  a  Member  of 
the  Marine  Committee,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Gwinnett,  who 
is  absent. 

Resolved,  That  100  Dollars  be  advanced  to  Thaddeus 
Sturges,  to  be  accounted  for  by  him,  and  deducted  out  of 


his  pay  on  the  settlement  of  his  Accounts ;  that  the  Board 
of  Treasury  be  discharged  from  proceeding  on  his  Accounts, 
and  that  they  be  referred  for  settlement  to  the  Commis- 
sioners appointed  to  settle  the  Accounts  in  the  Northern 
Department. 

The  Marine  Committee,  to  whom  it  was  referred  to  in- 
quire into  the  conduct  of  Commodore  Hopkins,  brought  in 
their  Report,  which  was  read : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table,  to  be  taken  into  consider- 
ation on  Monday  next. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation ;  and, 
after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Morton  reported  that  the  Committee,  not  having  finished, 
desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  consideration 
the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Benjamin  Thompson,  for  131  days' service,  viz :  from 

the  1st  of  December  to  the  last  of  May  inclusive,  as  Clerk 

of  the  Hospital  at  Montreal,  at  the  rate  of  2-3ds  of  a  Dollar 

per  day,  122  Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  paid. 

Adjourned  to  «ine  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  August  3,  1776. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Thomas  Whitbeck,  for  carrying  Money  from  Phila- 
delphia to  Ticonderoga,  in  October  last,  the  sum  of  75  1-4 
Dollars: 

To  Samuel  Johnson  for  209  meals  of  Victuals,  20  Dol- 
lars and  Sl-90ths: 

To  George  Hoffnagle  1  Dollar  and  45-90ths: 

To  Michael  Saddleman,  for  708  meals  of  Victuals,  70 
Dollars  and  72-90ths: 

To  Richard  Chiney,  for  540  Meals  furnished  the  Militia 
on  their  march  to  New- Jersey,  54  Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  Committee  on  the  miscarriages  in  Canada  brought 
in  a  further  Report,  which  was  read  : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table,  to  be  taken  into  considera- 
tion on  Monday  next. 

A  Letter  from  Neil  McClean  was  laid  before  Congress, 
and  read: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  on  Monday. 

Monday,  August  5,  1776. 

Two  Letters  from  General  Washington,  of  the  31st  of 
July  and  2d  of  August ;  one  from  the  Council  of  Virginia, 
of  the  27th  of  July,  wiih  copies  of  sundry  Letters  from 
North- Carolina  and  South- Carolina,  enclosed;  one  from 
E.  Anderson,  of  the  31st  of  July;  and  sundry  Resolutions 
passed  by  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania,  were  laid  before 
Congress,  and  read : 
.  Resolved,  That  they  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration  : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Commanders  of  all  Ships 
of  War  and  Armed  Vessels  in  the  service  of  these  States, 
or  any  of  them,  and  all  Letters  of  Marque  and  Privateers, 
be  permitted  to  inlist  into  service  on  board  the  said  Ships 
and  Vessels,  any  Seamen  who  may  be  taken  on  board  any 
of  the  Ships  or  Vessels  of  our  enemies,  and  that  no  such 
Seamen  be  entitled  to  receive  the  wages  due  to  them  out 
of  the  said  Prizes,  but  such  as  will  so  inlist,  and  that  all 
other  Seamen  so  taken,  be  held  as  Prisoners  of  War,  and 
exchanged  for  others  taken  by  the  enemy,  whether  on  board 
of  Vessels  of  War  or  Merchantmen,  as  there  may  be  oppor- 
tunity : 

That  Lieutenant-Colonel  Rufus  Putnam  be  appointed  an 
Engineer,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  pay  of  60  Dollars 
a  month. 

A  Petition  from  Eseck  Hopkins,  Commander-in-Chief  of 
the  Continental  Fleet,  was  presented  to  Congress,  and  read, 
setting  forth,  that  "  he  has  been  informed  that  certain  com- 


1599 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  7,  1776. 


1600 


plaints,  interrogatories,  and  report,  charging  him  with  sundry 
crimes  and  misdemeanors,  had  been  exhibited  to  the  honour- 
able Congress;  the  purport  of  which  complaints,  &.C.,  he  is 
ignorant  of;  and  praying  that  he  may  be  furnished  with 
copies  thereof,  and  of  all  other  proceedings  against  him, 
which  are  now  before  this  honourable  body;  and  that  time 
may  be  allowed  him  to  prepare  for,  and  a  day  assigned  for, 
his  being  heard  before  Congress  in  his  own  defence." 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  be  granted ; 
and  that  Friday  next  be  appointed  for  hearing  Commodore 
Hopkint. 

Resolved,  That  the  Marine  Committee  be  directed  to 
order  the  Ships  and  Armed  Vessels  belonging  to  the  Con- 
tinent out  on  such  cruises  as  they  shall  think  proper. 

Resolved,  That  Monday  next  be  assigned  for  hearing  and 
determining  the  appeal  against  the  verdict  and  sentence 
passed  on  the  Schooner  Thistle. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  the  Delaware  Battalion  as  many  of  the  Arms 
lately  imported  as  will  be  necessary  to  arm  them  com- 
pletely : 

That  they  deliver  to  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Delaware 
Government  193  of  the  said  Arms,  in  lieu  of  so  many  had 
from  them: 

That  the  remainder  of  the  said  Arms  be  delivered  to  the 
Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  who  are  to  be  account- 
able. 

Resolved,  That  the  Delaware  Battalion,  when  armed,  be 
ordered  to  New-Jersey,  subject  to  the  further  orders  and 
directions  of  the  General. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  J.  Symes,  a  prisoner  of  the  Royal  Highland  Emi- 
grants, 28  Dollars,  for  fourteen  weeks'  allowance,  from  the 
24th  of  April  to  the  30th  of  July. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

Ordered,  That  the  Board  of  War  furnish  the  Committee 
of  Treasury  with  the  names  of  the  British  Officers  and 
other  Prisoners  who  are  entitled  to  the  allowance  made  by 
Congress  of  two  Dollars  a  week,  with  the  times  of  their 
captivity,  and  the  places  where  they  are  quartered. 

Resolved,  That  the  pay  of  an  Assistant  Clerk  to  the 
Board  of  War  be  266  2-3d  Dollars  a  year. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  1,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Francis  Lewis,  Esq.,  and  that 
the  same  be  charged  to  the  Account  of  the  Paymaster-Gen- 
eral, it  being  for  so  much  received  by  him,  by  the  order  of 
Mr.  Lewis. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Report  on  Messrs. 
Price  and  Haywood's  Accounts ;  and,  after  some  debate, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  recommitted,  and 
that  the  Commissioners  to  Canada  be  desired  to  attend  the 
Board  of  Treasury  at  the  examination  of  said  Accounts. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  53  Dollars  and  l-3d  be 
drawn  on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Monsieur  Artur  Ver- 
monit,  it  being  two  months'  advance,  for  which  he  is  to  be 
accountable. 

A  Petition  from  Lewis  de  Linkensdorjf  was  presented  to 
Congress,  and  read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred,  with  the  papers  accom- 
panying it,  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  causes  of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada;  and, 
after  debate, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommitted. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Tuesday,  August  6, 1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  5ih,  from  General  Washington,  enclosing 
copies  of  Letters  between  him  and  General  Howe,  respect- 
ing the  exchange  of  Prisoners,  and  sundry  other  Letters  and 
Papers ;  also,  one  from  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  of  the  4th, 
were  laid  before  Congress  and  read  : 

Resolved,  That  they  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Resolved  That  the  Medical  Committee  be  directed  to 
supply  the  Director-General  of  the  Hospital  with  such  Medi- 
cines as  he  may  want. 


Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  the  Delegates  of  North-Carolina  half  a  ton  of 
Powder,  for  the  use  of  the  frontier  inhabitants  of  that  State. 

Resolved,  That  General  Schuyler  be  directed  to  apply  to 
General  Burgoyne,  and  propose  a  general  exchange  of  Pri- 
soners on  the  terms  agreed  to  by  Congress,  and  particularly 
the  delivering  Brigadier-General  Prescott,  in  possession  of 
the  United  States,  in  lieu  of  Brigadier-General  Thompson, 
in  the  possession  of  the  enemy. 

A  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New-Jersey  to  their 
Delegates,  was  laid  before  Congress,  and  read : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Convention  of  the  State 
of  New- Jersey  be  requested  to  make  such  provision  for  keep- 
ing open  the  communication  between  that  State  and  New- 
York,  by  way  of  the  Ferries  over  the  Rivers  Passaick  and 
Hackinsack,  as  to  them  shall  appear  to  be  most  effectual, 
and  that  this  Congress  will  reimburse  the  expenses  of  such 
service  to  the  State  of  New- Jersey: 

That  it  be  recommended,  in  the  most  earnest  manner,  to 
the  Convention  of  New-Jersey  to  order  their  Militia  imme- 
diately to  march  and  join  Brigadier-General  Mercer. 

Resolved,  That  the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs  in 
the  Middle  Department  be  directed  to  inquire  and  inform 
Congress  whether  it  will  be  most  for  the  publick  good  that 
the  Troops  raised  and  to  be  raised  for  the  Garrisons  on  the 
Ohio  and  its  waters  should  be  supplied  with  Provisions  by 
contract  or  by  a  Commissary;  that  if  a  Commissary  be 
thought  necessary,  they  recommend  some  proper  person  for 
that  office  to  Congress,  and  in  the  mean  time  take  such 
measures  as  they  think  best  for  victualling  the  said  Troops. 

Resolved,  That  a  Member  be  added  to  the  Committee 
appointed  to  inquire  into  and  remedy  the  defects  of  the  Pow- 
der made  at  the  Mills. 

The  Member  chosen :  Mr.  Rush. 

Mr.  G.  Clymer,  one  of  the  Joint  Treasurers,  being  ap- 
pointed a  Delegate  to  Congress  by  the  Convention  ofPcwir 
tylvanta, 

Resolved,  That  for  the  future  there  be  only  one  Conti- 
nental Treasurer. 

Resolved,  That  an  additional  sum  of  300  Dollars  be  given 
to  each  of  the  Continental  Treasurers,  on  account  of  their 
extraordinary  trouble  and  faithful  service  during  the  last 
year. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole 
to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation;  and 
after  some  time  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Morton  reported,  that  the  Committee  not  having  come  to  a 
conclusion,  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Council  of 
Safety  of  Pennsylvania  to  stop  Mr.  Wilmore  from  proceed- 
ing to  New-  York. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  August  7,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  5,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  the  Committee  of  Lancaster,  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  into  execution  the  Resolution  of 
Congress  respecting  the  Prisoners,  the  said  Committee  to  be 
accountable: 

That  an  Order  for  30,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on  the  Trea-  . 
surer,  in  favour  of  James  Mease,  for  the  use  of  the  Militia 
marching  to  New-Jersey,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  James  Brisben,  who  is  employed  in  the 
Post  Office,  be  excused  from  military  duty. 

A  Letter  from  Captain  N.  Biddle  to  the  Marine  Com- 
mittee, was  laid  before  Congress  and  read  : 

Whereupon,  Resohed,  That  General  Washington  be  di- 
rected to  propose  an  exchange  of  Lieutenant  Josiah  for  a 
Lieutenant  of  the  Navy  of  Great  Britain,  and  that  the 
General  remonstrate  to  Lord  Howe  on  the  cruel  treatment 
Lieutenant  Josiah  has  met  with,  of  which  the  Congress  have 
received  undoubted  information. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Rush  be  added  to  the  Medical  Com- 
mittee. 


1601 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  9,  1776. 


1602 


A  Memorial  from  George  Measam  was  presented  to  Con- 
gress and  read: 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  tlie  Board  of  War. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  revise  the  Articles  of  War, 
brought  in  their  Report. 

The  Board  of  War  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Messrs.  Giasson,  Hertel,  and  De  la  Magdelaine,  Ca- 
nadian prisoners,  at  Bristol,  for  their  Board  and  Lodging, 
from  the  15th  of  November  to  the  31st  July  last,  being  thirty- 
seven  weeks,  each  at  2  Dollars  a  week,  222  Dollars,  and  that 
the  same  ought  to  be  paid  to  John  Green,  their  Assignee: 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  paid. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation ;  and 
after  some  time  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Morton  reported,  that  the  Committee,  not  having  yet  finished, 
desired  leave  to  sit  again: 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  consideration 
the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow.     . 

Thursday,  August  8,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  700  Dollars  be  paid  to  Jona- 
than Meredith,  in  full  of  Ephraim  Blame's  Draft  in  his 
favour,  for  Shoes  purchased  from  him  for  the  use  of  the  Con- 
tinental Army,  and  that  the  same  be  charged  to  the  Account 
of  the  said  Ephraim  Blaine. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  60,000  Dollars  be  advanced 
to  the  Delegates  of  New- Hampshire,  for  the  'use  of  that 
State,  which  is  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Council  of 
Safety  of  Pennsylvania  to  take  proper  measures  for  providing 
Quarters  for  the  Troops  passing  through  Philadelphia  to  the 
Flying-Camp,  during  their  continuance  in  this  City. 

Resolved,  That  the  Colonel,  or  Commanding  Officer  of 
the  Delaware  Battalion,  and  the  Colonels*  or  Commanding 
Officers  of  the  several  Battalions  of  Militia  now  in  Phila- 
delphia, be  ordered  instantly  to  march  to  Amboy,  in  New- 
Jersey,  and  that  such  of  the  Militia  as  want  Arms  be  left, 
under  a  proper  Officer,  till  they  can  be  provided  therewith, 
and  then  marched  without  any  further  delay: 

That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  see  this  Resolu- 
tion carried  into  immediate  execution. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  take 
into  immediate  consideration  the  State  of  the  Army  in  the 
Northern  Department,  and  our  Naval  force  on  the  Lakes; 
and  that  Mr.  Chase  be  directed  to  attend  the  said  Board, 
and  give  them  all  the  information  in  his  power;  and  that 
Mr.  Williams  be  desired  to  furnish  the  said  Board  with  an 
extract  of  the  Letter  he  has  received  from  Governour  Trum- 
bull  relative  to  the  said  Army  and  Naval  force,  and  that  the 
said  Board  report  thereon  as  soon  as  possible. 

Two  Letters  from  General  Washington,  with  sundry 
Papers  enclosed,  one  from  General  Schuyler,  dated  at  the 
German-Flats,  August  the  1st;  one  of  the  29th  of  July,  from 
General  Gates,  with  copies  of  two  Letters  enclosed,  were 
received  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  a  Letter  be  written  to  General  Lee,  to 
inform  him  of  the  intelligence  received,  that  the  Troops  from 
Charleston  are  arrived  at  New-  York,  and  to  direct  him,  in 
case  the  British  Troops  have  left  the  Southern  Colonies,  to 
repair,  with  all  possible  expedition,  to  Philadelphia,  and 
there  wait  the  orders  of  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  to-morrow  be  assigned  for  electing  four 
Major-Generals  and  six  Brigadier-Generals. 

Resolved,  That  the  Post-Riders  be  exempted  from  Mili- 
tary duty. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  sup- 
ply Colonel  Galbreath  with  nine  pounds  of  Powder  and 
twenty-seven  pounds  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  three  Compa- 
nies of  his  Battalion. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  George  Kennedy,  for  three  Rifles  purchased  in  Fre- 
derick County,  Virginia,  for  the  use  of  Captain  Morgan's 
Company  of  Riflemen,  and  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Com- 
pany, the  sum  of  40  Dollars : 


To  William  Webb,  for  services  in,  and  articles  purchased 
for,  the  use  of  the  Treasury  Office,  137  54-90  Dollars;  to 
be  charged  to  the  account  of  Contingent  Expenses: 

To  Captain  Thomas  Haslet,  for  Subsistence  of  thirteen 
men  of  his  Company,  on  their  march  from  Chester  County 
to  New- Jersey,  9  82-90  Dollars: 

To  Captain  Benjamin  Wallace,  for  Subsistence  of  his 
Company  on  their  march  from  Chester  County  to  New- 
Jersey,  32  20-90  Dollars: 

To  Captain  Matthew  Boyd,  for  Subsistence  of  fifty-three 
men  of  his  Company,  in  Colonel  Moore's  Battalion,  on  their 
march  from  Chester  County  to  New-  Jersey,  27  42-90  Dol- 
lars: 

To  Tobias  Rudolph,  for  the  hire  of  two  Horses  and  a 
Chair,  by  Captain  Alexander  Graydon,  to  conduct  Money 
to  Ticonderoga,  and  for  one  of  the  said  Horses  which  was 
lost  at  Albany,  125  54-90  Dollars: 

To  Mr.  Smith,  at  the  City  Tavern,  for  the  expense  of  a 
Guard  at  his  house  over  Prisoners  of  War  brought  from  Bur- 
lington, 16  27-90  Dollars: 

To  John  Tomkins,  for  the  Subsistence  of  Capts.  Crowlle's, 
Heister's,  and  Ludwigg's  Companies  of  Militia,  on  their 
march  to  New-Jersey,  21  36-90  Dollars: 

To  Captain  James  McCandless,  for  Subsistence  and  Fer- 
riages of  his  Company,  of  the  Fourth  Battalion  of  York 
County  Militia,  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  41  78-90 
Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  2,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  the  Delegates  of  Georgia,  for  the 
use  of  the  Continental  Forces  in  that  State ;  the  said  Dele- 
gates to  be  accountable. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation ; 
and  after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and 
Mr.  Morton  reported,  that  the  Committee  have  made  fur- 
ther progress  in  the  matter  referred  to  them ;  but  not  having 
yet  corne  to  a  conclusion,  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve 
itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Friday,  August  9,  1776. 

Congress  having  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Regimental 
Paymaster  for  the  Delaware  Battalion, 

John  Yates,  Esq.,  was  elected. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
devise  a  plan  for  encouraging  the  Hessians  and  other  Foreign- 
ers, employed  by  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  and  sent  to 
America  for  the  purpose  of  subjugating  these  States,  to  quit 
that  iniquitous  service: 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Wilson,  Mr.  Jefferson,  and 
Mr.  Stockton. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was 
read  : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  the  order  of  the  Board  of  War  such  articles  in 
their  possession,  belonging  to  the  Continent,  as,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  said  Board  of  War,  are  necessary  for  the  Delaware 
Battalion : 

That  the  said  Committee  be  directed  to  send  to  General 
Washington  thirty  thousand  Flints. 

A  Petition  from  William  Bell  fy  Co.  was  presented  to 
Congress,  and  read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Go- 
vernour TrumbulTs  Letter. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Mease  be  directed  to  supply  the 
Captains  now  in  Philadelphia,  belonging  to  Colonel  Hand's 
Battalion,  with  such  sums  of  Money  as  will  be  sufficient  to 
pay  the  Bounty  voted  to  non-commissioned  officers  and 
soldiers  who  inlist  for  three  years. 

The  Delegates  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  to  whom 
the  Petition  of  Lewis  de  Linkensdorf  was  referred,  brought 
in  their  Report,  which  was  taken  into  consideration  : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Lewis  de  Linkensdorf  be 
appointed  Adjutant  to  the  German  Battalion  ordered  to  be 
raised  for  the  Continental  service. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


101 


1603 


CONTINENTAL  -CONGRESS,  AUGUST  10,  1776. 


1604 


Agreeable  to  the  Order  of  the  Day,  Congress  proceeded  to 
the  election  of  four  Major-Generals ;  and  the  ballots  being 
taken  ami  examined, 

William  Heath,  Joseph  Spencer,  John  Sullivan,  and  Na- 
thanitl  drum-,  Esqs.,  were  elected  Major-Generals. 

The  Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  Brigadier- 
Generals;  and  the  ballots  being  taken, 

Colonel  James  Read,  Colonel  John  Nixon,  Colonel  Ar- 
thur St.  (.'lair,  Colonel  Alexander  McDoUgal,  Colonel 
Samuel  Holden  Parsons,  and  Colonel  James  Clinton,  were 
elected  Brigadier-Generals. 

Resolved,  That  the  hearing  of  Commodore  Hopkins  be 
postponed  to  Monday  next,  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  that  Cap- 
tain Jones  be  directed  to  attend  at  the  same  time. 

Resolved,  That  10,000  Dollars  be  advanced  to  Colonel 
John  Haslet  for  the  use  of  his  Battalion,  he  to  be  account- 
able. 

Resolved,  That  William  Brown,  Master-Carpenter,  who 
is  come  from  the  Camp  on  furlough,  be  ordered  not  to  return, 
his  service  being  necessary  at  the  yard. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  August  10,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  Isaac  Cooper,  Ship-Joiner,  be  ordered 
not  to  go  to  New-Jersey,  his  service  being  wanted : 

That  William  Jl  kiting,  a  wounded  soldier,  be  sent  to  the 
Hospital  of  Pennsylvania,  and  supported  at  the  expense  of 
the  United  States;  and  in  case  he  dies,  that  the  expenses 
of  his  funeral  be  paid  by  the  United  States. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 
To  Jeremiah  Dougan,  in   part  payment  of  his  Account 
against  the  Continent,  319  Dollars  and  60-90ths,  with  which 
he  is  to  be  charged  : 

To  Daniel  Smith,  for  the  weekly  allowance  of  the  fol- 
lowing prisoners  of  war,  viz :  James  Hughes,  Town-Major 
of  Montreal,  and  Captain  Duncan  Campbell,  from  the  19th 
January  to  the  18th  July  last,  twenty -four  weeks  and  six 
days,  at  2  Dollars  a  week,  99  Dollars  and  38-90ths. 

Major  Dunbar,  Major  Stopford,  Lieutenant  Harrison, 
Lieutenant  Shuttleworth,  Lieutenant  McDonald,  and  Cap- 
tain Algeo,  from  the  26lh  April  to  12th  July  last,  eleven 
weeks  each,  at  2  Dollars  a  week,  132  Dollars: 

To  Colonel  Jacob  Stroud,  for  expenses  of  wagon-hire,  in 
conducting  Canadian  Prisoners,  and  part  of  the  Twenty- 
Sixth  Regiment,  from  Walpeck,  in  New-Jersey,  to  Reading 
and  Bristol,  in  Pennsylvania,  219  Dollars  and  54-90ths, 
out  of  which  84  Dollars  and  12-90ths  is  a  charge  against 
the  British  Troops,  and  135  Dollars  and  42-90ths  for  the 
expense  of  the  Canadians: 

To  John  Bates,  for  one  hundred  and  forty  Camp-Ket- 
tles, delivered  to  Colonel  Matlack,  186  Dollars  and  60- 
90ths: 

To  Thomas  Nevill,  for  the  materials  and  making  Travel- 
ling-Carriages for  the  Cannon  sent  to  North- Carolina,  257 
Dollars  and  25-90ths: 

To  William  McGill,  for  expenses  of  the  First  Pennsyl- 
vania Battalion,  on  their  march  to  Canada,  which  is  to  be 
charged  to  J.  Shallus,  Quartermaster  of  the  said  Battalion, 
14  Dollars  and  45-90ths  : 

To  Joseph  Haight,  for  the  allowance  to  Captain  Francis 
Stuart  and  John  Leslie,  of  the  Twenty-Sixth  Regiment, 
from  the  26th  April  to  1 1  th  July,  and  to  Dr.  Huddleston, 
of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  from  the  26th  April  to  the  1st 
July  last,  as  prisoners  of  war,  63  Dollars : 

To  Captain  Joseph  Spur,  of  Colonel  Moore's  Battalion, 
for  the  subsistence  of  his  Company,  of  twenty-eight  men, 
on  their  march  from  Chester  County  to  New-Jersey,  the 
sum  of  25  Dollars  and  18-90ths: 

To  Lieutenant-Colonel  Joseph  Park,  for  the  subsistence 
of  six  men  of  Colonel  Moore's  Battalion,  on  their  march 
from  Chester  County  to  New-Jersey,  16  Dollars: 

To  Michael  Gratz,  for  Indian  goods  provided  by  him  in 
May  and  June  last,  and  delivered  to  the  Commissioners  for 
Indian  Affairs  in  the  Northern  Department,  653  Dollars 
and  87-90ths: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 
The  Committee  further  reported  that  they  have  had  under 
consideration  the  Accounts  of  Messrs.  Price  and  Hay  wood, 


which  were  recommitted  to  them,  and  having  ree'xamined 
the  same,  find  a  balance  due  to  them,  amounting  to  59,962 
Dollars  and  53-90ths.  which  they  are  of  opinion  ought  to 
be  paid  in  silver  and  gold. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  sums  be  paid  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Treasury  be  directed  to 
devise  ways  and  means  for  paying  Messrs.  Price  and  Hoy- 
wood,  and  report  to  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  3,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  the  Delegates  of  Delaware  Go- 
vernment, for  the  purpose  of  paying  one  month's  advance 
to  the  Battalion  of  Militia  marching  from  that  Government 
to  the  Flying-Camp. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Commissions  be  made  out 
and  sent  to  General  Washington,  to  be  delivered  to  the 
several  Officers  recommended  in  the  list  exhibited  by  the 
said  Board,  to  611  the  vacancies  mentioned  in  the  said  list, 
excepting  those  persons  recommended  to  fill  the  vacancies 
occasioned  by  Officers  being  in  captivity,  which  ought  not 
to  be  filled,  but  to  be  left  open,  until  those  Officers  shall  be 
redeemed,  and  excepting  the  case  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Tyler,  who  is  to  have  a  Commission  for  Colonel  of  the 
Regiment  lately  commanded  by  Colonel  Persons,  promoted; 
and  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Durkce  have  a  Commission  of 
Colonel  of  the  Twentieth  Regiment,  and  that  Major  Pren- 
tice be  made  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Regiment  in  which 
he  is  now  Major;  and  Major  Knolton  Lieutenant-Colonel  of 
the  Twentieth  Regiment. 

The  Marine  Committee  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was 
read. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Committee  on  the  causes  of  the  miscarriages  in  Ca- 
nada,  brought  in  a  further  Report,  which  was  read. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table,  to  be  taken  into  consider- 
ation on  Tuesday  next. 

Resolved,  That  John  Hughes  be  supplied  with  necessary 
Clothes,  by  the  Managers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital;  at . 
the  expense  of  the  United.  States. 

Resolved,  That  William  Tudor,  Judge  Advocate  Gene- 
ral, have  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  Annyof  the 
United  States,  and  that  he  be  ordered  immediately  to  repair 
to  the  discharge  of  his  duty  at  New-  York. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  Colonel  J.  Wilson,  for  the  use  of  three  Companies 
of  his  Battalion,  now  in  Philadelphia,  eleven  pounds  of 
Powder,  and  forty-four  pounds  of  Lead: 

That  the  said  Committee  be  directed  to  deliver  to  the 
order  of  the  Marine  Committee  such  quantity  of  Arms  and 
Ammunition  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  use  of  the  Conti- 
nental Frigates. 

The  Committee  on  sundry  Canadian  Petitioners,  reported : 

That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Louis  Lotbinicre  was,  on  the  26th  of 
January  last,  appointed,  by  General  Arnold,  Chaplain  to  the 
Regiment  under  the  command  of  Colonel  James  Livingston, 
and  acted  in  that  capacity  until  the  retreat  of  the  Army  from 
Canada,  and  was  promised  by  General  Arnold  the  pay  of 
£14  10s.  per  month,  including  Rations;  and  that  there  is 
now  a  balance  of  124  Dollars  84-90ths  due,  and  that  the 
same  ought  to  be  paid  to  him,  and  he  continued  a  Chaplain 
in  the  pay  of  ihe  United  States: 

That  Jean  Tisseul  ought  to  receive  nine  months'  pay  as 
a  Private,  and  a  present  of  20  Dollars  for  particular  service, 
the  whole  amounting  to  80  Dollars,  and  that  he  be  permitted 
to  inlist  in  the  Artillery  at  New-  York: 

That  Pierre  du  Cahert  ought  to  receive  106  Dollars  and 
2-3ds,  for  eight  months'  pay  as  an  Ensign,  and  a  Commis- 
sion as  a  Brevet  Lieutenant  : 

That  Alexander  du  Clos  ought  to  receive  33  Dollars  and 
l-3d,  for  five  months'  pay  as  a  Private,  and  be  discharged, 
with  permission  to  inlist  again  in  the  service,  at  his  elec- 
tion : 

That  Jean  Baptist  du  Vidal  ought  to  receive  56  Dollars 
for  seven  months'  pay  as  a  Sergeant,  and  be  discharged,  or 
continued  in  the  service,  at  his  election  : 

That  Louis  Russe  ought  to  receive  32  Dollars  fer  his  ser- 
vices as  a  Nurse  and  Attendant  on  the  sick,  and  a  present 
of  40  Dollars  on  account  of  his  humanity  to  them: 


1605 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  13,  1776. 


1606 


That  Juet  a  Voir  ought  to  receive  a  present  of  10  Dol- 
lars, and  be  discharged,  or  continued  in  service,  at  his  elec- 
tion : 

That  La  Junesse  ought  to  receive  a  present  of  40  Dol- 
lars, and  be  discharged: 

That  John  Hamptrencck  ought  to  receive  186  Dollars 
and  2-3ds,  as  Deputy-Commissary,  from  the  15th  of  Sep- 
tember to  the  5th  of  February,  and  164  Dollars  for  his  pay 
as  a  Captain  from  the  5th  of  February  to  this  day,  being 
six  months  and  five  days;  the  whole  amounting  to  350 
Dollars  and  60-90ths: 

That  John  Diamond  and  Walker  Moody  ought  to  receive 
a  present  of  40  Dollars  each: 

That  Andrew  Pepin  ought  to  receive  33  Dollars  and 
39-90ths,  for  five  months'  pay  as  a  Private,  for  his  services 
as  a  Volunteer,  and  be  continued  in  pay  as  a  Lieutenant: 

That  all  persons  who  have  acted  as  Volunteers  in  Canada, 
and  retreated  with  the  Army,  be  referred  to  General  Schuy- 
kr;  and  that  he  be  directed  to  inquire  into  their  services  and 
characters,  and  to  order  them  such  rewards  and  wages  as 
shall  appear  to  have  been  merited : 

That  300  Dollars  be  advanced  to  Colonel  James  Living- 
ston, and  his  general  Account  against  Congress  referred  to 
the  inspection  and  determination  of  General  Schuylcr. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Report  be  agreed  to. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  on  Monday. 

Monday,  August  12,  1776. 

A  Letter  from  General  Washington  of  the  8th,  with  sun- 
dry Papers  enclosed,  and  one  from  General  Mercer,  with  one 
enclosed  to  him  from  Colonel  Dickinson,  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  General  Washington, 
with  the  Papers  enclosed,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War: 

That  the  Letter  from  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  with  the 
enclosed  Letter  from  Colonel  Dickinson,  be  communicated 
to  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania. 

Sundry  Resolutions,  passed  by  the  Convention  of  New- 
York,  were  laid  before  Congress,  and  read. 

A  Letter  from  a  gentleman  at  Cape  Francois,  in  Hispa- 
niola,  dated  Ju/ythe  23d,  was  also  read. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Secret  Committee. 

That  the  Delegates  of  North- Carolina  be  empowered  to 
send  by  water,  at  the  risk  of  the  Continent,  the  Military 
Stores  necessary  for  that  State. 

On  application  of  one  of  the  parties, 

Resolved,  That  the  hearing  the  appeal  against  the  sen- 
tence passed  on  the  Schooner  Thistle,  be  postponed  to 
Monday,  the  26th  instant. 

The  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  having  recom- 
mended Philip  Schrauder,  as  a  Second  Lieutenant  of  the 
Fifth  Company  of  Germans,  to  be  raised  in  that  State: 

Resolved,  That  he  be  accepted,  and  that  a  Commission 
be  granted  to  him  accordingly. 

A  Letter  of  the  3d,  from  the  Council  of  Virginia,  and  one 
of  the  same  date,  from  Brigadier-General  Lewis,  were  read. 

Agreeable  to  the  Order  of  the  Day,  Commodore  Hopkins 
attended,  and  was  admitted  ;  when  the  Examination,  taken 
before  the  Marine  Committee,  and  the  Report  of  the  said 
Committee  in  consequence  thereof,  were  read  to  him ;  and 
the  Commodore  being  heard  in  his  own  defence,  and  having 
delivered  in  some  further  answers  to  the  questions  asked  him 
by  the  Marine  Committee,  and  two  Witnesses  being,  at  his 
request,  introduced  and  examined,  he  withdrew. 

Congress  then  took  into  consideration  the  Instructions 
given  to  Commodore  Hopkins,  his  Examination  and  Answers 
to  the  Marine  Committee,  and  the  Report  of  the  Marine 
Committee  thereupon  ;  also,  the  further  defence  by  him  made, 
and  the  testimony  of  the  Witnesses;  and,  after  some  debate, 
the  further  consideration  thereof  was  postponed. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Tuesday,  August  13,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  the  Eighth  Virginia  Battalion  be  taken 
into  pay  from  the  27th  day  of  may  last,  and  the  Seventh 
from  the  17th  day  of  June  last. 

The  Marine  Committee  having  recommended  William 


Barnes  for  First  Lieutenant  on  board  one  of  the  Frigates 
built  at  Philadelphia,  ThomasVaughan,  Second  Mate  of  the 
Ship  Alfred,  to  be  Third  Lieutenant  of  the  Washington 
Frigate,  commanded  by  Thomas  Reed,  E>q.,  and  Etisha 
Hinmaii  to  the  command  of  the  Cabot: 

Resolved,  That  they  be  accepted,  and  that  Commissions 
be  granted  to  them  accordingly;  and  that  Captain  Saltonital 
be  ordered  to  discharge  Mr.  Vaughan,  that  he  may  repair 
to  the  command  to  which  he  is  now  appointed. 

Colonel  Mercer,  of  the  Third  Virginia  Battalion,  being 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General,  and  William 
Christian,  who  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  First  Batta- 
lion, having  declined  to  accept  his  Commission,  and  Colonel 
William  Peachy,  of  the  Fifth  Battalion,  having  resigned, 
Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  Officers  to  fill  the 
vacancies  occasioned  thereby,  and  the  ballots  being  taken, 
Charles  Scott,  George  Weeden,  and  Isaac  Reade,  Esquires, 
were  elected  Colonels;  Alexander  Spotswood,  T/tomas Mar- 
shall, and  Robert  Lawson,  Esquires,  Lieutenant-Colonels; 
and  James  Junis  and  John  Green,  Esqs.,  Majors. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Conrad  Alster,  for  two  hundred  and  fourteen  Meals 
supplied  to  the  Militia  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  the 
sum  of  21  36-90  Dollars: 

To  James  Davis,  for  seventy  Meals  supplied  Captain 
Clark's  Company  of  Militia,  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey, 
1  9-90  Dollars  : 

To  Major  Blackden,  for  the  hire  of  a  Sleigh  and  two 
Horses  from  Albany  to  Quebeck,  Cash  expended  going  ex- 
press from  General  Arnold  to  Sorel,  and  for  a  Horse,  Bridle, 
and  Saddle,  lost  at  Dechambeau,  in  the  service  of  the  Colo- 
nies, the  sum  of  153  Dollars. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  Board  of  Treasury,  to  whom  it  was  referred  to  devise 
ways  and  means  for  paying  Messrs.  Price  and  Heywood, 
brought  in  their  Report : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  an  Order  be  sent  to  General 
Schuyler  and  General  Gates,  to  pay  all  the  Specie  that  thejr 
may  have  in  their  hands,  belonging  to  the  United  States,  to 
Messrs.  Price  and  Heywood,  in  part  of  the  balance  due  to 
them  from  the  said  States,  and  transmit  an  Account  thereof 
to  Congress : 

That  the  Committee  of  Treasury  be  directed  to  use  their 
endeavours  to  procure  Gold  and  Silver,  as  quickly  as  possi- 
ble, to  discharge  the  remainder: 

That  Messrs.  Price  and  Heywood  be  allowed  at  the  rate 
of  five  per  cent,  per  annum  interest,  for  the  balance  that  may 
be  due  to  them,  after  deducting  the  sum  that  shall  be  paid 
them  by  Generals  Schuyler  and  Gates,  from  the  time  of  such 
payment,  until  the  said  balance  is  paid. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  J.  Mease  be  directed  to  advance  one 
month's  Pay  to  the  Officers  and  Men  from  Maryland,  on 
their  march  to  the  Flying-Camp : 

That  the  Deputy  Quartermaster-General  be  directed  to 
supply  the  Troops  from  Maryland  with  such  articles  as  they 
may  stand  in  need  of,  out  of  the  Stores  in  his  hands  belonging 
to  the  Continent. 

Resolved,  That  the  5,000,000  of  Dollars,  last  ordered  t» 
be  emitted,  consist  of  the  following  numbers  and  denomina- 
tions, viz: 

76,923  Bills,  of  30  Dollars  each $2,307,690 

76,923  Bills,  of   8 do 615,384 

76,923  Bills,  of   7 do 538,461 

76.923  Bills,  of   6 do 461,538 

76.924  Bills,  of   5 do 384,620 

76,923  Bills,  of    4.  ./..do 307,699 

76,923  Bills,  of   3 do 230,769 

76,923  Bills,  of  2 do 153,846 


615,385  Bills $5,000,000 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  2,666  2-3  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  Ludwick  Karcher,  for  the 
purpose  of  victualling  the  Troops  marching  to  the  Flying- 
Camp,  he  to  be  accountable. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  in- 
formed that  Congress  have  not  received  the  Treaty  between 
the  State  of  Massachusetts-Bay  and  the  St.  John's  and 
Micmac  Indians,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  send  a  copy 
thereof: 

That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  furnish  Colonel 


1607 


CONTh\EI\7TAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  15,  1776. 


1608 


Wilson  with  twenty -three  Muskets,  twenty-two  pounds  of 
Powder,  and  eighty-eight  pounds  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  his 
Battalion  of  Militia. 

The  said  Board  having  recommended  William  Caldwtll 
to  be  Paymaster  of  Colonel  Buldu-ins  Regiment  of  Conti- 
nental Troops  raised  in  Massachusetts-Bay,  and  William 
Lawrence  to  be  Paymaster  of  Colonel  Shoe's  Battalion  of 
Continental  Troops,  raised  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania : 

Resolved,  That  they  be  accepted,  and  that  Commissions 
be  granted  to  them  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  296  1-3  Dollars  be  paid  to 
the  Order  of  Messrs.  Simon  and  Campbell,  in  full  of  a  Draft 
in  their  favour  by  George  Morgan,  at  Pittsburgh,  June  3, 
1776,  and  that  the  same  be  charged  to  the  Account  of 
the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs  in  the  Middle  Depart- 
ment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Marine  Committee  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  James  Mease  the  Sheeting;  in  their  hands,  for  the 
use  of  the  Continental  Troops. 

Congress  being  informed  that  Alexander  Ross  is  detained 
at  Pittsburgh : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Commissioners 
for  Indian  Affairs  to  inquire  into  this  matter,  and,  if  they  find 
no  new  cause  for  detaining  him  since  he  was  before  the 
Committee  of  Congress,  and  they  think  it  proper,  that  they 
permit  him  to  pursue  his  journey  into  the  Indian  country. 

Resolved,  That  a  Member  be  added  to  the  Committee 
appointed  to  consider  the  application  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Leonard. 

The  Member  chosen,  Mr.  Hall. 

A  Letter  of  the  12th,  from  Brigadier-General  Mercer, 
was  read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Articles  of  War, 
and,  after  some  time  spent  thereon,  the  further  consideration 
thereof  was  postponed  till  to-morrow. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  August  14,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  12th,  from  General  Washington,  with  a 
General  Return  of  the  Army  at  New-  York,  and  sundry  other 
Papers  enclosed,  being  received,  was  read  : 

Also,  sundry  Letters  from  England  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  General  Washington,  with 
the  Papers  enclosed,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

On  request  of  the  Delegates  of  New- Jersey, 

Resolved,  That  the  Tutors  in  Princeton  College  be  de- 
tained from  going  to  the  Flying-Camp,  and  that  the  said 
Tutors  be  directed  to  continue  in  the  said  College  exercising 
their  several  functions. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  devise  a  plan  for  encouraging 
the  Hessians  and  other  Foreigners  to  quit  the  British  service, 
brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken  into  consideration: 
Whereupon,  Congress  came  to  the  following  Resolution  : 

Whereas  it  has  been  the  wise  policy  of  these  States  to 
extend  the  protection  of  their  laws  to  all  those  who  should 
settle  among  them,  of  whatever  nation  or  religion  they  might 
be,  and  to  admit  them  to  a  participation  of  the  benefits  of 
civil  and  religious  freedom;  and  the  benevolence  of  this 
practice,  as  well  as  its  salutary  effects,  have  rendered  it 
worthy  of  being  continued  in  future  times  : 

And  whereas  his  Britannick  Majesty,  in  order  to  destroy 
our  freedom  and  happiness,  has  commenced  against  us  a 
cruel  and  unprovoked  war;  and  unable  to  engage  Britons 
sufficient  to  execute  his  sanguinary  measures,  has  applied 
for  aid 'to  foreign  Princes,  who  are  in  the  habit  of  selling 
the  blood  of  their  people  for  money,  and  from  them  has 
procured  and  transported  hither  considerable  numbers  of 
foreigners:  And  it  is  conceived  that  such  foreigners,  if 
apprised  of  the  practice  of  these  States,  would  choose  to 
cept  i  lands,  liberty,  safety,  and  a  communion  of  good 
d  mild  Government,  in  a  country  where  many  of 
the.r  friends  and  relations  are  already  happily  settled,  rather 
than  continue  exposed  to  the  toils  and  dangers  of  a  Ion.  and 
bloody  war  waged  against  a  people  guilty  of  no  other  crime 
than  that  of  refusing  to  exchange  freedom  for  slavery;  and 
that  they  will  do  this  the  more  especially  when  they  reflect 


that  after  they  shall  have  violated  every  Christian  and  moral 
precept,  by  invading  and  attempting  to  destroy  those  who 
have  never  injured  them  or  their  country,  their  only  reward, 
if  they  escape  death  and  captivity,  will  be  a  return  to  the 
despotism  of  their  Prince,  to  be  by  him  again  sold  to  do  the 
drudgery  of  some  other  enemy  to  the  rights  of  mankind  : 

And  whereas  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  have 
thought  fit,  by  a  late  act,  not  only  to  invite  our  Troops  to 
desert  our  service,  but  to  direct  a  compulsion  of  our  people, 
taken  at  sea,  to  serve  against  their  country: 

Resolved,  therefore,  That  these  States  will  receive  all 
such  foreigners  who  shall  leave  the  Armies  of  his  Britannick 
Majesty  in  America,  and  shall  choose  to  become  members 
of  any  of  these  States;  that  they  shall  be  protected  in  the 
fr^e  exercise  of  their  respective  religions,  and  be  invested 
with  the  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  of  natives,  as 
established  by  the  laws  of  these  States;  and,  moreover,  that 
this  Congress  will  provide,  for  every  such  person,  fifty  acres 
of  unappropriated  lands  in  some  of  these  States,  to  be  held 
by  him  and  his  heirs  in  absolute  property. 

Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  Resolution  be  committed  to 
the  Committee  who  brought  in  the  Report,  and  that  they 
be  directed  to  have  it  translated  into  German,  and  to  take 
proper  measures  to  have  it  communicated  to  the  foreign 
troops ;  in  the  meanwhile  that  this  be  kept  secret. 

Resolved,  That  Doctor  Franklin  be  added  to  the  said 
Committee. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Captain  William  Ross,  for  Subsistence  and  Ferriage 
of  his  Company  of  67  men,  of  Colonel  Smith's  Battalion,  on 
their  march  from  York  County  to  New-Jersey,  the  sum  of 
52  Dollars  and  49-90ths: 

To  Daniel  Smith,  for  Captain  Gamble's  allowance,  from 
26th  April  to  10th  August  instant,  being  15  weeks,  at  2 
Dollars  a  week,  the  sum  of  30  Dollars: 

To  John  Davis,  for  33  days  hire  of  a  Wagon  transporting 
the  Baggage  of  Captain  Hay's  Company  of  Colonel  Irwin's 
Battalion,  from  Carlisle  to  New-York,  110  Dollars,  and  for 
41  Meals  supplied  Captain  Thomas  Turbutt's  Company,  of 
Colonel  Wilson's  Battalion,  on  their  inarch  from  Cumberland 
County  to  New-Jersey,  the  sum  of  4  Dollars  and  9-90ths : 

To  John  Eshenbach,  for  19  Meals  supplied  Recruits  of 
Captain  Cluggage's  Company,  of  Colonel  Hand's  Battalion, 
1  Dollar  and"81-90ths : 

To  Colonel  Clement  Biddle,  for  150  Camp-Kettles.  200 
Dollars : 

To  Dr.  John  Coates,  for  a  set  of  Surgeon's  Instruments, 
lost  on  his  march  with  General  Arnold  from  Cambridge  to 
Quebeck,  the  sum  of  26  Dollars  and  60-90ths: 

To  Sarah  Campbell,  for  nursing  and  boarding  7  sick  men 
belonging  to  Captains  Beaty,  Benezet,  and  Miller's  Com- 
panies, 30  Dollars  and  7-90ths : 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

A  Petition  from  Elisha  Swift  and  Adonijah  Spanborough 
was  presented  to  Congress  and  read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Delegates  from  Penn- 
sylvania and  Connecticut. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Mons.  Weibert,  now  serving 
in  the  Continental  Army  at  New-York,  as  an  Engineer,  be 
appointed  Assistant  Engineer,  with  the  rank  and  pay  of 
Lieutenant-Colonel ;  and  that  his  pay  commence  from  the 
time  of  his  engaging  in  the  service. 

That  General  Mercer  be  directed  to  discharge  or  grant 
furloughs  to  Joseph  Kcrr,  hatter,  a  private  of  Captain  Will's 
Company  in  the  First  Battalion,  and  to  Philip  Mouse, 
stocking  weaver,  a  Private  in  Captain  Kling's  Company  of 
the  Fourth  Battalion  of  Philadelphia  Militia:  these  two 
persons  being  applied  for  by  Messrs.  Mease  and  Caldivell, 
Commissaries,  to  whom  their  services  are  indispensably 
necessary  in  making  and  providing  clothing  for  the  Army. 

Resolved,  That  the  remainder  of  the  Report  be  postponed 
till  to-morrow. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Thursday,  August  15,  1776. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration  : 


1609 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  17,  1776. 


1610 


Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  James  Livingston,  having 
been  appointed  a  Colonel  of  a  Regiment  by  General  Mont- 
gomery, have  a  Colonel's  Commission  given  him,  with  orders 
to  inlist  as  many  Companies  of  Canadians  as  are  willing  to 
engage  in  the  service;  and  that  the  Commander-in-Chief,  in 
the  Northern  Department,  be  directed  to  recommend  to 
Congress  proper  persons  for  Officers  under  him. 

The  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  having  recom- 
mended Mr.  Bernard  Hubley,  Jun.,  as  First  Lieutenant  in 
the  Fifth  Company  of  the  German  Battalion, 

Resolved,  That  he  be  accepted,  and  that  a  Commission  be 
granted  to  him  accordingly. 

A  Petition  from  Return  Jonathan  Meigs,  in  behalf  of 
himself  and  others,  was  presented  to  Congress,  and  read  : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  30,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurers,  in  favour  of  James  Mease,  for  the  use  of  the 
Militia  going  to  New-Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  500  Dollars  be  lodged  in  the 
hands  of  the  Auditor-General,  for  the  purpose  of  discharging 
small  debts,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  Colonel  McCallister  eight  stand  of  Arms,  for  the 
use  of  his  Battalion,  the  said  Committee  taking  security  for 
the  return  of  the  said  Arms : 

That  the  said  Committee  be  directed  to  deliver  to  the 
Delegates  of  North- Carolina  five  tons  of  Lead,  for  the  use 
of  the  Troops  in  that  State. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Letter  from  Governour 
Trumbull,  of  the  19th  July,  with  sundry  Depositions  and 
Papers,  was  referred,  brought  in  their  Report,  which  was 
read: 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

A  Petition  from  Jeremiah  Dugan  was  presented  and 
read : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Instructions 
given  to  Commodore  Hopkins,  his  Examination  and  Answers, 
&.C.;  and,  thereupon,  came  to  the  following  Resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Commodore  Hopkins,  during  his 
cruise  to  the  southward,  did  not  pay  due  regard  to  the  tenor 
of  his  Instructions,  whereby  he  was  expressly  directed  to 
annpy  the  enemy's  Ships  upon  the  coasts  of  the  southern 
States,  and  that  his  reasons  for  not  going  from  Providence 
immediately  "to  the  Carolines  are  by  no  means  "*  satisfac- 
tory. 

At  the  request  of  the  Delegates  from  Pennsylvania,  the 
further  consideration  of  the  Report  was  postponed  till  to- 
morrow. 

A  Letter  of  the  14th,  from  General  Washington,  one  from 
General  Schuyler,  of  the  7th,  and  one  of  the  5th,  from  Ge- 
neral Gates,  being  received,  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  500,000  Dollars  be  sent  to  Mr.  Trum- 
bull, Deputy  Paymaster-General,  for  the  use  of  the  Army  in 
the  Northern  Department. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  de- 
liver, to  the  order  of  the  Marine  Committee,  such  Stores  by 
them  imported  as  are  necessary  for  the  Fleet. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Friday,  August  16,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  15th,  from  General  Washington,  was 
read. 

The  Board  of  Treasury,  who  were  appointed  to  prepare 
Instructions  for  the  Commissioners  appointed  to  settle  the 
Accounts  of  the  Army  at  New-York,  and  in  the  Northern 
Department,  brought  in  a  draught,  which  was  read  and  agreed 
to,  as  follows : 

"  To 

"  GENTLEMEN:  You  are  appointed  Commissioners  by  the 
Congress  to  liquidate  the  accounts  of  the  Army  in 
You  will,  therefore,  proceed  immediately  to  ,  and 

apply  to  General  to  direct  all  persons  who  have 

been  engaged  in  transacting  publick  business,  to  lay  their 
accounts  before  you.  In  your  examination,  you  will  observe 
the  utmost  exactness,  taking  care  not  to  allow  any  accounts 


for  which  proper  vouchers  are  not  produced.  No  officer  is 
permitted  to  hold  two  commissions;  consequently,  is  not  to 
receive  pay  for  two. 

"  Every  Colonel  of  a  battalion  ought  to  produce  muster- 
rolls,  certified  by  the  Mustermaster,  or  such  other  person 
as  may  have  been  appointed  by  the  commanding  officer  to 
muster  the  men,  of  the  number  his  battalion,  from  time  to 
time,  consisted  of. 

"  No  allowance  of  pay,  or  rations,  is  to  be  made  to  any 
officer  for  men  who  have  not  been  actually  in  the  Conti- 
nental service. 

"  If,  in  the  settlement  of  these  accounts,  you  shall  discover 
any  frauds  to  have  been  practised,  or  abuses  committed  by 
misapplication  of  publick  moneys,  you  shall  take  particular 
notice  of  them,  and  make  especial  report  to  the  Committee 
of  Treasury.  When  you  have  completed  this  business,  you 
are  to  transmit  a  copy  of  your  proceedings,  with  accounts,  to 
the  Committee  of  Treasury,  to  be  by  them  finally  adjusted 
and  discharged." 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  be  made  out,  and  delivered  to  the 
respective  Commissioners. 

Resolved.  That  the  sum  of  250,000  Dollars  be  sent  to 
Ebenezer  Hancock,  Esq.,  Deputy  Paymaster-General,  for  the 
use  of  the  Army  in  the  Eastern  Department; 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  1.000  Dollars  be  advanced  to 
Captain  John  David  Whelper,  for  the  Bounty  Money,  &ic., 
of  his  Company,  he  to  be  accountable. 

A  Petition  from  Dr.  Samuel  Stringer  was  presented,  and 
read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Medical  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  Medical  Committee  be  empowered  to 
purchase  such  Medicines  as  they  judge  proper  and  useful  for 
the  Army. 

.  Resolved,  That  a  Member  be  added  to  the  Committee  to 
whom  were  referred  the  Letters  and  Papers  respecting  the 
murder  of  Mr.  Parsons. 

The  Member  chosen,  Mr.  J.  Adams. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Letter  from  General  Put- 
nam, in  favour  of  the  Rev.  Abiel  Leonard,  was  referred, 
reported, 

"  That  it  appears,  from  a  further  Certificate  of  General 
Putnam,  that  Mr.  Leonard  performed  the  duty  of  a  Chap- 
lain to  other  Regiments  than  that  of  the  General's,  for  the 
space  of  eight  months,  for  which  he  has  had  no  compensa- 
tion ;  and  that  it  also  appears  that  Mr.  Leonard's  services  at 
that  time  in  the  Army  were  very  necessary  and  useful." 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  300  Dollars  be 
paid  to  the  said  Mr.  Abiel  Leonard,  as  a  reward  for  his 
services. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letters  received  yesterday  from  Ge- 
neral Washington,  General  Schuyler,  and  General  Gates,  be 
referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Instructions 
given  to  Commodore  Hopkins,  his  Examination  and  Answers, 
Sic.,  and,  thereupon,  came  to  the  following  Resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  conduct  of  Commodore  Hopkins 
deserves  the  censure  of  this  House,  and  this  House  does 
accordingly  censure  him. 

Ordered,  That  a  copy  of  the  Resolutions  passed  against 
Commodore  Hopkins  be  transmitted  to  him. 

The  Secret  Committee  having  informed  Congress  that  a 
quantity  of  Powder,  about  five  tons,  was  arrived  in  New- 
Jersey: 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to 
send  the  said  Powder  to  Brigadier-General  Mercer,  for  the 
use  of  the  Flying-Camp,  under  a  proper  guard.* 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  August  17,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  13th,  from  General  Washington,  was 
read. 

The  Delegates  o( New-Jersey  laid  before  Congress  a  Re- 
solution of  their  Convention,  empowering  any  one  of  them 
to  represent  the  said  State,  in  these  words: 

*  Reconsidered,  and  ordered  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  it  appearing 
to  Conjress  that  for  the  present  there  is  a  sufficient  quantity  of  Powder 
in  the  Jerseys  for  the  use  of  the  Troops. 


1611 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  19,  1776. 


1612 


"  In  Provincial  Congress,  New-Jersey,  Burlington, ) 

June  22, 1776.      > 

"Upon  the  question,  whether  one  or  more  Delegates  shall 
be  a  quorum  to  represent  this  Province  in  Continental  Con- 
gress, it  was  carried  in  favour  of  one. 

"  Extract  from  the  Minutes: 

"  WILLIAM  PATTERSON,  Secretary." 

TJie  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  John  Bates,  for  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  Camp- 
Kettles,  delivered  to  Clement  Biddle,  Deputy  Quartermaster- 
General,  249  Dollars: 

To  George  Buimer,  for  a  Rifle  purchased  by  Lieutenant 
Moses  Rowling,  from  John  Piper,  in  Maryland,  for  the  use 
of  Captain  Grier's  Rifle  Company,  and  to  be  charged  to 
said  Company,  10  60-90  Dollars: 

To  Messrs.  Gibson  and  Aston,  for  five  Rifles  furnished 
Captain  Morgan's  Company  of  Riflemen,  by  persons  in 
Frederick  County,  Virginia,  and  certified  by  the  Commit- 
tee there,  and  to  be  charged  to  the  said  Morgan,  65  30-90 
dollars: 

To  James  Mercer,  for  five  hundred  and  ninety-seven  Meals 
furnished  to  the  Militia  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  59 
63-90  Dollars: 

To  William-  Clayton,  for  454  Meals  supplied  the  Militia 
on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  45  36-90  Dollars: 

To  William  Allibone,  for  his  expenses  in  search  of  Flint- 
Stones,  by  direction  of  the  Board  of  War,  6  Dollars: 

To  Joseph  Hinzey,  for  seven  Chairs  and  a  Stool,  for  the 
use  of  the  Treasury  Office,  15  80-90  Dollars: 

To  William  M-  Carroll,  for  the  Passage  of  Prisoners  taken 
by  Captain  Barry  from  Egg-Harbour  to  Philadelphia,  with 
their  maintenance  on  the  road,  4  56-90  Dollars: 

To  Colonel  Henry  Holler,  425  39-90  Dollars,  of  which 
sum  20  Dollars  are  to  be  charged  to  Captain  Nelson,  for  two 
Rifles  delivered  to  him  by  David  Miers;  14  54-90  Dollars 
to  the  Army,  for  Rations  supplied  Captain  Nelson's  Com- 
pany; 24  Dollars  for  contingent  expenses  of  three  Express- 
es; and  366  75-90  Dollars  for  Provisions  for  the  Prisoners  at 
Reading,  with  Fire-Wood,  Salt,  Straw,  &c.,  including  39 
days'  service  of  said  Holler: 

To  George  Struylys,  for  entertainment  of  the  Militia,  on 
their  march  to  New-Jersey,  18  64-90  Dollars: 

To  Robtrt  Jewell,  for  sundry  bills  for  the  repair  of  the 
Old  Jail  in  Philadelphia,  and  work  done  at  the  New  Jail, 
178  53-90  Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs,  to  whom  sundry  Let- 
ters and  Papers  from  Pittsburg  were  referred,  having  examin- 
ed them,  laid  the  same  on  the  table,  and  desired  they  might 
be  read,  which  was  done. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  50  Dollars  be  drawn  on  the 
Treasurer,  in  favour  of  George  Morgan,  for  the  use  of  Peter 
Long,  for  his  services  in  the  Indian  country. 

Resolved,  That  the  Accounts  of  George  Morgan,  Esq., 
be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Treasury. 

A  Letter,  of  this  day,  from  Martin  Johnson,  Lieutenant  of 
Artillery,  was  laid  before  Congress  and  read;  wherein  he 
desires  Congress  to  inquire  into  the  circumstances  of  Mr. 
Anstruther's  diamond  ring,  which  lie  acknowledges  he  has; 
that  he  never  made  a  secret  of  it;  that  he  did  not  break  open 
Mr.  Anstruther's  trunk;  he  found  the  ring  some  time  after 
the  garrison  capitulated,  and  thought  it  to  be  a  prize;  and, 
for  the  truth  of  what  he  asserts,  refers  Congress  to  the  Cer- 
tificates of  several  principal  Officers. 

Resolved,  That  Lieutenant  Martin  Johnson  be  directed 
to  deliver  the  Ring  to  the  Secretary  of  the  War  Office,  who 
is  ordered  to  send  the  same  to  Mr.  Anstruthcr,  the  owner. 

Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Report  of  the 

Committee  to  whom  was  referred  Brigadier-General  Woos- 

tcr's  Letter,  requesting  an  inquiry  into  his  conduct  while  he 

the  honour  of  commanding  the  Continental  Forces  in 

Canada,  which  was  read,  as  follows: 

That  Brigadier-Genera]  Wooster  produced  copies  of  a 
number  of  Letters  which  passed  between  him  and  General 
and  of  his  Letters  to  Congress;  from  which  it 
appears  that  he,  from  time  to  time,  gave  seasonable  and  due 
not.ce  of  the  state  of  the  Army  under  his  command,  and 
what  supplies  were,  in  his  opinion,  necessary  to  render  the 
enterpr.se  successful;  that  a  number  of  Officers  and  other 
gentlemen  from  Canada,  who  were  acquainted  with  his  con- 


duct there,  and  who  happened  occasionally  to  be  in  this 
City,  were  examined  before  the  Committee;  to  which  Let- 
ters, and  the  Minutes  of  the  examination  of  the  witnesses 
herewith  exhibited,  the  Committee  beg  leave  to  refer  Con- 
gress for  further  information,  and  report,  as  the  opinion  of 
the  Committee,  upon  the  whole  of  the  evidence  that  was 
before  them,  that  nothing  censurable  or  blameworthy  ap- 
pears against  Brigadier-General  Jl'ooster. 

The  Report,  being  again  read,  was  agreed  to. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Gustavus  Risberg  be  ap- 
pointed Assistant  to  Clement  Biddle,  Deputy  Quartermaster- 
General  to  the  Flying-Camp,  and  that  he  reside  at  Phila- 
delphia. 

Resolved,  That  General  Washington  be  desired  to  pro- 
pose an  exchange  of  his  Britnnnick  Majesty's  Prisoners, 
captivated  at  St.  John's  and  Chamblee,  for  those  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States,  taken  in  Canada  : 

That  Major  Meggs  be  exchanged  for  Major  French,  and 
Captain  Henry  Dearborn  for  an  Officer  of  his  rank : 

That  in  case  a  general  exchange  of  Prisoners  should  not 
be  agreed  to,  that  provision  be  made  for  supplying  our  Pri- 
soners in  Canada  with  necessaries,  by  procuring  and  sending 
bills  of  exchange,  drawn  by  British  Officers,  prisoners  in 
these  States ;  or,  if  such  cannot  be  obtained,  that  cash  be 
sent  to  them. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Convention  of 
Maryland,  to  raise  and  arm  two  Battalions  upon  the  Conti- 
nental establishment: 

That  the  men  for  the  said  Battalions  be  inlisted  to  serve 
during  the  war,  unless  sooner  discharged  by  Congress: 

That  the  said  Convention  recommend  to  Congress  suit- 
able persons  for  Field  Officers  of  the  said  Battalions,  and 
appoint  all  the  other  Officers: 

That  the  said  Battalions  be  taken  into  Continental  pay 
so  soon  as  they  are  armed  and  accoutred  for  service,  and 
accordingly  mustered : 

That  20,000  Dollars  be  sent  to  the  said  Convention,  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  raising  the  said  Battalions;  to  be 
accounted  for  to  Congress. 

Colonel  Biddle  having,  by  order  of  General  Mercer, 
applied  for  the  following  articles,  viz:  500  Firelocks  with 
Bayonets,  and  500  Bayonets  with  scabbards  of  different 
sizes,  200  spare  Ramrods,  4,000  Priming-Wires,  and  20^000 
Flints: 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  J.  Mease,  Commissary,  be  directed 
to  provide  and  deliver  to  Colonel  Biddle,  or  his  order,  the 
above  articles,  or  as  many  of  them  as  can  be  procured. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  on  Monday. 

Monday,  August  19,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  12th,  from  General  Washington,  with 
the  Proceedings  and  judgment  of  a  Court-Martial  against 
Colonel  Donald  Campbell  enclosed,  was  read :. 

Resolved,  That  the  Proceedings  and  judgment  of  the 
Court-Martial  be  sent  to  General  Schuyler,  for  his  appro- 
bation or  disapprobation. 

Another  Letter,  of  the  1 4th,  from  General  Washington, 
with  Papers  enclosed,  relative  to  Mr.  Nubile,  a  foreigner, 
was  read : 

Resolved,  That  this  Letter,  with  the  Papers  enclosed,  be 
referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

A  Letter  of  the  14th,  from  Commodore  Hopkins,  was 
read: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Commodore  Hopkins  be 
directed  to  repair  to  Rhode-Island,  and  take  the  command 
of  the  Fleet  formerly  put  under  his  care. 

A  Letter  of  the  19th,  from  Lieutenant  Martin  Johnson, 
was  read: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  stoppage  of  Lieutenant 
Martin  Johnson's  pay  be  taken  off,  and  that  lie  receive  what 
is  due  to  him. 

A  Letter  of  the  19th,  from  Brigadier-General  Woostcr, 
was  read : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Board  of  War  having  recommended  Captain  Jamet 


1613 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  20,  1776. 


1614 


Chapman  to  be  Major  of  Colonel  Tyler's  Battalion,  and 
Captain  Thomas  Dyer  to  be  Major  of  Colonel  Durkee's: 

Resolved,  That  they  be  accepted,  and  that  Commissions 
be  granted  to  them  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Treasury  be  empowered  to 
employ  another  Press  to  print  the  Bills  of  Credit,  and  that 
Matthew  Clarkson  and  Walter  Shee,  Esqs.,  be  appointed 
Superintendents  of  the  Press,  in  addition  to  those  already 
appointed  for  that  service. 

A  Petition  from  Chapman  Ashur  was  presented  to  Con- 
gress, and  read. 

The  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs,  to  wbom  the  Letters 
from  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs  in  the  Middle  and 
Southern  Departments  were  referred,  brought  in  a  Report, 
which  was  taken  into  consideration; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  it  be  left  to  the  discretion  of 
tbe  Commissioners  in  the  Middle  Department  to  postpone 
the  holding  the  Treaty  with  the  Indians  in  their  department 
to  such  time  as  they  think  best;  and  that  if,  by  continuing 
at  Pittsburgh  in  the  mean  while,  they  are  of  opinion  they 
shall  be  able  to  bring  the  Indians  into  a  friendly  disposition, 
and  to  render  the  Treaty  more  general,  they  be  desired  to 
continue  there: 

That  the  invitation  given  by  the  said  Commissioners  to 
such  of  tbe  Six  Nations  of  Indians  as  live  on  the  waters  of 
the  Ohio,  to  attend  the  said  Treaty,  be  approved: 

That  the  said  Commissioners  be  instructed  to  make  dili- 
gent inquiry  into  the  murder  lately  committed  by  Indians  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Pittsburgh,  on  one  Crawford;  and 
that  as  soon  as  they  discover  by  whom  the  same  was  com- 
mitted, they  demand  due  punishment  on  the  offender  or 
offenders,  which  being  granted,  this  Congress  will  not  con- 
sider the  same  as  a  national  act : 

That  the  said  Commissioners  invite  such  of  the  Indian 
Chiefs  and  Warriors  of  their  Department  as  they  think  best, 
to  visit  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  after  the  conclusion  of  the 
Treaty  with  them : 

That  the  following  extract  from  the  speech  of  Logan,  an 
Indian  Chief,  be  transmitted  to  the  Commissioners  for  the 
Middle  Department,  viz  :  "  We  still  hear  bad  news.  Con- 
neodico  and  some  of  us  are  constantly  threatened.  And 
the  *Bear-Skin,  a  trader  from  Pennsylvania,  amongst  others, 
says,  a  great  reward  is  offered  to  any  person,  who  will  take 
or  entice  either  of  us  to  Pittsburgh,  where  we  are  to  be 
hanged  up  like  dogs  by  the  Big-Knife.  This  being  true, 
how  can  we  think  of  what  is  good?  That  it  is  true,  we 
have  no  doubt ;  and  you  may  depend  on  it,  that  the  Bear- 
Skin  told  Metopsica  every  word  of  what  I  have  mentioned." 
And  that  they  be  directed  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  remove 
every  jealousy  of  the  United  States,  or  either  of  them,  from 
the  minds  of  the  Indians.  And,  as  it  may  possibly  happen, 
that  the  persons  concerned  in  the  Indian  trade,  in  order  to 
engross  to  themselves  or  to  the  traders  of  their  own  State, 
the  whole  of  the  said  Indian  trade,  may,  by  false  suggestions, 
endeavour  to  poison  the  minds  of  the  said  Indians,  and  ren- 
der them  inimical  to  any  other  State,  and  to  involve  such 
State  in  an  Indian  war,  that  it  be  therefore  recommended  to 
the  Assemblies  and  Conventions  of  the  several  States  from 
which  trade  is  carried  on  with  the  Indians,  that  they  take 
the  most  effectual  measures  to  prevent  the  traders  of  their 
respective  States  from  pursuing  a  practice  so  dangerous  to 
the  peace  of  the  United  States: 

That  so  much  of  the  Indian  speech  as  relates  to  the  Nan- 
ticokes,  be  sent  to  the  Convention  of  Maryland,  and  that 
they  be  requested  to  give  Congress  such  information  upon 
the  subject  as  they  can  obtain  : 

That  agreeable  to  the  proposition  from  the  Commissioners 
for  Indian  Affairs  in  the  Southern  Department,  Mr.  Galphin 
and  Mr.  Ray  be  desired  to  invite  such  of  the  Headmen  of 
the  Creeks,  as  they  shall  think  expedient,  to  visit  Congress 
at  Philadelphia,  and  that  Mr.  Galphin  or  Mr.  Ray  be  re- 
quested to  attend  them  hither,  and  that  Congress  will  defray 
the  expenses  of  such  journey. 

Resolved,  That  the  part  of  the  Report  respecting  the 
neutrality  of  the  Indians,  be  postponed. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  1,200  Dollars  be  advanced 
to  the  Commissioners  appointed  to  audit  and  settle  the  Ac- 
counts of  the  Army  at  New-York,  and  in  the  Northern 
Department)  they  to  be  accountable. 

Congress  resumed   the  consideration  of  the  Articles  of 


War,  as  revised  by  the  Committee  for  that  purpose  appoint- 
ed; and,  after  some  time  spent  thereon,  the  further  consider- 
ation thereof  was  postponed. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Archibald  Hamilton  be  permit- 
ted to  reside  at  New- Brunswick,  until  the  further  orders  of 
Congress. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Petiiion  from 
Elisha  Swift,  &,c.,  brought  in  their  Report. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Jacob  Vandcrhtyden,  for  Clothing  supplied  the  Army 
in  Canada,  viz:  to  Captain  Ten  Eyck's  Company,  £256 
15  5;  to  Captain  John  Visher's  Company,  £168  14  5; 
to  Captain  John  Visgar,  £34  6  6;  to  Captain  John 
Graim,  £52  0  7;  to  General  Arnold,  for  the  Army,  £4 
19  0;  for  Shoes  purchased  by  order  of  the  Commissioners 
of  Congress,  £21  12  0;  the  whole  amounting  to  £595  7 
11,  lawful  money  of  Canada,  equal  to  1,984  59-90  Dol- 
lars: 

To  George  Morgan,  Esq.,  for  the  balance  of  his  Account 
for  sundries  supplied  for  the  Middle  Department,  to  be 
charged  to  the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs  in  the  said 
department,  377  75-90  Dollars: 

To  Robert  Irwin,  for  the  hire  of  four  Teams,  and  their 
Ferriage,  to  New-York,  162  20-90  Dollars: 

To  Christian  Voigt,  for  one  hundred  and  sixteen  Meals 
supplied  the  Troops  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  7  33-90 
Dollars  ;  and  that  the  same  be  paid  to  George  Hufnagel: 

To  George  Hufnagel,  for  six  hundred  and  sixty-six  Meals 
supplied  the  Troops  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  42  25- 
90  Dollars : 

To  Colonel  Jeremiah  Dugan,  for  the  balance  of  his  Ac- 
count, for  supplies  to  the  Army  in  Canada,  exclusive  of 
sundry  anicles  for  which  he  has  produced  no  vouchers,  698 
45-90  Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  post- 
poned, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Tuesday,  August  20,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  18th,  from  General  Washington,  with 
sundry  Papers  enclosed,  was  laid  before  Congress,  and  read : 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of 
five : 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Franklin,  Mr. 
Rutledge,  Mr.  J.  Adams,  and  Mr.  Hooper. 

A.  Petition  from  Harduin  Mertlet,  was  read,  and  referred 
to  the  Canada  Committee. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Petition  from 
Dr.  Stringer,  brought  in  their  Report,  which  was  taken  into 
consideration ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Dr.  Morgan  was  appointed 
Director-General  and  Physician-in-Chief  of  the  American 
Hospital : 

That  Dr.  Stringer  was  appointed  Director  and  Physician 
of  the  Hospital  in  the  Northern  Department  only : 

That  every  Director  of  a  Hospital  possesses  the  exclusive 
right  of  appointing  Surgeons  and  Hospital  Officers  of  all 
kinds,  agreeable  to  the  Resolutions  of  Congress  of  the  17th 
of  July,  in  his  own  department,  unless  otherwise  directed  by 
Congress : 

That  Dr.  Stringer  be  authorized  to  appoint  a  Surgeon 
for  the  Fleet  now  fitting  out  upon  the  Lakes: 

That  a  Druggist  be  appointed  in  Philadelphia,  whose 
business  it  shall  be,  to  receive  and  deliver  all  Medicines, 
Instruments,  and  Shop  Furniture,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  : 

That  a  salary  of  30  Dollars  a  month  be  paid  to  the  said 
Druggist  for  his  labour. 

Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  Druggist ;  and, 
the  ballots  being  taken,  Dr.  William  Smith  was  elected. 

The  Board  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Joseph  Haight,  for  sundry  supplies  of  Provisions  and 
Wood  for  the  British  Prisoners  at  Burlington,  from  the 
10th  June  to  the  18th  July  last,  277  36-90  Dollars ; 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  paid. 

A  Letter  from  Mease  and  Caldwell  was  laid  before  Con- 
Ti'ss,  and  read: 

D  * 


1615 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  22,  1776. 


1616 


Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of  three : 
The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Walton,  Mr.  Morris,  and  Mr. 
Paine. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  takeSinto  their  further  consideration  the  Articles  of  Con- 
federation ;  and,  after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the 
•  chair,  and  Mr.  Morton  reported  that  the  Committee  having 
had  under  consideration  the  Articles  of  Confederation  had 
gone  through  the  same,  and  agreed  to  sundry  articles,  which 
he  was  ordered  to  submit  to  Congress. 


of  brass,  if  a  sufficient  quantity  of  that  metal  can  be  pro- 
cured ;  if  not,  to  be  cast  of  iron,  and  sent,  as  soon  as  possible, 
to  General  Gates  for  the  use  of  the  Northern  Army,  and 
that  the  said  Committee  provide  also  Carriages,  and  every- 
thing necessary  to  complete  the  said  Artillery  for  service : 
That  Major-General  Ward  be  authorized  and  requested, 
"  '  "  will  permit,  to  continue  in  the  command  of  the 
he  service  of  the  United  States,  in  the  Eastern 

until  further  orders : 

*.,„.  ...-  Cannon  Committee  be  authorized  to  possess 
themselves  of  the  Copper  said  to  be  at  Neiv-London,  be- 


atio^    as  reported  from  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  be        Resolved,  That  Colonel  -Henry  Knox :  be  authorized  to 
minted  undeV  the  same  injunctions  as  the  former  Articles    draw  upon  the  Paymaster-General  for  Money  sufficient  to 
printed,  and  delivered  to  the  Members  under  the  like    pay  for  any  quantity  of  Copper  that  can  be  procured  for  the 

nen   r>f  »V.Q  TJnlfvrl  Mntfa     hp    tn  rpnHpr   nn    ar.r.rmnt  of    tlifi 


instructions  as  formerly. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Hamilton  Young  be  permitted  to 
reside  in  Pennsylvania,  until  the  further  orders  of  Con- 
gress. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  device  for  a  Great 
Seal  for  the  United  States,  brought  in  the  same,  with  an 
explanation  thereof: 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

A  Letter  of  the  19th,  from  General  Washington,  was 


use  of  the  United  States,  he  to  render  an  account  of  the 
sums  drawn  for,  and  the  Copper  purchased. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  General  Washington,  read 
yesterday,  and  that  of  the  12th,  with  the  Papers  enclosed, 
be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

A  Letter  to  the  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence 
was  read. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
revise  the  Resolutions  of  Congress,  respecting  the  place 
where  Prizes  are  to  be  carried  into,  and  to  bring  in  such 

r,              ,i    f  ,].„          ,„  nr  further  Resolutions  as  to  them  shall  seem  proper. 

Information  bein"  »iven  to  Congress  that  tne  crews  ol  ,.      r  _.           ',,  '  ,,                 . 

.<=  ft.       .    .                           .  .1    •    ppn  The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Morris,  and 

some  of  the  American  Vessels  have  risen  against  their  Uap-  ,,     ?  _., 

tains,  and  piratically  seized  the  Vessels,  and  that  one  of  them 
being  earned  into  England,  the  Pirates  have  been  publickly 
countenanced,  and  the  Vessel  and  Cargo  taken  by  Adminis- 
tration, and  sent  to  victual  their  Fleet  and  Army  in  America  : 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
inquire  into  the  circumstances  of  the  captures,  and  report 
thereon. 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Franklin,  Mr.  Morris,  and 


Mr.  /.  Adams. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 


Mr.  Jefferson. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  August  21,  1776. 

A  Petition  from  Prudehome  la  Junesse  was  read,  and 
referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Memorial  of  Samuel  Holden 
Parsons  was  referred,  brought  in  their  Report,  which  was 
read. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Bazil  Boitderot,  mentioned 
in  the  said  Memorial,  be  sent  to  the  State  of  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  and  there  delivered  to  the  Council  of  the  said  State, 
and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  said  Council  to  proceed 
against  the  said  Bazil  Bouderot  according  to  the  laws  of 
their  State;  but,  if  they  have  no  law  by  which  crimes  com- 
mitted out  of  their  State  may  be  tried  within  the  same,  that 
then  they  confine  the  said  Bazil  Bouderot  until  the  situation 
of  publick  affairs  will  admit  his  being  removed  to  Nova- 
Scotia,  where  the  crime  is  alleged  to  have  been  committed, 
and  there  submitted  to  a  fair  trial,  according  to  the  ancient 
laws  of  that  Province. 

The  Committee  to  whom  part  of  the  Report  from  the 
Committee  on  Spies  was  recommitted,  having  brought  in  a 
Report,  the  same  was  taken  into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  all  persons,  not  members  of, 
nor  owing  allegiance  to,  any  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
as  described  in  a  Resolution  of  Congress  of  the  24th  of  June 
last,  who  shall  be  found  lurking  as  Spies  in  or  about  the 
Fortifications  or  Encampments  of  the  Armies  of  the  United 
Slates,  or  of  any  of  them,  shall  suffer  death,  according  to  the 
law  and  usage  of  nations,  by  sentence  of  a  Court-Martial,  or 
such  other  punishment  as  such  Court-Martial  shall  direct. 

Ordered,  Tliat  the  above  Resolution  be  printed  at  the 
end  of  the  Rules  and  Articles  of  War. 


Thursday,  August  22,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  20th,  from  General  Washington,  enclosing 
a  copy  of  Major  Bigelow's  Journal,  and  General  Carleton's 
Order  of  the  4th  of  August;  also,  a  Letter  of  the  16th,  from 
General  Schuyler,  were  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  General  Washington,  with 
the  Papers  enclosed,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War: 

That  the  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  be  referred  to  the 
Committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the  mis- 
carriages in  Canada. 

The  President  laid  before  Congress  a  Warrant  for  appre- 
hending Thomas  Reed,  Patrick  Ballantine,  and  Robert  Gil- 
more,  and  informed  that,  in  consequence  thereof,  a  party  of 
Light-Horse  have  brought  the  prisoners  to  Philadelphia, 
where  they  are  confined,  under  a  guard,  at  the  Indian  Queen 
Tavern. 

Resolved,  That  the  Prisoners  be  sent  for  examination  to 
the  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania. 

Resolved,  That  1,400  Dollars  be  paid  to  Alexander  Tod, 
it  being  in  full  of  an  Order  in  his  favour,  drawn  by  George 
Morgan,  for  goods  purchased  for  the  Treaty  at  Pittsburgh, 
and  that  the  same  be  charged  to  the  Accounts  of  the  Com- 
missioners for  Indian  Affairs  in  the  Middle  Department. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  2,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Colonel  Mark  Bird,  who  has 
contracted  to  cast  Cannon  for  the  United  States,  he  to  be 
accountable. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  read. 
Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Letter  from  General  Wash- 
ington, of  the  18th,  was  referred,  brought  in  a  Report,  which 
was  read. 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

Congress  then  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  to  take  into  consideration  the  form  of  a  Treaty;  and, 
after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Nelson  reported  that  the  Committee  have  had  under  con- 
sideration the  matter  to  them  referred;  but,  not  having  had 


Resolved,  That  500,000  Dollars  be  sent  to  the  Pay-    time  to  go  through  the  same,  desired  leave  to  sit  again. 


master-General  for  the  use  of  the  Army  at  New-York. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Cannon  Committee  be 
directed  to  contract  for  the  immediate  casting  of  six  Six- 
pounders,  six  Twelve-pounders,  four  eight-inch  Howitzers, 
four  six-inch  Howitzers,  and  six  cohorn  Mortars,  to  be  made 


Resolved,  That  Congress  will,  to-morrow,  resolve  itself 
into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole,  to  take  into  consideration 
the  plan  of  Foreign  Treaties. 

A  Letter  of  the  18th,  from  the  Council  of  Safety  of 
Maryland,  was  read : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  26,666  2-3  Dollars  be  ad- 
vanced to  the  Council  of  Safety  of  Maryland,  for  the  use  of 


1617 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  26,  1776. 


1618 


the  Troops  raised  for  the  Flying-Camp,  they  to  be  account- 
able. 

A  Letter  from  Brigadier-General  Lewis;  also  a  Letter 
from  the  Committee  of  Carlisle,  in  Cumberland  County, 
Pennsylvania,  enclosing  a  Memorial  from  the  Officers, 
prisoners  there,  were  read,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of 
War. 

The  Marine  Committee  having  recommended  Dudley 
Sallonstal  to  the  command  of  the  Frigate  Trumbull;  Jona- 
than Maltbay  First  Lieutenant,  and  David  Phipps  to  be 

Second  Lieutenant  of  the  said  Frigate; Wilson  to  be 

First  Lieutenant  of  the  Washington,  and  John  Nicholson 
to  be  Second  Lieutenant  of  ditto;  John  Hodge  to  command 
the  Montgomery  Frigate  at  Ntw-York: 

Resolved,  That  they  be  accepted,  and  Commissions  granted 
to  them  accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to 
deliver  to  Major  Nichols  a  number  of  Muskets,  sufficient  to 
arm  the  Marines  under  his  command,  in  this  City. 

The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due — 

To  Robert  Jewell,  for  a  Writing  Desk,  Stools,  &c.,  for 
the  Board  of  War,  the  sum  of  31  60-90ths  Dollars: 

To  John  Bates,  for  120  Camp-Kettles,  delivered  to 
Deputy  Quartermaster-General  C.  Biddle,  160  Dollars: 

To  John  Bogart,  for  the  expenses  of  burying  a  Soldier 
of  Captain  Harmon's  Company,  and  for  maintenance  and 
nursing  of  him,  and  one  other  soldier,  belonging  to  Captain 
Wilkt's  Company,  botli  of  the  First  Pennsylvania  Batta- 
lion, 19  30-90ths  Dollars;  and  for  the  expense  of  Guards 
escorting  Powder,  Sic.,  5  31-90ths  Dollars;  both  amounting 
to  24  61-90ths  Dollars;  and  to  be  paid  to  Joseph  Burr  ell: 

To  Oswald  Eve,  for  surveying  the  Inlets  to  the  northward 
of  Cape  May,  by  order  of  a  Committee  of  Congress,  224 
55-90ths  Dollars : 

To  Richard  Bache,  Stephen  PascaU  and  Michael  Hille- 
gas,  for  superintending  the  Press  from  December  the  13th. 
1775,  to  February  the  3d,  1776,  at  printing  the  second 
emission  of  Continental  Bills  of  Credit,  and  of  the  10,000 
Dollars  struck  for  the  purpose  of  exchanging  torn  and 
ragged  Bills,  45  days  each,  at  two  Dollars,  agreeable  to  a 
Resolve  of  Congress,  270  Dollars: 

To  James  Budden,  for  hire  of  Wagons  and  expenses  of 
Prisoners,  Sic.,  to  Reading  and  Carlisle,  164  54-90ths 
Dollars: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Friday,  August  23,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  21st,  from  General  Washington,  enclosing 
a  copy  of  a  Letter  from  him  to  Lord  Howe,  together  with 
his  Lordship's  Answer,  was  read  : 

Resolved,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War, 
with  orders  to  publish  the  General's  Letter  to  Lord  Howe, 
and  his  Lordship's  Answer. 

A  Petition  from  William  Holton  was  read,  and  referred 
to  the  Marine.  Committee. 

A  Petition  from  James  McHenry  was  read,  and  referred 
to  the  Medical  Committee. 

A  Petition  from  Lewis  Prahl,  Gunsmith,  was  read,  pray- 
in<r  that  the  workmen  in  his  Manufactory  may  be  exempted 
from  going  to  the  Flying-Camp,  and  that  two  of  his  work- 
men who  have  inlisted  may  be  discharged : 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  be  granted. 

The  Delegates  from  Pennsylvania  and  Connecticut,  to 
whom  the  applications  from  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  inhabitants  settled  under  Connecticut,  in  the  Town 
of  Westmoreland,  was  referred,  brought  in  a  Report,  which 
was  taken  into  consideration: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  six  Companies  on  the  Con- 
tinental Establishment  be  raised  in  Pennsylvania,  and  posted 
along  the  frontiers  of  the  Counties  of  Northampton  and 
Northumberland,  and  parts  adjacent,  till  further  orders  of 
Congress : 

That  suitable  persons  be  recommended  to  Congress  by 
the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania,  for  a  Lieutenant-Colonel 
and  Major,  to  command  the  said  Forces,  and  that  the  said 
Convention  appoint  the  Captains  and  Subalterns: 

That  two  Companies  on  the  Continental  Establishment 


be  raised  in  the  Town  of  Westmoreland,  and  stationed  in 
proper  places  for  the  defence  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said 
Town  and  .parts  adjacent,  till  further  orders  of  Congress; 
the  Commissioned  Officers  of  the  said  two  Companies  to  be 
immediately  appointed  by  Congress: 

That  the  pay  of  the  Men  to  be  raised  as  aforesaid,  com- 
mence when  they  are  armed  and  mustered,  and  that  they 
be  liable  to  serve  in  any  part  of  the  United  States,  when 
ordered  by  Congress: 

That  the  said  Troops  be  inlisted  to  serve  during  the  war, 
unless  sooner  discharged  by  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  any  number  of  Troops,  ordered  into  the 
service  of  the  Continent  by  Maryland,  above  the  quota  of 
that  State,  be  taken  into  Continental  pay. 

A  Letter  from  Mrs.  Temple,  of  Charlestoivn,  in  Massa- 
chusetts-Bay, was  laid  before  Congress,  and  read  : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  Committee  of  three. 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Hooper,  Mr.  Heyward,  and 
Mr.  Stone. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  30,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Mr.  James  Mease,  for  the  publick 
service,  he  to  be  accountable. 

Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  Report  from 
the  Marine  Committee: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Marine  Committee  be 
authorized  and  empowered  to  purchase  materials,  in  all  such 
parts  of  America  as  they  may  think  proper,  for  building  more 
Ships  of  War,  and  that  the  said  Committee  report  to  Con- 
gress a  plan  of  the  Ships  that  should  be  built  in  addition  to 
the  present  Navy. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  on  Monday. 

Monday,  August  26,  1776. 

Three  Letters  of  the  22d  and  23d,  from  General  Wash- 
ington, with  sundry  Papers  enclosed;  a  Letter  from  William 
Finnie,  Deputy  Quartermaster-General  of  the  Southern 
Department,  were  read  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

A  Letter  of  the  18th,  from  General  Schuyler,  was  read; 
and  the  same,  together  with  the  Minutes  of  the  Treaty  held 
with  the  Indians  at  the  German-Flats,  were  referred  to  the 
Standing  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs. 

A  Letter  from  William  Coxe  and  others,  owners  of  three 
Privateers  fitting  out  in  Philadelphia,  was  read,  and  referred 
to  the  Marine  Committee. 

A  Petition  from  George  Measam  was  read,  and  referred 
to  the  Board  of  War. 

Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  sundry  Officers, 
when  Jonathan  Dayton  was  elected  Regimental  Paymaster 
of  Colonel  Dayton's  Battalion;  Robert  Durkee  and  Samuel 
Ransom  were  elected  Captains  of  the  two  Com  panics  ordered 
to  be  raised  in  the  Town  of  Westmoreland;  James  Wellis 
and  Pen'/i  Ross  First  Lieutenants,  Ashael  Buck  and  Simon 
Spalding  Second  Lieutenants,  and  Heman  Swift  and  Mat- 
thew Hollomback  Ensigns,  of  the  said  Companies. 

On  application  from  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  Penn- 
sylvania, 

Resolved,  That  100,000  Dollars  be  lent  to  the  said  Con- 
vention of  Pennsylvania,  to  be  put  into  the  hands  of  the 
Council  of  Safety,  the  said  State  to  be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  send 
to  Captain  Durkee  200  Ibs.  Powder,  and  a  proportionable 
quantity  of  Lead,  for  the  use  of  the  two  Companies  to  be 
raised  at  Westmoreland. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  500  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Mr.  Philip  Schuyler,  in  full  for 
500  Ibs.  of  PowHpp.  mirr* based  on  the  Eastern- Shore,  for  the 
use  of  the  Continental  Forces. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  be  empowered  to  give  orders 
for  the  payment  of  the  Bills  drawn  by  the  Treasurers  of 
North- Carolina,  for  the  use  of  the  Continental  Forces  in 
that  State. 

On  application  of  the  parties, 

Resolved,  That  the  hearing  and  determining  upon  the 
appeal  against  the  verdict  and  judgment  passed  upon  the 
Schooner  T/iistle,  be  further  postponed  to  Monday,  the  9th 
of  September  next. 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


102 


1619 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  27,  1776. 


1620 


A  Petition  from  sundry  Paper-Makers  was  presented  to 
Congress,  and  read,  praying  that  Nathan  Sellers,  an  Asso- 
ciator  in  Colonel  PaschalFs  Battalion,  and  \\  ho  w;>s  marched 
to  .\nr-Jersey,  may  be  ordered  to  return,  to  make  and  pre- 
pare suitable  Moulds,  Washers,  and  Utensils,  for  carrying  on 
the  Paper  Manufactory: 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  the  Petition  be  granted. 
Congress  resumed  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  dis- 
abled  Soldiers   and    Seamen,  and   came  to  the  following 
Resolutions: 

Whereas,  in  the  course  of  the  present  war,  some  Com- 
missioned and  Non-Commissioned  Officers  of  the  Army  and 
Navy.  a<  also  Private  Soldiers,  Marines,  and  Seamen,  may 
lose  a  limb,  or  be  otherwise  so  disabled  as  to  prevent  their 
serving  in  the  Army  or  Navy,  or  getting  their  livelihood,  and 
may  stand  in  need  of  relief: 

Resolved,  That  every  Commissioned  Officer,  Non-Com- 
missioned Officer,  and  Private  Soldier,  who  shall  lose  a  limb 
in  any  eng  igement,  or  be  so  disabled  in  the  service  of  the 
I'nititl  .Stales  of  America  as  to  render  him  incapable  after- 
wards of  getting  a  livelihood,  shall  receive,  during  his  life,  or 
the  continuance  of  such  disability,  the  one-half  of  his  monthly 
pay  from  and  after  the  time  that  his  pay  as  an  Officer  or 
Soldier  ceases;  to  be  paid  by  the  Committee  as  hereafter 
mentioned : 

That  every  Commander  of  any  Ship-of-War  or  Armed  Ves- 
sel, Commissioned  Officer,  Warrant  Officer,  Marine  or  Sea- 
man, helongingto  the  United  Slates  of  America, \\hosha\\  lose 
a  limb  in  any  engagement  in  which  no  prize  shall  be  taken, 
or  be  therein  otherwise  so  disabled  as  to  be  rendered  inca- 
pable of  getting  a  livelihood,  shall  receive,  during  his  life,  or 
the  continuance  of  such  disability,  the  one-half  of  his  monthly 
pay,  from  and  after  the  time  that  his  pay  as  an  Officer  or 
Marine  or  Seaman  ceases;  to  be  paid  as  hereafter  mentioned. 
But,  in  case  a  prize  shall  be  taken  at  the  time  such  loss  of 
limb  or  other  disability  shall  happen,  then  such  sum  as  he 
may  receive  out  of  the  net  profits  of  such  piize,  before  a 
dividend  is  made  of  the  same,  agreeable  to  former  orders  of 
Congress,  shall  be  considered  as  part  of  his  half-pay,  and 
computed  accordingly: 

That  every  Commissioned  Officer,  Non-Commissioned 
Officer,  and  Private  Soldier,  in  the  Army,  and  every  Com- 
mander, Commission  Officer,  Warrant  Officer,  Marine  or 
Seaman  of  any  of  the  Ships-of-War  or  Armed  Vessels 
belonging  to  the  United  Stales  of  America,  who  shall  be 
wounded  in  any  engagement,  so  as  to  be  rendered  incapable 
of  serving  in  the  Army  or  Navy,  though  not  totally  disabled 
from  getting  a  livelihood,  shall  receive  such  monthly  sum  as 
shall  be  judged  adequate  by  the  Assembly  or  other  repre- 
sentative body  of  the  State  where  he  belongs  or  resides,  upon 
application  to  them  for  that  purpose,  provided  the  same  doth 
not  exceed  his  half-pay. 

Provided,  That  no  Commissioned  Officer,  Non-Commis- 
sioned Officer,and  Private  Soldier, in  the  Army, Commander, 
Commission  Officer,  Warrant  Officer,  Marine  or  Seaman  of 
any  of  the  Ships-of-War  or  Armed  Vessels,  belonging  to  the 
United  Stales  of  America,  who  shall  be  wounded  or  disabled 
as  aforesaid, shall  be  entitled  to  his  half-pay  or  other  allowance, 
unless  he  produce  to  the  Committee  or  Officer  appointed  to 
receive  the  same,  in  the  State  where  he  resides  or  belongs, 
or  to  the  Assembly  or  Legislative  Body  of  such  State,  a  Cer- 
tificate from  the  Commanding  Officer,  who  was  in  the  same 
engagement  in  which  he  was  so  wounded,  or,  in  case  of  his 
death,  from  some  other  Officer  of  the  same  Corps,  and  the 
Surgeon  that  attended  him,  or  a  Certificate  from  the  Com- 
mander of  the  Ship-of-War  or  Armed  Vessel  engaged  in  the 
action,  in  which  any  Officer,  Marine,  or  Seaman,  received 
his  wound,  and  from  the  Surgeon  who  attended  him,  of  the 
name  of  the  person  so  wounded,  his  office',  rank,  department, 
regiment,  company,  ship-of-war,  or  armed  vessel,  to  which 
he  belonged,  his  office  or  rank  therein,  the  natureof  his  wound, 
and  in  what  action  or  engagement  he  received  it : 

That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several  Assemblies  or  Le- 
gislative Bodies  of  the  United  States  of  America,  to  appoint 
some  person  or  persons  in  their  respective  States,  who  shall 
receive  and  examine  all  such  Certificates  as  may  be  present- 
ed to  them,  and  register  the  same  in  a  book,  and  also  what 
support  is  adjudged  by  the  Assembly  or  Legislative  Body 
of  their  State,  to  those  whose  case  requires  but  a  partial 
support,  and  also  of  the  payment  from  time  to  time  of  every 
half-pay  and  other  allowance,  and  of  the  death  of  such  dis- 


abled person,  or  ceasing  of  such  allowance,  and  shall  make  a 
fair  and  regular  report  of  the  same  quarterly  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  Congress  or  Board  of  War,  where  a  separate  record 
shall  be  kept  of  the  same: 

That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Assemblies  or  Legislative 
Bodies  of  the  several  States,  to  cause  payment  to  be  made 
of  all  such  half-pay  or  other  allowances  as  shall  be  adjudged 
due  to  the  persons  aforenamed,  on  account  of  the  United 
Slates. 

Provided,  That  all  such  Officers  and  Soldiers  that  may 
be  entitled  to  the  aforesaid  pension,  and  are  found  to  be 
capable  of  doing  guard  or  garrison  duty,  shall  be  formed  into 
a  Corps  of  Invalids,  and  subject  to  the  said  duty;  and  all 
Officers,  Marines,  and  Seamen,  of  the  Navy,  who  shall  be 
entitled  to  the  Pension  aforesaid,  and  shall  be  found  capable 
of  doing  any  duty  on  board  the  Navy,  or  any  department 
thereof,  shall  be  liable  to  be  so  employed. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  be  published. 

The  Medical  Committee,  to  whom  Dr.  M( Henry's  Pe- 
tition was  referred,  brought  in  a  Report: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  Congress  have  a  proper  sense 
of  the  merit  and  services  of  Dr.  M'Henry,  and  recommend 
to  the  Directors  of  the  different  Hospitals  belonging  to  the 
United  States,  to  appoint  Dr.  M'llcnry  to  the  first  vacancy 
that  shall  happen,  of  a  Surgeon's  birth  in  any  of  the  said 
Hospitals. 

A  Letter  of  the  22d,  from  Colonel  James  Wilson,  was 
read,  and  referred  to  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Franklin,  and  Mr. 
J.  Adams. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 

Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Tuesday,  August  27,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  23d,  from  General  Mercer,  was  read, 
and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

A  Petition  from  Pelatiah  Webster,  was  presented  to  Con- 
gress, and  read,  praying  leuve  to  sell  the  Sloop  Betsey, 
belonging  to  Abiel  Wood,  of  Pownalborough,  in  the  Pro- 
vince, of  Maine,  from  selling  of  which  he  is  restrained  by 
the  Committee  of  Inspection  of  the  City  and  Liberties  of 
Philadelphia,  on  account  of  exceptions  taken  to  the  political 
character  of  the  owner: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  Petitioner  have  leave  to 
sell  the  said  Sloop;  the  money  arising  from  the  sale  to  be 
lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  Assembly  of  Massachusetts-Bay, 
and  by  them  disposed  of  in  the  same  manner  as  the  other 
estate  of  the  owner. 

Resolved,  That  Zcbulon  Butler,  Esq.,  be  appointed  to 
supply  the  two  Companies  ordered  to  be  raised  in  the  Town 
of  Westmoreland,  with  Provisions ;  and  that  he  be  allowed 
therefor,  at  the  rate  of  1-1 2th  part  of  a  Dollar  per  Ration, 
until  further  order  of  Congress. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the 
Legislature  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  to  provide 
Clothing  for  the  Continental  Troops  raised  in  that  State ; 
the  expense  of  the  said  Clothing  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Con- 
tinental Military  Chest  for  the  Southern  Department,  and 
deducted  out  of  the  soldiers'  pay: 

That  Mr.  Measam,  who  petitions  to  be  provided  for  on 
the  score  of  his  having  served  in  Canada,  and  also  desires 
payment  of  an  Account  against  the  Continent,  be  referred  to 
the  Treasury  Board,  for  a  settlement  of  his  Account. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  de- 
liver to  the  Maryland  Troops,  such  Arms  as  are  in  their 
possession,  belonging  to  the  Continent,  and  not  already 
appropriated;  the  State  of  Maryland  to  be  accountable  for 
such  Arms  delivered  to  their  Troops. 

The  Committee,  to  whom  the  Letter  from  Colonel  Wil- 
son was  referred,  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken  into 
consideration:  Whereupon,  Congress  came  to  the  following 
Resolutions : 

Congress  proceeding  to  take  into  further  consideration  the 
expediency  of  inviting,  from  the  service  of  his  Britannick 
Majesty,  such  Foreigners  as  are  engaged  therein,  and  expect- 
ing that,  among  the  Officers  having  command  in  the  said 
Foreign  Corps,  there  may  be  many  of  liberal  minds,  possess- 
ing just  sentiments  of  the  rights  of  human  nature,  and  of  the 


1621 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  28,  1776. 


1622 


inestimable  value  of  freedom,  who  may  be  prompted  to 
renounce  so  dishonourable  a  service,  by  the  feelings  of  hu- 
manity, and  a  just  indignation  at  the  office  to  which  they 
are  devoted  by  an  infamous  contract  between  two  arbitrary 
Sovereigns,  and  at  the  insult  offered  them,  by  compelling 
them  to  wage  war  against  an  innocent  people,  who  never 
offended  them,  nor  the  nation  to  which  they  belong,  but  are 
only  contending  for  their  just  rights;  and  willing  to  tender 
to  them  also,  as  they,  had  before  clone  to  the  soldiers  of  their 
corps,  a  participation  of  the  blessings  of  peace,  liberty,  pro- 
perty, and  mild  government: 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  will  give  to  all  such  of  the 
said  Foreign  Officers,  as  shall  leave  the  Armies  of  bis  Bri- 
tannick  Majesty  in  America,  and  choose  to  become  citizens 
of  these  States,  unappropriated  lands,  in  the  following  quan- 
tities and  proportions,  to  them  and  their  heirs  in  absolute 
dominion:  to  a  Colonel,  1,000  acres;  to  a  Lieutenant-Co- 
lonel, 800  acres;  to  a  Major,  600  acres;  to  a  Captain  400 
acre^  ;  to  a  Lieutenant,  300  acres;  to  an  Ensign,  200  acres; 
to  every  Non-Commissioned  Officer,  100  acres;  and  to 
every  other  officer  or  person  employed  in  the  said  Foreign 
Corps,  and  whose  office  or  employment  is  not  here  specifi- 
cally named,  in  the  like  proportion  to  their  rank  or  pay  in 
the  said  Corps ;  and,  moreover,  that  where  any  Officers 
shall  bring  with  them  a  number  of  the  said  Foreign  Soldiers, 
this  Congress,  besides  the  lands  before  promised  to  the  said 
Officers  and  Soldiers,  will  give  to  such  Officers  further  re- 
wards, proportioned  to  the  numbers  they  shall  bring  over, 
and  suited  (o  the  nature  of  their  wants;  provided,  that  such 
Foreign  Officers  or  Soldiers  shall  come  over  from  the  Armies 
of  his  Britannick  Majesty,  before  these  offers  shall  be  re- 
called. 

Resolved,  That  this  Congress  agrees  to  the  proposition 
from  General  Howe,  that  in  exchanges  of  Prisoners,  the 
choice  shall  be  made  by  the  respective  commanders  for  their 
own  officers  and  men;  provided  the  respective  commanders 
shall  also  have  a  right  to  make  choice  what  citizens  shall  be 
given  in  exchange  by  the  other. 

Congress  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
to  take  into  consideration  the  plan  of  Foreign  Treaties;  and, 
after  some  time,  the  President  resumed  the  chair,  and  Mr. 
Nelson  reported,  that  the  Committee  have  gone  through, the 
same,  and  made  sundry  amendments  therein. 

Resolved,  That  the  plan  of  Treaties,  with  the  amend- 
ments, be  referred  to  the  Committee  who  brought  in  the 
original  plan,  in  order  to  draw  up  instructions  pursuant  to 
the  amendments  made  by  the  Committee  of  the  Whole. 

That  two  Members  be  added  to  the  said  Committee: 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  R.  H.  Lee  and  Mr.  Wilson. 

A  Petition  from  the  Deputy  Commissary-General  was 
read,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Sundry  Members  of  the  Committee,  appointed  to  revise 
the  Journals,  and  superintend  the  printing  thereof,  being 
absent, 

Resolved,  That  four  Members  be  added  to  the  said  Com- 
mittee, and  that  any  two  be  a  quorum : 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Hcyward,  Mr.  Hooper,  Mr. 
Williams,  and  Mr.  Walton. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Wednesday,  August  28,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  26th,  from  General  Washington,  enclo- 
sing a  copy  of  a  Letter  to  him  from  Lord  Drummond;  also, 
a  Letter  of  the  27th,  from  Captain  Wade,  were  read: 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  from  Captain  Wade  be  referred 
to  the  Board  of  Treasury,  and  that  they  be  directed  to  send 
him  100  Dollars,  for  which  he  is  to  be  accountable. 

A  Petition  from  Jacob  Bankson,  and  one  from  Jean  Lan- 
geay,  were  read,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  500,000  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  the  Marine  Committee,  who 
are  to  be  accountable  for  the  expenditure  thereof. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  5,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  the  Delegates  of  Georgia,  for 
the  purpose  of  purchasing  Rifles  for  the  Troops  ordered  to 
be  raised  for  the  defence  of  that  State,  and  for  defraying  the 
expenses  of  their  march  to  Georgia ;  the  said  Delegates  to 
be  accountable  for  the  expenditure  thereof. 


Congress  being  informed  that  one  of  the  Virginia  Bat- 
talions was  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  and  that  they 
intend  to  |>ass  through  Yorktown  and  Philadelphia, 

Resolved,  That  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the  said  Bat- 
talion be  directed  lo  continue  their  march  from  Yorktoien, 
by  the  nearest  route,  to  New-Jersey,  there  to  be  subject  to 
the  orders  of  General  Washington. 

The  Marine  Committee  having  recommended  Joseph 
Greenway  to  be  Third  Lieutenant  on  board  the  Delaware 
Frigate,  commanded  by  Charles  Alexander,  Esq., 

Resolved,  That  he  be  accepted,  and  a  Commission  granted 
to  him  accordingly. 

A  Petition  from  Jacob  Fowler  was  read,  and  referred  to 
the  Standing  Committee  for  Indian  Affairs. 

Resolved,  That  the  Marine  Committee  be  directed  to 
lend  ten  bolts  of  light  Duck  to  the  Delegates  of  Maryland, 
for  the  use  of  the  Troops  from  that  Slate,  provided  the 
same  can  be  done  without  prejudicing  the  Marine  service. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  312  Dollars  and  24-90ths 
be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  the  Medical  Com- 
mittee ;  the  same  being  for  a  box  of  Rhubarb  bought  by  them 
of  Pelatiah  Webster. 

The  Delegates  of  Virginia  produced  new  Credentials  of 
their  appointment,  which  were  read,  as  follows: 

"  VIRGINIA,  SCT.     IN  CONVENTION,  THURSDAY,  > 
June  20,  1776.      $ 

"The  Convention  proceeded,  according  to  the  Order  of 
the  Day,  to  the  appointment  of  Delegates  to  represent  this 
Colony  in  General  Congress;  and,  the  Members  having  pre- 
pared tickets,  and  put  the  same  into  the  ballot-box,  Mr. 
Treasurer,  Mr.  George  Mason,  Mr.  Blair,  Mr.  Holt,  and 
Mr.  Henry  Tazewell,  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  ex- 
amine the  same,  and  report  upon  whom  the  majority  falls; 
and  it  appearing,  from  the  report  of  the  Committee,  that  the 
majority  was  in  favour  of  George  Wythe,  Thomas  Nelson, 
Richard  Henry  Lee,  Thomas  Jefferson,  and  Francis  Light- 
foot  Lee.  Esquires: 

"  Resolved,  therefore.  That  the  said  George  Wythe,  Tho- 
mas Nelson,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Thomas  Jifferson,  and 
Francis  Lightfoot  Lee,  Esqs.,  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  ap- 
pointed Delegates  to  represent  this  Colony  in  General  Con- 
gress, for  one  year  from  the  llth  of  August  next. 

"Resolved,  That  any  three  of  the  said  Delegates  be  a 
sufficient  number  to  represent  this  Colony  in  the  said  Gene- 
ral Congress. 

"A  ropy:  JOHN  TAZEWELL,  Clerk  Conv." 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Letter  from  Mease  Sf  Cald 
well  was  referred,  brought  in  their  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  five  hundred  pounds  of  Gun- 
powder be  delivered  to  the  said  Mease  fy  Cald  well,  for  the 
purpose  of  procuring  Deerskins,  to  make  Breeches  for  the 
Soldiery  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  they  to  be 
accountable. 

That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  fall  upon  pro- 
per ways  and  means  of  procuring  a  further  supply  of  Deer- 
skins, for  the  like  purpose,  from  Georgia  and  South-Caro- 
lina. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Letter  from 
Harriot  Temple  to  the  President  of  Congress,  brought  in  a 
Report,  which  was  taken  into  consideration: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That,  upon  the  said  Harriot's  pro- 
ducing to  the  Quartermaster-General  an  account  of  the 
Trees  which  were  cut  down  upon  the  Farm  of  Robert  Tem- 
ple, Esq.,  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  Continental  Army 
will)  Wood  for  firing,  or  for  the.  purposes  of  Fortifications,  so 
far  as  from  the  nature  of  the  circumstances  such  destruction 
can  be  ascertained  by  her,  the  Quartermaster-General  of  the 
Continental  *  rtr-y  ;!T!!  make  her  a  just  compensation  for  the 
same,  in  such  manner  as  other  persons  have  been  paid  who 
have  supplied  the  Army  with  Wood  for  these  purposes;  and 
the  Quartermaster  General,  in  his  Accounts,  shall  be  allowed 
for  the  same  by  this  Congress. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee for  inquiring  into  and  rectifying  the  defects  in  the 
Powder  manufactured  (or  the  United  States: 

And,  thereupon,  Resolved,  That  there  be  an  Inspector 
or  Inspectors  sufficiently  qualified  to  judge  the  goodness  of 
Gunpuwder,  who  shall  examine  every  cask  of  Gunpowder 


1623 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  AUGUST  30,  1776. 


1624 


manufactured,  or  to  be  purchased  on  account  of  the  United  That  there  be  paid  to  franca  Bourdon  the  sum  of 

State*  by  the  most  approved   method   of  ascertaining  the  45  1-3  Dollars,  due  to  him  for  his  service  as  a  Private  three 

quality  of  Gunpowder,  the  said    Inspector  or  Inspectors  to  months,  and  as  a  Sergeant  four  months,  in  Colonel  Hazen  s 

receive  one-ei«hth  part  of  a  Dollar  for  every  hundred  weight  and  Colonel  Brown's  Regiments, 

of  Powder  he°or  they  shall  so  examine:  The  said  Report  being  read,  was  agreed  to. 

That  no  Gunpowder  be  received  into  the  pubhck  Maga-  \  Letter  of  the  2d,  from  General  Lee,  at  Charlestown, 
zine  for  the  use  of  the  United  States  of  America, or  delivered  w;tn  an  intercepted  Letter  enclosed,  was  read, 
from  the  Powder-Mills  for  that  purpose,  hut  such  as  lias  been  pesolvej}  That  Mr.  J.  Mease  be  directed  to  provide  pro- 
approved  of  by  the  publick  Inspector,  as  to  its  quickness  Clothing  for  the  German  Battalion,  and  also  for  the  two 
firing  strength,  dry  ness,  and  other  necessary  quaht  Vinnn'w  Battalions,  on  their  march  to  New-York,  the  cost 

That  the  Inspector  mark  each  Cask  approved  will        >  of  ^,lich  clothing  to  be  deducted  out  of  the  pay  of  the  men 

letters  U.  S.  A.,  and  such  other  marks  as  are  necessary  to  fay  stoppa,res> 

distinguish  the  several  sorts  of  (tag"*"  Snaked,  That  the  Secret  Committee  be  directed  to  pro- 

That  every  maker  ol  bun  powder  maik  every  t^ash.  in  > 

which  he  shall  pack  his  Gunpowder  with  the  first  letters  of  vide  proper  Arms  for  the  German  Ba  tahon;  and,  m  case 

thav  rannnf    nthprwisfi   nrovirlfi  Arms,  tliat  tnev  he  emnnw- 

his  name : 


they  cannot  otherwise  provide  Arms,  that  they  be  empow- 

TiTGunpowder  be  put  into  no  Casks  but  such  as  are  ered  to  apply  to  this  purpose  those  ordered  to  be  put  into 

,d      d  dr  •  hands  of  the  Marines : 

"iCTbe  recommended  to  the  Legislatures  of  the  several  That  the  said  Committee  be  directed  to  deliver  to  Mr. 
States  of  America  to  cause  suitable  Inspectors  to  be  appoint-  Ja^s  Mease  the  bale  of  Cloth  in  their  possession,  for  the 
cd,  to  examine  and  determine  the  quality  of  all  Gunpowder  publjck  service  he  to  be  accountable : 
manufactured  within  their  jurisdiction,  and  that  no  person  be  That  the  said  Committee  be  directed  to  .mport  the  Me- 
allowed  to  vend  any  Gunpowder,  manufactured  in  any  of  the  dicmes  ordered  by  the  Medical  Committee. 
States  of  America,  unless  the  same,  in  the  judgment  of  such  The  Committee  of  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is  due- 
Inspector,  shall  be  of  sufficient  quality,  and  to  make  such  To  Joteph  SAeerer,  for  account  of  Captain  Cowden,  for 
laws  for  executing  this  or  any  other  regulations  for  promoting  six  hundred  and  eight  Rations  due  to  his  Company  of  Militia 
the  manufacture °of  good  Gunpowder  as  to  them  may  seem  at  the  time  of  their  march  from  Lancaster  County,  on  their 

way  to  New-Jersey,  54  4-90  Dollars : 

most  convenient.  fr>     i       i  ea.            f                       <• /~.        •     i          , , 

Ordered   To  be  published.  io  J°sePh  sheerer,  for  Account  of  Captain  James  Mur- 

,     .        f        T              .  ray,  for  seven  hundred   Rations  due  to  his  Company  of 

Congress  then  proceeded  to  the  election  of  an  Inspector  ^        ^  ^  ^  Q{  ^  ^^  ^  Lancas(erkoLy, 

of  Gunpowder;  and,  the  ballots  being  taken,  Qn  theif              New.Jersey>  61  20-90  Dollars: 

Robert  Towers  was  chosen.  To  Rk^rd  che         £  ^^  hmdnd  ^ 


Resolved,  That  500,000  Dollars  be  sent  to  the  Paymas-    MealS)  suppiied  the  Militia  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey, 


ter-General  at  New-York. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Thursday,  August  29,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  27th,  from  R.  H.  Harrison,  the  General's 
Secretary,  and  one  of  the  28th,  from  General  Mercer,  both 
giving  an  account  of  an  action  on  Long-Island  on  the  27th, 
were  read,  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

A  Letter  of  the  28th,  from  Richard  Dallam,  Deputy  Pay- 
master-General for  the  Flying-Camp,  was  also  read: 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  10,000  Dollars 
be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Gmtavus  Risburg, 
and  that  the  same  be  charged  to  the  Account  of  Mr.  Dal- 
lam: 

That  the  Letter  from  Mr.  Dallam  be  referred  to  the  Board 
of  Treasury. 

It  being  represented  by  Dr.  Franklin,  one  of  the  late 
Commissioners  to  Canada,  that  Mons.  Bernard  Mousac 
de  la  Marquisie  had  a  Commission  given  him  by  the  said 
Commissioners,  to  be  a  Captain  and  Engineer  in  one  of  the 
Regiments  to  be  raised  there,  and  that  he  lost  his  Commis- 
sion, with  his  Baggage,  at  Chambly: 

It  was,  thereupon,  Resolved,  That  a  new  Commission  be 
granted  to  him. 

A  Letter  of  the  3d,  from  Lord  Stirling,  was  read,  and 
referred  to  the  Cannon  Committee. 


122  66-90  Dollars: 

To  David  Jones,  for  his  pay  as  Chaplain  to  the  Third 
and  Fourth  Pennsylvania  Battalions,  from  the  13th  ofJune 
to  the  29th  of  August,  inclusive,  84  40-90  Dollars: 

To  Josiah  Fessenden,  for  services  as  an  Express,  including 
horse  hire  and  travelling  expenses,  89  Dollars  : 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  Board  of  War  brought  in  a  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  George  Measam,  Esq.,  be 
continued  in  the  office  of  Superintendent,  Commissary  of 
Stores,  except  Artillery  Stores,  for  the  Northern  Army,  with 
the  pay  of  33  1-3  Dollars  per  month. 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
devise  ways  and  means  of  regulating  the  Post  Office,  and  of 
establishing  Advice  Boats  between  the  Southern  Colonies 
and  Philadelphia,  so  as  to  facilitate  and  expedite  the  con- 
veying of  intelligence  from  one  part  of  the  Continent  to 
another. 

The  Members  chosen,  Mr.  Heyward,  Mr.  Jefferson,  and 
Mr.  Morris. 

Resolved,  That  the  Letter  enclosed  in  that  of  General 
Lee's,  of  the  2d,  and  which  was  found  on  Long-Island,  in 
South- Carolina,  be  published. 

A  Letter  from  Monsieur  Le  Chevalier  Saurelle,  was  read, 
and  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 


Resolved,  That  the  Committee   to  whom  the   plan  of 
The  Marine  Committee  having  recommended  Alphetu    Treati      wjth  the  amendments  was  recommitted,  be  em- 

Rice  to  be  First  Utntewfiof  Marines  on  Board  the  Brig  d  h  f     h     Instructions  as  to  tnem  shall 

Hamden,  commanded  by  Hoysted  Hacker,  Esquire: 

Resolved,  That  he  be  accepted,  and  a  Commission  granted 

to  him  accordingly. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  claims  of  Ca- 
nadians who  have  been  in  the  service  of  the  Continent, 
reported, 


seem  proper,  and  make  report  thereof  to  Congress. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 


Friday,  August  30,  1776. 

m,       „  A  Letter  of  the  29th.  from  General  Washington,  and  one 

I  hat  &amuel  Morrison,  who  appears,  by  the  Certificates  /•  u         •   f       /-,                m       i  n                j 

,  n  i           itrn-  of  the  22d,  from  Governour  Irumbull,  were  read. 

ol  Lieutenant-Colonels  Williams  and  Brown,  to  have  been  n      >     •    mi            t                    r-                T      7   77  u 

at  the  siege  of  Qwbeck  two  months  and  six  days,  and  to  fResf*d\  ™at  lje  fttter  from  Governour  lruMl  ** 

have  rendered  essential  service  in  several  capacities,  and  had  "*"**  l°  the  B°ard  °f  Treasul7- 

been  promised  a  Commission  of  Captain,  which  he  never  Besohed,  That  the  Duck,  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Green,  at 

received,  be  allowed  the  sum  of  40  Dollars  in  full  for  his  Rhode-Island,  be  made  up  into  Tents,  and  forwarded,  with 

said  services:  all  possible  expedition,  to  General  Washington. 

That  the  Petition  of  Hardouen  Merlet,  for  a  Pension,  in  Resolved,  That  Mr.  J.  Mease  be  directed  to  purchase  all 

leration  of  his  services,  not  being  supported  by  any  the  Linen  in  this  City,  suitable  for  Tents,  and  have  the  same 

Certificate  or  Voucher  relating  to  such  services,  no  allowance  made  up,  as  soon  as  possible,  and  report  to  Congress  imme- 

can  at  present  properly  be  made  to  him:  diately  the  quantity  that  can  be  procured. 


1625 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 


1626 


A  Memorial  from  David  White,  of  the  County  of  Somer- 
set, in  New-Jersey,  was  presented  to  Congress,  and  read. 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That,  from  the  state  of  facts  in 
the  said  Memorial,  Congress  have  no  objection  to  Mr. 
White's  being  excused  from  bearing  Arms,  but  remit  the 
same  to  the  Assembly  of  New-Jersey,  to  whom  the  inquiry 
and  determination  properly  belong. 

A  Memorial  from  Mr.  Kosciusko  was  read,  and  referred 
to  the  Board  of  War. 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  Report  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Governour  Tnimbull's  Letter  of  the  19th  of  July, 
and,  after  debate,  the  Report  was  recommitted,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  stating  the  facts  and  circumstances  which  induced 
Governour  Trumbull  to  stop  the  vessels  going  out  of  the 
Sound. 

The  Committee  for  regulating  the  Post-Office,  brought  in 
their  Report,  which  was  taken  into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  the  communication  of  intel- 
ligence with  frequency  and  despatch,  from  one  part  to  another 
of  this  extensive  Continent,  is  essentially  requisite  to  its 
safety;  that,  therefore,  there  be  employed  on  the  publick 
Post-Roads  a  Rider  for  every  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles, 
whose  business  it  shall  be  to  proceed  through  his  stage  three 
times  in  every  week,  setting  out  immediately  on  receipt  of 
the  Mail,  and  travelling  with  the  same  by  night  and  by  day 
without  stopping,  until  he  shall  have  delivered  it  to  the  next 
Rider;  and  that  the  Postmaster-General  be  desired,  either 
by  the  use  of  Way-Bills,  or  by  such  other  means  as  he  shall 
find  most  efficacious,  to  prevent  delays  in  the  Riders,  or  to 
discover  where  they  happen,  that  such  dilatory  Riders  be 
discharged. 

And,  as  it  is  requisite  that  the  Deputy  Postmasters  should 
attend  with  punctuality  at  their  several  Offices  for  the  receipt 
and  delivery  of  Letters, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Assemblies  and 
Conventions  of  these  States,  to  consider  how  far  it  may  be 
consistent  with  the  policy  and  the  good  of  their  respective 
States,  to  excuse  such  Deputy  Postmasters  from  those  pub- 
lick  duties  which  may  call  them  from  attendance  at  their 
Offices,  and  to  proceed  therein  as  to  their  wisdom  shall 
seem  best. 

Resolved,  That  three  Advice  Boats  be  established  ;  one 
to  ply  between  the  State  of  North-  Carolina  and  such  Port 
as  shall  be  most  convenient  to  the  place  at  which  the  Con- 
gress shall  be  sitting ;  one  other  between  the  State  of  South- 
Carolina  and  the  said  Port;  and  one  other  between  the 
State  of  Georgia  and  the  same  Port;  that  such  Advice 
Boats  be  armed,  and  put  under  the  direction  of  the  Secret 
Committee,  who  are  empowered  to  freight  them  with  such 
merchandises  or  commodities,  as,  without  retarding  their  pas- 
sage, may,  together  with  the  usual  postage  on  Letters  and 
other  Papers  transmitted  by  them,  contribute  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  the  said  Boats. 

The  Convention  of  New-York  having  represented  that, 
for  want  of  Blacksmiths,  they  are  greatly  delayed  in  ob- 
structing the  passage  of  Hudson's  River,  in  the  Highlands, 
which  is  an  object  of  great  importance: 

Resolved,  That  the  Convention  of  New-  York  be  empow- 
ered to  employ,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  the  Blacksmiths 
that  are  now  engaged  in  building  the  Continental  Frigates 
at  Poughkeepsie. 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  Petition  of  William  Bell  fy 
Co.  was  referred,  brought  in  their  Report,  which  was  taken 
into  consideration : 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Go- 
vernour Trumbull  to  permit  the  Sloop  Freemason.  Epaphros 
Mygat,  Master,  with  her  Cargo,  belonging  to  the  Petitioners, 
to  proceed  on  her  voyage  to  the  Island  of  St.  Eustatia,  so 
soon  as  the  said  Master  shall  judge  she  may  sail  without 
falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  on  the  coast. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  claims  of 
sundry  Canadians,  report  that  there  is  due — 

To  Andrew  Pepin,  for  two  months'  services  as  a  Captain, 
and  six  months'  services  as  a  Lieutenant,  together  with  Ra- 
tions during  the  time  of  his  said  services,  the  sum  of  201 
Dollars  and  l-3d : 

To  James  Pillcur,  for  five  months'  services  as  a  Private, 
and  three  months'  services  as  a -Lieutenant,  together  with 
one  Ration  a  day,  during  the  said  three  months,  99  Dollars 
and  l-3d. 


Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  Committee  on  the  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is 
due — 

To  Mclchior  Mcng,  for  Wagon  and  Horse-hire,  carrying 
Money  to  New-York,  escorted  by  Mr.  Fullerton  and  others, 
the  sum  of  28  Dollars  and  4-90ths : 

To  John  Bates,  for  150  Camp-Kettles,  delivered  to 
Clement  Biddle,  Deputy  Quartermaster-General,  200  Dol- 
lars: 

To  Jacob  Hilzheimer,  for  Expresses  to  Albany,  New- 
York,  Boston,  Burlington,  &tc.,  between  the  llth  of  May 
and  13th  of  August,  1776,  and  for  keeping  a  Continental 
Horse,  the  sum  of  537  Dollars  and  60-90ths : 

To  Captain  John  Thacher,  for  the  pay  of  his  Independent 
Company,  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  at  New-  York, 
under  General  Lee,  405  Dollars  and  9-90ths : 

To  George  Haas,  for  conveying  Money  to  Albany,  21 
days,  at  2  Dollars,  and  expenses  of  himself,  Horse-hire,  and 
Ferriages,  100  Dollars  and71-90ths;  and  for  carriage  of 
Captain  Gamble's  Baggage  from  Philadelphia  to  Reading, 
16  Dollars:  the  whole  116  Dollars  and  71-90ths: 

To  Robert  Jewell,  333  Dollars  and  62  90ths,  viz:  for  his 
Account  for  entertaining  Prisoners  in  Jail,  from  the  23d  of 
July  to  the  20th  of  August,  inclusive,  234  Dollars  and  60- 
90ths ;  for  his  Account  for  entertaining  ten  Deserters,  from 
the  23d  of  July  to  the  20th  of  August,  42  Dollars  and 
85-90ths,  and  his  Account  for  making  three  pine  Tables, 
two  pine  Desks,  a  Book-case,  Sign-board,  &c.,  for  Treasury 
Board,  61  Dollars  and  69-90ths: 

To  William  Clayton,  for  303  meals  of  victuals  supplied 
the  Militia  on  their  march  to  New-Jersey,  30  Dollars  and 
27-90ths: 

To  Thomas  Cheesman,  for  carriage  of  32  cwt.  3  qrs.  1  Ib. 
Saltpetre,  from  Egg-Harbour  to  Cooper's  Ferry,  opposite 
to  Philadelphia,  22  Dollars  and  52-90ths: 

Ordered,  That  the  said  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 

Saturday,  August  31,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  25th,  from  Major-General  Schuyler,  at 
Albany,  was  laid  before  Congress,  and  read. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  on  Monday. 

Monday,  September  3,  1776. 

A  Letter  of  the  31st  of  August,  from  General  Washington, 
enclosing  the  determination  of  a  Council  of  War,  and  the 
reasons  for  quitting  Long-Island,  and  a  copy  of  a  Letter 
from  Lord  Stirling  : 

Also,  one  of  the  23d,  from  General  Gates,  with  sundry 
Papers  enclosed ;  one  from  sundry  Field-Officers  in  the 
Army  at  Ticonderoga,  dated  the  19th  of  August,  with  the 
proceedings  between  a  Court-Martial  and  Brigadier-General 
Arnold: 

Also,  a  Letter  of  the  23d,  from  Captain  John  Nelson,  and 
one  from  Benjamin  Harrison,  Junior,  Deputy  Paymaster- 
General,  with  his  Weekly  Account,  were  read,  and  referred 
to  the  Board  of  War. 

Congress  being  informed  that  General  Sullivan  was  come 
to  Philadelphia,  with  a  design  to  communicate  a  message 
from  Lord  Howe,  * 

Ordered,  That  he  be  admitted,  and  heard  before  Con- 
gress. 

A  Petition  from  Michael  Fitzgerald,  one  from  John 
Weitzel,  and  one  from  James  Paul  Govert,  were  read  and 
referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

A  Petition  from  Peter  Diethery  was  read,  and  referred  to 
the  Medical  Committee. 

A  Letter  from  William  Bausman,  of  Lancaster,  was  read ; 

Whereupon,  Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  1,333  1-3  Dol- 
lars be  drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  the  Committee 
of  Lancaster,  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  Barracks 
ordered  to  be  built  in  that  Borough ;  the  said  Committee  to 
be  accountable. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  4,577  63-90  Dollars,  be 
drawn  on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  Francis  Lewis,  Esq., 
and  charged  to  the  account  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Deputy 


1627 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS,  SEPTEMBER  2,  1776. 


1628 


Paymaster-General,  the  same  being  for  so  much  paid  by 
Mr.  Lewis's  order  to  the  said  Jonathan  TrumbuU. 
'  A  Memorial  from  Francis  Guillot  was  presented  to  Con- 
gress and  read.. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Marine  Committee. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  recommitted  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  appointed  for  ascertaining  the  value  of  the 
several  species  of  Gold  and  Silver  Coins  current  in  these 
States,  and  the  proportion  they  and  each  of  them  bear  and 
ought  to  bear  to  Spanish  milled  Dollars,  brought  in  their 
Report,  which  was  read : 

Ordered,  To  lie  on  the  table. 

A  Petition  from  the  Officers  of  the  First  and  Second 
Virginia  Battalions  was  presented  to  Congress  and  read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  30,000  Dollars  be  drawn  on 
the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  /.  Mease,  for  the  publick  service ; 
he  to  be  accountable. 

General  Sullivan  being  admitted,  delivered  the  verbal 
message  he  had  in  charge  from  Lord  Howe,  which  he  was 
desired  to  reduce  to  writing,  and  then  withdrew. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  R.  H.  Lee,  and  Mr. 
Hooper,  be  a  Committee  to  draw  up  an  account  of  the  late 
action  on  Long-Island,  and  lay  the  same  before  Congress, 
in  order  for  publication. 

Resolved,  That  an  Order  for  120,000  Dollars  be  drawn 
on  the  Treasurer,  in  favour  of  the  Delegates  of  Rhode-Island, 
and  charged  to  the  account  of  that  State ;  to  be  accounted  for. 

Congress  being  informed  that  Donald  McDonald,  who 
was  sent  to  this  City  from  North- Carolina,  is  considered  by 
Lord  Howe  as  a  Brigadier-General  in  the  service  of  his 
Britannick  Majesty : 

Resolved,  That  Brigadier-General  McDonald  be  admit- 
ted to  his  parole,  and  liberated  upon  his  signing  the  form 
prescribed  by  Congress.* 

•The  execution  of  this  Resolution  was  suspended  by  Congress  in  the 
afternoon. 


A  Petition  from  Anthony  Mosengeil  was  presented  to 
Congress  and  read : 

Resolved,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Assembly  of  the  State 
of  New- Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  prepare 
and  bring  in  a  plan  of  Military  operations  for  the  next  cam- 
paign. 

Resolved,  That  the  Continental  Agents  be  empowered 
and  required  to  inspect,  or  appoint  some  suitable  person  or 
persons  to  inspect,  all  Gunpowder  manufactured  or  purchased 
in,  or  imported  into,  the  respective  States  wherein  they  reside, 
on  account  of  the  United  States;  except  in  those  States 
where  an  Inspector  is  appointed  by  Congress. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  be  published,  with  the  Reso- 
lution respecting  Gunpowder,  passed  on  the  28th  of  Au- 
gust. 

The  Committee  of  the  Treasury  reported,  that  there  is 
due — 

To  Robert  Erwin,  Wagonmaster,  for  the  hire  of  Wagons 
going  to  Egg-Harbour  for  Powder,  viz :  Adam  Weaver, 
Joseph  Champeney,  Michael  Grossman,  Israel  Fry,  Jacob 
Hindman,  and  George  Raser,  one  trip  each,  and  David 
Boxe,  William  Park,  and  Alexander  Miller,  two  trips  each, 
making  twelve  trips,  allowing  five  days  to  each,  at  4  Dollars 
a  day,  240  Dollars : 

To  Captain  James  Stirling,  664  14-90  Dollars,  being  for 
'the  balance  of  his  account  for  the  expense  of  a  Guard 
appointed  to  convey  a  number  of  British  Prisoners  from 
Burlington  to  Lancaster,  and  Frederick  County,  in  Mary- 
land, with  Wagon  and  Horse-hire,  amounting  to  1,464  14- 
90  Dollars,  of  which  sum  he  received  from  the  Committee 
of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  and  for  which  they  are  to  be 
credited,  July  16th,  1776,  100  Dollars;  July  17th,  1776, 
700  Dollars;  and  there  remains  664  14-90  Dollars. 

Ordered,  That  the  above  Accounts  be  paid. 

The  several  matters  to  this  day  referred,  being  postponed, 
Adjourned  to  ten  o'clock,  to-morrow. 


END  OF  THE  FIRST  VOLUME  OF  THE  FIFTH  SERIES. 

WASHINGTON,  February  19,  1848. 


INDEX 


TO   THE   FIRST    VOLUME    OF    THE    FIFTH    SERIES, 


Abbot,  Moses,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  59 
Abbott,  Francis,  Letter  from,  to  R.  Dcvens,  -  -  779 
Abeel,  Major,  (N.  Y.,)  killed  on  Long-Island,  -  -  1184 
Abercrombie,  General,  repulse  of,  referred  to,  -  -  1513 
Aboyderroy,  one  of  the  instigators  of  hostilities,  -  1046 
Abraham,  a  Mohawk,  speech  of,  at  German-Flats,  -  1038 
A  second  speech  of,  -  -  -  1045 

Absence,  parole  of,  granted  to  Colonel  Mitchell,  -  874 
Absent  Members,  Massachusetts  Council  address,  702,  830 
Absentees,  to  be  treated  as  cowards,  -'  966 

Estates  of,  sold  to  pay  for  substitutes,    -  1496 

Abstract  of  Major  Bigelow's  Journal,  -         -     986 

Abstracts,  Massachusetts  Council  instruct  Committee 

on, 280 

Accounts,  Washington  asks  for  an  Auditor  of,  -         -     189 

Massachusetts  Council  appoint  a  Committee  on,  269,  312 

Congress  appoint  Commissioners  of,      -         -         -   1590 

Sundry,  ordered  by  Congress  to  be  paid,        -         - 1566, 

1568,  1575,  1576,  1586,  1587,  1588,  1591,  1598,  1602, 

1603,  1606,  1608,  1611,  1614,  1617,  1624,  1626,  1628 

Accoutrements,  Colonel  Hardenburgh  applies  for,      -     868 

Colonel  R.  Thomas  applies  for,  -  1310 

Actepn,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  Fleet,   -  -     436 

The  crew  of,  fire  and  abandon,      -         -  -     439 

The  guns  of,  taken  up,  -     805,  940 

Active,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  Fleet,     -  -     436 

Acts,  list  of,  offered  in  New-Hampshire  Assembly,    -       62 

Inquiry  into  the  price  of  printing  the,    -  -       79 

Copies  of,  passed  by  New-Hampshire  Assembly,     87,  95 

Adam,  an  Ocquaga  sachem,  speech  of,      -  -   1049 

Adams,  John,  Letter  from  to  General  Gates,  21 

To  Mrs.  Adams,  -  -     170,  184,  907-8,  944 

To  Massachusetts  Assembly,  -     571 

To  Dr.  Franklin,  ......     726 

Extracts  of  Letters  from,       -       102,  348,  466,  637,  1025 
Letter  from,  to  General  Heath,  on  the  Army,          -     739 
Adams,  Captain,  valuable  capture  by,        -  -     589 

Adams,  Captain  Isaac,  Letter  from,  to  the  Lancaster 

Committee,       -  -     673 

Adams,  Samuel,  Letter  from,  to  R.  H.  Lee,  -  -  347 
Gates's  expressions  to,  in  relation  to  S.  Chase,  -  864 
Leaves  Philadelphia  for  Boston,  -  -  1172 

Arrival  of,  at  Boston,     -  -        -  1225 

Adams,  John,  (of  Taunton,)  Nailer  and  Cutler,  -     971 

Application  of,  for  prisoners  to  work  in  his  shop,  -     971 
Order  to  deliver  certain  prisoners  to,      -         -         -     972 
Adams,  Daniel  J.,  recommendation  of,      -  -  1174 

Appointment  of,  as  Brigade  Major,        ...  1360 
An  order  to,  for  purchase  of  clothing,    -  -  1334 

Adams,  William,  sentence  on,  for  desertion,  -  -  1270 
Adams,  Captain  Peter,  money  paid  to,  -  -  1331 

Adams,  William,  appointment  of,  as  Surgeon,  -         -  1391 
Adams,  Andrew,  to  New-York  Convention,      -         -  1446 
Adderton,  the  Indians  ask  for  one,  as  Truckmaster,  -     845 
Addison,  John,  promotion  of,   to  a  Lieutenant-Colo- 
nelcy,      -  -     808 
Address,  the  Field  Officers',  to  Sullivan,    -  -     127 
Of  sundry  Officers  to  General  Roberdeau,       -         -     170 
Dr.  Elmer's,  on  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  -     811 
Baptists',  to  the  Governour  of  Virginia,                   -     905 
At  'he  opening  of  the  election  at  Dover,         -         -  1057 
General  Roberdeau's,  to  the  Pennsylvania  Associa- 

tors,  1062 

The  City  of  Montreal's,  to  Carleton,      -  -1341 

Adjutant-General,  General  Mercer  asks  for  an,  -         -     470 

Mr.  Ross  recommended  as  a  Deputy,     -  -     470 

Weekly  returns  ordered  to  the  office  of,  -     503 

Blanks  ordered  to  be  furnished  by  the,  -  505 

Adjutants,  arrest  of  neglectful,  ordered,     ...     503 

Remissness  of,  at  Head-Quarters,  -     678 

Adlum,  John,  a  Captain  in  the  enemy's  Fortieth,       -     813 


Admiralty,  Letter  from  the  British,    -  -     122 

Decision  of  the  Philadelphia  Court  of,  -         -        -  1229 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  the  British,       ...  1255 

Question  of  establishing  a  Court  of,  in  New- York,     1453 

Appointment  of  a  Judge  of,  in  New- York,     -         -  1494 

Advertisement,  Captain  Conway's  reply  to  an,  -        -     526 

An,  in  the  Maryland  Gazette,        -    '  -  1332 

Advice  Boats,  Congress  resolve  to  establish,      -         -  1625 

Affair,  statement  of  the,  near  Sandy  Point,  -     525 

Affidavits,  sundry,  from  Weschester  Committee,         -     443 

Africa,  France  and  Spain  prepare  armaments  against,       31 

Agency,  Letter  of,  to  persons  of  Nova-Scotia,    -         -     704 

Agent,  appointment  of  a  Navy, '  244 

Agnew,  General,  quartered  at  Billop's  house,     -         -    950 

Agrarian  law,  inquiry  into  the  propriety  of  the,  -         -     735 

Agriculture,  evident  disposition  of  America  to,-         -  1227 

Aids-de-Camp,  Washington  asks  an  increase  of,        -     575 

Congress  allow  additional,    -         -  -   636,  1592 

Aiken,  James,  paid  for  loss  at  Bunker-Hill,        -         -       48 

Air  Furnace,  M.  Bustead's,  taken  for  publick  use,     -  1292 

Aisquith,  William,  member  of  Baltimore  Committee,      115 

Alarm,  General  Greene's  proposition  for  signals  of,    -     417 

General  Lincoln  on  the  subject  of,  signals,     -        -     460 

Signals  of,  established,  ...  H37 

Publick  worship  suspended  during  the,          -         -  1213 

Dispositions  ordered  in  case  of,     -  -        -  1248 

Alarm  List,  appointments  from  the,  for  Canada,         -     287 

Draughts  ordered  to  be  made  from  the,  -         -     319 

Albany,  Massachusetts  sends  ship-carpenters  to,        -     303 

Letters  from  the  Army  detained  at,        -        -        -    512 

General  Gates  to  the  Officer  commanding  at,          -    548 

Committee  to  Governour  Trumbull,        -         -    889,  1084 

Committee  to  General  Schuyler,  -  -         -     817 

Mayor  of,  imprisoned  at  Hartford,  -         -     889 

Committee  to  New-York  Convention,    -  889 

Committee,  conduct  of,  censured,  -         -     890 

Mayor  of,  celebrates  the  King's  birthday,       -        -     890 

Extract  of  letters  from,  -   923,1070 

Arrival  of  stores  at,  -         -        -         -        -     968 

Large  remittance  received  at,  -  1 198 

Mr.  Brown  ordered  to  find  the  most  direct  route  to,   1205 

Deputies  from,  appear  without  credentials,     -         -   1385 

A  guard  ordered  to  the  frontiers  of,  County,  -         -  1393 

Lead  ordered  to  be  taken  from  windows  in,  -         -   1416 

Company  raised  in,  to  guard  stores,       ...  1435 

Armed  vessels  ordered  to  be  fitted  out  at,      -         -  1453 

Resolutions  for  draughting  Militia  of,  County,        -  1494 

Alden,  Colonel,  complaint  of,  against  Colonel  Wayne,     206 

Aldridge,  Captain,  Washington  sends  a  petition  of,  to 

Congress,          -        -  -    576 

Alexander,    Captain    Robert,    Maryland    Council    of 

Safety  to,  -         -     114 

Order  of  the  snme  to,    -         -  -     993 

Is  charged  with  making  a  reprehensible  speech,     -  1057 
Waits  for  marching  orders,   - 

Alexander,  W.,  appointed  Captain  Maryland  Militia,     1340 
Alexander,   Hezekiah,   a  member  of  North-Carolina 

Council, -  1370 

Alexander,  owner  of  ship,  refuses  the  sails,         -         -  1378 

Alexandria,  fears  of  Dunmore  at,      -  -     407 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Committee  of,          -     433 

An  advertisement  posted  in,  ...     52Q 

Committee  pay  a  bill  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,     942 

Alfred,  an  order  to  equip  the  ship,  lor  a  cruise,  -   1106 

Lying  at  Providence  not  manned,  -         -   1172 

Committee  of  Congress  report  on  the  officers  of,    -   1575 

Algie,  Captain,  the  parole  of,  taken, 

Allain,  Captain,  information  given  by,        ...     799 
Information  of,  contradicted, 

Is  confined  in  the  Tory  jail  at  Albany,    -  968 

Allair,  Peter,  testimony  of,  taken,      -  -  1439 


1631 


INDEX. 


1632 


Allason,  John,  and  family,  on  board  brig  Maria,          -     152 
Allcock,  Mr.,  recommended  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -  -     614 

Allen,  Ira,  to  New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety,  -     177 
Fourth  Captain  of  Green-Mountain  Boys,       -         -     377 
Allen,  Lewis,  resolve  on  petition  of,  -  -     277 

Allen,  Jolley,  property  of,  confiscated,       -  -     277 

Allen,  Colonel  Ethan,  Lee  inquires  of  General  Clinton 

for,  -         -  -         -     440 

General  Clinton  replies  to  Lee  concerning,    - 
Reported  as  sent  to  the  North,       -  -         -     489 

Congress  is  petitioned  to  offer  exchange  for,  - 
Washington  refers  to  the  case  of,  -         -         -         -     501 

Washington  writes  to  Howe  concerning,        -         -     679 
Howe  refers  case  of,  to  Carleton,  -  -      711,  766 

Case  of,  recommended  to  Schuyler,        ...     820 
Washington  agrees  to  exchange  Major  French  for,  -     853 
Letter  from,  to  the  Connecticut  Assembly,     -         -     860 
Major  French  applies  to  Howe  to  be  exchanged  for,     902 
Sends  a  list  of  his  fellow-prisoners  to  Connecticut 

Assembly,  -  ...    928 

Congress  directs  that  any  British  officer  be  offered  in 

exchange  for,    -  -  -  1587 

Allen,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  arrival  of,  in  Philadelphia, 

from  Crown-Point,    ------     350 

Allen,  Levi,  petition  of,  to  Congress,          -  -     498 

Allen,  George,  communication  of,  with  the  enemy,    -     602 
Allen,  William,  resignation  of,  ...    533,  1589 

Allen,  John,  appointed  by  Congress  a  First  Lieutenant,  1565 
Allen,  Captain  Heman,  reports  to  the  Green-Mountain 

Boys  from  Congress,          -----    565 

Alliance,  treaty  of,  with  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmacs,     840 

Treaty  of  foreign,  passed  in  Congress,    -         -        -  1179 

Allibone,  William,  report  from,  on  flint  quarries,         -     410 

Allison,  Robert,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,       -  1 124 

Allison,  Dr.,  Congress  orders  supplies  to,  -  -  1571 

Alsop,  John,  Letter  from,  to  New- York  Convention,  -     368 

Asks  leave  to  resign  seat  in  Congress,    -  369 

Objects  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  -         -    759 

New-York  Convention  accepts  resignation  of,         -    977, 

1429,  1431 

Altamaha,  Lee's  account  of  the  river,         -         -         -  1131 

Altiere,  Jacques,  recommendation  from,    -        -         -  1209 

Ambassadors,  necessity  of,  at  foreign  courts,      -         -     347 

Mr.  Deane  proposes  an  interview  with,  at  Paris,     -  J016 

Amboy,  correspondence  with  the  enemy  from,  -         -       17 

Enemy  threaten  to  attack,     -----       18 

Great  disaffection  at,     -         -         -         -         -         -       39 

Disposition  of  persons  apprehended  at,  -  -     104 

March  of  Colonel  Brodhead  to,      -         -         -         -     139 

Strong  position  for  an  encampment  near,       -         -     140 
Pennsylvania  Militia  ordered  to,     -  -  330 

Pennsylvania  Riflemen  arrived  at,  -  -     369 

Flying-Camp  encamped  at,  -        -         -  -     371 

Extract  of  Letters  from,  -  ...  499,909 
Colonel  Haslett's  Battalion  ordered  to,  -  -  784 

Return  of  Colonel  Mifflin's  Artillery  at,  -  -  -  787 
A  large  schooner  directs  her  course  towards,  -  -  887 
Enemy  have  four  brass  pieces  opposite,  -  951 

Troops  in  Philadelphia  ordered  to  march  to,  -  -  1192 
General  Mercer  orders  fifteen  hundred  men  to  be 

left  at,       -  -         -  1194 

Ammunition  ordered  to  the  camp  at,      -         -         -  1328 

Amboy,  the  privateer,       -  -     120 

America,  narrative  of  the  master  of  sloop,  -  -     410 

Gentlemen  of  fortune  in  France  embark  for,  -         -  1018 

Price  of  lands  in,  will  reimburse  expenses  of  the  war,    1020 

Amherst,  (Mass.,)  proceedings  of  Committee,     -         -  1173 

Amhcrst,  (N.H.,)  Declaration  of  Independence  read  at,     719 

Ammunition,  scarcity  of,  in  New-Jersey,  37 

Supply  of,  to  towns  in  New-Hampshire,  -      55 

Massachusetts   supplies  Westminster   (New-York) 

with,  -     321 

Captain  Veedrrs  applies  to  Gates  for,     -  -     339 

Hancock  promises,  to  New-Jersey,  -         -     346 

Captain   Barnes    applies    to    Maryland   Council   of 

Safety  for,  .     354 

To  be  furnished  to  Captains  only,  not  to  men,  -  386 
Supply  of,  sent  by  Gates  to  Waterbury,  -  -  -  397 
tiirhids  waste  of,  for  salutes,  -  ...  397 
Seasonable  arrival  of,  on  Sullivan's  Island,  -  -  435 
Muscongus  Island  in  great  want  of,  -  -  -  477 
Soldiers  at  Head-Quarters  to  be  careful  of,  -  -  50,3 
Continental  Regiments  furnished  with,  -  -  -  515 

Return  of,  on  Long-Island, 541 

Mercer  orders,  to  Elizabethtown,  -  ...  620 
Slate  of  each  man's,  to  be  examined,  -  -  -  654 
Arrival  of  a  cargo  of,  for  Maryland,  -  .  -  666 


Ammunition,  troops  arrive  at  Skenesborough  without,     753 
Application  for,  from  Paxtown  Committee,     -        -     948 
Order  in  Council  to  prohibit  exportation  of,    -         -  1089 
Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  furnish,  to  a  Mary- 
land Company,  -  1304 
Amos,  John,  discharged  by  Baltimore  Committee,      -     466 
Order  for  arrest  of,         -  -     993 
Amos,  Aquila,  Esq.,  money  advanced  to,  -                  -  1333 
Commission  issued  to,  -  -  1348 
Anant,  Harman,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Maryland 

Militia,     -  -  -  1349 

Anchors  sent  from  Albany  to  General  Gates,      -         -     773 

Washington's  reply  to  Schuyler  concerning,  -         -     821 

Non-arrival  of,  at  Albany,      -  -     872 

Contract  for  supplying,  -  1480 

Anderson,  Major,  commendation  of,  2 

Anderson,  Ephraim,  referred  to  Washington,     -         -     155 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,    -  -     451 

Report  from,  on  his  fire-ships,       -  -     692 

Reference  of,  to  Washington,  -   1571 

Anderson,  Joseph,  promoted  to  Lieutenant,       -         -     453 

Anderson,  Mr.,  vain  efforts  of,  with  Eastern  Indians,  -     839 

Anderson,  Richard,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant,     -  1351 

Andre,  Lieutenant,  (prisoner,)  reported  attack  on,     -     759 

Andre,  Peter,  delegate  from  Eastern  Indians,     -         -     838 

Andrew  Doria,  prize  captured  by  the,        -  -    569 

Andrews,  Benj.,  Member  of  Georgia  Council  of  Safety,         6 

Andrews,  Dr.  Thomas,  arms  to  be  proved  before,        -     154 

Andrews,  John,  petition  of,  to  New-York  Convention,     854 

Andrews,  Samuel,  discharge  of,  on  oath,   -  -   1383 

Angel,  Abeather,  appointed  Captain  by  Congress,      -  1565 

Ann,  capture  of  the  snow,  -         -  1226 

Anna,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  barricaded,          -         -     152 

Annabella,  arrival  of  the  prize  brig,  -  -  134 

Inventory  of  sundries  on  board  the,        -  •    -     209 

Call  for  the  articles  taken  in  the,   -  -      414,  625 

Anna  Maria,  capture  of  the  ship,       -  -     780 

Annapolis,  proceedings  of  Maryland  Convention  at,  -         5 

Appropriation  for  fortifying,  -  -     114 

Militia  ordered  to,  154 

Meeting  of  Associators  at,     -  -     181 

Supplies  of  salt  provisions  advised  to  be  kept  at,     -     893 

Discharge  of  Militia  at, 1340 

Order  relating  to  butchers  at,          -         ...  1341. 
Cannon  ordered  to,  -  1344 

Anne,  call  for  articles  taken  in  the  transport,     -         -     414 
Anne  Arundal,  people  of,  instruct  their  Delegates,      -  1054 
Reply  of  the  Delegates  to  the  people  of,  -  1055 

Annin,  William,  appointed  Surgeon  to  a  Baltimore 

Regiment,  -  -  1360 

Annis,  John,  paid  for  repairing  guard-house,      -         -  1333 

Anniversary,  4th  of  June  celebrated  at  Albany,  -         -     890 

14th  of  August,  1765,  celebrated  at  Boston,   -         -     972 

Anson,  (N.  C.,)  people  of,  to  be  instructed  in  their 

duty  to  God,      -  -  1371 

Anstruther,  Captain,  baggage  of,  plundered,      -         -  1221 

Dr.  M.  Johnson  ordered  to  restore  a  ring  to,  -         -  161  !• 

Answer,  Governour  Cooke's  to  Howe's  Declaration,  -     606 

Patrick  Henry's  to  the  Baptist  Churches,         -         -     906 

Carleton's,  to  the  city  of  Montreal,  -         -  1241 

Anthony's  Nose,  pass  of,  to  be  defended,  -  250 

Connecticut  Militia  called  to,  -     375 

Works  ordered  to  be  thrown  up  at,         -  -     855 

Orders  for  strongly  fortifying,  -   1488 

Two  hundred  men  ordered  to  be  left  at,  -  1489 

Antigua,  capture  of  a  brig  from,  -     134 

Antill,  Lieut.  Colonel,  ordered  to  march  to  Albany,   -     654 

Aorson,  Lieutenant,  resignation  of,  -  -  1399 

Appeals,  New-Hampshire  Assembly  abolish  Court  of,       72 

Copy  of  the  act  abolishing  the  Court  of,  -       90 

Committee  of,  appointed  by  the  "  New-Hampshire 

Grants,"   -  -    566 

Appointments,  Jay's  Letter  on  the  subject  of,     -         -       40 

Remarks  of  New- York  Convention  upon,       -         -     202 

Aqualanajoy,  one  of  the  instigators  of  Indian  hostilities,   1048 

Archer,  John,  Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -     154 

Archer  &  Harris  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,      862,  888 

Archer,  George,  appointed  Lieutenant,     -         -         -  1124 

Armament,  purpose  of  the  French  and  Spanish,         -     134 

Armed  vessels,  act  of  New-Hampshire  to  fit  out,         -       56 

•  Copy  of  the  said  act,    -  90 

Two,  ordered  to  be  fitted  out  at  Albany,  -    5 1 1 

Ordered  to  stop  all  provision  vessels,      -         -         -     541 

Distress  for  want  of,      -  ....     (375 

List  of  Continental,  on  Lake  Champlain,        -         -  1201 

Marine  Committee  order  purchase  of,    -         -         -   1107 

Powers  granted  to,  by  North-Carolina,  -  -  1367 


1633 


INDEX. 


1634 


Arms,  Clinton  supplied  with  funds  to  purchase,  -  391 
The  Scotch,  sent  to  Washington,  -  -  399 
Washington's  orders  relative  to  prisoners',  -  -  399 
The  British,  removed  from  City  Hall,  New-York,  -  419 
Baltimore  Committee  appoint  persons  to  collect,  -  523 
Mr.  Stone  sends,  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  556 
Arrival  of  a  cargo  of,  for  Maryland,  -  -  666 
A  quantity  of,  brought  into  Chester,  -  -  691 
A  large  supply  of,  arrive  at  New-London,  -  -  699 
Ordinance  to  secure  N'on-Associators',  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, -  -  -  -  -  709 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  furnish  funds  to  pur- 
chase, -  -  737,  831 
Baltimore  Committee  advertise  for,  -  758 
Order  for  delivery  of,  to  Colonel  Haslett's  Battalion,  783 
Arrival  of  one  thousand  stand  of,  from  Havre,  -  786 
Colonel  Evving  applies  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety  for,                                                                 -  892 

Paxtown  gunsmiths  to  repair,  at  publick  expense,  -  948 

Number  of,  at  Snow-Hill,  Maryland,      ...  974 

General  Ward  sends,  to  New- York,       ...  926 

Order  in  Council  to  prohibit  exportation  of,  -         -  1089 

Repairs  of  Pennsylvania  Associators',  ordered,        -  1298 

Taken  from  the  Scotch  transports,  disposed  of,       -  1568 
Congress  deliver  one  hundred  old,  to  Pennsylvania 

Council  of  Safety,    -                  -                           -  1597 

Armstrong,  Bennet,  recantation  of,  -         -                   -  408 
Armstrong,    William,    appointed   Lieutenant   of  the 

Flying-Camp,  -                                                        -  349 

Armstrong,  Gen.  John,  ordered  to  report  to  Congress,  720 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,  ...  904 

Wish  of,  to  be  recalled,                                               -  905 

Armstrong,  Dr.  James,  and  Dr.  Morgan,  appointed  to 

the  Hospital,  -  -  920 
Army,  the  state  of  Sullivan's,  -  3 
E.  Gerry  on  appointments  to  the,  -  22 
Offence  given  by  appointments  to  the,  -  -  40 
New-Hampshire  increases  her  quota  for  Northern,  -  55 
Wretched  state  of  the,  at  Crown-Point,  -  -  103 
Washington's  distress  about  the  Northern,  -  -  106 
Three  Regiments  from  Boston  ordered  to  Northern,  125 
Facts  in  regard  to  the,  in  Canada,  -  128 
Retreat  of  the,  to  Ticonderoga  and  Crown-Point,  -  118 
Misrepresentations  concerning  the  Northern,  -  131 
Gen.  Ward  ordered  to  send  troops  to  the  Northern,  143 
Small-pox  a  greater  terror  to  the,  than  the  enemy,  -  145 
Washington's  orders  to  reinforce  the  Northern,  -  173 
High  spirits  of  the  New- York,  -  -  184,  952 
Two  additional  Regiments  ordered  from  Massachu- 
setts to  the,  -  -  -  -  193 
Trumbull  authorized  to  supply  the  Northern,  -  -  193 
Orders  to  proclaim  Independence  in  the  Northern,  194 
Independence  welcomed  by  the,  -  -  205 
Importance  of  settling  rank  in  the,  ...  220 
Wretched  condition  of  Schuyler's,  -  232 
Three  thousand  of  the  Northern,  in  Hospitals,  -  238 
Resolve  to  procure  stockings  for  the,  -  -  302 
General  Return  of  Washington's,  -  -  331,507,639 
Account  of  the  retreat  of  the  Northern,  -  339 
Importance  of  speedily  reinforcing  the  Northern,  -  361 
Great  sickness  prevalent  in  the  Northern,  -  -  367 
Gates's  account  of  state  of  Northern,  ...  376 
Discord  and  disorder  in  Northern,  -  -  390 
Penalties  for  retarding  letters  to  and  from  Northern,  397 
Account  of  the  proceedings  of  the  British,  -  -  436 
Anxiety  of  Congress  to  reinforce  Washington's,  -  450 
Washington's  report  of  Howe's,  to  his  brother,  -  509 
Reinforcements  for  the,  urged  from  Maryland,  -  531 
March  of  reinforcements  for  the,  -  550 
Goveruour  Trumbull's  account  of  the  disasters  of 

the  Northern,   -                                                       -  606 

Departure  of  Clinton's,  from  the  South,                   -  632 

The  Northern,  brigaded  by  Gates.,  -                           -  653 

Improvement  in  the  health  of  the  Northern,  -         -  661 

Reported  amount  of  the  British,    -                           -  662 

Resolves  of  Congress  relative  to  promotion  in  the,  668 
Washington's  concern  at  the  commission  of  crimes 

in  the,     -                                                       -         -  667 

President  of  Congress,  on  filling  vacancies  in  the,  -  725 

Want  of  clothing  in  the  Northern,                             -  731 

Order  for  purchase  of  tents,  &c.,  for  Continental,  -  732 

Prosperity  of  a  state  depends  on  the  discipline  of  its,  739 

Washington  sends  Congress  a  General  Return  of  the,  762 

An  appeal  to  the,  to  discard  jealousies,  &c.,  -         -  677 
Gates  sends  a  list  of  wants  for  his,  to  the  New- York 

Convention,      -         -         -         -         -    ,      .         .  474 

Return  to  Congress  of  the  Northern,     -                  -  796 

Strength  of  the  New-York, 810 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


Army,  cause  of  desertion  in  the  Northern,                    .  827 
Gates's  Letter  to  Gov.  Tnmibull  on  the  state  of  his,  899 
Arrangements  of  the,  at  New-York,      ...  914 
Reported  strength  of  the  EiigliP|i,          -  •      -        -  945 
Melancholy  state  of  the  Northern,          ...  951 
Arrival  of  reinforcements  at  Skenesborough,   -         -  988 
Return  of  Mercer's,  at  Perth-Amboy,     -                  -  1079 
Reformation  made  by  Gates  in  the  Northern,         -  1099 
A  Hessian  Colonel  hints  a  desire  to  join  the  Ameri- 
can,                                                                          -  1110 
Attempts  to  intercept  intelligence  to  and  from  the,  1123 
Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  vote  supplies  for  the 

Northern,                                                                  -  1189 
Infected  persons  forbidden  to  join  the  Northern,    -  1203 
Repulse  of  the  Ministerial,  on  Long-Island,  -         -  1212 
Strength  of  the  enemy's,  on  Staten-Island  and  Long- 
Island,     -                 -                                   -        -  1214 

Abuse  of  American  prisoners  in  the  British,  -         -  1254 
Order  to  print  the  Rules  and  Regulations  for  the,  -  1289 
Embarcation  of  the,  from  Long-Island,                    -  1233 
Damaged  provisions  for  the,  sold  in  North-Carolina,  1373 
Inquiry  ordered  into  the  state  of  the  Northern,       -  1433 
Large  consumption  of  provisions  by  the,        -         -  1451 
Call  on  New- York  to  reinforce  the  Northern,          -  1492 
Resolve  of  New- York  Convention  relative  to  the,    -  1518 
New- York  Committee  of  Safety  notice  a  report  pre- 
vailing in  the,  -                                                       -  1531 
Washington's  reply  to  the  report  concerning  the,  -  1538 
The  enemy's,  on  Nassau-Island,    -                            -  1555 
Removal  of  the,  from  Long-Island,        -                  -  1558 
Washington's  reasons  for  withdrawing,  from  Long- 
Island,      -                                                                 -  1560 
Congress  orders  equipments  for  an,  of  twenty  thou- 
sand,       -                                                              -  1577 
Schuyler  ordered  to  cleanse  the  Northern,     -         -  1579 
Commissioners  to  audit  the  accounts  of  the,  -         -  1579 
Connecticut  called  on  to  reinforce  Washington's,  -  1580 
Small-pox  in  Northern,  a  great  source  of  disaster,  -  1594 
Congress  ordered  medicines  to  the  Northern,         -  1595 
Board  of  War  directed  to  consider  the  state  of  the 

Northern,                                                                  -  1601 
Instructions  for  the  settlement  of  accounts  of  the,  -  1609 
Advance  made  to  Commissioners  for  settling  ac- 
counts of  the,  -                                                       -  1613 
Arnold,  General  Benedict,  report  on  the  capitulation  of,  159 
Captain  Forster  sends  a  flag  to,    -                           -  161 
Articles  of  capitulation  agreed  to  by,      -                  -  163 
Letter  from,  to  the  Canada  Commissioners,   -         -  165 
Orders  of,  relating  to  artificers,      -         -                  -  209 
Engaged  in  removing  the  troops  from  Crown-Point,  238 
Departs  for  Skenesborough,  -         -         -                  -  512 

Selected  to  command  fleet  on  Lake  Champlain,     -  604 
Gates  highly  commends,       -                           -         -  649 
Return  of  Ordnance,  &c.,  from,      -                           -  681 
Violation  of  his  capitulation,  the  subject  of  a  flag,  -  682 
Sundry  requisitions  from,      -                                     -  746 
Undertakes  command  of  the  Lake  fleet,                    -  747 
Letter  from,  to  General  Schuyler  enclosed  to  Wash- 
ington,    -         -         -                   -                   -         -  772 

Washington's  compliment  to,        -                           -  952 

Conduct  of,  at  the  trial  of  Colonel  Hazen,     -         -  802 

The  only  Brigadier  in  the  Northern  Department,    -  815 

Orders  to,  in  relation  to  the  fleet,  -                           -  826 

Ogden's  qualified  remark  as  to  the  prudence  of,     -  901 
On  the  eve  of  a  cruise  down  the  Lake,  -         -      969,  986 

Orders  of,  disputed  by  Captain  Wynkoop,      -         -  1002 

Appeals  for  the  sentence  of  a  court-martial,  -         -  1072 

Sails  with  the  fleet  from  Crown-Point,  -                  -  1166 

Dispute  of,  with  Captain  Wynkoop,       -                  -  1187 

Schuyler  approves  the  appointment  of,  -                   -  1217 

Is  on  the  best  terms  with  General  Waterbury,         -  1218 

Colonel  Brown's  charges  against,                             -  1219 

The  court-martial  demands  the  arrest  of,                  -  1268 

Protest  of,  against  the  court,          ....  1072 

Reply  of,  to  the  court-ma/tial,        -                  -         -  1273 

Orders  of,  to  Captains  Seaman  and  Premier,  -         -  1275 

Report  of  a  Committee  to  Congress  on  the  cartel  of,  1571 
Correspondence  of,  with — 

General  Gates,  206,  207,  238,  239,  261,  340,  357,  358, 

397,  563,  825,  988,  1002,  1051,  1073,  1129, 

1266,  1274,  1277 

Colonel  Hartley,       ...  .     207,  487 

Captain  Wilson,        -                  -                           -  513 
General  Schuyler,     -                  ...    680,  1033 
Samuel  Chase,                                                -         -  810 
Captain  Wynkoop,   -                             1003,  1186,  1275 
Arnold,  Captain  James,  marches  with  the  first  com- 
pany from  New-Hampshire,  -                                   -  428 


103 


1635 


INDEX. 


1636 


Arnold's  Hall,  patriotick  toasts  drank  at,  -  -     549 

Arrest,  resolve  to,  suspected  persons  in  Connecticut,     424 
Articles,  between  Major  Sherburne  and  Capt.  Forster,      162 
Between  General  Arnold  and  Captain  Forster,        -     163 
Order  for,  taken  in  the  transports,  -     6*2/5 

List  of,  wanted  for  Lake  Ghamplain,      -  -     745 

Enumeration  of,  wanted  by  Ivistern  Indians,  -     845 

Of  alliance  with  the  Eastera  Indians,    -  -    848 

Articles  of  War,  an  act  to  form,  in  New-Hampshire,  -       86 
New- York  levies  made  subject  to  the,    -  448 

Colonel  Reed's  letter  referred  to  Committee  on,     -     576 
Troops  called  out  in  New-York  subjected  to  the,    -   1407 
Artificers,  draught  of,  made  by  Arnold,     -  -     207 

List  of,  sent  from  Crown-Point,     -  -     209 

Gates  complains  of  the  laziness  of  his,  -  261 

A  Regiment  of,  ordered  to  join  Lord  Stirling,  -     503 

Part  of  Lee's  Guard  ordered  to  join  Ford's  Com- 
pany of,   -  -  ....     503 

Captain  Eayrs's  Company  of,  recommended,          -    514 
Lar^c  arrears  due  to  the,        .....     545 

Reasons  for  forming  one  corps  of,          ...     642 
Captain  Eayrs's  Company  of,  demand  more  pay,    -     754 
Return  of  Brewer's  Regiment  of,  -         -  -     765 

Artificial  Fire- Workers'  petition  to  Congress,    -         -  1191 
Artillery,  train  of,  taken  at  the  Cedars,      -  -     169 

Return  of  Knox's  Regiment  of,      -       331,332,639,763 
Necessity  for  a  well-regulated  body  of,  -         -        -     502 
Knox's  plan  for  increasing  the  corps  of,         -         -     502 
A  body  of,  ordered  from  Philadelphia  to  Mercer,    -     690 
Muster-Roll  of  Colonel  Mifflin's,  -         -         -      787,  788 
.Increase  of  the  Massachusetts  Regiment  of,  recom- 
mended, -        -         -         -  ...  1224 

Northern  Army  greatly  in  want  of,  1513 

Congress  order,  for  defence  of  Georgia,          -         -  1567 
Congress  approve  Knox's  plan  for  increase  of,        -  1590 
Artillerymen,  distressing  want  of,  by  Washington,      -     643 
Artillery  Officers,  encouragement  held  out  to  French,   1228 
Arundel,  Captain,  melancholy  fate  of,        -         -         -     150 
Manner  of  his  death  explained,     -  -      151,204 

Arundel,  resolve  to  supply  the  town  of,  with  ammu- 
nition,         ---..-..     302 
Ash,  William,  examination  of,  -         -  -         -     120 

Arrest  of,  with  wife  and  family,     ....     120 

Ash,  Martha,  suspected  of  aiding  Kirkland's  escape,  -  1303 
Deposition  of,      -         -  -  1305 

Ashe,  Brigadier-General,    thanks   of  North-Carolina 

Council  to,       -  -  1366 

Ashe,  Samuel,  Esq.,  member  of  North-Carolina  Coun- 
cil, -  -  1373 
Chosen  President  of  the  Council,  -         -         -         -1376 

Leave  of  absence  granted  to,  -  1381 

Ashley,  Oliver,  appointed  Captain  by  a  town  meeting,       30 
Ashley,  Samuel,  member  of  the  New-Hampshire  Le- 
gislative Council,      ......       47 

Appointed  Mustermaster  and  Paymaster,        -          57,  83 
Ashley,  Captain,  list  of  men  taken  at  the  Cedars,    167,  168 
Asia,  arrival  of  the  British  ship,         -        -         -         -       27 

Assembly,  objections  to  a  single,      -  -         -  1284 

Remarks  upon  a  representative,     ....  1285 

Assessors,  of  prices,  Lee  recommends,      -         -         -  1132 
Association,  articles  of,  by  inhabitants  of  Donegal,     -     221 
People  of  the  Green  Mountains  form  an,        -         -     566 
The  disaffected  refuse  to  sign  articles  of,        -         -     890 
Reasons  given  for  not  signing,       -'  1010 

Associators,  patriotick  determination  of  the  Lancaster,     103 
Number  of,  imbodied  in  Bucks  County,  -         -     171 

Meeting  of,  at  Annapolis,     -         -         .         .         -     1S1 
First  Battalion  of  Lancaster,  ready  to  march,  -     188 

Complaint  against  some  of  the  Lancaster,      -         -     221 
Names  of,  in  Donegal  and  other  places,          -         -     222 
Desire  of  the  Philadelphia,  for  a  campaign,     -         -     349 
March  of  the  great  body  of,  from  Philadelphia,        -     368 
The  Philadelphia  requested  to  inlist  in  the  Guard,  -     388 
A  call  upon  the  Philadelphia,  ...    4^7 

Petition  from  the  Lancaster,          -  .         .     535 

Company  of  Lancaster  formed  for  the  Flying-Camp,     573 
Address  of  William  Atlee  to  the  Lancaster,    -         -     573 
Negroes  charged  with  intent  to  injure  Lancaster,  -     673 
A  Battalion  of,  reach  the  Flying-Camp,          -         -     674 
Ordmance  to  give  to  Pennsylvania,  the  arms  of  the 

Non-Associators,       --....     719 

nee  to  desertion  of,  from  the  Flying-Camp,  -     744 
Appointment  of  persons  to  take  care  of  the  families 
°'i  "•----._     7§7  932 

Notice  from  commander  of,  in  Philadelphia   -         -  '  833 
Comments  on  the  same  by  a  Private      -  838 

Wwhingtan'i  Address  to  the  Pennsylvania,  in  New- 


Jersey,     - 


-    849 


Associators,  continued  desertion  of,  from  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -                                                             -  894 
Good  conductof  the  Colonel  of  the  Pennsylvania,  -  910 
Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  resolve  to  publish 
names  of  deserters,   -         -         -         -                  -  962 

Proceedings  of  the  Pennsylvania,  -                             -  978 
Arrival  of  a  Battalion  of  Philadelphia,  at  New- York,  983 
General  Mercer's  acknowledgments  to  the   Penn- 
sylvania, -----                            -  1061 

Captain  Peters  requested  to  mount  double  guards  of,  1 180 

Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  to  the  State,  -         -  1229 

Powder  ordered  to  be  delivered  to  the  Battalion  of,  1289 

Provision  for  the  relief  of  the  families  of,         -  1296,  1308 
Names  of  deserting,  ordered  to  be  sent  to  Pennsyl- 
vania Council  of  Safety, 

Arms,  &.c.,  to  be  delivered  for  use  of,     -                  -  1330 

Astin,  David,  sentenced  to  thirty-nine  lashes  for  steal- 
ing,                                               -                           -  1137 

Atalanta,  sloop-of-war,  Captain  Underwood, 

Atlee,  William  H.,  Chairman  of  Lancaster  Committee,  221 
Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,  -  -  255 
Letter  from,  to  officers  and  others  relative  to  prison- 
ers, -  -  -  -  327 
Letter  from,  to  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  411 
Letter  from,  to  Benjamin  Franklin,  -  534 
Letter  from,  to  the  Board  of  War,  -  535 
Letter  to,  from  John  Hartley,  ....  931 
Letter  to,  from  W.  Cox,  -  -  1061 
Letter  to,  from  James  Work,  -  1 158 

Atlee,  Colonel  Samuel  J.,  arrival  of  his  Battalion  at 

Amboy,  -  -  499 
Recommends  Francis  Mentges,  -  -  187 
Application  on  behalf  of,  to  the  Lancaster  Commit- 
tee, -  572 
March  of,  to  New-York,  -  -  895 
Commended  to  Washington,  -  -  909 
Refuses  to  serve  under  Roberdeau  and  Ewing,  -  908 
Extract  of  a  letter  from  one  of  the  officers  of,  -  1212 
Journal  of,  detailing  action  on  Long-Island,  -  -  1251 

Auchmuty,  James,  a  prisoner  of  war,  disposed  of,      -  22 

Examination  and  parole  of,  -                                     -  25 

Auditor,  Washington  asks  for  an,  of  Accounts,           -  189 

Auditor-General,  salary  of  the  New-York,                    -  1437 

Congress  appoint  an  assistant,       -                            -  1595 

Money  advanced  to,  for  paying  small  debts,    -         -  1609 

Augustine,  Georgia  advises  reduction  of,  -                  -  1052 

Austin,  Benjamin,  tetter  from,  to  Thomas  Gushing,    -  460 

Austin,  John,  oath  of  allegiance  taken  by,                   -  1379 

Avery,  John,  Gov.  Trumbull  receives  a  letter  from,     -  20 
Deputy  Secretary  of  Massachusetts  Council,  134,  360,  551 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Williams,  -  777 

Sworn  as  Clerk  to  Indian  Conference,  -         -         -  839 

Letter  to,  from  Timothy  Langdon,                             -  874 

Letter  from,  to  Richard  Peters,      -                  -         -  1130 

Avery,  Mr.,  Commissary,  ordered  to  send  a  statement 

of  his  magazine  to  Schuyler,      -                           -  512 
Appointment  of,  for  the  Canada  Department,  not 

Schuyler's,        -                                                        -  793 

Weekly  Returns  ordered  from,       ....  1083 

Awnings,  order  for  purchase  of,  for  tents,                     -  1288 

Persons  refusing  to  sell,  to  be  reported,                    -  1288 

Axes,  call  for,  by  Gates,  ----..  207 
Provision  of,  for  the  Canada  soldiers,  70 
Careless  loss  of,  in  the  Northern  Army,  -  232 
Schuyler  complains  of  the  want  of,  -  -  237 
A  supply  of,  sent  to  Gates,  -  260,  261,  603,  623,  922 
Vote  of  Connecticut  to  purchase,  for  Schuyler,  -  380 
Sent  by  Gov.  Trumbull  to  General  Schuyler,  -  399,  624 
Waterbury  asks  for  more,  -  -  679 
Another  call  for,  from  the  same,  -  -  -  717 
A  supply  of,  sent  to  Skenesborough,  -  -  773 
Eight  hundred,  sent  by  Governour  Trumbull,  -  776 
Another  supply  of,  fr,om  Governour  Trumbull,  -  925 
A  party  ordered  to  be  employed  in  grinding,  -  1127 
Twenty-four  ordered  to  be  supplied  to  each  Regi- 
ment, -  -  1271 

Azambuja,  Count  de,  President  of  Royal  Council  of 

Spain,      -  6 

B. 

Babbage,  Christopher,  appointed  an  Ensign  of  Massa- 
chusetts Militia,        -                          ...  295 
Bachop,  Captain  Peter,  taken  prisoner  and  sent  to 

Savannah,                                                        -         -  719 

Bacon,  William,  Major,  in  Brewer's  artificers,  -         -  765 

Badger,  Colonel,  Canada  recruits  apportioned  to,       -  57 

Badger,  Stephen,  to  James  Bowdoin,                           -  1239 

Bailey,  Colonel,  one  of  the  Newburgh  Committee,     -  30 


1637 


INDEX. 


1638 


Bailey,  John,  Chairman  of  Poughkecpsie  Committee,  338 
Bailey,  Ensign  Frye,  petitions  for  leave  to  resign,  -  681 
Bailey,  Mountjoy,  Adjutant  of  Colonel  Murdock's 

Regiment,         -  -  -  1342 

Appointed  Adjutant  of  Colonel  Griffith's  Battalion,   1350 
Baily,  a  Tory,  enemy  land  at  the  farm  of,  - 

The  enemy  drive  off  cattle  from  the  farm  of,  -         -  1476 
Bake-houses,  activity  of  the,  at  Baltimore,  -     182 

Baker,  Colonel  Otis,  appointed  Paymaster,  50 

Chosen  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  -         -       85 
Baker,  Moses,  appointed  Major  in  Wingate's  Regi- 
ment,      -  -       60 
Member  of  the  New-Hampshire  Assembly,    -         -       62 
Baker,  Amos,  appointed  Surgeon's  Mate,    '  -     329 
Baker,  William,  of  Waterhouse's  Company,  flogged 

•for  desertion,    -  ...     505 

Baker,  William,  of  Johnson's  Company,  flogged  for 

desertion,  -  -  506 

Baker,  Francis,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,          -     930 
Resignation  of,     -  -         -         -     931 

Bakerstown,  resolve  to  supply,  with  ammunition,  -  322 
Balch,  Mr.,  a  member  of  the  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  72 
Baldwin,  Nahum,  appointed  Paymaster,  50 

Appointed  Mustermaster  also,       -  »        -       60 

Baldwin,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Chief  Engineer  to  Gates,     653 
Baldwin,  Samuel,  chosen  Lieutenant  in  Massachusetts,     663 
Baldwin,  Lieutenant  John,  orders  from  Marine  Com- 
mittee to,  -         -  1118 
Baldwin,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  Governour  Cooke  employs 

as  Chaplain,     -  -  1121 

Ball,  Burgess,  a  court-martial  on,      -  -         9 

Ball,  John,  applies  for  the  building  of  a  row-galley,    -     136 

Ball,  John,  Chairman  of  Northborough  Committee,     -     179 

Ball,  John,  payment  ordered  to,  for  rent  of  Barracks,    1341 

Ballantine,  Patrick,  carried  prisoner  to  Philadelphia,  -  1616 

Ballard,  Sergeant,  grants  a  pass  without  authority,     -     550 

Excused,  on  account  of  ignorance,        -  -    550 

Balls,  Arnold  secures  six  tons  of,  &c.,       -  -     165 

Amusing  account  of  the  enemy's  waste  of,     -         -174 

Order  for  supply  of,  to  Falmouth,  -  -    271 

Balsell,  Charles,  recommendation  of,  -         -     251 

Appointed  Second  Lieut,  of  a  German  Company,  -  1336 

Baltimore,  Committee  of,  to  the  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -       101,  183,  524,  569 

Proceedings  of,  Committee,  -  -    115, 

182,  345,  409,  522,  635,  668,  758,  907,  993,  1056 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to,  County  Committee,  184 
Company  of  Independents  raised  at,  -  -  364 

Special  meeting  of  Committee  of,  -         -     466 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Committee  of,    594,  1133 
Proceedings  of,  County  Committee, 
An  account  of  stores  in  magazine  at,  ordered, 
City  of,  illuminated  in  honour  of  independence,     - 
Bancroft,  Mr.,  concurrence  of,  with  Mr.  Deane, 
Bander,  Frederick,  discharged  from  service  for  age,   - 
Banks,  Moses,  cashiered  by  court-martial, 
Baptist  Churches,  Address  of  the,  to  the  Governour  of 
Virginia,  ...._._. 

Barber,  Edward,  resolve  on  petition  of,     - 
Barber,  Nathaniel,  Deputy  Commissary-General,  re- 
turns from,        -  ... 
Receipt  from,  to  John  Bradford,    - 
Strong  recommendation  of,  -  -         - 
General  Ward  introduces,  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress,      -         ... 

Barber,  Major,  gives  information  of  a  plan  of  desertion, 
Barber,  John,  elected  an  Ensign, 
Bard,  Dr.,  undertakes  the  erection  of  a  salt  work, 

Skilled  in  making  salt  from  sea  water,    -         -         - 
Barge,  Jacob,  Captain  of  Pennsylvania  Rifles,    - 
Barge,  Alexander,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp, 
Barger,  Michael,  recommended  as  a  Lieutenant  of  a 

German  Company,    - 

Barker,  Major,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly, 
Barker,  Nathaniel,  Jr.,  Deputy  Commissary  of  Artillery, 
Barker,  Jacob,  resolve  on  petition  of, 

And  others,  of  Nova-Scotia,  petition  of,  - 
Barker,  Dr.,  taken  into  custody  at  Albany, 


1156 
1132 
633 
1015 
947 
567 

905 

273 

586 
927 
986 

830 
1033 
1452 
1458 
1477 
187 
349 

251 
65 

210 
291 
703 
1050 

Barker,  Samuel,  Adjutant  to  a  Maryland  Battalion,  -  1342 
Barker,  William,  appointed  Major  of  New-York  Mili- 
tia, -  -  ...  1413 
Bar  Lead,  bounty  for  manufacture  of,  -  87 
Supply  of,  sent  to  Gates,  -  -  261 
Barlow,  Theophilus,  appointed  Commissary  pro  tern.,  1552 
Barnard,  Benjamin,  letter  from  to  Washington,  -  -  550 
Barnardstown,  (Mass.,)  proceedings  of  Committee,  -  247 
Barnes,  George,  a  violent  Tory,  ....  120 
Barnes,  Charles,  extract  of  a  letter  from,  -  -  179 


Barnes,  Colonel  Richard,  letter  from  to  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  ...     252 

Letters  to,  from  the  same,     ...       344,  518,  571 
Mr.  Wolstenholme's  letter  to,        -         -         -         .  '  520 
Barnes,  Colonel  Richard,  declines  serving  in  Massa- 
chusetts Militia,  ...    292 
Barnes  and  Elliott,  Captains,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  363,  383,  387,  667 

Barnes,  A.,  Chairman  of  St.  Mary's  Committee,  -  807 
Barnes,  Captain  Henry,  extract  of  a  letter  from,  -  958 
Barnes,  William,  appointed  a  Second  Lieutenant  of 

Maryland  Militia,       -  -         .   1344 

Barnes,  William,  appointed  by  Congress  First  Lieu- 
tenant of  a  frigate,     -  ...  1606 
Barnstable,  Massachusetts,  Committee,      ...     147 
Protest  of  the  inhabitants  of,  -                   ...     147 
Barrack-Master,  order  to  furnish  houses  for  the  sick,  -     255 
Barracks,  an  order  to  erect  a  stockade  around  the  Lan- 
caster,      ...                  .  -     255 
An  addition  ordered  to  the  Lancaster,    -                  -  1135 
Barrett,  Lemuel,  applies  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

for  lead,   -  .     343 

Reply  of  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to,  -         -    553 

Chairman  of  Skipton  Committee,  -  -  563 

Appointed  Captain  of  a  Rifle  Company,          -         .  1337 

Thomas  Beale  appointed  in  place  of,      -  -  1343 

Barrett,  Col.,  Gates  refers  Cumberland  Committee  to,     717 

Barrington,  Dr.  William,  (a  prisoner,)  applies  to  be 

released  on  parole,     -         -  -         -     411 

Asks  for  his  baggage,    -  ...     751 

Application  of,  for  parole  granted,  -  1325 

Barrow,  Captain,  to  the  New-Hampshire  Committee 

of  Safety,  -  -     38 1 

Barry,  Captain,  assistance  by,  to  save  the  Nancy,        -       14 

Powder  and  sail-cloth  delivered  to,         -.  543 

Captures  made  by,        -  -      741, 759 

Bartlett,  Major  Thomas,  a  vote  to  pay,       -  -       52 

Appointed  Mustermaster  and  Paymaster,        -          57,  83 

Bartlett,  Josiah,  letter  from,  to  Governour  Weare,       -     136 

Letter  from,  to  John  Langdon,      ....    348 

496,637,758,893,  1060 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Whipple,  -         -         -  1024,  1179 
Partial  returns  from  the  Regiment  of,      -  -     875 

Bartlett,  John  J.  P.,  Chairman  of  Kittery  Committee,  -  249 
Bartlett,  Captain  John,  taken  prisoner  in  the  Earl  of 

Eirol, 1067 

Bartlet,  Ephraim,  a  soldier,  killed  by  lightning,  -         -  1163 
Barton,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  Henry  Wisner,   -         -     139 
Bartow,  Theodosius,  appointed  Commissary,      -         -   1553 
New-York  Convention  advance  money  to,      -         -  1554 
Bartram,  Ebenezer,  to  Governour  Trumbull,       -        -     340 
Bass,  Major  Joseph,  appointed  Paymaster,  -       84 

Basset,  Major  Barachiah,  resolve  on  petition  of,          -     283 
Batcheldor,  Captain,  ordered  to  fit  out  vessels  of  ob- 
servation, ......     307 

Bath,  New-Hampshire,  vote  to  supply  fire-arms  to,    -       50 
Battalion,  pay  of  a  Continental,  -     865 

Battalions,  Massachusetts  raises  seven,  for  the  Northern 

Army,       -         -  -        -         -     288 

Batteau-Master,  appointment  of  a,  by  Gates,      -         -     654 
Batteaus,  Gates  sends  a  number  of,  to  Arnold,  -         -     357 
Carpenters  employed  in  building,  at  Ticonderoga,  -     748 
Use  of,  for  fishing,  prohibited  by  Gates,  -     800 

Batten,  Lieutenant,  decease  of,          -  -  1126 

Batteries,  ten,  on  North  River  open  on  the  enemy,     -     230 
Battis,  John,  a  delegate  x>f  the  Eastern  Indians,          -     838 
Battle,  Isaac,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses,       -     274 
Battle,  Massachusetts  resolves  to  pay  losses  in,  -      286,  302 
Between  the  Fincastle  Militia  and  Cherokees,         -     464 
Bay  of  Fundy,  an  expedition  to  the,  from  Halifax,      -     973 
Bayard,  John,  Colonel  of  Second  Pennsylvania  Bat- 
talion,      -  -     171 
Bayard's  Hill,  signal  to  be  made  from,  for  action,        -     913 
Bayley,  Colonel  Jacob,  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety  to,  ...  .     427 

S.  Metcalfto,        -  -        -      458,798 

Unable  to  form  a  company  of  working-men,  -         -     749 
L.-titr  from,  to  Cales,  -  -  938, 989 

Letter  from,  to  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety,      -  -  1190 

Appointed  by  New-Hampshire  Brigadier-General,  -  1465 
Bayley,  Ensign  Frye,  petitions  for  leave  to  resign,  -  681 
Bayonets,  supply  of,  ordered  to  the  Flying-Camp,  153,  184 
Four  hundred,  sent  to  be  fitted  to  muskets,  -  -  218 
Richard  Dallam  proposes  to  make,  .  491 

Arrival  of  a  number  of,  at  Chester,          -  -     691 

Pride  of  the  British  in  the  use  of,  -         -        .        .    887 
Beach,  Zerah,  appointed  Ensign,      ....  1271 


1639 


INDEX. 


1640 


Beacons,  resolve  for  erection  of, 

General  Lincoln  on  the  subject  of, 

Real.  Lieutenant  Benjamin,  ordered  to  Tioonderoga,  -     209 
Beale.  Ensign,  testimony  of,  in  case  of  Captain  Bell,  - 
Beall,   Thomas,    recommended    by   Frederick-Town 

Committee,       -  .....    2.51 

Appointed  Captain  of  Rifles,  -   1343 

Buall,  Captain  Re/in,  orders  to,  from  Maryland  Council 

, ,f  Safety,  - 

Reported  dangerously  wounded,    -  383,  429 

Wound  declared  not  mortal, 
Reported  on  the  recovery,     - 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -   1173 

Beall,  Colonel  Josias,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -     553 

Reply  of  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to,  -         -     593 

Brail,  Elisha,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1350 

Beall,  Andrew,  appointed  Captain,    - 

Bean,  Mr.,  recommended  for  promotion,    -  1509 

Beanes,  John  H.,  commissioned  as  First  Lieutenant,  -  1333 

Beating  Orders,  form  of,  in  Massachusetts,         -      276,  296 

Joseph  Mayhew  appointed  to  sign,          ...     303 

Beatty,  William,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,  -   1350 

Beaumarchais,  M.,  proposals  of,  to  Mr.  Deane,  -         -  1013 

Mr.  Dubourg's  distrust  of,      -  -        -  1014 

Count  de  Vergennes'  recommendation  of,       -         -   1014 

Mr.  Deane  makes  a  contract  with,          -         -         -  1015 

Letter  from,  to  the  Secret  Committee,    -  1025 

Assumes  a  fictitious  signature,       ....  1023 

Entire  confidence  of  Ministers  in,          ...  1018 

Proofs  of  his  being  the  agent  of  Ministers,      -         -  1020 

Beaumont,  Ebenezer,  appointed  Adjutant  by  Congress,  1565 

Beaver,  pri/es  sent  in  by  the  sloop-of-war,          -         -     772 

Bedel,  Colonel  Timothy,  report  from  his  command  at 

the  Cedars,        -  158 

List  of  the  men  of,  made  prisoners,  -  -  167,  168 
Letter  from,  to  Gates,  -  ...  239,  261 

Ordered  to  repair  to  Crown-Point,  ...  358 
Petition  of  the  officers  of,  to  Gates,  -  -  -  398 
Court  of  Inquiry  ordered  on,  -  -  654 

Court-Martial  ordered  to  sit  on,  ...  655,  1594 
Applies  to  Gates  for  a  guard  home,  ...  747 
Is  cashiered  and  ordered  home,  -  748 

Approval  of  the  sentence  on,  -         -     801 

Bedford,  prisoners-of-war  sent  to  township  of,    - 

Congress  resolve  to  raise  a  Battalion  in,  -  -  409 
Militia  in  the  neighbourhood  of,  captured,  -  -  1545 
A  Company  ordered  to  be  raised  in,  -  -  1578 

Bedford,    Mr.,    accompanies   Captain  Hazelwood  to 

New-York,        -  -  -     186 

Bedinger,  Henry,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Rifles  by 

Congress,  -  1570 

Bedlow,  William,  letter  from,  to  New-York  Congress,     730 
Beef,  no  scarcity  of,  in  Northern  Army,     ...     562 
Arrival  of  a  transport  with,  at  Boston,    -  -     643 

Large  supply  of  fresh,  at  Ticonderoga,   ...     969 
To  be  issued  with  flour,  &c.,  in  lieu  of  rations,         -    1272 
Beeswax,  permission  to  export,  from  North-Carolina,  -  1367 
Belding,  Captain,  neglect  of  duty  of,          ...     205 
Belknap,  Jesse,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys,  ....     377 
Bell,  John,  to  the  Sussex  Committee  of  Safety,  -         -       10 
Appointed  Muster  and  Paymaster,          -         -          57,  83 
Member  of  the  New-Hampshire  Assembly,     -         -       64 
Letter  from,  to  Meshech  Weare,    -  -         -     479 
Bell,  Captain  Thomas,  spoken  at  sea,         ...     659 
Bell,  Richard,  information  given  by,  -         -        -         -  1034 
Bellows,  Major  John,  a  vote  to  pay,  ....       50 
Bellows,  Col.,  to  New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety,     361 
Bell.,  runir  at  Boston  on  proclamation  of  Independence,     426 
Bell-Tent's,  order  for  delivery  of,  to  General  Moore,    -   1384 
Belton,  George,  Gilliland's  charges  against,        -         -     486 
Belton,  Joseph,  introduced  to  Washington,        -         -     496 
Benedict.  Captain,  accounts  of,  ordered" to  be  adjusted,     410 
Pay  of,  stopped,    -  .         .    856 
Petition  from,  referred  by  Congress  to  Schuyler,      -   1580 
Bennett,  Matthew,  collector  of  fire-arms,  -         -         -     172 
Bennett,  William,  resolve  to  deliver  powder  to,          -     296 
Bennington,  plenty  of  stores  at,                 ...     552 
Benson,  Robert,  Secretary  to  New- York  Congress,    -     203 
Letter  to,  from  J.  McKesson,         -         .         .         -257 
to,  from  General  Scott,        ....     ggl 
Appointed  Secretary  to  the  New-York  Convention,   1365 
Appointed  Marshal  and  Provost-Marshal  to  the  Hidi 

Court  of  Admiralty, °-1461 

Benson,  Egbert,  letter  to,  from  Washington,      -      256   337 
r  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -          .     355,  1408 

from,  to  Militia  officers  in  Western  Connec- 
tlcut-  375 


Benson,  Egbert,  Chairman  of  Dutchess  County  Com- 
mittee, 

Letter  to,  from  General  Gates,       -  -  1114 

Letter  to,  from  New- York  Convention,  -  -  1394 

Benson,  Captain,  appointed  to  the  command  of  a  sloop,     935 

Benson,  Perry,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,     -  1346 

Benstead,    Alexander,     appointed    Quartermaster    of 

Bucks  County  Associators,        -  -     171 

Benton,  Ensign  Selah,  named  for  promotion,     -         -     646 
Berdt,  Dennis  de,  letter  from,  to  Colonel  Reed, 
Heriren,  Washington  sendsMilitia  to,  17 

Mercer  proposes  to  station  men  at,        -  -     964 

Three  thousand  or  four  thousand  expected  at,        -  1193 
Bergen-Neck,  stock  still  found  on,   - 

Necessity  for  strong  guards  on,     -  -     895 

BergeB-Point,  repulse  of  an  enemy's  party  at,  -         -     578 
Colonel  Bradley's  Regiment  repulsed  at,        -        --     711 
Berks  County  Committee  grant  a  pass  to  Mr.  de  Rou- 

ville,  1109 

Letter  from  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  to,  Com- 
mittee,    -  -  -         -         -  1300 
Ammunition  to  be  delivered  to,     -         -  -  1328 
Berkshire,  number  of  men  to  be  raised  in  County,     -     291 

Field-Officers  chosen  for, 293 

Militia,  march  without  canteens,  ...         -     701 
Bermuda,  the  British  propose  to  fortify,     ...  1019 
Bernard,  Wooster's  defence  against  the  charge  of  rob- 
bery,       -        -  ...       13 
Berrien,  John,  letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,     821 
Appointed  agent  for  the  Secret  Committee,    -         -  1475 
Refuses  to  obey  an  order  of  New-York  Convention,   1554 
Summoned  before  the  Convention,        ...  1554 
Berry,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses,        -     320 
Berry,  Robert,  letter  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to,   1191 
Berry,  Richard,  arms  and  ammunition  to  be  delivered  to,   1340 
Sent  with  his  pilot-boat  to  Patuxent,      -  -  1351 
Permitted  to  go  to  Virginia  for  coal,      -                  -  1363 
Berryhill,  Andrew,  to  Committee  of  Upper  Paxton,    -     948 
Berthand,   Abraham,    appointed    Lieutenant  of   Ma- 
trosses,   -                            -                  -         -         -  1338 
Betsey,  the  brig,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  152 
Betsey,  resolve  to  furnish  a  guard  to  the  sloop,  -         -     272 
Betsey,  capture  of  the  sloop,    -----     780 
Betsey,  resolve  to  appoint  a  commander  for  brigantine,    1370 
Resolve  respecting,  rescinded,       ....  1372 
Betsey,  permission  to  sell  the  sloop,          ...  1620 
Proceeds  of,  to  go  to  Massachusetts  Assembly,       -  1620 
Betton,  James,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,       59 
Belts,  Thaddeus,  Clerk  to  Norwalk  Committee,  -         -     804 
Betts,  Thomas,  appointed  Cornet  to  Queen's  County 

Horse,      -         -  ....  1528 

Beverly,  order  to  furnish  shot  to  town  of,          -         -     268 

Resolve  to  supply  cannon  to,  297 

Biddle,  Captain,  British  ship  captured  by,  -     638 

Wreck  of  his  prize,      -  -     647 

Biddle,  Clement,  letter  from,  to  R.  Peters,          -         -     948 

Knapsacks,  &c.,  ordered  to  be  delivered  to,   -  1291,  1292 

Elected  by  Congress  Deputy  Quartermaster-General,   1569 

Bigelow,  Major,  bearer  of  a  letter  to  Burgoyne,  -         •*•    548 

Is  sent  with  a  flag  to  Carleton,      -  -    796 

Safe  return  of,      -  ...      888, 889 

Abstract  of  the  Journal  of,    -         -         -  -     986 

Copy  of  a  paper  delivered  to,  987 

Transmits  it  to  Washington,          -  -  1081 

Biggs,  Lieutenant,  remarks  of,  on  swearing,  in  the 

Army, 926 

Bill,  Mr.,  recommended  by  John  Jay,  40 

Bill  of  Costs,  for  transporting  hard  money,         -         -       44 
Bill  of  Rights,  New-York  Convention  appoint  a  Com- 
mittee to  draw  up  a,  -  1466 
Billings,  Thomas,  published  as  inimical,    -                  -     179 
Billings,  Sylvanus,  published  as  inimical,  -                  -     179 
Billings,  Captain  Andrew,  named  for  promotion,        -     646 
Ordered  to  do  duty  as  Major,                                     -   1137 
Billings,  Henry,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  brig  Defence,   1009 
Billingsport,  chevaux-de-frise  erected  at,  -         -         -   1326 
Billop's  farm,  the  enemy  quartered  at,        -  -     950 
General  Agnew  occupying,  house,         -         -         -     951 
Bills  of  Credit,  counterfeiters  of  punished,  43 
Order  for  payment  of,  in  New-Hampshire,      -         -       47 
Act  of  New-Hampshire  to  prevent  forging,    -   56,  72,  88 
Purchase  of  paper  for,  by  New-Hampshire,    -         57,  83 
Amount  of,  ordered  to  be  emitted,         -         -          57,  82 
Stripes  given  for  passing  counterfeit,  in  Massachu- 
setts,       -                 -                                            -     247 
Made  felony,  in  Rhode-Island,  to  counterfeit  Con- 
tinental, -                                       ...     377 
Appointment  of  a  Committee  to  sign  publick,     293,  296 


1641 


INDEX. 


1642 


Bills  of  Credit,  made  felony,  in  New-Jersey,  to  coun- 
terfeit,     -  -     412 
Ordinance  of  Pennsylvania  to  prevent  counterfeiting,     710 
Continental,  made  a  legal  tender  in  New-Jersey,   -     995 
Speedy  redemption  of,  recommended,    -                   -   1223 
Resolve  of  North-Carolina  Council  of  Safety  rela- 
tive to,     -                                              -x  1363 
Order  of  New-York  Convention  for  issue  of,  -  1437,  1504 


Congress  order  a  further  issue  of,  - 

Form  of,  issued  in  New-York, 

Faith  of  the  State  of  New-York  pledged  to  redeem, 

Counterfeiters  punishable  with  death  in  New- York. 
Bird,  Dr.  Jonathan,  recommended  for  a  surgeoncy,    - 
Bird,  Richard,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp, 
Bird,  Colonel  Mark,  contracts  to  cast  cannon,  - 
Birdsall,  Colonel  Benjamin,  ordered  to  command  one 
company  of  the  Nassau-Island  Militia,       -    539, 
Birdsey,  John,  denounced  as  inimical,       - 
Birdsey,  Gershom,  denounced  as  inimical, 
Bishoprick,  project  of  Ministry  for  establishing, 
Bitter-rum,  Dr.  Potts  orders  a  gill  of,  daily,  to  each 
soldier,     -  -  -         ... 

Black  Hole,  a  rival  of  the  Calcutta,  in  the  Thames,  - 
Blacldedge,  Richard,  establishes  salt  works  in  North- 
Carolina,  -  .... 
Black  River,  Admiralty  proceedings  against  the  ship, 
Blacks,  Drummond  sends  the,  to  West-Indies,  - 
Blacksmiths,  mistake  of,  in  work  for  a  saw-mill, 

Congress  order  the  employment  of, 
Blagge,  John,  New-York  Committee  of  Safety  meet  at 

house  of,  - 

Elaine,  Ephraim,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress, 
Blair,  Archibald,  Clerk  to  Virginia  Council  of  Safety, 
Blake,  Robert,  undertakes  to  furnish  cartridges,  &c.,  - 


Blanchard,  Augustus,  appointed  a  Captain, 
Blanchard,  John,memberofNew-HampshireAssembly, 
Blanchard,  Joseph,  and  others,  petition  of, 
Blanford,  Militia  of,  inoculated  without  orders,  - 
Blankets,  E.  Elaine's  account  of, 

Ordered  to  be  collected  for  troops  in  Maryland, 

Price  of,  at  St.  Eustatia,        -  - 

Baltimore  appoints  a  Committee  to  collect,    - 

An  arrival  of,  at  New-London, 

Difficulty  of  procuring, 

Application  for,    -  - 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  supply  funds  to  purchase, 


50 
47 
175 
779 
223 
365 
463 
523 
699 
731 
779 
737 

831,  1090 
781 
786 
1056 
1117 
505 


Cecil  County  Committee  offer  to  collect, 
An  arrival  of,  from  France,  ----- 
Difficulty  of  procuring,  in  Baltimore,     - 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  purchase,  ofE.  Parker, 
Blank  Returns,  Adjutant-General  ordered  to  furnish,  - 
Blauvelt,  Colonel  Johannes  D.,  to  New- York  Conven- 
tion,                                                                          -  1503 
Blazing-Star,  men  ordered  for  defence  of,  ferry,          -  18 
One  of  the  enemy's  posts  on  Staten-Island,    -         -  370 
Major  Knowlton  ordered  to  attack,                   -         -  413 
Bledsoe,  Anthony,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,          -         -  111 
Bledsoe,  Major  A.,  account  of  a  battle  given  to,         -  464 
Blewer,  Captain  Joseph,  a  vote  to  pay  accounts  of,    -  1326 
Block  Island,  commerce  of,  with  the  enemy,      -         -  402 
Intercourse  with,  prohibited  by  Connecticut,  -         -  1008 
Enemy's  vessels  cruising  off,                               1189,  1452 
Blockmakers,  inquiry  ordered  concerning,                   -  1125 
Blodget,  Lieutenant  William,  Greene  recommends,  to 

sign  passes,      -                                                       -  577 

Authority  given  to,  as  recommended,     ...  677 

Is  appointed  Aid-de-Camp  to  Greene,  -         -    967,  1 137 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,                             -    982,  1029 

Bloody  flux,  enemy  on  Staten-Island  afflicted  with,    -  199 

Blunfield,  Thomas,  thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  desertion,  227 

Blunt,  Lieut.  Colonel,  General  Howe  despatches  home,  106 

Lord  Germaine  acknowledges  letters  by,        -         -  1102 

Board  of  Accounts,  expenses  referred  to,           -        .  635 

Board  of  Treasury,  letter  from  Washington  referred  to,  1217 

Letter  from  General  Schuyler  referred  to,       -         -  1217 

Mr.  Price's  accounts  referred  to,    -                             -  1565 

Board  of  War,  order  from,  to  Washington,                  -  33 

General  order  of,  for  information,  34 

Military  ordered  to  be  sent  to,  from  Boston,  -         -  195 

Letter  from  Washington  referred  to,     389,  484,  537,  834 

Letter  from  General  Schuyler  referred  to,        -         -  394 

Letter  from  William  Goddard  referred  to,        -         -  441 

Letter  from  Mr.  Greenleaf  referred  to,    -         -         -  459 

Letter  from  General  Mercer  referred  to,          -      469,  958 

Letter  from  William  Atlee  to,        -                           -  535 

Petition  of  George  Nicholson  referred  to,       -         -  636 


Board  of  War,  letter  from  Washington  to,  -         -     641 

Memorial  from  George  Measam  referred  to,  -  726,  1157 
Letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull  to,  -  -  -  -  772 
Lists  of  Prisoners  ordered  to  be  sent  to,  -  -  784 
Report  to  Congress  from,  -  -  -  931,  1565 

Petition  referred  to, 962 

Letter  from  New-Jersey  Convention  to,  -     978 

Return  of  Mercer's  army  made  to,  -         -1079 

Recommendation  by,  of  Preudhomc  la  Jeunesse,  -  1094 
Letter  to,  from  General  Charles  Lee,  -  -  1130 

Memorial  from  Chevalier  Sauralle  referred  to,  -  1180 
Sundry  petitions  referred  to,  -  1191,  1192 

Letter  to,  from  the  Virginia  Council,  ...  1243 
Case  of  deserters  from  Continental  Army  referred 

to, -  1314 

Case  of  officers  ordered  from  New-Jersey  to  Penn- 
sylvania, referred  to,  -  1578 
Another  member  added  to,   -         -         -        -         -  1583 

Pay  of  an  assistant  Clerk  to,  fixed,  -  1599 

Congress  direct,  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  the 

Northern  Army,        -        -  -  1601 

Congress  direct,  to  prepare  a  plan  of  operations  for 

the  next  campaign,  -  -  1628 

Boards,  Colonel  Cortlandt  ordered  to  purchase  pine,  -  1497 
Boarman,  Henry,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -         -  -        -  1345 

Boats,  Arnold  asks  for  a  large  number  of,  -        -         -     340 

Necessity  of  building,  for  use  of  the  Army,     -         -     470 

Preparation  of,  to  board  unarmed  vessels,       -        -     634 

Washington  desires  Mercer  to  have  flat-bottomed, 

in  Newark  Bay,         ------     675 

Congress  authorize,  for  Flying-Camp,    -  690 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  purchase  of  flat,  -     782 
Pay  of  officers  in  the  Pennsylvania  armed,      -•       -  1288 
Power  given  to  impress  needful  number  of,     -         -  1546 
Number  of,  ordered  to  be  sent  to  General  Clinton,  -  1546 
Bogart,  Mr.,  represented  as  a  "  good  Whig,"    -         -     934 
A  guard  placed  at  the  house  of,    -  -  1546 

Records  of  New- York  Convention  kept  at  the  house 

of,  -  -  1546 

Bohea  tea,  E.  Burr  charged  with  exceeding  price  of,  -     732 

Complaints  against  the  high  price  of,     - 
Boltwood,  Robert,  advertised  as  inimical,  -        -         -  1173 
Bond,  form  of,  from  masters  of  armed  vessels,    -        -       91 
Bond,  James,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Flying-Camp,   1348 
Bond,  Shadrack,  appointed  collector  of  fire-arms,       -    524 
Bond,  Colonel  William,  death  of,  from  putrid  fever,   -  1268 
Book  of  Common  Prayer,  New-York  Convention  re- 
commend to  Congress  an  alteration  of  the,          -  1396 
Boote,  B.  B.,  takes  the  oath  of  allegiance,          -         -  1380 
Boothe,  James,  Clerk  to  Delaware  Assembly,    -         -     618 
Chosen  Clerk  to  the  Convention,  -  -  1179 

Boring-Mill,  persons  sent  to  erect  a,  -  1292 

Boston,  letter  from  Committee  of,  to  Massachusetts 

Council,  -  -    247 

An  order  to  suspend  sinking  hulks  at,  - 
Resolve  for  further  fortifying, 
Decoy  ships  to  be  employed  at,     - 
Vote  of  money  to  Selectmen  of,    - 
Prisoners  removed  from  Truro  to,  -        -         -         -     310 

Assembly  request  Washington  to  order  two  Regi- 
ments from,      -         -  - 
Connecticut  troops  deterred  from  entering,  by  fear 

of  small-pox,    - 
Camp  proposed  in  the  vicinity  of,  -        -        -         -     405 

Independence  proclaimed  at, 

Call  on  Congress  to  aid  in  defence  of,  - 

Massachusetts  Council  to  the  Selectmen  of,  - 

Dread  of  small-pox  at,  - 

Return  of  Ordnance  Stores  at,  586 

Return  of  Stock  and  Tools  at, 

Prize  Ship  sent  into,  by  Commodore  Hopkins,       -    587 

Two  Regiments  from,  arrive  at  New- York,     -        -     638 

Mr.  Bowdoin  relates  to  the  Indians  the  conduct  of 

the  enemy  at,   - 

Number  of  persons  with  small-pox  at,    - 
Authority  of  General  Officers  at,  expired,       -         -  1225 
Bostwick,  Andrew,  petition  of,  to  the  New-York  Con- 
vention,   -  -         -  1510 
Boucher,  Captain,  Major  Price  gives  aid  to,        -         -     618 
Boudelot,  Basil,  sent  to  Massachusetts,     -  -   1615 
Bounties,  order  in  Council  extending,  to  seamen,      -  1089 
Bounty,  New-Hampshire  offers,   for   manufacture   of 

fire-arms,  '  -        -         -         -       49 

New-Hampshire  offers,  for  manufacture  of  bar  lead 
and  saltpetre,    ------ 

New-Hampshire  offers,  to  recruits  for  Canada,      54,  178 
New-York  offers  a  large,  to  Militia,        -  447,  1406,  1421 


1643 


INDEX. 


1644 


Bounty,  resolve  of  Massachusetts  concerning  the,  on 

saltpetre,  -  -  270 
Massachusetts  gives  a  large,  to  her  Militia,  -  -  460 
Allowed  to  Militia  of  Nassau-Island,  -  -  539 
Manner  of  paying,  prescribed,  -  -  539 
Extravagant  demand  of,  by  Boston  Militia,  -  -  584 
Colonel  McDougall  asks  permission  to  offer  a,  -  602 
Fraud  used  by  soldiers  to  procure  the,  -  -  676 
Pennsylvania  pays,  to  Associators  to  join  Flying- 
Camp,  - 884 

Payment  of,  a  State  expense,  -  -     897 

Amount  of,  paid  to  seamen  by  Governour  Trumbull,     987 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  pays,  to  German  Com- 
panies,    -  -1335,1336 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  pays,  to  a  Rifle  Com- 
pany,      -  -  1335,  1337 
No  person  to  receive,  before  passing  muster,  - 
Complaints  among  the  troops  concerning  their,      -  1536 
Granted  to  Colonel  Remsen's  Regiment,        -         -  1561 
Congress  pass  a  general  resolve  regulating,    -         -  1579 
Bourke,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  ....   430,  1024 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  - 
Appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,      -  -  1351 

Boush,  Captain  Nathaniel,  testimony  of,    -         -  9 

Bowdoin,  James,  letter  to,  from  William  Sever,  248,  567,  805 
Letter  to,  from  Joseph  Trumbull,  -  -  -  485,  1189 
Letter  to,  from  Joseph  Palmer,  -  -  -  516 

Letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -  584,  585,  971 
Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  ...  702 
Information  given  by,  to  Washington,  -  835 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -  -  -  -  661 
Letter  to,  from  Richard  Derby,  ....  663 
Letter  from,  in  relation  to  Eastern  Indians,  -  -  836 
Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -----  952 
Letter  from,  to  Meshech  Weare,  -  -  990,  1010,  1051 
Letter  from,  to  Governour  Cooke,  -  -  -  -  1 155 
Letter  to,  from  the  same,  -  -  -  -  -  1172 
Letter  from,  to  Colonel  John  Trumbull,  -  -  -  1266 
Letter  to,  from  Stephen  Badger,  -  -  1239 

Bowen,  Jabez,  Secretary  to  the  Rhode-Island  Marine 

Committee, -    623 

Bower,  Jacob,  recommended  for  appointment,  -         -   1293 
Appointed  by  Congress  First  Lieutenant  of  Germans,   1583 
Bowers,  Jerathmeel,  letter  to,  from  the  Massachusetts 

Council,  -  -        -  -        -     133 

Resolve  on  the  petition  of,    -         -         -  -     299 

Bowie,  Captain,  reported  as  missing,         -  -   1250 

Bowman,  Lieutenant,  sent  with  armourer  to  Ticon- 

deroga, -     209 

Box,  Major,  ordered  to  do  duty  as  Brigade-Major,      -     915 

Boyd,  Robert,  Jun,,  Chairman  of  Ulster  Committee,  -     793 

Letter  to,  from  New- York  Convention,  ...  1405 

Boyd,  Thomas,  commissioned  as  Lieutenant,     -         -  1313 

Boyd,  John,  elected  by  Congress  as  Paymaster,  -  1586 

Boyd's  Hole,  Dunmore's  fleet  near,  -         ...     490 

Boyer,  Michael,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Germans,    -  1336 

Boyer,  Peter,  recommended  for  appointment,    -         -  1293 

Congress  appoint,  Captain  of  Germans,  -   1583 

Boynoe,  Mr.,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,    -     152 

Bracco,  Bennet,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,       361,  592 

Brackett,  Dr.,  to  New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety,   1226 

Bradbury,  John,  resolve  on  the  accounts  of,        -         -     298 

Bradford,  John,  letter  to,  from  President  of  Congress,       34 

Inventory  of  prizes  furnished  by,    -  -         -     209 

Mr.  Glover  complains  of  interference  of,          -        -     478 

Call  made  upon,  for  prize  articles,          ...     625 

Letter  to,  from  the  Marine  Committee,  -  670 

Washington's  orders  to,         -----     770 

Dispute  of,  with  Glover,  referred  to  Congress,          -     815 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,-        ....    937 

Bradford,  William,  nominated  as  Lieutenant  of  Rifles,     183 

Receives  the  appointment,     -  ...   1335 

Bradley,  Philip  B.,  to  Governour  Trumbull,         -        -     328 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -        -         ...     479 

Bradley,  Colonel,  Regiment  of,  at  Bergen-Point,         -     711 

Brady,  Samuel,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  by  Con- 

-  1587 

xgan,  Isaac,  examination  of,  -  ...  \QQQ 

Brainard,  Mr.,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,       65 

:hwaite,  Mr.,  a  deserter  from  the  fleet,          -         -     628 

ranch,  Benjamin,  discharged  on  security  .         .  1573 

Branson   Ware,  sent  to  Lebanon  as  disaffected,          -     981 

Brass,  fifty  pounds  of,  to  be  delivered  to  Messrs.  Bromall 

and  Gngson,     -...__  .„«». 

Blunderbusses  to  be  delivered  to  Mr.  Lane     ~-  1127 

Brasstown  Creek,  houses  and  corn  on,  destroyed,       -     941 
Bratts,  Mr.,  ammunition  delivered  to  11§[ 


Brazee,  John,  a  prisoner,  money  and  liberty  given  to,  47 
Brearly,  Colonel,  brings  news  from  Allentown,  37 

Brent,  William,  house  of,  fired  by  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  593 
Brewer,  Solomon,  appointed  Adjutant  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -  -     281 

Brewer,  Col.  Samuel,  camp  equipage  furnished  to,     -     551 

Letter  from,  to  Gates,  -  -  1130 

Brewer,  Colonel  Jonathan,  return  of  his  artificers,      -     765 

Brewster,  John,  appointed  Captain  of  New-Hampshire 

Militia,     -  -       64 

Brice,  James,  one  of  the  Annapolis  Committee,  -  181 
Brice,  John,  one  of  the  Annapolis  Committee,  -  -  181 
Brice,  Adjutant,  prisoner,  escape  of,  -  -  1250 

Bricket,  James,  appointed  Colonel  in  Continental  ser- 
vice,        .....  -        -    31 4 
Promoted  to  be  Brigadier-General,  -     320 
Declines  to  be  inoculated,     -  -     361 
Ordered  to  command  levies  for  Northern  Army,   361,  512 
Arrival  of,  at  Ticonderoga,    -  -    900 
Bridge,  Captain,  vote  to  pay  the  roll  of,     -                  -     300 
Bridge,  Rebecca,  resolve  on  petition  of,               -         -     305 
Bridges,  Thomas,  permitted  to  work  at  his  trade,        -  1135 
Bridgetown,  New-Jersey,  exposed  state  of,                   -     469 
Enemy  carry  off  cattle  from,  -                                     -     469 
Declaration  of  Independence  read  at,     -                  -     811 
Brig,  capture  of  a,  from  Antigua,       ....     780 
Invoice  of  the  cargo  of  same,         ....     780 
Brigade-Majors,  Mr.  Ross  recommended  as  one,        -     470 
Ordered  to  inform  the  Engineer  of  all  exemption 

from  fatigue  duty,      -  -    503 

Represented  as  deficient  in  duty,  -  -    503 

Ordered  to  make  daily  reports,       -  -         -     503 

Brigades,  arguments  for  separating  the  Eastern  and 

Southern,  -     177 

Return  of  Scott's,  Heard's,  and  Wadsworth's,      331,  332 
Three,  in  Northern  Army  commanded  by  Colonels,     604 
Brigadiers,  Washington  refers  vacancies  to,        -         -     641 
Sentiments  of  Washington  on  the  choice  of,  -         -     815 
Congress  pass  an  order  for  election  of,  -         -         -     832 
Lee  submits  a  question  to  his,        ....     905 
Brigantine,  New-Providence  sloop  converted  into,      -     732 
Brigs,  Connecticut  unfortunate  in  the  purchase  of,     -     476 
Brimer,  Mr.,  Mr.  Hancock  permitted  to  demand  pay- 
ment of  money  from,  -         -  -     636 
Washington  permits  Mr.  Palfrey  to  negotiate  with, 

for  Mr.  Hancock,      -        -  -    675 

Bringhurst,  George,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Flying- 
Camp,      -  -     349 
Bringhurst,  James,  paid  for  sash-weights,  -  -  1327 
Brisben,  James,  excused  from  duty,  -                           -  1600 
Brisco,  J.  H.,  appointed  Surgeon,      -                           -  1360 
Bristol,  Massachusetts,  men  to  be  raised  in,       -         -     289 
Field-Officers  appointed  for,  -                                     .     292 
Bristol,  Sir  Peter  Parker's  flag-ship,  -         ...     435 
Britain — see  Great  Britain. 
British,  Administration  informed  of  Mr.  Deane's  arrival 

at  Paris,    -  -  1018 

Guards,  arrival  of,  at  Staten-Island,  -         -     819 

Forces,  our  out-parties  surrounded  by,  -         -         -  1212 

Officers,  (prisoners,)  to  the  President  of  Congress,     222 

Brittain,  A.,  member  of  Baltimore  Committee,   -         -115 

Britton,  Captain,  examination  of,  -  1064 

Broad-axes,  a  promise  of,  to  Gates,   ....     922 

Broad  Creek,  Delaware,  great  disaffection  at,     -         -       10 

Brodhead,  Colonel,  march  of,  to  Amboy,  ...     139 

Mercer  proposes  to  send,  to  Staten-Island,     -         -     370 

Brogden,  Captain  William,  powder,  &c,  delivered  to,  -  1334 

Broken  cannon,  A.  Hobart  asks  for,  ....     748 

Bromfield,  Henry,  to  Washington,     -  -     938 

Bronson,  Nathan,  member  of  Georgia  Council  of  Safety,         6 

Brfioke,  Captain  John,  men  enrolled  by,    -  -     614 

Ordered  to  Drum-Point,  -  634,  1345,  1354 

Ordered  to  Huntington,         -  -     757 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,   -         -     806 

Brooke,  Major  Richard,  resignation  of,      -  -     960 

Brookfield,  petition  from  Committee  of,      -  -     551 

Brooking,  James,    appointed  a  Lieutenant  of  Green 

Mountain  Boys,  -  -     377 

Brooks,  William,  deserter,  examination  of,  -  -  997 
Brooks,  James,  testimony  of,  -  -  1081 

Brooks,  Mr.,  liberty  of  prison-yard  granted  to,    -         -  1325 
Brooks,  Dr.  David,  application  of,  referred  to  Wash- 
ington,    -  -         -  1518 
Broomback,  Dr.  B.,  charged  with  leaving  his  colours,  -  1322 
Broome,  John,  to  New- York  Convention,          -      374,954 
Broome,  Colonel,  introduced  by  Washington  to  Gov- 
ernour Trumbull,       -                  ....     459 
Broome,  Samuel, 'sent  to  Connecticut  for  saltpetre,    -  1214 


1645 


INDEX. 


1646 


Broome,  prizes  taken  by  the  privateer,       -  -  1226 

Brown,  John,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  152 
Brown,  Jesse,  post  rider,  vote  to  pay,  -  241 

Brown,  Samuel,  resolve  on  petition  of,      -  -     273 

Brown,  Benjamin,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel,  -  293 
Brown,  Dr.  William,  asks  for  Flying-Camp  Hospital,  377 
Brown,  Hugh,  joins  the  Indians  in  South-Carolina,  -  489 
Brown,  a  deserter,  recapture  of,  -  -  487 

Is  received  by  General  Gates,        -  -    547 

Sent  to  Albany  with  charges,  -        -    548 

Brown,  John,  prisoner,  permitted  to  attend  Captain 

Goodwin,                                                                  -     535 
Brown,  John,  appointed  by  Congress  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel,        -         -  712 

Extraordinary  services  of,      -         -  -     984 

Memorandum  of  said  services,       -  -         -   1218 

Copy  of  a  letter  from,  to  Schuyler,  -  1218 

Congress  refer  petition  of,  to  Schuyler,  -         -  1219 

Requests  a  court  of  inquiry,  -  ...  ]221 

Commissioned  by  Congress  as  Lieutenant-Colonel,  1593 

Rank  of,  settled  by  Congress,         -         -         -   .      -  1597 

Brown,  Captain,  letter  to  from  Colonel  Drake,  -         -  1030 

Brown,  Lieutenant,  acquitted  by  court-martial,  -         -  1135 

Brown,  Peter,  appointed  Ensign,       -  -  1333 

Brown,  William,  appointed  Commissioner  for  Port  of 

Bath,        -  ....  1379 

Browne,  John,  Chairman  of  the  Boston  Committee,  -     247 

Brown,  Josiah,  certified  "a  good  Whig,"  -         -  1524 

Brownfield,  resolve  on  petition  from,  -     321 

Brownson,  Captain  Gideon,  to  Gates,        -         -     340,  398 

Appointed  Captain  by  Congress,  ....  1565 

Bruere,  Richard,  a  British  Midshipman,  taken  prisoner,       22 

Examination  and  parole  of,  -  -       26 

Letter  from,  to  New- York  Convention,  -         -   623,  1096 

Brundage,  Daniel,  an  enemy  to  liberty,     ...     128 

Brunswick,  New-Jersey,  proper  place  for  rendezvous,  -     140 

Resolve  on  petition  of  Committee  of,     -     '    -        -     283 

Company  posted  at,  to  stop  deserters,    -  -     885 

Brunswick,  Virginia,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,     -     633 

Brunswickers,  Burgoyne  hangs  eight,        ...     626 

Great  desertion  from  the  corps  of,          -  -     729 

Brush,  Smith,  elected  Ensign  Queen's  County,          -     258 

Bruyn,  Jacobus,  promotion  of,  referred  to,  -     203 

Bryan.  Jonathan,  member  of  the  Georgia  Council  of 

Safety, -6 

Bryant,  Lieutenant,  wounded  by  scaling  cannon,       -     259 
Bryant,  Ensign,  court-martial  ordered  on,          -         -     677 
Censured,  and  ordered  to  duty,     -  -     678 

Buchanan,  Andrew,  member  of  Baltimore  Committee,     115 
Buchanan,  Archibald,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     -  -     634 
Buchanan,  Brigadier-General,  letter  to,  from  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  -      101,  153 

Buchanan,  Richard,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -         -  ...     102 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -     667 

Contract  made  with,  for  row-galleys,      ...  1346 

Buck,  Asahel,  appointed  Lieutenant  by  Congress,     -  1618 

Buckhast,  George,  employed  on  Lancaster  Barracks,     1135 

Buckland,  Stephen,  letter  from,  to  Governour  Trum- 

bull,  -         -         -         -         -         -.-     660 

Bucldin,  Captain,  successful  cruise  of,       -         -         -     659 
Buckner,  Colonel,  makes  charges  against  Lieutenant 

Jones,      -        -  -    736 

Bucks  County,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,    -         -     171 

Committee  of,  order  the  repair  of  fire-arms,    -         -  1291 

Buckwith,  Lee's  character  of,  -         -         -        -         -     428 

Budd,  Mrs.,  keeper  of  a  Tory  house,  -  1164 

Buell,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Deputy  Quartermaster  at 

Fort  George,    -  ....    562 

Ordered  to  join  his  Regiment,        -  -    681 

Washington  declines  to  interfere  with,  -  -     694 

Buell,  Rev.  Solomon,  letter  from,  to  Governour  Trum- 

bull,  -  -  -  1236,  1261,  1278 
Bulkely,  Richard,  proclamation  of,  -  -  959 
Bull,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  Gates,  -  -  359 
Bull,  John,  Chairman  Philadelphia  Committee,  -  -  467 
Bull,  Joseph,  sent  to  Lebanon  as  disaffected,  -  -  981 
Bull,  Colonel,  an  order  to  muster  the  Battalion  of,  -  1311 
Bull,  Manning,  reports  the  capture  of  General  Wood- 
hull,  -  ' 1564 

Bullen,  John,  one  of  the  Annapolis  Committee,         -     181 

Appointed  Captain  of  an  Independent  Company,  -  1339 

Bullet-Moulds,  General  Waterbury  asks  for,       -         -     629 

Demand  for,  repeated,  -  -         -     717 

Bullets,  too  large  for  the  guns  at  Skenesborough,       -     629 

Bullitt,  Colonel,  accompanies  Lee  to  Haddrell's  Point,     437 

Appointed  Deputy  Adj.  General  South-Carolina,   -     632 


Bullitt,  Captain,  Washington's  reply  to  Lee's  recom- 
mendation of,  -         -        -        .         .        .        .     917 

Bullman,  suspected  of  aiding  the  escape  of  officers, 

prisoners,  .         .     593 

Bulloch,  Archibald,  President  of  Georgia  Council  of 

Safety,     -  .         Q 

Chosen  Governour  of  Georgia,      ...        -         .     170 
Proclamation  issued  by,  ....     212 

"Bunch  of  Grapes,"  celebration  at  the,     ...     972 

Bunker-Hill,  soldiers  who  fought  at,  in  Howe's  army,1     197 

Massachusetts  resolves  to  pay  for  losses  at,    -        -     275 

A  prisoner  taken  at,  arrives  in  Boston,  -        -    587 

The  enemy  seem  to  have  forgotten,        ...     887 

Bunnel,  Isaac,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,  38 

Bunner,  Jacob,  recommended  for  appointment,          -  1289 

Appointed  Captain  by  Congress,  -  -  1569 

Burbeck,  Captain,  ordered  to  New- York,  ...     643 

General  Ward  replies  to  the  orders  to,  -        -         -     753 

Washington  repeats  his  orders  to,  -        -  1116 

Burd,  Colonel  Samuel,  to  Lancaster  Committee,         4,  412 

Ordered  from  Flying-Camp  to  New- York,      -         -     909 

Burga,  a  prisoner,  brought  from  Long-Island,    -         -  1504 

Examination  of,  -  ...  1506 

Burgess,  John  M.,  certificate  of,  -  527 

Burgess,  Captain,  accoutrements  to  be  delivered  to,  -     906 

Company  of,  commissioned,  -  1355 

Burgess  and  Lane,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,     -  1230 

Burgess,  Joseph,  appointed  Lieutenant  Flying-Gamp,   1348 

Burgess,  Michael,  appointed  Ensign  Flying-Camp,    -  1348 

Burgoyne,  Lieutenant-General,  information  of,  27 

The  ^akes  fortified  against,    -         -         -         -         -     118 

Arrival  of,  with  his  army,       -  130 

Plans  of,  anticipated  by  Washington,     ...     194 
Reported  strength  of  the  army  of,  -         ...     198 
Washington  enclosed  to  Schuyler  a  letter  for,         -     352 
Schuyler's  speculations  on  the  movements  of,         -     394 
Washington's  letter  for,  is  enclosed  to  Gates,      453,  473 
Schuyler  purposes  writing  to,  concerning  the  escape 

of  prisoners,      ...  ...     474 

Indians  and  Canadians  imbodied  by,      ...     477 

Howe  is  informed  of  the  letter  addressed  to,  -        -    501 

Schuyler  entertains  no  apprehensions  of,        -        -    561 

Colonel  McLean's  report  of  the  force,  &c.,  of,        -     626 

Report  of  his  arrival  at  St.  John's,  -     682 

Rumored  retreat  of,  to  the  mouth  of  Sorel,     -         -     824 

Unable  to  compete  with  the  Lake  fleet,          -        -     903 

Reported  retreat  of,  to  Montreal,  &c.,    ...     956 

Major  Bigelow  hands  to  Captain  Craig  the  letter  for,     986 

Promises  to  spend  the  winter  in  New- York,  -         -  1077 

Schuyler  directed  to  apply  to,  for  exchanges,          -  1600 

Burk,  Captain,  arrival  of,  at  Marblehead,  ...     662 

Burke,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  General  Lee,      -         -       98 

Burke,  Peter,  thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  desertion,        -     911 

Burkhard,  Daniel,  recommended  to  Congress,  -        -  1289 

Appointed  by  Congress  a  Captain,  -  1569 

Burlington,  New-Jersey,  Convention  removed  from,  -       37 

Burnaby,  Captain,  Howe's  envoy  to  Governour  Cooke,     896 

Burnham,  George,  application  for  release  of,     -         -  1051 

Burnham,  Josiah,  sentenced  to  be  whipped,      -         -  1270 

Burr,  Captain  Ephraim,  report  of  the  conduct  of,       -     470 

Burr,  Major  Aaron,  letter  to,  from  Major  Ogden,     603,  901 

Letter  from,  to  Timothy  Edwards,  -    887 

Burr,  Elijah,  confession  of,  relating  to  tea, 

Recommended  to  the  favour  of  the  publick,   -        -     733 
Burrell,  Colonel,  list  of  prisoners  from  Regiment  of,  at 

the  Cedars,       .        -         -  -      167,  168 

Burroughs,  James,  clerk  to  Skenesborough  Committee,  1 28 
Burrows,  (prisoner,)  caution  in  guarding,  advised,  -  19 
Bush,  Solomon,  appointed  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant 

in  Flying-Camp,        -  -     349 

Bussey,  Josiah,  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  -         -     801 

Bussey,  Captain  Bennet,  order  to  pay  money  to,        -  1333 

Commission  issued  to,  -  1348 

Bustead,  Morgan,   air  furnace  of,  taken  for  publick 

use, —        -         -  1292 

Butchers,  order  respecting,  at  Annapolis,  -  -  1341 

Butler,  John,  thirty  stripes  to,  for  desertion,       -         -     226 

Butler,  Colonel,  attempts  of,  to  gain  over  Indians,      -     395 

Calls  a  second  meeting  at  Niagara,        -  -     715 

Butler,  Captain,  anxiety  of,  to  resign,        -  -     601 

Butler,  John,  transactions  of,  reported,      -  -     866 

Butler,  Lieutenant,  reported  missing,  -  1250 

Death  of,  reported,        -         -  -  1195 

Killed  in  battle  on  Long-Island,    -        ...  1244 

Butler,  Richard,  elected  Major  by  Congress,      -         -  158] 

Butler,  Waterbury  sends  a  supply  of,  to  Gates,  -        -    795 

Butterbee,  Benjamin,  sentenced  to  be  drummed  out 

of  the  army,     -  -        -  1272 


\ 


1647 


INDEX. 


1648 


-     914 


Butterfield,  Major,  surrender  of,  at  the  Cedars,  - 

Congress  reiu.-es  I"  ratify  cartel  of  exchange  of,      - 

Copy  of  Ills  capitulation, 

Articles  of  Major  Sherburne  signed  by,  - 

1 1,  >  testimony  on  the  breach  of  convention,   -         -      165 

Is  ordered  to  Crown-Point,  - 

A  court-martial  ordered  on,  -         -  -     655 

Cashiered,  and  declared  incapable  of  ever  holding 

office, 748 

uteiice  of  the  court  approved,    - 

Report  of  Committee  to  Congress  on,   -  1571 

Decision  of  Congress  thereupon,  -  -  1594 

Bvnun  River,  desire  of  New-York  Convention  to  for- 
tify, 

Propriety  of  a  camp  at,  suggested, 

Opinion  of  Washington  in  relation  to,   -         -         -   1423 
Byrd,  Major  Tom,  hurried  escape  of,  -      151,  214 

Byrd,  Otway,  one  of  General  Lee's  aids,    -         -         -     437 

C. 

Cables  sent  from  Albany  to  Gates,     - 

Disappointment  in  the  arrival  of,   -         -         -         -  872 

Cabot,  order  to  equip  the,  for  a  cruise,       -  1106 

Cadwalader,  Dr.,  certificate  of,                             -         -  532 

Cadwalader,  Colonel  John,  firelocks  ordered  to,         -  1290 

Cajaghsoda,  a  Seneca  sachem,  long  talk  of,        -         -  395 
Cahaggan,  Hugh,  thirty-nine  stripes,  and  drummed 

out  oS  camp,     - 
Calbiac — see  De  Calbiac. 

Calcott,  Lieutenant,  bearer  of  a  flag  from  Lord  Howe,  549 

Arrival  of,  in  the  Merlin,  at  Newport,    -                  -  605 
Calderhead,  W.,  and  family,  on  board  Lord  Dunmore's 

fleet,         .--                                                -  152 
Calderwood,  Mr.,  recommended  as  Lieutenant  of  Ma- 
rines,      .-------  683 

Caldwell,  Billy,  goes  off  with  the  officers  for  Lebanon,  596 

Caldwell,  Rev.  James,  letters  to,  from  A.  Clarke,       -  811 
Caldwell,  William,  appointed  Paymaster,  -         -   966,  1607 

Caldwell,  Lieutenant,  wounded  in  the  hand,      -         -  1254 
Calfe,  John,  appointed  Captain  of  the  New-Hampshire 

Militia,    --  ..---64 

Calhoun,  J.,  member  of  Baltimore  Committee,  -         -  115 

Calvert,  Pierre  du,  Congress  grant  a  brevet  to,  -         -  1604 

Cambridge,  resolve  to  remove  Harvard  College  to,      -  272 

Cambridge  Blues,  (Eastern-Shore,  Md.,)  march  of,    -  430 

Campbell,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  capture  of,                   -  105 

A  prisoner  at  Boston,  -                  ....  789 

Discharges  four  of  his  servants,      -         -         -         -  959 

Order  of  Massachusetts  Council  relative  to,    -         -  971 

Campbell,  sloop,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  152 

Campbell,  John,  one  of  Annapolis  Committee,  -         -  181 

Campbell,  Colonel,  cashiered  by  court-martial,    -         -  340 

Gates  refers  his  sentence  to  Schuyler,    -         -         -  358 

Is  reported  to  Schuyler  as  having  left  the  army,      -  825 

Proceedings  in  case  of,  sent  to  Washington,  -         -  915 

Campbell,  Captain  Robert,  narrative  of,     -         -         -  419 

Judge  Christian's  accusation  against,    ...  421 

Campbell,  Colonel,  of  the  Scotch  Highlanders,  -         -  662 

Campbell,  Captain,  of  Royal  Emigrants,  parole  of,      -  783 

Campbell,  Captain  John,  captures  made  by,        -         -  809 

Campbell,  Dr.  William,  arrives  at  New-York  in  Sir 

Peter  Parker's  fleet,  -                                              -  949 

Campbell,  Archibald,  examination  of,        -                  -  996 

Campbell,  William,  appointed  Lieutenant  Maryland  . 

Artillery,                                                -         -        -  1336 

Campbell,  John,  admitted  to  citizenship,  -                  -  1375 
Campbell,  William,   owns   ship   sunk    in   Cape   Fear 

River,       -                                                                -  1378 
Camp  equipage,  General  Howe's  want  of,                   -  106 
Resolution  relating  to,                               -         -         -  551 
Howe  complains  of  the  want  of,    -  788 
Howe  acknowledges  the  receipt  of,        -                   -  963 
Camp-kettles,  Lancaster  Committee  resolve  to  pur- 
chase,     -                                                                -  188 
Massachusetts  appoints  a  Committee  to  provide,    -  288 
Appropriation  for  purchase  of,  289 
Resolution  for  providing,      .....  294 

Fifty  pounds  granted  for  purchase  of,     -         -         -  297 

Tin  supplied  to  Timothy  Newell  for,      -         -         -  322 

Resolve  relating  to  distribution  of,           ...  551 
Order  for,  to  Colonel  Reed's  Massachusetts  Reo-i- 

™ment:  -      -    °-   585 

ichusctts  Militia  detained  for  want  of,    -         -  684 

A  number  of,  made  for  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  781 

Order  of,  for  the  Philadelphia  guard,      -         -         -  1299 

Cameron,  Alexander,  at  the  head  of  Cherokees,          -  805 

Canada,  Boston  troops  destined  for,           ...  3 

Misfortunes  in,  imputed  to  Congress,     ...  40 


Canada,  Gates  sent  to,  with  full  powers,    -  -       21 

Fear  of  the  small-pox  in,       -  -       28 

Facilities  given  to  recruiting  officers  for,  in  New- 
Hampshire,       -  -       54 
Conference   of  New-Hampshire  Assembly  on  the 

affairs  of,  -  -    '     -          55,  79 

Resolutions  thereupon,  -       65 

Advance  pay  granted  to  Regiments  for,  -       69 

Washington's  letter  to  Lee  on  the  affairs  of,  -       97 

Facts  with  regard  to  the  army  in,  -         -  -     128 

Sullivan's  services  in,  complimented,  ...  127 
Description  of  the  retreat  from,  ....  131 
Sullivan  asks  to  retire  from  the  army  in,  -  235 

Massachusetts  resolves  to  raise  five  thousand  men 

for,  &c., -     287 

Route  prescribed  for  the  troops  destined  for,  -         -     298 
Resolve  to  supply  powder  to  the  troops  for,    -         -     305 
Advance  of  pay  to  officers  destined  for,  -         -      311,315 
Lee's  opinion  as  to  giving  up,        -  *     429 

General  Howe  has  no  control  over  affairs  in,  -     501 

Reference  to  Committee  on  disasters  in,  -     983 

Prisoners  in,  allowed  to  return  home,    -  -   1166 

Lieutenant  Whitcomb  sent  to  get  information  of  the 
enemy  in,  .....  1202 

Addition  made  to  the  Committee  on,     -  -  J568 

Report  of  Committee  on  disasters  in,     -  -  1594 

Further  report  on,  -  1596,  1598 

The  report  on,  recommitted,  -  1599 

Canadian  officers,  four,  sent  to  General  Gates,   -         -     797 

Particulars  collected  from  examination  of,      -         -     798 

Good  character  of  the,  -     799 

Canadians,  the  Regiment  of,  ordered  to  Albany,         -     656 

Gates  sends  to  Congress  the  examination  of  two,  -     796 

Carleton's  conduct  towards,  exposed,    -  -     799 

Barbarous  treatment  of,  friendly  to  the  United  States,     969 

Number  of  naked  and  destitute,  at  Albany,    -         -  1031 

Colonel  Livingston  ordered  to  inlist,      -  -  1609 

Canasadagua,  order  to  burn  and  destroy,  -  146 

Canceaux,  fishing  boats  captured  by  the,  -         -      428,  479 

Canfield,  Major,  reported  march  of,  to  New-York,      -     957 

Cannon,  difficulty  about  the,  at  Providence,  40 

The,  left  by  Commodore  Hopkins  at  New-London,       45 

New-Hampshire  votes  to  borrow  from  Massachusetts,       69 

A  demand  for,  taken  at  Providence,       -         -         -     119 

Order  to  account  for,  left  at  New-London,     -         -     144 

The  enemy  had  no,  at  the  Cedars,          -  -     159 

Messrs.  Hughes  apply  for  a  contract  for,        -         -     219 

An  account  furnished  of  the  New-London,    -         -     262 

Purchase  of,   in  Connecticut,  for  a  Massachusetts 

brig,  -    248 

Resolve  to  supply  sundry  towns  with,    265,  273,  296,  297 
Massachusetts  appoints  a  committee  to  purchase,  -     266 
Richard  Darby  is  supplied  with,     -  -     274 

Resolve  to  place,  on  the  gurnet,    -  -     274 

Resolve  to   appoint  a  committee  of  inquiry  as  to 
casting,    -        -        -  -  -        -     274 

The  "  Rising  Empire"  supplied  with,    -  -     283 

Balls  purchased  for,  at  Truro, 

Manufacture  of,  encouraged,  -     308 

Massachusetts  votes  to  lend,  to  New-Hampshire,  -     310 
Gov.  Trumbull  unable  to  send,  to  Washington,    400,  450 
Connecticut  orders,  from  Salisbury  Furnace,  -         -     456 
Arnold  calls  for  more  heavy,  -     680 

A.  Hobart  casts,  for  Thomas  Durfee,      ...     748 
Good  position  for  mounting,  at  Tarrytown,     -         -     791 
Ordered  from  Livingston's  Manor,  -     923 

Connecticut  furnishes,  for  defence  of  Hudson  River,     935 
Massachusetts  unable  to  supply,  to  New-Hampshire,     990 
Two  hundred  brass,  to  be  sent  from  France,  -         -  1022 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order,  to  Annapolis,    -  1133 
Order  for  sending,  to  Portsmouth,  -         -  -  1283 

Arrival  of,  at  New-York,  for  use  of  Pennsylvania,  -  1287 
Rusty,  found  in  old  works  at  Crown-Point,    -         -   1239 
Order  for  sending,  to  New-Jersey,  -   1314 

Exposed  situation  of,  near  King's  Bridge,      -         -  1514 
Erection  of,  on  east  end  of  Nassau-Island,     -         -  1545 
Prisoners  employed  in  casting,      -  -         -  1587 

Contracts  ordered  by  Congress  for  casting,    -         -  1615 
Colonel  Mark  Bird  contracts  to  cast,     -  -  1616 

Cannonade,  duration  of  the,  at  Sulljvan's  Island,        -     438 
Canteens,  order  to  fill,  every  night,  at  New- York,       -     225 
Massachusetts  appoints  a  committee  to  provide,     -     288 
Resolve  relative  to  providing,  ...     294 

Measures  taken  to  distribute,          -         -         -         -     551 

Delay  in  furnishing,  accounted  for,         -  -     609 

Order  at  Head-Quarters  to  provide,        -  -     678 

Massachusetts  Militia  detained  for  want  of,  -  -  684 
Colonel  Ewing  applies  for,  -  -  -  832 


1649 


INDEX. 


1650 


Cantillon,  Richard,  petition  from,      -  -  1457 

Cape  Cod,  harbour  open  to  the  enemy,     -  -     146 

Cape  Elizabeth,  cannon  supplied  to,  -     298 

Cape  Fear  River,  Clinton's  proclamation  at,       -         -     337 

Vessels  sunk  in,  to  obstruct,  -         -   1377 

Cape  Francois,  extract  of  a  letter  from,     ...     881 

General  Lee  to  the  Governour  of,  -         -         -         -  1227 

Cape  Nicola  Mole,  extract  of  a  letter  from,        -         -     904 
Information  received  from,     -  -   1011 

Cape  Sable,  inquiry  as  to,  Indians,    -  846 

Capen,  Jonathan,  resolve  on  petition  of,    -         -         -     313 
Captain  of  the  Guard,  Heath's  orders  to  the,     -        -  1237 
Captains,  thirty  die  of  small-pox  in  Northern  Army,  -     129 
Three  killed  by  the  Indians,  -  -     613 

Schuyler  asks  Governour  Trumbull  for  five  sea,       -     829 
Capture,  act  of  New-Hampshire,  defining  legal,         -       92 
Condemnation  of  a,  necessary,      -  -         -       94 

Captures,  resolve  respecting,  in  Massachusetts,  -         -     279 
Cardrop,  Captain  T.,  ordered,  with  carpenters,  to  Al- 
bany,       -         -  33 
Carey,  Henry,  order  for  restoring  property  to,    -        -  1349 
Cargill,  James,  prays  excuse  from  military  duty,         -  1491 
Cargo,  account  of  the  ship  Peggy's,           ...     662 
Of  a  schooner  taken  by  Major  Fallen,   ...     665 
Carleton,  General,  conduct  of,   in  '75,        -         -         -       12 
His  son  painted  as  an  Indian,       -                           -       27 
Howe  expects,  in  New- York,         -                                 105 
Reported  to  be  at  St.  John's,         ....     238 

Enemy  waiting  arrival  of,      -----     453 

Arrival  of,  at  Quebeck,  -     480 

Plans  of,  said  to  have  miscarried,  ....     488 

Does  not  move  with  Burgoyne,     ....    626 

Gates  sends  a  flag  to,   -         -         -         -         -         -     682 

Howe  refers  the  case  of  Colonel  Allen  to,      -        -     711 
Reported  return  of,  to  Quebeck,    ....     776 

Conduct  of,  to  the  Canadians,        -         -         -         -     789 

Gates  acquaints  Trumbull  with  reply  of,  -  -  899 
Calls  for  provisions  from  England,  -  -  904 

Schuyler' s  remarks  on  the  conduct  of,  -  -  985,  999 
Copy  of  his  order,  handed  to  Major  Bigelow,  -  987 
Washington  transmits  the  above  to  Congress,  -  1081 

Orders  of,  contrasted  with  Howe's  reply,  <  -  1094 
Lord  Germaine's  despatches  to,  -  1103,1104,1105 
E.  Gerry's  opinion  of  the  orders  of,  -  -  -  1147 
Sundry  letters,  written  in  the  name  of  the  hostages, 

sent  by, 1167 

Parole  of  American  prisoners  to,  -  -         -   1168 

A  Proclamation  by,  --....  1240 
Address  of  the  City  of  Montreal  to,  -  -1241 

Reply  of,  to  the  Address,      -  ...  1241 

Carlisle,  Captain,  list  of  Company  of,  prisoners,  -      167,  169 
Sentenced  to  be  cashiered,  -  ...  1124 

Carlisle,  Pennsylvania,  report  of  attack  on  the  prison- 
ers at,  disproved,  -  ...  759 
Carmichael,  James,  disability  of,  for  duty,  ...  532 
Carnes,  Thomas,  Steward  of  General  Hospital,  -  -  648 
Carney,  James,  ignominious  punishment  of,  -  -  1269 
Carolina  Packet,  capture  of  the  brig,  ...  1226 
Carpenter,  Captain  Lieutenant,  attached  to  Stirling's 

Brigade,  -  -     913 

Carpenter,  Benjamin,  committed  to  Jail,  -  -   1367 

Carpenter,  Jasper,  musket  supplied  to,  for  lost  one,  -  1294 

Carpenter,  John,  commissioned  as  First  Lieutenant,  -   1313 

Carpenter,  John,  powder-mill  erected  by,  -         -         -  1418 

Carpenter,  Jonathan,  committed  to  Jail,    ...  1367 

Carpenter,  William,  committed  to  Jail,      ...   1367 

Carpenters,  fifty  sent  from  Philadelphia  to  Schuyler,  -     194 

Captain  Lester  raises  a  company  of,       -  -     239 

Schuyler  complains  of  non-arrival  of,     ...     232 

Arrival  of,  at  Skenesborough,        ....     474 

Inlistment  of,  in  Rhode-Island,  completed,     -         -     549 

The  Pennsylvania,  arrive  at  Albany,       -         -        -    563 

Number  of  gondolas  per  week  prescribed  to,          -     629 

Schuyler  to  Gates  on  the  subject  of,        -         -         -     648 

Full  allowance  of  rum  insisted  on  by  the,      -        -     730 

Number  of,  employed  on  batteaus,          -  748 

Waterbury  to  the  company  of,  at  Williamstown,     -  1004 

Small  number  of,  fit  for  duty  at  Skenesborough,      -   1238 

Order  for,  to  make  gun-carriages,  -         -  -   1514 

Carr,  Lieutenant,  death  of,         -  -         -   1126 

Carroll,  Charles,  of  Carrollton,  letter  to,  from  Arnold,      166 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -     618 

Elected  member  of  Maryland  Convention,      -         -     863 

Carroll,  Charles,  Barrister,  letter  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,-                                      -         -         -         -     614 
One  of  the  Anne  Arundell  County  Delegates,        -  1055 
Appointed  Vice  President  of  Maryland  Council  of 
Safety, ,       -  1331 


Cartel,  Major  Sherburne  is  forced  to  sign  a,  161 

Rumour  that  the  Foreign  troops  insist  on  the  settle- 
ment of  a,  ......     752 

Lord  Germaine  forbids  a,  with  "  Rebels,"        -         -   1104 

Report  to  Congress  on  Arnold  and  Foster's,  -        -  1571 

Congress  order  the  above  to  be  printed,          -         -   1583 

A  plan  of,  reported  to  Congress,    -        ...  1585 

Carter,  Josiah,  chosen  Ensign  of  Massachusetts  Militia,     663 

Carter's  Valley,  Indians'encamped  at,        -        -         -     973 

Cartouch-Boxes,  order  to  supply  Flying-Camp  with,  -     153 

Application  for,  &c.,  from  Cecil  County,  Md.,         -     782 

Cartridge-Paper,  General  Gates  in  want  of,  -     887 

Scarcity  of,  -  -  1326 

Cartridges,  daily  returns  of,  to  Head-Quarters  ordered,     504 

Daniciged,  to  be  returned  to  Commissary,        -         -     767 

Colonel  Drake  to  be  supplied  with,        -  -  1553 

Order  for  remanufacture  of,  damaged,     ...   1559 

Carts,  order  for  impressment  of,  1497 

Cartwright,  Richard,  King's  birthday  celebrated  at  the 

house  of,  -  -    890 

Cartwright,  Daniel,  Captain  of  sloop  Polly,         -         -  1383 
Gary,  Simeon,   appointed  Colonel  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -        -  -    292 

Arrival  of,  at  New-York"  without  his  Regiment,       -     727 
Cash,  sloop  Congress  captures  a  large  amount  of,       -     708 
Casks,  order  to  fill  all  empty,  with  fresh  water,  -         -     225 
Gunpowder,  to  be  marked  U.  S.  A.,       -  -  1623 

Initials  of  maker's  name  to  be  put  on,    -  -   1623 

Castel,  Captain,  appointed  to  command  a  sloop,         -     935 
Catawba,  thirty-five  persons  killed  on  river,        -         -     613 
Catharine,  order  for  delivery  of  schooner,  -  -     301 

Cat-Schooners  recommended  for  the  ferries,       -         -     743 
Cat's  sleep,  France  and  Spain  sleeping  a,  -         -         -     926 
Cattle,  Georgia  proposes  to  pay  the  Indians  in,  -        -         8 
The  enemy  drive  off,  from  New-Jersey,  19 

Number  of,  on  Montauk  Point,      -  -         -       46 

Fat,  sent  to  Ticonderoga,      -         -  -     454 

Cash  required  for  purchase  of,        -  -     824 

General  Greene  proposes  to  remove  the,  from  Long- 
Island,      -  -    967 
General  exportation  of,  forbidden,  ....  1240 

Enemy  consume  all  the,  on  Staten-Island,      -         -  1532 
Three  hundred,  brought  from  Ncwtown,         -         -  1548 
Order  for  removing,  from  New-York  Island,   -         -  1561 
Colonel  Smith  ordered  to  Long-Island  to  destroy,  -  1561 
Caughnawaga,  list  of  prisoners  at,     -         -         -         -     165 

Condition  of  the,  Indians  represented,   -  -     867 

Cavalry,  necessity  of,  for  protection  of  the  South,        -    436 
Lee's  application  for,  submitted  to  Congress,          -     911 
Cavendish,   New-York,   ammunition  supplied  to,   by 

Massachusetts,  -  -     322 

Cayashuta,  a  Chief,  thanks  of  Congress  to,  -  1595 

Cayugas,  arrival  of  the,  at  German-Flats,  -  -     715 

Cecil  County  Committee,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

to,    -  -  1090 

Cedar  Creek,  Dunmore  and  the  Tories  at,  -       11 

Cedar  Swamp,  encampment  of  Tories  at,  - 
Cedars,  the  capitulation  at  the,  -     158 

Number  of  prisoners  taken  at  the,  -     169 

Losses  of  Bedel's  Officers  at  the,   -  -     398 

Murders  committed  at,  the  subject  of  a  flag,  -         -     682 
Report  of  a  Committee  to  Congress  on  the  case  of,   1571 
Resolve  of  Congress  touching  the  enemy's  con- 
.    duct  at,     -  -  1573 

Center,  Al.,  appointed  an  Ensign,    -  -  1126 

Centurion,  arrival  of  the  British  ship, 

Cerberus,  Americans  detained  on  board  the,       -         -     550 
Certificate,  Colonel  Brown's,  relating  to  Col.  Allen,  -     498 
Rev.  Mr.  Fendall's,  relating  to  Sandy-Point,  -        -     528 
Warren  Dent's,  on  the  same  subject,      ...    528 
Of  sundry  persons  on  the  same  subject,  -  -    527 

Dr.  Cadwalader's,  of  a  soldier's  disability,       -        -    532 
Chaille,  Peter,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -    217,  1174 
Chain,  consultation  about  fixing  a,  across  the  North- 
River,       -        -  -    546 
Description  of  the,  sunk  in  the  Sorel,     ...     735 
Challenge,  Washington  is  informed  of  a,   -         -         -     577 
Chamberlain,  James,  appointed  Captain  of  Connecti- 
cut Militia,        -                                                       -  1099 
Chamberlaine,  Gen.,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  627,  667 
Chambers,  Rowland,  recommended  as  Paymaster,      -     172 
Application  of,  rejected  by  Congress,     -                  -  1579 
Chambers,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  reports  from  Graves- 
end,                                                                 -      602, 628 
Chambers,  Benjamin,  commissioned  by  Maryland  as 

Lieutenant,  .     -  ....  1333 

Chambly,  Wooster  sends  certain  officers  to,      -          -       12. 
Difficulties  of  the  army  at,     -  ...     130 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


104 


1651 


INDEX. 


1652 


Charnlily,  proceedings  of  a  council  of  war  at,     -         -     164 
Copy  of  a  General  Order  issued  at,         ...     987 
Champlaln,  Samuel,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Connec- 
ticut Artillery,  -         -  -  -     294 
Champlain,    Samuel,   appointed  Third   Lieutenant   of 

the  Colony  ship,        -  -     699 

Champlain — see  Lake  Champlain. 

Chance,  valuable  captures  made  by  the,     -  -     589 

Chandler,  Joseph,  appointed  Captain  First  Canadian 

Regiment,  ...          58, 83 

Chandler,  C.  C.,  to  Governour  Trumbull,  -         -         -     859 
Chandler,  Lieutenant,  decease  of,      -  -         -   II 26 

Chauin,  Noah,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Connecticut 

Militia,     -  -  1099 

Chaplain,  Congress  appoint  a,  -         -         -         -         -     117 
Chaplains,  change  in  the  establishment  of,          -         -     143 
Washington  orders  due  respect  to, 

Importance  of,  in  an  army,    -----     970 
Congress  order  appointment  of,   for  all  the  Regi- 
ments,     -  ...  1567 
Chapline,    Moses,    appointed  Lieutenant   of  Flying- 
Camp       -  -  1350 
Chapman,  Captain,  runs  from  Captain  Wicks,   -        -     706 
Chapman,  Captain  James,  to  act  as  Major,  -     966 
Appointed  by  Congress  Major  in  Colonel  Tyler's 

Battalion,  -  1613 

Chapman,  Colonel  Samuel,  to  Governour  Trumbull,  -  1085 
Chapman,   Simon,  appointed  Ensign  of  Connecticut 

Militia,      -  1099 

Chapmen,  dealing  with,  forbidden,    -         -         -         -     459 

Chappell,  Captain  Frederick,   money  to,  for  raising 

seamen,    --------   1008 

Governour  Trumbull  mentions  to  Schuyler,     -         -  1115 
Charles  County,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Com- 
mittee of, 433,1191 

Charleston,  S.  C.,  General  Lee's  letter  from,      -         -     435 
Extracts  of  letters  from,         -        -        -      632,685,805 
Intelligence  of  matters  at,      -         ...      719,940 
Ships  anchored  off,  bar,         -----     632 
Izard's  opinion  of  the  defeat  of  the  British  at,          -  1242 
Charlestown,    New-Hampshire,    camp    equipage    or- 
dered to,  -  -        -     551 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  Indians  told  of  the  burning  of,    -     842 
Committee  to  General  Gates,         -  -  1170 
"Charlestown  Cutter,"  resolve  to  discharge  the  brig,  -     316 
Charlestown  No.  4,   New-Hampshire   Committee  of 

Safety  to  Selectmen  of,      -         -        -  -  1117 

Charlotte,  capture  of  the  sloop,  -  -       23 

Charlotte  schooner,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,       -         -     152 
Charlotte  County,  Delegates  from,  fail  to  present  cre- 
dentials to  New-York  Convention,      ...  1387 
The  Deputies  from,  take  their  seats,       ...   1402 
Represented  by  Mr.  Duer,     -----  1444 
Charlton,  resolve  on  petition  from  town  of,        -        -     296 
Charming  Sally,  capture  of  the  ship,  -         -  -  1226 

Chase,  Samuel,  one  of  the  Canada  Commissioners,  -  166 
Recommends  Captain  Strieker  and  Mr.  Welper,  -  187 
Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,  -  -  410, 864 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  531,  618,  669 
Letter  from,  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  -  672 

Letter  to,  from  Captain  Strieker,  -  -  -  -  569 
Letter  from,  to  General  Arnold,  -  -  -  -  810 
Elected  a  member  of  Maryland  Convention,  -  -  863 
One  of  the  Anne  Arundel  Delegates,  -  1055 

Directed  to  attend  the  Board  of  War,  -  -  -  lt>0 1 
Chase,  Captain,  arrives  with  a  valuable  cargo,  -  -  141 
Chase,  Thomas,  makes  return  of  stock,  &c.,  -  -  587 
Chase,  Captain  William,  list  of  prizes  captured  by,  -  1010 
Chase,  Henry,  committed  to  jail  at  White-Plains,  -  1444 
Chastellier,  Chevalier,  a  friend  of  Dr.  Franklin,-  -  1021 
Chatham,  arrival  of  the  British  ship,  -  ...  27 
Cbaumont,  Monsieur,  Mr.  Deane  accepts  the  offer  of,  1015 
Chauncey,  Charles,  subscriptions  for  inlistments  paid 

to-    -  -     179 

Chauncey,  Isaac,  advertised  as  inimical,    -  -   1173 

Cheever,  David,  resolve  on  petition  of,  -         -     309 

Cheever,  Ezekiel,  receipt  of,  for  arms,       -         -      360,  399 

Return  of  ordnance  stores  from,    -         ...     586 

Damaged  cartridges  to  be  returned  to,  -        -         -     768 

Cheiokees,  numerous  tribe  of,  in  Georgia,  7 

Defeated  by  Fincastle  Militia,        -         -        -         -     464 

Outrages  committed  by,  in  South-Carolina,     -        95,  568 

•  I>  the  hatchet  in  South-Carolina,          -         -     481 

Preparation!  lor  attacking  the,      -        ...    4^8 

Lieutenant  Williamson  commands  against,     -         -     612 

Inhabitants  of  Watauga,  &.c.,  attacked  by        -         -1376 

Their  towns  abandoned  by, 1377 

Cherry  Point,  two  large  cannon  mounted  at,      -         -     615 


Cheshire's  Mill,  three  Companies  ordered  to  be  post- 
ed at,        -                                                                -  358 
Chesley,  Robert,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Maryland 

Militia,     -         -                           -         -                  -  1350 

Chester,  Jonathan,  a  fort  built  on  the  lands  of,  -         -  242 

Chester,  Colonel,  letter  to,  from  Colonel  Trumbull,    -  1082 

Chester,  arrival  of  a  Continental  ship  at,    -                   -  691 

Chester  County,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,  -         -  932 

Chesterfield,  powder  ordered  to  the  Selectmen  of,      -  50 
Chevaux-de-frise,  near  Mifflin's  post,         -         -      752,  887 

General  Mifilin  at  a  loss  where  to  sink,  -                   -  790 

Timber  ordered  for,  at  Billingsport,                             -  1326 

Chew,  Captain  Richard,  letter  to,  from  J.  Wilkinson,  -  216 

Chew,  Joseph,  Secretary  for  Indian  affairs,                  -  868 
Chew,  Captain,  Marine  Committee  order  a  command 

to  be  offered  to,         -                                              -  1107 
Chief  Justice,  form  of  commission  for,  in  New-Hamp- 
shire,       ..---.--49 

Act  of  New-Hampshire  to  establish  the  style  of,     -  56, 

72,  77,  79 

Recital  at  large  of  the  act  establishing,  -                  -  87 
Child,  Major  Jonathan,  money  for  ammunition  voted 

to, 56 

Child,  Colonel  Jonathan,  to  New-Hampshire  Commit- 
tee of  Safety,  -  -  -  341 
Child,  Lemuel,  resolve  on  petition  of,  -  -  305 
Child, 'Nathaniel,  appointed  Ensign  Flying-Camp,  -  349 
Childs,  Major,  introduction  of,  to  Gates,  -  -  -  989 
Childs,  James,  sent  to  Edenton  as  inimical,  -  -  1375 
Chingotague,  difficulty  of  getting  flour  to,  -  383 

Mr.  Hooe's  purchases  at,      -----  591 

Chiswell's  Mines,  five  tons  of  lead  ordered  from,         -  613 

Indians  suspected  of  a  design  to  attack,                    -  613 

Choctaws,  numerous  tribe  of,  in  Georgia,  -  7 

Choiseul,  Due  de.  all  eyes  in  France  turned  on  the,  -  1018 

The  friend  and  patron  of  General  Hopkins,    -         -  1020 

Choptank,  flint-stones  reported  in  River,   -                  -  619 

Christian,  Paul,  recommended  as  Ensign,  -         -         -  257 

Receives  the  appointment,    -----  1336 
Christian,  Judge  Robert,  Captain  Campbell's  petition 

to,   -                          419 

Infamous  conduct  of,    -                  -  421 

Christian,  Colonel  William,  resignation  of,                  -  1053 

Christie,  Robert,  called  upon  to  read  Independence,  -  523 

Commitment  of  Alexander  McGee  sent  to,    -         -  635 

Threats  against,  for  not  reading  the  Declaration  of 

Independence,                    -                                     -  668 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -  930 
Christie,  Gabriel,  sends  a  gun  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -                           -         -                           -  1092 

Christie,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Flying-Camp,  1348 

Church,  danger  apprehended  by  Episcopalians  to  the,  202 

Ministerial  project  for  appointing  protectors  to  the,  462 

Church,  Dr.,  sent  from  Norwich  to  Watertowri,  -         -  683 

Churches,  the  King's  portraits  removed  from,     -         -  419 

Address  of  the  Baptist,  to  Governour  of  Virginia,    -  905 

The  established,  all  shut  up  in  New- York,      -         -  949 

Independence  read  in  the  Boston,                             -  972 

Circular  Letters,  Connecticut  sends,  to  all  her  towns,  -  731 

Governour  Trumbull  issues,  -----  858 
City  Hall,  (New- York,)  Declaration  of  Independence 

read  at,-         - 419 

Nine  Tories  sent  to  the,  by  Greene,        -                  -  887 

City  Island,  in  the  Sound,  plundered  by  enemy,          -  1215 

Civil  Liberty,  Dr.  Price's  pamphlet  on,       -                  -  170 
Clagett,  Wyseman,  member  of  the  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,                                     -         -                  -  47 

Appointed  Notary  Publick,  -  58,  84 

Chosen  member  of  Committee  of  Safety,         -         -  85 
Clagett,  Horatio,  will  thankfully  accept  a  Lieutenant's 

commission,      -         -                                              -  1230 
Claims,  all  publick,  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Trea- 
sury,       -                  -                  -                           -  1595 
Clark,  Robert,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Flying-Camp,  188 
Clark,  William,  appointed  Adjutant  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,    -                                     -                  -         -  268 

Clark  &,  Nightingale,  invoice  of  flints  from,        -         -  359 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,        -                                     -  943 

Clark,  Nathan,  letter  from,  to  Schuyler,     -         -         -  377 

Letter  to,  from  General  Gates,       -                  -  474 

Clark,  Captain  Thomas,  testimony  of,  758 

Examination  of,  -         -                           -                  -  1512 

Clark,  Captain  Samuel,  letter  from,  to  James  Warren,  778 

Chosen  Captain  of  the  Chelsea  Militia,  -         -         -  778 

Clarke,  Abraham,  letter  from,  to  Colonel  Dayton,       -  785 

Letter  from,  to  the  Rev.  James  Caldwell,        -         -  811 

Clarke,  James,  published  as  an  enemy,      -                   -  1056 

Clarke,  William,  parole  of,  extended,                            -  1365 


1653 


INDEX. 


1654 


Clarkson,  Basil,  apprehension  of       -  -     217 

Petitions  to  be  heard  before  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -     218 

Is  committed  to  jail,     -  -  1347 

Clarkson,  George,  twenty  stripes  to.  for  mutiny,         -     225 
Clarkson,  Matthew,  appointed   by  Congress  superin- 
tendent of  the  Press,  -   1613 
Claudge,  Francis,  convicted  of  "  desertion  and  rein- 

listment,"         -  -     965 

Clay,  James,  Chairman  of  Cumberland  Committee,  -  565 
Clayton,  W.  W.,  order  for  arrest  of,  -  -  1342 

Compelled  to  give  security,  -  -  1350 

Cleanliness,  Washington's  orders  enforcing,  -  -  227 
Clemens,  Francis,  a  prisoner  of  war,  disposed  of,  -  22 
Clerk,  Robert,  elected  Lieutenant  of  Volunteers,  -  121 
Clerk,  Lemuel,  5th  Captain  of  Green  Mountain  Boys,  377 
Clerk,  General  Mercer  asks  for  a,  -  -  371 

Cleveland,  Captain,  appointed  to  brig  Despatch,  -  670 
Clinton,  Lieutenant-General  Sir  Henry,  Lee's  infor- 
mation of,  -  -  -  95 
George  Johnson's  defence  of,  -  -  -  -  99 
Howe  waits  the  arrival  of,  -  -  -  105 
Lee,  the  evil  genius  of,  ....  215 
Reported  repulse  of,  in  South-Carolina,  -  -  348 
Proclamation  issued  by,  .....  437 
Exchanges  compliments  with  Lee,  ...  449 
Note  from,  with  a  present,  to  Lee,  -  -  -  489 
Strange  rumour  at  Albany  concerning,  ...  603 
State  of  his  Army,  described  by  Lee,  ...  g!2 
Is  suspected  of  corresponding  with  Lee,  -  742 
Arrival  of,  at  Staten-Island,  -  -  789 
Rumour  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  quarrel  with,"  -  -  818 
Ignorant  of  his  position  at  Haddrell's  Point,  -  -  904 
Commands  a  division  on  Long-Island,  -  -  1256 
Clinton,  General  George,  letters  to,  from  General 

Washington,     -  -      227,  601,  853 

Letters  from,  to  Washington,  354,  544,  728,  819 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  A.  Hawkes  Hay,  -  -  337 
Washington  names,  to  command  the  New-York 

levies,  ---.....  449 
New- York  Convention  approve  the  nomination  of,  852 
Appointment  of,  to  the  command  of  the  levies,  854,  1488 
Authority  from  which  his  powers  are  derived,  -  897 
Brigade  of,  under  the  orders  of  Heath,  -  -  915 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Hopkins,  -  -  1262 

Petition  to,  from  Colonel  Graham  and  others,  -  1263 
Draught  of  a  letter  from  New- York  Convention  to,  1489, 

1522 

Boats  ordered  to  be  sent  to,  -  ...  1546 

Ordered  to  furnish  ammunition  to  Colonel  Drake,  -  1558 
New-York  Convention  advance  money  to,  -  -  1559 
Clinton,  Colonel  James,  letters  from,  to  Washington,  259 
Letter  from,  to  Dutchess  County  Committee,  -  -  337 
Letter  to,  from  Poughkeepsie  Committee,  -  -  338 
Letters  to,  from  Washington,  -  391,  485,  951 

Promotion  of,  to  be  a  Brigadier,  -  -  883,912,1603 
Promotions  announced  in  General  Orders,  -  -  914 
Brigade  of,  assigned  to  Putnam,  -  -  -  915 

Washington  sends  commission  to,  -     951 

Clinton,    Charles,    appointed    Captain    of    Maryland 

Militia,     -         -  -  -        -  1344 

Clocks,  leaden  weights  taken  from,  in  New-Jersey,  -  369 
Clos,  Alexandre  du,  discharged  by  order  of  Congress, 

with  permission  to  reinlist,  -  1604 

Cloth,  Connecticut  orders  homemade  for  her  soldiers,     456 
Difficulty  of  procuring,  for  coats,  &.C.,     ...     731 
Clothinor,  resolve  of  New- York  Convention,  respect- 
ing,         -         -  -      201,  203 
High  price  charged  to  the  Northern  troops  for,       -     232 
Massachusetts  resolves  to  procure,  for  the  army,     -     309 
Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  vote  to  purchase,  for 

the  army,  -      550,  731,  732 

Governour  Trumbull  employs  men  to  purchase,      -     699 

Invoices  of,  sent  by  Governour  Trumbull  to  Schuyler,   1115 

Clough,  Zaccheus,  recommendation  respecting,    479,  1240 

Clouston,  Captain  John,  appointed  to  sloop  Freedom,     268 

Clymer,  George,  Chairman  Pennsylvania  Council  of 

Safety,     -         -         -  -     186 

Coakley,  Dr.,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  152 
Coal,  vessels  ordered  to  James  River  for,  -  -  1155 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  the  purchase  of,  -  1191 
Coat-money,  Lt.  Gilman  ordered  to  return,  to  soldiers,  609 
Cobb,  William,  letter  to,  from  Nicholas  Marselis,  -  454 
Cobble-Hill,  works  on,  nearly  complete,  -  -  372 

Signal  from,  supposed  of  enemy's  landing,     -         -     505 
Cobman,   John,  paid   by  Congress  as  assistant  Con- 
ductor of  Stores,        -  -   1567 
Cochran,  Dr.  John,  letter  from,  to  T.  McKean,  -         -     104 


Cochran.  Robert,  appointed  Major  by  Congress,        -     712 
Commissioned,     ----...   1593 

Cochran.  John,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,    -  573 

Cockade.  Militia  officers  to  wear  a  distinguishing,      -  1139 

Cocks,  Cadet,  testimony  of,       -----  9 
Coe,  John,  letter  from,  to  the  commanding  officer  at 

Powles  Hook,  -                                    ...  258 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -         ....  374 
Coffin,  Colonel  Peter,  appointed  Mustermasterof  Ma- 

trosses,     -        -                                    ...  277 

Coffin,  Mr.,  resolve  respecting  estate  of,    -                  .  306 

Coffin,  Micajah,  bearer  of  letters  to  Washington,        -  550 

Coffin,  Captain,  capture  of,  in  the  Nevis,  ...  1067 

Cogan,  Patrick,  to  be  Second  Lieutenant,  -         -         -  1126 

Coggswell,  Dr.,  and  others,  memorial  (jf,  -         -      694,  695 

Cohos,  great  terror  of  the  inhabitants  of,    ...  261 

Letter  to  Sullivan  on  the  subject  of,                -         -  264 

Another,  to  New-Hampshire  Committee.concerning,  625 

Examination  of  Canadians  sent  from,     ...  796 

Coit,  Nathaniel,  Jun.,  appointed  Captain-Lieutenant 

of  Artillery,       -                                                      •-  244 
Coit,  William,  appointed  to  command  the  Colony  ship,  244 
Colburn,  Daniel,  appointed  a  Major,  -         -         -          51,70 
Colby,  John,  a  vote  to  hear,  on  his  petition,        -         -  72 
Golden,  Cadwalader,  Jun.,  released  from  Jail,  but  limit- 
ed to  the  confines  of  his  farm,  -                              -  791 
Reasons  of  Ulster  Committee  for  imprisoning,         -  792 
Petition  of.  to  New-York  Convention,   -                  -  1097 
Letter  from,  to  the  same,       -                           -  1113,  1404 
Reply  of  Convention  to,         .....  1405 
Cole,  Lieutenant,  Gen.  Scott's  remarks  concerning,  -  1412 
Colefox,  Ebenezer,  deserter,  examination  of,     -         -  197 
Affidavit  of,  -                           -                           -  402 
Coles,  Midshipman  Edward,  deposition  of,         -         -  526 
Collas,  John,  and  others,  resolve  on  petition  of,  -         -  .  315 
Collectors,  appointment  of,  at  Lancaster  for  arms,      -  221 
Resolve  respecting  delinquent,      -                             -  282 
Collier,  James,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  573 
Collins,  Thomas,  release  of,  ordered  on  bail,      -         -  1370 
Colonies,  harvests  in,  suffering  for  want  of  labourers,  -  118 
British  Ministry  confident  of  subduing,  -         -        -  462 
Colony  ship,  Connecticut  builds  a,  at  Saybrook,         -  244 
Appointment  of  officers  for  the,     -         -         -        -  244 
Colony  Stores,  Massachusetts  orders  the  Commissary 

to  secure,                                                                  -  278 

Colours,  description  of  the  American,       -        -        -  610 

Coltz,  Jacob,  recommended  for  commission,       -         -  257 

Appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  Gernian  company,   -  1336 

Columbus,  capture  of  a  brig  by  the  ship-of-war,    -         -  1280 

Report  of  the  examination  of  the  officers  of,  -         -  1575 

Combustibles,  quantity  of,  ordered  for  Mr.  Mease,      -  1303 

Commander-in-Chief.  calm  and  determined  spirit  of,  -  347 

Commanding  Officer,  each,  of  a  department,  ordered 

to  make  monthly  returns  of  drafts  upon  him,      -  1597 

Commissaries,  neglect  of,  in  Canada,                            -  562 

Three  at  Perth-Amboy,  with  equal  powers,      -         -  638 

Commissary,  General  Arnold  asks  for  a,     ...  1^5 

Complaint  of  a  Rhode-Island,         ....  177 

General  Waterbury  asks  for  a,  563 

Commissary-General,  Flying-Camp  in  want  of  a,       -  638 

Order  to  the,  to  make  monthly  returns  of  all  moneys 

passing  through  his  hands,                                       -  1597 
Commissary  of  Stores,  George  Measam  recommended 

for,-                  -                           ....  726 

Necessity  for  a,  at  Croton  River,    -        -         -        -  729 

Commissary  of  Provisions,  General  Heath  to  the,        -  1237 

Commissioners,  Arnold  to  the  Canada,     ...  igg 

British,  appointed  to  dispense  pardons,  -                   -  451 

British,  appointment  of,  illusory,    -         -                   -  500 

Colonel  Patterson  urges  the  great  powers  of,           -  501 

Washington  expresses  to  Gates  his  opinion  of,       -  650 

Order  of  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Gun-lock,  -  667 

North-Carolina  Council  appoints,  -         ...  1364 

Congress  appoints,  to  settle  Army  accounts,  -         -  1592 

Draught  of  instructions  to  the,      ....  1609 

Commissions,  New-Hampshire  remonstrates  on  the 

r.llowncs  cr  oxtrjvaiv.r.t,  in  money  transactions,  87 

Officers  in  Northern  Army  hold  double,                    -  232 
Blank,  given  to  a  Committee  in  Massachusetts,    288,  568 

Resolve  of  Congress  against  double,       ...  391 

Schuyler's  letter  on  holding  double,       ...  562 

Canadian  officers  forced  to  burn  their,  ...  749 

Description  of  the  burning,  in  Canada,  -                   -  828 
Commitment,  of  John  Lewis,  for  drinking  the  King's 

health,                                                                       .  109 

Committee  of  Treasury,  all  publick  claims  referred  to,  1595 
Committees — see  names  of  States,  Counties,  &c. 

Commodore,  Colonel  Tupper  acts  as,  of  row-galleys,  -  751 


1655 


INDEX. 


1656 


Common  Prayer,  reform  in  the  book  of     - 
Common  Sen.-e,  remarks  on  the  pamphlet  entitled,     -  1019 
Commonwealth,  use  of  titles  ridiculous  in  a,     -        -    631 
Complaints,  Pennsylvania   Council  of  Safety  appoint 

a  Committee  to  liear,  -    1309 

Conant,  Ebonezer,  appointed  Adjutant  Massachusetts 

Militia, -     281 

Conductor,  Gates  orders  a  watchful  eye  on  the*-         -     955 
Ciuil'rderation,  plan  of,  submitted  to  Congress,-       347,  348 
Treaty  of,  and  1'nion,  expected  by  GovernourCooke,     377 
Subject  of,  under  consideration,    -  -     496,  838 

Assemblies  anxiously  look  for,       -          ...     637 
Delay  in  completing  the,  regretted,  -   1025 

Articles  of,  agreed  upon  in  Committee  of  the  Whole,  1 179 
Draught  of,  ordered  to  be  printed,  -   1576 

Conference,  proceedings  of  a,  of  General  Officers,      -     125 
Minutes  of  a,  of  orlicers,        -  -  224 

Congress  desire  a,  with  a  Committee  of  Pennsylva- 
nia Convention,         ------     387 

At  Watertown,  with  Eastern  Indians,    -  838 

ReneVal  of  the,  with  Eastern  Indians,  -  -     844 

Opening  of  the,  with  the  Six-Nations,  -         -        -     856 
Schuyler  engaged  in,  at  German-Flats,  -  -  1035 

Congress  order  the,  between  Washington  and  Colo- 
nel Patterson  to  be  printed,        -  -         -  1592 
Congress,  Continental,  General  Wooster  to  a  Com- 
mittee of,                   -                  -        -  -       12 

Resolution  of,  for  defence  of  Pennsylvania  and  New- 
Jersey,     ...  -       14 
Approves  proceedings  of  Pennsylvania  Conference,       15 
Warning  privately  laid  on  the  table  of,  -         -         -     118 
Agree  to  replace  troops  ordered  from  Boston,         -     144 
Resolutions  of,  relating  to  the  Cedars,    -         -         -     161 
Resolve  to  urge  upon  the  States  to  send  their  quotas,     368 
Relating  to  double  commissions,   -  391 
Supremacy  of,  a  dogma  of  political  faith,        -         -     415 
Letter  from  General  Lee  to  a  member  of,       -         -     428 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  their  delegates  in,    -    434, 

593,  723,  805,  806,  863 

Is  conjured  to  send  powder  to  Georgia,  -     436 

Memorial  of  William  Goddard  to,  -         -         -         -     442 

Respect  to  members  of,  at  Versailles  and  Madrid,  -     462 
Memorial  to,  in  relation  to  Colonel  Allen,      -         -     498 
Howe's  proposal  of  exchange  referred  to,       -         -     501 
A  member  of,  to  General  Lee,       ....     532 

Petition  of  George  Nicholson  to,  -        -  -     636 

Memorial  of  Regimental  Surgeons  to,   -  -     694 

Petition  of  Mary  Giddins,  to,         -     ,    -         -  708 

Petition  of  George  Measam  to,  -         -  725,  1157 

Letter  from  Massachusetts  Council  to,  -         -         -     733 
New-Jersey  Convention  to  their  Delegates  in,         -     742 
Schuyler  requests  his  opinions  on  the  subject  of 
Crown-Point  to  be  laid  before,  -         -         -         -     795 

Composition  of  the  ration,  as  ordered  by,       -         -     865 
Petition  of  Major  Meigs  and  others  to,  -         -         -     962 
Transactions  of,  known  to  the  British  Court,  -         -  1023 
General  Wooster  addresses,  -         -         ...  1060 
Memorial  of  Redmond  Burke  to,  -         -         -         -  1108 

Washington  sends  sundry  papers  to,      -         -         -   1110 
Memorial  of  Chevalier  Sauralle  to,  -  1180,  1209 

Petition  of  Commodore  Wynkoop  to,    -  1185 

Petition  of  Jean  Laugeay  to,          -         ...  1191 

Petition  of  Paul  Fooks  to, 1192 

Continued  unanimity  in, 1193 

Memorial  of  Colonel  William  Maxwell  to,      -         -  1204 

Petition  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Brown  to,       -  1219 

Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  receive  a  resolve  of,  1289 

Draught  of  a  letter  from  New- York  Convention  to,    1395 

Proceedings  of,    -  -  1565,  1628 

Indian  chiefs  invited  to  visit,  .   1613 

Congress,  the  privateer,  captures  made  by,          -      708,  758 

Congress,  Provincial — see  States  by  name. 

Congress,  President  of — see  Hancock,  John. 

Connaway,  Levin,  to  the  Sussex  Council  of  Safety,    -       11 

Connecticut,  delay  of,  in  furnishing  men,  -         -         -       17 

Builds  a  Colony  ship  at  Saybrook,          ...     244 

Proceedings  of  the  Council  of  Safety  of,          -         -    240 

378,  456,  699,  569,  624,  683,  731,  1005,  1099,  1189 

Governour  of,  sends  two  galleys  to  New- York,        -     378 

Resolutions  of,  relating  to  arrests,          -         -         -     424 

Return  of  Colonel  Webb's  riflemen,       -  645 

Three  thousand  men  arrive  at  New-York  from,        -     711 

Selectmen  of  Fairneld  to  Council  of  Safety  of,'        -     777 

Bravery  of  men  on  board  the  galleys,     ...     855 

Colonel  E.  Allen  to  Assembly  of,  -        -        .      860  928 

Arrival  of  thirty  sail  with  troops  from,    -         -         -1067 

Govcrnonr  of  requested  to  send  troops  to  Suffolk    -   1552 

Letter  from  New-York  Convention  to  towns  in,     -  1552 


Conner,  John,  charged  with  stealing  a  jacket,    -         -  1311 
Conner,   Brigade    Major,   recommended   by  General 

Armstrong,       -         -  -     905 

Connolly,  Mrs.,  allowance  of  maintenance  for,  -         -  1290 
Letter  from,  to  Congress  referred,  1568,  1576 

Connor,  Samuel,  appointed  Major  in  Canada  Regi- 
ment,      -  -       57 
Promoted  to  Lieutenant-Colonel,  -  59,  83 
Introduced  by  Gates  to  Waterbury,                             -     826 
Conquest,  fondness  of  England  for,  -                           -     483. 
Conqucstadore,  Captain  Johnson  and  crew  removed 

to  the,      -  -     755 

Contcc,  John,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -    554 

Continental  money,  £40  of,  burned,  -     121 

Establishment,  Mecklenburg  Regiment  on,    -         -     721 

Armed  vessels,  list  of,  on  Lake  Champlain,    -         -     797 

Contract,  Schuyler  advises  a  supply  of  rations  by,        -  1152 

Contractor,  views  of  the  duty  of  a,     -  -  1152 

Convention — see  States,  &c.,  by  name. 

Convention,  enemy's  breach  of,  -     165 

Testimony  on  breach  of,  at  the  Cedars,  -     166 

Convention,  advice  on  the  formation  of  a,  in  Delaware,     741 

Convention,  the  row-galley,  Captain  Rice  appointed 

to  command,    -  ...  .  1327 

Converse,  James,  urges  the  promotion  of  Captain  King,     551 
Conway,  Captain  Thomas,  states  the  affair  at  Sandy 

Point,      -  -    521 

Reply  to  statement  of,  by  Maryland  officers,  -  -  531 
Safe  arrival  of,  with  a  cargo  of  arms,  &c.,  -  -  666 
Letter  to.  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  -  690 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  announce  arrival  of,  to 

the  Delegates  in  Congress,         -  -     724 

Conway,  General,  motion  of,  in  Parliament,  for  Howe's 

powers,  rejected,       -  -     836 

Cook,  Thomas,  resolve  to  grant  petition  of, 

Cooke,  Governour  N.,  call  upon,  for  carpenters,         -       32 

Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -         -      141, 769 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -         -       378,  475,  767 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,    -         -      377,  549 

Letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire  Convention,  -         -     605 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       -         -  -     659 

Answer  of,  to  Lord  Howe,    -  606 

Chairman  of  the  Marine  Committee  of  Rhode-Island,     623 

Letter  to,  from  James  Bowdoin,     -  -    661,1155. 

Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  -  -     701 

Washington  transmits  to  Congress  a  letter  from,     -     762 

Letter  from,  to  James  Bowdoin,     -         -  -  1172 

Letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -  -  1222 

Cooke,  Col.  J.  P.,  Washington  is  authorized  to  call  on,       45 

Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      -     .  -   873,  1120 

Cooke,  Captain   George,  recommended  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  -         -  -     591 

Pay  roll  of  galley  commanded  by,  -  -  1264 

Cooley,  Captain,  refuses  to  take  arms  against  the  King,     970 

Coombe,  George,  appointed  Commissary  of  Provisions,  1404 

Cooper,  William,  Speaker  pro  tern,  of  Massachusetts 

House  of  Representatives,  -  -     145 

Cooper,  John,  thirty  stripes  to,  for  mutiny,  -     225 

Cooper,  Gilbert,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  New- 
York  Militia,    -  -  1413 
Coor,  James,  member  of  North-Carolina  Council,       -  1366 
Copeland,  David,  engaged  to  supply  the  Maryland 

troops  on  their  march  through  Chester,       -         -     943 
Copp,  David,  appointed  Major    by  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,  -  -      50 

Vote  to  appoint  made  null,  -  -       68 

Copper,  coin,  devices  on  New-Hampshire,  76 

One  hundred  pounds  of,  ordered  to  Mr.  De  Haven,    1297 
Order  for  exchanging  thin  plate  for  other,       -         -  1298 
The  cannon  committee  ordered  to  possess  themselves 
of  the,  belonging  to  the  United  States,  at  New- 
London,  -         -  -         -  1616 
Copperthwaite,  Captain,  firelocks  to  be  delivered  to,  -  1291 
Coppin,  Samuel,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of,     -         -       22 
Cordage,  Mr.  Ivers  undertakes  to  manufacture,  -         -     821 
A  supply  of,  at  Poughkeepsie,       -  -     968 
Corlies,  John,  communicates  with  the  enemy,    -         -     602 
Corn,  scarcity  of,  at  Chincoteague,    -         -         -         -     383 
Cornish,  Elisha,  to  Governour  Trumbull,   -  132 
Cornwallis,  Lord,  with  Clinton,  in  South-Carolina,     -     438 
Arrival  of,  at  Staten-Island,  -                   ...     789 
Commands  a  division  on  Long-Island,  -         -         -   1256 
Corps  of  invalids,  Congress  orders  that  wounded  sol- 
diers be  formed  into  a,                         ...  1620 
Correspondence — see  names  of  individuals. 
Correspondence — see  Secret  Correspondence. 
Correspondence,  Massachusetts  appoints  a  Committee 

of, ,       -        -        -     267 


1657 


INDEX. 


1658 


Corsa,  Isaac,  one  of  the  disaffected,  sent  to  Lebanon,     981 
Cortlandt,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Philip,  Mr.  Jay  on  the 

case  of,    -         -         -         -         -         .         -  40 

Injustice  done  to,  in  promoting  Dubois,  -     202 

His  case  said  to  be  one  of  great  hardship,       -         -  1396 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,        -  -   1122 

Cortlandt,  Colonel  Pierre,  to  New- York  Convention,  -     544 

Cortlaridt's  Manor,  order  to  seize  the  disaffected  at,  -  1030 

Coss,  Daniel,  to  be  severely  reprimanded,  -  -   1270 

Cosen,  Jesse, 'appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,   1346 

Cosset,  John,  held  to  bail  for  good  behaviour,     -         -     459 

Coudroy,  M.,  French  Engineer,  obtains  leave  to  come 

to  America,       ...  -  1018 

Mr.  Dean  makes  extravagant  promises  to,      -         -  1020 

Coulter,  Dr.,  services  of,  recommended,      -  -     686 

Council  of  Officers,  minutes  of  a,      -  -     236 

Offence  taken  by  Schuyler  and  Gates  at  a  rumored, 

held  at  New-York,    -  -       794,  795,  856 

No  such,  held  at  New-York,  -  -     933,  952 

Proceedings  of  a,-  ...  1346 

Council  of  Safety — see  States,  &c.,  by  name. 

Council  of  War,  proceedings  of  a,  at  Chambly,  -        -     164 

Minutes  of  a,  held  at  Crown-Point,        ...     233 

Minutes  of  a,  held  at  Fort  Montgomery,         -         -     544 

Question  before  a,  at  King's  Bridge,      -  -  '1216 

Counterfeit  money,  persons  suspected  of  passing,     -  1367 

Stephen  Scarborough  arrested  for  passing,    -         -  1368 

Order  to  search  sundry  places  for,         ...  1369 

Counterfeiters — see  Bills  of  Credit. 

Countersign,  regulations  respecting  the,    -  679 

Coursey,  Mr.,  taken  prisoner,   -  -  1250 

Court  of  Captures,  session  of  the,  at  Salem,  -  -  664 
Court  of  Inquiry,  Massachusetts  orders  a,  to  try  sus- 
pected persons,  -  -  311 
Question  as  to  ordering,  on  Colonel  Ritzema,  334,  503 
Selectmen  of  Symsbury  hold  a,  -  -  459 
Order  to  hold  a,  at  Perth-Amboy,  -  -  638 
Colonel  Bedel's,  ordered  to  sit  again, .  -  -  654 
On  Captain  Romans,  -  -  657 
Ordered  on  Lieutenant  Mesier,  -  -  914 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown  asks  for  a,  -  -  -  1221 
Court,  Maritime,  New-Hampshire  establishes  a,-  -  73 
Vote  to  commission  a  Judge  of,  -  -  -  -  75 
Act  to  establish  the  fees  of,  -  -  85 
Duties  of,  denned,  -  -  92 
An  appeal  from  the,  to  Congress,  -  94 
Court-Martial,  proceedings  of,  on  Captain  Ball,  9 
Proceedings  of  a  general,  -  -  225-227,  567,  604 
On  Lieutenant  Williamson,  of  the  Virginia  forces,  -  362 
A  general,  ordered  at  New- York,  -  -  504 
A  general,  ordered  at  Ticonderoga,  -  -  653 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  recommend,  to  General 

Hooper,   - 

Proceedings  of,  on  Lieutenant  Peter  Jones,  -  -  736 
Neglect  of  witnesses  to  attend,  to  be  punished,  -  768 
Gates  sends  to  Congress  the  proceedings  of,  in  the 

case  of  Colonel  Bedel,       -  -      795,891 

Gates  threatens  a,  on  the  officers  from  Massachusetts,  797 
Proceedings  of,  in  the  case  of  Colonel  Zedtwitz,  -  1159 
A  general,  ordered  at  Ticonderoga,  -  -  1268 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  a,       -  -  1358 

Courtenay,  Hercules,  applies  for  instructions,    -         -     635 
Courts,  William,  appointed  Ensign,  -  -  1333 

Courts  of  law,  act  to  establish,  in  New-Hampshire,     -       84 
Courts  Martial,  General  Heath  prefers  garrison,          -  1144 
Covenhoven,  John,  Vice-President  of  New-Jersey  Con- 
gress,      .--... 
Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -     566 

Letter  from,  to  New-Jersey  Delegates  in  Congress,     742 
Covenhoven.  Nicholas,  suspected  of  giving  intelligence 

to  the  enemy,  -  -  1546 

New-York  Convention  order  arrest  of,    -  -  1546 

Examination  of,  -  -  1554 

Cowardice,  the  soldiers  to  be  shot  who  show,    -         -     965 
Cowards,  absentees  to  be  treated  as,  -  -    966 

Cowney,  Michael,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of,  - 
Covvper,  John,  ordered  to  account,  on   oath,  for  the 

quantity  of  salt  in  his  possession, 

Cows,  high  price  given  for,  by  the  enemy,  -  1532 

Each  large  family  allowed  to  retain  four,         -         -   1537 
Coxe,  Samuel,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of, 

Examination  and  parole  of,  - 
Cox,  John,  letter  from,  to  Jasper  Yates,     - 

Congress  authorizes  powder  to  be  sold  to,      -         -   1574 
Cox,  William,  letter  from,  to  Richard  Peters,      - 

Letter  from,  to  William  Atlee,       -  -   1061 

Cox,  Ezekiel,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,       -  1344 
Coxe,  Walter  B.,  appointed  Ensign,  -  -  1333 


Coxhenderfer,  Michael,  manufactory  of  stockings  car- 
ried on  by,        -  -  1345 
Crabb,  Richard,  recommended  as  Major,    -  -     592 
Crafts,  Colonel  Thomas,  to  Massachusetts  Council,      -     874 
Craig,  Captain,  Major  Bigelow's  interview  with,          -     986 
Is  bearer  of  Carleton's  order,         .  -     987 
Cramer,  Jacob,  recommended  for  appointment,  -         -  1293 
Appointed  Ensign  in  German  company,         -         -  1583 
Crane,  armament  provided  for  the  row-galley,    -         -     243 
Governour  Trumbull  sends,  to  New-York,       -         -     378 
Engaged  in  the  affair  at  Tarrytown,       -                  -•    751 
Crawford,  Captain  John,  prisoner,  to  Jasper  Yeates,  -     138 
Congress  refuses,  permission  to  visit  prisoners,        -   1565 
Crawford,  Captain  David,  letter   to,  from   Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  -    386 

Crawford,  William,  permitted  to  leave  North-Carolina,  1375 

Craws,  George,  arrested  for  forgery,  ...         -  1322 

Brought  before  the  Committee,      ....  1323 

Committal  to  State  Prison,    -  -  1324 

Liberty  of  the  prison  allowed  to,  -  -  1325 

Credentials,  Delegates  from  New- YorkCity  mislay  their,   1 385 

Albany  Delegates  fail  to  bring,       -  -  1385 

Charlotte  Delegates  fail  to  bring,  -  -  1387 

Error  in,  of  Tryon  Delegates,         -  -1392 

King's  County  Delegates  present  defective,    -         -  1525 

Maryland  Deputies  present  to  Congress  new,         -  1583 

Pennsylvania  Deputies  present  to  Congress  new,   -  1586 

Virginia  Deputies  present  to  Congress  new,  -         -  1622 

Creeks,  numerous  tribe  of,  in  Georgia,       -  7 

Defeated  by  Fincastle  Militia,        ....     464 

Lee  is  petitioned  to  march  against  the,  -         -         -     685 

The  head  men  of,  invited  to  visit  Congress,    -         -  1613 

Cregier,  Captain,  to  Thomas  Randall,  -      141,  536 

His  crew  ask  the  dismissal  of,       -         -         -        -     537 

Cregier,  Dr.  John,  to  act  as  Surgeon  of  Paulding's  Re-» 

giment,    -  -  1323 

Creighton,  John,  to  Sussex  Committee  of  Safety,  -  11 
Creighton,  ship,  captured  by  Captain  Johnson,  -  -  148 
Crespigny,  Claude,  to  Ralph  I /aid,  -  -  1148 

Mr.  Izard's  reply  to,     -         -  -  1242 

Cressop,  Daniel,  appointed  First  Lieutenant,  -  -  1574 
Cresap,  Daniel,  commissioned  as  Captain,  -  1344 

Creswell,  James,  to  W.  H.  Drayton,  ....     610 
Said  to  be  a  respectable  preacher,  -        ...     611 
Crocker,  Peleg,  resolve  to  grant  petition  of,       -        -     274 
Crocket,  John,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -        -     808 
Crofts,  Thomas,  Sheriff  of  Boston,  proclaims  indepen- 
dence,    ...  .    425 
Crops,  measures  taken  to  secure  the  planting  of,         -    948 
Crosby,  Mr.,  a  missionary  to  the  Indians,  -  903 
Crosier,  John,  complains  of  Jesse  Hollingsworth,        -  1057 
Cross,  Henry,  suspected  as  inimical,                             -     239 
Croton  River,  shipping  at  the  mouth  of,    -                  -     728 
Militia  draughts  sent  to,         -----  1440 
New- York  Committee  proceed  to,          ...  1562 
Crown-Point,  the  small-pox  at, .         -                            29,  45 
Consequences  of  the  army's  retreat  to,  -                  -       46 
Wretched  state  of  the  army  at,     -                           -     103 
Mr.  Cushing's  letter  from,     .....     128 
Description  of  the  retreat  to,         -        -                  -     131 
Great  mortality  at,                                    -                  -     132 
Letter  to  the  commanding  officer  at,     -                  -     145 
Reinforcements  preparing  for,       -                           -     145 
Two  postriders  appointed  for,        ...         .         .     145 
Is  made  the  Head-Quarters  of  Northern  Army,       -     177 
Pronounced  not  tenable,       -..--.    233 
Post  for,  established  at  Watertown,        ...     315 
Massachusetts  sends  nine  hundred  tents  to,  -         -     322 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Allen  leaves  for  Philadelphia,  -     350 
Probability  of  suppressing  small-pox  at,                   -     361 
Washington  declines  a  positive  opinion  as  to  hold- 
ing,          -                                                                -     390 
March  of  troops  from  New-Hampshire  ordered  for,     406 
Washington's  surprise  at  the  determination  to  retire 

from, 

Washington  to  Gates  on  the  subject  of,  -  450,  650 
Instructions  to  Colonel  Hartley  as  commander  at,  -  474 
Capture  of  the  miller  at,  -  -  479 

Scarcity  of  provisions  at,        -  -     512 

Position  of,  described  by  Schuyler,        -  -     559 

Ticonderoga  preferable  to,  as  a  post,      -  -     561 

Intention  to  keep  a  small  force  at,  -         -     561 

Oar-maker  under  protection  of  garrison  at,  -  -  630 
Schuyler's  remarks  upon,  -  -  794 

Newburg  Committee  to  commander,  at,  -  -  798 
A  scout  sent  from,  to  St.  John's,  -  -  828 

Gates  jokes  with  Putnam  about,  ...  -  900 
Alarm  caused  by  abandonment  of,  -  933,  952 


1659 


INDEX. 


1660 


Crown-Point,  list  of  the  naval  force  at,      -  -  1123 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,        -  -  1188 

Cuckotdstown,  Tryon  tries  to  inlist  men  at,       -         -     1'20 
Cumberland,  Massachusetts,   number  of  men   to  be 

raised  in,  -        -         -  -     291 

Field  Officers  chosen  for,      -  -     292 

Petition  from  Committee  of,  to  Gates,    -  -     564 

Gates's  reply  to  Petition  of,  -         -  -     717 

Committee  of,  to  Massachusetts  Council,       -         -     568 
Cumberland,  PennsylvBiiia,  Committee,  to  President  of 

Congress,  -      327,  619,  994 

Committee,  attend  the  reading  of  Independence,    -     871 
Account  of  money  advanced  by  Committee  of,        -     895 
Cumberland  County,  North-Carolina,   no  Committee 

in,  -  -  1372 

Declaration  of  Independence  proclaimed  in,  -         -   1372 
Inhabitants  of,  complain  of  Colonel  Folesom,          -   1377 
Cumberland,  New-  York,  to  the  New-York  Conven- 

tion,        ..------  1535 

Deputies  from,  County,  in  New-York  Convention,     1387 
Cummings,  Samuel,  reported  to  New-Hampshire  As- 

sembly,   --------68 

Cummings,  Thomas,  reported  to  New-Hampshire  As- 

sembly,   --  ....-68 

Evidence  declared  insufficient  to  prove  disaffection, 

in  either,  -  68 

Cummings,  John,  appointed  Brigadier-General,          -     291 

Declines  serving,  -  320 

Cunningham,  discontent  at  the  disc-harge  of,      -         -     406 

Examination  of,  -        -  -         -         -        -     431 

Cunningham,  Robert,  reaches  Williamson's  camp,     -     489 
Cunningham,  James,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -     907 
Cunningham,  Provost-Marshal,  an  infamous  fellow,    -   1254 
Currituck,  a  Commissioner  appointed  for  the  port  of,    1370 
Cursing  and  swearing,  general  orders  to  check,          -     768 
Curson,  Samuel,  to  Comfort  Sands,  -  -    463 

Curtenius,  Colonel  Peter  T.,  requested  to  purchase 

cloth  for  the  New-  York  troops,  -        ...    203 

Letter  from,  to  New-  York  Convention,  ...  1557 

Is  empowered  to  borrow  £10,000,  -  1557 

Curtis,  Captain,  Howe's  commendation  of,         -         -     105 

His  Majesty's  satisfaction  at  the  conduct  of,  -         -  1102 

Curtis,  Lieutenant  William,  ordered  to  Ticonderowa 

with  carpenters,  ...     209 

Curtis,  Major  Israel,  decease  of,  .         .  1593 

Gushing,  Charles,  letter  from,  to  his  brother,       -         -     128 

Gushing,  Thomas,  a  resolve  to  supply,  with  lead,        -     298 

Letter  to,  from  Benjamin  Austin,  -         ...    460 

Letter  to,  from  General  Lincoln,   -  .         .     460 

Memorandum  of  sundries  received  from,         -         -     702 

Letter  to,  from  James  Warren,       -  -  804 

Letter  from,  to  Major  Hawley,       -         -         .         -     891 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,   -         -        .     902 

Gushing,  Joseph,  to  John  Taylor,      -         ...    551 

Gushing,  Theophilus,  letter  to,  from   Massachusetts 

Council  of  Safety,     ----..     gg4 

Custom-House,  books,  &c.,  of  the,  sent  to  New-  York 

Convention,      -----..     §24 

Cutlasses,  a  supply  of,  sent  to  Washington,       -         .     359 
Cutts,  Samuel,  member  of  New-Hampshire  House  of 

Representatives,       -  -        -        -         59  67 

Cuyler,  Mr.,  sent  prisoner  to  Elizabethtown,     -         -     '  38 

Cuyler.  C.,  a  British  Aid-de-Camp,   -         -         .         -     121 

Bearer  of  Howe's  despatches  to  England,      -         -  1258 

Cuyler,  Henry,  representations  respecting,  groundless,     889 

Cuyler,  Abraham  C.,  disarmed  by  Albany  Committee,     890 

To  the  New-York  Convention,      ...  1472,  1526 

Asks  leave  to  visit  his  sick  wife,    -  1527 

Order  to  Albany  Committee  to  return  their  pro- 

ceedings against,  rejected,          ....  1473 

Cuyler,  Jacob,  letter  from  to  New-York  Convention     1513 
Cypher,  Ensign   Michael,   charged   with  leaving  his 

colours,   -  .  1322 

D. 

Dagworthy,  John,  Justice  of  Peace  in  Sussex  County 

Delaware,         .        .        .         .         .         --11 
Daitt  and  Lawless,  an  order  to  stop  the  sailing  of  959 

Dallam,  Rlchard,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Co°unc'il  of 

Safety,      -._____      ^.   „.„ 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety    -      363'  491 
Appointed  Deputy-Paymaster  of  Flying-Camp,       -  1582 
Da  ton,  Tnstram,  letter  from  to  E.  Gerry,  - 

s"afet°y      f^l  m°MJ  *  Mar?land  Council  of 

" 


Dan,  David,  appointed  a  Captain, 


Dangerfield,  Col.  William,  gallantry  of  Regiment  of,   -     150 
Resignation  of,     -  -         -  -  1053 

Dangerous  persons,  list  of,  considered.  New- York,      -     448 
Darnes,  Captain  John,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     -  -  591,  1077,  1091,  1191 
Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,      1117,  1133 
Disagreeable  situation  of,  -     665 
Commission  issued  to,  -         ...  1350 
Dartmouth,  prizes  carried  into,                             -     972,  973 
Dashicll,  Lieutenant  Joseph,  letter  from  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  -     362 

Dashiell,  John,  Clerk  to  Somerset  Committee,  Mary- 
land,       -  ...  -     385 
Appointed  Second  Lieutenant  Maryland  Militia,    -  1353 
Dashiell,    Colonel   George,   letter  to  from  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  -     635 

Dashiell,  Arthur,  appointed   First  Lieutenant  Mary- 
land Militia,     -        -  -  -  1355 

Davidson,  John,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  Maryland 

Militia,     -         ...  ...  1350 

Davie,  John,  capture  of,  as  suspected,        -  -     512 
Davis,  Asa,  appointed  Mustermaster  and  Paymaster,  \      57 
Davis,  John,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  mutiny  and  de- 
sertion,   -                  -     225 

Davis',  Elias,   appointed  Lieutenant  sea-coast  Com- 
pany, -  -     303 
Davis,  Israel,  resolve  on  petition  of,  -                           -     323 
Davis,  Gabriel,  appointed  to  take  care  of  families  of 

absent  Associators,  -  ....     534 

Recommendation  of,  by  Associators,      ...     536 

Letter  from,  to  Lancaster  Committee;    ...     711 

Davis,  Henry,  twenty  stripes  to,  for  desertion,  -         -     677 

Davis,  Benjamin,  "that  infamous  villain,"  capture  of,       752 

Davis,  John,  appointed  Ensign  Maryland  Militia,        -   1382 

Davis,  William,  (prisoner,)  sent  to  William  Atlee,       -  1158 

Davis,  Dr.,  capture  of,  by  the  enemy,  -  1213 

Authorized  to  purchase  surgical  instruments,          -   1291 

Davis,  Septimus,  commissioned  Ensign,    -  -  1313 

Davis,  Richard,  appointed  Captain  by  Congress,         -  1574 

Davison,  Commodore,   appears  before   Pennsylvania 

Council  of  Safety,     -  ....  1324 

Charges  against  considered  frivolous,     -  -  1327 

Dismissed  from  command  of  Naval  armament,        -  1327 
Davy,  George,  apprehended  as  suspicious,          -         -   1414 
Dawes,  Major  Thomas,  employed  to  repair  the  Gurnet,     300 
Unable  to  attend,  -     305 

Dawson,  Mr.,  (late  of  British  army,)   sent  to  Head- 
Quarters,  -     387 
Dawson,  Samuel,  Congress  give  rank  and  pay  of  a 

Captain  to,        -  -  -  1580 

Ordered  to  New-Jersey,        -  -  1580 

Day,  Elkanah,  return  of  the  Company  of,  -         -         -  1263 

Dayton,  Colonel,  letter  to,  from  H.  Glen,  -         -        42,  1 10 

Movement  of,  to  Fort  Stanwix,      -  -     175 

Arrival  of,  at  Fort  Stanwix,  -  -     394 

Letter  to,  from  General  Schuyler,  -  -    511 

Letter  to,  from  Adam  Clarke,  -     785 

Letter  from,  to  the  Indian  Chiefs,  -         ...     872 

Ordered  to  command  at  Fort  Stanwix,  -  -    901 

List  of  Officers  in  Battalion  of,       -  -     979 

Indian  explanation  of  the  talk  with,        -  -  1040 

A  Court-Martial  recommended  on  the  officers  of,    -  1142 

Dayton,  Ebenezer,  narrative  of,  -  1234 

Dayton,  Jonathan,  appointed  Paymaster,  -  -  1618 

Deakins,  Captain  Francis,    letter  to,  from  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      -  -        -     992 

Deal,  New-Jersey,  inhabitants  of,  disaffected,     -         -  1414 
Dean,  Lieutenant  Gilbert,  sent  with  prisoners  to  New- 
York  Congress,  .       23 
Dean,  Captain  John,  company  of,  ordered  to  Kent- 
Island,     -                                                     -    387,  1338 
March  of  the  company  of,  to  Kent-Island,       -         -     665 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,   -    627,  1134 
Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -        -     974 
Company  of,  want  water,      -                                     -     722 
Dean,  Captain  Stewart,  captures  made  by,                   -  1067 
Deane,  Silas,  Captain  Parker  ordered  to  consult,        -     157 
Reported  arrival  of,  at  Rhode-Island,      -        -      261,  397 
Letter  to,  from  C.  W.  F.  Dumas,  -                  -    589,  1021 
Despatch  for,  from  Marine  Committee,  -                  -     671 
Letter  to,  from  Secret  Committee,                   -    809,  1011 
Addenda  to  the  letter  to,       -                                     -  1017 
Letter  from,  to  Count  de  Vergennes,     -                  -  1105 
Accepts  the  offer  of  M.  Chaumont,        -                  -  1015 
Makes  a  contract  with  Beaumarchais,    ...  1015 
Makes  extravagant  promises  to  M.  Coudray,  -         -  1020 
Deane,  Samuel,  chosen  Lieutenant  by  Associators,     -     171 
Deane,  Mr.,  appointed  Captain  of  Marines,        -        -    348 


1661 


INDEX. 


1662 


Deane,  Barnabas,  articles  imported  by,  on  Continental 

account,  -  -   1108 

Deane,  Mr.,   appointed  First  Lieutenant  in  Colonel 

Warner's  Regiment,  -  -  1565 

Dearborn,  Joseph,  appointed  Captain  by  New-Hamp- 
shire,       -  -  -       50 

Dearborn,  Dr.  L.,  member  of  New-Hampshire  House 

of  Representatives,    -  -      59 

Dearborn,  Captain  Henry,  taken  prisoner  at  Quebeck,  553 
Leave  granted  to,  to  return  home  on  parole,  -  -  553 
Washington  offers  an  exchange  for,  -  -  997 

Dearborn,  Colonel  Henry,  Congress  order  proposal  to 

be  made  for  exchange  of,  -         -  -        -  1612 

Death,  traitors  in  New-York  punished  with,  -  -  1410 
Counterfeiters  of  bills  of  credit  to  suffer,  -  1506 

Debate,  fatigues  of,  more  painful  than  those  of  war,    -     185 

Debeaux,  Mary,  examination  of,        -  -  1068 

De  Berdt,  Dennis,  letter  from,  to  Colonel  Reed,         -     372 

Debtors,  release  of,  at  New- York,  on  proclamation  of 

Independence,  -  ...     174 

De  Calbiac,  Baron,  letter  from,  to  Washington,  509,  679 
Washington's  reply  to,  -  -  542 

Letter  from,  to  Richard  Peters,      -  934 

De  Chartres,  Due,  two  French  fleets  under,       -         -    709 

Declaration — see  Independence. 

Declaration,  copy  of  Lord  Howe's,  •-  -  -  605,1466 
Thomas  Gumerall's,  to  General  Howe,  -  866 

Decoy  ships,  resolve  to  procure  two,  at  Boston,          -     280 

Dee,  Daniel,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses,        -     549 

Deer  leather,  New-York  uses,  for  soldiers'  clothing,  -     203 

Deer  skins,  capture  of  three  hundred  raw,  -     941 

Breeches  made  of,  for  soldiers,       -         -  -  1622 

Defence,  brig,  arrival  of,  at  New-London,  -  -     340 

Order  for  repair  of,        -  -     458 

Stores  of,  transferred  to  a  sloop,     -  -     476 

Expenses  on,  to  be  stopped,  - 

Protest  of  the  agent  of,  -    662 

Provision   voted   for,   by   Connecticut    Council   of 
Safety,      -  -  1006 

Defence,  ship,  Colonel  Kent  declines  command  of  the 

Maryland,  -        -    591 

Attack  on,  at  St.  George's  River,  -         -  -     615 

Ordered  to  Annapolis,  -         -         -  -  1344 

De  Graff,  Governour  of  St.  Eustatia,  friendly  disposi- 
tion of,     -  -     180 

De  Haas,  Colonel,  orders  to,  from  General  Arnold,  '  -  165 
Opinion  of,  as  to  Crown-Point,  -  -  650 

Proposes  to  administer  on  the  effects  of  the  Baron 

deWoedtke, -    698 

Promotions  in  the  Battalion  of,      -  -  1124 

De  Haas,  John  P.,  Jun.,  appointed  Ensign,        -         -  1124 

De  Hart,  Balthazar,  examination  of,  -  -     602 

Committee  appointed  to  examine,  -  -  1441 

Testimony  given  by,  as  to  the  disaffected,  -  -  1444 
Testimony  sent  to  Washington,  -  -  1446 

De  Heister,  General,  Lord  Stirling  surrenders  to,        -  1246 

De  Lancey,  Stephen,  disarmed  by  Albany  Committee,  890 
Committed  to  the  Tory  jail,  -  -  890 

Delaney,  John,  frequent  journeys  of,  with  pass,  -         -     336 

Delap,  Messrs.  S.  &  J.  H-,  Capt.  Parker  addressed  to,  156 
Letter  to,  from  the  Marine  Committee,  -  -  158 

Despatches  sent  to,  by  Marine  Committee,     -         -     671 

De  la  Plain,  the  Sieur,  is  bearer  of  a  letter  from  Gen- 
eral Lee  to  the  Governour  of  Cape  Francois,       -  1228 

Delaware,  report  to  Congress  from  committee  of,  -  9 
Movements  of,  to  form  a  Flying-Camp,  -  -  32 

Proceedings  of,  Assembly,     -  -     617 

Convention  called  to  form  a  Government  for,  -  -  618 
Oath  taken  by  an  elector  in,  -  -  618 

Advice  on  the  choice  of  Convention  for,  -     741 

Compliment  to  a  Regiment  from,  -  -     785 

Battalion  of,  ordered  to  Amboy,     -  -    833,  1599 

Address  to  the  voters  of  Dover,  in,  -  1057 

Proceedings  of  the  Convention  of,  -  1174 

System  of  Government  of,      -  -  1174 

Battalion,  officers  of,  ordered  to  Amboy,  -  1601 

Congress  advances  money  to  the  Delegates  from,    -  1603 

Delaware,  launch  of  the  ship,     - 

Delawares,  the  tribe  of,  represented  at  Fort  Pitt,  -  36 
Sachems  of  the,  at  the  German-Flats,  -  -  1038 

Delegates  in  Congress — 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  their,       -  -    114, 

219,  434,  492,  531,  556,  593,  634,  805,  863,  975 
Massachusetts  resolve  to  pay  their,  -         -     294 

From  Maryland  to  their  Council  of  Safety,  -  -  618 
A  proposition  to  appoint  a  large  number,  -  -  1224 
An  election  for,  in  North-Carolina,  -  -  1373 

Delegation,  John  Adams  proposes  a  plan  of,      -        -    571 


Denaquara,  Joseph,  one  of  the  Eastern  Indians,          -     838 

Dennis,  John,  Captain,  to  New-Jersey  Congress,         -       16 

Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -        -         -  -     256 

Dennis,  Captain  Jacob,  information  given  by,     -         -     603 
Denny,  Captain,  execution  done  by  battery  of,    -         -     150 
Dent,  Brigadier-General  John,  difficulty  with,  about 

rank,  .      215,  220 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  343,  386,  724 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -    363, 

465,  481,  522,  757 

Complaint  of,  on  the  appointment  of  Major  Price,  -     554 
Commission  sent  to,  for  the  Flying-Camp,      -        -     628 
Refuses  the  commission  sent  to  him,      ...    707 
Is  elected  a  member  of  the  Convention,          -        -    863 
Dent,  Warren,  certificate  of,  relating  to  Sandy-Point,  -     530 
Dent,  Lieutenant,  reported  missing,  -  -        -  1250 

Dent,  Hatch,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant,       -         -  1333 
Denton,  Captain  Daniel,  to  General  Woodhull,  -         -     543 
Report  on  commissions  for  the  Company  of,  -        -     544 
De  Peyster,  Abraham  W.,  report  of,  concerning  pri- 
soners,    -        -  -  1529 
Letter  received  by,  from  D.  Matthews,   -  1549 
Depyster,  Lieutenant,  killed  by  lightning,  -                  -  1163 
Deposition,  of  Janet  Williams,  -         -        -                  -     111 

Of  John  Rumby,  -  -         -     218 

Of  Dr.  John  Thomas  on  affair  of  Sandy-Point,         -    525 
Of  Midshipman  Coles  and  Elliston  on  affair  of  Sandy- 
Point,       -  -  -    526 
Of  Messrs.  Finley,  Hunter,  and  Lawrenson,  on  affair 

at  Sandy-Point,  -     528 

Of  Messrs.  Matthews  and  Stoddart,        ...    528 

Enclosed  to  Washington  by  New- York  Convention,     622 

Of  John  Walker,  -  -   1304 

Of  Mrs.  Martha  Ash,    -  -  1305 

Deputy  Commissary,  Colonel  Hay  asks  for  a,     -         -     729 

Deputy  Postmaster  removes  his  office  to  Dobbs"  Ferry,   1559 

Derby,  Richard,  Jr.,  authorized  to  receive  duck  for  the 

brig  Salisbury,  -  -    271 

Resolve  to  furnish,  with  cannon,   -        ...     274 
Letter  to,  from  Timothy  Pickering,         ...    426 
Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,   -        -     550,  859 
Letter  from,  to  James  Bowdoin,    -        ...    663 
Letter  from,  to  Washington,  .....     733 

Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  -         -        -     701 
Deringer,  Henry,  appointed  Captain  of  Flying-Camp,     349 
De  Nouville,  J.  B.,  is  permitted  to  go  to  Philadelphia,   1 109 
Deschambault,  determination  to  abandon,  -     164 

Deserters,  examination  of,  and  intelligence  received 

from,  from  British  Army  and  Fleet,    -      104,  142,  196, 
353,  546,  692,  813,  870,  950,  957,  996,  1183 
Measures  to  procure  the  return  of,  from  the  North- 
ern Army,         -         -  ...      237,  260 
Washington's  remarks  to  Schuyler  on,  -  391 
Governour  TrumbulPs  Proclamation  relating  to,      -     399 
Action  of  Hampshire  Committee  touching,    -         -     588 
Proceedings  of  Pennsylvania  Associators  relative  to,     978 
The  case  of,  referred  to  the  Board  of  War,     -         -1314 
Desertion,  frequency  of,  from  the  enemy,  95 
Sentence  of  American  courts  martial  for,       -         -    505, 

677,  965,  1270 

Remission  of  punishment  in  case  of,      -        -        -    506 
Spirit  of,  in  Clinton's  and  Sir  Peter  Parker's  forces,     612 
Cause  of,  in  the  Northern  Army,  ....     827 

Prevalence  of,  in  Mercer's  Flying-Camp,        -        -     865 

Resolves  of  New-Jersey  relating  to,       ...     885 

Despatch,  P.  Parker  appointed  to  command  the  brig,     156 

Purchase  of,  for  use  of  Secret  Committee,      -         -     670 

Despatch,  schooner,  captured  by  Captain  Fisk,        405,  552 

Despatches,  Congress  asks  for  daily,  from  Washington,   1567 

Detachments,  General  Mifflin's  trouble  in  managing,  -     791 

Devens,  Richard,  letter  to,  from  J.  Palmer,  -    585 

Letter  to,  from  Francis  Abbott,      -         ...     779 

Device,  Committee  on  a,  for  great  seal,     ...     944 

Devonshire,  capture  of  enemy's  ship,  -     589 

Dewees'  Inlet,  enemy's  ship  grounds  on,  -  -     440 

Dewitt's  Corner,  letter  for  the  camp  near,  -     406 

De  White,  Captain  Joseph,  captures  made  by,  -         -   1067 

Dewitt,  John,  letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       -         -     658 

De  Woedtke,  Baron,  letter  from,  to  Gates,  -     475 

Retires  to  the  General  Hospital,    -  -     649 

Decease  of,  -        -        -         -        -         -        -         -     698 

Col.  De  Haas  proposes  to  administer  on  effects  of,     698 

General  Gates  communicates  to  Congress  death  of,     796 

Dr.  Potts  ordered  to  disclose  a  communication  from,     924 

D'huge,  Pelieirson,  bearer  of  a  letter  to  Washington,    1133 

Diamond,  John,  Congress  makes  presents  to,    -        -  1605 

Dickerson,  General,  commands  two  thousand  men  for 

Flying-Camp,  -        -        -        -        -        -        -    909 


1663 


INDEX. 


1664 


Dickerson,  James,  (prisoner,)  examination  of,   -         -  1069 
Dickinson,  mutiny  on  board  the  snow,      -         -         - 
Dickinson,  Colonel,  Battalion  of,  march  to  Woodbridge,     350 
Letter  to,  from  General  Mercer,    620,  638,  674,  744,  895 
Letter  to,  from  an  officer,      - 
Desertions  from  the  Regiment  of,  - 

Dictator,  Beaumarchais  hints  at  the  propriety  of  a,     -   10i 
Diggs,  William,  twenty  stripes  to,  for  desertion,          -     768 
Dike,  Colonel  Nicholas,  order  to,  from  Massachusetts 

Council,  -      '  -  ...     804 

Diligent,  bales  broken  open  on  board  the, 
Dimmock,  Major  Joseph,  ordered  to  muster  men  for 

service  at  Martha's  Vineyard,     - 
Dinner,  three  hours  allowed  for,  in  general  orders,     - 
Disaffected,  caution  recommended  against  the,  - 

Great  number  of,  on  the  North  River,  -  -  -  352 
President  Woodhull  promises  vigilance  against,  -  353 
Mr.  Benson's  measures  against  the,  -  356 
Washington's  account  of  the,  to  his  brother,  -  -  509 
Refusal  of  the,  to  muster  in  South-Carolina,  -  -  610 
Industry  of  Lieutenant  Skinner  in  apprehending  the,  887 
Increase  of  the,  in  New-York,  -  -  889 
Washington  sends  more,  to  Governour  Trumbull,  - 
Order  to  seize  the,  on  Cortlandt's  Manor,  -  -  1030 
To  serve  as  fatigue-men  to  Militia  Regiment,  -  1496 
Treasurer  to  keep  an  account  of  expenses  of  arrest- 
ing,   

Report  to  the  New- York  Convention  concerning,  -  1543 
Disaffection,  proofs  of,  in  Delaware,  -         -         -         - 
Disberry,  Josiah,  committed  to  jail  in  Kingston,         -  1556 
Discharges,  Washington  only  to  grant, 
Discipline,  Gates's  sentiments  on,  asked  for  22 
Colonel  Reed's  letter  to  Congress  on,   ...    576 
John  Adams  on  the  subject  of,                                       739 
Exactness  of,  urged  in  general  orders,    ...  1138 
Disney,  John,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,     -  1348 
Dississoway,  Mr.,  suspicions  against,                            -       18 
Distinctions,  difficulties  produced  by  Colonial,  -         -     394 
Deprecated  by  General  Schuyler,  -         -         -         -     396 
Dobson,  Joseph,  admitted  to  citizenship,  -                  -  1379 
Dobbs'  Ferry,  enemy's  ships  above,  -         -         -         -     336 
The  gondolas  attack  ships  near,    -         -         -         -    785 
New- York  Post  Office  removed  to,                           -  1559 
Dock-yards,  fire  in  the,  at  Halifax,    -         -                  -  1209 
Doll,  Casper,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,     349 

Doll,  Leonard,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  in  Fly- 
ing-Camp,       ....---    349 
Dollars, 'Captain  Campbell  captures  a  sum  of  Spanish,     809 
Dolphin,  brigantine,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,      -         -     152 
Dominion,  lust  of  England  for,  -     483 

Dommick,  William,  appointed   Ensign   of  Maryland 

Militia, 1355 

Donegal,  association  of  inhabitants  of,       -         -         -     221 
Doolittle,  Ephraim,  Clerk   to  a  Convention  of  Com- 
mittees,   -  -----241 

Doorkeeper,  New- York  Convention  administer  oath 

of  secrecy  to  their,    ------  1458 

Dorchester  (Md.)  Committee  to  Council  of  Safety,  217,  251 
Letter  to,  from  Council  of  Safety,  -        570,  686,  723,  975 
Dorchester,  (Mass.,)  resolve  to  fill  up  four  Compa- 
nies at,--------    265 

Dorchester  Heights,  draught  of  alarm  band  ordered  to,  1223 
Dorre,  M.  F.,  sent  by  Congress  to  Washington,  -  .1593 
Dorset,  Convention  of  the  Green  Mountains  at,  -  565 
Dorsey,  Colonel  Thomas,  letter  to,  from  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  114,  154,  326,  418,  433 

Letter  from,  to  Council  of  Safety,  -  -     135 

Dorsey,  Richard,  recommended  as  Lieutenant  of  Rifles,     257 

Receives  the  appointment,    -  1337 

Dorsey,  Richard,  appointed  Third  Lieutenant  of  Ma- 

trosses,     -  -  1337 

Dorsey,  John,  letter   from  to    Maryland  Council   of 

Safety,     -  -    343 

Applies  for  Surgeon's  Mate  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1091 
Dorsey,  Daniel,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1348 
Dorsey,  J.  W.,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  1348 
Dorsey,  Samuel,  contracts  to  make  tents,  -  -  1349 

Doty,    David,    appointed   Wagonmaster-General    by 

Gates,      -  .    goi 

Dougherty,  Captain  Henry,  appointed  to  command  a 

Galley,     -  .  1337 

Douglass,  Sergeant  George,  acquitted  of  mutiny,  -  225 
Douw,  Volkert  P.,  Commissioner  at  German-Flats,  -  1038 
Dove,  Captain,  instructions  to,  for  look-out  vessels,  -  360 
Dover,  England,  extract  of  a  letter  from,  -  -  -  684 
Captain  Johnson  and  crew  confined  in,  Castle,  -  756 
Dover,  (Del.,)  Address  to  the  Electors  of,  -  -  1057 


Dow,  Reuben,  letter  from,  to  the  New-Hampshire  As- 
sembly,   -                                                                 -  68 
Downes,  Captain,  list  of  men  of,  taken  at  the  Cedars,  168 
Downing,  Richard,  member  of  New-Hampshire  House 

of  Representatives,    -                                              -  59 

Doyle,  Hugh,  escape  of,  from  the  enemy,  -                  -  1536 

Advance  made  to,  by  New-York  Convention,  -         -  1536 

Doyle,  John,  appointed  by  Congress  Captain  of  Rifles,  1579 

Beating  Warrant  made  out  for,      -                           -  1579 

Drake,  Colonel  Joseph,  arrival  of,  at  Elizabethtown,  -  18 

Reasons   assigned   to    New-York   Convention   for 

resigning,  -  790 

Letter  from  to  New-York  Convention,  -         -  1214,  1552 

Complains  of  having  been  superseded,  -                  -  1428 

New- York  Convention  expresses  a  high  opinion  of,  1432 

Regiment  of,  refuses  to  be  draughted,    -                  -  1461 

Resignation  of,     -      ,   -         -         -         -         -         -  1475 

Discussion  on  the  resignation  of,  -                            -  1493 

Letter  from,  to  General  Morris,      -                            -  1544 

Is  ordered  to  call  out  Westchester  Militia,     -         -  1544 

Letter  to,  from  New-York  Convention,-                  -  1552 

General  Clinton  directed  to  send  ammunition  to,    -  1553 

Is  ordered  to  furnish  a  guard  to  prisoners,      -         -  1556 

Drake,  Jacob,  chosen  Lieutenant  Bucks  Associators,  171 

Drake,  Colonel,  Samuel,  letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  789 

Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -  1145 

Drake,  Col.  Gilbert,  to  Captains  Brown  and  Osborn,  -  1030 

Draper,  William,  declared  inimical,  -                           -  1378 

Draught,  Massachusetts  resolves  to  raise  men  by,        -  316 

Militia,  on  Eastern-Shore  of  Maryland,  -         -         -  430 

Disposition  of,  from  Hooper's  Brigade,  ...  665 

Drayton,  W.  H.,  letter  to,  from  Francis  Salvador,       -  407 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  A.  Williamson,                    -  488 

Letter  to,  from  James  Creswell,     -                           -  610 

Drew,  John,  appointed  Captain  of  New-Hampshire 

Militia,     -                                                                 -  50 

Druggist,  appointment  of  a,  by  Congress,  -                  -  1614 

Drugs  and  Medicines,  necessity  for  a  supply  of,         -  1271 

Drummond,  Lord,  to  General  Washington,         -         -  1026 

Sketch  of  a  proposition  of,  to  Lord  Howe,     -         -  1027 

Washington's  reply  to  the  letter  of,        -                  -  1027 

Disregards  his  parole,  ------  1067 

Congress  resolves  to  take  no  notice  of,  -         -         -  1135 

Washington  encloses  a  letter  from,  to  Congress,     -  1 158 

Drum-Point,  express  from  Annapolis  to,  established,  -  326 

Colonel  Somerville  advises  a  company  at,       -         -  615 

Council  of  Safety  order  Captain  Brooke  to,    -         -  J635 

Drunkenness,  punishment  for,  by  court-martial,  -    677,  1137 

Dubois,  Colonel  Lewis,  remarks  on  the  promotion  of,  40 

New- York  Convention  refer  to  the  promotion  of,    -  201 

Remonstrance  against  the  promotion  of,                  -  203 

Several  of  his  officers  resign,         -                  -         -  228 

Regimental  arrangement  of,  -                                     -  229 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,      -         -  393 

Is  authorized  to  offer  a  bounty  to  recruits,     -         -  602 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,                             -    772,  1082 

Colonel  Cortlandt's  remarks  on  promotion  of,         -  775 

Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -                                     -  868 

Complaints  against  appointments  in  Regiment  of,  -  1398 

Rank  of,  settled  by  Congress,        -                           -  1588 

Dubois,  Mrs.  Ann,  County  Committee  meet  at  house  of,  126 

Dubois,  Abraham,  chosen  Lieut,  of  Bucks  Associators,  171 

Dubois,  Cornelius,  Jun.,  appointed  SecondLieutenant,  1405 

Commission  issued  to,  -                                              -  1465 

Dubourg,  Barbeu,  letter  from,  to  Dr.  Franklin,  -         -  6 

Mr.  Deane's  interview  with,  -         -                           -  1011 

Zeal  of,  in  the  American  cause,    -                  -  1013,  1017 

Expresses  distrust  of  Beaumarchais,       -                  -  1014 

Du  Calvert,  Pierre,  brevetted  by  Congress  2d  Lieut.,  -  1604 

Duche,  Rev.  Jacob,  appointed  Chaplain  to  Congress,  -  116, 

350,  1570 

Duck,  order  to  send,  to  Washington,        -                  -  141 

Made  use  of  for  tents,  -                                              -  173 

Massachusetts  orders,  for  brig  Salisbury,                  -  271 

A  quantity  of,  brought  by  a  French  vessel  to  Boston,  663 

Connecticut  orders  the  purchase  of  raven's,  -         -  700 

Ten  bolts  of,  loaned  to  the  Massachusetts  Delegates,  1622 

Duckett,  John,  Clerk  to  Annapolis  Associators,         -  181 

Du  Clos,  Alexander,  paid  by  Congress  for  services,    -  1604 

Dudley,  John,  appointed  Paymaster  New-Hampshire 

Militia,    -                                                                 -  50 

Is  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety,    -                  -  85 
Dudley,  Samuel,  member  of  New-Hampshire  House 

of  Representatives,  -  68 
Dudley  Indians,  resolve  relative  to  guardians  of,         -  305 
Duer,  William,  introduced  by  Washington  to  Govern- 
our Trumbull,  -                  .....  450 

Letter  from,  to  Washington, 1236 


1665 


INDEX. 


1666 


Dufee,  Colonel,  Gen.  Wooster's  reasons  for  confining,  12 

Duffield,  Abraham,  appointed  Ensign,        -                  -  349 

Dumas,  C.  W.T.,  letter  from  Arthur  Lee  to,      -       30,  929 

Letter  to,  from  Silas  Deane,  -                  -     589,  881,  1021 

Letter  from,  (in  French;)  to  Secret  Committee,      -  875 

Translation  of  the  same,        5                                       -  878 

Remarks  on  the  timidity  of,  -                                     -  1018 

Dumfries,  extract  of  a  letter  from,      -                  -  490 

Dunbar,  Major,  (Royal  Fusileers,)  parole  of,      -         -  783 

Dunham,  Azariah,    (Commissary-General,)    draft   in 

OL                          C  tf\ 

ravour  of,  -         -         -         -         -         -         -         -  19 

Mercer  complains  of  his  rfnfitness  for  the  office,      -  638 
Dunlap,  Brica,  arrest  of,  for  murder,  -                           -  340 
Sent  to  General  Gates  under  guard,       -                  -  398 
Dunlap,  John,  account  of,  against  New- York  Conven- 
tion,                         -                                   -        -  1519 
Discharged  from  service  of  New-York  Convention,  -  1519 
Dunlap,  Dr.  James,  employed  as  Surgeon,          -         -  1287 
Authorized  to  engage  a  mate,        -  1288 
Authorized  to  purchase  drugs,  &c.,        ...  1290 
Dun  Luce,  the,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,    ...  152 
Dunmore,  Lord,  recruiting  in  Delaware,    -         -         -  9,  11 
Loses  his  china  by  a  shot,     -----  150 

List  of  ships  in  the  fleet  of,  -----  152 

News   received  at   Annapolis   of  his   abandoning 

Gwinn's  Island,         ------  341 

Maryland  invaded  by,  -         -         -         -         -         -  386 

Rumoured  variance  of,  with  Captain  Hammond,     -  432 

Manoeuvres  of,  in  the  Potomack,  -                           -  490 

Exit  of,  from  the  Capes  of  Virginia,       ...  862 
A  deserter  from,  offers  his  services  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -                  ....  907 

Arrives  with  Sir  Peter  Parker  at  New-York,  -         -  949 

Order  to  the  purchasers  of  the  estate  of,                  -  960 

Washington  informs  Congress  of  his  arrival,           -  995 

Dunmore,  attack  on  ship-of-war,       -                           -  213 

Supposed  to  have  been  abandoned  and  burnt,         -  214 

Dunn,  John,  bond  required  of,  for  good  behaviour,     -  1380 

Dunnell,  Captain  Jacob,  extract  of  a  letter  from,         -  382 

Dunnivan,  Richard,  admitted  to  citizenship,       -         -  1373 

Allowance  made  to,  for  board,  while  prisoner,         -  1374 
Dunstable  .Committee  of  Safety,  report  suspected  per- 
sons,       --------68 

Dunworth,  Lieutenant,  challenges  Captain  Talbot,       -  577 
Dupree,  St.  George,  General  Wooster's  reasons  for 

confining,                  -                                              -  12 
Durand,  Benjamin,  thirty  stripes  to,  for  being  drunk 

on  guard,                   -                            ...  1137 
Durkee,  Lieutenant-Colonel,   Washington's  remarks 

on  promotion  of,       -        -        -        -  641, 915 

Appointed  Colonel  by  Congress,  vice  Arnold  pro- 
moted,    -                                                     -        -  1604 
Durkee,  Robert,  appointed  Captain  by  Congress,        -  1618 
Durland,  Henry,  bond  required  of,  for  good  behaviour,  1453 
Durroch,  Henry,  chosen  Lieutenant  of  Bucks  County 

Associator's,      -                                     ...  171 

Duryee,  Mr.,  arms,  wagon,  horses,  &c.,  of,  captured,  -  1545 

Du  Simitiere,  an  ingenious  painter  in  Philadelphia,    -  944 

Dutcher,  Captain  William,  willing  to  raise  a  company,  1402 

Is  authorized  to  raise  volunteers,  -         -         -         -  1476 

Dutchess,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,    -  144,  1096,  1408 

Letter  to  Committee  of,  from  ColoneJ  J.  Clinton,   -  337 

Mr.  Benson  to  the  Deputies  of,  County,  -  355 

Committee  to  New- York  Convention,    ...  472 

Depositions  from,  County,    -                           -         -  1386 

Insurrection  in,  County.                                              -  1408 

Additional  company  to  be  raised  in,  County,  -         -  1415 

Diivall,  Gabriel,  Clerk  to  Maryland  Convention,  6 

Letter  from,  to  Gerard  Hopkins,    -                           -  617 

Du  Vidal,  Jean,  Congress  pay,  as  a  Sergeant,    -         -  1604 

Duyckinck,  Major,  ordered  to  Amboy,       -                  -  18 

Letter  from,  to  General  Livingston,                           -  38 

Dyer,  Samuel,  order  to  seize,  as  inimical,  -  80 

Measures  taken  by  Massachusetts  Council  on,        -  427 

Dyer,  Eliphalet,  member  of  Connecticut  Council  of 

Safety,      -                                                                 -  240 
Sent  to  confer  with  Washington,  -                           -  776 
Dyer,  Captain  Thomas,  to  act  as  Brigade  Major,         -  966 
Appointed  Major  by  Congress,      -                           -  1613 
Dying  man,  speech  of  a,  -                                              -"  751 
Dykman,  Cornelius,  denounced  as  an  enemy,    -         -  804 
Dykman,  Samuel,  messenger  to  the  New- York  Con- 
vention,  --------  1464 

E. 

Eager,  John  and  James,  published  as  enemies,  -         -  179 

Eagle,  Lord  Howe  dates  his  circular  on  board  the,     -  895 

First  Lieutenant  of,  sent  to  Amboy,       -                 -  896 


Eagle,  the  master  of  the,  West-Indiaman,  to  his  owners,  958 
Eagles,  William,  asks  employment  as  a  carpenter,  -  1438 
Eames,  Captain  Jeremiah,  New-Hampshire  Committee 

of  Safety  to,  -  264 

Proceeds  to  Cohos  with  thirty  men,  ...  743 
Earl  of  Errol,  capture  of  the  ship,  ....  1067 
Earle,  Joseph,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  offer  the 

commission  of  Colonel  to,  -         .     738 

Resignation  of,     -         -         -.-         -        -        -     863 
Earle,  Samuel,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,     -  1348 
Earltown  Committee  to  Lancaster  Committee,  -        -     711 
Eastabrook,  Captain  Joseph,  testimony  of,         -        -     166 
List  of  his  men  taken  at  the  Cedars,       -         -        -  *  169 
Eastborne,  Robert,  employed  to  collect  old  linen,       -  1288 
Eastern-Shore,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Com- 
mittees of,  -      365,  366 
Visit  from  the  enemy  expected  by  the  people  of,    -     723 
East  Florida,  Lee's  desire  to  conquer,       -  -     436 
Expedition  planned  against  part  of,       -  -     685 
Lee  arranges  an  expedition  against,       -         -        ...    720 
An  irruption  into,  recommended  by  Georgia,          -  1052 
East  Haddam,  Tory  prisoners  removed  to,  -  1008 
East  Hampton,  draught  of  a  letter  to  Committee  of,  -  1398 
Eastman,   Enoch,    appointed    Lieutenant   of   Green 

Mountain  Boys,  -     377 

Easton,  John,  appointed  Paymaster  of  North-Carolina 

Militia,     -         ...  -  1368 

Easton,  Colonel,  Congress  grant  a  court  of  inquiry  to,  1594 
Rank  of,  settled  by  Congress,  -  1597 

East  River,  instructions  relating  to  Ferries,        -         -     414 
Chevaux-de-frise  ordered  to  be  sunk  in,  -     887 

New- York  Convention  prepare  to  obstruct,     -         -     998 
Facilities  offered  for  obstructing,  -  -         -  1514 

Captain  Rutgers  appointed  to  direct  the  obstruc- 
tion of,     -  -  1544 
Eastwood,  Captain,  insolent  demand  of,  on  the  Gov- 

ernour  of  St.  Eustatia,        -  -     180 

Eaton,  Thomas,  member  of  North-Carolina  Council,  -  1366 
Eayrs,  Captain,  General  Ward  recommends  his  com- 
pany of  artificers,      -  -    514 
His  company  refuse  to  go  to  New- York,  -     754 
Eccleston,  Hugh,  deposition  taken  before,          -      688,  689 
Eccun.  Captain,  arrives  with  a  cargo  of  salt,      -         -  1516 
Ordered  to  deliver  it  to  Commissary-General,  -         -  1516 
Eddy,  Bernard,  captain  of  Rhode-Island  carpenters,  -     377 
Illness  of,  at  Williamstown,  -                  ...  1003 
Noble  spirit  of,  commended  by  Washington,  -         -  1282 
Eden,  Governour,  takes  passage  in  the  Levant,  -         -     152 
Cunningham  saw,  on  board  the  Fowey,  -     432 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  uneasy  at  this  informa- 
tion, -     434 
His  letter  to,  and  reply  from  Wolstenholm,    -         -     616 
Edgar,  Captain,  ordered  to  Perth  Amboy,  -         -        -     600 
Edmonds,  Thomas,  concerned  in  the  escape  of  officers 

from  Lebanon,  -         -  -        -     596 

Edwards,  Timothy,    appointed    to    carry   specie    to 

Schuyler, 

Resolve  on  the  petition  of,    - 

Washington's  instructions  to,  -     822,  886 

Letter  to,  from  Aaron  Burr,  -  -  887 

One  of  the  Commissioners  at  German-Flats,  -        -  1038 
Edwards,  Enoch,  appointed  Surgeon  in  Flying-Camp,     349 
Edwards,  Marshall,  appointed  Lieutenant  and  Quar- 
termaster in  Flying-Camp, 

Edwards,  William,  honourable  acquittal  of,  -  736,  1371 
Edy,  Captain  Jonathan,  bearer  of  a  petition  from  Ons- 

low,  in  Nova-Scotia, 

Eells,  Captain,  has  charge  of  suspected  persons,         -     989 

Ordered  to  escort  them  to  Connecticut,  -     990 

Instructions  given  to,  on  that  occasion,  -  -     990 

Effigy,  the  King's,  burnt  at  Baltimore,        -  -     633 

Egg-Harbour,  prizes  carried  into,      -  -        -     336 

Arrival  of  a  storeship  at,        -  -         -  1060 

Egrnont,  Lord,  settlement  of,  in  Florida  broken  up,   -  1076 

Eilbeck,  Mr.,  takes  refuge  in  Dunmore's  fleet,  -         -     152 

Elder,  William,  prisoner-of-war,  disposal  of, 

Examination  and  parole  of,  -  -       24 

Elderkin,  Jedediah,  member  of  Connecticut  Council,  -  240 
Elderkin,  Colonel  Joseph,  advance  made  to,  for  tents,  550 
Elderkin,  Dr.  Joshua,  advance  made  to,  for  tents,  -  1007 
Elderkin,  Bela,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Marines  in 

Connecticut,     -         -         -  -  1100 

Election  of  officers  in  Queen's  County,  New-York,  -  257 
Elections,  measures  recommended  to  preserve  the 

purity  of,  -         -        -  -    735 

Success  of  our  Government  dependent  on,     -  812 

General  Hooper  arranges  for  his  Brigade  to  attend 
the  Maryland,  -  -     666 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


105 


1667 


INDEX. 


1668 


Elections,  begin  in  Anne  Arundel  County,  Maryland,     724 

Regulations  respecting,  in  Delaware,      -  -   1178 

North-Carolina  recommends  .rreat  attention  to,       -   1373 

Electorates,  priiiciir.il  cause  of  European  wars,  -         -   1015 

Eliot,  John,  Colonel  Drake  asks  the  appointment  of, 

as  Chaplain  to  his  Regiment,      - 

Conj rress  a|>point  him  for  two  Regiments,       -         -1542 

Elizabeth,  trial  of  the  prize  brig,        -  -   1 173 

Elizabeth  Islands  resolve  to  furnish  forces  at,    -          -     316 

Qo7crnour  Trumbull  removes  the  stock  from,  -        -    540 

Elizabethtown,  extract  of  a  letter  from  the  camp  at,   -    575, 

814,  1119 

Point,  immense  labour  in  erecting  works  at,  -         -     785 
Speech  of  a  lady  on  parting  with  her  children  at,    -     870 
Five  hundred  men  to  l>e  left  at,      -  -   1194 
Elk,  Maryland,  vessels  employed  to  carry  troops  to,   -      100 
Flint  quarry  near  at  the  head  of,  river,    -          -          -     633 
Committee  of  Safety  order   the   quarries  near,  ex- 
plored,    -   •     - -     690 

Preparations  at,  for  forwarding  Maryland  troops,     -     943 
Elkins,  Henry,  appointed  Captain  in  a  Canada  Regi- 
ment,       ...  ...-65 

Ellery,  William,  appointed  Captain  of  the  Gloucester 

Company,  ...--.     271 

Elliot,  Samuel,  letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,    -     134 

Testimony  given  by,      ------  1080 

Elliott,  Captain,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -         -         -     363 

Reply  to,  of  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,         -         -     668 
Elliott,  Jacob,  declared  inimical,        ....  1378 

Ellis,  Mr.,  introduced  to  M.  Dumas,          -         -        30,  880 
Ellis,  Major,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  -       64 
Ellis,  Richard,  offers  his  services  to  Congress,   -         -     185 
Elliston,  Midshipman  Cuthbcrt,  deposition  of,   -         -     526 
Elmer,  Dr.,  address  of,  on  Independence,  -         -         -     811 
Zlmore,  Colonel  Samuel,  ordered  to  New-York,         -    669, 

712,  776 
Is  ordered  to  join  Schuyler,  -----     820 

His  Regiment  refuse  to  inarch  without  pay,    -         -     985 
Ordered  to  Tryon  County,     -----  1J53 

Return  of  the  Regiment  of,    -         -         -         -         -  1198 

Elmslie,  John,  paid  for  shot-moulds,          ...  1327 
Ely,  Dr.  John,  skill  of,  in  treating  small-pox,      -         -     145 
Is  sent  to  the  Northern  Army,        -  -         -     241 

Instructions  oPConnecticut  Council  of  Safety  to,    -     241 
Arrives  at  Albany,  and  is  sent  to  Gates,          -         -     260 
Sent  by  Gates  to  General  Waterbury,     -  -     396 

Governour  Trumbull's  apology  for  sending,  to  the 

army,        -  ....     400 

Arrival  of,  at  Skenesborough,         -  -      424,  474 

Schuyler's  reply  to  Governour  Trumbull  concerning,     561 
Governour  Trumbull  receives  a  report  from,    -         -     607 
Return  of,  to  Connecticut,    -  -         -     660 

Embarkation,  the  enemy's,  at  Staten-Island,      -         -     824 
Washington  informs  Congress  of  the,     -         -         -     835 
Emerson,  Mr.,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,       61 
Emerson,  Jacob,  letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,     959 
Emerson,  Rev.  William,  strange  letter  to,  from  a  pri- 
soner,      -  -  ]167 
Emery,  Noah,  Clerk  to  New-Hampshire  Legislative 

Council,  -        -  -         -       52 

Extra  pay  voted  to,       -  -  69 

Appointed  Paymaster,  ------       84 

Emmerson's  Landing,  quantity  of  flint-stones  at,       -     942 
Emms,  Richard,  (prisoner,)  money  and  liberty  grant- 
ed to,      -  -       47 
Emory,  Thomas  L.,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  of 

Eastern-Shore,  Maryland,  Battalion,  ...   1350 
Empire,  the  British,  compared  to  "a  fine  and.  noble 

porcelain  vase.'1  ...     433 

Encampments,  cooking  in  the  streets  of,  forbidden,  -   1126 

Ende.ivonr,  sloop,  restored  to  Captain  Walker,-         -  1576 

Enemy,  movements  of  the,  near  the  Hook,         -         -          1 

Movements  of  the,  in  Georgia,       -         -         -         .         7 

Disaffected  Americans  more  dangerous  than  the,    -        10 

Appearance  of  the,  off  Cape-May,  14 

Mati.rnvres  of  the,  about  Staten-Island,          -         -       18 

(', idle  from  New-Jersey  driven  off  by  the,       -         -       19 

Dread  American  riflemen,     -----       99 

Contempt  shown  by  the,  at  Quebeck,  -  -  -  129 
Arc  driven  from  Gwinn's  Island,  -  -  -  .  149 

Number  of,  found  dead, igj 

Tu  ..  -hips  .,f,  pass  the  North  River  batteries,  -  -  223 
Doings  o£  on  Lake  CluunpUin,  -  -  .  -  237 
Constructing  ships  at  St.  John's,  -  -  .  -  238 

State  of,  on  Staten-Island, 370 

Plan  proposed  for  attacking,  on  Staten-Island,  370 

A  small  party  of,  land  in  New-Jersey,    -         .         -     510 


Enemy,  last  ship  of,  repasses  Charleston  bar,      -         -     720 
Force  of,  daily  increasing,    -  -      727,  933 

Distress  of,  for  want  of  fresh  provisions,  -     814 

Intelligence  brought  from,  by  two  gentlemen  of  Vir- 
ginia, --.-  -  ...  887 
Appearance  of,  on  Lake  Champlain,  -  -  888 
Skirmish  of,  with  American  riflemen,  .  -  -  1136 
Engagement  of  a  detachment  with,  -  -  1 183 
General  Mercer's  account  of  a  skirmish  with,  -  1194 
King  and  Queen's  County  occupied  by,  -  1561 

Engineer,  difficulty  of  procuring  an, 

Appointment  of  an,  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  -  367 
Regiments  ordered  to  attend  at, store  of,  -  503 
Chief,  rectifies  a  mistake  in  his  report,  -  -  503 
Rufus  Putnam  recommended  as  chief,  -  -  641 
General  Lee  asks  for  an,  -  -  722 
Colonel  Thomas  requires  an,  at  Tarrytown,  -  -  791 
A  distinguished  French,  desires  to  enter  the  ser- 
vice,   1017 

Engineers,  report  to  be  made  to,  when  Regiments  are 

exempted  from  fatigue  duty,       -  -     503 

Difficulty  of  procuring,  in  the  Northern  Army,  -  614 
Small  pay  of,  -  -  721 

M.  Coudray  obtains  permission  to  bring  French  to 

America,  -  -  1018 

French,  promise  of  an  honourable  reception  to,      -  1028 

Englishmen,  the  city  of  Paris  swarms  with,        -        i-  1018 

Ensign,  an,  added  to  the  company  on  the  gurnet,      -     278 

Enterprise,  captures  made  by  the  privateer,        -         -     809 
Armament  of  the,  (Captain  Dixon,)       -  .     869 

Prizes  sent  into  "Boston  by  the,  ....  972 
(Captain  de  White,)  capture  made  by,  -  -  1067 

Epes,  Benjamin,  postrider,  resolve  to  pay,  -     302 

Gunpowder  furnished  to,       -         -         -  -     321 

Episcopalians,  New-York  Convention  anxious  to  quiet 

the  fears  of, -     202 

Erskine,  Sir  William,  reported  by  Howe  "  among  the 

absent,"  -  -  -     105 

Erskine,  General  William,  to  the  inhabitants  of  Suffolk 

County,   -  -  1211 

Erskine,    Thomas,    prisoner  on   parole,   removed  to 

Harrisburg,       -  .....   1375 

Permitted  to  go  to  the  West  Indies,       -  -   1386 

Essex,  number  of  men  raised  in,  for  Northern  Army,      289 

Estabrook,  Nehemiah,  chosen  Moderator,  -       30 

Member  of  the  New-Hampshire  Assembly,    -         -       46 

Estates  of  New-Jersey  Refugees,  resolve  concerning,      726 

Estatoe,  order  for  destruction  of,  -     750 

Corn  at,  destroyed,       -  -         -  -     941 

Estep,  Richard,  appointed  Ensign  Maryland  Militia,  -  1344 

Europe,  the  Powers  of,  will  not  always  sleep,    -         -     926 
Mr.  Deane's  speculations  on  the  interests  of,          -  1015 

Evans,  John,  sent  prisoner  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -  ...    686 

Mareman's  deposition  against,  ....  687 
Moses  Yell's  deposition  against,  -  -  •  -  688 

Is  committed  to  Jail,    -         -         -         -  .  1347 

Evans,  Colonel  Stephen,  member  of  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,         ---....61 

Evans,  John,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  desertion,        -     225 

Evening,  Abraham,  a  non-associator,  order  to  arrest,  -     183 
Discharge  of,  by  Baltimore  Committee,  -  -     345 

Everett,  Captain,  list  of  his  men  taken  at  the  Cedars,      168 

Ewes,  under  five  years  old  not  to  be  killed  in  Connec- 
ticut,       -  ...    732 

Ewing,  Captain,  offers  to  dispose  of  his  ship,    -         -     385 

Ewing,  Colonel  Thomas,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

to,  -  -      387,  783,  906 

To  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,       -  -   757, 

809,  892,  1023,  1055 

Application  of,  for  canteens,          -  -         -     832 

Reported  as  under  marching  orders,  ...  863 
Ordered  to  march  to  Philadelphia,  -  1367 

Examination,  of  seven  persons  from  enemy's  fleet,    -     196 
Of  Ebenezer  Colefox,  a  deserter,  -  -     197 

Of  Emanuel  Josephson,  an  escaped  prisoner,  -  198 
Of  William  Gardener,  a  prisoner,  -  -  198 

Of  Elijah  Stephens  and  C.  Smith,  deserters,  -  -  198 
Of  James  McFarlan,  deserter  from  the  Fifty-Fifth,  -  199 
Of  Abraham  Van  Duzar,  a  visiter  to  Staten-Islaud,  -  200 
Of  sundry  deserters  from  enemy's  fleet,  -  -  353 
Of  Cunningham,  -  -  -  431 

Of  Richard  Turpin,  a  deserter,  ....  452 
Of  William  Poor,  as  to  the  escape  of  prisoners,  -  596 
Of  John  White,  on  the  same  subject,  ...  597 
Of  Balthazar  de  Hart,  as  to  the  Tories  of  Monmouth 

County,  New-Jersey,  -         -     602 

Of  the  master  of  the  Peggy,  -  ...     661 


1669 


INDEX. 


1670 


Examination,  of  Peter  Shocker,  in  respect  to  a  priso- 
ner, -  -  760 
Of  all  strangers  without  passes,  ordered  by  Phila- 
delphia Committee,  -  -  787 
Verbal,  of  the  Canadian  Captains,  -  798 
Report  of  Captain  Mesnard's,  -  -  -  828 
Of  Richard  Shea,  a  deserter,  -  -  813 
Of  Joshua  Ferris,  as  to  his  visits  to  the  Phoenix,  855,  856 
Of  Thomas  Givens,  a  deserter  from  the  Sixty-Fourth,  950 
Of  sundry  persons  escaped  from  the  enemy,  -  996,  997 
Of  Captain  Britton,  arrived  with  the  fleet  from  Hali- 

fox,  -  ...  1064 

Of  Daniel  Redfield,  a  released  captive,  -  -  1215 

Copy  of  an,  taken  by  the  Committee  of  White-Plains,  14)2 
Of  witnesses  against  Lieutenant-Colonel  Hainmon,  1438 
Of  John  Thomas,  a  prisoner,  -  -  1449 

Of  William  Sutton,  Esq.,  a  prisoner,  ...  1449 
Of  Thomas  Willet,  publisher  of  Howe's  declaration,  1478 
Of  Edward  Willet,  Senior  and  Junior,  on  the  same 

subject,    -  -        -        1485-6 

Of  Jacob  Halsted,  on  the  burning  of  his  house,  -  1490 
Of  Isaac  Burga  or  Bragau,  on  his  intercourse  with 

the  enemy,        -  ....  15QQ 

Of  Nathaniel,  Caleb,  and  Joshua  Mills,  as  to  same,  1507, 

1508 

Of  Elizabeth  Hicks,  on  the  same  subject,  -  -  1508 
Of  John  Sloan  and  Thomas  Clarke,  on  the  same 

subject,    -  -  -  1512 

Of  Colonel  Covenhoven,  as  to  treatment  while  a 

prisoner,  -  ....  1554 

Of  Captain  Brinton  Payne,  relative  to  John  Woolley,   1559 
Exeter,  New-Hampshire,  Assembly  meet  at,      -         -       47 
Powder-house  at,  to  be  guarded,   -  -         -       81 

General  Court  and  Committee  of  Safety  sit  at,        -     381 
Experiment,  arrival  of  the  ship  of  war,  at  Charleston,      438 
Exportation,  resolve  of  North-Carolina  Council  rela- 
tive to,     -  -  1367 
Express,  private  letters  not  to  be  sent  by,  -         -        -     196 
Expresses,  David  Grant  to  be  paid  for,      -                  -  1332 
Congress  orders,  between  Philadelphia  and  New- 
York,       -                                                              -  1567 
Extortion,  Lee  complains  of,  in  venders  to  the  army,    1132 

F. 

Fairfield    Selectmen  of,   to  Connecticut  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -  -    777 

Cannon,  shot,  &c.,  voted  to,           -        -                  -  1005 

Letter  from  General  Heath  to  Committee  of,  -         -  1215 

Prisoners  sent  to,          -         -         -                           -  1215 

Fair-Haven,  transports  convoyed  by,  sloop  of  war,      -  1115 

Fairholm,  Johnston,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,     -  38 

Faith,  flagrant  violation  of,  by  the  enemy,  -                  -  350 

Measures  taken  to  make  the  enemy  more  mindful  of,  352 

Falcon,  Berkit,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  Captain 

Bourk's  Company,    -                                              -  1351 

Falconer,  William,  letter  from  to  Anthony  Falconer,  249 
Falconer,  Abraham,   appointed   First  Lieutenant  in 

Flying-Camp,  -                                                       -  1346 

Fallen,  Major,  captures  an  enemy's  schooner,  -         -  665 

Falmouth,  resolve  to  raise  a  Company  of  Matrosses  at,  271 

Appointment  of  officers  for  the  Company  at,  -         -  274 

Resolve  to  supply  the  Company  at,        -                  -  277 

An  order  to  furnish  cannon,  &c.,  to,      -         -      308,  321 

The  burning  of,  related  to  the  Indians,  -                  -  842 

Letter  to  the  representative  of,      -                            -  1205 

Certificate  from  commissioned  officers  at,       -         -  1207 

Fanny,  brig,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,                            -  122 

Fanny,  capture  of  the  brig,       -                                     -  780 

Invoice  of  the  cargo  of,                                     -        -  780 

Fanny,  examination  of  deserters  from  the  transport,  -  997 

Fanny,  Governour  of  Virginia  requested  to  send  brig, 

to  sea,     -        -                                                    -  1578 
Farmer,  sloop-of-war,  transports  convoyed  by,  -         -  973 
Farmer,  Captain,  slightly  wounded,  -                           -  1184 
Farnsworth,  Captain,  ordered  to  provide   for  New- 
Hampshire  troops,    -                                              -  211 
Farnsworth,  Joseph,  appointed  Adjutant  of  Massachu- 
setts Militia,     - 

Fassett,  John,  First  Lieutenant  Green  Mountain  Boys,  377 

Fassett,  Jonathan,  3d  Captain  Green  Mountain  Boys,  377 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       -                           -  1222 
Fasting  and  Prayer,  New-York  Convention  appoint  a 

day  of, -  1470 

Father,  the  Eastern  Indians  desire  a,                           -  839 

Fatigue  men,  the  disaffected  ordered  to  serve  as,       -  1496 

Favier,  Isaac,  examination  of,  -                                    -  996 

Fay,  Dr.  Jonas,  Clerk  to  Green  Mountain  Convention,  565 

Congress  orders  that  he  be  subjected  to  inquiry,     -  1594 


Fecnes,  Mr.,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,  -     152 

Fees,  vote  to  establish,  in  New-Hampshire,        -        -       60 

Copy  of  the  bill  of,  in  court  maritime,  -  -       86 

Fegan,  Lawrence,  violence  offered  to  family  of,          -   1337 

Felling  axes,  Schuyler  sends  a  number  of,  to  Gates,   -     629 

Gov.  Trumbull  sends  a  number  of,  to  Gates,  -         -     855 

Gates  orders  more,  from  General  Watcrbury,  -    955 

Fellowell,  John,  chosen  Captain  Bucks  Associators,      171 

Fellows,  John,  appointed  Brigadier-General,      -         -     291 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Joshua  Porter,  -  375 

Ordered  to  march  to  Lake  Champlam,  ...     552 

Ordered  to  exchange  posts  with  General  Scott,      -     719 

Brigade  of,  assigned  to  Putnam,    -  -  915 

Felt,  Daniel,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses  in 

Massachusetts,  ....     308 

Declines  accepting  the  service,      ....     320 
Fendall,  Rev.  Henry,  certificate  of,  as  to  Sandy-Point,     531 
Fenton,  Joseph,  Jun.,  chosen  Surgeon  Bucks  Asso- 
ciators,   -  ...     171 
Ferguson,  William,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Colonel 

Tyler's  Maryland  Battalion,        -  -   1357 

Fernandis,  Peter,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  Mary- 
land Militia,     -  ...  1344 
Ferries,  New-Jersey   Convention   to  their  delegates 

concerning,      -  -  743 

No  person  allowed  to  cross,  without  a  pass,  -         -     772 
Resolves  of  New-Jersey  relative  to,         ...     885 
Ferris,  Joshua,  examination  of,          ....     §55 
Ferris,  Reuben,  appointed  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  New- 
York  Militia,    -  -  1413 
Fidelity,  the  South-Carolina  Militia  take  an  oath  of,  -     437 
Field  artillery,  loss  of,  in  Canada  referred  to,      -         -     796 
Fielding,  Commodore,  sails  from  Plymouth,       -         -    517 
Field-Officers,  address  of  the,  to  General  Sullivan,     -     127 
Nomination  of,  for  Pennsylvania  German  Battalion,     187 
New- York  Convention   dissatisfied  with  Congress 

appointing,       -  -     201 

Remonstrance  of,  at  Crown-Point,  ...  233 
Schuyler's  reply  to  remonstrance  of,  -  -  -  234 
Appointment  of,  for  the  Massachusetts  troops,  292,  293 
The  right  of  a  Colonel  to,  on  his  court-martial,  -  358 
Congress  require  recommendations  of,  for  a  new 

Battalion,  -     410 

Washington  sustains  the  remonstrance  of  Schuyler's,  445 
Opinions  of,  in  relation  to  Crown-Point  regarded 

as  valid  by  Washington,    ...  -     450 

Gates  owns  no  authority  to  appoint,  ...  474 
Washington  invites  his,  to  dinner,  ...  504 
Of  the  picket,  to  be  punctual  on  parade,  -  505 

Inquiry  ordered  by  Massachusetts  into  the  choice  of,  515 
Captain  King  desires  to  be  appointed  one  of  the,  -  551 
Several  Militia  regiments  without,  -  -  -  551 

Of  the  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Battalion,  sick 

with  small-pox,  -..--.  552 
Schuyler's  arguments  against  remonstrance  of  his,  -  559 
Quantity  of  paper  required  by  Heath's,  -  -  578 

Washington's  respect  for  the  recommendation  of, 

to  fill  vacancies,         -  -     641 

General  Gates  addresses  Washington  on  the  opinions 

of  the,  as  to  Crown-Point,  -     650 

A  meeting  of,  at  Worcester,  to  choose   company 

officers,    ---  -     663 

General  Gates's,  apply  for  pay  for  rations,  -  -  775 
Harmony  among  the,  at  Ticonderoga,  -  -  776 

Colonel  Fitch  asks  for  the  appointment  of,  to  his 

Regiment,  -     891 

Lee  submits  a  question  to  his,       -  -   •     -     905 

At  Ticonderoga,  to  the  President  of  Congress,  -  1072 
Number  of  men  to  be  commanded  by  one  of  the,  -  1127 
Appointment  of,  by  New-York  Convention,  -  -  1407, 

1413,  1498 

Field-Pieces,  distance  for  firing,  prescribed  by  Lee,  -  100 
Fincastle,  brigantine,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  -  152 
Fincastle,  sloop,  tender  to  sloop-of-war  Otter,  -  -  152 
Fincastle,  fight  of  Militia  at,  with  the  Cherokees,  -  464 
Fines,  warrant  for  recovery  of,  by  Baltimore  Com- 
mittee, -  -  345 
Remission  of,  by  Baltimore  Committee,  -  345, 

758,  807,  1050 

Appointment  of  a  collector  of,      -  -     524 

New-Jersey  imposes,  on  Militia  refusing  to  muster,     746 
Finley,  Dr.,  recommended  as  Surgeon,  -  1091 

Finley,  Samuel,  appointed  Lieutenant  by  Congress,  -  1570 
Finnic,  William,  to  the  President  of  Congress,  -         -    991 
Copy  of  a  letter  from,  to  Mifflin,  (enclosed,)  -         -     992 
Fire-Arms,  bounty  given  for  manufacture  of,      -         -       49 
Means  of  supplying,  discussed  in  New-Hampshire 
Assembly,  -  54 


1671 


INDEX. 


1672 


Fire-Arms,  vote  to  supply  sundry  towns  with,   -        -      55, 

77,  79,  81,  82 

Inquiry  into  most  effectual  mode  of  supplying, 
i'nre  given  for,    ------- 

Addition  made  to  the  price  of, 

Proper  proof  of,   -  -        - 

Resolve  of  Bucks  Associators  respecting, 

Collectors  of,  appointed, 

Quantity  of,  arrived  at  Martinique,          ...     266 

Re-solve  to  supply  i'alimmth  with,  - 

Resolve  to  encourage  manufacture  of,    -         -         -     308 

Three  cases  of,  forwarded  to  Washington,      -         -     359 

Connecticut  pays  a  premium  for,  -         -        -         -     456 

Firelocks,  price  of,  in  Maryland,       -  -      153,  155 

Repairs  of,  for  the  Flying-Camp,  -  -     218 

To  be  had,  on  Kent-Island, 665 

Firemen  exempted  from  military  duty,       ...     257 
Fire-Raits,  sum  paid  in  New-Hampshire  for,  71 

Plan  of  Dutchess  County  for,  approved,  -     337 

Pouijlikeepsie  Committee  prepare,         ...     338 
Washington's  instructions  respecting,  ...     601 
Arrival  of,  at  Fort  Montgomery,     -         ...     544 
Delay  in  preparing  the,          .....     728 

Captain  Hazlewood  paid  for  the  use  of  his,    -         -  1325 

Fircship,  the  story  of  Wooster's,  40 

Fireships,  the  slow  progress  in,  at  New-York,  -         -     621 

Anderson  reports  the  completion  of  two,       -         -    692 

Success  of  the,  in  driving  the  enemy  off,       -         -     983 

Fire-vessels,  Captain  Hazlewood  fits  out  a  number  of,  1545 

Fish,  Nicholas,  appointed  Brigade-Major  to  Scott,     -     913 

Disappointment  of,  at  not  receiving  commission,    -     953 

Acknowledges  the  reception  of  commission,  -         -     982 

Fish,  the  arrival  of,  in  France,  embarrasses  Mr.  Deane,   1019 

Fisher,  Henry,  recommended  for  German  Company,-     251 

Appointed  Captain  of  a  German  Company,  -         -  1336 

Fisher,  Jabez,  letter  to,  from  Andrew  Hamilton,         -     341 

Fisher,  D.,  Clerk  to  Brunswick,  Virginia,  Committee,      633 

Fisher,  Daniel,  ordered  before  North-Carolina  Council,  1370 

Fisher's  Island,  the  stock  driven  from,       -         -        46,  400 

Enemy's  ships  appear  off,     .....  H44 

Fishing,  use  of  the  batteaus  for,  prohibited,       -         -     800 

Fishing  Boats,  capture  of,  by  the  Canceaux,      -         -     428 

Fishkill,  New- York  Convention  adjourn  to,       -         -  1555 

Convention  to  meet  in  the  English  Church  at,        -   1556 

Treasury  and  State  records  removed  to,          -         -  1557 

Distress  on  board  a  sloop  at,  ...   1562 

Meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  at,  -         -         -1562 

Convention  vote  money  for  support  of  the  poor  at,  -  1563 

Military  Stores  removed  from  Westchester  to,         -  1566 

Fisk,  Captain  John,  schooner  Despatch  captured  by,     405 

426,  552 
Fisk,  Stephen,  chosen  First  Lieutenant  of  Martha's 

Vineyard  Company, ......     395 

Fitch,  Colonel  Jonathan,  Washington  authorized  to 

call  on,    -  -       45 

The  call  made  on,  for  his  levy,       ....     §22 

Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      -         -      896,  938 
Regiment  of,  ordered  to  New- York,       ...     §91 
Fitz-Randolph,  James,  insulted  for  being  Whig,         -       18 
Flag,  rejection  of  Lord  Howe's  letters  by  -       °-         -     231 
Lord  Howe  sends  a,  to  General  Mercer,         -         -     328 
From  Sir  Peter  Parker  fired  on,     -         -         -         .     437 
Lee  sends  a,  to  Clinton,  with  a  present,         -         -     440 
Lord  Howe  sends  another  to  Washington,     -         -     471 
Another,  with  a  letter  for  Miss  Moncrieff,      -         -     471 
Lieutenant  Calcott  sent  into  New- York  with  a,       -     549 
Granted  to  escort  Mrs.  Livius  to  Quebeck,      -         -     553 
Governour  Cooke  communicates  the  purport  of,  to 

Convention,      -        -  ...     (jQ5 

Notice  of  General  Gates's  to  Carleton,  ...     682 

Conjectures  as  to  the  detention  of,         ...     796 

Flatbush,  the  enemy  encamped  at    -         .         .  H43)  1212 

Action  with  the  enemy  at,     -         .         .         .         .  1213 

Flaxse.ed  mill,  workmen  on  the,  exempted  from  duty,  1540 
Fleet,  the  enemy's,  driven  from  Gwinn's  Island,  154,  341 
Plan  proposed  for  destroying  the  British,  -  -  '  155 
Examination  of  deserters  from  the,  at  New- York,  -  196 
Report  of  the  arrival  of  Lord  Howe's,  -  -  '  .  224 
A  French,  reported  at  Rhode-Island,  -  -  -  261 
General  Howe  waiting  the  arrival  of  the,  -  -  370 
Supplies  furnished  to  enemy's,  at  New- York  -  403 

Number  of  families  take  refuge  in  Dunmore's 

lings  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's,  in  the  South,      -     436 
Statement  of  damage  done  to  Sir  Peter  Parker's      -     439 
ion  prepares  for  destruction  of  the        -  451 

Mana-uvres  of  Dunmore's,  in  the  Potoma'ck,  -  -  490 
A  powerful,  within  view  of  Washington,  -  -509 
Several  of  the  enemy's,  near  Block-Island,  -  -  558 


Fleet,  Arnold's  preparations  for  a,  on  Lake  Champlain,  563 
Scattering  arrival  of  the  enemy's,  at  New-York,  -  643 
Gates  gives  command  of  the  Lake,  to  Arnold,  -  649 
A  French,  reported  on  the  way  to  Quebeck,  -  -  652 
Sickness  in  a  part  of  Dunmore's,  -  -  722 

Report  of  the  number  of  enemy's,  arrived,  -  -  769 
Gates  gives  an  account  to  New-York  Convention 

of  his,      -  -     774,797 

Orders  to  Arnold  for  management  of  his,  -  -  826 
Report  brought  by  deserters  from  Lord  Howe's,  -  870 
Colonel  Hartley  suggests  to  Gates  an  alteration  in 

the  position  of  the  Lake,    -  -     888 

Captain  Harris  falls  in  with  a,  of  one  hundred  and 

eight  sail,  -  -     888 

Appearance  of  the  enemy's,  off  Sandy-Hook,          -     909 
The  report  of  a  French,  in  the  St.  Lawrence  dis- 
credited, ...  -         -  -     923 
Washington's  report  on  the  augmentation   of  the 

enemy's, 932,  950 

Lords  Dunmore  and  Campbell  on  board  Sir  Peter 

Parker's,  -  949 

Arrival  of  land  division  of  Lord  Howe's,  -     952 

Number  and  armament  of  the  Lake,       -  -     969 

Arnold's,  well  fitted  and  manned,-         -  -  1188 

Names  of  ships  composing  the  enemy's,  -  1214 

Fleet,  Thomas,  gives  bond  for  good  behaviour,  -         -  1453 

Fleming,  Mr.,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,  -     152 

Fleming,  Col.,  marches  against  Tories  in  Maryland,  -     214 

Fleming,  Edward,  reasons  of,  for  resigning,       -         -     204 

Fletcher,  Daniel,  appointed  Major  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -  -        -    293 

Fletcher,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  the-  Massachusetts 

Council,  -  -    990 

Flint,  Royal,  appointed  Paymaster  of  the  Connecticut 

Militia,     -        -        -  -        -  -     242 

Flint,  Samuel,  refuses  to  accept  a  commission,  -      178,  971 

Flints,  the  Board  of  War  advertises  for,      -  34 

New-Hampshire  votes  to  supply  sundry  towns  with,      79, 

81,  82,  85 

Deficiency  of,  in  Washington's  army,     -  -     173 

Order  for  supply  of,  to  Falmouth,  -         ...     271 
Resolve  to  supply  County  of  Sunbury,    -  -     291 

Governour  Cooke  sends,  to  Washington,        -      359,  378 
Allibone's  report  on  quarries  of,    -  -     410 

Discovery  of,  on  Perm's  Creek,      -  -     533 

A  barrel  of,  arrives  at  Chester,        -  -     691 

Thirty  thousand,  sent  from  Philadelphia  to  New- 
York,       ...  ....  1287 

A  supply  of,  sent  to  Indian  Chiefs,  -  1436,  1445 

Order  for  supplying  the  Rangers  with,    ...  1444 
To  be  distributed  gratis  to  Indians  in  Ulster,  -         -  1450 
Dutchess  County  Militia  to  be  supplied  with,          -  1494 
Congress  orders  thirty  thousand,  for  Washington,  -  1602 
Flint-Island,  inexhaustible  supply  of  flints  on,    -         -     139 
Flintstone  found  abundantly  in  Sussex  County,  New- 
Jersey,     .-----.-     139 

Maryland   Council  of  Safety  makes   inquiry  con- 
cerning,   -  -  ...    807 
Quantities  of,  on  Wye  River  and  Choptank,  -         -     619 
Found  on  the  wharves  in  Baltimore,       -  -     633 
Floating-battery,  pay  of  the  officers  of  the,                   -  1288 
Allowance  to  the  Marines  On  board  the,                   -  1297 
Flood,  a  great,  at  Skenesborough,     -                  -         -    954 
Floory,  Robert,  commissioned  as  Ensign  of  Maryland 

Militia,     -  -  1344 

Flora,  ship,  spoken  at  sea,  with  Highlanders  on  board,     662 

Florida,  danger  from  the  savages  of,  -  7 

Flour,  application  to  Colonel  Fonda  for,    -  -     110 

A  quantity  of,  damaged  at  Baltimore,     -  -     182 

Plenty  of,  in  the  Northern  Army,  -  -     232 

Massachusetts  Committee  ordered  not  to  purchase 

more, 307 

J.  Hollingsworth  reports  the,  in  his  hands,  -  -  325 
Difficulty  of  transporting,  to  Chingoteague,  -  -  383 
Price  of  superfine,  at  St.  Eustatia,  -  464 

Small  quantity  of,  at  Skenesborough,     -  -     563 

Order  for,  to  be  sent  to  Crown-Point,     -  -     653 

False  report  of  the  quantity  of,  at  Fort  George,  -  773 
Livingston's  indebtedness  for,  -  -  824 

Three  thousand  barrels  of,  at  Fort  Edward,  -  -  872 
Mr.  Glen's  difficulties  in  the  purchase  of,  -  1001,  1070 
Mr.  Glen's  anxiety  to  have  Ten  Eyck's,  -  -  1085 
Captain  Fasset  asks  Gates  for  a  barrel  of,  -  -  1222 
Carleton  forbids  the  exportation  of,  -  -  1240 

Colonel  Cortlandt  ordered  to  purchase  six  hundred 

barrels  of,  -  1497 

Flower,  Benj.,  petitions  Congress  for  an  appointment,     156 

Is  appointed  a  Commissary  in  Flying-Camp,      691,  1580 


1673 


INDEX. 


1674 


Floyd,  William,  letter  from,  without  address,      -         -  884 

Flucker,  Major  Thomas,  a  refugee,    -                           -  325 

Flushing,  Long-Island,  enemy's  Light-horse  pillage,  -  1216 

The  indigent  of  New- York  sent  to,                            -  1547 

Fly,  the  armed  ship,  Capt.  Edgar,  ordered  to  Amboy,  600 

Arrives  at  New- York  with  cannon,                            -  1287 

Flying-Camp,  orders  for  the  movement  of  the,   -  4 

Troops  furnished  for,  by  Maryland,                            -  5 

Militia  ordered  to  serve  till  formation  of,                   -  15 

Pennsylvania  troops  for,  sent  to  Trenton,  15 

Maryland  troops  for,  sent  to  Philadelphia,  32 

Notice  of,  in  a  letter  from  Philadelphia,  -                  -  34 

Preparations  at  Lancaster  for,                                     -  35 

Preparations  in  Maryland  for,                                     -  101 

Militia  ordered  to  be  raised  for,      ....  114 

Election  of  company  officers  to  serve  in,        -         -  121 

A  Company  of,  ordered  to  Annapolis,    -  136 

Men  ordered  to  be  raised  for,  in  Easton,  Penn.       -  137 

Militia  in  New-Jersey  serving  in  place  of,       -         -  138 

Order  to  supply  the  Militia  for,  with  cartouch-boxes,  153 

March  of,  to  Philadelphia  intended,        ...  154 

Washington's  impatience  for  arrival  of,  -         -         -  173 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  purchase  bayonets  for,  -  184 

Smallwood's  uneasiness  about  command  of,  -         -  215 

Offer  to  procure  tents,  &c.,  for,      -                           -  216 

E.  Winter  employed  to  repair  arms  for,  -                  -  218 

Difficulty  of  finding  blankets  for,    -                           -  223 

Arms  and  ammunition  needed  for,                            -  224 

Inlisting  for,  in  the  lower  Counties  of  Maryland,     -  252 

Officers  appointed  to,  by  Philadelphia  Committee,  -  253 

Letter  from  Reading  relating  to,    -                           -  254 
Congress  call  on  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  to 

furnish  ammunition  to,      -                                     -  327 

General  Mercer  appointed  to  command  the,  -         -  327 

Four  tons  of  powder  sent  to  Mercer  for  use  of,       -  327 

Five  Companies  foi,  ordered  in  Cumberland  County, 

Pennsylvania,    -----                  -  328 

Sufficient  provision  secured  for,     -                           -  330 

Congress  act  on  Washington's  letters  respecting,   -  346 

Dr.  Shippen  appointed  Surgeon-General  to,   -         -  346 

Philadelphia  Committee  of  Safety  appoint  officers  for,  349 

Mr.  Wharton  asks  the  Commissaryship  to,      -         -  350 

Kent-Island  Militia  weakened  by,  -                           -  363 
Major  Otho  Williams  declines  a  commission  in,  363,  521 

Monsieur  Kirmoven,  Engineer,  ordered  to,     -         -  367 

Mercer  proposes  Amboy  as  the  post  for,                  -  371 

Company  of,  ordered  to  Kent-Island,      -                  -  387 

Militia  for,  not  to  draw  pay  till  they  march,    -         -  387 
One  thousand  troops  from  Maryland  on  their  way 

to  join,  -  ...  337 
Difficulties  as  to  subsisting  the  Maryland,  -  -  434 
E.  Winter  engages  to  repair  arms  for,  -  -  465 
An  Adjutant-General  and  Secretary  required  for,  -  470 
Two  Battalions  ordered  from  Virginia  for,  -  -  495 
Four  Battalions  ordered  from  Pennsylvania  for,  -  495 
Three  Battalions  ordered  from  New-Jersey  for,  -  495 
Arrangement  of,  left  to  Washington,  ...  555 
Frederick  County  unable  to  arm  her,  ...  569 
Lancaster  Associators  form  a  Company  for,  -  -  573 
Colonel  Greene  ordered  to  join,  -  -  595 
Officers  of,  have  no  command  over  stores  in  Ma- 
ryland, -  -  -  617 
Paymaster  allowed  to  each  Battalion  in,  -  618 
Militia  for,  come  in  slowly,  -  -  621 
Supply  of  money  ordered  for,  -  669 
Congress  authorize  building  boats  for,  -  -  690 
General  Dent  rejects  the  commission  of  Brigadier  in,  707 
Captains  in,  complain  of  want  of  guns,  -  -  723 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  advance  money  for,  -  723 
Letter  from  Virginia  Council  to  President  of  Con- 
gress on,  -  -  -  736 
Maryland  supplies  her,  with  wooden  bottles,  -  -  737 
Effectual  measures  ordered  for  filling  the  quotas  for,  750 
Difficulty  in  preventing  desertion  from  the  Penn- 
sylvania, -  -  750 
Linen  wanted  for  the,  -  -  -  782 
Reported  strength  of  the,  in  New-Jersey,  -  -  810 
Washington  orders  two  thousand  men  from,  -  -  835 
Bounty  paid  to  Pennsylvania  Associators  to  join,  -  884 
Mercer  prepares  to  send  part  of,  to  New-York,  -  894 
A  detachment  from,  to  assist  in  defence  of  New- 
York,  908 

March  of  three  hundred  of,  under  Colonel  Burd,     -  909 
Departure  of  Commissioners  from  Philadelphia  to 

form  the,  -                                                       -   931,  1181 
Mr.  Gustavus  Risberg  to  procure  articles  for,  -        -  948 
Account  of  money  advanced  by  Cumberland  Com- 
pany for,  -                                                    -        -  995 


Flying-Camp,  two  of  General  Lewis's  Battalion  order- 
ed to,  ...  1053 
Appointment  of  a  committee  to  inspect  and  pass 

accounts  for,     -  ...  1302 

Cannon  ordered  to  Mercer  for  use  of,  -  -  -  1303 
Application  to  Congress  for  arms  for,  ...  1306 
Money  advanced  for  inlisting  men  for,  ...  1329 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  vote  money  to  purchase 

arms  for,  -  -   1340 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  vote  money  on  account 

of  subsistence  for,     -  ...  I3(j0 

Congress  receive  resolutions  from  Maryland  Con- 
vention relating  to,    -  ...  1569 
Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  supply  musket-car- 
tridges to,  .  1577 
Congress  appoint  a  committee  to  consider  means 

of  augmenting,  -        -  1578 

Congress  appoint  a  chief  Physician  for,  -  1578 

Congress  request  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety 

to  supply  lead  for,     -  -         -   1579 

Congress  appoint  a  Deputy  Adjutant-General  for,  -  1584 
Report  of  ways  and  means  to  increase,  -  -  1586 

Folsom,  Nathaniel,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Legis- 
lative Council,  -  ...       47 
Folsom,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  petition  to  dismiss  peti- 
tions against,  dismissed,    -  -       60 
Folsom,  Major-General  N.,  return  of  men  raised  by 

order  of,  -  -  -     875 

Folsome,  Colonel   Ebenezer,    complaints   of  abuses 

committed  by,  -  -  1377 

Fonda,  Major,  letter  to,  from  H.  Glen,  -  -  42,  110 
Fooks,  Paul,  petition  of,  to  Congress,  -  -  1192 

Forage,  scarcity  of,  for  horses,  in  New-York,     -        -     124 
W.  Finnic  suggests  the  propriety  of  allowing,         -     992 
Forbes,  Mayor  of  New- York,  still  confined  as  a  con- 
spirator, ----.---    260 
Forbes,  William  A,  named  to  succeed  Captain  Varick,     646 
Forbes,  Gilbert  and  William,  committed  to  Litchfield 

jail,-         -         -  731 

Forbes,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  1345 
Forbisher,  sent  by  merchants  of  Montreal  to  Congress,  13 
Force,  New-York  Convention  apply  to  Governour 

Trumbull  for  an  additional,  ,-*•  1196 

Forces,  pay  of  the  Massachusetts,  established,  -        -     287 

Mercer's  return  of  his  New-Jersey,         ...    575 

Monthly  return  of  the  South-Carolina,  -         -        -     632 

Number  of,  in  New-Jersey  to  consist   of  sixteen 

thousand  men,  -  ...    785 

Amount  of,  under  General  Mercer,  ...  1194 
Statement  of  Continental,  in  North-Carolina,  called 

for, 1383 

Ford,  Colonel  Jacob,  examination  taken  before,         -     200 

Foreign  alliance,  a  plan  of,  considered  by  Congress,  -     347 

Colonel  Reed's  desire  for,     -----     372 

Treaty  of,  passed  in  Committee  of  the  Whole,         -  1179 
Foreign  Officers,  Congress  offers  land  to  all,  who  will 

leave  the  enemy's  service,  -         -  -  1621 

Form  of  small  bills  issued  in  New-Hampshire,  -         -       75 
Forman,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to   Sussex  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -        -       11 

Forman,  Dr.  William,  complaints  against  the  appoint- 
ment of,  -        -  -  -  1263 

Recommended  by  Dr.  Cooke,        -  -  1450 

Appointed  Surgeon  in  Colonel  Graham's  Regiment,   1481 
Forrest,  Captain,  arrest  and  cruel  treatment  of,  in  Ire- 
land, -     180 
Forrest,  Captain,  ordered  to  St.  Mary's  County,      862,  906 
Forster,  Captain,  commands  the  enemy  at  the  Cedars,     159 
Congress  demands  the  delivery  of,                   -      160,  682 
Lancaster  Committee  refer  to  the  conduct  of,          -    759 
The  conduct  of,  approved  by  Lord  Germaine,          -   1103 
The  conduct  of,  defended  by  Ebenezer  Sullivan,    -  1167 
Report  of  a  committee  to  Congress  on  the  conduct 

of,   -  -  1572 

Forster,  Captain  John,  commander  of  the  armed  brig 

Washington,     -  -  1384 

Fort  Constitution,  information  of  the  ships  given  to,  -     352 

General  Clinton's  measures  to  defend,  -  354 

Seven  hundred  men  stationed  at,  -         -        -        -    546 

Poughkeepsie  Committee  send  boards  to,       -        -     871 
Appointment  of  a  committee  to  visit,     -  -1562 

Fort  Daniel,  salute  fired  by,  in  honour  of  Independ- 
ence,      --------    549 

Fort  Edward,  repair  of  the  road  to,  ordered,       -        -     358 

Three  thousand  barrels  of  flour  at,  -  -     872 

Fort  George,  letter  from  Schuyler  at,  -     206 

Sick  of  Northern  Army  sent  to,     -         -         -     232,  237 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  at,  -        -     339 


1675 


INDEX. 


1676 


397 
502 

512 
581 
651 
776 
857 

-  476 

354 
544 
546 
546 
1562 
440 
493 
923 
36 
1228 
1209 
1119 
175 
394 


Fort  George,  Gates  to  the  commanding  officer  at, 
Order  to  reinforce  the  guard  at,     - 
Colonel  Reed  ordered  to  collect  the  recovered  men 

at,  and  return  to  the  army  with  them,  - 
Hospitals  in  progress  at, 
Gates  reports  three  thousand  sick  at, 
Another  report  of  the  sick  at, 
Dr.  Potts's  report  of  the  hospitals  at, 
Fort  Liherty,  salute  fired  by,  in  honour  of  Independ- 
ence,         

Fort   Montgomery,    General   Clinton's    measures   to 
defend,     -------- 

Council  of  War  held  at,         -         -         -         - 

Extract  of  a  letter  from, 

One  thousand  men  reported  at, 
Appointment  of  a  committee  to  visit,      - 
Fort  Moultric  named  after  its  gallant  defender,  - 
List  of  officers  who  served  at,         -         -         - 
Fort  Ontario,  large  force  of  the  enemy  reported  at,    - 
Fort  Pitt,  conference  with  Indians  at, 

Mr.  William  Harrison  brings  advices  from, 
Fort  St.  John's,  British  troops  landed  at,   - 
Fort  Schuyler,  name  of  Fort  Stanwix  changed  to, 
Fort  Stanwix,  movement  of  Colonel  Dayton  to,  - 
Arrival  of  Colonel  Dayton  at, 
Washington  expresses  his  satisfaction  that  taking 

post  at,  gives  no  umbrage  to  the  Indians,    -         -     693 
Schuyler  reports  the  repairing  of,  -  -     716 

Schuyler  thinks  the  enemy  will  not  venture  to  pass,  747 
Report  of  the  enemy's  intention  to  attack,  -  -  816 
Washington  hopes  it  will  be  ready,  -  -  820 

Repair  of,  reported  to  Lord  Germaine,  ...  866 
Colonel  Dayton  assigned  to  the  command  of,  -  901 
Rapid  progress  of  the  works  at,  -  -  -  -  985 

Extract  of  a  letter  dated  at, 1001 

Colonel  Dayton  changes  the  name  of,    -         -  1032,  1119 
Explanation  of  the  treaty  held  at,  -        -  -1049 

Schuyler  believes  an  attack  on,  meditated,      -         -  1084 
Fort  Sullivan,  Lee's  praises  of  the  garrison  at,    -         -     215 
Fort  Washington,  extract  of  a  letter  dated  off,    -         -     855 
Fortification,  Massachusetts  appoints  a  Committee  of,     272 
Fortney,  Henry,  appointed  Third  Lieutenant  in  Cap- 
tain Doyle's  Company,      -  -         -  1581 
Fosdick,  Thomas  U.,  Sergeant-Major,  named  for  pro- 
motion,   -                  ...  .  545 

Fosdyke,  Captain,  volunteer  commander  of  a  fire-ship,     983 
Foster,  John,  a  Bunker-Hill  soldier,  -  -       48 

Foster,  Benjamin,  Chairman  of  Machias  Committee,  -     149 
Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  -         -         -    515 
Foster,  Ebenezer,  appointed  Adjutant  Massachusetts 

Militia,    -  -        -    268 

Foster,  Reuben,  Chairman  of  Newbury  Committee,  -     548 

Fowey,  ship  of  war,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,      -         -     152 

Battery  opened  on  the,  at  St.  George's,  -     634 

Governour  Eden  seen  on  board  the,      ...     432 

Fowke,  Gerard,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1345 

Fowler,  Caleb,  toryism  of,  deposed  to,  -         -     623 

Fowler,  Lieut.,  Samuel,  petitions  for  leave  to  resign,    -     681 

Fowler,  Captain,  arrival  of,  at  Egg-Harbour,      -         -     742 

Fraill,  Robert,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,  -       35 

France,  Lee's  opinion  on  the  sentiments  of,      -         -       96 

Trade  with  the  Colonies  and,  -         -     134 

Evasive  answers  given  by,  to  the  British  Envoys,    -     462 

Prospects  of  a  war  between  England  and,      -      610,  960 

Two  fleets  of,  at  sea,    ------     709 

Arrival  of  a  ship  from,  with  ammunition,        -         -     786 
Disposition  evinced  by,  towards  America,      -         -     862 
Rumour  of  a  war  with  Portugal  and,       ...  1011 
Benefits  resulting  to,  from  American  Independence,  1227 
The  interest  of,  to  furnish  supplies  to  America,      -  1228 
Franchessin,  J.  A.  de,  appointed  Brevet  Lieutenant 

Colonel  by  Congress,        -----  1535 

Advance  of  pay  to,        ------  1591 

Francis,  one  of  the  St.  John's  Indians,       ...     838 

Franklin,  Dr.  Benjamin,  letter  to,  from  M.  Dubourg,  -         6 

Spoken  of  as  Governour  of  Pennsylvania,       -         .     170 

Letter  from,  to  Lord  Howe,  -----     432 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -         ...     493 

Letter  to,  from  William  Atlee,  -  ...  534 
Mr.  Deane  encloses  a  letter  from,  to  M.  Dumas,  -  589 
Letter  from,  to  John  Adams,  -  ...  726 
Device  for  the  great  seal  proposed  by,  -  -  -  944 

Letter  to,  from  Lord  Howe, 979 

The   friendship   of,  the   best   recommendation    in 

France, 1021 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Stevenson,         -  HQ6 

Letter  to,  from  John  Fraser,  ... 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       -         .        '.        "1193 


Franklin,  Dr.  Benjamin,  accounts  of,  laid  before  Con- 
gress,      -                                                              -  1575 
Order  for  payment  of  accounts  of,                             -  1576 
Congress  permit,  to  answer  Lord  Howe's  letter,     -  15S6 
Franklin,  Governour  William,  proceedings  of  New- 
Jersey  Congress  relating  to,       -                  -         -  16 
Sent  to  Wallingsford  on  parole,  •  -                             -  45 
General  Howe's  notice  of,    -                  -                  -  106 
Sent  to  Connecticut,    -                                                 -  119 
Passes  through  Hartford,       -                                       -  132 
Declared  an  enemy  to  the  United  States,        -         -  240 
An  open  letter  to,  sent  by  Washington  to  Congress,  350 
Permitted  to  reside  at  Middletown,        -  380 
Franklin,  schooner,  captures  made  by,  662,  1116,  1172, 1173 
Franks,  John,  pass  granted  to,  by  New- York  Conven- 
tion,        -                  ....                  .  J423 
Fraser,  John,  prisoner,  letter  from,  to  Dr.  Franklin,  -  1135 
Fraser,  Colonel  John  G.,  letter  from  to  General  Gates,  1238 
Fraud,  in  relation  to  inHstments  in  New-York,           -  676 
Frazer,  General,  said  to  be  with  Carleton  at  St.  John's,  238 
At  Isle-aux-Noix  with  two  thousand  Germans,       -  799 
Carleton's  promotion  of,  approved  by  the  King,      -  1104 
Frazer,  Captain  Alexander,  civility  of,  to  Major  Bige- 

low, -         -  987 

Frazier,  Captain  John,  has  leave  to  depart  from  New- 
Hampshire,       -                           -         -  60 
Frazier,  General,  extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  of,  1259 
Frederick  County  Committee  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -         -                                     -                  -  592 

Fredericktown,  proceedings  of  Deputies  at,       -         -  251 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  vote  money  for  support 

of  prisoners  at,          -                                              -  1190 

Freedom,  commander  appointed  to  the  sloop,  -         -  268 

Freeman,  Cassar,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of,    -  22 

Freeman,  Sergeant,  wounded  at  Perth-Amboy,  -         -  600 

Freeman,  Samuel,  a  scout,  information  given  by,       -  1034 

Freemason,  the  sloop,  permitted  to  depart,                  -  1625 
French,  Major,  prisoner  of  war,  Washington  sends  to 

Congress  a  letter  from,      -----  620 

Letter  from,  returned  to  Washington,    -                  -  669 
Another  letter  from,  to  Washington,      -                   -  777 
Washington's  reply  to  the  letter  from,    -                   -  823 
A  second  letter  from  Washington  to,     -                  -  853 
Reply  of,  to  the  letter  from  Washington,        -         -  902 
Reply  of,  enclosed  to  General  Howe  by  Washington,  997 
Is  ordered  to  remain  at  Hartford,  -                           -  1280 
A  proposition  to  exchange  for  Major  Meigs,           -  1612 
French  gentleman,  desire  of  a,  to  enter  American  ser- 
vice,                                                                          -  362 
French  gentlemen,  Washington  sends  four  to  New- 
London,  -                          -----  770 

French  frigate,  arrival  of,  at  Martinique,    -                  -  610 

Frenchmen,  three,  suspected  of  being  spies,      -         -  544 
French  Islands,  Governour  of  the,  directed  to  protect 

American  vessels,     -                                              -  610 

Inhabitants  of,  informed  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde-  • 

pendence,                                              -                  -  1106 


181 


249 
436 
782 
348 
1604 
1185 
1552 
645 


Friendship,  capture  of  ship,  by  Captain  Wickes, 
Friendship,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  fleet, 
Friendship,  Captain  Stone  claims  brig,  as  his  property, 
Frigates,  launch  of  two,  at  Philadelphia,    - 
Arms,  &.C.,  ordered  for  the  Continental, 
Frog  Point,  three  of  enemy's  ships  anchor  near, 
Frog's  Neck,  Colonel  Graham's  Regiment  at,    - 
Frost,  Samuel,  Sergeant,  named  for  promotion, 
Frothingham,  Ensign,  appointed  Adjutant  of  Colonel 

Wheelock's  Regiment,      -  -   1271 

Froult,  Adam,  discharged  from  service  for  age,  -  -  947 
Fry,  Colonel  Richard,  commander  of  Kentish  Guards,  549 
Fryburg,  resolve  on  a  petition  from,  -  321 

Frye,  Brigadier-General,  anecdote  of,  from  Washing- 
ton, -  ...  98 
Fugleman,  in  new  jail  at  New- York,  -  854 
Fuller,  Archelaus,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel,  -  292 
Fuller,  Lieutenant,  honourable  acquittal  of,  -  -  676 
Fuller,  Colonel,  saved  him  from  court-martial,  -  -  1170 
Fundy,  report  of  troops  sent  up  the  Bay  of,  -  -  939 
Expedition  formed  at  Halifax  for  Bay  of,  -  -  973 
Furgeson,  Charles,  privateer  commission  granted  to,  -  1327 
Furlough,  John  Adams  expresses  a  wish  for  a,  -  -  184 
Furloughs,  order  against  giving  to  men,  on  discharge 

from  hospitals,                                       ...     698 
General  Greene  complains  of  Gen.  Heard's  giving,      870 
No  one  but  Washington  to  grant,  at  New- York,    -     914 
Furnandez,  Ensign,  killed  on  Long-Island,        -         -  1250 
Furnandis,  James,  appointed  Ensign  Maryland  line,     1333 
Furneaux,  Captain  of  the  Syren,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Par- 
ker's fleet,  436 


1677 


INDEX. 


1678 


Furnival,  Alexander,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of 

Matrosses,  -  -  1334 

Fusils,  twenty  thousand  sent  from  France  to  the  Col- 
onies, -  .  1022 

Fassett,  Mr.,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  in  Colonel 

Warner's  Regiment,  -  -  1565 

G. 

Gadsden,  Mr.,  John  Adams's  tribute  to  the  merits  of,    1025 
Gage,  schooner,  tender  to  the  Roebuck,    -  -     152 

Gage,  Governour,  Mr.  Bovvdoin  relates  the  conduct  of, 

to  Indians,        .......     842 

Gaines,  Major  George,   member  of  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,  -       60 

Appointed  Muster-Master  by  Governour  Weare,     -  1101 
Gaither,  Henry,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  vote  to 

pay,  for  thread,  -  1332 

Gaither,  Henry  C.,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant 

Maryland  line,  -  -  1333 

Gaither,  Greenbury,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  Mary- 
land line,  -  1351 
Galbraith,  Colonel,  letter  from  to  Lancaster  Committee,     121 
Letter  to,  from  George  Ross,  35 
Gale,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jacob,  letter  from  to  New- 
Hampshire  Council  of  Safety,    ....     875 

Galio,  distinction  drawn  by,  between  civil  and  religious 

power,      -  -        -  -     735 

Galleys,  delay  in  constructing,  accounted  for,    -         -     968 
Captains  of,  appear  before  Pennsylvania  Council  of 
Safety,     --------  1324 

Congress  order,  for  defence  of  Georgia,          -         -  1567 
Order  to  construct,  on  Lake  Ontario,     -  -   1574 

Galloway,  Benjamin,  appointed  Captain  in  Maryland 

line,  -.-  -   1352 

Gamble,  Captain,  prisoner  of  war,  allowed  a  servant,      535 

Committed  to  prison  by  order  of  Congress,    -         -  1580 

Gano,  Lieutenant,  mistake  made  with  rank  of,  -         -     393 

Resignation  of,     -  -  -  -  1399 

Gansevoort,  Lieutenant  C.,  letter  to,  from  Gen.  Gates,     339 
Gansevoort,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Peter,  letter  to,  from 

General  Gates,  -         -  -    397,  969,  1002 

General  Gates  charges,  with  stopping  a  letter,        -     512 

Schuyler  replies  to  the  charge  against,  -  -     648 

Letter  from,  to  John  McKesson,   -  -     697 

Letter  to,  ftorn  Governour  Trumbull,      ...     698 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       -         -    773,  955,  1266 

Gansevoort,  Leonard,  leave  of  absence  granted  to,    -  1411 

Gansevoort  &  Cuyler,  draft  of  a  letter  to  Messrs.,  from 

New- York  Convention,     -  ...  1433 

Gardener,  William,  deserter,  examination  of,     -         -     198 
Gardiner,    John,   commissioned    First   Lieutenant  of 

Maryland  line,  -         -         -         -  -  1344 

Gardiner,  Charles,  appointed  Ensign  of  Maryland  line,   1344 
Gardiner,  Alexander,  an  escaped  prisoner,  advertised,     684 
Gardiner,  John,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  desertion,  -     965 
Garrett,  Amos,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  :  -     153 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -   1091 
Garrook,  Samuel,  recommended  for  commission,        -     182 
Appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  German  Company, 

Maryland,  -  -  1334 

Gassaway,  John,  appointed  Ensign  of  Maryland  line,-  1333 
Gates,  Samuel,  Chairman  of  Petersham  Committee,  -     247 
Gates,  Major-General,  letters  to — 

From  Schuyler,    -       206,396,423,453,581,629,648, 

715,  730,  747,  999,  1000,  1050,  1083,  1153,  1221 

From  Governour  Trumbull,        -  -      20, 

660,  858,  925,  937,  956,  1188 

From  Ebenezer  Hazard,    -  20,  195,  227,  869, 

From  Elbridge  Gerry,        -  -      21,  1146 

From  President  of  Congress,      ....     H6 

From  Rev.  John  Rodgers,  -     195 

From  General  Arnold,      -        238,  239,  340,  358,  563, 

581,  825,  988,  1002,  1073,  1129,  1266,  1274,  1277 

From  Colonel  Bedel,  -       239,  261,  747 

From  Harmanus  Schuyler,  -       ...      339,717 

From  Captain  Veeders,     -  -     339 

From  Captain  Brownson,  -         -  -      340,  398 

From  General  Waterbury,  -    357, 

474,  629,  679,  795,  872,  954,  968,  1001, 

1050,  1071,  1114,  1154,  1187,  1238,  1265 

From  Colonel  William  Winds,  -  -     359 

From  Thomas  Ball,  -  -  -         -     359 

From  General  Washington,       -  -     650,  951 

From  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gansevoort,     773,  969,  1266 
From  Samuel  Chase,         ....      410,  864 

From  Walter  LU-ingston,  ...     454 
From  Baron  de  Woedtke,          -  -    475 


Gates,  Major-Gencral,  letters  to — 

From  Robert  Yates,  ......     436 

From  William  Gilliland, 486 

From  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hartley,     -         -    486  564 
604,  630,  682,  888,  902,  955,  1114,  1154,'  1238 
From  Captain  C.  Wynkoop,  547,582,  857,  1003,  1276 
From  Robert  Morris,  .         .     572 

From  Richard  Varick, 603 

623,  752,  773,  824,  872,  922,^68 
From  John  Dewitt,  -  -        .      658,  753 

From  Poultney  Committee,        ....     658 

From  New-York  Convention,    .....  1432 

From  Colonel  John  Stark,  ...    775 

From  Newbury  and  Haverhill  Committee,  -         .     798 
From  General  Poor,  .         .    802,  1273 

From  Dr.  Jonathan  Potts,  -         -    857,1146 

From  Major  Hawley,  .         .   958,  1086 

From  Rev.  William  Gordon,       -         -        -   925,  1074 
From  Colonel  Jacob  Bayley,      ...     933,  989 
From  the  Carpenters  at  Williamstown,        -         -   1003 
From  Quartermaster  Hughes,    ....  1064 

From  Colonel  Mott,  -  ...  1071 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Olcott,  -         -         -  1170 

From  Commissary  Gilbert,         ....  1074 

From  Colonel  Philip  Cortlandt,          -        -  m     -  1122 
From  Colonel  Samuel  Brewer,  -         ...  1130 
From  Samuel  Hunt,  -         -  -         -  H70 

From  Dr.  Franklin,  ......  1193 

From  Colonel  Phinney,     .....  1204 

From  Captain  Fassett, 1222 

From  Dr.  Kennedy  and  others,  ....  1266 
From  the  Court-Martial,  in  relation  to  General 

Arnold's  conduct,  -  .  1273 

From  Colonel  John  G.  Fraser,  ....  1238 
Letters  from — 

To  Schuyler,  260,  511,  986,  1050,  1165,  1218 

To  Governour  Trumbull,    -  -    899,  1073 

To  President  of  Congress,          ....    375, 

649,  795,  1123,  1124.  1267 

To  General  Arnold, 206 

261,  357,  397,  1051,  1073,  1129,  1277 

To  Moses  Morse, 237 

To  Lieutenant  Gansevoort,  ....  339 
To  Harmanus  Schuyler,  ....  340,  453 
To  General  Waterbury,  ....  353,  396, 
424,  563,  698,  730,  826,  827,  900,  924,  955,  1002 
To  General  Washington,  -  -  376,450,650,1197 
To  Commanding  Officer  at  Fort  George,  -  -  397 
To  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gansevoort,  -  397,  955,  1002 
To  Nathan  Clarke,  -  -  474 

To  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hartley,  -  547,  969,  1203,  1265 
To  the  Commanding  Officer  at  Albany,  -  -  548 
To  Richard  Varick,  -  -  658,  872 

To  Cumberland  Committee,  -  -  -  -  717 
To  New- York  Convention,  -  -  773 

To  Colonels  Bayley  and  Kurd,  -        -         -        -     774 

To  Dr.  Jonathan  Potts, 924 

To  General  Putnam,  (private,)  ....     900 

To  Major  Hawley,    -  ....     901 

To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Olcott,    -         -  -  1073 

To  Egbert  Benson,  -         -         -        -         -         -  1114 

Allusion  to,  by  a  French  officer,    -         -        -  15 

Harmony  recommended  to,  with  Schuyler,     -         -     115 
Mr.  S.  Adams's  remarks  on  the  difference  between 
him  and  Schuyler,     ....  -     347 

Appointment  of,  over  Sullivan,  spoken  of,  -  -  389 
Reported  harmony  of,  with  Schuyler,  ...  394 
Petition  of  Colonel  Bedel's  officers  to,  -  -  398 

Great  reliance  upon,  in  Congress,  -     532 

Lady  of,  leaves  Philadelphia  for  Virginia,  -  -  579 
High  compliment  to,  from  Mr.  Ogden, ...  603 
Notice  of  the  flag  sent  to  Carleton  by,  ...  682 
Petition  of  Captain  Samuel  Young  to,  -  -  -  698 
The  only  officer  empowered  to  fill  vacancies,  -  725 
Petition  to,  from  the  inhabitants  of  Shelburne,  -  803 
A  message  to,  from  Samuel  Chase,  -  -  810 

Orders  of,  to  Arnold,  on  command  of  fleet,  -  -  826 
Refers  Colonel  Campbell's  case  to  Washington,  -  916 
A  letter  from  Francis  Lewis  to  the  lady  of,  -  945,  1180 
A  General  Return  of  the  forces  commanded  by,  -  1199 
Instructions  of,  to  Lieutenant  Whitcomb,  -  -  1202 
Congress  explains  to,  the  nature  of  his  appoint- 

ment,        -        -  -  1569 

General  Orders  of,      -         -     653,800,1124-1128,1268 
Gazettes,  Congress  orders  Howe's  circular  to  be  pub- 
lished in  the,        -  -  1584 
Gedney,  Joshua,  toryism  of,  deposed  to,  -         -        -    623 
Gee,  Mr.,  appointed  Major  in  Ludenton's  Regiment,  -  1422 


1679 


INDEX. 


1680 


Gelston,  Dr.  Samuel,  ordered  before  the  court,  as  sus- 
pected,    ...  -     313 
Colston,  Maltby,  letter  from  to  New- York  Congress,  -  1394 
General  Court-Martial,  orders  for,     -  -    504, 

505,  1126,  1127,  1128 

General  Hospital,  Gates  cautions  against  desertions 
from  the,  -         -         -         -         • ».     • 

Dr.  Morgan  writes  to  Washington  on  the  subject  of, 

.N'ursos,  &.C.,  required  for  the, 

Return  of  sick  in  the,  -  - 

Greene's,  reported  to  be  in  a  comfortable  state, 

Private  houses  appropriated  for  use  of,  - 

Remarks  on  the  regulations  of  the,        - 

Small-Pox  patients  ordered  to  the, 
General  Milllin,  privateer's  commission  granted  to  brig,    1327 
General  Montgomery,  privateer's  commission  granted 

to  brig, 1330_ 

General  Officers,  a  conference  of,      -         -         -         -     125 

Minutes  of  a  conference  of,  - 

Proceedings  of  a  council  of,  -      224,  236 


397 
416 
647 
857 
898 

1499 
920 

1128 


450 
578 
608 
650 
776 
797 
814 


860 
883 
1246 
215 
225, 


Washington's,  concern  at  the  council  of, 
Quantity  of  paper  required  by  Greene's, 
Governour  Trumbull's  remarks  on  jealousies  of, 
Washington  to  Gates  on  the  Council  of, 
Harmony  among  the,  in  the  Northern  Army,  - 
Gates  assures  Congress  of  the  harmony  among  his, 
Washington's  reason  for  asking  for  more, 
Application  for  one  of  the,  to  supply  Gen.  Ward's 

place,       -         -  - 

Number  of,  appointed  by  Congress, 
Determination  of  a  Council  of, 

General  Orders,  Lewis's,  at  Gwirin's  Island, 
Issued  at  Head-Quarters,  New- York,     - 

502,  653,  676,  767,  911,  964,  1137-1142,  1247 
Issued  by  Gates,  -  -  653,  800,  1124-1128,  1268 

Issued  by  Mercer,  ....  1061 

Issued  at  German-Flats,        -----     453 

General  Putnam,  privateer's  commission  granted  to 

brig,         -  -  1327 

General  Washington,  armed  brig,  ordered  to  Occacock,   1384 

Generals,  names  of  the  British,  in  America, 

George  III.,  leaden  statue  of,  melted  into  bullets, 
The  arms  of,  burned  in  Worcester, 
The  letters,  cut  out  of  a  flag  on  Long-Island, 
Effigy  of,  burned  in  Huntington,  - 
Political  interment  of,  at  Savannah, 

George,  transport  ship,  inventory  of  articles  on  board, 
Call  for  articles  taken  in, 
Order  given  for  the  articles  taken  in, 

George,  ship-of-war,  Commodore  Hopkins,  sends  in 
a  prize,    -------- 

George,  Captain,  orders  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 
Safety, 


27 
144 
515 
543 
543 
882 
209 
414 
625 

-  587 
€ 

-  993 

George,  Joshua,  appointed  a  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  1346 
"George  Washington,  Esq.,"  Lord  Howe's  letter  to, 

rejected,   -  -  -     329 

Col.  Reed's  account  of  the  flag,  with  the  letter  to,  -  353 
Letter  from  General  Howe  to,  also  rejected,  -  -  389 
Howe's  account  of  the  address  to,  given  to  Lord 

Germaine,  -    789 

Carleton's  letters  also  addressed  to,        -  -     901 

Order  of  Congress  approving  the  rejection  of  the 

letters  to,  -  -  1580 

Georgia,  proceedings  of  the  Council  of  Safety  of,  -  6 
Importance  of,  to  the  common  cause,  -  -  -  435 
Answer  of  Council  of  Safety  of,  to  Lee's  questions,  -  1052 
Lee's  advice  as  to  fortifying,  -  ....  1131 
Officers  permitted  to  recruit  in  North-Carolina,  -  1375 
North-Carolina  troops  in,  to  be  sent  back,  -  -  1386 
Resolve  of  Congress  for  the  defence  of,  -  1567 

Money  advanced  for  the  use  of,  -         -  1569,  1621 

Congress  order  a  Regiment  of  Rangers  to  be  raised 

in, 1589 

Gerard,  M.,  Mr.  Deane  has  an  introduction  to,  -         -  1014 
Gerchard,  Anthony,  airest  of,  at  Crown-Point,  -         -     902 
Germaine,  Lord  George,  correspondence  of,  with  Gen- 
eral Howe,    105,  121,  788,  963,  980,  1101,  1102,  1256 
Correspondence  of,  with  Governour  Tryon,    -         -    122, 

123,  949,  1103 

Letter  from,  to  William  Hay,  -         -     831 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Guy  Johnson,    ...     865 

Letter  to,  from  Lord  Howe, 895 

Letter  from,  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  -          1103,  1104,  1105 
Gernmi-Flsts,  artillery  and  stores  sent  to,  -         -     176 

Numerous  meeting  of  Indians  expected  at,  -  -  237 
Cniitereiire  with  Indians  to  be  held  at,  -  -  -  238 
Number  of  Indians  arrived  at,  ....  793 
Reported  intention  of  the  enemy  against,  .  .  816 


German-Flats,  the  conference  at,  reported  to  Lord 

Germaine,  -         -  -     866 

Schuyler  returns  from,  -         -         -  -     923 

Schuyler's  speech  at  the  opening  of  conference  at,  -  1035 
Germans,  Maryland  raises  two  Companies  of,    - 
Captain  Strieker  recommended  as  Field-Officer  in 

the  Maryland  Battalion  of,  -     114 

Two  Companies  of,  ordered  to  be  raised  in  Balti- 
more, 

Congress  resolves  to  raise  a  Regiment  of, 
Appointment  of  officers  to,  in  Baltimore, 
Arms  to  be  purchased  for  a  Company  of, 
Two  thousand,  at  Isle-aux-Noix,  under  Frazer,       -    799 
Two  thousand,  at  St.  John's,  under  Carleton,          -     799 
Two  thousand,  at  Montreal,  said  to  be  under  Bur- 
goyne,      --------     799 

Desertions  from  the  enemy's  corp  of,      -         -    799, 1078 
Information  given  by  a  deserter  from,     -  -     800 

Certain  resolves  of  Congress  distributed  among  the,   1193 
Germantown,  price  given  for  window-leads  in,  - 
Gerreau,  Dr.  Joseph,  professes  to  manufacture  salt,    -  1459 
Gerrish,  Colonel,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assem- 
bly,     -         -  ...  .         .       65 

Gerrock,  Samuel,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Germans,  -  1334 

Gerry,  Elbridge,  letter  from,  to  General  Warren,         -       14 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       ...      21:  1146 

Letter  to,  from  Major  Hawley,        ...         -     403 

Arrival  of,  at  New- York,        .....     452 

Letter  to,  from  Tristram  Dalton,  -  ...  461 
Gervais,  J.  L.,  letter  to,  from  Colonel  J.  Hugcr,  -  973 
Gheselin,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  1349 
Gibbins,  John,  prisoner-of-war,  disposal  of,  -  22 

Gibson,  James,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -                                            -                 -    893 
Gibson,  Woolman,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,      -                                   -                          -  1346 
Gibson,  Walter,   Commissary  to  North-Carolina  Bri- 
gade,       -        -  1372 

Giddins,  John,  killed  on  board  the  Alfred,  -     708 

Gilford,  Henry,  advances  money  for  Militia  supplies,  -  1374 
Gilbert,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  General  Gates,    -         -  1074 
Gilbert,    Michael,    appointed    Lieutenant    in   Flying- 
Camp,      -  -  1348 
Giles,  Benjamin,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Legisla- 
tive Council,     -                            ....       47 

Instructions  to,     -  -----     211 

Letter  from,  to  Meshech  Weare,    -  -     480 

Letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire  Council  of  Safety,  -     568 
Giles,  Mr.,  Apothecary-General,        -  -     652 

Gillereart,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -  ...  .    573 

Gilliland,  Mr.,  noted  as  unfit  to  serve,        ...     393 
Gilliland,  William,  letter  from,  to  General  Gates,        -     486 

Gilliland, ,  suspicions  against,  -     564 

Court  of  Inquiry  into  the  accounts  of,    -         -         -     801 
Gilliland,  Mr.,  recommended  for  promotion,       -         -  1509 
Gilman,   Colonel  David,   complaint   of  a  Magistrate 

against,    ------  -54 

Summoned  before  New-Hampshire  Assembly,         -       55 
Payment  of  the  staff-roll  of,   -         -  57, 82 

Censure  of,  by  New-Hampshire  Assembly,      -         -       78 
Appears  before  the  Assembly,  and  the  complaint 

against  him  is  dismissed,    -  -       81 

Letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire  Council  of  Safety,  -     517 
Is  appointed  to  command  New-Hampshire  levies,  -     991 
Gilman,  Colonel  Nicholas,  ordered  to  keep  guard  at 

Exeter  powder-house,        -  56, 81 

Gilman,  Dr.  Josiah,  appointed  to  receive  saltpetre,  &c.,  62,  87 
Gilman,  John  T.,    member  of  New-Hampshire  As- 
sembly,    -         -         -  -       62 

Gilman,  Colonel  P.,  letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire 

Council  of  Safety,      -  -     248 

Gilman,  Lieut.  John,  order  to,  from  New-Hampshire 

Council  of  Safety,      -  -     609 

Gilmore,  Robert,  carried  prisoner  to  Philadelphia,       -  1616 
Gilpin,  Joseph,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -    690 

Girardeau,  John,  member  of  Georgia  Council  of  Safety,         6 

Givens,  Thomas,  deserter,  examination  of,          -         -     950 

Glen,  H.,  letter  from,  to  Colonel  Fonda,    -         -         .     no 

Letter  from,  to  Walter  Livingston,  175,  1001,  1070,  1085 

Letter  from,  to  General  Schuyler,  -  -     17Q 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Dayton,     -  42,  110 

Letter  from,  to  John  Petrie,  -  -     1 10 

Gloucester,  resolve  to  supply  town  of,  with  cannon,  265,  273 

Appointment  of  officers  for  Company  at,  -     271 

Resolve  for  supply  of  Matrosses  at,  .     277 

Resolve  for  paying  Selectmen  of,  -        -        -        -    298 


1681 


INDEX. 


1682 


Glover,  Jonathan,  letter  from,  to  Washington,    -         -     478 

Washington  refers  the  case  of,  to  Congress,   -      815,817 

Glover,  Col.,  march  of  the  Regiment  of,  to  Norwich,  -     514 

Attached  to  Sullivan's  Brigade,      -  -     913 

Goddard,  William,  letter  from,  to  the  Board  of  War,  -     441 

Memorial  of,  to  Congress,     -  -     442 

Washington's  remarks  on  the  proposal  of,      -         -     642 

Goforth,  Major  William,  reasons  of,  for  quitting   the 

service,     ....      202,  203 

Resignation  of,     -  -  -   1390 

Goforth,  Captain  William,  skilled  in  making  salt,       -  1477 

Gold  and  Silver,  committee  appointed  to  procure,       48,  61 

Amount  of,  in  New-Hampshire  treasury,         -         -       59 

Committee  appointed  to  carry,  to  Schuyler,    -         -       67 

Congress  order  exertions  to  procure,      -  -  1606 

Gold,  James,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  Warner's 

Regiment,  -  1565 

Goldsborough,  Captain,  ordered  to  take  the  place  of 

Captain  Hindman,     -  -         -     722 

Goldsborough,  Greenbury,  appointed  Captain  in  Fly- 
ing-Camp, -         -  1346 
Goldsmith,  Daniel,  to  New- York  Convention,    -         -     853 
Is  "  Continental  Jailer,"                 -         -         -         -     854 
Gondolas,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  orders  purchase 

of  timber  for,     -  -     219 

Equipment  of,  on  Lake  Champlain,  ...  236 
A  number  of,  ordered  to  be  built  at  Skenesborough,  238 
Washington  asks  Governour  Trumbull  for,  -  -  352 
Nondescript  character  of  Schuyler's,  -  -  376 

Washington's  advice  to  Schuyler  as  to  his,  -  -  391 
Non-arrival  of  expected,  at  Ticonderoga,  -  -  629 
An  offer  to  build,  for  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  634 
Captain  Wyncoop's  letter  on  the  subject  of,  -  -  680 
Articles  wanted  for,  on  Lake  Champlain,  -  -  745 
Number  of,  sent  from  Skenesborough  to  Ticonde- 
roga, -  -  795 
Armament  of  the  enemy's,  -  -  -  -  -  951 
Preparations  for  building  in  Maryland,  -  -  960 
Commanders  of,  on  Lake  Champlain,  -  -  969 
Good,  Captain,  recommended  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety, -         -         -     482 

Is  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  -  -  1348 

Is  ordered  to  join  the  Flying-Camp,       -  -  1349 

Goodman,  Samuel,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,      -  -  1348 
Goodrich,  Briger,  commander  of  the  Lady  Susan,       -     152 
Goodrich,  Captain  Charles,  declared  an  enemy,  -         -    733 
Is  captured  on  board  a  North-Carolina  sloop,  -         -     741 
Goodwin,  Captain,  prisoner-of-war,  promises  parole,  -     535 
A  servant  is  allowed  to,  -    535 
Gordon,  Lewis,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,     137 
Gordon,  Captain   A.,    and   others,    prisoners-of-war, 

complaints  of,  -         -  ...     223 

Gordon,  John,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -  -     384 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -    976 

Gordon,  William,  promoted  to  a  First  Lieutenancy,    -     453 

Gordon,  Rev.  William,  letter  from,  to  Gen.  Gates,  925,  1074 

Letter  from,  to  the  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts-Bay,   1289 

Gordon  &  Patten,  saddlers,  recommendation  of,          -     569 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -    617 

Gordon,  Colonel  Patrick,  killed  in  a  scouting  party,  -     626 

Gordon,  General,  shot  by  a  scout  at  St.  John's,  -         -     829 

Carleton  terms  the  killing  of,  "  assassination,"        -     901 

The  scout's  reason  for  shooting,    -  -  923 

First  news  of  the  death  of,  comes  to  Washington 

in  Carleton's  order,  -  -  -         -  1081 

The  King  approves  the  appointment  of,  -  -   1104 

Gorget,  the  Indians  refuse  a,  with  the  King's  arms,  -  841 
Gorham,  Sturgis,  to  Barnstable  Committee,  -  -  147 
Gospel,  London  Society  for  propagating  the,  -  -  902 
Gough,  Caleb  C.,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -     251 

Gould,  Frank,  escape  of,  from  an  enemy's  ship,  -  659 
Gould,  Ensign,  ordered  to  guard  the  mortars  from 

Boston,    -  -  1075 

Gouter,  John,  a  lad,  discharged  from  service,  -  -  947 
Government,  Jay's  remarks  on  formation  of,  40 

Rapid  formation  of  new,  in  the  United  States,         -     103 
A  matter  of  "  everlasting  concern,"  -     118 

New-Jersey  completes  her  form  of,         -  -     347 

Comments  on  the  New- York,  -     357 

Delaware  resolves  to  form  a  new,  -  -         -     617 

General  Lee's  remarks  on  elective,  -     631 

Congress  complimented  on  their  capacity  for,         -     734 
A  list  kept  of  every  speculation  upon,    -  -     944 

Address  to  the  voters  of  Delaware  on,    -  -   1057 

The  system  of,  adopted  by  Delaware,     -  -  1174 


Government,  New- York  Convention  appoint  a  com- 
mittee to  frame  a,      -         ....  1465  1472 
Governour's  Island,  the  officers  of,  to  General  Heath,  -'        3 
The  best  fortified  post  of  the  army,  -         -  1111 

Channel  between  Grand  Battery  and,  stopped,        -  1518 
Govitt,  William,  Secretary  to  Philadelphia  Council  of 

Safety,      -  .     3g8 

Elected  by  Congress  Assistant  Auditor-General,     -  1595 
Grace,  ship,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -         ...     152 
Grafton,  removal  of  prisoners  to,        -         -         .         -  1117 
Graham,  Colonel  Morris,  letter  to,  from  General  Heath,  1185 
Letter  to,  from  General  Heath,  with  orders,    -         -  1216 
Petition  of,  to  General  Clinton,      -  1263 

Appointed  Colonel  of  New-York  Militia,        -         -  1413 
Graham,  William,  surety  of  James  Conneaughy,         -  1322 
Graham,  Dr.  James  A.,  report  from,  -         -         -         .   1448 
Graham,  Lieutenant  Peter,  a  prisoner  on  parole,         -  1449 
Graham,  Lewis,  appointed  Judge  of  Admiralty,  -         -  1474 
Draft  of  the  commission  for,  -         ....   1494 
Graham,  Dr.  Robert,  General  Woodhull's  capture  re- 
ported by,  .  1564 
Grahame,  Charles,  letter  to,  from  T.  Hammond,         -     808 
Grain,  New-Jersey,  harvest  of,  suffering  for  want  of 

reapers,    -  .     172 

Order  for  removal  of  all,  to  a  distance,   ...  1537 

Burning  of,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting,       -  1538 

Order  to  destroy,  in  Queen's  County,     ...  1549 

Grand    Battery,   obstructions  between  Nutten-Island 

and,  .   1028 

Grandfathers,  formation  of  a  company  of,  -  543 

Granger,  Peter,  a  French  neutral,  sent  with  Dr.  Ely 

to  the  Northern  Army,       -  .     242 

Grannis,  John,    appointed    Captain    of  Marines    by 

Rhode-Island,  -  ...     623 

Is  assigned  to  the  Colony  ship,      -  -  1222 

Request  of  Rhode-Island  respecting,  answered,      -     701 
Grant,  Major-General  James,  on  Staten-Island,  -        -       27 
Commands  the  enemy's  Fortieth  Regiment,  -        -     413 
Is  killed  in  the  battle  on  Long-Island,    -         -  1194,  1212 
General  Parsons  brings  in  a  watch  and  hat  recog- 
nized as  belonging  to,  -   1195 
Grant,  Daniel,  vote  to  pay  bill  of,  for  expresses,  -         -  1332 
Grant,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  the  New- York  Conven- 
tion,                                                                      -  1516 
Is  requested  to  furnish  an  inventory  of  medicines, 

&c.,  received  by  him,         .....  1516 
Grant,  John,  appointed  a  Captain  in  Warner's  Regi- 
ment,      -  -  -  1565 
Grant,  Elijah,  appointed  a  Paymaster  in  New-Hamp- 
shire,       ....                           -        -       50 
Grant,  Duncan,  trial  and  sentence  of,  -    505 
Grant,  Mrs.,  applies  for  permission  to  go  on  board  the 

enemy's  fleet,   -  -      622,  628 

Granville,  Militia  of,  inoculated  without  orders,  -  -  779 
Grapplings,  Captain  Varick  proposes  to  send,  to  Gates,  968 
Graves,  John,  committed  to  jail,  -  -  -  133 

Graves,  Captain  of  sloop-of-war  Viper,  conduct  of,  -  419 
Graves,  B.,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  554 
Graves,  Admiral,  inquiry  as  to  a  pass  from,  -  874 

Gravesend,  Howe's-  reasons  for  not  landing  at,  -         -     105 
Landing  of  the  enemy  at,      -         -  -  1120 

Gray,  Major,  General  Wooster's  reasons  for  confining,  12 
Gray,  Alexander,  resolve  on  the  accounts  of,  -  -  302 
Gray,  Lieutenant,  killed  on  Sullivan's  Island,  -  -  439 
Gray,  Colonel,  Regiment  of,  ordered  to  Long-Island,  -  711 
Gray,  Ebenezer,  appointed  Brigade-Major,  -  1249 

Gray,  James  W.,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  1351 
Graybill,  Captain  Philip,  recommended  by  Baltimore 

Committee,       -  -         -  -     182 

Muster-roll  of,      -  -    524 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -     722 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  issue  a  commission  to,   1334 

Grayson,  William,  appointed  by  Washington  as  one 

of  his  Aids,       -  -  1141 

Great  Britain,  arrival  of  reinforcements  from,      -         -     220 

Appearance  of  a  rupture  of,  with  France,       -  960 

Arguments  for  France  taking  part  against,      -  1227,  1228 

Maryland  prohibits  her  citizens  from  removing  to,  -  1342 

Great  Fishing  Creek,  lead  mine  discovered  at,   -         -  1374 

Great  Kanhaway,  Congress  propose  to  take  possession 

of  fort  at,  -  -  1575 

Great  Seal,  device  for,  as  reported  to  Congress,  -  -  1615 
Greaton,  Colonel  John,  letter  from,  to  General  Heath,  697 
Promotions  in  the  Regiment  of,  -  -  -  801 

Presides  at  a  General  Court-Martial,      -  -  1121 

Commands  First  Brigade  in  absence  of  Arnold,  -  1137 
Greely,  Joseph,  son  of,  wounded  at  Bunker-Hill,  -  49 
Green,  Daniel,  instructions  to,  as  to  East  River  Ferries,  414 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


106 


16S3 


INDEX. 


1684 


Green,  Cap!.,  list  of  Company  of,  taken  at  the  Cedars, 
Green,  Colonel,  ordered  to  march  to  the  Flying-Camp, 
Green,  James,  Secretary  of  North-Carolina  Committee 

•  if  Safely,  - 

Green,  John,  thirty-nine  -stripes  to,  for  desertion, 

Thiity-niiie  stripes  to,  for  breaking  guard, 
Green,  Richard,  exiled,  from  Boston, 
Green,  John,  appointed  Major  by  Congress, 
Greene.  (Jen.  Natlianael,  letters  from,  to  Washington, 
100,  371,  418,  452,  486,  510,  542,  559,  577,  602, 

,  .,.     ,-ia    ana    rii     ro?    T.-f>    fiO.4    87(1    SS7.  898, 


628,  0-13,  690,  711,  727,  750,  824,  870,  887, 


967, 


Letter  to  the  President  of  Congress, 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Varniirn,  - 

Paper  required  for  the  Brigade  of,  - 

Promotion  of,  to  be  Major-General, 

Promotion  of,  announced  in  general  orders,  - 

Confined  to  his  bed  on  Long-Island  with  a  raging 
fever,        ------ 

Serious  illness  of,  reported,  - 

Appointment  of,  by  Congress  as  Major-General,     - 
Greene,  Mr.,  copy  of  a  letter  from,  sent  to  Washington, 
Greene,  F.,  letter  from,  to  Washington,     - 
Greene,  Thomas,  invoice  from,          -         -         -         - 
Greene,  Eben.,  a  hostage,  letter  written  in  his  name, 
Greenleaf,  Dr.  John,  requested  to  furnish  medicines,  - 
Greenleaf,  Moses,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  sea  coast 

Company,  - 

Greenleaf,  B.,  President  of  Massachusetts  Council,    - 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,  - 
Greenleaf,  Sheriff,  letter  to,  from  John  A  very,    - 

Letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -  -  - 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  appointment  of  officers  for,  - 
Green  Mountains,  convention  of  the  people  of,  - 

Schuyler's  remarks  on  the  difficulties  of  a  march  to, 
Greenwalt,  Colonel  Philip,  the  Lancaster  Committee 

are  unable  to  equip,  - 
Greenway,  Joseph,  resignation  of,     - 

Is  appointed  by  Congress  Third  Lieutenant  of  the 
Delaware  frigate,       -         -         -  -         - 

Greenwich,  Connecticut,  Committee,  to  Washington, 
Grenadiers,  gallantry  of  Sergeant  Jasper  of  the, 
Grenel,  Thomas,  published  as  an  enemy,  - 
Greyhound,  arrival  of  the  British  ship, 

General  Howe,  a  passenger  in, 

Americans  detained  on  board,       - 
Griest,  Isaac,  member  of  the  Baltimore  Committee,    - 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  gives  an  order  on,  668, 

Letter  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to,    -   783, 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  832, 
Griffin,  Colonel,  letter  to,  from  President  of  Congress, 

Is  appointed  Deputy-Adjutant  General  to  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -------- 

Is  ordered  to  repair  to  Flying-Camp,     - 

Junction  of,  with  General  Mercer,         .         -         - 

Formal  appointment  of,  by  Congress,    - 
Griffith,  John,  soldier,  pension  granted  to, 

Released  from  the  army  by  Congress,    - 
Griffith,  Benjamin,  disarmed  as  inimical,  -         -         - 
Griffith,  Colonel  C.  G.,  recommended  to  Maryland 
Delegates,         ------- 

Is  appointed  a  Colonel  in  Flying-Camp, 

Is  ordered  to  Philadelphia,    -         -         -         -         - 
Griffith,  Samuel,  appointed  Quartermaster, 
Griffith,  Philemon,  appointed  Captain, 
Griffith,  Dr.  David,  appointed  Chaplain  and  Surgeon, 
Grimes,  Daniel,  sentence  of,  for  desertion  remitted,   - 
Grimes,  commander  of  galley  Spitfire, 

General  Greene  makes  serious  imputations  against, 

Grindstones,  serious  inconvenience  for  the  want  of,  at 

Skenesborough,         ------ 

Gates  calls  very  urgently  for,          - 
Gross,  Israel,  Chairman  of  the  Truro  Committee, 
Groton,  proposition  to  erect  a  Fort  at,       - 

Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  vote  money  and  sup- 
plies for  building  a  Fort  at, 
Grout,   Elijah,    member  of  New-Hampshire  Assem- 

I'ly, 

Letter  to,  from  New-Hampshire  Council  of  Safety, 
Grubb,  Colonel  Peter,  about  to  march  to  the  Jerseys, 
Complaint  against  for  refusing  receipts, 
Battalion  of,  ordered  to  Elizabethtown,  - 
Grubbing  Hoes,  Captain  Varick  promises  to  Gates,    - 
Grymes,  John,  effects  of,  taken  on  Long-Island, 
Guadalonpe,  four  Battalions  arrive  at, 
Guard,  resolve  to  furnish  sloop  Betsey  with  a,    - 
A  city,  established  in  Philadelphia,         - 
Asked  for  at  Shelburne,  on  Lake  Champlain,  - 


167 

595 

736 

992 

1138 

959 

1606 

27, 

621, 

921, 

1029 

125 

543 

579 

883 

914 

967 
998 

1603 

32 

359 

399 

1168 
282 

303 
381 
459 
778 
958 
377 
965 
794 

572 
1323 

1622 

1086 

439 

957 

27 

105 

550 

115 

1077 

1090 

1056 

495 

495 
496 
674 

1584 
47 

1589 
566 

863 

1345 

1350 

1350 

1574 

1588 

506 

751 

1029 

629 

1166 

146 

242 


-  1190 

64 
1117 
534 
711 

895 
922 
151 
510 
272 
388 
455 


Guard,  number  and  composition  of  the  daily,  at  Crown 

Point,       ...                  -         -                  -  630 

Composition  of  the  enemy's,  on  Staten-Island,       -  951 

Kept  at  the  house  of  Abraham  King,      -                  -  1216 

Resolution  respecting  the  Philadelphia,           -         -  1296 

Philadelphia,  put  into  Continental  service,     -         -  1321 

Guard-Boats,  patrol  of  the  enemy's.  -                           -  750 

Guilford,  Connecticut,  Committee,  proceedings  of,    -  1279 

Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  American  squadron  to  cruise  in,  1106 

Gumerall,  Thomas,  declaration  of,     -         -                  -  866 

Gun-barrels,  Governour  Trumbull  asks  Schuyler  for  old,  400 

Schuyler's  reply  to  the  request  for,                             -  581 

Gunby,  Captain,  Company  of,  ordered  to  Dorchester 

County,    -                                              -                  -  1342 

Gun-flints,  order  to  employ  a  manufacturer  of,  -         -  1580 
Gun-locks,    an    order   for,    by   Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -         ...                  ...  667 

Gunners,  establishment  for,  on  board  armed  vessels,  -  268 

Appointment  of,  for  Matrosses,     -                            -  322 

Schuyler  asks  Washington  for,      -                           -  716 

Washington  has  no,  to  spare,        -                           -  820 

Want  of,  at  Albany,  for  armed  vessels,  -                   -  1453 
Gunpowder,  a  supply  of,  voted  for  Haverhill,  Bath,  and 

other  Towns,    -  -        -  54,  55,  79,  80,  81,  85 

New-Hampshire  Assembly  appoint  a  Committee  to 

call  on  Washington  for,  -  -  69 
New-Hampshire  Assembly  vote  to  borrow,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, -  -  -  74 
Washington's  reply  to  the  call  for,  -  107 
Great  scarcity  of,  in  Sussex  County,  New-Jersey,  -  139 
Great  scarcity  of,  in  Ulster  County,  and  in  Easton, 

Pennsylvania,   -  -      125,  137 

One   thousand   pounds   a   week    manufactured    at 

Dutchess  County  Mills,     -                                     -  144 

Application  for,  from  Dorchester,  Maryland,  -         -  217 
Connecticut  votes  to  give  two  hundred  pounds  of, 

to  Selectmen  of  Westmoreland,                             -  241 

Arrival  of  a  large  quantity  of,  at  Martinique,  -         -  266 
Resolve  of  Massachusetts  to  supply  sundry  towns 

with,  -       271,  279,  282,  291,  310 

Commissary-General  of  Massachusetts  directed  to 

receive  all,  due  from  Continental  Government,  -  282 
Resolve  to  supply  the  forces  from  Canada  with,  -  305 
Resolve  to  supply  Bartholomew  Putnam  with,  -  312 
Four  tons  of,  ordered  to  General  Mercer  in  New- 
Jersey,  -  -  -  327 
Wagons  loaded  with,  for  Virginia,  -  366 
Gates  forbids  the  waste  of,  for  morning  and  evening 

guns,        -                                     -                            -  397 
A  sloop  with  a  cargo  of,  grounded  and  set  fire  to  by 

Sir  Peter  Parker,       -         -                           -         -  438 

Another  sloop  with,  grounded  on  Stono  Inlet,        -  440 

Price  of,  at  St.  Eustatia,        -                                     -  463 
Bridgetown,  New-Jersey,  Committee  ask  for  two 

hundred  pounds  of,  -                                              -  469 
Twelve  hundred  barrels  of,  taken  from  ship  Hope 

at  Pulling-Point  Gut,                                               -  478 

Order  on  Colonel  Pitkin  to  sell  fifty  pounds  of,       -  549 
Seventeen    half-barrels   of,    captured    in   schooner 

Despatch,                                                               -  552 
Mr.  Stone   sends,   from  Philadelphia  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -                                              -  556 
General  Rutherford  asks  North-Carolina  Committee 

«f  Safety  for,     -                                                        -  613 
Seven   tons  and  a  half  of,  arrive   at  Georgetown, 

South-Carolina,                   -                                     -  632 
Order  for  delivery  of  five  barrels  of,  to  Colonel  Da- 

shieil,       -                                                                 -  635 
One  hundred,  and  ninety-three  barrels  of,  arrive  at 

Chester,  -  -  691 
Arrival  of  four  tons  of,  at  New-London,  -  699 
Payment  made  for  making,  in  Connecticut,  -  -  700 
Congress  returns,  loaned  by  Connecticut  to  Wash- 
ington, -  -  -  718 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  send  two  barrels  of,  to 

Dorchester  Committee,      -                                     -  723 
Arrival  of  ten  tons  of,  from  France,       -         -      758,786 

General  Ward  sends  a  supply  of,  to  Norwich,         -  926 

Washington  requested  to  receive,  from  Providence,  943 
General  Heath  ordered  to  detain  all  the,  at  King's 

Bridge,     -                                                                 -  1230 

A  supply  of,  received  at  Williamsburgh,          -         -  862 • 

An  apology  for  delay  in  sending,  to  Gates,     -         -  872 
Colonel   Dayton  sends  two  barrels  of,  to    Indian 

chiefs,                                                            -        -  872 

Paxtown  Committee  apply  for,       -         -                  -  948 

Poughkeepsie  asks  a  supply  of,  for  armed  vessels,  -  954 

Arrival  of  ten  thousand  pounds  of,  in  Philadelphia,  1025 


1685 


INDEX. 


1086 


Gunpowder,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  send  a  quan- 
tity of,  to  Baltimore,                                                -  1133 
Charles  County  Committee  apply  for,  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      -                                              -  1191 

An  order  to  send,  to  Washington  at  New- York,     -  1328 

North-Carolina  Council  order,  to  Charleston,  -         -  1363 
North-Carolina  Council  receive  two  tons  of,  from 

Virginia,  -         -                                                       -  1366 

Washington  sends  to  New-York  Council  an  order  for,  1423 

Receipt  of  one  hundred  and  forty-three  casks  of,     -  1423 

A  supply  of,  sent  to  Indian  chiefs,                   -  1436,  1445 

Order  for  purchase  of,  for  sloop  Harlequin,     -         -  1471 
Order  to  send  fifteen  hundred  weight  of,  to  King's 

Bridge,     ....                  ...  1497 

Colonel  Drake  complains  of  the  scarcity  of,    -         -  1552 

John  McDonald  to  be  furnished  with,    -                  -  1556 

Damaged,  sent  to  mills  for  remanufacture,      -         -  1559 
Order  for   supply  of,   to    Pennsylvania   Council   of 

Safety,      -                                                 ...  .1577 

Washington  authorized  to  draw  from  the  mills  any 

quantity  of,  required  for  his  camp,      -                   -  1579 

General  Mercer  has  same  authority  to  draw,  -         -  1579 

Arrival  of  five  tons  of,  in  New-Jersey,    ...  1610 

Order  for  delivery  of  five   hundred    pounds   of,  to 

Mease  &  Caldwell,    -                  ....  1622 

Congress  resolve  to  appoint  Inspectors  of,      -         -  1622 

Not  to  be  received,  unless  approved  by  Inspector,  -  1623 
Each  cask  of,  to  be  marked  U.  S.  A.,    -                  -1623 

Continental  agents  required  to  inspect,  -                   -  1628 

Guns,  purchase  of,  by  Col.  Child  in  New-Hampshire,  341 

General  Johnson  making,  for  Maryland,                    -  491 

Order  of  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  purchase,  -  1090 
Captain  Fassett  asks  General  Gates  for  light  and 

handy, 1222 

Gun-scalps,  persons  engaged  in  making,  not  to  march,  947 

Gunsmiths  in  Upper-Paxtown  to  repair  arms,     -         -  948 

Gurnet,  resolve  to  place  cannon  on  the,     -                  -  274 

Resolve  to  fortify  the,    -                                              -  300 

Resolve  to  appoint  an  Engineer  for  works  at,          -  305 

Gusten,  Peter,  appointed  Brigade  Major  to  Heard,      -  677 

Gutteridge,  master  of  schooner  Despatch,  killed,         -  552 

Gwin's  Island,  letter  from  the  camp  before,                  -  149 

Particulars  of  Dunmore's  rout  from,        -                  -  150 

Description  of,  as  left  by  the  enemy,      -                  -  151 

Brigadier  Lewis  preparing  an  expedition  against,    -  213 

Americans  in  possession  of,  -                                     -  214 

Officers  and  soldiers  at,  complimented,  -                  -  215 

News  of  Dunmore's  retreat  from,  at  Annapolis,       -  341 

Number  of  deaths  on,  reported  by  Cunningham,     -  432 

H. 

Hackensack,  necessity  of  keeping  ferries  at,  open,     -  742 

Number  of  disaffected  in  the  neighbourhood  of,       -  819 
Hacker.  Captain  Hoysted,  commander  of  the  sloop-of- 

warFly, 137 

Orders  to,  from  Commodore  Hopkins,    -                  -  137 

Letter  to,  from  the  Marine  Committee,  -                   -  1107 
Hackett,  James,  appointed  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  in 

New-Hampshire,       -         -  49 

Is  assigned  for  service  in  Canada,  -                           -  57 

Voted  that  he  be  Colonel,     -  67 

Vote  to  promote  rescinded,  -                                     -  68 

Resignation  of,     -  69 

Haddrell's  Point,  Lee  views  the  fortifications  at,         -  437 
Lee  passes  from,  to  Sullivan's  Island  through  the 

midst  of  the  fire,        -                                              -  439 
The  situation  of,  described,   -                                     -  904 
Hadlock,  James,  appointed  a  Captain  in  New-Hamp- 
shire Militia,     -                                                       -  50 
Resignation  of,     -         -        -                                     58,  83 
Hagen,  Lieutenant  Robert,  resignation  of,                    -  453 
Hagle,  Jacob,  commission  of  Ensign  issued  to,  -         -  1344 
Hague,  extract  of  a  letter  from,                                      -  861 
HaFnes,  Samuel,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -                                                                 -  349 
Haines,  Samuel,  committed  to  jail  in  Kingston,          -  1556 
Hale,  David,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,     -  Q 
Hale,  Colonel  John,  petitions  preferred  against,  51 
Petitions  against,  dismissed,  -                                       -  69 
Resignation  of,     -------  70 

Hale,  Jonathan,  money  for  fire-arms  granted  to,          -  54 
Hale,  Colonel  Enoch,  member  of  the  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,         .....                  -  62 

Appointed  Mustermaster,      -                                     -  67 

Hale,  Lieutenant,  killed  on  Sullivan's  Island,      -         -  439 
Hales,  John,  accused  of  aiding  in  escape  of  Colonel 

Kirkland,                               -                                       -  1303 

Is  admitted  to  bail, 1322 


Half  pay.  grant  of,  in  certain  cases,  -  -  1619 

Halifax,  Nova-Scotia,  Howe's  arrival  from,          -         -         2 

Rumours  at  Boston  from,       .....       43 

Resolve  relative  to  fugitives  to,       -         -         -         -     283 

Arrival  of  the  army  from,  the  intended  signal  for 

executing  the  plot  against  Washington,       -         -     117 
Letter  from  Colonel  Allen,  dated  in  the  jail  at,        -     860  • 
Arrivals  at,  and  other  news  from,  -  -    939 

Secretary's  proclamation  at,  -  -         -     959 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,  ...     973 

Blockhouses,  &c.,  erected  at,  -        -  1209 

List  of  American  prisoners  in,        -  -  1283 

Halifax,  North-Carolina,  Council  of  Safety  of  North- 
Carolina  adjourn  to,  -  -  -  1365 
Reading  the  Declaration  of  Independence  at,         -  1368 
Names  of  persons  sent  to  the  jail  in,      -  -  1381 
Hall,  James  W.,  appointed  Lieutenant,      -                  -  1335 
Hall,  Josias,  appointed  Lieutenant,   -                           -  1335 
Hall,  Colonel  Josias  C.,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     -                                                 -         .     184 
Two  Companies  of  the  Battalion  of,  ordered  to  An- 
napolis,   -                  .         ...        .         .        -113 

Order  for  delivery  of  guns  to,  ...     616 

Battalion  of,  ordered  to  Philadelphia,      -  -  1360 

Hall,  Stephen,  resolve  to  grant  the  petition  of,   -         -     274 
Hall,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Jeremiah,  recommended  for 

promotion,        -  .....     551 

'Hall,  Alexander,  appointed  Lieutenant,     -  -     349 

Hall,  J.  B.,  appointed  Lieutenant,      -  -  1348 

Hall,  Captain  Richard  B.,  court-martial  ordered  on,   -  1338 
Hall,  John,  member  of  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -  1335 
Haller,  Henry,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,  35,  254 
Hallet,  Lieutenant  Jonathan,  named  for  promotion,     -     646 
Hallet,  James,  certificate  made  and  issued  for,    -         -   1474 
Hallock,  Captain  William,  letter  to,  from  Marine  Com- 
mittee,     -  -  -        -    977 

Halsey,  Stephen,  Colonel  Drake  asks  a  surgeoncy  for,   1458 
Certificate  of  the  qualifications  of,  -  -  1359 

Is  appointed  Surgeon  to  Colonel  Drake's  Regiment,  1459 
Halstead,  Jacob,  examination  of,  touching  the  burning 

of  his  house  by  the  enemy,  -  1490 

Hamer,   Ibbetson,    prisoner-of-war,   to    President    of 

Congress,  -     140 

Hames,  Colonel,  order  for  delivery  of  lead  to,     -         -  1290 
Hamilton,  Andrew,  to  Jabez  Fisher,  -  -     341 

Hamilton,  John,  excused  from  military  duty,       -        -    575 
Hamilton,  Captain  Archibald,  sent  as  a  suspected  per- 
son to  Congress,       -         -  -        -     934 

Is  permitted  to  reside  at  New-Brunswick,       -         -  1614 
Hamilton,  Captain  John,  resignation  of,     -  -  1306 

Hamilton,  John,  privateer's  commission  granted  to,    -  1327 
Hamilton,  George,  appointed  Ensign,         -  -  1349 

Hamilton,  John,  permitted  tolappeal  to  Congress,       -  1379 
Hamilton,  Hance,  declared  inimical,  -         ...  1381 
Hamilton,  Captain  A.,  to  New- York  Convention,       -  1462 
Company  of,  incorporated  with  Scott's  Brigade,       -   1491 
Vacancy  in  the  Company  of,  -  1509 

Hamman — see  Hammond,  Lieutenant- Colonel  James. 
Hammond,  Colonel,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -        -  -     101 

Hammond,  Matthias,  Quartermaster,  -  -     113 

Hammond,  Captain,  of  the  Roebuck,  in  Dunmore's 

fleet,  -'    150 

Rumour  of  the  quarrel  of,  with  Dunmore,       -        -     432 

Governour  Eden's  account  of,       -  -     616 

Hammond,  brigantine,  one,  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -         -     152 

Hammond,  Lieutenant-Colonel  James,  letter  to,  from 

New- York  Convention,      -  -     258 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -        -  -    355 

Letter  to,  from  New-York  Convention,    1403,  1409,  1410 
Letter  from,  to  New- York  Convention,  -  -  1404, 

1405,  1414,  1420 

Charges  made  against,  -  -  1420 

Which  are  shown  to  be  groundless,         -  -   1438 

Appointed  to  command  the  Westchester  County 

Militia,     -  -  1465 

Hammond,  Thomas,  appointed    Captain   in   Flying- 
Camp,      -  -  1348 
Hammond,   Andrew,    appointed    Ensign   in    Flying- 
Camp,      -                                                                -  1348 
Hamond,  John,  a  deserter,  examination  of,         -         -    997 
Hampshire,  Mass.,  number  of  men  to  be  raised  in,      -     289 

Field-Officers  chosen  for, 293 

Success  in  raising  the  levies  in,      -  -    552 

Convention  of  Committee  of  the  County  of,    -        -    588 
Committee  for  raising  men  in,  report,     - 
Hampstead,  Joshua,  commander  of  an  armed  brig,      -  1382 
Ordered  on  a  cruise  of  six  weeks,  ....  1334 


1687 


INDEX. 


1688 


Hampton.  Virginia,  intelligence  of  Dunmore  from,      -     862 
Hampton,  Richard,  employed  by  Congress,  with  rank 

of  Lieutenant-Colonel,       -  -   1579 

Ordered  to  the  Jerseys,  -   1580 

Hampton,  East  and  South,  New-York  Convention  to 

the  Committee*  of,    -  -  -  1398 

Hancock,  John,  correspondence  of,  with — 
William  Allen,      - 
Ephraini  Anderson,       -  - 

Ephraim  Elaine,  -  -     223 

John  Bradford,      - 

Briti.-h  Officers,  prisoners,      -         -  -      222,  223 

377,  549 


Gtivi-rnour  Cooke, 
Cumberland  Committee, 
Richard  Derby,  Jun.,     - 
Colonel  Lewis  Dubois,  - 
Rev.  Mr.  Duche,  - 
Field-Officers  at  Ticonderoga, 
William  Finnic,    - 
Benjamin  Flower, 
Robert  Frail], 


-  337,  619 

-  550, 859 

-  393 

-  116 

-  1072 

-  991 

-  691 

-  35 


General  Gates,  -  115,  375,  649,  795,  1123,  1124,  1267 
Lewis  Gordon,  -  -  -  -  -  -  -137 

Benjamin  Greenleaf, 459 

Colonel  Griffin,     -  -  ...     495 

David  Hale,  -  9 

Henry  Haller,        -     .   -  -         -        35,  254 

John  Hanson, 940 

Benjamin  Harrison,       -         -  -         -31,  11 17 

Colonel  R.  H.  Harrison, 1183 

Joseph  Hart, 103 

Colonel  Haslett,   -  11,482,739,788 

General  Heath,     -------     883 

Commodore  Hopkins,  -  -    .     -     994 

John  Jay,     -         -        -         -         -        --         -40 

Monsieur  Kirmovan,      ....--     367 

Lancaster  Committee,  -         -         -         -         4,219,1230 

General  Charles  Lee,     -  -         -     493,832,1130 

Colonel  F.  Lewis,  -        -        -        -     366 

General  Andrew  Lewis,  -    494,736,1053,1243 

Maryland  Convention,  ------  1024 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  ...  -1090 
Massachusetts  Assembly,  -  ...  3,  367 
Colonel  William  Maxwell,  -  -  1203 

James  Mease, 33,  116 

General  Mercer,  -  -  -    327, 

369,  388,  469,  499,  599,  673,  691,  750,  908,  1193 

Dr.  Morgan,  979 

Captain  Samuel  Morris,  .....  669 
Colonel  William  Moultrie,  -  -  -  -  494 

Colonel  Moylan, 934 

Captain  John  Nelson,  ------   1129 

New-Hampshire  Assembly,  -----       65 

New-Jersey  Provincial  Congress,  -        -         -        -         ] 

New-Jersey  Convention,        -  11,  346,  440,  495 

New-York  Convention.33, 201,228,  1395,1397, 1398,1399 
Governour  Page,  -  -  -  465,  736 

William  Palfrey, 156 

Christopher  Pellissier,  -  ....     726 

Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,     -  -        12,327 

Pennsylvania  Convention,      -         -         -      387,  495,  690 

General  Read,       -  "  883 

Colonel  Joseph  Reed, 576,  934 

General  Roberdeau,       -  -      116,  326 

George  Ross,        -        -  35,  103 

Governour  Rutledge,  --.--.  555 
General  Schuyler,  -  -  115,253,338, 

394-410,  472,555,  691,714,  856,  1030,  1151,  1217 

Dr.  Shippen,  346 

Colonel  Smallwood, 388 

General  Sullivan,  -  ....     770 

Colonel  William  Thompson,  -      494,  940 

Matthew  Tilghman,       -  ...          5,  215 

Governour  Trumbull,  -  19,  28,  42,  43,  44,  45,  262,  476 
Joseph  Trumbull,  ...  136, 

451,  618,  643,  691,  726,  750,  870,  966 
Governour  Tucker,        -  37,138,172,468 

William  Tudor,     -  ...     883 

nia  Council  of  Safety,  -  .  -  366,465,736 
Virginia,  Governour  of,  --.-.  494 
Virginia  Battalion,  --....  jjgi 

Gen. Tal  Ward,  34,1156 

Washington,         - 33 

33,  115,  155,  185,  223-253,  329-346,  350,  367,  388' 
89,  409, 434,  466,  484,  499,  537,  540,  555,  575, 594, 
636,  638,  668,  669,  677,  690, 726,  814,  832,  834,  883, 
884,  915,  930,  932,  949,  951,  963,  977,  980,  994,  995, 
1081,  1094,  1110,  1120, 1135,  1136,  1158,  1211,  1244 


Hancock,  John,  correspondence  of,  with — 
Meshech  Weare,  -  -     381 

Carpenter  Wharton,    .  -         -         -      .  -  -     350 

Colonel  James  Wilson,  -  1110 

Bond  from  owners  of  a  privateer  given  to,       -         -     954 
Hancock,  privateer,  captures  made  by,       -  -   662, 

874,972,  990,  1172,  1173 

Hand,  Colonel,  permitted  to  go  to  Philadelphia,          -     387 

Reports  from,  on  Long-Island,       -  -     418 

Greene  sends  in  a  Regimental  report  from,     -         -     750 

Hand,  Wm.,  charged  with  passing  counterfeit  money,   1369 

Handbill,  copy  of  a,  issued  by  New-Hampshire,  57,  83 

Hand-grenades,  Schuyler  asks  Washington  for,  -         -     474 

Poughkecpsie  Committee  order  the  purchase  of,     -     954 

Hands,  Thomas  B.,  resigns  his  seat  in  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -                                     -      385,594 
Handy,  Levin,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,   1351 
Haney,  Thomas,  committed  to  jail  for  theft,        -         -  1330 
Hannum,  John,  petition  of,  referred  to  Secret  Com- 
mittee,       1578 

Hanover,  New-Hampshire,  proceedings  at,  -       30 

Evil-disposed  persons  about,  -     948 

Hanson,  John,  Jun.,  letter  from  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -    251,  325,  569,  737,  1134,  1190 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,   -      544,  851 
Hanson,   Peter  C.,   recommended   as   Lieutenant  of 

Rifles,       -  -  -    251 

Is  appointed  by  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  as  Lieu- 
tenant of  Rifles,  -  -  1337 
Hanson,  T.,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,     521 
Hanson,  Colonel  Samuel,  of  Sam.,  advertisement  by,  -     526 
Joins  Colonel  Harrison  at- Sandy-Point,  -     529 
Hanson,  John,  offers  his  services  to  Congress,  -         -    940 
Hanson,  Captain  John,  ordered  to  Annapolis,    -         -   1354 
Hardenbrook,  Mr.,  body  of,  found  at  Burdett's  Ferry,   1144 
Hardenburgh,  Colonel  Johannes,  to  New- York  Con- 
gress,       -         -                            -  126 
Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -                  -     868 
Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -----     790 
Order  for  supplying  arms  to,  -         -         ...   1493 
Refuses  to  deliver  up  the  cash  in  his  hands,  -         -  1510 
Harding,  Captain  Seth,  trial  of,          -         ...      134 
Promotion  of,  recommended,         -                            -     341 
Is  ordered  to  repair  his  brig,  ...     458 
Reports  the  brig^as  unfit  for  service,       -                  -     476 
Is  ordered  to  dismantle  the  Defiance,    -                  -     732 
Receives  orders  to  sail  on  a  cruise,                            -   1006 
Hardman,  Henry,  appointed  Captain  in  Colonel  Grif- 
fith's Battalion,                   -                                     -  1350 
Hardman,  Henry,  appointed  by  Congress  Lieutenant 

in  Captain  Griffith's  Rifles,  -  1574 

Hardman,  Henry,  appointed  by  Congress  Lieutenant 

in  Captain  Davis's  Rifles,  -  -  1574 

Hard  money,  Connecticut  sends,  to  Schuyler,  43 

New-Hampshire  votes  to  send,  to  Schuyler,   -         -       67 

Consultation  on  the  means  of  raising,  69 

Resolution  for  procuring,      -  -      294,  313 

Hare,  Henry,  Baron  de  Woedtke  asks  the  arrest  of,  -     475 

Is  compelled  to  give  bond,    -  -  -  1679 

Harford,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Committee 

of,  -  155,  183 

R.  Dallam  offers  to  deliver  arms  at,  -     363 

Hargisdes,  William,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's 

fleet,  -     152 

Hargrove,  Lieutenant,  mortally  wounded,  -         -         -  1148 

Harlem,  New- York  Council  of  Safety  meet  at,  -  1457,  1557 

Harlem  River,  Heath  advises  a  floating  bridge  over,   -  1121 

Propriety  of  posting  men  east  of,  -  -  1230 

Harlequin,  brig,  capture  of,  by  an  American  privateer,     589 

Account  of  the  cargo  of,      -  -     780 

Harlequin,  sloop,  owners  ask  a  privateer's  commission 

for,-         -         -         -  -  -     794 

Owners  of,  give  bond  to  President  of  Congress,      -     954 
Purchase  of  ammunition  ordered  for,     -  -  1471 

Harncy,  Philip,  witness  against  John  Smith,       -         -  1371 
Harnet,  Cornelius,  excepted  from  pardon  in  Clinton's 

Proclamation,  -  -         -  -     437 

Is  President  of  North  Carolina  Council  of  Safety,  -    613, 

736,  1356 
Harper, William,  appointed  CaptainofNew-Hampshire 

Militia,     -  -       50 

Harper,    Christopher,   thirty-nine   stripes  to,  for  de- 
sertion,   -  -  -  1139 
Harper,    William,    New- York    Convention    advance 

money  to,  ...  1519 

Harpswell,  resolve  for  supplying  fire-arms  to,     -         -     302 
Harrard,  William,  brought  under  guard  to  North-Caro- 
lina Council,    -  ....  1372 


1689 


INDEX. 


1690 


Harriman,  Captain,  member  of  New-Hampshire  As- 
sembly,   -  63 
Harrington,  Moses,  chosen  Lieutenant  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -  -     663 

Harris,  Thomas  R.,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of, 

Examination  and  parole  of,  -  25 

Harris,  James,  letter  to,  from    Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -  154 

Harris,  Benton,  letter  to,  from  Maryland   Council  of 

Safety,      -  -     364 

Chosen  Chairman  of  Dorchester  Committee,  -         -     365 
Harris  &  Archer,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -     782 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -     882 
Harris,  Captain,  intelligence  brought  by,  -  -     888 

Harris,  John,  ammunition  in  possession  of,         -         -     948 
.   Letter  from,  to  Lancaster  Committee,    -  1181 

Harris,  George,  petition  of,  to  New- York  Convention,  1163 
Harris,  William,  witness  against  John  Smith,     -         -  1371 
Harrison,  Benjamin,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Con- 
gress,      -  -       31 
Submits  an  account  of  cash  on  hand,     -  1117 
Harrison,  Dr.  William,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     .                  -                  -         -         -     102 
Money  advanced  to,  on  account  of  Captain  Veazy's 

Company,  -        -  -     133 

Harrison,  Colonel  R.  H.,  letter  to,  from  Dr.  Wither- 

spoon,      -  ...  .         .     172 

Letter  from,  to  D.  Tillinghast,        -  -         -     643 

Letter  from,  to  General  Mifflin,     -  -         -     886 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,  -  -,  1183 

Harrison,  Captain,  good  policy  of,    -  -     150 

March  of,  to  St.  George's, 592 

Harrison,  J.  C.,  Clerk  to  Dorchester  Committee,        -     218 
Harrison,  Gilbert,  resolve  on  petition  of,    -  -     281 

Harrison,  Colonel  William,  letter  from,  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  -     433 

Attempts  to  lead  the  Militia  at  Sandy-Point,  -         -    525 
His  statement  of  the  affair  there,  -  527 

Joins  Colonel  Samuel  Hanson,     ....     529 

Vindicates  the  conduct  of  the  Militia,  ...     531 
Harrison,  Joseph  W.,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  '  666 
Harrison,  Lieutenant,  prisoner  of  war,  signs  parole,  -     783 
Harrison,  Mr.  William,  advices  brought  by,  from  Fort 

Pitt,  -  1228 

Harrison,  Thomas,  ordered  to  give  bail  for  good  beha- 
viour,       -  -  -         -  -  1369 

Harrison's  Brewery,  a  guard  ordered  to  be  stationed  at,     677 
Hart,  Michael,  released  from  Jail,     -  -     101 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  discharge  of,  from 
service,    --.-----  1331 

Hart,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,  -     103 

Chosen  Colonel  of  Bucks  Associators,  -  -     171 

Hart,  William,  chosen  Captain  Bucks  Associators,     -     171 

Hart,  Joseph,  chosen  Ensign  Bucks  Associators,       -     171 

Hart,  Christopher,  articles  delivered  to  for  Schuyler,  -    919 

Hart-Island,  plundered  by  the  enemy,        -  -  1215 

Hartford,  Connecticut  Assembly  convened  at,   -         -       28 

Intelligence  from  the  army  given  at,       -         -         -     661 

Letter  from  Washington  to  Committee  of,      -         -     823 

The  Birdseys  advertised  in,  Courant,      ...     732 

Number  of  Tory  prisoners  sent  to,         ...     890 

Arrival  of  the  prisoners  at,    ...  -  1172 

Letter  from  the  prisoners  at,          -         -  -  1526 

Hartley,   Colonel  Thomas,    correspondence  of,  with 

Genera!  Gates,  -  176,  486,  547,  564,  604,  630, 

682,  888,  902,  955,  969,  1114,  1154,  1203,  1265,  1238 

The  Journal  of,  is  sent  to  Schuyler,        ...     206 

Arrival  of,  at  Crown-Point,    -----     207 

Copy  from  the  Journal  of,     -         -         -         -         -     209 

Instructions  for,  -.---.-     474 
Letter  from,  to  General  Arnold,     -  -     487 

Is  ordered  by  Arnold  on  an  expedition,  ...  1002 
Letter  from,  to  General  Sullivan,   -  -  1098 

Harvard  College,  apparatus  of,  removed  to  Cambridge,     272 
Harvest,  want  of  men  in  New-Jersey  for  the,     -         -     172 
Colonel  Hays'  Regiment  very  anxious  about  their,  -     337 
General  Clinton's  Militia  are  engaged  in,       -        -     355 
General  Mercer  obliged  to  discharge  many  men  for,     370 
New-Jersey  Militia  are  permitted  to  secure  their,     -     470 
Made  a  prevailing  excuse  for  tardiness,  -        -        -     509 
The  ladies  of  New-Jersey  and  Connecticut  assist  in 

securing  the;    -------     578 

Harwood,  Thomas,  letter  from  to  Charles  Graham,     -     808 
Harwood,  Benjamin,  appointed  Lieutenant  Militia,     -   1339 
Hasenilious,  F.  C.,  appointed  Captain,      -                  -     187 
Haskell,  Captain,  letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Coun- 
cil, ---  360 


Haslett,  Colonel,  Battalion  of,  ordered  to  Wilmington,     170 
Letter  to,  from  President  of  Congress,  -         -  °      -     482 
Letter  to  the  officers  of  his  Battalion,  from  the  Pre- 
sident of  Congress,  -         ....      739  733 
Congress  make  disposition  of  his  Battalion,  -         -  ']566  • 
Is  ordered,  with  his  Battalion,  to  Philadelphia;        -  1586 
Hatch,  Captain  Joseph,  Muster- Roll  of;     -         -         -  1264 
Hatch,  Silas,  appointed  Lieutenant  at  Martha's  Vine- 

}iard.  295 

Hatchet,  metaphorical  ceremony  of  burying  the,  -  1046 
Hatter,  application  for  the  discharge  of  a,  -  -  -  931 
Hatton,  John,  relieved  from  tax  by  Baltimore  Com- 

mittee, -    522 

Hatton,  John,  Sen.,  warrant  for  apprehension  of,         -  1307 

Is  committed  to  State  Prison,        ....  1308 

-Liberated  on  giving  bail,       .....   1222 

Board  of,  to  be  charged  to  Congress,     ...  1325 

Hatton,  John,  Jun.,  warrant  for  apprehension  of,         -  1307 

Hauseigger,  Nicholas,  recommended  as  Colonel,        -     187 

Adjutant  Ryon  is  convicted  of  assaulting  and  beating,   1125 

Appointed  Colonel  of  a  German  Battalion,     -        -1581 

Havana,  a  Spanish  fleet  reported  on  the  way  to,          -     904 

Haverstraw,  enemy's  ships  anchored  in  Bay  of,  374,  389,  452 

Goods  are  removed  from  the  stores  at,  -        -         .    545 

Ships  reported  to  be  still  at,  -         -        -     551,580,1414 

Colonel  Isaac  Nicoll  sent  to  command  at,       -        -     729 

Ship  Phoenix  grounds  in  Bay  of,    -        -         -        -  1409 

Haverhill,  vote  to  supply  fire-arms  to,         -         -          50,  77 

Selected  as  a  place  of  rendezvous,        ...       71 

Resolve  on  account  of  Selectmen  of,     -         -        -     292 

Hawbecker,  George,  recommended  as  Lieutenant  of 

Germans,  .         -  1293 

Is  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Germans,  ...  1583 
Hawkins,  Col.  James,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  592 
Hawkins,  George  F.,  certificate  of,  -  -  -  527 

Hawkins,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  1348 
Hawley,  David,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Connecticut 

Colony  ship,     -         -         -         -         .        .         .     244 
Advances  to,  for  raising  seamen,   ....  1008 
Hawley,  Major  Joseph,  Mr.  Gerry  sends  a  copy  of  the 

Declaration  of  Independence  to,        -         -        -       14 
Correspondence  of,  with  Massachusetts  Council,  -    552, 

891,  927,  958 

Correspondence  of,  with  General  Gates,     951,  958,  1086 

Governour  Trumbull  refers  Schuyler  to,          -        -  1185 

Hay,  William,  suspected  of  unfriendliness,         -      239,  564 

Hay,  Col.  A.  Hawkes,  to  Gen.  George  Clinton,  -      337,  355 

Letter  to  Washington,  -        -  -       452,  580, 728 

Letter  from  Washington, 886 

Is  appointed  Commissary  of  Militia,      ...  1497 

Hay,  Major  Udney,  patronizes  George  Belton,  -        -     486 

Court  of  Inquiry  ordered  on  accounts  of,        -         -     801 

Appointed  Assistant  Deputy  Quartermaster  General,     800 

Hay,  William,  elected  a  Captain  of  Volunteers,          •     121 

Appointed  a  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  ...     188 

Hays,  Patrick,  elected  a  Lieutenant  of  Volunteers,     -     121 

Appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,          -        -     187 

Hays,  John,  appointed  Ensign  Maryland  Militia,        -  1344 

Haywood,  Thomas,  Dr.  Morgan  refers  to.  as  his  friend,     921 

Hazard,  Ebenezer,  letter  from,  to  Gates,   20,  195,  227,  869 

Letter  from,  to  Robert  Livingston,  -        -  1214 

Ordered  to  remove  his  post  office,  ...  1559 

Hazelet,  Lieutenant  Samuel,  resignation  of  453 

Hazen,  Joshua,  chosen  Lieutenant  by  town-meeting,       30 

Hazen,  William,  resolve  on  complaint  of,  -        -        -    314 

Hazen,  Colonel  Moses,  Congress  order  a  court  on,  -  1544 

Schuyler  promises  inquiry  into  the  conduct  of,       -     984 

Objects  to  the  rank  of  the  court,    ....     353 

Court  ordered  to  consist  of  Field-Officers,      -        -     653 

Arnold's  conduct  on  the  trial  of,   -         -         -         -     862 

Is  honourably  acquitted,         .....  1124 

Gates  sends  proceedings  of  the  court  to  Congress,  -  1268 

Hazlet,  James,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,     349 

Hazlewood,  Captain,  is  sent  to  Washington,     -         -     186 

Letter  to,  from  New-York  Convention,  -        -        -  1454 

Fits  out  a  fire-ship  in  a  masterly  manner,       -         -  1548 

Receives  £300  and  a  vote  of  thanks,      -         -        -  1556 

Heach,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  Maryland  Militia,   1344 

Head,  Jas.,  appointed  Major  New-Hampshire  Militia,       83 

Head-Quarters,  General  Orders  from,  New-York,     225-227 

502-507,  676-678 

Lord  Howe  ready  to  strike  a  blow  at,  -  -  .  367 
Flag  from  Lord  Howe  arrives  at,  -  -  -  -  36'9 
Messrs.  Hampton  and  Dawson  ordered  to,  -  -  387 
An  orderly  Sergeant  to  attend  at,  daily,  -  .  502 
Daily  returns  of  cartridges  to  be  made  to,  -  -  504 
Heard,  Colonel,  advanced  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier,  -  16 
Destruction  of  an  enemy's  tender  by,  23 


1691 


INDEX. 


1692 


Heard,  Colonel,  intelligence  received  from, 

Return  of  Brigade  ccinmmnled  by,         331,  507,  639,  7< 
Inquired  to  furnish  certain  returns,        ...     55' 
Paper  required  for  Brigade  of,  - 

Concurrence  of,  with  General  Mercer.  -  -     619 

Furl'Mulis  ".'ranted  by,  to  another  Regiment, 
Ordered  to  Long-Island,        - 
Letter  from,  to  Washington, 
Heath,  General  William,  letter  to,  from  officers  at  Gov- 

einour's  Island,         -  '        ^ 

Correspondence  of,  with  Washington,  -  578, 

1029,  1082,  1120,  1121 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Greaton,  -  -     697 

Letter  to,  from  John  Adams, 
Made  President  of  a  Court  of  Inquiry,    - 
Promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major-General,         -   883,1603 
Promotion  announced  in  general  orders,         -         -     914 
Last  brigade  order  of,   ------     ^22 

Colonel  Martin  is  recommended  to,       - 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Carey,       -         -        -         -     998 

Correspondence  of,  with  Mitllin,  -        -  -1113, 

1122,  1144,  1145,  1184,  1211 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Nicoll,      -  1183 

Letter  from,  to  the  Assistant  Commissary  of  Pro- 
visions,   -  .         -         -         -         - 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Knox,       -         -         -1:43,1 
Correspondence  of,  with  Major  Henley,          -  1151,  II 62 
Correspondence  with  Colonel  Morris  Graham,  1185,  1216 
Letter  from,  to  the  Fairfield  Committee,         -         -  1215 
Letter  from,  to  Lieutenant  Umstead,      -         -         -  1215 
Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed,    - 
Letter  from,  to  Lieutenant  Langdon,      -  126/ 

Letter  from,  to  the  Commissary  of  Provisions,         -  1237 
Letter  from,  to  the  Captain  of  the  Guard,       -         -  1237 
Letter  to,  from  James  W.  Payne,  -        -  -1238 

Hedge,  Lemuel,  disarmed  and  advertised, 
Heiser,  Rich'd,  recommended  as  Captain  of  Germans,     251 
Heister,  William,  appointed  Captain  of  Germans,       -  132 
Helena,  brig,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,        -         -         -     152 
Hellcn,  John,  appointed  by  Maryland  Lieutenant  in 

Flying-Camp,  - 

Commissioned  by  Congress  as  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,      -        -  -  1587 
Helm,  Christian,  recommended  as  Ensign,        -         -  1293 
Hernpstead  Plains,  enemy  in  possession  of, 

Fifteen  hundred  head  of  cattle  driven  from,    -        -  1261 
Hempstead,  Robert,  letter  from,  to  Gov.  Trumbull,      -   1279 
Henderson,  Josiah,  Corporal,  reduced  to  the  ranks,   -  1270 
Henderson,  Michael,  removed  from  office  of  Ranger,     1369 
Hendly,  Thomas,  appointed  Aid-de-Camp  to  Heath,-     964 
Hendricks,  James,  President  of  a  court-martial  in  Vir- 
ginia,      --------     362 

Hendrickson,  Daniel,  refuses  a  First  Lieutenancy,     -     571 

Henly,  Major,  named  by  Washington  for  promotion,  -     641 

Assigned  as  Brigade  Major  to  Clinton,  -         -         -     915 

Colonel  Knox's  eulogy  of,    -----  1150 

Correspondence  of,  with  General  Heath,        -  1151,  1162 

Henry,  Patrick,  letter  to,  from  General  Lee,       -       95,  630 

Is  made  Governour  of  Virginia,  •  -        -        -     170 

Letter  to,  from  the  President  of  Congress,      -         -     494 

Letter  to,  from  North-Carolina  Convention,   -         -     613 

Address  of  Baptist  Association  to,          ...     905 

Reply  of,  to  the  Address,       -  -     906 

Henry,  brig,  capture  of,  by  American  privateers,         -    588 

Henry,  Captain,  valuable  prizes  taken  by,          -         -     589 

Henry,  William,  superintendent  of  work  on  Lancaster 

Barracks, 1135 

Henry,  James,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1346 
Henry,  Michael,  discharge  of,  ordered  on  bail,  -  -  1373 
1 1  i-nshaw,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  to  General  Washington,  950 
Hepburn,  James,  is  permitted  to  remove  to  Salisbury,  1380 
Herbert,  Thomas,  acquitted  of  the  charge  of  theft,  -  768 
Herbs,  dry,  wanted  for  the  Hospital,  -  647 

Herenden,  William,  sentenced  for  desertion,  -  -  505 
Herrick,  Colonel  Henry,  letter  from,  to  Massachusetts 

'  Council,  -  -         -     178 

Is  appointed  second  Captain  of  Green  Mountain 

Boys,        -  .     377 

Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  -  -     971 

Hoscoat,  Captain,  removal  of,  to  Burlington,      -         -       17 

Hessians,  reported  sailing  of  the,  from  Plymouth,        -     517 

Arrival  of  four  thousand, 660 

Sailing  of  transports  with,  for  New-York,  -  -  664 
Transports  with,  put  into  Halifax,  -  -  -  669 

Arrival  of,  at  Staten-Island, 818 

Enemy  believed  to  be  waiting  for  more,  -  -  819 
Not  much  esteemed  as  soldiers,  ....  887 
Rumoured  arrival  of  the  remainder  of,  -  9H 


Hessians,  said  to  be  preparing  for  an  attack,      -         -     930 

Various  rumours  concerning  the,  -  -     951,  967 

Are  supposed  willing  to  quit  the  enemy's  service,  -   1063 

Congress  send  propositions  to  be  distributed  among,    1 064 

A  Colonel  of,  signifies  his  readiness  to  desert,        -   1110 

Manner  of  conveying  papers  to  the, 

Seventeen,  reported  killed,    -  ...  1554 

Proceedings  of  Congress  relating  to,      -         -  1602,  1607 

Hetherling,  Captain  Jacob,  Company  of,  to  be  passed,   1318 

Heulet,  Benedict,  a  Tory,  not  worth  sending  away,    -     887 

He wes,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  Samuel  Johnson,         -     117 

Hey,  William,  letter  to,  from  Lord  Germaine,    -         -     831 

Heyligger,   Mrs.  Alletta,  claim  of,   against  schooner 

America,  -  ...     421 

Heywood,  Seth,  complaint  of  fraud  in  muster-roll  of,      285 
Hick,  William,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,    - 
Hicks,  John,  joins  General  Howe,    - 

Hicks,  Thomas,  attorney,  order  for  arrest  of,       -         -  1480 

Examination  and  discharge  of,       -  -  1486 

Hicks,  Elizabeth,  a  treasonable  letter  traced  to,          -  1507 

Order  authorizing  the  arrest  of,      -  -  1507 

Examination  of,    -------  1508 

Hide,  Ebenezer,  appointed  Lieutenant,     -  -  1565 

Higgins,  Reuben,  resolve  on  petition  of,    -         -         -     274 
Higgins,  Lieutenant  John,  decease  of,       -  -     653 

Highlanders,  the  corps  of,  sail  from  the  Clyde,  -         -     122 
Five  thousand,  said  to  be  in  Howe's  army,      -         -     197 
Seven  hundred  and  fifty,  in  possession  of  the  Ame- 
ricans,     -         -  ...     214 
Landing  of,  from  the  Scotch  fleet,  -     537 
Reported  arrival  of  two  thousand,  -  -     600 
Transports  with,  arrive  at  Staten-Island,                    -     818 
Sent  by  Lord  Howe  up  the  Bay  of  Fundy,      -      939,973 
Expected  to  find  America  already  conquered,         -   1111 
General  Howe  punishes,  for  refusing  to  fight,          -   1112 
Highlands,  designs  of  the  enemy  against  the  passes 

in  the,       -  -  -  -     227 

Washington  orders  the  defence  of,          -  -     256 

Committee  of  New- York  Convention  survey  the,     -     423 
An  account  of  what  -Washington  did  for  the,  -         -    484 
New-York  Militia  ordered  to  occupy  the  passes  in 
the,-  -  ...  .     871 

New-York  Militia  ordered  out  for  defence  of  the,    -  1406 
High  treason,  a  law  for  the   punishment  of,  recom- 
mended, -  -         -  -     403 

Highways,  an  act  for  better  regulating,  in  New-Hamp- 
shire,      --•--  -.-75 
Hill,  James,   appointed   Captain  of  New-Hampshire 

Militia,     -  -      64 

Hill,  Captain,  commands  galley  Lady  Washington,     -    751 

Hill,  Whitmill,  member  of  North-Carolina  Council,     -  1366 

Hill,  Colonel,  order  to  deliver  arms  to,       -  -  1294 

Hillhouse,  William,  letter  from,  to  Nathaniel  Shaw,    -     145 

Member  of  Connecticut  Council  of  Safety,      -         -     244 

Hillsborough,  independence  proclaimed  at,  -     719 

Order  for  raising  men  in,  countermanded,       -         -  1377 

Hilton,  Captain,  baseness  of,    -  -  -    558 

Account  of  the  conduct  of,  sent  to  Secret  Committee 

of  New-York  Convention,  -  1451 

Hindman,  Captain  James,  to  Maryland    Council  of 

Safety,      -  -         -     251 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  -  344 
Company  of,  relieved  by  Captain  Goldsborough,  -  722 
Ordered  to  furnish  an  account  of  his  men,  arms, 

&c., 1332 

Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  supply,  with  ammu- 
nition,     -  -        -  1304 
Hindman,  William,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety, 343 

Hines,  William,  chosen  Ensign  of  Bucks  Associators,  171 
Hingham,  resolve  to  supply  the  town  of,  with  powder,  279 
Kingston,  Capt.  John,  brings  intelligence  from  Licking 

Creek,      -         -         -  ....  1228 

Hinman,  Colonel  Benjamin,  Washington  authorized 

to  call  on,  -  -       45 

March  of  the  Regiment  of,    -  -     957 

Hinman,  Elisha,  appointed  by  Congress  to  command 

the  Cabot,  -  -  1606 

Hitchcock,  Colonel,  assigned  to  Mifflin's  Brigade,      -     915 
Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -         -  1067 

Hitchcock,  Lieutenant  Azel,  money  advanced  to,  for 

recruiting,        '-  -  1333 

Is  commissioned  as  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,     -  1348 
Hite,  Jacob,  murdered,  and  family  carried  off  by  the 

Indians,    -  -        -  1228 

Hobart,  John  Sloss,  letter  to,  from  General  Spencer,  -     373 

Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -         -  1233,  1260 

Hobart,  Aaron,  letter  from,        ...  .     748 


1693 


INDEX. 


1694 


Hobbs,  Samuel,  commissioned  as  Lieutenant  by  Mary- 
land,                                                                         -  1344 
Hobby,  Lieutenant,  court-martial  ordered  on,    -         -  76! 
Acquittal  of,  by  the  court,     -                                     -  114( 
Hod_;e,  Michael,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses,  -  301 
Hodges,  Captain,  associate  in  infamy  of  Ross,   -         -  75' 
Hoebuck  Ferry,  guard  ordered  at,     -         ...  912 
Hoisingt'on,  Colonel,  letter  to,  from  General  Sullivan,  -  i 
Hoisington,  Major  Joab,  muster  of  a  Company  under,  126 
Appointed  a  Major  of  Rangers,      -                           -  1437 
Draft  of  the  commission  for,  -                                     -  1439 
Holcomb,  Lieutenant,  court-martial  ordered  on,          -  96 

Discharged  from  arrest,                                               -  966 
Holden,   Colonel,    Regiment   of,    ordered   to   King's 

Bridge,     -                                                                     -  790 
Holgate,  Matthew,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,      -                                                                 -  349 
Holland,  treatment  of  England  towards,    ...  627 
Refuses  to  renew  her  prohibition,  ....  1075 
Hollingsworth,  Jesse,  corespondence  of,  with  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,      -                  ...  100, 
113,  153,  182,  375,  384,  782,  960,  975,  1076 


Complaint  lodged  against,  by  J.  Crosier, 


-  105' 


Baltimore  Committee  consider  the  complaint  against,  1156 
Hollingsworth,    Colonel    Henry,    correspondence    of, 

with  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,          -         -    113, 

184,  614,  666,  808,  942,  960,  972,  1055,  1134 

Order  on.  for  bayonets,  -  -     218 

Refuses  provisions  to  Captain  Thomas,  ...     872 

Gives  a  satisfactory  explanation,     ....     943 

Hollis,  suspected  persons  at,  reported  to  New-Hamp- 
shire Assembly,  .       68 
Hollomback,  Matthew,  appointed  Ensign  by  Congress,  1618 
Holman,  Jonathan,  appointed  Colonel  of  Massachu- 
setts levies,        .......     393 

Arrival  of,  at  head-quarters,   -  ...     727 

Holmes,  Captain,  suspicions  entertained  against,       -     247 

Testimony  on  oath  concerning,      ....     760 

Holmes,  James,  escape  of,  from  the  Cherokees,  -         -  1149 
'Commissioned  as  Third  Lieutenant,       ...  1313 
Holmes,  Jonathan,  appointed  Ensign  of  Riker's  Com- 
pany,       -  -  1427 
Holstead,  Latimer,  Clerk  of  Norfolk  Committee,  Vir- 
ginia,       -                                                                 .     407 
Holstein,  battle  near  great  island  of,  -         -         -         -     464 

Further  account  of  the  affair  at,     -         -         -         -     48 1 

Holt,  Benjamin,  sentenced  to  be  stripped  at  the  post,   1270 
Holt,  Michael,  efforts  to  obtain  discharge  of,      -         -   1380 
Holton,  Habakuk,  fine  on,  remitted,  -         ...     345 
Home  sickness,  a  terrible  disorder,    ....  1217 

Begins  to  prevail  about  the  middle  of  October,         -  1221 

Honourable,  Lee's  sarcasm  on  the  epithet,  -     631 

Hooe.B.,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  383,591 

Hook,  movements  of  the  enemy  near  the,  -         -         -         1 

New- York  provision-vessels  join  enemy  at,     -         -     558 

Six  ships  enter  the,        ......     600 

Ten  ships  reported  to  be  entering,  -     628 

Further  reports  from  the,       -  .  675,  750 

Thirty  ships  at  one  time  enter,       -         .         .         .     712 
General  Greene  reports  forty  sail  at  the,          -         -     727 
Colonel  Hand's  report  from,  -  .         -    887 

Sir  Peter  Parker,  with  twenty-five  sail,  arrives  at,     -     949 
Hooper,  General  Henry,  correspondence  of,  with  the 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,       344,  430,  492,  665,  722 
Hooper,  William,  letter  to,  from  General  William  Liv- 
ingston,  -  -  1210 
Hope,  ship,  aground  in  Pulling-Point  Gut,  with  a  cargo 

of  powder,  -     478 

Twelve  hundred  barrels  of  cargo  of,  taken  out  and 

carried  into  Boston,  ---...     478 
Hopkins,  Commodore  Esek,    cannon   left   at   New- 
London  by,       -  -       45, 262 
Orders  from,  to  Captain  Hacker,    -  -     137 
Valuable  prize  sent  into  Boston  by,         ...     557 
Prisoners  taken  by,  sent  to  Windham  jail,       -         -     683 
Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,      -         -     994 
Ordered  to  be  censured  by  Congress,     -                   -  1025 
Letter  from  Marine  Committee  to,                    -        -  1106 
Inquiry  into  conduct  of,  transferred  to  Marine  Com- 
mittee,     -         ...                  ...  1576 

The  Committee  report  in  the  case  of,     -  -  1598 

Petitions  to  be  heard  in  Congress,  -  -   1598 

Petition  to  be  heard,  granted,  -   1599 

Attendance  of,  in  Congress,  -         -         -  -  1605 

Did  not  pay  due  regard  to  his  instructions,     -         -   1609 
Censured  by  Congress,  .....   1410 

Ordered   to  Rhode-Island  to  take  command  of  a 

fleet,     -  1612 


Hopkins,  Mark,  order  on,  for  gold  and  silver,      -      269,  277 
Appointed  Brigade  Major  to  General  Fellows's  Bri-  ' 

gade,        -•--..._     9j2 
Hopkins,  Daniel,  appointed  to  sign  bills  in  Massa- 
chusetts, -  .....     jog 
Hopkins,  Wait,  chosen  first  Captain  of  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys,                   -  ....     377 
Receives  appointment  of  Captain  in  Warner's  Regi- 
ment,       -  .        .  1563 
Hopkins,  Gerard,  correspondence  of,  with  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,      -         -      617,666,906,1133 
Hopkins,  William,  Chairman  of  Oyster  Bay  Committee,    511 
Letter  from,  to  the  Committee,      -         -         -         -     511 
Hopkins,  Sarah,  asks  for  discharge  of  her  servant,       -     761 
Hopkins,  Brigadier,  in  French  service,  desire  of,  to 

come  to  America,      -  ....  1Q20 

Hopkins,  Roswell,    letter  from,   to   General  George 

Clinton,    -  ...  1262 

Is    appointed    Lieutenant-Colonel    of    New-York 

Militia,     -  .         .  1413 

Hopper,  John,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  desertion,      -  1137 

Hops,  Lieutenant,  high  recommendation  for  Marines,     487 

Declines  to  accept  the  Marine  service,  ...     683 

Horned  Cattle,  report  of  a  committee  in  relation  to,  -  1415 

Discussion  of  the  report  on,  -         ....  1417 

Great  number  of,  on  Nassau-Island,        ...  1425 

Order  for  removal  of,  to  Hempstead  Plains,    -        -  1537 

Hornet,  Marine  Committee  offer  to  purchase  the  sloop,  1181 

Horn's  Hook,  Colonel  J.  Smith's  Regiment  ordered  to,  1557 

Horse,  three  Regiments  of,  under  Colonel  Seymour, 

ordered  to  New- York,        -        -  -  124 

The  Connecticut,  ordered  home,  -  -  -  -  125 
More  useful  on  emergencies  than  Militia,  -  -  142 
A  company  of,  raised  by  Governour  Tryon  on  Staten- 

Island,      ...  -        -     200 

Troops  of  Light,  exempted  from  garrison  duty,  -  371 
Captain  Salisbury's,  refuse  to  do  duty  on  foot,  -  713 
Troops  of,  ordered  to  watch  ships  in  the  Hudson,  -  855 
Roll  of  a  troop  of,  from  King's  and  Queen's  Counties,  953 
See  also  Cavalry  and  Light-Horse. 

Horses,  the  enemy  "killing  and  barrelling  up,    -  1110,  1532 

Order  for  removal  of,  from  seaboard,       ...   1537 

Farmers  allowed  to  retain  only  one  pair  of,    -         -  1537 

Officer  at  Westchester  authorized  to  impress,  -         -  1544 

Horsey,  Isaac,  letter  from,  to  Sussex  Council  of  Safety,       11 

Hortalez,  Roderique,  &  Co.,  the  assumed  signature  of 

Beaumarchais,  -         -         -         -         -         .  1023 

Horton,  James,  deposition  to  the  toryism  of,      -        -    623 

Examination  of,   -  ...  1443 

Horton,  James,  Jun.,  arrested  and  sent  to  prison,       -  1412 

Hosmer,  Titus,  member   of  Connecticut   Council   of 

Safety,      ....  .     240 

Hospital,  petition  from  Portsmouth  for  erection  of,  -  212 
Number  of  sick  in  the  General,  at  Lake  George,  -  238 
Director  of  the,  appointed  for  the  Flying-Camp,  -  346 
Dr.  Brown  recommended  to  take  charge  of  the 

Flying-Camp,  -  -     371 

Medicines  wanted  for  the  Northern,  ...  649 
The  Director  of  the  Northern,  in  want  of  Surgeons,  651 
Colonel  Josiah  Smith  authorized  to  procure  a,  -  1523 
Hospital  Apothecary,  pay  of,  fixed  by  Congress,  -  1581 
Hospital  Mates,  number  and  pay  of,  increased,  -  -  1581 
Rank  of,  superiour  to  that  of  Regimental  Surgeons,  1581 
Hospital  Officers,  Directors  authorized  to  appoint,  -  1614 
Hospital  Regulations,  as  agreed  upon  at  New-York,  -  108 
Hospital  Stores,  Dr.  Treat  sends,  to  President  of  New- 
York  Convention,  -  -  1534 
Hospital  Surgeons,  number  and  pay  of,  increased,  -  1581 
To  take  rank  of  Regimental  Surgeons,  -  -  -  1581 
Hostages,  demanded  of  Major  Sherburne,  -  -  161,163 
Hotham,  Commodore,  arrival  of,  expected,  -  -  105 
Three  hundred  and  four  sail  leave  England  under,  -  662 
House,  John,  commissioned  as  Second  Lieutenant  in 

Maryland  Militia,      -        -  -  1344 

Ordered  by  Congress  to  be  subjected  to  inquiry,      -   1594 
Houston,  Dr.  James,  held  to  bail  by  Baltimore  Com- 
mittee,     -  -     182 
rlouston,  John,  member  of  Georgia  Council  of  Safety,         6 
iouston,  Robert,  letter  from,  to  Sussex  Committee,  -       11 
low,  Nehemiah,  Chairman  of  Poultney  Committee,  -     659 
loward,  Thomas  H.,  appointed  Surgeon's  Mate,         -  1332 
loward,  James,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant,  -         -   1344 
ioward,  John  E.,  appointed  Captain,        ...  1348 
Joward,  Joseph,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant,         -   1348 
lowe,  Lieutenant-General  Sir  William — 
Arrives  at  the  Hook,     ---..-         2 
Encamps  on  Staten-Island,   -----       20 
Movements  of,  detailed  in  a  letter,  34 


1695 


INDEX. 


1690 


Howe,  Licutenant-General  Sir  William — 
Wii.iliiiiL'ton's  intelligence  of, 
Account  of  the  retreat  of,  from  Boston,  - 
Letter  from,  to  Lord  Germainc,     105,  121,  963,  980,  1256 
Force  that  landed  with, 
A  portion  of  the  army  of,  land  on  Staten-Islaud,     -     119 

Washington  speaks  of  the  arrival  of, 
Arrival  of,  at  New- York,  with  ten  thousand  men,     - 
Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -         -      352,  679,  997,  10S 
A  letter  from,  is  rejected,       -----     389 
Washington's    interview  with    the   Adjutant-Gene- 
ral „(•;   .     -  -  soo 

Washington's  report  of  this  interview  to  his  brother,     509 
Washington's  confidence  in  the  honourable  charac- 
ter ,,lf      -  -     693 
Reply  of,  to  Washington  on  the  subject  of  exchanges,    711, 

766 

U';i,-lnn:,'toii  transmits  to  Congress  the  letter  of,      -     762 
Extract  of  a  letter  from,  to  Lord  Germaine,     -         -     78£ 
Major  French  encloses  a  letter  for,  to  Washington,     902 
Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -         -         -         -   932,  1026 

Washington  refers  to  information  received  from,      -   1099 
Conduct  of,  contrasted  with  that  of  Carleton,  -         -   1095 
Sundry  letters  to,  from  Lord  Gerrnaine,  -         -  1101,  1 102 
Proclamation  by,  on  Long-Island,  -         -  1121 

Congress  agrees  to  proposition  of,  for  exchanges,  -   1621 
Howe,  Admiral  Lord  Viscount — 

Information  of  the  sailing  of,          -  -         - 

Expected  arrival  of,       -----        - 

Washington's  information  concerning,  39 

Arrival  of,  with  a  considerable  army,      - 
Reported  on  his  passage  to  New-York,  -         -         -     142 
Sends  a  flag,  with  a  letter,  which  is  rejected,  -         -     231 
Arrival  of,  at  Bergen  reported,        - 

Is  the  bearer  of  a  letter  to  Colonel  Reed,        -         -     372 
Character  of,  as  given  in  De  Berdt's  letter,      -         -     372 
Sends  a  flag  to  General  Mercer  at  Amboy,     -      328,  360 
Reed's  comments  on  De  Berdt's  letter  by,       -         -    415 
Letter  and  Declaration  of,  enclosed  to  New-Jersey 
Convention,      -         -         -        -         -         -         -441 

Washington  informs  Gates  of  the  arrival  of,    -         -     450 
Letter  and  Proclamation  of,  mentioned  by  Adams,  -     466 
Sends  a  flag  to  Washington,          -        -         -         -     471 

Letter  to,  from  Dr.  Franklin,  -  -    482 

Ten  of  his  fleet  reported  entering,  -         ...     484 
Washington's  report  to  his  brother  of,    -  -     509 

Sends  a  flag  and  letter  to  Governour  Cooke,  -         -     549 
Reuben  Swain  desires  permission  to  apply  to,  for 
the  liberation  of  his  son,    -----     550 

Benjamin   Barnard  desires  permission  to  apply  to, 

for  the  liberation  of  his  brother  and  son,      -         -     550 
Copy  of  the  letter  of,  to  Governour  Cooke,     -         -     605 
Governour  Trumbull's  remarks  on  the  letter  of,        -     608 
Willingness  of,  to  agree  to  an  exchange  of  prisoners,     675 
Mr.  Tracy  has  an  interview  with,  about  exchanges,      727 
Expresses  his  regard  for  America,  and  especially  for 
Massachusetts-Bay,   ------     785 

Preparations  of,  to  attack  New- York,      -         -         -     870 
Letter  from,  to  Lord  Germaine,      -         ...     895 
Letter  from,  to  Dr.  Franklin,  -         -     979 

Lord  Drummond's  idea  of  the  powers  of,        -         -  1026 
Note  from,  accepting  Lord  Drummond's  offer,         -   1027 
Strange  report  of,  circulated  by  the  post-rider,         -   1065 
Copy  of  a  letter  to,  from  Washington,     -  -  1094 

Reply  of,  to  the  letter  from  Washington,  -  1095 

Is  directed  to  inquire  into  Shuldham's  neglect,        -   1102 
Rumoured  proposition  of,  for  peace,  contained  in 

general  orders,  -  -         -  1139 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,  to  Mr.  Stephens,        -         -   1255 
Copy  of  the  declaration  of,    -----   1466 

Exchange  of  prisoners  proposed  to,        -         -         -   1528 
Congress   approves  Washington's   rejection  of  the 

letter  of,  -  .   1580 

Dr.  Franklin  is  permitted  to  answer  letter  of,  -         -  1586 
Intercepted  letters  from,  laid  before  Congress,         -   1583 
Washington  is  directed  to  remonstrate  with,  on  the 

case  of  Lieutenant  Josiah,  -  ...  1600 

Howe,  John,  printer,  joins  General  Howe,         -         -       46 
Howe,  Cyprian,  appointed  Licutcnant-Colonerof  Mas- 
sachusetts Militia,     -         .        -  .         .     292 
Howe,  Brigadier-General    Robert,   is    excepted    from 

pardon  in  Clinton's  proclamation,       -         -         -     437 
Arrives  with  L..e  ami  others  at  HaddrelPs  Point,     -     437 
Si-ts  .ml  for  Georgia  with  Lee,        -         ...     940 
Howell,  Jacob  S.,  appointed  Secretary  to  Pennsylvania 

Council  of  Safety,      --....   1300 

Howell,  Samuel,   declines   serving    in    Pennsylvania 

Council  of  Safety,     ---.._  1399 


Howith,  Robert,  sent  prisoner  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  ...  -        -     680 

Mareman's  deposition  against,       -  -     687 

Yell's  deposition  against,       - 

Committed  to  Jail  by  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,-  1347 
Hubbard,  Nehemiah,  appointed  Paymaster  of  Connec- 
ticut Regiment,  -     699 
Hubbee,  Eleazer,  elected  Ensign  of  Colonel  Cooke's 

Regiment,  -   1121 

Hubley,  Major,  goes  to  take  an  inventory  of  Baron  de 

Woedtke's  effects,     - 

Hubley.  George,  examined  by  Lancaster  Committee,  -     760 
Recommended  for  a  captaincy, 

Appointed  by  Congress  Captain  of  Germans,         -   1569 
Hubley,  John,  letter  from,  to  William  Atlee, 
Hubley,  Bernard,  recommended  as  First  Lieutenant,  -  1317 
Appointed  by  Congress  First  Lieutenant  of  Ger- 
man Company, 
Hudson  River,  passage  of  enemy's  ships  up, 

Movements  of  enemy's  ships  in,    -         -  -     374 

Measures  of  Secret  Committee  of  New- York  Con- 
vention for  the  defence  of, 
A  chain  asked  for  to  obstruct, 
Mr.  Jay  borrows  cannon  for  defence  of, 
Cannon  is  procured  for  defence  of, 

Enemy's  ships  of  war  sailing  up,    -  1399 

Measures  ordered  to  obstruct  the  channel, 
Navigation  of,  partially  obstructed,         -         -         -  1416 
Captain  Townshend's  Company  sent  to, 
Two  sloops  fitting  out  for  defence  of,    - 
Mr.  Duer  ordered  to  consult  with  Washington  about,   1522 
Fortification  of,  eminently  important,    -  -  1548 

Post  rider  ordered  to  take  east  side  of,  -  -  1562 

Hudson's  Bay  ships,  attention  of  Commodore  Hop- 
kins called  to  the  capture  of  the,        -  -  1106 
Huffinoton,  Jonathan,  appointed  Ensign  in  Maryland 

Militia,     --.-  -  -  1355 

Huger,  John,  Secretary  of  South-Carolina, 
Huger,  Colonel  Isaac,  letter  from,  to  J.  L.  Gervais,    -     973 
Hugg,  Captain,  muster-roll  of  Artillery  Company  of,  -     788 
Hugget,  Benjamin,  Washington  commands  arrest  of,  -     819 
Hughes,  Samuel,  (Iron-Founder,)  introduced  to  Con- 

gress,       ---  -     219 

Letter  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Daniel  and,     806 
Congress  order  a  contract  to  be  made  with,  for  can- 
non, -  -  1585 
Contract  with,  made  and  confirmed,      -                  -  1587 
Hughes,  Isaac,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Hughes,  Ensign,  return  of,  to  Crown-Point,       ••         -     682 
Hughes,  Hugh,  Assistant  Quartermaster-General,  de- 
livery of  articles  by,  -                                     -         -     919 
Return  of  sundries  shipped  to  Albany  by,      -  1050,  1064 
Hughes,  Joseph,  security  required  of,  for  good  beha- 
viour,       .                   -         - 

Hughes,  John,  Congress  assumes  expense  of  clothing,   1604 
Hulks,  proposition  to  sink,  in  North  River,        -         -     224 
Order  to  suspend  sinking,  at  Boston,     -  -     268 

Hull  ships,  schemes  for  taking  the,  -  908 

Hull,  Massachusetts,  inhabitants  removed  from,  and 

guard  stationed  at,    -  -   1224 

Humanitas,  to  the  Lord  Mayor  of  London,  -     754 

Humiliation    and   Prayer,  Massachusetts   resolves  to 

appoint  a  day  of,       ------     310 

Hunt,  Captain,  of  the  Sphinx,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Park- 
er's fleet,-         -  -         -  -     436 

Hunt,  Samuel,  letter  from,  to  General  Gates,     -         -  1170 
Hunt,  Lieutenant  Alexander,  W.  Sutton  sent  to  Phila- 
delphia under  charge  of,    -  -  1455 
Hunter,  John,  and  family,  in  Dunmore's  fleet,    -         -     152 
Hunter,  Captain  Alexander,  examination  of,       -         -     996 
Escape  of,  -  -   1109 
Hunter,  Mr.  James,  ordered  to  wait  on  Congress  for 

supplies,  -----  -     991 

Hunter,  John,  Jun.,  sent  to  Martinsborough  on  parole,  1366 
Hunter,  James,  admitted  to  citizenship,     -  -  1379 

Hunting-shirts,  Squier's  account  of,  -  -     455 

Washington  recommends  the  troops  to  wear,  -         -     677 
A  terrour  to  the  enemy,  -     677 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  refuse,  to  Col.  Ewing,  -     783 
The  enemy  dressed  in,  like  the  Americans,    -         -  1195 
Huntington,  Samuel,  delegate  to  Congress  from  Con- 
necticut, 

Huntington,  Mr.,  referred  to,  to  prepare  transports,    -     195 
Huntington,  Jabez,  member  of  Connecticut  Council 

of  Safety,  -         -         -         -     240 

Instructions  to,  for  purchase  of  clothing,  -    683 

Huntington,  Captain  Joshua,  arms  ordered  to,  -         -     244 
Huutington,  Jedediah,  to  Governour  Trumbull,  -      510,  898 


1697 


INDEX. 


1698 


Huntingtown,  Capt.  Brookes  moves  his  Company  to,     757 

Kurd,  Colonel  John,  ammunition  voted  to,  51 

Appointed  to  fix  off  Canada  Companies  from  Cohos,       70 

Money  advanced  to,  71 

Letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire  Council  of  Safety,    110, 

480,  625,  748 

Letter  from,  to  General  Sullivan,   -  -     263 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Joseph  Wait,     -  -     479 

Letter  to,  from  General  Gates,        -  -     774 

Letter  from,  to  Meshech  Weare,   -  -     927 

Hurd,  James,  appointed  Major  New-Hampshire  Militia,       57 

Letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire  Council  of  Safety,  -     110 

Hurly-Town,  meditated  attack  upon,  -  1459 

Hurt,  John,  Massachusetts  Council  of  Safety  pay,  for 

boat  hire,  -         -  1336 

Hutchins,  Capt.,  complaint  against,  by  Col.  Weisenfels,       41 
Hutchinson,  Thomas,  resolve  respecting  estate  of,  306,  316 
Hutchinson,  Col.,  march  of  Regiment  of,  to  Norwich,    514 
Arrival  of,  at  New- York,        -  -         -         -     638 

Is  assigned  to  Mifflin's  Brigade,    -  915 

Hutton,  Mary,  is  permitted  to  remove  her  goods,        -  1305 
Hyde,  Colonel  William,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     -  -    929 
Hydraulics,  abstruse  problem  in,  791 
Hynes,  Andrew,  commissioned  as  Captain  by  Mary- 
land,       -                                   -                          -  1344 

I. 

Ilsley,  Major  Daniel,  complaint  of,  against  Colonel 

Mitchell,  - 1205 

Petition  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,        -         -  1207 
Certificate  in  favour  of,  -  1207 

Independence — 

Delegates  of  New- York  not  empowered  to  vote  for,       14 
Committee  in  Congress  to  prepare  draught  of,        -       49 
Committee  on,  report  to  Congress,  -       66 

Lee's  letter  to  P.  Henry  on  the  subject  of,      -         -       95 
Jefferson  sends  a  copy  of,  to  R.  H.  Lee,  -     118 

Declaration  of,  read  at  Philadelphia  State  House,   -     119 
Effects  of  the  Declaration  of,  in  New-Jersey,         -     139 
Order  for  the  proclamation  of,  at  the  head  of  Massa- 
chusetts Regiments,  -         -  -     142 
Remarks  of  John  Adams  upon,      -         -  -     170 
Illumination  of  Nassau-Hall  in  honour  of,      -         -     173 
Washington  orders  proclamation  of,  in  the  Northern 
Army,      -        -        -        -        -                 -        -     194 

New- York  Convention  adopts  the  Declaration  of,  -    205, 

348,  349,  1391 

Approbatory  reception  of,  by  the  Army,  -  205,  649 
Declaration  of,  sent  to  General  Gates,  -  -  227 

Declaration  of,  is  received  in  Connecticut,  -  -  244 
Remarks  of  Samuel  Adams  on,  -  -  347 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  sends  the  Declaration 

to  Committee  of  Observation,     -  -     364 

New-Jersey  Congress  resolves  to  support,  -  -  369 
New-York  Committee  of  Safety  order  the  reading  of, 

at  City  Hall,     -  -     374 

Reception  of,  in  New-Hampshire,  -  -     381 

Read  at  Portsmouth  with  great  parade,  -  428 

Virginia  Council  order  the  publication  of,  -  -  464 
Proceedings  at  Newport  in  relation  to,  -  -  -  476 
Opposition  of  Mr.  Morris  to,  -•  468 

Baltimore  Committee  prepare  to  proclaim,  -  -  523 
Publication  of,  at  Newport,  Rhode-Island,  -  -  549 
Read  at  Williamsburgh,  Virginia,  -  ...  568 
Ceremony  of  reading,  at  Providence,  -  -  582 

Welcome  reception  of,  at  Ticonderoga,  -  -  603,  630 
Col.  St.  Clair  is  appointed  to  read,  at  Ticonderoga,  630 
Read  at  the  Court  House  in  Baltimore,  -  -  -  633 
The  Sheriff  proclaims,  at  Amherst,  New-Hampshire,  719 
Proclaimed  at  Richmond,  Virginia,  -  756 

Order  for  distributing  copies  of,     -  .    778 

Abram  Clark's  remarks  upon,        -         -  -     786 

Read  at  Bridgetown,  New-Jersey,  -  -     811 

Interpreted  to  the  Indians  at  Watertown,  -  -  847 
Governour  Tryon  encloses  a  copy  of,  to  Lord  Ger- 

maine,     -  -        -    949 

Published  in  the  churches  at  Boston  on  the  Lord's 

day, 972 

Mr.  Deane  urges  the  publication  of,  -  -  -  1016 
Is  announced  in  the  English  papers,  -  -  1021 

Propriety  of  informing  the  French  Islands  of,  -  1106 
People  in  England  said  to  laugh  at,  -  -  1148,  1242 
Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives  express 

entire  satisfaction  at,  -----  1225 
Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  distribute  copies  of,  1289 
Order  for  the  publication  of,  at  Philadelphia,  -  -  1289 
Proclamation  of,  ordered  in  North-Carolina,  -  -  1365 


Independence- 
Day  fixed  for  proclaiming,  in  North-Carolina,  -         -  1368 
Consideration  of,  in  New-York  Convention,  -         -  1387 
Order  in  Congress  for  engrossing,                             -  1584 
Declaration  of,  signed  in  Congress,        -                  -  1597 
Fac  Simile  of,  opposite                                              -  1597 
Independence,  sloop,  commission  asked  for,      -         -  374 
Independence,  brig,  reported  ready  for  sea,         -      567,  804 
Independence  galley,  Washington's  pleasure  at  hear- 
ing of  the  good  behaviour  of  the,        -                  -  998 
Independent  Company,  old  men  unite  to  form  an,     -  543 
Proposal  for  inlisting  an,  in  Connecticut,        -         -  858 
Independent  Point,  extract  of  a  letter  from,        -        -  682 
Indian  Affairs,  Mr.  Cushing's  letter  referred  to  the 

Committee  on,                             -                           -  902 

Indian  Chiefs,  Colonel  Dayton's  letter  to  the,    -         -  872 

Are  invited  to  visit  Congress,                           -         -  1613 

Indian  faith,  little  dependence  to  be  placed  on,          -  1204 

Indian  goods,  order  to  send  to  General  Schuyler,       -  454 

Are  sent  from  Ticonderoga  to  General  Schuyler,    -  511 

Officer  in  charge  of,  left  to  pursue  his  own  route,    -  629 

Order  to  intercept  the,  from  England  for  Canada,  -  1106 

Indian  Landing,  schooner  Resolution  sent  to,  with 

powder,  -                                                             -  1346 

Indians,  danger  to  Georgia  from  sundry  tribes  of,       -  7 

Conference  held  with,  at  Fort  Pitt,        -         -         -  36 

General  Lee's  advice  concerning  the,    -                  -  95 

Fear  of,  on  the  Androscoggin,       -         -         -         -  1 1 1 

Murderous  attacks  of  certain,         ....  131 

Advice  from,  brought  by  George  Morgan,  Esq.,      -  137 

Treaty  held  with,  at  Pittsburgh,     -                           -  138 
Fears  entertained  in  New-Jersey  of,  in  a  certain 

event,       -        -                                           -        -  139 

Savage  conduct  of  the,  at  the  Cedars,    -         -         -  161 

Commissioners  prepare  to  confer  with,  -                  -  176 

Alarming  news  from,  at  Savannah,                  -         -  181 

Washington  recommends  inlistment  of  the  Eastern,  189 

Resolve  of  Congress  to  call  into  service  the  Eastern,  193 

Colonel  Hartley's  capture  of  a  party  of,                   -  206 

Colonel  Hartley's  pursuit  of  a  party  of,  -         -        -  208 

General  Schuyler  prepares  to  meet  the,          -         -  232 

Large  meeting  of,  expected  at  German  Flats,          -  237 

Prisoners,  recommended  by  Gates  to  kind  treatment,  339 

Arrival  of  a  number  of,  at  German  Flats,        -         -  396 

Battle  of  the  Fincastle  Militia  with,        -                  -  464 

Message  and  belt  sent  to  Schuyler  by,  -         -        -  473 

Apology  of,  for  tardiness  in  reaching  German  Flats,  473 
Express  a  belief  that  America  is  an  overmatch  for 

Great  Britain,  -  -  473 
Colonel  Hartley  instructed  not  to  commence  hostili- 
ties with,  -  -  474 
Delay  of  the  conference  with,  at  German  Flats,  563,  581 
Disaffected  prisoners  returned  by  the,  -  610 
Heavy  expense  of  the  war  with,  in  Virginia,  -  -  611 
The  Cherokee,  declare  war,  -  -  611 
Lee  advises  Riflemen  to  be  sent  against,  -  -  612 
Suspected  design  of,  at  Chiswell's  Mines,  -  -  613 
Arrival  of  eleven  hundred  at  German  Flats,  -  -  648 
Favourable  impression  made  on  the,  at  Philadelphia,  675 
Washington  advises  employment  of  the  Stockbridge,  676 
Schuyler's  chagrin  at  the  delays  of,  -  -  -  697 
Certain  of  the  Mickmack  and  St.  John's  sent  to 

Washington,  -  .....  701 
Great  quantities  of  rum  consumed  by,  -  -  715 
Congress  approves  the  employment  of  the  Stock- 
bridge,  ---  -  725 
Number  of,  at  German  Flats  reported,  ...  793 
The  Canadian,  refuse  to  fight  against  United  States,  799 
Schuyler  about  to  open  conference  with,  -  -  825 
Mr.  Bowdoin's  letter  to  Washington  concerning  the 

Eastern,  -                                                                -  836 

Conference  with  the  Eastern,  at  Watertown,  -        -  838 

Sir  Guy  Johnson's  report  on,  to  Lord  Germaine,     -  866 

Address  of  commanding  officer  at  Niagara  to  the,  -  867 

The  Canada,  said  to  be  against  United  States,         -  888 

Case  of  the  Stockbridge,  as  related  by  Mr.  Sergeant,  903 
A  number  of,  join  Colonel  McLane  and  the  Canada 

Militia, -  939 

Resolve  not  to  join  the  war  against  United  States,  -  969 

Burgoyne  fails  in  his  efforts  to  inlist,     ...  QQQ 

Depredations  committed  by  the,  in  Virginia,  -         -  973 

Carleton  is  ordered  to  inlist  the,    -                            -  H05 

Of  the  North,  South,  and  West  for  war,                   -  1181 

The  Susquehannah  alone  peaceably  disposed,         -  1181 

Desirous  of  going  to  Cumberland,                               -  1208 

Most  of  the  Stockbridge  induced  to  go  to  New- York,  1221 

Treaty  with  the  St.  John's  and  Mickmack,  ratified,  1223 

The  Penobscot  ask  for  a  French  Priest,                  -  1223 


FIFTH  SEBIES. — VOL.  I 


107 


1699 


INDEX. 


1700 


Indians,   the  Stockbridge,  change  their  mind  about 
going  to  New-York,  ......  1 

Ammunition  sent  to  the,       -  -         -  1436,  144  J 

The  Ulster,  supplied  with  lead  and  flints, 
[adigent,  New-  York  Convention  resolve  to  support  the,  1 

Monthly  account  of,  to  be  made  to  Convention,     -   1539 
Indigo,  a  cargo  of,  arrives  at  Egg-Harbour, 
In.liistry.  sloop,  capture  of,  by  the  Hancock,       -         - 
lii"li.-s,  Rev.  Mr.,  loans  Washington  a  telescope,  824,  H 
[nimical,  all  persons  to  be  disarmed  in  Middlesex,      -   10£ 
Inlisting  Orders,  Massachusetts  resolve  to  issue,       265,  3 

Copy"  of  the  New-Hampshire,        - 
Inlistment,  form  of,  in  Massachusetts, 

Of  men  ni  serve  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  - 

Committee    of,   in    Massachusetts,   to   take   every 
twenty-fifth  man,       ------ 

Form  of,  for  men  so  draughted,     - 

Allowance  by  Congress  to  officers  for,  .         -         - 

Circulars  sent  by  Connecticut  to  all  towns  respect- 


991 
291 
295 

318 
320 
620 


ng 


731 
179 
248 
276 
288 
310 


Inlistments,  subscription  to  encourage,     - 
Unusual  terms  of,  in  New-Hampshire,  - 
Form  of,  established  in  Massachusetts,  -         -         - 
Committees  appointed  to  apportion, 
Of  men  out  of  their  own  towns  regulated, 
Innis,  James,  appointed  a  Major  by  Congress,  (called 
erroneously  Junis,)  ------ 

Inoculation,  John  Adams  recommends,    - 

Attempted  by  several  officers,        -  -         - 

Prohibited  in  Massachusetts,  except  at  Boston, 
Petition  to  erect  a  hospital  for, 
Great  desire  for,  in  Northampton,  Massachusetts,  - 
Militia  receive,  without  orders,      -         -         -        - 

Carpenters  and  officers  from  Rhode-Island  receive, 
Inspectors  of  Gunpowder,  Congress  resolves  to  ap- 
point,      -         -         -         -         "'".•" 

State  Legislatures  recommended  to  appoint, 
Instructions,  for  Benjamin  Giles  by  New-Hampshire 
Council  of  Safety,     ------ 

To  Captain  Niles,  of  the  schooner  Spy,  - 
To  Dr.  Ely,  from  Connecticut  Council  of  Safety,    - 
To  Captain  John  Johnson,   -  - 

To  the  Committee  on  Abstracts,  Massachusetts,     - 
Lord  Stirling's,  in  relation  to  East  River  ferries, 
Lord  Stirling's,  in  relation  to  North  River  ferries,  - 
To  Colonel  Hartley,  at  Crown  Point,     - 
Of  Pennsylvania  to  her  Delegates,          -         -         - 
Mr.  Courtney  applies  to  Baltimore  Committee  for, 
To  Colonel  Huntington  from  Connecticut  Council 
of  Safety,          -         -  .... 

General  Gates's,  to  Arnold  on  the  Lake  fleet, 
To  the  officer  in  charge  of  prisoners  sent  to  Connec- 
ticut,       -------- 

Of  Anne  Arundel  County  to  her  Delegates,  - 
To  Lieutenant  Whitcomb,  by  General  Gates, 
To  General  Woodhull  from  New- York  Convention, 
Of  Congress,  to  the  Auditors  of  Army  Accounts,    - 
Instruments,  Mr.  Stone  promises  to  procure,     - 
Regimental  Surgeons  petition  Congress  for,  - 
Insurance,  rate  of,  from  London  to  Jamaica, 
Insurrection,  account  of  an,  in  Dutchess  County,  New- 
York,       -  -  ...  1408 
Intelligence,  measures  of  New-York  Convention  to 

procure  the  earliest,  -         -  -         -  1562 

Intercourse,  the  King  of  Portugal  prohibits,  with  the 

United  States,  -  6 

Interpreter,  offer  of  services  to  Congress  by  a  French 

and  Spanish,     -------  H92 

Mr.  Preble  is  engaged  as,  at  Piscataqua,         -         -  1209 

Interrogatories,  Mr.  Duer's,  to  Thomas  Willett,  -         -  1479 

Interview,  Washington's,  with  Colonel  Patterson,       -     500 

Reference  to  this,  in  a  letter  to  General  Howe,       -     679 

Intrenching  tools,  Schuyler's  demand  for,  -  232 

Washington  forwards  all  that  can  be  spared,  -         -     39C 

Great  deficiency  of,  urged,     -        -         -         -         -     47 

Intrenchments,  hire  of  men  ordered  to  work  on,         -  133._ 

Invalids,  Congress  orders  the  formation  of  a  corps  of,  162C 

Inventory,  of  sundries  taken  in  the  ship  Lord  Howe,  -     20£ 

Of  sundries  taken  in  the  brig  Annabella, 

Of  materials  in  prize  ship  George,  -         -         - 

Ordered,  of  articles  belonging  to  sunken  ships, 

Invoices,  of  prize  cargoes  sent  to  Washington,  - 

Of  Scotch  arms,  &c.,  sent  to  Washington, 
Ireland,  subjects  of,  arrested  for  correspondence  with 
America,  -----.. 

Capture  of  a  store-ship  from,          .... 

Kindness  of  a  gentleman  of,  to  Colonel  Allen,        -     861 
Capture  of  the  Continental  Congress  reported  in,  -  1280 


1606 
103 
129 
146 
212 
263 
779 
984 

1622 
1623 

211 
240 
241 
256 
280 
414 
415 
474 
595 
636 

683 
826 

990 

1054 

1202 

1543 

1609 

669 

695 

1020 


209 
209 
1378 
209 
399 

180 
553 


610 

1384 

1289 

1112 

1304 

1377 

130 

171 

172 

1226 
589 
353 

1082 
131 

626 
799 

888 

955 

986 

821 

1148 

1242 


Irey,  negro,  imprisoned  by  Lancaster  Associators,      -     673 
Irish  property,  a  ship  laden  with,  discharged  from  cap- 
ture, 

Iron  for  guns  not  to  be  had  in  North-Carolina,  - 
roii-masters  authorized  to  employ  soldiers,  - 
ron-works,  petition  from  proprietors  of  the  Stirling,  - 

Workmen  in,  exempted  from  Militia  duty,      - 

Salt  to  be  supplied  to  labourers  in, 
Irvine,  Colonel,  is  taken  prisoner, 
Irvine,  John,  chosen  Lieutenant  of  Bucks  Associators, 
Irvine,  Jared,  chosen  collector  of  fire-arms,  for  Bucks 

Associators,      -         -  - 

Isaac,  safe  arrival  of  the  prize-ship,   - 
sabella,  capture  of  the,  by  an  American  privateer,      - 
Iselton,  Mathias,  deserter,  examination  of, 
sluim,  Captain,  Commissary  Trumbull  applies  for  the 
services  of,        ------- 

Isle-aux-Noix,  occupation  of,  by  the  Northern  Army,  - 

Burgoyne's  advanced  guard  at, 

Two  thousand  Germans  under  Frazer  at, 

"  Sons  of  Britain"  present  at  the  murder  and  scalp- 
ing at,       -------- 

Enemy  seem  to  draw  their  strength  towards,  - 

Return  of  Major  Bigelow  from,      - 
[vers,  Mr.,  undertakes  to  supply  cordage,  - 
[zard,  Ralph,  letter  to,  from  C.  Crespigny, 

Letter  from,  to  C.  Crespigny,         -         ... 

J. 

Jackson,  Richard,  elected  Captain  in  Queen's  County,  258 
Jackson,  John,  appointed  Ensign  of  Eastern-Shore 

(Maryland)  Battalion,         -                                     -  1350 

Jacob,  imprisoned  by  Lancaster  Associators,      -         -  673 

Jacob,  William,  contracts  to  make  tents  for  Maryland,  1335 
Jail,  discharge  from,  of  ten  men  taken  with  Captain 

Campbell,          -                           -                           -  1291 
In  Litchfield,  incapable  of  receiving  more,      -         -  1446 
Jails,  the  Connecticut,  filled  with  prisoners,       -         -  887 
Unfitness  of  the  New-York,  for  confinement  of  pri- 
soners,    -                  1419 

Jamaica,  capture  of  a  sloop  from,      -                            -  553 
Jamaica  man,  capture  of  a,  by  Captain  Johnson, 
Jamieson,  Niel,  takes  refuge  in  Dunmore's  fleet,         -  152 
Jamieson,  John,  chosen  Captain  in  Bucks  Associa- 
tors,                    171 

Jansen,  Thomas,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 

New- York  Militia,     -        -        -                          -  1413 
Jarvis,  Colonel  Samuel,  appointed  Paymaster  in  North- 
Carolina,  -         -                  -                  *     .    '         -  137° 
Jarvis,  Samuel,  Esquire,  appointed  Commissioner  for 

Currituck,                                      -                           »  1370 
Jasper,  Sergeant,  presented  with  a  sword,  - 
Jauncey,  James,  sent  as  disaffected  to  Lebanon, 

Permitted  to  go  to  New-York  for  his  family,  -         -  1189 

Jay,  John,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,          -  40 

Letter  from,  to  Edward  Rutledge,  -  40 

Letter  to,  from  Lewis  Ogden,                                     -  121 

Procures  a  loan  of  cannon  from  Connecticut,          -  624 

Letter  from,  to  New- York  Congress,      -                  -  1412 

Jay,  Frederick,  letter  to,  from  Washington,  -  -  981 
Jefferies,  David,  Paymaster,  money  supplied  to, 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  118 

Device  for  a  seal  proposed  by,        -                            -  944 
Jenifer,  Daniel,  of  St.  Thomas,  President  of  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,      -                  -     325,342,1331 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,      -         -  1090 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  introducing  M.  D'huge,  1 133 
Jenifer,  Colonel,  arrival  of,  with  Lee  and  others,  at 

Haddrell  Point,                             -                            -  437 

Jenifer,  Dr.  Daniel,  appointed  Assistant-Surgeon,       -  1360 

Jenkinson,  Sir  Charles,  purpose  of,  in  France,  -         -  1013 

Jennings,  Thomas,  arrival  of,  at  Annapolis,  -  -  593 
Jennings,  Richard,  complaint  against,  to'  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -                                              -  739 

Jersey,  people  of,  drive  their  cattle  from  the  coast,  -  120 
Jersey  Regiment,  depredation  committed  by  some  of 

the,-                                                             -        -  1128 

Jerseys,  twenty-one  hundred  men  to  be  posted  in  the,  347 
General  Mercer  appointed  to  command  forces  in 

the,-                                              -         -         -         -  347 

Rapid  increase  of  the  army  in  the,          ...  (j37 
Three  thousand  Militia  assembled  in  the,        -         -     724 

(See  also  New-Jersey.) 
Jesuits'  bark,  North-Carolina  Council  receive  a  barrel 

of,    -         -         -  ...  .  1366 

Jewell,  Robert,  appointed  keeper  of  the  new  Jail,  -  1585 
John,  schooner,  Mr.  Hooe  declines  loading  the,  •  383 
John,  brig,  capture  of  the,  -  -  -  1226 


1701 


INDEX. 


1702 


John  Grimes,  sloop,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  -  152 
Johnson,  Colonel,  appointed  one  of  the  Newbury 

Committee,       -        -                                              -  30 

Johnson,  George,  letter  from,  to  General  Lee,  99 
Johnson,  E.,  letter  from,  to  the  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      ....                  -         -    100,  1147 

Johnson,  Samuel,  letter  to,  from  Jos.  Hewes,     -         -  117 

Johnson,  Captain  Henry,  captures  made  by,       -      134,  148 

Prisoners  rise  on,  and  carry  to  Dover,     -                  -  684 

Treatment  of,  in  the  Thames,                                     -  754 

Lenity  of,  to  his  prisoners,  the  cause  of  his  capture,  755 

Johnson,  John,  appointed  Adjutant  of  Bucks  Asso- 

ciators,     ...                           .  171 

Johnson,  James,  whipped  for  desertion,  -  -  225 
Johnson,  Captain  John,  instructions  to,  -  -  256,  415 
Johnson,  B.,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  363,  482,  5 17 
Johnson,  General  Thomas,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -     490,522 

Letter  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to,     -         -  570 

Johnson,  Sir  John,  reaches  Burgoyne,       ...  866 

Johnson,  Mr.,  arrival  of,  from  England,      -        -        -  •  814 

Has  a  conference  with  Washington,       ...  835 

Johnson,  John,   applies  for  the  place  of  Surgeon's 

Mate,        -                                              -                  -  1091 

Johnson,  Colonel  Guy,  arrival  of,  at  Staten-Island,      -  835 

Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  embark  in  quest  of,        -  868 

Letter  from,  to  Lord  Germaine,     -                           -  865 

Deception  practised  by,  on  the  Onondagas,    -         -  1046 

Johnson,  Obadiah,  letter  from,  to  Governour  Trum- 

bull,         - 873 

Johnson,  Captain-Lieutenant,  assigned  to  Spencer's 

Brigade,  -                                                              -  913 
Johnson,  Lieutenant  Martin,  concerned  in  plundering 

the  baggage  of  Captain  Anstruther,    -                  -  1221 
Ordered  to  deliver  a  ring  to  the  War  Office,   -         -  161 1 
Stoppage  removed  from  pay  of,      -                           -  1612 
Johnson,  Josiah,  appointed  Ensign,  -                           -  1347 
Johnson,  Lieutenant,  resignation  of,  reported,    -         -  1509 
Johnson  Hall,  pillage  of,  by  American  officers,  -         -  1032 
Johnson,  Colonel  Philip,  intrepid  conduct  of,     -         -  1251 
Johnstown,  embezzlement  of  effects  at,     -                  -  511 
Jones,  General,  one  of  the  British  commanders,          -  27 
Jones,  Joseph,  appointed  Captain,     -                           -  349 
Jones,  Jacob,  thirty  stripes  to,  for  sleeping  on  post,    -  914 
Jones,  Thomas,  Major  of  the  Baltimore  Battalion,      -  524 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -1089 
Jones,  Judge,  a  Tory  prisoner,  indulgence  to,  recom- 
mended, -                 ....                 -  898 

Jones,  Thomas,  Chairman  of  Northumberland  Com- 
mittee,    ...                 ....  689 

Jones,    Lieutenant    Peter,    proceedings   of  a    court- 
martial  on,        -        -                 ....  736 

Acquittal  of,  by  the  court,      -                                     -  737 
Jones,  Captain  John  Paul,   orders  to,   from  Marine 

Committee,       -  -     784,  977 

Jones,  Colonel,  (Dedham,)  appointment  of  Justice  of 

the  Peace  solicited  for,      ...  1239 

Jones,  Caleb,  ordered  to  enter  into  recognizance,       -  1344 

Discharge  authorized  on  security,  -         -                  -  1356 
Jones,  Michael,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Captain  Phil- 

lips's  Company,                                                       -  1355 
Jones,  Thomas,  Esq.,  member  of  the  North-Carolina 

Council,  -                                                     -  1363,  1366 

Jones,  Willie,  member  of  North-Carolina  Council,      -  1366 

Chosen  President  of  the  Council,  -                           -  1381 

Jordan,  Captain,  resolve  to  furnish,  with  a  guard,        -  272 

Jordan,  Colonel  Jeremiah,   to  Maryland   Council   of 

Safety,      -  -     342,382 

Josephson,  Emanuel,  examination  of,        -                  -  198 

Joshua,  examination  of  negro,  a  deserter,  -         -         -  692 
Josiah,  Lieutenant  James,  ill-treatment  of,  on  board  the 

Cerberus,                                       -                           -  659 

An  appeal  to  Washington  in  the  case  of,        -         -  832 

Washington  promises  interference,                           -  910 

Washington  writes  to  Lord  Howe  on  the  subject  of,  1094 

Lord  Howe  promises  inquiry  into  the  case  of,         -  1095 
Congress  directs  a  remonstrance  to  Lord  Howe  on 

the  treatment  of,        -                                              -  1600 

Journal,  copy  of  Colonel  Hartley's,  -                           -  207 

Lieutenant  Whitcomb's,  of  a  scout,        -                  -  828 

Major  Bigelow's,  sent  to  Schuyler,                            -  986 

Of  transactions  on  Long-Island,     ....  1251 

Journals,  Congress  appoint  a  Committee  to  revise  the,  1582 
Joy,  Captain,  authorized  to  employ  prisoners  in  cast- 
ing cannon,      -                                                       -  1587 
Judge  Advocate  General,  Congress  appoints  a,  -         -  883 
Judson,  Ephraim,  Chaplain  to  Colonel  Ward's  Regi- 
ment,      -                          -                                   -  873 


Julian,  Reneca,  committed  to  Halifax  jail,  in  North- 
Carolina,  -                                                                -  1378 
Inventory  of  the  estate  of,  ordered,                            -  1378 
July  4th,  importance  of  remembering  the  day,    -         -  144 
Juno,  ship,  capture  of  the,                                              -  589 

K. 

Kaghneghlories,  a  sachem  of  the  Six  Nations,    -         -  888 

Kanady,  Thomas,  affidavit  of,    -                                    -  403 

Kanaghwidiga,  a  young  sachem  of  influence,     -         -  868 

Kaquatanawje,  one  of  the  instigators  of  the  Onondagas,  1048 
Kargher,  Ludwick,  is  advised  to  apply  to  Congress  for 

redress,  &c.,      -                                                       -  1291 

Memorial  of,  referred  to  the  Board  of  War,     -         -  1570 

Payment  made  to,  for  victualling  Militia,  -  1597 
Kearney,  Philip,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,  -  38 
Kearney,  Michael,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,  -  38 
Keating,  Garret,  Chairman  of  Skenesborough  Com- 
mittee, -  -  -  128 
Keenan,  Lawrence,  release  of,  from  jail,  ...  101 

Order  for  discharge  of,  from  service,       -                  -  1331 
Keephart,  George  P.,  appointed  Captain  of  a  German 

Company,                                                              -  1334 

Kegs,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  a  number  of,  668 

Keif,  Richard,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  stealing,         -  914 

Keighley,  John,  letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  262 

Keith,  Israel,  appointed  Aid-de-Camp  to  Gen.  Heath,  964 

Kelby,  Patrick,  testimony  of,     -                           -  1081 

Keller,  Stoffel,  chosen  Ensign  of  Bucks  Associators,  -  171 
Kelly,  Moses,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel,  vice  Gil- 
man,  resigned,  -         -                                               57, 83 

Made  Muster  and  Paymaster  for  Canada  Regiment,  57,  83 
Kelly,  Corporal,  the  murderer  of,  arrested,  -  340 
Kelly,  Robert,  chosen  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  Massa- 
chusetts Militia,  -  663 
Kelly,  John,  reprimanded  and  flogged,  ...  1370 
Kelly,  William,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Rifles,  -  -  1570 
Kemp,  Jason,  trial  and  sentence  of,  for  desertion,  -  505 
Kenion,  Cornelius,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant  of 

New-Jersey  Regiment,       -                  ...  453 

Kennebrew,  Shadrach,  admitted  as  States'  evidence,  -  1369 

Order  for  discharge  of,  on  security,                  -        -  1373 

Kennedy,  Captain,  sent  as  prisoner  to  Elizabethtown,  38 

Kennedy,  James,  examination  of,      -        -         -        -  661 

Mr.  Bowdoin  encloses  deposition  of,  to  Washing- 
ton,                                                                       -  836 
Kennedy,  Dr.,  and  others,  to  General  Gates,      -         -  1266 
Kensington,  the  galley  building  at,  named,                  -  1327 
Kent,  Colonel  James,  declines  the  command  of  the 

Defence,  -        -                                                    -  591 

Letter  to,  from  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,      -  635 

Resignation  of,   ,-  -     858, 863 

Kent  Island,  a  reinforcement  asked  for  at,                   -  363 

A  good  armourer  reported  to  be  at,        -                  -  365 

Ammunition  sent  to,     -        -    ' 

People  of,  apprehend  an  attack,     - 

Captain  Dean's  Company  arrive  at,                           -  627 

Scarcity  of  water  for  the  troops  on, 

Orders  of  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  relating  to,   -  1338 
Kent  County,  Letter  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

to  Committee  of,                                   -        -    493,  1055 

Kentish  Guards,  fine  appearance  of  the,     ...  549 

Kentucky,  the  settlers  of,  set  about  fortifying,    -         -  1228 
Keowee,  letter  from  the  camp  below,                   -      749,  780 

Keppele,  John,  Captain  of  Pennsylvania  Rifles,  -         -  187 
Keppele,  Henry,  qualified  as  a  member  of  Pennsylva- 
nia Council  of  Safety,         -                                    -1300 

Kerlin,  John,  contracts  to  make  muskets,  -                  -  1297 

Ker,  Joseph,  hatter,  application  for  discharge  of,         -  931 

A  furlough  granted  to,  by  Congress,       -                  -  1608 
Kersey,  Thomas,  discharged  on  taking  the  State  oath,  1383 
Ketcham,  Isaac,  papers  of,  to  be  given  up  to  him,      -  1520 
Ketletas,  Rev.  Mr.,  New-York  Convention  grant  cer- 
tain privileges  to,       -                                              -  1387 
Keyman,  Dr.,  Wolstenholme  sends,  to  Col.  Barnes,    -  520 
Keyport,  George  P.,  recommended  as  Captain  of  Ger- 
mans,      .--                          .  182 
Kiashuta,  a  Mingo  chief,  a  conference  with,       -        -  36 
Kiechlein,  Co.lonel,  list  of  prisoners  from  Regiment  of,  1251 
Kidd,  John,  commissioned  as  First  Lieutenant,  -         -  1333 
Killigrove,  Henry,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of,  22 
Killingworth,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,        -,        -  566 
Kilpatiick,  William,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,  801 
Kilsay,  Captain  William,  advance  ordered   for  Com- 
pany of,    -         -  33 
Kimball,  Samuel,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assem- 
bly, -         -                  64 

Kimball,  Richard,  Chairman  of  Con  way  Committee,  -  111 


1703 

Kimball,  A-a,  agent  of  Sunbury  Committee,  Massa- 
chusetts, ------ 

Resolve  for  delivery  of  ammunition  to,    - 
Kimball,  Asa.  one  of  the  Nova-Scotia  agents,     - 
Kimball,  Richard,  of  Fryburgh,  gunpowder  delivered 

Kini;  of  Great  Britain,  an  act  to  abolish  appeals  to,     - 
New-Hampshire    substitutes  the    Speaker    of   the 

House  of  Representatives  for  the, 
John  Lewis  committed  for  drinking  health  to, 
Coat  of  arms  of,  taken   from  the  State  House  and 

burnt,        -         -         -         -         •         ' 
Approves  the  conduct  of  Governour  Tryon,    - 
The  leaden,  in  the   Bowling-Green,  run   up  into 


INDEX. 


1704 


-;  ' 
*»i 

54 


-  o~o 
Two  men  confined  for  drinking  health  to, 

Adherence  to,  declared  treason  in  New-Jersey,       -  412 

Arms  and  picture  of,  burnt  at  City  Hall,  New-York,  419 

Every  sign  of,  burnt  at  Boston,      -                  -  426 

Praying  for,  made  penal  in  Rhode-Island,       -         -  475 

Coat  of  arms  of,  burnt  at  Providence,     -  583 

Property  of  the  subjects  of,  confiscated,  -  594 

Etliiry  of,  burnt  in  Baltimore,                  -                  -  633 

Indiana  resolve  to  support  the  Government  of,         -  867 
Governour  Tryon  informs  Lord  Germaine  of  the  de- 

struction of  the  statue,  arms,  &c.,  of,  - 

King,  Captain,  desires  to  be  appointed  a  field-officer,  551 
King,  George,  declines  a  judgeship,  - 
King,  Josiah,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,     - 

King,  Abraham,  letter  from,  to  Peter  Livingston,  -  1216 
King  Taminy,  armed  brig,  sent  on  a  cruise,  -  1382,  1383 
King,  Elijah,  a  deserter  from  Captain  Brinkly's  Com- 


pany, 


-  1382 


King's  Bridge,  General  Mifflin  sent  to  command  at,  -       20 
An  attack  expected  at,  -         -        -         -         -         -       28 

Two  of  the  enemy's  ships  pass,      -  -    230 

Twenty-one  cannon  planted  at,     - 

A  working  party  ordered  to,  -         -         -         -         -     504 

A  detachment  of  three  hundred  men  sent  to,  -  -  505 
Three  Companies  under  Colonel  Holden  ordered 

to,   -        -  790 

General  Clinton  directed  to  send  the  new  levies  to,  855 
Importance  of  the  post  at,  -----  871 
Washington's  orders  to  Mifflin  in  relation  to,  -  -  886 
General  Heath  appointed  to  command  at,  -  -  922 
The  destruction  of,  supposed  to  be  enemy's  object,  1400 
Fifteen  hundred  weight  of  powder  ordered  to,  -  1497 
Flour  and  pine  Boards  ordered  to,  -  -  .  -  1497 
Records,  &c.,  of  New-York  Convention  sent  to,  -  1546 
The  supposed  destruction  of  enemy's  army,  -  -  1560 
Defensible  state  of  the  grounds  above,  -  1563 

King's  County,  roll  of  a  Troop  of  Horse  from,  -  -  953 
Letter  from  Captains  in,  to  New-York  Convention,  1460 
Inhabitants  of,  resolve  not  to  oppose  the  enemy,  -  1497 
Resolve  of  New- York  Convention  respecting,  -  1497 
No  Deputies  elected  in,  -  ...  |506 

Election  in,  declared  unlawful  and  void,         -         -  1525 
Kind's  College,  Washington  receives  the  telescope 

belonging  to,    -                 .....  1478 
Kingston,  difficulty  about  removing  prisoners  from,    -  1146 
Draught  of  a  letter  to  the  committee  of,          -         -  1471 
Prisoners  ordered  to  be  removed  from,  to  Morris- 
town,       -  1517 

The  women  in,  clamourous  about  their  tea,    -         -  1542 
Names  of  prisoners  sent  to  the  Jail  in,  -         -         -  1556 
Kinnard,  Nathaniel,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  in 

Flying-Camp,  -  -  1347 

Kinnoy,  John,  appointed  Ensign  of  New-Jersey  Regi- 
ment,      -        -  ....    453 

Kinsr-y,  Mr.,  letter  to,  from  the  New-Jersey  Agent,  read 

in  Congress,     -  -     440 

The  letter  to,  found  to  be  the  same  as  Col.  Reed's,  467,  468 

Manner  of  his  receiving  it  explained,    ...     469 

Kirk,  John,  resigns  his  commission  of  Ensign,  -         -  1310 

Kirkland,  S.,  copy  of  an  intercepted  letter  from,         -     867 

Employed  by  the  London  Society  as  Missionary,  -     902 

Kirkland,  Col.,  arrest  of  persons  privy  to  escape  of,  -  1303 

Order  for  the  seizure  of,        -  ...  1307 

Kirmovan,  Mons.,  letter  to,  from  President  of  Congress,     367 

Commission  delivered  to,      .....     337 

Appointed  Engineer,  with  rank  of  Lieut.  Colonel,  -  1579 
Ordered  to  New-Jersey,         .....  1579 

Congress  advance  two  months'  pay  to,  -         -         .  1583 
Kissaday,  Allen,  sentenced  to  be  flogged,  ...  1272 
Kittaning,  Congress  order  post  to  betaken  at,  -         -  1574 
Kitten,  letter  from  Committee  of,  to  Portsmouth  Com- 
mittee,    -        -        -  -        -         -     249 

Resolve  on  petition  from  Committee  of,         .        .     272 


Knapsacks,  offer  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to 

make,       -         -  ...  -     384 

A  plan  of,  sent  to  Gordon  &  Patten,      - 

Price  in  Philadelphia  for  making,  - 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  contract  for,       -         -  1345 
Knight,  William,  appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 

New-Hampshire,       -  -        -  58,  85 

Knowles,  Deacon,  appointed  Mustermaster  and  Pay- 
master,   -  -  57,  83 

Member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  -  -       61 

Knowlton,  Major,  ordered  to  confer  with  General  Mer- 

cer,          -  ...  -        -     224 

Mercer  proposes  to  send,  to  Staten-Island,    - 

Letter  to,  from  General  Mercer,     - 

Part,  of  the  plan  of,  preferred  to  Mercer's,       -         -     444 

Congress  appoint  him  Lieutenant-Colonel,     -   915,  1604 
Knowlton,  Ezekiel,  chosen  Captain  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     ---  -  -    663 

Knox,  Colonel  Henry,  letter  from,  to  Washington,     -     502 

Plan  of,  for  increasing  the  Artillery,       -  -     502 

Return  of  Artillery  commanded  by,        -      331,  507,  639 

Paper  required  for  the  Regiment  of, 

Pass  from,  necessary  to  all  Artillerymen, 

Plan  of,  is  submitted  to  Congress, 

Letter  from,  to  General  Heath,      -  -  1143,  1150 

Congress  order  the  purchase  of  copper  by,     -         -  1616 
Knox,  Lieutenant,  imprisoned  in  Philadelphia,  - 
Kosciusko,  memorial  from,  referred  to  Board  of  War,  1625 
Kounosorago,  Peter's  speech  in  behalf  of  the  tribe  at,   1048 
Kraesen,  John,  chosen  Lieutenant  Bucks  Associators,     171 
Kuhl,  Frederick,  Captain  of  Pennsylvania  Rifles,        -     187 
Kuhn,  Dr.  Adam,  appointed  Physician  and  Director- 
General,  -  -  1290 

Plan  for  a  Hospital  intrusted  to,    -  -  1290 

L. 

Laboratory,  two  hundred  working-men  to  parade  at 

New-York,        -         -         -    '     -         -         -         -  225 

Tools  to  be  delivered  from  the,      ....  505 

A  place  to  be  procured  for  a,  at  Ticonderoga;         -  654 
Quartermasters  to  apply  at  New- York,  for  ammu- 
nition carts,     -        -        -        -        -        -        -  964 

Number  of  spears  reported  at,        -                           -  966 

Labour,  the  Associators  of  Annapolis  resolve  to  perform,  181 . 
Labourers,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  advertises  for  a 

number  of, 1333 

Lacey,  Capt.,  mortally  wounded  near  Tomawsey,  1023,  1148 
Lacey,  Hugh,  receives  a  conditional  pardon,      -         -  912 
Ladies,  patriotism  of  the  Connecticut  and  New-Jersey,  578 
Lads,  a  number  of  young,  sent  to  New- York,     -         -  595 
Lady  Augusta,  sloop,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,    -         -  152 
Lady  Charlotte,  tender,  capture  of  the,      -                  -  150 
Lady  Gage,  sloop,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,         -         -  152 
Lady  Gower,  sloop,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,      -         -  152 
Lady  Juliana,  ship,  capture  of,                                      -  589 
Lady  Stanly,  sloop,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,       -         -  152 
Lady  Susan,  sloop,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,       -         -  152 
Lady  Washington,  galley,  attacks  the  Phoenix,  -         -  751 
Pay-roll  of  the  officers  of,      -                                     -  1263 
Lady  William,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  fleet,    -         -  438 
La  Jeunesse  Prudhomme,  applies  for  a  commission,  -  1093 
Congress  make  a  present  to,                                      -  1605 
Lake  Champlain,  necessity  of  holding  superiority  on,  233 
Six  Companies  ordered  to  be  raised  on,                   -  236 
Giles's  views  as  to  the  means  of  keeping  com- 
mand of,  -                                            ...  375 
Topography  of,  as  given  by  Schuyler,    -                  -  561 
Hopes  of  a  formidable  fleet  on,      ....  682 
List  of  articles  wanted  for  vessels  on,     ...  745 
Number  and  list  of  armed  vessels  on,    -         -     748,  797 
Sea  Captains  asked  for  on,   -         -         -         - 
Arnold's  command  on,  disputed  by  Wynkoop,        -  1002 
Complete  list  of  the  armed  vessels  on,  -         -  1123,  1201 
Lake  George,  a  General  Hospital  established  at,         -  238 
S.  Chase's  views  of  the  importance  of,  -         -         -  410 
Lambert,  Captain,  reported  ready  to  sail,  -                  -  805 
Lambs,  the  slaughter  of,  forbidden,   -                  -         -  728 
Lancaster,  letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the 

Committee  of,  -         -  -          3,  219 

Letter  from  Colonel  Burd  to  the  same,  -         -          4,  412 

Letter  from  Colonel  Galbraith  to  the  same,    -         -  121 
The  Committee  of,  are  requested  to  keep  a  guard 

on  the  prisoners  at,  -                                       -  21 
Proceeding  of  the  Committee  of,  -                           -  171, 
188,  221,  327,  411,  759,  885,  946,  1062,  1079,  1135 
Letter  from    Colonel   Robert  Thompson  to  Com- 
mittee of,                             498 

Letter  from  William  Atlee  to  Associators  of,  -        -    573 


1705 


INDEX. 


1706 


Lancaster,  examination  by  Committee  relative  to  the 

Lebanon  prisoners,  -  -    596 

Negroes  imprisoned  at,  for  attempt  to  injure  Asso- 

ciators,     -  .     673 

Letter  to  Committee  of,  from  Gabriel  Davis,   -         -     711 
Letter  to  Committee  of,  from  R.  Potts,  -  783 

Letter  to  Committee  of,  from  John  Harris,      -   948,  1181 
Letter  from  Committee  of,  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress,      ....  .  1230 
The  town  of,  to  be  supplied  with  ammunition,        -  1309 
County  of,  to  be  supplied  with  arms,  &c.,       -         -  1328 
Resolve  of  Committee  of,  relative  to  prisoners  at,   -  1571 
Land,  Georgia  grants  one  hundred  acres  of,  to  every 

man  who  inlists,        -  -     213 

Limitations  to  descent  of,  proposed,      -         -         -     510 
Mr.  Deane's  opinion  that  all  the  expenses  of  the 

war  may  be  defrayed  by,    -  -         -  1020 

Congress  offer,  to  foreign  officers,  ...  16-21 
Lander,  Captain,  capture  of  a  sloop  by,  -  -  -  553 
Landlords,  the  power  of,  in  New- York,  -  -  -  510 
Landon,  Major,  General  Ten  Broeck  asks  the  promo- 
tion of,  -  ...  .  1122 
Lane,  Joel,  North-Carolina  Council  meet  at  house  of,  1375 
Lang,  James,  promoted  to  be  Lieutenant,  -  1294 
Langdon,  John,  appointed  Captain,  with  the  rank  of 

Colonel,  -  ...  52,  73 

Letter  to,  from  Schuyler,       .....     259 
Letter  to,  from  Josiah  Bartlett,     ....    348, 

496,  637,  758,  893,  1060 

Letter  to,  from  William  Whipple,  -         -       118,  368,  497 
Appointed  Continental  Agent,      ....     893 
Langdon,  Timothy,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Captures,  -     664 
Letter  from,  to  John  Avery,  ...    874 
Langdon,  Pearson,  prisoner,  examination  of,     -         -  1069 
Langdon,  Lieutenant,  letter  to,  from  General  Heath,  -  1262 
Langford,  George,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,     -        -     285 
Langworthy,  Edward,  Secretary  of  Georgia,       -         -     213 
Lansdale,  Thomas,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,      -  -  1348 
Lansing,  Captain,  sent  with  stores  to  German-Plats,  -       42 
Lansing,  John,  Jun.,  appointed  Secretary  to  Schuyler,  1070 
Larabee,  Timothy,  appointed  Paymaster  Connecticut 

Militia, -    456 

Lasher,  Colonel  John,  list  of  officers  in  Regiment  of,      918 

Bravery  of  his  Battalion  on  Long-Island,        -         -  1184 

List  of  his  Regiment  taken  prisoners,     ...  1251 

Latham,  William,  Jun.,  appointed  Captain-Lieutenant,     244 

Lauchlin,  Jacob,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,     349 

Laudenberger,  John,  recommended  as  Lieutenant,     -  1293 

Appointed  by  Congress  Lieutenant  of  a  German 

Company,  1583 

Laugeay,  Jean,  petition  of,  to  Congress,  -         -         -  1191 
Lauregais,  Count,  mysterious  conduct  of,  -         -         -  1013 
Count  de  Vergennes's  opinion  of,  -        -  1014 

Lavely,  William,  fine  remitted  to,      -         -         -         -     636 
Lavely,  George,  fine  remitted  to,       -         -         -         -     636 
Law,  act  of  New-Hampshire  to  alter  the  style  of  pro- 
cesses at,          -        -        -  ...      72 
Law,  Richard,  member   of  Connecticut   Council   of 

Safety, 244 

Desired  to  compile  laws  for  naval  service,       -         -     700 
Sent  to  confer  with  Washington,  ....     776 
Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      ...     989 
Lawrence,  Richard,  charged  with  aiding  enemy,         -       23 
Is  seen  with  Howe  on  Staten-Island,      ...     120 
Reported  to  have  been  appointed  Collector,  -         -     120 
Commands  a  Regiment  on  Staten-Island,       -         -     787 
Lawrence,  Dr.  John,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,    -       38 
Lawrence,  negro,  deserter,  examination  of,        -         -     692 
Lawrence,  Richard,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  deser- 
tion,      -    768 

Lawrence,  John,  recommended  as  Paymaster,  -      869,  918 

Appointed  Paymaster  to  Regiment  late  McDougall's,     966 

Lawrence,  William,  promoted  by  election,  -  1507 

Commissioned  as  Captain  by  New- York,        -        -  1507 

Lawrence,   Captain  Richard,  resigns  on  account  of 

infirmity,  -  1528 

Lawrence,  Daniel,  appointed  Captain  Queen's  County 

Horse,      -  1528 

Lawrence,  Jonathan,  appointed  Lieutenant  Queen's 

County  Horse,  -  1528 

Lawrence,  Major,  intelligence  given  by,    -  -  1547 

Lawrence,  William,  appointed  Paymaster  to  Shee's 

Battalion,  -  1607 

Laws,  code  of,  ordered  for  Continental  naval  service,      700 
Lawson,  Mr.,  order  for  arrest  of,       -         -  -  1488 

Lawson,    Robert,    appointed   Lieutenant-Colonel   by 

Congress.  .....  1306 


Layfield,  James,  sent  under  guard  to  Annapolis,  -  384 
Ordered  to  give  security  for  good  behaviour,  -  -  1356 
Lead,  bounty  given  by  New-Hampshire  for  bar,  -  60 
A  supply  voted  to  sundry  towns,  -  -  79,  81,  82,  85 
The  King's  statue  of,  run  into  bullets,  -  -  144,  368 
Arnold  secures  a  large  quantity  of,  -  -  -  165 
Washington  orders  to  be  sent  to  Schuyler  in  lieu  of 

ball,  .  -     193 

Schuyler  makes  an  urgent  demand  for,  ...  233 
Non-arrival  and  subsequent  arrival  of,  reported,  260,  261 
Order  for  supply  of,  to  Continental  vessels,  -  -  298 
Lemuel  Barrett  applies  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety  for,  .        .    343 

The  President  of  Congress  calls  upon  Virginia  for,  366 
The  President  of  Congress  calls  on  F.  Lewis  for,  -  367 
Pressing  demand  for,  in  New-Jersey,  ...  369 
Connecticut  votes  a  supply  of,  to  Wethersfield,  -  379 
Bridgetown  Committee  apply  to  Congress  for,  -  459 
A  quantity  of,  sent  to  Fredericktown,  -  -  553 

Virginia  hires  men  to  work  her  mines  of,  -  -  611 
Great  want  of,  in  North-Carolina,  -  ...  613 
Arrival  of  a  quantity  of,  at  Chester,  ...  691 
A  French  ship  arrives  at  Philadelphia  with,  -  -  786 
A  quantity  of,  reported  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Carrous,  948 
The  Virginia  mines  produce,  abundantly,  -  -  973 
Fifty-three  tons  of,  arrive  from  France,  -  -  1034 

A  supply  of,  sent  to  Indian  chiefs,  -  1436,  1445 

Order  for  supplying  the  Rangers  with,  -  -  1444 

Distributed  gratis  in  Ulster,  New- York,  -  -  1450 
General  Clinton  directed  to  furnish  Colonel  Drake 

with, 1553 

Congress  order  steps  to  be  taken  to  procure,  -  1567 
Application  to  New-Jersey  Convention  for,  -  -  1577 
Congress  applies  to  Virginia  Council  of  Safety  for,  1577 
Congress  applies  to  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety 

to  supply  Flying-Camp,    .....  1579 

An  order  to  supply  North-Carolina  troops  with,      -  1609 

Lead  Mines,  report  relative  to,  at  Nine  Partners,        -  1413 

Progress  made  in  opening,    -        -  -  1519 

McDonald  ordered  to  continue  exploration  of,        -  1522 

McDonald  ordered  to  extend  his  examination  of,  -  1556 

Leaden  weights,  a  Committee  appointed  to  collect,  from 

windows,          -        -                 ....  1290 
Families  requested  to  give  up,  for  public  use,         -  1296 
Ordered  to  be  taken  from  windows  in  Tryon  County,  1399 
Learned,  Colonel,  tools  for  fascines  delivered  to  Regi- 
ment of, 503 

Leavitt,  Moses,  appointed  Captain  of  New-Hampshire 

Militia,     •  64 

Lebanon,  absconding  of  British  officers  from,     -         -    411 

Examination  relative  to  escape  of  prisoners  from,  -    596 

Dangerous  persons  strolling  about,  -     946 

Washington  sends  more  disaffected  to,  -        -        -    981 

Le  Beuf,  Congress  order  a  fort  at,     -        -        -         -  1574 

Lecky,  James,  held  to  bail  in  Dublin  for  correspond- 
ing with  America,     --.-.-     180 
Le  Dieu,  Captain  Abraham,  offers  to  raise  a  Company 

of  Volunteers,  -         -         -  -   1489 

Draft  of  a  letter  to,  from  New- York  Convention,    -  1489 
Ordered  to  join  Colonel  Thomas's  Regiment,          -  1490 
Ledue,  Captain,  Company  of,  go  off  without  leave,    -  1414 
Ledyard,  Young,  appointed  by  Connecticut  Lieuten- 
ant of  Matrosses,       -  ....  1007 

Lee,  General  Charles — 

Conference  of,  with  Colonel  Mclntosh,  6 

Georgia  Council  of  Safety  ask  the  opinion  of,      -         8 
Instructions  of,  to  General  Wooster,  13 

Letter  from,  to — 

Edmund  Pendleton,  -  95 

Patrick  Henry,  -         -        95,  630 

Colonel  Thompson,  ------       99 

Member  of  Congress,        -----     428 

Virginia  Convention,         -----    612 

Richard  Peters, 719 

Governour  of  Cape  Fran9ois,     -        ...  1227 
Letter  to,  from—- 
Washington,     97,  916 

Thomas  Burke,          ---'-.-       98 
Governour  Page,       ------     213 

George  Johnson       ------       99 

Hancock  sends  copy  of  a  letter  from,  to  Washington,  434 
Views  the  fortifications  at  Haddrell's  Point,  -  -  437 
Passes  over  to  Sullivan's  Island  in  midst  of  the  fire,  439 
General  Clinton's  return  of  civilities  to,  -  -  489 
Thanks  of  Congress  addressed  to,  -  -  493,  1585 
Petition  of  sundry  parishes  in  Georgia  to,  -  -  685 
Clinton  suspected  of  corresponding  with,  -  -  742 


Is  ordered  by  Congress  to  the  North,    - 


-    832 


1707 


INDEX. 


1708 


Lee,  General  Charles — 

'  Clinton  and  Sir  Peter  Parker  beaten  by,          -         -     869 
Submits  a  question  to  his  Brigadier  and  Field  Offi- 

cers,        '..-..  -    905 

Washington  enforces  the  application  of,  for  cavalry, 
Sets  out  with  General  Howe  for  Georgia,       -         -     940 
Announces  his  intention  to  "breakup"  East  Florida,     959 
Questions   proposed   to,    by   Georgia   Council   of 

Safety, 1052 

Reply  of,  to  the  thanks  of  Congress,      - 
Letter  from,  to  the  Board  of  War,  ...  1131 

Arrival  of,  in  Philadelphia,     - 

Directed  to  repair  to  Philadelphia,          ...  1601 

Lee,  Arthur,  letter  from,  to  C.  W.  F.  Dumas,   -        30,  929 

Incautious  confidence  of,      -----  1014 

Arrival  of,  in  France,    -  -  -  1105 

Lee,  Richard  Henry,  letter  to,  from  Thomas  Jefferson,     118 

Letter  to,  from  Samuel  Adams,     -        ...     347 

Letter  to,  from  Samuel  Chase,       ....     672 

Lee,  Ensign,  sentenced  to  be  reprimanded,       -         -  1269 
Lee,  Jos.  Brown,  commissioned  as  Third  Lieutenant,   1313 
Lee,  schooner,  arrival  of,  at  Marblehead,  -         -         -     662 
Leeds,  Jonathan,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Artillery, 

Connecticut,    -------     244 

Lee's  Guard,  part  of,  ordered  to  join  artificers,  -  -  503 
Lefferts,  Judge,  enemy  take  shelter  in  the  house  of,  -  1137 
Leggett,  Joseph,  testimony  of,  in  Colonel  Hammond's 

case, 1439 

Leigh,  Joseph,  Committee  appointed  to  consider  peti- 
tion of, 73 

Money  voted  to,  -        -        -         -         -         -         -       74 

Le  Maitre,  Captain,  Carleton's  interest  in.  supported,  1104 
Leonard,  Enoch,  appointed  Adjutant  Massachusetts 

Militia, 268 

Leonard,  Daniel,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  Mas- 
sachusetts Militia,     -  ...     293 
Leaves  his  Regiment  on  the  march,       ...     797 
Leonard,  Rev.  Abiel,  paid  by  Congress  as  Chaplain,  -  1610 
Leonardtown,  Maryland,  ammunition  sent  to,    -         -     386 
Meeting  of  the  Committee  of,  520 
Lepers,  case  of  the  Colonies  compared  to  that  of  the,     786 
Leslie,  Lieut.,  prisoner  at  Lancaster,  signs  parole,      -    783 
Lester,  Captain,  Company  of,  recommended  to  Schuy- 

ler, 30 

Is  sent  to  General  Schuyler,  -----     239 

Letter  I.,  To  inhabitants  of  Massachusetts-Bay,  -         -  1284 
Letters,  Congress  resolve  to  write,  to  Massachusetts- 
Bay,  Connecticut,  and  New-Jersey,   ...    368 
Letters — see  names  of  indviduals. 

Levant,  store-ship,  Governour  Eden  on  board  the,      -     152 
Levering,  Aaron,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,     349 
Leviathan,  schooner,  capture  of,  by  the  Cerberus,       -     199 
Levins,  Mrs.,  applies  for  leave  to  join  her  husband,     -     461 
Lewis,  Brigadier-General  Andrew,   court-martial  or- 
dered by,  -  ......9 

Requisition  from,  -        -        -        -        -         -         -31 

Arrival  of,  at  Gwinn's  Island,         ....     149 

First  gun  at  Gwinn's  Island  fired  by,      -         -         -     150 
Orders  of  Congress  to,  -        -         -        -         .        .     494 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,   -  736,  1053,  1243 
Lewis,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Washington  authorized  to 

call  on,     -  ...      45 

Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      ...     970 
Lewis,  John,  elected  Lieutenant  in  Queen's  County 

Militia,     -        -  -        -    258 

Lewis,  John,  imprisoned  for  drinking  King's  health,  109,  373 
Lewis,  Robert,  appointed  Colonel  in  Flying-Camp,  253,  349 
Lewis,  Rev.  Isaac,  appointed  Chaplain  in  Connecticut,     329 
Lewis,  Rev.  William,  opens  New-York  Convention  with 

Prayer.      -  .  1394 

Twenty  dollars  and  thanks  of  Convention  given  to,   1450 
Lewis,  Colonel  Fielding,  letter  to,  from  President  of 

Congress,          ----.._     3gg 

Lewis,  Colonel  Morgan,  disappointment  of,       -         -     376 
s  appointed  Deputy  Quartermaster-General  of  the 
Northern  Army,        --....  1270 

Lewis,  Francis,  letter  to,  from  William  Palfrey,  -         -     696 

h'-ttcr  from,  to  Mrs.  Gates,    -  -         .   995(  H80 

Lewis,  Richard,  examination  of,         ...         .'  1070 

Lewis,  Ensign  Joseph,  money  advanced  to,        -         .   1332 

fland  Council  of  Safety  issue  commission  for,  -  1348 

Lewistown,  Delaware,  a  company  ordered  to,     -         -        11 

Company  at,  ordered  to  Philadelphia,     -    '  •  -         -     739 

Lexington,  brig,  capture  made  by,     ...      741    757 

Lhora,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  German  Com-  ' 

pany, 1334 

Resignation  of,     -  1S42 

Libels,  notice  of,  filed  against  captured  vessels,  -        -    664 


Liberty;  schooner,  Governour  Skene's,  new  sails  pro- 
cured for,                   -                          -                 -  923 
Armament  of  the,                                      -                  -  969 
Liberty  Hall,  in  Boston,  celebration  held  at,       -         -  972 
Liberty  Pole,  assemblage  at  the,  in  Worcester,  Massa- 
chusetts, -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -515 

Liberty  Tree,  flag  of  defiance  hoisted  on  the  stump  of,  972 
Licking  Creek,  arrival  from,  of  Captain  Kingston  and 

settlers  at  Fort  Pitt,  -                                              -  1228 
Life-Guards,  Washington's,  receive  the  flag  of  truce,  -  472 
Light  Dragoons,  martial  appearance  of  the  Connec- 
ticut,                                                                -        -  174 
Lightfoot,   Henry,  North-Carolina  bills  counterfeited 

by,  -        - 633 

Light-horse,  Washington  embarrassed  for  support  of,  -  39 
A  Regiment  of  British,   exercise  in  a  church  at 

Boston,    -..-----46 
Washington  speaks  of  the  Connecticut,  -      189,192 

Exempted  by  laws  of  Connecticut  from  garrison 

duty,                  371 

Colonel  Seymour  asks  the  dismissal  of  his  troop  of,  371 

Washington  discharges  Seymour's  Regiment  of,     -  389 

Governour  Trumbull  is  informed  of  the  discharge  of,  414 

Desertion  of  a  party  of  New-Jersey,        -                  -  453 
The  decision  of  Congress  asked  for  in  regard  to 

raising,  -  ....  500 
Seymour's,  arrive  at  home,  -  ...  513 
Sailing  of  Burgoyne's,  from  Plymouth,  -  -  -  517 
Congress  resolve  to  take  into  pay  the  South-Caro- 
lina, -  -  -  555 
A  squadron  of,  ordered  to  the  Flying-Camp,  -  -  669 
Roll  of  a  troop  of,  from  Queen's  County,  -  -  953 
Pillaging  of  General  Howe's,  on  Long-Island,  -  1216 
Colonel  Graham  ordered  to  attempt  a  surprise  on 

Long-Island,     -                                                        -  1216 
Congress  allows  half  a  dollar  a  week  to  the  Con- 
necticut, -        -        .        j.        -                 -        -  1579 
Light-House,  a  flag  hoisted  on,  at  Sandy-Hook,         -  600 
The  flag  on,  found  to  be  a  signal  to  the  ships,         -  600 
Lilly,  Captain  John,  a  noted  Tory,  has  his  house  burned 

by  the  enemy,  -                                            -     546,  559 
Limes,  Christopher,  order  for  arrest  of,      -         -         -  993 
Reprimanded  and  discharged,        ....  1056 
Lincoln,  General  Benjamin,  letter  from,  to  Massachu- 
setts Council,    -                 .....  404 
Letter  from,  to  Thomas  Gushing,  -                  -         -  460 
Letter  to,  from  J.  Palmer,      -                                     -  701 
Lincoln,  resolve  to  supply  town  of,  with  powder,        -  310 
Action  on  the  report  of  the  Committee  of,      -         -  324 
Lindeman,  Henry,  discharged  from  service  for  age,     -  974 
Lindenberger,  John,  recommended  as  Ensign,  -         -  182 
Is  appointed  Ensign  of  a  German  Company,  -         -  1334 
Lindley's  Fort,  attack  by  Indians  on  a  party  at,  -         -  610 
Linen,  old,  wanted  at  the  General  Hospital,       -         -  647 
Prices  of,  in  Maryland,  -        -                           -         -  738 
Order  of  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  for,         -      782,  807 
Hemp  manufactured  into,  for  Maryland,          -         -  883 
Call  upon  the  ladies  for  donations  of  old,        -         -  1287 
Money  advanced  for  carrying  on  a  factory  of,          -  1342 
Bounties  paid  by  North-Carolina  for,      -                  -  1381 
Manufactory,  proposition  to  establish,  in  Dutchess 

County,  New- York,  -                                              -  1458 
Manufactory,  workmen   in,  exempted  from  Militia 

duty,                  -----                  .  1458 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  the  manufacturers  of,  975 

Lingan,  James,  recommended  as  Lieutenant,     -         -  251 

Receives  the  appointment,    -                           -  1337 

Lingan,  Thomas,  appointed  Lieutenant,     -                  -  1348 

Linkensdorf,  Lewis  de,  appointed  Adjutant,       -         -  1602 

Linn,  Christopher,  testimony  of,  1081 

Lint,  ladies  requested  to  make  and  furnish,                  -  1287 

Lion,  Patrick,  thirty  stripes  to,  for  sleeping  on  post,  -  1137 

Lisbon  packet,  letter  from  the  Captain  of  the,     -         -  462 

Lisbon,  arrival  of  a  ship  from,  at  Philadelphia,    -  1024,  1060 

Lispenard,  Leonard,  cattle  belonging  to,  maimed,       -  225 

List  of  British  ships  arrived  from  Halifax,  27 

British  Generals  arrived  from  Halifax,     -                  -  27 

Persons  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,  38 

Vessels  in  Dunmore's  fleet,  -                           -         -  152 

Prisoners  at  Caughnawaga,  -                           -         -  165 

Prisoners  taken  at  the  Cedars,        ...      167,  168 

Artificers  sent  to  Ticonderoga,       -                  -         -  209 

.     Officers  who  served  late  campaign  in  Canada,         -  229 

Officers  who  served,  and  who  did  not  serve,  in  Du- 

bois's  Regiment,        -                           ...  230 
Articles  wanted  for  gondolas,  &c.,          -       236,  745,  746 

Officers  for  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  ...  377 

Prize  articles  called  for  by  Washington,          -         .  414 


1709 


INDEX. 


1710 


List  of  dangerous  persons  in  New-York  sent  by  Wash- 
ington to  City  Committee,  -    448 
British  armed  vessels  on  American  station,     -         -    463 
Articles  taken  in  transports,  -  -     625 
Officers  and  servants,  prisoners,  who  sign  parole,    -     783 
Continental  armed  vessels  on  Lake  Champlain,       -    797, 

1123,  1201 
Persons  sent  by  Albany  Committee  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -        -     889 

Tories  on  Long-Island  sent  to  Washington,    -         -     899 
Officers  in  sundry  Regiments,         -  -     918 

Forces  at  Halifax,  authentick,        -  -     939 

The  Maryland  troops,    -  -    976 

Prisoners  sent  to  Connecticut,       ...     989,  990 
Companies  for  a  Baltimore  Battalion,     ...  1156 
Prisoners,     -  -         -  1182 

Officers  of  Pennsylvania  Battalion  made  prisoners,  -  1250 
Officers  who  have  sent  for  their  baggage,         -         -  1250 
Articles  contracted  for  by  P.  T.  Curtenius,      -         -  1557 
Litchfield,  prisoners  ordered  to  the  jail  of,          -    731,  1419 
Letter  from  New-York  Convention  to  Committee 

of,   -  -  1419, 1446 

Letter  from  Committee  of,  to  New- York  Conven- 
tion, -  1441 
State  of  the  jail  in,  represented,     -                           -  1441 
Prisoners  in,  suffered  to  go  at  large,       -                  -  1529 
Prisoners  in,  unwilling  to  leave,     -         -                  -  1529 
Lithgow,  Colonel,  sworn  as  interpreter  at  the  Indian 

conference,       -         -  ...     839 

Little,  Henry,  confined  for  drinking  King's  health,      -     373 
Little,  Colonel,  dispute  of  an  officer  of,  with  one  of 

Varnum's,          -  -     713 

Littlefield,  John,  intercourse  of,  with  enemy,      -         -    403 
Lively,  frigate,  cruising  off  Cape  Henry,    ...     153 
Liverpool,  frigate,  arrival  of,  at  Halifax,       ...     939 
Livingston,  General  William,  correspondence  of,  with 

General  Washington,      17,  18,  38,  104,  851,  909,  1110 
Appointed  Provincial  Brigadier-General   in   New- 
Jersey,      -  ... 

Letter  from,  to  William  Hooper,  in  Congress,         -  1210 
Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Joseph  Reed,     -  -  1231 

Livingston,  Walter,  order  to  H.  Glen  to  purchase  flour,     110 
Dispute  settled  between  Trumbull  and,  -  -     193 

Letter  to,  from  H.  Glen,        -        -  175, 1001, 1070,  1085 
Call  of,  upon  the  Commanding  General, 
Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,        ....     454 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -         -     824 

Livingston,  Van  B.,  Treasurer  New-York  Congress,  -     126 
Livingston,  Robert  R.,  one  of  the  Secret  Committee 

of  New- York,   -        -        -        -      '-        -        -    392 

Letter  from  Washington  to,  -         -        -         -         -    448 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  ...    870 

Letter  to,  from  Ebenezer  Hazard,  -  1214 

Livingston,  John  R.,  powder-mill  of,  completed,         -     144 
Livingston,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  New-York   Conven- 
tion ask  that  he  may  be  continued  on  Nassau- 
Island,      -  -        -     538 
Washington  agrees  to  the  request  concerning,        -    558 
Livingston,  Gilbert  R.,  named  for  an  Ensigncy,  -         -     646 
Livingston,  Colonel  Henry  B.,  letter  from,  to  Wash- 
ington,    -                                           -  696,  1235,  1260 
Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      -         -  1235,  1278 
Livingston,  Robert  G.,  General  Ten  Broeck  asks  pro- 
motion for,        ....---  1122 

Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -  -  1182 

Livingston,  Peter,  letter  to,  from  Abraham  King,        -  1216 

Livingston,  Major  William  S.,  Brigade-Major  to  Stirling,     915 

Appointed  by  General  Greene  one  of  his  Aids,  967,  1137 

Ordered  to  be  confined  and  brought  to  trial,  -         -  1248 

Letters  from,  to  Washington,  (by  order  of  General 

Greene,)  -  -      982, 998 

Livingston,  Abraham,  the  Auditor-General  hesitates  at 

account  of,       -------  1508 

An  exhibit  of  the  account  of,  (note,)      -  1508 

Livingston,  Philip,  to  New- York  Convention,    -         -  1564 

Livingston,  James,  appointed  Colonel  by  Congress,   -  1608 

Is  authorized  to  inlist  Canadians,  -  -  1609 

Livius,  Mrs.,  is  permitted  to  join  her  husband  at  Que- 

beck,        -  -     553 

Mr.,  is  appointed  Chief  Justice  of  Canada,     -        -  1105 

Lloyd,  Boymer,  reported  to  be  with  Dunmore,  -         -       11 

Lloyd,  Henry,  resolve  relative  to  estate  of,          -         -     306 

Loan,  New-York  Convention  apply  to  Washington 

for  a,        -  -   '     -  -  -     446 

New-York  Convention  appoint  a  Committee  to  pro- 
cure a,     --------  1487 

Lockerman,   Thomas  W.,    appointed    Lieutenant   in 

Flying-Camp,  -  -  1351 


Lockwood,  Major,  sent  to  Westchestcr  County  for 

intelligence,      ->.....  1563 

Is  authorized  to  impress  horses,     ....  1564 

Loga,  ship,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  ....     152 

Logan,  Mr.,  and  family,  with  Dunmore's  fleet,  -        -     152 
Logan,  Samuel,  appointed  Major  New-York  Militia,  -  1413 
Logan,  the  Indian  chief,  extract  from  a  speech  of,      -  1613 
L'Oiseau,  Captain,  a  Canadian,  information  derived 

from,        -  -  .     799 

Is  confined  in  the  Tory  jail  at  Albany,  ...     968 

London,  Oliver's  letter  from,     .....     149 

Mayor  of,  is  refused  information  as  to  the  powers  of 

the  Commissioners  to  America,  -  500 

Account  of  captures  by  American  privateers  pub- 
lished at,  -  -    588 
Extract  from  a  gazette  published  in,       -  -     626 
Humanitas  to  the  Lord  Mayor  of,  -        -        -         -     754 

Intelligence  from,  of  Carleton  and  Burgoyne,          -     903 
Good  understanding  between  the  Court  of,  and  Ver- 
sailles,     -  -  -  1012 
Long,  Captain,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,       60 
Is  also  a  member  of  Committee  of  Safety,       -        -       85 
Long,  Hugh,  chosen  Lieutenant  Bucks  Associators,  -     171 
Long,  Pierce,  sent  to  Massachusetts  to  borrow  can- 
non,        ........     860 

New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety  asked  to  ap- 
point Colony  Agent,  -        -  1227 
Long,  Nicholas,  advances  money  for  supply  of  troops,  1374 
Long-Island,  New- York — 

Boats  from,  assisted  the  enemy  to  land,  -         -         -     200 
Return  of  ammunition,  &c.,  in  the  forts  on,    -         -     542 
Extract  of  a  letter  from,  -        -   543,1195 

Washington  advises  the  purchase  of  the  cattle  on,  -    558 
One  hundred  thousand  cattle  are  driven  from,         -     652 
Washington  anticipates  an  attack  on,    -        -         -     851 
Fears  that  the  enemy  will  get  the  stock  on,    -        -     853 
Conjectures   as  to   the  forces   under   Lord  Howe 

landing  on,       -        -  -     870 

Number  of  the  troops  raised  on,    ....     871 

Enemy   expected   to   attack,    simultaneously  with 

New- York, 951,  1063 

Three  thousand  "red  coats"  land  on,     -        -  1112,  1213 
Americans  set  fire  to  their  haystacks  on,         -        -  1112 
Howe's  landing  and  proclamation  on,    -         -        -  1121 
Reinforcements  sent  to  American  troops  on,  -        -  1158 
Engagement  with  the  enemy  on,  ....  1184 

Arrival  of  Washington  and  suite  on,      -  -  1 195 

Account  of  the  battles  on,     -        -        -         -1195,1243 

Order  for  removal  of  inhabitants  and  stock  from,     -  1196 
Difficulty  of  procuring  intelligence  from,  -   1214 

A  council  of  General  Officers  advise  the  abandon- 
ment of,  -  -  1230,  1246 
Is  evacuated  by  the  Americans,     ....  1231 

Colonel  Atlee's  journal  of  transactions  upon,  -        -  1251 
Communication  of  New- York  with,  obstructed,       -  1278 
A  committee  appointed  to  assist  in  removing  stock 
from,        -        -  -        -  1279 

Stock  on  the  coast  of,  driven  into  the  interior,         -  1545 
New- York  Convention  ask  assistance  of  Connecti- 
cut in  removing  inhabitants  and  stock  from,        -  1553 
Order  for  removal  of  women,  children,  and  slaves 

from,        ...  -  1557 

Continental  troops  and  Militia  leave,  by  order,        -  1558 
No  soldier  allowed  to  pass  to,  with  arms,       -        -  1564 
Order  for  strict  watch  on  boats  passing  to,      -         -  1564 
Congress  appoint  a  committee  to  prepare  an  account 
of  the  action  on,        ......   1627 

Long-Island,  South-Carolina — 

A  letter  found  on,  published  by  order  of  Congress,  -     250 
Enemy  under  Clinton  land  at,  -     437 

Clinton  remains  some  days  on,      -        -  -    440 

Longley,  Robert,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 

Massachusetts  Militia,        -  -        -    293 

Lookout-Boat,  order  to  pay  J.'Pitt  for  his,  -  1354 

Lord  Howe,  ship,  inventory  of  sundries  on  board  of,  -     209 

A  call  for  the  articles  taken  in  the,         -        -      414,  625 

Lord's  Day,  act  for  the  more  strict  observance  of,       -       76 

Declaration  of  Independence  read  in  the  churches 

at  Boston  on  the,      ----..     972 

Lord  Shuldham,  armed  victualler,  sent  to  Quebeck,  -  1 105 
Loring,  Levi,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses,  -  274 
Losses,  Massachusetts  resolve  to  pay,  in  the  battles  of 

Lexington  and  Bunker-Hill,  -  275,  286,  295,  302 
Lotbinierc,  Louis,  appointed  Chaplain  by  Arnold,  -  1604 
Retained  in  service  by  order  of  Congress,  -  -  I6'04 
Lothrop,  Isaac,  appointed  Mustermaster  of  Matrosses,  277 
Lott,  Colonel,  leave  of  absence  granted  to,  -  -  1421 
Loud,  William,  letter  from,  to  John  Taylor,  -  -  477 


1711 


INDEX. 


1712 


Loudon,  Samuel,  letter  from,  to  the  New-York  Con- 
vention,     

Lomisbury,  William,  a  Tory  leader,  killed, 

Had  been  commissioned  by  General  Howe  to  raise 

Rangers,  - 

New-York  Convention  reward  the  soldier  who  killed,  1556 
Lovcll,  Mr.  James — 

Massachusetts  Council  anxious  for  release  of, 
Proposal  to  exchange  Governour  Skene  for,  -        -  502 
Mr.  Huntington's  account  of  the  proposal  to  ex- 
change,   -                                    ....  510 

Is  confined  at  Halifax, >°7 

Washington  makes  the  offer  of  Skene  for,      -         -  679 

General  Howe  agrees  to  the  offer  for,     -         -      7ll,76£ 

The  case  of,  mentioned  by  Washington  to  Schuyler,  820 

Colonel  Allen  mentions  the  finding,  in  Halifax  jail, 

Congress  authorize  the  exchange  of  Skene  for,       -  1590 

Lovewell,  Jonathan,  member  of  New-Hampshire  As-  60 

sembly,    -                           -----  60 

Lovewell  and  others,  letter  to,  from  New-Hampshire 

Committee  of  Safety,                                               -  805 
Low,  Isaac,  Washington  removes  suspicion  from,       -  980 
Low,  John,  Ensign,  decease  of,         ...         -  1124 
Lowe,  Captain  John  H.,  certificate  of,       -         -        -  527 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -    942,  123C 
Lowe,  James,  ordered  to  be  discharged  on  security,   -  1370 
Lower  Counties,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Com- 
mittees of,                                   -        -        -        -  252 

Lowes,  Captain,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,        -         -  152 
Lowrie,  Mr.,  recommended  by  Mercer  as  Commissary- 
General  of  the  Flying-Camp,      ...         -  638 
Loxley,  Captain  Benjamin,  muster-roll  of  Artillery  of,  -  787 
Presence  of,  required  at  the  cannon  foundry,  -         -  1301 
Lucas,  Captain,  advance  of  money  for  Company  of,  -  1332 
Luckett,  Thos.  H.,  appointed  Lieutenant  by  Congress,  1574 
Ludden,  Joseph,  chosen  Adjutant  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -                 285 

Ludenton,  Colonel  Henry,  vacancies  in  Regiment  of,  1422 

Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -                  -  1422 
Ludlain,  William,  commissioned  Captain  of  a  Minute 

Company,        -------  1462 

Ludlow,  David,  sentence  of,  for  desertion,                    -  505 
Ludwick,  Christoffel,  Captain  of  Pennsylvania  Rifles,  187 
Lumber,  New-Hampshire  Assembly  requested  to  pro- 
hibit the  exportation  of,     -                                   -  1283 
Lumley,  George,  fine  remitted  to,  by  Baltimore  Com- 
mittee,    -                 -        -                          -        -  1056 

Lush,  Captain  Jacob,  Mustermaster  ordered  to  pass 

Company  of,    -------  1315 

Lux,  William,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -      101,  342 

Member  of  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -  115 

Lux,  George,  Secretary  to  Baltimore  Committee,        -  345 

Lycurgus,  veneration  for  Congress  equal  to  that  for,  -  734 

Lyman,  Abel,  chosen  Lieutenant  by  town  meeting,   -  30 
Lyman,  Theodore,  chosen  Adjutant  of  Massachusetts 

Militia, 285 

Lyme,  ammunition  voted  to  the  town  of,  -                  -  82 

Lynch,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  1351 

Lyon,  Matthew,  Lieutenant  of  Green  Mountain  Boys,  377 

Lyon,  Hugh,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  882 

Lyon,  James,  letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Assembly,  1280 

Lyon,  Henry,  appointed  Lieutenant  Maryland  Militia,  1344 

Lyons,  Patrick,  sentence  of,  for  desertion,  &c.,  -         -  677 

Lyons,  Benjamin,  deposition  of,        -         -                  -  1443 

M. 

Mabbit,  Samuel,  proposes  to  establish  a  flaxseed  mill,  -  1540 
Macaroni,  sloop,  capture  of,  by  the  enemy,        -         -  197 
Maccubbin,  Zachariah,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying- 
Camp,     -                                                    .      °.  1348 
Machias,  letter  from  Committee  of,  to  Massachusetts 

Assembly,                           -        ....  143 
Destitute  condition  of  the.pcople  of,     -        -         -  894 
Situation  of  the  Committee  of,      -         -         -  1282,  1283 
Machin,  Lieutenant,  ordered  to  the  Highlands,  -      485,  601 
Mackall,  Colonel,  orders  from,  to  Colonel  Somerville,  614 
Mackell,  Benjamin,  4th,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     -                                    -         -         -  628 
Mackay,  Captain,  capture  of,  by  Captain  Wicks,     181   249 
Mackay,  John,  letter  from,  to  Washington,        -         -  1086 
Mackenzie,  Captain  Robert,  Howe's  Paymaster-Ge- 

aeral,                                  ggQ 

Maclay,  William,  letter  from,  to  the  Secretary  of  the 

Bond  of  War, .  533 

Maclean,  Colonel  Allen,  capture  of  one  of  the  volun- 
teers of,   ----.,.  04 
Arrives  at  London  from  Quebeck,         -         .         I  626 


Macpherson,  John,  application  of,  rejected  by  Con- 
gress,      -        -  -        -  -        -    575 

Maddison,  Rev.  Mr.,  arrival  of,  from  England,  -         -    -814 
Washington  has  an  interview  with,        -  -     835 

Madrid,  the  Court  of,  give  evasive  answers  to  Great 

Britain,    -  -     462 

Opinions  entertained  at,  -     861 

Magazine,    Maryland    Council  of  Safety  prepare   to 
build  a,    -  .... 

Baltimore  Committee  appoint  persons  to  build,       -     345 
Baltimore  Committee  order  the  purchase  of  land  for,     409 
Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  resolve  to  build  a,    -     458 
Plan  of,  adopted  at  Baltimore,       -  -     668 

Notice  of  the  building,  at  Baltimore,      -  -  1133 

Guard  to  be  hired  for,  on  Eastern-Shore,  Maryland,   1362 
Magazines,  Lee  recommends  the  establishment  of,  for 

provisions,        ...         -  -         -  1132 

Magaw,  Colonel,  small  number  of  men  in  Regiment  of,       28 
Magistrates,  in  New- York,  requested  to  continue  their 

functions,          -------   1410 

New-York  City  Committee  complain  of  the  absence 
of  the,     -  -  -  -  1463 

Magruder,  Samuel  W.,  Chairman  of  Frederick  County 

Committee,      -  592 

Main,  order  for  removal  of  women,  &c.,  from  Long- 
Island  to  the,    -  ...  1557 
Major  Peacock,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,     349 
Majorbeggaduce,  ammunition  supplied  to  the  town  of,     324 
Major-Generals,  Washington  asks  for  more,       -         -     762 
The  request  urged  upon  Congress,         -         -         -     814 
Congress  pass  an  order  for  election  of,  -         -         -     832 
Congress  proceed  to  the  election  of,      -         -         -  1603 
Malignants,  internal,  to  be  guarded  against,       -         -     776 
Maltby,  Jonathan,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  frigate 

Trumbull,         -  -  -  1617 

Mamaroneck,  intention  of  the  enemy  to  land  near,    -     622 

Manchester,  New-York,  town  of,  asks  for  ammunition,     359 

Mantz,  Captain  Peter,  ordered  to  St.  Mary's,     -      667,  723 

March  of,  in  obedience  to  orders,  -         -         -         -     689 

St.  Mary's  County  Committee  ask  the  removal  of,  -     807 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -     831 
Ordered  to  Annapolis,  ------    862 

Asks  for  a  Major's  commission,     -         ...  1149 
Ordered  to  Leonardtown,      -----   1345 

Ordered  to  Philadelphia  via  Annapolis,  -  -  1351 

Manufactories,  persons  employed  in,  exempted  from 

military  duty  in  New-York,        -         ...  151Q 
Manufactory,  money  advanced  for  a,  of  nitre,  in  Ma- 
ryland,   -  -        -  -        -  1342 

Money  advanced  to  establish  a  linen,  in  Maryland,  -  1342 

Money  advanced  to  establish  a  stocking,  in  Maryland,   1345 

A  linen,  established  in  Dutchess  County,  New- York,   1458 

Manufacturers,  exempted  from  military  duty,     -         -  1510 

Manufactures,  America  a  market  for  French,     -         -       15 

Marauding,  orders  to  prevent,  -  -  1128 

Marblchead,  resolve  to  supply  with  cannon,       -      296,  319 

Appointment  of  Gunners  for  RJ^trosses  at,     -         -     322 

Arrival  of  prize-ship  Peggy  at,       -  -     662 

A  prize  brig  sent  into,  (and  ship,)  -  1116,  1172 

Vessels  chased  into,  by  the  Milford  frigate,    -         -  1226 

March,    Captain    George,  a   Committee  to   examine 

charges  against,         -         -  57 

Ordered  to  confine  himself  to  his  farm,  -  58,  85 

Report  of  Committee  against,        -  84 

Constable  ordered  to  arrest,  -----       84 

Disarmed,  and  security  required  of,        -  -       85 

Marching  Orders  issued  to  Regiments  for  Canada  and 

New-York,       -   .     -  -    550 

Mareman,  Joseph,  deposition  of,       -         -  -     686 

Maria,  brig,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -         ...     153 
Marine  Committee,  letters  from,  to — 

Captain  Parker,         -  -         -  -     156 

John  Bradford, 670 

Captain  Cleveland,    -  -     670 

Captain  John  Paul  Jones,  -         ....     784 

Captains  Jones  and  Hallock,      -         ...     977 

Commodore  Hopkins,        -----  1106 

Captain  Hacker,        -  -  1107 

Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,       -  -1107,1108 

Lieutenant  Baldwin,          -         -         -         -         -1118 

Captain  William  Stone,     -  -  1181 

Acquittal  by,  of  Captains  Saltonstall  and  Whipple,     187 

Jonathan  Glover  appeals  to  the  authority  of,  -         -     478 

Petition  of  Mary  Giddins  to,  -  ...     708 

Marines,  pay  of,  in  Floating  Battery,  -  1297 

Details  of,  draughted  at  Ticonderoga,    -  -     656 

Maritime  Court,  resolve  to  adjourn  Massachusetts,  316,  321 

Session  of,  at  Salem,    -         ...  .     QQ£ 


1713 


INDEX. 


1714 


Maritime  force,  American,  on  Lake  Champlain,         -     969 

Maritime  officer,    Committee  of  Nomination   for,  in 

New-Hampshire,       -  -       58 

Appointment  of  a,  in  New-Hampshire,  -  -       84 

Market,   order  for  the  good  behaviour  of  soldiers  to 

persons  who  come  to,  in  New-York,  -  -     911 

Strict  enforcement  of  the  order  required,         -         -   1137 

Marble,  John  P.,  sent  to  France  in  the  Despatch,      -     670 

Marlin,  Lieutenant  D.,  testimony  of,  -  -  1438 

Marquesie,  Monsieur  de  la,       -  -      338,  692 

Receives  a  commission  from  Congress,  -  -  1623 

Marriages,  act  of  New-Hampshire  to  regulate,  -          56,  74 

Marselis,  Nicholas,  letter  from,  to  William  Cobb,        -     454 

Marsh,  Joel,  chosen  Committeeman  at  Hartford,        -       30 

Marsh,  Captain,  refuses  to  have  Dean's  Company  on 

his  plantation,  -  -     722 

Marshall,  Abraham,  leave  to  resign  granted  to,  -         -   1294 

Marshall,  Thomas,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  by 

Congress,  -  1603 

Marston,  William,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Massachu- 
setts Militia,      -  -         -     295 

Martha's  Vineyard,  resolve  to  station  one   hundred 

men  at,    -        -  -    286 

Selection  of  officers  for  the  Company  at,        -         -     295 

Martin,  Captain  Nicholas,  letter  from,  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      -  -     465 

Complaint  lodged  against,     -         ....     739 

Martin,  Captain  Alexander,  letter  from,  to  Lancaster 

Committee,       -  -     673 

Martin,  Joseph,  acquitted  of  a  charge  of  robbery,        -     914 

Martin,  Monsieur,  recommended  as  Engineer  to  Gen- 
eral Heath,       -         -  -     998 

Martin,  Colonel,  of  the  New-Jersey  levies,  wounded,  -  1158 

Martin,  Colonel  Josiah,  Governour  Tryon's  letter  con- 
veyed by,          -         -  ...  1503 
Inhabitants  of  Queen's  County  desire  the  arrest  of,    1503 
Family  of,  suspected  of  corresponding  with  enemy,   1542 
House  of,  ordered  to  be  searched  by  a  discreet  per- 
son, -  1542 

Martin,  the  late  Governour,  leave  asked  for  the  family 

of,  to  go  on  board  Lord  Howe's  fleet,  -  1528 

Martin,  Dr.  Samuel,  inhabitants  of  Queen's  County 

ask  arrest  of,     -  -  1503 

Is  a  prisoner  on  parole  at  Rockaway,     -  -  1542 

An  order  for  the  apprehension  of,  -  1543 

Martindale,  Captain,  loss  of  the  books  and  papers  of,      859 

Martinico — (See  next  word.) 

Martinique,  extract  of  a  letter  from,  -         -  -     382 

Arrival  at,  of  Captain  Wickes  in  the  Reprisal,  -  609 
Rumours  at,  of  a  war  in  Europe,  -  -  610 

Good  disposition  of  the  French  at,  -  -  -  626 
Arrival  of  a  French  brigantine  from,  -  -  907 

Washington  encloses  a  letter  to  Congress  from,     -     911 
The  Governour  of,  ordered  to  assist  American  ves- 
sels, -  -  1179 

Maryland — 

A  Rifle  Regiment  raised  by,  -  -  32 
Militia  of,  ordered  to  march  to  Philadelphia,  -  -  136 
John  Adams  compliments  the  Militia  of,  -  -  348 
Credit  of  the  money  of,  in  Philadelphia,  -  492 
Smallwood's  Battalion  pass  Woodbridge,  -  -  600 
Enrollment  of  men  to  serve  in  Militia  of,  -  -  614 
High  compliment  to  the  Shirtmen  of,  -  -  786 
Bravery  of  the  Battalion  of,  -  -  1184 
Value  of  captured  vessels  paid  by  State  of,  -  -  1191 
Extract  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  in  Battalion  of,  -  1195 
Gallantry  and  skill  displayed  by  troops  of,  -  -  1244 
Delegates  from,  present  their  credentials  to  Con- 
gress,   1583 

A  month's  pay  advanced  to  officers  and  men  from,  1606 
Order  for  supplying  the  troops  from,  -  -  1606 

Congress  advance  $20,000  to,  for  raising  Battalions,  1612 
Congress  advance  money  to,  for  the  Flying-Camp,  1616 
Any  number  of  troops  to  be  taken  into  Continental 

pay,  -  1618 

Order  for  delivering  arms  to  the  troops  of,  -  -  1620 
Marine  Committee  loan  duck  to  the  Delegates  from,  1622 

Maryland  Convention — 

Proceedings  of  the,       -  -  5,  31 

Letter  from  Basil  Clarkson  to,       -  -         -     218 

Letter  from  Alexander  Wilson  to,  -     220 

Lee's  sarcasm  against  the,    -  -         -     429 

Resolve  to  support  independence,  -     993 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,  -  -  1024 
Congress  notices  the  reception  of  a  letter  from,  -  1569 
Congress  recommend  them  to  raise  two  Battalions,  1612 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  correspondence  of,  with — 
Robert  Alexander,  -         -         -         -         -     114 


Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  correspondence  of,  with — 
Captain  Alexander,       -         -         .         .         .  993 

John  Archer,  ---..._  jg^ 
Messrs.  Archer  and  Harris,  -  ...  782  862 
Francis  Baker,  ---....  930 
Baltimore  Convention,  101,  183,  524,  569,  594 

Baltimore  County  Committee,  ...  J84j  1133 
Colonel  Richard  Barnes,  -  252,  343,  518,  571,  592 
Captain  Barnes,  -  -  363,  383,  387,  668 

A.  Barnes,  -  .     §07 
Samuel  Barrett,    -                                              .      343(  553 
Rezin  Beall,                                                       -    343j  1173 
Josias  Beale,        .......    594 

Robert  Berry,        -  ...   HQ\ 

Thomas  Bourke,  -  -         -    430,  974,  1024 

Bennet  Bracco,    -         -  -      362,  592 

John  Brooke,       -  .      557,  806 

Richard  Brooke,  -  .     960 

Richard  Buchanan,       ......     joi 

General  Buchanan,       -  ....     153 

Archibald  Buchanan,    -  .  634,  637 

Charles  Carroll,  (Barrister,)  -  ...     614 

Cecil  County  Committee,      -  -         -  1090 

Peter  Chaille, 217 

Moses  Chaille,     -  .  H74 

General  Chamberlain,  -  ...     627,  667 

Charles  County  Committee,  -   433,  1 191 

Samuel  Chase,     .......     669 

Robert  Christie,   -  930 

John  Contee,       -  -        .     554 

Thomas  Conway,  ......     590 

Captain  Crawford,  ....     3gg 

John  Crockett,     -        -  .  808 

James  Cunningham,     -         -  .     907 

Richard  Dallam,  -  -        -       154,  363,  491,  615 

John  Dalton,        ...  .     942 

Captain  Darnes,  -  591,  1077,  1091,  1117,  1133 

Joseph  Dashiell,  -  -     362 

George  Dashiell,  ....  .         .     635 

Francis  Deakins,  ......     992 

John  Dean,-  -     627,974,1134 

Delegates  in  Congress,          ....     114,219, 

434,  492,  531,  556,  593,  618,  634,  723,  805,  863,  975 
General  John  Dent,  ----..  343( 

386,  431,  465,  481,  522,  554,  628,  707,  723,  724,  757 
Dorchester  Committee,  -  219,  570,  686,  723,  975 
Thomas  Dorsey,  -  114,  135,  136,  154,  326,  408,  433 
John  Dorsey,  -  -  342 

Samuel  Dorsey,  ...  -  1091,  1156 

Joseph  Earle,  -  -  -  738 

Eastern  Shore  Committees,  -  -  365 

Captain  Elliott,  -  -  -  363,  387 

Thomas  Ewing,  387,  757,  783,  809,  892,  906,  1023,  1055 
Frederick  Committee,  -  -  592 

Amos  Garrett,  -  -  153,  1091 

Captain  George,  -  -  993 

James  Gibson,  ,  -  -  -  -  893 

Joseph  Gilpin,  -  ...  -  690 

John  Gordon,  ...  .  617,  976 

Caleb  C.  Gough,  -  -  251 

B.  Graves,   -  -     554 
Philip  Graybill,    -         -                                              -     722 
Isaac  Griest,                 -  668,  783,  832,  1056,  1077,  1090 
Gunlock  Commissioners,      -                                    -     667 
Colonel  J.  C.  Hall,       -                                              -     184 
Mathias  Hammond,      -                                              -     113 
Thomas  B.  Hands,        -                                              -     385 
John  Hanson,    251,  325,  569,  594,  757,  831,  1134,  1190 
T.  Hanson,                                                                  -     521 
Harford  Committee,      -         -                           -      155,  183 
Benton  Harris,     -                                                       -     364 

Harris  &  Archer, 782,  862 

Captain  Harrison,  -     101 

Colonel  William  Harrison,    -  -     431 

Joseph  W.  Harrison,    -  -     666 

Colonel  James  Hawkins,       -  -     592 

James  Hindman,  -      257, 344 

William  Hindman,        -  -     343 

Jesse  Hollingsworth,     -  -    100, 

113,  150,  182,  183,  219,  384,  782,  960,  975,  1076 
Henry  Hollingsworth,  -  -    113, 

184,  614,  806,  942,  960,  992,  1055,  1134 
Gerard  Hopkins,  -  -      617,  666,  906,  1133 

B.  Hooe,      -  -      383,  591 

General  Hooper,  -  -        344.  430,  492,  665,  685 

Daniel  Hughes,  -  -     806 

Colonel  William  Hyde,  -     929 

E.Johnson,  -    100,  1174 


FIFTH  SEKIES. — VOL.  I. 


108 


1715 


INDEX. 


1716 


Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  correspondence  of,  with — 
Colonel  James  Johnson,        ... 
B.  Johnson,  -         -  -      363,  482,  517 

General  T.  Johnson,     -         -  -      490,  522,  569 

Captain  Thomas  Jones,         -  -    689,  1089 

Colonel  Jeremiah  Jordan,     ...         -      342,  382 

Colonel  James  Kent, 635,  808 

Kent  County  Committee,      ....   493,  1055 

Linen  manufacturers,    - 

Captain  John  Hawkins  Lowe,        -         -         -   942,  1230 

Committees  of  lower  Counties,     -        -  -    252 

William  Lux, 

Hugh  Lyon, 

Alexander  McFadon, 

Benjamin  Mackall,  fourth,     ...  -     628 

Captain  Peter  Mantz, 831,1149 

Captain  Nicholas  Martin,      .....     465 

Captain  Philip  Meroney,        .....     590 

Nicholas  R.  Moore,       -         -        -        -         -         -215 

James  Murray,      -  ....     491,  52 1 

Captain  James  Nicholson,  -  -  408,806,1117,1155 
Samuel  Nicholls,  -  -  807,  942 

Robert  N.  Nicols, 554 

Northumberland,  Virginia,  Committee,  -  -     941 

Committee  of  Observation,    -----     364 

John  Page, 250 

Edward  Parker,    ....     153,782,975,1117 

Mr.  Patton, -     384 

Captain  Perkins, 492,  976,  1 174 

Richard  Peters, 784 

Robert  Porteus, 364 

Lieutenant  Pownall,      -         -         -         -         .  •       .     863 

President  of  Congress,  ------  1090 

Major  Thomas  Price,    -        -       518,  570,  590,  615,  689 
Joseph  Richardson,       ......     929 

Colonel  William  Richardson,         ...   992,  1134 
Charles  Ridgely,  -  -        -       114,  219,  409 

Thomas  Ringgold,        ....      386,  493,  737 

Charles  Rumsey,  --....-     614 

Francis  Sanderson,       --.-.".    781 

Jacob  Schley, 667 

George  Scott.       -  -        -       430,  491,  737,  807 

Major  Henry  Shryock,  ......     466 

Colonel  Jos.  Sim,          ......     807 

John  Skinner,      -  ...    364 

Colonel  William  Smallwood,  -         -        -101 

Thomas  Smyth,  -  -  114, 153,  216,  386,  553,  707 
Captain  Nathaniel  Smyth,  -  -  344,  409,  685,  976 
Somerset  Committee,  --.-..  570 
Col.  Alexander  Somerville,  325,  343,  409,  429,  614,  634 
Stephen  Stewart,  -  -  113,  136,  153,  385,  433,  1133 

Thomas  Stone, 219,  669,  930 

St.  Mary's  County  Committee,       ...     408,  862 
Tent-makers,        -         -        -        -        .        .         .  '  974 

John  A.  Thomas,  -        -  ...     343;  892 

Nicholas  Thomas,  -        .        .        .         -831 

Richard  Thompson,       --.*...     738 
James  Tilghman,  --.-..     482  594 
Matthew  Tilghman,       .....     571'  831 

Edward  Tillard,    -  .        .       153_  155]  806 

Richard  Tootell,   -        -        .        .         .         .         -101 

James  Tootell,      ----.._     757 

Dr.  Tootell,  .         .         .993 

Colonel  Robert  Tyler,  -        -  .         -      113  364 

Messrs.  Van  Bibber  and  Harrison,          -         .         .  '  782 
Captain  Veazy,    .......     ]Q1 

John  Veazy,  Jun.,  ....     731,  961 

Virginia  Council  of  Safety, 433 

William  Walters,  ---....  384 
General  Washington,  --....  1133 
Captain  Watkins,  ---.._  974 
Colonel  J.  Weems,  .....  JQI  216 
Dr.  Wcisenthall,  -  -  .  112,433,758,942/1091 
John  West,  -  ....  407  433 

Committee  of  Western-Shore,  ....  366 
John  Weston,  ---.-_.  252 
William  Whetcroft,  -  ...  I  I  154 

Colonel  Otho  Williams, 52i 

Elisha  Winters,    -  .        -218,465,613 

George  Woolsey  -  .       633  70?   g09 

Committee  of  Worcester,       -        .  KQO 

Turhun  Wright,    -  .         .      66-5j  55 

John  Yost, 524'  7Q7 

List  of  troops  furnished  by    -  '  o,7« 

Proceedings  of,     -         -         _         .         "         "         "   ,33, 
Maryland  Gazette,  Captain  Conway's  statement   im- 
peaching the  courage  of  the  Maryland  Militia, 
appears  in,  .        .         _         _         _ 


Maryland  Gazette,  advertisement  by  Council  of  Safety 

in,   -  -         -  -  1333 

Resolve  relative  to  rank  of  officers  published  in,      -  1333 
Council  of  Safety  order  a  notice  to  be  published  in,   1333 
Maryland  money,  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  order, 

to  be  received  from  the  Maryland  troops  at  par,  -  1316 
Maryland  Regulars,  First  Battalion  of,  arrive  in  Phila- 
delphia, -  -  350 
Mar>  lander,  extract  of  a  letter  from  a,  in  New-York,  -  1232 
Marylanders  are  roused  to  independence  by  Virginia,  214 
Mason,  Jonathan,  chosen  Ensign,  -  -  663 
Massachusetts — 

New-Hampshire  resolves  to  borrow  cannon  from,  -  69 
John  Adams  compliments  the  people  of,  -  103 

Congress  direct  a  call  for  more  troops  from,  -  -  193 
"  Plain  Truth"  to  the  Justices  in,  -  -  210 

Impatience  of  J.  Adams  at  delay  of  troops,  -  -  466 
"  A  Watchman"  to  the  inhabitants  of,  -  -  567 

Return  of  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Foot  of,  -  -  644 
J.  Adams  complains  of  not  hearing  from,  -  -  908 
Condition  of  the  Militia  honourable  to,  -  -  1198 

Letter  to  the  inhabitants  of,  -  -  -  1284 

Massachusetts  Assembly — 

Letters  to,  from  General  Washington,  108,  143,  192,  576 
Resolves  of,  -  ...  .  265 

Letter  to,  from  the  President  of  Congress,  -  -  367 
Letter  to,  from  Captain  Fisk,  -  -  -  405 

Letter  to,  from  John  Adams,  -  -     571 

Petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  St.  John's  to,     -         -     703 
Appeal  of  Enos  Stone  to,      .....     718 
Letter  to,  from  James  Lynn,  -         ....  1280 
Massachusetts 'Council — 

Proceedings  of,     -  -   551,  1100 

Petition  to,  from  Brookfield,  Connecticut,  -  -  551 
Order  of,  in  relation  to  Tories,  -  -  -  702 

Conference  of,  with  the  Indians,    -         -  -     838 

Treaty  concluded  by,  with  the  Indians,  -  -     848 

Application  of  New-Hampshire  to,  for  cannon,       -     860 
Are  requested  by  Board  of  War  to  appoint  a  Gene- 
ral Officer,  -  -    931 
Petition  to,  of  Daniel  Ilsley,  -         -  -1207 
Sundry  messages  from,           .....  1223 
Correspondence  of,  with — 
Absent  members,      -                          -        -     702,  830 

John  Bachellor, 567 

Committee  of  Boston,         -  -     247 

James  Bowdoin,  -        -       584,585,702,971 

Jonathan  Bowers,      -         -         -         -         -         -134 

Governour  Cooke, 1222 

Colonel  T.  Crafts,      -  -  -     874 

Committee  of  Cumberland,         ....    568 
Theophilus  Cushing,  -     684 

The  Delegates  in  Congress,        ...     733,  805 
Richard  Darby,  -  -     701 

Colonel  Nicholas  Dike, 801 

Jacob  Emerson,  -     959 

Thomas  Fletcher, 990 

Colonel  Foster, 515 

Benjamin  Greenleaf,  .....     953 

Captain  Haskell, 340 

Joseph  Hawley,  263,  361,  552,  700,  779,  891,  927,  958 
Colonel  Henry,  -     178 

Colonel  H.  Herrick,  -  -  -     971 

John  Kiegly,  prisoner,        -  -     262 

General  Lincoln,       -         -  -         -     404 

Colonel  J.  Mitchell, 874 

Deacon  T.  Newell,    -  -  585, 608 

Richard  Newton,        ....  -     361 

Joseph  Nye,      -  ...  -     684 

Peter  Penniman,        -  -1087,1116 

Timothy  Pickering, 778 

Committee  of  Reading, 971 

Governour  of  Rhode-Island,        -  -     701 

Committee  of  Salem, 958 

Boston  Selectmen,    ------     477 

Northfield  Selectmen,        -         -  -     427 

Francis  Shaw,  -         -  -  -    804,  1208 

Stephen  Smith,          -         -  -     703 

Walter  Spooner,        -         -  30 

Joseph  Trumbull,      -         -  -     361 

Governour  Trumbull,          -        -  -1100,1147 

General  Ward,  -  -     146 

General  Warner,       -        -  -     663 

General  Washington,  -       380,  702,  727,  830 

Massachusetts  General  Court — 

Circular  from,  to  the  several  towns,        -  2 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,    -  3 

Resolve  of  the,      -  .      -         -         -         -         -         -  1283 


1717  INDEX. 

Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives — 

Appoint  post-riders,      -  -         -     145 

Messages  from  the  Council  to,       -        .-  -  1223 

Massachusetts,  Colony  brig,  Captain  of,  sent  to  Boston,  663 
Massey,  Samuel,  Lieutenant  of  2d  Pennsylvania  Bat- 
talion, -  -  -  171 
Mastin,  Captain  of  Maryland  Militia  at  Sandy-Point,  -  529 
Maston,  Captain,  arrival  of,  at  Philadelphia,  -  -  41 
Masts,  resolve  relating  to  a  number  of,  -  -  -  315 
Masury,  Richard,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses,  308 
Match-Coats,  delivery  of,  to  a  Baltimore  Company,  -  907 
Mather,  Mrs.  Hannah,  resolve  on  petition  of,  -  -  316 
Matlack,  Colonel,  sent  to  Philadelphia  with  a  report,  -  762 
Matrosses — 

Payment  to  a  Company  of  New-Hampshire,  -  -  68 
Officers  for  the  Gloucester  Company  of,  -  -  271 
Resolve  to  raise  a  Company  of,  for  Falmouth,  -  271 
Captain  Saltonstall's  Company  of,  -  -  242 

Appointment  of  officers  for   the    Falmouth  Com- 
pany of,    -  ...    274 
Form  of  inlistment  of,  in  Massachusetts,         -        -     276 
Appointment  of  officers  for  the  Newburyport  Com- 
pany,       -  -         -     303 
Order  to  fit  out  a  Company  of,  at  Salem,         -        -     307 
Order  to  supply  the  same  with  necessaries,     -         -     312 
Guns  supplied  to  the  Marblehead  Company,  -         -     322 
"  Matter  of  Fact,"  a  communication  to  the  Publick 

Ledger, 861 

Matthews,  John,  certificate  of,  relating  to  Sandy-Point,     528 
Matthews,  David,  denies  his  disaffection,  -         -         -  1030 
Strong  appeal  from,  to  the  New-York  Convention,  -  1085 
Arrives  at  Hartford,  and  returns  to  Litchfield,          -  1172 
Desires  to  be  heard  before  New-York  Convention,  -  1415 
Mr.  De  Peyster  receives  a  letter  from,    -  -  1549 

Complains  of  the  severity  of  his  treatment,      -         -  1549 
Asks  leave  to  go  to  Hartford,         -         -  -  1550 

Letter  from,  to  his  wife,  -        -  1550 

Copy  of  the  commitment  of,  -  -         -  1550 

Draught  of  a  letter  to,  from  New- York  Convention,  1551 
Is  not  considered  a  prisoner  of  war,       -  -  1551 

Maugerville,  Nova-Scotia,  petition  of  people  of,  -         -     703 
Meeting  of  the  people  of  Sunbury  County  at,          -     705 
Maurepas,  Count,  Mr.  Deane's  opinion  of,  -  1018 

Maurice,  Alexander,  committed  to  State  prison,         -  1308 
Mause,  Philip,  application  for  discharge  of,        -         -     931 
A  furlough  granted  to,  -  -  1608 

Mawe,  James,  becomes  surety  for  W.  W.  Clayton,     -  1351 
Maxwell,  Colonel  William,  list  of  officers  in  Batta- 
lion of,     ....  .        -'979 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,       -        -  1203 
Memorial  to  Congress  from,  -  1204 

Maybury,  Beriah,  member  of  Annapolis  Committee,    -     181 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  payment  to,         -  1333 
Mayhew,  Captain,  sent  by  Arnold  in  charge  of  Indians,     238 
Approbation  of,  by  General  Gates,  -     397 

Mayhew,  Joseph,  appointed  to  sign  beating-orders,    -     303 
Mayo,  Thomas,  appointed  Lieutenant,       -  -  1348 

Mayor,  the  New- York,  put  in  confinement,        -         -     117 
Humanitas  to  the  Lord  Mayor  of  London,      -         -     754 
Mead,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John,  Washington  autho- 
rized to  call  on,        -  -      45 
Mead,  Dr.  William,  appointed   Surgeon   in    Colonel 

Thomas's  Regiment,  -  1456 

Meads,  Stephen,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Marines,      -  1588 

Measam,  George,  goods  placed  in  the  hands  of,  -         -       13 

Petition  of,  to  Congress,       -  -    725,  1175 

Mease,  James,  Commissary,  order  to,  from  President 

of  Congress,      -         -  33 

Letter  to,  from  President  of  Congress,    -        -         -     1 16 
Mease  &  Caldwell,  letter  from,  to  R.  Peters,    '  -        -     931 
Medal,  device  prepared  for  a  gold,    -  -     944 

Medford,  barracks  of,  asked  for  as  a  small-pox  hospital,     146 
Mediator,  Lord  Howe  is  said  to  come  as  a,        -         -     373 
Medie,  Colonel,  commands  55th  British  Regiment,    -     199 
Medical  Gentlemen,  Gates  orders  a  consultation  of,  -  1272 
Medicines — 

Resolve  to  supply  certain  Regiments  with,      -        -     282 
Additional  resolves  relating  to,       -  -    284 

Order  to  supply  money  to  Dr.  Greenleaf  for,  -       _-     314 
Dr.  Stringer  endeavours  to  procure,       ...    952 
Congress  furnishes,  at  Philadelphia,       -  -  1134 

Catalogue  of,  necessary  for  the  army,     ...  1266 
Suffering  in  Northern  Army  for  want  of,  -  1513 

New-York  Convention  order  an  inventory  of,  -         -  1516 
Receipt  of,  from  Dr.  Treat,    -  -  1534 

Meigs,  Major  R.  J.,  Major  French  wishes  to  be  ex- 
changed for,      .......     777 

Washington  agrees  to  the  exchange,      -  -    853 


1718 


Meigs,  Major  R.  J.,  letter  to  General  Howe  asking 

exchange  of,     -  ...     902 

Petition  of,  to  Congress,  .....  ggg 
Washington  offers  Major  French  for,  ...  997 
Congress  pass  an  order  respecting,  -  1612 

Mekrakin,  Isaac,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,       -  1344 
Melally,  Michael,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  ship  Oliver 

Cromwell,  -  H89 

Melchior,  Isaac,  petition  of,  to  Congress,  -  156 

Captain  of  Pennsylvania  Rifles,      -  .     187 

Mellen,  Captain  James,  acts  as  Major  to  Ward's  Regi- 
ment,       ...  .  ggg 
Meloon,  Isaac,  resolve  on  petition  of,                           -     279 
Memorandum  relating  to  posts  and  expresses,    -         -     196 
Of  sundries  for  equipment  of  a  brigantine,      -         -     248 
Of  an  interview  between  Washington  and  Colonel 

Patterson,  ...     500 

Of  sundries  received  from  Thomas  Gushing,  -  -  702 
For  the  Nova-Scotia  Agents,  -  -  706 

Of  extra  services  performed  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 

Brown,     -  .  1218 

Memorial,  of  Conway  and  others  to  New-Hampshire 

General  Court,  -  -     111 

Of  Surgeon's  Mates  to  Lord  Stirling,      -  -     191 

From  citizens  of  New-York  to  General  Washington,  335 
Captain  Aldridge's,  sent  to  Congress  by  Washington,  676 
Of  Regimental  Surgeons  to  Congress,  -  -  694 

Of  Regimental  Surgeons  to  General  Washington,  -  695 
Of  George  Measam  to  Congress,  -  -  725 

William  Stone's,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  738 
Of  P.  La  Jeunesse,  asking  a  Captain's  commission,  1093 
Of  the  Chevalier  Sauralle  to  Congress,  -  -  1180,  1209 
From  Colonel  William  Maxwell  to  Congress,  -  1204 
Of  officers,  relating  to  appointments  by  Congress,  -  1398 
Of  Alexander  Stewart  to  New- York  Convention,  -  1448 
Of  Townsend  &  Noble  to  New- York  Convention,  -  1481 
Of  Captain  Jacobus  Roos  to  New- York  Convention,  1499 
Of  Paper-makers  to  New- York  Convention,  -  -  1510 
Of  Charles  Shaw  to  New- York  Convention,  -  -  1540 
Mendon,  report  of  Committee  appointed  to  repair  to,  -  267 
Removal  of  prisoners  from,  to  Grafton,  -  -  1117 

Men-of-War,  insolence  of  the  British,  in  West  Indies,  1060 
Mentges,  Francis,  petitions  to  be  appointed  Major,    -     186 
A  Lieutenancy  is  granted  to,  -  -  1313 

Menzies,  Major,  death  of,  reported,  -         ...     105 
Reported  death  of,,  confirmed,       -  -    789 

Mercenaries,  employment  of  foreign,  by  the  enemy,  -     192 
Dr.  Franklin  to  Lord  Howe  on  his,        ...     482 
Washington  hopes  to  render  a  good  account  of  the,     953 
Mercer,  General  Hugh — 

General  Livingston  is  referred  to,  -         -  -       17 

Return  of,  to  Elizabethtown,  18,  39 

Washington's  orders  to,         -  -     174 

Correspondence  of,  with  Washington,  ...    120, 
140,  328,  369,  371,  413,  443,  556,  574,  600,  619,  638, 
673,  691,  761,  813,  834,  851,  865,  885,  894,  909,  964 
Major  Knowlton  directed  to  confer  with,        -         -     224 
Letter  to,  from  the  President  of  Congress,       -      327,  388 
Is  appointed  to  command  the  Flying-Camp  and 

Militia,    -  -    388 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,      -        -    369, 
469,  499,  599,  750,  673,  691,  908,  1193 
Letter  from,  to  Major  Knowlton,   ....     413 
Plan  of,  for  attacking  Staten-Island,       -  -     443 

Return  offerees  under,  -     557,  964,  1079 

Letter  from,  to  Col.  John  Dickinson,    638,  674,  744,  895 
Opinion  of,  as  to  the  prudence  of  attacking  Staten- 
Island,     -  -     675 
Returns  thanks  to  Pennsylvania  Associators  in  gen- 
eral orders,       -         -  -  1061 
Orders  of,  discharging  the  Philadelphia  Associators,   1119 
Mercereau,  Justice,  Governour  Tryon  offers  a  reward 

for  taking  "  dead  or  alive,"  -     121 

Mercereau,  Captain   John,  brings   intelligence  from 

Staten-Island,  -  -     369 

Merchandise,  arrival  of  large  quantity  of,  for  New- 
York,  -  -  1423 
Mercury,  packet,  despatch  of,  by  General  Howe,  -  105 
Mercury,  brig,  capture  of,  on  a  whaling  voyage,  -  550 
Merkle,  John  Philip,  sent  to  France  in  brig  Despatch,  670 
Mermahue,  Captain,  arrival  of,  at  Philadelphia,  -  -  946 
Meroney,  Captain  Philip,  letter  from,  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -                           ...    590 
Appointed  Captain  in  the  Flying-Camp,                  -  1350 
Merrick,  George,  appointed  Commissioner  in  North- 
Carolina,                                       -        -        -        -  1379 
Merrikin,  Joshua,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,      1348 


1719 


INDEX. 


1720 


-  285 

415 

914 
965 
799 
828 
1225 
1032 
1035 
758 


Mescrve,  Gideon,  chosen  Adjutant  of  Massachusetts 
Militia,     -        -         -        -         -         •         ••  .    • 
Mesier,  Lieutenant  Abraham,  Lord  Stirling's  instruc- 
tions to,  - 

Couit  of  inquiry  ordered  on, 

Is  discharged  (Venn  arrest,      - 
Mesnard,  Captain,  a  Canadian  officer,  arrival  of, 

Report  of  the  examination  of,         - 

Messa-as  from  Massacliusetts  Council,       -  1223,  1224, 
Messrsaircs.  tiihc  at  the  Cedars  composed  of,    - 

Attack  of,  on  a  party  of  Americans,        -         -  1033, 
Messier,  John,  charges  brought  against,     - 
Metcalf,  William,  British   midshipman,  a  prisoner  of 

war,  -  .-.-          -        z;s 

Examination  and  disposal  of,  -  -  -  -  25 
Metcalf,  S.,  to  Colonel  Jacob  Bayley,  -  -  488,  798 
Micklejohn,  Rev.  George,  order  for  removal  of,  -  -  1364 
Mickmack  Indians,  resolve  respecting  the, 

Letter  from  Mr.  Austin  concerning,       -         -         -     460 

Proposal  to  engage  the,  -      585 

A  treaty  made  with,      -  - 

Middleborongh  Falls,  Captain  Fassett  stationed  at,     -  1222 
Middlesex,  number  of  men  to  be  raised  in, 

Resolves  of  Committee  of,     -  -         -  1087 

Middleswart,  Dennis,  chosen  Lieutenant  of  the  Bucks 
County  Associators,  ------ 

Middleton,  Mr.,  compliment  to,  as  a  speaker,     - 
Middletown,  prisoners  not  allowed  to  enter, 

Proceedings  of  Committee  of,         -         -         -         - 
Midkiff. ,  suspicions  against, 


171 
732 
380 
732 
564 
20 
27,  336,  579,  790 

-  225 

-  886 

-  900 

-  915 

-  992 


Midi  in,  Brigadier-General,  sent  to  King's  Bridge, 
Letters  from,  to  Washington, 
Workingmen  ordered  to  report  to, 
Letter  to,  from  R.  H.  Harrison, 
A  high  encomium  passed  on,  by  Gates, 
Brigade  of,  assigned  to  General  Heath,  - 
Copy  of  a  letter  to,  enclosed  to  Congress, 
Letters  to,  from  General  Heath,     1113,  1122,  1145,  1184 
Letters  from,  to  General  Heath,    -  -  1144,  1211 

Mitllin,  Colonel  Samuel,  general  muster-roll  of  Artil- 
lery of,     -  ....     787,  788 

Mileage,  measures  for  paying  to  troops,    -  -     361 

Colonels  ordered  to  bring  in  accounts  of,        -         -   1128 

Miles,  Colonel  Samuel,  detachment  from  Regiment  of, 

ordered  to  New-Jersey,     -  41 

Commands  the  Pennsylvania  Rifle  Regiment,  -  187 
Joins  General  Mercer  with  one  thousand  Riflemen,  348 
Is  ordered  to  join  Washington  at  New- York,  -  865 
Marches  with  his  Regiment  from  New-Jersey,  -  895 
Refuses  to  serve  under  Roberdeau  or  Ewing,  -  908 
Washington  mentions  the  arrival  of,  at  New-York,  910 
Reported  missing  after  the  battle  on  Long-Island,  -  1212 

Milford  frigate,  arrival  of  the,  at  Halifax,  -  -  -  939 
Chases  sundry  vessels  into  Boston,  -  -  1155 

A  vessel  escapes  from,  into  Marblehead,  -  1226 

A  ship  is  ordered  out  to  attack,     -  -  1283 

Military  Chests,  weekly  returns  of  the  state  of,  ordered,     933 

Military  Guide,  order  for  the  distribution  of  Simms's,     1386 

Military  Stores,  Captain  Tinker  furnished  with,  -  -  243 
Return  of,  ordered  by  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  1303 
Removed  from  New-York  to  Westchester  County,  -  1547 
Order  for  removal  of,  to  Fishkill,  -  -  1566 

Senf  by  water  to  North-Carolina  at  Continental  risk,   1605 

Militia — 

An  act  to  form  and  regulate  in  New-Hampshire,  -  86 
The  Pennsylvania,  march  to  the  Jerseys,  -  103 

Congress  orders  the  Maryland,  to  Philadelphia,  -  136 
The  Massachusetts,  considered  sufficient  for  defen- 
sive war,  -  ...  143 
The  Connecticut,  begin  to  come  in,  -  -  -  174 
Mr.  Adams's  anxiety  about  the  Massachusetts,  -  184 
The  Pennsylvania,  reported  to  be  "all  in  motion,"  186 
New-York  Convention  authorize  Washington  to  call 

for,  -  -      201,  203 

Schuyler  complains  that  no  Eastern  have  come  in,  232 
A  compliment  to  the  Jersey,  -  ...  257 
A  draught  of,  ordered  in  Massachusetts,  -  -  316 
The  Pennsylvania,  ordered  from  Trenton  to  Amboy,  330 
Great  numbers  of,  turn  out  in  New-Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Delaware,  and  Maryland,  ...  348 
Mr  Benson's  difficulties  with,  at  Red-Hook,-  -  356 
Firelocks  ordered  to  be  borrowed  from  the  Maryland,  365 
The  South-Carolina  take  an  oath  of  fidelity,  -  -  437 
New-York  Convention  resolve  to  call  out,  -  -  447 
Conduct  of  a  party  of  Maryland,  at  Sandy-Point,  -  525, 

526,  527,  530 

Colonels  of  the  Nassau-Island,  to  act  as  Muster- 
Masters,  -  -         -         -     539 


Militia — 

First  Company  of.  arrive  at  Skenesborough,  -  -  582 
Enrollment  of  Maryland,  for-service  at  New-York,  615 
Activity  of,  on  the  North-River,  -  -  620 

Ignorance  manifested  by,  at  St.  George's,  -  -  634 
The  Worcester,  Maryland,  permitted  to  return  home,  665 
Major  Price,  of  Maryland,  dismisses  his,  -  722 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  inquire  as  to,  sent  to 

New-Jersey, 

The  enemy  repulsed  by,  at  Croton  River, 
A  greater  expense  than  Regulars,  - 

Ordinance  of  New-Jersey  enforcing  attendance  of,       743 
Commissions  wanted  for  the  Chelsea,    - 
Difficulty  of  filling  up  draughts  from  the  Salem,      -    778 
The  Jersey,  again  taking  the  field  after  harvest,        -     785 
A  body  of  New-Hampshire,  arrive  at  Ticondcroga,  -     797 
Rapid  arrival  of,  at  Skenesborough,        -                   -     826 
Washington  desires  that  the,  should   equip  them- 
selves,       851 

Fears  entertained  that  the,  will  be  too  late  at  New- 
York,       -  871 

Order  of,  to  Ticonderoga,      -  -     872 

Desertion  from  the  Pennsylvania,  -  -     895 

Clamorous  disposition  of,  from  the  Middle  States,  -     908 
General  Greene  complains  of  the  non-arrival  of,     -     967 
Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  order,  to  New-York,   1005 
Instructions  of  Anne-Arundel  County  relative  to,    -   1054 
Order  concerning  inlistments  of,  in  Massachusetts,   1101 
The  New-Hampshire  and  Connecticut  destitute  of 

tents,        -  -  -  1198 

No  provision  yet  made  to  pay  the  Boston,      -         -  1224 
Difficulty  of  knowing  how  to  conduct  oneself  to- 
wards,     -  -  -  1230,  1560 
Companies  of,  at  Annapolis  discharged,  -  1340 
Hillsborough  draughts  of,  refuse  to  march,     -         -   1377 
Resolutions  of  New- York  Convention  calling  out,-  1406 
Resolve  concerning  rank  of,  officers   of  different 
States,      -                                   ....  1427 

Brigadier-Generals  ordered  to  make  return  of  the 
slate  of  their  Brigades,       -----   1461 

Of  Charlotte,  Cumberland,  and  Gloucester  Brigades,   1464 
General  orders  for  draughting,  to  apply  only  to  in- 
fantry,     -  -  1485 
Resolution   of  New-York    Convention   to   enforce 

enrollment  of,  -  -  -  1494 

Resolutions  for  draughting  the  Albany  County,       -  1494 

Resolutions  respecting  resignation  of  officers  of,     -  1496 

General  Morris  requests  the  discharge  of  the,  of  his 

Brigade,  -  ...  .  1522 

General  WoodhuH's  Brigade  of,  entitled  to  Conti- 
nental pay,       -  -        -  1538 
Some  of  the  Bedford,  disarmed  and  made  prisoners,  1545 
The  New-York,  to  be  held  in  readiness  to  march,    -  1558 
Col.  Rernsen  authorized  to  grant  furloughs  to  his,  -  1561 
Washington  calls  on  the  New-York  Convention  for 

more,        -  -  1563 

Order  hastening  the  march  of,  to  New-Jersey,         -  1577 
Army  in  New-York  to  be  reinforced  by  the  Con- 
necticut, -         -  -----  1580 

Congress  assume  the  pay  of  the  Massachusetts,       -  1596 
Miller,  Nathan,  letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,    -     177 
Miller,  Jacob,  appointed  Major,  -     268 

Miller,  James,  appointed  Lieutenant,  -     544 

Miller,  Charles,  extract  of  a  letter  from,      -  -     643 

Acts  as  issuing  storekeeper  at  Boston,   -  -     750 

Miller,  Lieutenant  B.,  honourable  acquittal  of,    -         -     657 
Miller,  William,  resolve  of  North-Carolina  relating  to,    1365 
Discharged  from  prison,  and  admitted  to  citizenship,   1373 
Miller,  Elijah,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,  -         -  1408 
Miller,  Mr.,  New-York  Convention  give  a  certificate 

of  membership  to,      -  -  1423 

Miller,  Moses,  elected  Ensign  of  New-York  Militia,  -  1494 
Miller,  Zephaniah,  appointed  Lieutenant,  -  1514 

Miller,    William,   Deputy    Chairman   of  Westchester 

Committee,  letter  from,  and  examination  of,         -  1523 
Miller,  Barrent,  takes  his  seat  in  New- York  Conven- 
tion, -  -  1537 
Miller,  Jedediah,  money  advanced  to,  for  removing  the 

military  stores  from  New-York,  -         -         -         -   1547 

Milligan,  Lieutenant  Jacob,  daring  courage  of,  -  -  439 
Milligari,  John,  permitted  to  go  home  for  health,  -  1355 
Mills,  Ambrose,  takes  the  oath  of  allegiance,  -  -  1379 
Mills,  Caleb,  examination  of,  -  -  1508 

Mills,  James,  sent  by  North-Carolina  to  the  northern 

States  to  contract  for  casting  cannon,          -         -  1371 

Mills,  Joshua,  money  advanced  to,  for  recruits,  -         -   1333 

Appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,          -         -  1348 

Examination  of,    -  -         ....  1508 


1721 


INDEX. 


1722 


Mills,  Lieutenant,  commands  battery  at  Black  Rock,  -     777 

Mills,  Nathan,  a  committee  appointed  to  examine,      -  1486 

Report  of  the  committee  on  examination  of,   -         -   1507 

Mills,  Peter,  a  prisoner,  examination  of,     -  -  1070 

Mills,  weights  ordered  from  the  New-Jersey,       -         -     369 

Operations    of  the   Skenesborough,   stopped   by   a 

flood,        -         -  -     955 

Order  for  dismantling,   in  New-Jersey,  in  a  certain 

event,       -  -  -  1538 

Minden,  Selectmen  of,  to  the  Massachusetts  Council,  1087 
Mineford's  Island,  plunder  of,  by  the  enemy,  -  -  1552 
Ministerial  Agents,  number  of,  in  New-York,  -  -  255 
Ministerial  Army,  force  of  the,  at  St.  John's,  -  -  479 
In  Canada,  unable  to  join  Lord  Howe,  -  -  929 

Ministerial  fleet,  part  of  the,  in  Nyack  Bay,  -  -  337 
"Ministerial  Pirate,"  engagement  of  Captain  Cregier 

with  a,  -        -     141 

Ministerial  plan,  development  of  the,  in  Georgia,  -  181 
Ministers,  conduct  of  the  British,  reprobated,  -  -  862 
Ministry,  the  French,  evade  Mr. Deane's  application,-  1016 
Mino,  James,  resolve  to  pay,  for  taking  census,  -  -  302 
Minute-Men,  a  draught  of,  ordered  in  Sussex,  -  -  539 

Minutes  of  a  Council  of  War, 233 

Of  a  council  of  General  Officers,    -  -     236 
Of  the  Convention  of  New-Hampshire  Grants,        -    566 
Miscellaneous  papers,       -         -       1-47,  95-266,  326-1288 
Missing,    names   of  the,    after   the   battle  on   Long- 
Island,      1194,  1212 

Missionaries,  the  London  Society  stop  the  salaries  of 

the,-         - 903 

Mitchell,  John,  letter  from,  to  Sussex  Committee,       -       11 
Mitchell,   Captain  Elisha,   resolve  to  pay  the   Com- 
pany of,    -  -    298 
Mitchell,  Richard  B.,  enrollment  of  a  Company  by,    -     431 
Appointed  a  Captain  of  Maryland  Militia,       -         -  1344 
Mitchell,  Colonel  J.,  asks  for  leave  of  absence,  -         -     874 
Major  Ilsley's  complaint  against,    -  1205 
Massachusetts  Council  requested  to  inquire  into  the 

conductof,        -         -  -  1208 

Mocballe,  Captain,  introduced  to  Congress  by  Wash- 
ington,    -  -  -         -        -     951 

Moccasins,  a  supply  of,  received  at  Head-Quarters,   -     800 

Moderator,  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Chelsea,  chosen,     778 

Mohawk  River,  proposal  to  station  a  Regiment  at,      -     795 

Mohegans,  the  design  of  inlisting  the,  laid  aside,         -       43 

Desire  teachers  to  be  sent  among  them,  -     903 

Are  represented  at  the  German-Flats,     -  -  1038 

Molly,  the,  arrives  with  arms  and  ammunition,    -         -     666 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  write  to  Capt.  Conway 

concerning,       -------     690 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  congratulate  the  Dele- 
gates on  arrival  of,     ------     724 

Puts  into  the  Great  Wicomico,  Virginia,         -         -     729 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  give  order  for  cargo  of,     941 
Monck,  Mr.,  Attorney-General  of  Canada,  -  1105 

Moncrieff,  Miss,  a  flag  of  truce  bears  a  letter  to,          -     471 
Moncton,  Lieut.  Colonel,  wounded  through  the  body,  1254 
Money — 

Disappointment  of  Washington  in  not  receiving,     -     193 
Town  of  Moultonborough  in  want  of,     -  -     362 

Two  boxes  of,  received  of  George  Spriggs,  Massa- 
chusetts, -  -     284 
Washington  lends,  to  New-York  Convention,          -     445 
Schuyler's  great  need  of,       -                  -    '  474,  563,  794 
Prisoners  at  Quebeck  suffer  for  want  of,          -         -     583 
Application  of  a  prisoner  of  war  for,       -  -     623 
Small  amount  of,  in  the  hands  of  Paymasters,          -     675 
Supply  of,  received  at  New- York,  -                           -     815 
Walter  Livingston's  distress  for,     -  824 
Schuyler  finds  it  necessary  to  borrow,     -  856 
Poughkeepsie  Committee  apply  to  New-York  Con- 
vention for,       -                                                       -     871 
Colonel  Cooke  applies  to  Governour  Trumbull  for,  -     873 
Captain  Varick  receives  a  remittance  of,                   -     922 
Orl'er  of,  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -        -    930 
Congress  order  a  sum  of  paper,  to  be  printed,          -     935 
Account  of  advances  of,  by  Cumberland  Committee,     995 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  apply  to  Congress  for,  -   1024 
Pennsylvania   Council  of  Safety  receive    an    order 
for,  -                  -        -                  -                           -  1290 

New- York  Convention  ask  Washington  for  a  loan 

of,    -  -         -  1409 

Queen's  County  Committee  ask  New-York  Conven- 
tion for  a  loan  of,       -  -  1469 
Captain  Rutgers  refuses  to  receive  Continental,       -   1562 
Monier,  John,  disarmed  by  the  Albany  Committee,  and 

committed  to  the  Tory  jail,  -     890 

Monitor,  the  New-Hampshire  Assembly  choose  a,       -       69 


Momnouth,  the  Tories  in,  crushed  by  the  New-Jersey 

Militia,     -  ......     jgg 

Conduct  of  the  Tories  in,  represented,    -  602 

Washington  writes  to  President  Tucker  concerning 

disaffection  in,  -  ...     819 

Suspicious  persons  from  New- York  in  County  of,  -   1445 
Examination  of  DC  Hart  by  the  Committee  of,         -   1446 
Letter  from  Committee  of,  to  New-York  Conven- 
tion, .  1534 
Monnel,  James,  elected  Ensign  of  New- York  Militia,   1452 
Monopoly,  the  thirst  of  England  for,                   -         .     4»3 
Montagnie's  Tavern,  a  court  of  inquiry  meet  at,          -     503 
Montague,  Captain,  commander  of  the  Fowey,  -         -     152 
Montauk  Point,  number  of  cattle  on,                   -       46,  696 
Measures  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting  stock 

on,  -         -  -  .     192 

Enemy's  ships  between  Block-Island  and,      -         -    541 
Enemy's  men-of-war  cruising  off,  -        -  -  1189 

Danger  of  the  stock  on,  falling  into  enemy's  hands,  1394 
Montford,  Henry,  additional  allowance  to,  for  import- 
ing powder,      .......  1370 

Montgomery,  Captain  of  the  brig  Nancy,  -  -       14 

Montgomery,  John,   Chairman  of  Cumberland  Com- 

mittee,      -  -         -     328 

Montgomery,  the  late  General,  appointments  of,  re- 
ferred to,  -  -        -     393 
Schuyler  engages  to  examine  the  accounts  of,         -     472 
Congress  orders  the  accounts  of,  to  be  audited,       -   15*68 
Congress  resolves  to  respect  the  promises  of,  -  1594 
Montgomery,  Captain  James,  resignation  of,      -         -  1306 
Takes  command  of  privateer  General  Montgomery,  -  1330 
Montgomery,  privateer,  captures  made  by,        588,  659,  958 
Monthly  return  of  forces  in  South-Carolina,        -        -    632 
Montreal,  inhabitants  of,  ready  to  rise,       -        -        -     128 
Rumours  injurious  to  Arnold  for  seizures  at,  -        -     810 
Sundry  letters  from  hostages  at,     -        -         -  1167,  1168 
Address  of  the  City  of,  to  Carleton,        -                  -  1241 
Moody,  Walker,  Congress  make  a  present  to,     -        -  1605 
Mooney,  Hercules,  Major  of  the  New-Hampshire  levies,     991 
Moore,  S.  R.,  asks  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  for  a 

Lieutenancy,     -------     215 

Moore,  John,  appointed  Major  in  the  Flying-Camp,  -     349 
Moore,  Cadwalader,  difficulty  about  commissioning,  -    543 
Is  appointed  an  Ensign,        -  564 

Moore  and  Clarke,  freebooters  from  Florida,     •-         -   1076 
Moore,  Alexander,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  desertion,   1139 
Moore,  Majoi  James,  errour  in  accounts  of,  corrected,    1375 
Moore,  Brigadier-General,  called  upon  fora  statement 

of  Continental  forces  in  North-Carolina,     -         -   1383 

Reports  the  Battalions  incomplete,  -  1384 

Moore,  Lieutenant  N.  B.,  is  authorized  to  hire  men,  -  1332 

Commissioned  as  Lieutenant  of  Matrosses,    -         -  1334 

Moores,  Daniel,  information  given  by,       -         -         -       18 

Moores,  Samuel,  chosen  Monitor  in  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,         -  -       69 

Morey,  Col.,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  -       63 
Committee  appointed  to  examine  the  accounts  of,  -       77 
Report  of  the  committee  on  the  accounts  of,          -       80 
Letter  to,  from  Ebed  Greene,        -  -   1 168 

Morgan,  Isaac,  chosen  committeeman  at  Hartford,     -       30 
Morgan,  George,  brings  intelligence  from  the  Indians,      137 
Morgan,  Mordecai,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,      -  -     349 
Morgan,  Captain,  Washington  repels  the  suspicion 

against,    --------     499 

Morgan,  Dr.,  letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -    416 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,   -  -     419 

Copy  of  a  letter  to,  from  General  Gates,  -  1114 

Attends  upon  the  New-York  Convention,       -         -  1499 

Appointed  by  Congress  Director-General,  &.C.,  &.C.,   1614 

Morgan,  John,  thirty  stripes  to,  for  sleeping  on  post,  -     965 

Morgan,  Captain,  recommended  to  Congress  by  Mr. 

Deane,     -         -  -  1015 

Sloop  of,  armed  in  France  by  order  of  Mr.  Deane,  -  1015 

Morisania,  seven  transports  preparing  to  land  at,        -   1554 

Morrell,  Philip,  sentenced  to  be  flogged,    -  -   1272 

Morris,  Lewis,  witness  against  Daniel  Shelly,    -  4 

Morris,  Gouverneur,  letter  from,  to  Washington,         -     334 

Morris,  Robert,  letter  to,  from  Colonel  Reed,     -         -     415 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Reed,        -  -     467 

Expresses  his  reasons  against  Independence,         -     468 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,        -  -     572 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -         -  -  943 

Morris,  Lewis,  appointed  one  of  General  Lee's  Aids,     437 

Morris,  Mr.,  recommended  to  Maryland    Council  of 

Safety,      -        -  -         -    522 

Morris,  Captain  Samuel,  orders  to,  from  President  of 

Congress,  -        -    669 


1723 


INDEX. 


1724 


Morris,  John,  Secretary  to  Pennsylvania  Convention,  711 

Morris,  General,  ordered  to  take  post  on  the  Sound,  -  910 
Leave  of  absence  granted  to,  on  account  of  illness 

in  his  family,    •         -••--«-  1391 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Drake,      -  1461 

Requests  the  discharge  of  his  Brigade,  -  1522 

New-York  Convention  order  arrest  of  a  servant  of,  1547 

Morris,  Lewis,  appointed  Aid  to  General  Sullivan,     -  965 

Morris,  Captain  Joseph,  appointed  Judge  Advocate,  -  1127 

Morris,  Samuel,  Sen.,  takes  his  seat  in  Pennsylvania 

Convention,      ...                  ...  1299 

Morris,  Samuel,  Jun.,  declines  serving  in  Pennsylvania 

Convention,      -----                  -  1300 

Morris,  Jonathan,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      - -         -  1350 

Morris  Richard,  appointed  Admiralty  Judge  in  New- 
York,       -                                                       -         -  1461 
Declines  accepting  the  appointment,      -         -1468,1471 
Capt.  Berrien  refuses  to  exempt,  from  military  duty,  1554 
New-York  Convention  regard  his  commission  as  an 

exemption,       ...----  1559 

Morris,  ship,  is  spoken  at  sea,  -----  659 

Anxiety  of  Washington  for  safe  arrival  of,       -        -  762 

Arrives  with  a  cargo  of  arms,  &.C.,  from  France,      -  1024 

Morrison,  Captain,  of  the  Bristol,  killed,   -         -         -  439 

Morrison,  Donald,  advances  ordered  to,     -        -         -  1525 

Morrison,  Samuel,  paid  for  services  in  Canada,-         -  1623 

Morrow,  Dr.  David,  asks  for  a  Surgeoncy,          -         -  627 

Appointed  a  Surgeon  in  the  Flying-Camp,     -         -  1361 

Morrow,  Robert,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1348 

Morse,  Joshua,  employed  as  post-rider,     -                   -  145 

Morse,  Moses,  to  commanding  officer  at  Crown-Point,  145 

Letter  to,  from  General  Gates,       -         ...  237 

Mortar,  Captain  Arundel  killed  by  a,          -         -         -  214 

A,  bursts  on  board  a  row-galley,    -                  -         -  681 

Mortars,  France  promises  brass,  for  the  Colonies,       -  1022 

General  Ward  sends,  from  Boston  to  New- York,    -  1075 

Morton,  James,  flogged  for  desertion,        -                   -  1270 

Morton,  Sketchly,  appointed  to  supply  guard  boats,  -  1301 

Moschitoes,  plague  of,  on  Long-Island,     -  249 

Mosely,  Lieutenant-Colonel,    reported   march  of,   to 

New-York, 957 

Moses,  John,  held  to  bail  for  good  behaviour,    -         -  459 
Moth,  the  Eastern  country  considered  as  a,       -         -  1281 
Mother,  address  of  a  New-Jersey,  to  her  sons,  -         -  870 
Mott,  Colonel  Samuel,  declines  command  of  a  North- 
ern Regiment,  -                           -        -                  -  241 
Consents  to  retain  his  Colonelcy,  -        -                  -  242 
Arrives  at  Skenesborough,    -                           -        -  1071 
Domestick  affliction  of,                                      -         -  1072 
Moulder,  Captain  John,  artillery  muster-roll  of,  -         -  788 
Moulton,  Johnson,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  Seventh 

Regiment,                                              ...  3 
Moulton,  Colonel  Jonathan,  letter  to,  from  Committee 

of  Moultonborough,  -                                    .        .  362 

Letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire  Council  of  Safety,  1147 
Moulton,  Captain  Josiah,  member  of  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,                                              -         .         -  61 

Chosen  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety,    -        -  85 
Moultonborough,  Committee  to  Colonel  J.  Moulton, 

on  want  of  money  at,  for  publick  service,   -         -  362 
Moultrie,  Colonel,  Lee's  commendation  of,        -         -  215 
Gallantry  of,  in  defence  of  Sullivan's  Island,-         -  435 
Apologizes  to  Clinton  for  firing  on  a  flag,       -         -  437 
Fort  at  Sullivan's  Island  named  after,     -  440 
Garrison  of,  consisted  of  Second  Regiment  of  Pro- 
vincials,  -                                                       -         -  438 
List  of  officers  who  served  under,  -        ...  493 
Thanks  of  Congress  voted  to,         ...   494  1585 
Washington's  mention  of,     -        -         -         .        .  917 
Mount  Independence,  Gates  recommends  a  road  to  be 

made  from  Number  Four  to,      -         -         -         .  717 

Three  Brigades  stationed  at,  -        -        -         -        .  74$ 

Supineness  of  the  Brigades  at,      -         -         .        .  goo 

Two  Guards  ordered  to  be  mounted  at,  -         -         .  H27 

Ample  materials  at,  for  building  huts,    -  H98 

Order  for  hastening  construction  of  guard  room  at,  1271 

Mount  Washington,  proposed  obstruction  of  river  at,  392 

No  cannon  mounted  beyond,         -        ...  JQ30 

»,LeUer,from  Gen-  Heath  to  commanding  officer  at  -  1262 
use,  Mr.,  found  unqualified  for  a  Surgeoncy,         -  652 
Mowat,  Captain,  an  American  officer,  sent  to  Charles- 
ton, express,  by  General  Lee,    -  437 
Mowatt  Captain,  of  the  Canceaux,  captures  twenty  sail 

of  fishing  boats,        ....  428   47Q 

Moylan,  Colonel,  a  call  on,  by  Mifflin,  for  armourers,  '    28 
A  pass  from,  necessary  to  all  of  the  Quartermaster's 

department,      -  .._ 

41o 


Moylan,  Colonel,  makes  a  return  to  Washington,  -  919 
Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,  -  -  934 
Ships  sundry  articles  to  General  Gates,  -  -  1064 

Orders  by,  to  be  obeyed  as  if  given  by  an  Aid,        -  1141 
Muckelno,  Captain,  capture  of,  by  Captain  Wickes,  -     249 
Mugford,  Captain,  attack  on,  at  Naiitasket,        -         -     664 
Muhlenburg,  Colonel,  with  Virginia  Battalion  on  Sul- 
livan's Island,  -  -         -         -     439 
Uneasiness  of,  as  to  the  rank  of  his  Regiment,        -     721  ' 
Mulford,  Colonel,  command  of  the  Militia  at  Hunting- 
ton  offered  to,  -  -  1233 
Mulliken,  Lieutenant,  court-martial  ordered  on,         -  1358 
Mumford,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  Gov.Trumbull,      718,  858 
Mumford,  James,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  desertion,  -  1139 
Munday,  Sergeant  William,  named  for  promotion,      -     646 
Munro,  Captain,  resolve  to  pay  the  roll  of,  -     300 
Munro,  John,  Tory  prisoner,  sent  to  East  Haddam,    -  1008 
Munro,  Edmund,  appointed  Quartermaster,       -         -  1128 
Murray,  John,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of,         -         -       22 
Murray,  James,  Chairman  of  Dorchester  Committee,-     217 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -      491,  521 
Murray  &  Sanson,  Mr.  Palfrey  collects  drafts  on,        -     696 
Muse,  Walker,   appointed    Lieutenant   in    Maryland 

Militia,  -         -  -  1333 

Musick,  instruments  of,  ordered  for  Schuyler,     -         -     453 

Musket-Balls,  a  quantity  of,  arrive  at  Chester,     -         -     691 

Musket-Cartridges,  return  of,  on  Long-Island,    -         -     542 

Ordered  to  be  put  up  in  boxes  for  New-Jersey,       -  1294 

Musketeers,  Battalion  of,  raised  in  Pennsylvania,        -     186 

Musketry,  Alice's  Regiment  of,  sent  to  Washington,  -     885 

Muskets,  great  deficiency  of,  in  Washington's  army,  -     107 

Report  from  manufacturers  of,  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -         .     363 

Prices  of,  in  Maryland,  -         -  -      365,  366 

Order  of  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  purchase,  -  594 
Winter's  contracts  to  make,  for  Maryland,  -  -  614 
Maryland  Delegates  to  the  Council  of  Safety  on  the 

subject  of,  -    gig 

Arrival  of  a  number  of,  from  France,      -  758 

Prices  paid  for,  in  Virginia,  -  -     892 

Kirlin  contracts  to  make,       -  ...  1297 

Mustermaster,  appointment  of  a,  by  Governour  Weare,   1101 
Each  Colonel  to  act  as,  for  his  own  Regiment,        -  1428 
Mustermaster-General,  Mr.  Goddard  asks  to  be  made,     442 
Mustermasters,  advances  to,  for  paying  Regiments,      70,  83 
Are  empowed  in  New-Hampshire  to  take  into  ser- 
vice any  respectable  man  who  raises  a  company,       77 
List  of  persons  appointed  as,  in  New-Hampshire,   -       83 
Appointment  of,  in  Massachusetts  for  Matrosses,    -     277 
Muster-Roll  of  Captain  Graybill's  Germans,        -         -    524 
General,  of  MifHin's  Artillery,        ....     737 
Of  individual  companies  of  Artillery,      -         -      787,788 
Of  Captain  Hatch's  Rangers,  ...  1264 

Myers,  Christian,  recommended  as  Lieutenant  of  Ger- 
mans,      -  -     182 
Receives  the  appointment  of  Lieutenant  of  Germans,   1334 
Mygate,  Captain,  stopped  from  sailing  with  provisions,     379 
Mystick,  disposal  of  ammunition  in  store  at,       -         -       69 

Me. 

McAlister,  Hector,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,    -         -  152 
Me  Alpine,  John,  account  of  the  arrest  of,  -         -         -  718 
Thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  desertion,         ...  H37 
McCaa,  Mr.,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,    -  152 
McCall,  Dr.,  Mr.  Rodney  sends  a  pamphlet  to,  -         -  170 
McCall,  Captain  John,  order  for  march  of,  to  New- 
York,        -         -                  -                                     -  1006 
Equipment  and  expenses  of,  paid,  -         ...  1007 
McCalla,  William,  publickly  reprimanded,  -         -         -  1128 
McCallister,  Colonel,  order  for  supply  of  oars  to  Bat- 
talion of,  -                                                        .  1609 
McCammon,  John,  chosen  Ensign  Bucks  Associators,  171 
McClaghry,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  joins  General  Clinton,  355 
McClanahan,  Colonel,  landing  of,  at  Gwin's  Island,  -  151 
McCleave,  Captain  of  the  Row-Galley  Whiting,       243,  751 
Court  of  Inquiry  ordered  on,                                        -  1140 
McClellan,  Joseph,  appointed  Captain  of  Pennsylva- 
nia Rifles,                                                                  -  1294 
McClelland,  Ensign  David,  chosen  Lieutenant  in  Mas- 
sachusetts,       -                            ...         -  663 
McClenaghan,  Thomas,  gun-barrel  maker,          -        -  171 
McClintock,  S.,  letter  from,  to  William  Whipple,        -  734 
McConn,  Hugh,  sergeant,  named  for  promotion,         -  646 
McConnaughy,  James,  committed  to  jail,  -                  -  1312 
Liberated  on  giving  security,  -                  ...  1322 
McConnel,  Andrew,  two  sons  of,  captured  by  Indians,  137 
McCormick,  James,   thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  deser- 

on,    -                                            ....  911 


1725 


INDEX. 


1726 


McCoy,  Eneas,  elected  Colonel  by  Congress,     -         -  1586 
McCoy,  Gilbert,  reward  merited  by,  -  -    956 

Refuses  to  receive  a  reward,  -  -     969 

McCoy,  James,  employed  in  disarming  Tories,  -        -  1380 
McCoy,  Thomas,  recommended  for  an  Ensigncy,       -     956 
Receives  the  appointment,  in  Pennsylvania  Batta- 
lion,         ...  .    969,  1126 
McCrea,  Dr.,  appointed  1st  Surgeon  of  Arnold's  fleet,  1129 
McCrellis,  Lydia,  expenses  of  her  deceased  husband 

paid  to,    -         -  -         -       53 

McCubbin,  Z.,  member  of  Baltimore  Committee,        -     115 
McCullum,  R.,  resignation  of,  -  -  1124 

McDermott,  William,  prisoner-of-war,  disposal  of,       -       22 
Examination  of,    -  -         -       24 

McDonald,  Sergeant,  dying  exhortation  of,         -         -     439 
McDonald,  Lieutenant,  (of  Dayton's  Regiment,)  sus- 
pected of  embezzlement,   -  ...     5H 
Cashiered  by  court-martial,    -----  1032 
McDonald,  Lieutenant  Angus,  prisoner,  sent  to  Hart- 
ford,        -  -        -        -    890 
McDonald,   Mr.,  Albany  Committee  advise   restraint 

upon,        ..-..--.  1085 
McDonald,  Allan,  gives  parole  to  go  to  Reading,       -  1291 
Congress  order  the  release  of,  on  parole,         -         -  1569 
Is  permitted  to  reside  with  his  father,     ...  1578 
McDonald,  Alexander,  liberated  on  parole,  -  1291 

McDonald,  John,  report  from,  on  a-lead  mine,  -         -  1413 
Progress  of,  in  opening  the  mine,  -         -         -         -  1519 
Ordered  to  continue  his  explorations,     ...  1522 
Report  of  Committee  on  papers  presented  by,         -  1526 
Ordered  to  make  further  explorations,    ...  1556 
McDonald,  Donald,  Congress  recognize  as  Brigadier- 
General,  -  -  1627 
Resolve  to  admit  to  parole,    -                           -        -  1627 
Execution  of  the  resolve  respecting,  suspended,      -  1627 
McDougall,  Colonel  Alexander — 

Court-Martial  to  meet  near  camp  of,      -  -     504 

Names  of  officers  in  the  Regiment  of,    -  -     644 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -    869,  1068 

Promoted  to  be  Brigadier-General,  -     883 

Promotion  of,  announced  in  general  orders,  -         -     914 

Recommends  Mr.  Lawrence  as  Paymaster,     -         -     918 

Three  officers  of  his  Regiment  killed  by  lightning,  -  1112 

The  election  of,  in  Congress  as  Brigadier,      -         -  1603 

McElwain,  James,  made  to  give  bond,       -  -  1079 

McEwing,  Malcorn,  Lord  Stirling's  instructions  to,     -     414 

McFadon,  Alexander,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Coun-  , 

cil  of  Safety,     -        -  -        -     690 

Advance  made  to,  for  linen  factory,        -  -  1342 

McFarlan,  James,  British  deserter,  examination  of,     -     199 
McGee,  Alexander,  committed  to  prison,  -  -    635 

Gives  bond  for  good  behaviour,      -  -        -  1341 

McGill,  Captain  John,  recommended  for  promotion,  -     113 
Is  appointed  Major  in  Colonel  Tyler's  Battalion,     -  1332 
McGowan,  John,  promise  of  a  Lieutenancy  to,  -         -  1313 
McGregore,  James,  refuses  a  Majority,       -  -       70 

McGuire,  Daniel,  thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  desertion,  -     768 
McHenry,  Dr.,  return  of,  from  Philadelphia,       -         -     920 
Congress  recommends,  as  a  Hospital  Surgeon,       -  1620 
McHugh,  Matthew,  British  officers  run  off  in  debt  to,     411 
Mcllvaine,  William,  thirty  lashes  to,  for  desertion,      -     768 
Mclntosh,  Colonel,  report  of  Lee's  conference  with,  -         6 
Successful  skirmish  of,  -  -    481 

Retaliates  on  East-Florida,   -  -  1076 

McKay,  Captain,  prisoner-of-war,  makes  his  escape,  -     133 
McKeach,  Thomas,  Gates  is  solicited  to  pardon,         -     939 
McKean,  Thomas,  Chairman  of  Committee  of  Con- 
ferees, 

Letter  to,  from  Dr.  Cochran,  - 

Opinion  of,  in  regard  to  appointment  of  Delegates,  -  1192 
McKeever,  Henry,  paid  for  a  rifle  sold  to  Col.  Matlack,  1293 
McKesson,  John — 

Letter  from,  to  Robert  Benson, 

Secretary  to  the  New-York  Convention,          -         -    539 

Letter  to,  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gansevoort,       -     697 

Letter  to,  from  David  Matthews,     -  -  1030,  1085 

Chosen  Secretary  to  New-York  Convention,  -         -  1385 

Appointed  Register  of  High  Court  of  Admiralty,     -  1461 

McKinstry,  Captain,  list  of  men  of,  taken  at  the  Cedars,     167 

McKissack,  Mr.,  chosen  Ensign  of  Bucks  Associators,     171 

McLane,  Colonel,  reported  on  the  march  to  St.  John's 

River, 939 

McLellan,  Alexander,  resolve  on  petition  of,      -         -    292 
McMasters,  the  family  of,   Mr.  Waldron   dislikes   to 
punish,  ......  1076 

McMichael,  Lieutenant  Edward,  a  scout,  report  from,     816 
Deserted  to  the  enemy,          -  -  985,  1033,  1050 

Brings  intelligence  from  Oswego,  -  1501 


McMurray,  William,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Captain 

Doyle's  Company,     -                                    -        -  1581 

McNiel,  Malcom,  permitted  to  leave  North-Carolina,  -  1375 

McPherson,  Captain,  march  of,  to  St.  George's,          -  592 

McQuieston,  Major  William,  asks  leave  to  resign,      -  70 

N. 

Nails,  a  supply  of,  sent  to  General  Gates,  -  -     623 

General  Waterbury  asks  for  deck,  -  955,  958 

Nancy,  brig,  run  ashore  to  avoid  the  enemy,  14 

Committee  appointed  to  settle  with  owner  for  loss  of,  1292 

Nancy,  sloop,  release  of,  to  the  owners,    ...     274 

Nancy,  sloop,  capture  of,  by  the  Atalanta,         -        -     382 

Attempt  to  run  away  with,  -  -        -     382 

Recapture  of,  by  the  privateer  Schuyler,          -        -    943 

Nancy,  ship,  capture  of,  with  invoice  of  cargo,  -         -     940 

Order  for  delivery  of  the  arms,  &c.,  on  board,         -  1287 

Nanjemoy,  supposed  object  of  the  enemy  in  the  Poto- 

mack,       -                                                    .     465,  518 
Nama,  Rees,  appointed  Ensign  in  the  Flying-Camp,  -     349 
Nantasket,  importance  to  Boston  of  maintaining,       -     405 
Commodore  Hopkins  captures  a  large  ship  in,  Roads,     587 
Inquiry  about  the  fortifications  at,  -  908 
Narrative  of  the  case  of  Captain  Campbell,  of  New- 
York,       -        -                                                    -    419 
Ebenezer  Dayton's,      -                                              -  1234 
Narrows,  capture  of  four  men  at  the,  27 
General  Greene  requests  Washington  to  visit  the,  -     727 
Several  of  the  enemy's  ships  enter  the,  ...     785 
Several  of  the  enemy's  ships  at  anchor  below,         -     870 
•  More  than  two  hundred  sail  within  the,                   -     887 
Movements  of  the  enemy  in  and  out  of,                   -     963 
Various  reports  from,    -                           -  982,  1111,  1155 
Nassau  Hall,  illumination  of,    -                                    -     173 
Nassau  Island,  situation  and  circumstances  of,  -        -    538 
It  is  determined  not  to  remove  the  stock  from,       -     538 
Troops  ordered  to  be  raised  on,     -                           -    539 
Appointment  of  officers  for  the  Militia  of,      -        -    539 
Difficulty  of  removing  the  stock  from,    -        -   .          557 
Colonel  Smith  is  ordered  to  march  the  new  levies  to,     854 
Resolves  of  New- York  Commitee  of  Safety  concern- 
ing,           1424 

Importance  of  protecting,     -  -  1425 

The  enemy  land  on,     -        -  -  1532 

General  Woodhull  directed  to  take  post  on,  -        -  1538 
Conference  ordered  with  Washington  on  the  state 

of, 1544 

Cannon  are  erected  at  east  end  of,  -  1545 

Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth,  wreck  of  the  prize  ship,      -     647 
Natobeobwit,  Sebattis,  an  Eastern  Indian  chief,          -     838 
Naval  Officer,  Committee  appointed  to  nominate  a,  in 

New-Hampshire,       -        ...  -      58 

Naval  Department,  Gates  reports  all  well  in  his,         -    986 

Dissatisfaction  in  the  Pennsylvania,        ...  1314 

Navy,  state  of  the  enemy's  reported  by  Lee,       -         -     632 

An  order  to  procure  salted  provisions  for  the,        -     634 

Difficulty  of  procuring  aiticles  necessary  for  the,     -     793 

Instance  of  a  false  alarm  from  the,          ...     888 

Great  need  of  reform  in  the  little,  ....     927 

Order  for  delivery  of  sundries  for,  to  N.  Shaw,        -  1108 
Navy  prizes,  instructions  of  Marine  Committee  con- 
cerning, -        -  -    784 
Neal,  Captain,  muster-roll  of  Artillery  Company  of,   -     788 
Mortally  wounded  near  Temawsey,        ...  1148 
Neale,  Henry,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Capt.  Thomas's 

Company,         .......  1350 

Necessity,  argument  against  power  derived  from,        -     202 

Neely,  Matthew,  elected  Second  Lieutenant,     -         -  1494 

Neff,  Rudolph,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  -     349 

Negroes,  inveigled  by  the  enemy  from  Georgia,  7 

In  New-Jersey  arm  themselves,  16 

A  Regiment  of  eight  hundred  on  Staten-Island,      -     486 

Numerous  dead  bodies  of,  float  ashore  from  Dun- 

more's  fleet,     -        -  -    518 

Neilson,  Robert,  permitted  to  export  certain  articles,    1357 
Nelly,  frigate,  a  prize-ship  sent  into  Portsmouth,         -  1173 
Nelson,  William,  appointed  Ensign  of  Lancaster  Asso- 
ciators,   --------     573 

Nelson,  Captain  John,  letter  from,  to  President  of 

Congress,  -        -  1129 

Nelson,  Bloomer,  committed  to  jail  in  Kingston,         -  1556 
Nero,  the  King  of  Great  Britain  called  "a  cruel  and 

bloody,"  -  -     813 

Nesbitt,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Carleton's  promotion  of, 

approved,  ...  1104 

Netherland,  Cadet,  testimony  of,  in  Ball's  case,          -        9 
Neveau,  Peter,   proceedings  of  New-Hampshire  As- 
sembly, in  case  of,    -        -        -        -        -        -      71 


1727 


INDEX. 


1728 


Nevill,  John,   appointed    Lieutenant   in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      - 

Nevis,  ship,  Captain  Coffin,  capture  of,      -         -         -  1067 
Nevitt,  Captain,  one  of  the  conferees  with  Indians,    - 

Reply  of,  to  the  talk  of  Kiashuta,  -                            -  37 

Newcastle,  New-Hampshire,  vote  to  build  a  bridge  at,  48 

Committee  appointed  to  build  a  bridge  at,      -         -  55 

Expenses  of  Committee  paid,         -                    -          -  69 

Joint  Committee  proposed  on  subject  of,         -         -  70 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  state  of,     -                  -  72 
Inlisted  soldiers  at,  refuse  to  work,         -         -         -248 

Progress  of  fortress  at,  -                             -         -         -  517 

New-England,  forces  from,  uneasy  about  small-pox,  -  129 

Arrival  of  reinforcements  from,       -                             -  347 

Desire  of  the,  Militia  to  return  home,      ...  546 

A  large  body  of,  Militia  return  home,      -                   -  728 

Intercourse  between  Machias  and,  interrupted,        -  894 
New-Hampshire — 

Massachusetts  promises  a  loan  of  cannon  to,  -         -  310 

Application  of,  to  General  Ward  for  ammunition,   -  515 

The  Militia  from,  begin  to  reach  Northern  Army,    -  797 

Colonel  Whipple  is  hearer  of  a  sum  of  money  to,    -  893 

Massachusetts  is  unable  to  supply  cannon  to,          -  990 

Massachusetts  General  Court  send  a  committee  to,  -  1283 

Congress  advance  money  for  the  use  of,          -         -  1601 
New-Hampshire  Assembly — 

Meeting  of  the,     -------  47 

Instructions  of  Portsmouth  to  their  Representatives 

in,    -                                                       ...  706 

Adjournment  of,  -  87 
New-Hampshire  Convention — 

Governour  Cooke  to,     ------  605 

New-Hampshire  Legislative  Council — 

Proceedings  of,  .         -         -         -          47,  60 

A  committee  appointed  by,  to  nominate  a  Commit- 
tee of  Safety,     -  58,82 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Gale,                            -         -  875 
New-Hampshire  House  of  Representatives — 

Proceedings  of,     -         -         -  -          59-87 

New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety — 

Persons  composing,  -                                              -  85 
Letter  from,  to — 

Colonel  Wyman,       -                                     -         -  212 

Captain  Woodward,  -                           -                  -  212 

Selectmen  of  New-Market,                                     -  248 

Captain  Eamcs,         -                                              -  264 

Colonel  Joshua  Wingate,  -----  406 

Colonel  Jacob  Bayley,       -                                     -  427 

Benjamin  Giles,         ------  ggg 

Lieutenant  John  Gilman,  -        -                           -  609 

Messrs.  Lovewell  and  others,     -                           -  805 

Committee  of  War,  in  Massachusetts-Bay,  -         -  860 

Major  George  Gains,                                     -         -  HOI 

Selectmen  of  Charlestown,                           -         -  1117 

Petition  of  the  Selectmen  of  Portsmouth  to,    -         -  212 

Proceedings  of,     -                   -----  479 

Petition  of  Warren  to,  -                           ...  517 
Letter  to,  from — 

Colonel  Kurd,  -  -       110,  480,  625,  748 

Ira  Allen,                                                         .        .  177 
Colonel  P.  Gilman,   -        ....      248,  517 

Captain  R.  Parker,    ------  265 

Colonel  Jonathan  Childs,  -         -         -         -         -  341 

Colonel  Bellows,        -        -         -         -         -         -  36 1 

Captain  Barrow,        ----..  281 

H.  Wentworth,  -         .     461,  462 

Colonel  Jonathan  Moulton,        -        ...  1147 

Colonel  Jacob  Bayley,       --...  U90 

Colonel  T.  Stickney,          -----  1295 

Dr.  Brackett, 1226 

New-Hampshire  Grants — 

Attack  of  savages  on,  apprehended,  29 
Proceedings  of  Committees  in,       -         ...  377 
Convention  of  the  inhabitants  of,   -         ...  555 
New-Haven,  not  considered  a  proper  place  for  the  dis- 
affected,   --. ggg 

Numerous  excuses  of  the  Militia  at,        -         -         _  938 

Powder  voted  to,  by  Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  1005 

Enemy  s  ships  pass  the  harbour  of,         -         .         .  ii»o5 
New-Jersey — 

Misures  for  the  defence  of,           ...  ^ 
Militia,  bodies  of,  stationed  at  Amboy  and  Blazin<r- 

°  140 

Militia,  number  of,  permitted  to  return  home 
Militia  are  relieved  by  Pennsylvania  troops,     - 
Completes  her  form  of  Government 
A  copy  of  the  same  sent  to  R.  H.  Lee  - 

Three  Battalions  required  from,  for  Flying-Camp,  -  495 


New-Jersey — 

Errour  in  the  return  of  troops  in,  -  -  574 

A  letter  from  Washington  to  the,  Associators,  -  849 
A  general  return  of  Mercer's  forces  in,  -  -  964,  1077 
False  reports  regarding  number  of  troops  in,  -  -  1229 
Represented  in  Congress  by  one  Delegate,  -  -  1611 

New-Jersey  Convention — 

Letters  to,  from  the  President  of  Congress,  11,  346,  440 
Ordinance  of,  for  punishing  Traitors,  -  -  412 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -     556 

Action  of,  on  the  subject  of  refugees,     -  -     726 

Sundry  resolves  of,         -  -      743,  885,  995 

To  their  Delegates  in  Congress,     -  -     742 

A  letter  to,  from  Washington,        -  -     819 

Letter  from,  to  the  Board  of  War,  -  -     978 

Copy  of  De  Hart's  examination  sent  to,  -  1446 

New-Jersey  Provincial  Congress — 

Resolve  of,   to   support  the  Declaration   of  Inde- 
pendence, -     369 

New-Light  Baptist,    evil   tendency    of   the   doctrine 

preached  by  a,  -  -   1375 

New-London — 

Fresh  provisions  on  the  islands  near,     -  -     142 

Cannon  left  at,  by  Commodore  Hopkins,  -  -  144 
Erection  of  fortifications  at,  -  -  -  144 

A  vote  to  purchase  medicines  for  Regiment  at,  -  245 
Commodore  Hopkins's  return  of  cannon  left  at,  -  262 
Additional  pay  allowed  to  workmen  at,  -  -  379 

Arrival  of  a  cargo  of  ammunition,  &c.,  at,  -  -  699 
Prisoners  sent  to  the  jail  in,  -  -  889 

Arrival  of  vessels  from  West-Indies  at,   -  1130 

An  express  sent  from,  to  New-York  Convention,    -  1544 

New-Market,  letter  to  Selectmen  of,  from  New-Hamp- 
shire Committee  of  Safety,  -     248 

New-Purchase,  great  distress  at,        -  -     610 

New-Rochelle,  order  for  purchase  of  a  sloop  at,          -  1518 

New-Town,  three  hundred  cattle  brought  from,  -  1548 

New-Utrecht,  forty  sail  off  the  shore  of,     -  -     713 

The  British  forces  march  through,  -  -  1212 

New-York — 

Delegates  not  empowered  to  vote  for  independence,  14 
Delegates  prevented  by  an  old  instruction,  -  -  117 
Governour  Tryon's  threat  to  burn  the  city,  -  -  121 
Principal  operations  of  the  enemy  against,  -  123,142 
General  return  of  the  army  at,  -  331,  332,  639,  763 
Memorial  from  inhabitants  of  the  City  of,  to  Wash- 
ington, -  -  335 
Importance  of  strengthening  the  army  in,  -  -  367 
Independence  read  at  the  City  Hall,  in,  -  418 
Captains  of  row-galleys  ordered  from  Newport  to,  -  475 
Return  of  officers  in  the  First  Regiment  of  Foot,  -  644 
Extracts  of  letters  from,  -  647, 
751,  982,  1066, 1067,  1111,  1144,  1162,  1183, 
1184,  1194,  1214,  1232,  1233,  1247,  1250 
Mayor  of  the  city  of,  confined  at  Hartford,  -  -  731 
Sullivan's  account  of  the  state  of  the  army  at,  -  770 
Regiments  from,  scandalously  deficient,  -  -  796 
Number  of  troops  fit  for  service  at,  -  835 
Report  that  a  battle  has  been  fought  near,  -  -  872 
Colonel  Cooke's  Regiment  ordered  to,  -  -  873 
Eighty  sail  of  ships  standing  in  towards,  -  908 
March  of  troops  to,  -  -  909 
Speedy  attack  on,  by  the  enemy  rumoured,  -  -  950 
Strong  indications  of  an  attack  on,  -  1110,  1497 
Bravery  of  the  First  Battalion  of,  -  -1184 
Scarcity  and  dearness  of  provisions  in,  -  -  1432 
Washington  recommends  removal  of  wpmen,  &,c., 
from,  -  1520 

New- York  Committee  of  Safety — 

Resolves  of,  -      257,  728 

To  inhabitants  of  City  and  Colony,  -     374 

Extract  from  the  Minutes  of,  -  1 185 

New-York  Congress — 

Resolves  of,  -        -     202,  203 

Petition  to,  from  the  crew  of  the  General  Putnam,  -  537 
Petition  of  Jonathan  Purdy  to,  -  -  1237 

Letter  to,  from  William  Goforth,    -  -   1390 

Alteration  of  the  style  and  title  of,  -   1393 

Letter  to,  from  John  Jay,       -  -  1412 

Letter  to,  from  General  J.  M.  Scott,       -  -  1412 

New- York  Convention — 

Resolve  to  cooperate  with  Washington,  -     203 

Approve  the  Declaration  of  Independence,     -         -     205 

A  pass  issued  for  the  members  of,  ...     374 

Correspondence  of,  with  Washington,    -  -    392, 

446,  449,  538,  557,  852,  854,  917,  997, 

998,  999,1028,  1196,  1230,  1560 

Resolve  of,  defining  treason,  -  -     447 


1729 


INDEX. 


1730 


New-York  Convention — 

.Resolves  of,  -     539,  911,  999,  1410 

Appeal  to,  from  Captain  Salisbury,  -     713 

Appeal  to,  from  Colonel  Snyder,   -  -     714 

Proceedings  of,     -  -   854,  1385 

Petition  of  Abel  Noble  and  P.  Townsend  to,  -  -  1112 
Petition  of  George  Harris  to,  -  1163 

City  Deputies  to,  fail  to  produce  credentials,  -         -  1385 
Draught  of  a  letter  from,  to  their  Delegates  in  Con- 
gress,      -  1425,  1431,  1483,  1548 
Petition  of  William  Sutton  to,        -  -1447 
Petition  of  Richard  Cantillon  and  John  Parkinson 

to, 1457 

Memorial  of  paper-makers  to,         -  -  1510 

Letter  from  Washington  to  a  Committee  of,  -  255,  448 
Letter  to  Washington  from  a  Committee  of,  -  392,  423 
Letter  to,  from — 

Colonel  Reed,  -  -         -       19 

President  of  Congress,       -  33 

Colonel  Parke,  -         -         -     335 

Egbert  Benson,          -         -  ...     355 

John  Alsop,      -  -     368 

John  Broome,  -  -         -      374,  954 

Colonel  P.  Van  Cortlandt  and  Z.  Platt,     422,  544,  729 
Dutchess  County  Committee,     -         -  -     472 

Richard  Bruere,  a  prisoner,         -  -    623,  1096 

Colonel  Isaac  Nicoll,  ....     739 

William  Bedlow, 730 

General  Gates, 773 

Colonel  Philip  Cortlandt,  -  -     774 

Colonel  Joseph  Drake, 790 

Ulster  County  Committee,          -  -  791 

John  Berrien,    -         -  -     824 

Daniel  Goldsmith,      -  -     853 

Colonel  T.  Thomas,  ...  -     855 

Colonel  Hardenburgh, 868 

John  Schenck,  -  -     871 

Governour  Trumbull, 

Albany  Committee,  -  -     889 

General  J.  M.  Scott,  -     934,  953 

Samuel  Loudon,        ------     935 

Captain  Smith,  a  prisoner,          -        -  -     936 

Philip  Livingston,      -         -  -     977 

Major  Nicholas  Fish,         -         -  -     982 

Cadwalader  Colden,  -  -  -  1113,  1404 

General  Ten  Broeck, 1122 

Westchester  Committee,    -         -  -  1145 

Colonel  Samuel  Drake,      -  -  1145 

Johannes  Sleght,       -         -         -        -         -        -11 46 

Robert  G.  Livingston,         -  -         -  1182 

General  N.  Woodhull,        -         1184,  1544,  1546,  1548 
Colonel  Josiah  Smith,        -  -  -  1211 

Comfort  Sands,  -         -  1214 

Joseph  Drake,  -----  -  1214 

John  S.  Hobart,  -         - 1233,  1260 

Cornelius  C.  Roosevelt,     -  -  1262 

The  City  Committee,  -  1476 

Joseph  Trumbull,       -         -  -  1511 

Henry  Wilmot,  -  -  1512 

Messrs.  Cuyler  and  Gansevoort,          ...  1513 
Their  Secret  Committee,   -  -  -  1515 

Thomas  Grant,  ...  -         -  1516 

Monmouth  Committee,      -         -  -  1534 

Cumberland  Committee,    ...  1535 
General  Clinton,        -•  -  1558 

Letter  from,  to — 

President  of  Congress,       -  -       201,205,228 

Colonel  Hammond,  ------     258 

Colonel  P.  Van  Cortlandt,          -  -     259 

Governour  Trumbull,  -  -   1196 

The  City  Committee,  -  1480 

Congress  receive  resolutions  of,     -  -  1577 

New-York  Island,  order  for  driving  cattle  into  the  in- 
terior,      -  -  1560 
Newbern,  North-Carolina,  Continental  forces  stationed 

in, -  -  1384 

Newbury,  New-Hampshire,  Committee  appointed  to 

order  the  affairs  of,    -  -       30 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Committee  of,  to  Gen.  Gates,  797 
Arrival  of  prize-ships  at,  -  -  1172 

Newburyport,  resolve  relative  to  town  of,  -  -     297 

Officers  for  the  Companies  at,        -         -  -     303 

Musterrnaster  appointed  for, 

Arrival  of  prize  vessels  at,    -  973,  990 

Newell,  Deacon  Timothy,  tin  supplied  to,  for  camp- 
kettles,     -  ....  -     322 
Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  -                  -     585 
Letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -                  -     608 


Newfoundland,  Commodore  Hopkins  ordered  to  de- 
stroy the  British  fisheries  at,  -         -         -   1106 

Newgate  prison,  petition  in  relation  to,  -  -  -  133 
Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  order  a  guard  for,  -  379 

Newkirk,  John,  elected  Captain  of  New-York  Militia,   1494 

Newland,  Captain,  discharged  from  arrest,          -         -     658 

Newman,  Captain  Wingate,  prize  sent  in  by,  -  958,  990 
Arrival  of,  at  Newburyport,  -----  990 
Account  of  engagement  of,  with  a  sloop-of-war,  -  990 
Prize  captured  by,  arrives  at  Newbury,  -  -  -  1172 

Newport,  Lord  Howe  sends  Lieutenant   Calcott  to, 

with  a  flag,       -  -        -     549 

Intelligence  received  from,    -         -  -      659,  888 

Newspaper,  General  Howe  receives  the  first  news  of 

Independence  from  a,        -         -  -         -     121 

Newton,  resolve  relative  to  town  of,  -  -     299 

Newton,  Richard,  letter  from, to  Massachusetts  Council,  361 
Is  released  from  prison,  -  -  361 

Newton,  William,  prisoner,  examination  of,       -        -  1069 

Niagara,  state  of  the  enemy's  garrison  at,  -  -  -  395 
Three  Oneidas  sent  to,  for  intelligence,  -  867 

Nicholas,  one  of  the  Eastern  Indians,        ...     838 

Nichols,  Dr.,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  -      64 

Nichols,  William,  appointed  Paymaster  in  Connecticut,     699 

Nichols,  Samuel,  inquiry  of,  about  flints,  -  -     807 

Reply  of,  to  the  inquiry,        -  -        -     942 

Nicholson,  B.,  member  of  Baltimore  Committee,        -     115 

Nicholson,  Captain  James,  letter  from,  to  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -         -         -  -        -     408 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  -  808 
Receives  an  order  for  cargo  of  the  Molly,  -  -  941 

Nicholson,  George,  petition  of,  -  ...  638 
Asks  Congress  for  a  military  appointment,  -  -  636 

Nicholson,  Captain,  ordered  to  Philadelphia,  -  -  634 
Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  -  1155 

Nicholson,  J.,  letter  to.  from  Joseph  Earle,  -  -  738 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  -  1117 

Nicholson,  Colonel  John,  Schuyler  proposes  to  send, 

to  the  Mohawks,       -  ....     795 

List  of  officers  in  the  Regiment  of,  ...  919 
Is  ordered  to  Tryon  County,  New-York,  -  -  1 153 
Return  of  the  Regiment  commanded  by,  -  -  1199 

Nicholson,  James,  Jun.,  member  of  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -  1334 

Nicholson,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  the  frigate 

Washington,     -  ...  1617 

Nicoll,  Isaac,  letter  from,  to  New- York  Convention,  -  729 
Clinton  sends  to  command  at  Haverstraw,  -  -  729 
Is  ordered  to  Fort  Washington,  -  ...  1122 
Is  appointed  Colonel  of  New- York  Militia,  -  -  1413 

Nicols,  Robert  L.,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -  -    554 

Nicolson,  Colonel,  asks  for  a  court  of  inquiry,  -  -  351 
Schuyler  promises  to  attend  to  the  case  of,  -  -  473 
Washington  declines  advising  a  station  for,  -  -  933 
Regiment  of,  refuse  to  march  without  pay,  -  -  985 

Niger,  rumoured  orders  to  Captain  Talbot  of  the,  -  1063 
Passes  the  harbour  of  New-Haven,  -  1205 

Niles,  Captain  Robert,  instructions  for,  ...  240 
Affidavit  of,  -  -  -  402 

Nine-Partners,  insurrection  of  Tories  at,    -  -     360 

Report  in  relation  to  the  lead  mine  at,  -        -        -  1413 

Ninety-Six,  prisoners  sent  to  the  Jail  of,  -  -  -  407 
White  Indians  made  prisoners  at,  -  -  610 

Nixon,  Thomas,  a  deserter  from  the  enemy,       -        -    403 

Nixon,  Colonel  John — 

Return  of  officers  in  Regiment  of,  -  -    644 

Promoted  to  be  Brigadier,     -  -        -    883 

Promotion  of,  announced  in  General  Orders,  -  -  914 
Brigade  of,  assigned  to  General  Greene,  -  915 

Copies  of  Colonel  Hand's  reports  to,  -  -  -  1111 
Letter  to,  from  Lord  Stirling,  -  -  1111 

Election  of,  in  Congress  as  Brigadier,    -  1603 

Nixon,  Lieutenant-Colonel  John,  commands  City  Guard 

of  Philadelphia,  -  1297 

Noa,  William,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,      -     349 

Noble,  Captain,  list  of  Company  of,  made  prisoners  at 

the  Cedars,       -  -     168 

Noble  and  Townsend,  petition  from,  -  -  1112 

Noble,  Thaddeus,  certificate  relative  to  muskets  made 

by,  -  1467 

Allowance  made  to,  for  expenses  on,      -  -  1468 

Contract  with,  for  making  muskets  for  New- York,  -  1469. 

1472 

Nock,  Nicholas,  sentence  of,  by  court-martial,    -        -  1269 

Noel,  Edward,  Chairman  of  Dorchester  Committee,   -     686 

Noel,  Septimus,  paid  for  boat  hire  by  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  1338 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I. 


109 


1731 


INDEX. 


1732 


Non-Associators,  resolve  not  to  employ,    - 
Names  of,  in  Annapolis,  published, 

Ordinance  for  disannul"  all,-          ...      534,709 
All  who  refuse  to  enrol  in  the  Guard  considered  as,    135 
Noorstrant.  Captain  Daniel  a  Lieutenant  appointed  for,     511 
Norfolk,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,      -  -    407 

North,  William,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,  -  349 
Northampton,  resohc  of  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety 

to  defend,            -                                  -  -  -      709 
Norlhborough,    Massachusetts,  proceedings  of  Com- 
mittee of, -  179 

North-Carolina — 

Sir  Peler  Parker's  fleet  leaves,        ....     437 

Clinton  proclaims  rebellion  in,       -  437 

Letter  from  Council  of  Safety  of,  to  the  Council  of 

Virginia,  -  -  ...         -     613 

Letter  from  Gen.  Rutherford  to  Council  of  Safety  of,     613 
Currency  of,  counterfeited,    -----     633 

Council  of  Safety  of,  exonerate  Mr.  Edwards,          -     735 
Prisoners  from,  permitted  to  write  to  friends,-         -   1291 
Proceedings  of  Council  of  Safety  of,      -  1363 

Rangers,  taken  into  Continental  service,         -         -   1596 
Congress  order  payment  of  drafts  from  Treasurer  of,   1618 
Northern  Army — see  Jlrmy. 

Northfield,  Selectmen  of,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -     427 
North  River,  passage  of,  obstructed,  -         -         -         - 

Order  for  sinking  hulks  in,    -         -         -         -         -     125 

Enemy's  ships  pass  the  batteries  on, 
Captain  Johnson  ordered  to  superintend  ferry,     256,  415 
Information  given  to  the  enemy  in,  580 

Infested  by  pirates,        -         -         -         -         -         -     75 1 

Chevaux-de-frise  sunk  in,      -----     887 

Enemy  driven  from,  by  the  fire-ships,    - 
Cannon  recovered  from  the  tender  in,    -         -         -  1082 
Passage  of  the  enemy  up,  big  with  consequences,  -   1401 
Northumberland,  Pennsylvania,  Council  of  Safety  re- 
solve to  defend,         ------     709 

Northumberland,  Virginia,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

to  Committee  of, 

Norwalk,  Connecticut,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,  804,  957 
Norwell,   Moses,    appointed    Captain  of  a  sea-coast 

Company,         ...---.     303 
Norwich,  Washington  desires  powder  to  be  lodged  at,  107, 

451 
Eastern  troops  ordered  to  embark  at,  for  Northern 

Army,       -  '       -         -         -         -         -         -         -     194 

Ammunition  sent  to,     ------     210 

Prisoners  sent  to  the  Jail  in,  by  Connecticut  Council 

of  Safety, -     731 

Norwood,  Edward,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  1348 
Notary  Publick,  committee  appointed  to  nominate,  58,  84 
Nottingham  Company,  the  furnace  of,  blown  up,  -  364 
Nova-Scotia,  inhabitants  of,  petition  Massachusetts  for 

protection, 703 

Good  feeling  of  the*  people  of,  for  American  cause,     664 

Enemy's  force  in  the  Province  of,-        -         -         -     939 

Request  for  an  American  force  to  be  sent  against,  -  1282 

Noyes,  Josiah,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -         -         -     568 

Noyes,  Captain  Joseph,  appointed  Mustermaster  of 

Matrosses,        ----...     277 
Number-Four,  Gen.  Fellows  ordered  by  the  way  of,   -     552 
Prevalence  of  small-pox  at,  -  -     552 

Gates  recommends  a  road  from,  to  Fort  Independ- 
ence,      ----....    717 
Names  of  individuals  inoculated  at,        -         -         -     797 
Apprehended  deficiency  of  supplies  at,          -         -     891 
Gates's  ire  at  the  inoculation  at,    -  -         -    901 

Major  Hawley  to  Gates  on  the  subject  of,       -         -     958 
Villanous  practice  of  the  Doctor  at,  -         -   1051 

New-Hampshire  Council  ofSafety  to  Selectmen  of,   1117 
Nurses,  male  and  female,  wanted  at  General  Hospital,     647 
Nutten-Isliiud,  Washington  declines  advising  expendi- 
ture of  money  for  obstructions  at,       -  -   1028 
Nyack,  part  of  the  enemy's  fleet  opposite,  -     337 
Sailing  of  the  same  from,      -                   -  374 
Nye,  Joseph,  Jr.,  letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,     587 
Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,       -         -     684 
Oakum,  a  call  for,  from  Skenesborough,     -                  -     717 
Great  want  of,  for  the  Lake  fleet,  -         ...     968 
Oar-Makers,  arrival  of,  at  Crown-Point,     ...     630 
Colon, -1  Melding  ordered  to  deliver  tools  to,     -         -     630 
False  alarm  made  by  the,       .....   1275 
Oars,  Arnold  asks  for  one  hundred  and  fifty,      -         -     358 
A  number  of,  sent  to  Gates  from  Crown-Point,    604,  630 
An  order  to  cut,  within  sight  of  Crown-Point,      604,  630 
Not  to  be  used  for  any  other  than   their  designed 

purpose,  .         .   n25 

An  order  for  the  collection  of,       ....  1271 


Oath,  form  of,  for  an  election  in  Delaware,         -         -  618 

To  be  taken  by  the  infected  with  small-pox,  -         -  1 128 

.  Prescribed  for  members  of  Delaware  Convention,    -  1174 
Taken  by  members  of  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of 

Safety, 1289 

Taken  by  the  judges  in  North-Carolina,                    -  1363 
Taken  by  the  printer  of  Bills  of  Credit,  -                   -  1505 
Obrian,  Captain,  information  against,  recanted,  -         -  567 
Difficulty  in  managing  the  crew  of,         -                   -  664 
Observation,  order  to  fit  out  a  vessel  of,     -                   -  307 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Committee  of,  -         -  364 
Occacock,  prizes  carried  into,  -                                     -  1382 
Armed  brig  General  Washington  ordered  to,  -         -  1384 
Ochquaques,  complaint  of  the,  to  Schuyler,        -         -  1031 
Ocnore  Creek,  Indians  encamped  at,         -                   -  749 
Odin,  John,  bearer  of  money  from  Congress  to  New- 
Hampshire,       -                           -         -                  -  53 

Payment  made  to  for  his  services,  -                             -  74 
Odiorne,  Captain,  prizes  captured  by,         -                   -  1280 
Oenousel,  Indian  camp  at,  deserted,                               -  941 
Officers,  rights  of  British,  serving  in  America,    -         -  123 
List  of,  who  served  in  Canada,       -                           -  229 
Of  Third  Regiment  of  New-Yorkers  first  promoted,  230 
List  of,  in  Dubois's  Regiment,       -                           -  230 
Election  of,  in  Queen's  County,  New-York,  -         -  257 
British,  confined  in  jail  for  breaking  parole,    -         -  261 
Appointment  of,  for  Gloucester,  Massachusetts,       -  271 
For  the  Matrosses  at  Falmouth,     -                           -  274 
For  a  company  at  Martha's  Vineyard,  &c.,     -         -  295 
For  the  sea-coast  men  at  Newburyport,           -         -  303 
Advance  of  pay  to,  destined  for  Canada,         -      311,315 
Appointment  of,  in  Philadelphia,  for  the   Flying- 
Camp,      -                                                                 -  349 
Remarks  on  the  behaviour  of,  at  Head-Quarters,     -  502 
In  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Massachusetts  foot,       -  644 
In  the  First  Regiment  of  New-York  foot,        -         -  644 
In  the  Nineteenth  Regiment  Connecticut,  (Webb's,)  645 
Complaints  of  the  remissness  of  certain,  at  New- 
York,        -                  -                  ....  677 

List  of,  in  Colonel  Lasher's  Regiment,  -  918 
List  of,  in  Colonel  Van  Schaick's  Regiment,  -         -  918 
List  of,  in  Colonels  Nicholson's  and  Wyncoop's  Re- 
giments, ------                 .  919 

Roll  of,  in  King  and  Queen's  County  Light-Horse,  953 
On  every  duty,  to  be  apportioned  to  number  of  men,  1127 
Certificate  of  the,  in  relation  to  Captain  Brown,      -  1219 
List  of,  taken  prisoners  on  Long-Island,                  -  1250 
New- York  Convention  complain   of  Congress  as- 
suming the  right  to  nominate,    -                             -  1395 
The  Board  of  War  ask  for  a  list  of,  in  New- York,  -  1508 
Certain,  to  be  taken  from  those  who  served  in  Ca- 
nada,       -         -                  -                  -                  -  1565 

Ogden,  Lewis,  letter  from,  to  John  Jay,     -                  -  121 
Ogden,  Colonel  Matthew,  letter  from,  to  Aaron  Burr,  603,  901 
Made  President  of  a  General  Court-Martial,    -         -  1127 
Ogeechee  River,  vessels  cut  out  of,  by  the  enemy,       -  719 
Ogleby,  Lieutenant  Edward,  money  paid  to,  by  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,      -                           -       "-  1332 
Ogleby,  Lieutenant  John,  money  paid  to,  by  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,      -                                     -1332 
Ogleby,  James,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -                                                                 -  1348 
Oglevie,  Captain  John,  offers  to  march  with  his  Com- 
pany,       -                                                                 -  614 
Oguhaenjes,  Indian  name  for  officer  commanding  at 

Niagara, -  367 

Ojaghet,  a  Cayuga  sachem,  speech  of,        -                  -  1047 
Olcott,  Colonel,  one  of  the  Newbury  Committee,        -  30 
Olcott,  Rev.  Mr.  B.,  letter  to,  from  General  Gates,      -  1073 
Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,        -                  -  1170 
Olcott,  Peter,  takes  his  seat  in  New-York  Conven- 
tion,         -                  -                            -                  -  1457 
Old  corps,  return  of  names  of  officers  of  the,  ordered,  1271 
Oldham,  Edward,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,       -                                                                 -  1348 
Oliver,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  David  Phipps,     -         -  135 
Letter  from,  to  Edward  Winslow,  -                           -  149 
Onaquagh  Indians,  Mr.  Crosby  missionary  to,    -         -  903 
Oneidas,  the  only  tribe  willing  to  join  the  Americans,  697 
Kirkland's  letter  from  the,  intercepted,  -•  867 
Three,  sent  to  Oswego  for  intelligence,  -                   -  872 
Complaints  of  the,  to  General  Schuyler,  -                   -  1031 
Speech  of  a  sachem  of,  at  German-Flats,         -         -  1039 
Onion  Riv%r,  Colonel  Waite  ordered  to  protect,          -  177 
Governour  Trumbull's  fears  about,  -         -         -         -  190 
Colonel  Hurd  reports  a  change  of  command  at,      -  625 
A  set  of  sad  dogs  settled  at,  -         -         -         -         -  798 
Lodowick  Potter  and  family  carried  off  from,  -      .  -  803 


1733 


INDEX. 


1734 


Onslow,  Nova-Scotia,  petition  from,  to  Massachusetts 

Council,  -  -     733 

Ontario,  no  prospect  of  galleys  being  built  on,   -         -     472 
Order  by  Congress  for  construction  of  galleys  on,    -   1574 
Ontrane,  Mattahu,  one  of  the  Eastern  Indians,  -         -     838 
Onwasgwinghte,  speech  of,  at  German-Flats,     -         -  1046 
Opp,  Captain  Valentine,  ordered  to  New-Jersey,         -  1320 
Orange  County   Committee,  letter  from  Washington 

to,    -  ...  .  -     336 

Proceedings  of,     -  -     648 

Deputies  from,  in  New-York  Convention,       -         -  1386 
Troops  from,  desire  their  discharge,        -  -   1522 

Orcut,  Jacob,  thirty-six  stripes  to,  for  counterfeiting,  -     347 
Order  from  New-Hampshire  Council  of  Safety  to  Lieu- 
tenant Gilman,  -     609 
General  Heath's  last  Brigade,                                     -     922 
Orderly  Books,  daily  inspection  of,  required,      -         -     502 
Companies  furnished  with,   at  Adjutant-General's 

Office,       -  -     505 

Orderly  Sergeants,  each  brigade  to  send  one,  daily  to 

Head-Quarters,  ...     502 

Ordered  to  bring  their  dinners  with  them,       -         -    676 
Orders,  New-Hampshire  appoints  a  committee  to  give 

out  inlisting,     -  58 

Form  of,  for  Mustermasters  in  New-Hampshire,      -       70 
Gates's,  on  the  management  of  the  Lake  fleet,        -     826 
In  Council,  at  the  Court  of  St.  James,    -  -  1088 

Mercer's,  relieving  the  Philadelphia  Associators,     -   1119 
Officers  to  see  all,  properly  executed,     -  -   1137 

Washington's,  to  General  Putnam,         ...  H49 

See  General  Orders. 
Ordinance    of   Pennsylvania    Convention    relative    to 

Non-Associators,       ------     709 

Of  Pennsylvania  Convention  to  prevent  counterfeits 

of  bills  of  credit,        -  -     710 

Proposed,  relating  to  treason,         ....  1210 

Ordnance,  return  of,  at  Ticonderoga,  -     681 

Mortification  of  the  King  at  the  loss  of  his,  at  Boston,  1 103 

Return  of  brass  and  iron,  taken  by  the  enemy,        -   1258 

Ordnance  Stores,  return  of,  at  Boston,       -  -    586 

Arnold's  return  of,  to  General  Schuyler,  -     680 

Orford,  New-Hampshire,  ammunition  voted  to  town 

of, -       80 

Orndorf,  Christopher,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying 

Camp,      -  -  1350 

Osborn,  Captain,  orders  to,  from  Colonel  Drake,         -  1030 
Osborn,  Dr.,  recommended  for  a  Surgeoncy,      -         -  1450 
Appointed  Surgeon  to  Colonel  Swartwout's  Regi- 
ment,       -         -         -  -         -  .  1456 

Osborn,  George  J.,  appointed  Captain  of  Marines  by 

Congress,          -         -  ....  1588 

Osgood,  Captain,  list  of  prisoners  attested  by,    -         -     165 
List  of  his  Company,  taken  at  the  Cedars,       -         -     166 
Petition  of,  and  others,  to  General  Gates,        -         -     398 
Osnaburghs,  two  pieces  of,  lent  to  Captain  Darnes,    -  1133 
Order  for  delivery  of,  to  General  Moore,  -  1384 

Oswegatchie,  arrival  of  the  Ministerial  troops  at,         -     816 
General  Schuyler  sends  a  scout  to,          -         -         -     985 
Enemy  from,  meditate  attacking  Fort  Stanwix,       -  1084 
Oswcgo,  Schuyler  regrets  there  is  no  fort  at,      -         -     472 
Schuyler  expresses  his  intention  to  take   posses- 
sion of,    -         -  -         -  -     473 

The  enemy  manifest  a  design  to  get  hold  of,  -         -     747 
A  scout  sent  to,  by  Schuyler,  -  1034 

Lieutenant  McMichael  brings  intelligence  from,     -  1501 
Congress  order  the  erection  of  a  fort  at,  -   1574 

Otis,  Joseph,  remarks  of,  on  the  proceedings  at  Barn- 
stable,       -  -     147 
Otis,  James,  resolve  to  pay  interest  on  notes  due  to,  -     320 
Otter,  sloop-of-war,  driven  from  Gwin's  Island,           -     150 
Otter  Creek,  Gates  recommends  a  bridge  over,  -         -     717 
Oughquagys,  one  of  the  Six  Nations,                           -     866 
Peter's  speech  in  behalf  of  the,      -                           -  1048 
Outwater,  Thomas,  member  of  New- York  Convention,    1411 
Overhill  Cherokees,  Lee's  advice  to  make  an  example 

of,  -  -  -      95 

Preparing  to  make  war  on  Virginia  frontiers,  -     111 

Lee  advises  that  Riflemen  be  sent  against,      -         -     612 
North-Carolina  forces  to  act  with  Virginia  against,     1369 
Towns,    twelve   hundred   men   ordered   to   march 
against,    -         -         -         -         -         -         -         -611 

Owen,  John,  clerk  of  Symsbury  Committee,      -         -     459 
Owens,  a  soldier,  killed  at  Perth-Amboy,  -  -     600 

Owings,  John  C.,  declines  acting  as  Collector,  -         ••     523 
Owings,  Richard,  summoned  before  Baltimore  Com- 
mittee,    -  '-  -     758 
Oxford,  Maryland,  exposed  situation  of,    -         -         -     465 
Oyster-Bay,  letter  to  Committee  of,  -        -        -         -     511 


P. 


Paca,  Aquila,  appointed  Captain,      ....  1343 
Paca,  William,  one  of  the  Maryland  Delegates  in  Con- 
gress,      -                                                       -        -  492 
Packer,  John,  resolve  to  pay  the  roll  of,    -         -         -  300 
Packwood,  Captain,  arrival  of,   at  New-London  with 

arms,        -                                                                    .  599 
Page,  Sam.,  appointed  Major  New-Hampshire  Militia,  57,  83 
Page,  John,  letter  from,  to  General  Lee,    -        -         -  213 
Is  President  of  the  Virginia  Council  of  Safety,        -  433 
Letter  from,  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,     -  250 
Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,    465,  611,  736 
Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Stephens,           ...  ggg 
Pago,  William,  letter  from,  to  General  Gates,     -        -  1003 
Paine,  Samuel,  appointed  Captain  by  town  meeting,  -  30 
Volunteers  to  go  on  a  scout,          -         -         -         -  263 
Painter,  Elisha,  appointed  Major,      ....  1565 
Painter,  Gamaliel,  appointed  Lieutenant,  -                   -  1565 
Palfrey,  William,  Congress  assigns  the  rank  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel to,     -                                    -    156,  1570 
Collects  drafts  on  Murray  &  Sanson,      ...  696 
Pallas,  Clinton's  proclamation  dated  on  board,  -         -  437 
Palmer,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  James  Bowdoin,         -  516 
Letter  from,  to  Richard  Devon*,    -         -         -         -  585 
Letter  from,  to  Benjamin  Lincoln,         ...  701 
Palmes,  Richard,   appointed  Captain  of  Marines  by 

Cangress,                                                                     .  1589 

Palmetto,  the  irrefragable,         -                           -  905 
Pamphlets,   on   the  American  question,  sent  to  Mr. 

Dumas,    -                                    ....  939 
Paper,  purchase  of,  in  New-Hampshire  for  Bills  of 

Credit,     -                  -                                              -  83 

Quantity  of,  required  by  Generals  Heath  and  Greene,  578 

Asked  for  at  Hull,  Massachusetts,          ...  585 

Twelve  quires  a  month  allowed  to  each  Regiment,  -  678 

Ready  money  given  for  whited  brown  and  white,   -  1126 
Paper-makers  excused  from  going  with  Associators  to 

New-Jersey,      ---.-..  1314 

Congress  exempt  from  marching,  -         ...  1585 

Paper  money,  ordinance  to  prevent  counterfeits  of,    -  710 

Pardons,  Morris's  letter  on  the  subject  of,  -         -        -  467 

Dr.  Franklin  to  Lord  Howe  on  his  offer  of,    -        -  482 

Parke,  Andrew,  Lieutenant  in  the  King's  Eighth,       -  163 

Parke,  Colonel,  letter  from,  to  New- York  Convention,  335 

Application  of,  for  leave  of  absence,      ...  601 

Parker,  Captain  John,  his  soldiers  complain  of,          -  48 

Payment  made  of  retarded  wages  to  soldiers  of,       52,  72 

Resolve  to  pay  the  roll  of,     -                   ...  300 

Parker,  Joseph,  appointed  Captain  New-Hampshire 

Militia,     -                                                                -  50 
Parker,  Benjamin,  chosen  member  of  New-Hampshire 

Council  of  Safety,     -                                              -  85 

Parker,  Admiral  Sir  Peter,  notice  of,          ...  95 

Circumstantial  account  of  the  proceedings  of,         -  436 

Narrow  escape  of,         -.--..  439 

Lee's  account  of  the  fleet  under,  ....  612 

Withdrawal  of,  from  Charleston,    -         ...  720 

Rumour  of  the  death  of,- in  Philadelphia,         -         -  742 

Arrival  of,  at  New-York,        -  949 

Parker,  Edward,  letters  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -                                  -     153,  782,  975,  1117 

Parker,  Capt.  Peter,  letter  to,  from  Marine  Committee,  156 
Parker,  Timothy,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  a  Colony 

ship,                                                                         -  244 
Declines  the  appointment,    -                  ...  425 
Parker,  James,  found  among  pirates  in  Virginia,        -  429 
Parker,   Captain  Robert,  letter  from,  to  New-Hamp- 
shire Council  of  Safety, 265 

Parker,  Captain  of  the  British  fleet,  supplies  furnished 

to,  from  the  Westchester  shore,          ...  729 

Parker,  Stephen,  letter  from,  to  Jonathan  Smith,        -  893 
Parker,  John,  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  a  Regiment  of 

Artificers,          ---.._.  735 
Parkinson,  John,  petition  of  R.  Cantillon  and    -         -   1407 

Parks,  John,  prizemaster  of  ship  Friendship,      -         -  181 

Parliament,  dissolution  of  the  English  and  Irish,         -  709 
Parmenter,  Jonathan,  appointed  Major  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -                                              ...  280 

Parnham,  Captain,  march  of,  to  St.  George's,    -         -  592 

Parole,  grant  of,  to  John  Simpson,    -         -  23 
Sundry  prisoners  give,  -----  24,  25,  45 

Major  Meigs  returns  from  Quebeck  on,           -         -  583 

Inquiry  into  the  breach  of,  by  British  officers,         -  596 

Order  touching  the  secrecy  of  countersign  and,      -  679 

A  number  of  officers  at  Lancaster  sign,          -        -  783 

Of  suspected  persons  taken,  -         ....  989 

List  of  officers  and  their  servants  who  have  signed,  783 

Major  French  misinterprets  his,     -  823 


1735 


INDEX. 


1736 


Parole,  form  of,  required  for  certain  Tory  prisoners,    -  1008 
Given  by-American  prisoners  to  CarietaB,     -        -  1168 
New-York  Convention  declare  the,  of  certain  per- 

U1j,l,         .....        -1502,1506 

Parral,  Austin,  discharge  of.  on  security,    - 

Parry.  Caleb,    Lieutenant-Colonel  Pennsylvania  Mus- 

"keteers,    -  - 

Mnrtally  wounded  on  Long-Island,        -         -         -   1 
l>  aih  of,     - 

Parsons,  Colonel  S.  H.,  promoted  to  Brigadier,  -  883,  1 
Promotion  of,  announced  in  general  orders,  - 
Brigade  of,  assigned  to  General  Spencer, 
Missing  alter  the  battle  on  Long-Island,          -          -   1195 
Partisan  corps,  proposition  of  a, 

Past-hall,  Col.  Jonathan,  order  to  muster  Battalion  of,   1313 
l'a~>,  ,-,.py  of,  for  members  of  New-York  Convention,     374 
No  person  over  fourteen  to  cross  New-Jersey  ferries 

without,  --------     772 

Necessary  in  Pennsylvania  for  every  traveller,         -     787 

Necessary  for  every  one  connected  with  the  army,  -     885 

Mr.  Alice's,  for  Sergeant  Sutherland,  a  prisoner,    -  1094 

Passaick,  necessity  of  keeping  ferries  open  over  the,  -     742 

Passamaipioddy  Indians,  inquiry  as  to  feelings  of  the, 

1'asM's,  persons  appointed  to  grant,  -  22t 

Refusal  to  act,  of  those  named  to  grant,          -         -     256 

New-York  Convention  appoint  Committee  to  grant,     504 

Brigadiers  to  grant  to  their  respective  Brigades,      -     504 

No°inferior  officers  at  liberty  to  grant,    -         -         -     506 

Lieutenant  Blodget  appointed  to  sign,  for  General 

Greene,    -  577 

New-York  Convention  grant,  to  none  but  their  own 
members  and  officers,        -----   1475 

By  the  President  of  the  New- York  Convention, 

authentick,        -------     912 

Required  from  travellers  through  Middlesex,  -  -  1088 
Passport,  Mr.  Wolstenholme  receives  a,  from  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety, 521 

Paterson,  William,   Secretary  to  Provincial  Congress 

of  New-Jersey, 172,  369 

Chosen  Secretary  to  the  New-Jersey  Convention,  -  744 
Patrick,  Paul,  appointed  a  Ranger  in  North-Carolina,  1369 
Patriotism,  the  pure  flame  of,  rare,  -  -  -  -  1025 

Beautiful  definition  of, 1059 

Patten,  Matthew,  member  of  the  New-Hampshire  As- 
sembly,   --------62 

Chosen  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,        -       85 
Patterson,  William,  and  family,  disposal  of, 
Patterson,  William,  elected  Lieutenant  volunteers,     -     121 
Appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,      ...     188 
Patterson,  Colonel,  list  of  his  Regiment  taken  at  the 

Cedars, 167 

Reed's  Brigade  assigned  to,  temporarily,        -         -  1125 

Patterson,  Adjutant-General,  bearer  of  flag  from  Howe,     472 

Substance  of  interview  with  Washington,       -         -     500 

Politeness  of,  towards  the  American  General,         -    501 

Patterson,  John,  appointed  Ensign,  -  -         -  1348 

Patterson,  Lieutenant  William  A., "appointed  Assistant 

Engineer  by  Gates,  ------     801 

Patton,  Matthew,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety, 384 

Patuxent,  Captain  Mantz  ordered  to  leave  his  baggage 

at  the  mouth  of,  -  1351 

Paulding,  William,  appointed  Commissary  of  Militia,    1496 
Draught  of  a  letter  from  New-York  Convention  to,    1496 
Paulus-Hook,    letter    to   Committee   of,   from   John 

Coe, -         -         -     258 

Pawling,  Henry,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  -     349 
Pawling,  Levi,  appointed  Colonel  New- York  Militia,  -  1413 
Pawling,  William,  letter  to,  from  Robert  Yates,  -     511 

Pay,  allowance  of,  to  members  of  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,         -----  -       53 

Allowance  of,  to  members  of  Committee  of  Safety,       86 

Of  officers  in  Massachusetts  regulated,  -         -        -     280 

Advance  of,  to  those  destined  for  Canada,      -      311,315 

Increase  of,  to  inferior  officers,      -         ...     677 

Pay  Abstracts,  order  for  carefully  preparing,       -      503,  504 

Paymaster,  R.  Chambers  recommended  as,         -         -     172 

Washington  advises  a,  to  each  Regiment,      -         -     174 

No  officer  holding  another  commission  can  be,        •  1137 

Paymaster-General,  a  large  sum  remitted  to  the,         -     786 

Order  requiring  weekly  returns  from  the,        -         -  1597 

Paymasters,  discussion  relating  to,  in  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,  -         -       21 

The  appointment  of,  recommended,  80 

Advances  made  to,       -         -         -         -         .         -       83 

WaahingtOB  is  authorized  to  appoint,     ...     914 

Inquiry  as  to  the  manner  of  appointing,          -         -   1343 

Pay-Roll  of  officers  for  the  galley  Lady  Washington,  -  1263 


Payne,  Benjamin,  letter  from,  to  James  Warren,         -     133 

Letter  to,  from  George  Pitkin,        -  -  1051 

Payne,  John,  appointed  Major  Massachusetts  Militia,     292 

Payne,  Captain  Brinton,  return  of,  from  a  scout,         -     748 

Examination  of,  in  the  case  of  Woolsey,  -  1559 

Payne,  James  W.,  letter  from,  to  General  Heath,        -   1238 

Peabody,  Stephen,  appointed  Major  New-Hampshire 

Militia,     -  -         -  -       50 

Peace,  General  Howe's  opinion  of  the  prospect  of,  -  106 
Franklin's  comments  on,  to  Lord  Howe,  -  -  483 
Lord  Drummond's  pretended  desire  to  make  pro- 

posals of,  -   1026 

Reported  proposition  of,  contradicted,  -  -   1139 

Peace  and  Plenty,  sloop,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  152 
Peal,  John,  Boatswain  of  the  Ranger,  court  ordered  on,  1301 
I'eai  is,  -  ,  house  of,  a  rendezvous  for  enemies,  -  407 
,  Lieutenant,  resignation  of,  -  -  1399 


Pearsly,  Lieutenant  Robert,  appointed  Wagonmaster- 

General,  -                  -                  -         -                  -  1126 

Peas,    General   Waterbury  sends  a  few,   to   General 

Gates,      -  .....     679,  730 

Thanks  of  General  Gates  for  a  present  of,       -         -  698 

Peck,  Dr.  Charles,  employed  as  Surgeon  by  Colonel 

Cooke,     -                           .....  1121 

Peek,  William,   appointed  Brigade  Major  to  General 

Spencer,  -                                     -  678 

Appointed  Aid-de-Camp  to  General  Spencer,         -  966 

Peek,  Major,  to  serve  as  Brigade  Major  to.  General 

Parsons,       --  ----915 

Peekskill,  letter  from  Colonel  Van  Cortlandt  at,          -  422 

Several  thousand  American  troops  at,    -         -         -  546 

A  party  of  the  enemy  land  at,                                   -  559 

Schuyler  requests  boards  to  be  sent  to,  -                  -  1221 

An  attack  expected  at,                                                -  1404 

Order  for  removal  of  stores  from,  -         -                  -  1405 

Peggy,  ship,  a  prize  sent  into  Marblehead,                  -  661 

Deposition  of  the  master  of,                             -  836 

Peirce,  Major  Isaac,  Aid-de-Camp  to  Gates,      -         -  681 

Illness  of,    -         -         -         -         -         -         -         -  828 

Pelissier,  Monsieur  Christopher,  letter  from,  to  the 

President  of  Congress,      ...                  .  466 
Losses  sustained  by,  for  joining  the  cause  of  inde- 

pendence,        -                  ...                  .  467 

Asks  for  an  advance  of  pay,  -----  725 
Congress  appoint  him  Engineer,  with  the  rank  of 

Lieutenant-Colonel,  -                            ...  1593 

Congress  grant  him  an  advance  of  pay,          -         -  1597 

Pell,  Dr.  Salua,  appointed  Surgeon,  -                           -  329 

Pell,  Captain,  appointed  Brigade-Major  to  Westches- 

ter  Militia,        -                                                        -  1517 

Pellenger,  Frederick,  extract  of  a  letter  from,    -         -  817 

Pelletreau,  Elias,  chosen  leader  of  an  Independent 

Company,                                                                 -  543 

Pelton,  Adjutant  Benjamin,  named  for  promotion,      -  646 

Pelton,  Daniel,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Capt.  Riker's 

Company,                                                                 -  1427 

Pendleton,  Edmund,  President  of  Virginia  Convention,  9 

Receives  a  letter  from  General  C.  Lee,  -                  -  95 

Copy  of  Lee's  letter  to,  as  President  of  Convention,  612 

Pendleton,  Sylvanus,  Captain  of  brig  King  Taminy,    -  1382 

Ordered  on  a  cruise  of  six  weeks,          -                  -  1383 

Penet,  Monsieur,  Mr.  Deane's  embarrassment  with,  -  1011 

Penhallow,  Samuel,  complaint  of,  against  Col.  Gilman,  54 
Report  of  a  committee  on  the  complaint  of,  -  58,  78 
Is  appointed  a  Judge  in  New-Hampshire,  -  58,  85 

Penhallow,  John,  Town  Clerk  of  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  -  706 

Penniman,  Peter,  letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Coun- 

cil, ---                  .....  1087 

Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,           -         -  1116 

Perm's  Creek,  flint  quarries  discovered  on,                  -  533 

Pennsylvania  — 

Measures  for  the  defence  of,          -         ...  14 

The  troops  of,  are  ordered  to  Amboy,    -         -         -  333 

The  spirit  of  liberty  reigns  in,        -                            -  532 

Return  of  the,  forces  serving  in  New-Jersey,          -  557 

Instructions  of,  to  her  Delegates,  -                  -         -  594 

Number  of  troops  from,  in  New-Jersey,          -         -  599 

Difficulty  of  preventing  desertions  from,  Militia,     -  750 

Militia  clamorous  to  return  home,                   -         -  762 

Washington  addresses  the  Associators  of,      -         -  849 

Washington  expresses  his  confidence  in  the  troops  of,  850 
Numerous  desertions  from  the  troops  of,  in  New- 

Jersey,     --------  895 

Bravery  of  the,  Battalion,  on  Long  Island,     -         -  1184 

Names  of,  officers  taken  prisoners,         ...  1250 

New  delegates  from,  to  Congress,          ...  1586 

Pennsylvania    Committee  of  Safety,  correspondence 

of,  with  the  President  of  Congress,      12,  327,  495,  690 


1737 


INDEX. 


1738 


Pennsylvania  Committee  of  Safety,  correspondence  of, 

with  General  Washington,  -      124,  186 

Proceedings  of,    -  -    349,  962,  1180,  1287 

Letter  to,  from  General  Roberdeau,        -  -     674 

Letter  from,  to  the  Pennsylvania  Associators,         -  1229 
Congress  send  an  order  to,  for  one  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars,     -  -  1290 
Directed  to  lay  their  accounts  before  Pennsylvania 

Convention,    -  -  -         -  1298 

Letter  from,  to  Delegates  in  Congress,  -  -  -  1308 
Congress  advances  money  to,  -  -  -  1618 

Pennsylvania  Convention,    letter  to,  from  the  Presi- 
dent of  Congress,     -  ...      387.  409 

Proceedings,  of, 709,  864,'  884 

Regulations  of,  for  the  sale  of  salt,  -         -     946 

Ordinance  proposed  by,  relating  to  treason,   -         -   1210 

Pennsylvania  Farmer,  brig,  ordered  on  a  cruise,         -   1382 

Reported  not  ready  for  sea,  -----  1383 

Pennsylvanians,  some  of  the,  refuse  to  march,  -         -  1194 
Penobscot  Indians,  inquiry  concerning  the,        -         -     460 
Proposition  to  engage  the,  in  the  United  States  ser- 
vice,        -         -  .....    585 

Fletcher's  report  of  his  mission  to  the,  ...     990 
Pensacola,  extract  of  a  letter  from.    -        ...     706 
Pension,  grant  of,  by  Congress  in  certain  cases,         -  1619 
Pepin,  Andrew,  Congress  gives  the  rank  of  Lieute- 
nant to,    -  ......  1605 

Percy,  General,  one  of  the  British  commanders,         -       27 
Perkins,  Captain,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety, 492 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -  1174 
Appointed  a  Captain  in  the  Flying-Camp,      -        -  1346 
Perley,  Asa,  agent  for  the  Sunbury  Committee,  Nova- 
Scotia,     ...  ---      291,  704 
A  supply  of  ammunition  is  voted  to,       -  -     291 
Perley,  Isaac,  Clerk  to  the  Maugerville  meeting,         -     706 
Perry,  Rufus,  Lieutenant  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,     377 
Perry,  Edward,  release  of,  from  confinement,    -         -     297 
Perry,  William,  recommended  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -      831,  893 

Is  appointed  Quartermaster  of  Maryland  Militia,  -  1352 
Perry,  Rev.  Mr.,  recommended  for  a  Chaplaincy,  -  970 
Person,  Brigadier-General,  member  of  North-Carolina 

Council,  ..-.----  1365 
Perth-Amboy,  return  of  forces  at,     -         -         -      557,  963 
Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  camp  at,      -  -  1079 

See,  also,  Jlmboy. 

Pest-House,  provision  made  for  small-pox  at  the,        -     360 
Petards,  Monsieur  Pelissier  furnishes,  to  the  American 

army,       -  -         -     467 

Peter,  schooner,  capture  of,  by  Captain  Wickes, 
Peter,  one  of  the  negroes  imprisoned  at  Lancaster,    -     673 
Peter,  chief  warriour  of  the  Oneidas,  speech  of,   1045,  1048 
Peters,  Captain,  brings  Major  Rogers  to  Philadelphia,          1 
The  War  Office  requires  the  services  of,  -     116 

Command  of  the  guard  transferred  from,  to  Colonel 

Nixon,     -  1297 

Congress  requests  that  he  be  not  ordered  away,      -  1568 

Peters,  Richard,  Jan.,  Secretary  to  the  Board  of  War,    33,  34 

Letter  to,  from  General  Roberdeau,  -     349 

Order  of  the  Board  of  War  issued  by,     -         -      532,833 

Sundry  letters  to,  -  -  533,  535 

Letter  to,  from  General  Lee,  -     719 

Letter  from,  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,      -     784 

Letter  to,  from  Mease  and  Caldwell,       ...     931 

Letter  to,  from  the  Baron  de  Calbiac,     -  934 

Letter  to,  from  Clement  Biddle,     -  -  945 

Letter  to,  from  William  Cox,         -         -         -         -     961 

Letter  to,  from  John  Avery,  -  ...  1130 

Peters,  Jethro,  Clerk  to  Northborough  Committee,     -     179 

Petersham,  Convention  of  Committees  at,  -        -     245 

Proceedings  at,  in  relation  to  Tories,      -  245 

Petition  of — 

Inhabitants  of  Truro  to  Massachusetts,  -  146 

Benjamin  Flower  to  Congress,       -         -  -     156 

Isaac  Melchior  to  Congress,  -----  156 
Joseph  Blanchard  and  others,  prisoners,  -  175 

Francis  Mentges,  for  an  appointment,    -         -         -     186 
Selectmen  of  Portsmouth  to  New-Hampshire  Com- 
mittee of  Safety, 

Basil  Clarkson  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  218 
Colonel  Bedel's  officers  to  General  Gates,  -  -  398 
The  inhabitants  of  Shelburne  to  General  Gates,  455,  803 
Levi  Allen  to  Congress,  in  behalf  of  Colonel  Allen,  498 
Town  of  Warren  to  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety, -    517 

Jonathan   Roland  and  others   to  Lancaster  Com- 
mittee,           '-    535 


Petition  of — 

Brookfield  Committee  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -  551 
George  Nicholson  to  Congress,  -  ...  636 
Captain  Aldridge,  sent  to  Congress,  ...  67Q 
Colonel  Bedel's  officers,  for  leave  to  resign,  -  -  681 
Sundry  parishes  in  Georgia  to  General  Lee,  -  -  683 
Captain  Young,  to  be  informed  of  his  sentence,  -  698 
Inhabitants  on  St.  John's,  Nova  Scotia,  to  Massa- 
chusetts Assembly,  -  -  ...  703 
Mary  Giddins  to  Congress,  -  -  ...  7Q8 
George  Measam  to  Congress,  -  .  725,  1157 
John  Andrews  to  New-York  Convention,  -  -  854 
Major  Meigs  and  others,  prisoners,  to  Congress,  -  962 
The  officers  of  the  two  Old  Virginia  Regiments,  -  1093 
Cadwalader  Golden  to  New-York  Convention,  -  1097 
Abel  Noble  and  Peter  Townsend  to  New-York 

Convention,      -v-  -        -        .         -1112 

George  Harris  to  New- York  Convention,        -        -  1 163 

Commodore  Wynkoop  to  Congress,       ...  H85 

Jean  Laugeay  to  Congress,  -----  H91 

Paul  Fooks  to  Congress,       -         ....  1192 

Daniel  Ilsley  to  Massachusetts  Council,           -         •  1207 

Captain  John  Brown  to  Congress,          ...  1219 

Colonel  Morris  Graham  to  General  George  Clinton,  1263 

Jonathan  Purdy  to  the  New-York  Congress,  -         -  1237 

William  Sutton  to  the  New-York  Convention,         -  1447 
R.  Cantillon  and  J.  Parkinson   to  the  New-York 

Convention,      -         -                           ...  1457 

Captain  Jacobus  Root  to  New- York  Convention,    -  1499 

Andrew  Bostwick  to  the  New-York  Convention,    -  1530 

Charles  Shaw  to  the  New-York  Convention,  -        -  1540 

Petitioners,  shoals  of,  in  London,  from  America,         -  149 

Petrie,  John,  letter  to,  from  John  Glen,     -         -         -  110 

Pettibone,  Colonel  Jonathan,  Chairman  of  Symsbury 

Committee,       -         ...                           .  453 

Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      ...  1085 

Pettit,  Charles,  extract  of  a  letter  to,          ...  352 
Pettit,  Thomas,  account  of,  disallowed  by  New- York 

Convention,      ----...  1509 

Phelps,  James,  order  to  supply  powder  to,          -        -  549 
Philadelphia — 

Troops  for  the  Flying-Camp  ordered  to,          - .        -  4 

Extracts  of  letters  from,                  -   708,  741,  1077,  1243 

Regulations  for  the  sale  of  salt  in,  -         ...  943 
Establishment  of  a  post  from,  to  Ticonderoga,  asked 

for, 1124 

Declaration  of  Independence  ordered  to  be  read  at,  1289 

Congress  order  five  tons  of  powder  to,  ...  1610 

Prisoners  cairied  to,  by  a  party  of  Light-Horse,       -  1616 
Philadelphia  Committee — 

Appoint  officers  for  the  Flying-Camp,    -         -         -  349 
Resolves  of,  -                                  ...     467,  787 

Appointment  of  the,  by  the  Convention,          -        -  532 

Name  persons  to  distribute  money  to  the  poor,       -  771 

Proceedings  of, 1061,1119 

Letter  to,  from  the  New- York  Convention,     -        -  1 455 
Philbrick,  Major  Samuel,  appointed  Mustermaster  and 

Paymaster, 57,  83 

Phillips,  Peter,  a  complaint  about  appointment  of,       -  177 
Phillips,  Nathan,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,        -        -  320 
Phillips,  Colonel,  sent  to  Lebanon  as  disaffected,        -  981 
Phillips,  Major-General,  orders  to  Carleton  relating  to,  1104 
Phillips,  John,  appointed  Captain  of  Maryland  Militia,  1355 
Phinney,   Colonel,  Regiment  of,  marches  to  Ticon- 
deroga,    -               •---...  126 
Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       -        ...  1204 
Phips,  David,  letter  to,  from  Thomas  Oliver,       -        -  135 
Appointed  Lieutenant  of  the  frigate  Trumbull,  by 
Congress,          -                           ....  1617 

Phoenix,  arrival  of  the  British  ship-of-war,  27 

Passage  of,  up  the  North  River,     -  231 

Reported  aground  in  Haverstraw-Bay,    -        -   446,  1409 

Men  wounded  on  board  the,          ....  452 

Engagement  of  the  galleys  with,    -  751 

Damage  reported  to  be  sustained  by,      ...  1064 
Pickaxes,  a  supply  of,  sent  to  Gates,                    -     623,  773 
Pickering,  John,   New-Hampshire,  paid  for  drawing 

bills,          -         -  -        -        -         -        "53,  75 

Is  appointed  Notary  Publick,          -        -  58,  84 

Pickering,    Ephraim,    cited   before    New-Hampshire 

Assembly,         -....-.70 

A  committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  objections 
against,     -  ......74 

Pickering,  Col.  Timothy,  Companies  at  Salem  under,  -  323 

Letter  from,  to  Richard  Derby,       -                  -  426 

Letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  ...  778 

Pickering,  Timothy,  Judge  of  Maritime  Court,   -         -  664 

Pickering,  Lieut.,  captures  an  enemy's  brig  aground,  -  440 


1739 


INDEX. 


1740 


Piercy,  Lord,  British  Commander,  ashore, 
Picrmont,  ammunition  voted  I"  town  of,    - 
1        on,  Moses,  and  others,  petition  of,      - 
PL'- Iron,  an  order  for  forty  tons  of,   - 
Aaron  Ilohart  asks  tor.  - 

General,  one  of  the  British  commanders,  - 
Pikes.  Colonel  Bull  ordered  to  procure  sixty  for  his 
Battalion,  -         -         -         -         -  " 

Pill;i:nii_'.  some  of  New-Jersey  Regiment  engaged  in, 
Pilling,  Jonathan,  petition  of,  to  Lancaster  Committee, 
Pilots,  disappearance  of  sundry,  - 

Pinto,  the  pensioner  of  the  Court  of  St.  James,  - 
Pipe.  Captain,  a  Delaware  chief,  a  conference  with,    - 
Pip.  r.  Colonel,  General  Mercer  proposes  to  send  to 

Staten-lsland,    -  - 

Reported  missing  after  the  battle  on  Long-Island,  - 
Pirates,   a  vessel  driven   on   shore  with    eighteen   on 
board,        _..----- 
Captains  Parker  and  Wallace  two  notorious,  - 
Publickly  countenanced  in  England, 
Piseataway,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  send  powder 

to,    -  -  - 

Piseataway  Landing,  Mercer's  plan  for  embarking  at,  - 
Pitkin,   Colonel   William,   letter  from,   to  Governour 
Trumbull,  -      178 

Fears  the  destruction  of  his  powder-mill, 
Order  on,  to  sell  powder  to  James  Phelps, 
Sundry  orders  upon,  by  the  Connecticut  Council  of 
Safety,       -  .... 

Pitkin,  Colonel  George,  asks  leave  to  retire, 

Letter  from,  to  Benjamin  Payne,     -          -          -          - 
Pitts,  John,  charged  with  kidnapping, 
James  Sweeny  is  charged  with  assaulting  and  rob- 
bing,         

Pittsburgh,  Congress  propose  to  take  possession  of 

the  Fort  at, 

Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  proceedings  of  Committee,  - 
Pittsylvania,  Virginia,  proceedings  of  Committee, 
Place,  objections  made  to  the  tenure  of  more  than  one, 
"Plain  Truth,"  address  of,  to  Massachusetts  Justices, 
Plan,  Mercer's,  for  attacking  Staten-lsland, 
Plank,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  a  quantity  of, 
Plat,  Lieutenant,  resignation  of,         -  -         - 

Plater,  George,  letter  to,  from  Captain  J.  A.  Thomas,  - 
Qualifies  as  a  member  of  the  Maryland  Council  of 
Safety,      -------- 

Expenses  of,  to  Somerset  paid, 

Platt,  Richard,  appointed  Brigade-Major  to  McDou- 
gall's  Brigade,  ------ 

Platt,  Zephaniah,  letter  from,  to  New-York  Conven- 
tion, -       422,  544 
Is  appointed  Commissary  of  New-York  Militia, 
Plot,  discovery  of  the  New-York,       - 
The  Albany  Tories  detected  in  a,  - 
Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  resolve  to  erect  a  fortifica- 
tion at,      -------- 

Number  of  men  ordered  from,  County,  - 
Field-Officers  appointed  for,  County,      - 
Plymouth,  England,  sailing  of  the  Hessians  from, 
Pocomoke,  a  vessel  is  despatched  to,  with  flour, 
Point-Alderton,  American  battery  erected  at,     - 
Point-au-Fer,  General  Sullivan  fortifies,     - 
Point-de-Chambly,  American  army  halt  at, 
Point-Look-Out,  forty  sail  approaching,     -      216,  325 
Polhemus,  Mr.,  King's  County  represented  by,  - 
Police,  New-Hampshire  reserves  the  right  of  internal, 

New-York  City,  neglected, 

Politics^  two  knotty  problems  in, 
Polk,  John,  report  of,  to  Sussex  Committee  of  Safety, 
Polk,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  (S.  C.,)  joins  Col.  Thomas, 
Polke,  Josiah,  memorial  of,  examined  into, 
Polliphcmus,  Captain,  arrives  at  Crown-Point,   - 
Polly,  schooner,  application  to  forbid  departure  of,     - 
Is  sent  to  Quebeck  with  Mrs.  Livins,     ... 
Polly,  ship,  capture  of,  by  American  privateer,  - 

Invoice  of  the  cargo  of,          - 
Polly,  brig,  arrival  of,  at  Philadelphia, 
Polly,  brLrantino,  permitted  to  sail  from  North-Carolina, 
sloop,  owners  permitted  to  send  to  sea,   - 
I  of  marque  and  reprisal  granted  to, 

.lo-iah,  chairman  of  Warwick  Committee,  - 
P  imona,  fii^te,  conduct  of  the,  at  St.  Eustatn, 
Pond,  Captain,  pri/.es  captured  by,    -          -          - 
Poole,  William,  resolution  for  the  relief  of, 
Pooplopen's  Kill,  necessity  of  fortifying  south  side  of, 
Poor,  New-Hampshire  provides  for  rearing  the  chil- 
dren of  the,  _  = 

Pennsylvania  provides  for  families  of,  Associa'tors  - 


197 

80 

803 

731 

748 
27 

1299 

1125 

761 

1443 

929 

36 

370 
1212 

429 

751 

1615 

594 
443 

,776 
245 
549 

1100 

970 

1051 

1371 


-  1374 

1575 
733 
489 
706 
211 
443 
1335 
1399 
634 

1336 
1338 

-  915 


,729 
1555 
117 
357 

266 
289 
292 
517 
219 
553 
798 
129 
,341 
1506 
66 
1469 
637 
11 
489 
1343 
487 
461 
553 
780 
780 
946 
1367 
1383 
1383 
959 
180 
1103 
1570 
545 

56 
349 


Poor,  Salem  order  the  Boston,  to  be  removed,   -        -  426 

Inquiry  into  misapplication  of  donations  to  the,     -  478 

Order  of  Pennsylvania  to  her  Overseers  of  the,         -  535 
New- York  Convention  vote  money  to  remove  and 

support,  -                                                        -  1341,  1563 
Poor,  Colonel  Enoch,  President  of  a  Court-Martial  at 

Ticonderoga,    -                                                           -  604 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       -                  -   802,  1273 

Poor,  William,  is  examined  on  escape  of  prisoners,    -  596 

Says  he  was  forced,  and  escaped  from  the  officers,  -  597 

Is  suspected  of  aiding  in  the  escape,      -                   -  598 

Poplar-Island,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  stock 

removed  from,  -                                                           -  1335 
Poplin,  recommendation  to  Committee  of,  concerning 

Z.  Clough,       -  479 

Pork,  purchase  of,  by  Samuel  Squiers,        -                   -  455 

Schuyler  apprehends  a  scarcity  of,         -                   -  562 

Small  supply  of,  at  Skenesborough,        -                  -  563 

Arrival  of  a  large  quantity  of,  at  Boston  as  prize,    -  587 

Washington's  orders  respecting  the  Irish,      -         -  642 

A  transport  arrives  at  Boston  with,                             -  643 
General  Ward's  reply  to  Washington  concerning 

the  Irish,                                                ...  753 
New-York  Convention  supply  Commissary  Trumbull 

with,                                                                          -  1511 
Porter,  Colonel,  the  Lancaster  Committee  resolve  to 

assist,       -                                              -                  -  221 
Porter,  Stephen,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -                                                                 -  349 
Porter,  Colonel,  objects  to  being  sent  from  Haverhill 

for  trial,   -                                                                     -  927 
Porter,  Andrew,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Maryland 

Militia,     -                                                                 -  1349 
Porteus,  Robert,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -         -                                              -         -  364 
Port  Tobacco,  Maryland,   the  small-pox  breaks  out 

at,   -                           592 

Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  petition  from  the  Selectmen  of,     -  212 

Letter  from  Kittery  Committee  to  the  Selectmen  of,  249 

March  of  a  Militia  Company  from,                   -         -  381 

Declaration  of  Independence  proclaimed  at,  -         -  427 
One  hundred  and  fifteen  men  are  raised  from  the 

First  Regiment  of,    -                                              -  462 

An  arrival  at,  from  Holland,-         -         -         -         -  1116 


A  prize  ship  brought  into,     - 


-    972,  1172 


The  people  of,  instruct  their  Representatives,  -  706 
Cannon  ordered  to  be  transported  to,  -  -  -  1283 
A  Committee  appointed  to  visit,  -  -  -  1283 

Portugal,  edict  of  the  King  of,  -  -          6,  462 

Rumoured  rupture  of,  with  Great  Britain,        -         -     960 
Appearances  of  quarrel  between  France  and,          -  1011 
Portuguese,  reported  seizure  of  American  vessels  by 

the,  -      659,  786 

Washington  credits  the  reported  conduct  of  the,    -     762 
The  report  concerning  the,  is  contradicted,    -         -  1024 
Posey,  Belain,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,    -  1345 
Post,  resolve  to  appoint  persons  to  ride,    -  -     315 

Lee  complains  of  the  irregularity  of  the,  -     719 

Colonel  Hay  establishes  a  weekly,  -         -     729 

Established  between  Philadelphia  and  Ticonderoga,   1124 
Resolve  of  New-York  concerning  the,  to  Albany,  -  1562 
Postage,  the  Eastern  troops  receive  letters  free  of,      -  1124 
Postmaster,  a  blank  commission  for  a,  sent  to  Gates,  -     261 
Postmasters,  exempted  from  military  duty,  -   1568 

Postmasters  General,  letter  to  the  British,  -         -         -     462 
Post  Office,  directions  emanating  from  the,        -         -     196 
William  Goddard,  the  institutor  of  the,  -  -     442 

The  Committee  on  the,  report  to  Congress,    -         -  1625 
Post  rider,  Joshua  Morse  is  appointed  a,  -         -         -     145 
Governour  Trumbull  employs  a,  from  Lebanon,      -     937 
Schuyler  appoints  a,  to  meet  TrumbulPs,       -         -  1084 
Post  riders  are  exempted  from  military  duty,      -         -   1601 
Potomack,  the  enemy  from  Gwin's  Island  enter  the,  -     151 
Notice  of  Dunmore's  fleet  in  the,  -         ...     252 
Departure  of  the  enemy  from  the,  -         -         -        -     863 
Potter,  Colonel  Gilbert,  letter  from,  to  Gen.  Wood- 
hull,  -  H84 
Potter,  Lodowick,  carried  oflf,  with  wife  and  children,     803 
Potter,  Zabdael,  appointed  Assistant  Surgeon,  -  1134,  1358 
Potter,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  gone  off  with  himself,      -   1260 
Potts,  James,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,       -     349 
Potts,  Major  James,  resignation  of,    -                   -  12G3 
Potts,  Dr.  Jonathan,  letter  from,  to  Gates,  -         -    857,  1146 
I /'Her  to,  from  General  Gates,       -  924 
Application  of,  to  Dr.  Morgan,      -         ...     939 
Gates  requests  that  medicines  may  be  sent  to,         -   1114 
Polls.  R.,  letter  from,  to  Lancaster  Committee,  -         -     783 
Pouches,  Colonel  Curtenius  directed  to  contract  for,-  1541 


1741 


INDEX. 


1742 


Poughkeepsie,  supposed  design  of  the  enemy  on,       -     446 
Embarrassment  of  committee  of,  for  want  of  cash,  -     871 
Arrival  of  stores  at,       -  -     968 

Ships  building  at,  in  danger  from  the  enemy,  -  1407,  1409 
Captain  Hazlevvood  sent  to,  with  combustibles,       -   1454 
Letter  from  the   Commissioners  at,  to  New- York 
Convention,      ...  .  1541 

A  Continental  frigate  building  at,  -         -         -         -  1548 

New-York   Convention  authorized   to  employ   the 

blacksmiths  at,  -  1565 

Poultney,  Committee  of,  to  General  Gates,  -     658 

Powder — see  Gunpowder. 

Powder-Horns,  return  of,  ordered  to  Adjutant-General,   1126 
Powder-Mill,  New-Hampshire  loans  money  to  build  a,       76 
Erection  of  a,  in  Dutchess  County,  New-York,       -     144 
Quantity  of  powder  manufactured  by,  per  week,     -     144 
Colonel  Pitkin  entertains  fears  for  his,  -  245 

Massachusetts  resolves  to  erect  a,  in  Sutton,  -        -     272 
Certificate  of  the  completion  of  a,  in  Ulster,  New- 
York,       -  ...    374 
Owners  of  a,  in  New-Haven,  paid  by  Connecticut 
Council  of  Safety,     -                   -         -         -         -  1189 

John  Carpenter  erects  a,  in  Orange  County,  New- 
York,       -  ....  HIS 

Guard  ordered  at  Livingston's,  in  Dutchess  County,   1463 
Powel,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  the  promotion  of,  by  Carl- 
ton,  approved  by  the  King,         -  -         -  1104 
Powell,  Jeremiah;  letter  to,  from  Joseph  Trumbull,      -     206 
President  of  Massachusetts  Council,      -  -     260 
Powell,  John,  sentenced  to  be  flogged  for  desertion,  -  1270 
Power,  James,  declared  to  merit  a  reward,  -     956 
Refuses  to  receive  any  reward,       -  -     969 
Powers,  resolve  to  vest  certain,  in  Massachusetts  Coun- 
cil, ----  .     304 

Granted  to  a  committee  of  New-York  Convention,    1392 
Powers,  Lieut.  Nahum,  acquitted  by  a  court-martial,  -  1271 
Powles  Hook,  Mercer  proposes  to  station  four  hun- 
dred men  at,     -  -     964 
The  whole  force  under  Mercer  ordered  to,     -        -  1193 
Pownal,  Lieutenant,  resignation  of,  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     -  -     863 
Prahl,  Lewis,  workmen  of,  exempted  from  military  duty,   1617 
Prate,  John,  appointed  Ensign  by  General  Gates,       -     801 
Praul,  Edward,  commissioned  Lieutenant  of  Maryland 

Militia,     -  -  1333 

Prayer,  the  New- York  Convention  is  opened  with,     -  1394 
Preble,   John,  appointed  Captain  Matrosses  at  Fal- 

mouth,      .--  -    274 

Preble,  Mr.,  engaged  as  interpreter  at  Piscataqua,       -  1209 
Preliminaries,  Lord   Howe's   powers   insufficient   to 

settle,       ....  ....     231 

Prentice,  Captain  N.  S.,  a  member  of  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,         -  ...  -       59 

Appointed  to  fix  off"  a  Company,   -         -  70 

Money  advanced  to,      -         -  -       71 

A  supply  of  ammunition  voted  to,  -  -       81 

Is  chosen  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,     -       85 
Prentice,  John,   appointed  Lieutenant  of  Marines  to 

Connecticut  Colony  ship,  -         -  -         -     700 

Prentice,  Major,  promoted  to  Lieut.  Colonelcy,      915,  1604 
Prescott,  Col.  William,  letter  from,  to  Gen.  Heath,     -         3 
Prescott,  Henry,  member  of  the  New-Hampshire  As- 
sembly,    -         -  -  -         -       60 

Prescott,  General,  case  of,  mentioned  to  Washington,     501 

Exchange  of,  for  General  Thompson  proposed,       -     820 

Schuyler  promises  to  punish  the  plunderers  of,       -     984 

Congress  order  indemnification  to,  for  baggage,      -  1594 

Schuyler  is  directed  to  apply  for  exchange  of,         -  1600 

President  of  Congress — see  Hancock,  John. 

Presque  Isle.  Congress  resolve  to  raise  a  garrison  for,  -     391 

Post  is  ordered  to  be  taken  at,        -  -  1574 

Preston,  prisoners  removed  from  New-London  to,      -   1190 

Prevost,   Robert,    appointed  Paymaster  to  Ritzema's 

Regiment,  -     966 

Price,  Dr.,  pamphlet  of,  highly  commended,      '-         -     170 
A  copy  of  his  pamphlet  sent  to  General  Gates,        -  1193 
Price,  Major  Thomas,   correspondence  of,  with  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,       518,  570,  590,  615,  667,  689 
Supersedes  General  Dent  in  command,  -         -         -    522 
Displeasure  of  Dent  at  the  appointment  of,     -         -     554 
Reasons  of  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  for  ap- 
pointing, --------     724 

Is  ordered  to  continue  at  Annapolis,      -  -   1336 

Sent  to  take  command  in  St.  Mary's,     -  -  1339 

Price,  Deputy  Commissary-General,  Schuyler's  com- 
plaint against,  -------     562 

Price,  John,  sent  under  guard  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -    929 


Price,  Mr.,  Captain  Deane  engages  boats  from,  -         -  1135 
Price,  Vincent,  appointed  Adjutant  of  Colonel  Rich- 
ardson's Regiment,    -  ....   1343 

Price,  Francis,  appointed  Commissioner  for  the  port  of 

Wilmington,     -  -         ....   1379 

Price  and  Haywood,   Congress  direct  the  Board  of 

Treasury  to  devise  the  ways  and  means  of  paying,  1603 

Board  of  Treasury  report  on  accounts  of,        -         -  1606 

Priest,  John,  sentenced  for  desertion,         ...     5Q5 

Priest,  the  Indians  desire  to  have  a  French,        -        -     839 

Priestly,  Lieutenant,  a  court-martial  is  asked  for  on,  -   1144 

General  Heath  refers  the  case  of,  to  Washington,  -  1145 

A  court-martial  is  ordered  on,        ....   H85 

Prince  George,  ship,  verdict  of  the  jury  in  case  of,      -  1226 
Prince  George's  Committee,  the  President  of,  to  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,       .....     554 

Prince,  Job,  sworn  as  French  interpreter  to  Indians,  -     839 
Princess  Royal,  recaptured  ship,  arrives  at  Halifax,     -     939 
Princeton,  illumination  of  Nassau  Hall  in,  -         -     173 

The  Company  at,  ordered  to  stop  deserters,    -         -     885 
Tutors  in  College  to  continue  their  duties,      -        -  1607 
Printer,  Congress  order  the  oath  of  secrecy  adminis- 
tered to,   -  .  1575 
Printers,  all  in  Virginia  to  publish  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence,    -                           ....     4g4 

Are  requested  to  furnish  paper  for  cartridges,          -  1326 
Prisoners — 

Order  for  removal  of,  to  York,        -         -        -        -       11 

New-Jersey  Congress  ask  to  be  relieved  from,         -       16 
Washington  calls  upon  New-York  Convention  to 
provide  for,        ---....19 

List  of,  placed  at  disposal  of  New-York  Congress,  -       22 
Capture  of,  and  information  from,  at  the  Narrows,  -       27 
Proceedings  of  the  Connecticut  Committee  on,       -       46 
Great  number  of,  at  Lancaster,       ....     103 

Mischief  done  by  mixing  of,  with  the  people,          -     104 
Forty-nine  Tory,  taken  at  Hartford,  Connecticut,    -     132 
Twenty-two,  taken  from  a  British* barge,  arrive  at 

Farmington,      -         -  -     132 

Captain  Smith,  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  captures  a 

number  of,         -  -         -     151 

Murder  of,  by  the  enemy,  at  the  Cedars,         -         -     160 
List  of,  at  Caughnawaga,       .....     165 

List  of,  taken  at  the  Cedars,  ....      167,  168 

Are  hired  to  the  farmers  in  Massachusetts,     -  178 

The  arms  taken  from  Scotch,  sent  to  Washington,  -     210 
At  Reading  ordered  to  be  removed  to  Lancaster,    -     219 
British  Officers,  address  the  President  of  Congress,  -     222 
Capt.  Forster's  treatment  of,  noticed  by  Congress,  -     253 
Letter  relating  to  the,  at  Reading,  -         ...     254 
Washington's  anxiety  about  the  Tory,  at  New- York,     255 
Removal  of,  from  Truro  to  Boston,  -     310 

The  British  officers,  ordered  to  be  removed  from 

Philadelphia,     -  -  3*27,  1295,  1577 

Serious  question  as  to  the  Tory,  in  New- York,        -     334 
A  proposal  to  remove  the,  from  New- York  to  Farm- 
ington,    ---  ---351 

Are  forbidden  to  enter  Middletown,  in  Connecticut,  380 
Lancaster  Barracks  are  filled  with,  ...  411 
A  letter  from  Northfield  relative  to,  -'  427 

Resolve  for  security  of,  in  Hartford  jail,  -  437 

In  Canada  not  under  control  of  General  Howe,  -  501 
The  receipt  of,  at  Lancaster  acknowledged,  -  -  533 
Captain  Sterling  arrives  at  Lancaster  in  charge  of,  -  535 
Escape  of,  from  the  Rose,  -  -  547 

Officers,  from  St.  John's  received  at  Frederick,  •  569 
Regulations  concerning,  by  Hampshire  Committee,  588 
Examination  relative  to  escape  of,  from  Lebanon,  -  596 
Release  of  the,  at  Charlestown,  -  -  -  610 

General  Greene   reports  sundry  Tory,  of  Queen's 

County,    -         -  -     621 

Merchant  sailors  not  considered  as,  675 

Washington  asks  for  an  act  declaring  who  shall  be,  675 
Proposal  made  to  General  Howe  for  exchange  of,  -  679 
Taken  by  Commodore  Hopkins,  sent  to  Windham,  ()S3 
Prospect  of  exchanging  the  Yankee  privateer,  -  7 '27 
Disposal  of,  by  Connecticut  Council  of  Safety,  -  731 
Horrible  treatment  of  Captain  Johnson  and  crew,  -  7.35 
Reported  attack  on,  at  Carlisle  disproved,  -  -  759 
Application  of  sundry,  for  their  baggage,  -  -  761 
Capture  of,  by  Colonel  Williamson's  scouts,  -  -  780 
List  of  all,  ordered  to  be  sent  to  Board  of  War,  -  784 
Marine  Committee  recommend  kind  treatment  of,  -  784 
Lord  Howe's  proposal  concerning  exchange  of,  -  785 
Washington  to  Schuyler  on  the  subject  of,  -  -  820 
Notice  to,  from  Long-Island  to  attend  Washington,  869 
Ensign  Fisk  escorts  a  party  of,  from  Albany,  -  -  888 
Colonel  Allen  sends  a  list  of,  taken  with  him,  -  923 


1743 


INDEX. 


1744 


Prisoners — 

Arthur  Lee  suggests  a  difference  in  the  treatment  of 
the  Scotch,       -  ... 

Mr.  Adams  wishes  to  employ  in  his  nail  factory,  -  971 
Instructions  to  the  escort  of,  sent  to  Connecticut,  -  990 
Orders  of  the  Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  in  rela- 
tion to,  -  -  -  1005 
At  Norwich  are  allowed  to  take  the  air,  -  1 
Sundry,  taken  by  Captain  Suydam,  -  -  -  1068 
K,  'solve  of  Middlesex  Committee  relating  to,-  -  1088 
Removal  of,  from  Mendon  to  Grafton,  - 
Sundry  orders  in  Massachusetts  Council  touching,  -  1101 
Escape  of  American,  from  Quebcck,  -  -  1130 
Account  D| 'expenses  attending,  at  Frederick-Town,  1134 
Difficulty  about  removing,  from  Kingston,  -  -  1146 
American,  are  allowed  to  return  home  from  Canada,  1168 
A  list  of,  sent  to  Lancaster  Committee,  -  1182 
Taken  in  a  skirmish  on  Long-Island,  -  -  -  1183 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  vote  money  for  support 

of",  at  Frederick,  -  -  1190,  1361 
Disposal  of,  taken- on  Long-Island,  -  1215 
Taken  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown  in  Canada,  -  1218 
A  return  of,  taken  by  the  enemy  on  Long-Island,  -  1258 
At  Hartford  ordered  to  be  continued  there,  -  -  1280 
List  of  American,  in  Halifax,  ...  1283 
Placed  at  disposal  of  the  respective  Colonies,  -  1389 
Determination  of  New-York  Convention  respecting,  1417 
The  Litchfield  jail  too  full  to  receive  more,  -  -  1441 
Board  of  War  request  a  list  of,  (of  war,)  in  New- 
York,  -  -  1508 

Order  for  removal  of,  from  Kingston  to  Morristown,  1517 
Letters  from,  at  White-Plains,  to  New-York  Con- 
vention,   --------  1523 

Testimony   of   Mr.    Miller    respecting,    at   White- 
Plains,      -  -   1524 
The  New- York  Convention  refuse  to  release  the,  at 

White-Plains,    -        -    '<  -  -  -  1524 

Report  in  relation  to,  in  Connecticut,     -         -         -  1529 
The  Litchfield,  permitted  to  go  at  large  about  town,   1529 
Resolution  respecting  the  treatment  of,  -  -   1540 

Order  of  Congress  relative  to  British,      -  -  1567 

A  Committee  appointed  to  settle  a  cartel  for  ex- 
change of,         -------  1570 

Resolution  of  Congress  relative  to,  at  Lancaster,     -  1571 
Information  given  of  a  conspiracy  among  the,  at 

Philadelphia,     -  -  1575 

Resolutions  of  Congress  regarding  an  exchange  of,  1587 
Appropriation  by  Congress  for  weekly  allowance  to,   1603 
Washington  is  requested  to  propose  an  exchange  of,   1612 
Certain,  sent  to  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  for 

examination,    -  -  1616 

Pritchard,  Thomas,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenancy,   1126 
Privateers,  American,  in  Cadiz  Bay,  -  -     179 

Commissions  granted  to,       -  ...   1327 

Privateering,  thousands  of  schemes  for,     -  -     908 

Private  houses,  Militia  marching  to  New-Jersey  to  be 

quartered  in,    -  -   1313 

Privates,  New- York  Convention  promise  promotion  to,  1512 
Prize,  act  of  New-Hampshire  defining,      -  -       91 

Proceeds  of,  on  condemnation,     -  .         .       94 

Washington's  directions  to  Mr.  Watson  concern- 
ing, -     107 
Captain  Wickes  captures  a,  -         -  -    249 
Schooner  America  condemned  as  lawful;       -         -     421 
The  Hancock  privateer  takes  a  valuable,         -         -     874 
Prize  Money,  distribution  of,  to  Gunners  in  Massa- 
chusetts, -                           -----     268 

Prizes,  agents  are  forbidden  to  sell  the  cargoes  of,      -     413 
Captain  Cregier  captures  several,  -         ...     535 
Immense  value  of,  taken  by  American  privateers,  -     589 
Captain  Bucklin  brings  in  five,       ....     559 

Six  sent  in,  laden  with  rum  and  sugar,  ...     780 
List  of  valuable,  made  by  Captain  Nott,          -         -  1221 
Probasket,  Abraham,  a  prisoner,  examination  of,        -  1069 
Proceedings — 

Georgia  Council  of  Safety,    .....         g 

Virginia  Convention,     •---..         g 
Conference  between  a  Committee  of  Congress  and 

the  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  -  '  .  .  14 
At  Hanover,  New-Hampshire,  -  -  -  .  30 
New-Hampshire  Legislative  Council,  ...  47 
New-Hampshire  House  of  Representatives,  -  -  59 
Conference  of  General  Officers,  -  -  125  224  1246 
Council  of  War  at  Chambly,  -..'.'  154 

Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  Committee,        -         -     171 
Annapolis,  Maryland,  Associators,         ...     187 
Baltimore  Committee,  -         -        .         .         .         -    182 
345,  409,  522,  635,  738,  907,  993*,  1156 


Proceedings — 

Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  Committee,     -                  -  221, 

533,  572,  595,  672,  759,  946,  1135 

Connecticut  Council  of  Safety,     -                            -  240, 

378,  424,  456,  624,  683,  699,  731,  1005,  1099,  1189 

Convention  of  Committees  in  Petersham,       -         -  245 

Petersham  Committee,-                                              -  246 

Barnstable,  Massachusetts,  Committee,  -                   -  247 
Philadelphia  Committee,        253,  349,  388,  467,  711,  787 

Massachusetts  Assembly,      ...                  -  265 

Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,    -         -     349,  962,  1287 

Worcester,  New-York,  Committee,         ...  354 

Provincial  Congress  of  New-Jersey,        -         -         -  369 

Somerset,  Maryland,  Committee,  -         ...  384 

Norfolk,  Virginia,  Committee,        -         -         -         -  407 

Symsbury  Committee,                     -                           -  458 

Rhode-Island  Assembly, 475 

Pittsylvania,  Virginia,  Committee,                              -  489 
New- York  Convention,         -       538,854,911,999,1385 
Convention  of  New-Hampshire  Grants,  -                  -  565 
Killingworth  Committee,       -         -                             -  566 
Convention  of  Committees  in  Hampshire,  Massa- 
chusetts, -                            ......  588 

Brunswick,  Virginia,  Committee,  -                  -  633 

Worcester,  Massachusetts,  Committee,  -         -         -  684 

Massachusetts  Council,                                     -   702,  1100 
Pennsylvania  Convention,     ....      709,  864 

Middletown,  Connecticut,  Committee,  -         -   732,  1087 

Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  Committee,     ...  733 

North-Carolina  Council  of  Safety,           -  735,  1363,  1546 
New-Jersey  Convention,       -                           -     743,  995 

Cumberland,  New-Jersey,  Committee,  -         -         -  811 

Watertown  Conference,        -----  838 

Paxtown  Committee,    -         -                  ...  948 

Norwalk,  Connecticut,  Committee,        ...  957 

Warwick,  Massachusetts,  Committee,    -         -         -  959 

Reading,  Pennsylvania,  Committee,       ...  962 

Maryland  Convention,  -                           ...  993 

Williamstown  Committee,     -----  1004 

Conference  at  German-Flats,         -  1035 

Dutchess  County,  New- York,  Committee,      -         -  1096 

Berks  County,  Pennsylvania,  Committee,       -         -  1109 
Court-Martial  on  Colonel  Zedtwitz,       -         -         -1159 

Delaware  Convention,  -                  ....  1174. 

Admiralty  Court,  Philadelphia,       -                   -         -  1229 

Guilford,  Connecticut,  Committee,         ...  1279 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -                  ...  1331 

New-York  Committee  of  Safety,  -                  -  1543,  1553 

Continental  Congress,  -                  ....  1565 

Proclamation,  by  Governour  Bullock,         -        -         -  212 

Sir  Henry  Clinton's,  to  the  Carolinas,    ...  437 
President  Rutledge's,  to  convene  the  South-Carolina 

Assembly,         -         -                  ....  756 

By  the  British  Secretary  at  Halifax,        -                  -  959 

By  General  Washington,  at  New-York,          -         -  998 

General  Howe's,  on  Long-Island,          ...  1121 

General  Carleton's,       -         -                  -                  -  1240 

Proctor,  Captain,  pay  of  his  Company  increased,        -  1293 
Is  promoted  to  a  Majority,    -                                     -  1317 
Promotion,  Washington's  remarks  upon,  -                  -  642 
Necessity  for  a  control  of,  by  Congress,                    -  740 
Promotions,  a  number  of,  enclosed  to  Washington,     -  883 
Propositions,  sketch  of  Lord  Drummond's,                  -  1027 
Protector,  Captain  Conway's  row-galley,  -                  -  525 
Protest,  against  the  proceedings  at  Barnstable,  -         -  147 
Mr.  Colden's,  referred  to,      -                            -         -  792 
Arnold's,  against  the  court-martial,        -                  -  1272 
Arnold's,  the  court  refuses  to  enter  on  record,        -  1273 
Providence,  difficulty  about  cannon  taken  at,     -         -  40 
Arrival  of  Captain  Chase  at,  with  a  valuable  cargo,  141 
Declaration  of  Independence  read  at,     -                  -  582 
A  quantity  of  prize  powder  at,       -         -         -         .  943 
List  of  prizes  taken  by  a  privateer  of,     -                  -  1010 
Providence,  sloop,  ordered  to  cruise  about  Bermuda,  -  784 
Providence,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gordon's  reliance  on,  -         -  925 
Provincial  Congress — see  States,  by  name. 
Provincial  Corps,  Governour  Tryon  raises  a,  122 
Provincial  ship,  pay  of  officers  of  the  Pennsylvania,    -  1288 
Provisions,  incredible  waste  of,  in  the  Northern  Army,  232 
Connecticut  furnishes  a  supply  of,  to  Capt.  Tinker,  243 
Great  scarcity  of,  at  Martinique,    -  265 
Resolve  to  prevent  exportation  of,  from  Massachu- 
setts,       -         -                                              -         -  280 

Colonel  Winds  calls  on  General  Gates  for,     -         -  359 
Washington's  surprise  at  Schuyler's  want  of,       389,  390 

Large  supply  of,  sent  by  Gates  to  Gen.  Waterbury,  396 

Expediency  of  stopping  exportation  of,                   -  540 

Extravagant  waste  of,  admitted  by  Schuyler,  -         -  562 


1745 


INDEX. 


1746 


Provisions,  an  order  to  furnish,  to  frigates  in  the  East- 
ern department,  -  -  618 
Mercer's  troops  grumble  at  the  quality  of,  -  -  638 
Reported  plenty  of,  in  the  Northern  Army,  -  -  661 
Great  consumption  of,  at  German-Flats,  -  -  715 
Guard  at  Annapolis  complain  of  a  deficiency  of,  -  757 
The  enemy  said  to  be  in  want  of  fresh,  -  -  814 
Probability  of  Carleton's  wanting,  .  904 
Return  of,  at  Skenesborough,  -  ...  1201 
Return  of  number  of  men  at  Skenesborough  who 

drew,        -                                                       -  1202 
Return  of,  in  magazine  at  Ticonderoga,                    -  1202 
Resolve  of  New- York  Convention  touching  export  of,  1432 
Provision  vessels,  Governour  Trumbull  orders  deten- 
tion of,     -                                                       -  401 
Washington  approves  Gov.  TrumbuH's  embargo  on,  559 
Entry  into  Boston,  by  mistake,  of  an  Irish,     -        -  694 
Provoost,  Robert,  recommended  as  Paymaster,  -         -  918 
Provost,  Rev.  Samuel,  declines  to  preach  before  the 

New-York  Convention,                                              .  1470 

Prudden,  Thomas,  leave  of  absence  granted  to,  -         -  1290 

Prussia,  Mr.  Deane's  desire  of  applying  to,         -         -  1015 

Proposals  for  supplying  military  stores  from,  -         -  1020 

Publick  Ledger,  "  Matter  of  Fact"  to  the  printer  ofthe,  861 

Pugh,  Willoby,  purchase  of  rations  from,  -  973 

Pullen,  John,  permitted  to  go  to  Virginia  for  tobacco,  1355 
Pulling-Point  Gut,  prize  ship  aground  in,           -      478,  817 

Pullion's  Landing,  Morris's  plan  of  attacking,    -         -  443 

Punctilio,  essentials  should  not  be  sacrificed  to,  -         -  330 

Purdie,  Jonathan,  Jun.,  petition  of,  -                  -  1237 

Purdie,  Samuel,  testimony  of,  in  Col.  Hammond's  case,  1458 

Purdy,  Ebenezer,  appointed  Major,  -                  -  1407,  1413 

Purser,  no  provision  made  for  a,         -         -         -         -  119 

Purviance,  S.,  member  of  Baltimore  Committee,          -  115 

Purysburgh.  General  Lee's  letter  from,       ...  959 
Putnam,  Major-General  Israel — 

An  allusion  to,  by  a  French  officer,        ...  15 
Letter  from,  to  Miss  Moncriefle,    -         ...  471 
Is  ordered  to  consult  with  his  Brigadiers,        -         -  769 
Private  letter  to,  from  General  Gates,  \    -        -         -  900 
Washington's  orders  to,         -----  1149 
Takes  command  on  Long-Island,  -         ...  1193 
Putnam,  Bartholomew,  powder  delivered  to,       -         -  312 
Putnam,  Daniel,  refuses  to  accept  a  commission,      178,  971 
Putnam,  Jeremiah,  resolve  on  accounts  of,         -         -  281 
Putnam,  Joseph,  refuses  to  accept  a  commission,    178,  971 
Putnam,  Rufus,  recommended  by  Washington  as  En- 
gineer,                        -        -  641 

Is  engaged  in  sounding  North  River,      -                  -  790 

Is  appointed  Engineer,  With  rank  of  Colonel,  -    915,  1597 

Putrid  fever,  prevalence  of,  in  Greene's  Brigade,         -  196 

Q. 

Qualhatchie,  South  Carolina,  ordered  to  be  destroyed,  750 
Quantico,  Virginia,  the  enemy's  ships  water  at,  -         -  593 
Quartermaster,  Arnold  desires  to  have  a,   -                  -  165 
Quebeck,  Major  Gray-'s  prediction  concerning  cap- 
ture of,     -                                                                 -  12 
Reported  repulse  of  the  Rebels  at,          ...  123 
Unhappy  situation  of  the  army  at,  -                           -  128 
Arrival  of  seventy-two  ships  at,       -                             -  480 
Report  ofthe  French  fleet  and  army  going  to,         -  510 
Major  Meigs  reports  the  number  of  prisoners  at,     -  583 
Colonel  Maclean's  report  in  London,  from,    -        -  626 
Mysterious  manoeuvres  of  a  fleet  at,        -                  -  799 
Reported  to  be  cleared  of  the  rebels,      -         -         -  831 
Petition  of  the  prisoners  at,  to  Congress,        -         -  962 
All  the  prisoners  at,  allowed  to  return  home,  -         -  1166 
List  of  those  who  signed  the  parole  at,  -         -         -  1169 
Queder,  Indian  name  of  Peter  Ryckman,  -                  -  395 
Queen  Anne's  County,  Maryland,  blankets  furnished 

to  troops,                                                                  -  365 
Chairman  of  Committee  of,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -                                                                -  722 
Queen's  County,  New- York,  election  of  officers  in,    -  257 
Mr.  Morris's  letter  touching  the  sentiments  of,        -  334 
Letter  from  Washington  to  the  Committee  of,         -  896 
Roll  of  a  troop  of  Light-Horse  from,       -                  -  953 
Deputies  from,  to  New- York  Convention,       -         -  1386 
Ammunition  supplied  to  the  Militia  of,  -                  -  1399 
New-York  Convention  loan  money  to  the  Commit- 
tee of,       -         -                                              -        -  1464 
Militia  and  Light-Horse  of,  ordered  out,          -        -  1533 
Queen's  Loyals,  a  Regiment  of,  being  raised,     -         -  152 
Quereau,  Benjamin,  and  others,  memorial  of,     -         -  335 
Quinze  Chiens,  the  enemy  abandon,                   -         -  165 
Quit  rents,  order  for  securing  books  relating  to,          -  1470 
Resolve  of  New- York  Convention  concerning,        -  1470 


R. 


Rabreck,  Christopher,  agrees  to  supply  priming-irons, 

&c-.  -  1338 

Ragamuffins,  Dunmore's,  join  Lord  Howe,  -     893 

Ragg,  Lieutenant  John,  prisoner,  sent  to  Fairfield,  -  1237 
Rags,  a  call  for,  for  lint,  bandages,  &c.,  ...  1288 
Railway  River,  three  hundred  craft  in,  ...  620 
Ramsey,  William,  deposition  taken  before,  -  -  526 
Rand,  Daniel,  sentenced  to  be  flogged  for  desertion,  -  1270 
Randall,  Thomas,  letter  to,  from  Captain  Cregier,  14  J,  536 
Distress  against  the  effects  of,  suspended,  -  -  636 
Randall,  Lieutenant,  Tories  put  under  charge  of,  -  887 
Randolph,  ship,  launch  ofthe,  -  -  368 

Rancy,  Lieut.,  desires  employment  in  the  sea  service,  -     874 
Ranger,  ship,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  fleet,      -        -    436 
Rangers,  petition  for  a  company  of,  in  New-Hamp- 
shire,       -  74 
Gallantry  of  the  South-Carolina,     -        ...     435 
Colonel  Thompson's,  in  the  van  on  Sullivan's  Island,     439 
Assistance  ofthe,  solicited  at  Ninety-Six,       -         -     610 
Howe  authorizes  Major  Rogers  to  raise  a  Battalion  of,     789 
Report  in  relation  to  raising,  Sac.,  in  New- York,     -  1429 
Mr.  Duer's  resolution  in  relation  to,       -         -         -  1433 
Order  for  supplying  lead  and  flints  to,    -        -         -  1444 
Raised,  for  service  on  Long-Island,        ...  156! 
Congress  takes  into  pay  the  South-Carolina,  -        -  1590 
Congress  order  a  Regiment  of,  to  be  raised  in  Geor- 
gia, -         ...                                              .   1590 
Congress  take  into  pay  the  North-Carolina,    -        -  1596 
Rank,  Complaints  ofthe  New- York  Convention  about,     228 
Colonel  Henshaw's  letter  on  the  subject  of  his,       -     950 
Rankin,  James,  makes  a  promise  of  fidelity,        -         -     222 
Is  released  from  confinement,         ....     222 
Ransom,  Thomas,  sixth  Captain  of  Green  Mountain 

Boys,        -  -  .    377 

Ransom,  Samuel,  appointed  Captain  by  Congress,     -  1618 
Raritan,  number  of  craft  reported  in  River,  -     620 

Mercer  asks  for  row-galleys  in  the,  -        -     673 

Rathburn,  Valentine,  Chairman  of  Pittsfield  Commit- 
tee, Massachusetts,   -  -        -    733 
Ration,  component  parts  ofthe  Continental,      -        -     865 
Schuyler's  remarks  on  the  price  of  the,  -        -         -  1151 
Rations,  regulations  regarding,  for  the  sick,        -         -     678 
Price  of,  in  the  Northern  Army,     -         ...     775 
Washington  declines  interfering  in  the  dispute  about,  1096 
Ray,  John,  Deputy  Chairman  of  the  New- York  Gene- 
ral Committee,  -                                    ...     374 
Raymond,  Paul,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  Mas- 
sachusetts Militia,      -                  ....     293 
Raymond's  Mill,  Colonel  Hartley  asks  for  a  guard  at,   1238 
Read,  Colonel  James,  letter  to,  from  John  Trumbull,  -     512 
The  command  of  a  Brigade  given  to,  -        -     512 
Promoted  to  Brigadier,                             -  883,  1269,  1603 
Promotion  of,  announced  in  General  Orders,  -         -     914 
Is  taken  ill  at  Fort  George,  -        -  -        -  1268 
Read,  Captain,  solicits  a  discharge,  -  -        -     543 
Read,  George,  President  of  Delaware  Convention,      -  1179 
Reade,  Isaac,  appointed  Colonel  by  Congress,  -         -  1606 
Reading,  Pennsylvania,  order  for  removing  prisoners 

from, 219 

Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of,  -         ...     952 

Resolve  of  the  Committee  respecting  prisoners,       -  1571 

Reading,  Maryland,  resolve  respecting  overseers  at,   -     303 

Letter  to  Committee  of,  from  Massachusetts  Council,     971 

Rebel  Army,  Howe's  affected  contempt  for  the,          -     869 

Rebel  Pirate,  Captain  Wickes  is  denounced  as  a,       -     609 

Rebels,  the  New-England,  denounced  by  Carleton,    -       12 

General  Howe's  account  of  the,     ....     105 

Lord  Germaine's  news  from  the,    ...        -     123 

Captain  Hammond's  plans  to  annoy  the,        -         -     150 

No  cartel  of  exchange  to  be  made  with,          -        -  1104 

Remarks  of  a  British  officer  concerning,  -  1259 

Receiver-General,  the  chest  ofthe  New-York,  sent  to 

Clinton's  camp  at  King's  Bridge  for  safety,          -  1546 

Reconciliation,  Mr.  Alsop  wishes  a  door  left  open  for,     368 

Colonel  Reed  professes  himself  no  enemy  to,         -     415 

Howe's  notions  of,  commented  on,         ...     471 

Records,  a  guard  put  on  the  New-York,    ...  1545 

The  New- York,  are  sent  to  King's  Bridge  for  safety,   1546 

Red  Hook,  a  guard  at,  recommended,       -        -        -       27 

Mr.  Benson's  letter  from,       -  ...     355 

Orders  for  occupying  the  wood  next  to,  -         -        -  1150 

Red  Lion,  attack  upon  the  guards  at,         -         -        -  H83 

Redfield,  Daniel,  detained  on  board  enemy's  ships  in 

the  Sound,        -  -         -  1214 

Destruction  of  a  sloop  belonging  to,  ...  1214 
The  examination  of,  on  release,  -  ...  1215 
Mr.  Duer  sends  the  examination  of,  to  Washington,  1236 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I 


110 


1747 


INDEX. 


1748 


Redoubt,  Colonel  Ogden  to  command  the  New-Jersey,    901 
Reed,  Adjutant-General  Joseph — 

Letter  from,  to  the'New-York  Convention,  19,  1389,  1525 
Receives   the  flag  bearing   the   letter   to    "  George 

Washington,  Ksq.,"  - 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,  to  Charles  Pettit,       -         -     352 
Letter  from,  to  Mrs.  Reed,    -  •         •     372 

Do  Berdt's  letter  to,  brought  by  Lord  Howe,  -         -     37: 
Letter  from,  to  Robert  Morris,        -         -         -         -     415 
Mr.  Morris's  reply  to  the  letter  of,  -     467 

Letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,  introducing 

prisoners, 

Letter  from,  to  General  Heath,       -  -    998,  1230 

To  General  William  Livingston,    -  -   1231 

To  Colonel  Seymour,  of  Connecticut  Light  Horse,  -  1280 
To,  from  tin-  New-York  Convention,     -         -         -   1525 
Reedi  Jonathan,  appointed  Colonel  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -  -  -         -         -     293 

Camp-Kettles  ordered  for  the  Regiment  of,    -         -     585 
Reed,  John,  appointed  Captain  in  the  Flying-Camp,  -     573 
Reed,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Washington  sends  import- 
ant papers  by,  to  the  care  of  Congress,       -         -     932 
Reed,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  quits   the   Army  without 

leave,       - -•  1266 

Reed,  Col.  Seth,  furlough  granted  to,  for  his  health,  -  1070 
Reed,  Thomas,  carried  prisoner  to  Philadelphia,         -  1616 
Reede,  Deacon,  General  Gates  is  requested  to  assist 

with  boats,       -  ...  1222 

Reeve,  Lieutenant,  bearer  of  a  flag  from  Lord  Howe 

to  General  Mercer,  ------     328 

Refugees,  laws  of  Connecticut  touching,  43 

Resolve  concerning  estates  of,  in  New-Jersey,        -     726 

Regiment,  return  of  Kuox's  Artillery,         ...     331 

Gallantry  of  Colonel  Thompson's,  in  the  South,      -     439 

The  First  Virginia  marches  to  New-York,      -         -     973 

Regimental  Hospitals,  Greene  complains  of  the  state 

of  his,      -  -    898 

Regimental  Paymaster,  each  Battalion  of  the  Flying- 
Camp  to  have  a,        ------     618 

Regimental  Surgeons,  order  for  a  meeting  of  the,       -    503 
Increase  made  in  the  pay  of,  -        -     504 

Are  ordered  to  keep  a  register  of  their  sick,  -         -     678 
Memorial  from  the,  to  Congress,  -  694 

Memorial  from  the,  to  Washington,       ...     695 
Regiments,  number  of  men  apportioned  to  the  New- 
Hampshire,       -  -  80 
Are  not  to  be  dispersed  about  in  portions,      -         -     796 
Colonels  Elmore's  and  Nicholson's  refuse  to  march,     985 
Persons  appointed  to  transport  Smith's  and  Remsen's,  1598 
Regulars,  gallantry  of  the  North-Carolina,  -         -        -     435 
The  number  of,  at  St.  John's,        -         -         -         -     829 

Captain  Lowe  desires  his  Company  to  be  made,  -  1230 
Regulations  for  the  sale  of  salt  in  Pennsylvania,  -  946 
Reid,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Robert,  asks  leave  to  resign,  70 
Reigart,  Adam,  Lancaster  Committee  meet  at  house  of,  22 1 
Religion,  a  toleration  of,  secured  by  the  Government 

of  Delaware,     -  -  1179 

Remonstrance  of  the  Field-Officers  to  Schuyler,         -     233 
Schuyler's  reply  to  the  same,  -        -     234 

Remsen,  Abraham,  appointed  Major  of  Nassau-Island 

Militia,     -         -  -     339 

The  draught  from  Nassau-Island  are  assigned  to,    -  1424 
Remsen,  Colonel  Henry,  leave  of  absence  granted  to,   1425 
Letter  from,  to  General  Woodhull,  -  1452 

Resolutions  concerning  the  Regiment  of,       -         -  1561 
Ordered  to  join  Clinton  at  King's  Bridge,      -         -  1561 
Authorized  to  grant  furloughs  to  his  Regiment,       -  1561 
Money  advanced  to,  for  use  of  his  Regiment,          -  1562 
Permits  some  of  his  men  to  go  off  with  their  arms,     1564 
Rench,  John,  appointed  Ensign  in  the  Flying-Camp,    1350 
Rendezvous,  Haverhill  is  selected  as  a,  -         -       71 

Renown,  ship,  capture  of  one  of  the  convoy  of,          -     662 
Rensselaer,  Major,  bearer  of  a  letter  to  Washington,  -     108 
Rensselaer,  Colonel,  leave  of  absence  granted  to,       -  1411 
Reply,  Roberdeau's,  to  the  address  of  the  Second  Bat- 
talion,     -  .     171 
Schuyler's,  to  the  remonstrance  of  his  Field-Officers,     234 
Colonel  Reed's,  to  the  flag-officer  on  refusing  the 
letter,       -         -                                                          .359 
:  the  Commissioners  to  the  Six  Nations,      -         -  1041 
Report,  of  a  joint  Committee  in  the  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,  ---...       59 

Of  a  Committee  to  Congress,  on  the  surrender  of  the 

Cedars,    -. _     jgg 

Of  a  Committee  on  Arnold's  capitulation,      -         -  159 
Of  a  joint  Committee  on  the  disputes  at  Mendon 

Massachusetts,                            ...         '.  267 

On  commissions  for  Captain  Denton's  Company,  -  544 


Report,  of  Captain  Mesnard's  examination,       -        -  828 
Of  Captain  Lambeth  Suydam,        -                           -1068 

Reports,  quantity  of  paper  required  for,     -         -         -  578 

Representation,  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety  send 

a,  to  the  several  Counties,                                      -  1293 

Reprisal,  Continental  ship,  Third  Lieutenant  of  the, 

killed,      -                                                                 -  14 

Action  of,  with  the  Shark,     -                                     -  609 

Captures  made  by,        ...                  -         -  741 
Arrival  of  prizes  captured  by, 

Republick,  virtue  the  only  sure  basis  of  a, 

Resignation,  Colonel  Drake's  reasons  for  his,    -         -  790 

Resignations,  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress  on 
the  subject  of,  - 

Resolution,  schooner,  ordered  to  Annapolis, 

Is  employed  to  convoy  vessels  to  James  River,        -  1156 

Is  sent  to  Indian  Landing  with  powder,                   -  1346 

Resolutions,  of  Congress  for  defence  of  New-Jersey, 

.  New- York,  and  Pennsylvania,    -                           -  14 
Of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  to  raise  troops  for 

Canada,  -  ..,,,-•••  65 
Of  Congress,  in  relation  to  the  Cedars,  -  -  161 
Of  the  Annapolis  Associators,  ....  181 
Joint,  of  Committee  of  Congress  and  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Council  of  Safety,  -----  1565 
New-York  Convention  send  sundry,  to  Congress,  -  1577 

Resolve,  of  Massachusetts  to  raise  three  Regiments  for 

Northern  Army,                                     ...  144 
Of  the  Massachusetts  General  Court,     -                  -1283 

Resolves,  of  the  Massachusetts  Assembly,          -      265-326 

Of  the  inhabitants  of  Sunbury,  Nova-Scotia,  -         -  705 

Of  the  New-Jersey  Convention,     -                           -  743 

Restrictions,  names  of  persons  under,  in  Connecticut,  246 

Retreat,  an  account  of  Howe's,  from  Boston,  97 

Washington's  reasons  for,  from  Long-Island,          -  1244 

The,  not  caused  by  want  of  confidence  in  the  troops,  1 248 

Retaliation,  a  Committee  of  Congress  recommend,     -  160 

Orders  to  Washington  relating  to,  -                  -         -  253 

Justice  and  policy  require,    -                                     -  350 

The  fear  of,  all  that  saves  Colonel  Allen,        -        -  860 

A  resort  to,  resolved  on  by  Congress,    -                  -  1573 

Return,  Regiments  are  ordered  to  make,  -                  -  225 

Resolve  on  Major  Bassett's,  -                  -                  -  283 
Of  the  army  at  New-York,    -        329,331,507,639,763 

Of  troops  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,          -  507 

Of  ammunition,  &c.,  in  the  forts  on  Long-Island,  -  542 

Of  the  troops  in  New-Jersey,                  -    556,  964,  1079 

Correction  of  an  errour  in  Mercer's,       ...  574 
Of  ordnance,  &c.,  at  Ticonderoga,          -         -      581,586 

Monthly,  offerees  in  South-Carolina,    -                  -  632 

Of  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Foot,     -  644 

Of  the  Seventh  Connecticut  Regiment,                    -  645 

Of  the  sick  in  Hospital  at  Fort  George,           -         -  857 

Partial,  from  Colonel  Bartlett's  Regiment,      -         -  875 

Of  sundries  sent  to  Schuyler  from  New-York,         -  915, 

1050,  1064 

Of  Colonel  Elmore's  Regiment,     -                  -         -  1195 

Of  Colonel  John  Nicholson's  Regiment,                  -  1199 

Of  all  the  United  States  forces  under  Gates,  -         -  1199 

Of  provisions  at  Skenesborough,  -                            -  1201 

Of  the  number  of  men  who  drew  provisions,  -         -  1202 

Of  the  prisoners  taken  on  Long-Island,  -                  -  1258 

Of  brass  and  iron  ordnance  taken  by  the  enemy,     -  1258 

Of  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  on  Long-Island,  -  1258 
Of  Elkanah  Day's  Company,                                      -1263 

Returns,  estimate  of  paper  requisite  for,    -                  -  676 

Revenge,  privateer,  ships  captured  by  the,                   -  589 

Armament  of  the,                                                         -  969 

Revolution,  J.  Adams's  remarks  on  the,    -                  -  170 

Preparations  for  a  history  of  the,    -                            -  944 

Reward,  ship,  capture  of,  by  the  Hancock,                  -  972 

Reynolds,  Daniel,  appointed  Captain  in  a  Canada  Re- 
giment,   ...                  .                            -  65 

Reynolds,  John,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  1350 

Reynolds,  ship,  capture  of  the,                                      -  589 

Reynor,  Captain,  Howe's  commendation  of,      -         -  105 

The  King's  satisfaction  at  the  conduct  of,      -         -  1 102 

Rhinchart,  Michael,  gun-barrel  maker,      -                  -  171 

Rhinelander,  Frederick,  Washington  advises  arrest  of,  819 

Rhode-Island — 

Howe's  talk  of  taking  possession  of,      -         -  105 

Dispute  about  appointing  a  Commissioner  for,        -  177 

Order  to  send  to  Washington  the  flints  in,      -         -  141 

Washington  unable  to  spare  a  General  Officer  for,  -  141 
Reported  arrival  of  a  French  fleet  at,      -         -      261,397 

Resolve  to  appoint  a  Committee  to  confer  with,      -  299 

Resolutions  of  the  Assembly  of,     -        -                  -  475 

Governour  Cooke  entreats  Washington's  attention  to,  378 


1749 


INDEX. 


1750 


Rhode-Island — 

The  Governour  of,  to  the  President  of  Congress,    -     549 
Marine  Committee  of,  to  Massachusetts  Council,    -     623 
Letter  from  the  Massachusetts  Council  to  the  Go- 
vernour of,         -         -  -  -     70 1 
Howe's  reasons  for  deferring  his  attack  upon,         -    789 
Rice,  Adjutant,  recommended  by  Mr.  Adams,    -         -       20 
Rice,  Hopkins,  thirty-nine  stripes  to,  for  desertion,     -     225 
Rice,  Samuel,  order  on  the  complaint  of,  -  -     285 
Rice,  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -  1116 
Rice,  Benjamin,  promotion  of,  -  -  1124 
Rice,  William,  recommended  as  First  Lieutenant,       -  1293 
Appointed  by  Congress  First  Lieut,  of  Germans,     -  1583 
Rice,  Captain  John,  appointed  to  galley  Convention,-  1327 
Rice,  Alpheus,  appointed  by  Congress  Lieutenant  of 

Marines,  -  -   1623 

Richards,  Captain  John,  of  the  Lisbon  packet,  -  -  462 
Richards,  Smith,  Captain  of  Marines,  ...  374 
Richards,  Captain  William,  return  of  stores  ordered 

from, 1303 

Richardson,  Stephen,   appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel 

of  Massachusetts  Militia,    -----     292 
Richardson,  Benjamin,  appointed  Captain  of  Massa- 
chusetts Militia,  .....     663 
Richardson,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,-  929 

Richardson,  Colonel  William,  letter  to,  from  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,      -         -         -         -         -   992,1134 

Richmond,  Col.  William,  letter  from,  to  Washington,  -     888 

Richmond,  Christopher,  recommended  as  Paymaster,-     618 

Is  appointed  to  Col.  Smallwood's  Regiment,      723,  1346 

Richmond,  Staten-Island,  Tryon  swears  in  his  Tories 

at,    -  -    .    -  -     122 

Richmond,  brig,  capture  of,  by  the  sloop  Congress,  -  708 
Richmond,  Virginia,  Independence  proclaimed  at,  -  756 
Ridgeley,  Charles,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -       114,  219,  409 

Ridgeley,  Charles,  of  William,  member  of  Baltimore 

Committee,       -  -     155 

Ridgeley,  Lieutenant,  missing  after  the  battle  on  Long- 
Island,      -  -  -  1250 
Ridgeley,  Richard,  Clerk  to  the  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -  -  1331 

Ridgeley,  William,  commissioned  as  Second  Lieutenant 

of  Maryland  Militia,  -         -  -1333 

Ridgeley,  Henry,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,        -  ...  1348 
Ridley,  Major  Fonda's  Clerk,  deserts  to  the  enemy,    -  1050 
Rierdon,  Jeremiah,  prisoner,  disposal  of,    - 
Rifle  Regiment,  return  of  Hand's,      ....    750 
Washington  calls  on  Mercer  for  a,          -         -        -     851 
Rifle-shirts,  the  enemy  wear,  to  deceive,    -         -         -  1162 
Riflemen,  Maryland  raises  two  Companies  of,    -         -       32 
Lee's  orders  to  his,  as  to  their  firing,  99 
Prisoners  at  Lancaster  dress  as,      -                           -     104 
Second  Battalion  of  Pennsylvania,  sent  to  Amboy,  -     369 
Two  Companies  of,  join  Colonel  Williamson,          -     488 
Favourable  ground  at  Crown-Point  for,  ...     630 
Two  Battalions  of,  join  Washington,      -                  -     908 
Smart  firing  between  the  enemy  and  the,  on  Long- 
Island,      -                          -                                   -  1136 
Rifler,  the  dress  of  a,  that  of  the  ancient  Roman  sol- 
dier,                                                              -        -    944 
Rifles,  order  of  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  pur- 
chase,      -                                                     -     594,  667 
Price  offered  for,  by  the  Council  of  Safety,     -         -     737 
Orders  for  the  delivery  of,      -                           -        -  1288 
Order  to  General  McKinley  to  purchase,                  -  1298 
Rigging,  orders  for  furnishing,  to  Captain  H.  Benson,   1537 
Riggs,  Captain  Elisha,  ordered  to  Annapolis  with  his 

Company,  ....     326 

Order  for  delivery  of  arms,  &c.,  to,  -         -   1336 

"Rights  of  Great  Britain,"  &c.,  falsehoods  of  a  pam- 
phlet so  called,  -    929 
Riker,  Captain  Abraham,  certificate  from,  -                  -  1427 
Riker,  Samuel,  appointed  Captain  of  Queen's  County 

Light-Horse,     -  -  1528 

Riley,  William,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -        -  -  1348 
Ring,  Lieutenant  Martin  Johnson  is  ordered  to  restore 

°Mr.  Anstruther's,      -  -  1611 

Ringgold,  Thomas,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -       386,493,737 

Riot,  reward  offered  for  taking  the  ringleaders  of  a,    -  1327 

Risberg,  Gustavus,  recommended  for  appointment,     -     949 

Is  appointed  Assistant  to  Commissary  Biddle,         -  1612 

Rising  Empire,  brig,  employed  as  a  convoy,  30 

Resolve  to  supply  cannon  to  the,  -  -    283 


Rittenhouse,  David,  Vice  President  of  Pennsylvania 

Council  of  Safety,      ......   J3Q9 

Ritter,  William,  recommended  as  Lieutenant  of  a  Ger- 
man Company,  ......     Jg2 

Is  appointed  Lieutenant  of  a  German  Company,     -  1334 

Ritzema,  Col.  Rudolphus,  letter  from,  to  Washington,     333 

Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -  .     3£4 

A  Court  of  Inquiry  ordered  on,      ....    503 

Found  guilty  of  disrespect  to  Lord  Stirling,    -         -    504 
Is  released  from  arrest,  -  ....     504 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Sevey,       ....     628 

Nominations  to  vacancies  in  the  Regiment  of,         -     647 
Recommends  Mr.  Provoost  as  Paymaster,       -        -     918 
Regiment  of,  without  a  Major,        ....  1467 

Rivers,  Nanticoke  and  Wicomico,  blocked  up,  -         -     136 
Importance  of  communication  across  the  Jersey,  675,  676 
Roach,  Captain,  leave  asked  to  forbid  the  sailing  of,  in 

the  Polly,  ..        .     461 

Is  sent  to  Quebeck  with  a  flag  and  Mrs.  Livius,      -     553 

Roach,  Richard,  sentenced  to  be  flogged,  -         .         -  1269 

Roberdeau,  Colonel  Daniel,  address  to,      -         -        -     170 

Reply  of,  to  the  address,        -  -171 

Letter  to,  from  the  President  of  Congress,      -        -     326 

Is  appointed  Provincial  Brigadier, ....     348 

Letter  from,  to  Richard  Peters,       ....     349 

Concurrence  of,  with  General  Mercer,  ...     619 
Letter  from,  to  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,       -•  674 
Colonels  Miles  and  Atlee  refuse  to  serve  under,      -     908 
Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -   996,  1063 

Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -  -        -  1064 

Address  of,  to  the  Pennsylvania  Associators,  -         -  1062 
Order  for  the  delivery  of  arms  to,  -  -  1292 

Order  for  the  delivery  of  armament  for  brigantine 

Venus,     -  -  1293 

Letter  to,  from  Pennsylvania  Committee  of  Safety,  -  1301 
Roberts,  Daniel,  member  of  Georgia  Council  of  Safety,         6 
Roberts,  William,  chosen  Captain  of  the  Bucks  Asso- 
ciators,    ...  ....     171 

Roberts,  William,  Chairman  of  Annapolis  Associators,     181 
Roberts,  Eliphalet,  appointed  Captain  of  Marines  in 

Connecticut,     --.-...     700 
Roberts,  Francis,  committed  to  jail  in  North-Carolina,   1373 
Robertson,  Col.  John,  resolve  to  pay  the  abstract  of,  -     280 
Robinson,  Amos,  chosen  Clerk  of  a  town  meeting,     -       30 
Member  of  the  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  65 

Robinson,  Joseph,  examinations  held  before,      -         -  1070 
Robinson,  Captain  Ebenezer,  appointed  Major,  -         -  1422 
Rochester,  draught  of  a  letter  to  the  Committee  of,     -  1415 
Rochford,  Lord,  sent  to  Paris  to  counteract  Mr.  Deane,   1018 
Rockaway,   a  treasonable   letter  traced  to   a   young 

lady  of,     -        -  -  -  1507 

Rockingham,  ship,  escape  of  Capt.  Hunter  from  the,  -     996 
Rodgers,  Rev.  John,  letter  from,  to  General  Gates,      -     195 
Rodgers,  John,  sent  as  disaffected  to  Lebanon,  -        -     981 
Rodney,  Ca3sar  A.,  correspondence  of,  with  Thomas 

Rodney,  -     169,  740,  741,  833,  944,  1092,  1192,  1228 
Roe,  Adjutant,  firmness  shown  by,    -  -  1235 

Roebuck,  ship,  Capt.  Hammond,  of  Dunmore's  fleet,  -     150 
A  letter  from  Governour  Eden  dated  on  board  the,     616 
Arrival  of  the,  at  St.  George's,        -        -  -     634 

Rogers,  Major  Robert,  is  placed  under  guard  at  Phila- 
delphia,   -  1 
Congress  order,  to  be  sent  to  New-Hampshire,  33, 136, 1568 
New-Hampshire  Assembly  appoint  a  Committee  to 

inquire  about,    -  -       72 

An  order  for  the  arrest  of,  is  issued,  80 

Is  arrested  by  order  of  Washington,        ...     136 
Makes  his  escape  from  Philadelphia,      ....    348 

Finds  his  way  to  General  Howe,   -  -     789 

Is   empowered  by  Howe  to  raise  a  Regiment  of 

Tories,      -  -  1236 

Fifty  pounds  reward  offered  for  the  apprehension  of,  1291 
Rogers,  Captain,  number  of  prisoners  taken  by, 

Prizes  captured  by,       -  -  1 163 

One  hundred  stand  of  arms  among  the  trophies  of,  -  1234 
Rogers,  Lieutenant,  killed  in  battle  near  Temawsey,  -  1148 
Rogers,  brig,  demurrage  paid  on,  by  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  ...  .  1340 

Rogers,  John,  New-York  Convention  order  arrest  of,  -  1547 
Is  arrested,  and  sent  to  Westchester  jail,  -  1557 

Roland,  Jonathan,  petition  of,  -  -    535 

Roll  of  a  Troop  of  Horse  from  King's  County,  -  -  953 
Roll  of  a  Troop  of  Horse  from  Queen's  County,  -  953 
Rollis,  Ichabod,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  62 
Romans,  Captain,  court  of  inquiry  ordered  on,  -  -  657 
Rood,  Aza.riah,  petition  of,  to  General  Gates,  -  -  803 
Roome,  J.  L.  C.,  attempts  to  correspond  with  prisoners,  23 
to  be  sent  to  Shrewsbury  on  parole,  -  -  1415 


1751 


INDEX. 


1752 


Roos,  Captain  Jacobus,  memorial  of,  -  1499 

la  authorized  to  raise  a  Company  for  immediate 
service,    --------  1499 

Roosevelt,  Cornelius  C.,  letter  from,  to  the  New-York 

Convention, 1262,  1461 

Compensation  ordered  to  be  made  to,  - 
Roosr\r!t,  Isaac,  report  made  by,      •  1482 

Root,  Jesse,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Prisoners, 

in  Connecticut,         ------       46 

Lelter  to,  from  Washington, 

Money  advanced  to,  as  Paymaster  of  Connecticut 


troops, 


-  1006 


Ropes.  Hcnjamin,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Massachu- 
setts Militia, 295 

Ropes,  a  call  for,  from  Skenesborough,     - 

A  quantity  of,  procured  for  Gates,  -  752 

Ropcwalk,  men  from  the  fleet  sent  to  work  at  Whar- 

ton's,.      -  1330 

Rose,  arrival  of  the  British  ship, 

Passes,  with  the  Phoenix,  up  North  River,      -         -     452 
Great  depredations  committed  by  the,    -         -         -     345 
A  deserter  from  the,  swims  on  shore,     -        -         -     546 
Attack  upon  the,  by  the  row-galleys,      -  -     751 

Rose,  Lieutenant,  a  witness  on  the  trial  of  Lieutenant 

Jones,      -        -  -  737 

Rose,  William,  elected  a  First  Lieutenant,         -         -  1494 
Ross,  George,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Congress,  -      25, 

103,  188 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Galbraith,  35 

Is  President  of  the  Lancaster  Committee,       -         -     188 
Colonel  of  First  Battalion  Lancaster  Associators,   -     188 
Vice  President  of  Pennsylvania  Convention,  -         -     711 
Rifles  ordered  to  be  delivered  to,  -        -         -         -  1294 

Ross,  Daniel,  General  Mercer  wishes  to  have,  as  Bri- 
gade Major,      -------     371 

Joins  General  Mercer  with  the  hope  of  appointment,     490 
Is  recommended  to  Congress,        -  -        -     490 

Ross,  Captain,  retakes  the  Yankee,  and  carries  her  to 

London,  --------    754 

Infamous  conduct  of,  to  Captain  Johnson,      -         -    755 
Ross,  Ensign,  sentenced  to  be  reprimanded,      -         -  1125 
Ross,  Captain  James,  petition  of,  referred  to  Commit- 
tee on  Claims, 1578 

Ross,  Alexander,  detention  of,  at  Pittsburgh,  -  -  1607 
Ross,  Perrin,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  by  Congress,  1618 
Rossetter,  Thomas,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,  ....  -  -  349 
Rotation  Act,  inquiry  into  the  propriety  of  a,  -  -  735 
Route  prescribed  for  troops  destined  for  New- York 

and  Canada,     -        -  -      341,  398 

Rouville,  Jean  B.  de,  passport  granted  to,  -  1109 

Rover,  ship,  captured  by  an  American  privateer,         -     589 
Row-battery,  a  brig  with  a  company  of  Highland  Emi- 
grants on  board  is  captured  by  a,  -         -     632 
Row-galleys,  application  of  Washington  for,      -      142,  352 
Massachusetts  establishment  for  the,      ...     307 
Connecticut   Council  of  Safety   vote   to  send,   to 

Washington,    ...  .  330 

An  attack  at  St.  George's  by  enemy's,  ...  382 
Governour  Trumbull  orders  two,  to  New-York,  401,  540 
Captain  of  the  Newport,  ordered  to  New- York,  -  475 
Two,  arrive  from  Rhode-Island,  -  -  638 

Mercer  asks  for,  in  the  Raritan,     -  -      673,  674 

Arnold  calls  for  heavy  cannon  for  his,    -  680 

Attack  of  the,  on  enemy's  ships  in  North-River,     -     751 
Gallantry  displayed  by  the  men  of  the,  -         -         -     855 
Three,  at  Ticonderoga,  ready  for  launching,    -         -     969 
Lee  recommends,  for  defence  of  Georgia,       -         -  1131 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  contract  for  two,         -  1346 
Rowlwagen,  Frederick,  recommended  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant, .         .  1293 
Is  appointed  by  Congress  First  Lieutenant  of  Ger- 
mans,      -  .  1583 
Roxburgh,  Alex.,  commissioned  as  First  Lieutenant,  -     133 
Royal  George,  brigantine,  capture  of  the,  -         -         -  1280 
Royal  Highland  Emigrants,  capture  of  a  Company  of,     632 
Royal  Savage,  schooner,  one  of  the  Lake  fleet,    '      -     683 
Armament  of  the,  by  Wyncoop,    -         ...     959 
Extract  of  a  letter  dated  on  board,          -  1096 
Royalty,  every  vestige  of,  destroyed,           ...     949 
Ruggles,  Brigadier,  and  son,  join  the  British  at  Hali- 
fax,-       -                                             ...       46 
Rules  and  Orders,  report  of  the  Committee  on,  to 

Congress,  .         .        .         .1/571 

Report  on,  adopted  by  Congress,  -         ...  1582 

Rum,  allowance  of,  to  soldiers  for  Canada,         -         -       70 

General  Waterbury  asks  for  a  supply  of,       357,  629  730 

Wyucoop  asks,  for  his  carpenters,          -        .         .    "§47 


Rum,  incredible  consumption  of,  at  German-Flats,      -  715 

High  price  of  New-England,         -                           -  780 

Washington  orders,  to  each  soldier,       ...  913 
Mr.  Hollingsworth  asks,  x)f  Maryland    Council  of 

Safety  for  his  workmen,     -                  ...  961 

Haifa  pint  of,  is  allowed  to  each  man  per  day,       -  966 

Haifa  irill  per  man,  is  ordered,      -         -                   -  1270 
Rumford,  Jonathan,  appointed  to  supply  the  Maryland 

troops  on  their  march  through  Wilmington,          -  943 
Rumley,  John,   deposition   of,  before  Eastern-Shore 

Committee,       -                  218 

Rumney,  New-Hampshire,  ammunition  supplied  to,    -  80 

Ruinsey,  John,  Maryland  arms  proved  before,     -         -  154 
Rumsey,  Charles,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety, -  614 

Rumsey,  Col.  Benjamin,  letter  to,  from  David  Morrow,  627 

Rush,  Jacob,  letter  from,  to  Washington,  -                   -  34 
Russe,  Louis,  rewarded  by  Congress  for  humanity  to 

the  sick, -  1604 

Russell,  Eleazer,  appointed  Maritime  Officer  in  New- 
Hampshire,       -                                                         58,  84 
Reasons  of,  for  not  signing  Association,         -         -  1010 
Russell,  John,  appointed  Captain  of  Martha's  Vine- 
yard Company,                   .....  295 
Russell,  Dr.,  Gov.  Trumbull  supplies  medicines  to,     -  956 
Receives  an  order  on  Smith  &  Coit,        -                  -  1007 
Russia,  Mr.  Deane's  views  of  the  interest  of,      -         -  1015 
Death  of  the  Empress  of,                         ...  1075 
Russia  Duck,  Washington  orders  the,  made  into  tents,  951 
Rutgers,  Captain  Anthony,  refuses  Continental  mo- 
ney,        -                                                       1182,  1562 
Sent  to  New-York  to  assist  in  obstructing  East- 
River,       --.--.                 .  1544 
Ordered  to  furnish  transportation  for  two  Regiments,  1548 
Rutgers,  Hermanus,  killed  on  Long-Island,       -         -  1184 
Rutherford,    Brigadier-General,   letter   from,    sent   to 

Congress,                                      -        -                  -  611 
Ordered  to  march  against  the  Indians,  -                  -  613 
Copy  of  a  letter  from,  to  North-Carolina  Council,  -  613 
Rutledge,  Edward,  letter  to,  from  John  Jay,       -         -  40 
Rutledge,  John,  made  Governour  of  South-Carolina,  -  170 
Letter  to,  from  the  President  of  Congress,      -         -  555 
Letter  from,  to  the  Governour  of  Virginia,      -         -  611 
Letter  to,  from  Colonel  A.  Williamson,  -                  -  749 
Proclamation  issued  by,                            ...  756 
Ryan,  Mr.  Adjutant,  sentenced  to  be  severely  repri- 
manded, -                                                                 -  H25 
Ryckman,  Peter,  escapes  from  the  enemy,  -         -         -  395 
Meets  the  officers  who  absconded  from  Lebanon,  -  396 
Rye,  New- York,  inhabitants  of,  all  Tories,          -         -  1163 
Ryerson,  George  Thomas,  promoted  to  Lieutenancy,  -  653 
Ryley,  Lieutenant,  court-martial  ordered  on,      -         -  1358 

S. 

Safety,  Committees  and  Councils  of — see  States,  Cities, 

&c.,  by  name. 
Safford,  Joseph,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  Green 

Mountain  Boys,         ....                  .  377 

Safford,  Samuel,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel,         -  1565 
Sag-Harbour,  communication  of  New- York  with,  cut 

off,  -                                                                       -  1235 

Sailors,  Washington  asks  Congress  to  define  the  term,  675 
Schuyler  calls  on  Governour  Trumbull  for  two  or 

three  hundred,  -.---..  697 

Schuyler  informs  Congress  of  his  call  for,       -         -  715 

Number  of,  wanted  for  the  galleys,         ...  965 
Sails,  Captain  Varick  uses  the,  ordered  for  schooner 

Liberty,      -  -         -  ...  923 

Salem,  appointment  of  officers  for  the  Company  at,    -  295 

Resolve  to  supply  cannon  to,                                     -  2.97 

A  Company  of  Matrosses  ordered  for,    -                  -  307 

Order  to  supply  Company  at,  with  all  necessaries,  -  312 
Maritime  Court  adjourns  to,  -         -                  -316,321 

Field  carriages  lent  to  Selectmen  of,      -         -         -  317 

Arrival  of  Captain  Fisk  at,  from  a  cruise,        -         -  552 

Captures  made  by  a  letter  of  marque  of,          -         -  643 

Letter  to  Committee  of,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  958 
Prize  ship  sent  into,  by  Captain  Fisk,    -         -      972,  973 
Salem  County,  letter  from  Pennsylvania  Council  of 

Safety  to  Committee  of,     -                                     -  1307 
Salisbury,  Maryland,  supplies  ordered  for  a  brig  build- 
ing at,      271 

Salisbury,  Connecticut,  products  of  cannon  foundry  at,  540 

Swivels  ordered  for  the  navy  from  furnace  at,  -         -  793 
Salisbury,  North-Carolina,  the  Council  of  Safety  ad- 
journ to,  -                                                                 -  1379 
Salisbury,  Abraham,  appointed  Second  Lieutenant  of 

Green  Mountain  Boys,      -                          -        -  377 


1753 


INDEX. 


1754 


Salisbury,  Captain  Sylvester,  troop  of,  refuse  duty  on 

foot,         -  ...     713 

Salt,  E.  Johnson's   report   to   Maryland    Council  of 

Safety  on,  .     100 

Great  quantity  of,  at  Norwich,  Connecticut,  -         -     870 
Regulations  for  the  sale  of,  in  Pennsylvania,  -         -     946 
Resolve  concerning,  in  Dutchess  County,      -         -  1096 
Price  of,  regulated  by  Philadelphia  Committee,       -  1119 
Rate  of  allowance  of,  for  the  men,  -  1126 

North-Carolina  encourages  the  importation  of,  1366,  1367 
New- York  Convention  is  asked  to  encourage  man- 
ufacture of,       .......  1459 

New- York  Convention  permits  exportation  of,  to 

Connecticut,    -                                              -  1470 
New- York  Convention  appoints  a  Committee  to  ex- 
amine the  skill  of  Captain  Goforth  in  the  manu- 
facture of, 1475 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  examination,  -  1477 
Dr.  Bard  skilled  in  extracting  from  sea-water,  -  1477 
Order  for  all  Continental,  to  be  delivered  to  the 

Commissary-General,         .....  1516 

Saltonstall,  Captain  Dudley,  acquittal  of,  by  Congress,     187 

Report  of  the  Committee  to  Congress  in  the  case  of,   1575 

Is  appointed  to  command  frigate  Tiumbull,   -        -  1617 

Saltonstall,  Nathaniel,  Captain  of  Matrosses,      -        -     242 

Saltonstall,  Wint.,  affidavit  made  before,    -         -         -     402 

Saltpetre,  New-Hampshire  purchases  casks  for,          -       52 

Exchange  of,  for  gunpowder,        ...          53,  77 

Price  of,  fixed  in  New-Hampshire,         -         -          62,  7B 

Report  of  a  Committee  on,  -  -  62,72 

E.  Johnson's  report  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

on, 100 

Massachusetts  appropriates  a  large  sum  for  the  pur- 
chase of,  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -    270 

Massachusetts  pays  a  bounty  for  manufacture  of,  -  270 
Massachusetts  Commissary-General  to  receive  and 

pay  for,  -  -  278 
Massachusetts  directs  Alex'r  Sheppard  to  receive,  -  283 
Resolve  on  the  subject  of,  -  -  -  306 
A  French  ship  arrives  at  Philadelphia  with,  -  -  786 
A  messenger  sent  to  Connecticut  for  a  supply  of,  -  1214 
Report  of  a  Committee  for  encouraging  manufac- 
ture of,  -  1436 

Resolutions  encouraging  the  manufacture  of,          -   1508 
Half  ton  of,  ordered  to  be  sent  to  Colonel  Morgan,  1580 
Salt  Works,  appointment  of  a  Committee  for  carrying 

on, 1313 

Thomas  Savage  paid  for  erecting,  ....  1326 

Insufficient  supply  from  the  North-Carolina,  -         -  1363 

Richard  Blackledge  erects,  in  North-Carolina,        -  1364 

Resolution  touching  erection  of,  in  New- York,       -  1458 

Messrs.  Goforth  and  Houston  propose  to  erect,      -  1475 

Saluda  River,  account  of  the  panick  on,    -  406 

Salvador,  Mr.,  scalped  by  the  Indians,       -         -      749,  780 

Samson,  Captain  Simeon,  commands  Massachusetts 

Brigantine,       .......     248 

A  cruise  proposed  for,  --.-.-    584 
Recommendation  of,    ------     804 

Sanderson,  Francis,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,          -         -  -     781 

Sands,  Comfort,  letter  to,  from  Samuel  Curson,  -         -    463 

Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  ...  1214 

Appointed  Auditor-General  of  Publick  Accounts,  -  1437 

Sands,  John,  appointed  second  Colonel  of  draughts  of 

Nassau-Island  Militia,        .....     539 

Sands,  Sergeant,  killed  on  Long-Island,   ...  1250 
Sandwich,  resolve  to  pay  Selectmen  of,     -  -     296 

Sandwich  packet,  General  Howe  despatches  the,  to 

England,-        ....  .    788 

Sandy  Hook,  number  of  sail  reported  below,      -        -     484 
Rapid  arrival  of  the  enemy  at,        -         -         -      750,  909 

See  Hook. 
Sandy  Point,  Capt.  Conway's  statement  of  the  affair 

at,    -  -  525 

Counter-statements  and  depositions  concerning,      526-7 

Mr.  Harrison's  remark  on  Conway's  landing  at,      -     531 

Sargeant,  John,  missionary  to  Stockbridge  Indians,    -     903 

Sergeant,  Colonel,  Regiment  of,  march  to  Norwich,  -     514 

Arrival  of,  at  New-York,       ...  -     638 

Sash  weights,  an  order  to  pay  for,     ....  1327 

Sauce,  Greene  recommends  as  a  substitute  for  meat,       196 

Sauralle,  Chevalier,  memorial  of  the,          -         -1180,1209 

Savage,  Captain,  of  the  Sea  Flower,  arrival  of,  -         -  1067 

Savages,  apprehended  danger  to  Georgia  from  the,     -         6 

The  Cedars  delivered  up  to  the  custody  of,    -         -     160 

Employment  of  the,  by  the  enemy,  -     192 

Savannah,  Declaration  of  Independence  read  at,         -     882 

Saville,  victualling  ship,  parole  of  the  master  of,          -       23 


Sawin,  Samuel,  chosen  Second  Lieutenant  Massachu- 
setts Militia,     ---....     ggg 
Sawyer,  Captain,  list  of  the  Company  of,  taken  at  the 

Cedars,  ----....  jg^ 
Sawyer,  Robert,  twenty  lashes  to,  for  mutiny,  &,c.,  -  225 
Sawyer,  Manassah,  chosen  Captain  in  Massachusetts,  663 
Saybrook,  Connecticut,  Colony  ship  building  at,  -  244 
Letter  from  Erastus  Wolcott  to  the  Committee  of,  -  1544 
Scammell,  Alexander,  appointed  aid  to  Gen.  Sullivan,  965 
Scarborough,  Stephen,  arrested  for  passing  counterfeit 

money>     -  -   1368 

schajffer,  George,  recommended  for  a  Lieutenancy,  -  1293 
Schedule  of  workmen  in  Stirling  Iron  Works,  -  -  1112 
Schenck,  John,  letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  871 
Schermerhorn,  Cornelius,  appointed  Quartermaster,  -  1122 
Schlatter,  Graudus,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  the 

Flying-Camp,  -  •        -     349 

Schley,  Jacob,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 
Safety,      -  . 

Schnyder,  Christian,  appointed  Captain  in  the  Flyin»- 

Camp,      -  .      °.    349 

Schooner,  General  Hooper,  of  Maryland,  makes  prize 

of  a,  ...    723 

Schoonmaker,  Captain  Petrus,  difficulty  in  the  Com- 
pany of,  -  .        .  1415 
Schrack,  David,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  in  Fiying- 

Camp,     -  .    349 

Schrawder,  Philip,  recommended  for  a  Lieutenancy,  -  1314 
Appointed  by  Congress   Lieutenant  of  a  German 

Company,  .  jgOS 

Schureman,  Jacob,  committed  to  jail  in  Kingston,      -  1556 

Schuyler,  Major-General  Philip,  correspondence  of — 

With  the  President  of  Congress,   115,  253,  338,  394,  410 

472,  473,  555,  691,  714,  856,  983,  1030,  1151,  1217 

With  General  Washington,  -        -         ...    193 

232,  338,  351,  352,  390,  394,  473,  559,  693,  716,  793,' 

820,  932,985,  1031,  1095,  1142,  1164,  1220,  1264 

With  Governour  Trumbull,    -         29,  145,  237,  239,  395, 

399,  580,  696,  699,  826,  924,  937,  1083,  1115,  1204 

With  General  Gates, 206 

260,  396,  423,  453,  454,  511,  581,  629,  648,  715,' 

730,  747,  999,  1000,  1050,  1083,  1153,  1217,  1221 

Difficulties  of,  from  the  clashing  of  commands,       -       20 

Is  requested  to  cultivate  harmony  with  Gates,         -     115 

A  letter  to,  from  H.  Glen, 176 

Condition  of,  at  Crown-Point,  ....  jgQ 
Remonstrance  of  Col.  Stark  and  Field-Officers  to,  -  233 
Reply  of,  to  the  remonstrance,  ....  234 
Letter  to,  from  General  Sullivan,  ....  235 
Letter  from,  to  General  Sullivan,  ....  236 
Letter  from,  to  John  Langdon,  ....  259 
To  Jeremiah  Powell,  ----..  259 
Massachusetts  Assembly  order  specie  to  be  sent  to,  269, 

277 

Want  of  harmony  between  Gates  and,  spoken  of,  -  347 
Gates  submits  to  the  command  of,  at  Albany,  -  375 
Letter  to,  from  Nathan  Clark,  ....  377 
Arrival  of,  at  the  German-Flats,  ....  395 
Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Dayton,  -  -  .  -  511 
Mr.  Morris  alludes  to  certain  insinuations  against,  -  572 
Letter  to,  from  General  Arnold,  ...  680,  1033 
Encloses  Arnold's  letter  to  Washington,  -  -  772 
Letter  from,  to  General  Waterbury,  ...  825 
Copy  of  an  intercepted  letter  to,  from  S.  Kirkland,  -  867 
Colonel  Butler's  remarks  to  the  Indians  about,  -  867 
Communication  from  the  Oneida  chiefs  to,  -  -  868 
Sundry  articles  delivered  to  Mr.  Hart  for,  -  -  919 
Return  of,  from  the  German  Flats  to  Albany,  -  923 
Grants  a  furlough  to  Colonel  Seth  Reed,  -  -  1070 
Copy  of  a  letter  from,  to  N.  Woodhull,  Esq.,  1185,  1276 
Copy  of  a  letter  to,  from  Lieutenant-Colonel  Brown,  1218 
Copy  of  a  letter  from,  to  Captain  Wyncoop,  -  -  1277 
Congress  order  an  explanatory  letter  to,  -  -  1569 
Is  directed  to  apply  to  Burgoyne,  -  -  1600 

Schuyler,  Hermanus,  letter  from,  to  General  Gates,  339,  717 
Letter  to,  from  General  Gates,       -  -     340 

Schuyler,  Colonel,  with  a  company  of  carpenters,  at 

Skenesborough,         -  ....     424 

Schuyler,  Major,  commands  a  fort  in  the  Highlands,  -  1478 
Schwartz,  Christian  G.,  appointed  Ensign  of  Germans,  1583 
Schweighauser,  John  D.,  foreign  agent  of  Marine 

Committee,       ---.-..     153 
Scophelites,  name  given  to  those  who  joined  the  Royal 

cause,       -  ....     406 

Scotch,  rancour  of  the,  against  America,  ...  929 
Scotch  fleet,  landing  of  Highlanders  from  the,  -  -  537 
Scotch  Highlanders,  James  Stewart  is  authorized  to 

raise  a  Company  of,  -        -        -        -        -        -  1442 


1755 


INDEX. 


Scott,  Brigadier-General  John  M.,  letter  from,  to  New- 
York  Congress,  -        •         -      **• 
Examination  of  deserters  by, 

K.-turn  of  the  Brigade  of,       -         -       331,507,639,763 
Ordered  to  exchange  posts  with  General  Fellows,  - 
Brigade  of,  under  General  Putnam, 
Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -      934,  953,  9i 
Right  of,  to  a  seat  in  the  Convention  contested,      -  14£ 
Scott,  Captain  William,  resolve  to  pay  the  Company  of,     295 
Scott,  George,  letter  from,  to   Maryland  Council   of 

Safety, 430 

Is  applied  to  by  Maryland  for  linen,       -  /«>» 

Council  of  Safety  gives  an  order  on,  for  knen, 
Scott,  Captain,  of  ship-of-war  Experiment,  killed, 
Scott,  John,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,        -         -     49 
Scott,  Lieutenant,  prisoner,  arrives   at  Boston   from 


Halifax,    - 


-    587 


Scott,  Dr.,  with  Governour  Eden  on  board  the  Roebuck,  616 
Scott    Captain,  appointed  Judge  Advocate  of  a  court- 
martial,     -                                                          -.       -  655 
Scott,  Major,  testimony  of,  refused  by  court-martial,  -  12/2 
Reasons  for  refusing  the  testimony  of,   -                  -  1273 
Scott,  Captain  John  D.,  money  advanced  to,  for  his 

Company,         -------  1333 

Scott,  Rev.  John,  proceedings  of  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety  against, 1343 

Scott,  Charles,  appointed  Colonel  by  Congress, 

Scout,  report  of  the  Oswego,    -         -                  -         -  1034 

Scow,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  the  purchase 

of  a,    -                                                                   -  782 

Mr.  Hollingsworth  reports  the  purchase  of  a,  -         -  961 

Scudder,  Colonel,  information  of  the  enemy  from, 

Scudder,  Enoch,  testimony  of,  relative  to  Tories,        -  11 

Scurvy,  prevalence  of,  on  Staten-Island,     -  199 

Sea-coast  Company,  resolve  relating  to  the,       -         -  273 

Another,  ordered  to  Martha's  Vineyard,          -        -  286 

Appointment  of  officers  for  the,     -                           -  303 

Sea  Flower,  the,  Captain  Savage,  arrives  in  the  Sound,  1067 

Seal,  J.  Adams  on  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  Great,  -  944 

Seaman,  Zebulon,  elected  First  Lieutenant  in  Queen's 

County,    -        -                 258 

Seaman,  Captain,  Arnold's  orders  to,                  -         -  1002 

Seamen,  Congress  order  the  shipment  of,  in  France,  -  157 

Arnold  asks  for  a  number  of,          -         ...  582 

An  order  to  draught,  from  the  troops  at  Ticonderoga,  654 

Washington  sanctions  Schuyler's  efforts  to  procure,  820 

Proclamation  at  Halifax  relating  to,        -                  -  959 

Money  voted  by  Connecticut  for  raising,         -  1006,  1008 

Order  in  Council  extending  bounties  to,         -         -  1089 

General  Waterbury  asks  for  a  few,          ...  1188 

Congress  authorize  inlistment  of  captured,     -         -  1598 

Resolve  of  Congress  respecting  disabled,         -         -  1619 
Sears,  Barnabas,  appointed  Major  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -                          -                          -        -  293 
Secrecy,  oath  of,  taken  by  members  of  the  New-York 

Convention,      -                           ....  1387 

The  members  are  absolved  from,  in  certain  cases,  -  1415 

Is  administered  to  the  doorkeeper,                   -         -  1458 

The  order  regarding,  is  rescinded,  -                  -         -  1482 

Secretary,  General  Mercer  asks  for  a,  for  Flying-Camp,  470 

Congress  authorize  Mercer  to  appoint  a,  1595 

Secret  Correspondence  Committee — 

Goods  ordered  to  be  shipped  to  address  of  the,        -  158 
Letter  to,  from  Captain  Wickes,    -         -         -      180,  249 
Letter  from,  to  Silas  Deane,  -----  809 
Letter  to,  from  C.  W.  F.  Dumas,  -        -        -        -  875 
Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -----  943 
Letter  to,  from  Silas  Deane,  -                  ...  joil 
Letter  to,  from  Baron  de  Beaumarchais^          -         -  1021 
Are  authorized  to  impress  wagons,  boats,  &,c.,         -  1411 
Copy  of  a  letter  from  Washington  sent  to,      -         -  1452 
An  agent  appointed  at  New-York  for,   ...  1475 
Letter  from,  to  the  New-York  Convention,     -         -  1515 
Congress  order  the  purchase  of  vessels  for  use  of,  -  1595 
Seely,  Abner,  chosen  Major  by  town  meeting,  -         -  30 
Seely,  Mr.,  appointed  Captain  in  Warner's  Regiment,  1565 
Selectmen,  of  New-Market,  in  New-Hampshire,  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  to  the,      -        ....  248 
Of  the  towns  in  Massachusetts  directed  to  lend  mili- 
tary tools,                  ---._.  285 
Sellers,  Nathan,  Congress  authorize  discharge  of,       -  1619 
Sellew,  John,  chosen  Commissary  at  Truro,       -         -  285 
Sellman,  Jonathan,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 

-  1348 

Seneca,  Colonel  Williamson  destroys,        ...  749 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  camp  near,  ...  1Q23 

Intelligence  received  from,    -         -        ...  1143 

Scnecas,  arrival  of  a  part  of  the,  at  German-Flats,      I  715 


1756 


27 


Senegal,  arrival  of  the  British  ship-of-war,  - 
Senter,  Joseph,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  New- 
Hampshire  Militia,    -  -      50 
Senter,  Dr.,  recommended  to  Congress,     -  -     125 
Congress  recommend,  to  Dr.  Morgan,    -         -   920,  1585 
Sentries,  complaint  against,  for  unauthorized  firing,    -     505 
Twenty-five,  on  guard  nightly  at  Crown-Point,        -     630 
Not  allowed  to  sit  on  post,    - 

Sergeant,  serious  accident  to  Captain  Coxe's,    -         -    724 
Sergeant,  Captain-Lieutenant  of  Artillery  in  Heath's 

Brigade,   -  -  -         -  -     913 

Sergeant,  Colonel,  Regiment  of,  assigned  to  Mifflin,  -     915 
Sermons,  New-York  Convention  resolve  to  have  three 

preached,  -  1470 

Sever,  William,  letter  from,  to  James  Bowdoin,  248,  567,  805 
Sevey,  Colonel,  letter  to,  from  Colonel  Ritzema,         -     628 
Sewing-thread,  Maryland   Council  of  Safety  order  a 

quantity  of, 

Seybert,  Nicholas,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,  1351 
Seymour,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Thomas,  disposition  of 

the  Regiment  of,       ...         -  -       39 

Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -  -      124,  371 

Arrival  of,  with  his  Light-Horse,  at  New-York,        -     142 
Is  informed  that  his  horses  cannot  be  received,       -     142 
Asks  for  his  discharge,  -         -----     371 

Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      -         -    205,  1074 

Governour  Trumbull  is  informed  of  the  discharge  of,     414 

General  Wadsworth's  letter  relating  to  troops  of,     -     417 

Letter  to,  from  the  Adjutant-General,     -         -         -  1280 

Seymour,  Mr.,  recommended  by  Mr.  Deane,      -         -   1015 

Seymour,  Moses,    D.   Matthews    committed    to    the 

charge  of,          -         -         -  ...  1172 

Letter  from,  to  Nathaniel  Woodhull,       -  -  155 1 

Shackford,  Josiah,  appointed  by  Congress  Lieutenant 

of  frigate,  -  -  1588 

Shade,  a  Shawnee  chief,  a  conference  with,        -         -       36 
Shadford,  Anthony,  request  of,  to  the  Lancaster  Com- 
mittee,     .--  -  -        -    761 

Shaffer,  George,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Germans  by 

Congress,          -------  1583 

Shaffner,  George,  appointed  Ensign  of  Pennsylvania 

Militia,     -  -        -  -  1326 

Shallcross  &.  Co.  paid  for  loss  of  brig  Nancy,  -  -  1293 
Shallop,  Captain  Blewer  is  paid  for  repairing  a,  -  -  1326 
Shallops,  five,  with  soldiers  on  board  pass  Perth- 

Amboy, -        -    600 

Shallus,  Jacob,  appointed  Ensign,     -  -  1124 

Shamoken,  John  White  examined  by  Committee  of,  -     599 
Shark,    row-galley,    the   Connecticut,   sent   to   New- 
York,       -  -  -      401,  457,  541 
Shark,  sloop-of-war,  engagement  of,  with  the  Reprisal,     609 
Runs  from  Captain  Wickes,  -----     706 
Shattuck,  Mr.,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,       64 
Shaw, Barnes,  chosen  Lieutenant  of  Bucks  Associators,     171 
Shaw,' Nathaniel,  letter  to,  from  Governour  Trumbull,    144, 

360,  476,  829,  1004 

Letter  to,  from  William  Hillhouse,          ...     145 
Appointed  agent  for  Connecticut,  ...     243 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -----     359 
Sends  to  Washington  a  prize  turtle,       -  -     717 

Letter  to,  from  Washington,  -         -         -  -     770 

Letter  to,  from  the  Marine  Committee,  -         -1107,  1108 
Connecticut  refunds  to,  his  advances  for  brig,          -  1190 
Shaw,  William,  sent  to  Washington  with  Indians,   702,  837 
Indians  introduced  to  Massachusetts  Council  by,    -     838 
Shaw,  Francis,  receipt  of,  to  Thomas  Gushing,  -         -     702 
Letter  from,  to  Massachusetts  Council,  -         -    804,  1208 
Shaw,  Dr.  Thomas,  appointed  Surgeon's  Mate,  -         -     873 
Shaw,  Captain  Daniel,  gives  bond  to  President  of  Con- 
gress for  the  privateer  Harlequin,        -  -     954 
Memorial  of,  to  Congress,     -                                     -  1471 
Shaw,  John,  Assistant  Quartermaster  at  Trenton,        -     949 
Shaw,  Josias,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Colonel  Tyler's 

Battalion,  -  1357 

Shaw,  Charles,  memorial  of,   to  New-York  Conven- 
tion, -  -  -  1540 
Is  exempted  from  military  duty,     -                  -1541,1559 
Captain  Berrien  refuses  to  exempt,  from  duty,         -  1554 
Shawnees,  representation  from  the,  at  Fort  Pitt,          -       36 
Shea,  Richard,  deserter,  examination  of,    -         -         -     813. 
Shee,  Colonel,  state  of  the  Regiment  of,  28 
Shee,  Walter,  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  press,   1613 
Sheep,  the  slaughter  of,  forbidden  in  Connecticut,      -     752 
A  fat,  strays  from  Gates's  Head-Quarters,       -         -  1127 
Each  Brigade  to  have  a,  for  use  of  the  sick,    -         -  1272 
Great  number  of,  on  Nassau-Island,       ...  1425 
Price  paid  for,  by  the  enemy,          -         ...  1532 
Order  for  removal  of,  to  Hempstead-Plains,    -        -  1537 


1757 


INDEX. 


1758 


Sheerer,  Michael,  Constable,  takes  Daniel  Shelly  to 

Lancaster,  4 

Sheffield,  Archas,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Artillery  in 

Connecticut,     -  -     244 

Shelburne,  petition  from  inhabitants  of,  to  Gates,     455,  803 

A  stockade  fort  erected  at,    -  -         -     455 

Shelby,  James,  good  conduct  of,  in  Indian  battles,      -     466 

Shell,  Daniel,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  -   1350 

Shells,  the  enemy  throw,  filled  with  molasses,    -         -     129 

Upwards  of  sixty  thrown  on  Sullivan's  Island,         -     438 

Shelly,  Daniel,  allegations  against,     -  4 

Shepard,  James,  appointed  Captain  of  New-Hampshire 

Militia,      -  -  -      50 

Sheppard,  James,  appointed  Adjutant  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -  268 

Sheppard,  Alexander,  directed  to  receive  saltpetre,     -    283 
Sheppard,  Abm.,  appointed  Captain  by  Congress,       -  1570 
Sherburne,  Colonel  Samuel,  appointed  Mustermaster 

and  Paymaster  in  New-Hampshire,     -        -         57,  83 
Sherburne,   Edward,   appointed  Major  in  a   Canada 

Regiment,  65 

Sherburne,  Major  Henry,  ordered  to  relief  of  Bedel,  -     129 
Alarch  of,  from  Montreal  to  the  Cedars,          -        -     159 
Is  met  by  the  Indians  in  great  force,      ...     160 
After  a  brave  contest  is  overpowered,     -  -     160 

And  forced  to  sign  a  cartel,  -----     161 

A  compliment  to  the  conduct  of,  by  Congress,        -     162 
A  copy  of  the  articles  with  Forster  signed  by,         -     162 
Is  sent  by  Arnold  to  the  Canada  Commissioners,    -     165 
Is  highly  complimented  by  Arnold,  -     166 

Colonel  Greaton  expresses  an  indifferent  opinion  of,     697 
Congress  pay  the  expenses  of,        -  1578 

Sherman,   Roger,   Delegate    in   Congress  from   Con- 
necticut, -         -         -  ...       43 
Sherman,  William,  appointed  Paymaster  by  Congress,   1568 
Sherwood,  Benjamin,  witnesses  against  counterfeiters,  1369 
She  well,  Joseph,  published  as  an  enemy,  -  -  1119 
Shewell,  Stephen,  published  as  an  enemy,  -  1119 
Ship-Carpenters,  two  Companies  of,  on  the  march,    -     145 
Massachusetts  resolves  to  send,  to  Albany,     -         -    303 
Employed  at  Poughkeepsie  in  building  rafts,  -         -    546 
Congress  resolves  to  employ  fifty  for  Albany,  -         -  1565 
Ship  George,  distribution  of  proceeds  of  the  prize,      -     1.34 
Shipman,  Benoni,  Sergeant-Major,  named  for  promo- 
tion, -    646 
Shippen,  Dr.  William,  letter  to,  from  the  President  of 

Congress,  -----     346 

Has  a  conference  with  Dr.  Weisenthall,          -      /  -     758 
Appointed  Chief  Physician,  &c.,  to  Flying-Camp,  -  1578 
Ships,  list  of  British,  and  their  force,  - 

Two  sent  up  North  River  to  obstruct  supplies,         -     121 
Massachusetts  resolves  to  equip  two,  for  Colony  use,     134 
Captured  by  an  American  privateer,       -        -         -     209 
Capture  of  British,  to  be  tried  before  the  Maritime 

Court,       -  -     316,  320 

Of  the  line,  eleven  put  in  commission  in  London,  -     929 
Of  war,  the  Continental,  in  want  of  guns,       -         -  1155 
Of  war,  Marine  Committee  instructed  to  report  a 

plan  for  building,       -  -  1618 

Shirley,  Alexander,  losses  of,  at  Bunker-Hill  paid,       52,  71 

Shirtmen,  the  enemy  call  Captain  Smith's  Company,  -     151 

Handsome  parade  of,  in  Philadelphia;     -  -     786 

Shirts,  a  supply  of.  received  at  Head-Quarters,  New- 

York,        -  -     800 

A  supply  of,  received  at  Ticonderoga,     -  -  1269 

Shfficker,  Peter,  examination  of,  on  oath,   -  -     760 

Shoes,  a  supply  of,  received  at  Head-Quarters,  -        -     800 
High  price  paid  for  in  Philadelphia,        -  -  1192 

Shops,  leaden  weights  taken  from  all  the,  in  New- 
Jersey,      -----  -         -     369 

Shora,  John,  recommended  as  Lieutenant  of  Germans,     182 

Shores,  Peter,  appointed  Lieut,  of  frigate  Rawleigh,   -  1588 

Shot,  Arnold  secures  a  good  supply  of,      -  -     165 

An  order  to  supply  the  town  of  Beverly  with,          -     268 

Thousands  of  the  enemy's,  gathered  on  Sullivan's 

Island,     -  -        -    439 

An  order  of  Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  for,       -     731 

Shot-Moulds,  payment  for,  ordered,  -  -  1327 

Shreve,  John,  appointed  Ensign  by  General  Gates,     -    657 

Shrewsbury,  New-Jersey,  people  of,  slow  in  turning 

out,    '  -  ...       38 

Greater  portion  of  its  inhabitants  Tories,  -     602 

An  asylum  for  Tories  from  all  quarters,  -         -        -  1534 
Shryock,  Major  Henry,  letter  to,  from  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety, 466 

Is  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1350 
Shugart,  Martin,   recommended   as  Ensign   of  Ger- 
mans,      •      .  -        -        -        -        -        -        -    182 


Shuldham,  Vice  Admiral,  Lord,  uncertainty  about,      -  105 

Arrival  of,  with  the  transports,        -                  -  122 

Displeasure  of  the  King  at  the  neglect  of,       -        -1102 

Shute,  Mr.  Samuel,  appointed  Ensign,       -                  -  1269 

Shuttleworth,  Lieutenant,  signs  parole  at  Lancaster,  -  783 

Sick,  resolve  to  furnish  Colonial  Regiments  supplies 

for  the,    -                                                             -  317 
Serious  increase  of,  in  the  General  Hospital,  -         -  417 
Great  increase  of,  at  New-York,    -         ...  678 
Reported  to  be  convalescent  at  Fort  George,          -  776 
Two  thousand  reported  to  be,  on  Staten-Island,      -  8J3 
Augmented  number  of,  at  Head-Quarters,      -        -  835 
Return  of,  in  the  General  Hospital  at  Fort  George,  857 
A  sheep  given  to  each  brigade  to  make  broth  for  the,  1272 
Sickles,  Captain,  guard  of,  to  watch  the  enemy's  mo- 
tions,      -                                   -        ...  1558 
Signals,  General  Lincoln's  ideas  on  the  proper  alarm,  461 
Two  guns  ordered  as,  of  the  enemy's  landing,        -  505 
Sill,  Mr.,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Warner's  Regiment,  1555 
Silliman,  Colonel,  letter  to,  from  Washington,  -         -  39 
Impossibility  of  subsisting  the  horses  of,        -        -  106 
Advises  the  horsemen  not  to  do  duty  on  foot,         -  513 
Silver  and  Gold,  amount  of,  in  New-Hampshire  treas- 
ury,                                    -  59 

Massachusetts  resolves  to  send  a  large  sum  in,  to 

Schuyler, 269,277 

Sim,  Colonel  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  Maryland1  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     ...                                    -  807 
Sim,  Captain  Patrick,  paid  for  supplies  to  his  Com- 
pany,      -                                                    -  1331,  1333 
Sim,  Peter,  report  of  Committee  appointed  to  examine,  1468 
Simonds,  Captain,   member  of  New-Hampshire  As- 
sembly,   ...                  -..-72 
Simpkins,  Dickinson,  appointed  Lieutenant  Maryland 

Militia,    -                          1344 

Simpson,  John,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of,  22 

Examination  and  parole  of,  -                           -        -  23 

Was  wounded  at  battle  of  Bunker-Hill,          -        -  48 
Simpson,  John,  member  of  North-Carolina  Council  of 

Safety,      -                                                                -  1366 

Six  Nations,  Kiashuta  speaks  the  determination  of  the,  36 
The  warriors  of,  conclude  to  take  the  advice  of  the 

United  States,  -        -                                              -  138 

Expected  arrival  of,  at  German  Flats,    -                  -  396 

Reported  neutrality  of  the,    -----  480 

A  conference  opened  with  the,      ....  856 

Union  of,  with  the  Caughnawagas,  &c.,          -         -  867 
Fifty  of  the  warriors  of,  embark  in  quest  of  Colonel 

Johnson,  -         -         -         -                             -         -  868 

Probability  of  some  of  the,  joining  Carleton,  -         -  983 
Speech  of  the  Commissioners  to  the,     -                  -  1035 
Skene,  Governour,  threats  from,  to  destroy  a  powder- 
mill,                                                                          -  178 
Proposal  to  exchange  for  Mr.  Lovell,     -         -      502,  510 
Washington  offers  to  Howe  the  exchange  of,          -  679 
General  Howe  agrees  to  the  proposal,   -        -      711,766 
Sails  ordered  by,  for  the  schooner  Liberty,  are  found,  923 
Congress  authorize  the  exchange  of,  for  Mr.  Lovell,  1590 
Skene,  Major,  (Governour's  son,)  arrives  at  Quebeck,  -  584 
Skenesborough,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,  -         -  128 
Militia  ordered  to,  in  aid  of  the  carpenters,    -         -  206 
Artificers  sent  to,  from  Crown-Point,    -                  -  209 
Gates  sends  General  Waterbury  to,         -                  -  340 
Waterbury's  first  letter  to  Gates  from,    -  424 
Failure  of  the  gondolas  to  arrive  at,                -         -  454 
Sixty  carpenters  reported  at  work  at,     -        -        -  454 
The  Militia  begin  to  arrive  at,        -        -        -        -  512 

General  Arnold  visits,  ------  512 

The  position  of,  explained  by  Schuyler,          -        -  560 

The  Massachusetts  Battalion  are  ordered  to,  -        -  576 
More  carpenters  arrive  at,  &c., 

Operations  of  the  mill  at,  obstructed  by  a  flood,      -  955 

Troops  at,  ordered  to  Ticonderoga,        -  955 

Colonel  Wynkoop  is  left  in  command  at,       -        -  955 
Extract  of  a  letter  from, 

Return  of  provisions  on  hand  at,  -                  -        -  1201 

Number  of  men  at,  who  drew  provisions,       -        -  1202 

Sickness  among  the  carpenters  at,         -         -         -  1217 

Ague  and  fever  the  prevailing  disease  at,        -        -  1238 

Skidmore,  John  J.,  promoted  to  a  Majority,       -        -  1462 

Skimmer,  Captain,  prize  taken  by,  sent  into  Salem,  -  973 

Skinner,  Thomas,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,         -  38 

Skinner,  Cortlandt,  joins  the  enemy  on  Staten-Island,  200 

Skinner,  John,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -                                                       -        -  364 
Skinner,  Captain,  sends  in  a  prize  ship,    -                  -  662 
Skinner,  Lieutenant,  activity  of,  in  arresting  the  dis- 
affected,    887 


1759 


INDEX. 


1760 


Skinner,  Abraham,  list  of  Tories  certified  by,     - 

Skinner,  Colonel  William,  order  to  deliver  slaves  to,  -  1.374 

Slapp,  John,  one  of  the  Committee  for  building  Fort 
at  Royalton, 

Slaughterhouses,  butchers  ordered  to  remove  all,  be- 
yond the  limits  of  the  City  of  Annapolis,       -         -  1341 

Slaves,  efforts  of  the  enemy  to  excite  the,  -         -         -     j»* 
Importation  of,  m  Delaware  prohibited, 

Sle<'ht,  Johannes,  Chairman  of  Ulster  Committee,     -     Ub 
Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -         -  1140,  145. 

Slitting  Mill,  money  advanced  for  erection  of,  - 

Sloan,  David,  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant, 

Sloane,  Johiuexamination  of,  - 

Sloop,  a,  is  offered  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,     6bt 
Sent  to  New-Providence  by  Commodore  Hopkins,  -     476 
A,  captured  by  Captain  Lander,    - 
Connecticut  Council  order  the  purchase  of  a, 

Sloops,  two  purchased  at  Poughkeepsie,  - 
Fitted  out  for  defence  of  Hudson  River, 
Not  sufficiently  substantial  for  sea  service, 

Small,   Jonathan,   sentenced   to   receive    thirty-nine 

lashes,      -  *•;"'""  *?S 

Small-arms,  Washington's  deficiency  in,  -        -         -     173 
Resolve  empowering  agents  to  purchase,        -         -     292 
Invoice  of,  sent  to  Washington,    .         -         -         -     360 
Makers  of,  in  Pennsylvania,  exempted  from  march- 
ing with  Militia, 1294 

Small  bills,  New-Hampshire  deems  it  expedient  to 

issue,        ---••-        ~         ~       J_3 
Form  and  amount  of,  issued,         -         -         -         -       70 

Small-pox,  a  bounty  given  to  conquer  the  fears  of,     -       28 
Care  taken  to  preserve  the  army  at  New-York  from, 
Prevalence  of,  at  Crown-Point,      - 
Washington  urges  measures  to  suppress, 
Great  havock  made  by,  in  the  Northern  Army,        -     118 
Mortality  from,  very  great  among  the  officers, 
More  dreaded  than  the  enemy, 
Boston  made  quite  a  hospital  by,  - 
Massachusetts  Council  forbid  inoculation  for, 
Loss  of  the  enemy  from,  on  Staten-Island,     - 
Reported  to  be  gradually  disappearing  from  the  army,     177 
The  troops  at  Boston  infected  with, 
Petition  to  establish  a  hospital  for  inoculation  for,  -     212 
Danger  apprehended  from,  in  Philadelphia,     - 
Dr.  Ely  is  sent  by  Connecticut  to  the  Northern  Army 

to  report  on,     -  -        -     24 1 

Schuyler  hopes  to  prevent  the  spread  of,        -        -     260 
An  Indian  lad  is  infected  with,      -         -         -         - 

Breaks  out  on  board  of  Captain  Harding's  brig,      -     260 
Precautions  taken  against,  at  Salem, 
Massachusetts  Legislature  authorize  inoculation  for,     448 
Selectmen  of  Boston  urged  to  suppress, 
Continued  spreading  of,  at  Boston,        -         -         -     541 
Appearance  of,  at  Port  Tobacco,  Maryland,  -         -     592 
A  Regiment  from  Boston  arrives  at  New-York,  not 
free  from,  -------     638 

Cases  of,  ordered  to  be  forthwith  reported  to  the 

General,  -         -  -      654,  656,  657 

Prevalence  of,  on  Staten-Island,    -  -     813 

'  Great  cause  of  desertion  from  the  Northern  Army,  -     827 
Anger  of  Gates  at  the  inoculation  for,  -         -         -     901 
The  carpenters  at  Williamstown  inoculated  for,      -  1004 
Number  of  persons  reported  at  Boston  with,  -         -  1 172 
The  Virginia  Battalion  ordered  to  avoid  Philadel- 
phia on  account  of,  -  -        -         -        -  1191 

Gates  informs  Washington  of  the  declension  of,     -  1197 
Total  eradication  of,  from  the  army  of  the  North,    -  1268 
Smallwood,  Colonel  William,  is  ordered  to  Philadel- 
phia,       -  -       31 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -     101 
Embarks  at  Annapolis  for  Elk,      -  -     155 
Captain  Strieker  is  recommended  by,    -         -        -     187 
Apprehension  of,  of  being  superseded  in  his  com- 
mand,      ...                             ...     215 

Arrives  at  Philadelphia  with  the  First  Battalion  of 

Maryland  Regulars,  -  -     350 

Js  ordered  by  the  President  of  Congress  to  join 

Washington,     -         -  ...     388 

The  enemy  land  near  the  estate  of,  on  the  Poto- 

mack,       -  ...     593 

Ordered  to  halt  his  Battalion  at  Elizabethtown,       -     600 
Thf  Maryland  Delegates  in  Congress  advance  mo- 
ney to,     -  ...     618 
Is  reported  to  be  at  New- York,      -        -         -         -     670 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  approve  the  advance  to,     723 
Report  of  the  enemy's  landing  on  the  farm  of,  not 

true,  .         .         -723 

Arrival  of,  with  his  Battalion,  at  Elizabethtown,      -    750 


Smallwood,  Colonel  William,  his  Battalion  complain 

of  the  provisions  issued  at  Philadelphia,  -  -  771 
Washington  orders  Battalion  of,  to  New-York,  -  835 
The  arrival  of,  at  New-York,  noticed  by  Washing- 
ton, -  910 
Regiment  of,  attached  to  Sullivan's  Brigade,  -  -  913 
Gallant  conduct  of  the  Battalion  of,  -  -  1194 
Appointed  to  command  Stirling's  Brigade,  -  -  1247 
List  of  the  Battalion  of,  made  prisoners  on  Long- 
Island,  ...  .  1251 
Haifa  month's  pay  advanced  to  Battalion  of,  -  1331 
Ordered  to  make  return  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety  of  troops,  arms,  &c.,        -                           -  1332 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  payment  to,  on 

Continental  account,                                               -  1333 
Ordered  by  Congress  to  New-York,       -                  -  1582 
Smedes,  Abraham,  commissioned  First  Lieutenant,    -  1465 
Smedley,  Lieutenant,  gallantry  of,  applauded,    -         -  341 
Affidavit  made  by,                                                        -  402 
Smith,  John,  3d,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assem- 
bly, -        -                 -                                            -  61 
Smith,    Ebenezer,   member  of  New-Hampshire   As- 
sembly,   -                            ...  61 
Smith,  Capt.,  of  Seventh  Regiment,  boards  an  enemy's 

tender,     -                                     ...  150 

Captures  several  prisoners,    -----  152 
Smith,  Jonathan,    Captain   of  Second   Pennsylvania 

Battalion,                   -                            -                  -  171 
Smith,  Alexander  Lawson,  nominated  as  Captain  of 

Rifles, 183 

Receives  the  appointment,    -                                     -  1335 

Smith,  Chauncey,  examination  of,     -         -                  -  198 
Smith,  Jonathan,  appointed  Colonel  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,    -                                                              -  293 

Smith,  Adam,  recommended  for  an  appointment,       -  251 

Appointed  First  Lieutenant,                    ...  1336 

Smith,  Benjamin,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,      -         -  273 

Smith.  Nathan,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,                    -  281 

Smith,  Colonel  Isaac,  resolve  on  the  abstract  of,         -  284 
Smith,  George,  (Philadelphia,)  appointed  Captain  in 

Flying-Camp,  -                           ....  349 

Smith,  John,  First  Lieutenant  Green  Mountain  Boys,  377 
Smith,   Colonel    Josiah,    appointed   First   Colonel   of 

draught  of  Nassau-Island  Militia,       -         -     539,1424 
Directed  to  join  General  Greene,  -                  -         -  1489 
Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -                  -  1211 
Authorized  to  employ  a  Surgeon  and  procure  hos- 
pital,                                                                          -  1523 
Camp  equipage  ordered  for,  -         -         -               .  -  1526 
Authorized  to  appoint  Quartermaster  and  Adjutant,  1526 
Regiment  of,  ordered  to  Horn's  Hook,                     -  1557 
Transportation  ordered  for,  to  Long-Island,  -         -  1558 
Regiment  of,  dispersed  without  authority,       -         -  1564 
Smith,  Captain  Nathan,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  685 
Smith,  Stephen,  to  Massachusetts  Council,        -         -  703 
Smith,  Jonathan,  letter  to,  from  Stephen  Parker,         -  893 
Smith,  Dr.  Adam,  author  of  "Wealth  of  Nations,"  an 

enemy  to  the  American  cause,  -         -                  -  929 
Smith,  Captain,  prisoner,  to  the  New-York  Conven- 
tion,        ........  936 

Smith,  William  S.,  appointed  Aid  to'Gen.  Sullivan,  -  966 

Smith, ,  a  volunteer,  deserts  to  the  enemy,          -  1050 

Smith,  Major  Thomas,  the  Militia  threaten,        -  1079,  1081 
Smith,  Joseph,  Jun.,  elected  Captain  in  Col.  Cooke's 

Regiment,                                                                 -  1121 
Smith,  John,  (East-Hampton,)  appointed  Lieutenant 

of  ship  Oliver  Cromwell,   -                                     -  1189 

Smith,  Robert,  awnings  inspected  and  valued  by,       -  1292 

Smith,  Major  Jeffrey,  pusillanimity  charged  against,  -  1234 

Resignation  of,     -                                     -                  -  1260 

Smith,  Captain  Matthew,  ordered  to  procure  rifles,     -  1319 

Smith,  Francis,  paid  for  leather  breeches,  -                  -  1333 

Smith,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1348 

Smith,  John,  appointed  Ensign  in  the  Flying-Camp,  1349 
Smith,  Robert,  (North-Carolina,)  permitted  to  export 

sundries,  -                                                                 -  1370 

Smith,  John,  arrested  for  passing  counterfeit  money,  -  1371 

Smith,  Joseph,  permitted  to  leave  North-Carolina,      -  1375 
Smith,  Benjamin,  (New- York  Convention,)  refuses  to 

take  the  oath  of  secrecy,   -----  1387 
Smith,  Samuel,   petition    of,  to   New-York  Conven- 
tion, -                                                                       -  1404 
Smith,  Simeon,  appointed  Captain  in  Warner's  Regi- 
ment,      -                                                     -        -  1565 
Smith,  Joseph  B.,  elected  by  Congress  Deputy  Mus- 

termaster-General  of  the  Flying-Camp,       -         -  1570 

Smith,  Dr.  'William,  appointed  Druggist  by  Congress,  1614 

Smiths,  delay  occasioned  by  the  want  of,  -                  -  1548 


1761 


INDEX. 


1762 


Smiths,  the  New-York   Convention  ask  Congress  for 

the  Poughkeepsie,     ...                             .  1548 

Smyley,  Samuel,  recommended  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,                   -                                    -        -  217 

Smyth,  John,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,  38 

General  Livingston's  confidence  in,       -                  -  105 
Smythe,  Thomas,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -       114,  386,  153,  737 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,   -      216,  553 

Sends  a  sample  of  wooden  bottles,                           -  707 
Smyth,  Nathaniel,  order  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -      344,  409 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -  976 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -  976 

Smyth,  Thomas,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  -  1347 

Snead,  John,  appointed  a  Hanger  in  Surrey  County, 

North-Carolina,                                              -        -  1369 
Snowdon,  Thomas,  commissioned  First  Major,  -         -  1332 
Snow  Hill,  arms  at,  belonging  to  Maryland,       -        -  974 
Snyden,  Dennis,  denounced  as  an  enemy,                   -  648 
Snyden,  Jesse,  denounced  as  an  enemy,  -  648 
Snyden,  William,  denounced  as  an  enemy,        -        -  648 
Snyden,  Samuel,  denounced  as  an  enemy,                  -  648 
Snyden,  Robert,  denounced  as  an  enemy,                    -  648 
Snyder,  John,  mistake  concerning,  corrected,    -         -  648 
Snyder,  Colonel  John,  appeal  of,  to  New- York  Con- 
vention,  -                  ......  714 

Soap,  allowance  of,  insufficient  for  cleanliness,           -  196 
Ordered  for  Regiments  at  Ticonderoga,          -          656-7 

Soldiers,  price  of  goods  for,  regulated,       -                  -  556 

Complaints  of  the  country  people  against  the,        -  677 
Resolve  relating  to  employment  of  sea-coast, 
Order  forbidding,  to  appear  at  elections, 

Allowance  of  clothing  for,     -        -                  -         -  1385 

Resolve  of  Congress  relating  to  disabled,        -         -  1619 

Soldiery,  deerskin  breeches  ordered  for  the,        -        -  1622 

Solebay,  frigate,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  fleet,  -        -  436 
Report  of  deserters  from  the,                            -   818,1487 

Sollers,  T.,  member  of  the  Baltimore  Committee,        -  115 

Solomon,  the  wisdom  of,  requisite  to  endure  slander,  -  1204 

Solon,  resolves  of  Congress,  compared  to  the  laws  of,  734 

Somerset,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  Committee  of,  570 
Somerville,  Col.  Alexander,  correspondence  of,  with 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  325,  343,  409,429,  614,  634 
Somes,  Benjamin,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  the  Glou- 
cester Company,       ... 

"  Sons  of  Liberty"  celebrate  their  anniversary,  -         -  972 
Sorel,  situation  of  the  army  at  the  mouth  of  the, 

Reported  retreat  of  Burgoyne  to  the,      ...  824 

Arrival  of  the  chain  intended  for  the,      -  935 

Soscoholaana,  a  Mohawk  chief,  speech  of,         -         -  1041 

Sound,  enemy's  ships  in,  obstruct  communication,      -  1205 

Enemy's  ships  cruise  in  the,  -         -  1212,  1335 

Westchester  Militia  watch  the  enemy  in  the,  -         -  1544 

South-Carolina,  reported  repulse  of  Clinton  in,  -         -  348 

Capture  of  a  schooner  belonging  to,       ...  382 

Hancock  sends  an  express  to  Washington  with  the 

news  from,       -------  434 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,         -                                    -  481 
Washington  gives  to  the  army  the  news  from,         -  506 
Monthly  return  of  the  forces  in,     -         -                  -  632 
Proclamation  by  the  President  of,  -                           -  756 
Question  whether  the  forces  of,  are  Continental,     -  905 
Washington  holds  up  the  troops  of,  as  an  example,  913 
Extract  of  a  letter  from  a  field  officer  of,                  -  941 
First  Colony  to  resolve  on  a  plan  for  a  fixed  Legis- 
lature,     -                                                    -  1285 
Officers  from,  inlist  men  from  the  North-Carolina 

troops,      -                                     -  1385 

Congress  takes  into  pay  the  Rangers  of,                  -  1590 

Southampton,  New- York,  meeting  of  grandfathers  at,  543 

Draught  of  a  letter  from  New- York  Convention  to 

Committee  of,  -                           -         -                  -  1398 

Southold,  Committee  of,  erect  cannon  on  east  end  of 

Nassau-Island,                                                             -  1545 
Southouse,  Mr.,  appointed  Judge  of  Common  Pleas 

for  Montreal,    -                                                       -  1105 
South  River,  the  Company  from,  on  duty  at  Annapolis, 

discharged,       -                                              -        -  1337 

Spades,  a  quantity  of,  sent  from  Albany  to  Gates,       -  623 

General  Waterbury  asks  for,  -        -                  -        -  679 

A  second  call  for,  from  Skenesborough,          -        -  717 

Number  of,  sent  to  Skenesborough,        ...  773 

General  Gates  complains  of  the  want  of,                  -  872 
Captain  Varick  sends,  to  Gates,     - 

Spades,  Gates  orders  Waterbury  to  send  him,     -         -  955 
Spafford,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys,                                                                 -  377 


Spain,  Great  Britain  endeavours  to  stop  the  trade  of, 

with  the  United  States, 3g 

Lee's  opinion  as  to  the  sentiments  of,     -         -         -  96 

Commerce  of,  with  the  American  Colonies,    -         -  134 

Evasive  answers  given  by,  to  England,  -  462 

Appearance  of  rupture  of,  with  England,        -         -  960 

Rumour  of  war  with  Portugal,        ....  1011 

Spalding,  Simon,  appointed  Lieutenant  by  Congress,  -  1618 

Spangler,  George,  conducts  prisoners  to  Yorktown,  -  1292 

Sparham,  Dr.,  declines  going  with  the  fleet,       -         -  988 

Speaight,  Richard,  offers  his  services  as  Surgeon,        -  1482 

Spears,  Mercer  sends  twelve  hundred  to  Washington,  894 

Specie,  Schuyler  sends  for,  on  his  Indian  treaty,  °      -  395 
Order  of  Congress  to  pay  the  account  of  Price  &. 

Heywood  in,     -        -                           ...  1QQQ 

Spedden,  Mr.,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  152 

Speech,  Mr.  Bowdoin's,  to  the  Indians,     -        -      840,  841 

At  the  opening  of  the  Conference  at  German-Flats,  1035 

Speedwell  Pembroke,  brig,  capture  of,  on  a  whaling 

voyage,     -  550 
Spencer,   General  Joseph,   commits  John   Lewis   to 

prison,      -                                                                -  109 

Letter  from,  to  John  Hobart,          ....  373 

Recommends  Levi  Allen,      -        ....  493 

Paper  required  for  Brigade  of,        -         -         .         .  579 

Appointed  Major-General,    -                   -         -     883,  1603 

Appointment  of,  announced  in  General  Orders,      -  914 

Sphinx,  Captain  Hunt,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  fleet,  436 

Spicer,  Nathan,  deserter,  examination  of,  -         -        -  353 

Affidavit  made  by,         ------  401 

Spikes,  quantity  of,  sent  from  Albany  to  Gates,  -        -  623 
Spiten  Devil,  two  galleys  sent  to  lie  at,      -         -        -  647 
Tupper's  uncertainty  about  retreating  to,         -        -  767 
Spitfire,  row-galley,  engagement  of,  with  the  enemy,  -  751 
Splatterdashes,  ordered  for  Captain  Hindman's  Com- 
pany,       -        -                                             -        -  1340 

Split  Rock,  Arnold  proposes  to  post  his  fleet  at,         -  796 

An  order  for  the  fleet  not  to  pass,  -  826 

Spooner,  Walter,  letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  30 
Spotswood,  Alexander,  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel 

by  Congress,    -                                                       -  1606 
Sprague,  Major  Joseph,  to.  command  Companies  at 

Salem, 323 

Sprigg,  Richard,  an  order  to  pay,  for  a  schoonet,        -  1339 
Spriggs,  George,  Treasurer  of  Massachusetts,  directed 

to  receive  boxes  of  money  from,          ...  284 

Sprowle,  Mr.,  and  family,  on  board  Dunmore's  fleet,  -  152 

Spunges,  resolve  to  supply  Falmouth  with,                  -  321 

Spurrier,  Edward,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,  1348 

Spy,  Connecticut  armed  brig,  instructions  for,   -        -  240 

Spy,  sloop,  cruising  off  Block-Island,                           -  1452 

A  ship  from  New- York  detained  by  the,  .       -        -  1452 

Spy,  intelligence  from  Long-Island  brought  by  a,        -  1531 

Spyker,  Benjamin,  appointed  Captain  in  Flying-Camp,  1351 
Squier,  Samuel,  letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,  455,  750 

Squires,  Captain,  commander  of  the  Otter,          -         -  152 
Stacey,  William,  appointed  Major  of  Massachusetts 

levies, 293 

Leaves  his  Regiment  on  the  march,  ...  797 
Staddle,  Christopher,  promotion  of,  -  -  -  -  1124 
Staff  Officers,  resolve  of  Massachusetts  to  appoint,  -  294 
Stamp  Office,  anniversary  of  the  fall  of  the,  -  -  944 
Stanley,  Sir  Hans,  purpose  of,  in  France,  -  1013 
Stanton,  Captain,  ordered  with  his  row-galley  to  New- 
York,  458,541 

Court  of  Inquiry  ordered  on,                    ...  1140 
Stanton,  Joshua,  appointed  Captain  in  Warner's  Regi- 
ment,       --------  1565 

Stark,  Colonel  John,  letter  from,  to  Gates,          -        -  715 

A  paper  from,  is  enclosed  to  Washington,      -        -  827 

Promotions  in  the  Regiment  of,     -                             -  1126 

Stark,  Ensign,  promoted  to  a  Lieutenancy,        -        -  1126 

Starr,  Daniel,   appointed   Lieutenant  of  Artillery  in 

Connecticut,     -------  244 

State-House,  Philadelphia,  procession  to,  to  hear  Inde- 
pendence read,                                                           -  119 
A  stage  erected  in  the  yard  of,  for  the  Philadelphia 
guard,      --------  1299 

Statement,  Captain  Conway's,  of  the  affair  at  Sandy 

Point,       -                                             -         -        -  525 

Colonel  Harrison's,  of  the  affair  at  Sandy  Point,      -  527 
Staten-Island,   threatening  maneeuvres  of  the  enemy 
against,  --------- 

General  Howe  lands  and  encamps  on,  - 

Tories  on,  hide  the  cattle  for  the  enemy,  23 

Treachery  of  the  people  of,   -        -        -        -  39 

Howe's  reasons  for  debarking  on,           ...  105 

No  opposition  made  to  Howe's  landing  on,  -         -  122 


FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I 


111 


1763 


INDEX. 


1764 


Staten-Island.. people  of,  welcome  the  arrival  of  Howe, 
J.  Adams  speaks  his  opinion  of  the  people  of, 
Mr.  Stone  informs  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

that  Howe  remains  at, 

It  is  not  deemed  advisable  to  make  a  descent  upon,     224 
Difficulty  of  procuring  a  spy  for  service  on,     - 
Howe's  troops  cantoned  along  the  shores  of,  - 
Captain  Mercereau  brings  intelligence  from,  - 
General  Mercer  forms  a  plan  of  attack  on,      -      370,  44; 
Bad  weather  prevents  Mercer's  designs  on,    -         -     470 
DIM-US- ion  of  a  plan  of -attack  on,  -  -         -     619 

Prevalence  of  small-pox  on,  -        -   .     - 
Arrival  of  Hessians,  &.C.,  at,  -  -      818,  9! 

Repotted  embarkation  of  the  troops  from, 
Arrival  of  Clinton  at,  from  South-Carolina,     -         -     851 
Whole  force  of  the  enemy  united  at, 
Amount  of  the  force  on,  ascertained,      -         -    951,11 
Loyalty  of  the  people  of,  praised  by  the  King, 
A  spv  brings  intelligence  from,      -         -         -1110,1531 
Statesman,  qualifications  for  a  good, 
Statue  of  George  III.  in  New-York,  pulled  down  by 

the  people,       -  ...     144 

Staves,  permission  granted  by  North-Carolina  to  ex- 
port, -        -         -         -  1367 

Stedman,  John,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,          -         -     283 
Steel,  William,    appointed    Lieutenant   of   Lancaster 

Associators,      -         -        -         -         -         -         -     573 

Steel,  Ensign,  dismissed  the  service  by  court-martial,  -     658 
Steel,  Aaron  Hobart  asks  for  fifty  weight  of,       -         -     748 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  delivery  of,  to  Mr. 
Niven,      -  _.----  1331 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  delivery  of,  to  Mr. 

Harris,      -»      -  -         -  1337 

Steel,  Captain,  commands  a  Rifle  Company, 
Steel,  James,  testimony  of,        -----   1081 

Steel,  William,  testimony  of,     -  -  1081 

Steigleman,  Jacob,  discharged  on  account  of  age,       -     947 
Stein,  Augustus,   testimony  of,    in   case   of  Colonel 

Zedtwitz, 1159 

Stephens,  Colonel  Adam,    to   President   of  Virginia 

Council, 892 

Stephens,  Elijah,  examination  of,      ...         -     198 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -     386 
Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -     433 
Stephens,    Mr.,  detained   on  board  the  enemy  as   a 

hostage,   -  -         -  1215 

Stephens,  Philip,  first  Secretary  to  the  Admiralty,  ex- 
tract of  a  letter  to,  from  Lord  Howe,  -  1255 
Stephens,  Simon,  appointed  Major  of  Brigade,  -         -  1465 
Stephenson,  Captain,  is  captured  by  an  American  pri- 
vateer,     -                                                                -     589 
Sterett,  Lieutenant  William,  money  voted  to.for  Smith's 

Company,  -  1333 

Sterret,  Lieutenant,  missing  after  the  battle  on  Long- 
Island,      -  -  1250 
Steuart,  intrigues  of,  with  the  Indians,       -         -        -     481 
Stevens,  Captain  John,  list  of  the  men  of,  made  pri- 
soners,    -  -     167 
Stevens,  Caleb,  New-Hampshire;  inlists  for  Canada,  -     381 
Stevens,  Elnathan,  Chairman  of  Killingworth    Com- 
mittee,     -         -  -     566 
Stevens,  Dr.,  Gates  asks  the  arrest  and  imprisonment  of,  1073 
Conduct  of,  explained  and  justified,       -  -  1170 
Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,       ....  1171 
Stevens,  Richard,  refuses  to  receive   North-Carolina 

money,     -  .  1376 

Stevenson,  George,  letter  from,  to  President  of  Con- 
gress,       -  -619,994 
Stevenson,  Cornelius,  letter  from,  to  Dr.  Franklin,      -  1106 
Stevenson,  Captain,  superseded  by  Thomas  Yates,      -  1332 
Steward,  appointment  of  a,  for  the  navy  suggested  in 

lieu  of  Purser,  -  -         -         .         .         -119 

Stowart,  Stephen,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -     113,  154,  1133 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -     136 
Stewart,  Captain,  (prisoner,)  signs  parole  at  Lancaster,     783 
Stewart,  Col.  William,  letter  from,  to  Gen.  Waterbury,   1051 
Stewart,  Alexander,  clothes  to  be  delivered  to,  -         -   1386 
Asks  to  be  released  from  service  with  the  troops,    -  1448 
Report  on  the  case  of,  -         -         -         -         .         .   1455 
Taken  into  custody  as  a  prisoner,  -        ...  1456 
Stewart,  Captain  James,  authorized  to  raise  a  Com- 
pany of  Scotch  Highlanders,      ....  1442 
Ordered  to  join  Colonel  Malcom's  Regiment,          -  1518 
Stickney,  Colonel  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  New-Hamp- 
shire Committee  of  Safety,  -         -  .  1205 
Stickney,  Jonathan,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,  -         -     301 
Stiles,  Captain  Joseph,  muster-roll  of  the  Artillery  of,     788 


Stirling,  Lord — 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Weissenfels,      -         -        -       41 
Memorial  addressed  to,  -  -     191 

Instructions  of,  to  Captain  Johnson,       -  -     256 

Instructions  in  relation  to  East  River  ferries,  -         -     414 
A  Regiment  of  artificers  is  ordered  to  join,     -         -     503 
Colonel  Ritzema's  disrespect  to,    -  -     504 

Paper  required  for  the  Brigade  of,  -  -     579 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -    601,  1245 

Nominations  to  vacancies  in  the  Brigade  of,  -         -     645 
Return  of  artificers  ordered  to  join,  -     765 

Gives  notice  to  prisoners  to  attend  Washington,     -     869 
List  of  officers  in  the  first  Battalion  of,  -  -     978 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Nixon,      -  -  1111 

Evidence  of,  on  the  trial  of  Colonel  Zedtwitz,         -  1159 
Reported  missing  after  the  fight  on  Long-Island,    -  1195 
Taken  prisoner  by  the  enemy,        -  -  1212,  1231 

Plunderers  of  his  house  ordered  to  restore,     -         -  1348 
Stirling,  Captain,  party  under,  to  be  furnished  with 

horses,     --------  1294 

Stock,  Congress  order  removal  of,  from  Jersey  coast,  -     440 
Removal  of,  not  deemed  necessary  from  Nassau- 
Island,      538 

New- York  Convention  compensate  the  loss  of,  on 
Nassau,    -  .....     538 

Removal  of,  from  Fisher's  and  Elizabeth's  Islands,  -     540 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  removal  of,  from 

Islands,    -  -  -  1335 

Importance  of  removing,  from  Long-Island,  -         -   1414 
Resolve  of  New-York  Convention  in  relation  thereto,  1424 
Order  for  the  removal  or  destruction  of,  in  Queen's 

County,    -  -  1533 

Order  for  the  removal  of,  from  the  coast  of  New- 
Jersey,      -         -  -  1535 
Order  for  driving,  from  the  coast  to  the  interior  of 

Long-Island,     -  -  1545 

New-York   asks    assistance    from    Connecticut   in 

removing,          -  ..-•..  1553 

Recommends  to  New-Jersey  the  removal  of,  -         -  1582 
Stock  and  Tools,  Chase's  return  of,  in  Boston,  -         -     587 
Stockbridge,  Dr.  Benjamin,  is  continued  in  jail,          -     283 
Stockbridge  Indians,  Washington   authorized  to  em- 
ploy, -     821 
Instructions  to  Mr.  Edwards  concerning,        -         -    822. 
Mr.  Edwards  is  ordered  to  engage  as  many  as  pos- 
sible,                                  -"      -        -  -    985 
Stocking  Manufactory,  money  advanced  for  carrying 

on  a,  -  1345 

Stocking-weaver,  Mease  &  Caldwell  ask  for  the  dis- 
charge of  af      -----  -     931 

Stockings,  resolve  to  procure,  for  the  use  of  the  army,     302 
Stockton,  Judge,  Delegate  in  Congress   from   New- 
Jersey,     -  ...     347 
Stockton,  John,  Jr.,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Fly- 
ing-Camp,        .......  1346 

Stoddart,  William,  certificate  of,  relating  to   Sandy- 
Point,       -  -    528 
Stone,  Thomas,  Delegate  in  Congress  from  Maryland,     219 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,   -         -    219, 

492,  531,  556,  669,  930 

Stone,  Enos,  statement  of,  to  Massachusetts  Assembly,  718 
Stone,  William,  memorial  of,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -         -  ...     733 

Stone,  Captain  William,  letter  to,  from  the  Marine 

Committee,       -  -  1181 

Stone,  Captain  J.  H.,  money  paid  to,  on  account  of 

his  Company,   -  -  1331 

Stone,  a  sloop  load  of,  ordered  for  Captain  Rutgers,  -  1518 
Stono  Inlet,  a  sloop  with  powder  aground  in,  -  -  440 
Stopford,  Major,  prisoner  of  war,  signs  his  parole,  -  783 
Storekeeper,  George  Measam  asks  to  be  appointed,  -  1157 
Storer,  James,  chosen  Ensign  of  Chelsea  Militia,  -  778 
Stores,  leaden  weights  ordered  to  be  taken  from,  in 

New-Jersey,     -  ...     369 

Stores,  safe  arrival  of  all,  at  Albany,  from  New-York,   1083 

Captain  Benson  ordered  to  procure  a  guard  for,      -  1541 

Storm,  the  enemy  make  an  attack  in  a  severe,   -         -  1212 

Stormont,  Lord,  remonstrance  of,  to  the  French  Court,     861 

Mr.  Deane  says  he  came  express  from  London,      -  1012 

Story,  Thomas,  a  sick  soldier,  taken  care  of,      -        -  1314 

Stratagem,  success  of  the  privateer  Hancock's,  -      874,  972 

Strieker,  Captain  George,  the  delegates  in  Congress 

recommend,      -  -  114 

Proposed  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  a  German  Bat- 
talion,     -  -     187 
Receives  his  appointment,     -         ...   492,  1581 
Letter  from,  to  Samuel  Chase,       -         -  -     569 
Order  for  paying,  for  carriage  of  gunpowder,  -         -  1331 


1765 


INDEX. 


1766 


Stringer,  Dr.  Samuel,  letter  from,  to  General  Gates,  -  651 
Powers  of,  questioned  by  Dr.  Morgan,  -                  -  920 
Ordered  by  Gates  to  Ticonderoga,                              -  924 
Accused  of  preferment  hunting,    -                           -  1114 
Gates  complains  of  his  delay  in  New-York,    -         -  1271 
Appointed  Director  and  Physician  for  Northern  de- 
partment only,  -                                                       -  1614 
Requested  to  appoint  a  Fleet  Surgeon,                     -  1614 
Strong,    Mr.,    recommended    by    Mr.    Cox    to    Mr. 

Peters,      -                                                                -  961 
Strong,  Joseph,  recommended  as  Chaplain,       -         -  1085 
Stuart,  William,  takes  the  State  oath  in  North-Caro- 
lina,                                                                      -  1382 
Stugart,  Martin,  appointed  Ensign  of  a  German  Com- 
pany,       -                                                                -  1334 
Sturgeon,  three  kegs  of,  sent  to  General  Gates,  -        -  454 
Subjects,  resolve  confiscating  property  of  the  King's,  -  594 
Subscription,  for  encouraging  inlistments,           -         -  179 
Suffolk,  General  Erskine  to  the  inhabitants  of,  -         -  1211 
County  Committee  to  Governoui  Trumbull,    -         -  1261 
Deputies  from,  in  New-York  Convention,      -         -  1386 
Militia  of,  ordered  into  Queen's  County,        -         -  1533 
Alarm  of  the  people  of,                                              -  1548 
Governour  Trumbull  is  asked  to  send  a  thousand 

men  to,    -                          .....  1552 

Suffrage,  instructions  of  Anne  Arundel  County  on,   -  1054 

Sugar,  amount  of,  taken  in  prize  ships,      -                  -  908 
Sugar-Town,  reduced  to  ashes  by  Colonel  William- 
son,-                         -                                   -    750,781 
Sullivan,  General  John — 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Hoisington,      -  3 
New-Hampshire  calls  upon  her  ,men  to  join  the 

army  of,  -----  57 
Uncertainty  of  the  movements  of,  -  -  110 
Address  to,  from  his  field-officers,  -  127 
Reply  of,  to  the  address,  -  -  -  127 
Satisfaction  of,  at  the  post  of  Ticonderoga.  -  -  206 
Schuyler  receives  a  remonstrance  from,  -  232 
Letter  from,  to  General  Schuyler,  -  -  235 
Letter  to,  from  General  Schuyler,  -  -  236 
Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Kurd,  -  -  263 
The  retreat  of,  a  masterly  feat,  -  -  339 
Washington  regrets  the  proposed  resignation  of,  -  389 
Halt  of,  with  the  army  at  St.  John's,  -  -  477 
Reception  of,  at  New-York,  -  -  -  510 
Letter  to,  from  Committees  of  Newbury  and  Haver- 
hill,  -  -  548 
Brigade  of,  not  contented  with  Continental  allow- 
ance, -  -  .....  562 
Letter  of  resignation  from,  ordered  to  lie  on  the 

table  in  Congress,     -                                              -  594 

Governour  Trumbull  alludes  to  the  disgust  of,         -  607 

Discontent  of,  caused  by  appointment  of  Gates,      -  637 

IsMnduced  to  withdraw  his  resignation,           -         -  637 

Is  ordered  to  return  to  New- York,                            -  637 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,      -         -  770 

Is  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major-General,     -    883,  1603 

Promotion  of,  announced  in  General  Orders,  -         -  914 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Hartley,    -                           -  1098 

Appointed  to  command  on  Long-Island,        -         -  1120 

Washington  encloses  to  Congress  a  report  from,    -  1136 

Reported  missing  after  the  battle  on  Long-Island,  -  1194 

Taken  prisoner,  and  carried  on  board  the  fleet,       -  1212 
Permitted  to  return  on  parole,  with  a  message  from 

Lord  Howe,      -                                                       -  1231 

Is  sent  to  Philadelphia  to  deliver  the  message,        -  1245 

Arrival  of,  at  Philadelphia,    -                                       -  1626 
Is  directed  by  Congress  to  reduce  Lord  Howe's 

message  to  writing,  -                                              -  1627 
Sullivan,   Captain   Ebenezer,   taken    prisoner  at  the 

Cedars,    -                  -         -                                    -  167 

Letter  written  in  his  name  to  General  Sullivan,       -  1167 

Sullivan's  Island,  enemy's  account  of  the  action  at,    -  249 

General  Lee's  account  of  the  repulse  from,    -         -  435 

Circumstantial  account  of  transactions  before  and 

after  the  attack  upon, 
Manner  of  the  enemy's  approach  to,     - 

Sullivan's  Island,  name  of  the  fort  on,  changed,          -  440 

Topography  of,  described,     -----  904 

Washington  congratulates  Lee  on  the  repulse  from,  916 

The  Fiftieth  Regiment  almost  cut  offal,                  -  951 
Sulphur,  large  bounty  given  by  New-Hampshire  for 

making,    -        -         -                  -                            60,  87 
Process  for  refining,  proposed,       -                             -  531 
Propositions  by  Connecticut  for  making,         -         -  1009 
Sunbury,  Nova-Scotia,  John  White  examined  by  Com- 
mittee of,                             -        -                           -  599 
Resolves  of  the  County  of,    -                                    -  705 


Sundays,  army  excused  from  fatigue  duty  on,     -         -     768 
Order  against  working  on,  revoked,        -  -   1247 

Superior  Court,  (Massachusetts,)  Mr.  Adams's  anxiety 

about  the,  .     ]Q3 

Resolve  to  bring  forward  all  causes  in  the,      -         -     278 

Surgeon,  Colonel  Nicoll  asks  for  a,  to  his  Regiment,-     730 

High  compliment  to  the,  of  the  Yankee  privateer,  -     755 

Surgeon-Major,  Dr.  Tootell  asks  for  the  office  of,       -     101 

Dr.  Weisenthall's  definition  of  the  title  of,      -         -     112 

Surgeons,  resolve  of  Congress  relating  to,          -         -   1128 

Meetings  of,  held  at  Ticonderoga,  -  1266 

Resolve  to  communicate  to  each  other  the  state  of 

their  sick,  -  1272 

Power  to  appoint,  vested  in   the  Director  of  the 

Hospital,-  -  1614 

Surgeons'  Mates,  memorial  of,  sent  to  Congress,        -     189 

Copy  of  the  memorial  of,  to  Lord  Stirling,      -         -     191 

Discontent  of  Regimental,  at  Hospital  regulations,      416 

Surinam,  arrival  of  a  Dutch  gentleman  from,      -         -     951 

Surry,  North-Carolina,  appointment  of  Rangers  in  the 

County  of,        -  -  1369 

Surveyors  employed  in  the  Northern  Army,       -         -     233 
Surveyorship,  Mr.  Goddard  resigns  the,  of  the  Post 

Office,      ....  .442 

Suspected  persons,  Massachusetts  resolves  to  inquire 

into,         -         -  -     311 

Additional  powers  given  to  the  court  to  try,  -  -  312 
Connecticut  resolves  to  arrest,  ...  424,  457 
Names  of,  published  by  Pittsylvania  Committee,  -  489 
Washington  sends  a  number  of,  from  New-York,  -  896 
Washington  bespeaks  the  indulgence  of  Governour 

Trumbull  to,     -  -    897 

Washington  informs  New-York  Convention  of  his 

disposal  of,  -        -     917 

Washington  sends  two  to  Philadelphia,-  -     934 

A  number  of,  apprehended,  -     989 

Parole  of  many,  taken,  -     989 

Washington  causes  the  removal  of  many,       -         -  1501 

Sussex,  Delaware,  report  to  the  Committee  of,  -         -       10 

Sussex,  Massachusetts,  number  of  men  to  be  raised 

in, 289 

Sutherland,  Sergeant,  prisoner,  a  pass  for,  -  1094 

Sutlers,  prohibited  in  the  Northern  Army,-        -      581,  687 
Wagoners  prefer  engaging  with,  to  publick  employ- 
ment,      •-'-...  -        -        -    773 
Sutton,  Massachusetts,  resolve  for  building  a  powder         , 
mill  at,     -        -  -    272 
Sutton,  William,  deposition  relating  to,     -        -        -     622 
Committed  to  the  State  prison,      -                  -  1312,  1412 
The  commitment  of,  reported  to  New- York  Conven- 
tion, -  1315 
Asks  to  be  released  on  account  of  his  health,          -  1447 
Dr.  Graham  makes  a  report  on  his  health,       -         -  1448 
Examined  and  recommitted,  -  1449 
Ordered  to  be  sent  to  Philadelphia,        -                  -  1454 
Put  under  charge  of  Lieutenant  Hunt,  ...   1455 
Sutton,  John,  deposition  proving  toryism  of,      -    622,  1443 
Is  arrested  and  committed  to  prison,      -                   -   1412 
Is  admonished  and  discharged,      ....  1456 
Sutton,  Robert,  deposition  against,  -                  -        -     622 
Is  ordered  to  be  discharged,-        -                  -  1435 
Suydam,  Captain  Lamberth,  report  made  by,     -         -  1068 
Swain,  Reuben,  letter  from,  to  Washington,       -        -    550 
Swansey,  unhappy  disputes  in  the  town  of,        -        -     299 
Swartwout,  Jacobus,  appointed  Colonel  of  New- York 

Militia,     -        -  -        -  1413 

Sweeny,  James,  charged  with  beating  Pitts,       -        -  1374 
Warrant  for  the  arrest  and  commitment  of,     -         -   1375 
Swift,  Samuel,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,     349 
Swift,  Herman,  appointed  Ensign  by  Congress,          -  1618 
Swivels,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  casting  of,     114 
Schuyler  calls  on  Washington  for,          -   ,     -        -     474 
General  Johnson  engaged  in  making,  for  Maryland,     491 
An  order  for  sending,  to  General  Gates,  -     872 

Governour  Trumbull  orders,  for  Schuyler,       -         -   1115 
Symes,  Mr.,  skilled  in  making  salt,   -         ...   1466 
A  committee  appointed  to  examine  the  skill  of,      -  1466 
Symonds,  John,  appointed  Captain  Matrosses,  Massa- 
chusetts, -  -     308 
Symonds,  Captain,  commands  the  Solebay  frigate,     -     436 
Symsbury,   Connecticut,  meeting  of  the   Committee 

of,  -  -    458 

Sypher,  Anthony,  arrested  for  forgery,       -  -1322 

Syren,  frigate,  Captain  Furneaux,  -     436 

St.  Ann's,  order  to  destroy  the  post  at,      -  -     165 

St.  Augustine,  British  troops  in, 

Lee's  expedition  against,       -  805 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,  -  1076 


1767 


INDEX. 


1768 


St.  Clair,  Colonel  Arthur  — 

The  promotion  of,  recommended,                  -        -  176 

I're.-iclent  of  the  court  of  inquiry  on  Colonel  Bedel,  239 

High  praise  bestowed  on,      -----  604 

I:    ;ds  the  Declaration  of  Independence  at  Ticondc- 

roga,        -                                                                -  630 
Opinion  of,  on  abandoning  Crown-Point, 

Promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier,                  -    883,  1603 
Promotion  of,  announced  in  general  orders,  -    914,  1270 

Colonel  Maxwell  complains  of  the  promotion  of,    -  1204 

St.  Ku<tatia.  extract  of  a  letter  from,          -       180,609,626 

S  .-11111101  Curson's  letter  from,  with  prices,        -         -  464 

St.  George's  Island,  troops  from  the  fleet  land  at,    382,  429 
Lord  Dmmiore's  operations  near,  -         -         - 

Major  Price's  description  of,                   -                  -  590 

Report  from  the  upper  camp  of,     -         -                   -  615 

Vessels  dismantled  and  on  shore  at,                 -         -  723 

People  ordered  to  assist  in  carrying  cannon  to,        -  1339 

St.  George's  Parish,  petition  of  inhabitants  of,  to  Lee,  685 

St.  James,  orders  in  Council  at  the  Court  of,      -         -  1088 

The  Court  of,  laugh  at  American  independence,    -  1242 

St.  John,  the  prize  hrigantine,  sent  into  Salem,  -         -  972 

St.  Johns,  troops  with  the  small-pox  at,     -        -         -  130 

The  enemy  building  ships  at,  238 

Prisoners  from,  are  received  at  Fredericktown,        -  569 

Account  of  the  enemy's  forces  at,  -                  -         -  697 

Schuyler  reports  to  Washington  the  rumours  from,  716 

Journal  of  a  scout  from  Crown-Point  to,         -        -  828 

Colonel  Hartley  has  three  spies  watching  near,       -  888 

Reported  junction  of  the  enemy's  forces  at,   -        -  939 

St.  John's  Indians,  resolve  respecting  the,          -         -  323 

Mr.  Austin's  inquiry  into  presents  for  the,      -         -  460 

Mr.  Bowdoin  proposes  engaging  the,    -                  -  585 

Massachusetts  Council  hold  a  conference  with,       -  838 

Copy  of  the  treaty  concluded  with,         ...  848 

St.  John's  river,  Nova-Scotia,  petition  of  the  people  of, 

to  Massachusetts,      ------  703 

St.  Lawrence,  report  of  a  French  fleet  in  the  river,     -  749 

The  report  of  a  fleet  in,  disbelieved  at  Albany,        -  923 
An  American    squadron  ordered  to  cruise  in  the 

Gulf  of,    ........  1106 

St.  Martin,  Monsieur,  is  employed  as  engineer,          -  669 

Congress  gives  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  to,  1588 

An  advance  of  pay  is  made  to,      -         -                  -  1596 

St.  Mary's,  enemy's  ships  in  the  river,      252,  325,  347,  431 
County,  ammunition  ordered  to,  by  Maryland  Coun- 

cil of  Safety,     -                                    ...  386 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  the  commanding  offi- 

cer at,      -                           .....  408 

Committee  of,  ask  for  the  removal  of  Captain  Mantz,  807 
Letter  to  Committee  of,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      ........  862 

Three  four-pounders  are  ordered  to,                -         -  1338 

Officer  ordered  to  take  charge  of  vessels  at,    -         -  1338 

Major  Price  is  ordered  to  take  command  at,  -         -  1339 

St.  Paul,  inhabitants  of  the  parish  of,  petition  Lee,      -  685 

St.  Paul,  Mr.,  arrives  in  London  from  Versailles,        -  861 

St.  Pierre,  extract  of  a  letter  from,    -         ...  706 

T. 

Tabellions,  appointment  of,  in  New-Hampshire,         - 
Tafts,  William,  chosen  First  Lieutenant  Massachusetts 

Militia,    -                                                                .  663 

Tagus,  Spanish  and  French  fleets  in  the,  ...  462 

Tailors,  order  for  employment  of,      -         -         -         -  1385 

Talbot,  Captain  of  the  Niger,  rumoured  orders  to,      -  1063 

Talbott,  Benjamin,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenancy,  801 

Talbott,  Richard,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,-  1348 
Talbut,  Captain,  accepts  a  challenge  from  Lieutenant 

Dunworth,         -                   .....  577 

Asks  command  of  one  of  the  fireships,  -        -         -  628 

Talks,  copies  of,  with  the  Indians  sent  to  Washington,  702 
Tunneliill,  Adamson,  appointed  Lieutenant  by  Con- 

Srrss>       -                                                      -         -  1574 

Tannehill.Nieman,  appointed  Lieutenant  by  Congress,  1574 

Tappan,  Dr.,  Colonel  Clinton  asks  for  appointment  of,  108 

Tappan  Sea,  enemy's  ships  pass  the,         ...  339 

Tar-makers,  Schuyler  orders,  to  Fort  George,    -         -  716 

Tarpaulin  Cove,  order  to  place  cannon  at,          -        -  284 
Tarrytown,  part  of  enemy's  fleet  anchored  at,    -      258,  353 

A  letter  from,  asking  Washington's  assistance,       -  355 

etnent  of  the  row-galleys  off,        ...  781 

A  favourable  position  for  cannon  at,       ...  791 

Enemy1!  ships  anchor  at,     -        -        .        . 

Detachment  from  Colonel  Thomas's  Regiment  or 

dcred  to>  -                                    ....  H03 

Return  of  Colonel  Hammond's  forces  at,        •         -1404 

Enemy's  ships  weigh  anchor  from,         -         .         -1407 


84 


Ta<h,  Thomas,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  60 

Is  appointed  a  Major,  -                   -         -                   -  63 

The  appointment  of,  rescinded  and  annulled,           -  67 
Taunton,  an  application  for  prisoners  to  work  at  a  nail 

factory  in,          -                   .....  971 

Tavernkeepers,  resolve   of  Pennsylvania  concerning 

licenses  of,        -------  864 

Taxation,  an  act  to  regulate,  in  New-Hampshire,        -  76 
Taxes,  act  to  enforce  the  payment  of,  in  New-Hamp- 
shire,       -                 54 

Heavy,  deemed  imprudent  in  New-Jersey,      -         -  139 

People  of  Truro  ask  an  easement  of  their,       -         -  146 

Lord  Dnmimond's  propositions  for  imposing,           -  1027 

Taychaanee,  speech  of,  at  the  German-Flats,     -         -  1041 

Taylor,  Col.,  state  of  Monmouth  County  described  by,  2 

Taylor,  James,  prisoner,  money  and  liberty  granted  to,  47 

Taylor,  Richard,  fine  remitted  to,       -         -                   -  115 

Taylor,  John,  of  Massachusetts,  published  as  inimical,  179 

Taylor,  Hon.  John,  letter  to,  from  William  Loud,        -  477 

Letter  to,  from  Joseph  Gushing,    -         -  ->    551 

Taylor,  Willet,  a  prisoner,  state  of,  represented,          -  934 

New-York  Convention  authorize  General  Scott  to 

dispose  of,                           .....  934 

Difficulty  of  deciding  in  the  case  of,       -         -         -  953 

Is  ordered  to  give  security  for  good  behaviour,         -  1369 

General  Scott  is  ordered  to  consult  Washington  on,  1502 
New-York  Convention  decline  to  interfere  further 

in  case  of,                                               -                  -  1511 

Washington  does  not  object  to  the  parole  of,  -         -  1511 

Taylor,  Adjutant,  ordered  to  do  duty  as  Brigade-Major,  1140 
Taylor,  Mr.,  employed  to  purchase  clothing  for  the 

army,        -                                                                 -  1218 
Taylor,  Colonel  Joseph,  of  North-Carolina,  ordered  to 

join  General  Rutherford,    -----  1365 
Tazewell,  J.,  Clerk  to  Virginia  Convention,        -  9 
Tea,  J.  Hollingsworth  engages  to  refund  his  over- 
charge for,                                                                 -  1196 
The  women  of  Kingston  remonstrate  against  being 

deprived  of,       -                                                        -  1542 

Teams,  Massachusetts  resolves  to  procure,          -        -  309 

Want  of,  at  Skenesborough,  -                  ...  629 

Tehagagvvangey,  deputed  to  lead  back  the  Onondagas,  1048 

Telescope,  the  College,  loaned  to  Washington,  -         -  824, 

1475,  1485 

Washington's  acknowledgment  of  the,   -         -   853,  1488 

Teller,  Dr.  Abraham,  recommended  as  Surgeon,         -  1263 

Teller,  James,  entitled  to  rank  as  Captain,                   -  1562 

Is  ordered  to  join  Clinton's  Brigade,       ...  1562 

Temawsey,  a  bloody  battle  near,        -                  -         -  1148 
Temple,  Robert,  General  Howe  asks  permission  for, 

to  land  at  New-York,                            -  932 

Temple,  Mrs.  Harriet,  Congress  receive  a  letter  from,  1618 

Is  paid  for  trees  cut  down  by  the  troops,         -         -  1622 

Templer,  Christopher,  discharged  from  confinement,  -  1430 

Ten  Broeck,  Gen.  Petrus,  ordered  to  the  Highlands,  -  227 

Letter  from,  to  the  New- York  Convention,     -         -  1122 

Ten  Broeck,  Lieutenant,  is  sent  with  Indians  to  Fort 

George,    -                  -         -                           -         -  339 
Tender,  cannon  recovered  from  the,  sunk  in  North 

River,        -                                                                 .  1082 
Ten  Eyck,  Mr.,  insists  upon  the  Albany  price  for  his 

flour,        -                  -                  -                           .  1071 
Eagerness  of  Mr.  Glenn  to  have  the  flour  of,  -         -  1085 
Tennant,  Mr.,  Chaplain,  introduced  to  Gen.  Gates,    -  195 
Tent-Makers,  engagement  of  a  number  of,  at  Balti- 
more,      -                                                              .  783 
Baltimore  refuses  to  spare  any  of  her,     -                  -  832 
Letter  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  the,        -  974 
Tents,  provision  of,  by  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  15 
Country  linen  provided  for,  at  Annapolis,       -         -  153 
Only  one  thousand  of  the  enemy's,  at  St.  John's,   -  177 
Linen  for,  required  to  be  sent  to  Baltimore,    -        -  182 
Difficulty  of  procuring,  in  Maryland,       -                   -  216 
None  in  the  Continental  stores,     ....  220 
Resolve  to  apply  flour  money  to  the  purchase  of,    -  293 
Massachusetts  orders  her  Commissary-General  to 

purchase,-                                              -                  -  293 

Massachusetts  sends  nine  hundred,  to  Crown-Point,  322 
Connecticut   appoints   a   Committee    to   purchase 

cloth  for,  -  -  -      380,  456 

Difficulty  of  finding  materials  for,  in  Connecticut,  -  400 

A  working  party  ordered  to  apply  to  Putnam  for,    -  536 

Connecticut  votes  money  for  the  purchase  of,          -  550, 

731,  732,  1007 

Uncomfortable  condition  of,  at  St.  George's,  -         -  634 
Samuel  Squier  engaged  in  making,  for  Connecti- 
cut,                                                        .         .         -731 

Scarcity  of,  at  Skenesborough,       ....  872 


1769 


INDEX. 


1770 


Tents,  extreme  want  of,  in  Washington's  army,          -    950 
Order  to  send  the  Massachusetts,  to  Ticonderoga,  -     95,5 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  the  purchase  of,  -     992 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  propose  a  price  for,      -  1091 
Are  reported  to  be  had  at  New- York,     ...  1134 
All  to  be  struck  the  moment  the  alarm  is  given,      -  1137 
Maryland  Council  of  Safety  call  for  all  that  are  made,   1156 
Scarcity  of  linen  suitable  for,          -         -  -  1288 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  contract  for,  with  double 
seams,       -         -  -         -1335,  1349 

Test,  the  members  of  North-Carolina  Council  required 

to  subscribe  the,         -  -  1366 

Test  Act,  Massachusetts,  resolve  in  relation  to  the,     -     308 
Inquiry  into  the  existence  of  the,  -  -         -     700 

Mr.  Gushing  answers  the  inquiry  concerning,          -     891 
Testimony,  Major  Butterfield's,  on  the  breach  of  Con- 
vention,   -  ...  -        -     165 
Of  Eastabrook  and  Wilkins,  on  the  breach  of  Con- 
vention,   --------     166 

Of  Matthew  Thompson,  of  London,        ...     403 
Thanks,  vote  of,  in  Congress  to  Lee  and  his  officers,  -     493 
Proceedings  of  Congress  on  the  vote  of,  -  1585 

Thayer,  Lieutenant,  ordered  with  carpenters  to  Ticon- 
deroga,    ..------     209 

Thistle,  schooner,  Congress  appoint  a  day  to  hear  the 

appeal  in  the  case  of  the,  -----  1599 

Postponement  of  the  hearing  of,    -  -  1618 

Thomas,  General,  arrival  of,  at  the  Sorel,  -  129 

Recommends  a  retreat,          -         -        -        -         -     129 

Death  of,  reported,        -  ....     130 

Mr.  Cushiug's  defence  of,     -----     131 

Fell  a  victim  to  the  small-pox,       ....    816 

Thomas,  schooner,  one  of  Drummond's  fleet,     -         -     152 
Thomas,  Captain  John  A.,  orders  to,  from  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety, 344 

Enrollment  of  the  Company  of,      -  -     431 

Letter  from,  to  George  Plater,  ....  634 
Ordered  to  the  North  with  his  Company,  -  -  667 
Reported  on  the  march,  -  724 

Agreement  made  by,  for  transportation,  -     808 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -  -  892 
Arrival  of,  at  Philadelphia,  -  ...  930 

Approves  of  Col.  Hollingsworth's  arrangements,  -  943 
Ordered  to  make  return  of  men,  arms,  &c.,  -  -  1332 
Advance  of  pay  to  the  Company  of,  -  -  1332 

Ordered  to  St.  Mary's  County,       -  -  1339 

Thomas,  John,  Jun.,  Deputy  Chairman  of  Westchester 

Committee,       -         -         -         -  -     354,  623 

Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -  -  1145 

Thomas,  Edmund  D.,  appointed  Ensign  of  New-Jersey 

Militia,     -  ...    453 

Thomas,  Colonel  Thomas,  letter  from,  to  Washington,     791 

Letter  from,  to  the  New- York  Convention,     -         -     855 

Appointed  Colonel  of  New- York  Militia,        -  1407,  1413 

Col.  Drake  complains  of  the  preference  shown  to,  -  1428 

The  preference  of,  a  mistake,         ....  1432 

Ordered  to  pay  over  moneys  in  his  hands,      -         -  1559 

Thomas,  Nicholas,  Maryland,  resignation  of,      -   831,  1352 

Thomas,  Mr.,  Clerk  to  Midkiff,  arrest  of,   -  -     902 

Thomas,  Captain,  volunteer  commander  of  fireship, 

missing,   -  -  ...    983 

Thomas,  Arthur,  charged  with   assisting   Kirkland's 

escape,    - 

Thomas.  John,  warrant  for  apprehending,  -  -  1306 

Examination  of,  on  Kirkland's  escape,  -  -  -  1449 
Is  discharged,  -  ...  1454 

Thomas,  Arthur,  Jun.,  warrant  for  apprehending,  -  1306 
Thomas,  Col.  Richard,  order  to  pass  the  Battalion  of,  1310 
Thomas,  William,  payment  ordered  to,  for  muskets,  -  1331 
Thomas,  John,  appointed  Captain  of  Militia, 
Thomas,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying-Camp,  1346 
Thomas,  Samuel,  appointed  Lieutenant,  -  -  1350 

Thompson,  Ebenezer,  Secretary  to  New-Hampshire 

House  of  Representatives,  47,  59 

Chosen  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  85 

Thompson,  Colonel  William,  letter  to,  from  Gen.  Lee,       99 
Gallantry  of,  at  Sullivan's  Island,  -        -  -    435 

The  Rangers  of,  stationed  at  advanced  post,  -  -  439 
The  thanks  of  Congress  voted  to,  -  -  -  494 

Washington's  approbatory  mention  of,  - 
Acknowledges  the  thanks  of  Congress,  -  940 

Thompson,  General,  is  taken  prisoner, 

A  number  of  officers  captured  with,       -  -     477 

Washington  refers  to  the  case  of,  -         -        -      815,  820 
Letter  from,  dated  at  Quebeck,      ....  1166 
Schuyler  is  directed  to  apply  for  exchange  of,         -  1600 
Thompson,  A.,  arrested  in  Ireland  for  American  cor- 
respondence,   -  .....     180 


Thompson,  Archibald,  appointed  Captain  in  the  Fly- 

iiig-Camp,        -  .     349 

Thompson,  Matthew,  of  London,  testimony  of,  -  -  403 
Thompson,  James,  and  others,  account  of  a  battle 

given  by,  -  .        .        .'   464 

Thompson,  Colonel  Robert,  to  Lancaster  Committee,  498' 
Thompson,  Colonel,  (New-Hampshire,)  too  sick  to  go 

to  New-York,  ...  -     891 

Takes  command  of  his  Regiment,          ...     933 
Thompson,  James,  recantation  of,     -         -  -  1061 

Thompson,  John  B.,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  Flying- 
Camp,      -        -  -  1348 
Thompson,  Israel,  appointed  Major,  -  -  1413 
Thompson,  Julius  Ca:sar,  Colonel  Remsen  empowered 

to  dispose  of,   -  -  1469 

Thompson,  Thomas,  Sergeant,  recommended  for  pro- 
motion,   ----....  1509 
Promoted  to  a  Lieutenancy,  -  1512 

Thompson,  Ezra,  certificate  of,  -        -  1520 

Thompson,  Benjamin,  appointed  Lieutenant  Marines 

by  Congress,    -  -  1589 

Thorn  hill,  John,  an  escaped  prisoner,  reward  offered 

for, -    684 

Thornton,  Matthew,  member  of  the  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,         -.....-47 

Chosen  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety,      -        85,  211 

Letter  from,  to  Benjamin  Giles,     -  -    568 

Thread,  order  of  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  for,        -     183 

Money  voted  by  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  pay 

for, -        -  1332 

Three  Brothers,  prize  schooner,  sent  into  Portsmouth,  972 
Thunder,  ship,  one  of  Sir  Peter  Parker's  fleet,  -  -  436 
Thunder  storm,  account  of  a  dreadful,  at  New- York,  1112 
Thwing,  Nathaniel,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Marines 

by  Congress,    ....  -        -  1588 

Ticonderoga,  Washington  orders  troops  to,  -  -  143 
Route  of  the  Massachusetts  troops  for,  prescribed,  -  206 
Artificers  ordered  to,  from  Crown-Point,  -  -  209 
Colonel  Trumbull  examines  the  ground  opposite,  -  232 
Remonstrance  against  removing  the  army  to,  -  233 
Is  established  as  the  Head-Quarters  of  the  Northern 

Army,      -         -  260 

Gates  instructs  Colonel  Hartley  to  retreat  to,  -        -     474 
News  in  New-Hampshire  of  the  intended  stand  of 
the  army  at,      -------     479 

The  advantages  of,  explained  by  Schuyler,     -        -    560 
Alleged  superiority  of,  to  Crown-Point,  as  a  post,  -     561 
Declaration  of  Independence  read  at,    -  -     630 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,        659,  682,  748,  775,  776,  969 
Return  of  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores  at,  -        -     681 
Men  employed  in  repairing  the  road  to, 
Troops  at  Skenesborough  ordered  to,     -        -        -    955 
High  spirits  of  the  army  at,  -  -    969 

Letter  from  the  Field-Officers  at,  to  the  President  of 

Congress, 
Number  of  effective  men  at,          ....  1188 

Return  of  the  forces  at, 

Return  of  provisions  in  the  magazine  at,       -  1201,  1202 
Washington  is  empowered  to  order  three  Regiments 
from  Massachusetts  to,      -----  1567 

Tiebout,  Henry,  named  for  promotion,      -                  -     646 
Tilghman,  Matthew,  President  of  Maryland  Conven- 
tion,          5 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,      -        31,215 

Letter  from,  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,      -     491 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -      571,  831 

Tilghman,  James,  letter  to,  from  St.  Joseph  Dashiell,  -     362 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -        -     482 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -    594 

Letter  to,  from  B.  Bracco,     -  ...    592 

Tilghman,  Edward,  appointed  Brigade-Major  to  Lord 

°  Stirling,  -         - 1140 

Tillard,  Edward,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 
Safety,      -        -        -         - 

Letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -      155;  806 
Appointed  Captain  in  the  Flying-Camp,  -     863 

Tillinghast,  Daniel,  letter  to,  from  the  President  of 
Congress,          ....... 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  ...      359,  399 

Letter  from,  to  R.  H.  Harrison,     ....     643 

Large  quantity  of  powder  received  by,  -        -        -  1423 
Tiltori,  Captain,  troops  ordered  to  apply  to, 
Timber,  fate  of  a  raft  of,  from  Crown-Point,        -         -     487 
Diligence  in  procuring,  for  gun-carriages  ordered,  -  1303 
Tin,  not  to  be  had  at  Easton,  Pennsylvania, 

A  supply  of,  furnished  Mr.  Newell  for  camp-kettles,     322 

The  supply  of,  at  Lancaster  exhausted,  - 

Philadelphia  destitute  of, 535 


1771 


INDEX. 


1772 


Tinker,  Captain  Jehiel,  commander  of  the  row-galley 

Crane,     -  -     243, 751 

Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      - 
Court  of  inquiry  ordered  on,          .         -         - 
Tisseul,  Jean,  uuid  by  Congress  for  services  as  a  pn- 

4.,,,^ 

Permitted  to  inlist  in  the  Artillery  at  New-York,     -  1604 
Titcoinb,  Jonathan,  appointed  Mustermaster  at  New- 

buryport,  - 

Titcoinb,  Captain,  carpenters  of,  all  sick,  -         -  1154,  1217 
Title,  Abraham  Clarke  replies  to  a  question  as  to  his 

proper,     --------     "oo 

Toasts  drank,  at  Boston  on  the  celebration  of  Inde- 
pendence,         426,  972 

At  Worcester,  Massachusetts, 
At  Huntingdon,  Long-Island, 

At  Arnold's  Hall,  -         -     549 

At  Hacker's  Hall,  -         -         -    583 

Tobacco,  scarcity  of,  at  Chingoteague,      - 
The  purchase  of,  at  Chingoteague, 
Beaumarchais  asks  for  twelve  hundred  hogsheads  of,   1 
J.  Pullen  is  permitted  to  go  to  Virginia  for,    -         -  1355 
Mr.  Deane  hopes  to  procure  the  admission  of,  into 

France,    - 

Method  advised  for  the  shipment  of,      -  -  1019 

Todd,  William,  Clerk  to  Pittsylvania  Committee,         -     489 
Todd,  Ensign  Job,  principles  of,  suspected,       -         -     685 
Tomahawks,  Colonel  Bull  is  ordered  to  procure  a  num- 
ber of,      -  -         -  -  1299 

Tomawsey,  recent  signs  of  Indians  discovered  at,      -  1023 
Tompkins,  Jonathan  G.,  testimony  of,  in  the  case  of 

Colonel  Hammond,  ------  1438 

'     Letter  from,  respecting  prisoners,  -  -  1524 

Reward  paid  to,  for  apprehending  Loundsbury,       -  1556 

Tom's  River,  New-Jersey,  salt-works  erected  on,        -  1326 

Toole,  James,  appointed  Ensign  in  the  Flying-Camp,  1348 

Tootell,  Dr.  Richard,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  101 

The  application  of,  noticed,  -  ...     433 

Makes  a  requisition  as  Surgeon  Major,  - 
Dr.  Wiesenthall  makes  a  request  concerning,          -     942 
Reasons  of,  for  not  marching  with  his  Regiment,    -     993 
Is  appointed  Surgeon  to  the  Battalion  at  Annapolis,   1332 
Tootell,  James,  an  order  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,      -        -  ...    757 

Tories,  encampment  of,  at  Cedar  Swamp,  - 

Testimony  of  Enoch  Scudder  concerning,  -  -  11 
General  Wooster's  account  of,  in  Canada,  -  -  12 
Conduct  of  the  Monmouth  County,  41 
Reception  of,  at  Halifax,  -  46,  98 
Plot  of,  at  New- York  discovered,  -  -  -  -  117 
Forty-nine  taken  prisoners  at  Hartford,  -  -  132 
The  Monmouth,  crushed  by  the  New-Jersey  Militia,  139 
Colonel  Seymour's  opinion  of  the,  -  -  205 
Communication  relating  to  the  treatment  of,  -  -  210 
An  order  not  to  injure,  but  by  process  of  law,  -  211 
An  insurrection  of,  on  the  Eastern-Shore  of  Mary- 
land,   214 

Washington's  orders  to  Clinton  concerning,  -  -  227 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Gordon  writes  about  the,  in  Boston,  -  228 
Proceedings  in  Petersham,  Connecticut,  in  regard  to,  245 
Restrictions  imposed  upon,  in  Connecticut,  -  -  246 
Provision  in  Massachusetts  for  deserted  families  of,  286 
Resolve  in  Massachusetts  to  sell  the  chaises  of,  -  312 
Object  of  the  enemy's  ships  in  the  Hudson  to  arm 

the,  -      330, 452 

Washington's  letter  to  the  New-York  Convention 

concerning,       -  '-     333 

Danger  to  be   feared   from  permitting,  in  or  near 

New-York,        -  -     335 

An  officer  ordered  to  watch  the  motions  of,  -  -  336 
Insurrection  of,  in  Dutchess  County  trifling,  -  -  337 
Desperate  designs  of,  about  Albany,  -  -  338,  357 
The  President  of  New- York  Convention  promises 

to  watch  the,     -  ...     354 

Are  compelled  to  appear  in  the  ranks,  -  -     356 

Insurrection  of,  at  Nine  Partners,  -  360 

Major  Hawley's  desire  for  the  punishment  of,  -  404 
The  influential,  in  South-Carolina  displeased  at  the 

King's  Indian  allies,  -         ...     451 

Discovery  of  a  plot  formed  by,  at  Albany,  -  -  500 
Washington'.-)  account  of  the,  to  his  brother,  -  -  509 
Dissatisfaction  of  the,  at  Howe's  proclamation,  -  532 
HOHM-  of  a  noted  man  among,  burnt  by  the  enemy,  546 
The  enemy  expected  five  hundred,  to  join  their  ships 

in  North  River,  .         .         .  547 

Testimony  concerning  the  Monmouth,  -  602 

Attempt  to  intercept  the  visit  of,  to  St,  John's,        -     630 


Tories,  list  of,  taken  prisoners  in  the  ship  Peggy,  662,  663 
The  town  of  Poultney  contains  no,  -  659 
Violent  temper  against,  in  Massachusetts,  -  -  700 
Order  relating  to,  in  Massachusetts  Council,  -  -  702 
Enos  Stone's  account  of  an  outrage  by,  -  718 
Charles' Goodrich  advertised  as  having  joined,  -  733 
Mr.  Colden's  association  with  the  New-York,  -  792 
General  Greene  sends  nine,  to  the  City  Hall,  New- 
York,  -  -  -  887 
General  Greene  furnishes  Washington  with  a  list  of, 

on  Long-Island,                                              -         -  898 

At  New-London  to  be  taken  care  of,      -                  -  1004 

Not  treated  well  by  the  enemy  on  Staten-Island,     -  1110 

British  army  greatly  incensed  against,    -                  -  1112 

Howe  compels  the,  to  embark  with  his  army,  -         -  1112 

List  of,  in  the  Westchester  jail,  New- York,     -         -  1145 

The  animosity  of,  towards  Schuyler,       -                  -  1204 

Necessity  of  vigilantly  watching  the  principal,         -  1401 

List  of,  taken  up  in  Bergen  woods,                            -  1484 

Committee  of  Kingston  are  permitted  to  remove  the,  1518 

Swarms  of,  continue  to  infest  Monmouth  County,  -  1534 

Torrey,  John,  appointed  Adjutant   of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     -                          -                                   -  281 

Tortola,  a  prize  from,  sent  into  Portsmouth,       -         -  926 

Tory  jail,  in  Albany,  number  of  persons  committed  to,  890 

L'Oiseau  and  Allain  are  confined  in  the,                  -  968 

Totten,  Jacob,  chosen  First  Lieutenant  of  Militia,      -  511 

Tow-cloth,  tents  made  of,  -                           ...  730 

Towers,  Robert,  ordered  to  make  return   of  military 

stores,      -                                                             -  1303 

Appointed  inspector  of  gunpowder  by  Congress,    -  1623 

Townsend,  W.  B.,  sent  prisoner  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,           -                                              -         -  343 

Ordered  to  be  placed  under  guard,                            -  1347 

Townsend,  Peter,  petition  of,  to  New- York  Conven- 
tion,           1112 

Townsend  &  Noble,  Militia  carry  off  goods  from,        -  1480 

Memorial  of,  to  New-York  Convention,                   -  1481 

Townsend,  Robert,  appointed  Commissary  to  General 

Woodhull,                                                                 -  1543 

Townsend,  Captain,  ordered  to  duty  at  Croton  River,  -  1440 

Toxaway,  Colonel  Williamson  orders  the  destruction  of,  750 

Trade,  Great  Britain  strives  to  prevent  American,       -  31 

State  of,  between  the  Colonies  and  foreign  nations,  134 

Men  may  not  justly  spill  each  other's  blood  for,      -  483 
French  i'rigates  directed  to  protect  American,          -    904 

Train,  a  Company  of  the,  parade  in  Boston,       -         -  972 
Draught  of  every  twenty-fifth  man    from,  deemed 

illegal,      -                                                                 -  1225 

Training  Band,  portion  of  men  from  the,  for  Canada,  -  287 

Draughts  ordered  to  be  made  from  the,  -         -         -  319 

Traitors,  ordinance  of  New-Jersey  for  punishing,  &c.,  -  412 

Rhode-Island  passes  an  act  for  punishment  of,        -  549 

Transports,  Washington  calls  for  articles  taken  in,  414,  625 

Enter  Boston  through  mistake,       -         -                  •»  643 

Arrival  of,  at  Staten-Island,   -                                     -  818 

Travel,  expenses  of,  paid  to  members  of  Massachusetts 

Assembly,                                     -                  -         -  326 

Traverse,  Monsieur,  is  sent  to  General  Sullivan,          -  548 

The  Newbury  Committee  write  to  General  Gates  by,  797 

General  Gates  uncertain  about  the  character  of,      -  1050 

Travis,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  New- York  Congress,    -  1404 

Treachery,  instance  of  ungrateful,      -         -                  -  542 

Of  two  men  against  Captain  Wilson,     -                  -  888 

Treason,  resolve  of  New-York  Convention  to  punish,  -  447 

Mr.  Waldron's  notions  of,     -                                       -  1076 

Ordinance  of  Pennsylvania  defining,       -                   -  1210 

Made  punishable  by  death  in  New-York,        -         -  1416 

Congress  resolve  what  shall  be,      -                           -  1600 

Treasurer,  Congress  resolve  there  shall  be  one,  -         -  1600 

Treat,  Rev.  Mr.  Joseph,  continued  in  service  as  Chap- 
lain,                  -                           ...  1542 

Treat,  Dr.,  letter  from,  to  the  New-York  Committee  of 

Safety, -  1534 

Treaties,  instruction  of  Pennsylvania  concerning,       -  595 

Report  to  Congress  of  the  Committee  appointed  on,  1583 

Resolve  to  print  the  plan  of,  -                                     -  1585 

Congress  adopts  the  report  of  the  Committee  on,    -  1621 

Treaty  of  alliance,  with  St.  John's  and  Mickmacks,    -  848 

Congress  asks  for  a  copy  of  the  Indian,          -         -  1606 

Tredor,  Henry,  appointed  pilot  of  ship  Montgomery,  -  1314 

Trees,  Congress  pay  for  Mrs.  Temple's,     -                  -  1622 

Trefethen,  William,  member  of  New-Hampshire  As- 
sembly,    -  60 

Trent,  Major,  one  of  the  conferees  at  Fort  Pitt,  -         -  36 

Trenton,  New-Jersey  Convention  remove  to,  37 

Pennsylvania  Militia  ordered  from,  to  Amboy,         -  380 

The  Company  at,  ordered  to  stop  deserters,    -         -  885 


1773 


INDEX. 


1774 


Treutlen,  J.  A.,  member  of  Georgia  Council  of  Safety,        6 

Troopers,  exemptions  claimed  by  the  Connecticut,     -     389 

Not  to  be  required  to  serve  on  foot,        -  -   1473 

General  orders  for  Militia  draughts  not  to  apply  t,o,  1485 

Troops,   arguments  against   uniting  the  Eastern   and 

Southern,  -  -     177 

The  New-Hampshire,  on  the  route  to  Crown-Point,  211 
Pay  of,  in  the  Middle  Department,  -  504 

Washington  recommends  the  exercise  of  the,  -  505 
Glorious  examples  offered  for  the  American,  -  -  506 
Order  for  raising,  on  Nassau-Island,  -  -  589 

Three  hundred  of  the  New-England,  return  home,  -  544 
Discontent  of  General  Lewis's,  -  -  631 

At  Perth-Amboy  dissatisfied  with  the  provisions,  -  638 
Danger  to  the  health  of,  at  New- York,  from  the 

privies,      -  -     676 

Change  ordered  in  the  rations  of,  at  New- York,  -  676 
Means  ordered  for  supplying  fresh  water  to  the 

New- York,        -  ->   678 

General  Greene  asks  for  more,  on  Long-Island,  -  713 
Washington  informs  Congress  of  the  sickness  of  his,  727 
New,  on  arrival,  to  apply  to  Captain  Tilton,  -  -  768 
Board  of  War  require  a  list  of  officers  in  the  Con- 
tinental, -  -  784 
United  States,  not  required  to  pay  at  New-Jersey 

ferries,      -  885 

The  Massachusetts  and  New-Hampshire,  ordered 

from  Skenesborough  to  Ticonderoga,  -     955 

General  Greene  reports  the  good  spirits  or  his,  -  967 
A  list  of  the,  for  Maryland,  -  -  976 

The  Eastern,  receive  letters  free  of  postage,    -         -  1124 
Quartered  at  Philadelphia  in  the  places  of  worship,  1310 
False  reports  concerning  the  number  of,  in  New- 
Jersey,      -  ...  .   1330 
List  of  the  New-York,  required  by  the  Board  of 

War,         ...  .  1508 

Concord    reestablished    among    the    Eastern    and 

Southern,  -  1513 

Complaints  among  the,  about  their  bounty,    -         -  1536 
New-York  Convention  appoint  a  Committee  to  pro- 
vide for  their,    ...  -  1548 
Governour  Trumbull  is  requested  to  send  one  thou- 
sand to  Suffolk  County,     -         -                           -  1552 
The  whole  body  of,  leave  Long-Island,  -                  -  1558 
Importance  of  harmony  among  the,  inculcated,       -  1558 
Use  of  a  house  of  worship  given  to,  while  in  New- 
York  City,                                                                 -  1577 
Order  for  supplying  the  Maryland,                            -  1606 
Congress  appropriate  a  sum  for  victualling  the,       -  1606 
Trowbridge,  John,  elected  Lieutenant  in  Col.  Cooke's 

Regiment,  -  1121 

Truck -house,  the  Eastern  Indians  ask  for  a,  839 

Truckmaster,  difficulties  of  the,  at  Machias,        -        -     703 

Mr.  Bowdoin's  promise  to  the  Indians  relative  to,  -    842 

Truck  trade,  measures  ordered  to  prevent  abuses  in 

the,-  ...  .  1225 

Trumbower,  Philip,  chosen  Lieutenant  of  Bucks  Asso- 

ciators,     -         -  ...  .     171 

Trumbull,  Joseph — 

Correspondence  of,  with  the  President  of  Congress,      19, 

136,  451,  618,  643,  691,  726,  750,  870,  966,  1182 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,        -  -       20 

To  Jeremiah  Powell,          -  -     206 

To  James  Bowdoin,  -  -     485 

To  Board  of  War,      -  -     771 

To  New- York  Convention,  -  1511 

Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council,  -  -     361 

Is  authorized  to  supply  the  Northern  Army,  -         -     193 

Is  highly  spoken  of,  by  Schuyler,  -  -     235 

Congress  decides  between  Livingston  and,     -         -     423 

Ordered  to  supply  the  New- York  levies,  -     897 

Applies  to  Colonel  Chester  for  an  officer,       -         -  1082 

Trumbull,  Governour — 

Correspondence  of,  with — 

The  President  of  Congress,  28,  42,  43,  44,  45,  262,  476 

General  Schuyler,  -        29,  145,  237,  239, 

395,  399,  580,  699,  825,  924,  937,  1083,  1115,  1204 

Washington,     -         -45,  106,  190,  352,  378,  400,  414, 

450,  540,  558,  776,  821,  897,  981,  1028,  1143,  1277 

General  Wads woith,-  -       470,803,935 

General  Gates,  -     660,  858,  925,  937,  956,  1073,  1 188 

New-York  Convention,      -        -  -   888, 

1196,  1445,  1451,  1452,  1453 

Letter  to,  from — 

Nathan  Miller,  ....  -     177 

William  Pitkin,          -  -      178,  776 

Colonel  Seymour,      ...        -     205,  513,  1074 
E.  Cornish,       -  -  -     192 


-  134 

-  328 

-  340 

-  425 

-  -  455,  730 

-  5.10,  898 

-  624 

-  660 

-  718,  858 

-  830,  856 

-  859 

-  873 

-  873,  1120 

-  889,  1084 

-  891,  938 

-  957 

-  970 

-  970 

-  970 

-  989 

-  1085 

-  1261 
1236,  1261,  1278 

-1235,  1278 

-  1279 

-  1279 


Trumbull,  Governour,  letter  to,  from — 

Samuel  Elliot,  .... 

Philip  B.  Bradley,      - 

Ebenezer  Bartram,    - 

Timothy  Parker, 

Samuel  Squier, 

Jedediah  Huntington, 

John  Jay  and  others, 

Stephen  Buckland,    - 

Thomas  Mumford,     - 

Andrew  Ward,  Jun., 

Town  of  Woodstock, 

Obadiah  Johnson,      ... 

Colonel  Cooke, 

Albany  Committee,   - 

Colonel  Jonathan  Pitch,    - 

Colonel  Benjamin  I  Human. 

George  Pitkin,  .... 

Oliver  Wolcott,          ... 

Colonel  Lewis,          - 

Richard  Law,    - 

Colonels  Pettibone  and  Chapman, 

Suffolk,  New- York,  Committee, 

Rev.  Solomon  Buell, 

H.  B.  Livingston, 

Robert  Hempstead,   - 

Maltby  Gelston, 
Letter  from,  to — 

N.  Shaw,  -  -      144,  360,  476,  829,  1004 

William  Williams,     -.-...     606 

Massachusetts  Council,      -  -  1147 

James  Bowdoin,        ......  H89 

Order  from,  in  favour  of  Dr.  Russell,      ...  1007 
Highly  complimented  by  General  Gates,  -  1198 

Trumbull,  Colonel  John,  examines  the  ground  oppo- 
site Ticonderoga,       -  ...     232 
Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Read,        ....    512 

Made  Deputy  Adjutant-General   of  the   Northern 

Army,       -        -  .  604,  653 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Gansevoort,        -  698 

Letter  from,  to  James  Bowdoin,     -  -  1266 

Trumbull,  Jonathan,  Jun.,  his  pay  chest  empty,  -         -    563 
A  supply  of  money  forwarded  to,  -  -     821 

Is  ordered  to  transmit  to  Congress  an  account  of  all  • 

moneys,  &c.,    -  -  1597 

Truro,  petition  of  the  inhabitants,  showing  the  exposed 

situation  of)  -        -        -        -         -         -     1 46 

Commissary  chosen  for  the  forces  at,  -  -  -  285 
Resolve  to  purchase  cannon  ball  for  Committee  of,  298 
Removal  of  prisoners  from,  to  Boston,  -  -  310 

Truxton,  Thomas,  commander  of  privateer  Independ- 
ence,       -  -     374 
Tryon,   Governour,  coupled  with  the  devil  by  John 

Jay,  40 

Howe's  account  of  his  visit  on  board  ship,  -  -  105 
Deemed  unworthy  to  be  trusted  with  a  letter,  -  117 
Plot  against  Washington's  life  traced  to,  -  -  117 
Letter  from,  to  Lord  Germaine,  -  -  122,  949 

Letter  to,  from  Lord  Germaine,  -  -  122,  123,  1103 
The  King  expresses  great  satisfaction  at  the  conduct 

of,  -        -  •  -        -     123 

Efforts  of,  to  inliat  men  on  Staten-Island,  -  -  200 
New-York  Convention  at  a  loss  concerning  men 

inlisted  by,        -         -  -         -     202 

A  list  of  Tories'  names  delivered  to,  -        -    623 

Colonel  Allen  ascribes  his  ill  treatment  to,  -  -  860 
Copy  of  Colonel  Zedtwitz's  letter  to,  -  -  1160 

Colonel  Zedtwitz  reported  to  have  been  bribed  by,    1210 
New-York  Convention  inform  Congress  of  the  ac- 
tions of,   -  -  1396 
Tryon  County,  New-York,  order  to  continue  troops  on 

the  frontier  of,  -        -  -  1379 

Errour  in  the  credentials  of  the  Deputies  from,       -  1392 
Tubs,  Samuel,  Lieutenant,  a  murderer  is  sent  to  Gates 

under  charge  of,        -        -  -     398 

Tucker,  Samuel,  letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Con- 
gress,      -  -        -     2,  37,  138,  172,  413,  468 
Letter  to,  from  Washington,          ...      439(  g!9 
Letter  from,  to  the  Board  of  War,  -        -        -        -     978 
Tucker,  Captain,  prize  ship  sent  in  by,      -  -     662 
Tucker,  William,  apprehended  as  a  suspicious  person,  1414 
Tudor,  William,  recommended  to  Congress,      -         -     576 
Is  appointed  Judge  Advocate  General,  -  -     883 
Leaves  Philadelphia  for  Boston,     -                  -        -  1172 
The  rank  of  Colonel  assigned  to,  -                  -        -1604 
Is  ordered  to  New-York,       -                           -        -  1604 
Tundran,  William,  one  of  the  best  pilots  in  New- York,   1514 
Tupper,  William,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,      -     279,  324 


1775 


INDEX. 


1776 


Tupper,  Colonel,  acts  as  Commodore  of  row-galleys,  -    751 
Washington  sends  to  Congress  the  report  from,      -     7u'2 
The   letter  of,  detailing  the   engagement  with  the 

enemy's  ships,  -  -  -     '66 

Turf,  ordered  from  a  certain  spot  for  the  Annapolis 

fortifications,    -  -  1356 

Turnbull,  Captain,  taken  into  custody  at  Amboy,        -       38 
Turner,  William,  committed  for  passing  counterfeit 
money      -------- 

Turpentine,  permission  to  export  from  North-Carolina,   1367 
Turpin,  Edward,  deserter,  examination  of, 
Turpin,  Dun  wood,  ordered  to  give  security,       -         -   1341 
Turtle,  Mr.  Shaw  sends  a  prize,  to  Washington, 
Tuscaroras,  Peter's  speech  in  behalf  of,     -  -   1048 

Tyler   Colonel  Robert,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     -  -113,364 
Commission  of  Colonel  issued  to,  -         -         -         -  1 

A  company  from  Battalion  of,  ordered  to  Annapolis,   1335 
Tyler,  Mr.,  witnesses  against,  -  ...     336 

Tyler,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Washington's  remarks  on 

promotion  of,   -         -  -         -         •         -     641 

Commands  the  Regiment  on  the  promotion  of  Col- 
onel Parsons,   -        -         -         -         -      .  -        -     915 

Congress  promotes  to  a  Colonelcy,        ...  1604 
Tyler,  Ensign  Dudley,  recommended  for  promotion,  -     644 
Tyng,  William  H.,  Sheriff,  joins  the  enemy  at  Halifax,       46 
Tyonderoga — see  Ticonderoga. 

Tyrannicide,  sloop,  resolve  to  supply  with  cannon,     -     273 
Sends  in  a  prize,-         -  ....    426 

Captures  enemy's  schooner  Despatch,   -  -     552 

Account  of  captures  made  by,        ...         -     972 

Tyranny,  spiritual,  the  worst  sort  of,          ...     735 

U. 

Ulster  County,  letter  from  Committee  of,  to  Provincial 

Congress,         .......  125 

Letter  from  Committee  of,  to  New- York  Convention,  791 

Order  for  delivering  flints  and  lead  to  Indians  in,   -  1450 

Troop  of  Horse  refuse  to  be  draughted,                    -  1477 
Draught  of  a  letter  from  New- York- Convention  to 

Committee  of,  -                                              -  1517,  1518 
Umstead,  Lieutenant  George,  escorts  prisoners  to  Fair- 
field,       '-        -        - 1215 

•     General  Heath's  orders  to,    -----  1215 

Delivers  the  prisoners  to  Fairfield  Committee,         -  1216 

Reports  the  performance  of  his  service,          -         -  1237 

Unanimity,  absolute,  a  chimera,        ....  459 

Underbill,  John,  inimical  to  the  American  cause,       -  1378 
Underwood,  Thomas,  commands   sloop-of-war  Ata- 

lanta,        -                                              ...  382 

Unicorn,  the  snow,  one  of  Lord  Dunmore's  fleet,       -  152 

Union,  the  advantages  of,  enforced,  -  171 

Success  in  the  contest  dependent  on,    -  555 

United  Colonies,  the  cause  of  the,  popular  in  Paris,  -  1020 

Ask  no  foreign  aid  or  alliances,     ....  1Q21 

United  States  of  America,  first  so  called,  14 

A  Frenchman's  views  of  the,                   ...  16 

Return  of  the  army  in  the  service  of  the,          -        -  507 

Lord  Howe  deigns  to  use  the  term,        ...  785 

Maryland  resolves  to  maintain  free  the,  -  993 

Persons  disabled  in  the  service  of  the,  provided  for,  1619 
Up,  Valentine,  chosen  Captain  of  Bucks  County  As- 

sociators,      ------..  171 

Upham,  William,  resolve  on  the  petition  of,       -         -  316 
Upper  Cohos,  guns  ordered  to  be  sent  to,          -         -  749 
Upper  Paxton,  Pennsylvania,  Andrew  Berryhill  to  com- 
mittee of,     -                                                                .  948 
Evil  disposed  persons  in  the  neighbourhood  of,      -  948 
U.  S.  A.,  order  to  mark  casks  of  gunpowder  with  the 

letters,     -                                             -        -         -  1623 

Utensils,  return  of,  on  Long-Island,  -         -         -         -  541 

V. 

Vacancies,  nominations  for,  in  Lord  Stirling's  Brigade, 

Reasons  of  Congress  for  retaining  the  power  to  fill, 

Van  Bibber  &  Harrison,  letter  to,  from  the  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety, 

Van  Brockel,  Mr.,  examination  of,    - 

Van  Bruyck,  H.  V.  L.,  appointed  Major  of  New- York 

Militia, 

Van  Cortlandt,  Colonel  Pierre,  letter  to,  from  New- 
York  Convention,     -  -259,  1400,  1407, 
Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  422,  544,  729*, 
Two  Companies  of  his  Regiment  ordered  to  New-' 

York,       ---.... 
One  thousand  pounds  advanced  to,   and  Captain 

Platt,        ----.. 
Van  Duzar,  Abraham,  examination  of, 


645 
725 

782 
1069 

-  1413 

1440 
1473 

-  504 

1517 
200 


Van  Dyke,  Colonel,  part  of  Regiment  of,  at  Skenes- 

borough,  -                                                                 -  547 

Van  Epps,  Ernest,  is  sent  to  Colonel  Fonda,    -         -  110 

Orders  to,  from  Major  Glen,  -         -         -         -         -  175 
Van  Hoesen,  Ryner,  too  good  a  pilot  to  be  trusted  at 

large,        -                                     -         -                  -  1417 
Van  Houter,  Resolvert,  sent  express  to  Paulus-Hook,  258 
Van  Howenberg,  Henry,  General  Ten  Broeck  recom- 
mends,    -                                                       -        -  1069 
Van  Linsdcndorf,  Lewis,  recommended  for  a  Lieu- 
tenancy, -         -                                                       -  1314 
Appointed  Adjutant  of  a  German  Battalion,  -         -  1317 
Van  Ness,  David,  Gen.  Ten  Broeck  asks  promotion  of,  1122 
Van  Rensselaer,  James,  is  appointed  Captain,  -         -  232 
Performs  the  duties  of  Aid-de-Camp,     -                  -  453 
Van  Schaack,  Henry,  removed  as  a  disaffected  person,  1008 
Asserts  his  innocence  to  New-York  Convention,   -  1527 
Van   Schaick,    Colonel,    Captain   Varick   obtains  an 

order  from,       -                   -                             -         -  773 

List  of  officers  in  the  Regiment  of,         -                  -  918 

Van  Tassel,  Lieutenant  Cornelius,  testimony  of,         -  1439 

Van  Wagener,  Lieutenant,  resignation  of,                   -  1399 

Van  Woort,  Martinus,  testimony  of,                             -  1439 

Van  Wyck,  Captain,  killed  in  his  tent  by  lightning,  -  1163 

Van  Wyck,  Mr.,  sent  to  Flushing  for  intelligence,     -  1547 

Letter  from,  to  the  New-York  Convention,     -         -  1555 

Report  of  a  committee  on  the  letter  of,  -       ,-         -  1556 

Van  Zandt,  Jacobus,  letter  from  Captain  Cregier  to,  -  141 

Draught  of  a%tter  to,  from  New-York  Convention,  1407 

Var,  Ambrose,  one  of  the  Eastern  Indians,        -         -  838 

Speech  of,  at  the  Conference,        -  -      839,  842 

Varian,  Captain,  ordered  to  exempt  certain  persons 

from  military  duty,    -                                              -  1560 
Varick,  Captain  Richard,  correspondence  of,  with  Gen. 

Gates,    -     603,  623,  658,  752,  775,  824,  872,  922,  968 
Person  named  to  replace,  in  McDougall's  Regiment,  646 
Letter  from,  to  General  Washington,     -         -      744,  772 
Letter  to,  from  General  Washington,     ...  886 
Sundry  requisitions  made  by,         ....  746 
Extract  of  a  letter  from,  to  General  Schuyler,          -  795 
Varnum,  Colonel  J.,  letter  from,  to  General  Greene,  -  543 
Is  recommended  by  General  Greene  for  promotion,  922 
Dissatisfaction  of,  at  not  being  among  the  late  pro- 
motions, -                                                                 -  950 
Colonel  Hitchcock  complains  of  the  promotion  of,  1067 
Letter  from,  to  General  Washington,     -                  -  1150 
Vaughan,  Brigadier-General,  with  Clinton  in  South- 
Carolina,                                                                   -  438 
Vaughan,    Thomas,   appointed   Third   Lieutenant'  of 

frigate  Washington,  -                                              -  1606 
Veal,  Moses,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys,                                                                 -  377 
Veazey,  Captain  Edward,  letter  to,  from   Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,    -                                              -  102 

An  order  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to,         -  1332 

Is  killed  in  the  engagement  on  Long-Island,    1195,  1250 
Veazey,  John,  Jun.,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -                                                     -    781,961 
Veazey,  William,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -                                                                 -  1346 
Vechten,  Teunis  V.,  Schuyler  requests  money  may  be 

delivered  to,      -                                                        -  824 

Veeden,  Captain,  company  of,  sent  to  Skenesborough,  206 

Vegetables,  scarcity  of,  in  New-Jersey,      -                  -  120 
Army  at  New- York  permitted  to  commute  rations 

for,-                           676 

Venus,  brigantine,  departs  on  a  voyage  for  arms,        -  1293 
Vcrbryck,  Major  H.  V.  D.  L.,  asks  his  dismission,      -  1537 
Vergennes,  Count  de,  Mr.  Deane's  interview  with,     -  1012 
Letter  from  Mr.  Deane  to,    -                                     -  1105 
Vermillion,  Benjamin,  testimony  of,  in  Colonel  Ham- 
mond's case,     -                                                        -  1439 
Verplank's  Point,  enemy's  ships  remain  near,    -         -  544 
Versailles,  evasive  answer  given  by  the  Court  of,  to 

Great  Britain,  -                                                        -  134 

Reply  of  the  Court  of,  to  Lord  Stormont,        -         -  861 

Silas  Deane's  introduction  at,        -                           -  1012 

Versereau,  Lieutenant,  killed  in  his  tent  by  lightning,  -  1163 

Vessels,  Massachusetts  orders  the  equipment  of  two,  -  134 

List  of  British  armed,  on  the  American  station,       -  463 

Articles  wanted  for  the  Lake  Champlain,       -         -  745 

Maryland  appoints  persons  to  examine  such,  as  are 

for  sale,    -                                                                 -  1334 

Captains  of,  required  to  give,  on  oath,  manifests,    -  1367 

Several  provision,  captured  by  the  enemy,       -         -  1452 
Purchase  of,  ordered  for  the  Committee  of  Secret 

Correspondence,       -                                              -  1570 

Mutiny  in  the  crews  of  American,         ...  1615 


1777 


INDEX. 


1778 


Veteran  Guards,  (Connecticut,)  order  for  march  of,  to 

New- York,       -  -  -         -  1006 

Equipment  of,  reported  and  expenses  paid,    -        -  1007 
Victuals,  troops  ordered  to  keep  two  days',  dressed,  -  1137 
Vidal,  J.  B.  du,  Congress  give  to,  the  choice  of  dis- 
charge or  continuance  in  service,       -  -  1604 
Viper,  sloop-of-war,  entrance  of,  into  Machias,  -         -     149 
Conduct  of,  in  case  of  the  sloop  America,      -         -     419 
Stationed  between  Grand  Menan  and  Seguin,         -  1208 
Sloops  captured  by,      -                                              -  1208 
Virginia — 

Convention  of,  reform  the  Prayer-Book,                   -         8 
Letter  from  the  President  of  the  Council  of,  to  Gene- 
ral Lee,    -                                                                 -     213 
Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the  Coun- 
cil of  Safety  of,                                               -  366 
Reply  of  the  Council  of,  to  the  President  of  Congress,     465 
The  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  the  Council  of,     433 
A  Battalion  from,  at  Sullivan's  Island,  -                       439 
Council  of,  order  publication  of  Independence,      -     464 
President  of  Congress  to  the  Governour  of,    -.       -     494 
Address  of  the  Baptists  to  the  Governour  of,  -         -     905 
Copy  of  President  Rutledge's  letter  to  the  Conven- 
tion of,     -                                                                 -     611 
Copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Lee  to  the  Conven- 
tion of,     612 

Two   gentlemen   of,   bring   intelligence   from   the 

enemy, -     887 

Letter  from  Colonel  Stephens  to  the  Council  of,     -     892 
Price  paid  for  muskets  in,      -----     892 

March  of  the  First  Continental  Regiment  of,  -    973 

Petition  of  officers  of  the  two  old  Regiments  of,     -  1093 
Letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the,  Battalion,        -  -  1191 
Letter  from  the  Council  of,  to  the  Board  of  War,   -  1243 
The  Battalion  from,  taken  into  Continental  pay,     -  1605 
The    Legislature   of,  to   provide   clothing   for   her 

troops,     -  -  1620 

Battalion  from,  ordered  to  join  Washington,  -         -  1622 

The  Delegates  from,  produce  new  credentials,        -  1622 

Virmonet,  J.  A.  de,  Congress  appoint,  Brevet  Captain,   1593 

Vister,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  a  witness  in  the  case  of 

Colonel  Nicholson,  -         -        -         -        -        -351 

Voir,  Juet  a,  Congress  make  a  present  to,  -  1605 

Volunteers,  encouragement  to,  for  inlisting,       -        -  ,  859 
Captain  Butcher  authorized   to  raise  a  Company 

of, -  1476 

Captain  Le  Dieu  authorized  to  raise  a  Company 
of,  -----  -  1480,  1490 

Congress  order  inquiry  into  services  of,  in  Canada,  1605 
Vorsborough,  Jacob,  appointed   Captain  in  Colonel 

Warner's  Regiment,  -  ...  1565 

Vote,  instructions  regarding  the  right  to,  -         -        -  1054 
Voters,  act  of  New-Hampshire  declaring  who  shall  be 

legal,       -  -         -  56,  72 

Voting,  proposal  to  give  the  Delegates  the  power  of, 

for  a  Colony. 1192 

W. 

Wadman,  Lieutenant  Arthur,  prisoner  of  war  at  Bor- 

dentown,  -  -     988 

Wadsworth,  General  James,  appointed  Brigadier  by 

Connecticut,     -  28 

Arrival  of,  at  New- York,        -  -       41 

Return  of  the  Brigade  of,      -         -        331,507,639,763 

Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,     417,  470,  712,  935 

Quantity  of  paper  required  for  Brigade  of,     - 

Letter  to,  from  Governour  Trumbull,      ...     803 

Brigade  of,  assigned  to  Spencer,  -  -    915 

President  of  the  Court  on  Colonel  Zedtwitz,          -  1159 

Wadsworth,  Major,  General  Ward's  disposition  of,     -  1116 

Wages,  amount  of,  to  members  of  New-Hampshire 

Assembly,         -  75 

Resolution  to  pay  in  advance,       -  -     265 

Wagon,  accident  to  a,  at  Hammond's  Bridge,   -        -    724 

Wagoners,  complaints  against  the,    -  -     795 

Wagons,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  send  money  to 

pay  for,    - 

Lee  recommends  a  regular  establishment  of,  -        -     720 
Difficulty  of  procuring,  in  harvest  time,  -  -     872 

Messrs.  Van  Cortlandt  and  Platt  authorized  to  im- 
press,      -         -  -        -  1497 


Wait,  Captain,  list  of  men  of,  taken  at  the  Cedars,  167,  169 
Wait,  Colonel,  letter  from,  to  Colonel  Kurd,  -  -  479 
Wake  County,  North-Carolina,  the  Council  of  Safety 

adjourn  to,  -  1375 

Wakefield,  New-Hampshire,  powder  voted  to  the 

town  of,  -        -  .....      85 

FIFTH  SERIES. — VOL.  I.  112 


Walbridge, ,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  in  War- 
ner's Regiment,        ......  1565 

Waldeckers,  sailing  of  the,  from  Plymouth,         -         -     517 
Waldron,   Thomas    W.,   letter    from,    to    Governour 

Weare,    -  ...  1075 

.Wales,  Nathaniel,  member  of  Connecticut  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -     240 

Wales,  Lieut.  Nathaniel,  petitions  for  leave  to  resign,     681 
Arms  delivered  to,  for  Capt.  Stedman's  Company,  -     731 
Walker,  Captain   Timothy,  appointed   Mustermaster 

and  Paymaster,  .       50 

Member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  -         -        -       59 
Chosen  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety,       -        -       85 
Walker,  Jeremiah,  Moderator  of  a  Baptist  Association,     906 
Walker,  Cap.tain,  powder  brought  from  Virginia  by,   -  1133 
Walker,  John,  deposition  of,  -  1304 

Walker,  James,  committed  to  the  Halifax  jail,  North- 
Carolina,  -  -  1378 
Takes  the  oath  of  allegiance,          ....  1381 

Expenses  of,  paid  by  the  State,     -  -  1381 

Walker,  Captain  Charles,  order  to  restore  a  vessel  to,   1575 

Walkill,  New- York,  a  powder-mill  erected  at,    -        -     374 

Wall,  William,  evidence  of,  against  Daniel  Shelly,      -         4 

Denounced  as  an  enemy,      -  -     633 

Wall,  Ann,  evidence  of,  against  Daniel  Shelly,  -  4 

•Wallace,  Charles,  one  of  the  Annapolis  Committee,  -     181 

Maryland  Council   of  Safety  order  £1,000    to   be 

paid  to,    -  -  1332 

Wallace,  Captain,  examination  of  deserters  from,  452; 

Fires  a  house  and  steals  hogs,        ...      453,  545 

Burns  the  house  of  one  of  his  Tory  friends,    -         -    546 

Wallace,  Hugh,  letter  from,  to  Washington,       -        -     869 

Wallace,  Benjamin,  thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  desertion,   1138 

Wallace,  Dr.  Michael,  money  paid  to,  for  Hospital,    -  1332 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  order  an  account  from,   1332 

Wallingford,  Governour  Franklin  sent  to,  on  parole,  -       45 

Wallis,  Newell,  an  Indian,  asks  a  commission,  -        -     702 

Is  one  of  the  Eastern  tribes,  -        -  -         -    838 

Walters,  William,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -    384 

Chairman  of  Somerset  County  Committee,     -        -     384 

War,  fatigues  of,  less  painful  than  those  of  debate,     -     185 

Minutes  of  a  Council  of, 233 

Against  America,  unjust  and  unwise,     ...     483 

Preparations  for,  in  Europe,  -  -  627 

Gates  declares  it  a  defensive,          -        -        -        -     826 

The  Middle  States  begin  to  taste  the  sweets  of,       -     908 

New  articles  of,  passed  in  Congress,      -  -  1179 

War  Office,  circular  letter  from  the,  -  -        -     784 

Order  from  the,  to  Militia  Battalion  in  Philadelphia,     833 

Order  from  the,  for  marching  of  the  troops,    -         -  1192 

Ward,  Colonel,  regiment  of,  not  filled, 

Complement  of  men  for,  not  yet  completed,  -  -  542 
Washington  is  requested  to  give  orders  to,  -  -  669 
Washington  orders,  to  New- York, 

Put  under  marching  orders,  -----    776 
Ward,  Major-Genera! — 

Letter  to,  from  the  President  of  Congress,       -      34,  1 156 
Express  sent  to,  for  powder  and  lead,    - 
Asks  leave  to  resign,    -  -       97 

Correspondence  of,  with  Washington,  -  -    107, 

142,  194,  209,  210,  448,  451,  514, 
585,  642,  662,  753,  917,  926,  1075,  1116 
Correspondence  with  Massachusetts  Council,          -     146 
Letter  to,  from  Samuel  B.  Webb,  - 

General  Lee's  sneer  at,  ....    428 

Order  from,  to  the  Navy  Agent,     -  -     625 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,      -        -     830 

Intends  to  retire  from  service,        -  -     859 

Is  requested  to  hold  the  command  at  Boston,  1156,  1616 

Ward,  Major,  a  conferee  at  Fort  Pitt,        -  -       36 

Ward,  Joseph,  Aid-de-Camp  to  General  Ward,  -         -     625 

Ward,  Henry,  Secretary  of  Rhode-Island  Assembly,  -     475 

Ward,  Andrew,  Jr.,  letter  from,  to  Gov.  Trumbull,  830,  858 

Ward,  Samuel,  J.  Adams's  opinion  of, 

Ward,  Solomon,  ordered  to  give  security,  -         -        -  1341 

Wardell,  Joseph,  communication  of,  with  the  enemy,     602 

Warder,  Mr.,  of  Philadelphia,  extraordinary  conduct 

of,  in  Paris,       -  -  1019 

Warfield,  Dr.  Charles  A.,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

encourage  the  crude  nitre  manufactory  of,  -  -  1342 
Warner,  Captain,  resolve  to  pay  the  men  of,  -  -  295 
Warner,  Thomas,  the  King's  Proctor  at  Antigua,  -  420 
Warner,  General  Jonathan,  letter  from,  to  Massachu- 
setts Council,  -  -  663 
Warner,  Colonel  Seth,  of  New- York,  ordered  to  defend 

Cumberland  frontier, 
Appointed  by  Congress  a  Colonel  of  Regulars,       -  1565 


1779 


INDEX. 


1780 


Warner,  Captain  Seth,  of  Connecticut,  money  voted 

to,  for  raising  seamen,        -  ...  1006 

Warren,  James,  letter  to,  from  John  Whittier,    - 
Letter  to,  from  Elbridge  Gerry,       .... 
Letter  to,  from  Benjamin  Payne,    -         -  -     133 

Appointed  second  Maior-General  of  Massachusetts 

Militia,     .--  -     280 

Letter  to,  from  Captain  Samuel  Clarke,  -  .  -  -  778 
Letter  from,  to  Thomas  Cushing,  - 

John  Adams's  high  opinion  of,  -        -        -  1025 

Letter  to,  from  Thomas  Rice,         -  -  1116 

Warren,  petition  from  the  town  of,  to  New-Hampshire 

Committee  of  Safety,          -  -     517 

Warren,  ship,  a  Captain  of  Marines  appointed  for,      -     623 
Warren,  privateer,  accident  on  board  the,  - 

Prize  captured  by  the, 973,  1226 

Warren,  Capt.  Seth,  engages  to  go  to  Lake  Champlain,     937 
Warwick.  .Massachusetts,  proceedings  of  Committee  of,     959 
Warwick,  Anthony  &  Co.,  resolve  to  deliver  papers 

to,  rescinded,    -------   1373 

Ordered  that  Levi  Williams  retain  the  papers  of,     -  1373 
Washington — 

Uneasiness  of,  in  relation  to  prisoners  of  war,         -       22 
New-Hampshire  appoints  a  Committee  to  call  on, 

for  powder  and  lead,  .....       69 

One  of  the  guards  of,  executed  for  conspiracy,        -     117 
Recommends  Lieutenant  Wilpert,  -         -     220 

,  Massachusetts  Assembly  desire  the  Council  to  write 

to,   -        -        -  -        -    314 

Memorial  to,  from  the  citizens  of  New-York,  -         -     335 
General  Lee's  remarks  on  the  character  of,     -         -     429 
Is  requested  by  the  New- York  Convention  to  ap- 
point a  commander  for  their  levies,     ...     447 
Entire  confidence  of  Robert  Morris  in,  -         -         -     468 
The  lady  of,  at  Mr.  Morris's,  on  the  Schuylkill,    468,  509 
Interview  of,  with  the  British  Adjutant-General,    471,  500 
Colonel  Seymour's  account  of  his  interview  with,  -     523 
Congress  allows  another  Aid-de-Camp  to,      -         -     631 
A  prize  turtle  sent  to,  by  Mr.  Shaw,       ...     717 
The  powder  loaned  to,  is  returned  to  Connecticut 
by  Congress,     .-----.     718 

Connecticut  Council  of  Safety  appoint  a  Committee 

to  confer  with,  -  ...     732 

The  Eastern  Indians  profess  obedience  to,  -  -  839 
Return  made  to,  by  the  Quartermaster-General,  -  919 
Proclamation  of,  advising  removal  of  women,  &.C.,  -  998 
Orders  from,  to  General  Putnam,  -  -  1149 

New-York  Convention  resolve  to  cooperate  with,  -  1403 
Copy  of  De  Hart's  examination  sent  to,  -  "  -  1446 
Urges  the  removal  of  women  and  children  from 

New-York, 1520 

Discretionary  powers  granted  to,  -  -  -  -  1569 
Correspondence  of,  with — 

Egbert  Benson,  ...     256,  357 

Board  of  War,  -        -  -        -        33, 641 

James  Bowdoin,        -  -         -      661,952 

Baron  de  Calbiac,      -  -      509,  542, 679 

Colonel  James  Clinton,     -        108,  259,  391,  485,  951 
General  George  Clinton,   -  -    227, 

354,  544,  601,  728,  819,  853 

Governour  Cooke,    -        -        -        141,  378,  475,  659 

Lord  Diummond,      -  -  -  1026,  1127 

Colonel  Lewis  Du  Bois,     -  -     722,  868,  1082 

Major  French,  a  prisoner,  -         -       777,  823,  853,  902 

General  Gates.  376,  450,  650,  827,  916,  951,  1197 

Colonel  A.  Hawkes  Hay,  -  -       580,  728,  886 

General  Heath,         578,  1029,  1082,  1120,  1121,  1144 

General  Howe,          352,  679,  711,  765,  932,  997,  1026 

Lord  Howe,      -  - 1094,  1095 

General  William  Livingston,       ....      17 

18,38,  104,851,909,  1110,  1531 

Robert  R.  Livingston,  -     448,  870 

General  Mercer,  ....    120 

140,  328,  369,  371,  413,  443,  556,  574,  600,  638! 

761,  813,  834,  859,  865,  885,  894,  909,  964,  1064 

New-York  Convention,      .....    255 

333,  353,  392,  422,  423,  446,  448,  557,  852,  854,  896,' 

917,  997,  998,  999,  1028,  1196,  1230,  1400  1401 

1403. 1409,  1416, 1422,  1425,  1450,  1451, 1477,  1487, 

1489,  1491,  1500, 1501,  1502,  1511, 1518,  1520, 1521 

1531,  1538,  1547,  1554,  1558,  1560,  1563 

President  of  Congress,   -       -    -    1  32 

33,  115,  124,  155,  173,  185,  188,  223,  254,  329,  W 

367,  387,  388,  389,  409,  434,  444,  466,  484,  499,  537, 

.540,  555,  559,  575, 594,  620,  636,  638,  668,  669,  675 

690,  692,  725,  726,  762,  814,  818,  819, 832,  834  883 

884,  910,  915, 930,  932,  949,  951,  963,  977, 980,  994* 

S95,  1025,  1063, 1081,  1094,  1110,  1120,  1135,  1136 


Washington — 

Correspondence  of,  with — 

Colonel  Ritzema,       -  -      333,  334 

General  Roberdeau,  ...         -  996,  1063,  1064 

General  Schuyler,      -  -    193, 

232,  338,  351,  352,  390,  394,  473,  559,  693,  716,  793, 

820,  932,  985,  1031,  1095,  1142,  1164 

Colonel  Seymour,  of  the  Light-Horse,         -      124,371 

Nathaniel  Shaw,  Jun.,        -  -      359,  770 

Governour  Trumbull,  -      45, 

106,  142,  192,  352,  378,  400,  414,  450,  558,  712, 

776,  821,  897,  981,  1028,  1143,  1277 

Captain  Richard  Varick,    -  -      744,  772,  886 

General  Ward,  -         -         -  -    107, 

142,   194,  209,  210,  448,  451,  514,  585,  642.  662, 

753,917,926,  1075,  1116 

Letter  to,  from — 

Benjamin  Barnard,    -  -  -     550 

William  Blodget,       -  -   982,  1029 

John  Bradford,  -  -  -     770 

Philip  B.  Bradley,      - 
Henry  Broomfield,     ------     938 

John  Coe,  374 

John  Covenhoven,     ------    556 

Captain  Dennis,  .....     256 

Richard  Derby,  Jun., 733 

Colonel  Samuel  Drake, 789 

William  Duer.  -  ...  1236 

Dr.  Franklin,    -         -  ...     496 

Jonathan  Glover,       -         -  -  -     477 

General  Greene,  -      27, 

196,  371,  418,  486, 510,  542,  559,  577,  602,  621,  628, 

643,  696,  711,  727,  870,  887,  898,  921,  967,  1029 

F.  Greene,        -         -  -         -         -     359 

Colonel  James  Hammond,          -         -  -     355 

General  N.  Heard, 933 

Lieutenant-Colonel  William  Henshaw,        -         -     950 
Colonel  Hitchcock,  -  -  -  1067 

Walter  Livingston,    ------     824 

William  S.  Livingston,       ...        -     982,  998 
Colonel  H.  B.  Livingston,          -         -  696,  1235,  1260 
Colonel  McDougall,  -        -        -     602,  869,  918,  1068 
John  Mackay,  -  ...  1086 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,       -         -  -1133 

Massachusetts  Council,      -         -       380,  702,  727,  830 
General  Mifflin,         ...         27,  336,  579,  790 
Dr.  Morgan,     -        -        -        -        -        -        -416 

Gouverneur  Morris,  ------     334 

Robert  Morris, 943 

Colonel  William  Richmond,       -         -         -         -     888 

Jacob  Rush,      -------34 

Colonel  Silliman,       -  ...       39 

Lord  Stirling,    -         -  ...    601,  1245 

General  John  Sullivan,       ...  -  1136 

Reuben  Swain,          ---..-     550 

Colonel  Thomas  Thomas, 791 

Daniel  Tillinghast,     -  -      359,  399 

Colonel  J.  Varnum, 1150 

Hugh  Wallace,  -    869 

William  Watson,       -  -  -     859 

Joshua  Wentworth,  -         ...  -  1173 

John  Winthrop,          ...  -      702,  830 

N.  Woodhull,   -        ---       258,  538,  602,  622 
Abraham  Yates,  Jun.,         -  -         -  1237 

Letter  from,  to — 

Timothy  Edwards,     -  -         -      822,  886 

Colonel  Samuel  Elmore,    -      .  -  -      712,  820 

Colonel  Fitch, 822 

Hartford  Committee,  -     823 

Frederick  Jay,  -  -     981 

General  Lee,     -  97,  916 

Lieutenant  Machin,  -  -         -  -     485 

Massachusetts  Assembly,  -  -      108,  143,  576 

New-Jersey  Convention,    -  -     980 

Orange  County,  New- York,  Committee,      -        -     336 

Pennsylvania  Associators,  -  -    849 

Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,          -        -      124,  186 

Queen's  County,  New- York,  Committee,    -         -     896 

Samuel  Tucker,  -         -        -      439,  484 

John  Augustine  Washington,     -  509 

William  Watson,       -  -  -         -     107 

Robert  Yates,    -  -         -       351,  484,  935,  954 

Washington,  John  A.,  letter  to,  from  his  brother,        -     509 

Washington,  row-galley,  engagement  of  the,      -         -     751 

Col.  Tupper  hoists  his  commander's  flag  on  board,  -     765 

Washington,  brig,  the  Captain  of,  loses  his  books,  &c.,     859 

Washington,  frigate,  launch  of  the,  at  Philadelphia,    -     946 

Washington,  privateer,  recapture  made  by,  -  1280 


1781 


INDEX. 


1782 


Washington  District,  settlement  in  North-Carolina  so 

called,       -  -  1376 
Inhabitants  of,  advised  to  send  Delegates  to  North- 
Carolina  Council,      -  -  1376 
Wasp,  schooner,  orderefl  on  a  cruise,  -   1118 
Waste,  inevitable,  in  the  Northern  Army,  -         -     416,  562 
Watauga  Fort,  the  Indians  retire  from,       -  -     974 
"  Watchman"*  to  the  Inhabitants   of  Massachusetts- 
Bay,          -567 

Water,  scarcity  of  good,  on  Kent-Island,   -  -     722 

Importance  of  maintaining  superiority  on  the,         -     952 
Waterbury,  General  David—* 

Appointed  Brigadier  by  Connecticut,     -  -       28 

Arrival  of,  at  New- York,  -       41 

Is  met  by  Schuyler  at  Saratoga,     -  -  235 

Ordered  to  Skenesborough,  -  -         -     340 

Correspondence  of,  with  General  Gates,          -        -   357, 

358,  396,  424,  474,  564,  629,  753,  795,  826,  872, 

900,  924,  954,  955,  968,   1002,   1050,   1071,   1114, 

1154,  1187,  1238,  1265 

Troops  of,  not  arrived  at  Skenesborough,  -  -  547 
Extract  of  a  letter  from,  -  797 

Letter  to,  from  General  Schuyler,  -  -     825 

Letter  to,  from  Governour  Trumbull,  -  -  858,  925 
Ordered  to  Ticonderoga,  .....  955 
Letter  from,  to  the  carpenters  at  Williamstown,  -  1004 
Letter  to,  from  Colonel  William  Stewart,  -  -  1051 
Commendation  of,  by  General  Schuyler,  -  1083 

Return  of  provisions  made  by,        -  -  1201 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Schuyler  to,       -  -1203 

General  Gates  expresses  a  high  opinion  of,     -         -  1218 
Waterman,  Abijah,  appointed  Adjutant  of  Massachu- 
setts Militia,      -  -     321 
Waters,  Peter,  testimony  taken  before,       -  -     385 
Watertown,  establishment  of  a  post  between  Northern 

Army  and,         ...                                     .     238 
Persons  employed  to  ride  post  from,   to    Crown- 
Point,       -  315 

Independence  proclaimed  at,  -     426 

Dr.  Church  is  sent  prisoner  to,      -  -     683 

Conference  with  Indians  held  at,  -  -     838 

Rev.  Mr.  Gordon  suspects  the  opening  his  letters  at,   1074 
Massachusetts  General  Assembly  convene  at,          -  1226 
Watkins,  Captain,  march  of  half  the  Company  of,      -     635 
Letter  to,  from  Massachusetts  Council  of  Safety,    -     859 
Watson,  William,  correspondence  of,  with  Washing- 
ton,         ...  -      107,859 
Watson,  Jack,  suspicions  against,    - 

Watson,  James,  Captain  of  Lancaster  Associators,  -  573 
Wayne,  Col.  Anthony,  Col.  Alden's  complaint  against,  206 
Weare,  Meshech — 

Member  of  New-Hampshire  Legislative  Council,   -       47 

Member  of  New-Hampshire  Committee  of  Safety,  -       85 

Letter  to,  from  Colonel  Hurd,       -        -       110,  625,  927 

From  Josiah  Bartlett,  -        -        -     136 

From  John  Bellows,          -        -         -  -     479 

From  Benjamin  Giles,       .....     480 

From  James  Bowdoin,       -  -   990,  1010 

From  Eleazer  Russell,       -  -         -  1010 

From  Thomas  W.  Waldron,      ....  1075 

Letter  from,  to  the  President  of  Congress,      -         -     381 

To  Colonel  Joshua  Wingate,     -  -     406 

To  Colonel  Jacob  Bayly, 427 

To  James  Bowdoin,  -         .....  1051 
To  Major  George  Gains,   -  -  1101 

Weatherbee,  Samuel,  appointed  Captain  forthe  Canada 

expedition,       -  -       50 

Weaver,  Samuel,  thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  desertion,  -     768 
Weavers,  scarcity  of,  in  Harford  County,  Maryland,  -     883 
Webb,  Samuel  B.,  letter  from,  to  General  Ward,         -     413 
Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,      -  -     414 

Order  from,  for  articles  taken  in  the  transports,       -     625 
Webb,  Colonel  Charles,  officers  in  the  Regiment  of,  -     645 
Webb,  Lieutenant  Charles,  named  for  promotion,       -     646 
Webb,  Lieutenant  John,  restored  to  his  command,    -  1293 
Webb,  John,  permitted  to  export  staves  from  North- 
Carolina,  -  1372 
Webster,  Ebenezer,  appointed  Captain  New-Hamp- 
shire Militia,     -  -       64 
Webster,  Lieutenant  John,  petitions  for  leave  to  resign,     681 
Wedderburn,  Mr.,  sent  to  Paris  to  counteract  Mr. 

Deane,     -  -  1018 

Weed,  Reuben,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  of  Captain 

Dennis's  Company,  - 

Weedon,  George,  appointed  Colonel  by  Congress,     -  1606 
Weekly  Returns,  ordered  to  the  Adjutant-General,  503,  504 
Weems,  Colonel  John,  correspondence  of,  with  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,      -.--      101,116 


Weibert,    Monsieur,    appointed   Assistant   Engineer, 

with  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel,        -                   -  931 

The  proceedings  of  Congress  are  approved  of,         -  1608 

Weidman,  John,  recommended  as  Ensign,         -         -  1293 

Is  appointed  Ensign  by  Congress,                              -  1583 

Weights,  iron  substituted  for  lead,  in  shops,  clocks,  &c.,  1296 

Weissenfels,  Colonel  Frederick,  letter  from  to  Lord 

Stirling,   -                                             ...  41 

Certificates  of,  relative  to  arrangement  of  Yorkers,  394 

Copy  of  a  letter  from,  to  the  New-York  Convention,  1426 
Weisenthall,  Dr.  C.,  correspondence  of,  with  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety,      ....      112,433 

Report  from,  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  758,  1091 
Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -  942 
Money  voted  to,  for  the.  use  of  John  Hart,     -         -  1331 
Money  voted  to,  for  a  journey  to  Virginia,      -         -  1332 
Weiser,  Benjamin,  recommended  as  Captain,    -         -  1289 
Is  appointed  by  Congress  Captain  of  German  Bat- 
talion,     -                                                                -  1569 
Welch,  Aaron,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  in  Colonel 

Weems's  Battalion,  -        -                                    -  1352 
Welden,  Capt.,  ordered  to  convoy  vessels  from  Boston,  30 
Wellis,  James,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  by  Con- 
gress,      ....                           .        .  1618 

Wells,  Mr.,  mention  of  discharge  of,  from  service,      -  169 
Welper,  Lodowick,  recommended  as  Major,      -        -  187 
Is  appointed  by  Congress  Major  of  a  German  Bat- 
talion,     -                                                                -  1581 
Weltner,  David,  appointed  Captain  of  a  German  Bat- 
talion,     -                                                                -  1581 
Wentworth,  Colonel  Joshua,  summoned  before  New- 
Hampshire  Assembly,        -        -        -         -        -  70 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  ...                  -  1173 

Wentworth,  Captain,  bearer  of  money  to  Schuyler,    -  259 
Wentworth,  Capt.  Jonathan,  cashiered  and  published 

as  a  scoundrel,                                      ...  604  - 
Sentence  of  the  court  approved  by  Gates,       -        -  657 
Notice  of,  in  a  letter  from  Ticonderoga,          -        -  748 
Wentworth,  H.,  letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,        -        -                                    -  461 
Wentworth,  Joseph,  letter  from,  to  New-Hampshire 

Committee  of  Safety,                                              -  462 

Wereat,  John,  member  of  Georgia  Council  of  Safety,  6 

West,  Stephen,  firelocks  for  sale  by,                            -  153 
West,  John,  correspondence  of,  with  Maryland  Coun- 
cil of  Safety,     ...                           -      407, 433 

West-Point,  fortifications  at,  going  on  with  spirit,      -  935 

Westchester,  New-York,  Committee,  proceedings  of,  354 
Letter  from,  to  New-York  Convention,  -        -  1145,  1523 
Deputies  to  the  Convention  from,  - 

Troop  of  Horse  refuse  to  furnish  their  quota,  -         -  1397 

Report  concerning  the  Troop  of  Horse  of,      -        -  1447 

Committee  empowered  to  release  certain  prisoners,  1524 

Military  stores  removed  to,  from  New- York,  -        -  1547 

Cattle  in,  ordered  to  be  driven  into  the  interior,      -  1560 

Letter  to  the  Committee  of,  from  the  Convention,  -  1564 

Persons  in,  suspected  of  intercourse  with  enetny,   -  1564 

Military  stores  removed  from,  to  Fishkill,       -        -  1566 
Western-Shore,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  to  the 

Committee,      ....                           -  366 

Westfield,  Major  Simeon,  General  Ten  Broeck  asks 

for  the  promotion  of,          .         -         -         -         -  1122 

Westminster,  New-York,  Massachusetts  supplies  with 

ammunition,     -                                             -  321 
Westmoreland,  Pennsylvania,  Congress  resolve  to  raise 

a  Battalion  in,  -                                              -  409 

Seven  Companies  ordered  to  be  raised  in,      -        -  1578 

Weston,  John,  unable  to  supply  guns  to  Maryland,   -  252 

Wethersby,  Capt.,  Gates's  opinion  of  the  conduct  of,  827 

Wetmore,  Izariah,  charge  of  stealing  made  against,    -  1164 

Wetmore,  Timothy,  the  Moloch  of  the  Tories  in  Rye,  1164 
Whaleboats,  Colonel  Clinton  asks  for, 

New- York  Convention  ask  Washington  for  four,    -  1403 

Wharton,  Mr.,  John  Alsop  thought  to  be  influenced  by,  759 

Wharton,  Carpenter,  recommended  as  Assistant  Com- 

•  I'll 
missary,    -         -         -         - 

Appointed  by  Congress  Assistant  Commissary,  1118,  1567 
Wharton,  Thomas,  member  of  Pennsylvania  Council 

of  Safety,                            -                                    -  1300 

Is  elected  President  of  the  Council,        -        -        -1309 

Wheat,  complaints  among  the  farmers  about  their,     -  872 

Carleton  permits  general  exportation  of,         -         -  1240 

Wheaton,  Mason,  permitted  to  improve  an  estate,      -  325 
Wheeland,  Joseph,  sent  prisoner  to  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety, 

Depositions  against,     -  -     687,  68! 

Committed  to  jail  by  order  of  the  Council,     -        -13.47 

Wheeler,  Mr.,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,  65 


1783 


INDEX. 


1784 


Wheeling,  Congress  propose  to  take  possession  of  the 

fort  It,     -  -  -  -  1575 

Wheelork,    Moses,    appointed  Major  Massachusetts 

Militia, -     293 

Wheelwright,  John,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  frigate 

Rawlcigh,        -        -  -  1588 

Whetcomh,  Colonel,  Regiment  of,  march  for  Ticon- 

deroga,    --------     926 

Declines  a  commission,          -  ...   1 156 

Whetcroft,  William,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council 

of  Safety,  -          -          -  -          -          -      154 

Wlu'Mone   Point,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  refuse 

to  fortify, -         -         -     101 

Mr.  Allcock's  services  at, 614 

Cii[itain  Smith  has  rive  spare  eighteen-pounders  at,  614 
Wlndclen,  Oliver,  paid  for  stocking  muskets,  -  -  1332 
Whii.ri.-iii,  synonymous  with  patriotism,  -  -  740 

\Vluj\s  a  call  upon  the  New-York,    -  -     259 

Patriotick  conduct  of  the, 356 

Whippli-  Colonel  William,  letter  from,  to  John  Lang- 
don,  -       118,368,497 
Letter  to,  from  J.  McClintock,       -  -     734 
Leaves  Philadelphia  for  New-Hampshire,         -         -     893 
Letter  to,  from  Josiah  Bartlett,        -                   -1024,1179 
Whipple,  Captain,  acquittal  of,  by  Congress,       -         -     187 
A  Committee  of  Congress  report  on  the  case  of,     -  1575 
Whitcomb,  Lieutenant,  the  journal  of,  while  a  spy,      -     828 
Shoots  General  Gordon  for  refusing  to  surrender,   -     901 
General  Gates's  instructions  to,     -         -         -         -  1202 
Whitcomb,  John,  Esq.,  Maj.  Ilsley's  complaint  against,   1208 
White,  Philips,  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, New-Hampshire,       -----       85 
Chosen  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety,    -         -       85 
White,  John,  sent  prisoner  to  Lancaster,  -  412 
Concerned  in  the  escape  from  Lebanon,         -         -     596 
Examination  of,  by  Shamoken  Committee,      -     597,  599 
White,  Captain,  account  of  prizes  captured  by,  -     589,  780 
White,    James,    appointed   Deputy   Commissary   for 

Pennsylvania,    -  -  1118 

White,  Henry,  recommended  for  Surgeoncy,      -         -  1450 
Appointed  Surgeon  of  Colonel  Nicoll's  Regiment,-  1479 
White,  David,  excused  from  bearing  arms,          -         -   1625 
White-Hall,  order  for  arrest  of  a  servant  at,  -  1345 

Whitehead,  James,  commissioned   Ensign  in  Penn- 
sylvania, -        -  -  1328 
Whitemore,  Joseph,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  the  Ma- 

trosses,     -  -  -     303 

White-Plains,  New-York,  Congress  sit  at,  -        -        23,  228 

Petition  from  sundry  prisoners  at,  -  -  1444 

Prisoners  brought  from  Bedford  to,         -         -         -   1523 

Letter  to  New-York  Convention  from  prisoners  at,  -  1523 

Whitestone,  Major  Livingston  reports  enemy's  ships  at,   1544 

Whiting,  Leonard,  reported  to  the  New-Hampshire 

Assembly  as  disaffected,    -  -         .         .       gg 

Acquitted  by  the  Assembly,  -----  gg 
Whiting,  Benjamin,  charged  and  acquitted,  -  -  68 
Whiting,  William,  appointed  to  carry  specie  to 

Schuyler,  -  -        ....    377 

Whiting,  Charles,  appointed  Aid  to  General  Spencer,     966 
Whiting,   William,   a  wounded  soldier,    sent   to   the 

Hospital,  -  .        .  1603 

Whiting,  row-galley,  military  stores  ordered  for  the,  -     243 

Sent  to  New- York  by  Governour  Trumbull,    -         -     378 

Engaged  with  enemy's  ships  at  Tarrytown,     -        -     751 

Whitney,  Aaron,  friendship  of,  for  the  Tories,    -         -     246 

Whitney,  Reuben,  resolve  on  petition  of,   -         -         -     274 

WhitK'inore,  Major,  appointed  to  sign  beating  orders,     277 

Whittier,  John,  letter  from,  to  James  Warren,  1 

Appointed  Colonel  of  Massachusetts  Militia,  -         -     292 

Whittlesey,  Ensign  Charles,  named  for  promotion,     -     646 

Whittle>ey,  Azariah,  appointed  Master  of  Connecticut 

Colony  ship,      -  -         ...     (399 

White,  Captain,  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  paid  to, 

lor  extraordinary  services,  '.  1296 

Wickes,  Captain,  assists  in  saving  the  Nancy,  14 

Brother  of,  (Third  Lieutenant  of  Reprisal,)  killed,  -       14 
Letter  from,   to  the  Committee  of  Secret  Corre- 
spondence,      -  .  lgo  249 
|UkM  an  attack  upon  the  Shark,  -         ...     QQQ 
Number  of  prizes  captured  by,        -         ...     741 
Honours  paid  to,  at  St.  Pierre,       -         ...     705 
Arrival  of  prizes  taken  by,      ....  759 
Wiggin,  Jo^lma,  Doorkeeper  of  the  New-Hampshire" 

Assembly,  paid,          .....  gg 

Wiggins,  Mark,  appointed  Captain  of  New-Hampshire 

Militia,     •---...  OA 

Wigglesworth  Edward,  resolve  to  supply  with  arms,  &c".,  266 

Appointed  Captain  of  Matrosses,  -        -        .        -303 


Wilcocks,  Alexander,  letter  from,  to  the  Maryland 

Convention, -     220 

Chairman  of  the  Philadelphia  Committee  of  Safety,  -     220 
Wild  Cats,  scows  in  the  Raritan  so  called,  -     674 

Wilkic,  John,  commander  of  the  Lady  Gower,  -  -  152 
Wilkins,  Captain  Daniel,  testimony  of,  on  the  case  of 

the  Cedars,        -  -     166 

List  of  his  Company  made  prisoners,      -  -     168 

•Wilkins,  William,  one  of  the  Annapolis  Committee,  -     181 

Wilkinson,  Major  Jos.,  letter  from,  to  Capt.  R.  Chew,  -    216 

Commands  the  Calvert  County  Militia,  (Maryland,)     459 

Wilkinson,  William,  appointed'Paymaster,          -         -  1370 

Will,  William,  a  Captain  of  Pennsylvania  Rifles,          -     187 

Willard,  Levi,  chosen  Captain  at  Hartford,  -       30 

Willard,  Colonel  Aaron,  camp  equipage  ordered  to,    -     551 

Letter  to,  from  John  Avery,  -  -         -     777 

Willen,  Lieutenant  Levi,  principles  of,  suspected,       -     685 

Willett,  Thomas,  order  for  the  arrest  of,     -  -   1467 

Examination  of,  before  New-York'Convention,       -   1478 

Committed  to  jail, 1480 

Willett,  Edward,  order  for  arrest  of,  -  -  1480 

Examined  and  discharged,    -  -  1486 

Willett,  Edward,  Sen.,  order  for  arrest  of,  -  -  1480 

Examination  of,    -  .....  1485 

Discharged,  -         ...  i486 

William,  ship,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,       ...     152 

William  and  Charles,  one  of  Dunmore's  fleet,     -         -     152 

William,  schooner,  testimony  of  three  men  of  the,      -  1064 

William,  brigantine,  appeal  granted  in  the  case  of,      -  1379 

Williams,  Captain  of  an  enemy's  tender,  willing  to  quit 

his  service,        -  18 

Williams,  Captain,  commands  the  Active,  one  of  Sir 

Peter  Parker's  fleet,  -  -         -  -     436 

Williams,  Jarret,  deposition  of,  -  -     111 

Williams,  Captain  Edward,  sent  with  blacksmiths  to 

Skenesborough,         -  ....     209 

Williams,  William,  member  of  Connecticut  Council  of 

Safety. -     240 

Acts  as  Clerk  to  the  Connecticut  Council  of  Safety,  242 
Chosen  a  Delegate  to  Congress  from  Connecticut,  -  244 
Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull,  -  -  606 

Williams,  Lieutenant  Henry,  (Virginia,)  a  court-mar- 
tial held  on,       -  -  362 
Dismissed  and  drummed  out  of  camp,    -                  -     362 
Williams,    Major  Otho  H.,   declines  a  Regiment  in 

Flying-Camp,   -  -     363 

Letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,    -         -    521 
Col.  Griffith  receives  the  appointment  refused  by,   -   1345 
Williams,  Jonathan,   chosen  Lieutenant  of  Chelsea 

Militia,     -  -  -    778 

Williams,  Thomas,  death  of,  at  Philadelphia,  -  -  811 
Williams,  John,  Clerk  of  a  Baptist  Association,  -  -  906 
Williams,  Thomas,  thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  desertion,  91 1 
Williams,  Henry,  thirty-nine  lashes  to,  for  desertion,  -  966 
Williams,  Thomas,  commissioned  Lieutenant-Colonel 

by  Maryland,     -  -  1332 

Williams,  Nathan,  appointed  Ensign  in  Flying-Camp,  1350 
Williams,  J.  J.,  member  of  North-Carolina  Council,  -  1366 
Williams,  Jacob,  ordered  to  give  security  for  appear- 

ance,         -  -  1379 

Williamsburgh,  Virginia,  the  Convention  meet  at,       -         8 

Extract  of  a  letter  from,  -     151 

General  Court-Martial  held  at,       -  -     362 

Declaration  of  Independence  read  at,     -  -     568 

Intelligence  received  from,    -  -     756,  959 

Williamson,  Col.  A.,  letter  from,  to  W.  H.  Drayton,  -     488 

Exertions  of,  to  collect  his  troops  together,    -         -     610 

Is  ordered  against  the  Lower  Cherokees,       -         -     612 

Forces  under,  amount  to  eleven  hundred  men,        -     613 

Letter  from,  to  Governour  Rutledge,      ...     749 

Marches  against  the  Indians,  ...     780 

Account  of  his  battle  with  the  Indians,  -         -         -  1148 

Williamson,  Lieutenant  John,  appointed  Batteaumas- 

ter  by  Gates,     -  -     654 

Williamson,  James,  appointed  First  Lieutenant  in  the 

Flying-Camp,  -  -  1347 

Williamson,  Lewis,  ordered  to  hold  certain  papers,  -  1373 
Williamstown,  carpenters  inoculated  at,  -  -  900 

Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of,  -  1004 

Colonel  Brewer  abuses  the  Doctor  at,    -         -         -   1150 
Willoughby,  Captain  John,  evidence  given  by,  -  9 

Willson,  Dorrington,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  Lancas- 
ter Associators,  -  -  ...  573 
Willy,  Benjamin,  flogged  for  desertion,  -  -  1270 
Wilmington,  Delaware,  a  Company  ordered  to,  -  -  11 
Wilmington,  N.  C.,  Continental  forces  stationed  in,  -  1384 
Wilmore,  Mr.,  Congress  recommend  that  his  going  to 

New-York  be  stopped,      -  -  1600 


1785 


INDEX. 


1786 


Wilmot,  William,  appointed   Ensign  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,     -  -  1345 
Wilmot,  Henry,  letter   from,  to  New-York  Conven- 
tion,                                                       -        -  1453,  1512 
Wilpen,  Captain,  of  German    Company,  ordered  to 

Philadelphia,    -  -     499 

Wilpert,  John  D.,  recommended  by  Washington  to 

Congress,          -  -  -  -     124 

Recommendation  of,  comes  too  late,     -  -     186 

Recommendation  of,  transferred  by  Congress  to  Ma- 
ryland Convention,  -  -     220 
Wilson,  James,  prisoner  of  war,  disposal  of, 
Wilson,  Capl.,  member  of  New-Hampshire  Assembly,       61 
Wilson,  William,  appointed  Lieutenant  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -  -     349 
Wilson,  Captain,  letter  from,  to  Arnold,    -  512 
Is  taken  prisoner  with  thirty  men,                   -        -     888 
Wilson,  Colonel  James,  letter  from,  to  the  President 

of  Congress,     -  -  1110 

Wilson,  Joshua,  appointed  Ensign  in  Colonel  Tyler's 

Battalion,  -  ....  1357 

Wilson,  Andrew,  a  dangerous  person,       ...  1365 
North-Carolina  Council  take  order  concerning,      -  1365 
Wilson,  James,  inimical  to  America,          ...  |378 
Wilson,  George,  elected  Lieut.  Colonel  by  Congress,  1586 
Order  for  supplying  ammunition  to  Battalion  of,     -  1607 
Wilson,  Mr.,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  frigate  Wash- 
ington,    ..-----.  1617 

Windham,  prisoners  sent  to  the  jail  of,  -        -     683 

Window  weights,  orders  to  take  all  leaden,         -        -     307 
President  of  Congress  recommends  Virginia  to  use,     366 
New-Jersey  Congress  order  the  use  of,  -        -         -     369 
Winds,  Colonel  William,  letter  from,  to  Gates,  -         -     359 
Wingate,  Joshua,  appointed  Colonel  of  New-Hamp- 
shire Militia,     -         -  57,  83 
Is  ordered  with  his  Regiment  to  Ticonderoga,        -     826 
Assigned,  on  his  arrival,  to  Stark's  Brigade,  -         -  1125 
Winn,  James,  a  sick  soldier,  the  board  of,  paid,          -       51 
Winslow,  Captain,  head-carpenter,  sent  to  Schuyler,  -       29 
Winslow,  Edward,  letter  to,  from  Thomas  Oliver,       -     149 
Winslow,  Kenelm,  Convention  of  Committees  meet  at 

house  of,  -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -    245 

Winslow,  petition  from  the  people  of,  to  Massachusetts,  585 
Winston,  Major  Joseph,  appointed  Ranger  in  Surry 

County,  North-Carolina,    -  -         -  1369 

Winter  Hill,  barracks  at,  used  as  a  Hospital,  -  -  146 
Winter,  Joseph,  Secretary  ofNew-York  Committee,  257,  374 
Winter,  Jacob,  Sen.,  made  to  give  security,  -  -  1079 
Winter,  Jacob,  Jun.,  made  to  give  security,  -  -  1079 
Winter,  Philip,  made  to  give  security,  -  -  1079 

Winters,  Elisha,  correspondence  of,  with  Maryland 

Council  of  Safety,     -  -       218,465,613 

Engaged  in  making  arms  for  Maryland,  -     365 

Winthrop,  John,  letter  from,  to  Washington,      -      702,  830 

139 
1522 
1525 
172 
347 
306 
649 
,796 
42 
717 

936,  1006 
970 


iarton,  - 


Wisner,  Henry,  letter  to,  from  Joseph 

Wisner,  Captain  John,  case  of,  stated, 
Bounty  for  Company  advanced  to, " 

Witherspoon,  Dr.,  letter  from,  to  Colonel  Harrison,  - 
Delegate  in  Congress  from  New-Jersey, 

Woburn,  resolve  on  return  of  estates  in,    - 

Woedtke,  Baron  de,  retires  to  the  General  Hospital,  - 
Decease  of,  -      698,  771 

Wolcott,  Captain,  sent  with  stores  to  German-Flats,  - 

Wolcott,  Dr.,  is  the  bearer  of  the  turtle  to  Washington, 

Wolcott,  Oliver,  appointed  Brigadier-General,   - 
Letter  from,  to  Governour  Trumbull, 

Wolcott,  Erastus,  copy  of  a  letter  from,  to  Saybrook 

Committee,       -  ...  1544 

Wolstenholme,  Daniel,  detained  by  Major  Price,        -    5!8 
The  case  of,  stated  by  Colonel  Barnes,  -  -    519 

Letter  from,  to  Colonel  Barnes,     -         -         -         -    520 
Leonardtown  Committee  grant  a  passport  to,          -     521 
Correspondence  of,  with  Governour  Eden,     -         -     616 
Maryland.  Council  of  Safety  refuse  to  permit  the 
departure  of,     -         -  ...     689 

Women,  wanted  at  the  General  Hospital,  -  -     647 

Washington   advises   the   removal   of,  from   New- 
York,"      -  -   997,  1520 
New-York  Convention  resolve  to  remove,      -         -     999 
The  young,  in  Chester,  go  to  the  plough,       -         -  1181 

Wood,  resolve  to  pay  a  committee  for  procuring,        -     273 

Wood  Creek,  removal  of  obstructions  in,          358,  424,  629 
Great  rise  in  the  waters  of.    -        -  -         -  1 268 

Wood,  Major  Joseph,  recommended  for  promotion,    -   572, 

984,  1000 
Election  of,  by  Congress,  as  Lieutenant-Colonel,  -  1593 

Wood,  Sacheverell,  appointed  Doorkeeper  to  Penn- 
sylvania Council  of  Safety, 


Woodbridge,  New-Jersey,  Militia  of,  wish  to  defend,  18 
Colonel  Dickinson's  Battalion  sent  to,  -  -  -  350 
Troops  ordered  to  assemble  at,  -  -  -  -  370 
Smallwood's  Battalion  pass,  ...  600 

Mercer  orders  four  hundred  men  to  be  left  at,         -  1194 
Woodbridge,  Ruggles,  appointed  Colonel  in  Massa- 
chusetts, -  -  293 
Leaves  his  Regiment  on  the  march,       ...    797 
Is  forbidden  to  enter  Skenesborough,    ...  1071 
Detained  at  Skenesborough  by  inoculation,    -         -  1265 
Wooden  Bottles,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety  give  an 

order  for,  -    668,  737,  1055 

Samples  of,  are  sent  by  Thomas  Smyth,  -     707 

Woodhull,  General  Nathaniel — 

Chosen  President  of  the  New- York  Convention,     -  1385 
Letters  from,  as  President  of  the  New-York  Con- 
vention,   202,  205,  228, 

258,  353,  446,  538,  602,  622,  853,  854,  896 
Correspondence  of,  with  the  Convention,      -         -  1184, 

1385,  1544,  1546,  1548 

Letter  to,  from  Captain  Denton,    ....    543 

Letter  to,  from  General  Gates,       ....    773 

Is  joined  by  Colonels  Smith  and  Remsen,      -  1196,  1543 

Draught  of  instructions  to,     .....  1543 

Asks  for  a  reinforcement,      -  ...  1549 

Letter  to,  from  Moses  Seymour,    -  -  1551 

Reported  capture  of,     -  ....  1564 

Is  taken  prisoner  on  Long-Island,  -  1233,  1260 

Cruelly  treated  by  the  enemy,        ....  1261 

Woodhull,  Col.,  joins  Clinton  at  Fort  Montgomery,   -     355 

Woodhull,  Captain,  asks  the  discharge  of  his  troop,   -  1522 

Woodman,  Lieutenant,  prisoner,  indulgence  asked  for,     104 

Woods,  Henry,  Major  of  the  Seventh  Regiment,  3 

Woodstock,  letter  from  the  town  of,  to  Governour 

Trumbull,  -         -  -        -     859 

Woodward,  David,  chosen  Captain  at  Hartford,  30 

Letter  to,  from  the  New-Hampshire  Committee  of 

Safety, 212 

Woodward,  Benjamin,  in  the  Norfolk  jail,  ...     429 
Woodward,  Joseph,  Chairman  of  the  Green  Mountain 

Convention,      .......    565 

Woodward,  Abraham,  inimical,         ....  1378 

Wool,  resolve  to  procure,          .....     324 

Woolcombe,  Midshipman  Joseph,  a  prisoner,  dispo- 
sal of,       22 

Examination  and  parole  of,  -         -         -        -        -       26 

Woolford,  Captain  S.,  ordered  to  Princess  Anne,  Md.,  1342 
Woolsey,  George,  letter  from,  to  Maryland  Council  of 

Safety,     -  -     633,809 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  offer  to  purchase  a  ves- 
sel from,  -  -        -  -  707 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety  pay  demurrage  to,        -  1340 

Woolsey,  John,  a  Canadian  prisoner,  signs  parole,     -  1314 

Wooly,  John,  sent  under  guard  to  General  Clinton,    -  1262 

Captain  Payne's  examination  relative  to,         -        -  1559 

Ordered  to  Poughkeepsie  jail,        ....  1559 

Wooster,  General — 

Letter  from,  to  a  Committee  of  Congress,       -          12,  13 
Presides  at  the  Chambly  Council  of  War,        -        -     164 
Letter  from,  to  the  Continental  Congress,       -        -  1060 
Congress  approve  his  conduct,  in  case  of  goods 

stopped,  -  -  1594 

Congress  find  nothing  censurable  in  the  conduct  of,  1612 

Worcester,  Massachusetts,  notice  from  Committee  of,     178 

Resolve  to  adjourn  the  Court  at,    -        -        -        -     267 

Number  of  men  to  be  raised  in  the  County  of,         -     290 
Field  Officers  chosen  for,      -  -     293 

Meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of,        -  -    515 

Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of,  -        -        -         -     684 

Worcester,  Maryland,  letter  from  Council  of  Safety  to 

Committee  of,  -  ..'*..    593 

Work,  James,  letter  from,  to  William  Atlee,       -         -  1158 
Working  parties,  five  Regiments  only  at  Head-Quar- 
ters turn  out  daily,     ------     503 

Are  sent  to  King's  Bridge,    -----    504 

Are  ordered  to  parade  at  the  Laboratory,        -        -    505 
Worthen,  Captain   Daniel,   appointed    Paymaster   at 

Plymouth,  50,  81 

Member  of  the  New-Hampshire  Assembly,     -  61 

Worthington,  B.  T.  B.,  one   of  the  Anne  Arundel 

Delegates,  -  1055 

Wright,  Alexander,  appointed  Ensign  in  the  Flying- 
Camp,      -  -     349 
Wright,  Jonathan,  appointed  Lieutenant  of  the  Green 

Mountain  Boys,  -        -     377 

Court-Martial  ordered  on,     -  -        -  1358 

Writrht,  Turbutt,  letter  from,  to  ^Maryland  Council  of 

"Safety,      -        -  -     663,722 


1787 


INDEX. 


1788 


Wright,  Jonathan,   thirty-nine  lashes   to,  for   deser- 

"tion,         -         -                                                       -  1269 
Wyandots,  the  tribe  of,  represented  at  Fort  Pitt,          -       36 
Wye  River,  flint-stones  found  on,      -        ...     619 
Report  from  persons  sent  to  explore,      -                  -  1076 
Wyllys,  John  P.,  appointed  Brigade-Major  to  Wads- 
worth,      912 

Wyman,  Isaac,  appointed  Colonel  of  a  Canada  Regi- 
ment,      -------          66, 69 

Letter  to,  from  New-Hampshire  Council  of  Safety,  -     212 
Ordered  with  his  Regiment  to  Ticonderoga,  -         -     826 
Is  assigned  to  Stark's  Brigade,       -         -         -         -  1125 

Court-Martial  ordered  on,      -----  1272 

Wyman,    Captain,    list   of  the    Company   of,    taken 

prisoners,  ....--     167 

Wynkoop,  Captain  Jacobus,  letter  from,  to  Gates,       -    547, 

680,  857,  1276 

Letter  from,  to  Arnold,  -         -         - 1002,  1275 

Refuses  to  obey  the  orders  of  Arnold,     -  -  1003 

Letter  to,  from  General  Arnold,     -         -         -  1003,  1275 
General  Gates  orders  the  arrest  of,         ...  1051 
General  Gates  repeats  the  order  to  arrest,       - 1073,  1187 
Schuyler  will  not  undertake  to  dismiss,  -  1083 

Is  ordered  to  Albany,  there  to  remain,   -         -         -  1153 
Petition  of,  to  Congress,        -----  1185 

General  Schuyler's  order  to,  -  ...  1186 

Copy  of  his  order  to  two  Captains  of  the  fleet,        -  1187 
Schuyler  encloses  his  memorial  to  Congress,  -         -  1217 
Is  said  to  be  totally  unfit  to  command,  -  -  1218 

Appointment  of,  by  New-York  Convention,  tempo- 
rary only,          -------  1222 

General  Gates's  letter  to  Congress  on  the  case  of,  -  1268 
Copy  of  a  letter  from  General  Schuyler  to,      -         -  1277 
Wynkoop,  Colonel,    Regiment  of,  move   from   Fort 

George,    •  -     697 

Letter  from  New-York  Convention  enclosed  to,      -     774 
List  of  officers  in  the  Regiment  of,         -  -     919 

Wynkoop,  Henry,  member  of  Pennsylvania  Council  of 

Safety,      -  -  1311 

Wyoming,  the  officers  escaped  from  Lebanon  reach,  597 
Vigilance  of  the  people  of,  -  ...  599 

Wyriot,  Mr.,  soldiers  recruited  in  North-Carolina  on 

application  of,  -  -  1075 

Y. 

Yankee  Hero,  application  for  release  of  the  crew  of,  -  380 
Account  of  the  wounded  on  board  the,  -  -  -  664 
Proposal  for  exchange  of  prisoners  taken  in,  -  -  727 

Yankee,  privateer,  prize  captured  by  the,  -  -     148 

Seized  by  the  prisoners  and  carried  into  Dover,      -     684 

Account  of  the  treatment  of  prisoners  of  the,  -         -    754 

British  merchants  desire  to  hold  the  Captain  of, 

responsible,      -  -  756 

Yankees,  a  good  example  set  by  the  Carolinians  to,  -  .  497 

Yates,  Robert,   and   others,  letter   to,   from   General 

Washington,     -  -      351,484 

Letter  from,  to  General  Gates,        -  -         -     486 

Letter  from,  to  William  Pawling,  -  -         -     511 

Letter  from,  to  Washington,  -  -  935,  954 


Yates,  Abraham,  Jr.,  Chairman  of  the  Albany  Com- 
mittee,    -                                                              -  817 
Correspondence  of,  with  Washington,   -                  -  997 

998,999,  1028,1237 
Yates,  Abraham,  chosen  pro  tempore  President  of  the 

New- York  Convention,      -                                     -  1494 
Yates,  Thomas,  appointed  Captain  in  Maryland  Militia,  1332 
The  Council  of  Safety  order  payment  of  money  to,  -  1332 
The  Council  of  Safety  issue  a  commission  to,          -  1348 
Youngest  Captain  in  rank  in  the  Battalion,    -         -  1348 
Yates,  John,  elected  Paymaster  by  Congress,      -         -  1602 
Yeates,  Jasper,  letter  to,  from  Captain  Crawford,        -  138 
Letter  to,  from  John  Cox,     -         -                  -         -  254 
Yeiser,  Frederick,  recommended   as    Second    Lieu- 
tenant,    -        ...                                   -  1293 
Is  commissioned  by  Congress,       -                           -  1583 
Yeldel,  William,  order  for  the  arrest  of,      -                  -  1345 
Yell,  Moses,  deposition  of,        -                                     -  688 
York  County,    Pennsylvania,    proceedings   of   Com- 
mittee of,          -        -                 -        -                 -  222 
A  letter  from,  read  in  the  Baltimore  Committee,      -  523 
York  County,  Massachusetts,  number  of  men  raised  in,  290 
York  Ferry,  repulse  of  the  enemy  from,     -                  -  1279 
Yorkers,  arrangement  of  three  Battalions  of,  in  Canada,  393 
Yost,  John,  letter  to,  from  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  524 
The  reply  of,  to  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  -         -  707 
Makes  a  contract  for  muskets  and  rifles,         -         -  1331 
Young,  Captain  Samuel,  list  of  the  men  of,  prisoners 

at  the  Cedars,  -                  168 

Found  not  guilty  of  deserting  his  post,  -         -         -  658 

Petitions  to  know  his  sentence,     -                  -         -  698 
Young,  Captain  James,  Maryland  Council  of  Safety 

advance  money  to,    -                                              -  783 

Commissary  ordered  to  furnish  Company  of,  -         -  906 

Company  of,  ordered  to  Baltimore,                            -  1336 

A  commission  is  issued  to,   -                                     -  1348 

Young,  Mr.,  Hamilton,  sent  to  Congress  as  a  suspected 

person,     -                                                                 -  934 

Is  permitted  to  reside  in  Pennsylvania,  -                  -  1615 

Younghusband,  Capt.,  commander  of  the  Lady  Stanley,  152 

Younglove,  Ensign,  heroick  death  of,         -         -         -  1001 

Youngs,  Joseph,  testimony  of,  in  the  case  of  Colonel 

Hammond,        -                  ...                  .  1439 

Z. 

Zantzinger,  Captain  Paul,  of  First  Battalion  of  Lan- 
caster Associators,    -        -        -        -  -     188 
His  account  of  rifles  approved  by  Lancaster  Com- 
mittee,     -                                   -                 -        -    221 

Zechariah  Baily,  ship,  capture  of,       -         -         -        -     148 
The  crew  of,  recaptured  and  taken  into  Dover,        -     684 

Zedtwitz,  Col.  Herman,  severely  wounded  at  Quebeck,     645 
Proceedings  of  a  court-martial  upon,      -  -  1159 

Is  cashiered  by  the  Court,     -  -   1 160 

Copy  of  his  letter  to  Governour  Tryon,  -         -         -  1160 
Testimony  of  Augustus  Stein  in  case  of,         -         -  1160 
The  self-defence  of,      -         -         -         -         -         -1161 

Court  said  to  have  been  divided  on  the  case  of,       -  1204 


Copy  of  the  order  for  the  Court  on, 


-  1247 


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